ISSUE NO. 333 / December 21, 2022

COMMUNITY CALENDAR

Burkehaven Hill Critter in a blizzard.  

From harbor to hilltop and all around the town, we were busily decking the halls in anticipation of welcoming Saint Nicolas for his annual visit.  Then everything came to a halt on Friday last, as a rip snorter of a blizzard… seriously cold and very windy, with occasional full on white-out conditions and power outages continued throughout the day and night. Every device that could beep had warnings to keep off the road and stay inside. Visions of great skiing made some eager to head to the mountain and a few intrepid photographers ventured out… resulting in some interesting images. There were also heroes among us… as they worked tirelessly to clear roads and restore power. Our appreciation goes to each and everyone of them for their efforts to dig out from nearly 24 inches of snow. A White Christmas it will be!

Andrea Bocelli, Michael Buble’ and the Muppets version of “Jingle Bells”.

Line Riders “Nutcracker”.

Mark your calendars now for JOSA on January 8th featuring Giacomo Gates with Bill Wightman’s JOSA Ensemble.

“Gates is one of the most extraordinary singers working in jazz today, the owner of a joyful baritone who has synthesized a host of influences – Eddie Jefferson, Jon Hendricks and Sinatra among them – and turned them into something uniquely his own.” JOSA Jazz

PLEASE TAKE NOTE:  Holiday break time. The first “Happenings” of the New Year will be in your email box on January 11th.

Still searching for the perfect gift?  Perhaps it’s not one tied with ribbon in a box under the tree, but rather an ‘experience’ to remember… here are a few fun things available out and about in our state that would be a great gifted experience to share.

6 One-Of-A-Kind Experiences In New Hampshire To Gift To Loved Ones This Season

Do you struggle with what to give a loved one during the holiday season? I mean, you can only have so many socks and crossword puzzle books, right? Well, forget all that. Here are a few different gift ideas right here in New Hampshire that they will never forget. Read Article

For the kids… the Montshire Museum in Norwich offers an abundance of fun and educational experiences!

The Montshire Museum of Science: Such a fun-filled, smart museum (hey, you could give someone a membership), with an even more fun-filled, smart gift shop: books, games, science kits. And a major sale this Sunday, December 18. Admission is not required to shop in the museum store. 

In the meantime… circle your calendar and LET’S GET ARTSY with events not to be missed. 

Not only does the ‘ball drop’ at NYC’s Times Square at the stroke of midnight… there are a couple of local celebrations to welcome in 2023 as well!

Time to plan your New Year’s Eve Celebration.  

For the first time ever ring in the new year at the Fleming Center for fabulous entertainment, dinner, and festivities starting at 7pm! More details to follow!

nlbarn.org for tickets! Learn More

The Big Eve: Of course it’s in White River Junction, where the ball will drop at midnight! Better than Times Square. Light River Junction, hosted by JAM.

“On New Year’s Eve the walls of White River Junction will be transformed into glowing canvases for film and video artists. Stay for the ball drop and dance the year away. Starts when it’s dark. Ends when it’s over. One night only!”

recap: safer bird feeding with julie zickefoose

I put out my first bird feeder of the season on Thanksgiving and got the party started. But there’s more to feeding the birds than just filling the feeders, like how to keep them safe in the age of increased disease transmission or how to provide essential water in the coldest months, and of course, much-needed tactics for outsmarting the squirrels.

Smart bird feeding and more bird-related wisdom is our topic today with Julie Zickefoose.

Julie is a wildlife rehabilitator and artist and author of various books, including a favorite of mine, “Saving Jemima: Life and Love with a Hard-Luck Jay." She lives and gardens on an 80-acre wildlife sanctuary in Appalachian foothills of Ohio. (Above, woodpeckers enjoying suet at a Lifelong Feeder in her yard.)

Read Article

At last week’s "Christmas Coffee with the Chief”, Sunapee’s new chief, Neill Cobb, was sworn in, with friends and family, (Emily and their daughters looking on.)  BTW… Emily is New London’s Police Chief.

Photo by Charlotte Carlson

PREVIOUS TRIVIA QUESTION: Skijoring was NOT part of Sunapee's Winter Carnival. Hockey games, down hill and snowshoe races, ski jumping and crowing of the carnival queen all took place. Trivia respondents top two choices were hockey games and skijoring. (Sunapee Historical Society)

Covered Bridge Photo “Snowfall Aftermath”. 

Thank you to Charlotte Carlson for sharing her many photos thru the past year. Did you know? The Sugar River Covered Bridge was the first, ambitious project undertaken by Project Sunapee at the urging of then Town Manager, Donna Nashawaty and the Board of Selectmen, to fulfill a high priority in the 1985 Master Plan.   Design and logistics by Brent Stocker.  ‘Built’ by Western Wood Structures in Oregon, then shipped cross country where it was re-constructed on site by Stocker woodworks and local contractors. Project Sunapee served as fiscal agents to raise the funds and has since deeded the bridge to the Town. Amazingly, every hour of labor and dollar of cost, was donated. The community celebrated the ribbon cutting and dedication of the bridge in September of 2013. The Riverwalk now crosses over the bridge and it serves as an entrance to the Sunapee Farmers Market and the historic Livery, now owned, managed and being restored by the nonprofit Sunapee Heritage Alliance.

Our special gift of music for your holiday: “Adeste Fidelis” by Andre Bocelli.

Today we celebrate Winter Solstice… each day hereafter, the sun will shine a few minutes more.  May your days be filled  with light bright enough to shine through the darkness.  Wherever you are, whatever the temperatures there, Project Sunapee wishes you and yours comfort, peace, friendship, a Happy Christmas and many blessings in the New Year. Cheers!