1930: Born in New Hampshire

1968: Hired by the Nashua Telegraph, his first job in newspapers

1975: Begins writing the "Woods, Water and Wildlife" outdoors column for the New Hampshire Sunday News

1978:
Begins publishing the Coos County Democrat, competing with his parents, who own the Colebrook News and Sentinel

1992: Begins publishing the News and Sentinel after his father passes away

1997: Named First Finalist for the Pulitzer Prize after publishing his paper the night of the Colebrook shootings

2001: Sells Coos County Democrat, saying he doesn't have enough time to spend on the paper to make it competitive; the paper is currently owned by Salmon Press

2003: Sells News and Sentinel to his daughter, Karen Ladd, and her husband, Butch.

2006: On the eve of marking sixty years in contra dance music, releases "Where'd You Get Them Great Chunes" with Jacqueline Laufman and the Sugar River String Band

What are the most significant ways that New Hampshire has changed over the past 25 years? We are running out of room - second homes, vacation homes - and the landscape is increasingly fragmented. Also, farming has gone to hell.

What are the most significant ways that conservation and land use have changed over the past 25 years? A fixation on urban life, and a disconnect with rural history and traditions.

What Granite Stater(s) would you say inspired you? In what way?

My dad - reader, confidant and best friend

Mike Shalhoub (Nashua Telegraph), my first trainer

What would you consider your favorite spot in New Hampshire and why?

My house. From it I can see the North Country of New Hampshire, Vermont's Northeast Kingdom, and portions of lower Canada. In addition, the food is good (I do the cooking) and it's warm.

What would you like to see accomplished in New Hampshire over the next 25 years?

a) a solution to the school funding mess

b) train service to at least Tilton Junction