The Unique Artistry of Motorcycle Photography
By Kathi Caldwell-Hopper
“I have loved photographing motorcycles since high school, when I first started riding. I became obsessed with the freedom motorcycles offered and the sense of calm that came with every ride. Driving the roads of New England, you pass some of the most majestic views, and I love living here. But it’s much more than that to someone who rides a motorcycle. It’s the open road, turns and twists along a river through the mountains, the wind blowing in your hair, and the warm sunshine on your face,” explains Lakes Region photographer Ashley Rand.
As the owner of Through the Pines Photography, located in Moultonborough, Rand has always loved photography, and she’s been at it for years, honing her skills and offering all kinds of work from family portraits to events and other subject matter.
Rand says, “I have been immersed in photography for as long as I can remember; one of my favorite toys when I was growing up was a bubble camera. Capturing moments for my friends has always been a joyful part of my life, and I’ve been photographing professionally since 2009.”
But one particular thing: photographing motorcycles is Rand’s all-time favorite pursuit. It isn’t something just anyone can comprehend, but Rand explains it like this, “For myself and other motor enthusiasts, riding a motorcycle is when we feel most relaxed and alive. As a photographer, having the ability to capture that is truly priceless.”
As a long-time Lakes Regioner, Rand has experienced Laconia Motorcycle Week each June for her entire life, and she isn’t shy about being at Weirs Beach, among the bike ac-
tion. She recalls, “I had the privilege of photographing during Bike Week at the Weirs, which was an unforgettable experience that kicked off just a day after my wedding, turning it into a unique honeymoon. I set up a booth with a model (at what was Thurston’s Marina at the time, now North Water Marine) and maintained that setup for two years. While starting a family has brought new priorities, I am confident that I will return to this event someday. During my time at Bike Week, I met inspiring riders and witnessed remarkable bikes that further fueled my passion. I’ve also had multiple photos published in Laconia Harley-Davidson’s calendar.”
Working all over the Lakes Region and beyond, Rand seeks out unique and beautiful locations for photographing motorcycles, much as a photographer would do for any sort of photo shoot.
The only difference is that instead of focusing on people, the models are shiny, beautiful motorcycles. Rand says she finds the White Mountains of New Hampshire particularly inspiring, with great areas for her special kind of photography. “My favorite locations for photographing motorcycles are breathtaking scenic vistas framed by majestic mountains. Highlights include the outlook in Intervale and the stunning viewpoints along Crawford and Pinkham Notch. These spots provide the perfect backdrop, enhancing the beauty of both the bike and the ride.”
In her work, Rand often bumps elbows with motorcycle riders and fellow
fans of the hobby of bike riding, and she is open to all, versus shying away from some riders. When asked whether it is the motorcycles or the riders that fascinate her as a photographer, Rand explains, “It’s both—the profound relationship between the rider and the bike. Each motorcycle is chosen for the thrill of speed, the road or dirt traveled, luxury, sound, or even color. The adventures that follow are extraordinary. It’s about the connections, friendships, and brotherhoods that can transform lives. These motorcycles not only help riders overcome tough times but also bring them a sense of true happiness found only in the journey. When you include endless possibilities to be creative, it’s always a thrill for me.”
Over time, Rand has photographed many things and comments, “I have photographed a wide array of subjects, but now I focus on what truly ignites my passion. I specialize in capturing families, engagements, proposals, small ceremonies, and, of course, motorcycles—each of these areas allows me to showcase the joy and beauty of life’s most special moments.”
Her true passion above all else is motorcycle photography, and she explains, “I photograph motorcycles a few times a year, and it fuels my passion for creativity. My photography journey has taken me through weddings and family moments for over a decade, but I’ve chosen to step back from the wedding
• Photography continued on page 4
The motorcycle is an art form as seen in this photo by Ashley Rand, courtesy Through the Pines Photography.
scene to reignite my love for motorcycles. It’s a powerful reminder that following your true passion leads to fulfillment! I don’t have a particular type of motorcycle I prefer to photograph; each one is unique and special in its own way to its rider. Whether it’s sporty or built for comfort, what truly matters is the love of the ride.”
Rand has a solid background and training as a photographer, explaining, “I grew up in Wolfeboro/Tuftonboro.
After graduation, I studied art at Plymouth State University for a year, un-
For someone who is such a fan of motorcycles, one would assume that Rand is a bike owner. “I started out riding a 2004 Suzuki GSXR 600, and my grandfather played a big role in helping me raise the money for it, recognizing my passion for having my own motorcycle. Although I regret selling it, as a young rider, I was eager to travel. My husband has a strong love for Harleys and has built custom trike motorcycles with his dad. I then bought an 883 Iron, which I cherished for new reasons. After that, I owned a Yamaha MT07, which became my favorite. While I don’t currently have a motorcycle, new models come out every day, and I can never go too long without owning another.”
Lerner & Loewe’s My Fair Lady comes to M&D Playhouse
Ken Martin returns to M&D to direct this Lerner & Loewe classic. Based on George Bernard Shaw’s play Pygmalion, My Fair Lady is that rare musical by which all others are measured. When Lerner and Loewe’s My Fair Lady opened on Broadway, it collected six Tony Awards, including Best Musical, while the film version took home eight Oscars, including Best Picture. The tale of a Cockney flower girl transformed into an elegant lady features one of musical theatre’s greatest scores, including: “Wouldn’t It Be Loverly?,” “With a Little Bit of Luck,” “The Rain in Spain,” “I Could Have Danced All
Night,” “On the Street Where You Live,” “Get Me to the Church on Time,” and “I’ve Grown Accustomed to Her Face.” Eliza Doolittle is a young flower seller with an unmistakable Cockney accent, which keeps her in the lower rungs of Edwardian society. When Professor Henry Higgins tries to teach her how to speak like a proper lady, an unlikely friendship begins to flourish. Playing June 16 through July 13, at M&D Playhouse, 2760 White Mountain Hwy, North Conway. Tickets and details are available at www. mdplayhouse.com
certain about my career path. But after taking a couple of photography classes, my passion became clear: I wanted to capture the beauty of everything around me.
“Although photography wasn’t available as a major or minor, I took a leap and applied to photography colleges. I ultimately chose Hallmark Institute of Photography, an intense 10-month program that brought together photographers from around the world. United by our diverse visions, we shared the exhilarating journey of capturing what was inspiring to us. I stood out as the only student with a true passion for motorcycles, and my end-of-year portfolio showcased everything related to this passion. I have been pursuing this vision and more since graduating in 2009.”
Most people have had their portrait taken or have snapped scenes with a camera while on vacation, but few think of photographing motorcycles. Why would anyone want a photograph of their motorcycle?
“When you reminisce about a motorcycle you once owned, it evokes
cherished adventures and memories. Ultimately, that’s what matters most: the photographs and the memories we share with those we love. My passion is to capture fine photographs that others can deeply enjoy. Witnessing how much people treasure their photos brings me immense joy. No matter what the subject might be, I invest my heart into every session, treating each one as if I were photographing my own family or friends. It’s no surprise that many of my clients become lifelong friends.”
As with any artist, change is inevitable and necessary to keep growing creatively. At this point in her career and personal life, change is definitely in the air for Rand. “I am currently focusing on what truly inspires me while diligently expanding my portfolio. My husband is on an exciting new journey as a business owner, and his unwavering support for my dreams inspires me to fully support him during this significant change.
“I’m refining my photography business to specialize in capturing the intimate moments of families, the joy of engagements, the excitement of proposals, the beauty of small ceremonies, and, of course, my favorite, the thrill of motorcycles. Through this period, I know I will enhance my skills and artistry. In the near future, I envision myself capturing the breathtaking landscapes and exhilarating experiences of long-distance motorcycle trips across the country, documenting it for other riders. I thrive on the excitement of travel, the joy of forming new connections, and immersing myself in capturing that raw passion. This has long been my dream, and I am wholeheartedly committed to bringing it to life.” For information on Through the Pines Photography, visit www. throughthepinesphotography.com or call 603-455-2794.
Ashley Rand with her motorcycle, courtesy Through the Pines Photography.
Find your Inner Creative with League of NH Craftsmen Classes
The League of NH Craftsmen –Meredith Fine Craft Gallery has two great classes for the end of June: ‘Earrings in a Day’ with Joy Raskin
On Saturday, June 28, from 10:30 am – 4:30 pm, ‘Earrings in a Day’ Class with juried artist Joy Raskin. Students will use wire and learn to create French ear wires, dangles, hoops, and much more. Making earrings can be easily done using a few hand tools and a little imagination! Wire (Silver-plated, sterling, gold-filled, and copper), some sheet metal, plus beads will all be used. Students will leave class with completed earrings to wear and enjoy or to give as special gifts. Tuition is $75.00 per student. A $30 materials fee paid by cash or check to the instructor on the day of class covers all materials used in the class. Space is limited, and pre-registration is required. Those who wish to take the class MUST sign up by Monday, June 23.
‘Simply Country’ Basket Class with Jean Reed
On Sunday, June 29, from 8 am to 5 pm, weave a ‘Simply Country’ basket and master the art of basketry in class with Jean Reed The ‘Simply Country’ basket is named such because of the
Savor the Flavors of the 28th Annual New Hampshire Jewish Food Festival
Get ready for a taste of tradition! The 28th annual New Hampshire Jewish Food Festival, a popular summer event in the Lakes Region and a vital fundraiser for Temple B’nai Israel (TBI), is back to delight your taste buds. From authentic homemade Jewish food prepared with love and care by TBI members to premium deli selections, this festival offers a delicious array of treats you won’t want to miss. Indulge in homemade favorites, including savory brisket, comforting matzah ball soup, crispy latkes, flaky knishes, sweet rugelach, and more. Stock up on the best quality corned beef, pastrami, and tongue directly sourced from Evan’s Deli (Marlborough, MA). Place orders online at tbinh.org from June 8 through July 6. Order Online and Pickup Curbside in Laconia; drive-through pickup will be available by appointment on July 18 and 19.
Food Festival Cooking Chair, Susan Needleman, shared, “We are so excited to be offering a new Dinner Pack this year, an addition to our wildly successful Lunch Pack.” Susan continued, “While the Lunch Pack is perfect for on-the-go summer adventures, the Dinner Pack is a complete, frozen meal perfect for holiday gatherings or busy
weeknights.”
The New Hampshire Jewish Food Festival began as a simple rummage sale in 1997 with the enticing aroma of knockwurst sizzling on a grill that blossomed into a favorite Lakes Region tradition. Today, this festival stands as a testament to community, tradition, and exceptional homemade food.
Over the years, there have been many changes to Temple B’nai Israel’s Jewish Food Festival, but the consistent component has always been the focus on the food. Almost every item sold is made by TBI members, working in teams, pouring their hearts (and countless hours of chopping, slicing, rolling, and frying) into creating these culinary delights, all while schmoozing (sharing stories and laughter) in the temple kitchen. Their unwavering commitment to quality ensures every bite is a taste of authentic tradition and sincere care. Their focus is clear: if the food isn’t exceptional, the mission isn’t complete.
The 2025 menu is available on the TBI website – www.tbinh.org. Orders can be placed now through Sunday, July 6. Order soon as quantities are limited and likely to sell out early. Once it’s gone, it’s gone until next year!
simplistic design and country charm, but don’t let that fool you because this very strong, sturdy, and versatile basket serves many purposes. Perfect for gathering fruit or sitting on the table as a decorative piece, this basket will fit any home décor. The strength of this basket is in the solid wood base. It is a great basket for the first-time weaver
to start with or a relaxing project for the more experienced. No previous weaving experience is required. No special weaving tools are required. Students must bring: A spray bottle, heavy-duty scissors, a hand towel, and a tape measure. Don’t forget a brown bag lunch and a good sense of humor! Tuition is $140 per student, which includes all materials. Space is limited, and pre-registration is required. Those who wish to attend MUST sign up by Wednesday, June 25.
To register for either of these workshops, please call the League of NH Craftsmen – Fine Craft Gallery at (603) 279-7920 or stop by the gallery located at 279 Daniel Webster Highway in Meredith, NH.
For more details, visit our website at meredith.nhcrafts.org/classes/ and our Facebook page at www. facebook.com/nhcraft. The League of NH Craftsmen Meredith Fine Craft Gallery is located at 279 DW Hwy, Meredith, and is dedicated to the education and support of NH’s fine craft tradition since 1932.
Summer Issue Now Available
Dining Out in the Lakes Region Available at Hundreds of Locations around the Lakes Region!
Gafney Library’s ‘Art at the Gafney’ Fundraising Event & 100th Anniversary
Gafney Library is excited to announce its 13th annual ‘Art at the Gafney’ fundraising event! This year marks a special year for the Gafney Library, as on August 8, the library will be celebrating its 100th Anniversary. To correspond with the library’s anniversary, the ‘Art at the Gafney’ will be holding its largest art show to date, with 92 participants and over 100 raffle items! Each artist has generously donated at least one piece of art to raffle off and another piece to show or sell, with works represented in a wide variety of mediums, including oil, acrylic, watercolor, fiber, mixed media, photography, prints, sculpture, books, and more. ‘Art at the Gafney’ awards will be presented to participants across all mediums.
The opening public reception for ‘Art at the Gafney’ will be held on June 21 from 2–4 pm, featuring refreshments and live music by the Moose Mountain String Band.
Raffle tickets will be sold throughout the summer, until the closing reception, which will be held on August 16 from 2-4 pm. Raffle tickets are 15 tickets for $10, six tickets for $5, and a single ticket at $1 each. Each ticket may be placed on a donated item of choice – over 100 items to choose from. All proceeds will go to the Gafney Library.
The Gafney Library encourages visitors to come, explore, and experience the many unique and diverse artistic talents that flourish within the region.
The exhibition is open during regular
library hours on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, 1-7 pm, Friday, 9 am to 2 pm, and Saturday, 9 am to 1 pm. The Gafney Library is located at 14 High Street, Sanbornville. For more information, call Library Director Amy Swanson or Peter Abate at 603.522.3401.
Artists in this year’s show include: Peter Abate, Titia Bozuwa, Darlene Bean, Mary Bernier, Amy Bintz, Roy Blomster, Judy Brenner, Peggy Brewster, Steve Brown, Alanna Callendrello, Rhonda Carpenter, Joe Carriere, Ashley Churchill, Pam Clark, Martina Cyr, Thomas Dacey, Susan Dansereau, Bob DeMario, Mabel Doyle, Ken Eason, Craig Evans, Peggy Farrell, Grace Ferguson, Fred Foley, Diane Foley, Ron Fountain, Beth Fox, Frank Frazier, Nick Gagon, Jacqueline Garland, Jogn Girouard, Maryann Goblick, Gigi Gobbi, J.P. Goodwin, Henry Grover, Nancy Grover, Lauren Hammond, Renee
Hardy, Ron Harrison, Patrick Hartnett, Sue Houde, Mary Antoinette Jackson, Kenneth Jeffrey, Amy Rose Johnson, Charles Karsonis, Cooper Keene, Josef Keller, Sean Kessler, Mary Knudsen, Kendra Ladd, Marlane Landau, Karen Lord, Gary LaPierre, Jeanne Loughan, Heather MacLeod, Maureen McCarthy, Bridget Mellow, Kimberly Meuse, Dina Moise, Phillipe Moise, Anita Muise, Pat Nash, Kate Niewenhous, Evelyn Nitzberg, Shawn Norris, Mikel O’Brien, Shawn Pelech, Martha Pike, Jeanne Poehler, Barbara Prest, Susan Raban, Norman Royle, Cheryl Shanahan, Suze Shaw, Mary Sheehan, Erin Slingsby, Gabe Smith, Di Spaulding, Marie Spaulding, Liz Stefano, Kerry Struble, Taylor Struble, Amy Swanson, Sharon Theiling, Cynthia Towle, Susan Trayes, Phil Twombley, Tracie Turransky, Mary Ulinski, David Waller, Anne Wil-
Mostly Bones Brings Bold Brass & Jazz Fusion to The Loft at Hermit Woods
Mostly Bones, a powerhouse septet from Boston featuring four dynamic trombones and a tight rhythm section, will light up The Loft at Hermit Woods with a high-energy mix of swinging jazz, fusion, and rock. Known for their bold melodies and genre-blending sound, this rising ensemble is quickly becoming a standout act across New England. The show is on Thursday, June 19, 7 pm with drinks and dessert served during the performance; doors
& dinner at 6 pm, with a complimentary Wine Tasting from 5:30 to 6 pm. Hermit Woods kindly ask guests to remain quiet during the show to preserve the unique connection between artist and audience. Don’t miss this boundary-pushing performance by one of the most exciting brass ensembles on the scene today. Purchase Tickets at hermitwoods.com/events/mostly-bones. Hermit Woods is located at 72 Main Street, Meredith.
Granite VNA Hospice Lakes Region Historic Home & Garden Tour
Granite VNA’s Hospice Home & Garden Tour has become a can’t-miss summer event in the beautiful Lakes Region. This year’s tour, showcasing five distinctive properties, will take place on Wednesday, July 9, from 10 am to 4 pm.
The self-guided tour offers attendees a rare glimpse into the timeless beauty and charm of remarkable properties in Wolfeboro and Tuftonboro. Tour-goers will stroll through elegant interiors, explore breathtaking gardens, and immerse themselves in the history and appeal of Lakes Region living through a country Colonial, an antique farmhouse, a lovingly restored Cape Codstyle home, a classic Craftsman-style home, and the Clark House Museum, celebrating its 100th anniversary this year.
“We are excited for this year’s tour, and we are deeply grateful to the owners who have graciously offered to open their homes to the public. Their support for Granite VNA hospice services is truly invaluable,” said Granite VNA volunteer and tour committee chair Barbara Lobdell. “And, I am so thankful for the dedicated group of committee members and other volunteers who serve as docents, parking attendants, and myriad other functions; Granite VNA staff members; and of course, our generous sponsors – all of whom make this treasured event possible each year.”
Home One, set on a quiet street in the heart of Wolfeboro, was built in 1936, blending rustic log house charm with
refined Craftsman style. The home features original built-ins and wood paneling along with an exterior of classic log cladding. The grounds have been revitalized with native wildflowers and a flourishing crabapple tree. The home is furnished with a wide variety of findings, including a Gustav Stickley couch, a primitive pie safe, historic photos and maps of Lake Winnipesaukee, and French casement windows.
Home Two, built in 1815, sits proudly in the one-time center of Wolfeboro and has been expanded over the centuries to offer a glimpse into New England’s architectural evolution. The wide-plank wood floors and handhewn beams are original to the house, dating back over 200 years. The home is highlighted by an updated kitchen featuring custom cabinets and the original front façade and granite steps. Set on five acres, the grounds reflect the owners’ passion for gardening and rural living.
Home Three is a 1797 Cape Codstyle home set on nearly 23 acres of picturesque New Hampshire countryside, blending 18th-century character with modern comfort and creativity. The gardens and historic outbuildings on this property are lined by original stone walls. The main house’s kitchen features a fireplace formerly used as the main cooking area, a sunroom with period woodwork, a library doubling as a yoga space, and fireplaces throughout. The owners’ passion for horticulture shines through the bountiful gardens, which are home to over 50
hydrangeas, numerous perennials, and thriving fruit trees.
Home Four is set atop a hill on over 300 acres in North Wolfeboro and dates to 1789. The Colonial American farmhouse is surrounded by flower gardens and expansive views of Lake Winnipesaukee, Lake Wentworth, Belknap Mountain, and White Mountain. This home blends French, Swiss, and Classic American style, showcasing antiques and furniture from each country across the 17th, 18th, and 19th centuries. Central to the home are the original beams centered around a Swiss table in the kitchen, used for rent collections centuries ago in Europe.
Home Five is the Clark House Museum in Wolfeboro, now celebrating its 100th anniversary. The Clark House features original period details, offering a window into early New England life. The grounds also include three other historic structures: the Pleasant Valley School House, built in 1805 and relocated to Wolfeboro in 1959; a
firehouse built in the 1980s by Lakes Region Technology Center students; and a barn originally built in 1820 that was deconstructed and relocated to the grounds in 2018 that houses an eclectic display of vintage items and an extensive research center.
Tickets for the Hospice Home & Garden Tour are on sale now for $55 and must be purchased in advance. Pay by credit card online or by calling 603-230-5664. For cash sales, please visit Black’s Paper & Gift Shop, 8 South Main Street in Wolfeboro. For additional information about the 2025 Hospice Home & Garden Tour, and to purchase tickets, visit www.granitevna.org/hometour.
In 2024, Granite VNA made 141,235 visits to 8,039 home care patients in their homes, facilities, and retirement communities, as well as 45,288 visits to 1,251 patients on hospice in homes, assisted living communities, retirement communities, skilled nursing facilities, and at Granite VNA Hospice House.
Barnstormers Summer Season Underway
One of the longest-running professional summer theatres is back for another season! The first show of the year is Something Rotten!, a crowd-pleasing musical farce, hailed by Time Out New York as “the funniest musical comedy in at least 400 years”. Set in the 1590s, struggling brothers Nick and Nigel Bottom are striving to write a hit play but are stuck in the shadow of ‘The Bard’ – so they set out to write the future of theatre, involving singing, dancing, and acting; the world’s very first musical. Something Rotten! Runs from June 26 to July 5.
From July 10 – July 19, theatregoers will enjoy Neil Simon’s Barefoot in the Park. The classic story of two newlyweds, Paul and Corie, surviving life in their tiny, quirky city apartment complete with bad plumbing, a surprise visit
from an eccentric mother, and a dinner party dominated by their hilariously unpredictable neighbor. A timeless romantic comedy, the production of which is dedicated to the memory of Elaine ‘Andi’ Anderson (1934-2024), a longtime Barnstormer who played Corrie in the theatre’s original 1967 production. Tickets for both shows are available at barnstormerstheatre.org.
The Barnstormers, located in the scenic village of Tamworth, NH, is one of the longest-running professional summer theatres in the country. Founded in 1931 by Francis Cleveland, the youngest son of President Grover Cleveland, Francis’s wife Alice, and their friend Ed Goodnow, all of whom were involved with theatre on Broadway. Find more information at barnstormerstheatre.org
By Chef Kelly Ross
It’s time to toss out a few fun summer recipes to try to keep all of you happy. Most of what I have to share today are amazingly fun recipes that are not only scrumptious but also beautiful to the eye - a big thing in the culinary world to achieve those two points with a single dish. I have a fresh berry appetizer, an awesome salad, a lobster grilled cheese sammich, a chicken kabob with bacon and pineapple, and then a dessert bar recipe starring blackberries and pistachios. Today is a potpourri of fun for your taste buds.
For starters, I think most everyone is familiar with anything Caprese. Whether a salad or sandwich, the main ingredients are tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, and fresh basil, then usually lightly drizzled with balsamic glaze. This has been a restaurant staple forever and a big winner. This take on a Caprese appetizer is mini skewers with the fresh balls of mozzarella, the basil, the balsamic glaze, but instead of the tomatoes, this batch has fresh blackberries. Truly, this is nothing but mini skewers with a single piece of each for your guests to grab and pop in their mouth, then slide the skewer out while their mouth gets the reward. Although this recipe will get you 25-30 mini skewers, these will get inhaled quickly. If you have a large crowd, at least double up on this. This is the ultimate in simplicity, as it will take just 15 minutes to make. The ultimate win/win recipe.
Blackberry Caprese Skewers
6 oz fresh blackberries
8 ox fresh mozzarella pearls/balls
1 bunch Fresh Basil Balsamic glaze
25-30 mini wooden or plastic skewers
Wash the blackberries and make sure all the stems are removed. Tear the basil leaves to be about the size of a quarter. Skewer one piece of
basil, then a mozzarella pearl, followed by another piece of basil, and end with a blackberry. Place each assembled skewer on a plate or serving platter, and continue with each skewer until all ingredients are used. Lightly drizzle the skewers with balsamic glaze and then enjoy as you definitely will.
It’s time for a wildly refreshing summer salad with some ginger-sea-
‘Cue The Grill
Bite Into Summer: Skewers, Sammies, and Sweet Treats!
soned shrimp getting center stage. In a supporting role in this salad are some fried tortilla strips that are so good and kind of trying to do their impersonation of a fun crouton, and I love the tortillas better. Composing a great dinner salad is all about achieving the right balance of textures and flavors. Here, it’s the juicy seared shrimp and crunchy tortilla strips that make this healthy entrée seem like a special occasion treat, even though it is quick and easy enough to make on a weeknight. The shrimp can be cooked on your grill or done by stovetop so depending on your mood or the weather, you have options. The total time for this is in the half-hour range and will get you 4 great salads.
Ginger Shrimp Salad with Fried Tortilla Strips
¼ cup hot-pepper jelly
1 tbsp grated fresh ginger
2 tbsp distilled white vinegar
4 tbsp vegetable oil, divided, plus more for frying
Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper
1 lb large shrimp, 16/20 or 21/25 in size, peeled and deveined
4 flour tortillas, 6 inch in diameter, cut into 1 x ½-inch strips
4 cups or more of chopped romaine lettuce
3 cups store-bought coleslaw mix
1 cup frozen edamame, thawed and drained
• ‘Cue the Grill continued on page 11
1 cup mixed fresh herb leaves, such as mint and cilantro In a bowl, whisk together jelly, ginger, vinegar, and 3 tbsp of oil, then season with salt and pepper. Place 3 tbsp of the dressing in another bowl and add the shrimp and toss. Heat ½ inch oil in a small, deep pot over medium heat until a single tortilla strip sizzles immediately when added. Fry 1/3 of tortilla strips, stirring occasionally, until crisp and light golden, about 30 seconds. Use a wire mesh paddle or slotted spoon to transfer the strips to paper towels and season with salt. Repeat with remaining strips. Heat the remaining 1 tbsp oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high if cooking inside. Add shrimp in a single layer and cook, flipping once, until pink and lightly charred, about 3 minutes total. Transfer to a plate. If grilling, make sure grill is oiled and heat is medium. Toss romaine, coleslaw, edamame, and herbs with remaining dressing. Top with shrimp and tortilla strips and serve.
I know summertime is not the usual time to think about having a grilled cheese sandwich, but how about if we include lobster meat in between the pieces of bread? Personally, I’m a big fan, but I’m a fan of anything lobster or grilled cheese related. Sure, I love a good lobster roll, but on a rainy summer day, I’ll go this route first and foremost, especially if using smoked Gouda as the cheese. The lobster is mixed with mayo and lemon juice
and a few other spices, and once between 2 hunks of grilled bread with melted Gouda, you’ll have yourself a winner. I’m not usually one to cook off lobsters just for a sandwich, but when I cook lobsters for dinner, I usually cook off a few extras to use for sauté dishes as well as sandwiches. I usually put ½ cup of cooked lobster meat in my grilled cheese sammiches, but the choice is yours. This recipe is for 4 sandwiches and will only take you 15 minutes max to make if the lobsters are cooked in advance. Wicked Yummy! I know making any grilled cheese sandwich isn’t rocket science, but here we go.
Lobster Grilled Cheese Sandwich
8 slices of thick-cut sourdough bread
2 cups cooked lobster meat, roughly chopped
1 stick of butter, room temp
1 cup mayonnaise
¼ cup fresh-squeezed lemon juice
2 tsp Old Bay seasoning
8 slices smoked Gouda cheese or whatever sounds good to you
½ cup fresh chives, chopped
Salt and pepper, to taste
In a small bowl, combine the mayonnaise, lemon juice, Old Bay seasoning, chives, salt, and pepper. Stir in the chopped lobster meat until evenly coated. Set aside. Butter one side of each slice of sourdough bread with unsalted butter. Place one slice of bread, buttered side down, in a skillet over medium heat. Layer one slice of Gouda on top of the bread, followed by one quarter of the lobster mixture, and
then the second slice of cheese. Top with the second slice of sourdough bread, buttered side up. Grill the sandwich for 2-4 minutes on each side, pressing gently, until the bread is golden brown, and the cheese has melted. Once done, remove from the skillet, cut in half and serve. Great sandwich and a fun alternative to the awesome lobster roll. Let’s do some grillin’. It’s kabob time, this time using hunks of chicken, bacon, and fresh chunks of pineapple, all lathered in BBQ sauce. Grilled chicken and pineapple have always been a great marriage, but no matter how awesome a marriage of food is, more times than not, bacon will always make it better. The bacon is par-cooked before skewering and grilling, the marinating process in your favorite BBQ sauce is generally for 2-3 hours but you can do so overnight if you care to. Four basic ingredi-
ents create a great dish that would appear to be more involved once you dive into them. Prep time is 20 minutes as well as the cooking time, with marinating time in between. This will easily feed 4. BBQ Chicken Kabobs with Bacon and Pineapple
2 lbs boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1 ½ – 2 inch chunks, salted lightly
2 cups or more of BBQ sauce
1 lb or more of bacon cut into 1- 1 ½ inch segments once par-cooked Fresh pineapple cut into 2-inch chunks
Combine chicken pieces with 1 ½ cups of the BBQ sauce and marinate for 2-3 hours. For the bacon, cook it halfway, either in a pan, the oven or in the microwave until it is half cooked or so as it will fin-
• ‘Cue the Grill continued on page 12
ish cooking on the grill. Let bacon cool slightly. Once cooled, cut bacon strips into 1 ½ strips. Using wooden skewers previously soaked in water for at least 30 minutes, or metal skewers, thread chicken, bacon pieces and pineapple in a pattern. The larger pieces of pineapple are easier to skewer. Fold thin bacon pieces over in half and arrange next to the chicken, being careful not to put the bacon pieces too close to anything else, so that they have space to heat up properly to cook. Grill kabobs until chicken is cooked, brushing with more BBQ sauce toward the end of grilling as putting it on too early will result in the kabobs burning due to the sugar content in the sauce. Serve them with your favorite side dish and don’t forget the paper towels.
Let’s bust out these great blackberry dessert bars that are as delicious as they are unique. They have a great blackberry cream cheese filling, and it is chock-full of pistachios. I have had scores of different kinds of dessert bars in my life, and the look and flavor of these are in a league all by themselves. Blackberries don’t get enough love in the baking world, which is one of the reasons I love using them. I’m a big fan of their combo of sweet and tart-
Laconia, New Hampshire CliffordAirHVAC.com
ness, and when combined with the nuts and cream cheese filling, you will be very impressed. These are made in an 8x8 baking dish, which generally gets me 8-10 hunks of goodness, but cut them as you will. Prep time is maybe 20 minutes, and cooking time 35 minutes with about 20 minutes in between to allow the crust to cool before topping it. Like any cream cheese-filled treat or cheesecake, it should be refrigerated for at least 4 hours to set, although I usually make this the day before I serve it. These dessert bars will create a great buzz with your crowd and will likely have some of them asking for the recipe.
Blackberry Pistachio
Dream Bars
For the Crust
1 ½ cups graham cracker crumbs
¼ cup finely chopped pistachios
¼ cup melted butter
2 tbsp sugar
For the Filling
8 oz cream cheese, room temp
½ cup sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract
½ cup heavy cream
½ cup blackberry puree using fresh or frozen blackberries in your food processor/blender
¼ cup chopped pistachios
For the Topping
½ cup fresh blackberries
¼ cup chopped pistachios
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Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease an 8x8-inch baking pan. Mix crust ingredients and press into the bottom of the pan. Bake for 8-10 minutes, then cool. Beat cream cheese and sugar until smooth. Add vanilla extract and heavy cream, then mix in blackberry puree until fully combined. Pour the filling over the cooled crust and smooth the top. Bake for 20-25 minutes until set and lightly golden around the edges. Let it cool at room temp for 10-15 minutes, top with the blackberries and pistachios and press
down slightly and then refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight. Once ready to serve, cut them and watch everyone’s eyes bug out of their face, and then listen to the sounds of moans and groans of approval.
Happy eating, my friends. Until next time, keep your taste buds happy, and if any of you care to touch base with any questions or feedback, reach out at fenwaysox10@ gmail.com
A Walk Back in Time: Secrets in Cellar Holes
The Gilmanton Historical Society presents “A Walk Back in Time: Secrets in Cellar Holes” on Tuesday, June 24, at 6:30 pm.
Northern New England is full of reminders of past lives: stone walls, old foundations, a century-old lilac struggling to survive as the forest reclaims a once-sunny dooryard. What forces shaped the settlement and later abandonment of these places? Adair Mulligan explores the rich story to be discovered in what remains behind. See how one town has set out to create an inventory of its cellar holes, piecing together the clues in the landscape. Such a project can help landowners know
An
what to do if they have archaeological sites on their land and help stimulate interest in a town’s future through its past.
The program, made possible by a grant from the NH Humanities, will be at the Old Town Hall on Route 140 in Gilmanton Iron Works, and begins promptly at 6:30 pm. Social hour and refreshments begin at 6. All are welcome. There is no charge, but donations to support the Society are welcome.
For information about the Society’s museum and other programs, see the Society’s website at gilmantonhistoricalsociety.org.
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Gunstock Hillclimb returns for Laconia Motorcycle Week
By Mark Okrant
There is an overabundance of events mislabeled “unique” by those of us in the media. While no one activity is completely different from all others, the Gunstock Hillclimb presents a truly special set of characteristics for both participants and spectators. Let’s take a closer look at its long history and some of the features that make it interesting.
The climb can be traced all the way back to 1917. Local historians tell us that the first unofficial climb actually took place at the Weirs on an extremely steep street called Tower Hill Road. It wasn’t until 1938 that it was sanctioned at Gunstock, then known as the Belknap Mountain Recreation Area.
The Hillclimb officially moved to Gunstock, in 1946, during Laconia Motorcycle Week, where it continued until 1962. After a hiatus between 1963 and 1993, the event was revived in 1993, and ran until 2011, with the Gunstock Mountain Resort hosting the Hillclimb until 2011.
If you thought the drama was over, you were mistaken. Between 2011 and 2016, a contract dispute between Ridge Runner Promotions—which was sponsoring the event—and Gunstock Mountain Resort, led to a break in the Hillclimb’s operation. Finally, in 2017, in anticipation of the Resort’s 80th anniversary, Gunstock Mountain Resort decided to bring back the Hillclimb, and it has continued to be a highlight of Laconia Motorcycle Week ever since.
This year, Gunstock Mountain Re-
sort is scheduled to host its annual Motorcycle Hillclimb on Wednesday, June 18. Without a doubt, the Hillclimb is Gunstock’s premier event of the summer; unsurprisingly, it also will be one of the most popular activities in the entire area during Laconia Motorcycle Week. According to Bonnie MacPherson, Marketing Director at Gunstock, an estimated five to nine thousand motorcycle enthusiasts who are visiting the Lakes Region while attending Laconia Motorcycle Week are expected to watch the Hillclimb.
With those years of disagreement now in the rearview mirror, Gunstock and Ridge Runners Promotions are partnering to add an impressive display of gravity-defying actions and various
forms of stunt riding for the occasion. Eastcoastin’ Enterprises will return to wow the crowd with three motorcycle stunt shows throughout the day. In addition, a Bike Show presented by Deadbeat Customs will be bringing some amazing motorcycles for all event attendees to admire throughout the day during the Hillclimb. Retail vendors and a variety of food trucks are expected to contribute to the festival atmosphere of the Hillclimb event.
During the Hillclimb itself, riders will attempt to ascend the super-steep landing hill of Gunstock’s historic, 70-meter Torger Tokle ski jump. The Hillclimb traditionally attracts a multi-generational lineup of competitors—in some cases, this will include
grandparents, parents, and children from the same family. Overall, participants range in age from pre-teen to 70-plus. According to MacPherson, the cost for each Hillclimb entrant is $25. For that fee, a rider is eligible to enter one single race classification. As you will see below, there are multiple opportunities to enter the Hillclimb.
Classes Offered
• Micro Mini (Ages 4-8) (0-50cc) - 12” wheels, automatic transmission
• Mini Junior (Ages 7-11) (52cc-85cc 2-Stroke/52cc-125cc 4-Stroke) - Maximum 16” rear and 19” front
• Mini Senior (Ages 12-15) (66cc-85cc 2-Stroke/75cc-125cc 4-Stroke) - Maximum 16” rear and 19” front 125cc (86cc-125cc), 200cc (126cc-200cc 2-Stroke/126cc-250cc 4-Stroke), 250cc (201cc-250cc), 450cc (251cc450cc), 600cc (451cc-600cc)
• Stock Wheel Base (Stock wheelbase/ No Cut Tires)
• Open (Multi Cylinder)
• Women (Ages 12 & Up)
• Senior (Ages 40 & Up)
• Four Stroke (113cc-Open 4-Stroke)
• Two Stroke (113cc-Open 2-Stroke) ATV Open
• The minimum age for amateur Hillclimb riders is 12 on any motorcycle up to 250cc. In all events, a rider must be 14 or older to ride any motorcycle above 250cc, and must be 16 to ride ATV classes.
• There must be at least three competitors in each class for that specific
• Hill Climb continued on page 18
Photo courtesy of Gunstock Resort
by Lucy Golden featuring Slag from NH’s historic iron ore mining past.
Through June 30, Foundry Finds, A Quest for Iron Age Turquoise, exhibit by jewelry artist Lucy Golden, League of NH Craftsmen Meredith Fine Craft Gallery, 279 Daniel Webster Highway, Meredith, 603-279-7920.
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 16, Art Talk with Ben Archibald, The Benefits of Exploring Styles & Mediums Outside Your Wheelhouse, 7 p.m., Lakes Region Art Gallery, Tilton Tanger Outlets, 120 Laconia Rd., Tilton, 603-998-0029, www.lakesregionartgallery.org
June 16, Father’s Day Dinner & Show @ Market 21 with The Mentalist, 5:30 p.m., 33 Dockside St., 2nd & 3rd floors, Wolfeboro, 603-569-8668.
June 17, Kelly Library Loon Center Presentation, 4 - 5 p.m., biology and life history of loons and threats loons face, Loon Center, 183 Lees Mill Rd., Moultonborough, 603476-5666, www.loon.org
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 17, Understanding Bobcats in NH, 1 p.m., Cook Memorial Library, 93 Main St., Tamworth, 603-323-8510.
June 17 & 21, Nature Station – We’re Ready to Bug You!, 10 a.m. - noon, Newfound Lake Region Assoc. at Grey Rocks Conservation Area, 178 North Shore Rd., Hebron, free, all are welcome, 603-744-8689, www.newfoundlake.org
June 18, 2025 Laconia Motorcycle Week Gunstock Annual Hill Climb, 9 a.m. –5 p.m., Gunstock, 719 Cherry Valley Rd., Gunstock, info.: 603-293-4341, www.gunstock.com.
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, Movie: Cars, 6 p.m., Flying Monkey Movie House & Performance Center, 39 S. Main St., Plymouth, 603-536-2551, www.flyingmonkeynh.com.
June 18, What’s In Your Well?, 6 - 7 p.m., Moultonborough Public Library, 4 Holland St., Moultonborough, pre-register: 603-476-8895, www.moultonboroughlibrary.org
June 19, Community Night Out, 5:30 – 8 p.m., free barbecue, live music, Kelley Park, 41 N. Main St., Bristol, 603-744-3354.
June 19, Jim Tyrrell, music, 6 – 9 p.m., The Taphouse Lake Winnipesaukee, 18 Main St., Center Harbor, 603-250-8029, www.thetaphouse.net
June 19, Juneteenth, 4:30 – 6:30 p.m., co-hosts Camp Hale and Lakes Mountains DEI, 92 Millbridge Rd., Center Sandwich, dinner, celebrate Black culture, all ages welcome, RSVP: www.lakesmountainsdei.org/events/juneteenth
June 19, Movie: The Bikeriders, 6 p.m., Flying Monkey Movie House & Performance Center, 39 S. Main St., Plymouth, 603-536-2551, www.flyingmonkeynh.com.
June 19, Newfound Lake Region Guided Paddle, 10 a.m. – noon, learn about loons on paddle led by Loon Preservation Committee staff, Newfound Lake, 178 N. Shore Rd., Hebron, info.: Loon Center, 183 Lees Mill Rd., Moultonborough, 603-476-5666, www.loon.org
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, April Cushman, music, 6 – 9 p.m., The Taphouse Lake Winnipesaukee, 18 Main St., Center Harbor, 603-250-8029, www.thetaphouse.net
June 20, Live Music with Dakota Smart, 6 – 9 p.m., Notch Biergarten, Beans & Greens Farm, 245 Intervale Rd., Gilford, 245 Intervale Rd., Gilford, 603-293-2853, www.beansandgreensfarm.com.
June 20, Lucknow Garden Tour, 10:15 – 11:15 a.m., Castle in the Clouds, 586 Ossipee Park Rd., Rt. 171, Moultonborough, pre-registration required: www.castleintheclouds.org.
June 20, Night at the Museum – Rockin’ the Docks, 5:30 – 9 p.m., support for NH Boat Museum, food, live music, silent auction, New Hampshire Boat Museum, 130 Whittier Highway, Moultonborough, 603-569-4554, www.nhbm.org
June 21, 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
June 21, Children’s Day, NH Farm Museum, 1305 White Mt. Highway, Milton, 603652-7840, www.nhfarmmuseum.org
June 21, Community Arts Festival, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., takes place at Castle in the Clouds, Moultonborough, co-presented with Lakes Center for the Arts, 603-476-5410, www.lakescenterforarts.org.
June 21, Line Dance Night, 7 p.m., Lakeport Opera House, 781 Union Ave., Laconia, 603-519-7506, www.lakeportopera.com.
June 21, Lee Sykes, music, 6 – 9 p.m., The Taphouse Lake Winnipesaukee, 18 Main St., Center Harbor, 603-250-8029, www.thetaphouse.net
What’s UP
June 21, Natural Salve for Stings and Rashes, 10 a.m. – noon, age 16 & up, Prescott Farm Environmental Education Center, 928 White Oaks Road, Laconia, pre-registration: 603-366-5695, www.prescottfarm.org
June 21, Piano Night with Brandy Irish-Gerjuoy, 6 p.m., The Loft at Hermit Woods, 72 Main St., Meredith, 603-253-7968, www.hermitwoods.com
June 21, Summer Music Series, Gary Gadoury, 2 – 3 p.m., Barrel Bar & Grille, Gunstock, 719 Cherry Valley Rd., Gilford, 603-293-4341, www.gunstock.com
June 21, Tee It Up ’Fore the Kids’ Golf Tournament, 1 p.m., Den Brae Golf Course, Sanbornton, pre-register at www.TTCCRec.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 22, Timbear Daley, music, 6 – 9 p.m., The Taphouse Lake Winnipesaukee, 18 Main St., Center Harbor, 603-250-8029, www.thetaphouse.net
June 22, Trail Time with Chocorua Lake Conservancy, 2 – 4 p.m., meet at the Grove at Chocorua Lake, explore Runnells Lane, no registration necessary, info./rain cancellations: 603-323-6252.
June 22, Watercolor Workshop, noon – 2 p.m., led by artist Pat Edsall, Castle in the Clouds, 586 Ossipee Park Rd., Rt. 171, Moultonborough, pre-registration required: 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, Story Time & Craft Hour at Castle in the Clouds, 11 a.m., Picnic Pavilion by Shannon Pond, free family event, 586 Ossipee Park Rd., Rt. 171, Moultonborough, pre-registration encouraged: www.castleintheclouds.org.
June 23 & 24, Beginning Rug with Donna Dunn, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m., League of NH Craftsmen, Center Sandwich Fine Craft Gallery, Main St., Sandwich, pre-register/info.: 603-284-6831, https://centersandwich.nhcrafts.org/.
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 25, Alton Market on Main, farmers market, noon – 3 p.m., 115 Main St., Alton, complete schedule: www.altonmarketonmain.com, 513-519-8264.
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, Lake Discovery Family Day-Boat Safety, 1 – 2:30 p.m., NH Boat Museum, 130 Whittier Highway, Moultonborough 603-569-4554, www.nhbm.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, Guided Meditation, 6:30 – 7:15 p.m., with instructor Karen Kharitonov, train your mind to be calm, drop-in event, donations to local charities accepted, Gilman Library, Main St., Alton, 603-875-0109.
June 26, Live Music with Jack Ancora, 6 – 9 p.m., Notch Biergarten, Beans & Greens Farm, 245 Intervale Rd., Gilford, 245 Intervale Rd., Gilford, 603-293-2853, www.beansandgreensfarm.com.
June 26, Steve McBrian, music, 6 – 9 p.m., The Taphouse Lake Winnipesaukee, 18 Main St., Center Harbor, 603-250-8029, www.thetaphouse.net.c
June 26, Studio Two Beatles Tribute, 6:30 – 8 p.m., free concert, Kelley Park, 41 N. Main St., Bristol, 603-744-3354.
June 26, Volcanoes and Cellar Holes: the History of the Land, 1 – 2:30 p.m., Castle in the Clouds, 586 Ossipee Park Rd., Rt. 171, Moultonborough, pre-registration: www. castleintheclouds.org.
June 26-28, Book Sale, neat and clean books, sorted by category, free admission, donations accepted, 6/26 & 27: 10 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., 6/28: 9 a.m. – 1 p.m., 91 Main Street, Meredith. Parking on High Street entrance, Meredith. Wheelchair accessible, www. meredithlibrary.org
June 26-July 5, Something Rotten!, Barnstormers Theatre, 104 Main St., Tamworth, 603-323-8500, www.barnstormerstheatre.org.
June 27, Dakota Smart, music, 6 – 9 p.m., The Taphouse Lake Winnipesaukee, 18 Main St., Center Harbor, 603-250-8029, www.thetaphouse.net
June 27, Live Music with Katie Dobbins, 6 – 9 p.m., Notch Biergarten, Beans & Greens Farm, 245 Intervale Rd., Gilford, 245 Intervale Rd., Gilford, 603-293-2853, www.beansandgreensfarm.com.
June 27, Moondance, Ultimate Van Morrison Tribute, 7:30 p.m., Lakeport Opera House, 781 Union Ave., Laconia, 603-519-7506, www.lakeportopera.com.
•
ONGOING
Alton Market on Main, farmers market, every other Wed., June 11-Oct. 1, noon – 3 p.m., 115 Main St., Alton, complete schedule: www.altonmarketonmain.com, 513-5198264.
Art & Coffee Club, Thursdays, 9 – 11 a.m., Belknap Mill, 25 Beacon St. East, Laconia, 603-524-8813, www.belknapmill.org.
ArtWorks Gallery & Fine Crafts/CCAC, art, workshops and events, open year-round with seasonal hours, 603-323-8041, 132 Rte. 16, Chocorua, www.chocoruaartworks. com
Barnstead Farmers Market, Saturdays starting June 7, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m., 1 Parade Circle, Barnstead, email: nhbarnsteadfarmersmarket1@gmail.com, www.barnsteadfarmersmarket.com.
Belknap Mill, 25 Beacon St. East, Laconia, gallery and textile museum, events and programs, 603-524-8813, www.belknapmill.org.
Bingo, Tuesdays at 6:30 p.m., doors open at 5 p.m., Moultonborough Lions Club, Town Function Hall, Old Rt. 109, Moultonborough.
Braiding Group, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m., 4th Sat. of the month, Moultonborough Public Library, 4 Holland St., Moultonborough, 603-662-6501. Also meets every Tues. at 1 p.m.
Breakfast Buffet, 7 - 11 a.m., Wolfeboro Masonic Lodge, 35 Trotting Track Rd., Wolfeboro. Pancakes, French toast, scrambled eggs, home fries, bacon, sausage, omelets made-to-order, Eggs Benedict, biscuit and gravy, juice, and coffee. Served the second Sunday of every month, 603-569-4637.
Bristol Open Air Market, Saturdays until Oct. 11, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m., Mill Stream Park, 507 Lake St., Bristol, www.BristolNH.gov.
Canterbury Shaker Village, tours, programs, walking trails, Shaker Rd., Canterbury, 603-783-9511, www.shakers.org
Castle in the Clouds, tours, hiking, programs, concerts, Rte. 171, Moultonborough, 603-476-5900, www.castleintheclouds.org.
Coffee Hour, 10 – 11 a.m., coffee, tea and snacks, Effingham Public Library, 30 Town House Rd., Effingham, 603-539-1537, Effingham.lib.nh.us.
Community Breakfast, 2nd Sat. of each month, 7:30 – 10:30 a.m., Masonic Lodge, 18 Pleasant St., Bristol, donations welcome, 603-744-3060.
Country Village Quilt Guild, meets twice monthly, Public Safety Building (back entrance to Police and Fire Dept.), Rte. 25, Moultonborough, countryvillagequilters@ gmail.com.
First Fridays Receptions, June through Dec., 5-7 p.m., refreshments, conversation & ArtWorks Chocorua Creative Arts Center, 132 Rt. 16, Chocorua, 323-8041, www. chocoruaartworks.com
Gilmanton Farmers Market, June 8-Oct. 12, Sundays, 11 a.m. - 2 p.m., local vegetables, flowers, plants, crafts, baked goods, live music and more, 1385 NH 140, on lawn of Gilmanton Year Round Library, Gilmanton Iron Works, 603-491-1687, www. gilmantonfarmersmarket.com
Guided Tours, history and machines of the historic Belknap Mill, 25 Beacon St. East, Laconia, pre-register: jill@belknapmill.org, 603-524-8813 to schedule a time for a tour.
In the Round, 8:45 a.m., Sundays, thought-provoking topics related to tolerance, Benz Center, Sandwich, 603-284-7211.
Indoor Pickleball, 5 p.m., Sandwich Central School gym, Sandwich, every Tues., Thurs. & Fri., parksandrec@sandwichnh.org
Kirkwood Gardens, free, open to public year round, Rt. 3, Holderness, tour the gardens, www.nhnature.org, 603-968-7194.
Ladies of the Lake Quilt Guild, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m., meets second and fourth Wednesday of each month, First Congregational Church, 115 Main St., Wolfeboro, www.llqg.net
Lake Winnipesaukee Sailing Association, youth and adult sailing lessons, sailing competitions, Gilford, www.lwsa.org, 589-1177.
Lakes Region Art Association, exhibits and classes, Suite 300, Tanger Outlet, Rte. 3, Tilton, 603-998-0029, www.lraanh.org
Loon Center, walking trails, loon exhibits, 183 Lees Mill Rd., Moultonborough, 603476-5666, www.loon.org
Makers Mill, a variety of workshops, arts and crafts classes and more, 23 Bay St., Wolfeboro, 603-569-1500, www.makersmill.org
Making Strides, 8 – 9 a.m., drop-in walking for groups or singles, Ossipee Town Hall, no pre-registration required, 55 Main St., Center Ossipee, takes place various times: www.ossipee.recdesk.com.
Meredith Community Market, 3:30 – 6:30 p.m., 1 Burton Drive, off Rt. 104, Meredith, free admission, 603-409-2871, www.meredithcommunitymarket.com.
Meredith Public Library Bookstore, run by Friends of the Meredith Library, open weekly: Wed. 10 a.m. – 6 p.m., Thurs. & Fri. 10 a.m.- 4 p.m., Sat. 9 a.m. – 1:30 p.m., lower level, Meredith Public Library, 91 Main St., Meredith, 603-279-4303, www.meredithlibrary.org.
Model Yachting, 1 – 4 p.m., Back Bay Skippers at Cotton Valley Rail Trail, Bridge Falls Path, Wolfeboro, watch radio controlled model yachts, NH Boat Museum, schedule: www.nhbm.org.
Molly the Trolley, 569-1080, take tours/rides of Wolfeboro area aboard the fun trolley, info/schedules: www.wolfeborotrolley.com
M/S Mount Washington Cruises, narrated cruises of Lake Winnipesaukee, day & evening cruises, M/S Mount Washington, 211 Lakeside Ave., Weirs Beach, 366-BOAT, www.cruisenh.com
New England Racing Museum, open Saturdays, 922 NH Rte. 106 N., Loudon, www. NEMSMUSEUM.com
NH Boat Museum, events and exhibits, 130 Whittier Highway, Moultonborough, 603569-4554. Second location: 399 Center St., Wolfeboro, 603-569-4554, www.nhbm.org.
NH Farm Museum, seasonal (summer & fall) old-time farm events, gift shop, 1305 White Mt. Highway, Milton, contact for open hours/dates: 603-652-7840, www.nhfarmmuseum.org
Newfound Classic Car Show, every Friday through Labor Day, 5 – 8 p.m., free, Village Local Kitchen, 825 Lake St., Bristol, www.ttccreg.org.
Newfound Lake Eco-Tours, informative/scientific tours of Newfound Lake, Memorial Day-mid-Sept., Newfound Lake Association, www.newfoundlake.org, call for hours/ dates of operation: 744-8689.
Outdoor Nature-Based Storytime for Young Children, 10:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m., Tuesdays, Cook Memorial Library, 93 Main St., Tamworth, 603-323-8510, www.tamworthlibrary.org.
Plymouth Historical Museum and Memory House, Saturdays 10 a.m. – 1 p.m., through November and by chance or appointment, exhibits, research information, Old Webster Courthouse, One Court St., Plymouth, 603-536-2337, info@plymouthnhhistory.org.
Prescott Farm Environmental Education Center, 928 White Oaks Road, Laconia, www.prescottfarm.org. Call ahead for event information and to inquire if program pre-registration is necessary: 603-366-5695.
Quilting Group, 1 - 4 p.m., meets every 2 weeks, Ossipee Public Library, 74 Main St., Ossipee, schedule/info: 603-539-6390.
Remick Country Doctor Museum & Farm, farmstead events, 58 Cleveland Hill Rd., Tamworth, 603-323-7591, www.remickmuseum.org.
Roller Skating Night, 5 p.m., Mondays, bring your own skates, age 18 and up, Ossipee Town Hall, 55 Main St., Ossipee, info/updates: 603-539-1307, www.ossipee.org
Rug Hookers, 10 a.m., meets Tuesdays, Tuftonboro Free Library, 221 Middle Rd., Rt. 109A, Tuftonboro, 603-569-4256.
Second Saturday Contradance, Tamworth Outing Club, 7:30 – 10 p.m., Tamworth Town House, 27 Cleveland Hill Rd., Tamworth, admission charged, info.: Amy Berrier at 603-651-5800 or Teresa Fournier at 978-609-2181.
Song and Jam Circle, 6:30 – 8 p.m., community created jams and song circle, 3rd Monday of each month, Runnells Hall, 25 Deer Hill Rd., Tamworth, free, bring your favorite instruments, Arts Council of Tamworth, 603-584-2712, www.artstamworth.org
Squam Lake Cruises, family/educational cruises to look for loons, & wildlife, Squam Lakes Natural Science Center, Holderness, www.nhnature.org, call for hours/dates of operation: 968-7194.
Squam Lakes Association, programs, hikes, 534 US Rt. 3, Holderness, 603-968-7336, www.squamlakes.org
Squam Lakes Natural Science Center, exhibits, nature trails, events, cruises, 23 Science Center Rd., Holderness, 968-7194, www.nhnature.org
Tamworth Farmer’s Market, 9 a.m. - noon, Saturdays, 30 Tamworth Road, Tamworth, www.tamworthfarmersmarket.org
Tamworth History Center, 25 Great Hill Rd., Tamworth, www.tamworthhistorycenter.org.
Tamworth Townhouse Hoot – Bruce Berquist & Jim Alt, 1 – 3 p.m., Saturdays, 27 Cleveland Hill Rd., Tamworth, song circle, local musicians welcome to participate, bruceberquist@gmail.com
The Market at the Weirs, Saturdays, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m., May 24-Oct. 4, fresh produce, meats and artisan crafts, through Oct. 5, Weirs Community Park, 49 Lucerne Ave., Weirs Beach, email: bamm-nh.org., www.themarketatweirs.com
Tilton Farmers Market, Tuesdays, 3:30 – 6:30 p.m., next to Police Dept. building, 45 Sanborn Rd., Tilton, Rt. 132, free admission, 603-409-2871, www.tiltonfarmersmarketnh.com
Tuftonboro Country Bluegrass and Gospel Jam, 6:30 - 8 p.m., Tuesdays, donation requested, Old White Church, Rte. 109A, Center Tuftonboro, across from Tuftonboro General Store, 603-569-3861.
Wolfeboro Farmers Market, Thursdays, noon – 3:30 p.m., The Nick Recreation Park, 10 Trotting Track Rd., Rt. 28, Wolfeboro, email: wolfeborofarmersmarket@gmail.com, www.wolfeborofarmersmarket.com.
Wolfeboro Table Tennis, meets Wednesdays, 4 – 6 p.m., in basement of All Saints Church, Wolfeboro, all skill levels welcome, $5 admission charge each week, info: 603-520-5651.
Wright Museum of WWII, exhibits and lectures on life on the home front during WWII, 77 Center St., Wolfeboro, 569-1212, www.wrightmuseum.org
Wolfeboro’s The Country Bookseller hosts Maine Author Travis Kennedy
Maine author Travis Kennedy will be at The Country Bookseller in Wolfeboro to discuss and sign copies of his new book, The Whyte Python World Tour, from 4 – 6 pm on Saturday, June 28.
The book’s plot follows Rikki Thunder, the twenty-two-year-old drummer for the scorching new ’80s metal band Whyte Python, who is about to have it all: absurd wealth, global fame, and a dream girlfriend. But an unwitting role as an international spy? That was not part of the plan.
The Whyte Python World Tour will be published by Doubleday Books at Penguin Random House on June 24, 2025. It was recently announced that Travis›s debut is being developed into a Paramount Pictures feature with filmmakers John Francis Daley and
Jonathan Goldstein (Dungeons & Dragons, Game Night, Vacation, Spider-Man: Homecoming, Horrible Bosses, Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2 , etc.).
Travis Kennedy lives in Scarborough, Maine, with his wife, Liv, and their two children, Ella and Cole. He has a long career in public service and policymaking, having worked for the Maine State Legislature for more than nine years and the United States Senate for five years. Since 2017, his day job is Director of Public Affairs for Cumberland County Government in Southern Maine. His novel, Welcome to Redemption was the Grand Prize winner of the 2020/2021 Screencraft Cinematic Book Contest, and his short story, Priceless, was selected as a “Distinguished Mystery Story of 2018” in the
Best American Mystery Stories series. His work has also been featured in Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine, the “Best New England Crime Stories” anthology, McSweeney’s Internet Tendency, the Haunted Waters Press liter-
• Hill Climb continued from page 13
competition to run.
• There is a limit of 150 rides per round for the Hillclimb; there will be two rounds. Each rider is limited to participating in three classes.
ary journal and several others. The Country Bookseller is located at 23-A N Main Street, Wolfeboro. Learn more about the event at www.thecountrybookseller.com/news-and-events.
excitement; and 3) adding nitrous fuel to a special set of vehicles thereby providing a significant power boost (this one is a crowd favorite). When asked whether there were other changes proposed for the foreseeable future, her response was, “We’re at the stage where we think keeping things traditional will work best at this point.” This means the Hillclimb will continue to take place on the 70-meter original ski jump. Anyone who meets the age and equipment requirements can pay their money and take a run up the mountain, under the watchful eyes of their family, friends, and other motorcycle enthusiasts.
To learn more about the Hillclimb, we also interviewed Gretchen Casey, Sales Manager at Gunstock. Gates are scheduled to open at 8 am with opening ceremonies at 9 am. The public’s admission charge is $30, with children aged 10 and under admitted free. The Hillclimb events will begin promptly at 9 am, with a new rider being started every fifteen seconds. Hillclimb attendees are welcome to bring their own beverages; the maximum permitted cooler size is 14 inches. Beer and ready-todrink beverages will be available for purchase on-site. No backpacks, bikes, large bags, tents, umbrellas, glass bottles, or animals will be allowed.
It was clear from talking to Casey that Gunstock hasn’t rested on its laurels, even given its record of success. Some of the more interesting changes in recent years were: 1) allowing vendors to showcase their own brands during the Hillclimb; 2) incorporating an absolutely amazing stunt show to what already constitutes super levels of
Unfortunately, if you are not already registered to ride in the June 18 event, you have missed the deadline for this year. Meanwhile, riders must check in on Tuesday, June 17, by 7 pm. Of course, it is not too late for the rest of us to attend one of New Hampshire’s truly exciting spectator events. For the convenience of participants and spectators alike, Gunstock’s 260-site campground will be open for the season, and campsites are available within walking distance of the Hillclimb venue. For more information, telephone (603) 293-4341.
lie St Clair and Jennifer Anderson, the American Motorcycle Association (AMA) held the sanction for the tour. Motorcycle riders continued to come to the Laconia area each year, and one motorcyclist, Fritzie Baer, had a vision for the event’s future. He decided that the Belknap Area (today’s Gunstock) in Gilford had the space to permanently host many of the motorcycle races at the location. Before this, races sprang up around the area, but a large race location was needed. In 1949, the event took place on June 18 and 19, featuring the 100-mile National Championship Road Race at Belknap Mountain Recreation Area in Gilford on both days.
Born in Massachusetts in 1901, Frank (Fritzie) Baer grew up during a time when there were few motorcycles on the roads. As a teenager, he worked at an Indian motorcycle factory and later made motorcycles his career; during the 1920s, he was a mechanic and a salesman for motorcycle dealerships.
In 1950, Baer took a job as general manager of the Belknap Area. The job put him in the perfect place to promote motorcycle racing. The midJune Motorcycle Races at the Belknap Mountains Recreation Area drew large crowds and became an annual tradition, helping put the event on the map. The race was known as the Laconia Classic road race and was held in the Belknap Area until 1963. (At that time, the Classic was moved to a new racing track in Loudon, NH.) The drivers who entered the races were enthusiastic about the improved course at the Belknap Area. People were not only spectators at the races but also came to participate in events.
The event drew thousands of motorcycle enthusiasts to the Lakes Region for the races. Those were the days of motorcycle clubs, where members showed support for their group by entering best-dressed cyclist contests and
participating in family-oriented activities.
In the 1950s, Motorcycle Weekend was going strong, and such enticements as dances and boating excursions were among the offerings. The National Championship Road Race was 100 miles long, and the schedule also included a street parade and guided tours of the White Mountains.
In 1953, the June 11 edition of the Bristol Enterprise told the reader that “Cabin owners, hotels, and business houses are looking forward to June 1521 when over 15,000 motorcycle fans will accept the invitation of Mayor Gerald L. Morin to visit the Lakes Region for the 33rd Annual Gypsy Tour and National Championship Motorcycle Races sponsored by the New England Motorcycle Dealers Association and sanctioned by the American Motorcycle Association.” The article went on to report that the event offered “the toughest 100 mile road race in America, which started at the Belknap Mountain Area in 1938.”
The article in the Bristol Enterprise also reported on some of the events, such as a parade through the streets of Laconia, novice rider races in the Belknap Area, a free dance, and more.
The races and motorcycle clubs were a lot of fun, and many events entertained the fans and racers. A parade of clubs displayed at the Weirs, for example. Other events included a donut-eating contest and female motorcycle rider competitions.
The bike event was so popular and a significant boost to New Hampshire’s economy that it eventually evolved into a week-long celebration.
Due to the popularity of the Lakes Region motorcycle event, other areas in New Hampshire also offered races. In 1934, the Conway Reporter relayed that Championship Motorcycle Races were planning a “thrilling event” at the North Conway Airport Race Track for later in the summer. Noted riders from
the state’s north country would ride/ compete, as well as motorcyclists from the southern part of New Hampshire. Locally famed Charles Whittier had been in the White Mountains during the season and was winning many races, taking first at the Twin Mountain Motorcycle Meet.
Weirs Beach is still the spot for much of the action, just as it was in the early days when riders and clubs came to New Hampshire. The start of the event, in 1917, promoted the notion of freedom, of living on the road and simply going where one wished. These are the things that still define Motorcycle Week to this day. The newspaper reported that Whittier would be doing a “hair-raising stunt” by crashing through a board fence and a wall of
flame at his motorcycle’s top speed.
The August 17, 1939, issue of The Bristol Enterprise reported that motorcycle races were held at the Plymouth (New Hampshire) Fairgrounds. It was a “good clean sport with a lot of speed demons that know their stuff,” the paper told the reader. Spectators at such remote locations enjoyed a bit of excitement and entertainment and probably would not have otherwise experienced the thrill of motorcycle races at the time.
Times have changed, and motorcycles have changed as well. The innocent early events, such as best-dressed riders and donut-eating contests, might no longer be part of the appeal of Motorcycle Week, but the idea of freedom that comes from riding remains.
Guided Hike of Welton Falls State Park Conservation Lands with NLRA
Join Rob Moore, former Chair of the Newfound Lake Region Association (NLRA) Board, and NLRA Conservation Assistant Sarah O’Neill for a hike through publicly-accessible conserved lands in Welton Falls State Park on June 20 at 9 am. Enjoy a hike to this wonderful geologic gem hidden in the hills of a sub-watershed stream of the Fowler River. Participants should be prepared to cross a shallow river, stepping from stone to stone, or to have wet feet. This moderate hike is approximately 3.5 miles. Dogs are not allowed. Registration is required, and space is limited. Register online at NewfoundLake.org/ events or call 603-744-8689.
As part of the Newfound Land Conservation Partnership (NLCP), NLRA collaborates with the Society for the Protection of NH Forests; the Lakes Region Conservation Trust; the Nature Conservancy; and volunteer representatives from the towns of Hebron, Groton, Bristol, Bridgewater, and Al-
exandria to increase the amount of conserved lands in the watershed. Since 2009, the Partnership has worked to promote land conservation within the Newfound watershed through education and community outreach. Learn more about conservation in the Newfound Watershed and why land conservation is important at NewfoundLake. org/NLCP.
Land conservation is an important part of NLRA’s work to protect the high-quality waters of Newfound Lake and its watershed, maintaining a healthy and diverse ecosystem. Through water quality and invasive species monitoring, educational events such as guided hikes and nature activities, and land conservation efforts that protect open spaces and help manage stormwater pollution, NLRA approaches conservation at the watershed level. You can learn more about NLRA’s initiatives at NewfoundLake.org.
Classic Diners Preserve an American Tradition
By Thomas P. Caldwell
The American diner, a staple of community life in the early 20th century — especially after World II — found itself struggling during the fast-food era that began in the 1960s, when new franchises offered prompt, cheap menus that fit the busy lives of people always in a hurry. By the 1990s, though, diners began making a comeback as people sought to satisfy the nostalgia surrounding the classic atmosphere and fare associated with the local eateries.
One of the people caught up in the effort to restore and preserve historic diners was Alex Ray of the Common Man family of restaurants. The Common Man now operates the Tilt’n Diner in Tilton, the Route 104 Diner in New Hampton, and the Airport Diner in Manchester, and will be opening a new diner adjacent to the Common Man Restaurant in Lincoln.
The history of the American diner can be traced to a modified horsedrawn wagon that Providence, RI, entrepreneur Walter Scott created to serve sandwiches, boiled eggs, pies, and coffee to late-day workers in 1872. His success led to competition from others who were inspired to design lunch cars. By the turn of the century, there were three lunch wagon companies that dominated the market — Worcester Lunch Car, Tierney, and O’Mahony. They featured smaller wheels, lengthy counters, mid-side entrances, tile work, porcelain panels, and even bathrooms.
Originally catering to “nighthawk”
patrons, the lunch cars began finding permanent locations, with new companies — Bixler, Brill, Pollard, Sterling, Wason, and Ward & Dickinson — borrowing from the design of Pullman dining cars. That is when the term “diner” came into vogue.
Along came the Depression, leading to small diners that could be carried by trailer or placed on flatbed trucks to take them to specific sites. Drive-in restaurants also were popular destinations for cheap food, leading to the creation of octagonal or cylindrical shapes, or simulations of windmills or airplanes, becoming ever more whimsical. By the 1940s, diners were be-
Perry Brothers Monuments
coming sleeker and streamlined, with bullet-shaped ends, Formica surfaces, stainless steel, and stylized lettering.
After World War II, which had slowed the business, diners experienced another boom. Among those that survived the war was the Bristol Diner, a rare example of a Pollard Diner, manufactured in Lowell, Massachusetts. It was similar to the more famous Worcester Diner, but narrower, with room only for counter seating. The diner was built in 1926, and George Totas had it brought to Bristol by train in 1927. (The Bristol branch of the railroad operated until April 12, 1930.)
My mother, who was orphaned in the 1930s, got one of her first jobs working at the Bristol Diner for George Totas in the 1940s. George later went on to open Sandy’s Restaurant, more recently operating as Village Pizza, and soon to reopen as Village Local Kitchen.
The Bristol Diner has changed hands and nomenclature several times through the years, and has expanded to include booth space in a dining room and an outside seating area.
In 1962, Joe and Nancy Hannagan purchased the diner and renamed it the Ricky-Joe Restaurant, after their two sons. (Joe’s cousin, Frank Riley, and his wife, Kay, owned the Grace-Louise Restaurant at the present site of the SAU 4 offices on North Main Street.)
The diner later became known as Spain’s Diner and Riverside Diner, regaining its original name in 2008. Dale and Easter Swartzentruber bought the business in 2021.
Other traditional diners in the Lakes Region include the Paugus Diner in Laconia, built upon one of the last dining cars ever made by the Worcester Dining Car Company. It dates back to 1951 when it was known as Manus’ Diner in Concord. A dining room was added in 1994, and in 2009, Rose Pucci purchased it and renamed it the Union Diner.
Revival Of The Diner
Alex Ray opened the Tilt’n Diner in May 1992. He had negotiated the purchase of a parking lot adjacent to Pike Industries’ headquarters, and brought in a 1951 O’Mahony diner which originally opened as the Monarch Diner in Waltham, Massachusetts, before being moved to Salisbury, Massachusetts, around 1970, where it was subsequently known as Linda’s Jackpot Diner and the Lafayette Diner. It had closed around 1987.
While its name serves as a play on the Tilton town name, Alex said he modified it to Tilt’n after people told him that the site he chose was swampland and the foundation soon would be tilting towards the swamp.
The Common Man purchased the Capital City Diner in Concord in 2000, but tore it down and built a new home and barn in its place, opening as the Common Man Concord in the fall of
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George Totas, original owner of the Bristol Diner. (Courtesy Photo)
Exporting & E-commerce Essentials for Entrepreneurs at Makers Mill
As part of its mission to empower local makers and entrepreneurs through practical, hands-on learning, Makers Mill, 23 Bay Street, Wolfeboro, is hosting a free presentation on Tuesday, June 24, from 11 am to 12:30 pm: Exporting & E-commerce Essentials for Entrepreneurs.
Presented in partnership with the U.S. Commercial Service’s Rural Export Center, the Small Business Development Center (SBDC), and WEDCO, this session offers a unique opportunity for local creatives and small business owners to explore what it takes to share their products with a global audience. Whether you’re simply curious or ready to grow, this workshop will outline the key first steps to take your maker business beyond borders.
This event aligns with Makers Mill’s
Workforce Development goals, supporting economic resilience by equipping local entrepreneurs with tools to grow and diversify their businesses.
A complimentary pizza lunch will follow the presentation, providing space to mingle, network, and ask follow-up questions.
This event is free and open to the public. Registration is encouraged at makersmill.org/ecommerce.
Makers Mill is a nonprofit makerspace and vocation hub in Wolfeboro, offering classes, tools, and community across fiber arts, woodworking, stained glass, metalsmithing, digital design and fabrication, machining, leatherworking, and more. Free tours are offered every Friday and the first Saturday of the month at 10 am. Learn more at makersmill.org.
Ask a Financial Advisor Your Money Questions at Meredith Public Library
People say that you should not love money because money can’t love you back. Well, if you treat it right, it will at least take care of you when you need it most!
How do you treat money right? Find out when the Meredith Public Library, 91 Main Street, hosts an Ask a Financial Advisor open house session on Wednesday, June 18, from 6 to 7:30 pm.
People can drop in anytime during the session to chat with Matt Rigatti, a Financial Planner and Senior Vice President from Pointes North Wealth Management. He will be available to
answer questions on any financial topic that matches where you are in your financial journey or where you would like to be.
Potential topics include: stocks, bonds, financial goal setting, budgeting, investing, college savings, credit, mortgages, debt, and retirement planning. Take advantage of this free resource to get your questions answered. Instead of just working for your money, learn how to start making your money work for you! For more information, visit meredithlibrary.org or call 603279-4303.
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Alex did not give up on diners, however, and ground broke on the Airport Diner in Manchester, opening in December 2005.
Bob and Gloria Merrill opened Bobby’s Girl Diner in New Hampton in 1994, after having owned Glory Jean’s Diner in Rumney. Bobby’s Girl Diner was the last diner completed by the Worcester Lunch Car Company and had been attached to a nightclub called Sh-Booms in South Weymouth, Massachusetts. John Keith purchased it and attempted to sell it to the Fat Boys Diner chain in England, but the deal fell through. Alexis Stewart, daughter of Martha Stewart, bought the diner, planning to set it up in Bridgehampton, New York, as the Delish Diner, but after moving it to Long Island, that deal, too, fell through, and the diner sat in an empty field for two years before the Merrills bought it in 1988.
The Common Man, in turn, purchased Bobby’s Girl Diner in 2009, renaming it the Route 104 Diner.
Main Street Station is a streamliner also built by Worcester Lunch Car Company. Originally known as Fracher’s Diner, Trish and Bob Bourque had operated it before selling the diner to Steve Luce of Laconia in 2008. The Nesteruks are the most recent owners.
Another popular diner is George’s Diner, on Plymouth Street in Meredith. Owen Price, who has been with the diner since 1991, took it over on April 27, 2018, from the previous owner, Roger Rist, who in turn had purchased it from the original owner, for whom it is named, George Danforth.
Alex Ray, meanwhile, has continued his support for traditional American diners by purchasing an antique diner car that, during the 1950s and 1960s, had operated as the Monarch Diner in Dover. It was transported last November from storage in Bow to its new home in Lincoln, next door to the Common Man Lincoln. It is scheduled to open this year, keeping alive the tradition of the classic diner.
The Merrills’ previous diner in Rumney had originally been Bell’s Pond Diner in New York. It opened as Glory Jean’s Diner in Rumney in 1990, and became Plain Jane’s in 2001. Today, it is known as the North Station and is owned by the Nesteruk family, which also owns the Main Street Station, a diner on Main Street in Plymouth.
New Hampshire Music Festival’s 73rd Season Begins Next Month
The New Hampshire Music Festival (NHMF) returns for its 73rd season, “Sound of the Summer,” with a monthlong celebration of classical music spanning grand symphonic performances, intimate chamber concerts, and free community events across the Lakes Region. From July 8–31, 2025, audiences are invited to experience world-class artistry that blends tradition with fresh, imaginative programming.
Classics Orchestra Series
Thursdays at 7 pm, PSU Silver Center for the Arts, Hanaway Theater. Tickets are $30–$90/Adult; $15–45/ Student or Child. The Festival’s orchestra brings timeless works and bold new sounds to the stage in four unfor-
gettable concerts:
July 10 – Serenade & Song. The season opens with Elgar’s Serenade for Strings, Bartók’s lively Divertimento,
and Vivaldi’s uplifting Gloria, featuring the NHMF/Pemi Festival Chorus.
July 17 – Tales of Two Cities. Explore musical contrasts between Paris and London with Ravel’s Pavane, Mozart’s Flute & Harp Concerto, Stravinsky’s Dumbarton Oaks Concerto, and Haydn’s London Symphony.
July 24 – Grand Impressions. Experience a rich soundscape blending Clarice Assad’s contemporary voice with Mendelssohn’s elegance and Shostakovich’s intensity.
July 31 – Open the Gates. A bold finale featuring Valerie Coleman’s Umoja, Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue, and Mussorgsky’s Pictures at an Exhibition
Chamber Music Series
Tuesdays at 7 pm, PSU Silver Center for the Arts, Smith Recital Hall. Tickets are $40/Adult; $20/Student or Child. Experience the heart of the Festival with a dynamic chamber music series curated by and featuring NHMF musicians:
July 8 - A spirited opening with Mozart, film composer Nino Rota, and Donald Mackenzie.
July 15 - Lush soundscapes from Debussy, Kodály, Milhaud, and Bruch.
July 22 - An eclectic mix of early and
modern voices: Zelenka, Reich, Lansky, Nelhybel, Cohen, and Beethoven.
July 29 - Rich cultural threads from Hurník, Bedoya, Castérède, and Dvořák.
Music in the Mountains
Free concerts at various locations, NHMF’s Music in the Mountains series brings classical music to unexpected and beautiful places, all free to attend. This season features more dates than ever, from morning cafés to mountain summits:
July 12 - Café Monté Alto (Plymouth - 10 am)
July 13 – Hermit Woods Winery (Meredith - 6 pm): Piano Trio
July 18 – Margret & H.A. Rey Center (Waterville Valley - 4 pm): Woodwind Quintet
July 19 – Café Monté Alto (Plymouth - 10 am)
July 19 – West Rattlesnake Mountain (Holderness - 7 pm): String Quartet
July 25 – Betsy’s Park (Holderness5 pm): Brass Quintet
July 26 – Café Monté Alto (Plymouth -10 am)
July 27 – Starr King Fellowship (Plymouth - 9:30 am)
July 27 – Taylor Community (Laconia - 3 pm): String Quintet
Season 73 is an invitation to immerse yourself in the music and magic of New Hampshire in the summertime. From relaxed chamber concerts in local cafés to full orchestral concerts at the PSU Silver Center, there is something for everyone to enjoy during the New Hampshire Music Festival. Tickets and season subscriptions are on sale for the New Hampshire Music Festival’s 2025 season. To purchase tickets and see full event details, visit nhmf. org or call 603-238-9007.
Report Wild Turkey Brood Sightings Online This Summer
The New Hampshire Fish and Game Department is asking for the public’s help by reporting wild turkey brood sightings this spring and summer. It’s easy to participate, and the survey is now open. If you observe groups of turkeys with poults (juvenile birds) between now and August 31, please report your sightings by visiting www. wildlife.nh.gov/wildlife-and-habitat/ wild-turkeys-new-hampshire/turkey-surveys.
“This summer marks the 17th year of Fish and Game’s annual brood survey,” said NH Fish and Game Turkey Project Leader Dan Ellingwood. “The information that is collected through this survey is used to measure the annual reproductive success of New Hampshire’s turkey population. Data collected through this survey is also shared as part of a national effort to monitor turkey population trends across the country.”
In 2024, Summer Brood Survey participants reported 832 broods with an average of 3.9 poults per hen in August, the highest since 2018. These findings represent a significant increase from 2023, a season with record rainfall resulting in reduced nesting success and poult survival.
“Brood sightings this summer are as important as ever,” said Ellingwood. “New Hampshire’s turkey population is still rebounding from the negative effects of a poor nesting season in 2023. After an improved nesting season in 2024, we’ll closely watch this year’s
survey results to set expectations for the population’s growth trajectory in the year ahead.”
The term “brood” refers to a family group of young turkeys accompanied by a hen. Hens in New Hampshire generally lay eggs from mid-April to midMay. Incubation lasts for 28 days, and most eggs hatch by mid-June. If their initial clutch is not successful, hens often renest, prolonging the hatch season. It is common for broods to combine as the season progresses, resulting in larger “mixed broods” with multiple adult hens.
Many factors can affect turkey productivity. Poults are sensitive to cool temperatures and rain, which can weaken their condition and adversely affect insect populations, a critical source of protein during early development. Because spring weather can be highly variable, annual nesting success and poult survival rates are unpredictable.
Given the relatively short lifespan of turkeys, a large annual increase of young turkeys is needed to sustain populations over time. A robust sample of turkey brood observations reported throughout the summer provides valuable insight into the size of the “graduating class” of turkeys that will go on to become adults.
To learn more about the Turkey Brood Survey, visit www.wildlife. nh.gov/wildlife-and-habitat/wild-turkeys-new-hampshire/turkey-surveys
Drop Box Available for Wildlife Baiting Permit Applications
For the convenience of those applying for permits to bait wildlife, the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department has a deposit box in front of its main entrance at 11 Hazen Drive in Concord, NH. The drop box is intended to collect application materials from the public, including baiting permits, which may have been personally hand-delivered to the Law Enforcement Division in previous years.
Permits to bait wildlife are required in the Granite State to hunt bear and deer, or take any other wildlife over bait, including for lands that are stateowned or state-managed, as well as for privately owned property. Completed applications to bait on state-owned or state-managed lands, which include federally managed lands, may be left in the Fish and Game drop box through Monday, August 4, 2025. Applications
may also be mailed, postmarked between June 2 and August 4, and sent to the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department, Law Enforcement Division, 11 Hazen Drive, Concord, NH 03301. Completed applications must include the baiting permit form and a USGS topographical map of the location to be baited.
Permits to bait bear on private property must be postmarked or received by Monday, August 4, to be accepted, while permits to bait deer and all other species on private property must be postmarked or received by Monday, October 6 this year.
To learn more about baiting in New Hampshire, or those interested in applying for a Permit to Bait Wildlife, visit www.wildlife.nh.gov/hunting-nh/ wildlife-baiting.
Cruises, Comedy and Tradition Aboard the Ms Mount Washington
By Thomas P. Caldwell
The Winnipesaukee Flagship Corporation, which operates Mount Washington Cruises, has announced that it is bringing back its popular Sunday Brunch Cruises this year, offering reserved seating. It allows those booking tickets online to select a table to ensure seats are available.
The company also will offer Sunset Lobster Bakes on July 11 and August 29; Royal Fairytale Voyages on July 13 and August 10; and, in a special collaboration with the Winnipesaukee Playhouse and the Meredith Historical Society, performances of Mutiny on the Mount, a musical comedy written by Bob Montana, who wrote and illustrated the original “Archie” comics. Performed for the first time aboard the MS Mount Washington, the play will take place on October 1, 9, and 10.
The 230-foot MS Mount Washington operates from May through October and can accommodate as many as 1,000 passengers. It has three dance floors, full bar service, and a gift shop, and it has been a popular choice for high school proms, graduation parties, class
reunions, wedding receptions, and corporate events.
Today’s ship is not the first vessel to carry the “Mount Washington” name.
The original vessel was the SS Mount Washington, a wooden side-wheeler that was 178 feet in length. It was one of several steamships operating on Lake Winnipesaukee in the late 1800s, built and launched in 1872 by the Boston & Maine Railroad Company.
The Lady of the Lake, a steamship completed in 1849, had ruled Lake Winnipesaukee until the SS Mount Washing-
ton brought competition in the form of a faster way to get around the lake. In the days before automobiles, boating was the easiest way to gain access to most of the towns around the lake. Visitors and tourists arrived by train to the Weirs Beach depot and boarded the steamer to reach their destinations. While The Lady of the Lake continued in operation until 1893, she succumbed to the desire for faster transportation and, in 1895, she was filled with rocks and sunk.
SS Mount Washington, meanwhile, proved to be so popular that it soon was boarding more than 60,000 passengers a year. Then came the 1920s, when automobiles began surpassing the railroads as the preferred mode of transportation.
The Boston & Maine Railroad, in response to that trend, sold the SS Mount Washington to the ship’s captain, Leander Lavallee, who began marketing the ship as a tourist attraction rather than simply a method of carrying cargo and passengers.
The B&M railroad station at Weirs Beach still brought in people seeking popular attractions like the dance hall and Hotel Weirs, a grand Victorian-style building, boosting the steamship as well. A fire in 1924 destroyed the Weirs Hotel, which was a blow to tourism, but still, the SS Mount Washington remained popular. A second fire, however, in December 1939, proved more devastating to Lavallee. While the steamship was berthed at Weirs Beach, a fire broke out inside the railway station, with the flames spreading to the SS Mount Washington. The ship was destroyed, along with the railroad station and the Weirs Beach boardwalk.
Lavallee was determined to replace The Mount, but with steel in short supply because of World War II, he sought
out a used vessel. He found one on Lake Champlain in Vermont: the 203-foot Chateaguay, built of iron in 1888. Enlisting local support and forming a new corporation, he purchased the Chateaguay for $20,000 in April 1940, and spent more than $125,000 to relocate it to Lake Winnipesaukee. He hired a crew from Boston General Ship & Engine Works to dismantle the hull, cut the ship into 20 sections, and transport it by flatbed railroad car from Shelburne, Vermont, to Lake Winnipesaukee in Laconia. The crew reassembled the pieces, built a new steel superstructure, and outfitted the ship, which, with the changes, was then 205 feet in length.
Lavallee launched the SS Mount Washington II on August 12, 1940. Prior to the fire that destroyed the original ship, Lavallee had been planning to retire, but with the new debt from the purchase of the SS Mount Washington II, Lavallee found it necessary seek out Carl Hedblom, owner of the Boston General Ship & Engine Works, to clear the debt by purchasing the ship. The sale was completed in 1941, and the Hedblom family owned and operated the ship for the next three decades, adding the M/V Sophie C and the M/V Doris E to their fleet.
Hedblom replaced the steam engines on the SS Mount Washington II with diesel engines in 1946, rechristening the vessel the M/V Mount Washington In order to expand its operations, the owners extended the length of the ship by 25 feet in 1982 by cutting it in half and adding steel to the center. Maritime standards meant a reclassification of the ship from a “motor vessel” to a “motor ship,” and thus, it became the MS Mount Washington Today, the MS Mount Washington continues to offer narrated scenic cruises from Weirs Beach at 10 am and 12:30 pm, Monday - Saturday, and 10 am and 1 pm on Sunday. The ship also picks up passengers in Wolfeboro at 11:15 am (11:30 on Sundays).
The Sunset Dinner Cruises generally take place on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, with some exceptions.
There will be a Bike Week Cruise on June 17, an Independence Day Dinner Cruise on July 4, and an Aquafest Beer Festival Cruise on July 5.
For tickets and information, see cruisenh.com.
The original ‘Mount’ — SS Mount Washington. (Courtesy Photo)
Meredith Historical Society Celebrates “The Year of Bob Montana”
For no more reason than Veronica going on yet another spending spree or Jughead dodging another Miss Grundy homework assignment, the Meredith Historical Society is celebrating 2025 as “The Year of Bob Montana” in tribute to the local creator of the “Archie” comic franchise.
With cooperation from the Winnipesaukee Playhouse, the Winnipesaukee Flagship Corporation, several Meredith business establishments and the local public at large, the Society’s tribute includes: a museum display of Montana artifacts, life-size figures of Archie and his gang created by local artists, and best of all, staging a rediscovered play written and directed by Bob Montana in the Fifties for the Meredith Village Players theater group.
It all started when MHS board member George Berman found Montana’s 70-year-old script among artifacts in storage at the Main Street Museum. He and Bonnie Edwards, vice president for preservation, dusted it off and brainstormed an ambitious project to bring the musical Mutiny on the Mount back to life.
Contacting the Winnipesaukee Playhouse, they quickly brought an eager Cory Lawson, the theater’s community engagement director, on board. But simply putting actors through their paces on a stage wasn’t enough for these creative minds. Together, they paid a visit to officials of the historic Mount Washington cruise ship and proposed bringing the play right to the setting in which the play is set – on board The Mount. The Flagship folks proved equally enthusiastic about making this a late-season addition to their cruise schedule.
Originally slated for three showings during the sunset dinner cruises on October 1, 2 and 3, the idea rapidly hit the right chord among residents. Tickets sold so fast that they have now added an additional three performances on October 8, 9, and 10.
“We could not be happier for the success we’ve had putting this all together,” said Edwards. She and her crew worked through the winter and early spring collecting and organizing a large selection of Montana artifacts into a new display at the museum. “We are featuring our collection of items about Bob’s life from the time he was a
teenager to his extensive involvement as an artist in the town of Meredith,” she said.
Current museum hours are Fridays and Saturdays, 10 am to 3 pm, and Sundays 12:30 to 3 pm. It is located in the historic Ladd Block at 45 Main Street at the foot of Highland Street. Admission is free.
Meanwhile, the Retailers of Main Street are joining the celebration by showcasing the Montana theme in their windows. Special recognition goes to the Galleries at 30 Main Street and Artists Vynnie Hale and Paul Moreau for creating life-size figures of Archie and the gang to be placed around Main Street, adding to the existing Archie statue at the Meredith Community Park for more fun and photo opportunities.
Bobby Montana first came to Meredith in the 1920s as a child. His parents were Ray “Montana” Coleman, a renowned banjo player on Vaudeville, and his wife, Roberta, a performer with Ziegfeld Follies. For several summers, “Montana” ran a restaurant opposite Meredith Bay until the Great Depression forced the family to relocate to Boston.
Young Robert showed exceptional artistic talent early on. Following his
graduation from high school and military service during the World War II era, that talent emerged with the creation of the “Archie” comic strip. After the war, Bob married his wife, Peg, and the couple settled in Meredith, where they raised their four children.
Daughter Lynn Montana has represented the family in helping coordinate this year’s events.
Both Bob and Peg were active members in the Village Players theater group in the Fifties and Sixties. In addition to his prize-winning script, Mutiny on the Mount, Bob and the Players also created a silent movie titled The Close Shave and a multi-skit synopsis of Meredith’s history for the town’s bicentennial in 1968 titled The First 200 Years
Tickets for the Winnipesaukee Playhouse’s production of Montana’s Mutiny on the Mount are available on the Winnipesaukee Flagship Corporation website, https://cruisenh.com.
Main Street artist Paul Moreau works on a life-size image of the character Betty from Archie comics as part of a multifaceted celebration of “The Year of Bob
Newfound Nature Station Takes a Closer Look at Bugs!
Join the Newfound Lake Region Association (NLRA) to explore the local bug community. This event will be held at Grey Rocks Conservation Area at 178 North Shore Road, Hebron, NH, on June 17 and 21 from 10 am to 12 pm. Bugs are often unnoticed and unappreciated in the work they do to keep ecosystems healthy, but they are a very important part of what is going on outside. At Nature Station, visitors will learn about insect roles, walk the trails at Grey Rocks with a bug scavenger hunt, and make bug hotels to take home! This program is free and open to all.
Newfound Nature Station, along with other family programs and events, is part of NLRA’s year-round work to encourage residents and visitors to enjoy the natural beauty around them, learn more about the environment and how to protect it, and fall in love with the Newfound Watershed. By connecting the people of Newfound to the wonders around them, NLRA works to inspire the next generation of stewards and fulfill the mission of protecting Newfound Lake and its watershed. Learn more about the NLRA, including other upcoming events at NewfoundLake. org.
Castle in the Clouds Third Annual Community Arts Festival is free to the public
Castle in the Clouds is hosting its third annual Community Arts Festival on Saturday, June 21 from 10 am – 4 pm. Presented in partnership with the Lakes Center for the Arts, this exciting event will feature booths with dozens of crafters, artists, and community organizations, various art demonstrations and performances, a scavenger hunt, art activities for kids, and more! The Community Arts Festival will be free for the public to attend. Spend
the day supporting local artisans, craft activities, and enjoying light fare from Café in the Clouds and Little Red Bread Shed in the meadow across from Shannon Pond. The Castle will also be open for self-guided tours for anyone interested in making a full day out of this event.
For more information, please contact eoconnor@castleinthecloud.org or visit www.castleintheclouds.org
Opening Art Stroll: Painting Through the Noyes
“The Galleries at 30 Main” are taking their show to the streets of Meredith with an “Art Stroll” from 4 - 6 pm on Thursday, June 26. Artists who exhibit at “The Galleries at 30 Main” are given a choice of over a dozen photographs by Jeremy Noyes, owner of “Jeremy Noyes Gallery” located at 23
Main Street. Artists will then do their interpretation of Jeremy’s photograph in whatever medium they choose. Paintings and Jeremy’s Photography will be displayed throughout several businesses on Main Street, with refreshments served at each participating business.
History of the Telephone at Meredith Public Library
Calling All Telephone Nostalgia Enthusiasts! Megan Hurley of the New Hampshire Telephone Museum will dial up the fun as she visits the Meredith Public Library, 91 Main Street, on Thursday, June 19, from 6 to 7:30 pm to share a variety of old and vintage phones. She will also discuss the history and evolution of the telephone. Participants will be reminded of (or discover for the first time) per-minute charges for “long distance” calls, rota-
ry dials, and the breakup of Ma Bell. Attendees are encouraged to bring in their old phones to show off as well as to share nostalgic stories of old party lines, working for the phone company, or getting that special Princess Phone or Darth Vader Speakerphone for Christmas!
It will be interesting to discover who brings in the oldest phone in Meredith!
The Origins of Juneteenth
The Juneteenth National Independence Day Act was signed into law by then-United States President Joe Biden on June 17, 2021. The act was a formal declaration of Juneteenth as a federal holiday, which is now celebrated annually on June 19.
Perhaps because it hasn’t been a formal federal holiday for very long, Juneteenth is not as familiar to many Americans as holidays such as Memorial Day, Independence Day, or Labor Day. According to the National Museum of African American History & Culture, June 19, 1865, was an especially significant day for more than a quarter million African Americans living in Texas at the time. Though the date marked nearly two years since President Abraham Lincoln emancipated enslaved Africans in America, Union troops did not arrive in Galveston Bay, Texas, with news of that freedom until June 1865. On June 19, 1865, Union General Gordon Granger delivered the news that all enslaved people had been emancipated and that going forward, the dynamic between slave owners and slaves was to become a relationship between employer and hired laborer.
President Lincoln did not live to
hear the news that the message of emancipation had finally made it to Galveston Bay. On April 15, 1865, the sixteenth president of the United States succumbed to injuries sustained a day earlier when he was shot by assassin John Wilkes Booth while attending a play at Ford’s Theater in Washington, D.C. Equally notable is the day General Granger delivered the news to Texas was more than two months after Confederate General Robert E. Lee formally surrendered his army to Union General Ulysses S. Grant at Appomattox Court House in Virginia. Though it took until 2021 for Juneteenth to gain formal recognition as a federal holiday, which means non-essential U.S. federal government offices are closed (many other institutions, including banks, schools, and financial markets, also close as a courtesy), History.com notes the day is considered the longest-running African American holiday. And while many celebrations immediately broke out upon General Granger’s delivery of President Lincoln’s proclamation, History.com notes some slave holders in Texas withheld the information until the harvest season was completed. ~Metro
Shuck ‘n’ Sip Pop-Up at Tamworth Distilling
Join Tamworth Distilling at their riverside location at 15 Cleveland Hill Road on Saturday, July 19 from 1-4 pm, for a special oyster pop-up with Fox Point Oysters of Little Bay, NH.
Oysters will be available for purchase as singles, or a half or full dozen, along with a selection of sauces. Cocktails will be available at their riverside bar. RSVP at www.tamworthdistilling.com.
Why Did the Turtle Cross the Road? To Get to Its Nesting Site
Early June marks the beginning of turtle nesting season in New Hampshire, when these shelled reptiles move from wetlands and vernal pools to their upland nesting sites. Nesting season lasts from mid-May into early July, reaching maximum intensity in June.
One of the most significant threats to turtle populations in the Granite State is being struck by vehicles on roadways. While male turtles may travel over land to different wetlands and upland basking areas in search of food and for breeding, mature female turtles leave their home ponds and wetlands every spring to lay their eggs, sometimes traveling distances of over one mile, and returning to the same nesting location each year. Their nesting sites are often open, sandy, or gravelly areas that can be located great distances from wetland areas. This annual journey often means that turtles need to cross roads to reach their destinations.
“Turtle nesting season provides us with a unique opportunity to see many of the state’s turtle species moving on land, but it is also an extremely vulnerable time for them,” said NH Fish and Game Department Wildlife Biologist Joshua Megyesy. “We can all do our part to help turtles safely reach their nesting habitats by slowing down when driving and keeping an eye out for them as they cross roadways in the coming weeks.”
Here are a few things you can do to help New Hampshire turtle populations stay abundant and healthy: Slow down and watch for turtles in roadways.
Help turtles cross roads safely. If you see a turtle crossing a road, and it is safe for you to do so, help it cross in the direction it is traveling. Never create a dangerous situation for other motorists or yourself. Snapping turtles should be handled with extreme care or allowed to cross on their own.
Do not take the turtle home. A turtle taken from its habitat is a turtle lost from the local population. All native New Hampshire turtles are protected by state law during nesting season, and several
New Hampshire species are protected by state law from collection year-round. Do not move the turtle from where you found it. Even if a turtle is a great distance from a wetland area, it is not lost and knows exactly where it is going. Moving a turtle to a different location can be stressful for the animal and may even result in death if they are unable to adjust to their new surroundings.
If you find an injured turtle, contact a licensed wildlife rehabilitator at New Hampshire Turtle Rescue by calling 603-417-4944 or NH Fish and Game’s Wildlife Division at 603-271-2461.
Report turtle sightings (living or deceased) to NH Fish and Game’s Reptile and Amphibian Reporting Program at tinyurl.com/RAARP. Note the location, date, and time of observation, and include photos if possible.
Work with land trusts and town officials to help conserve important natural areas for turtles in your community.
Spread your garden mulch as soon as possible because an idle pile can be an attractive place for turtles to nest when located near wetland areas. If mulch will be piled up for several days or more, covering it with plastic will help reduce its attractiveness to nesting turtles.
Learn how to identify New Hampshire’s seven native species of turtles by visiting www.wildnh.com/nongame/ turtles.html.
The Nongame and Endangered Wildlife Program at Fish and Game works with state and private partners to protect more than 400 species of mammals, birds, fish, reptiles, and amphibians, as well as thousands of invertebrate species in New Hampshire. Show your support for nongame and endangered wildlife in the Granite State; visit www.wildnh. com/nongame to donate today and help the Nongame and Endangered Wildlife Program reach its annual fundraising goal and actualize state matching funds to support wildlife and habitat conservation.
