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The View from Squam - our Blog
The View From Squam - our Blog
WMUR Article About Norman Lyford Icing For 68 Years
Meet the 86-year-old master of the Ice Harvest
HOLDERNESS, NH. —A master of a fading art, Norman Lyford, 86, is still cutting huge blocks of ice on Big Squam Lake for summer ice boxes after 68 years on the job.
![norm-lyford Norman Lyford Photo Ice Harvest](http://rdcsquam.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/norm-lyford-533x400.jpg)
Norman Lyford has been working the RDC Ice Harvest for 68 Years
RDC Ice Harvest Time Lapse Video
Here is a time lapse video of the RDC Ice Harvest on February 10, 2013. It is fun to see the ice blocks move to the channel at high speed. Filmed with a GoPro Hero 2 taking a photo every 2 seconds for 41 minutes = 1,236 photos and 41 seconds of video. We put up 2,020 blocks in Rockywold and 1,590 in Deephaven for a total of 3,610 blocks.  At 120 pounds per block that comes out to 216 tons of lake ice!
Ice Harvest to begin Thursday
Ice Harvest to begin Thursday, February 7th
HOLDERNESS — After several postponements and much uncertainty, the annual Ice Harvest at Rockywold Deephaven Camps will begin on Thursday morning and go until Saturday.
John Jurczynski, Rockywold Deephaven co-general manager, said, Tuesday, that the ice conditions are finally at the point they needed for the ice harvest, a tradition that has taken place at Rockywold Deephaven Camps for over 100 years. He explained that, if conditions hold, and the ice and equipment cooperate, the entire operation should take three full days to complete.
“The ice looks good and we will be starting everything on Thursday morning,†Jurczynski said. “If all goes right it should be done by Saturday.â€
For those interested in the event, Jurczynski said that people should come by the winter office called Roswell. At the office, staff will warn ice truck drivers that people will be on the roads, as well as give directions for parking. They will also explain the best ways to walk to the ice field or the ices houses.
“This operation normally takes place mid-week making it difficult for working folks and school aged children to observe the harvest,†Jurczynski wrote in an e-mail to those interested in the Ice Harvest. “A Saturday ice harvest at RDC is a rare opportunity.â€
He recommends that those who go to the event wear some form of crampons and dress warm. While various aspects of the operation take place from 7 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., the best times to view the operation are from 9 a.m. to noon and 12:30 to 2:30 p.m.
Jurczynski said that in his 23 years at RDC, this year has turned out to be one of the later ice harvests that he has been a part of. This was due to the recent wild weather that involved rain, warm temperatures and wind. It caused the ice to decrease and thickness significantly, but recent cold weather has made the conditions favorable.
As of Feb. 4, Jurczynski said there were 12 inches of poor quality ice at Squaw Cove and 10-and-a-quarter to 11 inches of beautiful black ice at Deep End. Eight of the 12 locations measured at Deep End were at 11 inches. He added that the weather may get close to 50 degrees on Monday, and the potential for this made it clear that the harvest needs to happen over the weekend.
Jurczynski said that each year about 14 people participate in the ice harvest. Many involved have done this for years. He said there are plenty of local residents and media outlets that come to view the event, as well as a fourth grade class from Holderness Central School.
RDC Ice Harvest Starts Thursday 2/7/13
Dear RDC Icing Enthusiasts, Conditions are finally right for us to begin our 2013 ice harvest. This annual tradition has taken place at Rockywold-Deephaven Camps for more than a century. If conditions hold and the ice and our equipment cooperate, the operation should take three full days to complete. That means we should be harvesting ice this Thursday, Friday and Saturday (February 7 - 9, 2013).
For those that are interested in checking out this unique tradition, stop by our winter office (called Roswell) before heading down to the lake. At the office, our staff will warn the ice truck drivers that you will be on the roads. They will also give you some direction on where to park your vehicle and the best way to walk to the ice field (or to the ice houses).
This operation normally takes place mid-week making it difficult for working folks and school aged children to observe the harvest. A Saturday ice harvest at RDC is a rare opportunity. If you do visit us, it is a good idea to wear some form of crampons (e.g. Microspikes, Yaks, Stabilizers, etc.) and dress warm. FYI, while various aspects of the operation take place from 7am to 4:30pm, the best times to see all aspects of the operation are from 9am to noon and 12:30pm to 2:30pm.
Relax & Renew Yoga Retreat
Dragonfly Yoga & Rockywold-Deephaven Camps Present
Relax & Renew Yoga Retreat
Thursday, May 30 - Sunday, June 2, 2013
Join Dragonfly Yoga at Rockywold-Deephaven Camps to energize and nourish your body & soul with daily yoga classes, meditation,  pranayama, T'ai Chi, sacred chanting, wholesome food, optional day hikes, kayaking, and time relaxing on beautiful Squam Lake. Massage, Reiki, and personal Life-Coaching are also available to tailor your weekend!
Your Retreat Leader: Katie O'Connell is an Experienced Registered Yoga Teacher, co-directs the Vidya Vinyasa Yoga Teacher Training, and offers weekly Hatha yoga classes at her studio, Dragonfly Yoga Barn in Sandwich, NH. Both gentle and vigorous yoga classes, along with opportunities to practice pranayama and meditation will be offered throughout the weekend. Katie is joined by Tai Chi teacher Sharon Borggaard and sacred chant leader and teacher Irene Solea. Other possible classes include: gardening design or forest plant identification, sketching, and journaling, depending upon interest.
All-inclusive 3- night retreat is just $649! All rooms have twin beds, shared baths, and are in one of Rockywold-Deephaven’s beautiful lakeside lodges!! 9 meals, lodging, daily classes & workshops, use of kayaks, and all taxes are included. Check-in 3 pm on Thursday, and check-out after lunch at 2 pm on Sunday. Register with a friend by January 31st, and you each get $25 off! Request a roommate, or let us pair you with a new friend! Some singles available on first come-first served basis.
Options to tailor your weekend:Â Massage therapy, Reiki, and life coaching, $70/hr.
To Register: Visit www.dragonflyogabarn.com for registration form and payment options. Please call Katie for more information: (603) 707-7529
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Barque & Bight
RDC's annual newsletter is on it's way to the Post Office!
Time to Think About A Summer Job at RDC!
![Office Staff](http://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/312391_10151354058636665_550666585_n.jpg)
![kitchen staff](http://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/542059_10151354058626665_1797943329_n.jpg)
![Staff Dining](http://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/293596_10151354058616665_1612968099_n.jpg)
2012 RDC Photo Contest
2012 RDC Photo Contest
Congratulation to the winners and thanks to everyone for submitting great photographs to the RDC Photo Contest. Click on a photo above to see a large image in a new window - note: you may have to disable pop up blocker settings in your web browser.
Click here for the 2013 RDC Photo Contest Rules
RDC on NH Chronicle
For those of you that missed it, RDC was featured, this month, on a New Hampshire television show called NH Chronicle. Click Here to watch the video on WMUR's website.
Cottage Availability
For folks that haven't made it to RDC this summer, or would like to come back for a second visit, we do have a few openings in the coming weeks and some significant discounts for the week leading up to Labor Day! This week, July 28 to August 4, we have two 4 person cottages available, Park and Shadow Pines.
The week of August 4 to 11 we have two 5 person cottages, House of Tudor and Bell Tower; and Ewing a 4 person cottage. August 11 to 18 a 3 person cottage called Hamilton is open. The week of August 18 to 25 recent cancellations have opened up two 2 person cottages in Rockywold, Shelter and Backlog, as well as Park a 4 person cottage and House of Tudor a 5 person cottage.
The week prior to Labor Day starts off very busy at RDC. We have a large wedding that will come close to filling all of our cottages the nights of the August 25 and 26. However, starting Monday, August 27, we have many lakeside cottages available for rent. That week, and for the remainder of the season, weekly cottage rentals are discounted 20%. Additionally, shareholders and former staff receive an extra 10% discount from August 25 to September 3!
Give us a call if you are interested in joining us (603-968-3313)!
Squam Art Fair
Squam Art Fair
Saturday, June 9th
7:30 - 10:00pm
at Rockywold-Deephaven Camps
The Squam Art Fair is open to all and we would love for you to help spread the word in your community.  This year's vendors will be bringing beautiful yarns, ceramics, clothing, jewelry, hand-made soaps, wooden crafts, shoes, artwork, books, knitted goods, bags/purses, and so much more.
In addition to all the fabulous shopping, the night will include a fabulous raffle overloaded with an abondanza of items that the lucky winners will be able to share with friends and family.
But most of all-- this is such a special gathering of wonderful, spirit-filled people as well as a fun night of extraordinary handmade goods-- the lovely lakeside setting is just icing on the cupcake. And, no matter how marvelous it is, it will be even more so if you are with us!o please do join us, we would love to see you there!
For more information on Squam Art Workshops and Rockywold-Dephaven Camps, see this recent article in NH Magazine.
"We feel rooted within our own families as well as with those special friends we meet at this place. We are regenerated by Squam Lake's natural wonders-- fragrant pines, mountain summits, star-filled night skies, and haunting loon calls, to name a few.
Those of us lucky enough to spend some summer days at RDC share in a restful calm. We are certainly grateful for this unique place of simplicity and peace. I know we take this spirit with us when we leave Squam, counting the days until we can return".
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