Yesteryear
Meredith’s Interesting Past
By Kathi Caldwell-HopperThose who drive through Meredith in the summer months experience a bustling, well-populated town with plenty of shops and restaurants. Tourists love Meredith because it is on the water and there are many things to do, from eating out, taking the Sculpture Walk around town to browsing all sorts of shops.
Meredith was granted in 1748 and first called Palmerstown after Samuel Palmer, a land grant holder from the Seacoast region of New Hampshire. Meredith was incorporated in 1768, and years later, in 1855, the southeasterly portion of the town was divided and incorporated as Laconia.
It was not until after 1748 that any great degree of settlement began, due to the recurring Indian wars. Of the 60 original petitioners from Exeter, Hampton, Nottingham and Stratham who were granted the tract of land north of the Winnipesaukee River, few wished to relocate to Meredith for safety reasons.
When settlers finally began to trickle to the area, they arrived via a narrow trail just wide enough for a man on horseback. The trail was 26 miles long and harrowing at best. It was over this crude road that Ebenezer Smith brought ironwork for the first sawmill in Mere-
dith. He built the mill at the Weirs with Joshua Folsom and Thomas Brown in 1765. Because of the mill, lumber became available to build homes and more families were attracted to the area.
Travel was difficult and done only during daylight hours. There was no way to tell exactly where you were going after dark and there were few road signs. Those who traveled made use of the many taverns along the roads in Meredith for an overnight stay.
On Parade Road, between Laconia and Meredith, there were the Daven-
port, Young and Farrar Taverns. Some taverns operated out of a home, offering beer, cider and food, as well as overnight lodgings.
A man who would go on to become well respected in Meredith and elsewhere was born in the Seacoast area of New Hampshire in 1773. Dudley Leavitt attended school but briefly as a child, later teaching himself mathematics and science from his parent’s home. He showed great aptitude and began to study astronomy and make astronomical calculations when he was still a
young man.
Leavitt later married Judith Glidden of Gilmanton and studied Greek and Latin with the local pastor. In 1806, Dudley Leavitt settled in Meredith, where he purchased 50 acres for farming. Because he loved books and learning, he began to conduct school in his home, as well as working as a farmer.
However, Dudley Leavitt is best known today as the editor of the Old Farmer’s Almanac. He founded the publication, playing an important role in Meredith’s history.
Students came from near and far to study under him at the Meredith Academick School, held in his home. He farmed his land and until age 75, ran the school and taught at least part-time.
Leavitt published his first almanac in 1797, under the title of the New England Calendar or Almanac. Mr. Leavitt was not wealthy and could not afford for more than one illustration to be printed in his first almanac - a picture of the sun.
Dudley Leavitt penned the entire first edition: it had his weather predictions, and agricultural advice. It was a successful publication, and the circulation grew to 60,000 readers a year by
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PUBLISHER
Dan Smiley
ADVERTISING
Maureen Padula
EDITOR
Bob Hartnett PROD.
Gina Lessard
CIRCULATION
Kathy Larson
the time of Leavitt’s passing in 1851.
Another well-respected Meredith resident was Seneca Ladd. He was born in Loudon, New Hampshire in 1819, and like Dudley Leavitt, Ladd was a free thinker and independent. School was not easy at the time for someone like Ladd, who was not a standard, successful scholar. He attended school until he was about 10 years old and went on to further schooling as a teenager. He also helped his parents with farming and harvesting of crops.
In his early teens, Ladd was sent to learn the carriage maker’s trade in Raymond, New Hampshire. He was a quick study and proved to have a high mechanical aptitude. Ladd also had a good grasp of the financial world.
Always looking for new challenges, Ladd moved to the Lakes Region and ran a carriage makers business in Meredith for two years. He then moved to Boston for a year learning how to construct pianofortes for Timothy Gilbert, in the second manufactory of the kind established in the United States.
Ladd came back to Meredith in the summer of 1839. He had saved his money and was a true entrepreneur. He saw that pianoforte making was in its infancy and becoming popular. Getting involved in the business would put him ahead of the curve. Ladd purchased a mill building and opened a carriage manufactory. He was ready to enter business on a large scale, which was financially risky for a man in his 20s. But Ladd was successful and saw the manufactory thrive.
But in 1850, his entire plant was destroyed by fire, and the contents burned. Ladd leased a cotton factory, and manufactured pianos and melodeons. Once again, Ladd’s business thrived, and he ran the piano and melodeon factory in Meredith and in Boston for about 20 years.
Ladd was by then wealthy; he was known as a skilled piano manufacturer. He was observant and noticed how young working people – some in his factory - were irresponsible with their pay packets. It concerned him to watch his employees fritter away their hard-earned pay. He advised his employees to save some of their wages and he took their financial problems seriously. Thus, opening a bank seemed to be the answer to Ladd’s concerns: his employees would have a place to save their money and Ladd could start a new business (a bank).
In November of 1869, Ladd and his associates procured a charter from the Legislature and established the Meredith Village Savings Bank. Ladd was named treasurer (equivalent to a president and CEO in today’s world). The bank’s home was on Main Street in Meredith. By this time, he had ceased operation of his piano manufacturing business. For the next years, Ladd threw all his energies into banking.
Ladd was well known and respected in Meredith. It was written of Ladd in “The History of Merrimack and Belknap Counties, New Hampshire, 1885”: “His education has given him a mental character of strength and ability far beyond that attained by the usual curriculum of a college course, and on any of the grave subjects under discussion among scholars his opinion is listened to with earnest-
ness and commands respect. He has never used tobacco or alcohol in any form and has battled strongly against the rum traffic. In politics, his votes have always been cast in favor of universal freedom. The Liberty, Abolition and Republican parties have, in turn, received his warmest support and most active services, and in all social and public matters he has ever been in accord with the most advanced and progressive minds.”
Seneca Ladd remained active throughout his life and when he died in 1892, he left behind a small family but a large community of friends, business associates and fellow scholars.
By the 1800s, mills in the town employed many and among the largest was the Meredith Shook and Lumber Co., which had about 60 workers.
In 1876, Samuel Hodgson leased the power and mills of the Mechanics Assoc. and made mittens in his shop for about a year. Soon, Hodgson’s associate, a Mr. Abal, patented an automatic knitting machine for knitting socks. In 1877 Hodgson started manufacturing stockings in Meredith. It was a successful business, and new buildings were erected to triple the capacity of the mill. By 1885, the mill employed around 160 people, mostly women, before it was destroyed by fire in 1887.
Among other businesses in Meredith in the 1800s was the Hosiery Mill owned by Allie and Minot Hall. The mill was among the largest businesses in the town during the mid-1800s. The Hall brothers manufactured a high-quality grade of pure linen. The mill was commonly known as the Meredith Flax Mill, and it greatly boosted Meredith’s economy. The mill burned and it was a terrible loss
to the town. Allie Hall eventually bought out the entire business and established the Meredith Linen Mill and ran it for many years.
With the establishment of more businesses over the years, Meredith needed lodging establishments for workers and businessmen; another industry sprang up when hotels and taverns opened.
One of the earliest was the Farrar Tavern, built before 1782, and owned by Mary Farrar. Another early tavern was the Davenport Tavern, serving as a stagecoach stop for many years. Other taverns were the Willard Hotel, which came into being in the 1840s; the Fogg Tavern; the Old Folsom Tavern; the Cerro-Gordon House, and the Simpson Inn.
By the turn of the century, the era of the White Mountain grand hotels was coming into its own. This high style of vacationing changed the way travelers and innkeepers thought about the hotel business. Soon the word “tourist” was part of the vocabulary around Lake Winnipesaukee. Right in their front yard, was the big lake and all the recreation any vacationer could desire.
Meredith, like all other lake towns, changed over the years of the 1900s, from industry and mills to a full-fledged vacation Mecca. By the mid-1900s, cottages and hotels welcomed summer and fall foliage tourists.
Eventually, the old mill buildings in downtown Meredith were renovated and turned into a group of quaint shops. New restaurants, a summer theatre, a winter ice fishing derby and many fall foliage bus tours have find Meredith to be a beautiful tourist town on the shores of Winnipesaukee.
New Hampshire Heritage Museum Trail Gets Musical
Charged with preserving New Hampshire’s heritage, several museums on the New Hampshire Heritage Museum Trail will offer music concerts for all ages this spring and summer, including The Belknap Mill and Canterbury Shaker Village.
The Belknap Mill’s ‘Arts in the Park’ Summer Concert Series begins Friday, May 26 at 6:00 p.m. with Newmont Military Band. Other dates in the series, free and open to the public, include June 2, June 16, June 30, July 14, July 28, August 11, August 25, and September 8.
Arts in the Park concerts take place at Rotary Park, 30 Beacon St. E. in Laconia. “We are excited to welcome
visitors from near and far to these concerts,” said The Belknap Mill’s Jill Desruisseaux. “We hope these concerts spur people to also learn more about The Belknap Mill, by visiting our exhibits and museum spaces during the shows.”
Built in 1823, Belknap Mill is the oldest, largely unaltered brick textile mill in the United States. The Belknap Mill’s mission is to preserve the Belknap Mill as a unique historic gathering place and to celebrate the Lakes Region’s cultural heritage through the arts, education, and civic engagement. To learn more, visit belknapmill.org.
Beginning Sunday, July 2 at 4:00 p.m. with the Jordan Tirrell-Wysocki
Complete Well Drilling
Trio, Canterbury Shaker Village’s Music on the Green takes place every Sunday through September 24. An Emmy award winning composer and critically acclaimed New Hampshire based fiddler and singer, Tirrell-Wysocki is known for a unique blend of fiddling and singing to produce his own style of Celtic music.
Admission to Music on the Green is free, although donations are encouraged. “We are thrilled we can provide this beautiful concert series for all ages on our expansive grounds,” said Leslie Nolan, executive director of the Village. “Bring a picnic, go for a hike on our trails, or take a tour before — you can make a day of it here.”
Featuring 694 acres of forests, fields, gardens, nature trails, and mill ponds under permanent conservation easement, the Village is designated as a National Historic Landmark with 25 restored original Shaker buildings and 4 reconstructed Shaker buildings. To learn more, visit shakers.org.
In addition to The Belknap Mill and Canterbury Shaker Village, member institutions on the New Hampshire Heritage Museum Trail are located in New Hampshire’s Lakes Region, Merrimack Valley, and Seacoast. To learn more about The Trail or Trail Passport program, visit nhmuseumtrail.org.
Outboard Racing Series to “Blast Off” in June
In partnership with New Hampshire Boat Museum (NHBM), South Shore Outboard Association (SSOA) will host the Granite State Title Series in 2023, beginning in Milton, NH on June 3 - 4.
“Events in the Granite State Title Series are exciting, fast-paced, and an incredible experience for spectators of every age,” said SSOA Events Coordinator Steve Noury. “This is hydroplane racing at its best.”
At this first event in the Granite State Title Series, drivers will be divided into ten different classes determined by engine horsepower and boat size. Races will be held in a two-heat format with each heat consisting of three laps around the course.
Drivers are scored based on their finishing position in each heat. The driver who scores the most total points for the two heats will be declared the winner.
Awards will be presented to the top three finishers, and all drivers receive
National points for their finishes. With these points, drivers are ranked nationally by the American Power Boat Association with a National Hi Point Champion declared at the end of the racing season.
According to NHBM Executive Director Martha Cummings, the museum is excited to work with SSOA again in 2023. “It makes sense to work together and promote one another and our shared love of New Hampshire’s waterways,” she said.
Part of Milton’s Town Recreation Department Summer Kick-Off Celebration, the first event in the Granite State Title Series takes place at Milton Town Beach, 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., on June 3 - 4.
Founded in 1951 on the South Shore of Massachusetts and now headquartered in Kingston, NH, SSOA is the largest racing club in New England. To learn more, visit southshoreoutboard. com.
‘Cue The Grill
Upping Your Grilling Game
By Kelly RossAlthough some say summer starts on the 4th of July, I’ve always said it’s on Memorial Day, especially with Bike Week right around the corner and the 4th a couple of weeks after that. Yeah, we’re not seeing the hot summer heat yet, but if we can get out and about enjoying the weather, opening up the camps/summer homes and such and officially breaking out the grill, I say it’s summer. Summers aren’t long enough as it is, so I say just go with it.
Well, I mentioned getting the grill busted out of retirement, so as a result, let’s focus on some great grilling. It’s a huge summer mentality although I know a bunch, like me, who do so all year round. I usually grill 5 days a week in the summer and likely 3-4 times a month during the snow season but whatever your pattern, I don’t know anyone who doesn’t love our favorite foods off the barbie. Let’s get started with a couple of great appetizers. The first of the two apps I have is perfect for more of an upscale get-together, although this works for anyone/ anytime. I’ve always been a huge fan of grilled fruits of any kind, not to mention when wrapped in bacon. Peaches are one of the top 3 fruits, in my opinion, to do on the grill. Combine the sweetness of fresh peaches with the saltiness of the bacon, you have a win-
ner, especially with fresh basil involved and topped with a balsamic glaze. This only takes 5 ingredients and will give you up to 32 pieces.
Bacon Wrapped Grilled Peaches with Balsamic Glaze
4 large peaches
12 oz bacon, or 16 slices
64 large basil leaves plus more for garnish
Olive oil
Balsamic glaze to drizzle the peaches with
Set your grill to low heat and preheat for 10 minutes or so making sure it is well-oiled. Wash and dry peaches. Cut each peach in half and then each half into 4 quarters. Place one large basil leaf on each side of the peaches. Cut the bacon slices in half. Wrap each peach slice and basil leaves with a slice of bacon. Pin the loose end of the bacon slice with a toothpick. Repeat with remaining peaches. Brush the bacon-wrapped peaches lightly with olive oil. Grill the peaches until the bacon is cooked, turning so all sides are evenly cooked, about 20 minutes. Transfer to a serving platter and remove toothpicks. Drizzle with the balsamic glaze and serve hot or at room temperature. Delicious as well as decadent.
Well, where the last one may be considered one for the champagne crowd, here’s one for the beer crowd so to
speak. When it comes to wings, it’s time to get down and dirty and I love getting down and dirty with a plateful of wings. If you are into the lemon/pepper theme, you’ll love these. The lemon pepper is famous for chicken and fish, and these wings are a flavor-packed champ, and no need for store bought lemon-pepper seasoning. This recipe is for 4 lbs of wings, enough to feed 6 if you are planning on eating many yourself, but obviously will feed more as an appetizer type of thing. Prep and cook time are short, but I do like to let them marinate for a bit in between.
Lemon Pepper Chicken Wings
¼ cup olive oil
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 tsp salt
4 lbs chicken wings, fresh, or frozen/ thawed
½ stick butter, melted
1 ½ tbsp fresh squeezed lemon juice
1 ½ tbsp lemon zest
1 tbsp coarsely ground black pepper
If using fresh wings, either tuck the tips underneath the 2 main sections to form a wing triangle, like in a Chinese restaurant, or section them and cut off the tips. If frozen, make sure completely thawed, drained, and patted dry. In a large bowl, combine oil, garlic, and salt and mix well. Add wings and toss until evenly coated, wrap the bowl, or dump into a large ziplock bag, and re-
frigerate for 2 hours or so. Grease your grill and preheat to medium-high heat. Once nice and hot, place the wings on it and cook for 30-40 minutes depending on their size, turning every 6-8 minutes until crispy and cooked through. Meanwhile, in a large bowl, combine butter, lemon juice, lemon zest, and black pepper. Place wings in lemon mixture and toss until evenly coated and serve.
It’s Burger Time! I have 2 great burger options for you today, the first one smothered in a merlot mushroom mixture that is phenomenal, the second being the best vegetarian burger I’ve ever sunk my teeth into. As for the actual burger, let’s start there.
As much as most of us love a good beef burger, the toppings on a burger do sometimes get a little boring as the toppings are usually somewhat standard. The usual lettuce, tomato, onion, pickles, bacon and cheese seem to be the norm, then adding the usual condiments If you’d like to try something new this summer, then this recipe is for you. This burger offers a gourmet take on the traditional hamburger, with wine, mushrooms, and goat cheese among the ingredients. The next time you want to serve something special for a cookout, use this recipe! Family and
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friends will be impressed with the combination of flavors and textures in this recipe. Your next cookout just might become the stuff of legend with this burger recipe on the menu. The flavors of the shrooms and merlot are allowed to dominate in this one and you will not be disappointed. This recipe is for 4 burgers and plan on an hour from start to finish. I usually serve these openfaced on toasted slices of French bread and serve with a knife and fork, but the choice is yours.
The Wine-ing Mushroom Burger
1 tsp olive oil
2 tbsp minced shallots
1 cup of your favorite Merlot
¼ cup beef broth
2 tsp fresh thyme, chopped
1 tbsp butter
2 tsp flour
1 ½ lbs of quality ground beef, I usually go with 80-95% lean
2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
Salt and pepper
4 large portobello mushrooms
1-2 tbsp olive oil
4 slices French bread, cut diagonally ½ inch thick
3-4 oz goat cheese, ½- ¾ cup
Romaine lettuce leaves
Chopped fresh parsley, optional
To prepare sauce, heat oil in large nonstick skillet over low heat. Add shallots, cook, and stir 6-8 minutes or until caramelized. Stir in wine, broth, and thyme. Cook over medium-high heat 8-10 minutes or until liquid is reduced to ½ cup. In a small bowl, combine butter and flour making a roux, whisk into sauce. Stir in salt and pepper. Cover to keep warm. Combine ground beef, 2 tbsp parsley, ¼ tsp each
of salt and pepper in large bowl, mixing lightly but thoroughly. Lightly shape into four ½ inch thick patties and set aside. Brush both sides of the shrooms and place them on grill over medium heat and grill, uncovered, for 10 minutes or until tender, turning halfway through. Just as they are done, move mushrooms to outer edge of grill and place patties in center of grill and cook 11-13 minutes or until you reach your desired temps, turning once halfway through. Place bread slices on grill and cook until toasted, turning once. Reheat sauce, if necessary. Spread half of cheese on toasted bread slices. Top each with lettuce leaf, mushroom and burger and drizzle evenly with sauce. Crumble remaining goat cheese over the tops, sprinkle with parsley, as desired. A much different kind of burger for sure and very good.
Granted, I love my beefy burgers, but this vegetarian burger is a “go to” of mine. The first time I made these at home for friends, some vegetarian and some not, even the carnivores were digging on these gems big time. The main players in this concoction are sweet potatoes, peppers, onions, celery, chickpeas to bind together and southwestern seasonings. The only drawback for me with these is they won’t hold together on a grill so need to be done in a skillet or griddle. These are as healthy a burger option as you’ll find. I feel many vegetarians’ sadness when they go out and want to order a veggie burger and they often end up with a frozen
hockey puck that’s heated up and tastes like cardboard. This burger will blow any other vegetarian burger out of the water. Depending on how you want to cook your sweet potato will dictate how long it takes, but once the spud is cooked, you can make/cook these in barely ½ hour. This will get you 4-6 burgers.
Sweet Potato Veggie Burger
1 large cooked sweet potato equaling
1 cup of puree
1 can chickpeas, 15 oz
1 ½ cups panko breadcrumbs
½ cup diced red bell pepper
½ cup diced onion
¼ cup diced celery
1 large egg
1 ½ tbsp taco seasoning
¼ tsp garlic powder
¼ tsp cayenne
Guacamole, salsa, onions, pickles, cheese, lettuce…optional
Your favorite quality burger buns
Bake, microwave, or boil your sweet potato until tender. Remove/discard potato skin, then using a food processor or blender, puree the sweet potato until smooth but thick. Transfer the sweet potato to a large mixing bowl. Next, add rinsed garbanzo beans to the food processor. Pulse just a few times to break up the beans, still leaving lots of texture. Add beans to the sweet potato as well as breadcrumbs. Sauté bell pepper, onion and celery over medi-
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um-high heat. Once your veggies are cooked, add them, along with the egg and seasonings to the bowl with the sweet potato mixture. Stir to incorporate using your hands and divide burger mixture into 4-6 balls. Cup each ball in your hands and squeeze, pressing it into a round compact patty. Refrigerate patties for a minimum of 30 minutes to set. Once ready to cook, spray a large skillet with cooking spray and heat over medium to high heat. Cook for a few minutes on each side until the patty is golden and the center is warm-hot. Cooking times will vary a bit depending on the size of your burgers and type of pan/skillet used and how long they were refrigerated, so aim for a crispy outside with a warm-hot tender center. Once done, pile a lightly toasted bun high with greens, patty and top it off with a generous helping of guac or whatever sounds good and dig in!
A very popular grilling process for many when entertaining a crowd, or
camping, is cooking a full-course meal in foil packets on the grill. It’s a fantastic as all flavors are trapped steaming together with all its flavors which gives you a very moist and fun dinner. Plus there is limited clean up this way. When camping, I usually eat right out of the foil and then toss it in the garbage. This version contains boneless pork chops, cut red potatoes and sliced onions with spices, and then topped with a homemade chimichurri sauce, which is a favorite sauce of mine on many grilled items. This is for 4 individual packets; prep is maybe 15 minutes and cooking time is closer to 20-25 minutes. I strongly recommend using heavy duty foil to avoid rips and tears as you want the steam to be trapped inside.
Grilled Pork Chops Foil Packets
4 boneless center-cut pork chops, 6 oz each
1 lb baby new potatoes, cut into quarters, keeping the pieces consistent in size, about 1-inch pieces
1 ½ -2 medium sweet onions, peeled, cut into 1-inch pieces like you would
for kabobs
2 cloves garlic, minced
5 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
2 tsp dried Italian seasoning
¼ tsp onion powder
¼ tsp garlic powder
1/8 tsp red pepper flakes
Salt and pepper, to taste
For the Chimichurri Sauce
1 ½ cups fresh parsley leaves
1 ½ cups fresh cilantro leaves
2 cloves garlic, peeled and smashed
1 medium jalapeño pepper, stem removed
2 tsp kosher salt
½ cup extra virgin olive oil
Preheat an outdoor grill to medium-high. In a large bowl, coat the pork chops, potatoes, onion, and garlic with the olive oil and season with the Italian seasoning, onion powder, garlic powder, red pepper flakes and a few dashes of salt and pepper. Tear off 4 pieces of heavy aluminum foil, about 12×16-inches each. Spray with nonstick cooking spray. Evenly distribute the potatoes and onion among the sheets of foil. Top with a pork chop.
Fold in the sides of the foil and seal to form the packet. Tear off 4 more sheets of foil and double wrap all of them with the sealed side down. Grill for 20-25 minutes or until pork is cooked through at 145 degrees. In the meantime, place all the ingredients for the chimichurri sauce in the bowl of a food processor. Pulse until combined and smooth. Carefully open the pork packets, releasing the steam which will burn you if you’re not cautious. Transfer pork and potatoes to individual plates and spoon some of the chimichurri sauce over the top and serve. It’s easy, inexpensive, and very good.
Maple Glazed
Chicken Drumsticks
8-12 drumsticks
¾ cup maple syrup, divided
¾ cup chili sauce, divided
¼ cup plus 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar, divided
2 tsp fresh minced garlic, divided Salt
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Add chicken drumsticks to a large resealable plastic bag. Combine ½ cup maple syrup, ½ cup chili sauce, ¼ cup of the vinegar and 1 ½ tbsp of garlic in a bowl, then pour over the chicken in the bag, seal, and massage the chicken in the bag somewhat to help coat them all and refrigerate for 2-8 hours in the fridge. Preheat grill to medium-high. I keep 2 sides on, one side off so I can move them to indirect heat if need be. Place drumsticks on the well-oiled grill, and cook, turning every so often, for 20-25 minutes or until meat starts to fall away from the bone. Keep an eye on them so they don’t burn. Move to indirect heat if need be. While drumsticks are cooking, or you can do this ahead of time if you want to, combine ¼ cup maple syrup, ¼ cup chili sauce, 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar, and ½ tsp minced garlic in a small pot. Bring to a low simmer over medium heat and cook, stirring often, until reduced and thickened, about 10-15 minutes. Turn off the heat and keep warm until the chicken is done. Brush drumsticks with thickened glaze before serving. It’s a great combo of sweet with hints of heat and tartness.
. When grilling apricots or peaches or any stone fruit for that matter, always look for fruit that aren’t quite ripe yet as they should be firm when placed on the grill. This recipe is for 2 pounds of chicken breasts, usually 6-8 of them, which will feed 4-6 depending on the crowd and the rest of your menu for said meal. You should have this will be on the table in barely a half hour.
Grilled Ancho Chicken Breasts & Apricot Salsa
2 lbs boneless chicken breasts, usually 6-8 breasts, lightly pounded so even in thickness
4 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil, divided
4 tsp ancho chili powder
1 tsp garlic powder
1 ¼ tsp salt, divided
8 apricots, nectarines and/or peaches, halved and pitted
2-3 ripe avocado, chopped
½ cup coarsely chopped fresh cilantro
6 tbsp finely chopped red onion
2 jalapeño pepper, seeded and thinly sliced
2 tbsp fresh squeezed lime juice
8 lime wedges
Preheat grill to medium-high. Brush both sides of chicken with 2 tbsp oil and sprinkle with chili powder, garlic powder and 1 tsp salt. Brush the cut sides of the fruit with the remaining oil. Grill the chicken, turning once halfway, about 7-9 minutes. Grill the fruit, cut side down, until slightly softened and begins to char, about 4-5 minutes. Meanwhile, combine avocado, cilantro, onion, jalapeño, lime juice and the remaining salt in a medium bowl. When the fruit is cool enough to handle, chop and stir into the salsa. Serve the chicken with the salsa and a lime wedge.
I have a really cool steak recipe for you, especially if you enjoy the taste of beer as this recipe requires a beer marinade also using fresh oranges, onions, garlic and soy sauce. I use skirt steak for this one as I wouldn’t recommend using a high-priced cut as the marinade is meant to tenderize a lower cut, although skirt steak is awesome. Once cooked, rested, and sliced, this will
easily feed 4-6. Once done marinating, grill time is quick.
Beer-Marinated
Grilled Skirt Steak
1 ½ oranges, thinly sliced with peel
½- ¾ large, sweet onion, thinly sliced
4 garlic cloves, halved and smashed
2 ¼ - 2 ½ lbs skirt steak, the thicker the better
Kosher salt and fresh ground black pepper
1+ cup light-colored lager beer
½ cup soy sauce
In a wide, shallow glass baking dish, scatter half of the orange slices, half of the onion slices and half of the garlic pieces on the bottom of the dish. Sprinkle the steak all over with salt and pepper and put in the dish on top of the orange and onion slices. Scatter the remaining orange, onion and garlic over the steak and pour in the beer and soy sauce. Cover with plastic wrap and marinate for 1 hour at room temp or up to overnight in the refrigerator. Prepare your greased up grill to medium-high heat. Remove the meat from the marinade and discard the marinade. Grill the steak to desired doneness, about 4 minutes per side for medium-rare.
Once done, let the steak rest on a cutting board for 5-7 minutes, then slice into ½ inch thick slices, on the diagonal making sure it’s against the grain of the beef. Serve it up with your favorite side dishes. This also makes outstanding steak tacos.
Before I give you a quickie grilled dessert, I want to share one of my favorite sauce recipes that can go with countless grilled items, especially steaks, chicken, pork, and veggies. Like the last one, this one has a little bit of alcohol involved, Jack Daniels in particular, although it’s only one of many awesome ingredients. This will take about an hour to make and will get you 2 cups of sauce. You won’t regret it.
Jack Daniels Sauce
2 tbsp minced garlic
2 tbsp olive oil
1 1/3 cup water
2 cup pineapple juice
½ cup teriyaki sauce
2 tbsp soy sauce
2 2/3 cups dark brown sugar
6 tbsp fresh squeezed lemon juice
6 tbsp minced white onion
2-3 tbsp Jack Daniels whiskey
2 tbsp crushed pineapple
½ tsp cayenne pepper
In a medium saucepan, add the water, pineapple juice, teriyaki sauce, soy sauce, and brown sugar over medium/ high heat. Bring the mixture to a boil, stirring occasionally, then reduce the heat until mixture is just simmering. Add the minced garlic and whisk to combine. Add remaining ingredients to the pan and stir. Let the mixture simmer for 40-50 minutes or until the sauce has reduced by about half and is thick and syrupy. Don’t let it boil over.
I never feel right if I don’t leave you with a good dessert, so here is a quick twist on a classic to pop on the grill. S’mores are as popular as any outdoor recipe ever, but for a fun twist, try making them in a soft tortilla shell. When I make them, I use either mini marshmallows or I’ll spread Fluffernutter on the insides, add your chocolate and add a Graham cracker or 2 and fold, then lightly brush one side with oil. Lay The oiled side down on the grill over a low heat, then brush oil on the top and close the lid for a few minutes, peeking periodically making sure not to burn, although you should be fine if the grill is on low. Flip after a couple of minutes and close things back up and again babysit so as not to burn. Everyone will love them.
Hope these recipes help in your first, or next grilling session of the summer season. Next week, we’ll chat some fun ideas for Bike Week. Until then, keep those taste buds smiling and if you care to reach out with any questions or feedback, find me at fenwaysox10@ gmail.com.
Through May 31, Spring Shuffle: Walk, Shuffle, or Run from the Pub!, 5-6:15 pm, every Wed. until May 31, Patrick’s Pub event to benefit Lakes Region Children’s Auction, Gilford, www.patrickspub.com/the-shuffle.
Through June 4, Interiors exhibit, new works by Cilla Sheehan and Carole Groenke, The Galleries at 30 Main, Meredith, 279-0557, www.thegalleriesat30main.com.
Through June 10, Remick Farm Tour, 10 am & 1 pm, every Fri. & Sat. 5/206/10, Remick Country Doctor Farm & Museum, 58 Cleveland Hill Rd., Tamworth, pre-register: 323-7591, www.remickmuseum.org
Through June 15, Pvt. Charles J. Miller, WWII Paintings from the South Pacific, Wright Museum of WWII, 77 Center St., Wolfeboro, info/tickets: 5691212.
Through June 30, Robert Gordon Show & Sale, to honor the late Robert Gordon—well-known both locally and afar, paintings for sale. Open 10-5 Wed.Mon., ArtWorks Gallery, 132 Rt. 16, Chocorua, 323-8041, www.chocoruaartworks.com
May 27-29, Annual Memorial Day Weekend Craft Festival, Castleberry Fairs, Mill Falls Marketplace, Meredith, 312 Daniel Webster Highway, Meredith, www.castleberryfairs.com.
May 27-29, Community Yard Sale, Ossipee, Effingham & surrounding areas, recdept@ossipee.org.
May 28 & 29, Back in the Saddle at the Castle, equine events, Castle in the Clouds, Rt. 171, Moultonborough, 476-5900, www.castleintheclouds.org.
May 29, Alton Memorial Day Observances, parade line up 9:30 am in Monument Square, downtown Alton, proceed to Riverside Cemetery at 10 am, back to Monument Square, refreshments following at Post 72, Alton, 875-2161.
May 29, Bristol Memorial Day Parade, step off at 9:30 am at Freudenberg-NOK parking lot on Route 104, Bristol, proceed to Newfound Middle School, Lake St., 744-8810.
May 29, Center Harbor Memorial Day Parade, gather at 11:45 am at Chase Circle, parade begins at noon, with services, band music, 455-1632.
May 29, Gilford Memorial Day Parade, gather at Gilford Community Church, Potter Hill Rd., Gilford at 9:45 am, proceed to Pine Grove Cemetery for services, 527-4700.
May 29, Laconia Memorial Day Remembrance, 11 am, Veteran’s Square, Laconia, wreath laying, speakers. Remembrance will be followed by a free luncheon, public welcome, at American Legion, 849 Main St., Laconia, 524-9728.
May 29, Learn to Weave, 6:30-8:30 pm, Makers Mill, 23 Bay St., Wolfeboro, pre-register: 569-1500, www.makersmill.org
May 29, Meredith Memorial Day Observances, 8 am program in Oakland Cemetery followed by ceremony at Meredith Village Cemetery. Parade line up at starts at 9:30 am at American Legion, Plymouth St., Meredith, proceeds to Hesky Park.
May 29, Moultonborough Parade and Remembrance, parade will gather at elementary school on Blake Rd., proceed to Moultonborough Town Hall, 6 Holland St. for service, 476-8868.
May 29, Plymouth Memorial Day Parade, 10:30 am, start at Plymouth Town Hall, 6 Post Office Square, Plymouth, kbaudin@pemibaker.org
May 29, Solar Gazing, noon-4 pm, free, Castle in the Clouds, Rt. 171, Moultonborough, registration: 476-5900, www.castleintheclouds.org. (Every Mon. through Aug. 28)
May 29, Wolfeboro Memorial Day Parade, gather at 8:45 am in Brewster Field, 9 am proceed to Main St., Wolfeboro for observances, 703-798-8978.
May 30, Watercolor Workshop: Landscapes, 5-week class, 6:30-9 pm, taught by artist Cate Poole, Makers Mill, 23 Bay St., Wolfeboro, pre-register: 5691500, www.makersmill.org. Also takes place June 6, 13, 20 and 27. (Age 18 and up.)
May 31, Beginning Drawing – From Line to Structure, with Kathryn Field, 10 am-4 pm, beginner child or adult class, League of NH Craftsmen, Center Sandwich Fine Craft Gallery, 32 Main St., Sandwich, 284-6831, https://centersandwich.nhcrafts.org/
May 31, Fairies Need Wands, 10-11:30 am, pre-K accompanied by adult, Prescott Farm Environmental Education Center, 928 White Oaks Rd., Laconia, pre-register: www.prescottfarm.org, 366-5695.
May 31, Industrial Sewing Machine, 7:45-8:45 pm, Makers Mill, 23 Bay St., Wolfeboro, pre-register: 569-1500, www.makersmill.org
May 31, Janome Sewing Class, 6:30-7:30 pm, Makers Mill, 23 Bay St., Wolfeboro, pre-register: 569-1500, www.makersmill.org
May 31, Katie Dobbins Music & Hermit Woods Winery Present Songwriter Roundup, 6-8:30 pm, admission charged, Hermit Woods Winery & Eatery, 72 Main St., Meredith, 253-7968, www.hermitwoods.com
May 31, Strafford Wind Symphony presents Nature, 7 pm, Rochester Opera House, 31 Wakefield St., Rochester, info/tickets: 335-1992, www.rochesteroperahouse.com.
your guide to what’s happening in NH’s Lakes Region...
What’s UP
May 31, Volunteer with Trail Fixing Collective, meet at Old Bridle Path trailhead, 9 am-noon, pre-register: 968-7336, Squam Lakes Assoc., Holderness, www.squamlakes.org.
June 1, Bruce Cockburn with special guest Dar Williams, 7:30 pm, Flying Monkey Movie & Performance Center, 39 S. Main St., Plymouth, tickets/ www. flyingmonkeynh.com, 536-2551.
June 1, Geneva Point Center Discussion Talk with Peter Claypoole, 6:307:30 pm, Moultonborough Library, 4 Holland St., 476-8895, www.moultonboroughlibrary.org
June 1, Land, People and Property Tour, 10:30 am-noon, Castle in the Clouds, Rt. 171, Moultonborough, registration required: 476-5900, www.castleintheclouds.org
June 1, Let’s Meet at Gunstock Mt. Resort, 4-6 pm, business networking, free, 719 Cherry Valley Rd., Gilford, by Lakes Region Chamber of Commerce, www.lakesregionchamber.org
June 1, Mah Jong for Beginners, 10:30 am-12:30 pm, Wolfeboro Community Senior Center, 5 Lehner St., Wolfeboro, 5 consecutive Thursdays, pre-registration a must, call Deborah at 832-4256, coordinator@wolfeboroseniorcenter.org.
June 1, Speaker Series – A Year in the Life of a Honeybee, 7-9 pm, Prescott Farm Environmental Education Center, 928 White Oaks Rd., Laconia, www. prescottfarm.org, 366-5695.
June 1, Watercolor Workshop, 1-3 pm, Castle in the Clouds, Rt. 171, Moultonborough, registration: pre-registration required: 476-5900, www.castleintheclouds.org
June 1-18, Kirkwood Gardens Plant Sale, Kirkwood Gardens, Squam Lakes Natural Science Center, 900 U.S. Rt. 3., Holderness, 968-7194, www.nhnature. org
June 1-30, FABRICate, exhibit by four fiber artists, 10 am-5 pm, League of NH Craftsmen, 279 Daniel Webster Highway, Meredith, 279-7920, www.meredith.nhcrafts.org
June 2, Book & Author Luncheon, author talks by Hank Phillippi Ryan and Julie Carrick Dalton, Bald Peak Colony Club, Moultonborough, for Wolfeboro Public Library, reserve: 569-www.wolfeborolibrary.org.569-2428.
June 2, Opening Reception, 5-7 pm, a show to honor the late Robert Gordon— well-known both locally and afar, paintings for sale thru end of June. ArtWorks Gallery & Fine Crafts, 132 Rt. 16, Chocorua, 323-8041, www.chocoruaartworks.com
June 2, Carter Mt. Brass Band concert, 6-8 pm, free, Belknap Mill, held in Rotary Park (next to the Mill), bring lawn chair or blanket for seating, Beacon St. East, Laconia, 524-8813.
June 2, Walker Hayes, 6:30 pm, Bank of NH Pavilion, Gilford, 293-4700, www.banknhpavilion.com.
June 2 & 3, John Davidson at Club Sandwich, 7-9 pm, 12 Main St., Center Sandwich, admission: https://www.johndavidson.com/weekendshows
June 2, 3, 7, 9 & 10, Spring Hike with a Goat, 9 am, Remick Country Doctor Farm & Museum, 58 Cleveland Hill Rd., Tamworth, pre-register: 323-7591, www.remickmuseum.org
June 3, 4th Annual Winnipesaukee Volleyball Classic, 10 am, Akwa Marina Yacht Club, 95 Centenary Ave., Laconia, 276-2418, http://www.volleyballclassic.org.
June 3, Alton Town Wide Yard Sale, 8 am-2 pm, yard sales all over Alton, 875-0109.
June 3, Altrusa Plant Sale and Calendar Raffle, 9 am-noon, Cook Memorial Library, 93 Main St., Tamworth, 323-8510, www.tamworthlibrary.org.
June 3, Annual Bird Breeding Census, 5:30-9:30 am, Squam Lakes Natural Science Center, 23 Science Center Rd., Holderness, pre-register: www.nhnature.org, 968-7194.
June 3, Beginner Pastels Series, 10 am-noon, Makers Mill, 23 Bay St., Wolfeboro, pre-register: 569-1500, www.makersmill.org
June 3, Create a Float Glass Dish with Lynne Haust, noon-2 pm, League of NH Craftsmen, 279 Daniel Webster Highway, Meredith, pre-register: 279-7920, https://meredith.nhcrafts.org/
June 3, Garden Play Festival, 1-3 pm, all ages, Laconia Public Library, 695 Main St., Laconia, 524-4775, www.laconialibrary.org.
June 3, Garden to Table – Easy Composting, 10 am-noon, Prescott Farm Environmental Education Center, 928 White Oaks Road, Laconia, www. prescottfarm.org. Call ahead for pre-registration: 366-5695.
June 3, Hubcaps at Yard Art, 1-3:30 pm, Makers Mill, 23 Bay St., Wolfeboro, pre-register: 569-1500, www.makersmill.org
June 3, Jump in Time, 2 & 7 pm, Franklin Opera House, 316 Central St., Franklin, 934-1901, www.franklinoperahouse.org
June 3, King Pine Triathlon, Duathlon and Aquabike, 7 am, King Pine Ski Area, 1251 Eaton Rd., Madison, info: 367-8896.
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June 3, Make a Float Glass Dish with Lynn Haust, noon-2 pm, League of NH Craftsmen 279 Daniel Webster Highway, Meredith, info/register: 279-7920, https://meredith.nhcrafts.org/
June 3, Plant Sale and Herb and Garden Day, 9 am-4 pm, Mt. Kearsarge Indian Museum, 18 Highlawn Rd., Warner, 456-2600, www.indianmuseum.org.
Adult Oil Painting, Mondays, 9 am-noon, no experience necessary, drop-in group, Ossipee Town Hall, Ossipee, Pat Jones: pjonesossipee3@gmail.com.
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Barnstead Farmers Market, Saturdays from 9 am-1 pm, food, crafts, music, 1 West Parade Rd. in Barnstead, www.barnsteadfaramersmarket.com.
Belknap Mill, 25 Beacon St. East, Laconia, gallery and textile museum, events and programs, 524-8813, www.belknapmill.org.
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Bristol Farmers Market, 10 am-2 pm, Millstream Park, Rt. 3A, Bristol, info: 273-1058.
Canterbury Community Farmers Market, 4-6:30 pm, next to Elkins Library, Canterbury, baked goods, produce, crafts, live music, www.canterburyfarmersmarket.com.
Canterbury Shaker Village, tours, programs, Shaker Rd., Canterbury, 7839511, www.shakers.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
Castle in the Clouds, Rt. 171, Moultonborough, 476-5900, www.castleintheclouds.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/ www.chocorualake.org.
Country Village Quilt Guild, meets first and third Wednesday of each month, 1:30-3:30 pm, Public Safety Building (back entrance to Police and Fire Dept.), Rt. 25, Moultonborough. Schedule/ countryvillagequilters@yahoo.com
Dam Brewhouse, monthly events, 1323 NH Rt. 175, Campton, 726-4500, www.dambrewhouse.com.
Drawing with Tom Hitchcock, 10 am-noon, class open to all aspiring artists age 12 and up, pre-register: 496-6768, Lakes Region Art Assoc. Gallery, Suite 300, Tanger Outlet, 120 Laconia Rd., Tilton.
Farmington Farmers Market, Saturdays, May-Oct., 8:30 am-noon, behind TD Bank North, corner of Central & Main St., fresh local foods, 859-2551, barrons@worldpath.net
Franklin Community Farmers Market, 3-6 pm, Tues. July-Sept., 206 Central St., Franklin, produce, food, crafts, live music, 934-3229, www.uucfranklin.org.
Garden Tour, 9:30-10:30 am on Fridays, also first & third Saturdays monthly from June 2-Oct. 7, Castle in the Clouds, Rt. 171, Moultonborough, pre-registration required: 476-5900, www.castleintheclouds.org
Gilmanton Farmers Market, Sundays 11 am-2 pm, local vegetables, flowers, plants, crafts, baked goods, live music and more, 1385 NH 140, on lawn of Gilmanton Year Round Library, Gilmanton Iron Works, www.gilmantonfarmersmarket.com
In the Round, Sundays, 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, 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
Lake Winnipesaukee Sailing Association, youth and adult sailing lessons, sailing competitions, Gilford, www.lwsa.org, 589-1177.
Lakes Region Art Association, exhibits and classes, Suite 300, Tanger Outlet, Rt. 3, Tilton, 998-0029, www.lraanh.org
Land, People & Property, Thursdays from June 1-Sept. 28, 110:30 an-noon, walk around Castle in the Clouds grounds, learn about history of the property with guide, Rt. 171, Moultonborough, registration required: 476-5900, www. castleintheclouds.org.
Laverack Nature Trail at Hawkins Brook, nature trail on boardwalk, free, trail starts to the left of Meredith Village Savings Bank, Rt. 25, Meredith, 2799015.
League of NH Craftsmen Meredith Fine Craft Gallery, handmade crafts and art for sale, workshops, 279 Daniel Webster Highway, Meredith, hours: 2797920.
Live Music, at Gilmanton Farmers Market, Sundays 11 am-2 pm, 1385 NH 140, on lawn of Gilmanton Year Round Library, Gilmanton Iron Works, www.gilmantonfarmersmarket.com
Loon Center, walking trails, loon displays/info., 183 Lees Mill Rd., Moultonboro, 476-5666, www.loon.org
Lunchbox-Paintbox, with artist Larry Frates, noon-12:30 pm, first Wed. of each month, http://www.facebook.com/arttoyouwithlarry. Belknap Mill, 524-8813, www.belknapmill.org.
Model Yachting - Back Bay Skippers, meets every Tues. & Thurs., 1-4 pm, model yacht group, spectators welcome, Cotton Valley Rail Trail, Glendon St., Wolfeboro, May-Oct., info: NH Boat Museum, 569-4554.
Molly the Trolley, 569-1080, take tours/rides of Wolfeboro area aboard the fun trolley, info/schedules: www.wolfeborotrolley.com
Monthly Fiber Mingle, 7 pm, bring your own fiber arts project to work on, Makers Mill, 23 Bay St., Wolfeboro, 569-1500, www.makersmill.org
M/S Mount Washington Cruises, narrated cruises of Lake Winnipesaukee, day & evening cruises, M/S Mount Washington, 211 Lakeside Ave., Weirs Beach, 366-BOAT, www.cruisenh.com
Newfound Lake Eco-Tours, informative/scientific tours of Newfound Lake, Newfound Lake Association, www.newfoundlake.org, call for hours/dates of operation: 744-8689.
New Durham Farmers Market, May-mid Oct., 1-6 pm, Depot Rd. next to Post Office, New Durham, 515-1249, www.newdurhamfarmersmarket.com
New England Racing Museum, 922 NH Rt. 106 N., Loudon, www.NEMSMUSEUM.com
NH Boat Museum, boating exhibits, programs, boat building workshops, 399 Center St., Wolfeboro, call for opening day/hours: 569-4554, www.nhbm.org
NH Farm Museum, old-time farm events, tours, 1305 White Mt. Highway, Milton, 652-7840, www.nhfarmmuseum.org
Outdoor Nature Based Storytime for Young Children, Tuesdays, 10:30-1:30 am, Cook Memorial Library, 93 Main St., Tamworth, 323-8510, www.tamworthlibrary.org.
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/ 539-6390.
Remick Country Doctor Museum & Farm, events, tours, 58 Cleveland Hill Rd., Tamworth, 323-7591, www.remickmuseum.org.
Sculpture Walk, tours of outdoor sculptures around downtown/lakeside areas of Meredith, free, Greater Meredith Program, maps/ 279-9015.
Solar Gazing, noon-4 pm, free, Castle in the Clouds, Rt. 171, Moultonborough, registration: 476-5900, www.castleintheclouds.org. (Every Mon. through Aug. 28)
Song and Jam Circle, community created jams and song circle, 3rd Monday of each month, Runnells Hall, 25 Deer Hill Rd., Tamworth, free, bring your favorite instruments, Arts Council of Tamworth, 584-2712, www.artstamworth.org
Squam Lake Cruises, family/educational cruises to look for loons, & wildlife, Squam Lakes Natural Science Center, Holderness, www.nhnature.org, call for hours/dates of operation: 968-7194. (Cruises include Discover Squam Cruise daily 1-2:30 pm, Bald Eagle Adventure Tuesdays 3-4:30 pm, Loon Cruise 3-4:30 pm Mondays & Fridays)
Squam Lakes Natural Science Center, exhibits, nature trails, events, cruises, 23 Science Center Rd., Holderness, 968-7194, www.nhnature.org
Tamworth Farmer’s Market, Saturdays, 10 am-noon, 30 Tamworth Road, Tamworth, info: www.tamworthfarmersmarket.org
Tamworth History Center, 25 Great Hill Rd., Tamworth, contact for open hours: www.tamworthhistorycenter.org
Tuftonboro Country Bluegrass and Gospel Jam, every Tues., 6:30-9:30 pm, donation requested, Old White Church, Rt. 109A, Center Tuftonboro, across from Tuftonboro General Store, 569-3861.
Wakefield/Brookfield Historical Society, meetings the second Tues. of each month from May-Oct., most meetings held at Schoolhouse, 2851 Wakefield Rd., with Oct. meeting held at Brookfield Town House, all programs on the history of Wakefield/Brookfield, everyone welcome to attend, 522-6713.
Wolfeboro Farmers Market, Thursdays until Oct. 26, noon-3:30 pm, local farmraised meat, vegetables, fresh fish, fruit, eggs, baked goods, flowers, maple syrup, honey and a variety of artisanal products, held at The Nick, 10 Trotting Track Rd., Wolfeboro, 391-5661, wolfeborofarmersmarket@gmail.com.
Wright Museum of WWII, exhibits and lectures on life on the home front during WWII, 77 Center St., Wolfeboro, 569-1212, www.wrightmuseum.org
FABRICate...
A collection of work by four of our fiber artists.
June 1- 30
Outdoor Summer Adventure at Gunstock Begins
Gunstock Mountain Resort’s award-winning Adventure Park and 250-site campground are scheduled to open for the season on May 27. Gunstock’s Adventure Park includes scenic chairlift rides, a mountain coaster, zipline tours and aerial treetop challenge courses. Early season hours of operation will be 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on weekends only through June 28, then operating until 4 p.m. every Thursday through Sunday until early September. Gunstock’s campground will be operating daily from May 27 through October 15.
“People who only know Gunstock as a winter sports resort are often surprised to discover that we’re a favorite
summer attraction too,” said Gunstock Resort President and General Manager Tom Day. “Gunstock is loved by Lakes Region visitors and residents alike. Accolades earned again this year include New Hampshire Magazine’s Readers’ Poll that named Gunstock a Best of NH winner, declaring it the best Summer Outdoor Attraction in the Lakes Region.”
Gunstock’s Adventure Park caters to thrill-seeking visitors of varying degrees. On the softer side of adventure, there’s a scenic chairlift ride on the Panorama chairlift. Each chair is like a flying park bench that accommodates a maximum of four passengers. The chair, equipped with a safety restrain-
ing bar, is securely fixed to an overhead cable for a smooth ride to the mountain top. At the summit, guests can wander around on their own, enjoy the amazing views of Lake Winnipesaukee and the beautiful White Mountains beyond, then make the return trip whenever they like. Gunstock’s scenic chairlift ride offers a distinctive and memorable outdoor experience for every visitor.
Also ranking among the resort’s tamer adventures, Gunstock’s Mountain Coaster is a roller-coaster-like experience on an open toboggan that can accommodate a single passenger or two riders. Anticipation builds as the cart climbs uphill, and eventually yields to gravity for an exciting ride through curves and bank turns that follow the mountain’s natural contours, varied with steep sections in combination with twisters and camelbacks. Independent speed control by operating the brake lever allows the driver to determine their own rate of speed throughout the descent.
For greater thrills, Gunstocks’ popular ZipTour and Aerial Treetop Adventure fit the bill. Visitors soar above the trees from peak to peak, and peak to base, traveling over a combined 1.6 miles on one of the longest zipline tours in the continental United States. This hour-and-a-half-plus excursion is a journey through nature with an adrenaline rush. Participants can control their speed using a brake or let it rip and approach a speed of 70 mph.
Constructed among the trees, Gun-
stock’s Aerial Treetop Adventure is New England’s largest aerial obstacle course. A total of 90 varied challenges are securely suspended within the trees in eight high ropes courses, including the Explorer Course just for kids. Some examples of the features include log ladders, swinging bridges, seesaws, and, of course, ziplines. Participants are fitted with safety harnesses and provided with belay system training at the start of their treetop quest.
When searching for refreshment between adventures, guests can select The Patio, Gunstock’s scenic outdoor full-service restaurant or The Snack Shack for quick grab-and-go options. Camping season at Gunstock is slated to begin on May 27 too. Gunstock Mountain Resort’s campground places guests in the heart of New Hampshire’s Lakes Region, close to the shores of Lake Winnipesaukee and nestled into the base of the Belknap Mountains. Wooded and open field sites with fire rings and picnic tables serve as home base for guests who enjoy overnight accommodations in a natural setting with easy access to amenities: a camp store, swimming pool, dog park, bath houses, hiking and biking trails, a fishing pond, and Gunstock’s Adventure Park. Gunstock campers receive a discount on Adventure Park activities during their stay.
Visit gunstock.com or call (603) 2934341 for more information or to book a visit to Gunstock Mountain Resort this summer.
Where the Lakes Region Clicks!
Meredith League Craft Classes in June
Saturday, June 3rd, from 12:00 pm to 2:00 pm for a float glass dish with artist Lynn Haust. In this class, students will make several soap dishes, bowls, and/ or plates from recycled float glass. Cut your own shapes or use precut glass for your pieces. The glass is a pretty light aqua color and adds other colors from float fit (small color pieces of glass). Tuition is $80 per student.
Sunday, June 4th, from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm for a beginner stained glass class Spring Blossoms with juried artist Susanna Ries. Explore the glass world in a fast-paced workshop at The League of NH Craftsmen Meredith Fine Craft Gallery on Saturday, June 4th, 2023, from 9 am – 4 pm. This high-paced class will have you cutting, copper foiling, soldering, and framing a stainedglass panel in one day. Choose your own design from spring flower patterns supplied by the instructor. Each pattern has 12 pieces and can be used as a sun catcher or a small hanging panel. Tuition is $35.00 per student with an additional materials fee of $45.00 paid to
the instructor at the time of the class.
Saturday June 24th, from 10:30 am to 4:30 pm to learn make your own silver pendant with a bezel-set stone in this class with League-juried artist, Joy Raskin. Students will make a simple silver pendant with a silver bezel setting, and set a cabochon stone. Tuition is $75.00 per student, and the material fee is between $10.00 - $40.00 (The cost of silver and gemstones varies).
Saturday June 25th, from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm to learn make your own shadow box with League-juried artist, Patsy Fraiser. Focus on the fun of needle felt-
Castle in the Clouds Launches New Field Trips
Castle in the Clouds in Moultonborough is excited to offer new field trip opportunities for the first time since 2019. For the upcoming season beginning May 27th, the education team is ready to open our doors to school groups for full- and half-day programs that include a guided tour of Lucknow Mansion and a guided hike. The Castle Teacher Advisory Group (C-TAG), comprised of current teachers from as nearby as Moultonborough and as far away as Bow, have helped to fine-tune the school tours to ensure that they are a valuable experience for students. Field trips are currently being scheduled for the 2023 season and bus subsidies are
available.
“Our newly-envisioned field trips are customizable and can be tailored for students across all disciplines and grade levels,” shared Debbi Finkelstein, Director of Education & Partnerships, Castle in the Clouds. “The main tour is designed to support the middle-school curriculums in social studies and sciences, and we are continuing to develop learning outcomes to support curriculums for math, literature, the arts and more.”
Teachers interested in joining C-TAG can learn more about the group by visiting www.castleintheclouds.org/c-tag/.
ing an adorable 5 x 5 shadow box that can sit on your shelf or hang on the wall. Create a background and a foreground, then pull them together to make a creative scene. Bring your own inspiration or use some of the great ones supplied in class. This class is good for those new to needle felting, but all skill levels are welcome. Tuition is $40.00 per student with an additional materials fee of $20.00 paid to the instructor at the time of the class.
To register or inquire about these classes, call us at (603) 279-7920 or stop into the gallery at 279 Daniel Web-
ster Highway, Meredith, NH.
For more details, visit our website at meredith.nhcrafts.org and our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/ nhcraft/
The League of NH Craftsmen is a non-profit organization that encourages and promotes the creation, use and preservation of fine contemporary and traditional hand craft. The League represents the signature of excellence in fine craft, through the work of its juried members, and its rigorous standards for self-expression, vision, and quality craftsmanship.
Science Center Offers Family Access Membership
Squam Lakes Natural Science Center will once again offer New Hampshire families receiving food assistance benefits (SNAP) a reduced-cost membership for the 2023 season. The Family Access Membership is $25 and includes the same benefits of a six-person Science Center membership for the duration of the season. Benefits include free admission to trails and exhibits; discounted extra guest trail admission; discounted programs and lake cruises for the member and guests; subscription to Tracks & Trails newsletter; 10% discount at the Howling Coyote Gift Shop; 15% discount for facility rentals; reciprocal admission to participating
nature centers through the Association of Nature Center Administrators; and special benefits are regional attractions throughout the season.
Eligible families can purchase the Family Access Membership by visiting the Admissions office at the Science Center from May 1 through November
1. A current EBT card and photo ID are required to purchase the membership
The Family Access Membership program is generously sponsored by Dead River Company, MLK & Company, and NH Electric Co-op Foundation. Learn more about Squam Lakes Natural Science Center at nhnature.org or 603-968-7194 x146.
Nongame Species Annual Appeal
The New Hampshire Fish and Game Department’s Nongame and Endangered Wildlife Program has worked tirelessly to restore endangered species in New Hampshire, but these victories would not be possible without the support of Granite State residents and visitors. Tomorrow, on National Endangered Species Day, the Program reminds supporters to contribute to the 2023 Annual Appeal. The State of New Hampshire offers a $100,000 challenge grant to fund the work of the Nongame and Endangered Wildlife Program, but to qualify the program must raise an equal amount in private contributions by June 30, 2023. These funds are also critical to meet federal grant-matching requirements. Visit www.wildnh.com/ nongame to donate.
There are currently 51 species on the New Hampshire threatened and endangered wildlife list. Of these, 12 are also protected by the U.S. Endangered Species Act. The New Hampshire Fish and Game Department works in partnership with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, other federal and state agencies, non-governmental organizations,
volunteers, and landowners to conserve and recover these species. As one example, bald eagles have been delisted on both the state and federal endangered wildlife lists as a result of these strong partnership efforts. With continued public support through private donations, the Department’s Nongame and Endangered Wildlife Program
NOT JUST A GRAIN STORE...
has led efforts that have successfully worked toward the restoration of populations such as piping plovers, Canada lynx, and a variety of terns.
“Once a species is imperiled to the point that it is listed as endangered, recovery is often difficult and can take many years,” said Nongame and Endangered Wildlife Program Supervisor Mike Marchand. “We are thrilled that bald eagles are now recovered in both New Hampshire and across the country and that we are having success recovering other species.” In addition to the effort invested in recovering federally endangered species, the Nongame and Endangered Wildlife Program and partners are investing in conserving a large number of species, before federal listing is warranted, such as Blanding’s
and spotted turtles. The NH Wildlife Action Plan identifies actions necessary to conserve 169 species in greatest need of conservation, along with the diverse habitats in which they exist.
Last year was a record-setting summer for the state-endangered and federally threatened piping plovers nesting on Hampton and Seabrook Beaches. The thirteen pairs of birds recorded represented best ever numbers not seen since the project began in 1997. However, the season also included several challenges to the developing chicks, demonstrating the importance of NH Fish and Game biological monitors and trained volunteers. NH Fish and Game biologists monitor piping plover breeding activity on the beaches, protect nests with exclosure fencing, and educate the public about the species. Conservation efforts by many partners, and the cooperation of beachgoers, have helped the piping plover population reach close to 2,000 pairs along the Atlantic Coast since the bird was listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act in 1986. To learn more about New Hampshire’s Piping Plover Project visit: www.wildnh.com/nongame/ project-plover.html.
To help restore species such as the piping plovers, Canada lynx, and others, the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department is asking the public to support its 2023 appeal for its Nongame and Endangered Wildlife Program. Visit www.wildnh.com/nongame to learn more about the program and to donate.
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Lots Happening at Goodhue Boat Company
This boating season is going to be an exciting one for Goodhue Boat Company. Goodhue acquired Panther Run Marina on Sebago Lake in Raymond, Maine in March of this year, while also working diligently on the recent launch of Lake Life Experience: A Goodhue Boat Company, which is the company’s new lifestyle brand that will focus on retail and Fliteboard lessons. Goodhue Boat Company is also gearing up for the launch of its brand-new Goodhue Boat Club at all five locations. With these expansions come added team members, coordination for these new projects, and most importantly: more experience opportunities for customers.
“The strength and growth of Goodhue Boat Company over the last five years really comes from three sources. We have the best team in the business that focuses on the customer and our core values. We have the best waterfront locations on beautiful lakes. And finally, we partner with only industry-leading manufacturers and vendors that share our interest in premium products and exceptional customer experiences.” Said Cody Gray, VP of Operations. “These three ingredients have guided us to also look to the future of outdoor recreation and consider how people enjoy the water with their family and friends. The reality is that some of the traditional ways we access and use water don’t work for everyone. For example, some people want to see the water solo from a personal mobility perspective on an efoil. Some may be interested in renting a boat for a day or even just taking a guided tour of part of the lake. And for others, they want a more traditional boating experience
without all the costs and work of boat ownership. Our new Boat Club might be a good fit for them. Ultimately our marina locations offer the products, services, and access that allow us to truly experience the lake lifestyle.”
The new boat club Goodhue has built with Carefree Boat Club truly gives members the opportunity to enjoy the water without the cost of ownership. With on-the-water training for all new members regardless of experience, the goal is to get people on the water with safety as a top priority. Members will have unlimited access to multiple boats at all Goodhue Boat Company locations, as well as reciprocity with over 100 other Carefree Boat Club locations across the globe. For more information on the boat club, visit goodhueboat. com/boatclub.
The acquisition of Panther Run Marina on Sebago Lake has been an exciting time for the company. The new location is managed by the great Captain Bob Adams. With a colorful background in the boating industry, his pledge is to deliver a premium customer experience to every client and customer. Adams was previously a USCG Master Boat Captain with experience as a coastal cruise boat captain, resort marina manager, and as a leader with large outdoor retailers. You can find him enjoying the lifestyle one finds on the water fishing, scuba diving, and boating. If you get the chance to visit Maine this summer, make sure to swing by and say hello to the Panther Run crew!
Peter Curless is the General Sales Manager at the new Panther Run location and wrote this on looking forward to the 2023 boating season: “When you
think about Goodhue Boat Company at Panther Run a key phrase is commonly heard and emphasized within our team of professionals. That phrase and focus is delivering a life-enhancing experience for our customers. We want you to enjoy your journey with our team every step of the way. We can support you with our customer-first focus on Sales, F&I, Service, Parts, Pro-Shop, Rentals, and Boat Club. Located in the heart of Sebago Lake allows us to partner with our community on a local level as well as supporting you at the state level as the only Cobalt Dealer in Maine. Stop by, say hello, and let us earn your business the right way.”
As for Lake Life Experience, Good-
hue Boat Company is bringing lake life to a new level with Fliteboard efoils. Fliteboards are noise, emission, and wake free boards that allow users to fly above the water. Lake Life Experience will be offering Fliteboard lessons this summer out of the Wolfeboro, NH location, which can be booked online at shop.goodhueboat.com.
Goodhue Boat Company will be offering some free events this summer to get you out on the water. Join the Goodhue and Lake Life Experience crew on Thursdays for Ladies Surf Night and on Fridays for Foil Fridays! For more information or to sign up, visit goodhueboat.com/events
Lakes Mountains Seacoast
Serenity at The Red Barn Studio and Gallery
By Kathi Caldwell-HopperStaying indoors when good weather is upon us seems wrong, so I decided to relax and drive north on a sunny weekday in May and was very glad I did so when I ended up in Campton, just north of Plymouth.
I didn’t know much about Campton, except it is near Waterville Valley and an area with restaurants here, there and everywhere. I traveled up I-93 north, from the New Hampton area and turned onto Rt. 175 in Campton (by the intersection/lights).
With no real plan in mind, I decided to take a right into Campton Village. The winding road was pretty and eventually led to the elementary school and directly across the street, an old and beautifully kept home with a red barn. I saw a wooden sandwich-style sign on the lawn of the home, telling me this was the Red Barn Studio and Gallery.
It was open on this particular Thursday, so I decided, on a whim, to visit.
I love art galleries and especially ones in unexpected places such as in a barn, off the beaten path. I parked in the driveway and saw a little stone path to the side entrance of the barn, where the studio/shop was located. On the sunny day, it was beautiful and peaceful in the yard, with a breeze blowing and flowers blooming along the path. The well-tended garden was green, and I thought that someone – the home’s owner – must spend a lot of time nurturing the property.
Entering the barn’s door, I was in a small entryway, and the traces of the old structure were evident with the wooden walls and beams above me on the barn’s roofline. I entered the shop and was delighted with what I saw: Paintings - beautiful paintings – displayed on the walls. It was bright and
cheery in the cozy gallery, and I felt the warmth of being surrounded by artwork and the friendly welcome of artist/owner Paula Scott-Moriarty.
Paula is the artist/owner of the gallery, and it takes her but a few minutes to start talking about artwork and her paintings. Sitting on her lap while we talk is her tiny and adorable mixedbreed dog. The dog is a beloved companion of Paula’s, and I can’t think of anything better than having the little dog as a companion in the gallery.
The paintings on display are framed thoughtfully some are winter scenes, while others are brilliant summer landscapes. Speaking of her painting process, Paula explains, “I take reference photos and then work on paintings in my studio. I work in acrylic paint and watercolors. The scenes are mostly local, and some are from scenes in Colorado where my daughter lives.”
Also for sale and hanging on the walls are smaller paintings of Cape Cod scenes, and all testify to the skill
• Day Tripping continued on page 24
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Laconia: 4BR/4BA, 2,678 sf. detached ranch at Holiday Bay with an attached 2-car garage that has been meticulously maintained and updated. Enjoy the beautiful beach and day docking on Lake Winnipesaukee. The back deck over looks the inground swimming pool. $769,000 MLS# 4952515
Loudon: 3BR/2BA, 2,652 sf. ranch home located in a quiet neighborhood close to Concord. The first floor is ADA accessible with a step-free entrance and adapted bathroom. The perfect balance between rural charm and city conveniences. $435,000 MLS# 4953074
Moultonborough: 3BR/2BA, 1,334 sf. Lake Winnipesaukee water access home in West Point Association only a short walk away from the beach. Amenities include playground, tennis court, basketball court, and boat slips/moorings by seniority. $542,500 MLS# 4953151
Center Harbor: 4BR/3BA, 3,144 sf. modern Colonial Williamsburg reproduction on 7.93 acres of heaven. This hilltop home situated in a neighborhood of fine homes, historic farms, and Squam Lake waterfront walking trails. Only 5 minutes from downtown Meredith. $1,100,000 MLS# 4933671
Laconia: 2BR/2BA, 1,320 sf. end unit condo with lake and mountain views. Vacation here while bringing in rental income. Cedar Lodge amenities have recently been upgraded including: pool, jacuzzi, basketball court and gym. Ample parking for your boat or RV. $349,900 MLS# 4953245
Moultonborough: Rare 0.92 acre lot in Suissevale on a paved road that borders 3 streets. Great area with gorgeous Lake Winnipesaukee beach access, clubhouse, playground, tennis courts and boat launch. Large parking area for the beach and the marina. $115,000 MLS# 4952370
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Paula has with brush and paint. She also does a variety of drawings.
Paula and her husband found the home and property many years ago after she graduated from Plymouth State University. (She obtained a teaching degree with a specialty in art education.) After college, she decided to stay in the area and married. Looking for a home, they admired the Campton property, but it wasn’t for sale at the time. However, once the owner decided to sell, they purchased the home and moved in.
“It was built in 1900 and over the years, we have done work on the house and tended the yard,” Paula explains. Paula and her husband have lived at the home for 37 years, raising their three children there. She worked across the street at the elementary school as an art educator for years and retired only to
find she wanted to keep painting.
“I taught at the elementary school for 20 years and painted on the side when I could,” Paula says. “It was my husband who said I needed to open the studio and sell my work. He renovated the space in the barn into a small shop and I opened it in 2015. I have a studio upstairs where I work.”
While the shop might seem off the beaten path, Paula has a following of collectors and others that find their way to her door. She closes in January and February, deep in the winter but keeps busy working on paintings.
Paula also has discovered a totally different way to create, aside from her paintings. “A friend called and said she wanted to make something different for her family for Christmas. She said she had been collecting ‘stuff’ and wanted to make some environments with cloth, wood, acorns, twigs and other materials.”
Paula started to make the little ‘envi-
Both
ronments’ and found it a lot of fun. “I adore making them,” she says with a smile, pointing to an area in the gallery where little figures and environments are on display. It is an area where fantasy reigns and visitors to the shop are immediately drawn to the figures, which are reasonably priced and enticing to collect. The little woodland figures are dressed in materials made from sweaters, clothing and felt. Their hats perch on smiling wooden heads, their arms full of flowers and now and then holding something like an acorn or greenery.
A creature would be a great addition to any home year-round, but I can imagine them being especially charming at Christmas. “Buyers like to name them,” Paula says. “Since I started I have made about 800 of the pieces. Friends sometimes discover a piece of pretty fabric, or on a walk in the woods, find things to add to the creatures such as moss, branches, acorns and more.”
Art collectors love the gallery and the chance to purchase one or more paintings. Paula says her customers appreciate her work and one woman, from out of the area, returned to purchase more than one painting to add to her collection. It was thrilling for Paula to have someone appreciate her work in that way.
“I have friends who collect and some of my customers give my work as gifts. Painting is all about having fun, and I love to create artwork!”
In her studio, light streams in the big windows and Paula divided the big space into two areas: one where she creates the little woodland creatures. Within reach are supplies such as wool
fabric, cotton material, acorns and items collected in the woods, among other things.
At the other side of the studio, there is a large table where Paula can draw and paint. Natural light from the window is perfect as she creates, and nearby she can glance at her prized and favorite paintings from her personal collection. These are paintings from a memorable trip she took to France to take a workshop in Monet’s Garden. “A friend invited me to go with her to France to paint in Monet’s Garden. It was quite an experience; we were there 10 days. Each evening, we got to paint in the garden, which was a treat. That was in 2000.”
The workshop in France gave Paula a unique and memorable experience she will cherish forever, and the paintings from the trip will be in her collection forever.
Although she has not held painting classes, Paul says she would be open to giving a small class for one or two people, sharing her insights into creating beautiful paintings of the world around us.
Those who are looking for a chance to get away from the hustle and bustle must plan a trip to the Red Barn Studio and Gallery. You will find fine art and unique gifts, but most of all a serene and creative spirit in Paula, the owner of the special place where peace and beauty reign.
For information, visit www.facebook.com/redbarnstudio or call 603236-6133. The studio/shop is open Thursday to Saturday from 10 am to 4 pm. It is located at 1119 NH Rt. 175 in Campton (.08 mile south of the lights
Renowned Historian to Deliver Lecture at Museum
Wolfeboro, NH- The Wright Museum of WWII is excited to announce that Edward E. Gordon, Ph.D., a leading expert in World War II history will be delivering a lecture at the museum on June 6, 2023, at 7:00 pm, doors open at 6:30 pm. This event is open to the public and is expected to draw a large crowd of history enthusiasts.
Gordon is a highly respected scholar with decades of experience studying and writing about WWII. His work has been widely published in prestigious academic journals and he has authored 21 books. Dr. Gordon’s insights have contributed greatly to our understanding of history and his work has been praised for its depth, accuracy, and accessibility.
During the lecture, entitled “Divided on D-Day; How Conflicts and Rivalries Jeopardized the Allied Victory at Normandy,” Gordon will delve into the personal and national rivalries of the Allied Commanders, exploring their historical significance and shedding new light on this important aspect of the final year of the war. The lecture will be followed by a Q&A session, providing attendees with the opportunity to engage with Gordon directly.
“We are thrilled to welcome Dr. Gordon to our museum and to offer this opportunity to the community,” said Mike Cooper, Board Chair. “His extensive knowledge and passion for the impact of the D-Day Invasion make him
the ideal speaker for this event, and we are certain that attendees will come away with a deeper understanding and appreciation of this fascinating topic.”
Admission is $5 for members and $10 for non-members. Reservations are required and can be made online at www.wrightmuseum.org/lecture-series or by calling 603-569-1212. Don’t miss this opportunity to hear from one of the leading voices in the field of D-Day history. Lectures are held at the Wright Museum of WWII, 77 Center St. Wolfeboro, NH at 7:00 pm
For more information, please visit www.wrightmuseum.org or contact Donna Hamill at 603-569-1212 or donna.hamill@wrightmuseum.org
Meredith Historical Society Acquires Rare John Bond Swasey Account Book
Thanks to the generosity of its membership, the Meredith Historical Society recently acquired a very rare book for its archives. The volume is an Account book of Meredith Village pioneer John Bond Swasey who was instrumental in developing the Meredith mill yard in the very early 1800s. Swasey was one of the Village’s earliest store owners but is best known for developing the canal that led to
the expansion of the mill yard. The Account book covers the activities of his store from 1812 until 1825. Among other important insights in it, the book confirms that Swasey had entered into a partnership with Daniel Avery to develop the mill yard. Avery was a Gilmanton resident who in 1797 built the first dam on the Winnipesaukee River at what is now downtown Laconia. Avery also built the first cotton mill in
Laconia, which was part of Meredith and known in those days as Meredith Bridge.
“We are very grateful to our members for helping us acquire this special book for the Meredith Historical Society,” said Karen Thorndike, pres-
ident. “It’s a remarkable addition to our collection and shines new light on this amazing pioneer and the history of our Village. It’s extremely rare that a book of this nature would appear after so many decades. It makes one wonder what else might be out there.”
Invasive Green Sunfish Confirmed in NH
New Hampshire Fish and Game Department (NHFG) fisheries biologists have confirmed the presence of non-native, invasive green sunfish in the Piscataquog River downstream from the
Weare Reservoir, also known as Horace Lake, and at Waukewan Lake. In 2022, biologists at the NH Department of Environmental Services discovered three specimens in the Little Sugar River in
Charlestown. Green sunfish are a concern because they compete for habitat and food resources with the state’s native sunfish.
Green sunfish are members of the sunfish family, as are their native relatives the largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, bluegill, redbreast sunfish, and pumpkinseed among others. They can be found in a variety of habitats including lakes, ponds, rivers, and streams, and tolerate a wide range of environmental conditions. The native range of green sunfish includes much of the central United States east of the Rocky Mountains, including the Great Lakes and the Mississippi River basin. Their large mouth enables them to consume a wider variety of prey than native pumpkinseed or redbreast sunfish, and this advantage may allow them to out-
compete native species for food. They are now found in all 48 contiguous states.
Green sunfish are a popular aquarium fish often kept by hobbyists. This is likely the reason they have made their way into Granite State waters. Help us protect New Hampshire’s natural resources by not releasing any aquarium fish into the natural environment—it’s illegal and a threat to a variety of native wildlife.
Also, if you suspect you have caught a green sunfish, do not release it. Humanely terminate the fish, being careful to preserve its coloration and identifying characteristics. Take a clear photo, record the location, and email your findings to fisheries@wildlife. nh.gov
Makers Mill offers Upcycled Jewelry class with Emily O’Hara
In keeping with the founding principle of making the planet a more sustainable place, Makers Mill offers a fun and creative small step toward reducing the landfills: a lively class in making “Upcycled Jewelry” – the art of converting trash to treasures.
On June 3, 2023, join in for a fun and energetic day, where you will learn to create colorful and imaginative pieces of jewelry to wear or give as gifts. Using recycled materials otherwise destined for a landfill, such as aluminum cans, bits of wire, and beads, you will create colorful imaginative earrings, bracelets, necklaces, brooch pins, barrettes, bouquets, or other works of art. The only limit is your imagination. Go home with several finished pieces to show your friends! Materials will be provided or you can also bring your recycled aluminum cans and other bits and bobs you’ve been saving for such
an occasion. The class will run from 10am to 4pm and costs $90 for members and $115 for non-members.
This class is open to ages 13 plus. A limited number of scholarships are available for youth aged 13 – 17. For more information contact Carol Holyoake, Director of Programs & Events – Carol@MakersMill.org
Instructor, Emily O’Hara, recently taught this class to a sold-out audience at the Essex Peabody Museum, Salem, Massachusetts, during their recent Earth Day Celebrations. She is the sole proprietor of Silver Labyrinth Design where she creates one-of-a-kind or limited-edition jewelry, pieces for installations, and up-cycling designs www.silverlabyrinthdesign.com and Instagram @silverlabyrinthdesign.
More information about this class and the schedule of upcoming classes can be found online at makersmill.
org/events. Details about the different ways to use the makerspace, including membership, are found at makersmill. org/membership. To stay in touch with all upcoming activities at Makers Mill, check the “Sign Up” button on any of the website pages to receive the newsletter. If you’re still wondering what a makerspace is, and what specifically is offered at Makers Mill, sign up for one of the weekly building tours held every Friday at 10am or the same time on the first Saturday of each month.
If you are interested in teaching
classes, reach out via email to carol@ makersmill.org or call 603-569-1500. “We live in a community rich in diversely creative people - we see that reflected all around us in our day-to-day lives,” said Carol Holyoake, Director of Programs & Events. “So, we’d love to hear from people who are passionate about what they create whether their skills come directly from life experiences or a formal teaching experience, or whether they’re a hobbyist or professional.”
Pick Up Your Copy of
Flying Monkey to screen original 1916 silent film version of ‘20,000 Leagues Under the Sea’
The original silent film version of the Jules Verne classic ‘20,000 Leagues Under the Sea’ (1916) will be shown with live music on Wednesday, June 7 at 6:30 p.m. at the Flying Monkey Moviehouse and Performance Center, 39 Main St., Plymouth, N.H.
General admission tickets are $10 and available at door or in advance by calling the box office at (603) 536-2552 or online at www.flyingmonkeynh.com.
Live music will be provided by Jeff Rapsis, a New Hampshire-based silent film accompanist.
In production for more than two years by Universal, the original silent film version of ‘20,000 Leagues Under the Sea’ is an epic retelling of the classic Jules Verne novel, and with elements from other Verne stories mixed in.
Allen Holubar stars as the domineering Captain Nemo, who rescues the passengers of an American naval vessel
after ramming them with his iron-clad steampunk submarine, The Nautilus. Incorporating material from Verne’s ‘Mysterious Island,’ the film also follows the adventures of a group of Civil War soldiers whose hot-air balloon crash lands on an exotic island, where they encounter the untamed “Child of Nature” (Jane Gail). Calling itself “The First Submarine Photoplay Ever Filmed,” the film is highlighted by pioneering underwater photography, including an underwater funeral and a deep sea diver’s battle with a giant cephalopod. The film, directed by Stuart Paton, was filmed largely in the Bahamas to take advantage of shallow seas and bright sunshine. Several methods were devised to capture scenes underwater, including a sort of “reverse periscope lens” that used mirrors in long tubes to enable a camera
onboard ship to film below the surface. The film has little in common with a later adaption released in 1954 by Walt Disney Studios and starring James Mason.
In honor of extraordinary technical and artistic achievement, the silent version of ‘20,000 Leagues Under the Sea’ was added to the National Film Registry by the Library of Congress.
Accompanist Jeff Rapsis will create a musical score for ‘20,000 Leagues Under the Sea’ live during the screening, in the manner of theater organists during the height of silent cinema.
“For most silent films, including ‘20,000 Leagues Under the Sea,’ there was never any sheet music and no official score,” Rapsis said. “So creating original music on the spot
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to help the film’s impact is all part of the experience of silent cinema.”
“That’s one of the special qualities of silent cinema,” Rapsis said. “Although the film itself is well over a century old, each screening is a unique experience — a combination of the movie, the music, and the audience reaction.”
The original silent film version of ‘20,000 Leagues Under the Sea’ (1916) will be screened with live music on Wednesday, June 7 at 6:30 p.m. at the Flying Monkey Moviehouse and Performance Center, 39 Main St., Plymouth, N.H. General admission tickets are $10 and available at door or in advance by calling the box office at (603) 536-2551 or online at www.flyingmonkeynh.com.
Turtles on the Move
It’s national Wild Turtle Week and in New Hampshire it is also the beginning of turtle nesting season when these shelled reptiles move from wetlands and vernal pools to their upland nesting sites. Nesting season lasts from mid-May into early July, reaching maximum intensity in June.
One of the most significant threats to turtle populations in the Granite State is being struck by vehicles on roadways. While male turtles may travel over land to different wetlands and upland basking areas in search of food and for breeding, mature female turtles leave their home ponds and wetlands every spring to lay their eggs, sometimes traveling distances of over one mile, and returning to the same nesting location each year. Their nesting sites are often open, sandy or gravely areas that can be located great distances from wetland areas. This annual journey of-
ten means that turtles need to cross roads to reach their destinations.
“Turtle nesting season provides us with a unique opportunity to see many of the state’s turtle species moving on land, but it is also an extremely vulnerable time for them,” said NH Fish and Game Department Wildlife Biologist Melissa Winters. “We can all do our part to help turtles safely reach their nesting habitats by slowing down when driving and keeping an eye out for them as they cross roadways in the coming weeks.”
Here are a few things you can do to help New Hampshire turtle populations stay abundant and healthy: Slow down and watch for turtles in roadways.
Help turtles cross roads safely. If you see a turtle crossing a road, and it is safe for you to do so, help it cross in the direction it is traveling. Never create a
dangerous situation for other motorists or yourself. Snapping turtles should be handled with extreme care or allowed to cross on their own.
Do not take the turtle home. A turtle taken from its habitat is a turtle lost from the local population. All native New Hampshire turtles are protected by state law during nesting season, and several New Hampshire species are protected by state law from collection year-round.
Do not move the turtle from where you found it. Even if a turtle is a great distance from a wetland area, they are not lost and know exactly where they are going. Moving a turtle to a different location can be stressful for the animal and may even result in death if they are unable to adjust to their new surroundings.
If you find an injured turtle, call NH Fish and Game’s Wildlife Division at (603) 271-2461 for a list of licensed wildlife rehabilitators in your area or visit www.wildnh.com/wildlife/rehabilitators.html. For more information
on what to do if you find an injured turtle, visit www.wildnh.com/nongame/ turtles-injured.html.
Report turtle sightings (living or deceased) to NH Fish and Game’s Reptile and Amphibian Reporting Program at nhwildlifesightings.unh.edu. Note the location, date, and time of observation, and include photos if possible.
Work with land trusts and town officials to help conserve important natural areas for turtles in your community. Spread your garden mulch as soon as possible because an idle pile can be an attractive place for turtles to nest when located near wetland areas. If mulch will be piled up for several days or more, covering it with plastic will help reduce its attractiveness to nesting turtles.
Learn more about Wild Turtle Week at fws.gov/initiative/protecting-wildlife/wild-turtle-week.
Learn how to identify New Hampshire’s seven native species of turtles by visiting www.wildnh.com/nongame/turtles.html.
Volunteers Make Great Waters Great!
Great Waters volunteers are a very active, much appreciated, hard-working group of people who do that work for free because they enjoy it. Volunteers play a vital role in seeing that each performance runs smoothly. This summer, performances will be held at both Anderson Hall on the Brewster Academy campus in Wolfeboro as well as on the grounds of the Castle in the Clouds in Moultonborough. Opening the 2023 season on July 8th at Anderson, will be Linda Eder one of the greatest voices of our time. Her diverse repertoire will include selections from Broadway, Country, Pop and Jazz.
Being a volunteer is a great way to meet new friends, learn new skills, listen to wonderful music and have fun. There are a variety of positions available including ushering, working in the on-site box office, directing guests to parking areas, helping to set up prior to a performance, and being a good will ambassador for the organization. Volunteers also serve on committees throughout year such as marketing and development.
Chairman of the Volunteer Committee is board member Peg Mongiello. Her skills as a teacher and former school administrator make her an ideal candidate for this position. Each year she revises the volunteer handbook so
The History of Agriculture as Told by Barns
that it has all the current information applicable to being a knowledgeable volunteer, coordinates a yearly training and orientation program, and sets up a master schedule.
What do our volunteers think about being a volunteer? Sally Gilbert and Pam Hopkins have been volunteers with Great Waters for several years.
Sally says “I can’t wait for each new season to begin. I get a chance to see First Class performances, in an amazing setting, and reconnect with folks who share my excitement for musical entertainment”. Pam adds “I love greeting all the happy faces who are anticipating a wonderful evening of music. The venue hums with positive energy and gets me in a great mood for the concert!” One of our newest volunteers Kevin Sanzenbacher says, “2022 was my first year volunteering at Great Waters. The experience was wonderful. I got to work closely with old friends, make some friends, and enjoy wonderful music at a fabulously beautiful venue.”
If you are interested in joining these people and becoming a Great Waters volunteer, application forms are available online at www.greatwaters.org. For more information, you can also contact the Great Waters office at 603569-7710.
The Meredith Historical Society invites the public to its upcoming program- “The History of Agriculture as told by Barns”. This program will be presented by John Porter on Tuesday, June 6th.
John Porter was raised on a dairy farm in Lebanon, New Hampshire. He received a B.S. degree in Animal Science from the University of New Hampshire and a master’s degree in Animal Nutrition and Farm Management from Cornell University. He served as a Dairy Specialist for the UNH Cooperative Extension from 1974 until his retirement in 2006. John Porter currently operates his own consulting company, Farm Planning Services, LLC. John has authored and contributed to numerous publications regarding barn preservation and the history of the dairy industry in New Hampshire.
Porter will tell the story of New Hampshire agriculture through the evolution of barn architecture. Barns
changed from the early English style to Yankee style, to gambrel and then pole barns to accommodate the changing agriculture. This presentation will be a chronological walk-through time, with photo illustrations of barns around the state that are examples of these eras of agricultural history. Karen Thorndike, President of the Historical Society added, “This interesting program is being provided courtesy of NH Humanities. We are grateful for their continued support and the quality programs that they offer.”
This presentation will be held at the Meredith Community Center, 1 Circle Drive. Doors open at 6:30 PM for light refreshments. The program begins at 7:00 PM. All programs of the Society are free, and all are welcome!
For a complete schedule of the Society’s 2023 Speaker Series visit us on Facebook or our website at www.meredithhistoricalsocietynh.org.
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The Important Role Played by Bees in Lawns
A colorful garden in full bloom is an aesthetically appealing sight each spring and summer. The pleasant aromas emanating from such spaces only add to their appeal.
Many variables contribute to a thriving garden, and perhaps none is more important than bees. North America is
home to thousands of species of bees, but many of those species are experiencing dwindling populations. According to Scott McArt, an assistant professor of pollinator health in the Department of Entomology at Cornell University, 53 bee species have experienced population declines or
and Gardens
range contractions over the last several decades. Individuals accustomed to seeing bees as unwanted guests may wonder why that’s a problem. Though declining bee populations pose a number of problems, perhaps none is more relatable than the link between bees and food production. A recent study published in the journal Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences noted that declines in both managed and wild bee populations raise significant concerns about long-term food security. Authors of the study noted that crop production would be higher if crop flowers received more pollination. That’s a significant benefit as the global population continues to increase, but it’s also a notable benefit in the present day from both a food security and economic perspective. In fact, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration reports that commercial production of more than 90 crops relies on roughly 3,600 bee species. Declining bee populations could put that production in serious jeopardy and create a domino effect that impacts food security and individuals’ livelihoods.
But all is not lost in the fight to restore bee populations. In fact, McArt indicated in a 2019 report that bee populations are thriving in agricultural and natural areas. But bee populations also must thrive in suburban and urban areas. Planting a pollinator-friendly garden is one step McArt suggested gardening hobbyists can take to help restore bee populations. When planting to combat declining bee populations,
homeowners should always look for native plants, as they are well-adapted to local climates and unlikely to upset local ecosystems. Local garden centers can be great resources for anyone looking to plant native species. According to HGTV, the following are just a handful of the many bee-friendly garden flowers and plants homeowners can consider for their gardens:
• Bee balm
• Honeysuckle
• Sunflower
• Cosmos
• Strawberries
• Dahlia
• Butterfly bush
• Crocus
• Pot marigold
• Geraniums
Bee populations are in decline. If efforts to restore those populations are not embraced, the consequences for future generations could be dire. Homeowners can do their part by planting bee-friendly flowers and plants on their properties. ~ Metro
Steps Anyone Can Take to Protect Local Wildlife
The opportunity to experience local wildlife is one of the many alluring features of spending time in the great outdoors. Unfortunately, wildlife is being threatened in many parts of the world as the human population increases and spreads to regions that historically have not been home to large numbers of human beings.
Numerous local, national and international environmental organizations are dedicated to protecting local wildlife. But such organizations can always use a helping hand, and the following are some simple steps anyone can take to protect local wildlife.
• Sign up for local trash pick-ups. The organization Environment America
reports that scientists have found fragments of plastic in hundreds of species. For example, researchers found such fragments in 44 percent of all seabird species. Local park and beach cleanups can help reduce that figure and make these beloved spaces look even better. Signing up for park or beach clean-ups also provides a great reason to get outdoors.
• Make an effort to cut back on your energy consumption. This effective approach can benefit local wildlife and animal lovers’ bottom lines. The Animal Welfare Institute notes that many power plants rely on fossil fuels, the extraction of which can be harmful to local habitats. That ultimately and ad-
versely affects local wildlife. Reducing energy consumption can cut back on the need to extract fossil fuels, and it also can lead to lower energy bills for consumers.
• Support eco-friendly legislation. Legislators fighting to protect local wildlife need all the help they can get. Individuals can lend a hand by supporting legislators who are working to maintain local habitats so wildlife can continue to thrive. Share information about political issues related to local wildlife via social media and volunteer to help local politicians and nonprofit organizations spread the word about the importance of protecting the species that call your region home.
• Do not get too close to wildlife. The beauty of wildlife can be hard to resist, but the AWI urges animal lovers to keep their distance from animals they see in the wild. Do not handle young animals found in the wild, no matter how vulnerable they appear to be, as the AWI notes that it’s not uncommon for mothers to leave their young alone for long periods of time while they forage for food.
Wildlife faces an uncertain future in many parts of the world. Individuals can do their part to protect wildlife and ensure their long-term survival. ~ Metro
3 Techniques to Keep Mosquitoes Out of Your Backyard Oasi
The value of a retreat-like backyard was never more apparent than in 2020. Over the last year-plus, much of the world has been forced to stay home as a global pandemic has claimed millions of lives while countless others have had to fight to survive in hospitals. It’s no surprise people have looked for a respite from the harsh realities of living during a deadly pandemic, and many turned their attention to their own backyards to provide such an escape.
The online home remodeling platform Houzz reported a 58 percent annual increase in project leads for home professionals in June 2020. Contractors who specialize in outdoor spaces saw the biggest increase in demand. A revamped outdoor space can provide the perfect retreat for homeowners who want to get away from it all. But one winged, unwelcome guest can quickly transform an oasis into an uninviting space.
Mosquitoes make their presence felt in many areas each summer. These pesky, often hungry insects can carry disease, and their bites can be painful and itchy. Homeowners can try these three techniques to keep mosquitoes out of their backyards.
1. Remove standing water.
Standing water is a breeding ground for mosquitoes, who don’t even need a lot of water to successfully breed. A daily walk around the property may uncover kids’ toys, empty flower pots, or other
small receptacles that can collect water. Even clogged gutters can lead to the accumulation of a small amount of water, and that can be enough for mosquitoes to breed. Remove these potential breeding grounds when you find them, and do so each day, as mosquitoes mature from eggs to nymphs in roughly four days.
2. Mow regularly.
Mowing the lawn so the grass never gets too high is another way to make a backyard less hospitable to mosquitoes. The pest experts at Terminix® note that
mosquitoes seek tall grass to protect them from the elements, including wind and hot summer sun. Mowing enough so grass never gets too high in summer can make backyards less inviting to mosquitoes.
3. Plant with mosquitoes in mind.
The home remodeling experts at HGTV note that plants can be part of homeowners’ strategy to repel mosquitoes. Various plants have mosquito-repellant qualities. For example, bee balm releases a fragrance as it grows, and mosquitoes don’t like that fragrance. Homeowners can speak with a local lawn and garden professional for recommendations about plants that can thrive in their region and repel mosquitoes at the same time.
Mosquitoes can make it hard to enjoy a backyard oasis. But various strategies can help homeowners keep these unwanted guests out of their backyards. ~ Metro.
Tips for Comfortable Camping
The beauty of the great outdoors beckons millions of nature-loving individuals each year. Camping is a great way to fully immerse oneself in nature. However, there’s often a learning curve with tent camping, especially in regard to sleeping comfortably.
A tent is designed to keep campers out of the elements and to prevent bugs from bothering campers while they sleep. Tents come in a variety of shapes and sizes — with some larger tents even capable of sleeping six or more people. One of the most important components to consider when planning a camping trip is sleeping and bedding. A good night’s sleep is worth its weight in gold and can mean the difference between an
enjoyable experience and cranky, outof-sorts campers.
The following are some guidelines to maximize tent comfort while camping.
Tent size and location
Calculate how many people will be on the camping trip and how much space they will need to rest comfortably. Purchase or rent a tent that will provide enough space. Multiple tents also can be used if the goal is to separate family members.
The next consideration is where to set up camp. Look for a level area that is relatively free from debris. Clear away any rocks and twigs, as debris under the tent can damage it and make it harder to fall asleep.
Families may want to camp a short distance from restroom facilities if they are available, which will make it easier for the midnight bathroom breaks that inevitably crop up.
Invest in quality gear
In addition to the tent, campers will need a tarp/ground cover to place under the tent. This helps prevent moisture seepage from the soil.
Next, determine how everyone will sleep, whether on the ground or in cots. Cots can be the most comfortable options, but they take up a lot of space and can be heavy to transport — which is less than ideal when backpacking to a campsite. Inflatable mattresses or sleeping pads can be used in conjunction with sleeping bags to provide a soft, cushioned surface. Some are affordable at $40 while others may cost as much as $300. Costlier options may be best for frequent campers.
Account for the temperature
Temperature will go a long way toward improving or compromising comfort. Choose sleeping bags rated for the temperature. If you’ll be doing plenty
of fall or winter camping, you’ll have a place to sleep that’s designed to be used at the time of year you’re camping.
When sleeping in warm temperatures, dress so you can add or remove layers as needed. A portable, battery-operated fan also can be a game-changer if it is hot and stuffy in the tent.
Adjust sound accordingly
Some people love drifting off to sleep to the sound of crickets, while others are kept awake by the nighttime sounds of nature. Foam earplugs can mute some of those sounds and even the snoring of a tent partner. Campers also can set up a charged smartphone with a white noise app and use that to block out unwanted noises.
Additional tips
When traveling with kids, bring a few creature comforts along, such as a favorite pair of pajamas or stuffed animals. This can make the unfamiliar sounds and sights of sleeping outdoors a little less scary. Also, if possible, do a trial run camping in the yard to gauge how kids react in advance and plan accordingly to make improvements.