TheLaker_December_19_22

O Little Town of Bethlehem

By Mark Okrant

When most of us think about the name Bethlehem, it is as Jesus’s birthplace. At the same time, a majority of Americans associate this place-name with the eastern Pennsylvania community that produced a considerable amount of American steel until 1982. For New Hampshire residents and visitors alike, Bethlehem is a traditional resort community situated in the White Mountains. Granted by colonial Governor John Wentworth as “Lloyd’s Hills” in 1774, the town was renamed Bethlehem in 1799, its designation having been selected on Christmas Day.

The White Mountains is the state’s second leading travel and tourism region, after the Merrimack Valley, hosting nearly one-fifth of all overnight occasions and earning approximately eighteen percent of all travel-related expenditures. According to research conducted several years ago by the Institute for New Hampshire Studies, the White Mountains accounts for 19 percent of all overnight summer visitors (June-August), 17 percent of all fall visitors (September-November), 28 percent of all winter visitors (December-February), and 14 percent of all spring (March-May) visitors.

Traveling along Interstate 93 through Franconia Notch, exits 37, 39 and 40 provide access to the community of 2,565 people. For those who are heading north on Route 3, Bethlehem is accessible by driving west on scenic Route 302. Therefore, the linear little town is ideally situated along a circuitous route for travelers to stop, shop, and dine, regardless of where they enter the region.

Bethlehem has an outstanding tradition as a tourism resort community, dating back more than one and onehalf centuries. Many of the earliest visitors were attracted to the area by the 19th century paintings of White Mountain artists such as Thomas Cole and Benjamin Champney. The railroad first came to Bethlehem Junction in 1867, carrying with it summer season

visitors from Boston, New York, and elsewhere—most seeking clean air and a temporary escape from urban crowding. Many chose Bethlehem deliberately to avoid respiratory ailments in what was purported to be the low pollen count environment of «the highest town in New Hampshire” (note: some claim that the threat was actually mitigated by clearing away grass and other offending vegetation in advance of arrivals by visitors).

Conveniently located near Mount Washington and other attractions within the White Mountains, seven trains arrived daily, stopping at Bethlehem’s five depots. Soon, the town developed into a Gilded Age resort for the rich and famous, with over 30 hotels—including a number of 100-plus room “grand hotels”—

lining Bethlehem›s streets. Patrons included U.S. Presidents Grant, Hayes, Roosevelt, Taft, and Harding. From the railroad stations, each resort sent horse drawn coaches and wagons to carry the arriving guests and their luggage from the stations. This gave rise to the term “carriage trade” to describe affluent visitors.

During the early years of the 20th century, the combined innovation of automobiles and new roads led to the gradual usurping of railroad travel within the region. With the arrival of middle-class travelers, more affluent guests sought to escape to alternative destinations such as Florida. By the 1950s, attendance at expensive hotels had dwindled, with many properties closing their doors, while others were lost to fire or demolition.

Bethlehem already was attracting a new audience before World War I. Beginning about 1916, Jewish families from large eastern cities began arriving in town, some seeking relief from hay fever symptoms. Traditionally, Satmar Hassidim occupy tourism accommodations on the west side of Bethlehem during July and August. The crucial el• Bethlehem continued on page 4

ement, until recently, was the presence of the Arlington Hotel. That lodging provided the essential Kosher food to serve people who occupied the hotel, as well as Orthodox Jewish guests staying at other properties on the west side of town. After decades of serving the Hassidim, the original Arlington was replaced by a 65-room modern lodging, before finally closing its Kosher kitchen during the COVID pandemic. Today, many group members stay at Presidential Mountain Resort, situated west of downtown along Route 302. Bethlehem remains a very attractive destination for travelers. Surrounded by outstanding scenery, it is full of history, has a small-town atmosphere, and provides a great base for exploring the White Mountain region. There are opportunities for outdoor activities, learning about the history of the area, and dining on delicious food.

While there are no major tourism attractions in the immediate area, VacationIdea magazine has identified a number of interesting opportunities for visitors as well as local people:

The Rocks Estate and Christmas Tree Farm encompasses approximately 1,400 acres and offers extensive trails and beautiful views. Also, it is the site of the “New Hampshire Maple Experience.” Visitors at The Rocks Estate find gardens for picnics, a gift shop selling a wide variety of items, the Maple Museum, and several different tours, such as its Maple Tour. The Christmas Tree Farm offers rows of trees surrounded by stonewalls. Each year, as the Christmas season approaches, visitors are invited to select and cut their trees from the estate’s farm. If preferred, fresh-cut trees and wreaths can be purchased at the Rocks. During weekends, carriage rides around the historic farm are offered; and the mountain views are spectacular! For more information, call 603444-6228, or email info@therocks.org.

The Gallery at WREN (Women’s Rural Entrepreneurial Network) was founded in 2001 as a community cultural outlet. It offers a place where people can come for creative expression or simply gather together to enjoy art. WREN hosts workshops, demonstrations, artist talks, and its First Friday Meet the Artist receptions. For more information, telephone 603-869-9736.

The Maplewood Golf Club at 2691 Main Street (603-869-3335), and the Bethlehem Country Club at 1901 Main Street (603-869-5745) are both 18-hole golf courses designed by the legendary golf architect, Donald Ross.

The Bethlehem Heritage Society invites everyone to the center to learn about Bethlehem’s history. Visitors can see photographs as well as many artifacts that were originally housed inside the grand resort buildings. The society also features stories about the town’s first settlers, the hotel era glory days, and the ever-changing history of the town. For more information, visit www.bethlehemheritagenh.org.

The historic Colonial Theatre opened its doors in Bethlehem in 1915, during the town’s Grand Hotel era. It is one of the country’s oldest movie theaters that is in continuous operation. It shows world and independent cinema, and hosts family entertainment and “Grammy award-winning” performing artists from May to October. For more information about events, call 603-8693422, or email gotoshow@bethlehemcolonial.org.

The 42 Maple Contemporary Art Center is a community art studio space, events center, and art gallery located within a former historic church. It is

open to the general public, wherein artist receptions are hosted on the first Friday of every month. The center curates several exhibitions along with special workshops and events. Call 603-5759077.

Cold Mountain Cafe is situated in the middle of the scenic White Mountains of New Hampshire, serving farm-to-table cuisine in Bethlehem that celebrates both the local farms and small businesses of northern New England. Call 603-869-2500.

Visitors will find a range of food and lodging accommodations available within the community. One can select from campgrounds, cabins, motels, elegant b&bs, inns and condominiums. A partial list of lodgings includes:

Adair Country Inn and Restaurant on 80 Guilder Lane, 603-444-2600, website www.adairinn.com

Presidential Mountain Resort on 1108 Main Street, 603-253-2222, website www.presidentialmountainresort. com

The Wayside Inn at 3738 Main Street, 603-869-3364, website www.thewaysideinn.com

The Chandler at White Mountains at 30 Arlington Street, 603-869-7777, website www.chandlernh.com

The Mulburn Inn at 2370 Main Street, 800-457-9440, website www. mulburninn.com

Angel of the Mountains, 2007 Main Street, 603-869-6473.

For more information about things to do and places to stay or dine, contact the Bethlehem Chamber of Commerce by telephoning 603-869-3409, or emailing www.bethlehemwhitemtns.com.

November Artist

The Lakes Region Art Association & Gallery features an exemplary member artist each month through short social media videos posted to the Facebook and Instagram platforms. November’s Friday Featured Artist is Sanbornton, NH local Sally Hibberd. Sally grew up on a farm in England, working with draft horses and farm animals throughout her youth. The memories of this time in her life, as well as the more recent travels with her husband, are the inspiration for many of her paintings. Sally also does pet commissions upon request. Being pretty much selftaught in her craft, she has worked in several mediums but prefers painting with acrylics. Sally has several framed, original paintings on exhibit and available for purchase in the Lakes Region Art Gallery (LRAA), in the Tanger Outlets, 120 Laconia Rd, Suite 300 in Tilton, New Hampshire.

The gallery’s new extended hours are from 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM, Thursday

through Saturday, 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM Sunday. Along with Sally Hibberd’s art, the LRAA Gallery features original art and prints from over twenty-five local artists in graphite, pen & ink, watercolor, acrylic, oils, pastels, photography, and digital and mixed media art.

Friday Featured Artist is a weekly program posting a short video each Friday with highlights of an artist from the Lakes Region Art Gallery. Each Friday, for four consecutive weeks each month, a new video is published on Facebook and Instagram and our YouTube Channel (Link below). Subscribe to our Facebook and Instagram channels to receive these videos and more in your social media feeds. Past videos are also available on our YouTube channel, https://www.youtube. com/@lakesregionartgallery While on the LRAA YouTube Channel, hit the “Subscribe” button

First Day Hikes

For outdoor enthusiasts, there’s no better way to kick off the new year than with a brisk hike. New Hampshire State Parks will once again host the First Day Hikes, the increasingly popular New Year’s Day hiking event at select State Parks.

This year, hikers can traverse seven State Park locations hosting First Day Hikes: Greenfield State Park, White Lake State Park, Milan Hill State Park, Pisgah State Park, Monadnock State Park, Odiorne Point State Park, and new to the lineup, Frost Farm Historic Site.

Participants can embark on self-guided tours through historic sites, spot and identify native wildlife, or discover and experience nature. Hot cocoa and snacks will be served at the end of each hike. Pets are welcomed at most locations but must be leashed at all times (see registration page for pet-friendly locations).

Registration is required, but sameday registration is not allowed. For more information about each park and registration links, visit https://www. nhstateparks.org/news-events/firstday-hike

“We are thrilled to be part of this national celebration of state parks and

getting people outdoors,” said Brian Wilson, Director of New Hampshire Division of Parks & Recreation. ”

While any day is a good day to take a hike at a New Hampshire State Park, starting out the new year with the collective energy of First Day hikers is really special.”

This is the 12th year New Hampshire and State Parks have participated in the First Day Hikes program. The program is part of a nationwide initiative led by America’s State Parks to encourage people to get outdoors.

Here are a few helpful tips to keep in mind for participants:

All hikes will be rain, snow or shine.

Please remember to check the weather prior to the event.

Please dress in layers appropriate for the winter weather and wear appropriate footwear. For more information regarding recommended clothing and gear, visitHikeSafe.com.

Traction devices such as micro spikes or Yaktrax are highly recommended (trails may be icy and slippery).

Be sure to pack water and a snack for during the hike. The Park will provide a warm drink and healthy snack at the completion of the hike.

Christmas Cooking

By Kelly Ross

Hello, my Lakes Region friends. I trust all of you have gotten over your turkey hangover from Thanksgiving and are starting to move around. But low and behold, it’s now time to prep for Christmas, from a shopping/financial standpoint, possible traveling, and yes, a culinary gameplan as well since that is my usual first priority. But then again, I am a food guy. I’m going to share some appetizers, some upscale dinner themes, a great side dish, and yup, some yummy sweets all to celebrate the holiday season.

Appetizers are usually my favorite part of any dinner party. I love to pick and graze while socializing, and these are all outstanding with that in mind. I have three here for you, one based around sausage, one a scrumptious goat cheese balls recipe rolled in pecans and cranberries. This first one centers around shrimp, my favorite of the shellfish family. All very good and

all easy to throw together.

This shrimp recipe is for a puff pastry shrimp app that will wow the crowd, and I am someone who has never made just a single batch of this one as many will eat a few of these unless you ration them. This comes with a great homemade chili sauce which pairs very well with these shrimp puffs. This recipe makes a dozen, hence doubling up, and it takes maybe 20 minutes to prep and less time to cook, although the filling for these puffs does need to be refrigerated for at least an hour in between prepping and cooking.

Sesame Shrimp Puffs

2 frozen boxes of ready-rolled puff pastry, thawed under refrigeration

8 oz raw shrimp, peeled and cleaned. A small-medium sized shrimp is your best bet

4 scallions, roughly chopped

2 small eggs

1 large garlic clove, peeled

1 tbsp oyster sauce

1 tbsp toasted sesame oil

1 tbsp honey

Toasted sesame seeds to sprinkle Chopped chives to serve

For The Sweet Chili Sauce

6 oz sugar

1/3 cup white wine vinegar

2 tbsp fish sauce

2 tbsp cornstarch diluted in 2 tbsp cold water

1 large red chili pepper, finely chopped

1 large garlic clove, peeled and grated

1 small piece fresh ginger, peeled and grated

1 tbsp dried chili flakes

For the puffs, put the shrimp, scallions, 1 egg, garlic, oyster sauce, sesame oil and honey in a food processor or blender. Pulse a few times until the ingredients form a chunky paste. Cover, and chill in the fridge for an hour before using. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Take the puff pastry out of the fridge and let it stand for 10 minutes. Cut each pack into 6 squares, for 12 in total. Place a scant tbsp of filling on each square, do not overfill, moisten the edges with a little water and then fold in half to form a triangle. Crimp

the edges with a fork and brush with a beaten egg. Sprinkle with sesame seeds. Bake for 13-15 minutes or until the puffs are golden. While the stuffing is in the refrigerator, that’s when I like to make the sauce, although can easily be done well in advance. Put all the sauce ingredients in a small saucepan and stir them to combine. Bring to a boil and then reduce to a simmer. Cook for 5 minutes or until the sauce is slightly reduced. Cool, then transfer to a clean jar or dipping bowl to serve. Serve the puffs drizzled with some of the dipping sauce, with extra on the side, and sprinkled with chopped chives.

Let’s move to the sausage themed app which are bite sized balls made with the assistance of Bisquick, a favorite of mine in certain “cheat” recipes. This recipe uses a combo of hot and sweet Italian sausage with cheddar as well, and one of my favorite aspects of these, besides how good they are, is that they can be prepped and refrigerated well in advance, as in up to 24 hours, which is a great thing if you • ‘Cue the Grill

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mega prep to do for the rest of the meal. These have the great combo of savory and cheesy and you’ll be witnessing people popping these bad boys like it’s their job. For what it’s worth, it’s a great job to have. One thing to keep in mind is that are no wet ingredients when mixing these, so they will appear dry as a result, but if all ingredients are at room temp when time to mix, with a little effort to work them into balls, they will come out fine since when the cheese melts, they will hold together. I suggest this one as another “double up” recipe as this makes 20 sausage balls, prep is 15 minutes and cook time is under a half hour.

Sausage Balls

1 lb ground Italian sausage. I prefer a combo of sweet and hot, but choice is yours

2 cups Bisquick

4 cups shredded cheddar, or any cheese of choice, or a combo of 2-3 2 tbsp freshly chopped parsley, plus more for garnish

1 tbsp paprika

Kosher salt

Freshly ground black pepper

Extra-virgin olive oil, for brushing

Preheat oven to 350 degrees and line a baking sheet with parchment. In a large bowl, mix sausage, Bisquick, cheddar, parsley, and paprika until combined and season with salt and pepper. Using a small cookie scoop, place tbsp sized balls of mixture onto prepared baking sheet. Brush tops

of balls with olive oil and bake until deeply golden and no longer pink, 25 minutes. Garnish with parsley before serving. If you want a dipping sauce, I suggest a warm marinara to dip them into.

This one is by far the easiest of today’s apps, and if you are a fan of goat cheese, you’re gonna dig these in a big way as they are rolled in crushed pecans and chopped dried cranberries and served with a fresh rosemary sprig inserted into them instead of a toothpick for serving and eating. This will go together in 15 minutes and gets you 16 pieces.

Cranberry Goat Cheese Balls with Rosemary Skewers

1/3 cup sweetened dried cranberries

1/3 cup toasted pecans

1 tsp dried parsley

½ tsp salt

¼ tsp pepper

1 goat cheese log, 8 oz

16 Rosemary sprigs

Start by finely chopping dried cranberries with pecans. Add dried parsley, salt and pepper.

Roll the goat cheese log into 16 balls then roll in the crumb mixture. Skewer with a rosemary sprig for an extra festive touch. Very decadent and very delicious.

It’s time to ring the dinner bell with some special occasion dinner themes considering the special day. Ham is usually a traditional theme for many, so let’s start there with a great recipe

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with a cherry and bourbon glaze. The tartness of the cherries, combined with the bourbon giving you a slightly sour and oaky tartness, will make your spiral ham one that will not soon be forgotten. Prep is quick, as in maybe 15 minutes, cook time is close to 3 hours and this will feed a dozen of you lucky eaters.

Cherry Bourbon Glazed Ham 6-8 lb bone-in spiral cut ham 1jar cherry preserves, 13 oz ½ cup bourbon 2tbsp honey ¼ tsp ground cloves ¼ tsp cayenne

Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Place ham on a rack in a large roasting pan. Cover with foil. Bake ham until internal temperature reaches 120-130 degrees, about 2 hours.Meanwhile, in a small saucepan over medium heat, combine preserves, bourbon, honey, cloves, and cayenne. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and let simmer, stirring occasionally, until liquid is slightly reduced, about 10 minutes. Glaze will thicken as it cools. After ham reaches at least 120 degrees, remove from oven and remove foil. Brush with about half of the glaze, aiming between all the slices.Place back in oven, uncovered for 15 minutes.Remove from oven once more and brush with remaining glaze all over top and between slices again. Place back in oven and continue to cook until ham reaches an internal temperature of 145 degrees, 15-20 minutes more. Let ham cool for

10 minutes before carving. Serve with a few of your favorite side dishes. So, the last recipe was meant for a larger group, but if you only have a small amount of people to cook for and truly want to watch their eyes bug out of their head and have their taste buds do a happy dance, this one is for you. This is the ultimate in surf and turf dinners as we go to beef tenderloin and lobster. No messy lobsters to bust open at the table though as this one has lobster and sauce served over the individual filet mignon steaks, and it’s cooked with some incredible parmesan Brussel sprouts. This is way over the top in flavor as well as to the eye. As for the lobster meat, I usually plan on 2 oz of lobster meat per portion, so I often cook a few lobsters the day before and shuck them so come game day, it’s easy money. This will take barely an hour, feeds 4 and it will definitely be a quiet dinner table as everyone is stuffing their face, although you will hear occasional moans ad groans.

Lobster Topped Beef Tenderloin with Parmesan Brussels Sprouts

2 lbs Brussels sprouts, trimmed and quartered

2 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil, divided ½ tsp salt

½ tsp fresh grind black pepper, divided 4 filet mignon steaks, about 1½ inches thick, 7-8 oz each

¼ cup chopped shallots 3 tbsp water

3-4 slices bacon, chopped uncooked

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2 cloves garlic, thinly sliced ¼ tsp crushed red pepper

8 oz cooked lobster, Keep 4 best claws whole, coarsely chop tails and rest of claws

Just shy of ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese

2 tbsp red-wine vinegar

Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Coat a large, rimmed baking sheet with cooking spray. Toss Brussels sprouts with 1 tbsp oil and ¼ tsp each salt and pepper in a large bowl. Spread evenly on the prepared pan. Roast until almost tender, 10-15 minutes. Meanwhile, sprinkle beef evenly with the remaining ¼ tsp each salt and pepper. Heat the remaining 1 tbsp oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the beef and cook until browned on both sides, 2-4 minutes total. Place the beef on the pan with the Brussels sprouts. Roast until the Brussels sprouts are tender, and the beef is medium-rare, 7-10 minutes or more depending on how thick they are. Return the skillet to medium heat, add shallot, water, bacon, garlic and crushed red pepper. Cook, scraping up any browned bits, until the shallot is soft, 1-2 minutes. Add lobster and cook, stirring, until hot, about 1 minute more. Remove from heat. Sprinkle Parmesan and vinegar on the Brussels sprouts and stir to combine. Transfer the beef to individual plates. Top the beef with the lobster mixture, saving one claw for each steak, and serve with the Brussels sprouts. This is a very worthy Christmas dinner or for any special occasion.

Because I feel it necessary, I’m going to share one more beef tenderloin recipe. Beef tenderloin is quite often teamed up with mushrooms in so many recipes, and this is one of those, also with a white wine cream sauce. This is obviously another very upscale, 5-star restaurant type of dish. I know the term is somewhat cliché when it comes to beef tenderloin, but this really is a melt in your mouth dish. This goes together in less than 45 minutes and serves 8.

Roasted Beef Tenderloin with Mushrooms and White Wine Cream Sauce

For the Beef

1 whole beef tenderloin, 4-5 lbs, trimmed of fat and silver skin

2tbspDijon mustard

¼ cuppeppercorns, crushed, or fresh grind black pepper

Kosher salt

16ozcremini mushrooms, halved 1tbspextra virgin olive oil

4tbspsalted butter

For the Wine Sauce

½ cupwhite wine

2tbsp butter

2 tsp chopped fresh thyme

2 cups heavy cream

1/3 cup grated parmesan

Kosher salt and fresh grind black pepper

Allow the beef to come to room temperature for at least 1 hour. Preheat the oven to 475 degrees. Rub the beef with mustard and season generously with peppercorns and salt. In a large oven safe skillet, toss the mushrooms with olive oil, salt and pepper. Place the beef over the mushrooms and insert a meat thermometer. Add the butter to the top of the beef. Transfer to the oven and

roast until the beef registers 120 to 125 degrees for rare/medium-rare, about 25-35 minutes, dependent on the size of your roast. Remove the beef and mushrooms from the skillet to a serving plate and cover will foil. Let rest 10 minutes before slicing. Meanwhile, make the cream sauce. Place the same skillet used to roast the beef over high heat. Add the wine and scrape up any browned bits off the pan. Simmer 3-5 minutes or until the wine has reduced by about 1/3 to 1/2. Add the butter and thyme and continue cooking another 2 minutes until the butter has melted into the sauce. Slowly pour in the cream and bring the sauce to a boil. Reduce the heat to low and simmer 5 minutes or until the sauce has thickened slightly. Remove from the heat and stir in the parmesan. Season the sauce with salt and pepper. Slice the beef and serve with the warm cream sauce and roasted mushrooms. Another killer dish!

Lamb is another very popular dinner entrée at the holidays, so I want to give you that option. Although most either

love or hate lamb, I’m actually a monkey in the middle when it comes to it. If I have it once or twice a year, that’s fine but rarely more often than that. One thing I refuse to use when eating lamb is mint jelly. I’ll never understand the fascination over it although mint is a perfect accoutrement with lamb, so why not make a fresh mint sauce instead of using that yucky jelly. The sauce is incredible and together with the lamb, I can almost guarantee you mint jelly fans will never go back after making and tasting this sauce. Total prep/cook time is 1 ½ hours and feeds 10-12.

Leg of Lamb with Fresh Mint Sauce

1 boneless leg of lamb, about 5 lbs

3tbspkosher salt

3-4Rosemary sprigs,finely chopped, about 3 tbsp

2tsp fresh grindblack pepper

3-4clovesgarlic peeled, and sliced into thin slivers

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For the Mint Sauce

½ cupwater

2-4tbsp sugar

½ packed cupfinely chopped fresh mint leaves

1cupmalt vinegar

Pinch of kosher salt

For the mint sauce, combine water and sugar in a small saucepan and bring to a boil, stirring just until the sugar dissolves completely. Remove pan from heat and stir in the mint leaves and vinegar. Taste and add more sugar if you prefer a sweeter sauce. Set aside at room temperature for 2-3 hours. Bring meat to room temperature by pulling from refrigeration 4560 minutes prior to cooking. Pre-heat oven to 500 degrees. Adjust oven racks so that lamb will roast on the bottom third of your oven. Mix salt, rosemary, and pepper in a small bowl. With a long, thin knife, make several deep cuts into the roast. Put a sliver of garlic into each cut. Coat all sides of meat with rosemary/salt rub. Roast lamb, fat side up, at 500 degrees for 20 minutes. Reduce oven to 375 degrees and con-

tinue roasting until internal temperature reaches the proper temperature to your liking. For medium rare, remove at 135 degrees as it will continue cooking after you remove it from the oven another 10-15 degrees.

If you prefer it rare, pull at 130, for medium, pull at 145. After 15 minutes, start slicing and serve with sauce.

Before we get to some fun sweet treats, I want to share a great side dish. This is a roasted veggie dish finished with a pecan crumble that puts this dish over the top. Brown sugar also is a key factor in these. This will feed 8-10 as a side dish total time is about 1 ¼ hours.

Roasted Veggies with a Pecan Crumble

For the Crumble

½ cuppacked dark brown sugar

½ cup choppedpecans

¼ cup flour

3tbsp butter, room temperature Pinch of smoked paprika Kosher salt, to taste

For the Veggies

4 medium sweet potatoes, peeled and sliced into ¼ inch-thick rounds

1 small butternut squash, peeled, seeded and cut into ¾ inch cubes

1lb carrots, peeled and cut into 2 ½

inch sticks

3tbspolive oil

2tspfresh thyme, chopped 1½ tspkosher salt

Fresh grind black pepper, to taste

For the crumble, preheat the oven to 425 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Combine the brown sugar, pecans, flour, butter, paprika and a pinch of salt in a medium bowl and mash with a fork. Spread the mixture on the baking sheet and bake until everything has melted together, and the crumble is golden brown, 5 -7 minutes. Let cool completely, about 20 minutes. Use your hands to crumble the mixture and set aside. For the vegetables, combine the sweet potatoes, squash, carrots, oil, thyme, salt and a few grinds of pepper in a large bowl and toss. Divide the vegetables between 2 baking sheets, spread them in an even layer and roast, rotating the pans halfway through, until the vegetables are softened and golden brown in spots, 30-35 minutes. Toss the pecan crumble over them, pop back in the oven for 4-5 minutes and serve.

It’s officially time to get your sweet tooth on my friends. I have a great pie for you, as well as 2 killer square/bar recipes, but first, a maybe more traditional holiday dessert, a fruit bake cobbler kind of thing. This yummy warm treat has apples, pears, pineapple and cranberries with so many incredible seasonings and flavors. This will get you 8 servings and it’ll take a little over an hour.

Spiced Hot Fruit Bake

2 cups sliced apples

2 cups sliced pears

1 ½ cups fresh cranberries

1 cup pineapple chunks, save the juice

2 tbsp fresh squeezed lemon juice

½ cup coconut palm sugar, or brown sugar

1 tbsp pure maple syrup

1 tsp ground cinnamon, plus more for the topping

¼ tsp ground nutmeg

½ stick melted butter

1/3 cup chopped walnuts or pecans, or a combo

2 more tsp melted butter for the nuts

Preheat oven to 300 degrees. In a large bowl, toss your fruit and 2 tsp lemon juice. Set aside. In another bowl, combine your melted butter, spices, and maple syrup. Mix in a few tbsp of your leftover pineapple juice as

well. Add ½ of the sugar/butter mixture to your fruit and coat evenly. Pour fruit evenly in a 9×12 baking dish. Pour the leftover sugar/butter/oil mixture on top and bake for 45-50 minutes. While cooking, toss the nuts with the last 2 tsp of melted butter, dump evenly over the fruit, hit with more cinnamon if you want, and cook for another 1015 minutes. Let sit for 10 minutes and then serve in bowls with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or whipped cream.

We all love a good pie, and although as far as tradition goes, this one is not famous for that, but it will soon be a huge favorite once you have sunken your teeth into it. Granted, pumpkin is somewhat infamous thru fall and the holiday season, although I’m not a ginormous fan of it, but when combined with caramel and peanuts, I was all over this the first time I saw and tasted it, and the love affair has not changed. Prep is about 15 minutes, cook time closer to an hour and will get you the usual 6-8 slices that a pie usually offers.

Caramel Peanut Pumpkin Pie

1 rolled refrigerated pie crust, from a 14.1-oz package, or homemade

1 can pure pumpkin, not pie filling, 15 oz

2 eggs, slightly beaten

¾ cup sugar

½ tsp salt

2 tsp flour

1½ tsp pumpkin pie spice

1¼ tsp ground cinnamon

1 can evaporated milk, 12 oz

1 container frozen whipped topping, 8 oz, thawed

¼ cup caramel sauce

¼ cup salted peanuts, coarsely chopped

Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Unroll pie crust and place in a 9-inch pie plate, pressing crust firmly into plate, fluting the edges and set aside. In a large bowl, mix pumpkin, eggs, sugar, salt, flour, pumpkin pie spice, cinnamon, and evaporated milk until well combined, then pour mixture into pie crust. Bake 20 minutes then reduce heat to 350 degrees and bake an additional 40 minutes, or until a knife inserted in center comes out clean. Let cool at room temperature, then refrigerate until well chilled. Top with whipped topping, drizzle with caramel sauce, and sprinkle with chopped peanuts. Enjoy!

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Since I’m a huge sucker for dessert bars more than any other kind of sweet, I have two for you before I say, “see ya.” This one is very simple and delicious and checks all the boxes in looking like a Christmas treat. This quick baked treat which has red and green M&M candies involved will truly look as Christmassy as much as they taste great. The total process will take 45 minutes and get you 20 squares, give or take.

Christmas Magic Squares

1 stick butter

1½ cups graham cracker crumbs

1 package holiday dark chocolate and mint chips, 10 oz

1 cup chopped walnuts

1 cup flaked coconut

1 can sweetened condensed milk, 14 oz ½ cup red and green chocolate covered candies

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Place butter in a 9 x 13-inch baking dish, then place in oven 5 minutes, or until butter is melted. Layer graham cracker crumbs, chocolate chips, walnuts, and coconut over butter. Pour condensed milk over coconut and then top with M&M candies. Bake 30 minutes. Cool in baking dish on a wire rack, then cut into squares.

Lastly today, this a fan favorite, although not necessarily at Christmas, but any time of year as far as I’m concerned as this is that classic marriage of chocolate and peanut butter. This is a major quickie to make “no bake” dessert, guaranteed to create ear to ear grins. You can have these done in 15-

20 minutes, but it does need to chill for 2+ hours. This will give you a couple dozen squares.

Chocolate Peanut Bars

1 cup chunky peanut butter

1 cup butter, softened

16 oz confectioners’ sugar

1 ½ cups vanilla wafers, crushed, about 45 cookies

2 cups semisweet chocolate chips

½ cup whipping cream

Line a 9 x 13-inch baking dish with wax paper and lightly coat with cooking spray. In a large bowl, beat peanut butter and butter at medium speed with an electric beater until blended. Add confectioners’ sugar and vanilla wafer crumbs and beat until blended. Press mixture into dish.

In a medium saucepan, stir together chocolate chips and whipping cream over low heat until melted and smooth, let cool 5 minutes. Spread over peanut butter mixture. Cover and chill 2hours or until firm. Remove from refrigerator and let stand at room temperature 5 minutes. Using the wax paper, lift out entire treat and place on cutting board. Cut into bars, refrigerate leftovers.

Merry Christmas & Happy Holidays to All of You!! May you and all of your family and friends have a great season and may Santa reward all of you for being such good boys and girls, and if you weren’t good, well, best of luck.

If you have any questions or feedback, please reach out at fenwaysox10@ gmail.com.

Intro to Birding at Grey Rocks

Join the Newfound Lake Region Association (NLRA) and local birders for an introduction to birding at Grey Rocks Conservation Area, Wednesday, December 28, 9-11am. During this drop-in event, participants will get practice with binoculars, learn to identify winter birds at Grey Rocks, and be introduced to several citizen science birding opportunities. Between the middle of December and the end of February, there are three collaborative birding events open to the public. By watching the birds at feeders, in backyards, and in the other places where people spend time outside, everyone can help researchers track bird species and trends. This event is geared toward all people with an interest in exploring

the natural world. Find more information including other upcoming events at NewfoundLake.org/events or call 603-744-8689.

NLRA works to protect the high-quality waters of Newfound Lake and its watershed, maintaining a healthy and diverse ecosystem. Along with educational programming like guided walks and paddles, NLRA monitors water quality, conserves land, manages stormwater pollution, and monitors for invasive species. For more than 50 years NLRA has been protecting Newfound Lake, and the results of that conservation are as clear as Newfound’s water. You can learn more about NLRA’s initiatives at NewfoundLake.org

Dec. 20, Fiber Arts Gathering, 10-11 am, come knit, stitch, crochet, spin and chat, Sanbornton Public Library, 27 Meetinghouse Hill Rd., Sanbornton, 2868222.

Dec. 20, Zentangle Art Lessons, 6-8 pm, Galleries at 30 Main, 30 Main St., Meredith, 279-0557.

Dec. 22, Visiting Hours at Santa’s Hut, 4-6 pm, Santa & Mrs. Claus will be there to take holiday gift wishes, free, bring your camera for photos, downtown Wolfeboro, 569-2200, www.wolfeborochamber.org.

Dec. 22, Wangari Fahari, vocalist, Hermit Woods Winery & Eatery, Main St., Meredith, tickets/info: www.hermitwoods.com.

Dec. 23, Michael Gallagan, Piano Night, Hermit Woods Winery & Eatery, Main St., Meredith, tickets/info: www.hermitwoods.com.

Dec. 24, Visiting Hours at Santa’s Hut, 10 am-1 pm, Santa & Mrs. Claus will be there to take holiday gift wishes, free, bring your camera for photos, downtown Wolfeboro, 569-2200, www.wolfeborochamber.org.

Dec. 27, Bob Marley, comedian, 8 pm, Rochester Opera House, 31 Wakefield St., Rochester, 335-1992.

Dec. 27, Fiber Arts Gathering, 10-11 am, come knit, stitch, crochet, spin and chat, Sanbornton Public Library, 27 Meetinghouse Hill Rd., Sanbornton, 2868222.

Dec. 27, Zentangle Art Lessons, 6-8 pm, Galleries, 30 Main St., Meredith, 2790557.

Dec. 28 & 31, Nature Station, 10 am-noon, Grey Rocks Conservation Area, 178 N. Shore Rd., Hebron, program of Newfound Lake Region Assoc., free, info: 744-8689, www. newfoundlake.org.

Dec. 29, Benny Sharoni Quartet, Hermit Woods Winery & Eatery, Main St., Meredith, tickets/info: www.hermitwoods.com.

Dec. 29, The Wizards of Winter, 7:30 pm, Flying Monkey Movie and Performance Center, 39 S. Main St., Plymouth, info./tickets: 536-2551, www. flyingmonkeynh.com

Dec. 30, Andre Balazs, Piano Night, Hermit Woods Winery & Eatery, Main St., Meredith, tickets/info: www.hermitwoods.com.

Dec. 30, Stars & Starry Nights at the Mill, 3:55-8:05 pm, free, Mobile Planetarium from 4-6 pm, star gazing with telescope in Rotary Park from 7-8 pm, Belknap Mill, 25 Beacon St. East, Laconia, 524-8813.

Dec. 30, Tusk the Ultimate Fleetwood Mac Tribute, 7:30 pm, Flying Monkey Movie and Performance Center, 39 S. Main St., Plymouth, info./tickets: 5362551, www.flyingmonkeynh.com

Dec. 31, Comedian Bob Marley, 2, 5:30 & 8 pm, Flying Monkey Movie and Performance Center, 39 S. Main St., Plymouth, info./tickets: 536-2551, www. flyingmonkeynh.com

Dec. 31, Last Night Wolfeboro, fireworks, events all over Wolfeboro, info: brenda@brendajorett.com.

Dec. 31, Sue Howard, Piano Night, Hermit Woods Winery & Eatery, Main St., Meredith, tickets/info: www.hermitwoods.com.

Jan.-March, Lakes Region Curling Assoc. Winter League, matches Sunday evenings from 5-7 pm, Pop Whalen Ice and Arts Center, Wolfeboro, info: www. lakesregioncurlingnh.org.

Jan. 12, Square Dance, 7:30-10 pm, Barn on the Pemi, 341 Daniel Webster Highway, $15 band contribution, 481-0789, email: howe.gen@gmail.com.

Jan. 18-22, Guys & Dolls, Flying Monkey Movie and Performance Center, 39 S. Main St., Plymouth, info./tickets: www.flyingmonkeynh.com, presented by Plymouth State University, info: 535-2647.

Jan. 20-21, Winter Quilter’s Retreat, 1/20: 6-9 pm, 1/21: 9 am-5 pm, quilting workshop, Community Center, Lehner St., Wolfeboro, info/cost: 569-5639.

Jan. 21, One Act Play Competition, Newfound Region High School, Bristol, 744-2521.

Jan. 22, Family & Sea Shanties, 2-4 pm, First Congregational Church, 115 S. Main St., Wolfeboro, presented by Wolfeboro Friends of Music, www. wfriendsofmusic.org.

Jan. 22, Winter in the Woods, 2-4 pm, Slim Baker Foundation, Bristol, www. slimbaker.org.

Jan. 27, Dead Set, Winterland Revisited, 7:30 pm,Flying Monkey Movie and Performance Center, 39 S. Main St., Plymouth, info./tickets: 536-2551, www. flyingmonkeynh.com

Jan. 28, Popa Chubby and Albert Cummings, 7:30 pm,Flying Monkey Movie and Performance Center, 39 S. Main St., Plymouth, info./tickets: 5362551, www.flyingmonkeynh.com

Feb. 4, Back to the Eighties Show with Jessie’s Girl, 7:30 pm,Flying Monkey Movie and Performance Center, 39 S. Main St., Plymouth, info./tickets: 5362551, www.flyingmonkeynh.com

Feb. 9, Bristol Rotary Club Senior Luncheon, noon, Tapply Thompson Community Center, Bristol, 744-2521.

Feb. 9, Square Dance, 7:30-10 pm, Barn on the Pemi, 341 Daniel Webster Highway, $15 band contribution, 481-0789, email: howe.gen@gmail.com.

Feb. 10, Father and Daughter Valentine Dance, pre-registration required, Tapply Thompson Community Center, Bristol, 744-2521.

Feb. 10, Sister Hazel, 7:30 pm,Flying Monkey Movie and Performance Center, 39 S. Main St., Plymouth, info./tickets: 536-2551, www.flyingmonkeynh.com

Feb. 17, Paula Poundstone, 7:30 pm,Flying Monkey Movie and Performance Center, 39 S. Main St., Plymouth, info./tickets: 536-2551, www.flyingmonkeynh. com.

Feb. 20, Alton Winter Carnival, 10 am-3 pm,chowder fest, ice sculpture walking tour & day demo, crazy hat contest, bob house decorating contest, horse sleigh ride, horse sleigh rides, seaplane tours, food vendors, vendor tents and more, Alton Business Assoc., Alton/Alton Bay, free to attend, www. altonbusinessassociation.com.

Feb. 23, Sara Evans, 7:30 pm,Flying Monkey Movie and Performance Center, 39 S. Main St., Plymouth, info./tickets: 536-2551, www.flyingmonkeynh.com

Feb. 24, Natalie McMaster, 7:30 pm,Flying Monkey Movie and Performance Center, 39 S. Main St., Plymouth, info./tickets: 536-2551, www.flyingmonkeynh. com.

Feb. 24 & 25, Early Spring Quilter’s Retreat, 2/24: 6-9 pm, 2/25: 9 am-5 pm, quilting workshop, Community Center, Lehner St., Wolfeboro, info/cost: 5695639.

ONGOING

ArtWorks Gallery & Fine Crafts, works by 35 artists, classes & events. Open 10 am-5 pm, Thurs.-Monday, First Fridays from noon-7 pm, 323-8041, 132 Rt. 16, Chocorua, www.chocoruaartworks.com.

Belknap Mill, 25 Beacon St. East, Laconia, gallery and textile museum, events and programs, info/call for hours: 524-8813, www.belknapmill.org.

Canterbury Shaker Village, walk the grounds, Shaker Rd., Canterbury, 7839511, free, dawn to dusk, programs, tours/info: www.shakers.org.

Chapman Sanctuary and Visny Woods, nature trails open for hiking, 740 Mt. Israel Rd., Center Sandwich, 284-6428, www.chapmansanctuaryvisnywoods. com.

Chocorua Lake Basin View Lot, mountain views, benches for seating, sketch, paint, meditate, free, directions/info:www.chocorualake.org.

Country Village Quilt Guild, meets the first and third Wednesday of each month from 1:30-3:30 pm, Public Safety Building (back entrance to Police and Fire Dept.), Rt. 25, 1035 Whittier Highway, Moultonboro. Schedule/info. email: countryvillagequilters@yahoo.com.

In the Round, Sundays at 8:45 am, thought-provoking topics related to tolerance, Benz Center, Sandwich, 284-7532.

Ladies of the Lake Quilt Guild, meets second and fourth Wednesdays of each month, 10 am-2 pm at First Congregational Church, 115 Main St., Wolfeboro. A second group meet first and third Tuesday of each month at Community Center, 22 Lehner St., Wolfeboro, www.llqg.net.

Laverack Nature Trail at Hawkins Brook, nature trail on boardwalk, free, trail starts to the left of Meredith Village Savings Bank, Meredith, info: 279-9015. League of NH Craftsmen Meredith Fine Craft Gallery, fine handmade crafts and art for sale, workshops, 279 Daniel Webster Highway, Meredith, hours/info: 279-7920.

Live Entertainment, Patrick’s Pub & Eatery, Gilford, 293-0841, www. patrickspub.com.

NH Farm Museum, old-time farm, programs, events for families, 1305 White Mt. Highway, Milton, call for info/open hours: 652-7840, www.nhfarmmuseum. org

Prescott Farm Environmental Education Center, 928 White Oaks Road, Laconia, www.prescottfarm.org. Call ahead for event information and to inquire if pre-registration is necessary: 366-5695.

Quilting Group, 1-4 pm, meets every 2 weeks, Ossipee Public Library, 74 Main St., Ossipee, schedule/info: 539-6390.

Remick Country Doctor Museum & Farm, 58 Cleveland Hill Rd., Tamworth, tours, walking trails, programs, info/hours: 323-7591.

Sanbornton Community Arts Festival, second Saturday of every month. Old Town Hall, 19 Meeting House Hill Road, Sanbornton.

Sculpture Walk, tours of outdoor sculptures around downtown/lakeside areas of Meredith, free, Greater Meredith Program, maps/info: 279-9015.

Tuftonboro Country Bluegrass and Gospel Jam, every Tues., through Dec., 6:30-9:30 pm, $2 donation requested, Old White Church, Rt. 109A, across from Tuftonboro General Store, 569-0247 or 569-3861.

A Holiday Walk Down Main and Center Streets, Wolfeboro

By Rosalie Triolo

It’s the Holiday Season, and here in our town of Wolfeboro, New Hampshire, tiny white lights frame storefront windows. Blacks Paper Store on Main Street is aglow with shimmering candles set in each windowpane. Fresh springs of greenery with touches of red holly berries fill storefront window-boxes. The annual Christmas Tree, resplendent in its Christmas finery, illuminates the corner of Main Street and Railroad Avenue, welcoming visitors and residents, who are driving through or walking down the streets of town. Wolfeboro is filled with an air of holiday spirit, and good will to all. No “Bah Humbug” here.

Wolfeboro’s Holiday Traditions appear throughout the town from late-November into December: The Lion’s Club Holiday Poinsettia Sales, Wolfeboro Turkey Trot, this year’s 24th Annual Christmas Craft Fair, the Christmas Parade and Tree Lighting Ceremony, Rotary Christmas Tree sale at the Clark House on South Main Street, and Performances of the Nutcracker at the Kingswood Art Center, the Christmas Spirit Open House throughout Wolfeboro, and Friends of Music – String Trio Concert at the First Congregational Church.

The first visit on a Holiday Walk Down Main Street begins with The Art Place at 9 North Main Street in Down-

town Wolfeboro, formerly owned by Barbara and Wally Gibbs. The Art Place Custom Framing Gallery, and a prominent presence in town since 1987, changed ownership in May of 2022. Chris Walton brings to the gallery his talent for creating custom made frames and mats, and over 20 years of experience working in the family business, Rowland Studio Frame Shop in Concord, New Hampshire. When asked how he came to Wolfeboro and The Art Place, Chris said that he had inquired about the business and talked with Barbara over ten years prior to the sale.

During those years, Chris learned and improved upon his skills in the art of custom framing. He enjoys what he does and pays particular attention to detail. Spending time with customers, Chris discovers their needs and tastes, and assists them in choosing a frame and mat which will best accent their painting or print, while balancing both the decorative aspect with a sense of warmth it will lend to a room. He also gives advice as to whether a frame will work with a painting or print, but ultimately the choice is up to the customer. A variety of sample frames hang along the back and side walls of the shop. Walton custom makes all frames and mats right there in the shop. He takes pride in making a custom product you don’t have to wait for months to receive. Although he enjoys owning The Art Place, Walton said, “I do miss working together with my family.” Up until March of 2022, he worked parttime with his brother and sister-in-law at Rowland Studio, now situated on Fort Eddy Road in Concord.

With a background in design and proportion, and an eye for color, Terry Chabot, worked for several years at the Art Place with Barbara and Wally Gibbs, lending a finishing touch to paintings and artwork, which she still continues to do now working with Chris Walton.

The Art Place is filled with artwork by Peter Ferber, one of Wolfeboro’s and the Lakes Region popular and prolific artists. Since 1994 Ferber has painted the official posters for the New England Chapter of the Antique and Classic Boat Society’s annual show in July. And to quote him, “My desire is not just to produce a pleasing image, but

to have those who see my work share something of the idea, the feeling, the moment of inspiration that moved me to do the painting.” The Art Place is the exclusive gallery for Peter Ferber’s artwork. His original paintings are a diverse selection of oils, acrylics, and watercolors displayed at the Annual Peter Ferber Gallery Show which takes place in August and February. For long-time residents of the Lakes Region, Ferber’s paintings evoke a reminiscent feeling of days gone-by. The Art Place carries many of Ferber’s Limited Editions of Giclée prints (pronounced Jhee-clay). A giclée is a digital ink jet print which blends the colors as it prints to provide a seamless, high-quality print of stunning color, detail, longevity and value.

Artworks by Erik Koeppel, Christine Knight Coombs, Maryann Goblick, and Jeanne Bohen share prominent space along the gallery walls of The Art Place. A traditional landscape painter, Erik Koeppel of Jackson, NH became a leader in the revival of techniques and philosophy of the Hudson River School. Christine Knight Coombs paints representational watercolor of scenes that capture a pause in time. She says, “In my paintings, I wish to document the beauty of the moment. Within that moment is a story….” A new artist Maryann Goblick paints watercolors, pastels and oils in a representational style. Jeanne Bohen is a photographer, who has traveled throughout 27 countries and 6 continents, where she has had the opportunity to photograph landscapes, architecture, street, portrait and wildlife.

Walton stated, “The bar has been set high, and I will continue the reputation of the gallery and high-quality custom framing set by Barbara and Wally Gibbs.”

The Brickyard Hill Marketplace located at 4 Center Street appears to be an ordinary country store, but there is nothing ordinary about this country store. Cindy Bailey and Peggy McBride have been friends for 25 years. Previously, Cindy worked at DeVylder Produce Farm on Pleasant Valley Road for 19 years. Her home-baked muffins, pies and breads were frequently soldout before noontime. Peggy McBride was employed by Brewster Academy • Holiday Walk continued on page 17

for 16 years, and Mari’s Treasures, Antiques and Collectibles for 7 years. In January, 2022 they combined their total 32 years of experience, and talents to open The Brickyard Hill Marketplace, an extraordinarily delightful country store.

Step inside and you are standing in a produce store with fresh fruits and vegetables. This is only the beginning. Though they do purchase produce locally, every Thursday morning Cindy and Peggy drive to Boston for the wider varieties offered. Take your time to look around. There is lots to take in - pastas, fresh baked pies, muffins, breads and cookies. Two refrigerators, one filled with meats from Spark Plug Farm, a pasture-based livestock farm in Leeds, Maine, and the other with international cheeses, and ice creams from the Shaker Pond Ice Cream Company, Alfred, Maine. Shelves are filled with Olive Oil and Vinegars from

North Conway Olive Oil Company, and Brickyard Hill preserves, jams, jellies, New Hampshire Maple Syrup from Big Lake Maple LLC, plus a variety of candies.

Just a few steps from the produce area, and you are in a large showroom filled with country furniture, antiques and handmade creations. Cindy calls this area, “The all things made in New England room.” Henderson’s Redware Pottery by Ken Henderson of Bangor, Maine. Inspired by the New England landscape, Sally-rocks Jewelry by artist Sally Fairbanks, who also owns Pow Wow Lodges, Mirror Lake. Stenciled Floorcloths by Michelle of Hollis, NH. Floorcloths are part of our American heritage, and also known as painted canvas, oil cloths and floor canvases. Corner cabinets and end-tables by Roger Hall of Granite, NH are on display along with Wooden “Welcome” signs by Sue Penny of Shapleigh, Maine. Hanging from a corner rack are beautifully detailed quilts by Tufton-

boro’s Mary Hunter. Primitive Satna’s made from wool by Pat O’der of Stratford, NH decorate tables. Also on display are candles by Sally Whitcomb of Wolfeboro. And photographer, Helen Fernald shares her stunning photos of Wolfeboro and Lake Winnipesaukee in each of her 2023 Calendars – Wolfeboro Blessings and The Beauty of Lake Winnipesaukee.

Cindy and Peggy acquire furniture from all over New England. Inlaid tables, antique apothecary cabinets and a variety of other antiques from buy-out homes of people who are downsizing. The showroom’s décor changes with

the seasons making for a charming ambiance and homey atmosphere.

Wondering about the name, Brickyard Hill Marketplace. Peggy said, “In the 1940s and 50s there was an actual brickyard which occupied property off Brickyard Hill Road, known today as Center Street.”

The Art Place is open Tuesday through Saturday from 9:30am to 5:00pm. Email: info@theartplace.biz or phone: (603) 569-6159.

Brickyard Hill Marketplace is open Monday through Saturday from 10:00am to 5:00pm. Phone: (603) 5151036.

Of Songs and Stories

By Joann Coskie

Songs tell stories, then sometimes songs are the stories. The song Good King Wenceslas is an example. There was a Duke Wenceslas of Bohemia in the years 907 to 935. The story is that the day after Christmas, the Feast of St. Stephen, he trudged through deep snow to deliver food and fuel to a peasant, after seeing the poor man collecting firewood. Longevity wasn’t common in medieval times, but in his case, he was assassinated, considered a martyr, and soon legends developed about him. As a result of these legends, especially the one recounted in the song, the Holy Roman Emperor Otto (962-973) elevated him to a king. As the general population was illiterate, information was conveyed by traveling singers, known as troubadours. They chronicled history, legends and entertained the populace and ‘King’ Wenceslas was immortalized in song. Perhaps

he really did trudge through snowdrifts to give alms to a poor peasant. In any case, listening to songs about his exploits gave the people hope of a “righteous king,” a monarch known for piety and princely generosity. Perhaps history today would be a more popular subject if set to melody instead of recounted in dry history textbooks.

Some of us have never sung all the verses to I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day and didn’t realize it is about hearing the sound of cannon fire drowning out the chimes of church bells during the Civil War. Henry Wadsworth Longfellow wrote the poem Christmas Bells in 1863, perhaps moved to do so when his oldest son left to enlist without his blessing. At least the poem ends “God is not dead, nor doth He sleep, The Wrong shall fail, The Right prevail.” Multiple melodies exist; the first by James Calkin (1827-1905) but the most popular is

the arrangement by Johnny Marks in 1956 and sung by Bing Crosby. Earlier, Bing Crosby had a ‘top ten’ with I’ll Be Home for Christmas. Many a soldier, mother, wife and other family members teared up hearing that song in 1943.

All kinds of bells herald the Christmas festivities; church bells, hand bells, ornamental bells, and of course, harness or ‘jingle’ bells—especially the ones attached to reindeer harness. Ten days before Christmas 1965, Gemini 6 was preparing to return to earth. Astronaut Thomas Stafford reported an unusual radar sighting of a ‘a command module piloted by a man in a red suit with eight smaller modules

in front.’ Astronaut Walter Schirra, Jr. had smuggled a tiny Hohner’s fourhole, eight note harmonica aboard. Mission control relaxed as they heard the unmistakable strains of ‘Jingle Bells’ accompanied by 5 little bells dangled from a blue string.

Originally written for Thanksgiving, ‘Jingle Bells’ has become an essential melody of Christmas, and the first heard from space. The harmonica and bells are on display at the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum. No less interesting is the history of the melody. James Lord Pierpont wrote to his mother about riding through the • Songs continued on page 19

snow in a sleigh in December, perhaps while at a boarding school in New Hampshire. Sometime afterward, he wrote the song originally titled One Horse Open Sleigh perhaps in tribute to that ride. Others attribute the inspiration for the song to the sleigh rides held in Medford, MA and, according to the Medford Historical Society was composed at the Simpson Tavern. That claim has been debunked as James was in California trying to capitalize on the gold rush at the time. Nevertheless, Medford residents prefer their history, and to quote Kayna Hamill (Boston University) “Local history sticks, and once it’s connected to the identity of a town, it’s really hard to change.” The first recorded performance was at Ordway Hall in Boston on September 25, 1857, the year it was copywritten. As for Fanny Bright, the mystery of her identity has not been solved, but one aged 11 appears in 1860 census, making her a mere babe in arms when the song was written. None the less, the name has been immortalized by notables such as the Beatles, Arthur Fiedler and the Boston Pops and Luciano Pa-

varotti—and the Gemini 6 crew.

Not surprisingly, punctuation can seriously change the meaning of written language. Such is the case of God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen and the placement of a comma. Originally, the comma preceded the word ‘merry,’ indicating a hope that God would make men merry, not actually describing them as merry men. Then there’s the word ‘merry,’ as in ‘Merry Old England,’ and Robin Hood’s ‘merry men,’ meaning ‘mighty.’ The hope was that God would make men fearless and that as Christ had come, Christmas Day should encourage mankind to be of good courage. My how time and punctuation can alter perceptions.

What about All I Want for Christmas Is My Two Front Teeth? Teaching music at a public school, Donald Gardner asked his second-grade students what they wanted for Christmas. When most of them, missing at least one front tooth, answered with a lisp. He was inspired to write the song in just 30 minutes. Picked up by the Whitmark Company, sung on the Perry Como radio show and recorded by RCA Victor it was on the pop charts in 1948 and 1949.

The Wassailing Song may be

as old as an Old Norse salutation and tradition of drinking ‘to your health’ eventually morphing into the beverage itself. From that it developed into the ‘olde English’ tune, Here We Come A-Wassailing, commemorating the early 19th century custom of beggars and orphans caroling through the streets of England, offering to sing in exchange for a cup of warm wassail. A mixture of ale, apples and spices, simmered over the fire —with just enough alcohol, it gave comfort against the cold. Hundreds of variations of the song exist today, along with plain and ‘spiked’ recipes by the dozen.

The logic and logistics of I Saw Three Ships Come Sailing In is impossible. The ‘ships’ are said to be sailing into Bethlehem, but the Dead Sea is the nearest body of water, some 20 miles distant. Speculations are 1) the ships represent the three wise men, 2) that they are a reference to King Wenceslas’ coat of arms which bore the images of three ships on a blue shield as shown in the Camden Roll, c. 1280, and 3) the

ships are the wise men’s camels, the ‘ships of the desert.’

The melody to Silent Night is the result of a river flooding its banks and damaging a church organ. A young Catholic priest at St. Nicholas parish church in Oberndorf, Austria had written the poem in 1816. On Christmas Eve in 1818, he presented the poem to Franz Gruber, organist in the nearby village. He asked him to compose a melody and score for guitar for that evening’s Mass. An organ builder, Karl Mauracher, apparently repairing the damaged organ, heard the song and shared it with the Strassers and Rainers, travelling folk singers. With the original manuscript lost, Father Mohr was denied recognition for the words until in 1995 a manuscript was discovered in his handwriting and dated around 1820.

Whatever your feelings about the meaning of Christmas, most will agree that it is ‘The Most Wonderful Day of the Year’ and not hesitate to wish for “Peace on Earth, Good Will to Men.”

Join the Newfound Lake Region Association (NLRA) as we explore birding during Newfound Nature Station, a free program that connects youth and families to the natural world. This event will be held at Grey Rocks Conservation Area at 178 N Shore Road, Hebron, NH on December 28 from 1pm to 3 pm and December 31 from 10 am to 12 pm. Across North America from December 14 to January 5, birders of all ages will conduct Audubon’s 123rd Christmas Bird Count- this yearly cit-

izen science project provides invaluable data on bird populations and helps scientists track changes in species. At Nature Station, NLRA educators will provide an intro to bird watching and then send participants on a bird walk to locate bird species around Grey Rocks. Participants will also make a bird journal so they can continue to keep track of birds over the winter. This program is free and open to all.

Newfound Nature Station, along with other family programs and events,

is part of NLRA’s year-round work to encourage residents and visitors to enjoy the natural beauty around them, learn more about the environment and how to protect it, and fall in love with the Newfound Watershed. By connecting the people of Newfound to the wonders around them, NLRA works to inspire the next generation of stewards and fulfill the mission of protecting Newfound Lake and its watershed.

Along with programs like Newfound Nature Station, NLRA maintains Grey

Rocks Conservation Area in all seasons as a place for people and wildlife alike. It offers walking trails, a picnic area, fishing alcoves, and a non-motorized boat launch and is frequented by wildlife like loons, turtles, and bald eagles as well as people. Learn more about NLRA including other upcoming events at NewfoundLake.org

Annual Duck Banding Completed

New Hampshire Fish and Game wildlife biologists have completed the annual effort of attaching hundreds of metal bands to ducks throughout the state. This pre-season banding effort is conducted in the U.S. and Canadian provinces throughout the Atlantic Flyway in August and September. This huge undertaking provides survival-rate data that are used in combination with breeding-plot data and HIP (National Migratory Bird Harvest Information Program) survey data to develop the model used to determine annual season regulations in the spring. Each metal band has a unique sequence of numbers, and biologists record the species, age, and sex of each duck before it is released. At the end of the season, all the data are submitted to the Bird Banding Lab at the Patuxent Wildlife Research Center in Laurel, Maryland. When a hunter harvests a duck with a metal band, or a wildlife viewer reads the band through a spotting scope, they are asked to report the information to a website provided on the band (www.reportband.gov). It takes just a few minutes to report the encounter. You may see a phone num-

ber inscribed on the band also, but the call center supporting the toll-free phone number has been discontinued. Please report band recoveries online at www.reportband.gov or by sending your information to: Bird Banding Lab, 12100 Beach Forest Road, Laurel, MD 20708.

“Please take the time to report your bands,” urges Jessica Carloni, the NH Fish and Game Department’s Waterfowl Biologist. “A substantial amount of effort went into putting these markers on, and these band reports provide important management data. It’s also very interesting to learn how old the duck is and where it was banded.”

This year, a total of 534 ducks were banded in New Hampshire before the hunting season began. They included: 162 mallards, 350 wood ducks, 13 blue-winged teal, 8 black ducks, and 1 mallard/black duck hybrid. As a result of 33 consecutive years of pre-season duck banding, 15,230 ducks have now been banded in New Hampshire.

Banding ducks is not a simple undertaking. Biologists invest a considerable amount of time in putting out bait to attract ducks to locations best suited for

banding. Numerous capture techniques exist for catching ducks; the two most widely used in New Hampshire are bait traps and rocket nets. Bait traps are simple enclosures with a closing-door mechanism to trap ducks. Rocket nets are very effective at catching large groups of birds. Three rockets are attached to a large net. When the ducks are close enough, biologists trigger a detonator, which fires the rockets, pro-

pelling the net into the air, catching the ducks unharmed underneath. Bait traps accounted for 60% of the ducks banded this year and rocket nets for 40% of captures.

“We are extremely grateful to private landowners for allowing us access to their property to band ducks,” said Carloni. “Their support makes the collection of this valuable information possible.”

Late season waterfowl hunting opportunities remain available in New Hampshire. Learn more at www.huntnh.com/hunting/waterfowl.html.

Waterfowl management is funded by Wildlife Restoration Grants administered by the US Fish and Wildlife Services, Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration Program: Partnering to fund conservation and connect people with nature. To learn more visit www.wildnh.com/funding/wsfr.html.

The silliest musical of the holiday season returns to the Winnipesaukee Playhouse this year! After a two-year break due to the pandemic, the Playhouse is overjoyed to be bringing back a holiday tradition it started in 2014.

Sleeping Beauty: A Traditional English Panto will bring this much-loved tradition back to the Lakes Region from December 16 – 31.

While American audiences may be more used to seeing A Christmas Carol and The Nutcracker at the holiday time, all over the UK families will be laughing along to a traditional panto – a stage musical which features sensational songs, dynamic dance, silly slapstick, and mysterious magic. This zany and interactive show will be a treat for audience members of all ages and families are encouraged to come as a group. The show is specifically written with jokes that will appeal to young children, along with double entendres and humor aimed directly at adults. A mixture of favorite pop songs, coupled with classic musical theatre tunes, will also have wide appeal.

In Sleeping Beauty: A Traditional English Panto, King Bumble and Queen Bee want nothing more than a beautiful baby of their own. But when their greatest wish finally comes true, an evil fairy puts a curse on the child. Can Chester Drawers and Nanny Fanny help them keep their princess safe?

Sleeping Beauty is written and directed by the Playhouse’s Producing Artistic Director, Neil Pankhurst, and will be the final show he directs at the Playhouse prior to his retirement. It will encourage kids to get involved in the action, asking them to “boo” the villain, cheer the hero and help the cast along the way. Says Pankhurst, “the show will be fun, silly, and interactive. Parents who worry that their four year old can’t sit quietly in the theatre should rest assured that Sleeping Beauty will keep them interested, engaged, and shouting at the stage – on purpose!”

The cast includes favorite professional actors from the Playhouse’s summer productions, plus talented locals. It also features young dancers from local dance studios. Meredith’s own Teghan Marie Kelly returns to the title role having also played Belle in 2019’s Beauty and the Beast

Sleeping Beauty will run for fourteen performances over the holiday period with different performance times to accommodate many different schedules. A full list of performance times can be found at www.winnipesaukeeplayhouse.org. Tickets range from $11-$19 and can be ordered by calling (603)279-0333 or online at www.winnipesaukeeplayhouse.org. Sleeping Beauty is generously sponsored by The Taylor Community.

Snowmobile and OHRV Safety Classes

Winter is almost here, and free in-person snowmobile safety education classes are now being scheduled in the Granite State. To operate a snowmobile or off-highway recreational vehicle (OHRV) in New Hampshire, any person age 12 or older must have either a valid motor vehicle driver’s license or have successfully completed an approved OHRV/Snowmobile Safety Education class. These classes are taught by instructors and staff trained by the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department. Those interested in attending should register soon before slots are filled by visiting www.wildlife.state. nh.us/ohrv/education.html.

OHRV/Snowmobile Safety Education classes can also be conveniently taken online. With recent changes to the state laws, all online classes will include a combination of practical OHRV and snowmobile safety and the rules that apply to all trail riders. The cost for the virtual class is $34.95.

“The online safety courses provide a convenient option for students to obtain their New Hampshire Rider Certificate, at their own pace, while learning key safety information important for riding both OHRVs and snowmobiles,” said Captain Michael Eastman, OHRV/ Snowmobile Education and Law Enforcement Coordinator for the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department. “The entire course can be taken on a smartphone, tablet, or computer and offers a fun approach to learning

by using live-action video and interactive learning modules.”

To register for an online safety class, visit https://wildlife.state.nh.us/ohrv/ education-online.html.

Even after course completion, all youth riders under the age of 14 must be accompanied by a licensed adult over the age of 18 when operating a snowmobile or OHRV, including on property belonging to their parents, grandparents, or guardians.

To further one’s safety and rider etiquette education, operators of all ages are invited to join one of the over 100 snowmobile and 26 OHRV clubs in New Hampshire. “Joining a club is a great way to learn about safe riding, help support local landowners, and help maintain trails for your own and others’ enjoyment,” Eastman said. For more information on how to become involved with a snowmobile club, visitwww.nhsa.com. For OHRV club information, visitwww.nhohva.org.

In addition to safety education, NH Fish and Game Conservation Officers will be out on the trails this winter conducting patrols to detect and apprehend impaired snowmobile operators, enforce speed limits, deter unlawful off-trail riding, and detect machines with modified exhausts. These ongoing initiatives will help to keep the state’s snowmobile trails open and safe for all outdoor enthusiasts during the upcoming seasons

Nongame Program Seeks Support

In the Granite State there is growing concern about the survival of certain butterflies. The New Hampshire Wildlife Action Planidentifies nine of them as Species of Greatest Conservation Need, including the Karner blue, New Hampshire’s state butterfly. Also among those listed is the White Mountain fritillary, which is only found within the alpine zone of the White Mountains.

Recovery efforts are under way for these imperiled species, but other once common species now appear at risk. Monarch butterfly populations have declined by 90% globally over the last few decades. To make informed decisions regarding species and habitat protection, biologists must collect baseline information for many more of these important pollinators. The spectacular and varied colorations of butterflies, along with daylight-moni-

toring activities, make them easily accessible for identification—and ideal for expanded volunteer efforts in New Hampshire.

Data collected through citizen science monitoring projects will help inform the Nongame and Endangered Wildlife Program’s species location maps across the state, and provide information on critical habitat needs and associated risks, timing of life cycles, and species range shifts over time. Data collected through citizen science efforts will also be valuable in future revisions of the New Hampshire Wildlife Action Plan

Your financial support will help build and enhance this important project monitoring New Hampshire’s diverse and important butterflies.Nongame biologists are ready to provide increased and improved training to further engage the volunteer network established thus far.

“As a Broker/Owner of a company with over 500 Realtors serving New England and South Florida, I can tell you that I see firsthand how Kate works, her knowledge, and how she treats her clients.”

“I will tell you all, there is a reason that I send my friends and family to her. If you are looking to buy or sell anywhere in the Lakes Region of New Hampshire, I strongly recommend that you work with Kate.”

Anthony Lamacchia, Lamacchia Realty 603-548-6545 KPerrine@LamacchiaRealty.com Licensed in NH and MA

The Nongame Program relies on private donations to fund its vital work, including conservation of butterflies and other pollinators. These donations will provide the necessary matching funds for a federal grant acquired by the Department. Please give at www. nhfishandgame.com/Donations.aspx Donations will help ensure that Nongame Program biologists have the resources they need beginning in the spring of 2023 to engage and train volunteer citizen scientists to coordinate known population survey efforts and assess the habitat and health of but-

terfly populations on both public and private lands. Pease make your tax-deductible contribution by December 31, 2022. Thank you for your support.

The NH Fish and Game Department’s Nongame and Endangered Wildlife Program works to protect over 400 species of mammals, birds, reptiles, and amphibians as well as thousands of insects and other invertebrates. The program relies in part on private contributions to accomplish its work and to raise matching funds required for state and federal grants. Learn more atwww.wildnh.com/nongame.

“M” is for Moose

To keep up with demand for New Hampshire’s popular Conservation License Plate—fondly referred to as the “Moose Plate”—a new letter has been added to plate combinations.

“M” is the fourth letter to be part of the number/letter combinations that are used on Moose Plates. When Conservation License Plates were first issued, the letter “C,” for “conservation,” was part of each standard five-digit number combination. When “C” plate combinations were no longer available, “H,” for “heritage,” took their place followed by “P,” for “preservation,” in 2018.

“M” represents “Moose” on plates

currently being issued.

The Moose Plate program has raised more than $30 million since the first plates were issued in December 2000. Fourth grade students from Holderness Central School started the idea for the Moose Plate program in 1993; 2023 will mark the 25th anniversary of the legislation that officially established the program.

Every dollar raised through the sales of Moose Plates goes directly to designated programs that support a wide variety of conservation, heritage, and preservation programs in New Hampshire, including studying rare native plants, working to protect endangered

species, securing conservation easements, preserving publicly owned historic properties and artifacts, and planting wildflowers along New Hampshire highways. All 10 New Hampshire counties have benefitted from Moose Plate funds.

Moose Plates may be purchased at city and town clerks’ offices when registering a car or truck. The annual cost for a Moose Plate is $30; the first year requires a standard $8 plate purchase fee. vanity Moose Plates and combination Moose/New Hampshire State Parks plates are also available for additional charges. Granite State artist Jim Collins’ illus-

tration of a moose won a design contest for the plate, which also includes New Hampshire’s motto “Live Free or Die” and a stacked “C” and “H” to the right of the moose.

Detailed information about the Moose Plate program, including a map of projects receiving funds and downloadable gift card holders, can be found at mooseplate.com as well as on Facebook and Twitter.

JAFFREY, NH 603.532.7716

PETERBOROUGH, NH 603.924.9436

NASHUA, NH 603.880.7778

SUNAPEE, NH 603.763.9070

ANDOVER, NH 603.735.5544 ASHLAND, NH 603.968.7626

PEMBROKE, NH 603.224.7483

MOULTONBOROUGH, NH 603.253.4404

WINCHENDON, MA 978.297.1162

Due to the great results we’ve had in the past with Dining Out Magazine, we feel it important to inform our valued guests and friends of a small typographical error in this winter edition. Small Plate Specials are served from 4pm-6pm, Tuesdays, Wednesday and Thursdays. We are closed on Sundays and Mondays. We apologize for any inconvenience.

New Hampshire Trapping Season Underway

Trapping seasons in New Hampshire run from October through March statewide, with the majority of trapping activity on land taking place during the months of November and December, depending on the species.

Trapping is a highly regulated activity and may take place on public or private lands. Individuals interested in trapping must attend a mandatory Trapper Education class, purchase a license, file written landowner permission with the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department, adhere to science-based regulations and harvest limits, use modern traps designed to target specific species and check them daily, and report their catch along with their effort. An active force of highly trained Conservation Officers and other agency personnel monitor trappers to ensure that current laws are followed.

This long-standing part of New Hampshire’s cultural heritage remains relevant and necessary today. Trappers are a unique group among New Hampshire’s outdoor enthusiasts, having an unparalleled eye for interpreting natural surroundings and understanding wildlife behavior. Though relatively few in number—423 licenses were sold in New Hampshire during the 2021/2022 season—skilled trappers provide an extremely valuable service by helping to manage abundant wildlife populations and collecting biological samples at no cost to Fish and Game. They also contribute to public safety by maintaining beaver populations at

manageable levels and reversing the flooding of public roadways in rural and urban areas. Trapping helps to keep furbearer populations at healthy levels and to prevent overpopulation, which can significantly increase the risk of disease transference, including rabies and canine distemper. With specialized skills, training, and a deep connection to the natural world, trappers are a vital resource in balancing wildlife conservation and wildlife–human conflict management.

“State law prohibits traps from being set or arranged in a public way, cart road, or path commonly used as a passageway by human beings or domestic animals,” said Patrick Tate, a Wildlife Biologist and the Furbearer Project Leader at Fish and Game. “New Hampshire has a long tradition of sharing the outdoors. During hunting and trapping seasons, it’s sensible for anyone walking a dog or using wooded areas to stay on established trails, keep dogs on a leash, and wear an article of blaze orange clothing.”

Learn more about trapping or find a Trapper Education Course in New Hampshire at www.huntnh.com/hunt-

Furbearer management in the Granite State is funded in part by Wildlife Restoration Grants administered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services, Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration Program. To learn more visit www.wildnh. com/funding/wsfr.html.

Formerly known as Nadia’s Trattoria, voted a top ten restaurant in New Hampshire by Boston Magazine. 131 Lake Street, Gilford; Paugus Bay Plaza under the Canopy 603-527-8144 • myrnascc.com

Gilford Community Church Helps

Those in Need During the

While giving back to the community is a year-round endeavor at Gilford Community Church (GCC), its importance is heightened during the holiday season. “Families are struggling with food and the cost of energy, especially as the weather turns colder,” explained Pastor Michael Graham.

To address emerging community needs in the holiday season, GCC participates in a number of community-based giving initiatives. One such initiative is St. Vincent de Paul/Children’s Foundation Christmas Angel Program, which distributes outerwear, socks, underwear, and various hygiene items to hundreds of children annually.

“Each day, we put out tags to purchase sweatshirts, jackets, and coats,” said Jessica Fleck of GCC’s Outreach Committee. “It’s truly heartwarming to watch the excitement as members choose a tag to pick up a gift, or two, or three to help someone that is less fortunate.”

GCC also distributes Thanksgiving and Christmas Food Bags. This year,

Holidays

Fleck said they are also helping homeless shelters restock their supply of twin sheets, blankets, and comforters.

“We have delivered bags to Carey House, New Beginnings, Helping Hands, and Gilford Neighbors,” she said. “We have also supported Belknap House and 5 people who came in asking for help.”

While expressing enthusiasm for the job performed by GCC members, Graham acknowledged that the continued needs of local communities underscores a larger theme. “We need to figure out how to systematically address these challenges faced by people who are struggling so they can improve their circumstances,” he said. “I hope we can one day live in a world where no one has to go without the basic necessities of life.”

To aid in GCC’s holiday giving efforts, call (603) 524-6057. To learn more about GCC, or virtually attend service, visit gilfordcommunitychurch. org.

Open Snowmobile Registration Weekend

Snowmobile enthusiasts nationwide start planning for New Hampshire’s Open Snowmobile Registration weekend. From Friday, March 3 through Sunday, March 5, 2023, riders from throughout New England, as well as those from all around the U.S. and Canada, will have the opportunity to explore the over 7,000 miles of picturesque trails New Hampshire has to offer snowmobilers.

During the three-day Open Snowmobile Registration Weekend, sleds legally registered to ride in other states and provinces will be able to operate on New Hampshire’s trails. All New Hampshire laws and regulations regarding the operation of snowmobiles will be enforced, including speed limits, safety equipment, carrying signed

landowner permission letters, compliant exhaust systems relative to noise and decibel levels, and youth operation standards.

Open Snowmobile Registration Weekend is an annual event held each March, and New Hampshire resident snowmobile enthusiasts should look to other New England states and Canadian provinces for similar Open Snowmobile Registration weekends in January and February of 2023.

For information on snowmobiling, including rules and regulations in New Hampshire, visit www.ride.nh.gov. Learn more about New Hampshire’s extensive trail system at www.nhtrails.org. Become familiar with local snowmobile clubs and services at www.nhsa.com.

Winter Wildlife Ecology Workshops for Educators

Wildlife prepare for the winter in many ways, such as migrating south, eating or storing more food, and settling in to hibernate. What do you do? Here is your chance to acclimate to the colder weather by attending a threehour workshop designed to help teachers incorporate winter wildlife ecology into their curriculum.

Educators, both formal and infor-

mal, are invited to join New Hampshire Fish and Game on December 30, 2022 or January 13, 2023 from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. to explore how wildlife survive New Hampshire’s winter. These workshops are for educators of children in grades K-12, and attendees will experience several hands-on activities from the Below Zero curriculum book, published by the Canadian Wild-

life Federation. All participants will receive a copy of this 200-page activity guide following completion of the workshop.

Workshop attendees will learn about the different strategies New Hampshire’s wildlife employ to survive the winter and associated exercises that incorporate this information into art, math, science, and physical education lessons. This workshop will include both indoor and outdoor instruction, and participants

are encouraged to dress appropriately for the day’s weather conditions. The cost for the workshop is $35.00. Once registered, participants will receive an email with instructions on how to submit payment.

This year, educators can choose from one of two locations to attend: New Hampshire Fish and Game Department Headquarters in Concord, NH or Owl Brook Hunter Education Center in Holderness, NH.

Owner Retiring - Business For Sale

Tree Ornaments

Starting at $18.00*

Ornaments are available in lots of patterns includeing berry vine, Pennsylvania, deer, poinsettia, and snowman

Holiday Sale!

Pie Plates

Starting at $35.00

Our Pie Plates are a generous 1-3/4” deep and as for baking, we’ve found that fruit pies baked in our plates are superb, a tribute to even heating.

Angels

Starting at $47.00*

Our beautifully hand decorated angels will bring a smile to anyone’s face when they eceive it as a gift! This piece would look beautiful sitting on a tabletop or fireplace mantle.

Medium (2 Qt) Bakers

Starting at $32.00*

Our two-quart baker is a versatile pot. Recipes include Irish Soda Bread, Poppy Seed Cake, Scalloped Tomatoes, and Holiday Fudge.

Mu n Pans

Starting at $53.50*

Standard Mu n recipes yield one dozen regular size mu ns or will make six big ones in our Mu n Pan.

Oil Lamp

Starting at $53.50*

Our oil lamps have been lighting the way for more than 20 years. They provode a reliable source of light during power outages and are a welcome addition year round at home or camp.

Chip & Dip Platter

Starting at $49.50* Each

Chowder Bowls

Starting at $21.50* Each

Salsa Bowls

Starting at $25.50*

Each Salsa Bowl holds a generous 3-cups, the flat bottom and wide opening make this dish ideal for scooping salsa or dip with a chip.

Our chip and dip platter is a perfect server for chips and your favorite salsa, a real party favorite! The bowl holds a generaous cup and a half of salsa. The platter is 12” in diameter.

Dinnerware (from front)

Dinner Mug Starting at $25.00*

Cereal Bowl Starting at $17.00*

Lunch Plate Starting at $22.00*

Dinner Plate Starting at $30.00*

Salmon Falls tableware is wonderfully collectible. Although the individuality of hand decorated patterns and the special quality of salt glaze may lend to slight di erences in finished pieces, we make every e ort to match tableware as closely as possible when we ship. We know you will be pleased. All tableware pieces are safe in the microwave and dishwasher.