News from the Palace – May 2026
Good afternoon, everyone!
We’ve got a full month of great events in May – tomorrow is The Blessing of the Fleet! See the necessary info in the events section below.
Please remember the upcoming Co – Council drive to The Refinery restaurant in Andover, NH is open to all members! If you’re in the area and would like to go contact Kellie. Anyone coming from the East or South is welcome to meet at the Palace in Weare to caravan to join up with Monadnock. All the information is below in the events section.
I’d like to encourage all our new members to attend a Council meeting in your area and submit a story about yourselves and the car (or cars) you love to Dave Swartz, our newsletter editor. He’s always looking for new stuff, and what better way to get to know you?
Thanks to all who have answered the call so far, keep them coming!
As always, thanks for your support and being part of British Cars of New Hampshire!
Mike
Crackerbox Palace
No Weare-In-Particular
BCNH Name Tags
If you’re a new member, or even an older one, be sure to get the fashion accessory that shows your incredibly good taste.
These are NO CHARGE for BCNH club members. Get yours now!
Contact John Giese: johgie@tds.net
PLEASE MAKE SURE TO INCLUDE THE NAME(S) TO BE PRINTED ON THE NAME TAG AND THE ADDRESS YOU WANT THEM MAILED TO.
MAY BCNH Events
Please check the online calendar at BCNH.org often for updates and other events that may be added.
Newsletter
Consider submitting a story, photos, or things of interest to our newsletter, The Boot, Hood, and Bonnet. Please send your submissions to Dave Swartz at newsletterbcnh@gmail.com
Calendar
If you wish to add an event or see something that needs to be corrected, contact Calendar Coordinator Sue MacDuff at lucymac603@gmail.com
Council Meetings
Meetings start at 7pm unless otherwise noted; you are urged to arrive by 6pm to enjoy dinner and social time beforehand. Non-members are always welcome.
Please note any changes to your Council meetings below
MAY MEETINGS
SOUTHERN COUNCIL MAY 4
Southern Council Meeting @ 7pm.
Meeting starts at 7:00 pm. Arrive at 6:00 pm if you wish to eat and socialize. Non-members are always welcome. Moe Joe’s Family Restaurant, 2175 Candia Road, Manchester, NH.
Contact Mike Sweet: coventrycat71@gmail.com
SEACOAST COUNCIL MAY 14 NEW DATE, VENUE, AND TIME
May 14 @ 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
The Three Point Bar and Grille, 3612 Lafayette Road, Portsmouth, NH
The meeting time is 6 p.m. for food and drinks, The official meeting begins at 7. Non-members are always welcome.
Contact Norm Michaels: NHMichaels@aol.com
NORTHERN COUNCIL MAY 21
Drive The Refinery – see events below for information.
Contact Kellie Braconier: kabraconier5@gmail.com
MONADNOCK COUNCIL MAY 19
Monadnock Council Meeting @ 6pm.
Meet upstairs at 5pm if you want to eat and socialize. The meeting will be downstairs at 6pm.
Non-members are welcome. Dublin Road Taproom and Eatery, Shattuck Golf Course, 53 Dublin Rd, Jaffrey NH.
Contact David Scott: Scottdj1979@gmail.com
MAY EVENTS
Blessing of the Fleet, Epping, NH
May 2 @ 11:00 am – 11:30 am
Blessing of the Fleet at the Holy Grail Restaurant in Epping on the 1st Saturday of May (May 2.)
See: https://www.holygrailrestaurantandpub.com/
We will meet in the Holy Grail Parking Lot at 11:00 and The Reverend Mark Pendleton from the Christ Church in Exeter will perform appropriate Rites for the Blessing of the Fleet – and sprinkle a little Holy Water on each of the cars.
(We will “Pass the Hat” for a “Collection” to be presented to Rev Pendleton as an honorarium.)
At 11:30, when the Doors Open at the Restaurant, we will file in and go up to the Choir Loft for Brunch/Lunch there.
Robert B Mitchell
603-770-8663 (Cell)
Cars and Coffee, Deerfield, NH
May 9 @ 9:00 am – 11:00 am
Sponsored by:
British Car Repairs
58 Church Street
Deerfield, NH
Steve Banner: 858-231- 0833
Monadnock Rotary Cruz-In
May 17 @ 9:00 am – 11:00 am
Park your cars downtown Peterborough in Depot Square and go for breakfast. This event is popular with the Monadnock Council.
Drive the Refinery, Andover, NH
May 21 @ 11:00 am – 3:00 pm
Please note this event is open to all BCNH Members.
The following information is about the planned, combined BCNH drive with the Northern and Monadnock Councils on Thursday, May 21st, to the Refinery Restaurant in Andover, Address: 4 Mill Rd, Andover, NH.
Website: refinerynh.com
The Monadnock Council will meet at Brady’s Plaza located at 213 Concord St (Rt 202) in Peterborough, NH at 10:30 AM. We will have a short driver’s meeting and depart at approximately 11:00AM. The drive time is approximately one hour and 20 minutes, but I am giving us a little cushion. We will meet the Northern Council at the Refinery Restaurant arriving around 12:00pm on Thursday, May 21st. Please note the designated parking area information below. Attached are the google map directions for the drive as well as more detailed directions Dave created.
The Northern Council will meet at 11:00am at the Hannaford parking lot in Bristol, NH. Address: 505 Pleasant St, Bristol, NH. We will park at the far end, (to the right of the store) West side of the parking lot to gather and head out together for the Refinery Restaurant in Andover. We will leave the parking lot by 11:30 am sharp, and there is a public bathroom in the Hannaford store.
We met with the proprietor of the Refinery, Brian MacKenzie and he have set aside a separate room for our lunch at 1:00pm. We can order off the menu and they will do separate checks as well.
There is a specific parking area for our car club group!
Please go past the main parking area, next to the restaurant and take the next right to park down behind the restaurant itself. This is saved for our group to have an impromptu car viewing before or after lunch, weather dependent.
It is important that you RSVP to this email by Saturday, May 16th if you plan to join us for lunch as a headcount is required for staffing purposes. If you do not RSVP we cannot guarantee seating for you.
Please note that this will be a rain or shine event since the restaurant is holding space specifically for BCNH.
Thank you and please email your RSVP and any questions to Kellie at kabraconier5@gmail.com.
Please cc me, Dave Scott at scottdj1979@gmail.com if you will be meeting in Peterborough for the drive, so I will know if we have everyone before we set off.
Hope you can make it for our repeat, first drive of the Season to the Refinery!
Thank you,
Karl B. Northern Council Minister
Dave S. Monadnock Council Minister
Kellie B. Northern Council Secretary
John Bowe’s Spring Drive
May 23 @ 8:00 am – 5:00 pm
This event is in the planning stages. Meeting place/ time to be determined. More information will be posted when it is available.
Drive to Cliff House, Cape Neddick, ME
May 28 @ 10:30 am – 2:00 pm
The Seacoast Council is planning a drive and luncheon to the Cliff House, 591 Shore Road, Cape Neddick, ME on May 28th. The drive will start at Stonewall Kitchen just off Rt 95 Exit 7 at 10:30 am.
The trip will depart promptly at 10:30 and will include a stop at Mt Agamentitus enroute to the Cliff House. Check out the Cliff House and Mt Agamentitus online. The Cliff House is an amazing location. Anyone arriving late, should proceed directly to the Cliff House. We will have time after lunch to explore the grounds.
Reservations are limited and early response to Howard will hold your spot. Howard’s email Kaletfamily@comcast.net
It is mandatory that we make reservations for lunch at the Tiller Restaurant. Since we are not guests, reservations will be very limited – contact Howard Kalet at kaletfamily@comcast.net
ASAP to get on the list for lunch.
Questions call/text Howard at 508 380 7898.
This is an awesome property with incredible view, walk the grounds and have a great meal.
Howard
Mt Kearsarge Auto Drive
May 30 @ 10:00 am – 1:00 pm
May 30 – Mt Kearsarge Auto Drive – 10am – 1pm
Begin at Crackerbox Palace, 125 Sugar Hill, Weare, NH with a leisurely drive to Warner and the summit of Mt Kearsarge. Pack a lunch and eat at the top.
Because it is a State Park there is a fee of 4 dollars for those under 65.
Mike Sweet
603.290.7701