Granite State Stuff : dartmouth/ Lake Sunapee

Preservation of Historic Churches Workshop

AskLisa — Sun, 14 Jun 2009 00:15:00 GMT

Churches define our New Hampshire communities, but unless they can find new audiences to use and care for their historic buildings, some of these places may not be with us much longer. That's the prediction from the New Hampshire Preservation Alliance, which works with faith-based groups around the state to promote creative ways to fill their buildings with audiences that will, in turn, help them maintain these precious spaces.

The First Methodist Church in Claremont will host an upcoming workshop on this topic on Wednesday, June 24th from 9:15 am to 4:30 pm. Leaders from Claremont area congregations and other groups are invited to participate.

Partners for Sacred Places, a national organization based in Philadelphia, will lead the workshop, with Tuomi Forrest, Associate Director, presenting their nationally-acclaimed program on ways to save and/or adaptively re-use historic churches.

Partners for Sacred Places is the only national, non-sectarian, non-profit organization dedicated to the sound stewardship and active community use of America's older religious properties. Partners provides assistance to the people who care for sacred places while promoting a new understanding of how these places sustain communities.

Nancy Merrill, Business Development Coordinator, City of Claremont will also speak to the group, discussing the economic forces at work in the city and around the state, and how civic activities affect that mix.

Forrest will lead participants through a process of identifying new partnerships and other opportunities using a model developed by Luther K. Snow in his book, The Power of Asset Mapping: How your Congregation Can Act on Its Gifts.

Register by calling the N.H. Preservation Alliance at 603-224-2281 or emailing Maggie Stier at ms@nhpreservation.org. Cost for this workshop is $30 for one and $15 for each additional person from the same property. At least two people associated with each faith-based group are encouraged to attend. Lunch is included and financial assistance is available.

The New Hampshire Preservation Alliance is the statewide membership organization dedicated to preserving historic buildings, communities and landscapes through leadership, education and advocacy. Current priorities include providing assistance to community leaders and promoting effective weatherization, community-centered schools, barn preservation and preservation as "the original green". More at www.nhpreservation.org. Supporters for its Field Service program include Public Service of New Hampshire, the Daniel K. Thorne Foundation, the Otto Fund of the N.H. Charitable Foundation and other businesses and individuals.

The Annual League of NH Craftsmen’s Fair Celebrates its 75th Birthday!

AskLisa — Sun, 03 Aug 2008 22:22:00 GMT

CONCORD, NH – The Annual League of NH Craftsmen’s Fair, one of New Hampshire’s most popular summertime events, will celebrate its 75th birthday this year. This year’s Fair, which runs from August 2-10 at Mount Sunapee Resort in Newbury, NH, will include a special birthday bash with a performance by folk and blues recording artist Tom Rush and a vibrant fireworks display by Atlas PyroVision Productions.
The Annual League of NH Craftsmen’s Fair, one of New Hampshire’s most popular summertime events, will celebrate its 75th birthday this year. This year’s Fair, which runs from August 2-10 at Mount Sunapee Resort in Newbury, NH, will include a special birthday bash with a performance by folk and blues recording artist Tom Rush and a vibrant fireworks display by Atlas PyroVision Productions.
Fuel Up at the Fair

With the national average cost per gallon of gasoline now over $4.00, the League of NH Craftsmen has come up with a promotion to help provide some relief for those who attend this year’s Annual Craftsmen’s Fair. The first 250 people who attend the Fair during a weekday (Monday, Aug 4 through Friday, Aug 8) that bring a gas receipt to the Sunapee Chamber of Commerce booth at the Fair will beautomatically entered to win a $50 gas card and other prizes, including gift certificates from Sunapee Region restaurants and other businesses. There is one entry per family, and contact information must be provided. The drawing for the gas card and other prizes will occur at noon each day.

gift certificates from Sunapee Region restaurants and other businesses. There is one entry per family, and contact information must be provided. The drawing for the gas card and other prizes will occur at noon each day.
About the Annual Craftsmen’s Fair

The Annual League of NH Craftsmen’s Fair is the oldest, continuously running craft fair in the US. The first Annual Craftsmen’s Fair in 1933 (one year after the League was founded) was held in a barn at the Crawford House in Crawford Notch. There were demonstrations of pottery, weaving, vegetable dyeing, basketmaking and woodcarving in the barn. The blacksmith shop was used for ironworking. The horse stalls were used for exhibitions and sales, and the lawn was used for entertainment and chorus singing of old songs and country dancing. Sales totaled $2,698 and it was deemed a great success.

Over the years, the Fair was held in different venues and the number of attendees continued to grow. The focus and intent of the Fair was always constant – to provide its juried members with an opportunity to showcase their fine handcraft and to educate the public about the value and artistry of handmade craft.

Today approximately 35,000 people attend this prestigious craft fair, which is held at the Mount Sunapee Resort in Newbury, located in the beautiful Dartmouth-Lake Sunapee region of New Hampshire. It has been held at Mount Sunapee Resort for 34 years. At the base of the mountain, there is a fairground of white tents with beautifully appointed craft booths, where visitors can speak with individual craftspeople,learn about their craft, and purchase from them. Contemporary and traditional fine handcraft in virtually every type of craft medium, including furniture, jewelry, glass, pottery, prints, metalwork, fiber arts,woodcarvings, weaving, sculptures, and leatherwork, are on display. These handcrafted items represent the fine skill and creativity of more than 350 juried members of the League of NH Craftsmen.

There are daily demonstrations and workshops for all ages on the traditional methods of making fine handcraft. Glass blowing, weaving, calligraphy and paper making, blacksmithing, woodcarving, and furniture building – these are some of the craftmaking skills that will be on display. These demonstrations and workshops are given by juried members of the League of NH Craftsmen, as well as invited guests from the New Hampshire Potters Guild, Guild of New Hampshire Woodworkers, Granite State Woodcarvers, Granite State Woodturners, New Hampshire Art Association, Bead Society of New Hampshire, New Hampshire Polymer Clay Guild, New Hampshire Spinners & Dyers Guild, Soonipi Quilters Guild, Northeast Basketmakers, White Mountain Woolen Magic, Dorr Mill Fiber Guild, Monadnock Knitters Guild, New Hampshire Weavers Guild, New Hampshire chapter of the Embroiderer’s Guild of America, and the Bedford (NH) Friendship Quilt Guild.

Unique Craft Exhibitions Showcase Handcrafted Items in Use

Two museum-quality craft exhibitions, Living With Craft and CraftWear, and an outdoor Sculpture Garden, illustrate the practical and decorative use of handcrafted items. Living With Craft features tastefully decorated room settings furnished entirely with handmade furniture and room accessories. CraftWear features “art-to-wear” clothing, jewelry, and accessories. The outdoor Sculpture Garden includes pieces such as bird feeders, outdoor furnishings, and both large and small landscape sculpture.

A Birthday Bash to Celebrate 75 Years

This year, a special Craftsmen’s Fair Birthday Bash will be held on Thursday evening, August 7, featuring dinner and entertainment by folk and blues singer Tom Rush. Rush, who was born in Portsmouth, NH, helped shape the folk revival in the 1960s and its renaissance in the 1980s and 1990s. His distinctive guitar style, wry humor and warm,expressive voice have made him both a legend and a lure to audiences around the world. His shows are filled with the terrific story-telling, beautiful ballads, and gritty blues.

During the Birthday Bash, the League of NH Craftsmen will present awards to juried members of the League for craft excellence and education, as well as recognize individuals who have made significant contributions to the Fair and the League. The evening will be topped off with a fireworks display by Atlas PyroVision Productions. Tickets are $40 per person for the dinner, Tom Rush concert, and fireworks; $25 per person for the Tom Rush concert and fireworks only. Tickets can be purchased on the League’s website, http://www.nhcrafts.org.

Special Limited Edition Serigraph and Poster

To commemorate the Annual Craftsmen’s Fair 75th birthday, limited edition serigraphs and posters, created by juried League member and printmaker, William Mitchell, will be available for sale during the Fair. This print is Mitchell’s interpretation of the Annual Craftsmen’s Fair craft tents set in the natural beauty of Mount Sunapee Resort. The limited edition serigraphs and posters will be sold at the Fair and are also available through the League’s website, http://www.nhcrafts.org (in Annual Craftsmen’s Fair section).

Screening of League Documentary

Visitors to this year’s fair will have an opportunity to learn about the League’s rich history by viewing a film documentary, A LEAGUE OF OUR OWN: New Hampshire and the American Craft Movement. Produced to mark the League’s 75th anniversary last year, this film provides a unique and entertaining look at the history of the League, and features several interviews with past and current League members, many of whom are exhibiting at the Fair. It will be shown at regular intervals during the Fair.

Collector’s Forum at the Fair

The Annual Craftsmen’s Fair is a must-attend event for craft collectors, and those who want to be. For those attendees who are interested in learning more about investing in a collection of fine craft, the Fairwill also feature a Collector’s Forum. Avid collectors and fine handmade craft experts will discuss what to look for in a collection, how to get started, and the advantages from a financial and personal perspective of investing in fine craft.

Tour with a Master

Tour with a Master provides fairgoers with an in-depth view of how a particular craft is made. A League member will take fairgoers on a 30-minute tour of the craft booths and exhibitions, providing detailed commentary on the techniques and artistry that go into making that craft. Fairgoers will gain a greater appreciation for the quality and uniqueness of fine handcrafted items as well as the standards the League uses to determine membership.

Musical Performances

Daily musical performances complement the lively atmosphere of the Fair and are included in theadmission price. High-caliber country, bluegrass, Latin, folk, jazz, and blues musicians and performers will appear in the Performing Arts Tent.

Fair Information and Early Online Ticket Sales

The lead media sponsor for the 75th Annual League of NH Craftsmen’s Fair is Comcast. The Fair will be open from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm daily, rain or shine, from August 2-10. Admission is $10 for adults; $8for seniors, students, active duty military (with ID), and groups of 20 or more. Admission is free for

children 12 and under. A ticket includes admission to all exhibitions and demonstrations, as well as a second day free return to the Fair. This year, visitors can purchase tickets in advance on the League’s website, www.nhcrafts.org. This is a great way to avoid the long ticket lines at the Fair gates. Tickets that are purchased on the League website after July 26 will be available for pickup at any ticket gate. Advance discounted tickets ($1 off regular price) are available until August 1 at the Lake Sunapee Region Chamber of Commerce office on 41 Main Street in New London.

Parking is free and childcare is available on site at $2 per hour. Picnic areas, as well as a food tent, indoor cafeterias, and an outdoor Garden Café (serving adult beverages) are open daily. No pets are permitted on the fairgrounds or left in cars in the parking lots.

About the League of NH Craftsmen

The League of NH Craftsmen is a non-profit, craft education organization. Its mission is to encourage,nurture and promote the creation, use and preservation of fine contemporary and traditional craft through the inspiration and education of artists and the broader community. The League issupported in part by a grant from the New Hampshire State Council on the Arts and the National Endowment for the Arts. For more information about the Fair, or the

League of NH Craftsmen, call 603-224-3375, email nhleague@nhcrafts.org, or visit

the League’s website at http://www.nhcrafts.org..

March Maple Madness: Enjoy Maple Syrup Season with a Choice of Five Sunapee Area Inns

AskLisa — Thu, 21 Feb 2008 15:50:00 GMT

Enjoy the sweetest bounty of spring as five Sunapee area inns partner with local maple sugar houses to make March 28 to 30 a full weekend event.

A sure cure for end-of-winter doldrums, this unique package includes two nights accommodations, hearty breakfasts, a local guide and map of area sugarhouses, and a sleigh ride.

Take a self-guided tour of neighboring sugarhouses where you can watch maple syrup being made the old-fashioned way, and learn the history of this New England tradition. An accompanying map includes suggestions for antiquing, tax-free shopping, and local places to snowshoe or cross-country ski.

After a day of touring, slip away for a romantic sleigh ride through the fields of Ragged View Farm. (Spring rides depend on snow cover.) Or soothe tired muscles with a maple sugar body scrub at the Garden Spa.

Each inn serves up its own hearty breakfast specialty where maple syrup is an honored guest, among them Belgian waffles with a maple walnut sauce, maple hot chocolate, or Dutch Apple Babies.

Sunapee Region participating inns: Candlelite Inn, Bradford, NH, Rosewood Country Inn, Bradford, NH, Henniker House, Henniker, NH, Highland Lake Inn, Andover, NH and the Inn at Pleasant Lake, New London, NH. Travel time north is just 90 minutes from Boston.

Rates start at $120 pp/do and vary by inn. See complete package
details at: http://www.nhvacations.org.

A Sweet Way to Get Out of the doghouse

AskLisa — Mon, 18 Feb 2008 18:53:00 GMT

Valentine's Day has come and gone, and maybe things did not go too well… Fear not, The Rosewood Country Inn of Bradford, New Hampshire, has two ideas to get out of the doghouse! Consider the romantic "Moonlight Snow Shoe Getaway" this February 22-24 as the perfect way to eat chocolate and make up.

Rather than cowering indoors when the snow flies this winter, face it head-on with snowshoes, a cozy fireside supper, and a blazing bonfire. This weekend comes to life as temperatures dip to the freezing mark and the snow falls deep in the New Hampshire mountains. So, after a cozy fireside supper and meet friends for some winter fun!

The Rosewood's mountain-wise guide will lead you over snow covered fields to a scenic overlook for a spectacular view of the valley by moonlight. Then on to warm by a blazing bonfire with cups of hot chocolate and s'mores.

Package includes:

      2 nights accommodations
      Hearty country breakfasts each morning
      Saturday evening hors d'oeuvres
      Fireside supper (soups, stews, salad and dessert)
      Guided trek and bonfire
      $29 pp above room rate

And, if that does not work, try the Sweet Inn-Dulgences
Chocolate Lovers Weekend for "sweet romance" February 29 to March 2, 2007. Start with evening hors d'oeuvres and optional chocolate, or chocolate raspberry martinis.

On Saturday enjoy a leisurely "candlelight & crystal" breakfast. We've also reserved two tickets to the 13th Annual Chocolate Fest in New London for Saturday afternoon. Taste chocolate creations and desserts from local restaurants as they vie for the 2008 winner of the Chocolate Challenge.

Rates $29 per couple over room rate.

An 11-suite inn, built around 1850, with early Victorian style in a historic rural settings, the Rosewood offers fireplaces, whirlpool tubs, sunlit porches and inviting common rooms. The Rosewood's country elegance is enjoyed in an atmosphere of warmth and relaxation. The Rosewood Country Inn occupies on 12 hilltop acres in the town of Bradford in the Dartmouth/Lake Sunapee region of New Hampshire, about 90 minutes from Boston. The Inn is open 11 months a year. Visit http://www.rosewoodcountryinn.com for more information.

Judith Owen to release "Mopping Up Karma"

AskLisa — Mon, 28 Jan 2008 15:27:00 GMT

Over the first decade of her career, Judith Owen has relentlessly followed her own muse, independently releasing recordings that have captivated fans, Hollywood music supervisors, fellow artists and the most discerning critics. With the same determination she has applied to finding her voice, she has also found her audience, in spite of the music industry downturn in which she was signed by a major label and nearly left to languish when its presidency changed hands. So it is a particularly timely triumph that she is completing and will release Mopping Up Karma, the album that was going to be her major label debut, now that she has garnered such immense acclaim on her own. And, continuing to take advantage of the most current distribution platforms, she, in collaboration with various entities and events, will make available several key singles from the album prior to its release on vinyl and as a digital bundle, June 3 on Courgette Records.

Owen is substantially transforming the recordings for their upcoming release—re-recording vocals, re-mixing tracks, and more. She was inspired to bring the material to fruition when she recently listened to it for the first time in years and was struck by how good the songs were. She had begun making the album in 1998 with Glen Ballard, whose discovery of Owen performing in the Hollywood club Luna Park led to her signing by the Capitol boutique label Java Records. Setting out to make her first album for the label, Owen began writing and recording with Clifton Magness (Avril Lavigne) and Ballard, both of whom co-wrote, engineered, produced and played on various tracks. Owen wrote the lyrics and the bulk of the music, and supplied all of the vocals, piano and keyboard parts (organ/strings). The original recordings also featured contributions from such eminent musicians as Benmont Tench (Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers), who played Hammond organ, and David Campbell (Alanis Morissette, The Goo Goo Dolls), who provided orchestrations.

The first single to be released in advance of the full album this June is “Let’s Hear It for Love,” which will debut February 12, along with a video, on http://www.mydamnchannel.com. The song—a perfect Valentine’s Day soundtrack—will be available for purchase via various online retailers and download services. Owen has appeared on My Damn Channel previously, in music videos made with her collaborator and husband, Harry Shearer. Other Mopping Up Karma singles will be released in April and May, in connection with other events; these will be announced soon.

Mopping Up Karma is the follow-up to Owen’s Happy This Way, which has earned rave reviews and profiles from the likes of The New York Times, The Los Angeles Times, The Washington Post, MORE and The Boston Globe, among many others. USA Today calls it “a gem.” In connection with the album, Owen was recently featured “Live in Studio 4A” on NPR’s Weekend Edition Sunday, as well on PRI’s “The World” and in two consecutive appearances on the KTLA Morning Show, among other radio and television appearances nationwide. Owen’s previous album, Here, led to her discovery by NBC’s “Today Show.”

Owen has been especially praised for her live performances. Stephen Holden's review in The New York Times said she, “showed how much color and sonic depth can be extracted out of a single keyboard.” Audiences can see her this and next month performing with her frequent collaborator, Richard Thompson, in his 1,000 Years of Popular Music show. Please see below for an itinerary of upcoming engagements.

Owen’s music will also soon become available via the new Amazon.com MP3 service, which will launch in a major promotional campaign with Pepsi that begins Super Bowl Sunday, February 3.

Judith Owen with Richard Thompson in 1,000 Years of Popular Music, will perform at the Spaulding Auditorium/Hopkins Center for the Arts in Hanover on January 29, 2008.