Word of Mouth

There’s a story out there… a story you’ll find on dozens, maybe hundreds of websites, about the invention of the casserole: “In 1866, Elmire Jolicoeur, a French Canadian immigrant, invented the precursor of the modern casserole in Berlin, New Hampshire.” That’s from Wikipedia . If you don’t trust Wikipedia, you can also find this attribution in print, too. A newspaper in Kentucky references Elmire Jolicoeur in a story about the opening of a new restaurant...that presumably has some casserole on

There’s a story out there… a story you’ll find on dozens, maybe hundreds of websites, about the invention of the casserole: “In 1866, Elmire Jolicoeur, a French Canadian immigrant, invented the precursor of the modern casserole in Berlin, New Hampshire.” That’s from Wikipedia . If you don’t trust Wikipedia, you can also find this attribution in print, too. A newspaper in Kentucky references Elmire Jolicoeur in a story about the opening of a new restaurant...that presumably has some casserole on

In the early 1940s, an inventor from Berlin, New Hampshire, created a container made of refined polyethylene, an odorless, non-toxic plastic. He called the material “Poly-T.” A few years later, he designed an airtight lid.

In the early 1940s, an inventor from Berlin, New Hampshire, created a container made of refined polyethylene, an odorless, non-toxic plastic. He called the material “Poly-T.” A few years later, he designed an airtight lid.

While April is National Poetry Month, it's also the time of year when some people whisper among themselves that the form is "really not for me". On this week's show we'll ask a couple of local wordsmiths how to make poetry more accessible. And, as the ghost of William Shakespeare enjoys renewed interest every April, one local man gets down to brass tacks - was Shakespeare a plagiarist? You Asked, We Answered: What are the origins of Cat Alley ? We talk to the developer of the idea for Cat Alley

While April is National Poetry Month, it's also the time of year when some people whisper among themselves that the form is "really not for me". On this week's show we'll ask a couple of local wordsmiths how to make poetry more accessible. And, as the ghost of William Shakespeare enjoys renewed interest every April, one local man gets down to brass tacks - was Shakespeare a plagiarist? You Asked, We Answered: What are the origins of Cat Alley ? We talk to the developer of the idea for Cat Alley

NHPR and The Music Hall Present Writers on a New England Stage with Katy Tur. Tur's memoir, Unbelievable , recalls the relentless pace of reporting on the unprecedented Trump presidential campaign for NBC and MSNBC. Tur became a fixation for Trump as he ratcheted up hostility against the media. Tur stood up to Trump's taunting on Twitter and his calling her out at rallies. She endured death threats, insults and other indignities from his supporters, and proved her mettle as a reporter -- now

An anarchist, a libertarian, and a Bitcoin enthusiast walk into a bar ... no, it's not a joke: it's likely a gathering of members of the Free State Project. So, just what is the FSP, you ask? It's a non-profit, a political experiment, a Libertarian mass migration movement, and a difficult-to-categorize spiderweb of connected subcultures—a group that's been confounding long-time residents and recent transplants to New Hampshire for years. This episode is dedicated to answering a single

There are plenty of examples of literary and artistic couples: F. Scott Fitzgerald and Zelda Fitzgerald, George O'Keeffe and Alfred Stieglitz, Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera... but some of these partnerships were famously fraught. A relationship that functions on many levels, both creative and romantic, brings the particular challenge of balancing family and art. In Lebanon, Keiselim Montás and Kianny Antigua are living that balancing act. They are both published, acclaimed writers... and they're

In the mid-19th century, the country was in the throes of a widespread religious revival. It was called the Second Great Awakening, and it fostered the founding of new denominations and inspired millions of converts. This movement laid the groundwork for Methodists and Baptists to exponentially in number, and for Joseph Smith to establish his church of Latter Day Saints. Amidst this fervor, women comprised the bulk of converts, often against the will of their husbands. But women did not tend to

A lot of people hear "cooperative business" and think of their local food co-ops. But, the co-op model isn't limited to bulk bins of quinoa - it was designed to share profits with workers and give small businesses leverage against megastores . So, what role do they play in the Granite State? Plus, we'll hear from area high school students, in this post-Parkland moment, who are organizing to tell lawmakers: Never Again. You Asked, We Answered: What percentage of New Hampshire businesses are

Which of these subjects is more controversial: New Hampshire liquor laws, regional pizza preferences, or the concept of a broad-based income tax in NH? In this episode, we look back at some of our favorite (and most hotly debated) stories from our "Only in New Hampshire" series, where you ask the questions and we find the answers. We'll hear about a requirement that bars selling hard alcohol must also serve food. We'll find out why one style of pizza dominates the Granite State, and we'll

As the legend goes, Sevilla Jones and Henry N. Sargent were courting when Sevilla's heart changed, and their romance took a tragic turn. The pair died over 160 years ago, but the notorious gravestone in New Boston's cemetery still draws curious visitors. But what really happened?

In the months since #MeToo went viral on social media, millions of people across the globe have broken the silence on their stories of sexual assault and harassment. But where do we stand in New Hampshire? How has the Granite State responded to the Me Too movement? What conversations are we having? What actions are we taking? Months ago, we asked listeners if they used that hashtag, and whether they'd be willing to share their stories and perspectives with us. In this episode, you'll hear from

If you're looking for a slice in New Hampshire, you can find a House of Pizza in just about every town in the state. These pies are pan baked, with a hard crust that works like a retaining wall for an even layer of sauce and cheese. This is Greek pizza. And if New Hampshire's got a signature 'za, this is it. But why are all of these Greek pizza joints called "House of Pizza"? And how did Greek pizza come to corner the market in the Granite State? Listener Matthew Jones asked us to get to the