September 26, 2024 CI by Smckenna

Wicwas Lodge topic of historical society program

Tourismhasbeenanarea offocusthisyearforthe MeredithHistoricalSociety, andthenextprograminthe society’sspeakerserieswill focusonakeyvenueofthat industry.

DeanDexterofConcord, whosefamilyhasamanygenerations-longassociation withLakeWicwas,willbe thefeaturedspeakeratthe October1programtitled “TheSmithsofWicwas Lodge.”

DextergrewupinLaconia, spendingsummersduring hischildhoodatafamilycottageonLakeWicwas“inthe shadowofagreatsummer boardinghouse,”hesaid.Set onahilloverlookingthe lake,WicwasLodgewasalso aworkingfarmoperatedby hisgrandparentsonland ownedbytheSmithfamily sincethe1800s.

ItreplacedtheWicwas LakeHouse,whichwasdestroyedbyfirein1935.A largefour-storyedifice,the LakeHousewaswherehis grandfatherJosephSmithJr. andsiblingsgrewup.The Smithswentontobecome successfulinbusiness,education,veterinarymedicine, andpolitics.

DeanDexterhashada longcareerinjournalism andpublicservice.Heisa pastpresidentoftheLake WicwasAssociationanda currentboardmember.Heis aformereditorandreporter fortwoformerLakesRegion newspapers,TheLaconiaNewsandLaconia EveningCitizen.Healso servedastintaseditorial writerfortheManchester UnionLeader;forseveral yearswascontributingeditorofNewHampshireMagazine;andconducteda publicissuesinterviewpro-

gramforaManchestercable companyforadecade.

Activeinpoliticshimself, hehasservedontheLaconia SchoolBoard,asBelknap CountyCommissioner,and threetermsintheNew HampshireHouserepresentingLaconia.Hewasthe primesponsoroflegislation in1983and1987thatcre-

The Historical Society will host a program presented by Dean Dexter on Oct. 1, at 7 p.m. at the Meredith Community Center.

atedAhernParkonLake Winnisquamandpreserved overtwohundredacresof thepristinenaturalareaon partoftheformerLaconia StateSchoolproperty.Heis currentlyonthestaffofthe NewHampshireSecretary ofState.Onthepersonal side,hecollectsvintage typewritersandconfessesto

occasionallyposting“Dean DexterBloggingat Random…”online.

“WicwasLodgewasoneof themorepopulartourist destinationsinMeredithfor manyyears,”notedJohn Hopper,presidentofthe MeredithHistoricalSociety.

“Dean’sprogramwillbea greatopportunitytolearn moreaboutthishistoric property.”

Thisprogramwillbeheld Tuesday,October1,atthe MeredithCommunity Center,1CircleDrive.Doors

openat6:30p.m.forlightrefreshments.Theprogram beginsat7:00p.m.AllprogramsoftheSocietyarefree, andallarewelcome.

Foracompletescheduleof theSociety’s2024Speaker Series,visitusonFacebook orourwebsiteat www.meredithhistoricalsocietynh.org.Programsofthe MeredithHistoricalSociety helpfulfillitsmissiontopreserve,develop,andpromote theknowledgeandawarenessofMeredith’sunique history.

Poets talk about Mike Pride illustrated talk

WILMOT–DonaldHall, JaneKenyonandMaxine Kumin,threedistinguished localpoetsfeaturedinMike Pride’sNorthernVoices: FortyYearsonthePoetry Beatwillberememberedin atalkbyMarkTravison Sunday,Sept.29at2p.m.at theWilmotCommunityAssociation’s(WCA)Red Barn,64VillageRoad.

TheWCAandAtEagle Pondareco-sponsorsofthis freeprogram.

InApril2023,justafew daysbeforehisdeath,Pride askedTravis,hislong-time friendandcolleague,tosee theNorthernVoices manuscriptthroughtopublication.ThenTravisshepherdedtheworkfromdraft tobook,whichwaspublishedearlierthisyear.

Inthebook,Priderelates whathelearnedfromthe poetsheinterviewedforarticlespublishedintheConcordMonitorandwith whomhebecamefriends.

Duringhisillustratedtalk, Traviswillfocusonthe worksof,andthefriendship amongthreelocalpoets, DonaldHall,JaneKenyon andMaxineKumin,all deeplyinfluencedbyplace. Allthreegarnerednational recognitionfortheirwork. Travisalsowilldiscussthree otherrenownedN.H.poets includedinthebook.

AtEaglePondisanonprofitorganizationestablishedtopreservethefarm inWilmotwhereDonald HallandJaneKenyonshared awritinglife.Moreinformationabouttheorganization isavailableonthewebsite, www.ateaglepond.org.

TheWCA,foundedin 1963,ownstheRedBarn,a communitycenteronVillageRoad,andTimmy

Mike Pride and Mark Travis, long-time friends and colleagues. After Pride’s death in 2023, Travis shepherded “Northern Voices: 40 Years on the Poetry Beat” through publication.

PattenPark,abeachand playgroundonVillageRoad. Itenrichescommunitylife andbringsneighborstogetherthroughsocial,recreationalandeducationalactivities.

Refreshmentswillbe servedaftertheprogram. MoreinformationisavailablefromtheWCAat603526-7934oronthewebsite, wilmotwca.org.

MONICA RICO/ Courtesy

SunnyDays Illustrationbooth ata previousHenniker Handmade & Homegrown event.

Handmade & Homegrown to take over downtown

OnSaturdayandSunday, Sept.28-29,downtown Hennikerwillcomealive withactivityduringthe8th HennikerHandmade& Homegrownevent.This semi-annualeventwillbe

thebiggestyet–featuring 88localartisans,crafters, farms,andfoodmakers;a diverseanddeliciousselectionoffoodtrucks;andan outstandinglineupoflive musicperformers. Thecraftfairwillfeature awiderangeoffineartsand handcraftsincludinghandmadejewelry,pottery, paintings,illustrations, woodworking,baskets,

handblownglass,fiberarts includingknitting,crochet, woolfelting,andweaving, skincareproducts,soaps, andmore.Severallocal farmswillhaveseasonal produce,grass-fedandfreerangemeats,eggs,baked goods,flowerbouquets, wine,maple,andhoney. Thefoodtrucklineupwill includeauthentic Columbianstreetfoodfrom

WAM: Eras

JoinaspectacularcelebrationonthefirstWednesday ofOctoberastheCrisis CenterofCentralNew Hampshire(CCCNH) proudlypresentsthe10th AnniversaryofWalkaMile inTheirShoes(WAM):Eras Edition,Wednesday,Oct.2, from4:30to6:30p.m. WAMisalight-hearted eventtoraiseawareness aboutveryseriousissues–domestic,sexualandgenderbasedviolence.Wewalkto showsolidarity,supportsurvivors,andtoraiseawarenessofdomesticandsexual violenceinMerrimack County.Thisyear,ourtheme isEras,anodtoTaylor Swift’siconicErastourand anopportunitytocelebrate decadesofhistoryinour community.WhetherEras meansrockingouttoyourfavoriteTaylorSwiftsongor rockingyourbest70s,80s,or 90sattire,wecan’twaitto walkwithyou.Friendlyfour-

leggedfriendsarewelcome. Yourparticipationhelpsus providelife-savingservices. TheproceedsfromWAMgo directlytosupportCCCNH’s essentialprogramsandservicesforthoseaffectedby domesticandsexualviolenceinourcommunity.

What about the shoes?

Onethingwealwayslook forwardtoatWalkAMileIn TheirShoesistheshoes–pumps,platforms,stilettos, knee-highboots,sneakers, flipflopsandevenflats.You canwearwhateverworksfor you!

Toregister,visit cccnh.org/events/Questions?CallDebbieat 603.225.7376oremailat wam@cccnh.org.

Thewalkwillbeheldatthe StateHouseArches,Main Street,Concord.Check In/Registrationsbeginsat 4:30p.m.

jmessinastumpgrindingnh.com

Fund grant applications

Localnonprofitswho wishtoapplyforagrant fromtheMVSB(Meredith VillageSavingsBank)Fund atNewHampshireCharitableFoundationcandoso byOctober15.Theapplicationandinstructionscanbe accessedonlineat mvsb.com/community-involvement.

Grantsgenerallyrange from$1,000to$10,000and areawardedto501(c)(3) nonprofitsandpublicagenciesbasedintheLakesRegion,PlymouthandSeacoastareas.Projectssup-

portedareofhighpriority andneedfortheapplicant organizationandarerelated totheirmissionordevelopment;demonstrateaclear, practicalplanwithobjectivesforservices,participationandresults;leverage otherfundingand/orvoluntarysupport;offerevidence thatprojectobjectiveswill beaccomplishedwithinthe grantperiodanddemonstratecooperationandcollaborationwithotherorganizationstoprovidegreater communityimpact. Gotomvsb.com/community-involvementtolearn moreandtoapply.

New venue, new vibe fundraiser

ConcordCoalitiontoEnd Homelessness(CCEH)is proudtoholditsfifthannual Blues,Brews&BBQ fundraisereventfeaturing livemusicandall-you-caneatbarbeque.

“Blues,Brews&BBQ”will takeplaceonThursday, Sept.26from5:30p.m.to 7:30p.m.attheBarnatBull Meadow(63BogRd,Concord).Localacousticduo Conor&Zebwillperform livewhileguestsenjoyan incredibleall-you-can-eat buffetofTexas-stylebarbequemeatsandsidesfrom Concord’sveryown SmokeshowBarbeque

Staytoplaycornholeand participateinanepicgame of“HeadsorTails”forthe

opportunitytowinprizes. Allproceedsfromtheevent willbenefitCCEH’smission ofendinghomelessnessin ourcommunity.

FeaturedasoneofConcord’scan’t-missFairs& Festivalseventsinthe GreaterConcordChamber’s 2024GuidebooktoConcord,“Blues,Brews&BBQ” willbeafuneveningof greatmusic,deliciousfood, andagoodcause!

Costis$50perticket(allyou-can-eatauthentic Texas-stylebarbequed meatsandsides).Please notewewillnothavetakeawaycontainers.

Formoreinformation, visitconcordhomeless.org/blues-brews-bbq/

Combining a Haunted House with interactive theatre

TheNorthCountry CenterfortheArtsatJean’s Playhouseisthrilledtoannouncethereturnofits highlyanticipatedGhost LightHauntedExperience, settospookandthrillvisitorsthisHalloweenseason. Thebelovedannualevent kicksoffColumbusDay weekend,andpromisesto deliveranunforgettableexperienceforbothseasoned horrorenthusiastsandnewcomersalike.

GhostLighttransforms theentiretyofJean’sPlayhouseintoaspine-chilling spectacleofeerieencountersandghostlythrills.This year’shauntingexperience willtakeguestsonaheartpoundingjourneythrougha seriesofmeticulously craftedscenesthatblend chillingspecialeffects,intricatesetdesigns,alongwith agrippingnarrativethat bringstheghostlytalesof thetheatertolife.

“Weareincrediblyex-

citedtobringGhostLight backtothePlayhouse,”said creatorandExecutive ArtisticDirector,Joel Mercier.

Whenyouarrive,Sylus Harrington,themuseum Curatorfirsttakesyou throughthehistoryofthe theatreandlanditsitson,

andthenthetourbegins, bringingsmallgroups throughtheentirebuilding andeventhebackyard, whichhaveallbeenfurnishedwiththeatrical lighting,sets,specialeffects, andscarycreaturestocreate ahauntedhousewalkthroughexperience,but

withatouchofimmersive theatremagic!

GhostLightwillberunon weekendsfromFriday,Oct. 11throughSaturday,Oct. 26.Eachhauntedtouraccommodatesuptofourteen guestsandrunsapproximatelyfortyminutes.Tours

starteverytwentyminutes fromduskuntil10p.m.,but withsuchlimitedopenings, itisrecommendedguests purchaseticketsaheadof time.Anadditional weekendhasbeenaddedto accommodatehighdemand.

‘Ghost Light’ haunted experience

Ticketsareavailablenow andcanbepurchasedonline atwww.jeansplayhouse.comor www.nhghostlight.com,or youcancalltheboxofficeat

603-745-2141

Don’tmissyourchanceto experiencethemostunique eventoftheseason.Prepare foranunforgettableHalloweenadventureandsee whyGhostLightisbe-

comingaNorthCountry cherishedtraditionfor thrill-seekersandghost huntersalike.

Howwillyourreactwhen theGhostLightgoesout...?

SeeyouatGhostLight!

Annual fiddle festival returns

FiddlersfromtheCeltic, NewEngland,andFrancoAmericanfiddlingtraditionswilljoinforcesonSaturday,Oct.5forthesixth FallFiddleFestival,aday packedwithworkshopsand groupplayingforfiddlers (andviolinistswhoareinterestedinlearningto fiddle!).TheFestival,open toteensandadults,willbe heldatConcordCommunityMusicSchool,23Wall St.,Concord.

Thedayincludesworkshopsonavarietyoftopics atthenovice,intermediate, andadvancedlevels.Inthe evening,allfourfiddlefacultymembers,alongwith theirmusicalcollaborators, willpresentatoe-tapping eveningconcertoffiddle

musicopentothepublic.

TheFestivalwillfeature guestfacultymembersHannekeCasselandDonRoy, alongsidetwoofNew Hampshire’sownfiddling favorites,AudreyBudingtonandLizFaiella. They'llbejoinedforthe eveningconcertbyaccompanistsDanFaiella,guitar andCindyRoy,piano.

Abouttheinstructors/performers:

FiddlingchampionHannekeCasselblendsoriginalityandinnovationwith thespiritofScottishtraditionalfiddle.Fusingmusical rootsfromtheIsleofSkye andCapeBretonIslandwith Americanastylings,Hanneke’splayinghasbeendescribedbytheBoston

Globeas“exuberantand rhythmic,somehowwild andinnocent,delivered withcaptivatingmelodic clarityandanirresistible playfulness.”

NationalHeritageFellowshiprecipientDonRoyisa virtuosicfiddlerwhose musicisdeeplyrootedin theFranco-Americantradition.Heactivelyfosters communitymusic-making andappreciationoftraditionalmusicthroughhis uniquefiddleorchestra, "Fiddle-icious",andperformsandrecordsusinghis ownviolins.

FromtheMusicSchool’s faculty,AudreyBudingtonisfluentinvarious fiddlingstylesandhasper-

Fiddle festival returns

formedwithRosanneCash, DarolAnger,andBruce Molskyamongothers.Liz Faiella,chairoftheFolkDepartmentattheMusic School,bringsflairandsensitivitytothetraditional CelticandNewEnglandfolk musicsheloves.Forfiddlers participatinginthedaytime workshops,keepaneyeout foraward-winningNew Hampshire-basedfiddler andMusicSchoolfaculty memberJordanTirrellWysocki,whowilljointhe fiddleteaminleadinggroup tunesafterlunch!

Intheeveningconcert, thefiddlerswillsharethe stagewithtwomasterfulaccompanists.CindyRoy,also aNationalHeritageFellowshiprecipient,grewupimmersedinthemelodiesand

rhythmsofFranco-Amer icanmusic.Herpianoac companimentisfluidand rhythmicandprovidesa perfectfoiltothevirtuosic fiddlingofherhusbandand musicalpartner,DonRoy. GuitaristDanFaiellaspe cializesintraditionalCeltic music.Trainedasanaccom panistthroughyearsof playingforNewEngland contradancesandalongside Irishfiddlers,hehasper formedatvenuesandfesti valsaroundthecountry withnumeroustraditional musicgroups. Registrationforboth workshopsandconcertis $120;ticketsforconcert onlyare$25($20students &adultsover65).Tolearn moreandregister,visit musicschool.org/fall-fiddlefestival/

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