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By Stephanie Goddard
Happy New Year! It’s a great time for changes. Have you been wanting to read more? Check out the Samuel Wentworth Library, and Sandwich’s Books-Sandwiched-In. Want to get outside and take in the wintery beauty? Visit Chapman Sanctuary and Visny Woods. Is it time to get involved with the community? There are multiple opportunities to join town commissions or sit in on meetings! Here’s a few of the fun and interesting events coming up in the next couple weeks in and around Sandwich: (you can read more about them below!) January 2 – Lego Challenge at Library January 2 – Property Taxes Due January 3 – Watercolor Painting at Library January 3 – Sandwich Singers in Tamworth January 4 – Storytime at Library January 13 – Books Sandwiched In Samuel H. Wentworth Library Samuel H. Wentworth Library is located at 35 Main Street, PO Box 146 Center Sandwich, NH 03227 phone: (603) 284-6665; email: [email protected]. Hours: Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday 12:00 – 5:30, Thursday and Friday, 10:00 – 5:00, and Saturday 10:00 – 12:30. Upcoming events for kids and families at the Samuel H. Wentworth library in Sandwich: Thursday, January 2 -Thursday 10:30-12:30 LEGO Challenges (Drop-in anytime) Friday, January 3 -10:30-12:30 Watercolor painting (Drop-in anytime) Saturday January 4 - 10:30-12 Family storytime and craft Sandwich Singers The Sandwich singers are preparing three concerts of Songs and Stories of Waiting and Preparing. All are at 6:00 PM. This year’s theme is Waiting and Preparing. The program varies from church to church, but includes songs sung by the 25-member chorus, and stories and readings by various local favorites: storyteller Andy Davis, art historian David Wilkins, former Red Hill fire tower watchman Jim Mykland, thespian Chris Boldt, and Etruscan scholar Jane Whitehead, assisted by classicist Ann Wilkins. Peter Heimlich will appear at one of the concerts, as will the Melvin Bellringers at their home church. Sandwich Singers has a long history. Some of the current singers, including director Peggy Johnson, were members of the original group while many of the singers have shorter tenures - and several have joined this year for the first time. You will know many of them. Each singer brings great gifts to the music and spirit of the season. One more opportunity to hear this great music. Friday, January 3, - St. Andrew's-in-the-Valley, Tamworth Concerts are free; Donations gratefully accepted Books-Sandwiched-In Attention all readers! Here's the line up of books for your winter reading. Thank you, book reviewers! The Books Sandwiched In committee hopes you'll enjoy these books, and can join the discussions Mondays at noon in the library Community Room. ~January 13: Where You’ll Find Me by Ty Gagne, Reviewer Frances Strayer. Kate Matrosova was a highly skilled, world-class recreational climber. This compelling narrative details her last winter hike in the Presidentials in 2015, and the dangerous rescue attempt by state and local personnel. It’s a cautionary tale about perilous decision making and overly-ambitious goals. Ty Gagne is a certified wilderness first responder, and the author of The Last Traverse, another true story. ~January 27: Apeirogon by Colum McCann, Reviewer Lee Warren. ~February 10 All the Beauty in the World by Patrick Bringley, Reviewers Cyd Clark and Jean Knox. ~February 24 The Heaven and Earth Grocery Store, by James McBride, Reviewer Mike Henriques. ~March 10 Our Moon, by Rebecca Boyle; Reviewer Adam Heard. ~March 24 James, by Percival Everett. Reviewer, Will Speers. Books Sandwiched In is supported by The Friends of the S.H.Wentworth Library. The program meets Mondays at noon in the library Community Room and on Zoom. Chapman Sanctuary and Visny Woods SPONSOR A BIRDHOUSE FOR 2025 at Chapman Sanctuary and Visny Woods in beautiful Center Sandwich, New Hampshire! Your charitable donation of $100 will help fund the costs of seed, fresh nesting material, natural habitat maintenance and so much more for the wonderful wild birds that make Chapman Sanctuary and Visny Woods their home. Located along CSVW's scenic trails, each sponsored birdhouse is well-maintained and will display your sponsored Birdhouse # for all of 2025. Make it a unique gift. Give this meaningful, charitable gift to the bird/nature/wildlife enthusiast in your life. Your donation is tax deductible to the extent allowable by law Federal Tax ID EIN #04-2210786 THANK YOU! Chapman Sanctuary and Visny Woods is located at 740 Mt. Israel Road, Sandwich. Botanical Lampshades The Shade Shed at Botanical Lampshades is closed for the season. But for an appointment call or email Jennifer Allen, 603-284-7468. Corner House Restaurant Winter specials are back! Every week, we'll be dishing up something delicious made with fresh, local ingredients. Tuesday is the night for burger lovers! Hours: Tuesday through Thursday, 4 – 9 Friday and Saturday 12 – 10 Sunday 12 – 9 We hear ya! We're now open for lunch on Saturday and Sunday starting at noon. That's right, folks, fuel up for those holiday shopping sprees (or post-Santa sugar crashes) with our delicious eats. Friday evenings from 6 till 9, the Corner House hosts fantastic local musicians in the pub. 22 Main Street, Sandwich, NH 03227, email: [email protected] (603) 284-6219 Foothills Café and Curio Winter Hours: Sunday – 10:00 am-9:00 pm Monday – 8:00 am-9:00 pm Tuesday – 11:30 am -3:00 pm Wednesday – 11:30 am-3:00 pm Thursday – 8:00 am -9:00 pm Friday – 8:00 am-9:00 pm Saturday – 8:00 am -9:00 pm Email [email protected]. The Foothills Café and Curio is located at 25 Main Street, Sandwich. 603-707-2424. Music Jam Hello, beginner to intermediate musicians. This is a reminder that we gather every Wednesday from 6:30 to 8pm at the Sandwich town hall for a free, fun-filled music jam. We play traditional, Celtic, oldtime, folk, and Americana tunes at a slow to moderate tempo. Bring your hobby out and start playing with others! It’s fun and inclusive. Right now, we have fiddles, penny whistle, flute, guitars, mandolin, acoustic bass, piano, concertina, and an autoharp!! Sheet music available. Plenty of parking, and an elevator lift if needed. Listeners are always welcome, Never an obligation to attend. It’s free! For more information, contact Christine Woodman at [email protected] Friends and Fiber If music isn’t your thing, maybe yarn is! Every Wednesday evening, 6:00 – 8:30 pm, Library Community Room: Friends and Fiber Group: All abilities and ages of fiber enthusiasts (and those wanting to learn or just visit) are welcome to attend. Come with your knitting, crocheting, spinning, felting, rug hooking, embroidery, sewing or other fiber arts-related or hand-held project to work on. There is no charge and the group is casual and welcoming. While there is no formal instruction, if you have a question about your project, there is usually someone in attendance who can provide assistance. Experience is that the group is likely to gather on the off weeks as well as everyone enjoys the company and sharing of ideas. Should you wish more information or if you have questions, please contact [email protected]. Cabin Fever Party The Sandwich Business Group is excited to propose a special event to bring the community together this winter: a Cabin Fever Dessert & Dance Party at the Town Hall in Center Sandwich on Sat, February 8th. This event will coincide with Winter Carnival Weekend and offers a wonderful opportunity to shake off the winter blues, enjoy delicious desserts, and dance the night away with friends and neighbors. But there’s more! This isn’t just about fun — it’s also about giving back. Proceeds from the event will support Interlakes Community Caregivers, helping to fund the incredible work they do for our community. Before we move forward, we’d love your input:
Sandwich Business Group The Sandwich Business Group annual meeting will be held on January 22 at the Foothills Café. More information to come! 2 Basket Street Yoga Led by Molly Powers Simmons, and located at 2 Basket Street, Center Sandwich. Contact Molly at 617-461-9512, or visit the website at 2basketstreetyoga.com for more information or to sign up for classes. Drop-in price: 15.00; 5-class pass - $65.00. [email protected]. Dragonfly Yoga Barn Upcoming news at Dragonfly Yoga Barn: WEEKLY PRACTICE SCHEDULE: Weds: 8-9:15 am ~ Five Element Slow Flow (all levels) Thurs: 5-6:15 pm ~ Vinyasa Flow (moderate) Fri: 8-9:15 am ~ Yin Yoga (all levels, deep myofascial stretch) Sat. 8-9:15 am ~ Five Element Flow Sun. 5-6:15 pm ~ Yin Yoga Upcoming Retreats: *Ayurveda India Retreat, Feb. 18 ~ Mar. 12, 2024: Healing & Wellness Retreat. 3 Weeks! *Amorgos, Greece Yoga Retreat: May 16 ~ 23, 2025 Dragonfly is located at 280 Bennett Street, North Sandwich. Contact [email protected], or online at www.dragonflyyogabarn.com. Eastman House Counseling and Yoga Offered by Heather Cameron. Located at 909 Holderness Road, Center Sandwich. Yoga class is held on Fridays, from 9- 10 am, Mindful Slow Flow. Slow flow yoga is a gentle practice which combines deep breathing, stretching and relaxed postures to bring restorative energy and serenity to your body and mind. Preregister via email, [email protected]. Your Neighbor’s Flowers Spring Flower Share: For six lovely weeks, flower share members will receive a generous bouquet of freshly harvested flowers wrapped in recycled brown kraft paper featuring: Fancy daffodils, LOTS of lush tulips, Fragrant peonies, A rotating cast of other early spring favorites. Why a Flower Share? Megan of Your Neighbor’s Flowers writes: A flower share is like a CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) for flowers. When you join, you’re pre-purchasing a share of the blooms I grow during the season. This helps me plan ahead for planting and ensures I have the resources to grow a wide variety of flowers for the community. As a thank you for trusting in me, the flower share members will ALWAYS receive the very BEST flowers. The Spring Flower share will begin around the week of May 12th, weather permitting, and continue through the week of June 16th. When you sign up choose between two convenient pick-up locations: Farm Pick-Up: Thursdays, 3:30–5:30 PM, Center Harbor Pick-Up: Fridays, 12–4 PM at the charming Gusto Market Purchase Your Spring Flower Share Membership Here: https://www.yourneighborsflowers.com/product-page/spring-flower-share Chestnut Meadow Farm We still have storage onions, shallots and garlic for sale, so reach out to us if you need any. Chestnut Meadow farm is a small, family farm located at 146 Wentworth Hill Road in Sandwich. You can reach us at [email protected], or check out the website, www.chestnutmeadowfarm.com. We love knowing where our food comes from! Mountain Breeze Farm Mountain Breeze Farm specializes in fresh, local beef and pork, as well as maple syrup. They have a variety of cuts, such as pork loin roasts, small hams, breakfast sausage, bratwurst, bone-in chops, and spareribs; Also select beef steaks, ground beef, beef kielbasa, beef chorizo, and stew meat. Please inquire if you are looking for something not mentioned or would like a custom order. If you frequent the Plymouth area, you can order Mountain Breeze products through Local Foods Plymouth, an online farmer’s market. Place an order from Mountain Breeze and about 40 other local farmers and producers, Saturday through Wednesday, at localfoodsplymouth.org, and pick up in Plymouth on Thursday afternoon. Contact Mountain Breeze at 603-677-2604 if you have any questions or to place an order. Mountain Breeze Farm is located at 327 Dale Road, Center Sandwich. Something Wild Farm Located at 430 North Sandwich Road. Pasture raised eggs, Maple Syrup, handmade candles, and more. Contact Richard at [email protected], and check out their website, somethingwildfarm.com. Booty Family Farm We are a certified organic farm located at 610 Mount Israel Road and have been in operation for over 40 years Stop by any time or call/text Steve at 860-227-0397. Thanks for supporting local, Steve Bartlett and the Booty Family Farm. Sandwich Creamery 2 Maple Ridge Road, Sandwich. Self-serve, locally made ice cream and cheese. As for some of the cheese you will be seeing next year, one has already made a brief appearance, but will now be seen with more consistency: the “Olde English” cheddar. What makes the Olde English so distinct is the fact that we have allowed for a rind to grow. This year we will be moving the Olde English into our older round molds and cloth binding them, closer to the traditional style of its making. This will allow for a richer, more consistent growth of the rind and better flavor. Open from 9 am until 9 pm daily. Papa Beans Ice Cream Currently stocked in our freezer: Ice Cream Pies, Ice Cream Cakes, Quarts - Sweet Cream (better than vanilla), Maple, Cookies & Cream, Chocolate Chip, Pumpkin, Cinnamon, Chocolate chip Cookie Dough, Mint Chip. Mint, Peppermint Candy Pints - Vanilla, chocolate, coffee, pumpkin gingersnap cookie, pumpkin, molasses ginger, cherry vanilla, black raspberry, rum raisin, cinnamon, mint chip, chocolate chip, peppermint candy, maple, and lemon ginger. 1/2 pints – Honeyberry; Ice cream sandwiches; Lemon maple popsicles; Maple Products: Assortment of Plastic & Glass bottles of Maple syrup, Maple Bourbon Syrup, Maple Candy, and Maple Sugar. Located at 301 Wing Road, Sandwich. Open 7 days, 9 am – 9 pm. Tamworth Community Food Center Welcomes You If you or someone you know is in a position where access to food would be of help, please call the number provided. There are resources. The primary goal of the Tamworth Community Food Center is addressing hunger for those in need, serving the communities of Tamworth and Sandwich, NH. Our organization’s volunteers are trained and well-informed, knowing the value of awareness, action, and the effects of hunger. We are dedicated to providing fresh and nutritious food to people and families who may go without it. Our volunteers are devoted to understanding the significance and impact of community outreach. Donations from individuals, local organizations, businesses, and the towns provide stability and support, addressing the essentials of our citizens via sustainable solutions. It is our goal to tackle both short and long-term needs. Every other Wednesday, from 11-3. Located at St Andrews Church, 678 Whittier Road, Tamworth, NH. General Questions: 603-960-4067. Senior Meals Join the fun at our Wednesday lunch here in Sandwich! Sandwich senior meals take place on Wednesdays at noon at the Benz Center, 18 Heard Road, Center Sandwich. Additionally, Moultonboro senior meals are held Monday through Thursday at the Moultonboro Community Center (formerly Old Lions Club) at 139 Old Route 109. All are welcome. Coffee will be ready at 11:30! For those 60 years and older, meals are supported through local, state, and federal governments. Free will donations are most welcome. The Moultonboro site chooses the menu and prepares it; food is delivered to Sandwich for serving. In Sandwich, coffee is ready at 11:30. Desserts are usually set out by then; there is a good possibility one of our volunteers will arrive with a still-warm homemade sweet bread (banana and pumpkin come to mind). Fresh bouquets at each table. Tempting, isn't it? P.S. The program is always in need of drivers to deliver meals to those in need. If you know someone who could benefit from home delivery in Sandwich, please call the Moultonboro site at 603-476-5110. Paperwork is a cinch to complete to get the ball rolling. Sandwich Transfer Station New facility stickers will be available at the town hall around the second week of January, for 2025-2026. For now, 2023-2024 facility stickers are required for use of the Transfer Station. Stickers are available for purchase at Town Hall, by mail or by drop box. Transfer Station use is strictly prohibited for vehicles without stickers/passes (even for longtime residents!). Sandwich Transfer Station hours are Sunday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday from 8 am to 4 pm. Please arrive at the Transfer Station at least 15 minutes before closing to allow for unloading and closure for the day. Kevin and John appreciate being able to close on time. Reminder: if you are recycling larger cardboard, please be sure it is cut to a maximum size of 4' x 4'. Larger pieces jam up our compactors! Photos for Town Report Do you have pictures of Sandwich that you'd like to feature in the Town Report? Share your photos of Sandwich landscapes, wildlife, nature, people, events, etc. Your submission may be selected for the cover! Submit your photos to [email protected] by January 16, 2025. Please include the name of the photographer, a brief description/location and name(s) of individuals pictured. Police Building Replacement - Request for Proposals The Town of Sandwich is seeking proposals for construction of a new police station. More details including the request for proposals, conceptual plans and materials specifications can be found at https://www.sandwichnh.org under the resources tab. Proposals are due no later than 3:00 PM, Tuesday January 21st. A mandatory pre-bid meeting will take place on Tuesday, January 7th at 9:00 AM. Town to Update Master Plan The Planning Board is embarking on updating the 2011 Master Pan and the whole town needs to be involved. A subcommittee is being formed to lead the work of engaging all citizens in participating with their view of Sandwich today and what they envision into the future. Committee members will take on various tasks: doing a survey, conducting interviews, seeking experts, researching data. Get to learn more about your town, talk to your neighbors, and contribute your skills to craft the blueprint for the town’s future. A Master Plan is the foundation for the Zoning Ordinance and all regulations that govern the grown of a town the way its citizens want it to be. Contact the Planning Board at [email protected] or ask at the town office. Tax Rate Set The Board of Selectmen and the NH Department of Revenue have finalized the 2024 tax rate. Upon review of the Town’s unexpended fund balance policy and after careful consideration, the Board of Selectmen have applied $100,000 of unexpended fund balance to reduce the overall tax rate to $9.05 per thousand dollars of assessed property value. Per RSA 75:8-a, the State of New Hampshire requires that each town conduct a town-wide reappraisal of property so that assessments are at full and true value at least every five years. 2024 was Sandwich’s 5-year town-wide revaluation. There are four components of the tax rate: Municipal, Local School (Inter-lakes School District), County, and State Education. The Selectmen’s decisions only impact the municipal portion of the tax rate. In response to a request to the Selectmen for information regarding the increase in property values, additional reports will be added to the website (Forms and Documents/Property Assessments – Final Values and Reports). Property Tax Bills Issued This notice is to advise you that the 2024 P02 Sandwich Property Tax Bills were mailed to the address we have on file for you.
You may make your payment in person, via mail, Bill Pay (from your bank account) or our secure Drop Box (located at the back entrance to Town Hall; top of the ramp). Kindly include a self-addressed stamped envelope along with your receipt stub if you would like your receipt mailed to you. If your taxes are paid out of an escrow account, please do not remit payment to the town as this will be handled by your financial institution. For questions related to your tax assessment, please contact the Selectmen's Office at (603) 284-7701. For questions related to your tax bills, please contact the Tax Collector's Office at (603) 284-7113. The Tax office is closed Holidays and Election Tuesdays. Forms of payment accepted at the Tax Collector's Office are CASH and CHECKS only (no credit or debit cards). Checks include BILL PAY from your Bank to the TOWN OF SANDWICH (Acct # should reference your Parcel ID or Street Address). Selectmen’s News At the December 17 meeting, the Board was joined by the Quimby Fund trustees in the work session for a discussion about previously funded projects and a proposed 2025 funding request. The Board requested consideration of $82,900 in project funding for 2025. The Quimby Fund has a history of funding a wide variety of projects and equipment for the benefit of the town. We appreciate their continued support! The Board also continued employment contract and wage discussions as the fiscal year comes to a close. The Board has spent a great deal of time considering employee wages both as part of its annually scheduled review and in light of a recently completed pay/classification study. Discussions are ongoing; the Board will continue to deliberate the recommendations of the study in 2025. The Board wishes to establish a committee for the purpose of assisting the Selectboard in determining a strategy for future implementation of the study’s recommendations. The Board reviewed and signed/approved several items including: accounts payable and payroll manifests; a property tax abatement; a budget line-item transfer for the police department; a general assessing contract for 2025. The Board revisited previous discussions about the impact of the recently completed 2024 town-wide property revaluation. Under state law, the Town must conduct a revaluation every 5 years. As was expected, property assessment values significantly increased across the entire town. However, actual impact is specific to each property. As a result of the revaluation, the town’s tax rate greatly decreased. The Board used $100,000 in unexpended fund balance to reduce the 2024 municipal tax rate. We encourage property owners to contact the Selectmen’s Office with assessing questions! The Board discussed multiple topics in other business including:
InvestNH Grant Hearing The Town of Sandwich will hold a public hearing at 4PM, Monday January 6th at Sandwich Town Hall per RSA 31:95-b to consider acceptance and expenditure of up to $25,000 from the InvestNH Municipal Planning & Zoning Grant Program with money to be allocated to assist the town in rewriting and integrating its vision statement and population, housing and land use sections of the Master Plan. For questions, please call the Selectmen’s Office at 603-284-7701. Town of Sandwich contact information Alison Gage, Town Clerk/Tax Collector, [email protected] Town Clerk’s office hours: Tues & Thurs 8:00am to 5:30pm Courtney Delaney, Town Administrator, may be reached during regular office hours, Monday, Tuesday, Thursday from 7:30 A.M. to 5:30 P.M. e-mail: [email protected] Kelly Cox, Administrative Assistant, may be reached during regular office hours Monday, Tuesday, Thursday from 7:30 A.M. to 5:30 P.M. e-mail: [email protected] Website: sandwichnh.org Town of Sandwich 8 Maple Street, PO Box 194 Sandwich, NH 03227 P: 603-284-7113 Community Church of Sandwich The Baptist Meetinghouse steeple will be rebuilt in 2025! The trustees had hoped to share better news; however, the steeple had to be taken down this fall due to extensive rot in the support timbers and in the base of the steeple just above the bell. It was deemed a serious safety issue and immediate removal was recommended. The base of the steeple has been capped and secured for winter/spring to protect it from further damage. The problem had developed over a long period of time with no visible evidence of any deterioration in the support timbers until we started our preservation and restoration project on that section of the steeple this past spring. It was a blessing our contractor, Tony Hibbard (New England Church Restorations) made the discovery before serious damage occurred. Rest assured; our steeple will be restored to its former grace next year. We will continue to keep you posted on our progress. At present, the trustees are developing a fundraising plan for this unexpected development in our ongoing Bell Tower Preservation and Restoration Project. Worship with the Community Church on Sundays at 10 at the Methodist Meetinghouse, Main Street. Contact us by Mail: PO Box 267, Sandwich, NH 03227, email [email protected], or call 603-284-6151 Harvest Church of the Lakes Region Harvest Church invites you to visit at 80 Bean Road in Moultonborough, Sundays at 10:00 am for contemporary worship and Biblical teaching. We have several meetings during the week as well: a men’s Bible Study on Mondays in Sandwich, and a home church meeting on Thursdays in Sandwich. Call for details! Contact us at [email protected] or 603-476-7037. In the Round In the Round takes place Sundays at 8:45 – 10:30 am at the Benz Center, 18 Heard Road, Sandwich. In the Round, a community discussion group for the past 25 years, meets weekly in Sandwich. The topic is always thought provoking and related to what people are thinking about these days. In the Round welcomes all points of view, reasonably and respectfully considered. Anyone who wishes to join in that spirit of dialog is invited. Various viewpoints are welcomed. Everyone is welcome. Comments are closed.
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This website, Discover Sandwich, has been in continuous operation since 2013. It functions as a community resource, in addition to a site that highlights and promotes SBG members, and gives an overview of the town to interested parties. Even if you do not have a business in Sandwich, you are welcome to join as an associate member. The Sandwich Business Group welcomes your presence and contributions.
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Grateful thanks to the Alfred Quimby Fund, the Town of Sandwich, and Wedco for their support.
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Many thanks to the Sandwich Business Group and all its members for supporting Sandwich's vitality and well-being.
Sandwich Business Group • PO Box 116, Sandwich, NH • 03227
©2024 • Sandwich Business Group • All Rights Reserved
Website Maintained by Bridie O'Connell
©2024 • Sandwich Business Group • All Rights Reserved
Website Maintained by Bridie O'Connell