OUR TOWNS Temple, New Hampshire How One Town Handles Late 'Winter Blues'

Some New Hampshire towns might think of late winter as the lowest ebb in the year. Hardened snowbanks rough with sand, no buds to speak of yet, and woodstoves still sending telltale wisps up to the sky. But something hidden is also taking place — the sap is running! &emsp;&emsp;It's a first taste of spring's sweetness and a time of tradition for Granite Staters, who get a little giddy when they see the first taps appear. For that old-fashioned feel, Connolly Brothers Dairy Farm in Temple, New Hampshire, is the place to be. &emsp;&emsp;Each year during March, the state's official maple month, hundreds of visitors flock to the farm to see the wood-fired sugar house in action. &emsp;&emsp; &emsp;&emsp;"We make maple syrup the traditional way," says owner Chris Connolly. "It's fun to watch people. It must be something ingrained in our human DNA, but we're fascinated by fire. People are just in a trance." &emsp;&emsp;But it's soon broken by satisfied sips of fresh syrup samples. &emsp;&emsp;Maple is just a small part of what goes on at the farm, best known for its year-round ice cream. &emsp;&emsp;"That's our big claim to fame," Connolly notes. &emsp;&emsp; &emsp;&emsp;At this special time of year, you can say hello to the pretty Jersey cows in the barn and then step inside to enjoy ice cream flavors like Maple Walnut, Maple Cream, and "Sweet Piggy" (maple cream with bacon). &emsp;&emsp;The farm's recently expanded store is a happening place, offering grass-fed beef, heritage birds, raw bottled milk, many other farm products, and artisan crafts. The store is frequented by locals and people from surrounding cities, like Boston, out for a Sunday drive. &emsp;&emsp;"In an hour or less, they can get up into the Monadnock Region," Connolly says. &emsp;&emsp;The fields, the woods, the mountain — it all just offers a special feel that people enjoy. &emsp;&emsp;"Temple's a cute town," Connolly says. &emsp;&emsp;It's also great for maple enthusiasts who can get the full, old-school syrup experience at Connolly's and then drive over to Ben's Sugar Shack to check out a totally different style. &emsp;&emsp;Maple is the lifeblood of owner Ben Fisk's Temple-based operation, and his team started tapping trees on December 26 this season. It's the earliest they've ever tapped, and their first syrup was ready on January 2. &emsp;&emsp;Every weekend in March, Ben's Sugar Shack will be hopping with visitors eager to see the business' high-tech maple process, with samples along the way, of course. &emsp;&emsp;"We're big on trying to get people to taste," Fisk notes. &emsp;&emsp;There are three different grades of syrup, a golden delicate, which is sweeter and more subtle, followed by an amber rich and a dark robust. &emsp;&emsp;"As it gets darker, it gets stronger maple flavor to it," Fisk explains. &emsp;&emsp;When folks arrive this year, they'll pass the business' new sugar house being built down the road. Once completed, the 3,000-square-foot facility will house a farm stand, deli, offices, packaging area, and an enlarged space for syrup production. &emsp;&emsp;"It's really cool to see the growth in the business," Fisk says. "We're always getting positive feedback, so we're growing in the right way." &emsp;&emsp;The Sugar Shack, right off Route 101, draws in significant traffic, and Fisk, who grew up in town, can't think of a better location. &emsp;&emsp;"I just love the town of Temple," he says. &emsp;&emsp;Another longtime local, Isabella (Boo) Martin, owner of Stepping Stones Farm & Retreat Center, notes that the town is thriving. She's been at the helm of her farm for the last 50 years, and it's been a place where generations have made meaningful memories. &emsp;&emsp;"We have a full barn, and we just have lovely boarders and wonderful horses," she says. &emsp;&emsp;The farm's impressive indoor arena is the perfect place to ride in any season and has attracted a pool of dedicated equestrians. Martin, a skilled carriage driver, has started driving again with a dear local friend, which has also brought excitement to the farm. &emsp;&emsp;The property's countryside lodge has become a destination for women's wellness retreats, including one this February. Guests enjoyed gorgeous food, massages, yoga, mini-makeovers and professional photo shoots with talented local photographer Lisa Arnold. &emsp;&emsp;They also had a chance to delve into creative writing, fiber arts, cheese making, and of course, time in the stables. Martin is now preparing to launch a leadership development and team-building retreat practice for small businesses that will be a valuable addition. &emsp;&emsp;Over the river and through the woods, an equally enchanting stay sits at the center of town, the historic Birchwood Inn & Tavern, built around 1775 and has served as a post office, dance hall, antique shop, boarding house and tannery. &emsp;&emsp;"Generations of families have visited and still do. Many Temple residents remember playing here as children and now bring their children here," says Amy Cabana. &emsp;&emsp;She and her husband, Matthew, purchased the inn in 2019, and the building underwent a restoration effort that even uncovered its original beams. &emsp;&emsp;However, it left four walls of Rufus Porter murals untouched, estimated to have been painted around 1835. &emsp;&emsp;"We love sharing not just the murals but also Rufus Porter's lesser-known talents as an inventor and founder of the Scientific American Magazine," Cabana notes. &emsp;&emsp;She said there are also a few friendly ghosts, which offer up good fodder for stories. And in the barn, the Cabanas uncovered an entire box of historical documents that now decorate the middle dining room. During the renovation, the couple introduced a new bar top, bar back, and several tables constructed from a cherry tree that fell during the ice storm of 2008 in nearby Sharon, New Hampshire. The tree was gifted by a friend and transformed into unique, live-edge slabs by Temple craftsman Chris Curtis of No Limits Construction. &emsp;&emsp;While the pandemic has made it a challenging start for the new owners, the vibrant tavern, with its live music on Tuesday nights and the cozy inn, still attracts people from all around for casual, comfortable gatherings. &emsp;&emsp;"Folks enter as strangers and leave as friends," Cabana says. &emsp;&emsp;And to cap off your Temple visit, make sure you stop by The Root restaurant, right on Route 101, is open for breakfast and lunch Thursday through Saturday, with special supper clubs and open mic poetry readings once a month. The converted barn, complete with lofty ceilings and windows thoughtfully brings together the kind of timeless magic only found in New England. BOX: Temple, NH Incorporated: 1768 County: Hillsborough Land Acknowledgment: Wabanaki (Dawnland Confederacy) N'dakina (Abenaki / Abénaquis) Pennacook Population: 1,382 Elevation: 1,024 feet Area: 22.5 square miles