IN THE NEWS

LRCT Plans Afternoon of Bluegrass at Castle in the Clouds

The hills will once again resound with the sound of Bluegrass as the Lakes Region Conservation Trust (LRCT) holds its second annual Afternoon of Bluegrass at the Castle in the Clouds in Moultonborough, NH, on Saturday, July 22.   The event will honor the LRCT's Land Stewardship Volunteers, and proceeds will go to support the LRCT's land protection and stewardship efforts.

The Afternoon of Bluegrass will be held from 12:30 to 5:00 p.m. in the meadow below the Castle, a beautiful mountain setting perfect for enjoying this popular American roots music which has its origins in English, Irish and Scottish traditional music .   Nationally known Bluegrass bands Southern Rail, Amy Gallatin and Stillwaters, New England Bluegrass, and Goodtime Charlies will perform.

Save the date!   Get your tickets early!   Five hundred seats will be available inside the tent on a first come, first served basis.   Additional seating will be available outside in the meadow, and food and drinks will be available for purchase.   To purchase tickets, please send a self-addressed, stamped envelope to LRCT, PO Box 1097, Meredith, NH 03253-1097, along with your check:   $20 for adults, $5 for children 5-14, under 5 free.   For more information, please call Kitty Boyle at 603-279-3246 or e-mail lrct@metrocast.net.

The Lakes Region Conservation Trust is an independent, non-profit, member-supported organization that protects key wildlife habitat, preserves freshwater and wilderness resources, and provides for public access to conservation lands for thoughtful recreation in the Lakes Region.   The LRCT has protected more than 17,000 acres of conservation land in the Region, including more than 19 miles of shore frontage on the region's lakes and ponds.

Using only funds donated by individuals, families, businesses, and other non-governmental sources, the Trust is now the largest conservation landowner in the Lakes Region and the third largest owner of conservation lands in the State of New Hampshire.

The LRCT's Land Stewardship Volunteers to be honored at this event provide valuable service caring for the Trust's protected properties.   Their work includes building and maintaining trails, monitoring conservation easements, developing maps, and otherwise working to ensure that the lands protected through the generosity of thousands of people can be enjoyed by year-round and seasonal residents and visitors to the Lakes Region.

Among the key properties stewarded by these volunteers are the Castle in the Clouds Conservation Area in Moultonborough and Tuftonboro, the Red Hill Conservation Area in Moultonborough, Sewall Woods in Wolfeboro, Stonedam Island and Five Mile Island in Meredith, the Red Hill River and Dinsmore Mountain Conservation Areas in Sandwich, and Knights Pond in Alton.