Yesteryear Little Towns

Yesteryear

Little Towns

By Kathi Caldwell-Hopper

Tuftonboro, Sanbornton, New Hampton, New Durham, Potter Place and many others. These are historic towns located around the Lakes Region. Most have been around since before and after the Revolutionary War. Some explorers settled in the area and clusters of homesteads grew to become villages. However, some outposts stayed tiny and never grew to become larger towns.

One such town is New Durham, located on the outskirts of the town of Alton. Originally called Cocheco Township, the land was settled by a group of seacoast area residents who asked Mason Grant proprietors for acreage; in 1750 the land was mapped and auctioned off. 

According to The History of New Durham by Ellen Cloutman Jennings, the town was settled in 1748 when Captain Jonathan Chesley and Ebenezer Smith drew up a document staking their claim. Soon, the land was divided into grants, with a lot reserved for the “first minister of the Gospel”. Nearby, land was set aside for a church and meetinghouse, a school and cemetery. The town was incorporated in 1762.

Although men from New Hampshire’s seacoast region took many land lots, few of these landowners settled in New Durham permanently. It was a remote area and dangerous, due to unrest between the newcomers and the native peoples who had inhabited the land for generations. 

Eventually, as the conflicts ended, people came to the New Durham area to settle permanently.

Travel north from the town of Bristol on Route 3-A, and you will pass through Bridgewater, a small town near Newfound Lake. At one time, Bridgewater was part of New Chester (later to be renamed Bristol.)

 Long before explorers settled in the wilderness around Newfound Lake, native peoples 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 become the town of Bridgewater in the 1750s, they discovered a pastoral, beautiful area.

The early settlers secured a tract of land containing over 20,000 acres. That property, 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 central and northern New Hampshire, travel was abandoned during the French and Indian War. 

In the late 1760s, the war had ended. Settlers returned to the New Chester territory, and were the first to settle permanently there. Today summer homes and cottages dot the landscape of Bridgewater, but the early men likely saw forest when they began to build. It remained a sparsely settled area for many years. 

Another small community founded in the 1700s was Sanbornton. It began in 1770 as a town, but its history goes back to 1748 when 60 men petitioned King George II for a township. Mildred Coombs wrote in “Sanbornton N.H. 1770-1970,” that 80 lots were drawn with the area named “Sanborn Town” since at least 12 of the original grantees had the last name of Sanborn. Each man had to clear three acres, build a house, and live on that land for six years. According to early records, by 1768 there were 32 families in the area. In March of 1770, King George III granted a petition to incorporate the community with the name Sanbornton.

Near Wolfeboro, New Hamphsire, the village of Tuftonboro includes Melvin Village, Mirror Lake, Tuftonboro Center, and Tuftonboro Corner. Interesting to note, the town is the only one to have once been owned entirely by one person, John Tufton Mason (the community was named for him). The town was incorporated in 1795.

John Tufton Mason inherited the claim to the undivided lands of northern New Hampshire and in 1746, he sold it for 1,500 pounds. The sale was to a group of Portsmouth businessmen. They saw a chance to prosper and made grants to prospective settlers after the American Revolution. The town of Tuftonboro was mapped out to be six miles square, with about 23,000 acres. Today, Tuftonboro is a charming community, with a population of second-home owners and year-round residents.

Near the Newfound Lake area, the village of New Hampton has an interesting history. It was granted in 1765 by Governor Benning Wentworth. New Hampton started out with the name Moultonborough Addition. It had this name because the town moderator was Colonel Johnathan Moulton, a much respected man in the village. In 1777, Mr. Moulton changed the name of the community to New Hampton. (Perhaps he was a modest man, and did not like having a town named for him?)

In 1821, the New Hampton School, which was a Free Will Baptist institution, was founded. The school continues today as a private preparatory institution. Other interesting information about New Hampton includes the fact that the New Hampton Fish Hatchery was founded in the town. It is the oldest fish hatchery in the state. 

Potter Place is in a quiet, tranquil setting near Webster Lake and Franklin. It is a hamlet of the town of Andover. It is known for Richard Potter, Potter Place’s namesake, a man unlike anyone Andover farmers and villagers had seen when he arrived there in the early 1800s. He was a famous magician and a skilled ventriloquist. He stood apart for his fame in this hamlet of New Hampshire, but what set him apart most of all was the fact that he was a Black man. Potter, whose mother was a freed slave of a British seaman, lived in Boston. His childhood was difficult, and he signed on as cabin boy on a British ship at a very young age.

The ship carried him to England, where he soon realized his dream of becoming a circus performer. Potter toured around Europe, and became famous to the entertainment-loving Europeans. The circus taught him many things, among them how to perform magic tricks and ventriloquism.

When Richard returned to America, he continued his career as a magician, and part of his act was performed with his wife, Sally. Potter was welcomed in entertainment-starved Andover when he stopped to perform there on his New Orleans to Quebec schedule. All who saw his show were thrilled by his magic and ability to control his voice without moving his lips. He was a powerful performer and offered a glimpse into the bigger world of European actors and artists. 

As he continued to tour around country as a performer, Richard remembered scenic Andover and its friendly people. Eventually he bought a large amount of land in the town, although his work kept him from living there permanently. However, he built a house near what would later become the Potter Place Railroad Station.

The tiny hamlet of Potter Place is not really a town, but as part of Andover, it is a place steeped in a most unusual history.

A Wild West Halloween

A Wild West Halloween

By Thomas P. Caldwell

The Old West may be long-gone except as portrayed in old movies featuring Gene Autry, Roy Rogers, and John Wayne, but the spirit of those days continues among groups such as the Northeast Six-Shooters, whose members dress in western costumes and compete with horses in mounted shooting matches.

Lakes Region residents will have a chance to see those cowboys in action — and perhaps even participate themselves if they are members of the Cowboy Mounted Shooting Association — when the Six-Shooters hold a Halloween Shoot at the Lakes Region Riding Academy in Gilford on Saturday, October 29, beginning at 11 a.m.

The Northeast Six-Shooters are affiliated with the Cowboy Mounted Shooting Association, a national organization that coordinates competitions across the country. The Six-Shooters boast membership from New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Maine, Connecticut, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and Vermont.

“We promote our cowboy heritage through competition, costume & camaraderie, focusing on safety, friends & fun,” according to the group’s website, www.nesixshooters.com.

Christine Boudreau, the treasurer of the Northeast Six-Shooters, said the organization has been in existence since 2005, having started out in Massachusetts as the MA Six Shooters. When Dina Baratta from New Hampshire took over as president in 2011, the organization changed its name to the Northeast Six-Shooters.

“We average anywhere from 40 to 60 members,” Christine said, although the numbers were down for the last couple of years because of the pandemic.

The Northeast Six-Shooters hold multi-day events that allow participants to enjoy cowboy hospitality, sharing stories, food, and an occasional campfire. The group also makes road trips to matches up and down the east coast. They have held events at the Lakes Region Riding Academy since around 2014 or 2015. The organization also holds events in New Hampshire at the Hillsborough County Fair and the Hopkinton State Fair, and in Massachusetts at the Barre (MA) Riding Club and the New England Equestrian Center in Athol. This year, they added the Cheshire Fair in Swanzey, New Hampshire, and the Vermont State Fair in Rutland.

Christine said they have been approached to possibly attend the Cornish Fair in New Hampshire next year.

The competitions are fast-action timed events in which mounted riders with two .45-caliber single-action revolvers attempt to shoot 10 balloon targets while riding through a variety of challenging courses. Riders must make use of both horsemanship and marksmanship. The competitor who rides the fastest with the fewest missed targets wins.

Most events have a dress code that includes a long-sleeve western shirt, five-pocket blue jeans covered by chinks or chaps, western boots, and a cowboy hat or helmet. Some outfits harken back to the late 1800s with shirts that have no collars and high-waisted pants with buttons instead of zippers.

For the Halloween Shoot, Christine said, they are encouraging riders (and horses) to dress up in costumes different from those required by the normal dress code.

“Any horse or mule can be used,” she said. “Some horses take to this sport easily; others do not. It is up to the horse’s temperament and your desire to train him or her to get used to shooting, turning, and going fast.”

She noted that some riders will use earplugs for themselves and their horses.

Safety is a big concern for the organizations sponsoring the fast-growing sport. Live rounds are strictly prohibited at competitions, with the guns using specially loaded blank cartridges instead of lead bullets. The brass cartridge is loaded with black powder much like that used in the 1800s. According to the Cowboy Mounted Shooting Association, that load is capable of breaking a balloon from as far away as 15 feet.

The guns used are Old West-style .45-caliber single-action revolvers like those used in the late 1800s. They have to be cocked by drawing the hammer back each time before firing. Double-action revolvers, which can be fired by simply pulling the trigger, also were used in the Old West, but they are not allowed in the CMSA events. Only .45-caliber fixed-sight single-action revolvers such as the Colts designed prior to 1898, or reproductions of them, are allowed. Examples are the Colt Single-Action Army or Bisley Model, Smith & Wesson Schofield, Russian, or Remington Models 1875 & 1890, their reproductions, and Ruger Vaqueros, Bisleys, or Montados.

Riders can buy replicas of the old-time gun belts and holsters off the shelf, or have custom-made gun belts and holsters. Christine said that several custom-makers are listed in “Old West” magazines.

“Safety in horse-training and firearm-handling are emphasized at all times,” according to the CMSA. Clubs such as the Six-Shooters sponsor clinics to assist new shooters in starting their horses and learning the basics of safe firearm-handling. The clinics train the horses to take part in the shooting events without flinching, and give riders a chance to experience a gun’s weight, sound, and recoil. The Six-Shooters also occasionally offer advanced clinics for mounted shooting professionals.

“Range masters are in the arena at all times during competitions to ensure safe riding and shooting is exercised,” Christine said. “New shooters are usually required to demonstrate that they have achieved minimum acceptable levels of riding and shooting skills.”

In addition to training for those competitions, members have an opportunity to learn to rope, sort, and pen cattle; play gymkhana and versatility games; do dressage and stadium-jumping; “and enjoy plain ol’ trail rides.”

“N6S is there to help connect ‘tenderfeet’ with ‘old hands’ to try, find, and share stuff to get you going,” according to the website.

The Six-Shooters initiated a Clean Shooter Incentive in 2016, offering the chance to gain credits toward a free non-championship match. Clean Shooters are those who have no time penalties for missed balloons, dropped guns, dropped barrels or gate cones, or lost hats.

Participants also may enter a Clean Shooter Jackpot which splits the proceeds among those achieving Clean Shooter credentials.

The Northeast Six-Shooters is a family club and shooting events are open to a variety of levels of competition, ranging from novice to professional levels. The CMSA lists a men’s division, a women’s division, and a seniors’ division, each with classes ranging from 1 to 6. There also is a “Wrangler Class” for those 11 and under, with special rules for young riders.

“Kids are allowed to ride … we actually encourage them because they are the future of the sport,” Christine said. “The riders in the Wrangler Class ride the same pattern that the grown-ups do, but they may shoot Hollywood cap pistols, engaging each target as if they were shooting real blanks. They then shoot the real McCoy (.45’s with blanks) at balloons when they reach the age of 12.”

She said the senior class is for people that are 50 and older, but “I personally think 50 is too young for ‘senior.’”

There are more than 50 possible riding patterns for the competitions, with the specific patterns being either pre-determined or drawn from a hat on the day of the competition.

“Each pattern consists of 10 balloons,” Christine said, noting that a competition may have between three and six patterns a day.

“To give you an idea of riding a pattern, let’s say that there are five white balloons and five red balloons. The five white balloons may be grouped together in one place or spread out over the entire arena. The rider shoots all five white balloons first. Then, the rider holsters the first gun while riding to the far end of the arena, draws the second gun, and shoots the five red balloons, which are usually five in a row straight towards the finish line. This is called ‘the Rundown’.”

Riders are scored on both time and accuracy. There is a five-second penalty for each missed balloon, a five-second penalty for dropping a gun, a 10-second penalty for not running the course correctly, and a 60-second penalty for falling off a horse.

“Speed is important; however, accuracy is usually more important than speed,” Christine said. “A typical pattern can be run in 15-35 seconds, so penalties can really hurt.”

Origins

Cowboy Action Shooting, as embodied by the international Cowboy Mounted Shooting Association, originated in Southern California in the 1980s and quickly spread across the country. The sport features mid- to late-1800s handguns, rifles, and shotguns, with participants in appropriately styled western costumes or soldiers’ uniforms competing on the ground and on horseback, sometimes using live rounds.

One aspect of the sport was the requirement that participants select an alias from the Old West, or a name with an “Old West flair” such as a banker shooting under the alias “The Loan Arranger.” Each registered name had to be unique and not sound like another registered name.

The Cowboy Mounted Shooting Association formed in the mid-1990s with an emphasis on equestrian handling skills as well as competitive shooting but forbidding the use of live rounds and limiting the guns to the single-action revolvers. While it draws from both equestrian groups and those involved in Cowboy Action Shooting, it limits the competitions to mounted events. It sanctions events such as the Halloween Shoot, allowing contestants to accumulate points that can be applied to other CMSA competitions.

The Northeast Six-Shooters hold occasional practices that reinforce the training and offer exhibition runs at matches to help riders overcome “game day” excitement.

For more information about the Six-Shooters and the Halloween Shoot, email n6s.club@gmail.com.

The Fall Foliage Season: Vital to New Hampshire

By Mark Okrant

While most people know that summer is New Hampshire’s leading travel season, comparatively few are aware that fall—not winter—is the state’s second most important generator of visitor person-nights and their dollars. Most fall visitors are lured to New Hampshire by a combination of amazing scenery and tax-free shopping opportunities. While this has been true for decades, outdoor recreation and visits to state parks and the national forest are significant secondary purposes for visiting. The six-week period between late September and the last week of October, when fall foliage creates a glorious appearance, has been very compelling for generations.

During the annual foliage season, New Hampshire will attract hundreds of thousands of leaf enthusiasts, each taking advantage of the variety of settings that the state delivers for viewing colorful leaves. Within its comparatively small—9,350 square miles—area, New Hampshire’s foliage can be viewed with backdrops ranging from magnificent mountains, glacial u-shape valleys, beautiful lakes, and its small, rugged seacoast. Meteorologist Mel Allen, editor of Yankee Magazine, once declared that there is no better place in the world to view fall foliage than in New England.

What conditions produce the foliage that lures people to New Hampshire from throughout the US and internationally? Photosynthesis makes it possible for leaves to produce their typical green color that lasts from early spring, throughout summer, into early fall. The key component in this process is chlorophyll. Chlorophyll is needed for plants to be able to turn sunlight into glucose that, in turn, feeds the trees. Many millions of these chlorophyll cells saturate the leaves, ultimately making them appear green to the human eye.

Warm days accompanied by cool nights deliver the best combination for the production of fall colors. As nighttimes are accompanied by increasingly colder temperatures, the soil water that had supported chlorophyll cells begins to block this process, thereby gradually bringing production of this green plant pigment to a halt. The result is the appearance of the true color of each leaf—one that always was present, but had been camouflaged by the presence of chlorophyll.  

What kind of 2022 foliage season has been forecasted for New Hampshire? According to Jim Salge of Yankee Magazine, “we feel that the foliage will be on time across far northern New England, but it will trend later than normal the farther south you go. The wave of peak color will start in late September as usual; after that, its southerly progression may slow or stall, leading to foliage color lingering into November in extreme southern New England.” 

Even with a good setup in New England this year, the best fall color will happen only if the autumn weather cooperates. Bright hues are brought out by warm, sunny days and cool, crisp nights — a combination that not only accelerates the demise of green chlorophyll, but also kick-starts the formation of red color pigments (which are produced only in autumn, as a sort of sunscreen for leaves).

As always, foliage conditions will be hard to call, as there was very little precipitation throughout spring and summer until recently. This could be a good news-bad news situation. When an extended period of drought is followed by over watering, it can put stress on deciduous trees. As a further concern, if there were to be a number of storms during September, they would have the potential to create early leaf falls. 

Where the drought has had less impact—especially in the White Mountains—meteorologists say the colors should be spectacular. Outside that area, drought becomes the dominant factor. With warm, sunny days, it can bring about a brief, bright punch of color, but if it stays too warm and dry for long, we’ll see browning and early leaf drop. Some tropical rainfall could be very welcome this fall, as long as it doesn’t come with hurricane winds. 

After having examined several projections, it appears that peak foliage will make its appearance in the Great North Woods during the last week of September or first week of October. By the end of the first week of October, foliage should be at its peak at key viewing spots in the White Mountains, such as the Kancamagus Highway. Two weeks later, in mid-October, a large swath of color from the southwest corner of the state, through central New Hampshire—including the Lakes Region—should be visible. By the third week of October, the best colors will be visible in extreme southern New Hampshire, including the seacoast area. If visitors arrive at the very end of the tenth month, there will be few remnants, as leaf falls will be well underway throughout northern New England. 

There are many ways to view foliage within the state. Outdoor recreation enthusiasts combine leaf peeping with canoeing, kayaking, mountain biking, trail running, and taking a cruise on one of the state’s lakes. Numerous golfers report that their favorite season to play golf in New Hampshire is the fall. 

If you are trying to determine the perfect time to view foliage, the New Hampshire Division of Travel and Tourism Development provides a foliage tracker to help guide times for leaf peeping. There is a text version on the site; however, the Division has provided an easy-to-use interactive map for travelers. Using a map of the seven tourism regions in the state and its accompanying color-coded calendar, visitors are able to determine whether colorful foliage will be: absent, beginning, moderate, peak, or past peak at any given time. To find the Fall Foliage Tracker, go to www.visitnh.gov. Next, click on the “Discover” bar under A Leaf Peeper’s Dream. Updates of foliage conditions may be found by clicking on each of the map’s seven regions.

Just be careful out there while you’re viewing foliage. Fall is always a busy season on the roads and trails throughout the state; and not everyone is minding what they are doing.

FORE! Fall Golf in the Lakes Region

FORE!  Fall Golf in the Lakes Region

By Mark Okrant

With gorgeous surroundings ranging from lakes, to mountains, to beautiful resorts, to quaint villages, golf in New Hampshire is a pure delight. No matter whether you’re a scratch, bogey, or high handicap player, a terrible round of golf is far better than a good day at work. 

For many golfers, the end of summer signals the swan song for their golf season. How misguided can someone be? Those golfers who continue to play—despite putting away those Bermuda shorts, polo shirts, and colorful visors—experience something truly special. 

Here in central New Hampshire, the onset of cold evening temperatures does something positively magical to the deciduous trees and bushes that line the fairways. From late September until late October, the monochromatic green that characterizes spring and summer in the Lakes Region is replaced by various shades of red, orange, yellow, purple, and brown. These magnificent colors are in contrast with the emerald green of the fairways and the bold blue of the sky overhead. 

Crisp autumn air contributes immensely to the pleasure of golf. Seasonal daytime temperatures generally range from 55 to 65 degrees Fahrenheit, and humidity readings are substantially lower than they were during the golf season’s zenith. 

Many golfers are forced to adjust to summer heat and humidity by touring the course in an electric or gas-powered golf cart. However, with the onset of cooler weather, carts remain parked in favor of three- and four-wheel pushcarts. Consequently, fall golf is a time for taking brisk walks and experiencing casual conversations.  

As one golfer explained, fall golf is a time to break out clothing that is reminiscent of the way people dress in the ancient home of the sport—Scotland. No matter what your skill level, when attired in a pair of corduroy pants or plaid trousers, a turtleneck shirt, a cardigan or V-neck pullover sweater, and a fedora or newsboy cap, one’s appearance disguises even the poorest of golf handicaps. Speaking of golf attire and gear, pro shops tend to offer excellent discounts during the fall season.

Helping to create a positive atmosphere on golf courses during fall is the absence of waiting to tee up your golf ball. With the arrival of Labor Day, players visiting from out-of-state will have gone home. This allows locals to capture those elusive attractive tee times. Courses are far less crowded during weekends; and the pace of playing eighteen holes drops from five hours to considerably less than four. Moreover, because golf course starters and rangers are less stressed, they tend to be more pleasant.

We asked 75 year-old David Deardorff to compare fall versus summer golf. “I much prefer the cool days of fall to the blistering sun of the summer season.” Furthermore, golf has taken on new meaning since he retired. Once a fanatic about working on his game, either alone or in the company of others, Deardorff now says that playing alone without good conversation with his golf partner “just doesn't seem to make as much sense.” Coming from North Manchester, Indiana, and living around the New York City metropolitan area most of his adult life, Deardorff notes with a smile that his feeling about playing fall golf in these New Hampshire hills has changed: “I’ll always find those vistas refreshing, relaxed, and colorful; but walking them at my age is 

another story.”

On the golf course, during the fall, fairways tend to allow more roll. Consequently, a golfer who struggles to hit her/his tee shots 150 yards during the summer is now capable of driving the ball 180 or more yards. Excellent golfers thrive on greens that read 11-12 on the Stimpmeter; this means the ball rolls very fast—too fast for high handicappers. For weekend players, a speed of 8 or 9 is vastly preferred. During the fall months, greens tend to be slower—therefore, mercifully more forgiving. 

The fall season ushers in some rules that are enjoyable to skilled and less talented golfers alike. One of these is “Winter rules.” With the onset of colder weather, grass in the fairways will not grow at the same rate as it did during summer. Consequently, on a number of occasions, a golfer’s shot lands in the fairway but stops on a patch of dead grass or a bare spot. According to winter rules, the golfer is allowed to move her/his golf ball between six inches and a club length. The golfer can “lift, clean, and place” the ball when faced with especially poor conditions. Be advised: a golf ball landing in a similar situation during the summer would need to be played as it lies.  

Not everything about fall golf makes golfers happy. With the end of Daylight Savings Time, days are shorter. This means that golf occasions must be planned around lesser amounts of daytime. Perhaps the two greatest negatives associated with fall play are the threat of frost and leaf falls.

Most courses do not want golfers to be driving on the fairways or walking on the tees and greens while there is frost activity. As a result, golfers may find themselves being barred from starting at a tee time they had reserved. Patience is soon rewarded, however, as 30 to 60 minutes of sunshine usually is all the time it takes to dissipate light frost. 

Cold is not always the enemy of golfers. One player reported an interesting story about playing golf in the Lakes Region following a night of very cold temperatures. Standing on an elevated tee next to a pond, he struck his tee shot only to realize that it was headed for the middle of the water. His temporary grief turned into elation when the ball bounced once, then a second time on the frozen surface, before landing safely in the fairway on the other side. 

Leaf falls are a major irritant associated with fall golf. More than one golfer has bemoaned the fact that his golf ball, which landed safely in the fairway, rolled beneath a pile of leaves—never to be seen again. In the summer, a lost ball would require that the golfer take a one-stroke penalty, then return to the place where she/he had hit the shot, before doing it again. A number of area courses have instituted a “leaf rule” during fall. In these circumstances, the golfer estimates where her/his ball probably landed, then drops a second ball while being assessed a one-stroke penalty. Where no handicap or money is involved, more charitable partners have been known to forgive the penalty altogether.  

Opportunities abound. A number of area courses will be open until mid-November, while several choose to close in October. Kingswood Golf Club (603.569.3569) is an 18-hole Donald Ross designed course located in Wolfeboro. Ridgewood Country Club (603.476.5930) is an 18-hole course in Moultonborough. Ossipee’s 18-hole layout is the Indian Mound Golf Club (603.539.7733). Oak Hill Country Club (603.279.4438) is a charming 9-hole course located in Meredith. Waukewan Golf Club (603.279.6661) is an 18-hole course in Center Harbor. The 18-hole Loudon Country Club (603.783.3372) provides beautiful foliage vistas. Lochmere Country Club’s (603.528.4653) 18-hole layout is conveniently situated just down the road from the outlet mall in Tilton. Also, Pheasant Ridge Country Club (603.524.7808) offers 18 holes in Gilford. 

Golfers are encouraged to call ahead to confirm seasonal closing dates, and to book tee times at these courses. 

Thinking About Purchasing a Pontoon Boat?

Thinking About Purchasing a Pontoon Boat?

By Thomas P. Caldwell

Docked at Cottage

The image that comes to mind is relaxing in the sun, diving into the water, sharing a cool drink, and enjoying company while at anchor on a calm lake.

Or maybe it’s gently moving along with fishing poles poised for catching bass or lake trout.

Perhaps it’s moving at a faster pace to tow a wakeboarder or enjoy the breeze on a hot summer’s day.

All of these are possible with a pontoon boat, one of the most flexible watercraft out there.

Choosing the right pontoon boat, however, can be daunting. You will need to consider where you’ll be using it. For speed and stability on large lakes or the ocean where the waters may be choppy and there is a need to travel longer distances, a longer pontoon boat with a more powerful motor will be necessary. On smaller, protected lakes and rivers, shorter, easily maneuverable boats with less horsepower make more sense.

The size of the deck and weight capacity also are important if you expect to carry passengers. Mid-sized boats offer greater flexibility in a number of situations, but if you do not plan to carry many people — or only intend to use it as a “party boat” — smaller or larger boats may be more appropriate.

As you consider the size, you also have to consider the price, and here it is important to also keep in mind the cost of licenses and registration, fuel, annual maintenance, and off-season storage — amounts that could reach thousands of dollars.

Boat dealers and marinas can offer valuable advice on such decisions and also discuss the options in seating and electronics that you will need to consider. Standard equipment such as lights and horn can be customized with specialized lighting, sound, and electronics.

A depth-finder is useful in all cases, but for fishing and navigating in unfamiliar areas, it is an essential tool with many levels of sophistication to consider. Fishing packages can include specialized electronics, fishing seats, rod storage, and a livewell.

Dealers also can advise those planning to tow tubers or wakeboarders on horsepower needs. Having at least a 150-hp outboard with an optional towing pylon or tow bar are things to consider.

In addition to audio systems and interior lighting, those planning to do entertaining on board may want to upgrade the standard upholstery and flooring for more comfort and luxury.

Whatever the intended use, a Bimini cover can be considered an essential option, providing shade from the sun and some protection from an unexpected storm.

Another useful option is a changing room to get in and out of swimwear. The most economical ones are pop-up enclosures, some of which offer enough space to accommodate a small portable toilet as well. Drop-down changing rooms offer more space, or you can have custom-made changing areas for more ease and privacy.

Various floor plans and seating option are available, depending upon the intended use.

Boaters who simply want to enjoy an easy cruise on calm waters will have a great time on the common two-tube pontoon, but those looking for more speed or wanting more control in choppy waters may favor three-tube pontoons, which offer better balance and weight distribution, and can provide greater stability with the more powerful engines.

Keep in mind that three-tube pontoon boats are larger and may require a larger trailer to support the middle tube and longer hull.

That brings us to the matter of the towing capacity of your vehicle. Unless you plan to buy a new vehicle as well, or on hiring someone to tow your boat trailer, it is a good idea, before purchasing a pontoon boat, to check on whether you can safely tow it. To make sure the weight is within your vehicle’s towing capacity, add the weight of the boat to the weight of the trailer that will carry it. The boat also should fit completely within the trailer.

Besides towing capacity and trailer size, make sure the boat you consider purchasing will fit your dock and boat storage area.

Once all those issues have been addressed and you have your new boat, you still need a boating license in order to operate it. New Hampshire requires the completion of a boating education course for those at least 16 years old and those who will be operating a ski craft or a vessel with a motor of more than 25 hp.

The website learntoboat.com offers an online course that is approved by the the state, making it easy to learn the necessary information to pass the boating examination. Students completing the course will receive a voucher for a proctored exam. To schedule an exam, go to https://www.register-ed.com/programs/newhampshire/175.

Among those lessons is the importance of wearing life jackets (personal flotation devices) at all times while you are on a boat. The water can be extremely dangerous, especially if you are not a good swimmer. Drownings have occurred in such minor situations as attempting to retrieve a hat that has blown off in the wind.

The online course teaches the types of navigational aids, such as buoys, that warn of dangers; proper procedures when encountering other watercraft; how to embark from and return to a dock; what to do when weather affects visibility or threatens to get worse; and other things that a pilot must keep in mind.

One thing that boaters always have to keep in mind is the danger of intoxication. When a pontoon boat serves as a “party boat” that is an especially important lesson. Whoever is piloting the boat must avoid all alcoholic drinks, and even passengers should drink in moderation so they are prepared if there should be an emergency on the water.

With all these things in mind, there is no reason not to get out on the water in a pontoon boat and enjoy the weather, the water, and good companionship. It is what lake living is all about.

A History of Airplane Crashes in New Hampshire

A History of Airplane Crashes in New Hampshire

By Mark Okrant

Airplane travel is among the safest forms of travel, trailing only the intercity bus. Unfortunately, when an airplane falls from the sky, the impact is seldom minor, and the results can be disastrous. According to the research team of Panish, Shea, Boyle and Ravipudi, “aviation accident rates have gone down in recent years, but the growing popularity of travel by private jet and helicopter threatens that trend.”

According to National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) data, at a time when there are millions of flight hours, the percentage of trips that produce fatal crashes is a fraction of one percent. For example, during a recent calendar year, airplanes produced 0.01 deaths per million miles traveled, while train travel produced 0.04 deaths. Panish, Shea, Boyle and Ravipudi tell us that 80 percent of all aviation accidents are the product of some type of human error, with nearly one-half occurring during times when planes are taking off or landing. Pilot error is thought to account for a majority (53%) of aircraft accidents, followed by mechanical failure (21%), and weather conditions (11%).

During 2022, there have been two fatal airplane crashes involving large commercial aircraft. In three other incidents this year, no loss of life occurred. A table depicting air crashes between 1982 and 2018 indicates that the numbers of crashes, fatal injuries, serious injuries, and minor injuries have diminished significantly over that 37-year period—crashes were down by 56 percent, fatal injuries by 47 percent, serious injuries by 53 percent, and minor injuries by 56 percent.

Most of us would be surprised to learn that there have been nearly one thousand military aircraft crashes here in northern New England. In Maine alone, there were 741 military aircraft involved in accidents between 1919 and 1989. Many of those crashes involved planes being delivered to the warfront during World War II.

Peter Noddin, the region’s leading aviation archaeologist, began searching for lost aircraft in Maine during his high school years, in the early 1980s. Noddin became serious about this endeavor during the mid-1990s, several years after graduating from the University of Maine. First, he researched old maps in an effort to locate lost historic military equipment. Subsequently, Noddin’s research repertoire continued to evolve. To increase his success rate, he began collecting and studying old newspaper clippings . . . anything with a story about an airplane that never reached its destination. This led him to seek out sources that provided military records. Owing to his growing range of resources, Noddin once located two F86 Saber crash sites in one day. During the last several decades, as Noddin became more successful at finding lost aircraft, he discovered that there are people throughout the United States with similar motivations; thus, a network was born. 

During the early years of his searching, Noddin relied upon an excellent resource—people who had actually witnessed airplane crashes within the region. However, with the passage of time, many of these people are no longer alive. Aiding Noddin’s current searches is a modern piece of technology—the GPS. For Noddin and his fellow aviation archaeologists, the availability of this navigation tool has proven to be a mixed blessing. At a time when modern logging practices have opened up formerly remote areas, accessibility in conjunction with the GPS have made crash sites reachable by souvenir hunters. The latter have had a detrimental impact on those wishing to document crash histories, and their efforts to help surviving family members get answers about loved ones.

When was asked to describe the aviation archaeology situation in New Hampshire, Noddin replied, “a quick scan of records and our data base shows that there were 238 military aircraft crashes in the state. Many of New Hampshire’s crashes were at or near Grenier Field/AFB in Manchester.” 

Grenier Field was located at the site of the present Manchester-Boston Regional Airport. Noddin indicated that numerous crashes of the Army Air Corps’ B24 and B17 aircraft occurred at Grenier Field, and in surrounding areas, during World War II. Grenier had served as a staging base for aircraft headed to the European theater. There also were occasional fighter plane crashes in the region following the war. Other New Hampshire military airplane crash sites include a T33 plane crash in Spofford, and a B52 crash in Freemont.

For those who are interested in learning more about the aircraft industry, there is a resource in New Hampshire that will not require you to strap on waterproof boots and hiking gear, or to venture into the wild. Situated at 27 Navigator Road in Londonderry, the Aviation Museum of New Hampshire (AMNH) is operated by the New Hampshire Aviation Historical Society. Aside from providing an important educational function to the next generation of aviation enthusiasts, the AMNH contains exhibits about key persons, places, events, and artifacts related to the state’s aviation history. Visitors learn about the early contributions to the aviation history of this country and the world by key New Hampshire men and women. 

The AMNH is housed in a beautiful 1937 art deco building that once served as the Manchester Airport terminal. The museum’s collection includes a large photography exhibit; the Doodle Bug—a biplane manufactured in New Hampshire; and the Around the World flight simulator. AMNH offers group tours and hosts a number of educational opportunities. Hours are Friday and Saturday from 10am-4pm, and Sunday from 1-4pm. Admission is $10, or $5 for seniors and children between the ages of 6-12. For more information, visit www.nhahs.org. 

Goodhue Boat Company – Lake Winnipesaukee, Ossipee Lake and Lake Sunapee

Goodhue Boat Company – Lake Winnipesaukee, Ossipee Lake and Lake Sunapee

By Rosalie Triolo

Goodhue Boat Company, originally known as Goodhue & Hawkins Navy Yard on Sewall Road in Wolfeboro, is the oldest marina on Lake Winnipsaukee. The marina was established in 1903 by Nathaniel Goodhue and Chester Hawkins, and was known for making wooden boats, steamers and launches. Nathaniel H. Goodhue passed away in 1932, and five years later his nephew, Nathaniel W. Goodhue bought into the business. The Navy Yard was sold in 1972 to Peter Brown of Brookfield, who four years later in 1976, sold it to Earl Smith, Charles Smith and Richard Kourian. The new owners, keeping the name Goodhue and Hawkins Navy Yard expanded the marina’s product line of boats to include Donzi, Proline, Chrysler, Glastron, Marathon, Charger, Crestliner, and SmokerCraft. They also added the well-known and popular personal watercraft, the SeaDoo. 

SeaDoo is a Canadian brand of PWC manufactured by Bombardier Recreational Products founded in 1942 by Joseph-Armand Bombardier. The first attempts at marketing a personal watercraft was back in 1968. All models of SeaDoo Personal Watercraft are driven by an impeller-driven waterjet. SeaDoo has been one of the most, if not the most popular brands of PWC since the mid-1990s. 

In 1977 Charlie Rocknak introduced to Goodhue & Hawkins Navy Yard’s family of motor boats and personal watercraft, the Chrysler brand Sailboat. Steve Durgan, in 1984 purchased the Sailing Shop introducing the CAL line of sailboats, designed and constructed in southern California ranging in size from 22 feet to 33 feet. A smaller size sailboat, the Point Jude Daysailer, was added in 1987.  Steve Durgan was the general manager at Goodhue & Hawkins Navy Yard until 1998. 

Within the span of 101-years, Goodhue & Hawkins Navy Yard, Wolfeboro changed ownerships several times culminating in the 2004 sale to the Pratt family, who retained the name until 2018, when the marina’s name was changed to the Goodhue Boat Company. Brent and Camron Pratt have made major improvements to the marina, by removing some of the old structures, and replacing them with new service buildings, and “state-of-the-art” storage buildings. Boston Whalers and MasterCraft surf boats were added to their line of longstanding popular boats. New to this year’s inventory, the Sylvan Pontoon boats have replaced the Sweetwater Pontoon boats.  

Since the 2004 acquisition of Goodhue & Hawkins Navy Yard in Wolfeboro, the Goodhue Boat Company has acquired three additional marinas. Shep Brown’s Boat Basin, a marina tucked into a 13-acre recess of Lake Winnipesaukee’s shoreline in Meredith, began its long history of servicing boats in 1919.  It was previously owned by Shep Brown a local tradesman. 

John A. Sargent together with his wife Priscilla in 1948 founded Sargent’s Marina in Georges Mills on Lake Sunapee. Prior to the marina’s purchase in 2019 by the Goodhue Boat Company, Sargent’s Marina was operated by Dorieann Sargent and the Sargent family. 

Goodhue Boat Company’s fourth location is on Broad Bay on Ossipee Lake in Freedom. 

Jeramiah Burke, General Manager of Goodhue Boat Company explained, “Rental boats are available at all four of the Goodhue locations: On Lake Winnipesaukee in Wolfeboro and Meredith, on Lake Ossipee in Freedom, and on Lake Sunapee at Georges Mills which is a ‘rental only’ location.” On Lake Sunapee all powerboat rentals are launched from Goodhue Boat Company’s headquarters in Georges Mills. This location also has a gas dock, and watersport equipment for sale or to rent. Paddle sport rentals and retail merchandise are available at Goodhue’s location in Sunapee Harbor where there is a full-service gas dock. 

Burke went on to say, “Goodhue Boat Company in Wolfeboro and Meredith on Lake Winnipesaukee, and on Ossipee Lake are Full-Service Marinas – Boat Sales, Slips and Moorings (when available), Storage, Valet Service, Service and Parts Departments.”  Goodhue sells all types of boats. There is a boat for every boater, from Fishing to Wake & Surf boats to Cruisers. Pontoon boats, for those folks who enjoy a living- room kind of comfort, yet has the power to pull a water skier, to Runabouts and Bowriders. Goodhue’s inventory of new boats consists of the Boston Whaler, Chaparral, Cobalt, and MasterCraft. Newly added is the Sylvan Pontoon boat. Goodhue’s website offers a look at their new boats, and a diverse inventory of pre-owned boats. The new 2022 boats are part of the rental fleet which includes; Chaparral, Cobalt, Sylvan Pontoons and MasterCraft. It is also noted on the website that “We are a pet-friendly marina, so feel free to bring your furry family members along for the ride!” 

New to the family of motorized watercraft is the Fliteboard, a brand name for, E-Foil, the world’s smallest personal motorized watercraft is noise free, emission free and wake free. A concept which allows you to stand on a watercraft, much like a surfboard with an electric propeller. There is no relying on winds or waves. The board is powered by an almost silent electric motor and controlled by a handheld wireless remote that syncs the E-Foil via Bluetooth. The Fliteboard flies over the water’s surface due to the hydrofoil creating a lift similar to the wing of an airplane. More information on Fliteboard can be found on Goodhue’s website. 

Lake Life Lessons L3 - Thomas Anderson’s passion for watersports gave inspiration to an idea which was followed by the founding of an incredibly successful business. A few years-ago Thomas Anderson and Lake Life Lessons L3 were invited to join the Goodhue Boat Company’s family. This pairing of a company which sells and rents boats, and watersports equipment with L3 was a natural fit. Anderson’s well-trained team of coaches share his enthusiasm, knowledge and experience in all types of watersports from waterskiing, wakeboarding, wakesurfing, wakeskating, and the newly added Fliteboard, E-Foil an Electric Hydraulics Board. L3 offers E-Foil Demos. Events held this summer at Goodhue’s Lake Winnipesaukee marinas in Wolfeboro and Meredith include: Ladies Surf Night and Foil Fridays. Event dates and times can be found on the Goodhue Boat Company’s website. 

Goodhue Boat Company offers On-Line Sites for requesting boat parts for boat repairs, maintenance, or if you want to customize your boat. They have a large selection of parts and accessories at the two Lake Winnipesaukee Marinas and the Ossipee Lake area Marina. Boat Storage – Why store your boat in your driveway, where it is more likely to experience winter storm damage, when you can store it safely and securely in a clean storage facility free of unwanted visitors and the harsh winds and snows of winter. Spring Launch – What sound could possibly be better than that of early spring when birds are chirping, and the call of the Loons? Springtime means ice-out, and signals the long-awaited launching of boats in New Hampshire’s Lakes Region. Goodhue has implemented a new process with SpeedyDock to make sure your Spring Launch is fast and easy. SpeedyDock should be used to schedule when you would like to pick up your boat, or have it launched in Spring. SpeedyDock may send you an email with a link to request your spring launch, or simply log on to your account from any browser or the app. There is a video providing a quick tutorial on the process. “The water is great – let’s get you out there.”

For information on any of the four Goodhue Boat Company marinas go to www.goodhueboat.com. 

Goodhue Wolfeboro on Lake Winnipesaukee is located a 244 Sewall Rd., phone 603 569-2371.

Goodhue Meredith on Lake Winnipesaukee is located at 31 Lovejoy Sands Rd., phone 603 279-4573

Goodhue Lake Sunapee – Georges Mills is located at 19 Cooper St., phone 603 763-5036

Goodhue Ossipee Lake – Freedom is located at 65 Marina Rd., phone 603 539-8456

Hours for all four marinas are Monday – Sunday, 8AM – 6PM.

WORKS OF HEART: RIVERGLASS CUSTOMS

WORKS OF HEART: RIVERGLASS CUSTOMS

By Leigh Sharps

   Jeff Leblanc, of Campton, a veteran woodworker, turned his interest to a new form of woodworking just a few years ago. 

   A fairly new addition to the art world is the distinctive and beautiful craft of combining resin and wood into creative and visually appealing pieces of functional art. This is now LeBlanc’s focus: “I’ll be going into my fourth year of working with the combination of resin and wood, so I’m still quite new to the medium. I’ve been familiar with power tools and woodworking for much longer, so all of that is helpful because they play a large part throughout the process. I started using resin just to modify a piece of driftwood I had on hand, and from there each project seemed to get larger,” said LeBlanc. 

   “Resin art has certainly grown in recent years,” he continued, “but five years ago this was certainly not on my radar. I’ve been selling art for the better part of 20 years whether it be in the form of tattooing, painting or the occasional tee shirt design.”

   Natural resin (from the Greek word meaning ‘resin of the pine) has been around for thousands of years. Early evidence says civilizations found resin in the barks of trees, herbal flowers and shrub buds and fashioned it to make weapons. It forms when bark is damaged in some way. When resin was combined with other natural materials it was used in the construction of houses and temples by the ancient Greeks who also used it as an antiseptic for oral health. The Mayans boiled sap from resin to use as glue and gave it to their children for chewing gum. Resin from the spruce trees is what we now call chewing gum.

   But synthetic/chemical and compound resins used today have only been around since the 1930s. A German chemist, Paul Schlack, patented epoxy resin in 1934. There were other claims to the process too, one  being from Swiss chemist Pierre Castan, and he became a pioneer developing epoxy resins alongside Schlack.

      Castan used epoxy resin, at first, for items like dental prosthetics and then went on to use it, and combinations of it, for varnish and adhesive purposes. In the 40s and 50s epoxy resin became popular in industrial uses and became popular in the art world around the same time. 

   LeBlanc finds his resins, pigments and dyes all on-line. He describes his creative process: “It starts with a decision as to what species of lumber I want to use and what it is I want to make (tables, cribbage boards, cutting boards, benches, etc.) Then a form is constructed to roughly finished size. Before I do the pouring into the form there are choices to make of colored powdered pigments or translucent dyes depending on the desired effect I want to achieve. Much of my work has embedded items (coins, etc.) in them, or water/waves, so the pouring goes in multiple stages to give the appearance of depth. The end of the process breaks down to the sizing, shaping and lots of sanding.”

   The initial ideas for his craft he said,  “usually comes from finding a piece of wood that some would call ‘throwaway’, ‘junk’ or what would normally end up in the burn pile. I lean towards the ugly, not so desirable wood to some, with the hopes of giving that piece of wood a second life as a functional art. All the wood I use for my projects are acquired from local lumber yards. Sharps Lumber on Squam Lake is a quality spot I often use, and I go to a couple of old school mill guys that don’t really advertise to the public but tend to have some unique pieces that I try to persuade them to part with.”

  What he likes making the most are charcuterie/serving boards “because I usually do them in batches of multiples using a single design, but each one has a unique color. I’ve found that having various colors of the same pattern makes the buying decision easier for people since they tend to favor particular colors, or they gift them knowing the recipient is a fan of a certain color. These tend to be the items that sell the best.”

   LeBlanc enjoys doing commission pieces because “the client can give me their thoughts and input right from the start which helps me because, for the most part, with resin, you only get one shot to achieve effect, rather than having the ability to add some extra brushstrokes to correct/manipulate a canvas with paint.”  

    LeBlanc believed when he was growing up, he might become a guitarist for ‘Skid Row’ (a rock group). “Though I’m still holding out hope and waiting for that call (and, oh, I can’t play guitar) I will continue, until then, to play around with this unforgiving medium, and I am focusing on new styles of working resin in different ways.” 

   You may see LeBlanc’s this fall work at Vintage Market at the Cottage Place on Rte. 3, Little Squam Lake May 7-8. The public is welcome to visit his studio/gallery on Ellsworth Hill to view his craft (after contacting him), to chat about a future commission or for further information.

Contact info.: Instagram at riverglass_jeffrey_; Facebook at Art/Riverglass-Customs or call him at 603-726-0396.

References:  Wikipedia: The History of  Resin and the Untold Story of Resin Art.

Fourth of July Celebrations Around the Lakes Region

Fourth of July Celebrations Around the Lakes Region

By Kathi Caldwell-Hopper

The Fourth of July is fun. Adults love it and so do kids. Whether you are celebrating the holiday from your Lakes Region boat, deck, cottage or year-round home, this is the place to be for fireworks, parades and concerts for good, old-fashioned fun. Celebrate the birth of our country at these many holiday events.

Celebrate America at the 4th of July Weekend Craft Fair at Gunstock Mountain Resort in Gilford on July 2 and 3. Hours are Saturday and Sunday 10 am to 5 pm both days. There will be over 90 exhibitors with such items as handsome cedar wood furniture, hand painted glass/metal/wood/mushrooms, resin art, gourmet oils and vinegars, chocolate truffles, pressed floral art, NH maple syrups, hand poured soaps, soy candles, several jewelry styles, quilts and quilted wall-hangings, homemade blueberry sauces, charcuterie boards, children’s chalkboard mats, pet portraits, unique macramé furniture, alpaca products, wildlife photography, custom signs, amazing baked goods, and more. There also will be live music with North River. The fair takes place rain or shine under canopies. Admission and parking are free. Friendly, leashed dogs are welcome. Call Joyce at 387-1510. Gunstock is located at 719 Cherry Valley Road in Gilford.

Center Harbor starts the holiday with the Annual Footrace on July 4; register starting at 7:15 am in front of Town Hall at 36 Main Street. For questions and registration information, email parksandrecreation@centerharbornh.org.

Later in the day in downtown Center Harbor, see the town’s parade at 2 pm, with a theme of “All American BBQ.” The parade line-up is at Chase Circle in the downtown Center Harbor area at 1:30 pm. Enjoy wonderful fireworks over the harbor at 9:15 pm, after a 7 pm concert at the town bandstand. Visit www.centerharbornh.org. for details.

Many people say Ashland has the best fireworks display around. The town celebrates Independence Day with this year’s theme of “Live Free or Die”. The festivities kick off on July 2 with a movie in Ashland’s park at 8:30 pm. On July 3 there will be a Freedom 5K Race with 7 am registration at Todd Randlett Trucking located at 382 N. Main Street in Ashland; the road race starts at 8 am. From 2 to 5 pm, there will be Touch a Truck at the Freudenbrg lot and a live broadcast by Mix 94.1 FM. Bring your appetite to a Food Truck Festival from 2 to 5 pm at the Ball Field and from 4 to 9:30 pm there will be a concert at the park. (Get race information and registration at Ashland NH Independence Day Celebration on Facebook.) The day ends with fireworks on July 3 at 9:30 pm. 

On July 4 there will be the annual pancake breakfast at 7 am at the Common Man Restaurant on Main Street in Ashland, and the parade starts at 10 am. If you plan to be in the parade, arrive at the Ashland Fire Station on Mill Street between 8 and 9:30 am. The parade begins at 10 am and ends at LW Packard Ball Field. After the parade there will be a flag raising ceremony by the American Legion. A cookout will be offered from 9 to 11:30 am at the Ashland Community Church. Visit Ashland NH Independence Day Celebration on Facebook for more information.

Laconia’s celebration will be on July 3 with a Laconia Independence Day Celebration at Opechee Park on North Main Street. There will be events during the day and evening with family games, live concert music, and an evening fireworks display. 

Laconia will also have a parade on July 3 starting at 4:30 pm from Laconia High School on Union Avenue and ending at Opechee Park. Call the Laconia Parks and Recreation Department for details at 524-0521.

Hop aboard the M/S Mount Washington on the Independence Day Dinner Cruise on July 4 from 7 to 10 pm. Enjoy a dinner buffet and patriotic entertainment while the Mount takes in fireworks around Lake Winnipesaukee. The cruise takes place rain or shine. For more information and reservations, call 366-5531 or visit www.cruisenh.com. 

Moultonborough has an outdoor concert on July 6 with Tom Bartlett at the Moultonborough Function Hall Gazebo located at 139 Old Rt. 109 at 6 pm. The concert is free, and everyone is welcome. Bring a picnic meal and a lawn chair and enjoy the music. 

If you like books and dream of being in a place where you can find books galore, head to the Moultonborough Public Library’s Summer Book Sale with a preview on July 8 from 6 to 8 pm. The sale will run on July 9 and 10 from 9 am to 3 pm. The library is located on Holland Street. Call 476-8895.

Alton Bay is a great place to take in the fireworks. On July 3 come early for a concert at the bandstand by the water in Alton Bay (bring a lawn chair for seating). The concert will feature the Thursday Afternoon Band playing classic and modern rock music from 7 to 9 pm. Fireworks light up the sky on July 3 beginning at 9:20 pm and are quite a beautiful sight. (Fireworks rain date is July 7.) Call 875-0109.

Wolfeboro’s Independence Day celebrations begin with a Boat Parade on July 1 at 5 pm in Wolfeboro Bay; call Goodhue Boat Company for information at 569-2371.

On July 1, the Wildlife Adventures Animal Show takes place at 2 pm at the Wolfeboro Library on South Main Street in Wolfeboro. The Wooden Nickels Band plays in Cate Park from 5 to 9 pm. Visit www.facebook.com/Wolfeboros-4th-of-July-Festival for information.

July 2 brings a 3-on-3 Basketball Tournament from 9 am to 9 pm at Foss Field, sponsored by Kingswood Athletics in Wolfeboro. 

The Wolfeboro Lion’s Car Show will be held on July 2 from 11 am to 2 pm at The Nick, 10 Trotting Track Road in Wolfeboro. The event will be a lot of fun, with free admission. It is a no-classes, non-judged show and all cars and motorcycles are welcome. Also offered at the show will be concessions and a food truck, 50/50 raffle, and door prizes for participants. Call 651-6598 for details.

On July 3, bring your appetite to the Masonic Lodge Breakfast Buffet from 7 to 11 am at the Morning Star Lodge #17. The lodge is located at 35 Trotting Track Road in Wolfeboro. Call 569-4637 for information. Music will play at 2 pm and 4 pm at the Cate Park bandstand in Wolfeboro sponsored by End 68 Hours of Hunger. 

The Fourth of July in Wolfeboro kicks off with a Reading of the Declaration of Independence by Jon Shaer at 10 am on the Town Hall steps. 

Wolfeboro’s big parade on July 4 starts with a 10 am line-up at Old Lakeview Terrace and proceeds down Main Street to Crescent Lake Avenue. The rain date for the parade is July 5 at 10 am. (On July 4, there will be no parking along Main Street from Clark Road to Old Lakeview Terrace between 7 am and noon for the purpose of the Independence Day parade.)

Fireworks will light up the sky on July 4 at dusk over Wolfeboro Bay. Before the fireworks, enjoy the Cate Park Band from 6 to 9 pm in the Cate Park bandstand. 

Ongoing weekend events in Wolfeboro include festival headquarters at Dewolfe Field, Brewster Academy near downtown Wolfeboro with information about all happenings. A Girl Scout Troop #2271 Story Book walk is free and offers a self-guided walk along Bridge Falls Path to the Wright Museum. An art show by Governor Wentworth Arts Council will take place from June 27 to July 6 and is free. The show will be at the Wolfeboro Inn at 90 North Main Street in Wolfeboro. A Ladies of the Lake Quilting Guild Quilt Show will be held from July 1 to 3 and is free at Wolfeboro Town Hall’s Great Hall. A free, self-guided Wolfeboro Parks and Recreation scavenger hunt will have directions available at the Wolfeboro Town Hall, and at Parks and Recreation and Legion Festival Headquarters. The Abenaki Water Ski Club will practice daily in Back Bay, weather permitting from 8 am to 1 pm and at 4 pm/sunset each day.

Call 569-2200 for details or www.wolfeboronh.us/parks-recreation.

The town of Wakefield has a fun Fourth of July event planned for July 2 at the Wakefield Ballpark Complex at 1488 Wakefield Road. The celebration runs from 6 to 10 pm, with fireworks in the evening. For information, call Wakefield Parks and Recreation at 522-9977.

Bristol will present a number of July 4 events, with a theme of “Celebrate Country Living”, starting on July 2 with a boat parade at the foot of Newfound Lake at 1:30 pm with prizes. Boat line up is 1 pm.

Also on July 2, fireworks at light up the sky at dusk at the foot of Newfound Lake. 

On July 4, a Firecracker 5K Road Race starts with 8 am registration in Bristol. At 8:30 am, the road race begins. (Get race information at www.newfoundfitnessnh.com.) The 4th of July parade will start at 10 am in the downtown area. 

On July 5, the Bristol Summer Concert Series will feature the Morgan Nelson band at 6:30 pm in Kelley Park. Bring a lawn chair or blanket for seating. There will be refreshments by Bristol Fire Company. For all event information visit www.townofbristolnh.org.

The 4th of July in Meredith promises to entertain with the famous Rubber Ducky Race at 4 pm at the Mill Falls Marketplace in downtown Meredith, where you can try your luck at winning a prize. Call 527-8114 for race details. Fireworks light up the night sky over Meredith Bay at 9:15 pm on July 4. Call the Meredith Chamber of Commerce at 279-6121.

Weirs Beach will have fireworks at 11:59 pm on July 3. Spend the evening at Weirs Beach for music, food and fun all over the boardwalk area. 

Ossipee will hold the town’s annual Old Home Week (which kicked off on June 25). An Evening with Spirit Mediums Sara Moore and Kathleen Stone from 7 to 8:30 pm on June 27. Tickets for the Spirit event will go fast so please purchase and get information at 539-1307.

Corn Hole Games will be June 28 at 6 pm at the gazebo in Center Ossipee. Call 339-222-1548 for information.

On June 29, an Ice Cream Social at the gazebo in Center Ossipee will take place from 6:30 to 7:30 pm. This is a free event, but donations will be accepted. June 30 will bring a talent show to the gazebo in Center Ossipee at 6 pm. The event is free, and if there is rain, it will move to Ossipee Town Hall. 

At Ossipee Town Hall on July 1, the entire family will enjoy Wild Encounters at 5:30 pm. The event is free of charge.

Get together with friends and family on July 2 at the Ossipee Area Community Center, located at 26 Moultonville Road in Center Ossipee from 11 am to 4 pm for a family picnic/barbecue and games. The event is free.

 Ossipee’s July 4 starts with a parade at 10 am, followed by music and fireworks in Constitution Park from 6 to 10 pm. The rain date is July 5. For details on events, visit www.ossipee.org.

If you love the mountains, head to Waterville Valley for 4th of July fun. On July 2, there will be live music with Rhythm Method Trio from noon to 3 pm at the Town Square gazebo, and more music from 6 to 9 pm with Diversity Duo. Bring everyone to the Family Carnival on July 2 from 11 am to 3 pm at Packard’s Field for inflatables, music, relay races, a dunk tank, tie dye, mini-golf and more. The event is held rain or shine. 

On July 4, Waterville Valley will have a parade at 11 am, and festivities during the day. Live music and 4th of July fireworks end the celebration. Visit www.waterville.com for details.

Tamworth Family Day happens on the 4th of July in Tamworth Village starting at 8:30 am for a day of celebration and activities for people of all ages organized by the Tamworth Recreation Department, the Family Day committee, the Cook Library and Tamworth Distillery.

First up is the Cook Library’s Ordination Rock 5K race on July 4. You can get information by calling 323-8510 or register from 7 to 8 am on the day of the race at the Brett School. The race begins at 8:30 am at Ordination Rock and goes through the village.

The Annual Tamworth 4th of July Parade starts at 11 am at Depot Road, and will go through Tamworth Village. 

Following the parade, the village will be full of fun things to do. The Starlight Honeys will play music behind the Tamworth Distillery from noon to 2 pm. Games and activities for kids will run from 11:45 am to 2 pm in Remick Park, to the right of the Congregational Church, with an obstacle course, face painting, art projects, bubbles, and water play.

Games for all ages on the History Center lawn will include ping pong, badminton, corn hole, and more. Group games will happen on the long lawn behind the Distillery, including an egg toss, silly races, Ultimate Frisbee and more. In front of The Barnstormers Theatre, you can have your fortune told by Marion & Miranda Posner. Food vendors will offer burgers and hot dogs, ice cream sandwiches, lemonade, popcorn, fried dough and more in front of Remick Park. Activity schedules will be available during and after the parade.

Come back in the evening to the Brett School for a concert by the Jonathan Sarty Band at 7 pm, with food vendors, and fireworks at 9:30 pm.

For more information or if you’d like to help out on the 4th, email Tamworth Recreation Department Director Dan Beauregard at tamworthrec@gmail.com or call 677-6490. You can also contact Amy Carter at amy@tamworthlibrary.org or phone 323-2392.

At the NH Farm Museum, history abounds, and an old-fashioned 4th of July offers fun for the entire family. The museum is located at 1305 White Mountain Highway/Rt. 125 in Milton. The farm has a historic farmhouse, barn, gift shop and farm animals.

The Farm Museum has a Fourth on the Farm event on July 2 from 10 am to 4 pm. The day will feature a reading of the Declaration of Independence, strawberry shortcake, old-time craft demos and more. Call 652-7840.

Whether you’re taking in a celebratory 4th of July parade, watching the colorful firework explosions in the night sky, or enjoying a bandstand concert, there’s no better place to be on Independence Day than in the Lakes Region.

One-Stop Shop for Meredith History

One-Stop Shop for Meredith History

By Thomas P. Caldwell

The completion of a $50,000 renovation project and the creation of a timeline of the town’s history have made the Meredith Historical Society a must-see location for those wanting to learn about the people and buildings that contributed to the community one sees today in what is known as the “Latchkey to the White Mountains.”

The society’s museum at 45 Main Street has two floors of historical displays as well as a research library with archives that include material from the town’s past and genealogical files for those looking for information on their ancestors.

The museum has both ongoing displays and revolving exhibits of the artifacts people have donated through the years. Current displays include examples of 1920s women’s clothing and accessories associated with the era of the Women’s Progress Club.

From pre-European-settlement information on the Native Americans who originally populated the area, and continuing through Meredith’s being named by Travel and Leisure magazine as one of the top 10 small towns on the East Coast to visit, the timeline offers a decade-by-decade account of the highlights, beginning with the 1750s when the township proprietors named their land grant “Salem.” It was renamed New Salem in 1752, and Meredith in 1768.

Among Meredith’s most famous residents from the early years was Dudley Leavitt, for whom Leavitt Park is named. He moved to town in 1806, publishing his New England Almanac and opening a private school. This summer, Leavitt’s descendants from around the country will be holding a reunion in the area, with plans to visit the museum, which has a portrait of Dudley Leavitt and a display of some of the tools he used. The display also includes a figure depicting Leavitt, created by acclaimed dollmaker Gwen Flather of Meredith.

The building housing the Meredith Historical Society’s Main Street Museum dates to 1812, when Abel Kimball built it as a home and saddle shop. Through the years, the building has served as a post office (with a safe that remains in the building), a bank (with its own safe still there), a needlework shop, and a toy store. The Meredith Public Library had been located on one floor of the building until the current library building was erected, and White Mountain Power Company, a predecessor to the New Hampshire Electric Cooperative, also had its headquarters there at one time.

The Meredith Historical Society dates back to 1950, when a group of residents that included Ruth and Carl Colby formed the society. A collection of historical artifacts donated by Charlie Roberts, who had operated Pinnacle Park Zoo until it was washed out in the hurricane of 1938, made up the core display at the museum.

Harold and Esther Wyatt got involved with the historical society a couple of decades later, and their daughters remain active in the organization today.

The group first operated out of the Pottle Meeting House, a former First Free Will Baptist church situated on Winona Road. When the Main Street building became available in 1994, the historical society acquired it and converted it into a museum. The Pottle Meeting House became the society’s farm museum, displaying farm tools and other artifacts from its collection.

Transforming The Town

As the timeline indicates, Meredith was largely built around mills, with its ample supply of waterpower. By 1842, there were 11 mills, 10 stores, and three taverns in town. Voters in 1845 voted to invest $10,000 in the newly incorporated Boston, Concord, and Montreal Railroad, and tracks reached Meredith Village in 1849. That also was the year the Winnipisseogee Steamboat Company launched the Lady of the Lakes, ushering in the new “vacation era.”

Other major events in the town’s history included the loss of the Meredith Bridge section of town, which included Lake Village and The Weirs, to the newly created town of Laconia in 1855. That section represented about 45 percent of the town’s population and much of its commercial base.

Then came the Civil War, with Meredith men comprising the majority of recruits for Company 1 of the 12th New Hampshire Volunteer Infantry. The regiment would experience severe losses at the battles of Chancellorsville and Gettysburg.

The Boston & Maine Railroad launched the steamboat SS Mount Washington in 1872, the same year workmen discovered what has become known as the Meredith Mystery Stone while digging near the outlet of the village canal.

The S.S Mount Washington is not the same ship that now plies the waters of Lake Winnipesaukee. It was a wooden side-wheeler, 178 feet in length, and it was destroyed when a fire broke out in the railroad station in December 1939, spreading down the ramp to the dock where the S.S. Mount Washington was berthed for the winter.

Captain Leander Lavallee announced that he would replace the vessel, and he located the Chateauguay, a 203-foot-long iron ship, on Lake Champlain in Vermont. He brought it to the Big Lake and renamed it the SS Mount Washington II, and it operated under that name until 1946, when the steam engines were replaced with diesel engines, and it was rechristened the M/V Mount Washington. In 1982, the ship was cut down the center in order to add 25 feet to its length, and it was reclassified as the M/S Mount Washington.

The Mystery Stone was another story. Seneca Ladd, a founder of Meredith Village Savings Bank in 1869, had men digging on the outlet of Lake Waukewan in 1872 when they unearthed an engraved egg-shaped stone, encased in mud.

Rudy VanVeghten, a member of the Meredith Historical Society, said similar rocks — oval with holes drilled in each end — were used by Woodlands Indians to weigh down their fishing nets.

“But they didn’t have carvings on them,” he said. “So what’s going on?”

Architects who have examined the rock — now on display at the New Hampshire Historical Society in Concord — have questioned its authenticity, but VanVeghten says, “I don’t think Seneca Ladd would have forged it himself, and who would have planted it there in the mud?”

Twentieth Century and Beyond

Meredith residents, saying, “The fear of meeting automobiles has deterred many people … owing to the fact that numerous runaways and broken wagons were the result of the encounters with the ‘red devils,’” established a speed limit of 5 mph in 1903, according to the society’s timeline.

Babe Ruth, whose wife, Helen, had lived in Meredith, began winter visits in 1916, where he is said have enjoyed sleigh riding.

The year 1955 was an important one for the town, as Annalee and Chip Thorndike established Annalee Dolls, which became a worldwide enterprise, and Hart’s Turkey Farm Restaurant opened for business. Hart’s remains a popular place for its turkey dinners and catering service. (The Historical Society Museum has a display of Annalee Dolls, along with those of Gwen Flather; and Annalee’s daughter-in-law, Karen Thorndike, serves as president of the historical society.)

Bob Montana of Archie comic book fame moved to Meredith and incorporated some of the town’s residents and locations into the series. He also took part in community theater productions and was active in other community events. The Historical Society Museum has a display of original Archie drawings, among other artifacts, and also in downtown Meredith, a statue of Archie on a park bench occupies Community Park, across from the building Montana used to occupy.

With the mill era having ended by that time, Edward “Rusty” McLear developed the Mill Falls Inn and Marketplace around the old mill buildings in 1984, leading the town’s transformation into a modern tourist destination. In 1993, his company purchased the building at One Bay Point and renovated it into Lago Restaurant and the Inn at Bay Point. In 2003, they acquired the St. Charles Church property to create a resort hotel named Church Landing.

Karen Thorndike said the timeline has inspired teachers of third-grade students in the Inter-Lakes School District to encourage the children to write their own personal timelines, and the Meredith Farm Museum sends old farm clothing and tools to fourth-grade students as part of their studies.

Heart and Hands Thrift Shop donated $1,500 to have the timeline printed in a booklet that could go out to the third- and fourth graders.

John Hopper, who did the bulk of the writing for the timeline, also takes part in the Meredith Historical Society Speakers Series, having recently given a talk on Meredith’s Page Pond Community Forest. VanVeghten will be releasing his new booklet on Native American history, “Clash of Cultures: The Story of the Penacooks, the Winnipesaukees, and Chiefs Passaconaway, Wonalancet and Kancamagus,” during a talk at the Meredith Community Center on Tuesday, July 5. The full schedule of talks appears at https://meredithhistoricalsocietynh.org/2022-calendar/.

The historical society has partnered with the New Hampshire Boat Museum of Wolfeboro for some lake-related exhibits, including water skis.

The Meredith Historical Society’s extensive family files are due to the work of John McFarland, a former teacher who had a background in history and an interest in genealogy when he joined the historical society.

“I’m building a genealogy of the early families of Meredith, which is an unending task for us,” McFarland said. “It’s building to close to 6,000 individuals.”

Rita Polhemus serves as the society’s database manager, and Judy Dever staffs the museum, which is open six days a week from Memorial Day through Columbus Day, then once a week “through Thanksgiving or Christmas, or as long as we can keep people coming in,” said VanVeghten.

For those unable to visit in person, the society’s website at www.meredithhistoricalsocietynh.org offers a great deal of information on Meredith, with links to other sources.

Interesting Museums to Explore by Motorcycle

Interesting Museums to Explore by Motorcycle

By Kathi Caldwell-Hopper

If you are in the Lakes Region for Bike Week and perhaps new to the area, you might want to know about some great and unusual places to visit during your stay.

Did you know there is a castle high atop a mountain, open to visitors to tour? Or a museum focusing on life during World War II? How about a museum in a beautiful brick mill that interprets, right down to the huge water wheels, how people worked in days gone by? Perhaps you would choose to visit a peaceful place where a religious group lived and worshipped for many years?

These are but a few of the wonderful museums and attractions in the area you can visit while here for Bike Week (or anytime during the season).

Starting with the historic Belknap Mill on Beacon Street East in downtown Laconia, you can tour the first floor of the 1823 former mill building. You will learn about when and why the mill was built, how it served as a textile business, what machinery was used, and a lot more.

According to information at www.belknapmill.org, the 1823 mill began operation by 1828, and replaced a wooden mill owned by Caniel Avery and earlier, by Stephen Perley. Investors who operated mills in Lowell, Massachusetts, replaced the original building with an industrial structure that was modern in its day. Lowell was a major place for big mills in those days, and the Belknap Mill copied a mill built in 1813 in Waltham, Massachusetts. The Waltham Mill was first in America to complete the whole textile manufacturing process, from raw cotton to finished cloth, in one place. 

The Belknap Mill was constructed of brick in a post-and-beam style. Wooden columns support the open floor plan, and exposed joists (horizontal beams) support the floors and ceilings. Multiple windows and the “double roof” provided natural light before the days of electricity. A waterwheel originally powered machines for weaving cloth, and it is the gigantic wheel in the Wheelhouse of the Belknap Mill that will amaze visitors today.

The historic Belknap Mill is the only remaining example of such a structure. While other such mills have been destroyed or altered over time, the exterior of the Belknap Mill remains unchanged. The bell in the tower was cast by George Holbrook, an apprentice to Paul Revere. 

The Mill has a knitting machine exhibit, a Powerhouse exhibit, and the building itself is well worth stopping by for a tour. Added to this, there is a first-floor gallery with changing art exhibits. On select Friday evenings at 6 pm, Rotary Park, next door to the Mill, has free outdoor concerts. Bring a lawn chair or blanket for seating.

For information on open hours of the Belknap Mill, call 603-534-8813 or visit www.belknapmill.org.

If you are in the area for Bike Week, a stop at the Northeast Motor Sports Museum at 922 N. Route 106 in Loudon (near the New Hampshire Motor Speedway), has a lot to offer visitors. The museum is a gem and has exhibits of helmets, engines, vintage racing attire, trophies, and cars. It also has memorabilia from the days of racing – both car and motorcycle – gone by.

A fundraiser for the museum will take place on June 12 when the AMA sanctioned Gypsy Tour starts at Laconia’s Motorcycle Week Rally Headquarters on Lakeshore Avenue in Weirs Beach. Sign-ups for the Gypsy Tour start at 9 am and leave the Weirs at about 10:30 am on June 12. The tour is a police-escorted ride from Rally Headquarters in Laconia to the museum/Speedway. 

For information about this fun museum, visit www.nemsmuseum.com or call 603-783-0183 for hours and admission prices.

A castle on a mountaintop with unsurpassed views? A place built by a rags-to-riches early 1900s entrepreneur. Hiking trails and a meal in a café with patio dining? All this and more are available to the public at Castle in the Clouds on Rt. 171/455 Old Mountain Road in Moultonborough.

Enjoy a ride from Weirs Beach on Rt. 3 to Meredith and on to Rt. 25 to the Castle. Once up the mountain road, you will find plenty of parking and a short walk to the Carriage House where you can see the yearly exhibit interpreting life at the Castle during the original owner, Thomas Plant’s, day. Purchase tickets to tour the Castle and take a trolley up, up, up the road to the mansion.

Once at the Castle, tour the interior of the beautiful estate, where Thomas lived year round with his wife, Olive. The home was quite inventive for its day, with household devices installed to make the servants’ lives easier and more productive. The exterior of the estate, with incredible views, is one you will not easily forget.

The grounds are extensive, and you can hike on trails and have a meal at the Carriage House Restaurant or grab lunch at the handy Café in the Clouds building for a light lunch and for course, ice cream.

The Castle is open Thursdays through Mondays from 10 am to 4 pm. For information and a schedule of events, visit www.castleintheclouds.org or call 603-476-5900.

There is no doubt World War II will remain in the memories of many people and the stories of that harrowing time have been passed down through the generations. To see the stories told through artifacts, old photos and stories, plan to visit The Wright Museum of World War II at 77 Center St. in Wolfeboro.

The Wright Museum is unique and unforgettable. The collection is extensive, and cover the years from 1939 to 1945, when the war began and raged, right up until the end of the conflict. With over 14,000 items in the collection from both the home front and the battlefield, visitors get to see how people from all walks of life – movie stars, average families and of course, the soldiers fighting for our freedom, lived during those years. There also are fully operational military vehicles, and the size and scope of the vehicles bring to life how the battles were fought.

This year’s special exhibits include Saturday Evening Post Covers from 1941-1946: The Art of Mead Schaeffer, Norman Rockwell, and Friends. The exhibit runs through June 22. 

Next up is the exhibit Let Me By Myself: The Life Story of Anne Frank. The show runs from July 1 to October 31. If you plan to be in the area beyond Bike Week, and here on July 1 or thereabout, visit the life-sized pictures of Anne’s world during the war.

Along with exhibits, visitors can take in lectures, special events, and more. There is plenty of parking at the museum, and after a tour, plan to have lunch or dinner in Wolfeboro. There are many restaurants, some with lakefront views. Visit www.wrightmuseum.org or call 603-569-1212. The museum is open daily during the summer and fall.

Do you like boating and a variety of boats from the early days to the present time? While in Wolfeboro, stop by the New Hampshire Boat Museum at 399 Center Street for a step back in time when boats were wooden, finely crafted and a pleasure to see and ride in comfort. 

The museum began in 1992 when a group of antique boat lovers wanted to preserve and share the heritage of boating on the state’s waterways. In 2000 the museum found a home and it is a place for displaying exhibits and offering boating workshops each summer season.

You will like the exhibit space, which is in a big barrel-round roofed structure once part of the Allen A Resort. When you visit, you will walk into a huge exhibit space with beautiful antique wooden boats, old photos, and boat replicas on display. You also will get in on programs and workshops, and you can book a ride on the museum’s Millie B, which is located and offers rides at the Wolfeboro Town Docks. The 28-ft. mahogany, triple cockpit “woodie” is a replica 1928 Hacker-Craft, accurate down to the seat colors. Riding in the Millie B, you will experience the golden age of boating, when such boats ruled freshwater lakes.

Visit the museum at www.nhbm.org or call 603-569-4554.

If you want to spend a few hours, or an entire day doing something completely different, visit Canterbury Shaker Village at 288 Shaker Road in Canterbury. You will feel the peace and quiet the moment you walk onto the grounds of this special place. The community was started in 1792, when the followers of leader Mother Ann Lee started the seventh Shaker gathering place. The religious group remained in existence for 200 years. When the last living Shaker sister, Ethel Hudson, passed away, it began operation as a museum (in 1992). 

As you tour the grounds and see the beautiful buildings, you will be amazed at the breadth and scope of the peaceful village, where at one time an astounding 300 people lived and worked. There were many buildings and about 3,000 acres at the Canterbury Shaker community, all dedicated to living peacefully and following a religious system of beliefs. It was their generosity to “the world’s people” as they called outsiders, that set the Shakers apart. Not to mention their fine craftsmanship of everything they made, from Shaker baskets to woodworking and the construction of their buildings.

You can tour the village, learn how the Shakers lived, shop in the Village Store, and feel the peace and quiet of the special place. There also are guided tours from Tuesdays through Sundays; visit www.shakers.org for information or call 603-783-9511.

Old Time Entertainment in the Lakes Region

Old Time Entertainment in the Lakes Region

By Kathi Hopper

In the olden days, entertainment was a rare treat for those who lived in rural New Hampshire. Perhaps that is the reason area clubs were formed. The local musical concerts, dances and social gatherings sponsored by social clubs, granges and businessmen were eagerly anticipated in the 1800s and early 1900s.

By Lake Winnipesaukee, in Alton Bay, entertainment was offered to those vacationed in the area. The movies – first silent and then talkies (talking movies) or roller skating, or the luxury of listening to a live band made summer seem magical.

Alton Bay Pavilion, once a popular dance hall

The original (Alton Bay) Pavilion was built in the 1920s and it was at this spot that vacationers could enjoy an evening of dancing or other entertainments. The original Pavilion burned in the late 1920s, and a new building was constructed, with dancing still very popular. Big bands, some well-known and others just starting out, played the Pavilion, such as Count Basie and Tommy Dorsey. 

By the 1940s, roller skating was added. Roller skating was extremely popular at the time, and you could skate morning, noon or in the evening at the Pavilion. 

Everyone – Bigs Band musicians to locals to tourists – enjoyed a meal or snack at the Victoria Pier, located not far from the Pavilion. The Pier had a little gift shop and coffee shop, with a marble counter where ice cream was served. 

At Weirs Beach, summers were relatively sedate, but that would soon change when James Irwin Sr. arrived. As a band musician from Boston, Irwin wanted to play in a New Hampshire band at Weirs Beach. As well as being a musician, Irwin could see the area had possibilities as an entertainment center. 

By the 1920s, Irwin created a music hall where he played with a band. It was popular and brought entertainment to vacationers and local people. After a fire destroyed the building, a new dance hall was constructed and became very popular at Weirs Beach. The hall was named the Winnipesaukee Gardens. Big name bands – including the Glenn Miller Band, Count Basie, Duke Ellington, and many others - played at the Gardens each summer. Visitors enjoyed dressing up for a night of music and dancing to Big Bands and later, rock’n roll music at the Gardens. 

Along with big names in entertainment, local musicians offered shows via social clubs. In the central New Hampshire towns of Northfield and Tilton, many groups were formed solely for the purpose of entertainment. As early as 1840, a band was organized in Northfield, to furnish music for old-time trainings and musters. The band also, according to the “History of Northfield”, “enlivened gatherings of its members and friends.” No matter what the season, the band also was committed to serenading newly married couples.

The Tilton/Northfield Cornet Band began in 1850 at Sanbornton Bridge. The leader and founder of the band was Alonzo Bond of Boston, with musical aid from another local musician.

In the Christmas season in 1885 another club was started. It was fitting the club began in the season of goodwill and peace, and the group was initially called “Friendship.” 

Friendship Grange, as the group came to be known, started out with 17 charter members who met in an old brick church commonly called the Northfield town house. It is interesting to read in the “History of Northfield” that the most prosperous year for the club in the 1800s was when the only woman to hold office, Mrs. Maude W. Gilman, presided in 1899. 

Over the years, the Friendship Grange enjoyed programs relating to home life, farm life, social and ethical society, dramas, and songs. On the Grange’s 10th anniversary - December 26, 1895 - a celebration took place although the weather was bad. Rain fell in torrents and the wind was fierce. However, two neighboring granges battled the elements to come to Northfield for the celebration. 

In more seasonable weather, many successful fairs were held on the Franklin and Tilton Driving Park grounds, made possible by the interest and donations of Charles E. Tilton, the wealthy local man who gave much to the area. The park grounds were fitted with all the requirements to produce a great fair, and the first event was held by the grange in September of 1886. The grange fair was huge for its day, with the governor of New Hampshire, Hon. Moody Currier, presiding. Also present were the governor’s council and staff, Senators, and members of Congress. Politicians attended such events in the hopes of gathering votes, and many candidates for governor socialized at the fair.

It was surely a great event for the towns of Tilton and Northfield, and the festivities ended with a meal and reception given by Mr. and Mrs. Tilton at their mansion. After the noontime reception, the distinguished guests were escorted by Rublee’s Band, to the fairgrounds. At the site, political addresses and speeches were given. In the evening, the Tilton grounds and the charming village were brilliant with illumination; cannons boomed, lights burned and those who witnessed the event never forgot its splendor. The exhibits of cattle, horses, sheep, swine, poultry, and farm crops were many, while in the domestic department, the ladies offered many items for display.

The Grange continued the fairs for the next 13 years, with a reputation of being a showcase for farm displays and providing entertainment. 

In the late 1800s, social events could be rare in such small rural towns as Northfield and Tilton. Yet, residents seem to have made their own fun by starting clubs devoted to music, charitable works, and farming. One such club was the Union Picnic Association, which started in the summer of 1875. Locals Mrs. W. C. French and Willie Keniston invited friends to a scenic, shaded grove on the bluff east of the railroad station at Northfield Depot. There the group had an entertaining social gathering, with literary exercises, music, and abundant food.

The event was a success, and another picnic/social was held later in that same season. Word spread about the event, and many people came from all parts of the towns to attend. A table of 130-feet in length held the weight of 90 loaves of frosted cake and other foods. A brass band entertained the group, and there was a squadron of horses.

The owner of the grove saw how successful and entertaining the outdoor event was, and generously granted use of the site. Seats and stands were erected, and meetings were held there for many years. During the warm weather months, ministers, doctors, lawyers, and Congressmen gave rousing speeches on a variety of subjects. Local talent was also given a chance to flourish, with Sunday schools giving musical concerts.

The third year of the picnic was notable, with 1,000 plates filled from the 100-foot table. The Laconia Band gave a concert, and it was hard to decide which was more impressive: the band’s music or the enormous cake served at the picnic.

While men were organizing fraternal clubs, women’s clubs came into their own in the late 1800s. The Tilton and Northfield Woman’s Club was organized on November 16, 1895, with 33 charter members. The object of the club was to establish a social center for united thought and action and at the same time, to investigate and discuss the many questions pertaining to the club, and to the community and the world at large; lofty material in an age when women were encouraged to be decorative and not much else.

In the first years of the club, local women gave presentations on a wide range of subject matter. The club meetings were a chance for women to meet socially on a year-round basis, and were popular for that reason, as well as the worldly topics covered. Soon, membership grew, and outside talent was made available.

Musical nights were a high point of social entertainment for the local Woman’s Club, and a “gentleman’s night” brought husbands into the meetings now and then. From the “History of Northfield”, it was written, The Club “was acknowledged to have broken down many of the old walls of church and class prejudice and been the occasion of pleasant and profitable friendships.”

From picnics to Grange fairs to Woman’s Club meetings and famous bands and dancing, old-time entertainment brought the larger world to the Lakes Region.

Karner Blue: New Hampshire’s State Butterfly

Karner Blue: New Hampshire’s State Butterfly

By Dawn Bradbury

Big efforts for a little butterfly in New Hampshire are going strong and paying off. To further those efforts, a prescribed burn will take place near Concord this spring.

A host of state and federal agencies will coordinate a planned fire on approximately 300 acres of the pine barrens, on and around Concord Municipal Airport grounds, ideally before May 15 — the exact date

To be determined by Mother Nature. The goal is to restore or convert habitat for the federally endangered Karner blue butterfly — New Hampshire’s official state butterfly (Lycaeides melissa samuelis, for the scientists in the crowd). Karner blue caterpillars only feed on wild blue lupine leaves.
     “The area up here on the heights has very sandy soil and that’s what is really establishing the bases of this unique ecosystem in which they live,” said Heidi Holman, a nongame biologist at Fish and Game, who oversees the Karner Blue Butterfly and Concord Pine Barrens Project. “It’s very dry and grows plants like the wild lupine, which they eat as a caterpillar.”

The prescribed burn within the conservation zones on the Concord Municipal Airport is allowed under a state-issued burn permit. Precautions will be taken to limit smoke and to ensure that the prescribed burn stays within distinct management borders. Still, smoke may create temporary visibility hazards during the burn.

“There are very, very specific parameters for when it’s safe to burn,” said Capt. Adrian Reyes of the 

New Hampshire Forest Protection Bureau.

     It has to be dry enough but not too dry, for example, with the right relative humidity, and wind is a critical element. It takes a full team and a comprehensive burn plan — not to mention the patience and flexibility to wait and strike at the time the weather is right. “One of the key things here is to develop good habitat for the Karner blue butterfly and maintain it so it does really well in the pine barren environment,” Reyes said. The pine barrens are well adapted to fire as a maintenance tool for the return of natural vegetation.

Controlled burning reduces leaf litter and duff, reduces non-native vegetative species and promotes sunny and sandy openings for native pine barrens vegetation to grow. That vegetation benefits a whole host of wildlife species. A major aim of the Concord burn is to allow wild lupine to flourish in the conservation area, providing that vital food source for the Karner blue caterpillar.

In 1999, the Karner blue butterfly was thought to be extinct — extirpated — in New Hampshire. The last place it was observed was in a power line corridor in Concord.
     “It actually did disappear,” Holman said. “Extirpated is the term for a local extinction. It disappeared 

from the state as far as we can tell.”

     NH Fish and Game's Nongame Program began restoring the Concord pine barrens in 2000 and began releasing captive reared Karner blue butterflies in 2001. Periodic habitat management will always be necessary to maintain the pine barrens as a suitable habitat for Karner blue butterflies to survive.

The Karner blue was the schoolchildren’s darling — it was schoolchildren who brought the Karner blue to the attention of the New Hampshire state Legislature and got it named the state’s official butterfly in 1992, Holman said. And "Kids for Karners" started in 2000 and over the course of 15 years, thousands of Concord School kids grew lupine in their classrooms and planted it in the spring to improve habitat for 

the butterflies.

These actions, plus the efforts of local groups helping the program thrive, resulted in the successful establishment of a wild population of Karner blue butterflies. Surveys in 2016 documented the population meeting the federal recovery goal of 3,000 butterflies for the first time.

The threatened wild lupine is native to New Hampshire. It’s pretty much restricted to the pine barrens, which only exist in a few locations — in our state, there’s the one in Concord, and another near Ossipee. But the one in northern New Hampshire was never quite as herbaceous and didn’t have the lupine component, Holman said. Historically, the wild lupine thrived in the Merrimack River Valley — think the I-93 corridor, one of our most heavily developed areas. There are also pine barrens in New York, New 

Jersey and Maine.

The wild lupine, the caterpillar’s only food source, is not to be confused with the large leaf lupine, Holman said, which is often planted in conservation mixes and is commonly found around the state. Distribution of the seeds is restricted by a natural heritage bureau state agency that oversees wild plants, so residents can’t plant it in their yards. And without that food source, we’re unlikely to see the Karner 

blue — adults have a wingspan of only one inch — in the wild unless we trek some of the walking trails

at the Concord conservation easement area.

     With a handy food source in the pine barrens, it’s a perfect nesting area. The butterflies overwinter right in place and produce two generations each summer. “So, over the next few weeks the eggs that have been overwintering next to lupine or adjacent to it are going to hatch and the little caterpillars will start

feeding,” Holman said. 

     The first generation spends a long time as an egg. If eggs are laid in August and overwinter, the first generation will hatch in June. Then the second generation goes from an egg to an adult in about six 

Weeks, from mid-June to early July or August.

     “That also might make them a little more vulnerable than a species that only has one generation a year,” Holman said. What works for the first generation is different than what works for the second; the common ground, however, is their desire to find the wild lupine.

     “They can tell the compound of a plant, they can sense it,” Holman said. “So they will lay their eggs nearby.”

The 28-acre conservation easement for the Karner blue butterfly is on Chenell Drive near the Concord Airport and is managed by the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department. There are short walking trails, and visitors in midsummer have the chance to see the small iridescent blue wings of the Karner 

blue butterfly.

The management of the pine barrens is bigger than the Karner blue butterfly: It’s also a great place to hear and see birds such as rufous-sided towhees, catbirds and brown thrashers; there are unique snake species living there. The habitat supports over 726 butterfly and moth species.

One of them is the frosted elfin butterfly, which also relies on the lupine as a caterpillar.
“It seems to be a little more resilient than the Karner,” Holman said. “But by expanding the lupine using fire we’re making a healthy ecosystem, so it seems to have really flourished.”
     The frosted elfin is being monitored in other states to see if they need federal protection. The population status of frosteds in unknown in many locations, Holman said. But Nonwildlife Fish & Game

is practicing captive rearing just in case.

 “For us the population is good — it’s benefitting from all this work with Karners,” Holman said.
     “Karner’s like a poster child for this system and the need for fire and the rare plants but there’s over 60 species of butterfly in this acreage we manage,” she said. “There’s a whole suite of species that benefited from establishing the area that we could manage for Karners and the maintenance of the system overall,” Holman said. “That’s really where our profession has gone when we’re working on endangered species: Keep common species common.”

BOX: 

How to help
Private donations have provided the foundation for the Nongame and Endangered Wildlife Program since its inception in 1988. Contributions support the on-the-ground work and enable the Nongame Program to qualify for additional funding through grants from both the State of New Hampshire and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Donations made to the Nongame Program (https://www.wildlife.state.nh.us/nongame/donate.html) are matched dollar-for-dollar by the state of New Hampshire up to $100,000 annually. The Nongame Program also receives a portion of proceeds from the sale of the NH Conservation License plate (moose plate) each year. To learn more, visit the NH Moose Plate Program online at www.mooseplate.com.

Wonderful Lakes Region Wineries

Wonderful Lakes Region Wineries

By Kathi Caldwell-Hopper

Wine has been around for centuries. It was a popular drink in Europe as early as 4,000 BC. In the early days of winemaking, grapes were placed into big vats and crushed with the feet of workers. The juices were collected and fermented, and wines was the product. 

Exterior of the winery at Whiteface Hollow, Tamworth.

Italy was one of the first, but not the only place, to make wine. Egypt made wine around 3,000 BC. Many countries made wine and the popularity of the beverage spread through trade around Europe and as far away as China.

Over the years, wine making was done everywhere and became a drink in America as well. Interestingly, it was not until the 1970s that wine gained the popularity it enjoys today in this country. Grapes were always referred for winemaking, but now other fruits are used as well.

Wine tastings have become quite popular, and the Lakes Region of New Hampshire has some wonderful wineries with tastings, offering a variety of wines made on-site.

In the Newfound Lake area, Crazy Cat Winery, owned by Claudette Smith, is located at 365 Lake Street in Bristol. “We offer over 36 wines,” Smith says. “Those include rose, reds, white wines and dessert wines.”

Crazy Cat Winery started when the Smith family moved from Virginia to Bristol in 2017. After finding an appropriate property with room for the business, Smith’s husband began to make wine. “He has been a wine maker since his college days. He started out by brewing beer and hard cider and then expanded to winemaking. We took it to a commercial level in 2016,” Smith explains.

When asked what her favorite Crazy Cat Wines would be, she says the dry red wines, such as Stormy Skies and Bull on the Hill. 

Crazy Cat has a tasting room, so visitors can learn about and sample the variety of wines made at the business. “We also serve entrees, salads, soups, stews, paninis, and desserts, all freshly made,” Smith says. “Our charcuterie boards are popular, and we also do wine slushies. We are starting to offer fondues as well, but those must be reserved ahead of time.”

Crazy Cat Winery also has art classes, crafting events and hopefully, according to Smith, line dancing and pop-up yoga classes this summer.

Why the name Crazy Cat Winery? “We adopted a cat when we lived in Virginia,” Smith explains. “He was the craziest cat. Sadly, he passed away and we now have two resident cats.” 

For hours and information, visit www.crazycatwinery.com or call 603-217-0192.

Hermit Woods Winery, located at 72 Main Street in Meredith, is among the most popular wineries in New Hampshire. Owners Bob Manley, Ken Hardcastle and Chuck Lawrence got started making wine at Manley’s home in Sanbornton. They became friends over a shared interest in winemaking, and their knowledge of wines grew. “It started as a summer through fall and a weekend activity,” says Manley. “We quickly grew out of that space, and we needed to expand. We bought the Meredith property in 2014.”

Manley says Hardcastle has taken the craft of winemaking to the level of artistry, garnering the business respected reviews. Oprah Winfrey named Hermit Woods Winery as one of the top things not to miss if visiting New Hampshire, and USA Today voted the winery the fourth best tasting room in America.

Says Manley, “We make our wines from whole ingredients, produced at 72 Main Street.” One of Hermit Woods most popular wines is Petite Blue Reserve, made with 100% low-bush blueberries from a farm in Maine. 

According to www.hermitwoods.com, “Hermit Woods Winery is a small boutique winery. We strive to make wines of the highest quality with the greatest emphasis on locally grown fruit and raw honey. We have a small organic vineyard, and we work closely with local farmers and pickers to find the best possible fruit, ideally organic, to make our wine. We make our wine available in our tasting room and local wine shops and restaurants in our surrounding communities.”

Some of the wines include Apple, Crabapple, Blueberry, Mead, Kiwi, Peach, Pear, Blackberry, Elderberry, and various blends of all the above. These are just a few of the many varieties of fruit the winery produces. They seek to identify the depth and breadth of fruit that can be found in abundance in the local community and make the best wine they can from it.

Manley says his favorite Hermit Woods wine is the one that is in his glass. His choice of wine is attributed to the season, the music he might be listening to, the people he is socializing with, etc. “We try to have favorite wines for each occasion,” he adds.

Wine tasting at Hermit Woods Winery.

Offering about 35 wines, Hermit Woods makes the wines on-site at their 72 Main Street, Meredith location. Hermit Woods offers wine making tours for six or more people. 

Soon, there also will be a new patio on the front lawn for outdoor dining. The business name will be changing to reflect exactly what the winery is: Hermit Woods Winery and Eatery. Says Manley, “We are more than just a deli, and our restaurant offers farm-to-table foods. We have also launched The Loft at Hermit Woods, a listening room experience. It will offer a live music series on Thursday nights, 52 weeks a year. We will have artists from all over the country performing here.” The first show will be on May 19, with Wangari Fahari, a Kenyan singer, writer, and founder of The Fahari Brand. Visit http://hermitwoods.com/events/list for a schedule.

Hermit Woods wines also are widely available at NH State Liquor Stores, small wine shops and Hannaford. Visit www.hermitwoods.com, or call 603-253-7968 to learn more about the many offerings at Hermit Woods and about their popular tasting room and tours.

Gilmanton is steeped in history and beauty. It is the site of the Gilmanton Winery, which makes fruit, white, rose and red wines, according to co-owner Marshall Bishop. (His wife, Sunny, is the other owner.)

“We learned to make wine by reading a lot and listening to others; we have been making wine for about 13 years,” says Bishop. He continues, “We make all the wine here, and we have a vineyard with about 854 grape vines.”

Gilmanton Winery is beloved in the area for not only their wines, but also for their weekly Sunday Brunch. Once a month, they serve dinner, and will offer a Murder Mystery event on June 4. “We also cater to parties on the property,” Bishop adds.

With a wine tasting room and events, the winery is a busy place. Asked what his favorite wine might be, Bishop says, “I like our Green Apple Wine and white wine and fruity wines. Sunny likes a red wine we have called Jack the Ripper.”

The winery property has an interesting history and was once the home of the author of “Peyton Place”, famed writer Grace Metalious. For more on Gilmanton Winery, visit www.gilmantonwinery.com or call 603-267-8251.

In Tamworth, Whippletree Winery is located at 372 Turkey Street. Owner Lauren Barrett has an interesting history with winemaking. “I did not like wine; I found it undrinkable. As a retirement venture, I decided to create some wine that was friendly to the palette. I discovered there is a niche around wineries if the wine is smooth and balanced.”

Using new world wine making methods with old world chemistry, Barrett made delicious wine that changed her opinion of the drink. With at least 30 wines in a variety ranging from rose, white, red, and fruit wines, Whippletree is a popular spot for wine tastings. Barrett says Whippletree has a wine for everyone, from sweet to off-dry to dry wines.

Barrett explains that different wines age at different times. Depending upon what one wants for a result, production and aging times vary. 

The tasting room at Whipple Tree has been in operation for seven years, seating about 50 people for indoors and 50 people outdoors with a great view of the Ossipee Mt. range. Along with the wines that are popular with customers, Whippletree serves cheese and crackers, and guests can bring their own food if they wish. 

Barrett’s employees are trained and very knowledgeable. They understand the wines and how they are made. When a person comes for a wine tasting, it is almost like a wine consultation, and it is a friendly, relaxed experience.

Barrett says her favorite wines are dependent upon the season and the job the wine needs to do. “For example, if I am sitting on my deck at home and I have just mowed by lawn, I might want a lime coconut wine. It would be a different wine for an Italian dinner, for example My favorite wine is the one that does the job best for the situation.”

Barrett does wedding wine consultations and is a wedding wine planner. Whippletree also offers custom wine labels and gives advice about the pairing of wines. Visit www.whippletreewinery.com or call 603-323-7119.

Beautiful Whiteface Hollow Farm has a rich history. Says John Ferreira, who owns the property with his wife, Jennifer, “In the early 1800s both on this farm and in nearby fields in the area, farmers cultivated native grapes to produce wine. If you look closely, you can still see some remnants today from that era on our venue.”

The first vineyard beds at Whiteface Hollow were prepared in the fall of 2017 with the planting of 1/4 acre the following spring: an expansion in the spring of 2020 brought the vineyard to nearly 1/2 acre. Seven cold hardy grape varieties, four red and three whites, were selected from the University of Minnesota’s and Elmer Swenson’s special viniculture grape breeding programs for their ability to produce superior tasting, medium and full bodied aromatic wine that can grow and mature in the New England climate. 

Ferrera continues, “We have a fantastic micro-climate for cultivating hardy wine grapes; our hilltop location is perfectly situated and receives all-day sunlight throughout the growing season. The hilltop was carved by glaciers, a unique area between the White Mountains and Lake Winnipesaukee and provides fertile soil and an environment for hardy grape varieties to thrive. It typically takes three to five years for vines to mature and produce a ‘good’ harvest suitable for high-quality wine production. 

“Whiteface Hollow took our first harvest from a portion of the vineyard in the fall of 2021, and we currently have four varieties that are aging well. We plan to begin bottling the very first vintage sometime in the summer of 2022. Most of our wine will be sold directly to guests at the venue.” (Whiteface Hollow Farm has become extremely popular since the Ferreira’s transformed the farmhouse and barn into a beautiful wedding/event venue.)

“One-hundred percent of the wine is grown, made and bottled on the property,” says Ferreira. “The wines are handcrafted in small batches. We do not import grapes from elsewhere.”

 John Ferreira is the winemaker at the boutique winery. He was self-taught and took some courses. He speaks highly of the New Hampshire Wine Association, where there are good learning opportunities.

He says, “The Winery building has a Tasting Room and large patio for intimate, year-round gatherings and events. It is our intention to open to the public mid-weeks in the future.”

Visit www.whitefacehollow.com for information or call 603-409-7028.

Capturing – and Preserving - History

Capturing – and Preserving - History

By Kathi Caldwell-Hopper

Photos courtesy Zechariah Boodey Farmstead Committee 

Many people do not know the Free Will Baptist religion began in the parlor / home of New Durham’s Zechariah Boodey. This, among other things, is the reason a group of local citizens are working very hard to preserve the Boodey Farmstead. 

If Zechariah Boodey, who was born in 1745, could see the work the present-day Zechariah Boodey Farmstead Committee is putting in to save the historical gem, “He would, I think, be very proud,” surmises committee chairperson, Cathy Orlowicz.

The project, when completed, will provide a permanent home for the farmstead. The home is a good example of a post-Revolutionary War farm and gives us an idea how people in the area lived long ago.

The idea for the project was planted when Cathy was an assistant to Eloise Bickford, New Durham’s town historian. It was Eloise’s dream to see the old Boodey farm preserved for the future, largely because of the 1780 Free Will Baptist history that took place there. 

In 2006, the home was donated to the town of New Durham by the Ferguson Family Trust. By the terms of the trust, the Boodey home would be donated but it had to be moved from the location. Rather than see the building lost, the committee and town representatives decided to dismantle the house and have the structure moved, and that is how the project began. A barn was gifted to the town in 2018, for the project. The barn was in Alton, once known as New Durham Gore. The addition of the reconstructed barn, and replacement of the log cabin and ell, with the Cape house, would restore the farmstead to its original layout.

When completed, the homestead will be reassembled on another property in New Durham where it will be used for private and community events, and for small weddings and other celebrations. 

With the approval of the New Durham selectmen, two acres of land at the corner of Berry Road and Stockbridge Corner Road have been chosen as the site. 

Dismantling the Boodey house took about a week, and it was not an easy task. The home was built in 1769 but had been unused since the 1950s. When the committee began their work, the rooms were empty, and some sections had severe rot. But it was dealt with by experts and everything from the Colonial period was saved as well, such as a lot of floor joists and timbers. The style of the house was a timber-frame Colonial Cape.

“We also dismantled the central fireplace,” explains Cathy. “The home had three working fireplaces and a beehive oven. We also found things in the basement, such as pieces of old pottery and wood molding and windows.”

All this suggested to the committee what the house had been like in its days as a working farm. In another stroke of luck, Boodey descendants found old family photographs of the homes’ interior. The gave a glimpse at what the home had once been like, with finished woodwork and wallpaper.

The dismantled homestead is now in storage trailers at a secure location, waiting to be reassembled when fundraising is completed. 

“We hope to create a museum in the house to share New Durham’s history and for educational purposes,” Cathy says. “Also, events and activities could be held for such things as weddings. The facility could address the town’s space needs for meetings and voting.”

The plan is to reassemble the rustic barn first and to put in parking, making the historic property perfect for today’s popular rustic barn type of weddings and events. 

The philosophy of the committee and others is to respect and hold onto our past. “We believe we do not need to flatten pieces of our past,” Cathy says. “Our motto is ‘Preserving the past to support future needs’ and we have pride in our community.” The homestead project is the perfect example of that belief. It is hoped the committee will have raised the funds and a groundbreaking will take place in about two years. Rental fees from the barn as an event venue will help with the money needed to complete the project. 

Once reconstructed, the building will be used as a house museum for educational purposes and a function hall for meetings and events.

“Our plan is to do it in phases, and we know it will be easier to take it in pieces versus trying to do it all at once,” Cathy explains.

The committee answers to the board of selectmen of New Durham. The farmstead is owned by the town, as is the property it will be erected upon. 

But what of the Boodey family and their history? Zechariah was born in Madbury, New Hampshire in 1745 and he relocated to New Durham. At that time, the French and Indian War had ended, and it was safer to settle in the more remote areas in New Hampshire. 

Thus, Zechariah obtained 140 acres in New Durham and built a log cabin there. It is likely other family members settled on the property or nearby as well. Zechariah’s brothers, Joseph and Robert, were friends of Elder Benjamin Randall, the man who organized and began the Free Will Baptist Church. 

Randall started the movement because he felt a person did not need to earn their way into heaven but rather that it was a choice. He broke away from the more organized Baptist religion and articles of the new church were signed in Zechariah’s New Durham house in 1780. 

One can only marvel that the Free Will Baptist religion began in the tiny local community of New Durham and grew to be worldwide. Cathy says some leaders in the religion have made the trip to the homestead to honor the original site where their church began.

As a local farmer, Zechariah and his wife, Mary, stayed on the property their entire lives. Zechariah was well known in New Durham and served for many years as a selectman. He was part of the town when it began and as an older man, he probably had many stories to share about the history he remembered. 

When Zechariah passed away in 1821, the family continued to live at the home. His son, Joseph, who was born in the log cabin on the property, was then the head of the Boodey family. Eventually the property passed to daughters who summered there and the 1950s was the last time the home was lived in on a full-time basis.

All this rich history underscores the importance of saving the homestead and reassembling it to bring the past to others. A fundraising effort that is but one of many to see the project to fruition is a cookbook. “It was an idea of a committee member who had always wanted to have a local cookbook,” says Cathy.

Last spring, the committee researched the costs for printing the book and sent out a call seeking recipes from the community. Although most of the recipes are from the current time, the cookbook’s sections are divided with local historical photographs. The cookbook is titled “Hometown Cookery” and is published by The Zechariah Boodey Farmstead Committee.

“In November, there is a craft fair in New Durham, and our goal is to have the cookbook back from the printers so we can sell copies at the fair as part of the fundraising effort,” explains Cathy. The recipes are from fine cooks all over the country, and from Boodey descendants, who are known as good cooks. 

Another event sure to please visitors and locals will be the July 16, 2022, event called the Boodey Hometown Revels. (Revels is a Colonial name for party.) There will be demonstrations of old-time skills which will give attendees first-hand exposure of how things were done in the olden days. “There will be demonstrations, entertainment, and music. We will be asking for donations for the homestead project at the Revels event,” says Cathy.

Cathy says all evidence is that Zechariah Boodey was an honest and sincere man and very hard working. He was an integral figure in starting the town and building his farmstead. His place in New Hampshire’s history is rich, and well worth saving, as is the Boodey Farmstead.

For information on the Boodey project, donations, and events, please email cathyo@tds.net.

David Doane, World War II Veteran Served under General Patton

David Doane, World War II Veteran Served under General Patton

By Lori Tremblay

In May of 1944, the Western Allies were preparing to deliver their greatest blow of World War II, the long-delayed, cross-channel invasion of northern France, code-named Overlord, later called D-Day.  General Dwight D. Eisenhower was supreme commander of the operation that involved the coordination of 12 nations. Months of careful planning and preparation led up to the invasion.

1943 photo courtesy of David Doane; current photo Lori Tremblay

The real location of the attack was kept secret as Allied undercover agents, posing as German sympathizers, tipped off Hitler that the location was to be north of the river Seine, where the English Channel is narrowest.  Hitler put most of his panzer divisions there.  The German word Panzerkampfwagen means an armored fighting vehicle, which is usually shortened to panzer. The division had tanks, mechanized and motorized infantry, as well as artillery, anti-aircraft and other support elements.

On June 6, 1944, about 175,000 Allied troops and 50,000 vehicles went ashore, with almost a million more men on their way that summer. An immense army was placed in Nazi-occupied Europe, never to be dislodged. 

Five beaches were designated landing sites.  The Americans landed at Omaha and Utah beaches.      D-Day marked the turning point of the war, but at heavy costs to the soldiers. As Omaha beach was taken, over 4,700 were killed, missing or wounded out of the 35,000 American soldiers that came ashore. (nationalww2museum.org) 

David Doane, 18 years old, landed with the Third Army, under General Patton, at Utah Beach in Normandy, just six days after D-Day.

I had the honor to meet Mr. Doane and speak with him about his experiences in World War II.  At 97 years old, he is tall, cordial, and told some great stories.  My editor, Bob Hartnett, introduced me to Mr. Doane and his wife, Clara, who are neighbors of his in Wolfeboro.  The couple have been married for 76 years.

During the interview, Doane showed us photographs that he had taken during the war.  He also received five battle stars in World War II.  He told his story with humor, humility and humanity.

Doane was born in Beverly, Massachusetts in 1925.  He attended Beverly High School and trained in the printing industry.  He enjoyed photography and building boats. His father was a boat builder and built mine sweepers in Ipswich.  David built a motorized bike at age 16 and would ride it to see his sweetheart, Clara.  

Clara mentioned that at that time,” Everyone stood in lines for coffee, or butter or nylons, cigarettes or most anything. There was always a line, people waiting. I was in that line all the time for my mother, for sugar.”

 Doane was drafted on June 3, 1943, his high school graduation day. He was working that day and his parents went to get his diploma.  “I didn’t join the army,” said Doane.  “Uncle Sam waved a hand and asked me to come.” Two weeks later, he was in basic training at Camp Van Dorn, in Mississippi with the 67th Signal Battalion.  

After basic training, Doane asked for a transfer to a unit going overseas and was sent to Camp Bowie, in Texas.  He joined the 45th Medium Maintenance Company, which was later called the 550th MM Co.

On May 13, 1945, he left for Europe on the MS John Ericsson, formerly a Swedish American Line Atlantic Passenger ship MS Kungsholm (from 1928-1941), requisitioned by the US government in 1942 and renamed MS John Ericsson. This was then used as a troop transport until after the war.  Doane remembers, “It was the longest convoy that ever left the east coast…As far as I could see in both directions, were ships.”   

They landed in Liverpool, England and were taken by the constable to stay in private homes, where they were billeted the entire time they were in England.  They prepared their vehicles to reach the beach by an LST, landing ship tank, by waterproofing and putting snorkels on their vehicles. 

They landed at Utah Beach, the westernmost beach of the five landing areas of the Normandy Invasion.  Doane said that, later that summer, the soldiers went to Paris.  “General Patton had come up to Paris and while he was there, we were attached to that Third Army,” Doane explained. “From Paris, I went to Verdun, France.  We were in a building that, a few weeks before, had been occupied by a German panzer division.” 

From there, he went to Rumelange, Luxembourg, just south of General Patton’s headquarters, where his company split up.  His platoon went one place and another platoon left for another location.  Doane was in the small arms repair, which he learned in the army.  He described a time that he repaired a 50 caliber machine gun.  There was a pit in half a cellar of a house with cinders, which was used to test fire.  “As I was firing the 50 caliber machine gun,” Doane said, “I’m lucky to be here today, because all the tracers were going right over my head after going through the cinders and hitting the wall.” The rounds had ricocheted off the walls. “I think that was the last 50 caliber I ever fired there,” said Doane. 

“That’s where the Battle of the Bulge broke out,” Doane said.  It was a cold and harsh winter, and the Germans were on the offensive.  Doane remembered that his platoon was very close to the front lines and after the Third Army started to move north, the battle moved swiftly.  The army needed volunteers to haul ammunition to the front lines and to take prisoners back to prison camps.  Doane volunteered and was attached to the First Provisional Trucking Company from March to May of 1945. 

“We were given papers when we joined the trucking company and they were sealed.  Nobody could stop us for any reason,” said Doane.  He would drive 16-18 hours a day, alone, and would sleep behind the wheel, have some C-rations for meals and then leave with a truckload of artillery shells.  Sometimes he would drive at night through the forest with tiny blackout lights, not knowing what was alongside of the road.  On the way back, 50 German prisoners were loaded in the back of the open truck, sometimes with a canvas cover, to be taken to the designated prison camps.

One time, while taking prisoners back, a tree branch struck and killed one of the prisoners.  The others pounded on the roof and asked Doane to stop.  “I stopped at the bottom of the hill, a real country setting with farmhouses.  I let them all off,” said Doane. “They all went in different directions to houses and came back with water.  They took the guy off the truck, put him by the side of the road and covered him up and they all came back.  Every one of them.” 

“The trucks we drove were two and a half ton, 10-wheel GMCs and I loved to drive them,” Doane said. One night, he was returning to his outfit for a shower and a bed to sleep in, which was a rare occasion.  The MPs (military police) stopped Doane and asked him for his license.  He told the MPs to follow him back to camp and he would get one.  It was about midnight when they got to camp and while the MPs waited, David went to wake up the commanding officer of the day to tell him what he needed.  He told the officer that he had been driving since he’d been in the army and never bothered to get a license. Fortunately, they were good friends and the officer said, “We’ll fix that!” He went to his office to make a license giving Doane authority to drive all army vehicles, even tanks! 

Doane talked about the strict rules that Patton demanded of his soldiers. General Patton had a book to go by that covered all the aspects of the army.  If a soldier fell asleep at guard duty, he got the death penalty.  Patton was well known for giving the Third Army talks, peppered with vulgarity.  He was not always popular with the higher ups, who considered him to be a bit ruthless. Doane remembered that Patton slapped a soldier in the hospital and later apologized for it.

One of Patton’s rules was that soldiers had to wear a steel helmet until 5:00 p.m. and after that, they could wear their overseas cap.  Doane remembers deciding to go to Luxembourg City, where Patton’s headquarters were.  He went with his overseas cap and it was early afternoon.  He saw an MP truck go by and right behind the truck was Patton.  Doane told me that they had to pick up every soldier that was out of uniform. “So, Dave Doane was issued into the back of the hat truck,” he laughed.  “It was just a holding situation, not a prison.  We weren’t court martialed, either.”

One dangerous situation that Doane experienced was when he decided that he wanted a military motorcycle.  He took off in his truck and went on the Autobahn and came into contact with a whole row of American trucks, about 20 tanks, and they turned off the road.  Doane followed them.  He saw buildings on fire and he realized that they were taking the town.  “I turned around and thought, I’ve gotta get out of here in a hurry!” He took a side road to get back to the Autobahn when suddenly, there was a loud boom and his truck fell into a crater from a shell.  The motor mounts on the engine broke and it dropped down both pedals flat on the floor.  Doane was really concerned because he needed to get out of there fast.

A German man came down on a bicycle with a white flag, wanting to help.  Doane didn’t know whether the man was armed, so he refused the help and told the German man to go.  Doane jacked up the engine with the tire jack, took the tire chains and put it around the engine. He locked them somehow and had just enough pedal to clutch or brake, as needed.  On the way home, there were craters in the road everywhere.  

When Germany surrendered, the news reached the soldiers and they were elated.  Because of his five battle stars, Doane was able to get out early after the war ended. “They sent me to a cigarette camp in southern France,” he said. “They were all named after cigarettes. I was in Phillip Morris, in pyramidal tents, six-man tents.”

Doane explained that after the war, Germans were taken and put into service to officers to take care of problems.  “Well, the problem in that particular camp was there was never enough hot water for showers.  So, we went to chow one day and we heard a boom!  The Germans got so mad because they had received so many complaints about that, that they fired up the boiler and opened all the drafts.  It got so hot, it blew the boiler up!”  He heard that it went up 100 feet in the air.  “I don’t believe that, but it went up in the air and landed right across the corner of a tent.”  There was a man in the tent, who fortunately did not get hurt.  

Coming home was another adventure.  “I was on a ship from southern France, in what I call the perfect storm.” Doane said.  Once they had gotten far out in the Atlantic, the waves were so high, that the ship was going way up and crashing down.  “Plaster was coming down.  I go out, outside the ship.  The water is coming over and I am getting wet.  I ruined my camera, by the way.  I would grab a pole or something and hang onto it.  I enjoyed just being out there.”  He said that there were only 15 out of 1500 men that ate.  Everybody was sick.  “You can imagine what that’s like.”

In Doane’s own written account of the war, he said, “I saw a lot of Europe, received five battle stars, drove thousands of miles in dangerous territory, surrounded twice by the enemy, had to leave my truck and duck behind a dirt pile on the side of the highway as a German plane strafed the vehicles on the road.  God was with me all the way. “

Happily arriving in New York Harbor late in December of 1945, Doane was home in time for Christmas.  He and his beloved Clara were reunited, and they married in February of 1946.  They lived in Lynn, Mass. for 37 years.  In 1985, they moved to Wolfeboro and have been active in their neighborhood community.

Doane worked for three different printing companies, including Daniels Printing Company, which moved from Boston, Mass. to Everett.  He worked with large six color printing presses.  One of the companies printed maps for the government. Doane got his motorcycle and rode it to work.  He had it until about 10 years ago. 

 His wife, Clara, worked as a visiting nurse and also worked at nursing homes as they raised their family. Later, Clara began quilting and made many quilts for her family.  David built model boats, in great detail, from scratch.  

The Doanes have two sons, Peter, a doctor and David, Jr., who works in the printing industry. They have four grandchildren and three great-grandchildren, with one more soon to arrive.  

Great Waters Scholarship Applications Now Available

Great Waters Scholarship Applications Now Available

Since its inception, the Great Waters Scholarship Program has contributed financial assistance to music students in the Lakes Region, helping them on their journey to connect their talents with the needs of the music world. In the summer of 2021, the program was re-named the Barbara and David Lobdell Scholarship Fund in honor of a couple who have served the organization in a variety of roles over the past twenty-five years. The scholarship program is funded in part through the generosity of donors including the Nancy P. Marriott Foundation.

Applications are now being accepted from New Hampshire residents enrolled in high schools located in Wolfeboro, Alton, Gilford, Meredith and Moultonborough who have an interest in pursuing a career in the support of the performing arts or music education.  Students from those same towns already enrolled as college undergraduates or graduate students may also apply. The 2022 application can be found on the Great Waters website https://greatwaters.org/community/. Scholarship recipients are announced in May and will be honored at one of the Great Waters concerts this summer.

Great Waters is a non-profit organization that has been bringing music to the Lakes Region since 1995. Great Waters celebrates the performing arts with programs that satisfy every palate. From Broadway to Comedy, to Rock and Roll, Classical and Folk, Great Waters brings something for everyone to enjoy. Its Concerts in the Clouds series is held on the grounds at the Castle in the Clouds in Moultonborough, and this coming season the Concerts in Town series located in Wolfeboro will be announced shortly. More information about Great Waters can be found at www.greatwaters.org or by contacting Executive Director Doug Kiley at 603-569-7710.

St. Patrick’s Day Celebrations

St. Patrick’s Day Celebrations

By Dawn Bradbury

Here’s your March 17 forecast: A flurry of Irish stew and boiled dinners, with Guinness heavily

flowing at the area’s Irish-themed pubs.

Yes, there also will be green beer and fish and chips, Irish music and the wearing of the green

… lots of it. This year could be the closest to normal St. Patrick’s Day in two years.

“It will be a really fun, festive atmosphere, with staff and customers, Irish music in the

background … it’s going to be just what we need,” said Megan Page, general manager at

Patrick’s Pub & Eatery in Gilford.

The COVID-19 pandemic exploded on the scene right around St. Patrick’s Day in 2020,

changing not only that holiday but daily life for the next two years. While cases are dropping, the pandemic is by no means over, but between vaccinations and. booster shots, this is the closest things have come to returning to normal.

Irish-themed pubs around the area will be rolling out live entertainment and Guinness will flow. Many local breweries are brewing up special beers for the holiday: Moat Mountain Smokehouse & Brewing Company in North Conway and Twin Barns Brewing Company in Meredith.

At Patrick’s, 18 Weirs Road in Gilford, owned by Jeff and Allan Beetle, the day will get started a little earlier than usual: The pub opens at noon instead of its usual 4 p.m. Dinner will be served until 8 p.m., while the bar will remain open a little later for revelers. Live entertainment starts at noon with The O'Brien Clan Trio, and Matt Langley takes the stage from 4-7 p.m.

“It’s very, very festive,” Page said. “Our staff really gets into it; they go all out with their outfits. We have some regulars who come in every St. Paddy’s, and they count down the days.” In addition to the music, there will of course be food: a traditional boiled dinner with housemade corned beef, bangers and mash featuring local Irish sausage from Claremont’s North Country Smokehouse, and soda bread made locally by Phyllis Shoemaker.

“We’ll also have our traditional Irish sticky toffee pudding,” Page said. “The recipe came directly from Ireland on a trip Allan and his wife, Jennifer, took.”

The regular menu includes some nontraditional Irish food as well — shepherd’s pie made with beef instead of lamb; a Reuben sandwich featuring the housemade corned beef and “Irish nachos,” as well as the popular Drunken Leprechaun fried chicken dish, served with housemade whiskey barbecue sauce.

Patrons won’t go thirsty: Representatives from Baileys will be on hand to promote the new Baileys Deliciously Light Irish cream. Patrick’s staff will pour green beer all day, along with an Irish red ale, Slainte, brewed by Moat Mountain Smokehouse & Brewing in North Conway. There’s an Irish twist on an old-fashioned (made with Irish whiskey) and Irish coffee. And of course, there will be Guinness.

“We pride ourselves on pouring the perfect pint,” Page said, adding that their bartenders have

received training from Guinness on this very subject.

Page expects this year to be a far cry from March 2020, when the country shut down right before St. Patrick’s Day because of the COVID-19 pandemic. “We had already prepared everything for our boiled dinners and on our big day, we had quite the takeout crowd, it was awesome,” Page remembers. They were able to pivot immediately because they already had a thriving takeout business. Now, takeout has grown so much they have a dedicated takeout person daily, sometimes two.

Patrick’s, which opened in 1987, is named after the original owner's (Walter Kelleher) father from Macroom, County Cork, Ireland. Patrick's was purchased from Walter Kelleher in 1994 by Jeff and Allan Beetle.

No reservations will be taken; it will be first-come, first-served with a steady stream of customers expected. Prime time will be 5-6 p.m. as people are getting out of work, Page said.

In Wolfeboro, the celebration has already started at Morrisseys’ Porch & Pub, 286 S. Main

Street. The pub had “perfect pint training” from Guinness earlier this month so staff is ready to

pour for the crowds. The eatery kicked off “our favorite month” on Feb. 17, said owner Aaron

Morrissey, with Irish fare on Thursday nights, and Irish dancers scheduled that weekend.

In the run-up to St. Patrick’s Day, Morrisseys’ hopes to offer a four-course Irish dinner and beer

tasting on March 16.

Featured food items for St. Patrick’s week will be house cured corned beef and cabbage,

homemade Irish bangers and mash, Guinness beef stew, beer battered fish and chips,

shepherd’s pie made with lamb, and the popular Pub Pie, made with beef, corn and mashed

potatoes. All Irish fare is served with soda muffins.

“Myself and the staff are really excited for festive March happenings,” Morrissey said. “We will

be super busy on the 17th and reservations for tables with a 1.5-hour limit will be strongly recommended. Guinness and Tullamore Dew will be furnishing some great give-a-ways throughout the week and we hope to have some nice, personalized Guinness pints and Morrisseys’ shirts available for purchase.”

Morrissey’s regular menu also carries an Irish spice bag (fried shrimp and chicken fingers with hot peppers, steak fries, onions and 10 spice blend), which the restaurant points out on a Facebook post pairs well with that perfectly poured pint of Guinness.

At May Kelly’s Cottage, 3002 White Mountain Highway in North Conway, the Irish theme is year-round. Owners Marie and Patsy McArdle are from County Louth in Ireland. They opened the family-friendly Irish pub offering authentic Irish country cooking in 2004, naming it in honor of Patsy’s grandmother, May Kelly.

The pub features a Seisún, Gaelic for “session,” every Sunday afternoon. Seisiún are informal gatherings of Irish traditional musicians that happen mostly in pubs, the restaurant’s website says.

The regular menu includes twists on traditional dishes like Irish nachos and Gaelic pizza (topped with mashed potatoes, bacon and scallions), as well as traditional dishes like shepherd’s pie made with lamb, beef stew, Gaelic chicken, Irish mixed grill of Irish bacon, Irish sausage, black and white pudding, house steak tips, tomato, baked beans and french fries, and corned beef and cabbage. Guinness is on tap, as are other Irish beers and May Kelly’s Irish Red Ale, brewed by neighboring Moat Mountain brewery.

Making Sugar - Maple Production in New Hampshire

Making Sugar - Maple Production in New Hampshire

By Kathi Caldwell-Hopper

Photos courtesy Canterbury Shaker Village

“I sent a small box of maple sugar to a British nobleman. I hope to make this a very useful and profitable business.”

Lieutenant Governor John Wentworth, 1722



What was the business? Turns out it was a tiny box of maple sugar Wentworth sent to a British nobleman. It seems Governor Wentworth had the right idea when he predicted the sweet maple product would become highly desirable to many.

New Hampshire has a long history with making maple syrup, which was originally produced by Native Americans. Certainly, the Granite State was not the first area maple sugar was made, because many other places also practiced sugaring in the late winter and early spring.

The early settlers in the state likely learned from Native Americans how to collect sap and boil it to make the sweet syrup from the sugar maple trees around them.

In the early days of the country, sugar was not easy to obtain; thus discovering there was a natural way to get sugar from trees must have seemed like manna from heaven to settlers. But they soon learned it was a time-consuming, difficult process to make maple sugar and syrup. 

In New England, if you could make and store maple products, you had a valuable currency to eat and trade with others. It was just about the only sweetener in the United States in the 1700s and 1800s. By the late 1880s, around 300,000 gallons was produced for sale on a yearly basis.

The early colonists endured the harsh New Hampshire winters and once they knew the process of maple sugaring, they were eager for late winter and early spring. They knew this was when they could harvest sap for sugar, and they watched the weather with anticipation. (A successful maple year depends greatly on the weather and temperatures.)

The process starts usually in late February when harvesters went into the woods where they had sugar maple trees. At that time, they drilled tiny holes into the trees. The process took time, because the clear sap in liquid form dripped slowly from the taps into buckets placed on the trees. 

Bringing the buckets from the woods to a camp or farm was also labor intensive. Over time, harvesters began to use oxen or horses to transport the sap to the sugarhouses. 

Once at the sugarhouse, the next step in the long process began. During the time of Native Americans, hot stones were placed into logs they had hollowed out. They filled the log containers with the sap and boiled it over the fire. The process was time consuming but the results worth the effort and long boiling time. When the boiling produced dry sugar, it was formed into a cake of sugar or “block sugar” or it was stirred to make grainy sugar. The Native peoples also made sugar on snow by pouring sugar onto snow to create a taffy-like, delicious product. Due to the danger of maple syrup spilling when transporting it, maple sugar in blocks was much easier to carry without losing any of the precious product.

Before the colonists, Native Americans used maple syrup and sugar to season breads and beverages. According to historical information from the UNH Cooperative Extension, maple sugar was an important part of the typical Native person’s diet. 

Over the years, the process of maple sugaring has certainly improved. Kettles and later, evaporators were much more efficient for use in sap houses. 

The Shakers, with a village community in Canterbury, New Hampshire and elsewhere in the United States, were an ingenious group. They believed that doing any project correctly was important and godly. Hands to work, hearts to God was one of their sayings and they lived the belief daily.

Maple sugaring was done by the Shakers at their villages, among them at Canterbury. The maple products were later sold around New England and tourists eagerly purchased maple candies and syrup.

According to information from Canterbury Shaker Village, the Shakers once had a “thriving maple sugar camp. Throughout the 19th- and 20th-centuries, Shakers spent early spring days gathering sap and their nights boiling maple syrup and making candy. At the conclusion of the maple season, the Shakers would emerge from the camp and return to Shaker Village with their sweet harvest in hand.

“Records indicate that in 1864, at the height of American Civil War, the Shaker Village Church Family set out almost 1,200 wooden buckets for the gathering of sap and produced almost 700 barrels of maple syrup. The syrup was not only an important sweetener for the many mouths they fed daily, but an important cash crop for sale to the outside world.”

It was said the Shakers at Canterbury once had a maple tree orchard with over 1,000 trees about a mile or two northeast of their village. From there, they tapped the trees and eventually produced candy, sugar cakes, syrup and other products which could be sold to the public.

When a Shaker elder once visited Canterbury in the mid 1800s, he was shown the sugar camp and was impressed that they made around 2,000 pounds of sugar the year before. This was a very large amount of maple sugar and shows how important the sales of the product were to the Shaker economy.

Much as the Native Americans and early colonists had discovered, the Shakers learned it was hard work hauling the sap to their homes once it was collected from sugar maple trees. Thus, they found a more efficient and less physically taxing way to harvest the sap and boil it down to make the syrup. The Shakers made an exodus from their living quarters in the main village and set up a temporary residence at a sugar camp a few miles away.

Located on Shaker property, the sugar camp was a great place to make maple products. The Shakers stayed at the camp for a month or more and had living quarters, a sugarhouse where they boiled the sap and other buildings.

The Shaker men took turns staying up at night to boil the sap, feed the fire and watch over the sap house. It was hard work, but much easier than hauling the gathered sap to the main village to be boiled down.

Shaker Sisters kept the buildings clean and made meals for the group. 

A Canterbury Shaker, Nicholas Briggs, recalled maple sugaring as a boy, “The maple sugar season began soon after school closed, and it was an interesting time for the boys. They always were in requisition to assist in distributing the buckets to the trees and driving the spiles in the holes bored by the brethren.”

While the popularity of maple syrup never really caught on in England, Governor Wentworth’s plan to harvest and sell maple products was a good one. Americans s loved and used a lot of maple syrup. To this day, they still do.

When the sap begins to run in the late winter, we eagerly anticipate, as did people many years ago, the sweet taste of maple syrup to come.

New Hampshire’s State Dog: Loyalty, Versatility, Intelligence, Endurance

By Rosalie Triolo

Photo: courtesy of Koji’s Owner

The Chinook, pronounced (shuh-nuk), is a relatively rare breed of dog which was first recognized by the United Kennel Club in 1991. In 2013 the Chinook breed was officially acknowledged by the American Kennel Club as part of the Working Group. This breed also has the distinction of being officially named “The State Dog of New Hampshire.”

Born in 1871, Arthur Treadwell Walden spent much of his youth in Minnesota and was educated at the Shattuck Military Academy in Faribault. When his father Reverend Treadwell Walden, an Episcopal clergyman, was appointed minister of St. Paul’s Cathedral in Boston, Arthur chose to live in his father’s vacation home in Tamworth, New Hampshire.

An adventurous young man, Arthur Walden in 1896 at the age of 25 journeyed to Alaska during one of the most exciting periods in history, the Klondike Gold Rush. A territory of the Yukon in northwestern Canada, the Klondike River which is a small river, enters the Yukon River from the east at Dawson City, known as the “heart of the Klondike Gold Rush.” Most prospectors took the route through the ports of Dyea and Skagway in Southeast Alaska. They would then follow the Chilkoot or the White Pass trails to the Yukon River and sail down to the Klondike gold fields. Walden found work as a freighter carrying supplies and mail down the Yukon River. He gained experience with sled dogs which were used to pull heavy freight over vast distances.

In 1902 Walden returned to his farm in Wonalancet, New Hampshire and married Katherine Sleeper. The couple managed the Wonalancet Farm and Inn. Walden, determined to breed his own type of powerful sled dogs, bred a female Greenland Huskey, sired by a large yellowish-brown Mastiff/St. Bernard mix. A litter of puppies was born on January 17, 1917. Walden named one of the pups Chinook, after an Eskimo sled dog he worked with in the Yukon Territory freighting heavy gold mining supplies. Chinook would become his lead sled dog, and afterwards the breed Chinook was named after its forerunner.

Walden bred his dogs to possess those qualities of loyalty, versatility, intelligence, endurance, power and speed, which today still are specific to the “Chinook” breed. Because of Chinook’s easy-going nature, he was especially gentle with children.

There were many “Firsts” for Walden’s “Chinook” dog sled team. They successfully climbed Mount Washington. Walden introduced the sport of sled dog racing to New Hampshire, and in 1924 he founded the New England Sled Dog Club.

Walden was designated by Admiral Richard E. Byrd to be lead driver and dog trainer on his 1929 Expedition to Antarctica. In his book Little America published in 1930, Admiral Byrd wrote: “Had it not been for the dogs, our attempts to conquer the Antarctic by air must have ended in failure. On January 17th Walden’s single team of thirteen dogs moved 3,500 pounds of supplies from ship to base camp, a distance of 16 miles each trip in two journeys. Walden’s team was the backbone of our transport. Seeing him mush his heavy leads along the trail, outstripping the younger men, it was difficult to believe that he was an old man of 58 with the determination and strength of youth.”

In 1929 Chinook was 12 years old. Too old to lead the team, yet young at heart. Walden would use Chinook to “shock the troops.” It was said, “Walden would put him into the team when the going got rough. Then the gallant heart of the old dog would rise above his years and pull with the glorious strength of a three-year-old.”

On April 25th, 1930, news of Chinook’s death saddened many who mourned the loss of one of the greatest dogs in history. New York, April 28th 1930 Headlines: Chinook Said Goodbye! Arthur Walden returned home from Antarctica without his friend Chinook. “Sixty-eight dogs came back with him – heroes, their job well done. But Chinook, their undisputed king when they sailed from Norfolk a year and a half ago – Chinook who always slept at the foot of his master’s bed was not among them. And Chinook’s master will never return to Antarctica.”

On June 9th, 1930, in a special dispatch from The Evening Star Newspaper, Washington D.C and the New York Times, headlines read “Byrd Dogs’ Leader Honored by State. New Hampshire Dedicates Road as “Chinook Trail” as Tribute to their Four-Footed Hero.”

An excerpt reads, “While medals are being struck for Admiral Byrd and the men of his Antarctic Expedition, now rolling homeward on their two ships off the coast of their own country, an enduring honor has been paid to one who is not coming back, a four-footed hero of the great adventure who died alone out on the desolate ice barrier.”

When he returned from Antarctica, Walden found his wife ill. Due to financial difficulties, she had sold half the farm to Eva and Milton Seeley, who maintained the Chinook Kennel. Walden then sold his Chinook dogs to Mrs. Julia Lombard. From the latter part of the 1930’s, the breed had gone through a succession of buyers and breeders.

When they were shown at the New England Sportsman’s Show in Boston, a famous woodsman, Perry Green was fascinated by the breed, and when Lombard decided to sell the dogs, Green was the buyer. In the 1940’s Green moved the breed to Maine eventually becoming the world’s only producer of Chinooks. He still held to Walden’s standards of choosing prospective owners. It involved having the person stay at the kennel for twenty-four hours. If the dogs did not like the person, he would go home without a dog. Walden died in 1947. After Green’s death in 1963, the breed declined to one hundred twenty-five living dogs. Two years later Chinook dogs were recorded by the Guinness Book of World Records as the “Rarest Dog in the World.”

As the breed’s numbers steadily declined throughout the 1980’s, three breeders from Ohio, Maine and California divided the remaining 11 Chinook dogs whose line went back to the original Chinook dog. By the 1990’s as other breeders developed interests in bringing back the numbers, the Chinook population began to grow. Today, there are about 800 Chinook dogs in the world. Only 100 puppies are born each year worldwide. 

Some say the life expectancy of the Chinook is between 12 to 15 years, while others claim it to be between 14 to 17 years. The Chinook stands from 22 to 26 inches tall and usually weighs between 50 to 90 pounds. Their colors vary between a tawny brown, reddish-gold and honey. They are said to be highly affectionate with family members, and friendly towards strangers and other pets.

Here in the lakes region, Koji, a tawny Chinook, is super friendly and very affectionate. He loves being petted and wants your attention whether he has just met you or has known you for a long period of time. He’s obedient and acknowledges commands. According to Koji’s owner, “Sometimes Koji thinks he’s a lap dog.” And how did Koji get his name? The owner had been a Koji Uehara fan. He explained, “Koji Uehara was a former pitcher for the Boston Red Sox, who was named Most Valuable Player in the 2013 American League Championship Series. In the 2013 World Series Uehara threw the winning pitch in Game 6 and the Boston Red Sox won the Series.”

What about grooming? As far as grooming he added, “Chinooks have a double coat. This means they need to be brushed at least once sometimes twice a day especially during shedding season, or you’ll need to vacuum twice a day.” There are many breeds with double coats which gives them fluffier look. A double coat is an undercoat of short hair and a top coat of longer hair. The dense undercoat protects the dog from both hot and cold temperatures and the top coat helps to repel moisture and dirt.

Koji was born at Granite Hill Chinooks in Dover, New Hampshire. Owned and operated by John and Leslie Donais.