July 17th, 2011 by billwebb
If you plan to visit Ashland, NH you’ll find that our Squam Lake bed and breakfast is close by. We offer quality lodging which is only 2 miles from downtown Ashland. Right off Interstate 93, Ashland lays claim to being the exact geographic center of New Hampshire which means we are close to virtually all of New Hampshire’s major attractions as well as the White Mountains. So whether you want to enjoy the lakes in the summer or ski the slopes in the winter this is the place to be.
Here’s a short history of Ashland as it appears in Wikipedia.
“Ashland was once the southwestern corner of Holderness, chartered in 1751 by Colonial Governor Benning Wentworth. But hostilities during the French and Indian War delayed settlement, and in 1761, it was regranted as New Holderness (although “New” would be dropped in 1816). Settled in 1763, the town was predominantly agricultural except for Holderness Village on the Squam River, with falls that drop about 112 feet (34 m) before meeting the Pemigewasset River. The falls provided water power for mills, and in 1770-1771, a sawmill and gristmill were built. The Squam Lake Woolen Mill was established in 1840. Goods manufactured at local factories included hosiery, gloves, sporting equipment, wood products and paper.
The Boston, Concord & Montreal Railroad entered in 1849, carrying freight but also tourists bound for hotels on the Squam Lakes, to which they traveled by steamer up the Squam River. The interests of the industrialized settlement increasingly diverged from those of the farming community, however, and in 1868 Holderness Village was set off as Ashland, named for Ashland, the Kentucky estate of Henry Clay. The last textile mill, the L.W. Packard Company, would close in 2002, and Ashland is today a residential and resort community.”
An old grist mill (now an office building) and a covered bridge are two great sites in Ashland.
Tags: Ashland, B&B, bed and breakfast, Holderness, lodging, New Hampshire, Squam Lake, White Mountains
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July 9th, 2011 by billwebb
This past week we took an afternoon break from the Inn and made a quick trip to Franconia Notch where we had a picnic lunch at Boise Rock. The day was absolutely glorious, mid 70′s, sunny with a slight breeze. The Notch is one of the most scenic spots in New Hampshire and is only about 30 minutes north of our Squam Lake bed and breakfast. It’s wonderful that we can be in the heart of the White Mountains in such a short time since the Holderness/Plymouth area is so central to virtually all of New Hampshire’s attractions! For those who like to hike there are several trails right in Franconia Notch including Lonesome Lake, Mt. Pemigewasset which is the forehead of the famous Indian Head, and Artists Bluff. You will also find the Flume Gorge and the Basin here, both well worth the stop.
Here’s the story as it appears on the historic marker of how Boise Rock got its name.
“Thomas Boise, a noted teamster of this region was sledding through the Notch in mid-winter, soon after the first road was built. Overtaken by a fierce snowstorm, he was unable to continue on. Realizing he must take drastic action to survive, he killed and skinned his horse. Crawling under the overhang of this rock, he wrapped himself in the hide and spent the night.
Men sent out the next day to search for him found Tom still alive but encased in the frozen hide that had to be cut away with axes in order to release him.”
The view from our picnic table at Boise Rock
Tags: Artist's Bluff, Basin, bed and breakfast, Boise Rock, Flume Gorge, Franconia Notch, Holderness, Indian Head, inn, New Hampshire, Squam Lake
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June 22nd, 2011 by billwebb
August 5 – 8 will be a special weekend in the town of Holderness as it celebrates its 250th birthday. There are lots of activities planned ranging from a grand parade to a pancake breakfast hosted by our local fire department.
A group of wonderful volunteers has been planning the event for months and they’ve thought of everything. At various times throughout the weekend there will be a folk concert, a street dance and a square/contra dance. The Squam Lakes Natural Science Center will be offering free admission and the Historical Society will be the scene of many activities. There will be an appearance by the nationally famous Mattatuck Fife and Drum Band and lots of historic re-enactments and self guided tours of historic sites. You can get more details and updates at the Holderness 250th website.
If you’re planning to be in the Plymouth, NH or Meredith, NH area that weekend you should definitely make a point of visiting Holderness at some point. A celebration like this really represents small town New Hampshire at its best.
Of course, beautiful Squam Lake is a great place to visit anytime. Check out the quality lodging we offer at our lakes region bed and breakfast/country inn. We’ll help make your visit to Squam a memorable one.
We're not 250 years old, but here's a picture from the early days of the building we now call The Inn On Golden Pond. Time and lots of tender loving care sure makes a difference!
Tags: 250th anniversary, bed and breakfast, country inn, Holderness, inn, lodging, Meredith, New Hampshire, Plymouth, Squam Lake
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June 13th, 2011 by billwebb
If you’re looking for some musical entertainment in a fun and unique venue you should check out the Meadowbrook U.S. Cellular Pavilion in Gilford, NH near the shores of Lake Winnipesaukee. This a wonderful outdoor facility which features big name artists. It’s conveniently located a half hour from our Squam Lake bed and breakfast. Seats are available under a covered Pavilion or out in the open, including an open lawn area. There is also a restaurant on site if you’d like to include dinner in your plans, although seating is limited and you need to reserve ahead of time.
This summer you can see great shows by performers as varied as Toby Keith and Bob Dylan. Or perhaps you’d like to spend an evening with Chicago or Lady Antebellum. You can catch them all right here in the lakes region.
Why not plan a New Hampshire getaway, treat yourself to a concert and spend a couple of nights in our country inn? Be pampered in one of our spacious, comfortable guestrooms and enjoy a generous home cooked breakfast each morning. If you’re searching for lodging in the Meredith or Gilford area you’ll find we’re just a short distance away and worth the drive.
Bob Dylan will be performing on Aug. 19 and Lady Antebellum on Sept. 4.
Tags: bed and breakfast, Gilford, Holderness, inn, Lake Winnipesaukee, Lakes Region, lodging, Meadowbrook US Cellular Pavilion, Meredith, New Hampshire, Squam Lake
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June 2nd, 2011 by billwebb
The Lilac season is just about over throughout New Hampshire and the beautiful purple blossoms with their wonderful fragrance will be but a memory for another year. The purple Lilac was named New Hampshire’s state flower in 1919 and the bushes can be found in all parts of the state. We have a couple of bushes here at our Squam Lake inn and as usual they produced numerous flowers. The season seemed a bit short which was probably due to the rain and drizzle we had just as things were blooming. The wet weather caused many blossoms to turn brown rather quickly.
The Governor’s Lilac and Wildflower Commission sponsors a photo contest each year. Check out their website to see the winners from 2010.
Throughout the summer season the New Hampshire landscape will be dotted by numerous wildflowers. If you visit our lakes region bed and breakfast we can help you plan a great day trip which will take you on some of our back roads where you’ll be sure to see the colorful displays. We’ll provide the luxury lodging here in Holderness, mother nature will provide the luxurious scenery throughout your visit.
Tags: bed and breakfast, Holderness, inn, Lakes Region, lilacs, luxury lodging, New Hampshire, Squam Lake
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May 23rd, 2011 by billwebb
This is going to be an exciting summer around Squam Lake. It’s the 30th anniversary of the filming of the classic movie “On Golden Pond” which was filmed here in Holderness. Our traditional New Hampshire bed and breakfast took its name from the movie not because we are on the lake (which we’re not), but because we felt the movie reflected the sense of place and family which so typifies the rural part of our beautiful state.
We’ve been here as innkeepers for 27 years and one of the great things about the area is how little it has changed. The fresh, clean waters of Squam are still the same high quality they were years ago. And the development in town and around the lake has been minimal, not changing the basic feel of the community.
In an extraordinary celebration of the 30th anniversary there will be 30 performances of the play “On Golden Pond” throughout the summer and into September at Little Church Theater in Holderness. These shows will be directed by the author of ”On Golden Pond”, Ernest Thompson, who now resides locally. There will be many opportunities to meet Thompson and participate in conversations about the movie and the story. Follow this link to Little Church Theater’s website for a detailed schedule.
Seeing one of these performances would be a great reason to visit our Squam Lake (Golden Pond) Inn and spend a night or two. Choose one of our spacious guestrooms and treat yourself to a great New Hampshire getaway. Spend the day boating on Squam or Lake Winnipesaukee; hiking the Squam Range or the White Mountains; shopping in Meredith or Plymouth or driving some of our scenic back roads. Then spend an unforgettable evening enjoying theater history in the making. This On Golden Pond experience will be as authentic as it gets!
It truly is Golden Pond
Tags: bed and breakfast, getaway, Holderness, inn, Lake Winnipesaukee, Little Church Theater, Meredith, On Golden Pond, Plymouth, Squam Lake
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April 1st, 2011 by billwebb
New Hampshire’s lakes region is home to two triathlons during the summer months. Both are part of the Ironman 70.3 series.
The first, the Mooseman Triathlon, occurs on June 5 and is held at Newfound Lake which is about 30 minutes from our Squam Lake bed and breakfast. There are two parts of this triathlon. The first is the long distance race which consists of a 1.2 mile swim, a 56 mile bike ride, and a 13.1 mile run. There is also an International level triathlon which is a shorter version with a 1.5 mile swim, a 27.25 mile bike ride, and a 6.2 mile run. Either one seems like a challenge to us!
Over the years we have had many participants of these races stay with us. Getting a good night’s rest prior to and after a race like this is an important part of a top notch performance. Our quality lodging is just the answer and since our inn is near the Mooseman Triathlon site on Newfound Lake we’re a natural choice.
The second race, the Timberman Triathlon, is held on August 21 and is located on Lake Winnipesaukee. The starting point is by Ellacoya State Park which is also about 30 minutes from the Inn On Golden Pond. This event features two races. The first, a long distance race the same as the Mooseman race. The second is a Sprint which has a .3 mile swim, a 15 mile bike ride, and a 3 mile run. We’re getting closer to our level.
We always enjoy sharing the weekend with these wonderful athletes who train so hard and push themselves to conquer challenges most of us wouldn’t consider. So if you’re looking for comfortable, quality lodging near the Mooseman or Timberman Triathlons we have just the accommodations for you. Check out our spacious guest rooms and plan to make your participation in either of these New Hampshire triathlons a reason for a great getaway weekend as well.
Here’s a link to a clip from YouTube which shows that the Timberman Triathlon is much more than just a race!
watch?v=TVNAJwD5YEk
Tags: bed and breakfast, getaway weekend, Lake Winnipesaukee, Lakes Region, Mooseman Triathlon, New Hampshire, Newfound Lake, quality lodging, Squam Lake, Timberman Triathlon
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March 3rd, 2011 by billwebb
It’s maple syrup season here in the lakes region of New Hampshire which is one of our favorite times of the year. This process is so fascinating and such a wonderful tradition that we always look forward to it. From the serious producers to the neighbors who simply hang old milk bottle on their maple trees everyone has a lot of fun. Our New Hampshire bed and breakfast is a great place to stay for a couple of days and venture out to several sugar shacks in the area. One year we tapped our own trees and produced some Inn On Golden Pond maple syrup. Attached is a description of maple season which is taken from the NH Maple Producers website. Who could describe it better?
“Each year, the New Hampshire maple industry produces close to 90,000 gallons of maple syrup. Maple sugaring time in New Hampshire runs from mid-February to mid-April.
As the frozen sap in the maple tree thaws, it begins to move and build up pressure within the tree. When the internal pressure reaches a certain point, sap will flow from any fresh wound in the tree. Freezing nights and warm sunny days create the pressure needed for a good sap Harvest.
In late February, New Hampshire maple producers tap their sugar maples by drilling a small hole in the trunk and inserting a spout. A bucket or plastic tubing is fastened to the spout and the crystal clear sap drips from the tree. It is then collected and transported to the sugar house where it is boiled down in an evaporator over a blazing hot fire. As the steam rises from the evaporator pans, the sap becomes more concentrated until it finally reaches the proper density to be classified as syrup. It is then drawn from the evaporator, filtered, graded and bottled. It takes approximately forty gallons of sap to make one gallon of pure maple syrup.
Maple syrup is made in the Northeastern United States and Southeastern Canada, and the maple season usually lasts 4-6 weeks. The days and length of the sap runs depend entirely on the weather.
We hope you will visit a sugar house during the maple season and learn for yourself just how this ancient tradition is carried on. New Hampshire’s maple producers take great pride in the high quality of their maple products. Many sugar houses are open throughout the year, selling their pure maple delicacies.”
Buckets to collect sap Yummmm! It’s boiling time!
Tags: B&B, bed and breakfast, Lakes Region, maple syrup, New Hampshire
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February 11th, 2011 by billwebb
This weekend is a busy time in the Lakes Region of New Hampshire with the Great Meredith Rotary Fishing Derby and the 82nd Laconia World Championship Sled Dog Derby both occurring over the next few days. The weather forecast is encouraging with no major storms expected. The snow and ice conditions are excellent, the best in years for both events.
Our Holderness B&B is very close to Meredith, NH where the fishing derby will be headquartered. However, fishermen hoping to win the derby will be spread all over the Lakes Region including on Squam Lake as tagged fish have been stocked in many lakes across the area.
The sled dog race is just a few minutes farther away following a route through Laconia near Lake Winnipesaukee.
These two events are great examples of the great winter recreation the Holderness/Meredith area has to offer. Take advantage of the fun and enjoy luxury lodging at affordable rates here at our Meredith/Holderness bed and breakfast.
Tags: B&B, bed and breakfast, Holderness, inn, Laconia sled dog races, Meredith Fishing Derby, Squam Lake
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February 10th, 2011 by billwebb
We have a new addition to our area recreational scene. The new Plymouth State University ice arena is a state of the art facility and appears to be the first all “green” arena in the country. Everything from the geothermal refrigeration and heating system to the lighting was designed to be energy efficient and environmentally friendly.
The arena is home to the Plymouth State’s men’s hockey team and women’s hockey team, but also offers programs to the general public including open skate sessions, youth hockey, broomball, learn-to-skate and learn-to-play-hockey sessions. It’s a gem for the area!
When you come to the Inn On Golden Pond for comfortable lodging in the Plymouth NH area you can now bring your ice skates and get out on the ice during public skate sessions all year round. Just click here to see the public skating schedule.
Artist’s rendition of the new PSU ice arena
Tags: B&B, hockey, Holderness, ice skating, lodging, New Hampshire, Plymouth, Plymouth State University
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Great workshops at New Hampshire's Canterbury Shaker Village
Learn about the White Mountains at Plymouth State University's Camp PSU
New Hampshire Weekend Getaway at our Squam Lake Bed & Breakfast/Inn
P.O. Box 680 | Route 3