Welcome to Townie Talk where we sit down (or Zoom in) with a local resident in our community to get the inside scoop and find out why…out of all the places in the world and in Greater Derry New Hampshire they chose their specific town! Their opinions are their own. So, if you disagree about their favorite spots you’ll have to just battle out on social media in your local townie Facebook Group… j/k! We use “kind words” here at Macaroni Kid!
Also, we hear that to be a True Townie in New Hampshire you need to be able to trace several generations of ancestors living in our area. That means that most of us are Townies in Training. With 19 resident years under her belt, Laurie is still learning the ropes.
Laurie grew up in Burlington, Massachusetts. When she and her husband Rick decided to find a new home they looked in that familiar area, until a good friend suggested that they would get more house for their money if they searched just a bit north of the border. They found Pelham, New Hampshire, and this is what Laurie has to say:
MKD: What is it about your town that you love?
Laurie: I love that it’s a tight knit community. Some of my best friends are women I met when our daughter Natalia (age 16) was in pre-school. We still try to get together for a mom’s night out and we keep track of what’s going on in our Facebook group “Cocktails and Playdates.” This is an amazing community, when there’s a problem or an emergency everyone jumps in to help. We all take care of each other.
MKD: What local kid-friendly spot in your town can you not live without?
Laurie: We always loved Altitude Trampoline Park when our son Vance (14) was younger, it’s great for all ages. Vance and his buddies like Lyons Skate Park (Dennis P. Lyons Memorial Park, 6 Village Green behind the town offices). He stays around Pelham a lot. I lovingly call him a “vidiot” since he loves video games. Now that Natalia drives, she’s finding places in other towns where friends live. Pelham is a great location for everything.
MKD: In addition to being a local mom, tell us about your business.
Laurie: There’s a story. I studied fine arts, fashion design and graphic design as an undergraduate and then I got my MBA from Endicott College and started a career in business. Now I do marketing for a medical device company, I love healthcare marketing and helping patients. But that’s not all. Remember that I majored in design? Well, that has led me to start my own side-business. For my senior thesis I designed a collection of clothing made from non-textile recyclables like plastic bags, rubber, and sea glass. Fast-forward twenty-plus years when a friend (I met in Pelham) gave me a handmade bracelet made from pieces of an older Louis Vuitton handbag, I realized that that is the kind of up-cycling I wanted to do.
I use vintage Louis Vuitton bags to create “new” items: handbags, key chains, hats, special gifts for people in a wedding party, and much more. I call my business Love LV. The letters stand for Louis Vuitton, and they are also my own initials. (MK comment: That must be karma.) I have always had the need to be creative. Everything in my house shows my love of design. I spend the week working in medical marketing, and I relax on the weekends with Love LV. I don’t advertise, and 100% of my business comes from word of mouth, you can find me on Facebook (Facebook.com/lv4lv) and Instagram @laurievertuccio
MKD: Other than your business, what local businesses do you suggest checking out?
I love all the places that make me feel healthy and strong. There’s the C_Wickson Studios for yoga, Pilates and barre in Windham, female owned by a local Windham “soon to be” mom, Cally Wickson. Ascending Hands Massage is a must in my life, Krista Capra the owner is amazing and also a Pelham “townie in training”. I feel great and keep up with regular alignments at Lehane Chiropractic. Kevin (Dr. Lehane) another Pelham “townie in training” is very attentive to his patients needs and goes above and beyond to treat them. When it comes to keeping my belly happy and healthy we go to Brandos Pizza & Subs for the best gluten free pizza in Pelham.
MKD: Thanks, Laurie. We can see part of where you get your energy.
Laurie’s favorite local places:
C_Wickson Studios for yoga, pilates and barre - Windham (58 Range road, Suite 15.)
Brandos Pizza & Subs for the best gluten free pizza (116 Bridge St, Pelham.)
Ascending Hands Massage is amazing (100 Bridge St #4, Pelham.)
I feel great after going to Lehane Chiropractic (70 Bridge St, Suite 3.)
Altitude Trampoline Park in Pelham is great for families!
Publisher’s Note:
We have several townie rankings -
New Kid on the Block - Less than 5 years resident
Townie in Training - Between 5 - 20 years resident
True Townie - 20+ years resident, bonus for generational heritage
Love Pelham, too? Looking for more awesome local businesses? Check out our Pelham business listings!
Want to be featured in an upcoming Townie Talk spotlight? Email karynm@macaronikid.com
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