Ask Lisa

Haunted Pubs, Lighthouses and Historic Legends and Ghost Walk

AskLisa — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 22:48:00 GMT

Visitor: A group of my co-workers & I are looking for an evening out with Ghost stories, tour, readings & maybe even a dinner package. Is there anything available like that? We did go on the haunted Pub Tour in Portsmouth last year & would like to see if there's others. Please let me know soon. Thank you!

Lisa: Unfortunately there is nothing in any other towns (that I'm aware of). They are doing the haunted pubs tour again this year in Portsmouth, but if you wanted to do something a little different, the same company is doing a "Haunted Lighthouses" tour this year. This is the one I'd recommend. They are also doing the Historic Legends and Ghosts Walk, also in Portsmouth.

Haunted Pubs Tour: http://www.newhampshire.com/calendar/details.aspx?eventID=13367&eventDate=10/05/2008

Haunted Lighthouses Tour: http://www.newhampshire.com/calendar/details.aspx?eventID=13366&eventDate=10/04/2008

Historic Legends/Ghosts Walk: http://www.newhampshire.com/calendar/details.aspx?eventID=13369&eventDate=10/11/2008

Hope you find something fun to do!

Moose Alley during foliage season

AskLisa — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 22:42:00 GMT

Visitor: Could you please let us know if the moose are active in Moose Alley at this time of year?

Lisa: Yes, the moose are out at this time of year, but there are no guarantees that you'll see one. Moose Alley is about to head into peak foliage so it's a nice time to come - and you might just get lucky!

Pinkham Notch Visitor's Center Lecture Series

AskLisa — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 17:35:00 GMT

Reader: Is it possible to get a schedule for the Saturday evening lectures at the Pinkham Notch visitor center?

Lisa: Yes. Here is a link to their calendar:
http://www.outdoors.org/about/calendar/calendars.cfm?calid=4# and a link to the main site for the Joe Dodge Lodge/Pinkham Notch Visitor's Center: http://www.outdoors.org/lodging/lodges/pnvc/.

Moose Watching Tours in the north country

AskLisa — Mon, 11 Aug 2008 20:08:00 GMT

Reader: I would like to make a reservation for Moose watching in Pittsburg, or Moose Alley. Do you have a number I can call?

Lisa: I just spoke to the North Country Chamber of Commerce. They can be reached at (800) 698-8939, http://www.northcountrychamber.org/. They gave me the name of an individual that does moose watching tours in the region. His name is Paul and he can be reached at the Mohawk Valley Camping Area at 603-237-5756. He's located in Colebrook but I think he does tours of the whole region. If you can't reach him at that number, you may leave a message for him at the Chamber of Commerce office and they can pass along your information. I hope this helps. I know there is a Moose Festival coming up in another week so there will be a lot of people up there for moose viewing. You picked a great time to come! Have fun.

New England Dragway Events for 2008

AskLisa — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 14:29:00 GMT

Reader: New England Dragway is advertising a Hot Rod Reunion on 7/27 but their site states all events are cancelled...thought someone might want to check if the Hot Rod Reunion should be removed from the Weekend Activities site at NewHampshire.com

Lisa: I spoke to the folks at New England Dragway today and they confirmed that the only events that are cancelled are the NOPI Events. This includes the New England NOPI Nationals on August 2-3, 2008. This does not affect New England Dragway's Hot Rod Reunion on 7/27 or any of the other regular events at the Dragway.

Hours at Mt. Sunapee State Park

AskLisa — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 14:08:00 GMT

Reader: Having been unable to find hours of operation on the website, I phoned Sunapee State Park at this number - 603-763-5561 and received a message so garbled that not a word of it was understandable.

Lisa: The hours of operation for 2008 are below:

The park is open weekends only starting Memorial Day weekend (May 24 - 26), then full-time, 9:30am - 7:30pm, from June 21 through September 1, 2008, weather permitting. Lifeguards are on duty daily from June 21 through September 1.

We don't post them because they often change, so we leave it to the State Parks website to give that information out. Here's a link to their site: http://www.nhstateparks.org.

Currier & Ives Museum or the Currier Museum of Art?

AskLisa — Sun, 01 Jun 2008 23:42:00 GMT

Reader: I found your site looking for information on a Currier and Ives Museum just outside of Manchester, N.H. I am not able to find the site online. Can you help me? I specifically need the days it's open and times. I believe this museum recently opened. Thanks.

Lisa: I believe you are talking about one of two places. We have a Currier Museum of Art here in Manchester, NH. That is an art museum and it did recently re-open after an extensive overhaul. You can get information about the Currier Museum of Art at this page: http://www.newhampshire.com/nh-attractions/currier-gallery.aspx. However, they are not the "Currier & Ives" Museum. I'm not sure if there actually is a "Currier & Ives" Museum, but there is a collection in Springfield, MA (which is about 3 hours from Manchester). Here's a link: http://www.currierandives.org/exhibitions/index.html.

Going on an ATV ride?

AskLisa — Wed, 21 May 2008 18:42:00 GMT

Reader: My family is planning on visiting NH for an ATV ride. Where in NH can we stay so we can ride from the park? Is Jericho Mtn. State Park complete yet?

Lisa: I do believe that Jericho Mountain State Park has some trails open at this time (although perhaps not until Memorial Day Weekend). I don't think they have a campground open yet though. I would check with the Androscoggin Chamber of Commerce to be sure. They can be reached at 603-752-6060.

There is a great campground in Warren where you can ride from across the street. It's called the Scenic View Campground. I am told that you can't ride in the campground itself but there is a place onsite where you can park your ATV's and ride from there. Their website is: http://www.scenicviewnh.com

You may also want to check with the NH Department of Trails: http://www.nhtrails.org for information on other trails throughout the state. Happy trails!

Fourth of July Celebrations 2008

AskLisa — Tue, 06 May 2008 13:57:00 GMT

Reader: Last year you had listed all the Independence Day Fireworks. Will you have this for 2008 and also for Memorial Day?

Lisa: We will be updating our 2008 Independence Day Events Page, which can be found here, http://www.newhampshire.com/fourthofjuly/fireworks.aspx. There are only a few locations and times listed now but it will be updated it further as we get the information in. For Memorial Day Events, please check our calendar, http://www.newhampshire.com/calendar/default.aspx, for weekend events.

A daffodil destination: Danbury

AskLisa — Tue, 06 May 2008 00:46:00 GMT

Reader: A few years ago, Yankee Magazine printed an article about a hill in NH covered with daffodils blooming in the spring. Can you tell me where it is? Thank you very much.

Lisa: I've heard about this over the years and I believe the hill can be found in Danbury, NH next to the Elementary School. However, the person who was responsible for planting all the spring bulbs, third grade teacher Mrs. Mary Jane Ogmundson (along with her entire 3rd grade class) is no longer teaching at the school. "Daffodil Hill" is technically still there, but over the years the bulbs have faded (as daffodils tend to do if they are not pulled up every year or re-planted). The school attempted to continue the tradition of planting the bulbs but the cost and time involved prohibited them from continuing the program. However, over the years, Mrs. Ogmundson, who was known as the "Daffodil Queen", managed to plant over 100,000 bulbs during her time at Danbury Elementary. 15,000 were planted in the final year, four years after the third grade teacher moved on to another school. It may still be worth a trip - in May - to see the bulbs in bloom, but there are no guarantees, since no one is maintaining them at this time. I hope that answers your question!

The White Mountain National Blend

AskLisa — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 19:09:00 GMT

Reader: I am trying to find recordings from an old New Hampshire Band named "The White Mountain National Blend" or later, "The Blend". Any idea how I can find them? Thanks in advance.

Lisa: I was able to find this page that featured some information about the band. It appears that they released two records, "The Blend" and "Anytime Delight". It sounds like you are interested in finding their music. I have created an Amazon.com link below to one of their albums, "Anytime Delight". I hope this helps!

ANYTIME DELIGHT [LP VINYL]

What is the "Castle in the Sky" and where to go in May?

AskLisa — Sun, 13 Jan 2008 22:53:00 GMT

Reader: We will be visiting NH in mid-May. We have a day and a night completely free and would like to experience NH at it's fullest. We will be flying into Manchester and Mt. Washington is our final destination.

What is "castle in the sky"? What do you suggest, please?

Lisa: The "Castle in the Clouds" (http://www.newhampshire.com/nh-attractions/castle.aspx) is actually a resort/estate that offers 45 miles of hiking trails. The views at the top are really beautiful. I don't know what you like to do so I'll have to give you some general information. If you like to hike and be in a natural outdoor setting, I would definitely recommend the Flume (http://www.newhampshire.com/nh-attractions/flume-gorge.aspx). That's one of the best natural attractions in our state.

We also have a list of 10 Things to Do in the White Mountains: http://newhampshire.com/explore-nh/10-things-white-mountain.aspx

And, 10 Things to Do in the Lakes Region: http://newhampshire.com/explore-nh/10-things-lakes-region.aspx

Depending on whether you'll have children with you, there are other activities that I would recommend. I do think Lake Winnipesaukee is one of the most scenic places in the state, outside of the White Mountains (where you will already be heading anyway). So, if I had to recommend something outside of the White Moutnains, it would be a trip to Lake Winnipesaukee. You can take a train ride around the lake (http://newhampshire.com/nh-attractions/winni-railroad.aspx), a boat ride across the lake (http://newhampshire.com/nh-attractions/mt-washington-cruises.aspx) or some shopping at the Tilton Outlet Stores, http://www.tangeroutlet.com/tilton. Wolfeboro is also a great little town on the edge of the lake.

You could do a tour of covered bridges. There are many located throughout the Lakes & White Moutain Regions: http://newhampshire.com/covered-bridges/bridges-listed-by-town.aspx.

If you have specific interests, it might be easier to point you in the right direction. If you like hiking, I can recommend some good hiking trails. But I would need to know if you'll have children with you, as some of the hikes lead to sharp drop offs and I wouldn't recommend them for kids. Also, if you have kids, you might want to try a place like Gunstock or Attitash's Alpine Slide.

Here is another page that will give you some ideas: http://newhampshire.com/explore-nh/nh-101.aspx

Most important, enjoy your stay in New Hampshire! Let me know if I can be of further assistance.

School cancellations?

AskLisa — Wed, 05 Dec 2007 16:01:00 GMT

No, school isn't really cancelled (at least not permanently). But if we get a snow day, you might want to know where to find out about cancellations. You could always watch the news or listen to the radio, but that's old fashioned.

Reader: Can you tell me where I can find school cancellations?

Lisa: Although there are other places to find local cancellations, we suggest http://www.wmur.com/index.html for the best statewide coverage. Now go build a snow fort!

Surry Mountain Gold Mine

AskLisa — Tue, 20 Nov 2007 03:44:00 GMT

Does New Hampshire have any active gold mines? It's not exactly one of the states you think about when you think about gold panning. But, you might be surprised to know that there is gold in them there waters. Don't get all crazy. The gold is not enough to get rich on but you might find flakes in the water and gold panning is a fun recreational activity.

Reader: Can you tell me anything about Surry Mountain Gold Mine? Is it still active?

Lisa: Surry Mountain Gold Mine appears on a historic marker in the Monadnock Region in Surry Village, near Gilsum, New Hampshire. The sign indicates that mines that yielded small amounts of gold, silver, mica, lead and copper were mined along the ridge of Surry Mountain. However, the mine is no longer an active mine.

But, if you are interested in panning for gold in New Hampshire, the best place to try is the Wild Ammonoosuc River in the heart of the White Mountains. Gold has been found here for a couple of hundred years, a leftover gift from the ice age.

Just be careful that you enter the river in public areas and do not tresspass on private property. Be sure to get acquainted with the laws for panning in the White Mountain National Forest (panning is ok; dredges are not).

Real Estate Market slumps, auctioneers get busy

AskLisa — Thu, 15 Nov 2007 21:41:00 GMT

With the real estate market sagging, slumping and stinking (for sellers), there has been an increase in home foreclosures and the availability and popularity of real estate auctions is on the rise. This reader is looking to buy a home and wanted to know where he might find alternative listings.

Reader: I'm looking to buy a vacation home in New Hampshire but have not seen anything that meets my needs. Can you tell me where I can find real estate auction listings for New Hampshire?

Lisa: There are a number of auctioneers throughout the state. I'm not sure where you are looking to buy, but one of the auctioneers that covers the entire state is James St. Jean Auctioneers:

http://www.jsjauctions.com/residential-auctions/

You might also find something at the following auction sites:

Paul McInnis, Inc. - http://www.paulmcinnis.com/

Harv Levin, Inc. - http://www.auctionsnewengland.com/

Good luck in your search.