Category: Family Fun

Treasure Hunt 24/10/10

Hi, Donna,

My parents got this from my dad’s aunt about 20 years ago, not sure how long she had it. We are just wondering how much it would be worth to sell. It also comes with a dining table and four or six chairs. Not in perfect condition — there are some dings.

Thanks.

Carol

Dear Carol,

Your black lacquered dining room set is in an Asian decor style. Looks to me like it was a high-quality set when purchased.

The issue for me is it’s really not considered an antique. It looks like it could be from the 1960s-ish. To put a value on it I think first it has to be in good clean condition. Any damage or areas needing work will take away from the value.

I would try retail consignment or marketing it yourself. If you bring it to a consignment store they should be able to help in pricing it. I also think photos of all of the set will help too.

Carol, I’m sorry to not give you more than advice. Tough for me to give you a proper value for it. Good luck and I hope you find a new home for it.

Kiddie Pool 24/10/10

Family fun for whenever

Fun in the dark

• The Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Live Glow Party comes to SNHU Arena (555 Elm St. in Manchester; snhuarena.com) on Saturday, Oct. 12, with shows at 12:30 and 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, Oct. 13, at 2:30 p.m. “Fans of all ages will experience the thrill of watching their favorite Hot Wheels Monster Trucks in the dark!” according to the arena website. Tickets cost $35.50 to $57.

• The Coppal House Farm (118 N. River Road, Route 155, in Lee; nhcornmaze.com) will hold one of its two remaining Flashlight Night Mazes this weekend on Saturday, Oct. 12, from 6:30 to 9 p.m. (The final Flashlight Night Maze is slated for Saturday, Oct. 26.) Tickets cost $15 each for ages 5+ (free for ages 4 and under), according to the website, where you can buy tickets in advance. Kids age 15 and under must be accompanied by an adult, the website said. BYO flashlight.

Movie time

• Chunky’s (707 Huse Road in Manchester; chunkys.com) will offer a sensory-friendly screening of The Wild Robot (PG, 2024) on Tuesday, Oct. 15, at 11:30 a.m. For these screenings, “Chunky’s will keep the theater lights up, the sound of the film turned down,” according to the website. Tickets cost $6.99 plus service charge.

Kids in the Carol

• The Palace Theatre will hold auditions for grades 2 to 12 for the Youth Ensemble of its Professional Production of A Christmas Carol on Sunday, Oct. 13, at 5, 6 or 7 p.m. The show will run Nov. 29 through Dec. 29 at the Palace Theatre (80 Hanover St. in Manchester; palacetheatre.org). Auditions will take place at the Forever Emma Studios (516 Pine St. in Manchester). To schedule an audition time and find out more of the audition requirements, contact [email protected] with performer’s name, age and preferred time, the email said.

Treasure Hunt 24/10/03

Dear Donna,

I just purchased my first in what I hope will be a small collection of pig cutting boards. How can I tell which ones are the best to collect? I don’t intend on using them but could I use older ones still?

Thank you, Donna.

Danielle

Dear Danielle,

I want to start off by saying what a nice collection it will be! Cutting boards have been around for centuries. Pig-shaped ones were popular during the 1930s and 1940s.

I think if I were collecting them I would go for clean ones with no damage. Some cutting marks on the surface wouldn’t bother me. Being that old, some might have been overused or have become oily or discolored or have edge damage. Even though they have come from the 1930s you still can find them in clean condition.

As far as using them, there are all kinds of cleaning agents for wood out there, including food-safe conditioning oils. After cleaning them I would feel comfortable using them for serving on. I think, though, if I wanted to use one for cutting I would mix in a new one to my collection. That’s just my preference.

Remember collecting is an investment as well. The values on pig cutting boards run from $10 to $100.

Danielle, I’m happy to share with readers people collecting items from the past. It always puts a smile on my face being an antique enthusiast. Thanks for sharing.

Note: Pig shapes are considered good luck!

Kiddie Pool 24/10/03

Family fun for whenever

Fall fun

• Joppa Hill Educational Farm (174 Joppa Hill Road, Bedford, 472-4724, theeducationalfarm.org) will hold a Fall Fair on Saturday, Oct. 5, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The day will feature artisan booths, food trucks, vendors, tractor rides, apples, pumpkin decorating, live music, kids’ activities and farm fun. Tickets cost $15 (plus fees) per person or $30 (plus fees) per family.

• Charmingfare Farm (774 High St., Candia, visitthefarm.com, 483-5623) holds its Pumpkin Festival Saturday, Oct. 5, and Sunday, Oct. 6, as well as Saturday, Oct. 14, through Monday, Oct. 16. Admission costs $29 per person (23 months and younger get in free). Pick a pumpkin from the pumpkin patch, take a tractor- or horse-drawn wagon ride, enjoy live music and more. The festival also features a cow milking contest (not involving a real cow), pumpkin art, costumed characters and a visit with the farm’s animals. Charmingfare’s Halloween events include children’s trick-or-treat (the last three weekends in October) for families and younger kids and Harvest of Haunts (Oct. 19, Oct. 20, Oct. 26 and Oct. 27 in the early evening) for families and ages 12 and under (but who are old enough for some spookiness).

• Applecrest Farm Orchards (133 Exeter Road, Hampton Falls, 926-3721, applecrest. com) continue their weekend celebrations with the Fall Festival this week, which will feature live music from Reunion Hill Band on Saturday, Oct. 5, and Unsung Heroes on Sunday, Oct. 6, from 1 to 5 p.m. Look for activities including the corn maze, tractor rides, visits with barnyard animals, lawn games and a traditional corn roast, according to the website.

Science Fiesta!

SEE Science Center (200 Bedford St., Manchester, see-sciencecenter.org) is holding a Science Fiesta on Friday, Oct. 4, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. to celebrate the Latino contributions to STEM, according to the website. This family event will feature food from Don Quijote, science demonstrations, music and more and is sponsored by SEE, Centro Latino de New Hampshire and Nashua Family Network, the website said. Entry is free with registration on the website, where you can also find information on bus transportation to the event for those living in Manchester.

For the little guys

• The Children’s Museum of New Hampshire (6 Washington St., Dover, childrens-museum.org) wraps up its annual celebration of the youngest museumgoers — Toddlerfest continues through Sunday, Oct. 6, with daily activities for little kids. Some of the events planned for this week include princess storytime on Saturday, Oct. 5, at 10:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m.; parachute play at 10 a.m. on Friday, Oct. 4; Hispanic Heritage Month crafts on Thursday, Oct. 3, at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.; Science Friday experiment at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m., and more. Admission costs $12.50 for everyone over 12 months; $10.50 for 65+. The museum has sessions Wednesday through Saturdays from 9 a.m. to noon or 1 to 4 p.m. and Tuesdays and Sundays from 9 a.m. to noon.

Kiddie Pool 24/09/26

Family fun for whenever

Deerfield Fair

• “147 years of agricultural family fun!” is how the Deerfield Fair describes itself at deerfieldfair.com. The fair kicks off Thursday, Sept. 26, at 8 a.m. and offers a full day of live music, performances including puppets and magic and agricultural shoes and competitions. The fair runs through Sunday, Sept. 29, and is open 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, and 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Sunday. Tickets cost $12 for ages 13 and older, kids ages 12 and younger and all military get in for free. Senior days are Thursday and Friday when tickets for $65+ purchased at the gate cost $9. See the website for early ticket purchases. Ride Special Wristband Days are sold Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. for unlimited rides until 6 p.m. for $35 and on Sunday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. with unlimited rides until 7 p.m. for $35. Ride ticket singles cost $1.50 with discounts for bulk purchases.

Some of the highlights from the fair entertainment and events schedule include (see the website for a full schedule):

• Thursday: BJ Hickman Magician at 10:30 a.m., 1:30 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. at the Relaxation Stage (also appearing through the weekend); Lindsay and her Puppet Pals at 11:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. at the Bandstand Stage (also appearing Friday); Bryson Lang Juggling & Comedy Show at 1 p.m. at the Bandstand Stage (also appearing through the weekend); Pig scramble for ages 8 to 10 at 2 p.m. at the Swine Area

Friday: The Flying Wallendas at noon and 3 p.m. at the Main Stage (also on Saturday and Sunday); Pig scramble for ages 11 to 13 at 2 p.m.; The Incidentals at 7 p.m. at the Relaxation Stage

Saturday: 4-H Dairy Goat show at 9 a.m. at the Sheep Barn Area; Pig scramble for ages 8 to 10 at 2 p.m. at the Swine Area; Sheep shearing at the Sheep Barn 2 p.m.; Aim High Canines at the Swine Ring 3 p.m.; Truck Pull at the Tractor Pull Area 5 p.m.: Shakerz Band at 7 p.m. Relaxation Stage

Sunday: The Bel Airs (doowop and vintage rock ’n’ roll) at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. at the Relaxation stage; Dog demonstration, sheep dog herding at the Special Events Area at noon; Pig scramble for ages 11 to 13 at 2 p.m. at the Swine Ring; Pig scramble for adults at 2:15 p.m. at the Swine Ring; Fry Pan Toss for women 18+ at the Tractor Pull Area at 4 p.m.; Double Take at 5 p.m. Relaxation Stage

Strolling performers throughout the weekend include Pirate Man Dan, Seacoast NH Ukulele, Wicked Witches of the Lakes Region and Mixtape A Cappella Group, according to the website.

Fall family fun

• The Harvest Moon Festival at the Mt. Kearsarge Indian Museum (18 Highlawn Road, Warner, indianmuseum.org, 456-2600) is Sunday, Sept. 29, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and offers something for the whole family. According to the website, the Harvest Moon Festival celebrates the traditional harvest season; it is a family-friendly event featuring craft demonstrations, activities for kids, and educational exhibits. Food for sale, prepared using Native American recipes, includes bison stew, chicken wild rice stew, several varieties of cornbread, and sweets. Tickets cost $13 for adults, $7 for children, and are available online.

Les Enfants

• The Franco-American Centre is offering Children’s Beginner French classes for ages 6 to 11 via Zoom. The classes will run Tuesday, Oct. 1, through Dec. 3, from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. The kids will learn “through various fun activities and games” and no French knowledge is required, according to a Franco-American Centre newsletter. The cost is $150, with discounts for multiple children. See facnh.com/product-page/children-s-beginner-french.

Save the date

• The Joppa Hill Educational Farm (174 Joppa Hill Road, Bedford, 472-4724, theeducationalfarm.org) will hold a Fall Fair on Saturday, Oct. 5, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The day will feature artisan booths, food trucks, vendors, tractor rides, apples, pumpkin decorating, live music, kids’ activities and farm fun. Tickets cost $15 (plus fees) per person or $30 (plus fees) per family.

• Tickets are on sale now for the Community Players of Concord’s Children’s Theatre Project production of Charlotte’s Web featuring 42 young actors ages 6 to 16, according to a press release. Catch the production on Friday, Oct. 18, at 7 p.m. or Saturday, Oct. 19, at 2 p.m. at the Concord City Auditorium, 2 Prince St. in Concord. Tickets cost $15 and are available at CommunityPlayersofConcord.org or at the box office 90 minutes before each show, the release said.

Treasure Hunt 24/09/26

Hello, Donna,

Can you give me any information on this hand-painted wood blue jay? I believe it could be hand-carved as well. There are three places where it might have been in something on the bottom. It’s 9 inches long and 3 inches wide.

Charlene

Dear Charlene,

Sweet blue jay bird! It’s tough to tell a value if there is no maker or carver’s name on it. You didn’t mention it so I am assuming there are no markings. So let’s start off by just the quality of the carving. Look at detailing, intricate carving, painting, etc. You can also check the eyes to see if they are glass or plastic. Glass eyes are better for a higher value.

The holes were probably a place to go into a base, as you said.

Taking all this into consideration I would say the value of your carved wood blue jay is in the $40 range.

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