New Ways to Leaf Peep in NH!

It’s that time already—the air is crisp and the warm sun is shining on the bright colors of early fall. Some of the leaves are beginning to turn red, orange, and yellow as the foliage season gets underway in New Hampshire, and there are now some great new ways to track how the colors are progressing and plan your autumn trip to the Granite State to catch those colors at their brilliant peak!

The New Hampshire Division of Travel and Tourism Development’s website, Visit NH, has a foliage tracker that maps out the colors as they change day-by-day and region-by-region in the state. To find out where in New Hampshire the leaves are at their peak, visitors to the foliage tracker page just need to hover the cursor over a date on the calendar for a quick map view of the predicted color range, from green to peak to past peak, or click on an individual region for a detailed foliage report. Read the rest of this entry »

Stretch Your Wings at the Festival of Flight!

Looking for a great family activity in the Lakes Region this weekend? Squam Lakes Natural Science Center has just the ticket—the Festival of Flight, featuring a hawk watch, crafts for children, live animal presentations, and a tethered balloon ride!

On Saturday, September 8^th from 9:30 – 6:30, Squam Lakes Natural Science Center in Holderness, NH will be hosting a day of celebrating the wonders of flight and migration sponsored by Community Guaranty Savings Bank. Take a tour of the visitors’ center and extensive grounds, which include meadows, mature forests, and marshlands, where lucky visitors may spot a resident hawk. There will also be presentations by the Squam Lakes staff at the Amphitheater, with opportunities to see live birds of prey up close!

On the Picnic Lawn, IBEX Puppetry will present ‘Celebration of Flight’ at 11:00 a.m., 1:00 p.m., and 3:00 p.m. IBEX Puppetry is run by Heather Henson, the daughter of puppeteer Jim Henson of Muppet fame, and the show promises to be top-notch! With elegant kites and choreographed puppetry, guests of all ages are sure to be spellbound. Check out this preview of the show: Read the rest of this entry »

Labor Day Weekend Events in the Lakes Region

Music in the Mill Falls Marketplace

Relaxing in the Lakes Region of NH this holiday weekend? Besides the abundance of summertime activities that are still going strong, there are some fun special events happening to celebrate and cap off the season as we shift into fall…

Music in the Mill Falls Marketplace – Stroll through the shops of the Mill Falls Marketplace or just relax outdoors while enjoying a summer’s night serenade. The Craig Jaster Jazz Trio plays from 5:30 to 8:30 pm in the courtyard of this beautiful and historic market that was once an old linen mill. The Marketplace played a major part in revitalizing the village of Meredith, which is now a destination on the shores of Lake Winnipesaukee.

Labor Day Weekend Craft Fair at the Bay – The 23^rd Annual Labor Day Weekend “Craft Fair at the Bay” will be held at the Alton Bay Community House and along the waterfront of Lake Winnipesaukee in Alton this weekend. Over 100 Juried craftspeople from all over New England will display and sell their works, which include pottery, fine jewelry, primitive and folk art, photography, wood carvings, metal sculpture, blown glass, and so much more. Admission and parking are free, and Alton Bay is also accessible by boat! Read the rest of this entry »

Construction of Winni Playhouse’s New Campus Well Underway

Artist's rendering of the Winni Playhouse's new main stage theatre at the Meredith Campus.

After nearly two years of planning and fundraising, the new theatre at the Meredith Campus of the Winnipesaukee Playhouse is on its way to becoming a reality. Construction on the new building, which will house the main stage theatre, began in the spring and is moving along without any delays this summer, bringing the entire campus project well past its halfway point.

The “Winni” Playhouse was founded in 2004, becoming so successful that it soon outgrew its current location, an intimate Weirs Beach storefront that seats 84. With sights set on a bigger venue, the Playhouse assumed ownership of the former Annalee Doll Complex on Reservoir Road in Meredith in 2008, and put into action a three-phase plan to renovate the complex into a “Tanglewood type of setting” for their theatre and workshops. Read the rest of this entry »

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 »

Castle in the Clouds Being Restored to its Original Grandeur

Visitors to the Lakes Region of NH have long enjoyed an amazing treasure: perched high atop the Ossipee Mountain Range overlooking Lake Winnipesaukee, Castle in the Clouds beckons to those who love breathtaking views, stunning architecture, enchanting artwork, beautiful gardens, and unspoiled natural terrain. This important landmark has captivated visitors and locals alike for decades, and has been fully enjoyed as a place to attend concerts, gallery openings, and weddings, as well as a spot to relax over a leisurely patio luncheon or hike through a pristine wilderness setting. The “Lucknow” estate, as it was called by its original owners, seems to have it all, and a dedicated team, along with a caring local community, is working hard to keep Castle in the Clouds beautiful and in top condition so that it can be enjoyed for many years to come. Read the rest of this entry »

Winnipesaukee Scenic Railroad Brings Nostalgic Entertainment to Meredith Bay

Climb aboard the classic train at Meredith Station and take a trip back in time as the old locomotive chugs along the shore of Lake Winnipesaukee. While the breathtaking views of the lake and distant mountains are sure to evoke a sense of wonder and leisure reminiscent of turn-of-the-century travel to NH grand hotels and summer resorts, this ride also has old-fashioned entertainment to bring an even deeper experience of the “good old days.”

Every Monday through Friday this summer, “White Marriott the Hobo Balloonist” will be aboard the Winnipesaukee Scenic Railroad to share his specialty balloons with passengers. Kids of all ages will love his balloon creations, especially the animals and flowers formed from simple balloons!

On Saturdays, accordionist David Smith will be aboard the train, greeting passengers as they board and then strolling through the train as he plays nostalgic tunes on his accordion for everyone to enjoy. These fun songs are sure to get everyone in the spirit for a relaxing lakeside adventure! 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 »

Country Carriage a Longtime Favorite at the Mill Falls Marketplace

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. Read the rest of this entry »

Lakes Region Farms Celebrate the Growing Season with Opening Events

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. Read the rest of this entry »