Xplore Monadnock
Become an Xplore Partner

About Us

Our Story

Established in July 2020

Xplore Monadnock is a project born of love for the Monadnock Region, located in the Southwest corner of New Hampshire. It is one of the most beautiful areas in the state, the country even, and is home to Mount Monadnock, one of the most climbed mountains in the world. With an abundance of rivers, lakes, mountains and forest, there is an endless amount of natural treasures to
satisfy your every outdoor need.
Our region is also rich in cultural activities with numerous historical sites to explore, art galleries, antique shops, and live theater. Peterborough is the setting of Thornton Wilder’s book Our Town, and is still home to the Peterborough Players, a live summer theater where well known actors and actresses enjoy sharing their talents in a charming and intimate setting. Live shows and live music are a frequent part of our regional culture and are easily accessible.
The city of Keene, with a population of about 23,000,  is home to Keene State College, and was the setting for parts of the movie Jumanji. It still maintains its New England charm with stately brick buildings and a beautiful town common, but also provides whatever you might need to satisfy your shopping needs with charming shops as well as larger chains.
Our culinary delights are plentiful as well, with dozens of independent and specialty establishments that offer just about anything you could ever want to eat. Many restaurants source their food locally to offer the freshest ingredients possible. The region is rich in lush farmland and local protein is readily available.
Whether you are looking for the small town experience, the solitude of the wilderness or great food and entertainment – all easily accessible from Boston and the Manchester NH
international Airport – you will find it here!

 

Who We Are

Matthew Cabana is a NH native and but for a few years in North Conway, has lived within 15 miles of his hometown of Peterborough NH his whole life, and he knows the Monadnock Region like the back of his hand. Mountains and lakes, waterfalls and forests – the hidden places off the beaten path are his playground. An avid hiker, skier and golfer, he is an ambassador for the region and loves to share his knowledge of it.

 

Matthew has been a real estate broker for 25 years, and has been one of the Top Producers in this region – his love of this area makes it easy for him to “sell”. He is actively engaged in the preservation and betterment of our communities and has and still does serve on various committees and boards, and has been known to coach a youth baseball and soccer team as well. He has participated in many charitable endeavors, and is a voice for people of all ages. 
He and his wife Amy and their two teenagers live in Temple NH and own and operate the historic Birchwood Inn, Restaurant and Tavern. Their five year old grandchild, who lives in Peterborough with her parents, is a source of tremendous joy and another generation to share this glorious region with. 

 

Braeden Hatfield is an actor, web designer and filmmaker in the Monadnock region. He has been involved in local theatre for the last four years, with Firelight Theatre Workshop and Project Shakespeare. Some of his roles include Hamlet, Prospero, and Jared from Annie Baker’s Body Awareness. In January 2020, he was nominated for Best Supporting Actor by the New Hampshire Theatre Alliance for his performance as Jared.

Braeden has hopes of going to theatre school when the world gets back to “normal.” During quarantine, he found himself looking for something meaningful to do locally. Always drawn to technology, he looked at this project as an opportunity to learn web design, social media, and videography, but at the same time, a chance to get to know some of the business owners in this great region.

Things he loves most about the Monadnock region include the arts, the food, the great community spirit, and of course, the maple syrup.

He hopes this project will last far beyond the pandemic and can be a service to those looking to eXplore the Monadnock region.

© Photo by Nile Scott Studios

Shelley Labrie has always loved being out in nature. Raised in the Monadnock Region, she has been very fortunate to grow up exploring her beautiful surroundings. At an early age, her love for art, painting, and writing poetry have encouraged her growth regarding her love for architecture and how things are constructed. Her skill to create has always been her passion.

After graduating from high school, Shelley studied cosmetology at Keene Beauty Academy in NH and using her craft, spent 10 years in Wilton as a beautician at the Magic Mirror Salon. She also remembers how much she learned while working at The Color Shop in downtown Wilton. During these years, volunteering on various committees (i.e., the Main Street Program, Olde Home Days and The Arts and Film Festival), Shelley learned that working with people and helping others was what she enjoyed most. “This gave me my start,” she explained.

Shelley married her high school sweetheart, Jeff. They have been together for 33 years. They started their family in 2000. The following years were dedicated to being a mom and raising their two daughters. As her family became more independent, she was anxious to once again be working with people and the community. Being drawn to real estate was a natural path for her. Working diligently to recieve her real estate license, she bacame a realtor in 2006.

“I love helping to promote small businesses and tell their stories. This is a career that I thoroughly enjoy,” she says with a smile on her face. Shelley’s love for art, nature, and travel has continued over the years. She is very much looking forward to meeting new people and having new adventures. And…to never stop XPLORING!!