Making Connections with Lakes Center for the Arts
By Kathi Caldwell-Hopper
At Lakes Center for the Arts, it’s all about the artists and the community and connections. When the organization was formed in 2019 by a group of local artists committed to the world of art in all its beauty, they knew it would be a work-intensive task. They also knew that bringing more art into the Lakes Region and its communities would be worth the effort. “We knew we needed a central place to connect local artists to the community,” says Lakes Center for the Arts board member, Karen Jonash. She is a member and an artist, as well as a volunteer of the Lakes Center for the Arts organization. Jonash speaks passionately of the mission of the Lakes Center and all it does for the area. “I was a high school art teacher for 17 years, so I know how important the arts are to connections and education,” Jonash explains. (Jonash is well known in the Meredith area as a sculptural ceramicist and a docent for the town’s Meredith Sculpture Walk. She is on the committee that selects the locations of various sculptures each year, which can be a challenge when there are up to 24 pieces to be placed.)
When it comes to art, Jonash says that in order for artists to stay in a community, they need a helpful place for support, networking, and to show their artwork. The community can benefit from making, exploring, and connecting when it comes to the arts. Art, Jonash says, even has health benefits. In 2020, when COVID hit, not long after
Lakes Center for the Arts was formed, the need for the arts was validated. While many people felt isolated during the lockdown, artists in the community could come together thanks to the work of the Lakes Center for the Arts. The organization offered – and still does offer - such things as rotating display cases around the Lakes Region where member artists show their work. Added to this, the organization’s website (www.lakescenterforarts.org) features an online gallery with examples of the work of member artists. Viewers are able to browse the pages of members and choose which artwork to purchase, or to simply bask in the wonderful work of the area’s artists.
Lakes Center for the Arts started from an idea of Katheryn Rolfe, who ran Oglethorpe Gallery, an arts gallery in Meredith. Rolfe was immersed in the world of art and was the person who originally pushed to create the Lakes Center for the Arts. She is still the driving force behind the group to this day.
The board of directors of Lakes Center for the Arts works tirelessly to bring the arts to those in the community. One way to showcase the work of artist members is with popular rotating display cases. “We have display cases in five locations around the area – Meredith Library, Wolfeboro Public Library, Castle in the Clouds, Laconia
City Hall, and Moultonborough Library,” explains Jonash. “We are looking to add to that list with more places to display.”
The cases allow Lakes Center artist members to exhibit their work for several months at a time, bringing them exposure and a chance to promote and sell their art. “We are trying to give local artists a chance to show their work.”
The Meredith Public Library has been very supportive of the Lakes Center for the Arts and hosts various activities such as workshops and presentations in their Maker Space.
Perhaps the best way to bring artists to the public is through the Meet the Artist program using space at the Meredith Library. Events are planned to inspire, educate, and nurture the arts and connect the community through presentations, workshops, and exhibits. All events are free and open to the public. Attendees can talk to the artist and ask questions about their work and art process.
Along with Meet the Artist events and the display cases, Lakes Center for the Arts also offers five varied programs and workshops each year. Each presentation is designed to offer a compelling experience for those who attend. The presentations have been popular, with a “Dress a Girl” group in April; Kathryn Field, a Meredith Sculpture Walk artist who presented a program
• Arts continued on page 4
Local artist Larry Frates at a program by Lakes Center for the Arts. (Courtesy photo)
The Barnstormers Theatre to Present Musical Comedy ‘The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee’
The Barnstormers Theatre will present The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee through August 30. Directed by Clayton Phillips and featuring Michael Ursua as music director, the Tony Award-winning musical by William Finn and Rachel Sheinkin is the fifth and final production of the theater’s 95th season.
“It’s a hilarious coming-of-age story that packs a punch,” said Artistic Director Jordan Ahnquist.
An eclectic group of six preteens compete for the spelling championship while sharing hilarious and touching stories from their home lives. Each contestant fears the soul-crushing ding of the bell that signals a misspelled word. Six spellers enter—only one emerges victorious. At least the losers get a juice box.
Winner of both the Tony and Drama Desk Awards for Best Book, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee is a beloved musical comedy that has charmed audiences nationwide with its wit and heart. The show opened on Broadway at the Circle in the Square Theatre on April 15, 2005, and ran until January 2008. A new production of The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee will return to New York City this fall following a successful run at The Kennedy Center last year.
The cast features Lee Hollis Bussie as Chip Tolentino, Tiffany Chalothorn as Marcy Park, Sara Coombs as Rona Lisa Peretti, Dan Domenech as Mitch Mahoney, Blair Hundertmark as Douglas Panch, Mallory Newbrough as Logainne Schwartzandgrubeniere (Schwartzy), Helen Jane Planchet as
Olive Ostrovsky, Phil Sloves as William Morris Barfée, and Seth Tucker as Leaf Coneybear.
The creative team includes Carolyn Abraham (props manager), Michele Begley (production manager), Chelsie Cartledge Rose (costume designer), Kevin Dunn (lighting designer), Jenn Gallo (assistant stage manager), Shauwna Dias Grillo (production stage manager), Catherine O’Brien (costume shop manager), Kimberly S. O’Loughlin (sound designer), Richie Ouellette (scenic designer), Clayton Phillips (director/choreographer), Kat Shepard (wardrobe supervisor), Ivy Smith (technical director) and Michael Ursua (music director). The Barnstormers Theatre’s 95th season is led by Artistic Director Jordan Ahnquist.
Tickets are available at barnstormerstheatre.org or by calling 603-3238500.
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• Arts continued from page 3
to inspire others to pursue art, and Pai Louise Capaldi, an intuitive medium and artist who spoke about synesthesia. Upcoming programs include artist Bridget Powers on September 6, and on October 4, Robin Cornwell, noted fiber artist, will engage students in a tactile experience using quilting and printing on fabrics.
Artist members of the Lakes Center for the Arts all display a high level of craftsmanship, according to Jonash. While there is not a jury process to become an artist member, those who participate are skilled artists.
“We offer so much for artists in the Lakes Region,” Jonash goes on to say. “There is the opportunity to be on the website with a gallery of your work, to take a workshop, teach, or simply to network.”
When it comes to artist networking, Jonash uses the example of Lakes Center for the Arts members helping one another determine pricing for artwork. Sometimes it is difficult to know what to charge for a piece of art, and the
The Barnstormers Theatre is located at 104 main Street in Tamworth. Founded in 1931 by Francis Cleveland — youngest son of President Grover Cleveland — his wife Alice, and their friend Ed Goodnow, all veterans of the Broadway stage, The Barnstormers Theatre continues their legacy more than 90 years later.
It remains one of only three Actors’ Equity theaters in New Hampshire, producing professional, high-caliber theatre each summer. Ticket sales cover only about half of its operating costs, so The Barnstormers relies on contributions, like many arts organizations. Every gift helps sustain its mission and programming.
input of fellow artists can be helpful.
“We also try to strengthen the collaboration in the community,” Jonash says. To do so, it would be a dream come true for Lakes Center for the Arts to have a permanent home with a gallery and a meeting space. Presently, the Center relies upon the generosity of such places as the Meredith Public Library to host art talks and programs.
“They have been generous and so supportive,” Jonash adds. “We could not offer the things we do without them and others.”
For artists looking to connect with other creative people and the community at large, and to also find a place to display their work, joining Lakes Center for the Arts is a great idea. The mission statement of Lakes Center for the Arts says it all: “Engaging artists and the community to inspire, educate, and nurture the arts.”
If art inspires and enriches everyone, the Lakes Center for the Arts is a good place to be. To learn more/become a member, or get event information, visit www.lakescenterforarts.org
The Freese Brothers Big Band at Wolfeboro’s Wright Museum
On Tuesday, August 26, at 7:30 pm, the Wright Museum will welcome The Freese Brothers Big Band. This is the thirteenth program of the Wright Museum’s 2025 Education Series.
Eighty years ago this summer, World War II came to an end. As members of the Greatest Generation began to return home, they and their families listened to the music that was the soundtrack of the war years. Join the Freese Brothers Big Band for an 80th anniversary salute to the Greatest Generation and the Home Front with tunes that brought solace and cheer to turbulent times and defined the generation.
Doors open at 6 pm, the program
begins at 7:30 pm on Tuesday, August 26, at the Wright Museum’s DuQuoin Education Center, 77 Center Street in Wolfeboro. Admission is $8 for members and $12 for non-members. Prepaid reservations are strongly encouraged and can be made online at https:// wrightmuseum.org/lecture-series or by calling 603-569-1212.
The region’s leading resource for educators and learners of all ages on World War II, the Wright Museum features more than 20,000 items in its collection that are representative of both the home front and battlefield. For more information about the 2025 Lecture Series or the museum, visit wrightmuseum.org.
Into the Sea: The Tragedy and Survival of the USS Indianapolis
The Gafney Library presents the “Sinking of the USS Indianapolis: Disaster and Survival in WWII,” on September 5, at 6 pm in their Community Room.
On July 30, 1945, the USS Indianapolis was torpedoed in the South Pacific by a Japanese submarine shortly after delivering components for the atomic bomb. Approximately 300 men were killed on impact, and nearly 900 others were cast into the open ocean. Through four horrific days and nights, the stranded sailors faced relentless shark attacks, hypothermia, dehydration, and hallucinations. When rescue finally arrived, only 317 remained alive. In an upcoming presentation, best-
selling author Michael Tougias will recount the true story behind one of the greatest naval tragedies in U.S. history. Drawing from first-hand accounts and meticulous research, Tougias will explore critical questions that still haunt the legacy of the Indianapolis: Why did the Navy fail to notice the ship was missing? Why was it sent unescorted through hostile waters? How did the survivors endure such unimaginable conditions? And why was the ship’s captain court-martialed—was he a scapegoat for the Navy’s own failures?
During this special presentation, Tougias will share chilling stories of survival—and the powerful lessons learned in the face of life’s most formi-
dable challenges. More than a story of tragedy, Tougias frames the Indianapolis as a powerful narrative of courage, endurance, and the lessons learned in the face of overwhelming adversity.
Presenter Michael Tougias is a NY Times bestselling author of 30 books for adults, some of which include: King Philip’s War, No Will Set You Free, The Waters Between Us, A Storm Too Soon, Fatal Forecast, and There’s A Porcupine In My Outhouse.
Tougias’ book The Finest Hours, a true story of the Coast Guard’s Greatest Rescue, was made into a Disney movie starring Chris Pine and Casey Affleck. His latest book is Extreme Survival: Lessons From Those Who
Have Triumphed Against All Odds. Tougias has also written several books for kids aged 8-14 as part of his True Rescue Series. Tougias has spoken in almost all 50 states. For more information, visit www.michaeltougias.com/
This event is hosted by the Gafney Library and made possible by New Hampshire Humanities. For more information, call Library Director Amy Swanson at 603-522-3401. The Gafney Library is located at 14 High Street in Sanbornville. Library programs are free and open to the public.
For more information about New Hampshire Humanities, visit nhhumanities.org.
DRILL THE
RUN THE
LINE AND
Craft Fair Returns to Gunstock August 30-31
gars/oils, gourmet foods/baked goods and local honey, 3D art, luminaries, wooden clocks, local roasted coffees, personalized cutting boards, amazing quilts, hand-painted home decor, floral decor and lots more! Live Music both days with North River! Enjoy the Adventure Park with Hiking, Zip Lines, Mountain Coaster, and Aerial Lift Ride with views of Lake Winnipesaukee, and Gunstock’s new Restaurant with a deck and great views.
Come and celebrate the holiday at the Labor Day Weekend Gunstock Craft Fair on August 30-31 at Gunstock Mountain Resort, 719 Cherry Valley Rd., Rt. 11A, Gilford, NH. Saturday’s hours are 10 am to 5 pm, and Sunday’s, 10 am to 4 pm. There will be over 110 amazing arts and crafts exhibitors displaying a wide array including laser art boards, dyed yarns, spinning wheel and weaving demos, chainsaw wood carvings and demos with Elise, awesome tie dye clothing, various jewelry styles including leather/crystal/silver/beaded/ jade and gold jewelry, stained glass art, laser art creations, resin artwork, watercolor art, skincare, hand-poured soy candles, books with authors, knits, crochet items, fused glass art, CBD wellness products, balsamic vine-
Parking and admission are free for the Craft Fair, and the fair will proceed rain or shine under canopies. For questions or more information, call Joyce at 603-387-1510, or preview online at joycescraftshows.com - See you there!
Yesteryear
From WPA Roots to Modern Thrills: The Year-Round Appeal of Gunstock Mountain Resort
By Kathi Caldwell-Hopper
If you want to go for a hike, take a Zipline, ride a chair lift to see the Lakes Region from on high, or enjoy skiing, there is just one place to do so: Gunstock Mountain Resort in Gilford.
The resort is beloved by many and has been around in one form or another since the early part of the 1900s. That is a long time, with the area undergoing a bevy of changes over the years.
People first heard of skiing in the late 1800s, and in those days, it was a rudimentary sport. It began in Berlin, New Hampshire, where a group of Scandinavians was working on the railroad system. The work brought them to the northern part of the state, where there was deep snow and towering mountains, just right for a sport they had been doing in Europe for years: skiing.
According to historical information at www.gunstock.com, Scandinavians made their own skis and created clubs for downhill and ski jumping. By 1882, skiing had become quite popular; thus, the Nansen Ski Club was established.
Not far away, Dartmouth College in Hanover brought outdoor recreation to the state with the Dartmouth Outing Club. By the 1930s, the club had promoted skiing to an extent to help it gain a foothold.
Famed European ski experts arrived during the 1930s, and skiers such as Hannes Schneider fled Nazi control to reestablish themselves in New Hampshire’s White Mountains. Their presence greatly helped skiing to grow in the state, and areas like North Conway became Meccas for the sport.
What was happening on the mountain in sleepy Gilford during this time? The answer is not a lot. Of course, everyone was aware of skiing, but most people had not tried it out. Early trails were cut by the Winnipesaukee Ski Club, which began as a group around 1915. Word got out about these trails, and snow trains from Boston and points south stopped in Laconia, where enthusiasts could get off for skiing at the mountain in nearby Gilford.
Before Gunstock became an official ski area, Ted Cooke built a rope tow on the western hill/slope at Gunstock Mountain. The year was 1935, and Cooke did a good job with his tow, which turned out to be the longest in the country at the time. The idea of a tow to get people up a mountain when
skiing seemed a godsend for those who wanted to pursue the sport. Thus, more tows were added at the Gilford slope.
Due to the popularity of ski jumping and the need for jobs during the Great Depression, Gunstock – or the Belknap Mountain Recreation Area as it was initially titled - was born in the 1930s. With Federal Emergency Relief Administration funds, a ski jump was built at Mt. Rowe in 1935. With foresight, officials sought more help to create a bustling year-round facility for all sorts of outdoor recreation.
To build such a place would require workers aplenty. The Works Progress Administration (WPA) stepped in and helped create the place we know today as Gunstock. Hussey Manufacturing Company, with offices in Maine, oversaw the workers, many who had been unemployed, thus boosting the local economy at a time (the Great Depression) when work was scarce. It would be the largest WPA-funded project in New Hampshire, putting many people to work.
Information at www.newenlgandskihistory.com relays that the initial plan for Gunstock was to make a $300,000 attraction to be called the Belknap Mountain Recreation Area. The plan was for a 60-meter ski jump, a slalom course, and two new ski trails. The plans were big; it was hoped the new area would bring the 1940 Winter Olympics to Gilford.
The official opening of the new area on Feb. 28, 1937, was a big deal. The kickoff event that followed was the United States Eastern Amateur Ski Association ski jumping event.
Chair lifts were soon added, which only increased Gunstock’s popularity.
An article in the Dec. 14, 1939 edition of the Bristol Enterprise titled “New Hampshire Winter Sports” related that Belknap Mountain Recreational Area in Gilford had added a 3,200 ft. chairlift on Mt. Rowe.
The upgrades brought many skiers to the area. Old postcards and photos show a parking lot chock-full of cars with many skiers taking to the nearby slopes at Gunstock.
After World War II ended, people wanted to resume skiing, and some even hoped to ski during the summer months. In the summer of 1949, the Belknap Area tried something new: shaved ice and hay put down for a 40-meter jump in August! Thousands of people were intrigued and attended. Every effort was made to create events in the area during the summer, with a campground added over time and some events.
One of the most significant summer events brought motorcycle races to the outdoor recreation spot. There was plenty of room at the Belknap Mountain Recreation Area, and a newcomer in a red hat saw the potential.
Frank (Fritzie) Baer was quite a character, wearing a signature red hat. He was a combination of shrewd businessman, manager, and a bit of a showman. Like many in his day, Baer worked hard from a young age, leaving school to work in a mill as a young man. Hard work never frightened Baer, and he put his energies into working for the Indian motorcycle company. He loved motorcycles and formed a club called Fritzie’s Roamers. He soon organized an event that kick-started Laconia’s Bike Week when he created a motorcycle rally at the Belknap Area.
The event was extremely popular as motorcycling was growing in interest. About 10,000 people attended the rally, which in part helped Baer secure the job as manager of the Belknap Area. Baer was not a skier, but he likely saw the advantages of using the ski area for summer as well as wintertime sports and recreation. And why not when the area had acres of forests, a big parking area, camping, and slopes for winter sports?
Many events were held at Belknap Mountain Recreation Area, including, according to an advertisement in the July 31, 1958 issue of the Bristol Enterprise, an Antiques Fair held on site. Also in the same edition, mention was made that the Belknap County Fair was held at the Recreation Area from 1946 to 1949.
Over the years, managers came and went, bringing new things to attract visitors. T-bars were replaced with chair lifts, for example, and summertime campground improvements were added.
In 2011, a plan for more summer recreation at the area now known as Gunstock was unveiled, featuring an off-season plan that would cost upwards of $2 million. This plan included a treetop obstacle course, high-speed zip lines, and off-road Segway tours (in the autumn of 2011, the additions were completed).
Later, in 2016, a mountain coaster was installed on the lower slope of Mt. Rowe.
The years were up and down, with some seasons seeing a significant snowfall and others with sparse snow. The added expense of the off-season recreation also stretched the budget.
Despite the issues that can be common at most ski areas, Gunstock continues and is as vital a place, in summer as well as winter, as it has ever been. Summer offers a variety of activities, including the zip line, other attractions, numerous campground spaces, hiking, fishing, a Bike Week Hillclimb, a lodge with dining and live music, and events, among the activities.
The area that evolved into a grand destination was born with modest mountain slopes and a few intrepid ski enthusiasts. It has grown up to attract many who today arrive to enjoy Gunstock.
Construction work at Belknap Mountains Recreation Area (Gunstock). Photo courtesy Gunstock.
By Chef Kelly Ross
Well, it’s the last week of August, my friends. Summer may have gone quickly, but Mother Nature has an agenda and she doesn’t care what we think! That being said, it is still fruit and berry season!
A frequent topic of the emails I receive from many of you readers is wanting to use those delicious fruits and berries. I have always had a plethora of great recipes with that theme, as they were my Grammy Judy’s “bread and butter” when it came to her kitchen awesomeness. Today, we are talking about great desserts using fruits and berries. I’m not saying these are all healthy options, but using fruits and berries is better for you than using many of
the other options out there when it comes to sweets. Let’s start with peaches in a dessert bar form.
This wonderful batch of dessert bars is buttery and soft, with the juicy peaches giving you a great jammy center, and then it’s finished with the crumb topping so many bar recipes are famous for. These are perfect for dessert or at snack time, for that matter. I make these in a 9x13-inch baking pan that usually gets me as many as 24 pieces, although I usually go for 18. Prep time is about a half-hour, and baking time is closer to 45 minutes.
Peach Crumb Bars
For the Dough
3 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup granulated sugar
1 tsp baking powder
¼ tsp salt
1 cup unsalted butter, cold and cut into cubes
1 egg, lightly beaten
For the Filling
5 cups diced or sliced peaches, about 7 peaches, peeled
2 tbsp lemon juice
½ cup all-purpose flour
1 cup granulated sugar
¼ tsp salt
½ tsp ground cinnamon
¼ tsp ground nutmeg
Preheat oven to 375 degrees and grease a 9×13-inch baking pan. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt. Use a pastry blender or 2 forks to cut in the butter, and then the egg. The dough will be crumbly. Pat half of the dough into the bottom of the prepared pan. Place the pan and the remainder of the dough in the refrigerator while you prepare the filling. For the filling, place the diced or sliced peaches in a large bowl and sprinkle with lemon juice. Mix gently. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Pour over the peaches and mix gently. Spread the peach mixture evenly over the crust. Crumble the remaining dough over the peach layer. Bake in the preheated oven for 45 minutes, or until the top is slightly brown. Cool completely before cutting into squares. Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days, although they never last that long.
I know I’m in the minority when I say this, but all in all, brownies are not a big favorite of mine. I’m not a huge chocolate guy, but this is arguably my
‘Cue The Grill
No Grill, All Thrill: Peach, Love, and Labor Day Desserts
favorite brownie recipe as it includes fresh raspberries as well as coffee, making this batch far from the usual brownie. I suggest freezing fresh raspberries on a pan, all separated, and using the frozen berries when combining into the batter. Also, you can obviously use all-purpose flour if you prefer, as these brownies will be outstanding no matter what flour you use. This recipe is made in an 8x8-inch pan, so you’ll only get 9 brownies, but if you want to double up the recipe and make it in a 9x13 pan, have at it. Prep and baking time combined is in the 45-minute range. If the coffee flavor is not your thing, you can easily eliminate it, or if you like a stronger coffee flavor, bulk it up to 3-4 tsp and make sure you use instant coffee, as instant dissolves much better than normal coffee grounds, which will give you a gritty brownie. These are rich and decadent and will blow you away!
Healthy Raspberry
Mocha Brownies
¼ cup plain nonfat Greek yogurt
2 tsp instant coffee
¾ cup white whole wheat flour
¾ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
¼ tsp baking powder
¼ tsp salt
2 tbsp unsalted butter or coconut oil, melted and cooled slightly
2 large eggs, room temp
1 tsp vanilla extract
½ cup pure maple syrup
1 cup fresh frozen raspberries
Preheat the oven to 300 degrees and lightly coat an 8-inch square baking
•’Cue the Grill continued on page 11
pan with nonstick cooking spray. In a small bowl, stir together the Greek yogurt and instant coffee until smooth. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt. In a third bowl, whisk together the butter, eggs, and vanilla. Stir in the maple syrup. Mix the Greek yogurt mixture into the egg mixture until no large lumps remain. Mix in the flour mixture, stirring just until incorporated. Gently fold in the frozen raspberries. Spread the batter into the prepared pan. Bake at 300 degrees for 21-25 minutes. Cool completely to room temperature in the pan and let the brownies sit for at least 8 hours at room temperature for the fudgiest texture before serving. The brownies are done when the edges look firm and fully baked, and the center looks glossy but mostly set. The center will continue to finish baking all the way through while you let the brownies cool.
For the only dessert served hot today, I introduce you to a fabulous baked pear dessert that is cooked with fresh berries, walnuts, and honey. Boy oh boy, is this good. I have a very tough time not eating this without a scoop or two of vanilla ice cream. This is a perfect dessert after a special dinner for a special occasion or just because it sounds pretty darn yummy. The flavor of pear is one of my favorites of the fruit world but when baked with an array of fresh berries and the flavors of maple syrup and honey and the crunch of the walnuts and the melted blue cheese, this screams a classic high-end dessert. Start to finish for this is a half hour, and this recipe is for 4 of you.
Baked Pears with Berries, Honey, Walnuts & Blue Cheese
2 ripe pears, halved and cored
1 cup mixed berries, blueberries, raspberries, and/or blackberries ¼ cup chopped walnuts
1 ½ tbsp honey
1 ½ tbsp pure maple syrup
2-3 oz blue cheese, crumbled ½ tsp cinnamon
Rolled oats, optional
Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Place pear halves in a baking dish, cut side up. Top with berries, walnuts, and a sprinkle of cinnamon as well as rolled oats if using. Drizzle honey and maple syrup over each pear half. Bake for 20-25 minutes, until pears are tender. Remove from oven and sprinkle with crumbled blue cheese before serving and finish with a scoop or 2 of vanilla ice cream if that sounds good.
Next, these raspberry bars take everything I adore about a classic fruit crisp, like some sweet-tart fruit, buttery oats, and a hint of cinnamon, and pack it into an easy, hand-held treat. If you’re the type, like me, who always sneaks extra crumbled topping from the crisp dish, you’re going to fall hard for these bars. Although these are more dessert than breakfast, I have been known to sneak one with my morning coffee, and I do so with zero regrets. Totally irresistible, these raspberry bars layer fruity goodness between a buttery oatmeal crust and a cinnamon-spiced crumble. They’re the kind of treat that works for brunch or dessert, amazing with your morning coffee or topped with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. Prep and cooking time is a little over an hour, although they need to cool for a few hours. Plan for 12 pieces.
Raspberry Bars
For the Crust and Crumble Topping
2 cups + 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
1 ½ cups old-fashioned rolled oats
¾ cup granulated sugar
½ cup packed brown sugar
1 tsp cinnamon
½ tsp salt
¾ cup unsalted butter, melted
1 large egg, slightly beaten
For the Raspberry Layer
2 cups fresh raspberries
1 tbsp freshly squeezed lemon juice
¼ cup granulated sugar
2 tsp cornstarch
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Line an 8×8-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang around the edges, and grease with nonstick cooking spray. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, oats, granulated sugar, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt. Gently stir in the melted butter and egg. Remove about 1 cup, not packed, of the mixture for the topping and set aside. Press the remaining mixture into the bottom of the prepared pan. In a medium bowl, stir together the berries, sugar, lemon juice, and cornstarch until the berries are coated. Spoon the raspberry mixture over top of the oatmeal base. It’s okay if there are empty spaces on the base, as the raspberries will spread as they bake. Crumble the reserved oat mixture over top of the fruit layer. I like to form some big and some small crumbles and make sure all of the raspberries are topped. Bake in the preheated oven for about 50-55 minutes or until you see the berries bubbling and the top crumble turning golden brown. Cool the bars fully while keeping them in the pan until they are at room temperature, at least 3 hours before slicing. To slice the bars, lift them out of the pan using the overhang of the parchment paper. Place it on a cutting board and slice with a large, sharp knife. Bars can be served cold from the fridge, room temperature, or warmed up in the microwave.
For today’s Grand Finale, it’s time for a great no-bake blueberry cheesecake pie, which is a cool twist on cheesecake without a springform cheesecake pan. No-bake desserts are some of my favorites this time of year as to not heat up the kitchen and the house. With amazing layers that include a graham cracker crust, cheesecake, blueberry pie filling and whipped topping, this blueberry dream is the perfect sweet treat. It will only take you 15-20 min-
An
utes to make but then you will need many hours to let it set under refrigeration. This is made in a pie plate, so plan on 8 pieces. This is short on prep and very high in rewards.
Blueberry Cheesecake Pie
For the Crust
1 ¾ cups graham cracker crumbs, about 14-15 full graham cracker sheets, divided
1/3 cup butter, melted ¼ cup sugar
For the Filling
8 oz cream cheese, room temp
16 oz frozen whipped topping, thawed ¾ cup confectioners’ sugar
2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
1 tsp pure vanilla extract
1 can blueberry pie filling, or other favorite pie filling, 21 oz
For the crust, combine 1 ¼ cup of the graham cracker crumbs with the butter and sugar and firmly press with fingers into a 9×9-inch pan or 9-inch pie dish. Using a stand or hand-held electric mixer, whip softened cream cheese until fluffy. Stir in 8 oz of the whipped topping, confectioner’s sugar, lemon juice, and vanilla with the cream cheese until smooth. Spread cream cheese mixture over graham cracker crust. Pour the blueberry pie filling over cream cheese mixture and carefully spread in an even layer. Top and spread the 2nd half of the whipped topping over the top and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, or overnight, before serving. Sprinkle with reserved crushed graham crackers and fresh blueberries just before serving.
Have a great Labor Day, my friends, and keep on keeping those tastebuds of yours happy and smiling. Until next time, if you have any questions or feedback, please reach out at fenwaysox10@gmail.com.
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New Rules for Hunters Become Effective September 1
The New Hampshire Fish and Game Department is announcing changes to a variety of hunting-related rules, which may include amendments to current ones, beginning with the 2025—2026 seasons. Effective September 1:
During the archery season, deer may be harvested by crossbow by anyone holding an archery license in the following Wildlife Management Units (WMUs): D2W, G1, G2, H1, H2, I1, I2, J1, J2, K, L, and M.
Youths from any state may now participate in New Hampshire’s youth deer hunting weekend with a properly licensed adult.
The fall turkey shotgun season will be closed in WMUs G and I2.
WMU I1 will no longer be open for the harvest of a second spring turkey.
Shot size 9.5 (in TSS) is now allowed for the harvest of turkeys.
Hunters wishing to take an additional bear in WMUs C1, D2, E, or F must now register their first bear prior to harvesting a second one.
Air rifles may now be used for the harvest of moose, deer, and bear. Air rifles used for the purpose of taking
game shall be charged from an external high-compression power source and meet the following minimum criteria:
Be 0.35 caliber or larger and produce at least 400 foot-pounds of energy at the muzzle for taking deer and bear;
Be 0.45 caliber or larger and produce at least 400 foot-pounds of energy at the muzzle for taking moose; For use in taking small game, air rifles shall be not less than .22 caliber and shall deliver not less than 12 footpounds of kinetic energy at the muzzle
In towns with special rules, rifles (long guns) chambered in a straightwalled pistol cartridge of .357 caliber or greater are now allowed. For the purposes of this law, a pistol cartridge will be considered any cartridge available in a pistol platform provided it is of .357 caliber or greater. For more details
or to reference a list of towns with special rules, see page 22 of the 2025-26 New Hampshire Hunting and Trapping Digest by visiting www.eregulations.com/ newhampshire/ hunting.
In towns with special rules, pistols (handguns) permitted are now .327 Federal Magnum and any caliber .357 Magnum and greater. For more details or to reference a list of towns with special rules, see page 22 of the 2025-26 New Hampshire Hunting and Trapping Digest by visiting www.eregulations. com/newhampshire/hunting.
The last weekend in September is now designated as New Hampshire’s Youth Hunting Weekend for pheasant. Participants must be 15 years of age or younger and shall be accompanied by an adult 18 years of age or older who is licensed to take pheasants. Accom-
panying adults must possess a current hunting license and pheasant permit and are prohibited from carrying a firearm, bow and arrow, or crossbow that could otherwise lawfully be used for hunting. Adult participants may accompany no more than two youths, and all youths must comply with all other requirements for harvesting pheasants. Any furbearing animal taken by hunting must be registered within 24 hours of take through the completion of all required fields in an online registration report using the link available at www. wildlife.state.nh.com. Furbearers with a hunting season include mink, fisher, raccoon, fox, coyote, opossum, weasel, skunk, and muskrat. Hunters who register a furbearing animal must maintain proof of registration by recording the confirmation number of each harvested animal on, or kept with, their hunting license. In addition to registration, all fisher harvested must be sealed, and the lower jaw must be submitted at the time of sealing.
For more information on Fish and Game rules, visit www.wildlife.nh.gov/ laws-and-rules.
What’s UP
Please call ahead for event updates. Information and schedules subject to change.
Through Aug., Antique Quilts and Clothing Exhibit, runs for month, Clark Museum, 233 South Main St., Wolfeboro, 603-569-4997, www.wolfeborohistoricalsociety. org
Through Aug. 29, Doc’s Harness Horse History Tour, Tues. & Fridays, 11 a.m., Remick Country Doctor Museum & Farm, 58 Cleveland Hill Rd., Tamworth, 603-3237591, www.remickmuseum.org
Through Aug. 30, Historic Murals Tour, 11 a.m., Wed.-Sat., Remick Country Doctor Museum & Farm, 58 Cleveland Hill Rd., Tamworth, 603-323-7591, www.remickmuseum.org
Through Aug. 30, Medical History Tour, 1 p.m., Tues.-Sat., Remick Country Doctor Museum & Farm, 58 Cleveland Hill Rd., Tamworth, 603-323-7591, www.remickmuseum.org
Through Aug. 31, The Producers, Rochester Opera House, 31 Wakefield St., Rochester, 603-335-1992, www.rochesteroperahouse.com
Through Sept. 1, From Spies to Satellites: The Cold War Era, exhibit on how WWII laid the grounds for the decades that followed, Wright Museum of WWII, 77 Center St., Wolfeboro, 603-569-1212, www.wrightmuseum.org
Through Sept. 2, 85th Annual Members Exhibit, Lakes Region Art Assoc. Gallery, Tanger Outlets, 120 Laconia Rd., Tilton, 603-998-0029, www.lakesregionartgallery. org.
Through Sept. 9, The Artwork of James Belcher, Upper Exhibit Gallery, Laconia Public Library, 695 N. Main St., Laconia, 603-524-4775.
Aug. 25, Benefit Dinner for Makers Mill at East of Suez, 5:30 – 8:30 p.m., Maker’s Mill, 23 Bay St., Wolfeboro, pr-register: 603-569-1500, www.makersmill.org.
Aug. 25, Drama Book Club with the Barnstormers, 1 – 2 p.m., reading by Barnstormer’s actor Doug Shapiro, read a play aloud together, Cook Memorial Library, 93 Main St., Tamworth, 603-323-8510, www.tamworthlibrary.org
Aug. 25, Guided Birding Paddle, 5:30 – 7:30 p.m., free, Newfound Lake Association, www.newfoundlake.org, pre-registration required: 603-744-8689. Takes place at Grey Rocks, 178 N. Shore Rd., Hebron.
Aug. 25, Intro to 3D Printing, 2 - 6 p.m., 23 Bay St., Wolfeboro, pr-register: 603-5691500, www.makersmill.org.
Aug. 25, Lakes Region Tourism Assoc. Annual Hospitality Golf Tournament, 8 a.m. – 3 p.m., Owl’s Nest Vineyard Course, Ashland, www.lakesregion.org
Aug. 25, Little Lake Explorers, 9 – 11 a.m., Alton Bay Community Center, 58 Mt. Major Highway, Alton Bay, for newborn to age 7, free play, snack time, story time, music and more, parents must stay, pre-register by the Wed. before each event: littlelakeexplorersalton@gmail.com
Aug. 25, Monarch Monitoring Mondays, 9:30 – 11 a.m., Pemi Oxbow Preserve, 129 NH Rt. 175, Holderness, free, registration required, join the caterpillar count, 603-9687194.
Aug. 25, Species Spotlight Series focus on the Red Fox, challenges and care for the Center’s Red Fox, takes place throughout the week, talks and info. by staff & docents, Squam Lakes Natural Science Center, Holderness, info.: 603-968-7194, www.nhnature.org.
Aug. 25, Story Time & Craft Hour at Castle in the Clouds, 11 a.m., Picnic Pavilion by Shannon Pond, free family event, 586 Ossipee Park Rd., Rt. 171, Moultonborough, pre-registration encouraged: www.castleintheclouds.org.
Aug. 26, Bright & Bold Workshop, 10 a.m. - 1 p.m., ArtWorks Chocorua Creative Arts Center, pre-register: 603-323-8041, 132 Rt. 16, Chocorua, www.chocoruaartworks.com
Aug. 26, Family Film Fest: The Goonies, 6 p.m., Rochester Opera House, 31 Wakefield St., Rochester, 603-335-1992, www.rochesteroperahouse.com
Aug. 26, Family Movie Night, 7:30 – 9 p.m., Gilford Public Library, Potter Hill Rd., Gilford, 603-524-6042.
Aug. 26, Improving Stream Habitat: Understanding Woody Additions, 5:30 –7:30 p.m., Leary Field & Forest, 451 Hornetown Rd., Farmington, Moose Mt. Regional Greenways program, sign up: 603-473-2020, www.mmrgnh.org.
Aug. 26, Lecture Series, The Freese Brothers Big Band, 7:30 – 8:30 p.m., Wright Museum of WWII, 77 Center St., Wolfeboro, admission/reservations: 603-569-1212, www.wrightmuseum.org.
Aug. 26, Spinning and Fiber Arts Gathering at Belknap Mill, 10 a.m. – noon, bring a fiber arts project to work on, free, Belknap Mill, 25 Beacon St. East, Laconia, 603524-8813, www.belknapmill.org. (Also on Sept. 2, 9, 16 & 23.)
Aug. 27, A Goofy Movie, 6 p.m., Flying Monkey Movie House & Performance Center, 39 Main St., Plymouth, 603-536-2551, www.flyingmonkeynh.com
Aug. 27, Felted Bird Landscape with Hannah Gage, 2 - 4 p.m., sign up by Aug. 24, League of NH Craftsmen Meredith Fine Craft Gallery, 279 Daniel Webster Highway, Meredith, 603-279-7920, http://meredith.nhcrafts.org/classes/
Aug. 27, Handcraft Meetup, noon, community hand-craft circle, bring your own lunch and work on your handicraft projects, Tamworth History Center, 25 Great Hill Rd., Tamworth, www.tamworthhistorycenter.org.
Aug. 27, Katie Dobbins Music & Hermit Woods Winery Songwriter Roundup, 7 p.m., The Loft at Hermit Woods, 72 Main St., Meredith,603-253-7968, www. www.hermitwoods.com.
Aug. 27, Kid Pinky, blues, jazz, funk, 6 – 7:30 p.m., Concerts on the Common, South Main St., Rochester, 603-332-4120.
Aug. 27, Kirkwood Gardens Guided Tour, 10:30 – 11:30 a.m., teen & adult program, take a garden tour with lead horticulturalist Emma Erler, discover garden’s history and see what is blooming, Squam Lakes Natural Science Center, 23 Science Center Rd., Holderness, register: 603-968-7194, www.nhnature.org
Aug. 27, Outdoor Movie, Monty Python & the Holy Grail, 8 – 10 p.m., Cook Memorial Library, 93 Main St., Tamworth, 603-323-8510, www.tamworthlibrary. org
Aug. 28, Carolyn Ramsay Band, 6:30 p.m., free outdoor concert, 19 Mile Beach, Tuftonboro, hosted by Tuftonboro Parks & Recreation, info.: www.tuftonboronh. gov.
Save 10% in the gi shop with this ad. Excludes sale items and consignments.
Open Daily 9am-5pm Hiking Trails: Everyday, Dawn to Dusk
Aug. 28, Guided Hike – Oak Ridge Interpretive, 10 a.m. – noon, Castle in the Clouds, 455 Old Mountain Rd., Moultonborough, pre-registration required: 603476-5900, www.castleintheclouds.org
Aug. 29, Dakota Smart, music, 6 – 9 p.m., The Taphouse Lake Winnipesaukee, 18 Main St., Center Harbor, 603-250-8029, www.thetaphouse.net
Aug. 29, Lucknow Garden Tour, 10:15 – 11:15 a.m., Castle in the Clouds, 586 Ossipee Park Rd., Rt. 171, Moultonborough, pre-registration required: www.castleintheclouds.org.
Aug. 29, Stories on the Farm, The Legend of the Old Man by Denise Ortakales, 10 – 11:30 a.m., activity for all ages, RSVP: 603-652-7840, nhfarmmuseum.info@ gmail.com, NH Farm Museum, 1305 White Mt. Highway, Milton.
Aug. 29, The Big Lebowski, 6 p.m., Flying Monkey Movie House & Performance Center, 39 Main St., Plymouth, 603-536-2551, www.flyingmonkeynh.com
Aug. 30, Children’s Paint Along, 1 p.m., taught by artist Gerard Paquette, Lakes Region Art Assoc. Gallery, Tanger Outlets, 120 Laconia Rd., Tilton, pre-register/ info.: 603-998-0029, www.lakesregionartgallery.org.
Aug. 30, Cool Beans, 7 - 9 p.m., free, bring a lawn chair for seating, Alton Bay Bandstand, Rt. 11, Alton Parks & Recreation, 603-875-0109, parksrec-asst@alton. nh.gov
Aug. 30, Earrings in a Day with Joy Raskin, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., Maker’s Mill, 23 Bay St., Wolfeboro, pre-register: 603-569-1500, www.makersmill.org.
Aug. 30, Exhibit and Open Hours at Tamworth History Center, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m., 25 Great Hill Rd., Tamworth, www.tamworthhistorycenter.org.
Aug. 30, Free Games Night, 5:30 – 8 p.m., Maker’s Mill, 23 Bay St., Wolfeboro, per-register: 603-569-1500, www.makersmill.org.
Aug. 30, Leatherwork: Laser Engraving & Wet Molding, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m., Maker’s Mill, 23 Bay St., Wolfeboro, pre-register: 603-569-1500, www.makersmill.org.
Aug. 30, Northern Cross Crosby, Still & Nash Tribute, 7:30 p.m., Lakeport Opera House, 781 Union Ave., Laconia, 603-519-7506, www.lakeportopera.com
Aug. 30, Saturday Hike: Bridle Path, Faraway Connector & Settlement Trail, 8:30 - 11 a.m., Castle in the Clouds, 455 Old Mountain Rd., Moultonborough, pre-registration required: 603-476-5900, www.castleintheclouds.org
Aug. 30, Summer Music Series, Arlene WOW, 2 – 5 p.m., Barrel Bar & Grille, Gunstock, 719 Cherry Valley Rd., Gilford, 603-293-4341, www.gunstock.com
Aug. 30, Sun Printing, 1 – 4 p.m., all ages welcome, Squam Lakes Assoc., 534 US Rt. 3, Holderness, pre-register: 603-968-7336, www.squamlakes.org
Aug. 30 & 31, Gunstock Labor Day Weekend Craft Fair, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m., exhibitors, handmade items galore, Joyce’s Craft Shows, free admission, held under tents, friendly, leashed dogs welcome, at Gunstock, 719 Cherry Valley Rd., Gunstock, Joyce’s Craft Shows, 603-387-1510, www.joycescraftshows.com.
Aug. 30 & 31, Timbear Daley, music, 6 – 9 p.m., The Taphouse Lake Winnipesaukee, 18 Main St., Center Harbor, 603-250-8029, www.thetaphouse.net
Aug. 31, Expert Exchanges, 11 a.m. – 3 p.m., Castle in the Clouds, 455 Old Mountain Rd., Moultonborough, admittance info.: 603-476-5900, www.castleintheclouds. org
Aug. 31, The Soggy Poboys, 7 pm, Feel the Barn Concert Series, 1118 Page Hill Rd., Chocorua, 603-323-6169, www.thefarmstand.net
Sept. 1, Species Spotlight Series focus on the Bobcat, NH’s elusive bobcats and their stories, takes place throughout the week, talks and info. by staff & docents, Squam Lakes Natural Science Center, Holderness, info.: 603-968-7194, www.nhnature.org.
Sept. 2, Main St. Museum Open House and tours, 5 - 7 p.m., Main St., Museum, 45 Main St., Meredith, 603-279-1190, www.meredithhistoricalsocietynh.org.
Sept. 2, Spinning and Fiber Arts Gathering at Belknap Mill, 10 a.m. – noon, bring a fiber arts project to work on, free, Belknap Mill, 25 Beacon St. East, Laconia, 603-524-8813, www.belknapmill.org. (Also on Sept. 9, 16 & 23.)
What’s UP
Sept. 3, Alton Market on Main, farmers market, noon – 3 p.m., 115 Main St., Alton, complete schedule: www.altonmarketonmain.com, 513-519-8264.
Sept. 3, Jaws, 6 p.m., Flying Monkey Movie House & Performance Center, 39 Main St., Plymouth, 603-536-2551, www.flyingmonkeynh.com
Sept. 4, Furniture Masters: Exhibit Opening, 5 – 6:30 p.m., Castle in the Clouds, 455 Old Mountain Rd., Moultonborough, admittance info.: 603-476-5900, www. castleintheclouds.org
Sept. 4, Meet the Artists Reception, 5:30 – 7:30 p.m., artists from Gallery at 30 Main, takes place at NH Boat Museum, 130 Whittier Highway, Moultonborough, 603-569-4554, 603-569-4554, www.nhbm.org
Sept. 4, Steve McBrian, music, 6 – 9 p.m., The Taphouse Lake Winnipesaukee, 18 Main St., Center Harbor, 603-250-8029, www.thetaphouse.net
Sept. 4, Volcanoes and Cellar Holes: the History of the Land, 1 – 2:30 p.m., Castle in the Clouds, 586 Ossipee Park Rd., Rt. 171, Moultonborough, pre-registration: www.castleintheclouds.org.
Sept. 5, Dakota Smart, music, 6 – 9 p.m., The Taphouse Lake Winnipesaukee, 18 Main St., Center Harbor, 603-250-8029, www.thetaphouse.net
Sept. 5, Kommuna Lux, 7:30 p.m., Flying Monkey Movie House & Performance Center, 39 Main St., Plymouth, 603-536-2551, www.flyingmonkeynh.com
Sept. 5, SOCK HOP with Rockin’ Daddios & classic car show, 6 p.m., free, bring a lawn chair for seating, Rotary Park, Belknap Mill, 25 Beacon St. East, Laconia, 603-524-8813, www.belknapmill.org.
Sept. 5-7, Leaf Peeper Hockey Tournament, Pop Whalen Ice and Arts Center, 90 Pine Hill Rd., Wolfeboro, 603-569-5639.
Sept. 6, An Evening with Clay Cook, 7:30 p.m., Lakeport Opera House, 781 Union Ave., Laconia, 603-519-7506, www.lakeportopera.com
Sept. 6, 2025 Leaf Peeper Hockey Tournament, 9 a.m. – 10 p.m., Pop Whalen Ice & Arts Center, 390 Pine Hill Rd., Wolfeboro, 603-569-5639.
Sept. 6, Free Fall Garden Workshop, 10 – 11:30 a.m., Moulton Farm, 18 Quarry Rd., Meredith, 603-279-3915, www.moultonfarm.com.
Sept. 6, Lee Sykes, music, 6 – 10 p.m., The Taphouse Lake Winnipesaukee, 18 Main St., Center Harbor, 603-250-8029, www.thetaphouse.net
Sept. 6, Skerryvore, 7:30 p.m., Flying Monkey Movie House & Performance Center, 39 Main St., Plymouth, 603-536-2551, www.flyingmonkeynh.com
Sept. 6, The Best of the 70s – Dizzy Fish & the Uptown Horns, 8 p.m., Rochester Opera House, 31 Wakefield St., Rochester, 603-335-1992, www.rochesteroperahouse.com
Sept. 6, The Wetland Weaver, 10 a.m. – noon, Squam Lakes Association, 534 US Rt. 3, Holderness, 603-968-7336, www.squamlakes.org
Sept. 6, Using Trail Cameras for Wildlife Footage, 10 a.m. – noon, hands-on workshop, Thompson Property, 1199 Meaderboro Rd., Farmington, pre-register: Moose Mt. Regional Greenways program, sign up: 603-473-2020, www.mmrgnh. org.
Sept. 7, Belknap County Safety Day, Gunstock, 719 Cherry Valley Rd., Gilford, 603-293-4341, www.gunstock.com
Sept. 7, Bird Walk, 8 – 10 a.m., Castle in the Clouds, 455 Old Mountain Rd., Moultonborough, admittance info.: 603-476-5900, www.castleintheclouds.org
Sept. 7, Gunstock Ascension Race, Gunstock, 719 Cherry Valley Rd., Gilford, 603-293-4341, www.gunstock.com
Sept. 7, Sonny Landreth and Cindy Cashdollar, 7 pm, Feel the Barn Concert Series, 1118 Page Hill Rd., Chocorua, 603-323-6169, www.thefarmstand.net
Sept. 7, Timbear Daley, music, 6 – 9 p.m., The Taphouse Lake Winnipesaukee, 18 Main St., Center Harbor, 603-250-8029, www.thetaphouse.net
Sept. 9, Spinning and Fiber Arts Gathering at Belknap Mill, 10 a.m. – noon, bring a fiber arts project to work on, free, Belknap Mill, 25 Beacon St. East, Laconia, 603-524-8813, www.belknapmill.org. (Also on Sept. 16 & 23.)
Sept. 10, Furry Neighbors, a Student Conservation Assoc. program, 1 – 2 p.m., see furs from our animal neighbors, Cook Memorial Library, 93 Main St., Tamworth, 603-323-8510, www.tamworthlibrary.org
Sept. 11, Bobby Freedom, music, 6 – 10 p.m., The Taphouse Lake Winnipesaukee, 18 Main St., Center Harbor, 603-250-8029, www.thetaphouse.net
Sept. 11, Hops and Hulls Lecture Series, 7 - 9 p.m., guest speaker: Jeff “Nemo” Buckley, NH Boat Museum, 130 Whittier Highway, Moultonborough, 603-5694554, 603-569-4554, www.nhbm.org
Sept. 12, Beatlemania Again, 8 p.m., Rochester Opera House, 31 Wakefield St., Rochester, 603-335-1992, www.rochesteroperahouse.com
Sept. 12, Fleetwood Heart: A Tribute to the Legends, presented by Putnam Fund, 7 p.m., Colonial Theatre, 609 Main St., Laconia, 800-657-8774, www.coloniallaconia.com.
Sept. 12, Jim Tyrrell, music, 6 – 9 p.m., The Taphouse Lake Winnipesaukee, 18 Main St., Center Harbor, 603-250-8029, www.thetaphouse.net
NOT JUST A GRAIN STORE...
Alton Market on Main, farmers market, every other Wed., through Oct. 1, noon – 3 p.m., 115 Main St., Alton, complete schedule: www.altonmarketonmain.com, 513-519-8264.
ArtWorks Chocorua Creative Arts Center, gallery, workshops & events, open year-round with seasonal hours, 603-323-8041, 132 Rt. 16, Chocorua, www.chocoruaartworks.com
Barnstead Farmers Market, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m., Saturdays, 1 Parade Circle, Barnstead, email: nhbarnsteadfarmersmarket1@gmail.com, www.barnsteadfarmersmarket.com.
Belknap Mill, 25 Beacon St. East, Laconia, gallery and textile museum, events and programs, 603-524-8813, www.belknapmill.org.
Breakfast Buffet, 7 - 11 a.m., Wolfeboro Masonic Lodge, 35 Trotting Track Rd., Wolfeboro. Pancakes, French toast, scrambled eggs, home fries, bacon, sausage, omelets made-to-order, Eggs Benedict, biscuit and gravy, juice, and coffee. Served the second Sunday of every month, 603-569-4637.
Bristol Open Air Market, Saturdays until Oct. 11, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m., Mill Stream Park, 507 Lake St., Bristol, www.BristolNH.gov.
Canterbury Shaker Village, tours, programs, walking trails, Shaker Rd., Canterbury, 603-783-9511, www.shakers.org
Castle in the Clouds, tours, hiking, programs, concerts, Rte. 171, Moultonborough, 603-476-5900, www.castleintheclouds.org.
Community Breakfast, 2nd Sat. of each month, 7:30 – 10:30 a.m., Masonic Lodge, 18 Pleasant St., Bristol, donations welcome, 603-744-3060.
Cruise Night, 5 – 7 p.m., Thursdays, 50/50 raffle, prizes, Tilt’n Diner, 61 Laconia Rd., Tilton, 603-455-7631.
First Fridays Receptions, June through Dec., 5-7 p.m., refreshments, conversation & art, ArtWorks Chocorua Creative Arts Center, 132 Rt. 16, Chocorua, 603-3238041, www.chocoruaartworks.com
Franklin Farmers Market, Thursdays from 3 – 6 p.m., through Sept. 11, Marceau Park, Central St., Franklin, 603-934-2118, email: franklinmarketinfo@gmail.com.
Gilmanton Farmers Market, through Oct. 12, Sundays, 11 a.m. - 2 p.m., local vegetables, flowers, plants, crafts, baked goods, live music and more, 1385 NH 140, on lawn of Gilmanton Year Round Library, Gilmanton Iron Works, 603-491-1687, www.gilmantonfarmersmarket.com
In the Round, 8:45 a.m., Sundays, thought-provoking topics related to tolerance, Benz Center, Sandwich, 603-284-7211.
Indoor Pickleball, 5 p.m., Sandwich Central School gym, Sandwich, every Tues., Thurs. & Fri., parksandrec@sandwichnh.org
Lake Winnipesaukee Museum, displays of historic Lakes Region artifacts and information, souvenir postcards, plates, paperweights, memorabilia, summer camp historical information and more, open Wed. – Sat., 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., through Columbus Day weekend, 503 Endicott St. North, Laconia, 603-366-5950, www.lwhs.us
Lake Winnipesaukee Sailing Association, youth and adult sailing lessons, sailing competitions, Gilford, www.lwsa.org, 603-589-1177.
Lakes Region Art Association exhibits and classes, Suite 300, Tanger Outlet, Rte. 3, Tilton, 603-998-0029, www.lraanh.org
Live Music, Friday nights, 5 – 8 p.m., free, Mill Falls Marketplace brick courtyard, 312 Daniel Webster Highway, Meredith, www.millfalls.com
Loon Center, walking trails, loon exhibits, 183 Lees Mill Rd., Moultonborough, 603-476-5666, www.loon.org
Makers Mill, a variety of workshops, arts and crafts classes and more, 23 Bay St., Wolfeboro, 603-569-1500, www.makersmill.org
Making Strides, 8 – 9 a.m., drop-in walking for groups or les, Ossipee Town Hall, no pre-registration required, 55 Main St., Center Ossipee, takes place various times: www.ossipee.recdesk.com.
Market on Main, farmers market, every other Wed., through Oct. 1, noon - 3 p.m., 115 Main St., Alton, complete schedule: www.altonmarketonmain.com, 513-5198264.
Meredith Community Market, 3:30 – 6:30 p.m., 1 Burton Drive, off Rt. 104, Meredith, free admission, 603-409-2871, www.meredithcommunitymarket.com.
Meredith Public Library Bookstore, run by Friends of the Meredith Library, open weekly: Wed. 10 a.m. – 6 p.m., Thurs. & Fri. 10 a.m.- 4 p.m., Sat. 9 a.m. – 1:30 p.m., lower level, Meredith Public Library, 91 Main St., Meredith, 603-279-4303, www. meredithlibrary.org.
Model Yachting, 1 – 3 p.m., Tues. & Thurs., Back Bay Skippers at Bridge Falls Path, Wolfeboro, watch radio-controlled model yachts, NH Boat Museum, schedule: www.nhbm.org.
Molly the Trolley, take tours/rides of Wolfeboro area aboard the fun trolley, info/ schedules: 603-569-1080, www.wolfeborotrolley.com
M/S Mount Washington Cruises, narrated cruises of Lake Winnipesaukee, day & evening cruises, M/S Mount Washington, 211 Lakeside Ave., Weirs Beach, 603-366BOAT, www.cruisenh.com
New England Racing Museum, open Saturdays, 922 NH Rte. 106 N., Loudon, www. NEMSMUSEUM.com
NH Boat Museum, events and exhibits, 130 Whittier Highway, Moultonborough, 603-569-4554. Second location: 399 Center St., Wolfeboro, 603-569-4554, www. nhbm.org.
NH Farm Museum, seasonal (summer & fall) old-time farm events, gift shop, 1305 White Mt. Highway, Milton, contact for open hours/dates: 603-652-7840, www. nhfarmmuseum.org
Newfound Classic Car Show, every Friday through Labor Day, 5 – 8 p.m., free, Village Local Kitchen, 825 Lake St., Bristol, www.ttccreg.org.
Newfound Lake Eco-Tours, informative/scientific tours of Newfound Lake, through mid-Sept., Newfound Lake Association, www.newfoundlake.org, call for hours/dates of operation: 603-744-8689.
Ossipee Historical Society Grant Hall Museum, open Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays from 10 a.m. – noon until Sept. 30, 52 Rt. 16B, between First Congregational Church buildings, lmsween@roadrunner.com.
Plymouth Historical Museum and Memory House, Saturdays 10 a.m. – 1 p.m., through November and by chance or appointment, exhibits, research information, Old Webster Courthouse, One Court St., Plymouth, 603-536-2337, info@plymouthnhhistory.org.
Prescott Farm Environmental Education Center, 928 White Oaks Road, Laconia, www.prescottfarm.org. Call ahead for event information and to inquire if program pre-registration is necessary: 603-366-5695.
Quilting Group, 1 - 4 p.m., meets every 2 weeks, Ossipee Public Library, 74 Main St., Ossipee, schedule/info: 603-539-6390.
Remick Country Doctor Museum & Farm, farmstead events, 58 Cleveland Hill Rd., Tamworth, 603-323-7591, www.remickmuseum.org.
Roller Skating Night, 5 p.m., Mondays, bring your own skates, age 18 and up, Ossipee Town Hall, 55 Main St., Ossipee, info/updates: 603-539-1307, www.ossipee. org
Rug Hookers, 10 a.m., meets Tuesdays, Tuftonboro Free Library, 221 Middle Rd., Rt. 109A, Tuftonboro, 603-569-4256.
Sailing Lessons, youth & adult, Lake Winnipesaukee Sailing Association, 25 Davis Rd., Gilford, schedule/pre-register: 603-589-1177, www.lwsa.org
Second Saturday Contradance, Tamworth Outing Club, 7:30 – 10 p.m., Tamworth Town House, 27 Cleveland Hill Rd., Tamworth, admission charged, info.: Amy Berrier at 603-651-5800 or Teresa Fournier at 978-609-2181.
Song and Jam Circle, 6:30 – 8 p.m., community created jams and song circle, 3rd Monday of each month, Runnells Hall, 25 Deer Hill Rd., Tamworth, free, bring your favorite instruments, Arts Council of Tamworth, 603-584-2712, www.artstamworth. org
Squam Lake Cruises, family/educational cruises to look for loons, & wildlife, Squam Lakes Natural Science Center, Holderness, www.nhnature.org, call for hours/dates of operation: 603-968-7194.
Squam Lakes Association, programs, hikes, 534 US Rt. 3, Holderness, 603-9687336, www.squamlakes.org
Squam Lakes Natural Science Center, exhibits, nature trails, events, cruises, 23 Science Center Rd., Holderness, 603-968-7194, www.nhnature.org
Tamworth Farmer’s Market, 9 a.m. - noon, Saturdays, 30 Tamworth Road, Tamworth, www.tamworthfarmersmarket.org
Tamworth History Center, 25 Great Hill Rd., Tamworth, www.tamworthhistorycenter.org.
Tamworth Townhouse Hoot – Bruce Berquist & Jim Alt, 1 – 3 p.m., Saturdays, 27 Cleveland Hill Rd., Tamworth, song circle, local musicians welcome to participate, bruceberquist@gmail.com
The Market at the Weirs, Saturdays, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m., through Oct. 4, fresh produce, meats and artisan crafts, through Oct. 5, Weirs Community Park, 49 Lucerne Ave., Weirs Beach, email: bamm-nh.org., www.themarketatweirs.com
Tilton Farmers Market, Tuesdays, 3:30 – 6:30 p.m., next to Police Dept. building, 45 Sanborn Rd., Tilton, Rt. 132, free admission, 603-409-2871, www.tiltonfarmersmarketnh.com
Tuftonboro Country Bluegrass and Gospel Jam, 6:30 - 8 p.m., Tuesdays, donation requested, Old White Church, Rte. 109A, Center Tuftonboro, across from Tuftonboro General Store, 603-569-3861.
Wolfeboro Farmers Market, Thursdays, noon – 3:30 p.m., The Nick Recreation Park, 10 Trotting Track Rd., Rt. 28, Wolfeboro, email: wolfeborofarmersmarket@ gmail.com, www.wolfeborofarmersmarket.com.
Wright Museum of WWII exhibits and lectures on life on the home front during WWII, 77 Center St., Wolfeboro, 603-569-1212, www.wrightmuseum.org
Lakes Region Community College: Training For Life
By Thomas P. Caldwell
Chances are that anyone spending time in the Lakes Region has encountered someone owing a career to Lakes Region Community College. It may be a nurse, an auto mechanic, a firefighter, an electrician, or even your favorite chef.
Since 1967, the learning center — variously known as “Laconia Technical College”, the “tech college”, the “college on the hill”, the “Laconia Voc-Tech”, or now as “Lakes Region Community College” — has offered a convenient and low-cost way to gain the skills necessary for a solid career.
Regular fall classes are starting on August 25, but there are special twoweek courses for specialized training that start in November. Spring semester classes begin on January 20, and summer classes run from May to August.
WalletHub, a personal finance company that does statistical analyses to help consumers make financially healthy decisions, recently issued a report on community colleges, noting, “Compared with public four-year institutions, where tuition and fees cost almost three times as much on average, community colleges offer many savings for students. Community colleges are an especially attractive option this year as many families deal with financial struggles caused by significant inflation. Students who initially planned on attending a private four-year college might want to consider spending two years at a community college and transferring those credits once they are in a better financial situation.”
Credit transfer is especially easy between the Community College System of New Hampshire, of which Lakes
Region Community College is a member, and the University System of New Hampshire. Many other colleges also accept LRCC credits.
Among the disciplines taught at the college are accounting and dual-degree accounting and business; art; automotive; business management, computer information systems, culinary arts, early childhood education; electrical power and control technologies; electrical systems installation and maintenance; fire science; graphic design; industrial automation and robotics; interdisciplinary studies; liberal arts; nursing; marine maintenance; and social work.
Through its Running Start program, high school students wanting to earn college credits can take courses while still attending school.
“LRCC is a reflection of all of the communities we serve: high school graduates eager to discover career possibilities; adult learners needing up-skilling or workforce training to grow in their professions or begin a new career. We’re also here for those who want to explore a class or two to expand their education,” the college website states.
The college’s efforts at providing a diverse and supportive campus culture are based “on character, not by race, gender, age, religion, or sexual orientation. We support a system and culture that is fair, just, and reasonable to all people,” the college states. “We have high standards of academic and personal integrity. … We respect each other regardless of our differences. We condemn acts of hate and bigotry as antithetical to the college’s core values. We expect civility in language and in action.”
Thirty-nine percent of its students are enrolled full-time, and 61 percent part-time. The gender split is nearly equal, with males slightly outnumbering females, 51%-49%. Ninety-three percent of the students are from New Hampshire, with seven percent from out of state. The average age of an LRCC student is 27 years old.
More than 500 high school students from around the state are enrolled in Running Start classes, with 142 of them enrolled in two classes or more. Twenty are set to earn 10 or more credits. Twenty-six students are enrolled through E-Start, which allows them to attend college online.
Lakes Region Community College is helping to meet the lack of skilled workers that many businesses report experiencing. New Hampshire’s severe workforce shortage is driven largely by an aging population and a shortage of affordable housing, while training new workers can be a challenge for companies. LRCC has responded with critical workforce development in the form of hands-on, affordable training. Partnering directly with local employers to determine what training fills the gaps helps to prepare people to be ready for work as soon as they are hired.
That training takes the form of customized instruction at both the college and at local businesses, as well as short-term courses to earn industry-recognized certification, such as the automotive programs for both General Motors and Toyota/Lexus. The General Motors Automotive Service Educational Program alternates between classroom training and hands-on work experience at a sponsoring GM dealership. The Toyota-Technician Education Network, a partnership between Toyota Motor North America, the Northeast Region’s Toyota/Lexus dealerships, and Lakes Region Community College, combines technical training on the latest Toyota and Lexus vehicles with academic coursework and paid dealership experience.
The LRCC Nursing Program provides an opportunity to earn an As-
sociate of Science degree in Nursing, in preparation for the licensing exam. The nation’s nursing shortage is wellknown, with New Hampshire’s Next Generation Workforce Initiative seeing that the Community College System of New Hampshire offers programs leading to licensed practical nurses across the state. LRCC boasts a 100 percent first-time pass rate on nursing exams.
The college’s Center for Workforce Development also works to ensure its programs align with other business needs, such as the Lakes Region’s tourism industry. Its programs in culinary arts and hospitality management have played a critical role in filling those needs.
The college offered the state’s first fire science program, teaching graduates the history and organization of fire and emergency services departments. Students learn to examine and describe the National Fire Academy FESHE Model Curriculum; understand the roles in fire and emergency services; demonstrate technological skills, time-management, self-confidence, self-motivation, and setting long- and short-term career goals; and maintain physical, mental, financial, and emotional health and wellbeing.
That knowledge can lead to certification as a Firefighter I and Firefighter II, earning Pro Board certification. They learn Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) skills, and to evaluate laws, rules, regulations, and codes relating to fire prevention and how code enforcement impacts life and property loss. The knowledge gained includes theories of fire behavior and combustion; types and uses of fire protection systems and extinguishing agents; how a public water supply system affects fire protection; and the various classifications of building construction and how that determines the best approaches to firefighting.
All this makes it clear that Lakes Region Community College serves a vital role in making sure that the services and amenities we all enjoy are available and reliable.
Chocorua Lake Conservancy Annual Picnic & Parade of Lights
Celebrate the end of summer and the gift of community with a magical lantern parade on Chocorua Lake at dusk. On Sunday, August 31, at 6 pm, join Chocorua Lake Conservancy for its Annual Picnic in the Grove by Chocorua Lake, followed, at dusk, by the Parade of Lights on the lake. BYO picnic, drinks, chairs, flashlights or headlamps (important!), and whatever else you might need. Then, decorate your canoe or kayak with lanterns, fairy lights, or candles to participate in the parade, or watch the beauty unfold from the shore.
The parade will begin to assemble soon after the sun sets at 7:25 pm. Boats will put in from the Grove at the Route 16 end of Chocorua Lake Road, or you can put in at the Island off of Route 16 and paddle over toward the Narrows Bridge for the start of the parade.
The Parade is follow-the-leader. The head boat will place a lantern on the Little Lake Rock at about 7:20 pm and will be identified in front of the Narrows Bridge as boats assemble in the water from the Grove. All the boats will pass in front of the Narrows Bridge first and then join the line following the head boat. After spending some time looping around the bridge end of the big lake, the lead boat will lead the parade under the bridge for
a smaller loop around the Little Lake rock. Once all boats that are able to enter the little lake have passed beneath the bridge and out into Little Lake, the lead boat will lead the parade back under the bridge to line up again in the big lake with all the boats to “storm” the shore of the Grove. You can find a map of the parade route at chocorualake.org/events.
Boat headlights might be used at the beginning or end for safety, but they can be bright and blinding for other boaters, and if you do not have other lanterns or lights on your boat, it can be harder for boats behind you to see you. Please be sure you also have flashlights or headlamps as needed for safety on shore before and after, lifejackets, and whatever else you need to be safe out on the lake.
An Evening of Soul, Jazz, and Pure Vocal Brilliance at Hermit Woods Winery
On Thursday, September 4, Hermit Woods Winery & Eatery invites you to an unforgettable evening in The Loft, our intimate listening room, featuring the incomparable Cassandre McKinley alongside the acclaimed Mark Shilansky Trio.
The evening begins with a complimentary wine tasting from 5:30–6 pm, followed by dinner service at 6 pm (kitchen closes at 7 pm before the show begins). Drinks and dessert will be available during the performance, which starts at 7 pm.
continues to inspire the next generation of artists.
The Parade of Lights was started in the 1960s by painter and landscape designer Sam’l Newsom, a longtime Chocorua resident, and his friends. Newsom, who designed landscapes as disparate as the Japanese Tea Garden at Golden Gate Park in San Francisco and the Remick Park in Tamworth, was inspired by aspects of the Japanese festival celebrations he witnessed during his time living in Japan. Come see for yourself why this tradition continues so many decades after its inception.
A vocal powerhouse and fearless interpreter, Cassandre McKinley seamlessly blends soul, jazz, R&B, blues, and country into a sound all her own. With five acclaimed albums and international recognition, she’s collaborated with music legends such as J. Geils, Bernard Purdie, and Duke Levine. Her 2006 release, ’Til Tomorrow – Remembering Marvin Gaye, earned praise from JazzTimes as “a rich, sensual salute,” solidifying her place on the global stage. In addition to performing, McKinley is an Associate Professor at Berklee College of Music, where she
Joining McKinley is pianist Mark Shilansky, an “inventive, modern mainstream jazz pianist” (Boston Globe) whose career spans six leader albums and collaborations with the New York Voices, Luciana Souza, and Sara Caswell. Shilansky is joined by guitarist Eric Byers, a versatile performer and Berklee professor, and bassist Keala Kaumeheiwa, a virtuoso with an impressive performance history alongside Herbie Hancock, Wynton Marsalis, and Wayne Shorter. The Loft at Hermit Woods is designed to bring audiences closer to the music. Guests are asked to refrain from conversation during the show, allowing every note, lyric, and nuance to be fully experienced.
Enjoy an intimate night of worldclass music, exceptional wine, and delicious food — an evening that promises to stir your heart and feed your soul. The Loft at Hermit Woods Winery is located at 72 Main Street in Meredith. For tickets and more information, visit hermitwoods.com/music.
Song of the Water Boatman StoryWalk at Grey Rocks Conservation Area
Newfound Lake Region Association invites you to get outside and read! Join us at Grey Rocks Conservation
from August 22 through September 30 as StoryWalk® returns with Song of the Water Boatman & Other Pond Poems written by Joyce Sidman and illustrated by Beckie Prange. Song of the Water Boatman takes a close look at the creatures, of many sizes, that call the water home. As visitors move from poem to poem, they will have a chance to look at the watery habitats of Grey Rocks in a new way and complete a StoryWalk®-themed scavenger hunt.
Along with the StoryWalk®, visitors can explore the new conservation center, enjoy more trails with scenic views
vation Area as a place for people and wildlife alike. Wildlife is abundant, with bald eagles, tadpoles, turtles, and loons being a common sight. NLRA has carefully transformed the once barren landscape into an array of natural habitats, providing color from both the plants and the wildlife that frequents them.
of the Cockermouth River and Hebron Marsh, unpack a picnic in the picnic area, throw in a line at the fishing alcoves, or even launch a kayak or canoe at the non-motorized boat launch. NLRA maintains Grey Rocks Conser-
The Song of the Water Boatman StoryWalk®, along with other family programs and events, is part of NLRA’s initiative to encourage residents and visitors to enjoy the natural beauty around them, learn more about the environment and how to protect it, and fall in love with the Newfound Watershed. By connecting the people of Newfound to the wonders around them, NLRA works to inspire the next generation of stewards and fulfill the mission of protecting Newfound Lake and its watershed. Learn more about NLRA, including other upcoming events at NewfoundLake.org.
Cruise Nights: Fun for the Entire Family
By Mark Okrant
Cruise night events are an increasingly popular element of automotive culture, drawing old car enthusiasts and casual observers alike to share interest in motor vehicles. These gatherings, often held in local parking lots or along scenic routes, promote community spirit just as much as they play to automobile enthusiasts.
What exactly are cruise night events? Cruise night events are informal gatherings where automotive enthusiasts come together to showcase their vehicles, share stories, and enjoy the camaraderie of like-minded individuals. Most often—but not exclusively—held during the evenings, these events provide a relaxed atmosphere for participants to display their cars, ranging from classic models to modern performance vehicles. Beyond the automotive showcase, cruise nights foster a sense of community by allowing attendees to connect over their shared interests. Cruise nights often feature music, food vendors, and family-friendly activities, making them accessible to a broader audience and creating an inclusive environment that welcomes both car aficionados and casual visitors.
So, how did all of this begin? The origins of cruise nights can be traced back to the mid-20th century, when car culture began to flourish in the United States. Post-World War II, returning soldiers sought leisure activities that revolved around their vehicles, leading to the rise of cruising—driving slowly along popular routes to showcase cars and to socialize. As the classic car movement gained momentum in the 1970s and 1980s, organized cruise nights emerged as a means to celebrate
automotive heritage. These events have evolved over the decades, adapting to changing trends and preferences while never losing the importance of building community spirit and sharing a passion for their cars. Today’s cruise nights not only honor classic vehicles but also embrace a wide array of automotive styles, reflecting the diverse interests of contemporary enthusiasts. Unlike some sports events and games of chance, cruise night events create a very strong sense of social interaction. In fact, these gatherings provide a platform for automotive enthusiasts to do much more than share knowledge. A cruise night is every bit as much about forging connections by means of exchanging experiences. Many attendees purposely coordinate their arrival so they are in close proximity to one another. This enables them to form friendships that extend beyond the events, often collaborating on resto-
ration projects or participating in other automotive activities. As new people join the event, the informal setting encourages them to participate in open dialogue, thereby allowing the newbies to learn from seasoned enthusiasts and to develop a sense of belonging within the community.
Additionally, in some communities, cruise nights feature awards or recognition for standout vehicles, further enhancing the competitive spirit and camaraderie among participants. This social dynamic not only enriches the experience for individuals but also strengthens the overall automotive culture in the region.
One of the most captivating aspects of cruise nights is the diverse array of vehicles on display. From vintage classics and muscle cars to modern supercars and custom builds, each event showcases its own collection that reflects the personal tastes and creativity
of the local owners. This variety not only highlights the evolution of automotive design but also offers attendees the opportunity to appreciate different eras and styles. What makes these evenings special is when the owners are able to share the stories behind their vehicles, whether the vehicle is a family heirloom, passed down from grandparent to parent to child, or is a project that has been meticulously restored by a single owner. This exchange of knowledge and passion fosters a deeper appreciation for the automotive arts, encouraging attendees to explore the history and craftsmanship behind each car.
Cruise nights are much more than social occasions. In truth, they serve as catalysts for local economic growth and community engagement. By attracting large crowds into a business’s parking lot, these events provide local businesses with opportunities to showcase their own products and services—be those food businesses, retail clusters, or automotive-related establishments. The influx of attendees can significantly boost sales for nearby restaurants, shops, and service providers—either immediately or follow-up—creating a symbiotic relationship between cruise nights and the local economy. Furthermore, many organizers partner with charities or community organizations, using cruise nights as a tool for raising funds and awareness for various causes. This community-oriented approach not only enhances the event experience but also reinforces the importance of supporting local initiatives, fostering • Cruise Night continued on page 22
Roadside Markers: Jonathan Chesley is Honored in Barnstead
By Mark Okrant
In 1958, the State of New Hampshire began placing historical highway markers near locations deemed significant to the state’s history and culture. As authorized by RSA 227 C:4, X, and RSA 236:40 to 44, responsibility for the historical marker program was assigned jointly to the New Hampshire Division of Historical Resources (DHR) and the Department of Transportation (DOT). According to the terms of the RSAs,
• Cruise Night continued from page 21
a sense of pride and unity among residents.
How can attendees get the most out of attending a cruise night? Of course, the first step is awareness of cruise events’ schedules. In order to ensure that you, as an attendee, can secure a strategic parking place—one that allows you an abundance of time to scope out the vehicles on display—it is wise to arrive at the event early.
This is not the time to be shy. If you have a keen interest in a particular make, model, or vintage of automobile, this is the time to engage its owner in conversation. The vehicles are at the event because the owners want to show them off. Also, bringing along a camera or smartphone to capture the stunning vehicles and memorable moments is also recommended. Lastly, don’t forget to support those local vendors.
Here is a partial list of weekly cruise
“any individual or group may propose a marker to commemorate significant New Hampshire places, persons, or events.” Each municipality, agency, organization, or individual wishing to propose a historical highway marker is required to submit a petition of support signed by at least 20 New Hampshire citizens.
A draft of the text of the marker, with footnotes, copies of supporting documentation, and a suggested location for
nights that operate during the summer months within New Hampshire;
Skylines’s Cars and Coffee Hangout, 1 Farm Hill Road, Atkinson, Sundays, 9 am -1 pm
Cruise Nights with MWV Old Car Club, Settlers Green, North Conway, Mondays, 5:30-7:30 pm
Arnie’s, 164 Loudon Road, Concord, Tuesdays, 5-7 pm
Candia Cruise Night, 285 Old Candia Road, Candia, Thursdays, 5-8 pm
Cruise Night, Tilt’n Diner, 61 Laconia Road, Tilton, Thursdays, 5-7 pm
Note: If there is one thing that can put a damper on the cruise night experience, it is unfavorable weather. So, be cognizant of what the meteorologist is telling you. Car enthusiasts respond to temperatures that are excessively hot, and rainy nights can take the fun out of things. Otherwise, get out there and enjoy a special time!
its placement must accompany each petition. All markers contain a title and a maximum of twelve to fourteen lines of text. There is an annual limit of ten new markers.
While driving along the state’s class I, II, and III roads, you no doubt have passed these white-on-forest green, rectangular, metal markers, each bear ing the state seal. Hopefully, you have taken the time to stop and study, as each has an important story to tell about an episode of the state’s history and the people who made it. These attractive signs describe a variety of events, in cluding those that involved the Abena ki, resident artists, military and polit ical leaders, and sports figures; some commemorate meeting houses, stone arch and covered bridges, long-lost villages, factories, cemeteries, the log ging industry, resort hotels, and places where international and extra-terrestri al history was made.
One of these, located at 43° 19.786′ North latitude, 71° 15.355′ West longitude, in the town of Barnstead, within Belknap County, is dedicated to the heroics of Jonathan Chesley. Chesley married Elizabeth Emerson, and the couple had the following children: Nancy Chesley, Jonathan Chesley, Polly Chesley, Abi gail Chesley, Sophia Chesley, Enos G. Chesley, and Betsey Chesley
Key Heating & Cooling proudly recommends and installs the Bosch IDS ULTRA Heat Pump. Designed to
Crochet Cat Plushies Workshop Series at Belknap Mill
The Belknap Mill Museum will host a 6-week Crochet Cat Plushies Series on Saturdays from 2 to 3:30 pm, beginning September 6 and continuing through October 18 (no class Sept. 27). Held in the Riverside Gallery, this fun and beginner-friendly workshop will guide participants through the basics of
crochet and the art of amigurumi to create their very own cat plushie. Open to adults and children, the series includes all materials and instruction. No prior experience is needed. The Belknap Mill Museum is located at 25 Beacon Street East in Laconia. To register for the Series, visit www.belknapmill.org/classes.
New Hampshire-Made Film to be Screened at Laconia’s Colonial Theatre
The Colonial Theatre of Laconia will present Powerhouse Theatre Collaborative’s “Granite Orpheus” on Friday, September 26, at 7 pm. Tickets are available at ColonialLaconia.com or by calling 800-657-8774.
Powerhouse Theatre Collaborative and Spectacle Live are thrilled to present the first public screening of “Granite Orpheus”, a 70-minute independent film made entirely in New Hampshire! Starring Powerhouse Producer Bryan Halperin and produced and directed by John Hession and Rick
Broussard of Resurrection Films, the film is a modern take on the Orpheus and Eurydice legend, inspired by Jean Cocteau’s 1959 film.
This screening is a fundraiser for Powerhouse and the Colonial Theatre Advancement Fund. The screening will be followed by a discussion with the filmmakers. For more information on the movie, visit https://www.resurrectionfilms.org/graniteorpheus.
The Colonial Theatre is located at 609 Main Street, Laconia; for more information, visit coloniallaconia.com.
Moulton Farm Practices Sustainability Through Diversification
By Thomas P. Caldwell
Today’s Moulton Farm represents the evolution of agriculture over generations, as farmers adapt to changing economic conditions as well as finding sustainability through diversification. What we know today as agritourism is only the latest form of survival in a challenging business.
Located at 18 Quarry Road in Meredith, Moulton Farm offers fresh produce, baked goods, and the plants or seeds that allow patrons to establish their own gardens. There are also gardening events for children and other special activities.
Moulton Farm also offers space to independent vendors: Cider Bellies Doughnuts uses authentic ingredients and uses traditional techniques to offer a range of fresh doughnuts, while a fish vendor whose family has a history working in the fishing industry offers what many Moulton Farm customers say is the best product they have found anywhere, according to John Moulton.
“Our mission here,” he said, “not only is farming, but it’s retailing. We
sell nearly all of our product right to the consumer.”
He credits the success of the farm operation to “really great managers and employees.”
Then there are the customers: “I’ve been very, very, very fortunate to have incredible support from so many people that understand that it’s 12 or 14 hours a day. You know, I was in here this morning well before five, and if I get home by seven or eight tonight, I feel fortunate. And this goes on seven days a week.”
Does he get a break during the winter months?
“It’s just like being on vacation; I only work 40 hours a week,” he says.
Moulton Farm dates back to the late 1800s when John’s great-grandfather bought part of the farm that lay opposite today’s marketplace. John said he was a railroad employee in Massachusetts at the time, and he bought the farm to sustain his family. They took in summer boarders, “which was kind of typical of the small farms in the area,” John says. “They served a very local
Castle in the Clouds Adventures Start With
summer population.”
He added, “It’s interesting how we refer to agritourism now as a contemporary term, when, in fact, it was at the beginning, and it was how small, diversified farms survived — even, you know, 100-plus years ago.”
John remembers when his grandfather raised dairy cows and delivered bottled milk, with a few customers coming to the farm to pick up milk at the source. John’s father continued operating the dairy farm after obtaining a degree in animal science from the University of New Hampshire.
About that time, like many of the small farms that were finding dairy farming to be not economically feasible, his father sold the dairy herd, and, by about 1970, he had gone to work as a food inspector for the NH Department of Health.
A larger dairy farmer nearby built a new barn to automate the milking process and used the fields at Moulton Farm as supplemental fields to raise corn and hay, with John’s father retaining the use of a few acres, cutting a small amount of hay to sell and planting a half-acre of corn.
“They always had a fairly large garden,” John recalled, “and that’s how the produce business began.”
“He followed a trend that we would see, where farms would focus more on one thing, one enterprise,” John said. “The enterprise that he chose in the ’40s was that of dairy. So his choice was to raise dairy cattle and milk them, and sell the milk wholesale to a dairy, first to a local dairy here in Meredith, Clark’s dairy, and then eventually, in the ’60s, he was selling to Weeks Dairy in Laconia.”
They would sell corn at a roadside stand. John said, “I remember, in the seventh grade, hand-painting the sign that said, ‘Butter or Sugar Corn, 50 cents a dozen’ and when the corn was gone, the sign came in, and that would
• Moulton Farm continued on page 25
Photo by Stoddard Whitridge
Photo by John Gisis
The Garden Center offers a variety of plants that are suitable for New Hampshire’s climate. (Tom Caldwell Photo)
repeat itself for a few weeks out of the summer.”
It was a way to raise college tuition money, and John pursued a teaching career. He used his time off during the summer to continue selling produce from the farm. Then, when he left teaching in 1993, he looked to expand what the farm offered.
By then, even the large dairy farmer who had been using some of the Moulton Farm property went out of business “because he wasn’t large enough. He couldn’t develop the economic efficiencies that you needed to be in a single-stream type of agricultural program.”
John also recognized that his family farm could not survive strictly upon traditional agriculture, and they began diversifying with greenhouses and different crops. By the early 2000s, they added a commercial kitchen and expanded the garden center. They have continued to expand since then. A couple of years ago, they built a new barn “exactly on the footprint of where the old barn was located,” but rather than holding dairy cows and storing milk, it is an automated processing room that handles and washes produce, with large coolers to keep the products fresh.
While the Moulton Farm is now di-
versified, its core mission is still farming and the growing of crops. They plant crops on five separate farms in Meredith and Center Harbor, through arrangements with other landowners.
Apart from normal economic uncertainties, they have had to deal with the challenges of weather. This year, the farm has experienced an unusual amount of rain and low temperatures that have delayed the growing season. The excess water and saturated soil slowed seed germination and delayed the growth of warm-season crops.
“We have the diversity going on that can be a cushion,” John said, noting that they have installed miles of raised beds for many of the crops, which can help avoid over-saturation from the rain.
To cope with droughts, they have installed a trickle irrigation system, but John said managing for a wet year is much more difficult than managing for a drought year or a dry year.
That does not mean that they are lacking produce in their store. Their ‘eightand-a-half” greenhouses keep the store supplied with fresh vegetables. They practice “CEA” or controlled environment agriculture. John says, “If we’re going to even make a dent in raising more food in New England, that may well be an approach to take,” noting that many large greenhouses are being built with that in mind.
Their hydroponic greenhouse allowed them to start picking lettuce in March.
What they do not produce on the farm they obtain from other local sources. They work with a number of local farms to buy meat, apples, or “whatever they might have of good quality, depending on the season”, John says. “We do depend on folks who are good at what they do. We are good at what we do and, and on the large fruit size, we do our own strawberry program.”
The garden center sells organic seeds, seed-starting supplies, soils, mulches, and plants, even offering planting services.
“We try to make sure that we are offering plants that we know will grow in this area,” John says. “There is barely
a vegetable plant that we sell that we wouldn’t grow ourselves in the field. We know which ones work, which ones we prefer, and so we’re using all the same varieties for plant sales. It’s the same ones we plant here at the farm.”
He adds that the Moulton Farm also serves as a major employer for Lakes Region residents, with 30 full-time equivalents, more than half of them working there year-round.
“We’re not just here for six weeks in the summer, but we have this great employee base and we employ them yearround, hopefully offering a good job to a lot of people.”
Climb to the Clouds: Riding the Historic Mount Washington Cog Railway
By Mike Moore
Exploring the peaks of the White Mountains doesn’t require an expertise in hiking, and with the Mount Washington Cog Railway, also known by its popular nickname “the Cog”, adventurers don’t even have to get out of their chair or brave the frigid outdoor temperatures in the higher elevations. This convenient way to travel to the highest point in New England has been in operation since 1869, when the railway’s creator was inspired to find a safe way to navigate to the peak of Mount Washington. With a rack-system designed specifically to trudge up the steep face and snowy tracks on the way to the summit, passengers have been able to hop on the Cog and see the sights from 6200 feet any day they wish. For those looking to take in some breathtaking views throughout the winter, the Waumbek Station offers a cozy firepit and a terrific observation deck, but in more manageable elements for the season, as this location resides at about 4000 feet above sea level.
When Sylvester Marsh, a local hiker, had to survive a dangerous storm while traversing to the top, he came up with an idea to get a train to successfully ascend to the top, safely climbing the steep points with a cog system and trestle-mounted track that secures the train to the track on the vertical climb. Considering that no one had ever been able to solve getting a train to climb such steep grades like mountain faces, many folks were skeptical of Marsh’s idea to use cog gears. The trail up to Mt
Washington’s summit is a 25% grade, with some sections getting as steep as 37%. To accomplish such a feat, Marsh knew that the train and the track’s components had to have the appropriate power and security to make this idea come to reality and be effective. But he persisted; with additional innovations to the idea, like a spooled center track fixed to the cross ties to help pull the train forward, less than ten years after his treacherous hike, Marsh had enough research to officially petition to begin construction. After he sought out a state charter, Marsh quickly turned his good idea into action and started on the world’s first cog railway. Within three years of starting the project, the cog railway began operation, even taking President U.S. Grant for a ride while he was visiting New England in the summer of 1869. Within 20 years, several more locomotives were built,
with the Ammonoosuc steam-powered locomotive still operational today.
So much innovation has taken place on the Cog Railway over the last 150plus years. In 1941, the first switch and two spur sidings were installed, allowing for trains to pass each other along the route for the first time in its existence, allowing for more tours throughout the day. In 2004, a hydraulic switch powered by solar panels was added, as the railway was looking to upgrade in more environmentally friendly ways.
Starting in 2008, the Cog Railway introduced biodiesel trains, beginning a new era for the historic track. Within ten years, six additional biodiesel trains were built to keep up with the demand for one of the more popular and unique tours in New Hampshire. This innovative tactic addressed the environmental concerns of steam locomotives, considering how much smog
they tended to produce. Currently, the Cog Railway has two operational steam trains, the Ammonoosuc and the Waumbek. Their first biodiesel train, the Wajo Nanatassis, along with the Algonquin, the Abenaki, the Agiocochook, the Metallak, the LaPrade, and the Kenison are the trains currently in use for the Cog tours. Guests can still see Old Peppersass, the very first cog locomotive built by Marsh, on display outside at the Marshfield base station.
Admiring the views from the top of the White Mountains has been enjoyed by everyone from local residents, presidents, and even legendary Barnum & Bailey Circus director, PT Barnum. He famously referred to the view at the top of the railway tour as the second greatest show on earth. The three-hour round-trip rail adventure takes place in a passenger coach train, with comfortable seating, great views on either side, and heated for the tours throughout the winter. Starting at the Marshfield Base Station, railway adventurers can stop to pick up any last-minute snacks or drinks at the snack shop. Before the tour, patrons can take in the views from the wraparound deck at 2700 feet, explore some of the retired steam engines and vintage equipment, or, for those not going on the tour, it can be a great starting point for a hiking or snowshoeing trek. Marshfield has plenty of parking for passengers and is easily accessible from Highway 2.
• Cog continued on page 27
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Chugging up the face of Mount Washington in the cog rail train takes roughly an hour and ten minutes. Once visitors reach the summit, the tour includes an hour-long break to enjoy the observation deck, the museum, gift shop, interactive weather exhibit, or get some food at the cafeteria located at the Sherman Adams Visitor Center. One popular tradition of the tour includes allowing passengers to mail a postcard from the summit post office. On a clear day, the top of Mount Washington provides views as far as the Atlantic Ocean to the east and Canada to the north. But what visitors don’t always expect on those summertime tours is that the temperatures and wind gusts reach Arctic levels of chilly, despite how warm it might be at sea level. The top of Mt. Washington is classical-
ly known to have some of the worst recorded weather on earth, so passengers are encouraged to be prepared for a variety of weather. Descending back to the base station takes the train roughly an hour, giving passengers a second chance to take in the magnificent scenery along the way.
The Cog Railway Adventures offers those looking to experience New England’s highest peak without needing rock climbing equipment or emergency gear. Visiting the Cog’s website will provide those interested in a tour with all the details. The railway is open seven days a week, with tours offered hourly beginning at 9 am. Tickets throughout the summer months are $84 on weekdays and $95 for weekend tours. For a one-in-a-lifetime adventure on the world’s first cog train track, explore the more elevated parts of New England and take a ride on the Cog!
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Art for a Castle…and Your Home
By Kathi Caldwell-Hopper
Imagine living in a castle, the estate high atop a mountain. Your home would be in a magical place with views of the scenery far below. The furnishings would be beautiful and created with only the finest material and your walls adorned with carefully chosen artwork.
As we all know, an art collection is up to the taste of the person who gathers pieces for display in their home. It might be oil paintings of landscapes or portraits, pottery, watercolors, sculpture, or other items that appeal to a particular taste.
At Castle in the Clouds in Moultonborough, art abounds. For those
unfamiliar with the story of Thomas and Olive Plant, the wealthy couple constructed and lived at their estate in the Ossipee Mountains. The home was called Lucknow, and it was a place of glittering wealth and society for many years. The Plants may have enjoyed socializing, but they also loved the seclusion and outdoor beauty of their property, where they spent a lot of time horseback riding, golfing, and simply being on their land.
Like many cultured people, the Plants had a lot of artwork and displayed it throughout their castle home. While in residence at what is today called Castle in the Clouds, they amassed many pieces of art, including fine sculptures and
paintings. This was the age (early 1900s) when mansions were heavy with sculptures of angels, gods, and goddesses, but the Plants eschewed such pieces in place of dimensional works taken from nature.
Castle in the Clouds curator Robin Sherman has studied the Plants’ lifestyle and furnishing and says, “Our work is part of an ongoing effort to restore Lucknow Mansion to its original appearance and recreate the interiors as they were in the early years of Tom and Olive Plants’ residency, circa 1914 to 1924.”
She continues, “I’ve had good luck identifying sculptures seen in photos of Lucknow taken between the late 1910s and early 1920s. For instance, the Marley horses displayed on the mantel in the Main Hall are after a much larger work by Guillaume Coustou the Elder. After identifying the piece from the photos, I tracked down a pair authentic
to the period on eBay and purchased them to display. A few other pieces I’ve identified include Delabrierre’s Chien Braque et Epagneul sur Faisan, Victor Peter’s Deux Oursons Jouant (Two Cubs Playing), and Paul Philippe’s Radha. Unfortunately, we do not have examples of these pieces to display just yet. We’re still looking!” When the artwork is displayed, it will give the public ideas on showcasing their own collection. “This is how the Plants did it,” you might tell yourself. This might help you realize you can give your cherished artwork a chance to shine by placing pictures in groupings or alone for display in your house. When asked what today’s homeowners can learn from the display of art
"The Last Days of Napoleon" by Vincenzo Vela - bronze cast original to the collection of Tom and Olive Plant. (Courtesy Castle in the Clouds)
the Plants had in their home, Sherman says, “I think the biggest takeaway from the Plants’ art collection is that there’s no right or wrong way to do it. I think the Plants collected art that they enjoyed. It’s a diverse assortment of media, period, and subject matter. You wouldn’t expect to see Art Deco statues below a print of a Japanese temple, but it works. So, I’ve learned that if I like a piece, it’s worth displaying in my home.”
When Tom and Olive Plant lived at the Castle, their collection included crafts, such as pottery and stained glass, as well as fine art. (Perhaps they had seen and appreciated the work of the skilled masons who helped construct the Castle by chiseling and fitting native stone into 3-, 4-, 5- and 6 sided pieces?)
Says Sherman, “Over the years, many visitors have been interested in the art we have on display – asking whether pieces were owned by the Plants or about the artists. My goal at the Castle is to share as much information about Lucknow with the broadest audience possible. If people are asking particular questions, I want to be able to give them answers.”
Tom and Olive Plant were both interested in art and enjoyed visiting museums, according to Sherman. Gathered from family stories, it is known that the Plants purchased art while traveling abroad. Much of it was the art that was
used to decorate Lucknow. “Tom Plant also seems to have been a fan of artist Thomas Moran. He purchased three original oil paintings from the artist in the early 1910s, which hung here at Lucknow,” Sherman adds.
Like many collectors, the Plants owned an eclectic mix of art. They had Art Deco pieces, Asian-inspired works, a 19th-century Belgian tapestry, Neapolitan School gouache paintings, numerous prints of Napoleonic battles, and three original Thomas Moran oil paintings.
Given their property’s scope and natural beauty, one might assume the Plants would adorn their lawns and pathways with sculptures. However, Sherman says that was not the case.
“The Plants didn’t have outdoor sculptures at Lucknow, but they did have plenty of fine wooden furniture in their home. Lucknow is furnished with pieces by Tobey Handmade Furniture, Irving & Casson, and Paine Furniture.
A lot of the furniture at Lucknow can be categorized as Arts & Crafts, a key tenet of which is that a piece should be beautiful and functional.”
For a look at some of the art collected and enjoyed by Thomas and Olive Plant, a trip to the Castle will prove interesting. Sherman speaks of what visitors will see, explaining, “The artwork we know was owned by Tom and Olive Plant is displayed in the mansion’s library. There are several prints depicting Napoleonic battles, several bronzes, a few vases, and a marble statue of a flutist by Paul Philippe, which is,
unfortunately, missing its flute. We’ve also worked diligently to collect period-authentic replacements for pieces that we know the Plants owned but were no longer here at the Castle.”
Any piece of art owned by the Plants that is still in the collection at the Castle is on display for visitors to enjoy. While it is likely not the Plants’ entire collection, each piece offers a glimpse into what appealed to the once-wealthy couple. (Sherman emphasizes that all Plant-owned artwork is displayed throughout the season.)
For second-home owners who have paintings and other art at their Lakes Region home, once the season ends and their place is unoccupied during the winter, lessons can be learned from how Sherman and staff keep the Plant’s art from being damaged. Caring for art
and sculptures is essential, and Sherman explains, “When we close in October, all the art is covered with acid-free tissue and stored away from sunlight. (Our storm windows have UV filters to help protect against sun exposure, but in the summertime, the Lakes Region humidity can be a challenge.)
When visiting the Castle this season, make sure to see the art the Plants cherished and ask whatever questions you have about their entire collection. While the Castle does not offer a guided tour specifically about Lucknow’s art, there are informational gallery guides to borrow and explore the artwork at leisure.
For information, hours of operation, and a list of events, visit www.castleintheclouds.org or call 603-476-5900.
Labor Day: Honoring Workers and Marking Summer’s End
Come the first Monday of September, many children and their parents start to face the reality that school, if it hasn’t yet started, is about to begin again. That’s because Labor Day marks the unofficial end of summer. Boats are pulled from the lake, cottages close for the season, and local families savor one last weekend of sunshine before autumn routines return.
But there is much more to this holiday than barbecues and the notion that fall is right around the corner. Labor Day was forged by the labor movement of the late nineteenth century. At that time, many workers felt they were underpaid and overworked. Conditions at their places of employment also lacked adequate safety. These workers banded together to fight for higher wages, shorter workdays, and improved working conditions.
Before it was adopted as an American federal holiday, Labor Day was
first recognized by labor activists and individual states. Although New York was the first state to introduce a bill, Oregon actually was the first to pass a law recognizing Labor Day, which the state first celebrated on February 21, 1887. Four more states followed suit that year. By the end of the decade, three more states had passed Labor Day holiday laws.
In recognition of the growing momentum, and with the adoption of the holiday by another 23 states by 1894, Congress passed an act on June 28, 1894, officially making the first Monday in September a legal holiday each year.
The choice of September was deliberate. Union leaders wanted a holiday that would provide a meaningful break between Independence Day in July and Thanksgiving in November. It also avoided confusion with May Day, an international day of worker demon-
strations rooted in more radical movements abroad.
The United States is not alone in devoting a holiday to celebrate its labor history and honor the contributions of workers. Canada celebrates Labour Day to remember the rights of workers, which include paid holidays, medical care, fair hours, union wages, and safe workplaces. Labour Day was declared a legal holiday by the Parliament of Canada on July 23, 1894. The earliest Canadian celebrations were held in the spring, but eventually were moved to September, aligning with American observances.
Today, both countries use the day to pause and recognize the dignity of work and the people who keep communities, industries, and services running strong.
Families return home from the lakes and mountains, seasonal shops wind down, and school schedules resume. For businesses across the Lakes Region, Labor Day weekend is both a celebration of a busy summer season well served, and the start of a quieter but equally beautiful autumn.
Labor Day is more than just a long weekend. It represents the progress achieved through unity, determination, and advocacy—progress that gave rise to the 40-hour workweek, weekends off, child labor protections, and safer workplaces.
The first Labor Day parade took place in New York City in 1882, when 10,000 workers marched from City Hall to Union Square in a show of solidarity. That tradition of parades, speeches, and community gatherings spread quickly across the nation. By the early 20th century, the holiday had expanded to include picnics, fireworks, and athletic events—festive celebrations that remain familiar to this day.
Here in New Hampshire, Labor Day has long carried another layer of meaning: the close of the summer season.
At the same time, it invites us to consider the future of work. Just as workers in the late 1800s faced the challenges of the Industrial Revolution, today’s workforce grapples with rapid changes brought by technology, remote work, and global markets. The holiday remains as relevant as ever, reminding us to value both fairness in work and the importance of rest.
So, while the smell of barbecue fills the air and boats skim across Lake Winnipesaukee one last time this season, Labor Day carries a message deeper than summer’s end. It is a day to honor the American worker—past, present, and future—and to celebrate the dignity of labor in all its forms. on days when pollen counts are particularly high. ~Metro
