Plenty of Events for a Holly, Jolly Christmas
By Kathi Caldwell-Hopper
Christmas means carols, glittery cards, cookies, holiday trees, and, of course, many events around the Lakes Region in the upcoming weeks.
The town of Bristol in the Newfound Lake area is a favorite place for Santa, and he makes his annual visit each Christmas season. This is the 70th annual Santa’s Village, an extremely popular event at the Tapply Thompson Community Center at 30 North Main Street. Santa will be on hand to greet kids on Friday, Dec. 13 from 6 to 8 p.m. He also will be at the Center on Saturday, Dec. 14 and 15 from 2 to 5 p.m.
The Tapply Thompson Community Center will be transformed into a holiday wonderland with Santa’s elves building toys and wrapping gifts. Attendees will be treated to one of Mrs. Claus’ delicious homemade cookies. Event attendees will have a chance to see the North Pole Train Station and lots more. Added to this, all families can spend time with Santa and also receive a special commemorative ornament. The event is free and visitors are asked to bring a canned food item to donate to the local food pantry.
The Santa’s Village event will also offer the annual Christmas Craft Fair to benefit the Tapply Thompson Community Center. It is a chance to browse the craft tables in the Center and do some holiday shopping. Call 603-744-2713 or visit www.ttccrec.org.
Canterbury Shaker Village will offer
a Saturday, Dec. 7 event called Merry, Merry Canterbury Concert and Cocktails from 4 to 7 p.m. There will be music from the Symphony NH String Quartet, along with beverages. For information, visit www.shakers.org. or call 603-783-9511.
Christmas at the Castle began in late November and continues on December 7 and 8 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The Castle is located at 455 Old Mountain Road in Moultonborough and offers some great holiday festivities and décor. This year’s theme is “Home for the Holidays,” and attendees will enjoy tours of the festively decorated Lucknow Mansion, admission to the Artisan Fair, holiday crafts, photos with Santa, complimentary hot cocoa and cookies, and lunch service at the Carriage House Restaurant. For ticket
information, call 603-476-5900 or visit www.castleintheclouds.org.
Santa and his elves will be at the annual Christmas Village at the Laconia Community Center on Union Avenue in Laconia. The event will offer kids a great way to spend a magical afternoon or evening. The Village will run from December 5 to 8 (hours are December 5 and 6 from 6 to 8 p.m. and December 7 and 8 from 2 to 5 p.m.). Children can sample snacks, ride in a sleigh, join in fun games, and of course, see Santa to share their holiday gift list. Photos with Santa are also offered, and each child will receive a gift. Admission to the event is free. Call 603-524-4081.
Plymouth will be bustling with activity during the holidays. The Hometown Holiday Celebration encompasses December 6 to 8 with events each day.
The fun-filled weekend kicks off with Plymouth State University’s (PSU) Annual Festival of Trees on December 6 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Held at the Silver Center for the Arts on the University’s campus, you can enjoy the display of beautifully decorated trees and try for a chance to win a fully-decorated Christmas tree. From 7 to 8:30 p.m., there will be an A Cappella Winter Concert at the Silver Center, performed by PSU’s Mixed Emotions and Vocal Order groups. The concert is free and open to the public.
On Saturday, Dec. 7, the festivities in Plymouth continue with the 13th Annual PES Jingle Bell 5K Trail Fun Run/ Walk from 8 to 10 a.m. The Festival of Trees continues at the Silver Center, and there will also be a Bridge House Holiday Cookie Walk at the Plymouth Regional Senior Center. Tables will be laden with goodies and there will be holiday face painting and a chance to meet Mrs. Claus.
The PSU Holiday Concert will take place on December 7 from 2 to 3 p.m. at the Silver Center for the Arts. For tickets, visit www.plymouthstatetickets.com
Get warm on Main Street in Plymouth with Hot Chocolate and Hospitality on the town common, courtesy of PSU Dining from 4 to 5 p.m. on December 7. Chill Buster Roaming Food Carts will serve snacks up and down • Christmas Events continued on page 4
Plymouth’s Main Street on December 7 from 4 to 7 p.m. A Holiday Sing-ALong runs from 4:30 to 5 p.m. on the town common, with the Holiday Parade kicking off at 5 p.m. Finish the day with a Visit with Santa at 6 p.m. at the Plymouth Regional Senior Center and warm up a huge bonfire on Green Street in Plymouth.
On Sunday, Dec. 8 Skate with Santa from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at PSU’s Hanaway Ice Area. At 3 p.m. the Pemi Choral Society “Give Us Peace” concert comes to the Silver Center with admission by donation. The festivities end with Sean Heely’s Celtic Christmas at the Flying Monkey Theatre at 7:30 p.m.
A fun Trivia Night with Hot Cocoa Bar & Holiday Cookies is scheduled for December 17 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. The event is presented by Alton Parks and Recreation and will take place at the Pearson Road Community Center (7 Pearson Road) in Alton. There will be a trivia game and make-your-own hot cocoa bar with lots of toppings to choose from as well as holiday cookies. (Trivia categories will include History, Art, Pop Culture, Science, Sports and Geography.) Register by Friday, Dec. 13 by calling 603-875-0109.
Mill Falls Marketplace in downtown Meredith is a magical shopper’s paradise at Christmas. On Sunday, Dec. 8, the Mill Falls Marketplace Annual Holiday Open House runs from 1 to 4 p.m. There will be horse-drawn wag-
on rides, performances by Rhythm of New Hampshire Chorus, visits with Santa, reading from the Polar Express by Miss Karen, face painting, refreshments, and a chance to win a $500 shopping spree. For information, visit www.millfalls.com/the-marketplace.
Christmas on the farm is a New England tradition and no place is more beautiful than the NH Farm Museum in Milton. On Thursday, Dec. 5 and Sunday, Dec. 8 there will be a Mom & Me Gingerbread House Workshop from 1 to 3 p.m. The Farm Museum staff will supply all the materials while you gather around the table to make your own gingerbread house.
A Victorian Christmas on the Farm on Friday, Dec. 7 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. will offer a chance to travel back to a simpler time. Farm Museum guides will be in period dress and ready to welcome you on your arrival. The property has been gaily decorated with freshly cut pine boughs, garlands and wreaths. Baskets of pinecones, boughs and bittersweet adorn the center hallway. Make a pinecone decoration, meet young Emma Jones from yesteryear as she makes a gingerbread house, sing along, visit the Tavern with a variety of craftsmen demonstrating their trades and much more.
The NH Farm Museum is located at 1305 White Mountain Highway in Milton. Visit www.nhfarmmuseum.org or call 603-652-7840.
The Lakes Region Symphony Orchestra will bring its holiday concert to music lovers on Saturday, Dec. 7 at the Colonial Theatre in Laconia at 7
p.m. The second night of the concert will be Sunday, Dec. 8 at 3 p.m. at Inter-Lakes Auditorium in Meredith. The concert is called “Take A Bough!” and will feature a mix of traditional carols and modern songs, interpreted by husband and wife team Alex and Rachel Hunton, vocal and theatre veterans of Laconia’s Powerhouse Theatre Collaborative. Planned selections include The Prayer, Baby It’s Cold Outside, White Christmas, O Holy Night, Ave Maria, and holiday favorites by Amy Grant, Michael Bublé, Bing Crosby and more. For ticket information, visit www.lrso. org
Experience what life was like when candles lit the streets at the Gilford Candlelight Stroll on Saturday, Dec. 14 in Gilford village from 5 to 7 pm. Dress warmly and stroll the streets to take in the evening lit with hundreds of candles. There will be horse-drawn wagon rides, refreshments, holiday music and of course, Santa. For information, call 603-524-6042.
The Colonial Theatre of Laconia brings great holiday music to the Lakes Region. On Sunday, Dec. 8, Eileen Ivers’ Joyful Christmas comes to the Colonial at 5 p.m. On December 13 to 15, “A Christmas Carol the Musical Ghost Story” brings the holiday classic to the stage. Christmas with the Celts is scheduled for Tuesday, Dec. 17 at 7:30 p.m. The Colonial Theatre is located at 609 Main Street in Laconia. Visit www.coloniallaconia.com, or call 1-800-657-8774.
The Wolfeboro Friends of Music will present a holiday treat in Wolfeboro on
Saturday, Dec. 14 at 7 p.m., featuring Seamus Egan’s Good Winter: A Celtic Christmas. Performing at the First Congregational Church of Wolfeboro, the concert will be by The Seamus Egan Project. The concert will offer songs of the season, traditional and original music, poetry and the spoken word. Combining fiddle, flute, whistle, guitar, banjo, piano and piano accordion with vocals, the music will raise the rafters in celebration. For tickets and information, visit www.wfriendsofmusic.org
There is nothing like an old-fashioned Christmas event and the Remick Country Doctor Museum and Farm in Tamworth will offer a Holiday Wreath Making workshop on Saturday, Dec. 7. Choose from one of two times: 10 a.m. or 1 p.m. Get into the holiday spirit and create your own wreath. The Remick Museum will provide wreath rings, wire, evergreens and a custom bow, as well as other tools to help you create a holiday wreath to take home. You may bring your own greens and decorations and no prior wreath-making experience is necessary. Light refreshments will be served at the event. Reservations are required. Call 603-323-7591 or visit www.remickmuseum.org
The Franklin Opera House on Central Street in Franklin is in full holiday spirit with Holly Jolly Holiday with Ida on Saturday, Dec. 14 at 7:30 p.m. Due to construction at the Opera House, the show will be held at the Franklin
• Christmas Events continued on page 6
Upcoming Performances at Hermit Woods Winery & Eatery
Thursday, December 5 and Friday, December 6 at 7:00 pm
Embrace the holiday season with Hermit Woods Winery & Sweet Mercy’s Kitchen, where the Heather Pierson Trio will bring to life Vince Guaraldi’s beloved A Charlie Brown Christmas on Thursday, December 5, and Friday, December 6. This annual event celebrates the magic of Guaraldi’s classic score and holiday favorites, creating a heartwarming night that combines fine wine, delicious food, and nostalgic tunes. The Heather Pierson Trio—featuring Heather Pierson on piano and vocals, Shawn Nadeau on bass, and Craig Bryan on drums—
• Christmas Events continued from page 4
Public Library. The FHS Players will present A Christmas Carol at Franklin Middle School on December 6 and 7 at 8 p.m. and December 7 and 8 at 2 p.m. For information call the Franklin Opera House at 603-934-1901 or visit www.franklinoperahouse.org.
At the Flying Monkey Movie House and Performance Center in Plymouth, Sean Heely’s Celtic Christmas will take place on Sunday, Dec. 8 at 7:30 p.m. An Olde English Christmas with Herman’s Hermits starring Peter Noone will be offered on Saturday, Dec. 14 at 7:30 p.m. The Flying Monkey is located at 39 South Main Street in Plymouth. Call 603-536-2551 or visit www.flyingmonkeynh.com
The Festival of Trees in Wolfe-
will perform the entirety of Guaraldi’s iconic A Charlie Brown Christmas score, along with other Guaraldi compositions and seasonal classics. Known for her rich, expressive voice and skillful piano artistry, Pierson has garnered praise for her ability to evoke emotion and capture the beauty of holiday music. This lively performance is perfect for jazz lovers, families, and holiday enthusiasts alike.
Heather Pierson is a New Hampshire-based singer, songwriter, and pianist whose style spans jazz, blues, folk, and Americana. Her sixteenth album, Back to the Light, showcases her unique sound, blending the grooves
boro is a sparkling event, held at The Wright Museum on Center Street. The festival features more than 70 trees, uniquely decorated by area businesses, non-profit organizations, families, and individuals. The trees will be on view December 7, 8, 11, 14 and 15. A Preview Gala will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. on December 5. The price of admission benefits local organizations. For information visit www.wolfeborofestivaloftrees.com
The amazing Gift of Lights at NH Motor Speedway on Rt. 106 in Loudon is an annual holiday treat and this year runs through January 5. When arriving (check www.nhms.com for open times), drive to the south entrance. The 2.5-mile drive-through light show features new displays and nearly 500,000 more lights in this, its 14th holiday season.
Complete Well-Drilling Service Forest Pump & Filter Co.
of New Orleans, the spirit of Appalachia, and the soul of classic Americana. With Shawn Nadeau and Craig Bryan, her trio’s live performances are known for their engaging, conversational style that transports audiences on an uplifting musical journey. For more information, visit www.heatherpierson.com.
Friday, December 13 at 7 pm
Hermit Woods Winery & Eatery is excited to announce the return of acclaimed comedian Juston McKinney for a special, up-close and personal comedy night on Friday, December 13. Known for his hilarious and relatable comedy, McKinney will bring an allnew show to this intimate venue, offering fans a unique opportunity to enjoy his stand-up in an exclusive setting that seats just 60 guests.
McKinney, a New Hampshire native, has an impressive resume, including multiple appearances on The Tonight Show, Conan, and Comedy Central specials such as Parentally Challenged and On Mid-Life Support. His latest special, On the Bright Side, has garnered over a million views on YouTube, showcasing his talent for blending humor with relatable life insights.
A Rare, Intimate Comedy Experience: in this one-of-a-kind venue, comedy fans will experience McKinney’s humor in a cozy, relaxed environment that’s quite different from the large theaters he typically performs in. With only 60 seats available, every guest will have an excellent view of the show, making it a rare chance to enjoy his wit and comedic timing up close.
Saturday, December 14 at 7 pm
Hermit Woods Winery & Eatery is also delighted to welcome the Vintage Vocal Quartet for a night of lively, nostalgic harmony on Saturday, December 14. This talented ensemble transports audiences to the golden age of big band music, singing and swinging while playing piano, guitar, bass, and trum-
pet. Experience the thrill of vintage vocal jazz in Hermit Woods Winery’s cozy Loft Listening Room, an ideal venue for up-close musical immersion.
A Night of Vintage Harmony and Swing is inspired by legends like Glenn Miller’s Modernaires, the Andrews Sisters, and Nat King Cole, the Vintage Vocal Quartet re-creates the big band sound with tight vocal harmonies and expert musicianship. Led by Taylor O’Donnell (piano and lead vocals), David Thorne Scott (bass and alto vocals), Adam Gautille (trumpet and tenor vocals), and Paul Pampinella (guitar and baritone vocals), each member brings extensive performance experience and passion for swing-era music to the stage. Together, they craft a captivating performance filled with timeless classics and heartfelt renditions.
A Listening Room Experience Like No Other, The Loft at Hermit Woods Winery offers a unique listening room atmosphere where artists and audiences connect deeply in an intimate setting. Guests are encouraged to enjoy a complimentary wine tasting from 5:30 to 6:00 pm and settle in with dinner before the show. When the performance begins, silence is observed to enhance the experience, allowing the music to take center stage in a way that larger venues simply cannot provide.
Hermit Woods Winery & Eatery at 72 Main Street, Meredith, NH, combines exceptional wine, food, and music experiences. With a commitment to local talent and intimate performances, the Loft Listening Room Series offers guests an up-close encounter with some of New England’s finest artists. Tickets are available now for these memorable nights. Refunds are offered up to five days before the events. For tickets and additional information, please visit www.hermitwoods.com/music or call 603.253.7968.
Milton
Santa’s Holiday Express is Now Boarding
By Lee Caldwell
Prepare for some holiday magic! Santa’s Holiday Express will be leaving the 1874-built Victorian North Conway Station for a trip to Conway and to the land of make-believe. Trains are scheduled to run on December 1, 7-8, 14-15, 21 and 23, at 9:30 a.m., 11 a.m., and 1:30 p.m. The total round-trip train ride is around 55 minutes, with an additional 25-minute stop at the train station in Conway.
The train journey through the Conway Valley is 11 miles round-trip and goes through some beautiful farm fields with the Moat Mountains in the background. With its wintery landscape in the valley, a stunning view of Mount Washington, the crossings over the Saco and Ellis rivers, and the view of the Moat Mountains, the train ride itself, has been described as “pretty spectacular”.
During an interview with Greg Neptune, Conway Scenic Railroad Manager of Customer Service, he describes the train ride as follows: “Well, the ride itself is a journey that departs from North Conway and heads down to Conway Village. There will be Christmas music playing on the train, and the kids, of course, will get a complimentary cookie and hot chocolate. When they arrive in Conway, there will be Christmas decorations, and it’s just a great train ride and a great experience to visit with Santa Claus, get their picture taken with Santa, and to ask the big guy himself what they want for Christmas.”
He continued, “We have our 9:30 train, our 11 o’clock train, and our 1:30 train, so kids and their families can get dressed up, and what is great about Christmas time is all families get dressed up in their pajamas and come down and see Santa Claus, and where everyone wears matching pajama outfits. It’s really a great time.”
Greg said, “You know, kids get together, and every so often, snowball fights and snowman-building can break out [during the stop in Conway]. Being in the White Mountains, the probability for snow is high. So, last year, we had people break out to a snowman-building contest. You never know what you are going to get into when you are around the magic of Santa Claus!”
“There have been some years when we have had events outside, where they see Santa outside at the Conway stop. Some years, Santa is on the train. So really, weather depending, you never know what kind of magic is going to
pop up, but they’ll see Santa Claus and get to be able to — ever so important — be able to ask Santa how his Christmas is, but more importantly, to tell Santa what they want for Christmas.”
From his home at the North Pole, Santa Claus, himself, joins the interview: “The most heartwarming thing I do get, and it does happen a lot (when I ask kids what they want for Christmas) is kids wishing for everyone on this Earth to have a good Christmas, believe it or not. And last year in particular, had a lot of kids asking for those 1990s toys that a lot of people grew up with, like Ninja Turtles and stuffed an-
imals. Barbie is still making a comeback, and Matchbox cars are a popular one this season, for sure.”
Santa continues, “I have heard adults ask for spouses for Christmas. Yes, people want to get married for Christmas. There is definitely an air of — there’s something about Christmas time that brings loved ones together, and this, of course, is always a spark of romance around the holidays. So, people often ask for significant others. They also ask for new vehicles and for new places to live. So, I am going to be busy.”
When asked about the reindeer, Santa states that they are going to fly around while he visits Santa’s Holiday Express. “They are very, very busy during the year. They’re at home doing their calisthenics, getting ready for the big night.”
What do the reindeer want for Christmas? According to Santa, “The reindeer especially love carrots. Rudolph is a huge fan of carrots. Blitzen, he’s kind of shying away from carrots this year. He likes radishes. But everyone else is on a strictly vegetable diet this year. It is also called the Reindeer Diet.” When asked if he keeps warm enough, Santa replies, “I have a oneof-a-kind outfit that keeps me nice and warm in all weather types, more specifically, up here in the White Mountains.” What does Santa want for Christmas? He replies, “What Santa would like for Christmas is more chocolate chip cookies. I cannot get enough of chocolate chip cookies at Christmas.” Santa wishes everyone a very Merry Christmas and a Happy Holiday Season, and invites everyone to join him on Santa’s Holiday Express. For more information, go to info@conwayscenic.com Reservations may be made online. Conway Scenic Railroad is located in North Conway, telephone 603-3565252.
Photo courtesy of Brian Soloman Conway Scenic Railroad
Create Unique Holiday Gifts at Makers Mill’s Upcoming
This holiday season, Makers Mill invites the community to participate in a variety of creative and hands-on workshops designed to help participants craft unique, heartfelt gifts. With offerings ranging from silversmithing to stained glass art and fiber weaving, these workshops provide an opportunity to create one-of-a-kind items that make gift-giving truly special.
Renowned silversmith Joy Raskin returns to Makers Mill on Sunday, December 15 for a one-day workshop where attendees can design and create personalized spoons - you’ll be surprised how easy this is! Using materials
such as silver, brass, bronze, or copper, participants will shape spoon bowls and solder them to wire handles to produce elegant, custom pieces. These handcrafted spoons make thoughtful holiday gifts and are suitable for all skill levels, even beginners. For those interested in exploring stained glass, Makers Mill will host a stained glass ornament workshop on Friday, December 6, from 6-9 pm, led by instructor Brandie Felix. Participants will create four vibrant glass ornaments while learning techniques such as cutting, grinding, foiling, soldering, and finishing. The class provides all the
tools and materials needed, making it a perfect opportunity to delve into stained glass art while crafting beautiful keepsakes or gifts.
Fiber enthusiasts can enjoy the tradition of weaving Carolina Star ornaments in a cozy, hands-on session at Makers Mill on Saturday, December 7 from 10 am-2 pm. These charming, colorful woven stars are easy to make and ideal for first-time weavers, providing a delightful way to create handmade decorations or gifts for loved ones.
Makers Mill workshops offer more than just a chance to create—they build community and inspire new skills that
add personal meaning to holiday gifts. With expert instructors, small classes, and all materials included, these workshops make creativity easy and fun. Spaces are limited, so register early. Located in Wolfeboro, Makers Mill is a dynamic 10,000-square-foot makerspace featuring workspaces for arts, crafts, and more. Offering expertly guided classes, top-tier facilities, and a welcoming community, Makers Mill is a creative haven for makers of all skill levels. Visit makersmill.org for more information or join us for a free tour every Friday at 10 am or on the first Saturday of each month at 10 am.
Pemi Choral Society Annual Holiday Concert Series
The 115-voice Pemigewasset Choral Society (“Pemi Chorus”) shines a light upon this year’s holiday season with a program devoted to the theme “Give Us Peace.”
The annual three-concert series begins at Gilford Community Church on Thursday, December 5 at 7:30 pm Performances follow at Inter-Lakes Middle/High School in Meredith on Friday, December 6 at7:30 pm, and at Silver Center for the Arts at Plymouth State University on Sunday, December 8, at 3 pm. All concerts feature open seating and admission is free, with an optional free-will donation at the door.
Pemi Chorus Music Director Will Gunn chose the uplifting theme of peace at a time when conflict continues to cause suffering in several parts of our world. He says, “We recognize
that our own freedoms and basic human needs are met while many people in the world struggle for survival. We want to give voice to those who cannot speak while reflecting poet Langston Hughes’s lyrics, ‘Give us a peace that dares us still uphold, throughout the peace our battle against wrong.’”
The peace theme is explicitly articulated in several concert selections, most notably in “Give Us Our Peace,” based upon the Langston Hughes poem, and “Dona Nobis Pacem,” the final movement of the great Mass in B Minor by Johann Sebastian Bach. Seasonal holiday pieces include “Carol of the Bells” and “While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks.” The program also features a couple of audience sing-alongs.
Will Gunn is the director of music at Plymouth Regional High School and
in 2023 was named New Hampshire Choral Director of the Year by the state chapter of the American Choral Directors Association. Collaborative pianist, organist, and composer Laura Belanger accompanies the chorus.
The Pemi Chorus is a 51-year-old regional community chorus based in Plymouth, NH with a wide-ranging musical repertoire. Singers come from more than 25 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 and above. The group performs concerts in December and May and welcomes new members at the beginning of each semester. For more information, please visit pemichoral.org or email an inquiry to pemichoralsociety@gmail.com.
Lakes Region Craftsmen Offer Range of Handmade Gifts
By Thomas P. Caldwell
The Lakes Region of New Hampshire boasts a number of craftsmen offering handmade items that make perfect gifts for the holiday season or any time. Some have unique skills in fashioning wood, metal, and fibers, while others have specialized in the use of natural ingredients as alternatives to commercial products.
Among the latter is Cardigan Mountain Soapworks, which has both a physical store located at 464 Mount Cardigan Road, Alexandria, and an online store at cardiganmountain.com. In addition to her regular products, owner Lily Glatz offers custom-labeled soaps. She said one client who works for a corporation ordered 100 “Merry Christmas” bars for her clients. Everyone gets one of those in their Christmas bonus, and she has a picture of her family wishing them a happy Christmas. New this year are shampoo bars with ingredients that are specifically selected for hair health.
Another popular product is Nettle Herbal Tea. “For hundreds of years, practitioners of herbal medicine have recommended stinging nettle as a treatment for the pain of arthritis and gout, for anemia, allergies, and urinary problems, or as a topical treatment for eczema, insect bites, and painful muscles,” according to the website. “The root and leaves of the plant contain several identified compounds that are biologically active, including flavonoids such as quercetin that have antioxidant properties…. Nettle also contains several other compounds, including beta-sitosterol, a plant chemical with a structure similar to cholesterol that can benefit your heart by lowering absorption of dietary fats by your blood.” Essential oils, insect repellents, and candles are other products featured at Cardigan Mountain Soapworks.
Claude Dupuis of Canterbury Turn-
ings specializes in wood, with segmented turnings, vases, spheres, and bowls of all types and sizes. “I take a lot of pride and joy in my work and I love exploring with different species of woods and turned projects,” he says, adding, “The possibilities are limitless!”
For his hand-crafted wooden bowls, Claude uses locally harvested trees selected for their beauty, wood type, and uniqueness. To make them durable and food-safe, he uses several coats of Waterlox, sanded and buffed, then a coat of Carnauba wax. He also makes chopsticks, treated with a special blend of mineral oil and beeswax; segmented wooden products, including lamps and pens; salt and pepper mills; and even bottle stoppers and rolling pins. Products are listed on the Canterbury Turnings website at canterburyturnings. com.
Mary Ann Geis, who lives and works at her home and studio in New Hampton, started working in clay while attending Plymouth State College in
the early 1970s, and she gravitated toward ceramics. Today, she specializes in wheel-thrown porcelain featuring floral, pine, evergreen, and dragonfly paintings. Her works include dishes, kitchen accessories, and items for home decor such as vases, luminaries, and jewelry pots.
Each piece she creates is individually hand-thrown on the potter’s wheel, painted by hand, then high-fired in a gas kiln to make it a beautiful, functional item that is ovenproof, microwave-safe, and lead-free. Learn more at magpotstudio.com.
The Kalled Jewelry Studio in Wolfeboro offers a wide selection of gift items: pottery, glass, fabric, and jewelry. Jennifer Kalled has been designing jewelry since she first learned the craft in Arizona in the mid-1970s, and she has gathered together other artists with unique visions and styles of craftsmanship to fill the gallery with items ranging from mosaic wall pieces by Lee Ann Petropoulos and clay wall pieces by Rick Epstein to images created from natural materials by Robert DeMario. View some of the pieces for sale on the website kalledjewelrystudio.com.
What better gift to present to those who love the Lakes Region than a photographic print of local scenes? Jeremy Noyes of Meredith offers a large selection of his photos at jeremynoyesphotography.com. “Ever since I was a little boy, I’ve always felt most at home
while being outside immersed in nature,” he writes. “Standing at the river’s edge, playing amongst the tall pines or splashing around at the tide pools. The connections I’ve had with our natural world have inspired me to capture its raw and vast beauty. I am honored to preserve these moments and share them with you.” He has a gallery at 23 Main Street, Unit 1, Meredith.
Sandra White of Alton offers another take on nature with wildlife art created by quilling. Quilling is the art of paper filigree, with strips of paper being rolled, shaped, and glued together to create decorative designs. She explains how she got involved with quilling: “I received a wedding invitation from a college friend and decided I wanted to frame it and embellish it with quilled flowers,” she writes. “I went to the local craft shop and picked up the quilling paper and glue and off I went home. I spent many days wrapping narrow strips of paper around … and making flowers… I was in love with quilling. Within the year, I was rolling up a storm and off to do my first craft fair.”
Sandra makes keepsake wedding invitations and birth announcements, realistic wildlife and flower art, landscapes, floral art, folk art designs, ornaments, and cards for special occasions. She also takes custom orders. Visit her online shop at www.quillingbysandrawhite.com.
Sharon Dugan of Sanbornton learned basket-making from her mother, who wove cornucopias for holiday tables and vases formed over Boston Baked Bean jars. She would go on to work for Martha Wetherbee at her basket shop, learning the Shaker method of crafting ash baskets. Through the years, she has worked in her own studio, perfecting her basketmaking technique. Today, she is a juried member of the League of New Hampshire Craftsmen.
Sharon makes both contemporary and Shaker-inspired baskets, keeping several of them on hand for a quick sale but also taking custom orders for those who are able to wait. Her Sanbornton studio is located about nine miles east of Interstate 93 and is open by appointment or chance — usually from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday. To make sure she is there, call 603-528-5120 or email her at sdugan@metrocast.net.
A gift basket from Cardigan Mountain Soapworks (Courtesy Photo)
The League of New Hampshire Craftsmen December Free Artist Demonstrations Schedule
The Meredith Fine Craft Gallery invites you to join us for exclusive guest artist demonstrations at 279 DW Hwy. Meredith, NH, on the following dates and times.
December 7, 2024, from 11 am – 2 pm: The art of wildfowl woodcarving by a live and captivating demonstration by juried woodcarving artist Alan Gabris. This exclusive event offers a unique opportunity to witness the intricate craft of one of the foremost woodcarvers in the field. Gabris has been celebrated for his meticulous attention to detail and lifelike representations of wildfowl. Through Gabris’ study and research over the past 40 years, he incorporates detail with accuracy in his exquisitely designed menagerie of wildfowl, capturing their essence with artistic flair. Gabris’ creations are miniature in scale and set in their natural surroundings. Gabris has mastered the art of bringing wood to life, capturing the essence of various bird species
through expert carving and painting. Attendees will have the chance to see Gabris at work, learn about the tools and techniques used in wildfowl woodcarving and gain insights into the artistic process behind each piece. Whether you’re a seasoned collector, an aspiring carver, or simply an admirer of fine craftsmanship, this event promises an enriching experience. There will also be a display of some of Gabris’ finished works, providing a stunning showcase of his skill and artistry.
December 14, 2024, from 10 am – 3 pm: Renowned juried-in fine jewelry artist Michelle Kolb. This event promises to be a wonderful opportunity for jewelry enthusiasts, gem lovers and the curious alike to witness the intricate process of fine jewelry creation. Kolb, celebrated for her exploration of the wide variety of shapes, colors, and textures found in precious and semi-precious stones, will showcase her artistry as she crafts a unique piece
from start to finish. Attendees will have the chance to see firsthand the meticulous techniques involved in fine jewelry making, such as stone setting and metalworking. This demonstration will not only highlight the skill and dedication required in jewelry design but also provide an interactive experience where guests can ask questions and gain insight into the artist’s creative process. The Meredith Fine Craft Gallery is thrilled to host Michell Kolb and provide the community with a glimpse into the world of fine jewelry making. This is a rare opportunity to appreciate the craftsmanship and passion that goes into each piece.
December 21, 2024, from 11 am – 3 pm: Featuring innovative jewelry artist Kristina Olsen. This event will launch Olsen’s imaginative collection of earrings designed to elevate any outfit and celebrate individual style. Olsen’s love of fun, zany jewelry inspired her eclectic earring designs that focus on unique
contemporary themes that are versatile and appealing. Olsen uses multiple visual elements such as pattern, color, movement, and shape to make diverting earrings. The addition of playful little figurines enhances the outdoor adventure scenes depicted in her dangling delights. The Meredith Fine Craft Gallery is thrilled to host Kristina Olsen and provide the community with a glimpse into the world of whimsical jewelry making. Take advantage of this opportunity to experience the design process of making joyous jewelry, along with the passion Olsen puts into each piece.
For more information, please call the Gallery at 603-279-7920 or visit our website Meredith.nhcrafts.org. The League of NH Craftsmen is a non-profit organization that encourages and promotes the creation, use and preservation of fine contemporary and traditional handcraft.
Limmer Boots: A Tale of Two Countries
By Thomas P. Caldwell
The Limmer boot, known for its quality, durability, and comfort, carries on the bootmaking tradition of old Bavaria where company founder Peter Limmer Sr. learned the trade from his father, Franz Xavier Limmer, at the age of 9. Now operating out of Intervale, New Hampshire, Peter Limmer & Sons makes custom hiking boots that are in such demand that the backlog of orders can extend as long as three years.
People are willing to wait because of the attention to detail, beginning with custom measurements in a consultation that can take as much as three hours. Armed with those detailed measurements of the feet, the bookmakers first build a “last” for each foot. The last — a word based on the Old English word, “las”, which means “footprint” — is a model of the customer’s foot that is used to build the boot around. “I’ve got both left and right foot measurements,” explained the current owner, Adam Lane-Olsen. “We’ll also take imprints as well, [to show] pressure points. We can see the shape of the arch, and all those get considered as we’re putting that last together. Then we build up [the basic form] with scraps of leather.”
The last then gets sanded, trimmed, and ground to a point where it resem-
bles the customer’s foot. “So then that boot can then be built around that, and then the last will come out of the boot, and then their foot will go in, and it will fit like their foot,” Adam explained.
“It’s a very important part of what we do, and we take great care to make sure that part is right, so that works. The boots will be something very special to them, and how it fits.” The company holds on to the lasts so the customer can re-order when the time comes. “We
have lasts for hundreds of people,” Adam said.
Continuing through the process, Adam explained how the leather upper — a single piece of high-quality, sustainably sourced leather — is folded around the last and tacked in place. The one-piece leather upper is a signature feature of the Limmer boot. “We’re known for having one piece of leather with one single seam that comes up the arch,” Adam said. “That’s how all of our boots are put together.”
One way Limmer boots differ from machine-made boots is the way the leather is stretched over the last. “The way that we can stretch leathers is we can feel every piece differently. When a machine does it, it’s kind of got a setting that, you know, you dial the amount of tension that goes into it, and that’s it. So each piece of leather gets treated the same, regardless of the temper of that piece of leather.”
Limmer bootmakers soak the leather in water to make it pliable, then stretch it over the last to form the boot, adjusting it and tacking it in place. Useful in
that task is a special cobbler’s tool that combines the characteristics of pliers, hammers, and nail-pullers.
When the boot is properly formed, it is time to glue in the insole. “Once we get to there, then we start adding more material into it,” Adam explained. “We add the heel counter. So this is a very stiff piece of leather that gets applied in between those two layers and that draws into the arch to create more of that structure around the arch. … Our boots are known for having this fairly defined shape through the heel that really locks your heel into the back of the boots.”
A firm toe stiffener goes onto the top of the leather lining before attaching the bottom. “We apply layers to that midsole, then we stitch that on with probably my favorite machines in the shop,” Adam said. The machine stitcher features an awl that pokes a hole through the layers of material and stitches it all together with millimeter-thick braided polyester thread.
“It used to be all twisted linen,” Adam noted, “but a polyester thread is going to hold up better.” Limmer boots feature Vibram soles made in Massachusetts. “The Limmer family has used Vibram soles pretty much since the founding of Vibram in the late ’30s, early ’40s,” Adam said. The sole gets glued and then screwed on. “That’s one of our signatures,” Adam said; “we were always known for having those screws in there to help hold that on. Whether it’s still needed or not — it might be overkill with our adhesives today — but it’s what people see and what they expect.”
How It All Started; Born in the Bavarian town of Peterskirchen, Peter Limmer Sr. learned the trade from his father, then did an apprenticeship in
• Boots continued on page 13
Adam Lane-Olsen demonstrates the machine that stitches the soles to the leather uppers of Limmer Boots. (Tom Caldwell Photo)
• Boots continued from page 12
boot-making until his training was interrupted by World War I. He served in the German military but was fairly quickly captured and sent to a Russian prison camp in the Caucasus Mountains, where he spent most of his time repairing railroads, according to Adam. Peter escaped, but was recaptured about three months later.
After the war, he picked up his apprenticeship and, in 1919, started his own business in Vachendorf. He received his Meisterbrief as a master bootmaster — Germany’s highest professional certification for craftsmen — in 1921.
With the German economy in tough shape after World War I, Peter’s sister moved to the Boston area, and Peter followed in 1926 with his wife, Maria, and his two sons, Peter Jr. and Francis Xavier. He set up a business there, initially repairing shoes but later making dress shoes. “But also, with his German shoe and bootmaking background, he began making boots, mountaineering boots, and then ultimately, ski boots,” Adam said.
Limmer earned the first US patent for his pegged leather ski boots in 1939, just as skiing was making inroads in the United States. “It was still pretty much in its infancy as far as recreation, but it was starting to kind of pick up at that point,” Adam said. “In his location, he was close enough so his spot was quite popular with the Harvard Outing Club, and then also folks from MIT.”
When the US entered World War II, Peter Jr. entered the Air Force and Francis Xavier joined the 10th Mountain Division — the infantry division that specialized in fighting in mountainous conditions, inspired by the success of Finnish soldiers on skis who had prevailed against great odds in the early years of the war. The Army planners recruited experienced skiers to avoid having to train standing troops in
mountain warfare. “After the war was over, they came back and really started to create the ski industry,” Adam said. With that popularity came competition. A young Bob Lang came into the shop to get his Limmer ski boots. In Adam’s words, “He took his size nine Triple E leather Limmer ski boots and attached strips of fiberglass to them,” creating the boot that “ultimately killed the ski boot industry for the Limmers, making a leather ski boot.”
When Peter Sr. moved his shop from Boston to Intervale in 1950, he was still making ski boots. “It was kind of business as usual, primarily ski boots,” Adam said. “They also started to do hiking boots. The design of our boot has not changed, really, since then. There was one iteration right around 1950, where things changed a little bit, but the design is the same, materials are mostly the same, and the method we put them together with is the same.”
Bob Lang’s plastic ski boot came out in 1962, “and that’s really when they saw the writing on the wall and transitioned away from ski boots into hiking boots, climbing boots, and shoes,” Adam said. “They had even a mail-order catalog where they would sell backpacks, tents, climbing equipment, ropes, sleeping bags, that sort of gear. So they were really the first outfitter.”
Peter Jr. and Francis Xavier took over the business when Peter Sr. died in 1971. The business continued as a family-run enterprise until the Wall Street Journal did a front-page feature story about Limmer boots that appeared in November 1974. Nearly overnight, customers who were accustomed to waiting a few months for their custom boots found they were having to wait years.
Seeking help in handling the orders, the Limmers contacted family friends, the Meindls, who were bootmakers in Bavaria. The Meindl factory started making a stock version of the boot that, while machine-made, was similar in design to the custom boots that
the Limmers were building in their New Hampshire shop. “That was really when it kind of took off,” Adam said. “They were able to build custom boots for people that needed them or really wanted them, then also to offer a mail order option for folks that maybe didn’t need that custom fit or didn’t have the time to wait for it. And from that point on, through the ’70s and ’80s and into the ’90s, it has been a backlog
anywhere between a year and a half and three years.”
Cousins Peter and Karl took over the business in the early 2000s, and they separated the company into Peter Limmer & Sons, the custom boot shop in Intervale, and Limmer Boot Company,
• Boots continued on page 18
Please call ahead for event updates. Information and schedules subject to change. Dec. 2, Little Bakers Cookie Decorating, 10 – 11 a.m., Moultonborough Public Library, 4 Holland St., Moultonborough, pre-registration: 603-4768895, www.moultonboroughlibrary.org
Dec. 3, Vienna Boys Choir, 7:30 p.m., Colonial Theatre, 609 Main St., Laconia, tickets/info: 800-657-8774, www.coloniallaconia.com.
Dec. 4, Plymouth Square Dance, 7:30 – 10 p.m., David millstone calls traditional squares, fiddle tuns by Joran Tirrell-Wysocki, pianist Sue Hunt, no experience necessary, all dances taught, complimentary Common Man goods and hot drinks, cash bar, Barn on the Pemi, 341 Daniel Webster Highway, Plymouth, 603-481-0789. (Also takes place Jan. 2, Feb. 6, March 6 & April 3, 2025.)
Dec. 4, What’s Wild – Stories From Eric Orff, 4 - 6 p.m., held at Trenta, 30 Middleton Rd., Wolfeboro, by Moose Mountain Regional Greenways, www. mmrgnh.org., 603-473-2020.
Dec. 5, Beatles vs. Stones, 7:30 p.m., Colonial Theatre, 609 Main St., Laconia, tickets/info: 800-657-8774, www.coloniallaconia.com.
Dec. 5 & 6, Heather Pierson “Charlie Brown Christmas, Children’s Auction Concert,” 6 p.m., Hermit Woods Winery & Eatery, 72 Main St., Meredith, tickets/info: 603-253-7968, www.hermitwoods.com.
Dec. 5, Mom & Me Gingerbread House Workshop, 1 – 3 p.m., fee charged, NH Farm Museum, 1305 White Mt. Highway, Milton, 603-652-7840, www. nhfarmmuseum.org
Dec. 5, 7, 8, 11, 14 & 15, Wolfeboro Festival of Trees, display of decorated trees, visit from Santa, craft fair, Wright Museum of World War II, 77 Center St., Wolfeboro, wolfeborofestivaloftrees@gmail.com.
Dec. 5-8, The Nutcracker with Sole City Dance, Rochester Opera House, 31 Wakefield St., Rochester, tickets: 603-335-1992, www.rochesteroperahouse. com
Dec. 6, Pink Talking Fish, 7:30 p.m., Flying Monkey Movie & Performance Center, 39 Main St., Plymouth, tickets/info: www.flyingmonkeynh.com, 603536-2551.
Dec. 6-8, Hometown Holiday Celebration, concerts, food, games and more over the three days, Plymouth, info.: 603-236-6587.
Dec. 6-15, The Guy Who Didn’t Like Musicals, 7 p.m., Rochester Performing Arts Center, 32 North Main St, Rochester, 603-335-1992.
Dec. 7, A Victorian Christmas on the Farm, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., NH Farm Museum, 1305 White Mt. Highway, Milton, 603-652-7840, www.nhfarmmuseum. org
Dec. 7, Art to You with Larry Frates: Painting with Paper Pulp, 1 - 3 p.m., age 16 & up, Prescott Farm Environmental Education Center, 928 White Oaks Road, Laconia, www.prescottfarm.org. Pre-registration: 603-366-5695.
Dec. 7, Felted Ornaments, 2 – 4 p.m., learn needle felting for ornaments, age 16 & up, Prescott Farm Environmental Education Center, 928 White Oaks Road, Laconia, www.prescottfarm.org. Pre-registration: 603-366-5695.
Dec. 7, Holiday Wreath Sale by Ashland Garden Club, 2 – 5 p.m., at porch of Newberry’s on the Common, 89 Main St., Plymouth, 781-315-7048, www. ashlandnhgc.org
Dec. 7, Lakes Region Symphony Orchestra presents holiday concert “Take a Bough!”, 7 p.m., Colonial Theatre, 609 Main St., Laconia, tickets/ info: 800-657-8774, www.coloniallaconia.com.
Dec. 7, Victorian Christmas on the Farm, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., NH Farm Museum, 1305 White Mountain Highway in Milton, www.nhfarmmuseum.org., 603652-7840.
Dec. 7, The Great Santa Drop, 11 a.m. – 1 p.m., by Ladies of the Lake, held at Beans & Greens Farm, Intervale Rd., Gilford, ticket holders participate in the drop for prizes, face painting, Greenhouse Holiday Stroll, crafts for kids and more, info./tickets: www.ladiesofthelakenh.com/shop.
Dec. 7, Yule Log & Nature Ornament Making, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m., craft Yule logs and make ornaments, age 16 & up, Prescott Farm Environmental Education Center, 928 White Oaks Road, Laconia, www.prescottfarm.org. Pre-registration: 603-366-5695.
Dec. 8, Eileen Ivers – Joyful Christmas, 5 p.m., Colonial Theatre, 609 Main St., Laconia, tickets/info: 800-657-8774, www.coloniallaconia.com.
Dec. 8, Mill Falls Marketplace Annual Holiday Open House, 1 – 4 p.m., horse-drawn wagon rides, performances by Rhythm of New Hampshire Chorus, visits with Santa, reading from the Polar Express by Miss Karen, face painting, refreshments, emailmfmarketplaceassoc@gmail.com, www.millfalls.com/ the-marketplace.
Dec. 8, Mom & Me Gingerbread House Workshop, 1 – 3 p.m., fee charged, NH Farm Museum, 1305 White Mt. Highway, Milton, 603-652-7840, www. nhfarmmuseum.org
Dec. 8, Sean Heely’s Celtic Christmas, 7:30 p.m., The Flying Monkey Movie House and Performance Center, 39 South Main St., Plymouth, 603-536-2551, www.flyingmonkeynh.com
Dec. 11-15, Roald Dahl’s Matilda the Musical, 7:30 p.m., (also presented at 2 p.m. on Dec. 14 & 15), Lake Winnipesaukee Playhouse, 33 Footlight Circle, Meredith, tickets/show times: 603-279-0333, www.winnipesaukeeplayhouse. org
Dec. 12, Holiday Wreath Making, 4 – 7 p.m., make wreaths for the holidays, age 16 & up, Prescott Farm Environmental Education Center, 928 White Oaks Road, Laconia, www.prescottfarm.org. Pre-registration: 603-366-5695.
Dec. 12, Rich Greenblatt Quartet, Vibraphone-LED Improvisation from Boston’s Best, 7 p.m., Hermit Woods Winery & Eatery, 72 Main St., Meredith, tickets/info: 603-253-7968, www.hermitwoods.com.
Dec. 13, Orionids in the Night Sky, 5 - 6 p.m., watch for meteor shower, Prescott Farm Environmental Education Center, 928 White Oaks Road, Laconia, www.prescottfarm.org. Pre-registration: 603-366-5695.
Dec. 13, Comedy Night with Juston McKinnney, Back with an All New Show, 7 p.m., Hermit Woods Winery & Eatery, 72 Main St., Meredith, tickets/ info: 603-253-7968, www.hermitwoods.com.
Dec. 13-15, A Christmas Carol, Colonial Theatre, 609 Main St., Laconia, tickets/info: 800-657-8774, www.coloniallaconia.com.
Dec. 13-15, 70th Annual Santa’s Village & Craft Fair, (12/13: 6 – 8 p.m.; 12/14 & 15: 2 – 5 p.m.), visit Santa’s Elves as they work on toys & wrap presents. Enjoy one of Mrs. Claus’ cookies, check out North Pole train station, spend time with Santa and will receive a special commemorative ornament, Tapply-Thompson Community Center, 30 North Main St., Bristol, 603-7442713, www.ttccrec.org.
Dec. 13-22, A Christmas Carol, Rochester Opera House, 31 Wakefield St., Rochester, tickets: 603-335-1992, www.rochesteroperahouse.com
Dec. 14, An Olde English Christmas with Herman’s Hermits starring Peter Noone, 7:30 p.m., Flying Monkey Movie & Performance Center, 39 Main St., Plymouth, tickets/info: www.flyingmonkeynh.com, 603-536-2551.
Dec. 14, Gilford Candlelight Stroll, 5 – 7 p.m., horse drawn wagon rides, refreshments, holiday music, the village lit with hundreds of candles, kids can visit with Santa, 603-524-6042.
Dec. 14, Hand-Dipped Taper Candle Making, 1 – 3 p.m., age 16 & up, Prescott Farm Environmental Education Center, 928 White Oaks Road, Laconia, www.prescottfarm.org. Pre-registration: 603-366-5695.
Dec. 14, Kids’ Homemade Gift Workshop, 10 a.m. – noon, ages 6-12., Prescott Farm Environmental Education Center, 928 White Oaks Road, Laconia, www. prescottfarm.org. Pre-registration: 603-366-5695.
Dec. 14, Vintage Vocal Quartet Live at The Loft, 7 p.m., Hermit Woods Winery & Eatery, 72 Main St., Meredith, tickets/info: 603-253-7968, www. hermitwoods.com.
Dec. 14, Wolfeboro Friends of Music present Seamus Egan’s Good Winter: A Celtic Christmas, 7 p.m., First Congregational Church of Wolfeboro, www. wfriendsofmusic.org
Dec. 17, Christmas with the Celts, 7:30 p.m., Colonial Theatre, 609 Main St., Laconia, tickets/info: 800-657-8774, www.coloniallaconia.com.
Dec. 18, Christmas at the Winery – Benefitting the Lakes Region Children’s Auction, 6 p.m., featuring Katie Dobbins, David Lockwood & Andriana Gnap with Holiday Favorites & Originals at Hermit Woods Winery & Eatery, 72 Main St., Meredith, tickets/info: 603-253-7968, www.hermitwoods. com.
Dec. 18, Strafford Wind Symphony, White Christmas, 7 p.m., Rochester Opera House, 31 Wakefield St., Rochester, tickets: 603-335-1992, www.rochesteroperahouse.com
Gifts For Everyone Including Yourself
Classic, Refurbished & Live Edge Furniture
Estate, Handcrafted & Native American Jewelry
Holiday Collectibles, Dishes & Ornaments
Corning Ware, Fiestaware, Barware & Linens
NH Memorabilia, Tools, Cast Iron Door Stops
Books, Studio Art, Vintage Fenton Art Glass & More
STOREWIDE END OF SEASON SALE
WE’RE OPEN THRU DECEMBER 21, 2024
FRIDAY & SATURDAY 10 - 5 SUNDAY 10 - 4
Hansel & Gretel Antiques
Group Shop with over
50 Vendors
436 Gov. Wentworth Highway, Rte 109 Melvin Village, NH cottonvalleyantiques@gmail.com 603-544-2040 FACEBOOK: H&G Antiques
CHRISTMAS OFFERINGS
Breads: Yam Rolls, Rustica, Batards, Baguettes
Cakes: Carrot Cake w/ Cream Cheese Frosting, Buche de Noel w/ real French Buttercream and Three Layer Mousse Cake w/ Chocolate Ganache Pies: Pecan Pies w/no corn syrup, Heirloom Apple, Wild Blueberry, Bumbleberry, Cherry, Maple Pecan, Maple Bourbon Pecan, Maple Bourbon Chocolate Pecan, Pumpkin and Sweet Potato
Ask about available Christmas Cookies
Our own Maple Syrup and Mesquite Smoked Cayenne Peppers. Patty’s Famous Wild Blueberry Jam.
66 Moose Mtn. Road, Brookfield • seabrisket.com 603-832-3090 • Phone Orders Only • No Texts Please
176’ of peaceful waterfront & wildlife Commercial and/or
Can’t choose between Lake Winnipesaukee or Lake Wentworth? Have a little of both for about half the price! 83 Center Street is a short paddle up ordown the Smith River to either lake. This beautiful two unit is about as peaceful as it can get for downtown Wolfeboro. A place where you can sit back and easily watch the worries of the world drift away downstream as you enjoy your 176 feet of privately owned waterfront. A myriad of wildlife will certainly entertain and grace your doorstep and will constantly change with the seasons. A one-of-a-kind two unit where you could live in one unit while you run your business out of the other. It’s a mixed use space with parking for 10 cars which allows you a wide range of options. Stop in, spend a few minutes and let your imagination take hold on all the wonderfulpossibilities with this unique, one of a kind Wolfeboro location. $575,000
Dec. 21, Movie Day: It’s a Wonderful Life, 1 p.m., Flying Monkey Movie House and Performance Center, 39 Main St., Plymouth, 603-536-2551, www. flyingmonkeynh.com.
Dec. 21, Saturday Afternoon Music Series, 3 – 6 p.m., with Dakota Smart, Gunstock Mountain, 719 Cherry Valley Rd., Gilford, 603-293-4341, www. gunstock.com
Dec. 22, Fairytale of New York – the Ultimate Irish Inspired Christmas Concert, 7:30 p.m., Flying Monkey Movie House and Performance Center, 39 Main St., Plymouth, 603-536-2551, www.flyingmonkeynh.com.
ONGOING
Art & Coffee Club, Thursdays, 9 – 11 a.m., Belknap Mill, 25 Beacon St. East, Laconia, 603-524-8813, www.belknapmill.org.
ArtWorks Gallery & Fine Crafts/CCAC, art, workshops and events, open year-round with seasonal hours, 603-323-8041, 132 Rte. 16, Chocorua, www. chocoruaartworks.com
Belknap Mill, 25 Beacon St. East, Laconia, gallery and textile museum, events and programs, 603-524-8813, www.belknapmill.org.
Breakfast Buffet, 7 a.m. - 11 a.m. Wolfeboro Masonic Lodge, 35 Trotting Track Rd, Wolfeboro. Pancakes, French toast, scrambled eggs, home fries, bacon, sausage, omelets made-to-order, Eggs Benedict, biscuit and gravy, juice, and coffee. Served the second Sunday of every month. 603-569-4637
Canterbury Shaker Village, walking trails, Shaker Rd., Canterbury, 603-7839511, www.shakers.org
Castle in the Clouds, Rte. 171, holiday and workshop events, Moultonborough, 603-476-5900, www.castleintheclouds.org.
Chapman Sanctuary and Visny Woods, nature trails open for hiking, 740 Mt. Israel Rd., Center Sandwich, 603-284-6428, www.chapmansanctuaryvisnywoods.com.
Chocorua Lake Basin View Lot, mountain views, benches for seating, free, www.chocorualake.org.
Coffee Hour, 10 – 11 a.m., coffee, tea and snacks, Effingham Public Library, 30 Town House Rd., Effingham, 603-539-1537, Effingham.lib.nh.us.
Residential
2 Units - Parking for 10 cars
Country Village Quilt Guild, 1:30 - 3:30 p.m., meets first and third Wednesday of each month, Public Safety Building (back entrance to Police and Fire Dept.), Rte. 25, Moultonborough, countryvillagequilters@gmail.com.
Dam Brewhouse, events, 1323 NH Rte. 175, Campton, 603-726-4500, www. dambrewhouse.com.
Family Craft Day, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m., first Saturday of each month, free and fun for all ages, Belknap Mill, 25 Beacon St. East, Laconia, 603-524-8813, www.belknapmill.org.
First Friday Receptions, through Dec., 5 - 7 p.m., refreshments, conversation & art, ArtWorks Gallery & Fine Crafts, 603-323-8041, 132 Rte. 16, Chocorua, www.chocoruaartworks.com
Frank Bolles Nature Reserve, walking trails, off Rt. 16 to Chocorua Lake Rd., Chocorua, www.chocorualake.org.
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.
Guided Group Tour, history and machines of the historic Belknap Mill, 25 Beacon St. East, Laconia, pre-register: jill@belknapmill.org, 603-524-8813, Monday-Friday.
In the Round, 8:45 a.m., Sundays, thought-provoking topics related to tolerance, Benz Center, Sandwich, 603-284-7211.
Indoor Pickleball, 5 p.m., Sandwich Central School gym, Sandwich, every Tues., Wed. & Fri., parksandrec@sandwichnh.org
Kirkwood Gardens, free, open to public year round, Rt. 3, Holderness, tour the gardens, www.nhnature.org, 603-968-7194.
Ladies of the Lake Quilt Guild, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m., meets second and fourth Wednesday of each month, First Congregational Church, 115 Main St., Wolfeboro. A second group meets Mondays from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. at the Community Center, 22 Lehner St., Wolfeboro, www.llqg.net
Lakes Region Art Association, exhibits and classes, Suite 300, Tanger Outlet, Rte. 3, Tilton, 603-998-0029, www.lraanh.org
Lakes Region Curling Association, fall & winter leagues, matches at Pop Whalen Ice & Arts Center, Wolfeboro, Sundays 4:30 – 6:30 p.m., 84 S. Main St., 603-569-5639.
Laverack Nature Trail at Hawkins Brook, nature trail on boardwalk, free, trail starts to the left of Meredith Village Savings Bank, Rte. 25, Meredith, 603279-9015.
League of NH Craftsmen Meredith Fine Craft Gallery, handmade crafts and art for sale, workshops, 279 Daniel Webster Highway, Meredith, 603-279-7920.
Loon Center, walking trails, 183 Lees Mill Rd., Moultonborough, 603-4765666, www.loon.org
Makers Mill, a variety of workshops, arts and crafts classes and more, 23 Bay St., Wolfeboro, 603-569-1500, www.makersmill.org
Making Strides, 8 – 9 a.m., drop-in walking for groups or singles, Ossipee Town Hall, no pre-registration required, 55 Main St., Center Ossipee, takes place various times: www.ossipee.recdesk.com.
Meredith Public Library Bookstore, run by Friends of the Meredith Library, open weekly: Wed. 10 a.m. – 6 p.m., Thurs. & Fri. 10 a.m.- 4 p.m., Sat. 9 a.m. – 1:30 p.m., lower level, Meredith Public Library, 91 Main St., Meredith, 603279-4303, www.meredithlibrary.org.
New England Racing Museum, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., open Saturdays, 922 NH Rte. 106 N., Loudon, www.NEMSMUSEUM.com
NH Farm Museum, old-time farm events, 1305 White Mt. Highway, Milton, 603-652-7840, www.nhfarmmuseum.org
Outdoor Nature-Based Storytime for Young Children, 10:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m., Tuesdays, Cook Memorial Library, 93 Main St., Tamworth, 603-3238510, www.tamworthlibrary.org.
Plymouth Square Dance, 7:30 – 10 p.m., David millstone calls traditional squares, fiddle tunes by Jordan Tirrell-Wysocki, pianist Sue Hunt, no experience necessary, all dances taught, complimentary Common Man goodies and hot drinks, cash bar, Barn on the Pemi, 341 Daniel Webster Highway, Plymouth, 603-481-0789. (Takes place Nov. 6 & Dec. 4, 2024; Jan. 2, Feb. 6, March 6 & April 3, 2025.)
Prescott Farm Environmental Education Center, 928 White Oaks Road, Laconia, www.prescottfarm.org. Call ahead for event information and to inquire if program pre-registration is necessary: 603-366-5695.
Quilting Group, 1 - 4 p.m., meets every 2 weeks, Ossipee Public Library, 74 Main St., Ossipee, schedule/info: 603-539-6390
Remick Country Doctor Museum & Farm, events, 58 Cleveland Hill Rd., Tamworth, 603-323-7591, www.remickmuseum.org.
Roller Skating Night, 5 p.m., Mondays, bring your own skates, for age 18 and up, Ossipee Town Hall, 55 Main St., Ossipee, info/updates: 603-5391307, www.ossipee.org.
Rug Hookers, 10 a.m. – noon, meets Tuesdays, Tuftonboro Free Library, 221 Middle Rd., Rt. 109A, Tuftonboro, 603-569-4256.
Sculpture Walk, tours of outdoor sculptures around downtown/lakeside areas of Meredith, free, Greater Meredith Program, maps: 603-279-9015.
Song and Jam Circle, 6:30 – 8 p.m., community created jams and song circle, 3rd Monday of each month, Runnells Hall, 25 Deer Hill Rd., Tamworth, free, bring your favorite instruments, Arts Council of Tamworth, 603-5842712, www.artstamworth.org
Tamworth Farmer’s Market, 9 a.m. - noon, Saturdays, 30 Tamworth Road, Tamworth, www.tamworthfarmersmarket.org
Tamworth History Center, 25 Great Hill Rd., Tamworth, info: www.tamworthhistorycenter.org.
Tuftonboro Country Bluegrass and Gospel Jam, 6:30 - 9:30 p.m., Tuesdays, donation requested, Old White Church, Rte. 109A, Center Tuftonboro, across from Tuftonboro General Store, 603-569-3861
Wolfeboro Table Tennis, meets Wednesdays from 4 – 6 p.m., in basement of All Saints Church, Wolfeboro, all skill levels welcome, $5 admission charge each week, info: 603-520-5651.
based in Fort Collins, Colorado, which coordinates with Meindl to import the
Adam came to own Peter Limmer & Sons in a roundabout way. Having grown up in northern Michigan and attended college in Minnesota, he moved to California for graduate school, majoring in Historical Theology. There he met Allison, who became his wife. After a couple of years in California, they moved to Wisconsin, where Adam served as a program director for a ski-racing program. Allison, an ordained minister, got a job in her home state of Kansas, and they moved there until she was offered a job in Fryeburg, Maine. “Being someone that enjoys skiing and enjoys being outdoors and didn’t really care for Kansas all that much, … I was excited about the opportunity to come up here,” Adam said. “We came to visit, drove into the valley… this place is special. So, needing a job, I kind of started putting out
all kinds of applications and ended up with an assistant manager job at Citizens Bank in town, and so we moved into the valley. Shortly after I got here, I was able to transition into the manager position.”
That was how he met Peter Limmer. Adam was “astounded” to learn about the famous bootmaking operation and grew more interested when he learned about the huge backlog of customers. While discussing the business needs, it “kind of led into what his retirement plan was.”
Peter said his son was not sure whether he wanted to take over the business.
Pondering that in the weeks that followed, Adam raised the possibility of learning the trade himself and taking over when Peter was ready to retire.
“What an opportunity for somebody, let alone the craft! From the business side, there’s this built-in backlog, this well-established brand, and the fiercely loyal customer base. It just seemed like a no-brainer, but it didn’t really occur to me right away that that would be an
opportunity that I would take or be interested in,” Adam recalled. “But about a week later, it kind of dawned on me: why not? Like, I’m fairly crafty … and this shop’s got a feel to it.”
When he made that suggestion to Peter, “He looked at me like I was a little bit crazy,” Adam said. However, about
a week later, Peter asked if he was serious, and they began discussing how it would work. Peter learned the trade from the bottom up, and they signed the agreement for Peter to take over in early 2021. “It’s become a lot bigger than I originally thought it might have been,” Adam said.
Honor Veterans This Holiday Season
The holiday season is a time when family and friends gather to reconnect and celebrate. For many families there are people missing from these celebrations, whether they sacrificed their lives defending the country or died honorably years after serving in the military.
As individuals plan to add spirit to homes and businesses through decorations and other touches, they also can consider adding a bit of the holidays to the places where their beloved service members lie in eternal rest. This is the main premise behind the Wreaths Across America organization.
remembered a trip to Washington D.C. as a child that included a visit to Arlington National Cemetery. In 1992, when Worcester’s business had a surplus of wreaths nearing the end of the holiday season, he remembered an indelible image of wreaths on graves at Arlington and devised a way to put those wreaths to use honoring the country’s veterans.
The primary activity of Wreaths Across America is to distribute wreaths to be placed on graves in military cemeteries. On National Wreaths Across America Day, which takes place on a moving day each December at thousands of locations, volunteers place wreaths on headstones and read out the names of the service members.
Arlington National Cemetery was the first place to receive wreaths. Since then, the movement has grown to include cemeteries across the nation. In 2022, Wreaths Across America and its national network of volunteers placed more than 2.7 million sponsored veterans’ wreaths on headstones of our nation’s service members at 3,702 participating locations.
Although veterans are remembered each Memorial Day and Veterans Day, they can be honored 365 days a year for their service and sacrifices. Wreaths Across America offers an important way to set aside time during the holiday season show appreciation for veterans who are no longer with us.
The organization was founded by Morrill Worcester and his wife, Karen, as a way to teach all generations about the value of their freedoms and the importance of honoring those who sacrificed so much to protect those freedoms. Worcester, owner of the Worcester Wreath Company in Maine,
Those looking to get involved can visit www.wreathsacrossamerica.org to learn more about volunteer opportunities or bringing WAA into their communities. ~ Metro
Hello, boys and girls. Are you ready for some fun foodie stuff? I hope so because I have some great breakfast fun ready for you today. It’s a crazy time of year with Thanksgiving behind us, Christmas and all the shopping associated with it in the next few weeks! I always try to submerge myself in the kitchen and cook my butt off when I’m stressed, so that is what I am trying to emphasize today. In my family most of my life during the holidays, a big or at least a fun breakfast was as meaningful as the big dinner, so yup, today is all about fun morning goodies, whether doing so during the holiday time or whenever it feels right. All of these are small items that are much of a grab ‘n’ go kind of thing, or as I often do, use these for brunch items, not to mention for an afternoon snack, so let’s do this!
I’m going to start with a yummy doughnut hole recipe. Although not
everyone is a fan of pumpkin, I know many that are when they are done right and this one is a perfect example. These oven-cooked holes are a quickie that can be prepped and cooked in less than a half hour. Once cooked and cooled a little, they are rolled in a cinnamon/sugar mix and then watch them disappear. Whenever we have overnight company around the holidays, I love making these for the crew in the morning as a breakfast appetizer while I work on the real breakfast. If by any chance they don’t vanish immediately, they will within a few hours I guarantee. This recipe will get you 2 dozen holes of goodness.
Cinnamon Sugar
Pumpkin Donut Holes
For the Pumpkin Donut Holes
1 cup pumpkin puree
½ cup granulated sugar
½ cup brown sugar, packed
¼ cup vegetable oil
2 large eggs
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
2 tsp baking powder
½ tsp baking soda
1 tsp ground cinnamon
½ tsp ground nutmeg
¼ tsp ground ginger
¼ tsp ground cloves
½ tsp salt
For the Cinnamon Sugar Coating
1 cup granulated sugar
2 tsp ground cinnamon
6 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
Preheat your oven to 350 degrees. Lightly grease a mini muffin tin or a donut hole pan. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the pumpkin puree, granulated sugar, brown sugar, vegetable oil, eggs, and vanilla extract until well combined. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, cloves, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, stirring until just combined. Be careful not to overmix. Using a small cookie scoop or tablespoon, fill the prepared mini muffin tin or donut hole pan with the batter, filling each cavity about two-thirds full. Bake in the preheated oven for 12-15 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Allow the donut holes to cool in the pan for about 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool slightly. In a small bowl, mix the granulated sugar and ground cinnamon for the coating. Brush each warm donut hole with melted butter and then roll it in the cinnamon sugar mixture, coating them well.
For any of you who read my article on a semi-regular basis, you know my love for morning sweetbreads, and I have a couple of great options for you. This one is an applesauce bread that is amazingly moist, delicious, and quite easy to make, which is a great plus. This bread has fabulous flavor, and it’s topped with a great brown sugar and cinnamon crumble that puts this one over the top. This recipe is for 1 loaf of goodness, so double up or more if needed. Prep time is 15 minutes. Cooking time will take
‘Cue The Grill
Sweet and Savory Breakfast Breads and Sandwiches
you an hour. As a footnote, I usually use coconut oil and almond flour in this, but you can use canola or vegetable oil and all-purpose flour if preferred.
Cinnamon Applesauce Bread
1 cup unsweetened applesauce
2 tsp pure vanilla extract
¼ cup coconut oil melted but not too hot
⅓ cup plain or vanilla Greek yogurt, low-fat or fat-free if preferred
1 large egg
⅓ cup brown sugar
½ tsp allspice
½ tsp nutmeg
2 tsp ground cinnamon
½ tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
¼ tsp salt
½ cup peeled and finely chopped apple
½ cup chopped pecans or walnuts
½ tsp lemon juice
1 ¼ cups oat flour or make your own by blending oats in a food processor or blender or you can also use whole wheat flour
½ cup almond flour
Topping
2 tbsp brown sugar
¼ tsp ground cinnamon
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Lightly grease a bread pan. In a large bowl, stir together the applesauce, vanilla extract, melted coconut oil and Greek yogurt until combined. Mix in the egg and brown sugar and stir to combine. Add the cinnamon, allspice, nutmeg, baking soda, baking powder and salt. Stir to combine. Add in the chopped apple and nuts and gently fold into the mixture, careful not to overmix. Add the flours and stir until just combined and pour into greased bread pan. Mix the brown sugar and cinnamon together and sprinkle over the top of the uncooked bread. Bake for 55-60 minutes or until a toothpick, when inserted into the center, comes out clean. Let cool in the pan for 5-10 minutes before taking it out and letting it cool on a wire rack. Don’t slice too early as it will like-
ly fall apart. So good!
As much as I love the last bread recipe, this one is my favorite of the two, but that’s just me. Anytime anyone marries blueberries and lemon into any recipe, I’m always on board and this is a perfect breakfast or snack bread. Like the last recipe, I use coconut oil and almond flour, as well as coconut flour, but you can sub for them as I mentioned earlier if preferred. Again, this one is very moist, scrumptious and fairly healthy, especially if you don’t sub for the ingredients I just mentioned. The glaze poured over the top of this once out of the oven is another clincher for me. This one cooks up quicker than the last one did as prep is still in the 10-minute range but oven time is closer to 35-40 minutes. This, too, makes one loaf.
Blueberry Lemon Bread
1 ½ cups almond flour
¼ cup coconut flour
1 tsp baking soda
¼ tsp salt
4 eggs
½ cup coconut oil, melted
⅓ cup raw honey and/or pure maple syrup
3 tbsp fresh squeezed lemon juice
1 cup fresh blueberries
For the Glaze, optional ½ cup confectioners’ sugar
3-4 tsp milk
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease a loaf pan and place a piece of parchment paper on the bottom of the pan. Combine almond flour, coconut flour, baking soda, and salt in a large bowl. Whisk together eggs, coconut oil, honey/maple syrup, and lemon juice until combined. Add wet ingredients to the dry and mix just until blended well. Spread one-third of the batter into the bottom of pan. Sprinkle ⅓ of the blueberries on top. Repeat with another third of the batter and third of the blueberries. Repeat one more time with the remaining batter and berries. Bake 32-37 minutes, until
toothpick inserted into center comes out clean. Cover with foil if the top begins to brown too much. Remove from oven and allow to cool. Combine the confectioners’ sugar and milk, 2-3 tbsp to start and add more if needed to get to your preferred consistency, then drizzle over the top of the bread and let it set before slicing. Delicious!
This next small breakfast treat is an ideal combo of French toast and muffins as I introduce you to French toast muffins. Everything you love about French toast is combined into these morning pleasures. These are outstanding just as they are, or slathered with butter and/ or drizzled with pure maple syrup, or as my gram used to do, top the muffins with fresh berries and a dollop or 2 of whipped cream. However you choose to devour these, you’ll love them, I promise. They make a delightful breakfast treat or snack with a delicious cinnamon sugar crust. Plan on about 40 minutes to prep/cook these and this will get you a dozen muffins.
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup granulated sugar
2 tsp baking powder
¼ tsp salt
1 cup milk
2 large eggs
1 tsp vanilla extract
½ cup butter, melted
1 tsp ground cinnamon
Additional granulated sugar and cin-
namon for topping
Preheat your oven to 350 degrees and grease a muffin tin or line it with muffin liners. In a large bowl, combine the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt. Mix well. In a separate bowl, whisk together the milk, eggs, and vanilla extract. Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and stir until just combined. Stir in the melted butter and cinnamon until the batter is smooth. Pour the batter into the prepared muffin tin, filling each cup about 2/3 full. Mix additional granulated sugar and cinnamon in a small bowl. Sprinkle the mixture generously over each muffin. Bake for 2025 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of a muffin comes out clean. Let the muffins cool in the tin for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack. There is no bad time to eat these as they’re awesome warm or at room temp as you will be impressed either way. If you have leftovers, I love cutting them in half, then buttering and grilling them and then put into a bowl and lightly drizzle with maple syrup and maybe sprinkled with powdered sugar. Lastly today, we move away from sweet breakfast treats and go with a mini pizza theme combined with sausage gravy. These English muffin pizzas are always a popular hit with any-
Cinnamon Sugar
French Toast Muffins
25th Annual Holiday Basket Fundraiser for L.I.F.E. Ministries Food Pantry
For the 25th year, the Wolfeboro Rotary Club and L.I.F.E. Ministries Food Pantry will hold their joint Holiday Basket fundraiser to benefit the Food Pantry. Since 1999, the Holiday Basket has been the Food Pantry’s largest annual fundraiser, with its proceeds going to provide food to families in need in Wolfeboro and surrounding towns.
The event will begin on Tuesday, December 3, and run through Saturday, December 7, Berkshire Hathaway Home Services Verani Realty has once again offered its office at 22 South Main Street to serve as a drop-off point for donations during normal business hours. Donations may also be dropped off at the Rotary Christmas Tree Sale at the Clark Museum Complex at 218 South Main Street from 10:00 am
• ‘Cue The Grill continued from page 21
one I have made them for. After lightly toasting the muffin halves, they are then topped with fluffy scrambled eggs, a homemade sausage gravy, cheese and sausage, and then they go under your oven broiler. Pretty easy, right? When I mentioned pizza, my guess is this went in a direction you may not have been expecting since there is no pizza sauce, but I love the “thinking outside the box” mentality with these. Much of the time invested into making these is for the gravy, which is simple to do, and the entire process will take you a half hour, and if preferred, you can brown the sausage and make the gravy the day before
to 4:00 pm Friday through Sunday, mailed to L.I.F.E. Ministries Food Pantry at P.O. Box 476, Wolfeboro Falls, N.H. 03896, or made online at www. lifeministriesfoodpantry.org.
Our Food Pantry has experienced steadily increasing demand for our services since mid-2022, largely as the result of the impact of inflation on families who were already struggling to make ends meet. The Pantry provided 153,951 meal equivalents in 2022. That increased to 241,388 in 2023. During the first ten months of this year, it has provided 227,398 meal equivalents. This represents a two-year increase of more than eighty-five percent. Just since April 1, 2024, the pantry has registered 79 new families for our services, consisting of 204 individuals.
and just warm them up at the last minute to make cooking time in the morning much quicker, but your call. This will get you a dozen half-muffin pizzas. They’re perfect for a hearty breakfast or a brunch treat and are chock full of great flavor.
English Muffin Breakfast Pizza
1 package of English muffins, split and lightly toasted
8 eggs
1 lb ground breakfast sausage
8-12 oz sliced cheddar cheese, depending on how thick they are sliced
For the Sausage Gravy
3 cups milk
3/8 cup sausage drippings, adding butter if there aren’t enough drippings 3/8 cup all-purpose flour
The Wolfeboro Rotary Club, founded in July of 1927, is part of Rotary International, a humanitarian service organization that brings together business and professional leaders in order to provide community service, promote integrity, and advance goodwill, peace, and understanding in the world.
The Holiday Basket is just one of its annual events that support charitable causes in the community.
Now in its thirty-ninth year of operation, L.I.F.E. Ministries Food Pantry was founded in 1985 as a joint outreach of seven Wolfeboro churches. Its mission is to provide access to food security to members of the community in need with dignity and respect. It operates on a drive-through basis on the first and third Wednesdays of ev-
½ tsp salt or more to taste
¼ tsp pepper or more to taste
In a skillet, cook the sausage over medium heat, stirring and breaking up while cooking until fully cooked. Remove from skillet and set aside, reserving 3/8 cup of drippings for the gravy, adding a little butter if necessary, to the reserved drippings in the skillet. Add the flour and cook over medium-low heat, stirring constantly, for 5-10 minutes until the mixture turns golden. Gradually whisk in the milk, continuing to stir, until the gravy thickens and comes to a boil. Season with salt and pepper and drop the heat to low. While making the gravy, lightly toast the split English muffins. In a non-stick skillet, scramble the eggs until fluffy, adding
ery month, distributing sufficient food to prepare twelve meals per week for each family member, as well as basic household necessities, such as cleaning and personal hygiene items. It provides vouchers for the purchase of milk and fresh produce. During school vacation periods, the Food Pantry offers additional food for children through its Vacation Station Program.
The Holiday Basket makes up a major portion of the Food Pantry’s annual budget. We are fortunate to live in an extremely caring community whose generous support enables us to provide for our neighbors in need. We thank you for your past contributions and ask for your assistance in making this another successful Holiday Basket.
a small dash of milk if desired. Preheat the oven broiler to high. Arrange the toasted English muffin halves on a baking sheet. Spread each muffin with a layer of gravy, then top with scrambled eggs, a slice of cheese, and cooked sausage. Broil the pizzas for 1-2 minutes or until the cheese is bubbly and melted. Let them rest for a few minutes before biting into them.
That’s a wrap, my friends. I’ll catch up with you next time around and I hope you test drive some of these as I feel quite confident that you’ll dig them big time. Make sure you all continue to keep your taste buds happy and smiling and until we meet again, if you have any questions or feedback, feel free to touch base at fenwaysox10@gmail.com
Christmas Night in Ashland
On December 6, the first Friday evening in December, Ashland will once again celebrate Christmas Night in downtown Ashland. Most activities will take place between 4 and 7 pm, with the important exceptions of the Craft Fair in the American Legion Hall, which will run from 9 am to 7 pm and the Teen Night that will follow in the evening. This year’s theme is “Candy Cane Christmas”.
Santa Claus will arrive on his decorated fire truck at 4 pm at Memorial Park, in the center of downtown, where he will visit with children and the young at heart during the evening. Memorial Park is also the starting point for the free raffle of gifts donated by local businesses and others. To enter, pick up your passport (one passport per person) at the North Pole Passport Station in the park, then follow the map to each participating location, where you will receive trinkets. The passport and the trinkets will then be returned by 6:45 pm to the Passport Station to be entered into the free raffle for the prizes to be drawn by Santa after the tree lighting. Also in Memorial Park, the Ashland Area Recreation Association will give out free popcorn and hot chocolate. The Common Man will provide a free trolley, which will stop at the various locations, beginning at 4 pm The Ashland Re-enactors will sing carols at different sites downtown during the evening.
The various venues will be found along Main and Highland Streets.
Cross Hairs Barber Shop at 14 Main Street will hand out candy. The always popular Cookie Walk with homemade cookies (for $1 per bag) will be held in Colleen’s Kitchen at 25 Main Street. The all-day Craft Fair in the Legion Hall, 37 Main Street will feature several crafters and artists selling their wares. Chowder and chili will be served there from 11 am to 6:30 pm. Ashland musicians Paul Hubert and Kathy Sheer will perform in the Hall. The Ashland Town Library, 41 Main Street will give out free take-and-make craft activity kits to children.
The Meredith Village Savings Bank, at the corner of Riverside Drive and Highland Street, will give away Christmas ornament kits. In the parish hall of Emmanuel Episcopal Church, 18 Highland Street, the Ashland Historical Society will display photos of past Ashland Christmases, and the Church will serve hot apple cider.
The Ashland Community Church, 55 Main Street will provide free meals, snacks, drinks and desserts, as well as a photo booth, family photos, games and crafts for the children. Letters to Santa can be mailed in a special mailbox at Roundabout New England, 62 Main Street. They will also have a Christmas display and show a movie during the event. Elaine Hughes Realty Group will host the building of gingerbread houses for children. Non-perishable food items can be left there for donation to the local food closet. Other businesses in the downtown area will
also be open for the evening.
At 6:45 pm, all will gather in Memorial Park for carols by the Ashland Re-enactors, the lighting of the Town Christmas Tree by Santa, and the raffle for the passport prizes. Santa will then depart for the North Pole on his fire truck.
From 7:30 to 9 pm, a Teen Night for
youth 13 to 19 years old will be held at Mill #3, with games and food provided by the Dew Drop-In. The Christmas Night Committee, acting under the auspices of the Ashland Historical Society, thanks all who have worked to make this annual community holiday event a success.
Lakes Region Curling New Member Registration is Open for Winter League
The Lakes Region Curling Association is currently celebrating a decade of curling in the greater Lakes Region. While the club’s fall league continues into December, LRCA is looking ahead to its winter league. Winter League registration is now open to the general public!
For men and women of all ages and fitness levels, curling is a sport that combines skill, teamwork, and strategy. Players can register singly or as full teams of four or five players. No previous experience is needed,
and the LRCA provides all necessary equipment. LRCA membership is open to players ages 14 years and older. Spots are available for Full-season Membership as well as Associate and Alternate opportunities. Games will take place at Pop Whalen Ice and Arts Center in Wolfeboro, NH on Sundays starting in January 2025.
For more information on Lakes Region Curling including Winter 2025 Membership, Learn-to-Curl events and more, visit lakescurlingnh.org
Concord Music School December Events
Thursday, December 5 at 12:10 pm Zefira Trio presents “Harmonious Heights.” The group comprises violinist (and CCMS faculty member) Olga Patramanska-Bell, cellist Ashima Scripp, and pianist Eleanor Perrone.
The members of Zefíra have established themselves as solo artists and chamber musicians of the highest standard. They are top prize winners of many national and international competitions and often appear as soloists with orchestras or in major recital halls across the country. This commitment to excellence is the foundation of their collaboration — to combine the instrumental mastery of the soloist into the ‘many-become-one’ that defines great
chamber music playing and is achieved only by long-term association and mutuality in joint performance.
Thursday, December 12 at 12:10 pm Bach’s Lunch: Canterbury Singers Holiday Recital and Sing-Along. The Canterbury Singers are back with another concert of fun and traditional holiday tunes as well as selections from the Shaker, Deep South, and Gospel traditions. The audience will join in for carol singing! The Canterbury Singers present authentic Shaker music, expanded by arrangements of American folk songs, music of early America, and inspired arrangements by a variety of composers. The group is one of the very few non-auditioned, high quality
professionally directed choral experiences for mixed voices (men and women blended ensemble) in the Capital Area.
Saturday, December 14 at 7 pm Holiday Folk Concert. Nearly twenty years ago, singer and guitarist Susie Burke and her husband, guitarist/mandolinist David Surette, began a series of annual holiday concerts with pianist/guitarist/ bassist Kent Allyn. The shows soon became part of many people’s holiday traditions. David passed away in December 2021, leaving very large shoes to fill, and is sorely missed by so many.
Last year, Susie and Kent called on multi-instrumentalist Steve Roy, one
of David’s great pals and very favorite musical collaborators, to join them for a series of holiday shows. The three return this year in a festive concert featuring selections from their holiday CD release “Wonderland,” alongside a repertoire ranging from centuries-old traditional carols to unique takes on modern holiday classics.
These events are part of our 40th Anniversary Year celebration and will be held in our historic Recital Hall. Tickets are $25 for adults and $20 for students/seniors and can be purchased online at www.ccmusicschool.org/event/ or in person at the Music School.
More Lights & New Displays Added to Gift of Lights at New Hampshire
The 14th annual Gift of Lights presented by Ambetter from NH Healthy Families opened Thanksgiving evening at New Hampshire Motor Speedway with nearly four million lights. The 2.5-mile drive-thru light show that’s become a New England family tradition is back at New Hampshire Motor Speedway (NHMS) shining brighter than ever with new displays and nearly 500,000 more lights for its 14th holiday season. What’s New This Year? More lights! Winterland, the company that operates Gift of Lights, has added nearly 500,000 more lights at NHMS this season for a total of nearly four million twinkling lights in more than 500 displays across more than 80 different scenes. New displays and scenes! Families can drive through the 130-foot infield tunnel that has been upgraded to an RGB tunnel this year and take a trip “Around the World” enjoying well-known landmarks such as Big Ben, Easter Island, the Eiffel Tower, the Leaning Tower of Pisa, Mount Rushmore, Taj Mahal and more throughout the infield. There will also be dinosaurs roaming around, and the infamous Grinch will be stealing Christmas items throughout the NHMS property. If one visit isn’t enough, attendees can now purchase a $95 season pass, which allows unlimited visits this season for up to two vehicles.
Santa Claus will roll into Loudon in style aboard the Coca-Cola Holiday Caravan making a special stop at Gift of Lights presented by Ambetter from NH Healthy Families on Saturday, Dec. 21 from 6-8:30 pm. Kids can visit with St. Nick to get their last-minute gift requests in and bring home a free keepsake photo.
Gift of Lights presented by Ambetter from NH Healthy Families benefits NHMS’s official charity, the New Hampshire Chapter of Speedway Children’s Charities (SCCNH), which supports children in need throughout New England in a few ways:
Families can purchase $3 s’more kits at the food truck at the end of the Gift of Lights route and roast them on the open fire pits. All proceeds will go to SCCNH.
Register for the Yule Light Up the Night 2.1-mile fun run/walk to experience the dazzling Christmas light displays on foot on Sunday, Dec. 15 at 4:30 pm. A portion of race registration proceeds will benefit SCCNH.
A portion of proceeds from event admissions will go straight to SCCNH. SCCNH has raised $451,148 from Gift of Lights since 2011 and has donated more than $2.25 million to deserving regional charities supporting more than 1.4 million children since 2009. Attendees are encouraged to bring
three or more non-perishable food items for the Loudon Food Pantry to save $3 off single-vehicle admission purchased on-site. Since 2011, event attendees have donated nearly 105,000 pounds of food totaling nearly 98,000 meals for local families in need during the winter months.
Theme Nights: Attendees can save $5 off single-vehicle admission purchased on-site by participating in theme nights:
Dec. 2 - PJ Night – Wear your coziest Christmas pajamas.
Dec. 3 - Community Tuesday – Attend Gift of Lights presented by Ambetter from NH Healthy Families on Giving Tuesday.
Dec. 4 - Pet Night – Bring your pet to
Speedway
enjoy the lights. Dec. 11 - Christmas Sweater Night –Wear your craziest Christmas sweater. Tickets and Hours of Operation: Gift of Lights presented by Ambetter from NH Healthy Families opens at 4:30 pm nightly, depending on the weather. All traffic must enter through NHMS’s South Entrance. Admission is available for purchase online at NHMS.com or at NHMS for $35 per car or $60 per bus, limousine or RV (add $2 per person for vehicles containing more than 15 guests). On Military Mondays, Dec 2 and 9, active military members and veterans can enjoy Gift of Lights presented by Ambetter from NH Healthy Families for only $5 with valid military ID.
Concord, New Hampshire
A Lakes Region Christmas
By Kathi Caldwell-Hopper
For those wondering how Christmas was celebrated in years gone by, think of simple things: sharing a dinner with family, stopping by a friend’s house to see their Christmas tree, attending a school party, and during World Wars I and II, looking to a possible and much-anticipated visit from a family member/soldier home on leave.
In 1935, the United States was in the grip of the Great Depression, but somehow small towns such as Bristol and surrounding communities found a way to celebrate the Christmas season even if on a shoestring budget. An ad in the Dec. 18, 1935 issue of the Bristol Enterprise told readers of holiday food items at low prices offered from area First National Stores. Sale priced items included sugar at 20 cents for three 1 lb. packages, a loaf of bread for 14 cents, and two tins of cranberry sauce for 35 cents, among other products.
For those lucky enough to have some extra money and the prudency to plan ahead, the Bristol Enterprise told of
the 1935 Christmas Club at the Bristol Savings Bank. Over the years, such savings plans allowed customers to bank a few dollars each week for gift buying in December.
An ad for the Bristol Clothing Store assured the reader the shop would be open every night until Christmas; they advised giving the gift of something to wear in the “Spirit of Good Will.”
Local churches and clubs planned gatherings to celebrate – and perhaps forget for a few hours the worries of the world. An old-fashioned carol sing at the Christian Church in Hill promised fellowship, and the Baptist Church in Bristol invited all to a supper, decorated tree and entertainment.
About 10 years later, the front page of the Bristol Enterprise told readers in a December 1944 issue that a holiday service at the local Federated Church was very well attended. Perhaps families found solace in the sermon and music as World War II raged.
Interestingly, north of the Lakes Region, the December 25, 1945 issue of
The Reporter, told of Mt. Washington workers home for Christmas. This must have been a treat for their families because the article said, “Contrary to expectation, the men who have been working atop Mt. Washington are home for Christmas. They had to walk down and will make the ascent the same way when they go back in a week’s time.”
The article went on to say that the most noticeable thing “up there” was the wind. “It blows all the time and fifty miles an hour is normal, but usually it is much stronger than that. Last Saturday for instance it reached 126 miles per hour.” This was no surprise to anyone in the Mt. Washington Valley familiar with the weather so far north.
Lest one think of the Canterbury Shakers as a somber religious group that shunned celebrations such as Christmas, that assumption would be incorrect. The Shakers loved the holiday and saw it as a chance to give of themselves to their fellow Shaker brothers and sisters and the world at large.
Making merry, as well as observing the holiday’s religious aspects was important to the Shakers over the years. For the Shakers, the holiday was a time to recognize their flaws and ask for forgiveness. It was also a time to cook, to make and give gifts and to celebrate the season much like the rest of the world.
Having fun was part of Shaker life that balanced long hours of work. Throughout the year, picnics, sleigh rides, game nights, musical entertainments and special dinners were regular forms of Shaker socializing, so it can be assumed the same held true
at Christmas. According to one Shaker sister, it was called the “feast of delights.” Among the last remaining Shaker members at Canterbury Shaker Village, Eldress Bertha Lindsay and Eldress Gertrude Soule spoke fondly of the joy throughout the Christmas season and the Shaker’s holiday customs.
Socializing after church on and around Christmas Day meant a great deal to the fun-loving Shakers. After services, the members would sit and chat while passing bowls of nuts and popcorn. All children who lived with the Shakers were included in the celebrations, and perhaps these little ones were part of the reason the Shakers loved Christmas so much.
In the Shaker cookbook titled Seasoned With Grace by Eldress Bertha Lindsay and Mary Rose Boswell, images of Christmas celebrated by the Shakers bring to mind a simple and charming way to celebrate the holiday.
Part of the Shaker Christmas festivities, at one time, was drawing names from a bowl; each person would draw a name at random and give a gift to that person. No one was forgotten when it came to giving and receiving gifts. Gifts were often handmade and practical.
Although they lived somewhat apart from the outside world, the Shakers were aware of what was going on elsewhere. They embraced modern gadgets and such inventions as automobiles. By the 1920s, Christmas trees were seen in most homes, often decorated
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Notable Chanukah Traditions
Each year on the twenty-fifth day of Kislev, which typically falls during the month of December, adherents of the Jewish faith celebrate the festival of Chanukah. Although Chanukah may not bear the same religious significance as other Jewish holidays, it is a well-known celebration.
Chanukah commemorates the rededication of the Temple by the Maccabees in 165 BC after its desecration by the Syrians. Although there was not enough oil left to light the Temple for even one night, lamps remained illuminated for eight straight days and nights. Thus Chanukah is known as the Festival of Lights, which incorporates many unique traditions.
Lighting the menorah
Perhaps the most visible and important Chanukah tradition involves the menorah. While traditional Jewish menorahs have seven branches, the Chanukah menorah, known as the hanukkiah, actually has nine branches. There are eight candles and a ninth, which is called the shamash, is used to light the other eight. The menorah is lit each night after sundown.
Giving of gelt
Chanukah gelt is money given as presents during the festival. It is typically offered to children and sometimes to teachers. Other gifts have now largely replaced the coins once offered, and gelt is sometimes chocolate.
Playing dreidel
Greek-Syrians outlawed Jewish studies at one point, so the Jews spun dreidels to pretend they were only playing games. Really they were engaged with their scripture. The tradition of spinning the dreidel endures as a Chanukah tradition.
Foods fried in oil
The miracle of the burning oil extends to the foods enjoyed during Chanukah. Many of the holiday foods are prepared in oil, including latkes (fried potatoes) and sufganiyot, which are fried, jelly-filled doughnuts. According to Town & Country magazine, millions of jelly doughnuts are consumed in Israel throughout Chanukah.
Serving brisket
An authentic Chanukah celebration often includes traditional dishes served in the spirit of celebration and gratitude. Brisket is frequently prepared for Chanukah dinners. Brisket was adopted because it was affordable and delicious. Jewish brisket is braised, and served with carrots, potatoes and other vegetables. Brisket may be served alongside another Chanukah dish, kugel, which is a casserole made from eggs and noodles
Making cookies
Although Christmas cookies may be ubiquitous this time of year, cookies often are part of Chanukah traditions as well. Some cookies are cut to look like dreidels or stars.
Those who want to incorporate the miracle of oil into their baking can seek recipes that use oil in place of butter in the cookie batters, something that can make them dairy-free and also vegan.
Chanukah begins on December 25, 2024, and will last through January 2, 2025. It’s a festive time to embrace many time-honored traditions. ~ Metro
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with lights and ornaments. Always creative yet thrifty, the Shakers made ornaments and strung popcorn and cranberries for their holiday trees. Some of the remaining sisters at Shaker Village would arrange apples in a star around the base of the Christmas tree. The sisters would also make food baskets for distribution to needy neighbors.
One Shaker sister related that before sunrise on Christmas morning, the younger people of the Canterbury community would assemble by the west door of the large dormitory called the Dwelling House. An elderly brother would usher the youngsters to an attic loft. Candles for each Shaker were
lit, and then the leader pulled the heavy rope cord that rang a Revere bell in the bell tower. The pealing bell woke the older Shakers, who dressed and joined the singing youngsters as they descended from the loft.
After special prayers, the Shakers enjoyed a Christmas breakfast. Later, all Shakers returned to their rooms where they picked a special possession, wrapped it and placed it in a large barrel in the center hallway. Gifts ranging from warm winter coats to shoes, candles and other items were given into the common barrel. These gifts, along with groceries, were given to less fortunate neighbors.
The gift giving showed the generosity of the Shakers and their concern for those outside their community. They
followed the strict rule that the gifts must be cherished possessions of the giver; the Shakers held to the idea that a gift was not a gift if it was not wanted or needed by the giver.
In the 19th century, the Canterbury Shakers used natural decorations, and the interiors of the buildings were adorned with evergreen boughs, pinecones and fruit. By the early 20th century, natural decorations were still popular among the Shakers, and such things as red and green bows intertwined with clusters of evergreens festooned the buildings. A live tree was decorated outside for the birds to enjoy. The lucky birds had a bountiful Christmas tree. Pinecones filled with peanut butter and rolled in birdseed, dried corn on the cob and popcorn were placed on the boughs.
What were popular Christmas gifts for Laconia residents in the 1940s?
Many families looked forward to the arrival of the big Sears holiday gift catalogue in late summer/early autumn by mail. It was a treat for everyone, allowing kids to browse the newest toys and adults to check for current fashions, household items and dresses for mother, suits and ties for father.
In 1940, the catalogue offered all sorts of toys, such as a 17-piece Happi-Time Airport for boys, as well as fun toys such as a Buddy “L” Riding Truck, and of course, the latest Tinker Toys so every boy could build ultra-tall structures. Perhaps in the early to mid 1940s, fathers and older brothers were enlisted and away during WWII, and toys such as these would assuage the sadness of the empty chair at the Christmas table.
Young girls had many toys from which to choose as well, such as the stylish “Miss Marie” doll decked out in a clever hat and striped skirt. A baby doll that cried “Poppa” and “Momma” might have been a child’s choice instead. Dollhouses, make-believe vacuum cleaners, mops and brooms allowed girls to mirror the household
chores of Mom.
Along with the festivities of Christmas, there was the reality of war. Families worried about loved ones fighting far away during World War II. Trimming the tree and preparing Christmas dinner was bittersweet. While the holidays were fun for the kids, for mothers and wives it was also a time for worry. Due to the war effort, many food items were rationed, and Christmas dinner saw the usual items on the menu substituted or lessened in use. Sugar, flour, and some canned goods were not to be found or were in short supply.
An event in 1940 also shook things up and it wasn’t related to the war, but rather right on New Hampshire soil. On December 20, 1940 – just a few days before Christmas – citizens in central New Hampshire were awoken to the ground shaking when a 5.6 magnitude earthquake hit the area. It happened around 2 a.m. and residents woke from sleep and were frightened by the rumbling. (Perhaps they thought the Germans had reached American soil and were bombing New Hampshire?) Whatever their fears, the earthquake was recorded as the state’s largest in history at the time. The powerful quake tumbled some chimneys and caused headstone damage at cemeteries.
The area was hit once more on December 24 with a quake even more powerful than the first. It happened at 8:43 a.m. and caused quite a stir in the Lakes Region. Aftershocks from the second earthquake were felt until the New Year and set residents on edge.
Music was important at the time, as well as movies before most families had the luxury of television. Residents loved the Woolworth department store on the Main Street in Laconia and shopped for Christmas presents. One could purchase record albums, and other gifts and have lunch at the handy lunch counter at Woolworths. The store
Bringing the Lakes Region into Your Home
The serene beauty of the Lakes Region offers endless inspiration for holiday decorating. From rustic cabins to modern homes with sweeping lake views, these decorating ideas will help you embrace the natural charm of the area. Here are some DIY ideas: Wreaths and Garlands: Wreaths are a holiday staple, but in the Lakes Region, they often feature materials sourced from the local environment.
• Evergreen Wreath- Gather branches of pine, spruce, or fir from your backyard or nearby woods. Add pinecones, red berries, and small sprigs of cedar for texture.
• Lake-Inspired Accents- Incorporate small pieces of driftwood, shells, or stones collected from lake shores into your wreath. These elements add a unique regional flair.
• Garlands for Mantels and RailingsUse fresh greens to create garlands that drape along your fireplace mantle, staircase, or front porch. Accent them with plaid ribbons or fairy lights for a cozy glow.
Lake-Themed Ornaments: reflect the Lakes Region’s identity on your Christmas tree with handmade or locally inspired ornaments.
• Wooden Cutouts- Look for ornaments shaped like Lake Winnipesaukee or other local landmarks. Many artisans in the area create custom pieces during the holiday season.
• Natural Ornaments- Use birch bark, acorns, or tiny pinecones to craft rustic decorations. Tie them with twine or plaid ribbon to add a touch of country charm.
• Family Craft Night- Turn ornament-making into a tradition with the kids. Paint small wooden boats, fish, or snowflakes to hang on your tree.
Cozy Cabin Vibes: Nothing says “Lakes Region holiday” like transforming your home into a snug retreat from the cold.
• Plaid Everywhere- Plaid patterns evoke classic New England warmth from tablecloths to throw pillows.
• Layered Textures- Use chunky knit blankets, faux fur throws, and soft wool cushions to create a cozy space to relax after a day of outdoor fun.
• Fireplace Focal Point- Decorate your fireplace mantle with an arrangement of candles, garlands, and stockings. For an authentic Lakes Region look, consider adding antique snowshoes or skis as decorative elements nearby.
Lake-Inspired Tablescapes: When hosting holiday meals, your table can become a centerpiece for seasonal cheer.
• Natural Centerpieces- Arrange fresh greens with candles and pinecones for an elegant yet rustic feel. Place cranberries or holly berries in clear vases for pops of red.
• Local Details- Use placemats or napkins featuring scenes of the Lakes Region or its wildlife, such as loons and deer.
• Wooden Chargers and Utensils- Incorporate natural wood elements, like chargers, cutting boards, or serving trays, to echo the forested surroundings.
Window Displays and Candlelight: The tradition of placing candles in windows is especially fitting in the snowy landscape of New Hampshire.
• Electric Window Candles- Line your windows with soft, flickering candles to create a welcoming glow visible from outside.
• Lake Views Framed with Lights- If your home overlooks the water, outline your window frames with string lights to highlight the scenery.
• Seasonal Touches- Hang simple ornaments or small wreaths in the windows to add charm without obstructing the view.
Outdoor Decorations That Shine: Make your home’s exterior as inviting as the interior with tasteful outdoor displays.
• Classic White Lights- Outline your home and pathways with soft white lights to accentuate the snowy landscape.
• Natural Porch Décor- Arrange birch logs, pine branches, and lanterns by your front door. Add a plaid blanket draped over a rocking chair for a picture-perfect scene.
• Ice Lanterns- Create luminaries by freezing water in buckets or molds, leaving a hollow center for candles.
These look stunning when placed along driveways or walkways.
Handmade Touches for Every Room: Handmade decorations bring warmth and personality to your holiday home.
• Mason Jar Snow Globes- Fill mason jars with artificial snow, small figurines, and a sprinkle of glitter. These are easy to make and look delightful on shelves or as gifts.
• Festive Signs and ChalkboardsWrite holiday messages or favorite quotes on chalkboards or wooden signs. “Let it Snow” or “Peace on Earth” are popular choices.
• Potpourri and Scents- Simmer a mix of orange slices, cinnamon sticks, and cloves on the stove for a natural holiday fragrance that fills your home.
Highlighting Nature’s Beauty: Living in the Lakes Region means being surrounded by incredible natural beauty, so let it shine in your decor.
• Frosted Branches- Collect bare branches from the woods, spray them with artificial snow or glitter, and arrange them in a tall vase.
• Snowy Accents- Use artificial snow spray to frost windows, mirrors, or even pinecones for a magical, wintery effect.
• Wildlife Motifs- Incorporate decor that features moose, deer, and loons— symbols of the New Hampshire wilderness.
Creating Lasting Memories by decorating for the holidays is as much about the experience as the finished look. The joy of crafting, gathering, and sharing traditions with loved ones in the Lakes Region makes every wreath, light, and ornament feel extra special. Whether you’re gazing out at a frozen lake, curled up by the fire, or welcoming friends to your decked-out home, your holiday decorations can reflect the magic and serenity of the Lakes Region.
*Depending on model
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opened in 1909 and was still popular in the 1940s and known as a good place to shop for bargains.
Most people who lived in the Lakes Region in the 1930s and 1940s remember the Colonial Theatre in downtown Laconia. The Colonial was built in 1914 and quite modern for its time (it recently underwent an ambitious renovation to bring it back to its original glory). Erected by Benjamin Piscapo of Laconia, the ornate theatre was large, with a seating capacity of 1,400; it was a grand place to see a movie amid the splendor of the setting. The entrance walls were sheathed in antique marble, the interior decor featured hand-painted scenes, stucco work, velvet carpets and luxurious parlor suites for the boxes. The theatre also had a great view of
the stage from all seats.
Going to the movies was a good escape from the worries of the war and entertained children and adults during the Christmas holidays. One such 1940s movie, “Holiday Inn,” spawned the beloved Christmas song “White Christmas,” sung by Bing Crosby.
Skiing was relatively new to New Hampshire in the 1940s, but if you got skis for Christmas, you could head to Gilford’s Belknap Mountain Recreation Area. On any given day, the area was growing busy as people learned to ski and enjoy the trails.
Christmas in the Lakes Region, in years gone by, was a time of joy even if people suffered from the Great Depression, wars or earthquakes. Festivities offered the same excitement and magic we experience during today’s holiday season.
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