TheLaker_09_29_25

Chambers of Commerce: What Is Their Value?

By Mark Okrant

What exactly is a chamber of commerce? A chamber of commerce is an association or network of businesspeople designed to promote and protect the interests of its members. It is most often made up of a group of business owners and other citizens who share the interests of a local area. Members choose the chamber’s leadership and debate which policies to support and promote. While these organizations are not legislative bodies, they may strongly influence governmental entities through lobbying efforts and public relations. You may be surprised to learn that the first chamber of commerce was founded in France in 1599, while the first in the United States was started in New York City, dating back to 1768.

You may be asking yourself: Why would I possibly want to spend my free time joining a chamber of commerce? Among the benefits that chamber members receive are: 1) deals and discounts from other chamber members, 2) a listing in a member directory which entitles them to the distinction of being a preferred local vendor, as well as being listed on various municipal websites and within literature, and 3) participation in a variety of other programs and services designed to promote business activity in your region.

On the whole, chambers of commerce play an important role in local municipalities by promoting business

activity and representing chamber members. At the local level, chamber of commerce members often gather to discuss and attempt to shape policy that relates to the business and overall economic environment within their community or region.

In order to function, a chamber of commerce must be able to raise the funds that it can expend. The primary source of this money is membership dues. Every member is required to pay dues, which help cover the organization’s overall operating costs. Chambers may also hold fundraising events to raise additional funds or require the special purchase of tickets to attend their events. Typically, chambers of commerce are designated as 501(c) (6) corporations for federal tax purposes. This classification allows chambers of commerce to operate as nonprofit entities, while also giving them the authority to represent their members in policy matters.

In total, these are the categories of chambers of commerce, as most cham-

bers may be organized in one of several different formats:

• Regional, City, and Community Chambers are focused on regional or local issues, featuring cooperation with local government. They also may promote broader pro-business initiatives that cross borders, such as promoting trade between immigrant groups and their home country.

• City Chambers aim to promote a city’s economic interest locally and possibly globally.

• State Chambers focus on statewide and sometimes national advocacy, therefore have greater influence over regulations and legislation.

National or International Chambers focus on advocacy or lobbying for national or broader issues.

While chambers of commerce may act to promote public policies that are in the best interest of business in general, there are chambers of commerce that attempt to promote policies serving specific industries or geographic locations. Within New Hampshire,

there are a number of chambers of commerce that are highly focused on promoting tourism. These organizations often serve as the primary local resource for visitors—by providing guides, information on attractions, and event details—supporting hospitality and tourism businesses, including the state’s Division of Travel and Tourism Development.

The following is a list of notable tourism-based chambers of commerce in the Granite State:

• Androscoggin Valley Chamber of Commerce, situated in Berlin, this organization serves northern New Hampshire, with a focus upon outdoor recreation—hiking, skiing, snowmobiling— in the White Mountains

• North Country Chamber of Commerce, situated in Colebrook, this organization promotes the Great North Woods region and year-round wilderness activities, including fishing, moose watching, and foliage.

• Northern Gateway Regional Chamber of Commerce, situated in Lancaster, promotes outdoor adventures and local attractions in ten towns within northern Coos country

• Bethlehem Chamber of Commerce, situated in Bethlehem, represents area lodging, restaurants, and activities in the area and operates a visitors center.

• Franconia Notch Chamber of Commerce, situated in Franconia, promotes this area as a four-season destination—

• Chamber continued on page 4

everything from resorts to camping; natural and man-made attractions; recreation and adventure; arts and entertainment; including real estate, rentals, and shopping opportunities.

• Chamber Collaborative of Greater Portsmouth, situated in Portsmouth, provides resources about historic Portsmouth, Seacoast attractions, and cultural tourism.

• Hampton Area Chamber of Commerce, situated in Hampton, represents five towns along the New Hampshire Seacoast with beaches, entertainment, and major tourism events/activities.

• White Mountains Chamber of Commerce, situated in Lincoln-Woodstock, serves as the basecamp for exploring the White Mountains, and promotes interest in local businesses in the area towns and the surrounding natural area.

• Mount Washington Valley Chamber of Commerce, situated in North Conway, specializes in adventure travel, directing people to lodging and restaurant businesses, plus many outdoor recreation opportunities.

the cities and towns around Lake Winnipesaukee and other local lakes, and serves numerous tourism and hospitality businesses.

• Greater Concord Chamber of Commerce, situated in Concord, welcomes visitors to the capital region with its downtown visitor center; provides guides and information on attractions, restaurants, events, and the city’s outstanding historical attractions; and year-round promotion of festivals and cultural activities.

Explore the History (and Future?) of New Hampshire’s First-in-the-Nation Primary

New Hampshire’s last presidential primary was loaded with controversy. Former New Hampshire Secretary of State Bill Gardner will present a program Tuesday, Oct. 7, discussing the history (and maybe the future) of New Hampshire’s Presidential Primary as the next offering in the Meredith Historical Society’s 2025 Speaker Series.

• Lakes Region Chamber of Commerce, situated in Laconia, focuses on

While chambers of commerce are most successful when blending their resources with those of other organizations, including chambers of commerce representing surrounding communities, they are a significant bridge between governments, small businesses, corporations, schools, religious organizations, and the general public. Usually, they rely on volunteers to make sure that they are successful. Getting involved with a chamber of commerce in your community can offer significant benefits to you, including making new friends and contacts, and potentially gaining new customers. The bottom line is that each chamber of commerce is an association of businesspeople that promotes and protects the interests of its members. • Chamber continued from page 3

Things to see and Things to do

Smiley Publishing Group, LLC dba Panoramic Publishing Group/The Laker

P.O. Box 119, Wolfeboro Falls, NH 03896 603-569-5257 in NH 1-800-339-5257 FAX 603-569-5258 pressreleases@thelaker.com • lkr@thelaker.com • www.thelaker.com

Doors at the Meredith Community Center open at 6:30 pm with the program starting at 7.

New Hampshire presidential primary elections for both major political parties in 2024 were among the most eventful ever. On the Democrat side, then-President Joe Biden attempted to take New Hampshire’s first-in-the-nation status away, only to win a write-in vote when it was held anyway. Republican front-runner Donald Trump cast doubt on future elections when he told voters if he was elected, they “won’t have to do it anymore.”

“Whatever these contemporary issues portend for the future, past primary elections have been chockfull of their own stories and controversies,” noted MHS President John Hopper. “And who better to tell those stories than Bill Gardner, who served nearly a half-century as New Hampshire’s secretary of state.”

Bill Gardner is a fourth-generation Granite Stater. He is a graduate of the University of New Hampshire, where he was class president in 1970. He has advanced degrees from Harvard and USC, as well as an honorary Doctorate in Public Service from St. Anselm College. Beginning in 1973, he was elect-

ed to three consecutive terms to the New Hampshire House of Representatives. In 1976 he was elected for the first of 22 terms as secretary of state by his fellow legislators. He was the youngest and longest serving New Hampshire Secretary of State since 1680.

Respected by his fellow secretaries across the country, Gardiner served as president of the National Association of Secretaries of State (1998-1999). He is the author of Towns Against Tyranny, Hillsborough County During the American Revolution 1775-1783 (1976) and co-author with the late Governor Hugh Gregg, of Why, New Hampshire, the First-in-the-Nation Primary State (2003).

A resident of Manchester, Bill also owns and operates a tree farm and maple sugar operation in the Town of Danbury.

Sec. Gardner’s program on the History of New Hampshire’s Presidential Primaries will be presented Tuesday, Oct. 7, at the Meredith Community Center, 1 Circle Drive. Doors open at 6:30 pm for light refreshments and socializing. The program begins at 7 pm. All programs of the Society are free, and all are welcome.

For a complete schedule of the Society’s 2025 Speaker Series, visit their website at www.meredithhistoricalsocietynh.org. Programs of the Meredith Historical Society help fulfill its mission to preserve, develop, and promote the knowledge and awareness of Meredith’s unique history.

By Chef Kelly

Welcome back, my friends who love good food! As the weather turns to the fall and winter seasons, there is even more reason to keep finding great options to keep our taste buds happy to chase away the blues. Regardless of how much our days may not be as good as we had hoped, it’s amazing how some good eats will make all the bad go away. My theme is a little different than usual today, as I am going ethnic: all about eating old school Italian food. My life has been ruled by all ethnic foods, especially French, Mexican, Asian, and Italian cooking. I’ve never met a food that originated in another country that I have disliked, and have always welcomed other ideas from other cultures, as that is what any chef welcomes and appreciates when it comes to cooking. So let’s recreate some Italian classics!

There is a classic sauce from Naples that is absolute perfection, that is similar to marinara but also very different, and that is a Puttanesca sauce. Where many of us, when making our own Italian sauce, let it simmer for hours, as a rule, a Puttanesca sauce is made in a short amount of time, and it has some ingredients you will not find in the usual Italian gravy, including a boatload of anchovies, capers, and kalamata olives. I realize that anchovies, capers, and olives are not everyone’s thing, but if you are a fan of true Italian, you’ll be all over this. This sauce will yield you 3 quarts of goodness. You can have this made in 90 minutes or more, depending on whether you care to let it simmer for a while. This is classic “Old School” Italian goodness that is

incredible to serve over pasta.

Puttanesca Sauce

¾ cup extra-virgin olive oil

10-12 garlic cloves, peeled

18 anchovy fillets

¾ - 1 tsp crushed red pepper

4 tbsp tomato paste

4 cans whole peeled Italian tomatoes with their juices, 28 oz each,

crushed with your hands

1 tsp or more of sugar

8 basil sprigs

1 cup chopped kalamata olives

4 tbsp capers, drained Kosher salt

Freshly ground black pepper

In a large saucepan, heat the oil. Add the garlic, anchovies, and crushed red

‘Cue The Grill

Pasta, Passion, & Parmesan: Time to Fall for Italian Flavors

pepper and cook over moderate heat, stirring occasionally, until golden, about 5 minutes. Add the tomato paste and cook, stirring, for 1 minute. Add the canned tomatoes with their juices. Stir in the sugar, basil, olives, and capers. Season with salt and pepper to taste and bring to a boil. Simmer the sauce over low heat, stirring occasionally, until it thickens and is reduced to 3 quarts, about 75-90 minutes. Season again with salt and pepper to taste. Discard the basil sprigs and garlic before serving if preferred. This is a great but very different sauce.

The Puttanesca sauce will get you some fabulous pasta dishes, but this next dish couldn’t be more different. A classic carbonara dish is another favorite of mine. There are many variations, and while this “white” sauce doesn’t usually need any cream of any kind - but instead, egg yolks as well as a whole egg combined with yummy pancetta and fresh grated pecorino Romano or parmesan cheeses - some heavy cream is still a good thing. If you care to add any protein, such as chicken or shrimp, to bulk up the meal, that is never a bad thing. You can have this made in a half-hour and it will feed 4 lucky eaters. Garlic bread or any good crusty bread is always a great addition to this classic.

Pasta Carbonara

6-8 oz pancetta, cut into ¼ inch dice Kosher salt

1 lb rigatoni

1 tbsp olive oil

2 tbsp minced garlic

• ‘Cue the Grill continued on page 6

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1 large egg

1 cup freshly grated Pecorino Romano cheese, divided ¾ tsp crushed red pepper

Freshly ground black pepper

Heavy cream as needed

In a small skillet, cook the pancetta over moderately low heat, stirring occasionally, until the fat is rendered and the meat is tender, about 15 minutes. Let cool slightly. Meanwhile, in a large pot of salted boiling water, cook the pasta until al dente. Drain, reserving 1 cup of the cooking water. In a large bowl, whisk the egg yolks and egg with the pancetta and the rendered fat. In a large sauté pan, add 1 tbsp of olive oil and the garlic and cook for 1-2 minutes until fragrant. Add the pasta, ¼ cup of the reserved pasta water, and 2/3 cup of the cheese to the egg mixture and toss until creamy and pour into the sauté pan over a low-medium heat and stir often so the eggs don’t scramble, adding more reserved cooking water and/or heavy cream if necessary. Add the crushed red pepper and season with salt and pepper. Once it’s done, serve in bowls sprinkled with the remaining cheese. This is awesome!

Another Italian dish that I have always been a sucker for is pasta with a fresh clam sauce. Garlic is a dominant flavor in this dish that is amazingly simple and can be done in 20 minutes. Sometimes, simple is best when it comes to cooking good food, and this one certainly fits the criteria. As for the sauce for this dish, there are options.

When I cook steamers during the summer, I save the water that I cooked the clams in and freeze it for occasions like this. I also often use bottled clam juice from your local supermarket, or if you don’t want a strong clam flavor, water works fine. This dish will feed 4-6.

Spaghetti with Garlic Clam Sauce

1 lb spaghetti

Kosher salt

¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil

4 garlic cloves, minced

½ tsp crushed red pepper

2 dozen littleneck clams, scrubbed

6-8 oz or more clam juice

2-3 tbsp fresh shredded parmesan cheese

¼ cup finely chopped parsley

Freshly ground black pepper

In a large pot of boiling salted water, cook the spaghetti until just al dente, then drain the pasta well. Meanwhile, in a large, deep skillet, heat the olive

oil. Add the minced garlic and crushed red pepper and cook over moderately high heat, stirring occasionally, until the garlic is lightly browned, about 1 ½ minutes. Add the clams and 4 oz, a half cup, of the clam juice, cover, and simmer until the clams open and are just cooked through, 5-8 minutes. Discard any clams that don’t open. Add the spaghetti and the chopped parsley to the clams in the skillet and season with pepper. Add more clam juice as needed, add 2 tbsp of the parmesan cheese and toss over moderately high heat just until the spaghetti absorbs some of the juices, about 1 minute. Transfer the spaghetti and clams to shallow bowls and top with more parmesan cheese over each dish and serve, again with some good bread if the mood hits. Where the prior recipes were quick, simple and scrumptious, I now move on to a classic dish that is definitely

more time-consuming, but the result is so worth it. The process is still rather easy, and as for its flavor, this dish is one of my all-time favorites. Braciole, if you have not heard of it, is individual stuffed rolls of beef simmered for hours in a garlic tomato sauce. If you have ever seen the braciole episode of “Everyone Loves Raymond”, which is easily one of the funniest moments in TV history for me, you will have a better idea as how popular braciole actually is. This dish is truly a staple in most Italian homes and restaurants. I usually use flank steak for this dish but if preferred, you can use a top round roast, but it will require more prep time. To help on the day of, if it’s easier, you can make the sauce a day or more in advance, which will cut prep time the day of. The active time to make this is in the 1 ½ hour range and then cooking time is in the 2 ½ hour range and should serve 6 of you.

Braciole

For The Sauce

10 medium garlic cloves, peeled

¾ cup loosely packed fresh basil leaves, plus small basil leaves for garnish

½ cup extra-virgin olive oil

¼ tsp crushed red pepper

½ cup unsalted butter

1 medium yellow onion, peeled and halved lengthwise with root end intact

2 cans, 28 oz each, crushed or whole peeled tomatoes, hand-crushed

1 cup water

1 Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese rind, 3 oz, about 3 inches

• ‘Cue the Grill continued on page 7

1 ½ tsp kosher salt

For The Braciole

2 tbsp unsalted butter

1 cup panko

2 tsp fresh thyme leaves

1 tbsp plus ¼ tsp kosher salt, divided

2 flank steaks, 1 ½ lbs each, butterflied and pounded ¼ inch thick

2 tsp freshly ground black pepper, divided

4 oz thinly sliced prosciutto, about 8 slices

¼ cup toasted pine nuts

¼ cup fresh flat-leaf parsley, finely chopped, plus more for garnish

3 tbsp garlic, finely chopped

2 ¼ oz Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese, grated, about ½ cup plus 1 tbsp

2 ¼ oz Pecorino Romano cheese, finely shredded, about ½ cup plus 1 tbsp

3 tbsp olive oil

For the sauce, bring garlic, basil, oil, and crushed red pepper to a simmer in a small saucepan over medium-low and cook until basil wilts but remains green, 2-3 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside, and let cool slightly, for about 15 minutes. Transfer garlic mixture to a blender, food processor, or use an immersion blender and process until smooth, about 30 seconds. Set aside. Melt butter in a large saucepan over medium. Add onion, cut side down and cook, undisturbed, until onion starts to brown, 4-5 minutes. Add tomatoes and add about ½ cup water to each crushed tomato can, swishing to loosen any remaining sauce, and bring to a simmer over medium-high. Add cheese rind and reduce heat to medium-low. Cook, uncovered, stirring occasionally, until sauce is thickened and slightly reduced, about 40 minutes. Remove and discard cheese rind and onion. Add re-

served garlic mixture and salt to tomato sauce, stirring to combine. If making in advance, let cool completely, and transfer to an airtight container. Store in refrigerator for up to 1 week. For the braciole, melt butter in a medium skillet over medium. Add panko, and cook, stirring often, until golden brown and toasted, about 3 minutes. Transfer to a heatproof bowl and stir in thyme and ¼ tsp of the salt and set aside. Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Lay steaks flat on a clean work surface or parchment paper. Sprinkle top of each steak with ¾ tsp of the salt and ½ tsp of the pepper. Divide prosciutto evenly between steaks, overlapping in a single layer across steaks. Sprinkle reserved panko mixture evenly over steaks and sprinkle evenly with pine nuts, parsley, garlic, and ½ cup each of the Parmigiano-Reggiano and Pecorino Romano. Roll up each steak over filling, rolling against the grain of steak, then cut in half crosswise. Using skewers or kitchen twine, secure rolled steaks. Sprinkle each steak with remaining ¾ tsp salt and ½ tsp pepper. Heat oil in a large high-sided, heatproof skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high. Add steaks, and cook, turning occasionally, until browned on all sides, about 2 minutes per side. Transfer steaks from skillet to a large plate. Wipe skillet clean. Add reserved tomato sauce to skillet, and nestle steaks into sauce, spooning some of sauce over steaks. Cover and bake in preheated oven until steak is very tender, 1 ½ - 2 hours, turning steaks halfway through baking time. Transfer steaks to a large cutting board and let cool for 10 minutes. Spoon some sauce in skillet onto a platter. Cut steaks evenly into medallions and arrange over sauce. Spoon additional sauce over steaks, and garnish with basil, parsley, and remaining 1 tbsp each

Parmigiano-Reggiano and Pecorino Romano. Serve immediately with any remaining sauce on the side and maybe with some pasta and bread. There is no way I can share all of these Italian staples without following up with the ultimate Italian dessert, that being Tiramisu. Soaking ladyfingers in coffee or espresso, then layering them with a rich concoction of mascarpone, sugar, and eggs for the popular rich and creamy treat, creates one of the most famous desserts in restaurant history, and with good reason. This version is alcohol-free free but if you care to use Kahlua, amaretto, dark rum, or masala wine, go for it. If you go that route, you can sub a portion of the coffee with your favorite alcohol, but some of the coffee is necessary for the best flavor. Prep time is only 20 minutes or so, but it will need to sit under refrigeration for a minimum of 2 hours, and overnight is best in my opinion. This will feed at least 6 lucky dessert eaters.

Tiramisu

1 container mascarpone, 17 ½ oz 4 large eggs, separated ¼ cup sugar

1 cup strong brewed coffee or espresso 24 ladyfingers

Sweetened cocoa powder, for dusting

Beat mascarpone with egg yolks and 3 tbsp of the sugar in a medium bowl. Whip egg whites in a large stainless steel bowl until they hold soft peaks. Add remaining 1 tbsp of sugar and beat until peaks are firm and glossy. Fold half of the egg whites into mascarpone, then fold in remaining whites. Pour coffee into a bowl. Dip 12 of the ladyfingers into coffee, being sure to soak them on both sides, then arrange them in a single layer in a deep 8-inchsquare glass baking dish. Spread half of the mascarpone filling on top. Dip remaining 12 ladyfingers in coffee and arrange them in a layer over filling. Spread remaining mascarpone over ladyfingers and dust generously with cocoa. Refrigerate tiramisu until thoroughly chilled, at least 2 hours or overnight.

Enjoy these outstanding Italian recipes. I was going to add a cannoli recipe so I could say “Leave the gun and take the cannoli” in a tribute to one of my favorite movies ever, but hey, I snuck it in anyway lol. Until next time, keep those taste buds happy and smiling, and if you care to reach out with any questions or feedback, please touch base at fenwaysox10@gmail.com.

Summer Issue Now Available

Fall Hunting Seasons Underway Across New Hampshire

Fall hunting season is in full swing across New Hampshire, offering opportunities for turkey, furbearer, and pheasant hunters. The New Hampshire Fish and Game Department reminds all hunters to review season dates, licensing requirements, and registration procedures to ensure a safe, successful, and responsible experience.

Fall Turkey Season

The 2025 fall turkey hunting season is open for archery statewide and runs October 13–19 for shotgun in designated Wildlife Management Units (WMUs): D2, H1, H2, I1, J2, K, L, and M. Hunters who did not fill both tags during the spring season may harvest one turkey during either fall season.

All harvested birds must be tagged immediately and registered within 24 hours—either online or at a local check station. Online registrants should be prepared with accurate weight and measurements and will receive a confirmation email upon successful registration. Proof of registration must be retained with your hunting license. Learn more and register at: wildlife.nh.gov/hunting-nh/turkey-hunting-new-hampshire

Furbearer Hunting: Online Registration Required

As part of efforts to improve wildlife

data collection, all furbearers taken by hunting must now be registered online. Species include coyote (huntable yearround), fisher (opens Dec. 1), red and gray fox, raccoon, opossum, skunk,

mink, muskrat, and weasel (season dates vary by WMU).

Hunters should have their license number, harvest details, and hunting effort information ready. Fisher must also be sealed, and the lower jaw submitted at the time of sealing. Access the registration portal and full details at: wildlife.nh.gov/hunting-nh/furbearer Pheasant Season Opens October 1

New Hampshire’s pheasant season opens October 1–December 31. Approximately 10,000 adult ring-necked pheasants will be stocked across all 10 counties. Hunters must purchase a $31 pheasant license in addition to a valid NH hunting license.

New this year: Pheasant hunting is prohibited until 2pm on stocking days—October 2–3, 9–10, and 16–17. All stocking will be completed by October 17. View stocking locations at: wildlife.nh.gov/hunting-nh/nh-pheasant-stocking.

Hunters are reminded to:

• Wear hunter orange

• Control firearm muzzle direction

• Keep dogs under control

• Respect landowners and other recreational users

• Youth participants (age 15 and under) must be accompanied by a properly licensed adult who may not carry a firearm or hunting device.

• Stay Safe and Informed Hunters are encouraged to always follow safe hunting practices, respect private land, and comply with all licensing and registration requirements. For season regulations, stocking maps, and to purchase licenses or permits online, visit: www.huntnh.com/hunting Wildlife management programs in New Hampshire are made possible in part through funding from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Wildlife Restoration Program. For further information, visit www.huntnh.com.

Eric Orff pheasant stocking.Courtesy Jane Vachon, NHFG.

Squam Lakes Natural Science Welcomes New Additions and Bids a Sad Farewell

Squam Lakes Natural Science Center welcomed three new animals to its collection recently. A one-year-old female Bald Eagle arrived in Holderness at the end of July and, after completing its 30 days of quarantine and testing, joined a second female eagle on exhibit on September 12. This new eagle came from the Teton Raptor Center near Jackson, Wyoming. Their skilled staff attempted to rehabilitate it, but found that it was unable to fly properly and could not be released back to the wild.

“In keeping with the Science Center’s geographic-origin-focused nam-

ing protocol, this new eagle is called Jackson,” said Iain MacLeod, Executive Director at the Science Center.

“The other eagle (named Cody) arrived at the Science Center in 2013, having been found in 2012 near Cody, Wyoming, as a young eagle with severe mercury poisoning, causing neurological difficulties and the inability to sustain flight,” MacLeod added.

Last week, a Broad-winged Hawk that was found injured in Kalamazoo, Michigan, was introduced to another Broad-winged Hawk that has been with the center since 2008. That older

Comedian Juston McKinney Coming to Colonial Theatre

The Colonial Theatre of Laconia will present Juston McKinney on Saturday, January 3, at 7:30 pm. Tickets are available at ColonialLaconia.com or by calling 1-800-6578774.

End the year with laughter as NH’s own comedian, Juston McKinney, brings his must-see show to Laconia to review the past year, 2025! Juston has multiple appearances on The Tonight Show, Conan O’Brien, and one-hour specials on Comedy Central. He also has two one-hour specials on Amazon Prime, and his latest special, “On the Bright Side,” can be seen for FREE on this YouTube channel. Throw in some appearances at the TD Garden for Comics Come Home, a Show-

time special with Rob Gronkowski, and you can see why NH Magazine named him “Best of New Hampshire” and the New York Times called him “Destined for stardom.” Have the last laugh of 2025 with Juston as he uses multimedia to dish on his New England life and looks back at the year that was.

Tickets for Juston McKinney at the Colonial Theatre of Laconia on Saturday, January 3, at 7:30 pm are available at ColonialLaconia.com or by calling 1-800-657-8774. The Colonial Theatre is located at 609 Main Street in Laconia, NH.

hawk had been rescued after colliding with a window in Miami, Florida.

NH Fish and Game recently brought a White-tailed Deer to the Science Center. This deer had become tame after being fed by well-meaning residents in a NH neighborhood. “Once habituated like this, deer typically become dependent on humans, which makes it impossible for them to survive in the wild,” said MacLeod. This female deer (named Pemigewasset) immediately settled into her new surroundings. She joins a second female deer, which arrived at the Science Center in 2018. She too, had been fed as a youngster and became habituated.

On September 9, the Science Center staff bid a very sad farewell to their 26-year old female Black Bear named Salem. She was born in captivity in 1999 at a facility in Salem, Illinois, and was transferred to the Science Center in 2001 from Clark’s Trading Post in Lincoln, NH. As a captive-born bear, Salem never learned the necessary survival skills to live in the wild, but lived a long and happy life at the Science Center as a true ambassador for her species.

Over the last couple of years, she had been showing signs of age-related mobility issues and had been carefully monitored by the staff and veterinarians. Her health deteriorated in the last weeks, and after she failed to respond to various new medications, she was euthanized. “Her last day was filled with all her favorite treats and snacks before she went peacefully to sleep,” said MacLeod.

“It’s always a sad day when any of our animals die, but losing this very

special old bear was particularly hard on our animal care staff and veterinarians who have cared for her throughout her 24 years here,” said MacLeod. The Science Center still has a young male Black Bear named Randolph. He was found orphaned at approximately 12 weeks old in Randolph County, North Carolina. When taken in by rehabilitators, he was dehydrated, underweight, and covered in ticks. As an orphan, Randolph missed essential survival and socialization lessons from his mother. He was deemed non-releasable after becoming habituated to humans due to the level of care he required. He arrived at the Science Center at eight months old in October 2022.

Visit nhnature.org to learn more and get tickets to visit our animals. The Science Center is open daily through November 1.

The mission of Squam Lakes Natural Science Center is to advance understanding of ecology by exploring New Hampshire’s natural world. Through spectacular live animal exhibits, natural science education programs, guided Squam Lake Cruises, public gardens, and a nature-based Montessori early learning center, the Science Center has educated audiences of all ages since 1966 about the importance of our natural world. The Science Center is Sensory Inclusive Certified by KultureCity. Located on Route 113 in Holderness, it’s an easy drive from exit 24 off I-93, and public trails are open daily from May 1 through November 1 with programming throughout the year. For further information about the Science Center, call 603-968-7194 or visit www.nhnature.org.

Tappan Chairs – Two Centuries of Craftsmanship in Sandwich

By Mike Moore

Hard-working and unique are two compliments that are often associated with New Englanders. And for over 200 years, Tappan Chairs of Sandwich has proven that those qualities can lead to sustained success, as well as a legendary reputation. The custom-crafted chairs, meticulously put together with the same care and technique that Abraham Tappan used when he made the first of these chairs in 1819, often become family heirlooms, remaining strong and elegant year after year.

Throughout the seven generations of ownership, this treasure of a business in Sandwich is still going strong in 2025. Community members purchased the shop from the Tappan family after they owned it for over a hundred years, spanning three generations. And with each time the company was sold after that, the name, and the iconic status, remained the same. Even back in the early 1960s when it seemed as if Tappan Chairs was to go out of business, the company was saved at auction, with all the equipment safely maintained and stored until it was purchased again and reopened in the 1980s.

Despite such popularity that expanded beyond our region throughout two centuries, Tappan Chairs has kept their operation local, remaining only in Sandwich to this day. While competitors transitioned their machinery to more modern methods in order to increase production, the Tappan family was steadfast in their belief that their

classic tools and machinery used for the chairmaking process allowed them to maintain their high quality and oneof-a-kind look. The historic equipment

The C.H. Cowdrey pattern/

back-knife lathe was a machine used to taper the wood and first brought into the shop in the late 1800s. There were some aspects of modernization that weren’t discouraged at Tappan Chairs over the years, however. In the 1950s, the shop added a “Versatile Saw” which made it easy and quicker to be precise when cutting and shaping the wooden posts for the chair, without having to lose the delicate craftmanship. While the Tappan family handed over the business nearly a hundred years ago, those that have owned the company since have continued to custom craft the renowned chairs right here in the Lakes Region, carrying on the Tappan tradition.

Tappan Chairs still hand crafts their unique chairs today, so those interested in placing an order can choose from a wide variety of custom options. There are about ten styles on display for their customers to choose from, many of which are crafted with their signature ladder back design. There is the Five Slat Tappan Rocker, which hadn’t been produced for over 125 years, but has rapidly become a favorite model. The Four Slat Tappan Rocker and Arm Chair have always been steadfastly popular, while their custom options such as the One Slat Tappan Side Chair, the Tappan Bench, and the Tappan Foot Stool serve as ideal companions to the arm chair and rocker options. “Sturdy sim• Tappen continued on page 12

still used in the shop today includes a wood-framed hand lathe, which dates back to the 1850s under Daniel Tappan’s lead.

Registration Open For Lakes Region Scholarship

With the rapid approach of Fall, registration for the Lakes Region Scholarship Foundation’s Annual Lakes Region Pumpkin Figure Contest fundraiser is now open. Executive Director, Chris Guilmett said, “The scholarship foundation is looking forward to building on the success of our annual Pumpkin Figure Contest! The time invested by the participants, as well as the creativity and the willingness to share their creations with the entire community, is great to see! This has become a seasonal fundraiser for us in which the whole community gets involved. The pumpkin figures are judged in several categories with prizes awarded.”

“We have seen many amazing

• Tappen continued from page 11

plicity” is how their website describes the chairs, but each model produced by Adam Nudd-Homeyer, the current lead craftsman and steward for the company, shows the same unique elegance of those created by Daniel Tappan, son of Abraham, in the mid-1800s. The wood used over the years has mostly come from rock maple and white ash trees, as they offer the strength and density that a Tappan chair has been providing customers consistently for generations. Nudd-Homeyer has incorporated

entries over the years from not only families, but a variety of businesses, schools, individuals, and non-profit agencies. We are excited to see this year’s entries! Registration for the Lakes Region Pumpkin Figure Contest can be done by following the link under the Pumpkin Figure Contest tab on our website. You will also be able to purchase tickets to our two additional Fall fundraisers, our popular Fall Harvest Raffle and our Cake n’ Sweets Calendar Raffle! You do not need to be participating in the Lakes Region Pumpkin Figure Contest to purchase raffle tickets.”

The contest is open to individuals, families, schools, businesses, and non-profits. Pumpkin figures

a few other local varieties of trees to use that offer that same level of quality. His passion, experience, and devotion to the hand-crafted chairmaking process have also allowed him to recreate some of the more intricate Tappan chair models from centuries before. His impressive work was put on display by the League of New Hampshire Craftsmen, when they featured Nudd-Homeyer in a “Signature of Excellence” video and the league also displays the Tappan chair showroom at their office in Center Sandwich. Additionally, Nudd-Homeyer is able to offer restoration work on Shaker chairs, a similar handcrafted icon that are often

must include at least one pumpkin. In order to qualify for the contest, entrants must live in the Lakes Region, and the entry forms must be received by Lakes Region Scholarship by October 9. Judging takes place on October 16, 17 & 18. For those looking for a fun, fall day excursion, an interactive map with the locations of the Pumpkin Figures will be available to download on the website.

To register for the Annual Lakes Region Pumpkin Figure Contest or to view the items for the Fall Harvest Raffle and purchase Fall Harvest or Cakes ‘n Sweets Calendar Raffle tickets, please visit www.lrscholarship.org.

mistaken for a Tappan chair. Restoration and reweaving are important to Tappan Chairs, being able to help preserve family heirlooms and carry on traditions for others.

When visiting the company website, those interested in a Tappan chair can explore the selection of woods and choose from the oil and paint finish options. In addition to the ever-popular ash and maple options, Tappan can also create your chair using cherry, red oak, or walnut. One of the few design changes that proved to be a benefit was switching from the “basket-bottomed” seating, which used splint wood that often wear and split over time. Shaker tape is the material used now, and is equally comfortable, stylish, and durable. There are a dozen color options for the seat tape, and with the opportunity to choose from checkerboard, herringbone, diamond, or cross weave patterns. After choosing all of your unique customized options, those living within New England are offered free shipping on their order.

During the age where 3D printers can create objects from a picture, having something handcrafted, that had the time, care, and effort put into its creation has significant value. When the Sandwich General Store became the new location for Tappan Chairs back in 2018, all of the original chairmaking equipment were installed there, and

the windowed storefront has allowed them to display a few of their models when they are not sold out. This added opportunity for people to see the fine craftsmanship up close often creates the fortunate challenge of being able to keep up with the extra orders getting placed. Despite the consistent popularity of the business and the push by rival businesses to mass produce their product, Tappan Chairs will continue to finely craft your order, ensuring every unique detail will be on display generation after generation.

There are not many businesses that can claim they’ve been successful for centuries, but at Tappan Chairs in Sandwich, their commitment to high quality craftsmanship has made them a significant part of the Lakes Region history. Countless examples of their work are proudly displayed by happy customers throughout Instagram and Facebook, and their longevity has been celebrated over the years in stories by WMUR, NHPR, Laconia Daily Sun, and Fine Homebuilding Magazine. If visiting historic downtown Sandwich, the shop is open to the public from 8:30 to 4:30 every weekday.

Castle in the Clouds Annual Car Show is a Must-See

Castle in the Clouds is excited to bring back their annual Castle Car Show on Saturday, October 4, from 10 am to 2 pm. This show always features a variety of antique cars dating back to those that were in style when Lucknow Mansion (aka The Castle) was first built, to more modern car models. There is something for everyone! The Featured category this year is Muscle Cars, which will be judged in addition to the regular Tom Plant Era (19141941) and Judge’s Favorite categories.

“This car show is shaping up to be a good one, as we already have almost 300 cars that have pre-registered,” according to Evan O’Connor, the Castle’s Public Programs Coordinator. “We’re also excited to have food trucks from Hart’s Turkey Farm, Rubbin’ Butts BBQ, and

Little Red Bread Shed, in addition to our own Café in the Clouds.” The latter will be open at 7 am serving hot and cold beverages for those with show cars, in addition to the usual fare of sandwiches and ice cream throughout the day. Show car pre-registration ($25) closes at 11:59 pm on Thursday, October 2, and day of registration ($50) will open at 8 am and close at noon or until space runs out the day of the show. For those interested in walking around, Spectator Registration opens at 10 am (or register ahead online) and is $5. Car Show Spectator Admission is also included with any paid Castle tour admission.

For more information, please contact programs@castleintheclouds. org or visit www.castleintheclouds. org/event/castle-car-show/.

At the Stove Barn, you’ll nd luxury replaces and stoves cra ed to elevate your home and tailored to your taste — like the Fire Nova 2, a modern, EPA-certi ed woodstove that delivers high e ciency with low emissions, serious heat output, 22-inch log capacity, and exible top or rear venting.

Or the show-stopping Urbana U33i-Tall, a clean-face gas centerpiece with a soaring viewing window and a full palette of customizable options and power-vent solutions — so the nal look feels architectdesigned and uniquely yours.

From nish selections to venting and control packages, our team will spec every detail so your hearth looks built in from day one. Come experience the ame in person, see true scale, compare nishes, and let us design a replace or stove that ts your home like it was made for it.

We invite you to visit and explore stoves and replaces you won’t nd in every other store. Come see why we’re celebrating y years — and why we’re just getting started. 249 Loudon Road Concord, NH 603-225-8308 info@stovebarn.com

Sept. 30, All Paths Home – Chi-Lin the Lakes Gallery, free, exhibit on the concept of home, 135 Eastman Rd., Laconia, 603-556-9384, www.thelakesgallery.com.

Sept. 30, Fall Film Series: Beetlejuice, 7 p.m., Rochester Opera House, 31 Wakefield St., Rochester, tickets/info.: 603-335-1992.

Oct. 1, Alton Market on Main, farmers market, noon – 3 p.m., 115 Main St., Alton, complete schedule: www.altonmarketonmain.com, 513-519-8264.

Oct. 1, Learn to Knit, 3 – 5 p.m., Makers Mill, 23 Bay St., Wolfeboro, 603569-1500, www.makersmill.org

Oct. 1, Polliwogs – Field to Feast, 10 – 11:30 a.m., Prescott Farm Environmental Education Center, 928 White Oaks Road, Laconia, www.prescottfarm. org. Pre-registration: 603-366-5695.

Oct. 1, Movie: Hocus Pocus, 6 p.m., Flying Monkey Movie House and Performance Center, 39 Main St., Plymouth, 603-536-2551, www.flyingmonkeynh. com.

Oct. 1-3, Mutiny on the Mount, Winnipesaukee Playhouse, 33 Footlight Circle, Meredith, 603-279-0333, www.winnipesaukeeplayhouse.com

Oct. 1-31, Community Pumpkin Art Exhibit, Riverside Gallery, Belknap Mill, 25 Beacon St. East, Laconia, 603-524-8813, www.belknapmill.org

Oct. 2, Cyril Neville, The Uptown Ruler, 7:30 p.m., Flying Monkey Movie House and Performance Center, 39 Main St., Plymouth, 603-536-2551, www. flyingmonkeynh.com.

Oct. 2, Vira Slywotzky and Pianist David Slywotzky at the Loft at Hermit Woods, 7 p.m., Hermit Woods Winery & Eatery, 72 Main St., Meredith, ticket reservations a must: 603-253-7968, www.hermitwoods.com

Oct. 2-26, Birches & Boats, exhibit at Tanger Outlet, Suite 300, Tilton, info./ hours: 603-998-0029.

Oct. 3, Corn to Crumb: Abenaki Flint Corn Adventure, 10 a.m. – noon, for ages 6-14, Prescott Farm Environmental Education Center, 928 White Oaks Road, Laconia, www.prescottfarm.org. Pre-registration: 603-366-5695.

Oct. 3, iLuminate, 7:30 p.m., Colonial Theatre, 609 Main St., Laconia, 800657-8774, www.coloniallaconia.com.

Oct. 3, Pink Talking Fish, 7:30 p.m., Flying Monkey Movie House and Performance Center, 39 Main St., Plymouth, 603-536-2551, www.flyingmonkeynh.com.

Oct. 3, Viva Las Elvis From Sun to Vegas with Memphis Sun Mafia Band, 8 p.m., Rochester Opera House, 31 Wakefield St., Rochester, tickets/info.: 603335-1992.

Oct. 4, 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

Oct. 4, Autumn Watercolor Class with Anne Xavier, 10 a.m. – noon, pre-registration required, Nichols Memorial Library, 35 Plymouth St., Center Harbor, 603-253-6950, www.centerharborlibrary.org.

Oct. 4, Autumn Wreath Making, 12:30 – 3 p.m., age 16 & up, Prescott Farm Environmental Education Center, 928 White Oaks Road, Laconia, www. prescottfarm.org. Pre-registration: 603-366-5695.

Oct. 4, Bicycle Maintenance: Brakes, 10 – 11 a.m., Makers Mill, 23 Bay St., Wolfeboro, 603-569-1500, www.makersmill.org

Oct. 4, Castle Car Show, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m., antique cars & motorcycles, Castle in the Clouds, Rte. 171, Moultonborough, vehicle pre-registration: 603-4765900, www.castleintheclouds.org

Oct. 4, Getting Ready for the Holidays Craft Fair, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m., in and outdoors at Union Congregational Church, 71 & 80 Main St., Union, 603-9783744 or 603-522-6713.

Oct. 4, Donor & Member Appreciation Day, 9:30 a.m. - 5 p.m., celebration with art projects, donuts and cider, animal encounters and more, Squam Lakes Natural Science Center, Holderness, www.nhnature.org, 603-968-7194.

Oct. 4, Foreign Journey: Ultimate Tribute, 8 p.m., Rochester Opera House, 31 Wakefield St., Rochester, tickets/info.: 603-335-1992.

Oct. 4, Harvest Time on the Farm, NH Farm Museum, 1305 White Mt. Highway, Milton, 603-652-7840, www.nhfarmuseum.org.

What’s UP

Oct. 4, Ladies of the Lake Annual Crafts Fair & Festival, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m., free admission, benefits Greater Lakes Region Children’s Auction, Laconia High School, 345 Union Ave., Laconia, ladiesofthelakenh@gmail.com

Oct. 4, Ring With Bezel Set Stone with Joy Raskin, 10:30 am. – 4:30 p.m., pre-registration required by Oct. 1, League of NH Craftsmen Meredith Fine Craft Gallery, 279 Daniel Webster Highway, Meredith, 603-279-7920, http:// meredith.nhcrafts.org/classes/

Oct. 4, Squam in Fiber, 2 – 4 p.m., fiber felting class, Squam Lake Association, 534 U.S. Rt. 3, Holderness, 603-968-7336, www.squamlakes.org

Oct. 4, Tusk, 8 p.m., Colonial Theatre, 609 Main St., Laconia, 800-657-8774, www.coloniallaconia.com.

Oct. 4, Women’s Workshop: Hand Carved Signs, noon – 4 p.m., Makers Mill, 23 Bay St., Wolfeboro, 603-569-1500, www.makersmill.org

Oct. 4 & 5, Autumn Craft Festival on the Lake, Mill Falls Marketplace, 312 DW Highway, Meredith, free admission, rain or shine, friendly pets on a leash are welcome, 10/4: 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.; 10/5: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., www.castleberryfairs.com

Oct. 4 & 5, Black Bears, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., for all ages, learn about bears, cost included in trail admission, Squam Lakes Natural Science Center, Holderness, www.nhnature.org, 603-968-7194.

Oct. 5, Carter Mountain Band, 3 p.m., First United Methodist Church, 18 Wesley Way, Gilford, donation requested, 603-524-3289.

Oct. 5, Eaglemania – Eagles Tribute Band, 7 p.m., Flying Monkey Movie House and Performance Center, 39 Main St., Plymouth, 603-536-2551, www. flyingmonkeynh.com.

Oct. 5, Mile for Mentoring Race & Fun Run, 9:30 a.m., 1-mile charity race and run to benefit Big Brothers Big Sisters of NH, Gunstock, 719 Cherry Valley Rd., Gunstock, info.: 603-293-4341, www.gunstock.com

Oct. 6, Crafts With Linda: Holiday Wreath, 10 p.m. - noon, Moultonborough Public Library, 4 Holland St., Moultonborough, pre-registration: www. moultonboroughlibrary.org.

Oct. 6, Expert Exchanges; Honey Tasting, 10 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., Castle in the Clouds, Rte. 171, Moultonborough, pre-registration: 603-476-5900, www. castleintheclouds.org

Oct. 6-30, Graveyard History Walking Tour, Castle in the Clouds, Rte. 171, Moultonborough, pre-registration required/info/hours: 603-476-5900, www. castleintheclouds.org. (Takes place Mondays and Saturdays.)

ONGOING

Alton Market on Main, farmers market, every other Wed., through Oct. 1, noon – 3 p.m., 115 Main St., Alton, complete schedule: www.altonmarketonmain.com, 513-519-8264.

Art & Coffee Club, Thursdays, 9 – 11 a.m., Belknap Mill, 25 Beacon St. East, Laconia, 603-524-8813, www.belknapmill.org.

ArtWorks Chocorua Creative Arts Center, gallery, workshops & events, open year-round with seasonal hours, 603-323-8041, 132 Rt. 16, Chocorua, www. chocoruaartworks.com

Belknap Mill, 25 Beacon St. East, Laconia, gallery and textile museum, events and programs, 603-524-8813, www.belknapmill.org.

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.

Community Breakfast, 2nd Sat. of each month, 7:30 – 10:30 a.m., Masonic Lodge, 18 Pleasant St., Bristol, donations welcome, 603-744-3060.

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The Laker 7/21/25

Joy • Connection • Wonder

Country Village Quilt Guild, meets twice monthly, Public Safety Building (back entrance to Police and Fire Dept.), Rte. 25, Moultonborough, countryvillagequilters@gmail.com.

Cruise Night, 5 – 7 p.m., Thursdays, 50/50 raffle, prizes, Tilt’n Diner, 61 Laconia Rd., Tilton, 603-455-7631.

Fiber Arts Monthly Mingle, first Tues. of every month, 6 – 8 p.m., Makers Mill, 23 Bay St., Wolfeboro, 603-569-1500, www.makersmill.org

CASTLE CAR SHOW

First Friday Receptions, June through Dec., 5-7 p.m., refreshments, conversation & art, ArtWorks Chocorua Creative Arts Center, 132 Rt. 16, Chocorua, 603-323-8041, www.chocoruaartworks.com

Gilmanton Farmers Market, through Oct. 12, Sundays, 11 a.m. - 2 p.m., local vegetables, flowers, plants, crafts, baked goods, live music and more, 1385 NH 140, on lawn of Gilmanton Year Round Library, Gilmanton Iron Works, 603491-1687, 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 tour.

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 Museum, displays of historic Lakes Region artifacts and information, souvenir postcards, plates, paperweights, memorabilia, summer camp historical information and more, open Wed. – Sat., 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., through Columbus Day weekend, 503 Endicott St. North, Laconia, 603-3665950, www.lwhs.us

Lake Winnipesaukee Sailing Association, youth and adult sailing lessons, sailing competitions, Gilford, www.lwsa.org, 603-589-1177.

Lakes Region Art Association, exhibits and classes, Suite 300, Tanger Outlet, Rte. 3, Tilton, 603-998-0029, www.lraanh.org

Lakes Region Curling Association, winter leagues, matches at Pop Whalen Ice & Arts Center, Rt. 109A., Wolfeboro, Sundays 4:30 – 6:30 p.m., 603-5695639.

Loon Center, walking trails, loon exhibits, 183 Lees Mill Rd., Moultonborough, 603-476-5666, www.loon.org

Makers Mill, a variety of workshops, arts and crafts classes and more, 23 Bay St., Wolfeboro, 603-569-1500, www.makersmill.org

Making Strides, 8 – 9 a.m., drop-in walking for groups or singles, Ossipee Town Hall, no pre-registration required, 55 Main St., Center Ossipee, takes place various times: www.ossipee.recdesk.com.

Market on Main, farmers market, every other Wed., through Oct. 1, noon - 3 p.m., 115 Main St., Alton, complete schedule: www.altonmarketonmain.com, 513-519-8264.

Meredith Community Market, 3:30 – 6:30 p.m., 1 Burton Drive, off Rt. 104, Meredith, free admission, 603-409-2871, www.meredithcommunitymarket. com.

Model Yachting, 1 – 3 p.m., Tues. & Thurs., Back Bay Skippers at Bridge Falls Path, Wolfeboro, watch radio-controlled model yachts, NH Boat Museum, schedule: www.nhbm.org.

Molly the Trolley, take tours/rides of Wolfeboro area aboard the fun trolley, info/schedules: 603-569-1080, www.wolfeborotrolley.com

M/S Mount Washington Cruises, narrated cruises of Lake Winnipesaukee, day & evening cruises, M/S Mount Washington, 211 Lakeside Ave., Weirs Beach, 603-366-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, 603-569-4554. Second location: 399 Center St., Wolfeboro, 603-5694554, www.nhbm.org.

What’s UP

NH Farm Museum, seasonal (summer & fall) old-time farm events, gift shop, 1305 White Mt. Highway, Milton, contact for open hours/dates: 603-6527840, www.nhfarmmuseum.org

Outdoor Nature-Based Storytime for Young Children, 10:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m., Tuesdays, Cook Memorial Library, 93 Main St., Tamworth, 603-3238510, 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.

Small Business Advising, first Wed. of every month, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m., until Dec. 17, sign up at www.NHSBDC.org., Maker’s Mill, 23 Bay St., Wolfeboro, pr-register: 603-569-1500, www.makersmill.org.

Song and Jam Circle, 6:30 – 8 p.m., community created jams and song circle, 3rd Monday of each month, Runnells Hall, 25 Deer Hill Rd., Tamworth, free, bring your favorite instruments, Arts Council of Tamworth, 603-584-2712, www.artstamworth.org

Squam Lake Cruises, family/educational cruises to look for loons, & wildlife, Squam Lakes Natural Science Center, Holderness, www.nhnature.org, call for hours/dates of operation: 603-968-7194.

Squam Lakes Association, programs, hikes, 534 US Rt. 3, Holderness, 603968-7336, www.squamlakes.org

Squam Lakes Natural Science Center, exhibits, nature trails, events, cruises, 23 Science Center Rd., Holderness, 603-968-7194, www.nhnature.org

Tamworth Farmer’s Market, 9 a.m. - noon, Saturdays, 30 Tamworth Road, Tamworth, www.tamworthfarmersmarket.org

Tamworth History Center, 25 Great Hill Rd., Tamworth, www.tamworthhistorycenter.org.

Tamworth Townhouse Hoot – Bruce Berquist & Jim Alt, 1 – 3 p.m., Saturdays, 27 Cleveland Hill Rd., Tamworth, song circle, local musicians welcome to participate, bruceberquist@gmail.com

The Market at the Weirs, Saturdays, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m., through Oct. 4, fresh produce, meats and artisan crafts, through Oct. 5, Weirs Community Park, 49 Lucerne Ave., Weirs Beach, email: bamm-nh.org., www.themarketatweirs.com

Tilton Farmers Market, Tuesdays, 3:30 – 6:30 p.m., next to Police Dept. building, 45 Sanborn Rd., Tilton, Rt. 132, free admission, 603-409-2871, www. tiltonfarmersmarketnh.com

Tuftonboro Country Bluegrass and Gospel Jam, 6:30 - 8 p.m., Tuesdays, donation requested, Old White Church, Rte. 109A, Center Tuftonboro, across from Tuftonboro General Store, 603-569-3861.

Wolfeboro Farmers Market, Thursdays, noon – 3:30 p.m., The Nick Recreation Park, 10 Trotting Track Rd., Rt. 28, Wolfeboro, email: wolfeborofarmersmarket@gmail.com, www.wolfeborofarmersmarket.com.

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, 603-569-1212, www.wrightmuseum. org

Yesteryear

Historic Stages of the Lakes Region: The “Other” Opera Houses and Their Stories

By Kathi Caldwell-Hopper

If the headline of this story causes readers to wonder, “What other opera houses?” please note there were plenty of entertainment venues in the 1800s and into the 1900s around the Lakes Region, as well as big venues such as Moulton’s Opera House. The “other” opera houses refer to the more modest theatres that were located outside the larger Lakes Region towns.

New Hampshire, like most states, was relatively short on entertainment in the 1800s. A few church suppers and a summertime picnic or evening of sing-alongs was the extent of social activities. People longed for more and eventually, theatres were created in spaces in town halls where a meeting room might have a stage.

Once a town had an opera house, a variety of shows could be presented, from plays and musical concerts put on by local groups to out-of-town, professional troupes and bands.

By the 1930s, many towns had a theatre of some sort. In the Newfound Lake area, the Wagon-Wheel Theatre actors took to the stage at the Pasquaney Music Colony to present

“Laff That Off”. The Bristol Enterprise in its July 19, 1934 edition, reported that the unique theatre was “packed to the doors on opening night” attesting to the hunger people had for entertainment. Actors were from Philadelphia. The play following was to be “Love in a Mist.”

In Gilford, entertainment was scarce for many years, with church suppers and chorus nights being the extent of socializing. Later, in the 1940s, summer theatre came to the area in a big way as the Lakes Region Playhouse brought movie stars to the summer stock venue. When the summer season ended, it would have been back to a slower time without entertainment. However, in the post-war era, the town’s young couples banded together to start the Gaslight Players. The old town hall in the village became the spot of well-attended plays starring local talent. Annually, according to “The Gunstock Parish” by Adair Mulligan, the local group put on a play that might be from an original musical with script and music written by residents of the town. The shows were pure local entertainment with ticket sales funding school supplies for

needy children.

The Franklin Opera House in downtown Franklin sits at the end of Central Street and has seen political candidates, town officials and artists using the grand building.

William Butterfield designed the large, architecturally ornate building in 1893 in a Romanesque Revival style. It was originally intended to be a multi-purpose structure; historical reports say the building was used as a town and memorial hall.

According to www.franklinoperahouse.org, the building was dedicated and opened to the public on September 5, 1893. The total cost of construction was about $45,000, which included all furnishings. The Hall provided 504 seats on the main floor and 288 seats on its second-level balcony, making the opera house quite large for the area.

Franklin had a growing population because of its mills, which offered employment to many at the time. With an influx of people came the reality of increased crime, and the town needed a larger police force. Thus, a local police station was housed within the Opera House for many years.

Immediately after the building was opened, it was a venue for balls, dances, lectures, plays, musicals, vaudeville shows, concerts, school productions, and graduation ceremonies. This would have been quite exciting for local people with an evening of dressing up now and then for a play or musical’s opening night.

By the late 1800s, a national effort was underway to honor and provide services for Civil War veterans; the theatre had plenty of space for a Grand Army of the Republic room for veteran meetings and other gatherings.

The Opera House is worth noting for its unique and lengthy cultural heritage. It has been home to all types of performances and programs since its inception in 1893. From opera, stage shows, magical acts, basketball in 1916, wrestling in 1919 and 1920, the old building was even used as an indoor miniature golf course around 1930.

During the Depression years, the Opera House was just about the only bright spot for the residents. Social pro-

• Yesteryear continued on page 19

grams continued, and it was a place for unemployed folks to gather for games and other activities. Not long after, the Red Cross held programs during World War II.

Following that war, the advent of television began to keep people at home. There was less interest in the live entertainment and socializing offered at the Franklin Opera House and attendance dwindled.

Along with people seeking entertainment elsewhere, Franklin city government was expanding, and the police department took over the entire lower level of the building.

Political candidates came through the Lakes Region over the years, and Franklin was one of many scheduled stops for presidential and other government candidates. District court offices were constructed on the beautiful stage where concerts and plays had once been presented.

A group joined together to start a community theatre in the 1990s. In 2001 the Franklin Opera House was incorporated. Once again, the theatre was active, and the architectural beauty of the structure was revealed. Over the years, the wonderful Opera House has served the city of Franklin well. If its walls could talk, they would tell of Civil War veteran’s gatherings to local politics and meetings to music and theatre filling the old building.

Also in Franklin, an 830-seat movie house called the Regal Theatre was opened on Central Street (the town’s

main street) in 1941. It had the features of other such movie theatres in its day, with an ornate interior and many seats to accommodate moviegoers. After the ups and downs of the economy, it was closed and placed for auction in 1986, according to www.cinematreasures.

org

As a testament to the Regal’s once-popular status, a 1941 movie card features a photograph of the exterior of the building with a sign advertising Judy Garland in “Little Nelly Kelly.”

Not far from Franklin, the small community of Bristol held its town meetings anywhere that could accommodate groups, including churches, private homes, and schoolhouses. In 1819, New Hampshire passed the Toleration Act, enacting a separation of church and government. Bristol, among other communities, built town halls to comply with the law.

Bristol Town Hall was built in 1848 with classic Greek Revival features. It had a large main room with a stage. By 1912, the ceiling was raised to a height of six feet, exposing the frame’s timber beams.

Probably townspeople watched the construction and were eager for either a concert or meeting in the new structure. The Bristol Town Hall held its first town meeting in March 1850 and was well attended. It became the town’s location for functions such as voting, concerts, indoor sports meets, and community events.

The old Town Hall was replaced with another structure by the 1960s. It eventually saw a revival and is now

used for events; it is among the oldest buildings in Bristol and beloved in the community.

Additionally, a small rural theater was built in the town. The Bristol Theatre was modest in size compared to others in surrounding towns, but the builders took care to decorate the space in an Art Deco style so popular at the time.

Amenities included a large screen and a mono sound system in use for many years. In the early 1960s, the movie house had a larger screen and stereo. Also in the theatre was a raised balcony section with a refreshment stand and manager’s office accessible from the lobby.

In the early 1960s, during a winter of heavy snow, the movie house collapsed. In the Bristol Enterprise, it was reported, “Damage caused by the collapse of the Bristol Theatre roof and sidewalls last Friday and Saturday has been estimated at more than $60,000.00 by the resident manager, Malcolm Kenniston of Plymouth. Mr.

Kenniston told the Enterprise that its owner, Allard Graves, would have to make the final decision to rebuild the unit. Mr. Graves is in Arizona and is expected to inspect the damage early next week.”

The theatre in Bristol was not rebuilt, and locals had to travel to Franklin and elsewhere for movies and entertainments.

Danbury was, and still is, a pretty village near Bristol. One would imagine a meeting house in such a place would not be viable. But that was not the case when in 1911, the Blazing Star Grange Hall No. 71 was built. Before this, meetings were held in various homes in Danbury. The building was completed and offered a main floor meeting hall with a stage. Also in the building was a dining room and kitchen where food could be prepared for those attending a Grange or other meeting.

Although the city of Laconia was once larger than its surrounding small

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towns, it had an offshoot area known as Lakeport. (Laconia had an impressive and large entertainment venue called Moulton’s Opera House.)

The Lakeport Opera House was in the center of Lakeport and served the people of the area. It was within a large building first called Moore’s Opera House with a second floor theatre used for local plays as well as silent movies. After recent renovations, the theatre once again features live entertainment, with concerts well attended by the public.

According to information at www. flyingmonkeynh.com, the Plymouth Theater, located on Main Street in the town, has been at the heart of historic Plymouth’s cultural and social life, harkening back to its start in the 1920s. At the height of its popularity, the “New Plymouth Theater” attracted audiences for some of Hollywood’s finest classic silent films into the era of the talkies.

The movie theatre was a state-ofthe-art facility with modern amenities, such as having the only Western Electric Mirrophonic Sound System in the area. It also had “air-cooling” and an inclined floor and seated up to 700 people who could relax in upholstered seats…all at a 25-cent admission price! It was a different era.

Popular movies were films featuring the Marx Brothers, among many others. If you wanted the news, you could depend on the Fox Movie Tone News before the main movie began. After its demise, the theatre was empty, like many others that competed and lost against television entertainment. But in 2010, after the Plymouth Theater had fallen into disuse, it was sold and saw extensive renovations and a new name: the Flying Monkey Movie House and Performance Center. Today, the Flying Monkey features many contemporary musical and comedy acts and a selection of movies.

The Pineland Theatre, which occupied part of a large barn-like building in the Mountainview section of Center Ossipee was used for entertainments and contained a dance hall and a snack bar/coffee shop. The theatre was also known as Pineland Hall and Pineland Mountainview Theatre. It provided much-appreciated entertainments for a rural New Hampshire town. An advertisement in the June 16, 1938 edition of The Reporter newspaper told readers of the upcoming 5th Annual Carroll County Trade Show, which would feature movies with motion pictures and “amateur vaudeville.” Show tickets were 35 cents each, which was a lowered price from the previous year’s 50 cents per ticket.

Vira Slywotzky and Pianist David Sytkowski

Return to The Loft at Hermit Woods Winery

The Loft at Hermit Woods Winery is delighted to welcome back acclaimed vocalist Vira Slywotzky and pianist David Sytkowski on Thursday, October 2, for an evening of song, story, and cabaret-style magic.

Back by popular demand, Vira and David will lead audiences through a spirited program of American and international cabaret, featuring the music of Cole Porter, Jacques Brel, Stephen Sondheim, Kurt Weill, and more. Expect humorous songs, poignant ballads, toe-tapping rhythms, and stories that weave it all together—complete with a little audience participation when the moment calls for it.

This dynamic NYC-based duo brings a rare blend of sophistication, warmth, and energy to the stage. Their performance captures the intimacy and artistry that The Loft at Hermit Woods was created to celebrate. The evening’s schedule begins at 5:30 pm with a

complimentary winery tour and tasting, followed by the Loft doors opening for dinner and drinks at 6 pm, with a 7 pm showtime.

Guests are encouraged to arrive early for the complimentary wine tasting and to enjoy a chef-prepared dinner before the performance. The kitchen will close at 7 pm, but drinks and dessert will be served during the show.

As with all Loft performances, this will be a true listening room experience. The audience is invited to immerse themselves fully in the music by refraining from conversation during the show. Afterward, guests will have an opportunity to meet the artists and purchase music or merchandise.

Tickets are available now at hermitwoods.com/music. Join in for a night of fine wine, fine food, and unforgettable music in Meredith’s most intimate live music venue.

Live Peace Day in Laconia on October 4

This is a day devoted to expressing peace through the sharing of music, visual arts, culture, and communication. It is part of a global initiative inspired by the United Nations and PEAC Institute; learn more at www.peacinstitute. org/pauseforpeace.

This global Pause for Peace Festival concert has been planned, hoping to bring billions from around the world together through cultural music and to feel the transformative power of human connection. Go online to take in A Global Music & Arts Festival for Peace, September 21 – October 4, 2025.

All are invited, Saturday, October 4, 9 am to 4 pm at the Congregational Church of Laconia, UCC, 18 Veterans Square, Laconia, NH 03246. Many thanks to the following local musi-

cians, who will perform the Live Peace Concert throughout the day: K. Robert Bengtson; Jazz Sanctuary House Band with Rev. Emilia Halstead; Suzuki Children’s String Orchestra, Director, Sue Ann Erb; Bristol UCC Joyful Noise Ukulele Band, Director, Debbie Doe; Oldest of Friends, Randy Hencke & Deanne Fortnam; and the Power Chords, Director, Lorraine Barrows. In addition, attendees will hear from Dr. Jaylene Bengtson, a local artist, about how the visual arts can bring awareness and inner peace.

Come for all or part of the day. Lunch will be available for a donation and is very much appreciated. Donations received will help defray the cost of the day, with a portion going to support the PEAC Institute.

Get Ready For The Holidays Craft Fair In Union

On Saturday, October 4, 2025, from 9 am to 3 pm, over 20 crafters will bring their best wares to a “Getting Ready for the Holidays” Craft Fair at the Union Congregational Church, across the street in the Hotchkiss Commons-Reunion Grange Hall, and outside around the church property. Tables will be covered with a vast array of personally designed and cre-

ated items. Need some home-made goodies for your Thanksgiving table? How about sewn or quilted items for winter? Jewelry for yourself or for gifts? How about woodcrafts, wreaths, photographic items, and candles – all ready for decorating for the seasons? We’ll have it all available for purchase. Also, many beautiful items have been donated by the crafters for you to take

Fall for Nature: Explore Autumn Leaves and Local Wildlife with NLRA

Join the Newfound Lake Region Association (NLRA) and explore fall’s colorful leaves at Grey Rocks during Newfound Nature Station, a free program that connects youth and families to the natural world. This event will be held at Grey Rocks Conservation Area at 178 N Shore Road, Hebron, NH, on October 14 & 18 from 10 am to 12 pm. The bright yellows, oranges, and reds tell us that the seasons are changing and colder weather is on its way. Leaves are important for trees, so why do so many shed them in the autumn? And what can their striking colors tell us about their roles in our forests? Join NLRA educators as we learn more about local species, take a closer look at the importance of leaves, and make a craft 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. Along with programs like Newfound Nature Station, NLRA maintains Grey Rocks Conservation Area in all seasons as a place for people and wildlife alike. It offers a new conservation center, walking trails, a picnic area, fishing alcoves, and a non-motorized boat launch, and is frequented by wildlife like loons, turtles, and bald eagles as well as people. Learn more about NLRA, including other upcoming events at NewfoundLake.org.

Carter Mountain Band Concert in Gilford

We invite you to join us on Sunday October 5, at 3 pm at First United Methodist Church Gilford, as the Carter Mountain Band presents a program of music honoring our armed forces, capturing the humble beginnings of our people, and celebrating the influence our great nation has had on music across the world.

In looking forward to what will surely be a 2026 full of celebrations marking the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, it’s easy to overlook the key moments that took place one year earlier in 1775 that put our country on the path to that fateful day. Carter Mountain looks back at the battles of Lexington and Concord that were waged in Massachusetts on April 19, marking the beginning of the American Revolution. They will also recognize the founding of the United States Army by an act of the Conti-

nental Congress on June 14th, 1775 as well as the founding of the US Navy and United States Marines later that year.

In addition, the band will be performing marches, delightful arrangements of traditional folk melodies, and popular cinematic tunes that are sure to stir feelings of nostalgia, pride, and patriotism.

Each year, the band performs its Fall Concert at First United Methodist Church at 18 Wesley Way in Gilford, as a ‘Thank You’ to the church for use of rehearsal space, and all proceeds are donated to the church. The Band Members also supply delicious refreshments for a reception, following the concert.

A donation of $8 is requested at the door. Students are free. The church is located near the 3/11 bypass off Rt 11A (18 Wesley Way) in Gilford. Church phone is (603)524-3289.

a chance on winning. And, if all that shopping makes you hungry, a snack bar will be available with our famous corn chowder, American chop suey, hot dogs, chips, and drinks for sale. The Church and Commons are located at 80 and 71Main Street (State Route 153) in the village of Union in the town of Wakefield, just off Route 16. You can’t miss our beautiful white

steeple! Parking will be available behind the church and along Main Street, and both buildings are handicapped accessible. All proceeds will benefit the Union Church Fellowship’s Outreach program, which supports needy causes locally, state-wide, nationally, and internationally. For more information and directions, call Mel at 603-9783744 or Jennifer at 603-522-6713.

Traditional New England Turkey Dinner In Union

Fall is here, so how about a traditional New England Turkey dinner to celebrate the cooler weather and leaves changing? Thursday, October 9 is the date, Hotchkiss Commons/ Reunion Grange in Union is the place, and 5:30-7 pm is the time. What a feast is planned – turkey, gravy, stuffing, mashed potatoes, and lots more! Save room for dessert because special New England favorites will be offered - Indian pudding, apple pie, and pumpkin pie! Lemonade and coffee will be served as well. All this for $15 per adult and $5 per child. There will even be “to-go” containers available if you need to take your meal out.

This fabulous meal is being prepared and served by the members of the

Union Congregational Church Fellowship. All profits go to their outreach activities, which benefit local, national, and international programs serving the needs of others.

You can buy your tickets starting at 4:30 pm. Advanced reservations cannot be accommodated. The meals sold out last year, so come early.

Hotchkiss Commons is located at 71 Main Street in the village of Union in the town of Wakefield. There is plenty of parking in front of the Commons, along the street, and behind the Union Congregational Church, located directly across the street. The building is handicapped accessible and air-conditioned. Call Betty at 603-473-2727 for more information and directions.

KINGSWOOD GOLF CLUB 24 Kingswood Road Wolfeboro, NH

Fall Into Creativity: Three Inspiring Art Classes Begin October 21

Stephanie McQuade, artist, is excited to announce three engaging art classes starting October 21, 2025, running for five weeks. Each class meets once a week for two hours and offers an inviting opportunity to learn, grow, and express your creativity.

Class Lineup:

Introduction to Pastels - 10 am. Don’t miss your chance to explore this colorful journey! This class will introduce you to the beauty and versatility of pastels. Take this first step to reserve your spot today and get ready to create stunning pastel masterpieces.

Intermediate Watercolor - 1 pm. Designed for students with basic watercolor experience, this class focuses on expanding techniques, exploring color and composition, and developing your personal style through guided and independent projects—all in a support-

ive, fun, and encouraging setting.

Watercolors for Beginners - 4 pm. Perfect for absolute beginners and budding artists, this in-person class offers step-by-step guidance in a welcoming, fun environment. Whether you’re starting a new hobby, building skills, or simply enjoying a creative outing, this is the perfect place to begin.

Classes begin on October 21, 2025, and last for five weeks, at 120 Laconia Road, #300, in Tilton, NH.

Spaces are limited, so early registration is recommended. Join in this fall and bring your creativity to life with the guidance of experienced instructors and the encouragement of a supportive art community.

For more information or to register, please visit mcquadefinearts.com/ art-classes or email stephanie@mcquadefinearts.com.

Mount Washington Valley Craft Fair – October 4 & 5

The Mount Washington Valley Craft Fair returns to Schouler Park in North Conway on Saturday, October 4 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday, October 5 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Visitors will find an incredible variety of handcrafted items, including American flags, fine leather, crystal and jade jewelry, pottery, wildlife photography, gourmet food items, maple syrup, pastries, fudge, kettle corn, leather totes, bell straps, custom belts, decorated headbands, birdhouses, charcuterie and cutting boards, hand-poured soy candles,

soaps and skin products, hand-painted wine glasses, sublimated artwork on tumblers, trays and trivets, books with local authors, laser art and much more. In addition to shopping, guests can enjoy delicious food, face painting, and live music from North River both days. Admission is free, friendly leashed dogs are welcome, and the event is held rain or shine under canopies. For more information, visit www.joycescraftshows.com or call Joyce at (603) 387-1510.