Meredith’s 250th anniversary celebration kicked off with dinner and dance

By THOMAS P. CALDWELL, LACONIA DAILY SUN

MEREDITH — The sold-out kickoff to the town’s 250th anniversary celebration was a testament to the excitement surrounding the schedule of events and to those who have been working for a year and a half to make sure everything came together, according to Steve Durand, co-chairman of the Meredith 250th Committee.

Durand was especially grateful to Russ Hart, Sim Willey, Cara Clinton Greer, and Andrea Weeks of Hart’s Turkey Farm Restaurant for their efforts in putting together the dinner-dance that took place on Dec. 30. All 250 tickets sold and Durand said the event came off without a hitch.

“The community came out in force to support the event,” he said.

He said the entire staff at Hart’s did a great job during the event, which began with a happy hour and dinner and included a half-hour program highlighting Meredith’s history and the upcoming events. It concluded with a dance featuring Jimmy and the Jesters, who filled the dance floor with elbow-to-elbow celebrants.

Selectman Jonathan James, wearing period clothing, read excerpts from the charter establishing the town 250 years ago; Alyson Lines and Gina Aquillato, winners of the Inter-Lakes Idol contest, sang; and Kaitlyn Gable, winner of the Youth Ambassador Essay Competition, read her winning essay.

“Thanks to everyone, especially the Greater Meredith Program and the 250th Committee, that backed up the program,” Durand said.

Co-chairman Jeanie Forrester gave special thanks to the members of the dinner committee, which included Kelly Bennett, Monica Bennett, Cookie Boulanger, Dennis Boulanger, Lester Boynton, Kim Durand, Dawn Durand, Steve Durand, Diane Lafavre, Claire Lebel, Jeanne Lowery, Helga Paquin, and Jonathan James. She also thanked Ann Sprague for her assistance in promoting the event.

Wicwas Lake Grange donated centerpieces for the tables.

As the 250th Committee looks ahead to other anniversary programs, Durand also issued a reminder that the hardcover “Meredith 250th: Celebrating 250 Years of Meredith History, 1768-2018” is available at the Laconia Daily Sun office. The pictorial history book was published by the Sun in partnership with the Meredith 250th Committee and the Meredith Historical Society, and it includes portraits and photos, both black-and-white and color, from the early years through the 20th century and today.

With ice-in declared on Wednesday, the earliest date recorded, prospects are excellent for the upcoming Nostalgic Latchkey Cup Race, being sponsored by the Lakes Region Ice Racing Club of Moultonborough on Feb. 17. Durand said the Meredith Rotary Club donated protective curtains to make it safe for the return of the Latchkey Cup to Meredith, where it originated 34 years ago. There is no cost to participate in the event.

Other upcoming events include an unveiling of the 1968 time capsule on July 4, the Main Street Parade on Aug. 11, and a historical program at Inter-Lakes High School Theatre on Sept. 22-23.

Hart’s Turkey Farm hosted the kickoff dinner and dance for Meredith's 250th anniversary. (Courtesy photo)