Everyone has their own little trigger that lets them know it's spring. Some people know when they see the first robin light on a tree branch. Others aren't sure it's spring until they dig their hands into that first furrow of aromatic garden soil.
Me, I know it's spring when I get that irresistable urge to go to the nearest outdoor basketball court and shovel off the snow. Blame Eric Montross and George Lynch, I suppose, for every March since '93 has seen me clearing the key for a puddly shootaround.
Whatever your spring trigger is, it's coming, and it's coming soon. We've put together a nice little spring guide for you here to help you make the most of our lovely state in one of its loveliest seasons.
We've got a calendar of spring events that touch upon just about everything one might enjoy this time of year. We also popped up to Wolfeboro to spotlight what that town has to offer (visit it now and beat the summer folks).
With this year's mild winter, the basketball courts are pretty clear, save a puddle or two. But the urge is still there, and with it, the knowledge that spring is upon us and we've made it through another New Hampshire winter.
Below, is the Insider's spring events calendar. Enjoy!
MARCH
March 14
Teddy Bear Picnic
Bring your furry friends in with you and join Ms. Carol for a fun filled teddy bear picnic and parade at The Discovery Stop. Event is included with the cost of admission for all-day play. Socks are required for both children and adults.
Location: The Discovery Stop, 44 Nashua Road, Londonderry. Time: 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Event Fee: $7.99 child, $1 adult. Children under 1 are free. Information: 421-2790, info@thediscoverystop.com.
Milking Demonstration
Join Max Blindow of Benedikt Dairy every Wednesday through March for an informative demonstration of the lost art of hand milking cows. You’ll have the opportunity to learn more about where your milk comes from and how it’s produced, about organic farming, grassfed vs. grain fed animals, and raw vs. pasteurized milk. You’ll also be given the chance to sip a cup of fresh milk right from the udder. All ages welcome!
Location: Benedikt Dairy at The Educational Farm at Joppa Hill, 174 Joppa Hill Road, Bedford. Time: 4-6 p.m.. Event Fee: $5 inpidual, $10 per family. Information: benediktdairy@gmail.com.
March 16
Mount Washington Observatory Overnight Climbing Trip
Climb Mount Washington and stay at the observatory. The nonprofit Mount Washington Observatory, which has operated the legendary weather station atop 6,288-foot Mount Washington since 1932, has teamed up with Eastern Mountain Sports to offer this exclusive overnight adventure. Learn essential mountaineering skills as you ascend the tallest peak in the Northeast, then enjoy the comfort of a warm bed and a home-cooked meal inside our famous summit weather station. Many more trip dates are available.
Location: 2779 White Mountain Highway, North Conway. Time: Begins at 8 a.m. Event fee: Contact for details. Information: 356-2137, mountwashington.org.
March 17
Snowshoe Instructional Nature Tour
The snowshoe instructional nature tour is a guided group outing, including technique tips along the way. The perfect introduction to snowshoeing and the winter woods. Rental snowshoes are available for additional $12 charge. Skill level is first-timers to expert.
Location: 153 Main St., Jackson. Time: 10 a.m. Event fee: $18, includes trail ticket and tour ($10 to pass holders). Information: 383-9355, info@jacksonxc.org, jacksonxc.org.
The New Hampshire Maple Experience
Maple tours are back on tap at The Rocks Estate this spring. Discovering the history of maple sugaring, participating in the process of tapping trees and making syrup, horse-drawn wagon rides through the scenic Rocks property, and tasty treats have made these tours a favorite springtime tradition.
Location: The Rocks Estate, 4 Christmas Lane, Bethlehem. Time: 10 a.m. Event fee: Adults $15, children $9. Information: 444- 6228, info@therocks.org.
Great North Woods Vintage Snowmobile Race
Return with us now to those thrilling days of yesteryear when snowmobile racing was within reach of the average Joe. The Great North Woods Vintage Snowmobile Race will allow you to return to the fun of the bygone era and relive the fun many of us had there. A five-race series, sponsored by three of the premiere clubs in the state, will be held this winter and they are waiting for you to dust off that pre ’73 single or twin fan cooled relic sleeping in the corner of your garage and join in the fun. This is one of a three-race series.
Location: Off Beach Road at the Trailhead Farr Road Gravel Pit, Pittsburg. Time: 10 a.m. Event fee: Entrance fee $5, pre-registration $30 per sled/$40 day of race. Information: 800-698-8939, nccoc@myfairpoint.net, thegreatnorthwoodssnow mobilerace.com
Snowshoe Ridge Tour
Every Saturday throughout the season, ride up the lift and snowshoe across the ridge and finish at the Gunstock Main lodge. Reservations required.
Location: Gunstock Mountain Resort, 718 Cherry Valley Road, Gilford. Time: 6:30 p.m. Event fee: $25 per person, $10 rentals. Information: 293-4341, gunstock@gunstock.com.
Dark Sky Snowshoe Adventures
Venture out on snowshoes to explore winter at night. We will observe constellations and listen and look for nocturnal wildlife. Hot cocoa will be provided. Bring snowshoes and dress in warm layers. Designed for adults and families with children seven and older.
Location: 7 Noon Peak Road, Waterville Valley. Time: 6:30 p.m. Event fee: $4 for Rey Center members, $10 for member families, $7 non-members or $15 families. Information: 236-3308, programs@thereycenter. org.
Maple Sugar Madness
During all Saturdays in March, from 10:00-11:30 a.m., 12:00-1:30 p.m. and 2:00-3:30 p.m., join us to experience an old-fashioned New England tradition – making maple syrup. From tapping a tree to tasting delicious maple syrup, you will have hands-on participation in every step of the syrup-making process. Our environmental educators will help you to build tree ID skills and learn the parts of a tree and their functions, use measuring tools to find an appropriate tree to tap, use historical and modern tree tapping tools, learn the history of maple sugaring including Native American legends, and discover the math and chemical/physical science in the boiling process. Reservations are required.
Location: 928 White Oaks Road, Laconia. Time: 10 a.m. Event fee: $5 adult, $4 child age 4-12 for members, $8 adult, $7 child age 4-12 for non-members. Ages 3 and under are free. Information: 366-5695, info@prescottfarm.org.
March 18
Snake Feeding
The Massabesic Audubon Center wants you to come watch our ball pythons eat lunch, every Sunday at 11:30 a.m. Learn about these incredible animals and even get to touch them. The center also asks you to join it as it gives its raven his daily meal, every Sunday at 12:30 p.m. Learn about what these birds eat in the wild and watch some of our raven’s peculiar habits.
Location: Massabesic Audubon Center, 26 Audubon Way, Auburn. Time: 11:30 a.m. Event fee: Free. Information: 668-2045, nha@nhaudubon.org.
March 23
Winter Farmers’ Market with Local Foods Celebration
Enjoy fresh local produce, meats, breads, milk, chocolate and more, as well as prepared soups & meals for a healthy hearty winter. Select from organic, certified natural, conventional, all natural… many choices.
Fantastic foods like boursin cheese, cranberry pear chutney, sea weed dip, whole chickens, sweet potatoes, tomatoes, peppers, onions, brussell sprouts, broccoli. Sri Lankan curry dinner, hearty beef stew. Enjoy the celebration and meet the people behind the local, healthy food.
Location: Holy Cross Church, 118 Center Road, Weare. Time: 3-6:30 p.m. Information: 529-7798.
Dinosaur Train Exhibit
Bring your children, up to nine years old, to expe rience the new Dinosaur Train Exhibit. Your child can learn from the 30-foot mural of dinosaurs and also walk in the foot prints of a real ornithopod! Above the exhibit your child can make the electric train weave through the rooms by pulling a lever.
Location: Mt Washington Valley Childrens Museum, 2936 White Mountain Highway, North Conway. Event Fee: $5. Information: 356-2992.
Frost Heaves returns with Spring comedy
Frost Heaves, the hit comedy show that has been called “more fun than swatting black flies with a tennis racquet” returns to the Monadnock region with Yankee humor, music, and assorted nonsense on March 23, 24 and 31.
This time out, the nonsense includes: Rent-a-Yankee, for those who need help being cranky; Game films for husbands, designed to keep men from fumbling the marital ball; The Greatest Hits of English Lit, presenting all those novels you were supposed to read in school, set to familiar pop tunes; Life’s Little Mystery Theatre,Fred Marple with the news from Frost Heaves; oldies from the Speed Bumps band, plus prizes and surprises.
Frost Heaves is family-friendly and appropriate for all ages.
Location: Peterborough Players Theatre, 55 Hadley Road, Peterborough. Time: 7:30 p.m. Event fee: $15 general admission. Information: 525-3391, info@frostheaves.com.
March 24
Governor’s Cup
This annual ski race was started more than 25 years ago as a tribute to Loon founder and former New Hampshire Governor, Sherman Adams. Today the Governor Cup Foundation supports local athletes who compete in ski racing on many levels.
Location: 60 Loon Mountain Road, Lincoln. Time: 8 a.m. Event fee: contact for details. Information: 745-8111.
Annual Bunny Breakfast
The GFWC Hudson Juniors are hosting their annual Bunny Breakfast on March 24 from 8-10:30 am, at the Hudson Community Center. In addition to breakfast, there will be crafts for the children and the Easter Bunny will be available for photos.
Location: Hudson Community Center, 2 Oakwood St., Hudson. Time: 8 a.m. Event Fee: $5 adults, $4 seniors, $3 children (2-12), and children under 2 are free.
New Hampshire Old House & Barn Expo
This one-stop-shopping trade show helps old house and barn owners and enthusiasts with appropriate and affordable solutions.
You’ll have a chance to meet face-to-face with knowledgeable suppliers of repair and restoration products and services, and gather valuable ideas from hourly live talks and demonstrations.
Energy savings, window repair, and weatherization techniques will be featured. The Expo is back by popular demand with new vendors and educational sessions.
Location: Center of New Hampshire, Radisson Hotel, 700 Elm Street, Manchester. Time: 9 a.m. Event fee: $10 adults, $7 students and seniors. Information: 224-2281, admin@nhpreservation.org.
Cranmore Mountain Spring Splash
Everyone’s favorite spring event is back. Skiers and riders will have a chance to see how far they can make it across the slush pool. Registration is free with a lift ticket or season pass. Participants under 18 must have parent or guardian signiture. Tentative schedule follows: 9-11 a.m., event Registration on the Eating House Deck (Event Den if inclement weather). 12 p.m., event starts. Awards immediatley following conclusion of event at the Eating House Deck (Eating House Stage if inclement weather).
Rules and Regulations: Please remove all valuables prior to skim, including jewelry, watches, sunglasses etc., Cranmore will not be held responsible for any items lost in the pond; No ski poles; ski/ snowboard only; singles only; participants must be registered.
Location: 1 Skimobile Road, North Conway. Time: 9 a.m. Event fee: Contact for details. Information: 356-5544, info@cranmore.com.
Growing Up WILD Educator Workshop
The Amoskeag Fishways presents a workshop for parents and teachers of young children. The creators of Project WILD (a national wildlife education program) have developed a new early childhood education curriculum. This workshop is an introduction to the Growing Up WILD units designed especially for young children, ages 3-7. Through direct exploration, play, and creative activities, teachers and parents will find new ways to get pre-school aged children outdoors and excited about learning. Includes a copy of Growing Up Wild: Exploring Nature with Young Children ages 3-7
Location: Amoskeag Fishways, 4 Fletcher St., Manchester. Time: 9 a.m. Event fee: $40, pre-registration required. Information: 626-3474.
Project OspreyTrack
Join Iain MacLeod for a presentation about Project OspreyTrack. This multi-year project uses state of the art, lightweight, GPS enabled satellite transmitters to track Ospreys as they migrate from New Hampshire to South America. Last summer, a female osprey chick from a nest at the Ayers Island Dam in New Hampton was fitted with a satellite backpack. She left her nest at 10 weeks of age and began her amazing journey south. In just 10 days, she traveled more than 900 miles and then settled along the Elk River in West Virginia for more than a month before resuming her migration in October. We can follow her movements and gain an amazing insight into migration using Google Earth. We will also check the locations of other ospreys from the U.S and the U.K. now being tracked using the same technology. Adult must accompany children.
Location: Squam Lakes Natural Science Center, 23 Science Center Road, Holderness. Time: 10 a.m. Event fee: $7/member; $9/non-member. Information: Phone: 968-7194, info@nhnature.org.
Charmingfare Farm’s CSA Info Workshop
The CSA Workshop will be held from 10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Charmingfare Farm in Candia. Both a Garden CSA and Livestock CSA will be covered at the workshop. Discover what a CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) is all about and how you become a member by buying a share in the harvest. Learn how the vegetables are grown with quality compost, organic fertilizers, and how Charmingfare Farm avoids such things as synthetic fertilizer, pesticides, or herbicides. Understand the advantages of pasture-raised livestock that are able to develop more naturally and produce a healthier, better tasting meat, free of large doses of antibiotics and growth hormones. You will have an opportunity to meet the staff and ask questions. We only ask that you call or email to let us know you plan to attend the workshop.
Location: Charmingfare Farm, 774 High Street, Candia. Time: 10:30 a.m. Event Fee: Free. Information: 483-5623 x100.
Dance Rochester!
More than 75 dancers, from dance companies and education centers around the region come together to present a colorful, energetic celebration of dance. The afternoon performance showcases junior companies and up-and-coming student choreographers, and the evening performance features senior and professional companies. Special lighting and sound enhance the innovative and perse choreography of the region’s finest young dancers.
Location: Rochester Opera House, 31 Wakefield Street, Rochester. Time: 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Event Fee: $14. Information: 335-1992.
Dark Sky Stargazing Nights
Margret and H.A. Rey, authors of the Curious George books, chose Waterville Valley as their summer home because they loved the dark night sky. Join us for stargazing during the new moon to observe stars and constellations like H.A. Rey used to do. Telescopes will be set up at the H.A. Rey Observatory at the Curious George Cottage and volunteers from the New Hampshire Astronomical Society will be your guide. Designed for adults and families with children 4 years and older. This program is generously sponsored by the Snowy Owl Inn of Waterville Valley.
Location: 7 Noon Peak Road, Waterville Valley. Time: 8 p.m. Event fee: Free. Information: 236-3308, programs@thereycenter. org.
March 28
Stark Decency: NH’s WWII German POW Camp
The Friends of the Jackson Public Library has received a grant from the New Hampshire Humanities Council to sponsor a presentation by Dr. Allen Koop, entitled “Stark Decency: New Hampshire’s World War II German Prisoner of War Camp.” It will take place at the Jackson Public Library March 28 at 7 p.m. During World War II, 300 German prisoners of war were held at Camp Stark near the village of Stark in New Hampshire’s North Country. The history of this camp tells us much about our country’s war experience and about our state. Dr. Koop currently teaches history at Dartmouth College. Learn more about the New Hampshire Humanities Council and its work at nhhc.org. Additional support is provided by the Friends of the Jackson Public Library.
Location: 52 Main St., Jackson. Time: 7 p.m. Event fee: Free. Information: 387-9731, jacksonpubliclibrary@gm ail.com.
March 31
Free Variety Show for Senior Citizens
The Variety Show, held on the last Saturday of every month at the McIntyre School Apartments in Whitefield, is seeking anyone who would like to perform. Performances could be anything, such as magic, song, music, dance, drama, etc. Performances can last for a brief few minutes or as long as one would like. The performance is open to all senior citizens.
Location: McIntyre School Apartments, Whitefield. Time: 2 p.m. Event fee: Free. Information: 837-2826.
Snowshoe, Hike, Walk . . . and Real Food
“Soup, Sandwich, Tunes, Tales, and Trails,” Saturdays and Sundays through mud season. Our trails are open to the public. Come and enjoy a self-guided stroll in the beautiful woods of Longhaul Farm. The Pavilion in the Woods welcomes you.
Step inside for a warm beverage, delicious snack or hearty lunch of soup and sandwich by the wood stove. Your music and story- telling talents are welcome. Acoustic musicians and story tellers, bring along your musical instruments and talents to share with friends old and new.
To enjoy our trails and the Pavilion in the Woods, please dress warmly and bring your own gear. Follow us on Facebook for trail conditions and updates. Children under 15 are welcome in the company of an adult. Coffee, cocoa, cider, and tea available for purchase 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Soup, sandwich ad snacks at a la carte pricing 12 p.m. – 2 p.m.
Location: Longhaul Farm, Route 113, Holderness. Event Fee: Free, food available at a la carte prices. Information: 968- 9381.
Sleigh and wagon rides
We are very excited to be able to offer guest a private or group ride on Saturdays throughout the winter. You’ll feel like your transported back in time,listening to the jingle of the sleigh bells and maybe a song or two. Combine this great experience with cocktails and appetizers at the Carriage House , it doesn’t get much better. This will be by reservation only so please contact us to book your ride today.
Location: Bear Tree, 3329 U.S. Route 3, North Pittsburg. Information: 538-9995.
April 1
Farm Feast Breakfast & Open House/Open Trails
Come out to the farm for an all-you-should-eat farm fresh breakfast featuring our own organic eggs, sausage, potatoes, kale, maple syrup, and pancakes made with Vermont-milled flour. Join us at 1 p.m. for a free tour of our gardens, grounds, animals, alternative construction, renewable energy projects, and permaculture homestead.
Location: 218 Streeter Woods Road, Dorchester. Time: 10 a.m. Event fee: $5-$15 sliding scale donation for breakfast, tours free. Information: 786-2366, info@dacres.org.
Caribbean Night
Escape winter’s grip and let local steel drum band, Tropical Sensations, chase away those winter blues. Hors d’oeuvres and band will begin at 5 p.m.
A tasty Caribbean sit down dinner will be served at 6 p.m. Dinner reservations are required. BYOB .
Location: 460 Monadnock St. Troy. Time: 5 p.m. Event fee: $22.95 adult, $12.95 children 5-15, $7.50 children 2-4, plus tax and gratuity. Information: 242-6495, info@east-hill-farm.com.
