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From the deck of a Navy destroyer to the quiet woods of Barnstead, John Starkey has spent a lifetime in service, stewardship, and stories. In this episode, John shares how a recruiting poster and a pair of white Navy bell bottoms launched a worldwide adventure that eventually led him back home to New Hampshire. We talk about his years at sea, his decades in public works, his guiding and trapping days, and the mentors and lessons that shaped him along the way.

Alongside a few good laughs — and one very clever retriever named Hattie — John reminds us that the best parts of small-town life are built on humor, hard work, and the quiet consistency of people who still take pride in doing things right.