Two students endorse membership in Belknap Mill

Two Laconia boys, ages nine and 12, are among the Belknap Mill Society's youngest members, and they are encouraging others to join.

The Belknap Mill, the Lakes Region's art and history center, launched a General Membership Drive this summer. Members of all ages and backgrounds are writing letters to urge others to join.

Jared Guilmett, age 12, and his brother Garrett, age nine, have volunteered to help. Jared is in the seventh grade at Memorial Middle School, and Garrett is in fourth grade at Woodland Heights.

Ever since they can remember, the boys have attended Mill programs with their parents, Marlee and Chris, a trustee of the Society. They began attending the Riverside Concerts when Garrett was an infant. They attended Arts Alive, a month-long program showcasing artworks of Lakes Area students, K-12., when Jared was in first grade. About 12 towns are represented in the annual show. Every year since, Jared's artwork has been on view for three weeks in February at the Mill with his fellow students. This year, he made "claymation boxes" as directed by his Integrated Arts teacher Larry Frates.

When Jared was 10 years old, he attended the program Mill & the Community with other students in his fourth grade class. Schools from across the state sign up to bring their students to the Belknap Mill each spring to experience what it was like to work in a knitting mill in 1918. The children take on identities of former mill employees and practice making socks in an assembly line. Jared portrayed a turner boy and had the simplest — and lowest paying — job. His job was simply to turn socks inside out so that the toes could be closed. In 1918, that job was done by teenage boys.

Jared and Garrett believe that other children should also become Mill members.

"If you bring a friend, you'll get the hang of it and enjoy it," said Jared.

"If you like history, and the past, then you will think it is a good idea [to join]," added Garrett.

"My ancestors worked in the mills," said Chris, "and joining the Mill is a wonderful way for kids to connect with their ancestors and do something positive. I try to raise my kids to give back to the community and make it a better place. With everyone contributing, the benefits snowball," he added.

As a trustee, Chris often volunteers at events, and he encourages his sons to volunteer. This includes handing out pancakes at the annual meeting or serving as usher at concerts.

"I enjoy helping out — I like making a difference," said Jared.

"I like history, and it's a good opportunity to learn more about history," added Garrett.

Last February, the boys were featured in Chronicle, a program on Channel 9 that had a story about the Belknap Mill.

Children can join the Belknap Mill Society for $10. They will receive their own copies of the Mill's newsletter and announcements to special events. Adults can join for $25, and families can join for $40. Businesses may join for $100. The top category is Bell Ringer at $5,000. For this campaign, there are incentives for new members, and current members who bring in new members.

Children and adults who would like to join may send in their check, payable to the Belknap Mill Society, and mail it to 25 Beacon St. East, Laconia, NH 03246. The Society also accepts VISA or MasterCard. For more information, contact Kathleen LaBranche, Office Manager at (603) 524-8813.