I visited Lebanon and Hanover, New Hampshire, yesterday and today.
I stayed at the Courtyard by Marriott Hanover Lebanon . It was a clean, quiet, pleasant hotel. The staff were friendly and helpful. It is in Lebanon off the highway that connects Lebanon and Hanover, a short drive from the center of Lebanon and the center of Hanover, but at a location that you would really need to have a car to get to. Internet access in the hotel was free. One has to bring one’s own laptop.
I had supper Friday at a place in the center of Lebanon called the Salt Hill Pub. It is a pleasant pub, with a family sort of crowd. The lighting is a little dim. I had meatloaf, mashed potatoes, and diced turnip. It was a satisfying meal.
Then I went to a recital by baritone Nathan Gunn, with his wife Julie Jordan Gunn on the piano. It was in a hall called the Lebanon Opera House, which is actually an auditorium in the city hall. Afterwards there was a reception at a nearby art gallery, the AVA Gallery. Those attending were a congenial group of people from New Hampshire and Vermont. The gallery features some good art works of relatively unknown (at least to me) artists at very reasonable prices.
On Saturday (today December 6) I had breakfast in Hanover at the Dirt Cowboy Cafe, a very tasty apple danish and a large cup of Brazilian coffee. The coffee was quite good. I did a little browsing in Hanover, and then I went to a master class at noon at the Faulkner Recital Hall in the Hopkins Center at Dartmouth College. Nathan and Julie Gunn listened to three young singers and an accompanist and gave advice.
I thought of having lunch at the Dirt Cowboy Cafe, but it was very crowded, and so I went to a Quizno’s for a quick submarine sandwich before driving back home.
