New Hampshire’s Importance in the Presidential Race

New Hampshire’s Importance in the Presidential Race

By Mark Okrant

For anyone under the age of 70, it may appear that New Hampshire always played host to thousands of television, radio, and newspaper journalists at the beginning of each presidential election cycle. In truth, the state owes its special status to a man named Richard F. Upton. 

Campaign buttons

In 1948, Upton, who was Speaker of the New Hampshire House of Representatives, passed a law allowing citizens to vote directly for presidential candidates. According to the terms of that law, any candidate could be placed on the primary ballot by submitting 50 petitions from each of the state’s two Congressional districts. Residents of the state could choose delegates who were pledged to a particular candidate. That system replaced one wherein presidential candidates were selected by party members sequestered in smoke-filled rooms. 

Once the primary system was born, the change had an immediate impact. When Estes Kefauver beat incumbent president, Harry Truman, on the Democratic side of the ballot in 1948, Truman saw the handwriting on the wall and withdrew from the race. History repeated itself in 1968 when a sitting president, Lyndon Johnson, nearly lost to Eugene McCarthy in the New Hampshire Democratic primary. Shortly afterward, Johnson went on television to withdraw from the race, an event that attracted the attention of media throughout the nation. Ultimately, rules established by the McGovern-Fraser Commission removed the selection processes from those smoke-filled rooms in other U.S. states. As primaries increased in importance throughout the nation, New Hampshire’s primary assumed its present status in 1972. 

Outside of the state, members of both parties have complained that New Hampshire, with its small (and overwhelmingly Caucasian) population is assigned a level of importance that is considerably outsized. Meanwhile, people in the state are in no hurry to relinquish its first in the nation status, as Title LXIII, Chapter 653 dictates that the secretary of state shall choose a date seven days or more preceding the time when any other state holds its presidential primary. 

Do citizens of New Hampshire love their first in the nation primary? You bet they do; and why not? Anxious to get a head start on their political rivals, presidential candidates tour the state early and often, sometimes more than a year ahead of the actual primary. While some might say New Hampshire voters have become spoiled by the level of attention they receive from the major political figures, others counter that this state has among the nation’s most knowledgeable voters. Given the opportunity to meet aspirants up close at local restaurants, on the street, at house parties, in college student unions, and other intimate settings, Granite Staters have learned to recognize which candidates are the real deal and those that are all flash and no substance. 

Throughout the years, candidates have made a pitch for the support of new voters by speaking at Plymouth State, St. Anselm’s and other college campuses in the New Hampshire. Some senior faculty members recalled that listening to a Jessie Jackson speech was like attending a church revival, such was the level of energy in the room. One Plymouth State professor walked into a downtown hardware store only to be introduced to a regal looking, white-haired woman. It was Barbara Bush, who was in Plymouth campaigning for George Senior. A number of restaurants frequented by locals have been identified by the candidates’ field operatives. The Red Arrow Diner, with restaurants in Manchester, Concord, and Londonderry, proudly lists the names of the impressive number of candidates who have campaigned there throughout the years. 

Governor George W. Bush (center) with Dick and Kathy Eaton on July 3, 1999 in Wolfeboro. hoto courtesy Kathy Eaton photo]

Lakes Region residents are not without accounts to share. Pam Clark, President of the Laconia Historical and Museum Society, recalls family stories about a parade through the streets of Laconia during the early 1950s, featuring Dwight Eisenhower. Clark was a junior in high school, in February of 1960, when Richard, Pat, Tricia, and Julie Nixon, accompanied by David Eisenhower, attended a reception at the Laconia Tavern. Approximately two thousand people were attracted, with the most fortunate attendees having the opportunity to shake hands, and leave with a straw hat embossed with the slogan, “Nixon’s the One.”  A portrait of Nixon, created by cartoonist Charles Bureau, and signed by the candidate, has remained in the Clark family for six decades.

Ann and Mitt Romney with (far right) Kathy Eaton, taken on July 4, 2012

Warren Bailey, longtime radio personality at WLNH in Laconia, was a cub reporter working for WFEA in Manchester, in 1972. Warren had the opportunity to be up close to both Nixon and George McGovern. He recalls how the two men were amazingly kind while treating the young reporter with respect. That single experience ignited a passion for politics in Bailey that hasn’t diminished with the passing of time. He still smiles in amazement when considering how men who would be future presidents could be such kind and caring people. Asked to recall his most memorable moment, Bailey said it was the opportunity to talk with Ronald Reagan during his 1976 primary fight against Gerald Ford. Bailey appreciates how Reagan and Bob Dole were excellent listeners who didn’t dodge questions as has become an all-too-popular tactic. Like so many others, he laments that the respect which was evident during the 1990s has been replaced by nastiness and division.

Kathy Fairman Eaton, who, with Dick Eaton, established The Laker in 1984, has met a number of presidential candidates. Both were among those welcoming James Baker and Bob and Elizabeth Dole to Wolfeboro when Baker and the Doles were campaigning on behalf of President Ronald Reagan in his bid for a second term. On July 3, 1999, the Eatons were photographed with Texas Governor George W. Bush during his run for the White House. Bush, an avid boater, rode in their celebrated Millie B during a parade of boats to the Wolfeboro Town Docks. Visits by presidential aspirants to Wolfeboro did not end there. Candidate and Wolfeboro seasonal resident, Mitt Romney chartered the Eatons’ trolley for the Independence Day Parade during the 2012 campaign. U.S. Senator Marco Rubio was also marching in that parade and Dick Eaton suggested to him that a Romney-Rubio ticket would be great. To that suggestion, Rubio retorted, “You’re right, but the other way around.”

Tara Shore is the operations and program manager at Laconia’s historic Belknap Mill. Shore learned that the property was a popular stop for presidential candidates when she discovered photographs of former presidents Clinton and Obama in the archives. Subsequently, she has had the opportunity to meet a number of candidates during her five years at the Belknap Mill. In 2016, at the end of her first year on the job, she experienced the crush of press and attendees who filled the mill building to see both Lindsay Graham and Marco Rubio. During the most recent primary, she assisted in pre-arrival arrangements for a visit by Joe Biden, later walking with him out of the building. Biden was delightfully nostalgic as he compared Laconia to his hometown of Scranton, Pennsylvania, another former mill town.

While the experiences of these four people may be exceptional, thousands of New Hampshire residents have been privileged to meet, greet, or sight candidates for the nation’s highest office. As long as the state retains its first in the nation primary status, future generations will experience the special encounters shared by their parents, grandparents and great grandparents.

Planning for Winter at Ski Areas During the Pandemic

Planning for Winter at Ski Areas During the Pandemic

By Mark Okrant

Photos courtesy Ski New Hampshire

It is well known that residents and visitors to New Hampshire love to ski. The industry provides a big boost to the state’s economy, with ski areas around the state offering downhill and cross-country skiing. A typical snowy winter’s day sees thousands of ski enthusiasts on the slopes, and dining and socializing at ski lodges after a few good runs is part of the fun.

This year, however, it is a very different situation, as we are all aware. Although COVID-19 has been with us for more than six months, its impact has been felt across the entire travel and hospitality industry. Nationwide, the 460 ski areas situated in 37 states have suffered losses estimated at more than two billion dollars.

Recently, the “Reopening Guidance for NH Ski Areas” was released by the Office of Governor Sununu, and ski areas around the state are looking forward to developing operating plans around the guidance provided. 

“The draft guidance we submitted and presented to the Governor’s Reopening Task Force was put together with input and consensus across our ski area members. It’s been a real team effort and I’m very proud of the work that our re-opening committee and ski area members have been able to accomplish together,” said Jessyca Keeler, president of Ski New Hampshire. “The approved guidance takes the health and safety of our guests and staff seriously, and with additional input from the Department of Public Health, we’re confident that we have a guidance document that will lead us through this very different upcoming ski season.”

With the guidance directive now released, area ski areas are optimistic about the season. According to Stacie Sullivan, Communications Manager at Waterville Valley Resort, it is expected people will be out on skis in good numbers, although events will be modified to accommodate the need for social distancing. 

Christine Collins, the director of Wolfeboro’s parks and recreation department, which oversees the Abenaki Ski Area, expects there to be a good deal of social distancing, with Abenaki’s buildings being accessible only to use the restrooms. Many skiers will “boot up” in their cars in parking lots. (Note: some resorts may apply a “drop and go” policy to ski bags.) Food and beverages will be available at Abenaki only at pickup windows. 

The “COVID-19 Reopening Guidance for NH Ski Areas” will be implemented statewide and includes guidance for staff and guests alike to wear face coverings inside buildings (except when eating or drinking), in lift lines and mazes, as well as when loading, riding, and unloading from lifts. The face mask policy applies to other places where six feet of physical distancing cannot be achieved. 

Resorts will implement enhanced cleaning regimens, and apply employee protocols (many of which have been in place since summer operations began. Chairlift rides will only group families and those who have traveled together. Ski areas will shift to more online ticket sales to avoid lines and in-person transactions at ticket windows, and there will be physical distancing requirements and capacity controls within lodges and other indoor facilities. These adaptations and others will be common across the state’s ski areas and should provide a baseline of what guests can expect at any given area.

In addition to topics within the guidance directive that address ski-area specific operations such as chairlifts and lodges, other references must be followed, including the NH Universal Guidance and Guidance for the Food Service Industry, Child Care, Retail Stores, Amateur & Youth Sports, NH Performing Arts Venues, and various CDC Guidance.

Resorts will be responsible for implementing operating plans designed to reduce the risk of infection from COVID-19. Guests will be responsible for following these procedures prior to and when they arrive at the ski area. Skier services will vary by resort, as each area will decide which parts of its operation will be available to its guests. Guests should check each ski area’s website for the status of its offerings and policies before arriving. 

“These guidelines will help our guests to have the confidence to get out to ski and ride. Now’s the time to get pumped for the ski season—the rest is up to Mother Nature,” said Tom Day, Gunstock Mountain Resort president and general manager. 

Looking back at the previous ski season, when COVID started, Ski New Hampshire Inc.’s (Ski NH) 15-member ski resorts and 15-member touring centers were impacted by the directive to self-quarantine immediately last March. The shutdown could not have come at a worse time, as only December exceeds March in importance to the state’s ski industry. Early estimates indicated the cost to ski areas was more than a million dollars during that single month.

According to Ski New Hampshire’s Keeler, “People throughout the country were caught flat-footed. We had to wait until someone told us how to react. Ultimately, they were instructed to shut down operations during March 2020, while not knowing when, or if, they would be able to reopen.”

Keeler adds, “We’re all looking forward to this ski season. It’s almost as if we have some unfinished business after having our season come to an abrupt end in mid-March. That said, the key to opening and staying open this year will be for ski areas to do their part, and guests to do theirs. It’s up to all of us to observe and respect the new protocols being put in place that are designed to keep staff and guests safe and healthy.”

During the 2019-20 season, Ski NH’s 15 alpine areas had a count of 1,961,072 skier visits. The prior (2018-19) season, that count was 2,142,668. This means that member alpine ski areas experienced a decrease in visitation of eight percent, year-to-year. The damage was even greater than these numbers show, however, as there were significant financial losses that would have come in the form of existing season ticket, food and beverage, retail, and other sales, plus vital advance purchases of 2020-21 season passes. 

Among those interviewed, opinions about the forthcoming ski season varied from optimistic to “wait-and-see.” A majority of operators agree with Sullivan’s assessment that more people will be on the slopes and the trails. The logic is obvious: most people feel cooped up; therefore, they will see this winter as an opportunity to escape the doldrums of house sitting and channel surfing. 

The question all ski area operators are facing is how to handle ski passes. Hoping to avoid the necessity to facilitate on-site ticket purchases, lift ticket purchases are likely to be made online. Skiers would order and purchase their tickets using a website, then have them printed at kiosks on the mountain sides, with passes checked using portable electronic devices.

So, how will ticket purchases at the Lakes Region’s three downhill (Abenaki, Gunstock, and Ragged Mountain) and three cross-country (Gunstock, Nordic Skier, and Purity Spring) ski areas look this coming season? One of the most effective recent practices by ski areas is still under consideration. During a typical season, discounts are offered for early purchases of seasonal ski passes. Meanwhile single day passes purchased at ticket windows are offered at a significantly higher daily rate. Under present circumstances, it makes sense to keep this system in place, as it’s also an effective way of keeping people out of the ski lodges. 

Many food and drink services will remain outdoors, as food trucks, tented dining places in parking lots, and outdoor deck spaces are added. Masks and disinfection protocols will be de rigueur, and Plexiglass dividers will be in place to protect the health of staff and guests. 

One positive footnote has resulted from the pandemic and the uncertainty that has followed. Keeler reports that the sense of community among its constituencies—individual resorts, state associations, and the National Ski Areas Association’s membership—has never been stronger. This can only bode well for the future of the nation’s ski industry. 

(Additional information for this story provided by Ski New Hampshire.)

For more information on ski areas, trail conditions, vacation planning, and updated winter events at Ski New Hampshire resorts, visit SkiNH.com. For statewide travel information, go to VisitNH.gov.)

A Visit to Ellacoya State Park is Still Fun…Just a Little More Interesting

A Visit to Ellacoya State Park is Still Fun…Just a Little More Interesting

By Mark Okrant

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, we hear daily counts of new cases. What those reports do not to tell is how the lifestyles and livelihoods of countless other individuals have been impacted. With recreation and tourism being the second leading contributor to New Hampshire’s economy, and the state parks system engendering more than $5 million in annual revenue, it is interesting to look closely at COVID’s impact upon one of this state’s recreation treasures—Ellacoya State Park.

Ellacoya is a 65-acre property managed by the New Hampshire Bureau of Park Operations. Situated in Gilford, along the southwest shore of Lake Winnipesaukee, Ellacoya is divided into two sections—a day-use beach area and an RV campground. The two areas of the park share 600 feet of beautiful sandy beachfront, as well as a gorgeous view of the Sandwich and Ossipee mountains across a broad expanse of the state’s largest lake. 

During COVID-free summer seasons, day visitors have been provided with a range of services. By paying a low entry fee - $5 for adults, $2 for children 6 to 11, and no charge for New Hampshire seniors - visitors could utilize a picnic pavilion, a changing area and bathhouse with showers, as well as a beach store that carried various refreshments and souvenirs. With its abundance of picnic tables and a playground, Ellacoya has been a delightful spot for generations of individuals, couples, and families of all ages to enjoy.

The Ellacoya RV campground is laid out in a herringbone pattern, with four rows comfortably accommodating a total of 37 recreation vehicles; however, tents are not permitted. The campground provides three-way hook ups, a dumping station, a small craft boat launch, and an indoor shower-laundry facility. 

In search of a better understanding of how the pandemic has impacted the state’s outdoor recreation areas, this author met with Ellacoya State Park’s nine-year veteran manager, Paul Jensen. Paul has a positive, hands-on attitude and arrived wearing a facemask; it is obvious that he is taking the threat we are facing seriously. 

COVID-19 was already in the state when the RV park opened at its traditional date during the Memorial Day weekend. However, to adjust to the pandemic, the campground remained at one-half capacity, with only New Hampshire residents permitted. It was not until the end of June that the campground was opened at its full capacity, at which time out-of-state residents also were allowed to enter. Out-of-state visitors at Ellacoya and New Hampshire’s other state campgrounds are required to attest that they have quarantined under strict standards for 14 days prior to their arrival.

While walking through the RV park, one cannot help but notice that campers seem very relaxed, with several going out of their way to make conversation. I took this as a sign that the 2020 season’s regulations weren’t causing undo stress. So, I asked Jensen what specific changes he had made, and which have been the most difficult to implement.

Paul Jensen, Ellaocya State Park manager

He informed me that because of the spacing between campsites, there was no concern about distancing while sitting outside one’s RV. However, in the face of COVID, new camp rules call for people to remain at least six feet apart while on the beach or conversing in a group. Masks must be worn inside the park office. The showers and laundry facility will remain locked throughout the season. Jensen foresaw no problems in enforcing these regulations. However, his shoulders slumped briefly as he told me about one additional rules change in the campground area.

“Our community fire ring has been cancelled for the season.” He went on to explain that the ring is one of the traditional social highlights for campers at Ellacoya. Asked if people expressed disappointment about its absence, Jensen seemed to be smiling behind his mask. “No, folks have been remarkably understanding. They realize that it’s not something we want to do either.”

The pandemic has had a more noticeable impact upon the experience provided on the day visitor side of Ellacoya. Under normal circumstances, the parking lot for the beach would be at full capacity—225 cars—on a busy weekend. That has not been a concern this season. Instead of its usual opening day on Memorial Day weekend, the beach was opened on June 19 with the total number of people permitted to visit limited to 180, a figure that was expanded to 225 at the end of June. 

Like their campground counterparts, this season’s day visitors will need to have a reservation in order to be admitted to the park. The full impact of this decision is felt primarily during busy weekends, when the beach at Ellacoya could easily accommodate may more on a Friday, Saturday, or Sunday. 

Jensen is not insensitive to the beach-goers’ plight. “I worry that someone will show up on the 4th of July without a reservation [this interview took place a few days before the 4th of July holiday weekend], thinking they can just pay and go to the beach. I know that people are disappointed when they learn we can’t admit them.” Jensen hopes disappointed patrons will be understanding and not take out their dissatisfaction on his staff.

Those who do gain admission will need to adjust to a new set of circumstances. While people are not required to wear masks outdoors, they are expected to keep at least six feet away from others. The showers and changing facility are off limits this year, and only two people at a time will be admitted to the restrooms. Also, Ellacoya’s popular little beach store will not be open this season. 

Despite these changes, the demand for space at the popular state beach remains strong. Asked how COVID has impacted his job, Jensen immediately shifted concern toward his staff and guests at Ellacoya. “We’re down staff numbers because of the pandemic. That means fewer people must do more to keep the park running.” A major responsibility is cleaning restrooms on a two-hour schedule. And the staff needs to remember to wear masks.

As we concluded the interview, Jensen returned to his concern about campers. He seemed sincerely apologetic for something over which he has no control: “The absence of the fire pit and music being played there changes the entire community atmosphere at the RV area. And trying to interact with one another through face masks changes everything.” 

Owing to the willingness of Paul Jensen and his staff to accept responsibility, a visit to Ellacoya State Park continues to be a pleasant experience. It remains for visitors to do their part by employing a six-foot radius and wearing a mask as often as possible.

For information about Ellacoya State Park, call 603-293-7821 or visit www.nhstateparks.org for details and ticket reservations.

Great Lakes Region Golfing

Great Lakes Region Golfing

Yes, you can enjoy golf this summer!

By Mark Okrant

The game of golf is near and dear to the hearts of both Granite State residents and visitors. According to a study conducted by SRI International, golf engenders nearly 300,000 day occasions and more than 100,000 overnight trips annually within New Hampshire. The state’s 113 golf courses are significant resources for recreation, tourism, real estate development, and a range of other activities, producing a total economic impact in excess of one-half billion dollars.

With the COVID-19 outbreak, governors throughout the nation responded by implementing policies designed to limit the spread of the disease. In New Hampshire, quarantining and social distancing had an immediate impact upon everything from retail to recreation, and from travel to teaching. Golf was not immune from these measures, as courses and driving ranges were shuttered for nearly two months. 

The following is an explanation of the initial reopening of Lakes Region golf courses. Later in this article, we bring readers up-to-date on the most current rules and happenings pertaining to golf.

On May 11, the governor permitted golf courses to open, but not without strong protective measures in place. As the day to open approached, courses began to alert golfers to several realities. Only New Hampshire residents and course members were permitted to play golf here. During normal times, golfers tend to arrive at a course an hour or more before their scheduled tee times. Then, after completing their rounds, many players would head for the course’s restaurant or bar—lovingly referred to as the 19th hole—to recall the trials and tribulations of the day. 

Under the new policy, only golfers who made a reservation well in advance and paid remotely with a credit card were allowed to play. Golfers were instructed to remain in their cars until 15 minutes before scheduled tee times, then to leave the course immediately after playing. 

Starts were separated by exactly 15 minutes. There was no pre-round practice, as driving ranges and putting greens remained closed to the public. Each golfer was instructed that she/he must ride solo in a sanitized golf cart provided for them by the course, or else walk throughout the round. Beer and beverage carts were not operating. 

Hello, Worl d!

Once on the golf course, each member of a group was required to wear a face mask and remain a minimum of six feet apart from playing partners. Golfers handled their own golf clubs. If a wayward shot landed in a sand trap, the player was expected to blast out, then smooth the trap using a golf club because no rakes were provided. The flag or pin that identifies each hole’s location on the green was not to be touched. Instead, the course was required to provide raised cups that prohibited the golfer from reaching deep inside the hole. Furthermore, upon completion of each hole, it was necessary for the golfer to remember her/his score or write it on a piece of scrap paper, as no scorecards or pencils were provided. At the end of the round, golfers were instructed to remove all personal belongings—clubs and bags, clothing, food wrappers, and beverage containers—from their carts. At this point, a member of the course’s staff was to wash and thoroughly disinfect carts. Amazingly, none of this deterred diehards from their appointed rounds.

Much of what was just described changed beginning on Friday, June 5, at precisely 3 pm. This is when the governor implemented the second phase of his COVID response policy. In order to learn more about how this new phase impacted golfers and golf course personnel, I interviewed four people: Kristy Gleason, golf professional at the Donald Ross designed Kingswood Golf Club in Wolfeboro; Jonathan Rivers, golf pro at Indian Mound Golf Club in Ossipee; Barbara Jenkins, co-manager and co-owner of Oak Hill Golf Course in Meredith; and Bob Santos, golf pro at Waukewan Golf Club in Center Harbor.

I learned that all four courses quickly became active after May 11, despite restrictions. However, all golfers—residents and non-residents alike—are now welcome to play on New Hampshire courses. Tee times still must be made in advance; however, golfers now have a choice of paying online or upon arrival at the course. 

Each of the courses I canvassed continues to require golfers to remain in their cars until 15 minutes before beginning their rounds. This regulation is gradually loosening as facilities such as driving ranges, putting greens, and onsite food services are opening to the public.

Playing at these four courses is beginning to resemble traditional golf experiences. The interval between tee times has been reduced from the 12-to-15 minute range to a more normal 10 minutes. While sanitation stations and instructional signage are situated at entrances to restrooms, the regulation about riding solo in golf carts has been relaxed. Some courses, like Indian Mound, prefer that tandem cart usage be limited to people from the same household. One safeguard remains in place, as face masks and six feet of separation during play remain de rigueur for the present. Indian Mound continues to require golfers to wear masks in its clubhouse and restaurant facilities. 

Golfers who have less control over their shot-making and those who are mathematically challenged will be relieved to know that sand trap rakes and pencils and scorecards were permitted as of June 5. Other changes include the removal of those devices that prohibited golfers from reaching into golf holes. 

The professionals and management at each of these courses were happy to welcome the return of their golf leagues. In each case, tee times are required, as opposed to shotgun starts practiced by some leagues. There are two distinct differences from previous seasons: the leagues are smaller and socialization before and after rounds is dramatically reduced. Much like the general golfing public, league golfers are expected to quickly take their belongings, so the golf carts can be thoroughly sanitized for later groups.  

Perhaps the greatest change that has occurred since implementation of Phase 2 is in clubhouse services. Pro shops have reopened and food services are gradually being reinstituted, albeit with safety regulations. As of June 15, Waukewan intends to open its indoor restaurant—with social distancing. Oak Hill has a screened-in outdoor dining area, while Indian Mound is providing full food and beverage services for fewer customers. There is one thing that these four golf courses have in common: Each has food and beverage services, an important part of their businesses. 

Back on the fairways themselves—places where it never rains and even a bad round of golf is better than almost anything else in life—play has resumed, even in the face of this enigmatic pandemic.

Chair Caning: an art form dating from the time of Moses

Chair Caning: an art form dating from the time of Moses

By Mark Okrant

Each time Robyn Ross painstakingly restores a beautiful cane chair, she is propagating an art form that is many centuries old. At the same time, the Laconia resident is continuing a tradition that has been in her family for several generations. The proprietor of one of fewer than 10 chair caning businesses in the Granite State, Ross is the third generation in her family to perform the craft. Ross learned caning from her mother, Louise Sawyer who, in turn, was taught by her father.

In an effort to learn more about weaving in the Lakes Region, I was fortunate enough to interview Robyn Ross, proprietor of Robyn’s Chair Caning in Laconia. In the true tradition of a cottage industry, Ross operates the caning business inside her Moulton Street house. I was interested to learn whether chair caning—much like the region’s vital tourism industry—has a peak season. Ross explained that the high-season for caning chairs closely matches the time period when summer visitation is at its zenith. Ross depends substantially on summer visitors arriving to houses and cottages they own or rent in the area. Therefore, the time between May and October, into November, provides most of her business. Once Thanksgiving passes, demand for caning services is dramatically reduced. 

I had incorrectly envisioned caning as an activity wherein Ross and her colleagues produce brand new chairs for clients. This second misconception was quickly corrected, as Ross has not produced a single new chair during her 30 years as a caner. Rather, she does much of her work for antique dealers and furniture repair businesses that have acquired worn or damaged chairs in need of doctoring. Many of these proprietors have worked with Ross for years, having evolved a symbiotic relationship between businesses. 

With rare exceptions, Ross does all of her repair work in her home. I asked how often she has needed to repair the same chair more than one time. Her response surprised me. “Never. Cane chair seats last 30 years with normal wear and tear. So, I haven’t needed to repair any chairs a second time. Of course, I’ve been doing this for 30 years now . . . so . . .”

Created during the winter, this set is the most difficult that Robyn Ross has created.

I was curious about which of the numerous types of caning Ross prefers. She replied that most of her work has been in splints weave, shaker tapes, and rush. When I pressed her to tell me which is her favorite, she replied without hesitation, “Splints weave . . . it produces a herring bone pattern that looks nice and, when it’s completed, makes a comfortable seat. By contrast, rush is very difficult to work with and produces a hard, less comfortable seat. 

Antique dealers, furniture repair businesses, and owners of wounded chairs can reach Robyn’s Chair Caning by contacting Ross in advance. Call or text her at 520-4450 or email Robyn at robyn@chaircaningnh.com.

How did chair caning evolve? In all probability, the earliest cane work was done in ancient China. At some point in very early times, the technique made its way to Egypt. We know this because caned chairs have been found in Egyptian tombs dating to 1300 BCE, more than 3,000 years ago. 

The earliest evidence of the craft in Europe dates to 1500 AD, where seat caners and weavers in England and France were given the name, “bottomers.” Meanwhile, those who specialized in weaving fiber rush were called “matters” for their skill in creating floor mats by hand. Written evidence indicates that caned bottom chairs were very popular among affluent Europeans during the 17th and early 18th centuries. Later, with the onset of the Industrial Revolution, a relationship developed between industry and the arts. During the 1830s and 1840s, factories produced quality wooden furniture that was turned over to artisans who wove seat bottoms as a cottage industry enterprise. By the 1890s, machines were incorporated into the process, creating woven sheets of cane that were pressed into a groove in the chair’s frame. This method still exists today, creating an alternative to the hand-woven seat bottom. 

There are a number of misconceptions about chair caning. One of these is that most chairs are made from woven rattan. Rattan—or pressed cane—is a very long vine from the rattan palm, calamus rotang, that grows in the rainforests of Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, and China. The very flexible vine snakes its way along the forest floor before climbing up through the trees in search of sunlight. These vines, which can grow from one to six hundred feet in length, are miserable to harvest and work with. First, thorns and joints need to be removed; next the bark must be separated from the core and processed into strips. The process of creating rattan chairs has been described as tedious, time consuming, and very hard on the weaver’s hands. 

What types of caning are more popular among caners in this part of the world? The leaders are splints weave, fiber rush, pressed cane, shaker tapes, and pre-twisted natural rush. If you’re like me, these terms might as well be Klingon in origin. Splints weave utilizes ash splints that come in widths ranging from one-half to one inch. These are hand stripped from timber, then woven into an attractive herring bone pattern. Fiber rush is constructed from tough, twisted paper—that’s right, paper—ranging from 4/32 to 6/32 in width. Some people may laugh at the notion of sitting on a seat bottom made of paper. However, be advised that the stuff is very durable. Pressed cane is made from rattan palm. Most US weavers eschew its use for reasons described above. Some weavers use reeds imported from Madagascar or China; however, these artisans principally produce baskets. Finally, the Shaker tape technique is derived from the Shaker communities that were at their peak during the mid-19th century. Shaker tapes are one-inch-wide and are produced in a variety of colors. The resulting chairs are characterized by very attractive two-tone checkerboard patterns.