The Circle of Life, originally uploaded by J-Fish.Don't know why but the way this sunset looks kind of reminds me of The Lion King.
Sunday, August 31, 2008
Saturday, August 30, 2008
Thursday, August 28, 2008
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
Relax
Given that July was a wash out and August wasn't much better ... I have one question -- Where has the summer gone to? The weather today was gorgeous, but I have one child back in school already (who ever said it was okay to start school BEFORE Labour Day??)
Ahh... Can we please have a do-over?
I read an article in the Nashua Telegraph today that really struck a chord with me. Read it for yourself:
Bad weather makes us cranky
By Mike Morin
Don't look now, but summer continues to cling to life support. Last week finally brought enough sunshine to satisfy my jonesing for sun-washed vitamin D. The lack of nice summer weather is making Granite Staters cranky.
Last Thursday was a gloriously sunny day. Everybody should have been in a great mood. They weren't. (More...)
Monday, August 25, 2008
Sunday, August 24, 2008
one day you'll look back and see
Did you know that The Big Apple Circus was founded by Dartmouth alumni Paul Binder? I didn't.
If you haven't seen The Big Apple Circus at least once in your life, you really need to go. There is nothing like the one ring circus that puts you right up close and next to the action. Your eyes will be so wide as you sit and watch the amazing show which is now in its 30th season.
The Big Apple Circus
Saturday, August 23, 2008
Thursday, August 21, 2008
create
Acoustic Music Camp on Lake Winnipesaukee offers musicians experience playing with others
The Fiddleheads Acoustic Music Camp on Lake Winnipesauke, Geneva Point Center, NH is an experience that budding and more experienced acoustic musicians (adult and kids) can't pass up. In their eleventh year, the camp will be held from Friday, September 5 through Sunday, September 7 on the beautiful shores of Lake Winnipesaukee. The camp is open to musicians interested in improving their improvisational skill and ability to play with others in bands. Students can also find specialized instruction in many instruments, including, but not limited to, fiddle, guitar, mandolin, piano, hammered dulcimer, banjo and even viola and cello.
Camp founders, instructors and fiddlers, Kathy Zimpfer-Sommer and Ellen Carlson, describe the camp: "We wanted to create a camp that helped musicians to not only improve their individual skills which many camps do, but we also wanted to show students how rewarding it is to play with others. This means many things to musicians -- it means learning how to improvise, how to back up others, how to arrange songs, how to play harmony, and so much more. We hire top notch musicians to help instruct campers and to lead bands that practice on Saturday and perform on Saturday evening." This year, instructors for the camp include award-winning guitarist and mandolinist David Surette, stunning vocalist Susie Burke, world music musicians and leading instructors Seth Austen on guitar, mandolin, banjo, and fiddle, and Beverly Woods on hammered dulcimer, nyckleharp, piano and other instruments, Matt Shipman, guitarist and mandolin player with High Range as well as instructor at 317 Main Street in Yarmouth, ME, and well-known author of instructional materials Ryan Thomson, fiddle, banjo, penny whistle and clogging.
Bob and Diane Kordas will also be joining to assist with workshops and backing up bands.
1- In their eleventh year, the camp has received rave reviews from camp attendees:
“All workshops were hands-on – not just talking and demo from instructors – but students playing and performing. All practical, useable info!”
"You people kick butt! I hope to be like you guys (and women) when I'm older"
"The instructors made you feel comfortable and no question was ever dismissed - each question was respectfully and helpfully addressed."
"I learned a great deal at this camp… very useful info... plus a lot of fun!"
"Fiddleheads Camp really inspired me, I bring my fiddle everywhere I go now... My new willingness to improvise comes completely from Fiddleheads Camp... "
Both Kathy and Ellen have been performing fiddle in various groups for more than thirty years, including the Buskers, High Range, Sweet, (Red) Hot & Sassy, and the Fiddleheads Band. They have attended numerous music camps, including the Mark O'Connor Fiddle Camp, Ashokan Fiddle and Dance Camp, Jazz in July, and Augusta Heritage Camps. They have also taught for the Grey Fox Bluegrass Academy for Kids and the Strawberry Park Bluegrass Academy. New this year is a special beginner track for rank beginners and specialized instruction (and discounts) for bands that sign up.
To find out more information about the camp, visit www.fiddleheadscamp.com or call 603-528-1705.
Friday, August 15, 2008
The Friendship at Portsmouth Harbor Light
The Friendship at Portsmouth Harbor Light, originally uploaded by cheezfud.The Friendship eases into the harbor just as the fog is lifting. Taken from Great Island Common - Julie Powers, Hampton, NH
Tall Ships in Portsmouth
The Piscataqua Maritime Commission (PMC) and Grimmel Industries are proud to announce the schedule of events for the 2008 Tall Ships visit to Portsmouth, dates are August 15-17 at the State Pier, 555 Market Street in Portsmouth.
The festivities start with the Parade of Ships commencing at about 10:45 am from Buoy 2KR in the mouth of Portsmouth Harbor. The Tall Ships will be escorted by two fireboats with their hoses spraying and a flotilla of private yachts. Anyone interested in having a boat in the Parade call 603-431-7447. Best viewing of the boat parade is from Newcastle Common, or Four Tree Island and Prescott Park in Portsmouth.
The docking at the State Pier and welcoming ceremonies are open to the public starting at 11:00. Governor John Lynch and others will welcome the ships to Portsmouth.
Public ship tours are from 1:30-5:30 on Friday, and 10-5:30 Saturday and Sunday. Admission is $8 per person and $25 for an immediate family group.
The first ship is the Friendship – a 171’ fully rigged ship, a replica of a late 1700’s New England East Indiaman trading vessel. There will be tours above and below decks, and the ship is handicapped-accessible. Don’t miss this rare and beautiful ship.
The second is the Roseway – an original 137- foot 1925 Grand Banks private fishing schooner built in New England. It served as a Boston Harbor pilot boat from the 40’s to the 70’s, where she was retired and joined the Windjammer Fleet. In 1977 she was the start of a movie: Captains Courageous. Today, after 78 years of continuous service, she is one of the last Grand Banks schooners in existence. In 1997 she was named a National Historic Landmark, a living piece of New England maritime history.
Next is the Gundalow, a replica of an 1800’s Piscataqua River Barge. Gundalows were used to carry freight between ocean going schooners, which could not navigate the shallow rivers in the area, and the growing towns in the region. Carrying up to 50 tons of cargo and sometimes measuring more than 70-feet long and 19-feet wide, gundalows were the equivalent of today’s tractor-trailer rigs. These gundalows, the large ones drawing only 4 feet of water when fully loaded, had a spoon-bow, a round stern and a stump mast to carry the 70 square yards of its massive lateen sail. Docents from the UNH Marine Dept will be on hand to walk small groups through the both ships and discuss their history.
Finally, open to the public for the first time, is the new Portsmouth Fire Boat. There will be tours of the boat, and demonstrations of the equipment and talks about the newest addition to the Fire Department. Come see this beautiful 40-oot fire-fighting tool.
The UNH Docents Sea Shanty group will sing sea shanties along with the Dog Watch Singers. The Underbelly Tours will be there to entertain and converse with attendees.
Saturday night the PMC will have the Captain’s Reception under the tent dockside. The public is invited. Tickets are $30 per person and reservations are required. Call 431-SHIP to make your reservations.
Free Parking is at the Bethany Church on Market Street, the Albacore Parking lot, the City of Portsmouth Public Parking Garage and there is limited parking at the State Pier. Visitors should wear comfortable shoes and dress for the weather, whatever it will be.
All during the festivities there will be exhibits under the tent all related to the maritime history of the region. Come and enjoy these educational exhibits for FREE!
Thursday, August 14, 2008
Relief
Relief, originally uploaded by Dave Delay.Runners are sprayed with a garden hose during the 2008 CIGNA/Elliot 5K. Manchester, NH.
Cigna/Elliot 5K Notebook: 11 years later, Freeman's still running strong
By JOHN HABIB
Staff Sports Writer
MANCHESTER – Eleven years ago, Justin Freeman of New Hampton posted a personal best time of 14:52 in the Cigna/Elliot Corporate 5-kilometer Road Race.
Yesterday at age 31, he eclipsed that mark by two seconds and fulfilled his goal of becoming the first New Hampshire runner to cross the finish line.
"I trained harder this year, running 80 to 90 miles a week,'' said Freeman, who credited New Hampshire runner-up Patrick Moulton for pushing him over the top. "Patrick caught me around the two-mile mark and even took the lead for a few seconds. But I passed him for good at the hill on Merrimack Street.''
New Hampshire female winner Heidi Westerling of Acworth was aiming for a 17:20 time, but fell short by four seconds. "I ran a good first mile but I was a little slower in the second mile,'' said Westerling, who finished sixth overall in the female field at 17:26.
Unlike Freeman, who had Moulton to compete against, Westerling kept pace with Fall Mountain runner Eric Malnati of Walpole, who posted a 15:36 time, good for 21st overall.
- - - - - -
ALL IN THE FAMILY -- Manchester Mayor Frank Guinta started the race yesterday by firing off the starters' pistol and then joined the race along with his wife, Morgan, and two children, three-year-old Jack and five-year-old Colby.
"Special day for us because today is Colby's birthday and she's been talking about this race for the last week or so,'' said Guinta. "It's also a special day for Manchester because this race brings out so many people and it allows us to showcase the city. It's a family event.''
- - - - - -
CORPORATE TEAMS -- Elliot Health System (1:45:02) won the female team corporate category followed by Wentworth-Douglass Hospital (1:51.17) and Bae Systems (1:52). Raytheon was the men's corporate winner in 1:17.33 followed by Bae Systems (1:23.59) and Sonus Networks (1:28:28).
The co-ed first place award went to Bae Systems (51:52) while Devine Millimet (53:40) and Wiggin & Nourie P.A. (58:48) rounded out the top three.
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
Sunday, August 10, 2008
Woodmont Apple Farm Icehouse: Threatened?
Article published Aug 8, 2008
Icon's fate has panels at odds
By HATTIE BERNSTEIN Staff Writer
HOLLIS – The fate of the iconic Ice House, in the Woodmont Orchards town-owned conservation land off Route 122, could be decided by the end of the month, or sooner, according to officials and members of the town Heritage Commission.
The rickety structure, designed to hold ice in an era before refrigeration, was built at the turn of the last century. For years, it has been the subject of photographs and paintings.
Selectmen and commission members disagree over how to preserve the historic landmark.
Ultimately, the board of selectmen will make the decision, based on input from the commission, community members and experts.
Honi Glover, Heritage Commission chairwoman, favors razing the building, saying it is likely to require continuing repairs given its current condition.
By contrast, some selectmen have argued that restoration makes more sense.
The building is propped up with cables that hold it together from the inside, while two-by-fours support it from the outside. One corner droops into an adjacent pond.
"The heritage commission in the past year has shored it up two times. It's literally falling into the water," Selectman Frank Cadwell, the board's representative to the heritage commission, said during a telephone interview.
Cadwell said commission members have expressed concerns about restoring the building, given the erosion on the bank where the ice stand leans into the water.
But Selectman Mark Johnson argues that "one of the most admired scenes in rural Hollis" deserves to remain in its original state, albeit with repairs that preserve the building's integrity.
"People I've had look at the building feel clearly that it can be saved," Johnson said.
Glover told selectmen recently that she had a plan for replacing the structure, at no cost to the town.
"I originally thought about resurrecting it," Glover said, explaining that she had changed her mind. "It's much safer and makes more sense to put up a replica."
Glover organized a crew of volunteers to demolish and replace the building, saying restoration would endanger workers and would be likely to invite future problems and expenses.
Discussion took a sharp turn last week during the selectmen's meeting, after Selectman Mark LeDoux announced that the private Marie LeDoux Foundation, started by his mother, was donating $2,000 to the town to pay for repairs to the icehouse.
In addition to the grant, the town has also received about $2,000 from local artist Steve Previte. Previte donated a portion of the proceeds from sales of his prints of the icehouse, about $2,000.
"It's an icon of Hollis, the most painted and photographed," Johnson said, adding that he wants to see the building repaired.
In May 2007, at a meeting of the heritage commission attended by several selectmen, the group discussed the pros and cons of repair and replacement of the icehouse. They also considered widening the discussion by querying the community through a survey posted in the local newspapers.
Last week, selectmen agreed to revisit the subject when it meets Monday.
Meanwhile, Glover has solicited three estimates for restoring the building and one for rebuilding it.
Town administrator Troy Brown said the town has received one quote for repair work, $1,850 from Innovative Concepts of Londonderry.
Selectman David Petry, an alternate representative to the heritage commission last year, said the award made last week "changes the options."
"It speeds up the process," Petry said.
Still, neither the board nor the Heritage Commission has reached a consensus.
"It's not right to put up a replica," Johnson argued, while Glover countered that the expense of repairs and upkeep isn't worth the investment.
"I had a plan organized that I thought was working out well and wouldn't cost the town anything, "Glover said. "If you brace it up, save it, it will happen again."
Hattie Bernstein can be reached at 673-3100, ext. 24, or hbernstein@cabinet.com.
© 2007, Telegraph Publishing Company, Nashua, New Hampshire
Thursday, August 07, 2008
Waterwheel
Waterwheel, originally uploaded by Sagebrush7.This water wheel was taken at Indian Head Resort in Lincoln, NH
Friday, August 01, 2008
Angel of Remembrance
Saint-Gaudens National Historic Site
Discover the beautiful home, studios and gardens of Augustus Saint-Gaudens, one of America’s greatest sculptors. Over 100 of his artworks can be seen in the galleries, from heroic public monuments to expressive portrait reliefs, and the gold coins which changed the look of American coinage. Enjoy summer concerts, explore nature trails, or indulge your hidden talents during a sculpture class.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)