John Bentley, a New Hampshire native, grew up in a small town surrounded by nature, stone walls, extended family, and good neighbors. Over the years, he has worn many hats, working as an automobile mechanic, sawmill laborer, farmhand, excavation contractor, carpenter, machinist, purchasing agent, and college administrator. For almost forty years, he has also served as the cemetery sexton in his hometown. John holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Southern New Hampshire University. In his spare time, John operates a small nonprofit charity that provides winter clothing to underprivileged children. He serves as treasurer of the International Lilac Society and enjoys growing lilacs and ornamental plants, vegetable gardening, woodworking, restoring horse-drawn vehicles, and fly fishing with his daughters using flies they tie together at the kitchen table during winter. A voracious reader and amateur historian, he is actively involved in several local historical societies. John lives with his wife and two daughters on a small farm near a brook, down a long dirt road, deep in the woods.