NH Books

A new local history book that commemorates the intriguing characters and everyday heroes who have made the Lakes Region’s legendary (Click title to read more) 

Legendary Locals of New Hampshire’s Lakes Region,by local writer Ray Carbone, presents striking images, fascinating stories and entertaining “tall tales” about more than 100 of the most interesting people who live – or, lived in the past –  in the a beautiful part of New Hampshire.

Talking about legendary locals in the Lakes Region is bittersweet, the author confessed. “There are always worthy folks who will be left out for space or other reasons. But there’s also the thrill of discovering - or sometimes rediscovering - the rich characters who’ve made the region so special.Jim Irwin, the Boston musician who created the popular Winnipesaukee Gardens; for example, became a Weirs Beach landmark where some of the greatest musicians of the 20^thcentury played. And there was Franz Nicolay, the Center Sandwich musician called the "best punk accordionists in the world.’”

Ernest Dane was a Massachusetts banker who saved Center Harbor from the worst ravages of the Great Depression. Civil War hero Gen. George Savage of Alton wanted his horse “Old Tom” buried alongside him – and, eventually, he got his wish. Charles and Sophia Lane were former schoolteachers who retired to New Hampton and became internationally known as artistic arbiters. Brig. Gen. Harrison Thyng, a Laconia native, was an ace in both World War II and the Korean War. Penny Pitou was a Center Harbor kid who went on to win two Olympic skiing medals. Ralph Morris was a local theater manager who invented Christmas lights. And Thomas Plant, a Maine shoe tycoon, built a “castle in the clouds.”

The book is available at local bookstores, including Innisfree Bookshop in the Mill Falls Marketplace (312  Daniel Webster Highway) in Meredith village, as well as online at Arcadia Publishing. For more information, call (603) 520-6964.

Each book in Arcadia Publishing’s Legendary Locals imprint delves into the history of some of the unique individuals and groups, past and present, who have made a memorable impact on their community throughout its history.