Backpacking Canadian Blogger on a Road Trip to NH

Those of us who know and love New Hampshire are aware of just how special this place is. Our little state has everything—from mountains, lakes, and seacoast to bustling centers of art, activities, and great dining. We love welcoming visitors and showing them around a little, so it’s no surprise that New Hampshire is hosting a travel buff from Toronto, who is here to tour the Granite State and share his adventures with the world.

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. Read the rest of this entry »

The Inns & Spa at Mill Falls Launches Free Mobile App for iPhone & Android

This well-loved resort on the shore of Lake Winnipesaukee, while honoring tradition and simple pleasures, continues to stay current and cutting edge in the modern world of travel. The Inns & Spa at Mill Falls has implemented many green initiatives, prides itself on a world-class spa, and offers complimentary Internet access with its property wide WiFi network.  Now the Inns can boast another trend-setting milestone—it is one of the first lodging properties in New Hampshire to launch a free and customized iPhone & Android mobile application.

“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.” Read the rest of this entry »

A New Adventure Awaits at Gunstock Mountain this Winter

The Recoil Zip Span at Gunstock

Looking for something different and exciting to add to your winter activity list? No need to look any farther than the Lakes Region of New Hampshire. While the area has long been home to great skiing, ice-skating, and wilderness exploration, it now boasts something quite unique—the longest zip line tour in the continental United States—an amazing way to enjoy the outdoors year-round!

This past November, Gunstock Mountain Resort unveiled its new ZipTour Canopy Tour, adding to its expansive attractions, including the Aerial Treetop Adventure course that opened last spring. The ZipTour covers a 1.6-mile span descending the full vertical of the NH ski area, offering a different way to fly down the mountain, above the trails overlooking Lake Winnipesaukee. There are 5 segments of lines, two of which are for training and practicing before the big adventure down the slope! Read the rest of this entry »

A Special Thanksgiving Retreat in Meredith Village

Come to the Lakes Region this year for a nice old-fashioned Thanksgiving holiday with family and friends.  An extended getaway to a quaint NH village is the perfect way to honor the season of the harvest and give quiet thanks for the important things in life, and the Inns and Spa at Mill Falls are offering a unique package to help you savor a relaxing and full Thanksgiving experience.

The Thanksgiving Village Retreat includes two nights accommodations, a grand Thanksgiving day buffet with all the traditional trimmings prepared by Lakehouse Grille at Church Landing from 11:30 am – 5:00 pm, late afternoon turkey sandwiches in the lobbies of Church Landing and Mill Falls, breakfast each morning at one of the Inns’ restaurants, and a discount coupon booklet to the Mill Falls Marketplace.  There are also big-screen TVs in the cozy Church Landing lobby for watching the big football game!

With the delicious food, quiet atmosphere, and no clean up, you can enjoy a laid-back Thanksgiving with your loved ones, then start your holiday shopping in the Marketplace, where you will find a much more relaxed experience than at the big box stores and malls.

For more information and reservations, click here or call the Inns at 800-622-6455.

Carrie Reed
The Mill Falls Blogging Team

Image credit: bobosh_t at Flickr.com

Common Man Family of Restaurants Celebrates 40 Years with Community Gifts

NH Governor John Lynch joins Common Man CEO Jason Lyon, Vice President Diane Downing, and owner Alex Ray in presenting a $40,000 birthday gift to the NH Food Bank's Director of Development Colleen Cowette.

After 40 years of growing from one small restaurant in the Lakes Region of New Hampshire to a well-known and flourishing hospitality business with over 20 locations throughout the state, The Common Man Family is celebrating its birthday by giving back, in a big way, to all the communities it is a part of.

The Common Man Family of Restaurants has always been a leader when it comes to charitable giving, but for its 40^th birthday celebration yesterday, the “C-Man” group outdid itself with a $40,000 donation to the New Hampshire Food Bank in Manchester.  The gift comes at a good time, as the Food Bank is scrambling to get enough food together for the record number of requests it is receiving for Thanksgiving dinners.

Governor Lynch was on hand at the Food Bank celebration to recognize The Common Man family and its leadership in the area of charitable giving.  Representatives from the Common Man also announced plans for a month of festivities, including special promotions and a contest to “DO GOOD” in New Hampshire.

The DO GOOD program is a charitable raffle that will take place during the month of November at all Common Man family locations.  The company has paired each of its 21 establishments with a different New Hampshire non-profit organization, and at every location, customers can buy raffle tickets for $1 a piece for a chance to win a Common Man gift card of $197.10 (to signify the year the first Common Man restaurant opened, 1971).  At each location, a gift card will be awarded, and all proceeds raised will be donated to the partner charity.  In Meredith, Lago is paired with WLNH Children’s Auction, Lakehouse Grille is helping out the New Hampshire Food Bank, and CAMP is supporting the New Hampshire Region of American Red Cross.

According to the C-Man website, “While the Common Man family has grown in physical locations over the years, so too has it’s commitment to local communities by inspiring all of its STARS to live the mantra of “Doing Well by Doing Good.” Each location is charged with holding community fundraisers, and employees are given paid time off to volunteer with non-profit organizations that are important to them. Over the four decades of being a hospitality leader in New Hampshire, the Common Man family has donated hundreds of hours of sweat equity and thousands of dollars in sponsorships, food, and in-kind donations to local, national and international organizations working to make a difference.”

Help the Common Man family celebrate 40 years of success while at the same time helping a variety of NH not-for-profit organizations that give back to the community.  November is the perfect time to renew our commitment to our neighbors as we enjoy a great meal with family and friends!

Carrie Reed
The Mill Falls Blogging Team

photo courtesy of The Common Man Family of Restaurants

additional source:  http://www.wmur.com/news/29674486/detail.html

Nationally Renowned Musicians Grace Meredith Venue

Peter Mulvey will be at The Grotto Wednesday, October 26

If you haven’t had the chance to check out the Dinner Concert Series at The Grotto and attend one of the distinctive concerts there, you’ve been missing out on an opportunity to see some amazing musical talent in a unique and intimate setting.  But fear not—the concert series is just getting warmed up, and this local eatery has some more great national acts scheduled to play.

This past March, The Grotto opened its doors in Meredith, NH, and is already becoming a well-respected venue thanks to its lineup of distinctive national touring artists, as well as local musical talent.  The Grotto is a new concert space and dining room at Giuseppe’s Pizzeria & Ristoranté, located at The Mill Falls Marketplace, an old linen mill that was tastefully converted into shops and restaurants in 1984.  Giuseppe’s has been a favorite live music spot for over 20 years, and the addition of The Grotto is an extension of Giuseppe’s commitment to bring quality live music to visitors and residents of the Lakes Region.

This coming Wednesday, October 26^th, The Grotto will welcome folk artist Peter Mulvey with special guest Carsie Blanton.  Says The Boston Globe about Peter, “Gleefully mercurial…equal parts breezy jazz and whispery folk.  His voice feels like fine old leather, and his guitar sounds like it’s on steroids…a superb technician with a fondness for ignoring the rules…a genre-defying traditionalist — a knuckleballer with finger-picks.”

“The concert series so far is a huge success!” says Julie Gnerre-Bourgeois, owner of Giuseppe’s.  The Grotto’s first two dinner concerts, performed by highly acclaimed artists David Francey and Willy Porter respectively, were sold out.  David Francey’s first concert here went so well, he is planning to perform at The Grotto again next March!

For each concert, pre-show dinner reservations begin at 6:30pm, and the show starts at 8:00pm.  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
Mill Falls Blogging Team

Photo courtesy of Giuseppe’s Pizzeria & Ristoranté

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

It’s “Back to Spa” Week at Church Landing

Now that the kids are settled in at school, parents in the Lakes Region are enjoying their own ritual to acclimate to the season.  A little pampering goes a long way after a busy summer, and the specialists at this Meredith resort are kicking off fall with great deals on amazing treatments to “relax, renew, and rejuvenate.”  Cascade Spa at Mill Falls is hosting Back to Spa Week right now, and there’s still time to get in on some of the specials being offered…

9/12 Massage Monday
10% off a 50-minute or more service and a FREE aromatherapy upgrade.

9/13 Two For Tuesday
Take advantage of two 50-minute services and get the 2nd one ½ off.

9/14 Wax-Off Wednesday
Come in for a Lip and Brow Wax and receive a FREE Chin Wax.

G.M. Collin and Clarisonic are offering complimentary skin analysis and sonic cleansing from 9am – 3pm, (30 min). Reservations are required—call today!

9/15 Toes On Thursday
10% off Classic & Lake Stone Pedicures and a FREE bottle of nail polish.

9/16 Facial Friday
Receive a FREE Lip Blooming treatment with any 50-minute facial.

Cascade Spa also celebrates many other occasions throughout the year—stay tuned for more great offers!  The spa can also be reached anytime at 866-719-0161 or 603-677-8620.  Enjoy your week!

Carrie Reed
The Mill Falls Blogging Team

“Cider Bellies” Donuts Return to Moulton Farm

Crisp, cool nights and warm, sunny days mean the beginning of autumn in New Hampshire, and with the change of seasons comes the bounty of the farm.  Ripening now is New England’s most famous fall harvest—apples—and that means fresh cider and pies are not far behind.  Folks in the Lakes Region of NH will now be able to enjoy a treat that embodies the taste of the apple harvest—“Cider Bellies” Donuts are available at Moulton Farm in Meredith!

Although they were only offered occasionally before, Cider Bellies will have a permanent residence at Moulton Farm starting Labor Day Weekend.  Come and try this local favorite indulgence!

A destination since the 1980s, Moulton Farm grows a variety of produce, including white and yellow corn, tomatoes, squash, peas, pumpkins, and strawberries.  In addition, the farm also grows herbs, flowers, and both potted and bedding plants in its large greenhouse, built in 1993.  The extensive farm stand market also includes a bakery and kitchen, which turns out country pies, breads, rolls, salad dressings, jams and preserves.  Also, new this fall, Moulton Farm has teamed up with Cider Bellies Doughnuts to bring fresh, homemade cider doughnuts to its patrons.  These famous tasty treats are made right in front of you on the Moulton Farm property.

In the fall, Moulton Farm also opens up its Corn Maze.  This traditional challenge delights people of all ages, with a different design each year.  This year’s maze is opening a little late because of the heavy rains of Hurricane Irene, but should be ready by Saturday, September 10^th.  If planning a trip for the corn maze, just call ahead to make sure it’s open.

For more information or to register for one of Moulton Farms’ workshops or cooking demonstrations, visit their website or call the farm at 603-279-3915.  Enjoy the abundance of autumn!

Carrie Reed
Mill Falls Blogging Team

Photo credit: BOB008 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