June 7, 2014

 

Cort Hansen reports that the Albany Town Forest Trail network has been selected by the editors of New Hampshire Magazine as “Best of NH 2014” for the “Multi-Use Trail” category. The trail network is located off of the Kancamagus Highway just west of the junction of Routes 16 and 112. The trail network covers part of the 300 acre Albany Town Forest and provides both open space recreation and natural resources for the townspeople, area residents, and visitors. Since its acquisition in 2012, trail work has been underway by volunteers to improve and create a 4 mile trail network that runs from the western edge of the property along the Swift River, to the B&M railroad trestle behind Kennett Middle school with almost 2 miles of frontage on the Swift River. All the trails are on mostly level terrain and are being used by a wide variety of users including walkers, runners, mountain bikers, snowshoers, and cross country skiers. The hiking trails are blazed in blue paint and trail signs are posted at trail intersections. In addition, information kiosks have been erected at two locations and are posted with trail maps and information. Initial work has created a rough parking lot to be finished later this summer, in the middle of the property about Âľ of a mile west of Rt. 16 on the Kancamagus Highway. A second parking area will be constructed on the far western end of the property at a later date. Additional volunteer support has been provided by the local chapter of New England Mountain Bike Association and the US Forest Service’s Saco District staff.

The Albany Historical Society meeting will be held at Banner’s Restaurant on June 19 starting at 11am. Lunch (on you) will follow. The AHS is always open for new members as volunteers to host the museum during the summer and fall (June through September and one weekend in October). Membership in AHS is $5.00 per year which takes care of paying for the society’s newsletter and other activities. Attend this spring meeting to learn more about the group or call Mary Leavitt (367-9133). At this meeting the schedule for opening the museum will be decided. A sign-up sheet will be available.
Gibson Center: Tuesday after 11am there will be a spring plant exchange in the Activity Room. Bring in your extra plants to share with a friend. Fran’s Flick “Monument Men” will be playing on Tuesday after lunch. On Wednesday, June 11 and again on Tuesday, June 17 join others for the Lupine Festival. There will be stops at Polly’s Pancakes, Harmon’s Cheese Shop, and the Sugar Hill Sampler. The bus leaves at 9am. Call 356-3231 to reserve your seat aboard the bus for one of these trips. On Thursday it’s FREE BINGO at 12:30pm. Please bring a prize for the winner. Friday at lunch Chef Rick will be preparing a special meal for Father’s Day. Those wishing to sing will meet at 11am. Friday is also the day of the AARP Safe Drivers Class from 8:30am to 4pm. The cost is $20 but AARP members pay only $15. Call to register.

Library: On Monday at noon there’s an Early Childhood Mental Health Meeting. At 6:30pm Julie Lanoie will speak about green burial practices. Tuesday, at 6:30pm David Smolen will talk about enjoying E-Books. Thursday at 6pm join the White Mountain Amateur Radio Club meeting.
UNH Extension: Circle your calendar on July 9,16, 23, 30 for one of two( 4-5pm and 5-6pm) sections of the 4-H Blacksmith Club where the art and science of forming steel will be taught. This FREE program will be held at the Josiah Bartlett Elementary School and Stoney’s Sugar Shack. Call Amanda Royce at 447-3834 to register. Another summer program for youngsters is the 4-H Hikin’ Heron Club. Get outdoors with friends and take the challenge to hike six conservation trails in Tamworth and earn a patch from the Tamworth Conservation Commission. This is open to youths 5-12 years old. Pre-register before July 8 by calling the number above.
On Sunday, the Cabin Fever Restaurant in Bartlett Village is hosting a fundraiser benefit for Jen’s Friends Cancer Foundation. The service hours are from 4pm to 8pm with take-out meals available. Please join the diners and help support neighbors and loved ones who are battling cancer. And get a tasty meal to boot! Twenty percent of each food bill will be donated to help assist cancer patients and their families to provide basic necessities such as food, gas, rent, and utilities. Since the Jen’s Friends Board is one hundred per cent voluntary, all donations go directly to help the clients. The foundation spends approximately $16,000 to $17,000 per month on assistance. They are currently aiding over 60 families. For further information call Ruthann Fabrizio at 374-2434.

Another fundraiser on Sunday from 4:30pm to 7:30pm is the Taste of the Bearcamp Valley Food Festival. This fundraiser is for the Bearcamp Valley School and Children’s Center. Enjoy a buffet of delicious appetizers, soups, breads, entrees and desserts from the region’s best restaurants and cafes at Hobbs Tavern & Brewing Company, 2415 White Mountain Highway, West Ossipee.

Congratulations to Mary and Arthur Leavitt on their fifty-second wedding anniversary which they celebrated on June 2! Here’s to many, many more healthy and happy anniversaries.

Anyone interested in driving veterans to their medical appointments is asked to call Stan Solomon at 447-1199.

Is it ever going to be spring or shall we just forget about it? Whatever the answer, keep healthy and have a great week!

Facebook