AUGUST 10, 2026 | THE LAKER | Page 1
Your Guide to What’s Happening in NH’s Lakes Region
FREE
Summer Smiles
August 10 • Vol 43 • No 19
Making memories around the Lakes Region
Inside This Issue... Find More Audubon | Page 3
What’s Up | Pages 14-17
Scene & Heard | Page 18
Page 2 | THE LAKER | AUGUST 10, 2026
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Granite State Audubon Society: This Group Really is for the Birds By Mark Okrant We are fortunate to live in a state with an abundance of birds and other wildlife. The habitats and ecosystems that support them cannot survive without protection. Fortunately, the Audubon Society’s programs are here to protect species like bald eagles and numerous other bird species. The Audubon movement began in the late 19th century in response to the widespread killing of birds for feathers used in women’s hats. In 1886, journalist and naturalist George Bird Grinnell organized one of the first Audubon Societies, naming it after John James Audubon, the famous bird artist and naturalist. Although Grinnell’s original organization dissolved after a few years, state Audubon societies united in 1905 to create the National Association of Audubon Societies for the Protection of Wild Birds and Animals. The organization advocated for bird-protection laws, wildlife refuges, and public education about conservation. A key accomplishment of the organization was the passage of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act in 1918. This was a federal wildlife law that made it illegal to pursue, hunt, capture, kill, or sell nearly 1100 protected species of birds. Throughout the years, Audubon has added broader environmental conservation to its repertoire. This includes habitat preservation, climate research, and environmental education. Today, Audubon operates nature centers and sanctuaries across the United States while continuing to conduct scientific research on
birds and habitats. Founded in 1914, New Hampshire Audubon is separate and independent from National Audubon. There are approximately 190-species of birds that breed in New Hampshire. Of these, roughly 80 are decreasing, 60 are increasing, while 30 show stable populations. Species showing the strongest declines are often those that nest in shrubby or grassland habitats, migrate the longest distances, or feed on insects in flight. Presently, the primary issue is habitat loss, including during migration and winter, when most birds are far away from here. Audubon has multiple chapters throughout the state that host various trips and educational programs. Those programs cover a diverse range of topics and are adapted to engage learners of all ages. Lessons are place-based,
inquiry-driven, and student-centered. Representatives will travel and facilitate programming at most locations, or educators are invited to bring students to one of the state’s three Audubon centers for a fantastic field trip. These are the McLane Center in Concord, Massabesic Center in Auburn, and Newfound Center in Hebron. The McLane Center in Concord is open Wednesdays through Saturdays from 11 am to 5 pm (closed Sundays-Tuesdays). The Nature Store, Reptile Room, and Raptor Mews are open to visitors. Trails and pollinator gardens are accessible from dawn to dusk daily. Sanctuary trails are easily reached from dawn to dusk daily. The raptor mews are accessible through the center courtyard from dawn to dusk. There is no admission charge, but donations are always welcome.
The Massabesic Center in Auburn is open Wednesdays through Saturdays from 11 am to 5 pm (closed Sundays-Tuesdays). The public is encouraged to visit the Nature Shop, Animal Room, and education displays, as well as trails and pollinator gardens throughout the day. The 5,000 square foot Massabesic Center is located on a historic farm site. It is bordered by 130 acres of rolling fields and mature deciduous forest with woodland wetlands, a pond, streams, and marshes. The site has been preserved as a wildlife sanctuary that encompasses a diverse array of upland habitats. There are more than five miles of trails that lead to scenic Lake Massabesic. Educators and volunteers provide yearround nature, recreation, and environmental education programs. These include schools, youth groups, summer and vacation camps, families, communities, and adult education opportunities. The Center offers live animal and educational exhibits in the classroom, reception area, and auditorium spaces. The Wildlife Sanctuary has wildlife viewing opportunities from its many trails. Visitors can view bluebirds and other grassland birds in the fields as well as loon nests on the lake. Ospreys visit in the spring, and bald eagles visit in the winter. Newfound Center is a seasonal nature center, open from late May through early September, for trail walks, kayak, canoe, or paddleboard • Audubon continued on page 4
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Page 4 | THE LAKER | AUGUST 10, 2026
Rumney Art Walk Returns to Rumney Village, Participating Artists Announced The planning committee for the clerc-Polymer Clay and Paint, Marian Federspiel-Digital Painting, and Becky Rumney, NH Art Walk is excited to Cyganiewicz-Photography. announce the participants in this year’s art walk taking place on Sunday, AuA map of the artists and their locagust 16, 2026, from 12 to 4 pm. tions will be available at all particiThe following artists and craftspeopating locations. There will be live entertainment throughout the afterple will have their artwork displayed noon provided by Gillian Turner, Rick and for sale at the following locations: Clogston and Buddy Clayton. The folStudio at 11 Mill, Studio at 501 Main, .com Byron G Merrill Library, Shaneware lowing wonderful patrons have committed to participating in the purchase Pottery, and on the Rumney Town Common: award program: Karen Beaton, Janine Mori, Theodore Bromund, Maureen Marie Nolan-Mixed Media, Richard Wetterer-Pottery, Sheila L BonO’Hara Berti, and the Rumney Vilfiglio-Oil, Jane Pappe-Oil, Carol lage Store. Their commitment to the purchase award helps to support local Cole-Watercolor, Carol Young-Bastalented artists. ketry and Gourd Art, Lisa Famosi-PhilFollow the event on Facebook lips-Mixed Media, Michelle McElroy-Oil Painting, Jane Mitchell-Mixed at Rumney, NH Art Walk. Contact rumneyartwalk@rumneyvillagestore. Media, Marguerite Bride-Watercolor, Things to see and Things to do com for more information or to become Anne Hayes-Drawing and Collage, Mark Greenwood-Wood/Resin, Joanie a purchase award patron of the arts. Butterfield-Felted Hats, Sebrena Le-
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• Audubon continued from page 3 rentals, or its Newfound Nature Series talks. Trails are open from dawn to dusk. Located on the northern shore of Newfound Lake, this center comprises three wildlife sanctuaries: the Paradise Point Nature Center, Ash Cottage at Hebron Marsh Sanctuary, and Bear Mountain Sanctuary. Trails are open year-round to bird watchers and hikers, Nordic skiers and snowshoers. There are opportunities to experience the outdoors on foot or by water, visit the nature center, or attend the Center’s summer Newfound Nature Series. At the Paradise Point Nature Center, there are several regional natural history and live animal exhibits. Canoes, kayaks, and stand-up paddle boards are available for rental. Paradise Point and Hebron Marsh extend to the water’s edge, allowing visitors to experience Newfound Lake’s habitat, while Bear Mountain’s hillside is an excellent example of a New Hampshire woodland. Birds are often considered environmental “sentinels” because changes in their populations can provide early warning signs of broader environmental problems. They help scientists recognize concerns such as: • Habitat loss and fragmentation. Declines in forest, grassland, wetland, or coastal bird species often indicate that critical habitats are being destroyed or altered. • Pollution and toxic chemicals. Bird
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populations helped reveal the dangers of pesticides such as DDT in the mid20th century. Thinning eggshells of species like the Bald Eagle and Peregrine Falcon alerted scientists to widespread contamination. • Climate change. Shifts in migration timing, breeding seasons, and geographic ranges can signal changes in temperature, precipitation, and ecosystem conditions. • Water quality problems. Declines in waterfowl, shorebirds, and other aquatic species may indicate contamination, nutrient pollution, or degradation of wetlands and waterways. • Insect population declines. Reductions in insect-eating birds can reflect shrinking insect populations, which may result from pesticide use, habitat changes, or climate effects. • Disease outbreaks. Birds can serve as indicators of emerging diseases. For example, dead crows helped public health officials detect the spread of West Nile Virus in North America. • Ecosystem health overall. Because birds occupy many positions in the food web and are relatively easy to monitor, their abundance and diversity provide a useful measure of the overall health of an ecosystem. The Audubon Society uses data on bird populations to track environmental changes and identify conservation priorities. As we have seen, there are things you can do to help our birds right here in New Hampshire. To learn more, visit nhaudubon.org.
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Lakes Region Events Calendar Updated Weekly
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See select pastured farm animals, visit exhibit gardens, walk a trail, and discover a landscape in agricultural use for 200+ years.
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Have fun while learning during a special event, stimulating presentation, or seasonal workshop. Picnic spots, farm-raised beef, and store on-site. SCAN CODE for our calendar!
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Early American Toys, Local Brewing History & More at the Clark Museum Complex
Ball in the House will perform on Aug. 15 in the Wolfeboro Community Bandstand.
Ball In the House Returns to Cate Park on Saturday Night The next concert of the season for the Friends of the Wolfeboro Community Bandstand summer concert series will bring an act to the bandstand that has made a name for itself around the country and has been a favorite over the last few years in Cate Park. Ball in the House is an R&B/soul/ pop a cappella group based out of Boston, Mass., whose high-energy shows have audiences singing, dancing, and even beatboxing along. With their extensive tour schedule averaging 200 shows a year, Ball in the House has performed everywhere - from theaters to performing arts centers, fairs and festivals, to opening for some of the biggest acts in the world, such as The Beach Boys, The Jonas Brothers, The Temptations, Fantasia, Gladys Knight, Lionel Richie, Jessica Simpson, Blondie, Smokey Robinson, KC & The Sunshine Band, Diamond Rio, Colin Raye, Orleans, and numerous others. Ball in the House headlined the 2018 and 2016 China International Chorus Festival in Beijing, won the 2016 Boston Harmony Sweepstakes, and were voted 2014 APCA Band of the Year and 2009 Best of Boston for Outstanding Musical Performers. For six years, they were the voices behind all
the Cool Whip commercials and wrote and performed the jingle for Amazon’s Prime Day. Ball in the House has appeared on America’s Got Talent, The Today Show, The Daily Buzz, the Philadelphia Fourth of July Parade, and SBS Culture Club and MBC News in Seoul, South Korea. Ball in the House consists of Oscar Hall – baritone, Dylan Melville - vocal bass, Tyler Nordin – tenor, Jonny Ryan – beatbox, and Wallace Thomas – tenor. Information on the band can be found at ballinthehouse.com or on Facebook, Instagram, X, and TikTok. They also have numerous videos on YouTube at bithvideo. Ball in the House will perform at the Wolfeboro Community Bandstand on Saturday, Aug. 15, from 7 to 9 pm. The bandstand is located in Cate Park in downtown Wolfeboro. The concerts are free, though a pass-the-bucket offering will be taken at intermission to help support the Friends of the Wolfeboro Community Bandstand. In the event of inclement weather, the concert will be cancelled, and a sign will be posted at the entrance to the park near the town docks and on the Friends of the Bandstand’s Facebook page.
The Wolfeboro Historical Society (WHS) is pleased to announce several special events being held this August and September at the Clark Museum Complex in Wolfeboro (233 South Main Street): Now through Aug 15 – Enjoy a fascinating look at early American toys on display at the Clark Barn. Aug 15 – Antique & Vintage Fair on the Green, 11 am to 3 pm (vendor space still available; contact wolfeoborohistoricalsociety@gmail.com) Sept 7 - “Brewing in New Hampshire” 7-9 pm. Quench your thirst for some fun facts about America’s favorite libation with author Glen Knoblock in this unique presentation. Part of our “Summer Lecture Series at the Barn,” made possible by a grant from the NH
Humanities to Go! September 20 - “Historic Figures Tea” This grand event is our annual fundraiser to preserve the Museum›s one-room schoolhouse. Enjoy refreshments & entertainment with costumed actors playing roles from our country’s historic past. For more events/ dates, please visit: www. WolfeboroHistoricalSociety.org Note, as a Blue Star Museum, WHS now offers free admission to the nation’s active-duty military personnel and their families, including National Guard and Reserve members. Interested in becoming a WHS volunteer or member? Please contact WHS President, Libby Shannon, at wolfeoborohistoricalsociety@gmail.com.
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Agatha Christie’s Murder on the Orient Express is coming to The Barnstormers Theatre A luxurious train, an enormous snowdrift, and a murdered American tycoon set the stage for The Barnstormers Theatre’s annual Agatha Christie presentation, Murder on the Orient Express. The witty and fast-paced adaptation by Ken Ludwig runs through August 15. The production is directed by longtime Barnstormer Blair Hundertmark, who has led productions of many favorites, including last season’s Agatha Christie-inspired world premiere Front Row to Murder. Hundertmark believes that the story of Murder on the Orient Express is timeless. “Agatha Christie is a master. The success of this story lies in the truth and reflection of humanity she unveils,” Hundertmark said. “And, of course there is the difficult question
she leaves detective Hercule Poirot and all of us with: what is justice?” Hercule Poirot will be played by Andrew Sellon, who audiences may remember in a very different role: the hapless Dr. Einstein in 2023’s Arsenic and Old Lace. Sellon has played Poirot twice before, including a twice-extended sold-out run at the renowned Old Globe Theater in San Diego—the best-selling non-musical production in the company’s 90-year history. “I’m so excited to revisit Hercule Poirot with this wonderfully talented group,” Sellon said. “I love the process of creating shows at this historical gem of a theatre. It’s like stepping back in time in the best way possible. The focus at Barnstormers is always right where it should be: on simplicity, ca-
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maraderie, and telling the story well for our audience... and this is one heck of a story!” Among the performers joining Sellon on stage are several 2026 New Hampshire Theatre Alliance Award winners from last year’s hit season opener Something Rotten: Ryan Halsaver (Colonel Arbuthnot/Samuel Ratchett), Mary McNulty (Mary Debenham), and Rachel Alexa Norman (Helen Hubbard). Lisa McMillan (Princess Dragomiroff) took home Outstanding Performance in a Supporting Role for Front Row to Murder. The ensemble also includes Steve Barkhimer (Monsieur Bouc), Taylor Congdon (Gretta Ohlsson), Kate Fitzgerald (Countess Andrenyi), Joe Mucciolo (Michel the Conductor/Head Waiter), and Giovanni Valforte (Hector MacQueen). On the production side, Director Hundertmark, whose Front Row to Murder took home a Broadway World New Hampshire Award for best new play in 2025, is joined by other recent award winners. Travis McHale (Scenic Designer) won the NHTA for lighting (Something Rotten), and Alison Pugh (Costume Design) took home the top prize for costumes in her designs for Front Row to Murder. In addition, the team consists of Peggy Samuels (Stage Manager), Jenn
Gallo (Assistant Stage Manager), Kevin Dunn (Lighting Designer), and Sean McGinley (Sound Designer). Tickets for Agatha Christie’s Murder on the Orient Express and all of the summer productions are available at barnstormerstheatre.org or by calling 603-323-8500. Agatha Christie’s “Murder on the Orient Express” at The Barnstormers Theatre, through August 15, at Barnstormer’s Theatre at 104 Main St., Tamworth, NH. Tickets are available at barnstormerstheatre.org or 603-3238500 Located in the scenic village of Tamworth, N.H., The Barnstormers Theatre is one of the oldest professional summer theatres in the country. Founded in 1931 by Francis Cleveland — youngest son of President Grover Cleveland — his wife Alice, and their friend Ed Goodnow, all veterans of the Broadway stage, The Barnstormers continue their legacy more than 90 years later. Today, it remains one of only four Equity theatres in New Hampshire, producing professional, high-caliber theatre each summer. Like many arts organizations, The Barnstormers relies on contributions, as ticket sales cover only about half of its operating costs. Every gift helps sustain its mission and programs.
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Page 8 | THE LAKER | AUGUST 10, 2026
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CASTLE IN THE CLOUDS PRESENTS
C E L E B R AT E S U M M E R’ S G R A N D F I N A L E D R E S S E D I N W H I T E W I T H F I N E F O O D, C O C K TA I L S A N D DA N C I N G B E N E AT H T H E S TA R S
Join us for a night to remember at our annual fundraiser supporting the restoration of the National Historic Landmark Lucknow Estate! Mingle with friends old and new, and celebrate the joie de vivre of Castle in the Clouds while: • Savoring delicious passed hors d’oeuvres on the Lucknow Mansion lawn. • Enjoying an open bar all evening and an elegant family-style dinner. • Bidding on unique Castle experiences in the live auction. • Dancing to music from the famous DeeJay Shelly and her band.
Don’t miss this end-of-summer sendoff. Tickets are limited. Reserve yours today!
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Castle in the Clouds to Host Annual Fundraising Gala on September 4 Castle in the Clouds is hosting their annual fundraising Gala on September 4, 2026, from 5 to 10:30 pm. This year’s theme is Gala en Blanc, and the event is designed to create an unforgettable evening of fine food, cocktails, and dancing, all while supporting a strategic restoration project at the National Historic Landmark Lucknow Estate. In addition, this year’s event will also celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Castle Preservation Society (CPS), a 501(c)3 nonprofit. To support the “en blanc” theme, guests are invited to dress in all white as they celebrate the joie de vivre of Castle in the Clouds. The event will feature a cocktail party on the Lucknow Mansion lawn, followed by family-style dining from Celebrations Catering, a live auction, an open bar, and music from Deejay Shelly and her band (https://deejayshelly.com/). The event will take place rain or shine and be hosted on the Lucknow Estate grounds under the spacious Great Wa-
ters Music Festival Tent. “Our annual Gala is our largest and most important fundraising event, which inspires our planning committee to create new ways to exceed our supporters’ expectations every year,” said Charles Clark, Executive Director of Castle in the Clouds. “The Gala en Blanc is poised to be our next legendary fundraising event, capable of raising a significant contribution to this year’s restoration project, which will be revealed that evening during the Gala. Our board, staff and planning committee are excited to welcome our supporters to experience this year’s carefully crafted evening.” Tickets are priced at $180 each, and all proceeds benefit the restoration of Castle in the Clouds, the historic Lucknow Estate, by the Castle Preservation Society, a 501(c)3 nonprofit. To purchase tickets and find more information about the Castle in the Clouds and the gala event, visit https:// www.castlegala.org.
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Page 10 | THE LAKER | AUGUST 10, 2026
Keeping Things Beautiful with the Pasquaney Garden Club By Kathi Caldwell-Hopper You do not have to be a master gardener or plant and floral expert to join the Pasquaney Garden Club in the Bristol/Newfound Lake area. You do not need to be a gardener whose outdoor areas are full of flower beds and plants, all lovingly cared for and groomed.
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You just need to have a love for gardening, whether you know a lot about it or not, and a willingness to help. These are things Barbara Carpenter has in abundance. As the president of the Pasquaney Garden Club, Barbara is full of enthusiasm and energy for the many things the club does each year to
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• Garden continued on page 11
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Judith Kraemer - saw the opportunity for a club in Bristol. They began discussions with the town, saying they wanted to use their skills to beautify Bristol. Their idea was well received, so the work began with preparing the soil with the help of local land excavators (for a butterfly garden). Barbara explains that Shirley oversaw the installation of the Pasquaney Garden Club Butterfly Garden in partnership with Judith, who provided her vital knowledge as a Master Gardener. The Butterfly Garden is a peaceful, beautiful spot where the public can relax, picnic, appreciate the plantings, and maybe glimpse some butterflies. It is also a teaching space, an example of conservation, and welcomes school groups to the garden each year. With the garden pathway and outdoor stone benches, people can sit and watch the peaceful Newfound River on a summer or autumn day. The Garden Club members maintain the garden with monthly work days involving
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beautify the community. “We recently completed a mural project behind the Minot-Sleeper Library in downtown Bristol. Bliss, a local mural company, did the artwork that transformed the side of a building next to the Butterfly Garden that the Pasquaney Garden Club maintains,” Barbara says. The space in back of the library was (and still is) used for public parking. The green space is divided from the parking lot by a fence and beyond the garden area is the Newfound River. Barbara credits the town of Bristol with the support to complete the Butterfly Garden and mural, as well as other projects done by club members. The town also maintains many of the plantings and flowers installed by the Pasquaney Garden Club in a joint effort to beautify Bristol. The town’s Downtown Decorating Committee (DDC) also does planting areas throughout the town and maintains them during the summer months. “The Pasquaney Garden Club began about 53 years ago, and is still going strong,” Barbara says. It started when two women - Shirley Yorks and
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AUGUST 10, 2026 | THE LAKER | Page 11 • Garden continued from page 10 weeding, pruning, and mulching. The town of Bristol provides annual funds and, when needed, the use of their truck for the garden club to maintain the spot. Realizing their idea, Shirley and Judith talked to the right people and got locals thinking about a garden club and what it could offer to the area. “The club started with about eight to 10 people and now we have 30 members. Some have been members for more than 20 years,” Barbara adds. When Barbara became president three or four years ago, she says there was an existing mural on a back wall of a store facing the Butterfly Garden. The mural was of a lake scene, but it was faded and in need of repairs. Always looking for ways to beautify Bristol, Barbara wanted to find a way to improve the wall, which overlooks the Butterfly Garden. “In due time, Bristol became home ofLAKE twoWINNIPESAUKEE fabulous mural artists, Alesha Borges and Benjamin Archibald; their business is called Bliss. They were enthusiastic to redo the mural and collaborating with the Pasquaney Garden Club, came up with the idea of a giant monarch butterfly painted on the wall of the building. The monarch butterfly is native to New Hampshire, and it seemed natural to do a painting of that type of butterfly,” Barbara says. The monarch butterfly thrives on milkweed plants and so that was included in the mural as well as the stag-
es the butterfly goes through (seed, caterpillar, and chrysalis). The new mural is breathtakingly beautiful and mirrors the natural look of the garden, full of life and color and the joys of nature. Of course, such an ambitious mural project did not come without expenses, but Barbara comments happily, “We started a GoFundMe and within two weeks we had raised the money for the project.” According to information on the Minot-Sleeper Library website, “The Pasquaney Garden Club consists of several community members who volunteer their time and energy to create beautiful spaces in the Bristol area.” Creating beautiful spaces is what the Pasquaney Garden Club is all about. The Butterfly Garden is but one of the club’s projects that have a goal of bringing color and joy to Bristol and the surrounding towns of the Newfound Lake area. Explaining some of the things the club does, Barbara says, “We provide the DDC with the town hanging plants and we plant and maintain the flower barrels in Bristol, such as in front of the library, along the bike path, with the town maintaining them during the season.” Another interesting project was a sign and plantings created by the club, with the signage artwork by Bliss. It is at the intersection of Rt. 3A and West Shore Road at the south end of Newfound Lake. “People love the new intersection area, and we achieved our goal of making it look like a piece of New Hampshire land, with native pe-
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rennials you would find the state,” Barbara explains. The Pasquaney Garden Club holds monthly meetings from mid-April to mid-December (on the third Tuesday of the month), with speakers and field trips to area gardens. “We keep very busy,” says Barbara. “We have work days with weeding plants, for example, and we raise money for the Newfound Regional High School ‘Festival of Trees,’ and create a wreath for the annual silent auction at the John Hay Estate fundraiser, during the holiday season.” Trips to area gardens are good social events and very informative. The club’s main fundraiser is the annual spring plant sale. “The club has wonderful, energetic members. For example, we have a longtime club member
who dug up and potted from her own garden, over 100 plants for the sale,” Barbara comments. Barbara enjoys her work as president of the garden club and says she had been a member only six months when asked to serve. She laughs, “I am not an expert by any means. I tell everyone I am a master raker vs. being a master gardener!” The Pasquaney Garden Club’s September 15 meeting will be held at the Minot-Sleeper Library, 35 Pleasant St. in Bristol at 1 pm. The guest speaker will be Ron Texlor, from the UNH Extension. Ron will discuss Dividing Perennials – Hands-On Workshop. All interested people are invited to attend. To find out more about the Pasquaney Garden Club and becoming a member, email carpenb3@gmail.com.
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Page 12 | THE LAKER | AUGUST 10, 2026
Drama, Comedy, and Mystery at Local Theatre By Kathi Caldwell-Hopper “The theatre was created to tell people the truth about life and the social situation.” –Stella Adler If that quotation sounds too serious when it comes to community theatre, it is, however, true. No matter if the play is on Broadway or held in a local opera house, former church, or meetinghouse, live theatre can be serious business. But it is also fun and vastly entertaining. Why else would audiences from near and far attend shows presented and performed by Lakes Region residents/actors and production staff? At the Village Players in Wolfeboro, live theatre draws local actors and au-
diences year after year. Performances take place at the former Masonic Hall building in downtown Wolfeboro. Historically, the Village Players began in Wolfeboro in the 1930s. The group put on shows to benefit the Wolfeboro Garden Club. Nat and Eric Erickson, Edie Carr, Henry Maxfield, and Barbara Zulauf were early cast members; in the 1940s a three-show season ticket cost a mere $1.60. According to the “Our History and What We’re About” page at www.village-players.com, Garden Club minutes enthused over a small profit earned by plays such as The Newspaper Bride and Candle Light (February of 1941). Most of the shows were performed at The Masonic Hall (the building which is now The Village Players Theater).”
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Further background information on the theatre relates, “For many years the Village Players performed at several locations, including the Masonic Temple, which is now the Village Players Theater; Carpenter School; and Kingswood High School. The theater building was built in 1889 as a Unitarian church, but dissolved by 1908. From 1912, the building was the Masonic Temple and used for many performances, movie showings, and public gatherings. Locals enjoy seeing the signatures of their parents and grandparents on the dressing room walls marking performances from all through the 1900s. We have signed stage flats from (as far back as) 1917.” The rich history echoes the community members who step forward to volunteer, whether as part of a cast for a particular show, as a back-stage production helper or to work front of house in various capacities. Paul Stewart, president of the board of directors of the Village Players, comments about the size and frequency of shows, “We do three to four main stage shows a year. On occasion, we slip in a special production and sometimes host special events. We’ve done shows with as few as two actors, and as many as 88 actors (although that one was performed at the Kingswood auditorium). “In general we draw from a group of about 100 actors and production team members. The number of people working on a show varies with the size of
the production and the time of year. For ‘big name’ musicals, we will have more actors from outside of the area who come to take part; they usually love the Village Players so much they keep coming back! We have a nine-member board of directors that run the day-today operations, and a building committee that keeps an eye on things around the theater.” The group typically presents in late March/early April, late July/early August and late October/early November. The rehearsal process typically is about 2 1/2 months, with rehearsals usually twice a week, for two hours at a time. Some directors arrange things differently, depending on the show. During that time, the set, light and sound designers are hard at work, designing and making sure everything is good to go for the actors and the director. If this appears like the work of a Broadway or big-time professional theatre and its cast and back-stage personnel, it speaks to the hard work of the Village Players. However, no one is involved to achieve big-city fame. The theater is a New Hampshire-registered nonprofit and a 501(c)3. Everyone involved puts a lot of energy and dedication into each show, and their hard work shines in each performance. This is community theatre as it should be, as a group effort to bring entertainment to • Theatre continued on page 13
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AUGUST 10, 2026 | THE LAKER | Page 13 • Theatre continued from page 12 the public…while having a lot of fun. Because the Masonic building is older, Stewart says upkeep is ongoing. “Recently, we had to make repairs when a branch fell through the roof over the stage. We need to rebuild our front steps and patio, so we are taking the opportunity to look into various options to make our front entrance more accessible.” If any hard-working, dedicated theatre staff can concur with Stewart’s comments about building upkeep, it is the management and board of directors of the Franklin Opera House in downtown Franklin. Although the Opera House is geographically located on the other side of the Lake Region from Wolfeboro, and is housed in a different sort of building, both theatres share much when it comes to the day-to-day work of building maintenance. They also share a dedication and ability to put on a great show, no matter where and how. Says Dan Darling, executive director of the Franklin Opera House, “The Franklin Opera House is located within Soldiers Memorial Hall in Franklin. The building houses City Hall and the Opera House. The building is owned by the city of Franklin; we are here to manage things as a service to the City.” Historically, Soldiers Memorial Hall was designed by architect William M. Butterfield of Manchester, New Hampshire. Like many town halls of the era, its design included a community gathering place, known as The Opera House. Building began in the summer of 1892 with construction finalized and the dedication ceremony held on September 5, 1893. The Opera House had hosted balls, conventions, graduations, sports events, dances, film showings, musicals, plays, operas, and speeches until the 1960s, when the city partitioned off sections of the stage and the auditorium to provide additional space for city services. According to historical information at www.franklinoperahouse.org, in 1997, when the police department and court moved to their own homes on the other side of Central Street, the Franklin Opera House Restoration Committee was formed, and the Opera House was reopened. Ensuing were many plays, concerts, and other shows. It has been a very popular place, and Darling says audiences have always been supportive and will travel from some distance to see the shows. “In the 10 years I have been there, the audience has increased. We track by zip codes and we see that the geographic distance of our audience has constantly expanded.” He continues, when referring to the current issues at the Opera House building, “The facility is closed for major renovations. The City of Franklin, which owns Soldiers Memorial Hall, is renovating the building and bringing it up to code. When they finish with their portion of the job, we (the theatre) will move in and install new lighting, video wall, sound system, and new balcony seating. The goal is for the City to finish their work by October of 2027.” Once completed, the Opera House
will throw open its doors and present a schedule of shows to the delight of the public. But until then, the Opera House is making do in the style of old-time troupes that, out of necessity, performed wherever there was space to do so. “The Franklin Public Library has been very generous, allowing us to use space in their building for our concerts and performances,” Darling says. Shows have brought in capacity audiences, proving the public is supportive and will attend shows wherever they are held. For this, Darling and the Opera House board of directors is more than thankful. The Franklin Footlight Theatre, a separate organization, often utilized the Opera House for their shows. They too have temporarily presented shows at other venues, but once the theatre space is renovated, Footlight can return the Opera House as well. The building upkeep is necessary for the shows at both the Opera House and the Village Players to happen. A good director is often needed as well, and Stewart of the Village Players explains, “ We don’t have a fixed group of directors. Instead, we draw from a pool of folks who have a range of experience from directing one show to directing multiple shows through their time with the Village Players. Many of our directors begin by serving as assistant directors, gaining experience over several productions before taking the lead on a show themselves.” He continues, “We typically produce at least one musical each year, and occasionally two. Our audiences especially enjoy comedies and classic mysteries, while our spring production often gives us the opportunity to take on more challenging or thought-provoking works. For example, in 2024 we presented Wit, the acclaimed drama about a woman facing terminal cancer. We make sure that we regularly have productions that feature children and other young actors, giving them opportunities to develop their talents and become involved in community theatre.” At the Franklin Opera House, the show must go on. An upcoming concert will be Devine Nix, on September 19 at 7 pm at the Franklin Public Library at 310 Central Street. The Devine Nix duo will perform a variety of music, from traditional Classical to a world tour of sounds. On October 10, Quixotic! with storyteller Andy Davis is scheduled for the Franklin Public Library at 7 pm. Further shows are listed at www. franklinoperahouse.org. The Franklin Footlight Theatre will present Once Upon a Mattress on August 12-15 at the Tilton School’s Hamilton Hall in Tilton. At the Village Players, upcoming shows include Man of LaMancha on October 30 and 31 and November 1, 6, 7, and 8. A Charlie Brown Christmas closes out 2026 on December 4, 5, and 6. Some 2027 shows are listed at www. village-players.com.
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Page 14 | THE LAKER | AUGUST 10, 2026
What’s UP
your guide to what’s happening in NH’s Lakes Region...
Through Aug. 30, 86th Annual Members Exhibit, Thurs.-Sunday, 10 am, free, Lakes Region Art Association, exhibits and classes, Suite 300, Tanger Outlet, Rte. 3, Tilton, 603-998-0029, www.lraanh.org. Through Aug. 31, BioBlitz, intro. Sessions Mondays and Wednesdays at 11:30 am, Squam Lakes Natural Science Center, Holderness, 603-968-7194, www.nhnature.org. Through Oct. 31, From Sails to Atoms: The Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, exhibit about the history and impact of the shipyard, Wright Museum of WWII, 77 Center St., Wolfeboro, 603-569-1212, www.wrightmuseum.org. Aug. 10, Culinary Herbs: The Hidden Medicinal Powers, 6 – 7 pm, Moultonborough Public Library, 4 Holland St., Moultonborough, pre-registration required, 603-476-8895, www.moultonboroughlibrary.org. Aug. 10, Discovery Walk with a Naturalist, 10 - 11 am, Grey Rocks Conservation Center, 178 North Shore Rd., Hebron, info.: 603-744-8689, www.newfoundlake.org. Aug. 10, IMPACT Fairytale Theatre – Little Red Riding Hood, 10 am – noon, free admission, Belknap Mill, 25 Beacon St., East, Laconia, 603-5248813, www.belknapmill.org. Aug. 10, Loon Cruise, 3 – 4:30 pm, observe common loons, on canopied pontoon boats, Squam Lakes Natural Science Center, Rt. 113 Holderness, 603-9687194, advance reservation required: www.nhnature.org. Aug. 10, Monarch Monitoring Mondays, 9 - 10:30 am, on Mondays, held at Pemi Oxbow Preserve, Holderness, program of Squam Lakes Natural Science Center, 23 Science Center Rd., Holderness, pre-registration: 603-968-7194, www.nhnature.org.
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Aug. 11, BioBlitz: Walks with an Expert - Aquatic Macroinvertebrates with Audrey Eisenhauer, Science Center Education Director, 10 am - noon, for ages 12 and up, Squam Lakes Natural Science Center, Holderness, 603-968-7194, www. nhnature.org.
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Aug. 11, Lecture Series: Laura Knoy – The Shopkeeper of Alsace, 7 – 8 p.m., Wright Museum of WWII, 77 Center St., Wolfeboro, admission/reservations: 603-569-1212, www.wrightmuseum.org.
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Aug. 11, NH Turtle Rescue, 5:30 – 6:30 pm, info. about NH’s turtles, Gilford Public Library, 31 Potter Hill Rd., Gilford, 603-524-6042, www.gilfordlibrary. org.
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Aug. 11, New Horizons Band concert, Belknap Mill, Beacon St. East., Laconia, www.newhorizons-lakesregion.org. Aug. 11, Summer Lecture Series – Rooted in Research: Decades of Forest Discovery, After the Ice: How Forests Survive – and Recover From – Devastating Ice Storms by Lindsey Rustad, Research Ecologist, 6 – 7 pm, adult program, Squam Lakes Natural Science Center, Rt. 113 Holderness, 603-968-7194, advance reservation required: www.nhnature.org. Aug. 11, The Wheel and the Bow, 6 – 7:30 pm, traditional and mechanical violin meet, Moultonborough Public Library, 4 Holland St., Moultonborough, pre-registration required, 603-476-8895, www.moultonboroughlibrary.org.
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Aug. 12, Birthday Bash for the Animals, 10 am – 4 pm, all ages welcome, Squam Lakes Natural Science Center, 23 Science Center Rd., Holderness, 603968-7194, www.nhnature.org. Aug. 12, Little Sprouts – Farm to Table, 10:30 am - noon, for children 4 to 9, must be accompanied by a parent or responsible adult, Moulton Farm, 18 Quarry Rd., off Rt. 25, Meredith, purchase tickets at the farm market or: 603-279-3159, www.moultonfarm.com. Aug. 12, MMA/Boxing with Lakes Region Vale Trio, 10 am – noon, free admission, Belknap Mill, 25 Beacon St., East, Laconia, 603-524-8813, www. belknapmill.org. Aug. 12, Monadnock Falconry, 4 – 5 pm, meet & learn about hawks, Gilford Public Library, 31 Potter Hill Rd., Gilford, 603-524-6042, www.gilfordlibrary. org.
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Aug. 12, Music on the Lawn, Katie O’Connell & Chris Buerk, 6:30 – 7:30 pm, on the lawn of Cook Memorial Library, Cook Memorial Library, 93 Main St., Tamworth, 603-323-8510, www.tamworthlibrary.org. Aug. 12, Stories Behind the Stars: Perseid Meteor Showers 8:30 – 9:30 pm, Wonalancet, Chocorua Lake Conservancy, www.chocorualake.org., pre-register: 603-323-6252. Aug. 12-14, Plein Air Painting Workshop, 10 am – 3 m, three days with renowned artist Bill Cloutman, pre-register at ArtWorks CCAC, 132 Rt. 16, Chocorua, 603-323-8041, www.chocoruaartworks.com. Aug. 12-29, Revolutionary War Memorabilia and Costumes from America’s Bicentennial Anniversary, Wolfeboro Historical Society, 233 S. Main St., Wolfeboro, 603-569-4997, www.wolfeborohistoricalsociety.org. Aug. 13, Bioblitz – Walks With an Expert, Birds with Iain MacLeod, Executive Director, Squam Lakes Natural Science Center, 10 am – noon, ages 12 & up welcome, Squam Lakes Natural Science Center, 23 Science Center Rd., Holderness, pre-registration: 603-968-7194, www.nhnature.org.
Complete Pet Care AUGUST 10, 2026 | THE LAKER | Page 15
What’s UP
your guide to what’s happening in NH’s Lakes Region...
NOT JUST A GRAIN STORE...
Aug. 13, Henry LaLiberte concert, 5 – 6 pm, free, Marceau Park, Central St., downtown Franklin, 603-934-1901, www.franklinoperahouse.org. Aug. 13, Idol Hands, outdoor concert, concessions, free, 19 Mile Beach, Rt. 28, Tuftonboro, 603-569-4539, ext. 125. Aug. 13, Kids Nature Exploration, 10:30 – 11:30 am, Grey Rocks Conservation Center, 178 North Shore Rd., Hebron, info.: 603-744-8689, www.newfoundlake.org.
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Aug. 13, Owls: Master of the Night with Joe Callahan, 7 – 8 pm, Loon Center, 183 Lees Mills Rd., Moultonborough, 603-476-5666, www.loon.org. Aug. 13, Steamboat Bill Jr., 7 pm, silent movie with Buster Keaton, Flying Monkey Moviehouse and Performance Center, 39 S. Main St., Plymouth, 603536-2551, www.flyingmonkeynh.com. Aug. 13-16, Annie, Interlakes Theatre, 1 Laker Lane, Meredith, 603-707-6035, www.interlakestheatre.com. Aug. 14, Concerts on Canal, Cozy Throne, 5 – 9 pm, Canal St., Laconia, all ages welcome, held rain or shine, 603-527-8124. Aug. 14, Lake Winnipesaukee Day, 5 – 10 pm, Wolfeboro Town Docks & Cate Park, boats, food, fun, info.: 603-986-1097.
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Aug. 14, Loon Cruise, 3 – 4:30 pm, observe common loons, on canopied pontoon boats, Squam Lakes Natural Science Center, Rt. 113 Holderness, 603-9687194, advance reservation required: www.nhnature.org. Aug. 14, Summer Concert Series, 7 – 9 pm, Thursday Afternoon Band, sponsored by Water Bandstand Committee, Alton Bay Bandstand, Alton Bay, 603-875-0109.
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Aug. 14-15, Justgoexplore Overlanding Expo, Gunstock Mt. Resort, 719 Cherry Valley Rd., Rt. 11A, Gilford, 10 am, 603-387-1510 Aug. 14-23, The 39 Steps, Winnipesaukee Playhouse, 33 Footlight Circle, Meredith, 603-279-0333, www.winnipesaukeeplayhouse.com. Aug. 15, An Afternoon of Joy with Ali Dumont (Jewelry), 11 am – 5:30 pm, Kalled Gallery, 33 North Main St., Wolfeboro, 603-569-3994. Aug. 15, Antique and Vintage Fair, 11 am – 3 pm, Clark Museum Complex, Wolfeboro Historical Society, 233 South Main St., Wolfeboro, 603-569-4997, www.wolfeborohistoricalsociety.org. Aug. 15, Award Winning Barbershop Quartets program, 12:30 – 1:30 pm, Meredith Public Library, 91 Main St., Meredith, 603-279-4303, www.meredithlibrary.org. Aug. 15, Ball in the House, 7 – 9 pm, Cate Park, South Main St., Wolfeboro, www.wolfeborobandstand.org. Aug. 15, Celebrating 250 Years: Discovering Your Milton Roots, an Old Home Day Event, NH Farm Museum, 1305 White Mt. Highway, Milton, 603652-7840, www.nhfarmmuseum.org. Aug. 15, Cruise in to the Wright, 10 am – 2 pm, live music, food, raffle, car show & more, Wright Museum of WWII, 77 Center St., Wolfeboro, admission/ reservations: 603-569-1212, www.wrightmuseum.org.
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Aug. 15, Fireworks, 9:30 pm, over Weirs Beach, shot from a barge, Weirs Action Committee, www.weirsbeachfireworks.com. Aug. 15, Gilmanton Old Home Day, many events all day, info.: gilmantonoldhomeday@gmail.com. Aug. 15, Juston McKinney: Parentally Challenged, 7:30 pm, The Colonial Theatre, 609 Main St., Laconia, 800-657-8774, www.coloniallaconia.com. Aug. 15, Lauren Smoken, Barrel Bar & Grille Summer Music Series, 2 – 5 pm, Gunstock, 719 Cherry Valley Rd., Gunstock, info.: 603-293-4341, www. gunstock.com. Aug. 15, Lavender Sense Retreat: Soul-full Saturdays - in-person wellness classes and workshops. A ticketed event, call 603-453-4186 or visit lavendersenseretreat.com. Aug. 15, Summer Concert Series, 7 – 9 pm, Mutha Hubbard Band, high energy country band, Alton Bay Bandstand, Alton Bay, 603-875-0109. Aug. 15, Sasquatch Footy Regatta, 9 am – 4 pm, Bridge Falls Path, Back Bay Skippers, by NH Boat Museum, 399 Center St., Wolfeboro, 603-569-4554, www.nhbm.org.
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Aug. 16, Abenaki Presence in Ossipee Mountains, 1 – 2:30 pm, Castle in the Clouds, Moultonborough, pre-register: 603-476-5900, www.castleintheclouds. org. Aug. 16, Animal Encounters Series: Critter Communities, 10 – 11 am, free, Lower Level of Town Square, Waterville Valley, 1-800-993-3149. Aug. 16, Guest Speaker Patrick O. Connelly on his book “Rochester, NH – New Hampshire Territory to Township 1620 – 1799,” 1 pm, Milton Old Town Hall, Rt. 25, Milton, 603-652-7840. Aug. 16, Music on the Green with Party of the Sun, 4 - 5 pm, pay what you can, takes place at Meetinghouse lawn, Canterbury Shaker Village, Shaker Rd., Canterbury, 603-783-9511, www.shakers.org.
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Page 16 | THE LAKER | AUGUST 10, 2026
What’s UP
your guide to what’s happening in NH’s Lakes Region...
Aug. 16, Rumney Village Art Walk, noon – 4 pm, juried fi ne arts and crafts fair, at town common and around the village, rumneyartwalk@rumneyvillagestore.com. Aug. 17, Discovery Walk with a Naturalist, 10 - 11 am, Grey Rocks Conservation Center, 178 North Shore Rd., Hebron, info.: 603-744-8689, www. newfoundlake.org. Aug. 17, Loon Cruise, 3 – 4:30 pm, observe common loons, on canopied pontoon boats, Squam Lakes Natural Science Center, Rt. 113 Holderness, 603-968-7194, advance reservation required: www.nhnature.org. BEAR SHOWS TRAIN RIDES WOLFMAN YANDONG’S CHINESE ACROBATS & MUCH MORE!
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Aug. 17, Monarch Monitoring Mondays, 9 - 10:30 am, on Mondays, held at Pemi Oxbow Preserve, Holderness, program of Squam Lakes Natural Science Center, 23 Science Center Rd., Holderness, pre-registration: 603-9687194, www.nhnature.org. Aug. 17, Story Time and Craft Hour, 11 am – noon, free, Castle in the Clouds (Lucknow), held near Shannon Pond, Rte. 171, Moultonborough, pre-registration: 603-476-5410, www.castleintheclouds.org. (In partnership with Moultonborough Public Library) Aug. 17, Yoga on the Lawns of Lucknow, 6 – 7 pm, Castle in the Clouds (Lucknow), pre-registration required: 603-476-5900, www.castleintheclouds. org.
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Aug. 18, Lecture Series: Cheryl Thomas – Forgotten Souls: The Search for the Lost Tuskegee Airmen, 7 – 8 p.m., Wright Museum of WWII, 77 Center St., Wolfeboro, admission/reservations: 603-569-1212, www.wrightmuseum. org. Aug. 18, Macrame Plant Hanger, 3 – 5 pm, Belknap Mill, 25 Beacon St. East, Laconia, pre-register: 603-524-8813, www.belknapmill.org. Aug. 18, Revolutionary Crafts: Quilling Picture Frame, 5 – 6:30 pm, Moultonborough Public Library, 4 Holland St., Moultonborough, pre-registration required, 603-476-8895, www.moultonboroughlibrary.org. Aug. 18, The Occasional Ensemble, 6 – 7 pm, Wolfeboro, Public Library, South Main St., Wolfeboro, 603-569-2428, www.wolfeboropubliclibrary.org. August 18-20, “Really, You Can Draw!” Workshop, 9 am – 1 pm, 3-day class, pre-register: ArtWorks CCAC, 132 Rt. 16, Chocorua, 603-3238041, www.chocoruaartworks.com. Aug. 19, Author of On Golden Pond, Ernest Thompson, 6 – 7 pm, Wolfeboro Public Library, 259 South Main St., Wolfeboro, 603-569-2428, www. wolfeboropubliclibrary.org. Aug. 19, BioBlitz: Walks with an Expert – Moths with Rick Van de Poll, PhD, founder of Ecosystem Management Consultants, 7:30 – 9:30 pm, for ages 12 and up, Squam Lakes Natural Science Center, Holderness, 603-9687194, www.nhnature.org. Aug. 19, Boat House Row: A Yacht Rock Experience, 7:30 pm, Colonial Theatre, 609 Main St., Laconia, 800-657-8774, www.lakesregionchamber. org.
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Aug. 19, Central NH Writers’ Group, 6 – 7 pm, Belknap Mill, 25 Beacon St. East, Laconia, 603-524-8813, 603-524-8813. Aug. 19, Memories of the Weirs, John & Jesse Casana, lecture series event, 7 pm, Lake Winnipesaukee Museum, 503 Endicott St., North, Laconia, 603366-5950, www.lwhs.us. Aug. 19, BioBlitz: Walks with an Expert – Fungi with Rick Van de Poll, PhD, founder of Ecosystem Management Consultants, 10 am - noon, for ages 12 and up, Squam Lakes Natural Science Center, Holderness, 603-968-7194, www.nhnature.org. Aug. 20, Breaking Character concert, 5 – 6 pm, free, Marceau Park, Central St., downtown Franklin, 603-934-1901, www.franklinoperahouse.org. Aug. 20, Carolyn Ramsay Band, outdoor concert, concessions, free, 19 Mile Beach, Rt. 28, Tuftonboro, 603-569-4539, ext. 125. Aug. 20, Classic Cruise Car Night at Tilt’n Diner, 5 – 7 pm, 61 Laconia Rd., Tilton, 603-455-7631. Aug. 20, Club Soda, Bristol Summer Concert Series, 6:30 pm, Kelley Park, 41 North Main St., Bristol, free, public welcome, bristolevents@bristolnh. gov. Aug. 20, Fungi with Rick Van de Poll, PhD, 10 am – noon, Squam Lakes Natural Science Center, 23 Science Center Rd., Holderness, 603-968-7194, www.nhnature.org. Aug. 20, Guided Hike, 10 am – noon, Settlement Loop, Castle in the Clouds (Lucknow), Rte. 171, Moultonborough, pre-registration: 603-476-5410, www. castleintheclouds.org Aug. 20, Kids Nature Exploration, 10:30 – 11:30 am, Grey Rocks Conservation Center, 178 North Shore Rd., Hebron, info.: 603-744-8689, www.newfoundlake.org. Aug. 20, Murder & Mayhem: True Crime in NH 1883-1915, 5:30 – 6:30 pm, traces history of crime in NH, Gilford Public Library, 31 Potter Hill Rd., Gilford, 603-524-6042, www.gilfordlibrary.org.
AUGUST 10, 2026 | THE LAKER | Page 17
What’s UP
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Belknap Mill, 25 Beacon St. East, Laconia, gallery and textile museum, events and programs, 603-524-8813, www.belknapmill.org. Bingo, doors open at 5 pm, game begins at 6:30 pm, presented by Lion’s Club, held at Moultonborough Function Hall on Tues. evenings, 139 Old Rt. 109, Moultonborough, 603-477-8868. Canterbury Shaker Village, 288 Shaker Rd., Canterbury, tours, programs, 603-783-9511, www.shakers.org. Castle in the Clouds, Rte. 171, Moultonborough, 603-476-5900, www.castleintheclouds.org. Cruise with a Naturalist, through Sept. 17, 3 – 4:30 pm, Squam Lakes Natural Science Center, Holderness, 603-968-7194, www.nhnature.org. Day & Evening Cruises, M/S Mount Washington, Weirs Beach, 603-366BOAT, www.cruisenh.com. Discover Squam Lake Guided Cruises, 90-minute cruises, Squam Lakes Natural Science Center, Holderness, 603-968-7194, www.nhnature.org. Indoor Pickleball, 5 - 7 pm, Sandwich Elementary School gym, Sandwich, Tues., Thurs. Friday, 603-387-2180, parksandrec@sandwichnh.org.
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Kirkwood Gardens, free, open to public year-round, Rt. 3, Holderness, tour the gardens, www.nhnature.org, 603-968-7194. Lake Winnipesaukee Museum, historic Lakes Region artifacts and information, souvenir postcards, plates, paperweights, memorabilia, summer camp historical information and more, 503 Endicott St., North, Laconia, 603-366-5950, www.lwhs.us.
Loon Center, walking trails, 183 Lees Mill Rd., Moultonborough, 603-4765666, www.loon.org. Loon Cruise, 3 – 4:30 pm, Mondays and Fridays through Aug. 21, Squam Lakes Natural Science Center, Holderness, 603-968-7194, www.nhnature.org. Makers Mill, variety of workshops, arts and crafts classes and more, 23 Bay St., Wolfeboro, 603-569-1500, www.makersmill.org. Millie B., cruise on Millie B., a replica of a 1928 Hacker-Craft, 45-minute tour, info/tours: NH Boat Museum, Wolfeboro, www.nhbm.org, 603-569-4554. M/S Mount Washington, day and evening cruises, Weirs Beach, 603-366BOAT, www.cruisenh.com. Newfound Lake Association, programs, classes, discovery walks, exhibits, Eco Tours, lake activities, Grey Rocks Conservation Area, 178 North Shore Rd., Hebron, 603-744-8689, www.newfoundlake.org. New Hampshire Boat Museum, 130 Whittier Highway, Moultonborough, 603-569-4554. Second location: 399 Center St., Wolfeboro, 603-569-4554, www.nhbm.org. New Hampshire Farm Museum, 1305 White Mt. Highway, Milton, 603-6527840, www.nhfarmmuseum.org. Newfound Lake Eco-Tours, informative/scientific tours of Newfound Lake, through mid-Sept., Newfound Lake Association, www.newfoundlake.org, call for hours/dates of operation: 603-744-8689. Ossipee Historical Society, 10 am – noon, Tues., Thurs. & Sat. in July & Aug., 52 Rt. 16B, Center Ossipee, www.historicalsocietyofossipee.org. Prescott Farm Environmental Education Center, programs for adults and children, 928 White Oaks Road, Laconia, www.prescottfarm.org. Call ahead for event information and to inquire if program pre-registration is necessary: 603-366-5695. Remick Country Doctor Museum & Farm, 58 Cleveland Hill Rd., Tamworth, 603-323-7591, www.remickmuseum.org. Sculpture Walk, tours of outdoor sculptures around downtown/lakeside areas of Meredith, free, Greater Meredith Program, maps: 603-279-9015.
Squam Lake Cruises, family/educational cruises to look for loons, & wildlife, Squam Lakes Natural Science Center, Holderness, www.nhnature.org, call for hours/dates of operation: 603-968-7194.
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Page 18 | THE LAKER | AUGUST 10, 2026
Granite Granite State State Scene Scene & & Heard Heard
Survival of the Drive-Ins By Joel Bocko
Aside from a big screen - several, depending on the location - the environment differs radically from your usual dark, auditorium-style theater. The carpet is grass, the ceiling is sky, the sound system is your radio, and your chair is the front seat of whatever you
drive - or the passenger seat of whatever your date drives. Welcome to the drive-in, a form of moviegoing that already seemed to belong to a hazy nostalgic past many decades ago. You’d be forgiven for believing their extinction occurred way back then,
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maybe before you were even born. Many suspects have been named in the mystery of how and why the drive-ins “disappeared”. Following a midcentury golden age, in which four thousand motor-friendly outdoor theaters spread across the country, everything from changing car sizes to home viewing to real estate booms to digital projection and even Daylight Savings Time have stood accused. Nonetheless, even if most of those issues are still with us (at least until the Sunshine Protection Act gets passed), so too – miraculously, are the driveins...at least a few of them. New Hampshire has just three, one only part-time; then again, at least six states don’t have any drive-ins at all, so this could be considered bountiful. The Northfield Drive-In (981 Northfield Road in Hinsdale) and Weirs Drive-In Theater (76 Endicott Street in Laconia) both opened back in 1948 - just fifteen years after the very first drive-in launched in New Jersey - and the Milford DriveIn (531 Elm Street in Milford) joined them in 1958. Once upon a time, similar venues were scattered across the state, from the Princess Drive-In in Gorham and Seacoast Drive-In in North Hampton to the Skyhi Drive-In in Boscawen and Sky Ray Drive-In in Hooksett. (Sometimes owners got creative with the first part of a drive-in’s name, but the second part always ended up self-explanatory.) Even into the twenty-first centu-
ry, several other drive-ins lingered on, but Woodsville’s Meadows Drive-In finally closed down in 2004, and a newer attempt, the Northern Nights DriveIn of Lancaster, couldn’t weather the great digital storm of 2015. Indeed, several of the surviving drive-ins, much like the ill-fated Northern Nights, had to launch Kickstarter fundraisers - or even enter a limited contest held by Honda - in attempts to buy a digital projector in the early 2010s, as virtually every distributor switched away from the traditional celluloid format. That often grainy, faded, but deeply textured quality of a film print was initially as much a part of the classic drive-in aesthetic as the speakerboxes hung on a car window’s edge. Those too have been replaced by frequencies on the car radio, although you may want to bring a personal stereo to preserve the car battery (engine-running is often prohibited). Each of the remaining drive-ins has its own character. Northfield, straddling the New Hampshire/Massachusetts state line, survived a hurricane in 1951 and went on to serve as a filming location for the 1999 film Cider House Rules. If you’re up for a nature walk before a movie - particularly if it’s a horror movie - the alarmingly-named Satan’s Kingdom Wildlife Management Area lies just across the border, • Scene & Heard continued on page 19
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AUGUST 10, 2026 | THE LAKER | Page 19 • Scene & Heard continued from page 18 supposedly named for a forest fire spotted by a Depression-era churchgoer who was walking out of a particularly brimstone-filled sermon. The twin-screen Milford, more expensive than the others, does offer unique attractions and amenities, including old-fashioned intermissions and promos playing around the main feature, as well as a playground for the kids and an overall pet-friendly environment - as long as they don’t enter the diversely-stocked concession area. The owner also has a sense of humor, advising on their website that custom-
ers should not try to leave and then come back during a screening: “One of two things will happen. They would be charged admission to get in again, or they will get angry, use profanities at the box office attendants, and leave. If you fall into the second example of using profanities at the box office attendant, and feel it is absolutely necessary to do that, send me an email message. I would much rather you use profanities directed at me than my employees.” Weirs Drive-In, scenically facing Lake Winnipesaukee with cars parked on an overlooking incline, has mostly moved on from being a mov-
ie-first locale despite - or perhaps due to the maintenance of - having the most screens (four, at last count). Instead, it hosts RV campouts and Bike Week gatherings, sprinkling occasional screenings throughout the summer while the owners ponder where they want to take the business next. That location has already faced an uncertain future several times in recent decades, most notably when it announced its imminent closure in 2017, only to re-open for business in 2018. It seems the identification of a Native American burial ground on the property had complicated a planned sale. Sometimes Weirs appears on “defunct
theater” lists, based on such past announcements, but as of this summer, it’s still showing movies. All of the drive-ins tend to play new releases, although Northfield at least does schedule occasional retros. Of the three, only Milford lists coming attractions far enough ahead to be relevant for this column; in August, they’ll be playing Spider-Man: Brand New Day and Insidious: Out of the Further. For many viewers, drive-ins are probably something you see more often in movies than you see movies in them...so why not treat yourself?
Scene & Heard Around New Hampshire Here’s what’s playing in retrospective (or otherwise notably unique) screenings around the state between August 11 and 24, 2026.
Highlight: To Kill a Mockingbird at Prescott Park Dusk on Sunday, August 16 This is a tough group to narrow down to one screening, so I’ll cheat by briefly mentioning the electrifying Talking Heads concert classic Stop Making Sense at The Colonial in Bethlehem, as well as Buster Keaton›s awe-inspiring hurricanefueled silent comedy Steamboat Bill, Jr. at The Flying Monkey. That one probably deserves to be my recommendation, but The Flying Monkey was highlighted last time and will be again in the next issue, so just say that seeing an entire house frame fall on Buster - who is saved only by standing right where the second-story window space lands - is something you don’t want to miss on the big screen, and leave it at that. Instead, I’ll focus on the poignant Harper Lee adaptation, timely as a parable of (aspiring toward) justice and timeless
SALES
as a portrait of a particular yet also universal childhood. Plus, this is an outdoor screening, which loosely fits the theme of this column. Finally, in the process of researching future topics, I discovered a connection to New Hampshire - and to this column. The film’s screenwriter Horton Foote once taught Sunday School in New Boston; he also happens to be a cousin of Civil War historian Shelby Foote, who was mentioned in my inaugural column in relation to Ken Burns’ The Civil War. Small world... Also playing (check theaters for showtimes)... Lakes Region The Flying Monkey - 39 Main St in Plymouth: The Little Mermaid on August 12 Steamboat Bill, Jr. on August 13 Gone Girl on August 19 Scene One Gilford - 9 Old Lake Shore Rd in Gilford: “Secret Cinema Society” tonight (August & maybe other Mondays): sneak preview of a mysterious up-
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coming release The Wild Robot on August 12 Minions: The Rise of Gru on August 19 Elsewhere in New Hampshire
Chunky’s - 707 Huse Rd in Manchester: The Goonies on August 20 & 22 (2 family matinees & 1 adult night) The Colonial Bethlehem - 2050 Main St in Bethlehem: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly on August 13 Unspoken on August 20 Stop Making Sense on August 21 Fathom at Regal (45 Gosling Rd in Newington), Cinemark (15 Mall Rd in Salem) & Apple (38 Cinemagic Wy in Hooksett & 11 Executive Park Dr in Merrimack): Only Yesterday on August 11 Point Break on August 16 & 19 Texas Chainsaw Massacre on August 18 Castle in the Sky on August 22 - 24 The Majestic - 36 Main St in Conway Summer of Soul on August 21 Movies Under the Stars: The Wild Robot on August 12
STORAGE
(Adams Playground - 71 Union St in Peterborough) Arco on August 14 (Fuller Park - 312 Washington St in Keene) The Music Hall - 28 Chestnut St in Portsmouth: Last day of the CatVideoFest August 11 NHFF Best of the Fest – Short Films Pt.2 on August 16 The Park - 19 Main St in Jaffrey: Field of Dreams on August 14 The Curious World of Hieronymous Bosch on August 12 In Search of Chopin on August 19 Prescott Park (in addition to To Kill a Mockingbird) - 105 Marcy St in Portsmouth: Clueless on August 14 Wicked for Good on August 17 F1 on August 24 Wilton Town Hall - 40 Main St in Wilton: Check their Facebook page to find out what their surprise screening will be each day...
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Page 20 | THE LAKER | AUGUST 10, 2026
Historic and Cultural Walking Paths in Meredith By Thomas P. Caldwell More and more people are choosing to live in areas offering walkable neighborhoods, and while that often means cities where walking, cycling, and public transit are replacing driving, walkability is not confined to such cosmopolitan realms. The town of Meredith, while serving as a tourist destination and the “Latchkey to the White Mountains” for people traveling through the area, also recognizes the
benefits associated with walking trails: an appreciation of history, support for arts organizations and creativity, and promotion of greater civic engagement. The Meredith Historical Society has taken that message to heart in creating a historic walking map of the downtown area, and Meredith Pathways has extended the concept to offer five pathways that promote walking and cycling to other sections of the town. From a historical perspective, Mer-
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Looking back at downtown Meredith from the Laverack Walking Trail. (Tom Caldwell Photo) edith Village, settled in 1768 as an agricultural community, transformed into a mill town utilizing its waterways between lakes Waukewan and Winnipesaukee to power lumber, grist, and textile factories. It was only in the 1980s, after those mills closed, that the town adapted to the hospitality industry, catering to tourists as well as local residents. The Meredith Village Historic Walking Map provides the locations of town landmarks and descriptions of their role in local history. Beginning with the Meredith Historical Society Museum at 45 Main Street, the brochure notes that the building was one of the first dozen or so houses built in the village. A saddler named Abel Kimball built it in 1812, and it served as both his home and his shop. In 1854, Seneca Ladd purchased the building for his piano and melodeon business, later establishing the town’s first bank on the second floor. The Meredith Post Office rented the first floor from 1875 to 1936, and today it houses the historical society’s museum collection.
The next stop on the historical walking tour is the circa 1815 Congregational Church at 4 Highland Street, also known as the “North Church” or the “White House” because of its prominent white spire. It was moved from its original location on “high school hill” to Meredith Bay, then moved again to its current location. Next to the church is the Beede House, built in 1867. Sanborn House, at 51 Main Street, is next on the trail. Built for Dr. Jeremiah Smith in 1841, another doctor, George Sanborn, later established his practice there. George’s son, George Freeman Sanborn, founded a printing company at that location in 1871, and he launched the Meredith News in 1880. He also launched the Meredith Public Library in the building, serving as the town’s first librarian, in 1882. The tour continues with the Old Town Hall on the corner of Main and High streets, built after the original • Walking Paths continued on page 21
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AUGUST 10, 2026 | THE LAKER | Page 21 • Walking Paths continued from page 20 meeting place, on Parade Road, proved tragic. During the first town meeting to take place there, the floor collapsed under the weight of the 600 people attending. About 150 fell into the basement, killing four of them and injuring others. The replacement town hall, built in 1875, had offices and a hall on the second floor, and it was the location where the first motion pictures were screened in Meredith. Other Main Street sites on the historical walking tour are the Baptist Church at 89 Main Street; the Civil War Memorial and Meredith Public Library at 91 Main Street; the Humiston School, now the administrative offices for the Inter-Lakes School District, at 103 Main Street; the John Bond Swasey House at 109 Main Street; the Swasey Stone, at the corner of Main and Dover streets; the Joseph Whidden Lang/E.C. Mansfield building at 48 Main Street; the town’s first inn, at 23 Main Street, built by John Neal around 1805; and the Horne Block at 14 Main Street. The Jonathan C. Everett House, now situated next to the Meredith Inn, was built on Main Street in 1813, serving the town’s first resident attorney. Dr. Frederick Hawkins, owner of the 2 Waukewan Street home that now serves as the Meredith Inn, moved the Everett House next door to 4 Waukewan Street in 1897. The historic tour includes the Waukewan Canal and village mills. The pamphlet notes that residents harnessed the waterpower of the Waukewan stream, running east from that lake to Winnipesaukee, in 1787. The stream served small saw, grist, and carding mills throughout the late 1700s. Around 1811, Daniel Avery and John Bond Swasey channeled the water into a canal that led to the 40-foot waterfall and mill race at the heart of today’s Mill Falls Marketplace. That allowed the building of a manufacturing center that included a cotton mill, grist mills, lum-
Swasey Park, dedicated during the country’s bicentennial. (Tom Caldwell Photo) ber mills, a cotton-processing plant, a piano manufactory, a hosiery manufactory, linen mills, and an asbestos manufacturer. The final stop on the tour is the waterfront itself. The Meredith Town Docks serve as the starting point for the five Meredith Pathways that cover some of the same territory but extend outward to Lake Waukewan and along the shore of Lake Winnipesaukee. Pathway 1 runs from the town docks up Lake Street and along Lang Street to Waukewan Street, passing the Meredith Inn and continuing to Waukewan Beach, a small-town beach with parking for a few cars. The 0.8-mile walk can be extended all the way to Route 104, if desired. Coming back, walkers can turn onto Waukewan Avenue for a side trip to Swasey Park, a seven-acre wooded park featuring picnic tables and several walking trails, including one to the canal. From Swasey Park, the route continues along High Street back to Main Street and the village. Pathway 2 is best suited to bicycle traffic due to the hills and limited sidewalks along the way. It begins at the town docks, crosses Route 3 and on to Dover Street, across Main Street and up Water Street, then onto Red Gate Lane, a town-maintained dirt road. Pathway 3 is a 0.6-mile sidewalk path from the town docks, across the Route 3-25 intersection, and onto Plymouth Street, which leads to the Meredith Community Center. By turning right and walking into Prescott Park and go-
ing past the tennis courts, it’s possible to reach the Laverack Nature Trail, a 0.6-mile trail for walkers only. Pathway 4 also takes walkers to the Laverack Nature Trail, this time by turning right after crossing 3-25 and going behind the Meredith Village
Saving Bank to where the trail begins. That portion of the trail begins with a 1,450-foot boardwalk over wetlands before reaching the woods that continue on to the Prescott Park tennis courts. Pathway 5 is an easy half-mile walk along the lakeshore, from the town docks to Hesky Park with its bandstand and POW/MIA memorial. From there, there is a boardwalk on the water side of the Inn at Bay Point, then a paved pathway to Scenic Park with panoramic views of Meredith Bay. Between the historic trail and the pathways, Meredith offers plenty of walkable destinations that are well worth the trip, and offer the health and well-being aspects that make walking paths so important.
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Granite VNA Offers Dementia: Strategies for Care in Wolfeboro Granite VNA is offering “Dementia: Strategies for Care,” the second part of a Caregiver Conversation Series on Tuesday, August 25, from 10 to 11 am at Wolfeboro Public Library, 259 South Main Street in the Cynthia A. Beaver Room. Caring for a loved one is meaningful but it can also feel overwhelming. Join us for conversations intended especially for family caregivers who want practical tools, trusted information, and a supportive community. Each session focuses on real-life challenges caregivers face and provides strategies you can use right away, led by experienced professionals. Whether you’re new to caregiving or have been supporting a loved one for years, these
conversations will help you feel more confident, prepared, and connected. Take time this summer to strengthen your skills, protect your well-being, and connect with others who understand the caregiving journey. Melissa Grenier, LCSW, Regional Manager of NH Alzheimer’s Association, will discuss practical and positive strategies for navigating the challenges of dementia care. Registration is required. Register at 603-224-4093, ext. 85664 or granitevna.org. This program is offered at no charge. Granite VNA is a not-for-profit licensed and certified home health and hospice care provider. The agency serves people of all ages in 72 com-
munities across the Greater Capital Region and Central New Hampshire by providing home care, hospice care, pediatric and maternal child health services, and wellness programming. The agency has offices in Concord, Laconia, and Wolfeboro. Formed through
the merger of Concord Regional VNA and Central New Hampshire VNA & Hospice, Granite VNA has served New Hampshire since 1899. For more information about Granite VNA, visit www. granitevna.org.
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North Conway’s Biggest Summer Craft Fair Returns This Weekend Come and enjoy this amazing summer craft fair in the White Mountains – Saturday, August 15, and Sunday, August 16, from 10 am to 5 pm in Schouler Park, 1 Norcross Circle, North Conway. The Mount Washington Valley August Craft Fair brings 125+ amazing artisans displaying a diverse selection of arts and crafts including awesome metal animation, various styles of jewelry, chainsaw wooden sculptures & demos, fine art watercolor and acrylics, wildlife photography, New Hampshire Presidential Range photography, amazing log furniture and new wooden river design products,
hand-painted skis/sleds/slates/signs/ wooden decor, skincare and soaps, beautiful soy candles, gourmet foods, wooden products, mountain art designs, wearable art, tie dye original artwear, framed names, custom embroidery, sublimation art, pet products and lots more too long to list! Live music both days with North River! Friendly, leashed dogs welcome! Always Free Admission! Rain or Shine under canopies! For more information, reach out to Joyce at 603-387-1510 or joycescraftshows.com.
AUGUST 10, 2026 | THE LAKER | Page 23
New, Pre-Owned & Brokerage Boat Sales • Service & Parts Department Fuel Dock & Ship Store • Boat Registrations • NH Temporary Boat Licenses • Boat Rentals
www.melvinvillagemarina.com
On Lake Winnipesaukee: 463 Governor Wentworth Highway Melvin Village, NH 03850 603-544-3583
In Ossipee: 801 Route 16 Ossipee, NH 03864 603-651-1001
266A MICHAWANIC ROAD ORTH, NH 03886 NH 03872 563 PLAINSWAKEFIELD, ROAD 0 $565,000 NH 03886 ntry RecyclingTAMWORTH, | 83.5 Acres 3 BED | 3 BATH $1,500,000 MLS 4968045 050 Donna Faucette | 603-387-5737 North Country Recycling | 83.5 Acres selman | 603-781-4823 MLS 4926050 563 PLAINS ROAD KarenServing Hasselman | 603-781-4823 Yours Since 1954! ANEOur Families 266A MICHAWANICNH ROAD TAMWORTH, 03886 Page 24 | THE LAKER | AUGUST 10, 2026
WAKEFIELD, NH 03872 BORO, NH 03894 $1,500,000 11 SKY LANE $565,000
Recycling | 83.5 Ac 3North BED | 3 Country BATH MLS 4926050 MLS 4968045 Donna | 603-387-5737 KarenFaucette Hasselman | 603-781-4823
WOLFEBORO, NH 03894
Bath $439,000 91 3 Bed | 2 Bath563 PLAINS ROAD 11 SKY LANE TAMWORTH, NH 03886 iquin | 603-387-2532 MLS 4981591 $1,500,000 WOLFEBORO, NH 03894 Steve Patriquin | 603-387-2532 MLS#5103059 • Moultonborough • Balmoral 4BR/3BA w/ garage, dock, beach & more! $1,200,000 - Call Jessica Harriman - 603-520-6124
MLS#5103036 • Wolfeboro • One-Of-A-Kind! MLS#5102855 • Wolfeboro • Melody Island 6BR/3BA, Downtown Compound withCountry boathouse. 3BR/3BA with 315’|of83.5 waterfrontage on .76ac. North Recycling Acres $3,950,000 - Call Jon Parker - 603-498-3360 $3,999,000 - Call Jen McCullough - 603-234-2721
HTON CORNER ROADMLS $439,000 4926050 Karen Hasselman 3 Bed | 2 Bath| 603-781-4823 190 LEIGHTON CORNER ROAD IELD, NH 03872 MLS 4981591
11 SKY LANE WAKEFIELD, NH 03872 Steve Patriquin | 603-387-2532 WOLFEBORO, NH 03894
$560,000 $439,000 BATH CORNER RO 3190 Bed | LEIGHTON 2 Bath 3 BED | 2 BATH 685 MLS 4981591 WAKEFIELD, NH 03872 Patriquin | 603-387-2532 ll | 603-321-1036MLS 4967685Steve $560,000 MLS#5099995 • Wakefield • Balch Lake 2BR/2BA on 425’ of pristine shoreline and 180 views. $1,360,000 - Call Jon Parker - 603-498-3360
MLS#5088559 • Wolfeboro • Close to everything 3BR/1BA New Englander on Bridge Falls Path. $399,000 - Call Julie Moore - 603-998-4128
MLS#5100035 • Tuftonboro • Log Cabin 3BR/1BA on almost 6 acres in low-tax town. $595,000 - Call Randy Parker - 603-455-6913
Terry Small | 190 603-321-1036 LEIGHTON CORNER ROAD
3 BED | 2 BATH WAKEFIELD, NH 03872 GS HWY, UNIT 209 MLS 4967685 322 KINGS $560,000 HWY, UNIT 209 Terry Small | 603-321-1036 3 BED | 2 BATH URHAM, NH 03855
NEW DURHAM, NH 03855 MLS 4967685
322 KINGS HWY, UNIT 209 $450,000 NEW DURHAM, 322 KINGS HWY, UNIT NH 209 03855 BATH 2 BED | 1 BATH NEW DURHAM, NH 03855 $450,000 78 MLS 4981578 $450,000 2BED BED | 1 BATH gliano | 603-630-9762 2 | 1 BATH Rick Marigliano MLS| 603-630-9762 4981578 Terry Small | 603-321-1036
MLS#5086026 • Wolfeboro • Piping Rock Custom 4BR, 4BA designed for comfort & functionality. $725,000 - Call Kristina Maus - 603-630-7629
MLS#5102231 • Alton • 13 Rural Acres 3BR/3BA w/ cathedral ceilings and 2 car garage. $600,000 - Call TerryMLS Small - 603-321-1036 4981578
MLS#5102986 • Tuftonboro • Cow Island Beautifully maintained 2BR/2BA on .99ac. $799,000 - Call Mark Ashley - 603-998-0780
Marigliano | 603-630-9762 Rick Marigliano | 603-630-9762 omwww.MaxfieldRealEstate.comRick www.MaxfieldRealEstate.com 8 Wolfeboro: 603-569-3128 www.MaxfieldRealEstate.com Wolfeboro: 603-569-3128 Center Harbor:603-569-3128 603-253-9360 360 Wolfeboro: e' Center Harbor: 603-253-9360 Winners of the 'Luxury Real Estate' Category Winners of the 2022 + 2023 'Luxury Real Estate'
Alton: 603-875-3128 Center Harbor: 603-253-9360 Alton: 603-875-3128 Meredith: 603-677-7068 Category Alton: 603-875-3128 Meredith: 603-677-7068 2022 + 2023
Meredith: 603-677-7068