Enid and Don Larsen throw themselves into just about any project they can.
Whether it’s yellow daffodils brightening Dunbarton’s roadsides in spring, wreaths with red bows honoring service members in winter or a town renovation, Enid and Don are never far from the effort.
“We are just grateful once we retired, to have what I call the luxury of time,” Enid said. “It always feels like if you’ve got something that you can help with to maybe improve your town or anything around you, why not?”
The Larsens moved to Dunbarton in 2008, leaving behind San Diego after their retirement to build a home in New Hampshire.
At first, some friends thought their cross-country move might not be the wisest choice, but Enid and Don quickly realized they’d landed in the right place — not because of the scenery or the house they built but because of the spirit of their new community.
They’ve given back to Dunbarton, which they call a “little slice of paradise,” since their move.
In 2017, Don started Wreaths across Dunbarton to honor military veterans who have served their country. He also pioneered the Flags around Dunbarton project.
“When we have snow on the ground, the wreaths make you feel very good when you drive down Route 13 and you come into town,” said Don. “It’s also just great getting to see all those flags flying.”
The retired couple helped lead the renovation of the town hall, bringing new life to the building’s long-forgotten second-floor library. After 32 years of disrepair, the space was restored, modernized and made ADA-compliant, becoming a welcoming place for all.
Drawing on years of professional experience in marketing, advertising and organizing, the Larsens have turned those skills into powerful tools for volunteerism.
But beyond their expertise, their strength lies in a shared passion for giving back.
“We have our differences of opinion, but I think we understand each other so well,” Enid said. “We both have a passion for trying to make life a little bit better if you can or just giving a helping hand if we’re lucky enough to have the ability and the time.”
The Larsens said they plan to slow down soon and enjoy “rocker time” on their back porch, but that doesn’t mean they’ll be stepping away completely from volunteer activities.
For them, retirement isn’t about doing less, it’s about giving back in new ways.
Enid said there’s always something that needs doing, whether it’s helping with shelter animals, donating to a local food bank or pitching in with community projects that retirees can support.
“It’s kind of a shame to waste your time, and we’ve been lucky enough to get included in on things. We are grateful for it,” Enid said. “Use your time to make good use of it.”
