The Tillotson Center Is Home To Visual & Performing Arts, Community Heritage

Now a vibrant arts and cultural center, more than a century ago the Tillotson Center was known as “the Balsams Barn.” The original building housed the horses and carriages that carried guests from the Colebrook train station to Dixville Notch and what is now The Balsams resort. During the 1920s it served as a meeting hall and community center for the Colebrook Grange, and by the mid-‘60s it became the repository of historical artifacts collected by a local family.

A generous $50,000 donation from benefactor Louise Tillotson in 2006 spurred its development as center for community heritage and visual and performing arts. Additional donations from grants and the 500 founding members made the dream of a northern New Hampshire arts facility a reality. The community, in thanks, named the center after Mrs. Tillotson, because of her commitment to the project and her love for the arts.

Today, the Tillotson Center, designed by distinguished architect John Kaufmann, presents a full roster of activities, year-round, with concerts and other performances staged in its 171-seat theater, rotating shows by local and regional artists in the art gallery, and a Historical Society annex with displays that gives visitors a glimpse into the past.

The Kaufmann Theatre

The Kaufmann Theatre features both orchestra and balcony seating and is well-used by the community for everything from live stage performances, concerts and movies to guest speakers, school plays and community meetings.

2017 summer concert performances include:

June 17: Alan Epstein’s “Sunset on Meriden Hill” with Jim Prendergast. The concert debuts Alan Epstein’s CD, “Sunset on Meriden Hill,” and features Alan on mandolin accompanied by Jim on guitar.

June 24: Belle of the Fall. Tracy Walton and Julie Autumn Ford are multi-instrumentalists who creature folksy but contemporary music.

June 29: “Treasure Island” presented by University of New Hampshire Little Red Wagon Touring Company. Join the children’s theater troupe as they perform the classic tale of the pirate who buried his booty on Treasure Island before he died.

July 8: Comfort County. Four friends have joined forces to present the best in county music, with some bluegrass and gospel mixed in.

August 5: The Heather Pierson Trio. Folk ballads, blues and New Orleans traditional jazz are the forte of these talented musicians, whose intricate instrumental arrangements and three-part vocal harmonies will delight the evening’s audience.

August 23: Lux. A quartet of musicians who have been described as “funky, jazzy, quirky, entertaining (and) engaging,” performing covers and original tunes.

Museum

Visitors will want to check out the Historical Society Annex with its thoughtful displays of artifacts that illustrate everyday life during the region’s different eras. Of particular note is the display of firefighting equipment, including a soda-acid wagon that was used by the Colebrook Fire Department in the 1880s.

The Gallery

The talented artists of the Connecticut River Artisan Group (CRAG) keeps the art gallery filled with a rotating display of work, from paintings and ceramics to photographs and wood carvings. All work is for sale, and a piece of locally created art makes a nice gift to take home for yourself or a special friend. The gallery is open Wednesdays from 1 to 3 p.m. and during all events. Admission is free.

The Tillotson Center is located at 14 Carriage Lane, Colebrook. Learn more at www.tillotsoncenter.org.

Bear Rock Adventures Wants to be Your ‘Guide to the Wilds’

A brand new fleet of 2017 Polaris RZRs, Rangers and Sportsman Touring OHRVs at Bear Rock Adventures is ready to take you right into the heart of the thrilling Ride the Wilds 1,000-plus-mile trail system where memories are ready to be made!

With its fleet of incredible machines, diverse riding opportunities, including guided ATV tours and custom itineraries, along with impeccable customer service, the staff at Bear Rock Adventures stands ready to help you map out a day — or more — of fun and adventure on the trails.

Bear Rock can accommodate singles, couples, families and all levels of experience in its 2-, 4- and 6-seat side-by-sides and ATVs, so that anyone who wishes to enjoy the exciting sport of ATVing can do so. Bear Rock offers half-day, full day and multi-day rentals and the Ride the Wilds trail system has multiple terrain options that will appeal to beginners as well as well-seasoned riders.

Bear Rocks’ top-of-the-line vehicles include all of the equipment and gear you’ll need on the trails, like electric start, 4-wheel drive, automatic transmissions, and power steering for effortless maneuvering, along with the most up-to-date GPS and Bluetooth technology. With plenty of room to store riding gear, maps, picnic lunches, selfie sticks and more, these machines ensure your riding pleasure.

With your machine of choice, take a self-guided tour, or have an experienced tour guide lead the way. Bear Rock Adventures can outfit you with everything you need for an exceptional ride, whether you want to seek out mountaintops for extended vistas, see wildlife in its natural habitat, conquer challenging trails, or simply try an entirely new adventure.

Bear Rock Adventures is located right on the Ride the Wilds trail system, an interconnected 1,000 miles of trails across northern New Hampshire. The staff at Bear Rock can help you map out best places to ATV and stay in the region.

A couple of suggested itineraries to get you started include:

Aprils’ Maple: Take a scenic ride along the Connecticut River to April’s Maple in Canaan, Vt. Sample pure Vermont maple syrup and other goodies at the snack shack and stop into the gift shop to take home your own syrup or a maple-themed gift item.

Beaver Brook Falls: Beautiful Beaver Brook Falls is a refreshing rest stop on your day’s ride. A great photo op, with a nice picnic area, the 80-foot waterfall is located off South Hill Road in Colebrook, right off the Ride the Wilds trail system.

Fishing: Pack your rod and reel and spend the day riding and fishing! On this trail ride you’ll visit Murphy’s Dam on Lake Francis, Nathan’s Pond, and Little Diamond Pond. Drop your line, relax and take in all the sights and sounds. You might spot an eagle — or a moose, and maybe you’ll take home a fish or two.

Bear Rock Adventures is located at 545 Beach Road in Pittsburg directly across the street from Powderhorn Lodge on Back Lake. Learn more about Bear Rock and other “wild” adventures in northern New Hampshire — like biking, boating, camping, hiking, snowmobiling, soaring on a ropes course, and the Rapid River Float Plane Adventure — at www.bearrockadventures.com.

The Tillotson Center Presents: Le Bruit Court dans La Ville

Le Bruit Court dans La Ville (The Word Around Town) delights audiences with its blend of traditional Québécois music, as interpreted by musicians Lisa Ornstein, André Marchand
and Normand Miron. Come on out and enjoy this wonderful evening of toe-tapping music!

A Complete Guide to Must-Visit Coffee Spots in New Hampshire’s Grand North

Contributed by Jess Walter

On a chilly New Hampshire morning, there’s nothing like a cup of hot coffee to get you feeling toasty. From the Great North Woods to the White Mountains, New Hampshire’s majestic Grand North boasts plenty of local coffee spots where guests can find fine food, artisanal brews, and friendly service. Start your day with a delicious cup of joe at one of these top Grand North hotspots.

Moose Muck Coffee House

This rustic coffee house is located in Colebrook, and serves coffee that’s delicious either hot or cold.  In the winter, sit by the fire and warm up with an espresso, or sit outside and cool down in the summer with an iced mocha. If you or your friends aren’t big fans of coffee, Moose Muck also serves fresh smoothies, tea, and hot cocoa along with a wide variety of breakfast and brunch foods.

Le Rendez Vous Bakery

This little cafe in Colebrook serves up authentic French recipes that come to you straight from the bakeries of Paris. Certified Bakers Marc Ounis and Verlaine Daeron serve up delicious French bread, pastries, and other delicacies in the Colebrook-based hotspot. Customers can sit, relax, and enjoy a strong cup of hot coffee with their sweet treat.

Mostly Muffins

While the main attraction at this Colebrook shop is most certainly their delicious muffins, you can also enjoy a cup of freshly brewed coffee as you eat. You can get your coffee and your muffins to go from the shop’s convenient drive-thru, or you can soak up a little sun in their outdoor seating area. Guests are also able to enjoy breakfast sandwiches, fresh fruit cups, cinnamon buns, and more breakfast treats.

 

Water Wheel Breakfast and Gift House

This quaint breakfast spot in Jefferson offers friendly service and home cooking that’s bound to satisfy any appetite. You can enjoy French toast, Belgian waffles, fresh fruit and more as you sip your coffee. If you’re a visitor to New Hampshire, you can even pick up a souvenir or memento at the Water Wheel gift shop, which sells everything from locally sourced cosmetics to the owner Tricia’s famous fudge.

White Mountain Cafe & Book Store

Curl up with a cup of joe and your favorite book at this cozy coffee spot, located in Gorham. You can enjoy delicious organic brews, and if you’re feeling hungry, try a fresh sandwich, a hearty soup, or a homemade dessert. The coffee shop’s bookstore features works from New Hampshire authors, and a rotating art gallery celebrates local artists.

Ride the Wilds on Coos County’s ATV Trail System

By Eileen Alexander

Fresh air, wildlife, pristine lakes and streams, towering spruce trees, majestic views and an exciting and varied trail system are ready and waiting for you when you go ATVing on the Ride the Wilds trail system in Coös County in northern New Hampshire.

To the wide open spaces and miles and miles of trails to ride, add the friendly welcome you’ll receive whenever and wherever you stop — for gas, for food, for shopping, for lodging, or just to chat with folks — and you’ve conjured up the perfect day, weekend or weeklong ATV adventure in New Hampshire’s great outdoors.

The 1,000+ miles of Ride the Wilds trails make it possible to ride from the Gorham-Berlin area on the east side of Coös County clear over to Colebrook, Pittsburg and Stratford on the county’s western and northern borders, promising great days of riding without trailering your rig from place to place!

Ready to Ride the Wilds for some excellent ATVing? The 2017 season opens on Memorial Day weekend. Here are a few highlights of what you can expect.

Jericho Mountain State Park

Jericho Mountain State Park, located off Route 110 west of downtown Berlin, is New Hampshire’s newest state park, with more than 80 miles of varied terrain and trails designed to let you experience ATVing at its best. Whether you’re looking for an easy ride or more challenging terrain, you’ll want to return again and again as more trails are added to the 7,200-acre park that includes beautiful Jericho Lake and 2,454-foot Jericho Mountain. When you’re ready to take a break from ATVing, take a dip in the lake or eat your picnic lunch in the pavilion. Daily park fees are $4 for adults and $2 for children 11 and under.

Jericho has camping facilities, too. Twenty primitive campsites are available at the park: five cabins, four tent sites, and nine RV sites, with toilet and shower facilities and a coin-op laundry. Find the details at http://www.nhstateparks.org/explore/state-parks/jericho-mountain-state-park.aspx

For a change of pace while at Jericho, you might want to make a run on the 20-mile loop from the park down to Gorham and back up to Berlin.

Eat & Sleep

Northland Restaurant and Dairy Bar, 1826 Riverside Drive, Berlin
A favorite eatery of local residents. Burgers and fries, lobster rolls, daily specials and homemade pies. A NH Grand Certified Best of Business. (603) 752-6210

151 Main Street, Berlin
Located in downtown Berlin. Large breakfast and lunch menu. (603) 752-4419

SAALT Pub, 111 Main Street (Route 16), Gorham
Delightful pub fare, from burgers and fries to international dishes like Vietnamese Beef, Moroccan Chicken Couscous and the Middle Eastern Plate. Supper served Wednesday through Sunday. A NH Grand Certified Best of Business.

Royalty Inn, 130 Main Street, Gorham
A 90-room resort in downtown Gorham, with indoor pool, health and fitness club, game room, laundry facilities, and on-site restaurant.

Town & Country Motor Inn, Route 2, Gorham
A local landmark offering 160 rooms, dining room, lounge, indoor heated pool, sauna, Jacuzzi and game room.

Millsfield Pond

Over 100 miles of great riding await you in Millsfield, on lands owned by Bayroot LLC. Located 15 miles north of Berlin on Route 16 in the towns of Dummer, Millsfield and Errol, the trails ascend to mountaintops with fantastic views, and go clear around the pond on trails and logging roads, for hours of riding pleasure. The Millsfield Pond area is home to remote ponds and streams and plenty of wildlife, so don’t forget your camera!

Eat & Sleep

Log Haven Campground, Restaurant & Lounge, Route 26, Millsfield
Home-cooked meals and daily specials, including burgers, pasta, salads and seafood, and a complete selection of beer, wine and spirits. Open year round. 

A Peace of Heaven B&B, 601 US Route 26, Millsfield
Comfortable rooms and a hearty breakfast. Direct access to Ride the Wilds from the front door. 

Pittsburg

Forest roads, ATV trails, scenic overlooks, and views of Lake Francis are all part of your ATV experience in Pittsburg, New Hampshire’s northernmost town. Choose from over 120 miles of trails on the gigantic 8,000-acre Perry Stream Land and Timber Company tract, where muddy wallows rub shoulders with graveled roads and woods trails. Bring your pole if you’d like to try a little fishing along Perry Stream or Indian Stream.

Eat & Sleep

At Bear Tree, 118 Glen Road, Pittsburg
The Glen and Bear Tree have eleven Lakeside cabins, a six-guestroom lodge, a four-guestroom Inn and five woodland cabins.  No direct trail access.

The Rainbow Grille, 609 Beach Road, Pittsburg
Gourmet fare in New Hampshire’s northernmost town. Listed as the “area’s stand-out dining” by the Boston Globe. A NH Grand Certified Best of Business. Direct trail access.

Murphy’s Steakhouse at Bear Tree, 3329 North Main Street, Pittsburg.
The wide-ranging menu appeals to a variety of tastes. Eat in the dining room or on the patio. A NH Grand Certified Best of Business. No direct trail access.

Buck Rub Pub & Lodge, Route 3, Pittsburg
Burgers, made-to-order pizza, fried chicken, steak tips, and excellent seafood. Wine and beer on tap, a pool table and video games. Buck Rub Lodge offers clean, comfortable efficiency units as well. Direct trail access.

Tall Timber Lodge, 609 Beach Road, Pittsburg
Offering accommodations since 1946. Both cabin and room rentals available. Direct trail access. NH ATV Registrations are sold at the Lodge.

Lopstick Lodge, 45 Stewart Young Road, Pittsburg
A four-season lodging property, with 54 housekeeping cabins. A NH Grand Certified Best of Business for its outdoor adventure packages and Orvis-endorsed outfitter service. Direct trail access from some of the cabins.

Stewartstown, Colebrook, Columbia and Dixville

Over 120 miles of trails are maintained by the Metallak ATV Club. Part of the trail system includes a trail head at Coleman State Park that will take you over Sugar Hill to The Balsams and over the Dixville Peaks and Nathan Pond trail connecting to Greenough Pond Road and The Millsfield Club trail system.

Eat & Sleep

Spa Restaurant, 869 Washington Street, West Stewartstown
A family-friendly restaurant serving breakfast, lunch and dinner. Well-known for its prime rib and daily specials. Eat in or take-out. Direct trail access.

Ledges Motel, Route 3, Stewartstown
Smoking, non-smoking, and pet-friendly rooms, some with kitchenettes, plus a laundry room onsite and a large parking area! Direct trail access. (603) 246-8988

Moose Muck Coffee House, 25 Parsons Street, Colebrook
Open for breakfast and lunch. All the soups, sandwiches, salads and pastries are freshly made. A NH Grand Certified Best of Business. Direct trail access. (603) 237-4677

Mostly Muffins, 51 Parsons Street, Colebrook
One-hundred varieties of muffins, plus whoopie pies, cinnamon rolls and breakfast sandwiches served on home-made buns. Order from the counter, or at the drive-through. (603) 237-4582

Diamond Peaks Motel & Store, Route 26, Colebrook
Comfortable lodging open year-round, and located about six miles from downtown Colebrook. The store carries a large variety of convenience items and essentials. Try the breakfast sandwiches and pizzas made fresh daily. Direct trail access.

Parsons Street, Route 26,Colebrook
Luxury suites designed for a lodging experience that is inviting, warm and memorable. Also features a fine dining restaurant with outstanding cuisine and wonderful wines.

The Keazer Farm Bed & Breakfast, 11 Harvey Swell Road, Colebrook
Four cozy rooms in the 1840s inn that is situated on 400 acres of woods and fields. Includes a full country breakfast with the inn’s own eggs and maple syrup. Direct trail access.

The Northern Comfort Motel, 1 Scott Phillips Highway, Colebrook
Triple AAA rated. Nineteen rooms paneled with tongue and groove pine, heated outdoor pool, basketball court.

Notch View Resort Inn and Campground, 54 Forbes Hill Road, Colebrook
A bed and breakfast inn and campground located on 34 acres of a former dairy farm; offers OHRV rentals. Direct trail access.

Colebrook Country Club, 15 Abenaki Lane (off Route 26), Colebrook
Family owned and operated, with direct access to the Ride the Wilds ATV trail system. Eighteen ground-floor rooms in the motel, and a cocktail lounge open every afternoon and evening.

 

Stratford

You’ll find the longest lineal ATV trail system in New England in Stratford, where there are more than 120 miles of trails that crisscross about 30,000 acres of private land. These trails will take you through wide sweeps of undeveloped land that encompass the mountains, bogs, pastures and vistas of New Hampshire’s Grand North.

Eat & Sleep

Trailside Lodge, 382 Percy Road, North Stratford
Stay in the main lodge or in one of the cabins. Direct access to the ATV trail system.

Big Rock Campground and Cabins, Route 3, North Stratford
A full-service, family campground. Offers a variety of campsites for both tenting and RVing as well as cabins. Direct trail access.

Blueberry Hill Inn, Café and Campground, 484 Route 3, Stratford
A variety of accommodations in the inn, a cabin, and the campground. The full breakfast includes blueberry specials from blueberries picked on the inn property. Direct access to the ATV trails, and a heated garage for your ATV!

Connolly Cabins & Campground, 16 Martha’s Way, Stratford
The ATV trails runs right through this property. Two-bedroom year-round cabins, rustic cabins, tent sites and a campground for rigs and RVs.

 

Success & Milan

A three-mile city trail connects Jericho Mountain State Park in Berlin to the trails in Success, where you’ll discover 25 miles of excellent trail riding. A connector trail comes in from Maine at Success.

Eat & Sleep

Milan Village Deli and General Store, 727 Main Street, Milan
Pizza, made-to-order sandwiches, deli meats and cheeses, locally grown fruits and veggies, and lots of convenience items. (603) 449-3322

Mahoosuc Inn, 877 Milan Road, Route 16, Milan
A pet-friendly bed and breakfast with six rooms.

DuBee Our Guest Bed and Breakfast, 2 Bridge Street, Milan
Five comfortable rooms, and a delicious family-style breakfast.

Errol

The Umbagog ATV Club maintains 42 miles of trails on Bayroot LLC lands in Errol, north of Route 26.

Eat & Sleep

150 Main Street Lodging on the Androscoggin, 150 Main Street, Errol
A nine-room guest house. Fall asleep to the sounds of the river rushing by.

Errol Motel & Housekeeping Units, Route 26, Errol
Find recently remodeled rooms and pet-friendly lodging at the Errol Motel.

More Fine Riding

The Kilkenny Trail Riders of Lancaster, the Presidential ATV Club of Gorham, and the Androscoggin ATV Club of Berlin maintain many additional miles of trails.

BONUS: Many North Country towns have opened some roads and streets to accommodate ATVs to access area businesses and to connect trails. Look for the signs and please obey the speed limit.

Save the date: Jericho ATV Festival

It’s not too early to make plans for this year’s Jericho ATV Festival Presented by Progressive, with exhilarating ATV riding, mud races, poker run, freestyle shows, helicopter rides, music, food vendors, and displays. Demo the new ATV’s and SxS’s from major manufacturers. Downtown Block Party & Torchlight ATV Parade. Mark your calendar for August 4 & 5, 2017!

About ATV Clubs

ATV clubs in Coös County help maintain the trails, plan events and provide information on ATVing opportunities throughout the region. All welcome new members. Dues support trail maintenance and building projects.

Many of the region’s ATV clubs plan weekend events like Poker Runs or ride-ins throughout the riding season. Click on Ride the Wilds button on the New Hampshire Grand homepage at www.nhgrand.com or on the links, below, for up-to-date information on parking, trail conditions and special events.

The state maintains information about ATV trails in Coös County, including a NH Bureau of Trails downloadable map. http://nhstateparks.org/experience/atving/trail-information.aspx

Androscoggin Valley ATV Club
PO Box 534, Berlin, NH 03570
www.avatvclub.org
[email protected]

Great North Woods Riders ATV Club
PO Box 218, Pittsburg, NH 03592
www.greatnorthwoodsatv.org
[email protected]

The Kilkenny Trail Riders ATV Club
PO Box 64, Lancaster, NH 03584
www.kilkennytrailriders.com

Metallak ATV Club
PO Box 318
Colebrook, NH  03576
www.metallakatvclub.com

Millsfield ATV Club
16 Chasebrook Circle, Litchfield, NH 03052
www.millsfieldatv.com
[email protected]

North Country ATV Club
PO Box 161, North Stratford, NH 03590
www.northcountryatv.com
[email protected]

Presidential OHRV Club
PO Box 152
Gorham, NH  03581
www.presidentialohrvclub.com

Umbagog ATV Club
PO Box 71, Errol, NH 03579
[email protected]

Rentals & Guided Tours 

You don’t have to own a rig to enjoy the sport of ATVing. These businesses can provide a complete package for a day of riding enjoyment, including an ATV, instructions and all the safety equipment required. Drive yourself or enjoy a guided tour.

Absolute PowerSports (rentals, sales and service)
461 Main Street, Gorham, NH 03581
www.absolutepowersportsnh.com

Bear Rock Adventures (rentals & tours)
545 Beach Road, Pittsburg, NH 03592
www.bearrockadventures.com

Dalton Mountain Motorsports (sales & service)
475 Lancaster Road, Lancaster, NH 03584 www.daltonmountainmotorsports.com

Jericho Outdoors (rentals, tours, sales and service)
232 Jericho Road, Berlin, NH 03570
www.jerichooutdoors.net

Moose Poop ATV Tours
Muzzy Hill Road, Milan, NH 03848
http://www.moosepooptours.com/contact.htm

White Mountain ATV Rentals (rentals & tours)
299 Main Street, Gorham
www.whitemtatvrental.com