Lakes Region Halloween Haunt is a Real Scare

For countless ages, folks have sat around campfires telling tales of horror and fright, often leaving listeners with chills that last long after the stories are finished.  Many are drawn to dark legends and rumors of strange occurrences, and as the living world transitions into another realm in autumn, October is the perfect time to remember the past—and things that once were or may have been.  At Gunstock Mountain, there is a place for brave souls to gather and mingle with mysterious tales come back to life.

Morbid Mountain is the name Gunstock Mountain takes on in October, when it celebrates its annual Halloween Screamfest.  Every weekend throughout the month, visitors find themselves meandering through different haunted zones, each with their own scary back-stories.  This year, Morbid Mountain features The Morgue, The Forest of Fear, and Blackout.

The Morgue is an outdoor maze built on the spot where, rumor has it, the infamous Mountain Morgue once stood.  The rural, hidden location was perfect for the dead to return to life and take control of the morgue.  Now, zombies linger in the maze.  Visitors beware.

In the Forest of Fear, unexplained things are happening.  This usually bucolic spot in the Gunstock Mountain Resort campground has had some strange reports of odd activity.  Uncanny sounds, missing campers, and torn tents have left the security team baffled.  Bears and raccoons have been ruled out.  What is going on there?  See if you can find your way through this eerie—and shadowy—place.

Scariest of all is Blackout, an indoor maze in the resort’s Lodge.  According to an old wives’ tale, a mysterious group once used the attic to perform weird experiments on people, preferring to use all kinds of strange electrical equipment.  Now as Halloween approaches, some inexplicable stuff has been happening in the lodge, causing power surges and blackouts.  Can guests here make it through without encountering a twisted spirit from the dark days?

This is the last weekend that Morbid Mountain will allow visitors past its gates.  For more information and to read the full legends, go to www.MorbidMountain.com, and be prepared to be scared!

Carrie Reed
The Mill Falls Blogging Team

Image courtesy of Morbid Mountain

Columbus Day Weekend – The High Point of Autumn in NH

Visitors to the Lakes Region of NH are in for a treat this weekend, as the weather is predicted to be warm and sunny, and the fall foliage is starting to display its brilliant, changing colors.  It’s the perfect time for a drive to the White Mountains or around Lake Winnipesaukee!

“This year’s fall foliage show is a little different, in that its splash has been steady, rather than an explosion of color we’ve seen in other years,” says Jayne O’Connor, president of White Mountains Attractions.  ”What this means for visitors is that there will be a long patchwork of yellows, oranges and, of course, the bright reds that are the signature of the season.”

The high point of fall in NH has long been Columbus Day Weekend, when peak colors often coincide with the three-day holiday.  For many local businesses and attractions, the foliage combined with the nice weather should provide a boost in this year’s tourist season, which weathered a few challenges over the summer.

“For many of our attractions, the summer of 2011 was on track to be above what it was in 2010,” O’Connor says.  ”July and August were very strong, but that momentum was sidetracked when tropical storm Irene paid a visit.   It took us a couple weeks to repair roads and replace bridges, but everything is open and we are back on track welcoming visitors for the foliage season.”

Travelers can find the best colors by taking the scenic routes.  “Fun itineraries for visitors include following the color along what used to be called ‘shun-pikes,’ like Route 153 through Madison, Route 112 through Kinsman Notch, or Route 117 over Sugar Hill,” says O’Connor.  A good resource is also New England Times online foliage tracker, which has been updated recently to show changing to peak colors throughout the state right now.

Visitors to the Lakes Region of NH can also enjoy the Sandwich Fair while on their foliage excursion.  This annual tradition has taken place for over a century, and is one of the biggest fairs in New England.  With dozens of 4-H exhibits, food contests, tractor shows, and even a poetry reading, Sandwich Fair truly has something for everyone.  All the fun is listed on the fair’s website here.

Wherever you decide to wander this weekend, you are sure to experience the quintessential, picture-perfect New England fall.  Don’t forget to share your stories and photos with us!

Carrie Reed
The Mill Falls Blogging Team

Image credit: Glass_House at Flickr.com

The Lakes Gallery at Chi-Lin to Offer Fall Workshops

"Chrysanthemum" by Bruce Iverson

As autumn settles in and the cooler weather approaches, thoughts turn to creative indoor activities that will keep us productive and bring us much joy through the winter months and beyond.  For many people, an art class or creative workshop is just the inspiration needed to launch a new endeavor or hone existing skills, and in Meredith, NH, one little gallery offers some of the finest workshops in New England.  This fall is no exception, as the Lakes Gallery at Chi-Lin has a series of workshops lined up that will have even budding artists creating beautiful work in no time.

After a glowing response this past summer to Bruce Iverson’s Mountains, Trees & Mist workshop, the gallery was encouraged to offer another series of his classes.  This fall, Bruce will be sharing his expertise in The Four Seasons: An Introduction to the Chinese Scholar’s World of the Four Gentlemen. According to the gallery, after the Ming Dynasty was taken over by the barbarian Manchus, the scholar intellectuals retreated to simple mountain sanctuaries to continue to practice the ways of traditional gentlemen. The Four Gentlemen and the mountains in which they lived became the symbols of their world.

The bamboo—a virtuous life, with humility
The orchid—beauty in the face of obscurity
The plum blossom—constancy in the face of opposition
The chrysanthemum—triumph of hope over adversity

In Bruce’s workshops, participants will explore these symbols individually and learn to paint them using Chinese brush painting techniques. The workshops will take place on Sunday afternoons from 12:30 – 4:30/5:00 pm. Bamboo – October 9^th, Orchid – October 16^th, Plum – October 30^th, and Chrysanthemum – November 13^th.  All materials are traditional and will be provided.

Also this fall, Suzanne Lee will continue teaching Beginning Italic Calligraphy on Friday and Saturday mornings from 9 – 11am.  The Friday classes will be held from September 30^th through November 11^th, and the Saturday classes will run from October 1^st through November 12^th.  All materials and supplies for the class will be provided, and can be taken home at the end of the workshop.  By the end of this class, participants will be writing elegant cards and letters in beautiful calligraphy—just in time for the holidays!

No previous art experience is needed for either of these wonderful workshops, but space is limited and pre-registration is recommended.  For more information, please call the gallery at 603-279-8663 or email Suzanne at suzanne@chi-linasianarts.com.

Carrie Reed
The Mill Falls Blogging Team

Seven Deadly Sins Wine Dinner Returns to Meredith

Looking for a dining experience that’s so decadent it may just be sinful?  Look no further than Meredith, NH, where Lakehouse Grille will hold its annual seven-course wine dinner featuring delectable dishes paired with luscious wines from Michael David Winery, the makers of Seven Deadly Zins and many other fine wines.

The Seven Deadly Sins Wine Dinner will take place on Wednesday, September 21^st at 6pm in the new Carriage Room at Lakehouse Grille.  With its sweeping views of Lake Winnipesaukee, this beautiful part of Church Landing at the Inns & Spa at Mill Falls provides the perfect setting for a fabulous meal.  The evening will be hosted by Michael and Kristy Phillips, owners of Michael David Winery.

The event is a seven-course dinner, with each course named after one of the biblical Deadly Sins, also known as the Cardinal Sins or Capital Vices.  The dishes on the menu are so indulgent, they’re sinful!  A complementing wine from Michael David Winery also balances each course.  For example, the second course, “Pride,” is pan-seared monkfish medallions with Walker Farm corn sauce and Church Landing herb emulsion, served with a glass of Incognito White.  The dessert course is called “Lust” and features devil’s food brownie cake with raspberry butter cream and strawberry Chambord reduction.  Scary good!

The dinner is a great deal at $65 per person.  For reservations, call Lakehouse Grille at 603-279-5221 or visit theCman.com, and get ready for a sinfully good time!

Carrie Reed
The Mill Falls Blogging Team

Image credit: gfpeck at flickr.com

2011 Lakes Region Fine Arts and Crafts Festival

This weekend, Meredith Village will come to life with live music, delicious food, and beautiful works of creativity as Main Street and the Mill Falls Marketplace are transformed into an outdoor art gallery featuring the works of over 70 local painters, sculptors, jewelers, potters, photographers, and quilters.

The Lakes Region Fine Arts and Crafts Festival will take place on Saturday and Sunday, August 27^th and 28^th amongst the Meredith Village Shops and the Mill Falls Marketplace.  This annual event, organized by the Meredith Area Chamber of Commerce, is an outdoor, juried exhibition and sale of fine arts and fine crafts.  Now in its 32^nd year, the festival has gained a solid reputation among New England artists and craftspeople, making it the largest quality arts and crafts event in the area.  Visitors will enjoy a wide variety of exhibits, including wildlife photography, metal and wood sculptures, stained glass, handmade jewelry, baskets, leather works, and abstract and traditional oil painting and watercolors.  All items in the show are original creations, and the artists will be available to meet with customers and talk about their craft.

Throughout the entire weekend, art lovers can enjoy live music as they browse the many booths.  Marc Elbaum and Christine Chaisson will play jazz, classic rock, and great American songs from the 50s, 60s, and 70s on both Saturday and Sunday.  At 10am on Saturday, Mr. Phil, also known as Phil the Clown, will entertain folks of all ages with his unique blend of comedy, magic, and balloon tricks.  Phil and Janet Sanguedolce, who play classic folk and rock, will also be performing on Saturday.  On Sunday, Matt Smart will play modern blues and southern rock, and Jeremy and Amy Mathison will fill the air with their style of modern acoustic music.

Main Street will be closed to vehicle traffic for this special event, but shuttle bus service will be available and will run continuously both days.  On the north end of town, there will be plenty of parking at Prescott Park, as well as at Belknap Family Health Center on Rt. 3 at the south end of town.  The shuttle will pick up passengers every 15 minutes and deliver them right to the festival!  The shuttle service and admission to the event is free.  For more detailed information, contact the Meredith Area Chamber of Commerce at 603-279-6121.

Carrie Reed
The Mill Falls Blogging Team

photo courtesy of the Meredith Area Chamber of Commerce

Family Fun Aboard the M/S Mount Washington

View from the M/S Mount Washington's web cam, 7/14/11, 7:55pm

Families visiting the Lakes Region of New Hampshire in the summer have many pastimes to choose from, and boating on Lake Winnipesaukee is among the favorite activities of locals and tourists alike.  From a quiet kayak ride to a dinner dance cruise, there is a water activity for everyone.  But for families, the M/S Mount Washington offers something extra special.

On Fridays in July and August, Mount Washington Cruises hosts Family Fun Day.  This activity-themed day cruise aboard the M/S Mount Washington offers parents and children a chance to explore Lake Winnipesaukee while enjoying entertainment geared for the young crowd.  The ship’s mascot, Monty the Mallard, will be on deck to meet the kids, along with a special guest, who may be a magician, a clown, a puppeteer, or storyteller.  On Friday, July 29^th, Captain Radical will take over the ship for a pirate party, complete with a treasure hunt, pirate stories, and games.  A special princess tea party will take place in August.  Adults can enjoy the cruise while the children have fun with the crew!

Another family-friendly event also takes place on the M/S Mount Washington on Wednesday evenings throughout the summer—Family Party Night!  At this festive evening of dining and dancing, there is always a special entertainer for the kids on the Main Deck, and dancing to live music for adults in the Flagship Lounge on the second deck.  Folks of all ages can enjoy a buffet dinner as the ship cruises for two and a half hours around the lake.  What an elegant way to spend time with loved ones!

Celebrate summer with a quintessential cruise on the big lake aboard the M/S Mount Washington, and create lasting memories for everyone in the family!  For more information on these or many other fine cruises, please visit the Mount Washington Cruises website or call 603-366-5531 or 888-THE-MOUNT (888-843-6686).

Carrie Reed
The Mill Falls Blogging Team

photo courtesy of Mount Washington Cruises

Fourth of July Festivities in Meredith

Meredith Village is going to be hopping this weekend, as preparations for the much anticipated summer holiday get under way under blue skies and warm sunshine.  With fun events and activities lined up for Monday the 4^th of July, Independence Day on Lake Winnipesaukee promises to be a fantastic celebration for folks of all ages.

The Meredith Lions Club is planning its annual Rubber Duck Race to take place on Monday afternoon.  This spectacle is the organization’s biggest fundraiser of the year, and benefits many local charities.  At 4:30pm, over 4,000 yellow duckies will tumble down the waterfall at the Mill Falls Marketplace and float to the finish line just past the footbridge in Hesky Park.  Tickets for cash prizes will be on sale until 3:30 that day, and the grand-prize winner will take home $1000.  The duck race is quite an amazing sight—don’t miss it!

Hesky Park on the lakeshore will be the place to be in the evening.  That’s where Occasional Brass & Strings will perform for a patriotic audience beginning at 7:00pm.  Then, at 9:30, everyone will be looking up as the 4^th of July fireworks begin to light up the night over Meredith Bay and the sounds of the celebration ring across the lake.

Bring your family and friends to Meredith this weekend to enjoy a quintessential New England 4^th of July holiday on beautiful Lake Winnipesaukee!

Carrie Reed
The Mill Falls Blogging Team

League of NH Craftsmen Lecture Series Comes to Chase House

Duane Martin's Mabry Mill

Would you like to meet some of New Hampshire’s most talented artists and craftspeople while learning about how they create their pieces?  Visitors to the Lakes Region will be able to do just that as The Inns and Spa at Mill Falls welcomes the League of NH Craftsmen’s summer lecture series to Meredith, NH.

The “Signature of Excellence” lectures, which will offer an in-depth view of the artistry and technique that goes into making fine handcraft, will be held on June 27^th, July 25^th, and August 15^th from 7 – 9pm in the Fireside Room of the Chase House.  These informative demonstrations will showcase three juried members of the League of NH Craftsmen, who are entertaining speakers as well as skilled artisans.

On Monday, June 27^th, Duane Martin of Newfields, NH will speak about his process of making 3D art from wood.  Intarsia is a form of woodworking that uses sections of wood of various shapes, sizes, and species, which are fitted together to create a mosaic-like picture that has an illusion of depth.  Duane will discuss his technique for making beautiful pieces of art, such as presidential portraits, New England landscapes, and images of wildlife.

Garden Sculpture by Michael Kraatz

Come see Michael Kraatz of Canaan, NH on Monday, July 25^th.  This respected artist, who works with his partner Susan Russell to create various forms of architectural glasswork, will talk about the process he uses to conceptualize, design, and fabricate a garden sculpture.  According to the couple’s website, their work is “conceived with artful consideration of its place in the environment and with the unique vision of the designer and client.”

The final lecture of the season will take place on Monday, August 15^th, when William Schnute of Wilton, NH will discuss his passion—wood carving. William has been carving wood since he was seven years old, and now carves finely detailed sculptures, doors, entryways, signs, and many other items.  This internationally known artist, who is also the author of High Relief Wood Carving, will share his process and technique with visitors to wrap up the summer lecture series.

William Schnute's Fawn Sculpture

These presentations are a wonderful opportunity to get up close to some fine artisans and their craft, and also to learn about the diverse artistic processes that keep New Hampshire a vibrant art community.  All lectures are free and open to the public, and reservations are requested, at least two weeks in advance if possible.  For more information, contact the League of NH Craftsmen’s Meredith Retail Gallery at 603-279-7920 or nhcraft@metrocast.net or visit their website.

Carrie Reed
The Mill Falls Blogging Team

Photos courtesy of the League of NH Craftsmen

Get Out on the Water in the Lakes Region this Summer!

Whether it’s kayaking, touring on a cruiser, or jet skiing, there are many different ways to enjoy boating on Lake Winnipesaukee, and visitors to Meredith, NH can easily find the right watercraft to fit every mood thanks to this Lakes Region hotel.

The Inns and Spa at Mill Falls have partnered with some great local boating sources to offer guests an unforgettable lake experience.  With Wake Up and Ride, visitors can take advantage of a chartered Malibu Wakesetter, which seats 10 – 12 people comfortably for water skiing, wake- or knee-boarding, and sightseeing cruises.  According to the company’s website, “If you haven’t experienced wakeboarding, you have been sleeping.  We are here to get you to Wake UP and Ride!”

Also available through the Inns are group lake tours and private charter cruises on Latitude 43’s  “Down East Cruiser.”  This custom-built luxury boat is large enough for 10 guests, but small enough to explore many areas of Lake Winnipesaukee that are not accessible to larger vessels.  A private cruise is flexible, allowing for course changes and stops in various ports around the lake for shopping or dining.  Picnics are welcome onboard, too!  What a great way to spend the day with family and friends!  For either the scheduled group tours or the private charters, guest boarding is available at the Church Landing Docks.

Nearby Squam Lake is beautiful, too, and guests are encouraged to visit this charming place where On Golden Pond was filmed, just seven miles from Meredith.  Experience Squam offers private excursions aboard a 23′ Sea Ray Bow-Rider, and guests can customize their adventures with a variety of options, including swimming stops, movie site tours, and sunset and stargazing cruises.  Visitors can even stroll through a swamp along a boardwalk to see some wildlife or pick native blueberries when they are in season!

For those who like to take the helm themselves, boat and jet-ski rentals are available through Meredith Marina, right next door to Church Landing.  Meredith Marina has one of the largest boat rental fleets on Lake Winnipesaukee, with 19’ Stingray Bow-Riders, 19’ deck boats from Hurricane, pontoon boats, jet skis, and canoes.  Don’t forget the water toys—Meredith Marina has skis, tubes, and boards, too!  They rent for any time period that fits guests’ needs, including half-day, full-day, multi-day, or multi-week, with discounts for early reservations and longer-term rentals, as well as a Mill Falls guest discount!

Looking for something quieter?  The Inns at Mill Falls have kayaks available for rent daily from 7 a.m. – 3 p.m.  There is no better way to feel at one with the lake and get up close to nature than in a solo kayak!  Relax and rejuvenate!

Whatever your preference in boating, the Inns and Spa at Mill Falls have you covered!  For most outings, reservations can be made at the front desk at Church Landing.  When booking your stay, don’t forget to reserve your boat or tour to make the most of your summer getaway!

Carrie Reed
The Mill Falls Blogging Team

photo courtesy of Meredith Marina

Don’t Miss The WOW Sweepstakes Ball!

Put on your dancing shoes and come to the Lakes Region for a great night of dinner, wine, and live music, as well as a chance to win a fabulous cash prize, as the WOW Trail hosts its annual ball in Laconia.

Presented by Meredith Village Savings Bank, the 8^th Annual WOW Sweepstakes Ball will be held on Saturday, May 21^st, in the beautiful Conference Center at Lake Opechee Inn and Spa.  The ball is the organization’s key fundraising event of the year, with over $200,000 raised so far in the first seven years.  Allan Beetle, Vice President of the WOW Trail Committee, says, “It’s the best party in the Lakes Region—it’s really a fun night.”

Each $100 ticket to the ball includes dinner and dancing for two and automatically enters one lucky number into the sweepstakes drawing.  Ten cash prizes will be awarded, starting at $200 and increasing to the grand prize of $10,000, with a total of $13,000 given away that night.  Only 300 tickets will be sold, making the odds really good for those who chip in.  It’s a reverse drawing that keeps the suspense going all evening:  Each ticket holder has a number that he or she chose when buying the ticket, and all 300 numbers are on the wall at the beginning of the night.  As the guests dance and the night progresses, the numbers that are drawn are taken off the wall and out of the running, until there are only ten numbers left on the wall—the ten cash winners.  Then the drawing goes from there with the last lucky number on the wall winning the grand prize!

The WOW Ball will feature a wine bar with a variety of wines and tastings so guests can choose the perfect bottle to accompany the Italian-themed dinner this year, which is catered by Patrick’s Pub & Eatery.  Paul Warnick and his band, Phil ‘N The Blanks, will keep the house jumping with great music, and there will also be a short live auction and silent auction with items donated by local businesses.

“The WOW Trail is very, very popular,” says Allan. “There’s lots of community support.  The first phase, which is now in, gets steady traffic.  We are working on phase 2, and we have a lot more money to raise.”  So far, the group has raised about a quarter of what it needs to build the next section of the trail.  Allan continues, “When we get the Laconia section done, which is about 10 miles, they will be some of the most beautiful trails in the country because our railroad corridor runs along Lake Winnipesaukee, and there are beautiful vistas… when the trail goes in it just opens it up and people are going to be blown away when they can ride their bike from Weirs Beach to downtown Laconia and on up to Meredith.”

The WOW Trail provides a safe and fun place for cycling and walking, and is expected to be a draw for travelers who like to include some outdoor activity in their vacations.  Allan expects the trail to extend the tourist season in the NH Lakes Region, which is now primarily July and August, to early spring through late fall.  “We encourage anyone who is a supporter of the trail, whether they can come out to the event or not, to buy a ticket,” says Allan.  Ticketholders need not be present to win the sweepstakes drawing.  Tickets can be purchased and lucky numbers chosen online at www.meadowbrook.net (look for the WOW Trail link in the right hand column), or in person at Patrick’s Pub & Eatery, Laconia Athletic & Swim Club, or the Lakes Region Chamber of Commerce.  Support a great project and have a ball, too—WOW!

Carrie Reed
The Mill Falls Blogging Team

Images courtesy of the WOW Trail