BoatingontheLakes_2023

Watch for Miss Lauren on the Lake

By Kathi Caldwell-Hopper

It is bad luck to rename a boat. So says Martha Cummings, executive director of the New Hampshire Boat Museum in Wolfeboro. In keeping with that sentiment, the Miss Lauren, a recent acquisition of the museum, has retained its previous name.

Laughing, Cummings says, “There is no special significance to the name. In fact, the boat came with that name, and we decided not to rename it. We were told from various captains that it isn’t a good idea to change the name of a boat.”

The Miss Lauren is the new kid on the block at the NH Boat

Museum (NHBM), and there are big plans for the sleek vintage mahogany cockpit made in the style of the original 1920s version. As eye catching as the museum’s signature Millie B, the Miss Lauren will bring old-time boating style to the Laconia side of Lake Winnipesaukee. (The Millie B offers rides on the Wolfeboro/Alton side of Lake Winnipesaukee.)

“The Miss Lauren is a twin to the Millie B, but slightly newer,” explains Cummings. “It will run from the Laconia/Center Harbor end of the lake. The purpose of getting the boat is to explore the other end of Winnipesaukee. It will offer charters and do

Photo: Courtesy NH Boat Museum

pick up and drop off at wedding venues.

“The Laconia side of the lake is beautiful, and we have a few routes mapped out and will offer those once we figure out the docking situation,” Cummings adds.

According to www.nhbm.org, “The two 28-foot, mahogany, triple cockpit ‘woodies’ are replica 1928 Hacker-Crafts that are accurate down to the seat colors. Riding in the Millie B and Miss Lauren you can experience the golden age of boating, when wooden boats ruled the lakes.

“The Miss Lauren will leave from Paugus Bay out of North Water Marine. You’ll have an opportunity to see how truly unique Lake Winnipesaukee is with its sheer size and have a completely different perspective from the other end of the lake.”

The popular Millie B, an iconic sight on Lake Winnipesaukee every summer and autumn season, departs from Wolfeboro and offers passengers a unique chance to experience what it was like to be on the lake in the infancy of pleasure boating.

The Millie B was originally brought to town (Wolfeboro) in 1998 by Dick and Kathy Eaton as part of the Wolfeboro Trolley Company. In 2011 it was sold to the New Hampshire Boat Museum. (The Millie B is named for Mildred Beach, a muchrespected woman who devoted her career to promoting the economic well-being of the Lakes Region for 45 years.)

A ride in a boat such as the Millie B or Miss Lauren is much different than riding in a modern-day motorboat. The vintage boats are heavy and hold to the water quite well, which allows passengers to experience little jolting should the boat hit a wave.

Added to this, the boats are works of art, beautiful in every way and crafted with care. The wood was sturdy and shiny, the upholstery in the boats luxurious and special touches make each boat truly unique.

“The Millie B has been very popular, and it only increased in

desirability during the pandemic. It offered people a chance to do something fun when many things were shut down. It has continued, and 2021 was an incredible year for the Boat Museum. The year 2022 was also good for us,” Cummings says.

She goes on to explain that the museum added technology upgrades and with an online platform now offers boat ride reservations and ticket purchases. “That really has made a difference. It is very easy for customers to buy tickets,” Cummings adds.

If you have summertime guests and friends who have never been to the Lakes Region, this is a fun way to show them Lake Winnipesaukee from a boat like they have probably never been in before.

The season for the Miss Lauren will begin Memorial Day weekend for charters and the Millie B will run starting Memorial Day weekend as well. If you want a ride on the Millie B for a 45-minute narrated tour of the lake, make reservations and get tickets online (www.nhbm.org ) or head to the kiosk at the Town Docks in downtown Wolfeboro to buy your tickets. Look for the dock attendant under the green umbrella in front of Dockside Restaurant.

On the Millie B, you’ll see spectacular scenery and magnificent homes and boathouses (including the summer home of former Massachusetts governor and presidential candidate Mitt Romney). During the 45-minute tour, you’ll hear fascinating stories about the lake’s history, geography, geology, and wildlife. Added to this, you’ll hear about some of the more interesting people who live on the lake.

The Miss Lauren and the Millie B are kept in top-notch running condition, and Cummings says, “Like any wooden boat, they need regular maintenance. Each year we also do revarnishing at the end of the season, and because the boats are run a lot in the summer, we do oil changes and any other necessary

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upkeep during the season.”

As well as acquiring the Miss Lauren, the NHBM staff are busy preparing a Moultonborough location to offer additional space to display pieces from the collection that have not previously been on view. This is in addition to the fully operational museum on Center Street in Wolfeboro.

At www.nhbm.org, information outlines, “In the early spring of 2022 the NHBM purchased the 24,000 square foot building at 130 Whittier Highway (Route 25) in Moultonborough. It is less than a mile to Center Harbor’s town docks on Lake Winnipesaukee to the west, Squam Lake to the north, and Lake Kanasatka to the east.

The renovation of the building with an expanded location, will create a landmark attraction for the region and beyond. Visitors will find NHBM’s expanded site to be a museum of discovery, learning and fun, where young and old can learn about New Hampshire’s boating, lake history, and ecology. A generous gift from Tim and Rebeca Ciasulli in 2021 helped make the new museum facility possible.

NHBM hired Conneston Construction, Inc (CCI), Stewart Architects and their teams to plan and oversee the renovation project which commenced on October 4, 2022.  The facility renovation will be done in two phases and the full extent of the exhibit planning, design, and implementation will be done in line with Phase 2

Phase 1 is fully underway, and includes preparation of new exhibition spaces, construction of archival storage rooms and a conservation/exhibit prep lab, and utilities rooms on the lower floor. Plus, all of the necessary life safety (sprinkler system, security) and ADA upgrades (elevator, new stairways) throughout the building, restroom upgrades, roof replacement, exterior repairs, electrical and lighting upgrades, and the addition of the mezzanine. NHBM’s small permanent collection and many boats will be moved to the building over the course of several months. The exhibit planning and design is underway and will stretch into Phase 2.

Phase 2 will feature the development and installation of interactive exhibits on both the lower and upper floors sharing the Museum’s collection on a grand scale.

Phase 2 will also complete the multi-use educational/meeting room, office spaces, landscaping upgrades, exterior signage, and parking lot repairs. The Phase 2 budget and timeline are under development in line with the ongoing exhibit planning.”

There is no definite opening date yet for the new museum, but it is hoped to offer programming there by next fall. The Wolfeboro collection will remain in the Wolfeboro museum space.

“The Wolfeboro (museum) season is planned and ready to go,” adds Cummings. The summer and fall season will feature the exhibit “Letting Off Steam - Escaping to New Hampshire During the Golden Age of Steam”. The museum will open Memorial Day weekend and run until Columbus Day weekend.

There is always something going on at the Wolfeboro museum location, and boat building, community sailing, model yachting and more are scheduled.

Although it is supposedly bad luck to rename a boat, and the Miss Lauren will retain its former name, luck is with the New Hampshire Boat Museum. Visitors can take a unique ride on the Miss Lauren or Millie B, take a boat building class, and see the fascinating exhibit about steam boating on Lake Winnipesaukee.

For information on programs and tickets/reservations for the Millie B and Miss Lauren, visit www.nhbm.org or call 603-5694554. The museum is located at 399 Center St. in Wolfeboro.

Watersports for All Ages:

Malibu WWA Rider Experience North

For those who love the water and have an urge to spend as much time on the lake as possible, whether young or adult, mark your calendars for the July 8 and 9 Malibu WWA Rider Experience series. The event will take place at East Coast Flightcraft in Weirs Beach.

The exciting event will offer a weekend of watersports for all ages and abilities. Saturday, July 8 will bring on-the-water instruction and new model wake product demos for people who want to learn to wakeboard or to wake surf for the first time. There will also be family-friendly instruction from the Malibu Boats Pro team of athletes for those who are looking to progress their skills from the Malibu Boats Pro team of athletes.

The fun will continue on Sunday, July 9 with the WWA Regional Championships. This contest provides amateur wakeboarders and wake surfers the chance to compete with other riders in the region and to qualify for the WWA Wakeboard National Championships. This will be a great spectator event for everyone.

Come out for a weekend of standing sideways on the water and be part of the fun of wakeboarding.

East Coast Flightcraft is located at the Winnipesaukee Pier in the heart of Weirs Beach. Contact 603-527-8002.

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Take a Ride Aboard the “M/V Sophie C” Lake Winnipesaukee

Imagine riding aboard the oldest floating post office in the United States, the M/V Sophie C, while it delivers mail to the island residents on Lake Winnipesaukee. As the boat leaves Weirs Beach, you can enjoy the beautiful views on the lake on the open top deck, or inside seating, below deck.

The boat leaves twice daily, with a blast on the boat’s horn, to deliver mail to the lake’s islands. At 11:00 a.m., the boat delivers mail to Loon Island, Bear Island, Three Mile Island and East

Bear Island.

At 2:00 p.m., mail is delivered to Camp Lawrence, Birch Island, Sandy Island, Cow Island and Jolly Island.

My husband, who took photographs, and I embarked on the 11:00 a.m. trip on a warm summer day last August. Skippers Ryan Welch and Dan Fairweather provided interesting facts about the boat and islands as we made our way to the different islands. Kaiden Wayland was the deck hand, who handled his duties with ease. Annie Nix, longtime Postmistress, told us about the history and her experience with the mail boat.

By LoriTremblay

There are many tourists who take the opportunity to ride on the mail boat. We met Mary Hertzler and Steve, from Virginia, who were traveling with their granddaughter, from the Bronx. They purchased 33 post cards to mail from M/V Sophie C.

The mail route traditionally opens each year on June 15 and continues until mid-Sept. The boat will go out unless there are heavy winds or squalls. Skipper Dan Fairweather explained that the boat has one engine and no bow thruster, so the wind affects the boat. “Not to say we don’t get caught out sometimes in the weather and we’ve got to make it back,” said Fairweather. “If we can help it, we’ll make the call ahead of time.”

The lake freezes over in the winter. Popular winter activities include ice fishing, ice sailing, pond hockey and snowmobiling. Ice permitting, there is also an FAA route aviation landing strip on the ice in Alton Bay, in addition to their winter carnival.

Annie Nix, Postmistress, started working as a galley girl during the summers on the M/S Mount Washington when she was 14 years old. Her older brother also worked there and eventually became a captain on the vessel. Nix continued working there until her junior year of college. She finished college and began a nursing and dietary career. Twenty years ago, Nix had the opportunity to deliver mail part time. Now she works about four to five days a week on the M/V Sophie C.

“I enjoy my job because I get to go out and visit with my customers,” said Nix. “We’re like one big island community.” She explained that when the mail boat comes, that’s where islanders meet for the day. They say hello to their friends, pick up their mail, discuss what’s going on and then, go back to their cabins. Nix said that there are many interesting stories about island lore. Nix lives on Bear Island in the summer. Her father’s family has been there since 1896. Now, she enjoys island life with her own family. She added, “Sitting on an island is fun, but you can only do so much sitting. If you want to go anyplace, you’ve got to go by boat or walk.”

In the summer, Bear Island is only accessible by boat. It is the second largest island on the lake. At one time, the island had a working post office, general store, hotel and church. The hotel and general store have since closed, and the post office was

converted to the island library. The church offers nondenominational services on Sundays during July and August. There are also two summer camps for boys and girls.

There are about 365 islands on Lake Winnipesaukee and 274 are habitable. At its deepest, the lake is 213 feet, with an average depth of 35 feet. According to lakesregion.org, the lake is the largest in New Hampshire at 72 square miles with 181 miles of shoreline. Its natural beauty, woods and surrounding mountains make Lake Winnipesaukee a popular destination.

Mail service on the lake began in 1892. Once the mail route was established, island properties developed rapidly. “The original steamer to transport the mail on the lake was called the Robert & Arthur, built in 1892. This was followed by the Dolphin, built in 1894 and then the original Uncle Sam, built in 1906.” (United States Mail Boat, Lake Winnipesaukee, New Hampshire by Bruce D. Heald) Later vessels were Marshal Foch, Uncle Sam II, Do-Bo and the Sophie C.

Nix explained that, in 1916, there was a congressman on Loon Island who needed a way to have his mail posted because of official government documents. As a result, he was instrumental in getting an Act of Congress to give the boat the right to cancel mail. It is the only floating post office on an inland body of water in the United States.

A Stop at 3 Mile Island

The original address on the cancellation stamp was Laconia, NH. Nix fought for years to have the address changed to Lake Winnipesaukee “because that’s where the Sophie is,” she said. Nix was successful in making the change on the stamp and it now bears the Lake Winnipesaukee address and uses a Laconia zip code. Onboard the mail boat, passengers can purchase post cards and have them mailed with the cancellation stamp on the post card. Passengers can also purchase souvenirs and ice cream.

My favorite part of the boat ride was pulling up to the island docks and seeing the island residents gathered to meet the boat. On some islands, Nix disembarked to deliver mail in post office boxes and talk with the residents. Some of the teenagers would come aboard to buy ice cream. Some islands only required a mail drop, where Nix would exchange mail bags at the dock, before the boat moved on.

We also saw a few island residents standing on the deck pilings and diving together into the water as the boat pulled away. Skipper Ryan Fairweather told me that on Bear and Birch Island, the residents “will really do a show for us.” He said that a lot of people have grown up on the islands, so they carry on the tradition when their children and grandchildren get older. We saw a grandfather and grandson dive off the pilings together on our first island stop, Loon Island.

Loon Island is the smallest mail stop, with just a single residence on it. M/V Sophie C does not tie up there, but slowly

drifts by with a quick mail exchange before continuing on her way.

Three Mile Island (three miles from Center Harbor) is owned and operated by the Appalachian Mountain Club of Boston. It has a few campsites and tiny cottages available to its members.

One of the fun things that Nix does on the floating post office is to maintain an account for the summer camps. Kids sometimes put mail in the box without postage. She makes sure the letters have stamps, then the camps reimburse the post office later.

She also keeps a mail log for deliveries. Nix commented that, 20 years ago, over 35,000 pieces of mail were delivered over the summer months. Today, it has dwindled to about 20,000. The post office doesn’t handle as many packages, but there is a digital scale to weigh them. Packages are stored in the mail room onboard with another room for overflow, but there is limited space. The post office will also deliver freight. Islanders may purchase postage, registered letters and conduct normal postal business aboard the vessel.

The mail boat has been featured on The Today Morning Show in 2021 and New Hampshire Chronicle in 2010. It has also been featured on New Hampshire public television.

If you would like a relaxing and interesting morning or afternoon aboard M/V Sophie C, you can book your reservation on nhcruise.com. Tickets start at $45 per person and children under five ride free.

Simple Safety Tips For Water Sports Enthusiasts

Bodies of water like lakes, and rivers often elicit fond memories of fun times spent under the sun. Safety should always be a priority when spending time on the water, especially when participating in water sports, including swimming and water skiing.

• Take water sports lessons. The carefree nature of spring and summer can make it easy for water sports enthusiasts to forgo lessons before trying their hands at water skiing and wakeboarding. But such lessons can teach people techniques that can keep them safe on the water. Courses teach everything from how to get up and out of the water to how to properly handle a tow rope. They also can teach boaters how to navigate waters while towing skiers, tubers and wakeboarders.

• Learn hand signals and go over them before getting in the water. The National Safety Council emphasizes the importance of basic hand signals, which can be used to help boaters communicate with the people they’re towing. Hand signals are vital because water sports tend to be noisy, so nonverbal communication may be the only way boaters can communicate with the people they’re towing. Signals can be used to communicate anything from directions of turns to speed requests to the condition of the person being towed. A list of hand signals can be found at www.boaterexam.com/safety/safety-common-hand-signals. aspx.

• Inspect tow lines. The NSC advises inspecting tow lines prior to beginning. Such inspections can confirm that tow lines are not caught in the propeller or wrapped around anyone before the activity begins.

• Wait for the propeller to stop before getting back on the boat. People being towed should always wait for propellers to stop before

climbing back into the boat. It doesn’t take long for propellers to stop, and those extra few seconds can dramatically reduce risks for accidents or injuries.

• Avoid water sports at night. Visibility is compromised once the sun goes down. That can make it hard for boaters to see any obstacles that might appear in the water, and it also makes it very difficult for them to communicate with the people they’re towing. As a result of such difficulties, the NSC urges water sports enthusiasts to only engage in such activities during daylight hours.

Water sports make summer even more fun. Safety should always be the utmost priority for anyone involved in such activities.

9 North Main Street Downtown Wolfeboro, NH 603-569-6159 • www.theartplace.biz

Frequently Asked Boating Questions

Courtesy NH Marine Patrol

You plan to go boating on the lakes of New Hampshire this year, but you have some questions. The NH Marine Patrol has the answers; check out these frequently asked questions or call the Marine Patrol for further information at 293-2037.

• How do I get a permanent boating education card replacement? Visit the www.ILostMyCard.com website to order additional or replacement cards.

• At what age are children required to wear life jackets?

All children 12 years old and younger must wear a life jacket when being transported in a boat. It is recommended everyone wear a life jacket.

• Is it legal to have alcohol aboard a vessel?

Although it is legal to have alcohol aboard a vessel, operators found to be impaired to any degree will be arrested for boating while intoxicated. In addition, check with the local town where you will be boating for any ordinances prohibiting alcohol in public places.

• How do you know the capacity limit of your boat?

On most boats, the capacity for the boat (weight limit and number of persons) is listed on a plate located near the helm (operator's area).

• How do I get a temporary boating education certificate?

A 14-day temporary boating education certificate can be obtained through an agent. You will have to take and pass a boating safety examination. Call NH Marine Patrol at 293-2037.

• Where can I get a temporary boating education certificate?

Certificates are available at a variety of locations throughout the state. To participate in the 14-Day Temporary Certification, contact the New Hampshire Department of Safety at 1-888-254-2125 to find the closest location or you can also determine where these locations are based on a sign at their location identifying them as a 14-Day Temporary Certificate Agent. Individuals must be a minimum of 16 years of age to take the test and must get at least 80% to pass the test. If the individual fails, he/she will have the option to take another test at another date or pursue another option for certification. Individuals must provide picture identification at the time of the test.

Yesteryear

The Lakes Region has many stories to tell. There are island old timers, and charming little steam boats, wealthy boat owners of days gone by, and summer camps whittled from the land on the remote islands and so much more.

The area has drawn vacationers to its beautiful shores for decades. Those who came before us were fascinated with boating and the water and wanted to spend a day or even a summer in the area fishing, swimming, boating and generally living the Lakes Region life.

The islands have lured people for years, and as early as the 1770s, recorded owners of the islands in the Gilford area were the Masonian Proprietors. They came to an agreement to divide the islands among themselves, but because those islands were difficult to reach, they may have had the satisfaction of owning the property but never going there. (It is said there was quite a rattlesnake population on the islands, and it is unknown if this is a tall tale or true. It may have deterred anyone from stopping there, however.)

Governor’s Island was gifted to Provincial Governor John Wentworth in 1772 and it remained in his hands. The distinction led to the naming of the island.

As with much else in the area, the railroads had an impact on the land and also the waterways. It was much easier, with

By Kathi Caldwell-Hopper

train travel, for outsiders to make the area their home. One such man, Fullerton Wells from New York City, bought around 200 acres of island property in 1912. He created the Lake Winnipesaukee Island Company to aid in selling the land. But those already ensconced on the islands fought him, and eventually he sold very little land.

Those who lived on the islands each summer had to be creative when feeding themselves and keeping food fresh. Modernday refrigerators and freezers were unheard of in those days. Some cottagers dug holes in the ground, lining them with cement and putting ice in the hole as well as food. Others brought ice boxes from the mainland and ice was transported from ice houses on the mainland.

Governor Wentworth is thought to have the first sailing boat on Lake Winnipesaukee, at a time when there was little or no lake traffic. Later, pleasure boats were steamers, row boats and canoes. In Wentworth’s day, the expanse of Winnipesaukee without boat traffic must have been quite a sight.

Much later in time than Governor Wentworth’s stay in the Lakes Region, summer island residents needed to get their mail, and island hotels relied on the early boats for mail and groceries to feed their guests.

The first steamer for mail delivery was the Robert & Arthur,

followed by the Dolphin, which was built in 1894.

A resourceful man had an answer to mail delivery needs in the Alton area. Captain Lawrence P. Beck of Alton Bay obtained a permit to deliver U.S. mail to the Alton Bay-Alton-Wolfeboro area in 1929. His mail boat, the Tonimar, was in operation each summer from mid-June to mid-September. It made around 40 stops, including summer camps, cottages, islands, and other spots that had no postal service at that time.

The mail boat was so appreciated that Captain Beck purchased a new boat in the early 1940s. Hubert Johnson built that boat in 1926 in Bay Head, NJ, and it was transported over the roadway to Portsmouth and eventually reached Wolfeboro and Captain Beck’s mail route.

The floating post office sold stamps on board, as well as delivering the mail. Beck had the boat outfitted with mail pigeonholes for various camps, islands, and other stops. It was a good method to keep track of all the mail that was coming and going.

Many people recall Captain Beck’s Tonimar, named for the captain’s niece, Martha, and nephew Tony. The boat had a charming appeal with graceful lines and a slow-moving pace.

As well as delivering the mail, the Tonimar gave moonlight cruises to vacationers. If one wanted to get out on the lake for the day, the charge to ride for the entire day was only $1.50 per person. Passengers could embark from the Victoria Pier in Alton Bay.

According to The Boats and Ports of Lake Winnipesaukee by Dr. Bruce D. Heald, the U.S. Mail Boat Tonimar delivered mail from 1941 through 1965 to summer island residents in Alton Bay and Wolfeboro.

The islands on the Tonimar’s mail delivery route in 1951 were Little Mark, Redhead (also known as Treasure Island), Waveland (or Keniston), Mud (or Varney), Little Mud, Farm

Island, Spectacle, Pistol, Little Bear, Devens, and Echo.

In the Sandwich, NH area, vacationers were prepared to rough it in the early days of vacationing. In that part of the Lakes Region, Alphonso Smith was the go-to guy. He owned the first mechanical boat (it could have been steam driven) and operated from Chalmer’s Point in Sandwich. According to A Little History of the Squam Lakes by Catherine Hartshorn Campbell, Smith was fondly dubbed Phon and he was sought after for his ability to deliver ice and milk (he had an ice house) to summer residents. He also offered his services to the town of Center Sandwich. Phon was very busy, with his boats delivering goods to and from nearby Ashland.

Many famous people have come to the Lakes Region for a week’s stay. Some people loved it so much they stayed on. Such was the case of the Nicolay family of the Squam Lake area. John George Nicolay was the personal secretary to President Lincoln and Marshall of the Supreme Court. He also was a prolific writer and according to A Little History of the Squam Lakes, he penned a 10-volume set titled Life of Lincoln.

Nicolay’s daughter, Helen, was a Lakes Region summer resident for 60 years. She spent summers at a cottage on Shephard Hill in the Holderness area. Her cottage was built in the 1890s and had a beautiful view of Red Hill. Perhaps the view inspired Helen to start painting; she painted and photographed the area and was known as a skilled artist. Helen also wrote over 20 biographies.

Long forgotten silent movie stars and stage actors were once the thrill of everyone from farm hands in rural locations to city moviegoers. One such popular silent actor was Pedro de Cordoba Jr. It is unknown how or why de Cordoba made his way to the Lakes Region, but from 1903 to 1905, he stayed at a Squam Lakes cottage known as High Haith. According to A Little His-

tory of Squam, he directed plays at the site for entertainment of the cottage owners. He brought with him various theatre friends, which meant that a full cast for his plays was easy to assemble.

A charming little lighthouse on Newfound Lake has stood as an icon of the area for many years. Resident of the area, Walter Braley, was asked by a cottage owner to construct a lighthouse near the water. Made of stone with a metal top, the lighthouse had a light inside and while probably not used for boat navigation, it was a unique conversation piece. The lighthouse stands today and makes an unusual piece of architecture enjoyed by locals and summer vacationers.

There is nothing so inspiring as attending an outdoor church service, whether on the shores of the lake or on an island. Two such unusual church service locations exist in the Lakes Region to this day and offer vacationers and others some memorable options for worship.

Bear Island is one of Winnipesaukee’s larger islands and has a sizeable summer population. The book Bear Island Reflections chronicles the history of the people and cottages upon the island.

The island is home to a beautiful church called St. John’s Church-on-the-Lake. However, there was not always a church on the island and early vacationers boated to attend Sunday services on Meredith Neck. Islanders, however, wanted a solid place of worship, and set about constructing something permanent on Bear Island.

According to Bear Island Reflections, two ministers had a dream of such a church for the island. Reverend Edward Melville Parker, who was the Bishop of the Diocese of NH, and the Reverend Kenneth Ripley Forbes of Connecticut and Birch Island, saw the need for a summer chapel on Bear Island. They

wanted a chapel to be built upon the highest point on Bear Island.

At the spot where they foresaw a chapel, a big observation tower already existed. It was built about 1900 and offered beautiful views of the lake and surrounding area. It was the perfect location for an island church.

In 1926, a piece of land was purchased on Bear Island for the Episcopal Diocese of NH. It was the spot of the tower, which was repaired and enclosed, with a sanctuary built of local stone erected around the tower. On July 31, 1927, the new chapel was dedicated in memory of Bishop Edward Parker, who had died before the realization of his dream.

The new and architecturally unique chapel intrigued mainlanders, and boatloads of worshippers from the Weirs and other towns would often arrive for island worship.

The services were interesting and the atmosphere camp-like. Folded wooden chairs were set in rows with a hymnbook placed under a round straw cushion on each seat. Some worshippers used the straw cushions for kneeling during the services, while others sat upon the cushions.

After the Civil War, the tranquil beauty of Lake Winnipesaukee was as far removed from the battlefields as a soldier could hope to find himself. While the area and the region further north in the White Mts. was becoming a destination for the wealthy in the grand hotel era, the Weirs area welcomed travelers as well.

Weirs Beach became a haven of rest and brotherhood for the veterans who fought during the War Between the States, as well as for the wealthy folks who spent summers in style.

The New Hampshire Veteran’s Association started a campground area for meetings near the shores of Lake Winnipesaukee at Weirs Beach. As outlined in the in-depth book on the

subject: Images of America - The Weirs by Warren D. Huse, the Veteran’s Association overlooked the Weirs area, with a collection of buildings on Lakeside Avenue, Main Street and Veteran’s Avenue.

The campground became a beloved place for veterans to get together and spend some relaxing time by the lake. In the early days, the veterans stayed in tents. Probably most men did not mind the tent housing because it wasn’t all that different from what they had known during the war years.

The place was very welcoming, with a large statue, water fountain and watering trough for horses at the campground. Meals were served to the veterans and a platform offered a place for guest speakers and bands to entertain. (In the summer of 1902 President Teddy Roosevelt visited and gave a speech.)

Not far from the Weirs, the village of Center Harbor has a unique water fountain that is intriguing to all who visit. It is located near the town’s library at an intersection.

On September 23, 1907, Herbert Dumaresq of Boston, who owned Kona Farm in the area, donated a drinking fountain to the town. (Dumaresq was a wealthy businessman who moved to the area and resided by the lake at his estate.) Richard Gerry Cook, a well-known sculptor at the time, created the fountain.

The dedication of the gift was a gala occasion for Center Harbor. On the September afternoon, Mr. and Mrs. Dumaresq, accompanied by Countess of Frankenstein and her daughter, who were Russian guests at Kona Farm, arrived at the Center Harbor wharf on the steamer Swallow.

The children of the Center Harbor and Moultonboro schools met them at the water. Escorting the entourage was the Center Harbor Band.

At the fountain, the Reverend William White gave a brief speech about the legend of Kona, the young Indian brave whose

representative in bronze adorns the bowl of the fountain and the gift was then given to the town.

The fountain sculpture depicts Kona, the hero of a Native American legend. It is said Kona, a young chieftain, traveled across the lake to visit Ellacoya. Her father was very protective of his daughter and tried to attack Kona. Ellacoya is said to have stopped the fight; upon seeing Kona’s bravery and his daughter’s love for the young chief, the old man gave in and approved of the match.

Kona and Ellacoya were married and when they returned across the lake, a storm came up suddenly and the couple was nearly drowned. Suddenly, the sun came out and smiled upon the newlyweds and showed them the way to land. Ellacoya’s father then named the incident and the lake the Smile of the

Authenticity: It’s What Travelers Are Demanding

By Mark Okrant

More and more, we hear that travelers are calling for “authenticity” from the places they visit. What is meant by this term, and how does the Lakes Region measure up in satisfying it? Writing about travelers’ requirements, authors James H. Gilmore and B. Joseph Pine II talked about “the appeal of real.” Many people traveling to visit destinations, businesses, and attractions are turned-off by displays, experiences, and souvenirs that are artificial. They use terms such as “fake,” “contrived,” “disingenuous,” “phony,” and “inauthentic” to describe what is being foisted upon them.

In truth, tourism is a dichotomy—that which is real versus fake. Much of what is accepted depends upon a variety of factors including, but not limited to, the travelers’ household incomes, education levels, and the presence or absence of young children in a travel party. However, even the children of Thomas and Mary Edison might not have been able to resist the allure of places like Disney World or Six Flags, where deliberately sensationalized staged experiences were offered. For more than one-half century, this type of theme park has gained widespread acceptance among audiences of all ages. Here, fantasy and spectacle are what is demanded and cherished.

Elsewhere, increasing numbers of leisure travelers want to visit places that expose them to the “real thing.” Whether it is a historic, socio-cultural, natural, or agrarian setting, visitors—especially older school age ones—want to learn what really happened/happens there, preferably by engaging with real people

in informal settings. This latter opportunity creates memorable experiences. Above all, knockoffs of local tools and toys that are made in places like China, Japan, or Mexico are avoided by authenticity-seeking travelers.

New Hampshire’s Lakes Region and the craving for authenticity are a natural fit. For twenty-four years, Amy Landers has been the executive director of the Lakes Region Tourism Association (LRTA). It is LRTA’s role to promote the area’s tourism industry assets. These include the region’s lakes, beaches, outdoor recreation resources, and scenic drives. In this effort, the LRTA has a partner. Long ago, the directors of LRTA and the White Mountains Attractions Association realized that it would be best to work together to promote their respective regions. As Landers told me, “We share similar visitors; and people who travel to both regions have an appreciation for the outdoors. Our social media reflect this partnership.” Each region offers scenic drives, mountain hikes, and pristine lake experiences. The principal difference between the two is that the White Mountains can provide more rugged hikes and time-tested amusement parks than its southern neighbor. Meanwhile the Lakes offers larger bodies of water, abundant beaches, and considerably more retail businesses and restaurants than the Whites as a whole.

Therefore, the type of authenticity that LRTA and its members emphasize in its social media and other promotions is the availability of excellent scenery, opportunities for outdoor recreation, and its musical theater venues. At the same time, the region provides a number of historic and natural places to visit.

Asked to list a few, Landers could not contain her excitement with what is available. While the list is considerable, perhaps the most popular is Moultonborough’s Castle in the Clouds. Visitors can tour the historic Lucknow Mansion itself, as well as the property’s beautiful lawns and gardens, hiking and walking trails. In keeping with the spirit of authenticity, the gift shop contains items that are made locally.

Lake cruises are a way visitors can view the beautiful surroundings. Tours on the M/V Mount Washington began in 1872. Now in its one hundred and fifty-first season, the Mount offers narrated scenic cruises and sunset dinner cruises—the best ways to see islands and upscale residential development along Lake Winnipesaukee. First launched in 1945, the M/V Sophie C is the oldest floating post office in the United States. A cruise on this boat provides an opportunity to observe history and local culture first-hand.

There are numerous opportunities to learn the history and nature of the region’s agricultural tradition. The Remick Country Doctor Museum and Farm in Tamworth exposes visitors to historic as well as current efforts at season-based agriculture. One favorite activity of visitors is interacting with farm animals. Also, guests are treated to a history of the contributions of country doctors to the practice of medicine.

Moulton Farm in Meredith has a wonderful farm market and bakery. However, it is the farm’s corn maze and pumpkin patch that provide memorable experiences. Visitors also have an opportunity to learn about sustainable agriculture while visiting the farm.

Beans and Greens in Gilford offers a corn maze, fun park, hayrides, and a barnyard. The farm is a vital element of the local economy, as its farmstand, bakery, and meats serve many of the

region’s businesses and restaurants. Furthermore, a number of farms within the region play an active role in New Hampshire’s Farm-to-Table program.

Other activities within the region expose visitors and residents alike to authentic experiences. These include breweries and wineries, biking and hiking venues, spas, snow sports, as well as eight of the twenty-one museums that comprise the New Hampshire Heritage Museum Trail. For more information about the Lakes Region and its numerous natural, historical, and cultural attributes, visit lakesregion.org.

Aquatic Nuisance Species in NH

If you like to boat, you have likely heard (or read) that some species of aquatic wildlife and plants have become unwanted invaders in New Hampshire’s waters. To help combat this problem, it is important to learn more about aquatic nuisance species, the laws and rules around possession and use of aquatic species, and what you can do to help stop the invasion.

To prevent the transport of aquatic nuisance species, it is vital that you thoroughly clean all recreational equipment. Whenever leaving a body of water, you should:

1. Inspect your boat and trailer, removing all aquatic organisms (zebra mussels and any aquatic plants) you see before leaving the area.

2. Drain your motor, live well and bilge on land before leaving the area.

3. Empty bait buckets on land before leaving the area.

4. Never release live bait into a body of water or release aquatic animals from one body of water into another.

5. Rinse your boat, propeller, trailer, live well and equipment; and remove by hand anything trapped between the boat and the trailer.

6. Air dry your boat and equipment for as long as possible; five days is optimal.

7. Flush the engines’ cooling system with hot water.

8. Apply antifouling materials, such as paint and films, to boat hulls, trim tabs, water ports, transducers and swimming platforms to discourage zebra mussel attachment.

9. Avoid boating through dense beds of aquatic plants.

10. Report any new suspicious plant growths to the NH DES at 603-271-2248.

SCAN FOR BOAT RENTALS

SCAN FOR INVENTORY SCAN FOR BOAT CLUB

Thinking of a Place on the Islands?

By Thomas P. Caldwell

There is no doubt about it: Having a home on an island is a fantasy for many, especially if they already have a boat. Cool breezes on a hot day, a warm afternoon sun, waves crashing against the shore, quiet evenings around a fire pit, and the potential of wondrous views of distant mountains can make owning an island property very attractive.

Lake Winnipesaukee boasts 258 islands within its 72-squaremile boundaries. Six islands are connected to the mainland by bridges but, for the remaining islands, a boat is a necessity for access. Going out to a place on the lake provides a break from routine that beats many other options — but only if you’re prepared for a little inconvenience.

“You gotta be adventurous,” says Frank Roche, president of Roche Realty Group.

He should know: Frank and Nancy have owned a small camp on Welch Island for 23 or 24 years, experiencing everything that island living brings.

“I live in Gilford so I couldn’t have had a more convenient place to have a second home — a getaway, so to speak, where you could get away and decompress from the day’s work,” Frank said. Going for a kayak ride after dinner, swimming, and enjoying the property with the children and grandchildren provides a perfect get-away.

“It’s really a favorite place of ours for family gatherings and campfires at night and sitting out there during the day,” Frank said.

Betty Ann Bickford of Island Real Estate said people who own properties on the lake tend to be more independent. “It’s not like you’re going to call the plumber, for instance, and he’s going to drive out.”

When she started selling real estate nearly 40 years ago, islanders were “very very modest-income people” who could not afford

a lakefront home on the mainland.

“They would buy a piece of island property and put up a shed and they literally did everything themselves, from the building to the plumbing to the electric,” she said. “And those people are certainly there.”

Today, though, the range of properties runs from small cabins to “mega-homes” on sizable estates. Whether large or small, they provide a more subdued pace than life on the mainland.

“You may have get-togethers or little parties,” Betty Ann said, “but you’re not going to have parties that go on until one in the morning.”

Frank said, “It’s like going back in time, the way the lake used to be along the main shoreline. … The water clarity generally is very, very clear out on island properties because you’re out in the middle of the lake.”

It does not take a huge home to enjoy an island property, and Frank said that, for him, having a little cabin or cottage on an island with nice exposure to sunrises or sunsets and views of the mountains is more appealing, and more in keeping with what the Lakes Region was before it was developed.

Betty Ann agreed, saying, “For most of the people looking for island property, they’re looking to sort of get away from the hubbub of the mainland. … It’s not like your neighborhood would be on the mainland, so there’s some solitude along with it, which these days, people like.”

After docking a boat in crystal-clear water, residents are able to let their children wander, knowing that they are not going to run out in the road, Betty Ann said. If they forget how to get back, they can find a neighbor who will call and say, “Your kids are here.”

“It’s like a community when you’re on the island,” Betty Ann said. “People will be as friendly as you want to be. If you want

to just wave when you come in, if you want to be best friends, whatever. But if someone is in trouble, you’re going to have help immediately, whether it’s a medical situation or your boat won’t start.”

Frank backed that up with a personal story about when his boat refused to start. A neighbor came over and got it running in short order.

Many islanders extend their friendships to those on other islands and make trips back and forth.

Islands also offer plenty of wildlife, from deer to loons, along with walking paths and scenery that promotes relaxation.

Bear Island has walking trails throughout the island and even a little church. “It’s a pretty walk,” Frank said. “You’re out there and there’s deer out there, and it’s just peaceful. It’s something you look forward to every season.”

“Islanders are out there for the love of the lake,” Betty Ann said. “You’re going to see the islanders just enjoying that time at their cottage.”

That may include cookouts, sitting on a deck and watching the sunset, or spending time in a hammock.

Mail boats on Lake Winnipesaukee deliver to postal stops on the islands, allowing residents to keep in touch with their friends during extended stays, and many islands have electrical and cellular service.

The properties available range from rustic camps to large homes with exotic woods and beautiful cabinetry with granite countertops.

Frank offered figures showing that, between July 13, 2021, and July 13, 2022, there were 22 sales of island homes, ranging in price from $255,000 for a 1,900-square-foot cottage with 100 feet of shorefront on 0.39 acre on Cow Island to $1,275,000 for a 2,880-square-foot home with 211 feet of shorefront on 4.17

acres on Mark Island. The median sale price during that period was $686,000.

Betty Ann said, “We sold a little cabin last year, it was cute as a button. It had a really old septic, which you would be looking at replacing at some point, but it had outstanding views. It was 100 and something feet of frontage. So, you can have that type of cabin, then you can have a cabin that’s more tucked in the woods, and you have an electric toilet or a gas toilet and then a drywell for your gray water. And then you can go to a two-bedroom, a three-bedroom, a four-bedroom — It’s really what you’re looking for.”

As people fled from urban centers to the countryside during the pandemic, home prices rose exponentially, including those on the islands.

“One of the really big advantages of being out there is island property sells for anywhere from a third to a half less than mainland waterfront,” Betty Ann said.

Even then, island property is a good investment, with values continuing to rise over the years.

Things To Consider

Those considering the purchase of an island property need to keep practical considerations in mind.

“Accessibility is the number one thing,” Frank says. “You’ve got to have a boat; a boat becomes your car. That’s your vehicle for passage. And then, of course, to have a boat, you’ve got to have a slip on the mainland, unless you want to be putting it in and out with boatyard storage, which a lot of island owners do. That would be one of the disadvantages. If you’re coming up from Massachusetts, then you’ve got to go to the marina or you’ve got to get your boat and launch the boat. You’ve got to drive the boat out to the island, bringing all the groceries.”

If entertaining guests, islanders may have to shuttle them back

and forth, unless they have their own boats.

Those with island properties soon learn to make sure they pack everything they will need or keep a stock of supplies at their island home. No one wants to return to shore to get something that was forgotten.

“Lists are your best friend,” Betty Ann said.

Frank describes island living as, “You’ve got to become the chef, bottlewasher, and you’re taking out the garbage.” He also noted that some islands are very steep, with a lot of stairs.

Other considerations when thinking about buying island property include the limited seasons. They generally are three-season dwellings. During the winter, homes may be accessible by snowmobile once the lake freezes, but many places are not winterized.

Unless the property has an artesian well, the homes will draw lake water for cooking, cleaning, and bathing, but bottled water will be necessary for drinking.

Then there are the septic systems. No one wants to have 25

people gathered for an Independence Day celebration and have the septic system fail. There are companies able to install and pump out the systems, but it is much more expensive to do on an island.

“Ideally, what you want to do is get together with two or three of your neighbors and pump at the same time,” Betty Ann said. “That cuts down on the barge cost.”

The higher cost of septic pumping for islanders is mitigated by the fact that systems are able to recover during the winter months when there is little to no use, allowing them to go years before needing to be pumped.

Frequent inspections also help to avoid such incidents.

Consider also that, when buildings require maintenance or repairs, it is not as simple as making a trip to a home supply store. The material has to be taken to the island in a boat or, for larger projects, on a barge. Barges, heavy equipment, and work crews that can do island work are more expensive than their land

counterparts.

“There’s several companies that specialize in doing island work around the lake,” Frank said, “and there’s a lot of barge services and a lot of island support groups to go out and help the islanders do odd jobs, carpentry, electrical, plumbing; they deliver propane, they build breakwaters, they rebuild docks, they put in portable docks, they build permanent docks, as well as do additions, but it takes more time and there’s sometimes a waiting list to get things done.”

Another concern for islanders is what the weather may bring. Those on the windy side of an island may need a breakwater, and boats will have to be tied with more than the two lines normally used.

A severe storm may cause a tree to fall on a cottage and require outside help to repair the damage. A bad winter with a lot of ice on the lake may damage docks that have not been pulled up or removed, or are protected by a breakwater. If the wind comes from the wrong direction, even breakwaters can be damaged.

Even the transportation can be a problem if the boat hits a rock and sustains serious damage.

In case of a medical emergency, the New Hampshire Marine Patrol is able to transport people to a waiting ambulance on the mainland; or, if the person cannot be transported, Marine Patrol can bring in emergency responders.

It doesn’t take particularly bad weather to make the journey to or from the island uncomfortable.

“If you want to go out there and it’s a really rough day or it’s raining, you’re going to get wet. You’re going to hit the swells,” Frank said. “So you’ve got to be adventurous, but that’s kind of the fun.”

This is all to say that owning island property can be a lot of work, but as Frank says, “It’s worth it.”

Sailing is a big part of the Lakes Region. For many years, it was assumed to be a wealthy person’s pastime. These days, that assumption would be wrong, and a dedication to bringing sailing to everyone in the area and beyond is what makes the Lake Winnipesaukee Sailing Association (LWSA) so special.

Says Winni Opel, head instructor at LWSA, “We welcome anyone to the Sailing Association. We have a staff of about 13 or 14 people with some new junior instructors. As a non-profit organization, we want to share sailing with everyone.”

There is a lot going on at LWSA every summer, and the 2023 season promises to be varied. Most importantly, it welcomes children and adults of all ages and walks of life to learn to sail.

LWSA has a goal to welcome diversity, whether it be women who want to sail or people of color or those with a

Sailing the Lake

The Lake Winnipesaukee

Sailing Association welcomes all

By Kathi Caldwell-Hopper

disability. “We want to share sailing with everyone and to do so, we offer scholarships and access for all,” Opel explains.

Located on Davis Road in Gilford, the Association was founded in 1988 as the Lake Winnipesaukee Yacht Racing Association. From the start, its focus has been on youth sailing education.

For many years, the Sailing School was generously hosted at Fay’s Boatyard by Merrill Fay. In 2013, LWSA realized a longterm vision of expanding capacity and reaching more young sailors when it moved into its own facility on Smith Cove in Gilford, next door to Fay’s Boatyard. Generous donations from large benefactors and small donations from donors enabled LWSA to turn an old lakeside cottage with dock and beach into the Dave Adams Memorial Sailing Center.

According to www.lwsa.org, the mission is to “promote and expand participation in the sport of sailing, particularly on Lake Winnipesaukee and, in doing so, to remove barriers of knowledge, financial means, disability and age. LWSA is a non-profit

charity for the benefit of the people and communities of the Lakes Region now and for generations to come. In carrying out the mission, we (LWSA) pledge to foster safety self-confidence, teamwork, honesty, positive sporting values, and an appreciation for our environment.”

A fun after-school program is held in June for kids ages 8 to 16. Students from any town are encouraged to register. All abilities, from beginner to experienced sailors, are welcome. The after-school program takes place on June 5, 7, 12 and 14 from 4 to 7 pm.

This summer, the youth sailing school will offer fun for children and teens. Youngsters start out with a four half-day course called Mighty Minis. The course is an introduction to sailing for 7-year-olds with little or no sailing experience. The closely supervised class is designed to help students feel comfortable in a sailboat, to learn to steer the boat and handle sails, and to develop an

New

awareness of safety in and around boats.

Level One is for 8- to 10-year-olds and uses Optimist sailing dinghies and will focus on sailing and safety in and around sailboats. Students will learn to rig, sail, and steer a boat.

Classes continue in age groups of 11 to 16 years old and all focus on fun and sailing.

Those 8 to 18 years old can take advantage of a fun opportunity called LWSA Youth Racing Club. The evening events include plenty of racing, drills and training on racing skills and tactics. Those who are less experienced will be paired up with more experienced participants. It is a great way to hone skills for regattas.

As well as sailing instruction, LWSA has Thursday evening races on Lake Winnipesaukee. The races give sailors a chance to practice their skills. It also creates a most beautiful site on the lake with the colorful sails in abundance.

The J/80 Fleet 1 is a fast, fun, 26-foot sport boat race typi-

#1 Boat Trailer

cally sailed with a crew of 4. Races begin at 6 pm on Thursday evenings in the spring and summer series, and at 5:30 pm in the fall series. (The season runs from mid-May to midOctober.) Because the races are popular, about 15 sailboats compete. Visiting crews are welcome; contact the Fleet Caption at j80fleet1captain@ lwsa.org. There are all sorts of sailboat races offered at LWSA, visit www.lwsa.org for a list and details.

On July 13, the Annual W.A.R. Regatta, will take place. It has been happening for many years and is billed as a peaceful event. W.A.R. stands for Wicked Awesome Regatta, and it is a fun event with spirited competition attended by youth from all over New England and upstate New York.

Youth racing is a big part of LWSA and always has been. Young sailors participate and can compete in one or two local regattas, while other kids choose to compete in more races. The races take place in Gilford and other lakes and at the seacoast in New Hampshire, and in Massachusetts, Maine, Rhode Island, and New York State.

With a mission to be inclusive, LWSA also offers an adult sailing school for age 16 and up. The group classes are hands-on for beginner and intermediate adults. If you have ever wanted to try sailing or get back into sailing after years away from being at the helm, this is your chance. Classes are offered in four 3-hours

segments per student for Adult Learn-to-Sail Level One and Level Two.

Private sailing lessons also are available, working with individuals and families who want to learn to sail at their own pace and schedule. Those who would just like to go sailing on Lake Winnipesaukee can arrange a family outing or a team event for a business or group.

Opel is excited to be the head instructor at LWSA this summer and has a long history of sailing. She says, “I sail and race for the Women’s Sailing Team at Connecticut College, but I am originally from the Lakes Region.”

LWSA has Adaptive Sailing and is committed to removing barriers so that all can enjoy the sport of sailing. The organization has opportunities for various community groups to provide for people who are physically or mentally disabled or recoving from trauma to experience the joys of sailing.

From youth to Adaptive sailing, LWSA strives for inclusion. The members of the organization want to share their knowledge with everyone who have a desire to get out on the water and glide on Winnipesaukee, no matter their skill level or walk in life.

For information about upcoming programs and lessons, visit www.lwsa.org or call 603-589-1176. LWSA is located at 25 Davis Road in Gilford, New Hampshire.

• Don’t Overload - Observe passenger and weight limits.

• Wear Life Jackets or Vests – NH state law requires one wearable life preserver for each person in a boat. All children age 12 or under must wear an approved vest or jacket.

• Know the Water - Always carry a chart (map).

• In an Accident - Personal safety comes first; report all injuries and damage.

• Water and Alcohol Don't Mix - Boating while intoxicated is against the law.

• Use Your Lights - All boats operating after sunset until sunrise must display visible lights.

• Hunting is Prohibited while under power from a motor, as is carrying a loaded firearm (unless you possess a NH pistol permit).

• Dumping and littering are illegal, and punishable as a misdemeanor (up to a year in jail and/or a $2,000 fine).

• Don't Harass Wildlife - Killing or deliberately harassing water birds through the operation of a boat is "Taking" wildlife (fines of $1,000 or more, and loss of fishing license).

• Take a Boating Safety Course - Contact the NH Marine Patrol Bureau at www.nh.gov/safety/divisions/ss/boatinged/index.html or call (888) 254-2125 or (603) 267-7256.

A Taste of the Tropics in the Lakes Region

By Kathi Caldwell-Hopper

“My group had the most amazing time on the Tiki Hut boat! Captain JP and Alex were fantastic, absolutely above and beyond our expectation. We had plenty of room to hang out and dance! I couldn’t recommend it enough.” So wrote a passenger on the Tiki Huts Boats of New Hampshire about her experience.

Another passenger wrote simply, “Fun times! Beautiful views and a great crew!”

You might have seen a tiki boat on Lake Winnipesaukee and wondered about the little boats on the water. They look like tropical huts, but they are bobbing and traveling on the water with passengers waving and having fun. Music from a tiki boat floats through the air, adding to the laid-back, fun ride.

If you are lucky enough to spy a Tiki Hut Boat, you will see a unique part of summertime in the Lakes Region. The charming boats are extremely popular, and passengers return year after year to experience a bit of the tropics right on Lake Winnipesaukee.

Says Tiki Hut Boat owner Donald Gagon, “I opened the business five years ago. I owned a truck business in Rochester and when I sold it and moved to the Lakes Region, I was looking for something new to do.”

That “something new” became a popular summertime boat business in the area, although at the time, Gagnon would never have dreamed his life would take such an unusual turn. He originally bought the tiki boats to sell, but soon realized there wasn’t much of a market for the boats. “There was not really any money in it, and I had people call and ask to go for a ride in the tiki boat,” Gagnon recalls.

That was the beginning of a great, unique new company that has many customers each summer season. “The first year in business I had about 170 passenger/customers. Last year we had 14,000 customers,” he says.

Tiki Hut Boats of New Hampshire grew in popularity, Gagnon surmises, because he uses social media and finds various methods to spread the word about the boats that take passen-

(Courtesy photo)

gers out for cruises to a number of spots on the lake. He recently took on a partner, Mike Kierstdad, to help with the business.

“Some people drive for hours to take a cruise,” he says. One example is a customer from another New England state who drove a group of kids to the Lakes Region for her son’s birthday party. She drove three hours to the Lakes Region, to specifically take the group on a Tiki Hut cruise and then drove the children three hours back home.

Tiki Hut Boats started with two little boats. One was Gagnon’s personal boat and the other was for passenger cruises. These days, the fleet has expanded to three boats: the two smaller boats and a larger tiki boat called the Big Kahuna.

“The smaller boats can hold 10 people, while the larger boat, the Big Kahuna, holds 27 people,” Gagnon explains. All the boats are very sturdy and secure.

They are popular because they provide customers with a carefree, fun experience. Gagnon says they can let loose and relax when on a Tiki Hut Boat cruise. The boats don’t go fast; about four to five mph. Gagnon and staff encourage passengers to bring their favorite music, snacks, drinks or even a picnic.

“The smaller boats have a 10-ft. oval bar with seating and the Big Kahuna has an 18-ft. long bar with benches,” Gagnon explains.

Constructing the Big Kahuna was precise work, with measuring, engineering the base, weighing all the lumber and creating a boat that had a tropical look with bamboo, straw, carved out figurines and generally, a vibe that reminds passengers of being on a boat in a tropical place.

Customers can reserve a ride on the little boats for 90 minutes and the route would be around Sally’s Gut, Governor’s Island, Paugus Bay and heading toward Meredith before returning.

The larger boat is reserved for bigger groups and is a great

way to relax with family and friends, or even for a company outing. Cruises are two hours and give passengers are a great way to see more of Lake Winnipesaukee.

Should passengers want a dip in the lake, the Tiki Hut Boat captain will stop so everyone can take a cooling swim. This offers a chance to swim in the big lake in a way not possible in most boats.

Concerning weather on the lake, Gagnon says, “Mother Nature tells us where to go any particular day.” This means the crew and Gagnon watch the weather to map out the most expedient route.

With 19 captains in the current roster, six first mates and five people working the booth at the Winnipesaukee Pier to wait on customers and answer questions, the Tiki Hut Boats have all things covered, which makes it convenient for passengers to purchase tickets, learn about schedules and availability and more.

For those who are in the Lakes Region on vacation and might not have access to a vehicle or for other reasons, they can schedule transportation via Tiki Hut Boats at 603-396-2380 or 603-312-4881.

The Tiki Hut Boats depart from the Pier at Winnipesaukee at 263 Lakeside Avenue in Weirs Beach. It is a convenient location and there is plenty of food and shopping nearby to enjoy before or after a boat ride. For those who want a bit of their Tiki Hut experience to take home, passengers can purchase a t-shirt of other Tiki Hut Boat gear at the Tiki Booth at the bottom of the Pier stairs at Weirs Beach.

For a personal visit to the tropics in a fun boat, you don’t have to leave the Lakes Region. Rather, grab friends and family and book a cruise on the Tiki Hut Boats of New Hampshire. Visit www.tikihutboatsofnh.com or call 603-396-2380.

Fish Species

smallmouth bass, pickerel, yellow perch, hornpout

brown trout, smallmouth bass, pickerel, hornpout, yellow perch

smallmouth bass, rainbow trout, yellow perch, white perch, hornpout

brook trout, smallmouth bass, pickerel, yellow perch, cusk, hornpout, smelt

brook trout, brown trout, lake trout, small & largemouth bass, pickerel, white perch, hornpout, blue

smallmouth bass, pickerel, yellow perch, white perch, hornpout

pickerel, hornpout

smallmouth bass, yellow perch, white perch, hornpout, pickerel

smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, pickerel, yellow perch, hornpout, smelt

rainbow trout, smallmouth bass, pickerel, yellow perch, hornpout, smelt

yellow perch, hornpout, pickerel

trout, lake trout, brook trout, smallmouth bass, pickerel, yellow perch, shad, suckers, whitefish,

trout, lake trout, brook trout, small & largemouth bass, pickerel, yellow perch, suckers, cusk, hornpout

largemouth bass, pickerel, yellow perch, hornpout, black crappie

smallmouth bass, yellow perch, hornpout

smallmouth bass, pickerel, yellow perch, hornpout

pickerel, yellow perch, hornpout

trout, lake trout, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, pickerel, white perch, yellow perch, horncusk, smelt

trout, lake trout, smallmouth bass, pickerel, hornpout, yellow perch, cusk

largemouth bass, rainbow trout, pickerel, white perch, yellow perch, hornpout

rainbow trout, pickerel, yellow perch, white perch, hornpout

largemouth bass, pickerel, yellow perch, hornpout

smallmouth bass, pickerel, yellow perch, hornpout

rainbow trout, brown trout, pickerel, yellow perch, white perch, hornpout

rainbow trout, whitefish, pickerel, white perch, hornpout

Largemouth Bass

Smallmouth Bass

Blue Gill

Yellow Perch

Pickerel

Rainbow Trout

Sunfish

Black Crappie

Since 1981 my team and I have designed, engineered, and constructed over 150 new h o m e s , m a j o r a d d i t i o n s , a n d r e n o v a t i o n projects. We are known for the quality of our craftsmanship, the value that we bring to our customers and the personal service that goes along with each of our projects.

Garnet Point, Lake Winnipesaukee

Snacks For The Boat

By Kelly Ross

Whether your thing is boating, swimming, biking, jogging, playing warm weather sport, hiking or even just taking walks, this is the easy choice of favorite seasons for most of us. Although this article is dedicated to the boating crowd, these recipes are great for picnics too, not to mention for right at home and many make great potluck items to bring to a party.

I know much of the boating community likes to dock at many of our awesome lakeside restaurants in The Weirs, Meredith, Center Harbor, as well as Wolfeboro and Alton Bay on their boating days for lunch and a cocktail. My mission today is to give you some deliciously fun options so you can stay on the lake all day. Pack a few coolers with your choice of refreshments as well as a few of today’s options.

I love dips, truly. There are hundreds of varieties, both hot and cold, some are app’s, some make great desserts, and for most you can dip many different goodies into them. Dips often go together very quickly, as these all do. The first one goes well with being on water as this is a lobster dip. I usually use canned lobster meat for this as I hate chopping fresh lobster meat for a dip, but both will work great. This recipe makes 2 cups, so it may be worth doubling up depending on your crowd. This goes together in 10 minutes and should be refrigerated for a couple of hours before enjoying. This dip is always a winner.

Lobster Dip

2 cans lobster meat, 7 oz each, drained and flaked

2 tbsp minced onions

2 tbsp fresh squeezed lemon juice

2 packages of cream cheese, 8 oz each, room temp

1 stick of butter, ½ cup, room temp

2 tbsp prepared horseradish

Salt and pepper as needed

In a medium bowl, mix the lobster meat, onion, lemon juice, cream cheese, butter and prepared horseradish. Continue mixing until smooth. Cover and chill in the refrigerator until serving. I suggest serving with quality bread, breadsticks or crackers, as well as potato chips if that’s your thing.

Sweet Caramelized Onion and Garlic Dip

2 large onions, sliced thin

6 tbsp butter

4 cloves garlic, minced

2 tsp sugar

16 oz cream cheese, room temperature

2 tsp honey

Heavy cream, add just enough to smooth out the mix, usually about ¼ - ½ cup

Melt the butter in 12-inch frying pan and add sliced onions. Sauté over medium heat until almost fully caramelized, then add the sugar to help the caramelization. Add the chopped garlic and finish frying till onions are a dark sweet, caramelized mass of yumminess. Spread onto a cookie sheet in an even layer to help them cool. Once they have gotten closer to room temp, in a food processor, put in the cream cheese and honey, 75%-80% of the onions, about 4 tbsp heavy cream, and the honey in and whiz until smooth. Taste and add salt or pepper, or even a little onion soup mix and pulse a few times to combine. I then add the rest of the sautéed onions and a little more cream if needed, pulse a few times so there are some onion chunks in the dip. Good stuff, and like the traditional onion dip, this is perfect with potato chips and veggie sticks, as well as crackers and bread.

Mediterranean Shrimp Dip

1 can small shrimp, 4 oz, rinsed and drained

3 tbsp fresh squeezed lemon juice, divided

1 tsp Greek seasoning

8 oz cream cheese, room temp and cubed

¾ cup crumbled feta cheese

½ cup jarred chopped roasted sweet red peppers, drained 1 garlic clove, peeled 1 tbsp minced fresh parsley

In a small bowl, combine the shrimp, 1 tbsp lemon juice and the Greek seasoning and set aside.

In a food processor, combine the cream and feta cheeses, red peppers, garlic and remaining lemon juice, cover and process until smooth. Stir in the shrimp mixture. Transfer to a serving bowl. Cover and refrigerate until serving. Just before serving, stir dip and garnish with parsley. Serve with pita and/or tortilla or potato chips, or anything that sounds good to you.

Although this next one isn’t a dip, it’s in a similar ballpark. Here’s a quick and super Pico de Gallo recipe, as well as how to make your own fried tortilla chips to along with it, or for the other dips, or for future nachos at home one night. For those not aware, the difference between Pico de Gallo and salsa is the consistency and usually the freshness. Pico is fresh, chopped veggies and herbs where salsa is more of a sauce. Not only does the Pico go great with tortilla chips, make this to top just about any Mexican meal you care to prepare some evening. This will take 15-20 minutes to make. This recipe is followed by the fried tortilla chips, as well as a homemade taco seasoning recipe that I like to season the chips with. This will generally serve 6-8 people.

Pico de Gallo

1 lb Roma tomatoes, seeded and finely diced

1 cup finely diced red onions

1 large yellow or orange bell pepper, diced

½ jalapeno, seeded and finely chopped

3 garlic cloves, minced

½ tsp ground cumin

¼ tsp chili powder

1-2 limes depending on your taste, juiced

1 bunch of fresh cilantro, finely chopped

Salt and fresh grind black pepper

½ - 1 tsp hot sauce, depending on your taste

A few pinches of cayenne pepper, optional

Add the first 8 ingredients to a large bowl and toss.  Add cilantro, hot sauce, cayenne if using, and season with salt and pepper. Adjust to seasonings to taste. Refrigerate up to 3 days in an airtight container. It’s at its best when the flavors come together which is why I usually make it a day before using. You may want to taste and adjust flavors again before serving.

Tortilla Chips

24 corn or flour tortillas, 7-8 inch in diameter.

Oil for frying

Salt and pepper, or I love homemade taco seasoning on them

Watermelon Skewers with Feta and Mint Pesto

For the watermelon skewers

¼ of a seedless watermelon

7 oz or more of a feta cheese block

10 small wooden skewers

4 tbsp homemade mint pesto sauce

For the mint pesto dressing

½ cup fresh mint leaves

½ cup fresh basil leaves

½ oz raw almonds

1 clove of garlic

1 tbsp of fresh parmesan cheese, grated

Salt and fresh grind black pepper

2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil

2-3 tbsp water

Cut feta and watermelon into cubes. For the pesto, combine fresh peppermint leaves, fresh basil leaves, almonds, garlic, grated hard cheese, extra virgin olive oil, salt and freshly ground black pepper in a cup of a food processor and blend until smooth, scrapping sides

and adding water to adjust the consistency. The dressing should be a bit thinner than your regular pesto but not too thin. Thread a watermelon cube onto a skewer following by a chunk of feta. Repeat until you have 3 watermelon cubes and 2 chunks of feta on the skewer. Continue with the rest of the skewers. Place watermelon skewers into a container and drizzle with the pesto dressing. Garnish with peppermint leaves. Refrigerate if bringing on the boat or serve and enjoy. Refrigerate the rest of the pesto which you can use it for pasta or as a bread spread.

Chicken and Slaw Wraps

2 ½-3 cups chopped cooked rotisserie chicken

1 ½ cups shredded coleslaw mix with carrots.

1/3 cup ranch dressing

¼ cup sweet pickle relish

8 slices deli-style white Cheddar cheese slices

4 sun-dried tomato basil wrap or whatever you prefer

In a large bowl, stir together first 4 ingredients. Place 2 cheese slices in a single layer on each side of each wrap, then top each evenly with chicken mixture. Roll up jellyroll-style, wrap in plastic wrap, twisting ends of wrap to seal and refrigerate until ready to pack your cooler. Very delicious and easy and fun.

I know lobster rolls are an incredible summer classic sandwich, although it’s hardly rocket science making them. This next sandwich uses fresh cooked salmon to make salmon rolls and is mixed with yogurt instead of mayo as in most lobster rolls. I like to grill the fresh salmon before cooling and mixing as the grill flavor makes a great addition. This will make 8 salmon rolls on basic frankfurter rolls, or buy a bigger soft roll and make 4 of them.

Salmon Rolls

½ cup plain yogurt

2 stalks of celery with leaves

2 tbsp fresh chopped chives

1 tbsp freshly squeezed lemon juice

Salt and freshly grind black pepper

1 ½ cups cooked, preferably grilled, salmon, chilled and flaked

8 hot dog rolls. If at home, I suggest you butter and grill them

Chopped or shredded lettuce for the bottom of the roll

In a large bowl, combine the yogurt with the celery, chives, parsley, and lemon juice. Season with salt and pepper. Fold in the salmon. Put into a container until ready to use, ideally in the next couple of days. Finely shred some lettuce to line the bottom of each roll before stuffing them with the salmon.

California Veggie Sandwich

For the Pickled Veggies

2 cups apple cider vinegar

½ cup packed light brown sugar

¼ cup kosher salt

4 cups any combination shredded carrots, sliced cucumbers, sliced red onions, etc

For the Rest

¼ cup buttermilk

¼ cup plain whole-milk Greek yogurt

1 tbsp fresh lemon juice

6 tbsp olive oil, divided

Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper

2 ripe avocados, halved

6 oz fresh goat cheese

6 cups mixed lettuce leaves, ribs removed if thick

8 slices multigrain bread

½ English hothouse cucumber, thinly sliced on a diagonal

2 cups bean sprouts

To make the pickled veggies, bring vinegar, brown sugar, salt, and 2 cups water to a boil in a large saucepan while stirring. Meanwhile, pack vegetables into jar or jars depending on their size. Pour brine over vegetables. Cover and chill until cool. Pickles can be made 2 weeks ahead. Keep chilled. For the dressing, whisk buttermilk, yo-

gurt, lemon juice, and 3 tbsp of oil in a large bowl until smooth, then season dressing with salt and pepper and refrigerate. Scoop avocados into a small bowl and add 1 tbsp oil and lightly mash. Season with salt and pepper. Mash goat cheese with remaining 2 tbsp oil in another small bowl until softened and spreadable, season with salt and pepper and refrigerate. Come game time, add lettuce to dressing and toss to coat and season with salt and pepper. Spread avocado mixture over 4 slices of bread. Arrange lettuce over and top with cucumber, sprouts, and some drained pickled veggie mixture. Spread remaining 4 slices of bread with goat cheese and close sandwiches. So Gooood!

Cranberry Apple Coleslaw

1 bag of coleslaw mix, 16 oz, or 1 small head of cabbage and 2-3 carrots, shredded

2-3 medium apples, sliced very thin

½ cup dried cranberries

½ cup mayo

3 tbsp fresh squeezed lemon juice, about 1 large lemon

1 tbsp sugar

½ tsp kosher salt

Whisk together the mayonnaise, lemon juice, sugar, and salt in a large mixing bowl. Add to the coleslaw mix and toss with tongs to coat, add the apple slices and cranberries. Toss once more to combine. You can serve immediately but it’s better to refrigerate until ready to serve a day or two later.

Pecan Crunch Grape Salad

2 cups green seedless grapes, washed & stemmed

2 cups red seedless grapes, washed & stemmed

1 cup sour cream

8 oz cream cheese, room temp

½ cup granulated sugar

2 tsp vanilla extract

1 cup dark brown sugar, packed

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1 cup chopped pecans

1 cup chopped walnuts

In a large sized bowl, mix sour cream, cream cheese, sugar, and vanilla extract until smooth and creamy. Stir grapes into mixture and pour into large serving bowl. For the topping, in a small bowl, combine brown sugar, chopped pecans, and chopped walnuts. Sprinkle topping over top of grapes. Cover and place in refrigerator for at least 2-4 hours before serving.

Coconut Pecan Blondies

1 cup butter, melted

2 cups light brown sugar

2 eggs

4 tsp pure vanilla

2 cup flour

½ tsp kosher salt

2 cup shredded coconut

1 ½ cup chopped pecans

1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips, optional

Grease a 9 x 13-inch pan or line with parchment paper or with foil so it overhangs the edges of the pan so you can lift out later, and grease the paper or foil very well. In a large bowl, stir together the butter and sugar until smooth. Add the eggs and vanilla and stir to combine. Stir in the flour and salt, just until combined. Stir in the coconut and pecans. Add chocolate chips, if desired. Scoop the batter into the prepared pan and spread to the sides. In a preheated 350-degree oven, bake 40-45 minutes, until an inserted toothpick has moist crumbs. The blondies should be slightly browned along the edges. Cool in the pan for at least 20 minutes and then lift the brownies out by the foil/paper and set on wire rack to finish cooling before slicing and storing in an airtight container. These can truly be addicting.

Chocolate Chip Cheesecake Cookie Bars

2 store bought chocolate chip cookie tubes of dough, 16 ½ oz each

8 oz cream cheese, room temp

½ cup sugar

1 egg

Coat a 9 × 13-inch baking dish with cooking spray. Then spread out and flatten 1 ¼ - 1 ½ of the tubes of cookie dough on the entire bottom of the pan. The rest will end up on top. In a medium mixing bowl, cream the cream cheese, sugar, and egg together. Spread the cheesecake batter on the cookie dough in the baking pan. Now crumble and sprinkle the remaining cookie dough on top of the cheesecake batter. Keeping the dough cold will make life easier. Bake in a preheated 350-degree oven for around 25-30 minutes. Cool completely for around 2-3 hours at room temp, then cover and refrigerate. These treats are so awesome for such a basically simple recipe, and they are awesome at room temp, refrigerated or frozen. Kids love these frozen on a hot day.

Going Ashore...

Please call ahead for all event listing updates. Events subject to change. Calendar of events listings are as of 4/10/2023. For a complete and up-to-date calendar, visit thelaker.com.

ONGOING

Day & Evening Cruises, M/S Mount Washington, Weirs Beach, 366BOAT, www.cruisenh.com.

Lake Winnipesaukee Sailing Association, youth and adult sailing lessons, sailing competitions, Gilford, info: www.lwsa.org, 589-1177.

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.

Libby Museum of Natural History, animal/nature exhibits & programs, 755 N. Main St., Wolfeboro, 569-1035, open seasonally.

Loon Center, walking trails, loon displays/info., 183 Lees Mill Rd., Moultonborough, 476-5666, www.loon.org

Millie B., cruise on the replica of a 1928 Hacker-Craft, 45-minute tour, info/tours: NH Boat Museum, Wolfeboro, www.nhbm.org, 569-4554. Tour rides also on the Miss Lauren boat on Laconia side of Lake Winnipesaukee.

Molly the Trolley, tours of Wolfeboro area aboard the trolley, info/schedules: www.wolfeborotrolley.com, 569-1080.

NH Boat Museum, boating exhibits, programs, boat building workshops, 399 Center St., Wolfeboro, 569-4554, www.nhbm.org.

Newfound Lake Eco-Tours, informative/scientific tours of Newfound Lake, Newfound Lake Association, www.newfoundlake.org, 744-8689.

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

Squam Lake Cruises, family/educational cruises to look for loons, & wildlife, Squam Lakes Natural Science Center, Holderness, www.nhnature.org, 968-7194.

Squam Lakes Natural Science Center, exhibits, nature trails, events, cruises, 23 Science Center Rd., Holderness, 968-7194, www.nhnature.org.

Wright Museum of WWII, exhibits and lectures of life on the home front during WWII, 77 Center St., Wolfeboro, 569-1212, www.wrightmuseum.org.

MAY

May 1, Trails Open, 9:30 am-5 pm, Squam Lakes Natural Science Center, 23 Science Center Rd., Holderness, 968-7194, www.nhnature.org.

May 6, NH Day, 9:30 am-3:30 pm, Squam Lakes Natural Science Center, 23 Science Center Rd., Holderness, 968-7194, www.nhnature.org.

May 13, Water Summit, Wentworth Watershed, 9 am-noon, Great Hall, 84 S. Main St., Wolfeboro, 534-0222.

May 14, Mother’s Day Brunch on M/S Mount Washington, 10 & 2 pm departures, 211 Lakeside Ave., Weirs Beach, 366-5531, www.cruisenh. com.

May 17, Nature Station, 10 am-noon, explore Grey Rocks, learn about plants and animals, make a craft, free, open to all, Newfound Lake Assoc., Grey Rocks Conservation Area, 178 North Shore Rd., Hebron, www. newfoundlake.org, 744-8689. (Also May 20)

May 19-21, Ten Minute Musicals, Village Players, 51 Glendon St., Wolfeboro, info: 569-9656, www.village-players.com

May 19-21, Wake the Lake at Weirs Beach, lake events, Lakeside Ave., Weirs Beach, www.weirsbeach.com.

May 19-21, Winni Derby, weigh station: Lakeside Ave., Weirs Beach, info/registration: 625-6431, https://winniderby.nhscouting.org.

May 20, 47th Annual Great Smith River Canoe and Kayak Race, takes place in Wolfeboro, info: www.wolfeborolions.com.

May 20, Nature Station, 10 am-noon, explore Grey Rocks, learn about plants and animals, make a craft, free, open to all, Newfound Lake Assoc., Grey Rocks Conservation Area, 178 North Shore Rd., Hebron, www. newfoundlake.org, 744-8689.

May 21, Imani Winds, woodwind quintet, 3 pm, Wolfeboro Friends of Music at Brewster’s Anderson Hall, 205 S. Main St., Wolfeboro. Info: 603-569-2151, www.wfriendsofmusic.org.

May 27-28, Memorial Day Weekend Craft Fair, Schouler Park, 1 Norcross Circle, N. Conway, 10 am-5 pm, Joyce’s Craft Shows, 387-1510, www.joycescraftshows.com.

May 27-29, Annual Memorial Day Weekend Craft Festival, Castleberry Fairs, Mill Falls Marketplace, Meredith, 312 Daniel Webster Highway, Meredith, www.castleberryfairs.com.

JUNE

June 1-18, Kirkwood Gardens Plant Sale, Kirkwood Gardens, Squam Lakes Natural Science Center, 900 U.S. Rt. 3., Holderness, 968-7194, www.nhnature.org.

June 3, Ready to Launch – A Women’s Boating Course, 10 am-noon, NH Boat Museum, 399 Center St., Wolfeboro, 569-4554, www.nhbm. org.

June 3 & 4, Granite State Title Challenge Series, noon-4 pm, Milton Town Beach, NH Boat Museum & SSOA race series, Milton Pond, Milton, 569-4554, www.nhbm.org.

June 8, NLRA Volunteer Day, 10 am-noon, trail maintenance, restoring shorelines and more, Grey Rocks Conservation Area, 178 North Shore Rd., Hebron, www.newfoundlake.org, 744-8689.

June 8-10, Boat Show, 9 am, Wolfeboro Town Docks, Dockside Drive, Wolfeboro, www.newenglandlymangroup.org.

June 10, Antique & Vintage Fair, Clark House Museum Complex, 233 S. Main St., Wolfeboro, info: 569-4997, www.wolfeborohistoricalsociety.org.

June 10-18, Laconia Motorcycle Week, Laconia, www.laconiamcweek. com.

June 14 & 17, Nature Station, 10 am-noon, free, all welcome, Grey Rocks Conservation Area, 178 N Shore Rd., Hebron, Newfound Lake Region Assoc., 744-8689, www.newfoundlake.org.

June 15, Guided Exploration with NLRA Watershed Stewards, free, explore Newfound watershed, Newfound Lake Assoc., Grey Rocks Conservation Area, 178 North Shore Rd., Hebron, www.newfoundlake.org, 744-8689.

June 17, NH Appreciation Day, free admission for all NH residents, 10 am-4 pm, NH Boat Museum, 399 Center St., Wolfeboro, 569-4554, www.nhbm.org. Proof of residency required.

June 20, Model Yacht Open House, 1-4 pm, Bridge Falls Path, Wolfeboro, boat displays, racing by Back Bay Skippers Model Yacht Club, NH Boat Museum, 569-4554, www.nhbm.org.

June 22, Weed Watcher Training, 2-4 pm, learn to identify aquatic plants, Newfound Lake Assoc., Grey Rocks Conservation Area, 178 North Shore Rd., Hebron, www.newfoundlake.org, 744-8689.

June 24, Wolfeboro Parks & Recreation Open House, 11 am, Foss Field, Rt. 28, Wolfeboro, learn about Community Sailing Program, NH Boat Museum, 569-4554, www.nhbm.org.

June 29, Guided Weed Watcher Paddle, 9-11 am, paddle to learn how to identify invasive aquatic plants, Newfound Lake Assoc., Grey Rocks Conservation Area, 178 North Shore Rd., Hebron, www.newfoundlake. org, 744-8689.

June 29, Lake Discovery Day, 10:30 am-noon, NH Boat Museum, 399 Center St., Wolfeboro, 569-4554, www.nhbm.org.

JULY

July 1, 3rd Annual Wolfeboro Lions Club Car Show, 11 am - 2pm The Nick Recreational Park, 10 Trotting Track Rd. Wolfeboro, 603-651-6598

July 1, Compaq Big Band Outdoor Concert, 7-9 pm, free, Cate Park, Wolfeboro, 569-2200.

July 1-2, Gunstock 4th of July Weekend Craft Fair, 10 am-5 pm, Gunstock Mt. Resort, Cherry Valley Rd., Gilford, www.joycescraftshows.com, 387-1510.

July 2, Free Admission Day, 10 am-4 pm, free admission for all on this day, NH Boat Museum, 569-4554, www.nhbm.org.

July 4, Annual Parade, 10 am, Main St., Wolfeboro, 569-2200.

July 4, 4th of July Parade, 2 pm, downtown Center Harbor.

July 4, Outdoor Concert, Center Harbor Bandstand, downtown, 7 pm, bring your own lawn chair, free, 253-4561.

July 4, Independence Day Dinner Cruise, M/S Mount Washington, Weirs Beach, 366-BOAT, www.cruisenh.com.

July 6, Echotones, 6:30-8:30 pm, bring a lawn chair for seating, 19 Mile Beach, Tuftonboro, free, www.tuftonboro.org.

July 6, Guided Exploration with NLRA Watershed Stewards, explore Newfound watershed, Newfound Lake Assoc., Grey Rocks Conservation Area, 178 North Shore Rd., Hebron, www.newfoundlake.org, 744-8689.

July 7, Outdoor Concert, Center Harbor Bandstand, downtown, 7 pm, bring your own lawn chair, free, 253-4561.

July 7-9, On the Green 1, Arts & Crafts Festival, 10 am, Brewster Academy, 80 Academy Drive, Rt. 28, Wolfeboro, www.joycescraftshows.com.

July 8 & 9, Watersports for All Ages: Malibu WWA Rider Experience North, 7/8: 9 am-3 pm; 7?9: 7:15 am-8 am; Winnipesaukee Pier, Lake Winnipesaukee, Laconia, hosted by East Coast Flightcraft, info: www. eastcoastflightcraft.com.

July 8, Linda Eder concert, 7:30-10 pm, Anderson Hall, Wolfeboro, Great Waters Music Festival, tickets/info: www.greatwaters.org.

July 8, Soggy Po’ Boys Outdoor Concert, 7-9 pm, free, Cate Park, Wolfeboro, 569-2200.

July 8-16, Adult & Family Boat Building, 8:30 am-3:30 pm, NH Boat Museum, info/pre-register: 569-4554, www.nhbm.org.

July 10, Colonial Medicinal Arts, speaker: Dina Farrell, Clark House Museum Complex, 233 S. Main St., Wolfeboro, info: 569-4997.

July 10-14, Model Yacht Building, 9 am-4 pm, NH Boat Museum, Wolfeboro, info/pre-register: 569-4554, www.nhbm.org.

June 13, NLRA Volunteer Day, 10 am-noon, trail maintenance, restoring shorelines and more, Grey Rocks Conservation Area, 178 North Shore Rd., Hebron, www.newfoundlake.org, 744-8689.

July 13, Skyroad, 6:30-8:30 pm, bring a lawn chair for seating, 19 Mile Beach, Tuftonboro, free, www.tuftonboro.org.

June 13, Weed Watcher Training, 2-4 pm, identify aquatic plants, Grey Rocks Conservation Area, 178 North Shore Rd., Hebron, www.newfoundlake.org, 744-8689.

July 14, Outdoor Concert, Center Harbor Bandstand, downtown, 7 pm, bring your own lawn chair, free, 253-4561.

July 15, Annual NE Vintage Boat and Car Auction, 10 am-3 pm, NH Boat Museum, info/pre-register: 569-4554, www.nhbm.org. Takes place at The Nick, 10 Trotting Track Rd., Wolfeboro. (Preview July 13 & 14 from noon-5 pm and July 15 from 8-10 am.)

July 15, Stacey Kelleher Outdoor Concert, 7-9 pm, free, Cate Park, Wolfeboro, 569-2200.

July 19, Nature Station, 10 am-noon, explore ecology at Grey Rocks, learn about plants and animals, make a craft, free, open to all, Newfound Lake Assoc., Grey Rocks Conservation Area, 178 North Shore Rd., Hebron, www.newfoundlake.org, 744-8689.

July 20, Guided Explorations with Watershed Stewards, Newfound watershed info/exploration, Grey Rocks Conservation Area, 178 North Shore Rd., Hebron, www.newfoundlake.org, 744-8689.

July 20, Ricky & the Giants, 6:30-8:30 pm, bring a lawn chair for seating, 19 Mile Beach, Tuftonboro, free, www.tuftonboro.org.

July 21, Outdoor Concert, Center Harbor Bandstand, downtown, 7 pm, bring your own lawn chair, free, 253-4561.

July 22, Nature Station, 10 am-noon, explore ecology at Grey Rocks, learn about plants and animals, make a craft, free, open to all, Newfound Lake Assoc., Grey Rocks Conservation Area, 178 North Shore Rd., Hebron, www.newfoundlake.org, 744-8689.

July 22, Southern Rail Outdoor Concert, 7-9 pm, free, Cate Park, Wolfeboro, 569-2200.

July 24-Aug. 2, Youth & Family Boat Building, 8:30 am-3:30 pm, nine day session, NH Boat Museum, Wolfeboro, info/pre-register: 569-4554, www.nhbm.org.

July 27, Guided Weed Watcher Paddle, 9-11 am, Grey Rocks Conservation Area, 178 North Shore Rd., Hebron, www.newfoundlake.org, 7448689.

July 27, Idol Hands, 6:30-8:30 pm, bring a lawn chair for seating, 19 Mile Beach, Tuftonboro, free, www.tuftonboro.org.

July 27, Lake Discovery Days, 10:30 am-noon, NH Boat Museum, info/ pre-register: 569-4554, www.nhbm.org.

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July 28-20, Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?, Village Players, 51 Glendon St., Wolfeboro, info: 569-9656, www.village-players.com, also Aug. 4-6.

July 28, Outdoor Concert, Center Harbor Bandstand, downtown, 7 pm, bring your own lawn chair, free, 253-4561.

July 29, Hebron Fair, 9 am-3 pm, Hebron Common, 16 Church Lane, Hebron, visit Newfound Lakes Region Assoc tent at the fair., 178 North Shore Rd., Hebron, www.newfoundlake.org, 744-8689.

July 29, Michael Vincent Band Outdoor Concert, 7-9 pm, free, Cate Park, Wolfeboro, 569-2200.

July 29-30, Summer Fun Craft Fair, 10 am, Tanger Outlets, 120 Laconia Rd., Rt. 3, Tilton, www.joycescraftshows.com.

AUGUST

Aug. 3, Big Picture Band, 6:30-8:30 pm, bring a lawn chair for seating, 19 Mile Beach, Tuftonboro, free, www.tuftonboro.org.

Aug. 3, Guided Explorations with Watershed Stewards, Newfound watershed info/exploration, Newfound Lake Assoc., Grey Rocks Conservation Area, 178 North Shore Rd., Hebron, www.newfoundlake.org, 744-8689.

Aug. 5, Midtown Men – Stars from the Original Broadway Cast of Jersey Boys, 7:30-10 pm, Castle in the Clouds/Concerts in the Clouds, Moultonborough, Great Waters Music Festival, tickets/info: www.greatwaters.org.

Aug. 5, Seldom Playrights Outdoor Concert, 7-9 pm, free, Cate Park, Wolfeboro, 569-2200.

Aug. 6, Outdoor Concert, Center Harbor Bandstand, downtown, 7 pm, bring your own lawn chair, free, 253-4561.

Aug. 7, The Battle of Lovell Lake, with Greg Heppe, Clark House Museum Complex, 233 S. Main St., Wolfeboro, info: 569-4997, www.wolfeborohistoricalsociety.org.

Aug. 9, Nature Station, explore Grey Rocks, learn about plants and animals, make a craft, free, open to all, Newfound Lake Assoc., Grey Rocks Conservation Area, 178 North Shore Rd., Hebron, www.newfoundlake. org, 744-8689.

Aug. 10, Lake Discovery Days, 10:30 am-noon, NH Boat Museum, Wolfeboro, info/pre-register: 569-4554, www.nhbm.org.

Aug. 10, Marcy Drive Band, 6:30-8:30 pm, bring a lawn chair for seating, 19 Mile Beach, Tuftonboro, free, www.tuftonboro.org.

Aug. 10, Weed Watcher Training, 2-4 pm, Newfound Lake Assoc., Grey Rocks Conservation Area, 178 North Shore Rd., Hebron, www.newfoundlake.org, 744-8689.

Aug. 11, Carter Mountain Brass Band, Outdoor Concert, Center Harbor Bandstand, downtown, 6-8 pm, bring your own lawn chair, free, 2534561.

Aug. 11-13, On the Green 2, Arts & Crafts Festival, 10 am, Brewster Academy, 80 Academy Drive, Rt. 28, 387-1510, Wolfeboro, www.joycescraftshows.com.

Aug. 11, Lakes Region Community Celebration, 4-10 pm, Wolfeboro Town Docks, food, drinks, fun, 569-2200.

Aug. 12, Alton Bay Boat Show, 9 am-noon, free, Alton Town Docks, 2640 Mt. Major Highway, Alton Bay, www.nhbm.org.

Aug. 12, Alton Old Home Week, 5K Road Race, 9-11 am, info: altonprgm@ gmail.com.

Aug. 12, Chris Klaxton Outdoor Concert, 7-9 pm, free, Cate Park, Wolfeboro, 569-2200.

Aug. 17, Carolyn Ramsay Band, 6:30-8:30 pm, bring a lawn chair for seating, 19 Mile Beach, Tuftonboro, free, www.tuftonboro.org.

Aug. 17, Guided Explorations with Watershed Stewards, Newfound watershed info/exploration, Newfound Lake Assoc., Grey Rocks Conservation Area, 178 North Shore Rd., Hebron, www.newfoundlake.org, 744-8689.

Aug. 18, Jimmy and the Jestures, Outdoor Concert, Center Harbor Bandstand, downtown, 6-8 pm, bring your own lawn chair, free, 253-4561.

Aug. 19, Classic Albums Live Performs CCR Chronicle Vol. 1, , 7:3010 pm, Castle in the Clouds/Concerts in the Clouds, Moultonborough, Great Waters Music Festival, tickets/info: www.greatwaters.org.

Aug. 19, Strafford Wind Symphony Outdoor Concert, 7-9 pm, free, Cate Park, Wolfeboro, 569-2200.

Aug. 23, Free Admission Day, 10 am-4 pm, free admission for all on this day, NH Boat Museum, Wolfeboro, 569-4554, www.nhbm.org.

Aug. 24, Empire Trio, 7:30-10 pm, Brewster Academy, Wolfeboro, presented by Great Waters Music Festival, tickets/info: www.greatwaters.org.

Aug. 24, Wooden Nickels Band, 6:30-8:30 pm, bring a lawn chair for seating, 19 Mile Beach, Tuftonboro, free, www.tuftonboro.org

Aug. 25, Nolimitz, Outdoor Concert, Center Harbor Bandstand, downtown, 6-7:30 pm, bring your own lawn chair, free, 253-4561.

Aug. 26, Ball in the House Outdoor Concert, 7-9 pm, free, Cate Park, Wolfeboro, 569-2200.

Aug. 26-27, Weed Stampede, 8-11 am, paddle to help with shoreline survey of Newfound Lake, Newfound Lake Assoc., Grey Rocks Conservation Area, 178 North Shore Rd., Hebron, www.newfoundlake.org, 744-8689.

SEPTEMBER

Sept. 2, Carolyn Ramsay Band Outdoor Concert, 7-9 pm, free, Cate Park, Wolfeboro, 569-2200.

Sept. 2-3, Gunstock Labor Day Weekend Craft Fair, 10 am, Gunstock Mt. Resort, Rt. 11A/Cherry Valley Rd., Gilford, www.joycescraftshows. com.

Sept. 3, Carolyn Ramsay Band, free concert, bring a lawn chair for seating, Cate Park, downtown Wolfeboro, 7-9 pm, www.wolfeboroband.org.

Sept. 7, Guided Exploration with NLRA Watershed Stewards, Newfound watershed info/exploration, Newfound Lake Assoc., Grey Rocks Conservation Area, 178 North Shore Rd., Hebron, www.newfoundlake. org, 744-8689.

Sept. 13, Afternoon Cruise on Lake Winnipesaukee, noon, regatta, NH Boat Museum, Wolfeboro, 569-4554, www.nhbm.org.

Sept. 15, Vintage Race Boat Regatta, 8 am-5 pm, Wolfeboro Town Docks, NH Boat Museum, Wolfeboro, 569-4554, www.nhbm.org.

Sept. 16, Vintage Race Boat Heats, 8 am-5 pm, Wolfeboro Town Docks, NH Boat Museum, Wolfeboro, 569-4554, www.nhbm.org.

Sept. 23, Winterize Your Boat Class, 10 am-noon, NH Boat Museum, Center St., Wolfeboro, 569-4554, www.nhbm.org.

Sept. 23-24, Dragon Boat Racing, Gilda’s Club New Hampshire goal of opening a Clubhouse for men, women, teens, and children impacted by cancer. Weirs Beach, info: www.naswa.com.

Sept. 23-24, Falling Leaves Craft Fair, 10 am, Tanger Outlets, 120 Laconia Rd., Rt. 3, Tilton, www.joycescraftshows.com.

Sept. 23 & 24, Granite State Title Challenge Series, noon-4 pm, Greenwood Pond, Kingston, NH Boat Museum, 569-4554. www.nhbm.org.