Restaurant Week NH will kick off on Friday, May 18^th at participating eateries throughout the Granite State. More than 100 restaurants are already on board for this eight-day event, which will feature prix fixe menus for lunch and/or dinner from a variety of popular dining spots. To fit different budgets from fine dining to quick and casual, there are three levels of pricing, the event website lists all the participating restaurants with an icon of one, two, or three forks for each restaurant. One fork means $10 lunch and $15 dinner, two forks means $15 lunch and $25 dinner, and three forks means $20 lunch and $35 dinner. All pricing includes three courses, usually an appetizer, main course, and dessert.

“I highly encourage the people of New Hampshire to experience all that our fine restaurants have to offer during New Hampshire Restaurant Week,” Governor John Lynch said in March when he announced Restaurant Week NH. “As governor, I am proud of our restaurant and lodging industry. New Hampshire restaurants are known for their great food and knowledgeable staff, making for a wonderful dining experience that I hope you will experience for yourself during Restaurant Week in May, and all throughout the year.”

Restaurant Week NH is a great opportunity for a culinary road trip or a mini foodie vacation. Many hotels and inns are offering special lodging packages to coincide with the Restaurant Week event. Here at the Inns & Spa at Mill Falls, guests can take advantage of the Travel Now special offer, which includes one night’s accommodations, a full country breakfast from your choice of three restaurants, and 15% off spa services at Cascade Spa. Meredith eateries participating in Restaurant Week NH include Lakehouse Grille, Lago, Camp, and Giuseppe’s—all within walking distance of the Inns!

Get out and experience some of the fine cuisine that’s available throughout the Granite State and show your support for the first official New Hampshire Restaurant Week! For information about the event, visit RestaurantWeekNH.com, and for updates on all the Restaurant Week happenings via social media, follow on Twitter or the Restaurant Week NH Facebook page.

Carrie Reed
The Mill Falls Blogging Team

image courtesy of Restaurant Week NH

The vintage counter and glass cases at The Country Carriage

Stepping into the historic Mill building at the Mill Falls Marketplace is like taking a trip through time. The wooden floors and beams show their age and beauty marks from as far back as the early 1800s, but the old and new mingle here seamlessly, bringing a timeless quality to the shops that now inhabit this old linen mill. One of these shops seems to have been born out of the evolution of the mill, melding perfectly with the ambiance of the building. Indeed, The Country Carriage, with its rustic American theme, is the flagship store, having been here since the mill was renovated into the Marketplace in the early 1980s.

Gail Putnam has owned and managed The Country Carriage for nearly 28 years, “since before the first [Mill Falls] Inn was even built,” she says. The Mill Falls Marketplace opened with a handful of stores in 1984, and in June the following year, the ribbon was cut at The Inn at Mill Falls. “I have personally been here this entire time,” says Gail. “I think we are the first—well the only—original store and store owner.” Some of the other stores have been at the Marketplace from the beginning, but have changed hands since that time.

The Country Carriage started out in a small space on the second floor of the Marketplace, with about 800 square feet for its unique American Country gifts and décor. The store has expanded over the years with many new product lines, and can now be found on the third floor in a much larger space of about 3500 square feet. “This is pretty much as big as we’re going to get,” says Gail.

Although the store has grown, it has stayed true to its roots and still carries the distinctive country gifts and decorative accessories that have been its specialty all along, with an emphasis on American-made products. Customers can find many favorites here, such as Crabtree & Evelyn soaps and lotions, Yankee Candle and Country Junction candles, Lang calendars and paper products, Stonewall Kitchen specialty foods, Vera Bradley bags and accessories, and much, much more.

The Country Carriage was one of the first stores to carry Vera Bradley bags. The company is celebrating its 30^th anniversary this year, and Gail has been offering the collection of bags and accessories since 1989. Vera Bradley is one of the most popular items in the store now. The vast selection Lakeside t-shirts and sweatshirts is also very popular, especially with first-time visitors to the Lakes Region. “They love to take home a shirt that says ‘Lake Winnipesaukee,’” explains Gail.

Many locals also frequent the store for the great selection of greeting cards. For over 25 years, The Country Carriage has offered country-themed Lang cards and calendars. They’re a company from Wisconsin and we’ve been buying from them for a long time,” says Gail. “We do a lot of business in greeting cards.  People love them, and as it happens, we do have a good reputation for a selection of greeting cards that people really seem to like.”

When asked what she likes most about running her store, Gail says, “My favorite part of the business is finding new product—that’s the most interesting for me. I go to gift shows—to New York, sometimes to Atlanta or Dallas—and then there are more local shows, the Boston gift show for instance… finding new products every year is the most exciting for me… we’re adding some new baby products, both clothing and toys. That seems to be an area that is growing for us.

“I have great employees who have been with me for many years, and that’s wonderful because they know so much about the products… the more knowledgeable about the products, the better it is for me and for the customers.”

Music in the Mill Falls Marketplace

Along with the great customer service that goes along with such devoted staff, Gail is proud of her broad selection of classic as well as new items. “We have repeat customers who come every year; I’d like to think that they can come in and find something new and exciting, but they also can find the regular old standards, too,” she says. “For instance, if they want Crabtree soap, they know that they’re going to be able to find it here. I think that it’s good to have a mix: really good product that people have been seeing over the years, but also each time they come in they’ll find something new as well.”

The Country Carriage is open year round, “362 days a year,” with expanded hours in the summertime, when visitors can enjoy live music outdoors at the Marketplace on Friday evenings. “People can come and spend an enjoyable amount of time here, shopping and eating and being entertained,” says Gail. “The Marketplace is right on Meredith Bay, so people can shop by boat, and they do in fact!”

Gail says she will continue to keep her store going, with no plans to retire any time soon. “I enjoy being here,” she says.

When you visit the Marketplace, be sure to stop in at The Country Carriage and say hello. You’ll see for yourself just why this store is a favorite of locals and visitors alike, and you just might find a special something to take home with you, too!

Carrie Reed
The Mill Falls Blogging Team

Beans & Greens Farmstand

Leaves are budding and flowers are blooming all around NH, and the time for planting summer vegetables is upon us!  Many local farms and farm stands are now opening to the public and offering early spring produce along with special events that will get everyone in the spirit for this year’s growing season and abundant harvests.

Saturday, April 28^th is Opening Day at Beans & Greens Farmstand in Gilford, NH. Visitors will enjoy the farm’s focus on the early season gardening, and Beans & Greens will be offering a full selection of annuals, perennials, vegetable plants, and hanging baskets displayed in several large greenhouses. As the weather warms and the danger of frost passes, a full selection of vegetables, fruits, flowers, and herbs will soon be growing in the picturesque meadows surrounding the Farmstand. Next weekend, on Saturday, May 5^th, the farm will present an introductory workshop on its Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program. Attendees will learn about how the program works and, if interested, can sign up to participate. Many other fun events coming up at Beans & Greens are listed on the farm’s website here.

Moulton Farm in Meredith, NH is now open and also planning a big weekend. Does your favorite plant need to be repotted? No need to get your hands dirty—bring it to Moulton Farm between noon and 4pm on April 26^th,
27^th, and 28^th for Repotting Days, and the friendly folks at the farm will give your plant some TLC and repot it for you. This service is free, but there may be a charge for soil and a new container if one is needed.  May 5^th is Moulton Farm’s Annual Open House from 10am to 3pm. There will be floral arranging demonstrations and gardening workshops throughout the day, as well as a food pavilion that will be filled with samples of fresh food made on the farm, as well as from some great local companies. Be sure to visit the events page often for more happenings this spring and summer, and check out Moulton Farm’s CSA program, too.

For more great produce and NH-made food, don’t forget the farmers’ markets—they will soon be taking place throughout the Lakes Region. For a listing of local market times and places, check NHLiving.com.

A getaway weekend on Lake Winnipesaukee can include some down-to-earth farm and garden experiences that you can take home with you to enjoy all season. There is nothing like fresh, NH-grown produce. Enjoy your veggies while you support local farmers, and maybe learn a few gardening skills as well!

Carrie Reed
The Mill Falls Blogging Team

Images courtesy of Beans & Greens Farm and Moulton Farm

Brock from Backpack with Brock is an avid traveler and self-described adventure coach based in Toronto, Ontario. Brock doesn’t own a car, and gets around the city by bicycle, foot, and public transit. When he found himself with the opportunity to use a car for few days, he decided to make the most of it and planned a last-minute road trip to explore a place within 12 hours of home. He made his announcement earlier this week on his blog. With his mother as co-pilot and the New Hampshire Division of Travel and Tourism Development as his guide and host, Brock is now here, experiencing some of what this beautiful state has to offer.

Brock at The Flume

Brock will be blogging about his trip and posting photos and videos on his Facebook and Twitter profiles. Brock and his mom arrived in NH yesterday and checked out Franconia Notch, The Flume Gorge, and Echo Lake before settling in at the Appalachian Mountain Club’s Highland Center in Crawford Notch. According to his blog, today they are off to check out the oldest mountain train in the world, as well as meet some sled dogs and visit historic Plymouth.

Brock welcomes any advice or recommendations from folks who live here or have visited New Hampshire before. Fans of Meredith and the Lakes Region may want to chime in and lead him here before he heads down to the seacoast. Check out Backpacking with Brock and enjoy his NH adventure!

Carrie Reed
The Mill Falls Blogging Team

photos courtesy of Backpack with Brock

Starting today, The Village Players Theater is giving the Lakes Region of New Hampshire Glamour in Mud Season™. The weekend includes theater, an art show, a wildlife encounter with glamorous animals, a delicious benefit breakfast, and a New England contra dance.

On Friday, April 13^th from 6:00-7:15 is the Gala Opening Reception for the Art Show and Competition, where several local restaurants will be providing wine and hors d’oeuvres. Artists from all over New England have submitted pieces reflecting the spirit of mud season. The Glamour in Mud Season Art Show will run for two weekends, from Friday, April 13^th through Sunday, April 22^nd. Visitors can take a look at the prize-winning artwork, vote in the people’s choice competition, and maybe even take home a little bit of New England, as all of the art will be for sale.

Following the reception is the Red Carpet Opening Event for the Village Players’ spring show, Hay Fever, a fun and silly play written by Noel Coward in 1925. At 7:30, guests are invited to come in their most glamorous outfits—perhaps with a little mud season thrown in—and walk the red carpet as each name is announced by “down-home Glam Man” Fred Fernald. Those who are shy can just take a seat and watch the fun! The show starts on both Friday and Saturday night at 8:00.

On Saturday, April 14^th at
10:30, glamorous wild animals are coming to The Village Players Theater. The W.I.L.D. Center will be on hand to present Glam Animals, a show of their most glamorous and theatrical animals. Then at 4:00, don’t miss a live performance by The Traveling Wolfeburys, a group of talented and seasoned musicians who have banded together to put a new twist on some all-time great blues, folk, and 60s rock cover tunes, as well as their own originals.

Sunday, April 15^th will also be a day full of fun events! From 7:30- 1:00 is the theater’s Benefit Breakfast at The Strawberry Patch Restaurant. Diners will enjoy a scrumptious breakfast with Mud Season’s favorite sweet liquid—NH maple syrup! 10% of the sales go to benefit The Village Players. At 2:00, dancers of all ages are invited to a traditional New England Contra Dance at Carpenter School. Bev Woods is the caller, and she will guide newcomers through the dances. The dance is organized by “The Singing and Dancing Families,” and proceeds will benefit the Life Ministries Food Pantry in Wolfeboro. Dancers are encouraged to bring some non-perishable food items to donate, as well.

Throughout the weekend, restaurants all around town will be offering Glamour in Mud Season™ signature dishes, chocolates, and beverages. For more information on any of the events or participating restaurants, please visit the Glamour in Mud Season Weekend website or call 603-569-9656.

Carrie Reed
The Mill Falls Blogging Team

Photos courtesy of Glamour in Mud Season™

A few Material Girls

Since this lakeside NH resort opened in 1985, it has hosted many groups of people who return year after year for business conferences, corporate retreats, and special social events. One family has even been gathering at the Inn at Mill Falls for its annual reunion for over 25 years! But there is one group of friends who have a distinctive place in the Inns’ varied history—they love it here so much that they come back for their reunions not just once, but twice every year.

The Material Girls Quilting Group has been coming to The Inns & Spa at Mill Falls since 2000 for their biannual getaway weekends, every March and November, when they set up their sewing room for a few days of sharing ideas, working on individual projects, and nurturing longtime friendships. In the Cummings Room at the Inn at Mill Falls, the sound of laughter can often be heard over the hum of the machines.

Janice Bye, the Material Girls coordinator, began booking these getaways twelve years ago. Originally from Toronto, Janice married an American and lived in Rochester, Minnesota before moving to Massachusetts in 1993. At the time, her children were very young, and she was looking for a way to meet people. An avid knitter and quilter, Janice joined a knitting group as well as a quilting guild. “This is a quick way to meet friends with similar hobbies,” she says. The North Parish Quilters (NPQ) had been holding annual March getaway weekends at a 4H Center in Ashland, MA, but when the center was planning to close in 1996, the quilters needed a new place to gather. That’s when some of Janice’s friends asked her to organize the event and find a new location. As it turned out, the 4H Center stayed open for four more years and Janice was able to coordinate the getaway there. However, a new home for the weekend gathering would be needed soon.

Quilters often finish individual projects over the weekend.

“I had heard that a group from Reading went to the Inns once a year. (The Nimble Thimblers still come to the Inns, but I was never part of that group.),” says Janice. “I contacted the Inns and set up our first getaway in March 2000. I extended the invitation to the girls from NPQ as well as a few other friends. The girls loved the place so much that we booked another one in November too . . . We have continued to come in March and November every year, and I seldom have an open spot.”

These getaways are the only time that most of the quilters get together now. Although they started out with many members of the same quilting guild, the group has evolved. “We gave ourselves the name ‘Material Girls’ many years ago when we realized that we were a special group that met on these getaways,” explains Janice. The Material Girls hail from Maine, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Massachusetts, with one quilter coming all the way from Cape Cod.

The Cummings Room becomes a cozy sewing room.

While most of the women come back to Meredith every March and November, sometimes someone can’t make it and there is room for another friend to join in. The waiting list is short, but the 24 available spots are always full. “Bob Strang [Sales Manager for the Inns] can look at those old rooming lists and see the same names,” says Janice. “We have lost a few quilters that have different family responsibilities or interests so they don’t come anymore. We lost our dear friend Frances Duffany a few years ago to cancer, and we still miss her. She was in her 80s, and had never been away from her husband and family ever. A trip to the Inns was always a highlight for her, and she would share quilting tricks and dirty jokes.”

The quilters are so comfortable at the Inn, many of them like to get into their pajamas and slippers after dinner to relax and sew in the cozy Cummings Room. “My favorite time is late at night when most of the girls have gone to bed,” says Janice. “There are only a few good friends, and we chat and help out each other with any quilting problems. We usually don’t get to bed until 2 or 3.

Linda from the Inns shares one of her quilts.

“The staff at the Inns is always terrific. We have seen so many of the people over and over. Besides Bob, we usually have a visit by Andy. Vicky loves to come to see what we are working on. And Linda has brought some of her quilts to share with the group, much to our delight.” In the early years of the group’s visits (before the Mill Falls renovations), all those sewing machines and irons often knocked out the power, so the girls were frequently calling the front desk to turn the circuit breakers back on. “Sometimes we were doing that every hour, and the staff would always come down with a smile on their face,” says Janice. “At some hotels, they are kind of are annoyed that you even disturbed them, where at the Inns, they’re always happy to help you, no matter what you request.

“A few years ago, we made a wall-hanging and presented it to Bob as thanks . . . it hung in the Cummings Room for a short time, but now hangs in the head office.”

The Material Girls have been coming to Meredith for so long, they know many of the local shopkeepers personally and look forward to reconnecting with the folks at the Inns as well as with each other. The regular visits have become more than just a getaway. “Nobody wants to go anywhere else,” says Janice. “Every once in a while I say, ‘Does anybody want to try a different location?’ And they all say, ‘No, we like it here.’” According to Janice, some of the girls have remarked, “Let’s go home, we’re going home for the weekend.”

Carrie Reed
Mill Falls Blogging Team

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.

Headliner Robbie Printz has been seen on NBC, MTV, and Comedy Central. Robbie won the 2002 Boston Comedy Festival, and his performance at any venue is not easily forgotten. Robbie has performed at the best comedy clubs across the country, as well as numerous colleges and corporate events. His show brings a reminder of childhood wonders along with adulthood absurdities, delivered with high energy and a fast pace that keeps audiences laughing from start to finish.

Steve Guilmette is an established New England comic who will warm up the stage at 8pm. Steve’s act has received a warm and enthusiastic response from audiences throughout the country, and in 2005, Steve was chosen to compete in the prestigious Boston Comedy Festival. He brings a raucous wit and an everyman’s sensibility to the New England comedy scene.

Tickets to the show are $20 per person and include a two-for-one dinner entrée coupon, which can be redeemed at Mame’s or Giuseppe’s on the evening of the show. The tickets can be purchased at Innisfree Bookshop and Meredith Mobil Station, or by emailing michelle@millfalls.com. Tickets will also be available at the door the night of the event. The Inns are offering special guest-room rates for that night through the Travel NOW program.

Proceeds from the show will go towards improving the Kidworks Learning Center facility and future programs. The mission of the Kidworks Learning Center is to provide high-quality early childhood education and childcare programs at an affordable cost to families. For more information, call Kidworks at (603) 279-6633.

Carrie Reed
Mill Falls Blogging Team

“Visitors and guests can download the free Mill Falls App to explore the Inns & Spa at Mill Falls and all the property has to offer,” says Gail Batstone, General Manager of the Inns at Mill Falls. “We are thrilled to offer this as a guest service because it will help our guests manage their stay, easily find their way around the property, and get quick answers right from their mobile device. When guests arrive, they will be prompted to download the app and they can immediately see images and video, learn about all the hotel amenities and how to access them, and discover upcoming events at the hotel or in an around Meredith.”

Screen shot of the Mill Falls App

Gail explains that with the Mill Falls App, guests can also browse guest-relations information and receive exclusive offers directly on their iPhone, iPod Touch, or Android phone. An interactive map will also serve as a guide to help guests find the locations of all the nearby restaurants, bars, shops, cultural venues, and attractions.

“Our guests are more tech savvy and connected than ever before, and we wanted to create this application that would provide them with information at their fingertips, wherever they may be. We are pleased to be able to provide this mobile service, and be one of the first hotels in New Hampshire to do so,” added Gail. “We can also connect directly with our mobile guests and supply them with useful information about the hotel and the Lakes Region, as well as exclusive values and opportunities.”

To develop the customized application, The Inns & Spa at Mill Falls contracted with Mobile Media Applications, a mobile solution for the hospitality industry based in Newburyport, Mass.

“The team at Mill Falls is certainly an early adopter of this technology and recognizes the value of connecting with their loyal guests, either while planning their next trip or while already visiting,” said Tom O’Rourke, President of Mobile Media Applications. “They have taken our Ustay℠ Mobile App software platform, and have customized it with their own content, including last minute deals via push notifications, customized itineraries, and 24/7 guest access to hotel services—as well as photos, videos, and an interactive map—to create an excellent and dynamic guest experience.”

Here are the key features of the Mill Falls App:

• View photos and videos of the Inns & Spa at Mill Falls and Meredith, N.H.
• Contact hotel directly with single click email and dialing options (iPhone users only).
• Keep up-to-date with news and events at The Inns and in Meredith, N.H.
• Find the locations of the nearest shops, bars, medical centers, cultural venues, transport, restaurants, and sports facilities with the interactive map.
• Access guest-relations information anytime, anywhere.
• Receive exclusive guest promotions directly.
• Share images and special offers on Facebook.

“We are thrilled to bring this technology to our guests, and it’s just another way the Inns & Spa at Mill Falls goes above and beyond to create the best experience for our guests,” says Gail.  “We want our returning and new guests to feel equally knowledgeable about the goings-on at our property, and provide them with all the things they need to make sure their visit with us is rewarding and relaxing.”

For more information or to download the Mill Falls App, click here. Enjoy your visit to Meredith!

Carrie Reed
The Mill Falls Blogging Team

View from Church Landing on March 15: Ice still covers much of Lake Winnipesaukee

This winter has been extremely mild, and the thickness of the ice on Lake Winnipesaukee was questionable for much of the season.  In fact, the annual Pond Hockey Classic moved to Lake Waukewan, a smaller nearby lake, due to concerns about the safety of the ice for the hundreds of people that would be on the lake at once. The big question on everyone’s mind now is, will the milder temperatures this winter bring a record-breaking early “ice-out” this spring?

“Ice-Out” on Lake Winnipesaukee occurs when the ice that has covered the lake all winter melts enough to allow the M/S Mount Washington cruise ship to navigate to all of its stops in Alton Bay, Center Harbor, Weirs Beach, Meredith, and Wolfeboro. As the traditional, unofficial start of the spring season, this event is greatly anticipated by locals and visitors alike. Many Islanders regain water access to their cottages, and boaters are free to explore the lake.

March 15: The ice is melting in front of The Inn at Bay Point!

The exact date and time of Ice-Out has been observed and recorded for over 120 years.  It is a non-scientific process, and is now determined by an observer in a small plane from Emerson Aviation that flies over the lake several times a day. When the pilot makes the Ice-Out call, it is considered official.  Most years, Ice-Out occurs mid-late April. The earliest date on record was only two years ago, when March 24^th saw the official Ice-Out call. Last year, it was Tuesday, April 19^th, at 8:20 am.  The Ice-Out Guess Contest is now closed to new guesses, but everyone is eagerly awaiting the results.

What’s your guess for Ice-Out on Lake Winnipesaukee?

Carrie Reed
Mill Falls Blogging Team

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.”

David recently received a Juno nomination for Roots & Traditional Album of the Year: Solo for his 2011 release, Late Edition. The Juno award is the Canadian equivalent of the American Grammy, and this is David’s fifth Juno nomination. Since releasing his first album 13 years ago, he’s won three of the trophies. David has also been nominated for two 2011 Canadian Folk Music Awards—for solo artist of the year and English songwriter of the year.

According to David Francey’s official website, he was a longtime construction worker who made his folk singing debut at age 45. Although he didn’t even play an instrument at the time—for years he had been writing poetry and setting it to music in his head while he worked—David quickly rose to the top of the global roots scene. Still, he kept his construction job until after winning his first Juno in 2001.

Craig Werth

Julie says David enjoyed performing at The Grotto last year and is looking forward to being in Meredith again. “He especially appreciates the fine hotel accommodations and hospitality.”

If you haven’t had the chance to check out the Dinner Concert Series at The Grotto yet, here is your opportunity to see some amazing musical talent in a unique and intimate setting. David Francey will be performing with special guest and accompanist Craig Werth this Wednesday, March 14^th. Pre-show dinner reservations begin at 6:30, and the show starts at 8:00. Tickets are $20.00 and may be purchased in advance or at the door. For more information, call Giuseppe’s at 603-279-3313.

Carrie Reed
The Mill Falls Blogging Team