Story Archives of 'Old Man of the Mountain'

Host John Walters speaks with author Howard Mansfield about the sigfnificance of some of the earth's most basic landmarks. Whether it's a mound of stones, the position of a clump of trees, or the footprint of a body of water, the landmarks of the earth can take on unforeseen meaning. Mansfield looks at the Old Man of the Mountain and the Boston Post Cane, among other "earthly" treasures. In his book "The Bones of the Earth," he explores these deep connections and the risks of losing them in today's fast-paced world.

Last year, on a cool foggy Saturday morning, Granite staters woke up to find their state's greatest icon, the Old Man of the Mountain had fallen. Since then, many have looked to memorialize and immortalize the old man. We'll look back and look ahead at New Hampshire's great state symbol. Mike's guest is Joe McQuaid, President and Publisher of the Union Leader and New Hampshire Sunday News. We'll also hear from John Mudge, publisher and author of "The Old Man's Reader" and "The White Mountains: Names, Places and Legends", Mark Foynes, Director of Education at the New Hampshire Historical Society, Steve Merrill, Attorney and former NH Governor and also Head of the Old Man Task Force, and Brian Fowler, a geologist and owner and president of North American Reserve.

For centuries, believers across the world have reported seeing the image of the Virgin Mary from the shadows on walls to the middle of corn fields. He may not be the Madonna, but for many New Hampshire residents, the Old Man of the Mountain took on almost spiritual importance. So maybe it shouldn't surprise Granite Staters if they start hearing about Old Man sightings.

We talk with New Hampshire men and woman who caught our attention in this year?s news headlines, from the Mayor of Manchester, to the caretaker of the now fallen Old man of the Mountain to the nation's first openly gay Episcopal Bishop. We'll talk to them about their year... their victories, their challenges and hopes for 2004. Laura's guests are New Hampshire Episcopal Bishop Gene Robinson, Elizabeth McKinstry, National Spokesperson for the Free State Project, Robert Baines, Mayor of Manchester, David Nielson, long-time caretaker of the Old Man of the Mountain, and New Hampshire Senate President Thomas Eaton.

A beloved stone formation tumbles to the ground. immediately, a cry goes up to rebuild it. That's been a familiar story here since the Old Man of the Mountain fell from his mountaintop perch last month. But it's also a familiar story in Montana. NHPR's Trish Anderton reports.