Get Steamin’ at the Steamboat Meet!

Get Steamin’ at the Steamboat Meet!

By Rosalie Triolo

When David Thompson was 15 years old, he acquired his first steamboat. In the summer, he would visit his grandfather on Lake Winnipesaukee and then steam back home to Wolfeboro where his father worked at Goodhue and Hawkins. Thompson has, himself, built 20-plus steamboats. He has also built 30 steamboats for other people and explained that it takes six cords of hard wood to get through the Annual Lee’s Mills Steamboat Meet.

“Generations of steamboat builders from great-grandfathers to grandfathers and fathers have passed along to future generations, not only the skill, but the passion and satisfaction experienced from a sense of accomplishment derived from building the boat, engine and boiler and joining other enthusiasts at the annual Lee’s Mills Steamboat Meet,” said Thompson.

Friday, September 6 will mark the beginning of the 47th Annual Lee’s Mills Steamboat Meet in Moultonborough, on Lake Winnipesaukee. The 10-day Meet sponsored by the town of Moultonborough traditionally begins the first Friday after Labor Day. This year the date is Friday, September 6, lasting through the week and ending on Sunday, September 15. A parade of steamboats is held each Sunday of the event – the first Sunday at 2 pm and the second Sunday at 10 am. A steamboat cruise takes place on Wednesday, September 11 from the Moultonborough Town Docks to 19 Mile Bay in Tuftonboro.

Steamboat on Lake Winnipesaukee

The annual Lee’s Mills Steamboat Meet is not only the largest, but also the oldest in the country. In 1972 David Thompson, a steamboat aficionado, invited other steamboat enthusiasts to Moultonborough to hold the first Steamboat Meet on Lake Winnipesaukee. Only four boats showed up. Disappointed but not discouraged, David persisted and through the years the annual Lee’s Mills Steamboat Meet has successfully attracted more than 50 avid steamboat owners, operators and/or builders. Each year, when they are able, most of the same people return. Since many of the participants are retired, they seem to have more time to take part in the Meet and every now and then a few novice steamboat enthusiasts will show up to join in the camaraderie with those who are more experienced. Out of the 50 steamboat enthusiasts maybe there are two non-retirees and some who are younger than retirement age.

Crediting David Thompson for helping him build his first steam engine, Roger Reed, also a steamboat enthusiast, has built a couple of steam engines himself. Roger has two steamboats, one made of wood and the other of fiberglass. He usually takes the fiberglass steamboat to the Meet. A steamboat enthusiast for the past 10-plus years, Roger said, “The nicest thing about being part of the Steamboat community is working with and talking to other steamboat enthusiasts about the boats, steam engines and boilers. If you would rather purchase an engine, there are companies who sell the engines and boilers, but the real fun is in putting them together.”

How long does it take to learn how to operate a steam engine and boiler? Roger finds that it takes somewhere between about one to two years to fully understand how to operate a steam engine and boiler and become familiar with the distinctive sounds of the engine and boiler, which is similar to an experiment dealing with a period of trial and error. The best part of the Meet is the camaraderie forged between members. It is especially enjoyable when a member of the Meet has a problem and needs help solving it. Not the fact that the member has the problem, but that all the members gather together to talk about it, ask each other how to solve, and come up with a solution to the problem. It’s the fellowship that comes from having the same interests.

Roger also explained, “There are 80 percent repeat steamboats every year and about 20 percent come and go. Usually there are about 50 or more boats at the Meet each year. Some trailer their boats from as far away as Florida and Virginia, as well as those from New York or right here in New Hampshire. All steamboats come in on trailers and are launched at the ramp in Lee’s Mills where there is lots of help. Twenty-five temporary numbered docks are put in place before the Meet.” Roger emphasizes, “If it wasn’t for David Thompson and his sons Brian and Blair, who check the boats before launch, provide the heavy equipment for putting docks into place, and, also provide storage space for the docks after the Meet there would probably be no Meet. David’s daughter, Kelly, runs the snack shack.”

Each owner of a steamboat is responsible for testing their boilers, using water safety rules and having sense. Ideally steam pressure should be about 80 lbs. to 90 lbs. and not go above 125 lbs. of pressure. A “must” requirement is one that ensures each boat has a safety valve release certified for 125 lbs. of pressure. The association provides six to eight cords of hard wood cut into small pieces to operate the boilers. Four or five boats use coal, not the Anthracite used in homes, but a soft coal and two or three boats use propane. The Town of Moultonborough provides free sanitation facilities.

Friends and families gather at Lee’s Mills each year to watch the Meet and gather with old friends and acquaintances. Some observers from Moultonborough and surrounding towns join in the excitement of watching the Meet, and sometimes they may be given the opportunity to take a relaxing ride on one of the steamboats. It is also interesting to watch some of the Steamboat Meets from prior years on You Tube and become acquainted with the variety of steamboats involved in the Meet. Many are drone videos while others are taken from passing boats.

Whether you arrive by car or power boat, the Lee’s Mills Steamboat Meet is fascinating to watch, especially, if it is a beautiful sunny day on Lake Winnipesaukee.

For information on the Annual Lee’s Mills Steamboat Meet, call David Thompson at 603-476-2224. Lee’s Mills Road, the site of the steamboat meet, is located off Rt. 25 in Moultonborough, NH. Follow Lee’s Mills Road and the Loon Center signs; the meet is beyond the Loon Center.

Outdoor and More Store Home and Garden Accents

Outdoor and More Store Home and Garden Accents

Story and Photos by Rosalie Triolo

Opportunity, Chance, and Foresight. Nate and Mary McShinsky met in high school, in Vermont and as Mary added, “We were high school sweethearts.” After high school, Mary worked at a gas station/auto body shop and Nate worked in construction.

In 1991, opportunity presented itself when the owner of the station, eager to retire, approached Nate and Mary, giving them the chance to purchase the shop. After they bought the business, Nate and Mary gutted, renovated and turned it into a convenience store/gas station, while raising two young sons.

Vacationing on Lake Winnipesaukee was an annual retreat for the McShinsky family. They would pack up their camper and head to the Paugus Bay Campground in Laconia. At the lake, everyone enjoyed family-time and Mary and Nate somewhat forgot the difficulties of owning and operating a convenience store/gas station, which was open from 5 am until 10 pm, hiring and keeping reliable help to work shifts and complying with the standards and restrictions put upon gas stations by the EPA. Mary explained, “The store took up much of our time as well as trying to comply with EPA standards. It seemed as soon as we were compliant with one standard, the EPA introduced another.” By the end of 2017 Irving Oil and Gas approached the McShinskys and offered them a buy-out deal for their business. As Mary said, “They made us an offer we couldn’t refuse.”

Nate and Mary both agreed that after 28 years in business this would be the perfect time to do some traveling. Mary thought they should take a year off to figure out what they would do next. However, fate had a different timetable. In September of 2018, the McShinskys took their camper to Paugus Bay Campground in Laconia for another vacation on Lake Winnipesaukee. On an ordinary day, while driving down Route 25 in Tamworth, NH, Nate and Mary passed an old auto body/paint shop. They pulled into the parking lot, entered the shop and saw the possibilities which would alter that day from ordinary to one of new beginnings. To quote Mary, “Our one-year plan lasted six months. Throughout the years, we have built five homes, gutted and renovated two gas station/auto body and paint shops and turned them into convenience stores while raising our sons.”

With a combination of imagination and foresight the McShinskys yet again gutted and renovated another old, tired shop and this time created a country cottage atmosphere in the “Outdoor and More Store.”

Nate and Mary drove to Atlanta, Georgia in January 2019 to attend a trade show. It was their first time attending a trade show and a chance to determine what exactly would be involved in owning and operating a seasonal store. They needed a direction in which to take the Outdoor and More Store. At the show Nate and Mary discovered a world of handmade and hand-painted crafts and met with some very creative craftsmen, artists and dealers. The Outdoor and More Store had its grand opening in May of 2019, Mother’s Day weekend, introducing a collection of 90 percent “Made in USA” products, as well as crafts specifically made in New Hampshire.

Looking for “Outdoor” furniture, garden accessories, planters, bird houses, arbors, gliders, water fountains, or browsing for indoor specialties where there is “More” offers a lot to customers. Shelves are arranged with an array of delightfully whimsical and distinctively creative handmade, hand-painted crafts. Amish craftsmanship and creativity are unmistakable in the unique iron wall art coatracks depicting a bear or deer or moose in the wild, accented by striking rugged wooden frames and arranged next to iron wall clocks also accented by similar wooden frames. Crafted by the Amish, handsome wooden Dory’s stand in line resting on stern-end with bow pointing upward, the seats between can be used as shelves.

Tom of Seven Lincoln Designs in Milford, NH creates handmade wooden signs, hand-painted tables, decorative oars or special orders. At Outdoor and More, there is so much to see and gather ideas from a variety of handcrafted items; copper weathervanes, wooden cupolas, pergolas and arbors to Woodstock chimes and hammock swings. About the hammock swing made of durable material, this is no ordinary hammock swing but one which is portable. You can transport this lazy, hazy summer day cozy hammock swing in a slightly larger decorative canvas tote bag. The tote bag holds the swing, a sturdy chain, wooden bar, and a very comfortable sink-into seat with extra pillow. It makes the perfect gift for family, friends or for yourself. Candles sold at the Outdoor and More Store are supplied by the Bridgewater Candle Company. Mary explained, “We buy candles from the Bridgewater Candle Company, because with the sale of every candle one dollar is contributed to feeding a child three meals a day.”

Just to be forewarned, Maple the mascot bear, stands ready to greet you as you pull into the parking area of the Outdoor and More Store. Although she looks ferocious, Maple is harmless.

What are Nate and Marys’ plans for the future of Outdoor and More? This coming January 2020 they plan another trip back to the Atlanta Trade Show focusing on Mountain and Lake themes. The Atlanta Trade Show is the largest consisting of two 18-story buildings filled with all types and varieties of crafts.

Next season Nate and Mary are working on some interesting ideas to grow and enhance their business, possibly adding a rental program for arbors.

Also, the business will expand their delivery service, whether on land or on the lake. Nate will deliver to island properties as he has already done. He told the story of a couple who came into Outdoor and More and purchased quite a bit of outdoor furniture. When they realized their boat was not large enough to accommodate all the furniture, Nate loaded the furniture onto his pontoon boat and delivered it to the couple’s home on Treasure Island. He has a truck to accommodate furniture deliveries to homes in Ossipee and the surrounding areas. Porch/patio furniture made with stainless-steel screws comes with a 20-year warranty and does not need to be covered. However, it may be a good idea in extreme weather conditions to cover the furniture, and if you have a metal roof, it might be a good idea to keep the furniture out of range of snow falling off the roof.

Adding to their plans for the future of the Outdoor and More Store, Mary and Nate plan to sell propane tanks for campers, bagged ice and cold drinks.

This past Fourth of July, Nate and Mary participated in the Wolfeboro parade. The theme of their float was “Nation, State, Community and Military.” Nate constructed a plywood replica of the state of New Hampshire with towns represented. The military was represented by 19 cement figures wearing the uniforms signifying each branch of service they represented: Army, Navy, Marine, Airforce and Coast Guard figures stood at attention honoring our nation with a permanent salute and an American flag draped over a cross honored those fallen soldiers. For their efforts in creating an outstanding float, Nate and Mary received second place in Business Division and the Grand Marshall Award.

Outdoor and More is located on Route 25 – 1287 Bearcamp Hwy., Tamworth, New Hampshire and is open from Mother’s Day weekend to Columbus Day weekend. They can be reached by calling 802-356-7660, by e-mail at info@outdoorandmorestore.com or visit www.outdoorandmorestore.com.

The Great Meadow Wetlands Project

The Great Meadow Wetlands Project

Article and photo by Rosalie Triolo

It takes a community to Preserve, Protect and Provide for nature’s gift. The Community, Tuftonboro; Nature’s Gift, The Great Meadow Wetlands.

Great Meadow Wetlands

The Great Meadow Wetlands is located between Sodom Road, Mountain Road (Rt. 171) and part of Dame Road. On a recent tour of the Great Meadow Wetlands led by Steve Wingate, Chairman of the Tuftonboro Conservation Committee and retired Forester, he explained that a few years ago while leading another tour through the Great Meadow Wetlands, a member of the group made an interesting suggestion and possibly planted the seed which was to be the beginning of this project. “Wouldn’t it be nice if there was a trail here so that more people could enjoy this resource?”

The task at hand began from words uttered in a single sentence. The Tuftonboro Conservation Commission successfully brokered a grant from the Land and Community Heritage Investment Program to provide a Natural Resource Inventory for the Great Meadow area. This led to the hiring of Dr. Richard Van de Poll who provided a wealth of information from the geology of the area to its wildlife habitats and was instrumental in helping the Tuftonboro Conservation Commission obtain grants for the project.

In 2003 Dr. Van de Poll, of Ecosystem Management Consultants located in Center Sandwich, New Hampshire, compiled an extensive and thorough 103-page report, which he submitted to the Tuftonboro Conservation Commission. In his report he provided the Committee with a synopsis of ecological conditions, water quality and the relative value for the benefit of the users of the wetland area. Dr. Van de Poll stated in the report, “During the 12-month period, between 2001-2002, a total of 12 species of amphibians, 3 reptiles, 3 fish, 93 species of birds, 33 species of mammals and 256 species of plants” were observed and noted. “In terms of feeding and resting, the Great Meadow serves as a critical winter and local migration habitat for black bear, as well as a host of other species. Moose were quite common, heard and/or seen, and the use of common game trails often contained the signs of this animal. Only the white-tailed deer was apparently more prevalent in terms of the sign left behind.”

As for the predators, “All of the major predator species were present at the Great Meadow property, inclusive of bobcat, coyote, red and gray fox, otter, fisher, mink and ermine…”

Following the orange-ribbon trail markers which indicated the location of a trail to be cleared, Steve led the way through some dense areas of tall gracefully lush fern fronds and thick sedge grass, a tall nutritious wetland grass. In the 1800’s, this was a farming area used to raise cattle. At the time sedge grass was an important source of food for cattle grazing in the Great Meadow Wetlands. At a spot about half-way through the orange-ribbon marked trail, Steve pointed to the place where Phase 3 of the planned project, an Observation Platform, was to be built overlooking a vast expanse of flourishing meadowland and beyond, a view of the Ossipee mountain range.

The Great Meadow Wetlands Project is a three-year, 3-Phase project. Phase #1 will is a parking area; Phase #2 is a 1+-mile loop trail; and Phase #3 is an observation platform. Currently, orange ribbons attached to tree limbs define the 1+ mile winding loop trail and the blue ribbons define the placement of the wooden boardwalk platforms over wet areas. With the completion of all three phases of the project, the Great Meadow Wetlands may be used and will easily lend itself as an educational tool for school children.

Steve talked about the declining rate of moose in the area. “The moose population in the area and in most of New Hampshire is declining due to the infestation of winter ticks. Winter ticks attach themselves to moose in the fall and feed on them through winter.” It is thought by many that this is due in part to climate change. More than 70% of the moose calf population has been affected.

Walking across a tree limb to cross to the other side of a wet and muddy area, Steve pointed to the rocks in the stream. “This is an important habitat for wild turkeys to feed in spring-fed winter waters. Turkeys turn over rocks to get at the aquatic worms for their source of protein.” In an area with conifer trees growing close to each other, Hemlock, Fir and Spruce trees provide a mantle of cover, which holds the heat in on clear winter nights. Here is where you’ll find grouse, wild turkey and chickadees.

In the summer 2019 edition of the Quarterly Newsletter published by the Tuftonboro Association, Steve Wingate wrote, “Before European settlement, open wetlands were important to native Americans. They trapped fish in narrow portions of the river (the Melvin River) and hunted beaver, waterfowl, and moose, which used wetlands as an important habitat. Native Americans also harvested foods and medicinal ingredients from the wetland vegetation. Blueberry plants were common along the tree-lined edge. Many succulent plants could be harvested from wetlands in the spring before any other food plants were available. Migrating waterfowl could be hunted in spring and fall.”

Discussing the role of volunteers, Steve expressed a need for more people to help cut and pull invasive weeds, glossy buckthorn and European bittersweet and do away with twigs cluttering the prospective trail.

With the financial help of the Tuftonboro Association, Phase #1, Jeff Moody has cleared the parking area next to the Tuftonboro Town DPW. Help is now needed to clean up trails so trucks carrying wood and other building supplies can get down to a flat spot to turn around and for a place to pre-build wooden walkways to be used to get across wetland areas. On several occasions, older boys from the YMCA Belknap camp have volunteered for part of the day, and have also been instrumental in clearing an educational trail behind the Tuftonboro Central School.

The Tuftonboro Association is handling fundraising for the trail. Donations may be sent to Tuftonboro Association, PO Box 121, Melvin Village, NH 03850. Please specify this donation is for the “Great Meadow Project.”

Trail Volunteers may call the Town Office at 603-569-4539 x 24 and leave a message for Linda Bean or send her an e-mail at conservation@tuftonboro.org. Any help would be much appreciated.

What’s New at the Loon Center

What’s New at the Loon Center

By Rosalie Triolo

This year the Loon Center in Moultonboro presents “Nature Talks.” The program begins at 7 pm every Thursday from July 11 until August 22. Loon Center Senior Biologist and Executive Director, Harry S. Vogel, is enthusiastic about this year’s variety of interesting programs and exhibits by experts in their fields. Topics will include Wildlife Photography, Social Black Bears, Creatures of the Night, Astronomy for Birders, Geology of the Lakes Region, and Rehabilitating Raptors.

Rick Libby of “MooseMan Nature Photos” will present his view of The Wildlife of New Hampshire. From walking in the remote woods of Maine to kayaking the lakes of New Hampshire or watching birds in the blue skies, Rick has photographed wildlife for over 40 years. He began with a little Kodak camera and through the years has graduated to professional Nikon cameras and lenses. On July 11, Rick will share his love of the quietness of the woods and his passion for photographing wildlife without disturbing their lives. You can view Rick’s fascinating photos at moosemannaturephotos.com.

Did you ever come across a black bear cub(s) up in a tree? You probably stopped in your tracks while cautiously and with some trepidation looked around for its (their) mother. These could very well be orphaned cubs. In his book “In the Company of Bears,” Ben Kilham, of the Ben Kilham Bear Center, talks about the world of black bears. He has observed and studied wild black bears in the Northern New Hampshire woods, watching the animals’ interaction with one another and their behavior patterns from friendships to codes of conduct. The black bears in the wild reveal extraordinary generosity toward one another. “The haves” - those black bears with an abundance of food - share with “the have nots”, those black bears with an insufficient food supply. Ben and his sister, Pheobe Kilham, work to rehabilitate and release injured, orphaned and abandoned cubs back into the wild. Cubs are brought to them at the Bear Center by the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department. The Center has been in operation since 1993 when they received one to five cubs a year, In 2012, they received 30 cubs, including cubs from the neighboring states of Vermont and Massachusetts. Join Ben Kilham on July 18 and become acquainted with the social black bear.

What are Creatures of the Night? On July 25, a naturalist from the Squam Lakes Natural Science Center in Holderness, accompanied by three live Creatures of the Night, will discuss why some animals forage for food in the dark, while others use the dark to escape predators. An article in the January 8, 2019 edition of National Geographic was titled, “How do animals see in the dark?”

“Nocturnal animals have evolved physical traits that let them roam in the dark more effectively.” Key words physical traits. “The eyes get bigger and the pupils widen. For example, owl eyes are so big they can’t move in the socket, but their wide pupils help them collect more light.” If you would like to learn more about the Science Center you can view their website at www.nhnature.org.

Spend an interesting evening with Marc Stowbridge of Tamworth, NH listening to his talk on Astronomy for Birders on August 1. Marc is a member of Astronomers Without Borders and in 2008 he and the New Hampshire Astronomical Society founded The Library Telescope program. The Cook Memorial Library in Tamworth, NH was the first in New Hampshire to have a Library Telescope. It came fully equipped for people to check out (with reinforced connections, laminated instructions, and accessories) by Marc Stowbridge. Stargazers and Bird Watchers (Birders) have a lot in common and Marc will be talking about how a birder’s tools can be used to view the night sky.

Ancient volcanoes, inundation by shallow seas, mile-thick sheets of glacial ice and today’s climate change are all part of New Hampshire’s long and dynamic history, as you will find out from Jim Vernon’s Nature Talk. A Senior Hydrogeologist with Nobis Engineering, Jim Vernon specializes in groundwater sources for water supply and has conducted studies, development and protection in a variety of geologic settings. The landscape we are familiar with in the Lakes Region today has evolved over hundreds of millions of years. Interestingly, ancient volcanoes occurred about 100 million years ago in the Ossipee Mountains. Unlike today’s Ossipee Mountain range, when looking up at the mountain, there appear to be individual peaks which are what is left of a large, now extinct volcano. Three major eruptions about 10 million years apart changed the appearance of the volcano. Ninety-million years ago the second eruption created the famous ring dike. Join Jim Vernon on August 8 for a fascinating talk on the Geology of the Lakes Region.

Not all baby animals that are alone are abandoned. Diane Hime is a federally and state licensed wildlife rehabilitator from New York, specializing in the rehabilitation of raptors, porcupines, fawns and foxes. Diane and her husband, Jim Hime, run a wildlife rehabilitation non-profit organization. North Country Wildcare takes in sick, injured or “known” orphaned wildlife and cares for them until they are ready to be released back into the wild. Diane said, “Getting them to live is only part of the equation.” On August 15, Diane will talk about rehabilitating raptors and you’ll be introduced to three live raptors.

Listening to the haunting call of the loons on the lake makes one wonder and want to learn more about these majestic creatures. On August 22, at an End of Season Report, meet John Rockwood. “The Loon Man NH” is a Common Loon educator, author, naturalist and professional nature photographer. He will share photos and video of local loon families. Harry Vogel, Senior Biologist and Executive Director, of the Loon Center, will present trends in New Hampshire’s loon population and preliminary statistics on how loons fared in NH this year.

For information on the Loon Center, call 603-476-5666 or visit www.loon.org. The Loon Center is located on Lee’s Mill Road in Moultonboro, New Hampshire.

 

Running the Rapids – Rain or Shine to the Finish Line

Running the Rapids – Rain or Shine to the Finish Line

By Rosalie Triolo

Spills, chills and thrills. Smiles and laughter. Race participants paddling their canoes and kayaks keep “Rollin on the River.” The Great Smith River Canoe and Kayak Race, that is. The race, sponsored and organized by the Lions Club of Wolfeboro, is held each year the Saturday before Memorial Day. This year’s event is the 45th year running, and in keeping with tradition, the race will take place on Saturday, May 18. 

The Great Smith River Canoe and Kayak Race

As in any race, there are pre-race preparations. Lions Club member since 1989, Roger Murray III, organizer and chair of the committee for “The Great Smith River Canoe and Kayak Race,” pointed out the tasks required of committee members to ensure a safe and successful race. The necessary permits must be acquired. Before opening the dam there is a careful inspection of the race course, which involves looking for obstacles that potentially may cause mishaps to the canoers and kayakers. Arrangements are made for medical aid and an ambulance to stand by on sight. Murray went on to describe the route of the course and the places participants will have to portage canoes and kayaks. “The four-mile race begins at Allen Albee Beach located in Wolfeboro on the north side of Lake Wentworth. Participants paddle across Lake Wentworth and on to the Smith River. At the Smith River canoes and kayaks are maneuvered under the Whiten Neck Bridge and come out onto Crescent Lake, continuing down the length of the lake to the dam. At Crescent Lake dam, a short portage is required to the right of the dam and on the participants charge through the one-quarter mile of Class II rapids on the Smith River.” (In an article written by L. Herbert Gordon for Paddling.com, Class II rapids are “Moderate. Medium-quick water; rapids with regular waves; clear and open passages between rocks and ledges. Maneuvering required.”) There is another portage area in Wolfeboro Falls and then into Back Bay and on to the finish line at the Town Docks in Wolfeboro on Lake Winnipesaukee.  

Families, friends or those of us who want to vicariously experience the thrill of shooting the rapids are welcomed to stand on shore to watch, cheer and encourage the participants onward. An exciting experience for observers is the sight of canoes and kayaks swerving down, around and through the rapids. Not often, but occasionally, where there is a bend in the river, participants quickly maneuver their canoes or kayaks to avoid collisions with other canoes or kayaks, or from bumping into the shore as they go into the turn. Two of the best places to watch the race is at Crescent Lake dam or the finish line. 

For the participants, in addition to having great fun, the race is a test of their expertise, stamina and spirit of adventure. In years past, some creative participants have worn horned Viking helmets, a bear’s head and even yellow-billed duck hats as they shoot the rapids!

John Askew, a 20-year member of the Lions Club, sits on the committee and is the official starter of “The Great Smith River Canoe and Kayak Race.” From novice to expert there are 19 classes of racers who are sent off at five-minute intervals. Paddlers range from Old Timers, Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, Father/Daughter, Father/Son, or families and all are welcome. Official Race Rules require participants to inspect and remove from the bottom of their canoes or kayaks any plants, animals or algae which may have become attached.  

The Canoe Racing Classes are: Long (any length to a maximum of 18’6”); Two Women (Any length to a maximum of 18’6”); Long (Sawyer Cruiser, Mohawk Jensen & Whitewater boats); Mixed (Male and Female - Any length to a maximum of 18’6”); Short (Any length canoe up to 16’6”); Family (One paddler 15 or under and the other paddler 30 or over, 18’6” max.) and Single (Any length canoe up to 18’6”).  

Canoe Conventional Classes: These are non-racing canoes, not over 18’ with a minimum width of 34”. Two Men; Mixed (Male and Female); Family (One paddler 15 or under and the other paddler 30 or over); Boys (Both 15 or under); Two Women; Two Girls (Both 15 or under); Novice (Anyone who has not placed 1st, 2nd or 3rd in any organized canoe race may enter this class.); Business (Owners or employees of a business); Old Timers (Combined age of paddlers must be 100 years).

KAYAK CLASSES: Kayak (Single Female Paddler); Kayak (Single Male Paddler); Kayak (2 Paddlers). 

The course should take approximately 30 to 60 minutes to complete and results are computed immediately. Prizes will go to the first three finishers in each of the classes. 

The first 50 participants to register receive free T-shirts donated by Wolfeboro Oil Co. The registration fee is $20.00 per paddler and the starting time is 1:15 pm. Registration entry forms and a list of the official rules are available at the Wolfeboro Chamber of Commerce located in the old train station on Railroad Avenue. Participants may register on race day from 10 am to 12:45 pm. The day of the race there will be a 50/50 raffle.

With the proceeds derived from the race, the Lions Club offers six $500 book scholarships to deserving Kingswood High School seniors and the same to two local students who attend Brewster Academy. The Lions Club also offers two $500 for book scholarships to two Leos (young Lions) at Kingswood. An additional $1000 scholarship is awarded to a student, who is an accomplished musician, in honor of the late Lion, Doug Cady, who was instrumental in the creation of the Cate Park Bandstand, and who was himself an accomplished musician.

For additional information on the race, call Roger Murray at 603-569-5454.