WOLFEBORO —  The New Hampshire Boat Museum will open for the season over Memorial Day Weekend.
To celebrate, the board and staff invite the public to a special Opening Reception on Friday, May 24 from 6 to 9 p.m. The evening will include food, a cash bar, entertainment and a preview of new exhibits.
Tickets are $25 per person for not-yet-members and $22 for museum members. Tickets can be purchased on the Museum's website, www.NHBM.org, via phone at 569-4554, or at the door.
The evening will include a light buffet dinner and ice cream sundaes. Entertainment will be provided by Ron Drolet who is a frequent performer at the Wolfeboro Inn. Attendees will get a chance to preview the new exhibit on the history of race boating on Lake Winnipesaukee which features race boats of all kinds dating from the 1920s up to the 1960s.
Among the race boats on display will be the famed Scotty. This 1929 28' Gold Cup hydroplane was built by the famous naval architect John Hacker in Michigan for Sam Dunsford of Tuftonboro Neck. Scotty ran in several racing events on Lake Winnipesaukee. When Dunsford, a leading racer of the time, felt the boat's performance was unsatisfactory he stored Scotty in his garage until his death in 1958.
Now restored to its original configuration, Scotty has run in several vintage race boat regattas including Wolfeboro's. The boat is on loan from Mark Howard.
Also on display will be Roman Candle, a 1961 hydroplane which is fully restored to its original condition. Roman Candle has an extensive racing history including the 2009 and 2011 Wolfeboro Vintage Race Boat Regatta. The boat is on loan from its owner, race boat driver Gerry Davidson. Roman Candle will be removed from display the week of the September Wolfeboro Regatta to run in that prestigious event.
The race boat exhibit also will feature posters, photos, videos, and objects that chronicle the history of race boating on Lake Winnipesaukee through the 20th century, including its  resurgence here in Wolfeboro in 2000 with the Wolfeboro Vintage Race Boat Regatta.
Now in its 13th year, the Wolfeboro Vintage Race Boat Regatta, organized by the NH Boat Museum, will be held September 13-14.
"This season's new exhibit on the history of race boating celebrates this important sport on Lake Winnipesaukee. The New Hampshire Boat Museum is pleased to be continuing that long tradition with September's Regatta." said Board Chair Rick Kourian.
The New Hampshire Boat Museum will be open to the public for the 2013 season on Saturday, May 25 and remain open through Monday, October 14, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Monday through Saturday, and Sundays 12 noon-4 p.m.

LACONIA — The Lake Winnipesaukee Watershed Association (LWWA) is hosting two informal 'Meet and Greet' receptions to provide an opportunity for individuals, businesses, and other organizations to become better acquainted with the work of the association.
'Meet and Greet's will be held on May 30 from 5:30-7 p.m. at the Prescott Farm Environmental Education Center on White Oaks Road in Laconia and on June 6 at the Wolfeboro Corinthian Yacht Club on 12 Nancy's Way in Wolfeboro, also from 5:30-7 p.m.
The staff and Board of Directors of LWWA will showcase the new programs and projects that are planned for this year and in the future.
"The LWWA has embarked on an ambitious five year strategic plan that focuses on four major objectives: to strengthen its technical capacity to perform and assist water quality monitoring, enhance its organizational capacity to provide information on critical water quality issues, to help inform and engage residents and visitors through campaigns, social media, presentations to communities and organizations, conduct activities like the 'Floating Classroom', and to provide high quality programs, services, and activities to our members and the public through expansion and enhancement of our partnerships" reported Patricia Tarpey, Executive Director of LWWA..
"These ambitious objectives cannot be accomplished without the awareness and help of our neighbors, friends, members, and partners. LWWA invites you to come meet us, find out what we do, and help us expand our network", added Tarpey.
Those interested in attending one of the 'Meet and Greets' can RSVP to the LWWA at 581-6632 or by email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . Light refreshments will be provided.

MOULTONBOROUGH — During the week-ends only season at Castle in the Clouds visitors will have a special treat--an exhibit and sale of Winslow Homer's Wood Engravings, the first of three curated shows that will occupy the Carriage House Gallery this season.
Winslow Homer achieved fame and fortune with his New England seaside paintings, but he started his artistic career in Boston working as a lithographer and by producing wood engravings for popular magazines of the day; the exhibit is a rare look at this formative phase of Homer's work.
A free wine and cheese reception for this exhibit of Homer's early works produced for popular periodicals of the day, is open to the public on Sunday, May 19, 5:30-7:30 p.m. The original prints on display, including Civil War sketches and scenes from everyday life in the late 1890s, are also for sale; 100% of the proceeds benefit the Castle Restoration Fund. The exhibit, sponsored by Christopher P. Williams Architects, PLLC, will stay at the Gallery until July 7.
The Castle is open week-ends only, with a limited Carriage House cafe menu, until Saturday June 8 when it will open fully for the season. The Gate will be open daily, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. from Saturday June 8 until October 27 with a full season of programs, concerts and events. Visit the website for more on the Castle's upcoming season.
And just before the Castle property opens for its full season the 1920s Lucknow Lawn Party, formerly the Lilac Tea, has the run of the Lucknow mansion and gardens with tasty tea delicacies and vintage attire on Thursday June 6, from 3-5 p.m. Tickets $25--$20 for Castle Friends. Sponsored by Irwin Automotive Group.
To purchase tickets for the Lawn Party or to purchase a Friend of the Castle Membership which includes free admission, discounts on many special events and personal invitations to receptions, events and the annual Gala, call 603-476-5900 x 500 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .