4th Annual Carols on the Common
The Town of Woodstock is hosting the 4th Annual Carols on the Common on Thursday, December 18th at 7 pm.
Members of the Lincoln Woodstock Middle and High School Chorus and Brass Band will be leading traditional Christmas Carols on the Town Common (Soldier’s Park) in North Woodstock.
Everyone is invited to attend and participate in the traditional New England holiday experience.
Free hot chocolate will be available courtesy of the Woodstock Ladies Auxiliary as well.
Thursday, December 11, 2008
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
Cutting a Christmas Tree in the White Mountian National Forest
The following is from the White Mountains National Forest:
It’s winter in the White Mountains! Come enjoy the snow and the crisp clear air in your
National Forest. Cutting your own Christmas tree can be an exciting time for the entire
family. Imagine how folks did it in the old days – bundle up, make a lunch, bring your
handsaw or ax and look for that special tree. Remember, while a wild tree may not have the
perfect appearance of a commercial tree, it will create memories of a special time together.
You will need a permit to cut any Christmas tree in the National Forest. You can purchase
your permit for $5 at any White Mountain National Forest Office. These are located in
Gorham, Bethlehem, Plymouth, and Conway, NH and Bethel Maine.
Choosing a Tree
Several different types of evergreens grow in the White Mountain National Forest. Many
people prefer the balsam fir because of fragrance and needle retention. Others prefer the
spruce because of the fullness of the branches and the classic shape. You can tell these two
trees apart by “shaking hands” with one of the branches – you will notice soft needles on the
“Friendly Fir” and sharper ones on the “Spikey Spruce”.
Please remember:
• Trees are for personal use only, not for resale. Each family may cut one tree per permit.
• Use only hand tools to cut Christmas trees. Chainsaws are not permitted.
• Make sure you are on National Forest land. Respect the rights of landowners when
crossing private property.
• Do not cut trees in or near; campgrounds, picnic areas, Experimental Forests,
Wilderness, active timber sales, or within 100’ of a state highway. Ask if there are any
known “off limit” areas.
• Do not cut trees larger than 8” in diameter at chest height. Pack down limb piles low
enough so they are within 2’ of the ground. Scatter limbs and wood at least 25 feet
away from roads, streams, hiking trails, and property boundaries.
• Cut your tree so remaining stumps will be less than 10” in height.
• Attach your tree tag after cutting and before transporting your tree.
Caring for your Tree at Home
Once home, you’ll need to give your tree proper care to keep it fresh and attractive and to keep
your home safe throughout the holiday season. Keep the cut tree in a bucket of water in a cool,
shaded area, which is sheltered from the wind until you are ready to set it up. Trim an inch or
two off the bottom of the trunk just before putting the tree in its stand to allow the tree to take
up water once its moved inside. Your tree will be very thirsty, so take care to check the water
level in the stand often - at least two hours after you set it up and at least once each day. The
water level should always be above the bottom of the tree’s trunk. Your tree will keep its
needles longer and be more fire resistant if it is kept watered.
Remember to place your tree as far as possible from a fireplace, radiator, television set or other
source of heat or electricity. Avoid decorations that burn readily such as cotton or paper or wax
candles. Check lights and wiring for worn spots and cracks and take care not to overload
electrical circuits.
After the holidays, think about recycling your tree – what about a potpourri of balsam needles
to remind you of the holidays throughout the winter? Or set your tree in a snowbank to create a
playground for the chickadees and nuthatches in your backyard.
It’s winter in the White Mountains! Come enjoy the snow and the crisp clear air in your
National Forest. Cutting your own Christmas tree can be an exciting time for the entire
family. Imagine how folks did it in the old days – bundle up, make a lunch, bring your
handsaw or ax and look for that special tree. Remember, while a wild tree may not have the
perfect appearance of a commercial tree, it will create memories of a special time together.
You will need a permit to cut any Christmas tree in the National Forest. You can purchase
your permit for $5 at any White Mountain National Forest Office. These are located in
Gorham, Bethlehem, Plymouth, and Conway, NH and Bethel Maine.
Choosing a Tree
Several different types of evergreens grow in the White Mountain National Forest. Many
people prefer the balsam fir because of fragrance and needle retention. Others prefer the
spruce because of the fullness of the branches and the classic shape. You can tell these two
trees apart by “shaking hands” with one of the branches – you will notice soft needles on the
“Friendly Fir” and sharper ones on the “Spikey Spruce”.
Please remember:
• Trees are for personal use only, not for resale. Each family may cut one tree per permit.
• Use only hand tools to cut Christmas trees. Chainsaws are not permitted.
• Make sure you are on National Forest land. Respect the rights of landowners when
crossing private property.
• Do not cut trees in or near; campgrounds, picnic areas, Experimental Forests,
Wilderness, active timber sales, or within 100’ of a state highway. Ask if there are any
known “off limit” areas.
• Do not cut trees larger than 8” in diameter at chest height. Pack down limb piles low
enough so they are within 2’ of the ground. Scatter limbs and wood at least 25 feet
away from roads, streams, hiking trails, and property boundaries.
• Cut your tree so remaining stumps will be less than 10” in height.
• Attach your tree tag after cutting and before transporting your tree.
Caring for your Tree at Home
Once home, you’ll need to give your tree proper care to keep it fresh and attractive and to keep
your home safe throughout the holiday season. Keep the cut tree in a bucket of water in a cool,
shaded area, which is sheltered from the wind until you are ready to set it up. Trim an inch or
two off the bottom of the trunk just before putting the tree in its stand to allow the tree to take
up water once its moved inside. Your tree will be very thirsty, so take care to check the water
level in the stand often - at least two hours after you set it up and at least once each day. The
water level should always be above the bottom of the tree’s trunk. Your tree will keep its
needles longer and be more fire resistant if it is kept watered.
Remember to place your tree as far as possible from a fireplace, radiator, television set or other
source of heat or electricity. Avoid decorations that burn readily such as cotton or paper or wax
candles. Check lights and wiring for worn spots and cracks and take care not to overload
electrical circuits.
After the holidays, think about recycling your tree – what about a potpourri of balsam needles
to remind you of the holidays throughout the winter? Or set your tree in a snowbank to create a
playground for the chickadees and nuthatches in your backyard.
Cutting your own Christmas Tree near Lincoln, NH
Over the next few weekends you will be able to come up and cut down your own Christmas Tree.
The most popular place to do that is the Rocks Estate in Bethlehem, NH. Here you can go 7 days a week and cut down a tree. They have several nature trails that you can hike or snowshoe on where you might see some winter wildlife. Some people would call the experience of going here a "Norman Rockwell Christmas". They have a variety of events occurring on a weekly basis.
My favorite place to go is Windy Ridge Orchard in North Haverhill, NH. We go here during the Fall on our Autumn Tour to Apple pick, but they also have cut your own Christmas Trees. You will enjoy a tractor ride down over the ridge and be able to select your own tree. I went with my family last year and my kids enjoyed riding the Toboggan in the snow and trying to find that perfect tree. The cost was around $30 per tree and was a great opportunity to create a Christmas memory with my family. After we harvested our tree the tractor brought us back up to the baler and then they helped tie the tree up to the roof rack. We went into the gift shop to look around and purchased some cider. We will be repeating the tradition this year.
The most popular place to do that is the Rocks Estate in Bethlehem, NH. Here you can go 7 days a week and cut down a tree. They have several nature trails that you can hike or snowshoe on where you might see some winter wildlife. Some people would call the experience of going here a "Norman Rockwell Christmas". They have a variety of events occurring on a weekly basis.
My favorite place to go is Windy Ridge Orchard in North Haverhill, NH. We go here during the Fall on our Autumn Tour to Apple pick, but they also have cut your own Christmas Trees. You will enjoy a tractor ride down over the ridge and be able to select your own tree. I went with my family last year and my kids enjoyed riding the Toboggan in the snow and trying to find that perfect tree. The cost was around $30 per tree and was a great opportunity to create a Christmas memory with my family. After we harvested our tree the tractor brought us back up to the baler and then they helped tie the tree up to the roof rack. We went into the gift shop to look around and purchased some cider. We will be repeating the tradition this year.
Monday, December 1, 2008
Caution for Late Fall & Early Winter Hiking
NH OUTDOOR COUNCIL REMINDS LATE-AUTUMN HIKERS TO "HIKE SAFE"CONCORD, N.H. -- Fall foliage in New Hampshire's mountains has come and gone, and with the changing seasons comes new challenges for White Mountain hikers. With the cold, ice, and snow of this time of year in mind, outdoors authorities are advising the Granite State's late-autumn visitors to "Hike Safe."
"New Hampshire's woods and mountains are a great place for recreation any time of year, but each season brings with it special challenges and hazards," notes New Hampshire Fish and Game Conservation Officer Lt. Todd Bogardus. "Frankly, the nature of the mountain environment is that it can be a dangerous place. Hikers who are looking forward to an autumn mountain adventure have to realize that winter conditions come early to the mountains, so they have to be prepared for trail conditions that are very different from those they may have enjoyed in summer or early fall."
According to Bogardus, mountain visitors have to take special precautions to enjoy their adventures safely. "Hikers should most definitely take a look at high-mountain weather forecasts, to be better prepared for conditions at this time of year," says Bogardus. "As a general rule, it's significantly colder, windier, and snowier, the higher you climb. Knowing the forecast, and preparing for likely conditions with appropriate clothing, is very important, and even more critical is assessing actual conditions in the field and acting accordingly."
High in the White Mountains, temperatures can get below zero even in October, let alone November or December. Winds are often strong and chilling, visibility can be very poor in low clouds, and snow can fall at any time. Dress in layers to suit varying conditions, and carry extra warm clothing and rain gear in your pack. Above all, warns Bogardus, "Don't press onward 'no matter what' - adjust your actual trip to conditions as you find them, and plan ahead for a safe return. Be willing to turn back."
As fall gives way to winter, Bogardus notes that, in addition to colder weather, there are important matters related to trail conditions that hikers sometimes overlook. Trails get snowy and icy at this time of year, sometimes making them hard to find, and often slowing people down as they try to find a safe way to negotiate slippery sections of trail. "Crampons" - special ice spikes strapped to boots - or similar traction devices can make slick, ice-covered stretches of trail much easier to travel. If you find yourself going much slower than anticipated, says Bogardus, don't hesitate to turn around and head back down.
Another often-overlooked factor is how short the daylight hours have become, and that they'll continue to get even shorter into late December. "An early start, taking maximum advantage of available daylight, is critical - as is having a good flashlight or headlamp, plus spare batteries and a back-up source of light," cautions Bogardus. He adds, "Already this season, hikers have ignored what should be obvious and have been caught out after dark with no light source."
Some locations in the White Mountains have added hazards. "The Forest Service Snow Rangers have chronicled fatal avalanches on Mount Washington as early as November," says Rebecca Oreskes of the White Mountain National Forest, "and similar hazards can be found in other areas, especially those with steep, open slopes. Basic avalanche awareness is needed by all backcountry hikers, plus recognition of other dangers, such as falling ice."
Guidelines for enjoyable and safe hiking are contained in the principles of "hikeSafe," a joint initiative of the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department and the White Mountain National Forest to promote safe and responsible hiking.
Oreskes says that the hikeSafe "Hiker Responsibility Code" sums up the basic tenets of backcountry safety. "Late fall hiking has great rewards, but it also comes with innate challenges and dangers. Being aware of and following the Code are important first steps toward an enjoyable and safe journey.
"There are six tenets of the code: 1) Be prepared with appropriate knowledge and gear; 2) Let someone else know your plans; 3) Hiking groups should stick together and not let themselves become separated; 4) Hikers should always be ready to turn back if circumstances, such as changing weather, dictate; 5) Hikers should be ready for emergencies, and, ideally, be set to "self rescue;" and 6) Those who know the code should share its lessons with others.
"In spite of the challenges, most autumn visitors to our state's forests and mountains have great experiences," says Bogardus, "and there's a better chance of having a memorable and satisfying trip if hikers follow the hikeSafe principles."
For information regarding the NH Outdoor Council and links to outdoor safety resources, visit http://www.nhoutdoorcouncil.org.
For more information about the hikeSafe Program, visit http://www.hikesafe.com.
"New Hampshire's woods and mountains are a great place for recreation any time of year, but each season brings with it special challenges and hazards," notes New Hampshire Fish and Game Conservation Officer Lt. Todd Bogardus. "Frankly, the nature of the mountain environment is that it can be a dangerous place. Hikers who are looking forward to an autumn mountain adventure have to realize that winter conditions come early to the mountains, so they have to be prepared for trail conditions that are very different from those they may have enjoyed in summer or early fall."
According to Bogardus, mountain visitors have to take special precautions to enjoy their adventures safely. "Hikers should most definitely take a look at high-mountain weather forecasts, to be better prepared for conditions at this time of year," says Bogardus. "As a general rule, it's significantly colder, windier, and snowier, the higher you climb. Knowing the forecast, and preparing for likely conditions with appropriate clothing, is very important, and even more critical is assessing actual conditions in the field and acting accordingly."
High in the White Mountains, temperatures can get below zero even in October, let alone November or December. Winds are often strong and chilling, visibility can be very poor in low clouds, and snow can fall at any time. Dress in layers to suit varying conditions, and carry extra warm clothing and rain gear in your pack. Above all, warns Bogardus, "Don't press onward 'no matter what' - adjust your actual trip to conditions as you find them, and plan ahead for a safe return. Be willing to turn back."
As fall gives way to winter, Bogardus notes that, in addition to colder weather, there are important matters related to trail conditions that hikers sometimes overlook. Trails get snowy and icy at this time of year, sometimes making them hard to find, and often slowing people down as they try to find a safe way to negotiate slippery sections of trail. "Crampons" - special ice spikes strapped to boots - or similar traction devices can make slick, ice-covered stretches of trail much easier to travel. If you find yourself going much slower than anticipated, says Bogardus, don't hesitate to turn around and head back down.
Another often-overlooked factor is how short the daylight hours have become, and that they'll continue to get even shorter into late December. "An early start, taking maximum advantage of available daylight, is critical - as is having a good flashlight or headlamp, plus spare batteries and a back-up source of light," cautions Bogardus. He adds, "Already this season, hikers have ignored what should be obvious and have been caught out after dark with no light source."
Some locations in the White Mountains have added hazards. "The Forest Service Snow Rangers have chronicled fatal avalanches on Mount Washington as early as November," says Rebecca Oreskes of the White Mountain National Forest, "and similar hazards can be found in other areas, especially those with steep, open slopes. Basic avalanche awareness is needed by all backcountry hikers, plus recognition of other dangers, such as falling ice."
Guidelines for enjoyable and safe hiking are contained in the principles of "hikeSafe," a joint initiative of the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department and the White Mountain National Forest to promote safe and responsible hiking.
Oreskes says that the hikeSafe "Hiker Responsibility Code" sums up the basic tenets of backcountry safety. "Late fall hiking has great rewards, but it also comes with innate challenges and dangers. Being aware of and following the Code are important first steps toward an enjoyable and safe journey.
"There are six tenets of the code: 1) Be prepared with appropriate knowledge and gear; 2) Let someone else know your plans; 3) Hiking groups should stick together and not let themselves become separated; 4) Hikers should always be ready to turn back if circumstances, such as changing weather, dictate; 5) Hikers should be ready for emergencies, and, ideally, be set to "self rescue;" and 6) Those who know the code should share its lessons with others.
"In spite of the challenges, most autumn visitors to our state's forests and mountains have great experiences," says Bogardus, "and there's a better chance of having a memorable and satisfying trip if hikers follow the hikeSafe principles."
For information regarding the NH Outdoor Council and links to outdoor safety resources, visit http://www.nhoutdoorcouncil.org.
For more information about the hikeSafe Program, visit http://www.hikesafe.com.
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