MLS#5052534 • Moultonborough • Leeward Shores Priced to sell - Lake Winnipesaukee, 2BR/2BA $550,000 • Call Ed Marudzinski - 603-320-7274 MLS#5051365 • Wolfeboro • 2BR/1BA Ranch on highly desired Sewall Road near marina. $550,000 • Call Betty Ann Bickford - 603-651-7040
603-321-1036
MLS#5066392 • New Durham • Merrymeeting Lake Year-round 3BR/3BA contemporary on .44 acres. $1,950,000 • Call David Countway - 603-520-5211
By Kathi Caldwell-Hopper
Saying farewell to the old year and welcoming the new is a way to begin fresh. New Year’s Eve is a fun time when area towns pull out the stops to make it a festive celebration. Families can spend the day – and evening – celebrating with games, music, food, crafts, and of course, fireworks at events in Wolfeboro, and other places in the Lakes Region.
A wonderful way to usher in the new year and say goodbye to 2025 is the Last Night event (now in its 9th year) in Wolfeboro. Visitors are invited to explore everything happening throughout Wolfeboro on Dec. 31 with morning activities to evening entertainment.
This year’s Last Night lineup is packed with music, performances, games, and family-friendly fun.
Says Brenda Jorett, content and outreach consultant for the event, “It takes about eight to nine months to plan Last Night Wolfeboro. We develop the events over time, and we try to provide something for everyone. The day of the event, we have about 20 volunteers to man all the events.”
She continues, “Returning favorite this year are the Wildlife Encounters, the Carolyn Ramsay Band and Jason Tardy, a popular juggler.” These acts are just a few of the many talented performers that make Last Night Wolfeboro a must-attend event.
Start the day of Dec. 31 at 10 am (until noon) at the Great Hall in Wolfeboro Town Hall at 84 South Main Street
with crafts by the NH Boat Museum; C3Brix - LEGO fun; Kingwood Youth Center, Yum Yum Shop gingerbread decorating; kiddie axe throwing and target games.
At 2 pm, Jason Tardy returns to Last Night Wolfeboro with his high-energy juggling performance on the Great Hall stage. This is followed at 3:30 pm with Wildlife Encounters live animal show, sponsored by The Children’s Center.
From 11 am – 4 pm, a fun Escape Room, developed and presented by The Resistance from the Kingswood Regional High School robotics team offers fun. There will be a morning sign-up (mandatory) at the Wolfeboro train station building, 32 Central Ave. in Wolfeboro.
Kids love a good magic show, and Magic by George, hosted by Wolfeboro Library, will take place in the library’s Bradley Room at 12:30 pm.
Two bingo sessions will be hosted by the Wolfeboro Lions at Brewster Estabrook Hall at 80 Academy Drive off South Main Street at 1 and 2:15 pm.
A Marimba Mischief concert starts at 1 pm at the First Congregational Church of Wolfeboro, located at 115 South Main St. across from the Carpenter School in Wolfeboro.
For those who love – or want to try – ice skating, head to the Pop Whalen Ice and Arts Center at 390 Pine Hill Rd., Wolfeboro, adjacent to Abenaki Ski Area. The skating time is 2:30 to 3:30 pm.
A twilight performance by the Carolyn Ramsay Band, a Lakes Region favorite, will be held at the First Congregational Church of Wolfeboro at 4 pm. Don’t miss out on the opportunity to get rockin’ with this great band as you prepare to welcome in 2026! You can also enjoy a tasty dinner for the entire family at the First Congregational Church of Wolfeboro with a 4 – 6:30 pm buffet supper; tickets are purchased at the door.
Following dinner, a First Friends & Family Trivia will begin at 6:30 pm with prizes, including a gift from the New Hampshire Boat Museum, and takes place at First Congregational Church of Wolfeboro.
Plan to end the day with a glorious fireworks display over Wolfeboro Bay off Town Docks, Wolfeboro, weather permitting; (if needed, a cancellation will be announced by noon on Dec. 31.) The fireworks are sponsored by Hunter’s Shop ’n Save; Piscataqua Landscaping and Tree Service, and Black’s Paper Store and Gift Shop.
“Our partners, sponsors, volunteers, and supporters have helped make Last Night Wolfeboro a New Year’s Eve tradition,” says Linda Murray, chair of Wolfeboro’s Special Events Committee. “Support from hundreds of people across the Wolfeboro area have helped our team develop programming that provides positive exposure for our
• Last Night continued on page 4
New Hampshire State Parks will once again invite the public to kick off the new year outside with its annual First Day Hikes on January 1, 2026.
Part of America’s State Parks’ national initiative, First Day Hikes encourages people across the country to begin the year with fresh air, movement, and time in nature.
For 2026, seven state parks will host guided or self-guided outings, offering opportunities to hike, snowshoe, or take a peaceful winter walk. This year’s participating parks are:
• Bear Brook State Park
• Monadnock State Park
• Pisgah State Park
• Silver Lake State Park
• Weeks State Park
• White Lake State Park
• Wentworth-Coolidge Mansion
Participants will be welcomed with warm beverages, light snacks, a cozy fire, and a limited supply of New Hampshire State Parks giveaways.
Advance registration is required, as same-day sign-ups will not be available. Full details and sign-ups can be found at nhstateparks.org/things-to-do/ first-day-hikes-2026.
Hiking Tips and Reminders
• Events take place rain, snow, or shine; check the weather before heading out.
• Dress in warm layers and wear winter-appropriate footwear.
• Traction devices such as microspikes are strongly recommended.
• Bring water and a snack for the trail; warm drinks and light refreshments will be available afterward.
• Help keep trails clean for fellow hikers and wildlife.
“Nothing resets the spirit quite like stepping onto a quiet trail on the first morning of the year,” said Eric Feldbaum, Bureau of Community Recreation Administrator. “These hikes bring people together in a simple, meaningful way—just fresh air, good company, and the beauty of our state parks.”
• Last Night continued from page3
community and businesses,” she adds. Brenda Jorett says, “In 2024 we had about 2,000 people attending. It is a very popular event, and we appreciate the donors that help fund Last Night Wolfeboro.”
All programming and updates about Last Night Wolfeboro will be posted on Facebook @LastNightWolfeboro and at Wolfeboro Parks and Recreation at www.wolfeboronh.us/672/LastNight-Wolfeboro. Events are subject to change. Wolfeboro Community TV will offer a schedule of recorded concerts, shows, and special programming on New Year’s Eve. Last Night Wolfeboro presents free, family-friendly events (some events may have an admission charge.)
For those looking for a fun event to please holiday house guests and kids on vacation, head to Gunstock at 719 Cherry Valley Road in Gilford for a Torchlight Parade and Fireworks event on Dec. 28 from 4:30 to 7 pm.
When darkness falls, a serpentine formation of skiers and riders carrying torches will make their way down the mountain at Gunstock. (The history of ski torchlight parades dates back to the 1930s, and they have evolved from using actual flares to incorporating LED lights.)
A grand fireworks display will follow the torchlight parade. Gunstock’s Barrel Bar & Grille will be open for dining and drinks with live music leading up to the event. All are welcome to the celebration. Call 603-293-4341 or visit www.gunstock.com.
Many more New Year’s Eve events are happening around the Lakes Region; visit www.lakesregionchamber. org for listings.
the Base Lodge) at 1 Ski Area Road in Waterville Valley. From 3 to 6 pm, Doug Thompson will perform.
Watch the sky light up when a dazzling array of fireworks is displayed over Corcoran Pond in Waterville Valley. The fireworks show starts at 7 pm sharp – don’t miss it! For event and other information, visit www.waterville.com.
What better way to end 2025 than a visit to the Gift of Lights at the NH Motor Speedway in Loudon? The family tradition of driving through approximately 2 1/2 miles of dazzling Christmas light displays at the Speedway continues this year with the Gift of Lights.
The annual event will have holiday cheer with about 3 million twinkly lights on display through January 4. Cruise the 2 ½ mile course past a dazzling array of sparkling lights and festive displays under the New Hampshire stars. Roll down the windows of your car, turn up your favorite holiday music, and make memories that will last a lifetime.
The Gift of Lights is open 4:30 to 10 pm on Fridays through Saturdays and Sundays to Thursdays from 4:30 to 9 pm. Holiday hours are Dec. 21 to 28 from 4:30 to 10 pm. (The Gift of Lights is a children’s charity event.)
For ticket information, visit www. nhms.com. The Speedway is located at 1122 Route 106 North in Loudon. Make plans to attend the Lakeport Opera House festive New Year’s Eve Celebration on Dec. 31 from 7:30 pm to midnight. There will be music by the Eric Grant Band, dancing, and of course, a countdown to midnight. Get tickets at www.lakeportopera.com. The venue is located at 781 Union Avenue in Laconia.
Smiley Publishing Group, LLC
dba Panoramic Publishing Group/The Laker
P.O. Box 119, Wolfeboro Falls, NH 03896
603-569-5257 in NH 1-800-339-5257 FAX 603-569-5258 pressreleases@thelaker.com • lkr@thelaker.com • www.thelaker.com
PUBLISHER
Dan Smiley
ADVERTISING
Tammy Allen
Maureen Padula
Mike Moore
PROD. MANAGER/ GRAPHIC DESIGN
Gina Lessard
COPY EDITOR
Alyson Short
CIRCULATION
Kathy Larson
Nate Nemitz
Drew Young
If you love fireworks and the festivities that go along with them, Waterville Valley is the place to be on New Year’s Eve. Enjoy an Après Ski Party at the Freestyle Lounge (on the third floor of
Whatever events you choose, the last night of 2025 offers many ways to say a fond farewell to the year and to welcome in the new year of 2026, with more things to do and see in the Lakes Region.
During December, the Gafney Library, in Sanbornville, NH, will be displaying an exhibit of works by Gail Brunt, Sherwood Frazier, and Sandra Lavallee, artists of the Lakes Region Art Association. The Lakes Region Art Association, which was founded in 1940, is a non-profit artists’ collective providing education and support to local artists, both amateur and professional, in the Lakes Region.
Gail Brunt shared that when she was a child, she wanted to be an artist when she grew up. Through the years, she was always engaged in some form of creativity, but in the back of her mind, she always thought that someday she would take a watercolor class. “I would drive down the road and contemplate how I would draw or paint what I was seeing. I had an intense need to get out through my fingers what I was thinking in my brain!” In 2017, she finally took her first watercolor class. From there, she dove in, learning wherever she could by taking a class or by watching it on YouTube. Reflecting, Brunt stated, “It’s been an amazing journey to where I am now.” Brunt is the current Vice President of Lakes Region Art Association and may be contacted by email at: artistgb57@proton.me, or you can visit her website at gailbruntfineart.wordpress.com.
Sherwood Frazier’s journey in photography began in the early 1960s, when his grandfather gifted him a 1950s Kodak box camera to use in a 4-H Club program. His first entry earned him a
blue ribbon, which sparked a lifelong passion for capturing the world through a lens. That early recognition led to many more awards over the years, including, most recently, a 1st Place win in the Black & White Photography category at the 85th Lakes Region Art Association Annual Show.
A Navy veteran, Frazier served in a photo reconnaissance squadron during the Vietnam War. He continued photographing throughout his life, documenting family vacations along the Maine Coast and throughout the Canadian
Maritimes. After retirement, he turned his lifelong interest in photography into a second career and creative pursuit. Since joining the Lakes Region Art Association in 2015, Frazier has become an active member of the regional arts community. In 2023, he was elected President of the organization, a role he continues to serve today. He is also a member of the Lakes Region Camera Club and the New Hampshire Society of Photographic Artists.
You can see some of Frazier’s work on Facebook at Robinsview Photogra-
phy by Sherwood Frazier.
“A photograph is like a tear in the rain, capturing that fleeting moment before it’s washed away in the flow of time.” – Sherwood Frazier
Sandra Lavallee, better known as Sann, has been a lifelong artist who has explored a variety of mediums, including watercolor, acrylic, and pastel, but usually works with oils. Her paintings are inspired by whatever happens to capture her attention and imagination, from landscapes and still life to portraits and wildlife. After taking a break to raise a family and teach computer science at the college level, Lavallee is now retired and delights in having the time to explore Art. She is the current Treasurer of the Lakes Region Artists Association.
Lavallee can be reached by email at profsann@live.com, Instagram: @ profsann, or Facebook: www.facebook.com/profsann.
The exhibit is open and free to the public during open hours. Open hours are Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday from 12 to 7 pm, Friday 9 am to 2 pm, and Saturday 9 am-1 pm. Visitors are encouraged to explore the display and experience the artistic talents of the region. Please join us for an artist’s reception on Saturday, December 20, from 10 am – 12 pm, where you can talk with the artists and enjoy light refreshments. For more information, please contact the Gafney Library at (603) 522-3401 or visit www.gafneylibrary.org.
By Mike Moore
Music is a universally appreciated art form. Some of us enjoy listening, some of us enjoy playing, and for some, like Nancy Nesheim, owner of Skyview Music Studio, music is a life’s passion. And over the last several years, Nancy has helped teach countless Lakes Region folks interested in music to feel that same passion. Since 2019, when Skyview Music Studio opened in Meredith, Nancy has offered Simply Music Piano to students aged 5 to 105.
Coming from a musical family, Nancy found the joy of making music at an early age, and that joy only grew when she started to teach music to children. “I’ve loved music all my life; I can’t stay away from it. I played piano, trumpet, recorder, guitar, ukulele, and sang,” said Nesheim about the positive impact music has had on her life.
Growing up in the Ithaca, New York area, Nancy saw that the colleges in town had brought many people to her community who also had a strong interest in the arts, particularly music. This environment offered Nancy plenty of encouragement throughout her childhood to pursue music as a career. After earning her first B.A. at Cornell University, she went on to earn a second B.A. in Vocal Music Education from the University of Massachusetts. From there, she spent a year in Sweden studying with a Swedish opera singer, one of her particular focuses of her major in addition to the classical style. “I came back from Sweden and kept studying”, shared Nesheim.
Nancy also earned her master’s degree at UMass, and along with the Massachusetts teaching certification, she became an elementary school music teacher. Singing has always remained a big part of Nancy’s music classes and piano lessons throughout the years. “I have my students use their voices when learning piano. No matter how well you sing or how shy you might be, it helps the learning process.”
During her nearly two decades of teaching, she became certified to teach the “Orff-Shulwerk” approach, a practice that teaches students to “play and create sophisticated sounding music before learning to read music notation”. Over time, her focus was primarily teaching piano, and she had always hoped there was a method that allowed her piano students to develop the ability to play music before learning how to read it. When Nancy first read a newspaper article about “Simply Music Piano” in 2014, she realized
quickly that it could help fill in her own gaps in instruction and was exactly the method she wanted to incorporate into her teaching, so she started studying right away. She even had the opportunity to attend a teacher’s retreat where she met the founder of Simply Music, Neil Moore, who shares Nancy’s passion for a world where everyone plays music.
Piano lessons traditionally have students start by focusing on how to read music. Simply Music Piano reverses the process, so students get to experience the exciting part of playing the instrument and creating music early on in the process, while still learning to read musical notation in later lessons. In the Simply Music method, the belief is that everyone is musical, which is why Nancy has dedicated her teaching approach to it. She added, “Music, unlike many other activities, is beneficial to everyone. It can enhance other creative capabilities. Scientific studies have
shown that learning music enhances brain function, too.”
Budget cuts to arts programs in public schools seem to be inevitable, and when her role as an elementary school music teacher was reduced to parttime, Nancy took the opportunity to continue her love of teaching music by offering private and group lessons. Once she and her family moved to the Lakes Region, she picked up right where she left off, offering classes in the Meredith area when she opened Skyview Music Studio. Her students learn to play in many different styles: blues, contemporary, and, of course, classical. Nancy also instructs her students on how to play accompaniments and encourages everyone to improvise and to try to create something of their own. The faster progression students experience through the Simply Music Piano method is one of the more appreciated aspects for students, according to Nancy.
Piano has become her primary focus, and with the Simply Music method, her many students have developed their skills swiftly. Nancy discovered an affiliated early childhood music program called “Music Rhapsody” that works perfectly for her style, so she became a certified instructor soon after studying the method.
At Skyview Music Studio, students can sign up for in-person or online private sessions, and she offers the first • Skyview continued on page 7
Gunstock Mountain Resort opened for the 2025/2026 ski and snowboard season, as scheduled, on Friday, December 5, with more open terrain than ever before. “We opened for our 89th season with more runs than we’ve ever had on opening day, and this was the first time we’ve ever had a black-diamond trail on day one,” said Gunstock President and General Manager Robert Drake. “With early season snowfall and favorable snowmaking temperatures in store for an extended period, we expect to increase our open trail count significantly in the week ahead,” Drake added.
Gunstock opened to hundreds of eager skiers and snowboarders with 47 acres of skiable terrain on 13 trails serviced by three lifts. There were two runs from the summit and beginner terrain accessed by the wonder carpet and Penny Pitou Silver Medal chairlift. Gunstock’s Nordic Center and cross-country trails began the season with 100 percent of its 26 kilometers open and 12 kilometers groomed.
Gunstock team members spent the summer preparing for a successful winter season by refurbishing the Panorama quad lift – a two-year process that began with upgrades to communication lines that transfer critical safety information between operators at the terminals and at every tower along the line. The computerized chair-spacing system that resulted in a disruption in lift service last season has been replaced. These upgrades are critical elements of a larger
investment in the full renovation of the Panorama lift. Further enhancements include new lift structures to house lift components and shelter lift attendants at the base and summit. The haul rope has been replaced on the Ramrod lift, and Gunstock’s Pistol lift gearbox was upgraded. Tiger, Pistol, and Ramrod lift drive replacements were also completed. In addition, resort electrical systems have been inspected and upgraded as needed to ensure reliability.
Snowmaking improvements for this winter include the installation of 24 new energy-efficient HKD Impulse tower guns that provide high production output of quality snow through a wide range of temperatures and Klik hydrants that improve snowmaking utility and efficiency. When it comes to managing the snow surface, Gunstock has reinforced its reputation for superlative conditions with the help of two new Prinoth grooming machines – one equipped with a winch for managing the snow on Gunstock’s
steepest terrain.
Winter enthusiasts who prefer to earn their turns will be happy to learn that Gunstock has extended uphill access hours this winter and has joined Uphill New England, a local non-profit organization that has created the firstever multi-mountain pass, building a
• Skyview continued from page 6
session free to encourage those hesitant to try their hand at a new talent. There are also group sessions available, as Nancy finds that the Simply Music approach works quite effectively with multiple students in the class.
Outside of her robust piano lesson schedule, Nancy stays actively involved in performing herself. Her love of singing never waned over the years, as Nancy continues to sing and perform with several chorus groups and has always been actively involved in her church choir, including serving as the Cantor at the Good Shepherd
community of engaged, responsible, and empowered uphill enthusiasts. In addition to offering Gunstock-only uphill-access season passes, the resort has joined 21 resorts to offer a multi-mountain uphill season pass.
Gunstock season passes are still available for purchase, including a very affordable four-mountain college pass that makes an ideal holiday gift for young skiers and riders pursuing higher learning. To ensure the best on-mountain experience for all guests, Gunstock limits the number of day tickets sold each day and limits the number of season passes sold each year. Season pass sales end when the maximum number of passes are sold. More information is available at gunstock.com.
Lutheran Church in Laconia. She has written several children’s songs, created a multitude of piano arrangements, and even composed two plays.
The Lakes Region of New Hampshire is renowned for the countless fun to be had on the water and in the snow. But since the days of the early settlers, locals and visitors alike have celebrated a love of music and the arts nearly as much. At Skyview Music Studio, Nancy continues to enrich the lives of the Lakes Region through music. She encourages anyone of any age looking to add more music to their lives to reach out and set up a free first lesson. For details and contact information, visit nancyspiano.com.
Are you interested in trying archery for the first time? This winter, the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department is offering free archery programs for beginner archers ages 10 and up who want to learn the basics of shooting a bow and arrow. Programs will be held at Fish and Game’s Owl Brook Hunter Education Center, located at 387 Perch Pond Road in Holderness, NH. Registration is now open.
Each archery program will meet one evening a week, from 6 to 8 pm, for four consecutive weeks:
January Programs:
Beginner/Instructional - every Tuesday beginning January 6; Beginner/Instructional - every Wednesday beginning January 7, 2026
February Programs:
Beginner/Instructional - every Tuesday beginning February 3; Beginner/ Instructional - every Wednesday beginning February 4, 2026
Pre-registration is required and is first-come, first-served. Space is limited to 8 participants per session. Registration is now open and must
be completed online. To sign up, visit www.wildlife.nh.gov/hunting-nh/ hunter-education/owl-brook-hunter-education-center. Under “Owl Brook classes,” choose “Learn to Hunt” and select the program/dates you are interested in attending.
All equipment will be provided for participants; if you prefer to bring your own gear, be sure to have at least 5 arrows with target points.
“If archery is something you’ve wanted to explore, come give it a try and join the fun!” said Tom Flynn, Owl Brook Facility Manager. “This is a great opportunity to meet new friends and get started in archery.”
To learn more about Fish and Game’s Owl Brook Hunter Education Center, visit wildlife.nh.gov/hunting-nh/hunter-education/owl-brook-hunter-education-center.
Activities at the Owl Brook Hunter Education Center are funded by federal Wildlife Restoration Funds, supported by your purchase of firearms, ammunition, and archery equipment.
Late-season diehards and winter anglers in the Granite State have had some trout stocked especially for them. The New Hampshire Fish and Game Department stocks certain waterbodies to bolster winter fishing opportunities in a variety of locations. Cold-weather anglers chasing trout can find lists of waters that remain open to the taking of these fish all year on the Fish and Game website:
gler Survey at www. wildlife.nh.gov/fishing-new-hampshire/ stocking-report.
For lakes and ponds, visit www.wildlife.nh.gov/fishing-new-hampshire/ trout-fishing-new-hampshire/nh-lakesand-ponds-stocked-trout-and-openyear.
For rivers and streams, see www. wildlife.nh.gov/fishing-new-hampshire/trout-fishing-new-hampshire/nhrivers-and-streams-stocked-trout-andopen-year.
Rules for waterbodies with special regulations are listed in the NH Freshwater Fishing Digest, available from license agents or on the Fish and Game website at www.eregulations.com/newhampshire/fishing/freshwater.
To check out where we have stocked trout, use this interactive stocking map: https://nhfg.maps.arcgis. com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=ce89fbd1ba0c4205ae6794dfb4c9f088.
Tell us how you did via the An-
“We stocked yearling rainbow trout into several lakes in mid-October so that anglers who want to get out on the water this fall have some exciting fishing opportunities,” said NH Fish and Game Inland Fisheries Program Supervisor John Magee. “These are Akers Pond in Errol, Cedar Pond in Milan, Big Diamond Pond in Stewartstown, Pearl Lake in Lisbon, and Streeter Pond in Sugar Hill. In November, we also stock post-spawn brook and brown trout into selected waterbodies that don’t have a closed season. These fish can range from 2 to 3 pounds each. Some annual locations include Tewksbury Pond in Grafton, Manning Lake in Gilmanton, and Pleasant Lake in Deerfield. Numbers, dates, and stocking locations vary annually, so we always recommend that anglers check the interactive stocking map. I would encourage anglers of all skill levels to take advantage of these and other stocked opportunities throughout New Hampshire.”
To learn more about fisheries management in New Hampshire, which is funded in part by the federal Sport Fish Restoration Program, visit www.wildlife.nh.gov/fishing-new-hampshire/ new-hampshire-fish-hatcheries.
Overview
Experience lakeside living at its finest at Langley Cove, a new residential community on Weirs Boulevard in Laconia, New Hampshire. Choose from charming single-family homes at The Cottages at Langley Cove, stylish apartments at The Residence at Langley Cove, or spacious townhomes at The Estates at Langley Cove. Here, you’ll discover a lifestyle centered around comfort, luxury, and community. Enjoy resort-style amenities and a prime location just minutes from Weirs Beach and downtown Laconia.
Property Amenities
Central Air Conditioning
In-Unit Washer/Dryer
Stainless Steel Appliances
Designer Flooring & Finishes
Electronic Thermostat
Patio/Balcony *Select Units
Fitness Center
Theatre Room
Community Room
Game Room
Podcast Room
Pickleball Court
BBQ & Picnic Area
Animal Spa
Cable
By Chef Kelly Ross
Happy winter weather, my friends. One thing that is as automatic as winter in New Hampshire is the cookie swap parties at the holiday season, and sure enough, that season is in our face as we speak. Those parties are purely brilliant, giving every household that attends a wide array of Christmas cookies for the whole family and the company they will be hosting, not to mention the few you place for Santa on Christmas Eve. I have always been a huge fan of variety, and nothing like a great cookie swap party to give you just that: a great variety of yummy cookies.
Although this first recipe is not a cookie, it will fit in fine with the cookie atmosphere. I have never met anyone who said “no” to a piece of fudge, despite the fact that there are many varieties out there. This one is most definitely the most Christmas-looking fudge I have ever met, plus it is so good. I’ve always been a bigger fan of white chocolate over dark, and with the inclusion of cranberries and pista-
chios, this pan of fudge will most definitely look festive. Creamy, sweet, and indulgent, it’s made with six simple ingredients and less than 10 minutes of hands-on time. It’s perfect for making during the busy holiday season. It will need a minimum of 3 hours to set, and it gets me 20 pieces of goodness.
Cranberry White Chocolate Fudge
3 cups chopped white chocolate
1 can sweetened condensed milk, 14 oz
2 tbsp butter
1 tsp pure vanilla extract
1 cup dried cranberries
½ cup chopped pistachios, or other nut of choice
In a large bowl, combine chocolate, condensed milk, butter, and vanilla. Microwave on high in 45-second intervals, stirring well each time, just until smooth. Stir in the cranberries and pistachios, pour the mixture into an 8×8-inch square pan, and spread it into an even layer. Refrigerate until set, for a few hours or overnight. Slice it into squares and serve.
For our first actual cookie for the day, I go back to busting out the white chocolate with the addition of crushed candy canes, so again, you will have another festive-looking treat. This cookie is chewy, buttery, and chock full of fantastic holiday flavor. These will be out of the oven in barely half an hour and get you 2 dozen cookies, so make 2-3 batches, which will go a long way at the swap, considering how time-friendly they are and relatively inexpensive.
Peppermint White Chocolate Chip Cookies
2 ½ cups flour
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
1 cup butter, softened ¾ cup white sugar
¾ cup brown sugar firmly packed
1 ½ tsp vanilla extract
2 eggs
2 cups white chocolate chips
½ cup crushed peppermint pieces
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper and set aside. Crush the peppermint candy into small pieces using a food processor or a zip-locked bag and a rolling pin. In a small bowl, combine and mix the flour, baking soda, and salt, and set aside. In a large bowl, combine
the white sugar, brown sugar, melted butter, and eggs, and stir until completely combined. Then add the vanilla extract and mix again well. Combine the dry flour mixture with the wet ingredients and stir to combine. Fold in the white chocolate chips and half of the crushed peppermint pieces. Using a cookie scoop, drop cookies onto the prepared cookie sheets. If you want large cookies, use a large 3 tbsp scoop. I usually use a medium, 1 ½ tbsp cookie scoop. Proceed to top each cookie with the remaining peppermint pieces, pressing them into the dough only slightly. Place the cookies in the preheated oven. For large cookies, bake for 12-14 minutes; for the smaller size cookies, bake them for 9-11 minutes. Let the cookies cool on the tray for about 5 minutes, then transfer them to a cooling rack to cool at least somewhat. Whether eaten while warm or at room temp, you’ll love them.
Although I’ve never met a cookie I haven’t liked, I’m a huge fan of any shortbread cookie, and when you throw butterscotch into the equation, I’m all over it in a heart-
beat. The crispness and flakiness of any shortbread cookie is what it is all about, and this batch is outstanding to say the least. It may not look like a traditional holiday cookie, but most shortbread cookies are easy to decorate if that is your desire. This will take 20 minutes to prep, 1-2 hours to chill the dough, and 10-12 minutes to bake. This will get you 48 cookies.
1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
½ cup cornstarch
¼ tsp salt
2 sticks unsalted butter, room temp
½ cup powdered sugar
½ tsp vanilla extract
½ cup butterscotch chips, finely chopped
½ cup toffee bits
When ready to bake, preheat the oven to 350 degrees and line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper. Set aside. In a medium bowl, mix the flour, cornstarch, and salt. Set aside. In a separate, larger bowl, cream together the butter and powdered sugar with an electric mixer. Add vanilla and mix until combined. Gradually add dry ingredients to butter mixture, stirring to combine. Add butterscotch chips and toffee bits and stir. Lay a sheet
of plastic wrap onto a countertop or work surface. Place the dough on top of plastic wrap and form it into a log about 2.5 inches in diameter. Wrap and chill until firm, 1-2 hours. Unwrap the dough and cut into ¼ inch slices. Arrange slices 2 inches apart on prepared baking sheets and bake until lightly browned on edges, 10-12 minutes. Let cool on sheet 2 minutes before removing to a wire rack to finish cooling. Enjoy! In the repetition department, let’s go back to white chocolate, pistachios, and cranberries in an amazing truffle recipe. I’m a diehard truffle fan in their simplicity and their bitesized mentality. They are shaped like mini meatballs but chock full of sweetness. These truffles are super cute and a festive no-bake dessert. They look like little snowballs, and when you try one, you’ll realize they’re the best bite-sized treats out there! This is the tastiest, home-
made Christmas truffle recipe ever, and you may find yourself popping these in your mouth like M&M’s. Like the fudge earlier, the colors of the cranberries and pistachios make for the best-looking Christmas colored treats. These truffles are not just great looking; they are incredibly tasty. Tart cranberries offset the sweetness of white chocolate, and the pistachio makes them really decadent and rich, as they are a perfect combination of flavors! You can have these made in 20 minutes, although the dough will need to chill for 2-3 hours before forming into balls, and this will get you 2 dozen truffles.
Cranberry Pistachio White Chocolate Truffles
11 oz white chocolate, chopped into small pieces
5 tbsp unsalted butter
3 tbsp heavy cream
Pinch of salt
1 tsp orange or vanilla extract or a combo
1/3 cup finely chopped dried cranberries
1/3 cup finely chopped toasted pistachios
1/2 cup powdered sugar
First, in a small saucepan over low-medium heat, melt butter, add heavy cream and stir just to combine, then stir in salt and orange or vanilla extract and set aside. Over a double boiler, melt finely chopped white chocolate, stirring casually
until smooth and completely melted, but do not overheat the chocolate. Although it takes some time to melt completely, do not heat above 105 degrees, or the chocolate will separate and be unusable. If touched with your finger, it will feel about the same temperature as your body. Remove from heat and, using a rubber spatula, gently stir in a lukewarm mixture of butter and heavy cream into melted chocolate, keeping in mind that the butter and heavy cream mixture should be approximately the same temperature as the melted chocolate when you combine them. Finally, stir in chopped cranberries and pistachios and let it sit at room temperature for an hour, cover with a plastic wrap pressed on the top of the mixture so a film does not form. Then refrigerate for 2-3 hours until firm. When the mixture is firm, using a small spoon or a melon baller, scoop out the mixture and roll into 1-inch balls. It might stick to your hands, so clean your hands with a paper towel after rolling each ball. Finally, roll each truffle in powdered sugar to coat it well. Store in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 1 week.
Lastly, today, let’s finish the day with some Christmas cookie bars. Most any dessert bar is on top of
• ‘Cue the Grill continued on page 12
my dessert list, as bars always remind me of my Grammy, as there was never a day visiting her when there wasn’t a pan of dessert bars on her kitchen counter when I walked through her kitchen. These are loaded with red and green M&M’s, chocolate chips, all within a scrumptious buttery cookie bar. Not only are these so easy to make, but this is also a favorite recipe of mine to make to get the kids involved, as they will love making these. This is the ultimate holiday blondie recipe if I ever saw or tasted one. Prep time is 15 minutes, cooking time is
20-25 minutes, and it will get you 2 dozen bars.
Santa’s Christmas Cookie Bars
1 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
1 cup light brown sugar, packed
½ cup granulated sugar
2 large eggs, room temperature
2 tsp vanilla extract
Soaring 20’ ceilings in the great room and a chef’s kitchen with granite, island and stainless appliances. Stone and tile walk in shower, granite vanity and washer/dryer included. Oversized heated garage with slop sink and storage area. Keypad entry with doorbell video system. Hardwood floors, custom solid wood cabinets and central vac. Energy efficient systems including on demand hot water and HVAC heat pump.
Wolfeboro: $2950/mo., plus utilities. Call 603-966-6015 fmi.
3 cups flour
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
1 cup Christmas M&M’s
1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips ⅓ cup Christmas sprinkles
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and line a 9x13 baking dish with parchment paper. Using a stand mixer or hand mixer with a large bowl, beat the butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar. Mix in the eggs and vanilla until combined. In a medium bowl, whisk to com-
bine the flour, baking soda, and salt. Gradually mix the dry ingredients into the wet until just combined. Fold in about ¾ of the M&Ms, chocolate chips, and sprinkles. Press the dough into the prepared baking dish. Top with the remaining M&M’s, chocolate chips, and sprinkles, pressing them down slightly into the top of the dough. Bake for 20-25 minutes or until edges are light brown. Allow to cool completely before cutting into bars and serving. These will be a holiday favorite for sure.
That’s it for today, my friends. Until next year, I wish you an epic holiday season, and always remember to keep those taste buds of yours smiling and happy. Until next time, please reach out at fenwaysox10@ gmail.com if you have any questions or feedback.
Dining Out in the Lakes Region Available at Hundreds of Locations around the Lakes Region!
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.
Last Night Wolfeboro’s slate of day and evening activities on December 31 includes two new, free, festive events for Lakes Region friends, families, and visitors celebrating New Year’s Eve. More than a dozen events and activities are on the Last Night Wolfeboro schedule from 10 am – 6:30 pm. New for the December 31 community-wide event is Magic by George, featuring the mystical talent of award-winning magician George Saterial. He’ll thrill the Last Night Wolfeboro audience at 12:30 pm at the Wolfeboro Free Library.
Last Night Wolfeboro’s partnership with the First Congregational Church of Wolfeboro, UCC (FCCW), across from Carpenter School on S. Main Street is expanding. New this year, FCCW’s enthusiastic team is presenting Friends & Family Trivia at 6:30 pm. All ages are welcome for an evening of friendly competition, laughter, and free snacks.
FCCW spokesperson Lorraine Connell says families, friends, and neighbors can form teams of eight or join a team on site. “Trivia rounds will include topics including music, local fun, fashion, and we’ll have prizes, too,” Ms. Connell states. Friends and Family Trivia pre-registration is welcome online at wolfeboroucc.breezechms. com/form/53dd3879.
Leading into the new trivia event, FCCW hosts its New Year’s Eve buffet supper at the church. Thoughtfully prepared by their team, the menu includes: home-baked macaroni and cheese, chili, jumbo all-beef hotdogs and toppings, broccoli, salad, beverages, and homemade desserts; gluten-free options available. Dinner is served from 4 - 6:30 pm and is priced at $30 per family; $10 for adults; under age five, free. No reservations are needed – just come as you are; cash or check only.
Also new this New Year’s Eve, a concert by locally grown Marimba Mischief. Sway to the relaxing rhythmic tunes of this captivating ensemble of talented musicians. Follow the beat at 1 pm, for this free performance at
the First Congregational Church, 115 S. Main Street.
The Last Night Wolfeboro scavenger hunt returns and takes place from December 26-31. A QR code will be published on the Last Night Wolfeboro Facebook page on December 26. Then the all-ages scavenger hunt takes you on a delightful journey to visit Wolfeboro-area businesses as well as cultural and historical stops. Prizes include gifts from NH Cruise, Wright Museum of World War II, New Hampshire Boat Museum, and Great Waters. Winners will be notified by January 3. Check the Last Night Wolfeboro Facebook page for updates. Participants are advised that business hours at some scavenger hunt stops will vary, and proper footwear may be needed at some locations due to weather conditions.
Last Night Wolfeboro programming schedule includes:
Events at Wolfeboro Town Hall, Great Hall:
10 am – Noon. Games + crafts: New Hampshire Boat Museum craft and C3Brix LEGO fun; Kingswood Youth Center; Yum Yum Shop gingerbread decorating; kiddie “ax” throwing and target games.
2 pm: Jason Tardy returns with his impressive, high-energy juggling performance on the Great Hall stage.
3:30 pm: Wildlife Encounters, live animal show, sponsored by The Children’s Center
11 am – 4 pm: Escape Room: Developed and presented by The Resistance from the KRHS robotics team. Morning sign-up is mandatory at the Wolfeboro train station building, 32 Central Ave.
12:30 pm: Magic by George! Hosted by the Wolfeboro Library, Bradley Room.
1 to 2:15 pm: Two bingo sessions; Hosted by Wolfeboro Lions; prizes; snacks available ($). Brewster Estabrook Hall- 80 Academy Drive off S. Main Street.
1 pm: Marimba Mischief concert; First Congregational Church of Wolfeboro (FCCW) 115 S. Main St. across
from Carpenter School.
2:30 to 3:30 pm: Free Ice skating; skate rentals and snacks available ($). Pop Whalen Ice and Arts Center, 390 Pine Hill Rd., Wolfeboro, adjacent to Abenaki Ski area.
4 pm: A twilight performance by the ever-popular The Carolyn Ramsay Band; First Congregational Church of Wolfeboro (FCCW) 115 S. Main St.
4 - 6:30 pm: FCCW buffet supper: tickets at the door- $30 per family; $10 per person; free under age five; (cash/ check).
6 pm Fireworks over Wolfeboro Bay off Town Docks, Wolfeboro – weather permitting; (If needed, cancellation will be announced by noon Dec. 31.)
6:30 pm: Friends & Family Trivia at FCCW; prizes include a gift from the New Hampshire Boat Museum.
“Our partners, sponsors, volunteers, and supporters have helped make Last Night Wolfeboro a New Year’s Eve tradition,” says Linda Murray, chair of Wolfeboro’s Special Events Committee. “Support from hundreds of people across the Wolfeboro area have helped our team develop programming that provides positive exposure for our community and businesses,” she adds.
Last Night Wolfeboro fireworks at 6 pm – weather permitting – are sponsored by: Hunter’s Shop ‘n Save; Piscataqua Landscaping and Tree Service, and Black’s Paper Store and Gift Shop. All programming and updates will be posted on Facebook @LastNightWolfeboro, and the Wolfeboro Parks and Recreation web page: www.wolfeboronh.us/672/Last-Night-Wolfeboro. Times and events are subject to change. Wolfeboro Community TV will offer a schedule of recorded concerts, shows, and special programming on New Year’s Eve.
2025 Last Night Wolfeboro lead sponsors include Hunter’s Shop n’ Save, Black’s Paper Store, Piscataqua Landscaping, Lake Winni Team, Leone, McDonnell & Roberts, CPA; Paul Zimmerman, The Windrifter Resort, Taylor Community, Brewster, and Melanson Real Estate, Inc.
Other top sponsors include: Yankee Pedlar; Lake Wentworth Inn, Harmony Coffee House, Bailey’s Bubble, Dockside Grille & Dairy Bar, Wolfeboro Corinthian Yacht Club; Edward Jones, Financial Advisor Kevin Lawlor; and Bradley’s Hardware.
The Wolfeboro Special Events Committee of the EDC produces Last Night Wolfeboro; Chair, Linda Murray; Members: Christine Collins, parks and recreation director; Alexys Austin, parks and recreation program coordinator; volunteer producers Brenda Jorett; Kate Turner, Libby Peard; with support from Wolfeboro Parks and Recreation, Wolfeboro Community Television, and First Congregational Church of Wolfeboro.
Through Dec. 23, A Christmas Carol, Rochester Opera House, 31 Wakefield St., Rochester, tickets: 603-335-1992, www.rochesteroperahouse.com.
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. 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. 15, 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. 15, Level Up Grocery Store Bouquets: Holiday Edition, 6 – 7:30 p.m., create professional looking bouquets with grocery store flowers, Community Room, Rochester Public Library, 65 South Main St., Rochester, space limited/ pre-register: 603-603-332-1428.
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. 15, Teen Gingerbread Creations, 6 – 7:30 p.m., create a work of candy art to bring home, Teen Room, Rochester Public Library, 65 South Main St., Rochester, space limited/pre-register: 603-603-332-1428.
Dec. 16, Deck the Table Centerpiece Workshop, 5:30 – 8:30 p.m., with Prescott’s Florist, held at WORK Lakes Region, 51 Elm St., Suite 107, Laconia, pre-register: 603-63-6358, www.worklakesregion.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. 16, Hometown Holiday Concert, 7 p.m., New Horizons Band of the Lakes Region, holiday music with the Power Chords led by Powerhouse Theatre Collaborative, Colonial Theatre, 609 Main St., Laconia, tickets/info.: www.coloniallaconia.com, 800-657-8774.
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, Mug Painting, 3:30 – 4:30 p.m., for ages 10-18, Laconia Public Library, 695 North Main St., Laconia, 603-524-4775.
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. 16, Teen Gingerbread House Decorating, 2:45 – 3:45 p.m., Bradley Room, Wolfeboro Public Library, 259 South Main St., Wolfeboro, pre-registration: www.wolfeboropubliclibrary.org
Dec. 16, Teen Movie & Pizza Night, 5 - 7 p.m., pizza and a showing of Dr. Seuss’s How the Grinch Stole Christmas, Gafney Library, 14 High St., Sanbornville, 603-522-3401, www.gafneylibrary.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 at the Winery – Benefitting the Lakes Region Children’s Auction, 6 p.m., featuring Katie Dobbins, David Lockwood & Andriana Gnap with Holiday Favorites & Originals, by Hermit Woods Winery & Sweet Mercy’s Kitchen, 72 Main St., Meredith, tickets/info: 603-253-7968, www.hermitwoods. 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, Holiday Music, 3 – 5 p.m., tunes performed by Diane Cassidy, Gafney Library, 14 High St., Sanbornville, 603-522-3401, www.gafney
Dec. 18, Judy Collins, 7:30 p.m., Flying Monkey Movie & Performance Center, 39 Main St., Plymouth, tickets/info: www.flyingmonkeynh.com, 603-536-2551.
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, Comedy Night with Juston McKinney, 6 p.m., Hermit Woods Winery & Eatery, 72 Main St., Meredith, tickets/info: 603-253-7968, www. hermitwoods.com
Dec. 19, Eileen Ivers Joyful Christmas, 7:30 p.m., Colonial Theatre, 609 Main St., Laconia, tickets/info.: www.coloniallaconia.com, 800-657-8774.
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, Youth Holiday Party, 10 a.m. – noon, crafts, cocoa, Ugly Sweater Decorating, Gafney Library, 14 High St., Sanbornville, 603-522-3401, www. gafneylibrary.org.
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.
Dec. 20, Sourdough Bread, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m., age 16 & up, Prescott Farm Environmental Education Center, 928 White Oaks Road, Laconia, www. prescottfarm.org., 603-366-5695.
Dec. 20, Teens Cozy Cocoa and Jingle Bell Brain Buster, 10 a.m. – noon, Moultonborough Public Library, 4 Holland St., Moultonborough, pre-registration: 603-476-8895, www.moultonboroughlibrary.org
Dec. 22, 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. 23, Christmas with the Celts, 7:30 p.m., Colonial Theatre, 609 Main St., Laconia, tickets/info.: www.coloniallaconia.com, 800-657-8774.
Dec. 27, Saturday Après with Rebecca Turmel, 2 – 5 p.m., Pistol Pub, Gunstock Mountain Resort, 719 Cherry Valley Rd., Gilford, 603-293-4341, www. gunstock.com.
Dec. 27, Winter Wander, 10 a.m. – noon, multi-generational event, Prescott Farm Environmental Education Center, 928 White Oaks Road, Laconia, www. prescottfarm.org., pre-register: 603-366-5695.
Dec. 27 & 28, Recycled Percussion, 3 p.m., Rochester Opera House, 31 Wakefield St., Rochester, 603-335-1992, www.rochesteroperahouse.com.
Dec. 28, Torchlight Parade and Fireworks, 4:30 – 7 p.m., Gunstock Mountain Resort, 719 Cherry Valley Rd., Gilford, 603-293-4341, www.gunstock. com.
Dec. 29, Do You Want to Make a Snowman? 2 – 4 p.m., popcorn, cocoa, the movie The Snowman, make a snowman from clay, pre-register by Dec. 1, Moultonborough Public Library, 4 Holland St., Moultonborough, 603-4768895, www.moultonboroughlibrary.org
Dec. 29, Warren Miller’s Sno-Ciety, 7 p.m., Colonial Theatre, 609 Main St., Laconia, 800-657-8774, www.coloniallaconia.coro.
Dec. 29-31, Bob Marley, 5 p.m., Rochester Opera House, 31 Wakefield St., Rochester, tickets: 603-335-1992, www.rochesteroperahouse.com.
Dec. 30, BYOB Book Club, 6:30 – 7:30 p.m., for readers in their 20s and 30s, relaxed book club, Rose Room, Rochester Public Library, 65 South Main St., Rochester, Abby: 603-335-7550.
Christmas List by Order Only: Choose Pick Up Day, Mon. 22nd, Tue. 23rd or Wed. 24th Rolls: Roasted Yam, Rustica or real Parker House; Cakes: Authentic French Buche de Noel (yule
&
and
or
and
Thank you friends and neighbors for a wonderful year! We will be closed after Christmas for all of January & February. We will re-open mid-March for Maple Season Open Houses (or when you have ended your diet) thru the rest of 2026! Look for our February ads for more info. God Bless you all, DJ and Rick
Bakery café open Saturdays 9am-3pm. 66 Moose Mountain Rd, Brookfield, NH 03872
For more info or to order; email dj@seabrisket.com or call (no text) 603-832-3090.
Dec. 31, Belknap Mill New Year’s Eve Ball, 8 p.m. – 12:30 a.m., Belknap Mill, 25 Beacon St. East, Laconia, hors d’oeuvres, live music, dancing, tickets: www.belknapmill.org.
Dec. 31, Celebrate New Year with Daniela Schachter, jazz piano and vocal, 6 p.m., Hermit Woods Winery & Eatery, 72 Main St., Meredith, tickets/info: 603-253-7968, www.hermitwoods.com
Dec. 31, I Survived Winter, 10 a.m. - 1 p.m., for kids ages 7-12, 2 local teachers/naturalists tell stories and lead activities about winter survival, Cook Memorial Library, 93 Main St., Tamworth, space limited, sign up: 603-3238510, www.tamworthlibrary.org.
Dec. 31, Last Night Wolfeboro, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m., events/music/food/games at locations around the town, info/updates: www.wolfeboronh.us. (Fireworks at 6 p.m. weather dependent.)
Dec. 31, New Year’s Eve Celebration, 7:30 p.m., Lakeport Opera House, 781 Union Ave., Laconia, 603-519-7506.
Dec. 31, New Year’s Eve Contradance, 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. 31, New Year’s Eve Fireworks Show, 7 p.m., Town Square, Waterville Valley, 800-468-2553, www.visitwatervillevalley.com
Jan. 3, Games Night, 5:30 – 8 p.m., free event with potluck, Makers Mill, 23 Bay St., Wolfeboro, 603-569-1500, www.makersmill.org
Jan. 3, Juston McKinney comedy show, 7:30 p.m., Colonial Theatre, 609 Main St., Laconia, tickets/info: 800-657-8774, www.coloniallaconia.com
Jan. 3, Knitting - Vest, 9 – 11 a.m., Makers Mill, 23 Bay St., Wolfeboro, 603569-1500, www.makersmill.org
Jan. 3, Saturday Après with Garrett Smith, 2 – 5 p.m., Pistol Pub, Gunstock Mountain Resort, 719 Cherry Valley Rd., Gilford, 603-293-4341, www. gunstock.com.
Jan. 3-Feb. 21, Learn to Play Hockey, by Back Bay Hockey Assoc., at Pop Whale Ice Arena, 390 Pine Hill Rd., Wolfeboro, 603-569-5639, www.backbayhockey.com
Jan. 6, Hospital and Haven: 30 Years of Practicing Medicine in a Remote Native Village in the Early 1900s, 6 – 7 p.m., Geoffrey Burke talk about his grandparents’ work in Alaska healthcare, Moultonborough Public Library, 4 Holland St., Moultonborough, 603-662-6501.
Jan. 6-March 3, Nordic Meisters, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., ski, snowshoe, fat bike, or do all three, race series, Great Glen Trails, 1 Mount Washington Auto Rd., Gorham, 603-466-3988, www.greatglentrails.com. Takes place on Tuesdays.
Jan. 8, 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, 603-481-0789. (Takes place throughout winter until April.)
Jan. 10, Knitting - Vest, 9 – 11 a.m., Makers Mill, 23 Bay St., Wolfeboro, 603569-1500, www.makersmill.org
Jan. 10, Paint Your Pet, 2 – 5 p.m., Makers Mill, 23 Bay St., Wolfeboro, 603569-1500, www.makersmill.org.
Jan. 10, Saturday Après with Arlene Wow, 2 – 5 p.m., Pistol Pub, Gunstock Mountain Resort, 719 Cherry Valley Rd., Gilford, 603-293-4341, www.gunstock.com.
Jan. 13, Raising Digital Natives Safely: Protecting Your Family Online, 6 – 7 p.m., Moultonborough Public Library, 4 Holland St., Moultonborough, 603662-6501.
Jan. 17, Dueling Pianos, 7 p.m., presented by Franklin Opera House, held at Franklin Lodge of Elks, 125 South Main St., Franklin, tickets: www. franklinoperahouse.org
Jan. 17, Investigative Genetic Genealogy and the DNA Doe Project: A Crash Course, 2 - 3:30 p.m., Community Room, Rochester Public Library, 65 South Main St., Rochester, space limited/pre-register: 603-603-332-1428.
Jan. 17, Knitting - Vest, 9 – 11 a.m., Makers Mill, 23 Bay St., Wolfeboro, 603569-1500, www.makersmill.org
Dec. 27, Saturday Après with Rebecca Turmel, 2 – 5 p.m., Pistol Pub, Gunstock Mountain Resort, 719 Cherry Valley Rd., Gilford, 603-293-4341, www. gunstock.com.
Jan. 17, Women’s Winter Escape, 8:15 a.m., Great Glen Trails, 1 Mount Washington Auto Rd., Gorham, 603-466-3988, www.greatglentrails.com
Jan. 19, Homesteading Huddle, 5:30 – 7:30 p.m., Makers Mill, 23 Bay St., Wolfeboro, 603-569-1500, www.makersmill.org
Jan. 21, Giselle with Grand Kyiv Ballet, 7 p.m., Colonial Theatre, 609 Main St., Laconia, tickets/info: 800-657-8774, www.coloniallaconia.com
Jan. 21, Learn to Draw, 7 – 9 p.m., Makers Mill, 23 Bay St., Wolfeboro, 603569-1500, www.makersmill.org
Jan. 22, Amate Bark Painting, 1 – 4:30 p.m., Makers Mill, 23 Bay St., Wolfeboro, 603-569-1500, www.makersmill.org.
ArtWorks Chocorua Creative Arts Center, gallery, workshops & events, open year-round with seasonal hours, 603-323-8041, 132 Rt. 16, Chocorua, www.chocoruaartworks.com
Belknap Mill, 25 Beacon St. East, Laconia, gallery and textile museum, events and programs, 603-524-8813, www.belknapmill.org.
Braiding Group, 10 a.m. 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 Group, 10 a.m. – noon, meets Tuesdays, Sanbornton Public Library, 27 Meetinghouse Hill, Sanbornton, 603-286-8288, www.splnh.com
Fiber Arts Monthly Mingle, first Tues. of every month, 6 – 8 p.m., Makers Mill, 23 Bay St., Wolfeboro, 603-569-1500, www.makersmill.org
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.
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, 603-279-9015.
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.
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, programs for adults and children, 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, 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.
Second Saturday Contradance, Tamworth Outing Club, 7:30 – 10 p.m., Tamworth Town House, 27 Cleveland Hill Rd., Tamworth, admission charged, info.: Amy Berrier at 603-651-5800 or Teresa Fournier at 978-609-2181.
Song and Jam Circle, 6:30 – 8 p.m., community created jams and song circle, 3rd Monday of each month, Runnells Hall, 25 Deer Hill Rd., Tamworth, free, bring your favorite instruments, Arts Council of Tamworth, 603-584-2712, www.artstamworth.org
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: 603520-5651.
By Kathi Caldwell-Hopper
Bridgewater is a small community north of Bristol with many homes on or near Newfound Lake. Long before white men settled in the wilderness around the lake, Native Americans lived on the land.
According to Newfound Lake, by Charles Greenwood, before the lake was named Newfound, it was called Baker’s Pond or New Found Pond. After the granting of the township of New Chester, the lake was called New Chester Pond for many years.
The land was fertile and hunting and fishing plentiful. When the first settlers ventured into what would later be the town of Bridgewater in the 1750s, they discovered a pastoral, beautiful area.
The settlers secured a tract of land containing over 20,000 acres, a staggering amount of property. That land, located west of the Pemigewasset River, became New Chester, later divided into the towns of Bridgewater, Hill and Bristol.
It would, however, be years before anyone settled in the Bridgewater region. As with much of the central and northern New Hampshire areas, travel was abandoned during the French and Indian War. Parties of warriors could and sometimes did attack those who ventured from established towns. Thus, settlement of the lake region came to a halt.
In the late 1760s, the war finally ended. Settlers returned to the New Chester area, and were the first to live permanently in the area. Today summer homes and cottages dot the landscape of Bridgewater, but the early men saw dense forest when they began to build.
It remained a sparsely settled area for many years. Perhaps it was because of its remote location, but eventually that began to change.
A gristmill was built and operational, which eventually enticed more people to make land claims. As the population grew, town government was established and officials were elected. Not long after, taxes came into being.
For years Bridgewater was an area where farming was king. Agriculture was the major way people made a living from the 1830s to 1860s. However, by the Civil War years, farming began to fall into decline. People were moving to the western part of the country, some looking to strike it rich with gold and others to simply find more opportunities. By the 1860s farming was entering continuing its decline.
As the war between the states loomed on the horizon, most men in Bridgewater voted for Abraham Lincoln. When war broke out, there were 60 males aged between 18 and 45 in the town, with 38 “fit for duty” according to a historical article by John McV. Haight, Jr. in the January, 1942 edition of the Bristol Enterprise. It was no surprise that all but one of the men eligible for military services were farmers. The outcome was that with so many men away from Bridgewater fighting in the war, farms fell into disrepair and further decline. Bridgewater may seem like a small community, but the actual amount of land comprising the town is quite large. Because homesteads were spread out and travel difficult, the notion of dividing the town into smaller towns arose.
Eventually, the New Hampshire
legislature approved a plan to divide the town land and population. The towns of Bridgewater and New Chester were created. In 1819 a third town, Bristol, was formed from some of Bridgewater’s land.
Bridgewater continued to grow, and when the Victorian era of grand vacations for the wealthy became fashionable, the town, with its lake proximity, was swept up in that movement. As the 1800s moved into the 1900s, the remaining farms found a financial boost when tourists came calling. City folk were looking for lodgings while in the area to vacation, to rest, relax and in some cases, paint the beautiful landscape.
Along with lodgers taking rooms at farms in Bridgewater, boarding houses were on the rise.
In 1880, the first summer boarding house was built in Bridgewater near Newfound Lake. Originally called Lake View House, the structure was grand in size for its day. Three stories high, with a dining room, dance hall and 75 bedrooms all comfortably furnished, the Lake View House was reminiscent of the big hotels in the White Mountains at that time.
More businesses opened in Bridgewater in the late 1800s and early 1900s. Reported in History of the Town
Bristol by Richard
there was once a lead and silver mine in the area. This would have likely provided some jobs for locals.
During the early 1900s, the eastern side of Newfound Lake in Bridgewater became known as “Cottage City.” Owned mostly by professional and local businessmen, these homes were at the time the largest grouping of private cottages in the area.
One farm in the Bridgewater area was bought by millionaire E. P. Lindsey of Boston. Refurbished from top to bottom, the farm soon had a cottage for the hired help and a modernized barn, to name but a few improvements. Many renovations also were made to the brick farmhouse. Lindsey hailed from the Newfound area, and after he made his fortune, he came to Bridgewater and bought the property. His wife outlived him, and when she died in the 1930s the estate was valued at over $1 million.
Some seasonal residents loved the area so much that they put pen to paper to describe the Bridgewater/Bristol area. One such writer was Eliza Nelson Blair, a Bridgewater summer boarder. Her book told of the residents and life
• Bridgewater continued on page 21
The Colonial Theatre of Laconia is excited to announce two outstanding performances coming to its historic stage, with tickets for both events available now at ColonialLaconia.com or by calling 800-657-8774.
On Saturday, March 14, at 7:30 pm, audiences will be transported back to the 1970s with Rocky Mountain High Experience: A John Denver Tribute Starring Rick Schuler. Widely recognized as America’s premier John Denver tribute artist, Schuler brings Denver’s beloved classics to life— including “Rocky Mountain High,” “Sunshine On My Shoulders,” “Take Me Home, Country Roads,” “Leaving on a Jet Plane,” “Annie’s Song,” and “Thank God I’m a Country Boy.” His magical and intimate performance captures the warmth, spirit, and timelessness of Denver’s music, offering an unforgettable experience that feels like
• Bridgewater continued from page 19
around Newfound Lake in the early 1800s.
Because the Newfound Lake area was a great spot for fishing, a hatchery was started at the foot of the lake. The state of New Hampshire soon after closed this hatchery and built a bigger structure for fish hatching in Bridgewater on a brook near the shore of the lake. The Bridgewater hatchery was near spawning beds, and proved to be a great aid to fishermen.
Visit Bridgewater today and it may seem as sleepy a hamlet as it did in its early days. During the winter, the summer homes, cottages and boys and girls camps are mostly shut down. Even during the summer when vacationers flock to Newfound Lake, there is something of the past lingering in Bridgewater. Civilization may have moved in, but in many ways the peaceful beauty of the land are as evident in Bridgewater as they were when the early settlers were drawn to the area over 200 years ago.
stepping into a live John Denver concert at the height of his career.
The Colonial Theatre will then welcome country music icon Marty Stuart on Friday, April 17, at 8 pm. A Country Music Hall of Famer, fivetime Grammy Award winner, and AMA Lifetime Achievement honoree, Stuart has spent more than four decades cementing his place as one of country and bluegrass music’s most influential figures. From his early years performing with Lester Flatt at age thirteen and later touring and recording with Johnny Cash, to releasing more than twenty major-label albums and earning platinum sales and hit singles, Stuart’s career is a testament to his enduring artistry and legacy. Tickets for both events are available at ColonialLaconia.com or by calling 800-657-8774.
By Thomas P. Caldwell
Throughout Suzan Gannett’s career in education, she incorporated art into the job, and when she retired, it became a larger focus in her life. She says that, since high school, her interests in craftwork have been evolving, to include knitting, quilting, bead-making, digital art, and pyrography.
Now, as president of Artistic Roots in Plymouth, she also is collaborating with other artists and working to showcase their talents in the Main Street shop.
Discussing her passion for digital art, she said, “I became involved in Procreate, which is an iPad app. That is where all my digital pictures are drawn, and I learned how to use it during COVID, because I had no place to go and nothing to do.”
She also started creating children’s books once she had grandchildren.
“I had started doing Zen Doodle designs in the alphabet; that was my first book,” Suzan said. “So I did the alphabet, and then my grandkids kept asking me, ‘Well, Mommom, could you write
granddaughter, Phoebe, has written her first book and illustrated it using Procreate, and I printed it for her.”
A main focus of her digital creations is birds, and particularly owls — “I love their eyes,” she said. Suzan has drawn nine or 10 owls over the last year and also creates images of some of the mountains in the area, such as Mount Washington.
“When we travel, I take my iPad with me, which is a whole lot easier than taking paints and brushes,” she says. On display at Artistic Roots is a sunrise over the Columbia River, which she created from a photograph her husband took while they were traveling. Another digital picture depicts an Alaskan rain forest, and still another features flowers they saw on the Alaskan trip.
“I can change the background and do whatever I want,” she explained of the process. “This is done in layers, so if I don’t like a layer, I can take it out.”
• Suzan continued on page 23
Her small home studio is filled with various projects, from fabric work to decorating wooden objects to making glass beads.
“I use a propane and oxygen torch [for bead work], and get either effrette glass from Murano, Italy, or frit or Laosha glass which is from Germany,” she said, adding, “I wanted to find a new way to use my beads, so my beads are used in utensils like salad sets and spoons and trays, and so different things.”
She forms glass flowers on steel rods, wrapping the glass around them and forming the petals. She also creates tiny snails, mushrooms, and bugs that she says are ideal for placement in a fairy garden.
Suzan also has been collaborating with Fred Kelsey in decorating wooden objects he has created. Fred learned woodworking from his father and grandfather while in his teens, and learned to appreciate the beauty hidden in ordinary logs. Suzan then uses pyrography — “a fancy name for woodburning”, she says — to decorate the pieces he has formed by woodturning.
Her designs also have been placed on fabrics and objects such as water bottles through companies that specialize in the transfers.
“I’ve made sheets for our house,” Suzan says. “So all of the beds in my house have my designs on them. My grandchildren all have sheets designed by Mommom. So that’s been really fun. I did great drapes at the house that I had them make them with my fabric.
So it’s kind of fun. You can make pillows; you can make all sorts of things out of it.”
She also sells cards that feature her designs.
“I’m always looking for something new, because I think when you’re deciding what you can sell, that changes from day to day, and so you try to find things that you think will sell,” she says. “They don’t always, but you keep hoping, and sometimes things that will stay in the shop here for, like, maybe a year or so, and then all of a sudden it’s gone, and it’s like, ‘Whoa. When did that happen?’”
Suzan had taught elementary school classes in Connecticut before moving to Campton with her husband, Bob Gannett, who was a radio announcer at WPNH for a number of years. Finding there were few elementary teaching spots at local private schools, she got certified to teach in public schools, beginning at Lin-Wood, then at Thornton. Her teaching career spanned grades 1-8, then juniors in high school and graduate-level courses in college. She served as principal of the Union-Sanborn Elementary School in Northfield and director of curriculum and instruction for the Winnisquam Regional School District.
“When I taught first grade, I probably made 50 different games that I drew out and that they could play,” Suzan said of incorporating art into her career. “We used the book ‘Frog and Toad Are Friends’, and then we made books together that were ours, and we talked about the difference between a frog and a toad, you know?”
When in roles as secretary for the
principal and librarian at Campton Elementary School, she filled her bulletin boards with her drawings of various characters from books and other sources.
“So, yeah, it’s always been there, but I didn’t teach art. I teach art now,” she said.
When she retired from education, she was stringing beads and doing bead embroidery until her friend, Lynn Haust, who was also a teacher and a glass artist, taught Suzan how to make beads.
“Then she and I went to different workshops all over the place — Snow Farm in Massachusetts and Haystack [Mountain School of Crafts] in Maine. … I worked with Kristina Logan, who is a fabulous beadmaker who actually grew up in Thornton and now lives in Portsmouth; Stephanie Sersich is another one of the people that we’re taking classes from — she’s in Maine — and Liliana Glenn, who is in Massachusetts….
“Then, like I said, when Fred came
into the gallery, and he started doing the wood stuff, I thought, ‘I wonder if I could do woodburning. So I tried that.”
She became a juried member of Artistic Roots in jewelry and watercolors, and soon took on a role as treasurer. She has been president for almost a decade.
Through grants and hard work, the gallery has expanded and includes a basement studio where visiting artists can teach classes, and it has inspired local businesses and Pease Library to display artists’ works. As a nonprofit, Artistic Roots also supports local charities such as Keep The Heat On and organizations such as the Rotary Club by donating pieces they can use to make money.
Suzan also is working on updating the organization’s website, www.artisticroots.com.
“I keep busy,” she sums up her life today.
find us on Facebook: Dana’s Collision Repair
As winter settles in across New Hampshire, today, New Hampshire public safety officials are reminding residents and visitors to prepare and take precautions to protect themselves, their families, and their communities from seasonal hazards.
“Winter in our state brings both beauty and challenges,” said New Hampshire Department of Safety Assistant Commissioner Eddie Edwards. “Snow, ice, and frigid temperatures; slick roads; exhaustive outdoor cleanups; fireplaces roaring to keep warm. These challenges require all of us to be vigilant and take extra precautions to stay safe during severe weather, holiday travel, and winter activities.”
With recent temperatures below freezing, lakes and ponds showing initial signs of freezing may look inviting, but appearances can be deceiving.
“Parents and guardians should educate their children about the dangers of venturing out onto the ice,” said New Hampshire Fish and Game Department Captain Michael Eastman. “Cold weather does not mean safe ice.”
Driving in snowy or icy conditions also requires extra care.
“Winter driving in New Hampshire demands respect for the weather, for the road, and for each other,” said Lt. Christopher Storm of the Division of State Police. “Drivers are reminded to obey Jessica’s Law, which requires the
removal of all snow and ice from vehicles, and Sherrill’s Law, which requires drivers to slow down and move over for any stopped vehicle displaying warning signals, including hazard lights, flares, or cones.”
In addition to following simple preparedness steps, like making an emergency kit, officials also reminded all Granite Staters that safety extends to everyday vigilance.
“In the spirit of the holiday season, cherish the moments you share with your neighbors, family, and friends and keep them safe,” said Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management Director Robert Buxton. “Whether you are at the store, eating in a restaurant, or at the airport, if you see something that doesn’t seem quite right, say something. By being alert and reporting suspicious activity to local law enforcement or 911, you can protect your family, neighbors, and community.”
Some heat sources that may be used during frigid temperatures, like portable heaters, also can pose hidden dangers if not properly used or maintained.
“Winter conditions like cold temperatures, snow, and power outages create a higher risk for structure fires and carbon monoxide incidents that cause property damage, injuries, and deaths,” said Deputy State Fire Marshal Anthony Booth of the Division of Fire Safety. “We can decrease the risks by practicing fire-safe behavior.”
Maintaining situational awareness of one’s location also can be key to ensuring first responders arrive promptly in the event of an emergency.
“With the colder temperatures, hazardous travel, and severe weather, we see a spike in potentially preventable incidents,” said Director Mark Doyle of the Division of Emergency Services and Communications, which operates New Hampshire 911. “From driving in inclement weather to recreating in the cold, you can take simple safety steps by being prepared: know your location and know when to call 911. In doing so, you’ll be able to help keep yourself and others safe, and ensure emergency resources are available when and where they’re needed most.”
Lastly, medical emergencies can strike without warning, even in the cold.
Granite Staters are urged to be cautious when participating in strenuous activity, shoveling, or using a snowblower.
“Sudden cardiac arrest is one of the leading causes of death in the United States and can impact anyone, regardless of age, health, or physical activity,” said Division of Fire Standards and Training & Emergency Medical Services Director Mark Wholey. “A simple reminder is to follow the American Heart Association’s Chain of Survival: recognize the signs of sudden cardiac arrest, initiate CPR early, deploy an AED, and get EMS on the way.”
By taking simple precautions, whether on the road, at home, or outdoors, individuals and families can reduce risks, protect their loved ones, and ensure emergency resources are available when needed. With awareness, preparation, and community support, Granite Staters can enjoy the winter season safely.
Are you an ice angler who wants to share your love of fishing through the ice? The New Hampshire Fish and Game Department’s Let’s Go Fishing Program is currently seeking new volunteer fishing instructors to take part in ice fishing programs around the state. All levels of fishing experience are welcome. The next training event will be held on Saturday, January 3, from 9 am to 3 pm at NH Fish and Game Headquarters, 11 Hazen Drive, Concord, NH. All materials and lunch will be provided for participants.
The training will cover teaching techniques and presentation skills, along with ice safety, ethics, fish identification, ecology, fishing regulations, and more. Once instructors have completed the training, there will be an opportunity to take part in programs and join an existing group of volunteer fishing instructors statewide. These programs are offered in partnership with schools, camps, scout groups, and community centers all over the state.
you,” said Glencross.
Thousands of children and adults have learned to be safe, ethical, and successful anglers through the Let’s Go Fishing Program. This program is federally funded through the Sport Fish Restoration Program, supported by an excise tax on fishing equipment and motorboat fuels.
The New Hampshire Fish and Game Department works to conserve, manage, and protect the state’s fish and wildlife and their habitats, as well as providing the public with opportunities to use and appreciate these resources. Visit www.fishnh.com to learn more.
To sign up for this training session, simply email Lisa Collins at lisa.collins@wildlife.nh.gov to reserve your spot, and complete and return a Let’s Go Fishing Program application form by visiting www.wildlife.nh.gov/ sites/g/files/ehbemt746/files/documents/lgf-application.pdf.
To request a form by mail or email, contact 603-271-3212 or aquatic-ed@ wildlife.nh.gov.
“Becoming an instructor is extremely rewarding and is an exciting way to get people involved in fishing,” said Let’s Go Fishing Program Coordinator Kyle Glencross. Volunteers will also be able to host and run programs within their own community and have equipment, bait, and other instructors to assist. “If you are passionate about hard-water angling and encouraging individuals, families, and local communities to get in on the action and enjoy the winter, this is definitely the opportunity for
By the time mid-December settles into the Lakes Region, there’s no question about it; winter has arrived, and it’s made itself comfortable. The snowbanks are up, the air has that unmistakable bite, and the forecast keeps reminding us that cold is here to stay for a while. This isn’t the “almost winter” of early December. This is the real thing, and it’s not going anywhere until spring decides to return.
The rush has changed, too. The big lists are mostly made, the lights are up, and the calendar flips into that familiar stretch between “almost here” and “here we go.” Winter has moved in, and with it comes a quieter kind of season; one that doesn’t demand perfection, matching sweaters, or even picture-perfect snowfall. It simply asks us to show up for one another in small, steady ways.
This is the season of giving, yes, but not only in the traditional sense. It’s a season for keeping things local, checking on neighbors, practicing patience in parking lots and checkout lines, and remembering
that kindness is as much a winter survival skill as a good pair of boots.
In a region built on community, winter has always been less about how much you have and more about who you have.
You don’t have to look far to see generosity at work in the Lakes Region this time of year. Food drives fill the shelves of local pantries. Toys appear under the giving trees. Warm coats and boots are sorted and shared. Community dinners welcome anyone who wants a seat at the table.
But what makes this place special isn’t just the organized efforts, it’s the unofficial ones. The neighbor who quietly plows an extra driveway. The business owner who slips a coffee to a customer having a rough day. The volunteer who never misses a shift but never wants their name in print.
This kind of giving doesn’t make headlines. It makes winter easier.
And it reminds us that generosity isn’t a grand gesture — it’s a habit.
Winter tests more than our heating systems. It tests our patience.
just chill the air, it slows the world down, whether we like it or not. And sometimes, letting it slow us down, too, is the kindest choice.
Once the holiday bustle passes and January rolls in, winter can feel long. That’s when checking in matters most.
A quick phone call. A text that says, “You doing okay?” A plate of something warm was dropped at the door. An offer to pick up groceries. These simple gestures stretch further than we sometimes realize, especially for older neighbors, those living alone, or anyone navigating a difficult season silently.
In a region where many homes go quiet once the snow falls, connection becomes essential. You don’t need to solve anyone’s problems. You just need to remind them they’re not alone in it.
There’s traffic that moves a little slower. The weather that doesn’t cooperate with plans. A to-do list that feels longer just because the days feel shorter. By mid-December, many of us are running on fumes — festive fumes, maybe, but fumes all the same.
This is the moment when patience becomes its own quiet gift.
The person in front of you might be juggling more than you realize. The slow driver might be someone who truly can’t see well in the snow. The cashier might be on hour nine of a very long shift. Winter doesn’t
“Shop local” is a familiar phrase this time of year, and for good reason. Local businesses feel winter more sharply than big box stores ever will. Every coffee bought at the corner café, every gift purchased from a downtown shop, every meal enjoyed at a locally owned restaurant helps keep the lights on and the doors open.
But keeping it local goes beyond where we spend our dollars. It’s also about where we spend our energy. Showing up for a school concert. Supporting a local fundraiser. Attending a holiday stroll or a community craft fair. Even on the coldest days, these gatherings remind us that winter in the Lakes Region is shared — not endured alone.
• Season of Giving continued on page 27
Staying positive through winter doesn’t mean pretending everything is perfect. Short days can feel heavy. Seasonal stress is real. Not everyone finds the holidays joyful. And some winters are harder than others.
Positivity, the Lakes Region way, isn’t loud or forced. It’s practical. It shows up as resilience, humor, and a willingness to keep going even when the forecast is gray.
It’s the laugh shared while shoveling yet another storm. The comfort of a familiar face at the post office. The way a frozen lake still draws people to its edge just to watch the light move across the ice.
Winter isn’t always easy — but it is still beautiful.
One small act of kindness has a way of setting others in motion. You hold the door. Someone else does the same. You wave a car through. It waves the next one on. You help someone carry a package. They remember the feeling and pass it on.
In a season when so much feels out of our control, the weather, the roads, the world at large, kindness is something we can always choose.
And it adds up.
As the year winds down, there’s a natural urge to look ahead. New calendars, new goals, new plans. But before we rush into what’s next, winter invites us to pause, just for a moment, and take stock of what already surrounds us.
We live in a region where community still means something. Where neighbors still know neighbors. Where help is often just a driveway away. That’s not something to take lightly.
Winter has a way of stripping things back to what matters most: warmth, connection, and showing up.
You don’t need a resolution to be kind. You don’t need a holiday to be generous. And you don’t need a reason to be patient.
The season of giving doesn’t end when the lights come down. In many ways, it’s just getting started. As we head deeper into winter, may we keep it local, keep it kind, and keep looking out for one another — in small ways and steady ones. Because around here, that’s not a seasonal tradition.
It’s just how we do things.
Research continually points to the benefits of families spending time together, particularly in regard to how such time benefits children. Researchers note family time decreases the likelihood of behavioral issues in children and increases the chances family units grow stronger. A 2023 study published in Frontiers in Psychology found time spent with parents is a crucial factor in the growth of children, and fostering children’s well-being and academic performance. And a recent Pew Research Center survey found 73 percent of adult respondents rate spending time with family as one of the most important things to them.
Family game nights can be an ideal way for families to spend time together. Psychologists note these sessions strengthen family bonds, enhance social skills and foster emotional well-being.
Scholar’s Choice, a Canadian distributor of educational toys, teaching materials and more, says children from families who maintain strong lines of communication through interactions like family game nights or dinners enjoy the benefits of expanded vocabularies, higher reading scores, more school motivation, better relationships with peers, and a more positive perception of the parent-child relationship. Game nights help develop memories
that foster stronger emotional connections between family members. All of the wins, losses, unexpected twists, and amazing moves become a part of the family fabric. These are memories that everyone can look back on through the years.
Certain games promote the development of skills that are useful in kids’ academic careers. Research from Carnegie Mellon shows that even a small amount of time spent playing academic games can lead to improved results in the classroom.
Kids who practice strategizing and problem solving with their parents or other adults can develop better memory techniques and be more successful at solving problems on their own, according to researchers from the University of Florida.
Games help everyone around the table practice being patient with one another. Waiting turns, handling setbacks and strategizing throughout the game are all lessons in building patience that comes from family game night. Playing games can help enhance a child’s ability to manage frustration and develop resilience, too.
Family game nights get everyone together in an entertaining way and help build memories and foster skills that everyone can benefit from.~ Metro
The versatile GX offers three options: cooling-only, standard heat pump, and H2i® for reliable heating in even the coldest climates The cooling-only model suits applications without heating needs, while the GX can also pair with Mitsubishi Electric’s multi-zone outdoor units for m multi-zone setups
Reading is a relaxing way to pass the time, expand your vocabulary and help maintain cognition. Piedmont Health says reading boosts health in a number of ways. Researchers at the University of Sussex found that participants who read for just six minutes experienced reduced muscle tension and a slower heart rate. Studies have shown that regular reading may slow mental decline and reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s disease.
New books inspire people to read more readily. According to Goodreads and The New York Times® Best Sellers, the following are some of the best-selling books of 2025.
• Onyx Storm by Rebecca Yarros: Violet Sorrengail must journey beyond the failing wards and seek allies from unfamiliar lands, a trip that will test her strength, luck and much more. This book is the third in the fantasy romance Empyrean series.
• Alchemised by SenLinYu: Hope seems lost for Helena, a prisoner of war facing a dreary world of death and dark magic. In this dark fantasy, a woman with missing memories fights to survive in a war-torn world.
• Sunrise on the Reaping by Suzanne Collins: It’s the fiftieth annual Hunger Games and fear blankets Panem. In honor of the Quarter Quell, twice as many tributes will be taken from their homes. This book provides an interpre-
tation of the Reaping through the eyes of Haymitch.
• 107 Days by Kamala Harris: Vice President Harris answered her party’s last-minute call to enter the presidential race in 2024. She only had 107 days to prepare and make history, with an eye on the most important job in the country, if not the world. This book provides an unfiltered look at the triumphs and pressure Harris faced.
• Atmosphere by Taylor Jenkins Reid: Thoughtful and reserved, Joan Goodwin is content with her career as a physics professor. But when she sees an advertisement seeking the first women scientists to join the NASA
aspires to be one of those lucky enough to visit space.
• The Housemaid by Freida McFadden: The queen of suspenseful reads is at it again with a tale of a live-in housekeeper who is very much entwined in the lives of the family she serves without them really knowing much about the woman living in their attic. A mystery-thriller with a surprise twist that no one will see coming, and the first in a series.
• Greenlights by Matthew McConaughey: An honest and unflinching memoir from one of the more popular actors of his generation. Compiled from years of diaries and stories, the book is a composition of his life thus far and offers readers many lessons.~ Metro
There are many reasons to welcome the arrival of winter each year. The holiday season, recreational activities like skiing and snowboarding, and the undeniable beauty of snow-covered landscapes are just some of the reasons to look forward to winter.
Winter certainly has its positive attributes, but some may shudder at the thought of colder temperatures and shorter hours of daylight. In fact, some people dislike the cold so much they take to the road each winter and make for locales noted for their mild temperatures. Snowbird is a term used to refer to individuals who depart their homes around the beginning of winter so they can spend the ensuing months in warm climates. Snowbirds often are retirees, but the flexibility of remote working has enabled more and more working professionals to become snowbirds, too. Those considering a pivot to the snowbird lifestyle can consider these tips to make that transition successful.
• Find the right locale. Those new to the snowbird lifestyle might assume anywhere that isn’t cold will fit the bill, but warm weather isn’t the only vari-
able to consider when choosing where to spend your winters. Many snowbirds spend several months at their winter destinations, so you will want somewhere that can accommodate the lifestyle you’ve grown accustomed to.
First identify your priorities and then consider variables like the accessibility of nightlife, the availability of recreational activities and opportunities to
Dining Out in the Lakes Region Available at Hundreds of Locations around the Lakes Region!
socialize. A warm but especially remote location might appeal to some, but those who like to get out might do best spending their winters in a more vibrant locale.
• Get a firm idea of the cost. Though there’s ways to save on the snowbird lifestyle, it can be costly. Whether you plan to rent a winter home or purchase a second home, there’s notable costs that come with each approach. The costs of renting might seem more straightforward, as renters may think a deposit and monthly rent is all the added expense. But snowbirds who plan to work during the winter will need to consider the tax implications if they will be living and working in a different state or province. Buying a second home also comes with its own tax implications, so it might be best for aspiring snowbirds
to work with a certified financial professional who can help them navigate those costs. Certain locales may be tax-friendly for retirees, who also can work with a financial professional to identify locations where the financial implications of snowbirding might not be too significant.
• Don’t forget your pets. Pets merit consideration when pondering the feasibility of the snowbird lifestyle. If you plan to rent lodgings for the winter, you must find a pet-friendly option, which can prove difficult depending on the type and size of your pet(s). Pets’ comfort also merits consideration. If you have a dog, a winter residence with access to a yard or nearby dog park should be a priority. And some complexes that specialize in offering winter lodgings may restrict pets or charge hefty fees to allow them.
• Don’t forget your current home. Snowbirds also need to arrange for the homes they live in most of the year to be looked after. If you plan to rent your primary home over the winter, that might come with hefty tax implications. If not, someone will need to look after the home while you’re gone. Snow removal and security are two notable components of winter home care that will need to be arranged before you head for warmer locales. The snowbird lifestyle is tailor-made for people who prefer year-round warm weather. But several variables merit consideration before adults can commit to the snowbird lifestyle.~Metro
We can no longer take the safety of our water for granted. When you turn on your faucet, bathe your child, water your lawn, or flush your toilet, you want to know that your water is safe and clean. We will test and explain your water chemistry in a way that is easy to understand and then recommend the most efficient, effective and economical water treatment solution, custom fit to your needs.
