April 2012

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Squam Lake Camps

Posted by abohan Senin, 30 April 2012 0 komentar

Sunday was the perfect day to drive through the Squam Lake area. Touring around the Lakes Region in Spring is especially enchanting. The leaves have not yet grown in to block some of the spectacular views that will be shrouded by green leaves during the summer.

Now the clear sunshine makes the yellow-lime pastels on the ground and in the trees shine through.

Two things are noticeable.

The Holderness General Store, a delicious lakeside landmark for about 10 years, is now gone; we are the poorer – and the hungrier. And this year’s queer rollercoaster temperatures seemed to have flattened out the Frost Heave season; these roads – and the ones in and out of Sandwich – are unusually smooth for April.

Soon, we are slowly rolling onto the grounds of the Rockyworld-Deephaven Camps.

And, once again, we are enthralled by this unique Holderness “fantasyland.” (http://rdcsquam.com).

This is a miraculous dream, these rural camps that date back to 1897. They are as old-fashioned and "rustic" as you can honestly get in 21st century America: a small group of marvelous family-camp style wooden buildings, each with screened-in porches, fireplaces, private docks on Squam – and no air conditioning, telephones, televisions or refrigerators. (Each morning a block of ice – “harvested” from Squam Lake during the winter – is delivered to each cabin and put in an old-fashioned “icebox” that sits outside.)

The meals are served buffet style in one of two “campus” buildings where every “family” has its own table.

The entire atmosphere, buried deep in friendly woods, somehow pushes out the noise of typical daily life and, for as long as you’re here, things are quieter, more livable...

You talk to people you don’t know. You take walks. (You half expect meet the “lost” Henry Fonda character from “On Golden Pond," since the film was shot in and around the beautiful lake.)

Here, family members somehow talk more personally, communicate more easily; they listen to the sounds of nature, of one another, of laughter, of life...

That’s why it’s not uncommon to hear people who've only spent their childhood summers at Rockyworld-Deephaven say they "grew up" there.

It’s one of those Lakes Region spaces that allows time and space for growing.

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A Big City Guy Comes Home to Smalltown, USA

Posted by abohan Sabtu, 28 April 2012 0 komentar

This column by Joe Kock, Sr., was written several years ago, but it's a fitting reminder of what makes life in the Lakes Region so charming.

I was born in rural Pennsylvania, where, in early June, young boys shed their shoes at one end and their hair at the other, the former thereafter to be worn only to church and the latter to be regrown in time for school daze in the fall, and where life was a series of animated Norman Rockwell paintings.

It was pure and simple Americana, free of the frantic pace of city existence, with its standoffish interpersonal relationships, competitive atmosphere, stressful challenges, coldness, cruelty, crime and commercialism. Airs were to be inhaled, rather than put on, neighbors were friends, friends were for life, and the living was easy, even when times were hard. People cared about each other, and nobody seemed to be in a hurry to tilt at windmills, slay dragons or invade the Guinness Book of Records.

I couldn't, even as a barefoot boy, wait to escape from what I then perceived to be a restrictive cocoon, yearning as I did for the excitement, adventure, challenge and opportunity that only the big city had to offer.

Fast forward seventy years or so, during which period I tasted the thrill of victory, endured the agony of defeat, sowed and reaped the blessings of a loving family, avoided the grim reaper, entered a comfortable state of active retirement and, most recently, rediscovered Smalltown, USA.

I divided those intervening years between the urban hurly-burly of Philadelphia and the emerging metropolis of Miami, Florida, which has since grown to mini-hurly-burly status.

My gradual return to boyhood roots began with a getaway home in Key Largo, Fla., where there was and is, happily, little in the way of bright lights, traffic lights, honking horns or reasons to dress up and step out, and where the lifestyle is no more frantic than an afternoon siesta.

During my subsequent retreat from the coat-and-tie life of business and the chicken-and-peas life on the lecture circuit, that second home became a first and shoes again gave way to bare feet or Birkenstock sandals - ugly as spit, but celestially comfortable. (The hair remains intact all year around, unless and until Father Time or Mother Nature conspire to remove it.)

Key Largo's laid-back atmosphere is somewhat reminiscent of my birthplace, and now feels more embracing than confining, since I have conquered or outlived most of my demons and made peace with those remaining.

But my love affair with Smalltown, USA was consummated when Firstwife and I discovered Holderness.

It all started with a leaf-peeping tour of the New England foliage seven Octobers ago and progressed through summer visits of increasing length. These hiatuses led to home ownership in the Squam Lake area, made famous as the Golden Pond occupied by Hepburn, Fonda and a fish known as "Walter, that sonofabitch!"

Holderness has a birth date of 1761, a population of 1,930, and an elevation of 600 feet. "Downtown" consists of a post office, public library, science center, community theater, country store, filling station, marina, boat ramp, restaurant, and that's about all. Surrounding towns take up the commercial slack, which "slack" is part of the community's charm.

At the heart of that charm is the warmth and friendliness of the people who live there, both the thin-blooded Southerners who, like us, flee in terror before the first falling snowflake and the hardy folk who brave the elements when the ice lake is thicker than a ward heeler's head and even the fur-coated bears have the good sense to stay indoors.

Since only some fortunate residents have home delivery, the post office is a place at which to tarry and catch up with the local news; as is the "transfer station," a halfway house for rubbish, reached via the appropriately-named "Ta Da Dump Road."

Shopkeepers, local government personnel, police officers and those who fix things are uniformly unhurried, considerate and helpful; requests for service are most often responded to with a cheerful "no problem," or the indigenous "SHOO-ah."

Then there is that glorious Autumn, when nature seems to stretch a riotous drop cloth of color between lakes and sky, making the entire region an endless kaleidoscope of picture postcards.

It's called Holderness, but we've come to know it as HolderNICE, and this country-boy-turned-city-slicker has come back home!

He will, however, find solace in the summery winter of his other beloved small town in the fabulous Florida Keys.

How and why, Firstwife and I ask ourselves daily, did we get so lucky?

Joe Klock, Sr. is a freelance writer who spends his summers and falls in the Lakes Region, and the remainder of the year in Key Largo, FL . You can e-mail him at joeklock@aol.com or call (305) 451-0079

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Another Season, More Memories

Posted by abohan Kamis, 26 April 2012 0 komentar

The Spring continues to play games with the mind in the Lakes Region.
Today it's mostly sunny but when the sun hides behind a cloud the temperature seems to drop about ten degrees. The air is warm, almost Summerlike for a few moments, then it snaps with an Autumn feeling.
And life is as unpredictable as the weather.
There's a kind of lovely nervous energy this time of year, watching shopkeepers and restaurateurs running around with their ambitious plans for the Summer.
Then news that another local business has closed its doors, unable to even make it through to the lucrative Summer season.
This week, schools are on their Spring break so kids are everywhere. We stopped to rejoice over one babe's face to her mom's delight.
When we finally walked away and out of the store, she explained her momentary absence to her husband and son. "Baby fans," she said, explaining her delay in the family's special code.
A few weeks back, an older man who lives in Massachusetts but vacations in New Hampshire called and offered to make a significant investment in our company. He'd heard about our book and wanted a copy, but said he'd made a lot of money in investments during his lifetime and liked to help out smaller operations where he could now that he was older.
What's the expected return? The ROI, we asked him.
"I just want you to do something that will bless people," he said.
We would do that, we promised.
But a week or more passed, and no check had arrived. So we called him.
And he confessed that he'd had a stroke ten years ago and wasn't allowed to write checks from his own fortune anymore. In fact, he didn't even remember promising to send us a check.
We both laughed.
In a few weeks, the warm weather will be here. That's almost guaranteed.
But there will still be some rain.
It comes no matter what time of year, or life, it is.

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Great Music, Great Deal

Posted by abohan 0 komentar

Great Waters is making Great Offer: Be among the first to buy tickets for this season's program and get a free Peter Ferber poster!
Great Waters Music Festival

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Lakes Region Coffee Survey

Posted by abohan Rabu, 25 April 2012 0 komentar

WIth all the discourse generated by our March 28 post (http://lakesregionofnewhampshire.blogspot.com/search?updated-max=2012-04-07T19:51:00-04:00&max-results=7&start=7&by-date=false) - which also ran in the Laconia Daily Sun as a column, and initiated a lengthy response from a local cafe - the question has arisen:
What is/was the best place to enjoy a cup of coffee in downtown Laconia? Go to the Carbone Productions Facebook page to make your choice.

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Carbone-Productions-LLC/183899221673394

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Lake Reflections

Posted by abohan Selasa, 24 April 2012 0 komentar

The famous expression of Mark Twain ("If you don't like the weather in New England, just wait a minute") is being proven today: sun, then clouds, then showers,... temperatures bouncing between the low to high fifties... Amazing, charming... Life in the Lakes Region of New Hampshire.

On good second-hand authority, we hear that Michael Jordan is having a new home built in the Bear Lakes area of West Palm Beach. It's specially designed to suit his huge stature - and his new wife. Bear Lakes has a Country Club with a golf course and Jordan is, of course, an avid golfer.

What does this have to do with the Lakes Region?

Well, while researching famous people who have stayed in or visited the area some time back, a rumor reported that Jordan was spotted at least once bouncing a ball on a playground in the Wolfeboro area. Anyway...

Who is Joseph Kony and why is a large group of young people in the Lakes Region talking about him this "election season"?

Check out Kony2012.com for eye-opening answers.

This story is on the front page of the Laconia Daily Sun today.

And it raises an intriguing question: What's the value of a mostly cleared and "green" piece of property with some historic buildings and fantastic views of the lakes in the middle of the Lake City?

http://www.laconiadailysun.com/story/city-council-bids-state-school-site

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The richest of fare - for body and soul

Posted by abohan Senin, 23 April 2012 0 komentar

Three years ago next month, our book "The Lakes Region of New Hampshire: Four Seasons, Countless Memories" was released. The first photo/essay book about our lovely region was well accepted - and now we've added a new retail outlet in Winnisquam.

If you've not yet visited Mountain View Manna's stores in Winnisquam (or the one in Plymouth), get ready for the kind of special treat that could have your taste buds throwing a party. For years, Judy Ulrich of Holderness baked bread for family and friends. Then she won a First Prize ribbon at the Sandwich Fair and folks began offering her money to buy the delicious maple walnut, cinnamon, raisin, cranberry-orange, oatmeal molasses, whole wheat and garlic-basic baked goods.
So two years ago, Judy and her husband Bob opened “Mountain View Manna” and now the stuff is selling like – well, hotcakes (so to speak). It’s available at their stores as well as at various Lakes Region grocery stores, markets and restaurants See www.mountainviewmanna.com - and get ready for their homemade musical commercial.

"Why spend money on what is not bread,
and your labor on what does not satisfy?
Listen, listen to me and eat what is good,
and your soul will delight in the richest of fare."
- Isaiah Chapter 55, Verse 2

- from Mountain View Manna's website

http://mountainviewmanna.com/index.html

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Lakes Region Spring Views

Posted by abohan Minggu, 22 April 2012 0 komentar

Yesterday the sun was shining, the sky was a bright blue and temperatures were in the high seventies.

Today, it's raining - and the forecast is for up to three inches of the wet stuff in the next 24 hours.

With the view out the window so grey, it's a good day to look at some wonderful Springtime images of the Lakes Region.

(Most of these, caught by the talented Ernest Gault of Gilford, did not make the final edit of our book, "The Lakes Region of New Hampshire: Four Seasons, Countless Memories,” simply for lack of space.)

"Sunflower" by Ernest Gault

"Hummingbird" by Ernest Gault

"Spring Flowers" by Ernest Gault

("The Lakes Region of New Hampshire: Four Seasons, Countless Memories" is available at local bookstores, on Amazon.com and at our website, lakesregionnhbook.com)

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Grouchy Humor

Posted by abohan Sabtu, 21 April 2012 0 komentar

OK, I confess to being slightly obsessed with Groucho Marx's humor lately but I can't resist passing on a couple of his pearls.
One, you may have heard because it was in Woody Allen's 1977 movie "Annie Hall": "I'd never want to be a member of any club that would have me as a member."... In a related remark, he said he would "join a club so I can hit you over the head with it."

And, finally there's this good one:
"I find television very educational. Every time someone turns it on, I go in the next room and read a book."

Hope you're having a weekend as glorious as today's weather.

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Lake Reflections

Posted by abohan Kamis, 19 April 2012 0 komentar

Earlier tonight, on a beautiful Summer-like Spring evening, in an historic building besides the Winnipesaukee River, some of Laconia's prominent well-known business folks gathered for a little “social networking” (which, as near as I can figure, is a 21st century way of saying "schmoozing").

They were on the top floor of the beautiful Belknap Mill. And if you've never been inside this marvelous old brick structure, make sure you go the next time you’re in the Lake City.

It’s the “Official Meetinghouse of New Hampshire” and it stands preserved as the oldest unaltered brick textile mill in America, harkening back to the 20^th century Industrial Revolution that transformed America. It also houses the only industrial knitting museum in the U.S., using machines that were popular when the mill was in full operation.

More importantly, the 1823 building - which was saved from a wrecker's ball just before it was about to be demolished, during a 1960s federal Urban Renewal program - is wonderfully preserved by an all-volunteer group called the Belknap Mill Society.

It is, therefore, the perfect place to hold this kind of Spring business get-together.

But while everyone was gathered, enjoying the great food served by Contigiani's Catering, and chatting about everything from the Red Sox to our recent Laconia Daily Sun column regretting the loss of two downtown cafés, we were reminded of the source of the colorful flowers featured in yesterday's blog photograph.

The Laconia Rotary Club, which hosted tonight's event along with the newly reconstituted Lakes Region Chamber of Commerce, worked with many other volunteers to plant the thousands of flowers in Stewart Park.

And the Rotary also constructed a beautiful waterfront park next door, which sits alongside the mill and the old mill waterfall.

There’s a tendency these days to look down on businesspeople as soulless, self-centered, “only-in-it-for-the-money” folk.

Next time you hear that, think of the members of the Laconia Rotary. And, if you know one, thank them. Their work is one of those things that make living in the Lakes Region so graceful.

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Lakes Region Life Rhythms

Posted by abohan Rabu, 18 April 2012 0 komentar

There's a certain seasonal rhythm to life in the Lakes Region.
Yes, it exists everywhere to some extent. But it's different when you live in a place like this.
In most places, it goes something like this. Fall: new school and new starts. Winter: Christmas season, then snow. Spring: flowers, ball games, golf and gardening. Summer: long, warm days, comfortable nights - time to slow down and enjoy things around you.
But in a semi-resort community like the Lakes Region, it's slightly different.
Fall is slowdown, when the number of "summer people" drop and people can catch up with one another.
Winter is Christmas and New Years and skiing - but it can also be tough. It's fun and beautiful but no one makes money without the "summer people", right?
Spring is exciting: This is when we see new projects unveiled, when fresh ideas surface, when news about what's going on on Main Street becomes exciting to everyone.
Summer is wonderful. It's work and it's busy. There's boats to deliver, meals to serve, "summer people" who need attention... It's profitable, and it's not punishing - and there are still warn nights, new movies, etc., for us as well. But it is different than what most people experience.
Not "worse" - although at times we wish we OWNED the boat, instead of washing it off - but different.
Still, there are times - especially in the Spring and the Summer, between the plans and the projects - when you're caught unexpectedly by the most wonderful reasons to be here.

This cell phone picture doesn't do it justice. (I gotta get me a 'real' camera to keep this blog going.)

This explosion of color and life is in Laconia. It's from Stewart Park, near the intersection of Rte. 3/Union Avenue and Main Street, looking down toward the Belknap Mill.
In the foreground, a glorious patch of flowers. Behind (barely visible here) is the old mill waterfall and nearby, folks are fishing in the Winnipesaukee River.

So the rhythms are different here. But no one is complaining.

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Temperatures Setting Records

Posted by abohan Senin, 16 April 2012 0 komentar

The air today was delicious.

It was warm in the Lakes Region – hot even, with temperatures around the area in the mid-to-upper 80s.

But it wasn’t "summertime" hot. It wasn’t sticky. It wasn't "wet". You had to be working outside around if you wanted to work up a sweat.

It was "nice" – with a soft wind.

A good day to be on the lake.

It wasn’t like that week in March, the week when, as JP says, “Florida came to visit us this winter, for a change.”

It was but a single day. The next few are supposed to be more temperate.

But today, the sun powered down, pushing out the clouds that filled the sky most of the last week. The birds picked up their songs just where they'd left off last autumn. Windows were opened and you could hear voices of your neighbors, and the music playing in that car parked across the street.

Tonight, a half-mile from the center of our busiest town, the stars sprinkled alove on a velvety sky.

Most places, it was warm enough to go outside without your sweater.

It wasn’t quite summer.

But it was good enough.

I still remember the year, I drove up a high hill outside Gilford and saw a patch of snow on the ground – in June.

This will do fine for April 16.

Thank you very much.

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Lakes Region Goin' Hollywood,(or Atlanta Anyways)

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Larry Frates, the Lakes Region's famous artist-performer-musician-puppeteer-arts teacher, etc. - who operates the "Frates Creates" popular business on Canal Street in Laconia, has just announced that he and his family are headed to Atlanta next month to participate in the taping of the "Family Feud" TV game show.

Check it out on his Facebook page -
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10150658780651636&set=a.128875281635.116192.548411635&type=1&permPage=1
Best wishes to Larry and the family!

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More "Groucho" News

Posted by abohan 0 komentar

Just wanted to supplement the April 10 posting about Frank Ferrante's great presentation of his one-man Groucho Marx show in the Lakes Region this past winter:
The talented Ferrnate has been "playing" Groucho for some time now, working on his endeavors with Groucho's son Arthur.
(My favorite joke from the show was about when Groucho and his family visited a hotel where the pool was "restricted", meaning Jewish people were not allowed in it. "Well, my son is only half-Jewish," Groucho told the desk clerk. "Maybe he can go in up to his waist?"

("Hooray for Captain Spaulding!")

This is from Frante's website, www.grouchoworld.com:

Together, Mr. (Arthur) Marx and Mr. Ferrante developed the New York and London stage hit "Groucho: A Life in Revue." Mr. Marx served as playwright and Mr. Ferrante as lead actor and, subsequently, director of the piece. 'Groucho' debuted off-Broadway at the Lucille Lortel Theatre in1986 and ran 254 performances.

In London, the show was nominated for three Laurence Olivier Awards.

They recently re-teamed to produce 'Groucho' as a PBS national pledge program.

Their newest work "Arthur Marx's GROUCHO: A Photographic Journey," is a labor of love featuring commentary and unpublished photos of the Marx family by Arthur Marx.

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Posted by abohan Sabtu, 14 April 2012 0 komentar

Since the last two posts were somewhat tarnished with some less-than-perfect photos (i.e., ones I took on my cell phone camera), and since great images are an important part of our blog, we had the thought that it would be a good idea to treat you to some great Lakes Region pictures today.

West Alton Doorway by Ernest Gault

In the Spring section of "The Lakes Region of New Hampshire: Four Seasons, Countless Memories," we focused on homes, particularly the great ones in the eastern shore area of Lake Winnispesaukee. Ernie Gault of Gilford caught this wonderful image. (You can order the book of photographs and short essays at lakesregionnhbook.com, or purchase it at any local bookstore.)

Tilt'n Diner by John Gill

This iconic shot by John Gill of Gilford captures the warming charm of a popular local eatery in the early spring.

Klocks Among Flowers by Kathy Klock

You may already know that one of our favorite humorists is Joe Klock Sr., who owns a summer home in the Lakes Region. This image of Joe and his wife enjoying a warm spring day was shot by their daughter, Kathy Klock. The younger Klock has several excellent photos in the book, but this one didn't make the cut simply for space reasons.

Consider it an extra treat for your weekend.

P.S. Don't forget to "follow" the blog, so you'll know whenever a new post goes up... And you can Be-"Friend" us on Facebook - Carbone Productions - for occasional additional bits of info about the Lakes Region of New Hampshire. Thanks!

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Baseball, Lakes Region Style

Posted by abohan Rabu, 11 April 2012 0 komentar

This week the baseball season began. The Red Sox have won just one of six games they've played. And former manager Terry Francona, the only person to ever lead the Sox to two championships, will not participate in a celebration of Fenway Park's 100th anniversary because he feels managment treated him somewhat disrespectfully on the way out last year.

Too bad Francona didn't accept this offer when it was tendered to him last fall.

PRESS RELEASE:

The Laconia Muskrats have formally offered Terry Francona their managerial position for the 2012 season. Francona was released from his contract with the Boston Red Sox after eight seasons and 2 World Series titles.

“We know Francona will be a hot commodity and we wanted to convey our offer to him first,” said Muskrats General Manager Noah Crane. The Muskrats have faxed a contract to Francona’s agent Pat Rooney at SFX Baseball. Crane added, “Our hope is that he will trade Red Sox Nation for Muskrat Nation.”

In addition to a $6000 salary, the contract includes many perks for Francona. He will get a host family to live with during the summer, a free membership at Laconia Athletic & Swim Club, a personal parking space at Robbie Mills Field, 25% discount at Burrito Me, and 25 token cards at Funspot.

2011 Muskrats manager, Matt Alison, will be reassigned on the coaching staff should Francona accept the position. Former Gilford High School star, Luke Demko, will remain the pitching coach.

The Muskrats won the NECBL Eastern Division Championship in 2011 and the quest for a championship begins June 7 2012.

- from the Laconia Muscrats website, LaconiaMuskrats.com

(BTW, there's a wonderful photo-shopped image of Francona in a Muskrats uniform in the archives section - look at the Oct. 13, 2011 edition - of the Weirs Times' website, www.weirs.com)

Now the Muskrats owners could have picked a better nickname - e.g., "The Lakes Region Winds," with a sailboat as part of their logo - but General Manager and All-Around Good Guy Noah Crane deserves praise for giving us a little national attention - as well as the fun of imagining a classy guy like Francona coaching the local entry in the New England Baseball League. (Tito may have figured out a way to beat the Keene Swampbats in the championship series last year!.. Now if ever does come it up here, he'll probably be enjoying an ice tea on the deck of Jerry Remy's home.)

But our near-miss with Francona does not mean the Lakes Region is without any significant baseball history.

Long before Roy Campenalla and Don Newcombe became pioneering black professional players with the Nashua Dodgers in the mid-1940s, Laconia made John “Bud” Fowler the first Afro-American captain of any American professional baseball team in 1887. "He knows more base ball than any man that struck this town before, and he plays for all his worth every game,” a local newspaper crowed.

And in October, 1911, the famous sporting goods manufacturing firm Draper-Maynard of Plymouth invited players from the World Series-winning Boston Red Sox to visit the area for a little rest-and-relaxation (which, in those days, meant hunting and fishing - not dining out or shopping at the Tilton Outlet.) The group, including pitcher Babe Ruth, came. And the Laconia baseball team at that time challenged the Sox to an exhibition game. Since Major League Baseball rules forbade the Sox from playing as a team, Ruth played for the Laconians. He smashed a homer and the local guys beat up the champion Red Sox, 8-6.

And then there's Helen Nordquist, an outfielder and pitcher for various teams - including the famous Rockford (IL) Peaches - in the All American Girls Professional Baseball League in the early 1950s.

"Nordie", as she was known to her teammates, lives in a charming little house in Alton. When I visited her several years ago, she signed a reissued baseball card.

She's a wonderful lady who still has what used to be called "spunk".

(BTW, she said that although she enjoyed the film "A League of Their Own," the racy stuff never happened in real life. The "girls" were always treated respectfully wherever they went, she said.)

BTW, opening day for the Muskrats is one month, three weeks and four days away.

But who's counting? Well, anyone who's had the joy of watching some very good baseball up close and personal at Robbie Mills Field the last two years.

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When Things Are Radically ' 'Off-Season'

Posted by abohan Selasa, 10 April 2012 0 komentar

We’d love to think that “off-season” in the Lakes Region has its own unique charms.

Bu to be honest - it’s not always so.

In fact, the most interesting thing about the “off-season” here may be that things slow down enough for you to notice things.

For instance:

If the restaurant were “in-season”-busy, would we have noticed this scene at another nearby table? The picture is a little dark so here's what you're looking at:

Three generations: Grandma, Daughter and Granddaughter.

Grandma reading her Kindle.

Daughter on her laptop.

Granddaughter on her Smart Phone.

Who says New Hampshire folks are not tech-savvy?

Or how about this little sign spotted on the side of a building at an Alton marina:

Just in case you can't make it out, it reads, "SOUVENIRS - The Cheesy Sleezy Tourist Trap Shop-O-Rama."

Hmm, does any one see this little sign during the summer?

But then, of course, there's things like this...

The image is not very good, but the story behind it still resounds across the cold winter months.

The photo was shot this past November at Laconia High School. And the man is not a "reincarnated" Groucho Marx but Frank Ferrante, who was here presenting his wonderful one-man show, "An Evening with Groucho."

Ferrante is recognized as the world's best Groucho Marx impersonator and his show is filled with all the charm and wit of a Marx Brothers films.

Ferrante presented his show free to the public because the Putnam Fund, that great Lakes Region institution, sponsored the program.

It's the kind of thing that makes "off-season" a real turn-on for the local folks.

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Renewing the Earth

Posted by abohan Minggu, 08 April 2012 0 komentar

"I made the earth and created man on it; it was My hands that stretched out the heavens, and I commanded all their host."
Happy Easter & Happy Passover!

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Best of the Season

Posted by abohan Sabtu, 07 April 2012 0 komentar

Today, another sign of our Lakes Region spring... The "potado, potada" sound of Harley-Davidsons rose over the community.

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Lake Reflections

Posted by abohan Rabu, 04 April 2012 0 komentar

One of the great “food” surprises of the last year was the Tilton Farmers’ Market.

It opened in the old Agway building on Rte. 3 in the fall and closed this past Saturday. Great food, neighborly vendors, a wonderful atmosphere... It’s the kind of community scene that gives the Lakes Region warm charm during the cold winter. And it was so popular, a police officer had to be on the state highway to unsnarl any possible traffic jams.

But the market is not long for this world. Joan O’Connor, its owner and the proud producer of Joan’s Famous Composting Worms, says that Autoserve of Tilton, which owns the building and was a generous sponsor this year, needs the space for its own uses.
So when fall 2012 comes around, the 40-plus local farmers, craftsmen and other dealers will literally be out in the cold, unless someone can come forward with a suggestion for a new location. So, keep your eyes and ears open to help out these gallant entrepreneurs. (You can contact Joan at joconnornh@yahoo.com.)...

Hey, what happened to the van with that “Let’s Trade Houses” sign that used to sit off Rte. 106 by Rte. 393 in Loudon? Did the owner ever find a new house? Or did he buy a new car that wasn’t big enough for a sign? Just wondering...

Amazing, but true. Gunstock Mountain Resort, the first ski resort in the state to have a ski lift, is getting ready to celebrate its 75^thseason. (Ironically, it was originally called Belknap Mountain Resort, just because someone incorrectly identified the peak. "Gunstock" is much better than "Belknap" - strong, action word, perfect for skiing.) To celebrate, the resort is holding a sale on season ski passes.
And they finally opened their new ZipTour, which includes the fourth and sixth longest ziplines in the world.
See Gunstock.com...

We love funny, thoughtful, interesting signs.
A store in Bristol seems to have a knack for them. Not long ago, it identified itself as “Small Mart.” (No doubt a reference to the ginormous Super Wal-Mart up Rte. 104 in Plymouth.)...
And this bumper sticker was spotted by the Tilton Outlets this week: “I wish Morgan Freeman was narrating my life.”

Don't we all?

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Depreciation: A Partially Avoidable Pain in the Assets

Posted by abohan Senin, 02 April 2012 0 komentar

We're happy to present this column from Joe Kock Sr. A seasonal resident of the Squam Lake area, he enjoys spinning delightful tales on the passing scene, mostly from his living room window. "The Bear That Ate Like a Bird", one of Klock's story, was featured in our book, "The Lakes Region of New Hampshire: Four Seasons, Countless Memories." (It's available at www.lakesregionnhbook.com and at www.Amazon.com)

     Around the midpoint of the last century, I attended a class in real estate appraising.
     At the time, I was a rookie in the industry which was later to provide a comfortable living for Firstwife and me, plus a gaggle of begats.
     Imprinted in my memory to this day is a pronouncement by the instructor, Dr. Kurt Somebody, whose German accent also still echoes clearly.
     The precept was, in his words, that "all life is engaged in an inexorable march to ze junk heap; zerefore, ve must alvays strive to minimize ze impact of depreciation."
     He was referring to the fact that the sworn enemies of profitable property ownership were physical deterioration, deferred maintenance and functional obsolescence.
     Undeniably, unless they are repaired, replaced, updated and/or otherwise cared for, present buildings are future piles of rubble.
    Although Dr. Kurt was alluding only to the fate of neglected real estate assets, I have learned (as will you, gentle reader, if you haven't already done so) that the same rule applies to our bodies - the most intimate of our lifelong dwelling places.
     This opusette is about the aging process, in which we are all involved, albeit at different stages of development, redevelopment, repair, decay or "ze" aforementioned depreciation.
     Composer/pianist Eubie Banks, more famous for having penned the words and music to, "I'm Just Wild About Harry," less famously said, "If I'd known I was going to live this long, I would have taken better care of myself."
     Not a surprising comment, this, from a man who lived to the impressive age of 96, but an unexpected observation by one who smoked cigarettes for all but the first ten of those years.
     Aside: By contrast, Wayne McLaren, one of several "Marlboro Men," kicked the smoking habit at 49 and the bucket at 51.
     To say the least (and, one might say, the most) about aging, it ain't no game for sissies, but is almost always preferable to the only known alternative.
     Mind you, at 85, I still have fully a quarter of my life ahead of me, assuming that I break the current world record for longevity - and fully 92% of it remaining, should I better the survival achievement of Methuselah. (If you're not up to Biblical speed, think of Larry King on steroids.)
     Second aside: A contemporary Geezer recently wrote to me, expressing the belief that "we'll be getting out just in time, given the current problems and future threats facing the nation and the world."
     From my present point of view, there is something to be said about that attitude, although I remain confident that more than a bit can, should, and will be done about what might rain on the parade of our descendants' futures. I write this without intending to be either a Pollyanna or a Klockeyed optimist. (Sorry, but I've long wanted to use that pun, so why not here and now?)
     All that said, I'm keenly aware that most of today's problems and threats will outlive me; and I'm realist enough both to buy green bananas in small quantities and to evaluate 30-year roof guarantees with minimal excitement.
     Back on the subject at hand: A practical view of healthy living is pursuing a lifestyle that slows the rate of dying - a process which some killjoy scientists claim begins at age 21, just shortly after the retreat of acne and parental restraint.
     Basically, that's a bum rap, but it sits high on a totem pole of things we can't do anything about, so why sweat it?
     Credited to Bill Gates is the remark that, "Life is not fair; get used to it," with which I concur. (Still, I can't resist adding how little trouble I'd have getting used to his circumstances, even at my present stage of antiquity.)
     Clearly, the best strategy is to pursue a behavioral pattern of physical, spiritual and psychological prudence in order to minimize the ravages of advancing age.
     "Zose factors of physical deterioration, deferred maintenance und functional obsolescence," quoth Dr. Kurt, "are unforgiving foes," and he was as right as tomorrow's rains.
     On the other hand, there was a very old guy who proudly boasted to an interviewer that: "I've never in my life smoked, drunk booze, eaten unhealthy foods, or engaged in excessive sexual activity, and I'll soon be celebrating my one hundredth birthday!"
     "Really?" he was asked, " and just how?"
     Again to say the least, a point worth pondering.

Freelance wordworker Joe Klock, Sr. (joeklock@aol.com) winters in Key Largo and Coral Gables, Florida and summers in the Lakes Region of New Hampshire. More of his "Klockwork" can be found at www.joeklock.com.

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Happy Fishing Day

Posted by abohan Minggu, 01 April 2012 0 komentar

Today is the first day of fishing season in the Lakes Region.
Remember: "Give a man a fish and he'll eat for a day. Teach a man to fish and you'll get rid of him for the weekend."

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