Nearly 50 years of writing about New England has given editor Mel Allen travel experiences ranging from the thrilling to the sublime. Here are some of his most memorable—and the best part is, you can try them all, too.
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Taking a parent back to her childhood home reminds us that every town is special to someone.
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An Ode to Ole Time Woodsman Fly Dope
Ole Time Woodsman Fly Dope, one of the oldest insect repellents in the country, keeps blackflies away and memories alive.
Each year winter and spring do their dance, until one finally lets go and the other one moves ahead.
How one Vermont town’s quirky civic experiment became a primer on community-building.
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My Ancestor Was a Salem Witch
When your lineage intertwines with New England’s most infamous era, feelings about family can get tangled.
In focusing on things that have been buffeted by time and tide, Vermont photographer Jim Westphalen asks viewers to see what is around them with new eyes.
A village store is often the heart of a small community. It takes commitment and a special love to keep it alive.
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When the Rains Don’t Stop
As coastal communities grapple with the threat of rising seas, New England’s river towns face a different wave of climate peril.
Embarking on a family trip can bring unexpected obstacles—and revelations.
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Tipping Point on Martha’s Vineyard
Amid extreme weather and an encroaching sea, Martha’s Vineyard must answer a critical question: Will the fabled island change, or be changed by, its climate future?
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The Silence of Soldiers
All the author knew was that his father had been in the Air Force during WWII. Then he found a diary.