AR16_April_26

Arts Council of Tamworth Hosts 2nd Annual “Battle of the Brushes”

On Friday, April 24, the Arts Council of Tamworth is bringing back the wildly popular Battle of the Brushes at the Public House on Page Hill Pavilion. The fun kicks off at 7 pm when attendees can grab a drink and some snacks from the pub and watch as the gathered painters work for about an hour over the course of two rounds to paint a stunning new piece of work, then vote for their favorite painting. The winning painter will receive a prize, and all paintings will be available for purchase via silent auction.

The event is generously sponsored in part by First Water Frames of Conway (firstwaterframes.com) and by the Public House on Page Hill (publichouseonpagehill.com). Music will be provided by DJ Corey Genest. Tickets are available online for $20 per person at www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/

battle-of-the-brushes--2026-2.

“We’re so excited to be hosting Battle of the Brushes for a second year,” said Arts Council of Tamworth Executive Director Julian Long. “There will be a whole new set of painters, so it will be a fresh and different experience for this year’s attendees. As always, we are deeply grateful to our sponsors, First Water Frames and the Pub on Page Hill.”

Other events hosted by the Arts Council of Tamworth this season will include the Tamworth Swift River Regatta on May 30, the summer music festival An Afternoon by the Swift on June 13, and the Tamworth Author Fest on July 11.

For more information about the Arts Council of Tamworth and upcoming events, please visit www.artstamworth. org.

INSTALLATION | REMOVAL | REPAIRS

Spring Events and Opening Day at the Milton’s New Hampshire Farm Museum

The New Hampshire Farm Museum, located at 1305 White Mountain Highway in Milton, is pleased to announce a vibrant lineup of spring events - including opening day - through the month of May, welcoming the community to experience New Hampshire’s rich agricultural heritage as the museum reopens for the 2026 season.

will experience a living history World War II Marine encampment presented by the Baker Company, 1st Battalion, 21st Marine Regiment reenactment group, alongside live demonstrations, historic displays on wartime watchmaking, and special appearances by renowned Maine artist and author Sharon Yates, who will demonstrate her painting and sign books.

Visitors can tour the historic Jones Homestead (circa 1770–present), enjoy period music and parlor games, and step into a recreated 1940s kitchen to sample bread pudding while learning about rationing and the vital roles of women and children on the home front.

Preparations begin with the Eager Beaver Clean Up Day on Saturday, May 16 from 10 am to 3 pm, where volunteers are invited to help dust, vacuum, and organize exhibits in preparation for opening, with lunch provided. The museum officially opens its doors for the season on Friday, May 22 from 10 am to 4 pm, kicking off regular weekend hours through June 24 and offering visitors access to its historic buildings, working farm, and engaging educational displays that highlight rural life from the 18th through 20th centuries.

The highlight of the spring season takes place on Saturday, May 30 from 10 am to 4 pm (rain date May 31) with the next installment of the museum’s Celebrating 250 Years Series, “World War II on the Farm,” an immersive, family-friendly event exploring the wartime home front and agricultural contributions during the 1940s. Guests

Additional activities throughout the day include victory garden demonstrations, tractor rides, animal encounters, and more, offering an engaging and educational experience for all ages. Veterans will receive free admission with proper identification.

For more information about these and other upcoming programs, including summer events, educational opportunities, and group visits, the public is encouraged to visit the museum’s website at nhfarmmuseum.org or follow the New Hampshire Farm Museum on social media.

Crafting Success, One Sandwich at a Time

By Mike Moore

When three life-long friends from North Conway were all attending colleges in different parts of the country, video calls were a great way to keep in touch. Eight years ago, Bryce Harrison, Ian Lubkin, and James Gaudreault needed jobs when they all returned home for the summer. After brainstorming a few ideas, the idea to start up a food truck came to life during a conversation about movies. Little did the trio know that their simple plan to make some money during the break from school would turn into one of the most popular food establishments in New England.

Cheese Louise started in 2018 as fun way to spend the summer with childhood pals, but has since turned into a wildly successful business, with locations in Conway, North Conway, Portland, Portsmouth, and most recently, Boston. No matter how many brickand-mortar locations they open or additional trucks they put on the road, Cheese Louise has kept their culinary concept the same: take something simple and nostalgic and make it extraordinary. The artisan sandwiches created that first summer in the food truck were a huge hit throughout the Mount Washington Valley. The guys were able to settle any loans on the truck and business, plus had some money to spare. For all three, the fun summer job that brought them such acclaim and such a profit was something they couldn’t resist bringing back for a second summer. This time, they added another truck, and rallied around all of New England, gaining a greater reputation with each concert, festival, and large event that they parked their truck at for the day. When Gaudreault made his way back to Vermont to start his final year at UVM, he decided to test out Cheese Louise in a market outside their

hometown. When business boomed for the truck in Montpelier, it was clear that the artisan grilled cheese business was the perfect venture for the newly graduated friends. 2020 was not the ideal time to take Cheese Louise to the next level, and there sure weren’t any large gatherings or concerts happening to even maintain the business they had in prior summers. But the savvy trio thought outside of the box. Their food prep building they used, located on the Kancamagus Highway, had the kitchen they needed and enough space to set up safely distanced outdoor seating. So, despite the worldwide pandemic wreaking havoc

every new location, Cheese Louise was making a name for itself. Their unique success story has been written about in the New Hampshire Union Leader, the Portland Press Herald, Seacoast Online, and received countless positive reviews from respected food bloggers and critics. WMUR ran a lengthy feature of the young restauranteurs when they first started back in 2018, and then revisited again in 2024 to chart their remarkable achievements with what was once just a fun, cool little food truck and now a multi-million-dollar chain restaurant.

on so many businesses, Cheese Louise’s first permanent location became a huge success. Soon after, they would set up one of their trucks at the Settler’s Green Outlet Mall in North Conway, and when larger gatherings were happening again, they sent trucks back out around New England. With college in the rear view for all three, and the popularity of Cheese Louise exploding, they discovered that a “foodie” haven like Portland, Maine would be the perfect place to open their newest location. The doors opened in May of 2021, and within a year and a half, another location of the popular restaurant opened in Portsmouth, New Hampshire. With

Establishing a spacious, year-round Cheese Louise spot in the heart of North Conway was a dream achieved in the summer of 2024. Just six years after first setting up their truck in the same North Conway Village, each of the three owners took great pride in returning to their roots. Not even a year later, the guys started serving up their unique and delicious grill cheese in the city of Boston. Cheese Louise opened a location on Causeway Street, right in the heart of New England’s largest city. Vacationers from Boston that were big fans of the food truck when it first started in North Conway had been known to travel the nearly six-hour round trip during the Covid shutdown just to enjoy a Godmother or Vermonter for lunch as a fun and safe way to get out of the house. The Boston Globe wrote a lengthy feature of Cheese Louise’s journey, noting that the fast-casual favorite’s arrival in the city was highly anticipated.

Owners of one of the most raved about eateries in the Northeast wasn’t what any of them had in mind during the summer after their sophomore years. Their pursuits in school had

• Cheese continued on page 4

Hands-On Spring Fun Awaits at the Children’s Museum of New Hampshire

The Children’s Museum of New Hampshire is celebrating a season full of hands-on learning, special events, and family-friendly fun this spring. A highlight of the spring is the “First-toClimb Party” Raffle Fundraiser, running through August 28, 2026, offering supporters the chance to win a private, two-hour museum rental for up to 60 guests and be among the first to experience the brand-new Luckey Climber exhibit debuting in fall 2026. Proceeds from the raffle support the purchase of this exciting new interactive feature. During April vacation weeks (April 21–26 and April 28–May 3), the museum will offer extended hours and a variety of self-guided art projects and challenges, including a special Earth Day Celebration on April 22 featuring

crafts, activities, and a sustainability-themed scavenger hunt. Families can also enjoy a special ballet demonstration with performers from the Lila Dance Festival on April 11, as well as ongoing weekly programs like Wacky Art Wednesdays, Cultural Crafts, Science Fridays, and Baby Storytime, all included with museum admission. Additional highlights include the Wonder & Wellness parenting workshop on April 8, offering practical tools for caregivers, and the return of sensory-friendly “Exploring Our Way” play sessions on May 3, designed for children with autism spectrum or sensory processing disorders. In May, visitors can look forward to Farm Day with Sturgeon Creek Farm on May 3, where children can meet and interact with an-

imals on the outdoor Play Patio. Located in downtown Dover, at 6 Washington Street, the Children’s Museum of New Hampshire offers two floors of interactive exhibits for children from infancy through middle school, encouraging exploration across science, art, culture, and more. Open

year-round, the museum is committed to accessibility and provides a variety of programs, classes, and events designed to engage learners of all ages. For tickets, reservations, and a full calendar of events, visit www.childrens-museum.org.

them studying economics, computers, and engineering, not restaurant management, culinary expertise, and brand expansion. But each of the owners definitely incorporate their education into their contributions to the restaurant. Gaudreault gets to utilize the skills learned from his civil engineering degree, as he handles all the design and maintenance for the trucks and six locations. Harrison carries the title “Human Development Lead” alongside “owner”. Having studied economics and international affairs while at the University of British Columbia has certainly helped shape how he goes about his role. Lubkin has put his computer engineering degree to good use, as his primary role in the ownership group is as the Information and Technology Lead, or what they refer to as the “Beep Boop Boss”. Throughout the eight years, the Cheese Louise team has grown from the original three to dozens throughout their locations. Their company mission has never changed, however. The values begin and end with fun and positivity. Community is one

of the biggest values of Cheese Louise, continually donating and giving back to each town they build a location or visit in their truck. They represent a true North Conway spirit, promoting teamwork and authenticity, with a true hospitable nature.

Earning some spending money for the upcoming school year while getting to spend time with best friends are all that matter in our youth, but when inspiration strikes and the right blend of teamwork and community spirit gives that inspiration life, a success story like Cheese Louise can be the result. This fast-casual favorite can be found at several locations right along Route 16 in Settler’s Green and North Conway Village. Or, check out how far the local kids with a food truck have come when visiting their locations in Portland, Portsmouth, or Boston. Enjoy some of the tastiest artisan sandwiches around and maybe take away some inspiration from the triumphant story of the three college buddies that dreamt up a million-dollar idea when they were just finding ways to enjoy a New Hampshire summer together.

State Choral Presents Rustic Rhythm and Jazz Concerts

The Granite State Choral Society invites you to two afternoons of great American music, on Saturday, May 2, at the First United Methodist Church at 34 South Main Street in Rochester at 4 pm, and Sunday, May 3, at the First Church Congregational at 63 South Main Street, again at 4 pm.

Rustic Rhythm and Jazz celebrate the sounds that shaped our musical heritage. You will hear music rooted in folk traditions, bluegrass spirit, and jazz rhythm. These styles tell the story of American culture through melody, harmony, and energy.

This concert will also feature special guests Cedar Mountain Bluegrass, a New England-based band performing Americana, contemporary, and original bluegrass music. Their sound brings energy and authenticity to the bluegrass tradition and ties in the bluegrass genre to our already musically rich program. Tickets are $12 online in advance, $15 at the door. Bring a friend. Bring family. Enjoy an afternoon of music that feels familiar, lively, and full of heart. For tickets and more information, visit www.gschoralsociety.org.

Volunteer Opportunities with Downtown Rochester

Downtown doesn’t happen by accident — it happens because people show up. As we head into a busy season, there are several ways to get involved:

Flower Barrel Planting – April 21 at 5:30 pm: Help us bring color back to downtown for the spring season. For more information, visit www.facebook.com/events/925901890161222

Free Comic Book Day Silhouettes: Assist with creating and setting up themed photo elements ahead of this popular downtown event. (Date and time to be announced)

Wyandotte Walkway Murals:

Help refresh and reimagine the murals in this key downtown space.

Join a Committee:

Get involved in planning and shaping downtown events, projects, and initiatives throughout the year.

Whether you have an hour to give or want to be more involved, volunteering is a chance to be part of what’s happening downtown — not just attend it.

If you’re interested in getting involved: www.rochestermainstreet.org/ volunteer.html

‘Shop ‘Til You Drop Craft Fair’ Returns to Rochester on May 9

The GSCS Spring 2026 Shop ‘Til You Drop Craft Fair will be held Saturday May 9, from 9:30 am - 3 pm at the James W. Foley Community Center (150 Wakefield Street, Rochester, NH).

Spend your Saturday browsing from 50 different crafters and artisans from the area. Each of these vendors will provide one of their wares for a raffle item which means you have 50 chances to win awesome prizes! Of course, all this shopping will make you hungry

so you will have to make sure you grab a bowl of food from one of the crockpot meals prepared by local volunteers. If that’s not enough to pique your interest, how about the chance to win some cold, hard cash with a 50/50 raffle? Come for the shopping, stay for the community spirit!

For inquiries, please ensure you contact us exclusively at gschoral@gmail.com or gcballinger@ gmail.com, or www.facebook.com/ events/1686301082545843.

Free Comic Book Day Returns to Rochester on May 2

Free Comic Book Day returns to downtown Rochester on May 2 from 10 am – 4 pm, at Jetpack Comics and Games, at 37 N Main Street, in Rochester.

This annual event brings families, visitors, and comic fans downtown for a day of exploring local businesses, collecting comics, and enjoying themed photo opportunities throughout the district.

Follow the event page for full details and updates: www.facebook.com/ events/938302558664347

Lots of New Listings - Call Today

New Hampshire Day

Spring 5/9, Fall 11/1

Member Solstice 6/24

Movie Night 7/22

Nature for Everyone Barn Bash 7/16

Animal Birthday Bash 8/12

Annual Meeting & Summer Social 8/6

Raptor Migration Celebration 9/19

Grandparents Day 10/3

Howl O Ween 10/24

New August BioBlitz events weekly!

Science Lecture Series

Live Animal

Guided

What’s UP

Please

Through June 29, Under Open Skies, group art exhibit, Mt. Washington Valley Arts Assoc. (gallery), 16 Norcross Circle, N. Conway, 603-356-2787, www. mwvarts.org.

April 17, Friday Night Jazz, Ameranouche, 7 p.m., Majestic Cafe, 34 Main St., Conway, 603-447-4737, www.conwaymajestic.com.

April 17, Jake Shimabukuro, 8 pm, Stone Mountain Arts Center, Brownfield, ME, 207-935-7292, www.stonemountainartscenter.com.

April 17, Daniel Kelly Jazz Trio, 7 – 9 p.m., First Congregational Church, 115 South Main St., Wolfeboro, by Wolfeboro Friends of Music, 603-569-2151, https://www.wolfeborofriendsofmusic.org/

April 17-25, Wolfeboro Area Restaurant Week, dine around town, info.: Wolfeboro Area Chamber of Commerce, 603-569-2200.

April 18, Alana MacDonald, 8 pm, Stone Mountain Arts Center, Brownfield, ME, 207-935-7292, www.stonemountainartscenter.com.

April 18, Bewitched Acres Paint & Sip, 3 – 4:30 p.m., held at Castle in the Clouds, pre-registration required: www.castleintheclouds.org., 603-476-5900, 455 Old Mountain Rd., Moultonborough.

April 18, Earth Day, Believe in Books Literacy Foundation/Theatre in the Wood, Intervale, live performance at 5 p.m., photo opps, walk the Storybook Trail and more, 603-356-9980, www.believeinbooks.org.

April 18, Frank Santos – R-Rated Hypnotist, M&D Playhouse, at Eastern Slope Inn, 2760 White Mt. Highway, N. Conway, 603-733-5275, www.mdplayhouse.com.

April 18, Meet the Artists Celebration, for Under Open Skies group art exhibit, Mt. Washington Valley Arts Assoc. (gallery), 16 Norcross Circle, N. Conway,: 603-356-2787, www.mwvarts.org.

April 18, New Orleans Spotlight Series, 7:30 p.m., Majestic Theatre, 34 Main St., Conway, 603-447-4737, www.conwaymajestic.com.

April 18, Opening Reception for artist Linda Hefner exhibit, 10 a.m. – noon, Gafney Library, 14 High St., Sanbornville, 603-522-3401, gafney@worldpath. net.

April 18, Spring Stroll, 10:30 a.m. - noon, Tin Mountain Conservation Center, 1245 Bald Hill Rd., Albany, pre-register: 603-447-6991, www.tinmountain. org.

April 19, Bela Fleck, Edmar Castaneda, Antonia Sanchez Trio, 8 pm, Stone Mountain Arts Center, Brownfield, ME, 207-935-7292, www.stonemountainartscenter.com.

April 19, McCoy, Mrubata & Gary Wittner, noon, Majestic Cafe, 34 Main St., Conway, 603-447-4737, www.mountaintopmusic.org.

April 19, Vegas McGraw – A Tribute to Tim McGraw with Adam D. Tucker, 7 p.m., Rochester Opera House, 31 Wakefield St., Rochester, tickets/info.: 603335-1992, www.rochesteroperahouse.com.

April 21, Touch a Truck, 10:30 – 11:30 a.m., Conway Public Library, at library’s parking lot, 15 Greenwood Avenue, Conway, 603-447-5552, www.conwaypubliclibrary.org.

April 21 & 22, Alan Doyle, 8 pm, Stone Mountain Arts Center, Brownfield, ME, 207-935-7292, www.stonemountainartscenter.com.

April 22, Earth Day Adopt a Highway Trash Cleanup, 8:45 – 10:30 a.m., Chocorua Lake/Rt. 16, Chocorua Lake Conservancy, 11 Runnells Hall Rd., Chocorua, sign up in advance; 603-323-6252, www.chocorualake.org.

April 23, Barley & Salt Plates with a Purpose, 4 - 8 p.m., Pope Memorial Library, 2719 White Mountain Highway, S. Main St., N. Conway, 603-356-2961, www.popelibrarynh.org.

April 23, Envision Night, 6:30 – 8 p.m., Ossipee Town Hall, 55 Main St., Ossipee, discussion of fall event themes, activities, community and business opportunities, hosted by Ossipee Economic Development Committee and Greater Ossipee Chamber of Commerce, info@ossipeevalley.org.

April 23, White Mt. Ceili Band, 7 p.m., Majestic Cafe, 34 Main St., Conway, 603-447-4737, www.conwaymajestic.com.

April 24, Battle of the Brushes, Arts Council of Tamworth, Pub on Page Hill, info.: www.artstamworth.org.

April 24, Friday Night Jazz, The View From Here, 7 p.m., Majestic Cafe, 34 Main St., Conway, 603-447-4737, www.conwaymajestic.com.

April 24 & 25, Comedian Juston McKinney, 7:30 p.m., Rochester Opera House, 31 Wakefield St., Rochester, tickets/info.: 603-335-1992, www.rochesteroperahouse.com.

April 24 & 25, Peter Wolf and the Midnight Travelers, 8 pm, Stone Mountain Arts Center, Brownfield, ME, 207-935-7292, www.stonemountainartscenter.com.

April 25, Cassie & Maggie, 7 – 9 p.m., modern Celtic music, Medallion Opera House, 30 Park St., Gorham, 603-466-3322, www.medallionoperahouse.org.

April 25, Exploring the Art of Watercolor Class, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., instructor: Carole Shea, Castle in the Clouds, 455 Old Mountain Rd., Moultonborough, pre-register: 603-476-5900, www.castleintheclouds.org.

April 25, Geology of the Ossipee Mountains Field Exploration, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m., Tin Mountain Conservation Center, 1245 Bald Hill Rd., Albany, pre-register: 603-447-6991, www.tinmountain.org.

April 25, Jewelry Workshop: Rose Cut Gems, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Makers Mill, 23 Bay St., Wolfeboro, info./register; 603-569-1500, www.makersmill.org.

April 25, Spring Stroll, 10 – 11:30 a.m., Tin Mountain Conservation Center, 1245 Bald Hill Rd., Albany, pre-register: 603-447-6991, www.tinmountain. org.

April 25, The Song Remains the Same – Led Zeppelin tribute concert, 7:30 p.m., Majestic Theatre, 34 Main St., Conway, 603-447-4737, www.conwaymajestic.com.

April 26, Italian Dinner Benefit, 4 p.m., Community Room, 4 Main St., New Durham (behind Fire Station), benefit for Zechariah Boodey Farmstead, info.: 603-859-4643.

April 26, Petting Zoo with Foxx Run Farm, 12:30 – 2:30 p.m., Pope Memorial Library, 2719 White Mountain Highway, S. Main St., N. Conway, 603-3562961, www.popelibrarynh.org.

April 27, Acoustic Jam, 5:30 - 7:30 p.m., Pope Memorial Library, 2719 White Mountain Highway, S. Main St., N. Conway, 603-356-2961, www.popelibrarynh. org. (Event info.: George Petry 603-730-5317, georgepetry4455@gmail.com)

April 27, Spring Ephemerals Pop-Up Walk, 10 – 11:30 a.m., Tin Mountain Conservation Center, 1245 Bald Hill Rd., Albany, pre-register: 603-447-6991, www.tinmountain.org. (More dates for the walk on website)

April 27-May 1, LEGO/Farm Camp at Tumbledown Farms, 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., 295 Wentworth Rd., Brookfield, 603-455-4726, www.tumbledownfarms.com.

April 28, Creating Character Workshop with Emily Prescott, 6 p.m., Gafney Library, 14 High St., Sanbornville, 603-522-3401, gafney@worldpath.net.

April 29, Jazz for RAE: fundraiser for Kennett Key Club & Kiwanis with DellaValla Bluegrass Trio, with special guests, 7 p.m., Majestic Cafe, 34 Main St., Conway, 603-447-4737, www.conwaymajestic.com.

May 29, Watercolor & Ink Dreams, 1 – 3 p.m., art class, Mt. Washington Valley Arts Assoc. (gallery), 16 Norcross Circle, N. Conway, 603-356-2787, www. mwvarts.org.

April 30, Forest Stewardship Workshop: A Professional Guide to ‘Forest Stand Improvement’, 9 - 11 a.m., Tin Mountain Conservation Center, 1245 Bald Hill Rd., Albany, pre-register: 603-447-6991, www.tinmountain.org.

April 30, The Lion Sisters, 7 p.m., Majestic Cafe, 34 Main St., Conway, 603447-4737, www.conwaymajestic.com.

April 30, Woodpiles for Wildlife Workshop, 10 a.m. - noon, Charlotte C. Browne Woods, Washington Hill Rd., Chocorua, Chocorua Lake Conservancy, 11 Runnells Hall Rd., Chocorua, 603-323-6252, www.chocorualake.org.

April 30-May 10, Sunrise Coven, M&D Playhouse, at Eastern Slope Inn, 2760 White Mt. Highway, N. Conway, 603-733-5275, www.mdplayhouse.com.

May 1, Friday Night Jazz, Paul Heckel & David Newsam, 7 p.m., Majestic Cafe, 34 Main St., Conway, 603-447-4737, www.conwaymajestic.com.

May 1, Rear Window, Movies at the Majestic, 7 p.m., Majestic Theatre, 34 Main St., Conway, 603-447-4737, www.conwaymajestic.com.

May 1, The Weight Band, 8 pm, Stone Mountain Arts Center, Brownfield, ME, 207-935-7292, www.stonemountainartscenter.com.

May 2, Adam Ezra Group, 8 pm, Stone Mountain Arts Center, Brownfield, ME, 207-935-7292, www.stonemountainartscenter.com.

May 2, Beginning Birding, 11 a.m. – noon, Remick Country Doctor Museum & Farm, 58 Cleveland Hill Rd., Tamworth, 603-323-7591, www.remickmuseum. org.

May 2, Birding in the Bog, 7 - 10 a.m., Tin Mountain Conservation Center, 1245 Bald Hill Rd., Albany, pre-register: 603-447-6991, www.tinmountain.org.

May 2, Buried New Hampshire, 1 – 3 p.m., Tin Mountain Conservation Center, 1245 Bald Hill Rd., Albany, pre-register: 603-447-6991, www.tinmountain. org.

May 2, Celtic Spiral Earrings, 9 a.m. - 1 p.m., Makers Mill, 23 Bay St., Wolfeboro, info./register; 603-569-1500, www.makersmill.org.

May 2, Spring Concert, 4 p.m., Union Congregational Church, 80 Main Street, Union, 603-473-2727

May 3, Arpeggione Ensemble – Woodwinds & Strings, 3 p.m., Majestic Theatre, 34 Main St., Conway, 603-447-4737, www.conwaymajestic.com.

May 3, Mother’s Day Bouquets with Bodega Florals, noon - 2 p.m., Pope Memorial Library, 2719 White Mountain Highway, S. Main St., N. Conway, 603-356-2961, www.popelibrarynh.org.

May 3, New England Fiddle Ensemble Concert, 2 p.m., Rochester Opera House, 31 Wakefield St., Rochester, tickets/info.: 603-335-1992, www.rochesteroperahouse.com.

May 5, Introduction to Bird Language, 6:30 – 7:30 p.m., Zoom program, Chocorua Lake Conservancy, 11 Runnells Hall Rd., Chocorua, 603-323-6252, www.chocorualake.org.

May 7, BluGrit Blues Band, 7 p.m., Majestic Cafe, 34 Main St., Conway, 603447-4737, www.conwaymajestic.com.

May 7, Human Culture and Birds – A Case Study of Climate Change, 7 – 8 p.m., Tin Mountain Conservation Center, 1245 Bald Hill Rd., Albany, pre-register: 603-447-6991, www.tinmountain.org.

May 7, Hummingbirds: Wonder on Wings, 6 – 7 p.m., Ham Community Room, Conway Public Library, 15 Greenwood Avenue, Conway, many learning experiences, 603-447-5552, www.conwaypubliclibrary.org.

May 7-June 11, Big Day Brewing Spring Trail Run/Walk Series, 3:30 – 6:30 p.m., Great Glen Trails, 1 Mt. Washington Auto Rd., Gorham, 603-466-3988, www.greatglentrails.com.

May 8, Environmental Trivia, 5:30 – 8 p.m., Tin Mountain Conservation Center, 1245 Bald Hill Rd., Albany, pre-register: 603-447-6991, www.tinmountain. org.

May 8, Friday Night Jazz, The Heather Pierson Trio, 7 p.m., Majestic Cafe, 34 Main St., Conway, 603-447-4737, www.conwaymajestic.com.

May 9, 10th Annual Bird Walk, Chapman Sanctuary and Visny Woods, 7:30 a.m., free, public welcome, 740 Mt. Israel Rd., Center Sandwich, 603-2846428, www.chapmansanctuaryvisnywoods.com.

ONGOING

ArtWorks Chocorua Creative Arts Center, gallery, workshops & events, open year-round with seasonal hours, 603-323-8041, 132 Rt. 16, Chocorua, www. chocoruaartworks.com

Believe in Books Literacy Foundation/Theatre in the Wood, Intervale, programs for children, 603-356-9980, www.believeinbooks.org.

Breakfast Buffet, 7 a.m. - 11 a.m., Wolfeboro Masonic Lodge, 35 Trotting Track Rd, Wolfeboro. Pancakes, French toast, scrambled eggs, home fries, bacon, sausage, omelets made-to-order, Eggs Benedict, biscuit and gravy, juice, and coffee. Served select Sundays of every month, 603-569-4637.

Castle in the Clouds, Rte. 171, Moultonborough, 603-476-5900, www.castleintheclouds.org.

Coffee Hour, 10 – 11 a.m., coffee, tea and snacks, Wednesdays, Effingham Public Library, 30 Town House Rd., Effingham, 603-539-1537, Effingham.lib. nh.us.

Cog Railway, 3168 Base Station Rd., Mount Washington, 800-922-8825, www.thecog.com.

Conway Historical Society, historical info., 603-447-5551, www.conwayhistoricalsociety.org.

Conway Public Library, 15 Greenwood Avenue, Conway, many learning experiences, 603-447-5552, www.conwaypubliclibrary.org.

Conway Scenic Railroad, train rides to White Mt. areas, 603-356-5251, station located at 38 Norcross Circle, North Conway, www.conwayscenic.com.

Great Glen Trails, outdoor center/activities, Mt. Washington Auto Rd., Gorham, 603-466-3988, www.greatglentrails.com.

In the Round, Sundays at 8:45 a.m., thought-provoking topics related to tolerance, Benz Center, Sandwich, 603-284-7532.

Indoor Pickleball, 5 - 7 p.m., Sandwich Elementary School gym, Sandwich, Tues., Thurs. Friday, 603-387-2180, parksandrec@sandwichnh.org.

Jackson Historical Society, 23 Black Mt. Rd., Jackson, info./hours: 603-3834060, www.jacksonhistory.org.

Live Music & Making Art, 4 – 6 p.m., make something unique, come with family and friends or alone, no experience necessary, Aplomb Project, 262 Central St., Dover, 603-208-3300, reservations required: www.theaplombproject. org.

Little Angel Service Dog at Gibson Center, 10:30 A.M., Wednesdays, 14 Grove St., N. Conway, 603-356-3231, www.gibsoncenter.org.

Majestic Café, jazz, blues, and more, 34 Main St., Conway, 603-447-4737, www.conwaymajestic.com.

Makers Mill, variety of workshops, classes in arts and crafts and more, Makers Mill, 23 Bay St., Wolfeboro, 603-569-1500, www.makersmill.org.

Making Strides, 8 – 9 a.m., daily drop-in walking for groups or singles, Ossipee Town Hall, no pre-registration required, 55 Main St., Center Ossipee, www.ossipee.recdesk.com.

Medallion Opera House, 20 Park St., Gorham, 603-723-3421, www.medallionoperahouse.org.

Mt. Washington Valley Arts Assoc., 16 Norcross Circle, North Conway, 603356-2787, www.mwvarts.org.

Monthly Casual Sewing Group, 6 – 8 p.m., every fourth Tues., Cook Memorial Library, 93 Main St., Tamworth, 603-323-8510, www.tamworthlibrary.org.

Naturalist Led Hikes, Tin Mountain Conservation Center, 1245 Bald Hill Rd., Albany, space limited, registration/info.: 603-447-6991, www.tinmountain.org.

Open Mic Night at the Medallion, 6 p.m., free, first Wed. of each month, Medallion Opera House, 30 Park St., Gorham, call for updates: 603-466-3322, www.medallionoperahouse.org.

Outdoor Nature Based Storytime for Young Children, Tuesdays, 10:30 a.m.

- 1:30 p.m., Cook Memorial Library, 93 Main St., Tamworth, 603-323-8510, www.tamworthlibrary.org.

Poetry Group 2026, 4 p.m., meets monthly, Conway Public Library, 15 Greenwood Ave., Conway, 603-447-552, schedule: www.conwaypubliclibrary.org.

Quilting & Crafting Group, 1 p.m., meets 2nd & 4th Thurs. monthly, Ossipee Public Library, 74 Main St., Center Ossipee, schedule/info: 603-539-6390.

Remick Country Doctor Museum & Farm, events, tours, 58 Cleveland Hill Rd., Tamworth, 603-323-7591, www.remickmuseum.org.

Second Saturday Contradance, Tamworth Outing Club, 7:30 – 10 p.m., Tamworth Town House, 27 Cleveland Hill Rd., Tamworth, admission charged, info.: Amy Berrier 603-651-5800 or Teresa Fournier at 978-609-2181.

Song and Jam Circle, 6:30 – 8 p.m., community created jams and song circle, 3rd Monday of each month, Runnells Hall, 25 Deer Hill Rd., Tamworth, free, bring your favorite instruments, Arts Council of Tamworth, 603-584-2712, www.artstamworth.org.

Stamp Club, 7 p.m., All Saints Church, 258 South Main St., Wolfeboro, info: 603-569-3453.

Tamworth Farmer’s Market, Saturdays, 9 a.m. - noon, 30 Tamworth Road, Tamworth, info: www.tamworthfarmersmarket.org.

Tamworth History Center, 25 Great Hill Rd., Tamworth, info: www.tamworthhistorycenter.org.

Tamworth Townhouse Hoot – Bruce Berquist & Jim Alt, 1 – 3 p.m., Saturdays, 27 Cleveland Hill Rd., Tamworth, song circle, local musicians welcome to participate, bruceberquist@gmail.com.

The Recipe Club, 12:30 – 2 p.m., meets monthly, Pope Memorial Library, 2719 White Mountain Highway, S. Main St., N. Conway, 603-356-2961, www. popelibrarynh.org.

Thursday Night Book Club, discussion of books; Mystery Book Club meets second Thursday of the month, White Birch Books, 2568 White Mt. Highway, North Conway, info./dates: 603-356-3200, www.whitebirchbooks.com.

Tin Mountain Conservation Center, 1245 Bald Hill Rd., Albany, programs, hikes, nature learning center, 603-447-6991, www.tinmountain.org.

Wolfeboro Table Tennis meets every Wed. from 4 - 6 p.m., in basement of All Saints Church, Wolfeboro, all skill levels welcome, $5 admission charge each week, info: 603-520-5651.

Writer/Poetry Group, meets first Thurs. of each month through Dec. 2026, 4 p.m., Conway Public Library, 15 Greenwood Ave., Conway, 603-447-5552, conwaypubliclibrary.org.

Open Drawing Sessions, 1st Mondays monthly from 4 – 7 p.m., 3rd Mondays monthly from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m., no experience necessary, Mt. Washington Valley Arts Assoc. (gallery), 16 Norcross Circle, N. Conway, exhibit of art by Assoc. members focused on winter, 603-356-2787, www.mwvarts.org.

Nothing “Normal” About Effingham’s Normal School

By Kathi Caldwell-Hopper

The term Normal School is an old one, not used much anymore. One would assume the name denotes a standard, basic, “normal” or elementary school.

In its day – 1800s to mid 1900s – a Normal School meant a college, specifically a teacher’s college. Such colleges were offered as a way for young men and women to receive training to enter the teaching profession. Future teachers learned the basics of education, often going out to teach in rural New England schools after Normal School graduation. (The training often entailed a few years of study.)

One could assume Normal Schools were in heavily populated locations around the state. While some were in places such as Plymouth, Keene and Merrimack, New Hampshire, the first Normal School in the state was in rural Effingham, near the Maine border.

50 Pointe PL. Ste. 33, Dover, (603) 842-4402 stellasdover.com

(603) 659-0263

The New Hampshire/Maine border towns were different then, as was the population. According to Janet Smith, vice president of the Effingham Historical Society, at one time the population of the town was 1,500. “It was an affluent area,” she says. The people of the area likely wanted better things for their sons and daughters, and a teacher training school provided a solution.

The Effingham Normal School started in 1830 in the old Effingham Union Academy Building. It is said the Normal School was the first institution with the purpose of training teachers in the state.

At the time, Effingham had some unusual people and places of note, such as the mansion of Squire Isaac Lord. The Normal School was not far from the Squire’s home. Perhaps he invit-

ed the teacher’s school students to his home now and then for a party or dinner? His was an unusual story as he rose to a position of note in the town and succeeded in a big way.

According to a State of New Hampshire Historical Marker, “On the rise of the ground just west of here, on the second floor of the old Effingham Union Academy Building (1819) was the First Normal School in New Hampshire. It was in this Academy in 1830 that James W. Bradbury, later United States Senator from Maine, took the school only on condition that it should be for the instruction and training of teachers. This idea was his own and at that time entirely novel.”

Why start such a venture in Effingham? If one looks at the life, history and education of Bradbury, it becomes quite clear that he was a man of learning and hard work. His educational background was supreme and he knew and befriended many movers and shakers in his day, such as Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, Nathaniel Hawthorne, and Franklin Pierce. These were men of above average intelligence, whom Bradbury met in college.

Born in June of 1802 in Parsonsfield, Maine (not far from Effingham), Bradbury went to local schools and later academies in Maine and elsewhere. He received a Bachelor of Arts from Bowdoin College in Maine. He graduated third in his class and delivered a graduation ceremony oration. His fellow graduates were, among others, Wadsworth Longfellow, Hawthorne, and John Stevens Cabot Abbott

• Yesteryear continued on page 11

After graduation, Bradbury began teaching – a career that was open to most men and women at the time who needed a job and had some training. He taught and became principal at a school in Hallowell, Maine. By the early 1830s, he founded the Effingham Normal School.

Before the Normal School started, the Effingham Union Academy was built at Lord’s Hill and incorporated in June of 1819. (There was already an elementary school on Lord’s Hill in the town. The Union Academy was started to serve the upper grades.)

The first leader of the school was the Reverend Thomas Jameson and his yearly salary was $400 plus board in exchange for teaching at the school and serving as preacher at the town’s Congregational Church. Because it was a rural area, before the Academy began, the nearest school was in Fryeburg, Maine, which was quite a distance.

Jameson was engaged to Squire Isaac Lord’s daughter at the time. It might have been due to that influence that Jameson received the pastoral duties and teaching position. How this was received with townspeople we do not know.

By 1830, Bradbury wanted to start a Normal School in the same building. It is said the idea to offer the school to those who wanted to be teachers was entirely Bradbury’s own. He had a stipulation that it was to be a school strictly for the instruction and training of teachers. Such a school was unusual at the time, but Bradbury was confident it could work. There is some uncertainty as to whether Bradbury was involved only in the original idea for the Normal School, or if he stayed on and ran the teacher’s training college. It is possible he saw the building had available space on the second floor of the Academy structure and offered an opportunity to better the community’s young people. The Normal School was

popular, with students coming from elsewhere to study and board locally.

Normal School students did well, and one such scholar who attended the Effingham Normal School was Amos Tuck. He is thought to have attended the Academy and probably studied further at the Normal School, going on to teach and gain note as a lawyer, educator and politician. (In later years, Tuck had an affiliation with Dartmouth College.)

Another Effingham Normal School scholar was Luther Orlando Emerson. He later became a composer and a famous chorale director. Most schools and churches in the country had his singing books at one point.

Details are sketchy, but eventually the Normal School closed, and the building was owned by the town of Effingham. For a time, it continued to house an upper school (high school of sorts), and the building had various uses over the years.

A sale from an owner was finalized in 1977, and it became the property of the Effingham Historical Society. (The building still stands and continues to house the Effingham Historical Society.)

Beyond the Normal School, Bradbury continued to branch out from teaching and was as ambitious scholar. He became interested in the law while still teaching and studied with two Maine lawyers. He passed the bar in 1830 and practiced law in Augusta, Maine.

Bradbury also got interested in the railroad. Further, he became the editor of a Democratic newspaper and also served as a United States Senator.

In his long life, Bradbury continued to do it all and practiced law into his 90s. It is unknown how much influence he had over the curriculum and methods of teacher training at the Normal School he started earlier in his career.

A front-page article in an August, 1928 issue of The Reporter related that a big celebration took place for Effing-

Mother’s Day

Dining

ham’s 150th anniversary. The article listed the Normal School as the first of its kind in the country, which was quite a worthy status. (Some historians believe it was the first Normal School in New Hampshire but not the entire country.)

The Effingham Normal School afforded local young people a place to gain education for a career. Influential men in the community such as Isaac Lord may have looked favorably upon such an institution for the betterment of all.

Lord came to Effingham in the late 1700s. There was nothing to set him apart from any of the others who came to the town, maybe to stay or perhaps just passing through. But the story of Lord turned out much differently.

Lord settled in Effingham and left a permanent mark on the community. Like Bradbury, Isaac Lord was ambitious. He thrived in business and bought property in the area.

Men of industry needed fine homes to further prove their worth; Lord built a home on Lord’s Hill.

Lord saw the chance to bring businesses to the area at a time when there wasn’t much offered: he built a store and a house, which he enlarged over time according to Tales of Effingham by Lawrence P. Hall. This was followed by a second store, which Lord built across from the first store. He converted his residence into an inn/tavern. Eventually he came to own a store and post office, a tavern and sawmills. Quite an enterprise for one man.

Lord ran the tavern on a hill (Lord’s Hill), in the town. With foresight, he wanted to see a Meetinghouse on Lord’s Hill. He prospered greatly and

by 1802 he was reported to have over 1,500 acres of forested land and over 20 acres good for tilling.

Lord married Susanna Leavitt in the 1790s. The fast-rising Lord seemed to have his hand in many things going on in Effingham, from tax collecting to the purchase of land to serving as selectman, assessor, school committee member and representative to the General Court.

Isaac and Susanna’s sons were raised in the area and when they reached an age to go out to work, the elder Lord helped them get positions in the town and elsewhere. One worked as postmaster and others found work in their father’s stores.

Stories relate that Mrs. Lord found Effingham too quiet for her rising position in society. To please her and to further his business ventures, Lord moved with his wife to Portland, Maine.

Mrs. Lord loved city life but Isaac longed for the quiet and peace of Effingham. Eventually the Squire returned to Effingham, where he resided until his death in the 1830s.

Perhaps to assuage his loneliness the Squire invited students from the Normal School for a meal now and then? One would like to imagine him opening his doors to the young people who were studying and hoping to get ahead in their lives and careers.

As they went out into the world, trained as teachers borne of an idea by Bradbury, they could better face the future. At a time when it was difficult to make a living, there is indeed nothing “normal” about that.

(Thanks to members of the Effingham Historical Society for their insights and help with this story.)

& The Scenic Byways of Rtes. 25, 28, 108, 109, 113, 125, 153 & 171 www.facebook.com/Along-Route-16

Spring Opener Coming for Waterbodies Managed Specifically

Trout-managed waters offer anglers the chance to experience exciting fishing in some of the Granite State’s most scenic surroundings. You can fish in many of New Hampshire’s managed trout ponds starting on the fourth Saturday in April, and this year’s opening day is April 25. These waters include “designated trout ponds,” which are open through Labor Day, and “fly-fishing-only ponds,” which are open through October 15.

Ponds managed for trout may contain wild fish or be stocked with one or more species, including brook, rainbow, or brown trout of various age classes. “These trout ponds often provide the best opportunities for trout

angling in a given area for a variety of reasons,” said New Hampshire Fish and Game Department of Inland Fisheries Division Chief Dianne Timmins. “Excellent habitat, limited species predation, low angling competition, and the fact that these ponds are closed to ice fishing allow the fish to grow larger, offering a more challenging experience for the trout-fishing enthusiast.”

Archery Pond in Allenstown, which has an ADA-accessible casting platform, and Stonehouse Pond in Barrington are two popular fly-fishing-only ponds that will be well stocked for opening day. Further north, some excellent fly-fishing-only ponds include Cole Pond in Enfield, Little Bear Brook

Annual Tribute Concert Event at Palace Theatre Manchester, on April 23

The New Hampshire Prostate Cancer Coalition is pleased to announce their 11th annual fundraising awareness event at the Palace Theatre (80 Hanover Street) in Manchester, NH. This show features beloved songs from iconic Broadway productions and classic films. The concert will be Thursday, April 23, at 7:30 pm. Tickets are $44 each and can be purchased online at www.PalaceTheatre.org. Group ticket purchases can be made by calling the Palace at 603.662.5588.

Jenene Caramielo has traveled the globe performing on Broadway, the White House and some of the largest cruise ships on the sea. For those who enjoy Broadway productions and classic films, this is a must-see show titled, “From Broadway to the Big Screen with Jenene Caramielo”. This dynamic concert event showcases beloved songs from iconic Broadway productions and classic films, brought to life through Caramielo’s powerful vocals and engaging stage presence. With a career that includes performances alongside leg-

endary artists and appearances for world leaders, Caramielo delivers a captivating journey through some of the most celebrated music in theater and cinema.

The mission of the New Hampshire Prostate Cancer Coalition is to reduce the prostate cancer deaths in New Hampshire via awareness, education, and early detection and provide support for those with the disease and their families. The number of prostate cancer patients in New Hampshire is on the rise, and the NH Prostate Cancer Coalition is a non-profit, volunteer organization formed by survivors and families of this preventable disease.

Area businesses are invited to participate with event sponsorships, and the event and businesses are encouraged to purchase blocks of tickets to hand out to their employees as an appreciation benefit.

For sponsorship inquiries and further information, please e-mail info@ NHprostatecancercoalition.org. To purchase tickets, visit www.PalaceTheatre. org.

•

Way To Buy Vehicles

Pond in Wentworth’s Location, and Big Brook Pond in Pittsburg. Check the NH Freshwater Fishing Digest for special regulations on these waters, and others, by visiting https://www. eregulations.com/newhampshire/fishing/freshwater.

“Fishing for that first-of-the season trout is one of the traditional rites of spring, and they are beautiful,” Timmins said. “Whether your passion is the blue-haloed brook trout, a leaping, pink-striped rainbow, or the determined fight of a brown, there’s a trout pond within a reasonable driving distance to entice your competitive side.”

For a list of trout ponds and fly-fishing-only ponds in New Hampshire, as

well as a description of special rules that apply to certain ponds, consult the New Hampshire Freshwater Fishing Digest, available online at www.eregulations.com/newhampshire/fishing/ freshwater, from any Fish and Game agent where you buy your license, or by visiting https://www.wildlife. nh.gov/fishing-new-hampshire/troutfishing-new-hampshire.

Your experience matters. Please take the Inland Fisheries Division’s angler survey to help inform the management priorities and improved recreational opportunities in the Granite State.

Stone Mountain Arts Shares Exciting Line Up for Spring and Summer

Stone Mountain Arts Center, 695 Dugway Road, in Brownfield, Maine is thrilled to announce that a wave of exciting new performances has just been added to the lineup, further energizing an already dynamic season of live music. Audiences can now look forward to an impressive roster of newly announced shows, including performances by Shawn Colvin on June 17, Yonder Mountain String Band on July 7, Patty Griffin on July 14, Travelin’ McCourys on July 16, Steep Canyon Rangers on August 21, Suitcase Junket on September 12, Donna the Buffalo on September 18, and Five for Fighting on October 2. These additions join an already robust schedule featuring returning favorites such as Gaelic Storm, Shemekia Copeland, Béla Fleck, Ricky Skaggs, Susan Werner, Martin Sexton, and Amy Helm, alongside exciting newer additions like Alan Doyle, Shelby Means, Natalie and Brittany Haas, and Ruth Moody, with even more announcements expected in the coming weeks.

As part of the ongoing celebration and to support SMAC, a variety of limited-time offers are now available. Membership packages begin at $1,000, with bonus value added at each tier, including enhanced benefits for premium “Goldie” memberships such as preferred seating and expanded

show access. In addition, tickets are now on sale for the organization’s milestone 20th Anniversary Show and Fundraiser on August 1, a special one-night-only event commemorating two decades of live performances. Gift certificate promotions are also available, offering added value for patrons looking to share the experience of live music.

Highlighting the season is the highly anticipated farewell performance by legendary folk icon Judy Collins on June 28, as part of her “Sweet Judy Blue Eyes Farewell” tour. A longtime presence and cherished performer, Collins returns for one final evening that promises both music and storytelling. Renowned for timeless interpretations such as “Both Sides Now” and her Grammy-winning “Send in the Clowns,” Collins continues to captivate audiences with her artistry, insight, and enduring relevance. This special engagement marks a meaningful moment in the venue’s history, honoring both her legacy and her lasting connection with audiences.

Tickets for all performances, memberships, anniversary events, and gift certificates are available now through secure online ordering. Early purchase is strongly encouraged, as many shows are expected to sell out quickly. For details, tickets, and more, visit stonemountainartscenter.com.

The Madison Boulder: New Hampshire’s Geological Giant

By Alyson Short

There’s a rock in Madison, New Hampshire that has absolutely no business being where it is. It weighs upwards of 5,000 tons, roughly equivalent to 25 - 30 blue whales. It measures 83 feet long and 37 feet wide and stands 23 feet above the forest floor — with another 10 to 12 feet buried underground, like a geologic iceberg. It is one of the largest glacial erratic boulders in North America and among the largest in the world. And on any given afternoon, you can walk right up and put your hand on it.

Designated as a National Natural Landmark by the National Park Service in 1970, the Madison Boulder Natural Area is a 17-acre state park tucked off Route 113 in the town of Madison, a brief detour from Route 16. Admission is free. The walk from the parking lot takes about ten minutes. And the boulder itself — a massive chunk of granite sitting in a quiet forest clearing — is the kind of thing that makes people go quiet for a moment when they first see it, because no photograph has adequately prepared you for the scale of it.

To understand why the Madison Boulder is sitting in those particular woods, you have to go back to a time when New Hampshire looked much different. Specifically, when it was buried under a sheet of glacial ice up to a mile thick, roughly 20,000 years ago. This was the Wisconsin Glaciation, the most recent major ice age. At its peak, the ice sheet covered virtually all of New England. Its long, slow retreat began around 14,000 years ago and left a great deal behind.

The boulder itself is composed of Conway granite, a coarse-grained granite that was once part of a bedrock ledge located a few miles to the north. Glaciers are, among other things, extraordinarily patient demolition crews. As the massive ice sheet ground slowly south over thousands of years, it did something geologists call “plucking”: exploiting cracks and fractures in the bedrock, freezing water into joints, and eventually wrenching chunks of rock free from their mooring. Our boulder was one such chunk.

Encased in ice, the Madison Boulder made its journey at the glacial pace - a distance of a few miles over the course of thousands of years - entirely carried by the slowly moving ice. When the glacier finally melted, it set the rock down on bedrock and glacial till, which is geologically distinct from the Conway granite of the boulder. This

mismatch is precisely what makes the Madison Boulder an “erratic” in the geological sense: a rock that is compositionally out of place, identifiably foreign to the bedrock on which it rests.

A geologist examining the local rock would immediately recognize that the boulder came from somewhere else.

The site has been documented for well over a century. In 1878, Charles Hitchcock included the Madison Boulder in the first comprehensive geological map of New Hampshire. The state acquired the land from the Kennett family in 1946, and in 1970, the National Park Service designated it a National Natural Landmark, citing the boulder as an exceptional illustration of the power of glacial ice to transport very large pieces of fractured bedrock over significant distances.

The 1970 team of Park Service folks who made this decision are worth listening to; the trip to visit the boulder is well worth the minimal effort.

Finding the boulder is half the fun.

From the center of Madison, head north on NH Route 113, passing the Madison Elementary School on your way out of town. After approximately 2.5 miles, turn left onto Boulder Road. Follow Boulder Road for about a mile; when the road turns private, a sign for the Natural Area will point you to the parking lot just a few hundred feet ahead. Fair warning: Boulder Road is unpaved and has been known to feature potholes of ambition and character. Proceed thoughtfully. The parking area is small; large enough for a handful of cars – but rarely fills up, which is of one of those pleasant surprises of our area. Best of all, again: it’s completely free.

From the parking area, you’ll pass through a gate and follow a wide, flat, well-packed gravel path through

a peaceful mixed forest of hemlock, beech, and maple. The whole walk is about a quarter mile each way, with a whopping 9 feet of elevation gain. This is, in other words, accessible to nearly everyone, including grandparents, small children, and people who firmly believe that ‘hike’ is too strong a word for anything that doesn’t involve elevation and suffering.

The path is broad enough to feel like a leisurely forest stroll rather than an expedition and is lovely in any season. In late spring through summer, bring bug spray. The mosquitos and deer flies of Carroll County have opinions about any warm body and will share them freely

After a few tranquil minutes of walking, the trees part, and there it is. The boulder is simply there — enormous, unhurried, and oddly commanding. Nothing prepares you for enormity of that first glimpse, and even photos do it no justice whatsoever. It is simply gargantuan, sitting in a clearing in the woods with the quiet confidence of something that has nowhere to be and no intention of getting there.

Informational signs near the site explain geological history in clear terms. You can walk the full perimeter of the rock, which is worth doing to appreciate its full dimensions. The front face bears some graffiti that volunteer groups have worked to remove over the years; from a distance it’s largely unobtrusive, though up close it’s a reminder that not everyone has been a respectful visitor. Climbing is strongly discouraged – but standing next to it and craning your neck upward is dramatic enough. Better yet, try to give it a shove and you’ll be reminded quickly that your gym routine and this rock are not in the same weight class.

The Madison Boulder sits near the edge of the White Mountain National Forest, a few miles from the Kancamagus Highway and convenient to Conway and North Conway. It pairs naturally with other nearby attractions — the Albany Covered Bridge is less than ten miles away – and any season’s visit will do. Whether enjoying the warm season pops of green, the vibrancy of the fall foliage, or the diversity of trees outlined in fresh snowfall through the winter — this stretch of Route 113 is reliably excellent. It makes for a perfect – and perfectly free – detour off any Route 16 or White Mountains itinerary. The whole visit, parking to boulder and back, will be under an hour, and that includes time to read the informational signs, circle the rock twice, and stand quietly for a moment contemplating the sheer indifference of geologic time. What makes the boulder worth the short detour isn’t just its size, though the size is genuinely startling in person. It’s the particular combination of accessibility and improbability: a rock of extraordinary scale, sitting in an ordinary patch of New Hampshire woods, placed there by forces that operated on a timescale almost impossible to imagine. Standing next to it tends to put things in perspective. The glacier that deposited it spent thousands of years doing so and thought nothing of it. Bring Water. Bring the kids. Bring your skeptical friend who doesn’t think a rock can be worth driving to see. That skepticism will not survive first contact with 5,000 tons of ancient granite standing in a sun-dappled clearing. The Madison boulder has been making believers out of people for 14,000 years. It’s very good at its job and it isn’t going anywhere.

Hear Ye! Hear Ye! The Tavern’s Role in the American Revolution

This article was written by Janet Hotchkiss, M.S., Program Director of the New Hampshire Farm Museum, as a tribute to “Celebrating 250 Years.”

The birthplace of the American Revolution is often glanced over or completely overlooked in traditional textbooks. Ask a history buff, however, and chances are they’ll tell you that the birthplace of the American Revolution was in the 18th century taverns like the Jones Tavern here at the New Hampshire Farm Museum. Travelers could partake in a common pot meal of venison stew, corn chowder, fish chowder, or the like, served simply with a pint of beer or hard cider. The tavern keeper’s wife served as a nurse, the stagecoach driver could repair a broken shaft or replace a horseshoe and weary travelers could find a clean bed for the night - al-

though they might have to share it with a complete stranger! There was always an opportunity to engage in conversation with other travelers: news of the colonies, political unrest, mustering of new recruits to join the militia to fight the British. Taverns played a central role in the birth of the American Revolution: Before there was social media, taverns were the “meet up” place. In smaller areas, taverns represented a cross section of society. Quite often, as in the case of the Jones Tavern, they also served as Masonic temples. Levi Jones used his homestead for just that purpose. Travelers could exchange news, books, post flyers, meet people traveling from afar. They were bustling businesses in the 18th century. And of course, they could debate taxation without representation and plot rebel-

26th Annual Seek the Peak set for Wildcat Mountain

Seek the Peak is returning to its roots this year. For the first time since 2007, Mount Washington Observatory’s (MWOBS) 26th annual Seek the Peak will take place at Wildcat Mountain on Saturday, July 18, marking a new era for the nonprofit’s largest fundraising hike-a-thon and celebration event.

Hikers of all abilities are invited to register at seekthepeak.org and work together raising funds in support of MWOBS’s mountain forecasts and vision to become an international center for scientific research and learning. Early-bird registration is half price through April 12.

With the Après Hike Celebration back at Wildcat Mountain, attendees can also enjoy a beer garden by Tuckerman Brewing Company, live music, a barbecue feast, gear prizes, a rock-climbing wall, new sponsor activity zones, and fun games for kids and families. Additionally, participants may tour MWOBS’s world-famous mountaintop weather station during Seek the Peak weekend.

New this year, participants will have the opportunity to take the Wildcat Express chairlift to the summit of Wildcat Mountain and hike down as part of the event on Saturday, July 18. Participants can also opt to ride back down the lift.

“We’re so excited to welcome Seek the Peak back to Wildcat Mountain,” Brandon Swartz, General Manager of Wildcat Mountain, said. “Our mountain sits right in the heart of the terrain that so many hikers come here to explore, and we’re proud to host a celebration that brings people together who share a love for the White Mountains.”

Seek the Peak participants may hike any trail at any point during the sum-

mer leading up to the celebration on July 18. Those who do wish to summit Mount Washington on July 18 and are looking to join a group may select the “Hike and Make Friends” option, which pairs hikers of similar ability level.

As in past years, there will be prizes for hiking participants, including an official Eastern Mountain Sports/Seek the Peak 2026 T-shirt, Minus33/Seek the Peak merino socks.Seek the Peak is MWOBS’ largest annual fundraiser and a critical source for funding yearround operations. During last year’s milestone 25th anniversary event, almost 600 hikers raised over $300,000, helping support MWOBS operations, research, educational programs, and weather services, including the Higher Summits Forecast, which hikers rely on for safe recreation in the White Mountains.

“In 2026, Seek the Peak opens an exciting new chapter at Wildcat Mountain, where our largest community fundraiser set its roots,” Drew Bush, MWOBS Executive Director, said. “What began more than 25 years ago as a small group of hikers has grown into a beloved regional tradition, raising millions of dollars to support our work. We look forward to honoring that legacy and celebrating what comes next with our community.”

Seek the Peak is made possible by Presenting Sponsors Arc’teryx, Eastern Mountain Sports, Helly Hansen, Martini Northern, and Wildcat Mountain.

To learn more and to register, visit: seekthepeak.org. MWOBS reminds hikers to hikeSafe and Leave No Trace.

lious acts!

Did you know that Fraunces Tavern, formerly The Queen’s Head Tavern, in New York City, was a favorite meeting place of the Sons of Liberty? Other Founding Father celebrities who enjoyed a meal and a drink there include Alexander Hamilton and George Washington. It has been in existence since 1762. Mabie’s Tavern in Tappan, New York (now known as the Old ’76 House) served as the site to imprison Major John Andre, a British spy, while he awaited his execution. He was held there following his capture for conspiring with Benedict Arnold.

It’s time to explore your New Hampshire backyard! The Museum encourages you to explore the following New Hampshire taverns: Three Chimneys Inn in Durham, which dates back to

1649 and offers hearty traditional New England fare. The Birchwood Inn and Tavern in Temple, which first opened in 1775. The Old Salt and Lamie’s Inn in Hampton was built in 1740. The Hancock Inn and Fox Tavern in Hancock is the oldest continually operating inn in the Granite State (1789). Best of all, you can visit the New Hampshire Farm Museum, 1305 White Mountain Highway, in Milton, NH to tour the historic Jones Homestead and Tavern that dates back to 1810. The Museum opens May 22; admission is $15 for adults, $13 for seniors, and $10 for children ages 4 to 17. Members and Blue Star families are free.

Further details about the New Hampshire Farm Museum with a full listing of events can be found at www. nhfarmmuseum.org.

Register Now for Hunter Education Courses

Sign up now to take your Hunter Education class and be ready for all of this fall’s hunting seasons. Register today at www.wildlife.nh.gov/hunting-nh/hunter-education. Select “Find a class,” to locate traditional in-person courses or pick “Start online course” to take the online Hunter Education course. To complete the class, participants will be required to attend a field day. A list of available field days will be provided upon completion of the online course. Walk-ins are accepted on a space-available basis, but seats are never guaranteed. Therefore, pre-registration is highly recommended. If you are planning to take the online Hunter Education course, get started now. There are currently numerous spots available for upcoming spring and summer field days, which is required after completion of either course in order to receive certification. These spots will become more difficult to find as the hunting seasons get closer.

Hunter Education is required in New Hampshire before a new hunter can purchase his or her first hunting license. If you are age 16 or older, you need a license to hunt. To meet this requirement, the New Hampshire Fish

and Game Department offers classes around the state. Participants must be at least 12 years old to achieve certification in basic Hunter Education. New Hampshire’s Hunter Education course provides firearms and archery certification. Children under 16 are permitted to hunt with a properly licensed adult hunter who is at least 18.

Hunters who purchased an Apprentice Hunting License last year must take Hunter Education before they can purchase a hunting license. The Apprentice Hunting License allows people to hunt under the guidance of an experienced hunter, without first taking Hunter Education, but it can be purchased only once in a lifetime. Learn more at www.huntnh.com/hunting/apprentice.html.

For more information on Hunter Education in New Hampshire, visit www. wildlife.nh.gov/hunting-nh/hunter-education or call (603) 271-3214.

Hunter Education in New Hampshire is funded with Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration by an excise tax on firearms, ammunition, and archery equipment. To learn more visit www.huntnh. com/funding/wsfr.html.

Ossipee Community Invited to Help Shape New

Fall Tradition at “Envision Night”

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Crafters, Crystals, Antiques, Photography and More!

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The Ossipee Economic Development Council (OEDC) and the Greater Ossipee Area Chamber of Commerce (GOACC) are pleased to invite local residents and leaders to Envision Night on April 23. The event will take place from 6:30 to 8 pm at the Ossipee Town Hall. This community-driven discussion is designed to gather innovative ideas for a new annual fall tradition that celebrates the town’s unique character while providing vital support to local businesses. Attendees will have the opportunity to connect with fellow community members and participate in shaping the future of Ossipee’s seasonal programming. The conversation will focus on several key areas, including

potential fall event themes, specific activities, and strategies to effectively engage residents and attract visitors to the area. Furthermore, the session will explore how a new tradition can create lasting opportunities for both the business sector and the broader community. By joining this conversation, participants play a direct role in envisioning what’s next for the town. For more information regarding Envision Night, please contact the Ossipee Economic Development Council at edcossipee@gmail.com or visit www.ossipeedevelopment.com. Inquiries may also be directed to the Greater Ossipee Area Chamber of Commerce at info@ ossipeevalley.org.

LIVE DEMONSTRATIONS EXPERT-LED WORKSHOPS RUNNING MACHINERY BARNYARD ANIMALS LUMBERJACK SHOWS (Friday only) FREE HORSE-DRAWN WAGON RIDES