Author Archives: billmanzi

A Look at “The Strategist: Brent Scowcroft and the Call of National Security”

The Strategist: Brent Scowcroft and the Call of National Security by Bartholomew H. Sparrow My rating: 4 of 5 stars Brent Scowcroft had a long lasting and outsized role as a top figure in the U.S. foreign policy establishment, serving … Continue reading

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The Grand Opening of the Weare-Merriman Park

The grand opening of the Weare-Merriman Community Park happened over this past weekend. This park comes to the Seabrook community from the very generous donation of a twenty acre parcel by the Merriman family. Diane Merriman Shenberger, Cathy Merriman Cygan, … Continue reading

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Seabrook Memorial Day Service 2024

A very big thank you to the American Legion Raymond Walton Post 70, Cassandra Carter of Seabrook Recreation, the Seabrook DPW, and the Seabrook Police and Fire Departments, as well as the Board of Selectmen for supporting and attending, the … Continue reading

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A Look at “The Return of Great Powers: Russia, China, and the Next World War” by Jim Sciutto

The Return of Great Powers: Russia, China, and the Next World War by Jim Sciutto My rating: 4 of 5 stars Jim Sciutto has given us a very interesting, and obviously timely, book on the new relationship dynamics between the … Continue reading

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The Seabrook Water and Sewer Reports 2023

The Seabrook Water and Sewer reports for 2023 are below. I have produced these reports for many years, and while they retain the existing format they now include capital costs into the calculation of the annual subsidy going from taxpayers … Continue reading

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Michael Collins- The Man Who Made Ireland by Tim Pat Coogan

Tim Pat Coogan gives us a tour de force on Michael Collins, the man who  made Ireland,  in this book which is both a biography of the “big fella” and a history of a critical point in Ireland. These events … Continue reading

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Revisiting 1939

There has been, in the context of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, lots of discussion of Poland, and how World War II started. Some of the commentary, especially the comments by Vlad Putin blaming Poland for the start of World … Continue reading

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The Great A&P and the Struggle for Small Business in America

The Great A&P and the Struggle for Small Business in America by Marc Levinson My rating: 4 of 5 stars A pretty good book about one of the first true retail behemoths in the United States, the Great Atlantic & … Continue reading

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A Look at “Romney: A Reckoning by McKay Coppins

Romney: A Reckoning by McKay Coppins My rating: 5 of 5 stars McKay Coppins has written a fascinating book that is a both a biography of Mitt Romney and a real important examination of the evolution of GOP politics over … Continue reading

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Methuen Inaugural Now and Then 2024 Edition

Methuen Mayor Neil Perry was inaugurated for his third term of office on Wednesday January 3, 2024. The event was held at the beautiful Methuen Memorial Music Hall. In addition to Mayor Perry the newly elected members of the Methuen … Continue reading

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