TheLaker_Dec_16_24

Working at the Top of New Hampshire: Life at the Mount Washington Observatory

By Mark Okrant

As you are reading this, the weather outside may seem frightful, with temperatures slightly below freezing and a steady breeze of about ten or more miles per hour. Compared to the weather atop the northeast’s highest mountain, Mount Washington, you’re practically living in the subtropics. As I’m writing this article, the air temperature at the summit is 3 degrees Fahrenheit, with a steady wind of 30 miles per hour and gusts reaching 50MPH. These statistics don’t even come close to the world record wind gust of 231 MPH reached on April 12, 1934. Nor do they approximate the lowest measured temperature of minus 47 degrees Fahrenheit. So, given these winter season extremes, why is there a weather observatory on Mount Washington and what is it like to live and work there?

Scientific occupation of the summit of Mount Washington dates back to the winter of 1870-1871, but permanent work first occurred during the winter of 1932-1933. Foremost among the tasks of the Observatory staff was regular weather observations. The crew members were also involved in testing radio equipment and performing balloon soundings to learn more about the air circulation patterns found in mountain regions. The Observatory crew worked with the Appalachian Mountain Club to better inform mountain visitors about the harsh and dangerous conditions so often found on the mountain. As the 1930s progressed, Henry Teague, operator of the Mount Wash-

ington Cog Railway, erected a reinforced structure exclusively for the Observatory. At this time, the Observatory established a formal relationship with the predecessor to the National Weather Service. In recent years, the Observatory has originated or participated in many studies of the mountain environment. As concern for changes in Earth’s climate has become greater, the value of the Observatory’s long meteorological record has increased in importance.

So, who are the people braving the elements to supply vital environmental data; and what is life at the summit like? To learn more about this, we interviewed Francis Tarasiewicz, Weather Observer and Education Specialist at the Mount Washington Observatory. We asked Tarasiewicz to tell us the number of people who work at the

summit at a given time and describe their positions. He responded, “In general, there are three full-time observers with specific positions, two of whom are day observers, and one is a night observer. We also have two volunteers each week who assist us with keeping the observatory clean and putting dinner on the table. Finally, we typically have one or two interns.” He then elaborated on each of the three positions. There is an Education Specialist who acts as the public face for each shift. She or he develops and delivers educational materials to a variety of audiences, both in person and virtually. Next, there is an IT and Research Specialist who is the principal researcher on each shift. It is this person’s job to maintain and repair instruments and to mentor interns. Finally, there is the Night Observer who Tarasiewicz described

as “the least lucky of us”. This person has the responsibility to maintain the Observatory’s operations by taking observations throughout the night. The Night Observer serves as lead meteorologist and verifies or corrects daytime observations.

We asked Tarasiewicz to describe the length of a shift in total days, and in hours per day. “Our shift change occurs every Wednesday and goes eight days or more depending on the weather. There are times when visibility on the way to the summit via the Auto Road is so low that our snow tractor operator will make the call to turn around. Of course, this extends the length of a shift. Our shifts are twelve hours, from 6 am to 6 pm for the day observers, and from 6 pm-6 am for the night observer. Shifts can vary based on a variety of factors, including severe weather, which may mean that the day observers must stay up through the night to support the night observer. Instrument breakage can occasionally result in lengthy repairs that can stretch well into the night.” He advised readers not to worry because the staff lives for the extreme weather; therefore, taking extra time to ensure the safety of coworkers is not a big deal for them.

The curious among us are interested in their major tasks, and which are most challenging. Tarasiewicz described the major tasks on a day-to-day basis as: • Hourly observations no matter the • Observatory continued on page 4

Let’s Go Fishing Program Seeks Volunteer Ice Fishing Instructors

If you are an angler who would like to share your love of fishing through the ice and give back to the fishing community, New Hampshire Fish and Game’s Let’s Go Fishing Program is currently seeking new volunteer instructors to participate in ice fishing programs around the state. All levels of angling experience are welcomed. The next training will be held on Saturday, January 4, from 9 am – 3 pm at NH Fish and Game Headquarters, 11 Hazen Drive, Concord, NH. All materials and lunch will be provided for participants.

To sign up for a training session, please email Lisa Collins at lisa.collins@wildlife.nh.gov or print and return a Let’s Go Fishing Program volunteer application form, which can be found by visiting https://www. wildlife.nh.gov/. To request a form by mail or email, contact (603) 271-3212 or aquatic-ed@wildlife.nh.gov.

The training will cover teaching techniques and presentation skills, along with ice safety, ethics, fish identification, ecology, fishing regulations, and more. Once instructors have completed the training, there will be an oppor-

tunity to take part in programs and join an existing group of volunteer fishing instructors statewide. These programs are offered in partnership with schools, camps, scout groups, and community centers all over the state.

“Becoming an instructor is extremely rewarding and is a fun way to get people involved in fishing,” said Let’s Go Fishing Program Coordinator Kyle Glencross. “Volunteers will also be able to host and run programs within their own community and have equipment, bait, and other instructors to assist.”

Thousands of children and adults have learned to be safe, ethical, and successful anglers through the Let’s Go Fishing Program. This program is federally funded through the Sport Fish Restoration Program, supported by an excise tax on fishing equipment and motorboat fuels.

The New Hampshire Fish and Game Department works to conserve, manage, and protect the state’s fish and wildlife and their habitats, as well as provide the public with opportunities to use and appreciate these resources. Visit www.fishnh.com to learn more.

• Observatory continued from page 3

conditions (except lightning, in which case the observations are taken from inside)

• 2 Higher Summits Forecasts issued at 4 am and 4 pm

• Instrument maintenance

• Educational Program Development

• Media Interviews (as needed)

• Facility maintenance (shoveling, cleaning etc.)

• Weather station tours (during the warm season)

• Intern Training

• Research

• Photo/Video Documentation for Social Media

• De-icing of Instruments (mostly hourly but sometimes needed every 10 minutes)

• Product Testing

To which he added, “Somehow keeping our composure during all of this.” So, what are the best and worst aspects of working up there? “While it’s difficult to pinpoint the best aspects of working on the summit, experiencing the most extreme weather in New England on a weekly basis is amazing.” He continued, “Living together and experiencing triumph and hardship means that everyone quickly becomes family.” Next, the team knows that, by issuing Higher Summits Forecasts, they are doing their part to keep the backcountry community informed about potentially deadly weather. He told us, “There have been numerous times where I have been approached

by thankful hikers. Realizing the place of the observatory in the community is what keeps me going when it is 20 below and the winds are above 100 mph.” Interestingly, Tarasiewicz has discovered a love for teaching through his work at the Observatory. “I enjoy the questions and reactions from students and the general public when I discuss concepts of climate and meteorology or a statistic from our extreme weather.” Finally, as one might expect, Tarasiewicz has developed a love affair with Nimbus, the Observatory’s summit cat.

Tarasiewicz didn’t hesitate when asked to describe the worst aspects of spending winter shifts on the summit. “There is nothing fun about shoveling out after large snowstorms.” The second unfavorable facet is something with which those of us living near sea level can relate: “We do a daily check. This is where we verify our own observations from the previous day and have to mark our mistakes. Most of the time this is easy, but there are some days where you need to leave your ego at the door and chalk the day’s errors up to a learning experience.” Not unexpectedly, other unfavorable aspects are repeated days of fog and little sunlight and, of course, lengthy isolation from friends and family.

All-in-all, working as an observer or an intern at the top of New Hampshire appears to be challenging and exhilarating, certainly not without its difficulties. Are you up to the task? Start by calling the Mount Washington Observatory’s offices in North Conway, at 603-356-2137.

• Assorted Chocolates & Holiday Candy

Shipping Anywhere in the USA

Potpourri of Holiday Recipes

by Chef Kelly Ross

Howdy Lakes Region. Cold weather is officially on us, we’ve got the snow, so I guess we are officially into the fullblown winter season. The ski mountains are now officially in business between the real snow and the man-made stuff, which is good to see. Turkey Day is long gone and now we have the big holiday season ahead of us shortly. Most people stay fairly traditional on Thanksgiving with their big dinner

menu, but Christmas is one of those days where many have various dinner options and that is much more my style. I have been getting some emails looking for new ideas to surprise their family with from appetizers to dinner and of course dessert and who am I to say no? I am busting out some big guns for the holiday including a bunch of seafood, the perfect prime rib, and an amazing no-bake chocolate Bailey’s cheesecake that will blow your crowd away.

DRILL THE

RUN THE

AND

I have two appetizers for you today, both utilizing crabmeat. Crab is one of those ingredients that screams a somewhat upscale mentality and for a good reason. The first is an awesome stuffed mushroom cap recipe that will have your crowd hovered around, popping them in their mouths. When I make a big meal for a crowd, I often put my apps out on a buffet table of sorts for people to grab and mingle and this one is perfect for that. Crab is obviously the main attraction of the stuffing, but it also has many great flavors involved especially horseradish, Dijon mustard, lemon and Parmesan. You can put these together in 15 minutes which I often do the morning of, and then pop them in the oven for 15-20 minutes as your crowd shows up. This recipe is for 2 dozen mushroom caps and it’s very easy to double up on for a bigger crowd.

Savory Crab Stuffed Mushrooms

24 large button mushrooms

¾ lb crabmeat

2 tbsp fresh lemon juice

½ cup panko breadcrumbs

½ cup unsalted butter, melted ½ cup Parmesan cheese, grated

3 tsp Dijon mustard

2 tsp horseradish

1 tsp garlic powder

½ tsp onion powder

2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Prep an 8 x 13-inch baking pan by lightly greasing the pan. Add crabmeat in a large bowl. Drizzle the lemon juice on the crab. Stir in the panko breadcrumbs. Add melted butter, 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, Dijon mustard, horseradish, garlic and onion powder in with the crab mixture. Fill the mush-

room caps with the mixture. Sprinkle the remaining Parmesan cheese on top of the filled mushrooms. Bake at 375 degrees until the mushrooms become tender, about 15-20 minutes. Take out of the oven, serve, and enjoy.

Where the last crabmeat app recipe is one that I like to put on a table for my guests to graze on, I consider this next one more of a sit-down app, but that’s just me as I like to plate these and serve them. This is one of the most original recipes you will ever see, and I won’t lie as I have used these as a main course by serving 3-4 of them as an entree, but an app is where I think these are at their best. This recipe is for a crabmeat stuffed biscuit, which is awesome in and of itself, but when drizzled with an awesome lemon butter you will realize that these are off-thechart outstanding. These are an indulgent seafood dish that combines the beloved flavor of Cheddar Bay Biscuits with rich and savory crab stuffing, all topped off with a zesty lemon butter sauce. Perfect for a special dinner or as

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an impressive appetizer, these biscuits bring a restaurant-quality dish straight to your home. I will admit that giving you an amount that this recipe will get you is difficult in that how big you make these is the issue, but you’ll figure it out as you make these gems. You can have them made in a half hour or so. I suggest you test drive them once before you do so for a crowd to figure out the numbers, but one thing you’ll figure out very quickly is that these are outstanding. This original recipe will offer you a decadent and flavorful twist on classic biscuits. The combination of creamy crab filling and the zesty lemon butter topping makes for an unforgettable dish that is sure to impress your family and guests.

Crab Stuffed Cheddar Bay Biscuits with Lemon Butter

For the Biscuits

2 cups of Bisquick mix

1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese

2/3 cup of milk

½ tsp of garlic powder

For the Crab Stuffing

1 lb of lump crab meat

1 cup of cream cheese, softened ½ cup of breadcrumbs

2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped

2 tsp of fresh squeezed lemon juice

1 tsp of Old Bay seasoning

For the Lemon Butter

1 cup of unsalted butter, melted

2 tbsp of fresh squeezed lemon juice

2 tsp of fresh parsley, chopped

Preheat your oven to 375 degrees. In a mixing bowl, combine Bisquick mix, shredded cheddar cheese, milk, and garlic powder. Mix until a soft dough forms. Drop spoonfuls of the dough onto a greased baking sheet to form biscuits. Set it aside. For the stuffing, in a medium bowl, combine the crab meat, softened cream cheese, breadcrumbs, parsley, lemon juice, and Old Bay seasoning. Mix well until the ingredients are evenly distributed. Take a spoonful of the crab mixture and stuff it into the center of each biscuit dough ball. Gently press the dough around the filling to enclose it. Place the stuffed biscuits in the preheated oven and bake for 12-15 minutes, or until the biscuits are golden brown. For the lemon butter, while the biscuits are baking, melt the butter in a small saucepan. Stir in the lemon juice and chopped parsley. Once the biscuits are done, remove them from the oven and brush them generously with the lemon butter mixture. Serve warm as they are truly at their best when done so.

It’s dinner time and also lobster tail time. Whether you want to have a kick

butt lobster tail or 2 for dinner, or as part of a surf ‘n’ turf, that is up to you, but this lobster tail recipe is as good as it gets as these are smothered in a scrumptious creamy garlic sauce that is spot on perfect for this. They are rich in flavor and amazingly simple to prepare for Christmas or any special occasion you want to make these for. Whether you use fresh, or frozen lobster tails makes no difference in how outstanding these are. I mentioned surf ‘n’ turf earlier in that my next recipe is for the perfect prime rib, so just throwing that out there as a possible combo for an over-the-top Christmas dinner. For almost any shellfish lover, lobster is the Holy Grail so to speak so I find this to be the perfect addition to the big holiday meal. It’s the ultimate meal to prepare when wanting to wow your crowd as well as their taste buds. This recipe is for 4 lobster tails so depending on how many you are serving and whether they each get one or two tails, multiply the recipe as needed. They only take 20 minutes or so to prepare. If using frozen tails, make sure they are thawed once it is time to cook them.

Creamy Garlic Butter

Lobster Tails

For the Lobster Tails

4 lobster tails

2 tbsp olive oil

Salt and black pepper, to taste

½ tsp smoked paprika

For the Creamy Garlic Butter Sauce

3 tbsp unsalted butter

4 cloves garlic, minced

1 cup heavy cream

¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese

1 tsp Dijon mustard

1 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped

Juice of ½ lemon

Salt and black pepper, to taste

½ tsp red pepper flakes, optional Preheat your oven to 400 degrees. Using kitchen scissors, carefully cut through the top shell of each lobster tail, stopping at the base. Gently pull the meat out, resting it on top of the shell. This “piggyback” method makes for an elegant presentation. Drizzle olive oil over the lobster meat and season with salt, pepper, and paprika. Place the lobster tails on a baking sheet lined with foil or parchment paper. Bake

for 8-10 minutes, or until the meat is opaque and slightly firm to the touch. While the lobster bakes, melt butter in a skillet over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant. Stir in heavy cream and bring to a gentle simmer. Add Parmesan cheese, Dijon mustard, and red pepper flakes, if using. Cook for 2-3 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly. Add lemon juice and parsley, stirring to combine. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper. Remove the lobster tails from the oven and put them in the sauce and spoon the creamy garlic butter sauce over each tail for 30-60 seconds. Garnish with additional parsley and serve immediately. These are as decadent as they are succulent.

Arguably the most popular dinner centerpiece on the holidays is prime rib and I have been asked by a few how I prepare mine when cooking them, so here you go. If you are looking for the juiciest, tastiest and best prime rib, look no further. Also known as standing rib roast, this is slathered in an herb and garlic butter, then roasted to juicy perfection. By using a lower but not super low oven temperature, we can be assured of a beautiful even cook throughout the whole roast, yet still have it on the table in a couple of hours. Many people like to drop the heat to 200 degrees after blasting at high heat for 20-30 minutes, and although it is more forgiving to cook at 200, I find 250 is much better as long as you check the temp of the roast every half hour so yes, owning a meat thermometer is

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an absolute must. A good rib roast isn’t cheap so it’s important to cook it properly.

I am also a huge fan of cooking a bone-in roast as opposed to boneless for a couple of reasons. For starters, there is so much flavor in the bone and that transfers to the roast. Every bonein roast tastes better than boneless and if you don’t believe me, ask any butcher. Admittedly, dealing with the bone when carving can be a pain in the butt, so if you aren’t well versed in that, I suggest cutting the bottom plate bone off before cooking, then putting the roast on the bone when cooking, or you can tie them together. Again, if you don’t feel comfortable with that, almost any butcher can do that for you when buying it, as it will take him all of a minute or so. Of course, I always have an ulterior motive for using the bones and that is that I have owned dogs all my life. If you don’t believe how much flavor is in a bone, just ask a dog! If you decide to cook a boneless rib, it will still be great, but it will take less time to cook so again, keep that meat thermometer close by. This recipe is for a 5 lb bonein roast, so if you grab a bigger one, adjust times accordingly or feel free to email me for questions. This recipe also includes a garlic butter rub as well as red wine sauce for serving time if you care to go that route. When doing prime rib much of the year, I usually eat mine with a homemade horseradish sauce, but for some reason during the holidays, the red wine sauce is the perfect addition. Also, this recipe is de-

signed for a perfect medium rare rib, which is about 5-10 degrees below medium rare once pulled. I tent it with foil for a half hour before cutting and it will continue to cook during the process. It is vital to let your rib rest before slicing to let it retain its juices better as if you slice too soon, you will lose so much of the juice which is vital to keep your rib at its very best. If you want your rib cooked to a different temperature, plan accordingly. Although I’m sure that most of you know the specs with meat temps, I am adding them for all doneness options so you can plan accordingly. Remember to pull it 10 degrees below your desired temp. As a rule, a 5 lb boneless rib roast will usually feed 4-6 depending on how you slice it, so again, plan accordingly. Let’s do this!

Perfect Prime Rib

5 lb standing rib roast/prime rib, bone in

1 large onion, brown, yellow, or

white, unpeeled and quartered

1 head of garlic, unpeeled, halved horizontally

5 sprigs fresh thyme

3 sprigs fresh rosemary

For The Garlic Herb Butter

10 tbsp unsalted butter, softened

5 garlic cloves, minced

2 tsp finely chopped fresh rosemary or 1 tsp dried

2 tsp finely chopped fresh thyme or 1 tsp dried

2 tsp salt

1 tsp black pepper

For The Red Wine Sauce

1 ½ cups of low sodium beef broth/ stock

2 ½ cups dry red wine, such as a Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlots

1 tbsp flour or cornstarch w/ 2 tbsp water

Take the beef out of the fridge 2 –3 hours before cooking to bring to room temp which is a key tip for even

cooking. Trust me, this is not a health concern. Pat dry with a paper towel. Preheat oven to 475 degrees. Adjust the shelf so beef will be sitting in the middle of the oven. Combine the ingredients of the garlic butter so it’s well blended. Place onion, garlic and herbs in a heavy-based oven-proof skillet or use a roasting pan. Spread a thin layer of butter on the underside of the beef, the bone side. Place beef on buttered bone side down. Spread about 2/3 of the butter on the top and sides, reserving the rest for later. Roast for 25-30 minutes. Remove and spread the remaining butter over the top of the roast. Turn oven down to 250 degrees. Roast for a further 1½ hours, basting every 30 minutes with the juices in the pan, until the internal temperature is 120-125 degrees in the center. Start checking the internal temp early. Transfer beef to plate. Cover loosely with foil and rest for 20 – 30 minutes. The internal temperature will rise to 130-135, which is medium rare. Slice beef and serve with the sauce. For the sauce, place skillet with onion and garlic left in it on the stove over high heat. Add wine and beef stock, rapidly simmer for 10 minutes until it reduces by 2/3 or so, down to 1 ½ cups of liquid. Lower heat to medium. Mix flour with 2 tbsp water. Drizzle in half and stir. The sauce will thicken in 1 minute or so. Add more flour water mixture if you want it to be thicker. Strain into bowl, pour into a gravy boat or something similar. As for the proper meat temps I promised, here you go. Remember these are the final

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temp when cutting, not the pull temp from the oven, which again, should be about 5-10 degrees lower than the final temp.

Rare: 120-125 degrees

Medium rare: 130-135 degrees

Medium 140-145 degrees

Medium well done: 150-155 degrees

Well done: 160+ degrees

OK, as I often do, let’s end the day with an amazing dessert very worthy of the final touch on a WOW Christmas dinner. This “from scratch” cheesecake recipe is phenomenal with a combo of cream cheese and sugars and Bailey’s Irish cream and topped with a Baileys white chocolate ganache topping, finished with a chocolate whipped cream and all in an Oreo cookie crust, and oh yeah, this is a “no bake” cheesecake which means it will take much less time and work. Total time invested is in the 1 ½ hour range, but the cheesecake will need 5-6 hours to solidify under refrigeration before serving, which is why I always make this the day before serving as I’ll be busy enough with dinner the day of so one less thing to think about is a great thing. The flavor combos are so good as well as fun and well worth the effort in making this. I usually get a dozen slices of cheesecake out of this, but you can get more or less depending on how you care to slice it. This is the perfect ending to a kick-butt dinner.

Baileys Chocolate Cheesecake

For The Oreo Crust

35 Oreos, 3 cups, Oreo crumbs

5 tbsp butter, melted

For The Chocolate Baileys Filling

24 oz cream cheese, room temp

½ cup sugar

3 tbsp natural unsweetened cocoa powder

6 tbsp Baileys Irish Cream

8 oz semi-sweet chocolate, melted

1 ¼ cups heavy whipping cream

¾ cup powdered sugar

1 tsp vanilla extract

For The Baileys Ganache Topping

7 oz white chocolate chips

3 ½ tbsp Baileys Irish Cream

1 tbsp heavy whipping cream

For The Whipped Cream

½ cup heavy whipping cream

2 tbsp Baileys Irish Cream

2 tbsp natural unsweetened cocoa powder

¼ cup powdered sugar

To make the Oreo crust, grease a 9-inch springform pan and add a parchment circle in the bottom. Crush whole Oreo cookies into a fine crumb using

a food processor. In a medium-sized bowl, combine the Oreo cookie crumbs and melted butter and stir well. Press the mixture into the bottom and up the sides of a 9-inch springform pan. Set in the fridge to chill. For the chocolate Baileys filling, in a large mixer bowl, beat the cream cheese, sugar, and cocoa until it’s well combined and smooth. Add the Baileys and mix until well again until combined and smooth. Place the semi-sweet chocolate in a small microwave-safe bowl and microwave in 30-second increments, stirring between each, until the chocolate is melted and smooth. Add the melted chocolate to the cream cheese mixture and mix until well combined. Set it aside. In another large mixer bowl, add the heavy whipping cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract. Whip on high speed until stiff peaks form. Carefully fold the whipped cream into the cream cheese mixture in two parts until well

combined. Add the filling to the crust and spread into an even layer. Refrigerate cheesecake until firm, 5-6 hours or overnight. To finish the cheesecake, remove it from the springform pan and set on a plate or serving platter. To make the ganache, place the white chocolate chips in a medium heat-proof bowl. Combine the Baileys and heavy whipping cream in a glass measuring cup and heat in the microwave just until it begins to boil. Pour the hot liquid over the white chocolate chips and allow to sit for 2-3 minutes, then whisk until smooth. If not completely melted and smooth, heat in 10-second increments, stirring between each until fully melted. Allow the ganache to cool a bit, about 5 minutes until thickened but still pourable and spreadable, then pour the ganache onto the top of the cheesecake and spread evenly. Use the tip of a 9-inch offset spatula to create a spiral pattern on top. To make the whipped cream, add the heavy whipping cream, Baileys, cocoa, and powdered sugar to a large mixer bowl. Whip on high speed until stiff peaks form. Pipe the whipped cream onto the top of the cheesecake with a bakery bag, or put it into a large Ziplock, snip off a corner and use as a baking bag. Refrigerate until ready to serve. Cheesecake is best for 4-5 days but it’ll never last that long, trust me. I wish all of you an outstanding Christmas or Hanukkah season and make sure you spoil all the kids out there as best as you can. I’ll see you all in 2025 but until then, keep those taste buds of yours happy and smiling and if you care to reach out with any questions or feedback, please touch base at fenwaysox10@gmail.com

Small Hills, Big Thrills: Ski Areas Have Their Own Value

By Thomas P. Caldwell

When thinking about skiing, people often believe they should head for a ski resort that offers all the amenities: not only plenty of dining options and après-ski entertainment but also massages, saunas, and hot tubs. Those are all great, but skiers then are likely to miss out on the close connections and family experiences that smaller ski areas offer in their place. Choosing a smaller ski hill not only may avoid long lines and the crowding that often detracts from the experience at large resorts, but skiing can be just as thrilling and satisfying in a different way.

Take the Abenaki Ski Area in Wolfeboro. It is a community-owned ski area that opened way back in 1936, just one year after Black Mountain — the state’s oldest ski hill — opened. It still holds the record as the oldest community-operated ski area in the country.

It was winter sports enthusiasts from Wolfeboro and Tuftonboro who formed Abenaki Outing Club who cut the first trails on the Hersey family’s Poor Farm Hill in 1936. Four years later, they installed a rope tow and built the base lodge.

Old does not make it obsolete. In fact, new LED lighting is allowing the Abenaki Ski Area to open its Main Hill and Twister trails to night skiing. It has an expanded terrain park with four jumps, two rails, two boxes, and other rotating features. There are seven trails, ranging from green to black diamond, with one of the fastest rope tows on the East Coast.

Abenaki also boasts a full-size groomer and a “small but mighty” snowmaking operation while maintaining its small-town atmosphere, where there are no lift lines. Its ski lodge provides alpine and cross country skiers

with a kitchen, seating, and restrooms. Straddling the line between a small ski area and a large ski resort is Gunstock Mountain Resort in Gilford. The county-owned ski area, originally known as the Belknap Recreation Area, also came about because a local ski club — aided by the New Deal’s Works Progress Administration — created something out of a love of outdoor recreation. Like Abenaki, it opened in 1936 but already had a lodge, four rope tows, and four miles of terrain in place. Today, Gunstock’s ski area is situated on 227 acres with 48 trails and seven lifts.

While its offerings have expanded over the years in its movement toward being a four-season resort, Gunstock remains a “small hill” with a 1,340foot vertical drop and a top elevation of 2,267 feet. Its trails include beginner, intermediate, and advanced, and Gunstock also offers snowboarding, snow-tubing, Nordic skiing, snowshoeing, and skijoring. It also has night skiing.

Gunstock and Abenaki represent opposite ends of a range of “smallhill” ski areas, but several others fall between those two extremes. Among them is Ragged Mountain in Danbury, which boasts 57 trails on 250 acres of skiable terrain. Those numbers make it appear larger than Gunstock, but it has a smaller vertical drop of 1,250 feet and does not offer night skiing. Nevertheless, it still maintains a small-town vibe, even though it is now owned by Pacific Group Resorts, Inc., which also owns Jay Peak in Vermont, Wintergreen Resort in Virginia, Mount Washington Alpine Resort in British Columbia, and Wisp Resort in Maryland.

Ragged opened in the 1960s as a project by residents, but today has 55 trails with 95 percent snowmaking and two glades, offering trails for beginners, intermediates, and advanced skiers. There are five lifts.

Black Mountain in Jackson, as mentioned earlier, opened in 1935. Today, it has 45 trails with 143 acres of terrain and five lifts.

Black Mountain has been family-owned until this year when Entabeni Systems of Colorado, the parent company of the Indy Pass resorts, assumed ownership and stewardship of the operation. John Fichera and his family, who had operated the ski area since 1995, had found it a challenge to maintain the necessary staffing levels, but Indy Pass, with its vast association of ski resorts (including Waterville Valley), has agreed to maintain it as a community-focused mountain.

Another Jackson ski area is Wildcat Mountain, with 48 trails, including the longest novice trail in New Hampshire,

the 2.5-mile Polecat Trail, which offers great White Mountain views along its entire length. Wildcat boasts more than a 2,100-foot vertical drop and a high-speed Wildcat Express Quad that speeds skiers to the top in less than seven minutes. Wildcat Mountain also has a trail for cross-country skiing and offers ski lessons for both children and adults.

King Pine in Madison offers 17 trails over 48 acres, with a modest 350-foot vertical drop, making it ideal for all ages and ability levels. Comprising just 50 acres, it has five lifts and offers night skiing. King Pine also has 20 kilometers of cross-country skiing and snowshoeing trails and has a rope-pull tubing hill and ice-skating rink. Over in Plymouth, Tenney Mountain has reopened as a family-focused ski area and resort. Originally opening in the 1930s, Tenney’s ski area has about 50 trails and 1,500 vertical feet for skiers and riders of all abilities. Tenney’s new owners, North Country Development Group, have invested millions of dollars to renovate the mountain from top to bottom, including its snowmaking, lifts, and base lodge.

For those willing to travel distances for other unique small-hill experiences, there is Pats Peak in Henniker, with 11 lifts serving 28 trails and seven glades. It has a 770-foot vertical drop and 100 percent snowmaking. It even offers night skiing. Pats Peak remains a family-owned ski area, maintaining the friendly atmosphere it has carried since the Patenaude brothers opened it on January 5, 1963.

Crotched Mountain opened in 1964 in Francestown, with a second location around the mountain in Bennington in 1970. The two areas combined in 1980 and operated until 1989 before shutting down for several years. Peak Resorts purchased the property in 2002 and now operates the ski area with 25 trails on more than 100 acres, with a 1,016-foot vertical drop. One hundred percent snowmaking and night skiing make Crotched Mountain an appealing ski destination.

Big is not necessarily better, and the range of small-hill ski areas in New Hampshire provides a less-crowded, more intimate place for families to gather with friends for the full range of recreational fun — while still providing big thrills.

Abenaki Ski Area

Games Add Another Layer of Levity to Holiday Celebrations

The holidays bring together friends, neighbors and family members to celebrate some of the most festive days of the year. Although celebrants often incorporate traditions they hold dear this time of year, downtime provides an opportunity to embrace new games and entertainment ideas as well.

The following are some fun games to play this holiday season that can help to break the ice and keep everyone laughing.

Reindeer Games: Everyone knows that Rudolph wanted to have fun and participate in “reindeer games,” but he was left on the sidelines. Inspired by the tune, everyone can participate in reindeer games at your home. These types of games can include tests of endurance and dexterity, like fruitcake-eating contests, running races and hurdle competitions in the yard.

Candy Cane Home Runs: Participants can see how well they can launch a marshmallow into the outfield by hitting it with a candy cane taking the place of the baseball bat. Each participant gets three swings. The person with the most home runs wins.

Guess the Gift: In this game, party hosts wrap up five oddly shaped gifts specifically for the game (the gifts may be oddly shaped or just the wrapping as a decoy). Players take turns trying to guess what is inside and mark down their answers on sheets. One by one the gifts are revealed. If anyone guesses

the gift, it is given as a prize. If more than one person guesses a gift, come up with a fun way to break the tie, such as rock, paper, scissors or thumb wrestling.

Christmas Karaoke: Singing traditional carols and popular holiday tunes is not uncommon come December. In this competitive version of karaoke, singers have to keep on singing, even when the lyrics get turned off or covered to test their true knowledge of these songs.

Present Stackers: This requires keeping a collection of oddly shaped gifts at the ready. Game participants try to stack the presents as tall as they can without them toppling over.

Fishing for Fun: Hang strings on the straight ends of candy canes to fashion fishing poles, with the curved ends serving as the “hooks.” Participants try to “fish” smaller candy canes out of a bowl and see how many they can reel in.

The “No L” Game: The game referee has a list of a few categories (i.e., food, sports, colors, cars, etc.) and players are split into a few teams. When the category is called, the teams have to jot down as many words as they can pertaining to the category that do not have a letter “L” in them before a timer runs out.

These are just a few festive ways to have fun with friends or family members during holiday gatherings.~Metro

Celebrating the Epiphany

The holiday season is full of faith and celebration. Even though people may believe this important time begins at the start of December, for millions of Christians, the Twelve Days of Christmas begin with the birth of Baby Jesus on December 25 and continue through the Epiphany on January 6.

The Epiphany, also known as Three Kings Day, is a Christian feast day that “celebrates the revelation of God in His Son as human in Jesus Christ,” says The National Shrine of Saint Jude. The Epiphany is celebrated on January 6 each year and gets its name from the Greek word meaning “to reveal, or manifestation,” a nod to the idea that this was the day Jesus was revealed to the world.

On the Epiphany, three Magi visited the Christ child to pay homage. These wise men were the first to greet Jesus after his parents. The Magi followed a star to Bethlehem, having faith that the Child’s location would be accurate. The unlikely royal visitors bestowed gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. These herbs are typically used in burial ceremonies, and their offering may have potentially foreshadowed Jesus’ destiny.

According to Father Hezekias Carnazzo, a Melkite Catholic priest and founding executive director of the Virginia-based Institute of Catholic Cul-

ture, the Feast of the Epiphany is one of the earliest feasts and actually predates the celebration of Christmas. Although the Epiphany is an important date for Christians and many celebrate it, celebrants in Spain and Latin America consider it as important as Christmas Day. Within these nations, Día de los Reyes (Three Kings Day) is a time for serving Rosca de Reyes, an oval-shaped treat that has a small doll inside to represent Baby Jesus. The figurine symbolizes the hiding of the infant Jesus from King Herod’s troops. Children also receive the majority of their gifts on Three Kings Day. It is customary for kids to place their old shoes with a wish list on them for the Three Kings. On the morning of January 6, the shoes are filled with toys and gifts.

The Epiphany is celebrated in various ways around the world. In the Czech Republic, people swim in the freezing cold Vltava River and men dress up as the Magi before riding camels through Prague’s city center. Three Kings Bread, similar to the Rosca de Reyes and called Dreikönigskuchen, is prepared and consumed in Germany and Switzerland.

Christmas fanfare does not cease when the calendar turns from December 25 to 26. The Epiphany on January 6 also is an important day of celebration. ~ Metro

By Mark Okrant

Driving by The Rocks Estate in Bethlehem, one cannot help but come away with two dramatic images—beautiful stone walls and endless rows of evergreen trees. The Rocks Estate has become synonymous with Christmas trees; to understand how this came about, let’s begin with the story of John Glessner.

Bethlehem has long had a reputation as a hay fever-free area. In 1878, Glessner, his wife Frances, and their children, George and Fanny, began visiting New Hampshire’s North Country to seek refuge in the clean mountain air during summer months. Four years later, Glessner purchased a one-hundred-acre farm; and in 1893, he had a 19-room Queen Anne-style mansion constructed high on a hill. Labeled the

Day Tripping Adventures Await...Explore New Hampshire Day Tripping

The Rocks Estate—a North Country Treasure

“Big House,” this became the family’s summer residence. Over the years, the Glessners constructed various buildings and elaborate gardens, including formal ones designed by the eminent Frederick Law Olmsted’s company.

The Rocks featured a windmill, greenhouse, bee house, observatory, saw-

mill/pigpen, and many other structures. Although the Big House and other residences at The Rocks were removed in the late 1940s, many of the property’s original buildings have been restored and are in use today; as a result, it is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

The original carriage barn was built in 1884 to house horses, cattle, and equipment. More than a century later, from 2023 to 2024, the carriage barn was renovated to honor its history and create a center for conservation, collaboration, education, and forest exploration. The barn, including interactive exhibits and a gift shop, is open to visitors Tuesdays through Saturdays from 10 am to 4 pm.

In 1978, two of John and Frances Glessner’s grandchildren donated the 1,400-acre Rocks, including 22 buildings, to the Forest Society, with the re-

quirement that there always be a crop in the field. Today, the meandering stone walls and restored historic buildings at The Rocks serve as the home of the Forest Society North at The Rocks. New Hampshire’s forests are central to the lives of both residents and visitors to New Hampshire. It is the mission of Forest Society North at The Rocks to protect them. The Rocks’ interactive exhibit allows visitors to explore the many benefits that New Hampshire derives from its forests. There is a display about the forms of wildlife that can be found in the Rocks’ fields, wherein visitors are invited to use binoculars to look for birds and other wildlife. Also, Amanda Ennis, a Maliseet basket maker in Maine, has a beautiful basket on display, while her others are for sale in the gift shop.

The Rocks’ trails are open to the public each day from dawn to dusk. Visitors are encouraged to download a free app provided by the Forest Society. Here they can access information to plan a visit to a trail, learn about ecological, geological, and historical points of interest, and track their progress on the five-hikes challenge. They can choose between a history walk that explains about the structures that stood here during the Glessners’ time or a Christmas tree walk that describes

• Day Tripping continued on page 13

the process of Christmas tree farming; this is open from November 21 through March 31.

Throughout more than three decades, the crop raised at the Rocks has been Christmas trees. People travel to The Rocks each year from nearby communities and from considerable distances to find their perfect tree. During the 2024 Holiday Season, The Rocks will have both Balsam and Fraser fir trees available. However, the administration wants the public to know that they will NOT offer fresh-cut trees this year. Visitors must be prepared to cut their own trees. If anyone has accessibility concerns and is not able to cut her/his own tree, The Rocks requests that you contact them one week in advance.

For the second year, the Rocks will celebrate the holiday season at the Carriage Barn. Starting November 23, there will be a selection of handmade wreaths and locally made items for sale in the gift shop. Also, s’mores kits, hot chocolate, and fresh kettle corn will be available for purchase. On weekends, there will be other family-oriented ac-

tivities. Visitors can enjoy warming up by a fire pit, and a favorite for children of all ages is the Rocks’ complimentary horse-drawn wagon rides.

During the holiday season, The Rocks offers holiday craft fairs in partnership with WREN and wagon rides on the weekends. The Rocks also offers its Christmas Memory Package, including a stay at an area inn or hotel, a horsedrawn wagon ride through the historic property, a decorated 12-inch wreath, and a Christmas tree. The Rocks Christmas Tree Farm will close for the season on Sunday, December 22.

One of the sweetest activities at The Rocks is its tradition of creating maple syrup and sugar. During the last three weekends of March and the first weekend of April, The Rocks invites visitors to explore the history and heritage of maple sugaring in the Hands-On New Hampshire Maple Experience. The package includes their popular Maple Tour, where guests learn to identify different species of trees, help tap a sugar maple to collect sap and watch the process of boiling it into syrup. Also included is a horse-drawn wagon ride, a tractor-drawn ride to the sugar house, and a taste of freshly made maple syr-

up, complete with homemade donuts and sour pickles.

Finally, The Rocks has not forgotten that children are our future. The Forevergreen Program is a seven-year curriculum for students at Bethlehem Elementary School. Participants learn about wildlife, various tree species, and ecosystems using Christmas trees

program occurs during kindergarten, when students plant their own trees and watch them grow year by year through sixth grade.

For more information about any of these programs, contact The Rocks at their email address (info@the rocks. org) or telephone number (603-444-

Save 10% in the gi shop with this ad. Excludes sale items and consignments. Open urs-Sat 9am-5pm Hiking Trails: Everyday, Dawn to Dusk

Please call ahead for event updates. Information and schedules subject to change.

Through Dec. 22, A Christmas Carol, Rochester Opera House, 31 Wakefield St., Rochester, tickets: 603-335-1992, www.rochesteroperahouse.com

Dec. 16, Tales and Travel Memories - Mexico, 10 – 11:30 a.m., Moultonborough Public Library, 4 Holland St., Moultonborough, pre-registration: 603476-8895, www.moultonboroughlibrary.org.

Dec. 16, 23 & 30, Contemporary Dance Techniques, 4 – 5 p.m., Tamworth Town House, 27 Cleveland Hill Rd., Tamworth, class for teens and pre-teens, lesson fee charged, info/reservations: jomarterry@yahoo.com. Arts Council of Tamworth program.

SHOP in the Gallery or ONLINE The 2024 limited-edition ornament is now available $26 One-of-a-kind gifts for every Season.

279 DW Hwy. • Meredith • 603-279-7920 • Meredith.NHCrafts.org • Mon - Sat: 10-5 • Sun: 12-5 Like us on Facebook so you can see other beautiful things made by NH’s finest artists ~ www.facebook.com/nhcraft

Dec. 17, Fiber Arts Group, 10 a.m. – noon, Sanbornton Public Library, 27 Meetinghouse Hill, Sanbornton, 603-286-8288, www.splnh.com.

Dec. 17 Holiday Music Sing-Along, 1 – 2:30 p.m., Cook Memorial Library, 93 Main St., Tamworth, 603-323-8510, www.tamworthlibrary.org.

Dec. 17, Teen Craft: Glitter Ornaments, 3:30 – 4:30 p.m., ages 9-18, Laconia Public Library, 695 N. Main St., Laconia, 603-524-4775, www.laconianh. gov.

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, 7 p.m., White Christmas, variety of traditional and newer arrangements to celebrate Christmas, Hannukah, and the New Year, Rochester Opera House, 31 Wakefield St., Rochester, 603-3351992, www.rochesteroperahouse.com.

Dec. 19, Storytime with Special Guest Readers from Moultonborough Women’s Club New Day!, 3:30 – 4 p.m., after-school story time, no pre-registration necessary, Moultonborough Public Library, 4 Holland St., Moultonborough, 603-476-8895, www.moultonboroughlibrary.org.

Dec. 19-21 & 23-24, Santa’s Hut, visiting hours, free, Cate Park, South Main St., Wolfeboro, 603-569-2200, www.wolfeborochamber.com

Dec. 20 & 21, Home for the Holiday with Clay Cook, 7:30 p.m., Lakeport Opera House, 781 Union Ave., Laconia, 603-519-7506, www.lakeportopera. com. (Cook is a member of the Zac Brown Band)

Dec. 21, Family Movie The Polar Express, 10 a.m. - noon, popcorn, cookies, hot cocoa, Moultonborough Public Library, 4 Holland St., Moultonborough, 603-476-8895, www.moultonboroughlibrary.org.

Dec. 21, Intro to 3D Printing, 2 – 6 p.m., Makers Mill, 23 Bay St., Wolfeboro, 603-569-1500, www.makersmill.org.

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. 21, Tamworth Crafts Fair – Tamworth Village Hand Crafters, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m., Tamworth Town House, 27 Cleveland Hill Rd., Tamworth, 603323-8085. (Other dates scheduled as well.)

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.

Dec. 24, Fiber Arts Group, 10 a.m. – noon, Sanbornton Public Library, 27 Meetinghouse Hill, Sanbornton, 603-286-8288, www.splnh.com.

Dec. 26, Hall of Mirrors with Celebrated Guitarist Randy Roos, 7 p.m., Hermit Woods Winery & Eatery, 72 Main St., Meredith, tickets/info: 603-2537968, www.hermitwoods.com.

Dec. 26, Storytime with Special Guest Readers from Moultonborough Women’s Club New Day!, 3:30 – 4 p.m., drop-in story time, no pre-registration necessary, Moultonborough Public Library, 4 Holland St., Moultonborough, 603-476-8895, www.moultonboroughlibrary.org.

Dec. 26, 30 & 31, Comedian Bob Marley, Rochester Opera House, 31 Wakefield St., Rochester, tickets: 603-335-1992, www.rochesteroperahouse.com

Dec. 28, Intro to Leatherwork: Personalized Coasters & Trays, 10 a.m.noon, Makers Mill, 23 Bay St., Wolfeboro, 603-569-1500, www.makersmill. org.

Dec. 28, Movie Day: The Great Gatsby, 1 p.m., Flying Monkey Movie House and Performance Center, 39 Main St., Plymouth, 603-536-2551, www.flyingmonkeynh.com

Dec. 28, Saturday Afternoon Music Series, 3 – 6 p.m., with Garrett Smith, Gunstock Mountain, 719 Cherry Valley Rd., Gilford, 603-293-4341, www. gunstock.com

Dec. 28, Winter Guided Hike, 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. 28 & 29, Recycled Percussion, Rochester Opera House, 31 Wakefield St., Rochester, tickets: 603-335-1992, www.rochesteroperahouse.com

Dec. 28-Jan. 5, The Gift of Lights, 2.5 miles of dazzling Christmas lights at NH Motor Speedway, Rt. 106, Loudon, tickets/info: www.nhms.com, 765664-3918.

Dec. 29, Celebrating 75 Years Warren Miller 75, 7 p.m., Colonial Theatre, 609 Main St., Laconia, tickets/info: 800-657-8774, www.coloniallaconia.com.

Dec. 30, Wet Felting with Patsy Frasier for Youth, 10 a.m. – noon, Moultonborough Public Library, 4 Holland St., Moultonborough, pre-register: 603476-8895, www.moultonboroughlibrary.org.

Dec. 31, Cathedral with Special Guest: Looks That Kill, 7:30 p.m., Flying Monkey Movie House & Performance Center, 39 South Main St., Plymouth, 603-536-2551, www.flyingmonkeynh.com.

Dec. 31, Celebrate the New Year with Jazz Vocalist and Torch Singer Ashley Warwick, 8 p.m., Hermit Woods Winery & Eatery, 72 Main St., Meredith, tickets/info: 603-253-7968, www.hermitwoods.com.

Dec. 31, Fiber Arts Group, 10 a.m. – noon, Sanbornton Public Library, 27 Meetinghouse Hill, Sanbornton, 603-286-8288, www.splnh.com

Dec. 31, New Year’s Eve Fireworks Show, 7 p.m., Town Square, 33 Village Rd., Waterville Valley, 1-800-993-3149, www.waterville.com.

JANUARY 2025

Jan. 2-31, Collage Artwork: An Interactive Exhibit by Andrew Hillman, Laconia Public Library, 695 N. Main St., Laconia, 603-524-4775, www.laconianh.gov.

Jan. 2, 9, 16, 23 & 30, Storytime with Special Guest Readers from Moultonborough Women’s Club New Day!, 3:30 – 4 p.m., drop-in story time, no pre-registration necessary, Moultonborough Public Library, 4 Holland St., Moultonborough, 603-476-8895, www.moultonboroughlibrary.org.

Jan. 3, First Friday Reception, 5 - 7 p.m., refreshments, conversation & art, ArtWorks Gallery & Fine Crafts, 603-323-8041, 132 Rte. 16, Chocorua, www. chocoruaartworks.com

Jan. 4, 10th Annual Hall of Fame Celebration, 5 p.m. cocktails and apps, dinner 6 pm, induction ceremony 7 p.m., Waterville Valley Conference Center, Waterville Valley, www.waterville.com, 1-800-993-3149.

Jan. 4, Electronics – How to Use a Mulimeter, 9 - 11 a.m., Makers Mill, 23 Bay St., Wolfeboro, 603-569-1500, www.makersmill.org.

Jan. 11, Paint Your Pet, 2 – 5 p.m., Makers Mill, 23 Bay St., Wolfeboro, 603569-1500, www.makersmill.org.

Jan. 11, Upcycled Fashion Workshop & Clothing Swap, 10 a.m. - noon, Makers Mill, 23 Bay St., Wolfeboro, 603-569-1500, www.makersmill.org

Jan. 12, Alcohol Inks – Easygoing Cousin of Watercolors, 10 – 11:30 am, Makers Mill, 23 Bay St., Wolfeboro, 603-569-1500, www.makersmill.org.

Jan. 13, Sourdough Bread Basics, 10 – 11 a.m., Laconia Public Library, 695 N. Main St., Laconia, 603-524-4775, www.laconianh.gov.

Jan. 18, MLK Fireworks Show, 7 p.m., Town Square, 33 Village Rd., Waterville Valley, www.waterville.com, 1-800-993-3149.

Jan. 19, Karaoke Party at the Freestyle Lounge, 4 – 7 p.m., apps, entrees, music, Freestyle Lounge, Waterville Valley Resort Base Lodge, www.waterville.com.

BRADFORD ARMS

Jan. 22-26, ETC Presents The Show Must Go On!, 7 p.m., Flying Monkey Movie House & Performance Center, 39 South Main St., Plymouth, 603-5362551, www.flyingmonkeynh.com.

Jan. 24-25, Waterville Freestyle Cup, 9 a.m., Waterville Valley, www.waterville.com, 1-800-993-3149.

Jan. 29, Open Mic: An Evening of Poetry and Music, 6 – 8 p.m., Moultonborough Public Library, 4 Holland St., Moultonborough, 603-476-8895, www. moultonboroughlibrary.org.

55 Daniel Webster Hwy Unit 1, Meredith, NH | Phone: (603) 821-0358

Thank You New Laker Customers!

Call soon, as You may be able to make the deadline for Christmas orders

Breads: Yam Rolls, Rustica, Batards, Baguettes

Cakes: Carrot Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting, Buche de Noel with real French Buttercream, and Three Layer Mousse Cake with Chocolate Ganache Pies: Lots to pick from or ask about Christmas Cookies

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

Watch for our February ad as we gear up for Maple Syrup season! The all-natural baked goods will follow shortly thereafter (or when you’ve ended the diet) God Bless You All, DJ & Rick

66 Moose Mtn. Road, Brookfield • seabrisket.com

603-832-3090 • Phone Orders Only • No Texts Please We will be closed in January

176’ of peaceful waterfront & wildlife Commercial and/or Residential

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.

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.

2 Units - Parking for 10 cars

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 wonderful possibilities with this unique, one-of-a -kind Wolfeboro location. $575,000

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 to schedule a time for a tour.

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, 84 S. Main St., Wolfeboro, Sundays 4:30 – 6:30 p.m., 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, gift shop, 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 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.

Second Saturday Contradance, Tamworth Outing Club, 7:30 – 10 p.m., Tamworth Town House, 27 Cleveland Hill Rd., Tamworth, admission charged, info.: Amy Berrier 603-651-5800 or Teresa Fournier at 978-609-2181.

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.

Tamworth Townhouse Hoot – Bruce Berquist & Jim Alt, 1 – 3 p.m., Saturdays, 27 Cleveland Hill Rd., Tamworth, song circle, local musicians welcome to participate, bruceberquist@gmail.com

Tuftonboro Country Bluegrass and Gospel Jam, 6:30 - 8 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.

CHRISTA: A Documentary Celebrating New Hampshire’s Iconic Teacher

You may be familiar with the quote, “I touch the future, I teach,” but how much do you know about the woman who said it? The new documentary CHRISTA, set to premiere on New Hampshire PBS on December 19th at 8:30 pm, offers a look into the life and legacy of Christa McAuliffe, the first teacher selected for space travel. The film delves into McAuliffe’s journey, from her beginnings as a social studies teacher at Concord High School to her historic selection for the Space Shuttle Challenger mission, and also covers the recent dedication of the first statue on the New Hampshire State House lawn to honor a woman.

“Christa McAuliffe was selected out of over 11,000 people to become NASA’s first teacher in space,” said Jeanne Gerluskis, the former director of the McAuliffe-Shepard Discovery Center. “That’s because she had these incredible qualities of enthusiasm and a love for learning.”

Gerluskis reached out to New Hampshire PBS to recommend the station produce the documentary to coincide with the statue dedication. “We all want to be remembered for who we were, what we cared about, what we loved and what we did,” said Gerluskis.

CHRISTA features interviews with Gerluskis along with local dignitaries, educators and former students, who provide a personal and intimate portrait of McAuliffe’s life. The program explores her passion for education, her

unwavering determination and her inspiring message of hope and possibility.

Governor Chris Sununu was instrumental in establishing a commission to construct the statue honoring McAuliffe. In the documentary, Sununu stated, “You say Christa in New Hampshire, and everyone knows exactly who you’re talking about.”

The commission sought the artistic vision of Benjamin Victor, a nationally celebrated sculptor, who is also interviewed in the film. In 2024, Victor became the only living artist to have four sculptures in the National Statuary Hall in the United States Capitol. “Who we memorialize says a lot about our society,” said Victor. “They say that the greatest joy in life is when you can be a part of something bigger than you.”

“Christa McAuliffe’s story is one of courage, resilience and the power of education,” said producer Kathleen Young. “We are honored to share her legacy. As a producer, I’ve worked on numerous projects, but none have been as meaningful and impactful as this one.”

The documentary CHRISTA will premiere on December 19th at 8:30 pm on New Hampshire PBS. After the broadcast, viewers can stream the documentary on the PBS App. Classroom resources and a catalog of interviews will be available online at nhpbs.org/ christa.

Fun ways to make Christmas Eve even

more special for kids

Parents know that nothing quite matches the excitement young children feel on Christmas Eve. On the day before Christmas, youngsters anxiously anticipate the arrival of Santa Claus that evening and are perhaps even more excited by the prospects of the following morning, when they’ll race into the living room and discover all that the jolly old elf left behind.

Christmas Eve seems to have some built-in magical components, but there are a handful of ways parents can make the day even more special for children.

• Track the big guy’s movements online. The North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) and its predecessor, the Continental Air Defense Command (CONAD), has tracked Santa’s Christmas Eve flight for more than 60 years. Beginning on Christmas Eve, families can track Santa’s movements across the globe at Noradsanta.org. Kids can visit the site to see where Santa is at any given moment on Christmas Eve, growing more excited as the big fella gets closer and closer to their own region.

• Create a Christmas Eve craft. Gather children and their cousins and/or friends to create a special Christmas Eve craft or decoration that can be displayed next year. This is a great way

to channel youngsters’ nervous Christmas Eve energy into something productive, and it can make for a great tradition families can continue even after kids are grown.

• Watch a favorite Christmas movie. Hollywood has never shied away from holiday fare, so there’s no shortage of festive films to enjoy with youngsters on Christmas Eve. Enjoy a classic like the 1947 film “Miracle on 34th Street” starring Natalie Wood as the adorable “Susan Walker” and Edmund Gwenn as “Kris Kringle,” or go with something more recent, such as “The Grinch,” the 2018 adaptation of the Dr. Seuss book How the Grinch Stole Christmas.

• Take a nighttime stroll or drive to see the lights. Lighting displays are another component that makes the holiday season so special. After Christmas Eve dinner, take a stroll through your neighborhood to see the lighting displays or climb into the car to take in a different neighborhood’s offerings if you’re already familiar with those in your own neck of the woods.

Christmas Eve is a magical day for youngsters and their parents. Some simple ideas can make the day even more meaningful for children and their families. ~ Metro

Story and photo by Charlene Muscatell

This time of year, many of us are feeling the holiday cheer, diligently planning get-togethers and affixing festive decorations to our homes. One household favorite is the addition of strings of white or colored lights to Christmas trees, banisters, doorways and even sweaters. Have you ever wondered how they became a part of holiday traditions? Let’s delve into the history of “Christmas Lights” and see how one local man helped change how we bring a warm, cozy atmosphere to our homes for the holidays.

First, why do we have “Christmas Trees” in our homes? Long before Christianity, many civilizations decorated their homes with evergreens throughout the winter months as they believed it protected their loved ones from evil spirits and illness. This was especially true in European cultures, where they adorned doors and windowsills with boughs of firs and spruce. In the 16th century, the Welsh folk song “Nos Galan” celebrated Winter Solstice and the New Year and included lyrics of hanging holly. This song

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was later rewritten as the well-known “Deck The Halls” by Scottish Musician Thomas Oliphant to include more Christmas-specific lyrics. By the early 1600s, devout German Christians had traditions of bringing evergreen trees or wood piles with evergreen boughs decorated with lively candles into their homes, centered around Christmas celebrations.

Around the same time in New England, the newly settled American Puritans believed celebrating Christmas was unholy and frivolous, so much so that in 1659, the General Court of Massachusetts enacted a law prohibiting decorations and fining those who didn’t abide. This changed over time as significant influxes of German and Irish immigrants settled and influenced the Northeast.

In 1846, English royals were pictured sketched in the Illustrated London News celebrating the holidays in front of their decorated Christmas tree. It was not the first royal Christmas tree, but because Queen Victoria and her German Husband, Prince Albert, were so loved by their people, this scene popularized holiday festivities and the decorating of Christmas trees.

It became very fashionable in both England and East Coast American societies by the late 1800s. The first known Christmas tree in the White House was in 1889, requested by President Benjamin Harrison.

There is an interesting story behind when and how candles were replaced with electric lights to illuminate Christmas trees. As it is widely known, Thomas Edison is credited with inventing the first practical working electric light bulb in 1879 in his New Jersey laboratory. This was an incandescent bulb made with a carbonized cotton filament that lasted over 14 hours. Only three years later, Edward H. Johnson, the Vice President of Edison’s electric company and personal friend of Edison, strung together 80 egg-sized fragile bulbs of red, white and blue to decorate a Christmas tree in the parlor of his New York home. The bulbs were lit up by a filmy electric wire that hung from the ceiling as the tree slowly rotated, making the tree twinkle. This neighborhood was one of the first in New York to have electricity available in homes, so the sight of his twinkling tree was quite the spectacle.

The New York display attracted a lot of attention as a local news reporter spread the word. Noting the interest in the display, Thomas Edison put up lights of his own in front of his laboratory in Menlo Park, now renamed Edison, New Jersey. The lights were seen by foot traffic and passengers in passing trains, gaining attention in surrounding social circles.

Because there was so much interest in the colorful light displays, Edison and Johnson saw the electric bulbs as a solution to the long-standing fear of Christmas trees catching fire by the traditional wax candles and, at the same time, eliminating the mess caused by the dripping wax. They started to sell strings of green or white lights and even offered rental lights. “Electric trees will prove to be far less dangerous than the wax candle parlor trees,” -Johnson proclaimed. Unfortunately, the Edison bulbs proved to be just as prone to starting fires as they also emitted a lot of heat. In 1895, President Grover Cleveland commissioned a tree with Edison bulbs for the first electri-

• Lights continued on page 21

Lights continued from page 20

cally lit Christmas tree in the White House. The large tree held more than a hundred multicolored lights.

According to Business NH Magazine, One cold Christmas morning, more than two decades later, a local Christmas legend was born. In his home in Laconia, New Hampshire, Ralph E. Morris watched as his toddler son Leavitt accidentally knocked a candle over on the Christmas tree it decorated, setting it ablaze and nearly catching the house on fire. Unaware of Johnson’s lights in New York, as news did not travel fast in many circles then, Ralph thought up his own solution to this problem.

At the time, Ralph worked at The New England Telephone and Telegraph Company. The telephone switchboards were built with small flashlight bulbs that lit up when a line was activated. He set his idea in motion, repurposing old bulbs from the switchboards. He spent hours soldering and wiring them together before adding crepe paper to create yellow, orange and green colors and then attached them to an artificial feather tree he had purchased. The design included small filament bulbs with wiring hidden under plastic candle sticks, making them appear like candles. He presented the new tree to his family and friends on Christmas morning of the following year.

From 1933 to 1965, Ralph was also the Executive Theater Manager of The Colonial Theater in Laconia. His time working at the theater allowed for many connections and conversations,

including the Christmas lights story. Over time, he surely inspired others to seek less flammable decorating options.

Until the late 1930s, the Morris family, along with many friends and colleagues, believed Ralph to be the original inventor of the electric Christmas string lights, still unaware of the Edison and Johnson lights, which, by then, were becoming more commercially available. Many in the Lakes Region of New Hampshire still to this day believe that Ralph was the first. Although not the case, he may have been the first, especially in the Lakes Region, to come up with a less flammable solution with the use of the smaller bulbs on his setup. The smaller lights were also more manageable and easier to decorate with.

The Morris tree was most recently seen in a collection of Christmas Lights displayed on bulbcollector.com. The Morris family had discovered that the collector purchased it from a family friend on eBay with no noteworthy description, not realizing the potential significance. The collector, through research, had uncovered that the tree was likely originally purchased from a Sears, Roebuck & Co. Catalog, popular at the time. The stem had been painted green and a stronger stand was built to support the newly added lights.

Over time, string lights have gone through mass production by different manufacturers with many improvements along the way. In the 1920s, a thermostat with a strip of metal was added to the bulb of the commercially available lights. When the metal strip heated up, it bent and broke the electri-

cal circuit, turning off the light. When it cooled, the metal bent back, reconnecting the light and turning it back on. This was the development of the twinkle light without the rotating tree.

After World War II, Christmas lights became so popular and widely available that by the late 1940s, outdoor Christmas lights were added to homes and businesses as well. Many incorrectly believed the outdoor bulbs burned brighter and longer if pointed upright and wasted a lot of time decorating. Some early bulbs were molded into shapes of fruit or holiday figures and painted by toy makers. These tended to peel and flake over time from expansion. For decades, string lights were made with incandescent bulbs and you better hope one bulb didn’t fail or the whole string went out!

To increase the sales of string lights, General Electric and Edison’s Electric Company encouraged neighborhood contests for the best light displays. Now, there are many string light op-

Winter

tions including LEDs with shunts to prevent entire strings from failing. They have become an affordable, easily attained product. An estimated 150 million sets of lights are sold yearly in the U.S. alone. They are very much a staple of our holiday season and are used for any occasion from Christmas to weddings and even lighting your patio on summer evenings.

Every year, all across the country, there are innumerable holiday light displays from enthusiastic homeowners to businesses. In central New Hampshire alone, there is an abundance of displays to experience, from “The Gift of Lights” at the New Hampshire Motor Speedway to “The Winter Lights” display at Waterville Valley. The facts included in the above article can be found on history.com, oldchristmastreelights. com and the aforementioned sources. Take a look at our “What’s Up” column for upcoming holiday events. Happy Holidays!

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Classic Holiday Films the Whole Family Can Enjoy

Celebrants owe the joy of the holiday season to various components. Decor and gift-giving go a long way toward making December a joyous time of year. Holiday films also do their part to make the season so special.

Many people have their own favorite holiday films, and the following are some that can engage viewers who are young or simply young at heart.

“A Christmas Story” Released in 1983, this warmly nostalgic, humorous film is a perennial favorite among families. It follows the story of Ralphie, who has his heart set on a very specific Christmas present: a Red Rider BB gun. Amidst wintry exploits and family drama, the true spirit of Christmas manages to shine through in this beloved film. Some of the subject matter can be off-color, and there are some bullying scenes. So this is a movie best watched with children who are mature enough to make it through without being scared.

“Little Women” Based on the Louisa May Alcott novel of the same name, the 1994 telling of this classic follows

the March sisters, who confront financial difficulties, romance and family tragedies in mid-nineteenth century

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Massachusetts. While it’s not a traditional Christmas movie, the importance of spending time with family around Christmastime is a core theme in this coming-of-age tale.

“Klaus” Perhaps not as well-known as other animated holiday flicks, “Klaus,” released in 2019, has a personality all its own. Postman Jesper, who is not making the grade at the postal academy, is sent to work in a frozen town in the North, where he discovers a reclusive toy maker named Klaus. The unlikely duo ultimately team up to

make and deliver toys and bring smiles to children’s faces.

“Meet Me In St. Louis” Starring the irreplaceable Judy Garland, this movie musical focuses on four sisters who are awaiting the 1904 World’s Fair in their hometown but learn that their father has accepted a new job and the family must move to New York beforehand. A Christmas miracle occurs and all is right in the end. Garland sings a memorable version of “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” in the film, solidifying this as a holiday classic.

“The Santa Clause” This Disney film came out in 1994 and remains a family favorite. When divorced dad Scott (Tim Allen) accidentally kills a man in a Santa suit, he magically becomes the next Santa. He must learn to cope with the ways the transformation to the man in red interrupts his normal life, eventually giving over to the magic of Christmas.

“Emmet Otter’s Jug-Band Christmas” Though this 1977 Jim Henson production is a television special and not a full-length feature film, Generation X likely remembers the heartfelt tale of a poor otter family who sacrifice prized possessions to have what’s needed to enter a talent contest. The goal is to win the prize money to buy special Christmas presents. Audiences get to enjoy narration by Kermit the Frog.

Films are a popular component that helps to make the holiday season so special. ~ Metro

Tips to Make Holiday Dinners More Affordable

“Eat, drink and be merry” is a familiar refrain come the holiday season. Hosting a holiday dinner is a great way to welcome family and friends and encourage them to embrace the festive nature of the season. However, the high cost of food and other essentials may have certain holiday hosts rethinking their menus and their guest lists this year.

A 2024 Pew Research Poll showed Americans worried about the state of the economy, citing the price of food and the cost of housing as their foremost concerns. More than 90 percent of Americans say they are “very” or “somewhat” concerned about the cost of food and consumer goods.

Average annual food-at-home prices were 5 percent higher in 2023 than in 2022, according to the USDA Economic Research Service. Inflation has been a key topic of discussion for much of the last three years. While data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics indicates inflation continues to cool off from all-time highs, consumers are still anxious about how food prices are affecting their bottom lines and their holiday entertaining plans. According to Farmdoc Daily, which offers agriculture-based data analysis, 68 percent of U.S. consumers expected rising food prices to impact their holiday meals in 2023. Similar concerns may prevail in 2024.

Stretching holiday entertaining dollars comes down to being savvy. With that in mind, hosts can consider these

meal modification strategies this holiday season.

• Replace a high-cost protein with a more affordable alternative. Sometimes a holiday meal calls for pulling out all of the stops, and that may mean spending more on a special main dish. Rather than a luxury like beef tenderloin or prime rib roast, consider a less expensive dish, such as a pork tenderloin, roasted chicken or even seafood.

• Add extra side dishes. Incorporate an inexpensive item like rice, beans or an extra vegetable side dish into the meal so that plates can be filled with less expensive foods and fewer highcost items.

• Shop the sales. Plan meals around a supermarket circular. While you may have one holiday dinner idea in mind, once you see what the stores are put-

ting on sale, you can stock up on those items and build the dinner around them.

If you find a good deal several weeks away from the holidays, buy the items and freeze them until they’re needed.

• Buy generic or store brands. Chanc-

es are no one will notice if you use generic or store-brand ingredients, which can be considerably cheaper than their brand-name counterparts. Many are even manufactured in the same facilities that produce the name-brand stuff.

• Make an affordable drink. Alcohol costs can add up when you try to cater to everyone’s tastes and preferences. Make one or two bulk drinks, like a holiday punch or signature cocktail, so you can keep alcohol costs in check.

• Stretch the snacks. Instead of a charcuterie board filled with expensive cheeses and meats, opt for dips and raw vegetables or a low-cost cheese ball made with cream cheese and herbs with crackers. Keep snacks to a minimum; otherwise, guests may fill up and then not have room for dinner.

Holiday hosts can embrace various strategies to save money on family meals this season. ~ Metro

Castle in the Clouds Announces 2025 Winter Lunch Events

Winter Lunch at the Castle will return to Castle in the Clouds in 2025, offering visitors the opportunity to dine at the Carriage House Restaurant while Lucknow Mansion is closed for the season. Beginning January 11 through April 13, three seating times will be available each Saturday and Sunday: 11:30 am, 12:30 pm, and 1:30 pm.

Online reservations are required by midnight on the Thursday before the selected date. Per person charges – $35 for adults and $15 for children 12 and under – include tax and gratuity and are due at the time of reservation. These cover a prix fixe menu of a starter, entrée and non-alcoholic beverage. Full bar and dessert options are available for

additional charges. The menu offerings are updated regularly throughout the winter. “After experiencing high demand last year, we are pleased to provide the opportunity for the community to experience Winter Lunch at the Castle in 2025,” said Charles Clark, Executive Director of Castle in the Clouds.

“We encourage guests to plan a day – or even a weekend – exploring the Lakes Region Conservation Trust trails and the Castle in the Clouds Conservation Area in the Ossipee Mountains. Winter Lunch at the Castle offers visitors a warm and welcoming respite after cross-country skiing, snowshoeing or hiking in the beautiful, natural surroundings of the historic Lucknow Estate.”

For more information about Winter Lunch at the Castle, visit www.castleintheclouds.org.

As the premier historical museum in the beautiful Lakes Region of New Hampshire, Castle in the Clouds provides each visitor with a look into the past while providing contemporary comforts to make every visit memorable. Originally called Lucknow, this breathtaking 6,300-acre property was developed in 1913 by Tomas G. Plant, a wealthy shoe manufacturer, to create a luxurious lifestyle with state-ofthe-art amenities, beautiful hand-made furnishings, and a large staff to run the estate. These days, visitors come from all around the world to tour the mansion

and exhibit gallery, dine in the Carriage House Restaurant or Café in the Clouds, hike miles of hiking and walking trails maintained by partner organization the Lakes Region Conservation Trust, or enjoy one of our many programs and events. Operated by the Castle Preservation Society, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, Castle in the Clouds is revered as a cultural and educational resource and listed on the National Register of Historic Places with national significance. Castle in the Clouds is also available as a fairytale wedding venue and versatile private event rental. For more information about Castle in the Clouds, visit www.castleintheclouds. org.

Concord Community Music School “New England Roots & Branches”

Explore the roots of New England’s unique and beautiful folk music tradition via Concord Community Music School’s new “New England Roots & Branches” series, debuting in January 2025. Some of New Hampshire’s premier folk musicians will combine concerts, jam sessions, and contra dancing into lively celebrations of a variety of traditions. Folk musicians of all levels are invited to bring their instruments to play along with performers (and CCMS faculty) Audrey Budington, Jordan Tirrell-Wysocki, and Liz Faiella, fiddles and Dan Faiella, guitar at the start and end of each session. However, it is not necessary to play an instrument or have contraband experience to attend and enjoy the events.

The “New England Roots & Branches” series will kick off on Saturday, January 25, 2025, with “Contradance Music: The New England Contradance Repertoire,” honoring the genre’s melding of various folk traditions. This event will be held at the Citywide Community Center (Concord, NH.) It begins with an open slow jam session at 6 pm, followed by a contradance called by David Millstone at 7 pm. For the dance’s second half, starting at 8 pm, musicians are invited to join the band and play along.

On Saturday, April 25, 2025, “New

England Roots and Branches” continues with “Transatlantic Tunes: Celtic & British Isles Folk Tunes,” celebrating music from across the pond that has made its way into the New England folk repertoire.

The “New England Roots & Branches” series will conclude on Friday, June 13, 2025, with “Music From North & South: Canadian & Appalachian Folk Tunes.” These events will be held at Concord Community Music School (Concord, NH.) They will begin with a slow jam at 6 pm, a concert at 7 pm, and a fast jam at 8 pm.

The “New England Roots and Branches” series is free and open to the public. It is made possible in part through a Folklife and Traditional Arts grant from the New Hampshire State Council on the Arts.

Located at 23 Wall St. in Downtown Concord, NH, Concord Community Music School employs more than 50 faculty who teach more than a thousand students each week. Music lovers of all ages participate in individual instruction, workshops, classes, choruses, ensembles, expressive art therapy, and recitals. Financial aid is available. For more information, visit ccmusicschool.org.

The New Hampshire State Council on the Arts, a division of the New

Concord, New Hampshire

Hampshire Department of Natural and Cultural Resources, enhances the quality of life in New Hampshire by stimulating economic growth through the arts, investing in the creativity of students, making the arts accessible to underserved populations, and preserving heritage arts.

Its Folklife and Traditional Arts program supports art forms that are passed

Series

informally from generation to generation through demonstration, conversation and practice. These arts reflect the cultures of community groups that can be defined by ethnic heritage or by occupation, religion, geography, way of life, language or familial groups. Learn more about the NHSCA at nh.gov/ nharts.

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Family Fun at Last Night Wolfeboro

Last Night Wolfeboro on December 31 includes new offerings for a festive, free celebration marking New Year’s Eve in the Lakes Region. Hundreds to attend events at the day-long celebration

More than a dozen events and activities are on the Last Night Wolfeboro schedule from 10 am – 6 pm. New for the December 31, community-wide event is Jason Tardy, world-class juggling performer. Tardy brings his impressive, high-energy performance on stage at 1:30 pm at Wolfeboro Town Hall, Great Hall. “We’re keeping Last Night Wolfeboro fresh and engaging for New Year’s Eve,” says Linda

Last Night Wolfeboro presents free, family-friendly events Dec. 31, including ice skating, escape house, games, crafts, bingo, puppet show, juggling performance, concerts; plus New Year’s Eve treats and fireworks (weather permitting) over Wolfeboro Bay. Updates on Facebook @LastNightWolfeboro.

Night Wolfeboro scavenger hunt returns December 26 until noon, December 31. Participants can have fun visiting sites, businesses and shops around Wolfeboro to find answers and locate items about town businesses, history and culture. To participate in the online event, a scavenger hunt QR code and web link launches December 26 on the Last Night Wolfeboro Facebook page. Some Wolfeboro shops and town hall will also have the hunt QR code and link available beginning December 26. Prize winners will be notified by January 3.

Murray, chair of Wolfeboro’s Special Events Committee. “Jason’s juggling performance will be eye-popping for the large audience expected at Town Hall.”

Also new on December 31, before the scheduled fireworks over Wolfeboro Bay, is the opportunity to enjoy delicious treats while supplies last. Weather permitting, Sweetwater Kitchen, owned and operated by Wolfeboro chef Suzanne Trice, will offer tasty s’mores, hot chocolate and marshmallow treats at family-friendly prices.

Then at 6 pm, weather permitting, Last Night Wolfeboro fireworks light up over Wolfeboro Bay. Fireworks are sponsored by: Hunter’s Shop ‘n Save; Piscataqua Landscaping and Tree Service and Black’s Paper Store.

The day of festivities provides many options for families, friends, neighbors and visitors according to Mrs. Murray. “Each year, more people join us for Last Night Wolfeboro. And during our town’s difficult budget year, we appreciate generous support from Wolfeboro-area businesses to help present this community-wide event for the Lakes Region.”

After a two-year hiatus, the Last

Last Night Wolfeboro scheduled events throughout the town include: Featured events at Wolfeboro Town Hall, Great Hall: 10 am – 12:30 pm: Games + crafts: including C3Brix -LEGO fun; Maker’s Mill smoothie bike challenge; Girl Scout Troop 2271-snacks available, Kingswood Youth Center; Boy Scout Troop #165; Yum Yum Shop gingerbread decorating.

1:30 pm: Amazing juggler Jason Tardy

3:30 pm: Wildlife Encounters, animal show, presented by The Children’s Center 11 am – 4 pm: Escape Room: Developed and presented by The Resistance from KRHS robotics team. Sign-up is mandatory at Wolfeboro train station building; 32 Central Ave.

12:30 pm: Just Bob + Marla with Puppet Friends is an interactive musical show that will engage children aged 3-12. Wolfeboro Library, Bradley Room.

1 and 2:15 pm: Bingo sessions; Hosted by Wolfeboro Lions; prizes; snacks available ($). Brewster Estabrook Hall; 80 Academy Drive off S. Main Street.

• Last Night continued on page 30

A Festive Guide to Caroling

Christmas caroling is a joyful tradition that has endured for centuries.

Christmas caroling can be traced to the fourth century in Rome. Latin hymns were written to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. Historians believe that even before the emergence of Christianity, midwinter songs existed to lift people’s spirits through the bleak weather and extended hours of darkness.

Christmas caroling continues to unite communities and spread holiday cheer through song. It is time to inspire a resurgence of caroling by planning to gather friends, family, or neighbors for a caroling session. This guide can help anyone plan a memorable caroling event.

Gather your group: Begin by assembling a group of singers. No one needs to be an expert singer, as enthusiasm goes a long way. Reach out to friends, family, coworkers, and/or local community members. Try to get a diverse group of people together whose main goal is to have fun.

Find the right time and date: Typically, evening hours after work or during weekends are when you can reach the greatest number of people. The goal is to enable participants to relax and enjoy the experience.

Map out a caroling route: Carefully identify neighborhoods or locations that are known for being festive. While the organizer may choose to carol around his or her own neighborhood, it may be possible to engage more of

the community in other settings. Look at local nursing homes or even community centers as caroling locations. Contact businesses along Main Street to see if caroling in the center of town to coincide with holiday shopping may be a good idea.

Compile a list of classics: Most people will want to hear the carols and other songs they know and love. Make a list of classic Christmas songs that aren’t overly complicated and singers will already know how to sing, such as “Jingle Bells,” “Deck the Halls,” “Frosty the Snowman,” and “Rudolph

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the Red-Nosed Reindeer.” If a particularly accomplished singer is in the group, he or she might do a featured solo. Be sure to have printed copies of the lyrics and sheet music for all participants.

caroling is traditionally done a capella, having someone who plays an instrument, like a guitar or violin, can ensure everyone is on the right note and can keep the pace of each song.

Plan to rest: Singing can be joyful, but also tiring. Bring along refreshments so the carolers can rest their voices and stop to grab a drink or snack. Tea, coffee and cocoa can warm up participants on chilly days. Perhaps make one of the caroling stops in front of a local coffee shop and pop in after a set.

Coordinate attire: Although everyone does not have to dress alike, a similar element, such as a red scarf or green mittens, can unite the group.

Enlist some musicians: Although

Add a charitable element: Consider incorporating a charitable aspect to the caroling. Collect financial or food donations for a local food pantry, or do a toy drive while caroling, encouraging people to offer a wrapped gift in exchange for some beautiful music. Christmas music often sets the holiday scene, and carolers can bring familiar songs into neighborhoods this time of year. ~ Metro

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The Great Christmas Debate: Real or Artificial Trees?

Baking cookies, watching movies, singing carols . . . the holiday season is celebrated in a variety of ways and each family has its own traditions. For those families that put up a Christmas tree every year, there is a debate that they’ve all had at least once: Artificial or the real deal? The debate around the better tree has continued for years, with some arguing for the convenience of fake trees and others staunch proponents of the tradition and visceral sensation of having a real evergreen. In the end, most points come down to personal preference, but one consideration that could sway the vote is the environmental impact. Does one come out

ahead of the other in the sustainability category? Let’s break down how you can be sustainable with your tree this season while also partaking in your favorite holiday traditions.

Adventure to the attic for your artificial tree: People who like the hassle-free tradition of taking the tree down from the attic can point to the environmental benefit of reusing their trees over many years. By using the same tree over and over again, you can prevent waste and help limit the overconsumption of products during the holidays.

However, artificial trees are made from plastic and metal materials and

cannot be recycled. While a thrifty family could find creative ways to re-purpose it after it’s outlived its use as the family tree, eventually the tree or its components will end up in a landfill. Aside from difficulties with the disposal of artificial trees, their production can contribute to an increase in greenhouse gas emissions and waste in the way they are manufactured, packaged and shipped. It’s estimated that 80% of artificial trees worldwide are manufactured in China, according to the National Christmas Tree Association. Imagine all the emissions it takes just to ship your tree across the ocean.

Are evergreens really THAT green? If fake trees aren’t ideal for production or disposal, that must mean that real trees are better… right? Unfortunately, the answer is more complex than a simple yes or no. Having a real tree for the holidays means that trees must be cut down every year. Luckily, most trees come from Christmas tree farms and are planted with the sole intent of eventually being harvested. Plus, more trees being planted contributes to more trees releasing oxygen and absorbing greenhouse gases.

Real trees obviously have the upper hand over artificial ones when it comes to reducing emissions. Even though these trees are being cut down to adorn your homes, there are plenty of tree farms that use sustainable methods with the understanding that trees are cut down and new ones grow to replace them, which helps conserve re-

sources. The National Christmas Tree Association says that, for every one tree harvested, three more trees are planted to ensure a constant supply. So, when looking for a real tree consider purchasing from a local tree farm; to extend the environmental benefit even further, look for the overlooked, less appealing trees that might be wasted otherwise.

Real trees also have a better disposal method since they are both biodegradable and compostable. There are many services that allow consumers to recycle their real trees for lumber, mulch, compost or other purposes. Some people even feed their trees to goats.

According to the National Christmas Tree Association, there are over 4,000 local holiday tree recycling programs throughout the U.S. Check with your town to see if there are any Christmas Tree recycling programs nearby. What’s the consensus? So, when push comes to shove, which is more sustainable – artificial or real trees? With the benefits of reducing emissions and waste, real holiday trees are the more sustainable option overall. Regardless of your holiday traditions and what kind of tree you decide to put up, you can learn ways to get the most out of your tree and reduce the effects of waste disposal and overconsumption during the holiday season. -A publication of the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services, Concord, NH

Winter Issue Now Available

Dining Out in the Lakes Region Available at Hundreds of Locations around the Lakes Region!

Courageous and Independent People of the Lakes Region

By Kathi Caldwell-Hopper

In olden times, you had to be brave and determined to endure life in New Hampshire. It took strength and wits to survive; old-time women had that in abundance.

One such woman was Elizabeth Webster, who lived in Chester, New Hampshire, in the mid-1700s. She married a family relative named David, who had big plans for his future. He saw land being given in the Plymouth, New Hampshire area, and he wanted some of it.

David secured land through a charter and moved to the wilds of Plymouth to build a log cabin for his family.

By today’s standards, asking your spouse to stay behind and make her way to a remote cabin months later seems like a terrible idea. But that is what Elizabeth’s husband instructed her to do, asking her to stay in Chester until autumn, according to “Stories of New Hampshire” by Eva Speare. At that time, he estimated he would have their cabin completed, and she could set out on her journey to reach their new home.

To say it was a treacherous trip would be an understatement. While we cannot know all the particulars of Elizabeth’s journey, we do know it was long. Roads were crude, and maps were not entirely accurate. In addition to this, it was coming on colder weather, and to undertake such a trip at that time of year seemed foolish.

She set out on horseback, bringing the couple’s baby son, who was just a few months old. Imagine a woman who recently gave birth and was nursing an infant, traveling miles alone. She

could have encountered wild animals or gotten lost or robbed. Her courage must have been immense, and she only sought shelter each night by asking for a bed at any farmhouse or cabin she might find on the way.

Trouble did indeed find Elizabeth when her horse stumbled and threw the baby from its back, causing the infant to fall into cold river water. Elizabeth managed to rescue the baby and pull him to shore. She used flint and steel to make a fire to dry their clothing and get warm.

It was getting dark by this time, and Elizabeth knew she must find shelter for the night. She saw a towering cliff with a crevice at the top. Climbing the cliff was not easy, but the young mother managed it and finally found a place in the cave with shelter for herself and her baby.

She was awakened by the sound of native people nearby in the middle of the night and sat in fear, should the baby cry out and they are discovered. Luckily, they were spared discovery, and the next morning, they went on their way and made it to the cabin.

Elizabeth’s husband was somewhat unconcerned about her safety and assumed she would arrive any day as autumn edged toward winter. This outlook seems surprising by today’s standards, but the time was different, and people often walked miles to reach a destination.

Over the years, Elizabeth and her husband prospered. They ran a tavern in Plymouth, and David fought in the Revolutionary War, according to information at www.nhhistory.org (the New Hampshire Historical Society).

She worked hard as a housewife and partner to her husband, birthing more children and cooking for her family and tavern customers.

Elizabeth was a mere 18 years of age and had only her newborn baby for company as she traveled to northern New Hampshire to her new home. She died in 1809, and David followed in 1824.

Even the wealthy lived difficult lives in the 1700s and 1800s. Governor Benning Wentworth was one such person. He was born into a notable and rich family and lived with them on the seacoast of New Hampshire.

Well-educated and enjoying a good life, Wentworth was married and the father of three sons. Sadly, his wife and children were all taken by a “throat distemper” as the illness raced across New England.

At around the same time, a young girl lived in poverty in Portsmouth. She found whatever work she could, moving from house to house and serving as a maid or babysitter. Times were hard for people experiencing poverty, and children were often orphaned and looked down upon because of their social status.

But the child, little Martha, had a sunny disposition and grit. She grew into a pretty young woman and eventually found work at the Governor’s mansion. The widower, Benning Wentworth, was lonely, and the pert and pretty housemaid caught his eye. He fell in love and was determined to marry Martha.

After a meeting with local politicians, Wentworth called Martha into the room and instructed a minister who

was in attendance to perform the marriage ceremony. Although surprised, the men at the meeting had no say in the matter, and soon Martha was Lady Benning Wentworth. She was only 21, and he was 63, making the alliance fodder for gossip. Added to this, her former position as a maid in Wentworth’s home raised eyebrows in New Hampshire.

However, her new status elevated Martha into the highest social and financial circles in New England, and she must have found it amusing to see the surprise on the faces of those who once looked down upon her.

Despite their age difference, the couple were happily married until Benning’s death. Martha inherited his fortune and later married another Wentworth family member from England. Her new husband was a talented violinist and accompanied the orchestra in a local band.

Scandal was not a one-time occurrence in the Wentworth clan, and another woman, equally independent and unconcerned with social conventions, also married into the family.

Frances Deering Atkinson Wentworth married the young and handsome John Wentworth. John was Benning’s nephew, and it is said he helped his uncle when the elder Wentworth ran into legal troubles. Benning was not particularly well-liked by the people of New Hampshire, but John was the opposite. Young, charismatic, and popular, he succeeded Benning as Governor and had the people’s trust.

• Yesteryear continued on page 30

• Yesteryear

continued from page 29

John was in a relationship with his cousin, Frances, and hoped to marry her. But when he had to go to Europe

• Last Night continued from page 26

1 pm: Peter Heimlich and the Unusual Suspects (folk band); First Congregational Church of Wolfeboro (FCCW) 115 S., Main St.

2:30-3:30 pm: Free Ice skating, skate rentals and snacks available ($).

Pop Whalen Ice and Arts Center, 390 Pine Hill Rd., Wolfeboro.

4:00 pm: The Carolyn Ramsay Band; Concert by one of the Lakes Region’s favorite musical groups; First Congregational Church of Wolfeboro (FCCW) 115 S., Main St.

4 pm – 6 pm: FCCW presents supper for family and friends: homemade mac and cheese, hot dogs, salad, vegetables, desserts; beverages; tickets at the door$30 per family; $10 per person; free under age five; (cash/Venmo).

5 pm – 6 pm: (weather permitting) Sweetwater Kitchen Treats; Cate Park/ Town Docks area.

6 pm: Fireworks over Wolfeboro Bay (weather permitting).

Programming and schedule updates will be posted on Facebook @LastNightWolfeboro; times and events are subject to change. Wolfeboro Community TV will offer a schedule of recorded concerts, shows and special programming on New Year’s Eve.

on a protracted business trip, Frances married another man, Thomas Atkinson. (One cannot blame her because John did not return to New Hampshire for a few years, and she probably grew tired of waiting.)

Additional 2024 fireworks sponsors include: Lake Winni Team, Leone, McDonnell & Roberts, Paul Zimmerman, The Windrifter Resort, Avery Insurance, Taylor Community, Wolfeboro Dock Company, Brewster, Doran Independent Insurance and Keller Williams Coastal and Lakes & Mountains Realty.

Other sponsors include: Yankee Pedlar Realtors; Brookside Plumbing and Heating; Morrissey’s Porch and Pub; Harmony Coffee House; Edward Jones, Financial Advisor Kevin Lawlor; Lake Wentworth Inn and Bradley’s Hardware.

Scavenger hunt prizes for Last Night Wolfeboro are donated by:

Wright Museum of World War II

Wolfeboro Trolley Company

New Hampshire Boat Museum

NH Cruise

WinniPaw Station

The Wolfeboro Special Events Committee of the EDC produces Last Night Wolfeboro; Chair, Linda Murray, Members: Christine Collins, parks and recreation director, Alexys Austin, parks and recreation program coordinator; Brenda Jorett; Kate Turner, Libby Peard; with support from Wolfeboro Parks and Recreation, Wolfeboro Community Television, and First Congregational Church of Wolfeboro.

The newlywed Frances enjoyed an easy life due to her husband’s wealth. However, his elevated status did not keep Thomas from illness. Like many people at that time, he fell ill but lingered for some time. While Thomas was sick and dying, John Wentworth returned from England and took up his relationship with Frances again.

Just 10 days after Thomas Atkinson died, John married Frances. Although John Wentworth would go on to be politically influential and powerful, his new marriage turned heads, and many disapproved. Frances was pretty and lively, but her marriage so soon after Atkinson’s passing probably caused gossip.

With their wealth came comfort, and John and Frances Wentworth soon sought a summer home. A summer residence was a new idea then, but Wentworth wanted a place to relax and entertain far from Portsmouth’s social whirl and work.

He found it in the Lakes Region when he discovered land near what would become Lake Wentworth. There, he built a stunning summer home on the shores of Lake Wentworth, not far from downtown Wolfeboro (although, at that time, there was little settlement in the town).

At the landing on his property, supplies for the mansion came from the seacoast area or Boston. The bustling property had a sawmill and cattle barns. Once the mansion was completed, the Governor often entertained for weeks at a time, hosting dignitaries from all over New England and perhaps Europe.

It is said that Frances had a favorite

picnic spot near Mount Delight. Although she often entertained when in Wolfeboro, Frances disliked the country and found it isolating and boring. She would not have to endure country life for long when the family fled as the Revolutionary War raged. According to “The Seacoast New Hampshire: A Visual History” by Robert C. Gilmore and Bruce E. Ingmire, things came to a head for the Wentworths at their Portsmouth home. They were dining with a friend when the mob arrived and made known their demands. In fear for their safety, John and Frances fled to Fort William and Mary where they were protected by the British frigate Scarborough.

The couple was loyal to the King of England and realized their lives could be in danger if they stayed in New Hampshire. After John and Frances left their Wolfeboro-area mansion in 1780, the estate was put up for public auction. The 67 acres of land included the mansion and all its furnishings. It passed through various owners and was destroyed by fire in 1820.

Long after John and Frances Wentworth owned their Lake Wentworth summer estate, and after living in England and Nova Scotia, Frances Wentworth passed away in England in 1813. John lived on to age 84 and died in Halifax, Nova Scotia in 1820.

Frances endured the gossip and scandal of her union with John Wentworth, but her determination to live the life she wanted and leave it all behind when danger arose showed her to be yet another woman of courage.

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