Granite State Stuff : Curious George

Meet Curious George! America's Favorite Monkey has a New Home in Waterville Valley

AskLisa — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 20:16:00 GMT

The Curious George Cottage, located in Waterville Valley Resort, New Hampshire, was once home to Margret and H.A Rey, creators of the world's most beloved monkey, Curious George and authors of the bestselling Curious George books. And, on July 25th the Curious George Cottage will dedicate their new visitor's center and program space in Waterville Valley's Town Square.

The Rey Center's new Visitor Center will let families can satisfy their curiosity by exploring a variety hands-on exhibits, try their hand at drawing in the style of H.A. Rey, pull up a beanbag chair to read their favorite Rey stories, or relax and watch episodes of the Curious George cartoon.

The curious little monkey and his friend the Man in the Yellow Hat will visit Waterville Valley Resort from Friday through Sunday, August 7 to the 9, 2009, to attend the 3rd Annual Curious George Cottage Family Festival hosted by the non-profit Margret and H.A. Rey Center.

The Curious George Festival will feature a weekend full of fun, family-friendly activities including a banana pancake breakfast, family nature discovery walk, fireman's barbecue lunch, photo opportunities with Curious George and the Man in the Yellow Hat, a traveling barnyard, live music, face painting, games for kids, Curious George story hour and movie viewing, planetarium shows by Plymouth State University, an energy fair, family spaghetti dinner, and more.

While visiting Waterville Valley Resort families can also enjoy swimming and boating, walks on the many hiking trails in Waterville Valley, chairlift rides, and ice skating at Waterville Valley's indoor ice arena. The resort is also home to an award-winning tennis center and family-friendly 9-hole golf course.

New Hampshire's only outdoor Shakespeare theatre company, Shakespeare in the Valley, will perform on Friday and Saturday during the Festival. Theatre productions include the child friendly Sugar-Coated Shakespeare, and performances of The Tempest and 3-D Musketeers.

Purchase tickets or learn more about the Curious George Cottage Family Festival by visiting http://www.reycenter.org or call 603-236-3308 for additional information.

Curious George invites you to spend the weekend at Waterville Valley. The Curious George Cottage Family Festival lodging package starts at $56 per person per night (quad occupancy) and includes: Friday and Saturday night lodging, admission to a fireman's BBQ lunch, photo opportunity with Curious George, traveling barnyard, live music, face painting, kid's games, Curious George story time, movie viewing, planetarium show, energy fair, and nature walks, plus a Curious George souvenir. Additional fees charged for banana pancake breakfast and Curious George spaghetti dinner.

Waterville Valley Resort offers an "Unlimited" amount of family fun throughout the summer with the Summer Unlimited package. Stay at a participating Waterville Valley inn or lodge and your lodging plus an array of activities are included for just one low price. Summer Unlimited provides all the fun activities that people cherish in New England each summer: boating, mountain biking, tennis, golf, access to the White Mountain Athletic Club, resort-wide shuttle, a scenic chair lift ride up Snow's Mountain, and gym time at the Waterville Valley Recreation Department. In addition, families staying at Waterville Valley for at least three nights can send their children ages 6-12 to a day of Kids Camp. The all-inclusive Summer Unlimited lodging and recreation package provides guests an opportunity to save at least 50 percent on their family vacation.

Waterville Valley Resort hosts many events that provide families an opportunity to spend quality time together in a location that encourages the exploration of nature, fosters creativity, and welcomes curiosity.

Waterville Valley was designed and planned specifically as a self-contained, four season resort. In addition to its world-class ski area, Waterville Valley Resort has award-winning tennis courts, golf, hiking, biking, lodging, cultural activities and summer theater, an indoor ice arena, boating, a skate park, and a host of outdoor activities. Dining options include traditional favorites and elegant dining.

For lodging and resort information, call 1-800-GO-VALLEY or click online at http://www.visitwatervillevalley.com.

Eco Art Weeks for Kids at Waterville Valley's Curious George Cottage

AskLisa — Sat, 11 Jul 2009 01:33:00 GMT

The Margret and H.A. Rey Center in Waterville Valley is partnering with lo cal Eco Artist Cynthia Robinson to present a week of art and nature programs for youth at their Curious George Cottage Studio. Children between the ages of 4 and 9 will have the opportunity to create sculptures using natural materials, contributing to an art trail along the Curious George Cottage Nature Trail.

Art TrailWorks! is being offered for ages 7-9 on July 27-31 from 9:00 a.m. -12:00 p.m. each day. Participants will explore natural materials and build "eco art" along the Curious George Nature Trail. Children will explore patterns, colors, lines, and shapes, while working together and individually with bark, sticks, rocks, pinecones, leaves, and more, highlighting the trail's natural beauty. Participants will also create drawings, use digital photography, and then work together to design a group book that tells the story of the Art Trail. Every participant will receive a published copy of the group Art TrailWorks! book. The cost ifor this age group is $145.

Exploring Nature and Art is being offered for ages 4-6 on July 27-31 from 1:00 - 3:00 p.m. each day. Participants will base explorations on questions such as "Who lives in our woods?" and "What kinds of creatures walk on the Curious George Nature Trail?". Using natural materials, children will build shelters, webs, and nests for the local creatures along the Nature Trail. The sculptures will become part of a growing Art and Nature Trail. Participants will also be working on drawing, painting, and printmaking that will become part of the Art Trail Book. Every child will receive a published copy of the group Exploring Nature and Art book. The cost for this age group is $120.

Cynthia Robinson is a Visual Artist with over twenty years experience designing, teaching, and directing learning and arts programs. Cynthia's business, Eco Art a la carte is based on her work as an "Eco Artist" (a new form of environmental artist) and her passion for teaching. She believes that visual art can provide a simple gateway to understanding and exploring the natural environment. Cynthia explains, "Developing this relationship between students and the places in which they live is, in my opinion, essential to educating socially and environmentally conscious future adults. My approach to teaching is based on creating a learning space where students can apply their natural creative ability to new materials and concepts."

Margret and H.A. Rey, authors of the Curious George children's book series and former summer residents of Waterville Valley, NH, were artists and adventurers, historians and naturalists, gardeners and stewards. Today their spirit lives on in the Margret and H.A. Rey Center , a non-profit organization dedicated to honoring the Reys' legacy through art, science, and adventure programs for all ages. To register for this program or for more information please contact the Margret and H.A. Rey Center at http://www.reycenter.org or 603-236-3308.

Art Naturally at the Curious George Cottage

AskLisa — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 01:08:00 GMT

The Margret and H.A. Rey Center in Waterville Valley is partnering with local Eco Artist Cynthia Robinson to present two week-long art and nature programs for youth. Children will have the opportunity to create sculptures using natural materials, contributing to an art trail along the Curious George Cottage Nature Trail.

Art TrailWorks! is being offered for ages 7-9 on July 27-31 from 9:00 a.m. -12:00 p.m. each day. Participants will explore natural materials and build "eco art" along the Curious George Nature Trail for all to enjoy. Children will think about patterns, colors, lines, and shapes, while working together and individually with bark, sticks, rocks, pinecones, leaves, and more, highlighting the trail's smallest details and natural beauty. Participants will also create drawings, use digital photography, and then work together to design a group book that tells the story of our Art Trail. Every participant will receive a professionally published copy of the group Art TrailWorks! book.

Exploring Nature and Art is being offered for ages 4-6 on July 27-31 from 1:00 – 3:00 p.m. each day. Participants will base explorations on questions such as "Who lives in our woods?" and "What kinds of creatures walk on the Curious George Nature Trail?". Using natural materials, children will build shelters, webs, and nests for the local creatures along the Nature Trail. The sculptures will become part of a growing Art and Nature Trail. Participants will also be working on drawing, painting, and printmaking that will become part of the Art Trail Book. Every child will receive a professionally published copy of the group Exploring Nature and Art book.

Cynthia Robinson is a Visual Artist with over twenty years experience designing, teaching, and directing learning and arts programs. As a working visual artist, making art is a regular part of Cynthia's life, which compliments and inspires her various teaching/presentation events. When asked about the inspiration for her work, Cynthia responded, "I find that my students inspire my own artwork and vice-versa. The processes and concepts may be different, but the energy and creative spirit cross back and forth." Cynthia's business, Eco Art a la carte is based on her work as an "Eco Artist" (a new form of environmental artist) and her passion for teaching. She believes that visual art can provide a simple gateway to understanding and exploring the natural environment. Cynthia explains, "Developing this relationship between students and the places in which they live is, in my opinion, essential to educating socially and environmentally conscious future adults. My approach to teaching is based on creating a learning space where students can apply their natural creative ability to new materials and concepts."

Margret and H.A. Rey, authors of the Curious George children's book series and former summer residents of Waterville Valley, NH, were artists and adventurers, historians and naturalists, gardeners and stewards. Today their spirit lives on in the Margret and H.A. Rey Center, a non-profit organization dedicated to honoring the Reys' legacy through art, science, and adventure programs for all ages. To register for this program or for more information please contact the Margret and H.A. Rey Center at http://www.reycenter.org or 603-236-3308.

Margret and H.A. Rey Center hosts "Tecumseh Overnights"

AskLisa — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 14:25:00 GMT

The Margret and H.A. Rey Center in Waterville Valley is pleased to announce the start of our annual Tecumseh Overnights which began on Saturday, July 5th 2008 and will continue through the summer. Tecumseh Overnights is a place-based, environmental education program that guides small groups up Mount Tecumseh in Waterville Valley every weekend, from Saturday at 1:00 pm through Sunday at 1:00 pm, July through August to investigate mountain ecology and climate, and to star gaze under Waterville Valley's dark skies.

The trip begins Saturday afternoon with a hike up Mount Tecumseh in Waterville Valley, New Hampshire. The hike includes an informal discussion on northeastern mountain ecology, as well as the opportunity to become "citizen scientists" by participating in the Appalachian Mountain Club's "Mountain Watch" program. The program provides an opportunity for our guests to think about and examine how regional climate trends may be impacting the distribution of vegetation species across the landscape.

Saturday evenings are spent relaxing in the comfortable accommodations provided at the Schwendi Hutte located on the lower summit of Mount Tecumseh. The Rey Center will provide guests with a "family-style" meal, and two short evening programs relating to the dynamic ecological tapestry that makes up the New England forested landscape. The rest of the evening can be spent playing games, engaging in provoking conversation, or simply appreciating the remarkable scenery from the Schwendi Hutte deck overlooking Waterville Valley and the Sandwich Wilderness beyond. On Sunday morning, our guests are treated to a hearty breakfast prior to the hike back down the mountain. A different route down provides an increased possibility of spotting some of Hew Hampshire's better known mega fauna including moose and black bear, and the ever-present likelihood of flushing out a gaggle of wild turkeys. We are usually down the mountain by noon on Sunday.

Margret and H.A. Rey, authors of the Curious George children's book series and former summer residents of Waterville Valley, NH, were artists and adventurers, historians and naturalists, gardeners and ardent environmental stewards. Today their spirit lives on in the Margret and H.A. Rey Center, a non-profit organization dedicated to honoring the Reys' legacy through art, science, and adventure programs for all ages. Tecumseh Overnights is administered under an outfitter/guide permit through the White Mountain National Forest and generously supported by Booth Creek Holdings, Inc.

Program participation fees are: $40 per member, $55 per non-members; $75 per member couple, $105 per non-member couple, $140 per family of 4 members, and $200 per family of 4 non-members. To register for this program or for more information please visit the Margret and H.A. Rey Center at http://www.reycenter.org or contact us at 603-236-3308.

Celebrate the stars at the Margret and H.A. Rey Center's Star Party

AskLisa — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 16:37:00 GMT

The Margret and H.A. Rey Center in Waterville Valley extends an invitation to the first annual Rey Center Star Party. This fun family event will take place on Saturday, July 12 from 7:30-11:00 p.m. at the Curious Gourds Garden in Thornton, NH (located 1 mile up Sandwich Notch Road off of Route 49), with a rain date of Sunday, July 13.

Come view the stars as H.A. Rey loved to see them! Our Star Party will begin with a catered BBQ picnic dinner and dessert followed by an informative and interactive program introducing the basics of Astronomy. Once the sun has set, we will view stars, planets, galaxies and more through several telescopes. Star Guides will be on hand at each telescope to explain the wonders of the night sky.

There are many highlights of the summer night sky that Star Party attendees can view and enjoy. One prominent feature of the summer sky is the Summer Triangle, connecting three bright stars in different constellations: Vega in the constellation Lyra (the harp), Deneb in the constellation Cygnus (the swan), and Altair in the constellation Aquilla (the eagle). Together, these stars form this conspicuous triangle, which is visible throughout the summer. Star-gazers will also have the opportunity to view the planet Jupiter, which rises in the east as the sun sets and will be visible throughout the night. The constellation Scorpius, the scorpion, is another familiar site in our summer sky that people can easily learn to identify. These are just a few of the features that will party goers will be able to observe through binoculars, telescopes or even with the naked eye.

Margret and H.A. Rey, authors of the Curious George children's book series and former summer residents of Waterville Valley, NH, were artists and adventurers, historians and naturalists, gardeners and stewards. H.A. Rey was an avid astronomer and authored two popular astronomy books, The Stars: A New Way to See Them and Finding Constellations. Today their spirit lives on in the Margret and H.A. Rey Center, a non-profit organization in Waterville Valley, NH dedicated to honoring the Reys' legacy through art, science, and adventure programs for all ages.

Tickets for the Rey Center Star Party are $30 per person and can be purchased by contacting the Margret and H.A. Rey Center at http://www.reycenter.org or 603-236-3308. All proceeds benefit the education programs of the Margret and H.A Rey Center.