Great Events coming in August

Days filled with delicious food, warm summer nights filled with sweet music and live theatre and then, fireworks. New England summers can't be beat. Here are some fun ways to spend sweet August days and nights

4-15 Peterborough Players will perform Tartuffe, a classic comedy by Moliere. New translation by Gus Kaikkonen Tartufee is the epitome of a houseguest from hell. Under a cloak of piety, he works his way into Orgon’s household, coveting the family’s fortune and anything else he can lay his hands on – including Orgon’s wife and daughter. Everyone but Orgon sees through Tartuffe’s pose, but is it too late to save them from ruin? Moliere’s most popular play, Tartuffe spins religious hypocrisy into high comedy, complete with an anti-hero you love to hate. Rated PG-13. August 4-15, Tuesday –Saturday, 8:00 p.m. 4:00 p.m. Sunday.

6-7 Friday, 9 am – 7 pm and Saturday, 9 am – 4 pm. Experience Gardner Summer Festival and Sidewalk 
Sale. Downtown Gardner turns into a pedestrian mall filled with vendors, entertainers, raffles, games for the kids and more.

7 Saturday, 11 am – 4 pm. The Beast of the East Massachusetts State Chili Cook-Off at Bentley Field, Winchendon. Cooks from across the nation compete for the state title to qualify for entry into the world chili championship. Enjoy chili tastings, music, games and family fun. Call 978-297-1815.

8 Sunday, 10 am - 8 pm. Wachusett Valley Folk Festival at the Wachusett Village Inn, 9 Village Inn Rd,, Westminster. Artists include Ashbrook Haynes, Brooks Williams, Don White, Maeve, Mustard’s Retreat, Pesky J. Nixon, Susan Werner, and Vance Gilbert. Tickets $25 in advance, $30 after August 1, $90 VIP. Call Denise Hurley at 978-365-2043.

11-15 Wednesday–Sunday. Bolton Fair at The Fairgrounds at Lancaster, Route 117. An old-fashioned agricultural fair with animal shows and contests, an exhibit hall, entertainment, fireworks, and an expanded midway. “Midway preview night” on Wednesday, fair opens Thursday. Free parking.

13-14 Friday & Saturday, 8 pm. Broadway Sensation The Wedding Singer at Theatre at the Mount, 444 Green St., Gardner. If you believe in “true love” you’ll “walk down the aisle” with excitement for our summer musical spectacular! Due to contract requirements and a national tour this winter, we can’t tell you the title just yet. Call 978-632-2403. Repeats Aug. 20-22.

14- Saturday, Richmond Blueberry Fiddle Festival, Cheshire Fairgrounds, Swanzey NH. 9 a.m. – 7 p.m. There will be fiddlin', pickin’, jammin', grinnin', eatin’, dancin' and singin' at this day of old-fashioned, wholesome family fun. There is a lineup of great performers, music workshops, dancing, traditional folk games and races, a blueberry bake-off, auction and other events. 603-239-6495. Free entrance, $5.00 parking.

21- Saturday, Festival of Fireworks, Jaffrey NH, Live music, dancing, tons of food and novelty items, sky diving exhibition and games for children of all ages! And of course - Atlas PyroVision's award-winning fireworks!!!

Meeting Sara Moulton

Last summer we were very fortunate to meet Sara Moulton and her husband Bill Adler. We had a great visit with them and Sara’s parents, Henry and Elizabeth. After their visit we felt like we’d made new friends for life. Sara’s recipe for Apricot Scones is a new favorite of our guests. For her recipe, Creamy Tomato-Basil Soup and “Grilled” Cheese Slices, check out her new book, Sara Moulton’s Everyday Family Dinners. Thanks Sara.

Apricot Scones by Sara Moulton

Just dice up dried apricots and add into any cream scone recipe instead of currants, craisins, or other dried fruit. You can make a glaze out of apricot nectar and powdered sugar, adding a wee bit of nectar to the sugar and stirring until you can drizzle it from a spoon.

2 cups all-purpose flour

1 Tbsp. baking powder

½ tsp salt

¼ cup sugar

3/4 cup dried apricots, chopped

1¼ cups heavy cream

3 Tbsp. butter, melted

2 Tbsp. sugar

Apricot nectar

Powdered sugar

Preheat the oven to 425º F. Use an ungreased baking sheet.

Combine the flour, baking powder, salt, and sugar in a bowl, stirring with a fork to mix well. Add the dried apricots. Still using a fork, stir in the cream and mix until the dough holds together in a rough mass (the dough will be quite sticky).

Lightly flour a board and transfer the dough to it. Knead the dough 8 or 9 times. Pat into circle. For the glaze, spread the butter over the top and side of the circle of dough and sprinkle the sugar on top. Cut circle into 8 wedges and place each piece on the baking sheet, allowing about an inch between pieces. Bake for about 11 minutes, or until golden brown. When cool top with apricot nectar glaze.

The One That Didn't Get Away!

Devin (and Abby) caught this enormous bass tonight right off our shore. What better way to spend a warm summer evening than on the water. The 14 ft. Lund rowboat is very safe and sturdy. Guests are more than welcome to take it out anytime.

Our Loons

One of the most beautiful summertime sounds is the song of the loons. I rarely hear them during the day and would probably not notice them with all the competition from the other birds in my yard, but late at night, when all is quiet, their concert begins. When they are calling I imagine they are saying, "good night, all is well".