TWO WEEKS ON THE ROAD IN THE NORTHEAST

BALTIMORE, MARYLAND — It’s been a whirlwind trip.  We started our fourth visit to New Hampshire on Tuesday, July 27th, and went directly to Wolfeboro, right on beautiful Lake Winnipesaukee.  I had lots of meetings including local journalists, community leaders and even joined the Wolfeboro Chamber of Commerce.  We took a tour on the famous Belle all around the lake, and hiked to the top of Mt. Major.

Fred talking to voters in Wolfeboro

Fred giving away the much sought after Fred Frisbees in Wolfeboro

Then off to Ogunquit, Maine for the weekend.  Ogunquit is really a suburb of New Hampshire.  We met lots of people from Portsmouth and other parts of eastern New Hampshire.  There are lots of Boston politicos up there, too.

Bartenders Tyler and Larry at the famous MaineStreet Bar in Ogunquit.  Notice that both are sporting Fred Who? stickers

We had a meeting with a great University of New Hampshire senior who is very interested in helping organize students on his campus and throughout the Granite State.  Ogunquit is a magnificent resort right on the Atlantic Ocean that reminds me a lot of my hometown of Laguna Beach.

Stopped in Peterborough to see my incredible 97 year old Aunt Mimi Karger and pose for a shot in front of the famous Peterboro diner.  No snow on the ground like there was during my February visit!

Then back to New Hampshire on Sunday for three more days at the historic Centennial Hotel in Concord.  This is my fourth stay there, and it’s really become my home away from home.  We had a room right across the hall from the one where Hillary Clinton always stayed when she was in New Hampshire running for President.

On Monday we went over to Keene to have a private meeting with Jim Rousmaniere, Jr. who is the Editor and President of the Keene Sentinel.  I sat in the same seat that so many Presidential candidates have occupied.  I was very excited to meet with this great newspaperman, and visit his highly respected paper.  The Sentinel was founded in 1799, making it the fifth oldest continually published newspaper in the United States.

Here’s Fred with the amazing Susan MacNeil after dinner in Keene.  Susan set up my very first Town Hall Meeting in April with over 50 people.  We’re back at Margaritas where it was held.

Over the next three days, I met with reporters, as well as political, business and religious leaders in Concord and Manchester.

Taping the announcement

On Tuesday evening, John Keitel, who is documenting all of my activities, filmed my announcement at The Centennial that I was officially forming the Fred Karger Presidential Exploratory Committee.  Stay tuned for more on that.

Then Wednesday, it was off to Baltimore for the Equality Federation Summer Meeting.  This is the annual gathering of over 60 statewide LGBTQ organizations from all over the U.S.

I hosted a cocktail reception on Thursday night “A Prop 8 Celebration.”  We had over 75 people drop by the suite during the 8:00 to 10:00 pm party (which went a bit later).

Bartenders Alex and Daniel setting up for Prop 8 Celebration Reception

Pictures in my great Cousin Nora Ranney (left) from New York

Jackie Gares, Senior Producer of PBS’s “In the Life” visiting with Wedding Planner Beau Fodor from Des Moines

Baltimore locals Matthew and Corey here to help welcome guests attending the Equality Federation Conference

So nice to CELEBRATE the Prop 8 Victory this week!!!

While based in Baltimore, we have been able to drive over to Washington, DC, about 40 miles away, and hold some very productive meetings there.

Tomorrow, finally heading back to California after another exhausting two weeks on the road.

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