Bang Up Fourth of July Celebrations
By Kathi Caldwell-Hopper
Whether you are celebrating the holiday from your boat, deck, cottage, or year-round home, the Lakes Region is the place to be for fireworks, parades, concerts, and good, old-fashioned fun.
Alton Bay is a great place to take in the fireworks. Come early on July 3 for a concert at the bandstand by the water in Alton Bay (bring a lawn chair for seating). The concert runs from 7 to 9 pm and features Dakota Smart. Fireworks light up the sky beginning at 9:20 pm (rain date July 5) and are quite a beautiful sight. Call 603-875-0109.
Weirs Beach offers fireworks throughout the summer, and the display to celebrate the 4th of July will be beautiful. On Wednesday, July 3 at 10 pm, fireworks will burst over the sky at Weirs Beach, with sponsorship going to the city of Laconia and the Weirs Action Committee. For a schedule of further fireworks, visit www.weirsbeachfireworks. com for updates.
Laconia is celebrating Independence Day with events on July 4 at Opechee Park at 915 North Main Street. The day includes an Independence Day Parade, with line-up at 3:30 pm at Laconia High School on Union Avenue. The parade starts
at 4:30 pm and ends at Opechee Park.
Also on July 4 at Opechee Park, there will be food, music, games, and more. The day ends with fireworks at the park at 10 pm. Call the Laconia Parks and Recreation Department for details at 603-5240521.
Center Harbor starts the holiday off with Children’s Footraces on July 4, starting at 9 am. At 10 am, there will be a 1.776-mile and a five-mile foot race. For questions and registration information, email parksandrecreation@centerharbornh.org.
Later in the day, in downtown Center Harbor, celebrate with the town’s parade. Participants will step
off at Chase Circle in the downtown area at 1 pm. Enjoy wonderful fireworks over Center Harbor Bay at dusk. Before the fireworks, there will be a 7 pm concert with the Center Harbor Town Band at the town bandstand. Visit https://www.centerharbornh.gov/ for further details. If you like a good book sale, head to the Nichols Library Annual Book Sale in Center Harbor on July 4, for a chance to get some books. The sale will start at 8:30 am. The library is located at 35 Plymouth St., Center Harbor; call 603-253-6950 or visit www.centerharborlibrary.org.
Also at the Nichols Library, a program titled Redcoats & Rebels: New Hampshire and the American Revolution will take place on July 5 at 7
pm. It is free to attend, but please contact the library to pre-register by Friday, July 3 at 603-253-6950 or email centerharborlibrary@gmail. com.
Before the presentation, stop by for the Pie Potluck on the lawn of the Nichols Library (on July 5) from 6 to 7 pm. Bring a pie to share and join in the fun!
Many people say that Ashland has the best fireworks display in the area. The town celebrates Independence Day from July 3 to 5. The schedule kicks off on July 3 at the Ashland Ballfield from 4 to 9:30 pm lots of activities. There will be a Historical Society Exhibit in the Booster Club, a Food Truck Festival, a bounce house, rock wall, bungee jumping, and games from Vertical Entertainment, a 50/50 raffle, and a concert in the park with Chris White, Red Daisy Revival, Peter Downing and Rock the Park. At 9:30 pm, the National Anthem will be sung by Lucy Alexander and Blair Farris, followed by fireworks.
On Independence Day, July 4, the popular pancake breakfast at the Common Man runs from 7:30 to 10 am. The rousing parade will kick off at 10 am and travel from • Fourth Continued on page 4
the fire station to the ballfield. The Historical Society Exhibit continues at the Booster Club at the ballfield. In the ballfield, there will also be a community kickball game with ice cream from the 4th of July Committee.
On July 5 in Ashland, a 5K race has registration at the Ashland Town Beach at 11 am, with the race starting at 9 am. At 11 am, a fun If It Floats race at the Ashland Town Beach will be a lot of fun, with other swim races held as well.
For information on Ashland’s events, email julyfourth@ashland. nh.gov.
Gilmanton will have a fun parade on July 4 in the downtown area. For information, email info@gilmanton4th.com.
If you like a good parade, head to Moultonborough for the 4th of July celebrations. This year’s theme is “Happy Birthday America!” The parade will kick off at 11 am on July 4. The parade lines up at 10:15 am at Blake Road and will proceed along Rt. 25 and conclude at the Moultonborough Function Hall at 139 Old Rt. 109 with a free community barbecue and trophy presentation. For information, email kathygarry76@gmail.com.
On July 2 in Wolfeboro, there will be the ringing of the town’s bell cast by Paul Revere. The bell ringing
will be at 4 pm.
Wolfeboro’s parade is on July 4 and starts at 10 am. It is themed “We the People Celebrate Our Independence 1776-2026,” and is sponsored by the American Legion Post #18. The parade will go down Main Street, offering all kinds of floats and participants in costume. (The rain date for the fireworks and parade is July 5 at 10 am.) Fireworks over Wolfeboro Bay will begin at about 9:30 pm. Call 603-569-2200. The rain date for both the parade and fireworks is July 5.
If you love classic (and other) cars, be at the Annual Car Show at the Nick on July 5 from 11 am to 2 pm. The Nick Recreation Park is located at 10 Trotting Track Road off Rt. 28 in Wolfeboro. The car show is presented by the Wolfeboro Lions Club and is a free and fun rain or shine event. Visit www.wolfeborochamber.com for details.
Bristol will present a number of 4th of July events, starting with the Newfound Firecracker 5K Road Race with 8:30 am registration, followed by the race beginning at 10 am. The race starts at the far end of Kelley Park near the Newfound Middle School. Visit www.newfoundfirecracker5K.org. for more information.
A parade will start at 10 am on July 4 in downtown Bristol with a theme of “America’s 250th Anniversary.” Plans are to hold the pa-
rade, whether rain or shine, unless extreme bad weather cancels. Visit www.bristolnh.gov for information. After the parade, stop by the Bristol Fire Department at 85 Lake Street for an open house.
In Meredith, a fun Rubber Duck Race presented by the Meredith Lions Club happens on July 4 at 4 pm. Ticket sales for the event are available until 3:30 pm. The rubber ducks are spilled from a hopper in back of the Mill Falls waterfall and travel into the lake. Once the winning duck is determined, participants gather at Hesky Park in Meredith. The winning first prize will be $1,000. Email keylion03@gmail. com for information.
The Fourth of July will be full of fun in Ossipee, starting with a parade themed “America 250 – Honoring Those Who Served Our Town and Country.” Parade line-up is at 10 am at the intersection of Dorrs Corner Rd. and Moultonville Rd. Visit www.occnh.org for information.
If you love the mountains, head to Waterville Valley for a full day of 4th of July entertainment. On July 4, there will be a parade at 11 am with floats and fun. Line-up for the parade will be at 10:30 am at the Waterville Valley Conference Center parking lot. Call 603-236-4695.
Waterville Valley start at 9:30 pm on July 4th, best viewed from Town Square. For all these events and more, visit www.waterville.com. Tamworth has many things planned for the holiday of the 4th of July, beginning with the Ordination Rock Run & 5K starting at 7 am, hosted by the Tamworth Outing Club. This race is an annual favorite; visit www.ordinationrockrun. com for details and registration information.
At the NH Farm Museum, history abounds, and an old-fashioned 4th of July offers fun for the entire family. On July 4, the Fourth on the Farm is just what the name says: a great day of family fun to celebrate. From 10 am to 4 pm, stop by for strawberry shortcake, an ice cream-making demonstration, house tours, and a special display of American flags from the late 1700s to mid 1800s. There will be many more activities offered as well. The featured musician will be banjo player Bob Kilham.
The NH Farm Museum is located at 1305 White Mt. Highway in Milton. Call 603-652-7840 or visit www.nhfarmmuseum.org.
A Family Carnival will be fun for families at Packard’s Field on Packard’s Rd. from noon to 3:30 pm. There will be inflatables, music, races, a dunk tank, min golf, a food truck, and more.
Cruise aboard the M/S Mount Washington for the Independence Day Dinner Cruise on July 4. Enjoy dinner while the Mount cruises around Lake Winnipesaukee in search of fireworks. For more information and reservations, call 603366-5531 or visit www.cruisenh. com. The cruise sets off from Weirs Beach.
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Waterville Valley offers live music in the Town Square Gazebo on July 4 with the Birch Hill Duo from 1 to 4 pm and the Dave Ayotte Band from 6:30 to 9:30 pm. Enjoy the music from the beach, courtyard, or while boating on Corcoran Pond. Fireworks over Corcoran Pond in
Whether you’re taking in a celebratory 4th of July parade, watching the colorful explosions in the night sky, or watching a bandstand concert, there’s no better place to be on Independence Day than the Lakes Region.
The Barnstormers Theatre Presents Hit Musical “Dirty Rotten
The Barnstormers Theatre is thrilled to present the hit musical “Dirty Rotten Scoundrels” through July 4, including a special matinee performance on Wednesday, July 1, at 2 pm. Directed by Executive Artistic Director Jordan Ahnquist, this production features show-stopping musical numbers and a stellar cast.
Based on the popular 1988 movie, the show takes place on the French Riviera and features high jinks and hilarity accompanied by a jazzy score from David Yazbek.
The story centers around Lawrence Jameson (Michael Marotta), who has created a lavish life by swindling rich ladies out of their money. Freddy Benson (Eddie Egan) favors making his money by calling on the compassion of the wealthy with tales of his grandmother’s poor health. After meeting, the conmen attempt to work together
but find that the town isn’t big enough for the two of them.
For long-time Barnstormer Doug Shapiro (Andre Thibault), this year’s
opening musical is an opportunity to introduce a talented friend and collaborator to the theatre and town he loves. Sierra Rein (Muriel Eubanks) has heard his Barnstormers stories for years.
“It’s the best feeling to watch Sierra experience firsthand all of the things I love about this place,” Shapiro said. “To see her geeking out over the dressing rooms, rehearsal spaces, and, of course, all the wonders of Tamworth Village… she can now fully appreciate what I’ve been telling her for so long!”
Another returning performer, Becca Gottlieb (Christine Colgate), is similarly delighted to be back at a favorite venue, feeling connected to both past and present productions. “The role of Christine feels right at home for me,
especially in this theatre,” Gottlieb said. “What a treat to sing that great Yazbek score! Rehearsals have been a blast and bring back memories of previous musical comedies I’ve had the pleasure to perform here.”
In 2018, Gottlieb played Ulla in The Barnstormers’ production of The Producers. Playing opposite her then was Dirty Rotten Scoundrels director Jordan Ahnquist.
Gottlieb knows that audiences are in for a treat. “I’m so excited about working with this super-talented cast full of new and seasoned Barnstormers alike!”
Rounding out the talented cast are T. Shyvonne Stewart (Jolene) and ensemble members Jorge Barranco, Jennifer Byrne, Joy Clark, Olivia Aniceto, George Maillis, Sophie Pankhurst, and Korey Rainey.
Joining Jordan Ahnquist on the production team are Michael Ursua (Music Director), Alex Jorth (Choreographer/ Ensemble), Shannan Sturgis (Resident Stage Manager), Miriam Hyfler (Assistant Stage Manager), Travis McHale (Lights and Scenic Design), Chloe Moore (Costume Design), and Sean McGinley (Sound Design).
The original Broadway production premiered at the Imperial Theatre on March 3, 2005 and received 11 Tony Awards nominations.
Tickets are available at barnstormerstheatre.org or by calling 603-3238500. The Theatre is located at 104 Main St., Tamworth, NH.
Castle in the Clouds ARRIVAL FROM SWEDEN: The Music of ABBA SATURDAY, JULY 11 • 7:30 PM NEIL BERGThe 60’s: Peace, Love, Rock & Roll FRIDAY, JULY 17 • 7:30 PM BLANK SPACE: Uno cial Taylor Swift Tribute SATURDAY, AUGUST 1 • 7:30 PM
RHINESTONE COWGIRLS: Legendary Ladies of Country Music SATURDAY, AUGUST 15 • 7:30 PM ONE NIGHT OF QUEEN with Gary Mullen & the Works SATURDAY, AUGUST 29 • 7:30 PM
JULY 24
7:30
MANDY GONZALEZ: Sings Broadway SATURDAY, AUGUST 8 • 7:30 PM
GENTLEMEN’S QUARTET with guest vocalist Erin Shields THURSDAY, AUGUST 20 • 7:30 PM
Where the Lakes Region Clicks!
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Playhouse Presents Rollicking American History Comedy
July will be a lot funnier this year when the Winnipesaukee Playhouse welcomes The Complete History of America (abridged), a rollicking comedy presented in honor of the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. This three-person play is like a mash-up of SNL and The Daily Show if they featured the Three Stooges. With plenty of bipartisan humor that lampoons everything from Washington to Watergate and Alexander Hamilton to Hamilton the musical.
The plot follows a mostly linear timeline starting from the events leading up to the formation of our great nation all the way to the present day, making time along the way for scandals, conspiracy theories, songs, sketch comedy, musical instruments, slapstick, vaudeville, and a bucketload of one-liners. Covering all 600 years of American history in 6000 seconds, the play reminds us: it’s not the length of your history, it’s what you’ve done with it.
Director Lawrence Lesher is at the helm of a talented cast that includes local performer Amanda Wagner (seen at the Playhouse in last summer’s production of POTUS), along with Travis Tingvall and Owen Minor, who are both making their Playhouse debuts. The
creative team includes scenic designer Inseung Park, lighting designer Meredith C. Brown, costume designer Andrew Burns, sound designer Elizabeth Atkinson, and stage manager Ash Boze.
The Complete History of America (abridged) is the second production in the Playhouse’s 2026 Professional Season, which is sponsored by R&D Paving and Lakes Region Community College. The production is further sponsored by Birch Hill Bookkeeping and Consulting and Misiaszek Turpin Architects. It runs through July 11. Tickets are available at www.winnipesaukeeplayhouse.org.
the Holiday at Gunstock Mountain Craft Fair July 4-5
Come and celebrate America at the 4th of July Weekend Gunstock Craft Fair, July 4-5, at Gunstock Mountain Resort in Gilford! Hours are Saturday and Sunday, 10 am to 5 pm both days!
Buy American-made arts & crafts! In honor of America’s 250th Celebration, there will be a special American flag creation and demonstration using special equipment by Bruce and Laura McEwen. Photos are attached of some of his beautiful handcrafted American wooden flags.
There will be over 100 awesome exhibitors including handsome cedar wood furniture, memory frames, amazing beautiful resin art, handcrafted wooden American flags, amazing chainsaw wood carvings with demos
by Elise, custom leather belts & beautiful totes/pocketbooks, awesome acrylic and watercolor fine art, gourmet oils & vinegars, amazing pottery, NH maple syrups, hand poured soaps, soy candles, several jewelry styles, quilts and quilted wall-hangings, charcuterie boards, children’s chalkboard mats, unique macrame furniture, custom signs, amazing baked goods, and lots more! Live Music with North River Both Days! Rain or Shine Under Canopies! Free Admission & Free Parking! Friendly, leashed dogs are welcome! More Info Call Joyce 603-387-1510, or visit joycescraftshows.com. The GPS Address for the Gunstock Craft Fair is 719 Cherry Valley Road, Gilford, NH 03249 - See you there!
Great Waters Brings ‘Neil Berg’s The ‘60s’ Concert to Castle in the Clouds
Join Great Waters Summer Concerts in the Clouds at 7:30 pm on Friday, July 17, for a celebration of the music of the 1960s, featuring songs from iconic artists of the era and behind-the-scenes stories of events like Woodstock. The show, also known as “Neil Berg’s The ‘60s,” is a “powerhouse concert event” that combines top Broadway and rock singers with a full rock band to deliver an experience of peace, love, and rock music.
Come early to enjoy food trucks, the Castle bar, the views, and more! Tickets and group rates can be explored at greatwaters.org.
Cloud Club memberships are now available for single concerts, giving you the chance to elevate your night with premium access for just one unforgettable show. Your Cloud Club experience includes VIP parking for a seamless arrival, passed hors d’oeuvres, and access to exclusive pre-concert experiences designed to set the tone for the evening. Enjoy a relaxed, elevated lounge atmosphere before the show, complete with curated bites, a private bar, and a comfortable space to gather and unwind.
From arrival to encore, the Cloud Club is the perfect pre-concert experience—offering convenience, comfort, and a touch of exclusivity that turns
a night of music into something truly special.
Experience the magic of summer with Great Waters Summer Concerts— where legendary music meets the stunning beauty of New Hampshire’s Lakes Region. This season, don’t miss Neil Berg’s The 60’s: Peace, Love & Rock & Roll, a high-energy, crowd-favorite show that brings the unforgettable sounds of the ’60s to life in a powerful, feel-good celebration.
Perfect for families, this concert offers more than just incredible music. Kids can enjoy engaging activities, open space to relax and play, and a welcoming atmosphere where every generation—from little dancers to lifelong fans of classic rock—can sing along, groove, and enjoy the night together.
Planning a group outing? Great Waters is the perfect destination for all kinds of gatherings. Bring friends for a summer night out, plan a family reunion, organize a camp or youth group trip, or treat your coworkers to a unique team experience. It’s also a great fit for dance studios, music programs, and community groups looking for an inspiring shared outing.
With something for everyone, Great Waters Summer Concerts turn a night of music into a joyful summer tradition.
The Freese Brothers Big Band – Honor, Reflect, Remember: The Tunes of the War Years
On Tuesday, July 7, the Wright Museum will welcome The Freese Brothers Big Band. This is the seventh program of the Wright Museum’s 2026 Education Series.
A special musical program to honor America’s 250th birthday.
Doors open at 6:30 pm, and the program begins at 7:30 pm on Tuesday, July 7, at the Wright Museum’s DuQuoin Education Center, located at 77 Center Street in Wolfeboro.
Admission is $12 for members and $16 for non-members. Reservations
are strongly encouraged and can be made online at https://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 museum, visit wrightmuseum.org.
New Hampshire Music Festival Opening Classics Orchestra Concert July 9
Join New Hampshire Music Festival for Week One of Classics Orchestra with ‘Illuminations’, on July 9, 7 pm, at PSU Silver Center’s Hanaway Theater.
The opening Classics Orchestra concert of the season will feature American voices and luminous reflections in radiant style. David Diamond’s musically symmetrical “Rounds for String Orchestra”, Aaron Copland’s beloved “Appalachian Spring”, and
Max Richter’s meditative “On the Nature of Daylight” offers will be led by Guest Concertmaster Alice Hallstrom. The program will culminate in Elaine Hagenberg’s soaring “Illuminare”, a breathtaking choral journey from darkness into light featuring the NHMF/ Pemi Festival Chorus led by Guest Choral Conductor William Gunn. Join us for Words on Music at 6 pm in the Smith Recital Hall to learn more about the repertoire before the concert!
Notable events in colonial America in 1776
Things to see and Things to do
The year the United States came to be was an interesting time to be alive, particularly for those living in colonial America. The American Revolutionary War began in 1776, and much of the year was marked by events stemming from that conflict. Below are some of the more notable events to take place during a year that has come to symbolize so much to generations of Americans.
• Thomas Paine publishes his 47page pamphlet Common Sense in Philadelphia on January 10. Initially published anonymously, the pamphlet is considered a watershed moment in American history, as Paine’s easily digestible writing style appealed to the masses, helping promote his arguments that encouraged common people to
complicated efforts to recruit loyalists in the area to fight.
enough to warrant his execution.
• An uptick in incidents of violence between Native Americans and settlers in Kentucky was a ripple effect of the American Revolutionary War, and that increase in aggression was behind the capture of Jemima Boone and the Callaway girls on July 14. Days later, Daniel Boone led a successful attempt to rescue his daughter and Elizabeth and Frances Callaway, who were the children of Colonel Richard Callaway, one of the first white settlers in Kentucky. A fictionalized version of the incident was included in James Fenimore Cooper’s novel The Last of the Mohicans.
• The Battle of Moore’s Creek Bridge takes place near Wilmington, North Carolina, on February 27. The battle is sparked when loyalists, after storming across a bridge over Moore’s Creek, attack a group of men they believe to be rebels. Though the engagement was brief, two loyalist leaders were killed, another was captured, and the force was scattered. The failed attempt later
• The Fifth Virginia Convention is held in Williamsburg between May 6 and July 5. The meeting of the Patriot legislature of Virginia ultimately led to the declaration of Virginia as an independent state and the production of the Virginia Declaration of Rights, which asserts the state’s right to reform or abolish any form of government it deems inadequate.
• Thomas Hickey becomes an early casualty of the burgeoning conflict
between the colonies and England when the Irish-born soldier is the first to be executed by the Continental Army for “mutiny, sedition, and treachery” on June 28 in New York City. Hickey had been part of a protective detail for General George Washington but was briefly jailed for passing counterfeit money. During that brief incarceration, Hickey told a fellow prisoner he was part of a conspiracy, and reports ultimately indicated he might have been part of a plot to assassinate General Washington, which proved
• The Great Fire of New York destroys as much as 25 percent of all buildings in New York City as it burns through areas in lower Manhattan on September 20 and 21. The fire broke out shortly after British forces began occupying the city. While each side accused the other of arson in the aftermath of the fire, historians dispute such assertions, noting the fire likely started with burning rooftop debris before windy conditions spread the conflagration to surrounding buildings.
~Metro
Weirs Beach Fireworks are Back
Sparks will fly this summer on Friday, July 3; Saturday, July 18; Saturday, August 1; Saturday, August 15; and Sunday, September 6; as the Weirs Action Committee and area sponsors once again present the Weirs Beach Fireworks! The July 3rd, Independence Day show is shot at 10 pm from the beach.
All other fireworks shows are shot at 9:30 pm from a barge out on the lake. Fireworks shot from a barge are bigger and go higher! During barge shows, everyone has access
to the entire beach to watch the spectacle. The boardwalk and the public docks will also provide fine viewing.
As the fireworks reflect onto the lake below, a flotilla of boats will light up the lake with colorful lights. All shows will take place, weather permitting. Rain dates are Saturday, July 25, and Saturday, August 8. For more information, visit www. weirsbeachfireworks.com or find them on Facebook at www.facebook.com/WeirsBeach.WAC.
• e 1-hour Valley train is a classic trip and popular with families since 1974!
• e Mountaineer over Crawford Notch now runs twice a day at; 9am and 1:30pm Tuesday, Wednesday and ursdays, plus Weekends!
• Now o ering summer season Crawford Station boarding options for the Mountaineer!
• See website for events and on-train performances including Murder on the Rails!
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Please call ahead for event updates. Information and schedules subject to change.
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 29, 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 29, Loon Cruise, 3 – 4:30 pm, observe common loons, on canopied pontoon boats,Squam Lakes Natural Science Center,Rt. 113 Holderness, 603-9687194, advance reservation required: www.nhnature.org.
June 29, Monarch Monitoring Mondays, 9 - 10:30 am, on Mondays, held at Pemi Oxbow Preserve, Holderness, program of Squam Lakes Natural Science Center, 23 Science Center Rd., Holderness, pre-registration: 603-968-7194, www.nhnature.org.
June 29, Music Night, Katie Dobbins performing, 5:30 pm, Carriage House Restaurant, Castle, in the Clouds, Rte. 171, Moultonborough, reservations encouraged: 603-476-5410, www.castleintheclouds.org.
June 29, Story Time and Craft Hour, 11 am – noon, free, Castle in the Clouds (Lucknow), held near Shannon Pond, Rte. 171, Moultonborough, pre-registration: 603-476-5410, www.castleintheclouds.org. (In partnership with Moultonborough Public Library)
June 29, Yoga on the Lawns of Lucknow, 6 – 7 pm, Castle in the Clouds (Lucknow), pre-registration required: 603-476-5900, www.castleintheclouds.org.
June 30, Animal Drawing, 10 am - 4 pm, instructor: Kathryn Field, Sandwich Home Industries, 32 Main St., Center Sandwich, pre-register: 603-284-6831, www.sandwichhomeindustries.org.
June 30, Lecture Series: Christine Kuehn – Family of Spies: A World War Story of Nazi Espionage - Betrayal and the Secret History Behind Pearl Harbor, 7 – 8 p.m., Wright Museum of WWII, 77 Center St., Wolfeboro, admission/ reservations: 603-569-1212, www.wrightmuseum.org.
June 30, On the Water Instruction, 9 am – 3 pm, Goodhue Boat Company, program of NH Boat Museum, info/pre-register: 603-569-4554, www.nhbm.org.
July 1, Digging into Native History in NH, Robert Goodby talk, 7 pm, Lake Winnipesaukee Museum,503 Endicott St., North, Laconia, 603-366-5950, www. lwhs.us.
July 1, Mill After Hours, 5 – 8 pm, Jeremy Brown photo exhibit opening at 5 pm, Jack Ancora outdoor concert, free, Rotary Park (next to Mill), Belknap Mill, 25 Beacon St. East, Laconia, 603-524-8813, www.belknapmill.org.
July 1, Music Night, Charles A Music performing,5:30 pm, Carriage House Restaurant, Castle in the Clouds, Rte. 171, Moultonborough, reservations encouraged: 603-476-5410, www.castleintheclouds.org
July 1, Opening Day at the Clark Museum, free admission, cookies, lemonade, 10 am – 4 pm, Wolfeboro Historical Society 233 S. Main St., Wolfeboro, 603-569-4997, www.wolfeborohistoricalsociety.org.
July 1-18, Antique Quilt and Clothing Display with a twist, Wolfeboro Historical Society, 233 S. Main St., Wolfeboro, 603-569-4997, www.wolfeborohistoricalsociety.org.
July 2, Bryophytes: Hidden Engineers of Mountain Streams, presented by Heili Lowman, watershed biologist, free, 6 – 7 pm,Squam Lakes Natural Science Center, Rt. 113 Holderness, 603-968-7194, advance reservation required: www.nhnature.org.
July 2, Echotones, outdoor concert, concessions, free, 19 Mile Beach, Rt. 28, Tuftonboro, 603-569-4539, ext. 125.
July 2, Guided Hike, 10 am – noon, Brook Walk via Brook Trail, Castle in the Clouds (Lucknow), Rte. 171, Moultonborough, pre-registration: 603-476-5410, www.castleintheclouds.org.
July 2, Kids Nature Exploration, 10:30 – 11:30 am, Grey Rocks Conservation Center, 178 North Shore Rd., Hebron, info.: 603-744-8689, www.newfoundlake. org.
July 2, Red Daisy Revival, Bristol Summer Concert Series, 6:30 pm, Kelley Park, 41 North Main St., Bristol, free, public welcome, bristolevents@bristolnh. gov
July 2, Tab Benoit: Soul of the Swamp Tour, 7:30 pm, The Colonial Theatre, 609 Main St., Laconia, 800-657-8774, www.coloniallaconia.com.
July 2, Ring in the 250th of America, join others at Wolfeboro Town Hall, ring the town’s bell, 4 pm, Wolfeboro Historical Society, 233 S. Main St., Wolfeboro, 603-569-4997, www.wolfeborohistoricalsociety.org.
July 3, 4th of July at LW Packard Ball Field, 4 pm, food trucks, kid’s games/ bouncy house, 4 bands, fireworks at 9:30 pm Info: Ashland NH Independence Day Celebration on Facebook.
July 3, Concerts on Canal, Dried Buffalo, 5 – 9 pm, Canal St., Laconia, all ages welcome, held rain or shine, 603-527-8124.
July 3, Fireworks, 9:20 pm, Alton Bay Bandstand, Alton Bay, 603-875-0109.
July 3, 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.
July 3, Summer Concert Series, 7 – 9 pm, Dakota Smart, folk/rock music, Alton Bay Bandstand, Alton Bay, 603-875-0109.
July 3 & 4, Museum Exhibit at the Booster Club, 4 – 7 pm, 99 Main St., Ashland, www.ashlandnhhistory.org.
July 4, Celebrating 250 Years: 4th on the Farm, 10 am – 4 pm, NH Farm Museum, 1305 White Mt. Highway, Milton, 603-652-7840, www.nhfarmmuseum. org
July 4, 4th of July Fresh Floral Centerpiece Workshop, 6 – 7:30 pm, Belknap Mill, 25 Beacon St. East, Laconia, 603-524-8813, www.belknapmill.org.
July 4, Independence Day Dinner Cruise, 7 pm, M/S Mount Washington, 211 Lakeside Ave., Weirs Beach, 603-366-5530, www.cruisenh.com.
July 4, John Irish Duo, Barrel Bar & Grille Summer Music Series, 2 – 5 pm, Gunstock, 719 Cherry Valley Rd., Gunstock, info.: 603-293-4341, www.gunstock.com.
July 4, 4th of July Fireworks, 9:30 pm, Town Square, Corcoran Pond, Waterville Valley, 1-800-993-3149.www.waterville.com
July 4, 4th of July Parade, 10:30 am – noon, starts at Conference Center, Waterville Valley, 603-236-4695, www.waterville.com
July 4, Annual Center Harbor Footrace, Kids Races & Baby Crawl, 9 am, adult race follows, 36 Main St., Center Harbor, info/registration: www.raceroster.com.
July 4, Ashland Fourth of July events, pancake breakfast at Common Man at 7:30 am, parade at 10 am, Ashland, info: Ashland NH Independence Day Celebration on Facebook.
July 4, Band Concert, Center Harbor Town Band, 7 pm, free, downtown Center Harbor, 603-785-2921.
July 4, Center Harbor 4th of July Parade, 1 pm, starts at Chase Circle, downtown Center Harbor, parksandrecreation@centerharbornh.org.
July 4, Family Carnival, noon – 3:30 pm, music, games, mini golf and more, Packard’s Field, Waterville Valley, 1-800-993-3149.www.waterville.com
July 4, Fireworks, at dusk, downtown Center Harbor, parksandrecreation@ centerharbornh.org.
July 4, Nichols Library Annual Book Sale, 8:30 am – noon,35 Plymouth St., Center Harbor; call 603-253-6950, or visit www.centerharborlibrary.org.
July 4, Reading of Declaration of Independence with American Legion Post #18, 9:30 am, Town Hall Steps, Wolfeboro, 603-569-2200.
July 4, Rubber Duck Race, 4 pm, event tickets available until 3:30 pm, Hesky Park, Meredith,keylion03@gmail.com for information.
July 4, Summer Concert Series, 7 – 9 pm, Saxx Roxx, classic rock with brass, Alton Bay Bandstand, Alton Bay, 603-875-0109.
July 4, Wolfeboro 4th of July Parade & Fireworks, parade: 10 am, downtown Wolfeboro; fireworks over Wolfeboro Bay 9:30 pm, 603-569-2200.
July 4 & 5, Gunstock 4th of July Weekend Craft Fair, 10 am – 5 pm, Joyce’s Craft Show, Gunstock, 719 Cherry Valley Rd., Gunstock, info.: 603-293-4341, www.gunstock.com.
July 5, Animal Encounters Series: Animal Adaptations, 10 – 11 am, free, Lower Level of Town Square, Waterville Valley, 1-800-993-3149.www.waterville.com
Lake Winnipesaukee Boat Tours
July 5, 6th Annual Car Show at The Nick, 11 am – 2 pm, The Nick Recreation Park, 10 Trotting Track Rd., Wolfeboro, 603-651-6598, all vehicles and motorcycles welcome.
July 5, Anything That Floats, 11 am, Ashland Waterfront Beach, Info: Ashland NH Independence Day Celebration on Facebook.
July 5, Ashland 5K Road Race, 9 am, Ashland Waterfront Beach, Info: Ashland NH Independence Day Celebration on Facebook.
July 5, Swim Race, Ashland Waterfront Beach, 11:45 am, Info: Ashland NH Independence Day Celebration on Facebook.
July 5, Potluck Pie, 6 – 7 pm,on the lawn ofNichols Library, 35 Plymouth St., Center Harbor, free to attend, pre-register by Friday, July 3: 603-253-6950.
July 5, Redcoats & Rebels: New Hampshire and the American Revolution, 7 - 8 pm, Nichols Library, 35 Plymouth St., Center Harbor, free to attend, pre-register by Friday, July 3: 603-253-6950 or email centerharborlibrary@gmail.com.
July 6, 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.
July 6, Monarch Monitoring Mondays, 9 - 10:30 am, on Mondays, held at Pemi Oxbow Preserve, Holderness, program of Squam Lakes Natural Science Center, 23 Science Center Rd., Holderness, pre-registration: 603-968-7194, www.nhnature.org.
July 6, Music Night, Sweetbloods performing, 5:30 pm, Carriage House Restaurant, Castle in the Clouds, Rte. 171, Moultonborough, reservations encouraged: 603-476-5410, www.castleintheclouds.org
July 6, Story Time and Craft Hour, 11 am – noon, free, Castle in the Clouds (Lucknow), held near Shannon Pond, Rte. 171, Moultonborough, pre-registration: 603-476-5410, www.castleintheclouds.org. (In partnership with Moultonborough Public Library)
July 6, Veterans Count Lakes Region Golf Tournament, 11:30 am – 6 pm, Laconia Country Club, 607 Elm St., Laconia, 603-315-4354.
July 6, Yoga on the Lawns of Lucknow, 6 – 7 pm, Castle in the Clouds (Lucknow), pre-registration required: 603-476-5900, www.castleintheclouds.org.
July 6-10, Model Yacht Building Workshop, 9 am – 3:30 pm, NH Boat Museum, Wolfeboro Campus, 399 Center St., Wolfeboro, sign up: 603-569-4554, www.nhbm.org.
July 6-17, Lion King Kids, 8 am – noon, summer camp program, Kingswood Arts Center, Wolfeboro, 603-832-8250, www.kingswoodtheatre.org.
July 7, Fireflies Light Up the Sky, 8 – 9:30 pm, multigenerational program, Prescott Farm Environmental Education Center, 928 White Oaks Road, Laconia, www.prescottfarm.org. info.: 603-366-5695.
July 7, Lecture Series: The Freese Brothers Big Band – Honor, Reflect, Remember: The tunes of the War Years, 7:30 – 8:30 p.m., Wright Museum of WWII, 77 Center St., Wolfeboro, admission/reservations: 603-569-1212, www. wrightmuseum.org.
July 7, Let Freedom Ring? / The Times That Try Men’s Souls, talk by local historian Rudy VanVeghten, 7 pm, by Meredith Historical Society, held at Meredith Community Center, 1 Circle Drive, light refreshmments at 6:30 pm, 603260-7493, www.meredithhistoricalsocietynh.org.
July 7, Model Yachting on Back Bay, 1 pm, with NH Boat Museum, Wolfeboro, 603-569-2200.
July 7, Music Night, Eric Grant performing, 5:30 pm, Carriage House Restaurant, Castle in the Clouds, Rte. 171, Moultonborough, reservations encouraged: 603-476-5410, www.castleintheclouds.org
July 7, On the Water Instruction, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m., Goodhue Boat Company, program of NH Boat Museum, info/pre-register: 603-569-4554, www.nhbm. org
July 7, Spiny Water Flea and NH Lakes, 5 – 6:30 pm, Grey Rocks Conservation Center, 178 North Shore Rd., Hebron, 603-744-8689, www.newfoundlake. org.
July 7, Who was John Stark, 7 – 9 pm, Booster Club, 99 Main St., Ashland, www.ashlandnhhistory.org.
July 8, Music Night, Jeff Mitchell performing, 5:30 pm, Carriage House Restaurant, Castle in the Clouds, Rte. 171, Moultonborough, reservations encouraged: 603-476-5410, www.castleintheclouds.org
July 8, Polliwogs: Wild Makers - Little Explorers Hike & Nature Creations, 10 – 11:30 am, for pre-K with adult, Prescott Farm Environmental Education Center, 928 White Oaks Rd., Laconia, pre-register: 603-366-5695, www. prescottfarm.org.
July 8, Squam Lakes Butterfly Count, 8:45 am – 3:45 pm, (rain date July 9), Squam Lakes Natural Science Center,23 Science Center Rd., Holderness, pre-registration: 603-968-7194, www.nhnature.org.
July 8-12 Always Patsy Cline, Interlakes Theatre, 1 Laker Lane, Meredith, 603-707-6035, www.interlakestheatre.com.
July 9, An Evening with Sandy Martin – Artist Reception, 5:30 - 7 pm, NH Boat Museum, Moultonborough Campus, 130 Whittier Highway, Moultonborough, 603-569-4554, www.nhbm.org.
July 9, Carolyn Ramsay Band, outdoor concert, concessions, free, 19 Mile Beach, Rt. 28, Tuftonboro, 603-569-4539, ext. 125.
July 9, Guided Hike, 10 am – noon, Settlement Loop trail, Castle in the Clouds (Lucknow), Rte. 171, Moultonborough, pre-registration: 603-476-5410, www. castleintheclouds.org
July 9, Kids Nature Exploration, 10:30 – 11:30 am, Grey Rocks Conservation Center, 178 North Shore Rd., Hebron, info.: 603-744-8689, www.newfoundlake.org.
July 9, Miles to Memphis, 5 – 6 pm, free, Marceau Park, Central St., downtown Franklin, 603-934-1901, www.franklinoperahouse.org.
July 9, Morgan Nelson, Bristol Summer Concert Series, 6:30 pm, Kelley Park, 41 North Main St., free, public welcome, bristolevents@bristolnh.gov
July 9, Preview: NH Boat Museum Boat Auction, noon – 5 pm, please note the new location:NH Boat Museum, Moultonborough Campus, 130 Whittier Highway, Moultonborough, 603-569-4554, www.nhbm.org.
July 9, Story Hour with the Moultonborough Library, 11 am - noon, NH Boat Museum, Moultonborough Campus, 130 Whittier Highway, Moultonborough, 603-569-4554, www.nhbm.org.
July 10, Band Concert, Center Harbor Town Band, 7 pm, free, downtown Center Harbor, 603-785-2921.
July 10, Garden to Table Series, Garden Salad & Homemade Salad Dressings, 10 am – noon,ages 6 – 14, Prescott Farm Environmental Education Center, 928 White Oaks Rd., Laconia, pre-register: 603-366-5695, www.prescottfarm. org.
July 10, First Friday at ArtWorks, 5 – 7 pm, apps, conversation and art, ArtWorks Chocorua Creative Arts Center, 132 Rt. 16, Chocorua, 603-3238041, www.chocoruaartworks.com.
July 10, John Primer & the Real Deal Blues Band, 7:30 pm, Lakeport Opera House, 781 Union Ave., Laconia, 603-519-7506, www.lakeportopera.com.
July 10, Loon Cruise, 3 – 4:30 pm, observe common loons, on canopied pontoon boats,Squam Lakes Natural Science Center,Rt. 113 Holderness, 603-9687194, advance reservation required: www.nhnature.org.
July 10, Movies on the Hill, Cars, 8:15 pm, Wolfeboro Parks & Recreation, 390 Pine Hill Rd., Wolfeboro, Abenaki Hill in front of lodge, 603-569-5639.
Community Connections
Libraries: Effingham.lib.nh.us, gafneylibrary.org (Wakefield,), Moultonboroughlibrary.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)
Save 10% in the gi shop with
2026
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
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.
Breakfast Buffet, 7 - 11 am, Wolfeboro Masonic Lodge, 35 Trotting Track Rd., Wolfeboro. Served the second Sunday of every month, 603-569-4637.
Canterbury Shaker Village, 288 Shaker Rd., Canterbury, tours, programs, 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.
In the Round, 8:45 am, Sundays, thought-provoking topics related to tolerance, Benz Center, Sandwich, 603-284-7211.
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.
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.
Millie B., cruise on Millie B., a replica of a 1928 Hacker-Craft, 45-minute tour, info/tours: NH Boat Museum, Wolfeboro, www.nhbm.org, 603-569-4554.
M/S Mount Washington, day and evening cruises, Weirs Beach, 603-366BOAT, www.cruisenh.com.
Newfound Lake Association, programs, classes, discovery walks, exhibits, Eco Tours, lake activities, Grey Rocks Conservation Area, 178 North Shore Rd., Hebron, 603-744-8689, www.newfoundlake.org.
New Hampshire Boat Museum, 130 Whittier Highway, Moultonborough, 603-569-4554. Second location: 399 Center St., Wolfeboro, 603-569-4554, www.nhbm.org.
New Hampshire Farm Museum, 1305 White Mt. Highway, Milton, 603-6527840, www.nhfarmmuseum.org.
Newfound Lake 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
Putt, Race, Repeat: Summer Adventures in NH’s Lakes Region
By Mike Moore
Finding a fun activity for the whole family to enjoy on a beautiful summer day in the Lakes Region can feel overwhelming with so many options available for vacationers and year-round residents alike. But for many, it’s hard to let a summer go by without a visit to one of the multiple mini golf locations for some spirited competition and summertime memories. And for those who want to take the competition to the next level and get a little adrenaline boost, too, there are several options throughout the area to enjoy a day of go-kart racing. Beyond the waters of the lakes or the forests that surround the hiking trails, there are dozens of other ways to maximize the summertime fun in New Hampshire.
Whether you call it mini golf or putt putt golf, this vacation-time activity is a staple for so many families. Around the Lakes Region and further north through the White Mountains tourist towns, there are nearly 20 different locales, from the elaborately themed to the traditional, old-fashioned courses. Pirates Cove Adventure Golf, a chain venue that has four of its 25 nationwide locations right here in New Hampshire has been one of the most popular choices for mini golf throughout New England. But the company’s concept of taking the traditional mini golf experience and turning it into an “adventure” began back in 1983 in Michigan. The popular and unique franchise has been in New Hampshire dating back to the early 90s, when its location up in Lincoln opened with a different official name, Hobo Hills Adventure Golf. Instead of navigating the 18 holes with the spirit of someone with an eye patch and peg-leg, this unique theme highlights the heart of the White Mountains, with scenic views, waterfalls, and hidden caves throughout the course. Locations celebrating the original 18th-century swashbuckling theme
would also open up in our little New Hampshire vacation destinations, with spots in Meredith/Weirs Beach, Winnisquam, and North Conway. Patrons of Pirates Cove can appreciate the challenging layout and the finely detailed construction as they make their way through the 18-hole adventure. The award-winning company prides itself on the meticulous setup of each of their over two dozen locations and is most proud of their charitable connections, as they are a big supporter of wounded veterans, autism research, and children’s education. All four locations open for the summer throughout the month of May and will likely stay open seven days a week through the warmer part of autumn, often closing up for the year toward the end of October. No matter which corner of Lake Winnipesaukee you find yourself staying this summer, there are a variety of putt putt golf options for the whole family to enjoy. Weirs Beach itself has three other mini golf courses. Funspot is a great place to go when the weather isn’t cooperating, as their 18-course is entirely indoors, located in the same building as the legendary arcade center and includes some of the original pieces constructed for their outdoor course that had been open for nearly 50 years
cles. While weather certainly can disrupt your family’s annual grand prix, if you didn’t call ahead to see if the track is open, it’s okay; the venue’s other activities can capture that same magic for the ideal family outing. On the other side of the lake in Weirs Beach, go karters have a couple options to rev their engines. Daytona Fun Park has a challenging, yet fun-for-all-ages course. Weirs Beach Go-Kart Track has one of the more exciting tracks in the Lakes Region and younger passengers can enjoy the ride on the quarter mile track for free.
In addition to the two classic, summertime family outings, folks wanting to explore other entertainment options off the lake can plan a trip to the world’s largest arcade at Funspot, take some swings at the batting cages and go for a ride on the bumper boats at Daytona Fun Park, or visit one of the dozens of indoor, golf simulators all throughout the area. For the thrill seekers, there are several axe throwing venues, which has become a popular warm or cold weather activity in New England. Bucket of Balls in Ossipee has expanded beyond a driving range over the last few years, with their axe throwing arena and food truck options bringing in a wider variety of patrons. Nearby in Tamworth, 603 Axes have a terrific indoor location open yearround, and additionally have a 2-lane mobile trailer that can be a great option to have come to you for those parties and cookouts. On the other side the lake, Axe & Ale Taphouse in Gilford, and Climaxe Throwing in Belmont both provide friendly atmospheres for the family to enjoy this popular new pastime.
prior. Daytona Fun Park and Weirs Beach Mini Golf are located right in the heart of Weirs Beach, and both offer the classic course look with water features, challenges to navigate, and beautiful views of the lake. Down by Alton Bay, WinniPutt has as many visitors for their delicious ice cream shop as they do their beautiful and challenging lakeside mini course. Paradise Fall Mini Golf is located in Moultonborough just off Rte. 25 and gives folks on the northeast side of Lake Winnipesaukee an affordable option for family fun, with concessions, outdoor seating, and the ambiance of paradise at each of the 18 holes. Not far from the Hobo Hills Adventure Golf is Squiggles’ Mini Golf in Campton, where in addition to their 18-hole outdoor course, there is an indoor course, a vintage arcade, and a massive gift store that was converted from an old historic mill. Up in North Conway area, mini golf enthusiasts can go to UberBlast, White Mountain Family Golf, or Banana Village Mini Golf. All are open throughout the summer and are all easy to get to, located right off of the White Mountain Highway. Go karts are a great way to feed that need for speed without having to own and maintain your own racecar, and residents and vacationers have been enjoying this activity in the Lakes Region for decades. At White Lake Speedway in Tamworth, fun seekers have been able to visit this location right on Rte. 16 for mini golf, laser tag, and even candlepin bowling in addition to their signature go-kart track. The course is designed for all ages to enjoy, so the twists and turns create a fun drive in these quick little gas-powered vehi-
With a whole summer calendar available to take advantage of, the Lakes Region offers a wide array of options to keep yourself and the whole family, regardless of age, entertained and making memories. Whether you’re cheering a hole-in-one after getting by the pesky windmill, splitting the bullseye with an axe, or racing around the track hoping to claim the family go-cart trophy, those living and visiting New Hampshire throughout the summer will find countless options available to get outside and enjoy some friendly competition.
of your
needs.
Low-Cost Summer Entertaining
Summer is a season for entertaining. But as the cost of consumer goods and even necessities like food has risen in recent years, some people may be hosting a lot less often than they used to.
It’s important to keep in mind that memorable entertaining options are not only defined by cost. Sure that professional decorator or expensive catering service may be lavish, but it’s possible to host a gathering without putting a strain on your finances. Here are some strategies for budget-friendly summer entertaining.
is important, and repurposed holiday lights or bistro lights will make the space intimate as the sun goes down. Even tea candles in scattered mason jars will create a relaxing ambiance. Utilize found items for decor, like seasonal fruits in a bowl for a vibrant centerpiece or clippings from the garden instead of costly bouquets picked up from the store.
• Buffets and bars: A complex, multicourse meal will be expensive, and some guests may even find it pretentious. Instead, reduce time spent in the kitchen and simplify meal service with buffet stations and food bars. Allow guests to customize their food with different toppings and ingredients, which can elevate even simple fare like tacos or burgers.
• Signature drinks: A full open bar is expensive. Keeping a few staples on hand, such as beer and red and white wine, should be sufficient. But hosts also can create a signature cocktail, make it in bulk, and serve it in a pitcher. Spritzers also can stretch wine or liquor further because they are mixed with sparkling water. Remember to also make non-alcoholic offerings available. A pitcher of mineral water with fruit or cucumber slices is affordable and refreshing.
• Affordable atmosphere: There’s no need to hire a party planner to transform an entertaining space. Inexpensive tricks can go a long way. Lighting
• Music: Music is a useful means to set the mood and help guests feel comfortable, while a silent space can be austere and awkward. Hosts can curate a party playlist via a free or paid music app rather than spending money on live entertainment.
• Encourage contributions: As a party host or hostess, it’s tempting to want to do it all and take on all of the burden. But it’s alright and cost-effective to accept help when guests want to contribute. If friends express a desire to help, ask them to bring a side dish, a favorite beverage, or a dessert to defray costs.
• Low-cost activities: Keeping guests occupied doesn’t have to be expensive. Pass around lyrics to songs so everyone can join in on a group karaoke session featuring familiar favorites like “Sweet Caroline” or Shaboozey’s “A Bar Song (Tipsy),” among others. Board games, lawn games like cornhole, or even card games are some additional low-cost options. Pool owners have an ultimate source of entertainment without any new expenses.
Entertaining during the summer doesn’t have to be expensive. By focusing on company, fun and casual food, hosts and their guests are likely to have a good time. ~Metro
LEGO Replica of Historic Meredith Public Library on Display
As part of the 125thanniversary celebration of the Meredith Public Library building, erected in 1901, the teens who attend the after-school program worked with Young Adult Librarian MaryBeth King, as well as Library Aides Jackye Hughes, Dana Reese, and Kaitlyn Gable, to create an amazing replica of the original brick building made out of LEGO bricks. The replica was one of the highlights of the day during the anniversary celebration held on June 6 in the library function room. Many attendees remarked on how cute, clever, and accurate it looked. It was decided to leave the roof off the LEGO building in order to allow for an interior view containing surprising details. Among them are that the books inside the structure are actually miniature reproductions of real
book covers. The LEGO characters are representations of children who attend the after-school program with matching characteristics such as hair, likeness, clothing, and even interests. One child decided to represent himself carrying a coffee cup, while another chose to carry a pizza. One even chose to hold a winged bat!
A peek in the clock tower reveals a LEGO character there, too. Visitors are encouraged to guess who that is!
The library staff extends special thanks to Teen Zone kids Walker, Izzy, April, Liam, James, Bane, Harper, Aria, Ayla, and Evie, who worked on the project.
The replica will remain on display at the library so community members who missed the original celebration can still enjoy it.
Yesteryear
Parades, Picnics, Fireworks and More Old Ways and Traditions of the 4th of July
By Kathi Caldwell-Hopper
Every year, the 4th of July festivities are exciting and festive all over the country, and the Lakes Region is no different. From fireworks to picnics and concerts, parades and more, the holiday is celebrated in cities and towns in New Hampshire. Festivities in Bristol on New-
found Lake “passed pleasantly,” as reported in the July 9, 1891, issue of the Bristol Enterprise. The celebration to mark Independence Day was quite memorable with firecrackers, songs, and everywhere revelry and the ringing of bells. Bonfires, a parade, and a drum corps added to the excitement around town.
As housewives prepared for social picnics and parties in 1891, they were probably baking biscuits and cakes. All that baking required a lot of flour, and luckily, Bristol’s North End Store offered pastry flour, dry goods, and fruit. Housewives were urged to buy such staples as flour in a large ad in a July 1891 issue of the Bristol Enterprise
In the local Bristol park, sports games took place, including an exciting barrel race. Fireworks thrilled those who came out to celebrate, ending the day with a big bang. An advertisement in the Bristol Enterprise offered a “Low Price on a Breastplate Harness” as well as whips, carriage robes, and more at a time when the horse and buggy was just about the only way to travel.
North Sanbornton had a traditional Fourth of July event with music and celebrations at the start of the 1900s. As with many towns, the highlight was a big picnic attended by many. The popular Sanbornton Cornet Band may have played to the delight of all.
Weirs Beach residents and vacationers at the turn-of-the-century also celebrated with a large social picnic. As evening fell, firecrackers were set off to end the day.
A celebratory family gathering to celebrate the Fourth of July in the late 1890s was relayed in the White Mountain Reporter. It was likely written about because of the centerpiece of the dinner party: a 12-pound Penobscot river salmon, donated by an anonymous “friend.”
The salmon supplied everyone with a most delicious 4th of July dinner and was served, according to the newspaper story, with green peas
picked from the garden. Such was the down-home, innocent charm of stories at the time.
Farming was a big way of life in the rural Lakes Region in 1891, so much so that in July of that year, the Fourth holiday annual picnic in one town was postponed until after the seasonal haying took place.
In the June 29, 1899, issue of the White Mountain Reporter, ice cream and cake were served at the Sandwich Town Hall by a group of church ladies. The cost is laughable by today’s standards, with the treat totaling 15 cents per person.
Elsewhere in 1899, the Fourth celebration took place at the head of Ossipee Lake with the Chocorua Band providing rousing music. There was dancing in the afternoon as well as sports, and the Steamer Mayflower offered excursions on Ossipee Lake.
By 1900, Laconia saw brass band concerts, political and inspirational speeches, and, of course, fireworks. It was a time when tourism was becoming popular, and vacationers could take the train from distant locations to enjoy the Independence Day festivities and beautiful Lake Winnipesaukee. Steamboats were also an option for getting around the lake, as many travelers were headed to the cottages of friends and relatives for their Fourth of July celebrations. If your train brought you to Alton Bay, for example, and your hosts lived on an island or on distant Winnipesaukee shores, a steamer was a great way to reach your final destination.
With celebrations came expens-
• Yesteryear continued from page 22
es for every larger community, and Laconia was no exception. Trash removal, street upkeep, and other expenses were taken from the city as listed in the 1911 Annual Report for the City of Laconia. In the financial section of the report, $500 was listed for the Fourth of July celebration. This was a large expenditure at the time, underscoring how important the Fourth of July was to Laconians.
A schedule in the July 1907 White Mountain Reporter newspaper listed many train service options. The train was the most viable way to arrive or depart from many Lakes Region areas. It is likely that vacationers used this mode of transportation to reach such communities as Laconia, arriving for the Fourth holiday. Trains came and went from Portland, New York, and Boston, as well as points north in Bartlett, Lancaster, Bethlehem, Colebrook, and other towns with stops at grand hotels.
In 1925, the sleepy village of Sandwich, New Hampshire, marked the Fourth with that American pastime: baseball. Two ball games on July 4 in Center Sandwich resulted in defeat for local boys as they were pitted against Camp Hale at a morning game. That afternoon, the Sandwich boys won against another
rival team, redeeming themselves quite nicely.
Fast-forward to 1930 and festivities for the Fourth featured an event that was very popular, billed in the July 3, 1930, issue of the Reporter newspaper as “The Crowning Event of Your Fourth of July Week-end!” It was the Famous Barn Dance, which took place on a Saturday night in Freedom, NH. Admission was 50 cents for “gents” and 10 cents for “ladies.” Guests could thrill to an excellent five-piece orchestra and dance the evening away.
In 1938, in the Newfound Lake area, the Hebron town news column in the Bristol Enterprise reported that the Fourth of July was “so quiet it seemed like a Sunday. There was simply nothing doing.” This was life in the shadow of World War II and the tail end of the Great Depression. This may have had something to do with the quiet, uneventful feel of the town at that time.
Entertainment took all different forms in the Lakes Region each summer, and by the 1930s, live theatre was offered at the Barnstormers Theatre in Tamworth. The first year of the theatre was 1931, with plays taking place at the Tamworth Gardens. The (presidential) Cleveland family, summer residents of the Tamworth area, started the theatre, which continues to this day. There was an ambitious lineup for the first year, including The Ghost
Train, the Dover Road, The Bad Man, Miss Lulu Bett, and Outward Bound. One of those plays (unknown) probably took place during the Fourth of July week, adding to the options for entertainment.
On Newfound Lake in 1964, Bristol’s parade and annual carnival brought excitement to the little town. The Bristol Enterprise for July 2, 1964, reported on big happenings. At a time when most stores closed on Saturday late afternoon and remained closed all day Sunday, the paper ran the schedule with most stores being open until 9 pm… or even 9:30 pm. “The retailers are doing this to give the summer people a chance to get a good start on their shopping,” reported the newspaper.
A big promotional prize in Bristol in 1964 was a memorable way to mark the festivities. The local Lions Club ran a prize whereby local merchants gave tickets to win a pony and saddle. The second prize was a portable stereo, and the third prize was a Kodak Instamatic. The drawing was held following the fire-
works in the local park. (How the winner managed a pony and saddle unless they owned a farm was anyone’s guess!)
To mark the 4th of July in 1964, the American Legion in Bristol rang bells for four minutes that afternoon. All residents of the town were asked to pause and reflect on independence and what it meant to them as the bells rang out.
Occasionally, a local Lakes Region resident lived long enough to remember the Revolutionary War. While elderly by 1840 or 1850, someone might have memories of that far-off time when the country was fighting for independence. At picnics and family gatherings as late as 1850, old timers talked of the days when the country was new and struggling to find its way. These people were providing historical information that, in turn, was passed down over the years.
Today, we hold those memories dear as we prepare to celebrate the 250th anniversary of our country.
Hungry? Start Here.
Dining Out in the Lakes Region
Available at Hundreds of Locations around the Lakes Region!
Old Fashioned Diners Within the Lakes Region
By Mark Okrant
When we think of those attributes that are purely American, a quick list would include the hotdog, Jazz, and basketball. However, no such list would be complete without inclusion of the diner. Diners began as mobile lunch wagons in Providence, Rhode Island, in the 1870s, and spread throughout the Northeast—especially here in New England—before becoming a universally American restaurant tradition Many early diners were prefabricated buildings manufactured in factories and shipped to their locations. The long, narrow shape of many classic diners comes from their origins as converted railroad cars and lunch wagons.
As manufacturers developed those purpose-built diners in the early 1900s, they kept the railroad-car appearance because it was recognizable and efficient. New Hampshire has several historic diners. The media gravitate toward one of those— Manchester’s Red Arrow Diner—during Presidential primary season every four years.
By definition, a diner is a casual restaurant, traditionally offering inexpensive, hearty meals from a broad menu that often includes breakfast served all day, as well as sandwiches, burgers, soups, and other forms of comfort food. Diners are known for counter seating, booths, long operating hours, and a relaxed atmosphere.
A diner experience is less about fine dining and more about comfort, community, and tradition. Diner guests give high marks to friendly/conversational service, large portions, reasonable prices, homemade baked goods, as well as nostalgic atmosphere and regular customers who greet one another by name.
A traditional New Hampshire diner breakfast might consist of two or three eggs cooked to order, crispy bacon, sausage links, or ham, home fries seasoned and grilled on a flat-top grill, toast made from white, wheat, rye, or
homemade bread. Others might prefer pancakes or French toast with syrup, and a bottomless cup of coffee served in thick ceramic mugs.
A typical lunch could feature a cheeseburger with hand-cut fries, a turkey club sandwich, a bowl of New England clam chowder or the homemade soup of the day. Usually, coleslaw and pickle spears are served on the side.
While less popular than other breakfasts and lunches, traditional diner dinners often emphasize hearty New England comfort foods such as meatloaf with brown gravy, roast turkey with stuffing and cranberry sauce, baked haddock or fried seafood, pot roast, shepherd’s pie, and mashed potatoes with seasonal vegetables.
New Hampshire diners frequently offer homemade desserts. Among the most popular are apple, blueberry, coconut cream, and chocolate cream pie, or apple crisp with ice cream.
Here is a partial list of diners within New Hampshire’s Lakes Region:
• Tilt’n Diner in Tilton
• North Station Diner (formerly Plain Jane’s Diner) in Rumney
• Northwood Diner, in Northwood
• Bayside Diner and Eatery, in Alton
• Main Street Station, in Plymouth
• George’s Diner, in Meredith
• Route 104 Diner, in New Hampton Tilt’n Diner is situated at 61 Laconia Road, across the road from the Tanger Outlet Center in Tilton. It is conveniently situated on the way to popular New Hampshire destinations including Lake Winnipesaukee, the New Hampshire International Speedway, and Loon Mountain. The Tilt’n Diner opened in 1992 and has been called a “must stop” on the New Hampshire Presidential Primary campaign trail by The Associated Press. The diner prides itself on being family-friendly; they
• Diners
continued on page 26
Chrome, Classics and Community at the Wolfeboro Lions
The rumble of engines, gleaming chrome, and rows of classic vehicles will once again fill Nick Recreation Park as the Wolfeboro Lions Club hosts its 6th Annual Car Show on Sunday, July 5, from 11 am to 2 pm at the Nick,10 Trotting Track Road in Wolfeboro.
Car enthusiasts and families alike are invited to spend the day exploring an impressive collection of classic cars, muscle cars, antique vehicles, trucks, and custom rides. Whether you’re a lifelong automobile enthusiast or simply looking for a fun summer outing, there will be something for everyone to enjoy.
Visitors can stroll among an impressive variety of vehicles, from beautifully restored classics and custom builds to street cars, modern muscle, trucks, and ongoing projects, while talking with owners about their prized rides and the stories behind them. Reminisce
about favorite cars from years past, and discover unique automobiles representing decades of automotive history. A concession stand operated by the Wolfeboro Lions Club will be avail-
able throughout the event. Admission is free. Donations are appreciated.
More than just a car show, the event is an opportunity to support the Wolfeboro Lions Club and its mission of
serving the community. The club assists local residents and organizations, supports youth programs and scholarships, contributes to community improvement projects, and participates in Lions initiatives that help individuals with vision and hearing needs.
The Wolfeboro Lions Club Car Show offers a relaxed, family-friendly atmosphere where community members and visitors can gather to celebrate automotive history, craftsmanship, and a great summer day in the Lakes Region.
The Event is made possible thanks to gracious sponsors; DF Richard, KW Coastal and Lakes & Mountains Realty, Auto Care Plus, Taylor Community, PZ Park, Accidents Happen, Twin Ash Carpentry and Building, John & Nancy Askew, Nolan’s Brick Oven Bisto, Trenta, FL Putnam, Top Gear, Doran Insurance, and Avery Insurance. For more information, call 603-6516598.
Squam Lakes Natural Science Center’s Summer Lecture Series Kicks Off July 2
As part of its 60th Anniversary celebration, Squam Lakes Natural Science Center is partnering with the Hubbard Brook Research Foundation to present a summer lecture series highlighting decades of environmental research and education. Titled “Rooted in Research: Decades of Forest Discovery”, the series will feature scientists working at the Hubbard Brook Experimental Forest in North Woodstock, NH.
This free lecture series will bring Hubbard Brook scientists to the Science Center to share their research and knowledge on a range of topics, including invasive species, stream ecology, bat diversity, climate change, forest history, the impact of ice storms, and scientific illustration. Through these fascinat-
• Diners
continued from page 24
even offer a kid’s menu, coloring pages, and balloons. Phone 603-286-2204. North Station Diner (formerly Plain Jane’s Diner) at 897 Old Route 25 in Rumney describes itself as a blend of modern American cuisine with a welcoming atmosphere, “perfect for everything from upbeat brunch with friends to casual family breakfast.” The diner focuses on fresh, high-quality ingredients, handcrafted cocktails, and flavors that bring people together. North Station diner delivers exceptional food and attentive service. The management
ing presentations and discussions, participants will gain knowledge into the ecological studies that help our community better understand and protect our forests and ecosystems.
The lecture series begins on July 2 with “Bryophytes: Hidden Engineers of Mountain Streams”, presented by Heili Lowman, a Watershed Ecologist and Aquatic Biogeochemist. The lecture series will continue throughout July and August. All events will be held from 6 to 7 pm at Squam Lakes Natural Science Center’s Trailhead Gallery. Admission is free, but advance registration is required.
“The research work at Hubbard Brook is critical to understanding the dynamics of our forest com-
brags that its team is passionate about creating memorable experiences for every guest, making North Station a favorite destination in Grafton County for locals and visitors alike. Phone: (603) 786-6087.
Northwood Diner is located at #1335 US202 / 4E in Northwood. This is a tiny, unassuming diner and bakery located conveniently along the route from Portsmouth to Concord where they bake marvelous breads. Unlike many of its competitors, this establishment promotes itself as vegetarian friendly. Breakfast, lunch, and brunch meals are all available. Phone: (603) 942-5018.
munities in this rapidly changing world,” said Iain MacLeod, Executive Director of Squam Lakes Natural Science Center. “The Science Center is pleased to bring this important research to our members and guests.”
There is no cost to participate in these programs, but advance registration is required. For more information or to register, visit nhnature. org.
Founded in 1966, the Squam Lakes Natural Science Center in Holderness, NH, is dedicated to advancing understanding of ecology by exploring New Hampshire’s natural world. The Center engages visitors through live animal exhibits, lake cruises, interactive programs, and nature-based learning experi-
Bayside Diner and Eatery is located at 12 Mt. Major Highway in Alton—a charming site with views of Lake Winnipesaukee. Bayside Diner promotes itself as offering the Lakes Region’s best breakfast and lunch, with nostalgic ’50s and ’60s ambiance that complements its menu. It offers a selection of burgers at reasonable prices, as well as a range of specialty sandwiches. The diner claims that patrons love its attentive service and cozy atmosphere. Phone: (603) 875-3700.
ences that inspire appreciation and stewardship of the environment. Located on Route 113 in Holderness, it’s an easy drive from exit 24 off I-93. The Live Animal Trail is open daily through November 1 and weekends through November 23. For more information, call 603968-7194 or visit www.nhnature. org.
claims that its basic philosophy is to provide fresh and simple ingredients that make the best meals possible. The diner provides made-to- order breakfasts, “quick turn around” lunch specials, and several homemade desserts. A series of daily specials are offered, with the exception of Wednesday evenings when the diner is closed. One standout is their New England boiled dinner offered on Thursdays. Phone: (603) 279-8723.
Main Street Station is located at 105 Main Street in Plymouth. This popular local spot serves breakfast and lunch daily, with homemade breads, muffins, and English muffins made on-site. The diner is housed in a restored vintage railcar and is known for its Benedicts, homemade corned beef hash, and bakery items. Locals and visitors praise its classic diner atmosphere and generous breakfasts. Phone: (603) 536-7577.
George’s Diner is located at 10 Plymouth Street in Meredith. George’s
Route 104 Diner is a 1950s-themed roadside diner that offers comfort food consisting of all-day breakfast, burgers, sandwiches, and dinner entrees. It is known for its nostalgic atmosphere with period-specific décor. Phone: (603) 744-0120.
Readers should be advised that there are other food establishments within the Lakes Region and throughout the state that offer diner-type food and service, but within more traditional restaurant settings.
Makers Mill Offers Month of Creative Summer Workshops for Youth
Looking for a creative, hands-on way to keep kids engaged during summer vacation? Makers Mill is offering a month-long series of Youth Vacation Arts & Crafts workshops throughout July, giving children ages 7–13 the opportunity to explore art, design, and making through a wide variety of fun and educational projects.
Running weekdays from July 1 through July 31, the series features a different creative activity nearly every day from 10 am to 1:30 pm, allowing families to register for a single class or build their own summer experience by attending multiple sessions.
Projects range from 3D canvas painting, colorful ceramic magnets, decoupage, stuffed toys, and rock art creations to watercolor painting, paper marbling, terrariums, wind chimes, cork birdhouses, and decorative signs. Young makers will also have the opportunity to explore leatherworking through several beginner-friendly projects, including leather coasters, bowls, wristbands, keychains, pouches, and charms.
Other classes invite students to paint their pets, create octopus-themed canvas paintings, experiment with Zentangle drawing, design paper collages, build miniature ecosystems in mason jar terrariums, and discover new ways
of seeing through drawing from a bird’s-eye view. Every workshop is designed to encourage creativity, problem-solving, and confidence through hands-on making.
“These workshops are designed to give kids the chance to try new materials, learn new skills, and express their creativity in a supportive environment,” said Carol Holyoake, Program Director at Makers Mill.
“Every class is hands-on, and students leave with something they created themselves.”
Classes are taught by Jennifer MacLean, a fine artist, leathersmith artisan, Lakes Region Art Association Gallery member, occupational therapy assistant, and speech and language assistant. MacLean also teaches Creator Camp, an adaptive arts program for children with special needs at Makers Mill, and regularly leads the popular Paint Your Pet workshops.
Each workshop is limited to six students, allowing for plenty of individual attention and support. A volunteer assistant will also be present each day. All materials are included, and students should bring a lunch or snack and a drink in a sealable container.
Unlike a traditional summer camp, families have the flexibility to choose the classes that best match their child’s interests. Whether at-
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tending for a single day or returning throughout the month, participants will have the opportunity to explore a wide variety of artistic techniques, materials, and creative experiences.
Classes take place in the Upstairs Arts Space at Makers Mill and are open to youth ages 7–13. Registration is required, and spaces are expected to fill quickly.
For a complete list of classes and registration links, visit makersmill. org/July. To register by phone or learn more, call 603-569-1500 or email carol@makersmill.org.
Makers Mill is a nonprofit community makerspace and vocational hub in Wolfeboro, New Hampshire, offering classes, workshops, shared creative spaces, and hands-on learning opportunities for all ages. Free tours are offered Fridays at 10 am,
first Saturdays at 10 am, and, new this summer, second and fourth Tuesdays at 5:30 pm.
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.
Meredith Historical Society Program Marks 250th Anniversary of American Independence
As part of the town’s ongoing celebration of American’s 250th birthday, the Meredith Historical Society invites the public to a program highlighting local participation in the American Revolution during the year 1776.
Focusing on contrasting optimistic and pessimistic feelings during the year, the program is titled “Let Freedom Ring? or The Times that Try Men’s Souls?”
This original program will be presented Tuesday, July 7, by local historian Rudy VanVeghten, a member of the society’s Executive Board. It is part of an ongoing series of America 250 programs this
year presented in partnership with the Meredith Public Library.
“Our town’s support of the patriot cause two and a half centuries ago
didn’t end with the Battle of Bunker Hill,” said VanVeghten. “Volunteers from Meredith continued to step forward during many of the battles of 1776 and beyond.”
John Hopper, president of the Society, noted, “This program is especially appropriate as our town joins the rest of the country in observing this 250th anniversary of our independence.”
Meredith News, VanVeghten is the author of the book “These Sons of Liberty: Meredith in the Revolutionary War”, a project of the local historical society especially geared toward this year’s semi quincentennial celebration. Among his other books focused on Meredith history is “Ebenezer Smith, Meredith’s Prime Mover”, the local leader who ushered the town through the war years of 1775-1783.
VanVeghten also serves as a contributor and copy editor for de Halve Maen (The Half Moon), a journal of early Dutch-American history.
Four topics comprise the program’s content:
The Siege of Boston
The Times that Try Men’s Souls
The Declaration of Independence
The Battle of Valcour Island and Its Link to Lake Winnipesaukee
A long-time former editor of the
This program will be held on Tuesday, July 7, at the Meredith Community Center, 1 Circle Drive. Doors open at 6:30 pm for light refreshments. The program begins at 7 pm. All programs of the Society are free, and all are welcome. For a complete schedule of the Society’s 2026 Speaker Series, visit their website at www.meredithhistoricalsocietynh.org. Programs of the Meredith Historical Society help fulfill its mission to preserve, develop, and promote the knowledge and awareness of Meredith’s unique history.
Second Annual Tamworth Author Fest
The Arts Council of Tamworth and the Cook Memorial Library invite readers, writers, and lovers of the written word to the second annual Tamworth Author Fest on Saturday, July 11, from 9:30 am to 2 pm at the Cook Memorial Library. The festival’s keynote speaker this year will be award-winning author Julie Carrick Dalton.
learn how several of the authors approach their craft during non-fiction and fiction panel discussions.
We’ll design a system that’s custom-tailored to you and your pet’s needs; Including both indoor and outdoor solutions to common problems, with guaranteed results.
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Julie Carrick Dalton is the author of “Waiting for the Night Song”, winner of the New Hampshire Writers’ Project’s People’s Choice Award for Best Novel, and “The Last Beekeeper”, longlisted for the Massachusetts Book Award. Her writing has appeared in Chicago Review of Books, Orion, Newsweek, The Boston Globe, Electric Literature, Lit Hub, and other publications. Her third novel, The Forest Becomes Her, will be published by St. Martin’s Press in 2026.
Attendees will be able to meet and talk with twelve local authors, hear them read from their work, buy a book or two, enter a raffle to win a stack of books by the participating authors, and
A number of literary genres will be represented at the Tamworth Author Fest. Participating authors will be Ana Hebra Flaster (memoir and historical non-fiction), Cary Flanagan (historical fiction), Fiona Howell (Gothic historical fiction), J.H. Diehl (children’s, YA, and adult fiction), John Olszewski (true crime), K.C. Julius (fantasy), Liz Gauffreau (literary fiction, historical fiction, and poetry), Morgan Dalton (children’s books), and Rick Davidson and Bill Thompson (non-fiction)
This event is free and open to the public. Register ahead of time to receive reminders, get t-shirts, and purchase raffle tickets at https://www.zeffy. com/en-US/ticketing/tamworth-author-fest--2026. Cook Memorial Library is fully accessible and located at 93 Main Street in Tamworth Village. For more information, please visit artstamworth.org or tamworthlibrary.org.
KINGSWOOD GOLF CLUB 24 Kingswood Road Wolfeboro, NH
Cruise Nights: a Decades-Long Tradition
By Mark Okrant
Each year, as evening temperatures rise, hundreds of people pay homage to the American automobile. The car cruise night tradition grew out of 1950s–60s American car culture, particularly in the suburbs. Young people would gather at drive-in restaurants or cruise main streets in towns across the country to show off their cars and socialize. There was no single “first” event— it was a grassroots phenomenon that spread nationwide. More organized, modern Cruise-Ins, where people park and gather in a specific lot or street, became formalized over subsequent decades. One of the longer-running organized cruise nights is Kearney Cruise Nite in Kearney, Nebraska, now in its 39th year.
U.S. automotive history is celebrated through several distinct vehicle categories, each representing a singular era of design, engineering, and cultural impact. These classifications range from straight-line drag-strip legends to beautifully preserved utilitarian workhorses. The leaders are American Muscle Cars, Tri-Five Chevys, Pony Cars, Corvettes, and Restored Pickups.
Muscle cars are mid-size or full-size American passenger cars fitted with massive, high-output V8 engines and designed primarily for straight-line acceleration. Popularized during the “golden age” (roughly 1964 to 1974), these rear-wheel-drive coupes were affordably priced and built to dominate at drag strips and stoplights. Examples include theDodge Charger, Pontiac GTO, and Chevrolet Chevelle.
Tri-Five Chevy refers to the icon-
ic1955, 1956, and 1957 Chevroletmodels, which include the One-Fifty, TwoTen, Bel Air, and Nomad. Known for their bold styling, prominent tail fins, and the introduction of Chevrolet’s renowned small-block V8 engine, these cars are widely considered masterpieces of 1950s American car culture and remain highly sought after by collectors and hot-rodders.
Pony cars are a specific classification of affordable, compact, and highly styled coupes or convertibles that feature a “sporty” performance image. This category was created by the launch of theFord Mustangin 1964. Pony cars generally prioritize agile handling over raw straight-line power and typically feature long hoods and short rear decks. Other notable examples include the Chevrolet Camaro and Plymouth Barracuda.
Often referred to as “America’s Sports Car,” the Corvette is a two-seat, high-performance vehicle manufactured by Chevrolet since 1953. Unlike
standard production cars of its era, the Corvette debuted with an innovative fiberglass body. It has evolved from a stylish, six-cylinder cruiser into a world-class supercar.
Restored pickups are vintage, utilitarian trucks that have been rebuilt, refurbished, or modified to look and perform as well—if not better—than they did when they originally rolled off the assembly line. Often categorized as “resto-mods” (when classic bodies are paired with modern engines, suspensions, and air conditioning), these trucks have transformed from simple work vehicles into highly coveted, stylish collectors’ items.
At New Hampshire cruise nights and classic-car gatherings, you’ll consistently see a mix of American muscle cars, tri-five Chevys, pony cars, Corvettes, and restored pickups. These are the cars that show up most often. A few regular cruise nights and classic car meetups are active around the Lakes Region and central NH this season:
Tilt’n Diner hosts its cruise nights on Thursdays from 5–7 pm, typically running May through October. Tilt’n Diner is a reliable place to see classic cars, hot rods, and muscle cars. This is probably the closest thing to an oldschool Lakes Region cruise gathering.
New Hampshire Motor Speedway’s South Entrance in Loudon is worth watching for larger car and motorcycle events throughout the summer, especially during Bike Week and race weekends.
During Laconia Motorcycle Week, Weirs Beach and the surrounding Lakes Region host numerous events with vintage bikes, muscle cars, cruise traffic, and pop-up meetups.
Mount Washington Cruises and the Weirs Beach area often have informal weekend cruise-ins nearby during peak summer weekends.
New England Racing Museum in Loudon also hosts automotive gatherings.
In addition, these two one-time events will be held this year: Classic Car Gala, in Sanbornton, on Aug. 1, 2026.
Cruising Downtown Manchester, on Sept. 5, 2026; this will be one of New England’s biggest classic car shows.
Here’s more specific information about cruise nights in New Hampshire. If you head out to any of the big New Hampshire cruise nights—like Arnie’s in Concord, the Candia Cruise Night, or • Cruise Nights continued on page 30
New Artist Introduced at Meredith’s League of New Hampshire Craftsmen
The League of New Hampshire Craftsmen, Meredith Fine Craft Gallery is excited to introduce newly juried jewelry artist Nurlan Kazbalinov and invites craft lovers to explore the deep cultural roots through his intricate handmade jewelry.
Nurlan is a jeweler from Kazakhstan who learned the craft from his brother-in-law at the age of 21. What started as an apprenticeship soon became a lifelong profession and dedication to the art of jewelry making. He specializes in traditional techniques such as hot enameling, granulation, and filigree. In 2003, Nurlan graduated from a jewelry arts program in Almaty, Kazakhstan, and for the past four years has been living in the United States. Since moving here, he has worked in New York City, conducting workshops to share his knowledge and experience with aspiring jewelers. Having participated in numerous national and international exhibitions, Nurlan has recently settled in New Hampshire and joined the League of NH Craftsmen to showcase his craftsmanship and preserve the rich traditions of hand-
made jewelry artistry.
Nurlan’s designs make use of traditional Kazakh symbols and ornaments. These intricate patterns reflect the history, beliefs, and cultural values of the nomadic people of the Great Steppe. One of Nurlan’s earring designs features a Shanyrak, which is the central opening at the top of a yurt. It is one of the
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most important symbols in Kazakh culture, representing home, family, unity, and the connection between generations. Traditional Kazakh earrings often feature small dangling pieces that create a gentle ringing sound when worn, and Nurlan’s are no different. According to ancient beliefs, this delicate chime helped ward off evil spirits and negative influences, giving the jewelry both a decorative and protective
• Cruise Nights continued from page 29
the Mount Washington Valley Old Car Club meets—you’ll experience a good deal of automotive royalty. While the general rule of thumb for most Granite State cruise nights is “if it’s 25 years or older (or just cool), bring it,” a few specific makes, models, and eras consistently dominate the local scene:
purpose. By incorporating these ancient symbols and forms into his jewelry, Nurlan preserves and celebrates Kazakhstan’s rich cultural heritage while connecting the past with the present.
Nurlan is the father of two sons who have followed in his footsteps, choosing jewelry making as their own profession. Today, the Kazbalinov family continues a shared commitment to traditional craftsmanship and artistic excellence.
The Meredith Fine Craft Gallery invites you to come see Nurlan Kazbalinov’s exquisite body of work. For more information, please call the Gallery at 603-279-7920 or visit our website meredith.nhcrafts. org. The League of NH Craftsmen Gallery is located at 279 DW Hwy. Meredith, NH.
The League of NH Craftsmen is a non-profit organization that encourages and promotes the creation, use, and preservation of fine contemporary and traditional hand crafts. The League represents the signature of excellence in fine craft, through the work of its juried members and its rigorous standards for self-expression, vision, and quality craftsmanship.
-The Tri-Five Chevys (1955–1957). No cruise night is complete without a heavy showing of these mid-1950s cars, with their hoods popped, showing off immaculate small-block V8s.
-Golden Age Muscle Cars (1964–1972) are the best-represented cars at local meets, and always draw the biggest crowds when they rumble into a parking lot.
-Corvettes.
-Ford and Chevy Street Rods are heavily modified vehicles from more than a half-century ago.
-Classic Trucks (1947–1987), especially Ford models.
On a warm summer evening, you are
likely tofind this writer cruising one of these impromptu antiquecar displays. Like so many others, I’ll be armed with a burger, dog, or ice cream cone. As an old timer myself, I get a kick out of seeing those old cars; however, I am on a mission. During the ’50s, my family’s car was a 1952 Henry J sedan. One of the unusual characteristics of the Henry J was its trunk. Unlike most cars ever built, the only access to our trunk was by folding the back seat rest down and loading groceries, luggage, etc. from the interior of the car. As a boy, this provided a separatespace where I could escape my older brother’s efforts to tease me.
Hopefully, someday I’ll locate one of the few remaining Henry Js. Here’s a challenge for you readers of The Laker: I’ll buy a large ice cream cone for the first person who sets eyes on a Henry J (in person only—no photos, videos, etc.). I’ll also give you a signed copy of my book, “No Vacancy: The Rise, Demise, and Reprise of America’s Motels.”
NH LAKES Launches Interactive Boating Map to Help Protect New Hampshire Lakes
New Hampshire’s lakes are among the state’s most treasured natural resources, supporting recreation, tourism, wildlife habitat, drinking water supplies, and local economies. To help protect these valuable waters, NH LAKES has launched a new interactive Lake-Friendly Boating Map that helps boaters visualize recommended boating distances from shore, water depths, and sensitive lake areas. The map can be viewed at https://nhlakes. org/lake-friendly-boating.
The map serves as the centerpiece of NH LAKES’ new Lake-Friendly Boating Initiative, an effort to educate and empower boaters to reduce their impact on lake ecosystems while continuing to enjoy all that New Hampshire’s lakes have to offer. As boating activity continues to grow across the state, boaters play an increasingly important role in helping
The initiative is built around a simple message: Every Boat. Every Lake. Leave No Trace.
“Many boaters want to do the right thing but aren’t always sure what that looks like on a particular lake,” said Andrea LaMoreaux, President of NH LAKES. “Our Lake-Friendly Boating Map puts practical information at their fingertips and helps translate lake-friendly practices into action.”
The Lake-Friendly Boating Initiative focuses on five key areas where boaters can help protect New Hampshire waters: protecting water quality, preventing the spread of aquatic invasive species, reducing impacts to shorelines and lake bottoms, respecting wildlife, and protecting native aquatic plants.
The Five Pillars of Lake-Friendly Boating: Protect Water Quality
Fuel spills, sewage discharge, litter, and excess nutrients can contribute to water quality problems, including harmful cyanobacteria blooms. NH LAKES encourages boaters to maintain engines, fuel carefully, dispose of waste properly, and avoid using soaps and cleaning products in the lake.
Stop the Spread of Aquatic Invasive Species
Aquatic invasive species such as milfoil, zebra mussels, and spiny waterflea can permanently alter lake ecosystems and are extremely difficult and costly to manage once established. Boaters are encouraged to follow the “Clean, Drain, Dry” method every time they move between waterbodies. Through its Lake Host Program, NH LAKES has helped prevent more than 1,600 potential invasive species introductions through boat inspections across the state.
Protect Shorelines and Lake Bottoms
Operating too close to shore or in shallow water can increase erosion, disturb sediments, and damage sensitive habitats. The interactive Lake-Friendly Boating Map allows boaters to explore recommended setbacks and water depths on participating lakes.
In general, boaters can help reduce impacts by operating at headway speed within 150 feet of shore and cruising in at least 10 feet of water. The larger and heavier the boat, the greater the benefit of operating farther from shore and in deeper water.
For wakesports that generate larger wakes, NH LAKES recommends operating at least 500 feet from shore and in water deeper than 20 feet whenever possible to help reduce shoreline erosion and sediment disturbance.
Respect Wildlife
New Hampshire lakes provide critical habitat for loons, eagles, turtles, fish, and many other species. Boaters can help by slowing down near sensitive areas, keeping a respectful distance from wildlife, and following posted signage around nesting and habitat areas.
Protect Native Aquatic Plants
Native aquatic plants help maintain healthy lake ecosystems by improving water quality, stabilizing sediments, and providing important habitat for fish and wildlife. Boaters can help protect these plants by avoiding dense plant beds, trimming motors in shallow water, and using designated moorings when available.
New Hampshire is home to nearly 1,000 lakes and ponds, and boating remains one of the state’s most
popular outdoor activities. The Lake-Friendly Boating Initiative recognizes that recreation and conservation can go hand in hand.
“Lake-friendly boating is not about limiting recreation,” said LaMoreaux.
“It’s about ensuring that boating, fishing, paddling, swimming, watersports, and wildlife watching can continue to be enjoyed for generations to come. Every boater has an opportunity to be part of the solution.”
Boaters are encouraged to explore the interactive Lake-Friendly Boating Map, learn lake-friendly boating practices, and access free educational resources at nhlakes.org/ lake-friendly-boating.
Established in 1992, NH LAKES is a statewide, publicly supported nonprofit organization dedicated to restoring and preserving the health of New Hampshire’s lakes through education, advocacy, and action. For more information, visit nhlakes. org, email info@nhlakes.org, or call 603.226.0299.
New Horizons Band Announces 2026 Summer Concert Series
The New Horizons Band of the Lakes Region invites residents and visitors alike to enjoy an exciting season of live music as the ensemble presents its 2026 Summer Concert Series throughout the Lakes Region.
Based in Laconia, the New Horizons Band is a community ensemble made up of adult musicians from all walks of life. Some members are learning an instrument for the very first time, while others have returned to music after years away. Together, they share a love of music, lifelong learning, and community service through performance.
Under the direction of retired Laconia High School music educator Debbi Gibson, the band will present a variety of musical selections throughout the summer, including marches, patriotic favorites, show tunes, jazz standards, and beloved audience classics.
“Every year, I am amazed by what this group accomplishes,” said Gib-
son. “The dedication of our musicians and the joy they bring to audiences make every season special. We hope you’ll join us at one of our concerts this summer.”
The 2026 Summer Concert Schedule includes:
July 4 – Hesky Park, Meredith, 7 pm (followed by fireworks)
July 11 – Sanbornton Old Home
Day, Sanbornton Library in the morning
July 29 – Taylor Community Pavilion, Laconia, 6:30 pm
August 11 – Belknap Mill Gazebo, Laconia Rotary Park, 6:30 pm
The New Horizons Band is part of an international movement founded on the belief that music is for everyone, regardless of age or experience. The
organization provides adults with opportunities to learn, grow, and perform in a supportive musical environment while enriching the communities they serve.
All concerts are free and open to the public.
For more information about the New Horizons Band of the Lakes Region, upcoming performances, or membership opportunities, visit www.newhorizons-lakesregion.org.
The New Horizons Band of the Lakes Region is a community concert band based in Laconia, New Hampshire. The ensemble welcomes adult musicians of all ability levels and rehearses Tuesday evenings at The Music Clinic under the direction of Debbi Gibson. Through performance, education, and fellowship, the band strives to share the joy of music throughout the Lakes Region.
NH Music Festival’s ‘An Enchanted Evening’ Set for July 19
The New Hampshire Music Festival invites you to experience An Enchanted Evening - a celebration of music, elegance, and community set against the timeless beauty of the Van Horn Estate (31 Manor Drive, Holderness) on Sunday, July 19.
Guests will begin the evening at 5 pm with a cocktail hour and cash bar, offering an opportunity to gather with friends, stroll the estate grounds overlooking Squam Lake, and enjoy the charm of a midsummer evening before dinner.
At 6 pm, attendees will be seated for an elegant three-course dinner thoughtfully prepared by Van Horn Estate’s Executive Chef Kevin Schmidt to complement the evening’s atmosphere of refinement and celebration. The menu will include both vegetarian and meat options.
The enchantment continues at 7:30 pm with a special performance by nine Festival musicians in varying ensembles from trios to a nonet. Featuring acclaimed musicians of the New Hampshire Music Festival, this intimate
concert promises an extraordinary musical experience.
Whether shared with friends, family, or fellow music lovers, An Enchanted Evening at the Van Horn Estate offers a rare opportunity to enjoy world-class performance in one of New Hampshire’s most beautiful settings. Reserve your seats early for this unforgettable evening of fine dining and exceptional music in support of the New Hampshire Music Festival. For tickets and more information, visit nhmf.org.
Why did the Turtle Cross the Road? To Get to its Nesting Site
June marks the height of turtle nesting season in New Hampshire, which is when these shelled reptiles move from wetlands and vernal pools to their upland nesting sites. Nesting season lasts from mid-May into early July, reaching maximum intensity in June.
One of the most significant threats to turtle populations in the Granite State is being struck by vehicles on roadways. While male turtles may travel over land to different wetlands and upland basking areas in search of food and for breeding, mature female turtles leave their home ponds and wetlands every spring to lay their eggs, sometimes traveling distances of over a mile, and returning to the same nesting location each year. Their nesting sites are often open, sandy, or gravelly areas that can be located great distances from wetland areas. This annual journey often means that turtles need to cross roads to reach their destinations.
“Turtle nesting season provides us with a unique opportunity to see many of the state’s turtle species moving on land, but it is also an extremely vulnerable time for them,” said NH Fish and Game Department Wildlife Biologist Joshua Megyesy. “We can all do our part to help turtles safely reach their nesting habitats by slowing down when
driving and keeping an eye out for them as they cross roadways in the coming weeks.”
Here are a few things you can do to help New Hampshire turtle populations stay abundant and healthy: Slow down and watch for turtles in roadways.
Help turtles cross roads safely. If you see a turtle crossing a road, and it is safe for you to do so, help it cross in the direction it is traveling. Never create a dangerous situation for other motorists or yourself. Snapping turtles should be handled with extreme care or allowed to cross on their own.
Do not take the turtle home. A turtle taken from its habitat is a turtle lost from the local population. All native New Hampshire turtles are protected by state law during nesting season, and several New Hampshire species are protected by state law from collection year-round.
Do not move the turtle from where you found it. Even if a turtle is a great distance from a wetland area, they are not lost and know exactly where they are going. Moving a turtle to a different location can be stressful for the animal and may even result in death if they are unable to adjust to their new surroundings.
If you find an injured turtle, contact a licensed wildlife rehabilitator at New Hampshire Turtle Rescue by calling 603-417-4944 or NH Fish or Game’s Wildlife Division at 603-271-2461.
Report turtle sightings (living or deceased) to NH Fish and Game’s Reptile and Amphibian Reporting Program at tinyurl.com/RAARP. Note the location, date, and time of observation, and include photos if possible.
tles.
Learn how to identify New Hampshire’s seven native species of turtles by visiting www.wildnh.com/nongame/ turtles.html.
Work with land trusts and town officials to help conserve important natural areas for turtles in your community.
Spread your garden mulch as soon as possible because an idle pile can be an attractive place for turtles to nest when located near wetland areas. If mulch will be piled up for several days or more, covering it with plastic will help reduce its attractiveness to nesting tur-
The Nongame and Endangered Wildlife Program at Fish and Game works with state and private partners to protect more than 400 species of mammals, birds, fish, reptiles, and amphibians, as well as thousands of invertebrate species in New Hampshire. Show your support for nongame and endangered wildlife in the Granite State; visit www. wildnh.com/nongame to donate today and help the Nongame and Endangered Wildlife Program reach its annual fundraising goal and actualize state matching funds to support wildlife and habitat conservation.
LAKE WINNIPESAUKEE
Twilight Baseball with The Sunset League
By Joel Bocko
Many amateur baseball leagues (especially in New England) like to lay claim to being the oldest, sometimes hinging that claim on a particular aspect of their legacy: “continuous”, “active”, or within this-or-that larger organization. Few, perhaps none, can trace their history as far back as Concord’s Sunset League. Founded in 1909 and fielding between 3 to 7 teams, usually 4, every season for 117 years, the Sunset League is an “after-supper” or “twilight” league whose games stretch into the summer evenings, usually beginning around 6 pm. Throughout its history, spectatorship has swung from thousands of fans in the pre-World War II days (when cheering crowds stormed the field to hoist champions on their shoulders) to a dwindling audience of “mostly friends and girlfriends” by the 2010s, according to league president Steve DeStefano.
However, despite dire prognostications a decade ago, the league experienced growth with a strong 2020 season. Remaining active during the Covid-19 pandemic, it attracted many players who couldn’t find an outlet elsewhere - including the team’s first female member, Beth Greenwood. The team count even expanded that
year after shrinking in previous seasons, and four teams are scheduled to launch the new season in June 2026: the Haymakers, Sanel, Grappone, and Colby Sawyer. DeStafano is credited by players and coaches alike for the league’s persistence. Becoming president following the 50-year reign of Red Eastman in 1992, DeStafano was also involved as a player for 20 years before that (a realtor, he coached the Century 21-sponsored team for decades as well). At one of the league’s low points, he proclaimed, “I’m not letting this die on my watch,” and as of 2025, he remained at its helm.
The Sunset League uses wooden bats and follows American League rules. Today, as in the beginning, the teams play all of their games in White Park. In the early days, the Sunset League produced some legendary ballplayers or coaches, most famously the 1930s New York Yankee “Red” Rolfe. However, there have always been plenty of fiftysomething enthusiasts on the field, some even treading into senior citizen territory. One of the founding teams was actually dubbed the Old-Timers (the other three original teams were the Haymakers, Sluggers, and appropriately-dubbed White Parks, who shut out the Old-Timers in that very first game).
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On the other hand, high schoolers in their early teens maintained the league during World War II while the young adults who usually form its backbone were called up to service. Many of those kids would stick around to play after the war, and without them, the Sunset League may have had to take a pause in its otherwise uninterrupted century-plus run.
Amidst future stars headed for the MLB, non-athletes looking for a casual hobby, or local heroes cherished at home but unsung by the outside world, many names on the roster repeat themselves. This is due not only to players sticking with the game as they age but also to intergenerational legacies passed from father to son to grandson. The Sunset League is quite often a family affair, with last names like Fraser, Hardiman, and Heath standing out (among many others). Initially, only Concord residents could play but the map of inclusion has been expanded to towns like Franklin and Goffstown; even so, the league remains very much a beloved local tradition. A White Park road marker was erected in 1984 to honor this legacy. Mentioning the founding, original teams, and the Rolfe connection, this sign is located behind the baseball diamond backstop and can be accessed from 1 White Street.
Elsewhere, another park’s very title honors one of the Sunset League’s earliest and most intriguing players. The Thompson Play Lot pays tribute to William Penn Thompson, who, as of five years ago, remained the only African-American attached by name to a
Concord landmark. Born in Alabama in 1874 and dying in Boston in 1960, Thompson lived in Concord most of his life and joined the Sunset League around 1910, many years after he first played ball in the city (for a YMCA team in 1891). In his time with Sunset, he was already deep into a long career that brought him to dozens of different teams scattered across the Negro League, several otherwise white amateur teams, and most likely even minor league “organized baseball” despite a racist nationwide ban on integration that mostly held until Jackie Robinson joined the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1947.
A major talent and legendary character, Thompson was recalled fondly and in great detail, with meticulous research, by Concord Monitor reporter Ralph Jimenez (“Uncovering legacy of city’s baseball pioneer who broke racial barriers” on June 17, 2021). Aside from dogged coverage by the Monitor, the Sunset League does not have much of a media presence; in that sense, it remains a secret treasure for Concordians to discover on their own. Whether or not this continues well into the twenty-first century will in large part depend on local interest. As many players have noted, spectators in the old days didn’t have many alternate entertainment options, but even in a time full of distractions, the White Park gameplay offers its own unique charms. As the sun sets over the green park, you can listen for the crack of those wooden bats while contemplating the history that unfolded in this very spot.
Bald Peak Colony Club Celebrates 105 Years
By Mike Moore
Quietly tucked away along the northern shores of Lake Winnipesaukee, just off the grounds of the Castle in the Clouds, sits Bald Peak Colony Club, the only lakeside private country club and golf course in all of New Hampshire. Much like the mansion that exists on the Castle in the Clouds grounds, the Colony Club was imagined and partially designed by the millionaire shoe manufacturer and resident of Lucknow Mansion, Thomas Plant, in 1921.
Plant was well known for earning his fortune as a self-made shoe industrialist around the late 19th century. Originally from Bath, Maine, he decided that the Ossipee Mountain area would be the ideal place to construct a massive estate for him to enjoy his retirement. The Lucknow Estate would be carved out of over 6000 acres of forestland and completed within five years of Plant retiring. Today, the mansion is better known as Castle in the Clouds, a historic landmark and tourism destination that attracts thousands of public visitors each year. While the Castle Preservation Society owns the mansion and that portion of the property, the Bald Peak Colony Club still holds the ownership of the golf course and the rest of the lower portion of Plant’s original acreage. Now celebrating its 105th anniversary, the exclusive club is also a historical landmark, having been officially recognized as such by the US Secretary of the Interior’s National Register of Historical Places in 2023.
From the very beginning, Plant recognized that his property around the Bald Peak area of the Ossipee Mountains would be the perfect setting for him and his friends from the local community to have social gatherings and play some golf. With picturesque views of the lake, the mountains, and the forests with their bursts of color through-
out the fall, the Colony Club wanted to ensure the golf course would be designed precisely, so it could enhance and celebrate the spectacular views, while also offering a bit of a challenge for the skilled golfers. Looking for someone to match his impressively high attention to detail that made his businesses so successful, Plant hired world-renowned golf course architect Donald Ross to help make his vision come to life. And Ross did not disappoint. The 18-hole course was carved out perfectly, with each hole providing stunning views of either the expansive lake or the Ossipee Mountains towering over the landscape. The clubhouse and other properties were constructed with elegance and care, just footsteps from the course and clubhouse. The building locations couldn’t provide a more perfect view overlooking Winnipesaukee.
When Plant first opened the club in 1920, it was mostly him and his friends getting together for some golf and fellowship. Word traveled fast about the new playland he created alongside his mansion, and the club quickly became the social beacon of the area. There were dozens of cottages built nearby the clubhouse and boathouse that worked wonderfully for those coming up to visit. At the clubhouse, organized events started to fill up the social calendar. During the day, members could enjoy canoeing, swimming, golf, ten-
nis, or croquet. During the evenings, there were dances, moving picture nights, and plenty of card games and parlor events for members to join. Plant wanted dress codes in place that matched the traditional elegance of the scenery, and the members, 105 years later, still maintain strict adherence to Plant’s wishes for attire.
Not much else has changed over a century later. Those cottages were eventually purchased by members and converted into their own private homes, but most still hold the original construction and design that fits perfectly with the aesthetic of the course and surrounding area. Today, Bald Peak Colony Club members still have an array of options beyond golfing to keep themselves entertained. Members can utilize the tennis and pickleball courts, spend some time soaking up sun at the beach area exclusive to the club, or catch up with old friends at one of the many social events offered throughout the year. The club property offers members plenty of privacy, and the membership numbers are kept small enough to make sure members can take advantage of all the club has to offer each time they visit. Becoming a member here can be tough, since only current members can recommend anyone new for membership.
Bald Peak is regularly recognized as the best private course in New Hampshire, with endorsements from Golf
Digest, golf.com, and USA Today. It has also received countless accolades as one of the most scenic courses in all of New England. Within two years of establishing the Colony Club, the breathtaking scenery of the golf course drew plenty of attention from golf enthusiasts from around the country. It would hold its first event in 1922, an exhibition match that saw recent U.S. amateur champions take on two British amateur champions. Today, the well-maintained track hosts several private events each year, while also hosting an NEPGA event annually. The course design today is unchanged from what Plant envisioned and Ross created, proving that Ross would still have the magic touch 105 years later.
The colony club might have private membership, but its impact on the Lakes Region communities has been consistently strong since the start. 23 years ago, the club officially established The Bald Peak Community Fund to help support and raise money for the less fortunate living locally. They partner with the New Hampshire Charitable Foundation and also provide support to dozens of non-profit and community assistance programs from Meredith, Center Harbor, Ossipee, Wolfeboro, North Conway, and several other nearby communities. In all, the BPCF has raised nearly three million dollars in charitable donations and looks to continue its giving ways for years to come. Non-profits are encouraged to fill out a grant application available on the club’s website.
Thomas Plant made millions of dollars and wanted nothing more than to enjoy time with friends in his home in Northern New England. Little did he know that over a hundred years later, his retirement estate and country club would be a huge part of New Hampshire history.
Dancing Queen Comes to the Clouds: ABBA’s Greatest Hits
Great Waters Summer Concerts is proud to present ARRIVAL from Sweden – The Music of ABBA as part of its Concerts in the Clouds series on Saturday, July 11, from 7:30–9 pm. Set beneath the signature acoustical tent at Castle in the Clouds, this high-energy, open-air performance promises an unforgettable night of iconic pop hits in one of New Hampshire’s most breathtaking settings.
traordinary settings.
The last time ABBA's music lit up Concerts in the Clouds, it quickly became one of Great Waters’ biggest modern-day shows, drawing a huge crowd and creating an unforgettable night of music and nostalgia. This time, ARRIVAL from Sweden—widely considered one of the world’s premier ABBA tribute bands—raises the bar even higher with an authentic, high-energy performance that captures the true sound and spirit of the original group. If the last show was any indication, tickets will go fast—so do not wait to secure your seats for what promises to be an even bigger and better night.
Set against sweeping views of Lake Winnipesaukee, the Concerts in the Clouds venue offers a oneof-a-kind summer concert experi-
Founded in 1995 in Gothenburg, Sweden, by Vicky Zetterberg, ARRIVAL from Sweden has grown into one of the world’s most celebrated ABBA tribute productions. Having toured in more than 70 countries and completed over 80 U.S. tours, the group has sold out arenas seating up to 50,000 people and earned an international reputation for authenticity and excellence. Often described as “the closest you will ever get to ABBA,” the production features world-class musicians and vocalists performing 100% live, delivering remarkable renditions of beloved hits including “Dancing Queen,” “Mamma Mia,” “Waterloo,” “Fernando,” “SOS,” and “The Winner Takes It All,” among many others.
ence. Guests are encouraged to arrive early to enjoy a full evening at the mountaintop venue, with food trucks serving a variety of options starting at 5:30 pm and continuing throughout the show. The Castle bar is open for drinks starting at 5:30 pm. Great Waters Summer Concerts, a nonprofit organization dedicated to bringing world-class music to New Hampshire’s Lakes Region, continues its tradition of presenting exceptional performances in ex-
Great Waters is a nonprofit dedicated to bringing world-class performances to New Hampshire’s Lakes Region. Special thanks to our leadership sponsors: Eastern Propane and Oil, Belknap Landscaping, Maxfield Real Estate, Paul Zimmerman, Fidelity Investments, and Lake Winni Team, for making these concerts possible.
The performance will take place at Concerts in the Clouds at Castle in the Clouds, 483 Ossipee Park Road, Moultonborough, NH. Tickets are available at www.greatwaters.org, by phone at 603-569-7710, or at the Great Waters office in Wolfeboro.
Spiny Water Flea Panel Discussion to Explore NH’s
Following the recent detection of spiny water flea in Newfound Lake, the Newfound Lake Region Association (NLRA) invites the public to attend an interactive panel discussion focused on understanding and responding to New Hampshire’s newest aquatic invasive threat. Ask the Experts: Spiny Water Flea and New Hampshire Lakes will take place on Tuesday, July 7, from 5 to 6:30 pm at the Grey Rocks Conservation Center, located at 178 North Shore Road in Hebron. The discussion will feature experts actively involved in monitoring and managing aquatic invasive species in New Hampshire: Kirsten Hugger, Watershed Data Manager and Aquatic Ecologist with the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services, and Paul Pellissier, Conservation Program Manager with the Newfound Lake Region Association.
Spiny water flea is a tiny invasive zooplankton native to Eurasia that can have significant impacts on lake ecosystems. While less than half an inch long, it disrupts aquatic food webs by preying on native zooplankton that serve as an important food source for young
fish. The species can also interfere with recreational fishing by accumulating on fishing lines and gear. Since arriving in North America, the spiny water flea has spread to lakes across the region, often hitchhiking on boats, fishing gear, and other recreational equipment.
During this community conversation, participants will learn how spiny water flea spreads, the ecological and recreational impacts it can have on lakes, and what current monitoring efforts are revealing about its distribution in New Hampshire. The discussion will also highlight practical prevention strategies that boaters, anglers, and other lake users can take to help slow the spread of aquatic invasive species. Because prevention remains the most effective defense against aquatic invasive species, understanding how the spiny water flea spreads is critical to protecting lakes throughout New Hampshire. Attendees will have the opportunity to ask questions, share observations and concerns, and gain a deeper understanding of the challenges and opportunities associated with protecting New Hampshire’s lakes.
“The discovery of spiny water flea in
Newfound Lake has raised many questions from residents, visitors, and lake users,” said NLRA Executive Director Rebecca Hanson. “This event offers an opportunity to hear directly from experts about what we know, what we’re still learning, and the practical steps individuals can take to help protect the lakes and waterways we all value.”
The program is free to attend and open to the public. Registration is re-
quested. For more information and to register, visit NewfoundLake.org/ events, email info@NewfoundLake. org, or call 603-744-8689.
NLRA protects and improves the health of the Newfound Lake Watershed. More information about the Newfound Lake Region Association and its education and outreach programs can be found at NewfoundLake.org.
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Dining Out in the Lakes Region
Available at Hundreds of Locations around the Lakes Region!
Wolfeboro Public Library Invites Community Input for New Three-Year Strategic Plan
The Wolfeboro Public Library is preparing to launch a comprehensive community survey in early July 2026 to help shape its next three-year strategic plan. Generously sponsored by the non-profit charitable Wolfeboro Public Library Foundation, the initiative aims to gather widespread feedback from all households and seasonal residents. The data collected will play a crucial role in deciding how the library will adapt its future resources, technologies, and services to best serve the evolving needs of the community.
This framework will guide the library’s priorities, focusing on key operational areas such as:
Program Development: Expanding literacy, cultural, wellness, and recreational programming for children, teens, and adults.
Technology & Infrastructure: Assess-
ing community demand for upgraded digital learning tools, hardware, and software platforms.
Facility Enrichment: Optimizing the use of the physical space—which underwent a major expansion and renovation in 2020—to better accommodate community gatherings, workspaces, and quiet study.
Collection Enhancement: Aligning physical and digital collections with the contemporary interests and needs of patrons.
How to Participate
The survey will officially open in early July 2026. To guarantee that every voice in town has an opportunity to weigh in, the library will make the questionnaire accessible through multiple formats:
Digital Access: The survey will be hosted online, with direct access links
published on the official Wolfeboro Public Library website and shared across municipal social channels. Each household in Wolfeboro will receive an informational postcard and follow-up with clear directions on how to respond.
Physical Copies: Printed versions of the survey will be available at the library’s circulation desk on South Main Street, as well as various partner locations in town.
Inclusivity: Both frequent library patrons and those who rarely utilize the facility are strongly encouraged to participate, as understanding the barriers to library use is highly critical to the strategic planning process.
Community responses will remain completely confidential and will be compiled later in the Fall to begin building the strategic plan.
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While the Town of Wolfeboro handles the library’s foundational operating budget, the Foundation steps in to fund critical, forward-looking projects that fall outside tax-supported boundaries.
“Sponsoring this community survey is a direct investment in the voices of Wolfeboro citizens. By supporting this research, the Wolfeboro Public Library Foundation is ensuring that future taxpayer and philanthropic funds are targeted precisely where the community wants and needs them most,” noted Douglas Smith, Chair of the Wolfeboro Library Board of Trustees.
For more information regarding the upcoming survey or to explore current library programming, residents can visit the Wolfeboro Public Library or contact the library directly at 603-5692428.
Boat Rentals
