Safeguarding the Scenic: Inside the Chocorua Lake Conservancy
By Mike Moore
There isn’t a bad time of year to be traveling along Route 16 headed north toward the majestic views of the White Mountains. Just past the quaint little building-lined section of Chocorua Village, the road starts to descend onto the Chocorua Lake Basin, where drivers and their passengers get treated to some of the most amazing scenery in New England.
Beyond the trees along the left side of the highway sits Little Lake, which, as evidenced by its name, could be missed in the blink of an eye. But Little Lake connects to the larger, picturesque Chocorua Lake by way of the very small, stream-like Chocorua River. Towering over everything is the peak of Mount Chocorua. Every bit of lakefront provides views that would be beyond the wildest dreams of a scenic painter, from the forest that runs right along every bit of shoreline to the various wooden bridges connecting the picnic areas and hiking trails. Visitors and residents alike might first notice that there are no commercial buildings or billboards along the road. And the pristine waters of the lake always seem smooth, and there isn’t a motorized boat to be found.
There is a very good reason that the natural beauty of the Basin remains as remarkable today as it was for hundreds of years. The Chocorua Lake Conservancy owns and manages 800 acres of land and additionally helps protect another 2500 acres through easements, ensuring the ecology of the entire area remains undisturbed by development. This nonprofit land trust formed in 1968, but it was visitors and settlers from the late 1800s who first fell in love with the area and felt the need and the passion to preserve it. When tourism increased during the 20th century, rapid commercial development turned peaceful hiking and fishing spots
around northern New England into commercialized vacation destinations. Those loyal to the Chocorua Lake area wanted to resist that, so the mission to ensure “that human activities should not encroach upon the natural beauty and splendor of the Chocorua Lake Basin” would be an unwritten agreement for nearly 100 years.
The agreement became formal when two conservancies formed in the late 60s, the Chocorua Lake Association (CLA) and Chocorua Lake Conservation Foundation (CLCF). The two groups merged in 2014 to form the Chocorua Lake Conservancy, but the goal of the new collective would remain the same. Not only do they protect the natural resources of the Basin and the surrounding area, they also put on events throughout the year to help encourage people to visit and learn about this natural wonder. To this day,
the area owned by the conservancy is still restricted to residential use. For the land that isn’t owned by the CLC, they’ve agreed to numerous conservation easements, where they’ve agreed to a partnership with neighboring owners. The legal agreement outlines a dual effort to limit the development of the land they own and to further perpetuate all conservation efforts. Getting all agreements official from a legal perspective on the easements is a lengthy task, so the CLC works tirelessly to do their part in this shared effort to main-
tain the forests and wetlands.
Throughout the last half century, the Chocorua Lake Conservancy has accomplished quite a bit in its pursuit of preservation. A large portion of their conservation efforts involves keeping the lake waters clean. Working with local universities and state agencies, they’ve incorporated water quality monitoring efforts that include creating a filtering system that prevents phosphorus sediments from entering the lake. And by registering the area as a Historic District, they’ve been able to preserve over 150 historic buildings and structures throughout the Basin.
In addition to their commitment to maintaining clean waters, the CLC’s greatest accomplishment might be preventing commercial development and ensuring the residential development is subtle, with no houses or yards visible to visitors who are encouraged to come and enjoy the lakes and hiking trails. The group has even worked with state lawmakers to continue the ban on motorized boats in Chocorua Lake, which the group helped get passed into law over 50 years ago. Enforcing these standards creates a perfect environment for local residents and vacationers alike to enjoy the lake and surrounding trails at any point throughout the four seasons. The lake is ideal for canoeing and kayaking in the summer, while ice fishing and sled dog races are popular wintertime events that people come to • CLC continued on page 4
Photo courtesy of Chocorua Lake Conservancy Facbook Page
Building Tours Open for Season at Remick Museum
Tours at Tamworth’s Remick Country Doctor Museum and Farm are once again available on Thursdays from June 26 through August 28 at 11 am.
The Remick family settled in Tamworth in 1790, and over the next 200+ years, six generations made many changes and created lasting stories on the farmstead. Enjoy a stroll around the grounds as we explore the history and stories made over those two centuries.
The Building Tour will focus on the history of the farmstead as there are no animals on the grounds at this time.
Tours are limited to 12 visitors and last approximately 1 hour. Free for members, a $5 donation is suggested. Ages 12+, ages 17 and under must be accompanied by an adult. Registration at the front desk is required by 10:45 am (15 minutes before the tour start time), and pre-registration is welcome by calling (603) 323-7591 or emailing info@ remickmuseum.org. Building Tours are part of the Summer at the Farmstead schedule; for more information, visit remickmuseum.org.
• CLC continued from page 3
Chocorua for. For the area surrounding the lake, the legendary Narrows Bridge, deemed one of the most photographed areas in New England, sits just off the highway between the two lakes. If planning to take to the hiking trails, there are a multitude of astounding views of the White Mountains and a countless number of plants and wildlife to discover. Mount Chocorua is a popular mountain for the avid hiker, with several trails to choose from that will lead up over 3000 feet to one of the more spectacular views in New England. The CLC’s website offers trail maps and hiking guides for those looking to explore.
ture conservation called Next Gen for Conservation. The event will be held Wednesday, June 18 from 5:30 to 7:30 pm at the Cheese Louise restaurant in North Conway. It gives young people a great opportunity to learn about what a conservation trust does, while also getting the chance to meet other young people with a passion for preserving their beautiful region. The success of the CLC’s efforts over the years led the trust to employ a full-time director for the stewardship program. Debra Marnich fills this role currently, bringing a wealth of experience from her time with the Natural Resources Conservation Service as well as a Master’s degree in Forestry.
Publishing Group, LLC
Panoramic Publishing Group/The Laker
P.O. Box 119, Wolfeboro Falls, NH 03896 603-569-5257 pressreleases@thelaker.com • lkr@thelaker.com • www.thelaker.com
The board members of the Chocorua Lake Conservancy commit their time and efforts to the group because of their love of the area and passion for preserving nature. But additionally, it is donations and volunteers that help make the mission of the group a reality. Partnering with local businesses and working with community members and visitors are just some of the ways that the CLC continues to make a positive impact for the Chocorua Lake Basin. To kick off the summer, the group will be offering an event for the younger generation interested in na-
There are few places in the world that haven’t been overrun with modern technology and amenities. When spending time at Lake Chocorua Basin, whether appreciating the clean, pristine waters or exploring the best of nature on one of the many hiking trails, the opportunity to tune out the noise and slow down the hectic pace that life brings is one that cannot be passed up. To guarantee this little piece of heaven on earth can be appreciated for generations to come, the Chocorua Lake Conservancy and the surrounding community will continue their efforts to preserve the wondrous forest and waters throughout the basin.
Redstone: A Community Lost
By Kathi Caldwell-Hopper
It was a thriving community many years ago, and workers and their families enjoyed living in Redstone, located in the Mount Washington Valley.
Redstone was built as a “company town,” and it was a good community with a church, storage buildings, a school, a railroad station, a post office, and houses for workers.
Why were there people living in Redstone, an offshoot community of Conway? Redstone had a quarry and employed over 300 men in its heyday. It was a busy place in its prime, from 1900 to the 1940s; it even had a stage for musical and theatrical shows, a post office, and a zip code, according to information at the Conway Public Library. There were about 40 houses, and people from outside Redstone, living in other parts of the Conway area, attended the church near the quarry area.
Although Redstone was an unincorporated community, it was well respected, known for its quarry of “red” granite, which was mined at the location.
Today, the area where the quarry once was located has a ghost-town feel, and cellar holes and traces of the quarry are nostalgic proof of its once busy place in the Conway region.
The history of Redstone is fascinating. The Redstone Granite Quarry was located at the foot of Rattlesnake Mountain and began operation in the 1800s, before finally closing in the 1940s. At one time, it was a bustling business, and many in the area were employed there. An article in the May 17, 1934, issue of the Reporter newspaper relayed that workers of all nationalities were employed at Redstone.
Although unionized, labor troubles were less prevalent than at other such places, and the quarry was a good place to work.
The article went on to say that the Depression years were hurting the quarry’s business, and along with it, the need for stone cutters who had been employed there. Orders dropped off as the economy suffered.
From its start, Redstone employees needed a place to live without enduring a long commute when transportation was slower, and so the Maine and New Hampshire Granite Company built nearby housing for many.
The quarry harvested pink and green granite for New England homes and monuments. At one time, monuments were very popular to honor political leaders and soldiers in conflicts such as the Civil War.
According to “Redstone Granite Quarries” by Steve Swenson and Rick Russack (www.whitemountainhistory. org), the quarry constitutes among the most interesting industrial archeological sites in the state. Imagine a quarry with wires, cables, large coal-fired boilers, and air compressors. Pipes and even railroad tracks were needed for transporting heavy granite stones from the quarries to the stone yard and storage sheds for processing.
In the Reporter newspaper’s March 21, 1929, issue, a front-page story told readers that a large fire at Redstone “amounted to a $200,000 loss.” A large shed was over 5,300 feet in length but was razed by the fire.
The tracks were used by the Maine Central Railroad, which transported raw materials and other supplies and finished stone to and from the quarry
area.
The Redstone Granite Quarry holds hints and traces of its once great industry. The quarry began when the railroad started in the area, and after a fire burned the mountain and wiped out the rattlesnake population. (Lest there is any confusion, there were indeed rattlesnakes in New Hampshire, and the venom of the snakes was extracted for medicinal purposes.)
A road was first made into the area in the 1760s. The fire that wiped out the rattlesnakes exposed the mountainside. At that time, it became obvious there was granite in abundance, and there were four quarries being worked in the area by the early 1900s.
Once the Maine Central line of rail-
road came into the region, a stop at Redstone was added. This was because the quarry had orders for many projects. In the 1860s, bridges were being built across the country, and granite was needed for stone abutments. The granite had good splitting qualities, and Redstone became the Maine and New Hampshire Granite Company with a railroad station built in the late 1880s. With so many skilled men hired and wanting to live in Redstone, a store and homes and a school, and a post office were added. Some of the quarry workers were very skilled and came from
Through June 29, Art in Bloom, Mount Washington Valley Arts Assoc. Gallery, 16 Norcross Circle, N. Conway, 603-356-2787, www.mwvarts.org.
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
June 17, Hoot Night, 7 – 9 p.m., Wildcat Inn & Tavern, 94 Main St., Jackson, 603-3834245, www.wildcatinntavern.com.
June 17, Lecture Series, The Cold War and Decades of Division and Diplomacy, speaker Ron Janowski, 7 – 8 p.m., Wright Museum of WWII, 77 Center St., Wolfeboro, admission/ reservations: 603-569-1212, www.wrightmuseum.org.
June 18, Ballroom Dance Class, 4 – 5 p.m., 6-wk. session, The Gibson Center, 14 Grove St., N. Conway, info./register: 603-356-3231, www.gibsoncenter.org.
June 18, Black Bear Happenings in NH, 6 – 7 p.m., Wolfeboro Public Library, 259 S. Main St., Wolfeboro, 603-569-2428, www.wolfeborolibrary.org
June 18, Speed Trivia, music, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m., Wildcat Inn & Tavern, 94 Main St., Jackson, 603-383-4245, www.wildcatinntavern.com.
July 19, 63rd All Saints Church Summer Fair, 9:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m., housewares, flowers, plants, linens, books, silent auction, 258 S. Main St., Wolfeboro, 978-621-6708, rsxmas25@gmail.com.
June 19, Tusk-Classic Fleetwood Mac Tribute, 8 p.m., Rochester Opera House, 31 Wakefield St., Rochester, 603-335-1992, www.rochesteroperahouse.com
June 20, 7empest: Tool Tribute, 8 p.m., Rochester Opera House, 31 Wakefield St., Rochester, 603-335-1992, www.rochesteroperahouse.com
June 20, Al Shafner, music, 7 – 9 p.m., Wildcat Inn & Tavern, 94 Main St., Jackson, 603383-4245, www.wildcatinntavern.com.
June 20, Alec Kerr Film Series: To Wong Foo Thanks for Everything Julie Newmar!, 7 – 9 p.m., Majestic Theatre, 34 Main St., Conway, 603-447-4737, www.mountaintopmusic.org.
June 21, Children’s Day, NH Farm Museum, 1305 White Mt. Highway, Milton, 603-6527840, www.nhfarmuseum.org.
June 21, Don Who – Don Coulombe, sock hop music from 1950s and 60, 7 p.m., St. Kieran’s Community Center for the Arts, 155 Emery St., Berlin, 603-752-1028, www.stkieranarts.org
June 21, Jonathan Sarty, music, 7:30 – 9:30 p.m., Wildcat Inn & Tavern, 94 Main St., Jackson, 603-383-4245, www.wildcatinntavern.com.
June 21 Miss Maybell and Charlie Judkins, 7:30 p.m., Majestic Theatre, 34 Main St., Conway, 603-447-4737, www.mountaintopmusic.org.
June 22, Patty Larkin, 7 pm, Feel the Barn Concert Series, 1118 Page Hill Rd., Chocorua, 603-323-6169, www.thefarmstand.net
June 22, Solar Gazing, 11 a.m. – 4 p.m., free, Castle in the Clouds, Rte. 171, Moultonborough, pre-registration encouraged: 603-476-5900, www.castleintheclouds.org.
June 23, Los Lobos – An Intimate Evening, 7 pm, Feel the Barn Concert Series, 1118 Page Hill Rd., Chocorua, 603-323-6169, www.thefarmstand.net
June 23 & 24, Beginning Rug with Donna Dunn, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m., League of NH Craftsmen, Center Sandwich Fine Craft Gallery, 32 Main St., Sandwich, pre-register/info.: 603284-6831, https://centersandwich.nhcrafts.org/.
June 24, Hoot Night, 7 – 9 p.m., Wildcat Inn & Tavern, 94 Main St., Jackson, 603-3834245, www.wildcatinntavern.com
June 24, Lecture Series, The Bretton Woods Conference, speaker Dr. Rowland Brucken, 7 – 8 p.m., Wright Museum of WWII, 77 Center St., Wolfeboro, admission/reservations: 603-569-1212, www.wrightmuseum.org.
June 24, White Mountain Milers Summer Trail Race Series, 5:30 – 7 p.m., Tuesdays, Whitaker Woods, 2820 White Mt. Highway, N. Conway, info.: www.whitemountainmilers. org.
June 24-July 29, Big Day Brewing Summer Mountain Bike Series, takes place Tuesdays from 3:30 – 6:45 p.m., all abilities and ages, racers can ride long, short or mini courses, Great Glen Trails Outdoor Center, 1 Mount Washington Auto Rd., Gorham, 603-466-3988, pre-register: www.greatglentrails.com
June 25, 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.
June 25, Introduction to Spinning Yarn with Cathy Crooker, 9 a.m. – 3:30 p.m., League of NH Craftsmen, Center Sandwich Fine Craft Gallery, 32 Main St., Sandwich, pre-register/ info.: 603-284-6831, https://centersandwich.nhcrafts.org/.
June 25, Michael Bradley & Friends concert, 6 – 8 p.m., free, bring lawn chair for seating, Heritage Park, Berlin, 603-752-6060, www.androscogginvalleychamber.com
June 25, Speed Trivia, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m., Wildcat Inn & Tavern, 94 Main St., Jackson, 603383-4245, www.wildcatinntavern.com.
June 25, Theatre Improv Workshop for Middle Schoolers and Teens, 2:45 – 3:45 p.m., for age 10 and up, Conway Public Library, 15 Greenwood Ave., Conway, 603-447-5552, www.conwaypubliclibrary.org.
June 26, Gafney Library Loon Presentation, biology and life history of loons, held at Gafney Library, 14 High St., Sanbornville, info.: Loon Center, 183 Lees Mill Rd., Moultonborough, 603-476-5666, www.loon.org
June 26, I Draw Slow, 7 – 9 p.m., acoustic roots music, Medallion Opera House, 20 Park St., Gorham, 603-723-3421, www.medallionoperahouse.com
June 26-July 5, Something Rotten!, Barnstormers Theatre, 104 Main St., Tamworth, 603323-8500, www.barnstormerstheatre.org.
June 26-July 13, Lerner & Loewe’s My Fair Lady, M&D Playhouse, 2760 White Mt. Highway, N. Conway, 603-733-5275, www.mdplayhouse.com.
June 27, Al Shafner, music, 7 – 9 p.m., Wildcat Inn & Tavern, 94 Main St., Jackson, 603383-4245, www.wildcatinntavern.com.
June 27, Bostyx, 6:30 – 10:30 p.m., tribute band honoring Boston and Styx, Sunset Concert Series, Believe in Books Literacy Foundation, Theater in the Wood, Intervale, tickets/info.: 603-356-9980, www.believeinbooks.org.
June 27, Stories on the Farm, Celia Planted a Root: The Story of Celia Thaxter and Her Island Garden, 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.
June 28, AD/HD – The AC/DC Experience, 8 p.m., Rochester Opera House, 31 Wakefield St., Rochester, 603-335-1992, www.rochesteroperahouse.com
June 28, Bucky Lewis Comedy, 7 – 8:30 p.m., Medallion Opera House, 20 Park St., Gorham, 603-723-3421, www.medallionoperahouse.com
June 28, Exhibit and Open Hours at Tamworth History Center, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m., 25 Great Hill Rd., Tamworth, www.tamworthhistorycenter.org.
June 28, Garden Photography Workshop, with Matt Cohen, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m., held on grounds of Castle in the Clouds, Moultonborough, presented by ArtWorks Gallery, pre-register: 603-323-8041, www.chocoruaartworks.com.
June 28, Jonathan Sarty, music, 7:30 – 9:30 p.m., Wildcat Inn & Tavern, 94 Main St., Jackson, 603-383-4245, www.wildcatinntavern.com.
June 28, Livingston Taylor, 7:30 p.m., Majestic Theatre, 34 Main St., Conway, 603-4474737, www.mountaintopmusic.org.
June 28, NH ATV Day, 8 a.m. - noon, benefit fundraiser for NH ATV Club, Mt. Washington Auto Rd., Gorham, 603-466-3988, www. mt-washington.com.
June 28, NH Beer Trail Basecamp Festival, noon – 4 p.m., Tuckerman Brewing Co., 66 Hobbs St., Conway, 603-447-5400, www.tuckermanbrewing.com.
June 28, Party in the Park, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m., family fun activities, Friends of Constitution Park, 505 Rt. 245, Ossipee, cpossipee@gmail.com.
June 28, Singer/Songwriter Livingston Taylor, 7:30 – 9 p.m., Mountain Top Music, 34 Main St., Conway, 603-447-4737, www.mountaintopmusic.org.
June 28, Touch a Truck, 10 a.m. – noon, family event, free, Constitution Park, 505 Rt. 245, Ossipee, 603-539-1307, recdept@ossipee.org.
June 29, Rhett Miller (from the Old 97s), Feel the Barn Concert Series, 1118 Page Hill Rd., Chocorua, 603-323-6169, www.thefarmstand.net
June 29, Solar Gazing, 11 a.m. – 4 p.m., free, Castle in the Clouds, Rte. 171, Moultonborough, pre-registration encouraged: 603-476-5900, www.castleintheclouds.org.
June 30, Storyteller Papa Joe Gaudet, 5:30 – 6:30 p.m., Pope Memorial Library, 2719 White Mt. Highway, S. Main St., N. Conway, www.popelibrarynh.org.
July 1, Hoot Night, 7 – 9 p.m., Wildcat Inn & Tavern, 94 Main St., Jackson, 603-383-4245, www.wildcatinntavern.com.
July 2, Centennial Celebration on Opening Day, tour museum buildings, free admission, Clark Museum Barn, 233 South Main St., Wolfeboro, 603-569-4997, www.wolfeborohistoricalsociety.org
July 2, Messy Art Day, 4 – 5 p.m., Conway Public Library, 15 Greenwood Ave., Conway, 603-447-5552, www.conwaypubliclibrary.org.
July 2, Summer Music Series & BBQ, 4 – 7 p.m., live music from Fairbank Lodge Patio, Cranmore Mountain Resort, 239 Skimobile Rd., N. Conway, 1-800-SUN-N-SKI, tickets: www.cranmore.com.
July 4, Conway Fourth of July Celebration, 1:30 p.m. parade through Conway village, Schouler Park vendors and entertainment, 9:3o0 p.m. fireworks, www.conwaynhrec.gov
July 4, Entrain, 6:30 – 10:30 p.m., Believe in Books Literacy Foundation, Theater in the Wood, Intervale, tickets/info.: 603-356-9980, www.believeinbooks.org.
July 4, Wolfeboro Fourth of July Parade and Fireworks, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m., theme: American Spirit Highlighting the Spirit of American Patriotism, Main St., Wolfeboro, rain date for parade and fireworks July 5.
July 4-6, Independence Weekend Fair, Gibson Center, 14 Grove St., N. Conway, 603-3563231, www.gibsoncenter.org.
July 5, 5th Annual Car Show at the Nick, 11 a.m. – 2 p.m., The Nick Recreation Park, 10 Trotting Track Rd., Wolfeboro, presented by Wolfeboro Lions Club, 603-651-6598.
July 5, Antique and Vintage Fair, 11 a.m. – 3 p.m., in case of rain fair is cancelled, Clark Museum, 233 South Main St., Wolfeboro, 603-569-4997, www.wolfeborohistoricalsociety. org
July 5, Exhibit and Open Hours at Tamworth History Center, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m., 25 Great Hill Rd., Tamworth, www.tamworthhistorycenter.org.
July 5, Fourth on the Farm, celebration events, food, family fun, NH Farm Museum, 1305 White Mt. Highway, Milton, 603-652-7840, www.nhfarmuseum.org.
July 5, Model Yacht Open House at Bridge Falls Path, 11 a.m. – 2 p.m., Model Yacht Open House, Back Bay Skippers demonstrate and teach the art of sailing miniature vessels off Bridge Falls Path, all ages, no experience needed, by NH Boat Museum, 399 Center St., Wolfeboro, 603-569-4554, www.nhbm.org.
July 5, The Kruger Brothers, 8 pm, Stone Mountain Arts Center, Brownfield, ME, 207935-7292, www.stonemountainartscenter.com
July 5-6, Gunstock 4th of July Weekend Craft Fair, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m., 120 exhibitors, handmade items galore, Joyce’s Craft Shows, free admission, held under tents, friendly, leashed dogs welcome, held at Gunstock, 719 Cherry Valley Rd., Gunstock, Joyce’s Craft Shows, 603-387-1510, www.joycescraftshows.com.
July 6, Sarah Borges featuring Eric “Roscoe” Ambel, Feel the Barn Concert Series, 1118 Page Hill Rd., Chocorua, 603-323-6169, www.thefarmstand.net
July 7-11, Heroic Beginnings, children’s summer camp, Believe in Books Literacy Foundation, Intervale, 603-356-9980, www.believeinbooks.org.
July 9, Comedian Jimmy Tingle, 7 pm, Feel the Barn Concert Series, 1118 Page Hill Rd., Chocorua, 603-323-6169, www.thefarmstand.net
July 9, Story Share, noon – 1 p.m., sharing local stories, tell a story, read a story from town narratives, bring your own lunch, or come and just listen, Tamworth History Center, 25 Great Hill Rd., Tamworth, www.tamworthhistorycenter.org.
July 9, Summer Music Series & BBQ, 4 – 7 p.m., live music from Fairbank Lodge Patio, Cranmore Mountain Resort, 239 Skimobile Rd., N. Conway, 1-800-SUN-N-SKI, tickets: www.cranmore.com.
July 9, Tim Dion concert, 6 – 8 p.m., free, bring lawn chair for seating, Heritage Park, Berlin, 603-752-6060, www.androscogginvalleychamber.com
July 10 & 11, New England Vintage Boat Auction Preview, noon – 5 p.m., NH Boat Museum event, takes place at The Nick, 10 Trotting Track Rd., Wolfeboro, 603-569-4554, www.nhbm.org.
July 10-19, Barefoot in the Park, Barnstormers Theatre, 104 Main St., Tamworth, 603-3238500, www.barnstormerstheatre.org.
July 11, First Fridays Reception, 5-7 p.m., refreshments, conversation and ART, ArtWorks Chocorua Creative Arts Center, 132 Rt. 16, Chocorua, 323-8041, www.chocoruaartworks. com.
2025 Calendar of Events
August 9 • 12 noon to 7:30 p.m.
Old Home Day
A celebration for those who love their town. Purchase a traditional New England Saturday supper. Try your hand at corn hole, horseshoes or cribbage.
Milton residents are half price !
August 9 • 3 p.m. to
August
a.m. to 4 p.m. 17th Great NH Pie Festival
October 4 • 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Harvest Time on the Farm
November 15 • 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Sarah Josepha Hale and the 1863 Thanksgiving on the Farm
December 6 • 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The Victorian Christmas in the 1860’s
Join us for Grandma Libby’s Stories on the Farm on Fridays, 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. from June 27 to August 29. (No Stories on July 4th!)
The stories in 2025 include New Hampshire authors and natives!
Members are free! Non-Members: $8 per child. Always a craft, a snack or a chance to visit with our barnyard animals!
Group & School Tours • Field Trips • Birthday Parties
Visit our website, www.nhfarmmuseum.org, for details or to arrange a group/school tour. Like us on facebook or contact our staff at nhfarmmuseum.info@gmail.org. We are a Blue Star Museum and proud member of the New England Museum Association. 2021 recipient of the Northeast Credit Union LYC Grant.
July 11, New York’s Finest, tribute to Sting & The Police, 6:30 – 10:30 p.m., Believe in Books Literacy Foundation, Theater in the Wood, Intervale, tickets/info.: 603-356-9980, www.believeinbooks.org.
July 11, Stories on the Farm, N is for New Hampshire by Rebecca Rule, 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.
July 11, Super Summer Stone Mountain LIVE, 8 pm, Stone Mountain Arts Center, Brownfield, ME, 207-935-7292, www.stonemountainartscenter.com
July 11-13, On the Green Arts & Crafts Festival, 7/11 & 12: 10 a.m. – 5 p.m., 7/13: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., 120 exhibitors, handmade items galore, Joyce’s Craft Shows, free admission, held under tents, friendly, leashed dogs welcome, held at Brewster Academy, 80 Academy Drive, Rt. 28, Wolfeboro, 603-387-1510, www.joycescraftshows.com.
July 12, Alter Ego, 80s & 90s MTV Style Dance Show, 7:30 – 9 p.m., 603-569-7710, Great Waters Summer Concerts, www.greatwaters.org.
July 12, Concerts in the Clouds, Human Nature, Human Nature/Back to the Sound of MOTOWN, 7:30 – 9 p.m., 603-569-7710, www.greatwaters.org.
July 12, Eric Grant Band, 7 – 9 p.m., Friends of Wolfeboro Bandstand, Cate Park, Main St., Wolfeboro, www.wolfeborobandstand.org.
July 12, Exhibit and Open Hours at Tamworth History Center, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m., 25 Great Hill Rd., Tamworth, www.tamworthhistorycenter.org.
July 12, Granite State Street Rodders, classic cars, refreshments available for purchase, NH Farm Museum, 1305 White Mt. Highway, Milton, 603-652-7840, www.nhfarmuseum. org.
July 12, Heather Masse and Jed Wilson, 8 pm, Stone Mountain Arts Center, Brownfield, ME, 207-935-7292, www.stonemountainartscenter.com
July 12, New England Vintage Boat Auction, 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., NH Boat Museum event, takes place at The Nick, 10 Trotting Track Rd., Wolfeboro, 603-569-4554, www.nhbm.org.
July 12, Tamworth Author Fest, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m., Cook Memorial Library, hosted by Arts Council of Tamworth, 93 Main St., Tamworth, 603-323-8510.
July 12 & 26, Walking Tours with Dr. John Foley, 10 a.m., meet at Wolfeboro Train Station, info.: Clark Museum, 233 South Main St., Wolfeboro, 603-569-4997, www.wolfeborohistoricalsociety.org
July 14-18, Mystery & Magic, children’s summer camp, Believe in Books Literacy Foundation, Intervale, 603-356-9980, www.believeinbooks.org.
July 16, Steve Lefebvre concert, 6 – 8 p.m., free, bring lawn chair for seating, Heritage Park, Berlin, 603-752-6060, www.androscogginvalleychamber.com
$14 Adult • $10 Senior • $8 Juvenile (4-17)
Children under 4 are free Blue Star families are free
Admission: Hours: The New Hampshire Farm Museum tells the story of agriculture and rural life in New Hampshire over three hundred years. We are located on two adjoining historic farmsteads up on scenic Plummer’s Ridge in the town of Milton. We have historic farmhouses, barns, tractor and carriage displays, fields of heirloom vegetables, heritage breed farm animals, picnic tables, a children’s garden, and a great country store filled with New Hampshire made items as well as our own farm fresh eggs.
Open May 14 to October 12
Wednesday-Saturday: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Sundays: 12 noon to 4 p.m.
So bring a picnic and spend a day on the farm!
Closed Mondays and Tuesdays
1305 White Mountain Highway, P.O. Box 644, Milton, NH www.nhfarmmuseum.org • (603) 652-7840
July 16, Summer Music Series & BBQ, 4 – 7 p.m., live music from Fairbank Lodge Patio, Cranmore Mountain Resort, 239 Skimobile Rd., N. Conway, 1-800-SUN-N-SKI, tickets: www.cranmore.com.
July 16, Workshop Day, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m., Tamworth History Center, 25 Great Hill Rd., Tamworth, www.tamworthhistorycenter.org.
July 17, Arts Jubilee Summer Concert Series, 5 - 9 p.m., live music from Fairbank Lodge Patio, Cranmore Mountain Resort, 239 Skimobile Rd., N. Conway, 1-800-SUN-N-SKI, tickets: www.cranmore.com.
July 18, 3rd Junior Lakes Region Open Water Ski, 8 a.m. – 4 p.m., Bridge Falls Path, Back Bay, Wolfeboro, parking in Glendon St. Municipal Parking Lot, Wolfeboro, www. abenakiwaterskiclub.com
July 18, Freddy and Francine, 8 pm, Stone Mountain Arts Center, Brownfield, ME, 207935-7292, www.stonemountainartscenter.com
ArtWorks Chocorua Creative Arts Center, gallery, workshops & events, open year round 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 madeto-order, Eggs Benedict, biscuit and gravy, juice, and coffee. Served the second Sunday of every month. 603-569-4637.
Castle in the Clouds, Rte. 171, Moultonborough, 603-476-5900, www.castleintheclouds. org.
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, reservations: 603-356-5251, station located at 38 Norcross Circle, North Conway, www.conwayscenic.com
First Fridays Receptions, June through Dec., 5-7 p.m., refreshments, conversation & ART. July reception is on July 11. ArtWorks Chocorua Creative Arts Center, 132 Rt. 16, Chocorua, 323-8041, www.chocoruaartworks.com
Gorham Farmers Market, Thursdays from 3 – 6 p.m., (from June 5-Oct. 2), no market on July 3, Gorham Common, 69 Main St., www.gorhamnh.gov
Great Glen Trails, outdoor center/activities, Mt. Washington Auto Rd., Gorham, 603-4663988, www.greatglentrails.com
Open daily May 1 through October 31 Monday—Saturday: 10AM–4PM Sunday: Noon–4PM
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.
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.
Mt. Washington Valley Arts Assoc., 16 Norcross Circle, North Conway, 603-356-2787, www.mwvarts.org.
Mount Washington Valley Farmers Market, Tuesdays from June 17-Oct. 7, 3:30 – 6:30 p.m., North Conway Community Center, 78 Norcross Circle, N. Conway, mwvfarmersmarket@gmail.com, www.mwvfarmersmarket.com.
Naturalist Led Hikes, Tin Mountain Conservation Center, 1245 Bald Hill Rd., Albany, space limited, registration/info.: 603-447-6991, www.tinmountain.org.
NE Ski Museum, ski exhibits, 2628 White Mt. Highway, North Conway, www. newenglandskimuseum.org.
NH Boat Museum, events and exhibits, 130 Whittier Highway, Moultonborough, 603-5694554. Second location: 399 Center St., Wolfeboro, 603-569-4554, www.nhbm.org.
NH Farm Museum, 1305 White Mt. Highway, Milton, 603-652-7840, www.nhfarmmuseum.org
Open Mic Night at the Medallion, 6 - 8 p.m., free, first Wed. of each month, Medallion Opera House, Glen30 Park St., Gorham, 603-466-3322, www.medallionoperahouse.org
Outdoor Nature Based Storytime for Young Children, Tuesdays, 10:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m., Cook Memorial Library, 93 Main St., Tamworth, 603-323-8510, www.tamworthlibrary.org.
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, events, tours, 58 Cleveland Hill Rd., Tamworth, 603-323-7591, www.remickmuseum.org.
Roller Skating Night, 5 p.m., Mondays, bring your own skates, for age 18 and up, Ossipee Town Hall, 55 Main St., Ossipee, info/updates: 603-539-1307, www.ossipee.org.
Second Saturday Contradance, Tamworth Outing Club, 7:30 – 10 p.m., Tamworth Town House, 27 Cleveland Hill Rd., Tamworth, admission charged, info.: Amy Berrier 603-6515800 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., Chocorua, 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
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.
Tin Mountain Conservation Center, 1245 Bald Hill Rd., Albany, programs, hikes, nature learning center, 603-447-6991, www.tinmountain.org.
European areas such as Italy. They brought their families with them, and this swelled the Redstone population, making the offshoot community of Conway/North Conway its own village.
A church was also built, and a tenement and a large boarding house were erected. One house, named the Schooler, housed over 70 men. The owners of the quarry gave employees just about everything they could need, and the boarding house rental fee was taken out of the pay of workers for room and board.
By the late 1880s, around 300 men worked at Redstone, and they pulled and shipped many railroad cars of granite daily.
Religious worship was very important to communities in the 1800s, and Redstone was no different. In an August 1899 issue of the White Mountain Reporter newspaper, it was written
that “quite a number attended church at Redstone on July 30. They thought that they were quite fortunate to go that day, as they had a chance to attend a wedding.”
Socializing of employees living in Redstone was also important, and the community even had its own town news section in the White Mountain Reporter. One piece told of an event at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Fred Gervasi. It was the scene of a pleasant surprise party, when their host of friends from Redstone and vicinity presented them with an elegant dinner and a tea set. Present at the celebration was Mr. I. V. Pert, who was held in high esteem among Redstone residents. Pert was beloved and was likely an overseer of the works.
Green granite was good for being highly polished and could be turned on a lathe. A boiler room produced steam to operate machinery at the quarry, and there were two large steam engines. The railroad cars were used to ship the desired granite; today, traces of the
train tracks can still be seen. The granite was used all over the country, and some of it was used for part of Grant’s Tomb, as well as in national and local bridges. Red granite was also used in buildings such as railroad stations.
The tools for stone carvers to produce fine carving needed to be sharpened often, and blacksmiths made the tools and kept them sharp.
An engine house operated on the quarry property, among other buildings. (It is said that 20 derricks were at the quarry when the business was at the height of its operation.)
One can imagine the families once living in company homes. They likely brought the cultures of their origins from Europe, such as food and religion, enriching the community. Children from these families attended a school in the Redstone village, and a store owned by the quarry company offered food and other items. Workers who did not live in Redstone came from the surrounding Conway area.
The work was hard, starting in the
early morning, and when orders were heavy, the men were expected to work long hours.
The Redstone Quarry, by the 1930s, faced the Depression years. Unlike other businesses, it managed to survive the financially difficult times, and workers were still employed, but by the 1940s, the writing was on the wall. Granite was not used as often, being replaced by other kinds of stone and concrete. Also, a great deal of the Redstone granite had been taken from the mountain area by the time of World War II. Eventually, the business closed, leaving behind some of the structures and heavy machinery that once were used at the quarry.
Although of a ghost town feeling, in many ways, Redstone lives on in the memories of people in the Conway area. In addition, some of the Redstone area buildings and homes remain and are well-remembered.
• Tree & Shrub Pruning • Fertilization & Soil Care
• Cabling & Bracing • Insect & Disease Management
Comfort for Every Home. mfort
Berry Sweet Beginnings: Recipes to Savor the Season
Hello North Country! I hope this finds all of you well as we start our stroll into the summer season.
One thing that should be on your list is enjoying good eats. Today is dedicated to fresh berries and the yummy treats that can be created with those tasty goodies. I spent many years as a kid with my grammy berry picking so she could make some of the best desserts and pastries ever, which was a huge influence in me becoming a chef. Gram’s baking was phenomenal and the only thing I loved more than her cooking was hanging out with her and talking and playing cribbage. Best of times! That being said, let’s get cooking using fresh local berries, as that time of year is just about in our faces. Thankfully, we can always find berries at the local supermarket and there is no bad time for baking with berries. Let’s begin with some ideas to start the day with – first up is an outstanding frosted raspberry muffin.
There is no such thing as a bad muffin in my book, especially when fresh berries are in the mix. Truly, there is no better way to start the day than to walk to the kitchen, get that first cup of coffee and a homemade breakfast treat. In my childhood there were always fresh breads, muffins and biscuits in the house and I would usually pop a
couple in my lunchbox for school - that always made the other kids jealous!
These raspberry muffins use Bisquick mix and will be ready to eat in less than an hour from prep to finish and this will get you a dozen awesome muffins.
Frosted Raspberry Muffin
For The Muffins
1 ¼ cups fresh raspberries
4 tbsp granulated sugar
¼ tsp nutmeg
tsp ground ginger
½ tsp ground cinnamon
2 tsp fresh squeezed lemon juice
2 cups Bisquick mix
¼ cup butter, room temp 2/3 cup milk
For The Glaze
1 cup powdered sugar
½ tsp pure vanilla extract
Pinch of salt
1 ½ tbsp milk, or enough to give the
glaze a good drizzle consistency
Heat oven to 450 degrees. Place paper baking cup in each of the 12 regular-size muffin cups, or grease muffin cups. In a small bowl, toss raspberries, 2 tbsp of the granulated sugar, the nutmeg, ginger, cinnamon and lemon juice. Set aside. In a medium bowl, mix Bisquick mix, remaining 2 tbsp granulated sugar and the butter. Add milk all at once and stir with fork into soft dough. Beat 20-25 strokes. Spread a tbsp of dough in bottom of each muffin cup. Top each with 1 tbsp raspberry mixture. Drop slightly less than 1 tbsp of dough onto berries. Bake 10-15 minutes or until golden brown. Remove from muffin pans immediately after baking. Cool slightly. Meanwhile, in a small bowl, stir together glaze ingredients until it is easy to drizzle and drizzle over muffins. If preferred, blueberries will also work great in these muffins.
Next on the yummy hit list is a great strawberry breakfast bread. Like the muffins, this one works great as a snack any time of day. Back in the day I worked at a restaurant where we served this as well as other slices of sweet breads in the bread/roll basket at • Stay in...
continued on page 12
¼
dinner and we used to get a ton of feedback on the love for it. I have also used this as the base in summertime strawberry shortcakes instead of the usual biscuit or sponge cake to change things up. My favorite time for it will always be in the morning by slicing off a hunk or two, warmed up with some butter or even better, butter and grill the slices. Regardless of when and how you decide to eat this, it will be a winner. Although I called it a sweet bread, which it is, it’s not overly sweet; just sweet enough to get its point across. Prep time is 15 minutes and cooking time is an hour for a single loaf, so you can double or triple this up if you have company because it will all disappear.
Fresh Strawberry Bread
½ cup unsalted butter
¾ cup granulated white sugar
3 large eggs
1 tsp pure vanilla extract
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 tsp baking powder
½ tsp baking soda
¼ tsp salt
1 tsp ground cinnamon
½ cup sour cream or plain yogurt
½ cup walnuts and/or pecans, coarsely chopped
1 ½ cups chopped fresh strawberries
Preheat oven to 350 degrees and place the oven rack in the middle position. Spray the bottom and sides of a 9 x 5 x 3-inch pan with nonstick cooking spray. In the bowl of your electric mixer, beat the butter until softened. Add the sugar and continue to beat
until light and fluffy. Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Add the vanilla extract and scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and ground cinnamon. With the mixer on low, add the flour mixture in 3 separate additions and sour cream in 2 additions alternately, starting and ending with the flour. Mix just until combined. Gently fold in the chopped strawberries and walnuts. Scrape the batter into the prepared pan and bake for about 1 hour, or until the bread is golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Place on a wire rack to cool and then remove the bread from the pan. You should let it cool down for a half hour or so before slicing, as doing so when hot usually will result in the slices falling apart.
Let’s change gears for this next one. I love a good summer salad and this is exactly that! Start with some romaine lettuce (basic enough), but from there this salad is loaded with an array of fresh berries, avocados, feta cheese, chopped pistachios and grilled chicken. Any salad loaded with berries is a sure-fire way for me to eat it, not to mention the homemade creamy lemon poppyseed dressing that accompanies this: a guaranteed favorite you will make for most any salad at home. This awesome salad is good for 4 of you and you can have this made in 20 minutes, although I prefer to marinate my chicken in the dressing for a few hours before grilling it. If you don’t want to marinate it, it will still be great considering the great blends of flavors. I say this often, but you may want to double or triple up this dressing recipe if you eat a lot of salads.
Triple Berry Chicken Avocado Salad with a Creamy Lemon Poppyseed Dressing
1 ½ lbs boneless skinless chicken breast
5-6 cups romaine lettuce, chopped 2 cups strawberries, sliced 2 cup blueberries
2 cups raspberries or blackberries
2 avocados, chopped
½ cup or more of chopped pistachios
½ cup or more of crumble feta cheese
For The Creamy Lemon Poppyseed Dressing
2/3 cup mayo
¾ cup milk, 2 % works fine if preferred
6 tbsp sugar
8 tsp apple cider vinegar
2 tbsp fresh-squeezed lemon juice
4 tsp poppyseeds
For the dressing, in a small bowl, whisk mayonnaise, milk, sugar, cider vinegar, lemon juice, poppyseeds, and refrigerate. I usually make the dressing the day before I know I will first use it. Pound out your chicken breasts to an even thickness, stab the breasts often on both sides with a needle-tenderizer, or a fork if you don’t own one, and put them into a dish with walls and pop in just enough dressing to coat both sides of the chicken. Wrap and refrigerate for 1-3 hours. Once ready to grill, light your clean and oiled grill to medium-high heat. Cook for 4 minutes or so on each side until cooked through. Once off the grill, let them rest for 5-10 minutes. In a large bowl, combine romaine lettuce, strawberries, blueberries, raspberries and toss gently. Slice or dice the chicken and top the salads with it as well as the avocados, pistachios, feta cheese, and drizzle with creamy lemon poppyseed dressing.
Let’s finish the day with a couple of fun desserts. This one presents the flavors of blueberry pie in a dessert bar presentation. I am a sucker for any dessert bar and with a blueberry pie theme, I fell in love right from the getgo. Blueberry and raspberry pies are my top two in the fruit/berry pie world so I’m always all over this. The crust is perfect, the blueberry filling is sweet but not overwhelming and it’s always a crowd pleaser at home or as a potluck
• Stay in... continued on page 13
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addition. If you want to substitute raspberries or chopped strawberries, the result will be just as spectacular. I usually make this in an 11 x 7 baking dish, which will get me a dozen bars. Prep time is in the 15-20 minutes range, and total cooking time is a little over an hour.
Blueberry Pie Bars
For The Crust and Topping
1 ½ cups flour
¾ cups sugar
Pinch of salt
1 ½ sticks chilled butter, cubed For The Filling
2 large eggs
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup sour cream
1/3 cup flour
Pinch of salt
3 cups fresh blueberries
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Grease a 7 x 11 glass baking dish. In a large bowl, combine flour, sugar, salt, and cubed butter with an electric mixer until you reach a crumbly consistency. Set aside 3/4 cup of the mixture for the topping and press the rest of the crust mixture into the bottom of the glass baking dish. Bake for 15 minutes or until golden brown. Remove from the oven and set aside while you make the filling. Whisk the eggs in a large bowl. Add sugar, sour cream, flour, and salt. Gently stir in the blueberries. Spoon the mixture evenly over the crust. Sprinkle the reserved crust evenly over the filling. Bake for 45-55 minutes or until the top is lightly browned. Cool for 1 hour before serv-
ing. I’m a big fan of microwaving a hunk or 2 and topping them with vanilla ice cream.
I don’t have the sweet tooth many of my friends and family have, but timing is everything, and if the timing includes these cupcakes, I’m in. They are tender, moist chocolate cupcakes with a deep, velvety richness that will tease your senses. Topped with a generous swirl of blackberry buttercream, the vibrant purple frosting bursts with the sweet-tart essence of fresh blackberries. Each bite is a great contrast between the rich chocolate cake and the sweet/tart combo of the frosting and blackberries. These are perfect for everything from casual snacks to fancy occasions and owe their charm to the unique twist of melted chocolate in the batter instead of cocoa powder alone. This creates a deeper, more indulgent flavor with a fluffy texture. The result is cupcakes that melt in your mouth, never dense or dry, paired with a frosting that’s pure berry bliss. These are perfect for a range of events from kid’s birthday parties to weddings as their visual appeal is as magical as it is for the taste buds. Plan on a dozen cupcakes and it will take you less than an hour. The frosting is phenomenal and works great on so many cakes.
Chocolate Cupcakes with Blackberry Buttercream Frosting
For The Cupcake
7 ½ oz chopped semisweet chocolate, 35%-60% cacao. A higher content will result in a dry cupcake.
½ cup plus 1 tbsp vegetable or canola oil.
1 cup plus 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
1 ½ tsp baking powder
¾ cup granulated sugar
3 large eggs
1 ½ tsp pure vanilla extract
Cocoa powder
Buttermilk
Chocolate chips for a melty bonus.
For the Blackberry Buttercream
2 sticks unsalted butter, room temp
¾ cup powdered sugar
60 blackberries, separated, rinsed and dried completely or the frosting will be runny
3 drops almond extract
¾ tsp lime zest
Fresh-squeezed lime juice for added flavor and for consistency adjustments.
Heat oven to 350 degrees. Line muffin pan(s) with 12 cup liners. Gently melt the semisweet chocolate with the oil in 20-second bursts in your microwave, stirring after each burst, or use a double boiler on your stovetop, until the chocolate is smooth. Cool slightly. Whisk sugar, eggs, and vanilla, and then add them into the melted chocolate mixture until smooth. In a separate bowl, sift the flour, baking powder, and
a few pinches of cocoa powder together. Fold the dry mixture into the wet mixture with 1-3 splashes of buttermilk until just combined. Do not overmix. Divide batter among the 12 liners, about ¾ full. Bake 18-20 minutes, until a toothpick shows moist crumbs. Cool completely. For the buttercream, puree the blackberries. If you care to strain the seeds, that is up to you. Beat the softened butter until creamy, then gradually add the powdered sugar. Mix in puree, almond extract, lime zest, and lime juice to taste. Adjust the thickness with more sugar or juice. Swirl buttercream onto cooled cupcakes with a knife or pastry bag and garnish each with a blackberry or two. These cupcakes will be a big-time crowd pleaser. Until next time, my friends, have a good Bike Week, and congrats to the new graduates as well as to all the fathers out there for Father’s Day. Keep those taste buds of yours happy and smiling, and if you have any questions or feedback, please reach out at fenwaysox10@gmail.com.
INSTALLATION | REMOVAL | REPAIRS
Embrace the Open Road
By Dick and Barb Higgins
Ahhhh, Spring/Summer is here, and the RV travel plans that many folks have made will, hopefully, soon go into effect. With several months of cold and wintertime behind us, we’re ready for warm days and nights and all the benefits that seasonal weather brings us. When comparing the pros and cons of living in all sections of the U.S., we firmly believe that once others experience all that we love about being here, they also will want to enjoy life here, even if for only a short vacation. The eight states of the Northeast, and particularly the six that make up New England offer a grand variety of attractions and beautiful vistas. Many of these are quite unique and are condensed into a relatively small area when considering the overall size of our country. So, no matter what you want to accomplish while in New England, chances are good that you’ll find it here without the need to do extensive traveling.
The ocean provides incredible views, fun beach experiences. There
From Shorelines to Summits: The RV Road Through New England
are many RV parks and resorts along the waterfronts of New England, but their parking spaces fill rapidly, with most reservations being made at least a year in advance. As a side note: With tourism being down 20% this year throughout the country, the possibilities of “last minute” reservations are better. Worth a try! The same holds true at the many freshwater lakes and ponds dotted throughout New England. . Another principal attraction for vacationers to New England is the mountains. The Georgia-to-Maine Appalachian Trail extends through all New England states except Rhode Island. So, access to the Trail is available at many places along its route, with assistance for hikers of all ages (and abilities) also being available from the Appalachian Trail Club. Information is plentiful, and RVers can also take advantage of the many private parks, national parks, state parks, and some parks offering membership discounts (such as KOA, Good Sam, Passport America, etc). Along with the Appalachian Range, the
White Mountains of New Hampshire, and notably the Presidential Range with its highlight being the Mt. Washington Observatory at its peak, are always a destination in high demand. Access to it is either by DIY roadway or by the unique Cog Railway. On a clear day, it’s incredible! And again, campgrounds are plentiful at the bases of many mountains. There are wooded areas, clear areas, many streams/rivers, and lots of magnificent vistas to provide a sense of awe and wonderment. Even lifelong residents can develop sensory overload when taking in all that nature has to offer. It never grows old; we do, but our natural habitat never does.
keeps the winter enthusiasts happy. There are many ski hills/mountains available, and there actually are some campsites (no water) for the hearty RVers and all those folks who really enjoy all the winter activities that snow and ice provide.
New Hampshire, in particular, is a favorite four-season destination for thousands of people every year, and our state’s economy depends heavily on this. Spring is the re-awakening of everything in nature and a wonderful thing to observe. Summer is the warm (and sometimes HOT) time of year to enjoy and have fun for all family members in a myriad of entertaining venues. Autumn is a calming time of year, but can also be quite busy with many folks, and RVers, coming here to enjoy the Fall foliage season while still having some very comfortable days and cool evenings by the campfire, while toasting hotdogs, marshmallows, and friends. Winter in New England can be harsh( though not as crippling as some parts of the Midwest & Northwest) or not too bad at all. Our winter conditions are determined by weather flows due east across the country, the southeast flows out of Canada, and the weather circulations from the Atlantic. Very unpredictable! There will be snow, whether natural or man-made, and that
All these aforementioned attributes of New England and New Hampshire mean that vacationers/travelers/RVers in our state are all looking for the fastest, safest, and most accommodating roads to take. There are several alternatives for gaining entrance to New Hampshire from the southern side, for traveling north, with Interstate 93 being the fastest. State Route 16 starts at the Portsmouth traffic circle and extends northward (close to the Maine border) for 154 miles into the far reaches of NH before it turns eastward and becomes State Road 16 in Maine. Much of NH Rte. 16 is a two-lane road with zones of 3 and 4 lanes. This route is busy year-round with commuters, visitors, travelers, and RVers and is considered a premier route. It’s also a local route but allows for 50- 60 mph in many areas with minimal slowdowns. So, overall, though circumstances and travel requirements will alter based on your variety of factors, NH Route 16 is a very good roadway for RVers. This is due to the proximity and easy access to many RV parks, resorts, and campgrounds along the way. Stores for food, clothing, other supplies, and RV needs (including propane, gas, tire air, firewood, and that fire-lighter you forgot) are easily and readily available at lots of locations during your trip to your destination.
Until next time, happy travels! Dick & Barbara – NHRVNUTS@MSN.COM
