Maple Syrup in the Mt. Washington Valley!

The great debate over real or imitation maple syrup is happening at breakfast tables around the world. And while this argument of preference may endure for years to come, when it comes to Maple Syrup, the folks of Mt. Washington Valley will enthusiastically agree, we only want the real thing.

Maple Sugaring in the Mt. Washington Valley is a point of pride in our part of New England. Maple Trees are one of the main architects of our fall foliage season in Mt. Washington Valley, gifting us with crimson red leaves. They also provide a free flow of sap in spring, which is then turned into the coveted Maple Syrup we have pledged our allegiance to. We have a lot to be thankful for when it comes to these deciduous trees.

And thankful we are. To show our gratitude, the Mt. Washington Valley offers maple themed activities, events, dining experiences and more to share the authenticity of this New England staple as well as educate the public on what it takes to cultivate Maple Syrup.

Below is a small sampling of maple themed ideas to plan around a getaway in Mt. Washington Valley this March.

Take a self-guided tour the Maple Storybook Trail which begins near the Sugar Shack in the 100 Acre Wood. Located in Intervale, NH, the Sugar Shack opens up to a trail network where you can snow-shoe, walk your dog, go for a peaceful walk or cross-country ski. As you explore the 100 Acre Wood, you’ll see a network of tubes that run between the Maple Trees. The sap that flows from each tree runs back to the sugar shack where it is boiled and processed into Maple Syrup.

Once you make your way back to the entrance of the wood, if there is steam rolling out of the Sugar Shack, step inside for a firsthand look of the historic and innovative process of turning sap into maple syrup. You’ll get to talk to the makers of the syrup and learn anecdotal facts about the love and care that goes into making this liquid gold. Group Educational Tours for all ages during Maple Season are available during mid-week. With a suggested donation of $25 per class/group, proceeds benefit the Believe in Books Literacy Foundation. Reservations for group tours are suggested. Please call 603-356-9980 to schedule.

Learn how to tap your own trees with Remick Farm in its Maple Syrup DIY class! Start out in its Sugarhouse where you will spend the day as a syrup maker’s apprentice. At the end of the day, you will leave with hands-on knowledge of how to produce your own maple syrup and a sample of the syrup you helped produce. In addition, participants will create maple treats while waiting for the sap to boil down. Tree identification, sap collection and storage, boiling and filtering and grading and regulations are all topics that are covered during this workshop. This is a great way to familiarize yourself with the process of making Maple Syrup.

Remick Farm also offers a NH Maple Weekend on March 21st and 22nd. The farm has also introduced a new series called “Young Farmers” which helps you and your child explore the seasons on the Remick farmstead through themed activities. Most lessons include time outside, a craft, and a story. On March 7th, the theme of the “Young Farmers” program is Maple Syrup. Participants will learn about the trees necessary for good maple syrup, learn how it is collected and made by completing a maze and enjoying a craft and story about the sugaring process.

Lodging in the Mt. Washington Valley also goes beyond just providing a comfortable bed to sleep in! They also offer Maple Syrup themed vacation packages! Each lodging property adds its own unique spin on its Maple themed getaways, but one thing is for sure, you’ll get an inside look at how maple syrup is made, a sampling of sweet treats, a special dining experience and more. Click here for a link to Maple Syrup themed vacation packages.

Also be sure to check out the Bed and Breakfasts Inn Mt. Washington, for a complete list of lodging properties participating in March Maple Madness getaways.

A trip to Mt. Washington Valley during maple season isn’t complete without taking some home with you! True New England made maple syrup is such a gift and a unique way to share your trip with loved ones. (But we won’t tell if you decide to keep the goodies all for yourself, either!)

A stop at Zeb’s General Store in North Conway offers the best array of New England made products, including maple syrup, maple candies, beverages, sauces and more! Soyfire Candle offers clean burning candles made with organic ingredients, including a maple scented line! Bavarian Chocolate Haus offers maple sweet treats and you can even watch the chocolatier hand-dip candies when you stop in the store! White Mountain Cupcakery has its own take on a maple themed cupcake and be sure to stop by the Mt. Washington Valley’s cafes for a take on a Maple Latte!

For more vacation ideas in the Mt. Washington Valley, sign up for our newsletter! A monthly e-card that gives you an inside look into what’s going on in the valley when it comes to food, fun, outdoor adventure, family-friendly events, live music and more!

Photo c/o Wiseguy Photography

Art as a Destination: Jackson Art Studio and Gallery.

Eight miles outside of North Conway Village, as you drive toward the majestic view of Mount Washington sits Jackson Village. This small town embodies so much of what makes New England charming: narrow, winding roads, scenic views, eclectic businesses, beautiful homes and small cafes. It’s the perfect hide-away to reconnect with all the things that matter the most to you. 

Only a fifteen minute drive from the heart of North Conway Village you’ll find a whimsical floral studio, bakery and cafe that has been featured in “Martha Stewart Living” more than once, a boutique salon, an Irish pub that boasts some of the best Buffalo Chicken Wings in the valley and more! Among these thriving businesses you’ll find Jackson Art Studio & Gallery, nestled at the top of Ridge Road. 

Jackson Art Studio & Gallery is a hybrid of an art gallery and working studio that offers group classes and more intimate, advanced curriculum as well. It’s a port for international artists to bring their craft to the small town of Jackson; bringing a taste of the world to this corner of New England. It’s an education center for fledgling artists; a place for expression for children and teens; an institute for seasoned artists looking to sharpen their already fine-tuned skills; and a hub to connect those that love art and those looking to add more of it to their lives.

The studio and gallery is led by bright colors; juried artists who can also be found working in the studio; large-scale, abstract paintings; photography; blown glass and more; all with a bright orange couch punctuating the shop’s decor. The space is inviting and luminous and offers a modern take on art that can be hard to find the further away from a city you travel. It’s a taste of metropolitan culture in a small, mountain town. Guests can shop for one-of-a-kind pieces, take a class or plan a more extensive, art-based vacation at Jackson Art Studio and Gallery.

Highlights of its upcoming 2019 calendar include a Palette Knife Technique class with award winning artist, Cynthia Rosen where the class focuses on intent, composition, use of color and technique. Students can also participate in the Introduction to Abstract Painting: Brushwork & Color with Rebecca Klementovich. Artists will create a successful abstract painting in acrylics by exploring innovative mark-making techniques, larger brushes, and color theory. 

Of course, Jackson Art Studio and Gallery’s Sip and Paint events color the studio’s event calendar with a fun and light-hearted evening where anyone can feel confident as an artist. Sip and Paints are relaxed and casual where the group works toward creating the featured painting of the evening. 

Art based vacations are quickly evolving into a main reason to visit the Mt. Washington Valley. Providing the basis for culture, relaxation, shopping, movement and excitement all at once, art as a destination is becoming Jackson Art Studio and Gallery’s focus. 

• You’ll find art retreats that couple together yoga, cuisine, wine tastings and workshops on the studio’s calendar and those are sure to fill up quickly.
• Regular art shows featuring new pieces, wine reception and a chance to meet the artist(s) are an excellent way to fill your vacation calendar too.
• Plein Air Series where students leave the four walls of the studio and paint in the great outdoors.
• All of these events and classes present the opportunity to mingle with locals and travelers who are all connected by their love of art.

And at its very essence, isn’t that what art is supposed to do: connect us all? We come to the Mt. Washington Valley to unplug and reconnect; with friends and family, nature, or with ourselves. The corners of Mt. Washington Valley, including Jackson Village, have amazing opportunities to discover a new way to vacation in the valley through art. For a complete list of galleries and one-of-a-kind shopping, click here. To view Jackson Art Studio and Gallery’s event and class calendar, click here.

 

Things are cooking at the Bernerhof Inn

By Isaac Rader
for the Mt. Washington Valley Chamber of Commerce

Cooking can seem remote and inaccessible when you’re young. Which is why we’re grateful to the Bernerhof Inn for the pasta cooking class  we recently participated in. We learned just how easy it is to make pasta! If you’re like us and you just pick up pasta at the store to boil it later, this would’ve been like a revelation. First, we made the dough with eggs, semolina, and flour, (did you know that semolina is so important to pasta? I didn’t!) then we got to shaping it into raviolis, which we’d filled with mushroom and mozzarella.

Best of all, the whole time we talked with the chefs like old friends, making it feel like a lovely afternoon cooking together. They even served us cheesecake! This class was fun and full of camaraderie, and most importantly, it’s a good way to see that cooking isn’t as “impastable” as you might think.

The Taste of the Mountains Cooking School at Bernerhof Inn has new spring classes coming soon. For more information visit Bernerhof Inn.

Lilliputian Montessori School Celebrates New Toddler Program

The Lilliputian Montessori School celebrated the opening of their new toddler program with a ribbon cutting on September 10. The program offers quality child care for children ages 13 months – 35 months with options for two day to 5 day programs as well as before and after care.

Lilliputian also has a preschool and pre k program for children ages 2.5 to 6 years old.

The school curriculum follows the child development research and writings of Dr. Maria Montessori, giving each child the freedom to work and move within limits, which are achieved through order, respect and self-discipline. Through this environment each child develops the skills and self-confidence to allow for a lifetime of creative learning.

“Our nurturing environment provides a gentle bridge from home to school”, said Amber McCay, Executive Director. “Through meaningful hands on activities, children are able to strengthen their language, self-help, motor and social/emotional skills in a prepared environment”.  

The school is located at 65 Seavey Street, North Conway. For information please call 603-356-4464 or visit thelilliputianschool.com.

Pictured from left: Lynn Lyman, Eastern Propane, Andrew Donohoe, former student, Amber McCay, Executive Director, Carrie Burkett, Board President, and Courtney Hamel, Lead Toddler Teacher.

We don’t offer a one day program, we offer a . You can use my name for the quote at the end.

A rich history in Mt. Washington Valley

One of the greatest things about MWV history is that it can always get weirder – for example, Mount Washington had a secret ski area once! But that’s part of the fun of attending lectures like this one at The Salyards, on National Forests. That, and the sense of community!

We took a trip to Africa with the North Conway Public Library

The North Conway Public Library hosted a wonderful series of lectures through the winter. The last one featured local residents, Ed and Kathy Bergeron, who shared their experiences and photographs from a safari through Kenya and Tanzania, Africa.

Eastern Slope branch of the New England Ski Museum opens in North Conway Village

It was an exciting day for ski enthusiasts who attended the Ribbon Cutting of the new New England Ski Museum, located in the former North Conway Community Center building in North Conway Village. Over 200 people attended the event.

Photo by Jamie Gemmiti – Conway Daily Sun

The museum is filled with nostalgia, old equipment, maps and interactive displays and even a library.  It is sure to engage all visitors from young to old. Admission is free and the museum is open 7 days a week. Don’t miss an opportunity to pay this gem a visit.

North Conway Public Library Presents Antiques Roadshow with Ken Gloss on the Value of Old and Rare Books

The North Conway Public Library will present Ken Gloss, a frequent guest appraiser on PBS’ Antiques Roadshow, for a discussion of the value of old and rare books. Gloss, owner of the internationally known Brattle Book Shop in Boston’s Downtown Crossing section, will give the free and open talk on Wednesday, Feb. 21 at 6 p.m. at the Obs-Weather Discovery Center in North Conway Village, in the fully accessible downstairs meeting room.

Gloss will talk about and show some of his favorite finds of old and rare books and describe some of the joys of the “hunt,” as well as explain what makes a book go up in value. He has many fascinating anecdotes to share as well as guidelines for what to look for when starting a collection. There is also a Q&A session before the conclusion of his talk.

Following the talk and question-and-answer session, he will give free verbal appraisals of all books that attendees have brought with them or will do so at his shop in Boston.

Gloss has appeared as a guest appraiser on PBS’ Antiques Roadshow numerous times over the years and has been a popular guest on WBZ Radio as well as other radio, TV, and cable stations numerous times. His articles continue to appear in various antique journals and in print and online consumer publications.

“Ken Gloss has the reputation of being very entertaining and very informative, and he certainly knows all there is about old and rare books,” says North Conway librarian Andrea Masters.

“I’m sure there are a lot of people who have old and rare books, or have an interest in them,” she said. “We’re hoping people will come to find more information about the value of them.”

Gloss will also talk about the history of his historic bookshop (brattlebookshop.com), which goes back to circa 1825. He is a second-generation owner.

The Brattle Book Shop, Yankee Magazine Editor’s Choice Award for Best of New England, is one of America’s oldest and largest antiquarian bookstores. Kenneth Gloss succeeded his late father, George Gloss, a well-known figure both in Boston and national antiquarian circles. “I found that books were in my blood and that I would never be really happy if I abandoned the business,” says Ken Gloss.

This event will be held at the Weather Discovery Center, no reservations necessary. There will be time after the presentation for questions and discussion.  Homemade cookies will be served and coffee is generously provided by Frontside Grind of North Conway.

The program is free of charge, although donations to the Library are greatly appreciated. For more information about the program, please check the library’s website at NorthConwayLibrary or call the library at 603-356-2961.

Eggs & Issues Business Leaders’ Breakfast

The Mt. Washington Valley Economic Council  presents

TOM HOLMES

Conway Town Manger

 Please join us at the next Eggs & Issues Business Leaders’ Breakfast, Thursday, February 15, 2018 at 8:30  featuring Conway Town Manager Tom Holmes as he discusses upcoming warrant articles. 

 

We hope to see you there! 

 

To register on line, click here.

For questions contact Susie Hall-Kennett at
447-6622 , or email – susie@mwvec.com.

Suggested donation $10.00

 

JOSIE PEARCE CROWNED AS 12TH MISS BERLIN-GORHAM AND MIA LETOURNEAU CROWNED AS MISS BERLIN-GORHAM’S OUTSTANDING TEEN!

The Twelfth Annual Miss Berlin-Gorham Scholarship Competition took place in the Medallion Opera House at the Gorham Town Hall on Saturday, November 4th.  Miss Josie Pearce of Hanover was crowned Miss Berlin-Gorham 2018 and was awarded a $5,000 scholarship.  The daughter of Owen and Erin Pearce of Rossmoor, California.  Josie attends Dartmouth College.  Josie performed classical piano:  “Doctor Gradus ad Parnassum” her platform is “Lupus Foundation of America”.  The local title earned her the right to compete in the Miss New Hampshire Scholarship Program to be held on April 26, 27 & 28th, 2018 at the Stockbridge Theater at Pinkerton Academy in Derry, NH.

The first runner up, Ashley Marsh of Laconia who attends Plymouth State University, and is the daughter of Dawn Marsh, won a $500 scholarship, and the second runner up, MacKenzie Herlihy of Tamworth who attends Southern Maine Community College and is the daughter of Thomas and Alexandra Herlihy, won a $250 scholarship. Contestants who are residents of or attend school full time in Coos, Grafton or Carroll County are eligible to compete for the title of Miss Berlin-Gorham.

Mia Letourneau of Berlin was crowned Miss Berlin-Gorham’s Outstanding Teen 2018 and won a $250 scholarship.  Mia is the daughter of Steven and Lauren Letourneau. She will compete for a larger scholarship at the Miss New Hampshire’s Outstanding Teen competition on February 9, 10 & 11th, 2018 at Pinkerton Academy’s Stockbridge Theatre.  For more information on the Miss Berlin-Gorham Scholarship Program, find us on Facebook at Miss Berlin-Gorham and Miss Berlin-Gorham’s Outstanding Teen and for more information on the Miss New Hampshire Scholarship Program and Miss NH’s Outstanding Teen Program, go to missnh.org.

Leadership MWV wins Rising Star Award for Leadership Development Program

Congratulations to Leadership MWV, just named winner of the NH Rising Star Award for Leadership Development Program of the Year!
Stay Work Play, in partnership with New Hampshire Public Radio, announced the winners of the eighth annual Rising Stars Awards at the  2017 celebratory event on Monday, October 2 at Fieldhouse Sports, 12 Tallwood Drive, in Bow.

Pictured (l to r): Scott McPherson, Acting President and CEO/VP Operations & Finance, New Hampshire Public Radio; Jessica Wright, Leadership Mount Washington Valley, and Leadership Development Program of the Year; Will Stewart, Executive Director, Stay Work Play NH. Photo credit: Allegra Boverman Photography

Harnessing History: On the Trail of New Hampshire’s State Dog, The Chinook

On October 18, 2017 Bob Cottrell will present a program on how  dog sledding developed in New Hampshire and how the Chinook played a major role in this story. Explaining how man and his relationship with dogs won out over machines on several famous polar expeditions Bob will cover the history of Arthur Walden and his Chinooks, the State Dog of New Hampshire. Cottrell will be accompanied by his appropriately named Chinook, Tug.

Held at  Bartlett Elementary School Cafeteria, Route 302, Bartlett at 7:00 p.m. following a brief Annual Meeting of the historical society.  The event is free and open to the public.  Donations are gratefully accepted at the door.

Bob Cottrell holds an MA from the Winterthur Program in Early American Culture in Delaware. The founding director of the Remick Country Doctor Museum in Tamworth, he is now the Curator of the Henney History Room at the Conway Public Library, a Board member of the Conway Historical Society, and President ex-officio of the Tamworth Historical Society. He serves as an independent history and museum consultant.