Don’t miss the next Friends of the Northern Rail Trail-Merrimack County (FNRT) event coming up in April. The event is the ninth annual Thursday’s Child fundraising dinner scheduled for one night only, Thursday, April 23, at the Coach House Restaurant at the New London Inn in New London.
The Coach House will offer the restaurant’s regular menu, which is varied and outstanding, in both its tavern and dining room. There is no set time or set menu; you decide when you want to have dinner and with whom. Just make early reservations, sit back, and enjoy.
“The atmosphere promises to be festive, as the dinner crowd tends to be made up of exuberant trail supporters,” observes Lindy Heim of Wilmot, a FNRT board member. “In addition, we’ll have live entertainment for the first time, thanks to musicians Boyd Smith of Concord on bass and Charley Freiberg of Wilmot on guitar, playing folk and rock music from around 5:30 to 6:15 under the name ‘The Old Guise.'” Both are longtime trail users and FNRT volunteers.
Community-minded former New London Inn owner, Bridget Le Roy, founded the popular Thursday’s Child program a few years back, and the Coach House has generously continued the tradition, allowing half of the night’s profit to benefit local non-profits – in this case, FNRT, which will use this year’s proceeds for trail maintenance and new signage.
Reservations can be made by calling the New London Inn at 526-2791. Dinner may be enjoyed as early as 5 PM in the Tavern (reservations not necessary) or 5:30 PM in the main dining room.
Besides participating in the April 23 dinner, which is the FNRT’s sole annual fundraising event, another way to help the rail trail effort is to become a member, Heim points out. “In return for your membership dues, you’ll get e-mail updates on the rail trail, FNRT meetings, and events.” Membership categories start at $15 and can be processed securely online.
For more information about past and future rail trail activities, printable trail maps, membership, and giving opportunities, go to FNRT.org.