Kate's HodgePodge Images

New England winters can feel endless, but locals have mastered the art of making the cold months something to celebrate. One of the brightest traditions is the Chocorua Winter Fest—a community-powered event hosted each year by the Chocorua Lake Conservancy in partnership with the Tamworth Outing Club, the Tamworth Otters, and The Preserve at Chocorua. It’s a winter gathering that brings together adventure, music, food, and the unbeatable charm of this beautiful region. Each year festivities begin with a Tamworth Otter swim – a true polar plunge. This time, the event took place on Chocorua Lake, where volunteers began the day by cutting through 16 inches of solid ice to carve out a 10‑foot square opening. The resulting blocks formed a dramatic icy border around the swim area, a stark reminder of just how cold the water really was. A new addition made this year’s plunge a bit more enticing: White Mountain Sauna Haus brought a large portable sauna and set it up conveniently close to t...

I use Dropbox to share my photos with the organizations I am working with but it’s become much more than a storage tool for me. Over time, it’s evolved into a sort of visual diary—my way of tracking when I photographed certain events and what we accomplished. According to my folders, I began joining the Maine Entomological Society (MES) for Field Days in the summer of 2020. The earliest photos show masked members exploring the outdoors together, a reminder of that strange and memorable year. MES field days are some of my favorite events. There’s something special about spending time with a group of naturally curious people. Members sponsor (?) events at lands near their homes and everyone is invited to join in the exploration. This year, on June 13, 2026, I’ll be hosting my event at Laudholm Farm. I am looking forward to exploring one of my favorite places with some of my favorite exploring people. Many MES members also volunteer at the Maine State Museum. Organizing small insect spe...