Merrimack|News|
Deck the Halls: Amherst Village House Tour Returns Saturday
Annual tradition welcomes the public into six village homes decorated for the holidays.

Until I was a junior in high school, I planned to go to school for acting, but I took a semester-long journalism class at the recommendation of my sophomore English teacher and my career path changed. I went to St. Michael's College in Colchester, Vt., where I earned a degree in journalism and mass communication.
I have worked in community journalism since I graduated from college in 2004. I worked for nearly three years as a reporter covering seven towns for the Argus-Champion, a newspaper in the Newport/Lake Sunapee region of New Hampshire that has since closed. Until I took the job as the editor for Merrimack Patch, I worked for the Nashua Telegraph and Cabinet Press where I worked in several capacities including as a reporter, copy editor and editor. I worked most recently as an editor handling the content for the Cabinet, Merrimack Journal, Bedford Journal and Hollis Brookline Journal.
I live in Nashua and have lived in the Nashua area since 2007. I was born and raised in Exeter, and can see myself living in New England, if not New Hampshire, for the rest of my life, despite strong urges every January to pack up and move to San Diego. I think I may have lived there in a previous life.
I'm a member of the Gate City Striders, a large group of runners who get together for coached track workout and group runs, and am hoping to getting back to running competitively as I did in high school and college.
In my free time I also like to play floor hockey and softball, spend time with friends, read and cook.
Your Beliefs
At Patch, we promise always to report the facts as objectively as possible and otherwise adhere to the principles of good journalism. However, we also acknowledge that true impartiality is impossible because human beings have beliefs. So in the spirit of simple honesty, our policy is to encourage our editors to reveal their beliefs to the extent they feel comfortable. This disclosure is not a license for you to inject your beliefs into stories or to dictate coverage according to them. In fact, the intent is the opposite: we hope that the knowledge that your beliefs are on the record will cause you to be ever mindful to write, report and edit in a fair, balanced way. And if you ever see evidence that we failed in this mission, please let us know.
Politics
I'm a registered Independent though I vote more with the Democratic party. While I am tend to lean to the liberal side on most issues, I'm more interested in the person than voting along party lines.
Religion
I grew up Catholic and went to a Catholic college but I haven't been practicing for several years. I appreciate the beliefs of others and take interest in reading here and there about other religions.
Local Hot-Button Issues
Finding businesses to replace Zyla's and the old Shaw's.
Annual tradition welcomes the public into six village homes decorated for the holidays.

A snapshot of Merrimack Police activity between Nov. 21 and 23.
Keith Burns was indicted by a federal grand jury Dec. 4.
The following information was provided by Amherst Police. An arrest does not indicate a conviction.
Trip will be Tuesday, Jan. 21.
Add some homemade gifts to your holiday list this year – it could be a great way to spend a snowy Saturday night.
Add some homemade gifts to your holiday list this year – it could be a great way to spend a snowy Saturday night.
The following information was provided by Merrimack Police. An arrest does not indicate a conviction.
Morning news and notes for Thursday, Dec. 12.
Morning news and notes for Thursday, Dec. 12.
Report shows decreases in smoking and cardiovascular-related deaths and improvements in high school graduation rates.
Report shows decreases in smoking and cardiovascular-related deaths and improvements in high school graduation rates.
Report shows decreases in smoking and cardiovascular-related deaths and improvements in high school graduation rates.
Report shows decreases in smoking and cardiovascular-related deaths and improvements in high school graduation rates.
The following information was provided by Amherst Police. An arrest does not indicate a conviction.
The following information was provided by Merrimack Police. An arrest does not indicate a conviction.
Get into the holiday spirit with these local activities.
Get into the holiday spirit with these local activities.