TheLaker_April_2024

WEDCO Program Honors Mildred Beach

By Kathy Fairman

An innovative business financing program launched by the Wentworth Economic Development Corporation (WEDCO) honors Mildred Beach of Wolfeboro, who celebrated her 100th birthday at home on March 2.

“We are delighted to honor Mildred on this very special occasion,” said WEDCO Executive Director Jack Terrill. “For nearly 50 years beginning in the 1940s, Mildred’s work with the Lakes Region Association and other organizations positively impacted hundreds of businesses, establishing the solid economic base our region and state enjoys in this century.

“She made supporting and improving the economic vitality of the Lakes Region her life’s work. What better way to celebrate this remarkable woman than by establishing a fund in her name to perpetually support today and tomorrow’s local entrepreneurs?” asked Terrill.

“This is WEDCO’s first privately financed loan fund. In keeping with WEDCO’s long history of supporting start-ups, WEDCO will match dollar-for-dollar the first $25,000 donated to Mildred’s Fund,” said Terrill.

The Mildred A. Beach Revolving Loan Fund will provide a perpetual source of financing for new and existing businesses in the eastern Lakes Region for improvements, expansion, or to fill a gap between available bank financing and a business’s needs.

Mildred Arlene Beach was born in Wolfeboro in Huggins Hospital, a wood-frame structure then located between Kingswood Regional High School and the Kingswood Golf Course on South Main Street. A heartshaped monument nestled among the trees can be seen from the road.

Her first home was in the Hersey Block, now the Corner Store at Pickering Corner. The Beaches apartment had corner windows and Mildred remembers watching the Ringling Brothers Circus come to town.

“The Circus Train was so long it unloaded at both the Downtown and Wolfeboro Falls Stations. Wagons and animals would converge at Pickering Corner and make their way down South Main Street to the Brewster Farm (now Kingswood Regional High School) to set up. So, my sister Muriel and I had front-row seats!”

Mildred graduated from Brewster Academy in 1942 and immediately went to work for the Lakes Region Association (LRA) under executive secretary Harold Hart, a Wolfeboro entrepreneur.

It was one of six such regional organizations established by the New Hampshire Legislature in the 1930s to promote economic growth throughout the state, especially in the areas of tourism, healthcare, and transportation.

Mildred would devote her life’s work to this goal leading the LRA for four decades bringing businesses togeth-

er with collaborative and cooperative efforts, such as the Lakes Region Attractions, the NH Travel Council, and Made in New Hampshire.

She often worked with her counterpart in the White Mountains, the late Dick Hamilton who liked to say, “Hamilton-Beach makes a great mix!”

Mildred also worked with the State’s Department of Tourism. One of her favorite jobs was managing New Hampshire’s exhibit in the New England Pavilion at the 1964-65 New York World’s Fair.

“For two years from May through October I flew to New York every other weekend and reported back to Concord,” she said, adding with a twinkle in her eye, “My plane ticket cost $13 roundtrip.”

She recalls the economic challenges of the 1950s polio epidemic. She served on the county task force when there were 51 cases in Carroll County. For two years, very few vacationers.

During the gasoline shortage in the 1970s she and Hamilton developed a system to let visitors know where they could buy gas, so they would still come on vacation, which they did.

In 1971 Mildred was one of the principals in founding WASR, Wolfeboro’s radio station, with its primary owners Alan and Sharon Severy. She wrote and produced her weekly show “Kaleidoscope” for many years.

She’s had occasion to rub elbows with a few celebrities over the years,

among them Henry Fonda, Katharine Hepburn, and Jane Fonda during the filming of the movie, “On Golden Pond” on both Squam Lake and Lake Winnipesaukee.

She came to know her favorite, Emily McLaughlin, while serving on the board for The Barnstormers Summer Theatre in Tamworth.

A lifelong fan of music and theatre, Mildred rarely missed a show and McLaughlin returned year after year as a favorite of the summer cast, yet she was better known as the character Jesse

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Mildred Beach of Wolfeboro C.1990

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Brewer on the TV soap General Hospital.

“My mother was loyal to her daytime television, and a fan of General Hospital, “ recalls Mildred. “Emily was so nice. She came to the house to see my mother, and oh, wasn’t that a thrill for Mom!”

Mildred’s father, Clarence, died suddenly in 1942. As the eldest of three children, she became the family’s primary breadwinner. In addition to her full-time job at LRA, both she and her mother, Hazel, also worked part-time at the hospital to make ends meet.

were among the comments heard as folks gathered around cupcakes, coffee, and punch after enjoying their cherished moments with the birthday girl, fondly known as “Beachie” or “Millie,” as well as Mildred.

“We focused on paying the mortgage and keeping this house,” she said. “The payment was only $23.40, but back then it was a lot.”

While that house has continued to be Mildred’s home, she also owns two summer cottages on Lake Wentworth which hold a very special place in her

As does Mildred in the hearts of her neighbors and friends from Lake Wentworth, one of the many smaller lakes that encircle Winnipesaukee.

She is part of the reason Lake Wentworth remains today a haven for bald eagles, bass fishing, loons, and those seeking a 1900s style of lake living.

land, Wentworth’s largest island by far, was slated to be sold and divided into house lots, Mildred was instrumental in leading the Lake Wentworth Association and other individuals in raising money to buy the island and gift it to The Nature Conservancy to prevent its

In the mid-1970s when Stamp Act Is-

Mildred has enjoyed a life-long love affair with all things Lakes Region, Wolfeboro, and New Hampshire. While she kept a rowboat at camp on Lake Wentworth, her 21-foot Penn Yan power boat was for boating and fishing on Winnipesaukee.

She christened the M/S Mount Washington when it was relaunched after it

was lengthened in the 1970s and the Millie B, her namesake, when it was launched on Winnipesaukee in 1998.

She was also a licensed pilot, and embraced snowmobiling when it became popular, not only driving her own sled, but also working with others establishing the network of trails throughout New Hampshire that riders still enjoy today.

Following her 1980s retirement from the LRA (predecessor to today’s Lakes Region Tourism Association), she served as a Wolfeboro representative in the New Hampshire Legislature for six years.

Mildred celebrated her 100th birthday on Saturday, March 2 at home in the little white cape her father built in the 1930s, visiting with family and more than a few dear friends who stopped by to share congratulations and fond memories.

“Remarkable,” “Sharp as a tack,” “Amazing,” and “I remember when…”

A basketful of nearly 200 birthday cards, each carefully opened, read, and returned to their envelopes sat on her side table next to a growing pile of those yet to be opened. Many included personal notes often with thanks for Mildred’s guidance support or leadership; among them letters from four New Hampshire governors, two of whom are currently New Hampshire’s US Senators. A copy of Saturday’s Union Leader rested on her knees, a Boston Globe nearby.

Wolfeboro Selectman Linda Murray read a commendation from the Town’s Board of Selectman citing Mildred’s many years of service to Wolfeboro and the State of New Hampshire, including bringing “joy to everyone she has met with her sense of humor, keen intellect, and words of encouragement.”

Every town, region, state, and country has its treasures. Here in New Hampshire and Wolfeboro, Mildred Beach is clearly one of ours.

Donations to the Mildred A. Beach Revolving Fund may be sent to WEDCO, PO Box 641, Wolfeboro, NH 03894. To learn more about WEDCO, visit wedco-nh.org or call Jack Terrill at 603-569-4216.

WEDCO is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) regional economic development corporation founded in 1993 for the sole purpose of promoting economic growth in the eastern Lakes Region.

From Left: Dick Hamilton, White Mountains Region; Mildred; Mary Rulison, Seacoast Council on Tourism, Lauri Klefos, NH Dept. Travel and Tourism, Steve Barba, Balsams Resort, and Sandy Hamilton. Circa 2005

Wildlife Expert Ben Kilham Talks About Black Bears

Wildlife biologist Ben Kilham will present a program on the social habits and behavior of black bears at the Great Hall in Wolfeboro on Tuesday, April 9.

Black bears typically are solitary in nature, but they have complex behavior that potentially parallels early human behavior. They have shown evidence of reciprocal altruism, matrilineal hierarchy, and a mix of intentional and emotional communication.

During his presentation, Ben will share his expertise and findings from more than two decades of interaction with black bears. Attendees will learn about the importance of bear conservation, and will have ample time to ask questions.

Ben founded the Kilham Bear Center in 1993, rehabilitating and releasing injured, orphaned, and abandoned black bear cubs in New Hampshire, Vermont,

and Massachusetts. In 2023, the Center released 137 bears back into the wild, their highest numbers yet. His work has been featured in several national news

articles and documentaries, including National Geographic, Animal Planet, and Good Morning America.

He is the author of two books, Among the Bears: Raising Orphaned Cubs in the Wild and Out on a Limb: Origins of Intuition and Intelligence.

His appearance is arranged by Moose Mountains Regional Greenways and is sponsored by the Carl Siemon Family Charitable Trust and Branch Hill Farm. Tickets are $15 per adult, and $10 for youths 12 and under. All proceeds from the event support MMRG’s mission to conserve land and wildlife resources in the Moose Mountains region. Register online at www.rebrand.ly/MMRG_ Bears

‘Total Eclipse of the Art’ Exhibit in Meredith

In honor of the April 8 solar eclipse, the League of NH Craftsmen Meredith Fine Craft Gallery is holding an exhibit, “Total Eclipse of the ART”, running through April 12.

Works submitted by League-juried artists include jewelry, wood, and pottery, with a celestial theme.

The gallery is located at 279 Daniel Webster Highway, Meredith. For more information on the exhibit or craft education classes and other events, visit www.meredith.nhcrafts.org.

Whole House Water Treatment Systems

We can no longer take the safety of our water for granted. When you turn on your faucet, bathe your child, water your lawn, or flush your toilet, you want to know that your water is safe and clean. We will test and explain your water chemistry in a way that is easy to understand and then recommend the most efficient, effective and economical water treatment solution, custom fit to your needs.

SYSTEMS TO REMOVE:

Newfound Lake Region Association Changing Climate Discussion April 17

Join the Newfound Lake Region Association (NLRA) at the Newfound Lake Inn on Wednesday, April 17 at 5:30 p.m. for Newfound Science Pub, an engaging way to connect with experts in science and conservation - over food and drinks. Dr. Alix Contosta, research associate professor at UNH, and audience members will share their perspectives on the changing climate, connect to Alix’s work on warming winters and shifting seasonality, and thoughtfully consider watershed impacts. Discuss current issues, ask your burning questions, and share your perspective in a casual, social atmosphere. This event is free of charge. Attendees purchase food and drinks. Registration is required by visiting NewfoundLake. org/events or by calling 603-744-8689.

Dr. Alix Contosta is a research assistant professor in UNH’s Earth Systems Research Center, an investigator at Hubbard Brook Experimental Forest,

and a team member of INSPIRES. An ecosystem ecologist who focuses on winter ecology and how the winterto-spring period is changing, she also works with teachers, students, and the general public to explore these issues and expand the groups participating in research.

The NLRA’s mission is to protect Newfound Lake and its watershed. Through education, programs, and collaboration, the association promotes the conservation and preservation of the region’s natural, social, and economic resources. With the vision of a cleaner, clearer Newfound Lake, NLRA is working to improve environmental health, expand land conservation, increase community support, and grow watershed stewardship. Learn about employment, volunteer opportunities, and more ways to get involved at NewfoundLake.org.

Local Writer To Speak At Effingham Library

Beth Fox, a local writer and published author who is a finalist in four New England contests, will be the featured speaker at the Effingham Public Library’s weekly coffee hour on Wednesday, April 17, at 10 a.m. She will be celebrating the publication of her chapbook, “Reaching for the Nightingale”, with insights into her writing process. She also will share her views on why the Effingham Public Library is so beloved and the ways it has contributed to New Hampshire’s writing scene.

The library will be providing cake and coffee.

Beth’s provocative poems cover an impressive range of topics and styles, from gun control to family history, learning race at school, and being at home in Tennessee to meditations on language and the time of self-reflec-

tion during the isolation of Covid.

A resident of Wolfeboro, Beth is happiest when near the water and she loves exploring, cherishing the memories of the 35 miles she kayaked on Thoreau’s wilderness route down the West Branch of the Penobscot River in Maine. Her work has appeared in The Poet’s Touchstone, The Seacoast Anthology, Covid Springs II, and the 2010 Poets Guide to NH, as well as on her publisher’s website, www.finishinglinepress.com/product/reaching-forthe-nightingale-by-beth-fox/.

The Effingham Public Library is a community center with books, offering free library cards, programming, and social activities for all. To view its calendar of events and get more information, call 603-539-1537 or visiteffingham.lib.nh.us/.

Discover WILD New Hampshire Day is Saturday, April 20

Save the date! Spring is here and that means its time for the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department’s popular outdoor festival, Discover WILD New Hampshire Day. This community event is scheduled for Saturday, April 20, 2024. From 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the grounds of the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department at 11 Hazen Drive in Concord, NH, rain or shine. Admission is free. Only trained service dogs will be admitted; no pets allowed. Celebrating 34 years of connecting

residents and visitors with the outdoors, Discover WILD New Hampshire Day is a fun way for the whole family to explore New Hampshire’s wildlife resources and outdoor traditions. Browse educational exhibits presented by environmental and conservation organizations from across the state. See live animals, big fish, and trained falcons. Try your hand at archery, casting, and fly tying. Test your marksmanship at the air-rifle range, watch retriever dogs in action, and get creative with hands-

on craft activities. Plus, check out food truck alley—you’ll find something for every taste!

Discover WILD New Hampshire Day is hosted by the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department and presented by the Wildlife Heritage Foundation of New Hampshire, Fish and Game’s nonprofit partner (www. nhwildlifeheritage.org), with support from media sponsor Manchester Radio Group.

Fish and Game will also be attending the Trinity Baptist Sportsman’s Show: Saturday, April 6, Trinity Baptist Church, 80 Clinton Street, Concord, NH. This 18th annual sporting event will feature innovations in fishing and hunting. Try out the best gear, talk to top manufacturers and guides, and learn from world-class industry professionals by attending one of eight expert seminars. Stop by the NH Fish and Game booth to talk about New Hampshire’s wonderful outdoor recreational opportunities. For more information, visit facebook.com/sportsmensevent

Registration Now Open for the 48th Annual Great Smith River Canoe and Kayak Race

The excitement is building as the 48th Annual Great Smith River Canoe and Kayak Race is scheduled to take place on Saturday, May 18, 2024, at Albee Beach in Wolfeboro. Hosted by the Wolfeboro Lions Club, this beloved event promises thrilling competition and outdoor fun for participants and spectators alike.

Registration will open at 10 a.m. and continue until 12:45 p.m., with the race commencing at 1:15 p.m. The fourmile race includes a 1/4 mile of class-II white water rapids and two portages. New this year participants can register online at https://form.jotform. com/240255158509053. Paper registrations are available at the Wolfeboro Chamber of Commerce office at 32

Central Ave., Wolfeboro, or by calling 603-569-4697. Follow us on Facebook for more info.

The first 50 participants to register will receive a complimentary race t-shirt, adding an extra incentive to secure a spot early. The registration fee is $30 per paddler.

The event is made possible through the generous support of sponsors, including Richard J. Neal, Jr. DMD, Makers Mill, Lakes Region Ridge Line Builders, DeVylder Farm, Twin Ash Carpentry and Building, John & Nancy Askew, Goodhue Boat, Nolan’s Brick Oven Bistro, Trenta, The Cottages of Wolfeboro, Leone, McDonnell & Roberts, Dr. Diane Guerriere, Butternuts Good Dishes, Wentworth Watershed

Association, Okie Dokie Cabins, Molly and Jolly Trolley, O Bistro/Inn on Main, and Kingswood Press & Design Studio.

“We are grateful for the continued support of our sponsors, whose contributions help make this event possible year after year,” said Roger Murray, Race Director of the Great Smith River Canoe and Kayak Race. “Their commitment to our community and this long-standing event is truly commendable.”

Participants and spectators can look forward to a fun race with friendly competition and beautiful scenery, all while supporting the Wolfeboro Lions Club Charities.

For more information about the 48th Annual Great Smith River Canoe and Kayak Race, please call Roger Murray, Race Director at 603-569-4697.

About Wolfeboro Lions Club: The Wolfeboro Lions Club is a community-focused organization dedicated to serving the people of the Wolfeboro area. Through various initiatives and events, the club donates to local charities and non-profit groups, as well as funding Lions scholarship programs, and assists those in need of glasses and hearing aids. Lions meet the needs of local communities and the world every day because they share a core beliefto serve their community. The Great Smith River Canoe and Kayak Race is one of the club’s signature events, bringing together paddlers of all skill levels for a day of fun and fundraising.

Spring Fever, Sweet Cravings

By

Happy April Lakes Region! Today’s theme is a party for all of you with a big, sweet tooth out there as we’re going to get into all about the yummy smaller dessert treats, such as cookies and dessert bars.

Let’s start with a few cookie recipes. Each is a variation of the classic chocolate chip cookie, and they are all very unique unto themselves. The recipes will yield 16 cookies or so, and prep/ cook time combined is in the half-hour range. Pretty quick and easy, right?

Banana Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Cookies

½ cup ripe banana mashed, about 2 medium-large bananas

½ cup brown sugar

½ cup white sugar

½ cup unsalted butter softened

1 tsp vanilla extract

1 large egg

1 ½ cup all-purpose flour

2 cups quick oats, or old-fashioned oats for a chunkier cookie

1 tsp baking soda

1 tsp baking powder

½ tsp salt

½ – ¾ cup semi-sweet chocolate chips. ½ is usually enough; add up to ¾ cup to intensify chocolate

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside. For the cookie dough: in a large mixing bowl, combine the butter and both sugars in your electric mixer on low speed until smooth and creamy. Next, add in the egg, mashed bananas, and vanilla extract. Continue to mix on low speed until well combined. Set the bowl aside. In a separate small bowl, mix the flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and oats with a whisk. Gradually add the bowl of dry ingredients to the wet ingredients by adding ½ -1 cup at a time and mixing on low speed until all is blended and well combined. Lastly, fold in the chocolate chips and stir until just combined. Scoop the dough into 2 tbsp-sized portions and roll into balls. Place the dough onto your prepared cookie sheet with 2 inches of space between each. Do not press the cookies down. Bake in the oven for 11-13 minutes. When the cookies have finished baking, they will have a soft center inside. Allow the cookies to cool to finish the cooking process and to let them set. It is best to let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for 5-10 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.

Next, is a hybrid chocolate chip cookie and a Girls Scout Thin Mint. The combo of chocolate and mint makes for a fabulous marriage, and these come out great with nice crispy edges and soft centers. There is a 1-hour dough refrigeration process. Prep time is 15 minutes and cook time is about 10 minutes. Plan on about 2 dozen cookies.

Mint Chocolate Chip Cookies

1 cup unsalted butter, room temp

1 cup brown sugar

¼ cup sugar

2 tsp vanilla extract

1 egg

1 egg yolk

2 ¼ cups flour

1 tsp cornstarch

1 ¼ tsp baking soda

1 ¼ tsp salt

2/3 cup Andes mints, chopped, about 21 mints

½ cup mint chips

¼ cup semi-sweet chocolate chunks, about 2 oz

In the bowl of a stand mixer, beat together butter, sugars, and vanilla for 1 minute. Add the egg, then the yolk, mixing in between. In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together flour,

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cornstarch, baking soda and salt. Turn mixing speed to low and gradually add in the dry ingredients. Beat until just combined or until a soft dough forms. Fold in the mints, mint chips, and chocolate chunks with a spatula. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line baking sheets. To bake the cookies, use a standard-size cookie scoop, approximately 1 ½ tbsp, to form balls of dough. Place onto the prepared sheets, leaving at least 2 inches in between. Place in the oven and bake for 10-12 minutes, rotating the sheet halfway through the baking process. Remove from oven when cookies are golden brown around the edges. Let cookies cool on pan for 3-4 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

Although I love the previous 2 recipes, it’s time to step things up a notch. Bacon makes everything better, as well as the flavor of maple and they are phenomenal additions to any chocolate chip cookie. Once your bacon is cooked, you need ½ cup of it, chopped, and save the rest for breakfast or sandwiches. This recipe is for at least 2 dozen smaller cookies, and you can have these prepped and cooked in less than ½ hour, not including the bacon cooking time, which is why I always do that in advance. These are so easy to make, and they are so yummy.

Maple Bacon Chocolate Chip Cookies

1 stick butter, room temp

½ cup packed brown sugar

1 tsp baking soda

1 large egg

1 large egg white

1 cup all-purpose flour

1 pkg instant vanilla pudding mix, 3.4 oz, dry

1 tsp maple extract

1 ½ cups chocolate chips

½ cup or more of cooked bacon, chopped

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line a baking sheet and set aside. In a large mixing bowl, beat butter, brown sugar, and baking soda with an electric mixer until combined. Beat in egg and egg white. Add the flour, dry pudding mix, and maple extract. Using a wooden spoon or spatula, stir in the chocolate chips and bacon. Drop dough using a rounded tsp, 2-inches apart on prepared pans. Bake 10-12 minutes or until set. Allow cookies to cool on a baking sheet for 2-3 minutes before transferring them to wire racks to cool completely.

Our last 2 recipes move from cookies to bars. The first one brings bananas back into the mix as these are banana bread brownies, which is a little misleading as there is nothing “chocolate” about these, but they are pretty darn good. Once cooked, it is frosted with a delicious brown butter frosting. The flavor of the cake itself is very similar to banana bread, although not nearly as heavy and dense. I usually make

these in a 9x13 baking pan, although I have used a jelly roll pan as well. They cook in less than a ½ hour, although wait about 15-20 minutes. Frost while warm, but not piping hot right out of the oven. Yields 12-15 pieces depending on how you portion them.

Banana Bread Brownies

1 ½ cups sugar

1 cup sour cream

½ cup butter, softened

2 eggs

1 ¾ cups ripe bananas, usually 4-5 large bananas, mashed

2 tsp vanilla extract

2 cups all-purpose flour

1 tsp baking soda

¾ tsp salt

½ cup chopped walnuts

For the Brown Butter Frosting

½ cup butter

4 cups powdered sugar

1 ½ tsp vanilla extract

3 tbsp milk

Heat oven to 375 degrees. Grease and flour 9x13 pan. For the bars, in a large bowl, beat together sugar, sour cream, butter, and eggs until creamy. Blend in bananas and vanilla extract. Add flour, baking soda, salt, and blend for 1 minute. Stir in walnuts. Spread batter evenly into your pan. Bake 2025 minutes or until golden brown. For frosting: heat butter in a large saucepan over medium heat until boiling. Let the butter turn a delicate brown and remove from heat immediately. Add powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and milk. Whisk

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together until smooth. It should be thicker than a glaze but thinner than frosting. Using a spatula, spread the brown butter frosting over the warm but not hot bars. It will frost much better when the brownies are warm than if they cool completely. Portion and serve and smile!

I mentioned how my favorite cookie of the day was the maple bacon chocolate chippers, but as for the entire day, this one is my favorite. This batch has the flavor of maple involved, as well as the usual vanilla and almond, but this version is loaded with a center layer of apples. These are like a combo of a traditional blondie with an apple pie. These can be prepped and baked in less than an hour and will get you up to a dozen bars of awesomeness.

Maple Glazed Apple Blondies

For The Blondies

2 cups all-purpose flour

1 tsp baking powder

½ tsp salt

1 cup butter, room temp

¼ cup sugar

1 cup dark brown sugar

2 large eggs

1 tsp vanilla extract

1 tsp almond extract

½ tsp cinnamon

For The Apple Filling

2 large apples chopped finely

2 tbsp brown sugar

1 tbsp butter

½ tsp vanilla extract

½ tsp cinnamon

For The Maple Glaze

2 tbsp butter

¼ cup pure maple syrup

½ cup powdered sugar

¼ tsp vanilla extract

1/8 tsp ground cinnamon

Preheat oven to 350 degrees and spray an 11x7 pan with cooking spray. For the apple filling: on med-low heat, cook the apple filling mixture for about 3-4 minutes. Remove from heat and al-

low to cool. For the blondies: cream butter until light and fluffy, about 1 minute. Add in brown sugar and granulated sugar and mix until well combined. Add in eggs, 1 at a time, beating well after each addition. Add the salt and vanilla extract until mixed. In a separate bowl, mix flour, baking powder, and cinnamon. Add to the wet ingredients and stir until combined. In the bottom of the pan, spread half the blondie batter evenly. Spread apple filling all over the layer, then top with remaining blondie batter and spread evenly, then bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and a cake tester or toothpick comes out clean. For the maple glaze: melt butter, maple syrup, vanilla extract, and

cinnamon over low heat. Once melted together, pull off the heat. Sift in powdered sugar and whisk until fully combined. Allow to cool for 8-10 minutes so the glaze can thicken. Allow the bars to cool for about 10 minutes once out of the oven, then pour the glaze over the bars and allow it to set. Slice into squares and enjoy as I know you will as these are truly epic!

I trust that those of you who start playing with these recipes will be rewarded with many smiles. Until next time, keep those taste buds of yours smiling and for those of you who want to, which I love, please email me with any feedback or questions at fenwaysox10@gmail.com.

Take Part In 2024 Upcycled Fashion Show

The Governor Wentworth Arts Council and Makers Mill are teaming up — again — to bring back the Upcycled Fashion Show, a fabulously fun and creative Lakes Region event, on Saturday April 27, at the Kingswood Arts Center in Wolfeboro.

The Upcycled Fashion Show correlates with the Earth Day celebrations taking place around the globe and is designed to celebrate ingenuity, community spirit, and environmental awareness. By taking worn or used materials and transforming them into something new, artists throughout New Hampshire exercise and showcase their imaginations in new and curious ways.

The event is the hallmark of upcy-

cling, and the imaginative opportunities are endless. Last year’s show included outfits crafted from packaging materials to deconstructed linens and draperies as well as accessories fashioned from repurposed denim jeans and even juice pouches. The event will also include a juried Upcycled Art Market.

Designers of all ages and experience levels are welcome to participate, but they must register ahead of the event.

Visit the GWAC website at governorwentworthartscouncil.org and social media pages for additional details, as well as how to become involved as a member, volunteer, or partner organization.

Chocorua Lake Conservancy April Events

Stewardship Morning: April 10

Join Stewardship Director Debra Marnich on Wednesday, April 10, from 9 to 11 a.m., as the Chocorua Lake Conservancy (CLC) is hosting a spring cleaning at the Grove & Island public access areas along Chocorua Lake.

In the spring, after winter storms dump branches and trees, and the snowmelt exposes litter, the Chocorua Lake shoreline areas can look a little worse for wear. Before the leaves come out, it’s a good time to clear up fallen branches and inventory what additional work may be needed later in the spring to reduce and prevent erosion, fix anything “broken,” and identify where invasive plants may have found a foothold.

Bring work gloves, a rake, and/or a shovel, clippers, and a trash bag. If you do not have these, then a few extras will be available. Wear sturdy closetoed shoes or boots and bring water and a snack.

Stewardship Morning: April 16

Chocorua Lake Conservancy is hosting a stewardship morning on Tuesday, April 16, from 9 to 11 a.m. at the Grove public access areas along Chocorua Lake.

Areas that receive heavy recreational use need regular stewardship to ensure access, water quality, and a healthy ecosystem. We’ll be spreading wood

chips, as we do regularly, to help stabilize the shore during busy seasons with lots of foot traffic.

Bring work gloves, a rake, and/or a shovel, and a wheelbarrow if you have one. If you don’t have these then we’ll have a few extras available. Wear sturdy close-toed shoes or boots and bring water and a snack, if you like, as well as bug or sun protection as needed.

Adopt-A-Highway Trash Cleanup:

April 20

Spend a spring morning with friends and neighbors tidying up the detritus of winter from the stretch that runs along Chocorua Lake. On Saturday, April 20, from 10 to 11:30 a.m. join Chocorua Lake Conservancy (CLC) for our Earth Day Adopt-A-Highway Trash Cleanup along Route 16.

Help us clean up plastics and other trash before they degrade and leach pollution into the lake. Come with gloves, good walking shoes, and wear bright, preferably Day-Glo clothing.

CLC Executive Director Alex Moot will provide trash bags and safety vests.

All events meet at the Grove public parking area on Chocorua Lake Rd., off Route 16 at the southern end of Chocorua Lake. For all events, register in advance at chocorualake.org/ events—we want to be able to reach you if plans change, or if the weather changes plans.

Artists, Crafters, And More are Invited to Participate in Community Arts Festival

Castle in the Clouds is now accepting applications from artists, crafters, community organizations, and other demonstrators to participate in their highly anticipated 2024 Community Arts Festival. Scheduled for June 22, and presented in collaboration with the Lakes Region Art Association, this event will be a dynamic celebration of creativity and community, building upon the success of last year’s event, which boasted over 400 attendees and showcased 50 booths.

Whether you are a painter, sculptor, musician, dancer, crafter, martial artist, or any other type of creative, share your passion at Castle in the Clouds. The Community Arts Festival serves as a platform for artists to connect with the community, inspire others, and celebrate the beauty of artistic expression.

“We are thrilled to invite creatives from across the region to participate in the Community Arts Festival again this year,” said Charles Clark, Executive Director of Castle in the Clouds. “This event embodies the spirit of creativity and collaboration, and we are eager to see the incredible artwork and performances that will be featured.”

To be featured as part of the Community Arts Festival, interested creatives can apply online to secure a booth space or demonstration slot. Booth spaces are available for $40.00, with an early bird discount available to those who apply by May 22. Spaces are limited and early application is encouraged to secure your spot. Applications are now open and available by visiting castleintheclouds.org/event/community-arts-festival-2024.

ahead for

listings updates. Information and schedules subject to change. Through April 12, Total Eclipse of the ART, exhibit of pottery, wood, jewelry with celestial theme, League of NH Craftsmen Meredith Fine Craft Gallery, 279 Daniel Webster Highway, Meredith, 603-279-7920.

Through April 28, April Showers, exhibit with rain theme, Lakes Region Art Assoc., Tanger Outlets, Suite 300, 120 Laconia Rd., Tilton, 603-998-0029, www.lraanh.org.

April 8, Eclipse Watch Party, 2 - 4:30 p.m., free, Castle in the Clouds, Rt. 171, 455 Old Mountain Rd., Moultonborough, 603-476-5900, www.castleintheclouds.org.

April 8, Family, Memory, Place: Writing Family Stories by presenter Maura MacNeil, 6 - 77:25 p.m., Belknap Mill, 25 Beacon St. East, Laconia, info: 603524-8813, www.belknapmill.org.

April 8, Solar Eclipse Party, 2 – 4:30 p.m., Base Lodge, King Pine Ski Area, 1251 Eaton Rd., Rt. 153, Madison, 603-367-8896, www.kingpine.com

April 8, Solar Eclipse Viewing Party, 1:30 – 4 p.m., The Clubhouse at Riveredge Marina, Ashland, all are welcome, by Squam Lakes Assoc., info.: 603968-7336, www.squamlakes.org.

April 8, 15, 22 & 29, Make Your Own Teddy Bear, 4-Part Class, 2 – 4:30 p.m., with instructor Denise Thayer, Makers Mill, 23 Bay St., Wolfeboro, info/ pre-register: 603-569-1500, www.makersmill.org.

April 9, Energy & Climate: How We Got Here and Where We’re Going, 7 p.m., via Zoom, with professor emeritus of earth and atmospheric sciences at Cornell University, free program, Cook Memorial Library and Chocorua Lake Conservancy program, please pre-register: www.tamworthlibrary.org

April 9, Science Pub – Limn-ology, 5:30 – 7 p.m., with speaker Andrea Lamoreaux, President & Policy Advocate, NH LAKES, at Walter’s Basin, Holderness, pre-register: 603-968-7194, www.nhnature.org.

April 9, Seasons at Quincy Bog: Photography and Stories, 1 – 2 p.m., photographer/author Bob Fleck presents photos during four seasons at Quincy Bog, Rumney, pre-registration required, Moultonborough Public Library, 4 Holland St., Moultonborough, 603-476-8895, www.moultonboroughpubliclibrary.org.

April 9, Social Behavior of Black Bears, 5:30 – 7 p.m., Great Hall, Wolfeboro, program by Moose Mountain Regional Greenways, tickets/info: www.mmrgnh. org, 603-473-2020.

April 10, Herbal Allergy Relief with Maria Noel Groves, 6 – 7:30 p.m., free, help preparing for allergy season, Moultonborough Public Library, 4 Holland St., Moultonborough, pre-registration required: 603-476-8895, www.moultonboroughpubliclibrary.org.

April 11, Daniel Sloss, 8 – 9:30 p.m., Colonial Theatre, 609 Main St., Laconia, 1-800-657-8774, www.coloniallaconia.com.

April 11, Gardening 101 with John Moulton, 5 - 6 p.m., John Moulton of Moulton Farms offers class for gardening, pre-registration required, Moultonborough Public Library, 4 Holland St., Moultonborough, 603-476-8895, www. moultonboroughpubliclibrary.org.

April 11, The First Amendment, 6:30 – 7:30 p.m., free, presentation by Meg Mott, political theory teacher, by NH Humanities Council, Meredith Public Library, 91 Main St., Meredith, 603-279-4303, www.meredithlibrary.org.

April 11, 18 & 24, Make a Box Cushion: 3-Part Class, 6 – 8:30 p.m., with instructor Jeanne Flanagan, Makers Mill, 23 Bay St., Wolfeboro, info/pre-register: 603-569-1500, www.makersmill.org.

April 11, Relections on the Joseph Libbey House, 7 p.m, New Durham Public Library, Corner of Birch Hill and Main St., New Durham. 603-859-4643

April 12, Invasive Plants & Pests Workshop, 10 a.m. - noon, Green Mountain Conservation Group, 236 Huntress Bridge Rd., Effingham, register: 603-5391859, www.gmcg.org.

April 12, The Breakers: A Tribute to Tom Petty, 8 – 10:15 p.m., Colonial Theatre, 609 Main St., Laconia, 1-800-657-8774, www.coloniallaconia.com.

April 12-20, Wolfeboro Area Restaurant Week, shop and dine around Wolfeboro, www.wolfeborochamber.com

April 13, Blueberry Pancake Breakfast, 8 – 11 a.m., First Church Congregational, 63 S. Main St., Rochester, 603-332-1121.

April 13, Canvas Painting for Kids, 9 – 11 a.m., for children ages 8 – 12, instructor Mathilde Landberg, Makers Mill, 23 Bay St., Wolfeboro, 603-5691500, www.makersmill.org

April 13, Easy to Make Wire Earrings, Rings and Pendant, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m., Makers Mill, 23 Bay St., Wolfeboro, 603-569-1500, www.makersmill.org

April 13, Farm Babies, meet new baby farm animals, Remick Country Doctor Museum & Farm, 58 Cleveland Hill Rd., Tamworth, 603-323-7591, www. remickmuseum.org.

April 13, Felted Soap, 1 – 3 p.m., adult program, Prescott Farm Environmental Education Center, 928 White Oaks Rd., Laconia, pre-register/info: 603-3665695, www.prescottfarm.org

April 13, Frog Calls of Spring, 5 – 7 p.m., multi-generational program, Prescott Farm Environmental Education Center, 928 White Oaks Rd., Laconia, pre-register/info: 603-366-5695, www.prescottfarm.org

April 13, Get to Know the Grange, 11 a.m. – 1 p.m., history and accomplishments of the Grange program, Meredith Public Library, 91 Main St., Meredith, 603-279-4303, www.meredithlibrary.org.

April 13, Motor Booty Affair, 8 p.m., Rochester Opera House, 31 Wakefield St., Rochester, tickets: 603-335-1992, www.rochesteroperahouse.com

April 13, NH Boat Certification Class, 9 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., NH Boat Museum – Moultonborough Camp, 130 Whittier Highway, Moultonborough, NH Marine Patrol course, 603-293-2037.

April 13, Seed Starting at Home, 10 a.m. – noon, program for adults, Prescott Farm Environmental Education Center, 928 White Oaks Rd., Laconia, pre-register/info: 603-366-5695, www.prescottfarm.org

April 13, The Wallflowers, 8 – 9:30 p.m., Colonial Theatre, 609 Main St., Laconia, 1-800-657-8774, www.coloniallaconia.com.

April 14, Becoming Mindful in Belknap Woods, hike, 2 – 4:30 p.m., meet at trailhead to Belknap Woods of Rt. 25B, free, registration required: 603-9687336, Squam Lakes Assoc., www.squamlakes.org.

April 15, Master Your Apple Watch: Unleash Its Fun Potential, 10 – 11:30 a.m., Makers Mill, 23 Bay St., Wolfeboro, 603-569-1500, www.makersmill.org

April 16-27, Little Fuzzies Farm Tour, Tuesdays-Saturdays, 1 p.m., Remick Country Doctor Museum & Farm, 58 Cleveland Hill Rd., Tamworth, pre-register suggested: 603-323-7591, www.remickmuseum.org.

April 17, Newfound Science Pub, 5:30 – 7 p.m., Newfound Lake Region Assoc. hosts conversation with UNH research assistant professor Alix Contosta at Newfound Lake Inn, food and drinks, registration required: newfoundlake.org/ events.

April 18, Trivia Night, 6 – 8 p.m., Hermit Woods Winery, 72 Main St., Meredith, 603-253-7968, www.hermitwoods.com

April 19, 2024 Lottery Cocktail Party: ROH on Broadway, 5:30 p.m., Rochester Opera House, 31 Wakefield St., Rochester, tickets: 603-335-1992, www. rochesteroperahouse.com

April 19, Adam Ezra, 7:30 p.m., Flying Monkey Movie & Performance Center, 39 Main St., Plymouth, tickets/info: www.flyingmonkeynh.com, 603-536-2551.

April 20, Discover WILD NH Day, NH Fish and Game outdoor festival, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., grounds of Fish and Game Dept., 11 Hazen Drive, Concord, 603271-6355, www.nhfishandgame.com

April 20, Earth Day Scavenger Hunt, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m., Castle in the Clouds, Rt. 171, 455 Old Mountain Rd., Moultonborough, 603-476-5900, www.castleintheclouds.org.

April 20, Foreigners Journey with Special Guest Constantine Maroulis, 7:30 p.m., Flying Monkey Movie & Performance Center, 39 Main St., Plymouth, tickets/info: www.flyingmonkeynh.com, 603-536-2551.

April 20, Forest Trail Games & Exploration Tips, 1 – 3 p.m., ages 8 & up program, Prescott Farm Environmental Education Center, 928 White Oaks Rd., Laconia, pre-register/info: 603-366-5695, www.prescottfarm.org

April 20, Fred Moyer concert, 7 – 9 p.m., Anderson Hall, Brewster Academy, 80 Academy Drive, Wolfeboro, Wolfeboro Friends of Music, 603-569-2151, www.wfriendsofmusic.org

April 20, Garden Programs: Pruning Trees & Shrubs for Beginners, 10 a.m. – noon, basic pruning goals, tips, tools and more, pre-register by April 19 required, Squam Lakes Natural Science Center, Holderness, 603-968-7194, www. nhnature.org.

April 20, Latin Dance Party with Primo Cubano, 8 p.m., Rochester Opera House, 31 Wakefield St., Rochester, tickets: 603-335-1992, www.rochesteroperahouse.com

April 20, NH Boat Certification Class, 9 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., NH Boat Museum – Moultonborough Camp, 130 Whittier Highway, Moultonborough, NH Marine Patrol course, 603-293-2037.

April 20, Prentice Woods Preserve Clean Up, 9 a.m. – noon, held at Prentice Woods, 36 Prentice Woods Rd., Wakefield, www.mmrgnh.org, 603-473-2020.

April 20, Silver Ring with a Bezel with Joy Raskin, 10:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., pre-register by April 15, League of NH Craftsmen Meredith Fine Craft Gallery, 279 Daniel Webster Highway, Meredith, 603-279-7920.

April 21, The Motet, 7:30 p.m., Flying Monkey Movie & Performance Center, 39 Main St., Plymouth, tickets/info: www.flyingmonkeynh.com, 603-536-2551.

April 22, April Showers Meteor Viewing, 4:45 – 6:30 a.m., info.: 603-9687336, Squam Lakes Assoc., www.squamlakes.org.

April 22, Earth Day Clean Up at Branch Hill Farm, 10 a.m. – noon, held at 307 Applebee Rd., Milton Mills, program by Moose Mountain Regional Greenways, register: www.mmrgnh.org, 603-473-2020.

April 23, Author Visit, Meredith Public Library Writers’ Group, 5:45 – 7:45 p.m., free, presentation by Virginia K. Bennet, author of the Newfound Lake Cozy Mystery Series, Meredith Public Library, 91 Main St., Meredith, 603-2794303, www.meredithlibrary.org.

April 23, Nature Station, 10 a.m. – noon, Grey Rocks Conservation Area, 178 N. Shore Rd., Hebron, www.newfoundlake.org/events

April 24, Katie Dobbins Music & Hermit Woods Winery present Songwriter Roundup with Dobbins, Jeanette and Marlena Phillips, 7 p.m., Hermit Woods Winery, 72 Main St., Meredith, 603-253-7968, www.hermitwoods.com

April 25, An Evening with Philip Hamilton, 7:30 p.m., Hermit Woods Winery, 72 Main St., Meredith, 603-253-7968, www.hermitwoods.com

April 25-28, The Ferryman, Winnipesaukee Playhouse, 33 Footlight Circle, Meredith, 603-279-0333, www.winnipesaukeeplayhouse.org.

April 26, Once an Outlaw with Two Wolf, 7:30 p.m., Colonial Theatre, 609 Main St., Laconia, 1-800-657-8774, www.coloniallaconia.com.

April 26, Sugar Mountain – Tribute to Neil Young, 7:30 p.m., Flying Monkey Movie & Performance Center, 39 Main St., Plymouth, tickets/info: www.flyingmonkeynh.com, 603-536-2551.

April 27, British Guitar Blowout – the Music of Eric Clapton & Jeff Beck, 7:30 p.m., Flying Monkey Movie & Performance Center, 39 Main St., Plymouth, tickets/info: www.flyingmonkeynh.com, 603-536-2551.

April 27, Create a Needle Felted Fairy Door with Patsy Frasier, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m., all skill levels welcome, pre-register by April 22, League of NH Craftsmen Meredith Fine Craft Gallery, 279 Daniel Webster Highway, Meredith, 603-2797920.

April 27 – Double Fun – Teach Your Dog Two New Tricks,, 11 a.m. - 1 p.m., free, presentation by Kelly Bourgeois of Doggonit Training, dog trick demo, Meredith Public Library, 91 Main St., Meredith, 603-279-4303, www.meredithlibrary.org.

April 27, Growing Mushrooms at Home, 10 a.m. - noon, age 16 & up program, Prescott Farm Environmental Education Center, 928 White Oaks Rd., Laconia, pre-register/info: 603-366-5695, www.prescottfarm.org

April 27, Intro to Home Cheese Making, 1 – 4 p.m., age 16 & up program, Prescott Farm Environmental Education Center, 928 White Oaks Rd., Laconia, pre-register/info: 603-366-5695, www.prescottfarm.org

April 27, Led Zeppelin 2, 8 p.m., Colonial Theatre, 609 Main St., Laconia, 1-800-657-8774, www.coloniallaconia.com.

April 27, Nature Station, 10 a.m. – noon, Grey Rocks Conservation Area, 178 N. Shore Rd., Hebron, www.newfoundlake.org/events

April 27, Upcycled Fashion Show, 7 – 8:30 p.m., Kingswood Arts Center, Wolfeboro, by Governor Wentworth Arts Council and Maker’s Mill, 603-2735976. www.governorwentworthartscouncil.org.

April 29, Monroe Preserve Clean Up, 9 a.m. – noon, held at 75 Granite Rd., Ossipee, program by Moose Mountain Regional Greenways, register: www. mmrgnh.org, 603-473-2020.

May 1, History of Town Pounds in New Hampshire, 1 – 2 p.m., author/historian presents program on town pounds in New Hampshire, pre-registration required, Moultonborough Public Library, 4 Holland St., Moultonborough, 603476-8895, www.moultonboroughpubliclibrary.org.

May 1, Live Animal Exhibit& Hiking Trails Open at Squam Lakes Natural Science Center, 9:30 a.m. – 5 p.m., (last trail admission at 3:30 p.m.), Squam Lakes Natural Science Center, Holderness, 603-968-7194, www.nhnature.org Through Nov. 1.

May 1-26, Loon Preservation and New England Waterfoul, exhibit, Lakes Region Art Assoc., Tanger Outlets, Suite 300, 120 Laconia Rd., Tilton, 603-9980029, www.lraanh.org.

May 2-5, William Shakespeare’s MacBeth, 5 p.m., Rochester Performance & Arts Center, 32 North Main St., Rochester, tickets: 603-948-1099, www.rochesteroperahouse.com

May 3, 1964 The Tribute, 7:30 p.m., Flying Monkey Movie & Performance Center, 39 Main St., Plymouth, tickets/info: www.flyingmonkeynh.com, 603536-2551.

May 3, NH Fiddle Ensemble, 6:30 p.m., Rochester Opera House, 31 Wakefield St., Rochester, tickets: 603-335-1992, www.rochesteroperahouse.com

May 3, Thurley Mountain Preserve Clean Up, 9 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., held at Thurley Rd., Ossipee, program by Moose Mountain Regional Greenways, register: www.mmrgnh.org, 603-473-2020.

May 4, A Band of Brothers: An All Star Tribute to The Allman Brothers Band, 8 p.m., Rochester Opera House, 31 Wakefield St., Rochester, tickets: 603335-1992, www.rochesteroperahouse.com

May 4, Creating Watercolors Pencil Print, instructor Larry Frates, age 16 & up program, Prescott Farm Environmental Education Center, 928 White Oaks Rd., Laconia, pre-register/info: 603-366-5695, www.prescottfarm.org

May 4, Knightly Cornhole Classic: Toss for Tuition, 9 – 10 p.m., Kingswood Alumni Field, McManus Rd., Wolfeboro, 603-569-2055, www.kingswoodhighschool.org

May 4, Mother’s Day Flower Arrangement Workshop, 1 – 3 p.m., instructor Shirley Glines, League of NH Craftsmen Center Sandwich Fine Craft Gallery, 32 Main St., Center Sandwich, pre-register: 603-284-6831, www.centersandwich.nhcrafts.org.

May 4, Native Bee Homes , 10 a.m. - noon., age 16 & up program, Prescott Farm Environmental Education Center, 928 White Oaks Rd., Laconia, pre-register/info: 603-366-5695, www.prescottfarm.org

May 4, NH Day, Squam Lakes Natural Science Center, 9:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m., trail admission $5 p/p, sponsored by Dead River Co. and NH Electric Co-op, Squam Lakes Natural Science Center, Holderness, 603-968-7194, www.nhnature.org.

ONGOING

ArtWorks Gallery & Fine Crafts/CCAC, art, shows, workshops and events, open year-round with seasonal hours, 603-323-8041, 132 Rte. 16, Chocorua, www.chocoruaartworks.com

Bad Mom Night, every Thurs., Trenta, 30 Middleton Rd., Wolfeboro, 603-5151068, www.trentanh.com.

Belknap Mill, 25 Beacon St. East, Laconia, gallery and textile museum, events and programs, 603-524-8813, www.belknapmill.org.

Canterbury Shaker Village, walking trails, seasonal tours, Shaker Rd., Canterbury, 603-783-9511, www.shakers.org

Castle in the Clouds, Rte. 171, weekend lunch, reservations required, walking trails, tours, events, Moultonborough, 603-476-5900, www.castleintheclouds. org.

Chapman Sanctuary and Visny Woods, nature trails open for hiking, 740 Mt. Israel Rd., Center Sandwich, 603-284-6428, www.chapmansanctuaryvisnywoods.com.

Coffee Hour, 10 – 11 a.m., coffee, tea and snacks, Effingham Public Library, 30 Town House Rd., Effingham, 603-539-1537, info.: Effingham.lib.nh.us.

Country Village Quilt Guild, meets first and third Wednesday of each month, 1:30 - 3:30 p.m., Public Safety Building (back entrance to Police and Fire Dept.), Rte. 25, Moultonborough, countryvillagequilters@gmail.com.

Dam Brewhouse, events, 1323 NH Rte. 175, Campton, 603-726-4500, www. dambrewhouse.com.

Freedom Gallery, artwork/exhibits by area artists, 8 Elm St., Freedom, call ahead for hours: 610-762-2493.

In the Round, Sundays, 8:45 a.m., thought-provoking topics related to tolerance, Benz Center, Sandwich, 603-284-7211.

Indoor Pickleball, 5 p.m., Sandwich Central School gym, Sandwich, every Tues., Wed. & Thurs., parksandrec@sandwichnh.org

Kirkwood Gardens, free, open to public year round, Rt. 3, Holderness, tour the gardens, info: www.nhnature.org, 603-968-7194.

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

Lakes Region Art Association, exhibits and classes, Suite 300, Tanger Outlet, Rte. 3, Tilton, 603-998-0029, www.lraanh.org

Lakes Region Curling Association, fall and winter leagues, matches at Pop Whalen Ice & Arts Center, 390 Pine Hill Rd., Wolfeboro, Sundays 4:30 – 6:30 p.m., 84 S. Main St., 603-569-5639.

Laverack Nature Trail at Hawkins Brook, nature trail on boardwalk, free, trail starts to the left of Meredith Village Savings Bank, Rte. 25, Meredith, 603-2799015.

League of NH Craftsmen Meredith Fine Craft Gallery, handmade crafts and art for sale, workshops, 279 Daniel Webster Highway, Meredith, 603-279-7920. Loon Center, walking trails, 183 Lees Mill Rd., Moultonborough, 603-4765666, www.loon.org

Makers Mill, a variety of workshops, classes in arts and crafts and more, Makers Mill, 23 Bay St., Wolfeboro, 603-569-1500, www.makersmill.org

Meredith Public Library Bookstore, run by Friends of the Meredith Library, open weekly: Wed. 10 a.m. – 6 p.m., Thurs. & Fri. 10 a.m.- 4 p.m., Sat. 9 a.m. – 1:30 p.m., lower level, Meredith Public Library, 91 Main St., Meredith, 603279-4303, www.meredithlibrary.org.

New England Racing Museum, open Saturdays 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., 922 NH Rte. 106 N., Loudon, www.NEMSMUSEUM.com

Outdoor Nature-Based Storytime for Young Children, Tuesdays, 10:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m., Cook Memorial Library, 93 Main St., Tamworth, 603-323-8510, www.tamworthlibrary.org.

Pre-K Story Time, Thursdays at 10:30 a.m., Nichols Memorial Library, 35 Plymouth St., Center Harbor, 603-253-6950.

Prescott Farm Environmental Education Center, 928 White Oaks Road, Laconia, www.prescottfarm.org. Call ahead for event information and to inquire if program pre-registration is necessary: 603-366-5695.

Remick Country Doctor Museum & Farm, events, tours, 58 Cleveland Hill Rd., Tamworth, 603-323-7591, www.remickmuseum.org.

Roller Skating Night, 5 p.m., Mondays, bring your own skates, for age 18 and up, Ossipee Town Hall, 55 Main St., Ossipee, info/updates: 603-539-1307, www. ossipee.org.

Rug Hookers, 10 a.m. – noon, meets Tuesdays, Tuftonboro Free Library, 221 Middle Rd., Rt. 109A, Tuftonboro, 603-569-4256.

Tamworth Farmer’s Market, Saturdays, 9 a.m. - noon, 30 Tamworth Road, Tamworth, www.tamworthfarmersmarket.org

Tamworth History Center, 25 Great Hill Rd., Tamworth, contact for open hours: www.tamworthhistorycenter.org

Tuftonboro Country Bluegrass and Gospel Jam, every Tuesday, 6:30 - 9:30 p.m., donation requested, Old White Church, Rte. 109A, Center Tuftonboro, across from Tuftonboro General Store, 603-569-3861.

Ukulele Club, second & fourth Tuesday of each month, 6 p.m., 2718 Wakefield Rd., Wakefield Corner, 603-522-3189.

Wolfeboro Table Tennis, meets every Wed. from 4 – 6 p.m., in basement of All Saints Church, Wolfeboro, all skill levels welcome, $5 admission charge each week, info: 603-520-5651.

Spirit Guides: The Medium’s Connection To The Beyond

By Kathi Caldwell-Hopper

“I’m surprised you aren’t doing this story at Halloween,” jokes Kimberly Hancock of Gilmanton. She isn’t referring to ghosts and goblins; instead, she speaks of her works as a medium. But the world in which Kimberly resides and works is universal and not restricted to a commercialized holiday such as Halloween. In reality, it has nothing to do with ghost stories and things that go bump in the night.

Doing readings from her home office, Kimberly says she has always been sensitive to energy and as a child, was overwhelmed easily. “When I was in school, I didn’t really fit in; I was always a square peg in a round hole,” she remembers.

Some of us know what she is talking about, having a higher sensitivity to things we cannot explain. We might sense an unexpected visit, a family happening, or even “feel” the unseen presence of someone who has passed. It isn’t scary but rather baffling unless we know what these occurrences mean.

For Kimberly, sensitivity to another realm is an accepted part of her life. In college, she says, she, like many college kids, got into the party scene, but today, she realizes it is best if people don’t use outside influences (such as alcohol) to cope but, rather, figure out how to manage their lives.

After marriage, Kimberly and her husband built a house in historic Gilmanton. It wasn’t long before she sensed more in their home, and she

laughs, “I thought I was losing it! I even had a paranormal team visit our house. My husband went along with it to humor me.”

When she finally sought out a medium, Kimberly explained, “She helped me figure out how to manage my sensitivity. Then, I took some classes. But it took me a while to finally step into the label of ‘medium.’ At first, I called myself an angel reader because it had a gentler sound.”

Kimberly is confident in her abilities, says she taps into the “spirit” quite often, and believes all mediums are psychic, but not all psychics are mediums. She believes, “Our Spirit Guides/Family are with us all the time to help us. We need to invite them in in order for them to help, due to the law of human free will. We can do this by just asking. Using prayer is a way as well.”

Being able to sense spirits all the time

could be seen as intrusive, but Kimberly has gained the ability to close that door when needed and does not constantly open herself up to spirits. “If I am in the grocery store, I am shopping and not tapping into spirit,” she explains. If, however, a spirit approaches her while she is shopping, for instance, and wants her to give a fellow shopper a message, she holds back because, as she says, “not everyone is ready to hear the message.”

Kimberly sees herself as simply a messenger, and life isn’t always about the spirit world. There are times when someone who has passed insists Kimberly give a message to a loved one. She communicates to the spirit that they must create an opportunity to do so with the unexpected recipient. She cites an experience walking with her mother, and a neighbor came out to chat.

Kimberly felt that the woman’s husband, who had passed on, was standing beside his wife. “He kept bugging me, and finally, the conversation shifted where I was able to tell the woman her husband wanted her to know ‘he knew about the watch.’” It meant nothing to Kimberly, but the recipient of the message understood what her husband was telling her.

“We live in a multi-dimensional world,” explains Kimberly. “Things are there even when we can’t see them, much like air. We are co-habiting with spirit even if we cannot see it.”

Kimberly believes that when we pass, our higher self (our soul), leaves the body. We untether from our physical self and move on to a higher realm. It is during this transition that we are greeted by our loved ones and others who guide us to the next realm. Our soul then goes through processing and healing. Did we do and learn what we were supposed to?

Why does Kimberly immerse herself in spiritual work (she has office hours from home)? “I do this work because it is healing for people. This is what I am supposed to be doing. All of us can connect if we try. I’m not special, but I am open to connecting with spirits. I pick up on the signs, and I pay attention.”

The act of paying attention and welcoming those with something to say to

• Medium

continued on page 19

Kimberly Hancock, Medium and Energy Healer. (Courtesy photo)

• Medium continued on page 19

living loved ones can be exhausting, and Kimberly has learned, over the years, to close the door to that sensitivity and enjoy her “normal” life. Otherwise, she would burn out from the needs of those who want to speak with someone they care about who has passed on. It is sensitive, intimate work to say the least.

For example, Kimberly recently took a trip with her husband and some friends to Ireland and was, for the most part, able to relax and enjoy the country. These trips and downtimes are important so that when she steps into her mediumship role/office hours, Kimberly is fresh and ready to communicate with spirits.

People come to Kimberly with different agendas, but most want to know, above all else, if their deceased loved one is okay. They need to know what that person is doing after death. Kimberly believes spirits are doing what they want to do. “For example, my Dad was a big NASCAR fan. I hope he is driving around in a car and having fun!”

That is not to say that our loved ones are not always with us, which is very

comforting to those seeking help from Kimberly.

When doing a reading, Kimberly can be as unprepared as the client for what answers will come through. “I was giving a reading to a woman, and her best friend’s mother came through with a message. She wanted me to convey a message to the woman’s best friend.”

From her home office, Kimberly takes appointments, and offers readings and Mystic Divine Healing sessions. She is also considering giving some classes in the future and says she enjoys doing readings in front of a larger audience.

With a busy schedule, Kimberly has no plans to close up shop. “As long as people want me and I can help them, I will continue my work.”

Reflecting on her journey as a medium, Kimberly writes on her website, “We often believe when someone dies, they are gone. If we don’t see or feel them as they were, we think we have lost them. My work is to remind you that our loved ones are still around. They are still with us, still energetic and sometimes cracking jokes. Our job is to listen.”

For information, visit www.Kimberlyhancock.net

Perry Brothers Monuments

Quality Granite & Craftsmanship since 1938

Sandwich Home Industries

Profiles April Featured Artists

Sandwich Home Industries invites the community to the April “Artist Lecture” and “Meet the Artist” brunch.

Bob Fleck, a photographer has spent time photographing the seasons at the Quincy Bog Natural Area in Rumney, NH. Having published a book of his work, Bob has included thousands of photographs of wildlife, nature, and life on the bog. As the featured artist, Bob will share his work, the process he used to take the photographs, and how he selected the photos for the book. This event will take place on Sunday, April 21 at 2:00 p.m. at the Benz Center in Center Sandwich. Bob’s book will be for sale with proceeds going to support the Quincy Bog.

Have you ever wondered how an art-

“Let

ist takes a chuck of wood and turns it into a beautiful salad bowl? Come and meet wood-turning artist Andrew Eaton on Thursday, April 25 at 10:00 a.m. at the Benz Center. Andrew is self-taught and discovered a love for transforming rough wood into functional, artistic pieces. Andrew will share his story and the process he uses to create his art. Andrew will have pieces of his work for sale.

The mission of Sandwich Home Industries is to support local artists and bring quality programs and classes to the Lakes Region community. These events bring the community together with local artists to support this mission.

Myrl’s Distinctive Woodwork Reflects Attention To Detail

By Thomas P. Caldwell

Sometimes, the career one seeks leads to an entirely different vocation, and that certainly was the case for Myrl Phelps of Danbury, a member of the League of NH Craftsmen who produces one-of-a-kind wooden pieces ranging from cutting boards to intricate cabinetry.

Myrl, a graduate of Newfound Memorial High School in Bristol, attended the University of New Hampshire for a year and a half, spending the summer in between working for NH Fish and Game. Dropping out of college, he worked at Ragged Mountain Ski Area for the winter, still wondering what he wanted to do for a career.

“In the spring, I tried to enlist in the service,” he recalls. “I was trying to get into the Rangers.”

Passing the physical proved to be a problem, with scoliosis, or curvature of the spine, leading to a 4F designation, making him ineligible for the service because of his “bad back” — which amuses him because, the day before, he had mixed cement and carried 350 blocks for a local contractor who needed some help.

“The next day,” he said, “I’m lugging shingles up the ladder for five guys.”

Myrl found himself doing carpentry for the builder, Duke Evans, “off and

on” for 14 years, sometimes taking on jobs of his own. He later worked on the Forest Hills apartments in Franklin and other finish carpentry work.

“Then I got tired of everything and I went to New Zealand, Tasmania, and Australia for half a year,” he recalls. When he returned to the United States, he holed up in a remote cabin in New York, “two miles off a town-maintained road, no water, no sewage, no electricity. I was there for almost a year, just hanging out.”

Returning to work, he got a job at a door shop in Camden NY where he remained for a couple of years before coming back to do carpentry work in Danbury. There he met his future wife, Nancy.

“One day we were sitting on the couch and I was looking at Fine Woodworking magazine, and I said, ‘Oh, I’d like to be able to do this!’” Myrl said. Nancy supported the idea by sending him to the Center for Furniture Craftsmanship, an international woodworking school in Rockport ME, for nine months.

“I’ve been back numerous times for smaller classes,” Myrl says.

He also spent a year and a half learning wood-carving from an instructor in Hamden MA.

“I should be an expert carver, but I’m

not,” Myrl said modestly.

He set up his first shop in his mother’s garage, moving into his current shop on Route 4 in 2010. His pieces have gone to local buyers as well as to locations in Oregon and Florida.

“I just did something for a couple of

interior decorators in New London,” he said. “One piece that I did, which was a bookshelf, went up to Ogunquit, and she said she has a client over in Suna-

• Woodwork

continued on page 21

Myrl Phelps uses a chisel on a section of wood at his shop in Danbury. (Tom Caldwell Photo)

• Woodwork continued from page 20

pee that’s going to want a built-in, and I know she has clients in New York, too.”

Not all of his work is as large. A small box with a hidden storage area has gone to Australia. He made a set of keychains for the cabin doors at Timberloch Lodge in Bridgewater, which also had him make new signs for the lakeside cabin colony. In preparation of an upcoming wedding, he is making small cutting boards that can be given to the guests.

There have been purely practical pieces, such as a hutch and an entertainment center, and he has been called upon to create a base for an old statue, but Myrl especially enjoys making furniture with a flair for the unusual. Myrl likes to make a challenge of even simple jobs by adding unique features.

“That’s what makes them interesting,” Myrl says. “If you just see rectangles, you can go to Lowe’s and see rectangles.”

His family’s general store provides an opportunity to employ the full range of his talent. He has created simple wooden boxes, a newspaper rack, and a long coffee station complete with latched doors and a sink.

Myrl also built the bar at Tucker’s Restaurant in New London. He had to compensate for a slanting floor and work around two floor-to-ceiling beams, and it took two days to install it when it was finished.

One of Myrl’s most complicated projects, and one that called upon his knowledge of geometry, was a curving staircase he built for an 18,000-square-

foot home alongside Perkins Pond in Sunapee. The staircase curves in two directions with a curved landing partway up. Myrl had to build a template for the stairway in his shop, creating walls to bend and laminate the stringers and laying out the angles for the steps.

The stairway tapered from 10 feet wide at the bottom, and was built in two sections that he then had to transport from his shop to the site. It took two and a half years to complete the staircase, after which another contractor will build the handrails.

Myrl said he does not steam-bend the wood, instead using very thin sheets that he can curve and then laminate.

Sometimes, he creates pieces for other craftsmen. He made a knife block for Zack Jonas, a master bladesmith who lives in Warner. The task was complicated by having to accommodate knives of different lengths and different curvature of the blades.

sored by the Guild of New Hampshire Woodworkers in partnership with New Hampshire Furniture Masters that took place at the McAuliffe-Shepard Discovery Center in Concord in October 2023. Of some 135 craftsmen entering

their works, Myrl’s took Best of Show. Myrl’s shop is located at 861 NH Route 4, Danbury, and he has a website at myrlphelps.com. To reach him by phone, call 603-530-2679.

New Plastics Event: Saturday, April 13

Donated plastics ready for delivery

Myrl is making doors for the Grafton Meetinghouse that was damaged in a fire several years ago. “J.R.” Graton began the restoration project, but has handed it off to another historic restoration expert from Vermont to complete the job.

One of Myrl’s favorite pieces, and one he still displays in his shop, is a Chinese-inspired cabinet with ornate curves and doors that hang without hinges, instead employing carved pins that insert into the cabinet’s frame.

In addition to the League of NH Craftsmen, Myrl belongs to the Guild of New Hampshire Woodworkers, and he has been invited to join New Hampshire Furniture Masters. He entered the Chinese cabinet into a contest spon-

Weather permitting, the next plastics recycling collection will be held on Saturday, April 13, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Volunteers from the Green Sanctuary Committee of the Unitarian-Universalist Congregation and the Laconia/ Gilford Lions Club will be curbside in front of the Little White Church at 172 Pleasant St. in Laconia to collect donated clean, soft dry plastics.

At the same time and place, the Lions and the UU Social Justice Commit-

tee will be holding a food drive to benefit the Community Action Program (CAP) pantry. Of particular need are easy-access items and pop-top canned goods including canned soups, canned fruit, jams/ jellies, cereal, small jars of mayo, and personal care items.

Get an early start celebrating Earth Day this month by helping keep plastics out of our landfills. Last month’s effort generated 626 pounds of plastics.

Yesteryear

The Marvelous Women of Canterbury Shaker Village

By Kathi Caldwell-Hopper

Eldress Bertha Lindsay knew the Shaker way of life was coming to an end by the 1960s. It wasn’t ending because she was elderly, but rather the changing times of the world were leaving the old ways in the dust.

Likely Bertha was saddened, yet philosophical by the facts: No potential members were knocking on the door and asking to join the religious group. The truth was, the only way to survive, was to graciously accept the end of the religious group in Canterbury, New Hampshire, and ensure the actual buildings remained to be enjoyed by others into the future.

Bertha Lindsay came to the Shakers as a little girl. It was the early 1900s and Bertha’s parents had passed on. An elder sister arranged to transfer Bertha to the Shakers, knowing they took in orphans and raised them up with kindness.

Resisting this drastic change in her life at the outset, it wasn’t long before Bertha settled down and wrote later that she felt she had come home. The adult Sisters were kind to Bertha and that made the transition to her permanent home much easier.

It was indeed her home, and she lived the rest of her life, from childhood until she died in 1990, at Canterbury Shak-

er Village. According to information in Simple Gifts A Memoir of a Shaker Village by June Sprigg, once she reached the age of 21, Bertha had the choice to leave the Shakers and go into the world, but she decided to stay.

Bertha signed the Covenant and stepped into a life of meaning and commitment to God. Becoming a Shaker meant no spouse (the Shakers were a celibate sector), and no children, but those who joined the Shaker religion did so knowing the sacrifices as well as the gains.

Bertha was among the many outstanding and talented women who became Shaker Sisters. In her older years, Bertha was elevated to Eldress, one of the highest-ranking positions in the Society. Although she held power, kind-hearted Bertha was modest and never saw herself as above her fellow Shakers.

Over the years the community was thriving, the Shaker women shared their talents in cooking healthful and delicious meals, gardening, keeping the rooms of the big buildings spotless, raising the orphaned children that came into their care with compassion, and pursuing hobbies such as photography, herbal cures, painting, fiber work, and much more.

Bertha’s close friend, Sister Bertha

Lillian Phelps, arrived at Canterbury Shaker Village in the latter part of the 19th century. Lillian was from a Boston family and was encouraged to pursue music from a young age. When illness overcame her as a teenager, Lillian’s parents decided a summer at Canterbury Shaker Village to rest and recover would be just the thing. They had no idea they were changing the course of their daughter’s life. At just 16 years of age, she chose to join the Shakers and stayed with them.

At some point, Lillian and Bertha crossed paths at Shaker Village and became lifelong friends. Each had special talents. Bertha excelled at baking bread and was elevated to head baker and cook, feeding the many Shakers who were at one time part of the Society. Much later in life, Bertha put her recipes into a popular cookbook, Seasoned with Grace: Recipes from My Generation of Shaker Cooking, (with forward by Mary Rose Boswell). Lillian was a talented musician, playing the piano at many Shaker services.

As a loving community, the Shakers welcomed everyone and were accepting of differences. According to A Shaker Family Album by David R. Starbuck and Scott T. Swank, in 1895, Edith M. Green was admitted to the North Family of the Canterbury Shakers.

Edith was of mixed racial heritage and her father was a sailor from St. Thomas in the Dutch West Indies. Her mother was from Maine. Edith lived with the Canterbury Shakers and signed

Sister Edith Green at Canterbury Shaker Village. (courtesy Canterbury Shaker Village)

the Covenant in 1914. She stayed with the community the rest of her life and found peace among the Shakers where skin color meant little and being a good person meant everything.

Like many of the Shaker women, Edith brought her talents to the community. She was put in charge of the Shaker Creamery and canned a great deal of the food consumed by the Shakers. Edith passed away in 1951.

The Shakers seemed to be able to do just about anything and used their skills to make such items as poplarware and oval-shaped boxes. Both sold well in the Canterbury Shaker gift shop and are desired by collectors even today.

A beloved and independent Shaker was Gertrude Soule, one of whom relocated from the Sabbathday Lake Shak-

• Yesteryear continued on page 23

Meredith Fine Craft Gallery April Classes

Join the League of NH Craftsmen on Saturday, April 20, from 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 pm at the Meredith Fine Craft Gallery for a Silver Ring with a Bezel class with juried artist Joy Raskin.

In this one-day workshop, students will make a silver ring band out of wire or sheet metal and will make a bezel to set a cabochon stone. The bezel will then be soldered to the ring, a cabochon stone will be set, and the finished ring will be polished and ready to wear. Materials are not required, but students may bring in a favorite stone or any silver they may have. The instructor will supply silver wire and sheet, plus cabochon stones of assorted sizes for students to purchase.

Artist Patsy Frasier will be at the Meredith Fine Craft Gallery on Saturday, April 27, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. for a Needle Felted Fairy Door class. This class is suitable for beginners, but all skill levels are welcome.

Needle felt a lighted fairy door to invite the fairies into your world as they give you a little peek into their realm. Students will make their own felted fairy door, complete with small battery-powered LED lights.

Tuition is $45/ student with an additional materials fee of $20 paid by cash or check to the instructor on the day of the class. Space is limited. Pre-registration is required by Monday, April 22.

Fiber Arts at the Belknap Mill

The Belknap Mill in Laconia is offering a new Saturday program called Fun with Fiber Arts for Teens and Tweens.

Taking place on the second Saturday of each month, it will feature fiber art activities for ages 10 and up, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Some of the activities will include making looms, finger-knitting, and making friendship bracelets.

The Belknap Mill’s Saturday programs are free, but donations are welcome.

For adults looking to work on fiber arts projects, the Mill offers a Textile Circle on the fourth Saturday of each

• Yesteryear continued from page 22

er community in the 1960s. She loved children and talking about the Shakers, and she remained at Canterbury until she died in 1988. As talented as many of the other Shakers, Sister Gertrude was a dab hand at knitting and gardening, although she was not much of a cook.

month, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., and on the second Tuesday of the month, from 1 to 4 p.m. Visitors may bring spinning wheel, cross-stitch, knitting project, or whatever fiber art medium and join in for creative support and an exchange of ideas.

The Belknap Mill Museum is open Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. for self-guided tours. Learn how the Mill was once a hosiery manufacturer that used the Winnipesaukee River to generate hydroelectric power.

For more information about all the Saturday programs or the museum, visit: www.belknapmill.org.

the old Shaker songs.

Due to her skills and upstanding work in the community, Marguerite was appointed Lead Minister of the United Society and served as such until she died in 1971. Similar to Eldress Bertha, Sister Marguerite likely saw village membership dwindle, and was active in the creation of the Canterbury Shaker Village Museum, which now offers programs and tours to the public.

Tuition is $75/ student. The estimated cost of materials is up to $30, depending on the stones and amount of silver used by each student. This materials fee must be paid in cash or check to the instructor on the day of class. Space is limited. Pre-registration is required by Monday, April 15.

To register for these workshops, call the League of NH Craftsmen –Fine Craft Gallery at 603- 279-7920, or stop by the gallery located at 279 Daniel Webster Highway in Meredith. For more details, visit our website at meredith.nhcrafts.org/classes/ or the Facebook page at www.facebook.com/ nhcraft/.

Sister Marguerite Frost was born in Massachusetts and arrived at Canterbury Shaker Village in 1903 when she was 11 years of age. A serious and studious child, she embraced religion and by the time she was in her 20s, Sister Marguerite was the assistant teacher in the Shaker school. Amazingly, she also served at Canterbury Shaker Village as the community’s doctor in the 1940s. She was interested in herbal cures and wrote about the use of such herbs in medicine. Her talents were also musical, and she led a band in the community playing the saxophone, as she loved

Over the decades, the many women who came to call Canterbury Shaker Village home brought unique talents and backgrounds with them. Some were artists, writers, or teachers while others were musicians, photographers, chefs, or dabbled in medicine. Whatever their talents, the marvelous women of Canterbury Shaker Village shared their gifts with the community and in turn, with the outside world.

For a schedule of seasonal events and tours at Canterbury Shaker Village, visit www.shakers.org or call 603-783-9511.

The Tiny Art Show at ArtWorks

Gallery announces the 2nd Annual “Tiny Art Show” featuring the work of many creative students of the K.A. Brett School in Tamworth for the month of May.

These intrepid artists have been working on 2D and 3D pieces with the guidance of their teacher, Angela Driscoll as an ArtWorks community arts project.

Celebrate their achievements at an opening reception on Friday, May 3, from 5 to 7 p.m. Meet the diminutive artists, enjoy refreshments, and perhaps purchase a piece of tiny art for your very own. All proceeds go directly to the artists.

There will be a chance to meet ArtWorks member artists, view their work, and pick up the painting en plein air schedule of the Friday Painters. The

group offers a free opportunity to paint, draw, and photograph with artists each week. There is an opportunity to sign up for one of the fun workshops with member artists to learn basketry, painting, drawing, knitting, photography, clay, and collage, and a chance to discover your creative side in an encouragingly supportive setting.

For most tiny artists this is their first experience exhibiting. ArtWorks Gallery is the face of the Chocorua Creative Arts Center. Located at 132 White Mountain Hwy., it brings together a community of artists and art appreciators to share the joy the arts bring to our everyday lives. For more information, visit www.chocoruaArtWorks.com, or call 603-323-8041. The Gallery is open Thursdays through Mondays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Open-Water Landlocked Salmon Season Underway

Open-water landlocked salmon season is underway on New Hampshire’s large lakes including, Big Squam Lake, Lake Sunapee, and Lake Winnipesaukee. The New Hampshire Fish and Game Department also manages other waterbodies for landlocked salmon, including Big Dan Hole Pond, and First and Second Connecticut, Conway, Francis, Merrymeeting, Newfound, Ossipee, and Winnisquam Lakes. Pleasant Lake in New London is also managed for landlocked salmon, but is classified as a designated trout pond with an opening date of the fourth Saturday in April.

To ensure the future of high-quality landlocked salmon and other fisheries, anglers must take extra care when releasing salmon, as the percentage of hook-wounded fish continues to be a problem. Hook-wounded fish are significantly shorter and in poorer physical condition than non-hook-wounded fish of the same age. Using rubber nets, proper release techniques, and other considerations can minimize the negative effects of hook wounding, thereby increasing the number of quality-sized salmon available in the future.

For more information, visit www. wildlife.nh.gov/fishing-new-hampshire/catching-landlocked-salmon-nh/ prevent-hook-wounding

on Route 11B and Kimball Road with open field space. Improvements include a multi-family home, multiple freestanding buildings, and multiple cottage rental units. Zone: SFR. Tax Map 215, Lot 18.

INSPECTION: One hour prior to the auction, if permitted.

TERMS:

Gunstock Offers 2024-25 Season Passes

Now is the time to purchase Gunstock Mountain Resort season passes for the 2024/2025 winter, when prices are at their lowest and provide the greatest value. Purchase them now, before prices increase on May 1.

There are season pass options to suit every skier and snowboarder: Winter Prime, valid every day of the winter season with no blackout dates and the best selection of added benefits; Winter Midweek, valid midweek days only, excluding designated holiday periods; N.H. College Pass, a multi-mountain college pass with access to Gunstock, Cannon, Cranmore, and Waterville

Valley; Nordic Pass, providing unlimited access to Gunstock’s entire cross-country and mixed-use trail network.

Gunstock’s age-based pricing structure provides value for everyone: Youth (6-17), Young Adult (18-29), Adult (30-59), and Senior (60-69).

Gunstock also continues to offer its Winter Prime Buckaroo Pass for children under 6, and Winter Prime Golden Pass for 70-and-older skiers and riders, both priced at $55.

“There will never be a better time than right now to purchase a Gunstock season pass for next winter,” said

Gunstock Director of Resort Services Robin Rowe. “In addition to securing the lowest price available for a season pass, purchasing during the spring sale provides skiers and riders with the greatest number of BFF 50-percent-off vouchers to share next winter, plus generous discounts throughout the season on food and beverage, tuning and repairs, retail purchases, rentals, and more. And we even offer a convenient payment plan as part of our Spring Pass Sale to make buying a pass easier for our valued passholders.”

In an effort to provide the best on-mountain experience for all skiers

and riders, Gunstock limits the number of season passes sold each year. Season pass sales end when a set number of passes have been sold. Winter Prime passes sold out this year prior to the opening day of the ’23/’24 season. Those who hold season passes can rest assured that they get a guaranteed spot on the mountain all winter long, with no reservations needed.

Visit www.gunstock.com/winter/ season-pass/ before May 1 to purchase a 2024-25 season pass at the lowest price offered.

Artist Susan Spellman Exhibit At Effingham Public Library

Dual artist Susan Spellman, accomplished illustrator and painter, will exhibit her art at the Effingham Public Library throughout April and May. Susan is a visual storyteller who satisfyingly explores and interprets the visual world around us. Working most days in the studio, she also enjoys one or two days

a week to join fellow Plein Air (open air) painters, setting up her easel to capture the beautiful scenery around New England.

Spellman began her career as an illustrator working for Educational Directions Inc., a company where she illustrated educational filmstrips such as

fairy tales and folklore, since learning the process of visual storytelling. For the last four decades, she has illustrated over 40 books and has created illustrations for children’s magazines, puzzles, and a variety of educational publications. Most recently, three of the books she has illustrated have won four nation-

al and regional awards.

The Effingham Public Library is a community center with books, offering free library cards, programming, and social activities for all. For a calendar of events, or more information, visit effingham.lib.nh.us/ or call 603-5391537.

Getting Help Around The Yard: Hiring A Landscaper

By Mark Okrant

Spring is just around the corner.

Homeowners in the Lakes Region are beginning to plan the layout of their front, back, and side yards. This is where landscaping, with the help of a professional, is an important consideration.

Landscaping refers to any activity that modifies the visible features of an area of land, including living elements such as flora or fauna, by what is commonly called gardening — the growing of plants with a goal of creating beauty within the landscape. Other landscaping elements to be considered include terrain shape and elevation, bodies of water, and weather and lighting conditions. Landscaping requires understanding of horticulture and artistic design, but it is not limited to those factors. Sculpting land to enhance accessibility and usability are other elements of landscaping.

Designers refer to landscaping as an extension of the rooms in a house, with each serving a function. Understanding of the entire site is one of the chief essentials for successful landscaping, with a focus upon the position of the sun, terrain, topography, soil qualities, prevailing winds, depth of the frost line, and native flora and fauna. Sometimes the land is not naturally fit for landscaping, necessitating that it be graded or the soil improved by means of cutting or filling.

A properly planned landscape design is the cornerstone of every project. An experienced landscaper takes time to

understand the special set of circumstances on each property, along with the client’s own needs and desires.

Unless a property owner has experience in doing such work, the services of a professional landscaper can be essential. Help is available within the Lakes Region, as there are more than 20 landscaping businesses situated in the communities surrounding Lake Winnipesaukee. Each of those businesses places a high value on the natural beauty of the Lakes Region. A reliable landscaping firm prioritizes the conditions and long-term needs of the region’s variable environment to create beautiful, lasting spaces.

Once existing conditions are evaluated, the next step involves building or enhancing that landscape. There are several options to consider, including grading and tying the landscaping into a proper drainage system. That is one area where many do-it-yourselfers lack sufficient skill. When considering the installation of a driveway or set of driveways, it is important to consider slope and weather before selecting a surface material.

Other skills that your local landscaper can offer include installation of lawns — using hydroseeding or sod — as well as gardens and plantings, and water features. Finally, there are features made from stone and other materials, such as firepits, stonewalls, walkways, and patios.

Those are the most visible contributions of a reliable landscaper, but there are numerous other important services

that are available, including lawn mowing and fertilizing, pruning and fertilizing of trees and shrubs, soil aeration, spraying for deer, and gardening, as well as seasonal cleanup services.

As any homeowner will tell you, planting a garden is both the most time-consuming and rewarding aspect of outdoor living. Each of us has experienced the pain that goes with pruning and edging our cherished personal Eden. However, there are other elements of gardening, especially pest control, that necessitate the presence of a greater amount of knowledge. That is yet another case where an experienced landscape professional serves us.

A visit to Google will bring you right to the websites of those landscape professionals we mentioned earlier. One of the larger firms is Miracle Farms Landscape Contractors, a full-service lawn and landscape design, build, and maintenance company located in Moultonborough (telephone 603-253-9292).

The president of Miracle Farms is Christopher Maroun. His is a full-service landscaping company, providing all services in-house, with a mix of 20 percent maintenance and 80 percent construction.

Landscape firms are gearing up for spring cleanup. Spring is the season of growth, renewal, and repair. When winter’s cold, snow, and ice disappear, chaos is left behind. A spring cleanup helps turf and the overall landscape to recover from winter. By hiring Miracle Farms or one of the other 20-plus professional landscapers within the region,

spring cleanup can include the following menu of services:

• Removing fallen branches, twigs, and winter debris from all established lawn and landscaped areas

• Power raking lawn areas to eliminate residual winter problems

• Edging all established beds

• Inspecting shrubs for damage from snow and/or plowing and pruning as needed

• Sweeping and removing gravel and sand from the edge of lawn, driveways, and walkways

• Mulching to protect plants’ root systems, slow the erosion of topsoil, and help to prevent weeds and retain moisture

• Bark blowing

I asked Maroun whether his business sits idle during the winter months. I learned that he has another company called Miracle Farms Property Management that is geared toward maintaining houses while people are away from New Hampshire. They do property checks in the winter as well as remodeling jobs. While the landscaping business in winter is mostly dead, this provides time to do hardscape work, such as building stone walls and patios as well as some excavation work.

Yes, warmer weather is on the way. If you’re like this columnist, your lawn mower was sold to a new owner at a yard sale long ago. The science of grass height was always like a for-

• Landscaper continued on page 29

Homes

Makers Mill volunteers Dave Ford and Shawn Papp review the site work drawings for Phase Two of renovations, which the organization aims to commence this spring if they are able to match a $150,000 challenge grant from a local foundation. Phase Two focuses on improved safety, energy efficiency, and improved parking and stormwater management.

Makers Mill Plans Phase Two Development

Wolfeboro’s Makers Mill has announced a matching grant to spur on efforts to raise the money necessary for the second phase of its construction project. If the work can begin this spring, it may be possible wrap up the work in the fall, before snow flies.

When Global Awareness Local Action (GALA) purchased the former Wolfeboro Power Equipment building at 23 Bay Street, Wolfeboro, to establish the county’s first dedicated community “makerspace” a community place where people can turn an idea

into a completed project. The group did not anticipate the hurdles it would face in realizing its goals. Because the project constituted a change of use, they had to make improvements to the building to meet current codes.

Josh Arnold, executive director of the Makers Mill, said, “In hindsight, I’m so glad it did [happen], because the steps that followed were absolutely the right way to approach this project.”

• Maker’s Mill conitnued on page 30

• Landscaper continued on page 29

eign language, anyway. Professionals tell us that lawns should be mowed to maintain a 2½-inch to 3-inch height.

Professionals strongly advise not to exceed seven days between mowing to maintain a neat, clean appearance. This includes weed whacking around all buildings, planting beds, utilities, and

trees, then blowing off all walkways, drives and patios to remove clippings, leaves, and debris. Try telling that to my golf partners and me.

I love my lawn and garden as much as the next person. However, with so many excellent professional landscaper options to choose from, why not spend your time smelling the roses, not pruning them.

The group completed a six-month master-planning and visioning process, allowing residents to share their hopes and dreams for the makerspace, after which the architects and engineers compiled all the ideas and weighed them against zoning, infrastructure limitations, and building codes. The architects came back with a construction project budget of $4 million, more than 10 times what GALA had paid for the building.

“Knowing everything I know now, this price tag wouldn’t shock me in the least, but at the time, my jaw had to be picked up off the floor, and I remember leaving that meeting questioning if we had really gotten in over our heads,” Josh recalled. “But by this time, there was no turning back.”

The project was divided into two phases, the first making the building code-compliant so they could start running programs. Through grants and private donations, they raised enough money to complete Phase One, allowing Makers Mill to open its doors to the public in October 2022.

Now Makers Mill is in a final fundraising effort to launch Phase Two, which will address the site work, including stormwater drainage and parking, an upgraded HVAC system, improved second-floor egress, and the building of a classroom and digital design and fabrication lab. Simons Architects is finalizing the design, while Milestone Engineering & Construction will again serve as the construction manager.

In its first year alone, hundreds of classes, on everything from woodworking, machining, and metalsmith-

We Specialize in Oversized Moves!

ing to jewelry making, weaving, embroidery, mending, upcycling, digital design, leatherwork, watercolor, sketching, paper craft, abstract acrylic art, 3D printing, welding, stained glass, robotics, and electronics — and even some of the organization’s original programs, like starting plants from seed and apple tree grafting — have taken place at Makers Mill. A certified career counselor visits weekly, and a business advisor from Small Business Development Corporation is available to support entrepreneurs. The Farmers’ Market, Cub Scouts, 4H Robotics, Wolfeboro Robotics, Kingswood Youth Center, Girls Leadership Camp, and Wolfeboro Chamber of Commerce have made use of the space.

“This first year’s success has also meant that we’ve come up against the limitations of Phase One faster than we thought, meaning we need to finish the renovation job we started,” Josh said.

The volunteer committee overseeing Phase Two includes local architectual and design professionals, Jillian D’Amato and Josh Howell, local landscaper and longtime GALA volunteer Shawn Papp, and David Ford, Wolfeboro’s former public works director.

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“This is an all-star volunteer team to be working with, to say the least,” says Josh Arnold. “And thank goodness, because there have already been plenty of curveballs.”

Escalating costs are the biggest challenge. The majority of the cost of Phase Two will be covered by a $1 million forgivable loan from the Community Development Finance Authority (CDFA), supplemented by local private donors and foundations, but Makers Mill still was facing an approximately $300,000 shortfall when a local foundation offered a $150,000 matching grant challenge: It will match every dollar up to $150,000 as an incentive for others to help close the budget gap and keep construction on schedule. For more information about Makers Mill and its fundraising effort, along with a list of classes, visit www.makersmill.org or call the office at 603-5691500 to speak with Carol Holyoake or Josh Arnold. You can also email info@makersmill.org or attend one of the free public tours offered every Friday morning at 10 o’clock and on the first Saturday of each month at 23 Bay Street, Wolfeboro. Makers Mill is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. •