SEPTEMBER 14, 2026 | THE LAKER | Page 1
Your Guide to What’s Happening in NH’s Lakes Region
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September 14 • Vol 43 • No 24
A Bushel of Fall Fun Apple picking, cider, bakery treats, local history & loons
Inside This Issue... Find More Cider| Page 3
What’s Up | Pages 14-16
Yesteryear| Page 9
Page 2 | THE LAKER | SEPTEMBER 14, 2026
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SEPTEMBER 14, 2026 | THE LAKER | Page 3
From Orchard to Glass: Making Apple Cider at Home By Thomas P. Caldwell Commercial hard cider is now appearing in the Lakes Region, with Hermit Woods Winery, at 72 Main Street, Meredith, offering its Hermit Hard Apple Cider, Crabapple Hard Cider, Hard Blueberry Cider, and Hard Cranberry Apple Cider (hermitwoods.com/ cider/). Crucial 10 Craft Cider (crucial10craftcider.com/) at 2913 US-3, Thornton, also produces cider on-site and offers it in its taproom and outdoor cider garden. Making authentic apple cider at home is another option, and doing so is easier than one might think. It ensures you will have a refreshing drink in the summer, and it can be used for mulled cider and casseroles during the winter. Sweet cider is easiest to make because it is not fermented, so it can be drunk immediately or refrigerated for a short period. To determine what apples to use, a simple test is to use those you like to eat. They generally are sweeter than other apples; however, almost any apple can be made into cider. Tannic apples, however, are generally not used for sweet cider. Hard cider is best made with a combination of tannic, low-tannin/low-acid, and acidic apples. Instead of relying on a single tree, mixing roughly 70 percent dessert apples and 30 percent cooking apples will provide the perfect equilibrium of natural sugar and acid. Whether sweet or hard cider is the goal, a blend of apple varieties will enhance the flavor. A rule-of-thumb is that it will take 20 - 30 pounds of ap-
ples to produce one gallon of the pure juice that will become cider. It is a good idea to scrub the apples with a vegetable brush and use some distilled white vinegar in the water. Be sure to pick out any bad apples, and cut out minor holes or spots. Do not use any apples that have started to rot, or any apples that have dropped from the tree, to avoid bacteria or a fungal infection. However, apples that drop while you are harvesting them are safe to use as long as they are processed soon afterward. Besides the apples, cider-makers will need at a minimum a food-processor or apple-crusher, a cleaner/sterilizer, a knife and chopping board, a sieve, a funnel, and a nylon or muslin mesh bag for straining and pressing. It is not necessary to invest in a cider or fruit press unless making large batches to perhaps sell at a farmers’ market. For making hard cider, it will also
be necessary to have Campden tablets, which prevent oxidation, purge chlorine, and sanitize equipment. Also necessary are a fermentation vessel, such as a food-grade bucket or a classic 4.5-litre demijohn; cider yeast (or wine/beer yeast); a high-quality yeast nutrient to support a clean fermentation process; and an airlock, bottles (beer bottles work fine) and caps. Optionally, add granulated sugar or brown sugar and/or a hydrometer to measure the sugar content in order to calculate the potential alcohol content. To avoid the need to crush the apples and extract the juice yourself, there is the option of paying an orchard to press them, but that can be pricey — but less expensive than purchasing an apple press. It is important to clean and sterilize any equipment that will come into contact with the cider because fermenting liquids are ideal breeding grounds for
bacteria. Dish soap can be used, as long as it is rinsed off with hot water, but spraying the equipment with potassium metabisulfite after cleaning is recommended as well. When making fresh cider, the metabisulfite must be rinsed off, but that is not necessary for hard cider. Instead of using an apple grinder or press, chopped apples can be placed in a food processor to grind them and extract the juice. Another way to avoid grinding apples is to pre-freeze them to break down the cell walls so they release the juice as they thaw. It still may be a good idea to put them through a grinder, but it is much easier with previously frozen apples because, once thawed, they become mushy. Place the crushed apples into a mesh bag and hang it to let the juice drip out. Manually squeeze out extra juice at the end, or use a press. Unpasteurized cider can become contaminated with bacteria, so pasteurizing it will ensure that it is safe for the very young, the very old, or anyone who is immunocompromised. To pasteurize cider, heat it to 160 185°F for at least a minute. If planning to store the cider in glass jars, be careful pouring in the hot cider to avoid having thermal shock shatter the jars. Warming the jars before transferring the liquid can lessen that risk. Pasteurized cider can be stored in a refrigerator for up to one week, while unpasteurized cider should be con• Cider continued on page 4
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Page 4 | THE LAKER | SEPTEMBER 14, 2026 • Cider continued from page 3 sumed within a day or two. That is, unless the goal is to make hard cider. In that case, pour the apple juice into the bucket or demijohn, filling it to just below the “shoulders” of the demijohn to prevent too small a gap that could cause an overflow or too large a gap, that leaves room for too much oxygen, which could spoil the cider. If there is not enough juice, top it off with fresh, store-bought apple juice or boiled water that has been allowed
to cool. Stir in one crushed Campden tablet per gallon, dissolved in a small cup of warm water. Adding a small amount of ascorbic acid (Vitamin C) will help to balance out low-acid juices and prevent oxidation, preserving the cider’s color. Cover it with a clean tea towel or cheesecloth to keep fruit flies out, and store it in a warm place for 24 hours. At the end of 24 hours, sprinkle a packet of a dedicated cider yeast over the surface and swirl it around again. Cider yeast provides more reliable fermentation than wild yeast or bread Celebrating 54 Years Family Owned & Operated Located by the Long Island Bridge
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yeast. Adding a small amount of yeast nutrient ensures that the yeast will stay healthy and strong. Fit an airlock on the fermentation vessel and pour some cold water into the airlock before putting in a stopper with a hole and pushing it through the airlock. Cap the top of the airlock and place the container in a dark space where the temperature will consistently remain between 54 and 81°F. Fermenting will start more quickly in a warm space. Fermentation can take a few weeks to complete. When the bubbling stops, primary fermentation has ended, and the cider can be transferred to a clean container to separate it from dead yeast sediment. Cider that has aged at least one to three months will have a better flavor. For a sparkling cider, it should have a secondary fermentation period in a bottle.
Before bottling the cider, sterilize pressure-rated bottles that will withstand the fermentation process. Be sure to leave headspace when bottling, and seal the bottles to prevent the loss of carbonation. A small dose of sugar during the bottling process will ensure a nice sparkle, and brown sugar can add a rich molasses undertone. The longer the cider remains on the shelf, the better it gets, but you will find that it is hard to wait too long. Some of the information in this article came from Two Ponds Farm (www. twopondsfarm.net/blog/how-to-makesweet-apple-cider), Do It At Home (www.doitathome.co.uk/en/how-tomake-cider-at-home-a-simple-guidefor-beginners.htm), and Almost Off Grid (www.almostoffgrid.com/blogs/ almost-off-grid/a-beginners-guide-tomaking-cider-from-apples).
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Felted Birch Landscape Class Find Your Next Great Read at Join us at the Meredith Fine Craft Gallery on Saturday, September 19, from 2 – 4 pm for a Felted Birch Landscape class with juried artist Hannah Gage. In this beginner-friendly class, fiber artist Hannah Gage will guide students through the process of creating a small (approximately 4x6 inch), simple, birch tree scene using needle felting techniques. The focus will be on layering wool to create clean lines and natural texture, capturing the distinctive look of birch trunks and forest elements. All materials, including wool and felting tools, will be provided for use during the workshop. Students will complete a finished felted piece that can be framed later. No prior experience is necessary—just an interest in learning a new fiber art technique. Students should bring water and a snack
if desired. Tuition is $40 per student, with a $25 materials fee paid by cash or check to the instructor on the day of class. Space is limited, and pre-registration is required. Those who wish to take the class MUST sign up by Wednesday, September 16th. To register for this workshop, call the Meredith Fine Craft Gallery at 603279-7920 or visit the Gallery at 279 Daniel Webster Highway in Meredith. For more details, visit our website at www.meredith.nhcrafts.org/classes/ and our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/nhcraft. The Meredith Fine Craft Gallery is located at 279 DW Hwy, Meredith, and is dedicated to the education and support of NH’s fine craft tradition since 1932.
Raise a Stein at Hobbstoberfest Hobbstoberfest returns for an afternoon of music, beer, sausage, and stein holding on Saturday, September 26 from 12-5 pm. Don your lederhosen or dirndl and join us for our annual Oktoberfest celebration. Come hungry; there will be three food trucks on site and specialty baked goods (cookies & brownies) from Offbeat Baking. Live music from 12-2 pm with Jonathan Sarty & The Big Buck Club and 3-5 pm with Newfound Grass. Stein Hoisting at 2:30 pm with a $50 Gift Card for Winner/Bragging Rights. Whoever holds a full 1L stein the lon-
gest wins! Signups for Stein Holding are first come, first served - the first 12 people. Signups begin at 12 pm. German beer will be available featuring Hobbstoberfest Lager as well as Plus Kölsch, Dunkel, Helles, Gose, Pilsner, Maibock, and Kellerbier. Food trucks at the event will include Buns on the Run, Dueling Chefs, Terra Firma, and Offbeat Baking All ages welcome, free to attend For more information, visit hobbsbeer.com/event/hobbstoberfest2026 Hobbs Brewing Tap Room is located at 765 Route 16, Ossipee.
Meredith Public Library The Meredith Public Library welcomes readers to join one or more of its book clubs this Autumn. There is something for all literary tastes among the various clubs, which always contain lively discussions, light refreshments, and lots of fun. Copies of the books are available at the library. A new book club called the Intergenerational Book Club just debuted this summer. It is open to members ages 13 to 100 plus! (Don’t worry, attendees do not need to reveal their ages unless they want to.) On September 16 at 6:30 pm, the group will discuss Clap When You Land by Elizabeth Acevedo, which is a unique novel told in verse. Library Aide Jackye Hughes who founded the club says, “Come alone or come with your family. Learn what other generations think.” The Mystery Book Club solves the crimes and meets on the second Thursday of every month at 10:30 am. On October 8, the group will discuss Just The Nicest Couple by Mary Kubica. The Non-Fiction Book Club will meet on Thursday, September 24 at 6:30 pm to discuss A Brief History of Time by Stephen Hawking. The group will meet on October 22 at 6:30 pm to discuss The Science of Murder: The Forensics of Agatha Christie by Carla
Valentine. The Brown Bag Book Club meets at 12 pm. (It’s called the Brown Bag because it meets at noon and people are welcome to bring their lunches with them to eat during the discussion.) The September meeting will be on the 24th, when the group will discuss The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie by Muriel Spark. The next meeting will take place on October 29 in which The Lion Women of Tehran by Marjan Kamali will be discussed. The Wednesdays with Shakespeare Group proves that everything old is new again. The attendees in this lively group read and discuss Shakespeare’s plays with as much enthusiasm as the Bard’s original audiences at the Globe Theater in the early 1600s. The group meets every Wednesday at 1 pm during which instructor John Lin John helps participants forget the way they thought about Shakespeare in high school and discover the witty (and often naughty) entertainment in both language and situations contained in all of Shakespeare’s works. To join the Shakespeare Group at the start of a new play, come on September 30 when the group will discuss Act I of Measure for Measure.
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A Place of Peace – Canterbury Shaker Village By Kathi Caldwell Hopper Any time of the year is a good time to visit Canterbury Shaker Village. It is a special place that many people call “heaven on earth.” Autumn, however, is an especially wonderful season to visit Canterbury Shaker Village. You can wander freely around the grounds, stepping along pathways where once the Shaker men and women (brothers and sisters) traversed. You can walk into and out of a variety of buildings and marvel at the craftsmanship everywhere, no matter what the use and size of each space. You will feel it when you start your tour of the village, when you see the huge stone walls built by hand many years ago. The stone walls seem to go on forever, embracing the front of the property along Shaker Road and elsewhere. At www.shakers.org, an early Shaker (Brother Henry Blinn in 1798) was quoted, “Without the aid of hired help the Brethren were able to lay some 300 rods [4,950 feet] of stone wall around the fields and orchards, and this same amount was accomplished for several successive years.” As with everything else at Shaker Village, the building of stone walls was surely “hands to work and hearts to God,” as the Shaker saying went. Once on the grounds, stop first at the Carriage House Admissions and Store to purchase tickets (and, if you have scheduled a tour, check in at the front desk). You will immediately see what a treat you are in for as you browse the beautiful old building, crafted in 1825. The shop offers much more than the typical stopover gift shop attached to many attractions. At the Carriage House shop, there are many books focused on the Shakers, and other items, from tote bags to ceramics, spices, and more. In a side room, a special exhibit traces the life of Mother Ann Lee, the founder of the sect in the 1700s. We see things
The solid construction of a building at Canterbury Shaker Village. of note in the exhibit, and one special spot is a wall with paint colors brushed on. While this seems at first baffling and startling to the viewer, the information explains that such a wall was used in the early days to test various paint colors. Because they made their own paints (like they made just about everything they needed), it was necessary to test the colors before applying them to various buildings in the vil-
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lage. They typically used opaque paint in various colors on exterior surfaces, while indoors, they applied translucent paint to wall trim and furniture. The walls of the color portion of the exhibit are interesting; to stand before an area that shows the colors and brushstrokes applied by Shaker people so long ago is like standing before an old painting in a museum. A film on the Shakers ends the exhibit and is well worth taking the time (it is a short film) to learn more about their history. Even if you aren’t a fan of history, you will find a lot to like as you walk the grounds and step into the buildings. (Various buildings are open throughout the day.) Signs explaining what each building was used for, along with objects such as large, handmade laundry baskets and various tools and machines, offer a glimpse into the work of daily life long before labor-saving devices. And speaking of labor-saving machinery, visitors will be surprised to
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learn that the Shakers embraced technology. One might assume that things like electricity and, later, television, would be shunned by such deeply religious people, but in fact, the opposite was true. The Shakers saw the value in new things and were open to washing machines, sewing machines, and many items that saved time and effort. For example, information on the village tour mentions the installation of electricity at Shaker Village, overseen by Brother Elmer Greenwood in 1910. Brother Elmer was a good example of a Shaker brother, and he maintained a variety of mechanical devices over his years at the village. Greenwood was a visionary, and long before Concord State House had the installation of electricity, the Shakers were generating their own power via a gasoline engine in their Power House. Large, wet cell batteries in the Power House were charged from a generator and could provide electricity to the village for a week at a time. Brother Greenwood made improvements to the system in 1913. The Carpenter’s Shop was built in 1806 and shows visitors some of the Shakers’ work, such as their broom-making. The Shakers were inventors in their own right, creating such things as a flat broom to provide better surface coverage. Because a very large group of people once called the Canterbury Shaker Village their home, living space was a necessity. We see this in the huge 1793 Dwelling House. Here, males and females had sleeping spaces, all strictly placed to adhere to the rule of keeping males and females separate. This maintained celibacy, a core part of their faith. However, men and women at the village lived and worked in unison but did not marry or maintain romantic relationships. Men and women were seen as equals, each individual there to serve their God. Visitors will learn that men and women were appointed leaders of the Shakers over the years, and among the last Canterbury Shaker Village eldresses was the beloved Bertha Lindsay (1897-1990). Brothers and sisters were separated by male and female staircases and sleeping quarters, but they dined in the same large room off the kitchen. The kitchen was the sisters’ domain, and many women worked to cook and serve meals to about 150 people, three
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Page 8 | THE LAKER | SEPTEMBER 14, 2026
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Fall Finds Await at Lakes Region Fall Craft Fair Don’t miss the Lakes Region Fall Craft Fair, September 19–20 at Tanger Outlets in Tilton! The fair will be held Saturday from 10 am to 5 pm and Sunday from 10 am to 4 pm, featuring more than 80 amazing exhibitors. Shoppers will find a wide variety of handmade arts, crafts and specialty products, including various styles of jewelry, fall décor, welcome signs, baked goods, CBD products, soy candles, sublimation art, goat milk soaps, stained glass, inlaid wooden cutting boards, seasonal home décor, local honey, personalized knit hats and much more. Elise will also be creating unique chainsaw wood creations from logs throughout the weekend. Friendly, leashed dogs are welcome, and the fair will be held rain or shine under canopies. Admission is always free. For more information, call Joyce at (603) 3871510 or preview the fair online at joycescraftshows.com. Take I-93 to Exit 20 in Tilton.
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• Shakers continued from page 6 times a day. Every aspect of Shaker life and the buildings at Canterbury offer much to the modern-day visitor. To see it all, you can schedule a guided tour and choose from such individual sessions as Shaker Stories, the Laundry Tour, or choose to wander the grounds on your own. Currently, work is being done on some of the buildings to keep everything in good order. Says Garrett Bethmann, engagement and communications manager at Shaker Village, “The Meetinghouse work is being done by Preservation Timber Framing, a company that does old structure restorations. We are doing a full revamp: replacement of sills, roof work, shingles, and updating windows, doing some foundation work, and giving the
day and to break for lunch. The day will wrap up with participants returning to cars by 3 pm. First time doing trail work? No problem, the Lakes Region Conservation Corps members will be guiding the group, providing tools and instruction. Come join us for a day of fun, camaraderie, and giving back to the trails and hiking community. After helping with trail work, you’ll never look at trails the same. Minors must be accompanied by an adult, and registration is required for this event. To register, visit our website: squamlakes.org/event/volunteer-trail-workday-3/.
building a paint job.” He continues, “At the East House (circa 1810), Oliver Fifield and crew from Loudon are doing the restoration work. They are removing and replacing the roof shingles with Alaskan cedar shingles and doing some silk work and a paint job.” Always thinking ahead and planning into the future, the staff are now working on next year’s exhibit for Canterbury Shaker Village. There is plenty of season left to visit Canterbury Shaker Village. Choose a tour, stroll the grounds, and take in the peace in a special place where the gentle spirits of the brothers and sisters live on every day. Whether spring, summer, or fall, any time is a good time to visit. Visit www.shakers.org or call 693-783-9511 for information. (The non-profit Canterbury Shaker Village, Inc., founded in 1969, is a National Historic Landmark.)
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Yester year Exploring Newfound’s Little Towns and Their Storied Past By Kathi Caldwell-Hopper Small communities bring to mind a few cottages ringing a town green, a small, whitewashed church, and maybe a modest elementary school. Such a place might seem a luxury to John Moore Corliss and his brother, Jonathan, who were the first settlers in a remote area that would become Alexandria, New Hampshire. Alexandria was originally granted to Joseph Butterfield and others in March of 1757. Like a lot of land in New Hampshire, the town was granted by the Masonian Proprietors; in this case, the year of the grant was 1753. The town was named for Alexandria, Virginia. The Corliss family were likely hard-working, hearty people who used what the land provided. A Centennial Celebration report for the town of Orford, New Hampshire, in 1865 stated, “John Moore Corliss and his brother Jonathan were the first settlers of the town of Alexandria, NH, and, at the time of his wife’s death, were the only men in the town. They cut a log from a pine tree, dug it out for a coffin, and buried her in the woods. In 1852, while repairing the roads, her remains were found, and buried by the side of her husband’s. Her hair was in a good state of preservation, only changed from black to a flax color, though having been buried over eighty years.” John Corliss lived to age 92, an amazing lifespan at the time when age 50 was considered elderly. Those who knew John said he had “remarkable physical strength” and that he was double-jointed. Over his lifetime, he had three wives and nine children. Less is known about his brother, Jonathan, but the family thrived for many years. John passed away and was buried in Alexandria in August of 1828. Although the town remained modest in population over the years, some notable people were born and/or resided there. It was the birthplace of Luther C. Ladd, who, according to www.nh.gov. Community Profiles, was the first enlisted soldier to be killed in the Civil War. Another famous person was Louise Lamprey, a children’s book author. She was among the first female editors of The Capital, a Washington, DC newspaper. Danbury was first settled in 1771
Image of Hebron from many years ago. and was originally part of Alexandria. Mountains separated the community, and a portion of the land would eventually become Danbury. It was divided in 1795 and incorporated at that time. The Mayhew Turnpike was a major artery and saw a lot of stagecoach traffic. In the early 1800s, it was the only way to transport people, products, and goods from the northern parts of the state to populated city areas such as Boston. If you had land on the turnpike route, you could prosper if you were a smart businessman. Such was Daniel Pike, who came to Hebron, another Newfound small town, around 1791. He saw there was heavy traffic on the Mayhew Turnpike from 1803 until about 1850 and decided to open a tavern to serve travelers. His original home was probably modest, as many homesteads were at the time. To run the tavern, Daniel enlarged his house and stable facilities and opened Pike’s Tavern around 1805. Who knows why Daniel sold the tavern to Putnam Spaulding of Bridgewater in the early 1820s? It is known that his wife died around that time. Perhaps he was experiencing ill health, finances, or maybe grief over the loss of his wife ended his days as a tavern keeper. Putnam Spaulding bought Daniel’s land and tavern in the 1820s, who in turn sold to David McClure of Groton. David and Emeline McClure renamed the business McClure’s Tavern; at the time, traffic on the road was at its peak. The barns next to the tavern could stable up to 60 horses. McClure ran a successful tavern on the spot until 1850. After that, the tavern business slowed considerably. It was the age of the railroad, and the
Franklin and Bristol rail system offered travelers a much smoother ride on a cushioned train seat than in a hard, wooden coach seat with considerable bounces and bumps. Another branch of this railroad was opened for traffic from Concord to Plymouth in 1850 and completed to Woodsville in 1853. With the advent of these railroads, the traffic through Hebron dwindled. While highway traffic was greatly reduced, locals enjoyed visiting McClure’s Tavern, where one could meet neighbors for a drink or a meal. The McClure’s Tavern owners also offered a mail/postal service. Coaches brought mail to the area, and the tavern was a logical place for mailmen and residents to pick up and drop off
A
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packages and letters. The house served as East Hebron’s post office during the late 1800s until the early 1900s. The property passed on to Justin McClure and his wife Estelle, and they lived there until Justin’s death in 1952. In the 1700s and into the late 1800s, most Hebron residents were farmers and often poor. Farm families bartered with the local general store for whatever goods they needed, such as shoes and clothing. Otherwise, they were self-sufficient. Many farm wives used their own spinning wheels or needle and thread to make clothing, blankets, and rugs. The only relief from a farmer’s drudgery was a monthly trek to Bristol for goods or to local church services each Sunday. Social events such as quilting get-togethers and spelling bees offered a chance to get off the farm and visit with neighbors. Eventually, the California Gold Rush and the Civil War touched even a small town such as Hebron. Few returned to the area after trying their luck in the western gold mines. The Civil War claimed many young men from Hebron; some survived and chose to live elsewhere. Financial relief came to the New• Yesteryear continued on page 10
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Page 10 | THE LAKER | SEPTEMBER 14, 2026 • Yesteryear continued from page 9 found area by the late 1800s. Hunters, artists, and others looking to get away from the city for a country summer vacation boarded at Newfound Lake Region farms and with families around Hebron. Locals such as John Sanborn and his wife opened boarding houses (theirs was known as Grove Hill Farm) that catered to city folk and other visitors who wanted to spend the summer in the country. The Hillside Inn in East Hebron had a flourishing tourist business, and other lodging facilities also
sprang up. Private boys and girls camps soon followed and offered wealthy city children a summer on the lake in the country. Local families had the chance for employment off the farm, serving as cooks, gardeners, chaperones and maids at the camps and boarding houses. According to History of Bristol 1819 – 1969 by Charles Greenwood, Camp Pasquaney in Hebron is among the longest running on Newfound Lake. Some children’s summer camps have come and gone, but Pasquaney is a beloved Newfound Lake tradition.
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Squirrel Nut Zippers Brings Their Festive Christmas Caravan Tour to Laconia Following a triumphant year celebrating the 30th anniversary of their platinum-certified breakthrough album Hot, the Squirrel Nut Zippers have announced that they are bringing the party into the holiday season with the return of their acclaimed Christmas Caravan Tour, a joyous musical celebration that has become one of America›s most cherished and distinctive holiday traditions. The Squirrel Nut Zippers Christmas Caravan Tour will play at the Colonial Theatre of Laconia on Thursday, December 17 at 7:30 pm; tickets are available at ColonialLaconia.com or by calling 800-657-8774. Blending the warmth of Christmas classics with the infectious energy of New Orleans jazz, vintage swing, folk traditions, blues, and Americana, the Christmas Caravan transforms venues into festive wonderlands where audiences are transported to a bygone era filled with revelry, nostalgia, and holiday cheer. For more than two decades, the Christmas Caravan Tour has captivated audiences nationwide with its unique mix of seasonal favorites, fan-loved originals from their hit album Christmas Caravan, which has sold more than 250,000 copies and reached #12 on the Billboard Holiday Albums chart, and the band’s signature blend of musical styles. Equal parts holiday concert, vaudeville revue, and vintage variety show, the performance delivers an unforgettable evening filled with dazzling musicianship, spirited singalongs, heartwarming moments, and plenty of surprises. “The Christmas Caravan Tour has always been about creating a sense of wonder and community,” said Jimbo Mathus, frontman and co-founder of the Squirrel Nut Zippers. “The holi-
days are one of the few times when people slow down long enough to gather and share music. We wanted to create something that feels timeless—a celebration of old-world Christmas traditions, American roots music, and the joy of bringing people together. Every year the audience becomes part of the show, and that’s what makes it so special.” This year’s Christmas Caravan promises an evening of musical storytelling and festive celebration. Whether performing a swinging rendition of a Christmas classic, a New Orleans-inspired holiday romp, or one of their signature hits, the Squirrel Nut Zippers create a concert experience that feels equally at home beneath twinkling Christmas lights and inside a lively Prohibition-era speakeasy. What began in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, as a musical escape from the predictable landscape of modern rock radio evolved into one of the most distinctive acts in American music. Drawing inspiration from early jazz, blues, klezmer, Cajun, folk, and old-time traditions, the Squirrel Nut Zippers created a sound entirely their own. Their platinum-selling album Hot became a cultural phenomenon, and three decades later, the band continues to captivate audiences around the world with its eclectic musicianship, spirited performances, and enduring commitment to musical exploration. For the most up-to-date information on the band visit www.snzippers.com. As the band commemorates three decades of Hot, the Christmas Caravan serves as both a holiday celebration and a testament to the enduring appeal of one of America’s most original musical groups. The Colonial Theatre is located at 609 Main Street, Laconia.
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SEPTEMBER 14, 2026 | THE LAKER | Page 11
A Bismarck, a Whoopie Pie, and a Reason to Get Off the Highway: Village Bakery & Cafe Settles into Center Ossipee By Alyson Short “Came in for a whoopie pie and ended up with fresh donuts, and Bismarcks.” That’s a Yelp reviewer describing a stop at Village Bakery & Cafe, and it’s basically the whole story in one sentence — you go in for one thing, you leave with three. The shop opened last September at 53 Main Street in Center Ossipee, in a storefront that had sat waiting for a while for the right thing to come along – and the Village Bakery is definitely the right thing. Within weeks of opening, the local economic development folks were already writing it up as a business worth watching, and the town has more or less agreed with them ever since. Nearly 2,400 people follow the bakery’s Facebook page, which is a strange number to sit with for a shop serving a village this size. The posts don’t read like advertising. They read like a neighbor leaning over a fence: good mornings, sunshine updates, and there’s often a raffle running more or less constantly, the current one building toward 200 tickets and entirely benefitting Ossipee Parks and Rec, and the frequent comments fill up with regulars checking in the way some people check the weather. As for what’s actually coming out of the kitchen — in addition to baked goods, the bakery features a full breakfast menu built for people who want eggs cooked to order and home fries,
not a granola bar eaten in the car. Sausage gravy over biscuits shows up in the reviews often enough to suggest it’s a house strength. Lunch runs to sandwiches and soups, unfussy in the way a good village lunch spot should be. But the pastry case is clearly where this place has its fun. The whoopie pies get mentioned constantly, which tracks — this is New England, and a whoopie pie is close to a birthright. The Bismarcks (jelly-filled, for anyone who didn’t grow up calling them that) come up just as often, made fresh enough that people keep specifically noting the word “fresh,” as if it were a pleasant surprise. One review singled out a breakfast pizza with a crust described as “more bready” than expected — offered as a compliment, not a complaint — alongside a brownie apparently large and chocolatey enough to merit its own sentence, and a tuna salad sandwich stuffed so full it was, per the reviewer, “packed.” Hours run seasonally (as they often do in an area where winter changes everything!), closed Mondays and Tuesdays, open Wednesday through Sunday, 6 am to 3 pm. Early enough for the commuters heading south on Route 16, late enough to cover a lazy Sunday brunch. Center Ossipee has been quietly restocking its Main Street lately, for what it’s worth. Mountainview Station changed hands in late 2024; new
owners committed to keeping a longtime local eatery running rather than letting it fade. Sap House Meadery has anchored the other end of downtown for well over a decade, started by two guys who grew up in Ossipee and came back to build something there instead of somewhere easier. Now there’s a bakery pulling in over 2,400 Facebook followers. I’ll admit I wanted to talk to the owners and the talent that is running the ovens for this article. After introductions, my stops were dominated not by interview questions nor which cookie to buy, but by how many, and whether or not I needed that cinnamon roll, too. Not being able to connect for an interview is just what happens when you’re running a bakery that’s this busy. Ossipee has been talking plenty on the bakery’s behalf, though. Between
the write-ups, the reviews, and a Facebook following that outnumbers a lot of Ossipee’s actual population by percentage, they haven’t needed me to vouch for them. Can’t make it in right away? Impressively, they offer convenient online ordering at villagebakerycafenh.com. So, please check out the Ossipee Village Bakery & Cafe at 53 Main Street, Center Ossipee, Wednesday through Sunday. Go early for the biscuits and gravy, stay late enough for a Bismarck, and maybe keep an eye on that Facebook page — you never know when your name gets pulled out of the raffle! Village Bakery & Cafe is located at 53 Main St., Center Ossipee, NH. Find current hours and daily specials on their Facebook page or Instagram, @ villagebakerycafenh.
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Page 12 | THE LAKER | SEPTEMBER 14, 2026
Granite VNA is Offering Several Programs This Fall to Support Caregivers, Patients and Families
Lakes Region Art Association Opens “Wind & Waves” Exhibit Celebrating New England Fall
Family caregivers are invited to join Granite VNA’s online Caregiver Connection on Thursday, September 24 at 10 am. The group meets on the fourth Thursday of each month and provides an opportunity for caregivers to support one another, share experiences and connect with Granite VNA staff professionals. The program offers a safe, supportive space for those facing the challenges of caring for a loved one. Registration is required. To register, call 603-224-4093, ext. 85664, or visit granitevna.org. Once registration is confirmed, participants will receive a link to the program. Technical assistance is available, and there is no charge to participate. Granite VNA will offer its next Walk-In Wednesday on Wednesday, September 23, from 10 am to noon at the Wolfeboro Public Library, 259 South Main Street. The program provides an opportunity to meet with a Granite VNA Notary Public to discuss end-of-life wishes, review Advance Directives and make sure they reflect current decisions regarding future medical care. Assistance is also available with completing a Durable Power of Attorney for Healthcare and/or Living Will. Walk-In Wednesday is free and offered on a first-come, first-served baComplete Pet Care sis; pre-registration is not required. For more information, call 603-224-4093 or 800-924-8620, ext. 85664, or visit granitevna.org.
The Lakes Region Art Association invites the public to experience the movement, mood, and beauty of New England autumn in Wind & Waves, a themed exhibit of works by member artists at the Lakes Region Art Gallery. The exhibit will be on view at the gallery, located in the Tanger Outlets at 120 Laconia Road, Suite 300, Tilton. An opening reception will be held Saturday, September 19, from 4 to 6 pm. The reception is free and open to the public. Guests may meet the artists and enjoy light refreshments. Wind & Waves features artwork inspired by the changing light, shifting skies, crisp air, restless waters, and rich seasonal colors that define fall in New Hampshire and throughout New England. From windswept lakeshores and rolling clouds to brilliant foliage
NOT JUST A GRAIN STORE...
reflected on water, the exhibition draws viewers into the atmosphere of autumn. Member artists explore the season through landscape, seascape, wildlife, still life, abstraction, and personal interpretation. Whether calm and reflective or bold and energetic, each piece is meant to evoke the feeling of fall—its motion, color, texture, and spirit. Visitors will encounter a visual journey through one of New England’s most beloved seasons, as interpreted by artists of the Lakes Region Art Association, a nonprofit organization founded in 1940 to support local artists and bring original art to the community. The gallery is free and open to the public Thursday through Sunday, beginning at 10 am. Most artwork is available for purchase.
History of Civil Air Patrol – Lecture by Lt. Col. Keith Raymond, CAP Northeast Region Historian On Tuesday, September 22, the Wright Museum will welcome Lt. Col. Keith Raymond. This is the eighteenth program of the Wright Museum’s 2026 Education Series. Civil Air Patrol is a congressionally chartered, federally funded, 501(c)3 nonprofit corporation and serves as the civilian auxiliary of the U.S. Air Force. Founded Dec. 1, 1941, to mobilize the nation’s civilian aviation resources for national defense service, CAP has evolved into a premier public service organization that is a cost-effective force multiplier for Air Force-assigned missions. Join us for a special presentation from Lt. Col. Keith Raymond, CAP Northeast Region Historian, for a fascinating look at the history of this important organization.
Doors open at 6 pm; the program begins at 7 pm on Tuesday, September 22 at the Wright Museum’s DuQuoin Education Center, 77 Center Street in Wolfeboro. Admission is $8 for members and $12 for non-members. Reservations are strongly encouraged and can be made online at wrightmuseum. org/lecture-series or by calling 603569-1212. The region’s leading resource for educators and learners of all ages on World War II, the Wright Museum features more than 14,000 items in its collection that are representative of both the home front and battlefield. For more information about the 2026 Lecture Series or the museum, visit
wrightmuseum.org.
Family Fun Center
#
Granite VNA is also seeking community members interested in volunteering with its hospice and other programs. The next volunteer training program begins Saturday, October 3, and continues Sunday, October 4, Saturday, October 17, and Sunday, October 18. Training sessions run from 10 am to 2 pm at Granite VNA, 30 Pillsbury Street, Concord. Volunteers can provide patient companionship and caregiver respite, as well as support community health and bereavement programs. Granite VNA has a particular need for volunteers who can visit hospice patients in their homes, veteran volunteers who can support fellow veterans on hospice, and certified pet therapy teams. For more information about volunteering, contact Lynne Sabean at 603-224-4093, ext. 82816, or lynne. sabean@granitevna.org, or Lisa Challender at 603-224-4093, ext. 82826, or lisa.challender@granitevna.org. Granite VNA is a not-for-profit, licensed and certified home health and hospice care provider serving people of all ages in 72 communities throughout the Greater Capital Region and Central New Hampshire. The agency provides home care, hospice care, pediatric and maternal-child health services, and wellness programming, with offices in Concord, Laconia and Wolfeboro. Granite VNA has served New Hampshire since 1899. For more information, visit granitevna.org.
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SEPTEMBER 14, 2026 | THE LAKER | Page 13
Loon Center Helps ‘Ancient’ Birds Thrive Amidst Challenges By Thomas P. Caldwell The loon is a migratory species, breeding on inland rivers and lakes in the spring before spending the winter months on the ocean where the water does not freeze. Its ethereal calls on New Hampshire water bodies serve as a sure sign of warm weather and soothe the spirits of visitors and residents alike. Loons have the reputation of being an ancient species originating 70 million years ago, but the Loon Project (https://loonproject.org) disputes that characterization, saying the loon first appears in fossil records 35 million years ago and that the Common Loon did not appear earlier than 3 million years ago. It is therefore wrong to label it as an ancient species. That really is irrelevant to those who cherish the bird and welcome their appearance each year. Of greater concern are threats to their continued survival, and that is where the Loon Center on the north shore of Lake Winnipesaukee comes in. The Loon Preservation Committee built its headquarters on the 200-acre Frederick and Paula Anna Markus Wildlife Sanctuary in Moultonborough in 1993, with interpretive exhibits, presentations, and nature trails. The center’s main mission is reflected in the Loon Recovery Program, where research leads to better methods to preserve loons. Loons face such human-linked perils as becoming entangled in fishing line
and ingesting lead fishing tackle. Loon necropsies have shown that lead poisoning from ingested lead fishing sinkers and lead-headed jigs is the main cause of adult loon mortality in New Hampshire. Loon Center staff have also encountered loons that have mistaken wet pavement for water and crashed, or have become trapped in ice if they fail to migrate to the ocean before a cold snap causes a rapid freeze. Apart from the risks associated with human habitation, loon nests have always been vulnerable to changes in water levels that flood the nests or leave them stranded out of reach of the parent birds, and loon eggs are vulnerable to predation by eagles and other avian predators. Loon parents are fiercely protective of their young, and we once witnessed a loon fighting off an eagle that
Course Title
Day(s)
Health & Wellness Freedom Through Forgiveness Introduction to Spiritual Energies Meditation 101 What are Angels & How to Communicate w/them Yoga for Everyone: Beginning (Tues & Thurs) Session 1 Yoga for Everyone: Beginning (Tues & Thurs) Session 2 Yoga for Everyone: Beginning (Tues & Thurs) Session 3 Beginner East Coast Swing Beginnger Country Two-Step Beginner Cha Cha
Thu Thu Thu Thu Tue, Thu Tue, Thu Tue, Thu Wed Wed Wed
Learning a skill Basic Woodworking* Dog Obedience: Advanced Dog Obedience: Beginning Open Shop Woodworking Intro to Intermediate Woodworking
Thu Wed Wed Tue Wed
Diploma Classes* Physical Science English The Odyssey Math Adult Education and Literacy Classes (AEL)** High School Equivelency (GED or HiSET) Prep English as a Second Language (ESL)
attempted to seize a youngster. After several attempts to get past the angry parent, the eagle gave up and flew off without its intended prey. That is not always the case. To help protect the nests, the staff and volunteers place loon rafts with signs and float lines to warn boaters to steer clear and give the parents a chance to
• Loon Center continued on page 18
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Laconia Adult Education Fall 2026 Class Schedule Start date
safely incubate the eggs and raise the chicks without additional stress. In order to address the multiple threats to the loon population, the Loon Preservation Committee often works closely with federal and state agencies, as well as other non-profit organizations. Among the activities is conducting counts of adult loons to monitor loon productivity and help to identify the challenges that loons face, to evaluate how effective the management strategies have been. Biologists band the loons on lakes throughout New Hampshire to help them identify and track individual loons and learn about their lifespan and history. That includes learning the adult loons’ age at first breeding, their fidelity to mates and breeding territories, and the relationships between their breeding and wintering grounds. The
The Do-It-Yourself Super Store!
Start Time End Time # weeks
Cost
Location
Instructor Name
11/19/26 10/8/26 11/5/26 10/22/26 9/29/26 10/13/26 11/10/26 9/30/26 9/30/26 9/30/26
6:00 pm 6:00 pm 6:00 pm 6:00 pm 5:00 pm 5:00 pm 5:00 pm 5:45 PM 6:45PM 6:45PM
8:30 pm 8:30 pm 8:30 pm 8:30 pm 6:15 pm 6:15 pm 6:15 pm 6:45 PM 7:45PM 7:45PM
1 1 1 1 4 4 4 4 4 4
$45.00 $45.00 $45.00 $45.00 $50.00 $50.00 $50.00 $95.00 $95.00 $95.00
615 615 615 615 ctc-H141 ctc-H141 ctc-H141 LHS-Café LHS-Café LHS-Café
Brenda Paquette Brenda Paquette Brenda Paquette Brenda Paquette Bonnie Morin Bonnie Morin Bonnie Morin Juli Pruden Juli Pruden Juli Pruden
10/1/26 9/30/26 9/30/26 9/29/26 9/30/26
6:00 pm 7:00 pm 6:15pm 6:00 pm 6:00 PM
8:30 pm 8:00 pm 7:15pm 8:30 pm 8:30 PM
8 8 8 10 10
$110.00 $75.00 $70.00 $110.00 $120.00
517 WHS-Gym WHS-Gym 517 517
Wes Anderson Carolyn Bancroft Carolyn Bancroft Ed Philpot Ed Philpot
Mon 9/14/26 5:30pm 8:30 PM 15 Weeks $300.00 Tues 9/8/26 6:00pm 9:00pm 15 Weeks $300.00 Wed 9/9/26 6:00pm 9:00pm 15 Weeks $300.00 Thurs 9/10/26 6:00pm 9:00pm 15 Weeks $300.00 * Additional Supply/book fee or pre-class requirement is additional in this course.
LHS-901 LHS-603 LHS-304 LHS-611
J. Lacroix P. Mignanelli T. Osborne A. Stefanik
LHS-611 LHS - 604
A. Stefanik M. Rudolf
Mon, Wed 9/14/26 6:00pm 8:30pm 12 Weeks Tues, Thurs. 9/15/26 6:00pm 8:30pm 12 Weeks **AEL classes for students 18+ and not enrolled in high school
Free Free
CHECK ONLINE FOR MORE DETAILED COURSE INFORMATION (Including materials, book fees or Labs) REGISTER AND PAY ONLINE at: adultedlaconia.weebly.com Still have questions? Call Laconia Adult Education at 524-5712
Page 14 | THE LAKER | SEPTEMBER 14, 2026
Start Your Day Off Over Easy BREAKFAST & LUNCH - MADE FRESH DAILY
Grab breakfast or lunch at The Farmer’s Kitchen. We use only the freshest ingredients for our homemade creations. Come by today to try our: 100% Colombian Coffee freshly ground from whole beans Farm fresh eggs | Specialty Omelets Eggs Benedict - topped with homemade hollandaise, made fresh to order Buttermilk Pancakes | French Toast served on thick Texas toast Sandwiches & Burgers | Don't forget to check out our daily breakfast & lunch specials!
444 NH Route 11 Farmington | 603-755-9900 www.Farmerskitchen-NH.com
What’s UP
your guide to what’s happening in NH’s Lakes Region...
Please call ahead for event updates. Information and schedules subject to change. Through Sept. 26, Hawk Watch, 10 am – 2 pm, for all ages, Squam Lakes Natural Science Center, Rt. 113 Holderness, 603-968-7194, www.nhnature.org. (Takes place each Sat. in Sept.) Through Sept. 29, Medical History Tour at Captain Enoch Remick House, 1 pm, Tues.-Sat., Remick Country Doctor Museum & Farm 58 Cleveland Hill Rd, Tamworth, 603-323-7591, www.remickmuseum.org. Through Sept. 30, Historic Mural Tour, 11 am, Tues., Thurs. & Sat., Remick Country Doctor Museum & Farm 58 Cleveland Hill Rd, Tamworth, 603-3237591, www.remickmuseum.org. Through Sept. 30, Docs Dairy & Harness History Tour, 11 am, Wed. & Fri., Remick Country Doctor Museum & Farm 58 Cleveland Hill Rd, Tamworth, 603-323-7591, www.remickmuseum.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. Sept. 15, An Evening About Cowboy Nute, 4 pm, Ossipee Town Hall, 55 Main St. , Center Ossipee, www.historicalsocietyofossipee.org.
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SHOP in the Gallery or ONLINE
279 DW Hwy. • Meredith • 603-279-7920 • Meredith.NHCrafts.org • Mon - Sat: 10-5 • Sun: 12-5 Like us on Facebook so you can see other beautiful things made by NH’s finest artists ~ www.facebook.com/nhcraft
1542 Route 109, Acton
Sept. 15, Build a Better Brain, 6 - 8 pm, adult program, Makers Mill, 23 Bay St., Wolfeboro, pre-register: 603-569-1500, www.makersmill.org. Sept. 15, Colonial Frugality: Clothing Repair & Upcycling, 5 – 6:30 pm, Moultonborough Public Library, 4 Holland St., Moultonborough, pre-registration required, 603-476-8895, www.moultonboroughlibrary.org. Sept. 15, Lecture Series: Joseph Gluckert – Portsmouth Naval Shipyard From Sails to Atoms, 7 – 8 pm, lecture and book signing, Wright Museum of WWII, 77 Center St., Wolfeboro, 603-569-1212, www.wrightmuseum.org. Sept. 15, Ukulele Beginner Workshop, 5:30 pm, by Southern New Hampshire Ukulele Group, Gafney Library, 14 High St., Sanbornville, info.: Amy Swanson at 603-522-3401. Sept. 16, Mixed Media Collage, 10 am – 1 pm, Makers Mill, 23 Bay St., Wolfeboro, pre-register: 603-569-1500, www.makersmill.org. Sept. 16, Newfound Science Pub, Butterflies Without Borders: Tracking Monarch Migration, 5 – 7 pm, talk by Lindsay Herlihy, botanist, held at Newfound Lake Inn, 1030 Mayhew Turnpike, dinner and drinks at 5 pm, program begins at 6 pm, program of Grey Rocks Conservation Area, 178 North Shore Rd., Hebron, pre-register: 603-744-8689, www.newfoundlake.org. Sept. 17, Guided Hike, 10 am – noon, Brook Walk Brook Trail, Castle in the Clouds (Lucknow), Rte. 171, Moultonborough, pre-registration: 603-4765410, www.castleintheclouds.org. Sept. 17, The Great and Powerful – Stories from the Community, 6:30 pm, Flying Monkey, 39 Main St., Plymouth, tickets: 603-536-2551, www.flyingmonkeynh.com. Sept. 17-Oct. 13, Wind & Waves 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. Sept. 18, Artist Reception – Wind & Waves Exhibit, 4 - 6 pm, free, Lakes Region Art Association, Suite 300, Tanger Outlet, Rte. 3, Tilton, 603-9980029, www.lraanh.org. Sept. 18, Draw the Line – Ultimate Aerosmith Tribute, 7:30 pm, Flying Monkey, 39 Main St., Plymouth, tickets: 603-536-2551, www.flyingmonkeynh.com. Sept. 18, Mack-a-Palooza, 5 – 7 pm, experience the farm the night before the corn maze opens to the public, memorial scholarship event, presented by Moulton Farm & The Xavier Group, 18 Quarry Rd., Meredith, 603-279-3915, www. moultonfarm.com. Sept. 18, Putnam Fund Presents Classic Stones Live, 7 pm, Colonial Theatre, 609 Main St., Laconia, 800-657-8774, www.coloniallaconia.com. Sept. 18, Sweepstakes Social, 5:30 – 7:30 pm, M/S Mount Washington at dock, Weirs Beach, Lakes Region Children’s Fund, benefit, tickets/info.: 603-527-0999, www.childrensfundnh.org. Sept. 18-Oct. 17, Musings, Memory and Magic, featuring art of Wen Redmond, Kimball Jenkins Estate, Carriage House, 266 N. Main St., Concord, call for exhibit hours: 603-225-3932, www.kimballjenkins.com. Sept. 19, 18th Annual Great NH Pie Festival, 10 am – 4 pm, New Hampshire Farm Museum, 1305 White Mt. Highway, Milton, 603-652-7840, www. nhfarmmuseum.org.
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Sept. 19, Blue Collar Men: The Music of Styx with The Doobie Brotherhood, 8 pm, Rochester Opera House, 31 Wakefield St., Rochester, 603-335-1992, www. rochesteroperahouse.com.
SEPTEMBER 14, 2026 | THE LAKER | Page 15
What’s UP
your guide to what’s happening in NH’s Lakes Region...
Sept. 19, Comedian Bob Marley, 8 pm, Flying Monkey, 39 Main St., Plymouth, tickets: 603-536-2551, www.flyingmonkeynh.com. Sept. 19, Devine and Nix music, 7 – 9 pm, by Franklin Opera House, held at Franklin Public Library, 310 Central St., Franklin, tickets: www.franklinoperahouse.org.
PICK YOUR OWN APPLES! Come See The Fantastic Views! Please visit our FB Page for exact readiness Disc Golf s Hay Ride
Scan to see what’s ready! Cider • Pumpkins Cider Donuts Hayrides on Weekends
Sept. 19, Free Fall Garden Workshop, 10 – 11:30 am, Moulton Farm, 18 Quarry Rd., Meredith, 603-279-3915, www.moultonfarm.com. Sept. 19, Fall Tree ID, 1 – 3 pm, ages 12 & up, Prescott Farm Environmental Education Center, 928 White Oaks Road, Laconia, www.prescottfarm.org., pre-registration: 603-366-5695.
1149 H Road • Acton, Maine (Off Rte. 109) Wed-Fri 9-2 • Sat., Sun & Holidays 9-4 or call 207-608-7577 if you don’t have FB.
Sept. 19, Fall Vases Using Natural Materials, 10 am – noon, ages 16 & up, Prescott Farm Environmental Education Center, 928 White Oaks Road, Laconia, www.prescottfarm.org., pre-registration: 603-366-5695. Sept. 19, Felted Birch Landscape with Hannah Gage, 2 – 4 pm, League of NH Craftsmen Meredith Fine Craft Gallery, 279 Daniel Webster Highway, Meredith, sign up by Sept 16: 603-279-7920. Sept. 19, Lavender Sense Retreat: Soul-full Saturdays - in-person wellness classes and workshops. A ticketed event, call 603-453-4186 or visit lavendersenseretreat.com.
FREE FAMILY FUN! Exhibits • Videos Hiking Trails
Sept. 19, Leather 101 – Make Your Own Belt , 10 am - 1 pm, Makers Mill, 23 Bay St., Wolfeboro, pre-register: 603-569-1500, www.makersmill.org. Sept. 19, Meredith Old Home Day, 10 am – 3 pm, “Honoring Yesterday, Celebrating Today,” 10 am parade, music, games & more, downtown Meredith, www. mereditholdhomeday.com. Sept. 19, Paint Your Pet, 4:30 – 7:30 pm, Makers Mill, 23 Bay St., Wolfeboro, pre-register: 603-569-1500, www.makersmill.org. Sept. 19, Raptor Migration Celebration, 10 am – 4 pm, for all ages, Squam Lakes Natural Science Center, 23 Science Center Rd., Holderness, 603-9687194, www.nhnature.org. Sept. 19, Run the Mountain Series – Summit Push, 5K run, Gunstock, 719 Cherry Valley Rd., Gilford, 603-293-4341, www.gunstock.com.
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183 Lee’s Mill Road, Moultonborough, NH • 603-476-LOON (5666) • loon.org
Sept. 19, Saturday Hikes, 8 am - noon, free, Mount Roberts, Castle in the Clouds, 455 Ol Mountain Rd., Moultonborough, pre-registration required: 603476-5900, www.castleintheclouds.org. Sept. 19-20, Falling Leaves Craft Fair, Joyce’s Craft Shows, 10 am, Tanger Outlet, 120 Laconia Rd., Rt. 3, Tilton, 603-387-1510, www.joycescraftshows. com. Sept. 20, Belknap County Day, Gunstock, 719 Cherry Valley Rd., Gilford, 603293-4341, www.gunstock.com. Sept. 20, Crawford Ridgepole Trail Workday, 9 am – 3 pm, meet at Burleigh Farm Rd., near Old Highway Trail, info./pre-register: https://squamlakes.org/ event/volunteer-trail-workday-3/, Squam Lakes Assoc., 534 US Rt. 3, Holderness, 603-968-7336, www.squamlakes.org. Sept. 20, Needle Felting Face It, Pumpkins are Fun, 9 am - 1 pm, Makers Mill, 23 Bay St., Wolfeboro, pre-register: 603-569-1500, www.makersmill.org.
Shorter Days, Cooler Nights, Colors in the Landscape
Sept. 21, Growing a Pollinator Garden, 5:30 pm, free event by Ashland Garden Club, held at Brooke House at Betsy’s Park, Elizabeth Lane, Holderness, refreshments, Mum sale, raffle, practical tips for creating pollinator habitats from Jane Raymond, UNH Extension Master Gardener, RSVP a must: ashlandnhgc@ gmail.com.
September 17 to October 13, 2026
Sept. 20, Historic Figures Tea, 2 – 4 pm, Clark Museum complex, 233 South Main St., Wolfeboro, 603-569-4997, www.wolfeborohistoricalsociety.org.
You’re Invited to the
Sept. 20, Sarah Borges ft Eric Ambel, 6 pm, Feel the Barn Music, food available at 6 pm, 1118 Page Hill Rd., Chocorua, tickets/info.: 603-323-6169, www. thefarmstand.net. Sept. 20, Sewing Make a Handy Snap Bag, 2 – 5 pm, Makers Mill, 23 Bay St., Wolfeboro, pre-register: 603-569-1500, www.makersmill.org.
Opening Reception: Saturday, September 19th 4:00 to 6:00PM
Sept. 22, Lecture Series: Lt. Colonel Keith Raymond, CAP Northeast Region Historian – History of Civil Air Patrol, 7 – 8 pm, lecture and book signing, Wright Museum of WWII, 77 Center St., Wolfeboro, 603-569-1212, www. wrightmuseum.org. Sept. 22 Metalsmithing Foundations: The Jeweler’s Saw, 5:30 – 8 pm, adults & age 16 up, Makers Mill, 23 Bay St., Wolfeboro, pre-register: 603-5691500, www.makersmill.org.
Visit Our Website
Tanger Outlets, 120 Laconia Rd, Ste #300, Tilton, NH www.LakesRegionArtGallery.org / 603.998.0029
Page 16 | THE LAKER | SEPTEMBER 14, 2026
What’s UP
your guide to what’s happening in NH’s Lakes Region...
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Ashland Railroad Museum, 69 Depot St., Rt. 132, Ashland, 603-7072683, www.ashlandnhhistory.org Belknap Mill, 25 Beacon St. East, Laconia, gallery and textile museum, events and programs, 603-524-8813, www.belknapmill.org.
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Cruise with a Naturalist, through Sept. 17, 3 – 4:30 pm on Wednesday and Thursdays, Squam Lakes Natural Science Center, Holderness, 603-9687194, www.nhnature.org. Discover Squam Lake Guided Cruises, daily until Oct. 12 at 11 am – 12:30 pm and 1 – 2:30 pm; Fri. – Tues. 3 – 4:30 pm, Squam Lakes Natural Science Center, Holderness, 603-968-7194, www.nhnature.org.
May 1 - November 1
In the Round, 8:45 am, Sundays, thought-provoking topics related to tolerance, Benz Center, 18 Heard Rd., Center Sandwich, 603-284-7211.
2026 Special Events Raptor Migration Celebration 9/19 Grandparents Day 10/3 Howl O Ween 10/24 Fall New Hampshire Day 11/1
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.
Hiking Trails
&
Breakfast Buffet, 7 - 11 am, Wolfeboro Masonic Lodge, 35 Trotting Track Rd., Wolfeboro. Served the second Sunday of every month, 603-569-4637. Canterbury Shaker Village, 288 Shaker Rd., Canterbury, tours, programs, 603783-9511, www.shakers.org.
Connection
Scan or visit nhnature.org for tickets & events!
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.
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Lakes Region Art Association, exhibits and classes, Suite 300, Tanger Outlet, Rte. 3, Tilton, 603-998-0029, www.lraanh.org. Loon Center, walking trails, 183 Lees Mill Rd., Moultonborough, 603-4765666, www.loon.org. 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, lake activities, Grey Rocks Conservation Area, 178 North Shore Rd., Hebron, 603744-8689, www.newfoundlake.org. New Hampshire Boat Museum, 130 Whittier Highway, Moultonborough, 603569-4554. 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. Ossipee Historical Society, 50 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: 603366-5695. Remick Country Doctor Museum & Farm, 58 Cleveland Hill Rd., Tamworth, 603-323-7591, www.remickmuseum.org. Squam Lakes Association, 534 US Rt. 3, Holderness, 603-968-7336, www. squamlakes.org. 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. Squam Lakes Natural Science Center, live animal trail & events, Rt. 113 Holderness, 603-968-7194, www.nhnature.org. Wright Museum of WWII, exhibits and lectures of life on the home front during WWII, 77 Center St., Wolfeboro, 603-569-1212, www.wrightmuseum.org.
nick@asharperimagelandscape.com
SEPTEMBER 14, 2026 | THE LAKER | Page 17
From Family Mystery to Island History: Exploring Southern Winnipesaukee By Kathi Caldwell-Hopper Sometimes a journey starts with a single discovery. That is indeed what led Stephanie Erickson to write a book called “The Islands of Southern Lake Winnipesaukee.” The book covers the interesting history of the southern Lake Winnipesaukee islands. Life on and around the islands and coves of the lake was different many years ago, and summer residents often lived in camps and cottages on the islands for the duration of each summer. Information at the book’s publisher (Arcadia Publishing) website, www. arcadiapublishing.com, relates the subject matter in the book, “The first summer home on Sleepers Island was Hale’s castle, a replica of a medieval castle constructed by the same stone masons who built Castle in the Clouds in Moultonborough. An indigenous archeological site and other relics have been uncovered on Rattlesnake Island. Treasure Island and Cub Island were originally developed as a boy’s summer camp. Diamond Island was a stop for the steamboat Lady of the Lake, and the Diamond Island House was cut in half and moved across the lake to become the Hotel Weirs. In later years, the U.S. Navy established a research station on the island. New Hampshire author and islander Stephanie Erickson shares the history of the islands and how they have shaped the culture of the islanders today.” Stephanie discovered her family’s island history by accident, and in the process learned that Nehemiah Sleeper of Sleepers Island was her sixth great grandfather. Stephanie says, “I am originally from western Massachusetts and now live in New Boston, New Hampshire and I am a science teacher. I went to the University of New Hampshire for my undergraduate degree (BS Geolo-
gy) and met my husband there. He is a New Hampshire native. After a few years living and working in metro Boston, we purchased our first home in New Hampshire. “Since the early 2000s,” she continues, “we were weekenders who would trailer our boat up (to the Lakes Region) for the day. In 2016, we bought our camp on Sleepers Island in Alton. It was the former real estate office for the divestment of the island into individual summer home properties in the 1960s.” As Stephanie and her husband became acquainted with the Lakes Region, they learned of the special things to do in the area. She recalls, “Before we owned on the island we would explore all over the lake. We would anchor off the Varney’s in Wolfeboro or Timber and Blueberry. Other times we would go up to Winter Harbor to knee and wakeboard. Now that we own on the island, our excursions are less frequent, as DIY projects take up our lake time. But we still like to get out and explore the areas of the lake we have yet to visit.” She came to learn more about the history of Sleepers Island although she initially had no real knowledge of the islands other than Sleepers. “I was added to the position of vice president of the Sleepers Island Association. What I wasn’t told that once my two-year tenure was up, I was the de facto President of the Association!” Stephanie laughs. “The presidency came with the gift of what I like to call the nuclear code binder: two briefcases full of island documentation and association history. I am not the type of person that you can hand something like that to and not do something with it. I started reading and scanning the documents to create a digital archive.” It was like a treasure trove for someone who enjoyed solving mysteries and delving into the past. She remembers,
“Once I started reading, I was hooked and wanted to learn more. I started to research the former owners of the island. While using ancestry.com, I kept getting a message to save documents to a person in my family tree. After a bit of confirmatory research, I found that the Nehemiah Sleeper of Sleepers Island was my sixth great grandfather. After that, I was compelled to continue the research.” The idea of putting the history materials together into one place began to take hold. Stephanie had the idea to take the Sleepers Island history she had uncovered and self-publish/share it with current islanders. “On a whim, I submitted my idea to The History Press. An editor got right back to me and indicated he loved the idea, but it needed a wider range for marketability. So, I expanded the research to the other area islands,” she says. Just how many islands did Stephanie tackle? She explains, “I cover 45 islands in this book. If you look at Bizers enumeration of islands page, they are the islands included in section H. Along the way while writing the island book, Stephanie uncovered interesting facts and says among her favorite is learning about the Rattlesnake Island witch doctor who would harvest the venom from rattlesnakes for his rheumatology serum that he would sell. “It certainly is the most interesting thing I came across. I also really enjoyed when I could find specific indigenous stories of the island use.” The process for someone who enjoys history research was detailed and it took time. Stephanie explains that she sought to learn all she could about island history on Winnipesaukee. “Digital document search was first for me. I started with the online deed records to generate a record of land ownership of the islands. I then created a spreadsheet of the book and pages and dug through
the grantee and grantor books.” She relates, “You would be amazed as some of the information included in old deed records. From there, I generally started researching the individual owners through Ancestry, FamilySearch, and Fold 3 to develop a story around islander’s lives. Many had unique stories that shaped the early histories of the islands.” “At that point, I worked through historical documents through several online websites. As I gathered surface level data, I started the library research and also talked with islanders and read posts on the Winnipesaukee forum. I searched eBay for postcards and photos of the islands, camps and the lake.” As the island research continued, Stephanie says she dug even deeper. “I found a lot of secondary information in offhand comments and newspaper articles. Many don’t mention the islands by name but once I know the owners I can connect the dots and develop the story. I tried to work on one island at a time but often the stories and histories intertwined with other islands. Being extremely organized in my notes and writing is key. I also left myself comments throughout my document as a reminder to connect stories to other islands or tidbits to research a specific island.” With the mountain of research Stephanie did to write the book, she says the process took several years from start to finish. Once the manuscript was officially accepted it was about seven months of polishing and editing before it was printed. Island life in olden days – and even today – is a different way to spend time. Stephanie was reminded of the chosen lifestyle of islanders during her research. When asked if she could step back in time to the late 1800s when vacationers were starting to come to • Islands continued on page 18
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Page 18 | THE LAKER | SEPTEMBER 14, 2026 • Islands continued from page 17 the island for the summer, what island would she choose, she stops to consider all she learned when writing the book. “One of the great things about island life is the solitude and isolation from the mainland buzz of activity. Personally, I probably would choose one of the smaller islands with room for a single cottage like Eagle, Horse, Loon Island over in Kelly’s Cove or one of the Varney’s in Wolfeboro. I would want to be far enough from the mainland that I couldn’t hear the comings and goings of the general public but close enough to still be part of a community. The island would need to have berry bushes on it to make Island Jam. Island Jam is the best - huckleberries, blueberries and some lemon. I would also want to be on the steamer or mailboat route to receive packages, mail, visitors, or a steamer route to hop on and off and visit other islander friends.” Her favorite tidbits of island information are many and she says she does not have a particular favorite island. “I am naturally biased towards Sleepers Island since it is where we own. But I have other favorite stories as well. My scientist brain gravitates toward the Diamond Island Field Station reports. I am still finding and reading the Navy research papers that Scripp’s digitizes.
I also loved learning about Camp Treasure Island and the traditions at camp. I am a life-long Girl Scout (41 years), and I was a camper, counselor, council staff, troop leader and camp director at various Girl Scout Camps so scouting is part of my soul. And I love the stories of the islanders who would come out to listen to the Melody Island music festivals on their boats and would anchor off the island for the performance.” Once she completed her first island history book, Stephanie knew there was more information and history to be gleaned. She has plans to continue and says, “There will be two more books on the islands from me. I am currently researching the history of the Gilford, Meredith and Laconia islands and islanders. I am much more systematic in my research, and I learned so much from publishing the first book. There is a greater number of occupied islands in this one and some fascinating stories.” For Stephanie, learning of her ancestry ties to Sleepers Island on Lake Winnipesaukee was the nudge that got her interested and led her to step back in a world of islands, stories and imagination. Islands of Southern Winnipesaukee is available at the Gilford Country Store, Innisfree Book Shop, The Country Bookseller, www.arcadiapublishing. com, and Amazon.
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Youth Pheasant Hunting Weekend is September 26-27 New Hampshire’s Youth Pheasant Hunting Weekend will be held statewide on Saturday and Sunday, September 26–27. Participating youth must be aged 15 or younger and must be accompanied by a properly licensed adult aged 18 or older. Accompanying adults must possess a current hunting license and pheasant permit, and are also prohibited from carrying a firearm, bow and arrow, or crossbow that could otherwise lawfully be used for hunting. Adult participants may accompany no more than two youths, and all youths must comply with all other requirements for the harvest of pheasant. The Granite State’s regular pheasant season opens on October 1. “Youth Pheasant Hunting Weekend is a great way for seasoned wing shooters to share their experience with young people interested in hunt• Loon Center continued from page 13 biologists also collect blood and feather samples to analyze any toxic contaminants, stress-indicating hormones, genetic markers, blood parasites, and other disease-causing organisms. Banded loons sighted on the ocean have shown that “at least some of New Hampshire’s loons winter off the Atlantic coast from Maine to Rhode Island, and so remain in New England year-round,” the Loon Center website (https://loon.org/loon-center) reports. The Loon Center notes that staff members are not trained as animal rehabilitators, so they do not normally intervene when birds are harmed by sibling rivalry, territorial conflicts between loons, or other natural events that can endanger loon survival. “However, we do rescue loons that are in distress as a result of human activities,” the Loon Center states. “LPC works with a network of veterinarians and wildlife rehabilitators to diagnose and attempt to treat and release ailing loons.” Another program, created in 2007, is the Squam Lake Loon Initiative, which provides additional monitoring, research, management, and outreach efforts on behalf of the loon population. The Loon Recovery Initiative seeks to identify any gaps in people’s knowledge of loons, providing a conceptual framework to integrate educational products and programs with new and ongoing research and management activities. What the Loon Preservation Committee learns about loons, their biolo-
ing,” said Brett Ferry, Pheasant Project Leader for the NH Fish and Game Department. “It provides new hunters the chance to head into the field in a low-pressure atmosphere, get the dogs ready for the coming season, and have some fun.” Please note that only select sites will be stocked for youth weekend and that all regular pheasant season regulations apply. To learn more about pheasant hunting in New Hampshire visit www. wildlife.nh.gov/hunting-nh/nh-pheasant-stocking. An updated list of sites stocked for the 2026 Youth Pheasant Hunting Weekend will be posted in early September. The New Hampshire Fish and Game Department works in partnership with the public to conserve the state’s fish, wildlife, and marine resources and their habitats. gy, the effects of human activities, and what can be done to help them survive, it attempts to share with others. The organization publishes its survey findings in peer-reviewed scientific journals as well as in the LPC Newsletter and E-Newsletter. As soon as ice is out, the organization streams a live broadcast of a loon nesting site, allowing observers to watch loons through nest-building, egg-laying, incubation, and hatching. “Over 100,000 people in dozens of countries learn about loons by watching them live,” the Loon Center reports. “The LPC’s YouTube channel offers over 100 video clips from over the years.” Members of the staff also travel throughout the state, making presentations about loons to lake associations, service clubs, schools, libraries, and other groups, as well as “in-the-field” presentations at boat launches or on the water during loon surveys. The Loon Preservation Committee also posts educational signs at lake access points and at lakeside businesses. Additionally, the group partners with the Squam Lakes Natural Science Center to offer Loon Cruises on Squam Lake during the summer months. Participants are notified when loons appear in the water, giving them a chance to observe and take photographs of the red-eyed birds at close range. The Loon Center itself sees more than 10,000 visitors annually as people seek knowledge about loons and the natural world. It is located at 183 Lees Mill Road in Moultonborough.
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SEPTEMBER 14, 2026 | THE LAKER | Page 19
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