Sarah’s Courteous Canine Dog Training
There are many benefits to having a dog. Petting a dog can reduce stress by lowering blood pressure; they make us more social when out for a walk, which coincidentally also helps with a person’s health, and dogs can make us happy! A study in Japan found that staring into your dog’s eyes raises levels of oxytocin, the “feel good” hormone.
Sarah’s Courteous Canine Dog Training
By Sarah Wright
There are many benefits to having a dog. Petting a dog can reduce stress by lowering blood pressure; they make us more social when out for a walk, which coincidentally also helps with a person’s health, and dogs can make us happy! A study in Japan found that staring into your dog’s eyes raises levels of oxytocin, the “feel good” hormone.
However, it’s also important to have a harmonious relationship with your dog, and successful communication can be achieved through a dog training course. Sarah Frohock of Sarah’s Courteous Dog Training in Wolfeboro can help you and your dog find balance in your relationship.
Sarah has loved dogs all her life, and originally wanted to be a veterinarian when she was a child. Her interest in dog training began years ago when she had a dog named Nacoma who had aggression issues with food. She worked with a trainer to help him with his behavior. Sarah also learned how to become a better owner for Nacoma. In addition, Sarah worked at an animal shelter for four years, and felt compelled to find a way to help homeless dogs be successful in their new homes. Soon after, she began training with Mike Robertson in Plymouth to become a certified dog trainer, while also reading every book she could on the subject. “Through that training with Mike and my experience with hundreds of dogs through the shelter, I gained so much experience that was most beneficial,” says Sarah. “There is nothing like hands-on experience to help you understand and gain knowledge about dog behavior.”
There are many challenges when it comes to dog training, but Sarah is able to helpfully guide her clients through the process. There are also important points she wants dog owners to understand, like the fact that dogs don’t think the way humans do. Sarah says, “We often push our feelings and thoughts on our dogs and assume that they will rationalize issues or experiences like we do, and that just isn’t the case.”
She also thinks it’s important that dog owners remember that not all dogs love other dogs. It’s even more important to think about how dogs might interact due to the nice weather bringing everyone outside and more people spending time in the outdoors due to COVID-19. Sarah explains it like this. “Ask someone if they have liked every person that they’ve ever worked with, and they’ll say, ‘Of course not.’ Well, even though I enjoy people, it doesn’t mean that I will enjoy every person I meet. Conversely, just because a lot of people like me, doesn’t mean every person will like me. The same applies to dogs.”
When training your dog, Sarah believes that balance is one of the most important ways you can help your dog’s behavior and achieve a more successful relationship. She explains, “You have to say ‘yes’ as well as ‘no’ to your dog. If you only give your dog praise, then you will never eliminate negative behaviors. Taking the time to say ‘yes’ with a reward as well as ‘no’ with a consequence is the answer to creating the harmonious relationship most people are looking for.”
Sarah’s favorite part of working with dogs and their owners is when the “ah-ha” moment happens and the dog and person click together and begin to really communicate. “Both the dog and owner seem so much more relaxed within their relationship,” she adds. “When an owner sends me messages of their success, I know that I have truly helped that dog have a better quality of life, because its behavior is predictable and they are well trained.”
Sarah’s love for dog training has also evolved further with her passion for dog sports competitions. “I love the teamwork of it, and the relationship people can build working with their best friend.” For whatever your training needs are, she has a class for you. Sarah is currently offering classes in Basic Obedience, Canine Good Citizen, E-Collar, and Therapy Dog, as well as private lessons that can take place at your home for your specific needs.
Basic Obedience works on the commands, Sit, Down, Sit-Up, Stand, Come, Heel, and Attention, with the focus on the dog and human relationship. The Canine Good Citizen (CGC) program teaches good manners to dogs and responsible ownership to their owners. The 10-step Canine Good Citizen test is a non-competitive test for all dogs, including purebreds and mixed breeds, and is a prerequisite for many therapy dog groups. Some homeowner’s insurance companies even encourage CGC testing, and an increasing number of apartment complexes and condos require resident dogs to pass the test. (The program also includes the CGC Responsible Dog Owner Pledge.)
The Therapy Dog Class is structured to help ensure your dog is ready to make therapy dog visits. Your dog will practice manners, as well as real-life situations in nursing homes and schools. The class will also help prep dog handlers to look for signs of stress in their dogs.
Do you want the best recall? Then sign your dog up for the E-Collar class, and teach the dog to come when called no matter what’s going on in the surrounding environment. Sarah will show you how to find the right working level for your dog, while also polishing the dog’s foundational skills.
Sign up for a dog training class today and start working toward a more positive relationship with your dog. Training can also teach your dog life skills, increase sociability, avoid problem behaviors by providing mental stimulation, and enhance loyalty and companionship. Sarah’s Courteous Canine Dog Training can help you and your dog achieve this strong connection through a better understanding of each other.
All of the classes run for five weeks and have about seven people enrolled in each class. Sarah’s Courteous Canine Dog Training is located at 3 Grove Street in Wolfeboro.
For further information, call 603-986-3919 or visit www.worldofpaws.net. Sarah can also be reached through the Facebook page at Sarah's Courteous Canine LLC.
Hank Why Wants You to Build a Boat This Summer!
Hank Why has loved wooden boats for as long as he can remember. As a young kid, he began learning about restoring boats and developed a passion for boat building. Later, in 1968, he started spending his summers in Wolfeboro. When the New Hampshire Boat Museum moved to Wolfeboro in the mid-1990s, it was only natural that Hank would become involved with the museum. He knew he would eventually retire to Wolfeboro, and it was the perfect fit for Hank to continue his hobby of working with wooden boats. In fact, he ended up serving on the board from then until 2018.
Hank Why Wants You to Build a Boat This Summer!
By Sarah Wright
Hank Why has loved wooden boats for as long as he can remember. As a young kid, he began learning about restoring boats and developed a passion for boat building. Later, in 1968, he started spending his summers in Wolfeboro. When the New Hampshire Boat Museum moved to Wolfeboro in the mid-1990s, it was only natural that Hank would become involved with the museum. He knew he would eventually retire to Wolfeboro, and it was the perfect fit for Hank to continue his hobby of working with wooden boats. In fact, he ended up serving on the board from then until 2018.
The New Hampshire Boat Museum, or NHBM, was originally founded in 1992 by a group of antique and classic boating enthusiasts who wanted to preserve and share the boating heritage of the state’s fresh waterways. After moving around Lake Winnipesaukee for a few years, the museum found a permanent home in Wolfeboro in the former Allen “A” Resort theater and dance hall. However, the goal of the museum was not just to showcase antique boats and display other items from boating’s history. The museum wanted to be an experiential center that focused on “learning through doing” by offering hands-on programs and events. As Hank tells it, the boat building program at the museum got started by a group of guys who were building sailboats for the sailing program.
Naturally, Hank believed that the wooden boat building school, which has since expanded to classes for youth and adults each summer, was a very important program. “It’s important to pass these skills down to the younger generation, because the skills involved with wooden boat building are fading away,” explains Hank. “There are not a lot of boat building schools in the area anymore.”
Building a boat is a memorable experience, and you’ll be able to enjoy your handiwork for years to come. As of this writing, the NHBM is still planning to hold its boat building classes, although class size will be smaller this year to help with distancing. Those who are interested should sign up as soon as possible to reserve a spot. Masks will be required, and the museum has an organized plan in place to clean up the work site after each class. Classes take place outside, on the museum’s property.
Hank Why (right) being recognized by Donnie McLean and the New Hampshire Boat Museum for his dedication and volunteerism for many years with the Vintage Race Boat Regatta. (photo by Larry Houle, NHBM)
The Adult & Family Boat Building session lets adults work by themselves or team up with younger family members. Participants can choose to build a Bevin’s skiff, two-person canoe, one-person kayak, Opti sailboat, or a paddleboard. The class runs from July 11 to 19 from 8:30 am to 3:30 pm. The Youth Boat Building session is for boys and girls ages 12 and up. The instructors will demonstrate how to safely use hand tools and a limited number of power tools. Kids can choose to make a two-person canoe, a one-person kayak, or a Bevin’s skiff. The class will run from August 3 to 14, 9 am to 3 pm. If you know a young person who would like to participate, but does not have the funds to do so, you can fill out a scholarship application.
Hank Why is also involved with the museum’s wooden boat graduate school scholarship program. He puts together the resources and solicits funds to reward a special student each year. “I was looking for an opportunity to give back for what I got from my experience learning at the boat museum,” says Hank. “The scholarship idea came forward as a way to help someone who excels in the boat building program to continue their training.”
This talented individual is offered a scholarship to the Wooden Boat School in Brooklin, Maine. It’s the only school suitable for kids in the northeast, and it offers them a chance to learn a higher skill set than the NH Boat Museum program can offer. The scholarship is good for a two-week summer session at the school. This year marks the school’s 40th anniversary, and they offer a wide variety of courses at their beautiful, 64-acre “saltwater campus.” The community of students, faculty, and staff at the school have all levels of experience in boat-building, woodworking, metalworking, crafting, and boating. “Sending a student to this school helps preserve the wooden boat-building industry,” says Hank.
The recipient of the scholarship also receives a one-year membership to the New Hampshire Boat Museum, as well as to the two other sponsors: The Antique & Classic Boat Society (ACBS) and the New England Lyman Group. They are also put in touch with a mentor to guide them through their experience. The ACBS is a membership organization dedicated to connecting people who enjoy classic boats. Since its founding in 1975 on the shores of Lake George, New York, the ACBS has grown into the largest society in the world dedicated to the enjoyment of classic boats. They embrace all styles of classic wood, fiberglass, and metal boats. The New England Lyman Group was founded in 1999 with the mission and purpose of promoting the use of Lyman boats, but also to support activities that promote youth involvement and interest in wooden boat building, repair, and maintenance.
The NH Boat Museum runs other popular events each year. Hank is also involved in the planning of the New England Vintage Boat and Car Auction. Although this year’s event will be held online due to COVID-19, there will be many items up for bid including vintage wooden boats; fiberglass boats; vintage cars and trucks; sailboats; motors and parts; canoes, kayaks, and dories; and artifacts and collectibles. The auction will take place on Saturday, July 18 at 10 am. Previews will be available on July 16 and 17 from noon to 5 pm, and on July 18 from 8 to 10 am. Hank is also involved in the Vintage Race Boat Regatta, held every other year at the Wolfeboro Town Docks in September. (The next race is scheduled for 2021.)
Currently, Hank owns two vintage Chris-Craft boats from 1930 and 1948, respectively. When I spoke with him, he was working on putting notes together for his younger son on how to care for the boats, winterize them, and repair them. After all, it’s all about passing this information on to the next generation and ensuring that the beautiful craftsmanship of wooden boats lives on.
The New Hampshire Boat Museum is located at 399 Center Street in Wolfeboro. Their current plan is to open on July 1 with a modified schedule. For the latest information as well as information on the upcoming auction, visit www.nhbm.org or call 603-569-4554. Boat-building school applications are also available on the website with options to pay online or by mail. Click on the “Learn” tab on the homepage for more information about building a boat this summer. Keep the tradition of wooden boat building alive with this memorable experience!
Seabrisket Bakery Serves Up Tasty Treats
Summer is here and restrictions are slowly lifting. Most local farmers markets around the area have been reopening, albeit with safety precautions in place. It’s a sure sign of the season. Farmers markets offer access to amazing local produce and other products like honey, cheese, eggs, meat, flowers, baked goods, and even soaps. (I love visiting different town markets to see what’s available, but my closest market is held in Wolfeboro at Clark Park on South Main Street every Thursday from 12:30 to 4:30 pm.)
Seabrisket Bakery Serves Up Tasty Treats
By Sarah Wright
Summer is here and restrictions are slowly lifting. Most local farmers markets around the area have been reopening, albeit with safety precautions in place. It’s a sure sign of the season. Farmers markets offer access to amazing local produce and other products like honey, cheese, eggs, meat, flowers, baked goods, and even soaps. (I love visiting different town markets to see what’s available, but my closest market is held in Wolfeboro at Clark Park on South Main Street every Thursday from 12:30 to 4:30 pm.)
Delicious baked goods made by Seabrisket Bakery.
This year, Seabrisket Bakery, located at 66 Moose Mountain Road in Brookfield, will be at the Wolfeboro market. Owners DJ and Richard sold their homemade baked goods at another market for years, but this season will be at Wolfeboro. DJ told me she encourages her regular customers to continue to place orders and visit her at the Wolfeboro market if they can.
Once I got a copy of the bakery’s pre-order list for the market, I was eager to place an order. First off, I noticed that DJ makes lots of breads. There’s Cider Apple Cinnamon Swirl, Garlic Parmesan Asiago, Anadama, French Batard, Dark Rye with caraway seeds, Deep Dish Focaccia, a braided white bread with sesame seeds called Scali, and Swedish Limpa, which is a light rye with fennel and caraway seeds, orange zest, and chopped orange prunes. The order menu also includes scones like wild blueberry, strawberry with maple glaze, brown sugar and butter, dark chocolate and cherry, and orange cranberry. I tried a strawberry scone with maple glaze and it was amazing; very moist with just the right amount of sweetness.
I was also interested in Seabrisket’s cookies, since that’s what my kids like the most. This past week, DJ was offering spice oatmeal cookies with raisins and craisins, “very” ginger molasses cookies, peanut butter cookies, a triple-chocolate mudslide cookie, and the Ellie. When I found out what the Ellie cookie was, I was sold. It’s a combination of peanut butter and mudslide cookie doughs baked together, suggested by a 9-year-old girl. She is a very smart child, because the cookies were delicious!
DJ’s fancy, hand-rolled pies are award-winning, and come in apple, local wild blueberry, and bumbleberry (with raspberries, strawberries, blueberries, and cherries). She also makes a light French pastry called Kouign Aman that’s flaky, sugary, crunchy, chewy, and buttery. (I think that’s next on my list to try.) Seabrisket also makes an amazing wild blueberry jam, and did I mention that they also make their own maple syrup? Yes, it’s delicious and available to order.
In fact, Seabrisket Bakery started out with maple syrup. As DJ tells it, “We actually started making maple syrup after helping a friend make some, and then finding a lot of sugar maple trees on our own property. We made so much that I started selling it at a farmers market, but I noticed that vendors with a larger assortment of items for sale had more customers.” DJ continues, “I had always loved baking, so at the insistence of my wonderful husband, I brought fresh baked breads with me. They sold out, so I made different types the next week, and they sold out, too.”
That winter, DJ attended a week-long emersion class in bread baking at the King Arthur baking campus in Vermont, baking five to seven types of bread per day, including artisan breads, European types, French pastry, and more. Local, organic ingredients are very important at Seabrisket Bakery. DJ uses King Arthur flour or other organic flours, locally sourced berries, apples, butter, eggs, honey, herbs, vegetables, and of course, her own maple syrup to produce fresh baked goods for the Wolfeboro farmers market. DJ’s mantra is, “If it isn’t fresh, I don’t bring it to the market.”
She’s also very busy filling orders that are picked up at her home in Brookfield. One of her larger orders was for 35 pies, baked fresh for a local wedding. She also entered her pies in the Great New Hampshire Pie Festival at the New Hampshire Farm Museum last year in the professional division and won. But I had to wonder—why the name Seabrisket? Turns out that there’s a very interesting backstory to the name.
DJ explains, “My husband Rick and I used to compete around the country in barbecue contests. Most BBQ teams had 6 to 15 people, but our team was just Rick and me. The bakery name and logo are a nod to several things: Seabrisket Boucaniers was our full BBQ team name; our favorite BBQ item was brisket; we lived near the ocean; we were only two people (the famous racehorse, Seabiscuit, was the little horse that could); and Boucaniers is the French name for pirates due to the fact that they always smoked meat on board their ships in boucans (little grass huts) and we were headed down south to steal the BBQ prize money and trophies, just like pirates.”
Seabrisket Bakery is considered a Homestead Food Operation, like many other vendors at local farmers markets in the state. Regulated by the state, or in some cases by town, this option allows residents to set up home kitchens, and also gives people access to locally made items with organic and natural ingredients. You’ll find quality products like the baked goods from Seabrisket at markets all around the lake, so support a local vendor and enjoy the fresh taste.
You can check out the pre-order list for Seabrisket Bakery on the Wolfeboro Area Farmers Market Facebook page each week. Email your order to DJ@seabrisket.com or call 603-832-3090. You can also ask DJ to add your email address to the weekly group mailing to find out what’s available. Customers can arrange a pick-up time at 66 Moose Mountain Road in Brookfield, or pick up items at the Wolfeboro market on Thursdays from 12:30 to 4:30 pm.
Full Moon Farm Prepares for Strawberry Season
Full Moon Farm in Wolfeboro has been selling strawberries for 20 years, and joined the pick-your-own business eight years ago. The farm is also known for its amazing selection of fresh flowers, with around 50 to 70 different kinds of flowers grown each year
Full Moon Farm Prepares for Strawberry Season
By Sarah Wright
Delicious strawberries will be ready in the coming weeks at Full Moon Farm.
Full Moon Farm in Wolfeboro has been selling strawberries for 20 years, and joined the pick-your-own business eight years ago. The farm is also known for its amazing selection of fresh flowers, with around 50 to 70 different kinds of flowers grown each year. Although owners Kevin and Jen French have decided not to offer the pick-your-own option this year due to COVID-19, their delicious strawberries and beautiful flowers will be available at their farm stand as well as the Wolfeboro Farmers Market as the season gets in full swing in the coming weeks. Jen says that she and Kevin are very thankful for their loyal customers during these unprecedented times. “The community has been super supportive, and we feel very fortunate to have such great customers,” says Jen.
Jen and Kevin are both locals who bought their farm back in 1998. They had always had a strawberry patch, but after raising three kids, they decided to expand the farm. Full Moon Farm now has three strawberry fields in rotation, with two of them always in production. Everything is done as organically as possible using sustainable growing practices, and luckily, “Strawberries just grow really well here!” according to Jen. Their only struggle has been deer pressure, which they resolved by finally installing a seven-foot-high electric fence. “Last year, we lost half a field to deer,” says Jen, “so we had to do something.”
Flowers at Full Moon Farm.
Kevin and Jen stick to just a few strawberry varieties that do really well, including Allstars and Jewels, June-bearing plants that produce tons of strawberries for three weeks. Yes, strawberry season is brief, but the delicious berries make it all worthwhile. “We’ve had customers drive off with a quart, only to turn around and come back for another!” Jen says. Full Moon Farm begins selling strawberries by the pint, quart and quart-and-a-half from mid to late June.
Throughout the season, you can enjoy a unique and stunning bouquet of local flowers from the farm. Kevin always enjoyed growing flowers and discovered that people love the convenience of buying a bouquet, especially when it’s freshly grown nearby. “Not only are local flowers fresher,” says Jen, “they’re also super fragrant and you can grow more delicate varieties, since they don’t have to be shipped.” Although the deer can also be a problem for flowers, Jen and Kevin resolved this by growing some of the flowers in tunnels to protect them.
Full Moon Farm’s flowers are available May through October. Customers will be able to purchase flowers at the farm stand, Wolfeboro Farmers Market, or from their flower cart in downtown Wolfeboro. Another wonderful option they offer are flower subscriptions in weekly or monthly increments, or you could give someone a gift card for a bouquet. What better way to surprise someone at home, or maybe treat yourself to a bouquet?
“The best part about a bouquet subscription is that the flowers change by the week, so it’s always something new,” says Jen. Support Full Moon Farm with a flower subscription, and you’ll be guaranteed the most beautiful, premium blooms they have to offer!
More flowers at Full Moon Farm.
Full Moon’s flowers became so popular that soon Jen and Kevin were in the wedding business. They offer full service for weddings, both design and installation as well as a la carte ordering of individual pieces, or do-it-yourself buckets of beautiful blooms. Full Moon Farm books a limited number of events each season to make sure couples have personalized attention. Contact Jen and Kevin and they’ll give you a tour of the flowers at the farm and discuss available options.
Wedding trends come and go, but Kevin says that because weddings are very specific with their colors, “We get a lot of requests for pink and white, green and white, and blue and white flowers.” Simple color schemes are always a popular choice with brides.
Support Full Moon Farm this summer and say hello to Kevin and Jen as they enter their first year at the Wolfeboro Farmers Market. You’ll be able to buy tasty strawberries and unique flowers along with a limited supply of vegetables, depending on what they’re growing. The Wolfeboro Farmers Market is open on Thursdays from 12:30 to 4:30 pm at Clark Park on Main Street in Wolfeboro. Strawberries and flowers will also be available at their farm stand, and you may find a few tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, lettuce, or cabbages, if you’re lucky. But act fast! Although the farm stand is open from 9 am to around 4 pm on Tuesday through Sunday, they typically run out of items by early afternoon. You might also find flowers or strawberries at their cart in downtown Wolfeboro.
Full Moon Farm is located at 250 Waumbeck Road in Wolfeboro, and the farm stand is right out front. For further details, visit www.fullmoonfarmnh.com. You’ll find information about their strawberries and flowers, as well as flower ordering options in the online shop. They also offer other seasonal options throughout the year like holiday wreaths, and they hope to offer floral design classes in their renovated barn studio as soon as they are able. If you have specific questions, there is a contact form on the website, or you could message Jen and Kevin through Full Moon Farm’s Facebook page.
Spring has finally sprung, and pretty colors are popping up all around the Lakes Region. Bring some of those colors home with vibrant red strawberries or a rainbow of flowers. Or you can surprise a friend or neighbor and leave some on their porch. Embrace the season and celebrate!
Memorial Day and Mary Cotton Redpath
Memorial Day is the time when we remember those members of the armed forces who died for our country. But what most locals don’t know is that Memorial Day was the idea of Mary Cotton Redpath, born in Wolfeboro in 1823.
Memorial Day and Mary Cotton Redpath
By Sarah Wright
Memorial Day is the time when we remember those members of the armed forces who died for our country. But what most locals don’t know is that Memorial Day was the idea of Mary Cotton Redpath, born in Wolfeboro in 1823.
The Cotton family was part of Wolfeboro for many years. In fact, an area in North Wolfeboro was once known as Cottonboro. Colonel William Cotton, a veteran of the French and Indian Wars, first settled in Wolfeboro with his wife and eight children in 1780. He purchased Cutter’s Mountain, later renaming it Cotton Mountain, and built his home there. Because his home was on the main road connecting Wolfeboro to Portsmouth, the Cotton family often hosted travelers overnight.
The home remained in the Cotton family for over 150 years and the family grew steadily in that time. There were many notable descendents of the Colonel, but Mary Cotton Redpath is the most widely known. Her determination is credited with bringing about the first Memorial Day in May of 1865 in Charleston, South Carolina, to honor those who died in the Civil War. How did Mary end up in South Carolina?
In her youth, Mary’s parents decided to send her to the Young Ladies Seminary for her education. The school was located in Charlestown, Massachusetts, and when Mary was in her late teens, she married Ezra Taylor Kidder of Sudbury. Ezra and his brother operated a mercantile firm in Boston that specialized in goods from the West Indies. Mary and Ezra had a son and a daughter, but soon after the birth of their second child, they separated and divorced.
Not long after that, Mary met James Redpath of England, who was visiting the area. James married Mary, who was 10 years his senior, in 1857. Little is known of their courtship, although some of the romantic poems that James wrote to Mary have survived. However, their honeymoon was short-lived as Mary’s ex-husband Ezra sought to regain custody of his children. To escape the Massachusetts law that favored Ezra, the Redpaths fled to Mary’s native New Hampshire. When the dust later settled, they moved back to Massachusetts and settled in Malden.
James Redpath was not one to live a quiet life. An active Irish sympathizer in England, he soon joined the abolitionist movement in the States, and was friendly with other well-known abolitionists, including Henry Ward Beecher, Charles Sumner, Frederick Douglass, Wendell Phillips, Gerrit Smith, and William Lloyd Garrison. In fact, local legend has it that the Redpath’s house was a stop on the Underground Railroad.
James was a writer and reporter. He spent years on the road, with much of his time spent in Kansas, where he involved himself in the local politics, setting his sights on Governor Robert J. Walker. He briefly returned east to the Boston area to raise funds to start his own antislavery newspaper, and then went back to Kansas to continue ruffling feathers there, as well as in neighboring Missouri.
Naturally, with all his traveling, James’ marriage to Mary suffered. Although James had developed a strong relationship with Mary’s children, he lamented about the increasing financial burden of supporting his family in letters to friends. But Mary wasn’t just twiddling her thumbs at home while James was away. She spent much of her time doing philanthropic work. She was also very spiritual, and enjoyed researching different religions and coming up with her own interpretations in her quest for the truth. She and her husband later founded the Redpath Lyceum Bureau, the first of its kind in this country. The Bureau was a leading booking agent for speakers like Oliver Wendell Holmes, Susan B. Anthony, Henry David Thoreau, and Ralph Waldo Emerson.
All the while, James remained devoted to the abolitionist cause. He was becoming increasingly frustrated with politicians and lawmakers and began exploring violent tactics to get the message out. His supposed involvement in an orchestrated a prison break, which put James at risk of arrest by U.S. Marshals. But James persisted, even looking to other countries for inspiration, spending time in Haiti after becoming intrigued by successful uprisings there. He ended up working with the Haitian government for a few years, appointed as an advisor for bringing more Americans and Canadians to Haiti.
At this point, the history of the Redpaths finally leads to South Carolina. After returning to the States and struggling and failing in starting his own publishing companies, James decided to follow the armies of George Henry Thomas and William Sherman as a war correspondent for the New York Tribune. Mary Redpath was with her husband in Charleston, when General Sherman’s famous “March to the Sea” ended in the city. They took up residence there when James was appointed as superintendent of schools in the region by federal military authorities. He soon had more than 100 teachers and almost 4,000 students, both black and white. (His reputation as a radical abolitionist and his ideas for integrating the schools eventually caused military officials to replace Redpath, possibly to appease Southern-born President Andrew Johnson.)
Toward the end of the Civil War, the Charleston Race Course area (now part of the Citadel’s campus), was used as a prisoner-of-war camp. More than 200 Union soldiers died in deplorable conditions at the camp, and their bodies were thrown into a mass grave. Mary Redpath was dismayed at the treatment of the soldiers, while they were alive and after they died, and felt they deserved proper recognition for their part in winning the war.
Thus, a memorial celebration was planned. In May of 1865, Mary held a memorial service in the Zion’s church and then military authorities and northerners joined more than 10,000 newly-freed men, women, and children in a tribute parade for Union soldier POWs. (Workmen had re-buried the dead properly, and built a high fence around the cemetery.) Mary rode to the cemetery in a carriage with the ranking Union general. She then led the crowd in decorating the graves of the soldiers with wildflowers that had been gathered for the occasion.
This observance of Memorial Day eventually spread nationally, thank to Mary’s efforts.
(In the 1880s, the Union dead were moved to the National Cemetery in Beaufort, South Carolina. The Charleston site is now a park honoring Confederate General Wade Hampton.)
Mary died in 1914 at the age of 91 and is buried in Wolfeboro, in the Dudley Cotton cemetery on Cotton Mountain Road.
Let’s Go Fishing!
Fishing is fun for everyone, and it’s easy to get started. It’s also a great way to bond with family and friends, and share stories and laughs while waiting for a bite. Whether you’re catching dinner, or choosing to “catch and release,” it’ll be a memorable experience for everyone. And, kids under age 16 can fish for free.
Let’s Go Fishing!
By Sarah Wright
With the recent stay-at-home order, by now you may be feeling a bit stir crazy. Just remember that nature is still open. There are so many outdoor activities available in the area, especially now that the weather is warming up. If you haven’t experienced fishing yet, this could be the perfect time to try it. After all, this is the “Lakes” Region, and that means there are lots of fish to catch.
Fishing is fun for everyone, and it’s easy to get started. It’s also a great way to bond with family and friends, and share stories and laughs while waiting for a bite. Whether you’re catching dinner, or choosing to “catch and release,” it’ll be a memorable experience for everyone. And, kids under age 16 can fish for free.
The most obvious fishing spots might be the larger lakes, with salmon, trout, and smallmouth bass, but the area also has sparkling streams and rivers, and small ponds that offer many opportunities for fishing. At different times of the year, more than a dozen fish species can be caught from the shores of Lakes Region waters. You might catch a bluegill, cusk, crappie, perch, or pickerel, among others. But before you head out, you’ll need the right gear. A successful fishing day requires a rod and reel (of course); a tackle box with hooks, bobbers, non-lead sinkers, artificial or live bait, and a pair of pliers; a cooler with ice if you’re planning on bringing your catch home; and snacks and drinks for everyone. Basic rod-and-reel fishing poles can be easily found at sporting goods stores and large discount stores, or even yard sales. If you have small children, look for barbless hooks which are easier to remove from clothing, fish, and (hopefully not) fingers. It’s also important to dress for the weather, and pack bug spray, sunscreen, and a hat before you head out.
Here are some suggestions for local places to fish and what you might catch there.
Scenic Winnisquam Lake has rainbow and lake trout in its waters, along with smallmouth bass and white perch. NH Fish and Game’s accessible boat launch site offers shoreline space to hook a salmon or trout in the early season, and largemouth bass and yellow perch in the summer months. Don’t overlook nearby Opechee Bay, another great place to fish that’s within walking distance of downtown Laconia. There are opportunities here for rainbow trout, smallmouth bass, and yellow perch. Opechee Park is a great place to take kids fishing, with a beach and playground to entertain little ones in the summertime. Another spot with plenty of access is below the Lakeport Dam where there’s shoreline on both sides of the inlet.
Many of the smaller lakes in the area offer excellent warm and coldwater fishing in a quieter, more peaceful setting. Fish and Game has a cartop access site at Pemigewasset Lake, with a fishing platform that cantilevers out over the lake. Anglers of all abilities can catch six different warm water fish species from this scenic spot, like largemouth bass, black crappie, yellow perch, and pickerel. There is plenty of parking available here, and also at Waukewan Lake as well. The south end of Waukewan provides lots of shoreline next to the railroad. There are many warm-water species here, and also rainbow trout.
Naturally, the area’s most famous lake, Winnipesaukee, offers endless fishing opportunities. An added bonus is that most towns around the lake have restaurants open for take-out and ice cream for when it’s time for a break. The Meredith town docks at Hesky Park are a popular destination for shoreline fishing. For a quieter spot with access to similar fish species, try the Center Harbor town docks. The far-reaching dock is great for early season salmon and rainbow trout. At other times of the year, you can catch bass, perch, or pickerel. Within walking distance of the Loon Preservation Center in Moultonborough, the Lees Mills Boat Launch is a good spot for fishing for warm-water fish, and there is plenty of shoreline access. The location of the Wolfeboro town docks works well, too, because it’s right where the Smith River flows into Lake Winnipesaukee. The spot is popular in the spring for salmon and rainbow trout, and for perch and smallmouth bass in the summertime. Alton town docks are another great option for those same fish species. Other good possibilities around the region include Newfound Lake for salmon and lake trout, the Governors Island Bridge in Gilford, Weirs Channel in Laconia, or the Long Island Bridge in Moultonborough. Stream fishing is good for trout, and there are opportunities on the Smith, Pemigewasset, and Baker rivers. If you’re into fly-fishing or would like to try it, check out Saltmarsh Pond in Gilford or Upper Hall Pond in Sandwich.
For those who plan to “catch and release,” the New Hampshire Fish and Game has some tips on how to properly handle fish and best ensure its chances for survival. First, land the fish quickly. Next, remove the hook very carefully by gently backing it out of the fish’s mouth, using pliers if necessary. If you can, release the fish while it’s still in the water. Definitely do not shake a fish off the hook, unhook a fish while it’s suspended in the air, or sharply pull the hook out while the fish is twisting.
Ever thought about going fishing, but weren’t sure about local license requirements? Look no further than the Sumner Brook Fish Farm in Ossipee. A family owned and operated fish farm and hatchery since 1987, Sumner Brook has lots of trout, including Brown, Brook, and Rainbow. Keep what you catch and pay per fish, with no license required! You can bring your own pole or rent one for just a dollar. Don’t forget to purchase some worms, too. It’s a great opportunity to teach your kids how to fish. The fish farm is located at 277 Route 16 in Ossipee. They are usually open for trout fishing on weekends starting on Memorial Day, but this year’s opening day has not yet been determined. During the off-season, kids are welcome to visit the fish and feed them. For the latest information, visit www.sumnerbrookfishfarm.com or call 603-539-7232.
Otherwise, everyone in your family who is age 16 or older must have a fishing license. Purchase a temporary license or a seasonal one at www.fishnh.com, at Fish and Game Headquarters in Concord, from licensed agents at bait and tackle shops, retail stores (like Walmart and Dick’s Sporting Goods) or through local town or city clerk offices. Call ahead to find out which options are available at this time. For a full list of where to buy licenses, visit www.wildlife.state.nh.us and click on the “Fishing” tab. NH Fish and Game also holds fishing classes through its Let’s Go Fishing program. The current class schedule is also on the website, along with helpful resources like a bi-weekly fishing report on conditions across the state and fishing season dates.
There’s nothing like the excitement of getting a bite on your fishing line!