062216 Tilton Island hosts 22nd annual summer concert series

The Alan and Savina Hartwell Memorial Bandstand will host a series of summer concerts (Courtesy photo)

TILTON — Nestled along busy Route 3 in Tilton across an unimposing footbridge lies ones of the Lakes Region hidden treasures. Tilton Island dates back to the 1800s. It has been many things at many different times in its history. By the late 1980s it has been long neglected and mostly forgotten. Until...

Alan Hartwell, a longtime Tilton resident who had roots in the music industry and a hit record in 1958 called "Topsy" (which was #1 on Billboard for 11 consecutive weeks) was driving down Route 3. Savina, his wife of 35 years, a jazz singer/dancer when they met, commented to Alan that "That island would be a perfect place to come and listen to music in the summer." That was in 1990. In 1991, she passed away. It was at that time, Alan with the help of longtime friend Dick Pucci took on the arduous task of repurposing Tilton Island.

With the support of both Tilton and Northfield's selectmen, and the volunteer efforts of some very skilled contractors, the island was cleared of years of overgrowth, electricity was added, and Alan Hartwell personally bought and paid for the bandstand, decorative lighting, an ornamental bridge and park benches. The Savina Harwell Memorial Bandstand would stand as a monument to a love story and become the centerpiece of a place where people could gather, see old friends and hear some great music on Sunday evenings in July and August.

Savina struggled with MS in her later years, yet she had been an enthusiastic participant in summer activities in Tilton and Northfield. She inspired many people and encouraged them to overcome their difficulties with her positive attitude and determination. She had deep affection for the people of both towns and had formed many friendships over the years. There is a dedication plaque on the Island which notes this. He did not want people to forget her. She was the love of his life.

Alan was a record producer and enjoyed the task of bringing some wonderful musicians to the Savina Hartwell Memorial Bandstand on Tilton Island Park and a tradition was born. Savina's vision had come to fruition. For many years Alan paid for the free concert series personally. Over time, he was able to get some help from local business who graciously agreed to help sponsor some of the concerts in the series. Franklin Savings Bank, Kenny Partridge Construction and Gale Insurance have been in since in the beginning the towns of Tilton and Northfield underwrite some, the T-N Rotary, and the Salatiello Family Trust contribute and the rest is paid for by the Hartwell family.

Alan dutifully ran the series until his passing in 2011. The bandstand was renamed the Alan and Savina Memorial Bandstand at that time, and their daughter, Allison Hartwell, stepped up with her husband and children to keep the long-standing tradition of free summertime concerts going in honor and loving memory of both of her parents. The concerts draw people from all over New Hampshire, Massachusetts and even visitors from other countries who were on vacation have stopped to enjoy the summer concert series. Now in its 22nd year, it is the longest running summer concert series in New Hampshire.

The family is committed to continuing the series and has lined up some of the areas best entertainment to appear Sunday evenings (weather permitting) in July and August from 6 to 8:30 p.m.

The scheduled concerts:

July 3 – Studio Two – Beatles Tribute Band – early Beatles

July 10 – New Classic – Timothy & Victoria – a variety of pop, rock and oldies

July 17 – '60s Invasion – Popular music from the '60s

July 24 – East Bay Jazz Ensemble – '30s, '40s, '50s and contemporary jazz

July 31 – Uncle Steve Band – country, bluegrass, rock

Aug. 7 – Rockin Daddios ('50s doo wop) – Best of NH 2015

Aug. 14 – Mill City Revival Band – '70s and '80s)

Aug. 21 – Karen Morgan – country

Aug. 28 – Annie & The Orphans – oldies, pop

Refreshments are available and concert-goers are encouraged to bring a blanket or lawn chair. On average, the concerts draw anywhere from 300 to 450 attendees weekly. For additional information, contact Allison Hartwell, concert coordinator, at 603-286-3000.

Lakes Region Big Band plays the Hartwell Memorial Bandstand in 2013. (Courtesy photo)

The Hartwell Bandstand was featured at the Tilton Old Home Day in 2013. (Courtesy photo)