The Joy of Summer!

Ross Berry
May 30
8 min read

Celebrating This Great Time of Year…

‘Karen and Jay share the true excitement of summer – family time, fun time and more.’

Back in grade school, I can remember the anticipation. Counting down the days until that glorious moment. The end of the school year! Really just so awesome to be looking forward to the summer season. When the pace slows down. There’s more time for family and friends – as well as just good old fun. Summer is finally here. Let’s celebrate.

For families, summer is a golden opportunity. School's out, schedules are looser, and suddenly there's more room to breathe and be together. Whether it's planning a week at the lake, heading to a baseball game, or just grilling in the backyard, these are the moments we remember. There's something about longer days and warmer nights that brings people closer. Some of my favorite memories are those simple evenings sitting outside with the kids, watching fireflies and eating ice cream cones that melt a little too quickly in the heat. Summer just seems to offer the kind of quality time that can be hard to come by the rest of the year.

Summer also gives us a chance to relax in a way that feels truly restorative. There’s less rush. Fewer emails. More flip flops. It’s the season where reading a book on the porch feels just as productive as anything else. I always find that the sunshine and slower pace help me reset. Whether it’s a quick nap in a hammock or just floating on a raft out in the middle of a quiet lake, summer reminds us that it’s okay – and even necessary – to take a break sometimes.

And for recharging, there’s truly nothing better. Summer lets us step away from the noise and stress and rediscover the simple joys – like a walk in the woods or a morning paddle before the world wakes up. Here in New Hampshire, we’re incredibly lucky to have so much natural beauty right in our backyard. The White Mountains offer epic hikes and views that never get old. The Lakes Region is perfect for swimming, boating, and making memories that stick with you long after the season’s gone. And the seacoast? Nothing beats a fresh lobster roll and some time by the ocean breeze.

All in all, summer really is something special. It’s a season full of excitement, yes – but also comfort. The joy of summer comes from its ability to be whatever we need it to be: thrilling, restful, connective, or calm. Every year, when it rolls around again, it feels like a gift. And for those of us lucky enough to spend it in a place like New Hampshire, it’s even better. So, here’s to summer – to laughter, sunshine, and making the most of every warm, wonderful day.

School’s Out for the Summer!

The final bell rings, and a collective cheer echoes through the hallways—school’s out for summer! For students, it’s a ticket to endless days of fun in the sun, sleeping in, and diving headfirst into summer adventures. Teachers, too, get a chance to recharge and refresh, swapping lesson plans for beach towels and backyard barbecues.

Summer is more than just a break from books—it’s a chance for kids (and adults!) to breathe deeply, play wildly, and soak up every ounce of vitamin D. According to the American Camp Association, over 14 million kids head off to summer camp each year. Camps offer everything from kayaking and campfires to crafts and hiking, giving kids a chance to build confidence, independence, and lifelong memories.

For many, summer break isn’t just about sleeping in—it’s about camp stories and cannonballs. Ask any grown-up and they’ll probably still remember the thrill of staying up late at camp, sharing ghost stories and plotting the next great prank. Or the sweet freedom of hopping on a bike with nowhere in particular to go.

Teachers, meanwhile, look forward to a different kind of “classroom”—one with sandy beaches and ice cream cones! It’s their chance to read a book just for fun or tackle that home project that’s been waiting all year.

Summer break has been shown to be a real boost for kids’ mental and physical health. Researchers find that active play and outdoor time help kids return to school with improved focus and a renewed zest for learning. It’s like hitting the reset button for the brain and the soul.

So here’s to the sweet sound of the final bell, the smell of sunscreen, and the joy of flip-flops replacing school shoes. Whether it’s at summer camp or just in the backyard with a sprinkler and a popsicle, summer is a season to be a little wild and a lot happy.

The Joy of a New England Summer - One Family Memory at a Time

There’s a particular kind of joy that only a New England summer can offer - the kind that comes wrapped in lake breezes, salt air, and the laughter of kids chasing fireflies. It's the joy of unplugged weekends, car rides with the windows down, and moms and dads trading emails for campfire songs.

From the quiet beauty of the Lakes Region - where paddleboards glide across glassy mornings and family dinners come with sunset views - to the bold adventure of the White Mountains, where hiking boots get muddy and zipline rides echo with squeals of delight, summer here is about more than the scenery. It’s about time together.

Up the coast of Maine, fishing villages hum with life. Lobster rolls, boat rides, and small-town charm remind us that the simplest pleasures are often the most lasting. Down on Cape Cod, the days stretch long and lazy - filled with sandcastles, seafood shacks, and generations building memories on the same beach.

In every corner of New England, summer invites us to slow down, reconnect, and rediscover what matters most: family, fresh air, and the freedom to just be.

This summer, may we all find a little joy where the mountains meet the sea - and in the company of those we love most.

Summer on the Seacoast

When the sun’s out and the breeze rolls in from the Atlantic, the uplifting vibe of New Hampshire’s Seacoast takes center stage. It’s where long days turn into warm evenings, and each moment is an invitation to slow down and savor what summer has to offer. Whether you’re wandering through the streets of historic Portsmouth or posted up in the sand at Hampton Beach, there’s no shortage of joy to be found.

At the heart of the Seacoast experience are classics and flavors—lobster rolls dripping with butter, fried clams served seaside, and summer ice cream cones melting just fast enough to make you smile. Spots like Brown’s Lobster Pound in Seabrook or Petey’s in Rye are local favorites, offering a salty, satisfying bite that just tastes better in the summer sun.

But it’s not all about the food—summer on the Seacoast is packed with energy and activity. You can catch live music at the Sea Shell Stage in Hampton, or stroll along the boardwalk where arcades buzz and the smell of fried dough lingers in the air. Take a boat cruise out of Portsmouth Harbor, or bring the kids to the Blue Ocean Discovery Center to learn about marine life. It’s classic summer fun with an authentic New England twist.

More than anything, the Seacoast offers a chance to recharge. There’s something healing about spending time by the water, soaking up vitamin D, and leaning into the simplicity of the season. Whether you live nearby or are just passing through, taking a break on the Seacoast has a way of lifting your spirit and refreshing your outlook.

The joys of summer don’t need to be extravagant—they just need to be embraced. And there’s no better place to do that than the Seacoast of New Hampshire.

Westfield Summer Lunch Driver

Autobio written by Alex Barouxis-Kroll of the American Sunshine Movement

During the summer of 2022, following my sophomore year of college, I found myself looking for a job to keep me busy and fund the occasional tee time with my friends. That search led me somewhere familiar: the Boys and Girls Club in my hometown of Westfield, Massachusetts—a place I knew well from my younger days, where I’d go to play basketball in the Town Youth League.

That summer, I stepped into my new role for the season—a driver for the Club’s Summer Lunch Program. Each morning, I’d pack coolers full of free, nutritious lunches and head out to deliver them to parks and playgrounds throughout Westfield. What made it so meaningful to me was that many of these were the same places where I would go and play with my family as a young child. Now, as a young adult, I was on the other side. I was helping the new generation of Westfield’s underprivileged youth enjoy their summer days with full stomachs and smiles on their faces.

There was something very powerful about my routine that summer. Each morning, I’d pack lunch bags with other Westfield locals before heading out in the Club’s transit van to spots like Stanley Park—a beloved recreational hub in the heart of town. The job wasn’t necessarily glamorous, but it was impactful and extremely fulfilling. It felt amazing to contribute to the place where I was raised, and to show up for kids who might’ve been counting on that lunch as the highlight of their day. It reminded me how deeply rooted our communities can be, especially when you're giving back to the place where you once stood in the same shoes. I spent most of my shift outdoors, watching young families at the swings or gathering at the local farmer’s market. It was a chance to enjoy the simple joys of summer while helping others do the same.

This experience of mine reminds me of Jay Lucas, who shared with me how he spent his summers as a young man driving a bread truck—a job that, in its own way, connected him to his community. Like my own experience, it may not have appeared glamorous, but it was grounding. Our experiences instilled in us the value of work, service, and pride in small contributions that make a big difference.

Looking back, I’m grateful for that summer. For the early mornings, the packed lunches, the hot afternoons, and the small moments of connection I was fortunate to experience. It was a reminder that summer’s greatest joys sometimes come in the simplest forms, especially when you’re giving something to someone else that will truly benefit from your efforts.

Positive Profile of the Week: The King of Summer Cones: Bob Lee & the Beach Plum Legacy

This week we are delighted to highlight a local entrepreneur who is really making a difference – and yes, even helps us enjoy the summer, Bob Lee!

When locals think about the joys of summer in New England, there's one name that brings instant smiles and cravings: The Beach Plum restaurants, owned by Bob Lee, a beloved New Hampshire staple synonymous with sunshine, sand, and scoops of homemade ice cream.

What started as a small, seasonal seafood shack has blossomed under Bob’s leadership into a quintessential summertime destination, with locations in Portsmouth, Epping, Salem, and the iconic North Hampton beachfront - the latter being a rite of passage for every coastal summer.

For decades, Bob has quietly built more than just a business - he’s nurtured a summer institution. Whether it’s their award-winning lobster roll (one of the biggest in the state), the fresh fried clams, or a towering cone of black raspberry ice cream enjoyed steps from the ocean, The Beach Plum offers the taste - and feeling - of summer, one order at a time.

But beyond the food, it’s Bob’s commitment to community that shines brightest. His restaurants employ dozens of local teens each summer - many for their first-ever job. He champions local sourcing, supports town events, and never forgets a regular’s name.

In an era of big chains and fast turnover, Bob Lee has done something rare: created places that feel timeless. That’s the magic of summer - and of people like Bob - reminding us that joy isn’t complicated. It’s a warm breeze, a full cone, and the comfort of knowing your favorite spot is still right there, waiting.

So, here’s to Bob Lee - and the delicious legacy he continues to scoop up, one happy customer at a time.