A bit ago I received a very welcome letter from the Hon. Stephen Merrill, former Governor of New Hampshire.

I chuckled at its beginning and, of course, greatly appreciated its contents. The hand-written letter read in part: “Stacey, I can't have a reprobate like John Harrigan saying nicer things about you than I do, so here goes.

“In all my years of public service you stand out as my favorite. Your speeches to the House were so good that as Governor I would sit in the balcony to hear them. And your writing is both down to earth and yet topical. Darn hard to accomplish. Most of all, I'm proud to be your friend. Keep up the great writing. Sincerely, Stephen.”

To receive such generous tributes from two long-time friends, columnist John Harrigan and former Gov. Stephen Merrill, is a grand honor.

In 1996, Gov. Merrill appointed me as his personal representative to the State Veterans Cemetery Committee. Following election as governor, Jeanne Shaheen asked me to continue my work as her representative. The ground-breaking ceremony was held the following spring and even though I was no longer a member of the N.H. House, Speaker Donna Sytek requested me to represent the Legislature at that ceremony. I found service on the Cemetery Committee one of the most meaningful of the many state committees I worked on.

In recent weeks many folks have been cleaning out bird houses. One of our Canterbury readers wrote in part: “Last year, after the last of the barn swallows fledged, I was inundated by mites in the barn. It was a horrible experience that I don't want to repeat. I sprayed with Clorox (after removing the mud nests every year.) I finally had to bomb the barn with Bonide which I hated to use. Between that and the Clorox it worked. How do I avoid it happening again?

“My efforts this spring have been to spray all nesting ledges with something wonderful called 'Greenbug' which is a cedar oil, safe spray. I love my barn swallows and all their chatter and hope all goes well.

“I sprayed the inside of cleaned-out tree swallow houses with Greenbug also and they didn't mind it. The smell had dissipated. Any ideas about any of this? I would be anxious to hear.”

Our reader enclosed a copy of the manufacturer's information on Greenbug that reads: “Greenbug is pure cedar oil in all natural carriers. It kills and repels the bad bugs, mosquitoes, fleas, bed bugs, sand gnats, fire ants, head lice, dust mites, roaches, and other smell-driven pests. It does not harm honey bees, butterflies, or ladybugs — they're sight-driven.” For more information, the online manufacturer's address is: www.greenbugallnatural.com.

Annual cleaning of birdhouses removes parasites and soiled material. In past columns I have suggested that removing all material and hand washing the inside of nest boxes with 10 percent bleach water as a disinfectant. We would be pleased to hear from our readers on the subject.

It is time to consider making a contribution to “The Nongame and Endangered Wildlife Program,” a program that I have supported since its inception. This division of the NH Fish & Game Department has been in existence since it was established on June 29, 1988, when NH RSA Chapter 212-B;6 became law. This chapter created a separate non-lapsing fund known as the “nongame species account” that included any state funds appropriated, any federal money available, plus all donations received to be used for the development and implementation of a nongame species management program. The law provides that the state “shall deposit annually into the special nongame species account an amount equal to the money donated during any fiscal year up to and including a total of $50,000 annually.”

The annual fund campaign is currently underway.

John J. Kanter, program coordinator, outlined in his recent annual fund reminder letter many of the program's successful accomplishments. Looking forward, he wrote: “People and wildlife share freshwater in New Hampshire. Sixty rivers, lakes, and reservoirs support wildlife and serve as public water supplies for New Hampshire people.

Wetlands and marshes are critical wildlife habitats that also serve to recharge our private wells. Thousands of swamps, bogs and vernal pools are vital parts of New Hampshire's complex freshwater system. Wildlife recovery is possible ... thanks to our supporters.

Clean waters have helped save eagles and ospreys.”

To learn more about their work visit www.wildnh.com/nongame. Contributions should be mailed to: Nongame and Endangered Wildlife Program, N.H. Fish and Game Department, 11 Hazen Drive, Concord, NH, 03301.

Thank you.

Stacey Cole's address is 529 W. Swanzey Road, Swanzey 03446.