NH Coverts Project Seeks Volunteers for New Hampshire’s Wildlife and Forests
The NH Coverts Project is accepting applications from new volunteers interested in taking part in the 2026 NH Coverts Project volunteer training workshop on May 6–9 at the Barbara C. Harris Conference Center in Greenfield.
Since its beginning in 1995, the NH Coverts Project has trained over 500 volunteers in promoting wildlife conservation and forest stewardship throughout the state. Each year, 25 conservation-minded residents connect with a team of natural resource professionals to learn more about wildlife and forest ecology, habitat management, land conservation, and effective outreach to share their new knowledge. There is a $50 registration fee, but sponsors cover all other program costs. In exchange for the training, participants commit to volunteer at least 40 hours of their time during the coming year to educate and motivate others to become stewards of the state’s wildlife and forest resources.
To apply for this year’s NH Coverts Project training, download and complete the 2026 NH Coverts Project Application at nhcoverts.org. The deadline for applications is March 1, 2026. For more information, visit the project website at nhcoverts.org or contact Project Coordinator Haley Andreozzi at haley.andreozzi@unh.edu or 603862-5327.
A covert, pronounced “cover” with a “t,” is a thicket that provides shelter for wildlife. The term symbolizes the project’s goal of enhancing, restoring, and
conserving habitat for native wildlife in New Hampshire. Once trained through the Coverts Program, participants become members of a knowledgeable statewide network connected through newsletters, field trips, and workshops.
Coverts volunteers give their time in a variety of ways. Some lead field walks or organize volunteer workdays, while others serve on town boards or manage their own property for wildlife habitat. A recent participant shared, “Over the three-day Coverts [workshop], I was delighted by the high quality of instruction. Upon my return home, I applied my newfound knowledge to create a land management plan that protects and enhances our property for both wildlife and people. […] The increase in wildlife using our property has been fourfold, with new species making themselves known weekly! It’s been a pleasure to share about Coverts with friends and neighbors,
and I’m delighted that I now possess the knowledge to improve and protect this beautiful stretch of land for future generations to enjoy.” Volunteers come from many backgrounds and professions, but they are united in their desire to help New Hampshire’s wildlife and forests.
The NH Coverts Project is sponsored by UNH Cooperative Extension and the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department. The program also receives support from the New Hampshire Department of Natural and Cultural Resources, Division of Forests and Lands.
Maine Singer Griffin William Sherry of The Ghost of Paul Revere Featured at SMAC
Music lovers of all kinds are invited to join Stone Mountain Arts Center on February 14 for a show with Griffin William Sherry, of The Ghost of Paul Revere
Hat hung low, hands wrapped around a well-worn acoustic guitar, sharing stories equally worthy of a dusty old novel, campfire congregation, or outdoor summer festival. For as much as the Maine singer, songwriter, and guitarist wrestles with big questions about life and love in his songs, he also celebrates the magic of spending his days living in a small town. His powerhouse vocal delivery, no-frills instrumentation, unabashed honesty, and eloquent song craft might just make you appreciate the moment a little bit more.
After twelve years fronting The Ghost of Paul Revere, he offers up his
story as a solo artist for the first time on his 2024 full-length debut album, “Hundred Mile Wilderness,” and much more to come.
When The Ghost of Paul Revere amicably parted ways in 2022, Griffin continued on his own. Armed with tunes of his own, he retreated to Nashville, TN, and recorded “Hundred Mile Wilderness” with producer Eddie Spear. Ultimately, Griffin’s telling the story he’s meant to. And we all love being a small blip in his story as lovers of his music.
Griffin William Sherry will play on Saturday, February 14, at 8 pm at the Stone Mountain Arts Center, located at 695 Dugway Road, in Brownfield, Maine.
For tickets and detailed information, visit stonemountainartscenter.com.
Ice Racing Returns to Milton Three Ponds
By Mike Moore
There are so many ways to get out and enjoy the wintertime in the Lakes Region. There are countless resorts for downhill or cross-country skiing, a variety of snowmobile trails throughout the adventurous terrain, but the lakes themselves offer more than just ice fishing and hockey. For nearly half a century, thousands of folks have taken their cars right out onto the ice to participate in or just enjoy as a spectator, the popular cold-weather sport of ice racing.
Now, to those who don’t live yearround in cold-weather climates, the thought of taking a car out onto the iced-over lake to compete in a race may sound like a wild idea. Ice racing has been around since the 1800s, however, and is quite popular throughout the world (at least the part of the world where it gets cold enough). There is even a professional race, the Trophee Andros series, held annually in France. Rest assured, the many clubs and associations in the Lakes Region that put on these events take safety quite seriously. According to most of the local club rules, the Ice levels need to be at least a foot thick to race. This important rule is verified by drilling through the ice and measuring regularly throughout race day. Some years, the ice doesn’t ever reach that thickness level, leaving the ice racers hoping for the next winter to come early and often. The racing track is also cleaned and well-groomed to ensure an even, safe surface. Beyond
the safety of the ice and track, vehicles used in the competition have many safety requirements in order to compete. As the quality and speed of vehicles improve over the years, ice racing clubs are diligent about adjusting requirements to keep the environment as safe as it is exciting.
The New England Ice Racing Association was formed over 40 years ago in Milton, New Hampshire. This nonprofit group holds its races at the Yogi Bears Jellystone Park campground, right next to Northeast Pond, one of the Milton Three Ponds. Sundays are the typical race days, beginning when the ice finally reaches the safe thickness level, which tends to be sometime in January most years. The series concludes whenever Mother Nature decides, usually around the last part of
March. Last year, the NEIRA’s popular racing series returned after several winters had gone by without cold enough temperatures for the pond’s ice to be safe to drive onto. This winter has started off promising, as the group anticipates the track being open by the end of January or beginning of February, assuming forecasters and almanacs are correct and temperatures remain colder than average. The course takes time and precision to build each winter, and the NEIRA looks to design a track with multiple turns and challenging circuits. But with the popularity of the event still as strong as ever, the association wastes no time preparing for the races as soon as it’s safe to do so. Interested racers and spectators can monitor the ice conditions by visiting the NEIRA Facebook page, as they keep their
information up-to-date.
The competition at Three Ponds has grown quite a bit over the years. There are six different sets of races, each division representing different car types. There are races for the common 4-cylinder front wheel drive car, a division for 4-cylinder rear wheel drive, modified, super street stock, strictly street stock, and sprint cars. Participating in this exhilarating event will require a vehicle marked with clear numbers on each side and a sturdy chain or tow hook on the front of the vehicle for quick and easy hauling. The rules are strict for racers, and they need to be with cars screaming down the track at upward of 70 miles an hour. The NEIRA holds regular meetings for members and interested nonmembers, where attendees can provide input on rules and regulations for the upcoming season. Continuing the good trend of safety and security for the racers, spectators, and the environment, all cars are inspected before the race to ensure such measures as requiring all cars to have catch pans, have radiator overflow cans available, use only non-toxic antifreeze, and not use green tire sealant slime. For the upcoming season, the group implemented a new measure that requires all racing vehicles to be equipped with rear wheel ice deflection for visibility. The association urges all participants to keep their pit areas as clean as possible and always ensure an •Ice Racing
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Beautiful Area Homes
Acres
Stargazing to Stewardship: Winter Events with Chocorua Lake Conservancy
The Chocorua Lake Conservancy invites residents and visitors to enjoy a variety of winter programs from mid-January through midMarch that foster learning, outdoor exploration, and community connection. On Wednesday, January 14, the Conservancy hosts a Zoom program, “What’s in Your Water? Important Info for Private Well Users,” at 6:30 pm, offering practical guidance for local homeowners. Stargazers can gather on Saturday, January 17, at 6:30 pm, for a Skywatch with the NH Astronomical Society, featuring guided telescope viewing of the winter night sky. The Climate Future Film Festival — Part 2 follows on Sunday, February 1, with short films and facilitated discussion focused on climate awareness. Winter celebration continues on Saturday, February 7, with the 4th Annual CLC & Tamworth Outing Club Winter Fest at The Preserve at Chocorua, of-
fering a full day of indoor and outdoor activities for all ages.
Educational programs continue with “Microplastics & Zero Waste” on Wednesday, February 11, and “Stories Behind the Stars: The Winter Sky” on Monday, February 16.Families are invited to explore nature together during “Winter Ecology: Animals’ Superpowers for Winter Survival” on Saturday, February 21, followed by a guided Moonlight Owl Prowl on Monday, March 2, offering a unique evening walk to listen for owls in a moonlit forest.
The Chocorua Lake Conservancy is a nonprofit organization dedicated to conserving the natural, scenic, and recreational resources of the Chocorua Lake watershed through land protection, stewardship, education, and community engagement. For a full calendar of events and more information, visit www.chocorualake.org.
Arts Council of Tamworth Announces 2026 Events Calendar and New Programs
The Arts Council of Tamworth has announced its early winter 2026 events calendar, which is packed with exciting and educational events. In January, on Wednesday, January 21, at 1 pm, the Arts Council will be presenting a free “virtual museum” visit focusing on the 19th-century Hudson River painting school and its famous paintings of the White Mountains region of New Hampshire. The event will take place at the Tamworth History Center, and more information is available at https:// shorturl.at/ILX57.
Also in January, the Arts Council of Tamworth will be launching a new monthly casual gathering for sewing enthusiasts. Beginning on January 27, every fourth Tuesday of the month will bring together stitchers, beginners, experts, and everyone in between to meet at the Cook Memorial Library from 6 to 8 pm. While participants are encouraged to bring their own supplies, a limited amount of supplies will be provided, as well. The monthly gatherings are free to attend.
•Ice Racing
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entire day is devoted to clean up after the season ends.
Non-members can pay $20 to compete in each race, but for the $40 membership, the entry fee drops to just $10 a race. Spectators are welcome and encouraged. Concessions and food trucks are regularly available, and entry is just $20 per car. More information can be found on the Facebook page for the NEIRA.
Just a little bit further north in Moultonborough, the Lakes Region Ice Racing Club holds its racing events at Berry or Lee Pond each Sunday that the ice is at least a foot thick. Their season runs similarly to the NEIRA’s, and their rules for racers are as safety-conscious. The group proudly holds a benefit race that raises money for the local community called the Latchkey
In February, the Arts Council will be hosting a Mardi Gras-themed dance social on Saturday, February 21, at 7 pm at the Tamworth Town House. Included with your ticket is a free dance lesson from dance instructor Whitney Pray and light refreshments. Tickets are available at https://shorturl.at/uh5ph.
Finally, the Arts Council is issuing Save the Date announcements for these later 2026 events: Battle of the Brushes - Friday, April 24, Community Kite Festival - Saturday, May 9, Tamworth Swift River Regatta - Saturday, May 30, and An Afternoon by the SwiftSaturday, June 13.
“We are gearing up for a fantastic year of programs and events,” said Arts Council of Tamworth Executive Director Julian Long. “It’s going to be a mix of beloved annual events and traditions with lots of new activities, new artists, and new presenters.”
For more information about the Arts Council of Tamworth, please visit www.artstamworth.org.
Cup, tentatively scheduled for the last Sunday in January, weather permitting. Visit the group’s website or Facebook page if you are interested in becoming a member. Beyond Milton and Moultonborough, ice racing events are also held by the Jaffrey Ice Racing Association on Lake Contoocook and in Northwood at Northwood Lake. Their racing schedule and additional information are also easily found online.
During the long, cold winters of northern New England, people have found some creative ways to have fun and pass the time until spring, but there aren’t many events as unique as ice racing. Whether you have the racing bug year-round and want to get out and compete or you’re just looking for something different to do when spending a Sunday with the family when the temperature hasn’t risen above freezing for weeks, there is always fun to be had in our snowy neck of the woods.
Yesteryear
Beauty Among the Mountains: Painters Drawn to NH’s Peaks
By Kathi Caldwell-Hopper
As early as the start of the 1800s, artists loved the beauty they saw in the landscapes of the White Mountains. One of those artists, painter Thomas Cole, remarked after climbing Chocorua and taking in the views, that the area was too “extended and map-like for a canvas.”
Cole was probably staggered by what he saw, commenting that the mountain was more than a place for sketching and painting, but also a meditative and hallowed spot to sit and think.
The artist walked all over the area, and perhaps his favorite spot was what was then known as “the Great Stone Face.” We know it today as The Old Man, and it was a public favorite of Cole’s artwork. Such paintings even made their way over the ocean to be on display at the Royal Academy in London.
Writing as well as painting of the White Mountains, Cole inspired other artists to visit the area. Such artists as A. B. Durand, known as the “father of the American landscape” who often painted in the Hudson River area, also spent time in the White Mountains. He captured scenes in North Conway, Franconia Notch and Campton. The works have been exhibited in such places as the New York Public Library.
The movement of landscape painting that brought these artists and many more to the White Mountains starting in the 1800s and continuing into the 1900s has a name – the White Mountain School of Art. The name does not denote an actual school but rather a genre of painting, as explained on a New Hampshire roadside marker. The sign tells us that “Since Thomas Cole’s
visit in 1828, New Hampshire’s splendid scenery has been an enduring inspiration to countless landscape artists. From 1850 to 1890, this region was particularly favored for their easels.”
The marker is located in North Conway on Rt. 302.
One artist returned again and again to capture the area’s scenic beauty over the years. Benjamin Champney loved the wild spots in the mountains as well as the more tranquil areas, and he painted many landscapes each summer in the White Mountains. Like Cole, Champney wrote about the mountains, and this brought tourists and other artists to the area. He published a memoir at the end of his life about his experiences in the White Mountains before his death at age 90 in the early 1900s.
But it was not only male artists who
tramped the hills and painted what they saw. A number of women artists visited or lived in the area as well. One such early female painter was Martha Ann Hayes Safford, born in Farmington, New Hampshire in 1850. At age 18, she married James Safford, a Civil War veteran. The year of their marriage was 1868. James was an optician with a love for the good things in life, and he encouraged his wife’s passion for the fine arts. Before their marriage, Martha had an interest in art and never lost her love for painting and drawing.
According to “Early Women Artists in the White Mountains” by the Jackson Historical Society, Martha was a student of Benjamin Champney, the prolific White Mountain painter with a home/studio in North Conway. Sadly, at that time, the paintings of female
An outdoor
artists did not sell particularly well, so women did not often sign their work. Therefore, some of Martha’s art has not been verified. Her work, from the paintings that survive, shows a masterful style, much like that of her teacher, Champney. Martha passed away in 1912 after a life spent painting among the White Mountains.
Artist Emily Selinger worked at a summer studio from the 1880s to the 1890s at the Glen House, Pinkham Notch. Emily was a multi-talented artist, and as well as painting, she excelled in writing, poetry, music, and articles written on the art world. As the summer tourist population in the area grew, Emily and her husband, Jean Paul Selinger, moved to the studio previously occupied by artist Frank H. Shapleigh at the Crawford House. Emily painted among the mountains until her death in 1927.
The art of Maria a’Becket was well known during her lifetime, although today few people have heard of the artist. She studied painting in France and loved the outdoors. Maria spent a great deal of time capturing the scenes of nature when she put paint to canvas. She was born in Portland, Maine in 1839. Although she traveled extensively, she could be found in the White Mountains, as depicted in her drawings, including Foot of Carter Mountain, Mount Washington, and Woodland Scene. She died in 1904.
Popular artist Benjamin Champney discovered the White Mountains in the 1830s. He later studied and painted in Europe, but the White Mountains
• Yesteryear continued on page 9
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A scenic painting of the mountains. Artist unknown but likely from a White Mountain School of Art painter, circa 1800s. (Courtesy private collection.)
A-1 Firewood
Through March, Mount Washington Snow Coach Tours, Great Glen Trails, Gorham, info/tickets: www.greatglentrails.com.
Through March 3, Nordic Meisters, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., ski, snowshoe, fat bike, or do all three, race series, Great Glen Trails, 1 Mount Washington Auto Rd., Gorham, 603-4663988, www.greatglentrails.com. Takes place on Tuesdays.
Through March 9, Bill Koch League, 1:30 – 3:30 p.m., ski event, Great Glen Trails, 1 Mount Washington Auto Rd., Gorham, 603-466-3988, www.greatglentrails.com. Takes place on Sundays.
Through March 29, The Quiet Season, Mt. Washington Valley Arts Assoc., 16 Norcross Circle, N. Conway, exhibit of art by Assoc. members focused on winter, 603-3562787, www.mwvarts.org.
Jan. 11-Feb. 21, Portraits of Home – An Artist’s View, group show interpreting ideas of home, Hurricane Mt. Design Group, 112 Mechanic St., N. Conway, hours/info.: gayfreeborn@gmail.com.
Jan. 15, BluGrit Blues Band, 7 p.m., Majestic Theatre, 34 Main St., Conway, 603-4474737, www.mountaintopmusic.org.
Jan. 16, Friday Night Jazz with Al Hospers & Guests, 7 p.m., Majestic Theatre, 34 Main St., Conway, 603-447-4737, www.mountaintopmusic.org.
Jan. 17, Authors at the Pope: Bruce Robert Coffin, author of the Detective Justice Series, 5 p.m., Pope Memorial Library, 2719 White Mt. Highway, N. Conway, in conjunction with White Birch Books, info.: www.whitebirchbooks.com.
Jan. 17, Investigative Genetic Genealogy and the DNA Doe Project: A Crash Course, 2 - 3:30 p.m., Community Room, Rochester Public Library, 65 South Main St., Rochester, space limited/pre-register: 603-603-332-1428.
Jan. 17, Mango Groove – a Taste of the Caribbean, 7 p.m., St. Kieran Community Center for the Arts, 155 Emery St., Berlin, tickets: 603-752-1028, www.stkieranarts.org.
Jan. 17, Winter Tracks Family Snowshoe Exploration, 9 – 10:30 a.m., Tin Mountain Conservation Center, 1245 Bald Hill Rd., Albany, 603-447-6991, nbeem@tinmountain. org, www.tinmountain.org.
Jan. 17, Women’s Winter Escape, 8:15 a.m., Great Glen Trails, 1 Mount Washington Auto Rd., Gorham, 603-466-3988, www.greatglentrails.com.
Jan. 17-19, Embrace Winter Beauty, Melanie Barash Levitt of Jackson Art and Ginger Rober of Restorative Health and Fitness present 3-day Winter Painting & Wellness Retreat, info.: 603-387-3463, www.jacksonartnh.com.
Jan. 20, On A Winter’s Night, 8 pm, with Cliff Eberhardt, John Gorka, Lucy Kaplansky and Patty Larkin, Stone Mountain Arts Center, Brownfield, ME, 207-935-7292, www. stonemountainartscenter.com.
Jan. 21-Feb. 11, Painting Tuckerman’s Ravine with Chris Muzerall, 4-wk. landscape painting class, 5 – 7:30 p.m., Jackson Art Studio & Gallery, 155 Ridge Rd., Jackson, info.: 603-387-3463, www.jacksonartnh.com.
Jan. 22, Amate Bark Painting, 1 – 4:30 p.m., Makers Mill, 23 Bay St., Wolfeboro, 603569-1500, www.makersmill.org.
Jan. 22, Bennett & Perkins with Taylor Whiteside, 7 p.m., Majestic Theatre, 34 Main St., Conway, 603-447-4737, www.mountaintopmusic.org.
Jan. 23, Bryson Lang Comedic Juggler & Entertainer, 3:45 – 4:45 p.m., Ossipee Town Hall, 55 Main St., Ossipee, Center Ossipee, 603-539-1307.
Jan. 23, Film Screening: Into the Canyon, 7 – 8:30 p.m., held at Ledge Brewing, Intervale, program of Tin Mountain Conservation Center, 1245 Bald Hill Rd., Albany, 603-447-6991, nbeem@tinmountain.org, www.tinmountain.org.
Jan. 23, Friday Night Jazz with Michael Beling & Gary Gemmiti, 7 p.m., Majestic Theatre, 34 Main St., Conway, 603-447-4737, www.mountaintopmusic.org.
Jan. 23, The Gibson Brothers Country Roads, 8 pm, Stone Mountain Arts Center, Brownfield, ME, 207-935-7292, www.stonemountainartscenter.com.
Jan. 23-Feb. 28, Musical Murder Mystery at Walt Chester World, 7 p.m., Rochester Opera House, 31 Wakefield St., Rochester, tickets: 603-335-1992, www.rochesteroperahouse.com.
Jan. 24, Dennis O’Neil & Davey Armstrong, 7 p.m., Majestic Theatre, 34 Main St., Conway, 603-447-4737, www.mountaintopmusic.org.
Jan. 24, M.W. Otto Rhode Memorial Skin & Ski, 11:30 a.m., fundraiser for Granite Backcountry Alliance, ski/snowboard down Mt. Washington Auto Rd., Great Glen Trails, 1 Mount Washington Auto Rd., Gorham, 603-466-3988, www.greatglentrails. com.
Jan. 24, Shark Martin, 7:30 p.m., Medallion Opera House, 20 Park St., Gorham, 603723-3421, www.medallionoperahouse.org.
Jan. 24, Upcycled Fashion Clothing & Textile Swap and Presentation, 10 a.m. –noon, Makers Mill, 23 Bay St., Wolfeboro, 603-569-1500, www.makersmill.org.
Jan. 24, Winter Wander, 10 - 11:30 a.m., Tin Mountain Conservation Center, 1245 Bald Hill Rd., Albany, 603-447-6991, hmckendry@tinmountain.org, www.tinmountain. org
What’s UP
Jan. 27, The Future of Fishers in the Northeast, 7 – 8 p.m., Tin Mountain Conservation Center, 1245 Bald Hill Rd., Albany, 603-447-6991, nbeem@tinmountain.org, www.tinmountain.org.
Jan. 28, Kevin Dolan & Simon Crawford, 6:30 p.m., Majestic Theatre, 34 Main St., Conway, 603-447-4737, www.mountaintopmusic.org.
Jan. 29, Los Lobos, 8 pm, Stone Mountain Arts Center, Brownfield, ME, 207-9357292, www.stonemountainartscenter.com.
Jan. 30, Friday Night Jazz with Jed Wilson with Randy Roos & Tim Gilmore, 7 p.m., Majestic Theatre, 34 Main St., Conway, 603-447-4737, www.mountaintopmusic. org.
Jan. 30-Feb. 1, Snow Sculpting Competition, free, sculpture competition, Great Glen Trails, 1 Mount Washington Auto Rd., Gorham, 603-466-3988, www.greatglentrails. com.
Jan. 31, Cyclist Education & Road Safety Protocols, 11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m., Ham Community Room, Conway Public Library, 15 Greenwood Ave., Conway, 603-4475552, www.conwaypubliclibrary.org.
Jan. 31, Frost & Flame, 4 – 7 p.m., ice carvings, fire dancing, caricature artists, family event, and more, Cranmore Mountain Resort, 239 Skimobile Rd., N. Conway, 603-7866754, www.cranmore.com.
Jan. 31, Jamuary Fest – Orbid & Bandwich, 7 p.m., Majestic Theatre, 34 Main St., Conway, 603-447-4737, www.mountaintopmusic.org.
Jan. 31, Midnight at the Masquerade, Murder Mystery Dinner, 6 p.m., St. Kieran Community Center for the Arts, 155 Emery St., Berlin, tickets: 603-752-1028, www. stkieranarts.org.
Jan. 31, Winter Wander, 10 - 11:30 a.m., Tin Mountain Conservation Center, 1245 Bald Hill Rd., Albany, 603-447-6991, hmckendry@tinmountain.org, www.tinmountain.org.
Feb. 1, Edgar Meyer/Mike Marshall/George Meyer, 8 pm, Stone Mountain Arts Center, Brownfield, ME, 207-935-7292, www.stonemountainartscenter.com.
Feb. 3-March 24, Winter: Learn to Knit, 5:30 p.m., meets every Tues. through March 24, Conway Public Library, 15 Greenwood Ave., Conway, 603-447-5552, conwaypubliclibrary.org.
Feb. 3, Tacos & Trivia for Families, 5:30 – 7 p.m., for families with kids age 6 & up, enjoy games & tacos, free, pre-registration required, Pope Memorial Library, 2719 White Mt. Highway, North Conway, 603-356-2961, www.popelibrarynh.org.
Feb. 4, Environmental Book Group, The Courage of Birds, 4 p.m., Tin Mountain Conservation Center, 1245 Bald Hill Rd., Albany, 603-447-6991, nbeem@tinmountain. org, www.tinmountain.org.
Feb. 4, Open Mic Night at the Medallion, 6 - 8 p.m., free, Medallion Opera House, 20 Park St., Gorham, 603-723-3421, www.medallionoperahouse.org.
Feb. 5, Heather Pierson Mardi Gras Show, 7:30 p.m., Majestic Theatre, 34 Main St., Conway, 603-447-4737, www.mountaintopmusic.org.
Feb. 5, New Orleans Spotlight: Heather Pierson Mardi Gras Show, 7:30 p.m., Majestic Café, 34 Main St., Conway, 603-447-4737, www.mountaintopmusic.org.
Feb. 6, Friday Night Jazz with Tom Robinso Trio, 7 p.m., Majestic Theatre, 34 Main St., Conway, 603-447-4737, www.mountaintopmusic.org.
Feb. 7, The DellaValla Bluegrass Trio, 7 p.m., Majestic Theatre, 34 Main St., Conway, 603-447-4737, www.mountaintopmusic.org.
Feb. 12, The Potboilers 7 p.m., Majestic Theatre, 34 Main St., Conway, 603-447-4737, www.mountaintopmusic.org.
Feb. 12, Winter 2026: A Major Bird Irruption Year, 7 – 8 p.m., Tin Mountain Conservation Center, 1245 Bald Hill Rd., Albany, 603-447-6991, nbeem@tinmountain.org, www.tinmountain.org.
Feb. 12-March 1, Spider’s Web, M&D Playhouse, at Eastern Slope Inn, 2760 White Mt. Highway, N. Conway, 603-733-5275, www.mdplayhouse.com.
Feb. 13, Friday Night Jazz with Glenway Fripp, Fabio Gutierrez & Jon Deveneau, 7 p.m., Majestic Theatre, 34 Main St., Conway, 603-447-4737, www.mountaintopmusic.org.
Feb. 15, Songbird: The Singular Barbara Streisand Trio, 7:30 p.m., Majestic Theatre, 34 Main St., Conway, 603-447-4737, www.mountaintopmusic.org.
Feb. 15, The Fretless & Vasen, 3 pm, Stone Mountain Arts Center, Brownfield, ME, 207-935-7292, www.stonemountainartscenter.com.
Feb. 18, Kevin Dolan & Simon Crawford, 6:30 p.m., Majestic Theatre, 34 Main St., Conway, 603-447-4737, www.mountaintopmusic.org.
Feb. 19, Lighthouse Louie, 7 p.m., Majestic Theatre, 34 Main St., Conway, 603-4474737, www.mountaintopmusic.org.
Feb. 20, Friday Night Jazz with the Craig Jaster Trio, 7 p.m., Majestic Theatre, 34 Main St., Conway, 603-447-4737, www.mountaintopmusic.org.
Feb. 21, Wildlife Wonders: Live Animal Event, noon – 1 p.m., Tin Mountain Conservation Center, 1245 Bald Hill Rd., Albany, 603-447-6991, nbeem@tinmountain.org, www.tinmountain.org.
ONGOING
ArtWorks Chocorua Creative Arts Center, gallery, workshops & events, open yearround with seasonal hours, 603-323-8041, 132 Rt. 16, Chocorua, www.chocoruaartworks.com
Believe in Books Literacy Foundation/Theatre in the Wood, Intervale, programs for children, 603-356-9980, www.believeinbooks.org.
Breakfast Buffet, 7 a.m. - 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.
Chapman Sanctuary and Visny Woods, nature trails for hiking, 740 Mt. Israel Rd., Center Sandwich, 603-284-6428, www.chapmansanctuaryvisnywoods.com.
Chocorua Lake Basin View Lot, free, directions/info: www.chocorualake.org.
Coffee Hour, 10 – 11 a.m., coffee, tea and snacks, Wednesdays, Effingham Public Library, 30 Town House Rd., Effingham, 603-539-1537, Effingham.lib.nh.us.
Cog Railway, 3168 Base Station Rd., Mount Washington, 800-922-8825, www.thecog. com.
Conway Historical Society, historical info., 603-447-5551, www.conwayhistoricalsociety.org
Conway Public Library, 15 Greenwood Avenue, Conway, many learning experiences, 603-447-5552, www.conwaypubliclibrary.org.
Conway Scenic Railroad, train rides to White Mt. areas, 603-356-5251, station located at 38 Norcross Circle, North Conway, www.conwayscenic.com
Fiber Arts Monthly Mingle, first Tues. of every month, 6 – 8 p.m., Makers Mill, 23 Bay St., Wolfeboro, 603-569-1500, www.makersmill.org
In the Round, Sundays at 8:45 a.m., thought-provoking topics related to tolerance, Benz Center, Sandwich, 603-284-7532.
Jackson Historical Society, 23 Black Mt. Rd., Jackson, info./hours: 603-383-4060, www.jacksonhistory.org
Ladies of the Lake Quilt Guild, meets second and fourth Wednesdays of each month, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. at First Congregational Church, 115 Main St., Wolfeboro. A second group meets first and third Tuesday of each month at Community Center, 22 Lehner St., Wolfeboro, www.llqg.net.
Live Music While Making Art, 4 – 6 p.m., make something unique, come with family and friends or alone, no experience necessary, Aplomb Project, 262 Central St., Dover, 603-208-3300, reservations recommended: www.theaplombproject.org
Majestic Café, jazz, blues, and more, 34 Main St., Conway, 603-447-4737, mountaintopmusic.org.
Making Strides, 8 – 9 a.m., daily drop-in walking for groups or singles, Ossipee Town Hall, no pre-registration required, 55 Main St., Center Ossipee, www.ossipee.recdesk. com.
NE Ski Museum, ski exhibits, 2628 White Mt. Highway, North Conway, www. newenglandskimuseum.org.
Open Mic Night at the Medallion, 6 - 8 p.m., free, first Wed. of each month, Medallion Opera House, 30 Park St., Gorham, 603-466-3322, www.medallionoperahouse.org
Poetry Group 2026, 4 p.m., meets monthly, Conway Public Library, 15 Greenwood Ave., Conway, 603-447-552, schedule: www.conwaypubliclibrary.org
Roller Skating Night, 5 p.m., Mondays, bring your own skates, for age 18 and up, Ossipee Town Hall, 55 Main St., Ossipee, info/updates: 603-539-1307, www.ossipee.org.
Second Saturday Contradance, Tamworth Outing Club, 7:30 – 10 p.m., Tamworth Town House, 27 Cleveland Hill Rd., Tamworth, admission charged, info.: Amy Berrier 603-651-5800 or Teresa Fournier at 978-609-2181.
Snow Coach Tours, take a trip up Mt. Washington, Great Glen Trails, Gorham, pre-register: 603-466-3988, www.greatglentrails.com
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
Tamworth Farmer’s Market, Saturdays, 9 a.m. - noon, 30 Tamworth Road, Tamworth, info: www.tamworthfarmersmarket.org.
Tamworth History Center, 25 Great Hill Rd., Tamworth, info: 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 Recipe Club, 12:30 – 1:30 p.m., meets monthly, Pope Memorial Library, 2719 White Mountain Highway, S. Main St., N. Conway, 603-356-2961, www.popelibrarynh. org.
Thursday Night Book Club, meets fourth Thursday of every month for discussion of books; Mystery Book Club meets second Thursday of the month, White Birch Books, 2568 White Mt. Highway, North Conway, 603-356-3200, www.whitebirchbooks.com.
Winter Adventures for Women at the NH BOW Winter Workshop
Registration is openfor New Hampshire’s 2026 Becoming an Outdoors Woman (BOW) Winter Workshop, a one-day program where women will learn outdoor skills to enjoy during the winter months.
A fee of $100 covers the workshop, lunch, and most equipment use. Participants must be at least 18 years of age.
The Winter BOW workshop will be held on Saturday, February 21, at the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department’s Owl Brook Hunter Education Center in Holderness. Participants focus on one outdoor activity during the day-long workshop. This year’s choices include ice-fishing, winter outdoor survival, snowshoeing and wildlife tracking, winter hiking, and “Shoe and Shoot” (woodland target shooting on snowshoes). Information about each course is available at www nhbow.com.
• Yesteryear continued from page 5
always counted as among his favorite places. He was lured back by his memories and made another trip to the Saco River and North Conway in 1850. Champney eventually married and decided to move to the area. He bought a home in the mountains, and it became his permanent summer home. By 1855, many artists were on the scene, and they could be glimpsed at their easels in fields and on mountain trails as they strove to interpret the area on canvas.
According to an article by Christine Hamm called “White Mountain Painting,” North Conway had about 40 artists among its summer residences by the mid 1800s.
The largely untamed area was perfect for working artists, but it must have been a place where vacationers and tourists found travel difficult. Roads were crude, and lodgings not easy to find until the big hotels sprang up.
For those who painted the area, it was necessary to be in good shape to physically reach remote areas, including mountain trails. They also had to be prepared to camp out in the wilderness or to find lodgings at remote farms.
All registration takes place online; to sign up, visit www.nhbow.com, where you will be directed to the event registration page. If the program is full, please check back to see if spaces have opened through cancellations.
New Hampshire BOW programs are co-sponsored by the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department (www. wildnh.com) and the New Hampshire Wildlife Federation (www.nhwf.org), a nonprofit group that advocates for the promotion and protection of hunting, fishing, and trapping, as well as the conservation of fish and wildlife habitat.
If any artist was said to be dedicated to White Mountain painting, it was surely Samuel Gerry. By 1885, Gerry had reached the age of 72, which was quite elderly in those days. His work had fallen out of popularity as times changed over the years. Many assumed he would work only from the comfort of a secure studio. However, the mountains called, and at one point, a hiker stumbled upon Gerry, then 76 years of age, still painting. He described Gerry as having “the fire of youth in his views” as seen in his beautiful paintings.
Gerry continued to paint in the White Mountains and other New England areas as well. His Boston studio was full of his artwork after his death at age 78; many of the paintings were of his beloved White Mountains.
A news piece in the White Mountain Echo in 1898 relayed that “Miss Matha L.Gerry is staying at the Sunset Hill House in Sugar Hill.” Miss Gerry at that time had on exhibit a large number of her father’s paintings and sketches.
It can be assured that some of those paintings were of the many scenes of the mountains that the artist, like many others, fell in love with over the years.
Open Snowmobile Registration Weekend is February 27 – March 1, 2026
The winter snow is covering much of the Granite State, which means it’s time for snowmobile enthusiasts nationwide to start planning for New Hampshire’s Open Snowmobile Registration weekend. From Friday, February 27, through Sunday, March 1, 2026, riders from throughout New England, as well as those from all around the U.S. and Canada, will have the opportunity to explore the over 7,000 miles of picturesque trails New Hampshire has to offer snowmobilers.
During the 3-day Open Snowmobile Registration Weekend, sleds legally registered to ride in other states and provinces will be able to operate on New Hampshire’s trails without having to register in the state. All other New Hampshire laws and regulations regarding the operation of snowmobiles will be enforced, including speed limits, safety equipment, carrying signed landowner permission letters, compliant exhaust systems relative to noise and decibel levels, and youth operation standards.
“This weekend is one of the high-
lights of the winter for many resident and nonresident riders,” said NH Fish and Game Law Enforcement Captain Michael Eastman, who coordinates snowmobile and off-highway recreational vehicle enforcement, registration, and safety education for the Department. “It’s a great opportunity for residents and visitors alike to explore some of the most beautiful parts of the state that can be most easily accessed by snowmobile in the winter.”
Open Snowmobile Registration Weekend is an annual event, and New Hampshire resident snowmobile enthusiasts should look to other New England states and Canadian provinces for similar Open Snowmobile Registration weekends in January and February of 2026.
For information on snowmobiling, including rules and regulations in New Hampshire, visit www.eregulations. com/newhampshire/ohrv. Learn more about New Hampshire’s extensive trail system at www.nhtrails.org. Become familiar with local snowmobile clubs and services at www.nhsa.com.
Warm Up Corner
Tips to make soup more nutritious
Soup is a dish that wears many hats. When the weather becomes chilly, people often turn to soup to warm themselves up from the inside out. Soup, especially when paired with a favorite sandwich, also can be a simple and light meal when one doesn’t want to spend too much time in the kitchen. Soup has been heralded as a remedy as well, a reputation that dates back thousands of years. In the twelfth century, Egyptian Jewish physician Moshe ben Maimonides prescribed chicken soup as a treatment for respiratory tract issues. And Penn Medicine suggests eating soup while ill is a good idea because the meal is nourishing, easy to digest and often full of nutritious components.
People may wonder what they can do to tweak their favorite soups to make them even more nutritious, as many modern soups have gained a reputation as being sodium-heavy. These ideas can give soup a powerful boost.
•Use a higher ratio of vegetables in the soup when compared to meats and grains. Vegetables are notoriously high in nutrients that the body needs to stay healthy, including antioxidants and vitamins.
• Make your own soup stock from fresh ingredients. Doing so helps retain control over what goes into the soup, helping to reduce potential additives or other ingredients like sugar and sodium.
•Vary the color of the vegetables. Aim for vegetables of at least three different colors. The colors of the vegetables often correspond to the nutrients and phytochemicals they contain. For example, carrots are high in beta-carotene. Beta carotene converts into vitamin A, which is necessary for eye health, healthy skin and a strong immune system.
•Replace the cream in soups with healthier ingredients. Soups that are cream-based tend to be loaded with calories and saturated fat. Instead, use Greek yogurt at the end (to prevent curdling) or even low-fat cottage cheese to amp up the protein content and give the soup a creamy consistency without the fat. Silken tofu or even a vegetable purée made from potato and cauliflower can add creaminess as well.
•Swap meat for lean proteins in the soup. Lentils, for example, are a plant protein rich in flavor and nutrition. According to UC Davis Health, lentils have about 18 grams of protein per cup and also are high in fiber. Relatively inexpensive, lentils also can help keep meal budgets in check. Alternative legumes also can work in soups, as can seafood or lean poultry.
•Add texture to the soup. Pumpkin seeds or flax seeds have taste and texture, and can be a healthier option for topping soups over buttery croutons or crackers.
•Keep ingredients “whole” in the soup. Lean on whole grains, fibrous vegetables, fresh herbs, and lean meats to build a well rounded soup that’s bursting with nutrition.
•Add some turmeric and ginger. If the flavor profile allows, incorporate some fresh turmeric and ginger to the soup. Health magazine says these ingredients are part of the same plant family and have been used in traditional medicine in India and China for centuries. Both are known for reducing inflammation and alleviating symptoms of digestive disease.
Experiment with different ingredients to create soups that are not only delicious, but nutritious as well.
Romance in the White Mountains
By Kathi Caldwell-Hopper
Winter is a time to get cozy with your special someone at a romantic inn or hotel. With Valentine’s Day an event to enliven the deep winter after the Christmas holidays, couples relish a weekend –or even midweek – getaway.
The White Mountains are a great place to enjoy a meal, a stay at a beautiful country inn, or other lodgings, and also to indulge in some handmade sweets.
For those who love a luxurious lodging experience, the White Mountain Hotel and Resort in North Conway is the place to go.
What makes this hotel so romantic? Says Jillian Moulton, the hotel’s marketing manager, “The hotel is in a serene setting with panoramic views of the White Mountains - a naturally romantic backdrop year-round. Couples can enjoy great amenities like the outdoor heated pool and hot tub, fire pits overlooking scenic vistas, and a co-ed Himalayan salt sauna, which is perfect for unwinding together after a day of hiking, skiing, or exploring local trails. Romance is further enhanced by peaceful wooded surroundings and seasonal outdoor veranda dining with mountain views.”
If this is your idea of a romantic way to spend some alone time with your loved one, you can further enhance your experience with the resort’s Balance Spa, which offers private and couples massages and treatments. It is truly a relaxing, intimate experience for couples looking to connect and recharge together.
Call the White Mountain Hotel and Resort at 800-533-6301 for details.
The Wakefield Inn & Restaurant is just about as charmingly country as one can get when seeking a romantic stay. Says the inn’s general manager, Sabin Beckwith, “We are located in a very historic setting. The inn is known for its caring staff and romantic rooms.”
The Wakefield Inn & Restaurant was formerly known as the Spiral Staircase Inn and the Elmwood Inn, and it dates to 1804. It was originally built for Seaman William Frost, who wanted to own the largest, tallest (three stories), and grandest home in Wakefield Corner. In 1890, the home was converted to an inn, where guests, for many years, were transported by stagecoach.
To brighten wintertime doldrums, a date night is always a great solution. Tuesdays are Date Night at the Wakefield Inn. Offered is a three-course dinner for two from the date night menu with delicious entrees and desserts.
If you are looking for a quiet and relaxing country getaway, the Wakefield Inn is the place to stay for an entire weekend or a mid-week choice. The inn’s interior is being decorated this winter in a romantic vintage chic vibe.
The Wakefield Inn is popular with all ages, from younger couples to those in their golden years. All that is necessary, according to Beckwith, is a desire to get away, be pampered, and enjoy the country location. He says the inn is a great place to break away from the hustle of everyday life and experience the serene country location.
Also at the Wakefield Inn is a restaurant with carefully prepared dishes, just right for a romantic getaway. The Wakefield Inn, a Province Lake Golf Property, is located at 2723 Wakefield Road in Wakefield. Call 603-522-8272.
Says Beckwith when asked about things to do in the vicinity, “There are a lot of cute businesses right in the area.” One such shop is the Wright Chocolate House in nearby Limerick, Maine, with a variety of handmade confections for Valentine’s Day or anytime you want to treat your sweetheart.
Additionally, the Bavarian Chocolate Haus is located at 2483 White Mountain Highway in North Conway (with a second shop in Bridgton, Maine). Choose from a variety of delicious confections offered at the old-fashioned chocolate shop, where all chocolate confections are made by hand. Call 603-356-2663.
The definition of a cozy, charming, and blissful place during the winter months when romance is in the air is the Christmas Farm Inn and Spa in Jackson.
Historically, the original buildingthe front section of the red house - was built more than 200 years ago. This Cape Cod-style “saltbox”, believed to have been built in 1778, was once a farmhouse. In the 1880s, it was turned into an inn and continues to serve lodgers today.
But “lodging” at the inn is far beyond a simple “room for the night” experience, with romance packages abounding. A popular Couples Getaway includes a relaxing two-night stay at the Carriage House Suites, a full breakfast for two each morning, and a welcome basket with champagne, chocolate truffles, and a couples’ card game waiting in the room upon arrival.
For those looking for a spa experience as the ultimate way to relax, part of the getaway can be a Relaxation Hour in the inn’s steam room at The Spa in the Carriage House.
Couples needn’t leave the property but instead enjoy a meal on-site at the inn’s restaurant. Call 603-383-4313 to book a stay.
For couples looking for something unique, romantic, and musical, a stay at the Inn at Crystal Lake Bed and Breakfast, located at 2356 Eaton Road in Eaton, is the place to be. Says innkeeper/ co-owner Tim Ostendorf, “We have been partnering with the Stone Moun-
tain Arts Center in Brownfield, Maine since they opened almost 20 years ago. Many guests book our concert packages (which include lodging, concert tickets, transportation to and from the
venue, and breakfast the next morning) for anniversaries, wedding presents, and of course, romantic getaways.” (A full concert line-up can be viewed at www.stonemountainartscenter.com.)
Ostendorf adds, when speaking of romantic inn opportunities, “I just booked a concert package for a Valentine’s Day present. Many people think of our inn when they want a relaxing stay.”
The circa 1848 inn is full of charm, with romantic country inn rooms and, of course, a delicious full country breakfast the following morning. Call 603-447-2120 for details.
Wintertime truly means romance, and the charming country inns, relaxing spa packages, dinners, and everything from handmade chocolates to top-notch concerts create many options amidst the White Mountains to keep love alive.
Dawn Marion Art Exhibition at Sanbornville’s Gafney Library
The Gafney Library, in Sanbornville, will be displaying an exhibit of works by local artist Dawn Marion through January.
Marion grew up in Center Ossipee. Her work has been shown in Minnesota, North Dakota, Kentucky, and Texas, as well as New Hampshire. She has illustrated over a dozen books, and her artwork has also appeared as illustrations in several literary magazines. She studied en plein aire painting with Stony Jacobs in Whitefield, N.H., and loves painting outdoors. She has painted large “porch paintings,” decorated antique wooden ironing boards, developed a line of artistic cards, and published a book with her husband titled “Working on Becoming Invisible.”
Marion will be presenting an exhibit that includes examples of her book illustrations as well as many works on canvas. Each piece illustrates a story, often with stylized effects, with symbols drawn from her personal iconog-
raphy, or with a warm infusion of light and atmosphere that conveys her feelings for the subject. She is noted for her attention to detail, especially in the fine pen work of her illustrations and sometimes whimsical subjects. For more information, you can visit her website, www.dawnmarion.com.
The exhibit is open and free, and the public is encouraged to visit the library and explore. Library hours are Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, 12 to 7 pm, Friday 9 am to 2 pm, and Saturday, 9 am to 1 pm. Please join Marion for an artist’s reception on Saturday, January 24, from 10 am to noon, where she will be happy to meet members of the public and talk about her exhibit. Refreshments will be available.
The Gafney Library is located at 14 High Street in Sanbornville. For more information, please contact Gafney Library at (603) 522-3401 or visit www. gafneylibrary.org.
‘Big Nansen’ Is Joined By Smaller Jumps As Work Continues
By Thomas P. Caldwell
A group of ski-jumping enthusiasts is restoring Big Nansen, off Route 16, which stands 171 feet high with a 310-foot runway. Big Nansen was the site of the first Olympic ski-jumping tryouts in 1938, and the Fédération internationale de ski (International Ski Federation, or FIS), which had formed in 1924 during the first Olympic Games in Chamonix, France, held its world championships at Big Nansen in 1939, attracting 25,000 spectators.
The United States National Ski Jumping Cham-pionships took place there in 1940, 1957, 1965, and 1972.
The last jumping event at Big Nansen occurred in March 1985, and the jump was closed in 1988, leading to its being known as the “sleeping giant”. By 2011, with the slope overgrown and the ski jump in disrepair, the state erected a historical marker at the site, and the jump was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2019 in recognition of its architecture as well as its role in U.S. ski-jumping history.
Meanwhile, a Friends of Nansen Ski Jump group formed and, in 2015, began clearing the property of its overgrowth. With help from the New Hampshire Bureau of Historic Sites, they developed plans to restore the landscape and create a historic park with picnic areas and interpretative panels to present its history to those who were unfamiliar with the importance of the ski jump.
hired Knollstone Contracting to rebuild the staircase leading up the hill to the jump. They also exposed a terraced seating area below the landing. By December of that year, the crew began the process of re-decking the deteriorated wooden platform and run.
Complete Pet Care
In the summer of 2016, the Friends
The project caught the attention of former world champion ski jumper Sarah Hendrickson, whose parents had been star alpine and cross-country skiers at Plymouth Regional High School. With support from energy drink-maker Red Bull, Hendrickson and Anna Hoffman, a member of the USA Women’s Ski Jumping junior team, made runs down the restored Big Nansen in
March 2017.
Enthusiasm from Sarah’s jump led the Friends of Big Nansen to pursue a full restoration of the site. Scott Halvorson, grandson of Nansen Ski Club member Alf Halvorson, who had led the effort to build the ski jump in 1936, was instrumental in the effort to restore the jump for elite competition.
The Nansen Ski Club and Friends of Nansen Ski Jump obtained a $250,000 grant through the Northern Border Regional Commission to assist in the revitalization of the ski jump.
With matching funds through private donations and the state’s Moose Plate, the committee hired CBS Squared,
Inc., to help design improvements that would allow sanctioned jumping events to re-turn to the facility. The New Hampshire Department of Natural and Cultural Resources also hired the local firm HEB Engineers, Inc., to design new code-compliant stairs to the jump structure, as well as to evaluate the ski jump in light of regular use. The firm found that some of the steel members were overstressed and would have to be replaced or reinforced. The state would cover the cost of a new steel staircase to the jump takeoff.
The local committee originally planned to do all the work in one construction season, but with the complexity of the revised plan and the increase in the cost of materials, the group decided to take a phased approach.
Origins
Scandinavians who came to the area to work in the paper mills brought with them a dedication to skiing, and they formed the Nansen Ski Club in 1882. Five decades later, Alf Halvorson spearheaded the effort to build the Big Nansen Ski Jump, named for Greenland explorer Fridjof Nansen, between 1936 and 1938, with the project made possible through a partnership between the National Youth Administration, which supplied the labor, and the City of Berlin, which provided the financing.
The Nansen Ski Club had held its •Nansen continued on page 13
Gianni Russo: Luck, Legends, Life Well Lived – and an Evening You Can’t Refuse
By Kelly Ross
One of my favorite lines ever in my life, which I first heard on the golf course years ago, is “I’d rather be lucky than good,” which certainly applied to my golf game, and to my writing life right now. I have always enjoyed writing, and although I think I’m decent at it, I was given an opportunity that I will put into the “lucky” category, as the powers that be at The Laker asked me if I would be interested in interviewing with Gianni Russo. I think it is safe to say that much of the older population has not only heard of but watched the movie The Godfather many times, just like me.
Mr. Russo played the role of Carlos Rizzi, the young groom at the wedding, to start the movie as he was marrying the Godfather’s only daughter, played by Talia Shire. His role was tough for many to watch as he abused his wife, was a traitor to the Corleone family, resulting in the death of Sonny, and eventually his own death at the end of the movie. Many of my favorite movies are well known for some classic lines, but when you hear lines such as, “Leave the gun, take the cannoli”, or “Luca Brasi sleeps with the fishes”, and maybe most famously, “I’ll make him an offer he can’t refuse”, we all know the movie is The Godfather, arguably the best movie of all time. When this newspaper asked me if I would be interested in interviewing Mr. Gianni Russo, being the giant fan of The Godfather that I am, not only did I know exactly who he is, but the answer would be an immediate “YES!”. I was lucky enough to speak to Gianni for 45 minutes, and not only could I have spoken to him for an entire weekend, but he was also amazingly gracious, sharing anything and
•Nansen continued on page 12
first winter carnival in 1922, and it celebrated the carnival’s 100th anniversary in January 2022. While raising money for the restoration of Big Nansen, supporters built two smaller jumps, the 39-meter “Little Nansen” and the 10-meter “Li’l Nansen”, alongside the big jump. The committee obtained a $40,000 Northern Forest Outdoor Recreation grant to do the small hill work. The committee had hired Lee T. Corrigan, LLC, to complete the Phase I improve-ments at a cost of $315,000, but Corrigan also submitted the low bid for the “small hills” project.
“Both the profile work and the false knoll are so the ‘jumper’ would never be too far off the ground for safety reasons,” Scott Halverson explained.“In the ‘old days,’ that was less of a concern, so jumpers upon takeoff would liken it to ‘dropping down an elevator shaft.’ Modern ski jumping is much safer, and precise engineering is in-
everything about his very full life, as he is one of the busiest men that I have ever met. We spoke the day after his 82nd birthday.
His life was hardly easy as a kid, but he forged through it all to become an enormously successful actor, mobster, restaurateur, businessman, motivational speaker, musician, have a clothing line, owner of Corleone Fine Italian Foods and Vodka, with great Godfather connotations, I might add, as well as an established author. His latest book, Mafia Secrets, Untold Tales from the Hollywood Godfather, is selling very well and he is doing a local book tour/signing, which includes dinner and an 80 minute show featuring his many stories and pictures/videos of his storied life with the likes of Frank Sinatra, Marilyn Monroe, Marlon Brando, as well as many famous mob names including Frank Costello. He shows are on Wednesday, January 28,at Purity Springs/King Pine in Madison from 6 to 8:30 pm and the following night at The Christmas Farm Inn in Jackson, also from 6 - 8:30
volved in every step.”
Little Nansen, built in the fall of 2021, is about half the size of Big Nansen and serves as a “bridge” to the big one, helping to reestablish the sport with today’s youths. The first jumping com-petition took place on January 23, 2022. Three days later, the New Hampshire Interscholastic Athletic Association held a high school meet there, bringing together clubs from all over the east and high schools from across the state.
After that, the Friends were able to build starting platforms and an in-run plywood deck, with a steel/ceramic inrun track. That meant that snow would no longer be necessary to use the inrun. Two jumping events occurred in 2023, including the NHIAA State High School Ski Jumping Cham-pionships. The phased work continues today.
During an earlier interview, Scott said, “If you drove by or saw pictures of the jump in 2014, you’ll know what a miracle all of this is.”
pm. After reading the rest of this article, you will understand why these shows are called “An Evening You Can’t Refuse”. There is no doubt in my mind that this will be an epic evening I will never forget.
As a young boy living in The Bronx and Little Italy, he was diagnosed with polio and was forced to stay in a mental hospital for 7 years, as that was what was sadly done with polio cases. When released, he was weak and grabbed a job in a bakery mixing and kneading over 50 lbs. of flour into bread dough every day, which strengthened his arms and legs as well, as he was on his feet a lot. He was nicknamed “The Kid” by mobster Frank Costello, for whom Gianni did miscellaneous jobs. When he reached the age of 15, he was working as a shampoo boy for young actresses, including Marilyn Monroe, which was the start of a friendship, at times romantic, that lasted until her death. Gianni, as well as fa-
mous writer James Patterson, are among many big names pushing for a national petition to have Ms. Monroe’s death certificate changed from suicide to homicide. Their case for this is very compelling, and if you go to Mr. Russo’s website, I think you will be intrigued enough to sign it. This will be a major topic of his dinner shows.
Although with no acting experience, he was given the role of Carlos Rizzi in The Godfather through some of his connections, and although most of the cast were relatively new to the movie business, they were all very talented and educated thespians. Marlon Brando, the biggest star in the movie, wasn’t overly impressed early on with Gianni but after a few back and forth “discussions”, Mr. Brando took Gianni under his wing and gave him a bunch of “on the job” training which not only made the part of Carlos very believable, it was the start of a wonderful friendship, to the point Gianni hired Marlon for a movie of his, The Freshman, a classic satire on mob movies, and a movie that gave Mr. Brando his biggest movie pay day ever. Gianni got to know Brando’s family well, including the tragedies that the family had to deal with.
Besides his books, especially the new one, Mafia Secrets, which is a #1 best seller, his line of Corleone Fine Italian Foods and Vodka continues to keep Gianni very busy, especially with his present book tour going on. As for the food line, he purchased the rights to the Cor-
•Russo continued on page 14
Gianni Russo as Carlos Rizzi in The Godfather.
•Russo continued from page 13
leone name and has Genko Olive Oil from the movie, and has a few great names for some of his sauces, such as Clemenza’s Meat Sauce and Fredo’s Alfredo, which makes me smile.
Gianni has acted in many movies and television shows over the years, as well as doing behind-the-scenes work. He’s also recorded a CD that is a tribute to his friends Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin, named Reflections. Gianni’s friendship with Mr. Sinatra is legendary and lasted for many years, and Frank was huge as a singing coach to Gianni. In one of my favorite quotes from Mr. Russo, he mentioned, “I am likely the only person ever to have had Marlon Brando as a personal acting coach and Frank Sinatra as a personal singing coach.” That is a small part of a very cool and outstanding life, and his stories, combined with his famous friends, had me on the edge of my seat throughout the interview.
He is gracious, brutally honest, and has an amazing sense of humor. I felt I had known him all my life. His schedule, with all he has going on, had me exhausted, and I’m 20 years younger than him. He still proudly lives in NYC.
Again, Gianni’s two upcoming shows in the Mt Washington Valley are on January 28 and 29 with an amazing show from a living legend, whom I am honored to say I’ve interviewed. Dinner is part of the package, accompanied by Gianni’s incredible life and his very fun way with words; it is guaranteed to have you feeling almost all emotions possible. If you’re there and meet him, please tell him I sent you his way.
To check out his amazing life and find a little more info on what to expect if you go see him live, as well as info on getting tickets, visit http://www.giannirusso.com.
I hope to see many of you there because there is no way I’m going to miss it!
Winter Issue Now Available
Dining Out in the Lakes Region Available at Hundreds of Locations around the Lakes Region!
Winter Shines Bright at Stone Mountain Arts Center
Stone Mountain Arts Center (SMAC), nestled in the foothills of the White Mountains in Brownfield, Maine, has a vibrant winter lineup of concerts to explore.
SMAC presents “On a Winter’s Night” (January 20), a gathering of songwriters in an intimate setting, followed by a high-energy country evening with The Gibson Brothers on January 23, and an unforgettable performance by Los Lobos, whose rich Latino rock sound takes over on January 29. Wrapping up January, Ward Hayden & the Outliers deliver their signature twangy rock and early rock ’n’ roll on January 31.February brings an exceptional collaboration on February 1, when Edgar Meyer (bass), Mike Marshall (mandolin), and George Meyer (violin)—masters of American music—take the stage. February 14 will feature Maine singer Griffin William Sherry. Then, on February 15, SMAC hosts a “Pay What You Can” matinee featuring the Canadian folk ensemble The Fretless along with Swedish folk duo Väsen, blending fiddle, nyckelharpa, and genre-bending arrangements. Com-
edy makes a welcome return on February 18 with Bob Marley, followed by a soul-stirring evening with Mavis Staples, gospel and civil rights legend, on February 19. The Irish superstars of Lúnasa bring traditional Celtic energy on February 21, before singer-songwriters Lori McKenna and special guest Mark Erelli offer heartfelt storytelling on February 27, and blues legend Robert Cray Band closes out February on the 28th with a powerful performance. This season of performances highlights SMAC’s commitment to a rich diversity of musical experiences—folk, country, rock, Celtic, and blues—set in its signature intimate and warm barn-like hall. Tickets are on sale now via SMAC’s website or box office; due to limited capacity, early reservation is strongly encouraged. These are but a few of the many scheduled shows; for more information, visit stonemountainartscenter.com or call 207-9357292.
The Stone Mountain Arts Center is located at 695 Dugway Road in Brownfield, Maine.
