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Access to The BALSAMS 8,000-acre estate affords guests the chance to create their own adventures. Hike near or far on an extensive trail network that also provides walking and mountain biking opportunities. Beautiful Lake Gloriette is available for canoeing, kayaking and fly-fishing. Children enjoy the outdoor playground area and heated swimming pool. With seasonal activities such as golf, tennis, alpine and Nordic skiing, snowshoeing, ice skating and dog-sledding, vacationing at The BALSAMS becomes an anticipated event for every member of the family.
 

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Speakers Series

Speaker Program Descriptions – Summer 2010 

 The BALSAMS Summer Speaker Series will begin again on Monday, June 28th.  Below is a listing of the speakers for the summer season.  The presentations will be conducted in the Ballot Room on Monday evenings at 8:30 p.m.  

July 19 Susan Zizza "Turn of the Twentieth"    

 Step back in time to the "Turn of The Twentieth" century world of photographer and artist Glenduen Ladd, born in 1891.  Over 70 images offer an intimate view of her remote home at New England's northern tip and capture the peace and optimism of her era.  These images, along with relates archives, bring to vibrant life the farmers, woodsmen and trades people whose courage and strength of character brought civilization to the deep northern forests of New Hampshire and Vermont.        Join Susan as she shares this story.

July 26 Dr. Stephen Soreff "The Adventure of the White Mountains in Art, Literature, and Experience"

Through the years, many famous painters have depicted the White Mountains.  A number of authors have developed a rich literature about them.  This program enriches the layperson's experience of the White Mountains by explaining how historical and contemporary artists have pictured them, how beloved American authors such as Thoreau, Emerson, and Hawthorne have written about them, and how all of us have experienced them.  We show their White Mountains paintings.  We present their words.  We all share our wilderness experiences.

August 2 Joe Callanan "North Woods Wildlife"

Mr. Callanan will offer a slide presentation highlightting many of the species of wild animals that inhabit New Hampshire's Great North Woods including, but not limited to moose, eagles, owls, otters, bears, hawks and loons.  A narrative will accompany the presentation providing interpretive natural history details, such as identification, unique characteristics, preferred habitats, and clues to finding various species.

August 9 Chris Egan "New Hampshire Fish and Game"

August 16 Linda Pratt and Frank Hendricks "Parlor Etiquette, Fashion, Temperance, and The Civil War:Musical Expressions of mid 19th Century Social Concerns"

We'll start with a little parlor scene wherein father and daughter discuss, in a light hearted skit, appropriate parlor music, choosing the appropriate instrument, and performance etiquette.  The fashion commentary is on men's and ladies garb from about 1850-1875, and Linda hopes to have worn three different costumes on the two days representing that span of time (depending on how hot it is.) Temperance is a romp through some barroom songs, a look at a temperance play, and one tear-jerker sung about the evils of drink.   The Civil War section has two interesting but rather unknown pieces and two that people might know.

August 23 Robert Robertson "The Art of Zen Travel"

This presentation is focused on travel and learning.  Not so much learning about where to travel but rather how to travel and how to learn through travel.  It will provide the opportunity for guests of the hotel to comprehend the central role of travel in national/international cross-cultural understanding,, and to help people understand how travel can serve as a mechanism for cultural understanding and personal transformation.  My goal is to help to those in attendance see the viality in themselves and to respect the power of reflection.  What we learn together can affect eternity; there is no telling where the influence of our shared learning begins or ends.

August 29 Nigel Manley Scotch Presentation

Join Nigel Manley, Scotch enthusiast and collector, to examine the world of Single Malt Scotch Whisky.  He has been working for the Forest Society for over 20 years managing properties north of Franconia Notch but has been exploring his passion of single malts since he was 16.  Discover what single malt is, what a blend is, and what blended malts are.  How malt whiskies made and what are the primary areas in Scotland where they are produced?  How do you choose a whisky that suits your palate and your pocket book?

August 30 Nigel Manley "Nature Talk"

September 5th John Halstead "Changing Visibility in the White Mountains:  How Much is a Clear View Worth?