Meredith’s 2nd Annual Rock n’ Roll Cruise Night

Relive the glory days of Rock and Roll this weekend as Meredith Village puts on a party that would be the envy of any community back in the fifties, complete with a barbeque picnic, hot rod cars, and live music in the streets!

The Greater Meredith Program is gearing up for its 2^nd Annual Rock n’ Roll Cruise Night, which will take place on Saturday, August 20^th.  The “night” actually starts at noon, with a Tennessee Barbeque in Hesky Park that features ribs, pulled pork, and all the traditional BBQ fixin’s.  This picnic is new this year, and will go until the food runs out!

The fun really begins at 6:30pm, when a parade of classic and custom hot rods and muscle cars cruise into town.  These vintage cars will be coming straight from the Granite State Nationals at the Sandwich Fairgrounds to celebrate, lining up for the procession at Inter- Lakes High School on Laker Lane, then cruising into the village for their Main Street destination.  Last year, there were over 60 cars in the Auto Cruise Parade, and the turnout is expected to be even bigger this year.

Hot Rods in Meredith

At 7:30, the party kicks into high gear with a street dance in Community Park on Main Street, where the band City Limits will perform classic Rock ‘n’ Roll from the 50s and 60s.  Twist and shout the night away in your best vintage attire!  Poodle skirts, anyone?

If you can come into town early and enjoy dinner in Meredith, it will be well worth it, as several local restaurants are getting in on the fun and offering discounts for Cruise Night.  Giuseppe’s Pizzeria is taking $5 off every dinner bill, and at Mame’s Restaurant, diners can get 50% off the second main course dish.  Many other eateries are extending special offers, too, so be sure to ask at your favorite place!

Put on your dancing shoes and cruise on up to the Lakes Region this weekend, where you can take a trip back in time and help out a good cause, too—all proceeds from the event will benefit local Lakes Region non-profits!

Carrie Reed
The Mill Falls Blogging Team

Photos courtesy of Granite State Nationals and The Greater Meredith Program

Alton Old Home Day: a Lakes Region Tradition

This weekend, the Town of Alton, NH will be celebrating its roots, and the entire community is coming together with a variety of events that the whole family will enjoy.  With a vintage boat show, a craft fair, a parade, and a free concert at the bandstand, the weekend promises to conjure summer celebrations of yesteryear.

On Saturday, August 13^th, Alton Old Home Day will begin with a 5K Road Race at 9am.  This run is on a USATF Certified Course featuring computerized timing, traffic control, and prizes to runners in various categories, not to mention one of the most scenic runs in New Hampshire!

If you missed the 38^th Annual Lake Winnipesaukee Antique & Classic Boat Show at Meredith Town Docks a couple weeks ago, you have another chance to see some beautiful boats this Saturday at the Vintage Boat Show, organized by The New Hampshire Boat Museum as part of the Old Home Day festivities.  Several classic boats will be docked and on display from 9am – 12pm.  Come and vote for your favorite in the 2011 People’s Choice Award!

The Alton Old Home Day Craft Fair will be held from 9 am – 5pm at the Alton Bay Community Center and Railroad Square Park.  Admission is free, and visitors can find a vast selection of handmade New England items, including fine wood crafts, candles, fleece, stoneware pottery, Native American jewelry, fabric art, quilts, doll furniture, scroll saw fretwork, and handmade soaps.  The craft fair continues through Sunday, as well.

New this year is a public trail opening on Saturday at noon.  The John Racine Recreational Trail is the newest addition to the public trail system linking Alton Bay to the Alton Traffic Circle.  This new trail is located off of Depot Street and is a scenic, wide trail that is great for bikes, strollers, walking and running.  Alton is a pedestrian- friendly town that encourages folks to “leave the car behind and get outside, enjoy nature and exercise for better health.”

“Remembering the Past” is the theme of the Alton Business Association’s Old Home Day Parade, which takes place at 2:30pm and winds through the center of Alton, ending in Alton Bay.  This is a “good old fashioned parade” featuring individuals and businesses from the local community with floats and walking exhibits.  There’s a good chance of seeing some classic and antique cars, too…

The day wouldn’t be complete without music, and The Echo Tones will be at the bandstand with some fun party music—their own mix of oldies, classic rock, country, and blues.  Bring a blanket or lawn chair and enjoy this special summertime treat by Lake Winnipesaukee!

If you are visiting the Lakes Region this weekend, you might want to swing by Alton Bay on Saturday… a day like this is the epitome of summer in New England!

Carrie Reed
The Mill Falls Blogging Team

Town of Holderness Celebrating 250 Years!

Mattatuck Drum Band

In celebrating the 250^th anniversary of its founding, nearby Holderness is looking back to its European roots and to those who were here long before the white settlers decided to call this Lakes Region outpost their home.  The celebration will begin this weekend, with lots of activities taking place all over the area!

The festivities kick off on Friday, August 5^th with a free concert at Squam Lakes Natural Science Center, where Steve Schuch will perform “Songs and Tales of the Earth” in the beautiful Kirkwood Gardens from 1 – 2pm.  The Holderness Historical Society at Curry Place will also be open from 1 – 6pm, followed by a Street Dance at 7:00 at the Little Church Theater. Come dance the night away with Postage Due on the shores of Squam Lake!  Food options will be available at the dance starting at 6pm.

On Saturday, August 6^th from 9am – 6pm, Curry Place will be bustling with Abenaki artist demonstrations and sales, including Barry Higgins of White Crow Flutes, Bill and Sherry Gould from Western Abenaki Baskets, Darryl Peasley with beaded top hats and leather pouches, and Debbie Dostie of Silver Wolf Creations, as well as many other crafters and food vendors.  There will be a variety of parades to choose from, such as the 9:30am Mattatuck Fife and Drum Band parade by boat from Cotton Cove to Squam Boat Livery, the 10:00am Grand Street Parade on Route 3 from Shepard Hill Rd to the Squam Lake Science Center, and the 10:45am Vintage Boat Flotilla from Cotton Cove to Perkins Cabins on Little Squam.  The Science Center, Library, and Historical Society will also be holding special demonstrations and lectures throughout the day on the history of the area before the European settlers arrived.  The day will be capped off by another dance—a Barn Dance at 7:30pm in the Fisher Family Activity Barn!

The Sunday celebrations will start at 7:30am with a Pancake Breakfast at the Holderness Fire Station, while Abenaki artist demonstrations continue at Curry Place beginning at 9am, where visitors can also enjoy a Native American flute performance by White Crow at 11am.  John Brooks, a Huron descendant, will conduct a trail walk for “Feast at Your Feet” and “The Thee Sister Survival Vegetables” starting at the Historical Society at 2pm, and at 3:30 there will be a reading of the Town Charter at Livermore Common Holderness School.  The evening will finish with a 4pm Vespers service at Trinity Cemetery Chapel, followed by a reading of King George’s charter creating New Holderness and a tour of the Cemetery pointing out prominent Holderness families of the past.

There are so many other activities happening this weekend and throughout the next week that we can’t list them all here.  You’ve got to see for yourself, and what a beautiful weekend it is to visit this lakeside community and take a trip back in time!  Come celebrate the Semiquincentennial of Holderness!

Carrie Reed
The Mill Falls Blogging Team

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

Get Your Laughs at Comedy Night at Church Landing

It’s the feel-good event of the year—Kidworks Learning Center is 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 22^nd, two nationally renowned comedians will perform at Church Landing as part of the Comedy Night fundraising event.  Kidworks has previously hosted several fundraisers on a smaller scale, such as bake sales, book sales, and Yankee Candle drives, but this is the first major event for the Center.  The evening begins with a cash bar at 7pm, followed by an 8pm comedy show featuring Tom Hayes and Rob Steen.

Tom Hayes is a quick and witty performer who has performed stand-up comedy at the Comedy Connection and Nick’s Comedy Stop in Boston, Catch a Rising Star in New York, Second City in Chicago, and the Bermuda Comedy Club.  He is a winner of Showtime TV’s “Funniest Person in Massachusetts” award.

Rob Steen got his start as a street performer in Boston at the age of 12, honing his skills as a juggler and improv performer.  Since then he has been featured on several TV shows, including The Late Show with Dave Letterman, where he is a frequent guest.  Rob’s act has been compared to Robin Williams’ due to his fast-paced delivery and quick wit, and his high-energy show brings audiences together with a unique style of house participation.

Tickets to the show are $20 per person and include a 2-for-1 dinner entrée coupon, which can be redeemed at Lakehouse Grille, CAMP, Lago, 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.  Ticket sales are currently going strong, but there is still time to get yours!  If they haven’t sold out by Friday, tickets will be available at the door the night of the event.  The Inns are also offering special guest-room rates upon request for that night.

“We are confident it will be fun night out, everybody loves to laugh,” says Michelle Brown, a member of Kidworks’ Board of Directors.  “We are also grateful to the local restaurants for providing the added value to our tickets with the addition of a buy one entree get one free.”

When asked how the organization came up with the idea to do a comedy show, Michelle replied, “Several local organizations host their major fundraisers in March and April, and the tickets range from $45 – $50 per person.  We needed ours to be different and reasonably priced.  A comedy event provided a great platform for what we were looking for.  Rob Steen at North Shore Comedy has been great to work with in helping us get off the ground.”

“We were thrilled to have the opportunity to work with The Inns and Spa at Mill Falls for this fundraising opportunity,” added Jennifer Weeks, Executive Director of Kidworks. “We thought a comedy show would be a great night out for the community and families.  The children will be helping make the centerpieces for the event as part of their community project.”

Proceeds from the show will go towards improving the Kidworks Learning Center facility and future programs.   According to their website, 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
The Mill Falls Blogging Team

NH Celebrates Maple Sugar Season

As the snow melts, sap begins to rise in maple trees across New Hampshire, making March prime time for tapping the trees and collecting the clear liquid that will soon become one of the region’s most famous products:  pure NH Maple Syrup.  Sugarhouses and producers all over the state are celebrating the season this weekend, with open houses and festivals that feature this sweet treat in all its glory—fresh and warm!

The NH Maple Producers Open House Weekend takes place March 19^th and 20^th, and more than 60 sugarhouses in New Hampshire will be participating.  At many of the sugarhouses, visitors can learn how maple syrup is made, taste free samples, and enjoy pancake breakfasts.  If there is fresh snow on the ground, some lucky folks will be able to try an old New England tradition, maple sugar on snow.

North Woodstock, NH is going all out with a town-wide celebration.  NH Maple Fest kicks off Friday evening, March 18^th, with several local restaurants featuring maple products on their menus.  On Saturday, maple lovers of all ages can join in on some fun activities, including a Maple Sugar Obstacle Course in Cascade Park, and demonstrations at nearby sugarhouses.  The Lincoln Woodstock Rotary will then host a Maple Dinner Ball Saturday night, with live entertainment and the crowning of the King and Queen of Sap.  The fun continues on Sunday with an all-you-can-eat pancake breakfast, the New Hampshire Maple Festival Parade, and a Maple Festival Bed Race.

If you don’t get your fill of maple syrup this weekend, next weekend is shaping up with more fun activities as well.  On Saturday, March 26^th, The Remick Museum and Farm in Tamworth is hosting their Annual Maple Sugar Event, where visitors can experience the historic maple sugar encampment, enjoy a horse-drawn wagon ride, and view exhibits on the history of maple sugaring, from Native American traditions to modern techniques.  And in Laconia, Prescott Farm Environmental Education Center will be celebrating Maple Sugar Madness!

With skiing and snowshoeing still happening up north, flowers starting to sprout in the southern areas, and so many special maple sugar events happening all over the state, there are plenty of reasons to visit New Hampshire in the spring!  Cheers!

Carrie Reed
The Mill Falls Blogging Team

Image credit: anolobb at flickr.com

The New England Pond Hockey Classic Returns to Meredith

The second annual New England Pond Hockey Classic is about to take over Meredith Bay, and this year the tournament will be even bigger and better!  The organization’s first ever event last year was so successful, it’s grown to accommodate over twice as many teams and rinks out on the frozen waters of Lake Winnipesaukee, as well as a couple of new tournaments in New England.

“The response we had last year was amazing,” says PHC director Scott Crowder.  “That our first year went as well as it did was pretty great on our end.  So we obviously wanted to bring it back and we actually expanded it, so we have two more tournaments this year, one on Lake Champlain in Colchester VT and one with the Manchester Monarchs in Manchester.  The tournament here in Meredith is going to have over 160 teams, and we’ll have 15 to 16 rinks out on the lake, so that’s close to 1000 participants.”

As a new feature this year, the player locker room tents will be out on the ice so the athletes can skate in and skate out.  Another fun addition will be the beer garden that The Common Man is doing right in front of Lago.  “We’re doing a little Fan Zone with some hockey skills competition, and things like that,” says Crowder.  “It’s really turning into more of a carnival!  We’re going to have the ReMax hot air balloon giving rides, we’ll do helicopter rides again, which is what we did last year, the Greater Meredith Program is doing a chili cook-off on Saturday afternoon… to have something that’s a nice outdoor activity that people can enjoy in the middle of winter is a nice treat.”

Last February, 77 teams from throughout the region competed over a three day weekend on Lake Winnipesaukee.  The event brought many athletes and fans to Meredith and earned PHC the 2010 Lakes Region Association Tourism Award.  “We’ve had a great response from local businesses this year,” says Crowder.  “We have a lot of local sponsors on board, and you can find them all on our website.  To have the support of the local businesses is great.”

The official outfitter and sponsor of this year’s event is Earthtec, a Portsmouth, NH based company that makes eco-friendly apparel.  Says Crowder, “They’re absolutely amazing.  The CEO of Earthtec actually played in the tournament last year… they’re our official apparel for all of our events.  They make all of their stuff out of recycled materials or organic cotton and wool, so their products are top-notch, top of the line.”  All tournament participants will have the opportunity to buy official merchandise provided by Earthtec, and each participant will receive a free Earthtec Pond Hockey Classic winter hat.

With Earthtec, PHC is launching Pond Hockey Classic Green, “to do our part to curb our environmental impact,” says Crowder.  “If this Earth keeps heating up we’re not going to have any ice to do these tournaments on.”  PHC is also partnering with Athletes for a Fit Planet, a company that greens events by working with organizers to reduce their event’s environmental footprint with consulting services and sustainability practices, such as the opportunity for all PHC participants to buy carbon offsets to counteract their travel to and from the event.  All registration is taking place online, so there are no paper forms to mail, store, and dispose of later.

Pond hockey athletes are also encouraged to bring their previously used equipment to donate to Restore Hockey, the tournament’s official non-profit partner.  Restore Hockey recycles the equipment and donates it back to children who don’t have the ability to play the sport due to the financial burden.

Crowder hopes that after the big weekend, local folks will continue to use and enjoy some of the rinks that they are creating.  “That’s what happened last year, which was great.  I drove by a couple weeks after and I had never seen kids skating out there, and all of a sudden there were families out there on Saturday and Sunday afternoon that were using the rinks because we made them, so hopefully this event can urge people to play some hockey in the Lakes Region, because I don’t think it’s as big a sport as it really could be.”

The 2^nd Annual Pond Hockey Classic Tournament will take place February 4^th through 6^th, 2011, in Meredith, NH.  For those who can’t make it to see all the excitement in person, the event will be broadcast on the official website, pondhockeyclassic.tv, where viewers can watch live streaming action as well as replays of past games.  Mark your calendars, and don’t forget to check in!

Carrie Reed
The Mill Falls Blogging Team

Images courtesy of Pond Hockey Classic

Church Landing Expansion to Provide More Event Space

Artist's rendition of the new "Carriage House" event space at Church Landing

The Winnipesaukee Ballroom, along with several other meeting and event rooms at Church Landing, have long been top destinations for business and social events in the Lakes Region of New Hampshire, and soon, there will be even more meeting space at this favorite Meredith location!  The Inns & Spa at Mill Falls is renovating a covered parking area at Church Landing to offer more options to groups that require additional breakout rooms, vendor space, and dining areas.

Construction is underway to enclose the carport at Church Landing, which will provide 1,700 additional square feet of meeting space, as well as an expanded lobby area of 955 square feet.  This new facility, called the “Carriage House,” will also have fourteen-foot ceilings and offer expansive views of Lake Winnipesaukee.  In keeping with the style of Church Landing, the rooms will be decorated with dark wood and other Adirondack features.

The Carriage House is scheduled to open this coming May, and several groups, including the New Hampshire School Library Media Association and the New Hampshire Dental Society, are already booking the space.

“The Dental Society has used Church Landing for conferences and meetings for years, not only because of the wonderful facilities and picturesque location, but because of the top-notch service,” said Jim Williamson, Executive Director of the New Hampshire Dental Society.  “We were delighted to hear about the expansion at Church Landing because it will allow us to meet our growing need for meeting space and stay at a location our members enjoy.”

In the meantime, the four-season resort’s other event rooms are still available for groups of five to 300 people.  Let the classic elegance of Lake Winnipesaukee provide the perfect setting for your special event!

Carrie Reed
The Mill Falls Blogging Team

Come to Meredith’s First Annual Village Art Walk!

Janette Lozada wears her new Pearls Near Jade piece while looking at John David O'Shaughnessy's painting, The Prayer

Looking for a more relaxed holiday outing or a unique, artistic gift for someone special?  This Thursday, December 9^th, several galleries in Meredith will brighten up the evening with refreshments, music, and special discounts as part of the First Annual Meredith Village Art Walk.

Both new and long-established galleries in Meredith will be participating in this first-time event, which is modeled after similar community art walks like Portsmouth’s Art ‘Round Town or Portland’s First Friday Art Walk.  Visitors can meander through town and enjoy beautiful local and international art while socializing with artists and neighbors alike!

At the lakes gallery at chi-lin, Craig Jaster, an accomplished jazz musician, will be performing live music while guests sip and stroll through the gallery and view artwork from all over the world, as well as an amazing new Asian jewelry collection.  Well-known designer Marsha Gintzler will be on hand to talk about her beautiful new line, Pearls Near Jade, which mixes antique Chinese pieces with semiprecious Asian stones and pearls.

Craig Jaster at the Piano

Gallery 51 Fine Art and Hodecker-George Gallery will both have special discounts on most artwork for the event, and Vynnart Art Supplies has a number of special promotions for that evening only.  The Fine Carpet Gallery is also offering 20% off storewide in addition to some surprise offerings for the evening.

Come to Meredith Village to share a fun night with friends, and show your local galleries and artists a little love this holiday season!

Carrie Reed
The Mill Falls Blogging Team

Photos courtesy of the lakes gallery at chi-lin

The Sandwich Fair Celebrates its 100th Year this Weekend

It’s that time of year again…  The Sandwich Fair will be held this Columbus Day weekend, October 9, 10, and 11, in the quaint village of Center Sandwich, NH, and to celebrate its 100^th anniversary, organizers have planned more fun than ever before!

The Sandwich Fair has been a New Hampshire tradition for more than 100 years, actually dating back to the 1880’s when farmers organized a market day to trade and sell cattle.  This gathering turned into an annual event, and in 1886, 184 yoke of oxen were exhibited.  In 1887, the occasion started to become more of a fair with the addition of a band and a baby contest!  Eventually, the fair became the official agricultural phenomenon New Englanders have been enjoying for a century now.

As always, the Sandwich Fair will have all your favorites, including horse and oxen pulls, 4-H exhibits, antique tractor shows, arts, crafts, carnival rides, music, and lots of amazing food!  In celebration of it’s official 100^th year, the fair will also have a new Lumberjack Competition featuring professional woodcutters and skidders from New Hampshire, Maine, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, New York, and beyond!  Another intriguing new event is the Women’s Skillet Throw, which will be open to any woman who would like to pitch some steel!  Both of these exciting additions to the lineup will take place on Monday, the 11^th.

A poetry contest is also underway for the fair’s special anniversary this year.  Poets of all ages have entered pieces that honor the Sandwich Fair in various forms, and prizes will be awarded in the different age categories.  The results promise to be quite special!  Of course, the parade on Sunday is one of the fair’s most popular events.

There is truly something for everyone at the Sandwich Fair, so take the whole family on a trip to the Lakes Region this weekend to admire the colorful fall foliage along with this classic New England tradition, and be sure to check out all the fun on the fair’s website here.

Carrie Reed
The Mill Falls Blogging Team

photo courtesy of The Sandwich Fair