Connecting with someone like Owen Houghton to talk about Rindge is why writing this column is so appealing to me.
During a modern-day Zoom call, Owen reflects on the past. “Takes me back to earlier days,” he says of his time over in Rindge, which began some 45 years ago – times before the development of Route 202, Wal-Mart and Market Basket, times when friends met for beer at the Old Forge and times when left fielders had to climb up a knoll to make a play at Wellington Field softball games.
Listening to Owen provides insight into a time when Rindge seems to have been on the verge of change as Franklin Pierce College, a small academic institution of about 700 students, was securing its roots in the community.
It was 1976, and Owen had been named the new dean of students at the young college. He says many of the students attending at that time were drawn to the sleepy town of Rindge because of the environment and landscape, as well as experiences at Mount Monadnock and Cathedral of the Pines.
“Many were also hippies, which was somewhat antithetical to those times in Rindge,” he recalls.
Owen reminisced about some Rindge residents and politicians who were vocal in their opinions about town matters. Some would reach out to the station “Radio Peterborough” to share on these viewpoints. Owen connects the dots for me here, as this radio show was hosted at that time by Fritz Wetherbee of “New Hampshire Chronicle” on WMUR.
Townspeople also took an interest in Franklin Pierce matters, particularly in keeping tabs on students who may be causing trouble around town. This prompted Owen, the newly minted dean of students, to develop connections in the community, starting with the Rindge police chief. Owen felt that creating a partnership with local law enforcement would benefit the college and the community, hopefully encouraging student safety, good behavior and a strong respect for the town.
The Rindge police force at that time consisted of little more than the chief and one patrolman, with the chief also doubling as a local mechanic. Owen remembers their first exchange well.
“I spent a solid 20 minutes talking to his legs as the chief worked under the body of a car!” he says with a smile as he brings himself back to that moment.
Today, Owen has seen such positive growth in Rindge, adding to the existing values and traditions – things such as recycling programs, the Rindge Conservation Commission’s work and “the intangible spirit of new cultural improvement and awareness” in both the town’s residents and Franklin Pierce University’s students and educators.
“It’s a great town, a great place to raise a family. There’s no need to leave.” Thank you, Owen.
New conservation land needs a name
The Rindge Conservation Commission is seeking input on what to name the town’s new conservation land. The land will be a park, featuring wetlands, forests, wildlife, trails and more. The Conservation Commission asks that individuals submit their name suggestions, along with an explanation as to why that name would be perfect for the new land, by Feb. 24. The commission is looking for a name that will be as meaningful in 100 years as it is today. Email your submission to rindgeconcom@town.rindge.nh.us
Please share your Rindge stories with me at rindgecommcorr@yahoo.com
The Monadnock Ledger-Transcript is continuing to seek community correspondents for our towns. If interested, send an email to editor Bill Fonda at bfonda@ledgertranscript.com.