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My ActiveRain Success Story-my post got found...Hidden New Hampshire Talent

By
Real Estate Agent with Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Verani Realty

Almost a year ago I wrote about a short stay I enjoyed at the Mountain View Grand Hotel located in Whitefield New Hampshire. I had gone up there to teach a class for the local board of REALTORS and was thrilled to spend some time in this lovely old hotel.

I also enjoyed the indoor pool and the incredible pool art a local artist had created. I think by far it was the most enjoyable swim I have ever had. Like any blogger would do, I wrote an article on it and posted it on my Active rain blog for you all to enjoy.

Then nearly a year later I got a call...my post had been found!

Found by the hotel and the artist. How neat it was to get that call and it made me feel so good. The power of the Rain is truly awesome. The hotel wants to use my article!!! Giving me full credit of course and the artist...she wants to talk with me.

Below is my original article as posted on ActiveRain on April 4 2007 ...

 

Hidden New Hampshire Talent

 Last week I was invited to teach an Agency class for the North Country Board of REALTORS. Because they are located about 3 hours away from me they put me up in a hotel the night before. It was a rainy foggy day as I arrived and the mist just enveloped the entire hotel...cradling it snugly! It was an awesome site to behold...lovely and serene and a bit spooky at the same time. I just wish my camera would have done it justice.

Check out their web site for some truly fantastic shots.
I stayed in the Mountain View Grand Hotel located in Whitefield New Hampshire, this is a very old unique grand hotel that still requires an assistant to operate the elevator. The craftsmanship and decor is just marvelous especially if you love old homes. This a truly clean and very quaint place to stay. I hope I get to go back there someday.

I can get lost in the romance of bygone eras...the image of the glorious ball room full of lovely ladies in ball gowns twirling about on the arms of dashing gentlemen was alive in my mind. Sadly I was alone...Jay stayed behind to pack up our motor home for a quick trip to Myrtle Beach South Carolina since we would be leaving as soon as I arrived home from my class the next day.

After prepping for my class I decided to go swim in the indoor pool. I was in for a treat...thankfully I had my little camera in my bag. While I wish I had the big wide angle camera with me I was so happy I just had a camera!

The  pool was incredible...my little 30 minute planned pool escape turned into well over an hour of pure enjoyment. The pool came alive with scenes of NH wild life...mountains and lakes all lovingly painted.

All the work of a local artist who painted the walls and ceilings of the indoor pool and then added many hidden images throughout it all.

The more I looked the more I saw! The murals all contained hidden images from a penguin to New Hampshire's fabled Old Man in The Mountain and was set up as a contest for local children to try and find the images.

Guess what Monika did??? I tried to find the images and had a blast doing so!

I was totally amazed by the talent of this artist that I started to take pictures to share with you all.

I don't know much about her but that she is a local woman named Caroline Belisle it took her 4 and 1/2 months to paint the mural and all the scenes are those that she actually saw and enjoyed in her beloved NH. She has 34 hidden images and she wrote in a note on the wall that her heart and soul is in this Mural. I believe it!

 

Thank You Caroline for making this flat landers visit to the great north woods so special.

I took too many photos to post so I created a little tour for you all to enjoy.

 

 

 

 

A special thank you to Betsy Hutchings,REALTOR for giving me the artists name and location.

 

 


Serving Southern New Hampshire and Rockingham County

Jay and Monika McGillicuddy

Prudential Verani Realty

Hampstead NH

603-548-7728


 

 


Posted by

Jay and Monika McGillicuddy, Southern NH and the Seacoast area real estate specialists.

Jay and Monika McGillicuddy, covering southern NH and the Seacoast area. If you’re thinking of selling or buying a southern NH or Seacoast area home give us a call…we’d love to help make your home ownership dreams come true.

E-mail Jay and Monika or call or text at 603-548-7728

Jay and Monika McGillicuddy, NH REALTORS

Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Verani Realty

603-944-9172 direct line

603-434-2377 office

 

Comments(27)

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George Souto
George Souto NMLS #65149 - Middletown, CT
Your Connecticut Mortgage Expert
Monika somehow I missed this blog when you wrote it.  Looks like a great place to stay, and I am glad that I got a second chance to read the blog.
Mar 01, 2008 11:23 AM
Ann Cummings
RE/MAX Shoreline - NH and Maine - Portsmouth, NH
Portsmouth NH Real Estate Preferrable Agent

Hi Monika - I remember your post from last year when you wrote it.  I love that hotel - I've stayed there twice now for NHAR/REALTOR meetings, and it is beautiful.  I love that 'wedding room' that they have on the first floor overlooking the back and gardens.  Those painted walls are really cool - I missed those when I was up there.

Ann

Mar 01, 2008 11:26 AM
Randy L. Prothero
eXp Realty - Hollister, MO
Missouri REALTOR, (808) 384-5645

What a great place to stay.  I have not had the pleasure of much travel in your part of the country.  I am planning on a family vacation in the next year or two.

Mar 01, 2008 12:17 PM
Joan Whitebook
BHG The Masiello Group - Nashua, NH
Consumer Focused Real Estate Services
Now, that can make someone completely forget about all the snow.  I was at the hotel a few years ago and it certainly is a delightful place to visit.  Thanks for bringing back some fond memories.
Mar 01, 2008 03:22 PM
Carol Judd
New Star Real Estate - Vernal, UT
Vernal Utah Real Estate
Beautiful paintings.  I am always looking for new places to visit when I travel.
Mar 01, 2008 03:25 PM
Carole Cohen
Howard Hanna Cleveland City Office - Cleveland, OH
Realtor, ePRO
I remember this article and as Ann would say, cool beans Moni! I have always felt you have a travelogue ability in your posts -- photos and all. I love it! And it's well deserved. That swim sounds wonderful right now I wish I was at that hotel LOL
Mar 01, 2008 03:38 PM
Monika McGillicuddy
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Verani Realty - Hampstead, NH
Southern NH & the Seacoast Area

Natalie...Thank you very much. It is an awesome place.

Jennifer...that pool was very inviting. I was thrilled when I got the call.

Lisa...That is  socool that you got contacted too.

Lenn...I enjoyed that study with the fireplace book filled shelves. 

Thanks for stopping by Chris.

Jo-Anne..Thank you for your words. The hotel was easy to write about!

Maureen...The pool and hot tub was such an added bonus. I did not expect it to be so nice.

Linda...You must put it on your must visit list for when you come up here.

Thanks for reading George!

Ann...Funny how after so long it got found.

Randy...Let us know if you come to NH... we'll have to have a get together.

Joan..Don't you just love that area of NH?

Carol...Thank you, you should put it on your must visit list.  

Carole...Cool Beans....is right :) 

Mar 01, 2008 11:51 PM
Jay McGillicuddy
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Verani Realty - Exeter, NH
Real Estate Broker
I thought that was so cool when you told me someone kept calling you and never left a message. I am glad they finally contacted you.
Mar 02, 2008 12:01 AM
Missy Caulk
Missy Caulk TEAM - Ann Arbor, MI
Savvy Realtor - Ann Arbor Real Estate
Monika that is lovely, the fireplace looks wonderful and cozy and no computer. I'll bet coaching and teaching you see so many wonderful places.
Mar 02, 2008 12:03 AM
Monika McGillicuddy
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Verani Realty - Hampstead, NH
Southern NH & the Seacoast Area

Thanks Jay. It was an unexpected surprise.

Missy... I do get to stay in and see many different areas. An unexpected benefit of all the training I do. 

Mar 02, 2008 12:20 AM
Bill Gassett
RE/MAX Executive Realty - Hopkinton, MA
Metrowest Massachusetts Real Estate
Monika looks like a very cool place and those pictures are fantastic! Always great to be found as well :)
Mar 02, 2008 02:42 AM
Bill Somerset
Re/Max Realty Group - Dover, NH
ABR, e-PRO - Realtor - NH Real Estate Agent

Monika,

Keep up the good work.  It feels great to get noticed.  If you continue to write great pieces like the ones I have read in the past, youre reach can only continue to grow.  It was very nice of them to put you up in the hotel also, not a bad perk!

Mar 02, 2008 03:03 AM
Barbara Hershey
Bath, ME
Realtor, Maine Real Estate
Monika - Wow...that place is gorgeous!  And your post is so beautifully written I can see why they'd like to use it in their advertising!  In fact, I think I'll make a reservation for myself!  Good job!
Mar 02, 2008 08:06 AM
Celeste "SALLY" Cheeseman
Liberty Homes - Mililani, HI
(RA) AHWD CRS ePRO OAHU HAWAII REAL ESTATE
I wanna be on a floating bed just swirling around and looking at the art ....with my mind :)  Thanks Monika...beautiful show
Mar 02, 2008 09:04 AM
Melissa Grant
A Serendipity World - Greenbackville, VA
The Law of Attraction In Life & Business
Congrats on your Active Rain success and story ~ The pictures are absolutly amazing and I can see why you would want to share them...and so glad that you did !
Mar 02, 2008 10:16 PM
Stephanie Ballou
Keller Williams Coastal Realty - Dover, NH

Congratulations Monika!

I have been in your classes and always walk away feeling, not only that I learned a tremendous amount, but was entertained in the process. Thank you.

NH has so many gorgeous places! This is one I haven't seen, but will be sure to!

Mar 03, 2008 02:34 AM
Carole Cohen
Howard Hanna Cleveland City Office - Cleveland, OH
Realtor, ePRO
You know now that I think about it, you and I became friends because of your wonderous description and graphics of lobsters LOL  It's no wonder they recognize your talent! :-)
Mar 03, 2008 02:38 AM
Monika McGillicuddy
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Verani Realty - Hampstead, NH
Southern NH & the Seacoast Area

Bill G....It is cool to be found. After nearly a year it wasn't expected at all.

Bill S...The board made a great choice in that Hotel. Thank you so much for the compliments :)

Thank you Barbara...Be sure to tell them Monika sent you :)

Sally...Thank you for watching the show. 

Melissa...Thank you! It is an awesome place to visit. 

Stephanie...Thanks so much for your kind words and Welcome to ActiveRain! 

CC...LOL oh those lobsters. Now I'm hungry for one. 

 

 

Mar 03, 2008 04:35 AM
Kathy McGraw
CELLing Realty - White Water, CA
Riverside County CA Real Estate
Wow, what a wonderful experience......and like Lenn I could just totally relax there.  The Murals are beautiful.
Mar 04, 2008 03:29 AM
Kim Carpenter
Coldwell Banker - Alton, NH
Lake Winnipesaukee REALTOR -Lake Winnipesaukee Real Estate, NH
OMG - I cant believe that was a year ago... I remember seeing this post!  Congrats on being found!
Mar 04, 2008 11:04 AM