LITTLETON CHEVROLET'S TEACHER GIVEAWAY - Winner - Courtney Stapleton - Milan Village School At Littleton Chevrolet, supporting the incredible educators who shape the future of our North Country youth is one of our favorite traditions. Through our annual Teacher Giveaway, we get the privilege of meeting the passionate teachers who go above and beyond every single day for their students. This past Friday afternoon, we had the absolute pleasure of spending time with one of our winners: Courtney Stapleton, a dedicated 1st Grade Teacher at the Milan Village School. Courtney’s journey in education is a inspiring story of devotion to community and student growth. Raised in central New Hampshire, Courtney earned her Elementary Education degree from Roanoke College in Virginia. When considering where to launch her career, she felt drawn back home to New Hampshire. Seeking a teaching environment where she could truly connect with her students, she returned north and began her professional path in Gilmanton, NH. There, she spent half the year doing substitute teaching before pivoting halfway through the year to serve as a specialized Math and Reading teacher. Following that initial experience, Courtney spent five years at the Lancaster School before ultimately finding her true educational home at the Milan Village School, where she has been nurturing 1st graders for the past eight years. Today, Courtney leads a vibrant class of 14 first graders in a school that serves 122 students in total. For Courtney, the small size of the Milan Village School is one of its greatest strengths. The intimate environment allows every teacher to form close, meaningful connections with their students, ensuring that one-on-one teaching makes a deep impact. When asked about what drives her passion for teaching, Courtney’s eyes light up: “I love it when they get what we are working on... that is when they soar. There is a significant change in their confidence and mindset. Those smiles on their faces get bigger and bigger. I love how spunky they are. Being a part of their journey really makes me happy. I love what I do.” Courtney also credits much of her success to the strong partnership between the school and local families. “It really makes my job easier when I know I have their support with what I am doing,” she shared. “The parents are trusting me to work with their children and help them to advance.” Balancing classroom responsibilities with family life brings its own unique set of rewards and challenges. As a "teacher mom," Courtney has actually taught her own children in her classroom. “I told them there is separation when I am at school. I am their teacher... Mrs. Stapleton. As soon as school is over, I am their Mom. My kids have done a great job with that, but sometimes they need reminding. Overall, I am so glad that I get to teach my children.” That sense of family extends throughout the entire Milan Village School building. Courtney speaks with deep gratitude about the culture created by her leadership and colleagues. “It is over the top,” she said regarding administration support. “They support all of the teachers very well and we are lucky to have them on our team. Not only is there administrative support but the support from my fellow teachers is also off the charts. We want everyone to succeed.” That supportive environment fuels an incredibly creative, hands-on learning culture. Milan Village School does things a bit differently, creating magical traditions that make learning unforgettable: **Polar Express Day: Students wear their favorite pajamas while Santa drops off delicious cookies. **Camping Day: Desks transform into cozy indoor tents for a day of immersive learning. **Woods Day: The entire school steps outdoors to explore, discover and connect with their natural environment. **Friday Incentive: Every Friday afternoon for 30 minutes, a teacher hosts a school-wide reward activity celebrating student efforts. **Classroom Delights: Courtney even keeps an electric heater in her classroom so her students can make s'mores! While the school contributes toward supplies and themed classroom needs, passionate teachers like Courtney always want to offer more...creating those rich visual aids and safe, inspiring spaces where young minds thrive. To make that vision a reality, Courtney personally spends over $1,000 of her own money each year on classroom enhancements. “It's a wonderful place to work and a great environment. The students should have an inviting classroom to learn and a safe space.” Courtney shared. That collective dedication has earned national recognition. Just last year, the Milan Village School was honored as the 2026 Elementary Division School of Excellence by the State of New Hampshire and the NH Department of Education. This prestigious award recognizes schools that stand out in differentiated learning, community collaboration, engaging student activities and strong academic achievement. We want to extend a massive congratulations to the entire Milan Village School community for this remarkable achievement and to Courtney Stapleton: Congratulations on winning our $250 Amazon Gift Card! We hope this helps defer some of your classroom expenses as you continue to create an extraordinary learning environment for your 1st graders. Thank you, Courtney, for your unwavering dedication to your students, your school and our North Country community. We wish you and your 1st-grade class a wonderful, inspiring rest of the school year! #MilanVillageSchool #Education #WeLoveTeachers #TeacherGiveaway #MilanNewHampshire Milan Village School Courtney Stapleton
Why Artist’s Bluff is the Ultimate Fall Foliage Destination on Earth
Every autumn, leaf-peepers and photographers from around the globe make a pilgrimage to the White Mountains of New Hampshire. While the region boasts dozens of breathtaking peaks and scenic drives, one spot consistently steals the show: Artist’s Bluff. Perched at the northern edge of Franconia Notch State Park, this rocky outcrop offers what many consider the single most iconic, postcard-perfect view of New England’s fall foliage but why has this modest 1.5-mile loop transformed into a world-famous destination for autumn photography? Autumn over Echo Lake at Artist's Bluff. Source: Sugar Hill Inn 1. The Composition is a Photographer’s Dream Nature painted Artist’s Bluff with effortless balance. Standing on the granite ledge, your lens frames a layered masterpiece: In the foreground: A carpet of fire-red sugar maples, brilliant yellow birches, and deep orange oaks tumbling down the mountainside. In the mid-ground: The glassy, dark waters of Echo Lake, perfectly mirroring the surrounding canopy and catching the light of sunrise or sunset. In the background: The towering, dramatic slopes of Cannon Mountain and the sweeping curves of the Franconia Notch pass, sweeping upward to meet the autumn sky. Whether you shoot with a professional DSLR, a drone, or a smartphone, the natural symmetry of the Notch creates depth and scale that standard landscape views simply can't match. 2. Maximum Reward for Minimal Effort Many of the world's most dramatic mountain vistas require grueling, day-long treks. Artist’s Bluff is different. The short, 1.5-mile loop trail gains roughly 400 feet of elevation...making it accessible to hikers of all skill levels, families, and photographers hauling heavy camera gear. Within 20 to 30 minutes of stepping off the trailhead near Route 18, you’re sitting on open granite, looking out over thousands of acres of peak fall color. That high-payoff accessibility makes it a magnet for travelers capturing early morning light without needing a midnight alpine start. 3. Unmatched Density of Color New England’s unique mix of northern hardwoods creates a fiery palette rarely seen in other parts of the world. Because Franconia Notch serves as a natural funnel, the microclimate triggers early, vibrant color changes across a tight valley. Standing atop the Bluff puts you right in the middle of a continuous, high-density sea of reds, golds, and ambers extending as far as the eye can see. Tips for Capturing the Perfect Photo Golden Hour Magic: Aim for early morning as the sun clears the ridge. Dawn light softens the contrast, paints the mountain slopes in warm tones, and often brings calm, mirror-like reflections to Echo Lake. Beat the Crowds: Given its popularity, arriving at sunrise or visiting on a weekday ensures a quieter experience and smoother parking along Echo Lake Beach or the trailhead lot. Composition Trick: Position a subject on the rocky ledge in foreground warm-toned jacket or sweater to give your photos a sense of human scale against the vast mountain backdrop. Artist’s Bluff isn't just another scenic overlook...it is the quintessential New England fall experience wrapped into a brief hike. For anyone dreaming of autumn in full color, standing on those granite rocks above Echo Lake belongs right at the top of the bucket list.