Category: Family Fun

Kiddie Pool 26/08/27

Family fun for whenever

Music and fun

• Concord Community Music School, 23 Wall St. in Concord, will hold a Family Music Festival on Saturday, Aug. 29, from noon to 4 p.m. with an instrument petting zoo, demo classes, jams, activities, live entertainment, food trucks, face painting and more, according to a press release. The day is geared to people of all ages and musical experience, the release said. The instrument petting zoo will run from noon to 3 p.m. to allow guests to try out instruments with the help of school faculty, the release said. The Krimson Krewe will perform on the Fletcher Murphy Park Stage at the back of the school at 3 p.m., and food trucks slated to attend include Sunfox Farm and Savvy Sweets and Treats, the press release said. See ccmusicschool.org.

And save the date for other music school open houses: The Nashua Community Music School, 2 Lock St. in Nashua, will hold an open house with instrument petting zoo on Friday, Sept. 18, from 3 to 6 p.m. See nashuacms.org. The Manchester Community Music School, 2291 Elm St. in Manchester, will hold an instrument petting zoo on Monday, Sept. 21, from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m., according to mcmusicschool.org.

Summer magic

• The Palace Theatre’s 2026 Bank of New Hampshire Children’s Summer Series at the Palace Theatre, 80 Hanover St., Manchester, wraps up its season with magician BJ Hickman, whose final shows are Thursday, Aug. 27, at 10 a.m. and 6 p.m., according to palacetheatre.org, where you can purchase tickets.

• The Girl Scouts will host a Fairy Garden Party for girls in pre-kindergarten and up on Saturday, Aug. 29, from 10 to 11:30 a.m. at the Epsom Public Library, 1606 Dover Road in Epsom, according to a press release. The event will feature activities (making fairy wands, flower crowns and a fairy friend) as well as information about Girl Scouts, the release said. “RSVP to 888-474-9686 or customercare@girlscoutsgwm.org — or just drop in. See more at bit.ly/44JFef1,” the release said. See girlscoutsgwm.org for more on other Girl Scouts happenings.

For the littles

• The Upper Room in Derry is offering a new initiative, Little Explorers, with the SEE Science Center, 200 Bedford St. in Manchester, starting Friday, Sept. 4, and running the first Friday of each month from 10 to 11:30 a.m. for ages 0 to 6 years, according to a press release. This free program will offer hands-on science exhibits and interactive demonstrations, according to the release. Space is limited and registration is required; see forms.office.com/r/UbjuWJF8K3. For more on The Upper Room, see urteachers.org.

Save the date

• The annual AerospaceFest at the McAuliffe-Shepard Discovery Center in Concord will take place Saturday, Sept. 19, from 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. and feature STEM and aerospace organizations from across New England, the debut of the new planetarium show “Encounters in the Milky Way” and more, according to starhop.com.

Treasure Hunt 26/08/27

Hello, Donna!

In September of 1988, I attended a convention that was hosted by The Titanic Historical Society at the Copley Plaza Hotel. The conference included a reunion of a dozen or so of the remaining survivors at the time, all of whom gave fascinating personal accounts of their time aboard — and subsequent escape from — the sinking ship. I bought a program booklet for the conference, which I then had signed by most, but unfortunately not all, of the survivors in attendance. Can you tell me how I can find out what this might be worth? I also have program booklets from the original Broadway productions of Hair and Godspell, as well as a program booklet from the original Woodstock Festival in 1969. Any information would be appreciated.

Best wishes,

Mike

Dear Mike,

I’m going to refer to the Titanic one. But I’m sure the other ones would follow in the same situation.

There are very good reputable auction places that deal with ephemera (paper). I think this is where I would start for an appraisal of what the market would get for these! Keep in mind, Mike, what you have could be very collectible but only to the right market. I also think in an auction they could get fought over. …. There is a really well known ephemera auction house right here in New Hampshire, RR Auction in Amherst.

I wish you luck. Donna

Kiddie Pool 26/08/20

Family fun for whenever

Beach week

• The Annual Hampton Beach Children’s Festival continues at the Hampton Beach Seashell stage through Friday, Aug. 21, according to hamptonbeach.org/events/childrens-events. On Thursday, Aug. 20, events include Wildlife Encounters at 10 a.m., The Magic of Steve Charette at 11 a.m., STEM fun with the Girl Scouts at 12:30 p.m. and ice cream with the lifeguards at 3 p.m., the website said. On Friday, Aug. 21, be part of a parade — meet at the state park at 10 a.m. with a costume for the 11 a.m. parade on Ocean Boulevard (from the state park to the Seashell Stage) featuring a costume contest and prizes for all participants, the website said. Afterward, catch a performance by Mr. Aaron, the website said.

Park day

• The 8th Annual Family Fun Day at Field of Dreams in Salem will take place Saturday, Aug. 22, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., according to fieldofdreamsnh.org, where you can purchase tickets ($10 per person, children under 2 get in free). The day will feature a character meet and greet, a petting farm, a rock climbing wall, touch a truck, local vendors, a live DJ, the Home Depot Kids Workshop, food trucks, live performance from the School of Rock Nashua and more, the website said.

Movie night

• Hey, you guys! Chunky’s Cinema Pub, 707 Huse Road in Manchester, will host a special screening of The Goonies (1985) with a Family Treasure Hunt Movie Night on Thursday, Aug. 20, with a treasure hunt starting at 5:45 p.m. and the movie starting at 6:30 p.m., according to a theater email. The family event will also be held Saturday, Aug. 22, with the treasure hunt starting at 5:15 p.m. and the film at 6 p.m. See chunkys.com for tickets.

Chunky’s will also offer sensory-friendly screenings of Paw Patrol: The Dino Movie on Tuesday, Aug. 25, at 11:30 a.m., 2:45 and 6 p.m., when the lights are up and the sound is down, according to the website.

• Make it an outdoor movie night. Zootopia (PG, 2016) will screen on Friday, Aug. 21, in Veterans Park in Manchester at 8:15 p.m., according to a post on the Manchester Parks & Recreation Facebook page. BYO chairs, blankets and snacks, the post said.

• The Secret of the Kells (PG, 2009) will screen at Red River Theatres in Concord on Saturday, Aug. 22, at 10 a.m., according to redrivertheatres.org. “Enjoy The Secret of Kells on the big screen as part of the Inaugural NH Irish Festival, which has been organized with the support of Capitol Center for the Arts, Red River Theatres, the New Hampshire – Ireland Trade Council, and with generous sponsorships from the University of New Hampshire and Irish Electric…. After the film, walk across the street to the BNH Stage to enjoy Irish music and set dancing, along with local vendors and food,” the website said.

• The Wizard of Oz (1939) will screen at the Flying Monkey in Plymouth on Wednesday, Aug. 26, at 6 p.m., according to flyingmonkeynh.com.

Treasure Hunt 26/08/20

Hi, Donna,

I enjoy reading you in Hippo and thought I should reach out. I have inherited family heirlooms of my husband’s family. While I do appreciate the emotional value, I have no intention of using these.

I am wondering what your thoughts would be on a Copeland Spode dinner set for 12. My MIL had her personal property appraised so I do have monetary values. I have these items but am looking for advice before I do the work of bringing them to a local antique dealer.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Thank you.

Amber

Dear Amber,

I first have to say Copeland Spode is a quality collectible name. It shouldn’t be hard to market it. The pattern of your Copeland Spode dishes is the Marlborough.

Even though you have an appraisal with a monetary value, selling them is a whole different game. Let’s start off by removing any ones with damage, cracks, chips or discoloration. Then the serving pieces will hold the higher values. Plates, cups and saucers are easier to find in any dish set, so they are not as desirable.

I think I would start at an antique shop for the marketing ability today. Then get an offer or put them on consignment. You have to remember appraisals are for replacement value. When selling them you have to leave room for resale again.

No matter what the appraisal is, and I’m sure it’s high, it’s always subject to change. If you want to sell you have to keep that in mind. I would sell as a set so as to not get just plates left.

Amber, I hope this helped and you find a new home for the dishes.

Treasure Hunt 26/08/13

Donna,

I purchased this at a local thrift store for $5. It was on a Saturday morning when they were bringing out new merchandise. I would appreciate any information you may have.

Thank you,

Carrie

Dear Carrie,

Looks like you purchased a mid-century to 1970s-ish watercolor. The beauty of shopping thrift stores is you never know what you might find.

It’s tough to figure out values on watercolors when you can’t distinguish the artist’s signature. Sometimes you have to judge by context and detailing.

The subject of your watercolor is a pleasant relaxing one. Purchasing it for $5 was good if it fits your decor. I would say the value could be in the range of $40.

I hope this helps, Carrie. It was a tiny treasure for you.

Donna

Kiddie Pool 26/08/13

Family fun for whenever

Farm party

• Charmingfare Farm, 774 High St. in Candia, will hold a Kids Farm Party on Saturday, Aug. 15, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., according to visitthefarm.com, where you can purchase tickets. The day will feature the Monster Obstacle Bounce House, face painting, snow cones, cotton candy, carnival games, pony rides, the tractor train and the petting zoo, the website said. Musician Matt Heaton will perform at 11 a.m. and 2:30 p.m., the website said.

Flying high

• Manchester Boston Regional Airport will hold Aviation Day on Wednesday, Aug. 19, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., according to a press release. The event will feature a touch-a-truck display in Parking Lot A along with a student-built aircraft from the Aviation Museum of New Hampshire and the STEM-MoBILE, “a traveling lab with demonstrations and hands-on activities from UNH Manchester,” the release said. Inside the airport at Baggage Claim 3-5, there will be information about airport and aviation jobs, interactive games, cookies from Alltown Fresh, cake from the Aviation Museum of New Hampshire (with a cake cutting at 12:30 p.m.), popcorn and slushies, MHT swag and opportunities to wine prizes, the release said. See flymanchester.com.

• The Aviation Museum of New Hampshire (27 Navigator Road in Londonderry) is celebrating the end of summer vacation (sorry, kids) by being open daily Wednesday, Aug. 19, through Sunday, Aug. 30, according to aviationmuseumofnh.org. The museum will be open daily from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. (1 to 4 p.m. on Sundays), the website said. The museum will hold story times on Tuesday, Aug. 25, and Thursday, Aug. 27, at 10 a.m. for families as part of regular admission. “Participants will enjoy reading several aviation-themed stories as well as additional activities,” the website said. The museum will run its Elite Flight Simulator on Saturdays, Aug. 21 and Aug. 28, from 1 to 4 p.m., for ages 13 and up, according to the website, where you can find admission information.

Beach week

• The Annual Hampton Beach Children’s Festival will run Monday, Aug. 17, through Friday, Aug. 21, with a lineup of performances and events each day starting at 10 a.m. at the Hampton Beach Seashell Stage leading up to a giant costume parade on Aug. 21, according to hamptonbeach.org/events/childrens-events. On Monday, Aug. 17, events include Magician BJ Hickman at 10 a.m.; a Puppy Party with NHSPCA from 12:30 to 2 p.m.; Magician Fran Flynn at 2 p.m. and a screening of Wicked For Good at 7:40 p.m., according to the website. On Tuesday, Aug. 18, events include “magician, juggler, funny guy” Richard Clark at 10 a.m.; Lindsay and her puppet pals at 11 a.m., and touch-a-truck with vehicles from Hampton Police and Fire departments, the website said. On Wednesday, Aug. 19, events include “Shimmer & Shine: The Magic of Being You! Party Palace Show” at 10 a.m.; “Explore the Ocean World Oceanarium” at 11 a.m., and Drumatix at 1:30 p.m., according to the website, where you can download a full schedule.

Save the date

• CelebratEd welcomes Manchester students back to school with an event on Thursday, Aug. 20, from 4 to 7 p.m. in Victory Park in Manchester offering backpacks and school supplies, haircuts and clothing support, a family resource fair and school registration assistance, according to manchesterproud.org/celebrated.

• Tickets are on sale now for Cat Kid Comic Club The Musical, based on the Dog Man spin-off series by Dav Pilkey, which will be on stage at the Chubb Theatre at the Capitol Center for the Arts, 44 S. Main St. in Concord, on Tuesday, Sept. 29, at 6 p.m. See ccanh.com.

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