KarunaNews Story

A man who lived frugally all his life left an unexpected gift of $3.8 million to his small New Hampshire town, Hinsdale. Geoffrey Holt, who died on June 6, moved to New Hampshire in 1968 and lived on his social security checks for the last 15 years , said his friend, Edwin "Smokey" Smith. The gift came from a trust fund Holt established in 2001, primarily made in mutual funds accounts, and was left to the New Hampshire Charitable Foundation. Town administrator Kathryn Lynch said the town is considering various ways to use the funds including possibly buying an electronic voting machine - ballots currently are counted by hand - and fixing the town hall clock. While Smith said his friend would be happy to know his gift is being appreciated, Holt would be stressed at being in the "limelight. "He didn't like to be in the front of the crowd," Smith said.