Signs that summer is fading fast are all around us.  Here is a photo montage from Allenstown/Pembroke Old Home Days from this past weekend.  Gotta love that small hometown character. 

All photos are courtesy of Ashley Desrochers. 

I interviewed Charles Faucher, a woodworker who was displaying his unique wood work at the 75th Annual League of New Hampshire Craftsmen's Fair on Mount Sunapee in Newbury this weekend.  The show runs through August 10.  Today was day one and despite a bit of rain, the show was still a hit according to some of the craftsmen I spoke with.  I was so impressed with the work of Mr. Faucher that I returned to his booth a second time and asked if he would mind being interviewed.  He graciously obliged.  My own interviewing skills need a bit of work I think, but I hope this interview gives you some insight into the passion and commitment (not to mention creativity) that artists like Charles Faucher put in to their work.

I also shot some video of some of the various demonstrations that took place throughout the day.

Blacksmithing:

Woodturning:

Weaving/loom:

Woodworking/Guild of NH Woodworkers:

Glassblowing:

If you have never been to this fair, I strongly urge you to go!

Check out this short but sweet recap of the 4th of July fireworks celebration over the Merrimack River in Manchester.  I hope your holiday weekend was safe, fun and memorable! 

 

Here are some videos from Laconia's 85th Annual Motorcycle Week Celebration.  It was a gorgeous day on Saturday - perfect weather to hit the road and take in the backroads of New Hampshire on two wheels. 

 

The lilacs are in bloom.  Some are past peak already but others are majestically framing houses throughout the seacoast, their purple blooms carrying a scent like no other.  That scent has been artificially recreated by air fresheners, sprays, and candle companies.   

I found myself enthralled with that smell to the point of needing to start taking allergy medication as a result.  But I love those lilacs.  They remind me of my childhood.  Specifically, I recall the day that my brother retrieved a baseball in the lilac bushes in our backyard - only to be chased away my dozens of bees that had made their nest in one of the bushes.  I don't recall if we ever got the ball back but my brother was stung a few times.  The sight of him running and flailing his arms is one that will stick with me for a long time.  We nursed his stings with meat tenderizer.  We had several lilac bushes in our backyard growing up.  They are still there, continuing to reward my mother every spring with their purple presence.

It's unfortunate that they simply don't last long enough to be enjoyed.  That's why we have candles to burn when we feel like we need their comforting, sweet, light fragrance.

In the meantime, I'll be rolling my windows down - just to catch a whiff while I still can.   

Some people cross your path and are never forgotten.

Dick Withington was one of those people.  Dick was an auctioneer based out of Hillsboro.  I met him one day at an estate auction in Hooksett.  He was sitting in the crowd and welcomed me as I sat beside him.  I had no idea who he was but the auctioneer did.  He made a special announcement that the "Master" was among us and he pointed to the charming gentleman sitting next to me.  Dick smiled, waved to everyone in the crowd, made a joke, and sat back to observe.  

Withington, the Godfather of the gavel, died at the age of 90 on April 29.  He was the kind of person that loved people and people loved him.  He also lived to preserve history through auctioneering and the historic preservation of many buildings throughout the town of Hillsboro.  He was funny and charming and he made you want to buy something.  That is probably what made him the best:  his character, which was a combination of integrity and wit.  Dick always seemed to have a smile or a smirk on his face.  He performed his auctions with flair, like he was up on stage and had to please his audience.  That was something he never failed to do.  In 1953, the Washington Post described Withington as a "witty, fascinating type" who could coax a bid on a box of buttons.  

I later attended a few of Dick's auctions and watched him do his thing.  It was mesmerizing to see the "Grand Master of the Auction Block" in action.  He was always on top of his game under the big tent, as if coaxing bids from buyers was something he did with ease. 

Withington was also a survivor.  He lived with a cancer diagnosis looming over his head for more than 17 years.  And through multiple operations, he always maintained an easy sense of humor.  In July 2005, he held his first "funeral", a free concert that took place on Hillsborough Center's green that featured his beloved East Coast All-Stars, a Swing and Dixieland Jazz band that he had discovered in Florida.  In 2007, he was given the grim prognosis:  four weeks to live.  Yet he still managed to call several auctions throughout the summer.  A second "funeral" was planned for June 2008, more than a year after that dire prognosis.  Instead, a memorial service will be held on June 5 at 2 p.m. at Smith Memorial Congregational Church in Hillsborough.

There is so much more I could say about this amazing person, but his life has been profiled in many articles and sadly, now in his obituary: 

http://www.legacy.com/unionleader/Obituaries.asp?Page=Lifestory&PersonId=109131255

If you would like to express your condolences or share your own memories, you can do so by signing his online Guest Book:

http://www.legacy.com/unionleader/GB/GuestbookView.aspx?PersonId=109131255

As Ryan Seacrest said at the beginning of the show, there are only two weeks to go on American Idol….but it was “Rock ‘n Roll” week, so I was happy to tune in. This is my game. Bring it on.

David Cook selected “Hungry Like a Wolf” by Duran Duran for his first song. Uh-oh. Not a good way to start. Is that song even really Rock ‘n Roll? Uh, no. But once again, despite poor song choice and what seemed like some technical difficulties, Cook somehow pulled it off. Considering David is probably the most “Rock ‘n Roll” guy on the stage, I prayed his second song would bring me to my knees. He picked “Babba O’Reilly” (also known as “Teenage Wasteland”) by the Who. He slowed down the arrangement, making it his own, in typical David Cook style, and I personally thought it was pretty extraordinary.

Syesha Mercado chose “Proud Mary”. Yee-ha. One of my very favorite Tina Turner tunes, but a song that has been covered more times than any song should be. I held my breath for a few minutes while Syesha actually did it some justice. This girl is growing before our eyes, but is she strong enough? The answer to that question came with her second song, “A Change is Gonna Come” by Sam Cooke. A resounding yes! Those vocals came right from her belly, even if it wasn’t the perfect arrangement (or whatever it was that Randy said). Welcome to the final three. I actually cannot believe I’m saying that because I thought Syesha would be out of the competition by now.

Jason Castro picked “I Shot the Sheriff” but here’s the thing. He did the Bob Marley version (naturally). But the Bob Marley version is reggae (as in not Rock ‘n Roll), is it not?  Had he sung the Clapton version, I might not have wanted to pull him off the stage by his dreadlocks to save him the embarrassment. Sorry, it didn’t cut it for me. But the way Simon put it, he butchered it, and then Simon butchered poor Jason for choosing the song. His second choice was “Tambourine Man” by Bob Dylan. I am not the best person to be judging this song because - well, I don’t like it. But it was inexcusable for Jason to forget the words. Sorry pal, but Simon was right. Time to pack those bags.

David Archuletta sang “Stand By Me” by Louis Armstrong. Good for Archuletta. An average performance, but far from dull. The ending was sweet and the audience was screaming like Josh Groban was onstage. He chose “Love Me Tender” by Elvis next. I just wanted to fall into the television and hug that boy. He is possibly the next Josh Groban, now that I think about it. And yes, he sang it with perfection, wrapping his voice around every word.

My prediction: Castro will be cut this week. Archuletta, Mercado and Cook will be the final three. And then it’s down to the two boys.

Update (May 8, 2008):  Castro was sent 'a packin' last night.   

Neil Diamond was the guest of the evening on American Idol tonight. Diamond may have been some sort of idol many years ago but I doubt many young people today know his music at all. I found it rather bizarre that they would choose Diamond for a show with a demographic that is mostly under the age of 25. But then again, Neil is about to launch a worldwide tour. American Idol is all about cross-promotion these days.

Onto the “Final Five” contestants…..

Jason Castro was up first with “Forever in Blue Jeans”. He had his guitar at his side for this one and it was a rather sweet version of a sweet song. His second song choice, “September Morn”, was slowed down, perhaps in an attempt to make it “his own” but all it did was nearly put me to sleep.

David Cook sang “I’m Alive” with his usual rock and roll swagger. What is left to say about Cook? He’s well on his way, folks. Next he sang “All I Really Need is You”. Somehow he managed to make this song sound fresh and current. I think we may have our winner.

Brooke White was next up with “I’m a Believer” (covered by the Monkees in 1966). She too played guitar but with a lot less talent. Sans guitar, it would have been a terrific Karaoke moment. The second tune was “I Am, I Said”. This time she whipped out the piano (at least she can play some instruments because her voice isn’t quite up-to-par for this batch of contestants). And hey, she remembered the words.

David Archuletta sang “Sweet Caroline” and “America”. Archuletta does really well with the ballad-y type songs that make the young ladies swoon. And who can resist that smile of his? But the song was tame and uninspired. Considering David was not even in the womb when Neil Diamond was at the peak of his success, who can blame him? “America” was definitely unexpected, and probably not the best performance of the evening, but there were a couple of high spots that redeemed him.

Syesha Mercado chose “Hello Again”. She too does well with the ballads. This was a decent song choice for her. Syesha has some pipes on her and they were highlighted with this song. She also sang “Thank the Lord for the Night Time”. She seemed to have a lot fun with this one, but Simon told her that she might be in trouble tonight. I have to disagree. If I had to guess, I would say Jason Castro will be hitting the road tomorrow night.

But I’ve been wrong before.

Update:  Wrong again.  Brooke White was sent packing tonight.  In my defense, I thought she would be gone sooner but might have been saved by "I Am, I Said" this week.  White was simply not of the same calibur as some of the other finalists.