When we heard that The Insider was doing an issue about Penacook, we knew we had to find out more about the woman who cares as much about Penacook as she does her own children. Elizabeth Blanchard, the mother of Penacook – or grandmother, depending on your age – is a Penacook citizen, but not just any citizen. Blanchard represents Penacook wherever she goes, whether to the State House or to City Hall. Read our interview and find out why Penacook is so lucky to have Elizabeth Blanchard on its side.
Ella: Did you grow up here?
I grew up in Boscawen but went to school in Penacook.
Sophia: How long have you lived in Penacook?
Fifty-two years.
S: What made you want to be a member of the Concord City Council representing Penacook?
I've always believed that one person can make a difference in people's lives.
E: If Penacook were a food, what would it be and why?
Local fruits and vegetables, because it's important to eat local foods. It's healthy and good for the economy and farmers.
E: What spot in Penacook do you think that kids our age would enjoy the most?
Rolfe Park. It's a very nice park with a kiddy pool and a big pool. There's also a baseball diamond and basketball court. It's named for Red Rolfe, a famous baseball player who played for the New York Yankees.
S: Why were you on the school board? Did you have kids in school?
Yes, I had kids in school. I felt like I could make a difference in the quality of education for them and all the children in the district. My first grandson was born on the night of a school board meeting!
E: I heard that you were a teacher. What grades did you teach?
I taught middle and high school. I didn't get my college degree until I was 45. I was primarily a math teacher, but also did substitute teaching, special education and filled in for sabbaticals.
S: Why did you retire from being a teacher?
I wanted to be a public servant and run for the Legislature.
E: I also heard that you owned a bookstore. What was it called?
Yes, for six years in York, Maine. It was called Books Plus.
E: What is the best book that you've ever read?
That's a tough question. I do love books! “The Shell Seekers,” that's the only book that I've ever read twice.
S: Why did you want to be in the Legislature?
I still believe that one person, even one person out of 400 members of the Legislature, can make a difference. I was on the Children and Family Law Committee. That was a very important committee because all the decisions that we made were for the best interest of children.
S: What do you think was the most important thing that you did in the Legislature?
I had a bill that took me two terms in the Legislature to get passed. It was a bill to study the issue of teenage homelessness. . . . The governor signed it and it formed a task force on teenage homelessness. It is finally going to result in legislation that will help teenagers who are homeless.
S: What was the best thing about being in the Legislature?
To be on the Children and Family Law Committee. That was very important to me. I made a lot of friends, and it was an education. You never stop learning no matter how old you are!
S: Ella and I are both Democrats. Why did you switch parties?
That's an easy question. I found that my votes on bills were more with the Democrats than the Republicans. I decided that it made sense to change parties.
