It is difficult to put into words how deeply grateful we are for the outpour of support we have witnessed since the fire last Monday night. It is devastating for all of us. Through this tragedy, we are overwhelmed by the ongoing kindness that has been offered to us each day by members of our community and surrounding towns.
It is a relief to know that no one was injured during this fire. No building surrounding Hunter’s had been touched. It was all due to the dedicated work of our outstanding local fire departments. Wolfeboro Fire- Rescue was assisted at the scene by Tuftonboro Fire, Alton Fire, Moultonboro Fire, Wakefield Fire, Middleton Fire, Ossipee Corner Fire, Center Ossipee Fire, West Ossipee Fire, Milton Fire, Rochester Fire, Effingham Fire, Tamworth Fire, Freedom Fire, Madison Fire and Stewart’s Ambulance. Action Ambulance provided a rehab truck. Barnstead Fire and Farmington Fire provided coverage at Wolfeboro Central Station and handled an additional call in Wolfeboro. Their hard work aided in keeping the fire contained and keeping members of our community safe. Thank you all.
Officials at the Wolfeboro Town Hall took the time to meet and offered their assistance while we are in transition. We are deeply moved by how many of our patrons stopped to show their support - they have been greatly affected by the loss as well.
Moving forward - it is our plan to rebuild as soon as possible. As many of you know, there are 70 employees at Hunter’s Shop ‘n Save. It is our priority to ensure each of them have employment security and can return once we are up and running again. Until then, they will be paid to see them through while we rebuild.
By Kathi Caldwell-Hopper
Wintertime is sled dog time. This year, as in many years past, the Lakes Region Sled Dog Club will bring the 94th World Championship Sled Dog Derby to the Laconia area on February 17 to 19.
The Derby has always been a big draw in the Lakes Region. Each winter, Sled Dog Club members watch snowfall totals and other things such as the temperature to determine if conditions are acceptable for the event. Some years have plenty of snow and other years, there is not enough white stuff to hold the popular race.
This year, with a good amount of snow due to recent storms, the race is on. The Lyman family have been involved in the race for years; in fact, it was Charles Lyman, a sled dog enthusiast, who started the race event in the 1920s. The sled dog derby has grown over the years and today, competitors come from all over the country and beyond to be part of the event.
Says Sled Dog Club member, Jim Lyman, who does trail maintenance for the race, “This year we will have competitors from Utah and Quebec, as well as New England. Last year, a racer from Michigan was a winner.”
Just what is the Derby and why do spectators attend year after year? The answer is that it is all about the sled dogs and the speed and competition of the races. “It is a good chance to see the dogs and talk with competitors at the starting line before the races begin,” says Lyman. This adds to the excitement of the Derby, which is among the most
respected World Championship events in the country.
“We groom the trails about two weeks before the race,” explains Lyman. There are various categories: an Unlimited group; 6 Dog; 3-Dog and 1-Dog groups competing. The purse is a total of $20,000 and according to Lyman, the winning musher often uses the prize money for care of his/ her dogs. Owning and caring for dogs is expensive, with veterinarian bills, food and other costs and the purse prize comes in very handy. “This is an expensive sport,” adds Lyman.
“Fundraising is a big thing,” explains Lyman. “We get sponsors and there was an auction event at Laconia Country Club in January.” Some of the many items in the auction were car washes, roof repairs, gift certificates, dog treats and much more.
This year’s Derby race starts in the
large area across from the former prison (on Parade Road) in Laconia. It is at this spot spectators can get a good look at the wonderful sled dogs and talk with the mushers, before the excitement of the races gets underway. The race course is set to commence from the start line to such areas as Laconia Country Club, Pedal Pushers Farm on Parade Road, and on to the finish lines.
Mushers and spectators love the Derby because it is a chance to get outside in winter and see a unique event. It is an exciting event, as the sled dogs teams fly over the snow-covered course. “The races are timed, and the fastest team wins,” says Lyman.
According to www.lrsdc.org, “From the very beginning this club was formed with the intent to produce and promote sled dog racing in the ‘Lake City’ as an annual, ‘major winter
sporting’ event. Since the club was formed in 1929, the club survived the Depression, the war, and has changed to keep each generation interested in promoting the history, the mission, and the love of sled dogs. It’s all about the dogs.”
The race began in the early 1900s, a time when there was not much to do in the long, cold winters except chop wood, gather fuel, keep the fires going, fetch water, and prepare meals. It was hard, monotonous work, but residents found ways to get through and enjoy the winters, and one of those ways was sled dog races.
The actual year of the first sled dog races in the Lakes Region is somewhat in dispute and it is admittedly confusing. One account, which seems accurate, states the New England Sled Dog Club was formed in 1924 by a group of sled dog racers and enthusiasts, with famed sled dog owner and racer Arthur Walden of Wonalancet, New Hampshire, named as president. In 1925, with headquarters for the club in Meredith, New Hampshire, a race was held in that town, and in Newport, New Hampshire.
According to historical information at www.lrsdc.org (the website of the Lakes Region Sled Dog Club), the first race was held in Laconia in 1929. But a few years before that date, a race was part of the 1926 Laconia Winter Carnival. The race followed the 1925 Nome (Alaska) Serum Run, which
• Sled Dogs
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gained worldwide attention, making sled dog racing popular everywhere.
At the Laconia Winter Carnival the following year, locals saw a more modest, but exciting sled dog race right here in the Lakes Region.
The 1926 race saw a Meredith team compete against Charlie Lyman’s team. Lyman was a local who was very knowledgeable about sled dogs. (The Lyman family has been involved in sled dog racing through the generations.)
The first race, part of the Winter Carnival, was popular. Most likely there was support for another race from spectators and businesspeople who appreciated the added income when visitors came to the area for the races.
A program from the 1929 race lists the New England Champion Sled Dog Races as the title of the event, held on February 11 to 13, 1929 in Laconia. The event was sponsored by the New England Sled Dog Club, and it featured someone famous: Leonhard Seppala, the Alaskan Serum Run musher. Seppala won the Laconia race that year, which brought even more attention to the event.
The 1929 event certainly had enough happenings to stave off cabin fever during the winter: horse racing at Lake Opechee on February 9; a Circuit Dog Race on February 12 and 13; a Wood Chopping Contest on February 12 at
Bank Square; and the Winnipesaukee Ski Club Carnival Ball on February 12 at the Laconia Gardens with the famous Blue Jay Orchestra.
The races kicked off on the morning of February 12 on Main Street and Union Avenue as the starting point and ended at the Judges Stand in Bank Square after the racers completed a 45-mile run. The same schedule held for February 13. It was not an easy sled dog race; the course led teams, according to “The History of Dog Sledding in New England” by Bruce D. Heald, PhD, from Laconia to Meredith Center, New Hampton, Bristol, Hill, Sanbornton, Lochmere and back to Laconia, requiring dog teams to cross Lake Winnisquam. Other routes took the teams to Meredith, Center Harbor, over Long Island bridge, the Weirs, Lakeport, Belmont, Gilmanton, Alton, Alton Bay, West Alton, over the lake to Moose, Rattlesnake and Diamond Island, to Lakeport, before finishing back in Laconia.
For “Doc” Roland Lombard, the 1929 sled dog race was advantageous. It was his first big win and the prize money helped send him to veterinarian school. He won the handicap class with a half Cocker Spaniel/half Collie farm dog. Lombard paid just 75 cents for the dog, and it proved to be the best money he ever spent, with the dog his lead on the sled team. Lombard also had one of Arthur Walden’s Chinook dogs on his team.
A Sled Dog Club Dinner and race prizes was held on the evening of February 13 at the Laconia Tavern, ending the popular weekend event.
By 1931, the Laconia Sled Dog Club was formed, according to ww.lrsdc.org. The goal of the club was to “produce and promote sled dog racing in the ‘Lake City’ as an annual “major winter sporting event.”
In 1934 the Laconia Evening Citizen featured the popular race on the front page; the race was held February 10 and 11 of that year. Now and then, depending upon snowfall amounts, the race date was postponed or even cancelled when there was not enough snow to race the dog teams.
By the time World War II came around, the sport was extremely popular everywhere and people came from far and wide for the Laconia races. Hotels and motels were full and downtown Laconia was booming with visitors/spectators and racers. But after 1939, sled dogs and their masters were enlisted into service to fight in World War II. Some mushers became valuable members of the U.S. Army’s Search and Rescue teams, using their skills with sled dogs to reach places where trucks and other vehicles could not.
No one forgot the popularity of the sled dog races in Laconia and around 1957, the event was revived. By 1960, there were about 29 teams competing, and around this time more women started to compete and race sled dogs. (No mention of female mushers would be complete without recognizing Florence Clark of Clark’s Trained Bears in the Lincoln, New Hampshire area. In
April of 1932, Florence drove her sled dog team up Mount Washington, no small accomplishment when weather conditions could be severe.)
At the February 1967 event, Mrs. Marie Lyman of Gilford was honorary race judge, dubbed “Laconia’s First Lady of Sled Dog Racing.” Marie was the wife of Charles H. Lyman, the sled dog racer who was instrumental in getting the races started back in the 1920s. Marie was also a sled dog enthusiast, and it was said she always stood waiting at the finish line for the last team to come in, no matter how long it took. Her children and grandchildren have become sled dog enthusiasts, competing in races in the area.
Local businesses have always been enthusiastic about the races, and in 1975, the sponsors included Lemay’s Garage, the Laconia Spa, the Citizen Publishing Company, WEMJ and O’Shea’s Department Store. The races were promoted by WEMJ, with announcers interviewing mushers and broadcasting on site.
When the annual race started in the 1920s, the organizers could not have guessed how the popularity of the wintertime event would grow, attracting mushers and sled dog teams and spectators from all over the country. Before the races began, things may have been quiet in Laconia. Once such famous people as sled dog owner/ racer Leonhard Seppala and Chinook dog breeder/sled dog racer Arthur Walden came to town, winter doldrums in Laconia were a thing of the past.
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Friends of the Libby Museum reached $2 million in fundraising to help the Town of Wolfeboro restore the Libby Museum, the oldest (and only) natural history museum in New Hampshire, but the challenge isn’t over. Wolfeboro’s residents will vote March 14th on whether to save this historic landmark; it is their responsibility because the Town Selectmen are the Museum’s trustees appointed in 1956 by Probate Court.
Two local boys are hoping the Town votes YES. Bryer Cain and Crawford Albee Cook, both instrumental in reaching $ 2 million in donations, helped hold the congratulatory check on the steps of the Museum.
Bryer Cain (age 10) helped kick off the fundraising for the Museum. His front lawn lemonade stand raised over $35, and when he handed it to the Museum Director an onlooker doubled it on the spot! Crawford Albee Cook (age
13) has been a super-salesman at the Friends’ many plant and bake sales and in 2022 became an Honorary Youth Ambassador to the Friends of the Libby Board!
“We aren’t done fundraising yet” Tom Goodwin, Chairman of the Friends reminds everyone. “We’ll keep fundraising until we reach at least $2.2million” he explained. “We’ll get there, thanks in large part to a matching challenge fund set up by a generous donor. Every dollar raised by March 1st will be matched by $1.50 until we reach the full $2.2million”.
So, let’s help save this special place and its more than 3000 artifacts. It has no heat or insulation, so it shouldn’t surprise anyone that after 110 years it desperately needs to be restored!. Vote YES on Article #12 on March 14th. Help out by sending donations to The Friends of the Libby, P.O. Box 2062, Wolfeboro, NH 03894.
If you are planning a wedding and shopping for vendors to make your big day complete, plan to attend the Lakeside Bridal Show at the Margate Resort in Laconia, NH on Sunday, Feb. 26 from noon to 3 pm.
The Lakeside Bridal Show marks the start of the 2023/2024 wedding season and is produced and coordinated by Lakes Region Bride magazine the Margate.
Shop the bridal show in the Margate Resort’s Winnipesaukee Ballroom and Mariah Room where you will meet some of New Hampshire’s top wedding professionals.
Along with offering florals, photographers, cake bakers and others, the show features A Day to Remember Bridal Boutique with the latest in wedding gowns; Galleria Salon and Day Spa with free updos and makeup consults; table designs and the latest in linens by Showcase Events Rentals & Planning in the ballroom and Mariah Room; live music; and a grand prize for one lucky bride-to-be at the show of a $500 certificate to spend at
the wedding vendor of choice at the Feb. 26, 2023 Lakeside Bridal Show (some restrictions apply, prize drawn at the show – must be present to win and be a pre-registered bride-to-be.)
“We will be offering everything a couple could need to complete their wedding plans, plus some additional fun things such as our wedding library area, where guests can pick up free copies of Lakes Region Bride and other helpful wedding-planning magazines,” says Lakes Region Bride magazine’s Kathi Caldwell-Hopper.
Admission to the Lakeside Bridal Show is just $5.00 per person at the door. All guests, brides, grooms, the wedding party, families of the bride and groom and anyone who loves a wedding, are welcome to attend. The Margate Resort is located at 76 Lake Street in Laconia with plenty of onsite parking.
Visit www.lakesregionbride.com or call 603-293-2327 for further information.
Friends! It’s been a few weeks and hope everyone is now somewhat settled into the winter season and have survived the holiday hangover. Speaking of holidays, we have one of those secondary ones coming right up; Valentine’s Day. From my professional experience, it’s always been a big day in the restaurant business, a top 5 or so as far as individual days during the year. It is a big day for “tables for 2” and a big day for going that extra mile with a 3-4 course meal and a bottle of wine or 2 and a nice dessert. I thought today would be a good day to share some extra special recipes to share the love so to speak. I do listen to those who write me, and two popular themes are breakfast breads and desserts, so we’ll share a few of each as well as a few great apps/dinner ideas, so let’s start with the breakfast breads/bars.
I’m not sure if I know anyone who doesn’t love a good banana bread. It’s an absolute old school favorite for so many, whether sliced out of the oven, sliced cold and buttered and grilled (my favorite), toasted, of just as is cold. It’s all good. This one has a great twist as the middle is stuffed with creamed cheese, plus has a streusel topping and
glaze. Seriously, what’s not to like about all of that? This makes one loaf of deliciousness; prep takes 15 minutes and bake time is an hour or so. For what it’s worth, this is great for snacks and dessert as well.
Cream Cheese Banana Bread
For The Cinnamon Streusel Topping
½ cup flour
2 tbsp light brown sugar
2 tbsp sugar
1 tsp ground cinnamon
2-3 tsp chopped pecans
3-4 tbsp melted butter
For The Banana Bread Batter
1 ½ cup flour
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
¼ tsp salt
¾ tsp ground cinnamon
1/3 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
1 cup sugar
1 egg
1 egg white, save the yolk as you’ll need it later
1 cup mashed bananas, 2 bananas
1 tsp vanilla extract
½ cup sour cream
¼ cup miniature chocolate chips
¼ cup chopped pecans
For The Cream Cheese Filling
6 oz cream cheese, room temperature
3 tbsp sugar
2 tbsp flour
½ tsp vanilla extract
1 egg yolk
For The Vanilla Glaze
2/3 cup powdered sugar
½ tsp vanilla extract
4–5 tsp milk, more if needed
Starting with the streusel topping, in a bowl combine the first 5 ingredients and whisk with a fork. Add 3 tbsp to start of melted butter and whisk until everything is evenly moistened and coarse crumbs are formed. If you feel it needs a touch more butter, go for it. If the mixture looks sandy, squeeze it with your hand to make larger clumps, then crumble with your fingers into a pea size crumbs. Set aside.
For the batter, start by greasing a 9 x 5-inch loaf pan with baking spray. Line the bottom and sides with parchment paper. Leave large overhang of paper on the sides so you can easily lift the bread from the pan later. In a small bowl whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt and cinnamon, set aside. In a large mixing bowl combine softened butter, sugar and vanilla extract and mix for 2 minutes.
Add egg, egg white, mashed bananas and sour cream and mix well. Next add flour mixture and mix to combine.
Scrape the bottom with the spatula to make sure everything is evenly incorporated. Do not over mix! Finally add chopped pecans and chocolate chips and mix to combine. Set aside. To make the filling, in a medium bowl beat all ingredients until well combined. Set aside.
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Spread about half of the banana bread batter in prepared pan and smooth the top. Spoon cream cheese mixture on top but don’t go all the way to the edges. Spoon remaining banana bread batter over the cream cheese. Gently smooth using the back of the spoon. Sprinkle with streusel crumbs and bake for about 55-65 minutes, until the center has set. If it starts browning too much tent the top with aluminum foil. While cooking, whisk powdered sugar with vanilla extract and milk. Start with 1 tbsp of milk and add a tsp at the time until get desired consistency. Drizzle over cooled bread, that’s if you can wait that long, although I strongly suggest waiting, especially to allow the filling to set. I guarantee you will not regret it.
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let’s share a breakfast bar/dessert with cherry as the main ingredient, combined with the yummy flavor of almond extract as well as a great glaze with slivered almonds. I’m truly a sucker for anything with almond extract. Prep time is 10 minutes, cook time a little over a half hour and will give you 18-24 bars depending on how you cut them.
For The Bar
1 ¾ cups sugar
1 cup butter, room temp
1 tsp vanilla extract
4 eggs
3 cups flour
1 ½ tsp baking powder
21 oz cherry pie filling
½ cup slivered almonds
For the Glaze
1 cup confectioners’ sugar
1-2 tbsp milk
¾ tbsp almond extract
Grease a 10 ½ x 15 ½ jelly roll pan. Cream sugar, butter, and vanilla in a medium bowl until light and fluffy. Add eggs, beating well. Add flour and baking powder, stir just until blended. Spread ⅔ of the batter into the cookie sheet. Spread the pie filling over the batter. Spread the almonds equally over the cherry, then drop remaining batter by teaspoonfuls over the pie filling. In a preheated 350-degree oven, bake for 33-38 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool completely. For glaze, mix the glaze ingredients in a medium bowl and drizzle over cooled bars. Let set until glaze is set. Cut into bars and have at it.
Let’s move onto a great appetizer/ dinner. Being in the restaurant business for what seems like forever, as well as a customer, I know how some restaurant prices can seem expensive, especially to those who don’t understand all the costs and overhead associated with running one. That’s why many restaurants fail unfortunately. However, there is a great way to avoid
those prices as you can make some of those same dishes simply and so much more inexpensively at home. It’s time for some pan-fried crab cakes with a classic red pepper remoulade sauce. Crab cakes are a big weakness of mine, and the sauce is as well. These are restaurant quality that are pretty darn good. This recipe makes 8 two-inch diameter cakes, so depending on your plan for a dinner or appetizer, you can always make them a little larger or smaller, or just double the recipe. As for the awesome sauce, you will make this again to use as a dipping sauce on many things, from other seafood/fish dishes, and many friend foods, such as onion rings. The sauce recipe makes 1 ¼ cup, which is usually enough for the crab cakes, but if you are an “extra sauce” kind of eater, you may want to double that up. The sauce takes all of 10-15 minutes and the cakes about 30.
Crab Cakes with Classic Remoulade Sauce For the Cakes
¾ cup plain breadcrumbs
½ cup mayonnaise
1 egg
2 scallions, thinly sliced
2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
1 tbsp Dijon-style mustard
1 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
¼ tbsp fresh squeezed lemon juice
3 tbsp creole or Dijon or whole grain
mustard
1 tsp hot sauce
2 tbsp relish
1 scallion, finely chopped
1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
½ tsp Creole seasoning
Salt to taste
For the remoulade, gather all the ingredients in a medium bowl and mix until everything is fully incorporated. You can make in advance and store in a sealed container and refrigerate up to a few days or mix right at game time. If done in advance, I would suggest pulling to room temp 30-45 minutes before serving.
For the crab cakes, in a medium bowl, combine all the ingredients except the crabmeat and butter and mix well. Fold in the crabmeat, being careful not to break it up. Form into eight equal-sized patties. In a large skillet, melt 2-3 tbsp of butter over medium heat. Sauté the patties for 3-4 minutes per side, or until browned. If the pan won’t hold them all, do in 2 batches, holding the first batch in a warm oven while the second batch cooks. Use more butter if needed.
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1 tsp Old Bay Seasoning
2 cans lump crabmeat, drained and cleaned, 6 ½ oz each
Butter for pan frying
For the Remoulade
1 cup mayo
1-2 tsp prepared horseradish, depending on your taste
4 tbsp small diced red bell pepper
1 ½ tsp minced garlic
Again, I offer up something that can be used as an app or dindin, but if you are like me, this has got dinner written all over it for a winter night, especially for Valentines Night. This is a chowder that eats like a meal, chock full of lobster and made with a stock made from scratch that is amazing. This is a twist on a corn chowder, so yup, this
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• ‘Cue the Grill
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has corn as well. If this is a romantic dinner for 2, you will have plenty left over for a couple of lunches/dinners, but we all know how much any soup/chowder tastes better after a day or two. This will take some time to make, although not difficult, but this is the real thing my friends. This is not something many make at home, but trust me, you will be floored. You can either cook the lobsters yourself, or most supermarkets will cook them for you for no extra charge. This does have the consistency of a thin chowder, but if preferred, you can always make a roux on the side and slowly add the chowder just before adding the lobster.
Lobster Corn Chowder
Main Ingredients
3 cooked lobsters, 1 ½ lbs each, cracked and split
3 ears corn, or use frozen kernals considering you won’t find anything fresh right now
For the Stock
6 tbsp unsalted butter, ¾ of a stick
1 cup chopped sweet onion
¼ cup cream sherry
1 tsp candy paprika
4 cups whole milk
2 cups heavy cream
1 cup dry white wine
For the Chowder
1 tbsp olive oil
½ lb raw bacon, large diced/chopped
2 cups red potatoes, skin on, large diced. About 2 medium or 4 or so smaller ones
1½ cups chopped sweet onions
2 cups diced celery, 3-4 stalks
1 tbsp kosher salt
1 tsp freshly cracked black pepper
2 tsp fresh chopped chives
¼ cup cream sherry
Remove the lobster meat from the shells. Cut the tail meat and claws into big cubes and put them in a bowl. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate. Reserve the shells and all the juices that collect. Cut the corn kernels from
the cobs and set aside. Keep the cobs. For the stock, soften the butter in a stockpot or Dutch oven big enough to hold the lobster shells and corncobs. Add the onion to the butter and cook over medium-low heat for 5-7 minutes or until translucent but not browned, stirring occasionally. Add the sherry and paprika and cook/stir for 1-2 minutes. Add the milk, cream, wine, lobster shells and their juices, the corncobs and bring to a simmer. Partially cover the pot and simmer over medium-low heat for 30 minutes, checking periodically to adjust heat if needed if not simmering. Meanwhile, in another stockpot or Dutch oven, heat the oil and prepare the bacon for 4-5 minutes over medium heat until browned and crisp, 5-7 minutes. Remove with a slotted spoon and set aside. Add the potatoes, onions, celery, corn kernels, salt, and pepper to the pot and sauté for 5-6 minutes. When the stock is ready, get rid of the larger portions of lobster shell and the corncobs with tongs and discard. Place a strainer over the top of the other pot and carefully pour the stock into the pot with the potatoes and corn. Discard the pieces of shell collected in the strainer. Simmer over low heat for 15 minutes, till the potatoes are tender. Add the cooked lobster, the chives, and the sherry and season to taste. Heat lightly and serve warm with a garnish of crisp bacon over the top. I love to serve this with a warm, hearty, crusty bread.
While on a seafood theme, this is a much quicker dish to put together and it has a great spicy flare to it. This dish’s centerpiece is shrimp, and jalapenos add the spice, but also has a great garlic flavor as well. It’s also inexpensive to put together and is one I cook on a somewhat regular basis. It’s sort of a spicy shrimp scampi kind of dish. This goes well over rice or pasta, but that’s your call. If doing over pasta, I suggest bulking up on the sauce ingredients. This feeds 4
Jalapeño Shrimp
3 tbsp olive oil
1 medium red onion, halved and thinly sliced
6 cloves garlic, minced
2 jalapeños, thinly sliced into circles and seeded
1 ½ cup dry white wine
1 ½ lb large shrimp, I use 24/30 in size but any size works, peeled and deveined
½ cup fresh squeezed lemon juice, about 4 lemons
2 vine-ripened tomatoes, roughly chopped
Sea salt
Freshly shaved parmesan cheese to garnish over the top
Heat the olive oil in a large sauté pan over medium-low heat. Add the onion, garlic, and jalapeños. Cook, stirring frequently so that the garlic doesn’t take on any color, until the onion is soft and translucent, about 2 minutes. Add the wine and cook for another 2 minutes. Turn the heat up to medium-high and add the shrimp. When the shrimp are just beginning to turn pink, add the lemon juice and tomatoes, stirring to combine. Cook until the shrimp are opaque, another minute or two. Lightly salt the shrimp.
Transfer the shrimp to serving plates, being sure to spoon the savory sauce from the pan over the shrimp.
Let’s toss one more upscale dish that
would also work well for a romantic dinner on Valentine’s Day. For this one, let’s bust out some lamb chops. I usually braise these on the stove in a skillet with fresh rosemary, garlic, tomato paste and some red wine as well as a few other things, and yum, this dish is always a winner with the lamb crowd. This feed 4 and can be done in a half hour.
Lamb Chops
4 lamb-shoulder chops, 6-8 oz each, trimmed of excess fat
Sea salt and freshly ground pepper
2 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
10 oz frozen pearl onions, thawed, drained, and patted dry
2 tbsp minced garlic, 4-5 cloves
3 sprigs rosemary
2 tbsp tomato paste
1 ½ cups chicken stock or broth
½ cup dry red wine, as in a Cabernet Sauvignon
Season lamb with salt and pepper. Heat a large straight-sided skillet over medium-high. Add oil, then lamb in a single layer. Cook, flipping once, until browned on both sides, 5-7 minutes. Transfer to a plate. Reduce heat to medium. Add onions, cook, stirring a few times, until golden brown in places,
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5-7 more minutes. Add garlic, rosemary, and tomato paste and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add wine and cook until mostly evaporated, about 1 minute. Stir in broth. Return lamb and any juices to pan and bring to a simmer. Partially cover, reduce heat to low, and cook until a thermometer inserted in thickest part of lamb, without touching bone, registers 130 degrees, 6-8 minutes. Again, the choice is yours, but I love to serve these over a garlic horseradish mashed potato.
Who wants dessert? Well, this cake screams Valentine’s Day with the color and flavor. I offer you a Raspberry and Vanilla Marble Cake that is over the top delicious, and if that’s not enough, it looks as good as it tastes. Prep time is about 20 minutes and cook time is a half hour, although you need to let it cool completely before you frost it. This will give you at least 8 slices.
Raspberry and Vanilla Marble Cake
For the Cake
1 cup butter, softened
1 cup sugar
1 ½ cups flour
2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp salt
4 eggs, lightly beaten
2 tsp vanilla extract
¼ cup milk
⅔ cup fresh or frozen raspberries, mashed
A handful of fresh raspberries for decoration
2 tbsp or more of grated white chocolate
For the Frosting
1 ¾ cups whipping or heavy cream
2 tbsp sugar
½ tsp vanilla extract
Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Grease and lightly flour two 8 inch loose-bottomed round cake tins. Sift flour, salt, and baking powder. Lightly beat eggs and add vanilla to a bowl. In a mixing bowl, cream butter and sugar till light and fluffy. Add egg mixture, a little at a time to the batter. Then add half the flour, then milk, then the rest of the flour. Divide cake batter mixture into 2 bowls. Add the mashed raspberries into one of the bowls and mix until all combined. Alternate a spoonful of vanilla and raspberry cake mixture into both tins. Use the end of a spoon handle to swirl around the mixture. Don’t over swirl. You want to leave the batter so you can see the different colors. Bake 30-35 minutes or until the skewer comes out clean. Allow the cakes to rest for 2 minutes then remove from pans and place upside down on a cooling rack. Allow to completely cool before frosting. For the whipped cream frosting, whip the cream until soft peaks adding the sugar slowly. Add the vanilla extract. Then whip till
stiff peaks. Spread some frosting on the surface of one cake, place the other cake on top and frost the sides and top of the whole cake. Arrange some fresh raspberries and grate the white chocolate on top of the cake. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes for the frosting to firm up a little then serve.
I must share another incredible cake recipe that is truly as elegant as the last. Granted, this one has no red involved, but if lemon is your flavor of choice, this one is right up your alley. Again, this is a 2-layer specialty, time involved is almost identical and is just as decadent, just not the same flavor, but equally awesome as long as you love raspberries as well as lemon.
Lemon Velvet Cake
3 cups of flour
1 ½ tsp baking powder
1 tsp salt
½ tsp baking soda
1 ½ cups sugar
2/3 cups vegetable oil
½ cup shortening
Zest of 1 large lemon
2 tsp lemon extract
1 tsp vanilla extract
3 large eggs
1 ½ cups buttermilk
For The Frosting
8 oz cream cheese, room temp
1 stick unsalted butter, room temp
2 ¾ cups confectioners’ sugar
2 tbsp fresh squeezed lemon juice
Zest of 1 large lemon
1 tsp clear vanilla extract
Preheat oven to 325 degrees. In a large bowl, sift together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Set the bowl aside. Using another large bowl, or a stand mixing bowl, beat together the oil, shortening, sugar, vanilla, lemon extract, and lemon zest. Once the ingredients are mixed, beat in the eggs until they are well combined into the batter. Slowly add in the flour mixture and the buttermilk, mixing at medium to low speed. The cake batter should be smooth and creamy with no lumps. Do not over mix or mix at high speed. Evenly divide the batter and pour into two 9-inch cake pans that
have been lightly greased and floured, or lined with a circle parchment paper. Baked at 325 degrees for about 28-30 minutes. The cake will lightly spring back when touched on top. Remove from the oven and allow the cake to cool before frosting. For the frosting, beat together the cream cheese, butter, and powdered sugar until they are smooth. Add in the lemon juice, lemon zest, and vanilla. Continue mixing until it is smooth and creamy. If the frosting is too thick, you can add a teaspoon of water at a time until it reaches your desired consistency. Like the last recipe, let the cakes cool before frosting each, stacking and then frosting the whole thing. Refrigerate for at least 30-45 minutes before cutting and serving.
One last quickie for you that screams Valentine’s Day, cheesecake stuffed strawberries. Bite sized yumminess at your fingertips that takes all of 15 minutes for 20 strawberries.
Cheesecake Stuffed Strawberries
8 oz cream cheese
1 1/3 cup confectioners’ sugar
2 cups of frozen whipped topping, thawed
1 ½ tsp vanilla extract
20 medium-large strawberries
1 sleeve of graham crackers, crushed
Rinse all strawberries and let dry. Using a knife, cut off the stems and then cut out the centers of the strawberries from the top in a cone shape. Beat together the cream cheese, powdered sugar, whipped cream and vanilla until smooth. Pour into a Ziploc bag and cut tip. Pipe cheesecake filling into the strawberries and refrigerate until ready to serve. Top with crushed graham crackers right before serving. Was that easy enough for ya?
Happy Valentine’s Day Lakes Region Foodies. Keep those taste buds happy and I’ll see you next time with more food fun. If you have any questions or feedback, don’t hesitate to touch base at fenwaysox10@gmail. com.
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your guide to what’s happening in NH’s Lakes Region...
Please
Through Feb. 11, Field Station: Art-Science in the White Mountains, exhibit at Museum of the White Mountains, Main Gallery, 34 Highland St., Plymouth, 5353210, www.plymouth.edu/mwm.
Through March, Lakes Region Curling Assoc. Winter League, matches Sunday evenings from 5-7 pm, Pop Whalen Ice and Arts Center, Wolfeboro, info: www. lakesregioncurlingnh.org.
Feb. 6, Monthly Paper Craft Connection, 6:30-8:30 pm, Makers Mill Arts Room, Makers Mill, 23 Bay St., Wolfeboro, pre-registration required: 569-1500, www. makersmill.org.,
Feb. 6, Winter Yoga in the Winnipesaukee Room, 5:30-6:30 pm, Castle in the Clouds, Rt. 171, Moultonborough, info/register: 476-5900, www.castleintheclouds. org.
Feb. 7, Monthly Fiber Arts Gathering, 7-9 pm, Makers Mill, 23 Bay St., Wolfeboro, 569-1500, www.makersmill.org
Feb. 7, Outdoor Nature Based Storytime for Young Children, 10:30-11:30 am, Cook Memorial Library, 93 Main St., Tamworth, 323-8510.
Feb. 7, What About Bob? movie night, 6:30-8:30 pm, The Loft at Hermit Woods, 72 Main St., Meredith, www.hermitwoods.com, 253-7968.
Feb. 8, Cricut Class, 6-8:30 pm, Makers Mill, 23 Bay St., Wolfeboro, 569-1500, www.makersmill.org.
Feb. 8, Jewelry and Metalsmith Shop Support Hours, 10-11 am, Makers Mill, 23 Bay St., Wolfeboro, 569-1500, www.makersmill.org
Feb. 8, Winter Paradise, 10 am-1 pm, nature walk, Squam Lakes Assoc., 534 US Rt. 3, Holderness, info/register: 968-7336, www.squamlakes.org.
Feb. 9, Amor et Passior, Botanical Potions, Preparations and Foods for Pleasure of Your Senses, 5:30-6:30 pm, free, an evening with Master Herbalist Melissa Morton, Laconia Public Library, pre-register: 524-4775, www.laconialibrary.org.
Feb. 9, Bristol Rotary Club Senior Luncheon, noon, door prizes, bingo, lunch and more, Tapply Thompson Community Center, Bristol, 744-2521.
Feb. 9, Square Dance, 7:30-10 pm, Barn on the Pemi, 341 Daniel Webster Highway, $15 band contribution, 481-0789, email: howe.gen@gmail.com.
Feb. 10, Father and Daughter Valentine Dance, pre-registration required, Tapply Thompson Community Center, Bristol, 744-2521.
Feb. 10, Menopause the Musical, 3 & 7 pm, Colonial Theatre, 609 Main St., Laconia, 800-657-8774, www.coloniallaconia.com.
Feb. 10, Piano Night, with Craig Fahey,6-9 pm, The Loft at Hermit Woods, 72 Main St., Meredith, www.hermitwoods.com, 253-7968.
Feb. 10, Sister Hazel, 7:30 pm,Flying Monkey Movie and Performance Center, 39 S. Main St., Plymouth, info./tickets: 536-2551, www.flyingmonkeynh.com
Feb. 10, Winter Carnival, noon-9 pm, free, events on frozen pond, keg toss, sledding, ice bowling, super-sol-beer race, ring toss, masskurgstemmen, ice putting and more, fires for warmth, Dam Brewhouse & Profile Spirits, 1323 NH Rt. 175, Campton, 726-4500, www.dambrewhouse.com.
Feb. 10 & 11, Murder on the Oriental Rug, 7 pm, Franklin Opera House, Central St., Franklin, tickets: 934-1901, www.franklinoperahouse.org.
Feb. 10-12, Romeo & Juliet, Colonial Theatre, 609 Main St., Laconia, tickets/info: www.coloniallaconia.com, 1-800-657-8774.
Feb. 11, Comedy Extravaganza with Mike McDonald, 7:30 pm, Rochester Opera House, 31 Wakefield St., Rochester, 335-1992, www.rochesteroperahouse.com.
Feb. 11, Delta Dental Snow & Or No We Go Trail Series, 10 am, hike, jog or run on snowshoes at Canterbury Shaker Village trails, info: 783-9511, www.shakers. org.
Feb. 11, Eyes on the Sky Astronomy: Stars, Planets & Constellations, 6-7:30 pm, Prescott Farm Environmental Education Center, 928 White Oaks Rd., Laconia, adult program, info/register:366-5695.
Feb. 11, Kids Dance Program, 10:30-11:30 am, pre-registration required, Cook Memorial Library, 93 Main St., Tamworth, 323-8510. Also on Feb. 18, March 4 & 18, April 1.
Feb. 11, Love, Passion and Chocolate, small masterpieces of art, meet the artists reception, free, 4-8 pm, Lakes Region Art Assoc. gallery, Tanger Outlets, Suite 300, 120 Laconia Rd., Tilton, ww.lraanh.org, 998-0029. (Exhibit runs from Feb. 2-25)
Feb. 11, Saturday Afternoon Music Series, featuring Blue Moon, 3-6 pm, Gunstock Mt. Resort, 719 Cherry Valley Rd., Gilford, www.gunstock.com, 2934341.
Feb. 11, Snowshoe Trek & Track, 1-3 pm, Castle in the Clouds, Rt. 171, Moultonborough, info/register: 476-5900, www.castleintheclouds.org.
Feb. 11, Wild Winter Walk, 10-11:30 am, learn about animals that live at Science Center in winter, outdoor program, kids (age 7 & up) and adults, pre-registration required: Squam Lakes Natural Science Center, 23 Science Center Rd., Holderness, 968-7194, www.nhnature.org.
Feb. 11 & 12, Meredith Rotary Ice Fishing Derby, ice fishing, prizes, town docks area, Meredith, info: 279-7600, www.meredithrotary.com
Feb. 14, Outdoor Nature Based Storytime for Young Children, 10:30-11:30 am, Cook Memorial Library, 93 Main St., Tamworth, 323-8510.
Feb. 15, Cricut Class, 6-8:30 pm, Makers Mill, 23 Bay St., Wolfeboro, 569-1500, www.makersmill.org
Feb. 15, Nature Station: Animal Detective, 1-3 pm, free, open to all ages, Grey Rocks Conservation Area, 178 N Shore Rd., Hebron, Newfound Lake Region Assoc., 744-8689, www.newfoundlake.org.
Feb. 16, Local Author Talk: This Land of Snow by Anders Morley, 5:30-6:30 pm, Laconia Public Library, 695 Main St., Laconia, 524-4775 ext. 600, www. laconialibrary.org.
Feb. 16-18, Meredith Public Library Annual Book Sale, 91 Main St., Meredith, hundreds of books for sale, 520-0434, www.meredithlibrary.org.
Feb. 17, Bored Teachers Comedy Tour, 7 & 8:45 pm, Colonial Theatre, 609 Main St., Laconia, 800-657-8774, www.coloniallaconia.com.
Feb. 17, Paula Poundstone, 7:30 pm,Flying Monkey Movie and Performance Center, 39 S. Main St., Plymouth, info./tickets: 536-2551, www.flyingmonkeynh. com.
Feb. 17-19, Sled Dog Derby, Laconia, info: www.lrsdc.org., 524-4414.
Feb. 17-20, Great Backyard Bird Count, come to Slim Baker Area to listen for birds, do a bird count, Bristol, info: www.slimbaker.org.
Feb. 18, Delta Dental Snow & Or No We Go Trail Series, 10 am, hike, jog or run on snowshoes at Canterbury Shaker Village trails, info: 783-9511, www.shakers. org.
Feb. 18, Family Movie – The Bad Guys, 10:30 am-noon, Moultonborough Public Library, 4 Holland St., Moultonborough, 476-8895.
Feb. 18, Foreigner’s Journey featuring Constantine Maroulis, 7:30 pm, Flying Monkey Movie & Performance Center, 39 Main St., Plymouth, tickets/info: www. flyingmonekynh.com, 536-2551.
Feb. 18, Friends Book Sale, 9 am-noon, Madison Public Library, 1895 Village Rd., Madison, 367-8545
Feb. 18, Nature Station, Animal Detective, 10 am-noon, free, open to all ages, Grey Rocks Conservation Area, 178 N Shore Rd., Hebron, Newfound Lake Region Assoc., 744-8689, www.newfoundlake.org.
Feb. 18, Snowshoe Yoga, 10 am-noon, Prescott Farm Environmental Education Center, 928 White Oaks Rd., Laconia, pre-register:366-5695.
Feb. 18, The Art Place Gallery Opening for Peter Ferber Winter Show 2023, displaying new, original paintings by Ferber, doors open 9:30 am, 9 N. Main St., Wolfeboro, 569-6159, www.theartplace.biz. Gallery open Tues.-Sat. 9:30 am-5 pm.
Feb. 18, Tower of Power, 8 pm, Colonial Theatre, 609 Main St., Laconia, 800-6578774, www.coloniallaconia.com.
Feb. 18, Winterfest, noon-3 pm, Squam Lakes Assoc., 534 US Rt. 3, Holderness, 968-7336, www.squamlakes.org.
Feb. 19, Menopause the Musical, 3 & 7 pm,Colonial Theatre, 609 Main St., Laconia, tickets/info: www.coloniallaconia.com, 1-800-657-8774.
Feb. 19, Merz Trio, 2 pm, string trio, by Wolfeboro Friends of Music, First Congregational Church, 115 S. Main St., Wolfeboro, ticket/info: www. wfriendsofmusic.org.
Feb. 19, The Moody Blues’ John Lodge, 6:30 pm, Flying Monkey Movie & Performance Center, 39 Main St., Plymouth, tickets/info: www.flyingmonekynh. com, 536-2551.
Feb. 19, This Ukrainian American Life – A Concert Fundraiser for Razom for Ukraine, 5:30-7:30 pm, The Loft at Hermit Woods Winery & Eatery, 72 Main St., Meredith, tickets/info: www.hermitwoods.com.
Feb. 19, Wild Winter Walk, 10-11:30 am, learn about animals that live at Science Center in winter, outdoor program, kids (age 7 & up) and adults, pre-registration required: Squam Lakes Natural Science Center, 23 Science Center Rd., Holderness, 968-7194, www.nhnature.org.
Feb. 20, Alton Winter Carnival, 10 am-3 pm,chowder fest, ice sculpture walking tour & day demo, crazy hat contest, bob house decorating contest, horse sleigh ride, horse sleigh rides, seaplane tours, food vendors, vendor tents and more, Alton Business Assoc., Alton/Alton Bay, free to attend, www.altonbusinessassociation.com
Feb. 20, Winter Yoga in the Winnipesaukee Room, 5:30-6:30 pm, Castle in the Clouds, Rt. 171, Moultonborough, info/register: 476-5900, www.castleintheclouds. org.
your guide to what’s happening in NH’s Lakes Region...
Feb. 21, Castle in the Clouds: Upstairs/Downstairs talk, 1:30-2:30 pm, preregistration a must: Moultonborough Public Library, 4 Holland St., Moultonborough, 476-8895, www.moultonboroughlibrary.org.
Feb. 21, Craft & Chat, Introduction to Bobbin Lace, 5-6:30 pm, Moultonborough Public Library, 4 Holland St., Moultonborough, please pre-register: 476-8895, www. moultonboroughlibrary.org.
Feb. 21, 4-H Robotics, 4-5:30 pm, Makers Mill, 23 Bay St., Wolfeboro, 569-1500, www.makersmill.org
Feb. 21, Outdoor Nature Based Storytime for Young Children, 10:30-11:30 am, Cook Memorial Library, 93 Main St., Tamworth, 323-8510.
Feb. 21, The State of the Lake, 6:30-7:30 pm, by Newfound Lake Region Assoc., takes place at Minot-Sleeper Library, 35 Pleasant St., Bristol, 744-8689, www. newfoundlake
Feb. 22, Cricut Class, 6-8:30 pm, Makers Mill, 23 Bay St., Wolfeboro, 569-1500, www.makersmill.org.
Feb. 22, Golden Years Book Group: book discussion related to aging, 10-11:30 am, Moultonborough Public Library, 4 Holland St., Moultonborough, 476-8895, www. moultonboroughlibrary.org.
Feb. 22, Quinzee Snow Shelter, 10 am-noon, how to build a secure snow shelter, Prescott Farm Environmental Education Center, 928 White Oaks Rd., Laconia, preregister: 366-5695.
Feb. 23, Making Maple Candy, 10 am-noon, Prescott Farm Environmental Education Center, 928 White Oaks Rd., Laconia, pre-register: 366-5695.
Feb. 23, Sara Evans, 7:30 pm, Flying Monkey Movie and Performance Center, 39 S. Main St., Plymouth, info./tickets: 536-2551, www.flyingmonkeynh.com
Feb. 24, Natalie McMaster, 7:30 pm,Flying Monkey Movie and Performance Center, 39 S. Main St., Plymouth, info./tickets: 536-2551, www.flyingmonkeynh. com.
Feb. 24, Snowshoe Animal Tracking, 10 am-noon, Prescott Farm Environmental Education Center, White Oaks Rd., Laconia, pre-register: 366-5695.
Feb. 24 & 25, Early Spring Quilter’s Retreat, 2/24: 6-9 pm, 2/25: 9 am-5 pm, quilting workshop, Community Center, Lehner St., Wolfeboro, info/cost: 569-5639.
Feb. 25, The Irish Comedy, 7:30 pm,Flying Monkey Movie and Performance Center, 39 S. Main St., Plymouth, info./tickets: 536-2551, www.flyingmonkeynh. com.
Feb. 25, Robert Cray Band, 8 pm, Colonial Theatre, 609 Main St., Laconia, 800657-8774, www.coloniallaconia.com.
Feb. 25, Saturday Afternoon Music Series, featuring Great North Moose Juice, 3-6 pm, Gunstock Mt. Resort, 719 Cherry Valley Rd., Gilford, www.gunstock.com, 293-4341.
Feb. 25, Wild Winter Walk, 10-11:30 am, learn about animals that live at Science Center in winter, outdoor program, kids (age 7 & up) and adults, pre-registration required: Squam Lakes Natural Science Center, 23 Science Center Rd., Holderness, 968-7194, www.nhnature.org.
Feb. 25 & 26, Recycled Percussion, Rochester Opera House, 31 Wakefield St., Rochester, 335-1992, www.rochesteroperahouse.com.
Feb. 26, Rail Jam, Gunstock Mt. Resort, 719 Cherry Valley Rd., Gilford, www. gunstock.com, 293-4341.
Feb. 26, Ski, Shoe & Fatbike to the Clouds, 10 am, 4K on Great Glen Trails, 6K up Mt. Washington, Auto Rd., Great Glen Trails, Gorham, 466-2333, www. greatglentrails.com.
Feb. 26-March 6, Winter Carnival, Wolfeboro Winter Wonderland, Abenaki Ski Area, plans in the works, info: 569-5639.
Feb. 27-March 3, Build a Snow Creature Contest, Slim Baker Lodge, Bristol, www.slimbaker.org.
Feb. 27, Out of the Box – Teens and Adult Evening of Improv, 6:30-7:30 pm, preregister: Moultonborough Public Library, 4 Holland St., Moultonborough, 476-8895, www.moultonboroughlibrary.org.
Feb. 27, Winter Tree ID, 1-3 pm, pm, by Newfound Lake Region Assoc., Grey Rocks Conservation Area, 178 N. Shore Rd., Hebron, 744-8689, www.newfoundlake.org.
Feb. 27-March 4, Build a Snow Creature Contest, Slim Baker Lodge, Bristol, www.slimbaker.org.
Feb. 28, Drama Out of the Box – Family Drama Class, 10 am-noon, pre-register: Moultonborough Public Library, 4 Holland St., Moultonborough, 476-8895, www. moultonboroughlibrary.org.
Feb. 28, Outdoor Nature Based Storytime for Young Children, 10:30-11:30 am, Cook Memorial Library, 93 Main St., Tamworth, 323-8510.
your guide to what’s happening in NH’s Lakes Region...
March 1, Cricut Class, 6-8:30 pm, Makers Mill, 23 Bay St., Wolfeboro, 569-1500, www.makersmill.org
March 3, Champions of Magic, 8 pm, Colonial Theatre, 609 Main St., Laconia, 800-657-8774, www.coloniallaconia.com.
March 3, The Tribute to Van Halen, 8:15 pm, Rochester Opera House, 31 Wakefield St., Rochester, 335-1992, www.rochesteroperahouse.com.
March 4, Best of Boston Comedy, 7:30 pm, Franklin Opera House, 316 Central St., Franklin, tickets: 934-1901, www.franklinoperahouse.org.
March 4, Delta Dental Snow & Or No We Go Trail Series, 10 am, hike, jog or run on snowshoes at Prospect Acres Obstacle Course, Franklin, info: www.runsignup. com.
March 4, Moondance: The Ultimate Van Morrison Tribute, 8 pm, Rochester Opera House, 31 Wakefield St., Rochester, 335-1992, www.rochesteroperahouse. com.
March 4, The Machine Performs Pink Floyd, 7:30 pm, Flying Monkey Movie & Performance Center, 39 Main St., Plymouth, tickets/info: www.flyingmonekynh. com, 536-2551.
March 4, Wild Winter Walk, 10-11:30 am, learn about animals that live at Science Center in winter, outdoor program, kids (age 7 & up) and adults, pre-registration required: Squam Lakes Natural Science Center, 23 Science Center Rd., Holderness, 968-7194, www.nhnature.org.
March 4 & 5, Ladies Love Winter, age 16 and up, learn new techniques, have fun skiing, 8:30 am-3:30 pm, Gunstock Mt. Resort, 719 Cherry Valley Rd., Gilford, www.gunstock.com, services@gunstock.com, 293-4341.
ArtWorks Gallery & Fine Crafts, works by over 30 artists. Winter hours 10 am-5 pm Friday to Sunday, 323-8041, 132 Rt. 16, Chocorua, www.chocoruaartworks. com
Belknap Mill, 25 Beacon St. East, Laconia, gallery and textile museum, events and programs, info/call for hours: 524-8813, www.belknapmill.org.
Career Coaching Session, every Tues. between 10 am and 4 pm, 50-min. personal career coaching session, takes place monthly until June 27, Makers Mill, 23 Bay St., Wolfeboro, 569-1500, www.makersmill.org.
Canterbury Shaker Village, walk the grounds, Shaker Rd., Canterbury, 783-9511, free, dawn to dusk, programs, tours/info: www.shakers.org.
Chapman Sanctuary and Visny Woods, nature trails open for hiking, 740 Mt. Israel Rd., Center Sandwich, 284-6428, www.chapmansanctuaryvisnywoods.com.
Chocorua Lake Basin View Lot, mountain views, benches for seating, free, directions/info:www.chocorualake.org.
Country Village Quilt Guild, meets the first and third Wednesday of each month from 1:30-3:30 pm, Public Safety Building (back entrance to Police and Fire Dept.), Rt. 25, 1035 Whittier Highway, Moultonboro. Schedule/info. email: countryvillagequilters@yahoo.com.
Dam Brewhouse, monthly events, 1323 NH Rt. 175, Campton, 726-4500, www. dambrewhouse.com.
In the Round, Sundays at 8:45 am, thought-provoking topics related to tolerance, Benz Center, Sandwich, 284-7532.
Ladies of the Lake Quilt Guild, meets second and fourth Wednesdays of each month, 10 am-2 pm at First Congregational Church, 115 Main St., Wolfeboro. A second group meet first and third Tuesday of each month at Community Center, 22 Lehner St., Wolfeboro, www.llqg.net.
Laverack Nature Trail at Hawkins Brook, nature trail on boardwalk, free, trail starts to the left of Meredith Village Savings Bank, Meredith, info: 279-9015.
League of NH Craftsmen Meredith Fine Craft Gallery, fine handmade crafts and art for sale, workshops, 279 Daniel Webster Highway, Meredith, hours/info: 279-7920.
Live Entertainment, Patrick’s Pub & Eatery, Gilford, 293-0841, www.patrickspub. com.
Prescott Farm Environmental Education Center, 928 White Oaks Road, Laconia, www.prescottfarm.org. Call ahead for event information and to inquire if pre-registration is necessary: 366-5695.
Quilting Group, 1-4 pm, meets every 2 weeks, Ossipee Public Library, 74 Main St., Ossipee, schedule/info: 539-6390.
Remick Country Doctor Museum & Farm, 58 Cleveland Hill Rd., Tamworth, info/hours: 323-7591.
Sanbornton Community Arts Festival, second Saturday of every month. Old Town Hall, 19 Meeting House Hill Road, Sanbornton.
Pub specializing in Cra Beer and the food that goes with it!
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Each year, Ice Castles properties bring fairy tales to life for thousands of families across North America. This wonderful activity didn’t simply materialize out of cold air. The Ice Castles concept owes its existence to the success of a very different innovation.
More than three decades ago, in 1989, entrepreneur Yngve Bergqvist, opened a hotel constructed completely of ice and snow, in Jukkasjärvi, Sweden. Today, 50,000 guests are attracted to that ice hotel each year, while paying more than one thousand dollars per night to stay there. The concept worked so well that there are now eleven other ice hotels around the globe: in Romania, Quebec, Austria, Finland (3), Norway (2), Alaska, Ireland, and Japan. North America’s single ice hotel, the Hotel de Glace in Quebec City, is constructed using 2300 blocks of ice and 15,000 tons of snow. The success of those hotels has engendered other winter season attractions including ice palaces, bars, festivals, and—more to the point— ice castles.
Founded in 2011, the Ice Castles company has dedicated itself to “creating an experience that will live on long after the ice melts;” in other words, they make people smile. During January, New Hampshire’s facility will be open for the tenth year. After changing locations two times, the Ice Castle was brought to its present location, in North Woodstock, four years ago.
According to marketing director Melissa Smuzynski, “For all who enter through our icicle-adorned archways, we hope the time spent at Ice Castles is a source of joy and inspiration.” To be certain that adults are not left out in the cold, 2023 visitors will be greeted by a new attraction—an ice bar. The ice bar will serve winter-themed, adult-only beverages, while a nearby play area keeps their children safe.
Founder Brent Christensen crafted his first icy creation in the front yard of the family home for the purpose of bringing happiness and joy to his children. After moving from California to snowy Utah, Christensen built an ice cave in the family’s yard to get his six children out of the house. His icy invention wasn’t just a hit with his own children. Kids from all over the neighborhood—and eventually from all across town—learned about the Christensen’s playground. It was the local children who first dubbed it an “ice castle,” and the name stuck. Years later, that backyard innovation has attracted a number of corporate sponsors, including Audi, Atlas Obscura, Tentsile, and Pacsun.
Ice Castles’ mission remains the same: to create happiness, laughter, and unforgettable winter memories. Today, Ice Castles is an award-winning frozen attraction located in five cities across North America: New Brighton Minnesota, Lake George New York, Midway Utah, Lake Geneva Wisconsin, and
“As a Broker/Owner of a company with over 500 Realtors serving New England and South Florida, I can tell you that I see firsthand how Kate works, her knowledge, and how she treats her clients.”
“I will tell you all, there is a reason that I send my friends and family to her. If you are looking to buy or sell anywhere in the Lakes Region of New Hampshire, I strongly recommend that you work with Kate.”
Anthony Lamacchia, Lamacchia Realty
KPerrine@LamacchiaRealty.com
New Hampshire’s own location in North Woodstock.
Much like its sister properties, New Hampshire’s Ice Castles is built using hundreds of thousands of icicles handplaced by professional ice artists. Its tallest points reach about 25 feet high, and artisans spend 4,000 combined hours dripping, extending, and shaping icicles to create a life-size fairytale playground. Initially, a team of sculptors from Utah was imported to do all of the sculpting. Today, construction is primarily completed by local artisans, supplemented by others when necessary. Crews can work on Ice Castles only when precipitation is not in the forecast and temperatures are consistently cold enough to grow icicles. Weather permitting, visitors arriving at the North Woodstock property during early January will be greeted by a large ice castle covering a one-acre area. The castle will include breathtaking LED-lit sculptures, frozen thrones, ice-carved tunnels, slides, fountains, and much more. This centerpiece is surrounded by additional acreage for expanding the experience, to include a Mystic Forest light walk as well as sledding and tubing hills. There will be snow igloos and whimsical winter characters—the snow queen and winter fairy—that are certain to bring joy to young children. Visitors can walk through the complex during the day; then, at night, it comes alive with embedded multicolor lights that make the ice glow from within. Also, if weath-
er cooperates, Valentine’s Day 2023 will be celebrated by hearts with flowers and other sculptures, all constructed of ice.
According to Ice Castles CEO Ryan Davis, “We’re excited to see what Mother Nature helps us create this year. We look forward to bringing new winter experiences to New Hampshire and giving our guests even more unique ways to make winter memories together.” The five Ice Castles properties draw more than a million people annually. Meanwhile, Smuzynski estimates that approximately one hundred thousand will visit North Woodstock during 2023.
With all five Ice Castles operations completely dependent on the weather, opening day is typically in early January—remaining open through late February or early March. The management will only begin ticket sales when they are confident that a castle is nearing completion. Tickets are expected to go on sale on their website, www.icecastles. com, on November 28, 2022.
A truly magical experience awaits the whole family at 24 Clark Farm Road in North Woodstock. This year, general admission tickets are $20 to visit on Tuesdays through Thursdays, and $29 for a Friday and Saturday. Tickets for children ages 4-11 will be $15 Tuesdays through Thursdays, and $22 on Friday and Saturday. Looking for a little extra excitement? Sleigh rides will be available for an additional charge.
By Joann Coskie
Valentine’s Day is coming and soon the shelves will overflow with chocolate. Chocolate—the word alone makes the mouth water. We eat it, drink it, bake with it, create art with it, wear it, trade with it, give it as a gift, and even use it as a medicine. The downfall of dieters, a favorite treat, the language of romance between lovers. Chocolate is fascinating, having a history woven with mythology and religion. Civilization’s love affair with chocolate began with the Mayans, Aztecs and Olmecs as early as 1500 B.C. It was and still is no less volatile a commodity than tea when it comes to commerce with roughly 40 to 50 million people dependent on cocoa production.
In the 18th century chocolate so threatened the beer and ale industry that legislative measures were lobbied for. Enterprising rulers of some countries taxed it to enrich their coffers. Then around 1850, following the production of the first chocolate bars, Britain lowered taxes on chocolate to help manufacturers popularize it.
Now, businessmen trade, invest and speculate in the world supply of cocoa beans. All across the globe, images on computer screens flicker and change with blinding speed as investors and brokers bid, buy and sell, with market volume measured in millions of dollars.
United States consumption is an impressive 10+ pounds per person per year. England, Belgium, Norway and Switzerland have a per capita average
of up to 22 pounds—about 5 Hersey’s Kisses every day! (Hersey’s produces a staggering 70 million kisses a day!)
Ironic that British and Dutch navies, thinking cocoa beans worthless, frequently dumped them overboard when they seized Spanish ships during the 1600s,
The Aztecs believed that the first cocoa beans had been given to them by their god, Quetzalcoatl. Linnaeus may not have believed that legend but was apparently impressed enough to poetically label the plant “Theobroma” which means “food of the gods.” Why are we so infatuated with this fermented fruit of one of nature’s least impressive trees? The tree is an evergreen, flourishing near the equator, an unremarkable plant. The pods and beans don’t look very appealing. The beans are bitter and have no choc-
olate taste at all when first picked. It is amazing that the Aztecs managed to produce their xocoatl, a bitter but flavorful drink used to solemnize marriage and as part of religious ceremonies. The procedure they used is still basically the same one used today.
The production of any truly chocolate-flavored food or beverage entails a rather lengthy and involved process. Like many other foods, including cheese, its flavor and texture is the result of aging and processing and added fat content and seasoning. Much like coffee, cocoa beans must be roasted and the end product is almost always a blend of several kinds of beans. The pods are hacked from the trees and cut open. The beans, along with the pulp, are stacked and turned periodically to ensure uniform fermentation which permits easy separation of pulp and
beans and reduces some of the acidity of the beans. Fermenting also releases some of the oil in the beans, which in turn, begins to produce some of the distinctive chocolate aroma and flavor. The next step is drying the beans, then roasting. Not until then does the bean achieve its full, rich, but still bitter taste. Any step not carefully attended results in a product tainted with odd flavors or completely spoiled, rendering the beans worthless.
One has to wonder how the ancients came to discover the process, unless as they believe they received it from their gods. Even if we knew exactly how they came to produce the first xocoatl, it does not explain why it came to be regarded as a divine beverage and aphrodisiac. Cortes preferred the gold goblets to the beverage, but recognized it as a currency of trade. Spain began planting crops from Trinidad to West Africa and developed a beverage sweetened with cane sugar which quickly became a favorite for European royalty. When through royal intermarriages, spouses took cocoa beans with them, Spain lost its monopoly on chocolate.
Changes in cocoa then began to occur with considerable speed. Economics soon became more than a minor issue. Additives were used to enhance color, produce a milder flavor, and not least of all, to increase profits. Merchants added potato starches, brick dust, lead • Chocolate
continued on page 20
continued from page 19
pigments, peroxide of iron, corn flour and alkali, making the pound of cocoa go further, look richer and tase milder. Of course, not all additives made it more healthful to consume. Due to both the potential harm of additives and to cocoa’s economic impact, controversy raged. Some praised it as an aphrodisiac, among them Madame du Barry and Casanova. While some considered it medicinal, one British doctor insisted it had to be a poison, “because it tasted much too good to be a medicine!” As an alternative to the demon alcohol, Quakers endorsed chocolate wholeheartedly. In spite of controversy, harmful additives, and high cost, chocolate only increased in popularity. The Industrial Revolution increased society’s love affair with chocolate. Production in quantity made it possible for the general public to enjoy chocolate. Chocolate was mixed with milk for drinking and produced in cake form for eating. Laws were enacted prohibiting known harmful additives. Distillers of other potent beverages managed to survive without noticeable damage by or to the chocolate industry. Continued consumption evaporated the myth
that chocolate was poisonous. Still, to this day, chocolate is vilified. It is accused of causing cavities, pimples and acne. According to research at the University of Pennsylvania chocolate actually inhibits cavities, with some evidence that the oils inherent in it coat the teeth and protect them.
Rather than blame chocolate for being fattening or causing acne, look to sugar and fats which can make up to 72% of eating chocolate. Only baking (bitter) chocolate is actually pure chocolate. Year after year, suspicions that chocolate is bad for humans continues to have no apparent effect on consumers as chocolate continues to reign unequaled in popularity as a sweet. Only the effect that chocolate is a stimulant has held valid. For centuries this was credited to caffeine. Yet there is more caffeine in a single cup of coffee than in an ounce of cocoa. Theobromine then was considered as a likely cause of the stimulating effects. Again, there is just not a sufficient enough amount to justify that argument. Oddly enough, the secret of why we love chocolate so, and have for centuries, was discovered within our own bodies. No one would refute how we like to feel—we like to feel good—and what we like most is to
be in love.
Dr. Michael Liebowitz and Dr. Donald F. Klein researching neurochemistry studied a substance known as phenethylamine and defined it as an “excitant amine.” It is the substance responsible for our feeling good when we fall in love. That was the beginning of what might be considered the solution to the mysterious attraction chocolate has for us. Phenylethylamine, which chocolate contains in considerable quantity, is amazingly similar in molecular structure to amphetamines. That then, is what produces such attractive feelings as heightened awareness, increased energy, an over-all sense of power and self-confidence. That rush of excitement, the intoxicating feeling making the blood pound and the heart race. Appetite diminishes. Just like the effects of an amphetamine. Coincidentally what one
experiences when falling in love. We crave chocolate the way a person does looking for the ‘high’ of being in love because the chemistry of chocolate is love. Thankfully, for chocolate addicts, it has never been conclusively linked to anything more serious than obesity, and we have irrefutable evidence that additives, not chocolate, are the culprits. It has been said that “Milk chocolate is in some ways more nutritious than a wholesome apple.” A candy bar contains more calories, but has more protein, calcium, phosphorus, riboflavin and potassium—all of which are essential nutrients. For persons afflicted with severe cases of infatuation, there are Chocolate Lovers Clubs. For immediate relief, run, not to the doctor, but to the corner store and have a taste of love. Happy Valentine’s Day.
Join us for a celebration of the season of love. A special collection of artwork, from a variety of New England Artists, makes your Valentine shopping easy. Whether you are looking for a gift for a special someone, a best friend, a parent, or even hoping to add a little masterpiece to your own home, Lakes Region Art Gallery has something for everyone.
All masterpieces are small works of art no larger than 8” x 8” and perfectly priced. The exhibit opens on Thursday, February 2nd at 10 am. Artists reception - Saturday February 11th 4pm8pm.
Yummy chocolate confections provided by Rocky Mountain Chocolates, Tanger Outlet, Tilton, NH
Regular gallery hours are: Thursdays 10 am - 7 pm,
Fridays & Saturdays 10 am- 8 pm and Sundays 10 am- 6pm.
Lakes Region Art Gallery is located at Tanger Outlets, 120 Laconia Road, Suite #300, Tilton, NH
The exhibit final sales day is Saturday February 25th. Visit our website for more information about the gallery: www.LRAANH.org
Skiing makes winter fun, and avid snow lovers watch the weather forecast eagerly for the next snow storm to arrive. Since skiing has been popular, there have been ski areas in New Hampshire. In the Lakes Region a handful of ski areas sprang up years ago when the sport was in its infancy.
Tenney Mountain Ski Area in Plymouth began in the 1930s. The area was remote at the time with fewer places for outdoor sports, and when Tenney was created it offered something new for those who lived in Plymouth, Bristol, Bridgewater, and the surrounding areas. By 1932, trains brought skiers from metropolitan areas such as Boston and this helped Tenney’s expansion. Still, the ski area had some growing to do because trails were just being added. (This was common for many ski areas at a time when it was a mammoth job to cut trails and add new ski slopes.)
Following the World War II years, 10th Mountain Division Army veteran Sam Hall bought Tenney Mountain. Hall was visionary and foresaw Tenney as a full-service ski resort. In 1959, according to information at www.
skitenney.com, trails were cut into the mountain, with service from a T-bar lift.
In the early 1960s a double lift was built at the top of Tenney Mountain. Called Hornet Double, the lift was very popular. Over the years, the ski area saw changes and expansions and new trails. (For information on the area, visit www.skitenney.com.)
Wolfeboro has been known as a summer resort for decades, but in winter snow things were slower. Winter, however, brought entertainment via the Abenaki Outing Club. The group wanted to encourage people to get out and enjoy winter; club members were interested in alpine skiing and wanted to bring it to the town.
Trails on the area’s Poor Farm Hill, owned by the Hersey family, were blazed and skiing began. By the end of the 1930s, a rope tow was added, and a lodge built. It was a good gathering place where skiers could get warm and socialize. Winter carnivals were extremely popular at the time and the club sponsored such events. Soon, they added lights to the ski slope area and offered night skiing.
As with most ski areas, the World
War II years saw the Abenaki slopes become quieter. Many people were serving in the war, and funds were tight. Added to this, travel was restricted due to gas rationing and families could not make the trek to a ski area.
After the war, things were on the upswing and war-weary people were eager to ski and enjoy all winter had to offer. More slopes were added at Abenaki, as well as slalom races with competitors from all over New
Hampshire.
In 1970 the Carroll F. Hersey Memorial Ski Jump was constructed. and the Kingswood Ski Team used the jump for several years.
Gunstock in Gilford has been a popular outdoor site since the 1930s. Whether people are winter skiers, or summertime campers, Gunstock has a
• Yesteryear continued on page 22
The Wolfeboro Friends of Music presents the Merz piano trio, top prize award winners at the Naumburg, Concert Artist Guild, Fischoff and Chesapeake Competitions, The Trio will perform a chamber music recital at the First Congregational Church, 115 S. Main St., on Sunday February 19 at 2 PM.
The trio is passionately committed to reshaping the narrative of classical music through vibrantly dynamic programming and wide-ranging interdisciplinary collaboration. Their programming style juxtaposes classical standards, new music and their own arrangements of familiar and forgotten works. Rafael de Acha in All About the Arts wrote “the trio’s playing is
•Yesteryear
continued from page 21
lot to offer. When skiing was becoming popular in the Lakes Region of New Hampshire, word spread that this was a fun way to spend a weekend. Young people in the Boston area and other places far from Gilford, New Hampshire’s Belknap Mountains Recreation Area wanted to learn to ski.
Belknap Mountain Recreation Area (today’s Gunstock), came about during
impeccably elegant, earmarked by unmannered musicianship and sui generis stylistic versatility .” Their recoding of Brahms Piano Trio # 1 in B Major is truly uplifting.
Critics have praised the trio as “entrancing,” and “riveting” with “stunning virtuosity and ensemble work.”
Known for fresh and surprising interpretations, the trio is famous for sometimes mixing classic trio scores with extra-musical effects to enhance the audience’s appreciation, such as spoken texts from classical literature, suggestive dance movements or relevant artist renditions. They have collaborated on stage with ballerinas, chefs, and actors.
The Merz Trio was formed in Jan-
the Great Depression. Unemployment was high in the 1930s, so the Works Progress Administration provided employment for designated state and local projects.
The Belknap County Legislative Delegation got support from Congress and the Senate for a new project in the Belknap Mountain range. The plan was to build a chairlift, rope tows, hiking trails, and a main lodge. As work began on the mountain, roads were also cut for access to campsites.
uary 2017, when Dionne and Yang were members of Ensemble Connect, a fellowship program in New York City run jointly by Carnegie Hall and the Juilliard School. Cellist Yang has performed as concerto soloist with major orchestras and has garnered top prizes at numerous competitions. Pianist Dionne holds graduate degrees from the Yale School of Music where he currently teaches chamber music. He has been the recipient of numerous awards and has performed in Britain, Holland, Paris, and Portugal.
Violinist Coleridge is an Australian particularly interested in combining her experience as a musician with that of an actress and theatrical director. A frequent chamber and solo musician,
At the ski slopes, a single chairlift and rope tows serviced four miles of groomed terrain. The lodge was large, and the lumber used to build it came from the area. Parts of the lodge had a granite design, with the stone quarried locally.
Once completed, Belknap Mountain Recreation Area was very popular. It was the largest place to ski in the immediate area, and skiers came from all New England. To draw even more people, the ski area held competitive events and the most popular and memorable were ski jumps. The daring sport of ski jumping brought such greats as Torger Tokle, Dick Durrance, Mezzy Barber, Art Devlin, Rolf Monsen, and others for national and international competitions. Growth at Gunstock has continued over the years, and the area today is popular with skiers, campers, and outdoor lovers.
A smaller slope in the area was The Barak’s on Rt. 11A in Gilford. It was publicized as “headquarters for winter sports lovers, adjoining the Belknap Mts. Recreational Center in Gilford.” The Baraks had “lighted practice
she has appeared in major concert venues such as the Royal Albert Hall, Wigmore Hall and the Purcell Room, and recently completed a recital tour of Holland with her duo partner, pianist Lee Dionne. The Trio is currently represented by Concert Artists Guild and makes its home in Boston.
The concert is sponsored by Paul Zimmerman, YFI Custom Homes, Taylor Community, and Edward Jones -Kevin Lawlor Financial Advisor. Tickets are $25 each and may be purchased at J. Clifton Avery Insurance or Black’s Paper Store. Middle School and Elementary students can attend FREE when accompanied by an adult, as are High School Students with their school ID.
slopes on the property,” and unique bunkroom accommodations, offering rooms for 68 guests. At the time, rates were $3.50 a day and up, with meals included.
King’s Grant in Gilford was a short distance from the ski area. It had gentle ski slopes for beginners, a lighted skating rink, and a toboggan chute. Guests could book a room for $4.00 a night and enjoy outdoor wintertime fun.
In the winter months, the Shangri-La in the Weirs Beach area offered skiing. A rope tow was added along with a lighted slope by the late 1960s. In the 1970s, the business was renamed the Brickyard Mountain Inn. There was extensive skiing on the property, with snowmaking pumps and lights, and a new Borvig double chairlift.
Skiing has been popular in the Lakes Region for many years, and most areas, large and small, began for the simple reason that people wanted to enjoy the outdoors in winter. That need to get outside and embrace winter remains today.
For 45 years, the name Roche has been a recognized leader in the sale of Lakes Region real estate. Our team of professional Realtors® and in-house support sta set a standard of excellence for service in all segments of real estate.
New Hampshire's Lakes Region is our specialty and has been since the beginning. Family-owned and locally operated since 1992, Roche Realty Group has consistently been recognized as a top independent real estatecompany in New Hampshire for all-time sales.
Our team of over 40 Realtors® strives to provide clients with the greatest insight and richest possible perspective on this truly unique marketplace. We provide you with the market expertise, tools, and resources to make your real estate experience as e ortless and satisfying as possible. Our ultimate goal is to help you reach yours.
Moultonborough: 2BR/1BA, chalet-style home w/ porch & balcony, is located in Balmoral on Lake Winnipesaukee, a waterfront community w/ over 3,000' of shorefront, a 500’+ sandy beach with picnic tables, volleyball courts, kayak racks, plus a boat launch and day dock. $349,900 MLS# 4941504
Laconia: 3BR/ 2BA, in the Ferncro community. is updated detached condo w/ fresh exterior paint, new quartz countertops, Mitsubishi mini splits for heating / cooling, updated appliances & carpet. Enjoy all the amenities that South Down Shores has to o er $499,900 MLS# 4933183
Laconia: 5BR/5BA, in the Oakleigh community of Long Bay. 1st oor Primary suite w/ twin vanities, a walk in shower, & jetted tub. 4 of the 5 BRs have ensuites. Community amenities include 2 beaches, an inground heated pool, a tennis court, walking trails, and 3 ponds. $1,099,000 MLS# 4937640
Gilford: 4BR/ 4BA Renovated, 2,112 Sq . detached home. Rare opportunity to own in Timber Bay! Deeded 25' dock and adjoining .40 ac +/- separate parcel NOT in the association included in the sale. 370' sandy beach on Winnipesaukee for your family to make memories. $998,000 MLS# 4927111
Gilford: 4BR/3BA, 4,075 sq . Near the Belknap Mountains hiking trailhead nestled on 4.14 acres which abuts the State Forest. Well maintained, 2 car garage, walkout lower lever, farms porch, 4 season room. and small barn for additional storage. $939,000 MLS#: 4936437
Bristol: 4BR/ 2BA picturesque Newfound Lake waterfront. Enjoy 237 of lake frontage w/ 150 . of sandy beach. 3 levels of nished living space feature a 16 x 22 boathouse, new boat dock, mooring, ra , a wrap-around porch & lower stone patio. $1,750,000 MLS# 4931323
Roche Realty Group has had $2.63 Billion in sales volume, and 8,634 transaction sides since 1997.*
MEREDITH OFFICE • 97 Daniel Webster Hwy. (603) 279-7046
The New Hampshire Fish and Game Department is asking the public to report wild turkey sightings this winter by participating in the 2023 Winter Turkey Flock Survey. The survey runs from January 1 through March 31. This will be the 15 th year of the online winter flock survey. Information about the status of wintering wild turkeys is very important because severe weather and limited natural food supplies can present serious challenges for turkeys. It’s fun and easy to participate by visiting www.wildnh.com/surveys/turkey. html.
In 2022, 772 flocks were reported statewide during the Winter Turkey Flock Survey, with 13,201 turkeys recorded, averaging 17.1 turkeys per flock. “The number of flocks reported and the number of turkeys reported were lower in 2022 compared with the previous two years,” said Allison Keating, The New Hampshire Fish and Game Department’s Turkey Project Leader. “However, the average flock size has remained relatively consistent with an average of 17.54 birds per flock in 2021 and 17.53 birds per flock in 2020.”
During the 2022 Winter Turkey Flock Survey, Wildlife Management Unit (WMU) M in the southern part of the state had the highest number of reported flocks (298) again this year, followed by WMU K (63) and WMU L (60).
The highest percentage of observed feeding occurred at backyard birdfeeders (62%). The second highest reported category of food usage was corn or grain (18.29%), followed by acorns
and beechnuts (11.59%). Reported consumption of apples or crab apples was only 7.93%.
Public attitudes toward winter flocks of wild turkeys continue to be very favorable: 93% of respondents indicated that they like, or strongly like, seeing wild turkeys; 5.57% of people neither like nor dislike turkeys; while 1.43% of participants either dislike or strongly dislike turkeys.
“Many people just like to see turkeys on the landscape because their presence is part of what makes New Hampshire unique,” said Keating. “The observations people share through the online survey greatly add to the Department’s understanding of the abundance, distribution, and survival rates of turkeys through the winter months here in the Granite State.”
The Department also continues to
monitor the prevalence of two viruses that are present in the wild turkey population: avian pox and lymphoproliferative disease virus (LPDV). The public is asked to keep an eye out this winter for any turkeys displaying lesions or wart-like protuberances on the head or neck areas of turkeys they see and report these observations through the online survey.
During the winter of 2022, turkeys with visible lesions, which may have been indicative of avian pox or LPDV, were reported in 13 towns from 7 different WMUs. These finding are similar to the previous two year’s survey results. Overall, reports of symptomatic turkeys remain low.
To learn more about these viruses, visit www.wildlife.state.nh.us/wildlife/ turkeys/turkey-virus.html.
Wild turkeys disappeared from New Hampshire’s landscape for more than a century because of unregulated hunting and habitat loss from extensive land clearing in the 1800s. Their recovery in the state began during the winter of 1975 when 25 turkeys were trapped in New York and transferred to Walpole, NH. As that initial population grew, turkeys were trapped and transferred to different locations throughout the state up until 1995. Now, New Hampshire has a robust turkey population estimated at more than 45,000 birds statewide. Wild turkey management and research is made possible by the federal Wildlife Restoration Program, which is funded by an excise tax on the sale of firearms, ammunition, and archery equipment.
Health & Wellness
Language
Learning a skill
* * Additional Supply/book fee or pre-class requirement is additional in this course.
Check out our other great offerings:
A.B.E.- Free Adult Basic Education Tuesday & Thursday nights 6:00-8:30-Starting January 10, 2023
HiSET (Formerly GED) Prep- Free Monday & Wednesday nights 6:00-8:30-Starting January 9, 2023
E.S.L.- Free for those learning English Tuesday & Thursday nights 6:00-8:30-starting January 10, 2023
Academy-High School Math, English, Biology, Chemistry and Social Studies Classes starting January 23, 12023
Classes are in-person except when location is listed as remote.
CHECK ONLINE FOR MORE DETAILED COURSE INFORMATION (Including materials, book fees or Labs)
REGISTER AND PAY ONLINE at: adultedlaconia.weebly.com
Still have questions? Call Laconia Adult Education at 524-5712
From Greek Mythology to Roman Legends to Present-day, Valentine’s Day for centuries has been a celebration of romance and love. Thus, the questions of How and Why February 14th was chosen as the day for sending cards filled with romantic stanzas, heart-shaped boxes of chocolates, and bouquets of red roses?
Let’s begin with Cupid. An adorable naked little cherub with a bow in hand and a quiver of arrows slung over his shoulder, Cupid’s origin dates back to Greek mythology as Eros, the Greek god of love. He is said to be the son of the Olympian Greek goddess of Love and Beauty, Aphrodite, and Ares the Olympian Greek god of War and the spirit of Battle. Olympian Greek gods and goddesses were those exalted gods, who lived on the Top of Mount Olympus in Athens.
Ancient Rome, B.C, the annual sacrificial festival of Lupercalia conducted by a group of priests called Luperci was celebrated on February 15th. The festival of fertility began with the sacrifice of goats and a dog, their bloodied skins cut into thongs. Young men would run around Palatine Hill striking the thongs at any woman who came to near them. A blow from the thong was thought to render a woman fertile.
In third-century Rome, the Latin name Valentinus was a popular male name. There have been several saints of the Roman Catholic Church whose names were Valentinus (Valentine). Various stories have been told about the origins of Saint Valentine’s Day. The legend of St. Valentine has been researched and the names of one or two legendary Christian martyrs’ lives seem to be historically based. The day was named for Valentinus, a priest in Rome, or Valentinus the former Bishop of Terni, a town in the Umbrian region of central Italy.
While under house arrest, Valentinus, the priest of Rome, discussed with Judge Asterius, his jailer, the validity of Jesus. The judge decided to put Valentinus to a test. Asterius’ adopted daughter was blind. Asterius asked the priest to restore the child’s sight. Valentinus laid his hands upon the child’s eyes and her vision was restored. Humbled by this miracle, the judge inquired what he should do to give thanks. Val-
entinus converted and baptized the judge, his family and household servants. According to the same legend, Valentinus wrote a letter to the judge’s daughter, whom he had befriended, and signed it “from your Valentine.”
Valentinus when released from jail went out among the people of Rome to preach Christianity. He defied the orders and rules set forth by Claudius II, Emperor of Rome. He aided and comforted the Christians persecuted under Roman rule. He dismissed Claudius II’s order forbidding young soldiers to marry, and secretly married young couples to spare the husbands from war. Sent to Claudius II, Valentinus was commanded to renounce his faith, or he would beaten with clubs and beheaded. Valentinus refused and was put to death on February 14, 269 c.e.
In January 495 c.e. Pope Gelasius deemed Lupercalia, the pagan holiday, unchristian. And declared February 14th as Saint Valentine’s Day.
Valentine’s Day and Love-Birds is a romantic association which has lived on throughout the centuries. The term, love-birds, is used to describe a couple who are in-love. Geoffrey Chaucer, a poet and author of The Canterbury Tales, was born in London in the early 1340’s. In 1382 he penned Parlement of Foules, (Parliament of Fouls) envisioning a parliament for birds to choose their mates. Chaucer wrote this love poem to honor the engagement of the young fifteen-year-old King Richard II of England to fifteen-year-old Anne of Bohemia.
Victorian Valentine Cards were crafted by hand during the reign of Queen Victoria, 1837 – 1901. Elaborate cards were artfully decorated with lace, intricate designs using dried flowers, seeds and appliques. Inside the Valentine card would be a love note from a secret admirer, or from someone you knew. However, during this era, cards known as “vinegar valentines” were sent to unwanted suitors.
For example:
To my Valentine
“Tis a lemon that I hand you, And bid you now “skidoo,” Because I love another –There is no chance for you!
According to Samantha Bradbeer, an archivist and historian for Hallmark Cards, Inc, two early valentine-makers
pioneered the manufacture and distribution of cards in Britain and the United States. Jonathan King of London managed a card making studio next door to his shop on the Essex Road. Not only did he produce stunningly illustrated and romantically worded cards, but also a collection gentle teasing, novelty and cards which were unquestionably insulting, such as the “vinegar valentines.”
During that same Victorian period in the United States, Esther Howland of Worcester Massachusetts, inspired by English lace valentines, was destined to become known as “The Mother of the American Valentine.” After graduating from Mount Holyoke College in 1847, Howland received a Valentine’s Day card imported from Europe decorated with an elaborate lace border, ribbons and ornate flower cut-outs. Such a card was not affordable to many Americans. Inspired by the card Howland built a thriving business in her hometown of Worcester. She employed friends and neighbors. She inspected every card produced by her assistants. Using earlier English Valentines as examples, her cards contained four short lines pasted inside the card. Although Valentine’s Day cards had been available in America for more than half a century before, Esther started her business and was the first person to commercialize them in America.
The first commercially printed Valentine’s Day cards in America were produced by the Hall Brothers in 1913. In 1928 the company introduced the Brand Name of Hallmark.
Born in 1835, two years before the reign of Queen Victoria, Richard Barrow Cadburywas an English entrepreneur, chocolate-maker and philanthropist. He was the son of Quaker John Cadbury, who founded Cadbury’s cocoa and chocolate company. Richard and his brother, George, took over the family business in 1861. With a good deal of foresight, Richard saw an opportunity to combine a connection between the romantic aspect of Valentine’s Day cards, flowers and gifts with the sweet taste of confectionery. Having recently improved its chocolate-making technique of extracting pure cocoa butter from whole beans, thereby producing a richer more pleasant tasting chocolate drink. With an abundance of cocoa butter, he saw the advantages in using it to make varieties of eating chocolates. Creative and resourceful, Richard quickly realized this could be the beginning of The Golden Age of Cupid, Cadbury
Chocolates, and the Heart-shaped Box. Although he did not patent the heartshaped box, it is believed he was the first to produce one.
Twenty-first Century – Valentine’s Day February 14, 2023. In the United States Valentine’s Day is celebrated with cards, heart-shaped boxes of chocolates, and stuffed animals. Or a bottle of champagne dipped in 3 different chocolates, dark on the bottom, milk in the middle accented with white chocolate on the neck of the bottle. Pour the champagne into crystal long stemmed glasses. Then break off pieces of delicious chocolate to eat while sipping champagne. Giving a red heart-shaped box filled with assorted chocolates, a bouquet of flowers, dining out at a favorite restaurant, candlelit dinner at home, or jewelry to express your feelings to the one you love.
According to the United Language Group some countries celebrate Valentine’s Day in a similar fashion as the US and England and some celebrate the day differently. Traditionally in Denmark pressed white flowers called snowdrops are exchanged instead of fresh bouquets. In South Korea instead of indulging wives or girlfriends, husbands and boyfriends are spoiled on Valentine’s Day with chocolates and flowers. The women are pampered on March 14th “White Day,” with chocolates, flowers and gifts. Japan takes the day to another level. It is a day to spoil men. Chocolates are given to male friends, coworkers, and bosses. Platonic relationships get “obligatory chocolate,” and love interests get “true love chocolate” with a handmade gift. Germany celebrates Valentine’s Day by giving the one you love a chocolate pig which represents both luck and lust. In Norfolk, England “Jack Valentine,” a Santa Claus-type figure, leaves gifts on the front porch of the one you love. In the Philippines couples gather to exchange wedding vows at a Mass Wedding celebration. February 14th is National Chocolate Day in Ghana. Tastings, dinners and other events are held to promote Ghana’s top agricultural export – the cocoa bean. Estonia celebrates Sobrapaev, “Friendship Day.” And Taiwan celebrates Valentine’s Day, February 14, with a twist. The color and number of flowers in the bouquet carry a secret message. Red roses mean “you’re my one and only.” Ninety-nine roses mean “I will love you forever.” One hundred and eight roses mean “Will you marry me?”
HAPPY VALENTINE’S DAY.
by Lori Tremblay
Sound healing has been used since ancient times and in almost all cultures. Australian Aboriginal cultures used the healing tones of the didgeridoo. Ancient Egyptians used sound in the temples and indigenous tribes also believed certain sounds had healing powers. In ancient Indian practices, yogis used sound vibrations to calm the mind and reduce stress. The Ancient Greek philosopher, Pythagoras, known as “the father of music,” was the first to prescribe music as medicine. He found that harmonic frequencies could be used for healing and greatly expanded on this principle to include all areas of life. (yogabasics.com)
In sound, the units of frequency are called hertz (Hz). In 1896, American doctors found that music could improve blood flow and thought processes. In the 1950s, British osteopath Sir Peter Guy Manners developed a machine to produce therapeutic sound vibrations for healing cells in the body (yogabasics.com).
The healing power of sound is happening right here, in our community.
Garry Simons, a retired clinical pharmacist and resident of Wolfeboro, now devotes himself to helping people heal themselves, through relaxation and the vibrations of sound. He uses crystal singing bowls to produce vibrations of sound for individuals and groups and has seen wonderful results. Garry is quick to make no medical claims, even though he has witnessed anecdotal evidence of benefits that are too vast and
too consistent to ignore. Some of the benefits that he has seen are relief from pain, anxiety, depression, sinus congestion and blood pressure, to name just a few.
Talking with Garry, he explained that when we experience any stress, we are in a fight or flight mode. That is the sympathetic nervous system at work. We are on alert for some type of danger. In the modern world, it is not running from the proverbial tiger, but dealing with a stressful situation, such as being stuck in traffic or arguing with a coworker. There are many forms of stressful situations.
On the other hand, the parasympathetic nervous system is a relaxed state and requires no thought process, just being. The bowls help you relax into a parasympathetic state.
Our brains work with wavelengths. Our day to day activities function with beta wavelengths (13-16 Hz). As we relax, we go into alpha wavelengths (8-12 Hz). Theta waves (4-7 Hz) are common in the lighter stages of sleep or the transition from waking to sleeping. Meditative states take us further into relaxation through theta wavelengths. When we are in deep sleep, we experience delta wavelengths (0.54 Hz) (psychologytoday.com).
The deepest form of relaxation is gamma wavelengths (mostly 40-50 Hz), which are associated with higher states of conscious perception, such as inner world experiences during meditation (Becoming Supernatural by Dr. Joe Dispenza).
Why is that so important? According to webmd.com, “43% of all adults suffer adverse health effects from stress and 75% to 90% of all doctor’s office visits are for stress-related ailments and complaints. Stress can play a part in problems such as headaches, high blood pressure, heart problems, diabetes, skin conditions, asthma, arthritis, depression, and anxiety.”
“Stress and anxiety are precursors that set us up for illness and disease,” said Garry, “whereas relaxation and destressing can set us up for helping our bodies to heal.” The vibrations reach deep levels. Garry intuitively channels the sounds coming through the singing bowls. Garry said that it isn’t him, but that he is merely the conduit that allows the vibrations to flow through the bowls.
One of Garry’s clients said, “Speaking as someone who has had access to the healing benefits of sound vibration for the past number of years (with Garry), my experiences range from deep, therapeutic relaxation to the miracle of restoring normal function to an area of my body which had received a terminal, incurable diagnosis, and everything in between. Sound therapy through the crystal singing bowls is now a regular and trusted part of my own self-care.”
I have also personally experienced Garry’s sound healing sessions and have found them to be very beneficial in allowing myself to deeply relax into a receptive, healing state. Garry leads groups into a guided meditation as everyone relaxes, then the soothing and
healing sounds of the singing bowls begin.
What Garry Simons has found, from the bowls, is that a person can go from their normal beta wavelength and pass through to the deeper alpha and theta wavelengths, which cause a state of deep relaxation. “Many times, a person isn’t necessarily able to do this the first time that they have a session. Sometimes it takes several sessions before they learn how to relax,” said Garry. “Once we are relaxed, our body is capable of healing itself in a much more efficient way.”
Garry offers group sessions, including one at Yoga4Life in Wolfeboro on Wednesday evenings at 7:00 p.m. You can text him for more information at 603-340-4277.
After 112 years of growing tree and shrub seedlings, the N.H. State Forest Nursery has begun taking orders via its new online store. More than 1,000 customers used it to purchase 150,000 seedlings within the first two weeks of its debut.
The new website, buynhseedlings. com, has a similar feel and appearance to the Nursery’s traditional print catalog, but also has many additional features, including multiple color images of each seedling and a live inventory that allows customers to see the availability of each species and product in real-time.
“Sales at the N.H. State Forest Nursery have increased dramatically over the last several years,” said N.H. Division of Forests and Lands’ Chief of Forest Management, Will Guinn. “Much of this is due to a renewed interest in the
outdoors as a result of the pandemic, as well as a desire to help mitigate climate change through planting trees to sequester and store carbon.”
For the past decade, the nursery received approximately 1,000 orders per year, a number that increased to more than 2,500 orders in 2022. Customers range from organizations doing major reforestation projects to tree farmers to individuals with small landscaping projects.
“By taking our ordering system online, we’re better able to serve this influx of customers,” said Guinn. “Feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, with almost 95 percent choosing to use the online system.”
The nursery does still offer a paper order form that can be filled out and mailed in, but it expects to slowly transition away from that option as people
Lisa has been living in the Lakes Region of New Hampshire full-time since 1986. Prior to that, she spent every summer at her family’s wonderful property overlooking Squam Lake. Called Cotton Farm, this property was bought by Lisa’s Grandfather in 1919. His great, great grandchildren continue to vacation at this very spot. Lisa decided to build her own home next door to the family’s big old summer bungalow to continue her own memories on Squam.
Lisa began her real estate career in Taos, New Mexico where she raised her 3 children and taught skiing at Taos Ski Valley. When she moved back full
time to New Hampshire, Lisa continued in real estate with a focus on Squam Lake waterfront homes and the Sandwich area. Lisa has been a Squam Lake steward ever since. “I am fortunate to have so many wonderful customers and clients, many of whom have since become close friends.”
Lisa skis, hikes, plays tennis and pickleball, golfs, swims, kayaks, and enjoys any other sports which might present themselves. “I love living in a place that means so much to me in so many ways, and then help others find something equally wonderful for themselves. “There is definitely a book to be written someday!”
learn more about the online service.
Customers visiting buynhseedlings. com can shop by category – conifer, hardwood and shrub species, as well as specialty packages – and can also search for specific species. As with most internet sales sites, when customers are ready to complete their purchase, they check out using an online shopping cart, fill out billing information and select either the shipping or pick-up option to complete the transaction.
More than 50 species of bare-root seedlings are offered for sale; all are grown from seed on site at the nursery, which is located within the 880-acre state forest in Boscawen. The nursery has 16 acres of irrigated, outdoor seedbeds and 20 acres dedicated to seed orchards and testing areas, helping to ensure the seedlings it grows are well adapted to the regional climate and
conditions.
While commonly known conifer and deciduous tree species like balsam fir and red oak are available, less wellknown names, like white spruce and black walnut, and a variety of shrubs, including American hazelnut and ninebark, can also be purchased.
The nursery also sells several specialty packages which contain 25 seedlings, consisting of five seedlings of five different species. Specialty packages are designed to help meet the needs of specific projects or management objectives, and include a Christmas tree sampler package, a pollinator package, a wetlands package and many others. For more information about New Hampshire’s State Forest Nursery and to find a direct link to the online store, visitnh.gov/nhnursery.
Registration is open for New Hampshire’s 2023 Becoming an Outdoors Woman (BOW) Winter Workshop, a one-day program where women will learn outdoor skills to enjoy during the winter months.
The Winter BOW Workshop will be held on Saturday,February 25, 2023, at the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department’s Owl Brook Hunter Education Center in Holderness, NH. Participants focus on one outdoor activity during the day-long workshop. Choices include winter hiking, winter outdoor survival, snowshoeing/wildlife tracking, and “Shoe and Shoot” (woodland target shooting on snowshoes). A brochure with more information is now available atwww.nhbow.com.
A fee of $85 covers the workshop, lunch, and most equipment use. Partic-
ipants must be at least 18 years of age. Registration opens on January 16. All registration will be done online. Classes fill quickly so be prepared to sign-up when registration opens to secure your spot. To sign up, visit www. nhbow.com/winter-bow-registration, where you will see a link to register. If the program is full, please check back to see if spaces have opened up through cancellations. Registration closes on February 6.
New Hampshire BOW programs are co-sponsored by the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department (www. wildnh.com) and the New Hampshire Wildlife Federation (www.nhwf.org), a nonprofit group that advocates for the promotion and protection of hunting, fishing, and trapping, as well as the conservation of fish and wildlife habitat.
Squam Lakes Natural Science Center offers a winter program for adults and families with children ages 7 and up. Learn about the animals who live at the Science Center during the winter. Most of them stay in the same place, just as they would in the wild. A staff naturalist will lead a guided walk on the live animal exhibit trail to see the animal ambassadors dressed in their winter coats and discuss how these native animals are well adapted for winter in New Hampshire. If needed, snowshoes
are available at no extra cost or participants can bring their own. Children must be accompanied by an adult. This program is all outdoors and limited to 12 participants. Dress to be outdoors with insulated snow boots, hats, gloves, and warm layers. Pre-registration is required for all programs at www.nhnature.org. If the morning sessions fill up an afternoon session from 1:00 to 2:30 will be available.
Cost: $10/member; $13/non-member.
Get ready to ride in a romantic comedy set in the rarefied world of 1920s championship polo. That’s the setting of ‘The Smart Set,’ a rarely screened film released near the end of Hollywood’s silent era—and the end of the Roaring ‘20s as well.
‘The Smart Set,’ starring William Haines and Alice Day, will be shown with live music on Wednesday, Feb. 15 at 6:30 p.m. at the Flying Monkey Moviehouse and Performance Center, 39 Main St., Plymouth, N.H. General admission is $10 per person, general seating. Live musical scoring will be provided by silent film accompanist Jeff Rapsis.
In ‘The Smart Set,’ Arrogant aristocrat Tommy Van Buren (William Haines) calls himself “America’s gift to polo,” while his female fans think he’s the most gorgeous creature on four legs. The one exception is plucky Polly (Alice Day), who first responds to Tommy’s amorous advances by using her car to run him off the road. Polly has yet more reasons to loathe Tommy when he replaces her father on the polo squad—although after an evening’s dalliance, even she yields to the champ’s charms. But when Tommy’s alcohol-fueled antics get him tossed from the team, he’ll have to stop horsing around to win the big match against England—and Polly’s heart.
‘The Smart Set’ was released by MGM in 1928, the final year of fullscale production of silent films in Hollywood. Spurred by the success of Warner Bros.’ ‘The Jazz Singer,’ studios
and theaters were rapidly converting to “talking” pictures. A year after ‘The Smart Set’ hit theaters, the stock market crash of October 1929 ushered in the Great Depression, wiping out much of the polo-playing wealthy class.
“The Smart Set’ is a real chestnut from a lost age of privilege, ponies, and polo that flourished in the Roaring ‘20s,” said Jeff Rapsis, the silent film musician who will accompany the screening at the Flying Monkey.
“Taking in a silent romantic comedy with live music is a great way to cel-
ebrate Valentine’s Day,” Rapsis said.
For the music, Rapsis improvises in real time, while the film is running, using a digital synthesizer that allow him to recreate the “movie score” texture of a full orchestra.
“Improvising a score live is a bit of a high-wire act, but it allows me to follow and support the film a lot more effectively than if I was buried in sheet music,” Rapsis said.
“Instead, I’m free to follow the film right in the moment. Each time it’s different, which lends a certain energy and immediacy and excitement to the experience.”
‘The Smart Set,’ a silent romantic comedy starring William Haines and Alice Day, will be screened with live music on Wednesday, Feb. 15 at 6:30 p.m. at the Flying Monkey Moviehouse and Performance Center, 39 Main St., Plymouth, N.H. Admission is $10 per person. For more info, call (603) 536-2551 or visit www.flyingmonkeynh.com. For more about the music, visit www. jeffrapsis.com.
Join the Newfound Lake Region Association (NLRA) as we explore animal tracks and other sign during Newfound Nature Station, a free program that connects youth and families to the natural world. This event will be held at Grey Rocks Conservation Area at 178 N Shore Road, Hebron, NH on February
15 from 1pm to 3 pm and February
18 from 10 am to 12 pm. In winter it can be hard to spot wildlife as we look across the white landscape- some species have left for the winter, some are hibernating, and the rest seem to be hiding from the weather. But snow can hold the clues to finding out which animals have been visiting a location and what they’ve been doing! At Nature Station, NLRA educators will help visitors become animal detectives, searching for tracks and other sign to figure out what wildlife has been doing at Grey Rocks. You can learn about wildlife behavior in the Newfound Watershed without actually seeing the animals! Participants will also make a
craft to take home. This program is free and open to all.
Newfound Nature Station, along with other family programs and events, is part of NLRA’s year-round work to encourage residents and visitors to enjoy the natural beauty around them, learn more about the environment and how to protect it, and fall in love with the Newfound Watershed. By connecting the people of Newfound to the wonders around them, NLRA works to inspire the next generation of stewards and fulfill the mission of protecting Newfound Lake and its watershed. Along with programs like Newfound Nature Station, NLRA maintains Grey Rocks Conservation Area in all seasons as a place for people and wildlife alike. It offers walking trails, a picnic area, fishing alcoves, and a non-motorized boat launch and is frequented by wildlife like loons, turtles, and bald eagles as well as people. Learn more about NLRA including other upcoming events at NewfoundLake.org.
Due to the great results we’ve had in the past with Dining Out Magazine, we feel it important to inform our valued guests and friends of a small typographical error in this winter edition. Small Plate Specials are served from 4pm-6pm, Tuesdays, Wednesday and Thursdays. We are closed on Sundays and Mondays. We apologize for any inconvenience.
New Hampshire’s 2023 moose hunt lottery is now open. Enter today for your chance at the adventure of a lifetime— hunting moose in the rugged woods of the Granite State. The lottery entrance fee is $15 for Granite State residents and $25 for nonresidents.
To enter the New Hampshire moose hunt lottery, visit www.huntnh.com/ hunting/moose.html where you can enter online or print out a mail-in application. You can also pick up an application at any Fish and Game license agent, New Hampshire Fish and Game Department headquarters, or at Fish and Game regional offices.
Moose hunt lottery applications for 2023 must be postmarked or submitted online by midnight Eastern Standard Time on May 26, 2023 or delivered to the Licensing Office at the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department, 11 Hazen Drive in Concord, NH, before 4:00 p.m. that day. Winners will be selected through a computerized random drawing and announced on June 16.
Applicants can enter the moose hunt lottery once per year. A bonus-point system improves the chances for unsuccessful applicants who apply in each consecutive year. As an example, last year the overall odds of a resident applicant being drawn were 1 in 96, and resident applicants with a total of 19 points had a 1 in 33 chance of being drawn. For nonresidents, the odds were 1 in 410 overall and 1 in 157 for applicants with 19 points.
In 2022, 6,033 people entered the lottery for the chance to win one of 40 permits. More than 1,190 people con-
tinued to accrue bonus points because they submitted an application for a point only, in order to not lose their accrued points. Hunters from five other states won permits in the 2022 lottery. While people travel from all over the country to take part in the New Hampshire moose hunt, the majority of permits (almost 85% in 2022) are awarded to Granite Staters. The number of moose hunt permits that will be offered for this fall’s hunt has not yet been determined as harvest and survey data are currently under review. Final numbers will be released later this spring.
“While permit numbers may change in 2023, your chance of being drawn and offered a permit in the lottery will be improved if you rank all wildlife management units on your application,” Wildlife Programs Chief Dan Bergeron noted. “You will have the option to decline a permit if you are drawn for a unit you would prefer not to hunt.”
New Hampshire’s nine-day moose hunt starts the third Saturday in October. This year’s hunt will run from October 21 thru 29.
New Hampshire has had an annual moose hunt since 1988, when 75 permits were issued for a three-day hunt in the North Country. The state’s current moose population is estimated to be about 3,000 animals. The resulting annual harvest of moose provides valuable information on the physical condition and productivity of moose and provides a unique recreational opportunity. Learn more about moose hunting in New Hampshire at www.huntnh.com/ hunting/moose.html.
The Pemigewasset Choral Society (Pemi Choral) is beginning rehearsals for its May Broadway-themed concerts; A Grand Night for Singing. Rehearsals take place at the Silver Center for Performing Arts at Plymouth State University, Plymouth, NH, on Monday evenings from 7 pm to 9 pm, with optional sectional rehearsals that start at 6:30 pm.
The chorus welcomes any interested singer, new or old, to join them. If you sang with Pemi in December, or anytime in the past, they would love to see you return. The first three rehearsals may be attended without obligation to see if Pemi is the right fit for you. Also, invite friends to join in singing
this refreshing repertoire of Broadway showstoppers.
The Pemi Chorus is a regional community chorus based in Plymouth, NH, with a wide-ranging musical repertoire. Members come from communities throughout the Lakes Region and the White Mountains. Membership has ranged from 60 to 90 members per semester with a diverse range of ages from high school students to age 80+! They perform concerts in December and in the Spring, and welcome new members at the beginning of each semester. For more information, please visit pemichoral.org, and find us on Facebook.
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