Life is a compilation of decisions and choices. We can be villain, victim, or victor. In a pool of obstacles, we can sink, swim, or tred until we drown. The choice is ours.

Born March 19, 1964, Barbara Lynch was the youngest of six children. With very little money, she grew up in the housing projects of South Boston. Her father, a Boston cab driver, died of a heart attack just six weeks before Barbara was born leaving her mother to care and provide for their children on her own as a single parent. Fiercely independent, Barbara's mother refused welfare and food stamps, often working three jobs at a time to keep her family afloat. It was Barbara's mother's sense of self-worth and hard work values that would shape Barbara's character and feed her hunger and determination to succeed.

Sawyer's Dairy Bar is located on  1933 Lake Shore Road in Gilford, New Hampshire. Sawyer's is an outdoor dairy bar conveniently located in walking distance by nearby hotels and resorts. In fact, we dared and darted across busy Rt 11 so we could avoid taking the car. Although I hear their seafood, particularly, the clam and lobster rolls are out of this world, on this hot summer day, we were there for the home made ice cream. I diverted from my usual Black Raspberry and went for the Pistachio Nut...rich...very creamy...with generous portions on pistachio nuts...I was quite pleased!  Prices are fair to high with with generous portions and  friendly, courteous service. If we would have had a freezer in our unit, I  would have gladly bought a gallon to take home to eat while watching the late, late show!

I started out like most other kids in the fishing industry: long before I had my driver’s license! I’d string lobster bait after school for my father and assemble used, hand-me-down traps that usually had to be repaired just to make them “fish-able”. I’d set these traps in a small, homemade skiff and fish along the beach, pulling the traps along by hand. Before long, I was "out catching" with the old timers. {which did nothing but piss them off!}

That was over 30 years ago. Since then, I’ve run and captained many lobster boats, mostly my own, and have mainly fished the Offshore Canyons and Georges Banks off the coast of Maine and New England.

So, what’s it like to be a Lobster Guy ?:

Our trips usually run 5-6 days, dock to dock and we fish year round. This includes winter fishing during the harsh weather of the North Atlantic. We never stop.

Being away so much has a cost. I’ve missed most of my four children grow up. I’ve missed out on a lot, really. ...Birthdays, anniversaries ... and sadly, the bad stuff too...accidents, deaths ...but, mostly, just being home when I was needed.

60-70 mile an hour winds and 20-30 foot seas are not uncommon during the winter season. It’s a cold, lonely place to be 150 miles away from home, hauling traps while freezing your butt off and working a 20 hour day, most days. Still, the freedom and independence of being your own boss in a place where the ocean is your backyard, can't be replaced by working a land job. I wouldn't trade it for anything!

Famished and looking for something quick to eat, we stopped by 911 Burgars and Dogs in Feeding Hills, Massachusetts. 911 is a seasonal, family owned and operated business specializing in, you guessed it, burgers and dogs. Operating out of a small brick hut that is set back a bit from the road, one could easily breeze right by...don't. If you are looking for something fast and reasonably priced, 911 is worth the stop. Its a great place to take the kids with plenty of outdoor seating at umbrella covered picnic tables. You place your order inside, take a number, and pick your order up at the pass through window on the outside when your number is called.They are one of the few places around that grill their hot dog buns...and even their fries. However, they claim one of their top sellers to be  a spicy hamburg grinder that is packed with Cajun-style onions and topped with chili. I gave this concoction a try and though I love the grilled onion and spice mix, I couldn't get past the chili topping. Call me old-fashioned, I guess.

LOCATION: 9-1-1  1157 North Westfield St Feeding Hills, Massachusetts  01030 413-786-6800