Adam Drapcho, Freelance Journalist Profile

Articles

In a puff of smoke, cigar shop appears on Union Ave

5 days ago | laconiadailysun.com | Adam Drapcho

LACONIA — The idea for the new cigar store and lounge on Union Avenue started years ago. But, like a good cigar, the concept couldn’t be rushed. “It has kind of been a three-year process,” said Tyler Parks, who along with his father Fred Parks, owns Granite State Cigar Shop at 1325 Union — the same plaza as Laconia Pet Center and the Union Diner — and is celebrating its grand opening on Saturday, May 10.
Warm up those pipes: Chorus is back at Laconia Middle School

6 days ago | laconiadailysun.com | Adam Drapcho

LACONIA — Board members sang in harmony when it came to a series of hires including a new teacher for music and chorus at Laconia Middle School, where those programs were on hold for lack of an instructor. The board also gave approval to a budget for the coming school year, and accepted a final donation from a group that has been a steady source of support for the district’s students, at its meeting on Tuesday night.
Scaffolds hold promise of restoration for St. Joseph

1 week ago | laconiadailysun.com | Adam Drapcho

On an alternate timeline — one in which a corps of dedicated locals didn’t emerge to champion the preservation of one of downtown’s historic structures — it would be bulldozers and wrecking balls at St. Joseph Church. Instead, a crew of expert restorationists arrived on scene last week. The restoration workers, focused on the exterior of the stone building, are from Joseph Gnazzo Company, a contracting firm specializing in architectural restoration.
In a world of hostility, how does one find home?

2 weeks ago | laconiadailysun.com | Adam Drapcho

LACONIA — The book might be a work of fiction, but the issues — immigrant resettlement, opioid and alcohol misuse and economic struggle, all swirling around the challenge of finding one’s place in the world — are recognizable to the students in Sara Dea’s honors English class at Laconia High School. The book is “Go Home,” co-authored by Terry Farish and Lochan Sharma, who both have a connection to the city.
Pedestrian unharmed after becoming stuck in quicksand Monday night

2 weeks ago | laconiadailysun.com | Adam Drapcho

BELMONT — In a call that evoked tired Hollywood tropes, emergency responders freed a person trapped in quicksand on Monday evening. At least, that was how the call came in to Belmont Fire on Monday at 7:15 p.m.“I guess in a way you could call it quicksand,” said Fire Chief Deb Black on Tuesday morning. While the call came in at the address of Jordan’s Ice Cream — 894 Laconia Road — Black said the incident unfolded on the opposite side of the road, also known as Route 106.
With enough staff, hospitality businesses wait for tourists

2 weeks ago | keenesentinel.com | Adam Drapcho

Even in a typical year, tourism businesses in northern New England have to deal with forces both unpredictable and out of their control, such as the price of gasoline and whether the sun will shine on the weekends. Forecasting this summer is even more difficult, as there’s the yet-unknown scale of the trade war set off by President Donald Trump’s tariffs, and concern over the effect of growing anti-U.S. sentiment on the Canadian side of the border.
No smoke, no fire: Belmont police seek someone who grabbed extinguisher from mall

2 weeks ago | laconiadailysun.com | Adam Drapcho

BELMONT — Police are asking the public for help in solving a curious theft case at Belknap Marketplace earlier this month.
With enough staff, hospitality businesses wait for tourists

3 weeks ago | laconiadailysun.com | Adam Drapcho

Even in a typical year, tourism businesses in northern New England have to deal with forces both unpredictable and out of their control, such as the price of gasoline and whether the sun will shine on the weekends. Forecasting this summer is even more difficult, as there’s the yet-unknown scale of the trade war set off by President Donald Trump’s tariffs, and concern over the effect of growing anti-U.S. sentiment on the Canadian side of the border.
'Best of the best': Huot sending two students to national trades competition

3 weeks ago | laconiadailysun.com | Adam Drapcho

LACONIA — Last week was a good one for Stephen Mingo-Timmins. He was hired by a company where he has several good connections. And if that wasn’t enough, he won a gold medal at a statewide skills competition, earning him a spot at the national event. Not too bad for someone who has yet to graduate from high school. Mingo-Timmins wasn’t alone in his success.
Superintendent of schools taking health-related leave of absence

4 weeks ago | laconiadailysun.com | Adam Drapcho

LACONIA — Bob Champlin, the city's superintendent of schools, is stepping away from his duties for a six-week period for health reasons. Champlin told the school board of his decision was during a nonpublic session on Tuesday night. Staff and parents were informed on Wednesday. In a phone interview late Wednesday, Champlin said he was placing his full confidence in Amy Hinds, his second-in-command who has been with the district for more than a decade, to fill in during his absence.