Whenever there’s a local election, the Gazette is delivered to every household in Hampton so that residents may familiarize themselves with the municipal ballot. We trust you’ll find the rest of the November issue as informative and encourage you to subscribe so that you can receive our community newspaper, free of charge, every month.

In 1843, Governor Chauncey Cleveland issued a Thanksgiving Proclamation from his home here in Hampton. One-hundred and seventy-six years later, we still have a lot to be thankful for in our rural hamlet. The pages of our newspaper provide plenty of proof – news of our nature preserves and community institutions from the volunteers who protect and promote them, the contributions of youth and of veterans, those willing to serve as elected officials, a neighborly barn-raising – these are among the articles of interest contained in this issue.

We live in one of the loveliest towns in New England, and this year our community calendar features familiar places, Goodwin Forest and Trail Wood, Little River and Fuller Brook, illustrating the natural beauty of our town and its seasons. We thank the artists who contributed their paintings and photographs and those who have supported them, and the newspaper, through their purchase of the calendar.

Annually we publish a list of our patrons in recognition of the generosity that makes it possible for us to report and deliver the news of the town to its residents. We have provided a coupon and an addressed envelope in this issue for the convenience of those who would like to contribute; thank you in advance for your donations. We extend deepest gratitude to our advertisers, whose goods and services we are proud to promote. We thank those who patronized the Memorial Day Chicken Barbecue as well as those who helped us with this annual fundraiser; and those who visited us at the Fall Festival and participated in our community polls and in composing our community poem. It is your continued participation — through sharing your stories, from backyard chickens to far flung adventures, your talents through poetry and photography, your interests with articles on nature and history, your accomplishments and your opinions — which makes the Hampton Gazette a community newspaper. We thank you in this month of Thanksgiving, and throughout the year.

The Hampton Gazette