Summer 2015 - Tuftonboro

Vol XVII, No 3
A Quarterly Newsletter Published by the Tuftonboro Association
Summer 2015
Scuba diving in Winnipesaukee a passion for Brad Swain
A car, a ring, two Sailboats, a Chris-Craft, the
Chase Point Wreck and the Seneca. What do they all
have in common? They are all a part of the underwater history found on the bottom of Lake Winnipesaukee in Tuftonboro and seen by scuba diver and Melvin
Village resident, Brad Swain.
The Car
When he was a youngster summering in Melvin
Village, Brad Swain heard about a car that had gone
through the Winnipesaukee ice in the late 1930s just
off of Haley’s Point in Tuftonboro. Two people had
been in the car. One was rescued. The other individual, a local man, had drowned.
As a kid Brad had snorkeled in the area a lot
but had never seen a sunken car. After college he
returned each summer to Melvin Village and thought
again about the car, underwater for nearly 50 years.
In 1981, Brad became a certified scuba diver so that
he could rent diving equipment from the dive shop in
Wolfeboro and search for the car. Ten years later, in
the summer of 1991, Brad began looking for the car in
earnest but initially was unsuccessful.
Brad searched for more information about the accident and researched the archives of the Granite State
News. He found an article about the drowning and
confirmed that the car had crashed through 12 to 14
inches of ice on February 26, 1937. The driver, Roy
Thompson, drowned and his passenger, Mary Sullivan, was rescued. Roy’s body was found about 20
feet from the car and retrieved by a hardhat diver the
following day.
More research failed to accurately pinpoint the
location of the car so Brad simply continued to search
the area. On August 23, 2004, his persistence was rewarded. He located the car, upright and slightly tilted,
in 29 feet of water. The car is a 1929/1930 Oldsmobile
as identified by a radiator medallion and a small hubcap (grease cap). Some have asked if the car could
be removed from its resting place. The answer is no.
After 78 years, it is too badly rusted and would simply
fall apart if moved.
The Ring
Brad Swain found a 1962 Beverly (MA) High
School class ring in the swimming area of Lanes End
Camp during the summer in the early 1960s. Some
years later he called the Beverly High School and
gave them the three initials that were inscribed inside
the ring and asked them if someone could look at the
1962 class yearbook and tell him who the ring might
belong to. School officials, however, were unwilling
to do that because they were not allowed to provide
personal information.
The ring was set aside for nearly 40 years but
in December, 2011, Brad decided to initiate another
search. The coming year would be the Beverly High
School Class of 1962’s 50th reunion, and he thought it
would be wonderful to get the ring back to its owner
before the reunion. Using the Internet he followed
many leads and a woman was located in Florida in October 2012. She said that she had only had her class
ring for two weeks before she lost it while swimming
in Lake Winnipesaukee. Brad mailed the ring to her on
October 11, 2012, but not before taking the ring to a
jeweler who did a complimentary cleaning. The ring
came out looking like new; the lady was very happy
to get her ring back.
Sailboat #1
Hans Hug, a dive buddy of Brad Swain’s, is adept at using side scan sonar technology to find things
underwater.
In July 2013, Hans discovered a modern and
intact sailboat in approximately 38 feet of water just
opposite North Woods Camp in Tuftonboro. It was
quickly determined that it was a North Woods sailboat
that had mysteriously disappeared one night several
weeks earlier during a storm. It was raised, cleaned
and returned to the North Woods Camp fleet.
[Editor’s Note: Hans Hug will present a program
of stories and slides about diving in Lake Winnipe-
saukee at the Tuftonboro Association’s Annual Meeting on September 14 at 7:00 p.m. in the Tuftonboro
Central School.]
Sailboat #2
There is a second, sunken sailboat in the Tuftonboro area of Lake Winnipesaukee. The odd thing
about this sailboat is that it is strapped to a trailer. In
2014 Hans Hug located the wreck in 46 feet of water.
It may have been on the bottom of the lake since 2000
as there is a 1999 bow sticker on it. It’s a fairly modern, fiberglass sailboat, about 20 feet long, complete
with mast (which is in the down position) and rigging.
It’s in a place that is deep, dark and the lake bottom
is very soft. The only part of the trailer that can be
seen is the winch as the rest of the trailer is sunk into
deep silt. The water is so dark around this wreck that
dive lights are required to be able to see it. Research
has determined that the sailboat and trailer were being
towed across Melvin Bay by a powerboat when the
sailboat unexpectedly took on water and sank.
The Chris-Craft
There is an 18 foot, wooden Chris-Craft runabout
with an inboard engine that has been 30 feet under
the water for a long time. It is located in Melvin Bay
just opposite where the old Wawbeek Hotel used to
be. This wreck was initially located by Hans Hug utilizing his side-scan sonar.
The engine is heavily rust encrusted. It has a
windshield, a steering wheel with a throttle lever, a
stainless steel clutch lever and Chris-Craft gauges.
Like the sailboat and trailer, this wreck is in a heavily silted area. Brad Swain dove to the wreck with
two dive buddies, but they did not immediately find
it when they got to the bottom. They then tied off
a thin rope line, called a wreck reel line, to the dive
boat’s anchor line and did a circular search looking
for the wreck. After searching for about 15 minutes,
they realized that the wreck reel line was caught on
something. They followed the line back and swam
right to the wreck. Dive lights were not needed to see
this wreck. It is most likely that this Chris-Craft was
purposely scuttled.
The Chase Point Wreck
Late in the 2011 boating season, Hans Hug located a wooden wreck in 37 feet of water just south of
Continued on page 10
Remembering summers 60 years ago in Winter Harbor
[Editor’s Note: Steve Wingate, like many of us
in Tuftonboro, first came to this area as a child during the summer. Today he is a full-time resident of the
town he learned to love as a boy. This is the first in a
three-part series featuring Steve’s recollections from
“the good old days.”]
Our grandfather Harry Turner purchased property on the shores of Winter Harbor in 1929. At that
time, there was no road access to that part of Tuftonboro Neck, so the original cottage was built by bringing the materials over by raft from Libby Museum.
When the family came for a weekend or vacation, they
drove through a field off of Tuftonboro Neck Road to
a friend’s cottage where they kept a row boat. After
bailing whatever water had accumulated in the boat
they rowed about half a mile to the cottage. By the
time I can first remember, there was a road into the
property. Our mother called it “Wyah Road” (wire,)
because it was very narrow and snaked between the
trees and rocks.
Beginning in 1947, after our Dad, Roger, was discharged from the Navy following WW II, we started
spending weeks at the cottage in the summer. By the
1950s we were spending the entire summer here. Our
mother would pick us up on the last day of school; it
was only a half day to turn in books and get report
cards. We would go home and pack the car, clean the
house, and cut the grass. As soon as our dad would
come home from work, we were off for the summer.
Deciding what to bring was challenging. We were
only allowed one modest bag of clothing and a few
special things. Some of those special things went back
in the house when our dad decided the car was too
full. He would return for work during the week; if we
were good, we might get some of those special things
the next weekend.
In the early days the cottage was sparsely furnished and had no power or telephone. There was
no interior finish, just framing and siding between us
and the outdoors. We had kerosene lamps, a woodfueled kitchen range and a hand, pitcher pump on the
sink connected to a pipe in the lake. Necessary bodily
functions were accomplished in a two-hole outhouse
about 100 feet out back in
the woods. We also had an
icebox. The ice man came in
a Ford Model A truck twice a
week. He always had to chip
the ice block down to the
size of the icebox, and we
would each get a large ice
chip to suck on. One of my
jobs was to bring in wood for
the kitchen range and to refill
the kerosene lamps.
Around 1951, we did
get electric power and a
phone line. We were first on
the party line, so we had only
one ring. I think the other
parties’ rings went up to over
ten before we had individual
lines. Imagine counting the
rings before knowing if the
call was for you! In spite of those improvements, it
was still many years before we had indoor plumbing. The outhouse had to be moved to a fresh hole in
the ground each year. This was usually accomplished
when our dad and uncles were all present. There were
always lots of ideas on how to do it, many chiefs and
few Indians. Various schemes including pry bars, rollers, and block and tackle would be eventually be replaced by sweat, brute force, and a fair amount of colorful language. When the job was finished, it would
be party time with liberal portions of beer served all
around.
Our daily supplies and mail came from Ernie
Piper’s store on Rt. 109 across from the Mirror Lake
Church. Ernie had a rickety dock on the shore near
the Mirror Lake outlet. My older sister, Jennifer, and I
would be dispatched several times a week in the row
boat for supplies. We would take turns rowing the mile
or so to Ernie’s. The list of supplies would be written
on a slip of paper that we dared not lose or it would
mean another round trip. No money changed hands;
if you were trusted everything went on account. Our
Monday, September 14, at 7:00pm
is the date of the Tuftonboro
Association’s Annual Meeting, where
the featured speaker will be Hans
Hug, Jr., well known diver, lecturer,
and side-scan sonar operator.
Hans’ 90-minute presentation will
cover little-known facts about Lake
Winnipesaukee. The event will
be held at the Tuftonboro Central
School.
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mother would settle up on the weekend when she had
the car.
Ernie’s was a special place. While you were waiting to be served, there were signs to read all over. Like
over the dairy refrigerator: “Polize save me the yankity
klank and tell me if you want regular or homogenized
milk.” Ernie’s store only carried the essentials with
one exception. There was a vintage Coca-Cola cooler.
It had Coke and other bottled soft drinks suspended
in cold water, and, of course, a sign telling customers
“Do not sit on the cooler”. Our mother would allow
us one soft drink as a reward for making the trip. On
a hot summer day it sure hit the spot. Ernie also had
a sign that read: “If we don’t have it then you don’t
really need it.” Ernie employed Bob Piggot during the
summertime rush. He was one of the nicest men I ever
met. Both Ernie and Bob belonged to the volunteer
fire department. If the fire siren went off, they were
both out of the store and onto the back of the fire truck,
still with their white aprons on! Customers would then
be on the honor system until they returned.
To be continued
The Tuftonboro Times,
the Voice of the Community,
is published quarterly
by the Tuftonboro Association
Editor: Dan Barnard
Production: Phil Martin
e-mail: [email protected]
Printed by
Lilac Printing and Graphics
Rochester, NH
Selectmen receive $5K donation for Lang Pond Road
The lazy, hazy days of summer have finally arrived.
The Town is bustling with returning snowbirds and
island residents. Swim lessons will be starting and 19
Mile Bay Beach has already seen a number of people
anxious to get the sun and swim. We love to see the
Town come alive.
The Selectmen had the distinct pleasure of meeting recently with our local Brownie Troop at Tuftonboro Central School. Each of the eight Brownies gave
an explanation, with pictures, on why the Central Park
Trails needed some sprucing up and how they would
get it done. A new sign was proposed and they will be
naming the trails. Many thanks to our Brownies!
On June 13th Selectmen Wood and Sundquist attended an Open House at Camp Belknap. The new
rebuilt dock was dedicated and everyone was invited
to go jump in the lake! It was a beautiful afternoon
in a beautiful location. Thanks to Directors Seth and
Stephanie Kassels for all they do for the town.
Selectmen Wood and Sundquist attended the Mirror Lake Protective Association annual meeting on
June 20th at the Town House. Information was shared
regarding the current status of Mirror Lake and the
steps needed to improve the quality of the water. With
that in mind the membership approved a $5,000.00
donation to the Town to help defray the cost of proposed improvements to Lang Pond Road. This money
will go towards the permitting phase of the new design and engineering. Thank you MLPA! Thanks to
the Mirror Lake Watershed Committee for their work
on this project and proposing a plan that makes some
necessary upgrades without destroying the rural character of the road.
Selectmen, on June 8th, approved the first Discretionary Preservation Easement for a barn located at
56 Durgin Road. The barn, built in 1790, is owned
From left: Lily Orzechowski, Lylah Masterson, Jaylin Lovering, Coral Detwiler,
Laura McKenna, Bella Pickle, Norie Jo Perkins-Levasseur, Madison Eaton. The
Brownies presented a proposal to the selectment to beautify the Central Park Trails.
by Mary Powell and Maxim Blowen-Ledoux and was
The Selectmen have been busy with employee
approved for a 75% reduction on the assessed value of performance reviews with one still pending. The
the barn. The approximately $270 in savings is to go Personnel Policy will have a full review in the next
towards the upkeep and preservation of the barn. One month. Personnel issues have been taking up more
of the qualifying factors is that it must be seen from time than usual but we have recently come to a mututhe road so take a ride to view the barn.
ally agreeable resolution.
Thank you once again to Lee White and the TufDespite what you may have heard, the Selectmen
tonboro Association for organizing the yearly town- still allow public input. All you have to do is request
wide road cleanup and thanks to all who volunteered. an appointment to be put on the agenda with the AdA special thanks to Kingswood Votech for their ministrative Secretary.
help with clearing brush along a couple of town roads
Have a great summer!
and for building a beautiful cabinet for the ConservaTuftonboro Board of Selectmen
tion Commission.
Dan Duffy, Chairman
The yearly audit has been completed and the
Carolyn Sundquist
books were determined to be in proper order – no isLloyd Wood
sues were found.
Fire-Rescue Department calls for water, fireworks safety
Summer is in full swing, and the Tuftonboro Fire
and Rescue Department has been staying busy with
the annual influx of people to our community. With
the onset of summer, our severe weather chances increase. As this article was being written, Tuftonboro
has already been under one tornado watch and a few
severe thunder storm warnings. Please remember that
storms can pop up quickly. You should always keep
an eye on the sky for sudden changes and have a plan
in case you are caught out on the lake. Due to the size
and vastness of Winnipesaukee, the lake can go from a
flat calm to three foot white caps or larger in minutes.
If you get caught, try to take refuge in the lee of an
island (out of the wind) and ride out the storm. Storms
are often fast moving, and you can go about enjoying
the lake soon. Remember to wear your Personal Flotation Device (PFD) and if your boat is equipped with a
motor shut off lanyard, attach it to yourself. PFDs and
shutoff lanyards are there for a purpose: TO SAVE
YOUR LIFE in the event you get thrown overboard.
As I am sure you have noticed, there are lots of
pedestrians and bicycles out on the roads. Please slow
down when overtaking them and pass only when in a
safe area. Be patient and avoid corners and blind hills
before passing. If you are a walker or cyclist please respect the rules of the road. Walkers should face traffic
and bikes should go with the traffic and obey all traffic
signs. If you are out at night, wear reflective clothing
and carry a flashlight to alert drivers of your presence.
If you choose to use permissible fireworks, please
use extreme caution. Follow the manufacturer’s safety
recommendations, and don’t allow children to use
them unsupervised. Even sparklers… they burn at
over 1200° F., and I am sure most of us have not-sofond memories of stepping on a dropped sparkler. So
please try to ensure the summer memories are good
ones. For more info on fireworks safety, please go
to the State Fire Marshal’s office’s website: www.
nh.gov/safety/divisions/firesafety/index.html.
Remember, smoke detectors save lives. Please
check your smoke detectors and change the batteries
if needed. I wish you all a safe summer.
Caleb Pike, Captain
Visit the Tuftonboro Association’s website: www.facebook.com/tuftonboroassociation.
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Mirror Lake Community Church plans summer services
A refurbished Mirror Lake Community Church began
its 2015 season on Sunday June 28th. Originally
gathered as the Second Christian Church of Tuftonboro
in 1864, the church building was dedicated in 1869.
This past year the church was newly painted and
additional parking was made available behind the
church. There is also a new, stone walkway from the
parking lot to the church.
The list of guest ministers in 2015 includes both
familiar and new names. The Rev. Mr. Earl Miller
from Moultonborough, the Rev. Mr. Kevin Van Brunt
from Center Tuftonboro, the Rev. Dr. Blair Moffett
from Wolfeboro and the Rev. Dr. David E. Huff from
Franklin have already preached at the Mirror Lake
Church this summer. A new face from Wolfeboro will
be the Rev. Canon G. Robert Cain who will be in the
pulpit on Sunday, July 26th.
On August 2nd the Rev. Dr. Edward Vanderhey
from Melvin Village will officiate with a Pot Luck
reception following the worship service. There are
five Sundays this year in August, and the balance of
the month will feature the Rev. Mr. Edward Charest
from Moultonborough on the 9th, the Rev. Mr. Alden
C. Barnes from Wolfeboro on the 16th, the Rev. Mr.
Paul Blackwood from Alton on the 23rd and the Rev.
Dr. Arthur A. Rouner, Jr. from Edina, MN on the 30th.
In September the Rev. Mr. Brad Wolff from
Moultonborough will preach on the 6th and the Rev.
Mr. Edward Charest from Moultonborough will return
to close out the MLCC 2015 season on the 13th. The
final Sunday will also feature a Pot Luck reception
after the worship service.
The Mirror Lake Community Church is wellknown for the special music it provides for the summer
services. This year musical offerings will be made by
the following: Soprano Janet Patterson; Janice Allen,
pianist; the Clearlakes Chorale; the Camp Belknap
Singers; the Mirror Lake Community Church Choir,
Ginny Cole, Director; Michells Voss, organist;
Rebecca Hawkins, violinist; the Concord Vocal Octet,
Barry Lockhard, organist and Kit Peterson, organist.
A Lay Committee is responsible for the on-going
work of the Mirror Lake Community Church, led by
Bruce Thayer, President. For church information call
(603) 569-6541.
Services begin at 10:00 a.m. and all are welcome!
Pamela Thayer
Lay Committee Member
Melvin Village Church holds early summertime services
Happy summer from the Melvin Village Community
Church! By the time you read this, the Church Auction and Fair will be over. I hope you enjoyed it as
much as we did! Thank you for your support of these
very important events. It is a very busy time of year,
and it will stay that way right into the fall.
Every Tuesday morning there is a meeting around
the ideas of Bible, Questions and Coffee. Meetings
are held at 10:00 a.m. in the pastor’s office, and all are
welcome. No questions? Just come for coffee.
Sunday mornings, now through August 16th,
will include an informal worship service at 8:30
a.m. Hopefully, this will occur outside, and things
will wrap up between 9:00 a.m. and 9:15 a.m. It is a
wonderful opportunity to spend some time with God
before heading out for the rest of the day. The regular
service will continue to be at 10:00 a.m.
Church Adventure Week will be August 4th, 5th
and 6th with Celebration Sunday on August 9th at 10:00
a.m. There is much fun planned. Please register your
children in advance by calling the church office (5449661) or by stopping by the church. The teachers look
forward to introducing the children to G-Force! There
will be lots of good times so don’t miss out.
ALPHA will be coming to MVCC this fall! If
you do not know about ALPHA you can find information at www.alphausa.org or by calling Pastor Linda
Overall at the church. She would love to talk with
you about it.
Before you know it, the church will be into the
swing of things for the fall. That means GPS for the
kids every Sunday morning during church service. If
you and your children are looking for direction in life,
the Melvin Village Community Church can help you
find it. It is a warm and welcoming place, and there is
room for everyone.
Please check out the MVCC Facebook page
(www.facebook.com/mvccnh) to find out the
latest happenings and get links to important sites and
events in the area. A new Website is coming soon! All
are welcome on Sundays or at any church events. The
Melvin Village Community Church family is here to
serve and to have a good time doing it! Please drop
by and say hello!
Blessings.
Rev. Linda Overall
Interim Pastor
Tuftonboro Central School is active during summertime
Tuftonboro residents are fortunate to live in a
place where there are many opportunities for our children to explore nature. The weather has been fantastic
this summer. I hope everyone is taking time to swim
in the lake, go for a hike, or just spend time outdoors.
There are also many opportunities to join new activities and programs through Tuftonboro’s Parks and
Recreation Coimmittee and our local museums.
Tuftonboro Central School is open during the
summer months. Each year, students are given the opportunity to participate in the summer program. Students who attend are given extra support in the area of
reading and/or math for one to two hours, three days
per week for five weeks. We are proud of our students, parents, and staff for continued support of the
summer program.
There are other ways to read, write, and also practice math skills. Children are encouraged to check out
books and participate in the Tuftonboro Free Library’s
programs. In addition the teachers at TCS have created a summer reading blog. Please use the link to
find great books and contribute to the blog, http://tuftonborosummerreading.blogspot.com. The following
are a few websites to check out for additional practice:
http://interactivesites.weebly.com/
www.abcya.com
www.mathplayground.com
www.ixl.com
www.khanacademy.org
www.raz-kids.com
www.readworks.org
If you are new to the community and need to register school-aged children, please stop in the school
office to obtain a registration packet to fill out. Students and their parents/guardians are welcome to meet
their new teachers and explore their classrooms on the
afternoon of Thursday, August 27th. Specific information will be available towards the middle of August.
4
The first day of school is Tuesday, September 1st.
I am looking forward to seeing you all at the start
of the new school year.
Andrea Fournier
Principal
Conservation Commission to distribute well-testing kits
Would you add a dash of arsenic to your favorite beverage or a touch of radon to the
Oh, you say you had your well tested in the past? It is recommended that
air you breathe? Many people do without even noticing it. It is often mixed in their you test every 3 to 5 years. Geological activity or even lighting strikes can
well water and is colorless, odorless and tasteless. In this part of New Hampshire there change the origin of the water that comes from your well. Knowing that your
is a 20% chance that a drilled well will have arsenic and a 30% chance of radon pres- water is safe can give you peace of mind.
ent. These and other minerals or pollutants can
The TCC will have kits available at the
SAVE THE DATE!
have serious short and long term health effects.
Tuftonboro Town Office from July 27th to July
Tuftonboro Conservation Commission
Recent research shows that arsenic in small doses
31st. You should collect the samples per the
Fourth Annual WELL WATER TESTING INITIATIVE
can affect a child’s mental development as well as
instructions in the kit on Sunday, August 2nd
TEST KIT DISTRIBUTION:
Monday-Friday,
July
27-31
during
regular
office
hours
cause cancer in adults. It also worsens many other
and deliver them to the town office between
Saturday, August 1, 9AM – 12PM
chronic health conditions like diabetes.
8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. where TCC volunteers
Location: Town Offices (Piper Homestead), 240 Middle Road
The good news is that there is effective techwill check the paperwork and accept payment.
TEST KIT COLLECTION:
nology available today that can remove these eleThen they will refrigerate the samples. All the
Sunday, August 2, 8AM – 4PM
Location: Town Offices (Piper Homestead), 240 Middle Road
ments from well water making it safe for everysamples will be delivered to the state lab early
REMEMBER: TAKE WATER SAMPLE ON SUNDAY
one. The first step is to get your well water tested
Monday morning by the TCC.
COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH TESTING
to see if you have any of these elements. The TufYou can test for arsenic alone for just $15
WILL BE INCLUDED WITH THE TEST KITS
tonboro Conservation Commission (TCC) has a
and radon for $20. “But wait, there’s more!”
For more information contact Steve Wingate @ 569-3114
program that can take the hassle out of getting it
For $85 you can have a comprehensive test that
done. You still have to pay for the test, but we will get you a test kit, be available to covers everything but radon. If you want to be super safe you can go for the
collect the samples from you and deliver them to the state lab in Concord. They will comprehensive test and radon for $105. If you are not available that week, we
do the tests and send you the results. They also have personnel available to answer can still help. We can provide a test kit and tell you how to get the samples to
any questions you may have about the results or the best way to treat your water to the lab for testing. If you have any questions you can call Steve Wingate at 569make it safe.
3114. Don’t wait another year, act this summer and feel good about your water.
Transfer Station adds full-time position, hires workers
Summertime operations at the Transfer Station are
in full swing. The staff is glad that the warmer days
have arrived after the cold winter. Tuftonboro voters
agreed at Town Meeting this year to purchase a new
Bobcat Skid-Steer for use at the Transfer Station. The
new Bobcat has finally arrived and it has already been
put to good use. The paperwork is being finalized for
a $5,000 grant from New Hampshire the Beautiful
to offset some of the purchase price for the Bobcat.
Transfer Station Manager Clay Gallagher would like
to thank everyone for their support of this purchase.
New 2015-2016 Transfer Station stickers are out.
Please make sure you have a new sticker displayed
on your vehicle. The new stickers are blue in color
and may be purchased at the Transfer Station or at the
Town Office for $5.00 each. New recycling procedures
and an increase in labor requirements for baling OCC
cardboard and mixed paper has necessitated a change
in Transfer Station staffing. Barry Colbert is now a
full time (35 hour) employee, and two additional per
diem (on call) employees have been hired. They are
Robert Dean and Kerry Long, both from Tuftonboro.
Congratulations to Barry, and welcome aboard to
Robert and Kerry. Other employees remain the same:
Ralph Bussiere, Rob Edwards, and Clay Gallagher.
The disposal of household hazardous waste
items is unchanged from the previous year. Tuftonboro
has joined forces with Wolfeboro and Alton in the
operation of the Lakes Region Household Hazardous
Product Facility in Wolfeboro on Beech Pond Road.
Hazardous waste disposal collections are on the 3rd
Saturday of the month, from May thru October, 8:30
a.m. until 12:00 noon. Tuftonboro taxpayers should
pick up a Lakes Region Household Hazardous Waste
pass ticket from the Tuftonboro Transfer Station
prior to disposing of their materials at the Wolfeboro
facility. There is a 10 gallon limit per household pass,
and each household can get one pass per year. Please
ask us if you have any questions concerning disposal
of hazardous waste items.
Three years ago a program was started to
collect vegetable oil at the Transfer Station. Over
1200 gallons has been recycled through the Northeast
Resource Recovery Association. This brings in more
revenue to the town with minimal labor cost. The oil
is processed and turned into biodiesel in Pittsfield NH.
More people are recycling which shows an
increase in awareness of residents to the benefits
of recycling both in terms of “direct revenue” and
increases in “avoided costs.” However, increased
fuel charges and increased charges for transportation,
along with lower commodity prices, are a constant
challenge to the bottom-line. Our best avenue to offset
these challenges is to keep improving the percentage
of residents that recycle. Hopefully everyone will
assist in reducing taxes by recycling plastic, tin cans,
aluminum cans, glass, cardboard, and mixed paper.
Residents that continue to throw recyclables into the
compactors are costing themselves and everyone else
money.
Clayton Gallagher
The Tuftonboro Historical Society is hosting a flea
market/craft sale and baked goods sale on Saturday August 15th from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on the
Museum grounds. There is still space available so if
you have any items or collections you are looking
to clean out, or if you are trying to downsize, spaces
are available for $10.00. Are you a crafter? Art work,
needlework, jewelry, basketry, sewing items, pottery,
preserves and braided rugs are all welcomed. Contact
Sue Weeks at 520-0395 by August 5th.
The Society has new postcards available for sale
this year. They are copies of originals by Elizabeth
Hodges, a well known local artist who lived in the
farm at the end of Curtis Road in Tuftonboro. The
postcards are of Lower Beech Pond. The first is a map
of the pond with twelve scenes around the pond. The
original is on display at the Museum. The second is a
painting of the pond from the bridge on Brown Rd.
The original is in a private collection.
The large painting in the Tuftonboro Town House
was also done by Elizabeth Hodges. The Historical
Society Museum features a collection of her original
pen and inks depicting life in this area.
How many Tuftonboro residents and visitors
have seen Carroll Lamprey’s collection of old photos
and history of the Steamboat era on Lake Winnipesaukee? How many have looked at the propeller from
the “Seneca”? These are on display at the Tuftonboro
Historical Society Museum across the street from the
Melvin Village Post Office. Throughout the summer
the Museum is open Wednesday and Friday from 2:00
p.m. to 4:00 p.m. and on Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to
1:00 p.m.
Jackie Rollins
Historical Society features drawings by Elizabeth Hodges
5
Movies, 5K run, town picnic to be hosted by Parks & Rec
The long awaited summer is here! Get out and enjoy
the lake, beaches and hiking trails Tuftonboro has to
offer. Join the Tuftonboro Parks and Recreation Commission for summer fun at the following events:
Movies under the stars! Parks and Rec will be
hosting three movie nights this summer at Davis Memorial Field, 205 Middle Road. E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (PG) will be shown on Friday July 24th, Jumanji
(PG) on August 7th, and A Bug’s Life (G) on August
21. In case of rain the movie will be held inside in
the Tuftonboro Central School. The Movies begin at
dusk around 8:30 p.m. in July and 8:00 p.m. in August. Bring a chair and enjoy a movie under the stars.
Admission is free and concessions will be available
for purchase.
While the beach and pavilion at 19 mile bay
are picturesque, the weather and/or the wind does
not always enhance Parks and Rec events. The solution: join your friends and neighbors at Central Park,
189 Middle Road next to the Central Fire Station on
Sunday, August 30th from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. for the
Tuftonboro Town Picnic. Hamburgers, Hotdogs and
beverages are provided. Please bring a chair or blanket and a potluck dish to share.
The Fourth Annual Tuftonboro 5K Run/Walk
will be Saturday September 26th at the Tuftonboro
Central School.. The walk will begin at 8:30 a.m.; the
run will start at 9:00 a.m. This is a fun course and a
great family activity, all while supporting the Tuftonboro Scholarship Fund. Check www.tuftonboro.org
for registration information.
Do you enjoy these events? Would you like to
see more or different events and programs? The Parks
and Recreation committee is in need of volunteers.
Consider helping out at one of these events or join the
committee to plan others. Parks and Rec meets on the
first Thursday of the month at 6:30 p.m. at the town
offices. Dates, times and events are always subject to
change so check www.tuftonboro.org for up to date
information.
It is the mission of the Tuftonboro Parks and
Recreation department to create recreational opportunities for growth and enhancement by developing
diverse services and programs that promote citizen
involvement and a strong sense of community while
striving to increase the social, cultural and physical
well being of its residents and visitors.
Gina Lessard, Chairman
So much is going on this summer at the Tuftonboro Free Library! The annual summer reading program, Food for Thought, continues through August
21st. For every book a participating child reads, an
adult sponsor pledges to donate one item to the Life
Ministries Food Pantry. Over the years many thousands of donations have made a difference in many
lives. A clutch of avid readers is participating this
summer, and sponsors are still needed. Please sign up
at the library circulation desk. And thanks in advance
for the generous support of both youth reading and the
most vulnerable in our community.
A seven-week program of special summer events
for kids began on July 3rd, and continues on Friday
mornings at 10:30 a.m. through August 14th: On July
31st it’s the Carol & Crew Puppet Show - back again
by popular demand. On August 7th it will be Bricks 4
Kidz – Lego model building. And on August 14th it’s
Mike Sullivan’s Origami Storytelling Workshop
Rainy day blues? The Tuftonboro Library can
help out with a Rainy Day Family Matinee on rainy
July and August afternoons at 2:30 p.m. Settle in
with the kids, a bag of popcorn, and some lemonade,
and enjoy a feature-length family film on the new big
screen smart TV in the Hamel Meeting Room. Thanks
to generous donations from the Mata and Marcussen
families, TFL is well-stocked with a large variety of
Legos, available for creative play not only on rainy
days, but whenever the library is open. And jigsaw
fans can take a shot at one of Phil Martin’s challenging
hand-cut wooden puzzles.
The History Book Club meets on the last Wednesday of the month at 7:00 p.m. in the Hamel Meeting
Room. The group reads both historical fiction and
non-fiction. Book selections are always available
to read beforehand. New members are welcome at
any session, as are suggestions for future reading. On
July 29th the subject will be Charlie Wilson’s War by
George Crile. On August 26th Alexander Hamilton,
American by Richard Brookhiser will be discussed.
A newly organized Bridge Group meets every
Thursday evening at 7:00 p.m. in the Hamel Meeting
Room. Join the group to meet new friends, improve
your skills, and have fun! On Saturday mornings,
you’ll find a creative group of local writers at the big
table in the Hamel Meeting Room. The group meets
weekly from 10:00 a.m. to noon to provide support
and constructive suggestions. Writers of all ages, experience levels, and in all genres are welcome. Please
bring a sample of your work to share with the group.
Games Nights continue on alternate Friday evenings at 7:00 p.m. in the Hamel Meeting Room: July
31st, August 14th and 28th, September 11th and 25th,
and October 9th and 23rd. There’s usually at least one
Scrabble game going, as well as cribbage and dominoes. Other board games are also available. Researching your family tree this summer? TFL offers not only
free genealogy databases and local history reference
materials, but also expert advice and guidance from
genealogist and staff member, Marianne Marcussen.
She’s available on Friday evenings and by appointment to help you get started on your search for your
roots.
Don’t miss the final week of Pamela Grady’s
exhibit of luscious pastels and watercolors, through
July 31st. Pam is a first-time exhibitor at TFL, but a
life-long, distinguished artist. Her pastel portraits of
people and pets are delightful; her florals and landscapes arresting.
August brings the Local Art & Artisans Exhibit
& Raffle, TFL’s annual fundraiser to benefit the Building Fund. Many local artists and crafters contribute
very generously to the success of this effort. Donated
items this year will include original paintings and
photographs, wall hangings, baby quilt, antique local
maps, hand-knit socks and sweaters, woven baskets
and shawls, tufa garden accents, a braided rug, and
gift certificates from a number of local businesses and
service providers. Raffle tickets are 3/$10, 8/$20, or
25/$50. The drawing will be held on Saturday, August
29th at 1:00 p.m. following the Friends of the Library
Annual Meeting and Author Lunch. Winners need not
be present, but it’s always fun to be on hand for this
event!
At the Annual Meeting, there will be coffee available, and a short business meeting will take place at
10:30 a.m. At 11:00 a.m. special guest Mark Okrant
will speak. He is the author of the Kary Turnell mysteries which are set in NH’s grand resort hotels. At
noon, there will be a catered sandwich lunch with
homemade desserts, and books will be available for
sale and signing. Membership in the Friends is encouraged, but this event is open to all.
Nancy Piper’s distinctive pencil portraits will be
on display during the month of September, and the
Happy Hookers are back in October with their annual
exhibit of fantastic fabric artistry.
The KnitWits knitting group meets regularly on
Monday evenings at 7:00 p.m., with the exception of
the first Monday of every month, which is reserved
for Tuftonboro Association board meetings. G.A.L.A.
will offer a course on sustainable living on Wednesdays from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m., September 2nd, 9th, 16th,
and 23rd. Preschool Story Hour resumes on September 16th and continues on Wednesday mornings
at 10:30 a.m. throughout the fall. Programs include
read-aloud stories and simple crafts, with plenty of
time for interaction between the children. No registration necessary.
What about summer reading? The TFL has that
covered, too. There are books on the TCS reading
lists including the latest bestsellers in fiction and nonfiction. There are also new and classic movies, CDs,
magazines (digital and paper), puppets, and 24/7 access to the Invisible Web. There is technical assistance
available for those with personal electronic device
problems.
Christie V. Sarles, Director/TFL
Bridge Club, History Group among many library activities
6
Busy season for Hikers Club ends at mushroom factory
After a busy season, The Hikers concluded their
programs in June with a visit to the New Hampshire
Mushroom Company in Tamworth, and held their
Annual Bake Sale in front of the Geez Louise Store
and the Melvin Village Post Office. There will be
a break the activities during the months of July and
August as club members take time to enjoy the
Tuftonboro summer with family and guests.
On a beautiful June day, 27 Hikers and their
guests visited the Mushroom Company. EricMilligan
has found his passion in life by cultivating and
marketing mushrooms. He provided an opportunity to
tour the premises and to understand what is needed for
their growth. He talked about the varieties he harvests
and the places he sells them. Enthusiastic Hikers
purchased boxes of mushrooms to take home and turn
into savory delicacies.
The finale of the season was the annual Bake
Sale. Members contributed their baked goods to raise
money for The Hiker’s general fund. This was a great
opportunity for folks to buy, enjoy and freeze baked
goods for all their summer guests.
The organization also ran a very successful
Rummage Sale; donated food supplies to the L.I.F.E.
Ministries Food Pantry; cat and dog food and miscellaneous supplies to the Humane Society; planted flow-
Members of the Hikers Club recently visited the Mushroom Company in Tamworth.
ers at the Melvin Village Crossroads, and provided 10
scholarships to local students. The scholarship awards
were given to four graduating seniors and to six current college students. Congratulations to the graduating seniors: Sage Lincoln, Margaret Urquhart and
Benjamin Bedley from Kingswood High School and
Megan Wood from Brewster Academy. Congratulations also to current college students: Diane Aponte,
Peter Gibson, Steven MacMartin, Zoe Reed, Shawn
Roseen and Kelly Wood. Scholarships are available
to all students wishing to continue their education beyond high school who are either Tuftonboro residents
or whose mother is a Hiker.
The Hikers fall season commences on September
3rd with a Business Meeting. Hiker Carol Simpson
will talk about the “History of the Sport of Fencing.”
If you are interested in joining The Hikers please call
Pat Lee, President, at 569-9819.
Tuftonboro Grange celebrates member’s 100th birthday
The Tuftonboro Grange #142 has been busy this
spring and summer with a wide range of activities. On
Friday, June 19th the Tuftonboro Grange, along with
other members of the Carroll County Pomona Grange
#8, brought the Grange experience to residents of
the Mountain View Community in Ossipee. In an
open meeting everyone enjoyed the friendship and
camaraderie.
The major event in June was the birthday of the
oldest member of Tuftonboro Grange #142, Phoebe
Willey, who turned 100 years young on Tuesday, June
30th. Born in Tuftonboro in 1915, Phoebe has lived in
New Hampshire her entire life and currently lives at
Applegate Gardens on Mountain Road. She enjoys
crocheting, flowers, and visitors.
A party for Phoebe Willey was held on Sunday,
June 28th. Ice cream and cake were the call of the
day. Phoebe’s daughters, Diana Scharneck from
Tampa, FL, Ruth Willey and her daughter Sarah from
Claremont NH and Florence Perkins from Tuftonboro
were all in attendance. Florence’s sons Ernie, David
and Wayne (with his wife Joy) were present. In
addition, a cousin, Gwenneth Largena, along with
her son Jay, grandson Dalton, daughter Joy and her
husband David were all in from Tennessee. Another
cousin, Nick Edgerly, along with his wife Jane and
daughter Nicole from Vermont were there as well. It
was a joyous get together for all.
Anyone wishing to help celebrate this milestone
in Phoebe’s life can still do so by sending a card to
wish her a Happy Birthday. Cards can be sent to
Phoebe Willey, Applegate Gardens, 141 Mountain
Road, Center Tuftonboro NH 03816.
This past month on July 18th the Tuftonboro
Grange held a Penny Sale at the Grange Hall at 157
Middle Road. A number of gift certificates from local
businesses along with many other interesting items
were won by lucky ticket holders who participated in
the event.
Upcoming events for the Tuftonboro Grange
#142 include a pot luck dinner and meeting on
September 11th beginning at 5:00 p.m. On October 9th
at 5:00 p.m. there will also be a pot luck dinner and
meeting prior to the presentation of the Grange’s 2015
Citizen of the Year Award. All meetings will be held at
the Tuftonboro Grange Hall.
The Grange is a fraternal organization that
encourages families to band together to promote the
7
Phoebe Willey is the oldest living member of the Tuftonboro Grange
economic and political well-being of the community
and agriculture. As a non-partisan organization, the
Grange supports only policies, never political parties
or candidates. Although the Grange was originally
founded to serve the interests of farmers, the Grange
today has begun to broaden its range to include a wide
variety of issues, and anyone is welcome to join the
Grange.
Joy Perkins
Abenaki Tower is a local resource with a rich history
[Editor’s note: Karen Burnett-Kurie, a third-generation member of the Abenaki Tower and Trail Association, recently wrote a series of articles for The Granite State News. Here is a synopsis of those articles.]
Despite local rumors, the Abenaki Tower was neither
a fire tower nor built to watch for German airplanes
during World War II. It was built simply to offer everyone enjoyment of a beautiful view.
In Tuftonboro one August day in 1923, Joshua
Q. Litchfield, headmaster of the Agassiz School in
Jamaica Plains, MA and Frank Speare, President of
Northeastern University in Boston, went for a walk
and found themselves standing on Edgerly Hill, gazing out over clear pastures at the waters of Lake Winnipesaukee. Due to extensive foresting and the ravages of forest fire, the land then would not be recognized
as today’s mature forest.
The outdoors enthusiasts suggested a tower for
the spot and quickly organized a group of like-minded
people, naming Chester I. Campbell president. In February 1924, plans were drawn up, and the land was
purchased for $800 from John Edgerly. Lewis McIntire, of Tuftonboro, put in a bid to construct the tower
for $400. It was accepted. It would later be said, “no
man in the entire region could duplicate Mr. McIntire’s splendid work.”
On July 12, 1924, the Abenaki Tower was formally dedicated in front of a crowd of 125 onlookers.
So how did the tower get its name? According to Ethel
Turner Burnett’s record-keeping, “the tower is said to
be built at the junction of several old Abenaki Indian
Trails.”
The Abenaki Tower Association went into debt
during construction, which wound up costing $500.00,
and slowly paid that debt off through bridge and whist
parties, food sales and other entertainment. By 1930,
all bills were paid. For 15 years, the organization hired
someone for $10.00 annually to raise and lower the
flag each Sunday during the summer season.
In 1972, Ethel Burnett wrote, “In the forty-eight
years since Abenaki Tower was built, many hundreds
of people have enjoyed the view and it is the wish
of the Association that the Tower will continue to be
‘freely and considerately used.’”
Around that time, the original tower was being
overshadowed by tall trees and visitor numbers were
dwindling. The tower itself had become dangerous.
Lifelong Wolfeboro resident Kirk Titus remembers
climbing on it as a kid and noticing “how rickety it
had become.”
In 1976, demolition of the tower was discussed,
but Admiral George C. Dyer, who now lived in Joshua Litchfield’s cottage at the end of Wawbeek Road,
spoke up for the need to “repair and preserve.”
“Many local residents have climbed up Abenaki
The Abenaki Tower and Trail Association is
holding its 90th annual meeting August 1, 2015 at
the Tuftonboro Historical Society across the street
from the Post Office in Melvin Village. The meeting
will start at 3:00 p.m., and the public is welcome.
Learn more about the tower, a wonderful community resource in our back yard, and how other local
associations and partnerships are preserving natural
and cultural resources in New Hampshire.
The meeting will consist of: a brief business
session (including an overview of efforts to keep
the views open, the tower well maintained, and
building the funds needed for the next tower restoration), a guest speaker and light refreshments.
The Association is pleased to have Karen
Burnett-Kurie, longtime Abenaki Tower and Trail
Association member and Executive Director of
the Lake Wentworth Foundation in Wolfeboro, as
its speaker. She will talk about how water quality,
including watershed and storm water management,
land conservation, preservation of scenic beauty,
and fostering community health are being tackled
in the Lake Wentworth-Crescent Lake Watershed.
Learn how this watershed, encompassing
Wolfeboro, New Durham and Brookfield, as well
as other nearby lake communities in New Hampshire have developed successful associations and
partnerships in response to pressing environmental
and natural resource conservation challenges. Bring
your questions for Karen.
Tower and enjoyed the view of Melvin Village, the
Ossipee Range, Lake Winnipesaukee and beyond,” he
said according to the meeting minutes. “It is a location
featured in the Lakes Region tourist publication ‘For
spectacular views of our lakes and mountains: Take
a hike.’”
Titus’ company (Maine Line Tree Service, now
Bartlett Tree Service) was hired to rebuild the tower
for $12,000. The town of Tuftonboro contributed
$1,500, and the Hurlburt Fund gave $1,000. The balance came from private donors, including funds raised
by the “Village Pinups” who made a quilt and raffled
it off. Bill Cornell, a local builder, designed the new,
taller tower. Construction began in 1977 and continued until it was dedicated on July 22, 1978.
Dick Mullen and Sam Snow, still Tuftonboro
residents, as well as Bill Kotz of Effingham and Cecily Clark of Ossipee, were the primary crew and Chet
Fernald, longtime owner of the Wawbeek Hotel, supervised the project. Titus recalls the four sides and
top were cut and assembled on the ground before being hoisted into place by a large crane.
“It was a fun job,” Titus says. “The timbers are
all utility poles. Materials came from power company
supply sources.”
Kirk Titus still takes his grandchildren to the
tower at least once a summer. They are impressed that
their granddad built it.
Everyone who has enjoyed the tower can support
its continuation by becoming an Association member
and paying $25 per year in dues. These dues cover
the ongoing costs of maintenance for the tower. Write
to: Abenaki Tower and Trail Association, PO Box
222, Melvin Village, NH 03850.
Karen Burnett-Kurie, Executive Director
Lake Wentworth Foundation
Abenaki Tower & Trail Association 90th annual meeting
8
A series of articles about the Abenaki Tower,
written by Karen, was recently published in the
Granite State News. Look for the synopsis of the
articles in this issue of The Tuftonboro Times.
As always, the not-for-profit Abenaki Tower
and Trail Association welcomes new members,
visitors, friends as well as long-time supporters at
the Annual Meeting. New members are needed to
sustain the Association and the tower. The wish of
the Association continues to be that the tower and
grounds be “freely and considerately used” by the
public. For more information contact Christopher
Burnett, Association president, at (603) 544-2209,
or write to Post Office Box 222, Melvin Village,
NH 03850.
Mirror Lake Protective Association has annual meeting
The Mirror Lake Protection Association (MLPA)
held its Annual Meeting on June 20, 2015. Gene Kelley, President, announced that Spirit of New Hampshire Awards had been given to Dick and Nancy Byrd
for their work over the years sampling the water
quality at Mirror Lake, and to Beth Urda for water
sampling in tributaries to Mirror Lake, initiating the
development of the Lake Host program and monitoring loon nesting and protection activities. Once
again, MLPA was the recipient of a Lake Host Grant,
which helps to fund the inspection of boats entering
Mirror Lake at the Rt 109 boat launch in order to prevent invasive plants, including milfoil, from entering
the lake. This program is now managed by Larry and
Eileen Gil.
Nancy Byrd presented the Water Quality Report. MLPA’s goal is to keep the phosphorus count
low enough so that cyanobacteria are not produced in
quantities which result in “blooms”, especially during
the swimming season. MLPA’s phosphorus count goal
is: 8.5 ug/L and blooms can begin to occur at 10.ug/L.
The data for the 2014 sampling season reflects that:
the water transparency is” excellent”; the phosphorus average is high at 10.9ug/L which is considered
“fair”; the chlorophyll average is high at 4.1 ppb, also
considered “fair”.
In summary, water quality demonstrates that our
remediation efforts have slowed the increase of phosphorus levels in the lake but that they remain high
enough so that we could still be at risk of cyanobacteria blooms. These not abnormal in late summer and
early fall, but none-the-less are worthy of continuing
vigilance and monitoring by the MLPA. The water
sampling identified the beach at Lang Pond Road and
the boat launch on Rt. 109 as having the two highest readings of phosphorus. (See discussion below for
current remediation efforts for Lang Pond Road.)
Once again, members were asked to address runoff flows from their residential properties. The object
is to slow storm water runoff so that sediment, carried by the water and to which phosphorus adheres,
can be knocked out of the water before it reaches the
lake. The techniques reviewed include: (1) diverting
drainage off of private roads and driveways and improving culverts to capture the sediment; (2) planting
vegetation such as shrubs, bushes, trees, (not grass)
etc., especially at the shoreline because the roots slow
and absorb water flow and the leafy debris captures
the sediment; (3) adding rip rap and filters to capture
runoff around structures and in other key locations;
(4) direct water flows into wooded areas; (5) where
appropriate, upgrading, and properly maintaining existing septic systems; and, (6) using low phosphorus
detergents and not fertilizing within 50 ‘ of the shoreline.
Lang Pond Road Remediation
The condition of Lang Pond Road has been a concern of the Town of Tuftonboro for some time. Lang
Pond Road is a major source of run-off detrimental to
the integrity and health of Mirror Lake, but the road
is also an important short cut from Rt. 109A to Rt.
109 used by commercial vehicles because it is flatter and shorter than the alternative routes. The Town
of Tuftonboro established the Mirror Lake Watershed
Committee to resolve issues between the needs of the
commercial users of the road and the concerns of lake
residents. The committee’s recommendations were to
upgrade and remediate the road but to retain its rural character. This included addressing run-off into
Mirror Lake and improving the road for commercial
and residential use. The voters authorized approval
of $8,900 for H.B. Bergeron Engineers to update its
survey and to redesign the road consistent with the
committee’s recommendations. MLPA members approved a contribution of $5,000 towards the preparation of state permits and fees for this project. It is
anticipated that the improvements will be undertaken
by road agent Jim Beam in the fall.
Land Conservation
Using projected growth figures from the Towns
of Tuftonboro and Wolfeboro, Mirror Lake’s Management Plan indicates future land development will be
the single greatest contributor to increased phosphorus in Mirror Lake. Members discussed the fact that
development of currently forested areas will create
flat/hard surfaces (grass, roofs, driveways, patios,
decks, stairs, and walkways). The resultant loss of filtering by trees, roots, foliage and debris will result in
an increase in storm water runoff and sediment/phosphorus flows into the lake.
There are areas around the lake where the natural state of the land can be preserved by placing those
areas in conservation. For example, 112 acres, including shoreline previously owned by Mary Hersey has
been purchased at auction for $750,000 by a Virginia
developer, John Marshall. The United States government holds an easement on 100 of these acres for
conservation which means that the land cannot be developed. The remaining 12.5 acres are available for
development. MLPA has contacted Mr. Marshall, who
has become an MLPA member and has expressed an
interest in working with MLPA as a good neighbor.
There are other undeveloped properties around
the lake that may be ripe for conservation. Dusty Davies recommended that a study group develop criteria
and identify properties in the Mirror Lake watershed
that may be appropriate for land conservation. She
noted that there are organizations willing to help guide
and finance land conservation efforts. A study group
for this purpose has been formed. If you have an interest in exploring land conservation or learning about
the advantages of putting property into conservation,
please contact Dusty Davies: georgedavies@aol.
com.
Gene Kelley, President
Dusty Davies, Board Member
Mirror Lake Protective Association
The summer started off rather slowly, but, as
usual, as we get deeper into July things get busier.
In the past I have mentioned the opiate addiction and
lack of treatment. There is a countywide effort to
work together on this problem. Unfortunately, there
is a lack of treatment options in our county. There is
a treatment locator website: http://nhtreatment.org A
call to 2-1-1 can also help direct people to a variety of
services: www.211nh.org.
The State is currently operating under a
“continuing resolution” until a budget can be passed.
This has a variety of effects on state agencies and
providers.
One state agency the Tuftonboro police rely on
regularly is the New Hampshire State Police. The
staffing at Troop E in our area is down about 1/3 from
previous years. The effect is a reduction in the number
of hours the state police are covering, and there are
fewer troopers available. Additionally, the state lab is
backed up. Tuftonboro had a drug case involving an
unknown narcotic pill, and it took over a year to get
results.
The reduction in manpower may not be budget
related. The State Police and police departments
around the state are facing difficulty filling open
positions. The reasons include demographic, social
and economic pressures. The demographic pressure is
the population of 18-40 year olds in New Hampshire
is going down. This is the age group most likely to
apply for a job in law enforcement. Social and media
attacks on law enforcement make it a less attractive
career. The last year has been a difficult one with
many high profile cases. The negative attention has
side effects of fewer feeling it is a good career.
The positive is it may mean more focus on
improved law enforcement training, but that training
costs time and money. The calls for body cameras will
need money, time and changes to New Hampshire
laws.
The economic pressures on police recruitment
have to do with “supply and demand.” There is a
limited pool of applicants and a high demand for
them. Large agencies like the Los Angeles Sheriff’s
Department and NYPD are looking to add over 1,000
Continued on page 10
Police department staffing, hiring a problem statewide
9
Scuba, continued from page 1
Chase Point in Tuftonboro. In June of 2012, Hans and
Brad Swain dove over the wreck.
The boat is a motorized vessel about 50 feet long
with a large intact bow that rises about seven feet or
so off the mud. Parts of the stern are visible; much
of it is gone but it still stands 6 feet high. A rudder
is in place with some sort of shaft off the right side,
perhaps a drive shaft. The wreck lists to its port side.
The starboard side of vessel is gone. There is a large,
straight 4 or 6 cylinder engine and drive train in place
with a mess of piping and other heavily encrusted
components. A bottle dump was also found nearby.
Police, continued from page 9
officers each. In the past, officers from other states
might apply to get a job in New Hampshire. That is
not as common today. Those that are already working
here are dealing with continuing efforts by the state
lawmakers to include police benefits as part of general
cost control measures.
The New Hampshire Police Standards and
Training Council has had to make some changes. Due
to reductions in income, they have had to cut courses
that require hiring outside instructors. This will mean
some courses will not be available, and there will be
additional costs to local police departments in order
to hire instructors. The training grants program has
also has been suspended. Another issue locally is the
County budget. There are concerns about the funding.
We rely upon support from the Sheriff’s Department
and County Attorney’s Office, so any layoffs in those
offices will affect us.
What does this mean to Tuftonboro? We currently
have the same staffing we have had for almost 14
The Seneca
Many Tuftonboro residents have seen the large,
black propeller that is displayed on the ground in
front of the Tuftonboro Historical Society building.
There’s a label on it that says “Propeller From The
Steamship ‘Seneca’ 1860s.” This propeller was found
near Lake Winnipesaukee light buoy flasher #12 by
two men from the Baltimore area while they were here
on vacation in July of 1976. It was found in water
that was 12 feet deep and was recovered from the lake
in July of 1977. A video of the propeller recovery
may be seen on the internet at www.youtube.com/
watch?v=2wctlTcTlJQ.
A 1929 Oldsmobile
years. Half of the department is eligible to retire and
may do so within the next five years. The cumulative
effects of the factors described above will make it
difficult to fill those positions, and it will cost more to
train those we hire.
Last year there was a pay study of Town
employees. It found that the police department
pay should be increased. The Selectmen took steps
towards correcting that, but fully implementing the
recommendation was too costly. We also need to get
a proper facility. Despite several studies, we still have
no plan in sight. There is money set aside which is a
positive; the problem is there is no clear path forward.
When someone applies to an agency, they often
research the agency and get a feel for community
support. I think the Tuftonboro community strongly
supports us and our efforts. That is something that
everyone in the Police Department feels. Someone
looking in from afar might only see things superficially
and not get past the facility or the pay.
10
The wreck of The Seneca has never been found,
and there are some who think that the large propeller
is not from the Seneca. The steamer Seneca was built
and wrecked in the 1860s. According to several books
on Lake Winnipesaukee history, the first propellerdriven steamer on Lake Winnipesaukee was launched
in 1877. Therefore, since the Seneca was launched
and wrecked in the early 1860s, she likely was a paddle wheeler and did not have a propeller. A picture of
The Seneca to verify that theory has never been found.
Brad Swain, whose persistence was noted above in the
story of the old car, vows that the adventure of looking
for the Seneca will continue in 2015.
Changes to laws that went in effect for July 1
include the hands-free driving law, and the age of
majority was increased to 18 for criminal charges.
Another change is the Town vehicles will need to
be inspected again this year in September. That is an
unexpected cost due to a law allowing the Director of
DMV to change the inspection month.
I was recently asked if there was an Alternative
Treatment Center (aka medical marijuana dispensary)
coming to Tuftonboro. There was a corporation that
filed for that purpose with two residents named as
directors. I reassured the concerned neighbor that
their application involved a property in Tamworth and
their corporation was not one of the three that were
chosen. Another reason it was not coming to that
neighborhood is the ATC cannot be located in an area
zoned for residential use.
I hope you have a safe and enjoyable summer.
Chief Andy Shagoury
Tuftonboro Police Department
COMMUNITY CALENDAR
THROUGH OCTOBER 2015
JULY
27 – 31
Well Water Testing Kits – available for pick up
Tuftonboro Town Offices
25
9:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Melvin Village Church Fair & Boutique
Melvin Village Community Church
25
5:00 & 6:30 PM
Turkey Dinner – Reservations: 569-2097
Tuftonboro Corner Methodist Church
29
7:00 PM
History Book Club – Charlie Wilson’s War
Tuftonboro Free Library
31
10:30 AM
Carol & Crew Puppet Show
Tuftonboro Free Library
AUGUST
Exhibit – Local Artists & Artisans Show & Sale – Benefit Library Building Fund Tuftonboro Free Library
1
3:00 PM
Abenaki Tower and Trail Association Annual Meeting
2
8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Well Water Sample drop off
Tuftonboro Town Offices
Historical Society Barn & Museum
7
10:30 AM
Bricks 4 Kidz – Lego model building
Tuftonboro Free Library
7
8:15 PM
Summer Movie – Jumanji (PG)
Davis Recreation Field
14
10:30 AM
Mike Sullivan’s Origami Storytelling Workshop
Tuftonboro Free Library
15
9:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Flea Market / Craft Sale / Bake Sale
Historical Society Barn & Museum
21
8:00 PM
Summer Movie – A Bug’s Life (G)
Davis Recreation Field
22
5:00 & 6:30 PM
Grilled Chicken Dinner – Reservations: 569-2097
Tuftonboro Corner Methodist Church
23
4:30 PM
Celtic Concert – Peter McGuire & friends
Old White Church
26
7:00 PM
History Book Club – Alexander Hamilton, American
Tuftonboro Free Library
29
10:30 AM
Friends of the Library Annual Meeting & Author Lunch
Tuftonboro Free Library
30
1:00 – 3:00 PM
Tuftonboro Town Picnic
Tuftonboro Central Park
SEPTEMBER
Exhibit of the Month – Nancy Piper – Pencil Portraits
1
Tuftonboro Free Library
First Day of School
Tuftonboro Central School
Tuftonboro Grange #142 Pot Luck Dinner & Meeting
Tuftonboro Grange Hall
11
5:00 PM
14
7:00 PM
Tuftonboro Association Annual Meeting & Program
Tuftonboro Central School
19
9:00 AM – Noon
Market Day at the Barn
Historical Society Barn
26
8:30 AM
Tuftonboro 5K Run / Walk
Davis Memorial Field
26
5:00 & 6:30 PM
Roast Pork Dinner – Reservations: 569-2097
Tuftonboro Corner Methodist Church
30
7:00 PM
History Book Club
OCTOBER
Exhibit of the Month – Happy Hookers – Artistry in Wool
9
5:00 PM
Tuftonboro Free Library
Tuftonboro Free Library
Tuftonboro Grange #142 Pot Luck Supper, Meeting
2015 Citizen of the Year Award
Tuftonboro Grange Hall
17
9:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Hikers Fall Rummage Sale
Willing Workers Hall
24
5:00 & 6:30 PM
Turkey Dinner – Reservations: 569-2097
Tuftonboro Corner Methodist Church
28
6:00 PM
Historical Society Annual Meeting and Pot Luck Supper Camp Belknap
28
7:00 PM
History Book Club
Tuftonboro Free Library
Knit Wits knitting group – All Welcome
Tuftonboro Free Library
Ongoing
nd
2
through Last Mondays
6:30 PM
Every other Friday Night
7:00 PM
(July 31, August 14, 28, September 11, 25, October 9, 23)
Game Night – Scrabble, Cribbage, Dominoes
Tuftonboro Free Library
Wednesday Mornings beginning September 16
10:30 AM
Pre-school Story Hour – stories and crafts
Tuesday Evenings
6:30 – 9:30 PM
Thursday Evenings
7:00 PM
Tuftonboro Free Library
Country, Bluegrass & Gospel Music Jam Session
Old White Church
Musicians & Listeners Welcome– Info: Joe Ewing 569-3861
Bridge Group
Tuftonboro Free Library
Please direct items for inclusion in the community calendar to: [email protected]
11
Water Carnival at the Melvin Wharf in 1901. The boat with the portholes is The
Windemere, owned at the time by Frank E. Greene. Photo courtesy of the Tuftonboro Historical Society
The Tuftonboro Association
P.O. Box 121
Melvin Village, NH 03850
Non-Profit Org.
U. S. Postage
PAID
Permit #3
Melvin Village, NH
TUFTONBORO POSTAL PATRON