Open Studio Days at The Arts Collaborative in Meredith

The new studio is waiting for you!

Many artists say the best way to approach creating art is to let go of expectations, be like a child, and play. Get ready to do just that at a new Lakes Region studio where the emphasis is on imagination and fun—and the possibilities are endless—during Open Studio Days this summer.

On Tuesdays in August, budding artists of all ages and experience are encouraged to visit The Arts Collaborative in Meredith, NH, a joint venture and creative collaboration between David Little of Winnipesaukee Forge and Steven Hayden of Hayden Arts. This gallery of fine furnishings and original artwork also has creative studio space, including the new downstairs teaching studio of Eco Art a la Carte and ArtsEnlight. For Open Studio Days, the space and plenty of materials are available for folks to come and “relax, play, explore, and create!” The vast array of art materials include traditional paints as well as natural and repurposed materials for collage and beyond! Experienced teaching artists Cynthia Robinson and Heidi Little will be on hand to lend some support if needed. Read the rest of this entry »

Satori Tea Garden a Peaceful Retreat for Lunch, Sweets, and Tea

One of the nicest things about summertime in New Hampshire is being able to relax outdoors in the warm weather and enjoy the natural beauty of the area. Add delicious food to the mix and the experience borders on transcendent—it feeds the soul. In the quaint lakeside village of Meredith, visitors and locals can find a quiet little spot tucked in a beautiful Japanese garden to sample light French luncheon fare, elegant desserts, and fine teas. This haven is known as Satori, a tea garden.

Satori is located in the gardens of the lakes gallery at chi-lin, an Asian art and antique gallery and workshop center just up the hill from The Inns & Spa at Mill Falls. Satori opened for its 11^th season on Wednesday, July 25^th to mild weather and a steady stream of customers. Suzanne Lee, owner of the lakes gallery and Satori tea garden, offers light vegetarian cuisine and tea at satori Wednesday through Saturday from 11:30 to 4:30. After school starts again in the fall, the tea garden will be open on Saturdays, with other days available by appointment, until the fall begins to turn chilly. Read the rest of this entry »

New EKAL Activity Center Offers Fun Ways to Experience Lake Winnipesaukee

Scott Crowder stands outside the new EKAL Activity Center

Visitors to the Lakes Region of New Hampshire have always found a variety of ways to enjoy the water in the summertime. From swimming and waterskiing to sailing and speed boating, there is something for everyone here. One of the best ways to get on the water and explore is with a canoe or kayak, and now it’s even easier for guests and residents of Meredith to hop in and paddle, as a new activity center has opened on the shore of Lake Winnipesaukee.

The new EKAL Activity Center in Meredith is part retail shop and part learning center, providing visitors with rentals of kayaks, canoes, stand-up paddle boards (SUP), and old-fashioned pedal boats, as well as lessons in how to best use the equipment. The center also offers guided tours of the lake on any of these watercrafts. Ekal opened last weekend to beautiful weather and people eager to begin a fun summer on the lake! Read the rest of this entry »

Meredith Art Galleries Offer ‘Artists as Teachers’ Summer Program

Michael Milburn teaching a Koi workshop

This summer, many of the art galleries in Meredith will be offering a very special program of classes and workshops to bring a variety of hands-on lessons to the guests and residents of this picturesque and inspiring lakeside NH village. The Artists as Teachers program, a joint effort by Gallery 51, the lakes gallery at chi-lin, Vynn Art Gallery, and Kairos Art Space, was created to encourage people to come to Meredith to not only find great art, but to be able to study it with the artists themselves.

The Artists as Teachers program will be held throughout July and August at each of the participating galleries, with a diverse schedule of classes taught by respected and accomplished artists from across New England.  On Thursday, June 28^th, the galleries will hold opening receptions for the new program, in a setting where guests can view the artists’ exhibits, learn all about the classes being offered, and have the first chance to sign up for one or several workshops. Read the rest of this entry »

Annual Winnipesaukee Wine Festival Returns to Meredith

Don’t miss the feel-good event of the year—two fun nights of fabulous food, wine, and music on the shore of Lake Winnipesaukee that will showcase wines from around the world, along with fabulous food from local restaurants—all while raising funds for a local non-profit organization.

The Seventh Annual Winnipesaukee Wine Festival will take place on Thursday, June 21^st from 5:30 – 8:00 p.m. in the Winnipesaukee Ballroom at Church Landing, where more than 100 domestic and international wines provided by over 20 vintners will be ready for sampling. To accompany these great wines, several local eateries will be preparing delicious hors d’oeuvres and appetizers. Guests can sample wonderful dishes from Lakehouse Grille, The Corner House Inn, Lavinia’s, Owen’s Farm Stand, Lago, Camp, and Town Docks.

The evening will also feature an ice bar with spirits and beer from Cisco Brewers of Nantucket. The Brewery will be offering samples of their Whale’s Tale Ale and Triple Eight Vodka, with the latter being freshly mixed into martinis that will be poured down an ice sculpture luge created by Jeff Day of Ice Designs. Read the rest of this entry »

Meredith Becoming Another NH Antique Alley?

When folks think of heirloom and period piece shopping destinations, New Hampshire’s “Antique Alley” on Route 4 in Northwood usually comes to mind, but there are a few other little towns in the Granite State that have a growing antique and art market, including this quaint village on the edge of Lake Winnipesaukee.

Located in the heart of the Lakes Region of New Hampshire, Meredith is near a lot of old farms and family camps, which have transformed into treasure troves for antiques over the years. Meredith has also become a thriving destination town, thanks to its one-of-a-kind hotels, restaurants, and shops, as well as a lively assortment of events throughout the year. This is a winning combination for antique shops and art galleries in town.

Ted McGuigan recently opened Antiques at Meredith Bay, a new shop on Main Street with a view of the lake. “I opened in February and I’ve been doing well,” says Ted. “Business has been very, very good.  I’m very pleased with Meredith and how it’s promoted.” Ted credits The Greater Meredith Program and the Meredith Rotary Club for supporting the town with various events during each season. “Not many towns do that, so it’s a major plus.” Ted’s customers are tourists as well as local residents, and he carries items that are sourced locally in the Lakes Region. The shop features a wide range of items, from miniscule collectibles, to marble-top tables, to gold and estate jewelry.  Says Ted, “A little bit of everything, something for everybody’s taste, hopefully.” Read the rest of this entry »

Get Your Laughs at Comedy Night at Church Landing

The feel-good event of the year is back—Kidworks Learning Center is once again teaming up with The Inns & Spa at Mill Falls and Meredith Village Savings Bank to bring the Meredith community a night of comedy and merriment to benefit the children of Kidworks.

On Friday, April 6^th, two nationally renowned comedians will perform at Church Landing as part of the Comedy Night fundraising event. This is the second year Kidworks is setting the comedy stage as its annual fundraiser. In previous years, the learning center has hosted several fundraisers on a smaller scale, such as bake sales, book sales, and Yankee Candle drives, but last year’s big event inspired the organization to bring Comedy Night back to the Meredith community. The evening begins with a cash bar at 7pm, followed by an 8pm comedy show featuring Robbie Printz and Steve Guillmette. Read the rest of this entry »

Three-time Juno Award-winner David Francey Returns to Meredith

David Francey will be at The Grotto March 14

Time flies when you’re having fun! It’s been over a year since Giuseppe’s Pizzeria & Ristoranté opened “The Grotto,” a beautiful and cozy room in the original foundation of the old linen mill at Mill Falls, with plenty of space for private parties, wine dinners, and intimate live concerts. In fact, The Grotto’s Dinner Concert Series has been well received by audiences, who have been filling the room since last March to enjoy distinctive performances by respected national touring artists.

Canadian singer-songwriter David Francey was the first in the Dinner Concert Series lineup, and he will be returning for his second performance at The Grotto this coming Wednesday, March 14^th. “We were so fortunate to have him debut our new dinner concert series last March, when he performed to a sold-out audience,” says Julie Gnerre-Bourgeois, owner of Giuseppe’s. “His return visit is greatly anticipated.” Read the rest of this entry »

The Great Meredith Rotary Fishing Derby Returns to Meredith Bay

Although this weekend’s Pond Hockey Classic changed locations due to the warm winter and resulting questionable ice conditions on Lake Winnipesaukee, the forecast calls for colder temperatures in the coming week, and officials have decided to keep the annual ice fishing derby on for next weekend!

The Great Meredith Rotary Fishing Derby will take place as planned on Meredith Bay next Saturday and Sunday, February 11^th – 12^th. Now in its 33^rd year, the derby is one of the most well attended events in New Hampshire. Fishermen, their families, and friends gather in Meredith from all over the country and overseas in hopes of snagging the heaviest Meredith Rotary-tagged rainbow trout and claiming the grand prize. Read the rest of this entry »

3rd Annual Pond Hockey Classic Coming to Meredith, with a Twist!

NEPHC 2011

The event of the season has quickly earned a reputation for providing players and fans alike with a traditional, nostalgic, and truly competitive pond hockey experience. The first two years saw quaint Meredith Village on Lake Winnipesaukee bustling with activity as hockey lovers from all over New England and beyond converged on this normally quiet winter wonderland. This year will be bigger and better than ever—even though the event will be held on a different lake—and will be the focus of attention from a national organization documenting the environmentally sustainable practices of the sport.

The New England Pond Hockey Classic will still take place in Meredith, NH February 3^rd – 5^th, 2012, but while the games were scheduled to take place on Lake Winnipesaukee again this year, the warm winter has prevented Meredith Bay from freezing to a safe enough level to accommodate the expected crowds. The organizers have now officially decided to move the event to nearby Lake Waukewan, just a quarter-mile away on the other side of Meredith. Read the rest of this entry »