Image Magazine - Summer 2026

Lake Sunapee Cruises

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FEATURES

40 | Cruisin’ on Lake Sunapee

A vacation tradition for 150 years. by Susan Nye

58 | Antique & Unique

NT Ferro’s Original 1920s Jewelry Creations by Mary Gow

70 | Bopping Around Barcelona

Captivating capital of Catalonia. by Lisa Ballard

Lake Sunapee Cruises

Cover: Sunapee Cruises. Photo courtesy of Sunapee Cruises by Lyvie Beyrent.

Right: Sagrada Familia, Barcelona, Spain.

Photo by © Vladimir Sazonov | Dreamstime.com

Mountain View Publishing, LLC 135 Lyme Road Hanover, NH 03755 (603) 678-2793

www.mountainviewpublishing.com www.greateruppervalley.com

Publishers Cheryl Frisch Ryan Frisch

Publisher Emeritus Bob Frisch (1951–2025)

Executive Editor Deborah Thompson

Associate Editor Kristy Erickson

Creative Director/Design Ellen Klempner-Béguin

Advertising Design Marston Creative

Web Design Locable

Digital Manager Erin Frisch Newton

Advertising Ryan Frisch Calyn Frisch

KEEP US POSTED: image magazine wants to hear from readers. Correspondence may be addressed to: Letters to the Editor, image, 135 Lyme Road, Hanover, NH 03755. Or email us at: dthompson@mountainviewpublishing.com. Advertising inquiries may be made by email to ryanfrisch@mountainviewpublishing.com. image is published quarterly by Mountain View Publishing, LLC ©2026. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or part is strictly prohibited. image magazine accepts no responsibility for unsolicited manuscripts, artwork, or photographs.

Making Summer Memories

The Upper Valley is a fantastic place to live in all seasons and is especially enjoyable during the summer months, which are packed with exciting outdoor adventures and community gatherings. Choose from hiking, biking, or jogging along beautiful trails, swimming or kayaking on lakes and rivers, and experiencing the arts at several local theaters, galleries, and parks.

Residents and visitors alike are sure to gather for a series of Fourth of July celebrations as our country reaches its 250th birthday. The good folks at Lebanon Recreation, Arts, and Parks have planned a series of family-friendly events for July 2 and July 4 in Colburn Park, so come out and join the fun (page 18).

If you’re looking for an unforgettable outing, plan an afternoon or evening cruise on Lake Sunapee (page 40). Gather a group for a birthday or anniversary party or invite your special someone for a memorable date. Savoring a meal on board during a brunch or dinner cruise makes the experience even more fabulous.

In this issue we’re visiting Stateline Sports in their new, spacious location in Lebanon (page 48) and we’re making a stop in New London for new summer fashions at the Life Is Good store (page 30). If your summer outings take you to Woodstock, Vermont, stop in at NT Ferro Estate & Custom Jewelers, where owner Nick Ferro has created an exciting new line of diamond rings from 1920s designs. Exquisite!

Wherever your summer adventures take you, make the most of every day; this season of carefree, lazy days won’t last for long. Keep in touch with local news and events at www.greateruppervalley.com. Enjoy!

Deborah Thompson Executive Editor dthompson@mountainviewpublishing.com

www.facebook.com/greateruppervalley.com

photo

CONTRIBUTORS

 Susan B. Apel, Susan shuttered a lifelong career as a law professor to continue an interest (since kindergarten) in writing. Her freelance business, The Next Word, includes literary and feature writing; her work has appeared in a variety of lit mags and other publications including Art New England, The Arts Fuse, and Persimmon Tree. She connects with her neighbors through Artful, her blog about arts and culture in the Upper Valley. She’s in love with the written word.

 Lisa Ballard, WRITER AND PHOTOGRAPHER

A full-time freelance writer and photographer, Lisa is a graduate of Dartmouth College who resided in the Upper Valley for another 25 years. She is the author of 13 books, including Best Hikes with Dogs: New Hampshire & Vermont, Hiking the White Mountains, and Hiking the Green Mountains. She covers all types of travel, outdoor recreation, and conservation topics for over 25 magazines. www.LisaBallardOutdoors.com

 Pamela Brown, WRITER

Pamela has been a journalist in Connecticut for over 25 years and is the founder of PMB Writing & Consulting, providing editorial and marketing services to small and large businesses. She is also the author of Faithful Love, a contemporary romance-adventure novel. In her free time, Pamela enjoys playing tennis, gardening, drawing, and spending time with her daughter Alexis and her mini Goldendoodle Rafa and Mal-Shi Andy.

 Lars Blackmore, PHOTOGRAPHER

Lars grew up in Denmark and has worked as a photojournalist since the early 1990s, covering everything from concerts to conflicts on assignment for the Associated Press, Save the Children, and others. Now based in Norwich, Vermont, with his wife and two kids, he combines photography and writing assignments with graduate work at Dartmouth College.

 Ian Raymond, PHOTOGRAPHER

Ian has owned and operated Raymond Photography in downtown Laconia for over 40 years. His studio specializes in commercial, architectural, and industrial photography; as well as fine-art portraiture. He has served as president of the New Hampshire Society of Photographic Artists and currently heads the photography department at Plymouth State University.

 Kata Sasvari, PHOTOGRAPHER

Hungarian-born photographer Kata brings a storyteller’s eye to every image. Based in Norwich, Vermont, she specializes in portraits and events, capturing genuine emotion and connection. Kata is a dedicated theater photographer whose work is often exhibited at Northern Stage. If not behind the camera, you can find her running rock shows for local teens through Tuck’s Rock Dojo. katasasvari.com

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 Lake Morey Summer Concert Series Returns

Check out these free concerts happening all summer long.

Visit us online to find the winner of this year’s Mother’s Day Giveaway, and subscribe to our newsletter at www.greateruppervalley.com/newsletter to be notified about upcoming giveaways, new issues, and things to do around the Upper Valley. A big thank you to all who entered and to our sponsors!

10 Golf Courses Within Driving Distance to Play This Summer 

Discover 10 great golf courses within driving distance of the Upper Valley and plan your next summer round.

 10 Places to Grab a Sweet Treat This Summer

Cool down this summer with must-try ice cream spots serving up creamy scoops, bold flavors, and sweet treats worth the trip.

ONLINE ADVERTISERS INDEX

Check out these local businesses in our directory.

3 PHASE LANDSCAPING, LLC

ALIGN INN VERMONT

BARTON INSURANCE / HILB GROUP

BELLETETES

CALDWELL LAW

CLAREMONT SAVINGS BANK

COLBY INSURANCE GROUP

COPELAND FURNITURE

CROSSROADS ACADEMY

DARTMOUTH AUTHENTIC

DATAMANN

DB LANDSCAPING

DESIGNER GOLD

DUTILLE’S JEWELRY DESIGN STUDIO

EYEGLASS OUTLET

FORE-U GOLF CENTER

HANOVER EYECARE

IVY IV AESTHETICS

JEFF WILMOT PAINTING & WALLPAPERING, INC.

For more information about how your business can get listed on our ONLINE BUSINESS DIRECTORY or for other online advertising opportunities, contact Ryan Frisch at (603) 678-2793 or email ryanfrisch@mountainviewpublishing.com. WWW.GREATERUPPERVALLEY.COM

LAVALLEY BUILDING SUPPLY

LEDYARD BANK

LITTLE ISTANBUL

MARTHA E. DIEBOLD REAL ESTATE

MB PRO LANDSCAPE DESIGN

MORNINGSIDE FLIGHT PARK

MVP MARINE

RAMUNTO’S OF CLAREMONT

RICHARD ELECTRIC

RIVER ROAD VETERINARY CLINIC

RODD ROOFING

THE FLYING GOOSE

THE HANOVER INN AT DARTMOUTH COLLEGE

TOP STITCH

UPPER VALLEY BUSINESS ALLIANCE

VILLAGE PIZZA

WHITE RIVER FAMILY EYECARE

WISE

WOODSTOCK INN & RESORT

SEASON'S BEST PHOTOGRAPHY BY

LARS BLACKMORE

Celebrate America!

ENJOY OUR COUNTRY’S 250TH BIRTHDAY!

Pack up the family and head out to the festivities planned for July 2 and July 4, 2026. The events calendar is packed full of family-friendly activities, according to the Lebanon Recreation, Arts, and Parks website. Everyone’s invited!

Lebanon Farmers’ Market will be open on July 2 from 4 to 7pm in Colburn Park. Family entertainment includes Jason Tardy’s high-energy juggling at 4pm, Upper Valley Music Center Children’s Chorus at 5:15pm, and NCCT Addams Family preview performance at 5:45pm.

A classic Front Porch Concert in the park is set from 7 to 9pm and will feature a performance by the Rough and Tumble and Flagship Romance, together known as “Rough Romance.” A fireworks show sponsored by Novo Nordisk is set to begin at 9:15pm at the Storrs Hill Ski Area and can be viewed from Storrs Hill, Church Street, and Water Street.

Kick off the Fourth of July by joining the Red, White, Blue 6.2 and 5k road race at 9am at City Hall. The route follows the picturesque Rail Trail and Mill Road along the Mascoma River. Register online at lebanonnh.gov/823/RedWhite-Blue-62-and-5K.

Be ready at Colburn Park when the parade begins at 11:30am followed by a free cookout from 12 to 2:30pm. Cookout entertainment will include The Flames concert on the bandstand, a dunk tank, and more.

For further information, go to lebanonnh.gov/1063/Independence-Day. y

Photos from the Fourth of July celebrations at Colburn Park in Lebanon, 2025.

MONTHLY TIDBITS | JUNE FACTS, FUN &

Only a dad, but he gives his all

To smooth the way for his children small, Doing, with courage stern and grim, The deeds that his father did for him.

This is the line that for him I pen, Only a dad, but the best of men.

— Edgar Guest (1881–1959)

CELEBRATE DAD ON JUNE 21

Father’s Day is a time to celebrate the dads, grandfathers, and father figures who love, guide, teach, and inspire us.

This year, Father’s Day falls on Sunday, June 21, which is also the summer solstice. Kick off the summer season with a cookout in honor of the fathers in your family’s life to create meaningful memories that show them how much they’re appreciated.

THE BEST FISHING DAYS IN JUNE

Want to take Dad fishing for Father’s Day? For generations, anglers have turned to The Old Farmer’s Almanac to find the days when the fish are most likely to bite. The best way to outsmart the fish? Time your trip with the moon’s phases. The following are some tried-and-true tips:

• The best fishing days are during the new moon and the full moon.

• The two to three days before and after a new or full moon are also good.

• Sunrise and sunset are prime feeding times.

• Falling pressure briefly stirs fish into a feeding frenzy, so fish before a storm.

A Few Upper Valley Fishing Spots

Mascoma Lake and Boston Lot Lake in Lebanon, Post Pond in Lyme, Cole Pond and Crystal Lake in Enfield, Storrs Pond in Hanover, and Miller Pond in Thetford are a few local favorites for fishing. To get your New Hampshire fishing license, visit nhfishandgame.com. For a Vermont license, visit vtfishandwildlife.com.

A Sweet Guide to Honeysuckle

Along with the rose, honeysuckle is June’s birth flower. Signifying bonds of love and devotion, honeysuckle is a favorite of bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds with its sweet scent and vibrant blooms. Honeysuckle is available in both climbing and shrub varieties, but avoid Japanese, Amur, Morow’s, and Bell’s honeysuckle, which are invasive. Plant honeysuckle in the spring or early summer in full or partial sun. (You’ll get more blooms if the plant gets six hours a day of sunshine.) It appreciates moist but not soggy soil conditions. Dig a hole twice as wide as the root ball and the same depth. When setting the plant in the hole, the crown should be at the same soil level as it was in the nursery pot. Water it well, and mulch around the base but not the stem.

MONTHLY TIDBITS | JULY

National Blueberry Month

It doesn’t get any better than blueberry season! The flavor of blueberries fresh from the local farm is miles away from that of those available in the supermarket in the off season. Often called a superfood, blueberries are not only delicious but also incredibly nutritious. Blueberries are among the most nutrient-dense berries. A one-cup serving contains only 84 calories plus 13 percent of the Daily Value (DV) of fiber, 14 percent DV of vitamin C, and 24 percent DV of vitamin K. They also have one of the highest antioxidant levels of all common fruits and vegetables. The antioxidants in blueberries have been linked to healthy blood pressure, improved cognitive function, blood-sugar control, and cancer prevention.

Pick the Best Blueberries

When picking blueberries at the farm, pick those that are solid blue and firm; blueberries don’t continue to ripen once they’re picked, so avoid those with green on them. (Blueberry season is mid July to August at Cedar Circle Farm and Education Center in East Thetford, Vermont. Visit cedarcirclefarm.org for more info.) When choosing blueberries at the market, avoid those that look wrinkled or sunken, signs that they’ve been stored for too long. Rinse berries in a colander when you get home, remove any stems, and dry them on a sheet pan with paper towels to absorb the water. Put them in a breathable container and refrigerate for 10 to 14 days.

JULY 4 FUN FACTS

Only one president of the United States was born on July 4: Calvin Coolidge in 1872; however, John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, and James Monroe all died on July 4.

Grilling is the most popular way to celebrate the Fourth of July. The top foods are hot dogs, hamburgers, and chicken.

The first state to recognize July 4 as an official holiday was Massachusetts in 1781.

The first-ever fireworks display to recognize July 4 was held in 1777, one year after the United States gained independence from Great Britain.

Each year on the Fourth of July, Americans consume an estimated 155 million hot dogs—nearly half the population of the US.

“July

is hollyhocks and hammocks, fireworks and vacations, hot and steamy weather, cool and refreshing swims, beach picnics, and vegetables all out of the garden.”

—Jean Hersey

On This Day

At 10:56pm on July 20, 1969, American astronaut Neil Armstrong became the first person to walk on the moon. More than a billion people listening and watching at home heard him say, “That’s one small step for a man, one giant leap for mankind” as he stepped off the lunar module Eagle. “Buzz” Aldrin joined him on the moon’s surface, and together they took photographs of the terrain, planted a US flag, ran scientific tests, and spoke with President Richard Nixon via Houston. Both astronauts were back in the lunar module by 1:11am. The hatch was closed, and the two men spent the night on the moon. At 1:54pm, the Eagle began its ascent back to the command module. Among the items left behind on the surface of the moon was a plaque reading “Here men from the planet Earth first set foot up on the moon—July 1969 AD—We came in peace for all mankind.”

Apollo 11 crew Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin plant a US flag on the moon.

International Day of Friendship

July 30 was proclaimed International Day of Friendship in 2011 by the United Nations General Assembly with the idea that friendship between countries, cultures, and individuals can inspire peace efforts and build bridges between communities. To observe this day, the UN encourages governments, international organizations, and civil society groups to hold events, activities, and initiatives that contribute to promoting a dialog among civilians, solidarity, mutual understanding, and reconciliation. On a smaller level, friendship is quiet moments in daily life: “a conversation, a shared moment, a willingness to see one another not as strangers but as fellow travelers through the human experience,” states the UN. It invites us to listen before we judge, stay when it’s easier to walk away, and let others know their well-being matters.

Golf, Anyone?

August is National Golf month, and from Eastman Golf Links, Hanover Country Club, and Lake Morey Resort and Country Club to Woodstock Inn & Resort and Montcalm Golf Course, you don’t have to travel far to find a fun and challenging course. Aside from getting some exercise and being in the Great Outdoors, which are both linked to better sleep, healthy blood pressure, reduced anxiety, and a mood boost, there are many reasons to play golf. It can be a great opportunity to spend time with friends (or make new ones), challenge yourself, and keep learning and improving. Get outside this month and enjoy the summer weather with a day of golf—just don’t forget the water and sunscreen!

Online Exclusive

Check out our Online Exclusive this summer for 10 golf courses within driving distance of the Upper Valley. Get your clubs ready and visit www.greateruppervalley.com for details.

Hanover Country Club

Time to Clean House!

Are you ready to get rid of some excess stuff around the house? National Garage Sale Day is August 8, the perfect time to pass your treasures onto someone else to enjoy. Here are some tips for a successful yard sale or garage sale.

Spread the word. Social media, especially Facebook Marketplace and community groups, is a great place to advertise. Also spread the word by posting flyers at local coffee shops and antique stores (with permission, of course). And don’t forget to display a few brightly colored posters around the neighborhood.

Think like a stylist. Tossing your items in a heap or haphazardly on a table makes them look like junk. Clean your stuff, group like items together, and display them with care.

Start early. Even if you advertise that your sale will start at 9am, true bargain hunters start early! Plan to open around 7am so you’re ready when people start wandering around your yard.

Put some eye candy in the front. People do drivebys, so put your biggest, most attractive items, like furniture, out front so people know you’re offering more than knickknacks.

Download Venmo or Square. You’ll want to have cash on hand, but most people don’t carry a lot of cash. Venmo is an easy way to receive payments, or a Square reader will allow you to accept debit or credit card payments.

Have a plan for what doesn’t sell. Big-ticket items can be posted on Facebook Marketplace, and donating is always a good option. Arrange a donation pickup for the afternoon of your sale— that way you don’t have to drag your stuff back inside and the things you were ready to part with are taken care of.

Sweeten the Deal

The longer people linger at a garage sale, the more they tend to buy, so there’s no better time to let your child set up a lemonade stand (or enlist a neighborhood kid to do so). Or set up a table with a jug of lemonade, an ice bucket, and some paper cups with a “Help Yourself” sign. Homemade lemonade is always the most delicious—simply juice six lemons to get about a cup of juice, combine with a cup of sugar and six cups of water in a half-gallon pitcher, and stir until the sugar dissolves.

MONTHLY TIDBITS |

Fairy Festival

Make August 9 a magical day for the children in your life by spending the day at The Fells Fairy Festival from 11am to 2pm. This celebration of fairy houses connects children to the natural world and includes crafts, readings of fairy tales, facepainting, a whimsical Tea Party in the Pavilion, and building fairy habitats in the Fairy Village. Children are invited to dress in their finest fairy or gnome attire. An ice cream truck will be available on-site. There will also be a special performance by local dancers from Dance Arts Academy. For more information and to purchase tickets online, visit thefells.org.

LOOK TO THE SKY

August is an excellent time for stargazing— it’s the month of the Perseid meteor shower, which is one of the most prolific showers of the year. It reaches its peak between August 11 and 13, but you can still see the meteors through about August 22. The shooting stars shine when Earth crosses the orbit of a comet, and in the case of the Perseids, we pass through a long trail of dust left behind by the SwiftTuttle comet thousands of years ago. Every August Earth passes through this stream of debris, and the tiny particles hit our atmosphere and burn up as bright meteors leaving long, glowing trails.

Clockwise from top: Owner Victor Prieto and store manager Faustina Josephs in the main display of the men's section. Kids' T-shirts. Accessories including mugs, candles, bottles, and hats. The main cap rack. Hoodies for the whole family.

BY PAMELA BROWN PHOTOGRAPHY BY IAN RAYMOND

A GLASS-HALF-FULL PHILOSOPHY

LOCAL BUSINESS OWNER KNOWS LIFE IS GOOD

Enjoying the outdoors, connecting with others, and having an optimistic outlook is the philosophy of the Life is Good lifestyle apparel brand. For Victor Prieto, that recipe for success aligns perfectly with his business philosophy. “We love everything about Life is Good. Their messaging, their products, their optimism, their positivity, and the fact that 10 percent of profits go to charity, the Playmaker Project, helping disadvantaged children,” says Victor, who, along with his wife, Kathy, owns and operates a local Life is Good franchise in downtown New London. Victor credits his wife for introducing him to the well-known brand.

“We are optimists by nature. We choose to see the glass half full. This is a business/life philosophy. We believe that how we approach life and business is a daily conscious decision,” he says. “One of the greatest joys of owning a Life is Good store is bringing a smile to our customers. This, in turn, fosters connection. A smile is literally the best ice-breaker.”

Opened in 2024 and located in the sun-filled building next to Tucker’s, Victor’s 1,200-square-foot store instantly earned a loyal following in the community. “New London is a jewel of a town and we get to meet most of the locals throughout the year and thousands of tourists during the summer,” says Victor. “The atmosphere reflects all that the brand stands for—cheerfulness, optimism, positivity.”

Clockwise from top: A wide variety of apparel for kids, toddlers, and infants. Faustina with Chief Optimist Jake. The main women's display. Designs for men. Don't forget gifts for your pets! Bags in partnership with Sea Bags of Maine. For the coffee lovers.

T-Shirts and So Much More

The retail space is filled with merchandise that caters to every outdoor seasonal activity for all ages. Clothing includes T-shirts, hoodies, pants, polo shirts, and even onesies for infants and other clothing items for toddlers and kids. Victor notes his T-shirts are the bestselling item year-round, especially in the summer. Accessories include hats, water bottles, readers, tote bags, candles, hats, mugs, books, stickers, puzzles, and more. For summer, customers will also find sunglasses, beach towels, and chairs.

“All merchandise is branded Life is Good. The logo might be visible in the design of the item or discreetly in the inside back,” he says.

“The brand started with only T-shirts, and that’s what it’s best known for. However, over the years, the product line has expanded to include pants, hoodies, swimwear, sweaters, socks, and so on.” Victor, his wife, and store manager Faustina select designs based on customer preferences and interest. The shop also carries Sea Bags of Maine, a company that is sustainably focused with communitycentric values that handcrafts their products in the United States. “They use 100 percent recycled sails to make their bags. Sea Bags has a partnership with Life is Good. There are five different bags in the partnership and we carry them all,” says Victor. A well-browsed section at the shop features items for dogs and cats.

By popular demand, the shop offers two levels of customization. “What we call Name Drop consists mainly in geographic regions. We carry Sunapee, New London, and New Hampshire named products and we plan to expand to other areas in the Upper Valley,” says Victor. “The second level is full customization. We use this to partner with local organizations where we cross-promote our products. We have done two full customizations: The New London Barn Playhouse and the Tracy Memorial Library. We look forward to partnering with many organizations in the community.”

WHAT'S IN STORE

Radiating Optimism, Fostering Connection

The Life is Good apparel brand was established by Bert and John Jacobs, two brothers from Boston, Massachusetts, who sold homemade T-shirt designs at college dorms on the East Coast. After designing their first Life is Good T-shirt in 1994 and having just $78 in their pocket, the three positive words they used became a crowdpleasing mindset. Since then, they’ve created premium tees that radiate optimism and foster connection. The company donates more than 10 percent of its annual net profits to the Life is Good Playmaker Project that helps support kids in need.

Paying It Forward

Victor is happy to be settled in New London and running a successful business. Born and raised in Mexico, he came to the United States and earned an MBA from Georgetown University. After living in Connecticut, the family moved to New Hampshire in 2014. “We felt a Life is Good store would do well in the area and we had one particular location in mind. We decided that we would open the store only if said location became available. Once it did, we decided to move ahead,” says Victor, who worked retail during college.

Part of the store’s success is the team’s focus on the customer and sharing the “Good”-ness life has to offer. “We aim for the highest and most cheerful customer service—bringing a smile to your face whether through our product or our customer service. We want our customers to take to heart the optimism and positivity that we aim for,” says Victor, grateful to continue paying forward the mission of Life is Good with a second store soon to open in Meredith, New Hampshire. y

Life is Good

207 Main Street New London, NH (603) 456-8182 lig-nl.com

Tatewell Gallery

New London Shopping Center 257 Newport Road New London, NH (603) 526-2910 www.tatewellgallery.com Mon–Fri 10:30am–5:30pm, Sat 10:30am–4pm

(603) 748-5782 www.SunapeeShade.com

Bark N Bath Pet Spa

Dog Grooming & Self-Serve Wash Boutique 374 Main Street New London, NH (603) 526-2150

Mon–Fri 9am–4pm barknbathpetspa@gmail.com Follow us on Facebook & Instagram

Foster’s Fine Jewelry

428 Main Street

New London, NH (603) 252-0543

Text Angela Thu & Fri 10am–4pm, Sat 10am–2pm Or by appointment

Ear Piercing, Jewelry Repairs, Redesign New and Estate Jewelry

NH

266-9904

75 Newport Road New London, NH (603) 526-2727

Summer in New London equals

255 Newport Road Unit E New London, NH (603) 526-6990 Tue, Thu, Fri 9am–5pm Sat 9am–12pm

Morgan Hill Bookstore

253 Main Street New London, NH (603) 526-5850

www.MorganHillBookstore.com

Mon–Fri 10am–5:30pm Sat 9am–5pm, Sun 11am–3pm

374 Main Street

New London, NH (603) 526-6010

the Gallery at 276 Newport Road New London, NH (603) 526-8056 Visit us on

@theHairStation

8am–7pm, Sat 9am–4pm

(603) 977-0194 www.refinerynh.com Wed–Sat 12–9pm

In

Spa & Wellness Top Notch Facials, Massage, Acupuncture 219 County Road (next to Hubert’s Clothing Store) New London, NH (603) 557-1001

www.walkinbeautyspaandwellness.com Easily book online 24/7

The MV Sunapee Lake Queen at her berth in Sunapee Harbor, located at 1 Lake Avenue, Sunapee, New Hampshire.

Cruisin’ on Lake Sunapee

A VACATION TRADITION FOR 150 YEARS

BY SUSAN NYE

PHOTOGRAPHY BY LYVIE BEYRENT

PHOTOS COURTESY OF SUNAPEE CRUISES

The Sunapee region, with its lakes and mountains, has been a vacation mecca since the late 1800s. In the early days, vacationers took the train from Boston, New York, Washington, and beyond. They disembarked at Newbury Harbor and hopped on a steamboat for the last scenic leg of their journey. Grand hotels dotted the shoreline and visitors stayed for at least a month. Along with the hotels, this golden age of tourism brought a multitude of opportunities to Sunapee. Restaurants and tea rooms flourished, a bowling alley opened on Little Island, marinas rented small boats for the athletically inclined, and the Livery rented horses and wagons to transport hikers to Mounts Sunapee and Kearsarge. Steamboats carried summer visitors from one fun activity and destination to the next.

The post-World War II economic boom, a growing middle class, and the creation of a vast interstate highway system changed all that. Vacations were no longer reserved exclusively for the wealthy. The family station wagon transported Mom, Dad, and the kids to self-catering lake- and mountainside cottages. The big fancy hotels were replaced with individual homes and vacation developments. The steamboats were retired . . . but not for long.

BRINGING STEAMBOATS BACK

In 1950, a group of investors decided that, even on vacation, you couldn’t go to the beach all day, every day. Tourists needed attractions, a little nostalgia, and so they decided to bring back

Clockwise from top left: The MV MT Sunapee ll, sailing out of Sunapee Harbor.

The MV MT Sunapee ll all set up for a private luncheon or dinner charter. The MV MT Sunapee ll open upper deck, set up in party mode for a private charter.

The MV MT Sunapee ll stern view on a perfect summer day. The MV MT Sunapee ll sailing south on Lake Sunapee, heading toward “Great Island” with Mount Sunapee in the background.

Whether public cruise or private charter, the Lake Queen can seat 100. The Mount Sunapee II has plenty of room for a cocktail party with 70 of your closest friends and family or a seated dinner for 45.

Above: Private charter guests enjoy dinner at sunset on the upper deck of the MV MT Sunapee ll

Below from left: The MV Sunapee Lake Queen dinner buffet.

The MV Sunapee Lake Queen all set up for a public dinner cruise or a private luncheon or dinner charter.

the steamboats. Or at least one. They found an old rumrunner that had been confiscated off the Maine coast during Prohibition. From rumrunner to patriotic vessel, the boat was drafted into the Coastal Picket Patrol during World War II. Also known as the Hooligan Navy, these boats were stationed up and down the Atlantic coast to keep watch for German U-boats, protect merchant ships, and rescue seamen. The investors bought the steamboat, shipped it to New Hampshire, refurbished it, and renamed it the Mount Sunapee.

Neither a success nor a failure, the business limped along for 10 years until John and Steve McGrath took over. Sunapee Cruises flourished under their ownership. The Mount Sunapee II replaced the old rumrunner and Mount Kearsarge joined the fleet. Sunapee Cruises became and continues to be one of the finest examples of New Hampshire’s family-run and -operated businesses. These businesses provide jobs, support local charities and nonprofits, and help build strong communities.

A FAMILY AFFAIR

John’s son, Dave Hargbol, bought the business in 1980 and Sunapee Cruises continued to thrive under his leadership. Not just the business—many now-grown local kids worked for Captain Dave and they are forever grateful for the life lessons he taught them and the values he instilled.

The Fenton family bought the boats in the early 2000s. The longtime owners of the Appleseed Restaurant in Bradford, Big Pete and Marybeth Fenton were very familiar with the business. Along with the restaurant, they catered dinners and parties throughout the region—including the evening cruises on the Mount Kearsarge. Their sons now run the business; Pete takes care of the food business and Captain Tim steers Sunapee Cruises.

In addition to the boats and Appleseed Restaurant, the family owns Fenton’s Landing in Sunapee Harbor. This store-café provides breakfast and lunch in the newly refurbished dining room as well as to go. You will also find key provisions for your boat or picnic— and maybe even save yourself a trip to the supermarket. Last year’s popular Taco Truck

The Sunapee Recreation Department is hosting a Fireworks Cruise to raise money for their many great programs. The event will take place on July 5.

is back but has moved out of the trailer and into new digs at 74 Main Street with outdoor seating and an expanded menu.

Captain Tim shares that the McGrath-Hargbol-Fenton families are well-connected and intertwined. Various McGrath and Hargbol siblings and cousins still work on the boats. Moreover, Tim is married to Captain Dave’s daughter Lacey. Tim and Lacey have four children. Although still in elementary school, perhaps one or all will continue the family business.

FROM LEISURELY CRUISES TO CELEBRATIONS

Every year, the first boats of the season set off from Sunapee Harbor on Mother’s Day weekend. They run weekends until Father’s Day. Then, the scenic afternoon cruise runs daily until Labor Day. The delicious dinner cruise runs every evening except Monday. After Labor Day, both boats transition to a Wednesday, Friday, and weekend schedule.

The Mount Sunapee II handles the afternoon cruise. The boat can hold 100 sightseers. No need to pack a picnic—drinks and snacks are available for purchase during the tour. The Lake Queen serves a buffet dinner and can seat 100. Both cruises are ably narrated by the boats’ captains. With their deep knowledge of the lake and surrounding towns, they provide a wealth of historic information, point out interesting landmarks, and share local legends and lake lore.

Both the Lake Queen and Mount Sunapee II are frequent venues for private parties. Celebrating on the water is a popular choice for milestone anniversaries and birthdays, retirement parties, and rehearsal dinners. The steamboats have even hosted a few weddings.

Right: The MV Sunapee Lake Queen and the MV MT Sunapee ll at their berths in Sunapee Harbor in early spring.

All of the captains are licensed to officiate and solemnize the I-dos. Whether public cruise or private charter, the Lake Queen can seat 100. The Mount Sunapee II has plenty of room for a cocktail party with 70 of your closest friends and family or a seated dinner for 45.

Both the Mount Sunapee II and Lake Queen are popular settings for fundraising events and galas. Many local groups and nonprofits have held events on board, including a history cruise, a winetasting on the water, and a brewer’s pairing dinner. Three don’tmiss events will take place this summer.

SUMMER FUN ON THE LAKE

There’s no better way to kick off the season than an Independence Day fireworks display on Lake Sunapee. They’re even more spectacular when viewed from the water. The Sunapee Recreation Department is hosting a Fireworks Cruise to raise money for their many great programs. The event will take place on July 5. Opera North will once again sponsor a fun-filled, musical dinner cruise on July 14. Not to be outdone, the Newport Opera House hosts a Murder Mystery Cruise. This popular program will cast off on July 26.

For many locals, vacation residents, and tourists, summer would not be summer without a trip on either the Mount Sunapee II or the Lake Queen. Captain Tim says, “We have many repeat customers, people who come back year after year for a cruise. We love it that we are part of their Sunapee stories.” y

Sunapee Cruises

1 Lake Avenue

Sunapee, NH (603) 938-6465

The Scenic Lake Cruise leaves the dock promptly at 2pm and lasts about one and a half hours.

The Dinner Cruise leaves the dock promptly at 6:30pm (at 5:30pm after Labor Day) and lasts about two hours.

When you’ve been physically harmed due to someone else’s negligence, we understand that your injury can have serious, long-lasting impacts on your life. The insurance company has a lawyer, so should you.

Here For You. Contact Us Today. 603-353-4000 | 802-304-4592

BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT

BY SUSAN B. APEL PHOTOGRAPHY BY LARS BLACKMORE

familiar faces and the same Superior Service

STATELINE SPORTS CONTINUES THE TRADITION AT A NEW LOCATION

IN AN OFFICE DOWNSTAIRS AT THE NEW LOCATION OF STATELINE SPORTS on Mechanic Street in Lebanon hangs a years-old black Little League T-shirt bearing the inscription “In memory of Bob Vanier.” Bob, who died in 2011, was a co-owner and cofounder along with Jon Damren of what grew into a community landmark that has been supplying Upper Valley kids and adults with sporting goods and services since 1983. As the name indicates, Stateline Sports operated out of a building on the state line, nestled on the New Hampshire side of the Lyman Bridge that connects to White River Junction, Vermont. Jon continued as owner until 2025, when Tracy Pelletier acquired the business.

A change of ownership had been in the informal talking stage for the preceding few years. Tracy is no stranger to Stateline. He worked part time at the store and later as a full-time employee for a brief period. He left to build his own business, Top Stitch Embroidery, still thriving in Lebanon, New Hampshire, and maintained close ties to Stateline over the next few decades. Top Stitch and Stateline are a natural pairing; the former embroiders and screen prints

Browse a large selection of apparel, shoes, and equipment at Stateline Sports. Hockey gear is in stock all year long.

The Business Spotlight highlights businesses that have been in our community for many years.

uniforms, T-shirts, and memorabilia for local teams, schools, and organizations. Tracy and Jon came to a purchase and sale agreement in September 2025; Tracy, who lives in Lebanon, had been eyeing the building at 179 Mechanic Street that previously housed Dulac’s Building and Hardware and most recently Lebanon Plumbing Supply. It sat empty. Tracy saw it as an opportunity for Stateline to dust itself off and reemerge in a new setting. He purchased Stateline and then signed the lease for the new location on the very same day.

Light, Bright, and Happy

The original location was much loved for its history and familiarity but could best be described as a warren of rooms showcasing merchandise that was overgrowing its space. The actual move from the old location to the new took place last February on Super Bowl Sunday, when 30 or so friends and family members showed up with 30- and 40-foot trailers and a

Opposite top from far left: Dave Dupree, store manager, and Tracy Pelletier, business owner. A new wide-open floor plan makes it easy for all sports gear to be seen. Spring sports bloom at Stateline as a young softball player picks out a new bat.

Center: The footwear section is stocked with a vast selection of shoes, insoles, and socks.

Bottom from far left: Bud Hill (in the distance), with Stateline since 1996, helps a customer with new shoes. Stateline Sports has all the pickleball equipment you need.

Below: Hockey department manager Bob Friend, who came on board in 1999, repairs and sharpens a pair of skates.

handful of pickup trucks. It snowed. But the process avoided whatever imagined hiccups that might have been and was smooth enough that everyone made it home in time to enjoy the game. Less than 48 hours later, Stateline was open for business. The new location offers a single open floor space that Tracy describes as “light, bright, less crowded, and happier.” The inventory is as expected: all things hockey, baseball, soccer, and lacrosse, and a little bit of football, for everyone from kids’ sports teams to adults, both beginners and pros. Clothing tends toward tech-sport rather than simple casual wear. And then there are the shoes. Manager Dave Dupree notes that “Not everyone plays sports, but everyone wears shoes,” from running shoes to house slippers. Podiatrists, rehab facilities, and area hospitals frequently refer their patients to Stateline, says Dave, “because painful feet are no joke. If we can help find the proper shoes, we might help that person get up and off the couch.” Should you find broken stitching in your worn but favorite baseball glove, something requiring restringing, or a dull edge on your skates, Stateline offers maintenance and repair services.

Legacy and Family

As important as it is to facilitate sports in the Upper Valley by selling and maintaining equipment, it is clear the owners and employees feel a sense of mission, one that causes them to carry on the legacy of the original founders, Bob Vanier and Jon Damren. One part of that legacy is how Stateline treats it employees, eight permanent and occasionally some temporary seasonal help, whom Dave describes as “family.” Longevity of employment is key. Dave himself has been working at Stateline since 1989; his role as manager appears to have arrived by accretion as his duties over the years just kept expanding. Other employees, including Bob’s brother Larry Vanier, who is also an accomplished photographer, have been working there for a long time. Dave and Tracy are both amused that “the new guy” at Stateline has been there for 20 years.

When it comes to customer service, Dave and Tracy are certainly, if quietly, zealous, seeing themselves as continuing a history of not just considerable expertise, but fair dealing and decency. Though newcomers are always welcome, repeat customers are more than common. At this point in Stateline’s history, they realize that they are serving not just the children but the grandchildren of the business’s original customers. Dave says, uncharacteristically for a local small business, that “COVID didn’t hurt us.” Though some customers may have by necessity drifted away during the pandemic to online shopping, they have been quick to return. The pandemic, according to Dave, “reinforced the importance of brick and mortar, having a place with history.”

Business has not missed a beat since the move. Customers have been dropping in to browse and buy and appreciate the new, more spacious layout. They sift through the merchandise but always look for those same, familiar employee faces. Dave and Tracy, reflecting on the change, sigh contentedly and almost in unison, and share each other’s thoughts now that they are just about settled in: “It feels like it was meant to be. It feels right.” y

Stateline Sports 179 Mechanic Street Lebanon, NH (603) 298-8090 statelinesports.com

One part of that legacy is how Stateline treats it employees, eight permanent and occasionally some temporary seasonal help, whom Dave describes as “family.”

Store owner and wife, Nick and Bev Ferro, pictured in the jewelry showroom.

Inset: Nick and Bev photographed in the same spot for the store’s grand opening in 1981. Opposite: Views of the showroom. Blue topaz and diamond estate necklace.

18-karat gold handmade drop earrings.

EVERYTHING OLD IS NEW AGAIN AT NT FERRO JEWELER S

BY MARY GOW 6 PHOTOGRAPHY BY IAN RAYMOND

Thirty-two years ago, DeBeers London, the world’s leading diamond group, awarded Nicholas T. Ferro of Woodstock their prestigious Diamonds Today Award for his stunning platinum and gold double diamond engagement ring. DeBeers asked Nick (as everyone knows him) his thoughts on jewelry and diamond trends. Nick noted interest in new and different cuts of gems. He also told DeBeers that he thought diamonds in the Old European cut should be brought back.

The depth of their brilliance, sparkling even in low light, and distinctive flash of color drew Nick to admire these gems that were hand cut before the advent of mid-20th-century diamond-cutting tools. With tiny differences, no two Old European–cut diamonds are alike.

Now Nick, founder and owner of NT Ferro Estate & Custom Jewelers in the heart of Woodstock, is introducing a limited selection of rings featuring these elegant diamonds—and he is setting them in ring designs from their era. “These are diamonds mined in the 1920s in designs from the 1920s. They are truly antique and truly unique,” he says.

As unique as these diamonds, Nick has a lifetime of experience, expertise, and commitment to bringing people together with jewelry that they cherish. Founded in 1981, NT Ferro Estate & Custom Jewelers offers a meticulously curated selection of jewelry sourced from around the country and world. True to their name, they specialize in custom design, including

Founded in 1981, NT Ferro Estate & Custom Jewelers offers a meticulously curated selection of jewelry sourced from around the country and world.

Opposite: Nick with his awards from DeBeers.

Left: Tiffany & Co. estate bracelet with Burma rubies and diamonds set in platinum, circa 1930s.

Below left and right: Handmade custom design created in-house: an 18K yellow gold ring showcasing pink tourmaline, sapphires, and diamonds. Estate ruby and diamond bracelet and brooch by designer Oscar Heyman.

Right: Platinum designs from the 1920s are set with hand-cut natural Old European diamonds.

Clockwise from above: Fine strand of cultured pearls with a red jade clasp and matching earrings. Selection of fine estate jewelry featuring tourmaline. Ashley Gomm serves as the store’s custom coordinator. Detail of the estate ring Ashley is holding.

working directly with clients to create meaningful, exquisite one-of-a-kind pieces. They also excel in offering top-quality estate jewelry including rings, timepieces, earrings, bracelets, pins, and necklaces.

This new selection of NT Ferro rings is deeply rooted in Nick’s expertise in estate jewelry and his knowledge of diamonds and jewelry styles. His personal history, and inspiration from his wife Beverly, ignited the project.

A FAMILY LEGACY

When Nick opened the Woodstock store 45 years ago, he brought decades of experience to the new endeavor. He and Beverly and their children frequented the area for years before they made the move. They invested in downtown Woodstock and imbued the store with refined and welcoming ambiance—lush hunter green carpet, custom wood-trimmed display cases. The store has the same classic look today.

Moises Uribe, Graduate Gemologist, is the store’s fine jewelry appraiser.

John Morales is the jeweler and repair specialist.

Collaboration with clients on custom pieces takes many directions—the perfect set of engagement and wedding bands, pendants with personal meaning, sometimes carrying family jewelry forward in new ways.

At the time of their move, the Ferro family’s jewelry legacy was already in its fourth decade.

Originally from Salerno, Italy, Nick’s grandparents and their children emigrated to the United States in the early 20th century. Settling in New Jersey, his grandfather made custom suits and shirts—and inspired his children. Newark was a jewelry-making hub then. Its 150-plus jewelry manufacturers included Tiffany & Co.’s castle-like factory.

Nick’s father, Nicholas, wanted his own business. He built his skills, as Nick recalls, “at a small little jewelry factory.” In 1947, Nicholas and Victor Parmigiano opened their firm, Essex Jewelers. They grew the business to become one of the leading ring designers and manufacturers in the country. In the 1960s they employed over 65 people, including 40 jewelers.

“They could make everything, but didn’t,” says Nick about their specialization in rings. His father’s lesson was “Focus on what you do well. Don’t try to be everything to everybody.” Nicholas

Nick designs a custom matching wedding band for a client’s three-diamond engagement ring.

also told his children, “You have jewelry in your blood.”

Nick studied design at Pratt Institute and business at Pace University. He earned advanced certifications with the Gemological Institute of America, an institute considered the foremost authority on diamonds, colored stones, and pearls.

TAKING THE LEAD

After his father died, Nick led the business and opened a high-end retail store in Bernardsville, New Jersey. In Woodstock, from the beginning, Nick and his team focused on helping people find or create jewelry to treasure.

Collaboration with clients on custom pieces takes many directions—the perfect set of engagement and wedding bands, pendants with personal meaning, sometimes carrying family jewelry

forward in new ways. Pieces of jewelry passed down through a family often have profound personal connections, but design-wise they may not be the right fit, or a family may want to pass on various stones to multiple family members. For all of these and more, Nick and his team’s talents step in. From sketch to finished product, they transform vision to reality.

Repairing, restoring, and selling estate jewelry, Nick has worked extensively with antique pieces. “Over the last 40 years I have received many important pieces for my estate department. Being a diamond setter and jeweler, I appreciated the quality and filigree design jewelers created in the 1920s,” he says. Styles from the 1920s are known for delicate lace-like metalwork.

With pieces he acquired that he particularly admired, Nick would remove the large center diamond from the

mounting and then have a mold made of the ring, preserving a record of its design. Today, this process is done with computer-aided design (CAD) software. After the mold was created, he reset the stone in the original ring and brought it to top condition for its next owner.

Through the years, Nick built an extensive collection of molds—200 or so. Working with the collection was a project he long intended to pursue. Recently, Beverly nudged it along, encouraging Nick to select some of his favorite designs and have them cast in gold and platinum.

The rings dating to the 1920s featured the Old European–cut diamonds. Beyond the hand-cutting technique, which results in larger facets overall, they have a large culet (the facet at the bottom of the diamond) and a small table (the facet at the top). This design affects the way light bounces around inside the gem and then re-emerges with multicolored flashes.

Nick works with a company that specializes in buying 1920s hand-cut diamonds. They sell them to a few select jewelry designers, including him. “Every one of my 1920 designs are set with European diamonds that were hand cut in the 1920s,” he says.

Back in 1994, when DeBeers selected Nick Ferro’s elegant double diamond ring design over more than 600 other entries, Nick was already thinking about the spectacular attributes of Old European–cut diamonds. This spring, he is bringing them forward for the rest of us to delight in these one-of-a kindbeauties in distinctive settings of their time. y

NT Ferro Estate & Custom Jewelers 11 Central Street Woodstock, VT (802) 457-1901 ntferro.com

Explore. Investigate. Enjoy.

Take the time to see these attractions nearby. Just a short drive from where you live, each one makes a wonderful day trip this summer.

VERMONT GRANITE MUSEUM

Located within a 19th-century granite manufacturing plant, the Vermont Granite Museum is filled with interactive environments for learning about the geology, technology, history, and art of Vermont’s granite industry. Come explore exhibits, walk the museum grounds, enjoy the views along the Winooski River, climb the indoor bouldering wall, play bocce ball, or shop in the museum store.

7 Jones Brothers Way, Barre (802) 476-4605

www.vtgranitemuseum.org

GREAT VERMONT CORN MAZE

The largest, most complex maze attraction in New England with a massive 24-acre maze and a smaller scenic maze. Within the maze there are over 100 feet of bridges, a 32-foot underground tunnel, a 3,000-squarefoot indoor blacklight maze, and numerous photo ops and creations. After the maze there is Barnyard Golf, PRETENDIN play area, PEDALVILLE, and friendly goats. Purchase tickets at www.vermontcornmaze.com.

Open August 1through October 13.

1404 Wheelock Road, Danville (802) 397-8574

www.vermontcornmaze.com

BILLINGS FARM & MUSEUM

A place to try new things! Explore our working dairy farm and meet our Jersey cows, sheep, draft horses, chickens, goats, and pigs. Enjoy the dynamic daily programs, Farm Life Exhibits, 1890 Farm Manager’s House, Farmstead Gardens, Billings Farm cheese, Museum Gift Shop, and Farmhouse Scoop Shop. For hours, admission, and to learn more about events, programs, and exhibitions, visit our website.

Route 12N & Old River Road, Woodstock (802) 457-2355 www.billingsfarm.org

Vermont

ARTISTREE

Artistree is a nonprofit arts organization with the mission to promote the creation, exhibition, and appreciation of art in Vermont and New England. With year-round exhibits and annual calls to artists, the work displays the boundless creative talent of local artists. Located in beautiful South Pomfret. For gallery hours and more information, visit Artistree’s website.

2095 Pomfret Road, South Pomfret (802) 457-3500 artistreevt.org

Day

WOODSTOCK HISTORY CENTER

We endeavor to enrich lives and enhance our understanding of the unique place that is Woodstock. We offer a variety of local history educational opportunities and serve as a resource for historical research. We are located in the heart of the Village of Woodstock next to the Ottauquechee River, with outstanding views of the Middle Covered Bridge and Mt. Tom.

26 Elm Street, Woodstock (802) 457-1822

www.woodstockhistorycenter.org

AMERICAN PRECISION MUSEUM

Step back in time in an 1846 armory building. This is the birthplace of the American System of Manufacturing that would flow down through the Precision Valley. Come see a progression of machines from the 1840s up to today’s technology. Something for all ages. Check our website for special events and hands-on activities.

196 Main Street (Route 5), Windsor (802) 674-5781

www.americanprecision.org

Open 10am–5pm daily (May 1–Oct 31)

ST. JOHNSBURY ATHENAEUM

The St. Johnsbury Athenaeum is a cultural gem on Main Street in St. Johnsbury, Vermont. Built by Horace Fairbanks in 1871, the Athenaeum is the town’s free public library, art gallery, and lecture hall. This National Historic Landmark features a striking brick exterior, beautiful balconies, spiral staircases, and exquisite woodwork. The Art Gallery is the oldest unaltered gallery in the country and contains many 19th century works of art. The gallery is focused on Hudson River School paintings, including the massive Domes of the Yosemite by Albert Bierstadt.

1171 Main Street, St. Johnsbury (802) 748-8291

www.stjathenaeum.org

Events & Exhibits: (802) 765-4288

Open 10am–5pm Mon–Fri, 10am–3pm Sat Gardens and grounds always open!

KING ARTHUR BAKING COMPANY

Visit King Arthur Baking Company for all things baking! Our retail store has all your baking essentials, from topquality ingredients to tools, mixes, pans, and more. Enjoy a delicious meal or treat highlighting local and seasonal ingredients from our bakery and cafe or take a class at our Baking School. King Arthur Baking Company was founded in 1790 and is 100 percent employee owned.

135 Route 5 South, Norwich (802) 649-3361

www.kingarthurbaking.com

Open daily

Quechee Norwich White River Junction

Woodstock Chester Windsor Reading

Thetford

Strafford

Barre

Groton

Bellows Falls

Danville

Trippers

New Hampshire

THE ICE HOUSE MUSEUM

A hands-on museum for “kids” of all ages! Not just an Ice House…seven buildings loaded with local memorabilia, along with restored antique cars (and a fire engine), bicycles, toys, games, signs, and machines of many kinds. One visit will not be enough!

91 Pleasant Street, New London www.wfkicehouse.org

Memorial Day–Columbus Day Tue–Thu 9am–4pm, Sat 9am–2pm

ENFIELD SHAKER MUSEUM

Visit Enfield Shaker Museum! Experience the Shakers’ legacy through tours of historic buildings and fascinating exhibits. Watch a traditional craft demonstration, wander through the Museum’s herb garden, hike 1,500+ acres of conservation land once owned by the Shakers, or register for one of many on-site programs for all ages. You can even book a room for the night or rent the entire site for your special event.

447 NH Route 4A, Enfield (603) 632-4346 shakermuseum.org

Open mid-May through October

Visit our website for hours, programs, and tours.

THE LAKE QUEEN DINNER BOAT AND THE MV SUNAPEE II TOUR BOAT

Enjoy beautiful Lake Sunapee on either of our two boats, the MV Sunapee Lake Queen dinner boat for an evening dinner cruise or the MV Sunapee II for an afternoon tour around the lake. Both boats are available for charter.

Town Dock, Sunapee Harbor (603) 938-6465 www.sunapeecruises.com

MT. KEARSARGE INDIAN MUSEUM

Visit the museum, which curates seven regions of North America. Study and explore 600 Native nations. Enjoy a short nature walk through Medicine Woods Trail on our 12.5-acre campus and learn about the trees and plants Native Americans used for food, shelter, and medicine. Explore the arboretum, which has 75 varieties of trees and is open to visitors. We have recently been recognized as one of the top 10 Native American museums in the USA. One Circle, 1,000 Stories. Experience It!

18 Highlawn Road, Warner (603) 456-2600 indianmuseum.org

Open May through October! See website for hours, special events, and info.

JOHN HAY ESTATE AT THE FELLS ON LAKE SUNAPEE

Discover the 1891 summer retreat of diplomat and statesman John M. Hay. Explore renowned gardens and woodland trails. Tour the historic 22-room Colonial Revival home. Enjoy educational programs, events, summer concerts, art galleries, and outdoor sculpture exhibits.

456 Route 103A, Newbury (603) 763-4789 ext.3 www.thefells.org

Grounds open daily dawn to dusk Main House open June–October

THE NEW LONDON HISTORICAL SOCIETY

Now listed in the State Register of Historic Places, the New London Historical Society has 15 buildings to visit. These buildings include a schoolhouse, country store, blacksmith shop, a 1825 house with an attached barn, a meeting house, and a transportation building with a fabulous collection of restored vehicles including an Abbott and Downing coach.

Certain buildings are available for rent as well. More information is listed on the website.

179 Little Sunapee Road, New London (603) 526-6564

info@newlondonhistoricalsociety.org

Open Sun 1–4pm, June–October and by private tour.

LIBRARY ARTS CENTER

The Library Arts Center is a nonprofit community arts center founded in 1967 with a mission of making the arts accessible to everyone. Located in the heart of downtown Newport, New Hampshire, the Arts Center presents community arts events, classes, workshops, concerts, performances, and a full schedule of exhibits annually. The Center’s gallery and studio are adjacent to the Richards Free Library. Summer offerings include performances for kids, drop-in art projects under the tent, studio art classes for all ages, a music class for toddlers and preschoolers, yoga in the gallery, and art kits to go. For gallery hours and a schedule of programs, visit the Arts Center’s website.

58 North Main Street, Newport (603) 863-3040 libraryartscenter.org

Lyme

Meriden

Sunapee Harbor Warner

Sullivan

Hanover

CHARMING CAPITAL OF CATALONIA

STORY AND PHOTOGRAPHY BY LISA BALLARD

Bopping around Barcelona

BARCELONA HARBOR

GOTHIC QUARTER

FOUNTAIN AT PLACE DE CATALUNYA

LA BOQUERIA

Barcelona is one of Spain’s iconic cities, known for its architecture, beaches, Barri Gotic (Gothic quarter), and paella. Earlier this year, I bopped around Barcelona for a day with two friends— Tanner and Pilar—before heading home from a trip to the Pyrenees. We didn’t make it to the beach, but we did get a taste of the city’s other charms during what turned into an eightmile urban hike. Our walkabout included La Sagrada Familia, a landmark basilica and an architectural marvel, and La Rambla, a grand pedestrian promenade oft cited among the most famous streets in the world. However, we mainly wandered without a plan, picking up the city’s vibe and checking out whatever crossed our path that seemed interesting.

CATALONIA’S CAPITAL

Barcelona is in the country of Spain, but it’s not Spanish per se. Since the Middle Ages, the city and the surrounding region of Catalonia have mostly come under Spanish rule, though it was part of France for one year during the 1700s and has had brief moments as a sovereign country. As recently as 2017, the Catalonian parliament unsuccessfully declared its independence from Spain. Its people identify first as Catalonians. It reminded me of the relationship between Quebec and Canada.

Located where the Pyrenees meet the Mediterranean Sea, Barcelona is the capital of Catalonia and the heart of Catalonian culture. Locals speak Catalon, a hybrid of Spanish and French, though everyone also speaks Spanish. It’s a bustling place, with a population of 1.7 million within the city limits and a sprawl of another 5.7 million residents. It’s the second largest city in Spain.

LA SAGRADA FAMILIA

We decided to start at La Sagrada Familia and then work our way toward the waterfront. La Sagrada Familia, which means “The Holy Family,” is among Barcelona’s most renowned landmarks. Under construction for the last 140 years, it’s one of architect Antoni Gaudi’s most lauded legacies. Gaudi is widely considered the father of Catalon Modernism. This immense basilica is as much a monument to his genius as it is a place of Catholic worship. Ironically, he didn’t start or finish the project.

Clockwise from top left: Shaped like a lobster, the whimsical sculpture La Gamba smiles upon visitors to Barcelona’s Old Port. The tile sculpture El Cap de Barcelona, also in the Old Port, was created by American Roy Lichtenstein for the 1992 Summer Olympics. A vendor sells flowers on La Rambla. The Columbus Monument dwarfs pedestrians on La Rambla. The Bartolomay Robert sculpture in the Eixample neighborhood commemorates a beloved mayor and doctor from the 1700s.

INSIDER INFO:

Plan Ahead: Many sites have timed entries to limit the number of tourists. Get tickets well ahead of time online.

Avoid Museums on Mondays. Many museums and other points of interest are not open on Mondays. Also, fresh fish is typically not delivered to markets on Mondays.

Take the Subway. Barcelona’s train and subway system is economical and efficient. It’s easy to stay outside the city center by the airport, then take public transportation.

Beware of Pickpockets. In touristy spots like La Rambla carry your backpack in front and zip all valuables in front pants pockets. Don’t wear jewelry of value. No sense becoming a target if you don’t have to.

Eat Later. 8pm is considered an early dinner. Lunch is often after 1pm.

Construction of the church began in 1882, under the Spanish architect Francisco de Paula del Villar, Gaudi’s mentor. A year after construction began, Villar resigned over a design dispute. He wanted to build a traditional neoGothic church, but his patrons yearned for something more original. They hired Gaudi to take over. What’s there today is largely his vision, though he died 100 years ago. Six other architects have since led the ongoing construction, which is scheduled for completion in 2034.

Though La Sagrada Familia is incomplete, it’s still impressive. Its Nativity Façade and crypt are designated UNESCO World Heritage sites, part of the larger “Works of Antoni Gaudi” due to their “unique, artistic, and innovative nature.” The basilica was definitely unique!

It resembled a classic neo-Gothic cathedral on steroids. It’s the tallest church in the world, dwarfing classic Gothic landmarks like Notre Dame in Paris and Milan Cathedral. The tallest of its 18 towers, completed just this year, stretches 566 feet into the sky. Part of Gaudi’s concept for the church was its extreme height, as if connecting earth to heaven.

It was an obvious construction zone, with a half-dozen cranes delivering materials to the unfinished towers, but it was still something to behold. Its soaring, layered mass echoed elements of Gothic religious architecture but looked less angular. In addition to statues of biblical

Clockwise from top: A Stargazer buoy bobs beside the wavy La Rambla de Mar, a pedestrian bridge. The tall ship Santa Eulalia moored in the Old Port. Two of La Segrada Familia’s 18 unusual, ornate towers. Fish for sale inside La Bouqueria.

figures, colorful bunches of balls and other whimsical carvings adorned the stonework. From every angle as we circumnavigated this extraordinary building, we could see intricately crafted saints and religious icons intermixed with flamboyant flares, all on a magnificent scale.

“Let’s go inside,” I urged my friends, anxious to see if the interior was as opulent and untraditional as the outside, but no luck. Entry required a ticket. The next available time slots were four days away. Instead, we watched a group of men play bocce behind the basilica as if the towers and tourists didn’t exist. I could hardly hear the clank of the metal balls above the din of visitors, street traffic, and hammering, but the bocce players appeared numb to these annoyances, probably from living in a neighborhood continually burdened by construction and tourists.

LA RAMBLA

From the basilica, we decided to head southwest toward La Rambla without a specific route in mind. The GPS on my phone led us through Placa de Catalunya (Catalonia Square), a 12-acre, paved plaza considered the historical center of the city. It’s where the Barri Gotic met the Eixample, the “modern” part of the city built during the 19th century.

The plaza had a number of fountains and statues, but what caught our eyes most were the hundreds of pigeons that congregated there, hoping for handouts from everyone that strolled by. The plaza also marked the start of La Rambla. “Let’s ramble down La Rambla,” I said to Tanner and Pilar, making word play with the street name. “It means sandy riverbed,” smiled Pilar, who was born in Spain. “Before Barcelona was here, the street was probably a seasonal creek that turned to sand when it dried up each year.”

“It’s a human stream now,” observed Tanner as we waded into the crowd. La Rambla was a broad car-less boulevard, which would have been a great place for window shopping and people watching, except the entire middle of the street was torn up, squeezing everyone onto the original sidewalks. We moved with the flow, but quickly exited onto a side street into Barri Gotic.

BARRI GOTIC

We were immediately thrust into another, calmer world. The narrow streets curved this way and that below small, wrought-iron terraces. A man on a scooter rolled by us as we turned down one of the lanes. The lane ended at a small square where we discovered another basilica, the Basilica Santa Maria del Pi, a true 13th century Gothic church. It anchored one side of the square and would have been impressive to churchgoers during the 1200s,

but after La Sagrada Familia, it seemed modest.

On the opposite corner of the square a man played “The Entertainer” on an accordion in the lone ray of sunshine that pierced the old stone buildings. It was an odd tune to hear so far from the United States, but enjoyable in its familiarity.

As the man played the final bars of the song, we strolled out of the square down a different alley. A sign outside a restaurant advertised a starter, paella, drink, and dessert for only 19 euros, an incredible deal and a chance to eat paella. It was noon, early in Spain for lunch. No one was inside, so we picked a table by the window. It was a fortunate find. Paella, a popular Spanish dish, is a medley of rice, meat, and vegetables cooked in a large pan with garlic, saffron, and other savory spices. Though it originated in Valencia, seafood varieties have become a culinary specialty in Barcelona due to the city’s seaside location. It was delicious and a good thing we filled our bellies.

Shortly after lunch, we discovered Mercat de Sant Josep de la Boqueria, or simply La Boqueria, an amazing market filled with endless booths of fruit, candies, cured meats, vegetables, trinkets, crafts, cheeses, eggs, tantalizing parfaits . . . it was the Faneuil Hall of Barcelona!

As we strolled past the various vendors deeper into the market, the pungent smell of fish grew stronger. Eventually, we reached an entire section of fresh-caught hake, monkfish, bream, and mackerel, displayed on beds of crushed ice.

Apparently, octopus is a seafood staple among Catalonians. Several whole octopi lay on the ice like pale slimy pillows. There were even octopus legs on a stick, ready to nibble as you walked. Not exactly my idea of a lollipop.

PORT DE BARCELONA

We left La Boqueria and ended up back on La Rambla. We knew we were getting closer to the waterfront as the Mirador de Colom (Columbus Monument) grew larger the end of the boulevard. The monument, which overlooks the Port de Barcelona, commemorates Christopher Columbus, who

landed there in 1493 upon his return from the New World. A statue of the explorer stands atop a 200-foot pillar and points toward Genoa, Italy, his birthplace, about 350 nautical miles across the Mediterranean Sea from the port below.

The Port of Barcelona has served as a Mediterranean hub for seagoing passengers and commerce for 2,000 years. It’s now a top destination for cruise ships, private yachts, and sailboats. The multitude of sailboats moored in the sizeable marina grabbed our attention, especially the tall ship Santa Eulalia, a historic schooner that’s maintained by the Maritime Museum of Barcelona. Completed in 1919, it sometimes sails along the Barcelona coastline, but it always brings the biblical Three Kings to the city on January 5 as part of the its annual Christmas pageantry. The mayor greets the kings and presents them with a magic key to every home in the city. Then the kings deliver the holiday gifts.

The best place to look at the marina was on another La Rambla, La Rambla de Mar, a broad pedestrian bridge that led to an huge mall and aquarium. Across the water, we watched a cable car span the harbor providing an aerial link between the nearby beaches and Parc de Montjuic, another Barcelona gem with gardens, Olympic venues, and a castle. It was tempting to check it all out, but our feet were too tired at this point to venture past the marina. Instead, we rested on one of the benches along the bridge, watching the gulls.

One gull landed on a curious stark white buoy in the shape of a man looking up. We quickly spotted a second buoy that looked exactly the same. While these floating sculptures called The Stargazers peered at the sky, we gawked at them. It was impossible not to. They were only 12 feet tall, about the size of the harbor buoys that once bobbed there, but their whiteness and pose mesmerized us.

Most of Barcelona did, too. The Three Kings might deliver gifts to this vibrant city, but the city gives many gifts back to those who visit. Next time, I’ll plan to spend a week instead of just a day. y

For more information: barcelonaturisme.com

COOKS' CORNER

by susan nye

As American as Pie

DELICIOUS SUMMER PIES TO CELEBRATE OUR 250TH BIRTHDAY

Pies are a delicious part of our American heritage and summer. Thanks to farm stands, farmers’ markets, and pick-your-own fields, there is a plentiful supply of wonderful, local fruit ready for your kitchen magic. Pie has always been a part of my summer vacations and family cookouts.

I have fond memories of mornings in my Nana’s tiny kitchen. My sister and I would not-so-quietly sit while she baked blueberry pies and other goodies for family celebrations. American cooks, especially in New England, have been baking sweet and savory pies since before the Revolutionary War. Fruit pies, cream pies, ice cream pies, and even a tart or fruit crisp are the perfect dessert for your summer parties—especially those celebrating America’s 250th birthday. For lasting memories of happy holidays and vacations, make them with your children or grandchildren. Who knows? Maybe you’ll start a delicious dynasty of dessert makers.

BLUEBERRY PIE

Serves 8

Flaky Pastry Dough

3 Tbsp cornstarch

½ cup sugar

¼ cup brown sugar

½ tsp cinnamon

½ tsp ginger

Pinch nutmeg

Zest of 1 lemon

1½ qt fresh blueberries, washed and drained

1½ Tbsp butter, cut into small pieces

1. Make the Flaky Pastry Dough and refrigerate for at least 1 hour. Preheat the oven to 375°.

2. Put the cornstarch, sugars, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and lemon zest in a large bowl and whisk to combine. Add the blueberries and gently toss to combine.

3. Roll out one of the pieces of chilled dough on a lightly floured surface. It should be about 12 inches in diameter and about ⅛-inch thick. Carefully fit the dough into a 9-inch pie plate. The pastry will hang over the edge of the pie plate.

4. Pour the berries into the pastry shell and distribute the butter pieces evenly over the top.

5. Roll out and place the second piece of dough over the filling. Press the edges together and trim, leaving a 1-inch overhang. Roll and crimp the overhang to seal. Cut a few vents in the top of the pie.

6. Place the pie on a baking sheet and bake at 375° for 45 to 50 minutes or until the filling is bubbly and the crust is golden. Check it after 30 minutes; if the crust is browning too quickly, cover the edges with aluminum foil. Let the pie cool and serve with vanilla ice cream.

FLAKY PASTRY DOUGH

2¼ cups all-purpose flour

2 tsp sugar

1 tsp salt

8 Tbsp (1 stick) cold butter, cut into small pieces

6 Tbsp cold solid vegetable shortening

4–6 Tbsp ice water

1. Put the flour, sugar, and salt in a food processor and pulse to combine. Add the butter and shortening and pulse until the mixture resembles coarse meal. Sprinkle with ice water, 1 to 2 tablespoons at a time, and process until the dough comes together in a ball.

2. Flatten into two disks. Wrap each disk in parchment paper or plastic wrap and refrigerate until it is firm, at least one hour.

STRAWBERRY-YOGURT PIE

Serves 8

3 cups plain yogurt

Graham Cracker Crust

8 oz cream cheese at room temperature

¼ cup or to taste honey

1 Tbsp pure vanilla extract Zest of 1 orange

½ tsp salt

1 qt strawberries, hulled and halved Brown sugar to taste

1 Tbsp Grand Marnier (optional)

1. Put the yogurt in a colander or sieve lined with a clean dishtowel or coffee filter and drain for several hours or overnight. You should end up with about 1½ cups of yogurt cheese.

2. Make the Graham Cracker Crust.

3. Make the yogurt filling: Put the cream cheese in a bowl, add the honey, vanilla, orange zest, and salt, and beat with an electric mixer until smooth and well combined. With the mixer on medium-low, add the yogurt a few spoonfuls at a time and beat until smooth. Spoon the filling into the graham cracker crust and smooth the top. Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours.

4. Put the strawberries in a bowl, add the brown sugar and Grand Marnier, and gently toss to combine.

To serve: Artfully arrange the berries in concentric circles on top of the tart, slice, and serve. Or alternatively, slice the tart and top each piece with a generous spoonful of berries.

GRAHAM CRACKER CRUST

1¼ cups graham cracker crumbs

2 Tbsp brown sugar

½ tsp salt

½ tsp cinnamon

¼ tsp nutmeg

6 Tbsp (¾ stick) butter, melted

1. Set a rack in the center of the oven. Preheat the oven to 350°.

2. Put the graham cracker crumbs, brown sugar, salt, and spices in a 9-inch glass pie plate and whisk to combine. Add the melted butter, mix until well combined, and firmly press the crumbs into the pan. Bake at 350° for 7 minutes and cool on a rack.

COOKS' CORNER

NEW ENGLAND MUD PIE Serves 12–16

Cookie Crust

9 oz chocolate wafers or Oreo cookies (about 2 cups crumbs)

1 Tbsp sugar

1 tsp cinnamon

1 tsp espresso powder

½ tsp salt

6 Tbsp (¾ stick) butter, melted

1. Preheat the oven to 350°. Line the bottom of a 10-inch springform pan with parchment paper.

2. Put the cookies in a food processor and pulse until finely ground. Add the sugar, cinnamon, espresso powder, and salt and pulse to combine.

3. Put the cookie crumbs in a bowl, drizzle with the melted butter, and toss to combine. Put the buttery crumbs in the springform pan and firmly press the crumbs evenly into the bottom and 1 to 2 inches up the sides of the pan.

4. Bake until set, about 7 minutes. Cool completely.

ICE CREAM FILLING

2 quarts vanilla or coffee ice cream or gelato or 1 of each or your favorite flavor(s) Your favorite add-ins: crushed candies and cookies, coconut, chocolate chips, and/or nuts

Garnish: chocolate sauce (homemade or your favorite brand) and whipped cream

1. While the cookie crust bakes and cools, place the ice cream in the refrigerator to soften.

2. Scoop 1 quart of ice cream into the springform pan and spread it evenly over the cookie crust. Sprinkle liberally with your favorite add-ins and gently press into the ice cream. Repeat with the second quart of ice cream and more add-ins. Cover and freeze for several hours or overnight.

3. Move the Mud Pie from the freezer to the refrigerator about 20 minutes before serving.

4. Artfully drizzle individual dessert plates with chocolate sauce. Gently release the collar on the springform pan, slice the pie, place a slice on each plate, drizzle with more chocolate sauce, and top with a dollop of whipped cream.

GINGER PEACH CRISP

Serves 8

Crispy-Crumbly Ginger Topping

Butter for the pan

4 lb peaches

1 Tbsp finely chopped fresh ginger

Zest and juice of 1 lime

1 Tbsp Grand Marnier or pure vanilla extract

½ cup or to taste brown sugar

1 Tbsp cornstarch

½ tsp cinnamon

¼ tsp kosher salt

Pinch nutmeg

1. Make the Crispy-Crumbly Ginger Topping and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.

2. Preheat the oven to 375°. Generously butter a 2-quart baking dish.

3. Peel the peaches and cut them into thick slices. (To peel peaches with ease: First dunk them in boiling water for 10 to 20 seconds and then immerse them in ice water. The skins will slip off easily.) Transfer the peaches to a large bowl, sprinkle with the ginger and lime zest, drizzle with lime juice and liqueur, and toss to coat.

4. Put the brown sugar, cornstarch, and spices in a bowl and whisk to combine. Sprinkle the sugar mixture over the peaches and toss to coat. Pour the fruit into the prepared baking dish and sprinkle the peaches with Crispy-Crumbly Ginger Topping. Place the dish on a baking sheet to catch any drips and bake for about 45 minutes.

5. Cool for 15 minutes before serving with vanilla or ginger ice cream.

CRISPY-CRUMBLY GINGER TOPPING

Makes about 2 cups

½ cup gingersnap crumbs

½ cup all-purpose flour

½ cup brown sugar

½ tsp kosher salt

½ tsp cinnamon

½ tsp ginger

1 pinch nutmeg

6 Tbsp cold butter, cut into small pieces

½ cup instant oatmeal

1. Put roughly chopped gingersnaps in a food processor and process until finely chopped. (You’ll need about 2 ounces of gingersnaps to make ½ cup finely ground crumbs.)

2. Combine the gingersnap crumbs, flour, sugar, salt, and spices in the food processor and pulse to combine. Add the butter and pulse until the mixture resembles coarse meal. Add the oatmeal and pulse until the topping comes together in small lumps. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes. Can be made ahead. Recipe can be doubled or tripled or more and stored in the refrigerator or freezer for a handy shortcut to making crisps throughout the summer. y

129 South Main Street, Suite 100

White River Junction, VT (802) 478-4766

www.redcanvt.com

Dining Hours: Tue–Sat 4–9pm

ROOM 39 Speakeasy Hours: Tue–Thu ‘til 10pm, Fri & Sat ‘til 11pm

Junction Frame Shop

Junction Frame Shop has been a steadfast part of downtown White River Junction since 1985. That’s 41 years of providing creative picture framing for all tastes and budgets.

55 South Main Street

White River Junction, VT (802) 458-0569

www.junctionframeshop.com

Mon–Fri 9am–5pm Sat 9am–3pm

Tuckerbox

Tuckerbox is located in the heart of downtown White River Junction. A community gathering place with exceptional coffee, exceptional service, and truly authentic Turkish and Mediterranean cuisine. We serve delicious Mediterranean breakfast until 2pm, a very healthy way to start your day. You can also enjoy authentic Turkish lunch items and even the best BLT you have ever had! For dinner enjoy any of our 12 different kebab dishes prepared on a wood-fired smoker grill. Dining at Tuckerbox will whisk you away to a far off land, transporting you to Istanbul and back with every bite!

1 South Main Street

White River Junction, VT (802) 359-4041

www.tuckerboxvermont.com

104 South Main Street

White River Junction, VT (802) 295-5622

Mon–Thu 11am–8pm Fri & Sat 11am–9pm Closed Sun

Long River Gallery

49 South Main Street

White River Junction, VT (802) 295-4567

www.longrivergallery.com

Wed–Sat 11am–5pm Sun 11am–4pm

Steven Thomas, Inc.

Fine Arts & Antiques, Buying & Selling

85 Gates Street

White River Junction, VT (802) 457-1764

www.woodblock-prints.com

Fri–Sat 11am–4pm or by appointment

We’re Making Tracks!

Cappadocia Cafe

5 South Main Street

White River Junction, VT

www.cappadociacafevt.com

Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri, Sat 7:30am–5pm Sun 9am–5pm Closed Wed

Upper Valley Food Co-op

Thyme Restaurant

85 North Main Street

White River Junction, VT (802) 295-3312

www.thymevermont.com

Wed–Sat 5–8:30pm

Outdoor Seating

Private Room

Reservations Suggested

The Upper Valley Food Co-op is an independent co-op located in downtown White River Junction. We focus on products that are local, organic, fair trade, and minimally packaged. We have a strong commitment to local farmers and producers, and you’ll find local products in every department of the store.

193 North Main Street

White River Junction, VT (802) 295-5804

Mon–Sat 8am–7pm, Sun 9am–5pm

Little Istanbul

Little Istanbul Gifts brings the heart of Turkish culture to your doorstep with a curated collection of authentic, handmade goods. From vibrant kilim bags and artisanal jewelry to rich spices, Turkish delights, and handcrafted accessories, each item is personally sourced from artisans across Turkey. Discover unique gifts and flavors that celebrate tradition, craftsmanship, and the spirit of Istanbul.

27 North Main Street

White River Junction, VT (802) 698-8611

www.littleistanbulgifts.com

Tue–Sun 10am–6pm

June

Million

New

Summer | 202 6 THE PICK

arts & entertainment

Ongoing

One-Week Cartooning Workout: Alec Longstreth and James Sturm

The Center for Cartoon Studies cartoonstudies.org

Mondays

Toddler Storytime

Lebanon Library, 10:30am leblibrary.com

Tuesdays

Jammin’ Jellybeans

Kilton Library, 10:30am leblibrary.com

Wednesdays

Baby Buzz Lebanon

Lebanon Library, 10:30am leblibrary.com

Wednesdays

Beginners Yoga

Kilton Library, 6pm leblibrary.com

Thursdays

Yoga in the Galleries

AVA Gallery and Art Center, 9am avagallery.org

Thursdays

Baby Buzz Kilton

Kilton Library, 10:30am leblibrary.com

Fridays

Jammin’ Jellybeans

Kilton Library, 10:30am leblibrary.com

Through June 21

Million Dollar Quartet

New London Barn Playhouse nlbarn.org

June 15–19

Graphic Memoir with Mel Gillman

The Center for Cartoon Studies cartoonstudies.org

June 15–19

Writing and Drawing Single Panel

Comics with Hilary Price

The Center for Cartoon Studies cartoonstudies.org

June 16, July 21, August 18

Upper Valley Outright: Youth Drop-in Group

Kilton Library, 6pm leblibrary.com

June 17, 24

Workout with Baby Kilton Library, 12pm leblibrary.com

June 18, July 16, August 20

Queer Book Club

Kilton Library, 6pm leblibrary.com

June 19, July 3, 10

Mindful Flow Yoga with Crescent

Mood Wellness and Yoga

The Fells, 8am thefells.org

June 20

Upper Valley Repair Clinic

AVA Gallery and Art Center, 1:30pm avagallery.org

June 20, July 18, August 15

Pickin’ Time: Bluegrass, Brews & Bites

Cedar Circle Farm and Education Center cedarcirclefarm.org

June 22–26

Horror Comics with Mel Gillman

The Center for Cartoon Studies cartoonstudies.org

June 22–26

Graphic Resiliency Workshop with Natalie Norris

The Center for Cartoon Studies cartoonstudies.org

August 16, Summer Concert Series: Senie Hunt, The Fells, 5pm

August 19, Summer Concert Series: Low Lily, The Fells, 6pm

10-June 21 

Dollar Quartet

London Barn Playhouse

June 22, 29, July 13

Mindful Movement for Littles with Crescent Moon Wellness and Yoga

The Fells, 9:30am thefells.org

June 24–July 12

Chicago

New London Barn Playhouse nlbarn.org

June 25

The Hay Family Landscape Legacy: Incidental Interactions of Man and Nature –A Presentation by Lucinda Brockway

The Fells, 3pm thefells.org

June 26, 28, July 1

Opera North Presents Rossini’s La Cenerentola

Blow-Me-Down Farm lebanonoperahouse.org

June 26

Let’s Sing Taylor: An Unofficial Live Tribute Show

Lebanon Opera House, 7:30pm lebanonoperahouse.org

June 28

Technique Tune Up: Singing Upper Valley Music Center, 2pm uvmusic.org

June 30

Writing Workshop: The Power of Place with Aine Greaney

The Fells, 10am thefells.org

July 2, August 6

First Thursday Hike at The Fells

The Fells, 11am thefells.org

July 6

Shades of Buble: A Three-Man Tribute to Michael Buble

New London Barn Playhouse nlbarn.org

July 6–8

Kids’ Camp: Watercolor for Children Ages 9–13

The Fells, 1–4pm thefells.org

July 6–10

Queer Comics with Tillie Walden

The Center for Cartoon Studies cartoonstudies.org

July 6–10 & 13–17

Summer Cartoon Club with Daryl Seitchik and Wayne Carter

The Center for Cartoon Studies cartoonstudies.org

July 7

Writing Workshop: Let’s Make a Scene with Joni B. Cole

The Fells, 10am thefells.org

July 8

Summer Concert Series: House of Hamill – Upcycled Folk Music

The Fells, 6pm thefells.org

July 10

The Adventures of Snow White Claremont Opera House, 10am cohnh.org

July 10, August 14

Epic Empires Book Club

Kilton Library, 12pm leblibrary.com

July 10, August 14

Teen Night!

Kilton Library, 5:30pm leblibrary.com

July 10–19

North Country Community Theatre Presents The Addams Family Musical Lebanon Opera House ncct.org

July 11

Summer Bioblitz

The Nature Museum, 10am–2pm nature-museum.org

July 11

New Book Group: Star Signs

Kilton Library, 11am leblibrary.com

July 11–12

Artist Weekend

The Fells, 10am–4pm thefells.org

July 12

Creative Connections Session 3: Being in the Landscape The Nature Museum, 1–3pm nature-museum.org

July 12, 15, 17

Opera North Presents

The Ballad of Baby Doe Blow-Me-Down Farm lebanonoperahouse.org

July 13–15

Kids’ Camp: Art in the arden for Children Ages 8–11 The Fells, 9am–12pm thefells.org

July 14

Writing Workshop: “Write In” with Story Guide Masheri Chappelle The Fells, 9am thefells.org

July 15

Technique Tune Up: Piano Upper Valley Music Center, 4pm uvmusic.org

July 15

Summer Concert Series: Hot Skillet Club

The Fells, 6pm thefells.org

July 15

Young Frankenstein New London Barn Playhouse nlbarn.org

July 16–17

Art in Bloom The Fells thefells.org

July 16

Gardening Lecture Series: Bees & Blooms: Discover the Secret Life of Pollinators with Alchemy Apiary

The Fells, 10am thefells.org

July 17

Hansel & Gretel Claremont Opera House, 10am cohnh.org

July 12, 15, 17, The Ballad of Baby Doe

July 20

The Music of John Denver and Friends

New London Barn Playhouse nlbarn.org

July 20–23

Kids’ Camp: Nature Explorers (Co-Sponsored by LSPA) for Children Ages 6–10

The Fells, 9am–12pm thefells.org

July 20–24

Summer Cartoon Collective with Daryl Seitchik and Wayne Carter

The Center for Cartoon Studies cartoonstudies.org

July 21

Writing Workshop: Where to Start? with Tracy Wood

The Fells, 10am thefells.org

July 22

VINS Presentation: Raptors:

Inspiring Conservation

The Fells, 2pm thefells.org

July 22

Summer Concert Series: JD and the Stonemasons

The Fells, 6pm thefells.org

July 23–26

Opera North Presents Fiddler on the Roof Blow-Me-Down Farm lebanonoperahouse.org

July 24

Pinocchio

Claremont Opera House, 10am cohnh.org

July 24

Readings from Naturalist John Hay with Dave Anderson

The Fells, 11am thefells.org

July 27–31

Create Comics with Daryl Seitchik and Filipa Estrela

The Center for Cartoon Studies cartoonstudies.org

July 28

Poetry Salon: A Poetry Reading with NH Poet Laureate Jennifer Militello

The Fells, 5pm thefells.org

July 29

Summer Concert Series: Nick’s Other Band

The Fells, 6pm thefells.org

July 30

Herbal Remedy Making with Maria Noel Groves

Enfield Shaker Museum, 6pm shakermuseum.org

July 31

The Little Mermaid

Claremont Opera House, 10am cohnh.org

July 31, August 7, 14, 21

Mindful Flow Yoga with Crescent Moon Wellness and Yoga

The Fells, 8am thefells.org

July 31, August 7, 14

Mindful Movement for Littles with Crescent Moon Wellness and Yoga

The Fells, 9:30am thefells.org

July 31–August 2

Colburn Park Trad Music Festival Colburn Park uvmusic.org

August 1

Gala Auction

The Fells, 5pm thefells.org

August 3–7

Graphic Novel Workshop

The Center for Cartoon Studies cartoonstudies.org

August 3–7

Coming of Age Comics with Jo Knowles and Glynnis Fawkes

The Center for Cartoon Studies cartoonstudies.org

August 5–16

Escape to Margaritaville

New London Barn Playhouse nlbarn.org

August 7

Claremont MakerSpace Demonstration Tent Mount Sunapee Resort, 10am–5pm claremontmakerspace.org

August 7

Return to Oz Claremont Opera House, 10am cohnh.org

August 8

Kanin Wren’s Taylor Swift Experience Claremont Opera House, 7:30pm cohnh.org

August 9

Fairy Festival

The Fells, 11am thefells.org

August 9

Creative Connections Session 4: Seasons in the Landscape

The Nature Museum, 1–3pm nature-museum.org

August 10

Once a Barnie Always a Barnie

New London Barn Playhouse nlbarn.org

August 11

John Hay: The Prophet, the Poet, and The Environmentalist – A Presentation by Dr. Patricia Martin

The Fells, 4pm thefells.org

August 12–16

Northern Stage in Concert Series: Sweeney

Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street

Barrette Center for the Arts northernstage.org

August 14

Little Red Riding Hood Claremont Opera House, 10am cohnh.org

August 15

Gardening Lecture Series: History and Growing of Hops with Rik Marley of The Flying Goose

The Fells, 4pm thefells.org

August 16

Summer Concert Series: Senie Hunt

The Fells, 5pm thefells.org

August 16

Daniel Donato’s Cosmic Country Lebanon Opera House, 7:30pm lebanonoperahouse.org

August 18

Abraham Lincoln: The Making of a President – A Special Dinner Event with Steve Wood

The Fells, 5pm thefells.org

August 19

Summer Concert Series: Low Lily

The Fells, 6pm thefells.org

August 19–30

Ken Ludwig’s Baskerville: A Sherlock Holmes Mystery New London Barn Playhouse nlbarn.org

August 21

The Record Company Lebanon Opera House, 7:30pm lebanonoperahouse.org

August 23

Fairy House Building Meet-up & Makerspace

The Nature Museum, 10am nature-museum.org

August 24

Cece Teneal’s Divas of Soul New London Barn Playhouse nlbarn.org

August 26

Summer Concert Series: Temple Mountain

The Fells, 6pm thefells.org

August 30

Summer Concert Series: JOSA Presents Black Bay Transit Plus Art in Nature

Sculpture Walk

The Fells, 4pm thefells.org

www.hop.dartmouth.edu

June 25–27

Circa: Humans 2.0

The Moore Theater, 7:30pm; Sat 2pm

June 27

National Theatre in HD: The Playboy of the Western World Spaulding Auditorium, 7pm

June 30

Nona Hendryx: Nightbirds: The Music of Labelle Spaulding Auditorium, 7:30pm

July 7

Deepfaking Sam Altman Loew Auditorium, 7pm

July 8

Free Summer Concert: Dwayne Dopsie & the Zydeco Hellraisers Dartmouth Green, 5:30pm

July 9

Summer Film: America Unfiltered Loew Auditorium, 7pm

July 10

Summer Film: The Animation Show of Shows Loew Auditorium, 7pm

July 11

2001: A Space Odyssey Spaulding Auditorium, 7pm

July 15

The Ida Mae Specker Band: Square Dance Workshop Dartmouth Green, 4pm

July 15

Free Summer Concert: The Ida Mae Specker Band Dartmouth Green, 5:30pm

July 16

Ex Machina Spaulding Auditorium, 7pm

July 17

National Theatre in HD: Les Liaisons Dangereuses

Spaulding Auditorium, 7pm

July 18

The Terminator Loew Auditorium, 7pm

July 19

Rhiannon Giddens

Spaulding Auditorium, 7:30pm

July 22

Celebrating 35 Years of NYTW at Dartmouth with Nona Hendryx and Lynn Nottage

Top of the Hop, 5pm

July 15, Free Summer Concert: The Ida Mae Specker Band

July 19, Rhiannon Giddens

July 22

Her Spaulding Auditorium, 7pm

July 23

Hop Film Event:

The American Revolution with Ken Burns in Person

Spaulding Auditorium, 7pm

July 24

Blade Runner Spaulding Auditorium, 7pm

July 25

New York Theatre Workshop: Moonie

Daryl Roth Studio Theater, 4pm

July 25

New York Theatre Workshop: Labelle

Daryl Roth Studio Theater, 7:30pm

July 29

Exhibition on Screen:

Turner & Constable

Spaulding Auditorium, 7pm

July 30

Summer Film: Sundance

Shorts Tour

Spaulding Auditorium, 7pm

July 31

Department of Theater & Hopkins Center: New York Theatre Workshop Open House Hopkins Center, 5pm

July 31

The Matrix Spaulding Auditorium, 7pm

August 1

New York Theatre Workshop: The Punchline

Daryl Roth Studio Theater, 4pm

August 1

New York Theatre Workshop: Los Feliz

Daryl Roth Studio Theater, 7:30pm

August 19

HopStop Family Event: Build a Bird of Prey Sustainability Park, 5pm

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July 29, Exhibition on Screen: Turner & Constable

July 23, Hop Film Event: The American Revolution with Ken Burns in Person

121 Home 29

3 Phase Landscaping, LLC 57

American Precision Museum 66 & 68

Artistree 68

Baker Orthodontics 12

Bark N Bath Pet Spa 36

Barton Insurance 82

Belletetes 4

Bethel Mills 67

Billings Farm & Museum 68

Bonita by Olga 91

Busy Women Wellness 38

C&S Pizza 84

Cape Air 57

Cappadocia Cafe 85

Cedar Circle Farm and Education Center 14

Claremont Makerspace 15

Claremont Opera House 15

Color Café 37

Crown Point Cabinetry 2

Crown Point Select 35

DB Design Group 7

Dance Arts Academy 23

Dutille’s Jewelry Design Studio 21

Eastern Propane & Oil 22

Enfield Shaker Museum 28 & 69

Eyeglass Outlet 25

Flashphoto 36

Floorcraft 38

Focus Gallery 29

Fore-U Golf Center 20

Foster’s Fine Jewelry 36

Garden at Tracy Library 36

Grassroots Functional Medicine 6

Great Vermont Corn Maze 68

Greater Claremont Chamber of Commerce 15

Grounds 37

Hanover Road Dental Health 81

Harborside Trading 54

Helen’s Place 38

Hugo Anderson MFA 36

Jeff Wilmot Painting & Wallpapering, Inc. 92

Jenna Sievers Realtor 76

John Hay Estate at The Fells 69

Junction Frame Shop 84

Katie’s Cookies 20

King Arthur Baking Company 68

ADVERTISERS INDEX

Lake Morey Resort 5

Lake Sunapee Region Chamber of Commerce 45 & 55

Lake Sunapee Region VNA & Hospice 12

Landforms LTD 45

LaValley Building Supply 9

Lebanon Airport 95

Lebanon Paint & Decorating 24 & 93

Library Arts Center 69

Life Is Good 38

Little Istanbul 85

Loewen Window Center 64

Long River Gallery 84

Love’s Bedding & Furniture 88

Lumber Barn 62

MB Pro Landscape Design 26

MJ Harrington Jewelers 77

MVP Marine 28

Mascoma Dental Associates 34

McGray & Nichols 67

Mertens House 95

Morgan Hill Bookstore 37

Mt. Kearsarge Indian Museum 69

NT Ferro Estate & Custom Jewelers 23 & 29

New London Opticians 37

Newport Golf Club 34

Omer and Bob’s 66

Prospect Hill Home 55

Quail Hollow Senior Living Community 47

Ramunto’s Brick Oven Pizza of Claremont 27

Real Property Options 93

RedCan 84

Richard Electric 82

Rousseau & Ross 47

Shady Elm Home Systems 13

Shaker Hill Granite 52

Simple Energy 90

Soake Pools 1

Springfield Hospital 25

Springfield Orthodontics 52

St. Johnsbury Athenaeum 68

Stacy’s Smoothies & Coffee Bar 54

Star View 14

Stateline Sports 21

Steven Thomas, Inc. 85

Sugar River Bank 27 & 56

Summer Music Associates 87

Summercrest Senior Living Community 77

Sunapee Cellar & Pantry 54

Sunapee Cruises 56

Sunapee Farmers’ Market 54

Sunapee Shade & Blind 36

Switchback Consignment 38

Talbot Builders 76

Tatewell Gallery 36

The Cabinet en-Counter 81

The Carriage Shed Inside front cover

The Flying Goose Brew Pub & Grille 38

The Hair Station 37

The Ice House Museum 69

The Lake Queen Dinner Boat and the MV Sunapee II Tour Boat 69

The Livery 55

The New London Historical Society 69

The Refinery Restaurant & Market 37

The Tea House Back cover

The Woodstock Gallery 29

Thyme Restaurant 85

Timberpeg 3

Timeless Medical Aesthetics & Wellness 17

Top Stitch Embroidery 93

Tuckerbox 84

Twin State Flooring 39

Upper Valley Food Co-op 85

Upper Valley Pediatric Dentistry 24

Valley Artesian Well Company Inside back cover

Valley Regional Hospital 11

Vermont Granite Museum 68 WISE 91

Wagner Hodgson Landscape Architecture 65

Walk in Beauty Spa & Wellness 37

Warermark Marine Supply 55

White River Family Eyecare/ Hanover Eyecare 89

Willam Smith Auctioneers & Appraisers 19

Willow Brook Builders 53

Woodstock Gallery 29

Woodcrest Village 83

Woodstock History Center 68

Woodstock Inn & Resort 63 & 87

dthompson@mountainviewpublishing.com.

Bobby on opening day for Lebanon Youth Baseball Association.

Happy second birthday to Effie!

Lucas celebrates graduation from the University of Tampa with his family.

Opening day at Fore-U Golf Center.

Congratulations to Carol and the Walt & Ernie’s team on their new location behind Ledyard Bank.