Area 603

When Will Santa Get To NH?

ErnestoBurden — Mon, 24 Dec 2007 09:52:18 -0500

Keep an eye on NORAD's Santa tracker for details!

Anybody know where the recipes from Green Ridge Turkey Farm ended up?

ErnestoBurden — Mon, 17 Dec 2007 15:29:26 -0500

Had this question from an Area603 reader today:

"Help, please! I just googled Green Ridge Turkey Farm. I moved from there 15 years ago and I am just heartbroken that the turkey farm is closed. Was looking forward to a holiday trip back this year. Did they leave stuffing recipes with another restaurant? Did they sell them to a recipe book? Rocky Point at least still runs a take out near the airport in Providence. Warren's is still open in Maine. I miss that New England seafood down here in Florida but that turkey farm closing is just so depressing!! Any small crumb of stuffing you can throw my way will be appreciated."

Anybody have any insight?

UP A NEW HAMPSHIRE CHRISTMAS TREE

elwin — Wed, 05 Dec 2007 15:47:40 -0500

Yes, it's possible to celebrate Christmas somewhere other than New Hampshire. I've done it, even once harking my heralding angels for a winter in Tucson, Arizona. But, as a native Granite Stater in the desert, I just couldn't warm up to jackalope reindeer, Frosty The Sandman, and hanging tinsel on a barrel cactus with the same degree of Ho-Ho-Holiday cheer, so I came home to snow country.

This is not to say that we'll have a white Christmas here, though fresh snowfalls in my New Hampshire childhood were never in doubt through the Yule. Fifty years ago, it was a question of how much, not if, we'd have snow for the Holidays, and the only global warming ever mentioned came from spiked punch.

Layered in winter clothes and looking like a miniature Admiral Peary, I'd take my new Christmas flying saucer and scale the driveway snowbank peaks, all lofty enough to have their own names. I christened them after famous dogs: Lassie's Leap. Rin Tin Top. Huckleberry Hound Hill. Sally's Slide.

The latter was so-dubbed for my dog, Sally, famous (to me) for her willingness to join me on my silver metal snow disk, and having good sense enough to jump off before we crashed into the shed. No matter, because boy bravado was measured by the number and depth of one's saucer dents, and mine had enough to make it steer like a flying cup.

I'm also old and bold enough now to admit that I once snow-sculpted one of my backyard saucer summits into a likeness of our former Franconia Notch icon. I used a shovel and hedge trimmers, and called it: "The Old Boy Of The Mountains."

As a younger boy, I always wanted to be an older boy, and I used to wish for this at Christmas. Older boys could stay up late and drink all the eggnog they wanted. Now, I have to stay up late and shouldn't have drunk all that eggnog. Careful what you wish for.

I also regret never having told my Dad that his hedge trimmers weren't stolen. When the spring snowmelt didn't reveal them, I knew they'd been picked up and "borrowed" into history by Crazy Ed The Handyman. I don't have to tell rural dwellers about Crazy Ed. If you live in the country, you have one of your own.

He's the only odd-job guy who can never quite finish all the chores you don't need half-done, but will settle for, because if you didn't half-do them yourself it would cost more in chiropractors than it would if you paid Ed for not doing what he doesn't do when he finally never gets to them.

Still, half an unshingled roof unfinished beats a whole roof never shingled at all, and the true meaning of Christmas can be found in all of that somewhere.

I won't go too much into gift giving. If you're stuck, and haven't been provided a wish list by the giftee, try something unusual this year, like "The Cracker Whacker" (I'm not kidding). It's a specialized slingshot capable of throwing a Ritz Cracker 60 yards. "Serve the fastest snack at your party!" says the ad. Crazy Ed will love this, but you'll have to find a way to get it to him when he doesn't show up to not finish what he half-started before he never came the last time.

I do like giving one-of-a-kind gifts, and how better to please your sister-in-law feline fancier than with: "A Cat pyramid litter box extruded in black or white plastic with metallic gold hieroglyphics. A fun place for kitty to go!" (Google it, if you don't believe me.) Silly? Perhaps. But, I'd never belittle the eccentricities of pet owners. I still believe that if you're going to leave Muttley at home alone, you should keep the TV on and tuned to the Animal Planet (he likes dog show competitions the best. Even your pooch needs an American Idol).

Meanwhile, there is one activity uniquely suited to Christmas in New Hampshire: Cutting your own Christmas tree. There are three rules:

1. Remember, your eyes are always bigger than your living room, and trees outdoors always look smaller than they will actually be when brought indoors. Measure carefully, unless you don't mind removing ceiling tiles, admiring a horizontal angel atop a trapezoidal shrubbery, and storing your couch in the kitchen for the Holidays.

2. When strapping your prized Tannenbaum to the top of the car, do so with the stumpy end facing forward, ESPECIALLY if you're taking the interstate home. If you overlook this logistic, you'll arrive having to convince the family of the fun you'll all have trimming the family stick.

3. Please patronize one of the many Christmas Tree Farms in New Hampshire. You'll find one nearby by visiting: New Hampshire Christmas Trees online. Many of these locations offer "sleigh rides, caroling, hot cider and doughnuts, and even Santa Claus himself."

Merry Christmas!

I'm off to measure the ceiling.

* * * * *

B. Elwin Sherman still has to move his couch every Christmas, and sends his humor column from the New Hampshire upcountry. His column appears here with permission. Copyright 2007 B. Elwin Sherman. All rights reserved.
* * * * *

E-Opps

ErnestoBurden — Tue, 04 Dec 2007 20:37:59 -0500

New batch of E-Opps posted on the State Council on the Arts Web site. They post these pretty regularly and it's worth getting on the mailing list if you're looking for audition, grants, literary prize, etc. info. Of note this time: " Call for Art - FAKES: RedSaw Gallery is seeking submissions for a group exhibition curated by Asha Ganpat. We are looking for artist-made sculptures and 2-d work depicting everyday objects which are completely re-fabricated, work that looks like a real and mass-produced thing, run of the mill and un-special." Hmmm... would it be wrong to assume that the better the fake, the more it would look just like the original un-special item ... and the better the artist, the harder to discern between the fake and the real thing? And another question -- what if you sent in a fake fake, or a real thing that was masquerading as a fake? Wouldn't it be even faker than the fake and therefore all the more ironic?

Arty Party

RickBroussard — Tue, 04 Dec 2007 19:09:24 -0500

Last weekend, I had the pleasure of attending one of the best Christmas parties ever, and since we throw some good ones at NH Magazine where I work, that's saying something. It was at Manchester's Banks Gallery in Langer Place Mill and was for the family and friends and partners (I guess, actually I don't know who all was there) of artist Dennis Sheehan. I was invited as media, sort of, so I took a bunch of photos. Here is one that reveals one good reason the party was so much fun: Mama Kicks played. They are such a hot band. They exude hard rock joy when they play.

I had heard of Dennis Sheehan before, but to be honest, I didn't know his work, just his reputation. I knew he was some kind of hot art property but, nowadays, who knows what that means. Turns out his art is fantastically beautiful and, simultaneously, dire and eerie. His landscapes look like old masters, but with a twist. Sheehan would probably take this as a slight, assuming he knows the name I'm about to drop, but his work reminds me of what Frank Frazetta's voluptuous maidens and ax swinging barbarians would look like if they were turned into mountains, trees and skies. Anyway, they raffled off one of his paintings in a huge ornate frame and it cost $10 to enter. If I had thought to bring some cash, I'd have been into that auction for all I had. They weren't taking credit cards and an IOU seemed out of the question. I suspect some lucky person already has it hanging in their drawing room. I really wanted it. This photo doesn't do it justice:

The kid selling tickets is Dennis's son. Cool kid. He wants to be a cook. His mom owns the Red Arrow Diner, so destiny may be on his side. Anyway, fun night, great art, fascinating people I wish I knew better -- what a hip place Manchester is turning out to be.

New Hampshire Magazine Announces Theatre Awards Finalists

ErnestoBurden — Mon, 03 Dec 2007 14:32:51 -0500

Got a press release from NH Magazine today that I thought Area603ers might find interesting. My wife and I were deeply involved with theater in school and for a time beyond that -- but now with little kids and busy schedules, it's all vicarious... If you saw any of these, feel free to comment here:

PROFESSIONAL FINALISTS NAMED FOR N.H. THEATRE AWARDS
Ceremony to be held Feb. 2 at Palace Theatre in Manchester

(Dec. 3, 2007 � Manchester) The list of professional theatre finalists who will be honored at the 2008 New Hampshire Theatre Awards event has been released by the committee that oversees the annual awards night and adjudication process. All the finalists will be invited to attend the ceremonies on Feb. 2, 2008, at Manchester's Palace Theatre, where they will receive certificates recognizing their achievement. The New Hampshire Theatre Award trophy will go to the actor, director or technical artists in each category who receives the highest score from their peers.

This statewide awards night is in its seventh year, and has grown in popularity and influence. Both professional and community theatre companies participate each year, more than 60 in all. Community theatre finalists will be named in January.

The New Hampshire Theatre Awards gala has become one of the most eagerly awaited social events in the Granite State, since the state's theatrical participants and audience span all demographic groups and bring them all together in a black-tie optional party that is big on fun and music and short on stodgy ceremonial moments.

Links to the Web site of the finalists, along with more information about the event and the committee can be found on the NHTA Web site: www.nhtheatre.com. Tickets are on sale now from the Palace Theatre Box Office: 668-5588.

NHTA 2007 Professional Finalists

Non-Musical
The Man Who Came to Dinner - Peterborough Players
Six Nights in the Black Belt -Yellow Taxi Productions
Two Rooms - Winnipesaukee Playhouse

Musical
The Apple Tree - The Barnstormers
Hedwig and the Angry Inch - Pirate Stage Company
Slow Dance With a Hot Pickup - The Barnstormers

Actor - Non-Musical (Tie for 3rd)
Doug Chilson (Six Nights in the Black Belt - Yellow Taxi Productions)
Daniel Marmion (Stones in His Pocket - Winnipesaukee Playhouse)
Andy Nogasky (Two Rooms - Winnipesaukee Playhouse)
James Whitmore (The Man Who Came to Dinner - Peterborough Players)

Actor - Musical
Billy Butler (Hedwig and the Angry Inch - Pirate Stage Company)
Jeffrey V. Thompson (Slow Dance With a Hot Pickup - The Barnstormers)
Justin Wilcox (The Apple Tree - The Barnstormers)

Actress - Non-Musical
Candace Clift (As You Like It - Advice to the Players)
Lindsay Duso (The American Plan - Yellow Taxi Productions)
Megan Gaffney (Two Rooms - Winnipesaukee Playhouse)

Actress - Musical
Stacie Bono (The Apple Tree -The Barnstormers)
Stephanie O'Connell (West Side Story - NCCA Papermill)
Liz Power (Evita - Weathervane Theater)

Supporting Actor - Non-Musical
Todd Almond (The Man Who Came to Dinner - Peterborough Players)
Adam Kee (Two Rooms - Winnipesaukee Playhouse)
Raphael Rawlins (Six Nights in the Black Belt - Yellow Taxi Productions)

Supporting Actor - Musical
Chris Allen Hall (The Apple Tree - The Barnstormers)
Chris Allen Hall (Slow Dance With a Hot Pickup - The Barnstormers)
Scott McGowan (Evita - Weathervane Theater)

Supporting Actress - Non-Musical
Maria Barry (Indoor/Outdoor - Yellow Taxi Productions)
Maria Mendes (Six Nights in the Black Belt - Yellow Taxi Productions)
Miranda Posner (As You Like It - Advice to the Players)

Supporting Actress - Musical
Amy Desiato (West Side Story - NCCA Papermill)
Thursday Farrar (Slow Dance With a Hot Pickup - The Barnstormers)
Jennifer Mallard (Hedwig and the Angry Inch - Pirate Stage Company)

Director - Non-Musical
Bryan Halperin (Two Rooms - Winnipesaukee Playhouse)
Gus Kaikkonen (The Man Who Came to Dinner - Peterborough Players)
James Phillips (Six Nights in the Black Belt - Yellow Taxi Productions)

Director - Musical (Tie for 3rd)
Brett Mallard (Hedwig and the Angry Inch - Pirate Stage Company)
Clayton Phillips (The Apple Tree - The Barnstormers)
Clayton Phillips (Slow Dance With a Hot Pickup - The Barnstormers)
Jacques Stewart (Evita - Weathervane Theater)

Music Director
Fred Frabotta (Slow Dance With a Hot Pickup - The Barnstormers)
Jeffrey Prescott (Hedwig and the Angry Inch - Pirate Stage Company)
Michael Sebastian (The Last Five Years - The Peterborough Players)

Choreographer (Tie for 3rd)
Kevin P. Hill (West Side Story - NCCA Papermill)
Molly Meg Legal (Country Cookin' - Weathervane Theater)
Jacques Stewart (Evita - Weathervane Theater)
Lawrence Street (The Apple Tree - The Barnstormers)

Scenic Design
Audra Avery (The Dining Room - The Barnstormers)
Charles Morgan (The Last Five Years - Peterborough Players)
David Utz (Two Rooms - Winnipesaukee Playhouse)

Costume Design
Susan MacCorkle (West Side Story - NCCA Papermill)
Lesley Pankhurst (Two Rooms - Winnipesaukee Playhouse)
Henry Shaffer (The Man Who Came to Dinner - Peterborough Players)

Lighting Design
Jeff Adelberg (Slow Dance With a Hot Pickup - The Barnstormers)
Matthew Guminski (The Dining Room - The Barnstormers)
Matthew Guminski (Two Rooms - Winnipesaukee Playhouse)

Sound Design
Steve Devino & Billy Butler (Hedwig and the Angry Inch - Pirate Stage Company)
Patrick Hornig (Macbeth - Advice to the Players)
Neil Pankhurst (Two Rooms - Winnipesaukee Playhouse)

Original Play/Musical
Country Cookin', conceived by Jacques Stewart & Elaina Cope - Weathervane Theater
Six Nights in the Black Belt by Lowell Williams - Yellow Taxi Productions
Slow Dance With a Hot Pickup by John Pielmeier & Matty Selman - The Barnstormers

Finally, A New Hampshire Primary Date!

ErnestoBurden — Wed, 21 Nov 2007 16:39:17 -0500

According to a text message news alert from nashuatelegraph.com -- "Following months of speculation Secretary of State Bill Gardner has selected Tuesday, January 8, 2008 for the New Hampshire Presidential Primary." Check out more on the primary, including hour-long video interviews with the candidates, at NHPrimary.com.

NH Fish and Game Now Tossing Out Video Casts...

ErnestoBurden — Mon, 19 Nov 2007 18:28:21 -0500

Cool -- New Hampshire Fish and Game is offering a good selection of videos on their site. So if, like me, you have far less time on the water than you wish you did, here's a chance for some educational, vicarious video-casts. Looks like they're a little little on the fly-fishing/trout content, though...hopefully that's coming next. (Press release within...)

PRESS RELEASE

CONCORD, N.H. -- Click, watch and discover. The New Hampshire Fish and Game Department has entered the era of streaming video and downloadable audio. Capture the excitement of fishing, hunting and wildlife watching in New Hampshire at http://www.wildnh.com/Media. Or log onto New Hampshire Fish and Game's website at http://www.WildNH.com and click on "TV/Video/Audio" in the menu at left.

The New Hampshire Fish & Game Channel is a new web video feature that helps fish and wildlife enthusiasts get the most out of their next adventure. The program segments offer tips and strategies shared by biologists, guides and other experts. Video is played back through a flash video player, allowing viewers smooth playback of the video content.

Or listen to the award-winning weekly radio show Outdoor Almanac. Peter St. James, an outdoor writer and local radio personality, shares hunting and fishing news, tips and stories about the state's wildlife and great outdoors. The radio show is carried on more than 15 radio stations and their affiliates throughout the New Hampshire.

"This is only the beginning," said Jon Charpentier, manager of N.H. Fish and Game's Broadcast Media and Promotion Unit, "We also plan on adding segments that feature places to fish, hunt and watch wildlife in New Hampshire, to help people who are planning their next trip."

Fish and Game plans to update the streaming videos and radio programs regularly, so check back often! To sample all of New Hampshire Fish and Game's audio, video and television programs go to http://www.WildNH.com/Media.

It's Pumpkin pickin' time

RonCillizza — Wed, 31 Oct 2007 08:21:55 -0400

Who knew pumpkins grew on trees. I found this display in Jackson New Hampshire this past weekend.

Here is another view posted on my blog.

Okay, Speaking of Ghost Photos...

ErnestoBurden — Sun, 28 Oct 2007 00:13:18 -0400

Here's one from Friday, Oct. 26, in the Index-Journal newspaper. A Christopher Ogden, in South Carolina taking care of his father, asked his father to snap a picture of him with his phone to send to a buddy in New Hampshire. The photo shows Ogden next to a tree with a second figure next to him. The figure is dark with light colored clothes -- and looks to me like a negative exposure of Ogden. But hey, even though I'd guess there's a non-metaphysical explanation for this, it's a cool image nonetheless. The paper had this: "'I am from (New Hampshire), and Chris works for my construction company and is currently living with his father. I know this picture is authentic, as his computer is in NH and he is not,' Thomas R. Thibeault wrote in an e-mail. 'Given the history of this area, Civil War and slave routes, it should make for an interesting story.'"