LOCALS OF LACONIA
How long have you lived in Laconia?
Over 40 years!
Wildwood Association Neighborhood, Boomerang
AMY LOVISEK
What brought you to the area?
I was born at LRGH - I won't tell you the year though!!
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Are you a native, boomerang or transplant? If boomerang/transplant - what brought you (back) to Laconia?
I did go away for college and I moved to San Diego, CA, for a year, with every intention of moving back. Laconia is home and where I wanted to raise my children.
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Use one word or sentence to describe Laconia.
Potential!
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What is your favorite Laconia restaurant and what do you order when you go?
It's hard to pick just one, but Hector's has the best nachos!!!
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Tell us your favorite movie.
Star Wars: A New Hope.
Tell us your favorite band or musician.
Almost any classic rock.
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What are you up to these days (i.e. professionally, personally, projects, etc.)
Professionally, I have recently been promoted to Director of Recreation & Facilities for Laconia Parks & Recreation. I have been with the department for over 20 years, but this position has given me new challenges, which I love. Personally, I have been happily married to my husband, Phil, for over 17 years with two amazing boys, Maximus (16) and Hunter (11). We enjoy a lot of outdoor recreation, such as camping, boating and snowmobiling. We love the Patriots, but my favorite team is the one my kids are playing for at the time!
Any advice you would give to your younger self?
Choose a "life-long" sport to be proficient with. The sports I was active with in my youth are most certainly not life-long sports that I can continue playing (rugby). I should have played tennis or golf, in addition to my team sports!
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What's your secret talent? ​
I love to bake! I can also cross stitch and crochet! I'm crafty when I want to be!
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In your opinion, what is Laconia's hidden gem?
Bond Beach, in my humble opinion, is quite a treasure! Many Laconia residents know about the beach, but many don't. It's a wooded, quiet and charming beach that is about to receive an upgrade to help alleviate the erosion. A beach parking pass is required to access the beach, but it is worth the effort.
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Who in our community would like to have coffee with?
Beth San Soucie is who I would like to sit down with. She is full of energy and ideas that only enhance our city and make it a place worth returning to.
If anything, what do you find is missing in Laconia?
The old neighborhood charm. Where everyone knows each other and watched out for their children. Neighbors knew if something happened with a family and would bring over a casserole! I would very much like to see neighborhoods return to this way of life. I guess I'm a bit old-fashioned.
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Tell us something that most people don't know about you.
I love to read romance novels!!
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How did you get into your current line of work?
Inspired to open an alternative school model for my son and our community.
791 N. Main Street
ACTON ACADEMY NH
Why did you choose Laconia to start a business?
Found a property that met our needs.
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What's been your favorite memory since opening your business?
Hearing so many stories from other Actons about lives changed and children who accomplish unbelievable things while they are on their Hero's journey to find a calling and change the world.
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What are you most proud of?
Our community of Founding Families - amazing parents coming together to give their children such an amazing gift.
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What's your biggest challenge running your business today?
Getting my message to the families who would benefit from our program.
How do you or your business support the community?
We host the NH Children's Business Fair at Opechee Park every August. Any child ages 4 - 14 develops a business, their own marketing and creates a product to sell to the public at our one day marketplace. The fair is August 10th from 10:00a - 1:00p.
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What's something that people don't know about your business?
It is a new school model in NH, even to New England, that is so completely different from a traditional school. There are 136 Acton Academies around the world, founded in 2008.
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What makes your business unique?
Children can work at their own pace and level in each individual subject, and they have time to explore their passions and solve real-world problems.
How do you envision Laconia in 10 years?
I would love to see it look and feel more like downtown Concord does today. Vibrant with less crime and dangerous areas.
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What would you like to see change in Laconia?
Less crime and drugs. More commerce, creativity and youth.
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If you were to give one piece of advice to a young entrepreneur, what would it be?
Record your systems, and always be looking for a better strategy to do things more efficiently.
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What does community mean to you?
Knowing your neighbors and shop owners and customers. Celebrating together.
How can people find out more about your organization?
Find us on our website.
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