Special Events

The lake’s human and natural history is an endless fascination, and exploring it is the purpose of the Tales of Ossipee Lake program, a series of free public events featuring speakers on topics from ghosts to rare plants to vanished resorts. Most events are at Calumet Conference Center.

Tales of 2008

Landscaping at the Water’s Edge

With a little advance planning and a few simple techniques you can spruce up your property and help protect the lake’s water quality at the same time, according to UNH educator and author Jeff Schloss. Saturday, June 21 at 9 AM.

Big Birds

Big birds, including eagles, have made a comeback in the state - including Ossipee Lake. Mark Suomala, an experienced birder with extensive knowledge of these special creatures, will be the guest speaker on Saturday, August 9 at 8 PM as part of Freedom Old Home Week.

Tales of 2007

Fire and Ice

We know the Ossipee Mountains for their scenic beauty, but geologists like speaker Dr. Robert Newton know them as the remains of a massive volcano that towered over the lake 120 million years ago. Saturday, July 21 at 8 PM.

Tales of 2006

Animals with Bad Reputations

They slither, they smell and they swoop through the night in the dark. But even the least lovable animals on earth have good points, according to Squam Lake Natural Science Center specialists. Saturday, July 8th at 7:30 PM.

North Woods Summer

From the birds of Ossipee Lake to the alpine flowers of Mount Washington, naturalist-photographer Chris Lewey documents summer in New Hampshire’s north country. A Freedom Old Home Week event. Saturday, August 5th at 8 PM.

Tales of 2005

Mysterious Islands, Vanishing Peat Mats

Biologist Barre Hellquist has studied the lake for 45 years, documenting rocks that float, islands that move and the year you could walk the channel from the big lake to Broad Bay. In association with Calumet Nature Series. Wednesday, July 6th at 7:30 PM.

Alien Lake Invaders!

If they move into your neighborhood they’ll wreak havoc with swimming and boating. Invasive water plants are bad news, according to state specialist Amy Smagula. In association with Calumet Nature Series. Wednesday, July 13th at 7:30 PM.

Among the Bears

You’ve seen him in magazines and TV specials, now meet naturalist Ben Kilham in person to learn how he rescues and raises orphaned bear cubs. A Freedom Old Home Week event. Saturday, August 6th at 8 PM.

Ancient Residents

Love the lake? So did people in ancient times. State Archeologist Dick Boisvert knows where our ancestors lived and why we should preserve their last traces. In association with the Calumet Nature Series. Wednesday, August 10th at 7:30 PM.

Tales of 2004

Mysteries of Shawtown: Freedom’s Lost Neighborhood

In the mid-1800s it was a growing area of families and farms. By the turn of the century, it had vanished. Carol Foord explores the fate of Freedom’s Shawtown district. A Freedom Old Home Week event. Saturday, August 7th at 8 PM.

Tales of 2003

The Ghost of Ossipee Lake

Frederick Small murdered his wife at their lakeside cottage in 1917. Does her ghost continue to haunt the site? Historian Barry Hill and author Janice Petrie explain. A Freedom Old Home Week event. Saturday, August 9th at 8 PM.

400 Acres, Lake View, Globally Rare

Boaters see it as an undeveloped beach while scientists see it as a rare pondshore community. Biologist Dan Sperduto explains why Ossipee Lake Natural Area deserves protection. A Watershed Weekend event. Saturday, July 12 at 4 PM.