TheLaker_May_20_24

Lakes Region Memorial Day

By Kathi Caldwell-Hopper

“When duty calls, that is when character counts.”—

William Safire

A special time is set aside each year at the end of May to honor those who have died for our country. Always at the height of springtime, Memorial Day is celebrated when flowers are in bloom. This has traditionally allowed families of fallen soldiers access to florals for decorating the final resting places of loved ones.

You may see people wearing a red poppy on Memorial Day and wonder what the flower stands for. During World War I, in 1915 to be exact, Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae saw red poppies blooming in abundance in Flanders Field in Belgium. He was so moved that he wrote the poem, “In Flanders Field.” The poem was about fallen soldiers and it became famous. Thus began the practice of wearing a red poppy.

We know Memorial Day as a time to honor the fallen who served our country, whether in the distant past, or at any time in the history of the United States. Memorial Day was once called Decoration Day, and it is a time for observances and decorating the graves of those who died while in service.

Decoration Day began in the 1860s, after the Civil War. The practice of decorating the graves of war dead with floral wreaths is where the name Decoration Day originated.

The name was changed from Decoration Day to Memorial Day in 1971

and it was scheduled to be observed on the last Monday in May.

Memorial Day parades and commemorations listed take place in the Lakes Region:

At the NH Veteran’s Home in Tilton, the public is invited to attend a Memorial Day Ceremony in the Great Hall at 11 a.m. on Monday, May 27. The program will feature a posting of colors, Pledge of Allegiance, a keynote speaker, readings, patriotic music and more. Included this year is keynote speaker Colonel Pete Martino. For further information, call 603-527-4400. The Veteran’s Home is located at 139 Winter Street in Tilton.

Observances in Laconia will take place on Monday, May 27. Starting at 7 a.m., the American Legion will hold remembrances at each cemetery in Laconia. There will be a Memorial Day Remembrance at 11 a.m. held at Veteran’s Square in Laconia with a wreath laying and speakers. After the Remembrance, there will be a free luncheon open to the public at the American Legion, located at 849 Main Street in Laconia. For information, call 603524-9728.

Gilford observances will be held on Monday, May 27 with parade participants gathering in the parking lot of the Gilford Community Church on Potter

Hill Road at 9:45 a.m. The parade will proceed to the WWI / WWII Memorial and Pine Grove Cemetery, where Reverend Michael Graham will lead a prayer. All veterans are invited to join in the parade; there will be an antique firetruck available so that disabled veterans requiring rides can participate in the event. Please call the Gilford Town Hall at 603-527-4700 for further information.

Wolfeboro’s observance will be on Monday, May 27. According to American Legion Post Parade Marshal Paul Vivian, all veteran’s graves in Wolfeboro and Tuftonboro will be decorated. The annual Wolfeboro parade will form at 8:45 a.m. in Brewster Field (next to the Congregational Church). The parade begins at 9 a.m. and will proceed from Main Street to dockside (downtown) for a lowering of the flag to half mast, and a ceremonial salute. Following this, flower petals will be placed into the lake water. There also will be a playing of Taps and the national anthem and patriotic music by the Kingswood Regional High School band. For information on the Wolfeboro observances and parade, call Paul Vivian at 703-798-8978. All veterans are welcome to march in the parade. In Alton, Memorial Day observances will be held on Monday, May 27. The parade will line up at 9:30 a.m. at Monument Square in downtown Alton and step off at 10 a.m. The observance • Memorial Day continued on page 5

Gafney Library Presents April Art Exhibit And May Reception

“Art Through The Generations,” an exhibit featuring a grandmother, daughter, and granddaughter in the Willett Family, is now open to the public through May at the Gafney Library in Sanbornville.

Grandmother Rena Rose Mowrey (1898-1975), who grew up during challenging times, was an excellent seamstress who created drawings of herself in clothing she designed and created to sell. Several of these delightful renderings are included in this exhibit. Rena also enjoyed drawing portraits, colorful gardens, and other things of beauty.

Ruth Rose Willett, Rena Rose’s daughter, studied pottery under Katherine Alden of Plymouth, Massachusetts. She mastered basketry, and canning, and delved deeply into early American textiles. Ruth spun wool into yarn using fleece from her sheep, and flax grown in her garden into linen thread. The fleece and flax were then handdyed using native plants as a basis for the color. She used her four-harness loom to weave what became highly sought-after items.

Early American venues of the area clamored for her works, produced in the style of the 1600s. Many remain

in historic homes and museums. Ruth has explored all art mediums that can be put into wood, tile, and paper. Her current interests include watercolor, pen and ink, and sketching. Ruth will celebrate her 98th birthday in May and continues to meet with her Wakefield-Wolfeboro Plein Air Artist group each week. Ruth spent summers in the area during the 1920s and moved here full-time in 1986.

Ann Mowrey Willett, daughter of Ruth and granddaughter of Rena Rose, was quick to pick up the talents of her mother and grandmother and was fortunate to have been mentored by artists David M. Carroll, Hugh Sloane,

and Marshall Joyce. In 1967 Ann was awarded the Boston Globe Blue Ribbon and Gold Key awards in a statewide competition affording her a semester of studies at the Massachusetts College of Art while continuing her senior year of high school. She continued her studies in art and pursued early childhood education, developing creative experiences for young children. She has produced instruction media for professors at Stanford University, the Institute of Technology, and the University of South Carolina.

Ann owned a sign company, developed after-school and summer camp programs, and enjoyed being an artist in residence at a prestigious day school in California. Originally from Massachusetts, Ann retired to New Hampshire in 2010 where her mother asked her to join the Wakefield/Wolfeboro Plein Air Artists group. Ann paints mostly in watercolor, has developed groups of people who also enjoy watercolor, and mentors several young adults.

A fourth generation of the Willett women in art is blooming with Ann’s oldest granddaughter, Jordan Rose Anderson. Ann and Jordan Rose paint together at every opportunity.

Ruth and Ann will host a public reception at the Gafney Library on Saturday, May 25, from 10 a.m. to noon. The exhibit runs through June 1 and may be viewed during the library hours of Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m., and Friday and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. For more information visit gafneylibrary. org or call 603-522-3401.

Meeting To Safeguard Water Quality In Lake Winnipesaukee

The Lake Winnipesaukee Association (LWA), in partnership with FB Environmental, will hold several upcoming meetings overviewing various studies and potential threats to the water quality in Center Harbor Bay, the Broads, and Alton Bay.

On May 22nd at 4 p.m., residents who live in Meredith, Center Harbor, or Moultonborough are encouraged to attend a public meeting to be held at the Moultonborough Public Library. Discussions will include the identification of those source pollutants which can lead to water quality impairments, as well as the actions that individuals and communities can take to maintain a high quality of water.

Similar meetings are scheduled for the Broads Watershed Management Plan and the Alton Bay Watershed Management Plan, both of which will

• Memorial Day continued on page 5

will be under the Auspices of Claude R. Batchelder Post 72, American Legion, American Legion Auxiliary, Sons of the American Legion and American Legion Riders. Services will be held at Riverside Cemetery and Monument Square. Following the services, everyone is invited to Post 72 for refreshments. In the event of rain, all services will be held at Post 72 on Rt. 28 in Alton. For information, call the Alton Town Hall at 603-875-3461.

Center Harbor’s observance will be held on Monday, May 27, with parade participants gathering at 11:45 a.m. at Chase Circle near the downtown area. The parade will begin at noon. There will be a wreath laying at the War Memorial. The parade will proceed to the Town Docks where there will be music by the Inter-Lakes Marching Band. Music will be “The Star-Spangled Banner” and “Echo Taps”. There also will be a wreath tossing into Lake Winnipesaukee.

The final stop will be at the Lakeview Cemetery across from the Congregational Church in Center Harbor with music and a wreath laying. For further information, email the Center Harbor Parks & Recreation Department at parksandrecreation@centerharbornh. gov.

Moultonborough will hold observances on Monday, May 27, gather-

be held on May 22nd

The Broads Watershed presentation will begin at 4 p.m. at the Gilford Public Library, while the Alton Bay assembly begins at 6 p.m. at the Alton Town Hall. Residents of both towns are encouraged to attend.

The LWA is seeking volunteers from the local communities to serve on Advisory Committees for all three studies. Advisory Committee members provide local knowledge of issues, review and comment on draft project deliverables, and help set water quality goals for respective areas of the lake.

These projects build on a fourteen-year, community-based management and protection plan for Lake Winnipesaukee and the resources within the surrounding watershed. As a major economic asset and outstanding natural resource for the local commu-

ing at the elementary school on Blake Road at 10 a.m., and proceeding to the Moultonborough Town Hall, located at 6 Holland Street. At the town hall there will be a remembrance ceremony. For information, call 603-476-8868.

The village of Center Sandwich will hold a Memorial Day Remembrance Program at the Honor Roll next to the post office on Main Street in Center Sandwich on Monday, May 27 at 10 a.m. During the ceremony, veterans will lay a wreath, and there will be a speaker. For information call 603-2847139.

The town of Meredith will observe Memorial Day on Monday, May 27 with a program at Oakland Cemetery at 8 a.m., and a ceremony at Meredith Village Cemetery at 9 a.m. Following there will be observances at the Memorial at the Meredith Library, 91 Main St. at 10 a.m.

Plymouth will observe Memorial Day with a parade on Monday, May 27 starting at the Plymouth National Guard at 10:30 a.m. The parade will proceed south to Main Street and stop in front of the Town Hall for a ceremony starting at 11 a.m., concluding at that location after services. Participating in the parade will be police, fire, two bands, state representatives, select board members, the National Guard and Scouts. Call 603-536-1397 for additional information.

nities, it is extremely important to assess the threats and issues affecting the lake’s health.

The mission of the Lake Winnipesaukee Association is to protect the water quality and natural resources of

CIRCULATION Kathy Larson

the lake and its watershed today and for the future. All are welcome to attend these meetings. For additional information, contact Pat Tarpey at 603581-6632 or email at mail@winnipesaukee.org

The Wright Museum Celebrates 30th Year With Special Exhibits

Coined “one of the best private military museums” by The Saturday Evening Post, The Wright Museum is now open and celebrating its 30th year.

Located in Wolfeboro, the Wright Museum recognizes and honors the contributions and enduring legacy of World War II-era Americans through interactive exhibits, lecture series, and a comprehensive look at how both the battlefront and the home front provided a profound, enduring impact on American society.

“We are always excited to open our doors for the season,” said Wright Museum Executive Director Peggy Hennelly-Maniates, “but this year is really special. We’re celebrating 30 years of commemorating the far-reaching effects those of the greatest generation have had on our country. We also have some fantastic special exhibits that everyone will want to see, and some amazing lectures and anniversary surprises planned. We can’t wait to see everyone at the museum!”

This year’s special exhibits include Women in Uniform, a traveling exhibit courtesy of the Naval History and Her-

itage Command that features works of art depicting female Navy military personnel and the wide-ranging and varied occupations they held.

In addition, the Wright Museum will feature an exciting interactive exhibit, D-Day: Freedom from Above. This exhibit will provide a unique, interactive experience for all ages, blending physical objects from the Wright Museum’s collection and augmented reality technology. Visitors will be immersed in the decisive moments of D-Day and the Battle of Normandy.

The 30th anniversary celebrations will run all season long, launching on the 80th anniversary of D-Day, June 6. From pop-up events to special guests, incredible lectures, and all-out fun, the Wright Museum is looking forward to celebrating its storied history.

Located at 77 Center Street, the Wright Museum is now open Monday-Saturday, 10 a.m.- 4 p.m. and Sunday noon-4 p.m. through October 31. For additional information, visit wrightmuseum.org, or call 603- 5691212.

Stormbirds Belly Dance Studio Takes Flight in Ashland

In a world where the rhythm of life often feels chaotic and uncertain, Stormbirds Belly Dance offers a sanctuary where individuals can find harmony, expression, and a sense of belonging through the enchanting art of belly dance.

Nestled in the heart of Ashland at the Mill No. 3 studio, and led by certified instructor Liana Hardcastle, Stormbirds aims to introduce newcomers to the rich tapestry of belly dance while fostering a supportive and inclusive community.

Hardcastle, a seasoned practitioner of FatChanceBellyDanceStyle (FCBD),

brings her expertise and passion to the studio, offering a curriculum designed to empower students of all levels. With a focus on foundational techniques, rhythmic movements, and cultural appreciation, the beginner classes promise an immersive and enjoyable experience for participants.

“For me, belly dance has been a way to connect to joy through playfulness and community. It has also helped me heal and love my body. Through our classes, we hope to create a space for nurturing community to blossom through this delightful artform,” Hardcastle advocates.

The studio’s name pays homage to the grace and strength embodied by the dancers, likening them to birds navigating the currents of life’s storms with resilience and elegance.

Pioneered by Carolena Nericcio in the 1980s, FCBD is renowned for its fusion of traditional Middle Eastern, Indian, Spanish, and North African dance elements with a contemporary twist. Characterized by improvisational group performances and intricate formations, this style has garnered a global following for its emphasis on collaboration and solidarity among dancers.

and embracing diversity.”

As Stormbirds Belly Dance embarks on its journey, it seeks to become not just a place for learning, but a hub for creativity, wellness, and cultural exchange within and beyond the Ashland community.

For those intrigued by the allure of belly dance and eager to embark on a transformative journey, Stormbirds Belly Dance Studio stands ready to welcome them with open arms.

“I’ve always been drawn to the communal aspect of belly dance,” explained Hardcastle. “There’s a sense of unity and camaraderie that transcends individual expression. It’s about dancing together, supporting one another,

Now open for enrollment, the eightweek, level one series begins May 30th Stormbirds Belly Dance Studio is located at 39 Winter St. in Ashland. Interested individuals may visit the website at stormbirdsbellydance.simplybook. me/v2/ or contact Liana Hardcastle at 603-253-666-2987.

Photo by Stoddard Whitridge

Volunteer To Participate In The New Hampshire Bat Counts Project

Wildlife biologists need help from volunteers this summer as part of the New Hampshire Bat Counts project to help monitor bat colonies in the Granite State. It’s easy to participate, and citizen science volunteers are asked to conduct at least one count in June and one count in July.

Structures such as barns and other outbuildings often serve as summer homes for female bats and their young. In the face of White-Nose Syndrome, which has caused significant declines in bat populations throughout the Northeast, monitoring these “maternity colonies” is more important than ever.

New Hampshire Fish and Game and UNH Cooperative Extension are seeking land and homeowners (who have bats on their property) to help keep track of the state’s bats by conducting

“emergence counts” at roost sites.

Meanwhile, there are two upcoming opportunities to learn more about the bat species found in New Hampshire, the threats leading to population de-

clines, and how one can help conserve bats. Both events include an overview and information on how to participate in the project.

NH Bat Counts Training will be of-

fered on Wednesday, May 29, from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Harris Center for Conservation Education in Hancock. The second is an online training being offered on Tuesday, June 11, from 4 to 5 p.m. via Zoom.

Volunteers interested in learning more may visit the New Hampshire Bat Counts website at www.wildlife.nh.gov/wildlife-and-habitat/nongame-and-endangered-species/batsnew-hampshire/nh-bat-counts

For questions relating to these events, contact Haley Andreozzi at haley.andreozzi@unh.edu or 603-8625327. To register for the May event, visit extension.unh.edu/event/2024/05/ nh-bat-counts-training. Register for the online training at extension.unh.edu/ event/2024/06/bats-new-hampshire.

Memorial Day Craft Fair At Schouler Park In North Conway

Don't miss the Memorial Day Weekend Craft Fair on Saturday, May 25 and Sunday, May 26 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Schouler Park, GPS address 1 Norcross Circle in downtown North Conway.

Located in front of the Scenic Railroad, the fair will feature over 100 arts and crafts exhibitors, including cedar wood furniture, soy candles, hand

painted glassware, pottery, wrought iron creations, leather jewelry, charcuterie boards, wooden signs and home decor, watercolor and acrylic paintings, face paintings, hand poured soaps, body care products, homemade fudge, kettle corn, books, gourmet foods, pet and children’s toys, embroidery and quilted items, wildlife photography, alpaca products, and many more. Live

music both days, the event will be held rain or shine under canopies. Friendly, leashed dogs are welcomed.

No two fairs are the same. Refer to

the schedule page at joycescraftshows. com to access all dates, locations, and times, or contact Joyce at 603- 3871510.

By Kelly Ross

Grill-Worthy Recipes for Upcoming Summer Season

Having received numerous emails from faithful readers, which I appreciate, many have requested new burger options. Ground beef is an obvious choice, but I will share notable others such as ground pork, chicken, and a vegetarian portobello burger. These options are equally enticing to many, so let’s get cooking!

Beginning with the veggie option, a simple but incredible portobello mushroom burger. Mushrooms are so good, healthy, and delicious. Despite the mushrooms being unmarinated, this recipe still evokes some great flavors from the mushrooms. Add a simple side salad or some grilled veggies for a satisfying and easy dinner on the grill. Portobellos are meaty in texture, and I love them as much as biting into an actual burger. This recipe is for 4 burgers and can be done in 15-20 minutes. Simplicity at it’s best!

All American Portobello Burger

4-8 portobello mushroom caps, depending on size (gills removed if desired)

¼ tsp ground pepper

2 tbsp mayonnaise

1 tbsp ketchup

1 tbsp sweet pickle

4 tsp steak sauce

4 slices of cheese of choice

4 whole wheat buns, toasted (or roll of choice)

1 cup shredded iceberg lettuce

4 large tomato slices

Thinly sliced red onion & pickles (optional)

Preheat grill to medium-high. Coat mushrooms with cooking spray and sprinkle with pepper. Grill, turning occasionally, until tender, 10-12 minutes total. Meanwhile, mix mayonnaise, ketchup, and relish in a small bowl. Transfer the mushrooms to a plate. Pat dry with paper towels. Brush with steak sauce and top the gill side of each mushroom with a slice of cheese. Return the mushrooms to the grill. Cook until the cheese is just melted. Serve on buns with the sauce, lettuce, tomatoes, onion, and pickles if desired.

For those of you who have not had a stuffed burger, these are unique and tasty! One of the most popular appetizers in the foodie world are jalapeno peppers. These burgers are stuffed with cheddar, cream cheese, scallions, and

jalapenos, and are accentuated with a touch of southwestern flavor. These can be prepped and cooked in under one half-hour. Makes 6 burgers.

Cream Cheese Stuffed Jalapeno Burgers

2- 2 ½ lbs of lean ground beef

3 jalapenos, seeded and chopped ½ tsp ground cumin

½ cup sharp cheddar, shredded 8 oz cream cheese, room temp 2 green onions, chopped 6 quality burger rolls, I prefer onion, ciabatta, or potato rolls

Sliced cheese of choice (suggest Pepper Jack)

Cooked bacon slices, optional

Guacamole, optional

Let/tom/onion, optional

Mix cream cheese, shredded cheddar, cumin, jalapenos, and green onions in a medium sized bowl. Set aside. Shape ground beef into one dozen, 3 oz. portions. Flatten into patties. Top six of the patties with one tbsp. of cream cheese mixture. Cover with one of the remaining patties. Press together with your fingers to seal the edges. Grill over medium heat until fully cooked. Dress with guacamole, sliced pepper jack, lettuce, onions, and/or bacon. The options are near endless.

Fast-forwarding to ground chicken burgers… these are packed with the vibrant flavors of the Greek Mediterranean and are sure to be a hit at your next cookout. Get ready to tantalize your taste buds with juicy ground chicken, aromatic herbs, tangy feta, and a refreshing tzatziki sauce. These may be cooked on the grill, or in a skillet on your stovetop, but due to the lower fat content, sticks more. Be sure to grease up the grill more than usual. Prep time is 10-15 minutes, cook time 15 minutes, but they do need to rest for a half

‘Cue The Grill

hour in between in your fridge to let them solidify after molding them. The classic blend of Greek/Mediterranean makes for a mean tzatziki topping, and is a great condiment for sandwiches and grilled veggies alike. Makes 4 burgers. Greek Chicken Burgers

1 lb ground chicken

2 tbsp fresh dill, chopped

2 tbsp fresh basil, chopped

¼ cup red onion minced

¼ cup feta cheese, crumbled

1 clove garlic, minced

¼ tsp red pepper flakes, optional

½ cup Italian-style bread crumbs

½ tsp kosher salt

½ tsp freshly ground black pepper

1 tbsp olive oil

4 hamburger buns of choice, toasted Lettuce, red onion, and sliced tomatoes for serving time

For The Tzatziki Sauce

½ cup finely grated cucumber

1 cup thick whole milk Greek yogurt

1 tbsp lemon juice

½ tbsp extra-virgin olive oil

1 garlic clove, grated

¼ tsp sea salt

1 tbsp chopped dill

1 tbsp chopped mint, optional

To make the sauce, place the shredded cucumber on a towel. Gently squeeze out excess water. In a medium bowl, combine the cucumber, yogurt, lemon juice, olive oil, garlic, salt, dill, and mint (if using). Chill until ready to use. For the burgers: in a large bowl, combine ground chicken, dill, basil, red onion, feta cheese, garlic, red pepper flakes, Italian breadcrumbs, salt, and pepper. Mix by hand until all ingredients are evenly incorporated, being careful not to overmix. Divide the burger mixture into four portions. Shape

Mill Falls

32nd Annual

CRAFT FAIR

Route 3, Meredith, NH

Saturday May 25, 10 am - 6 pm

Sunday May 26, 10 am - 5 pm

Monday May 27, 10 am - 4 pm

Celebrate American Made Works by Hand

Photography, Country Woodcrafts, Pottery, Soaps, Folk Art, Handbags, Fine Jewelry, Lamps, Pet Gifts, Cutting Boards, Wood Burning, Candles, Paddles, Florals, Sports Wear, Large Scale Acrylic Paintings, Pillows, Fleece, Metal, Scrubs, Wall Words, Scarves, Tide Clocks, Fret Work, Scrubs, Growth Charts, Coins, Turned Wood, Plants, Sauces, Wine Slushy Mix, Pies, Toffee, Nut Butters, Honey, Kettle Corn, Oils, Pickels, Jerky, Dips, Jellies, Cannoli & More.

Free Admission ~ Rain or Shine ~ Pets Welcome

Directions from Route 93 take Exit 23 or come by boat www.castleberryfairs.com

• ‘Cue the Grill

continued from page 10

each into a patty. Place the patties on a plate or parchment-lined sheet pan and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes. This helps the burgers hold their shape while grilling. Preheat your well-oiled grill or grill pan over medium heat. Place the patties on the grill and cover with a lid. Cook for 6-8 minutes on each side, or until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees. Assemble the burgers by placing them on toasted buns. Top with romaine lettuce leaves, slices of red onion, tomato, and a generous dollop of tzatziki sauce.

Let’s now end with my favorite! Perhaps the most traditional burger of all those shared, the toppings make this one unique. This burger is a spin on the Hawaiian pizza, as it includes ham and fresh pineapple. This weirdly-awesome -burger recipe is for six, 8 oz. burgers. Adjust accordingly to make them smaller or if making for just a few. These can be made and cooked in a half hour.

Hawaiian Pizza Burgers

3 lb ground beef

2 tbsp salt

1 ½ tsp black pepper

2 large Roma tomatoes

1 tsp olive oil, plus more for grilling

1 pineapple, peeled, cored, and cut into rings

6 slices cheddar cheese

6 slices deli ham of choice, folded in half

Butter, for the rolls

6 kaiser or any heavy, sturdy, quality rolls

½ red onion, very thinly sliced

Lettuce, for topping

Condiment(s) of choice

Mix the ground beef in a large bowl with 1 tsp each of salt and pepper. Form the mixture into 6 equal patties. Halve the tomatoes lengthwise. Toss with the olive oil and the remaining 1 tsp salt. Brush the grill grates with olive oil. Preheat to medium-high. Place the tomatoes and pineapple slices on the grill. Cook until softened and grill marks form, 3-5 minutes per side depending on thickness. Meanwhile, grill the beef patties for 4-5 minutes. Flip and cook 3-4 more minutes, or longer on your desired temp. Top each burger with the folded slices of ham, then the cheese. Cook 2-3 minutes longer after the cheese melts. Butter the roll. Grill until golden brown and marked, 1-2 minutes. Chop the grilled tomatoes and spread on both sides of each roll. Top burgers with the grilled pineapple and a few red onion slices. If using teriyaki sauce, brush both the grilled pineapple as well as the burgers before adding toppings, and then atop half of the grilled rolls. These make for a huge burger and can be a mouthful, another reason I suggest a good sturdy roll to hold it all together. Also, “maybe” a reason some of you may wish to make these smaller.

For the grand finale today, this one is of an Asian/Vietnamese theme. Ground pork is the protein, and the cuisine mentality is Banh Mi, a term for a short baguette with thin, crisp crust and a soft, airy texture. It is often split lengthwise and filled with meat and

• ‘Cue the Grill continued on page 13

savory ingredients. With the Vietnamese style of cooking, the pork burger patties are wonderfully seasoned, then topped with a homemade pickled veggie mix of cukes, carrots and radishes before being finished with a spicy mayo mix. These burgers are smaller (4 oz.). Simply adjust to your preferences. The pickled veggies are something I usually have in my fridge for many sandwiches, but I would suggest making these a day in advance. The cooking process is fairly quick and easy, but they do need to get to room temp before refrigerating. These are amazing!

Banh Mi Burgers

For The Pickled Vegetables

1 cup sliced cucumber ribbon cut, or thin slices lengthwise (use a veggie peeler for the ribbons)

½ cup matchstick carrots (buying these pre-cut makes it easier)

1/3 – 1/2 cup thinly sliced radish

1 ½ cup water

1 ½ cup vinegar

2 tsp salt

1 ½ tsp sugar

¼ tsp red pepper flakes

For The Pork Burgers

1 lb ground pork

¼ cup Panko breadcrumbs

1 tsp garlic powder

1 tsp onion powder

½ tsp black sesame seeds

½ tsp salt

½ tsp pepper

½ tsp ground ginger

¼ tsp crushed red pepper flakes

¼ cup hoisin sauce

For The Spicy Mayo

½ cup mayonnaise

1-2 tbsp chile paste (use hoisin sauce for less spice)

2 tbsp rice vinegar

For The Rest

4 brioche buns, toasted

Cheese of choice (if using)

½ cup chopped cilantro

For the pickled veggies: bring vinegar, water, salt, sugar, and red pepper flakes to a boil in a saucepan. Meanwhile, prep the veggies. Put in mason jars or glass meal prep containers. Pour the brine over the veggies. Let them adjust to room temp. Lid and refrigerate, soaking for at least 30 minutes. For the mayo: mix the respective ingredients together, starting with either the chile paste or hoisin sauce. Keep adding until reaching your desired flavor/spice level. Refrigerate until ready to use. For the burgers: without the hoisin sauce, add all the burger ingredients in a medium mixing bowl. Use your hands to form 4 patties, being sure to not overmix. Heat a large skillet (or grill over medium heat). Drizzle with oil so the patties won’t stick to the skillet (or generously oil your grill). Completely cook patties for 4-6 minutes on each side, reaching an internal temp of 165 degrees. Grill rolls. Lather with mayo on both sides. Add the burger, spread a tbsp of hoisin sauce over each patty, and top with the pickled veggies. Enjoy!

That’s it for now, my friends. Keep your taste buds happy and smiling! As always, if you care to touch base with any questions or feedback, reach out to fenwaysox10@gmail.com

Through May 28, Fitness with Lea, Tuesdays in May, 9 – 9:45 a.m., gentle stretching exercises, all ages welcome, Effingham Public Library, 30 Town House Rd., Effingham, 603-539-1537. (May 7, 14, 21 and 28)

Through May 28, Loons and New England Waterfowl Exhibit, photography, pastel arts, Lakes Region Art Gallery, Suite 300, 120 Laconia Rd, Tilton, Tilton Tanger Outlets, 603-568-3761.

Through May 31, Tiny Art Show, featuring art by K.A. Brett School students, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m., Thurs.-Mon., ArtWorks Gallery/CCAC, 132 Rt. 16, Chocorua, 603-323-8041, www.chocoruaartworks.com.

Through June 15, Farm Tour, 1 p.m., Saturday tour, Remick Country Doctor Museum & Farm, 58 Cleveland Hill Rd., Tamworth, pre-registration: 603-3237591, www.remickmuseum.org.

May 20, Laconia Golf Tournament, shotgun start at noon, fundraiser for support services of Concord, Lakes Region & Three Rivers regions, Laconia Country Club, Elm St., Laconia, 524-3211, ext. 2804.

May 21, Spring Flowers Walk, 1 – 3 p.m., Newfound Lake Region Assoc. Join Outreach Manager Mirka Zapletal for a walk around Grey Rocks exploring overlooked ephemerals, Grey Rocks Conservation Area, 178 North Shore Rd., Hebron, pre-register: 603-744-8689, Newfound Lake. www.newfoundlake.org

May 22, Coffee Hour with a Speaker, 10 - 11 a.m., coffee with Jerry Knirk, discussion on green burials, Effingham Public Library, 30 Town House Rd., Effingham, 603-539-1537.

May 22, Garden Programs: Native Plant Walk – Spring Ephemerals, 3 – 5 p.m., tour of the grounds for important native plants, pre-register by May 21 required, Squam Lakes Natural Science Center, Holderness, 603-968-7194, www.nhnature.org.

May 22, Ready to Launch – A Woman’s Boating Course, 5 – 7 p.m., taught in the showroom of Goodhue Boat Company, 244 Sewell Rd., Wolfeboro, coordinated by NH Boat Museum, 603-569-4554, www.nhbm.org.

May 22, Spring Polliwogs: Delicious Dandelion Ice Cream, 10 – 11:30 a.m., for age pre-K with adult, Prescott Farm Environmental Education Center, 928 White Oaks Rd., Laconia, adult with child must pre-register/info: 603-3665695, www.prescottfarm.org

May 23, Maddi Ryan concert, 7:30 p.m., Hermit Woods Winery, 72 Main St., Meredith, 603-253-7968, www.hermitwoods.com

May 23-26, Perform It! Young People’s Stage Company presents 4 performances of William Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Village Players, 51 Glendon St., Wolfeboro, tickets at the door, or purchase at www. performitstagecompany.com.

May 25, Adventure Park Opening Day, Gunstock, Cherry Valley Rd., Gilford, www.gunstock.com, 293-4341

May 25, All About Joel, 7:30 – 10 p.m., Billy Joel Tribute, Interlakes Community Auditorium, Meredith, Temple B’nai Israel, 603-524-7044, www. tbinh.org.

May 25, American Heroes Dinner Cruise on M/S Mount Washington, 7 p.m., 211 Lakeside Ave., Weirs Beach, 603-366-5531, www.cruisenh.com.

May 25, Basic Turkey Wing Workshop with Larry Antonuk, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., pre-register by May 20, League of NH Craftsmen Meredith Fine Craft Gallery, 279 Daniel Webster Highway, Meredith, 603-279-7920.

May 25, Buttercream Floral Cupcakes with Chef Allen, 10 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., learn about cake decorating, adult class, Prescott Farm Environmental Education Center, 928 White Oaks Rd., Laconia, pre-register/info: 603-3665695, www.prescottfarm.org

May 25, Cross Stitch Workshop, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m., Belknap Mill, 25 Beacon St. East, Laconia, pre-register: 603-524-8813, www.belknapmill.org.

May 25, Juston McKinney comedy show, 8 p.m., Colonial Theatre, 609 Main St., Laconia, 1-800-657-8774, www.coloniallaconia.com.

May 25, Majolica Tiles Workshop, with Mary Jeanne Luckey, 9 a.m. - 12 p.m., pre-register at ArtWorks Gallery, 132 Rt. 16, Chocorua, 603-3238041, www.chocoruaartworks.com

May 25 & 26, Memorial Day Weekend Craft Fair, 5/25: 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.. 5/26: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., live music, arts and crafts and more, rain or shine under tents, free admission, Schouler Park, 1 Norcross Circle, Rt. 16, N. Conway, Joyce’s Craft Shows, www.joycescraftshows.com, 603-387-1510.

May 25-27, 32nd Memorial Weekend Craft Festival, Mill Falls Marketplace, 312 DW Highway, Meredith, free admission, rain or shine, friendly pets on a leash are welcome, 10/25: 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.; 5/26: 10 a.m. – 5 p.m., 5/27: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., www.castleberryfairs.com.

May 26, Bird Walk, 8 – 11 a.m., Castle in the Clouds, Rt. 171, Moultonborough, 603-476-5900, www.castleintheclouds.org.

May 27, Alton Memorial Day Observances, parade line up 9:30 a.m. at Monument Square in downtown Alton, begins 10 a.m. The observance will be under the Auspices of Claude R. Batchelder Post 72, American Legion, services at Riverside Cemetery and Monument Square, 603-875-3461.

May 27, Center Harbor Memorial Day Observances, parade gathers at 11:45 a.m. at Chase Circle, steps off at noon, Wreath laying at the War Memorial, music at Town Docks by the Inter-Lakes Marching Band, wreath tossing into Lake Winnipesaukee, Lakeview Cemetery for music and a wreath laying, parksandrecreation@centerharbornh.gov.

May 27, Gilford Memorial Day Observances, 9:45 a.m. parade forms at parking lot of the Gilford Community Church, Potter Hill Rd., proceeds to the WWI/ WWII Memorial and Pine Grove Cemetery, with prayer by Reverend Michael Graham, all veterans are invited to join in the parade, 603-527-4700.

May 27, Laconia Memorial Day Observances, 11 a.m. Remembrance Ceremony at Veteran’s Square, wreath laying and speakers, free luncheon open to the public at the American Legion, 849 Main Street in Laconia, 603-524-9728.

May 27, Memorial Day Ceremony, 11 a.m., NH Veteran’s Home, Tilton, public is invited attend, posting of colors, Pledge of Allegiance, keynote speaker Colonel Pete Martino, readings, patriotic music and more. (This year’s keynote speaker will be Colonel Pete Martino.) 139 Winter Street, Tilton, 603-527-4400.

May 27, Moultonborough Memorial Day Observances, gathers at 10 a.m. at elementary school on Blake Rd. proceeds to Moultonborough Town Hall, 6 Holland Street for a remembrance ceremony, 603-476-8868.

May 27, Plymouth Memorial Day Observances, gathers at National Guard at 10 a.m., to Main St. Town Hall for services at 11 a.m., 603-536-1397.

May 27, Sandwich Memorial Day Observances, 10 a.m., at Honor Roll next to the post office on Main St., Center Sandwich, wreath laying and speaker, 603-284-7139.

May 27, Wolfeboro Memorial Day Observance, parade forms at 8:45 a.m. in Brewster Field (next to the Congregational Church, steps off 9 a.m., Main Street to dockside for ceremony, music by the Kingswood Regional High School band, info: Paul Vivian at 703-798-8978. Vivian adds that all veterans are welcome to march in the parade.

May 27-Sept. 2, Solar Gazing, drop in on Mondays from noon – 4 p.m., free, set up at Shannon Pond, Castle in the Clouds, Rt. 171, Moultonborough, 603476-5900, www.castleintheclouds.org.

May 28, Historic Lighthouses and Keepers of NH and Southern Maine, 6 - 8 p.m., Jeremy D’Entremont, author, talk about the lighthouse topic, free, Moultonborough Public Library, 4 Holland St., Moultonborough, 603-4768895, pre-registration required: www.moultonboroughpubliclibrary.org.

May 28 & 31, June 4, 7 & 11, Measuring Milkweed, 1 – 2:30 p.m., Newfound Lake Region Assoc., help monitor milkweed plants at Grey Rocks Conservation Area, 178 N Shore Rd., Hebron, info: 603-744-8689, mikra@newfoundlake. org., www.newfoundlake.org

May 29, Book Discussion, 10 - 11 a.m., coffee and talk about The Midnight Library, 30 Town House Rd., Effingham, 603-539-1537.

May 29, Fun With Fabric Workshop, with Victoria Dworkin, 1 - 4 p.m., pre-register at ArtWorks Gallery, 132 Rt. 16, Chocorua, 323-8041, www.chocoruaartworks.com.

May 29, Katie Dobbins Music & Hermit Woods Winery Songwriter Roundup, doors open at 6 p.m., Hermit Woods Winery, 72 Main St., Meredith, 603-253-7968, www.hermitwoods.com

May 29, Laconia School District presents Laconia Elementary Band, 6:30 p.m., Colonial Theatre, 609 Main St., Laconia, 1-800-657-8774, www.coloniallaconia.com.

May 29, Spring Polliwogs: Up in the Garden, Down in the Dirt, 10 - 11:30 a.m., age pre-K with adult program, Prescott Farm Environmental Education Center, 928 White Oaks Rd., Laconia, adult with child must pre-register/info: 603-366-5695, www.prescottfarm.org

May 30, Estate Planning Seminar, 5 - 6:30 p.m., presentation by Attorney Edward Beasley of Donohue, Beasley & Ferber and Greg Gagne of Affinity Investment Group, pre-registration required, Moultonborough Public Library, 4 Holland St., Moultonborough, 603-476-8895, www.moultonboroughpubliclibrary.org.

May 30, Guided Hike: Brook Walk, 10 – 11:30 a.m., pre-registration required, Castle in the Clouds, Rt. 171, Moultonborough, 603-476-5900, www.castleintheclouds.org.

May 30, Piff the Magic Dragon, 8 p.m., Colonial Theatre, 609 Main St., Laconia, 1-800-657-8774, www.coloniallaconia.com

BREAKFAST & LUNCH - MADE FRESH DAILY

www.Farmerskitchen-NH.com Start Your Day Off Over Easy

Grab breakfast or lunch at The Farmer’s Kitchen. We use only the freshest ingredients for our homemade creations. Come by today to try our:

100% Colombian Coffeefreshly ground from whole beans Farm fresh eggs | Specialty Omelets

Eggs Benedict - topped with homemade hollandaise, made fresh to order

Buttermilk Pancakes | French Toastserved on thick Texas toast Sandwiches & Burgers | Don't forget to check out our daily breakfast & lunch specials!

444 NH Route 11

Farmington | 603-755-9900

May 31, A Tribute to The Drifters, 8 p.m., Rochester Opera House, 31 Wakefield St., Rochester, tickets: 603-335-1992, www.rochesteroperahouse.com

May 31, Fern Family Band, 6 – 8 p.m., free, public welcome, bring a lawn chair or blanket for seating, Rotary Park, Belknap Mill, 25 Beacon St. East, Laconia, 603-524-8813, www.belknapmill.org.

May 31, Paula Cole, 7:30 p.m., Flying Monkey Movie & Performance Center, 39 Main St., Plymouth, tickets/info: www.flyingmonkeynh.com, 603-536-2551.

June 1, Alton Town Wide Yard Sale, 8 a.m. – 2 p.m., sales all over town, Alton Parks and Recreation, 603-875-0109.

ONGOING

ArtWorks Gallery & Fine Crafts/CCAC, art, workshops and events, open year-round with seasonal hours, 603-323-8041, 132 Rte. 16, Chocorua, www. chocoruaartworks.com

Bad Mom Night, every Thurs., Trenta, 30 Middleton Rd., Wolfeboro, 603-5151068, www.trentanh.com.

Register at nhnature.org | Holderness, NH Native Plant WalkSpring Ephemerals Wednesday, May 22

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

Canterbury Shaker Village, walking trails, tours, Shaker Rd., Canterbury, 603-783-9511, www.shakers.org

Castle in the Clouds, Rte. 171, restaurant, music, walking trails, tours, events, Moultonborough, 603-476-5900, www.castleintheclouds.org.

Chapman Sanctuary and Visny Woods, nature trails open for hiking, 740 Mt. Israel Rd., Center Sandwich, 603-284-6428, www.chapmansanctuaryvisnywoods.com.

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

Coffee Hour, 10 – 11 a.m., coffee, tea and snacks, Effingham Public Library, 30 Town House Rd., Effingham, 603-539-1537, info.: Effingham.lib.nh.us.

Corn Hole League, 6 – 8:30 a.m., Thursdays through June 27, Foss Field Pavilion, 88 Lehner St., Wolfeboro, wolfeboro.recdesk.community/program

Country Village Quilt Guild, meets first and third Wednesday of each month, 1:30 - 3:30 p.m., Public Safety Building (back entrance to Police and Fire Dept.), Rte. 25, Moultonborough, countryvillagequilters@gmail.com.

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

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

Frank Bolles Nature Reserve, walking trails, off Rt. 16 to Chocorua Lake Rd., Chocorua, www.chocorualake.org.

Freedom Gallery, artwork/exhibits by area artists, 8 Elm St., Freedom, call ahead for hours: 610-762-2493.

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

Gilmanton Farmers Market, June 9-Oct. 6, Sundays 11 a.m.-2 p.m., 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

Guided Group Tour, history and machines of the historic Belknap Mill, 25 Beacon St. East, Laconia, pre-register: jill@belknapmill.org, 603-524-8813, Monday-Friday.

In the Round, Sundays, 8:45 a.m., thought-provoking topics related to tolerance, Benz Center, Sandwich, 603-284-7211.

Indoor Pickleball, 5 p.m., Sandwich Central School gym, Sandwich, every Tues., Wed. & Fri., parksandrec@sandwichnh.org

Kirkwood Gardens, free, open to public year round, Rt. 3, Holderness, tour the gardens, info: www.nhnature.org, 603-968-7194.

Ladies of the Lake Quilt Guild, meets second and fourth Wednesday of each month, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m., First Congregational Church, 115 Main St., Wolfeboro. A second group meets Mondays from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. at the Community Center, 22 Lehner St., Wolfeboro, www.llqg.net

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

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

What’s UP

Lakes Region Curling Association, fall and winter leagues, matches at Pop Whalen Ice & Arts Center, 390 Pine Hill Rd., Wolfeboro, Sundays 4:30 – 6:30 p.m., 603-569-5639.

Laverack Nature Trail at Hawkins Brook, nature trail on boardwalk, free, trail starts to the left of Meredith Village Savings Bank, Rte. 25, Meredith, 603-2799015.

League of NH Craftsmen Meredith Fine Craft Gallery, handmade crafts and art for sale, workshops, 279 Daniel Webster Highway, Meredith, 603-279-7920.

Loon Center, walking trails, 183 Lees Mill Rd., Moultonborough, 603-4765666, www.loon.org

Makers Mill, a variety of workshops, classes in arts and crafts and more, 23 Bay St., Wolfeboro, 603-569-1500, www.makersmill.org

Making Strides, 8 – 9 a.m., drop-in walking for groups or singles, Ossipee Town Hall, no pre-registration required, 55 Main St., Center Ossipee, takes place various times: www.ossipee.recdesk.com.

Meredith Public Library Bookstore, run by Friends of the Meredith Library, open weekly: Wed. 10 a.m. – 6 p.m., Thurs. & Fri. 10 a.m.- 4 p.m., Sat. 9 a.m. – 1:30 p.m., lower level, Meredith Public Library, 91 Main St., Meredith, 603279-4303, www.meredithlibrary.org.

Model Yachting, 1 – 4 p.m., Back Bay Skippers at Cotton Valley Rail Trail, Bridge Falls Path, Wolfeboro, watch radio controlled model yachts, NH Boat Museum, schedule: www.nhbm.org.

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

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

New England Racing Museum, open Saturdays 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., 922 NH Rte. 106 N., Loudon, 603-783-0183www.NEMSMUSEUM.com

NH Boat Museum, boating exhibits, programs, boat building workshops, 399 Center St., Wolfeboro, call for opening day/hours: 603-569-4554, www.nhbm. org

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

Newfound Lake Eco-Tours, informative/scientific tours of Newfound Lake, Memorial Day-mid-Sept., Newfound Lake Association, www.newfoundlake. org, call for hours/dates of operation: 603-744-8689.

Outdoor Nature-Based Storytime for Young Children, Tuesdays, 10:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m., Cook Memorial Library, 93 Main St., Tamworth, 603-323-8510, www.tamworthlibrary.org.

Pre-K Story Time, Thursdays at 10:30 a.m., Nichols Memorial Library, 35 Plymouth St., Center Harbor, 603-253-6950.

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

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

Roller Skating Night, 5 p.m., Mondays, bring your own skates, for age 18 and up, Ossipee Town Hall, 55 Main St., Ossipee, info/updates: 603-539-1307, www. ossipee.org.

Rug Hookers, 10 a.m. – noon, meets Tuesdays, Tuftonboro Free Library, 221 Middle Rd., Rt. 109A, Tuftonboro, 603-569-4256.

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

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: 603-968-7194.

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

Tamworth Farmer’s Market, Saturdays, 9 a.m. - noon, 30 Tamworth Road, Tamworth, www.tamworthfarmersmarket.org

Tuftonboro Country Bluegrass and Gospel Jam, every Tuesday, 6:30 - 9:30 p.m., donation requested, Old White Church, Rte. 109A, Center Tuftonboro, across from Tuftonboro General Store, 603-569-3861.

Wolfeboro Table Tennis, meets every Wed. from 4 – 6 p.m., in basement of All Saints Church, Wolfeboro, all skill levels welcome, $5 admission charge each week, info: 603-520-5651.

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

Yesteryear

Vacation Bound To The Lakes Region

By Kathi Caldwell-Hopper

If you want to know what an area was like in the past, look at the printed material from that time. Such is the case with the days of early tourism in New Hampshire. By the 1960s, the Lakes Region was bustling in the summer.

An introduction paragraph for the Lakes Region section of a local tourism magazine revealed that New Hampshire had 100 lakes and 39 towns with fairs, summer theatricals, dancing, and bowling taking place throughout the summer. There was always, it seemed, something fun to do while on vacation.

Visitors could prepare for excitement during the week of August 9 – 15 (the exact year unknown, but the event took place in the 1960s) when unique-looking boats would be carried into Laconia on car rooftops and pickup trucks. These hustle-and-bustle sights were the start of the 100th Anniversary Regatta of the New England Amateur Rowing Association. The competition occurred at the Olympic Rowing Course on Lake Opechee, near downtown Laconia.

On Sunday afternoon of this week, spectators were treated to over 25 events. The boats were unlike any on the lake: long, pencil-like veneer craft rowed or sculled down a long course. The event was previously held in Bos-

ton for 108 years before its move to Laconia, so the relocation to the Lakes Region was a big deal at the time.

The event headquarters were at Laconia’s Opechee Park, where each competition ended. Spectators loved the event, with a chance to swim at the beach area and partake in a barbecue or picnic while watching the races.

Those looking for something to do while on vacation in the 1950s and 1960s could enjoy a day on the Queen of the Lakes, the Mount Washington ship (fondly coined “The Mount”), as it was called in an ad in Your Week in New Hampshire. An ad stated the Mount was 205 feet long and could hold 1,500 passengers. Those who wanted to get out on the lake could board the Mount at Weirs Beach, Center Harbor, Wolfeboro, or Alton Bay.

Along with the Mount, visitors could enjoy a ride on the M/V Sophie C, with daily scenic excursions from the Weirs at 11 a.m., 1 p.m., or 3 p.m. A twilight excursion took place at 7 p.m. The M/V Doris E was a new diesel-powered ship that could hold 125 passengers. It departed from Lakeport (next to the Shore Diner) or the Meredith Town Docks.

If you wanted a fun and different boat ride that delivered the mail to

those around the lake and the islands, you could book passage on the Tonimar, which traveled the eastern side of the lake.

Lest vacationers love the area so much they considered returning to live or sending a child to the Lakes Region, the Belknap College in Center Harbor would fit nicely into their plans. It was a small institution where students were more than just numbers. The institution had 13 buildings, some overlooking Lake Winnipesaukee. The 60-acre main campus was located on Rt. 25B. A visit to the campus might have answered questions for prospective students and their parents who were vacationing in the Lakes Region and toured the four-year liberal arts, science, and medical technology institution.

Dining out was a big part of summer vacation, and Your Week In New Hampshire magazine boasted that the Shangri-La was “Lake Winnipesaukee’s Most Scenic Resort.” It had an air-conditioned cocktail lounge (a luxury at the time). The Panorama Restaurant at the Shangri-La offered great meals with a beautiful lake view from the Weirs Beach vantage point.

The Shangri-La sat on 220 beautiful acres, with swimming pools, a private beach with rowboats, tennis, badmin-

ton, shuffleboard, archery, hiking, dancing, movies, bingo, outdoor barbecues, and a dance band. Locals and vacationers of some age still remember the Shore Diner and Restaurant on Route 3 in Laconia. The diner was iconic in the area with a fun sign in the shape of waves and a typ•Yesteryear continued on page 19

Interlakes Summer Theatre Alumni Gala June 1

The Interlakes Summer Theatre will be presenting an Alumni Fundraiser Gala on Saturday, June 1, at 7 p.m. and Sunday, June 2, at 2 p.m. at the Lakeport Opera House in Laconia. The Gala will feature songs and memories by 10 Alumni from the last 16 years of

•Yesteryear

continued from page 18

ical long and sleek dining car body. The meals, like the diner atmosphere, were good, and if you stopped by for a burger or milkshake, you were sure to see your friends and neighbors there as well.

In downtown Laconia, where everyone went to shop, meals were to be had at the Laconia Tavern Hotel with a “Prepared to the Pampered” slogan. The Tavern had a dining room, coffee shop, and cocktail lounge. Everyone who was anyone in the area, from local DJs to famous writers, visited the Tavern Hotel, as it was trendy at that time.

The Christmas Island Motel in Laconia/Weirs Beach offered 44 modern lodging units, two private beaches, boats, and, at one time, The Christmas Island Steak House.

Although long gone, Howard Johnson’s Restaurant was a prominent spot at Weirs Beach, modernized and popular with diners. You could also dine at the Captain’s Table, known for having the largest dining room in the Lakes Region, directly on the lake. The Captain’s Table offered Italian specialties, steaks, chops, and seafood. Before you sat down to a meal, you could relax in the Captain’s Lounge with a cocktail and social hour.

Other restaurants placing ads in

companies. The Interlakes Theatre has been proud to launch over 80 Broadway careers since it’s opening season in 2008. Tickets are $50/ person and seating is limited. There will also be a silent auction.

The theatre’s 17th Season will open

“Your Week in New Hampshire” were The Windmill Restaurant, Hart’s Restaurant, and the Winnisquam House.

Among the most dazzling places for entertainment was the Lakes Region Playhouse, where big-name stars performed. The season offered such shows as Lerner and Lowe’s musical My Fair Lady, For Love of Money with the famous Jack Parr, and The Sound of Music. On July 13, Lloyd Bridges starred in Anniversary Waltz, the week of July 20 brought Walter Pidgeon in Take Her, She’s Mine

You could get dressed up and attend dinner at the Playhouse Inn next door before strolling across the lawn to see the show in the rustic barn theatre. An evening of dinner and a show at the Playhouse made a Lakes Region vacation very memorable.

Attractions in the Lakes Region were listed in tourist publications to aid those looking for something to do. Visitors indeed had many options to choose from, with the Reptile Zoo & Gift Shop in Alton Bay, the Schuller Medieval Arms & Armor Museum in Farmington, Clark House & Old Schoolhouse Early American Living Museum in Wolfeboro, Gunstock at Belknap Mountain, the Libby Museum in Wolfeboro, the Meredith Auto Museum, and the Old Country Store &

on July 3rd with Disney’s Newsies Next up will be the musical Chicago, opening July 17th, and Legally Blonde, The Musical opening July 31st. The final show of the season is “Million Dollar Quartet”, a true story about the day in 1956 when Elvis Presley, John-

Museum in Moultonborough, to name a few.

North of the Lakes Region, but well worth a drive during a vacation, visitors could enjoy Six Gun City in Jefferson, Story Land in Glen, Santa’s Village in Lancaster, the White Mountain Glacial Park in Thornton, and Polar Caves in Plymouth.

Not far from Laconia and Weirs Beach was the Newfound Lake Region. It was smaller than the Lake Winnipesaukee/Laconia/Weirs Beach area, but many vacationers liked its slower pace and clean and quiet lake.

Should you consider a summer vacation in the Newfound area, you could choose from cottage colonies or hotels, including the Bungalow Village on the west side of Newfound Lake. There

ny Cash, Carl Perkins, and Jerry Lee Lewis all showed up at the Sun Studios in Memphis, TN.

Tickets for the Gala or for any of the season’s offerings are available at interlaketheatre.com or can be ordered over the phone at 603-707-6035.

were 40 bungalows, a restaurant, and a store.

The Whip-O-Will was billed as a “Friendly New England Resort on Newfound Lake.” It boasted 1,200 ft. of shoreline, 30 pine-paneled cottages with modern heat, and a fireplace in each unit.

To return to the days when vacationing was more sedate with simple pleasures such as a ride on a mailboat, dinner at a good restaurant, and an evening’s entertainment watching a show, pick up an old tourist brochure or magazine. It will transport you to a time when vacationing was not frenzied, when packing a picnic lunch or lazing on the beach or poolside for an entire day was the norm, and everyone had fun.

‘Clean Up Bristol Day’ To Be Held June 1st

Join your neighbors for “Clean Up Bristol Day” on Saturday, June 1, at Kelley Park. To participate, simply stop by the band shell on North Main Street between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. Families, friends, school groups,

community groups, and businesses are all encouraged to participate. This is an opportunity for people of all ages to come together for a common good, to help improve the health of public spaces, and to create a sense of pride

in the community. Over 40 bags of trash were collected last year. Members of the Sustainability Committee will be issuing trash bags and gloves as well as fruit to provide energy throughout the morning. Volunteers

will be able to choose the location in town they wish to clean. Don’t forget to bring your water in a re-usable bottle. For further information, contact Janet Metcalf at metcalfjanetj@gmail.com, or call 603-744-0440.

Castle In the Clouds Opens for 2024 Season

Castle in the Clouds will begin it’s 2024 season on Saturday, May 25.

As the premier historical museum in the Lakes Region, Castle in the Clouds “is not just a destination, it is an experience,” said Charles Clark, executive director.

Originally called Lucknow, the 6,300-acre property was developed in 1913 by Thomas G. Plant, a wealthy shoe manufacturer, to create a luxurious lifestyle with state-of-the-art amenities, beautiful hand-made furnishings, and a large staff to run the estate.

Opening day is the debut of a new exhibit Lucknow’s Laborers: The People Who Built and Cared for Tom Plant’s Estate

This season will also offer a brand-

Help Wanted

2024 Summer Season

Holderness Harbor is currently seeking motivated individuals who enjoy working in a friendly yet fast paced marina environment. Must be at least 16. Boater’s Safety license preferred but not required. Interested candidates are encouraged to contact us via email through our website holdernessharbor.com under contact us or call 603-968-9001 and leave a message. Positions include Inside Customer Service/Outside Dock and Boat support.

new guided tour of the historic Lucknow Mansion. This exclusive experience will be offered once daily to a maximum of 10 guests and is available only through advanced purchase through the website.

Also new is the option to pre-purchase admission tickets online through the website. Online tickets offer guests the opportunity to purchase tickets at

their convenience, and these online tickets are available for use on any day during the 2024 season.

Castle in the Clouds will continue to sell admission and basement tour tickets onsite, to offer over 5,200 acres and 28 miles of scenic trails maintained by the Lakes Region Conservation Trust, and to host more than 200 exciting programs and events.

The Carriage House Restaurant will offer lunch service every day that Castle is open, and Music Nights on the terrace will begin on Monday, June 3. Due to popular demand, Music Nights have been extended to three nights/ week this season.

Operated by the Castle Preservation Society, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, Castle in the Clouds is revered as a cultural and educational resource and listed on the National Register of Historic Places with national significance. Castle in the Clouds is also available as a fairytale wedding venue and versatile private event rental. For more information about Castle in the Clouds, visit www.castleintheclouds. org.

Winnipesaukee Playhouse: Uniting Community with Diverse Theatre Programs

By Mark Okrant

There are more than six thousand community theatres in the United States; even little New England is rife with such organizations. However, none of these is quite like Meredith’s Winnipesaukee Playhouse. Founded in 2004 by brother and sister Bryan Halperin and Lesley Pankhurst and their respective spouses, Johanna and Neil, the playhouse originally opened in Weirs Beach’s Alpenrose Plaza before moving to the former Annalee Dolls campus in Meredith in 2013. Things were about to change dramatically—if you’ll forgive the pun.

The Meredith campus offers a stateof-the-art theatre that can seat approximately 200-plus patrons, but that’s not all. There is a summer theatre camp for students entering grades K–8, as well as an outdoor amphitheater that hosts performances before select shows. But none of this is what sets the Winnipesaukee Playhouse apart from others. Some companies offer a professional summer stock season and others offer community &/or children’s theatre programs. Several playhouses provide two of these, however, what makes the Winnipesaukee Playhouse special is that it offers all three programs. Since its move to the Meredith facility, the theater begins with a professional summer stock season, then follows with community theater and children’s theater during the rest of the year.

Why are multi-faceted playhouses so important in today’s world? The playhouse’s website informs that “the arts are an essential public good that is critical to a vibrant society, and it is our mission to advance the art form of theatre through work that inspires, engages, and entertains the people of our commu-

nity and beyond”. To gain a better understanding, Artistic Director Timothy L’Ecuyer reflected that the playhouse “builds community at a time when we most need it. Players and the audience alike turn off their cell phones and share a human experience as a group.”

The playhouse’s theatre uses professional actors and technical staff, not to be confused with union personnel. When asked how such individuals are recruited, Timothy explained that Leslie Pankhurst, one of the founders, travels to New York City every March. It is there where actors and other theatre personnel come together for the annual audition season. Most are New York City-based, but others are welcomed as well. Meanwhile, the A1 Conference, typically held in Norwalk, Connecticut, brings together theatre professionals to attend workshops and are therein given opportunities to audition.

Long before either of these events, things are taking what Timothy described as a “slow burn”. The Winnipesaukee Playhouse begins to assemble its teams during November and December, well ahead of the audition season. When asked whether professional companies ever use local performers, he revealed that there are special circumstances

when a company of players may employ local talent, such as the children in Oliver or to fill one role in Richard III

The professional company will be performing six shows this season: Jersey Boys (June 21-July 6); Witch (July 11-20); La Cage Aux Folles (July 25-August 3); Richard III (August 8-17); In the Heights (August 22-September 1); and A Year With Frog and Toad (October 19-27).

Community theatre consists of a series of terrific plays that generate well-produced and acted performances.

“Winni Players” are those performers who are almost exclusively residents of

the surrounding area, although seasonal residents are welcome to audition. This season, the Ferryman was presented during April 25-28. The group is also well known for its radio play series, dramas, and musicals.

One of the forerunning highlights each season is the series of children’s theatre camps offered by the playhouse. An estimated 100 to 200 children register for one or two of the camps that operate between July 1 and August 9, Monday through Friday, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Camp 1 (ages 5-7) and Camp 2 (ages 8-11) encompass those students entering grades K-5. Camp tuition is $300/ week. Since themes differ weekly, students may attend one or multiple sessions. Each week culminates in a showcase of the week’s activities presented to friends and families on Friday. Should one know of a child who may be interested, it is recommended she/he be added to a waitlist by emailing education@winniplayhouse.org.

Mornings at camp give students di-

Agatha Christie’s Murder on the Orient Express 2023.

Children’s Museum Offers Free Admission To Military Personnel

Beginning this summer, The Children's Museum of New Hampshire will again join the Blue Star Museums Initiative, a program that provides free admission to currently serving U.S. military personnel and their families this summer.

Blue Star Museums is a partnership between the National Endowment for the Arts and Blue Star Families, in collaboration with the Department of Defense and participating museums across America.

The free admission program is available for those currently serving in the United States Military—Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Marine Corps, Navy, and Space Force, members of the Reserves, National Guard, U.S.

Public Health Commissioned Corps, NOAA Commissioned Corps, and up to five family members.

Located in Dover, The Children's Museum of New Hampshire hosts a variety of live performances, workshops, classes, and special events for families. For more information, call the museum at 603-742-2002 or visit www.childrens-museum.org.

The National Endowment for the Arts is an independent federal agency who partners with state agencies, local leaders, and the philanthropic sector to celebrate and support America’s rich and diverse cultural heritage, promoting equal access to the arts in every community across America.

Meredith Fine Craft Gallery Hosting ‘Rollin’ In Dough’ Exhibit

The League of NH Craftsmen Meredith Fine Craft Gallery is hosting an exhibit titled Rollin’ In Dough, a collection of rolling pins and other kitchen essentials handmade by various artists. Visit the exhibit to see these beautifully hand-crafted kitchen tools, a must-have for the kitchen of culinary delights where functionality meets exquisite craftsmanship.

First invented in the 9th century in Italy, rolling pins were made from wood, stone, baked clay, or glass. These heroes of the kitchen are still an essential

tool for most culinary enthusiasts today. In this exhibit, juried woodworkers have crafted rolling pins made from maple, cherry, and walnut in several styles. Other kitchen essentials included in the exhibit are batter bowls, pie plates, aprons, and potholders.

Located at 279 DW Hwy, in Meredith, The League of NH Craftsmen Meredith Fine Craft Gallery is committed to the education and support of NH’s fine craft tradition. For more information, call 603-279-7920, or visit meredith.nhcrafts.org.

NH Moose Hunt Lottery Deadline Is May 31

For those wishing to hunt moose in the rugged woods of the Granite State this fall, now is the time to enter the 2024 Moose Hunt Lottery and try your luck on the adventure of a lifetime. The lottery entrance fee is $15 for New Hampshire residents and $25 for nonresidents. A total of 33 permits will be issued this year. To enter, visit www. wildlife.nh.gov/hunting-nh/moosehunting-new-hampshire where you can enter online or print out a mail-in application. You can also call 603-2712461 to have an application mailed to you, or you can pick one up at any New Hampshire Fish and Game Department licensing agent.

Lottery applicants are encouraged to apply online and early, so there is less chance of having an incomplete application. Moose hunt lottery applications for 2024 must be postmarked by Friday, May 31, 2024, submitted online by midnight Eastern time on Friday, May 31, 2024, or delivered to the Licensing Office at NH Fish and Game Department headquarters in Concord at 11 Hazen Drive before 4:00 p.m. that day. Winners will be selected through a computerized random drawing and announced on June 21.

Applicants may enter the moose hunt lottery once per year. A bonus-point system improves the chances for unsuccessful applicants who apply each consecutive year. Each point translates into a chance in the drawing. For example, last year the overall odds of a resident applicant being drawn were 1 in 114, while resident applicants with a total of

20 points had a 1 in 39 chance of being drawn. For nonresidents, the odds increased from 1 in 477 overall to 1 in 178 for applicants with 20 points. Nearly 6,000 applicants entered the 2023 lottery for the chance to win one of 33 permits. More than 1,197 people continued to accrue bonus points because they submitted an application exclusively to preserve their accrued points. Hunters from six states in addition to New Hampshire won permits in the lottery.

While hunters travel from all over the country to take part in the New Hampshire moose hunt, about 85% of the permits are awarded to New Hampshire residents. The number of permits available to nonresidents is capped based on the prior year’s sales of nonresident hunting licenses.

New Hampshire’s nine-day moose hunt starts the third Saturday in October. This year’s hunt runs from October 19–27.

New Hampshire has had an annual moose hunt since 1988, when 75 permits were issued for a three-day hunt in the North Country. Moose hunting permits are issued when the harvest will not affect the long-term viability of the moose population and when consistent with objectives set in the Department’s long-term Game Management Plan. Objectives in this plan incorporate both biological information and public input. To learn more about moose hunting in New Hampshire visit www.wildlife. nh.gov/hunting-nh/moose-huntingnew-hampshire

Who Remembers Archie Comic Books?

By Rosalie Triolo

Known for his distinctive approach, it was through his teenage characters that artist Bob Montana created the iconic comic strip, Archie. For over three decades years, Archie was featured in over 750 daily and Sunday newspapers. Meanwhile, Archie comic books, published in a dozen foreign languages, sold over 2 billion copies worldwide. Bob Montana, was born on October 23, 1920 in Stockton, California. During his childhood, he traveled with his parents, Roberta, a former Ziegfeld girl, and his father Ray, who played the banjo on the vaudeville circuit. Hav-

• Winni Playhouse continued on page 24

rect instruction in vocal and physical characterization, theatrical terms and concepts, and enterprise students to devise their own theatrical productions through play, improvisation, and storytelling. There are afternoon workshops in art, movement, and music. Each hands-on workshop provides students the opportunity to explore techniques, important figures, and other topics.

For upper-aged students (12-14) or those entering grades 6-8, the playhouse offers a two-week, full-day camp for those ready to adapt and write scripts connecting to each session’s themes. Camp activities will focus on vocal and physical acting and how choices by performers can help to make a strong impression on the audience. Campers will further design and realize their own set, lights, and costumes as well as help to bring the showcases to life for Camps 1 and 2.

New for the 2024 season, the Winni-

ing lost his father at age 13, his mother remarried and the family moved to Haverhill, Massachusetts where Montana attended Haverhill High School from 1936–1939. In his Senior Year the family moved to Manchester, New Hampshire, and Bob graduated from Manchester High School Central in 1940.

After graduating high school, Montana moved to New York City where he attended the Art Students League of New York. Founded in 1875, the League was considered a revolutionary community of artists who formed what is now considered the country’s oldest

pesaukee Playhouse is introducing its “Theatre for Young Audiences” Program. This initiative is designed to introduce young students to high-quality professional theatre. Conducted from October 17-25, professional actors will present to an audience of elementary students—with older children targeted for later inclusion. The $500 tuition will cover five full days of activity over two weeks. The playhouse will provide schools with free workshops as well as lesson plans and educational materials, tours of the theatre grounds, and additional activities. Each performance includes the opportunity for a post-show talkback with the actors and crew in A Year with Frog and Toad. The crew will then answer students’ questions and talk with them about the show and how live theatre is made.

For further information on all the outstanding programs offered by the playhouse &/or a comprehensive list of session dates and themes, visit winnipesaukeeplayhouse.org or call 603-2790333.

independent art school. The League has remained steadfast in its founding principles of education, freedom, and studio-based learning.

Montana began his career as a freelance writer at True Comics and Fox Comics creating an adventure strip about the escapades of four teenage boys. Unfortunately, he was unsuccessful in his attempts to sell the idea. He was then offered a job at MLJ Comics where he was assigned to create a comic strip with a high school theme featuring Archie Andrews. In December 1941 the Archie and Friends story appeared shortly before his second work assignment to draw the first issue of Archie Montana spent his summers in the quaint picturesque town of Meredith, New Hampshire, where his father owned a farm and ran a restaurant. It was in his parent’s rented cottage on Lake Waukewan, where he drew his first issue of Archie in 1942, and created Archie Andrews, a red-headed, freckle-faced, likeable, good natured, small town high school student. This was Montana’s first step toward becom-

ing an icon.

Bob Montana spent three and a half years in WWII had reached the rank of sergeant by the wars’ end. During that time, he met and married Peggy Bertholt who remembers Archie’s friend, Jughead, a composite of some of Montana’s close friends in high school. Bob commonly referenced authenticated people in his masked drawings. For instance, the fictitious Mr. Weatherbee was inspired by an administrator of his high school alma mater, and the school librarian at the time became Miss Grundy. These characters would go on to appear in comic-strips carried by newspapers, best-selling comic books, a radio show, and an animated television series.

In 1950 Bob Montana, with his wife Peggy, and four children, Raymond, Donald, Paige and Lynn, the family officially made Meredith their home. As he said, “I plan to raise apples, and kids and to produce Archie.” Bob leveraged his comics to highlight places of inter-

• Archie continued on page 24

for sale by owner

• Archie continued from page 25

Lake Winnipesaukee and country-ski near his Meredith home. Considered a small-town celebrity, the local newspaper kept close watch on which residents appeared in his comic strips.

The Duck (DUKW) boat is a six-wheel drive amphibious modified 2 ½ ton truck that was originally used by the US military in World War ll. Designed in partnership between GMC and Sparkman & Stephens, they were used to transport goods and troops over land and water. Though they were intended to only last as long as the demands of combat they have found a popular use in tourism during the post-war era.This highly desirable Duck Boat is a true 1944 WWll survivor that has been given a second life. This “stretch boat” was built in Hawaii, then found its way to Key West before ending up in New England. This Duck Boat is Coast Guard verified and had an original public cost of $140k. While Duck Boats are not able to make highway speeds, this Duck Boat can reach up to 35 mph, from the power provided by the 6.2-liter GM Diesel motor that is mated to a Turbo 350 transmission, with a redesigned full cooling system that includes two large custom aluminum radiators. For more information call 603-520-1002.

dinners with all the fixings, skiing at Gunstock Mountain, and the Railroad Station at one time or another appeared in one of the Archie comics.

When idle from drawing comics, Bob would design stage sets and program covers for school plays. He wrote and directed several amateur theatrical productions and performed in a jug band to help raise money for local charities.

Hailed as one of America’s most distinguished cartoonists, his genius and legacy live on. Bob loved to sail on

Bob Montana died at age of 54 of an apparent heart attack while cross-country skiing near his home in Meredith. Montana has left a lasting legacy of his many famed characters and the Archie comics. Sixty-nine years after he drew his first comic book, a single copy was sold at auction for $167,300.

A comic series featuring Archie as a superhero will be released. The publisher will also revisit its Afterlife with Archie series from a new perspective in 2024.

The best clams, onion rings and burgers on the lake! Enjoy the view from our rooftop deck! Just down the street from the dock.

Rt. 11 • Alton Bay 603-875-6363 Old School and Proud of It! Eat A Piece of History - Only at Pop’s!

‘Archie’ statue in Meredith dedicated to Bob Montana.

Civil War Memorials In The Lakes Region

By Thomas P. Caldwell

What we celebrate now as Memorial Day began as Decoration Day, when families placed flowers on the graves of those who died during the Civil War.

Records at Harvard University recount the earliest such celebration, organized by a group of formerly enslaved people in Charleston, South Carolina, less than a month after the Confederacy surrendered in 1865.

Charleston is where the war began, in April 1861, and by the spring of 1865, the city lay in ruin, and was largely abandoned by white residents. Black residents, along with white missionaries and teachers, organized a parade of 10,000 people on May 1, 1865, with 3,000 schoolchildren followed by several hundred women carrying baskets of flowers, wreaths, and crosses to decorate the graves of the dead. Black men followed, and then contingents of Union infantry and other citizens of both races.

Waterloo, New York, was another place where residents decorated veterans’ graves, starting in the summer of 1865. However, it was not until Ohio Representative James A. Garfield, a former general and future US president, declared May 30, 1868, to be known as Decoration Day that the observance we now observe became an official holiday.

The Grand Army of the Republic — a fraternal organization founded in 1866, comprising veterans who had served during the Civil War — led an effort

to place memorials commemorating those who had had been killed in the conflict at locations around the country, including in the Lakes Region of New Hampshire. The GAR dissolved in 1956 with the death of its last member, Albert Woolson, but other community members and veterans’ groups have carried on the effort to immortalize those who died in the nation’s wars.

New Hampshire’s Civil War memorials honor the state’s Twelfth Regiment, an infantry division organized at Concord and mustered on September 10, 1862. One such memorial was placed in Meredith at the direction of a man who called himself E.E. Bedee, who claimed to have been by Abraham Lincoln’s side when John Wilkes Booth shot the president in Ford’s Theater on April 14, 1865.

Bristol historian Charles E. Greenwood recounted the incident in “He Saw Lincoln Shot: The story of an obscure captain in the Union Army who was both a witness to and a part of a historic tragedy.”

“He was seated in the second row on the left side of the theater in back of the orchestra — with a command view of President Abraham Lincoln watching the play. Because the audience was laughing at the acts on stage at the time, few heard the shot that came suddenly during the performance.

“Edwin Bedee, a captain in the Twelfth Regiment, New Hampshire Volunteers, stared in disbelief as a man vaulted from the president’s box onto

stage. When Captain Bedee saw the man jump from the president’s box, his first reaction was to pursue the fleeing gunman. Instead, Bedee, like the rest, listened as John Wilkes Booth boldly uttered the incredible words, ‘Revenge for the South!’ Little did the captain know that he had just witnessed murder of one of America’s great presidents.

“Recognizing a catastrophe, Captain Bedee sprang from his chair, climbed over some rows, bolted past the orchestra footlights, and crossed the stage in the direction in which the man had disappeared. A scream shattered the mounting noise: ‘They’ve got him!’ Bedee presumed the assassin was caught. Another scream, this time from Mrs. Lincoln: ‘My husband is shot!’ A doctor was called for. Captain Bedee reeled around and bounded across the stage toward the box. As he was scaling the box, another man appeared and stated he was a physician.

“Captain Bedee stepped aside, pushed the doctor up to the railing, and followed directly behind.

“When Bedee and the surgeon reached the box, President Lincoln lay in his chair, his head tilted back as though he were asleep. The doctor searched for the wound. Seeking some evidence of blood or torn clothing, he started to remove Lincoln’s coat and unbutton his vest. Meanwhile, Chaplain Bedee was holding the president’s head. Suddenly he felt a warmth trickling into his hand. ‘Here is the wound, doctor,’ Captain Bedee said, as one of

his fingers slid into the hole in the back of Lincoln’s head where the ball had only moments before forced an entry.

“During the removal of some of the president’s clothing, papers fell from his pocket. Mrs. Lincoln, apparently rational in spite of the shock, is said to have handed the packet to Captain Bedee, requesting, ‘You are an officer. Won’t you take charge of these papers?’

“By now others had gained entrance

to the box through the door. One was a surgeon, who proceeded to work with his colleague on the president. When Lincoln was removed to the house across the street from the theater, Captain Bedee helped carry the dying man; he waited at the house until Secretary of War Edwin Stanton arrived soon afterward. Then Captain Bedee delivered the papers to the secretary, writing his own name and regiment upon the wrapper that Stanton placed around the documents. Secretary Stanton gave the captain two assignments: first, to go to the War Department with a message, and second, to contact the officer in command at Chain Bridge on matters dealing with the escaping assassin.”

Fremont Town Historian Joann Kilbury Spencer cast doubt on that tale: “I think some of which has been written about Bedee has been exaggerated to some degree by Bedee himself. Everyone seemed to claim at the time they were in Ford’s Theater the night of the assassination — people in those days were really caught up in their own self-importance and frequently blew themselves up bigger than they were, simply because many considered you a nobody if you weren’t in the upper class of society at that time.”

E.E. Bedee, an illegitimate son of an unmarried Sandwich woman and an unknown father, was born Edwin Elzaphan Beede. In order to hide his illegitimacy, Beede changed the spelling of his last name. According to a history of the 12th New Hampshire Regiment of Volunteers, Bedee was a printer before the Civil War. He enlisted in Albany, New York, and spent his first three months as an orderly sergeant before being promoted to second lieutenant. Later he was appointed a messenger in the citizens’ corps. Returning to Meredith, he joined New Hampshire’s 12th Regiment on August 18, 1852, as a sergeant-major, rising through the ranks to a major.

The 12th Regiment was involved in some of the fiercest battles of the Civil

War, including Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, Cold Harbor, and the siege of Richmond. Bedee was wounded at Chancellorsville on May 3, 1863, and again on June 4, 1864. He was captured and made a prisoner at Bermuda Hundred, Virginia, on November 17, 1864. He was paroled on Feb. 22, 1865, made major on May 26, and mustered out June 21 as captain.

After the war, Beede went to South Africa and made a fortune in the diamond fields. He sold his claims seven years later and set up as a diamond broker in Boston for several years.

In 1892, Beede gave Meredith a marble and granite statue of a Civil War veteran in uniform to perpetuate the memory of those who enlisted in New Hampshire’s 12th.

Beede died in Plymouth on January 13, 1908, and is buried in the Meredith Village Cemetery.

Lakes Region Monuments

Alton: Its monument is “dedicated to the memory of those who enlisted from Alton in the War of 1861-65. Died in defense of their country and sleep in unknown graves. Erected by M.H. Savage Post GAR.” Three sides of the monument then go on to list the names of the deceased and where they

died.

Ashland: The town actually has two Civil War monuments. The oldest was erected by the Grand Army of the Republic OW Keyes Post and dedicated to the unknown dead of the Civil War. It is tall and narrow with a very simple inscription: “GAR / 61-65 / Unknown”. A second memorial is inscribed “Lincoln” and “In memory of the soldiers of Ashland in the War 1861-1865”.

Bristol: The US government gave the Bristol GAR post a surplus of Civil War naval mortar from the USN Orvette for use as a monument in 1896. It was placed on a granite base in Central Square in 1897 and was formally dedicated on November 4, 1898. When the square was redesigned in 2012, the mortar was moved and, embarrassingly, the cannonballs were mounted on the wrong side of the mortar. A dozen years later, the mistake has not been corrected.

Center Barnstead: Dedicated on September 23, 1911, Center Barnstead’s monument depicts a uniformed Civil War soldier who may be Colonel Henry W. Blair. The man, with a mustache and beard, stands dressed in boots, socks, a hip-length jacket, and a hat with a wide brim. He holds the muzzle of his rifle in front of him, and a bedroll is slung over his left shoulder. The sculpture is mounted on a block of polished dark granite. At the time, the sculpture cost about $1,500 and was installed under the auspices of the Grand Army of the Republic, the Women’s Relief Corps, and the citizens of Barnstead “in memory of the soldiers and sailors who served in the Revolutionary War, the War of 1812, the Mexican War, and the Civil War.” It bears a later inscription honoring those who served during World War I. In addition to public donations, the town of Barnstead appropriated $300 toward the project.

Tamworth: The town has erected a series of memorials listing those who died in various wars, including the Civil War. They stand together in Veterans Park.

Tilton: Citizens of Tilton and Northfield got together to erect a Soldier’s Monument in 1889. The copper soldier it depicts had become badly tarnished, but recently was cleaned and polished to restore its luster.

Wolfeboro: The town’s Civil War monuments states that it was “erected to the memory of the loyal men of Wolfeboro who served in the War of 1861-1865 by grateful citizens”.

Civil War Monument in Meredith.

By Lee Caldwell

SkyVenture New Hampshire in Nashua is unique. In addition to having a state-of-the art vertical wind tunnel for indoor skydiving, the world’s largest surf stream, a Fishpipe rotating water barrel ride, and a three-lane handcarved rockclimbing wall, it offers the Oasis Café where you can slip off your shoes, have a snack, and sip a handcrafted key-lime colada.

Owner Laurie Greer, a 30-year sky-

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

diving veteran with more than 4,000 jumps, says, “We sell smiles.”

Laurie, whose official title is “Ruler of the Island,” and her husband, Rob, started SkyVenture in 2006 with the indoor skydiving tunnel, and they have been gradually enlarging the operation.

The day of the interview, a gaggle of elementary school-age students were having lunch at the Oasis Café after a morning in a day-long Adventure Day Camp. They were definitely smiling as

Brokerage Specialists

Indoor Skydiving And Surfing Complete With Tropical Oasis

Instructors demonstrate indoor skydiving

they sipped their drinks and munched their lunch selections.

Laurie comments, “This is one of my favorite things. I love seeing the kids grin ear-to-ear. They have so much fun.”

•Day Tripping continued on page 30

at SkyVentures NH. (Lee Caldwell Photo)

Eight listings Added To NH State Register Of Historic Places

The New Hampshire Division of Historical Resources (NHDHR) has announced that the State Historical Resources Council has added eight properties to the New Hampshire State Register of Historic Places.

The brick First Freewill Baptist Church in Ashland was constructed as a simple Federal Style building in 1835. Late nineteenth century modifications added distinct Victorian period architectural elements that are still in place. A wooden addition, built in 1899, connects the church to a brick vestry that was built in 1836 and originally served as Miss Perkins High School. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1983, the church and vestry are significant for their social and educational roles in the community as well as for their association with the abolitionist movement.

Bartlett Union Congregational Church was built in 1897 using specially ordered steel girders brought by train from the west. The two-and-a-half story building’s Queen Anne Style features include a mix of clapboard and wood shingle siding as well as a steeply pitched front-facing gable roof, and a porch with turned posts, a spindle frieze and a pediment with partial returns. After serving the community as a church, village library and gathering space for the first half of the twentieth century, it is currently the only church in Bartlett Village and continues to be used for community events.

Located in Gilmanton Corners and built circa 1840, the Gilmanton Corner Public Library throughout the nineteenth century was a home, school, milliner shop, harness shop, printing office and Ira Pennock’s Cobbler Shop. Purchased by Gilmanton Academy in 1902,

it served as the boys’ clubhouse for students until the academy closed in 1910. It has been a year-round volunteer-run library from the time it was purchased by the town in 1912 until today. The one-story clapboarded building has a hip roof and a curved wood-paneled door that was reused from a house that burned in 1827.

The Rogers-Pressey House in Hanover is architecturally significant both as a Greek Revival cape and as a rare example of a plank-constructed house in the Connecticut River Valley. Constructed circa 1835, the one-and-a-half story home was built as a square-ruled timber frame with vertical planks mortised into the sills and top plates. The house is finished with wood clapboards, simple corner boards and rake boards. Original windows include nine-over-six sashes on the first floor and six-over-six on the second. A screen porch was added in the early twentieth century.

Built near the site of bridges dating back to 1782, the Edna Dean Proctor Bridge spans the Contoocook River. A stone bridge constructed on the site in 1835 was claimed to be the first double-arched stone bridge built in New Hampshire. After that bridge, built from local stone split in a Henniker quarry and brought to the site by oxen, was washed away in a flood caused by the Hurricane of 1938, a new double-arched stone bridge, made of reinforced concrete, was built on the site, incorporating original quarried stone salvaged from the river bottom.

A typical late Victorian side-hall single family dwelling, the Samantha Plantin House is reportedly the home of the first Black landowner in Manchester. The daughter of a formerly enslaved mother, Plantin (circa 1827-

1899) moved from New Boston in 1844 to work for the Amoskeag Manufacturing Company. She purchased land from the company in 1870, later selling it for a profit and using those funds to construct this home circa 1890. The house’s exterior as well as a barn added soon after Plantin’s death have been largely unaltered since the early twentieth century.

The Rochester Fairgrounds have contributed to the agricultural, mechanical, and social history of Rochester and Strafford County for nearly 150 years. Created as a racing park in the late 1870s and fully developed into a fairground starting in 1882, the 63-acre site has a historically significant racetrack, midway, campground and 16 buildings ranging from exhibition and animal barns to a race betting office, concession shed, grandstand and beano hall. The exhibition barns have eclectic Victorian design, including fanciful cupolas and dormers, variegated shingles and bargeboard, while mid-twentieth century structures are simple concrete block construction.

At a time when preventing free-ranging farm animals from harming crops and gardens was crucial to protecting an agriculture-based economy, town pounds were required by New Hampshire law and used to hold stray hors-

es, sheep, pigs, cattle, goats, geese, and other livestock until their owners could claim them. The Sandown Town Pound (1793) is a fairly well-preserved example, constructed of dry-laid naturally shaped fieldstone along with larger pieces that were likely hammered from ledge and glacial boulders. Closed by the town in 1885, it is one of 73 town pounds still left in the state.

Anyone wishing to nominate a property to the New Hampshire State Register of Historic Places must research the history of the nominated property and document it on an individual inventory form from the New Hampshire Division of Historical Resources. Having a property listed in the Register does not impose restrictions on property owners. For more information, visit nhdhr.dncr. nh.gov.

New Hampshire’s Division of Historical Resources (NHDHR), the State Historic Preservation Office, was established in 1974 and is part of the NH Department of Natural and Cultural Resources. Their mission is to preserve and celebrate New Hampshire’s irreplaceable historic resources through programs and services that provide education, stewardship, and protection. For more information, visit online at nhdhr.dncr.nh.gov or by calling 603271-3483.

Laurie says that the Adventure Day Camps run during school vacations in February and April and during the summer months. A typical day has tunnel-flying from 9 a.m. to noon, with some STEM education related to science and technology included. That is followed by lunch. After lunch, the children get to try the Fishpipe, surf, boogie board, and rock climb. Laurie emphasizes that “It is a sports camp. The kids are very active. We normally take ages between 7 and 17, but it can vary.”

SkyVenture’s website describes indoor skydiving as “No Plane, No Parachute, No Problem.”

Laurie enthuses about indoor skydiving, “The only thing different from skydiving is the view. A two-minute session is equivalent to four skydives, and a four-minute session is equivalent to eight skydives.”

She added, “We have had four generations indoor skydive together. One individual was 99 years-old. One was two-and-a-half. Kids must be potty trained, though.”

Describing the procedure, she states, “First you purchase the air time. Flight goggles must be worn and are purchased separately (due to COVID restrictions.) A waiver must be signed. After a class, participants are geared up in a flight suit, goggles, helmet, and ear plugs. Lace-up sneakers must be worn; we don’t want flip-flops eaten by

285 Daniel Webster Hwy/ PO Box 881 Meredith, NH 03253 603-677-7007

"Let us help you find your next landing spot!"

MEREDITH: Waterfront!

Lake Waukewan waterfront home featuring 2BR/2 baths, a detached garage, 225‘ of sandy beachfront, nice swimming, plus gorgeous sunset views all year long! $1,399,000 #4992362

MEREDITH: Home With Boat Slip!

Well maintained 4BR/3 bath home featuring a 2-story barn/workshop, large screen porch and deck, including a 24' boat slip on Lake Winnipesaukee! $899,000 #4992368

MEREDITH: Great Neighborhood!

Wonderfully decorated Cape featuring 4BRs/3 baths, HW floors, updated kitchen, and a 2-car garage all on 1.82 acres with lovely perennial gardens. $799,000 #4986786

GILFORD: 3 Seasonal Cottages Available!

Studio Condos in the Glendale area! Completely redone inside & out and featuring a kitchenette, bath, and sleeping! Close to the public docks, boat launch, and town beach on Lake Winnipesaukee. A perfect get-away space! $135,000 each

the fan. The participant is helped into an antechamber and then assisted into the airflow which contains the highest pressure of air. Under the participant is a wire woven trampoline. For an additional fee, the participant can opt for the extra fly-high and soar. The tunnel above the trampoline is 45 feet.”

Most people in reasonable health and fitness can fly; however, there are some flight restrictions, including a weight limit. Check the website for a list of restrictions.

Another attraction is the Fishpipe, a rotating water barrel ride, where participants slide farther than the world’s longest water slide. Laurie describes this as “a giant ball on a frame that rotates around the rider. Four gallons of water is added. The rider can either slosh around in the bottom or try to run inside. We have a ‘run challenge’. In 90 seconds, the ride travels at 19 mph and goes 4.5 football fields. We have had a few people who can run in the Fishpipe for the entire ride, including one youngster.”

For rock-climbing, SkyVenture has a 24-foot Nicros ART climbing wall. It features a beginner, intermediate, and expert climbing route, set in a tropical oasis.

Surf’s Up features the world’s largest surf stream for indoor surfing, with a 14 mph flow that is about one foot deep. The pool holds 120,000 gallons of water and is state-of-the-art. It has 10 wave types, including boogie board wave, river wave, six-foot standing barrel wave, and wake wave. The water temperature is a balmy 82 degrees. Laurie states that she always wanted to learn to surf when she lived in Hawaii but often the waves were too high. She finally gave up when she heard a story from a friend who was pursued by a relentless tiger shark while surfing. Laurie then gravitated to indoor surfing.

Surfers using the surf stream have the option of various wave types, according to skill levels. Riders use ac-

tual surfboards with fins on a thick cushion of water that creates an endless wave. Laurie states that the instructors at Surf’s Up offer a personalized experience for beginning surfers. One instructor surfs and one instructor stays on shore and helps the beginner onto the surfboard. The instructor on the surfboard holds the beginner’s hand to help stabilize them. Laurie says, “This makes the progression more smooth.” According to the website, “Surf’s Up enables all ages and experience levels to learn, practice, and improve skills that are directly transferable to the ocean.”

“One of the funniest questions I got from a kid related to surfing is ‘What time are the pool sharks out?’”

After skydiving and surfing, relax at the Oasis Café, overlooking the Surf’s Up indoor surf park. The air is warm and balmy. Overhead is a skylight roof that can be retracted in the summer. Underneath is a radiant heat floor for slipping off your shoes in the winter. Tiki gods surround you. A forest of live palm trees imported from Florida and a living plant wall provide a tropical ambience. There is free wi-fi internet access. The Oasis is open weekends for walk-ins and for adventure customers during normal operating hours. The Oasis Café has a liquor license. Laurie encourages everyone: “Come and have fun. Surf, fly, and hang out in the café.”

Options include skydiving; group surf sessions; combo packages of surf and fly, surf, fly, climb, or pipe, and surf, fly, climb, and pipe; birthday parties and event packages; surf and fly camps for kids; flight package for up to 12 people; surf package for up to 15 people; surf and fly ultimate party package, and custom party packages. SkyVenture New Hampshire’s website is SkyVentureNH.com. They are located at 100 Adventure Way in Nashua, 603-897-0002. Reservations are recommended.