Welcome to our inaugural Readers’ Poll—it’s one part looking back, one part looking ahead, and one part gazing at our navels. In other words, it’s a perfect snapshot of the life we’re living on the Seacoast right now. 

It’s also a little messy—we opted out of the traditional ballot format, because we wanted to hear straight from you. We invited you to submit your answers, unfiltered. We’ve sorted through them to find when there was a clear favorite; when there wasn’t, we included as many of your answers as possible to capture the flavor of your feelings.

Yes, we’ve read every answer. We enjoyed every single one of your responses—we can feel your love and your pride and your annoyance. You were often colorful (too colorful for print) and endearingly honest, although we did have to discard a small number of ballots that were clearly intended to influence the outcome, such as the ballot in which the answer to every question was Adelle’s Coffeehouse (we love your love, though), and the ballot that encouraged readers to spend a summer day at the home of a Wire contributor (sorry, “Stately Clow Manor” will not show up on your GPS search).

This is a Readers’ Poll, not a “Best Of.” You won’t see any plaques or decals announcing the winners. This is just for us—all of us—and we hope you enjoy reading it. Go out and explore!

Seacoast Life

When we talk about the Seacoast, we’re not just talking about a geographical destination. There are myriad facets that make this region our unique home, and they’re always changing. Wire readers weighed in on some of the best and worst components of our shared local life.

Seacoast’s change for the best in 2010: Among the changes for the better, many readers pointed to two major developments: the completion of extensive road work on State Street in Portsmouth, and the agreement between New Hampshire and Maine to fund a replacement for Memorial Bridge. 

There were numerous other ideas though, including the following: efforts to create 3S Artspace in Portsmouth • improvements to Prescott Park Arts Festival • the Portsmouth Halloween Parade’s new route • the demolition of Parade Mall and construction of Portwalk • more people thinking local first • Adelle’s Coffeehouse adding Thursday night music • the opening of the Dover Community Trail • more DIY events around the Seacoast

Seacoast’s change for the worst in 2010: Ironically, some of the same issues readers selected as changes for the best were also the subject of changes for the worst. Topping the list was the lengthy road work on State Street, which caused traffic delays and hurt businesses, along with the periodic closures of Memorial Bridge and the Sarah Mildred Long Bridge.

But there were many other developments that readers frowned upon: the proliferation of pay and display parking meters • the addition of more luxury condos in Portsmouth • Seacoast Media Group charging for its Web content • the rising price of First Night buttons • voting out Carol Shea-Porter and voting in Republicans • another hotel opening in Portsmouth • cuts to school budgets/education • rising property values • the rise of the Tea Party • the failure to reopen The Strand Theatre in Dover

Somebody shouldtell City Hall that...: It’s the function of our town councilors and selectmen to implement the sorts of changes that will benefit their citizenry. Everyone has a voice, though, and many readers used theirs to make a variety of suggestions in our poll. Many readers emphasized the need for affordable housing and the excessive number of pricey condos in Portsmouth. Others called for a more effective parking system in Portsmouth and Dover. 

Others say local government should: fund cultural events like the Halloween Parade • provide increased access to the waterfront • conserve more open space (and not fill it with condos) • allow chicken to be sold at farmers’ markets • increase support for local merchants • reign in property taxes • crack down on loud motorcycle pipes • improve plowing on sidewalks • put more money into education • remove public litter • increase lighting downtown

Most outrageous local news story or headline: Every year, some local news stories leave readers scratching their heads. The story that appears to have befuddled the most local residents in 2010 was coverage of the nine-hour police standoff that followed a bomb scare on a Greyhound bus in Portsmouth in May. There was no bomb, and many locals suspect the standoff was spurred by racial profiling.

There were plenty of other whacky headlines, though: nude streaker in downtown Portsmouth • Memorial Bridge closed again • “spice” abuse on the rise • bride in Prescott Park upset about Chowder Festival • foul-mouthed jogger banned from Portsmouth • stripper pole stolen from The Fifth Wheel • driver sues Wal-Mart after crashing car in parking lot • Carol Shea-Porter defeated • jellyfish stings 150 people in Rye • the Rochester Police Lo

What’s the region’sbest-kept secret? The most popular response to this question, not surprisingly, was “I’m not telling.” But many shared a variety of secrets regarding out-of-the-way places and nature spots. Some pointed to Odyssey and Oracle, the small record store tucked away on Fleet Street in downtown Portsmouth. Others highlighted the many vistas afforded by Great Bay.

Here are some other choices: the identity of Mr. X from the Beer Drinking Report • the Fresh Local truck • Lucy’s Art Emporium in Dover • Re-Enhabit in Portsmouth • the Urban Forestry Center in Portsmouth • Ceres Bakery in Portsmouth • Pepperland Cafe in South Berwick • Fuller Gardens in North Hampton • Star Island • Bikram Yoga in Portsmouth • Rachel Carson trail in Kittery • Pilates classes at the Portsmouth School of Ballet • Adelle’s Coffeehouse in Dover • RiverRun Bookstore in Portsmouth • Four restaurant in Portsmouth • Buoy in Kittery • Colby’s Breakfast & Lunch in Portsmouth • Bellamy Park disc golf course in Dover • Jazz Night at The Barley Pub in Dover • A Lebro Center for Well Being in Kittery • Haven Park in Portsmouth • Stranger than Fiction at The Players’ Ring in Portsmouth • Portsmouth Music and Arts Center • Sub Rosa Drive-in • Vaughan Woods in South Berwick • The Governor’s Inn in Rochester • Franz’s Food in Durham

Worst place to drive: Among the most loathed places to operate a motor vehicle on the Seacoast are Woodbury Avenue in Portsmouth, State Street during construction, and the entire city of Rochester. Many others dislike the one-way loop in downtown Dover. 

Other responses included: downtown Portsmouth in summer • Route 1 Bypass • the traffic circle in Portsmouth • General Sullivan Bridge in the morning • Market Square in Portsmouth • Hampton Beach • Route 1 • Fox Run Mall in Newington • the traffic circle in Kittery • Route 1B • Memorial Bridge • Newmarket

Most terrifying place to be a cyclist or pedestrian: For those who prefer to travel by foot or bicycle, there are numerous danger zones around the Seacoast. There seems to be an aversion to New Castle, as well as the grated steel of Memorial Bridge, and downtown areas in general. 

You also mentioned: Portsmouth in winter • Route 108 • Foyes Corner in Rye • Route 1 • Route 1 Bypass • Market Square in Portsmouth • Islington Street in Portsmouth • Hampton Beach • Interstate 95 • over the “singing bridge” in Portsmouth • Woodbury Avenue in Portsmouth • Peverly Hill Road in Portsmouth • Maplewood Avenue in Portsmouth • Middle Street in Portsmouth • Seabrook • Kittery • Route 1A

Local hero / Best effort to improve things around here: Many readers recognized Bruce Pingree for his decades of work championing music and arts on the Seacoast, and Chris Greiner for his efforts to open the 3S Artspace gallery, restaurant and concert venue in Portsmouth. Recently unseated local politicians Carol Shea-Porter and Martha Fuller Clark also garnered numerous votes.

But the Seacoast is filled with local heroes: Tom Holbrook of RiverRun Bookstore • John Bohenko, Portsmouth city manager • Portsmouth Halloween Parade • Nancy Vincent-Belanger • Nova Mullineaux of Adelle’s Coffeehouse • Ben Anderson of Prescott Park Arts Festival • Pat Ritter, creator of Nature’s Wonders • Tom Ferrini, Portsmouth mayor • Rian Bedard of EcoMovement • Johnny Wu • John Herman of NH Media Makers • Russ Grazier of Portsmouth Music and Arts Center • farmers • Dan Blakeslee, local musician • Jonathan Blakeslee of White Heron Tea • Tammi Truax, local writer • Matt Kanner of The Wire

Best place to feel at home: A handful of locations reeled in the lion’s share of responses for this category, including The Barley Pub in Dover, The Coat of Arms in Portsmouth, and The Press Room in Portsmouth. Portsmouth Public Library was also a popular response, as well as Ceres Bakery in Portsmouth. 

Others included: Prescott Park in Portsmouth • The Portsmouth Brewery • Adelle’s Coffeehouse in Dover • Dos Amigos Burritos in Portsmouth & Dover • RiverRun Bookstore in Portsmouth • Radici Restaurant in Portsmouth • Fresh Local Bayside in Newington • The Library Restaurant in Portsmouth • The Stone Church in Newmarket • The Music Hall in Portsmouth • The Blue Mermaid in Portsmouth • Crackskull’s Coffee & Books in Newmarket • Somnia in Portsmouth • South Mill Pond playground in Portsmouth • Caffe Kilim in Portsmouth • and, yes, at home

Best export: There was a clear winner for the Seacoast’s best export: Smuttynose beer. In fact, local beers did well in general, including The Portsmouth Brewery and its famed Kate the Great, and the Red Hook Brewery. 

There were some other ideas, though: scrap metal • tugboat paintings • salt • BaileyWorks bags • computer animation • Chris Klaxton • WUNH, WXGR & WSCA • Marshall Carbee • Al Barr • Ronnie James Dio (RIP) • lobster • tourists (out of town) • Shiao-Ping Wang paintings • Port City coffee 

Best local day trip: Southern Maine proved a popular locale for local readers, with many pointing to Portland and Ogunquit. Other answers varied widely: Bellamy Park in Dover • Urban Forestry Center in Portsmouth • Odiorne Point in Rye • Isles of Shoals • Rye beaches • Hampton Beach • the M/V Thomas Laighton steamship • Great Island Common in New Castle • York beaches • whale watching • Adam’s Point in Durham • Wolfeboro • Kennebunkport, Maine • Haunted Pub Tour • Strawbery Banke Garden Tours • Fort Foster in Kittery • Pawtuckaway State Park • Mt. Major • Seacoast Science Center in Rye • White Mountains • Fort McClary in Kittery • Garrison Hill in Dover • Mt. Monadnock • Vaughan Woods in South Berwick

Best place for a first date:  The Red Door in Portsmouth • Spring Hill Tavern in Portsmouth • Art ’Round Town in Portsmouth • The Coat of Arms in Portsmouth • The Black Trumpet in Portsmouth • the library • Dos Amigos Burritos • Vaughan Woods in South Berwick • Prescott Park in Portsmouth • The Music Hall in Portsmouth • Mombo in Portsmouth • Brazo in Portsmouth • Shalimar in Portsmouth • The Wellington Room in Portsmouth • Cava in Portsmouth • Jumpin’ Jay’s Fish Cafe in Portsmouth • Pepperland Cafe in South Berwick • Adelle’s Coffeehouse in Dover • Two Ceres Street in Portsmouth • Strawbery Banke in Portsmouth • Tulsi in Kittery • Bold Face or Generic Theatre play readings • Portsmouth Museum of Art • Starbucks • The Blue Mermaid in Portsmouth • Stranger than Fiction at The Players’ Ring in Portsmouth • Odiorne Point in Rye • The Green Monkey in Portsmouth • The Friendly Toast in Portsmouth • Four Tree Island in Portsmouth • The Carriage House in Rye • Brown’s Old Fashioned Ice Cream in York • Orchard Street Chop Shop in Dover 

Best place to break up: Seacoast readers are equally creative about places to break up:South Street Cemetery in Portsmouth • Breaking New Grounds in Portsmouth • Daniel Street Tavern in Portsmouth • Market Square in Portsmouth • the parking garage • the library • 100 Club in Portsmouth • Prescott Park in Portsmouth • the dog park • Popovers in Portsmouth • at home • Cafe Mirabelle in Portsmouth • the beach • online • The Gas Light in Portsmouth • Peirce Island • Starbucks • by text • Hong Kong Express in Portsmouth • Fat Belly’s in Portsmouth • Margaritas • The Page in Portsmouth • Odiorne Point in Rye • by Memorial Bridge • Ceres Bakery • on Facebook • on a park bench • Castaways in Dover • Rochester Fair

Best local organization: We’re blessed with a number of organizations dedicated to making the Seacoast a better place to live. By far the top vote-getter was Seacoast Local, but numerous others were recognized: Sole City Dance in Rochester • Prescott Park Arts Festival • Seacoast Family Food Pantry • New Hampshire Media Makers • Seacoast Growers Association • The Green Alliance • Seacoast Outright • (H)EAT Campaign • Association of Portsmouth Taxpayers • Portsmouth Halloween Parade • Families First Health and Support Center • Seacoast Eat Local • Slow Food Seacoast • Portsmouth Listens • Portsmouth Music and Arts Center • 3S Artspace • Pro Portsmouth • Unlimited Possibilities (UP) • Seacoast African American Cultural Center • Avis Goodwin Community Health Center • The Woodman Institute • Seacoast Young Republicans

Music and Nightlife

The Seacoast takes pride in having an active, diverse, talented and incestuous music scene, with many hardworking artists contributing to the overall vibe.

Best show you saw in 2010: Seacoast venues attract a mix of local talent and nationally touring acts, and readers’ choices for the top shows of 2010 reflect that blend. Your top picks are evidence of the numerous highlights that occurred throughout the year.

Mmoss at The Barley Pub • Spinal Tarp at The Barley Pub • David Wax Museum at The Stone Church • Levon Helm Band at the Hampton Beach Casino Ballroom • Richard Thompson at Prescott Park • Guy Capecelatro III at Nahcotta • One Hand Free video shoot in Rollinsford • Tan Vampires at The Stone Church • Kristin Miller at the Hamilton House • Dave Rawlings Machine at The Music Hall • Amare Cantare • Judy Collins at Prescott Park • Joan Armatrading at The Music Hall • The Molenes • The Attic Bits at The Barley Pub • South China and Brown Bird at Buoy • Jumbo Circus Peanuts • Dan Blakeslee CD release show at The Press Room • The Haberdashery Ensemble at The Barley Pub • Cantonese Traffic at The Governor’s Inn • JP, Chrissie & The Fairground Boys at The Music Hall • Wooden Eye • Sun Worship series at Buoy • Kevin Byrne at The Barley Pub • Hi8us at The Blue Mermaid • The Serfs • Phantogram at The Red Door • Taylor’s Grove at Elysium Arts Folk Club • Two Man Gentlemen Band at The Red Door • Buika at The Music Hall • RPM Challenge listening parties • Cornelius Crane

Best venue for local bands: Your big pick was The Press Room in Portsmouth

Other answers: The Stone Church in Newmarket • Spring Hill Tavern in Portsmouth • The Music Hall in Portsmouth • The Red Door in Portsmouth • The Barley Pub in Dover • Dover Brick House • The Page in Portsmouth • The Blue Mermaid in Portsmouth • Kelley’s Row in Dover

Hardest working musician on the Seacoast: Earning the most votes for the Seacoast’s musical workhorse was singer-songwriter Dan Blakeslee.

Singer-songwriter Jon Nolan and guitarist Jim Dozet were also popular picks, but many others received notice, including: Mike Effenberger • Dave Talmage • Tim McCoy • Bob Halperin • Martin England • Sharon Jones • Phil Kliger • Mmoss • Dave Ogden • Jared Steer • Wooden Eye • Guy Capecelatro III • Kevin Byrne • Rockspring • Joseph K. Murphy • Russ Grazier • Ben Baldwin • Kent Allyn • Jonathan Briggs • Jim Rudolf

Local CD youcan’t live without: The diversity of selections here was impressive. It seems just about everyone’s got a different local disc spinning in their player.

Among them were CDs by: The Press Project • Dan Blakeslee (“Tatnic Tales”) • Tan Vampires • Jon Nolan (“When the Summers Lasted Long”) • Elsa Cross (“Elsa Cross”) • One Hand Free (“Quadraphonic”) • Mmoss (“i”) • The Jethros (“Love Muzak”) • The Attic Bits (“Dance of the Dragon”) • Northern (“Your House and Mine”) • The Queers • Cantonese Traffic (“The Chronicles of Canton”) • Christy Hobin • Wooden Eye • The George Brown Band • Voices from the Heart • David Surette (“Sun Dog”) • Carolyn Hutton and Mac McHale 

Who would be our best musical ambassador to the world? The diversity of responses to this question is a testament to the quality and quantity of musical expertise on the Seacoast. Among the frontrunners were Dan Blakeslee, Jon Nolan and Bruce Pingree. Elsa Cross also roped in several votes, even though she moved to Texas late last year.

Others included: Jonny Peiffer • Tan Vampires • Portsmouth High School Marching Band • Al Barr • Phil Kliger • Rachel Neveu • Jumbo Circus Peanuts • Tristan Law • Jared Steer • Harvey Reid • Wooden Eye • Chad Verbeck • Les Harris Jr. • Justin Carloni • Guy Capecelatro III • Sharon Jones • Voices from the Heart • Stu Dias

The Great Outdoors

Where are you going? Can we come, too? We threw this question onto the poll because, well, we wanted to know all your secret spots. Whether you surf, snowshoe, bike, ski or all of the above, you know we’re all engaged in a never-ending quest to find a new nook or cranny, then dig in and make ourselves at home. Thanks for sharing!

Best place for a stroll: There were a lot of great suggestions for the “Local Stroll” category, with Prescott Park garnering the most picks. But the preference for Portsmouth’s waterfront became even more clear when we added in all the responses from that neighborhood—including Peirce Island, Strawbery Banke, the South End, and Four Tree Island. Together, they accounted for a third of your preferences. Not picked by anyone? Mt. Agamenticus.

Other answers: Odiorne  • Henry Law Park and the Dover Community Trail • any local beach  • forts of Kittery and New Castle • Urban Forestry Center • Vaughan Woods • Blue Job Mountain

Local Secret: South  Cemetery in  Portsmouth

Best place to spend a winter’s day: Indoor favorite was The Barley Pub, while the outdoor favorite was Wagon Hill Farm.

Other answers: skating and pond hockey • Great Bog • Powder Hill • Garrison Hill • Mt. Agamenticus • any local beach • Fort Foster • Odiorne • Cannon Mountain

Local Secret: Great Bog in Portsmouth

Best place to spend a summer’s day: You love Prescott Park and  New Castle Common

Other answers: you named nearly every local beach • anywhere, it’s beautiful around here • Adams Point • Pawtuckaway State Park • Swasey Parkway in Exeter

Local Secret: Not tellin’

Best place to swim outdoors: Your big pick was Peirce Island Pool in Portsmouth

Other answers: you named every local beach from Goose Rocks to Hampton • Fort Foster • Bow Lake • Creek Farm • Lamprey River • Mendum Pond  • Wentworth Coolidge Mansion • Water Country

Local Secret: Fox Hill

Seriously stunning view: To know the Seacoast is to love it, from every angle. But overwhelmingly, you picked any view with Memorial bridge in it – from Badger’s Island to the Portsmouth waterfront to the Kittery waterfront to the center of the bridge itself

Other answers:  Atop Mt. A. (or Mount Major or Blue Job) • summit of the I-95 bridge • from the 100 Club (for non-members, you suggested the Portsmouth Parking Garage) • Fort Foster • fire tower at Stratham Hill Park • Fort McClary • Odiorne • Wentworth Coolidge Mansion • approaching Wentworth By the Sea • Route 1A in Hampton • Portsmouth from City Hall lot • Great Island Common • Cliff Walk in York • The view of the bay on the bridge of the Spaulding at sunset  • Seapoint beach • Star Island • my backyard in spring

Local secret: Pine Hill Cemetery in Dover

Classic getaway: White Mountains

Other answers: Bellamy River Wildlife Sanctuary in Dover •  no idea...  •  coast of Maine •  weekend at cabin in Lakes Region • Franconia Notch • Jenness Beach  •  York Beach • Ogunquit, Ogunquit, Ogunquit  •  “up north” •  Islesboro, Maine •  Acadia/Bar Harbor •  Wentworth By the Sea, especially at night •  Weirs Beach • Lake Winnepesauke • Langdon House garden in rose season • Wallis Sands • Camden •  Restaurant known for blueberry pies in Kennebunk •  booze cruise • Red Sox game • Fuller Gardens in North Hampton 

Local Secret: Star Island

Best spot hidden in plain sight: Point of Graves Cemetery in Portsmouth • the pocket parks around town •  Prescott Park fountains • Rye on the Rocks • Fort Stark • Market Square (your chance to talk to the people that matter, run into each other ) • where the little tree was just cut down next to the Federal building on Daniel Street • Pierce Island •  Giant Blue Crab / Henry Law Park • Pirate’s Cove, Rye • the gardens at Strawbery Banke • John Paul Jones House garden • park bench on South Church front lawn • new spot on Ceres by the decks • end of the Peirce Island path looking out over the river • Isles of Shoals • Garden at Moffat Ladd House

Not outdoors at all, but you picked ‘em: Music Hall •  Gilley’s PM Lunch • Black Trumpet • Adelle’s Coffeehouse • The Players’ Ring • Ri Ra for lunch • Ceres Bakery •  Wire office 

Local secrets: the public courtyard behind 1 Harbor Place in Portsmouth • Strawbery Banke after hours

Food

New England is not known as the culinary capital of the world, but with our passion for growing local food and our increased interest in mixing it up, our region might be one of the country’s fastest-growing and best-kept secrets.

Local dish worth going out of your way for: Just go ahead and try to read this list without drooling...

Big Picks: Curry Chicken Pita at the Coat of Arms tied with Fried Haddock Sandwich at the Ice House

You also eat: California burrito at Loco Coco’s Tacos in Kittery. It’s got French fries! • Pulled Pork sandwich at the Roundabout Diner • Chorizo Omlette from Kellie Brook Farm at the Farmer’s Market • Sweet potato burrito at Dos Amigos • Mac n’ Cheese at Rick’s in York • Lamb Curry at Tulsi • Mali Kofka at Shalimar • Rigatoni Vodka at the Rosa • Mussels at Jumpin’ Jays’, Portsmouth Brewery or Anneke Jans • Nicole Kliger’s homemade lasagna • Tapas at Cava • Steak Tips at Four •  Moes! • Butternut squash at Radici • Khaophum’s Crab Rangoon in Dover • Cashew Chicken at Thai Paradise • Bimini Chicken with lobstah/corn chowdah at the Blue Mermaid • Fish tacos at Loco Coco’s • Salmon with lobster ravioli at Cafe Med in Downtown Portsmouth • Panang Curry at Mekong Thai • Beet salad at Jumpin’ Jay’s • Artichoke dip at the Press Room • Sweets at Beach Pea Bakery • Hot dogs at Flo’s • Coquille St Jacques at Orchard Street Chop Shop • Orange Chicken at Thai Cuisine • The Pauper at the Friendly Toast • All things brunch at Pepperland

Long lost: Duck Confit Salad from the Victory-still searching for its replacement!

Best local burger: Big picks were Lexi’s Joint • Rocky’s • Rusty Hammer

You also said: Friendly Toast • Wild Willy’s • Orchard Street Chop Shop

For veg-heads: Portsmouth Brewery • Pepperland Cafe • Inn on the blues

Best local slice: Your big picks: Flatbread Company • Savario’s • La Festa • Joe’s NY Pizza 

You also said: Bratskellar • Ken’s West End • Kendall Pond Pizza • Portsmouth Gas Light Co.

Best cup of coffee: You can’t start the day without: Caffe Kilim and Adelle’s Coffeehouse

The rest of us are in line at: Port City Roasters • Starbucks • Breaking New Grounds • Kaffe Vonsolln

Best event for food lovers: Overwhelmingly, Restaurant Week Portsmouth

You also said: Taste of the Nation • Saturday night at the Friendly Toast • dinnertime • Chowder and Chil Festivals at Prescott Park • NH Fish and Lobster Festival • farmers’ markets across the Seacoast

Best locally grown food: The husked tomatoes that taste a little like pineapple • swiss chard • fish & lobster • kale from Wake Robin Farm • Garen’s Greens • always tomatoes from any farm stand • fresh strawberries • corn, sweet corn • Brookford Farm heavy cream! • apples • grass fed meat from Brookford Farm • Meadow’s Mirth Farm fresh vegetables • rhubarb •  anything you can grow in community gardens • corn from Barker’s Farm • blueberries • raspberries • hops
 

Food do we want more of: Everything Asian: Thai! Chinese! Korean! Sushi! Vietnamese! Indian!

You also said: Local, local, local • local seafood • cheap, nutritious • vegetarian • Fair Trade coffee • not coffee • poutine •  free-range beef and chicken • locally raised meat! • falafel • organic •  tacos •  the type that feeds the world • Anything ethnic. Enough of this over-priced, American gourmet. You can get the same food at every restaurant downtown • real Cajun/Creole • good Tex-Mex • we need another traditional – TRADITIONAL – Irish pub •  fresh and cheap ethnic like the Dos model

Arts and Culture

Artist or exhibit that made a big splash: With so many local artists, galleries, and public art displays on the Seacoast, it’s impossible to pick a single highlight. Readers picked a whole smorgasbord of selections, including: “Humanimal” at the Portsmouth Museum of Art • David Mendelsohn • Stan Moeller • “Sugi-Pop” at the Portsmouth Museum of Art • Overnight Art installations • Matt Talbot • Steffanie Antonio at Caffe Kilim • Bill Paarlberg at the Discover Portsmouth Center • Lisa Noonis • Robert Squier dinosaur exhibit at the Children’s Museum • Michael Winters • exhibits at Three Graces • Halloween masks at The Press Room • David Random’s “Flights of Imagination” at the Children’s Museum • Jennifer Judd McGee • Chris Volpe • Phil Cohen’s The Daily Portsmouth • Jessica Allard at Gallery at One Washington Center • Jocelyn Toffic • Peter Donovan at Buoy • Chloe Feldman Emison at Three Graces • Annika Wisswaesser • Nick Filth

Actor or theater production: The local theater scene produces great entertainment throughout the year, and there were numerous bright spots in 2010:  “Glengarry Glen Ross” at The Players’ Ring • “Rosencrantz & Guildenstern” at The Players’ Ring • “Gay Bride of Frankenstein” at Seacoast Repertory Theatre • “Peter Pan” at Prescott Park • “An Evening of Steampunk and Robot Theatre” at The Players’ Ring • “Clara’s Dream” at The Music Hall • “Drowsy Chaperone” at Ogunquit Playhouse • Kent Stephens • “Stories I Never Told My Daughter” at The Players’ Ring • “Whisper, Pray, Make Room” at The Players’ Ring • Blair Hundertmark • Knate Higgins in “Hedwig and the Angry Inch” at Seacoast Repertory Theatre • Meghann Beauchamp • “Ogden Nash” at Pontine Theatre • “Stranger than Fiction” at The Players’ Ring • Monique Peaslee • “The Diary of Anne Frank” by the Oyster River Players • Peter Motson • “Rent” at Seacoast Repertory Theatre • Tobin Moss

Local book you’drecommend to a friend: The Seacoast is teeming with authors who have released many fine books. And while a couple of local writers have achieved immense fame (Dan Brown, Joe Hill), many others fly under the radar.

Here are a few of your favorite local books: “The Vaults” by Toby Ball • “Jadine” by Julie Bigg Veazey • “Live Free or Undead” • “Horns” by Joe Hill • The Beach Pea Baking Co.’s cookbook • “2010 Poet’s Guide to New Hampshire” • “Island Light” by Katherine Towler • “Embers from the Bridge” by Joshua Rodgers • “Without a Map” by Meredith Hall • “Portsmouth Looking Up!” by Marianne Pernold Young • “Stories I Never Told My Daughter” by Chuck Galle • “From the Box Marked Some are Missing” by Charles Pratt • “Beyond Freedom” by Patricia Wall • “Locke & Key” by Joe Hill

Best local event: Your big pick was the Portsmouth Halloween Parade

You also said: Jazzmouth • Redhook Fest • Prescott Park Arts Festival • N.H. Fish and Lobster Festival • RPM Challenge • farmers markets • Art ’Round Town • A Winter’s Tale at The Red Door • Zach’s Trivia Night at The Barley Pub • Shatner Beat Night at The Coat of Arms • Market Square Day • Apple Harvest Day • Primal Tongue open mike • First Night • Fourth of July fireworks in Portsmouth • Portsmouth Sustainability Fair • Tall Ships Festival 

Best place to soak up local history: With a history of civilization stretching back far before the arrival of European colonizers, the Seacoast is brimming with relics and accounts of the past. Two museums garnered numerous votes: The Woodman Institute in Dover and Strawbery Banke Museum in Portsmouth.

But others got notice, as well: Portsmouth Athenaeum • Moffatt-Ladd House • Hamilton House • Discover Portsmouth Center • South Street Cemetery • Star Island • Salmon Falls Mills in Rollinsford • The Press Room

Go out and explore!