...plus upcoming programs and events.

Serenity at the Brown Lot. | Anna Paddock

Dear friends, 

Gardens are filled with cucumber and zucchini, and the bold orange blossoms of jewelweed are popping up everywhere—it must be August!

We were delighted to welcome 70+ members to our Annual Meeting this past Saturday—thank you to all of you who joined to hear about CLC's work in the past year and meet new staff and board members. Check out the Annual Meeting presentation HERE.

Missed the Annual Meeting? Worry not! There are still plenty of chances to connect with neighbors, friends, CLC staff and board members this summer.

Scoop Welch. | Photo: Rosie Hallgren

Welcome to the team, Scoop!

Scoop Welch joined CLC full-time at the beginning of August as our Engagement Director.

Scoop grew up in Chocorua, where her family has been part of the community since 1825. The lake, mountain, and people of this area have always been home, and they’re a big part of why she cares so deeply about protecting it. With nearly 20 years of nonprofit leadership across New Hampshire, Scoop is known for building meaningful relationships, connecting people with causes they care about, and creating partnerships that make a lasting impact. Whether she’s working with donors, volunteers, community leaders, or local businesses, she loves bringing people together to get things done. When she’s not working, you’ll find Scoop traveling, enjoying live music, or spending time outdoors with her daughter, Rosie. They live in Sandwich.

At CLC, Scoop will be overseeing development strategy, managing fundraising activities, and supporting the cultivation of donor relationships. We are excited to work with her!

...And welcome to our newest board member!

We are thrilled and grateful to welcome a new member to the CLC Board of Directors, Teresa "Terry" Jordan.

Terry met the Chocorua Lake Basin in 1978, on an Allmendinger family outing of skiing on the lake and Bolles Reserve. With husband Rick Allmendinger, since 2015 they have owned the cabin on Little Lake Chocorua that his grandparents built in the 1930s. Favorite Chocorua activities include hiking, kayaking, and blueberrying. Terry’s roots are “upstate” New York, spanning childhood on a grape farm, to Rensselaer Polytechnic, to 39 years as a geologist on Cornell University’s faculty, with a California interlude at Stanford. Terry’s research focused on determining histories of mountain building, climate, and river systems in Argentina and Chile. Since 2011, she has collaborated with engineers to investigate the potential for geothermal energy in the northeastern USA. She served in Cornell administrative positions and on the Board of Trustees of the Paleontological Research Institution. Since retiring in 2022, she and Rick have made a farm in Warner, NH their home.

A blast from the past

Appalachian Mountain Club shared a "throwback" video this week showing footage from 1959 filmed in the White Mountains, compared with shots of the same places today. Can you spot any familiar peaks?!

Bobcat vs. Loon: a glimpse at the food web in action

Our Chocorua loons laid two eggs this year, but, sadly, neither hatched. Jack Waylett captured footage of the loons nesting, and the showdown with a bobcat that took the eggs. Check out our compilation of the bobcat vs. loon, or see the full video and other footage of the loons at their nest on Jack's website (loon camera project).

Learn, visit, and volunteer with us

Our educational programs are by donation (suggested $5–$30), kids are free, and all donations count toward your annual giving. Zoom and collaborative programs are free. If you appreciate these programs, please donate to our partner organizations, too.

August

All About Insects! Sat. Aug. 8, 10–11:30 AM, with naturalist and outdoor educator Hillary Behr. Charlotte C. Browne Woods. Geared toward kids 3 to 9 with a caregiver. More info and sign up HERE.

Stories Behind the Stars: The Summer Sky, Wed. Aug. 12, 8:30 PM. With Matt Krug, Wonalancet. More info and register HERE.

CLC at Tamworth Farmers' Market, Sat. Aug. 15, 9 AM–12 PM. Come learn about CLC and pick up a baseball cap, t-shirt, poster, or fun water bottle sticker.

Member Cookout, Sat. Aug. 15, 12–2 PM. Wheeler Field, Chocorua. Rain date, Sunday, August 16. More info and register HERE.

Rebugging Your Attitude, Sun. Aug 30, 9–10:30 AM. Charlotte C. Browne Woods. Reframe and reflect on our tiny yet mighty friends, for all ages. More info and register HERE.

September

Lantern-Making Workshop, Tues. Sept. 1, 3–5 PM. Cook Memorial Library, Tamworth. Make a beautiful lantern to show off at the Parade of Lights, whether you're parading or spectating! More info HERE.

Parade of Lights & Annual Picnic, Sun. Sept. 6, 6–8 PM. The Grove at Chocorua Lake. Bring your own picnic to enjoy with neighbors before watching the parade at dusk. More info HERE.

CLC at Madison Farmers' Market, Sun. Sept. 13, 3–6 PM. Come learn about CLC and pick up a baseball cap, t-shirt, poster, or fun water bottle sticker.

Save the Date: Bird & Plant Walk, Sat. Sept. 26, 9:30–11 AM. Walk with avid naturalist and Squam Lakes Conservation Society Stewardship Director Katie Currie-Huggard. More info coming soon.

Fondly remembering...

Virginia "Ginny" Balch Harlan, 1932–2026

Ginny was a longtime summer resident and beloved member of the Chocorua community who passed away in June of this year. We will remember Ginny for her cheerful disposition and enthusiastic help with CLC mailing parties. A celebration of life will be held at First Church in Cambridge, MA on Saturday, August 8 starting at 2:00 PM with reception to follow. You can read Ginny's obituary here.

Michael Robbins, 1926–2025

Michael passed away in December of last year and spent virtually every summer of his life in Chocorua. Michael had a great love for hiking, particularly on Mount Chocorua, which he last summitted at age 88. He will be remembered for his constant friendliness, quick jokes, and deep love of this place. There will be a celebration of life service at Runnells Hall on Saturday, August 22, from 5-7 PM. You can read Michael's obituary here.

Not-so-sweet bittersweet

Learn about natural burials with Tamworth Community Nurse Association

A Case for Natural Burial
Thursday, August 13, 6:30 p.m.
Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of the Eastern Slopes

Join nationally recognized educator and author Lee Webster to learn about the growing natural burial movement and how green burial practices support environmentally friendly, family-centered end-of-life care. Discover current trends, the principles of natural burial, and ways to expand local natural burial opportunities. Free. No registration required.

Contact TCNA for more info.

Volunteers, you rule.

Wishing you long, relaxing summer days!

CLC STAFF

Alex Moot, Executive Director
Debra Marnich, Stewardship Director

Scoop Welch, Engagement Director
Anna Paddock, Communications Director

Olivia Jakabosky, AmeriCorps Member, Land Steward

Harper Walker-West, AmeriCorps Member, Outreach & Access Steward

Troy Emerson, Seasonal Lake Patrol

Sherry Birth, Bookkeeper