Sweet Traditions: How Local Bakers Keep Holiday Baking Alive
By Kathi Caldwell-Hopper
“Baking is love made visible.”
– Unknown
If you celebrate Christmas, chances are good you indulge in festive cookies topped with sugar or frosting. You also are offered tasty pies when you reach the dessert course at the dinner table. When you rise on Christmas morning, you grab coffee and a sampling of yeast breads and muffins, and pastries while the family gathers around the tree to open the gifts.
Heather Lincoln, owner of Blissful Café and Bakery in Mill Falls Marketplace, downtown Meredith, is familiar with the joy that comes from baking holiday treats and sweets. “I have been baking since I was a child,” she says. “My grandmother taught me to bake, and I loved to spend time with her making cookies, muffins, and bread. I just loved to bake and cook with her.”
The warmth and love of all those early years spent baking alongside her grandmother stayed with Heather. When she attended college, she took a baking class, and it all came back to her. “We made pies, meringues, cookies, and breads, and I just fell back into baking,” Heather recalls.
A love of baking led to Heather’s ownership of Blissful Café and Bakery, where she creates pastries for eager customers. This time of year, the shop fills a lot of special orders for pies, cannoli, cakes, scones, and of course, Christmas cookies.
Those who special-order baked goods either do not have time to make an assortment of pastries or are intim-
idated by the idea of creating a variety of pies and breads, for example.
Pies can be problematic for those who don’t make them often, admits Heather. Creating pies is not difficult for Heather because she understands how to work with the ingredients and such things as not overworking the dough. “The key to making a good pie is to practice. The crust has to hold the pie together, such as when you make an apple pie. Don’t overwork handling the dough,” she advises.
At Prescott Farm Environmental Education Center in Laconia, baking classes are offered at various times during the year and are quite popular. Mary Doyle is an environmental edu-
cator at Prescott Farm and is in her fifth year on the job. Along with her environmental work, Mary teaches baking classes at Prescott Farm.
She says, “When I first began, I led some of the same baking classes that my predecessors taught, with input from other staff and administrators. Over time, I suggested a few of the classes, such as the Holiday Yeast Breads class that I taught recently. I used my mom’s recipes for Egg Twist and Stollen. She mastered those breads, and I’m still trying to catch up to her. We’ve also baked Nisu (Pulla), a delicious cardamom-flavored Finnish bread, inspired by my time enjoying the Finnish American culture in the
Upper Peninsula of Michigan. On Saturdays, I typically teach adult classes around ecology, farm-to-table cooking, identifying and using wild plants, and, of course, baking.”
Mary is a skilled baker, and she learned from her mother, who passed on her methods for baking all kinds of things. “My mom was the second oldest of 11 children and grew up on a farm in southern Indiana in the 1940s and 50s. Baking, gardening, canning, pickling, etc. was a survival necessity for them. I grew up in a suburban neighborhood, but we had a large garden and a small orchard in our backyard, and I learned the basics of gardening, cooking, baking, canning, and freezing from my mom. I started baking on my own around age 10 with cookies and cakes.
“The Sourdough Bread class I teach is our most popular baking class that I lead, followed closely by Holiday Yeast Breads, and by Pizza Making. Our participants generally want to learn how to make delicious, healthy foods from scratch, while incorporating locally grown and fresh ingredients whenever possible,” Mary comments. She continues, “It is important to remember that baking is an art and a science, and things never turn out the same way twice. There are so many variables that affect the final product, and our participants come in with different needs and skill levels. Being a good problem solver and a compas• Baking continued on page 4
Hometown Holiday Concert and More at Colonial Theatre of Laconia
The Colonial Theatre of Laconia will present the Hometown Holiday Concert on December 16 at 7 pm. Tickets are available at ColonialLaconia. com or by calling 800-657-8774. The New Horizons Band of the Lakes Region, under the direction of Debbi Gibson, is delighted to present a joyful evening of holiday music and good cheer! Joining the band will be the Power Chords, led by the Powerhouse Theatre Collaborative under the
direction of Lorraine Barrows. Together, they’ll fill the season with festive sounds—from beloved traditional carols to lively holiday pop favorites— and even a fun audience sing-along.
Hometown Holiday Concert at the Colonial Theatre of Laconia on Tuesday, December 16, at 7 pm is a free event.
On Saturday, February 21, 2026, immerse yourself in the world of Taylor Swift like never before! “Taylorville”
Christmas Night in Ashland on Friday, December 5
On Friday, December 5, Ashland will again celebrate Christmas Night in the downtown. The main focus of the celebration will be in Memorial Park in the center of downtown, from 4 pm to shortly after 6 pm. Santa will arrive in his decorated fire truck at 4 pm and will visit with children and others. He looks forward to seeing everyone.
The Ashland Area Recreation Association will serve free hot chocolate and popcorn. Tickets for raffle prizes donated by businesses and organizations will be sold for $1 for 25 tickets. Cookies can be purchased in the Cookie Walk, which will be in the park this year. The Ashland Reenactors will lead a Christmas sing-along. At 6 pm, after remarks by Rev. Steve Rugg of Emmanuel Episcopal Church, the Town Christmas tree will be lit. After the tree lighting, the raffle prizes will be awarded.
The Meredith Village Savings Bank, on Riverside Drive opposite the park, will host a free Christmas ornament workshop. The Dupuis-Cross Post of the American Legion, opposite the park on Main Street, will have a craft fair and will serve chowder and soups from 4 to 7 pm. (The craft fair will continue for two more days, from 9 am to 7 pm on Saturday, and from 9 am to 5 pm on Sunday.) The Ashland Town Library, next to the Legion Hall, will have handouts for children, and the Friends of the Ashland Town Library will have their own craft sale and Christmas basket raffles. The Ashland Community Church, also on Main Street, will be open from 4 to 7:15 pm with games, cookie decorating, and prizes for the kids, a free chili and grilled cheese supper, hot drinks, chips, donuts, and more treats, a photo booth, and a Dessert Walk.
is your ticket to a night filled with chart-topping hits and cherished deep cuts. This dynamic tribute band, armed with unmatched musical talent, takes you on a journey through Taylor’s iconic career. The stage comes alive with a stunning video wall production, adding a visual spectacle that complements the music perfectly. It’s a tribute that’ll make you sing, dance, and relive the magic of Taylor’s songs.
Taylorville is fan-sponsored and not endorsed by, directly affiliated with, maintained, authorized, or sponsored by TAS Rights Management, Taylor Swift, or their affiliated entities. All trademarks and copyrighted material pertaining to Taylor Swift’s music, name, likeness, and related intellectual properties are the property of their respective owners. This tribute artist is independent and intended for entertainment and informational purposes only. We aim to honor and
• Baking continued from page 3
sionate leader are key.”
Holiday baking can be problematic for those with certain food allergies. Mary is sensitive to the needs of bakers with special food constrictions. “We try to offer gluten-free and allergen-free options when possible. For example, we can fairly easily accommodate gluten-free restrictions in our pasta and pizza-making classes. For some of the breads, such as sourdough, egg twist, and stollen, I haven’t yet found recipes that are solid enough to offer to the public.”
extend appreciation for Taylor Swift›s music, ensuring that our performances and representations respect her artistry and copyright.
On Friday, February 27, The Robert Cray Band will play at 7:30 pm. Robert Cray has shared stage and/or studio with the likes of John Lee Hooker, Muddy Waters, B.B. King, Buddy Guy, Chuck Berry, Albert Collins, The Rolling Stones, Eric Clapton, Tina Turner, Stevie Ray Vaughan, the Memphis Horns, and Hi Rhythm Section. Cray’s stinging guitar playing and soulful voice, his skills as a band leader and performer, mark him as keeper of the flame for American roots music, an artist who never fails to deliver.
The Colonial Theatre is located at 609 Main Street, Laconia, NH 03246. Tickets for each of these events are available at www.coloniallaconia. com or by calling 800-657-8774.
ing rolls, and she adds, but of course, her family clamors for her delicious cookies.
For those who want to learn more about baking, there will be fun classes at Prescott Farm in the upcoming seasons. Mary Doyle explains, “For our adult classes, we generally limit our cooking classes to 16. When we accommodate field trips of elementary students, our classes may be bigger. Recently, we had 30 first graders making pizza from scratch. They even made their own cheese using milk, vinegar, and salt.”
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A Gilford baker who creates breads and cookies year-round has some tips for those who want to indulge in baking treats as we head into the holiday season. She urges bakers to keep practicing and to not be afraid to add or substitute alternate ingredients. “For example, I use unbleached white flour, and I add wheat germ. I like to try different sugars, such as more brown sugar than white.”
When making cookies, if you prefer them softer, you should pull back on the baking time. If you like your cookies crunchier, you can bake them a bit longer.
This holiday season, she will be mak-
The consensus among bakers seems to be adaptability. Be willing to experiment and don’t give up. If you want to make pies, for example, keep coming back to the process, and you will become expert at dough making and handling.
If cookies are your thing, seek out new recipes and be flexible with switching out ingredients, such as using unbleached flour vs. white flour. Most of all, as the season of Christmas rolls around, get in the kitchen, gather your ingredients, turn on the oven, follow a recipe, and have some tasty fun.
Visit www.prescottfarm.com or call 603-366-5695 for classes and other events.
26th Annual Holiday Basket Fundraiser
For the 26th year, the Wolfeboro Rotary Club and L.I.F.E. Ministries Food Pantry will hold their joint Holiday Basket fundraiser to benefit the Food Pantry. Since 1999, the Holiday Basket has been the Food Pantry’s largest annual fundraiser, with its proceeds going to provide food to families in need in Wolfeboro and surrounding towns.
The event will begin on Tuesday, December 2, and run through Saturday, December 6. Berkshire Hathaway Home Services Verani Realty has once again offered its office at 22 South Main Street to serve as a drop-off point for donations during normal business hours. Donations may also be dropped off at the Rotary Christmas Tree Sale at the Clark Museum Complex at 218 South Main Street from 10 am to 4 pm, Friday through Sunday, mailed to L.I.F.E. Ministries Food Pantry at P.O. Box 476, Wolfeboro Falls, NH, 03896, or made via PayPal through the Pantry’s website at www.lifeministriesfoodpantry.org.
Our Food Pantry has experienced a steadily increasing need for our services since mid-2022. The Pantry provided 153,951 meal equivalents in 2022. That increased to 241,388 in 2023 and 291,686 in 2024. As of November 5 of this year, it has provided 267,717 meal equivalents. At the November 5th distribution
alone, it registered twenty-eight new clients.
The Wolfeboro Rotary Club, founded in July 1927, is part of Rotary International, a humanitarian service organization that brings together business and professional leaders in order to provide community service, promote integrity, and advance goodwill, peace, and understanding in the world. The Holiday Basket is just one of its annual events that support charitable causes in the community.
L.I.F.E. Ministries Food Pantry marks its fortieth year of service to the community this year. It was founded in 1985 as a joint outreach of seven Wolfeboro churches. Its mission is to provide access to food security to members of the community in need with dignity and respect. It operates on a drive-through basis on the first and third Wednesdays of every month, distributing sufficient food to prepare twelve meals per week for each family member, as well as basic household necessities, such as cleaning and personal hygiene items. It provides vouchers for the purchase of milk and fresh produce. During school vacation periods, the Food Pantry offers additional food for children through its Vacation Station Program. In September 2025, the Pantry was recognized as a Gold Cer-
Ministries
tified Food Pantry by the Nutrition Pantry Program, a nationwide organization that evaluates six focus areas that include not only administrative standards and procedures, but cultural and dietary accommodations, nutrition education, community connections, prioritizing healthy food choices, and a welcoming atmosphere for our clients. The Pantry focuses on treating its clients with dignity and respect.
The Holiday Basket makes up the largest portion of the Food Pantry’s annual budget. The organization feels fortunate to live in an extremely caring community whose generous support enables it to provide for neighbors in need. Thank you for your past contributions, and for considering assistance in making this another successful Holiday Basket.
Christmas Sketches by the Carter Mountain Band Presented in Gilford
Carter Mountain Brass Band is pleased to announce a performance at the First United Methodist Church of Gilford on Friday, December 12, at 7 pm. The program, titled “Christmas Sketches,” features a variety of timeless holiday classics that will surely fill your heart and soul with joyful memories. Nothing seems to capture the warm nostalgia of the season quite like the sound of a brass band.
But that’s not all! A Carter Mountain Christmas concert would not be complete without the perennial sing-
along or the delightful visuals, poems, and stories that help to elevate the whole experience to a truly magical yuletide celebration. Following the concert, you are all invited to enjoy complimentary dessert with the band in Fellowship Hall.
A $10 donation (students are free) is appreciated, with proceeds to be split between the Church and the Band. First United Methodist Church is located at 18 Wesley Way (Off Rt. 11-A, near the 3/11 bypass). For questions or more information, call 603-524-3289.
Newly Juried Fiber Artist and Intarsia Woodworking on Display at Meredith Fine Craft Gallery
The League of New Hampshire Craftsmen, Meredith Fine Craft Gallery, is proud to highlight the intricate wood artistry of juried-in artist Duane Martin, a master of Intarsia, which is a 3D woodworking technique that combines different types, colors, and grains of thick woods, without stain, to create richly detailed, dimensional images. Each piece is meticulously handcut, shaped, and assembled like a wooden mosaic, bringing the natural beauty and textures of the wood to life.
Duane’s wood art celebrates both craftsmanship and connection to the natural world, blending fine woodworking with artistic expression. One of Duane’s most striking works is a tribute to one of New Hampshire’s most beloved symbols, the Old Man of the Mountain. This piece captures the enduring spirit of the Granite State’s famous rock profile, carefully rendered through layers of natural wood tones that echo the rugged landscape of Fran-
conia Notch.
Equally captivating is Duane’s woodpecker, a creative depiction of the forest’s rhythm and energy. The piece highlights Duane’s keen eye for detail in the woodpecker’s striking coloring against the tree’s texture, and the interplay of light and shadow, all skillfully crafted from wood alone, without the use of paint or stains.
The League is also delighted to in-
troduce a newly juried artist: Christine Pellerin, who brings landscapes to life through her needle-felted Merino wool art.
The natural world comes alive in an entirely new way through Christine’s work with richly layered landscapes that capture the beauty of surrounding nature. Using soft, fine Merino fibers and a slow, deliberate felting process, Christine creates textured scenes that invite viewers not only to look, but to feel the depth of the land. Each piece blends color, texture, and form to build vistas of rolling hills, quiet forests, dramatic skies, and shifting seasonal light, all sculpted from wool. Through meticulous layering and an aesthetic approach to felting, Christine transforms a traditional
craft into expressive fine art. Working primarily with premium Merino wool, known for its exceptional softness and vibrant dye absorption, Christine achieves depth and dimensions that are not possible with flat mediums. Each artwork is created entirely by hand, with thousands of needle punctures binding fibers into sculptural forms. The result is a tactile surface that evokes the contours of fields, lakes, clouds, and mountains, bringing the natural world to life in an entirely new way.
The Meredith Fine Craft Gallery invites you to come see these skillfully crafted pieces, where the timeless beauty of New Hampshire’s landscape and wildlife is preserved in wood and fiber. For more information, please call the Gallery at 603-279-7920 or visit our website meredith.nhcrafts.org. The League of NH Craftsmen Gallery is located at 279 DW Hwy, Meredith, NH.
The League of NH Craftsmen is a non-profit organization that encourages and promotes the creation, use, and preservation of fine contemporary and traditional hand crafts. The League represents the signature of excellence in fine craft, through the work of its juried members and its rigorous standards for self-expression, vision, and quality craftsmanship.
Meredith Historical Society Publishes Third Annual Collection
A resident of Quarry Road encountered the ghost of early schoolmaster Dudley Leavitt, not once, but twice.
During the 1940s, mothers of local servicemen and women pooled resources for a support group and donated the town’s first World War 2 Honor Roll.
The grandson of a local public official recalls his first memorable shave from the late Jesse Allen, Meredith’s cantankerous Main Street barber.
These are among the collection of stories gathered into the third annual volume of the Meredith Historical Society’s Morsels of Meredith History book. As with the past two years, the books have arrived just in time for the holiday gift-giving season.
This year’s selection of short- to medium-length essays includes entries both by Meredith Historical Society members and others sharing various memories or results of their research with the community at large. Among this volume’s pieces is one with updated research on the Mill Falls stream/ canal that powered the village’s first
mills, and another that gives the history of Lake Winnipesaukee’s mail boats.
Two essays present competing theories about the layout of the first road through Meredith Village, dating from 1773-4—a sort of “Dueling Banjoes” between a couple of local history nerds. Another relates the history of Laconia’s separation from Meredith back in 1855.
Two other essays are related to the history of our town’s library: one digging into the shared genealogy of the library’s founder and the original donor of the library building; and a second profiling that donor’s “black sheep” brother, who was virtually banished from the town.
“These yearly Morsels books are designed as collectors’ items,” said Society President John Hopper. “With each volume, we hope that the overall picture of Meredith’s history becomes clearer. Also, the books make great stocking stuffers or coffee-table books to give as gifts during the holiday season.”
This and a selection of other books about Meredith’s history are sold at
the Museum at 45 Main Street, which is now open Saturdays from 12:30 to 3 pm, or online from the society’s website at meredithhistoricalsocietynh.org.
Books will also be available at the society’s annual membership meeting on December 2 at Giuseppe’s Restaurant. Other recently published books available online or at the museum include titles about town founder Ebenezer Smith, Bear Island, local and regional Native Americans, and, appropriate as we approach our country’s 250th birthday, one about Meredith in the American Revolution. The society also plans to have a table of available books at the Meredith Public Library’s holiday event on Saturday, Dec. 13, from 9 am to 1:30 pm.
Morsels of Meredith History is a project that helps the Meredith Historical Society fulfill its mission to preserve, develop, and promote the knowledge and awareness of Meredith’s unique history.
The Meredith Historical Society has just released its third volume of Morsels of Meredith History: Assorted Musings and Vignettes, a collection of essays dealing with various topics of local heritage.
Meredith Public Library Releases 2025 Keepsake Ornaments
Collectors and gift-givers will have three choices this year in the Meredith Public Library Keepsake Ornament Collection. Like last year’s selection, this year’s choices will be popular with library enthusiasts and all those who appreciate the beauty of the historic building.
The first ornament in the 2025 collection provides a classic photo view of the original library in the early 1900s,
rendered in black and white, featuring a horse-drawn carriage on the street in front of the building. The second ornament offers a colorized version of the same picture. Both of these are metal ornaments.
The third ornament is ceramic and is also in color. It features a different view of the library from the early days. This ornament evokes a Victorian feeling in its material and design.
All the holiday ornaments have a red ribbon for easy hanging. They also come with a red satin bag, which makes them perfect for Christmas gifting and storage. The library logo and current year are on the back of the metal ornament, so owners will associate cherished memories from the corresponding holiday season. The back of the ceramic ornament cites the year 1882, which is the year that the Meredith Public Li-
brary was originally established. The ornaments are created and produced in Meredith by PineAndBerry. com. They are available for sale exclusively at the Meredith Public Library circulation desk. The price of each ornament is $10. Proceeds go to the Friends of the Meredith Library, which uses the funds to provide speakers for library presentations as well as supplies and refreshments for programs.
Pontine Theatre: A New England Christmas in Tamworth, December 18
Don’t miss this special holiday event! Remick Museum is pleased to welcome back Portsmouth’s Pontine Theatre to Tamworth, with two intimately scaled holiday stories featuring the essence of Christmas in New England.
For this year’s holiday program, Pontine performs two treasured seasonal tales: A Speakin’ Ghost and Christmas Back Home. Both stories are by wonderful regional authors long gone and largely forgotten by contemporary audiences.
A Speakin’ Ghost, written by Annie Trumbull Slosson (1838–1926), features a woman born and raised in Rye, New Hampshire. Many years after leaving her childhood home near the ocean to work as a household servant, she finds herself living an isolated life providing care to an elderly man. She spends most of her time alone in her room, reliving memories of years gone by. From these musings arises a ghostlike figure, a young boy who begins making regular visits to this lonely soul.
Annie Trunbull Slosson published over 15 collections of short stories between 1878 and 1912 and was a frequent contributor to the Atlantic and Harper’s. Her first book, The China Hunter’s Club (1878), a collection of dialect stories situated in her native Stonington, Connecticut and the Fran-
conia Notch area of New Hampshire, was considered, along with Sarah Orne Jewett’s Deephaven (1877) and Harriet Beecher Stowe’s Pogonuc People (1878), to be one of the first identifiable examples of the regional or “local color” genre.
Christmas Back Home, a story by Eugene Wood (1860–1923), features a delightful cast of characters who inhabit a small, rural town. The piece
evokes the childhood magic and suspense of Christmas as the special day approaches. The enchantment of preparing gifts to both give and receive enlivens this simple, heartfelt musing about the most magical day of the year.
Eugene Wood wrote stories describing the lives of rural folks whom he had known in the small towns where he lived. His three best-known books are fittingly titled Back Home, Folks Back
Home, and Our Town. His career began with newspaper work as a reporter on The Cleveland Herald. He was also a regular contributor to principal magazines.
Pontine’s Co-Artistic Directors and performers, Marguerite Mathews and Greg Gathers, have developed a special fondness for searching out rich, historical literary gems and bringing them to life for audiences throughout the region. Pontine’s shows often feature antique stage techniques, including rolling panoramas, puppetry, and toy theatre figures to bring stories alive onstage. Mr. Gathers creates all the props and sets used in the theatre’s productions.
The Toy Theatre shows will occur at Remick Museum on Thursday, December 18, from 6 – 7:30 pm. The cost is $10, and $5 for members Space is limited; preregistration is required at www.remickmuseum.org/event/pontine-christmas/. Suitable for ages 14 and above; interested and patient attendees under age 14 are welcome. The program is approximately 45 minutes long. Interaction with the artists and viewing of the theatre staging and props are possible after the performance.
Members: All ticketing falls under the $10 registration fee; a member discount will be applied at checkout. Not sure if your membership is current? Call the museum at (603) 323-7591.
Scene from the “toy theatre” production of Christmas Back Home, original artwork created by Greg Gathers of Pontine Theatre.
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Warm Ovens, Happy Taste Buds: December Baking Begins
By Chef Kelly Ross
Hello Friends, and happy December! Most of my last handful of articles have been about transitioning from summer grilling to cold-weather comfort foods, but I think we need to focus on our sweet tooth today. Yes, summer is all about grilling and fall/winter is all about cooking indoors, but one thing is for sure that we all have a sweet tooth 12 months a year. Depending on the day we have had, sometimes it is something sweet that makes everything ok again. Although I’ll dedicate an entire article to this theme soon, it’s almost Christmas cookie season, and there are a couple of great options in here that would work wonderfully for that. Before any cookie, though, let’s start with a wicked yummy breakfast bread that can obviously work any time of day, so let’s get started.
I know not everyone will agree with me, like my wife on any given day, but I do enjoy most pumpkin recipes, and this one I’m all about, maybe because it is chock full of chocolate chips and pecans as well. This easy, one-bowl pumpkin bread is incredibly moist, loaded with spices, chocolate and pecans, and freezes beautifully. This recipe is for 2 loaves, although in this house, those loaves will be gone in a few days. It is a perfect bread to put out for company or bake up in smaller loaf pans for holiday gifts. If you’ve been looking for the pumpkin bread to end all pumpkin breads, look no further; this is the best. Prep time is 20 minutes, and baking time is an hour.
28 oz canned pumpkin puree, not pumpkin pie filling
1½ tsp baking soda
1½ tsp ground cloves
1½ tsp ground cinnamon
½ tsp ground nutmeg
1 tsp ground ginger
1 tsp salt
2 cups vegetable oil
5 eggs
3½ cups light brown sugar
4½ cups all-purpose flour
3 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
1½ cups pecans, chopped
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease and flour two 9×5-inch loaf pans. In a large bowl, whisk together the pumpkin, baking soda, cloves, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and salt. Add the oil, eggs, and sugar and whisk until it is thoroughly combined and there are no streaks of egg or clumps of brown sugar. Add the flour, chocolate chips, and pecans, and use a rubber spatula to gently fold and stir it together until completely combined. Divide the batter between the loaf pans and bake until a thin knife or skewer inserted into the center comes out with just moist crumbs attached, anywhere from 60-75 minutes. Allow the loaves to cool for 15 minutes, then remove them from the pans and place on a wire rack to cool completely. Once cooled, slice, and my thing is to butter both sides and grill them. They are great in the toaster or out of the microwave as well. The loaves can be wrapped tightly in plastic wrap and stored at room temperature or in the refrigerator for up to 1 week or frozen for up to 2 months. If you freeze them, add a layer of foil or place them in a ziploc freezer bag, as well as wrapped in plastic.
It’s time for a cookie recipe, and hardly one that you see on a normal
basis. Just like coffee ice cream is one of my favorites, this batch of coffee cookies is among one of my favorites in the cookie world. The flavors of espresso and chocolate are the dominant flavors in this one if you are a fan of coffee, I feel quite confident you will fall in love with these. These are rich and indulgent and addicting, and like chocolate chip cookies, enjoying them with a glass of cold milk is perfect. I know these are not the usual Christmas cookies, but trust me, these will be very popular. This will yield you 3 dozen cookies and the total time will be in the barely less than an hour range.
Coffee Cookies
2 cups all-purpose flour, spooned and leveled
⅓ cup espresso powder
1 tsp baking soda
½ tsp baking powder
½ tsp kosher salt
1 ½ sticks sweet cream butter, room temp
⅔ cup dark brown sugar
⅓ cup granulated sugar
1 extra-large whole egg, room temp
1 extra large egg yolk, room temp
1½ tsp pure vanilla extract
12 oz semi-sweet chocolate chunks
1 cup dark chocolate chips
Add the flour, espresso powder, baking soda, baking powder, and kosher salt to a medium-sized mixing bowl. Whisk to combine. Using a stand mixer or a medium-sized mixing bowl and handheld mixer on medium-high speed, beat the softened butter and sugars together for 1½ - 2 minutes until completely incorporated. Add the whole egg, egg yolk, and vanilla.
Continue mixing until no yellow streaks remain. Add ½ of the flour and espresso mixture and mix just until combined. Scrape the sides of the bowl and repeat with the remaining flour mixture. Add the semi-sweet chocolate chunks and the dark chocolate chips. Mix just until incorporated. Cover and chill in the refrigerator for 30 minutes. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper. Use a 1½ tbsp cookie scoop to scoop the cookie dough. Space the cookies 2 inches apart. Bake for 10-12 minutes. Allow the cookies to rest on the baking sheet for 2-3 minutes before transferring them to a cooling rack.
One of the most decadent of all chocolates out there is the classic chocolate turtles you see from time to time, especially on special occasions, including Christmas. They have their signature ingredients of caramel and pecans in the middle, and it is impossible to keep your hands off them. This recipe is for 16 pieces, which I usually quadruple during the holiday season, as everyone will want these, whether at a cookie swap or if you are entertaining. They go together quickly, as other than microwaving some caramel and chocolate, there is no cooking time. They do need to be frozen once they are made to help them set. Irresistible!
Homemade Turtle Candy with Pecans and Caramel
64 Pecan halves
11 oz baking/cooking caramels
1 bag semi-sweet chocolate chips
Parchment paper or a silicone baking mat
Place the pecan halves flat side
• ‘Cue the Grill
continued on page 11
Pumpkin Bread with Chocolate Chips and Pecans
down on a parchment or silicone-baking-mat-lined baking sheet. Separate them into sets of four and form them into cross or “x” shapes. Leave some room between each set of four pecan halves. These will be the base for your turtle candies. Unwrap the caramels and place them into a microwave-safe bowl. Add a tbsp of water to the bowl and microwave for 30 seconds at a time until completely melted and smooth. Use a spoon to spoon the caramel mixture over the center of each group of pecan halves on your baking sheet. You can use a generous helping for each one. Add the chocolate chips to a microwave-safe bowl and heat for 30 seconds at a time until completely melted and smooth. Spoon the chocolate mixture over the caramel mixture in the center of each candy. Place the turtle candies into the freezer to set for at least half an hour before serving. Once they are set, keep them stored in a cold environment until serving.
To those who know me or to those who read my articles fairly often, you know all too well that in the dessert world of brownies vs blondies, I’ll take a blondie every single time. Do I like brownies? Yes, but when offered one or the other, it’s an absolute no-brainer. After the last few recipes, I can’t imagine there is any doubt that I’m way ok with chocolate, but there is something about the flexibility of the flavors that you can incorporate into a blondie. I give my Grammy 100% credit for my love of blondies, as she made a few kinds that blew my socks off. This batch includes butterscotch and white chocolate chips, pecans, and yes, pumpkin shows up once again. Every bite is an explo
deliciousness. If you’re looking for a quick and easy dessert to get you through a holiday movie marathon tonight, these definitely have your name written all over them. Prep time is 15 minutes, cooking time is 35 minutes or maybe a tad more. Plan on 18-24 hunks of yumminess, depending on how you cut them.
Pumpkin Blondies
2½ cups all-purpose flour
½ tsp ground nutmeg
½ tsp salt
1 cup unsalted butter, melted and cooled to room temperature
1 cup dark brown sugar
½ cup granulated sugar
1 egg
1 tbsp vanilla extract
1 can pure pumpkin puree, 15 oz, about 2 cups
1 cup butterscotch chips
1 cup white chocolate chips
1 cup pecans, coarsely chopped
Preheat oven to 350 degrees and grease a 9×13-inch baking pan. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, cinnamon, ginger, allspice, nutmeg, and salt, and set that aside. In a large bowl, whisk together the melted butter and both sugars until completely smooth and no lumps remain. Add the egg and vanilla and whisk to incorporate, making sure the egg has been completely mixed in. Add the pumpkin and again whisk to fully incorporate. Add the flour mixture to the batter and, using a rubber spatula, fold the mixture until combined and no pockets of flour remain. Fold the butterscotch chips, white chocolate chips, and pecans into the batter. Pour the batter into the prepared pan and smooth into an even layer. Bake until a thin knife inserted into
2½ ground cinnamon
‘Cue
As Autumn Ends, NHBM Accelerates Year-Round Impact
While lake houses are packed up and warm-weather crowds thin out across New Hampshire’s Lakes Region, the New Hampshire Boat Museum (NHBM) is just hitting its stride. Behind the scenes at NHBM’s Moultonborough campus, a transformation is underway that will position the museum as “a year-round economic engine and educational powerhouse” for the
• ‘Cue the Grill continued on page 11
the center comes out clean, 35-40 minutes. Set the pan on a wire rack to cool completely, then cut into squares. Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. Mega-Deliciousness!
I’m going to end the day with one of my gram’s all-time classics: her incredibly wonderful applesauce cake. If you haven’t had an applesauce cake in your past, you are not only in for something both delicious and moist, but it will melt in your mouth like nothing else. This perfect treat is made in a bundt pan, and the result is amazing. Once out of the oven and is slightly cooled, plan on a very moist cake that is warmly spiced and topped with a yummy vanilla glaze. This will serve a dozen of you and will take you an hour to prep and bake.
Applesauce Cake
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 ½ tsp baking soda
½ tsp baking powder
½ tsp salt
1 ½ tsp ground cinnamon
½ tsp ground nutmeg
½ tsp ground cloves
½ cup unsalted butter, softened
1 cup brown sugar, packed
entire state.
“People see us as a summer destination, but our real impact happens 365 days a year,” said NHBM Executive Director Devon Kurtz. “While others are closing for the season, we’re ramping up programs that will shape New Hampshire’s workforce, preserve our freshwater heritage, and drive economic development well into the future.”
2 large eggs
1 ½ cups applesauce
1 tsp vanilla extract
½ cup sour cream
1 cup chopped walnuts For The Glaze
1 cup powdered sugar
2 tbsp milk
1 tsp vanilla extract
Heat oven to 350 degrees. Grease a bundt pan and set aside. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves. In a large mixing bowl, beat butter and brown sugar with an electric mixer until light and fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each. Stir in applesauce, vanilla, and sour cream until smooth. Gradually add the dry mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing just until combined. Fold in the walnuts. Pour batter into the prepared pan. Bake for 45–50 minutes until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Let the cake cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. For the glaze, whisk together powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla. Drizzle over cooled cake before serving.
I’ll catch up with you, fellow foodies, in a couple of weeks, but until then, please keep those taste buds of yours happy and smiling, and please reach out if you have any questions or feedback at fenwaysox10@gmail.com.
This future is already taking shape at NHBM as part of an ongoing renovation project at the museum’s Moultonborough campus that is entering its second phase. “Phase 2 of the renovation project will allow for full use and occupancy of the present building [at 130 Whittier Hwy in Moultonborough],” said Jaime Laurent, NHBM Board CoChair. “This opens amazing opportunities to the regional communities and organizations for planning, meeting, and educational space.”
The $500,000 project, supported by a $250,000 Northern Border Regional Commission grant, will renovate 6,500 square feet of the main floor. The Northern Border Regional Commission’s Catalyst Program supports projects that stimulate economic growth and inspire partnerships across rural communities in Maine, New Hampshire, New York, and Vermont.
The renovation project addresses growing demand from community organizations—NHBM already hosts nearly 20 groups annually, with a waiting list for programming space. “The expectation is to begin Phase 2 in January 2026 and will begin use of the space by July 2026,” added Laurent.
The renovation will create a multimedia classroom and meeting room designed to serve diverse groups, while
a flexible exhibit space will accommodate rotating displays that focus on New Hampshire’s waterways and boating heritage.
“We’re creating spaces where students can explore STEM concepts— from the physics of how vessels move through water to understanding different propulsion systems,” said Laurent.
“This renovation connects our freshwater heritage and preservation with hands-on learning opportunities.”
Kurtz said the expansion also supports New Hampshire’s 4th-grade curriculum standards, incorporating the state’s waterway history from Indigenous peoples through industrial development to modern conservation efforts.
“This renovation is an investment in education, recreation, tourism, community vitality, and positive economic impact,” he added. “We’re not just displaying boats—we’re educating the next generation about the ways New Hampshire’s water and waterways have shaped the state.”
Founded in 1992 by antique and classic boating enthusiasts, NHBM offers dynamic exhibits, engaging programs, and events tailored to the diverse boating lifestyles and values of people of all ages. For more information about NHBM and the renovation project, visit nhbm.org.
An outdoor space to share the things that matter most.
At Trex® the #1 brand in outdoor living, we believe that a deck is more than just a deck. It’s a place to be enjoyed with the people that matter most -- not sanded, stained and sealed. And you can feel good knowing that our high-performing, low-maintenance decking is made from 95% recycled and reclaimed content and comes backed by 25-, 35- and 50-year limited warranties. At Trex, we see it too. To learn more, contact belletetes.com or stop in at any of our locations.
Trapping Seasons Are Underway in New Hampshire
Trapping seasons in New Hampshire run from mid-October through midApril, but vary significantly by area of the state and species. Trapping season length for various species is determined based on many factors, including abundance. A full summary of trapping seasons is provided in the New Hampshire Hunting Digest, which is available at licensing agents or online at https://www.eregulations.com/newhampshire/hunting.
Trapping is a highly regulated activity and may be conducted on public or private lands. Individuals interested in trapping attend a mandatory Trapper Education class, purchase a license, file written landowner permission with the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department, adhere to science-based regulations and harvest limits, use modern traps designed to target specific species, and check traps daily.
Trapper Education courses are offered around the state from April to September and teach students how to be safe, legal, responsible, and ethical trappers. Courses teach best management practices that improve trap efficiency, selectivity, and considerations
toward animal welfare. Mandatory reporting of the towns where trapping activity occurred, catch, and effort must be filed by April 30 following the close of each season. An active force of highly trained Conservation Officers and other agency personnel monitors trap activity to ensure that current laws are followed and uses the data furnished by trappers to assess the health and abundance of furbearer populations.
This long-standing part of New Hampshire’s cultural heritage remains relevant and necessary today. Trappers are a unique group among New Hampshire’s outdoor enthusiasts, having an unparalleled eye for interpreting their natural surroundings and understanding wildlife behavior. Though relatively few in number—419 licenses were sold in New Hampshire during the 2024–2025 season—skilled trappers provide an extremely valuable service by helping to manage abundant wildlife populations and collecting biological samples that otherwise would be very difficult for the Department to acquire.
They also contribute to public safety by maintaining beaver populations at
manageable levels, reducing damage to property and infrastructure while promoting the ecological benefits of beavers. Trapping helps to keep furbearer populations at healthy levels and to prevent overpopulation, which can significantly increase the risk of disease transmission, including rabies and canine distemper. Trapping is also used to help reintroduce species to an area where they once existed. Wildlife professionals and local trappers used foothold traps to trap river otters from states where they are abundant and relocated individuals to rebuild other states’ river otter populations. The use of modern traps can also reduce or remove predators to help protect rare or endangered species such as piping plovers. With specialized skills, training, and a deep connection to the natural world, trappers are a vital resource for balancing wildlife conservation and wildlife–human conflict management, which promotes coexistence.
“State law prohibits traps from being set or arranged in a public way, cart road, or path commonly used as a passageway by people or domestic animals,” said Andy Timmins, a Wildlife
Biologist and the Game Program Supervisor at NH Fish and Game. “New Hampshire has a long tradition of sharing the outdoors. During hunting and trapping seasons, it’s sensible for anyone walking a dog or using wooded areas to stay on established trails, keep dogs on a leash, and wear an article of blaze orange clothing. Various user groups utilize both public and private lands, including Department-owned or -managed land, in New Hampshire to enjoy outdoor activities. Being mindful and respectful of one another is the key to continuing this unique tradition.”
To learn more about trapping or to find a Trapper Education Course in New Hampshire, visit www.wildlife. nh.gov/hunting-nh/trapping.
Furbearer management in the Granite State is funded in part by Wildlife Restoration Grants administered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration Program: Partnering to fund conservation and connect people with nature
To learn more, visit www.wildnh.com/ funding/wsfr.html.
Trees & Trimmings at Remick Country Doctor Museum & Farm
The Remick Country Doctor Museum & Farm in Tamworth Village, New Hampshire, invites you to step into a nostalgic holiday celebration during their new Trees & Trimmings event on Saturday, December 13, from 10 am to 2 pm, when the museum halls will be decked and more.
Visitors can sip on mulled cider while strolling through the Museum Center, where each exhibit space includes its own Christmas tree and festive trimmings. Uniquely inspired Christmas trees reflect the exhibit that surrounds them. Tree ornaments range from handcrafted to mid-century, rustic to sparkle-lovers’ delights. Antique ornaments from the Remick collection will also be on display.
Throughout the museum, visitors will discover numerous ways to take part in the memory-stirring joys of the season. Activities and displays include decorating traditions, such as decorative blow molds, ceramic Christmas trees, and holiday villages; make-andtake ornament crafting; a Victorian Christmas Card Workshop led by the Arts Council of Tamworth (preregistration strongly suggested); historical highlights about the design and marketing of glass tree ornaments from the 19th century to today; a blooming display of winter bulbs and flowers; a screening of “The House Without A Christmas Tree,” set in 1946; a vintage-image Santa puzzle; gingerbread cookie samples; outdoor visits with the
museum’s recently-arrived cows and goats; exclusive store discounts and additional holiday touches. Throughout, a variety of seasonal music will play in the background.
Enjoy the beauty, nostalgia, and community spirit of a village Christmas at the historic Remick farmstead. Trees & Trimmings is free and open to the public, offering a relaxed and festive way to celebrate the season.
For event details and workshop preregistration, visit www.remickmuseum.org/event/trees-trimmings. Some activities are available while supplies last.
The museum is located at 58 Cleveland Hill Rd., Tamworth, New Hampshire. For more information, call (603) 323-7591, email info@remickmuseum.org, or visit the website at www. remickmuseum.org.
Through Jan. 4, The Gift of Lights, 4:30 p.m., 2 ½ mile drive through holiday lights, NH Motor Speedway, Rt. 106, Loudon, tickets/info.: www.nhms.com, 765-664-3918.
Dec. 3, Plymouth Square Dance, 7:15 p.m., Barn on the Pemi, 341 Daniel Webster Highway, Plymouth, all are welcome, traditional caller David Millstone will teach traditional squares and more, with live music, suggested donation $10-$15 at the door, refreshments available, weather cancellations/updates see Plymouth Square Dance Facebook, email: how.gen@gmail.com, 603-4810789. (Takes place throughout winter until April.)
Dec. 3, Vienna Boys Choir, 7:30 p.m., Colonial Theatre, 609 Main St., Laconia, 800-657-8774, www.coloniallaconia.com.
Dec. 4, Holiday Open House, 4 – 7 p.m., comfort food and libations to kick off the season, Meredith Landing Real Estate, 285 Daniel Webster Highway, Meredith, 603-677-7007, www.MeredithLanding.com.
Dec. 4, 5 & 7, Songs by the Heart, Pemigewasset Choral Society concert with more than 100 singers, traditional carols and less familiar songs, 12/4 at 7:30 p.m. at Gilford Community Church, Gilford; 12/5 at 7:30 p.m.; at Inter-Lakes Middle/High School, Meredith and 12/7 at 3 p.m. at Silver Center for the Arts, Plymouth State University, Plymouth, www.pemichoral.org or pemichoralsociety@gmail.com
Dec. 4-7, The Nutcracker, with Sole City Dance, Rochester Opera House, 31 Wakefield St., Rochester, tickets: 603-335-1992, www.rochesteroperahouse. com.
Dec. 5, ArtWorks Holiday Celebration, 5 - 7 p.m., libations, conversation and art, ArtWorks Chocorua Creative Arts Center, 132 NH Rt. 16, Chocorua, www. chocoruaArtworks.com
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
Dec. 5, Christmas with The Drifters, 7:30 p.m., Flying Monkey Movie & Performance Center, 39 Main St., Plymouth, tickets/info: www.flyingmonkeynh. com, 603-536-2551.
Dec. 5, Holiday Tree Lighting, 5:30 p.m., Central Square, downtown Rochester, 603-332-5080 ext. 3,events@rochesternh.org
Dec. 5, Winter is Coming: How Animals Get Ready, 10 a.m. – noon, for ages 6-14, Prescott Farm Environmental Education Center, 928 White Oaks Road, Laconia, www.prescottfarm.org., 603-366-5695.
Dec. 5 & 6, Gilford Community Church Christmas Fair, 12/5: 4-6:30 p.m., 12/6: 9 a.m. – 1 p.m., 19 Potter Hill Rd., Gilford, 603-524-6057. White elephant, baked goods, crafts, toys, jewelry, greens and more.
Dec. 5-7, Festival of Trees, 12/5: 4-8 p.m.; 12/6: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.; 12/7: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., Franklin Public Library, 310 Central St., Franklin, project of Franklin Opera House, 603-934-1901, 603-934-2911.
Dec. 5-7, 12-14, 19-31, Alpine Advent, European inspired Christmas Market, 12 chalets showcase NH artisans, food, drink, festivities, Town Square, Waterville Valley, 800-468-2553, www.visitwatervillevalley.com
Dec. 6, An 1860s Victorian Christmas, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., family holiday activities, NH Farm Museum, 1305 White Mt. Highway, Milton, 603-6527840, www.nhfarmmuseum.org
Dec. 6, Breakfast with Santa, 9 – 10:30 a.m., free family event, light food served, crafts, meet Santa & more, Ossipee Town Hall, 603-539-1307, Ossipee Town Hall, 55 Main St., Ossipee.
Dec. 6, Choir! Choir! Choir! Presents Un-Silent Night: Epic Holiday SingAlong, 7:30 p.m., Flying Monkey Movie & Performance Center, 39 Main St., Plymouth, tickets/info: www.flyingmonkeynh.com, 603-536-2551.
Dec. 6, Christmas at Canterbury, 1 – 6:30 p.m., Symphony NH Holiday Concert, cocktails, hors d’oeuvres, Polar Express readings, village tours, holiday wreath making, Canterbury Shaker Village, Shaker Rd., Canterbury, 603-7839511, tickets: www.shakers.org.
Dec. 6, Dana Cunningham and Carol Noonan, 7:30 pm, annual concert at the Little White Church, Rt. 153, Eaton, NH, 207-935-7292, www.stonemountainartscenter.com
Dec. 6, Holiday Greens Sale, 9 a.m.-noon at Squam Lakes Association, 534 US Rt. 3, Holderness; 2-5 p.m. on Porch at Newberry’s on the Common, downtown Plymouth, Ashland Garden Club selling custom-decorated wreaths, flowering plants, bagged greens and gourmet foods, 708-846-8431.
Dec. 6, Holiday Wreath Making, noon – 3 p.m., age 16 & up, Prescott Farm Environmental Education Center, 928 White Oaks Road, Laconia, www. prescottfarm.org., 603-366-5695.
Dec. 6, Light Up the Night, 5 p.m., tree lighting, Santa, hayride, Festival of Trees, Joy of Lights, Alton Parks & Recreation, downtown Alton, free, 603875-0109.
Dec. 6, Up-Cycled Paper Making , 10 a.m. – noon, age 16 & up, Prescott Farm Environmental Education Center, 928 White Oaks Road, Laconia, www. prescottfarm.org., 603-366-5695.
Dec. 6 & 7, Christmas at the Castle, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., Castle in the Clouds, Rte. 171, Moultonborough, tickets/info.: 603-476-5900, www.castleintheclouds.org
Dec. 6-14, Festival of Trees, Wright Museum of WWII, 77 Center St., Wolfeboro, wolfeborofestivaloftrees@gmail.com, www.wolfeborofestivaloftrees. com.
Dec. 7, Christmas in Candyland, 2025 Holiday Parade, 4 p.m., floats, high school marching bands, mobile and equestrian units, begins at Wakefield St. to downtown Rochester, 603-332-5080.
Dec. 7, Vintage Vocal Quartet Holiday Show, 5 p.m., The Loft at Hermit Woods Winery, 72 Main St., Meredith, www.hermitwoods.com.
Dec. 8, Beginner Line Dancing, 10 – 11 a.m., instructor Bonnie Deutch leads adults-only group, basic line dancing techniques, no experience required, dropsin welcome, Laconia Public Library, 695 Main St., Laconia, 603-524-4775.
Dec. 9, Holiday Open House, 11 a.m. – 1 p.m., celebration with lunch provided, Moultonborough Public Library, 4 Holland St., Moultonborough, 603-4768895, www.moultonboroughlibrary.org.
Dec. 9, Rustic Wooden Ornament Painting, 3:30 – 4:30 p.m., for ages 10-18, Laconia Public Library, 695 Main St., Laconia, 603-524-4775.
Dec. 11, An Evening with Yamica Peterson, 6 - 9 p.m., The Loft at Hermit Woods Winery, 72 Main St., Meredith, www.hermitwoods.com
Dec. 11, Brooks Robertson at Sap House Meadery, 7 – 9 p.m., music and food, dinner: 6 p.m.; concert: 7 p.m., Sap House Meadery, 6 Folsom Rd., Center Ossipee, 224-267-9209.
Dec. 11, Ceramic Snowman Painting, 5:30 – 7:30 p.m., with Fran’s Ceramics and Gifts, held at Minot Sleeper Library, 35 Pleasant St., Bristol, space limited, sign-up: 603-603-744-3352.
Dec. 11, Decorate a Mini Snow Village, 6 – 7:30 p.m., adults only event, Laconia Public Library, 695 Main St., Laconia, sign-up required: 603-524-4775.
Dec. 12, Carter Mountain Brass Band Christmas Concert, “Christmas Sketches,” 7 p.m., at First United Methodist Church, Wesley Way, Gilford, 603524-3289.
Dec. 12, Lunasa, 7 p.m., Ireland’s super group, First Congregational Church, Wolfeboro, Wolfeboro Friends of Music, tickets/info.: www.wfriendsofmusic. org, email: info@wfriendsofmusic.org
Dec. 12, MPL & MRD Youth Holiday Open House, 5:30 - 7 p.m., library and Rec. Dept., held at Function Hall, Moultonborough Public Library, 4 Holland St., Moultonborough, 603-476-8895, www.moultonboroughlibrary.org.
Dec. 12, Pure Prairie League, 7:30 p.m., Flying Monkey Movie & Performance Center, 39 Main St., Plymouth, tickets/info: www.flyingmonkeynh.com, 603-536-2551.
Dec. 12, Winter Wreaths: Holiday Crafting Workshop, 10 a.m. – noon, ages 6-14, Prescott Farm Environmental Education Center, 928 White Oaks Road, Laconia, www.prescottfarm.org., 603-366-5695.
Dec. 12-14, Santa’s Village, 12/12: 6-8 p.m.; 12/13 & 14: 2 – 5 p.m.; Meet Santa and Mrs. Claus, visit with Santa’s elves, have homemade cookies and more, Tapply Thompson Community Center, 30 N. Main St., Bristol, 603-744-2713.
Dec. 12-23, A Christmas Carol, Rochester Opera House, 31 Wakefield St., Rochester, tickets: 603-335-1992, www.rochesteroperahouse.com.
Dec. 13, Annual Gilford Village Candlelight Stroll, 5 – 7 p.m., Gilford Community Band performs from 4-7 p.m.:, Roving Carolers: 5- 7 p.m., Village Field: visit Santa and have s’mores at the bonfire, horse-drawn wagon rides of the village from Gilford Public Library, 603-524-6042.
Dec. 13, Holiday Wreath Making, 10 a.m. - 1 p.m., age 16 & up, Prescott Farm Environmental Education Center, 928 White Oaks Road, Laconia, www. prescottfarm.org., 603-366-5695.
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Please order early to ensure availability. dj@seabrisket.com or 603-832-3090
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Dec. 13, Harvest and Rust – A Neil Young Experience, 7:30 p.m., Flying Monkey Movie & Performance Center, 39 Main St., Plymouth, tickets/info: www.flyingmonkeynh.com, 603-536-2551.
Dec. 13, Second Saturday Contradance, Tamworth Outing Club, 7:30 – 10 p.m., Tamworth Town House, 27 Cleveland Hill Rd., Tamworth, Amy Berrier 603-651-5800 or Teresa Fournier at 978-609-2181.
Dec. 13, Trees & Trimmings at Remick Museum, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m., Remick Country Doctor Museum & Farm, tour each room of the house decorated for the holidays, make an ornament, music & more, 58 Cleveland Hill Rd., Tamworth, 603-323-7591, www.remickmuseum.org
Dec. 14, A Very Cher-y Christmas, 7 p.m., Flying Monkey Movie & Performance Center, 39 Main St., Plymouth, tickets/info: www.flyingmonkeynh. com, 603-536-2551.
Dec. 15, Beginner Line Dancing, 10 – 11 a.m., instructor Bonnie Deutch leads adults-only group, basic line dancing techniques, no experience required, drops-in welcome, Laconia Public Library, 695 Main St., Laconia, 603-5244775.
Dec. 15, Natalie MacMaster: A Celtic Family Christmas, 7 p.m., Rochester Opera House, 31 Wakefield St., Rochester, tickets: 603-335-1992, www.rochesteroperahouse.com.
Dec. 16, John Denver Christmas Show, 7:30 p.m., Flying Monkey Movie & Performance Center, 39 Main St., Plymouth, tickets/info: www.flyingmonkeynh.com, 603-536-2551.
Dec. 16, Strafford Wind Symphony Holiday Show, 7 p.m., Rochester Opera House, 31 Wakefield St., Rochester, tickets: 603-335-1992, www.rochesteroperahouse.com.
Dec. 17, A New England Christmas, 4 - 5 p.m., show with Pontine Theatre, Moultonborough Public Library, 4 Holland St., Moultonborough, pre-registration: 603-476-8895, www.moultonboroughlibrary.org
Dec. 17, Soup and Movie Night, 4 – 6 p.m., movie: Strangers on a Train, Minot Sleeper Library, 35 Pleasant St., Bristol, sign-up: 603-603-744-3352.
Dec. 17-19, A Christmas Carol: Arts & Education Series, 10 a.m., Rochester Opera House, 31 Wakefield St., Rochester, tickets: 603-335-1992, www. rochesteroperahouse.com
Dec. 18, Christmas Craft Fair at the Tamworth Town House, Tamworth Village Handcrafters | 9 a.m.-1 p.m., 603-323-8085.
Dec. 18, Judy Collins, 7:30 p.m., Flying Monkey Movie & Performance Center, 39 Main St., Plymouth, tickets/info: www.flyingmonkeynh.com, 603-5362551.
Dec. 18, Pontine Theatre: A New England Christmas, 6:30 – 7:30 p.m., Remick Country Doctor Museum & Farm, tour each room of the house decorated for the holidays, make an ornament, music & more, 58 Cleveland Hill Rd., Tamworth, 603-323-7591, www.remickmuseum.org.
Dec. 19, Rock My Soul – Ringin’ in the Merry Holiday Concert, 7 – 9 p.m., gospel spirit and holiday joy, pop, soul, R&B Christmas carols, First Congregational Church, 115 S. Main St., Wolfeboro, tickets: 603-569-1555.
Dec. 19, Winter Wildlife Detectives, 10 a.m. – noon, ages 6-14, Prescott Farm Environmental Education Center, 928 White Oaks Road, Laconia, www. prescottfarm.org., 603-366-5695.
Dec. 20, A Holiday Concert with Clay Cook, 3 – 5 p.m. & 7 – 9 p.m., Lakeport Opera House, 781 Union Ave., Laconia, 603-519-7506.
Dec. 20, Arctic Artisans Fair, 11 a.m. - 4 p.m., shop local handmade crafts and gifts, Aplomb Project, 262 Central St., Dover, 603-208-3300, www. theaplombproject.org
Dec. 20, Bayberry Candle Making, 1 – 3 p.m., age 16 & up, Prescott Farm Environmental Education Center, 928 White Oaks Road, Laconia, www. prescottfarm.org., 603-366-5695.
Dec. 20, Movie: It’s a Wonderful Life, 2 p.m., Flying Monkey Movie & Performance Center, 39 Main St., Plymouth, tickets/info: www.flyingmonkeynh. com, 603-536-2551.
Dec. 20, Santa on the Snow, 10 a.m. – noon, Santa will roam the property handing out candy canes, Gunstock Mountain Resort, 719 Cherry Valley Rd., Gilford, 603-293-4341, www.gunstock.com.
ONGOING
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. on 4th Saturdays of each month; 1 p.m. on 4th Tuesdays on each month, Moultonborough Public Library, 4 Holland St., Moultonborough, 603-662-6501. (Meets Sept.-June)
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.
Bridge Players, gathering, 1 – 4 p.m., meets Wednesdays year-round, Holderness Library, 866 U.S. Rt. 3, Holderness, 603-968-7066. Castle in the Clouds, Rte. 171, Moultonborough, 603-476-5900, www.castleintheclouds.org.
Chapman Sanctuary and Visny Woods, nature trails open for hiking, 740 Mt. Israel Rd., Center Sandwich, 603-284-6428, www.chapmansanctuaryvisnywoods.com.
Chocorua Lake Basin View Lot, mountain views, benches for seating, free, www.chocorualake.org.
Coffee Hour, 10 – 11 a.m., Wednesdays, coffee, tea, snacks, Effingham Public Library, 30 Town House Rd., Effingham, 603-539-1537, Effingham.lib.nh.us.
Country Village Quilt Guild, meets twice monthly, Public Safety Building (back entrance to Police and Fire Dept.), Rte. 25, Moultonborough, countryvillagequilters@gmail.com.
Family Crafts at the Belknap Mill Museum, 11 a.m. – 1 p.m., monthly on select Saturdays, drop-in event, free, Belknap Mill, 25 Beacon St. East, Laconia, 603-524-8813, www.belknapmill.org
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
Fiber Arts and Spinning Club, 10 a.m. – noon, Tuesdays, Belknap Mill, 25 Beacon St. East, Laconia, Bring fiber projects, spinning wheels, and spindles, 603-524-8813, www.belknapmill.org.
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
Frank Bolles Nature Reserve, walking trails, off Rt. 16 to Chocorua Lake Rd., Chocorua, www.chocorualake.org.
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.
In the Round, 8:45 a.m., Sundays, thought-provoking topics related to tolerance, Benz Center, Sandwich, 603-284-7211.
Indoor Pickleball, 5 - 7 p.m., Sandwich Elementary School gym, Sandwich, Tues., Thurs. Friday, 603-387-2180, 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
Lakes Region Art Association, exhibits and classes, Suite 300, Tanger Outlet, Rte. 3, Tilton, 603-998-0029, www.lraanh.org
Laverack Nature Trail at Hawkins Brook, nature trail on boardwalk, free, trail starts to the left of Meredith Village Savings Bank, Rte. 25, Meredith, 603279-9015.
League of NH Craftsmen Meredith Fine Craft Gallery, handmade crafts and art for sale, workshops, 279 Daniel Webster Highway, Meredith, 603-279-7920.
Loon Center, walking trails, 183 Lees Mill Rd., Moultonborough, 603-4765666, 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 individuals, Ossipee Town Hall, no pre-registration required, 55 Main St., Center Ossipee, takes place various times: www.ossipee.recdesk.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, 603279-4303, www.meredithlibrary.org.
Monday Special: Buy One Get One Pizza, 4 – 5 p.m., The Taphouse Lake Winnipesaukee, 18 Main St., Center Harbor, www.thetaphouse.net, 603-2508029.
NH Boat Museum, 130 Whittier Highway, Moultonborough, 603-569-4554. Second location: 399 Center St., Wolfeboro, 603-569-4554, www.nhbm.org.
NH Farm Museum, 1305 White Mt. Highway, Milton, holiday events, 603652-7840, 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.
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 & Crafting Group, 1 p.m., meets 2nd & 4th Thurs. monthly, Ossipee Public Library, 74 Main St., Center Ossipee, schedule/info: 603-539-6390.
Remick Country Doctor Museum & Farm, holiday events, 58 Cleveland Hill Rd., Tamworth, 603-323-7591, www.remickmuseum.org.
Rug Hookers, 10 a.m., Tuesdays, Tuftonboro Free Library, 221 Middle Rd., Rt. 109A, Tuftonboro, 603-569-4256.
Sculpture Walk, tours of outdoor sculptures around downtown/lakeside areas of Meredith, free, Greater Meredith Program, maps: 603-279-9015.
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, pre-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
Stamp Club, 7 p.m., All Saints Church, 258 South Main St., Wolfeboro, info: 603-569-3453.
Squam Lakes Association, 534 US Rt. 3, Holderness, 603-968-7336, www. squamlakes.org
Tamworth Farmer’s Market, 9 a.m. - noon, Saturdays, 30 Tamworth Road, Tamworth, www.tamworthfarmersmarket.org
Tamworth Outing Club Second Saturday Dance, 7:30 - 10 p.m., Tamworth Town House, 27 Cleveland Hill Rd., Tamworth, live musical bands/callers, info@tamworthoutingclub.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.
Tuftonboro Country Bluegrass and Gospel Jam, 6 p.m., Tuesdays, donation requested, Old White Church, Rte. 109A, Center Tuftonboro, across from Tuftonboro General Store, 603-569-3861.
Walking Group, Tuesdays, 9 – 10 a.m., start at Parks and Recreation building, 328 Main St., Alton, sign up: parksrec-asst@alton.nh.gov., 603-875-0109.
Wolfeboro Farmers Market, Thursdays, noon – 3:30 p.m., through Dec. 19, Abenaki Ski Lodge, 390 Pine Hill Rd., Wolfeboro, email: nichole@wolfeborofarmersmarket@gmail.com, www.wolfeborofarmersmarket.com.
Wolfeboro Table Tennis, meets Wednesdays, 4 p.m., All Saints Church, Wolfeboro, all skill levels welcome, $5 admission charge each week, info: 603-5205651.
Yesteryear
Meredith and the Rise of an Entrepreneur
By Kathi Caldwell-Hopper
“School-books and rules were hard tasks for me, and to obtain knowledge in that way was much like trying to take on fat by eating sawdust bread.”
– Seneca Ladd
Meredith is one of the most popular of the Lakes Region’s towns. In summer, it is bustling with visitors who love the atmosphere, the shops, restaurants, and the close proximity to the water.
When Meredith began, it was called Palmerstown after grant holder Samuel Palmer. In 1748, the town was granted; it was incorporated with a new name: Meredith in 1768. Yet later, the southeasterly portion of Meredith was incorporated as Laconia.
Due to the Indian wars, it was not until after 1748 that many settlers dared come to the area. But once people decided to travel to Meredith, their journey was arduous, and the territory remote. Travelers arrived via a narrow trail just wide enough for a man on horseback.
Seeing the need for a sawmill, Ebenezer Smith brought the necessary building supplies. He built his sawmill at the Weirs area with Joshua Folsom and Thomas Brown in 1765. With a means to get lumber, people began building houses and barns, and by around 1770, growth really began.
By the late 1800s, Meredith was about 80 percent settled and only 20 percent forested land. The Meredith Shook and Lumber Co. was a large employer in the town. Other mills prospered in the town as well.
One man in particular helped grow
the town and went on to become a success. Seneca Ladd would today be known as an entrepreneur. Along with a strong business sense, Ladd had a reputation for being ethical with a philanthropic nature.
Ladd was born in Loudon, New Hampshire, in 1819. He was a free thinker and independent, and not one to do well with the constrictions of formal schooling. He was not a standard, successful scholar. Probably because of this, he attended school until he was about 10 years old and then made himself available to help his parents with farming and harvesting of crops.
Modern educators would recognize Ladd as a gifted student. Formal education was not for him, but at the time, no testing was available for a gifted child who learned best in a free-form manner.
Luckily, one of Ladd’s teachers saw the talent in his pupil. Instructor John French encouraged his independent-thinking pupil (Ladd) to study in his own way, to make his own rules, and to choose how and when to study. The creative method was successful, and Ladd won a prized silver Spanish coin for his good grades. It is said that Ladd kept the coin for years.
At that time, students left school early to go to work on the family farm or in service as a maid or manual laborer. In his early teens, Ladd was sent to learn the carriage-maker’s trade in Raymond, New Hampshire, as related in “Meredith, N.H. Annals and Genealogies,” arranged by Mary E. Neal Hanaford. He was a quick study and proved to have a high mechanical ap-
titude. Ladd also had a good grasp of the financial world. Lower- and middle-class families expected their children to learn a trade and help their parents and any unwed sisters. Most likely, a lot was at stake for the Ladd family, and young Seneca was prepared to work hard.
Always looking for new challenges, Ladd moved to the Lakes Region and ran a carriage maker’s business in Meredith for two years. He then moved to Boston to learn how to construct pianofortes for Timothy Gilbert, in one of the early manufactories established in the United States.
Ladd came back to Meredith in the summer of 1839. He had saved his money and was a true entrepreneur.
According to the www.mvsb.com article titled “MVSB Celebrates 150th Birthday” in a Sept. 21, 2019, story, a few years later, Ladd realized that pianoforte making was in its infancy and growing in popularity. Getting involved in the business would put him ahead of the curve; it is reminiscent of today’s computer visionaries who got in on the ground floor.
Ladd purchased a mill building and opened a carriage manufactory. He was ready to enter business on a large scale, which was an onerous task for a young man, not to mention a financial risk. But Ladd spent his youth mapping out a course to success, and it did not take long for the manufactory to thrive.
For 11 years, Ladd built his business and ran it profitably. Sadly, in 1850, his entire plant was destroyed by fire, and the contents burned. Ladd could have given up, but it was not in his nature.
He leased a cotton factory, which was sitting idle, and fitted it with new machinery and began to manufacture pianos and melodeons.
Once again, Ladd’s business thrived, and he ran the piano and melodeon factory in Meredith and also in Boston for about 20 years.
Ladd worked hard and was by then financially stable due to his work as a skilled piano manufacturer. As any good businessman would do, he looked for new challenges. He was observant and noticed how young working people – some in his factory - were irresponsible with their pay packets. It concerned him to watch his employees fritter away their hard-earned pay, because information at www.mvsb.com relates that he was “an employer who cared deeply about his workers.” He advised his employees to save some of their wages, and he took their financial problems seriously. Thus, opening a bank seemed to be the answer to Ladd’s concerns: his employees would have a place to save their money, and Ladd could start a new business. (a bank).
In November of 1869, Ladd and his associates procured a charter from the Legislature and established the Meredith Village Savings Bank. Ladd was named treasurer (equivalent to a president and CEO in today’s world). The bank’s home was on Main Street in Meredith.
By this time, he had ceased operation of his piano manufacturing business. For the next years, Ladd threw all his
• Yesteryear continued on page 20
• Yesteryear continued from page 19
energies into banking.
Ladd was well known and respected in Meredith. It was written of Ladd in “The History of Merrimack and Belknap Counties, New Hampshire, 1885”: “His education has given him a mental character of strength and ability far beyond that attained by the usual curriculum of a college course, and on any of the grave subjects under discussion among scholars his opinion is listened to with earnestness and commands respect. He has never used tobacco or alcohol in any form and has battled strongly against the rum traffic. In politics, his votes have always been cast in favor of universal freedom. The Liberty, Abolition and Republican parties have, in turn, received his warmest support and most active services, and in all social and public matters, he has ever been in accord with the most advanced and progressive minds.
“His regard for the young has been noticeable through life. He rarely passes children without bowing or speaking to them, and during his life he continually scattered kind deeds among them.”
The editor of a New Hampshire newspaper in the 1800s recalled childhood encounters with Ladd, and related, “Mr. Ladd was always giving me something, doing me some favor, speaking kind words to me, encouraging me, giving me to understand that my chances in the world were just as good as anybody’s, providing I kept at school and did it right…I had a friend in him, and for these reasons I tried to
be a good boy and meet his approbation.”
Mr. Ladd married Susan Tilton of Meredith in 1840. She was highly regarded in Meredith and when she died in 1850, the community mourned the loss. Their children were Fannie C.A. (Mrs. D.W. Coe) and Charles F.A. Ladd.
Ladd later married a second time to Catherine Wallace, daughter of William Wallace, Esq. of Henniker. They had one child, Virginia B. Ladd.
Ladd continued to run the bank and involve himself with all sorts of philanthropic causes and hobbies.
True to his curious nature, Ladd became interested in geology and meteorology. For about 18 years, he kept meteorological records and had one of the finest private collections of minerals and antiquities in New Hampshire.
A close friend of Ladd’s described the bank owner and the bank in this way for an interview in the Boston Daily News: “This gentleman of boundless courtesy and leisure is a man of great reflection, remarkable observation and unusual originality.” This writing speaks to the curious, far-seeing man Ladd must have been.
Seneca Ladd remained active throughout his life, and when he died in 1892, he left behind a small family but a large community of friends, business associates, and fellow scholars. Although his beginnings were humble, and he never fit into a prescribed mold in the world of the 1800s, he left a positive and lasting impression on Meredith. He was, indeed, Meredith’s early entrepreneur.
• Accredited Auto and Marine Ceramic Coatings installer
Lunasa
Arrives in Wolfeboro for December 12 Concert
Wolfeboro
Friends of Music presents the fourth concert in their 90th season, Lunasa, on Friday, December 12, at 7 pm at First Congregational Church in Wolfeboro, at 115 South Main Street.
Named for an ancient Celtic harvest festival in honor of the Irish god Lugh, Lunasa was formed in 1997 from members of some of the greatest Irish groups of the previous decade, an early review from Folk Roots magazine describing the band as an “Irish music dream team”. From the start, the band’s complex arrangements and unique sound reshaped the boundaries of traditional music and energized audiences the world over. Critical acclaim followed, MOJO magazine named the band “the new gods of Irish music,” adding that “nobody since the Bothies has wielded such a thrilling rhythmic underlay.” Billboard raved that “anybody who listens can’t help but find them contagious.”
Having since sold over a quarter of a million records and performed over 2,500 shows across 36 countries, Lunasa has won multiple awards and become one of the most influential bands in the history of traditional music. Collaborations with singers Natalie Merchant,
Mary-Chapin Carpenter, and Tim O’Brien and high-profile concerts at The Hollywood Bowl, New York’s Carnegie Hall, Glastonbury Festival, and Bercy Arena, Paris helped broaden the band’s audience and cement its place at the forefront of contemporary Irish music.
This is the fourth of nine concert performances comprising the current WFOM season running through June, 90 years of artistic excellence in service to NH’s Lakes Region, Mount Washington Valley and beyond.
Season sponsors make Wolfeboro Friends of Music possible: Diana and Greg Jonas, Paul Zimmerman, Susan and James Scarborough, John Sandeen, The Kalled Gallery, Bradley’s Hardware, Carroll County Landscape, and YFI Custom Homes
Tickets are available for $39.50 at the exciting new website: www.wfriendsofmusic.org; or by email at: info@ wfriendsofmusic.org, and at the door on the day of the concert.
High School students with ID will be admitted free of charge. Children accompanied by an adult ticket purchaser will be admitted free of charge. For additional information, visit www. wfriendsofmusic.org.
New Owners Are Old Friends of Ragged Mountain
By Thomas P. Caldwell
The former classmates and colleagues who purchased the Ragged Mountain Resort from Doug Anderson say their first order of business is to maintain current operations for a seamless transition before tackling any long-term plans for the ski area.
“We have a transition-of-service agreement with Pacific Group Resorts, and they’re helping us to get through and bridge that gap, obviously, with the timing of this and the ski season bearing down on us,” said Carl Rominger, one of six investors in the new ownership group known as SF Mountain Co, LLC.
Four of the six — Rominger, Seth Offen, Bill Morrison, and Tristan Whitman — graduated together as members of Newfound Regional High School’s Class of 2000. A fifth, Josh Larkin, graduated a year later. The other owner, Mike Kettenbach, had connected with the group during college and is a passionate skier who has gone on ski trips with the others.
In announcing the purchase, the company noted that Erik Barnes will continue in his role as general manager of the resort.
“No one’s going anywhere,” Carl said during an interview just as they were getting ready to start snowmaking operations. “We did not purchase the operating entity, but we are hiring everybody for our new company that currently works here. So there’s no change in staff or employment at all at any level.”
He explained, “This isn’t a group that’s looking to gobble up ski areas and turn it into a bigger venture. We’re here for this resort, and to focus on making it the best that it can be.”
While Ragged’s summer staff numbers about 25 — mostly full-time winter employees who remain there for the summer and “a little bit more for cater-
ing and weddings and events” — the number increases to around 250 workers once the operating season begins.
Carl was among them, having worked as a lift attendant at Ragged during high school. He went on to the University of New Hampshire, focusing on outdoor recreation and leadership. While at UNH, he got a job at Putnam Ski and Snowboard Shop in Portsmouth.
“That was a really good segue into me skiing a lot more and not going to school so much,” he said. “And so my skiing habit kind of took over and I ended up following a career in the ski industry.”
It was during his 12 years as service manager at Putnam’s that he met his wife, Jessica, who currently teaches eighth grade at Newfound Memorial Middle School. Returning to the Lakes Region, Carl worked for a couple of years at Sport Thoma Ski and Snow Workshop in North Woodstock, which also has a shop in the Ragged Mountain Ski Lodge. In October 2014, Carl became rental manager at Ragged, and has been there in various capacities
ever since.
Ragged Mountain’s history as a ski area dates back to 1965. It changed hands after the operation went bankrupt in 1974 and closed again a decade later. Al and Walter Endriunas then purchased the resort with development plans that included a golf course, lodging, and expansion onto Spear Mountain. They installed New Hampshire’s first six-person chairlift at Ragged Mountain.
Anderson, chair of the board of directors at Pacific Group Resorts, purchased the operation in 2007.
“This was the first resort that they ever owned,” Carl said. “Pacific Group Resorts was the operator of the resort, under a company called RM Management and Operations.”
Anderson obtained development rights for as many as 625 residential units, with some of them completed to provide on-site lodging.
As Pacific Group Resorts acquired other ski areas — Jay Peak, Wisp, Mount Washington Alpine Resort, Wintergreen, and Powderhorn — Ragged was able to offer reciprocal ski
passes to those other locations.
Carl gave the example, “If you were a Ragged Mountain pass-holder, it was good for five days of skiing at Jay Peak — I think there were some blackout dates attached to that — and Jay Peak pass-holders get unlimited days here at Ragged, the biggest reason being because their pass is significantly more expensive than our pass,” Carl said.
Employees at Ragged Mountain learned last February that Anderson was going to be listing the resort for sale.
“As somebody that’s worked here for a long time, and having a bunch of buddies who ski here — love this place, of course — it was, you know, ‘Oh, man, wouldn’t it be cool if we could buy Ragged somehow?’” Carl said.
For the next eight months, they put in “a significant effort” to figure out how to purchase it, submitting an inquiry, digging into what its operation entailed, and “literally, just one thing led to another, led to another, and we just somehow being the ones that were the furthest along in the process.”
He said, “No joking, it’s the hardest I’ve ever worked at anything in my life, along with all these other guys. The energy that we put into this, the time that we put into it, it was no joke. It was a lot of work. And now the real work begins.”
He explained, “Right now, we’re just focused on the short term and just getting changed over and getting ready to operate for the season. Making snow? That’s right now, getting the system online, get fired up. Just get going with operations, like, for our vendors and our employees, we want no gaps. We want no gaps for the guests as well. So we need to make sure that we can just get this season off without any hic-
• Ragged Mountain continued on page 22
Seth Offen and Carl Rominger, two of the partners in SF Mountain Co, LLC, which recently purchased the Ragged Mountain Resort. (Tom Caldwell Photo)
cups.”
Between Ragged Mountain and Spear Mountain, the resort offers 57 trails and 17 glades for 250 acres of skiable terrain. Both peaks are served by high-speed lifts — a high-speed sixpack on Ragged and one high-speed detachable quad on Spear. There is a fixed-grip triple chair on the beginner slope.
“We call ourselves Ragged Mountain Resort, but we’re very much a ski and snowboard area,” Carl said. He is particularly happy about the beginner slope, noting that many beginner slopes are somewhat isolated, but Ragged’s is off to one side while still being close to the main trails.
“You can get from that beginner lift out to the main mountain, and it’s really fun to be able to go skiing over there, but still be a part of the resort,” Carl said. “That’s something that I really love about our beginner area. I think it’s very unique and sets us apart, that you’re still a part of the resort as a whole.”
Ragged’s snowmaking capacity
covers about 87 percent of the trails, and through the transition-of-service agreement, Pacific Group Resorts is assisting with the operational transition through the 2025-26 ski season, ensuring continuity for employees and guests. Pacific Group Resorts will honor the reciprocal-benefit packages that Ragged Mountain sold for this year.
“We want to honor all of those things,” Carl said. “So of course, going forward, we’re going to have to rework some of those agreements because we’re no longer a part of that company, but we certainly want to work to maintain whatever relationships we can.”
Ragged Mountain Resort offers full services to skiers, with a learning center, an alpine racing program and race development, a full rental shop and a service shop, and multiple food and beverage outlets. There is a cafeteria downstairs and a restaurant on the upper level of the ski lodge, with a stone hearth bar on the other side.
“We’ve got a retail shop downstairs,” Carl enumerates. “We’ve got a full-service ski patrol. So we’ve pretty much got, I think, all the bases covered, so to speak.”
He also noted that, even on busy
days, they are able to move people along to avoid long wait times.
“One of the things that I love about this resort, and made my wife and I fall in love with it, is that everything is centralized, so you’ve got one simple base area where everything funnels together. And even skiing with friends and family, you don’t have to have this whole democratic process of which run are we going to take, which lift are we going to take? It’s ‘Let’s go skiing, and we’ll meet you back at the bottom. Everybody can go wherever they want.”
Ragged Mountain offers tickets online, including four-packs: four unrestricted lift tickets that are valid any day the resort is open during this winter, with no reservations needed. FourPack ticketholders will have priority over day ticket buyers if there are capacity restrictions.
South America.
“That’s been a question a lot of people have asked us is, ‘Are you going to stay on Indy Pass?’” Carl said. “Last year was our first year on that product, and it was huge. Yes, absolutely, we’re staying on the Indy Pass.”
The new owners have received a “fantastic” response from the community, anxious to see that the resort will maintain its local focus.
The development options for the resort, updated in 2023, remain viable, but acting on that master plan is something for future consideration. Along with the ski area, SF Mountain Co, LLC acquired 550 adjacent acres in the $6.44 million purchase.
“We did acquire a decent percentage of the development property, in addition to the resort itself, and yes, there are some plans in place with that. We do recognize that there is a lack of beds around the area, and that’s part of making the resort more accessible,” Carl said. “It’s a great resort to day-trip, but some people want to come up and spend the night, so we do recognize that there is a demand for that.”
“Our products are a little bit unique from some of the other resorts, in that our four-pack tickets are fully transferable, meaning that anybody can use them any day of the season,” Carl said. “So if you want to show up with four people and use them on one day, you can. If you want one person to use the four tickets over four different days, you can. You can split them up however you want. A lot of other resorts are offering products like that, but they’re stuck to a user. They’re not transferable. … So ours is unique in that anybody can use them anytime, any day of the season. So we think that’s a really good value.”
Ragged also offers lower prices on day tickets purchased on the website.
“That’s always where you’re gonna get your best price if you buy in advance,” Carl says. “As long as you buy it on the website before you show up at the mountain, you’re going to get a really good deal on a ticket.”
Ragged Mountain also remains affiliated with the Indy Pass, a third-party product that provides access to more than 230 independent ski resorts across North America, Europe, Japan, and
Previous owners developed a golf course on the property, but that area has become overgrown. Asked whether it might be a place to offer Nordic skiing, Carl said, “I wouldn’t say it’s part of our business model. There is a lot of land we’ve got with the old golf course. People always ask about it and suggest it’d be great for cross-country skiing [but] it’s not part of the focus right now.”
Climate change is certainly a concern, Carl said, but “In my 11 years of working here, we had one bad winter. We’ve had some not-great winters. Last year was probably the best winter that we’ve ever had.” Ticket sales showed 100,000 skiers last winter. He summed up, “Our goal is to just carry everything forward and just keep doing all the things that this place does, and do them well.”
Capitol Center for the Arts Presents a Festive & Diverse Lineup of Events This Season
The Capitol Center for the Arts (CCANH) presents a full schedule of performances and celebrations this season, bringing together music, film, ballet, jazz, and family fun in time for the holiday season and New Year.
December 4 brings Lee & Dr. G (with special guest Jack Lewis) at 7:30 pm at the BNH Stage. Lee & Dr. G celebrate the release of their debut album “GIRL FOR ME” That same evening, the Chubb Theatre will host “Stand by Me: The Film and Its Stars 40 Years Later” at 7:30 pm. The evening will include a special screening of Stand by Me, followed by a live conversation with actors Corey Feldman, Jerry O’Connell, and Wil Wheaton, sharing behind-the-
scenes memories and reflections.
December 5 brings Mannheim Steamroller Christmas to the Chubb Theatre at 7:30 pm. A festive concert featuring classic Christmas hits from Mannheim Steamroller’s holiday albums, enhanced by multimedia effects and intimate instrumentation. Meanwhile, the BNH Stage will host Paul Hodes & Blue Buddha Band at the same time, for a soulful and energetic evening blending blues, jazz, and more.
Mr. Aaron’s Holiday Bash, a joyful interactive holiday concert for kids and families, begins on December 6 at 11 am at the BNH Stage. Later that afternoon, Symphony NH: Jingle Brass will play at 3 pm at the BNH Stage, provid-
ing a spirited brass concert celebrating holiday music in a warm, festive atmosphere. Also that day, Safe Haven Ballet presents The Nutcracker, with performances at 2 and 7 pm at the Chubb Theatre. A beautiful ballet presentation of the Nutcracker in a theatrical, family-friendly setting.
December 7 will showcase the NH Gay Men’s Chorus as they present “Peace & Goodwill” at 3 pm at the BNH Stage. A heartfelt holiday concert by the chorus, sharing messages of unity, love, and cheer. At 4 pm at the Chubb Theatre, Safe Haven Ballet presents Charlie Brown Christmas, a charming ballet interpretation of the beloved Charlie Brown Christmas
sic sounds with modern flair, will play at 8 pm at the BNH Stage.
On December 13, The Met: Live in HD, a live high-definition transmission from The Metropolitan Opera, featuring the stirring opera Andrea Chénier, will show at 1 pm at the BNH Stage, followed by a Birth-Tay Dance Party at 7 pm: a vibrant dance event to celebrate life, music, and movement. That same evening at the Chubb Theatre, The Rock Orchestra by Candlelight will play at 8 pm, featuring rock classics reinterpreted in a warm, intimate orchestral style.
On December 10, Great Lake Swimmers (featuring Abel Partridge) will play at 7:30 pm at the BNH Stage, sharing a lyrical and introspective folk-rock evening with guests.
The following evening, December 11, enjoy Beatles vs. Stones – A Musical Showdown, at 7:30 pm at the Chubb Theatre: a lively tribute concert pitting the iconic music of The Beatles against The Rolling Stones in a playful comparison; or LaMP, which has distilled singular, road-honed improv instincts into taut, instrumental epics, at the BNH Stage at 7:30 pm.
Dan & Claudia Zanes Holiday SingAlong will have two showings at BNH Stage on December 12, at 11 am and 2 pm. This is a free family event full of holiday songs, community singing, and joyful participation (tickets are free). Later that evening, Roomful of Blues, a high-energy blues band bringing clas-
A holiday classic arrives on December 14, with two performances (2 and 7 pm) of a Charlie Brown Jazz Christmas at the BNH Stage. The Heather Pierson Trio performs the ‘A Charlie Brown Christmas’ album in a charming jazz arrangement, including “Linus and Lucy” and other holiday favorites. At 4 pm at the Chubb Theatre, the Capital Jazz Orchestra will feature Holiday Pops.
Many additional concerts and festivities are planned for December. For a full schedule and tickets, visit ccanh. com.
Capitol Center for the Arts is Concord, New Hampshire’s premier performing arts venue, presenting a diverse array of music, theatre, dance, comedy, and family programming. With two stages, the historic Chubb Theatre and the more intimate BNH Stage, CCANH brings world-class entertainment to the heart of the state. CCANH is located at 44 South Main St, Concord, NH.
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Midnight Merriment Returns to Downtown Concord
Midnight Merriment, presented by Breezeline, returns to downtown Concord on Friday, December 5, 2025, filling Main Street with festive lights, music, shopping, and seasonal cheer from 5 pm until midnight. This beloved annual tradition invites residents and visitors to stroll downtown, enjoy extended shopping hours, take advantage of progressive discounts and exclusive deals, and support local businesses as they gear up for the holiday season. Holiday music will be broadcast throughout the downtown district beginning at 5 pm, creating a warm and spirited backdrop for the evening’s festivities.
Arts Alley at 20 South Main Street will host Santa photos from 5:30 to 7:30 pm, sponsored by Breezeline, along with a lively holiday dance party featuring DJ Nazzy. During the same time, Concord Chorale’s strolling car-
olers will fill South Main Street with classic holiday harmonies. Bicentennial Square will come alive at 5 pm with a performance by the Concord High School Chamber Singers, followed by live music from The Wandering Souls until 8 pm. Guests can enjoy free hot chocolate from 5 to 7 pm, courtesy of St. Mary’s Bank and provided by Brother’s Cortado, while supplies last. S’mores will also be available for roasting over an open fire during this period, sponsored by Binnie Media with ingredients provided by Granite State Candy and the Concord Food Coop. With only 500 s’mores available, supplies often run out around 7:30 pm, so early arrival is encouraged.
City Plaza, in front of the State House, will welcome the Jubilate Singers from 5 to 5:30 pm as they perform as “The Dickens Carolers” in full period dress, offering joyful carols and
NH Fish & Game’s Annual Shop WILD Saturday Event Set for December 13
If you are an outdoor enthusiast or have one on your shopping list, join us for Shop WILD Saturday, the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department’s exciting holiday shopping experience. The event is set for Saturday, December 13, from 10 am to 2 pm at New Hampshire Fish and Game Department Headquarters, 11 Hazen Drive, Concord, NH.
Shop WILD Saturday will feature all the gifts outdoor lovers are asking for this season, such as the full line-up of newly designed merchandise, including a warm winter vintage-inspired hooded sweatshirt and matching trucker hat.
Shop WILD Saturday has something
for the whole family to explore. Bold Spark Design and Stationery will be on hand to showcase their vibrant wildlife-track-inspired prints and notecards. Friends from the New Hampshire Wildlife Heritage Foundation and the Conservation Officers Relief Association (CORA) will be there to share their work, as will members of the Fish and Game K-9 Team. See you there!
The New Hampshire Fish and Game Department is the guardian of the state’s fish, wildlife, and marine resources. To learn more about the variety of ways you can support the Department, visit wildlife.nh.gov/shop-and-support.
holiday storytelling under the direction of Jane Cormier. From 5 to 10 pm, visitors can warm up at the Bath Flip–sponsored warming station featuring picnic tables and heaters provided by Taylor Rental Concord. Nearby, the Capitol Street Food Truck Alley will operate from 5 pm until midnight— or until food runs out—with support from Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers and lighting by Sunbelt Rentals. Food offerings will include Wicked Tasty, Ultimate Concessions, Nothing Bundt Cakes, and Bubble Bee Milk Tea.
In Eagle Square, the Concord Arts Market will present its Winter Giftopolis from 5 to 11 pm, giving shoppers the chance to browse unique handcraft-
ed gifts. The Suncook Valley Chorale will add to the atmosphere with caroling from 7 to 9 pm. Meanwhile, at Capital Plaza, the Girl Scouts will spread holiday cheer with caroling from 6 to 8 pm.
Midnight Merriment continues to be a cherished community celebration, offering families, friends, and visitors an opportunity to experience the magic of the holidays in downtown Concord. With live performances, artisan vendors, warm treats, food trucks, and festive surprises at every corner, the event provides a memorable kickoff to the holiday shopping season. For more information, visit intownconcord.org.
Gift of Lights Returns to New Hampshire Motor Speedway
The 15th annual Gift of Lights opened Thanksgiving evening at New Hampshire Motor Speedway with millions of lights. The 2.5-mile drive-thru light show that’s become a New England family tradition is back at New Hampshire Motor Speedway (NHMS), shining bright with millions of lights for its 15th holiday season. Gift of Lights will spread 39 nights of holiday cheer while fundraising for the local community from Thanksgiving through Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026.
“We’re looking forward to welcoming thousands of families to New Hampshire Motor Speedway to kick off their holiday season and support the local community once again,” said New Hampshire Motor Speedway Executive Vice President and General Manager David McGrath. “We love seeing the twinkle of holiday magic bring generations together to create memories for years to come.”
This year, families can watch for new displays, including a farm scene, a candy cane shooter, a camping scene, a duck hunter, and the iconic pole-licking scene from “A Christmas Story.” The trip “Around the World” now includes
Australia in addition to the well-known landmarks such as Big Ben, Easter Island, the Eiffel Tower, the Leaning Tower of Pisa, Mount Rushmore, Taj Mahal, and more that made their debut at NHMS last year. The infamous Grinch, who first started stealing gifts at NHMS last year, will now be accompanied by his sidekick, Max the dog. Visitors can also enjoy a lower price
for a season pass. If one visit isn’t enough, Winterland, the company that operates Gift of Lights, is offering a season pass for only $75, which allows unlimited visits this season.
Santa Claus will roll into Loudon in style aboard the Coca-Cola Holiday Caravan, making a special stop at Gift of Lights on Saturday, Dec. 13, from 4:30-9 pm. Kids can visit with St. Nick to get their last-minute gift requests in and bring home a keepsake photo.
Gift of Lights benefits NHMS’s official charity, the New Hampshire Chapter of Speedway Children’s Charities (SCCNH), which supports children in need throughout New England, in a couple of ways:
Families can purchase $3 s’more kits at the food truck at the end of the Gift of Lights route and roast them on the open fire pits. All proceeds will go to SCCNH.
A portion of the proceeds from event admissions will go straight to SCCNH.
SCCNH has raised more than
$473,000 from Gift of Lights since 2011 and has granted more than $2.1 million to deserving regional charities supporting nearly 1.5 million children since 2009.
Attendees are encouraged to bring four or more non-perishable food items for the Loudon Food Pantry to save $5 off single-vehicle admission purchased on site. Since 2011, event attendees have donated more than 105,000 pounds of food, totaling more than 98,000 meals for local families in need during the winter months.
Attendees can save $5 off single-vehicle admission purchased on site by participating in theme nights:
Dec. 1 | PJ Night – Wear your coziest Christmas pajamas.
Dec. 2 | Giving Tuesday – Attend Gift of Lights.
Dec. 3 | Pet Night – Bring your pet to enjoy the lights.
Dec. 10 | Christmas Sweater Night –Wear your craziest and most festive Christmas sweater.
On Military Mondays, Dec 1 and 8, active military members and veterans can enjoy Gift of Lights for only $5 with a valid military ID.
Gift of Lights opens at 4:30 pm nightly, depending on the weather. All traffic must enter through NHMS’s South Entrance. Admission is available for purchase online at NHMS.com or at NHMS for $35 per car or $60 per bus, limousine, or RV (add $2 per person for vehicles containing more than 15 guests).
Keep track of all of New Hampshire Motor Speedway’s events by following them on Facebook (@NHMotorSpeedway), X, and Instagram (@NHMS), or visit the speedway website at NHMS. com.
CrossFit Gyms Aim To Help Maintain Day-To-Day Tone
By Thomas P. Caldwell
CrossFit, a high-intensity workout regimen combining elements of weightlifting, calisthenics, and powerlifting, has become a super-popular form of exercise, with affiliated gyms popping up nearly everywhere. Central New Hampshire is no exception, with Juggernaut Fitness in Laconia, Nova Vita in Meredith, Winnipesaukee Fitness Company in Wolfeboro, Granite Forged CrossFit in Plymouth, and Kilter Fitness in Bristol.
What they offer is a program designed to match the actions people may need to perform on a day-to-day basis, such as squatting, pulling, pushing, and lifting. The workouts emphasize building muscles, using various types of equipment, such as rowers, bikes, medicine balls, speed ropes, kettle bells, rings, and plyo boxes.
Typically, there is a standard “workout of the day” for members, with substitutions to match individual fitness levels. Thus, it can be beneficial for all ages and athletic capabilities. For adolescents, it is a way to develop balance, coordination, and motor skills. For older adults, the exercises help them maintain flexibility so they have the ability to pick something up off the floor, for instance.
CrossFit is designed to be constantly varied, with the workouts based on the core movements of life. For those motivated by competition, many CrossFit gyms maintain a scoreboard and post winners to social media.
Juggernaut Fitness, at 24 Lexington Drive, Laconia, offers a range of specialized workouts, such as Juggernaut Endure, which aims to be a well-rounded, general fitness program. “Like our Fitness classes, we aim to train every energy system in a variety of ways utilizing foundational movements,” the company states. “These foundation-
al movements are programmed and coached in Endure to allow for a great workout regardless of your skill level.”
The Foundations program is designed to help new members attain a basic understanding of movements and class structure. Juggernaut Legends is designed for those 55 and older, to help them maintain mobility, strength, and overall well-being. Juggernaut Express is a 30-minute lunchtime program for those able to take a break from work in the middle of the day.
Granite Forged CrossFit, at 31 Route 25, Unit 2, Plymouth, offers coachled workouts designed according to members’ specific goals. They follow a planned progression over roughly 60 minutes, helping the members to achieve their aspirations by adjusting the weight, intensity, and mechanics to match their experience and fitness levels. A certified coach guides them through a warmup, followed by movement instruction and a demonstration of the workout. The coach supervises and corrects any movement performed during the workout.
Nova Vita, or “New Life”, at 3 Wi-
from feeling strong, confident, and energetic through your normal work day, running around with your kids, being physically active and playing sports, to traveling.”
Kinder Fitness, at 20 Lake Street, Bristol, boasts, “Total support all the time. No matter what your goal.” That includes offering the resources to help people to get stronger, lose weight, overcome addiction, or simply have a great support system. That includes offering yoga, Barre classes focusing on the lower body and core, Cardio & Core, and “Tizzy Tone & Piyo Soul Fusion”.
nona Road, Meredith, also focuses on constantly varied functional movements, executed at high intensity, with the workouts ranging from basic to advanced classes. The functional exercises include athletic conditioning, plyometrics, kettlebell training, Olympic weightlifting, medicine ball and dumbbell training, power-lifting, gymnastics, rowing, running, and jumping rope. Saying, “We pride ourselves on how we teach,” Nova Vita continues, “We believe that fitness is a state of mind, a way of being. It shows up in the way you talk, walk, sleep, eat, work, play, relax, and carry yourself. … It is also instrumental in reducing the immediate and cumulative effects of stress and anxiety. We’ve found that the fitter a person is, the more he/she is physically able to do the things that bring joy and fun to life; everything
Winnipesaukee Fitness Company, or Winni Fit Co, at 1 Bay Street, Wolfeboro, states, “Our team cares about guiding and encouraging each and every member to obtain the goals they seek for themselves. Our member’ goals are specific, and if we can assist in that journey to realizing their aspirations, then we have truly helped them change their life.” The gym does require that participants have a minimum of three months of fitness experience, and allows drop-ins.
As beneficial as CrossFit is for the majority of people, one study found that 20 percent of the participants surveyed had injured themselves during workouts by pushing too hard after feeling fatigue. Overextending themselves can shift the strain to other parts of the body that cannot handle the stress as well. That is why having the oversight of a fitness trainer is so important.
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Dining Out in the Lakes Region
Kid-Crafted Holiday Decorating Ideas
Getting children in on the fun of decorating for the holiday season makes this time of year that much more special. Children who make their own ornaments and other items can proudly display them all season long.
There are plenty of handmade holiday crafts to keep little fingers occupied. Here are some ideas to spark imagination and hours of creative fun.
Easy snow globes
A visit to the craft store will uncover various items that can be turned into snow globes. Look for a plastic cookie jar-like container with a lid that screws on tightly; otherwise, choose glass mason jars. Use a general ratio of one cup of water, three teaspoons of glycerine or an oil like baby oil or mineral oil, and a few teaspoons of glitter. Glue a plastic Christmas tree or snowman
Grand Kyiv Ballet “Giselle” Comes to Laconia
The Colonial Theatre of Laconia is thrilled to welcome Grand Kyiv Ballet Presents Giselle on Wednesday, January 21, at 7 pm. Tickets are available at ColonialLaconia.com or by calling 1-800-657-8774.
“Giselle” is a renowned ballet celebrated for its graceful choreography and enchanting music, making it a standout work in the classical ballet collection. Prime dancers from Ukraine, Italy, Spain, the USA, and Ja-
pan bring this timeless classic to life on stage. Their talent and artistry are unmatched, and the Colonial expects that audiences will be swept away by their breathtaking performances.
Tickets for Grand Kyiv Ballet Presents Giselle at the Colonial Theatre of Laconia on Wednesday, January 21, at 7 pm, are available at ColonialLaconia. com or by calling 800-657-8774. The Colonial is located at 609 Main Street, Laconia.
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figurine to the underside of the lid of the jar with a rubberized adhesive or another glue that will hold up to wet conditions. When dry, replace the lid, invert the jar and watch the snow fall.
Salt dough ornaments
Salt dough is a modeling dough made from two cups of all-purpose flour, one cup of salt, and about 3⁄4 cup of water. Mix the ingredients together and knead until the dough is smooth and easy to work with. Add more flour if it’s too sticky; more water if it’s too dry. Kids can use cookie cutters to cut shapes from the rolled-out dough, or sculpt freehand. Remember to poke a hole through the top of the ornament to thread through string or ribbon later on. While the dough can be dried out
by air in about a week, a faster method is to bake in an oven at 250 F for 11⁄2 to two hours, or until the dough is dry and hard. Kids can then paint the dried creations.
Paper gingerbread figures
Children may delight in making lifesized gingerbread girls and boys they can decorate and then hang up on the wall. A roll of brown postal paper will work, as will other embellishments like markers, paints, crayons, or ribbon. Kids take turns being traced while lying down on a piece of rolled-out paper. Then the general shape is cut out and decorated. Children can raise their arms, bend their legs, or vary their positions to give life to the gingerbread figures.
Winter wonderland
It can be fun to create a diorama or small winter landscape that can be set out with other decorations. Craft stores will likely sell small, plastic evergreen trees this time of year, or they may be available in the model train aisle of a local hobby shop. The trees can be given snowy boughs with a little acrylic paint. Include figures of bunnies, deer and whatever else kids can dream up. A thin strand of LED, battery-operated lights can add some illumination to the scene. Secure all items to a piece of cardboard or foam board for ease. Children can make the most of their time crafting items for holiday decorating. ~Metro
Holiday Shopping Tips You Can’t Afford to Miss
The festive and fun nature of the holiday season can make it easy to forget the benefits of being frugal. Many people go overboard on holiday spending, making this time of year costly for consumers.
Sales between the beginning of November 2023 and Christmas Eve 2023 climbed 3.1 percent from the year earlier, according to the Mastercard SpendingPulse. The National Retail Federation reported in November 2023 that holiday spending was expected to reach between $957 and $966 billion. Trading Economics, a financial market indicator and forecast provider, said personal spending in the United States only rose 0.2 percent in May 2024 from the previous month, which marked the lowest increase since January 2024.
Shoppers who want to spend less and stick to a budget for holiday entertaining and gifting can keep these budgeting tips in mind.
• Set a value to gift recipients. It may sound harsh, but certain people on holiday shopping lists may be assigned a higher value than others. For example, you wouldn’t necessarily spend the same amount on a gift for a child’s teacher as you would for a grandmother. Putting a dollar figure next to each name on the shopping list helps you identify your expected spending and where you can cut back, if necessary.
• Establish your overall budget. Once you have an idea of your potential hol-
iday expenditures, set a firm budget. Avoid the temptation of impulse buys, which can make it easy to go over budget.
• Begin shopping early. Start scouring ads and looking for deals prior to Thanksgiving or Black Friday. Keep a
running list of gift ideas and when the price is right, purchase those items.
• Price check “perfect gifts.” If you’ve spotted the perfect gift for someone but it’s beyond budget, see if you can find a better price elsewhere, says Better Money Habits. There are
apps that allow users to scan barcodes and check items across various retailers. Many stores also have price-match policies that can save shoppers money.
• Look for deals all of the time. Many people get hung up on perceived deep discounts from Black Friday and Cyber Monday offers. However, industry experts say there often isn’t a huge difference in markdowns between these promotions and those during other sales. Some retailers even increase prices on goods only to mark them down for Black Friday to make it appear that there is a discount. Only by knowing the average price for items can you know if a sale is legitimate.
• Sign up for store rewards. If you don’t want your regular email inbox inundated with offers, set up a separate email account for in-store and online shopping. Then you can sign up for the rewards programs at checkout. Utilize the coupon codes and advertisements for sales to save money without having your primary email data shared with other marketers.
• Track spending carefully. If you don’t know how much you’re spending, then you cannot possibly stick to a budget. After each purchase, keep a running tally of all holiday spending to see how far you are from the finish line.
The holidays can be expensive, but with smart budgeting and dedication to savvy shopping, it’s possible to stay out of financial trouble.~ Metro
Exterior Decorating Safety Tips
Decorating the exterior of a home for the holiday season is a beloved tradition in countless households. In the movie “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation,” Clark Griswold had “250 strands of imported Italian twinkle lights,” each with 100 bulbs per strand. His grand total of 25,000 lights caused a temporary blackout. While driving around to take in holiday lighting displays, many people may see some that emulate Clark Griswold’s vision and be inspired to create their own designs.
Lights are just one type of home decoration. Wreaths, inflatables, metal or wooden structures, and much more are part of holiday displays as well. While decorating can be fun and festive, it’s also important to ensure that it is done safely. The following tips, courtesy of Travelers Risk Consultants and Meyer Landscaping & Design, can keep family and friends safe during this wonderful time of year.
• Plan ahead. Determine how many electrical outlets you have and plan the display around the accessibility of those outlets. Be sure to calculate the maximum amount of wattage allowed so you do not overload the electrical system. Never exceed the maximum number of strings or devices that may be linked together. Lighting packaging
should provide such information. Also, plug all outdoor lights and decorations into ground-fault circuit interrupters to reduce the risk of electric shock.
• Test the lights. Only purchase lights that have been tested for safety. Look for a certification mark from UL, ETL, CSA, or another nationally recognized laboratory.
• Go with LED. Light emitting diode string lights run cooler, last longer and use less energy than incandescent lights.
• Inspect decorations. Make sure all the lights, electrical cords, lighted holiday decor, and inflatables are in good condition before use. Dispose of anything that has frayed wiring or is broken.
• Use only outdoor-rated products. Be sure the extension cords and any other products are rated for the outdoors. Electrical connections should be kept clean and dry before plugging things in, and an extra step of wrapping plug connections with electrical tape can further reduce moisture.
• Practice ladder safety. Ladders are often utilized when adding lights or other decor to homes. Always be safe on and around ladders. It’s essential to maintain three points of contact while on the ladder. Don’t risk leaning too
hard to one side while on the ladder, and always have a spotter. Use wooden or fiberglass ladders when stringing electrical decor and lights, as metal ladders conduct electricity.
• Identify where power lines are located. Be mindful of power lines when decorating outdoors. Keep oneself and decorations at least 10 feet away from power lines.
• Skip staples and nails. Nails and staples should not be used when decorating. Nails and staples can puncture the protective layers of a home, allowing moisture to get in and break down the structure of the home. A nail or staple also may accidentally puncture an electrical cord, increasing the risk
of electrocution. Use hooks and other attachment devices specially designed for holiday decor.
• Avoid items that can contribute to roof damage. Heavy items on the roof can cause unnecessary stress to shingles and result in damage. Only use lightweight and appropriately anchored items on the roof.
• Dress appropriately. Before hanging holiday decorations and lights, assess the conditions and wear the proper clothing for the weather. If the weather is especially rough, skip decorating for a safer day.
Decorating safety is of the utmost importance and should be a priority this holiday season. ~ Metro
