Third Annual Rochester Authors Fair Scheduled for April 11
Rochester Writers Night, the monthly literary event for the Lilac City and its writers, is holding its third annual Rochester Area Authors Fair on Saturday, April 11, from 1 to 4 pm. The Fair will be held at the outdoor covered pavilion at Hanson Pines Park, located at 68 Dominicus Way, in Rochester.
The Rochester Authors Fair will highlight some of the Seacoast region’s best writers, and this year’s keynote speaker will be J.R. Rainville. J.R. Rainville is the author of the Ungifted series of fantasy novels. She received her MFA in creative writing in 2009 and is a
skilled project manager in the world of self-publishing. More information on J.R. Rainville is available at jrrainville.com
Area book lovers and fellow writers are invited to come enjoy live readings, panel discussions, networking, book sales, and book signings.
More information on the Rochester Authors Fair is available at www.facebook.com/ events/2017404252140138. More information on Rochester Writers Night is available at www.facebook.com/ rochesterNHwriters.
Mud Season Used Book Sale
It’s Mud Season! Back by popular demand, the wildly popular Used Book Sale will be held at the Effingham Elementary School, 6 Partridge Cove Rd, on Saturday March 21. It’s free admission for all from 9 am – 2 pm. Want first choice? Early Birds wishing to peruse items before the doors officially open at 9 am may enter at 8 am for $10. Come check out all the fiction, non-fiction, children’s books, audio books, DVDs, games and puzzles that we have to offer. The Spring Fever Cafe will be in full swing offering homemade soups, treats and sweets. Live music will be provided by the musical
duo Tammy & John and we are anticipating a repeat performance by Peter Heimlich. This event is sponsored by the Effingham Public Library. All sales are by donation payable by cash or check. All sales benefit the Effingham Public Library.
The Effingham Public Library is a community center with books; offering free library cards, programming, and social activities for all. For our calendar of events, or more information, please feel free to call us at 603-5391537 or visit our website at https://effingham.lib.nh.us.
Local Artist Martina Cyr Exhibit in Sanbornville
During March, the Gafney Library is happy to fill the walls with the work of Martina Cyr, a local practicing artist, maker, and educator in our community. Cyr is trained as an illustrator and designer from Boston, as well as holding her teaching degree. Cyr specializes in Mixed Media, and this month will be showing her collection of Hope and Connection with poems.
“Hope and Connection” is a new series of pieces that shows the opportunities we all have to find the connection with others and to reclaim the joy within ourselves. In this world environment of separation and differences, it is important for us to see, believe, and reflect on paths we can move together, and remember how similar we all are in our core values and hopes.
Cyr has found that writing about her intention with her work has resonated with viewers and has therefore added intention and reflection to her Artwork.
Some of us respond to words, while others respond to the images, and some even find deeper connection with both. Cyr is an active educator at Makers Mill, the non-profit making space in Wolfeboro. Cyr has a long-standing involvement, including donating her work to other non-profits like Voices from the Heart and Hope on Haven Hill. Cyr also runs private lessons and workshops in her studio space in Brookfield, NH. You can view her work at the Gafney Library in Sanbornville, during open hours on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, 12-7, Friday 9-2, and Saturday 9-1. Please join us for an artists’ reception with refreshments on Saturday, March 28, from 10-12 pm, where you can talk with the artist about her works. You can learn more about Cyr on her website at martinadesigns.com. For more information, call Library Director Amy Swanson at 603-522-3401.
Sugarhouses, Sweet Traditions, and Maple Weekend in NH
By Kathi Caldwell-Hopper
Once early European settlers tasted maple syrup made by Native Americans, the newcomers quickly embraced the sweet liquid. They were taught by the native people how to make sugar from the sap of maple trees. Today, the task of tapping trees for sap that will be boiled down into sweet maple syrup remains a popular New England tradition.
The White Mountain area boasts many sap houses (or sugar shacks as they are sometimes nicknamed), and on the weekend of March 21 and 22 — NH Maple Weekend — many businesses that produce maple syrup will open their doors to a curious and sweet-loving public.
Blend maple syrup with a dash of local history, and you have the fascinating Remick Country Doctor Museum and Farm, located at 58 Cleveland Hill Road in Tamworth. The museum takes a deep dive into the life of a rural doctor in the village many years ago.
Maple sugaring season is a great time to visit the Remick Museum, where you can take a maple tour on Thursday, Friday, or Saturday in March. Says Remick Museum marketing coordinator Dawne Gilpatrick, “Those who take the tour will see the maple sugaring process from start to finish. The tours take place at 11 am, and you can preregister at www.remickmuseum.org.”
For a fascinating look back in time at how Doctor Edwin Crafts Remick (1903 to 1993), the health
care provider for the Tamworth area, once produced his own batches of maple syrup right at his farm. Doctor Remick’s Backyard Sap Boiler will be on display on Saturday, March 21, during Maple Weekend. (Edwin Craft’s father, Doctor Edwin Remick - 1866 to 1935 - served the community first and later passed on his practice to his son.)
Doctor Remick’s Backyard Sap Boiler was like many such contraptions in use back then as families made their own maple syrup. “It was made with an old oil drum that was cut in half,” explains Dawne Gilpatrick. “You put coals inside and fired it up. There was a pan on top to boil the sap. A smokestack on the back emitted steam, and it was all on a metal stand.”
While there is no way to know how much maple syrup Doctor Remick produced, there is evidence that he did make syrup, as he left behind old sap buckets and oil cans.
Currently, the Remick Museum will tap about 150 trees, and Gilpatrick says the amount they produce this year depends on the weather and the flow of sap. If there is a proper boil, the maple syrup will be for sale in the Remick Museum’s store.
The museum produces maple syrup using a wood-fired boiler, which is not a common way to make syrup these days, although it was once the only viable method. “We need someone to watch the boiling constantly,” says Gilpatrick. “They have to be on hand to
feed the wood for the fire, so we have a few people making the syrup during the season.”
Visit www.remickmuseum.org for information on programs and the maple season at the farm, or call 603323-7591.
For those who want a fun “maple experience,” head to Eldrige Family Sugar House and Ice Cream Shoppe in Tamworth. The maple business is truly a family affair, started, according to coowner Scott Eldridge, “when my son was first interested in making maple syrup.”
That first year, in 2016, Scott and his son set up a barrel stove in their yard and boiled three to four gallons of syrup.
Once they had a taste of how much fun making maple syrup could be, the Eldridges were off and running. “That was in 2016; we have certainly grown from there!” Scott says.
Indeed, the business has grown and expanded, and family members pitch in to help. “My wife, Terri, our daughter, my son, and my son-in-law all help,” Scott explains. Everyone, at some point during the season, heads into the woods where they have about 2,100 taps. They check the sap, which runs through tubing from the trees’ taps to big tanks. The family transports the tanks by truck, and they are eventually pumped into the sugar house. The huge
• Sugarhouse continued on page 4
A scene from maple season at Turkey Street Maples. Courtesy photo
It’s Time to Register for Barry Conservation Camp
Registration is open for summer youth programs at Barry Conservation Camp in Berlin, NH. The camp offers weekly, overnight summer camp programs for boys and girls, ages 8–17. Barry Camp is operated by UNH Cooperative Extension 4-H in partnership with the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department. Kids who enjoy hands-on learning about outdoor skills and the environment will love Barry Camp. To learn more about Barry Conservation Camp, or to register, visit www.wildlife.nh.gov/education/barry-conservation-camp.
2026 Summer Programs at Barry Conservation Camp:
4-H Shooting Sports: June 21–26. Ages 10–16. Cost: $700. A week centered on the NH 4-H Shooting Sports Program. Certified instructors will help youth learn marksmanship, the safe and responsible use of firearms, and the basic principles of hunting. Previous shooting sports experience is preferred, but not essential.
Junior Adventure Camp: June 28–July 1. Ages 8–12.Cost: $500. MiniCamp is perfect for first-time campers and younger children. This abbreviated session includes 3 nights and 4 days. Campers will enjoy our caring staff who will introduce them to many fun and exciting outdoor activities. Learn about nature, try your hand at crafts, explore outdoor games, and sing around the campfire.
Fishing Week: July 5–10. Ages 10–16. Cost: $700.Come along and catch the big one! Novice anglers will learn basic skills and about the equipment needed to get started fishing, while campers with more experience will work on improving their fishing skills and exploring the finer details of the angling world. Campers will also hike, swim, canoe, create campfire skits, and enjoy a host of other camp activities.
4-H on the Wild Side: July 12–17. Ages 10–16. Cost: $700. Experience the great outdoors! Paddle a canoe, fil-
let a fish and cook it over an open fire, and sleep under the stars. Learn how to observe nature. Climb a mountain, swim in a pond, create nature arts and crafts, and more. This is a week of exciting outdoor adventures.
Hunter Education Week: July 19–24. Ages 12–16. Cost: $700. Join NH Fish and Game Department Hunter Education staff and volunteer instructors, and camp counselors to learn and practice safe, responsible, and ethical hunting. If a camper wishes to be eligible for Hunter Education certification at the end of the week, some homework must be completed prior to coming to camp.
North Country Adventure: July 26–July 31. Ages 12–16. Cost: $700. Get ready for a fantastic week of exciting outdoor adventure. This week will focus on building your woods craft skills. Campers will track wildlife, go on a canoe or backpacking adventure, learn about trapping, practice survival skills, navigate with a compass and GPS, and practice hunting skills. There will be plenty of fishing and shooting sports, too.
Wild Career Week: August 3-6. Ages 14–17. $500. This session invites youth to explore the world of natural resource management while building real-world career skills. From hands-on activities such as search and rescue, fish and wildlife management, and outdoor education, to team challenges that strengthen leadership and problem-solving skills, campers will explore what contributes to caring for the environment while preparing for future careers. Along the way, they’ll enjoy campfires, games, and friendships that make the experience fun and memorable.
Support Barry Camp: You can help ensure Barry Conservation Camp is here to connect future generations with the outdoors by contributing to the Barry Camp Fund. Donations help support the maintenance of the camp facilities. Learn more at www.wildlife.nh.gov/ education/barry-conservation-camp.
• Sugarhouse continued on page 3
boiler tank in the sugar house holds 2,300 gallons, and it is here that the sap is processed into the wonderful maple syrup customers love on pancakes and other products.
“Last year we produced 730 gallons, and this year we are aiming to produce 800 gallons,” Scott says. As a family affair, Scott’s wife and their daughter operate a charming café where customers can buy breakfast sandwiches on Saturdays and Sundays from 7 to 11 am. In the afternoons from noon to 4 pm, (Saturdays and Sundays), their popular maple ice cream is for sale in the cafe area.
“My wife and daughter run the café, and they also make maple candies, sugar, sauces, and rubs, which we sell in our gift shop,” says Scott.
Maple syrup and all other products are for sale in the gift shop, which is open year-round (closed in January). At press time (February 26), the maple syrup harvest season is not quite ready. “We need around 28-degree nights and days around 45 degrees. The extended forecast looks like we will have those conditions in a week or so,” explains Scott.
To visit the business, which is open during Maple Weekend or other times throughout the year, call 603-730-2785 or go to www. eldridgefamilysugarhouse.net/. The sugar house is located at 183 Plains Road in Tamworth.
Turkey Street Maples in Chocorua is a fascinating place for maple lovers.
Owners Tim Robinson and Kate Stanley are a husband-and-wife team making maple syrup and maple treats. Explains Kate, “We tap from our property and some other locations in Tamworth. We have about 1,000 taps and produce on average 100 to 120 gallons of syrup.
“We love making maple syrup,” she continues. “My husband has been doing it since he was about 10 years old, and I grew up loving maple syrup!”
Turkey Street Maple has a sugarhouse near their home, making it easy for them to oversee syrup production. “My husband can come home from
work and boil until 10 pm; we can pull off about 3 ½ gallons of syrup an hour. Production all depends on your system.”
During Maple Weekend, they will be open for sugar house tours, and visitors can purchase maple syrup and maple treats. Visit www.turkeystreetmaples. com or call 603-323-9320. The sugar house is located at 673 Turkey Street in Chocorua.
Producing maple syrup is fun but admittedly work-intensive. A producer must be dedicated to making the best syrup possible. That is the case at Ossipee Mountain Maple Syrup, where owner Jeff Coombs says he has been making maple syrup for 40 years.
“Our business is a definite family affair, with me, my wife, and other family members working on making maple syrup every year,” Jeff explains.
Ossipee Mountain Maple Syrup is one of the segments of the Ossipee Mountain Land Company. The company has about 4,000 taps piped to the sugar house. Once there, it is turned into syrup, heated with an oilfired system. “We boil the sap for about six hours and produce 1,250 gals, which we sell to grocery stores in the area, and we also do some wholesale. Customers can call ahead and order for pick-up,” Jeff says.
According to www. ossipeemountainlandcompany.com , “Our family-owned, sustainably managed sugarbush includes trees more than 200 years old. The sap from these trees is transformed into syrup in our own sugarhouse at the farm.” The company also engages in timber farming and sells firewood. Sold are three products: mixed northern firewood, kindling, and campfire wood. All in all, everything Jeff and his family do is centered on trees and forestry. (Jeff is trained as a forester.) For information on obtaining Ossipee Mountain Maple Syrup, call 603-3237677. The office is located at 844 Whittier Road in Tamworth.
Additional sugar shacks in the region are open throughout March; for a detailed list of locations and events, visit nhmapleproducers.com.
COPY
CIRCULATION Kathy
To Build a Fire: Survival Fire Skills
In “To Build a Fire,” Jack London’s iconic protagonist knows how to build a fire, but in his rush to build it, he overlooks subtle but critical aspects, like placement, and as the snow falls from the tree into his fire, his confidence collapses into desperation, and the fragility of his existence is exposed.
Please join Chocorua Lake Conservancy on Saturday, March 21, from 10 am to 12 pm, for To Build a Fire: Survival Fire Skills at Charlotte C. Browne Woods on Washington Hill Road, with naturalist Kyle Ball, for kids 4 and up with a caregiver, and adults of any age! In this family-friendly event, we will explore outdoor fire building so we don’t end up like London’s character. We will talk about how to keep ourselves, others, and the landscape safe as we build a fire. We will identify common tree and
herbaceous species and talk about how each one may help or hinder the fire-building process, or even be harmful to the people around the fire. We’ll discuss where to place the fire in the landscape or a hypothetical survival shelter to prevent accidentally spreading it or extinguishing it.
We’ll also talk about how you should actually construct the fire itself (material type, amount and size, layout, structure, smoke management, creating a flame), about using hot rocks to cook, sanitize water, and spread the heat into your shelter so you can be warmed in multiple directions, and discuss mindset in a survival situation. Feel free to bring food to cook over the fire and hang out after the structured program ends. Every child will go home with their own primitive fire-building kit to practice.
Please dress appropriately for the weather, wear good walking shoes, and bring water and a snack or lunch. You may wish to bring sun protection. Sliding scale tickets for adults, free for kids, and space is limited. Please register in advance at www.chocorualake.org/events so we can notify you of any schedule changes. Rain/storm date will be Sunday, March 22.
Kyle Ball taught Dendrology for four semesters while studying for his undergraduate and graduate degrees at the University of New Hampshire. He has been interested in plants and foraging for 20 years. His other passion is wildlife tracking. He teaches wildlife tracking through his company, New England Wildlife Tracking (see more at www.newenglandwildlifetracking.com), and also facilitates free tracking outings for the Bearcamp
Trackers in Tamworth, NH. This event is one in a series of Chocorua Lake Conservancy programs held throughout the year to encourage people of all ages to enjoy Chocorua Lake and the trails and woods that surround it, and to learn more about the natural world we inhabit. Visit www.chocorualake.org for information, and follow us on Facebook and Instagram. CLC is a nonprofit land trust founded in 1968 to protect the scenic and natural resources of the Chocorua Lake Basin and surrounding area. CLC is committed to providing visitors and residents with convenient and attractive public access to Chocorua Lake and trails on nearby conservation lands. For more information, including how to get involved, please visit www. chocorualake.org.
Genetic Genealogy and the DNA Doe Project
The Gafney Library at 14 High Street, Sanbornville, is pleased to welcome guest speaker, Chelsea Hanrahan, on Thursday, March 26, at 6 pm in their Community Room. Hanrahan is a volunteer investigative genetic genealogist with the DNA Doe Project, and will be sharing how a brand-new technique called investigative genetic genealogy is helping clear cold cases and restore names to the unidentified. Join us to hear more about this new tool, how genealogists research cases, and some real-life case examples. There will also be a discussion on the current landscape of genetic genealogy and how citizens can help with this important work.
Hanrahan is a faculty member and the Director of the H. Raymond Danforth Library at New England College. She has a Master’s Degree in Library Science from Indiana University and a BA in History from the University of NH.
In 2021, Chelsea began using her research skills and lifelong interests in genealogical research and crime in a new area: investigative genetic genealogy. She has been a volunteer investigative genealogist with the DNA Doe Project since 2022 and has been able to use her skills to help solve cases of unidentified John and Jane Does for law enforcement. Seeing how the resolution of these cases often led to
more questions and more connections with unsolved crimes, she began using an array of sources to help research cold cases and advocate for families of victims, focusing on those cases taking place in New England that did not receive significant media attention at the time.
In addition to her investigative genetic genealogy work, Chelsea is a researcher for the New England-based podcast “Murder, She Told,” works
with the FAIR Lab in UNH to provide support to scientific researchers, and does outreach work and speaking engagements to help educate the public on the use of genetic genealogy. This event is hosted by the Gafney Library. For more information, call Library Director Amy Swanson at 603522-3401. Library programs are free and open to the public.
(603) 842-4402 stellasdover.com
Through March, Mount Washington Snow Coach Tours, Great Glen Trails, Gorham, info/tickets: www.greatglentrails.com
Through March 24, Winter: Learn to Knit, 5:30 p.m., meets every Tues. through March 24, Conway Public Library, 15 Greenwood Ave., Conway, 603447-5552, www.conwaypubliclibrary.org.
Through March 29, The Quiet Season, Mt. Washington Valley Arts Assoc., 16 Norcross Circle, N. Conway, exhibit of art by Assoc. members focused on winter, 603-356-2787, www.mwvarts.org
March 13, Maple Sugaring Tours, 11 a.m., Remick Country Doctor Museum & Farm, 58 Cleveland Hill Rd., Tamworth, 603-323-7591, www.remickmuseum.org
March 13, Friday Night Jazz: Choro Louco Trio, Brazilian Music, 7 p.m., Majestic Theatre, 34 Main St., Conway, 603-447-4737, www.mountaintopmusic.org.
March 13, The Last Firefly, 7 p.m., Kingswood Arts Center, 21 McManus Rd., Wolfeboro, 603-832-8250, www.kingswoodtheater.org. (Also on March 15 at 2 p.m.)
March 14, Après with Mike & Becca of Rek’-Lis, 4 - 7 p.m., Zips Pub, Cranmore Mountain Resort, 239 Skimobile Rd., N. Conway, 603-786-6754, www. cranmore.com.
March 14, Children’s Art Program: Woodland Animals Drawing Workshop, 10 a.m. – noon, Tin Mountain Center, 1245 Bald Hill Rd., Albany, 603447-6991, www.tinmountain.org.
March 14, Community Art: Pollinators & Native Plants, 10:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m., kids welcome with a caregiver, Cook Memorial Library, 93 Main St., Tamworth, 603-323-8510, www.tamworthlibrary.org., registration:chocorualake.org/events.
March 14, Gubbulidis, 7:30 p.m., Majestic Theatre, 34 Main St., Conway, 603-447-4737, www.mountaintopmusic.org.
March 14, Hannes Schneider Meister Cup Weight, Cranmore Mountain Resort, 239 Skimobile Rd., N. Conway, 603-786-6754, www.cranmore.com
March 14, NH Maple Weekend Open House in the Sugarhouse, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m., Remick Country Doctor Museum & Farm, 58 Cleveland Hill Rd., Tamworth, 603-323-7591, www.remickmuseum.org
March 14, Pollinators & Plants Crankie Painting Project, 10:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m., held at Cook Memorial Library, Tamworth, free, Green Mountain Conservation Group, 236 Huntress Bridge Rd., Effingham, pre-register: www.gmcg. org., 603-539-1859.
March 14, St. Paddy’s Celebration and Dinner, Stone Mountain Arts Center, Brownfield, ME, 207-935-7292, www.stonemountainartscenter.com
March 15, St. Patrick’s Day Brunch with White Mt. Ceili Band, 6:30 p.m.., Majestic Theatre, 34 Main St., Conway, 603-447-4737, www.mountaintopmusic.org.
March 15, The Last Firefly, 2 p.m., Kingswood Arts Center, 21 McManus Rd., Wolfeboro, tickets: 603-832-8250, www.kingswoodtheater.org.
March 17, Creation and the Human Heart, 6:30 – 7:30 p.m., prose, poems and songs, at former Tamworth Lyceum, Cook Memorial Library, 93 Main St., Tamworth, 603-323-8510, www.tamworthlibrary.org
March 17, Soup Night, 5:30 – 7:30 p.m., The Preserve at Chocorua, 88 Philbrick Neighborhood Rd., Chocorua, Tamworth, https://www.reservethepreserve.com.
March 18, Après with the Family Van, 3:30 - 6:30 p.m., Zips Pub, Cranmore Mountain Resort, 239 Skimobile Rd., N. Conway, 603-786-6754, www.cranmore.com
March 18, Kevin Dolan and Simon Crawford music, 7 p.m., Majestic Theatre, 34 Main St., Conway, 603-447-4737, www.mountaintopmusic.org.
March 19, Teresa Dyer & The Wildflowers, 7 p.m., Majestic Theatre, 34 Main St., Conway, 603-447-4737, www.mountaintopmusic.org.
March 19-21, Maple Sugaring Tours, 11 a.m., Remick Country Doctor Museum & Farm, 58 Cleveland Hill Rd., Tamworth, 603-323-7591, www.remickmuseum.org
March 20, Friday Night Jazz with Josie Lawrence and Clifford Cameron, 7 p.m., Majestic Theatre, 34 Main St., Conway, 603-447-4737, www.mountaintopmusic.org.
March 20, Heather Pierson Acoustic Trio, 7:30 – 10:30 p.m., Medallion Opera House, 20 Park St., Gorham, 603-723-3421, www.medallionoperahouse. org
March 20, Lucius A History Worth Repeating, 8 pm, Stone Mountain Arts Center, Brownfield, ME, 207-935-7292, www.stonemountainartscenter.com
What’s UP
March 20, Spring Equinox Social, 5:30 p.m., Pope Memorial Library, 2719 White Mt. Highway, N. Conway, tickets/info.: 603-356-2961, www.popelibrarynh.org.
March 21, Altan, 8 pm, Stone Mountain Arts Center, Brownfield, ME, 207935-7292, www.stonemountainartscenter.com
March 21, First Season Dinner & Auction, 3 – 7 p.m., Nature Learning Center, Tin Mountain Center, 1245 Bald Hill Rd., Albany, tickets: 603-447-6991, www.tinmountain.org.
March 21, From Landscape to Foodscape: Seed Starting, 10:30 a.m. - noon, Remick Country Doctor Museum & Farm, 58 Cleveland Hill Rd., Tamworth, 603-323-7591, www.remickmuseum.org
March 21, Late and Alone – Intimate Portrait of Johnny Cash, 7:30 p.m., Majestic Theatre, 34 Main St., Conway, 603-447-4737, www.mountaintopmusic.org.
March 21, Once Upon a Story Hour: Ada Lovelace, 10:30 a.m., mathematician Ada gives a costumed story hour, read 3 stories, learn American sign language and do a craft, children and caregivers welcome, Freedom Public Library, 38 Old Portland Rd., Freedom, 603-539-5176, www.freedompubliclibrary.org
March 21, To Build a Fire: Survival Fire Skills, 10 a.m. - noon, family event, with naturalist Kyle Ball, geared for families with children age 4 and up accompanied by an adult caregiver, Chocorua Lake Conservancy, event held at Charlotte C. Browne Woods, Washington Hill Rd., Chocorua, please pre-register in advance: www.chocorualake.org/events.
March 21-22, NH Maple Weekend, visit sugarhouses, watch maple syrup production, find products for sale, www.nhmapleproducers.com. (Website lists sugarhouses on the tour.)
March 22, Cantrip, 6:30 – 8:30 p.m., Medallion Opera House, 20 Park St., Gorham, 603-723-3421, www.medallionoperahouse.org
March 25, Après with Dan Parkhurst, 3:30 - 6:30 p.m., Zips Pub, Cranmore Mountain Resort, 239 Skimobile Rd., N. Conway, 603-786-6754, www.cranmore.com
March 26, BluGrit Blues Band, 7 p.m., Majestic Theatre, 34 Main St., Conway, 603-447-4737, www.mountaintopmusic.org.
March 26, Genetic Genealogy, presentation by Chelsea Hanrahan, 6 p.m., Gafney Library, 14 High St., Sanbornville, 603-522-3402, www.gafneylibrary. org
March 26-28, Maple Sugaring Tours, 11 a.m., Remick Country Doctor Museum & Farm, 58 Cleveland Hill Rd., Tamworth, 603-323-7591, www.remickmuseum.org
March 26-April 5, Women, M&D Playhouse, at Eastern Slope Inn, 2760 White Mt. Highway, N. Conway, 603-733-5275, www.mdplayhouse.com.
March 27, Danielle Nicole blues concert, 8 pm, Stone Mountain Arts Center, Brownfield, ME, 207-935-7292, www.stonemountainartscenter.com
March 27, Friday Night Jazz: Mike Sakash & Ellen Rowe, 7 p.m., Majestic Theatre, 34 Main St., Conway, 603-447-4737, www.mountaintopmusic.org.
March 28, Debo Ray, 7:30 p.m., Majestic Café, 34 Main St., Conway, 603447-4737, www.mountaintopmusic.org.
March 28, Hope and Connection Opening Reception, art exhibit with work by Martina Cyr, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m., Gafney Library, 14 High St., Sanbornville, 603-522-3402, www.gafneylibrary.org
March 28, MWV Chamber Chili Cookoff, 11 a.m. – 2 p.m., Tuckerman Brewing Co., 877-948-6867, www.visitmwv.com.
March 28, Passholder End of Season Barbecue, noon - 2 p.m., barbecue to celebrate the season, Cranmore Mountain Resort, 239 Skimobile Rd., N. Conway, 603-786-6754, www.cranmore.com
March 28, Spring Splash, noon - 2 p.m., for skiers and snowboarders, Cranmore Mountain Resort, 239 Skimobile Rd., N. Conway, 603-786-6754, www. cranmore.com
March 28, Tricky Britches, 8 pm, Stone Mountain Arts Center, Brownfield, ME, 207-935-7292, www.stonemountainartscenter.com
March 28, Trivia Night, hosted by the First Congregational Church of Wolfeboro, 6:45 – 9 p.m., 115 South Main St., Wolfeboro, 603-569-1555, www. wolfeboroucc.org
March 30, Charcuterie Board Building, 5 – 7 p.m., Pope Memorial Library, 2719 White Mt. Highway, N. Conway, 603-356-2961, www.popelibrarynh.org.
April 1, Open Mic Night at the Medallion, 6 - 8 p.m., free, Medallion Opera House, 20 Park St., Gorham, 603-723-3421, www.medallionoperahouse.org
April 2, Spring Flower Drawing and Painting Class, 4 – 6 p.m., Pope Memorial Library, 2719 White Mt. Highway, N. Conway, 603-356-2961, www. librarynh.org. (2 session class)
April 3, Shelby Means, 8 pm, Stone Mountain Arts Center, Brownfield, ME, 207-935-7292, www.stonemountainartscenter.com
thousands of engaged readers who turn to our publication to discover local events, attractions, and businesses. In a world full of distractions, Along Route 16 puts your business front and center.
With Along Route 16, you’re not interrupting—you’re connecting. With distribution from local hotspots to statewide welcome centers, your message reaches active, curious consumers looking for places to go, things to do, and a deal or two.
April 3 & 4, Sole City Dance presents Treasure Island, 4/3: 7 p.m.; 4/4: 1 & 6 p.m., Rochester Opera House, 31 Wakefield St., Rochester, 603-335-1992, www. rochesteroperahouse.com.
April 4, Juston McKinney comedy, 8 pm, Stone Mountain Arts Center, Brownfield, ME, 207-935-7292, www.stonemountainartscenter.com
April 6, Once Upon a Story Hour, 6 - 7 p.m., Pope Memorial Library, 2719 White Mt. Highway, N. Conway, 603-356-2961, www.popelibrarynh.org.
April 10, Willy Porter and Peter Mulvey, 8 pm, Stone Mountain Arts Center, Brownfield, ME, 207-935-7292, www.stonemountainartscenter.com
April 11, Art Songs by William Bolcom, Reynaldo Hahn and Charles Ives, 7:30 p.m., Majestic Theatre, 34 Main St., Conway, 603-447-4737, www.mountaintopmusic.org.
April 11, Bears, Opossums, Racoons, Skunks – Tracking Intensive Class, New England Wildlife Tracking, Tamworth, www.newenglandwildlifetracking. com.
April 11, 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. Also takes place on April 25.
April 11, Quinn Sullivan, 8 pm, Stone Mountain Arts Center, Brownfield, ME, 207-935-7292, www.stonemountainartscenter.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, 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, New Orleans Spotlight Series, 7 p.m., Majestic Theatre, 34 Main St., Conway, 603-447-4737, www.mountaintopmusic.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 21 & 22, Alan Doyle, 8 pm, Stone Mountain Arts Center, Brownfield, ME, 207-935-7292, www.stonemountainartscenter.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 the second Sunday of every month. 603-569-4637.
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
Fiber Arts Monthly Mingle, first Tues. of every month, 6 – 8 p.m., Makers Mill, 23 Bay St., Wolfeboro, 603-569-1500, www.makersmill.org.
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: 603-383-
What’s UP
4060, www.jacksonhistory.org
Ladies of the Lake Quilt Guild, meets second and fourth Wednesdays of each month, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. at First Congregational Church, 115 Main St., Wolfeboro. A second group meets first and third Tuesday of each month at Community Center, 22 Lehner St., Wolfeboro, www.llqg.net.
Live Music While 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 recommended: 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, mountaintopmusic.org.
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.
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.
NE Ski Museum, ski exhibits, 2628 White Mt. Highway, North Conway, www. newenglandskimuseum.org.
Open Mic Night at the Medallion, 6 - 8 p.m., free, first Wed. of each month, Medallion Opera House, 30 Park St., Gorham, 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.
Roller Skating Night, 5 p.m., Mondays, bring your own skates, for age 18 and up, Ossipee Town Hall, 55 Main St., Ossipee, info/updates: 603-539-1307, www.ossipee.org.
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 Outing Club Second Saturday Dance, 7:30 - 10 p.m., Tamworth Town House, 27 Cleveland Hill Rd., Tamworth, live musical bands/callers, info@tamworthoutingclub.org
Tamworth Townhouse Hoot – Bruce Berquist & Jim Alt, 1 – 3 p.m., Saturdays, 27 Cleveland Hill Rd., Tamworth, song circle, local musicians welcome to participate, bruceberquist@gmail.com
The Recipe Club, 12:30 – 1:30 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, meets fourth Thursday of every month for discussion of books; Mystery Book Club meets second Thursday of the month, White Birch Books, 2568 White Mt. Highway, North Conway, 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.
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.
Through March, Hope and Connection Opening Reception, art exhibit with work by Martina Cyr, Gafney Library, 14 High St., Sanbornville, 603-5223402, www.gafneylibrary.org
Basic Witch LLC
Sugar House Tours • 9am–3pm
Saturday and Sunday • March 14/15, 21/22 & 28/29
Wood-Fired evaporator, old-fashioned buckets on maple trees by the brook. Photographers welcome. Maple syrup on ice cream. Gourmet bakery open serving hot coffee, artisan breads, pies and more. All sales by cash or check, no credit cards please. For more info; email dj@seabrisket.com or call my little flip phone 603-832-3090 (no texts)
Seabrisket Maple & Bakery 66 Moose Mountain Rd Brookfield, NH 03872
From Tap to Table: Creating Deliciousness Out of New Hampshire’s Forests
By Mike Moore
Just around when the sun starts setting after 5 pm and the temperatures start to climb above freezing every day, the maple syrup season in New Hampshire kicks into high gear. During March in New England, the ski slopes become a little sparse, the ice houses on Winnipesaukee get dragged home, and pining for the warm weather becomes the norm for everyone in the midst of the thaw. But there is still plenty to do around the Lakes Region before breaking out the summer wardrobe, particularly for those looking to enjoy some tasty treats.
Authentic, New Hampshire-made maple syrup has been appreciated near and far for centuries. The thick forests of the White Mountains offer plenty of resources, making the maple syrup industry one of the most successful and lucrative for local small business owners. From souvenir shops to restaurants, maple-made products and goods are available to shoppers year-round. But March is when the maple season is in full swing, with sugar houses handling every step of the process from tapping the trees to selling the bottles on the shelves pulled from the trees right outside the shop. No matter what side of the lake you find yourself on, there are plenty of local shops and eateries that can satisfy your sweet tooth.
Dozens of sugar houses open their doors throughout the late winter and especially during Maple Weekend to educate people about the process. In addition to tours and demonstrations,
many of the small operations have their own gift shop areas where visitors can purchase their own bottle to take home. Oftentimes, the shops will have additional maple-infused products, maple sugar, and even company apparel available. At the Brooks Family Sugar House in Freedom, owner Scott has been producing and selling syrup for over four decades, and is always proud to show off his operation during the Maple Weekend festivities. Big Lake Maple has their tapping business in Wolfeboro, but they don’t have a need to run a dedicated shop location. Through their website, maple enjoyers can find assorted syrups and candies,
There’s Still Time to Learn How to Hunt Wild Turkeys This Spring
Register today for a special turkey-hunting program co-sponsored by the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department and your local National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF) chapter. These workshops are designed for new or novice turkey hunters in preparation for the 2026 spring turkey hunting season, which opens on May 1 and runs through May 31.
The workshop is dedicated to teaching you everything you need to know to have a safe and successful turkey hunt, including choosing a shotgun and ammunition, scouting for birds, how and when to call, what gear you will need, the regulations that apply to turkey hunting, and much more.
The cost is $45 per person to participate. The fee includes course materials, instruction, at least one
turkey call to take home for practice, a one-year membership to the National Wild Turkey Federation, and lunch. Register using the link below. Payment will be collected at the door. Cash or check payable to NWTF-NH.
If you have any questions or need to cancel, please email Joshua.mackay@wildlife.nh.gov.
Choose one of the locations below:
• Saturday, March 28: Raymond Baptist Church, 145 Route 27, Raymond, NH. Class begins at 8 am and concludes at 4 pm.
• Saturday, March 28: NH Fish and Game Department Headquarters, 11 Hazen Drive, Concord, NH.
Class begins at 8 am and concludes at 3 pm.
To register please visit nhfishandgame.com.
and even pick up a T-shirt or other swag that’s available.
Now, for some of the smaller shops that aren’t keen on bringing their business online, their yearly syrup batch must be sold off during the maple season. Many sugar houses have found success by partnering with local souvenir shops and farmers’ markets. This is an essential way to keep their maple business booming throughout the year and not just during the third weekend in March. Many of these local retailers are easily found in our lakeside and mountain towns. In Sandwich, the Young Maple Ridge Sugarhouse makes their syrup available through partnerships with a dozen local restaurants and businesses such as Rosie’s, the Meredith Inn, and the New Hampshire Country Store. Turkey Street Maples in Chocorua partners with Farm to Table Market in West Ossipee, as well as several other local companies. Mac Hill Maple in Tamworth has their syrup sold and used in recipes by Veno’s Specialty Foods in Conway, while Batter Up Bakery in Chocorua uses their syrup exclusively. Black’s Paper Store in Wolfeboro carries locally made syrup, maple-based candies, as well as countless other New Hampshire-centric souvenirs. White Birch Gifts in Meredith proudly stocks maple syrups produced locally by Main Street Maple & Honey Farm in Belmont. The fellowship of the Lakes Region’s small business community is largely why unique industries such as maple producing can remain so popular for so long.
If you find yourself on the southern side of Winnipesaukee, you can visit the Alton Country Store or the Gilford Country Store to take home a wide variety of maple syrup, candy, and food. Along Route 16, maple fanatics can find just what they are looking for at Tramway Artisans in West Ossipee, or
at the aforementioned New Hampshire Country Store in Chocorua. For the maple-obsessed, Just Maple in Tilton sells just about any maple-related food product, apparel, or souvenir one could imagine.
Depending on how the season goes, a sugar house can produce 50-500 gallons of finished product for the year. Some of the local sugar houses find themselves with 1000s of taps and hundreds of gallons of syrup for which to make good use. The Eldridge Family Sugar Shack, a local tapping outfit in Tamworth, started tapping trees over 10 years ago with just a barrel stove and just a decade later, has opened a retail store, installed state-of-the-art equipment, and expanded their product offerings from a simple bottle of syrup to a full-scale gift shop and restaurant. Grab a breakfast sandwich topped with maple bacon or cool off during a hot summer day by getting a double scoop of their homemade maple ice cream. Maple candy is always one of the most popular treats, so most of the sugar houses have a variety available. For those sugar houses that started a website, the online marketplace keeps the product sales coming in throughout the year, and maple candies are quite convenient to ship anywhere in the world where someone with a sweet tooth is missing this authentic, local treat. Fuller’s Sugarhouse in Lancaster sells maple candy in bulk at their online store in addition to a multitude of syrup, food, and gift items. Rogers Maple out in Warner has candies, maple cream, and maple sugar available on their website, and the Granite State Candy Shoppe in Concord makes their candies, nuts, fudge, and jams available online throughout the year.
Maple’s popularity goes beyond the candy. There are so many options for great breakfast around Northern New England, but for those restaurants that feature locally made maple syrup, the wait for a table could be a bit longer on Sunday mornings. Benton’s Sugar Shack in Thornton offers their own locally produced syrup, but the Ma’s maple baked beans and the Pa’s maple cooked kielbasa is perhaps what makes them renowned. Sweet Maple Café in Conway is well-known for their pancakes with a side of maple sausage, which patrons can of course smother in NH pure maple syrup.
New Hampshire’s version of liquid gold floods the region every March, but maple syrup is a precious resource to be enjoyed throughout the year. Regardless of the season, if you find yourself wandering the shops while up visiting for the weekend, be sure to visit one of the dozens of gift shops and restaurants that feature authentic New Hampshire maple syrup.
The Rock That Defined Dedication
By Kathi Caldwell-Hopper
An unusual and eye-catching boulder in rural Tamworth has a special meaning for history lovers. The rock was the spot where Reverend Samuel Hidden was ordained in the 1790s.
The world was a different place back then, and religion played a major a major role in the lives of most families.
The ordination was likely well attended because the locals seemed to hold Reverend Hidden in high esteem. The rock was chosen because it stood as a stage of sorts where everyone could gather as an audience.
Reverend Hidden had an impressive past, as a veteran of the Revolutionary War and later as a student. He enlisted at just 16 years of age and during the Revolutionary War, served his country well. Hidden was later a student at Dartmouth College. But beyond all these things, he surely felt the most pride in serving as the minister in Tamworth for an astounding 46 years.
In “The Tamworth Narrative” by Marjory Gane Harkness, the author devotes an entire chapter to Samuel Hidden. He was a shining example of hard work and determination, as Harkness writes that he “worked extra hours to buy musket and bayonet, knapsack, cartridge-box, one lb. gunpowder, 20
bullets and 12 flints.” Hidden had the foresight to know he would need these things as a soldier in the Revolutionary War.
After the war, Hidden went into teaching to help support his family.
Perhaps he kept his spirits up with singing; it is said he had an unusually good voice and musical talent.
At age 27 he began his education at Dartmouth. He worked his way through college by making shoes and also as a singing instructor.
Hidden’s work as a pastor when he
moved to Tamworth was outstanding. According to information at History of Tamworth in www.tamworthnh.gov, “Perhaps the person most influential in Tamworth history was Parson Samuel Hidden. He came to Tamworth after attending Dartmouth College in 1792. He was later ordained at Ordination Rock and became the first settled minister in town. His interests were broad and, besides spiritual leadership, he brought cultural benefits to the small town. He taught music and started a choir, supervised existing schools and opened new
ones, and started the Tamworth Social Library (the fourth such library in the entire state).
Reverend Hidden had a positive outlook and good humor. This made him stand out from most men of the clergy who, at the time, were quite serious and sometimes grim. Those who heard Hidden’s sermons were said to proclaim that he “gushed from a full soul” or “when he prayed he carried us all up to heaven. When he sung, his countenance beamed with delight and he eyes sparkled with joy.”
His parishioners were often moved by his sermons and some among them wept with emotion as his words inspired them. When he was officially ordained, it is said hundreds of country people from all over the region - Conway, Tamworth and surrounding communities as well as Fryeburg, Maine - attended.
Harkness wrote of the ordination, “They stood waiting in the little opening around the rock, with their families and domestic animals to the number of hundreds, all in home-fabricated clothes and many men barefoot.” Why was Hidden ordained on the un-
• Yesteryear continued on page 13
Historical image of Ordination Rock in Tamworth, New Hampshire.
Moose Mountain Greenways Presents The American Southwest Movie Screening
Join the Moose Mountain Regional Greenways at the Rochester Performance and Arts Center from 4 – 7 pm, on Tuesday, March 31, for a screening of The American Southwest, “a family-friendly wildlife movie that takes viewers on an unforgettable journey down the mighty Colorado River. Narrated by Quannah Chasinghorse, the film beautifully showcases the region’s abundant wildlife, confronts the ecological impacts of dams and water overuse, and advocates for better management of the river. Made in association with Natives Outdoors, the movie incorporates an indigenous storyline and is told through the perspective of some of the Southwest’s most charming characters… such as industrious beavers, bugling bull elk, and soaring condors. Between its legendary landscapes and fascinating wildlife, The American Southwest aims to endear
millions of people to better cherish, love, and conserve this unique region.”
The evening will close with a panel discussion, where attendees will have the opportunity to reflect. Refreshments will be available. Tickets are $30 per person (adults and children 5+). The Rochester Performance and Arts Center is located at 32 North Main Street, Rochester. Limited street parking is available outside of the venue. Street parking in this area has a 2-hour limit that ends at 5 pm, so parking from 3 pm on would not be a problem. There is also the North Main Street Lot (no time limit), 60 Wakefield Lot (24-hour limit), and Union Street Lot (this lot also has a 2-hour parking limit that ends at 5 pm) within reasonable walking distance. Find details and registration at mmrgnh.org.
• Yesteryear continued from page 11
usual rock? It is said he saw the rock as a foundation of the church, echoing the teaching of Jesus from a rock during Biblical times. Hidden had a big impact on the town of Tamworth, so much so that in 1862 the people in the community erected a monument atop of the rock. It was placed there in memory of Reverend Hidden and tells much of his views and his story.
The monument, placed as it was atop a huge boulder, is what makes Ordination Rock so eye-catching. Located on Cleveland Hill Road in Tamworth, those who pass by cannot help but marvel at the boulder. The monument is made of white marble in an obelisk shape with a granite base. Each of the four sides of the monument have inscriptions. Those who wished to see the monument up close over the years could climb a hand-chiseled stone staircase. A further site was the big steel staples that look to hold the boulder together along a fracture in the rock so it cannot crumble.
Reverend Hidden has never been far away from Ordination Rock, with his final resting place across the street in the Ordination Rock Cemetery in Tamworth. Hidden’s gravesite is unusual, with granite markers holding a flat stone with etched text on its surface.
When the 100th anniversary of Hidden’s ordination on the rock came around, about 250 people gathered at the spot. There were speakers and it was an eventful day with the former President Grover Cleveland attending. Also attending was the son of Reverend Hidden, then in his 90s. He stood on the rock with his great grandson, also named Samuel. It was an emotional moment to see the Hidden family continue into the future.
Surely Reverend Samuel Hidden, resting near the Ordination Rock, would have been quite moved by the anniversary celebration. He would also been moved to know his lifetime of dedication and hard work in the service of the Lord were not forgotten.
Today, visitors can visit the rock and it is the namesake of an annual 4th of July foot race each year. The Ordination Rock Run, which starts at the rock, is part of Family Day in Tamworth. An explanation at www.ordinationrockrun.com explains, “Highlighting Ordination Rock, the race commemorates the historical boulder that served as the site of Samuel Hidden’s ordination in 1792. The rock is a popular destination for visitors interested in the town’s history and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, serving as the focal point of this enjoyable, low-key running event.”
Mountainview Station: Celebrating Center Ossipee History with Fantastic Food
By Mike Moore
It’s been a little over a year since Alex Bourgault and Jarrod Sellers took over ownership of Mountainview Station in Center Ossipee, one of the more unique eateries in the Lakes Region. The duo has been serving up tasty cuisine around New Hampshire for years with their food truck and catering service, Good Eatz 603, but being able to establish roots in their own hometown became a dream come true when the popular train station-themed restaurant on Main Street went up for sale.
Center Ossipee became a focal point of the White Mountains during the 1870s when a completed railroad and train station stop became regularly operational. Soon after the trains started coming through, the area surrounding the rail stop began to develop, with a general store, a post office, and even lodging. For the first time, the small mountain village now had easy access to travel, as the new railways expanded business opportunities in major cities such as Boston and Portland. The area had always been well known for its agriculture, and leather was a particularly lucrative product for the area dating back to prior to the Civil War. With multiple trains a day coming through the new station at the foothills of the White Mountains, leather trade in Center Ossipee was able to boom. The tannery was able to expand its reach beyond the state and even beyond the country and into South America. Before long, passenger trains started offering routes through the Ossipee area, leading to one of the busier stops Mountainview Station. By the early 1900s, a person could travel
from Center Ossipee to Boston in just under four hours, giving locals their first easy opportunity to explore the world beyond their community. More importantly, it helped revolutionize the growing tourism industry, allowing those in the city to conveniently visit the beauty of Ossipee’s surrounding lakes and mountains.
Referred to as “Mountainview Station”, the Center Ossipee train depot maintained regular passenger travel until the early 1960s as part of the Boston & Maine Line. The station would continue to be utilized for freight services for another 15 years, but modernization of travel and shipping would lead to Mountainview’s eventual abandonment by the end of the 20th century. Rather than let the historical landmark crumble and eventually disappear, local community members thought it could be an important part of the quest to rejuvenate the downtown area that had seen most of the businesses close or move closer to the highway. It didn’t take much time for the residents of Center Ossipee to figure out how to put a good shine on this diamond in the rough. Within 12 years, the old train station would become that key cog in the efforts to revitalize Center Ossipee Village, as it was renovated into a restaurant known first as Chat and Chew, an eatery with the goal of offering the community a welcoming spot for food and fellowship. After a few years, in 2011, new owners took over the location and the Mountainview Station name and theme were introduced. The community-first spirit of Chat and Chew would remain, but as longtime Ossipee residents, the
new owners also wanted to honor the town’s robust history around the train station and railway. The decor was part restaurant, part museum. Original maps, photos, and historic memorabilia elevate the restaurant’s ambiance, making it a great place for locals to pick up dinner or for visitors to learn a little bit more about their favorite vacation town.
Bringing vibrance to Main Street in Center Ossipee remains a priority in 2026. The Rail Trail is an ambitious project where the Friends of Ossipee Rail Trail committee is looking to develop all-season walking trails, which will not only beautify these out-of-commission railways, but also put them to good use once again. Sellers and Bourgault pride themselves on being a part of the continued revitalization of Center Ossipee. When deciding to purchase a local treasure, Mountainview Station, it was important to them both that they honor the tradition, the theme, and the many recipes that brought the restaurant to popularity. Most importantly, the community connection that was first established at the restaurant location during the Chat and Chew days must be a part of their place. But the business partners also pride themselves on being innovative chefs, so infusing the menu with some of their best dishes allows them to add their unique flair to an already quality dining experience.
For Bourgault, who has been cooking professionally since he was a teenager, locals recognize his name right away, as his grandparents were the longtime owners of another cherished local restaurant, R & L Subs and
Pizza. This might also explain how Bourgault’s wood-fired pizza has been a menu item at Mountainview and their Good Eatz 603 Food truck that patron’s rave about. If you’re driving by the restaurant on a weekend early morning, you might see Sellers out front getting the giant smoker stoked up for the night’s special menu. Online reviews rave about the soups and chowders, with some calling their chowder the best in the region. Diners will marvel at the variety of the menu, including a rotation of homemade dessert. Consider boxing up that decadent cheesecake to take home with you because the guys make sure you’re well fed from the generous portions offered in the main course and appetizer dishes. With a big screen TV right in front of the bar and an array of beer and specialty drink options, getting together with some friends to watch the Patriots on Sunday just got a whole lot more exciting.
A great restaurant starts with tasty food, but here in the Lakes Region, celebrating our history, our heritage, and our town are just as important when hoping to run a successful restaurant over the long term. For Jarrod and Alex, the dynamic duo at Mountainview Station, they have the culinary expertise, the business savvy, and of course the Ossipee community spirit to keep locals and visitors alike well fed and enriched with local history for years to come. Mountainview Station is open Tuesday through Sunday 11 am to 8 pm. Check out their presence online for daily specials and regular menu options.
