Tag your Christmas Tree at the Rocks Estate

It's never too early to start thinking about the upcoming Holiday Season

The Rocks Estate, located in Bethlehem, NH invites Christmas tree seekers to visit the farm this fall to Tag-Your-Own tree – and the gaudiest tree is free!

Tag-Your-Own shoppers are encouraged to “tag” their trees with ornaments, ribbons, and whatever else it takes to distinguish that tree as their own. The showier, the better – and easier to find come cutting time. The tree tagged with the most outrageous display will be given to its tagger for free.

Early tree shoppers may visit the farm weekends beginning Sept. 22 through Oct. 21, when the farm opens regular hours for the holiday season. The Tag-Your-Own season corresponds with the glorious fall foliage season, when The Rocks and surrounding hillsides burst into a kaleidoscope of color.

The two shops at The Rocks Estate will be open for early holiday shopping during Tag-Your-Own weekends. Visitors may also embark on a self-guided tour of the interactive New Hampshire Maple Experience museum, located in one of the carefully restored historic buildings at The Rocks.

Tag-Your-Own trees will be available for pickup and payment from Nov. 17 through Dec. 24.


The Rocks is located on Route 302 in Bethlehem, NH.  Follow Interstate 93 North to Exit 40.  Bear Right off ramp and the Rocks Estate will be 1/4 of a mile on the right.
For more information please call 603-444-6228

Email us at: info@TheRocks.org

GPS Address:
The Rocks Estate
4 Christmas Lane
Bethlehem, NH 03574

Wildflower Festival June 2, 2012

32 Years of the Wildflower Festival and the Day has Old Favorites and New Offerings

BETHLEHEM, N.H. —The Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests invites wildflower enthusiasts to kick off the annual Fields of Lupine Festival June 2 at The Rocks Estate. The day will mark the start of the 32^nd Annual Wildflower Festival, with a full slate of fun activities planned at the turn-of-the-century Estate.

From cooking and planting to floral identification and edible flowers, wildflowers and other plants will be celebrated on this early summer day. Several workshops and tours are planned to entertain and educate visitors from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m.

The Festival will include guided walks by Virginia Jeffries, Anne Gruczka and Janet Hill along the Mile Path, which meanders through the historic Rocks Estate property, where the Glessner family, original owners of the Estate, collected and planted a plethora of flowers.

“This trail is off-limits to guests apart from guided tours, as per the wishes of the donors of the property, John Lee and Martha Batchelder,” said Clare Brown, of the Bethlehem Heritage Society and a Forest Society staff member. “The guided walks offer a chance for visitors to see the trail, a hidden historic jewel, bringing together the natural world and the heritage of The Rocks Estate.”

Interpreters will highlight the rich history of the Glessner family, who summered here beginning in the late 1880s, while explaining the natural world they loved so much. The Mile Path walks are limited to 15 people per tour and fill quickly, so reservations are strongly advised.

Local bird enthusiast Mary Boulanger will lead two birding and history walks past the original farm site purchased for $2,300 by John Glessner in 1882. Flower enthusiast Pam Dexter will teach participants to identify flowers using a key, a skill which both beginners and experts will find helpful in the field.

In the “Floral Edibles” workshop, Rocks’ volunteer Janet Hill and staffers Clare Brown and Carlene Quinn will share a variety of ways to use a range of plants to spice up meals at home. The program includes identification of the plants used and where to find them.

“Learning what you can pick and prepare yourself is getting to be a lost art,” says Hill, a gardening and cooking enthusiast. “We want to reintroduce people to what they can find in the wild or grow naturally.”

New this year are samples of three wines from Hermit Woods Winery. The wines selected are all made from local ingredients and will tantilize the taste buds. Those chosen for the day are Day Lily Wine, Elderberry Wine and Knot Tomato Wine.

Owned by the Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests, the landmark 1,400-acre Rocks Estate includes numerous buildings listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The farm specializes in rural experiences and provides Agri- and Eco-tourism opportunities throughout the year.

The cost for the day-long Wildflower Festival is $15 and includes lunch and all programs. A $5 discount is given with each lupine festival book presented.

For more information and a schedule of events please visit www.therocks.org For reservations and other inquires e-mail info@therocks.org or call 603-444-6228.

The Days Events and Menu (menu may be subject to change)

Historic Mile Path Walks 10 am, 10:30 am, 2 pm, 2:30 pm.

History and Bird Walks 11:00 am amd 2 pm.

Chef Demo 1 pm

Flower id 10 am, 2 pm.

Menu for "Edible Flowers" Lunch

Rhubarb Punch and Crystal Light

Marigolds and Cream Cheese with Crackers.

Home made jams and crackers.

Marinated Fiddleheads and Wild Leeks

Japanese Knotweed Soup

Mushroom Dill Soup

Salad with mesclun greens, Johnnie Jump Ups, Garlic and Chives.

Raspberries, vinegar and Oil dressing.

Wraps with Spinach, Cucumbers, Dill and Pepper with grated cheese and mayonnaise.

Sour pickles.

Ice Cream with Rhubarb Sauce

Rhubarb Cake

Wine samples from Hermit Woods Winery 

Farmers Markets in Region

There are numerous Farmer's Markets in the White Mountains and just South in the Lakes Region of New Hampshire.

Bethlehem
Local Works Bethlehem Farmers’ Market: Main St., Bethlehem, May -Oct., 10am-2pm, Sat. Local produce,
baked goods, meat, fish, dairy, crafts. Entertainment. Rain or shine,(603)869-9736

Campton
Campton Farmers’ Market: off Exit 28, Rte. 49, Campton, Fri., May 27-Oct. 7,
3-6 pm, rain or shine. Vegetables, fruits, flowers, plants, meat, dairy, maple, baked
goods, crafts. 536-1299

Jackson
Jackson Farmers Market: Next to the Snowflake Inn Field, end of June-Oct., Sat. 9am-1pm. Vegetables, fruits,
plants, baked goods, maple, flowers, meat, dairy, crafts. Entertainment. Rain or shine, 520-4974

Lancaster
Lancaster Farmers’ Market: Centennial Park, Sat., May-Oct., 9 am.-noon, rain or shine. Vegetables, fruits, flowers,
plants, maple, baked goods, meat, crafts. 802-328-4060

Lisabon
Lisbon Farmers’ Market: Rt. 302, No. Main St., Lisbon, Sat., 9 am-Noon, rain or shine.
Vegetables, fruits, flowers, plants, crafts. 838-2200

Littleton
Littleton Farmers’ Market: Littleton Senior Center, 77 River Glen Lane., Littleton, Sunday,
June 12-Oct. 9, 10 am-2 pm, rain or shine. Vegetables, fruits, flowers, plants, dairy, maple, baked goods,
meat, fish, crafts. 444-0248

Newfound Lake Area/Bristol
Newfound Farmers’ Market: Lake St., Bristol. May-Oct., 10am-1pm, Sat.
Vegetables, fruit, flowers & plants, baked goods, eggs, meat, crafts. Rain or
shine, 934-8146

New Hampton
Stone Gardens Farmers’ Market: 1012 Straits Rd, New Hampton, June-Sept.,
Mon. 3-6 p.m. Vegetables, fruits, flowers & plants, dairy, maple, baked goods,
meat. Rain or shine, 279-5720

Plymouth
Plymouth Community Farmers’ Market: 263 Highland St., Plymouth, Thurs., June 2- Sept. 8, 3-6 pm, rain or
shine. Vegetables, flowers, plants, dairy, baked goods, meat, eggs, crafts. 536-3823

Sanbornton
Sanbornton Farmers’ Market: Rte. 132 across from Lane Tavern. June24-Oct.7, 3-6pm, Fri. Vegetables, fruit,
flowers/plants, maple, bakery, meat, fish, crafts. Rain or shine, 286-8700

Sandwich
Sandwich Farmers’ Market: Town Green, Center Sandwich. May-Nov., 9am-12pm, Sat. Vegetables, fruit,
flowers/plants, dairy, maple. Special events during Old Home Week in August. Rain or shine, 284-7163

Tilton
Exit 20 Farmer’s Market at Tanger Outlets: Tilton, June 22-Sept.21, 3-6pm,
Wed. Vegetables, fruits, maple, flowers/plants, baked goods, meat, fish, crafts.

Wildflower Festival at the Rocks Estate

BETHLEHEM, N.H. —The Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests invites wildflower enthusiasts to kick off the annual Fields of Lupine Festival June 5 at The Rocks Estate. The day will mark the start of the 31st Annual Wildflower Festival, with a full slate of fun activities planned at the turn-of-the-century Estate.

From photography and planting to floral identification and edible flowers, wildflowers and other plants will be celebrated on this early summer day. Several workshops and tours are planned to entertain and educate visitors from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m.

The Festival will include guided walks along the Mile Path, which meanders through the historic Rocks Estate property, where the Glessner family, original owners of the Estate, collected and planted a plethora of flowers.

“This trail is off-limits to guests apart from guided tours, as per the wishes of the donors of the property John Lee and Martha Batchelder,” said Clare Brown, Chair of the Bethlehem Heritage Society and a Forest Society staff member. “The guided walks offer a chance for visitors to see the trail, a hidden historic jewel, bringing together the natural world and the heritage of The Rocks Estate.”

Interpreters will highlight the rich history of the Glessner family, who summered here beginning in the late 1880s, while explaining the natural world they loved so much. The Mile Path walks are limited to 20 people per tour and fill quickly, so reservations are strongly advised.

George Mitchell of GM Photography will hold a short seminar on flower photography and accompany guests on the photography flower tour at 2 p.m. Wildflower expert Tanya Tellman will teach participants to identify flowers using a key, a skill which both beginners and experts will find helpful in the field.

In the “Floral Edibles” workshop, Rocks’ volunteer Janet Hill and staffers Clare Brown and Carlene Quinn will share a variety of ways to use a range of plants to spice up meals at home. The program includes identification of the plants used and where to find them.

“Learning what you can pick and prepare yourself is getting to be a lost art,” says Hill, a gardening and cooking enthusiast. “We want to reintroduce people to what they can find in the wild or grow naturally.”

There will be a second chance to participate in the program on June 12 and a special Father's Day program on June 19th which includes a fishing lesson.

Owned by the Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests, the landmark 1,400-acre Rocks Estate includes numerous buildings listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The farm specializes in rural experiences and provides Agri- and Eco-tourism opportunities throughout the year.

The cost for the day-long Wildflower Festival is $15 and includes lunch and all programs. A $5 discount is given with each lupine festival book presented.

For more information and a schedule of events please visit http://www.therocks.org For reservations and other inquires e-mail info@therocks.org or call 603-444-6228.

Discover How the White Mountain National Forest was created

BETHLEHEM, N.H.—The Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests, the Ammonoosuc Chapter of the N.H. Audubon Society, and naturalist Dave Govatski will present the free program, “The Weeks Act and the Creation of the White Mountain National Forest,” at The Rocks Estate Feb. 16 at 7 p.m.

The program is timely, as the Weeks Act was passed February 15, 1911 and signed into law by President Taft March 1. The Act enabled the protection of eastern watersheds from further development and exploitation and made possible the long-term effort to replant and restore eastern forests that had been decimated by logging.

The program will use historic photographs and glass slide images from a century ago to document the rise of the forest conservation movement in New Hampshire. The movement to protect the forests followed extensive forest fires resulting from destructive logging of White Mountain forests.

Govatski, a local naturalist and historian, will lead the discussion. He is Secretary of the Weeks Act Centennial Committee and a member of the Board of Directors of WhiteMountainHistory.org. He retired as a forester from the White Mountain National Forest and has a strong interest in forest conservation.

Govatski will explain why the protection of navigable rivers was key to passage of the Weeks Act, one of the most important forest conservation laws in United States history. Govatski will share a 1915 Forest Service map of the “White Mountain Region” (before it became a National Forest), showing which parcels of land had already been purchased when the Weeks Act became law.

The Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests played a key role in securing the passage of the Weeks Act.

The free program is part of the Bretzfelder Park Family Educational Series.

Owned by the Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests (http://www.forestsociety.org/), Bretzfelder Park is managed in cooperation with the town of Bethlehem. The Park was bequeathed to the Forest Society in 1984 by Helen Bretzfelder in memory of her father, Charles, and includes a classroom, educational trails, a pond, and several picnic sites.

The next program in the series is titled “The Impact of North Country Community & Collaboration on The Weeks Act of 1911” and will be presented Feb. 23 by Rebecca Weeks Sherrill More. For more information and a calendar of events please visit http://www.therocks.org/, email us at info@therocks.org, or call 603-444-6228.