Crafted to Last: The Art of Leatherworking at Silver Ridge Leather
By Kathi Caldwell-Hopper
There is something about a finely crafted belt, bag, or other item made from leather.
Oliver Bond, the owner of Silver Ridge Leather in Plymouth, New Hampshire, would agree with that sentiment. “I became fascinated with leatherworking when I realized how durable and dependable handmade leather goods can be. A well-made bag or belt can last for decades and develop character as it ages, which is something you rarely see with modern, mass-produced products.”
Oliver grew up in central New Hampshire – specifically the Laconia and Plymouth areas and has spent the majority of his life in this part of the state.
Interestingly, Oliver learned the leather-making process from his grandmother, Susan Bishop, who has been doing leather work since she lived in Arkansas in the 1970s. (This was a time period when handmade items were coming into their own, and such goods as leather items were gaining in popularity.)
Oliver remembers, “My makeshift apprenticeship lasted for a couple of years, and now I have carved out my own niche specializing in bags, belts, and wallets.”
The variety of bags, wallets, and belts that Oliver has created have a distinctive style. The leather is quality, and some items have a weathered look reminiscent of days gone by, and some have a distinct customized look,
such as detailed images of items like a cross on the front and back. Some wallets are trifold, while others are bifold, and some are ultra-thin. A money clip is also available.
As for bags, the artisan’s briefcase has an antique look with a weathered finish. It is durable for everyday use while being eye-catching. The Classic Tote is hand-stitched from chrome tan leather and is very durable. One could imagine a woman using such a tote for a business or even an everyday or casual event.
Creativity and customization are bywords at Silver Ridge Leather. Case in point is a custom-made art supply bag,
biggest factors is the type of leather I use. I always recommend that people look for full-grain leather with solid edges rather than thin, layered leather over a synthetic backing. Good leather should age gracefully and develop character over time rather than crack, flake, or peel apart,” he explains.
“For thousands of years, humanity has utilized leather as a material for items ranging from clothing to upholstery to musical instruments. Leather provides a durable material that is able to stand the test of time AND wear,” relays www.silverridgeleather.com
“Working from a small studio in a repurposed barn on my family’s property is the place I use for nearly all of my work,” Oliver adds. Concentration is required to create the finished leather pieces, and Oliver does not scrimp in the creative part of his work.
finely crafted and made to look like a WWII Swiss medic bag. It is a thing of beauty, utterly unique while also being utilitarian.
Having grown as an artisan over the years, Oliver recalls his very first pieces as “a few wallets that I got from pre-gathered kits, as well as a large book bag project that I built from scratch.”
Looking at Oliver’s beautiful handmade leather items, it is clear he has come a long way from beginner to true craftsman. “Over the years, I have learned many techniques for creating pieces that are both beautiful and durable enough to last decades. One of the
“I like to create patterns whenever I can, which is often, as people frequently come to me with ideas for a bag or wallet that I can turn into a reality. I have a wide selection of leather types for bags, all full or top-grain leather, that I show to customers. Each different type comes with a different look and feel, and each is top quality.
“For belts, I have always disliked the flimsy, sub-par quality leather belts that you find in many stores. I cut my belts from thick veg-tanned saddle skirting, which is a dense, full-grain leather designed for strength and longevity. The
• Leather continued on page 4
An artisan briefcase has a weathered look. (Courtesy photo)
Granite VNA Hospice Home & Garden Tour Returns to the Lakes Region July 15
Granite VNA’s Hospice Home & Garden Tour has become an annual can’t-miss summer event in the Lakes Region. This year’s tour showcases five beautiful, historic properties in Alton and Wolfeboro that are sure to “wow” visitors. The self-guided tour takes place on Wednesday, July 15, from 10 am to 4 pm, and welcomes attendees to stroll through lush gardens, enjoy elegant interiors, and explore the history behind each unique property.
“Whether you are visiting the Lakes Region for the day or a week, or if you live here, this tour should be on your calendar! Experiencing these unique homes, gardens, and beautiful surroundings is simply the perfect way to spend a summer day,” said Granite VNA volunteer and tour committee co-chair Karen Haskell. “We are incredibly grateful to the property owners who open their doors to visitors and support Granite VNA community hospice services. We also owe a big thank you to our more than 75 volunteers, sponsors, and others, who make the tour possible. We can’t wait to welcome you into these gems of the Lakes Region.”
2026 Hospice Home & Garden Tour featured homes:
Home One, on the edge of Roberts Cove, offers a stunning interior featuring furnishings and décor from the southeast United States. The open-concept home features large living areas with scenic water views and a four-season porch providing a comfortable herb garden overlook. The home accommodates 18 people and comfortably welcomes large gatherings for relaxation in the walk-out game room or on the stone patio adjacent to the private beach where two docks offer direct lake access and a view of Rattle-
snake Island.
Home Two, a warm lakefront retreat, blends craftsmanship, creativity, and a deep appreciation for the past set against stunning views of Lake Winnipesaukee. Antique clocks, sewing machines, glass bottles, and repurposed treasures are woven throughout the home, alongside custom reclaimed wood pieces. The first-floor studio provides space for quilting, sewing, knitting, and crocheting. Now suited for modern living, the home is built on the site of a 1940s camp, which is honored with original stone from the property as part of the lakeside patio. Filled with reclaimed materials, vintage accents, and transom windows, this home draws from both the past and the present.
Home Three, once a rustic Camp Dewitt cottage, has been transformed into a light-filled retreat blending family history and timeless design. An open kitchen invites visitors to convene around a large island while artisan lighting, drawer pulls, and playful farm animal accents bring the home together. A piece by Maine artist Sarah Madeira Day brings a whimsical feeling to the family room, complementing the original exposed beams, cozy textures, and ample sunlight that dapples every room.
Home Four is a lakeside getaway, also situated on the site of Camp DeWitt. Since the home was last featured, the first floor has been refurbished to expand the living space, the kitchen has been updated to accommodate a breakfast bar and comfortable seating, and a screen porch has been transformed into a sunroom for year-round enjoyment. The home showcases the owner’s acclaimed artwork created in her off-site studio, and is thoughtfully decorated with photos of antique boats, a collec-
tion of banjos, and a gorgeous piano.
Home Five, just two miles from Home Four, houses Home Four’s offsite art studio and temperature-controlled vintage racing boat workshop. The owner’s artwork focuses on abstract landscapes done with watercolor on Yupo paper, a synthetic plastic surface that allows for bright colors and flexible techniques. In the boat workshop, visitors will find three vintage speedboats - Illusion and Compulsion, replicas of Gar Wood race boats originally built in the 1930s, and Sassy, a Jersey Speed Skiff.
Tickets for the Hospice Home & Garden Tour are on sale now for $55 each, and guests are encouraged to purchase tickets in advance – the tour often sells out. Tickets are available online and at Black’s Paper & Gift
• Leather continued from page 3
leather is a single solid piece rather than a layered material with fillers or a synthetic backing. Veg tanned leather is also perfect for dying different colors and inscribing designs, which I do as well,” he goes on to say.
Some of the reasons for using quality leather, according to Oliver’s website (www.silverridgeleather.com), are that it is all-natural, long-lasting even under extreme wear, very customizable, and a great choice for toughness, fashion, and customizability.
Many items are created by Oliver, and this includes belts, wallets, handbags, ID wallets, knife sheaths, slings, gun holsters and straps, hair clips, bookmarks, and even leather armor.
Shop (cash sales only), 8 South Main Street in Wolfeboro. All proceeds benefit Granite VNA community hospice services.
In 2025, Granite VNA made 111,331 visits to 6,096 home care patients in their homes, facilities, and retirement communities, as well as 28,176 visits to 799 hospice patients in their homes, assisted living communities, retirement communities, and skilled nursing facilities, and 11,507 visits to 419 patients at Granite VNA Hospice House in Concord. Proceeds from the Hospice Home & Garden Tour directly benefit this work.
For additional information about the 2026 Hospice Home & Garden Tour, and to purchase tickets, visit www. granitevna.org/hometour.
cut using a round blade. I have a couple of mechanized tools for smoothing and sanding edges to ensure a high quality. Everything is done by hand.”
A customer who comes to Oliver with an idea in mind for a leather belt or bag is someone who respects the craft. Rather than saving time by going to a store and purchasing a simple leather item, the discerning customer would rather work with Oliver and give him the time to make a durable, beautiful, and long-lasting item. He says, “The majority of projects I work on are custom orders. I also enjoy repair and restoration work because it allows old leather items to continue being used rather than thrown away.”
According to the website (www.silverridgeleather.com) “At Silver Ridge Leather, we use only high-quality genuine cowhide, pigskin, and deerskin. Every piece of our premium veg-tan leather is hand–carved by skilled artisans, then individually hand–painted, dyed, and professionally finished using top–tier equipment.”
The tools for creating leather bags, belts, and other items are many and different, from a simple hammer or screwdriver. Like any project that is made by a skilled craftsman, the tools are specialized. Oliver says, “I use a variety of old-fashioned tools for my leatherworking. All of my pieces are hand-stitched with needle and cord and
Those who attend the yearly Sandwich Fair in October have likely seen Oliver’s work, which he sells there. For those looking for Oliver’s leather-made goods, they can also find his work through word of mouth and on his website, where there are some showcased items. “Most of my business comes through local word of mouth and the communities I’ve grown up around here in New Hampshire,” he explains.
When asked where he hopes to take his business as time goes by, Oliver muses, “In the future, I hope to continue refining my skills while keeping Silver Ridge Leather small enough that I can personally maintain the quality and craftsmanship of every piece.”
Visit www.silverridgeleather.com or call 603-707-7680.
World-Renowned Chanticleer to Perform in Wolfeboro
Great Waters Summer Concerts has just announced that the world-renowned Chanticleer will perform at the First Congregational Church (115 S. Main Street) in Wolfeboro on Friday, July 24. This GRAMMY® Award-winning vocal ensemble based in San Francisco is known as an “orchestra of voices and has performed thousands of concerts since its inception in 1978, and has sold more than one million recordings.
Chanticleer’s mission is to present choral music at the highest level of excellence and to encourage worldwide appreciation of ensemble singing through live performances, education, and recording. Rooted in the music of the Renaissance, it has expanded its offerings to include a wide range of gospel, jazz, and popular music in addition to what it is best known for – classical. Over the years, the group has received several awards in addition
to its first Grammy in 1999. It received two additional Grammys in 2002 and was inducted into the American Classical Music Hall of Fame in 2008.
The group is under the direction of Dr. Tim Keeler, who performed as a countertenor with the group before becoming their music director. Dr. Keeler holds several degrees, including a BA in music from Princeton University, a Master of Music in Choral Conducting from the University of Michigan, and a Doctor of Musical Arts from the University of Maryland.
Tickets are currently on sale for this and all 2026 Great Waters Summer Concert performances and can be purchased online at www.greatwaters.org or by calling the office at 603-569-7710 between the hours of 10 am and 4 pm Monday through Friday. Great Waters is a not-forprofit 501 (C)(3).
Launching Liberty: Lecture and Book Signing Presented by Doug Most
On Tuesday, June 23, the Wright Museum will welcome Doug Most. This is the fifth program of the Wright Museum’s 2026 Education Series.
This enduring book tells the heroic, gripping, yet overlooked story of one of World War II’s monumental achievements—the building of America’s fleet of Liberty ships. With the shadow of war looming large over American life in 1940, President Franklin D. Roosevelt knew it wasn’t a matter of if the United States would be pulled into battle, but when. He foresaw a “new kind of war,” one that would demand the nation be prepared in ways like never before. America’s most critical need in preparation was not drafting more soldiers or manufacturing more guns. It was building more ships that could carry enormous supplies of weapons, vehicles, medical gear, food, and
clothing to US and allied troops around the world. One ship could feed three million men for a day— an entire fleet could sustain troops for years.
Doors open at 6 pm, the program begins at 7 pm on Tuesday, June 23, at the Wright Museum’s DuQuoin Education Center, 77 Center Street in Wolfeboro. Admission is $8 for members and $12 for non-members. Reservations are strongly encouraged and can be made online at wrightmuseum.org/lecture-series or by calling 603-569-1212.
The region’s leading resource for educators and learners of all ages on World War II, the Wright Museum features more than 14,000 items in its collection that are representative of both the home front and battlefield. For more information about the 2026 Lecture Series or the museum, visit wrightmuseum.org.
Native Americans in New Hampshire Presentation at Holderness Historical Society, June 17
Town by Town, Watershed by Watershed: Native Americans in New Hampshire will be presented by John Moody at 7:30 pm on Wednesday, June 17, at the Holderness Historical Society (Rt. 3 in Curry Place).
Things to see and Things to do
Every town and watershed in New Hampshire has an ancient and continuing Native American History. From
the recent, late 20th-century explosion of the local native population in New Hampshire back to the era of early settlement and the colonial wars, John Moody will explore the history of New Hampshire’s Abenaki and Pennacook peoples with a focus on Holderness.
Join us at the
of
Craftsmen
Meredith Fine Craft Gallery on Friday, June 26, from 10:30 am –3:30 pm for an Introduction to Screen Printing Class with juried artist William Mitchell. Are you interested in learning more about screen printing or wanting to further develop your screen printing ideas and techniques? Dover printmaker William Mitchell will guide students in exploring the history of the process and basic techniques to get you started. In this workshop, you will learn how to paint directly on the screen with Speedball drawing fluid and Speedball screen filler to create a permanent silkscreen stencil that can be utilized to print ink directly on paper or fabric. Students are welcome to bring a simple sketch idea, no larger than 5x7, to help prepare their screen. The class will provide all materials to use, but wearing an apron or old clothes is recom-
mended. The workshop is suitable for all levels of experience.
Tuition is $55.00 per student with a $10 materials fee paid to the instructor on the day of class. Space is limited, and pre-registration is required. Those who wish to take the class must sign up by Tuesday, June 23.
To register for this workshop, 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/
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.
Forest Pump & Filter Co.
Service
New Owners to Carry on Molly’s Mission
Molly the Trolley will celebrate her 40th season this year, right where she belongs, serving Wolfeboro and New Hampshire’s Lakes Region.
“Molly and I are delighted to announce that the Wolfeboro Trolley Company has been sold to a local couple who plan to continue operating the business in Wolfeboro,” said Kathy Fairman, the now former owner of this iconic Wolfeboro small business.
“Please welcome Kristin Schepici and Patrick Woods, Molly’s new owners.”
After vacationing on Lake Winnipesaukee for several years, Kristin and Pat bought a home in Wolfeboro in 2018 and began thinking about acquiring a small business in the community.
Their backgrounds and experience in marketing and communications align well with Molly’s business model. They are eager to learn all aspects of the business, including obtaining their commercial driver’s licenses, and they understand the important role Molly plays in promoting Wolfeboro as a vacation destination throughout the Lakes Region and in New Hampshire.
As board secretary of the Lakes Region Humane Society, Kristin has demonstrated her commitment to becoming an active member of
her community. She and Pat see assuming ownership of the Wolfeboro Trolley Company as another step in that direction, one of their goals in choosing Wolfeboro for their home.
“We are very excited about being in Wolfeboro and especially excited about being part of Molly’s future,” said Kristin. “While we have many favorite places here, we look forward to getting to know all of Molly’s friends.”
The Wolfeboro Trolley Company was established in 1987 to help ease traffic congestion and welcome visitors to Wolfeboro. A narrated tour enhanced the attraction, and private charters provided a festive and safe means of group transportation for special events and private parties.
Molly’s annual Map/Brochure is distributed throughout the Lakes Region and at New Hampshire rest areas as part of the company’s collaborative efforts with some eighty local businesses to attract visitors to Wolfeboro.
For more information, visit wolfeborotrolley.com, contact Kristin or Pat at sales@wolfeborotrolley.com, or call Molly’s new number 603-3875889.
Join Squam Lakes Association for the 14th Annual Squam Ridge Race
A 12.2-mile race and hike that traverses the Squam Range with amazing views of Squam Lake and the surrounding watershed. This year’s race is scheduled for Sunday, September 27, from 8 am to 5 pm.
Competitive or just for fun, the Squam Ridge Race is a great way to support our maintenance of over 60 miles of Squam hiking trails.
There is a racer and a hiker division, so everyone is welcome to hike the route with friends and family or race as a participant of the event.
There is a shorter 4-mile course that
climbs Mount Livermore.
There is no official cutoff time, but we encourage hikers who can complete the hike in 8 hours or less.
Top finishers in their division receive medals, and the top overall finishers receive prizes!
For race day information, schedule, course map, elevations, questions, and registration, visit squamlakes.org.
Interested in being a volunteer? The organization is looking for race-day volunteers; email info@squamlakes. org to inquire.
Where rugged meets romantic, this event blends country grit with a touch of glam. All ages event. Under 16 must be accompanied by an adult.
See all the coming shows at LakeportOpera.com
Granite VNA Offers Walk-In Wednesday and Caregiver Conversation Series
Granite VNA offers Walk-In Wednesday on Wednesday, June 24, from 10 am to noon at the Wolfeboro Public Library, 259 South Main Street. Walk-In Wednesday is an opportunity to get your questions answered. A Granite VNA Social Worker/Notary Public is available to connect with you to discuss your end-of-life wishes, review your Advance Directives to make sure they reflect your decisions regarding future medical care, assist with filling out your Durable Power of Attorney for Healthcare and/or Living Will, and provide information about resources and services that may benefit you or a family member.
This program is offered at no charge and is on a first-come, first-served basis. Pre-registration is not required. For more information, call 603-224-4093 or 800-924-8620, ext. 85664 or visit www.granitevna.org.
The day prior, on Tuesday, June 23, Granite VNA is offering “End of Life: Hope and Hospice,” the first part of a Caregiver Conversation Series, at Wolfeboro Public Library, 259 South Main Street in the Cynthia A. Beaver Room.
Caring for a loved one is meaningful— but it can also feel overwhelming. Join us for conversations intended especially for family caregivers who want practical tools, trusted information, and a supportive community. Each session focuses on real-life challenges caregivers face and provides strategies you can use right away, led by expe-
rienced professionals. Whether you’re new to caregiving or have been supporting a loved one for years, these conversations will help you feel more confident, prepared, and connected. Take time this summer to strengthen your skills, protect your well-being, and connect with others who understand the caregiving journey.
Jennifer Brechtel, CHES, Director of Community Engagement, and Amber Kessler, RN, Care Transition Liaison with Granite VNA, will discuss managing symptoms, care, and quality of life with home hospice.
Registration is required. Register at 603-224-4093, ext. 85664 or granitevna.org. This program is offered at no charge.
About Granite VNA: Granite VNA is a not-for-profit licensed and certified home health and hospice care provider. The agency serves people of all ages in 72 communities across the Greater Capital Region and Central New Hampshire by providing home care, hospice care, pediatric and maternal child health services, and wellness programming. The agency has offices in Concord, Laconia, and Wolfeboro. Formed through the merger of Concord Regional VNA and Central New Hampshire VNA & Hospice, Granite VNA has served New Hampshire since 1899. For more information about Granite VNA, visit www.granitevna. org.
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Experience lakeside living at its finest at Langley Cove, a new residential community on Weirs Boulevard in Laconia, New Hampshire. Choose from charming single-family homes at The Cottages at Langley Cove, stylish apartments at The Residence at Langley Cove, or spacious townhomes at The Estates at Langley Cove. Here, you’ll discover a lifestyle centered around comfort, luxury, and community. Enjoy resort-style amenities and a prime location just minutes from Weirs Beach and downtown Laconia.
Property Amenities
Central Air Conditioning
In-Unit Washer/Dryer
Stainless Steel Appliances
Designer Flooring & Finishes
Electronic Thermostat
Fireplace *Select homes
Patio/Balcony *Select homes
Garage *Select homes
Fitness Center
Theatre Room
Community Room
Game Room
Podcast Room
Pickleball Court
BBQ & Picnic Area
&
Gypsy Tours and a Lot More
By Kathi Caldwell-Hopper
“Four wheels move the body. Two wheels move the soul.”
During Laconia Motorcycle Week in the Lakes Region, you will find the Gypsy Tour, the Hill Climb, a variety of motorcycle tours, and much more. Events abound, drawing both riders and enthusiasts.
The iconic event began in the formative years of motorcycles, specifically 1916 and 1917. At that time, motorcycles were not common; most families with the means might own a car. The concept of motorized bicycles, as they were sometimes called, was still unfamiliar to many.
The origin of the motorcycle event can be traced to the 1917 Gypsy Tour, which eventually evolved into the annual Laconia Motorcycle Week. The early tour had two main goals: first, ‘to provide a good time for the riders, and their wives, sisters, and sweethearts,’ and second, ‘to create a more favorable public opinion of the motorcycle and motorcycle riders.’ These two objectives were described in the March 1919 issue of Motorcycle and Bicycle Illustrated magazine.
According to information at www. laconiamcweek.com, “A year after the Gypsy Tour’s first Laconia stop, the Federation of American Motorcyclists (FAM) made it official. Gypsy Tours became overnight events promoted by the likes of Harley-Davidson and Indian, and in 1917, the first annual—the
first official—Gypsy Tour was hosted at Weirs Beach in Laconia.”
Those early Gypsy Tours played a key role in showing the public that motorcycling could be fun. The original tour, which continues today in a muchevolved form, organized participants into groups led by a Tour Master and aides. Riders wore numbers on their clothing and traveled in numerical order, with each company consisting of 10 riders.
By 1919, the tours were well organized, and riders could expect to cover 75 to 100 miles per day. Originally called Gypsy Tours, the travelers took to their motorcycles for group tours, sleeping in tents or on the ground in camp-style, and socializing around
evening campfires.
The tours were originally sanctioned by the Federation of American Motorcyclists (FAM), which brought more riders to the area each year. By 1924, the American Motorcycle Association (AMA) took over the sanction, and the motorcycle event in New Hampshire’s Lakes Region became increasingly popular.
Meanwhile, many visitors were making their way to Weirs Beach, where they could reconnect with other motorcycle enthusiasts they met in previous years. However, this growing tradition was put on hold during the difficult years of World War II, from 1942 to 1945.
the Lakes Region for the 33rd Annual Gypsy Tour and National Championship Motorcycle Races sponsored by the New England Motorcycle Dealers Association.” The article went on to report that the event offered “the toughest 100 mile road race in America, which started at the Belknap Mountain Area in 1938.”
Over time, Laconia Motorcycle Week has grown, and now bikers from all over the country and beyond arrive to enjoy the competitions, parades, charity rides, camaraderie, food, music, and overall fun. With Rally headquarters at Weirs Beach, bikers can stop by to get all the information on where to go and what to do during the event, which this year runs from June 13 to 21.
The daring Hill Climb has long been a popular event, breathtaking and thrilling for spectators who eagerly await each year’s challenge.
The event was known nationally, and by 1951, a motorcycle magazine promoted the motorcycle happening with a major story titled “Head for Laconia.” A subhead told readers, “Scenic New Hampshire has everything you want for a swell vacation, and Laconia’s races and Gypsy Tour are tops.”
Photos enticed motorcyclists with pictures of the Steamer Mount Washington, Endicott Rock beach area at the Weirs, and the aerial tramway ride at Cannon Mountain.
After World War II ended in 1945, there was a renewed interest among motorcycle enthusiasts and vacationers to visit Laconia each year for the motorcycle event. One motorcyclist, Fritzie Baer, played a key role in developing the event during this postwar era. Fritzie Baer was an influential figure in motorcycling in his day, and he brought his talents to the Lakes Region. He had made motorcycles his career, and during the 1920s, was a mechanic and salesman for motorcycle dealerships. He not only fixed and sold bikes, but he also rode them and was a driving force in the Fritz’s Roamers Motorcycle Club in Massachusetts in the 1930s.
As momentum for the various motorcycle competitions continued, Baer’s vision to organize events was instrumental in bringing racing to the Belknap Recreational Area in Gilford. The Belknap Area (now known as Gunstock) offered ample space to host motorcycle races. Previously, Hill Climb competitions took place on Tower Street in the Weirs area. As events grew, more races appeared across the Lakes Region, requiring a larger venue.
As a popular event, crowds at the
There is no doubt that the event infused (and continues to bolster) the local economy. In the June 11, 1953 issue of the Bristol Enterprise, a story relayed to readers, “Cabin owners, hotels and businesses are looking forward to June 15-21 where over 15,000 motorcycle fans will accept the invitation of Mayor Gerard L. Morin to visit
A photo
Belknap Area were large; by the 1950s, photos show big crowds of fans around the length of the circuit. (Interesting to note, as the races gained popularity, CBS reported on the Laconia event.)
Baer saw the Belknap Area as a great place for motorcycle races, and changes were made to the Belknap Area facilities, including a covered judge’s stand and a faster racetrack, following the course’s paving.
In the early 1950s, Baer became manager of Belknap Area, according to historical information at www.newenglandskihistory.com. He had the skills to promote motorcycle racing. The race was called the Laconia Classic, and it was held at the Belknap Area until 1963. (At that time, the Classic was moved to a racetrack in Loudon, New Hampshire.)
Bike celebrations at Belknap Recreational Area featured both races and the ever-popular Hill Climb. Daring and exciting, the Climb attracted crowds year after year. Many Climbs took place on a 70-meter ski jump, as noted by Charlie St. Clair and Jennifer Anderson in “Laconia Motorcycle Week.” Occasionally, the event moved to other spots such as the Phelps Trail near the main lodge. Riders often failed to reach the top, churning dirt and sometimes tumbling down, but the Hill Climb competition brought skill, courage, and daring above all else to the area. (To win the climb, riders needed both skill and speed.)
Following a brief hiatus, the Climbs were canceled for several years starting around 1962. With renewed community effort, locals were able to bring back the popular Hill Climb in the 1990s.
This year’s Hill Climb will be on June 17, promising a day of excitement.
By the 1950s, Motorcycle Weekend was going strong, expanding its offerings to include dances and boating excursions. The National Championship Road Race was 100 miles long, and the schedule also included a street parade and guided tours of the White Mountains.
The article in the Bristol Enterprise also reported on events such as a parade through the streets of Laconia, novice rider races in the Belknap Area, a free dance, and more.
The races and motorcycle clubs have always provided plenty of fun, offering a wide array of entertaining events for fans and racers alike. For example, a parade of clubs displayed at the Weirs drew crowds. Other events included a donut-eating contest and competitions for female motorcycle riders.
The yearly bike event was so popular and a significant boost to New Hampshire’s economy that it eventually evolved into a week-long celebration.
Meanwhile, the August 17, 1939, issue of The Bristol Enterprise reported that motorcycle races were held at the Plymouth (New Hampshire) Fairgrounds. It was described as “good clean sport with a lot of speed demons that know their stuff.” Spectators at such remote locations enjoyed a bit of excitement and entertainment and would probably not have otherwise experienced the thrill of motorcycle racing.
Times have changed, and so have motorcycles. While best-dressed rider contests and donut-eating competitions might belong to the past, Motorcycle Week continues to symbolize the freedom that comes from riding.
Weirs Beach Jazz Series
The Weirs Action Committee presents its fifth season of free jazz band concerts on the Weirs Beach Boardwalk, featuring the Boardwalk Jazz Quartet
The BJQ brings back the familiar tunes by Duke Ellington, Count Basie, and other jazz greats whose music once graced the Winnipesaukee Pier’s grand ballroom at Weirs Beach. The band also plays jazz arrangements of contemporary popular tunes as well as
originals.
The band plays in the middle of the Weirs Beach boardwalk on Sunday nights, beginning the last Sunday in June (June 28), and ending the last Sunday in August (August 30). The free Sunday night concerts begin at 6 pm and end at 9 pm.
Find more information at https:// weirsbeach.com/reasons-to-visit/activities/music/ or find them on Facebook at www.facebook.com/weirsjazz.
The Winnipesaukee Playhouse: Strengthening Community Through a Range of Theatre Programs
By Mark Okrant
There are more than six thousand community theatres in the United States; even little New England is rife with such organizations. However, none of these is quite like Meredith’s Winnipesaukee Playhouse. The Winnipesaukee Playhouse was founded in 2004 by brother and sister, Bryan Halperin and Lesley Pankhurst, and their spouses, Johanna and Neil. Originally opened in Weirs Beach’s Alpenrose Plaza, the Playhouse moved to the former Annalee Dolls campus at Meredith’s 33 Footlight Circle in 2013.
The Winnipesaukee Playhouse campus includes multiple buildings, support spaces, and an outdoor amphitheater, making it more than just a single performance hall. It is a nonprofit regional theater known for year-round live theatre and arts education in the Lakes Region. It has a courtyard-style theater with about 200 seats, designed as an intimate performance space. The larger Meredith campus gave it room for offices, dressing rooms, storage, rehearsals, and student activities that the earlier location lacked. It is identified as a cultural gem in central New Hampshire and has won multiple New Hampshire Theater awards. First-time visitors will soon recognize that the Winnipesaukee Playhouse is part theater, part education center, and part community gathering place. There is a summer theatre camp for students entering grades K–8, and the outdoor amphitheater that hosts performances be-
fore select shows.
Some companies offer a professional summer stock season, others offer community theatre, or children’s theatre programs. A number of playhouses provide two of these; however, what makes the Winnipesaukee Playhouse special is that it offers all three of these programs. Since its move to the Meredith facility, the theater has begun with a professional summer stock season, then follows with community theater and children’s theater during the rest of the year.
Why are multi-faceted playhouses so important in today’s world? The playhouse’s website tells us that “the arts are an essential public good that is critical to a vibrant society, and it is our mission to advance the art form of theatre through work that inspires, engages, and entertains the people of our community and beyond”. To gain a better understanding, we have interviewed Timothy L’Ecuyer, the playhouse’s former artistic director. L’Ecuyer told us that the value to be derived from such a facility is that it “builds community at a time when we most need it. Players and the audience alike turn off their cell phones and share a human experience as a group.”
The playhouse’s professional theatre uses compensated actors and technical staff, but not equity (i.e., union) personnel. Asked how performers and technical people are recruited, L’Ecuyer explained that Lesley Pankhurst travels to New York City every March. There,
actors and other theatre personnel come together for the annual audition season. Most of these people are New York City-based, but others are welcomed as well. An additional event, the A1 Conference, has been held in Norwalk, Connecticut, for the past several years. Here, theatre professionals attend workshops and are given opportunities to audition.
Long before either of these events, the Winnipesaukee Playhouse begins to assemble its teams during November and December, well ahead of the audition season. Asked whether the professional companies ever use local performers, L’Ecuyer told us that there are special circumstances when a company of players may use a local person or children.
The Winnipesaukee Playhouse’s 2026 season features a mix of professional productions, community theater, youth shows, and special events, with many already scheduled through the holidays. Here is a breakdown by category with availability dates as of April 2026.
This season, the professional company will be performing six shows. These are:
are almost exclusively residents of the surrounding area, although seasonal residents are welcomed to audition. This season’s presentations are The Play That Goes Wrong (March 6-8 and 13-15), a co-production farce about theatrical mishaps; The Hobbit as a staged radio play March 27-29), a Tolkien tale with sound effects; Witness for the Prosecution by Agatha Christie (May 7-10), which will be site-specific at New Hampton Town House; The Great Winnipesaukee Steamboat Race and Musical Talent Contest (September 23-25 and 30-October 2), aboard the M/S Mount Washington steamboat; The Edgar Allan Poe Afterlife Radio Show (October 29-31), Halloween radio-style Poe tales; and Irving Berlin’s White Christmas (November 19-22), a holiday musical based on the film. Once again this season, the initiative designed to introduce young students to high-quality professional theatre will be provided. The series of children’s theatre camps offered by the Playhouse provides one of the highlights each season. An estimated 100 to 200 children register for one of two camps. Each week culminates in a showcase of the week’s activities presented to friends and families on Friday. Tuition is $300 for one week. If you know of a child who may be interested, it is recommended she/he be added to a wait list by emailing education@winniplayhouse.org. The Youth Production programs are as follows: The Witches by Roald Dahl (April 10-12), for students ages 8-13; The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time (April 23-26), for students ages 13-18; and A Wrinkle in Time (November 6-8), for students ages 8-18.
Come From Away (through June 27), a musical about 9/11 airline passengers stranded in Newfoundland; The Complete History of America (July 3-11), a comedic take on U.S. history; The Odd Couple by Neil Simon (July 17-25), a classic comedy starring Robert Hooghkirk and Cory Lawson; Wait Until Dark (July 31-August 8), a suspense thriller; The 39 Steps (August 14-23), a Hitchcock spoof with 4 actors playing 150+ roles; Peter PanTO (December 18-January 3, 2027), A Traditional English Panto by Neil Pankhurst, with slapstick and audience participation.
Also, don’t miss the Professional Theatre for Young Audiences, The Commedia Pinocchio (October 17 and 24-25), an A Capella Musical/Italian commedia adaptation.
Community theatre consists of a series of terrific plays that generate well-produced and acted performances. Performers, termed Winni Players,
Additionally, this season, the Playhouse is hosting the following special events: What the Constitution Means to Me by Heidi Schreck (February 6-8), presented by theatreKAPOW; and ImprovOlympics 2026 (Date TBD). For further information about all the outstanding programs described above, readers are directed to call the Winnipesaukee Playhouse at 603-279-0333.
Physical Activities Kids Can Engage with Each Day
Modern children are not getting enough daily physical activity. So says a 2024 report from the Physical Activity Alliance, a coalition that works to promote regular participation in physical activity. Researchers behind the report utilized data from the National Survey of Children’s Health and National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey data, which showed that just 20 percent of children between the ages of six and 17 meet the daily physical activity minimum of 60 minutes recommended by the U.S. Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans.
That four in five children are not getting enough physical activity each day is a red flag for parents. A 2023 study published in the journal Children noted that children who engage in sedentary behaviors are at increased risk for an assortment of negative health outcomes that include obesity, type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and poor mental health. Parents can help kids reduce their risk by encouraging daily physical activity, which can be incorporated into youngsters’ lives in
various ways.
• Walking: Walking is an accessible physical activity that children can embrace throughout the day. In lieu of driving to the bus stop each morning, parents can walk their children there and even arrive a little early, so kids get a chance to run around with their friends before the bus arrives. Parents
also can incorporate walks into their nightly routines by taking a post-dinner stroll around the neighborhood.
• Dancing: Dancing is another great physical activity that children, especially those in elementary school, tend to love. The National Institutes of Health note that dancing can improve mood, promote hearth health, help to
build strong muscles and bones, and create better balance and coordination, among other benefits. Parents concerned that kids aren’t getting enough physical activity can host routine dance parties at home to get kids off the couch and up and moving. Let kids choose the music so they’re more enthusiastic about cutting a rug.
• Outdoor activities: Organized sports is not the only way for kids to be physically active. Kids who don’t enjoy sports can still get lots of exercise each day. Parents can introduce youngsters to outdoor activities like hiking, kayaking and cycling to ensure they aren’t spending all of their free time sitting around. Come wintertime, if the air outside is too chilly, consider taking youngsters to a local indoor swim club or an indoor rock-climbing facility, many of which have programs for climbers as young as five.
Many modern kids aren’t getting enough physical activity each day. Parents can remedy that by incorporating any number of fun physical activities into kids’ daily routines. ~Metro
Start Your Day Off Over
Through June 29, Friday Painters en Plein Air Guest Artists Show, 10 am – 5 pm, Thursday-Monday at ArtWorks CCAC, 132 Rt. 16, Chocorua, 603323-8041, www.chocoruaartworks.com.
Through Oct. 31, From Sails to Atoms: The Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, exhibit about the history and impact of the shipyard, Wright Museum of WWII, 77 Center St., Wolfeboro, 603-569-1212, www.wrightmuseum.org.
June 15, ArtTalk, 6 pm, speaker: Raisa Kochmaruk, artist, scientific illustrator, Lakes Region Art Association, exhibits and classes, Suite 300, Tanger Outlet, Rte. 3, Tilton, 603-998-0029, www.lraanh.org.
June 15, Discovery Walk with a Naturalist, 10 - 11 am, Grey Rocks Conservation Center, 178 North Shore Rd., Hebron, info.: 603-744-8689, www. newfoundlake.org.
June 15, Jonathan Sarty performing, 5:30 pm, Carriage House Restaurant, Castle in the Clouds, Rte. 171, Moultonborough, reservations encouraged: 603-476-5410, www.castleintheclouds.org
June 16, 100 Years of Ashland Woman’s Club, 7 – 9 pm, presented by Jeanette Stewart and Caroline Gosse, Booster Club, 99 Main St., Ashland, www. ashlandnhhistory.org.
June 16, Ask the Experts: Understanding Cyanobacteria, 5 – 6:30 pm, a conversation with state experts, Newfound Lake Region Association, program held at Grey Rocks Conservation Area, 178 North Shore Rd., Hebron, 603-7448689, www.newfoundlake.org.
June 16, Lecture Series: Christopher Gorham – Matisse at War: Art and Resistance in Nazi-Occupied France, 7 – 8 p.m., Wright Museum of WWII, 77 Center St., Wolfeboro, admission/reservations: 603-569-1212, www.wrightmuseum.org.
June 16, Muscle Building Bittersweet Pull at C.C. Browne Woods, 9 – 11 am, Charlotte C. Browne Woods, Chocorua Lake Conservancy, 603-3236252.
June 16, Music Night, Colin Hart performing, 5:30 pm, Carriage House Restaurant, Castle in the Clouds, Rte. 171, Moultonborough, reservations encouraged: 603-476-5410, www.castleintheclouds.org
June 16, On Water Instruction, 9 am – 5 pm, Goodhue Boat Company, program of NH Boat Museum, info./pre-register: 603-569-4554, www.nhbm.org.
June 17, 2026 Laconia Motorcycle Week Gunstock Annual Hill Climb, 9 am – 4 pm, Gunstock, 719 Cherry Valley Rd., Gilford, 603-293-4341, www. gunstock.com.
June 17, Castle in the Clouds and the Servants of Lucknow, 2 - 3 pm, Moultonborough Public Library, Moultonborough Public Library, 4 Holland St., Moultonborough, pre-registration necessary: 603-476-8895, www.moultonboroughlibrary.org.
June 17, Central NH Writers’ Group, 6 – 7 pm, Belknap Mill, 25 Beacon St. East, Laconia, 603-524-8813, 603-524-8813.
June 17, Hiking the John Muir Way in Scotland, 6 - 7 pm, Moultonborough Public Library, Moultonborough Public Library, 4 Holland St., Moultonborough, pre-registration necessary: 603-476-8895, www.moultonboroughlibrary. org.
June 17, Music Night, Tim Hazelton performing, 5:30 pm, Carriage House Restaurant, Castle in the Clouds, Rte. 171, Moultonborough, reservations encouraged: 603-476-5410, www.castleintheclouds.org
June 17, Town by Town, Watershed by Watershed/Native Americans in NH, 7:30 pm, program by John Moody, Holderness Historical Society, Rt. 3, Curry Place, Holderness, 603-968-3695.
June 18, Kids Nature Exploration, 10:30 – 11:30 am, Grey Rocks Conservation Center, 178 North Shore Rd., Hebron, info.: 603-744-8689, www.newfoundlake.org.
June 18, Shaker Village Barn Dance, 7:30 – 10 pm, Canterbury Shaker Village, 288 Shaker Rd., Canterbury, 603-783-9511, www.shakers.org.
June 19, Concerts on Canal, King Pine, 5 – 9 pm, Canal St., Laconia, all ages welcome, held rain or shine, 603-527-8124.
June 19, Hugo – The Ultimate Journey Tribute, 8 pm, The Colonial Theatre, 609 Main St., Laconia, 800-657-8774, www.coloniallaconia.com.
What’s UP
June 19-21, 103rd Loudon Classic, NH Motor Speedway, 1122 Rt. 106 North, Loudon, 603-783-4931, www.nhms.com.
June 20 Amate Bark Painting, 10 am - 1 pm, instructor: Robin Cornwell, Sandwich Home Industries, 32 Main St., Center Sandwich, pre-register: 603284-6831, www.sandwichhomeindustries.org.
June 20, Children’s Day, 10 am – 4 pm, games from yesteryear and more, NH Farm Museum, 1305 White Mt. Highway, Milton, 603-652-7840, www. nhfarmmuseum.org.
June 20, Community Conversation, 10 – 11 am, Gafney Library, 14 High St., Sanbornville, 603-522-3401, www.gafneylibrary.org.
June 20, Garden Photography Workshop, 10:15 – 11:15 am, Castle in the Clouds (Lucknow), Rte. 171, Moultonborough, pre-registration: 603-4765410, www.castleintheclouds.org
June 20, Garden-to-Table Summer Scones with Chef LaShunda Allen, 10 am – 1 pm, age 16 & up, Prescott Farm Environmental Education Center, 928 White Oaks Road, Laconia, www.prescottfarm.org. Call ahead for event information and to inquire if program pre-registration is necessary: 603-366-5695.
June 20, Salvatore Sisti, Barrel Bar & Grille Summer Music Series, 2 – 5 pm, Gunstock, 719 Cherry Valley Rd., Gunstock, info.: 603-293-4341, www. gunstock.com.
June 20, Saturday Hike, 9 - 11 am, Brook Walk via Turtleback Mt. Trail, Castle in the Clouds (Lucknow), Rte. 171, Moultonborough, pre-registration: 603-476-5410, www.castleintheclouds.org
June 20, Sewing 102, 9 am - 3 pm, Makers Mill, 23 Bay St., Wolfeboro, 603569-1500, www.makersmill.org.
June 20, Soul-full Saturdays, Lavender Sense Retreat, in-person wellness classes and workshops, ticketed event: 603-453-4186, www.lavendersenseretreat.com. (Also takes place 7/18, 8/15, 9/19 and 10/17.)
June 20, Summer Soiree, 5:30 pm, Barnstormers Theatre, 104 Main St., Tamworth, 603-323-8500, www.barnstormerstheatre.org.
June 21, Rhett Miller, 6 pm, Feel the Barn Music, food available at 6 pm, 1118 Page Hill Rd., Chocorua, tickets/info.: 603-323-6169, www.thefarmstand.net.
June 22, Discovery Walk with a Naturalist, 10 - 11 am, Grey Rocks Conservation Center, 178 North Shore Rd., Hebron, info.: 603-744-8689, www. newfoundlake.org.
June 22 & 26, Loon Cruise, 3 – 4:30 pm, observe common loons, on canopied pontoon boats, Squam Lakes Natural Science Center, Rt. 113 Holderness, 603-968-7194, advance reservation required: www.nhnature.org.
June 22, Music Night, Jared Steer performing, 5:30 pm, Carriage House Restaurant, Castle in the Clouds, Rte. 171, Moultonborough, reservations encouraged: 603-476-5410, www.castleintheclouds.org
June 23, Lecture Series: Doug Most – Launching Liberty, 7 – 8 p.m., Wright Museum of WWII, 77 Center St., Wolfeboro, admission/reservations: 603-5691212, www.wrightmuseum.org.
June 23, Music Night, Jeff Lines performing, 5:30 pm, Carriage House Restaurant, Castle in the Clouds, Rte. 171, Moultonborough, reservations encouraged: 603-476-5410, www.castleintheclouds.org
June 23, On Water Instruction, 9 am – 3 pm, Goodhue Boat Company, program of NH Boat Museum, info/pre-register: 603-569-4554, www.nhbm.org.
June 23 & 24, Quilled Greeting Card, 10 am - 2 pm, instructor: Amanda Twaddle, Sandwich Home Industries, 32 Main St., Center Sandwich, pre-register: 603-284-6831, www.sandwichhomeindustries.org.
June 24, Hulls and Hops Lecture Series, 6:30 – 8:30 pm, NH Boat Museum, Moultonborough Campus, 130 Whittier Highway, Moultonborough, 603569-4554, www.nhbm.org.
June 24, Music Night, Sunshine Street performing, 5:30 pm, Carriage House Restaurant, Castle in the Clouds, Rte. 171, Moultonborough, reservations encouraged: 603-476-5410, www.castleintheclouds.org
June 24, Sewing: Snappy Bag, 6 - 9 pm, Makers Mill, 23 Bay St., Wolfeboro, 603-569-1500, www.makersmill.org.
June 24, Wildlife Encounters Global Tour (Live Animals), 11 am – noon, Wolfeboro Public Library, 259 South Main St., Wolfeboro, pre-register: 603569-2428.
Tickets $55 per person – available online at www.granitevna.org/hometour or with cash/check at Black’s Paper Store & Gift Shop, Wolfeboro.
For more information, scan QR code or call 603-230-5664.
All proceeds benefit Granite VNA
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
June 25, Guided Hike, 10 am – noon, Oak Ridge, Castle in the Clouds (Lucknow), Rte. 171, Moultonborough, pre-registration: 603-476-5410, www.castleintheclouds.org.
June 25, Junior Skippers Lake Discovery Day, 1 – 2:30 pm, NH Boat Museum, Moultonborough Campus, 130 Whittier Highway, Moultonborough, 603-569-4554, www.nhbm.org.
June 25, Kids Nature Exploration, 10:30 – 11:30 am, Grey Rocks Conservation Center, 178 North Shore Rd., Hebron, info.: 603-744-8689, www.newfoundlake.org.
June 25-27, Book Sale, 6/25 & 6/26: 10 am - 4:30; 6/27: 9 am – 1 pm, sorted by category. No admission - donations are welcome. Meredith Public Library, 91 Main St., Meredith. Additional parking on High Street entrance. Wheelchair accessible. www.meredithlibrary.org.
June 25-July 4, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels – The Musical, Barnstormers Theatre, 104 Main St., Tamworth, 603-323-8500, www.barnstormerstheatre.org.
June 26, Greater Meredith Program Street Dance, 6 – 9:30 pm, takes place on Meredith Main St., 603-279-9015, www.greatermeredith.org.
June 26, Introduction to Screen Printing, 10:30 am – 3:30 pm, League of NH Craftsmen Meredith Fine Craft Gallery, instructor: William Mitchell, must pre-register by June 23, 279 Daniel Webster Highway, Meredith, 603-279-7920.
June 26, Peg Loom Rug Weaving, 11 am – 4 pm, instructor: Juli Hird, Sandwich Home Industries, 32 Main St., Center Sandwich, pre-register: 603-2846831, www.sandwichhomeindustries.org.
June 26, Redcoats and Rebels: NH and the American Revolution, 6:30 pm, free program, Old Town Hall, 1800 NH-140, Gilmanton Iron Works, social hour/refreshments at 6 pm, Gilmanton Historical Society, https://gilmantonhistoricalsociety.org.
June 26, Stories on the Farm, 10 – 11 am, stories, giggles, farm crafts and snacks, NH Farm Museum, 1305 White Mt. Highway, Milton, 603-6527840, www.nhfarmmuseum.org.
June 26, StoryWalkTM Kick Off Reception – Up in the Garden and Down in the Dirt by Kate Messner with art by Christopher Silas Neal, 10 – 11:30 am, all ages welcome, Curry Place, Holderness, program of Squam Lakes
COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS
Each of the following offers a variety of programming:
Libraries: Effingham.lib.nh.us, gafneylibrary.org (Wakefield,), Moultonbor oughlibrary.org, Wolfeboropubliclibrary.org, Ossipeelibrary.org, Meredithlibrary.org, Tuftonborolibrary.org, Tamworthlibrary.org, chocorualibrary.org
Parks and Recreation: Laconia (laconianh.gov), Gilford (gilfordrec.com), Meredith (meredithnh.gov/200/Parks-Recreation), Moultonborough (moultonboroughnh.gov/221/Recreation-Department), Wolfeboro (Wolfeboronh.us), Tuftonboro (tuftonboronh.gov/parks-recreation-commission), Belmont (belmontnh.gov), Center Harbor (centerharbornh.gov/pages/parks-and-recreation), Bristol (ttccrec.org), Plymouth (sites.google.com/pemibaker.org), Tilton (tiltonnh.org), Gilmanton (gilmantonnh.gov), Alton (alton.nh.gov), Ossipee (ossipee.org/ossipee-parks-recreation
Farmer’s Markets – Barnstead (Saturday, 10 am – 1 pm), Gilmanton (Sunday, 11 am – 2 pm), Weirs Beach (Saturday, 10 am – 1 pm), Tamworth (Saturday, 9 am - noon), Conway (Tuesday, 3:30 – 6:30 pm), Wolfeboro (Thursday, 11:302:30) Alton (Wednesdays, 12 – 3 pm)
Historical Societies: Laconia Historical & Museum Society(laconiahistory. com), Lake Winnipesaukee(lwhs.us), Meredith(meredithhistoricalsocietynh. org), Wolfeboro(wolfeborohistoricalsociety.org), Moultonborough(moultonboroughhistory.org), Alton (altonhistoricalsociety.org), Belmont (belmonthistoricalsociety.org), Center Harbor(centerhrabornh.gov), Plymouth(plymouhtnhhistory.org), Tilton (tiltonhistoricalsociety.com), New Hampton(newhamptonhistory. org), Sandwich(sandwhichhistorical.org), Holderness(holdernesshistoricalsociety.org), Ossipee(historicalsocietyofossipee.org), Gilmanton(gilmantonhistoricalsociety.org), Tamworth(tamworthhistorycenter.org).
Museums: American Classic Arcade Museum, Laconia (classicarcademuseum. org), New Hampshire Boat Museum, Moultonborough & Wolfeboro (nhbm. org), Wright Museum of WWII, Wolfeboro (wrightmuseum.org), Belknap Mill Museum, Laconia (belknapmill.org), New Hampshire Farm Museum, Milton (nhfarmmuseum.org), Canterbury Shaker Village, Canterbury (shakers.org), Remick Country Doctor Museum & Farm, Tamworth (remickmuseum.org), Ashland Railroad Station Museum (ashlandnhhistory.org)
Special Interest & Fiber Arts Groups: Bridge Players, Wednesdays at Holderness Library (603-968-7066), Country Village Quilt Guild, monthly in Moultonborough (countryvillagequilters@gmail.com), Fiber Arts Monthly Mingle, Tuesdays at Wolfeboro’s Makers Mill(makersmill.org), Fiber Arts & Spinning Club, Tuesdays at Laconia’s Belknap Mill(belknapmill.org), Ladies of the Lake Quilt Guild, Wednesday in Wolfeboro (llqg.net),
ONGOING
Ashland Railroad Museum, 69 Depot St., Rt. 132, Ashland, 603-707-2683, www.ashlandnhhistory.org.
Back Bay Skippers, Glendon St., Wolfeboro, info./schedule: www.backbayskippers.com, www.nhbm.org.
Belknap Mill, 25 Beacon St. East, Laconia, gallery and textile museum, events and programs, 603-524-8813, www.belknapmill.org.
Bingo, doors open at 5 pm, game begins at 6:30 pm, presented by Lion’s Club, held at Moultonborough Function Hall on Tues. evenings, 139 Old Rt. 109, Moultonborough, 603-477-8868.
Canterbury Shaker Village, 288 Shaker Rd., Canterbury, tours, programs, 603-783-9511, www.shakers.org.
Castle in the Clouds, Rte. 171, Moultonborough, 603-476-5900, www.castleintheclouds.org.
Discover Squam Cruises, guided 90-minute cruises, Squam Lakes Natural Science Center, Holderness, 603-968-7194, www.nhnature.org.
Indoor Pickleball, 5 - 7 pm, Sandwich Elementary School gym, Sandwich, Tues., Thurs. Friday, 603-387-2180, parksandrec@sandwichnh.org.
Kirkwood Gardens, free, open to public year-round, Rt. 3, Holderness, tour the gardens, www.nhnature.org, 603-968-7194.
Lake Winnipesaukee Museum, 503 Endicott St., North, Laconia, 603-3665950, www.lwhs.us.
Lakes Region Art Association, exhibits and classes, Suite 300, Tanger Outlet, Rte. 3, Tilton, 603-998-0029, www.lraanh.org.
Loon Center, walking trails, 183 Lees Mill Rd., Moultonborough, 603-4765666, www.loon.org.
Makers Mill, variety of workshops, arts and crafts classes and more, 23 Bay St., Wolfeboro, 603-569-1500, www.makersmill.org.
Millie B., cruise on Millie B., a replica of a 1928 Hacker-Craft, 45-minute tour, info/tours: NH Boat Museum, Wolfeboro, www.nhbm.org, 603-569-4554.
M/S Mount Washington, day and evening cruises, Weirs Beach, 603-366BOAT, www.cruisenh.com.
New Hampshire Boat Museum, 130 Whittier Highway, Moultonborough, 603-569-4554. Second location: 399 Center St., Wolfeboro, 603-569-4554, www.nhbm.org.
New Hampshire Farm Museum, 1305 White Mt. Highway, Milton, 603-6527840, www.nhfarmmuseum.org.
Newfound Lake Association, programs, classes, discovery walks, exhibits, Eco Tours, lake activities, Grey Rocks Conservation Area, 178 North Shore Rd., Hebron, 603-744-8689, www.newfoundlake.org.
Prescott Farm Environmental Education Center, programs for adults and children, 928 White Oaks Road, Laconia, www.prescottfarm.org. Call ahead for event information and to inquire if program pre-registration is necessary: 603-366-5695.
Remick Country Doctor Museum & Farm, 58 Cleveland Hill Rd., Tamworth, 603-323-7591, www.remickmuseum.org.
Squam Lakes Association, 534 US Rt. 3, Holderness, 603-968-7336, www. squamlakes.org.
Squam Lakes Natural Science Center, live animal trail & events, Rt. 113 Holderness, 603-968-7194, www.nhnature.org.
Wright Museum of WWII, exhibits and lectures of life on the home front during WWII, 77 Center St., Wolfeboro, 603-569-1212, www.wrightmuseum. org.
Wolfeboro Historical Society Announces Blue Star Museum Designation
The Wolfeboro Historical Society (WHS) is proud to announce that it is now a Blue Star Museum and will offer free admission to the nation’s activeduty military personnel and their families, including National Guard and Reserve members. This program is a collaboration between the WHS and the National Endowment for the Arts. The Blue Star program aims to provide military families with opportunities to enjoy cultural experiences at various museums across the country.
WHS has also been hard at work planning its Summer Series to celebrate our town’s rich history and our nation’s 250th Anniversary. Highlights for the first half of the summer will include:
June 8 – Join WHS as we kick off our Summer Lecture Series, made possible by a grant from the NH Humanities. Jeff Warner, a founder of the Portsmouth Maritime Folk Festival, will present “Songs of Old New Hampshire” at the Clark Museum Barn (7-9 pm).
June 20 - Antique Car Show at the Clark Museum, featuring the “Saturday Morning Irregulars Antique Car Club” 10 am-1 pm
June 27 – Calling all collectors and history buffs! The Antique & Vintage Fair will occur this year on the grounds of the Clark Museum on June 27, July 11, August 15, and October 3. Vendor tables are $25 (or $35 with pop-up sunshade - see website for details).
July 1 – Opening Day! Free Admission, cookies, and lemonade. Stop by the Clark Museum between 10 am and 4 pm.
July 1-18 – “Antique Quilt and Clothing Exhibit”: WHS will showcase its special collection of preserved & restored textiles, including antique clothing and centuries-old quilts.
July 2 – Join WHS at the Town Hall,4 pm sharp, to hear Wolfeboro’s Town Bell rung 25 times. This bell was cast in 1792 by Paul Revere’s Foundry, and its ringing is to commemorate the Continental Congress’s declaration of independence from Great Britain on July 2, 1776.
July 4- Town of Wolfeboro Annual 4th of July Parade. Paul Revere will usher in the Celebration of the 250th Anniversary of the United States with Paul Revere leading the Parade, sponsored by members of the Wolfeboro
Historical Society.
July 22- Join us for the First Annual “Classic at the Clark”. Enjoy a free movie night featuring Agatha Christie’s “Murder on the Orient Express”, starring Ingrid Birghman, Lauren Bacall, and Sean Connery. Clark Museum Barn 7-8:30 pm. Rain or Shine. Sponsored by Mr. Paul Zimmerman. July 23-Aug 8 – Enjoy a fascinating look at early American toys. WHS will have “Antique and Vintage Toys” on display for two weeks at the Barn. For more events/dates, please visit WHS’s wonderful new website. It’s full of fascinating local history, research links, photos, and information: www. WolfeboroHistoricalSociety.org.
Special note: WHS is actively seeking new members and volunteers. For more info, please contact WHS President, Libby Shannon, at wolfeoborohistoricalsociety@gmail.com.
Weed Watchers Volunteer Program at Squam Lake Sunday, June 21
Join the Squam Lakes Association on Sunday, June 2, from 8:30 - 11:30 am and learn how to identify aquatic invasive species. The Weed Watchers volunteer program enables anyone to help protect our lakes against the spread of invasive species by becoming an extra pair of eyes on the lake to spot and report potential invasions. After this training session, you will be able to look for invasive species like variable milfoil on your own and know how to report sightings on Squam as an official Weed Watcher!
We’ll begin the day by meeting in the great room for a presentation, and then we’ll hit the lake on kayaks to put what we learned into practice. Trained Weed
Watchers will also have the opportunity to take out free kayak and canoe rentals in order to survey around the lake. Minors must be accompanied by an adult, and registration is required for this event.
Variable milfoil was first identified in Squam Lake in 2000. Our efforts, hand-pulling and using a Diver Assisted Suction Harvester for removal, have proven successful; there has not been a new infestation of variable milfoil identified on the Squam Lakes since 2007. Our Weed Watcher network is crucial for finding invasive blooms so we can stop the spread in its tracks. To register for this volunteer event, visit our website at squamlakes.org.
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Residents Urged to Leave Fawns and Other Young Wildlife
In the coming weeks, deer will begin giving birth around the Granite State, with most deer fawns being born in May and June. Each spring, many New Hampshire residents see young deer by themselves and fear the worst. Has the mother died? Has she abandoned her fawn? The answer in most cases is no. The doe is usually not far off, waiting to return to feed her newborn.
Adult deer can be easily detected by predators due to their scent and large size. For these reasons does will spend extended periods away from their fawns to disassociate their scent from the fawn, helping to keep them safe from predators. For the first month of life, the doe will only visit the fawn a few times a day to nurse quickly before leaving again, although usually not going too far away.
Some well-intentioned people who see fawns alone, however, assume that they have been abandoned and may take them in to try to help. Most of the time, this act removes the fawn from the care it needs. The best chance a
young wild animal has to survive is in its natural environment under the care of its mother. If you care, leave them there.
If you believe a fawn or other young wildlife has been abandoned, injured,
or orphaned, do not move the animal. Contact the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department by emailing wildlife@wildlife.nh.gov or calling 603271-2461 to initiate a report. Department staff can assess the situation and
help determine the best course of action. In most instances, it is advisable to leave the fawn or other animal alone and allow time for the mother to return. Do not approach, pet, or feed wildlife, and never remove any animal from its habitat. Only qualified people with special rehabilitator permits, issued through the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department, may take in and care for injured or orphaned wildlife. Improper care of injured or orphaned wildlife frequently leads to sickness or death, and often the animals cannot be returned to the wild. For example, deer fawns that have been fed the wrong type of milk or formula will develop severe diarrhea (scours). For a full list of licensed wildlife rehabilitators, visit www.wildlife.nh.gov/wildlife-and-habitat/rehabilitators.
Please remember, the best way to help young wildlife is by keeping them wild. For more information, visit www. wildlife.nh.gov/wildlife-and-habitat/ white-tailed-deer-new-hampshire.
Learning History at the Laconia Historical and Museum Society
By Kathi Caldwell-Hopper
If you want to learn about the history of the Lakes Region and specifically Laconia, you would do well to visit the Laconia Historical and Museum Society (LHMS), where a team of dedicated volunteers is on site to answer your questions.
If you think history is dry, you have not been to the LHMS headquarters at 65 Water Street in downtown Laconia and seen the changing exhibits and learned about the rich history of the area.
The museum’s collection is large, and cataloging each donation is time-consuming and exacting to ensure it is identified, filed, and well-cared-for into the future.
“We are fortunate to have a very knowledgeable and hardworking group supporting the museum in many capacities. Volunteers such as Pat Tierney, former Executive Director; Lynn Brody, who oversees ancestry and family tree services; Ray Peavy, who brings extensive knowledge of our military collections; along with Marie Leahy, Charlene Harkness, and many others, all play important ongoing roles in the operation, research, preservation, and the work of LHMS,” says LHMS president Tara Shore.
Donations are plentiful, such as
the recent donation of a stellar “Improved Order of Red Men” badge, with an image of a Native American said to be Pontauhum, who helped Massachusetts Bay Colony explorers reach Weirs Beach, and what would later be named Endicott Rock, in 1652.
The museum has a long history and was founded largely through the hard work of Laconia resident Bob Dear-
born. Bob was a lover of local history and the go-to guy for information, from facts and figures to personalized stories of local people and places.
In 1992, Bob decided to turn his passion and collection into something that would benefit the public. “He had collected a lot,” explains Pam Clark, LHMS member and co-treasurer. (Bob was her uncle.)
Bob secured space at the Tavern Mini Mall in Laconia, and people stopped in to talk or donate historical items. Over time, the collection expanded.
“He had two lieutenants, as he called them,” recalls LHMS co-treasurer Warren Huse. “The two lieutenants helped him with the collection and the museum.”
Bob dreamed of having a real museum, and in 1994, the Museum Society was formed, according to Pam. After Bob’s passing, his museum merged with the Laconia Historical Society, forming one entity: The Laconia Historical and Museum Society.
The Laconia Historical Society began in 1950 but later ceased, likely due to management and space challenges. In 1980, Winnifred Hackett revived the Society. Over time, the collection and Society moved between locations, most recently the Laconia Public Library and then the District Court building, which stored some LHMS files. Collaborating with the library staff, the LHMS coordinated historical exhibits in the library’s upstairs rotunda, which was open to the public.
Although the Society now has its own building on Water Street, it continues to occasionally present an exhibit at
• Laconia Historical continued on page 21
A portion of the current Laconia Historical and Museum Society exhibit titled “Then & Now: The Weirs.”
the Laconia Library. The LHMS works closely with the library to coordinate exhibits with its schedule. At this time, LHMS does not have an exhibit on the library’s schedule, but will do so in the future.
At the LHMS Water Street headquarters, the current exhibit concludes on June 27. The next exhibit will open July 4 and run through August 29. It is titled From Independence to Legacy: Celebrating Laconia’s Milestones, highlighting key anniversary moments in the city’s history. The museum maintains a regular rotation of exhibitions every six to eight weeks, which allows sharing of a wide range of artifacts, photographs, and materials that reflect Laconia’s story.
The current exhibit is titled Then & Now: The Weirs and features historic and contemporary photographs inspired by Warren’s long-running Citizen and Laconia Daily Sun “Then and Now” column. Through side-byside images, visitors can experience the transformation of one of the Lakes Region’s most iconic destinations (The Weirs) along the shores of Lake Winnipesaukee. For generations, The Weirs have been the crossroads of recreation, tourism, and community life. The exhibit’s photographs capture changing boardwalks, storefronts, shorelines, and gathering spots while also revealing the enduring spirit of the area.
Recognizing the importance of preservation and accessibility, the Collections Team, which is made up of approximately 30-plus volunteers, assists
with cataloging, organization, preservation, and collections management under the guidance of the Collections Committee. The organization is currently undertaking the major project of relocating all of the collections to the first floor of the Water Street building, while collections housed on behalf of other organizations will likely remain on the second floor.
To house the collection and present programs to the public, the Water Street building must be kept in good condition. At this time, the LHMS second phase of the Protect the Collections campaign is underway. This campaign supports the preservation of the organization’s historic building through necessary masonry restoration. Funds raised will help repoint deteriorated mortar, repair damaged brickwork, and replace bricks that are beyond repair.
The volunteers know that preservation is a huge, vital task so that these pieces of Laconia’s past will be around for years to come. Warren Huse envisions more young people getting involved, recognizing that history should be shared with future generations.
Tara speaks of the Society’s invaluable college student-age volunteers, “LHMS is entering its third year of hosting college interns, a successful partnership that supports both student learning and the organization’s mission. Interns gain hands-on experience while helping with key work such as cataloging, organizing, sorting collections, and strengthening access to and care of local historical materials.”
Another important exhibit is the collection of local and well-known pho-
tographer Bob St. Louis. Upon his passing, Bob willed his years of studio photography to the LHMS, and an effort is currently underway to identify all the photographs.
Information in the LHMS newsletter tells the public, “This is an ongoing, constantly changing interactive community exhibit showcasing the people, places, and moments that shaped the Lakes Region over more than 30 years, as captured by Bob St. Louis. With your help, we can accurately preserve and archive these photographs—ensuring the history they capture is complete and meaningful for generations
to come. Visit the archives any time we are open, pull up a chair, and see if you can identify people from the photographs.”
If you want to learn about Laconia’s history, through old photographs and much more, the LHMS is the place to go.
To coin the old phrase, “History awaits.”
To learn more, visit www.laconiahistory.com or call 603-527-1278. The museum, located at 65 Water Street in Laconia, is open to the public on Saturdays from 9 am to noon.
Meet the Women of ‘76 at Meredith Public Library
As part of the America 250 programming at the Meredith Public Library, everyone is invited to meet the Women of ‘76 on Thursday, June 18, at 6:30 pm.
Attendees will step back in time and discover the untold stories of 5 courageous women, both patriot and loyalist, American and foreign-born, who witnessed, chronicled, and in some cases changed the course of the American Revolution, including:
Prudence Wright, the Massachusetts patriot who led a militia of women to capture Tory spies.
Mary Katharine Goddard, the courageous printer and publisher who issued the first printed Declaration of Independence to include the names of the signers.
Baroness Frederika von Riedesel, the German noblewoman whose vivid journals capture the chaos of war.
Nancy Hart, the fearless Georgia frontierswoman who faced down a
band of British soldiers — and won. Mary Gould Almy, a loyalist diarist whose moving firsthand accounts documented the siege of Newport. Their stories reveal a deeper, more complex portrait of the American Revolution.
All the women will be portrayed by Rita Parisi, an accomplished actress and playwright, who has been touring original solo works for over 20 years. Since founding Waterfall Productions in 2005, she has brought history to life for audiences throughout New England and beyond. A proud member of SAG-AFTRA, her work has been seen on film and stage, including features at the Boston International Film Festival and the Cannes Film Festival.
Light refreshments will be served. This event is being sponsored by the NH Humanities and the Friends of the Meredith Public Library. The library is located at 91 Main Street in Meredith.
Getting Ready for Father’s Day Bake Sale in Union
There’s a busy weekend coming up, as we get ready for Dad’s special day! Picnics and times at the lake, lots of company – that means we need special food. Let your friends at the Union Congregational Church help you out. Stop by their Pie & Bake Sale on Saturday, June 20, from 8 am to 1 pm, to pick up some delicious home-made goodies. Along with the items just mentioned, you’ll also find fudge, whoopie pies, hot corn chowder (to eat or take home), and a gift table for browsing. Enjoy a cup of coffee and rest from all that run-
ning around! All proceeds benefit the Church Fellowship outreach programs that support local, national, and international organizations helping those in need.
The church is just off Route 16 at 80 Main Street (Route 125) in the village of Union, in the town of Wakefield. The sale will be held in the chapel, found in the rear of the church. There’s plenty of parking back there, too. Give Betty a call at 603-473-2727 for more information.
Registration Open for This Fall’s Becoming an Outdoors Woman Weekend
dressing game, hiking, kayaking, rifle, shotgun, nature photography, outdoor survival, campfire cooking, map and compass, and more.
Registration for the 2026 Fall Weekend is an entirely online process. To register, visit nhbow.com; classes fill quickly and are on a first-come, firstserved basis. Registration closes July 27. The last day to cancel and receive a partial refund is July 13.
Women interested in learning outdoor skills in a beautiful setting can sign up for this fall’s Becoming an Outdoors Woman (BOW) Weekend Workshop, which will take place September 11–13 at Camp Robindel on Lake Winnipesaukee in Moultonborough, NH. The registration fee of $395 includes two nights of lodging, all meals, instruction, and equipment use. Participants must be age 18 or older. Attendees will select one class during each of the four sessions from more than 30 different outdoor skills workshops, including archery, fishing, fly fishing, plant identification, field
New Hampshire’s BOW Program is co-sponsored by the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department (www. wildnh.com) and the New Hampshire Wildlife Federation (www.nhwf.org).
