To go along with our "Best of Manchester" readers' poll, we made a list of things we thought were remarkable about the Queen City and asked a selection of Manchester luminaries (as well as some of our own) to write about what was the best thing about each. In short, what is the best of the best?
Here's what we found.

The best thing about
architecture in Manchester
What's best about Manchester's architecture is its rich, eclectic mix of styles. Not only is this a result of the ebb and flow of the economy over time, but a community decision to save enough of its physical fabric to produce a unique sense of place for its many mini neighborhoods.
This can be seen in the Amoskeag neighborhood housing area between Elm and Canal/Commercial streets; a Manchester neighborhood housing evolution east of Elm and south of Hanover; well designed large older homes that have been revived as single family residences, sensitively divided into multiple units, or adapted to office use in the North End, on the West Side and the East Side; the adaptive growth of our cultural institutions around Victory Park, including the Currier Gallery; the revived mixed-use Millyard; the adaptive and revitalized Elm Street; and the potential of the proposed Gaslight District west of the new civic center.
These examples demonstrate we must be vigilant about retaining notable buildings and groups of buildings from the past while we build to meet the needs of today.
- Dennis B. Mires, Dennis Mires, PA, The Architects

The best thing about
art in Manchester
Like so many other Manchester residents, I tend to take for granted the fact that Manchester can lay claim to the Currier Gallery of Art, one of the world's finest small museums. I do not get there as often as I would like; but, whenever I am invited to an event at the Currier, I like to wander off the beaten path-away from the hors d'oeuvres tables-to see what's new and what's old. There are a few works from the permanent collection, like the Picasso painting of the woman in a chair, that I like to check up on whenever I am there.
- Mayor Bob Baines

The best thing about having
Dean Kamen in Manchester
Dean Kamen is New Hamsphire's resident genius. We all know about the portable dialysis machine and the wheel- chair that climbed the Eiffel Tower, making Dean one of the greatest inventors of his time. The Segway human transporter is Dean's latest big hit, but very few know the real reason IT was built. Flying to work everyday in his helicopter, Dean could not help but see the condition of city sidewalks. Try as he could, Dean could not persuade city fathers to fix all the damn potholes and cracks that forces pedestrians out into the street. Deam hemmed and hawed over this perplexing issue. Thinking out loud on his little island where no one could hear, he said, "I'll make something fun for everyone to ride so government will finally do something about all those nasty sidewalks." along came the Segway, forcing government to finally fix our sidewalks. Now, that's real genius.
- Joe Kelly Levasseur, former Ward 3 alderman and owner of Joe Kelly's

The best thing about
Manchester's downtown
You can buy a cream cheese and olive sandwich at Post Office Fruit. You can watch the pigeons from the roof of the parking garage wheeling into Victory Park. You can cut down a side street where the adult video store keeps the prettiest flower boxes in the summer, or the one where a man stands outside the bowling alley, talking on a cell phone. You can get your shoes repaired, buy a shot of whiskey at Ruca's or a draft at OK Parker's or a sandwich at Bob Shaw's. You're scoured by the wind. There are no beautiful people.
- Hope Jordan, Currier Gallery of Art public relations director

The best thing about
French culture in Manchester
Manchester: c'est une merveilleuse ville
Comme George Bailey à qui, dans It's A Wonderful Life, on offre la possibilité de voir comment différente serait la ville de Bedford Falls s'il n'était jamais né, tentons d'imaginer Manchester sans la présence et les contributions des Franco-Américains.
La population ne s'élève qu'à 60,000 habitants. On n'y trouve pas de rues appelées Hévey, Joliette et Pinard, où l'on entend l'écho de conversations en français. On n'aperçoit pas, à l'horizon, le clocher d'une magnifique église gothique dediée à Sainte-Marie, reposant sur une butte nommée Notre-Dame. On ignore complètement l'arôme et la saveur de la tourtière et du pâté au saumon avec sauce blanche servis dans un restaurant où l'on se sent chez soi, Chez Vachon. Dans les parcs Victory, Pulaski et Sweeney, on ne peut contempler des chefs-d'oeuvres dûs au ciseau d'un sculpteur local, Lucien Gosselin. Et la liste continue...
Heureusement, comme George Bailey, on peut revenir à la réalité. Grâce en partie aux Franco-Américains, Manchester, c'est une merveilleuse ville.
- Bob Perreault

The best thing about
gentrification in Manchester
I remember the days when to do anything in Manchester, one had to leave. Hardly a hip town, many a twenty- and thirty-something traveled to Portsmouth, Portland or Boston.
In 1993, Manchester awakened to the reality that the industrial days of the Amoskeag Millyard were long gone and changed its zoning to enable redevelopment. The results go beyond the obvious physical improvements.
As the Millyard developed into a "hi-tech" and higher education center, it drew younger professionals with disposable incomes to the city, inspiring a more interesting and entertaining nightlife. The civic center has fueled the trend.
With these young professionals here to work and play, our challenge is to attract them to stay and live. Zoning remains the key. The city must enable the development of housing that suits their needs, image, and lifestyle if we are to fully transform downtown, and our "ho-hum" reputation.
- Rich Girard, 2001 mayoral candidate and aide to former Mayor Ray
Wieczorek.

The best thing about
Manchester's green space
The best thing about Manchester's green space is that it exists! Despite the city's aggresive economic development plans, green space has been set aside in perpetuity through land acquisitions and conservation easements. These designated areas are wildlife habitats as well as peaceful sanctuaries to be enjoyed by all. The many city ponds, streams, parks, and surrounding wetlands breed a diverse bird and animal population as well as magnificent ancient trees and endangered plants. One needs only to pull off a main road such as Second Street or the D.W. Highway to enjoy the sights and sounds of a pileated woodpecker, a red fox or wild turkeys.
- Jane Beaulieu, chairman, Manchester Conservation Commission

The best thing about
Manchester's history
What's the best thing about Manchester history?
The answer is easy: The Millyard. The buildings are wonderful, and anyone who visits the city invariably asks "What are all those brick buildings along the river?" But the mills are even more important because of the stories they tell.
Think of the people who worked in the Millyard: mill girls fresh from the farms and French Canadian, Scottish, Swedish, Irish, Polish, Greek, German, Italian, and other immigrants. Today, think of the Latino, Asian, Eastern European, Russian and African people who call Manchester home.
Think of the neighborhoods that the mill workers created: "corporations" that housed the workers; elegant mansions of the North End; triple-deckers on the West Side and churches and synagogues throughout the city.
Think of the products made in the Millyard: cotton cloth that made the name Amoskeag world-famous; locomotives; fire engines; street lights; fire hydrants and rifles for the Union Army. Today, think of the high-tech industries, small businesses, restaurants and educational institutions.
These inventions, these buildings, these people are why the Millyard is the best thing about Manchester's history.
- Gail Nessell Colglazier, director, Manchester Historic Association

The best thing about
Manchester's literary scene
The best thing about the literary scene is that, in the Queen City, the field is wide open. Though there are only two corporate book stores and a handful of small specialty shops, someone with enough gumption and savvy could start a scene-a movement if you will-the "blue collarists," or the "history-niks." I can see the group shifting through early morning fog, en route to a Red Arrow 3 a.m. breakfast, or scratching notes below the Mill Girl statue, finding that perfect touch of realism. Anyone could step up and become the Stephen King of Manchester. Why not you?
- Keith Demanche

The best thing about the
Manchester Monarchs
Being home to an AHL hockey team has heightened the pace in Manchester; the city's landscape has been rounded out by Monarchs fans, locals relieved to finally have something to get behind.
Monarchs jerseys, purple lion paws, and encouraging posters dot the streets of Manchester and appear in overwhelming numbers in the new Verizon Wireless Arena. Fans abound, young and old, male and female, at the games.
The Monarchs have brought back some of Manchester's spirit; we've come together in support of the team, we've learned that staying out until 10 p.m. on a work night isn't so bad after all, and most importantly, we've learned how to have fun again.
- Katie Benway

The best thing about Manchester being the state's media center
For someone from New Hampshire, a perk of living in New York City was running into someone famous. For instance, I once saw Jack Gilford talking with Howard Cosell on 57th Street. Now, with the Queen City becoming the center of all New Hampshire media, we have our own low-rent version of this phenomenon.
Look! There's Channel 9 sports anchor Charlie Sherman having dinner at Billy's. Look! There's Union Leader columnist John Clayton being fitted for a suit at George's Clothing for another commercial. And look! There's HippoPress editor Dan Szczesny getting yet another parking ticket!
Want more? Look! There's WNDS-TV weather legend Al Kaprelian at New Horizons trying to recruit weather watchers. Look! There's Concord Monitor columnist Ray Duckler putting a roll of quarters into the swear jar in the Verizon Arena pressroom. And look! There's Nashua Telegraph publisher Terry Williams getting lost in the Millyard again while searching for the offices of New Hampshire Magazine.
And look! There's Howard Cosell and Jack Gilford eating at Vintage Cafe!
Just kidding.
- Jeff Rapsis

The best thing about
Manchester's music scene
The best thing about Manchester's music scene is the wide variety of musical styles. Hip-hop, techno, house, top 40, metal, hard rock, jazz, blues, big band, and even folk music can be found here. There are far more clubs and bars now than there ever have been, and the talent is richer and more varied. With new watering holes opening up all the time downtown, there are sure to be even more offerings in the near future. With more options available to us, the competition for business will increase and that kind of growth is just what Manchester needs. Before you know it, all you party animals will be trying to concentrate on keeping your feet on your Segway while you cruise the expanding Bar-Muda triangle in search of the best entertainment around.
- Jennifer Brand

The best thing about
Manchester's neighborhoods
I love living in a triple decker with gasoline siding, no central heat and a sign that says "Danger Lead Paint."
I know my home isn't as safe as it should be, but then again I don't want to pay higher rent and I like that it's huge with four bedrooms. Like 20,000 or so other people, I live in the center city, packed with tenement triple deckers. Some people call it the ghetto or slums, but it's really just a neighborhood. Bosnian immigrants play soccer in a field near my house; Somalian immigrants go to church near my house. Once Greek immigrants used to do the same. I can walk to a Caribbean, Latin, or Lebanese restaurant. On nice days, I can walk to work downtown.
I have heard crime is a problem in my area, but have seen and heard nothing to support that. I have left my front door unlocked many times, my car unlocked as well. Nothing has been stolen. My neighbors are friendly and helpful. After all, it is a neighborhood.
- Jody Reese

The best thing about parking enforcement in Manchester
It's time to think positively about parking downtown Whining hasn't helped a bit. So, I have taken the time to list the positive aspects of the city's new and improved parking plan. Here goes!
o I am impressed that a side benefit, never thought of by our master parking planners, has been less congestion downtown.
o It has broadened horizons. We can pick other places to shop and may even meet people who appreciate our business without those hidden parking fines.
o Postal officials must appreciate the increased stamp sales in order to pay parking tickets. The postal deficit might disappear as there will be no need to increase stamp prices.
o It has lowered unemployment by providing good paying jobs in the parking bureaucracy.
o And last and best, without wasting any advertising money, our city has made a lasting impression on visitors from other communities.
- Bob Shaw, former mayor and owner of Bob Shaw's Italian Sub Shop

The best thing about
Manchester politics
You gotta love Manchester politics. I eat, drink and sleep the stuff. Just ask my friends, even though I have only one.
Take the recent story in Hippo about Sue Lafond and that terrific picture suggesting she was a Dr. Jeckel & Mr. Hyde. Real in-depth psychological analysis that showcases our political media.
But the best thing about politics here is Joe Levasseur, former alderman and important TV personality. Did you see what he had to say about Lafond and Mayor Baines? I mean that guy is seriously quotable. So what if he spews some of the most deliciously poisonous language in town? Maybe Hippo should put Joe on next week's cover instead of Lafond-with horns and a tail.
And don't forget folks, without Joe, we wouldn't have that $75 million turquoise flying saucer to showcase the monster trucks at $35 a ticket; not to mention all the extra parking revenue.
But don't mess with Joe Kelly...he'll sue you!
- Jeff Kassel, MCTV phenomenon and city gadfly. Joe Kelly's MCTV show, "Positively Manchester" came in second in Hippo's "Best of Manchester" poll.

The best thing about not having a Starbucks in Manchester
In addition to allowing independent coffeehouses to flourish, the fact that there's no real Starbucks in Manchester shows that the city has not yet been entirely taken over by the soulless chain stores and that there is still hope that we have not been entirely McBrainwashed.
Chains like Starbucks and Rite-Aid and Wal-Mart enjoy great success partly because they offer formulas that consumers respond to and partly because they have vast corporate wealth to back them, making them almost impossible to fight. This is unfortunate since chain stores decrease the diversity of the local business community, which makes the community less stable and more dependent on the decisions of distant corporate headquarters; this reduction of local control degrades the quality of local jobs and often lowers the wage level as well.
- Dave Karlotski

The best thing about
Manchester's theater scene
The best thing about theater in Manchester is the incredible diversity of it available in a very small area. Just in the immediate Manchester area alone, it runs the gamut from educational and community theater venues to professional theater spaces. What makes it very special, though, is the dedication of the local talent involved. Whether actor, musician, dancer, or technicians, they all seem to take pride in their work and deal with the limitations in budget or technology in a professional manner. There is little in the way of prima donnas, all the companies seem to interact well, and the exchange of talent is extremely communal. It's a well rounded and exciting community with lots of room for growth.
- Joe LaJeunesse

The best thing about
South Willow Street
It's Wednesday night and I'm driving The Strip. Lights; red, yellow, orange, green, and white - so much white, humming and pulsing. Every city has one of course, a Strip. In Manchester it's called South Willow.
I brake again, the harsh red taillights of a pickup truck reflecting off my windshield, off my glasses, off my brain.
I'm hungry. I have many options. I pick a drive-through. It makes no matter which one, they're all the same. I eat a burger, or a fish sandwich, or a taco. I don't remember.
Then I'm back in the lights, cruising with teenagers in a broken-down Toyota, the lone young man with the dark face in a tow truck, and the family in an Impala, an old dog with it's face against the glass.
There's no sleep for South Willow. There's no sleep for me. I drive into the white.
- Dan J. Szczesny

The best thing about
Manchester wildlife
Manchester's biggest wildlife story is the mighty Merrimack River. Our river functions as a wildlife "superhighway" that connects Manchester with the natural environment of the region. Via the Merrimack, fish such as river herring, American shad, and sea lamprey "commute" from the Atlantic Ocean right through downtown Manchester in search of spawning habitat upstream. And like a magnet, the river and its tributaries attract wildlife to the area, such as bald eagles, great blue herons and even moose. Manchester residents can even stroll down to the river any time of year and spot wildlife residents like beaver, mink, snapping turtles, and red-tailed hawks.
- Dave Kellam, executive director, Massabesic Aububon Center