TheLaker_April_26

Earth Day 2026: What You Can Do For The Environment

By Thomas P. Caldwell

Tuesday, April 22, will mark the 56th anniversary of Earth Day, which some people trace back to the publication of Rachel Carson’s Silent Spring in 1962. The book, which sold more than 500,000 copies in 24 countries, raised public awareness of how industrialization had led to pollution that was harming living organisms and the environment.

Carson was a marine biologist and writer with the US Fish and Wildlife Service and her book exposed how the widespread use of DDT and other long-lasting weed-control chemicals was not only harming wildlife and habitat, but also clearly endangering human life.

“There would be no peace for me,” she wrote, “if I kept silent.”

Despite the book’s acclaim and the issues it exposed, it was not until 1970 that the environmental movement took off, and that was prompted by Senator Gaylord Nelson of Wisconsin witnessing the results of a massive oil spill off the coast of Santa Barbara, California, in 1969. Nelson proposed a college campus teach-in about pollution and the environment and persuaded Denis Hayes, a young activist, to organize the campus events. Nelson also enlisted Congressman Pete McCloskey to assist in spreading the message. They chose the date of April 22, falling between Spring Break and Final Exams, to launch the effort that became Earth Day.

Twenty million Americans — 10 percent of the US population — took part

Roughly 7,000 people gathered on April 21, 1970, at Independence Hall in Philadelphia as the city celebrated an entire Earth Week, organized by graduate students from the University of Pennsylvania’s design departments. Ralph Nader gave a keynote address and the cast of “Hair” sang “Air” and “Let the Sunshine In.” (AP/ Shutterstock)

in demonstrations against the impacts of 150 years of industrial development in that first year.

Pete Townsend of The Who expressed disappointment that his generation had not followed through as forcefully in cleaning up the environment, and, despite concerns about climate change, Earth Day participation has fallen in recent years. Instead of becoming a broad national coalition, Earth Day is observed through individual initiatives by conservation commissions, students, and environmental groups.

In the Lakes Region, the First Congressional Church, UCC, of Wolfeboro will observe Eco Sunday on April 19, with Reverend Kendra Ford presenting “350nh and No Coal No Gas” at the church’s 10 a.m. service. That will be followed by an EcoFair from 11:15 a.m. - 12:30 p.m., with nonprofits advocating for earth stewardship. The church, located at 115 South Main Street, will serve a light lunch.

Moulton Farm of Meredith is marking Earth Day by giving away free flowering seedlings to those visiting on April 22, while supplies last.

“Another way to celebrate is to have at least one part of a meal that day include an item from our farm or another local farm,” they say on their website, www.moultonfarm.com.

Last year, the City of Laconia observed Love Our Earth Day, but while reviving the event has been discussed, as of the end of March, there had been no formal announcement that it will take place this year.

The Squam Lakes Association in Holderness, however, has announced a “casual event” taking place on April 22 from 8 to 9:30 p.m., with a bonfire, s’mores, and stargazing.

“This casual event will focus on appreciation for Earth and the natural world by sharing personal experiences. The group will also be viewing the Lyrids meteor shower, a spring stargazing spectacle with upward of 15 - 20 comets an hour,” the association announced. “To finish off the evening, the group will be making s’mores to be served with hot chocolate.”

For more information or to sign up, visit squamlakes.org or call 603-9687336.

The Pasquaney Garden Club and New Hampton Garden Club will jointly sponsor a “Container Gardening Talk and Demonstration” on Tuesday, April 21, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the Minot-Sleeper Library in Bristol. Ruth Droescher, Advanced Master Gardener with the UNH Cooperative Extension, will lead the program, talking about the

• Earth Day continued on page 4

Electronic Waste Collection Day April 18 in Gilford

Got an old computer collecting dust in your closet, or a broken air conditioner sitting on the back porch? What do you do with such items when you replace them? Everything from laptops, phones, and computers to TVs costs a fortune to haul away.

Turn all that junk over to the Laconia-Gilford Lions Club during their Electronic Waste Collection Day fundraising event, which will be held on Saturday, April 18, in the Cinemas 8 parking lot in Gilford (9 Old Lake Shore Road) from 8:30 am to 12:30 pm. Note: this is a new location as of a few years ago. For a small disposal fee, not only will they take your old electronic items off your hands, but they will recycle them. The disposal charge is almost always less than the prices at local transfer stations. Cash or checks will be accepted, but not debit or credit cards.

Just bring your electronics to the Cinemas 8 parking lot, 9 Old Lakeshore Road in Gilford, on Saturday, April 18, between 8:30 am and 12:30 pm. Lions Club members will even help you unload them! You do not have to be a resident of Laconia or Gilford to take advantage of this fundraiser - it is open to everyone. (Rain date May 16 – call for questions 603-998-5549.)

Items you may want to consider dropping off are laptops, PC towers, PC LCD monitors, servers, CD/DVD players, camcorders, AV equipment, VCRs, speakers, copiers, faxes, scanners, printers, phones (land and cell), phone systems, humidifiers, and computer accessories (all $5 unless very large).

In addition, we will also take microwaves, air conditioners,

dehumidifiers (all $10), CRT monitors less than 50 lbs., and TVs less than 25” ($20), TVs 26” and larger ($30). For TVs needing more than one person to lift or CRT monitors over 50 lbs., the item will be weighed on site and the price determined. Anything with a cord not listed will also be accepted.

Teflon pots and pans will also be accepted for $1.

NOT accepted are: smoke detectors, oils, paints, thinners, batteries (except car batteries), tires, items containing mercury such as fluorescent and CFL light bulbs or thermometers, capacitors, ballasts, or any other hazardous waste. Don’t miss this opportunity or you’ll be storing these things another year“Don’t throw it out, Recycle it!” You’ll not only help the environment by disposing of your unwanted electronics responsibly but also help the Lions, the largest service organization in the world, raise funds to meet pressing needs in our community: eye exams,

eye glasses, hearing aids, food pantries, college scholarships, holiday

• Earth Day continued from page 3

benefits and drawbacks of gardening in containers. She will discuss the different types of containers and how to select the proper size and type, as well as the proper way to assemble a container garden.

Environmental Challenges

One of New Hampshire’s pressing environmental challenges is the potential for pollution from solid waste landfill sites. The state legislature has proposed several bills over the last several years to limit where landfills are located and to promote recycling, but the bills have been weakened or defeated, leaving it to local groups to work on reducing trash.

food baskets for needy families, youth sports programs, are just a few of the local charitable organizations that we assist. All that for a disposal fee that, in most cases, is less than the cost at local transfer stations.

The Laconia-Gilford Lions Club appreciates your help with their Electronic Waste Collection Day fundraising event and wishes to thank in advance everyone who contributes to making a real difference in our community. This project has been officially sanctioned by the Green Sanctuary Committee of the Unitarian Universalist Church of Laconia. Look for the yellow Lions’ vests on Saturday, April 18, from 8:30 am to 12:30 pm at the Gilford Cinemas 8 parking lot (Rain date May 16 – call for questions 603-998-5549). No matter how large or small, every item adds up!

the three Rs — reduce, reuse, and recycle — everyone can conserve natural resources and preserve landfill space.

Other options? Volunteer for community cleanups, which also help to protect your watershed.

Seek ecological knowledge and help others understand the importance and value of natural resources.

Conserve water, which avoids overtaxing the aquifers and produces less runoff and wastewater entering the waterways and ending up polluting the ocean.

Learn how to make smart seafood choices at www.fishwatch.gov

Shop wisely, looking for packaging that uses less plastic, and bring a reusable shopping bag.

The Lakes Region Planning Commission has received an $87,300 USDA Composting and Food Waste Reduction grant to launch the area’s first Food Waste Composting Pilot Program which will establish two largescale food waste composting sites. The program also will provide 160 free composting tumblers to help households launch home compost measures. Surveys will help to measure the program’s effectiveness, keeping track of the amount of food-waste composting and the quality of the trainings, while tracking landfill diversion.

Switch to energy-efficient and long-lasting light bulbs, which reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Try to turn off lights when you will be out of a room for more than 15 minutes.

Plant a tree, which helps to combat climate change by providing oxygen that cleans the air, while providing shade to reduce the need for air conditioning, with some species providing fruit that reduces the need for purchases at the grocery store.

Choose non-toxic chemicals for cleaning and use at the office.

Even without formal programs, individuals can take their own steps to help the environment. By following

Drive less, not only because of rising gasoline prices, but also to reduce pollution. When possible, use a bicycle, which is eco-friendly and provides the exercise we all need.

UNH Cooperative Extension: Its Beginnings to a Vital Aid for Farmers

By Mark Okrant

The University of New Hampshire’s Cooperative Extension (UNH Extension) service has its roots in land-grant and federal legislation. The service is more than a century old, having been formally founded in 1915, shortly after the federal Smith-Lever Act of 1914 created the nationwide Cooperative Extension System to connect landgrant universities with communities.

A look back at the cooperative extension movement takes us to the creation of the land-grant movement launched by the Morrill Act of 1862. That legislation established colleges focused on agriculture and the mechanical arts in each state. This was followed in 1887 by a second important piece of legislation known as the Hatch Act. The Hatch Act created agricultural experiment stations, providing the research base for subsequent extension work. Next came the Smith-Lever Act which created the vital step of establishing the present three-way funding partnership among federal, state, and county levels of government. It was this act that created the Cooperative Extension Service as a partnership between the U.S. Department of Agriculture and land-grant universities to provide practical, research-based education—especially in agriculture and home economics—to people not enrolled in college. This act also required states to “cooperate” by matching federal funds, which is why the service has been labeled “cooperative” extension.

The UNH Cooperative Extension

Service was established in 1915 as New Hampshire’s implementation of the new federal extension system. Its work was tied to the university’s agricultural mission and to the New Hampshire Agricultural Experiment Station, which had already been conducting research to support farming in the state. By 1917, UNH Extension had placed agricultural agents in each of New Hampshire’s ten counties, making it the first state in the nation to have an extension agricultural agent on the ground in every county. Over time, the UNH Cooperative Extension Service defined its primary focus areas as youth and family development, community and economic development, natural resources, and food and agriculture, thus mirroring both its agricultural roots

daily

rail

waumbek

excursions to

station (4000’)

base station is open every day The highest full-service facility accessible by car

and its broader community mission.

Today, the UNH Cooperative Extension Service (also called the “UNH Cooperative”) supports farms in New Hampshire with education, onfarm assistance, and technical services to help them be more profitable, sustainable, and resilient. Core services that the UNH Cooperative provides for farms include:

• One-on-one technical help on crop production, livestock, soils, pest management, and wholefarm planning through field specialists and state specialists who can visit farms or consult remotely.

• Workshops, short courses, and “new farmer” programs covering business skills, marketing, recordkeeping, regulations, and production practices.

• Business, estate, and farm transfer planning assistance for farm and natural-resource business owners.

• Support for beginning farmers, women in agriculture, and farmer peer networks through the NH Farm Network and related programs.

In addition, the UNH Cooperative provides the following types of production and technical support:

• Guidance on dairy, livestock, and forage crop management, including feeding, pasture, and nutrient management.

• Support for fruit and vegetable growers, greenhouses, and ornamental/landscape businesses, including research-based recommendations and applied trials.

• Integrated pest management, insect and weed identification, and pesticide safety education, plus plant disease diagnostics via UNH labs.

• Soil testing services and recommendations to improve fertility, yields, and environmental protection.

• Free or low-cost educational programs in every county, often hosted at farms, county facilities, or local community sites.

• Fact sheets, newsletters, and online resources tailored to New Hampshire conditions for crops, livestock, and farm management.

• Workforce development and youth programming (including 4H) that connect young people to agriculture and

• UNH continued on page 6

support future farm labor and leader-

• Help for farms with marketing, direct-to-consumer sales, and connecting with local residents and institutions.

• Work in community and economic development that strengthens local food systems and the role of farms in New Hampshire’s rural economy.

Certainly, not everyone reading this column owns or operates a farm. New Hampshire homeowners benefit from a variety of Cooperative Extension resources and services aimed at enhancing local knowledge and skills in areas such as gardening, natural resources, and community development. What

follows is a list of key ways they assist homeowners:

Educational Workshops: UNH Cooperative Extension offers classes and workshops on topics like gardening, pest management, and nutrition.

Expert Advice: Homeowners can access expert advice on gardening, landscaping, and sustainable practices through local extension offices or online resources.

Soil Testing Services: They provide soil testing to help homeowners understand their soil quality and what amendments may be needed for optimal plant growth.

Resource Publications: A variety of publications are available, providing information on local plants, best gardening practices, and environmental stewardship.

Support for Youth Programs: They organize programs that engage youth in agriculture and environmental education, fostering community involvement.

Community Support: They assist local communities in addressing issues related to natural resources, public health, and local economies.

This is their list of some gardening tips tailored for New Hampshire’s climate and conditions:

Know Your Zone: Homeowners should choose plants that are suitable for your specific zone.

Start with Soil Preparation: Test your soil for Ph and nutrient levels. Amending the soil with compost can improve its fertility and structure.

last frost date, which is usually in late April to early May.

Mulching: Apply a layer of mulch to retain moisture, suppress weeds, and regulate soil temperature during extreme weather.

Water Wisely: Water early in the morning or late in the afternoon to minimize evaporation and ensure deep watering rather than frequent shallow watering.

Pest Management: Monitor for pests regularly and use integrated pest management techniques to control pests naturally when possible.

Plan for Winter: Prepare your garden for winter by cleaning up dead plants and using mulch to protect perennials.

Join Local Gardening Groups: Connect with local gardening clubs or extension services for shared experiences and additional support.

Choose the Right Plants: Opt for native plants and cold-hardy varieties that thrive in New Hampshire’s climate, such as coneflowers, daylilies, and various types of herbs.

Use Raised Beds: Consider raised garden beds; they help with drainage and can warm the soil earlier in the spring.

Timing Matters: Start your garden indoors around 6-8 weeks before the

In summary, the UNH Cooperative Extension Service is an extremely useful element of the Granite State’s education system. Its services are both invaluable and easily accessible. For information on programs, events, articles and additional resources, visit their website at extension.unh.edu.

Lego To The Farm

A new event will take place at Tumbledown Farm on Rte. 109 in Brookfield, NH over School Vacation Week from April 27 to May 1. Lego to the Farm is a handson, farm-themed LEGO building experience designed for children ages 7–13. This unique program blends creativity, engineering, and teamwork with immersive barnyard exploring and farm activities, creating a one-of-a-kind experience that connects imagination with real-world farm life. The cost to participate is $80 per day. Get more info by emailing Legotothefarm@gmail.com or by calling 603-4554726.

Kayak Race Returns May 16

Wolfeboro Lions Club celebrates milestone race with new start time and dockside BBQ

Ready, set, paddle! The 50th Annual Great Smith River Canoe and Kayak Race returns Saturday, May 16, at Albee Beach in Wolfeboro. Hosted by the Wolfeboro Lions Club, this beloved event celebrates 50 years of paddling, with a fun and scenic four-mile course featuring calm water, a ¼-mile stretch of Class 2 rapids, and two portages.

New this year: an earlier start time. Registration runs from 8 am to 10 am, with the race starting promptly at 10:30 am. Participants are encouraged to arrive early, as registration closes at 10 am sharp.

Pre-registration is $35 per paddler through May 15 at https://form.jotform.com/240255158509053. Race day registration is $40. The first 50 reg-

istered paddlers will receive a free race t-shirt. Paper forms are available at the Wolfeboro Chamber of Commerce, 32 Central Avenue.

Following the race, join the dockside celebration with an awards ceremony and BBQ. All registered paddlers receive a hamburger or hot dog lunch, with food available for purchase by spectators.

All proceeds benefit Wolfeboro Lions Club Charities. Whether you’re racing to win or just in it for fun, grab your paddle and be part of this 50-year tradition.

For more information, contact Race Director Roger Murray at 603-5694697 or visit wolfeborolionsclub.com.

Be Responsible with Bear Attractants This Spring

The Granite State’s black bears are emerging from their winter dens and beginning to actively search for any available food sources. Because of the limited menu of options during this time of the year, bears will be easily enticed by a wide variety of human-produced food sources, especially bird feeders, backyard poultry, and unsecured garbage.

As bears become more active after their winter hibernation, it is crucial for communities to remain vigilant about minimizing attractants. This not only helps keep bears safe but also reduces unexpected encounters in residential areas.

Because of the fluctuating temperatures associated with spring, officials are asking the public to be both proactive and responsible by taking down bird feeders no later than April 1 in all areas of the state, or earlier if bears are already present in your region. Backyard farmers should protect poultry, livestock, and bees with electric fencing, being sure to also remember these fencing needs when picking up new chicks this spring. Additionally, residents can help prevent the attraction of bears by securing dumpsters and garbage cans, and storing grills, pet food,

and animal feed indoors. The easiest way to solve bear–human conflicts is to prevent them in the first place— please do your part to help protect New Hampshire’s bears.

“Bears denned rather late last fall due to an abundance of natural foods and then remained inactive throughout the cold winter months,” said Dan Bailey, Bear Project Leader for the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department. “However, with the loss of snowpack over the past few weeks, bears are becoming active throughout the state. This is a common sign of spring in New Hampshire and should not be a cause for concern to residents and visitors. It simply means that it is time to prepare for foraging bears and remove or secure all outdoor food sources.”

“Increased human responsibility, a proactive attitude, and increased tolerance are the most effective tools for coexisting with bears.” said Bailey. “Bears have an extremely acute sense of smell, long memories, and high intelligence. We really need the help of residents to inhibit emerging bears from returning to locations where they have been previously successful in finding backyard food sources. People

can largely control bear behavior and activity in residential areas by controlling food attractants around their homes. If bears are not rewarded with food in communities, they do not continue to frequent those locations.”

Despite continued pleas asking homeowners not to feed birds during the non-winter months, bird feeders are typically the direct cause of 20% of annual human–bear conflicts There is abundant food for birds in the spring and summer, so consider a bird bath or flowering plants that attract birds instead. In addition to bird feeders, other primary bear attractants include unprotected chickens and other poultry (27%) and unsecured garbage cans and dumpsters (35%).

“If the public would be willing to address these three common attractants, we could quickly reduce annual human–bear conflicts by more than 80%, which would benefit both people and bears,” said Bailey.

Help build respectful relationships with bears:

Stop feeding wild birds by April 1. If you live south of the White Mountains, consider removing bird feeders by March 15 or at the onset of springlike weather conditions, whichever

comes first, since conditions fluctuate throughout the state.

Clean up any spilled birdseed and dispose of it in a secure trash container. Secure all garbage in airtight containers inside a garage or adequate storage area, and put garbage out on the morning of pickup, not the night before. If using a dumpster, inform your dumpster company that you need one with metal locking tops and doors that are inaccessible to bears and other wildlife.

Never put meat scraps in your compost pile.

Don’t leave pet food dishes outside overnight.

Clean and store outdoor grills after each use.

Never deliberately feed bears. You will be encouraging these animals to rely on human-related foods, which will affect their wild behavior and reduce their chance of survival.

If you have questions regarding bear-related issues, you can get advice by calling a toll-free number coordinated jointly by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Wildlife Services and the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department: 888-749-2327 (888-SHYBEAR).

Judy Collins: Farewell Tour Makes a Stop in Concord

Capitol Center For The Arts welcomes Judy Collins and her “Sweet Judy Blue Eyes” on Thursday, June 11, with tickets available now. Doors open at 6:30 pm, with the show time at 7:30 pm.

Judy Collins has long inspired audiences with sublime vocals, boldly vulnerable songwriting, personal life triumphs, and a firm commitment to social activism. In the 1960s, she evoked both the idealism and steely

determination of a generation united against social and environmental injustices. Six decades later, her luminescent presence shines brightly as new generations bask in the glow of her iconic 55-album body of work, and heed inspiration from her spiritual discipline to thrive in the music industry for half a century.

The award-winning singersongwriter is esteemed for her imaginative interpretations of

traditional and contemporary folk standards and her own poetically poignant original compositions. Her stunning rendition of Joni Mitchell’s “Both Sides Now” from her landmark 1967 album, Wildflowers, has been entered into the Grammy Hall of Fame. Judy’s dreamy and sweetly intimate version of “Send in the Clowns,” a ballad written by Stephen Sondheim for the Broadway musical A Little Night Music, won “Song of the Year” at the 1975 Grammy Awards. She’s garnered several top-ten hits gold- and platinum-selling albums. Recently, contemporary and classic artists such as Rufus Wainwright, Shawn Colvin, Dolly Parton, Joan Baez, and Leonard Cohen honored her legacy with the album Born to the Breed: A Tribute to Judy Collins.

In 2026, Collins bids adieu to the

road with her “Sweet Judy Blue Eyes” Farewell Tour, launching July 4, 2026, and running through 2027—an expansive final run across North America and beyond that gives audiences one last chance to experience her timeless voice and storytelling live. The tour follows a remarkable recent chapter: six new albums released since 2015, the artistic renaissance of Spellbound (her first album of all self-penned songs, nominated for Best Folk Album at the 2023 GRAMMY Awards), and her 2025 poetry collection Sometimes It’s Heaven: Poems of Love, Loss and Redemption—a vivid extension of the honesty and grace that have defined her enduring legacy.

The show will be at the Chubb Theatre at CCA at 44 S. Main St., Concord. Tickets are available at ccanh.com.

Celtic Woman Brings

“A New Era” Tour to Capitol Center for the Arts

The Celtic Woman, the Grammy-nominated global music sensation and the most successful all-female Irish group in history, will bring their stunning new tour, Celtic Woman – A New Era, to the Capitol Center for the Arts on April 23.

Blending tradition with brilliance, the brand-new production features vocalists Mairéad Carlin, Muirgen O’Mahony, and Caitríona Sherlock, alongside harpist and fiddle player Kate Heneghan. The show fuses the ensemble’s signature sound with fresh orchestrations, dynamic staging, and a contemporary spark that celebrates Ireland’s rich musical heritage while highlighting the group’s ongoing evolution. Audiences can expect a mes-

merizing and energetic evening filled with breathtaking harmonies, stirring original compositions, and instrumental virtuosity performed by the four extraordinary Irish artists, accompanied by Irish dancers and a full ensemble featuring traditional Celtic instruments such as the bagpipe, bodhrán, whistles, and Uilleann pipes.

From beloved Irish classics and contemporary favorites to classical masterpieces and original songs, Celtic Woman – A New Era promises a spellbinding celebration of Irish culture and music. Tickets are available now at ccanh.com.

The Capitol Center for the Arts Chubb Theatre is located at 44 S. Main Street in Concord.

Chef Kelly Ross

Hello again Lakes Region. Happy Early Spring! As things are warming up every week, today I am going to chat about a cuisine that can often heat you up as well: Mexican food. My favorite ethnic food (and wow, I love them all), but when it comes to Mexican cooking, I’m a sucker in a big way. It doesn’t hurt that I am a big fan of hot and spicy, which is easy to make happen in Mexican cooking, but it is just as easy to prepare south of the border cooking in a mild fashion as well. Like all cooking, I say all the time: it’s all about making any recipe to your own liking. Although it was many years ago, I have entered many jalapeno eating contests in my day and won a few. I wouldn’t trade those days for anything, and oh the stories I could tell. Maybe it was all the margaritas I was consuming to keep me entering all those contests? So, let’s get back to eating south of the border style! When entertaining inside, as opposed to outside grilling, Mexican themes are argu-

cook authentic Mexican at home, instead cooking tacos, nachos, quesadillas or fajita. I love all those things, but it’s time to step things up.

I want to start with a basic recipe that will be needed in almost anything Mexican you cook and that is a homemade Enchilada Sauce. Yes, you can buy it quite easily but make it once and you will wonder why you haven’t been doing this all along. Like anything homemade, the flavor is better and the cost is less. Sure, it takes a little time, but in the big scheme of things, the time spent is a drop in the bucket as it only takes about 20 minutes. This recipe will give you 3 cups.

Homemade Enchilada Sauce

2 tbsp olive oil

½ cup finely diced sweet onion

1 clove minced garlic

1 can tomato paste, 6 oz

¼ cup flour

2 tsp ground cumin

¼ tsp chili powder

3 cups chicken broth

1 tsp salt

¼ tsp black pepper

ion for 2-3 minutes while stirring, add the garlic and continue for 2-3 more minutes. Transfer to a bowl. In the same skillet, add the tomato paste, flour, and spices and mix well. This mix is extremely dry, so if needed, add a few drops of the chicken broth if needed to help it come together. Once combined well, add the rest of the broth and salt and pepper. Add the onion/garlic combo, bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to a simmer and cook until it slightly thickens, about 5-10 minutes. Adjust the seasonings if needed and start cooking some great Mexican food.

Next, let’s start the way we start most any day, with breakfast. I am not one to go out to eat a lot, mostly because I would rather do the cooking myself. However, when it comes to breakfast, that is a meal I love going out for. Any place that has this dish, I generally don’t even bother looking at the rest of the menu, and that is Huevos Rancheros. Making it at home is a breeze and if you have the right crowd who appreci-

‘Cue The Grill

Salsa, Spice & Sunshine: A Springtime Mexican Feast

ultimate way. One thing I would like to preface all these recipes with is almost all Mexican cooking is accompanied by salsa, like Enchilada sauce, in some respect. If time permits, always make your own. You could even do so the day before for that matter. The difference is night and day, my friends. I have homemade salsa in my fridge 75% of the time as my wife and I both love it on many things, even chips and salsa as a snack. Dice some fresh tomatoes, red onions, colored bell peppers, jalapenos if preferred, fresh cilantro, fresh lemon and/or lime juice, and season with chili powder, ground cumin, salt and pepper, fresh minced garlic and finish with a small amount of hot sauce and stir extremely well and refrigerate. This will hold well for 3-5 days, if it lasts that long. I know some prefer more of a soup style of salsa, which I’ll never understand, but if that is your thing, just throw the finished product into a food processor and let it do its thing. It would be nice to have on hand for this breakfast

recipe, which is for 4 of you and can be done within a half hour

Huevos Rancheros

2 large baker potatoes, diced

1 ½ cups cooked black beans, or 1 can, drained and rinsed

8 eggs

¼ cup finely diced sweet onions

½ cup colored bell peppers, finely diced

¾ cup cooked and crumbled bacon and or ground sausage

1+ cup shredded extra sharp cheddar

8 flour or corn tortillas, six-inch diameter

Salt and pepper

½ tsp granulated garlic

½ tsp ground cumin

½ tsp chili powder

Salsa and/or Enchilada sauce

Sour cream, optional

Fresh chopped cilantro for garnish, optional

Chopped fresh scallions for garnish, optional

Once you have cooked the bacon/sausage, set aside and save the

grease. With the grease on a medium heat in your skillet, cook each side of your tortillas on both sides to crisp them up, 10-20 seconds on each side. Set aside. Add the diced potatoes to the same pan and sauté while stirring often for about 10 minutes, adding a little olive oil if needed. Once browned and somewhat softened, add the peppers and onions, and the spices and continue to cook for maybe another 5 minutes until things are almost completely cooked. Reduce the heat and keep warm. If you have a long skillet, that would be ideal, but not mandatory. In a second skillet, start cooking over easy eggs. The long skillet allows you to cook more at one time. While eggs are cooking, make sure the black beans and bacon/sausage are warm to hot by putting them in bowls and microwave them. As the eggs get done, it is time to be artistic in the building of these. On the bottom of each plate, place a tortilla, add a spoonful of potatoes/peppers/onions, some beans,

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one egg, cheese, the 2nd tortilla, the 2nd egg, the meat mix, more cheese and then the salsa and/or sauce. Top with sour cream if preferred, as well as cilantro and scallions. This is as good as it gets my friends. OK, let’s move further into the day and think more about lunches and dinners, shall we? The one meal most people think about when thinking Mexican food is tacos, but not what I call tacos. Ground beef with taco seasoning - although considered tacos by many - is not by any means, authentic Mexican. Tex Mex is still fun to eat, but don’t kid yourself, it’s not Mexican cooking. This recipe is for Baja Pork Tacos where the meat is done in a slow cooker with some of the best authentic Mexican flavors. Never underestimate the beauty of a slow cooker. This recipe will provide 2 dozen tacos and will take you all of 15 minutes to make once the pork is cooked.

Baja Pork Tacos

Boneless pork sirloin roast, 3-4 lbs 5-6 cans of chopped green chilis, 4 oz cans

1 can diced tomatoes, 14 oz

2 large, sweet onions, sliced

4 tsp chili powder

4 tsp ground cumin

3 tsp granulated garlic

2 tsp Cajun seasoning

1 tsp cayenne pepper, optional

2 limes, cut in half

24 warmed corn tortillas, 6 inch in diameter

3 cups shredded cheddar, or, as I enjoy, pepper jack

Fresh salsa, enchilada sauce and sour cream, all optional

Cut the roast in half and pop into a 4-quart slow cooker. Mix the cans of chilis, the seasonings, diced tomatoes, and sliced onions in a bowl and spoon over the pork. Toss in

the limes and push under the liquid as best as you can. Cover and cook for 8-10 hours on low or until the meat is tender. Remove the pork and cool slightly. Skim the fat from the top of the juice in the slow cooker. Pull the pork apart with 2 forks or tongs and pop back in the cooker and bring back to its full heat. Lightly microwave the tortillas and fill with the pork and top with cheese, salsa, and sour cream and have at it. If you want to Americanize it, feel free to add lettuce, tomato and onions if preferred. Regardless what you add to this, it’s a winner.

Next is a great appetizer, although I do know many who enjoy many of these as a main course, but to each their own as the old line goes. The item is an empanada, which is a Mexican turnover of sorts, although as opposed to an American turnover, this isn’t a breakfast sweet nor dessert. More times than not, it is filled with beans and cheese or a protein. Today, I am going with black beans, corn and cheese Prep cooking time will combine for almost an hour and give you 4 empanadas.

Smoky Black Bean & Corn Empanadas

1 tbsp olive oil

½ cup chopped onion

2 cloves chopped garlic

1 tsp chili powder

1 tsp ground cumin

¼ tsp salt

Pinch of cayenne pepper

1 tbsp chopped chipotle chili in adobo sauce, canned

1 can black beans, 15 oz, drained and rinsed

2 tsp fresh chopped cilantro

• ‘Cue the Grill continued on page 11

½ cup frozen corn, thawed 1 box refrigerated pie crusts, softened as directed by the box

1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese

Preheat your oven to 400 degrees. Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper, spraying the pan before and after doing so. In a nonstick skillet, heat the oil over a medium heat. Again, cook the onion for about 3 minutes, add the garlic and cook for an additional 2-3 minutes. Add the chili powder, cumin, salt, cayenne and chipotle chili and cook/stir for about a minute. Remove from the heat and stir in the black beans, corn and cilantro. On a lightly floured surface, unroll the pie crust and roll into a 14-inch circle. Cut out four 6-inch circles. Next, spoon ¼ of the black bean mixture over half of each of the circles. Top with ¼ of the cheese over the beans, keeping it within ½ inch of the edge. Brush the edges of the circles with water, fold the dough over the filling and press the edges together firmly with a fork to seal them. Cut 3 small slits on top of each empanada and place on the parchment paper lined pan and cook for 13-18 minutes until golden brown and the filling is hot. Serve warm and serve with salsa, enchilada sauce and/or sour cream and relish the moment.

Let’s end the day with a Mexican classic everyone is fairly familiar with and that is the burrito. All in all, let’s face it, putting a burrito together is not rocket science, but to do so the right way does take a little culinary magic. It never hurts using homemade salsa, enchilada sauce, guacamole and that kind of thing. This recipe also utilizes a homemade Cumin Lime Crema Sauce, which is as simple as it gets to make, and WOW, does it make a huge difference in this dish. These burritos have a great spicy bite to them and in the first bite, you will be hooked. Start to finish, this will take you an hour to prepare/cook and will serve 6 of you easily.

Red Chili Cheesy Chicken Burritos

2 tbsp olive oil

1 medium-large sweet onion, chopped

4 cloves of garlic, minced

16 oz enchilada sauce

¾ cup diced roasted green chile peppers

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1 tsp ground cumin

½ tsp red pepper flakes

¾ tsp salt

3 cups cooked chicken, diced or shredded

30 oz drained and rinsed black beans, or refried beans, depending on preference

10 flour tortillas, 12 inch in diameter

4 cups shredded cheese of choice.

I’m a fan of a combo of Monterey & Pepper Jack

7-8 scallions, chopped thin for garnish

½ cup fresh chopped cilantro. Reserve 2 tbsp for garnish

Cumin Lime Crema

1 ½ cup sour cream

1 ½ tsp ground cumin

3-4 tsp fresh squeezed lime juice

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. In a large skillet, heat the oil over a medium-high heat. Cook the onion again for 3-5 minutes, add the garlic and continue for another minute. Stir in the enchilada sauce and green chilies. Add the cumin, the red pepper flakes and salt. Adjust the seasonings if needed after cook-

ing for a few minutes on a medium heat. Add the chicken and bring it to heat until well combined, then remove from heat. In a bowl, smash your black beans or refried to a point where it is somewhat spreadable. For each burrito, spread a line of beans down the middle of each tortilla. Top with the chicken mixture, shredded cheese and a sprinkle of the green onions and cilantro. Roll the burritos, making sure the ends are tucked inside and place them edge side down in a baking dish or sheet pan. Bake uncovered for about 20 minutes until the tortillas are golden brown with crisp edges. While they are cooking, mix the crema sauce together until smooth. Put the sauce into a ziplock, snip off a corner with scissors. Remove the burritos, transfer to plates, and drizzle the sauce over the burritos and then top with green onions and cilantro. These are delicious. Keep in mind that these are more traditional than Americanized burritos smothered with sauce and cheese. If that is what you prefer, have at it, just double up the enchilada sauce, half for inside and half for out, and double up the cheese as well.

I hope that your trip south of the border been a pleasurable one and that you enjoyed the recipes. As always, keep those taste buds happy, my friends. Feel free to touch base at fenwaysox10@gmail.com if you have any questions or feedback.

We can no longer take the safety of our water for granted. When you turn on your faucet, bathe your child, water your lawn, or flush your toilet, you want to know that your water is safe and clean. We will test and explain your water chemistry in a way that is easy to understand and then recommend the most efficient, effective and economical water treatment solution, custom fit to your needs.

SYSTEMS TO REMOVE:

Craft Classes Return to the Meredith League of NH Craftsmen

On Sunday, April 12, from 1:30 – 4 pm, enjoy a Needle Felted Sheep class with juried artist Rachel Benson. Learn the art of felting with Rachel Benson in this fun 2 ½ hour workshop in which students will create their own adorable, felted sheep. Rachel will teach the techniques of this art form and guide you through the process of felting to create your sheep. This is a great beginner’s project, but also a lot of fun for the experienced felter. All materials will be provided by the instructor. This class is good for those new to needle felting, but all skill levels are welcome. Tuition is $35 per student with a $5 materials fee.

On Saturday, April 18, from 10:30 am – 4:30 pm will be our first jewelry class of the season, Bangles & Rings with juried artist Joy Raskin. In this one-day workshop, students will make bangles, cuff bracelets, and rings. Students will solder together simple wire rings and bangles, which will then be hammered for texture and embel-

is between $40-$90 depending on the amount of materials the student uses.

Join us on Sunday, April 19, from 1 – 4 pm for juried artist Patsy Frasier’s Felted Needle Sleeve class. Learn the art of needle felting and create your own needle sleeve (or needle book) in this fun one-day workshop! It’s the perfect storage place to keep your stray needles and tools. Juried artist Patsy Frasier will guide students in creating this needle book with their own picture or design on the front. It’s a perfect beginner project and fun for all experience levels. It also makes a great handmade gift for a friend or loved one. Tuition is $45 per student with a $15 materials fee.

For each of these classes, space is limited, and pre-registration is required.

To register for a class, call the League of NH Craftsmen – Meredith Fine Craft Gallery at (603) 279-7920 or visit the Gallery at 279 Daniel Webster Highway in Meredith.

For more details, visit our website at http://meredith.nhcrafts.org/ classes/ and our Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/nhcraft/.

lished with wire-working. The cuff bracelets will be made from sheet metal that is textured and shaped into a C-shape bracelet. Bring home new hand-made rings and bangles as keepsakes or give them as unique gifts! The instructor will supply brass, bronze, and copper wire as well as sheet metal and a limited amount of silver wire. The estimated cost of materials will be from $40 to $90 depending on how much material is used. Tuition is $75.00 per student. Materials fee

The League of NH Craftsmen 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.

FREE FAMILY FUN!

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Please call ahead for event updates. Information and schedules subject to

Through April, Art Exhibit by Linda Hefner, Gafney Library, 14 High St., Sanbornville, 603-522-3401, www.gafneylibrary.org

Through April 28, A Lifetime Behind the Lens, James Cryan Retrospective Exhibit, Riverside Gallery, Belknap Mill, 25 Beacon St. East, Laconia, 603524-8813, www.belknapmill.org.

April 7, Everyone’s Trash, 6 – 7 p.m., Duncan Watson, author of Everyone’s Trash and a 33-year veteran of Keene, NH’s solid waste program, shares insights on waste management, pre-registration required, Moultonborough Public Library, 4 Holland St., Moultonborough, 603-476-8895, www.moultonboroughlibrary.org.

April 7, The Russian Count, presented by Jewel Fox, 6:30 p.m., Meredith Historical Society, held at Meredith Community Center, 1 Circle drive, Meredith, 603-260-7493, www.meredithhistoricalsocietynh.org

April 8, Honoring Life’s Final Journey: A Conversation on End of Life, 6 –7 p.m., program provided by Granite VNA, pre-registration required, Moultonborough Public Library, 4 Holland St., Moultonborough, 603-476-8895/

April 8, Lean Into Edible Gardening Class, 6:30 – 8 p.m., Belknap Mill, 25 Beacon St. East, Laconia, 603-524-8813, www.belknapmill.org

April 8, Movie: Caddyshack, 6 p.m., Flying Monkey, 39 S. Main St., Plymouth, 603-536-2551, www.flyingmonkeynh.com

April 8, Strafford Wind Symphony, 8 p.m., Rochester Opera House, 31 Wakefield St., Rochester, tickets/info.: 603-335-1992, www.rochesteroperahouse. com

April 8, The Art of Upcycling, 4 - 7 p.m., Squam Lakes Association, 534 US Rt. 3, Holderness, pre-register: 603-968-7336, www.squamlakes.org

April 9, Shot NOT Heard Round the World, 6:30 p.m., presented by Michael Geanoulis, Meredith Public Library, 91 Main St., Meredith, 603-279-4303, www.meredithlibrary.org.

April 10, A Man Named Cash, 8 p.m., Rochester Opera House, 31 Wakefield St., Rochester, tickets/info.: 603-335-1992, www.rochesteroperahouse.com

April 10, Something Wonderful Tonight, Tribute to Eric Clapton and George Harrison, 7:30 p.m., Flying Monkey, 39 S. Main St., Plymouth, 603536-2551, www.flyingmonkeynh.com

April 11, Beeswax Candle Making, 1 - 3 p.m., for age 16 – adult), Prescott Farm Environmental Education Center, 928 White Oaks Road, Laconia, www. prescottfarm.org. Pre-registration: 603-366-5695.

April 11, Being Petty: the Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers Experience, 8 p.m., Rochester Opera House, 31 Wakefield St., Rochester, tickets/info.: 603335-1992, www.rochesteroperahouse.com

April 11, Blue Brothers – The Next Generation, 7:30 p.m., Flying Monkey, 39 S. Main St., Plymouth, 603-536-2551, www.flyingmonkeynh.com

April 11, Exploring the Art of Watercolor Class, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., instructor: Carole Shea, Castle in the Clouds, 455 Old Mountain Rd., Moultonborough, pre-register: 603-476-5900, www.castleintheclouds.org. Also takes place on April 25.

April 11, Homemade Pasta Making, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m., for age 16 – adult), Prescott Farm Environmental Education Center, 928 White Oaks Road, Laconia, www.prescottfarm.org. Pre-registration: 603-366-5695.

April 11, Lord of the Lakes: Fantasy Mapping Squam, noon – 2:30 p.m., free program, draw fantasy map of the lake, for all ages, Squam Lakes Association, 534 U.S. Rt. 3, Holderness, pre-registration required, 603-968-7336, www. squamlakes.org.

April 11, Chris Mega – Piano Night, 6 - 8 p.m., Hermit Woods Winery, 72 Main St., Meredith, 603-253-7968, www.hermitwoods.com.

April 11, Second Saturday Contradance, Tamworth Outing Club, 7:30 – 10 p.m., Tamworth Town House, 27 Cleveland Hill Rd., Tamworth, admission charged, info.: Amy Berrier at 603-651-5800 or Teresa Fournier at 978-6092181.

April 11, Start Your Own Edible Garden Seedlings Workshop, 1 - 2:30 p.m., Belknap Mill, 25 Beacon St. East, Laconia, 603-524-8813, www.belknapmill. org.

April 11, Winter Hike, 10:30 a.m. – 1 p.m., free, Bridle Path, pre-registration required: 603-476-5900, www.castleintheclouds.org., 455 Old Mountain Rd., Moultonborough.

April 12, Needle Felted Sheep with Rachel Benson, 1:30 – 4 p.m., League of NH Craftsmen Meredith Fine Craft Gallery, 279 Daniel Webster Highway, Meredith, 603-279-7920. (Pre-registration required by April 8.)

April 13, Caregiver Connection, by Granite VNA, Harmony Coffee House, 21 Central Ave., Wolfeboro, 603-224-4093, www.granitevna.org.

April 14, Murder and Mayhew – True Crime in NH, 6 – 7 p.m., program on true crime with author Milli Knudsen, pre-registration required, Moultonborough Public Library, 4 Holland St., Moultonborough, 603-476-8895,

April 14, Science Pub: Be Lake Smart, 6 - 7 p.m., dinner/program at Walter’s Basin, 859 U.S. Rt. 3, Holderness, program co-sponsored by Squam Lakes Association, 534 U.S. Rt. 3, Holderness, pre-registration required, 603-968-7336, www.squamlakes.org

April 15, Adventure Art Life Under Glass: DIY Biosphere in a Jar, 1 – 3 p.m., Squam Lakes Association, 534 US Rt. 3, Holderness, pre-register: 603968-7336, www.squamlakes.org

April 15, Movie: Song Sung Blue, 6 p.m., Flying Monkey, 39 S. Main St., Plymouth, 603-536-2551, www.flyingmonkeynh.com

April 16, George Brown & the Soul Lifters, 6 p.m., Hermit Woods Winery, 72 Main St., Meredith, 603-253-7968, www.hermitwoods.com.

April 17, Adam Ezra Group, 7:30 p.m., Flying Monkey, 39 S. Main St., Plymouth, 603-536-2551, www.flyingmonkeynh.com

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

April 17-18, Lakes Region Home Show, 4/17: 11 a.m. – 6 p.m., 4/18: 9 a.m. – 3 p.m., the Belknap Marketplace, 96 DW Highway, Belmont, 603-524-5531, www.lakesregionchamber.org

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

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

April 18, Bangles and Rings with Joy Raskin, 10:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., League of NH Craftsmen Meredith Fine Craft Gallery, 279 Daniel Webster Highway, Meredith, 603-279-7920. (Pre-registration required by April 15.)

April 18, Conservation & Cinema: Lessons from Jellystone, noon - 2 p.m., Squam Lakes Association, 534 US Rt. 3, Holderness, pre-register: 603-9687336, www.squamlakes.org

April 18, Growing Mushrooms at Home, 10 a.m. – noon or 1 – 3 p.m., for age 16 – adult), Prescott Farm Environmental Education Center, 928 White Oaks Road, Laconia, www.prescottfarm.org. Pre-registration: 603-366-5695.

April 18, Haus of Monsters – America’s #1 Tribute to Lady Gaga, 7:30 p.m., Flying Monkey, 39 S. Main St., Plymouth, 603-536-2551, www.flyingmonkeynh.com

April 18, Leatherwork Card Holder, 1 - 4 p.m., Makers Mill, 23 Bay St., Wolfeboro, info./register; 603-569-1500, www.makersmill.org

April 18, Meet & Greet with artist Linda Hefner, 10 a.m. – noon, Gafney Library, 14 High St., Sanbornville, 603-522-3401, www.gafneylibrary.org

April 18, Michael Gallagan – Piano Night, 6 - 8 p.m., Hermit Woods Winery, 72 Main St., Meredith, 603-253-7968, www.hermitwoods.com.

April 18, Sourdough Bread Making, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m., for age 16 – adult), Prescott Farm Environmental Education Center, 928 White Oaks Road, Laconia, www.prescottfarm.org. Pre-registration: 603-366-5695.

April 19, Basketweaving: Muffin Basket, noon - 4 p.m., Makers Mill, 23 Bay St., Wolfeboro, info./register; 603-569-1500, www.makersmill.org

April 19, Needle Felted Sleeve with Patsy Fraser, 1 - 4 p.m., League of NH Craftsmen Meredith Fine Craft Gallery, 279 Daniel Webster Highway, Meredith, 603-279-7920. (Pre-registration required by April 16.)

April 19, Vegas McGraw – A Tribute to Tim McGraw with Adam D. Tucker, 7 p.m., Rochester Opera House, 31 Wakefield St., Rochester, tickets/info.: 603-335-1992, www.rochesteroperahouse.com

April 22, Movie - Kill Bill Vol. 1: 2 p.m.; Kill Bill Vol. 2: 6 p.m., Flying Monkey, 39 S. Main St., Plymouth, 603-536-2551, www.flyingmonkeynh.com

April 24, Battle of the Brushes, Arts Council of Tamworth, info/location: www.artstamworth.org

April 24, The Dave Matthews Tribute Band, 7:30 p.m., Flying Monkey, 39 S. Main St., Plymouth, 603-536-2551, www.flyingmonkeynh.com

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

April 25, Birding for Beginners, 1 - 3 p.m., for age 12 – adult), Prescott Farm Environmental Education Center, 928 White Oaks Road, Laconia, www. prescottfarm.org. Pre-registration: 603-366-5695.

April 25, Brandy Irish-Gerjuoy – Piano Night, 6 - 8 p.m., Hermit Woods Winery, 72 Main St., Meredith, 603-253-7968, www.hermitwoods.com.

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

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April 25, Floral Cupcake Decorating with Chef LaShunda Allen, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m., for age 16 – adult), Prescott Farm Environmental Education Center, 928 White Oaks Road, Laconia, www.prescottfarm.org. Pre-registration: 603-3665695.

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

April 25, Screen Printing Workshop, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., Belknap Mill, 25 Beacon St. East, Laconia, 603-524-8813, www.belknapmill.org.

April 25, The British Invasion Years, 7:30 p.m., Flying Monkey, 39 S. Main St., Plymouth, 603-536-2551, www.flyingmonkeynh.com

April 25, Winter Hike, 10:30 a.m. – 1 p.m., free, Brook Walk, pre-registration required: 603-476-5900, www.castleintheclouds.org., 455 Old Mountain Rd., Moultonborough.

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

April 29, The Bad Guys, movie, #1: 2 p.m., #2: 6 p.m., Flying Monkey, 39 S. Main St., Plymouth, 603-536-2551, www.flyingmonkeynh.com

April 30, The Jonathan Lorentz Group featuring Jason Palmer, 6 p.m., Hermit Woods Winery, 72 Main St., Meredith, 603-253-7968, www.hermitwoods. com.

April 30, The Weight Band, 7:30 p.m., Flying Monkey, 39 S. Main St., Plymouth, 603-536-2551, www.flyingmonkeynh.com

May 1, Ceramics with Fran Bates, 1 p.m., Meredith Public Library, 91 Main St., Meredith, 603-279-4303, www.meredithlibrary.org.

ONGOING

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

Belknap Mill, 25 Beacon St. East, Laconia, gallery and textile museum, events and programs, 603-524-8813, www.belknapmill.org.

Braiding Group, 10 a.m. on 4th Saturdays of each month; 1 p.m. on 4th Tuesdays on each month, Moultonborough Public Library, 4 Holland St., Moultonborough, 603-662-6501. (Meets Sept.-June)

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

Bridge Players, gathering, 1 – 4 p.m., meets Wednesdays year-round, Holderness Library, 866 U.S. Rt. 3, Holderness, 603-968-7066.

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

Chapman Sanctuary and Visny Woods, nature trails open for hiking, 740 Mt. Israel Rd., Center Sandwich, 603-284-6428, www.chapmansanctuaryvisnywoods.com.

Chocorua Lake Basin View Lot, mountain views, benches for seating, free, www.chocorualake.org.

Coffee Hour, 10 – 11 a.m., Wednesdays, coffee, tea, snacks, Effingham Public Library, 30 Town House Rd., Effingham, 603-539-1537, Effingham.lib.nh.us. Country Village Quilt Guild, meets twice monthly, Public Safety Building (back entrance to Police and Fire Dept.), Rte. 25, Moultonborough, countryvillagequilters@gmail.com.

Family Crafts at the Belknap Mill Museum, 11 a.m. – 1 p.m., monthly on select Saturdays, drop-in event, free, Belknap Mill, 25 Beacon St. East, Laconia, 603-524-8813, www.belknapmill.org

Fiber Arts Group, 10 a.m. – noon, meets Tuesdays, Sanbornton Public Library, 27 Meetinghouse Hill, Sanbornton, 603-286-8288, www.splnh.com

Fiber Arts Monthly Mingle, first Tues. of every month, 6 – 8 p.m., Makers Mill, 23 Bay St., Wolfeboro, 603-569-1500, www.makersmill.org

Fiber Arts and Spinning Club, 10 a.m. – noon, Tuesdays, Belknap Mill, 25 Beacon St. East, Laconia, bring fiber projects, spinning wheels, and spindles, 603-524-8813, www.belknapmill.org.

Frank Bolles Nature Preserve, walking trails, off Rt. 16 to Chocorua Lake Rd., Chocorua, www.chocorualake.org.

Guided Tours, history and machines of the historic Belknap Mill, 25 Beacon St. East, Laconia, pre-register: 603-524-8813 to schedule a tour.

In the Round, 8:45 a.m., Sundays, thought-provoking topics related to tolerance, Benz Center, Sandwich, 603-284-7211.

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

Kirkwood Gardens, free, open to public year-round, Rt. 3, Holderness, tour the gardens, www.nhnature.org, 603-968-7194.

Ladies of the Lake Quilt Guild, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m., meets second and fourth Wednesday of each month, First Congregational Church, 115 Main St., Wolfeboro, www.llqg.net

Laid-Back Watercolor Club, 10 a.m. - noon, adult program, meets monthly, Meredith Public Library, 91 Main St., Meredith, info.: www.meredithlibrary. org., 603-279-4303.

Lakes Region Art Association, exhibits and classes, Suite 300, Tanger Outlet, Rte. 3, Tilton, 603-998-0029, www.lraanh.org

Laverack Nature Trail at Hawkins Brook, nature trail on boardwalk, free, trail starts to the left of Meredith Village Savings Bank, Rte. 25, Meredith, 603279-9015.

League of NH Craftsmen Meredith Fine Craft Gallery, handmade crafts and art for sale, workshops, 279 Daniel Webster Highway, Meredith, 603-279-7920.

Loon Center, walking trails, 183 Lees Mill Rd., Moultonborough, 603-4765666, www.loon.org

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

Making Strides, 8 – 9 a.m., drop-in walking for groups or individuals, Ossipee Town Hall, no pre-registration required, 55 Main St., Center Ossipee, takes place various times: www.ossipee.recdesk.com.

Meredith Public Library Bookstore, run by Friends of the Meredith Library, open weekly: Wed. 10 a.m. – 6 p.m., Thurs. & Fri. 10 a.m.- 4 p.m., Sat. 9 a.m. – 1:30 p.m., lower level, Meredith Public Library, 91 Main St., Meredith, 603279-4303, www.meredithlibrary.org.

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

Outdoor Nature-Based Storytime for Young Children, 10:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m., Tuesdays, Cook Memorial Library, 93 Main St., Tamworth, 603-323-8510, www.tamworthlibrary.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.

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

Rug Hookers, 10 a.m., Tuesdays, Tuftonboro Free Library, 221 Middle Rd., Rt. 109A, Tuftonboro, 603-569-4256.

Sculpture Walk, tours of outdoor sculptures around downtown/lakeside areas of Meredith, free, Greater Meredith Program, maps: 603-279-9015.

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

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

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

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

Tamworth Outing Club Second Saturday Dance, 7:30 - 10 p.m., Tamworth Town House, 27 Cleveland Hill Rd., Tamworth, live musical bands/callers, info@tamworthoutingclub.org

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

Tuftonboro Country Bluegrass and Gospel Jam, 6 p.m., Tuesdays, donation requested, Old White Church, Rte. 109A, Center Tuftonboro, across from Tuftonboro General Store, 603-569-3861.

Walking Group, Tuesdays, 9 – 10 a.m., start at Parks and Recreation building, 328 Main St., Alton, sign up: parksrec-asst@alton.nh.gov., 603-875-0109.

Winter Hikes, offered on select Saturdays through April, 11 a.m. – 1 p.m., hike and learn about the land and property’s history, Castle in the Clouds, pre-registration required: www.castleintheclouds.org., 603-476-5900, 455 Old Mountain Rd., Moultonborough.

Winter Lunch, every weekend, Castle in the Clouds, Carriage House Restaurant, reservations required: www.castleintheclouds.org., 603-476-5900, 455 Old Mountain Rd., Moultonborough.

Wolfeboro Table Tennis, meets Wednesdays, 4 p.m., All Saints Church, Wolfeboro, all skill levels welcome, $5 admission charge each week, info: 603-5205651.

36th Annual Discover Wild New Hampshire Day

By Mike Moore

New Hampshire is home to countless outdoor enthusiasts. All the wildlife and nature make for a great place to raise a family. And the thousands of acres of serene beauty are also one of the primary reasons New Hampshire draws millions of visitors each year. For the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department and the Wildlife Heritage Foundation of New Hampshire, their 36th annual outdoor festival “Discover WILD New Hampshire Day” is a perfect and free opportunity to invite the community to experience a little of everything that our wooded wonderland has to offer. It has become so popular over the years, that it is one of the largest free events of its type in the state.

Back in the late 1980s when the idea emerged to encourage the communities to celebrate Earth Day and New Hampshire outdoor life, the first official event

drew a crowd in the dozens. Moving forward in time to April 18, 2026, the hosts of the event anticipate the crowd will be as robust as it has in recent years, potentially bringing in upwards of 8,000 to celebrate all the different aspects of outdoor life. The event starts at 10 am, concluding around 3 pm and will once again be held at the NH Fish and Game Headquarters in Concord. There will be over 100 booths set up providing visitors interactive experiences as well as a multitude of educational exhibits and demonstrations. The event brings in experts from a wide variety of fields. Year after year, attendees of the festival can learn about conservation from the NH Audubon, The NH Wildlife Federation, Millstone Wildlife Center, the Capital Area Beekeepers, and the UNH Cooperative Extension amongst others. For the bird lovers, the New Hampshire Falconers Association will return once again,

bringing various birds of prey along for everyone to see demonstrations up close. Rise and Shine Retrievers are a group that often participate in Discover Wild New Hampshire, impressing the crowds with how their well-trained labrador retrievers perform as a trusted hunting partner.

In the spirit of nature conservation and helping educate others about our wildlife heritage, Discover Wild NH welcomes dozens of experts from fields such as birding, archery, fishing, hiking, and hunting. The groups will be raffling off several outdoor experiences as prizes, with one of the more coveted being an exclusive hunting permit. The Wildlife Heritage group also has a popular raffle item, a scholarship for their BOW (Becoming an Outdoor Woman) program. With this prize, a woman of any age can learn how to fish, start a campfire, and hunt and gather food with no prior experience necessary. Some other prizes that are a big hit with the crowd are a ride-along with a Conservation Officer, attending a K9 training session with the Conservation team, a day canoeing along the Contoocook River, and a wildlife rehabilitation experience with local conservation experts.

Booths are set up with local conservation teams, biologists, the NH Department of Agriculture, and the Fish and Game conservation. Learn all about the efforts to save local fowl at the Loon Preservation Committee booth. Protect yourself during and after those peaceful summer walks in the woods by checking in on the Tick Free NH exhibit. The NH Snowmobile Association, and DMV offer rider safety seminars. The NH Audubon offers hourly presentations inside the Fish & Game building, with the many different types of animals that inhabit our region. Learn all about the Boys Scouts or Girl Scouts by visiting their booths. One of Fish and Game’s most appreciated allies in their quest to preserve our majestic wildlife and nature is the New Hampshire National Guard. Their black hawk helicopters play a pivotal role in saving the Karner blue butterflies, an endangered species in our region in addition to their help with search and rescue missions.

Fun is certain to be had for the whole family. In addition to the exhibits, demonstrations, and adorable animals, folks can get the chance to learn how to cast a fly-fishing rod from a pro, shoot a bow and arrow, and even try out the air rifle range. Adults and kids alike rave about the arts and crafts booths set up throughout the event. Kids particularly enjoy the “Let’s Go Fishing” exhibit, where they can learn all about the hobby and even get a chance to see some of the fish they might find when out angling here in the Lakes Region. There’s even a short nature walk for the whole family to enjoy the New Hampshire springtime. So many options packed into the festival is what keeps the large crowds returning every year. There is so much to see, that five hours isn’t nearly enough to get the whole experience, and those who’ve come to participate in the celebration certainly work up an appetite. But the days of having volunteers cooking up hamburgers and hot dogs are long gone for the Discover Wild NH festival. Food trucks are lined up alongside the festival area, serving crowd favorites throughout the entire five-hour event.

It’s been nearly two decades since the nonprofit group, the Wildlife Heritage Foundation of New Hampshire started its mission to promote, educate, and protect the great outdoor local traditions. Soon after the foundation started, the governor officially established their partnership with the NH Fish & Game. Raising funds for this state department is crucial to the New Hampshire habitat, as they share the same mission of preserving our beautiful land and its wild woodland residents. There are few better ways to celebrate spring and the idyllic nature of New Hampshire than spending the day with the family at Discover Wild New Hampshire on Saturday, April 18 from 10 am to 3 pm at Fish & Game’s headquarters in Concord (11 Hazen Drive). Other than the food trucks and the hunting/fishing license booths, the event is free, and all ages are welcome. Visit the Wildlife Heritage Foundation or the NH Fish & Game site for additional information about the event and the groups involved.

Makers Mill Offers Week of Creative April Vacation Workshops for Youth

Families looking for creative activities during April school vacation will find a full week of hands-on arts programming at Makers Mill. The nonprofit makerspace will host five youth workshops for ages 8–13 from Monday, April 27, through Friday, May 1, giving young makers the chance to explore painting, mixed media, printmaking, leatherworking, and more.

Each workshop runs from 10 am to 1:30 pm and includes a lunch break. Students may attend a single class or sign up for multiple days. Class sizes are intentionally small, limited to six students, to provide plenty of individual attention and hands-on learning.

The week begins Monday, April 27, with Fine Arts & Mixed Media, where students experiment with paint on canvas and add layered textures and materials to create dimensional artwork.

On Tuesday, April 28, the Decoupage Creations workshop introduces the art of layering paper cutouts, paint effects, and decorative elements such as gold leaf to create imaginative scenes sealed with Mod Podge.

The Wednesday, April 29, class, Printmaking Fun, teaches students how to carve their own design into a block and transform it into a reusable stamp, printing their artwork onto different surfaces.

On Thursday, April 30, Leatherworking Adventures invites students to craft a small leather pouch

and create a decorative backpack charm using dyes and stamping tools.

The week concludes on Friday, May 1, with Paint Your Pet, where students bring a photo of a favorite animal and learn how to recreate it on glass with their own creative flair.

All workshops are taught by Jennifer MacLean, a Makers Mill instructor known for her engaging and inclusive teaching style. MacLean leads the Leather Circle at Makers Mill and teaches a variety of youth art programs. Her back-

ground as an occupational therapist and speech-language pathologist informs her thoughtful, adaptive approach to working with young learners.

Each workshop costs $40 plus a $5 materials fee. Students should bring a lunch, snack, and drink in a sealable container. Makers Mill also participates in the ClassWallet program for K–12 students. If you plan to register using ClassWallet, please call Makers Mill directly to register, as the process is different.

To learn more and register, visit makersmill.org/aprilkids or call 603-569-1500.

Makers Mill is a nonprofit community makerspace located at 23 Bay Street in Wolfeboro. Free tours are offered every Friday and the first Saturday of each month at 10 am.

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@biglakepropertiesnh

Anniversary of Independence Is Focus of Meredith Program Series

Numerous programs related to the 250th birthday of American Independence will highlight the 2026 Speaker Series of the Meredith Historical Society, as well as other programs presented in collaboration with the Meredith Public Library.

Presented on the first Tuesday of each month from April through November, the society’s regular series this year also features programs ranging from the history of Lake Winnipesaukee ice-out to the story of a local minister’s son who became a Russian count to the history of Meredith Village’s mills.

“Our program offerings over the past several years have become increasingly popular and well attended,” said Society President John Hopper. “This year, in addition to including home-grown programs and offerings by NH Humanities, we have partnered with our local library to add even more offerings. Several will focus on issues of local and Lakes Region history. Other programs this year tie in with our nationwide observance of the Declaration of Independence’s 250th anniversary.”

Kicking off the society’s regular speaker series on Tuesday, April 7, will be “The Russian Count,” presented by Jewel Fox, a member of the Laconia Historical Society. She

will relate the tale of Peter (?) Williams, the son of Meredith’s first settled minister, who ended up being a nobleman in the court of Russia’s Czar Alexander I.

May’s program on the 5th will feature a talk on “The History of Winnipesaukee Ice-Out.” Appropriately, it will be presented by Dave Emerson of Emerson Aviation, whose firm has for years flown flights over the lake to determine the date and time of ice-out each spring.

Society President John Hopper will present a talk on August 4 on “Meredith Village Mill History,” tracking the many operations surrounding the Waukewan stream waterfall over the years. A new book by Hopper on the same topic is currently being prepared for publication, and the society is hopeful it will be available at this program.

October 6 will feature a talk titled “New Hampshire Marine Patrol on Winnipesaukee—Past to Present.” The presenter will be Captain Timothy Dunleavy (Ret.), program specialist with the New Hampshire Marine Patrol, who will inform listeners of the various challenges faced by the department over the years.

September, as has become a tradition, will feature the Meredith

Historical Society’s annual open house at its 45 Main Street Museum location. Members of the board of directors will serve up free hot dogs and ice cream, as well as offer tours of the museum. Save the date: Tuesday, September 1.

In addition to these programs, the society and the Meredith Public Library are combining resources to present a package of programs related to the 250th celebration of the United States as a country, grouped into the theme “Plant a Seed of Democracy.”

Kicking off the list is a program on Thursday, April 9, at the library at 6:30 pm. Michael Geanoulis will talk on the “Shot NOT Heard ’Round the World,” highlighting the historically significant events that took place at Portsmouth’s Fort William and Mary in December 1774.

Next up will be a program on Thursday, May 14, at 6 pm, at the library titled “Celebrating America’s Independence with… Beethoven?” Rudy VanVeghten, a member of the Historical Society’s board of directors, will discuss how the same Enlightenment philosophy that inspired the Declaration of Independence also influenced the music of Beethoven.

“Unpacking the Declaration of Independence: What It Meant Then and Now,” a New Hampshire Humanities Program, will take place at the library on Thursday, May 21, at 6 pm. Former New Hampshire Teacher of the Year David Alcox of Milford will be the presenter. Also co-sponsoring the program are the Friends of the Meredith Public Library.

Another NH Humanities Program comes next on Tuesday, June 2, at 7 pm at the Meredith Community Center. Historian George Morri-

son will present a talk titled “Who Was John Stark” about New Hampshire’s famous Revolutionary War hero.

On Thursday, June 4, at 6 pm, Jane Oneail will present “American Art at 250: Masterworks of a Nation” at the library. This program, cosponsored by the Friends of the Meredith Public Library, showcases the diverse voices and revolutionary spirits that have shaped American art across two and a half centuries.

Two costumed historical re-enactors will entertain program-goers with portrayals of Ben Franklin, by J.T. Turner on Thursday, June 11, at 6 pm, and of five Revolutionary-era women, by Rita Parisi on Thursday, June 18, at 6:30 pm at the library.

Historian Rudy VanVeghten will continue his Meredith Historical Society series on local participation in the American Revolution with a program on Tuesday, July 7, at 7 pm at the Community Center. Titled “Let Freedom Ring? or The Times that Try Men’s Souls?,” it will focus on various optimistic and pessimistic emotions that evolved during 1776.

Also from the catalog of NH Humanities programs will be “Redcoats and Rebels: New Hampshire and the American Revolution,” presented by Mary Adams of the New Hampshire Historical Society. She will talk about Paul Revere’s lesser-known ride to Portsmouth in December 1774. Program time on Thursday, July 9, is 6 pm at the library.

Closing out the country’s semi-quincentennial celebration locally will be a final NH Humanities program on Tuesday, Nov. 10, at 7 pm at the Community Center. Alan Hoffman will talk on “Lafayette and the Farewell Tour: Odyssey of an American Idol.”

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Yesteryear

Spring in the Lakes Region, 1925: Mud, Movies & Resilience

By Kathi Caldwell-Hopper

Springtime means flowers emerging, brighter sunshine, warmer air, longer days, and of course, muddy roads.

Today, spring is manageable and welcome after winter’s snow and cold, but in 1925, spring in the Lakes Region was quite different. People battled illness, slushy roads and boredom alleviated by an occasional town hall play or thrilling silent movie.

The May Festival and Dance on April 28, 1925, was a highlight for Meredith residents at the local Town Hall. Carroll’s Orchestra played, and Irene W. Simpson’s students demonstrated their dance skills.

For those who were feeling a bit winter weary, a trip to the “pictures” as they were called back then (the movies) could offer relief. The Meredith area’s Premier Theatre offered the

thrilling “The Ridin’ Kid From Power River” with cowboy star Hoot Gibson. Also offered was, according to an advertisement, star Betty Compson in “Ramshackle House,” the movie so popular that movie buffs everywhere had asked to see again.

Tough winter and springtime driving meant extra issues if you owned a car in 1925. The April 15, 1925, issue of The Meredith News ran a story with information on “winter in a rainstorm.”

The article advised drivers to park their cars with the engine facing uphill in case of a rainstorm. This would prevent water from running over the dashboard and hood of the car; instead, it would run off the top of the car, leaving no streaks when the car dried. (This was long before the convenience of a drivethrough car wash.)

Spring clothing was on everyone’s

minds, and stores were stocking up for the spring season. Grad’s of Meredith offered ladies’ spring coats, hats, dresses, and dress materials for those who preferred to sew their own garments. The men could choose from powder-blue overcoats, suits, caps, and hats, or new trouser styles.

On the other side of the region, H.W. Quimby Dry & Fancy Goods offered new spring styles. An April 1925 Bristol Enterprise ad promised the latest styles and colors, and new millinery each week.

Ice-out on Lake Winnipesaukee is always a fun event, and many locals read with interest a newspaper report that the ice was officially out on the lake on April 11, 1925. The story warned local fish to beware of eager fishermen!

a highly unusual place for a whale to be, as large fish were seldom in that river area. The article stated, “It was believed the monster fish came into the river chasing a school of fish.”

For housewives looking to freshen up their home after the long winter when woodstove smoke probably darkened walls, the Cavis Bros. Co., located in downtown Bristol, had the solution. In a large front-page advertisement in the April 2, 1925, Bristol Enterprise, readers were assured they could get a new, durable surface with Kyanize Enamel paint. In particular, Kyanize Floor Enamel would produce good results, creating a fresh, durable surface. It would also dry overnight, and housewives could choose from nine attractive colors.

Winter held the area in its grip and would not let go, with many suffering from the flu or, as it was known then, the “grippe.” Many area citizens battled the illness into April.

Freak springtime snowstorms often hit the Lakes Region; in 1925, one such storm dropped 15 inches. Those weary of winter sighed as they began shoveling their driveways.

An ad in the April 22, 1925, issue of The Meredith News urged readers to attend a comedy-drama play in four acts. The play took place on April 30 at Meredith Town Hall, featuring actors from Meredith High School. The ad assured readers that “The Road to the City” was “a great play” and well worth attending.

In the April 2, 1925, Bristol Enterprise, readers were reminded that Easter was only 12 days away and that they should have a new Easter hat.

Local clubs were plentiful in days gone by; some sources state that the Laconia Rotary Club was chartered in 1925. The club still exists and is going strong in Laconia to this day.

Although not in the Lakes Region, it was big news when, on March 28, 1925, a 20-ft. whale was sighted on the Piscataqua River. An article in the April 2, 1925, issue of the Bristol Enterprise told readers that the whale was sighted “playing” in the river. This was

Bristol was a small town and in the 1920s, a close-knit community. Entertainment was difficult in the long winter months, but springtime brought a thawing of the roads and sidewalks, making it easier to get out and socialize. One such entertainment was a three-act comedy at the Bristol Town Hall in late March of 1925. The Bristol Enterprise headline stated the play was “Wonderfully Well Staged by Amateurs.” The play was “The Colonel’s Maid,” and it took a lot of practice to bring forth the entertainment that was “longer and more difficult than is often attempted by amateurs.” However, it went off in “most excellent shape.” During intermission, homemade candy was for sale by the Philathea class of the Sunday school.

Bristol also offered thrilling movies in the Lyric Theatre amusement center. On April 2, 1925, the movie “Robin Hood” played with a starring role played by popular actor Douglas Fairbanks. Buck Jones, also a popular actor at the time, starred in “The Man Who Played Square” on April 4, and silent star Pola Negri starred in the April 6 film “Shadows of Paris.”

A few years later, in April of 1930, it was reported that the Passaconaway

• Yesteryear continued on page 24

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• Yesteryear continued from page 22

Road was busy: a local woman was seen with her horse and wagon, and on a Sunday, a local man was out with his horse and wagon, suggesting that springtime must be on the way. (Although automobiles were becoming more widespread, many country folk still made use of the horse and wagon, especially during the muddy days of spring.)

If you were feeling unwell, perhaps with a spring cold, you could turn to an extract of cod liver oil and malt, available at many drug stores. One such store, Ward and Poole Pharmacists, offered the tonic in a large bottle. It was advertised as a valuable tonic and tissue builder and a necessary Spring Tonic.

Snowstorms were still occurring around the Lakes Region in the 1920s, and in Moultonborough, the Reporter related that a Pomona Grange meeting in Wolfeboro was postponed due to a major storm. It was further reported that 12 men were needed to shovel a local Moultonborough road. A snowplow broke the trail, and the men commenced shoveling, a quite harrowing task.

No matter what Lakes Region area a resident called home, springtime in the 1920s and 1930s might mean deep snow when everyone was hoping for sunshine, daffodils, and warm weather. Locals banded together, enjoyed movies and local plays, took their spoonful of tonic to boost their cold-weather health, and soldiered on until summertime rolled around once again.

Artist Linda Hefner at Gafney

During April, the Gafney Library, in Sanbornville, NH, will be displaying an exhibit of works by local artist Linda Hefner.

Hefner is known for her vibrant acrylic paintings of historical New England barns and architecture. Hefner’s love of endangered Americana is rooted in the past, including her own: she spent formative years of her childhood among enduring one-room schoolhouses and pre-Civil War barns near her father’s mink farm in rural Maine. Hefner’s fascination with the untold stories and bygone integrity of her subjects informs her distinctive work, which has appeared in The New Yorker and Harper’s Bazaar

Hefner shared that “Classic New England architecture is a dying breed. My work celebrates the endangered beauty of old New England barns, schoolhouses, and grange halls, and by extension, the rural communities that depended upon them for daily survival. I build my paintings up slowly and meticulously, focusing on accuracy and fine detail as well as on the play between light and shadow. These wonderful handmade buildings have so much beauty and

strength, and I want to invite viewers to share in that with me and to appreciate these monuments of a vanished time before they’re gone.”

Hefner will be presenting an exhibit that displays clear-eyed paintings in acrylic, which are painstakingly drafted on fine, prepared birch boards sanded to an eggshell finish, and seem a rebuke to the blur of contemporary life. Other pieces include sanded birch panels and prints. For more information, you can visit her website, www.lindahefnerfineartist.com.

The exhibit is open and free, and the public is encouraged to visit the library and explore. Library hours are Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, 12 pm to 7 pm, Friday 9 to 2, and Saturday, 9 am to 1 pm. Please join Hefner for an artist meet and greet on Saturday, April 18, from 10 am to noon, where she will be happy to meet members of the public and talk about her exhibit. Refreshments will be available.

For more information, please contact Gafney Library at 603-522-3401 or visit www.gafneylibrary.org. The Gafney is located at 14 High Street in Sanbornville.

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Ducks Unlimited Committee Sets Dinner Date

The Daniel Webster Chapter of Ducks Unlimited will hold its thirtyseventh annual dinner banquet auction on Saturday, April 11, at 4:30 pm, at The Franklin Lodge of Elks on 125 South Main Street in Franklin, New Hampshire. James Cropsey is the Area Chairman this year. Nearly 6,200 local Ducks Unlimited fundraising events throughout the country contribute towards Ducks Unlimited’s national fundraising effort, achieving 88% efficiency, resulting in 88 cents of each dollar raised being spent on wetland acquisition or improvement. Each year, the United States loses some 140,000 acres of wetland habitat. Since its inception, Ducks Unlimited has raised over one billion dollars and enhanced and restored nearly 15 million habitat acres, encompassing over 15,000 wetland projects, in an effort to reverse this destructive trend. Prime wetlands sequester more carbon than any other habitat with 0.39 metric tons on average per acre each year! DU’s projects provide habitat for over 600 wildlife species, including ducks, geese, and endangered or threatened species like the whooping crane and

bald eagle. While Ducks Unlimited has accomplished a great deal since its founding in 1937, the rapid draining of our wetlands demands that the organization continue to accelerate its work. Efforts like those of the Daniel Webster Chapter are a vital part of Ducks Unlimited’s efforts. Order your tickets for cash or check today! Dinner tickets cost $100 for an individual and $120 for a couple, while youths under 18 years of age are $65. All attending youths win prizes. Sponsor tickets are $325 for an individual ticket. Sponsors will have a 1 in 8 chance of winning a gun of their choice from a vast selection. Sponsors need not be present to win. Buy a table of 8 for $900 and receive the choice of a Traditions scoped muzzle loading rifle or a Traditions 1851 Colt Navy Revolver Reproduction! To purchase tickets or for information on how you can support Ducks Unlimited’s program of wetlands conservation, contact Steve Saulten at 603-289-2109 or Jim Cropsey at 603-286-9633. You may also order online at www.ducks. org.

Going to Work: The Delights of an Artist’s Studio

By Kathi Caldwell-Hopper

Some artists paint in loft spaces, some in rented studios, while others transform a room in their home into a place to paint and draw.

A dedicated studio is essential for artists committed to their practice. Whether it is a large custom space, a rented room, or a converted bedroom, the studio’s design and environment directly impact an artist’s ability to create and grow.

Among these dedicated creators are two professional artists from the area, who both live, work, and display their art in the Lakes Region as well as other locations beyond.

Kathryn Field of Field Fine Art Gallery on Taylor Road in Sandwich has created a beautiful, spacious studio and a unique art gallery. Her painting practice is a full-time job, and the walk of just a few steps from her home to her studio is a short commute she enjoys.

For Kathryn, the studio is her workplace—a job she embraces. She is a painter and sculptor, and she also creates jewelry in other media.

Her studio and gallery in Sandwich, New Hampshire, are where Kathryn creates her own art, offers classes, and displays her work in a distinctive and attractive environment. She provides several painting easels for students and ample room for painters to choose whether to stand or sit while working.

Her spacious studio has large tables where she can spread out as she works.

The tables are also used when Kathryn hosts art classes for students of all ages.

“When I offer a class such as stained glass, we work outside,” Kathryn adds.

“My classes range from one hour for children to three hours for an adult drawing class to a full-day class. I also offer a few two-day classes. (To see a list of upcoming classes, visit www. fieldfineart.net.)

Any artist would be impressed—and a bit envious—of Kathryn’s studio and gallery. The spacious 1,000 sq. ft. studio, built in 1992 as a barn, is now insulated and heated by a woodstove in winter. The studio’s abundant light comes from high-set windows that let sunlight filter in while maximizing wall space for Kathryn’s diverse works.

A few beautiful bronze sculptures are placed in strategic spots around the

room as well, and the walls are covered with Kathryn’s finished paintings of all sizes and subject matter.

Kathryn and her husband, Leo Dwyer, who helped construct both the studio and Sculpture Gallery, ensured that every detail was considered in the thoughtfully designed spaces. The peaceful setting is in the countryside of Sandwich. Kathryn feels fortunate that her husband, a skilled woodworker, creates all the frames for her paintings and assists when installing sculptures in public spaces. Her artwork covers the walls and is available for clients interested in pieces for their home. Some visitors come in simply to view the variety of her paintings and sculptures or to participate in a class.

Near the original studio/teaching space and Gallery, a second beautiful

art gallery on the second floor showcases Kathryn’s bronze and stainless steel-sculptures and paintings. The work is in a unique setting. A roomy gallery with solid oak wood flooring allows her sculptures plenty of space to be seen, while a mock living space adjacent to the gallery is a clever way to showcase how paintings would look in a home.

The “apartment” is a pristine showroom with bedrooms, bathrooms, a kitchen, and a living area decorated with elegantly casual furnishings. Here, Kathryn displays her paintings and sculptures so clients can see how the artwork looks in a home setting.

In the studio area, there is a modest space that Kathryn calls “the store.” It is here that she offers moderately priced jewelry she has made and gift cards featuring some of her painted scenes. It allows visitors to take home a bit of Field Fine Art until their next visit.

Whether you visit or attend an art class at Field Fine Art Gallery, expect to be fully engaged in a unique environment. For Kathryn, entering her studio each day feels like living her dream—yet it also demands ongoing dedication as a professional artist. A very different but equally thoughtful studio solution was designed by artist Margery Thomas-Mueller of Alton, New Hampshire. Like many artists, she wondered where to create a space for supplies and large works.

and

Retired from running an interior design business in New York City, Margery moved to Alton with her husband, Bob Mueller, in 2011. Though their home was comfortable, it lacked dedicated art space.

Margery knew a studio would be vital to pursuing her art. “I studied fine art and practiced it while running my interior design firm. After closing the business and moving here, I could finally work full-time as an artist.”

“Bob was thinking about buying land to build a barn where he could have storage space for his vehicles. I suggested he make the barn two stories, so I could have an art studio upstairs,” Margery recalls.

She wanted to pursue painting fulltime and knew she needed to make it a reality. “I wanted to paint full-time, and the barn offered a chance to create a studio where I could go every day to explore art.”

The barn took about 1 1/2 years to build. First, the couple found a perfect spot for land two miles from home. Margery praises the architect, a New York City friend she worked with often when running her interior design business and whose work she trusted.

There were considerations to address, such as meeting residential zoning criteria. This meant a structure with a bathroom, a bedroom, and a kitchen.

The downstairs space would serve as a place to store vehicles and as a gathering area for Bob and his fellow antique boat enthusiasts to discuss boats and cars.

Upstairs became what could serve as an apartment with a kitchen area,

a living space, bedrooms, and a bathroom. It is in this place that Margery has turned the rooms into an art studio where she goes daily to paint, or, as she refers to her career as an artist, to “work.”

The space is thoughtfully designed and bathed in light. It is warm and welcoming, naturally lifting one’s spirits. Books line the shelves, and easy chairs beckon readers to linger for hours.

In the open studio space where Margery paints floor-to-ceiling-high work on a special smooth paper called Yupo, creativity is everywhere. One can see the thought that went into the room’s design, with plenty of places for tables laden with paintbrushes, a large work table, chairs, and, of course, the walls, which serve as giant easels.

“The space lets me go big with my paintings,” Margery says. The barn studio sits quietly in the country. Margery said it took about a year to adjust to her new career and focus. “Now, I work in the studio about five or six hours a day.”

Recently, she has been working on large Yupo paper paintings that combine watercolors, graphite, and ink. The series is called “Don’t Lose the Beauty While Trudging Through the Mud,’ perhaps referring to the current state of the world.

When Margery hosted Patricia Ladd Carega (owner of Patricia Ladd Carega Gallery in Sandwich, New Hampshire) for a studio visit, her workspace made it easy to show her paintings. Patricia could see Margery’s large paintings on the studio walls, rather than Margery transporting them to the Sandwich gal-

lery.

When planning the studio, the architect wanted to give Margery ample storage, but Margery, smiling, explains she was more interested in wall space at the time: “I didn’t realize I would go so big with my painting, but once I did, I knew I needed a big space.”

Storage of her finished pieces was problematic until she found a simple solution. She laughs as she explains that, in her past interior design business, she saw architects make plot plans, roll them up, and store them in large barrels. Margery now does the same with her large Yupo paper paintings. She identifies each work by putting a photo of the painting on the outside of the roll. She uses many inks and watercolors, and her collection of paint brushes is large, but she has found room for everything in her studio.

Lighting is a key part of creating a studio. Margery’s workroom features large hanging lanterns. Initially, the bulbs were too weak to provide adequate light. The architect resolved this

by installing LED lights.

Margery, like many creative people, loves books. She ensured there were bookshelves and said, shaking her head, “I could always use more space for all my books!”

Margery suggests those planning a studio consider: 1. Good light; 2. The scale of your work and the needed space; 3. Physical comfort, with a chair, sofa, or other seating, and ensuring the space is inviting and comfortable.

In a beautiful studio, Margery relishes “going to work” each day, spending up to six hours painting. The private country setting fosters work, relaxation, and contemplation.

“I love the studio I have,” she says. “I hope to keep making more work in this great place.”

Margery will be having a show at the Carega Gallery this summer, and the public is invited to view her work.

To see the paintings of Margery Thomas-Mueller, visit www.margerythomasmueller.com.

Call for Art! Kids Exhibit at Lakes Region Art Association

Lakes Region Art Association is thrilled to announce a call for art submissions for our upcoming Youth Art Show, celebrating the creativity of young artists from kindergarten through 12th grade. Homeschoolers are warmly welcome to participate! Pre-register at https://forms.gle/ JEzQdQbMyaQSdNqB6

This exciting exhibition provides a professional gallery setting for children and teens to showcase their talents. One piece per child, with all submissions required to be 11 x 14 inches, unframed. Artwork will be accepted in a variety of media, including: Acrylic, Oil, Pastel, Oil Pastel, Watercolor, Digital (no AI-generated art)

Photography

Entries will be grouped and judged by grade level:

K–2nd Grade, 3rd–5th Grade, 6th–8th

Grade, 9th–12th Grade

Prizes will be awarded in each group!

Drop-off Dates: May 2 & 3, 2026 (during gallery hours)

Reception & Awards Ceremony: May 9, 2026, 4 to 6 pm.

Location: Lakes Region Art Gallery, 120 Laconia Rd, Suite #300, Tilton, NH (Tanger Outlets)

“We can’t wait to see the incredible imagination and skill of our young artists on display,” says Sherwood Frazier, President. “This show is a wonderful opportunity to inspire creativity and build confidence in the next generation.”

Submissions are free and open to all young artists in the community. For more details or questions, visit www. lakesregionartgallery.org/ or contact Stephanie@mcquadefinearts.com.

285 Daniel Webster Hwy, Meredith 603-677-7007 www.MeredithLanding.com

MEREDITH: Professional Office Space for Lease!

Located in downtown Meredith, this 1st floor 940+/- sq ft space has onsite parking, RT 3 signage, plus Lake Winnipesaukee views in a great location close to everything and suited for many occupations!

MLS #5076103 $1,850/mth+

MEREDITH: Retail/Commercial Space for Lease!

Retail/Office Condo available along busy NH Rt 25 featuring 644 sq ft including a kitchen and bathroom. Great signage on this high traffic count road for added exposure. Bring your commercial ideas to this great unit!

MLS #5079660 $1,895/mth+

New Hampshire Farm Museum Joins Museums for All Program

The New Hampshire Farm Museum in Milton, New Hampshire, is pleased to announce that it has joined Museums for All, a signature access program of the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) administered by the Association of Children’s Museums (ACM). The program encourages people of all backgrounds to visit museums regularly and build lifelong museum-going habits. Jonathan Hotchkiss, NHFM Executive Director, said that he is pleased to announce this partnership on behalf of the museum.

The program supports those receiving food assistance (SNAP) benefits visiting The New Hampshire Farm Museum for a minimal fee of $5.00 per person, up to 4 people, with the presentation of a SNAP Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card. Similar free and reduced admission is available to eligible members of the public at more than 1,350 museums across the country. Museums for All is part of The New Hampshire Farm Museum’s broad commitment to seek, include, and welcome all.

Museums for All helps expand ac-

cess to museums and also helps raise awareness about how museums in the United States are reaching their entire communities. More than 1,350 institutions participate in the initiative, including art, children’s museums, science centers, botanical gardens, zoos, history museums, and more. Participating museums are located nationwide, representing all fifty states!

The Institute of Museum and Library Services is the primary source of federal support for the nation’s 123,000 libraries and 35,000 museums. Their mission is to inspire libraries and museums to advance innovation, lifelong learning, and cultural and civic engagement. Their grant-making, policy development, and research help libraries and museums deliver valuable services that make it possible for communities and individuals to thrive.

The New Hampshire Farm Museum is located at 1305 White Mountain Highway in Milton. Additional information about the farm, its events, and planning a visit can be found at nhfarmmuseum.org.

Winter Issue Now Available Dining Out in the Lakes Region Available at Hundreds of Locations around the Lakes Region!

Squam Lakes Association Announces April Lineup of Creative and Conservation-Themed Programs

The Squam Lakes Association (SLA) invites community members of all ages to explore creativity, ecology, and conservation through a series of engaging April programs as part of its Adventure Ecology initiative. These free, handson events are designed to inspire participants to see the natural world—and their role within it—in new and meaningful ways.

Kicking off the month, “The Art of Upcycling” will be held on Wednesday, April 8, from 4 to 7 pm at the SLA barn. In a world where the average American produces nearly five pounds of waste per day—and only about a third is recycled or composted—this drop-in workshop challenges participants to rethink what we throw away. Led by Lakes Region Conservation Corps AmeriCorps member Macie Kane, attendees will transform everyday discarded materials such as bottle caps, aluminum cans, plastic lids, and old electronics into imaginative sculptures, mosaics, and characters. All materials will be provided, though participants are encouraged to bring clean recyclables from home. The program is open to all, regardless of artistic experience, and emphasizes creativity without rules.

On Wednesday, April 15, from 1 to 3 pm, SLA will host “Life Under Glass: DIY Biosphere in a Jar.” This interactive program explores the fascinating science behind self-sustaining ecosystems. Participants will begin with a guided walk around the SLA campus to collect natural materials, then learn how to layer them inside a glass container to create a miniature, living world capable of recycling its own air and water. Attendees are encouraged to wear clothing suitable for outdoor exploration and may bring a clean, clear jar with a tight-fitting lid if they wish. The program offers a hands-on opportunity to better understand how ecosys-

tems function—both on a small scale and within the broader Squam watershed.

Rounding out the series, SLA will celebrate the start of National Park Week with “Conservation & Cinema: Lessons from Jellystone” on Saturday, April 18, from 12 to 2 pm. This family-friendly program begins with a “Ranger Briefing” on the mission of the National Park Service, followed by an interactive screening of Yogi Bear During the film, children will sketch plants and animals and evaluate outdoor behaviors using “Ranger Report Cards.” The program concludes with a discussion connecting the fictional world of Jellystone to real-life conservation efforts in the Squam watershed. Designed especially for children ages eight and under, the event encourages early environmental stewardship. Children must be accompanied by an adult, and snacks and coloring materials will be provided.

All programs will take place at the Squam Lakes Association, located at 534 US Route 3 in Holderness, NH. These events are free and open to the public.

For more information or to register, visit squamlakes.org or contact the Squam Lakes Association at 603-9687336.

The Squam Lakes Association is dedicated to conserving, for public benefit, the natural beauty, peaceful character, and resources of the watershed. In collaboration with local and state partners, SLA promotes the protection, careful use, and shared enjoyment of the lakes, mountains, forests, open spaces, and wildlife of the Squam Lakes Region. Through programs like Adventure Ecology, SLA continues to connect people of all ages with the environment and foster a deeper appreciation for the natural world.

2026

Special Events

New Hampshire Day Spring 5/9, Fall 11/1

Member Solstice 6/24

Movie Night 7/22

Nature for Everyone Barn Bash 7/16

Animal Birthday Bash 8/12

Annual Meeting & Summer Social 8/6

Raptor Migration Celebration 9/19

Grandparents Day 10/3

Howl O Ween 10/24

New August BioBlitz events weekly!

Science Lecture Series

Live Animal Trail open daily

May 1 - November 1

Guided Squam Lake Cruises

Mid-May - Mid-October

Guided Discoveries Camps April Break & Summer

Wolfeboro Friends of Music Presents “Daniel Kelly Jazz Trio”

Wolfeboro Friends of Music is thrilled to continue their 90th season, and will be welcoming the Daniel Kelly Jazz Trio for “Shakespeare in Jazz” on Friday, April 17, 7 pm at the First Congregational Church on Main Street, in Wolfeboro.

Daniel Kelly is one of America’s great jazz pianists, a talented composer, and a jazz educator who has been called “stunningly original” with “a visionary imagination.” His music draws inspiration from literature, visual art, and journalism, captivating audiences across the country. A prolific composer and tireless musical explorer, Kelly continually seeks out new avenues for his creativity. In this wonderfully

expressive concert, Mr. Kelly and his artistic colleagues present original compositions inspired by the works of William Shakespeare, for piano, voice, and percussion. The music displays Daniel’s artistically integrated and innovative creative work.

Kelly is the recipient of the Chamber Music America/ASCAP Adventurous Programming Award, Chamber Music America Residency Partnership Grant, New York State Arts Council Individual Artist Grant, and the Aaron Copland Fund. He is the co-founder and co-Artistic Director of Connection Works, an artist-run non-profit organization based in Brooklyn, NY. Kelly has toured throughout Southeast Asia and India

as part of the Kennedy Center and US State Department-sponsored Jazz Ambassador program.

The Wolfeboro Friends of Music share a 90-year commitment to important traditions in American music. Jazz is a uniquely American form; a glimpse into our creative soul!

This is the seventh of nine concert performances comprising the current WFOM season running through June. 90 years of artistic excellence in service to NH’s Lakes Region and the entire state of New Hampshire and beyond!

“Experience, Learn, Share, The Joy of Music Lives Here!” Season sponsors make Wolfeboro

Book Yourself a BingeBundle from Meredith Public Library

People who wish they could have their own personal librarian will love the BingeBundle service offered by the Meredith Public Library. Librarians individually curate books, audiobooks, and DVDs specifically for patrons who sign up for the service. In addition to the library media, librarians add a surprise snack or gift (goodies sponsored by the Friends of the Library) into each

BingeBundle bag as well.

It’s easy to get started. Library card holders can sign up at the library website (www.MeredithLibrary.org) by clicking on the Services tab and then choosing Other Services, and finally BingeBundle Request. Patrons are also welcome to come into the library and ask for a paper questionnaire. The short questions determine a par-

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Friends of Music possible: Diana and Greg Jonas, Paul Zimmerman, Susan and James Scarborough, John Sandeen and Diane Wasmuth, The Kalled Gallery, Bradley’s Hardware, Carroll County Landscape, and YFI Custom Homes.

Tickets are available for $39.50 at the exciting new website: wfriendsofmusic.org, or by email at: info@ wfriendsofmusic.org, and at the door on the day of the concert. High School and Middle School students will be admitted free of charge. Children accompanied by an adult ticket purchaser will be admitted free of charge. For additional information, visit us at: www.wfriendsofmusic.org.

ticipant’s taste in books, movies, and snacks. The librarians then use that information to make personal choices for each participant. When the BingeBundle is ready for pickup, the library will contact the patron. (This can take up to a week after the card has been turned in or the form filled out online.)

It’s also easy to keep the BingeBundles coming monthly. When returning the reading or viewing materials, recipients simply also return the individual

comment card included in every Bundle and check off a desire to receive a Bundle the next month. The feedback helps the librarians refine the choices for the next monthly bundle. If a patron prefers to wait to receive a Bundle at some time in the future, he or she can indicate that on the feedback card, wait to submit the card at a future date, or initiate the request on the website in the future.