NEWS FROM THE VILLAGE

Visit Meredith in March for a Special Sampling of What the Mill Falls has to Offer

March is the month of melting snow, longer days, and a glimmer of spring in the air. New life is beginning to stir, and with it, our spirits awaken.  This is the time of romance and fresh starts.  Now is the time to grab your sweetie and get away for a little time to connect and relax in a quiet setting with a cozy village at your door.  The Inns and Spa at Mill Falls are offering an irresistible deal that makes it easy…

Mill Falls Waterfall

For $99, you and a guest will enjoy:

• 1-night at the Inn at Mill Falls
• A $25 spa credit towards spa services
• 2 entrees for the price of one for Lunch AND Dinner at participating restaurants
• Complimentary continental breakfast
• Mill Falls Marketplace discount coupon book
• 20% off Company Store purchases

For an additional $50 you can upgrade to a lake-view room, or for $80 more indulge in a lake-view room with a whirlpool bath and a fireplace.  What a way to experience the luxury and amenities of the Mill Falls without spending a fortune!  For details visit http://millfalls.com/innsider/issue.php or call reservations at 800-622-6455 and ask about the Travel NOW offer.  You deserve it.

1st Annual Pond Hockey Tournament a Big Success

“It was our first year, and we couldn’t have asked for a better response,” said Scott Crowder, organizer of the New England Pond Hockey Classic (NEPHC), “From the participants, to the sponsors, to the town of Meredith — and obviously the weather… the entire weekend went off without a hitch.”

Nearly 500 players and 77 teams turned out for the first annual NEPHC tournament on Lake Winnipesaukee in Meredith, NH on the weekend of February 5^th – 7^th.  With “baby blue skies and beautiful sunshine,” five divisions competed on 7 rinks simultaneously over the course of the weekend.  On Sunday afternoon, five teams raised Lake WinnipeHockey’s Cup above their heads: 
in the Open Division – The Paddy’s from Lexington, MA, 
in the 30+ Division – The Frozen Hacks from Franklin, MA,
in the 40+ Division – The Bumbles from Alton, NH, in the Legends Division – The Bud Heavies from Newburyport, MA, and 
in the Just for Fun Division – Montreal Todd from Woburn, MA.

“As this event goes forward, we would like to start expanding by at least being able to accommodate the 40 additional teams we had to wait-list this year,” said Crowder. “That would already bring us up to 120 teams, which, for only being in our second year of operation, would be incredible.”  Crowder also has plans to add a women’s division to next year’s event.  He estimates that there will be 12 – 13 rinks on the bay, and close to another 500 participants coming to the area for the weekend of February 4^th – 6^th, 2011.  Crowder said he would like to have a youth tournament, as well, adding, “If we could get more kids out there playing, they’re going to fall in love with the sport of hockey.”

Since the tournament, Crowder has been receiving e-mails from folks in Meredith saying how nice it is to drive by the rinks and see people out there using them.  “They said that for whatever reason before, kids wouldn’t go out on the lake and skate,” said Crowder.  “Hopefully this will help the community and all the kids, have them start to play hockey, cause it’s such a fun sport.”

The purpose of the event was to “bring hockey back to the basics,” Crowder said.  “The competition was very healthy, we didn’t have any fights, or anything of that nature.  Everyone was able to have a good time.  It was nice to see something that we put together help out the local businesses and give the hockey community of the region something to come out for.  That was extremely positive.”

Crowder is “very thankful for the town of Meredith… for all of our sponsors—they were huge in helping us pull this off.  Also the volunteers – a special thanks to them.”  He says that next year’s tournament is going to be even bigger, and they will definitely need more “passionate volunteers, the people who want to come out and have some fun helping us out.”

So mark your calendars for next year, and hopefully we’ll see you out on the ice!

Pond Hockey on Lake Winnipesaukee

Sources:

http://www.pondhockeyclassic.com/2010_Tourney.html

http://www.nesn.com/2010/02/pond-hockey-takes-center-stage-at-festive-nh-tournament.html

http://www.facebook.com/pages/New-England-Pond-Hockey-Classic/161928693353?ref=search&sid=100000563348317.1727577530..1

The Guest House Beading Studio Provides Space for Creativity at Mill Falls Marketplace

The new store at the Marketplace is not just an ordinary shop.  Even the name conjures up a warm and inviting place that makes you feel at home.  Opened four years ago in Meredith Village, The Guest House of Meredith recently moved to the Mill Falls Marketplace.  It is a creative studio, where people can come to learn, share, and socialize while designing and creating everything from jewelry and accessories, to one-of-a-kind art pieces, and even lampshades.  The possibilities are endless!

J. Lynn, the artist and published jewelry designer behind the idea for the studio, opened The Guest House after retiring from social work, where she specialized in play and art therapy.  She says the mission of the studio is to help inspire creativity.  Guests are free to browse the beautiful designs of J. Lynn, or create a new piece “that will amaze your friends.”  The friendly and professional staff can also design and create a stunning “made-for-you” piece for any occasion.

The Guest House carries a wide range of stones, artist beads, crystals, and jewelry-making components.  They also have fibers, such as silk and wool, so guests can craft scarves, hats, and purses, and add beads for accent.  Clays and resins are available as well, for sculpture, belt buckles, and other art forms.

Guests can work on their pieces right in the store.  The studio offers table space for beading, stitching, and design assistance.  The studio is also available for gatherings, such as bridal parties and girls’ night out.  Snacks and spirits are welcome here!  To really get inspired, be sure to check the class schedule and sign up for some of the classes and workshops at The Guest House!

J. Lynn is proud to be promoting a project she started called “Beads for the Brave.”  This campaign donates beading supplies to women serving in the military overseas, where they use this art for physical as well as emotional healing.  She encourages folks to bring any beading or craft items into the store to be shipped to our brave fellow artists.

In addition to beading and art supplies, classes, and studio space, The Guest House provides jewelry repair services.  From simple repairs to complete restringing and redesign, the talented staff can bring any piece back to life.

The next time you’re in Meredith, take a stroll through the Mill Falls Marketplace and stop in at The Guest House.  You just may find something to spark your creativity!

Sweet Deals for February Vacation at this NH Inn

February is a great time to book a family getaway close to all the fun winter activities New Hampshire has to offer, and the Inns & Spa at Mill Falls have a deal that makes getting away a little easier—reserve one night at the regular rate and get the second night for half price during the last two weeks of February!

This family-friendly resort also offers Kidz Camp, a professional childcare program that allows Mom and Dad to have a little time to themselves, too.  Parents can relax at the spa and enjoy a romantic dinner for two while the children are having fun at a special, themed activity night, such as Chinese New Year, Mardi Gras, or Pirates Night.

For details, visit: http://millfalls.com/innsider/issue.php.  Let the February fun begin!

Travel NOW During Random Acts of Kindness Week!

In a gesture of kindness to recognize Random Acts of Kindness Week, The Inns and Spa at Mill Falls is offering special low rates on selected dates. Random Acts of Kindness Week officially runs February 15 – 21, but this resort is getting a jump on the week by extending its offer for the dates of February 7 – 11. Reserve Travel NOW rates online by entering TNOW in the promotional code box or by calling our reservations line at 800-622-6455.

Eight Kindness Gifts

via http://www.kindacts.net/ideas_resources/RAK_week/RAK_week.shtml

The Gift of Listening…

But you must REALLY listen. No interrupting, no daydreaming, no planning your response, just listening.

The Gift of Affection…

Be generous with appropriate hugs, kisses, pats on the back and handholds. Let these small actions demonstrate the love you have for family and friends.

The Gift of Laughter…

Clip cartoons. Share articles and funny stories. Your gift will say, “I love to laugh with you.”

The Gifts of a Written Note…

It can be a simple “Thanks for the help” note or a full sonnet. A brief, hand-written note may be remembered for a lifetime, and may even change a life.

The Gift of a Compliment…

A simple and sincere, “You look great in red,” “You did a super job” or “That was a wonderful meal” can make someone’s day.

The Gift of a Favor…

Every day, go out of your way to do something kind.

The Gift of Solitude…

There are times when we want nothing better than to be left alone. Be sensitive to those times and give the gift of solitude to others.

The Gift of a Cheerful Disposition…

The easiest way to feel good is to extend a kind word to someone, really it’s not that hard to say, “Hello” or “Thank you.”

- by Isaac Ng, Singapore

Visit our colleague’s web site for more inspiration at www.worldkindness.org.sg.

image credit:  Gibson Claire McGuire Regester at flickr.com

Meredith Hosts First Annual Pond Hockey Classic Tournament

Get ready for another busy weekend in the village—The New England Pond Hockey Classic will be held February 5^th through the 7^th and will bring together 77 teams from across the northeast to compete on seven rinks that are ready on the ice of Meredith Bay.

Pond hockey is a form of ice hockey that is a traditional winter game played by pick-up teams on a natural frozen body of water in northern towns. “It’s going to be a throwback experience, like going back in time to hockey’s roots, to the real basics. People have a lot of good memories of pond hockey and that’s really how the game was born,” said Scott Crowder, tournament director.

The 3-day tournament will accommodate adult teams in five different age divisions.  Games will be played in a four-on-four, no goalie, round-robin format, with small, six-inch high goals. “That discourages slap shots and makes accuracy and passing a big part of the game,” Crowder said.  There will be no referees, but instead a rink monitor who will ensure that the competitive spirit of the players stays in place.

The New England Pond Hockey Classic (NEPHC) has partnered with four non-profits:  The Greater Meredith Program, Restore Hockey, Lakes Region Youth Hockey and the Special Olympics of NH.  All will be present throughout the course of the weekend hoping to raise some money to benefit their missions.  NEPHC will hold a silent auction and raffle in the Chase House Flagship Ballroom on Friday and Saturday from 9:00 – 5:00, with all proceeds going to benefit the non-profit partners.

NEPHC is also planning two socials to take place in the Flagship Ballroom.  On Friday evening, tournament participants and guests can be merry while watching the Hockey East game live on NESN, and at the Saturday night social, winners of the Silent Auction and Raffle will be announced.  Both events will have a cash bar and light fare provided by the Common Man Restaurant.

“We have received a wonderful response from participants, sponsors, and volunteers alike,” says Crowder.  “We currently have over 35 teams on a wait list for the tournament.  We have over 60 volunteers and a number of wonderful sponsors on board to help make this event a great success in its first year.”

Crowder, the founder of Ekal Excursions LLC, which was formed to promote the Lakes Region lifestyle year-round, says, “I couldn’t be happier to call Lake Winnipesaukee and Meredith my home.  Visitors during tournament weekend will truly feel like they have traveled back in time as they pull into the village with its charming character and old New England architecture and see a frozen lake filled with pond hockey rinks.”

Crowder says the New England Pond Hockey Classic is looking to run an event that will grow over the years and ultimately involve multiple locations around the lake for much larger tournaments.  “It’s nice to provide this opportunity for pond hockey players from New England.  We hope the Pond Hockey Classic will become an annual event for the players of this region for years to come.”

Can’t make it to the event? 
Thanks to InterLakes.TV, you can watch the 2010 New England Pond Hockey Classic from the comfort of your own home!  Some videos will be pre-recorded and others will be streamed live from Lake Winnipesaukee.
 Please visit www.interlakes.tv to watch the action!

Pond Hockey Tournament in Maine:

sources:

http://pondhockeyclassic.com/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pond_hockey

http://www.unionleader.com/article.aspx?headline=NH’s+Pond+Hockey+Classic+will+draw+hundreds+next+month&articleId=c39a1111-b9e8-4d25-a520-40e2103e7529

http://www.vacationlakesregionnh.com/ArticleView/tabid/310/smid/920/ArticleID/649/reftab/311/t/New-England-Pond-Hockey-Classic/Default.aspx

Meredith Inns Host Saturday Wagon Rides and Campfires

For some good old-fashioned fun this winter, catch a ride on a horse-drawn wagon!  The Inns and Spa at Mill Falls are hosting Saturday night wagon rides in Meredith Village, complete with a campfire, to warm up the chilly winter evenings.

On selected Saturdays through February, as well as Valentine’s Day, the horse-drawn wagon circles the village at makes several stops at all four of the Mill Falls Inns between the hours of 5:30 and 8:00pm.  Guests who are staying at the Inns can jump on for a charming ride to and from dinner, or just for fun!  Make one of your stops at Bay Point, where you’ll find a cozy campfire on the shore of Lake Winnipesaukee.  Folks from the Inns will be there with marshmallows for toasting, as long as Mother Nature cooperates!

So take someone you love to Meredith this weekend and snuggle up against the cold with the rhythmic sounds of horses’ hooves clapping on the streets, and bask in the special magic of a crackling campfire!

Coming Soon: The 2010 Great Meredith Rotary Fishing Derby!

On the weekend of January 30^th, the frozen surface of Lake Winnipesaukee will be transformed into a bustling metropolis of ice-fishing bob houses and folks gathered to participate in one of the Lakes Regions biggest winter events—The 31^st Great Rotary Fishing Derby!

The two-day Ice Fishing Derby is one of the top fund-raising events in the state, enabling The Meredith Rotary Club to donate more than $1.6 million back into the community for charitable projects, area improvements, and scholarships.  The Rotary Club, in consultation with the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department, also stocks tagged fish in several New Hampshire Lakes as part of an ongoing fisheries management plan.

The Derby brings visitors to New Hampshire from all over the country.  Fishermen, their families, and friends come to Meredith in hopes of catching the heaviest Rotary-tagged Rainbow Trout and claiming the grand prize.  This year’s First Prize is an 18-foot Pioneer sport fiberglass fishing boat and Tidewater trailer valued at over $25,500.  Second Prize is a Honda ATV and trailer valued at $6,500, and Third Prize is an Old Town sporting kayak with trolling motor package valued at $1,100.

On Friday, January 29^th, The Rotary Club will host a free ice fishing panel discussion from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the Meredith Community Center to kickoff the weekend.  According to Rob Wichland, chairman of the 2010 Great Meredith Rotary Fishing Derby, “The panel discussion events we’ve hosted since 2006 were such a great success, we’re doing it again in 2010.”  Don Miller of the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department, as well as Travis Williams and Adrien Lavoie, licensed New Hampshire fishing guides, will discuss ice fishing tips, techniques, and equipment.  Light refreshments will be served.

Tickets for the Derby are $30 and are available at more than a dozen locations around Lake Winnipesaukee, including A.J.’s Bait and Tackle, the Winnisquam Trading Post, Skelly’s Market, Alton Circle Grocery and at Paugus Bay Sporting Goods.  You can also purchase tickets online (click on “items”), or by calling The Meredith Rotary Club at 603-279-7600.  Online ticket sales prior to January 18^th will be mailed to the address provided.  After that, requested tickets may be picked up at Derby Headquarters at Hesky Park in Meredith.  Headquarters will be open from 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. on Friday, January 29^th, 2010 and will open again at 5:00 a.m. on Saturday, January 30^th.  If the Derby is postponed, your tickets cannot be refunded, but will be honored when the event is rescheduled.

Postponement is unlikely.  As of January 12^th, virtually all of Lake Winnipesaukee is now frozen.  The current lake temp is 32.9ºF and dropping slowly.  Low temps for this upcoming week are expected to range between five and ten degrees, allowing the ice to thicken up quickly.   Looks like the conditions will be right for a great Derby!

sources:

http://www.weirsonline.com/fishingderby.htm

http://www.meredithrotary.com/2010_Derby_with_cart/Fishing_Derby.html

“Freezin’ for a Reason” in Meredith

Come on out for a good cause tomorrow—the second annual Winnipesaukee Dip to benefit the Special Olympics of New Hampshire (SONH) will be taking place at noon near the Meredith town docks on Sunday, January 10^th.  The Winni Dip is one of the fundraising efforts of the Law Enforcement Torch Run sponsored by the NH Association of Chiefs of Police.  Approximately one hundred dippers representing police, fire, emergency response crews, and other public safety agencies are expected to plunge into the ice-cold waters of Lake Winnipesaukee to benefit the 3,500 participants of SONH.

Participation is open to everyone, and it’s not too late to sign up.  Registration is taking place online at the SONH website, or on the day of the event at the Winnipesaukee Ballroom at Church Landing.  A twenty-five dollar, non-refundable commitment fee is due at registration for each individual and a total of $250 in contributions is the minimum to participate.

The costume theme for this year’s event is “Superheroes.”  Prizes will be awarded for individuals and teams with the best costumes, as well as to individuals and teams who raise the most money for SONH.

Carol Cray, Special Olympics Development Director, said that the Winni Dip Management Team expects the number of participants in 2010 to be double that of 2009.

Participants may also designate 15% of the funds they raise to the not-for-profit organization or government agency of their choice.  Mike Sielicki, Chief of Police in Rindge and Director of the Torch Run said, “This is a great way for all public safety agencies to support the Special Olympics and earn some money for local projects.”

So even if you’re not dipping in the Lake, come down to Meredith tomorrow to cheer on those brave “Superheroes!”

sources:

http://www.nh.com/features/recreation/505084-167/meredith-gets-ready-for-2nd-annual-winni.html

http://www.sonh.org/winnidip/

Mill Falls Resort Hosts New Year’s Silver Celebration

Get ready for a very special New Year’s holiday on the lake—The Inns and Spa at Mill Falls will be turning 25 this coming year, and they are throwing a big party to celebrate!  The resort is hosting a New Year’s Silver Celebration Gala in the Winnipesaukee Ballroom at Church Landing, which promises to be spectacular!

The lucky guests will arrive to a champagne and strawberries reception in the lobby and a chance to mingle amid the sound of live piano music in the Oval Room.  The party continues in the Ballroom, where a beautiful gourmet dinner will be served.  Five plated courses, from Hors D’Oeuvres to decadent dessert, will be prepared by the Lakehouse Grille and accompanied by a champagne toast.  Dancing into the wee hours is expected, with energetic live music performed by Center Stage.

Outside, folks will be able to enjoy the festive holiday lights adorning Meredith while taking a Horse & Buggy ride around the village.  And at 10:30, everyone in town will be watching the breathtaking fireworks display over Meredith Bay!

The Ballroom Gala has already sold out, but you may still be able to find a table at Lakehouse Grille, where one can luxuriate in a fine, candlelight dinner with a view of Lake Winnipesaukee.  The restaurant does not take reservations, but will put your name on the list with call-ahead seating that night, so plan to arrive early and relax with a beverage by the fireplace before dinner.

Congratulations to The Mill Falls Resort, and Happy New Year to all!