Two of a kind – Couple honored for shared love of the outdoors

Goffstown Editor — Wed, 09 May 2007 19:24:00 GMT

Lorri Menard knew marriage is about compromise and accepting her husband’s interests. Indeed, that concept never became clearer than when she found herself spending her honeymoon on a campground.

Fast forward 22 years, and Lorri’s love for the outdoors rivals her husband’s. The New Boston couple was recently honored with this year’s Ellis R. Hatch Jr. Commission Award of Excellence, given for the third time by the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department.

“Al and Lorri Menard are two conservationists who have devoted a significant part of their lives to the promotion and achievement of the department’s mission,” said Fish and Game director Lee Perry. “(They have) helped hundreds of people gain a fuller appreciation for and enjoyment of the shooting sports, hunting and the great outdoor life.”

The award was presented to the Menards, who head various hunter education programs and take part in the annual Becoming an Outdoors Woman program. Growing up in the Granite State, Al was exposed to hunting as a family sport. In 1989, he moved to the instructional side, hosting hunter education courses in Lyndeborough and Bow.

“I married a hunter,” said Lorri with a laugh. “That’s how I got into it. It was obviously something very important to him, so I went on a hunting trip with him the first fall after we were married. I really ended up loving it, too, and just the whole idea of being outdoors.”

Spending her time in an office during the day, Lorri said hunting provides a getaway “from e-mails and IMs (instant messages).” But the hours devoted to hunter education classes, various volunteer activities and Becoming an Outdoors Woman are what earned the couple the recognition of one of Fish and Game’s most prestigious awards.

Nominated by a friend who originally planned on sending in only Al’s name, the award was expanded to include Lorri, providing a pleasant surprise when a letter arrived informing them of the honor.

“What’s important is that we got the award together, the both of us,” said Al. “We both got it (because) we do these activities together. We’re a team, and, in most cases, where you’ll find one is where you’ll find the other.”

No matter the season, the Menards find a way to spend it outside. Fishing and archery in the summer, camping, hiking and hunting during the fall, snowshoeing and four-wheeling in the winter months keep the duo far from inside their home.

“What I love about hunting is going off the beaten path, getting to see what other people don’t get to,” said Al. “Harvesting animals is nice, but it doesn’t always happen. We just enjoy being outdoors amongst nature. It’s just a great situation we’ve got together.”

New Boston News : awards

Two of a kind – Couple honored for shared love of the outdoors