TheLaker_Aug_21_2023

Weirs Beach Drive-In Is Second Oldest in State

By Thomas P. Caldwell

Once a mainstay of the American experience, drive-in theaters have all but disappeared from the landscape. Weirs Beach, which has one of the three remaining drive-ins in New Hampshire, also has the largest, with four screens.

Although faced with closure several times, the Weirs Drive-In Theater continues to offer open-air viewing, with first-run films such as “Mission Impossible - Dead Reckoning”.

Opening on July 9, 1949, the Weirs Drive-In was the second to appear in the state. (The first, according to Ryan Mullahy who has compiled a history of drive-ins, was the Northfield Drive-In Theater on the New Hampshire-Massachusetts border, which opened in 1948.)

Harry and Yvonne Gaudet were the first owners of the Weirs Drive-In, which opened with a capacity of 500 cars on a 15-acre tract of land. The single 36- by 52-foot screen, built of asbestos flex-board, was on a tower that was 50 feet long and 60 feet high. Offices were located in the wings of the tower, and the projection room was a 12- by 8-foot cement block building set back 250 feet from the screen tower. The projection room also contained concessions.

Laconia historian Warren Huse shared newspaper accounts of the new drive-in theater: “Three carloads of cement were required and the forms were built by Holland and Crossett, local building contractors. Electrical instal-

lation was by Maurice Tibbetts.”

Among Huse’s newspaper files was the mention that, in late September 1956, “Mr. Roberts” and “Rebel Without A Cause” were screened at the Weirs Drive-In Theater.

Mullahy noted, “In the early days, the theater featured carbon arc projectors, vacuum tube speakers, and a snack bar.”

Henry Gaudet died in 1966 and his daughter, Pauline, and son-in-law Donald Drouin became managers. Then, on July 26, 1968, Yvonne Gaudet sold the drive-in to the Drouins.

“Other than a brief period, the Drou-

ins owned and operated the drive-in until 1974, when they sold it to Lawrence and Patricia Baldi,” Mullahy writes.

The Baldis added a second screen in the mid-1980s, later adding two additional screens, which made it New Hampshire’s only four-screen drive-in theater. There were many other upgrades over the years in both projections and audio systems, with the theater going digital in 2015. The drive-in ultimately attained a capacity of 1,000 cars.

The Native American Challenge

In mid-July 1978, archeologists and

students from the University of New Hampshire, assisted by 10 students from Laconia and Gilford high schools, spent eight weeks at Weirs Beach, combing the site behind the Weirs Drive-In Theater for Native American artifacts.

The Weirs is named for the baskets that the indigenous people used to catch the shad that migrated up the Winnisquam River and into Lake Winnipesaukee. Their village, Aquadoctan (“place of good fishing”), was one of the largest known Native American villages in what is now the state of New Hampshire.

The archaeological remains extend for a half-mile along the river and a quarter-mile along the lake, with evidence of settlement from 9,000 BCE to the late seventeenth century. The site was mostly abandoned by 1696, when most of the remaining native population withdrew to join the Pequawket at present-day Fryeburg, Maine.

Former state archeologist Richard Boisvert called the drive-in site “one of the densest, potentially most important archeological sites that we know of in New Hampshire.”

When Pat Baldi put the property on the market in May 2015, for $2.5 million dollars, concerns about the archaeological artifacts eventually caused a potential sale to fall through. Baldi said the concerns were unwarranted, contending that anything found on the

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Weirs Beach Drive-In circa 1960

Ball in the House Penultimate Show in Summer Concert Series

The final concert of the Friends of the Wolfeboro Community Bandstand summer concert series will bring an act to the bandstand that has made a name for itself around the country.

Ball in the House is five guys with five voices and that’s it. Based in Boston, the band takes a cappella to the next stage, with beatbox and vocal bass under cool harmonies to create a sound that is hard to believe.

The band has performed around the country, performing about 250 concerts a year and they’ve released a number of CDs and have been featured on Cool Whip television and radio ads. The group has also shared the stage with artists such as The Beach Boys, Gladys Knight, the Jonas Brothers, Jessica Simpson, Fantasia, Blondie, The Temptations, Smokey Robinson, KC and the Sunshine Band and Kool and the Gang, just to name a few.

Ball in the House consists of Dave Guisti, Wallace Thomas, Monty Hill, Kevin Guest and beatbox Jon J. Ryan.

Guisti was born and raised in Dorchester, Mass., with a love of music starting in first grade when he was in the play, Pinocchio and sang his first

song. He attended the Boston Boys Choir, performed in many musicals in high school and was a vocal performance major at Berklee College of Music.

Hill grew up in Chaptico, Md., a place where he could sing and play his trumpet as loud as he wanted to. He was involved in band and chorus during elementary and middle school and in high school was introduced to musical theater. He received a full academic and music scholarship to Morgan State University, studying vocal music with a concentration in musical theater. He toured the world with the Morgan State University Choir.

Guest grew up in Westborough, Mass. His love of music began in the fifth grade when he picked up the trumpet and playing many different styles in many different types of ensembles sharpened his musicianship. His love of choral music began in his senior year in high school. He studied at Ithaca College, where he was a four-year member of the award-winning group, Ithacapella

Ryan grew up in Boston and met Guisti in fifth grade at the Boston Boys’ Choir School, where he got into music. In high school he discovered the magic of keyboards and drum machines and took up bass. At Skidmore College, he caught the a cappella bug and after graduating with music honors, he sang in numerous groups while teaching music and piano lessons. He saw Andrew Chaikin perform with another

group, which served as his inspiration to become a beatboxer.

Thomas was born in Jacksonville, Fla. to two musical parents. He began taking piano and voice lessons early on and turned his focus to vocals in high school. He majored in music at Florida State University, where he was introduced to a cappella music. After college, he joined the Air Force, among other professions and continued to sing wherever he could.

The concert may feature songs from artists such as Stevie Wonder, Michael Jackson, Bruno Mars, Earth Wind and Fire, Bee Gees, John Lennon and more. Information on the band can be found at ballinthehouse.com or on Facebook and Twitter. They also have numerous videos on YouTube at bithvideo.

Ball in the House will perform at the Wolfeboro Community Bandstand on Saturday, Aug. 26, from 7 to 9 p.m. The bandstand is located in Cate Park in downtown Wolfeboro. The concerts are free though there will be a pass-thebucket offering taken at intermission to help support the Friends of the Wolfeboro Community Bandstand. In the event of inclement weather, the concert will be canceled and a sign will be posted at the entrance to the park near the town docks and on the Friends of the Bandstand’s Facebook page.

“Old Man” Exhibit at Winnipesaukee Museum

On Wednesday, August 23rd at 7 PM, the Lake Winnipesaukee Museum will host a presentation on the history and legacy of the iconic Old Man of the Mountain, which collapsed twenty years ago in May 2003. Since seating is limited, advance reservations are requested, by e-mail to lakewinnipesaukeemuseum@gmail.com or by phone 603-3665950. This free Humanities to Go program is supported by a grant from the New Hampshire Humanities.

Speaker Inez McDermott is the guest curator of the exhibition “An Enduring Presence: The Old Man of the Mountain” on view at the Museum of the White Mountains at Plymouth State University this summer. The Old Man of the Mountain remains a prominent New Hampshire icon, still used as an official and unofficial emblem across the state. Professor McDermott’s talk “The Old Man: His Life and Legacy,” explores the role that the Old Man has played in shaping New Hampshire’s identity from its first recorded discovery in the early 19th century until today.

Both the Museum of the White Mountains and the Lake Winnipesaukee Museum are members of the expanding New Hampshire Heritage Museum

Trail, which offers a Passport admissions program sponsored by the Bank of New Hampshire. Trail passports, which provide admission to 21 member institutions, are now available for $25 (a $150 value) at all participating museums. The Heritage Museum Trail’s mission is to connect the public with culturally rich heritage institutions throughout New Hampshire (see www.nhmuseumtrail.org for more information).

The Lake Winnipesaukee Historical Society was founded in 1985 with the mission to promote and preserve the history and heritage of the Big Lake and its vicinity. Programs focusing on the Lakes Region and New Hampshire history are held on Wednesdays during the summer season. Located at 503 Endicott Street North, next to Funspot in the Weirs, the museum is open Wednesdays through Saturdays from 10 AM to 4 PM, through mid-October.

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property was due to the dredging of the Weirs Channel in the 1940s. Soil was trucked into Weirs Beach to level the ground at the drive-in. There was further dredging in 1950.

That claim received some confirmation when teams from Dartmouth College resumed archaeological work in late 2022 and the spring of 2023. They found evidence of soil that had been dredged from various locations around the region, resulting in a mixed layer that included ancient arrowheads, square-cut nails, bottle glass, window glass, and ceramics.

The New Hampshire Preservation Alliance named both the Weirs DriveIn and its archaeological site to its 2021 “Seven To Save” list of historic sites in need of protection, stating, “Preserving both the indigenous history and below ground resources AND the historic drive-in may be compatible continuing

uses.”

Continuing Operations

Even while it was up for sale (a total of six times in recent years), the theater mostly remained in full operation, with Baldi converting its 35mm projectors to digital in 2015, in order to handle industry innovations.

When Pat Baldi made the decision to retire in 2017, the drive-in closed for a season, but her grandson, Kevin Baldi, stepped up to re-open it.

Today, the drive-in remains a favorite destination for its uniqueness and the nostalgia value. The box office opens at 7 p.m., with the cost for a vehicle with two passengers being $25, and $10 for each additional person. Children ages 4 and under are admitted at no charge.

For more information, including what shows are playing, see https:// weirsdrivein.com

Advice To The Players Presents An Iliad

Advice To The Players presents

An Iliad by Lisa Peterson and Denis O’Hare, based on Homer’s The Iliad translated by Robert Fagles. This production is generously sponsored by 603 Property Group.

An Iliad is a modern-day retelling of Homer’s classic. Poetry and humor, the ancient tale of the Trojan War and the modern world collide in this captivating theatrical experience. The setting is simple: the empty theater. The time is now: the present moment. The lone figure onstage is a storyteller—possibly Homer, possibly one of the many bards who followed in his footsteps. The storyteller is fated to tell this story throughout history. An Iliad will open August 25th at 5:30 in Quimby Park, 8 Maple St in Sandwich. There are performances August 25th-27th, Friday through Sunday. As well as September 1 & 3 at 4 pm also in Quimby Park. Tickets are available at advicetotheplayers.org. In the event of rain, performances will move inside to the adjacent Town Hall Theater. The final performance of An Iliad will be at Castle in the Clouds on August 27th (with its own rain location on site). Advice

To The Players is so excited about this new partnership; stay tuned for many more collaborations to come!

The Poet will be portrayed by MaConnia Chesser*. MaConnia is an actor and producer, and the Administra-

tive Director of The Center for Actor Training at Shakespeare & Company. Last season, she earned a Berkshire Theatre Award for Outstanding Solo Performance for her role as The Poet in An Iliad, and has been seen in several Shakespeare & Company productions including King Lear, The Merry Wives of Windsor, As You Like It, Intimate Apparel, and many others. She’s also appeared with the Notre Dame Shakespeare Festival, WAM Theatre, Ancram Opera House, Actors’ Shakespeare Project, Kennedy Center, NJ Rep, and several other companies, and is a Helen Hayes Award nominee. The Muse accompanying the show is recent Plymouth State graduate, Kaci Cochran. This beautiful and poignant production is directed by Kelly Galvin.

Advice To The Players is a unique company of theater professionals, enthusiastic community members, and energetic teens that have been performing Shakespeare and offering workshops in the Lakes and White Mountains Regions of New Hampshire since 1999. Based in Sandwich, ATTP has spent the last 24 years bringing award-winning productions of William Shakespeare’s richly passionate plays to life while introducing new generations to live theatre.

*Appears courtesy of Actors Equity Association, the union of professional actors and stage managers

Forest Pump & Filter Co.

Learn a Primitive Folk Art –

Create a Penny “Rugg” Pillow

The Center Sandwich Fine Craft Gallery, which is a founding member of the League of NH Craftsmen, is offering a new class on an old tradition –using the Penny “Rugg” tradition to make a Folk Art Pillow. On Saturday, September 9 from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM, League of NH Craftsmen Juried Artisan Nancy Hubbard will teach participants to apply this traditional folk art to a pillow that they can display and use in their homes upon completion.

Penny Ruggs, a primitive folk art that is mostly of New England origin, was popular from the mid to late 1800s after the Civil War and during the Victorian Era. The penny rugg was used as a decorative accent on blanket chests, walls, beds and tables to absorb oil from kerosene lamps.

Using scraps of wool or felt, in rich colors, primitive shapes taken from nature, the moon, stars and layers of circles (pennies), were appliqued with a blanket stitch and embellished with simple embroidery. During the Victorian Era, they became more ornate with the addition of lambs tongues and more decorative stitches. The word penny was “coined” to the ruggs because large copper “pennies” of the day were used as templates for cutting the circles. The rugg was spelled with two gs to differentiate it from that which was placed on the floor.

This technique is a fabulous way to create beautiful decorative accents for the home, and apply to clothing and accessories. The possibilities are endless. It’s easy, it’s fun and you will be learning and almost lost folk art. Learn the fascinating history of this almost forgotten folk art, and the simple stitches that were used to create them. You will learn the stitching techniques needed to create a charming accent pillow and go home with a finished product. This is a great class for anyone with sewing, quilting or embroidery background but no experience is required to attend.

Additional details about the class including tuition and materials required as well as registration information can be found on the gallery’s website (centersandwich.nhcrafts.org). It is part of the Sandwich Home Industries’ mission to provide a variety of affordable craft workshops for our community. In order to help students with the cost of our classes we are offering scholarships of up to $50, or half the class tuition, whichever is less. In addition to the website, more information can be found by calling 603-284-6831 or by visiting The League of NH Craftsmen Gallery at 32 Main Street in the historic village of Center Sandwich. The Gallery will be open through Mid-October from 10-5 on Monday through Saturday and 12-5 on Sunday.

603-569-3128

603-253-9360

603-875-3128

Recipes for Rainy Days

By Kelly Ross

Hi Lakes Region, I have some more food fun for you today. I know it’s still summer, but let’s face it, it certainly hasn’t been the best or driest summer we have ever seen, so many of the grills out there haven’t been as active as they would usually be for a summer season. As a result, I have had a couple readers ask for some fun indoor recipes with a twist on usual recipes, although now that I share these, I hope it puts a jinx on Mother Nature’s need to drown us the past few months as we can always cook inside, right?

Regardless of the weather, I think you will find a use for these at some point in time. All of these can easily be used right now, and a few make great potluck things to bring to the next one you are invited to or host. I have three that will work as an appetizer or as a meal for some of you, baked peaches for a phenomenal dessert, and for starters, let’s do a potato salad using sweet potatoes and bacon. This mayo-less spud salad is made with a zippy mustard vinaigrette and is arguably the best variation on potato salad ever, plus healthier. The whole process will take 45 minutes and will feed 6 as a side dish, so feel free to double it up for a potluck get together.

Sweet Potato Salad

4-6 slices thick-cut bacon cooked

3 large, sweet potatoes peeled and cut into rough ¾ inch chunks

1 cup thinly sliced celery hearts

1 cup green onions thinly sliced

1 jalapeño seeded and minced

2 tbsp whole-grain mustard

2 garlic cloves minced

3 tbsp rice vinegar

3 tbsp olive oil

¼ tsp kosher salt

1/8 tsp black pepper

Bring a pot of salted water to a boil, then add the sweet potatoes. Simmer just until fork tender, about 10-15 minutes depending upon the size of your potato chunks. Drain, gently and quickly rinse with cold water, then set aside. Cook the bacon. Once cool, crumble it into a large bowl. Add the celery and green onions. For the mustard dressing, whisk together the jalapeño, mustard, garlic, vinegar, olive oil, salt, and pepper. Add the sweet potatoes to the bowl with the bacon, drizzle with the dressing, then toss gently to combine. Taste and season with additional salt/ pepper as desired. Serve warm, chilled, or at room temp. This is so wicked good. If you want to try a little on the warm side, to give it a try, put a small bowl of it in the microwave on a me-

dium heat for a couple of minutes, see if needs a little more heat, and give it a try. I love it all 3 ways and have served it at get-togethers in all temps depending on the accompanying main course.

Unless you are a vegetarian, I don’t think I’ve ever met someone who didn’t like chicken fingers. This version may chase a few away though as these have a Thai twist to them, and they are oven baked as opposed to deep fried, which is the usual way to cook them, but oven-baking them is a healthier option. These are deliciously sticky and the yummiest of chicken fingers. The breading on these is made with crushed Rice Chex and almond slices, or with panko crumbs if preferred. Most chicken fingers are kind of run-of-themill, although still good, but these are over the top. Granted, usually, chicken fingers are more of a kid staple than the adult crowd, but these bad boys switch that dynamic around in a 180 kind of way. This recipe makes close to 2 dozen fingers. Prep time is about a half hour, the fingers need to sit under refrigeration after for at least another 30 minutes, and cook time is 30-40 minutes.

Sticky Thai Chicken Fingers

1 ¾-2 lbs chicken breasts cut into 1-inch thick strips

½ cup all-purpose flour

Salt and pepper

2 eggs

2 tbsp milk

4 cups Rice Chex pulverized into 2 cups crumbs or 2 cups panko breadcrumbs

¾ cup sliced almonds, divided

¼ cup cilantro, chopped

For the sauce

½ cup sweet chili sauce

½ cup water

¼ cup brown sugar

¼ cup Tamari or soy sauce

2 tbsp rice vinegar

2 tbsp fresh squeezed lime juice

½ tsp ground ginger

1 glove garlic, micro planed or minced

¼ tsp red chili pepper flakes, or more or less, depending on your taste

Line 2 baking sheets with foil then spray very well with nonstick spray and set aside. Whisk eggs and milk in a shallow dish. Add ½ cup almond slices to a food processor then process until mostly fine crumbs and then pour into another shallow dish. Add Rice Chex to food processor then process until fine crumbs and then add to al-

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mond crumbs. Season almond/bread crumb mixture lightly with salt and pepper and combine well. Add flour, ¾ tsp salt, and ½ tsp pepper to a large Ziplock bag then toss with chicken fingers until well coated. In batches, shake excess flour from chicken fingers then dunk into egg mixture, and then roll in almond/crumb mixture, pressing to make sure crumbs stick. Place onto prepared baking sheets then refrigerate for 30 minutes to let breading fully adhere. Make sure you don’t skip this step or breading will fall off. Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Spray the tops of chicken fingers with extra virgin olive oil or nonstick spray then bake for 10 minutes. Flip them, spray the tops of chicken fingers again with nonstick spray. Place back into the oven, flipping and rotating baking sheets, and then bake for 7-9 more minutes or until chicken fingers are golden brown and cooked through. Meanwhile combine ingredients for sauce in a small saucepan and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Lower heat to medium then cook until sauce is reduced and slightly thickened, 5-6 minutes. Pour into a wide bowl then dunk baked chicken fingers into sauce using tongs and place back onto baking sheets. Bake for 4-5 more minutes, watching closely to avoid burning, then serve sprinkled with remaining 1/4 cup sliced almonds and chopped cilantro. Such a great twist on fingers.

Let’s bring some steak into our mix of recipes today. This recipe is done with bite-sized cuts of steak, using just about any cut of beef you care to use,

done in a skillet with a Cajun butter sauce that gives you some bites that are succulent, tender, with awesome crispy edges. These go together in record time, there is zero marinating time, total time is 20 minutes max, and as an app, this is great for a few of you. They will not disappoint. This recipe includes a homemade mix for Cajun seasoning, but if preferred, just use 3-4 tbsp Cajun seasoning.

Cajun Butter Steak Bites

1 tbsp mild paprika

1 ½ tsp salt

1 ½ tsp garlic powder

1 tsp onion powder

1 tsp chili powder or more depending on your taste

¾ tsp dried thyme

½ tsp dried oregano

½ tsp brown sugar

½ - ¾ tsp cayenne pepper, add more if you like extra heat

¼ tsp cracked black pepper to taste

1 ½-1 ¾ lbs steak, cut into 2-inch cubes…..sirloin, rump, NY strip, porterhouse, ribeye, any cut

1-2 tbsp canola oil, divided

¼ cup butter

4 cloves garlic finely chopped

Combine the first 10 ingredients in a shallow bowl. Add the steak bites to the mix and toss to evenly coat. Heat 2 tsp oil in a skillet or pan over medium-high heat until hot. Sear the steak bites in batches for 2-3 minutes on each side until edges are crispy and browned, adding extra oil as needed. Set them aside. Reduce heat to medium. Add butter to the skillet and heat until melted. Sauté the chopped garlic until fragrant, about 30 seconds, while scraping up any browned bits from the

pan. Take the pan off the heat. Throw the steak bites back in and toss through the garlic butter to evenly coat. Serve them right up.

Shrimp is easily my favorite treat from the water world. It is the sea’s version of a chameleon in that it is as versatile as anything in that there are so many ways to create a great dish with them. This version has a great unique-

ness to it. This dish gives you some delicious crispy shrimp, combined with honey-glazed walnuts and a kicker sauce. If you prefer to use this as a dinner, I suggest serving it over a bed of rice, but it also makes an incredible appetizer just the way they are. This can be done in a half hour and will • ‘Cue the Grill continued on page 10

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serve 4 as a meal over rice or some other side dish and may take care of an extra couple of you as an appetizer.

Honey Walnut Shrimp

For the Walnuts

2 tbsp honey

2 tbsp water

½ cup walnut halves

For the Sauce

1/3 cup plain Greek yogurt

3 tbsp honey

¼ tsp kosher salt

¼ tsp black pepper

1 tsp lemon juice or white vinegar

For the Shrimp

1 lb of 26/30 count raw shrimp, peeled and deveined, tails off or on

¼ cup cornstarch

¼ tsp kosher salt

2 large egg whites

3 tbsp canola oil divided

Cooked brown rice or white rice for serving, optional

Green onions, chopped for serving

To make the walnuts, set a sheet of parchment paper on a cutting board or plate near your stove. In a small skillet, heat the honey and water over medium heat, whisking to combine. As soon as the mixture starts to boil, add the walnuts. With a spoon, stir to coat the walnuts in the sizzling liquid, until the skillet is almost dry. Resist the

urge to taste a walnut, they are extremely hot. Transfer the walnuts immediately to the parchment paper, spreading them into a single layer. Set aside to cool. For the sauce, in a medium bowl, stir together the yogurt, honey, salt, pepper, and lemon juice or vinegar. Set it aside. For the shrimp, using paper towels, pat the shrimp dry. In a large bowl, whisk together the egg whites, cornstarch, and salt until no lumps remain. The mixture will be thick, sticky, and reminiscent of Elmer’s glue. Add the shrimp. Stir gently to coat. Heat a large non-stick skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add 1 ½ tbsp of the oil. Once the oil is hot and shimmering, swirl to coat the pan with the oil, then with tongs, add half of the shrimp, placing them one at a time so they aren’t touching each other. If they do touch, it’s OK but they’ll stick together, so use a spatula to break them apart. Pan fry on the first side for 2 minutes, then flip and cook on the other side for 1-2 minutes more, until the shrimp is golden outside and cooked through. Immediately remove to the plate with the walnuts. Repeat with the remaining 1 ½ tbsp oil and remaining shrimp. Add the shrimp and walnuts to the bowl with the sauce. Stir to coat. Serve immediately over piping hot rice if as a dinner with a sprinkle of green onions. Although I’m a huge fan of leftovers of great food, these will lose their crunch as a leftover, and although I expect there will be no leftovers, keep that in mind.

Since I would maybe get hate mail for not adding a dessert, I feel the need to send you off with a warm dessert with an oldschool mentality. This is another that my beautiful Grammy used to make every now and then, usually as the weather got a spec cooler once summer ended, but there is no bad time to bust out some baked peaches. I love sharing as much of my memories of her when writing these articles as she was always my inspiration for getting down and dirty in the kitchen. Besides fresh pineapple, peaches have always been my favorite grilled fruit, although these are done in the oven. These are baked half peaches done with an amazing, sweet topping, as well as a hint of bourbon, and when finished, topped with some vanilla ice cream. The entire family will be all over these. Prep is only 5-10 minutes, and they cook within a half hour. This recipe is for 6 half peaches, and I know many that will eat 2 halves, so your crowd size may dictate if you care to at least double up on this recipe.

Baked Peaches

3 fresh, very ripe peaches, halved and pitted

2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil

2 tbsp pure maple syrup or honey or a combo

1 tbsp brandy bourbon, or rum, optional

1 tbsp coconut sugar or light brown sugar

1 tsp pure vanilla extract

1 tsp ground cinnamon

¼ tsp kosher salt

Vanilla ice cream, for serving

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Lightly coat a 9x9-inch or similarly sized baking dish that’s large enough to hold the peach halves in a single layer with nonstick spray. Pick a dish that’s sized to where your peaches fit comfortably side by side, but there isn’t too much excess room around them. Arrange peaches cut side up in the dish. In a medium mixing bowl, stir together the oil, maple syrup, brandy, coconut sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, and salt. Spoon the mixture over the peaches, filling the center and letting it run over the sides. Bake the peaches, uncovered, until the peaches are cooked through and fork-tender, about 30 minutes. Serve warm, topped with vanilla ice cream. Simple and incredible, the perfect combo.

August is almost toast, so enjoy the rest of it as much as you can. I’ll be back next week with more food fun, keep those taste buds happy, and if you care to reach out with any questions or feedback, please reach out by email to fenwaysox10@gmail.com

Celebrating 125 Years in Business!

Are you looking for a reliable building material supplier in New Hampshire or Massachusetts? At Belletetes, we are a fully licensed and insured company with many years of success in our eld. We are committed to excellence in every aspect of our business practice. Over the years, we have found that stellar products and consistent customer service are what make the cornerstone of a successful business.

Whether you are starting on commercial or residential projects, we have all the tools, products and skills necessary to make your job a complete success. Our specialists are friendly and experienced workers who understand the value of hard work and happy customers! Talk to us today to nd out how we can help you make your project go smoothly from start to nish.

Weed Stampede on Newfound Lake

The Newfound Lake Region Association will host the Newfound Lake Weed Stampede on August 26 & 27 from 8:00-11:00 AM. Join us and paddle with a purpose for the second annual Newfound Lake Weed Stampede, a volunteer driven event that aims to completely survey Newfound Lake’s shoreline for invasive aquatic plants! Once invasive aquatic plants take root they quickly out-compete their native counterparts, wreaking havoc on aquatic ecosystems, fouling waters for recreation, and lowering property values.

The Weed Stampede captures an important snapshot of the lake-wide presence or absence of invasive aquatic plants while raising awareness and celebrating Newfound’s growing community of volunteer Weed Watchers. Last year’s stampede saw 24 volun-

Oak Hill

teers paddle 78.5 miles surveying over 62% of Newfound’s near shore habitat! With your help, we can improve these numbers and ensure that Newfound ends the summer season free of invasives.

Day-of training is available August 26th at 9:00 AM, at Grey Rocks Conservation Area. More information can be found by visiting NewfoundLake. org/events

NLRA works to protect the high-quality waters of Newfound Lake and its watershed, maintaining a healthy and diverse ecosystem. Along with educational programming, NLRA monitors water quality, conserves land, manages stormwater pollution, and monitors for invasive species. You can learn more about NLRA’s initiatives at NewfoundLake.org

Music on the Green to Welcome Dudley Laufman and Canterbury Country Dance Orchestra

Dudley Laufman and Canterbury Country Dance Orchestra will perform at Canterbury Shaker Village’s Music on the Green summer series on Sunday, August 27 at 4:00 p.m. Founder of Canterbury Country Dance Orchestra, which recorded their very first full-length LP of dance music in 1972, Laufman received a National Heritage Fellowship award in 2009, the country’s highest honor in the folk arts.

“We are delighted to welcome Dudley here,” said Leslie Nolan, executive director of the Village. “His influence and popularity over the years have helped create a wave of interest in old-time dancing throughout the United States.”

Held outside in a natural, intimate setting, Music on the Green features

various types of music for every age on Sundays, 4:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., from July 2 to September 17. In the event of rain, the Village holds concerts inside the North Shop.

Admission is free with a suggested donation of $20. Music on the Green is sponsored by CCA Global Partners, New Hampshire Dance Collaborative (NHDC), and Kathleen Belko, Trustee.

In addition to Music on the Green on Sundays, the Village offers tours before performances. These tours include Shaker Stories: History & Legacy, Innovations & Inventions: Shaker Ingenuity, and Hale & Hearty: Shaker Health. To purchase tour tickets or learn more about the Village’s Music on the Green, visit shakers.org.

End 68 Hours of Hunger Wolfeboro Area Chapter’s 3rd Annual Labor Day Raffle Begins

The end of summer may be bittersweet, but there is a way to add some excitement to the last few weeks of the season. Buy a raffle ticket to End 68 Hours of Hunger’s Labor Day raffle and you will be entered into a drawing to win fabulous prizes donated by generous businesses in our area. There are 9 raffle baskets to choose from, each filled with items and gift cards with a value of more than $600. Buy a ticket for the “A Day to Remember” and pamper yourself with a lovely floral arrangement, hair styling, tickets to a Great Waters concert and more, topped off with lunch and dinner at a local restaurant. The “Life Around Wolfeboro” basket includes certificates to area restaurants, shops and markets,

entertainment and other businesses. The winner of the “His and Hers” basket will soon be shopping for new shoes, sports gear, and hardware supplies among other essentials from the downtown Wolfeboro area. With the certificates from the “Family Fun” basket, you and your family can enjoy a day of golf and mini-golf followed by a choice of lunch or dinner at a variety of Wolfeboro eateries. Two “Pick Me Up” baskets, which contain items that will need to be “picked up” by the lucky winners, include a beautiful handmade quilt, certificates for an art print and home décor items to brighten up your home as the seasons change. These are only a few of the many, many wonderful prizes that may be yours when you enter our raffle.

Book Sale at Meredith Library

Treasures of the Meredith Library!

L-R: Jean Dougan, Anne Whiting, Micci Freyenhagen and Nancy Sherman represent over 75 years of book sale expertise! In the words of Nancy

Sherman who has been employed by or volunteering at the library since before 1979, “there has always been something beneficial to the collection in a donation”. Mark your calendar for

My Three Promises To You!

Tickets are only $5.00 each or 5 for $20.00 and will be sold at the following locations: Wolfeboro Area Farmers Market (August 10 & 24), the Wright Museum (August 19), Concert in the Park (August 22), Wolfeboro Street Fair (August 25 & 26), and the Yum Yum Shop (August 29). Tickets can also be purchased by calling, texting or emailing Donna at 603.515.1092 donnamcullen1@gmail.com or Pat at 603.515.6536 pdjwolf2@gmail.com

Drawing will be held on September 6 at the Wolfeboro Town Hall. Winners will be notified by phone or email and do not need to be present to win. Except for the two “Pick Me Up” baskets, all prizes are certificates and will be mailed to winners.

August 24th (9 to 6), 25th (9 to 4:30) and 26th (9 to 1). Stop by mid-afternoon any day during the sale and you will see Nancy checking the boxes to be sure all the spines are going in the same direction and that everything is neat and orderly. Introduce yourself and thank her for her care and commitment to our book sale!

Remember, donations for the sale may be left at any time at the front desk. We do not accept textbooks, encyclopedias, out-of-date travel guides,

End 68 Hours of Hunger is a private nonprofit organization with a mission to provide nourishing food to children in pre-K through grade 6 in the communities of Wolfeboro, Tuftonboro, Ossipee, Effingham, Brookfield and Middleton, who experience hunger for the approximately 68 hours that occur on the weekends. We are a voluntary organization; proceeds from our raffle go toward the purchase of food for the children in our program. More information about our chapter can be found online at www.end68hoursofhunger.org (look for Wolfeboro chapter), on our Facebook page, or by mail at PO Box 1026, Wolfeboro Falls NH 03896.

or magazines. Please, no musty, wet, or damaged books.

Programs funded by the sale proceeds are diverse and include something for all ages. The book sale is free but donations are accepted. With the purchase of a first-time (new) membership with the Friends, you will receive an attractive, customized canvas book bag. Book Dealers are welcome, and scanners are permitted. Want to know more? Visit our website at meredithlibrary.org and follow us on Facebook.

"We Sell The Lakes Region"

Over 10,000 closed transactions throughout New Hampshire

For 30 years Roche Realty Group has been a recognized leader in the sale of Lakes Region real estate; it’s our specialty and has been since the beginning. Family-owned and locally operated since 1992, Roche Realty Group has consistently been recognized as a top independent real estate company in New Hampshire for all-time sales.

Our team of over 40 Realtors® strives to provide clients with the greatest insight and richest possible perspective on this truly unique marketplace. We provide you with the market expertise, tools, and resources to make your real estate experience as satisfying and effortless as possible. Our ultimate goal is to help you reach yours.

Gilford: 3BR/2BA, 3,015 sf. cape with an attached 2-car garage and detached barn/2-car garage with heated floors and covered RV carport. Featuring custom chef’s kitchen, 1st floor primary, deck, pool, screened-in front porch, and more. Enjoy town beach and boat launch on Lake Winnipesaukee. $1,150,000 MLS# 4963798

2BR/2BA, 963 sf. A-Frame. Close to all the Lakes Region offers yet tucked away in a small association with inviting in-ground pool. Featuring granite counters, Trex deck, pellet stove, spiral staircase, electric fireplace and more! Pets are allowed, rentals are not. $339,000 MLS# 4964082

Moultonborough: 2BR/2BA, 1,572 sf. ranch at the base of Red Hill. Most of the living area was renovated and features knotty pine beadboard, fresh paint, new lighting, windows, doors, vaulted ceilings, and more. Enjoy access to 3 town beaches and boat launches on Lake Winnipesaukee. $349,900 MLS# 4964394

Tilton: 1BR/1BA, 444 sf. condo with deeded boat slip on Lake Winnisquam is located just minutes from Exit 20 of 1-93. This furnished property is an ideal stepping stone to get on Lake Winnisquam. Currently used as a VRBO and rented through August. This property can only be shown between guests. $289,900 MLS# 4963675

Sanbornton: 4BR/4BA 6,632 sf. contemporary colonial in a beautiful country setting on 3.73 acres. Featuring an expansive gourmet kitchen, granite counters, gas fireplace with stone accents, windows with mountain views, built-in bookshelves, and more. Trex deck and large stone patio. $989,000 MLS# 4964042

Center Harbor: 4BR/3BA, 3,144 sf. modern Colonial Williamsburg reproduction on 7.93 acres of heaven. This amazing hilltop home situated in a neighborhood of fine homes, historic farms, and Squam Lake waterfront walking trails. Only 5 minutes from downtown Meredith. $1,100,000 MLS# 4933671

Gilford: 0.49 acre wooded lot with town water and sewer. Build your home in this desirable neighborhood with the ability of buying into the Gunstock Acres private beach that includes a small boat launch, day docks and more. Enjoy the beautiful town beach and boat launch on Lake Winnipesaukee. $129,900 MLS# 4963729

Laconia: 1BR/2BA, 775 sf. updated unit at Cedar Lodge with views of Lake Winnipesaukee and the mountains. Amenities have recently been upgraded including: pool, jacuzzi, basketball court and gym. Vacation here while bringing in rental income. Ample parking for your boat or RV. $299,999 MLS# 4964234

Laconia: 3BR/2BA, well kept 1910’s colonial with unbelievable craftsmanship, built-ins, and large windows set on a quiet dead end street. The remodeled kitchen flows into the dining room and the living room and family room overlook the covered porch that wraps around the back. $469,900 MLS# 4964656

Meredith:

Aug. 21, Free Art Talk, 7 p.m., free, with speaker Dr. Jaylene Bengtson, art educator, Lakes Region Art Gallery, 120 Laconia Rd., Tanger Outlet, Suite 300, Tilton, 603-998-0029

Aug. 21, Story Time, 11 - 11:30 a.m., free, Castle in the Clouds, Moultonborough, in partnership with Moultonborough Public Library, reservations: www. castleintheclouds.org, 603-476-5900.

Aug. 22, Beech Grove Cemetery Walking Tour, 6 p.m., Gilmanton Historical Society, Greeley Farm Rd., Gilmanton, info: info@gilmantonhistoricalsocity.org.

Aug. 22, Charles Schultz, Snoopy and the Red Baron, 7 – 8 p.m., Wright Museum of WWII, 77 Center St., Wolfeboro, info/tickets: 603-569-1212.

Aug. 22, Guided Hikes: Brook Walk, 10 - 11:30 a.m., Castle in the Clouds, Moultonborough, reservations required: www.castleintheclouds.org, 603-4765900.

Aug. 22, Watercolor Workshop, 10 a.m. – noon, led by instructor Pat Edsall, Castle in the Clouds, Moultonborough, pre-registration required: 603-476-5900, www.castleintheclouds.org.

Aug. 23, Free Admission Day, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., free admission for all on this day, NH Boat Museum, 603-569-4554, www.nhbm.org.

Aug. 23, Creakin Jones Band, free concert, 6 – 7:30 p.m., Moultonborough Function Hall Gazebo, bring picnic and blanket or lawn chairs for seating, 130 Old. Rt. 109, Moultonborough, 603-476-8868.

Aug. 23, Piano Men: The Music of Elton and Billy, 7:30 p.m., Colonial Theatre, 609 Main St., Laconia, 800-657-8774, www.coloniallaconia.com

Aug. 23, The Old Man: His Life and Legacy, with speaker Inez McDermott, 7 p.m., Lake Winnipesaukee Historical Society Museum, 503 Endicott St. N., Laconia, reservations requested, 603-366-5950, www.lwhs.us

Aug. 23, Yoga on the Lawns of Lucknow, 6 - 7 p.m., Castle in the Clouds, Moultonborough, reservations required: www.castleintheclouds.org, 603-4765900.

Aug. 24, Constellations at the Castle, 8 - 10 p.m., free, donations welcome, Castle in the Clouds, Moultonborough, reservations encouraged: www.castleintheclouds.org, 603-476-5900.

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

Aug. 24, Henry Laliberte Band, 5 p.m., Marceau Park, downtown Franklin, bring lawn chair for seating, rain cancels concert, 603-934-3900.

Aug. 24, Land, People & Property, 10:30 a.m. - noon, Castle in the Clouds, 455 Old Mt. Rd., Moultonborough, registration: 603-476-5900, www.castleintheclouds.org

Aug. 24, Nature Talk, End of Season Report with Harry Vogel and John Rockwood, 7 p.m., statistics on how the loons fared this summer, Loon Center, 183 Lees Mill Rd., Moultonborough, free, 603-476-5666.

Aug. 24, Ryan Montbleau Band, 7:30 p.m., Flying Monkey Movie House and Performance Center, 39 Main St., Plymouth, tickets: 603-536-2551, www.flyingmonkeynh.com.

Aug. 24, Rebecca Turmell concert, 6:30 – 8 p.m., Kelley Park, Bristol, free, 603-744-2713.

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

Aug. 24-Sept. 3, Baskerville A Sherlock Holmes Mystery, Barnstormers, summer theatre, 104 Main St., Tamworth, 603-323-8500, www.barnstormerstheatre. org

Aug. 25, Axe Throwing with See What Sticks at Hobbs Tap Room, Hobbs Brewing Company, 4 p.m., 765 White Mt. Highway, Ossipee, www.hobbsbeer. com, 603-539-3795.

Aug. 25, Bourbon and Blues, 8 p.m., Lakeport Opera House, 781 Union Ave., Laconia, 603-519-7506, www.lakeportopera.com

Aug. 25, Dave Talmage music, 6 – 9 p.m., Beans & Greens Farm, Rt. 245 Intervale Rd., Gilford, 603-293-2853.

Aug. 25, Exploring Abstraction with Amanda King, 1 – 2:30 p.m., Makers Mill, 23 Bay St., Wolfeboro, 603-569-1500, www.makersmill.org

Aug. 25, Freese Brothers Big Band concert, 6 - 8 p.m., free, Belknap Mill, held in Rotary Park (next to the Mill), bring lawn chair or blanket for seating, Beacon St. East, Laconia, 603-524-8813.

Aug. 25, Friday Night Market at Hobbs Tap Room, 5 – 8 p.m., farm produce, rotating food trucks, live music, weekly pop-up events, 765 NH Rt. 16, Ossipee, www.hobbsbeer.com. Weekly through Labor Day.

your guide to what’s happening in NH’s Lakes Region...

What’s UP

Aug. 25, Lucknow Garden Tour, 9:30 - 10:30 a.m., Castle in the Clouds, Moultonborough, reservations: www.castleintheclouds.org, 603-476-5900.

Aug. 25, Music in the Park, open mic concerts, sign up: 5:30 p.m., music starts at 6 p.m., free, Hesky Park, Rte. 3, Meredith, all musicians welcome, bring chairs, picnics, snacks, 603-533-5490, kitty@metrocast.net. Weekly through Sept. 1.

Aug. 25, Nolimitz, Outdoor Concert, Center Harbor Bandstand, downtown, 6 - 7:30 p.m., bring your own lawn chair, free, 603-253-4561.

Aug. 25, 90 Miles Away, Hobbs Tap Room, 5 p.m., 765 White Mt. Highway, Ossipee, www.hobbsbeer.com, 603-539-3795.

Aug. 25 & 26, Annual Summer Fair, 8/25: 4 – 7 p.m., 8/26: 7:30 a.m. – 2 p.m., white elephant, jewelry, silent auction, Magic Fred show for the kids, baked goods, food, toys, music and more, Gilford Community Church, Potter Hill Rd., Gilford, 603-524-6057.

Aug. 25-27, An Iliad, 5:30 p.m., Advice To The Players, Quimby Park, 8 Maple St., Sandwich, www.advicetotheplayers.org

Aug. 25-27, Summer Street Fair, 10 a.m., all over Wolfeboro, music, food, fun, www.wolfeborochamber.com

Aug. 26, Annual Craft Fair, 8:30 – 1 p.m., Tuftonboro Historical Society, museum grounds, 242 Gov. Wentworth Highway, Melvin Village, 603-496-8212.

Aug. 26, Ball in the House Outdoor Concert, 7 - 9 p.m., free, Cate Park, Wolfeboro, 603-569-2200.

Aug. 26, Basket Making, 1 – 3 p.m., age 12 and up and adults, Prescott Farm Environmental Education Center, 928 White Oaks Rd., Laconia, pre-register: 603-366-5695.

Aug. 26, Bristol Old Home Day, antique car show, musical entertainment, craft fair, demonstrations, info: Tapply Thompson Community Center, Bristol, 603744-2713.

Aug. 26, Cash is King, 4 & 8:30 p.m., Lakeport Opera House, 781 Union Ave., Laconia, 603-519-7506, www.lakeportopera.com

Aug. 26, Craft/Vendor Fair, Kelley Park, Bristol, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., Tapply Thompson Community Center, Bristol, https://ttccrec.org, (603) 744-2713.

Aug. 26, Creative Journey into Artistic Expression, Torn Paper Collage Class, with Ann Xavier, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m., pre-registration required, League of NH Craftsmen Meredith Fine Craft Gallery, 279 DW Highway, Meredith, 603279-7920.

Aug. 26, Hikers Club: Mt. Roberts Trail, 8 a.m. - 11:30 p.m., Castle in the Clouds, Moultonborough, reservations required: www.castleintheclouds.org, 603-476-5900.

Aug. 26, Jim Tyrrell music, 5 - 8 p.m., Beans & Greens Farm, Rt. 245 Intervale Rd., Gilford, 603-293-2853.

Aug. 26, Migratory Birding with Matt Tarr, 7:30 - 9:30 a.m., Great Meadow, Sodom Rd., Tuftonboro, by Moose Mt. Regional Greenways, www.mmrgnh. org., 603-473-2020.

Aug. 26, Saturday Afternoon Music Series, music by John Irish, on the patio, 3 - 6 p.m., Gunstock Mt. Resort, 719 Cherry Valley Rd., Gilford, 603-293-4341, www.gunstock.com.

Aug. 26, Saxx Roxx, outdoor summer concert series, 7 - 9 p.m., free, Alton Bay Bandstand, Rte. 11, Alton Bay, bring a chair and enjoy the music, in case of rain cancellation by 2 p.m. day of concert: 603-875-0109.

Aug. 26, TTCC Lobster & Chicken Dinner, 5 – 6:30 p.m., Kelley Park, Bristol, tickets: Tapply Thompson Community Center, Bristol, https://ttccrec.org, (603) 744-2713. (In case of rain, held at the Community Center, 30 North Main St., Bristol.)

Aug. 26, Walking Tour with Dr. John Foley, 10 a.m., meets at Wolfeboro Train Station, Wolfeboro Historical Society, 603-569-4997, www.wolfeborohistoricalsociety.org.

Aug. 26 & 27, Gilford Old Home Day, events, crafts, music, food, Gilford village, www.gilfordrec.com.

Aug. 26 & 27, Lakes Region Fine Arts & Crafts Festival, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m., Main St. & upper parking lot of Mill Falls Marketplace, 603-279-6121, www. meredithareachamber.com.

Aug. 26 & 27, Weed Stampede, 8 - 11 a.m., paddle to help with shoreline survey of Newfound Lake, Newfound Lake Assoc., Grey Rocks Conservation Area, 178 North Shore Rd., Hebron, www.newfoundlake.org, 603-744-8689.

Aug. 27, An Iliad at the Castle, 5:30 p.m., performance by Advice to the Players, modern day retelling of Homer’s The Iliad, Castle in the Clouds, Moultonborough, pre-registration required: 603-476-5900, www.castleintheclouds.org.

Bristol, NH - Newfound Lake cottage! Newly built in 2018,

Smith

NH 03245

storage cottage for your chairs, a kayak rack and a mooring/dock wait list. The property owner is a licensed NH Real Estate Sales Associate and current President of the homeowner association. MLS # 4963140 Offered at $549,000

expression of living

Gilford East Drive

Start Your Day Off Over Easy

Aug. 27, Dudley Laufman concert, 4 - 5 p.m., bring picnic/lawn chair, enjoy music on the green, donations encouraged, Canterbury Shaker Village, Shaker Rd., Canterbury, 603-783-9511, www.shakers.org

Aug. 27, Glen David Andrews, 7 p.m., Feel the Barn Concert Series, 1118 Page Hill Rd., Chocorua, 603-323-6169, www.thefarmstand.net.

Aug. 27, Up Close and Personal with Randy Travis, 7 p.m., Colonial Theatre, 609 Main St., Laconia, 800-657-8774, www.coloniallaconia.com

Aug. 29, Four Shillings Short, 6:30 - 8 p.m., Celtic, folk & world music, Boscawen Public Library, 116 North Main St., Boscawen, 603-753-8576.

Aug. 29, The Shoes That Built the Castle, talk by Castle in the Clouds curator Robin Sherman about Thomas Plant the millionaire that built the Castle, held at Moultonborough Public Library, 4 Holland St., Moultonborough, info: 603-4768895.

Aug. 29, The Story Behind Beantown Girls, 7 - 8 p.m., Wright Museum of WWII, 77 Center St., Wolfeboro, info/tickets: 603-569-1212.

ONGOING

Adult Oil Painting, Mondays, 9 a.m. - noon, no experience necessary, drop-in group, Ossipee Town Hall, Ossipee, Pat Jones: pjonesossipee3@gmail.com.

Advice To The Players, the works of Shakespeare via performances, camps and more, Sandwich, info: www.advicetotheplayers.org

100% Colombian Coffeefreshly ground from whole beans

Farm fresh eggs | Specialty Omelets Eggs Benedict - topped with homemade hollandaise, made fresh to order Buttermilk Pancakes | French Toastserved on thick Texas toast Sandwiches & Burgers | Don't forget to check out our daily breakfast & lunch specials!

Grab breakfast or lunch at The Farmer’s Kitchen. We use only the freshest ingredients for our homemade creations. Come by today to try our: 444 NH Route 11 Farmington | 603-755-9900

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

Barnstead Farmers’ Market, Saturdays, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m., food, crafts, music, 1 West Parade Rd., Barnstead, www.barnsteadfarmersmarket.com.

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

Bristol Farmers Market, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m., Saturdays, Millstream Park, Rte. 3A, Bristol, 603-273-1058.

Canterbury Community Farmers Market, 4 - 6:30 p.m., Wednesdays, next to Elkins Library, Canterbury, baked goods, produce, crafts, live music, www. canterburyfarmersmarket.com.

Canterbury Shaker Village, tours, programs, Shaker Rd., Canterbury, 603-7839511, www.shakers.org

Castle in the Clouds, Rte. 171, 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.

Chocorua Lake Basin View Lot, mountain views, benches for seating, free, www.chocorualake.org.

Clark Museum Complex, 233 S. Main St., Wolfeboro, historic Clark home, schoolhouse, fire station and barn, through Sept. 1, Wednesday – Friday, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.; Sunday, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m., 603-569-4997, www.wolfeborohistoricalsociety.org

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@yahoo.com

Cruise with a Naturalist, Tuesdays & Thursdays, 3 p.m., learn about history of Squam Lake, see wildlife, get info from naturalist, Squam Lakes Natural Science Center, Holderness, tickets/info: www.nhnature.org, 603-968-7194.

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

Discover Squam Cruises, daily at 11 a.m. & 1 p.m. (on Wednesday, Saturday & Sunday also at 3 p.m.), cruise to look for and learn about loons, tickets/info: www.nhnature.org, 603-968-7194.

Drawing with Tom Hitchcock, 10 a.m. - noon, class open to all aspiring artists, age 12 and up, pre-register: 603-496-6768, Lakes Region Art Assoc. Gallery, Suite 300, Tanger Outlet, 120 Laconia Rd., Tilton.

Farmington Farmers’ Market, Saturdays through October, 8:30 a.m. - noon, behind TD Bank North, corner of Central & Main St., fresh local foods, 603-8592551, barrons@worldpath.net

Franklin Community Farmers’ Market, 3 - 6 p.m., Thursdays through September 4, Central St., Franklin; produce, food, crafts, live music, 603-934-3229, www.franklinnh.org/parks-recreation/pages/franklin-farmers-market

Freedom Gallery, artwork/exhibits by area artists, 8 Elm St., Freedom, 610-7622493.

Freedom Village Store, variety of goods from artisan items to baked goods and more, 11 Elm St., Freedom, call for info/hours: 603-539-3077, www.freedomvillagestore.org.

Friday Night Market, 5 - 8 p.m., farm goods, crafts, rotating food trucks, live music, brews, and more, Hobbs Tap Room, 765 Rt. 16, Ossipee, every Friday until Labor Day weekend, hobbsmarket@gmail.com.

Garden Tour, 9:30 - 10:30 a.m. on Fridays, also first & third Saturdays monthly through Oct. 7, Castle in the Clouds, Rte. 171, Moultonborough; registration: 603-476-5900, www.castleintheclouds.org

Gilmanton Farmers’ Market, Sundays, 11 a.m. - 2 p.m., vegetables, flowers, plants, crafts, baked goods, live music and more, 1385 NH Rte. 140, on lawn of Gilmanton Year Round Library, Gilmanton Iron Works, www.gilmantonfarmersmarket.com

Hiker’s Club, meets Saturday morning throughout the season, Castle in the Clouds, Rte. 171, Moultonborough, 603-476-5900, www.castleintheclouds.org.

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

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

Lake Winnipesaukee Sailing Association, youth and adult sailing lessons, sailing competitions, Gilford, www.lwsa.org, 603-589-1177.

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

Land, People & Property, Thursdays until Sept. 28, 10:30 a.m. - noon, walk around Castle in the Clouds grounds, learn about history of the property with guide, Rte. 171, Moultonborough, registration: 603-476-5900, www.castleintheclouds.org.

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.

Libby Museum, of Natural History, Tuesday – Saturday, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Sunday, noon - 4 p.m., closed Mondays, 755 N. Main St., Wolfeboro, 603-569-1035.

Live Music, Gilmanton Farmers’ Market, Sundays, 11 a.m. - 2 p.m., 1385 NH Rte. 140, on lawn of Gilmanton Year Round Library, Gilmanton Iron Works, www.gilmantonfarmersmarket.com

Loon Center, walking trails, loon displays/info., 183 Lees Mill Rd., Moultonborough, 603-476-5666, www.loon.org

Loon Cruise, Mondays & Fridays, 3 p.m., learn about and look for loons on Squam Lake, Squam Lakes Natural Science Center, Holderness, tickets/info: www.nhnature.org, 603-968-7194.

Lunchbox-Paintbox, with artist Larry Frates, noon - 12:30 p.m., first Wednesday of each month, http://www.facebook.com/arttoyouwithlarry, Belknap Mill, 603-524-8813, www.belknapmill.org.

Market on Main, 11 a.m. - 3 p.m., every Wednesday through Oct. 11, produce, artisan goods, food trucks and more, 117 Main St., Alton, www.altonmarketonmain.com

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

Model Yachting - Back Bay Skippers, meets every Tuesday & Thursday, May – October, 1 - 4 p.m., model yacht group, spectators welcome, Cotton Valley Rail Trail, Glendon St., Wolfeboro, NH Boat Museum, 603-569-4554.

Molly the Trolley, 603-569-1080, tours/rides of Wolfeboro area aboard the fun trolley, info/schedules: www.wolfeborotrolley.com

M/S Mount Washington Cruises, narrated cruises of Lake Winnipesaukee, day & evening cruises, M/S Mount Washington, 211 Lakeside Ave., Weirs Beach, 603-366-BOAT, www.cruisenh.com

Newfound Lake Eco-Tours, informative/scientific tours of Newfound Lake, Newfound Lake Association, www.newfoundlake.org, 603-744-8689.

New Durham Farmers Market, 1 - 6 p.m., Saturday, Depot Rd. next to Post Office, New Durham, 603-515-1249, www.newdurhamfarmersmarket.com

New England Racing Museum, 922 NH Rte. 106 N., Loudon, www.NEMSMUSEUM.com

Award-Winning

RECONNECT.

What’s UP

your guide to what’s happening in NH’s Lakes Region...

NH Boat Museum, boating exhibits, programs, boat building workshops, 399 Center St., Wolfeboro, 603-569-4554, www.nhbm.org

NH Farm Museum, old-time farm events, tours, 1305 White Mt. Highway, Milton, 603-652-7840, www.nhfarmmuseum.org

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.

Quilting Group, 1 - 4 p.m., meets every 2 weeks, Ossipee Public Library, 74 Main St., Ossipee, schedule/info: 603-539-6390.

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

Quilting Group, 1 - 4 p.m., meets every 2 weeks on Thursdays until Sept. 7, Ossipee Public Library, 74 Main St., Ossipee, schedule: 603-539-6390.

Quimby Barn Transportation Museum, Saturdays, 10 a.m. - 1 p.m., through Columbus Day, early transportation wagons, snow roller, fire truck, Concord Coach and more, Maple St., Sandwich, 603-284-6269.

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

Sculpture Walk, tours of outdoor sculptures around downtown/lakeside areas of Meredith, free, Greater Meredith Program, maps: 603-279-9015.

Solar Gazing, noon - 4 p.m., free, Castle in the Clouds, Rte. 171, Moultonborough, registration: 603-476-5900, www.castleintheclouds.org. (Every Mon. through Aug. 28)

Song and Jam Circle, community-created jams and song circle, third Monday of each month, Runnells Hall, 25 Deer Hill Rd., Tamworth, free, bring your favorite instruments, Arts Council of Tamworth, 603-584-2712, www.artstamworth.org

Squam Lakes Natural Science Center, exhibits, nature trails, events, cruises, 23 Science Center Rd., Holderness, 603-968-7194, www.nhnature.org

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.

Turtle Talk, 11 a.m. every Tuesday through end of August, Squam Lakes Natural Science Center, Holderness, info: 603-968-7194, www.nhnature.org

Up Close to Animals, daily program, meet live animals and learn all about them, at the amphitheater, 10 a.m. - noon and 2 p.m., through Labor Day and on weekends through Columbus Day, Squam Lakes Natural Science Center, Holderness, 603-968-7194, www.nhnature.org.

Wakefield/Brookfield Historical Society, meetings second Tuesday of each month until October, most meetings held at Schoolhouse, 2851 Wakefield Rd., with October meeting held at Brookfield Town House, programs on the history of Wakefield/Brookfield, everyone welcome, 603-522-6713.

Wakefield Marketplace, 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., produce, fruit, baked goods, flowers, handmade items and more, Rte. 16 north and Wakefield Rd., Wakefield, schedule: www.wakefieldmarketplace.org.

Wolfeboro Farmers’ Market, Thursdays until Oct. 26, noon - 3:30 p.m., local farm-raised meats, vegetables, fresh fish, fruit, eggs, baked goods, flowers, maple syrup, honey, artisanal products, held at The Nick, 10 Trotting Track Rd., Wolfeboro, 603-391-5661, wolfeborofarmersmarket@gmail.com.

Wright Museum of WWII, exhibits and lectures on life on the home front during WWII, 77 Center St., Wolfeboro, 603-569-1212, www.wrightmuseum.org

Through Aug. 31, Art exhibit by Carolyn Arcabascio, 5 – 7 p.m., Belknap Mill, 25 Beacon St. East, Laconia, 603-524-8813.

Through Sept. 2, Tiny Treasures, Great Joys, exhibit at Sandwich Historical Society, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Thursday - Saturday, Wentworth Exhibit Room and Elisha Marston House Museum, Sandwich Historical Society, 4 Maple St., Center Sandwich, 603-284-6269, www.sandwichhistorical.org.

Through Sept. 9, Snoopy and the Red Baron, Wright Museum of WWII, 77 Center St., Wolfeboro,

Through Sept. 10, Lakes Region Art Assoc. Gallery 83rd Annual Exhibit, Lakes Region Art Gallery, 120 Laconia Rd., Tanger Outlet, Suite 300, Tilton, 603-998-0029, open Thurs. – Sun. 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.

Aug. 21, Aquatic Plants of Chocorua Lake and the Ossipee River Drainage, 7 – 8:30 p.m., Cook Memorial Library, 93 Main St., Tamworth, pre-register: www.chocorualake.org, 603-323-6252.

Lakes Region Symphony Orchestra

The Meredith-based Lakes Region Symphony Orchestra (LRSO) is pleased to announce its upcoming 2023-2024 season. Celebrating our 48th year, the LRSO introduces its jam-packed concert lineup with concerts from November 2023 through May 2024. The full schedule, venue information, individual and discount tickets are available now at www. LRSO.org.

On November 4th we open the season at Plymouth State University featuring Benny Wang, our 2023 Student Concerto Competition winner performing the first movement of Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto No. 1 – a superb performance by this amazing young talent. Rounding out November is Rossini’s William Tell Overture (made popular by the Lone Ranger TV show), and Brahms Symphony No. 1 – a genius masterwork that embodies Brahms’ lifelong struggle to match the weighty legacy of Ludwig van Beethoven.

Wrap yourself in festive seasonal spirit on December 9th and 10th, gracing stages at the Colonial Theatre in

Laconia and the Inter-Lakes Auditorium in Meredith, as we present enchanting Holiday concerts starring vocalist Sheree Owens. A true talent from the Powerhouse Theatre Collective in Laconia, Sheree sprinkles holiday joy with renditions of Ave Maria, Silent Night, White Christmas, The Twelve Days of Christmas, Jingle Bells, and more… channeling the magic of celebrated artists including Sarah Reeves, Barbra Streisand, and The Carpenters. Don’t miss your chance to immerse yourself in this winter wonderland of holiday melodies.

Trumpet extraordinaire Adam Gallant performs the Haydn Trumpet Concerto on March 16, 2024. Adam is highly sought-after in the New England music scene and we’re looking forward to this masterwork. We also give a nod to America’s past with Aaron Copland’s “Lincoln Portrait”, which combines spoken word with orchestral music, and William Grant Still’s “Afro-American Symphony”.

Prepare to be transported back in time to the golden era of swing and croon on May 18th and 19th, 2024 as

we reprise our sold-out 2017 “Sinatra!” tribute headlined by none other than the sensational vocalist Michael Gallagan. Michael’s charisma and vocal prowess will dazzle you with renditions of “My Way”, “Night and Day”, “Summer Wind”, “I’ve Got the World on a String”, and many more hits from the Sinatra songbook. These performances will sell out, so get tickets early.

You can take advantage of Discount “Inter-Lakes” Ticket Packages for performances in Meredith. Order your tickets online, and reserve the same great seats for Inter-Lakes performances. Visit www.LRSO.org for more details.

So mark your calendars and make room for a concert season delivering Haydn to Sinatra that will make your soul sing and your spirit soar. Tickets are available now at www.LRSO.org. Tickets for the November performance at Plymouth State University should be available by October 1st. You can order directly online, or by phone using the numbers listed with each event on our website. Adult ticket prices range from $20 - $30 with discounts for students elementary through college-age with ID. We highly encourage you to sign up for our Email list at our www. LRSO.org/contact to keep you informed during the season.

Birding Walk at Grey Rocks

Join local birders Toby Sackton, Suzanne Smith & Tom McShane for a birding walk at Grey Rocks Conservation Area, Sunday, August 27, 7-9:30 am. From young birds learning their way around to adults defending established territories, local habitats are filled with bird activity! Join Suzanne, Toby, and Tom for a look at the different bird communities at Grey Rocks and to see who stands out in late summer. Participants will start birding around the parking lot at 7 am and head to the trails at 7:30. This event is geared toward all people with an interest in exploring the natural world. Registration is required for this event- register and find more information including other

upcoming events at NewfoundLake. org/events or call 603-744-8689.

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

Quilts of Valor Awarded

The Wright Museum of World War II is thrilled to announce Fred Howcroft and Jack Dunham have each been awarded a Quilt of Valor in recognition of their Military Service at the Wright Museum today, August 3rd, 2023.

The mission of Quilts of Valor Foundation is to cover Service Members and Veterans touched by war with comforting and healing Quilts of Valor. It says, “thank you for your service and sacrifice in serving our nation.”

Jack Dunham proudly served his Country as a US Marine Corp during the Korean war. Fred served the United States as a member of the US Army, 82 Airbourne as part of NATO in Kosovo. Both gentlemen continue to honor

their country and the sacrifices of their fellow veterans by volunteering as Docents at the Wright Museum of WWII in Wolfeboro. New Hampshire.

The award was presented by Donna Swanson at the Museum’s Remembrance Garden. Fellow volunteers Marty Chabot and Brian Allen commented that no more fitting people and place than the remembrance garden. For more information on the Quilts of Honor program please see Quilts of Valor and for more information on the Wright Museum of WWII please see Wright Museum of World War II | When America Came of Age.

Back to School in the Olden Days of New Hampshire

By Kathi Caldwell-Hopper

Historians and novelists wrote about one-room schoolhouses with fondness in such books as “Anne of Green Gables” and “Little Women.”

Old schoolhouses – usually consisting of one room — were part of the American landscape for decades. Older people have memories of attending a one-room schoolhouse as a child. The little buildings were every town’s homage to education, and local children ages 5 to 15 sat in one room, taught by a single adult woman or man. If the children were lucky, the teacher was intelligent and could control the class. For other children, a stricter and more punitive teacher rules the classroom using a switch or paddle.

Conditions in these schools were par with the rest of society at the time: a woodstove heated the space, students split and carried wood to feed the heat source, a bucket of water served as refreshment, and another served as a method for washing hands. Outside, usually hidden behind bushes or trees, sat the outhouse. Now and then, children did bathroom duties in the woods or at a neighboring home if there was no privy at the schoolhouse.

The Lakes Region had many oneroom schoolhouses, and a few remain today as part of museums and historical societies, such as the fascinating Pleasant Valley School. The one-room school was built about 1805 on land in South Wolfeboro in the area called Pleasant Valley. Known for some time as District #3 School, some residents called it the Townsend School because it was close to the home of Reverend Isaac Townsend, a local minister. (It

can be assumed the Reverend visited the school and may have taught religious classes to the children.)

In 1859 over 50 students attended the school, which educated youth until eighth grade. From there, if families could afford it and the student desired further education, they went on to study at the Wolfeboro and Tuftonboro Academy.

The schoolhouse was comprised of a small entrance area and one large room. The conditions were much different than today’s typical schools. A wood stove heated the room, which was undoubtedly chilly, depending on where a student was sitting. Bathroom facilities were non-existent, and in the early years of the school, students would go to a neighboring farm to use the bathroom. Water was hauled from a neighbor’s house as well.

As time passed, the school and many others in the town were closed and students were sent to one school. In 1959, the schoolhouse was moved to the Clark Museum Complex and has become a charming example of a time passed. It is a well-preserved one-room schoolhouse, open to the public each summer for tours. The Wolfeboro Historical Society on South Main Street owns The Clark House Museum Complex of structures at the site, which includes the Pleasant Valley School.

In the 1830s, Ashland, New Hampshire, like many New England towns, was remote. The town was fortunate to have as a resident Miss Nancy Perkins, who saw the need for a school in the area. Miss Perkins rolled up her sleeves and started a private high school in the vestry of the town’s Baptist church.

The school was in session from 1836 to 1847, according to Ashland, New Hampshire Centennial 1868 to 1968. She was said to be an excellent teacher, and parents and students alike sang her praises. Indeed, she must have been a good teacher with a love for passing on knowledge because she eventually married Oren Cheney, and together, they helped found Bates College.

Schooling was undoubtedly different from what we experience today. In the 1880s in Ashland, grammar school students were required to take an exam written by the school board each term. To advance to the next grade, pupils had to answer 60 percent of the test questions correctly.

A very unusual school operated at Canterbury Shaker Village in Canterbury in the 1800s and into the 1900s. The Shaker religious sect welcomed and cared for many orphaned or foster children over the years, and they were given excellent educations at the Shaker school. The one-room, one-sto-

ry school was erected in 1823. As the population of Canterbury Shaker Village expanded, with it came more children, and by 1863 the school had grown to become a two-story structure. Area children were allowed to attend school, as well as Shaker children. The town children attending were indeed fortunate to get their schooling run by the Shakers, and their education was excellent.

In Sandwich, NH, the Lower Corner School was a place of learning in the mid and late 1800s. Most towns were remote, and many families lived in even deeper rural areas. Small schools were built to serve children in various rural locations because it would have been too difficult to bring all the town’s children together in one centrally located school before reliable transportation.

The Lower Corner School began in 1825 as the John Quincy Adams School. At that time, district citizens

• Yesteryear continued on page 22

Rockin’ Thru The Ages

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in Sandwich voted for a tax to build a schoolhouse. A former student, Henry Holmes, wrote of attending the school in the 1840s. He said the school was about 25 feet square with a plank door, tiny windows placed high, and underpinnings of pasture stone. A big fireplace heated the building; wood was taken from a massive pile of trees. Four-foot wood logs fed the fire, keeping teachers and students warm during the cold New England winters. Fireplaces are notorious for providing uneven heat, and this one, as the former student recalled, provided heat that “burned the face while the back was freezing.” Students sitting at the back of the room took turns moving to the front to get warm during the day, but it

was still frigid.

In the 1880s, the school was renamed the Lower Corner School. In the late 1930s, an addition brought indoor toilets and storage facilities to the school, and a playground was added soon after. In the 1940s, Ruth Vittum was the teacher; she had a classroom of about 15 students. By 1944 the school closed, and the students traveled to the Center School in the town.

The Village School in Moultonborough was the site of learning in that town for many years. During the early 1900s, the town provided a one-room school. By 1913 Moultonborough wanted to improve the school, possibly because the population was growing. By 1922 an assistant teacher was hired, and two regular teachers were appointed. A jacketed stove was secured for the school, and in 1923, the new stove

Trolley Shuttle and Trolley Tours

made it possible to have the interior of the building comfortable as far as the heat was concerned.

By September 1925, a new school had been built and housed elementary school-aged children. In her book, “I Remember Moultonboro New Hampshire” by Frances A. Stevens, the author recalled being a student at the school in the late 1920s. “As I remember, when this school was first built, there was a big stove with a jacket around it in the back corner of the room. Ethel Smith was the teacher in the room for grades one through four. In the winter, when it was really cold, she would have us gather around the stove for our classes. It wasn’t long before they put in a furnace with steam radiators.”

There was no electricity for some time, and drinking water was hauled from the nearby home of a local doctor. Conditions were crude compared to what we think of school today. In the 1920s, the teacher still rode horseback to school in the spring when the roads were deep with mud.

On the other side of Lake Winnipesaukee, schooling was seen as necessary in New Durham. The town’s original land grant specified that a portion of the community’s money be set aside for a schoolhouse. In 1779 and the following years, the town raised money for schooling. At the time, there were no schoolhouses in New Durham, and it was the practice to hire schoolmasters who traveled from town to town boarding with different families. These men would teach the children of the

area to read, write and spell.

By the 1800s, schools were built in New Durham. In the late 1800s, improvements were made with the installation of blackboards, iron stoves, and desks.

Much was expected of teachers in the early schools, and keeping order was often a difficult task for a young woman or man instructor with little more than a high school education. In Gilford at the District #8 school, a woman taught the fall term, and a man oversaw the schooling in the winter, according to “The Gunstock Parish” by Adair D. Mulligan.

Expectations for teachers were immense. A typical day, according to “The Gunstock Parish”, was for a teacher to daily see to the lessons of over 20 children of different ages. Depending upon the age of each child, subjects to be taught were arithmetic, reading, spelling, grammar, and geography. If an older student showed promise, algebra might be added to the curriculum. Instruction began each day with the teacher working with first graders while the other grades worked independently.

Added to the teacher’s workload were special events. Gilford children and residents loved the entertainment of evening spelling bees with various schools in the town competing. It was fun for everyone – except perhaps the already overworked teachers – who had to organize and run the spelling bee.

Forgotten Mines Of New Hampshire

By Thomas P. Caldwell

When we think of miners (as opposed to mining companies), we most often think of the ’49ers who went west in hopes of striking it rich during the gold rush. However, New Hampshire has some 260 identified mines, with most of them lying in Grafton County and two of them in Bristol.

Gold and silver were most assuredly sought in New Hampshire, but the most common products taken from the state’s old mines were beryllium, feldspar, and mica.

Indeed, the first commercial mine in the United States is the one established by Sam Ruggles, who discovered mica while digging in his field in Grafton in 1803. Mica is a popular commodity used to make isinglass (or “eisenglass” — “iron glass” in German) used in automobiles, roofing and shingles, and electronics.

However, gold deposits have been found in what came to be called the Ammonoosuc Gold District, centered in Lyman, Monroe, and Bath, southwestern Littleton, northwestern Landaff, and western Lisbon. Streams draining into the Connecticut River, including the Ammonoosuc River at Woodsville and the Connecticut Lakes, as well as the Baker River, running through Wentworth, Rumney, and Plymouth, were areas where it was common to find gold nuggets. Smaller amounts of gold also were found in the Diamond Ledge in Ossipee.

Town of Bristol, Grafton County, New Hampshire makes reference to a silver mine: “Dr. Lucius E. Truesdell commenced work on a silver mine on the hillside west of North Bristol for Thomas B. Warren, of Springfield, Mass. Work was continued here for ten years or more. A shaft was sunk from the top of the ledge, and later a tunnel was bored 300 feet into the solid ledge. Argentiferous galena, gold bearing quartz, and beautiful specimens of quartz crystals were found here; but more gold and silver were put into the hill than ever taken out, and consequently mining was abandoned.”

Dave Rondinone spent a few years locating that mine and posted a video at https://www.youtube.com/@DaveRondinone of a snowshoe trek to the spot. Unfortunately, he chose a bad time of the year, and the mine was iced in and filled with water.

Many of the old mines have been sealed for safety, making it even harder to locate them today.

In addition to efforts to find gold and silver, there were graphite mines in Bristol and Bridgewater. J.D. Dana, in 1823, compared the Bristol graphite deposit to the one at Seathwaite, in the English Lake District, which reported a yearly net profit as high as $92,690. The Bristol mine may not have been that profitable, however.

C.T. Jackson reported in 1844 that “Black lead, or graphite, is a mineral of considerable value to the people of the State, and its sale brings in a constant,

though not very great revenue, to those who are engaged in the business.”

A paper by geologist Don Rumble of the Carnegie Institution Geophysical Laboratory in Washington, D.C. and C.P. Chamberlain of Dartmouth College’s Department of Earth Sciences makes reference to the Bristol mine as they described how graphite was used: “Henry David Thoreau, whose brief career as a pencil maker coincided with the apex of graphite mining in New Hampshire, may have used graphite from one of the mines to fashion his hand-crafted pencils.”

The Thoreau family pencil business may have led to the early death of Henry’s brother, Thomas. Dave Anderson, who lives at Meetinghouse Hill Farm in Sutton and wrote about the area’s graphite deposits in the Forest Journal produced by the Society for the Protec-

that graphite releases water-soluble arsenic, and dried graphite contains arsenic dust. He speculates that Thomas Thoreau may have ingested arsenic from working in the family business. Rumble and Chamberlain wrote, “The graphite deposits of New Hampshire no longer have economic value. Their historical significance scarcely deserves so much as a footnote in a textbook. For many years their very existence was forgotten. … The deposits are an example of one of the dilemmas faced by economic geologists. That is, how is it possible to mobilize, transport, and concentrate a mineral so insoluble and refractory as graphite.” Anderson quotes Rumble as saying that veins of graphite (or “plumbago”) are formed by precipitation from • Mines

of Summer Sale

Richard Musgrove’s History of the

• Mines continued on page 23

hydrothermal fluids seeping into rock fractures. A liquid solution of carbon dioxide and methane, under tremendous pressure, leached into cracks in surrounding rocks and cooled to crystalized carbon. The veins are found at the intersections of faults and dikes where they are randomly exposed “on a diagonal line stretching south from the western White Mountains beginning at northern shear zones at Eliza Brook and the Baker River and stretching south to the Keene area.”

In addition to Bristol and Bridgewater, there were mines at Mount Kearsarge, Sutton, Washington, Antrim, Crotched Mountain, Nelson, Marlboro, Monadnock, Walpole, and Keene.

The list of old mines also includes the Parade Road mine near Meredith, where lead, silver, and zinc were extracted; the Pat Tuck mine near Alexandria, producing beryllium; the Red Hill Saddle Mine near Moultonborough, producing iron; the White Diamond Mine near Center Sandwich, producing gold; and the North Groton tungsten

All About Insects! (for Kids)

site near Groton.

Those mines are largely forgotten. Even Ruggles Mine in Grafton, which operated as an attraction for many years, closed in recent years, awaiting its next phase as a potential historic site.

It still is possible to visit the Paddock Mine, an abandoned copper mine in the woods of Lyman. However, most mines are lost among the trees and abandoned roadways. To find them, one must pore through books on New Hampshire history where the references are often vague, and do some bushwhacking in hopes of success.

It may be easier to forget about finding the mines and instead trying to pan for gold in rivers where gravel is likely to have captured some of the minerals and ore as they got carried downstream. Keep in mind that, while the waters in New Hampshire are considered to be “waters of the state” belonging to everyone, the banks of a stream and river beds are privately owned, and it important to get permission from the landowner.

In late summer, insects are everywhere!

On Saturday, August 26 from 10:15-11:30 AM, join the Chocorua Lake Conservancy for All About Insects! with naturalist and outdoor educator Hillary Behr, an exploration in the field for 3- to 9-year-olds and their caregivers. Join us to explore the fascinating world of insects and meet the ones that live in the meadow and forest at Charlotte C. Browne Woods on Washington Hill Road in Chocorua. Insects are cool on their own, but they also are so important to other animals, including humans! They provide food for birds and animals, pollinate wild plants and human food crops, break down waste into soil, and help control the pests in our gardens. A healthy and diverse insect population means a healthy ecosystem!

During this program, we will learn how to catch and get a good look at insects in ways that keep them safe. We will also give back by learning how to help out our insect friends, both at C.C. Browne and back at our own homes. This event is free. Space is limited—please register in advance at bit.

ly/CLC-082623 or visit www.chocorualake.org/events. Rain date is Sunday, August 27, 10:15-11:30 AM.

We’ll meet at the entrance to the Charlotte C. Browne Woods on Washington Hill Road in Chocorua, on the left .7 miles up the hill from Route 16, or 2.3 miles from the bottom of Washington Hill Road on the Chocorua Village side, on the right. Please dress appropriately for the weather, wear footwear suitable for walking in fields and woods, consider sun and insect protection as appropriate, and bring water and a snack. You might want to bring a picnic for after, as well.

About the Presenter:

Hillary Behr grew up exploring the woods and waters of Tamworth and still calls it home. She earned a degree in Environmental Conservation and spent 8 years in rural California, working in land conservation and outdoor science education. Hillary has a Master of Education and has worked as a teacher in many different settings, both outdoors and in the classroom, most recently teaching high school Environmental Science.

Middleton’s 157th Old Home Day August 23

Old Home Days . . . a tradition that started with New Hampshire’s governor, Frank Rollins, in 1889, is an event that is celebrated this year as Middleton’s 157th gathering. Rollins was reacting to the loss of residents as people were lured westward or industrial jobs in the city. In 1887, he wrote for the New England Magazine, asking the sons and daughters of New Hampshire to come back to the homes they remembered. He asked if they heard the whispering call of memories saying, ‘come home, come home.’ Inaugurating Old Home Day, he was hopeful that the rural charms of home would convince them to stay. The first year, 44 towns held Old Home Day events, and after the two World Wars, the day also became a way to honor those who served.

This year Middleton’s 157th Old Home Day will be held in the historic Old Town Hall, built in 1795-1796. Moved to its location on Kings Highway in 1812, it was installed as the second story of another meeting house. It is now an excellent example of meetinghouse architecture. Beautifully crafted, box pews are hand-numbered, and the walls are adorned with murals painted by John Avery in 1841. With the addition of a second staircase, the upstairs can now be viewed and admired by visitors. The first floor became a banquet hall where it is expected that many people will gather for this year’s Old Home Day. Much of the food to be served will be prepared in an addition to the back of the building, which was once the Corner School, moved to the location

and added to the building in 1950. The first town get-togethers are believed to have begun in 1866, 23 years before the official state sanction of the day. The first organizers called themselves the Sons and Daughters of Middleton, later becoming the Old Home Reunion, and lastly and currently, the Old Home Day Association. Diligent attention to history has resulted in a collection of information and 2 large photo albums of pictures and stories will be available for viewing on Wednesday.

Over the years, the Old Town Hall suffered the pains of aging as all buildings do. Realizing the importance of this historic building, two citizens

took action. Cheryl Kimball and John Mullen galvanized the town, enlisted the support of the New Hampshire Preservation Alliance, and brought about the repairs and restorations necessary to see that it survives for many years to come. An assessment done by Preservation Timber Framing was funded in part by a grant from the Preservation Alliance. The residents of Middleton can be understandably proud, knowing that official notification states that the building is eligible for listing on the State Register of Historic Places. It has even been showcased by Fritz Weatherbee on New Hampshire Chronicles.

In true keeping with the com-

munity importance of the Town Hall and Old Home Day, as has been every year from its conception, most of the food served will be homemade—from scratch! Residents donate their time, talents and all the necessary ingredients. Baked beans, long-cooked and full of flavor are a hallmark of the feast. Hot dogs, cole slaw, potato and macaroni salads, brown bread, pies, cakes and cookies—and of course, whoopie pies—are all on the menu. It’s an AllYou-Can-Eat meal and the prices are as old fashioned as the traditions; adults $7, ages 5 to 13 $3 and 4 and under eat free. Lunch service begins at 11:30 and diners have 2 hours (until 1:30) to devour every last morsel. In the unlikely event there are leftovers, takeout containers will be provided.

Weather permitting, diners will be greeted by a flag flying from 2 utility poles. The poles soar about 50 feet in the air and are needed because the flag is 24 feet by 48 feet. It was purchased sometime between 1907 and 1912, evidenced by having only 46 stars, before Arizona, New Mexico, Alaska, and Hawaii were added to the union. There are lots of reasons why you should attend the event . . . the food, the friends and family, the traditions, a chance to marvel at the history displayed in the buildings and photo albums, and the flag, symbols of all that is good and enduring in the United States. You don’t have to live in Middleton to appreciate all these things and we’ll look for you at 200 Kings Highway.

The Laconia Municipal Airport: Busier Than You Think

By Mark Okrant

Evidence of transportation’s evolution is written throughout the Lakes Region landscape. Railroad tracks and stations, although no longer moving freight or passengers, still can be seen in many of the area’s towns. And one certainly does not need to look far to find proof of the automobile’s role in the region’s growing social and economic life. When air travel became a vital element of the transportation industry, airports sprung up throughout the Granite State; today, there are numerous “General Aviation” airports in New Hampshire, with the eleventh largest being the Laconia Municipal Airport.

The first airport in the area was located in Laconia just a few miles from the Belknap Mill. A grass strip was created in 1935, and it quickly outgrew the location. In 1941, at the height of World War II, the airport relocated to its present location in Gilford. The mission was to serve as an emergency landing field and military training center.

One milestone in the airport’s history occurred in 1942, when Alma Gallagher Smith, a former owner of the Laconia Evening Citizen, became the first person to fly solo at the newly constructed airport. Smith also was the first woman in the state to earn a pilot’s license. The late Les Hibbert, a former resident of Laconia and a World War II flying ace, took his last flight from the airport at age 92.

Laconia Airport has experienced

several expansions and renovations throughout the years and has always kept pace with the demands of the aviation community. For over 40 years, the airport provided airline service beginning with the first scheduled airline flight by Northwest Airlines in June 1950. The last scheduled flight was by Atlantic North Airlines in August 1993.

The designation general aviation (GA) airport, such as this one, is defined by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) as offering all aviation aircraft operations except for commercial airlines such as those that operate out of Manchester-Boston. General aviation airports thus permit “private transport” and recreational

forms of aviation.

The Laconia Municipal Airport (KLCI) is operated by that city, but is located three miles from the town center, in neighboring Gilford. Situated at 545 feet of elevation, it sits on a 448 acre piece of land just south of Lake Winnipesaukee.

The Laconia airport is designated as a full-service facility with two fixedbase operators (FBOs), maintenance facilities, hangars, rental car agencies, and flight planning facilities on-site.

A fixed-base operator (FBO) is an organization that has been granted the right by an airport to operate at the airport and provide aeronautical services such as fueling, hangaring, tie-down and parking, aircraft rental, aircraft maintenance, flight instruction, and similar services.

In common practice, an FBO is the primary provider of support services

to general aviation operators at a public-use airport and is on land leased from the airport. Though not required, fixed-base operators generally also provide at least basic auxiliary services to pilots, flight crew, and passengers such as restroom facilities, telecommunication services, and waiting areas. General aviation FBOs sometimes provide courtesy cars that can be used for free or little cost by flight crews mostly for short trips from the airport and the surrounding city area. Larger and better equipped FBOs may additionally offer food vending and restaurant facilities, ground transportation arrangements by taxi/limousine, shuttle van, flight planning and weather information areas (computer- or telephone-based), rest lounges and showers, an aviation supplies shop (selling navigation charts, manuals, or in-flight comfort items), access to in-flight catering, and accommodations reservations or concierge services for both crew and passengers through a customer service representative (CSR). Both of the airport’s FBOs—Emerson Aviation and Sky Bright—offer all of the services mentioned above.

For the past nine years, Marv Everson has served as KLCI’s airport manager. According to Everson, as a general aviation airport, the Laconia Municipal Airport does not have scheduled airline/commercial flights. They track “operations” which are landings and takeoffs. That number increased in recent years from 44,000 to an estimated 50,000-plus per year during 2022. Included in that figure are flight school • Airport

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Pemi Choral Plans December Concert Series

The 90-voice Pemigewasset

Choral Society (Pemi Choral) will begin rehearsals on Monday, August 28, 2023, at Silver Center in Plymouth, N. H., for its December concerts “Light Beyond Darkness.” The three-concert series will be performed in Gilford, Moultonborough and Plymouth, N.H. on December 7, 8 and 10.

The concert will include several pieces that celebrate the special significance of light during the darkness of winter, such as Light of a Clear Blue Morning arranged by Craig Hella Johnson, The Light by Keith Hampton, Lux Aurumque by Eric Whitacre, Oh Watch the Stars by Moira Smiley, as well as many holiday selections.

“The winter solstice, when daylight starts becoming longer, is sometimes referred to as the rebirth of light,” says Pemi Music Director Will Gunn. “I chose musical pieces that also celebrate light and should be uplifting as we approach the solstice and the holiday season.”

Celebrating its 50th year, Pemi Choral continues to grow in membership and in enthusiastic audiences. New singers are always welcome to try out this non-auditioned, community chorus at any of our first three rehearsals, before committing to the semester.

Registration will begin at 6:00 p.m. on Monday, August 28, 2023, at Silver Center, Plymouth State University, Plymouth, N.H. The rehearsal itself begins at 7:00 p.m. Detailed information about the chorus and rehearsals can be found on the website at pemichoral.org.

Pemi Choral’s director Will Gunn, was named the 2023 Choral Director of the year by the NHACDA (NH American Choral Directors Association). Collaborative pianist Laura Belanger accompanies the chorus.

The Pemi Chorus is a 90-voice regional community chorus based in Plymouth, NH, with a wide-ranging musical repertoire. Members come from communities throughout the Lakes Region, Central New Hampshire and the White Mountains. The chorus boasts a diverse range of ages from high school students to age 80. They perform concerts in December and May, and welcome new members at the beginning of each semester. The chorus is celebrating its 50th season with a specially commissioned piece at its Spring 2024 concert series. For more information, please visit pemichoral.org, find us on Facebook and Instagram, or email us at pemichoralsociety@gmail.com.

• Airport continued from page 26

activities, with every “touch and go” by student pilots constituting two operations.

WinnAero’s ACE Academy is the flight school located at the airport. Its purpose is to make students aware of the variety of careers available in the aerospace industry. These activities are made possible with strong support and encouragement from the aerospace community throughout New Hampshire. The goals of ACE are: to use aerospace activities to demonstrate the interrelationships of STEM subjects (science, technology, engineering, and math), to develop an awareness of the variety of careers in the aerospace field, to encourage students to explore a variety of aerospace careers, and to

provide hands-on experiences for students.

The airport’s two runways are 5,280 feet long, paved with asphalt. Readers may wonder how this small airport, situated a substantial distance from any major hubs, can possibly remain busy. Everson tells us that KLCI supports frequent private jet traffic, mainly due to its proximity to the wealthy Lake Winnipesaukee region. Furthermore, this season alone, the nearby Bank of New Hampshire Pavilion will be hosting nearly forty events. The airport will play an important role flying in performers and audience members. Also, aside from its popular annual NASCAR event, the New Hampshire Motor Speedway will bring race fans into the region from all parts of the country.

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Start Preparing for School Now

After a summer of relaxation, the start of a new school year generates mixed emotions among students. Many children look forward to being back on campus with their friends but may not revel in the idea of waking up early or doing homework each night.

While summer break is a much needed-respite from the rigors of school, it doesn’t mean school should be forgotten entirely. In fact, doing some preparatory steps before a new school year begins can make the year go much more smoothly. Here’s how students and parents can direct their focus during the final countdown.

Keep reading

According to Scholastic, summer slide is a concept that was first acknowledged by researchers in 1996. Many comprehensive studies have come out since then and indicated that kids lose significant knowledge in reading and math over summer break, which can

have a cumulative effect and lead to skill loss each year. Some research says up to 20 percent of school year gains in reading and 27 percent in math are lost during summer break. Children should be encouraged to read as much as possible during summer break, particularly since many schools require summer reading and subsequent essays

or book reports upon returning to the classroom. Let kids read what they want, whether it’s comics, magazines, the newspaper, or even books they’ve read before.

Accumulate supplies

School may not be on the radar early in summer, but it’s wise to purchase supplies early. Right before school starts there is a mad dash to grab notebooks, pens, clothing, and more, which can make for a stressful shopping experience for all involved. Shopping early helps families avoid that outcome.

Brush up on math skills

It can’t hurt for students to do a few math problems over the summer. Practice keeps skills fresh and any mathematical formulas prominent in their minds. All it takes is one or two prob-

lems

per day to stay on top of math skills.

Visit educational attractions

Families can include museums, art exhibits, animal sanctuaries, libraries, science centers, and similar attractions in the list of places they visit over the summer. This way students can learn and be entertained simultaneously.

Start enforcing bedtimes

School-aged children (six to 13 years) need nine to 12 hours of sleep every night, according to KidsHealth. org. During the summer, late nights can easily be rectified by sleeping in the next day. But when school resumes, the alarm clock will be ringing earlier than expected. Parents can gradually implement earlier bedtimes as summer winds down so that kids are getting the rest they will need.

Get in the know

Parents can begin to pay closer attention to emails and social media posts from schools as they’ll likely contain information about upcoming school calendars, bus routes (or transportation registration), changes in personnel, or any additional updates. This will help alleviate any surprises on the first day of school.

Families can take several steps to get ready for school as the first day draws near. -~ Metro