GILFORD—Patrick’s has been voted the 2024 Best Burger in the Lakes Region in New Hampshire Magazine’s Best of NH Poll. 

Over 17,000 people voted, and Patrick’s half-pound Angus burger has topped the charts. The perfect ratio of Angus short rib, beef brisket and chuck is grilled to order on the flat-top grill, sealing in those delicious flavors and juices. The patty is typically nestled in a buttery brioche bun and is infinitely customizable. 

“Our burgers are large, flavorful and consistently delicious,” said Executive Chef Rick Morten.

The most popular is Patrick’s All-American Burger, topped with melted American cheese, crispy hickory smoked bacon, lettuce, tomato, onion, house-made pickles and roasted garlic aioli on a grilled brioche bun. 

While those classic burger combinations are staples on Patrick’s diverse menu, Morten loves to get creative and experiment with unique flavors from around the world. His recent creation—the Thai Burger— layered with house-smoked pork belly, house-made Thai cucumbers, pickled red onions and Sriracha aioli —sold out fast on the daily specials menu.

Morten is proud of staff who made winning this award possible. “We have a great team in the kitchen. Our staff have been working here a long time. That provides passion and consistency our guests can count on,” Morten said.

General Manager Megan Page is thankful to all of the restaurant’s satisfied guests who cast their vote. “We take pride in every dish we serve,” Page said. “This is a big win for our kitchen, and we are grateful to everyone who tasted our burgers and loved them enough to vote.”

For more information on Patrick’s or to take a peek at the menu, visit patrickspub.com.

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GILFORD—The Community Challenge has established the Warren Bailey Community Service Scholarship and has awarded five Lakes Region graduating seniors each with $1,000 to support their college journey.

The Community Challenge is composed of over 30 teams made up of local businesses, organizations, families and friends who creatively and collectively fundraise for the Greater Lakes Region Children’s Auction—a nonprofit focused on serving children and families in need.

This scholarship will be an annual award through the Lakes Region Scholarship Foundation, in the name of Warren Bailey—the founder of the Children’s Auction. The award will be presented to one or more Lakes Region graduating seniors who have demonstrated a commitment to community service.

“Warren Bailey has impacted our community in such a profound way,” said Patrick’s Co-owner Allan Beetle. “Offering this scholarship is a tribute to Warren and how one person’s actions can be the catalyst for something great. We want to encourage and acknowledge our Lakes Region students who are finding their own ways to help others.”

Bailey witnessed firsthand the growing poverty afflicting the community and founded the Children’s Auction to help families through their struggles.

He used his platform as a morning disc jockey for WLNH to spread the word about the Children’s Auction and broadcast the first event from an unheated van, in the chill of December, in 1982. He auctioned off two truckloads of donated items and raised $2,100 for the community.

The Children’s Auction has since grown to an organization supported by over 700 volunteers, is managed by a board of directors and has raised over $8.6 million to fund local nonprofits.

This year’s community minded recipients were Makenzie LaFlamme, Alexia Bassett, Deanna Bourque, Allison Kenyon and Renee Bergeron.

LaFlamme has volunteered as a referee for the Laconia Youth Soccer League, manned the camera at the Children’s Auction and assisted at Laconia DCYF foster care events. She plans to attend Lees McRae College.

Bassett assisted at the Special Olympics for four years, volunteered her time with the Hidden Battles Foundation and at the Peak to Peak race. She will be attending Plymouth State University.

Bourque was involved with both the Urban Food Project and Emmanuel College’s Community Outreach for three consecutive years. She was a contributing member to many clubs at school and will begin her collegiate journey at Emmanuel College.

Kenyon utilized her soccer skills as a volunteer coach for the Gilford Youth Center’s peewee soccer team. She played for the Seacoast United Soccer Club throughout her time in high school and is bringing her talents to Keene State College.

Bergeron was awarded this scholarship because of her consistent community involvement and stellar display of character.

The Community Challenge was created in 2020 when Patrick’s Pub Mania bar stool challenge was thwarted due to the pandemic. The Challenge teams continue to fundraise, and Pub Mania has returned as one of three events created to assist all teams in their fundraising efforts. The Shuffle is held in the spring and fall at Patrick’s, and the Sweepstakes Social is held in September—Sept. 13 this year—on the M/S Mount Washington.

One collective check from all of these efforts is presented to the Children’s Auction in December and accounts for half of the monies raised by the Children’s Auction. All funds are then distributed to local nonprofits serving children and families.

For more information about the 2024 Challenge, the Sweepstakes Social and the Greater Lakes Region Children’s Auction, visit childrensauction.org.

For more information about Pub Mania or the Shuffle, visit patrickspub.com.

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GILFORD — Beans and Greens will host a Silent Disco Party in its Notch Biergarten, 245 Intervale Road, on Thursday, Aug. 29 at 7 p.m., with doors open at 5 p.m.

The event costs $25 and is a benefit for the Greater Lakes Region Children’s Auction.

A silent disco is a dance party at which attendees listen to music through wireless headphones instead of speakers. Headphones are provided by the party’s sponsor, and a radio transmitter broadcasts the music, which is picked up through the headphones worn by participants.

Silent discos can be similar to club nights or birthday parties, but they allow for different music channels to play at the same time, on three different channels, so people can choose music that suits their taste. For example, a silent disco might have 60s music for grandparents, 80s music for parents and house music for others, all playing simultaneously; headphones light up in different colors, depending on the channel, so groups always know what channels their friends are on.

“It is super fun, and it will help us support children and families and Beans and Greens is a perfect venue for this event,” said Auction Executive Director Jennifer Kelley.

Chris Collias, owner of Beans and Greens, said, “When we bought the farm stand in 2021, we envisioned Beans and Greens as a place where the community could meet, and supporting local causes is a huge part of our mission. We found the silent disco concept in our travels and thought the attraction would be a great addition to the fun things we have going on.”

The Beans and Greens Farm to Foodie Taco Truck, Wood Fired Pizza oven and Notch Provisions menu will be available for dinner/snacks. Beer, wine and cocktails will be sold separately.

For more details visit ChildrensAuction.org.

About the Greater Lakes Region Children’s Auction

Numerous fundraising events in the Lakes Region throughout the year support the Greater Lakes Region Children’s Auction, including our four-day signature event every December. In the past four decades we have distributed more than $8.6 million to over 80 nonprofits that serve low-income families and children in the Lakes Region, all through volunteer efforts, community donations and corporate sponsorship. The Auction falls under the umbrella of the Greater Lakes Region Charitable Fund for Children, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that helps community organizations in the Central New Hampshire region. For more information about the Auction, the nonprofits it supports and how you can help, visit ChildrensAuction.org.

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GILFORD—Patrick’s restaurant has awarded $500 scholarships to three employees in gratitude for hard work and in hopes for their bright futures.

The scholarships were awarded to Norah Dunleavy, Lily Lescarbeau and Elizabeth Muller, all of Laconia. 

Dunleavy has been a server at Patrick’s for the past three years. She is studying marketing at Endicott College and hopes to work for a major organization in sports or entertainment. 

Dunleavy is known for her impeccable work ethic, attention to detail and willingness to help fellow servers when needed. Her reliability and calm demeanor under pressure position her as an integral part of the Patrick’s family.

In just over one year, Lescarbeau has worked her way up from being a busser to running the host stand. She now commands her own section as a server with a winning smile and consistent positivity. Lescarbeau graduated from Laconia High School this year after taking several online early college classes. She will be attending St. Anselm College in the fall and plans to double major in history and legal studies. After college, she hopes to complete law school and eventually become a lawyer.

Muller is beginning her third summer at Patrick’s. She wears many hats in the pub, including server, bartender and manager. “She is the type of employee who will jump into any position to help out,” said General Manager Megan Page.

Muller displays maturity beyond her 20 years and has quickly become a leader of Patrick’s tight-knit staff. She is studying political science at Providence College and aims to work for a non-profit, where her leadership qualities will serve her well.

Patrick’s has been awarding scholarships to its employees for 20 years. Co-owner Allan Beetle said, “It’s important that we give back to our community—and that includes our staff.”

Giving back is nothing new for Patrick’s.  Its owners have helped raise over $2.3 million for the Greater Lakes Region Children’s Auction over the past 15 years, primarily with the success of the Pub Mania event. Patrick’s is also a major supporter of the WOW Trail in Laconia and many other community organizations.

Providing scholarships is one way Patrick’s takes care of employees. The owners also offer full-time benefits for part-time work, providing $1,000 healthcare reimbursements, up to four weeks paid vacation, 100 percent paid vision care, 50 percent paid dental care and a retirement plan to all employees who average just 20 hours per week.

“We are more than just a staff here,” Page said. “We’re a family.”

For more information on joining the Patrick’s family, visit patrickspub.com/join-our-team or email Page at megan@patrickspub.com.

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GILFORD—Dan Wilkins has been playing golf up and down the East Coast since he was a teen. Back in the fall of 2012, he and Patrick’s Pub & Eatery Co-Owner Allan Beetle were hiking together when talk turned to creating a business around the game.

The two friends—and golf buddies—got excited about the possibilities and brainstormed an idea that became The Golf Club at Patrick’s Place less than three months later. In the six years since, Wilkins has served as pro and manager for the virtual venue above the restaurant—the only private club of its kind in the region.

“This is a great way for me to stay involved in the golf world and continue to play competitively,” said Wilkins, a PGA professional for 25 years.

The indoor club at Patrick’s features three state-of-the-art simulators, offering nearly 50 choices of courses to play, many of which are based on real courses the pros play; others are fantasy courses designed to maximize the indoor golf experience.

“We just added Le Golf National, a really beautiful course where the Ryder Cup was just played,” Wilkins said.

Beetle said that as outdoor courses close for the season, The Golf Club launches into its busiest time, providing a comfortable place for golfers to relax, compete, and network all winter long.

“What makes it unique is it’s open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year,” Wilkins said. “People can come in when they get off work at 6 or 7 a.m., or at midnight. It makes it convenient for a lot of different people.

“Plus, it’s BYOB,” Wilkins said. “That’s a big draw. People can bring their own food and beverages, or they can order take out from Patrick’s Pub & Eatery downstairs.”

The club’s approximately 220 members each have their own pass key and can reserve a simulator via the club’s website. Wilkins is available to help new members understand how the simulators work, and he oversees the leagues.

Wilkins got started in the game by cleaning clubs at the Laconia Country Club when he was 13 years old.

The club pro back then, Norman “Bud” Levasseur, encouraged Wilkins to get involved competitively, so Wilkins worked on his game and played on the Laconia High School and Jacksonville University golf teams.

“It’s the challenge of it that got me hooked,” Wilkins recalled. “It’s a difficult game. It’s probably more mental than people want to admit. You have to learn to keep your emotions in check when things go south. It’s a game people can play their entire lives.”

After graduating from Jacksonville University, Wilkins qualified for the U.S. Amateur Championship in 1982 and won the New Hampshire amateur tour in 1983. When he was unable to play on the PGA tour, he returned to Laconia and began selling insurance, but golf remained a big draw for him.

Pike Industries agreed to sponsor Wilkins to play on mini tours in Florida in 1987, and he later landed a job in Florida as pro at a country club, where he stayed for 10 years. He came back to the region in 2001 and served as the pro at the Laconia Country Club for 11 years.

Annual membership fees at The Golf Club are $250 for an individual, and spouses can be added for an additional $200. Simulator fees are $18 per hour Monday through Friday before noon, and $32 per hour after noon. On Saturdays and Sundays, the fees are $32 per hour.

For more information, or to join The Golf Club, contact Wilkins at dwilkins1960@gmail.com or at (603) 387-2597.

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Unique venue had record-setting 2018 season

GILFORD—Every summer, the Bank of New Hampshire Pavilion packs in large crowds for musicians who run the gamut from country’s Chris Stapleton to heavy metal’s Slayer to KIDZ Bop, for the family.

The innovative outdoor venue isn’t just providing folks with a few hours of entertainment, though. It’s pumping nearly $20 million a year into the local economy.

Michael Seymour, the chief operating officer and chief financial officer for the venue formerly known as Meadowbrook, said more than 200,000 people stream through the gates each season. They come from New Hampshire, Vermont, Maine, Massachusetts, Connecticut, New York, and states even further afield.

In 2015, the New Hampshire Division of Economic Development estimated that those attendance numbers translated into $9.6 million in ticket sales at the pavilion. And it marked $6.7 in spending at establishments such as inns, restaurants, retail and entertainment locations, state parks, and gas stations in the region for a total of $16.3 million annually.

Seymour said the big boon is a big responsibility.

“It’s become an economic engine for the region,” Seymour said, noting the venue has 10 full-time staff members year-round and roughly 700 employees in the summer who oversee food and beverage handling. “That’s significant. We provide summer employment for high school and college students and teachers, and others employed in the school system, as well as those who work at ski areas in winter.”

Allan Beetle, co-owner of Patrick’s Pub & Eatery in Gilford, said he has long recognized the importance of the pavilion to the local economy, and he said the community also benefits greatly from the organization’s philanthropy.

“The Bank of New Hampshire Pavilion and the Hardings have been very generous to the Lakes Region community for many years in a number of ways,” Beetle said. “And here at Patrick’s we certainly see a boost in business when there is a concert. We very much appreciate their presence here, and we know that other businesses are equally grateful to have the venue here in our midst.”

The Bank of New Hampshire Pavilion, which has closed for the 2018 season, was founded as Meadowbrook in the Lakes Region 23 years ago and is operated by owners RJ and Bridget Harding. It offers A-list talent for 9,600 viewers per show. In 2018, there were 33 performances.

“Every year, things improve,” said Seymour, who has also served in local government, holding the title of Mayor of Laconia from 2010 to 2014. “We are continually investing in the property and our offerings. We deliver a great product on stage and a great product for patrons as they visit.”

One thing that sets Bank of New Hampshire Pavilion apart is it gets fans closer to the stage.

“Artists and attendees feel like they’re getting a much more intimate show here,” he said. “Watching the Dave Matthews Band here is a bit different than watching at Fenway with tens of thousands of others.”

Seymour said Bank of New Hampshire Pavilion can draw people away from stages in their own regions—as talent tours about—because the venue not only offers a fantastic stage but a festival feel, complete with offerings from pedal boats on the pond to games like corn hole and sack races.

Seymour said the Bank of New Hampshire is a critical sponsor; the Bank of New Hampshire Pavilion carries its name, of course, and bank customers can purchase tickets before they go on sale to the general public.

Other sponsors add to the flavor of the venue. Gunstock Mountain Resort uses a Wheel of Prizes to give away gifts such as a free ride on the zip line or the ropes course. Kittery Trading Post, of Maine, sponsors the camping area, the pond, and outdoors activities. AutoServ Chrysler of Tilton displays new vehicles and runs giveaways. And Irwin Marine holds a drawing in which a nightly winner can sit on a pontoon boat—on a trailer—to enjoy a drink and a snack.

“Our partners give us the opportunity to expand our offerings and play a huge role in attracting visitors,” Seymour said.

The Bank of New Hampshire Pavilion also gives back to the region in multiple ways.

Each year in December, Bank of New Hampshire Pavilion plays a significant role in the Lakes Region Children’s Auction, making its staff members available as volunteers and offering IT support. RJ himself designed the auction’s integrated tracking platform, which accounts for all donations in real-time.

The pavilion also operates its own foundation, the Meadowbrook Charitable Foundation, through which memorabilia signed by visiting artists is raffled off to raise funds that are used to support the band and performing arts programs in nine area school districts.

“Municipalities are struggling with budgets and funding,” Seymour said. “Because we’re in the business of entertainment, we feel that’s something very valuable to stand behind.”

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Weekly fundraiser resumes tonight at Patrick’s Pub & Eatery and runs through Oct. 24

GILFORD—When Kate Flaherty moved back to New Hampshire from Massachusetts in 2015, she was drawn back into the fold by her longtime friends at Patrick’s Pub & Eatery as a volunteer for the Pub Mania Shuffle and the Pub Mania event itself.

These days, Flaherty’s face is often the first one that new members of Pub Mania teams see when they arrive in the pub parking lot to Shuffle on a Wednesday evening in the spring or fall, and it’s Flaherty who offers the welcome and draws people in.

“Every time we do a Shuffle, we always meet new people; they come down because they’ve read about the event in the newspaper,” said Flaherty, who mans the ticket booth at the Shuffle along with fellow volunteers Jennifer Beetle, Jennifer Bailey, and Lisa Cornish.  

Flaherty’s Shuffle story, and that of the fundraiser itself, is told online at www.patrickspub.com in a new blog Patrick’s launched on Aug. 13.

Flaherty said they all enjoy telling Shufflers how the two-mile walk/run supports Pub Mania, which, in turn, provides a large portion of the proceeds for the Greater Lakes Region Children’s Auction. Last year, Pub Mania raised $303,630 and has raised over $1.6 million in its first nine years.

This spring, the eight Wednesday Shuffles raised $9,020 for the 2018 Pub Mania event, bringing the five-year Shuffle total to over $52,000. The fall Shuffles begin tonight and continue through Oct. 24. All are welcome to attend.

“What I have noticed is that the Shuffle gets people from different parts of the Lakes Region together, and our common goal is making this beautiful place even better and helping children who need our support,” Flaherty said.

“Many people don’t know about Pub Mania or the Children’s Auction,” she added. “It’s always a conversation I have that starts with, “Did you know…? We love telling that story.”

This because the Pub Mania story is an exciting one.

Inspired by Laconia Athletic & Swim Club’s Cycle Mania, Patrick’s Co-Owner Allan Beetle first imagined the innovative, 24-hour barstool challenge nine years ago as a fundraiser for the Children’s Auction. A major community event held every December for over 33 years, the Children’s Auction provides grants to local nonprofits that help meet children’s basic needs and provide services and initiatives that improve their lives.

Fundraising by Pub Mania’s 33 teams is ongoing all year, bolstered by the Shuffle, which Patrick’s launched in the fall of 2013 to bring more fun and healthy competition into the mix and to keep the Pub Mania conversation going all year long.

Flaherty said everyone does the Shuffle differently. Some people make the $10 required donation and walk the two-plus-mile course that begins at Patrick’s, heads to the Bank of New Hampshire Pavilion, and winds back. Others run. And some people simply take their raffle and complimentary drink tickets into Patrick’s to have a drink and check out the menu and the specials.

“People can get what they want out of it,” Flaherty said, noting that after Beetle has biked the course and made sure everyone made it back safely, Shufflers have their cocktail, usually with apps or dinner, and hope to win a Patrick’s Frisbee or sweatshirt in the raffle. “They give away good stuff.”

Pub Mania teams have fun competing in the Shuffle over how much money they are raising and how many team members show up to take part—just as they do in the 24-hour event.

Flaherty said her job as Shuffle ticket master is an easy one, but she does have to pay attention. “I have to give out three raffle tickets and one drink ticket to each person—and not the other way around,” she jokes.

The Shuffle has been around long enough, Flaherty said, that it’s become a tradition for many. “It gives people in the community a chance to connect with one another while exercising and raising money to help people in need at the same time,” she said, adding, “I’ve learned from Jennifer and Allan that fundraising can be a lot of fun. It doesn’t feel like work.”

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