Category: Family Fun

Treasure Hunt 25/07/24

Hi, Donna,

I was wondering if you could tell me anything about this chair. I purchased it at a yard sale over 15 years ago and I am wondering if it is worth anything. I am looking to sell it. As you can see it folds up nicely so that it doesn’t take up much storage space. I don’t see any maker marks on it. The seat and back appear to be in excellent shape, but the frame is fairly scratched or worn. Any help would be appreciated.

Thank you.

Judy

Dear Judy,

Your folding rocker does seem to be in good shape for the age (early 1900s). It does look like at some point it has been refinished and possibly reseated. The rose carving on the top is sweet.

It’s a tough piece because even though it is officially an antique it’s not very sought after for today’s decor.

For marketing it, a value would be in the $75 range. I am not sure how easy that would be. I might try a consignment store. Remember, though, you will only get part of the value.

Judy, I hope this helped and you find a new home for your sweet chair.

Kiddie Pool 25/07/17

Family fun for whenever

Fairies and fairy tales

• Nashua will hold its annual Fairytale Festival in Greeley Park (100 Concord St. in Nashua) on Saturday, July 19, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Dress-up is encouraged for this day of arts & crafts, games, face paint and more, according to nashua.gov. Catch princess performers from 11 a.m. to noon, followed by princess meet-and-greet and giveaways, the website said.

• The 9th annual Fairy and Hobbit House Festival will take place at Bedrock Gardens (19 High Road, Lee; bedrockgardens.org) Friday, July 18, through Sunday, July 20, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily. Compete in the Fairy House and Hobbit House showcase (see the website in advance) or just come in costume to enjoy the day, which includes craft activities, story time and more. Tickets cost $49.87 per carload.

More summer fun

• The Stratham 4-H Summerfest returns on Saturday, July 19, at the Stratham Hill Park Fairgrounds (270 Portsmouth Ave., Stratham) from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. The event will feature animal shows, agriculture exhibits, competitions and more. See extension.unh.edu/event/2025/07/2025-stratham-4-h-summerfest.

Movie night

• Manchester’s Summer Movies in the Park returns Wednesday, July 23, with a screening of this year’s A Minecraft Movie (PG) in Veterans Memorial Park, 723 Elm St. in Manchester. The movies will start at dusk; bring blankets or chairs, according to an item in the July 9 Medo Minute newsletter from Manchester’s Economic Development Office. Future films are Wicked: Part One (PG, 2024) on Wednesday, Aug. 27, and Jumanji (PG, 1995) on Saturday, Sept. 20.

Treasure Hunt 25/07/17

Dear Donna,

I picked up this necklace at a local flea market. It’s marked 14 KT on the clasp. Could the diamonds be real? Cindy

Dear Cindy,

I think the only real way to have the stones checked would be a jeweler. They have diamond testers within reach. It takes just a minute to tell. I believe any jewelry store would do this at no cost.

For now the value in your necklace would be for a gold chain. If the stones are diamond that would increase the value. It’s tough when the stones are so small, though, to produce a very high value. When valuing diamonds, you want them to be in the 1 carat size or more. Then there are many factors in determining a value: cut, clarity, color, inclusions and any damage to the stone.

Cindy, if the stones are diamond chips the value would be in the $200+ range retail. If not, the value is in the gold if it’s real (the jeweler can test that as well). The chain itself will be in the $80+ range.

I hope this helps and good luck with your results. Thanks for sharing.

Treasure Hunt 25/07/10

Hello, Donna,

I have a half dozen of these rolls. All are pennies from the 1930s through 1960s. Not sure if I should open them up or leave them. With pennies not being made any more, I was hoping you could point me in a direction to evaluate them.

Ed

Dear Ed,

Your rolls of pennies I can say are worth more than 50 cents each now. I think it’s also safe to say, not opening them.

Ed, what you need to do is find a local coin dealer/collector, someone you feel comfortable with. I would think at that point, they would open them. I found rolls with similar aged pennies in the $20+ range. Now it really depends on contents in your rolls. But just one rare or hard to find one could change everything. You could have a treasure.

After I got my first evaluation, I think I would always get a second opinion as well. Whether they are $20 for all or much more, you want the best offer. Ed, if you need assistance, you can call me and I can refer you in a couple directions. I hope you have a treasure!

Kiddie Pool 25/07/10

Family fun for whenever

Festival of fun

• The Hillsboro Summer Festival in Grimes Field (29 Preston St., Hillsborough) takes place Thursday, July 10, to Sunday, July 13. The carnival opens Thursday at 6 p.m. with carnival rides, trivia night and the beer tent. On Friday, July 11, the carnival opens at 5 p.m. and the night features a K9 show, a 5K road race and live music. The carnival opens at 2 p.m. on Saturday, July 12, and features live music, a magic performance, Women’s Skillet Toss (4:30 p.m.), a K9 show and fireworks at 10 p.m. The festival finishes up on Sunday when the carnival opens at noon, the same time as the Hometown Parade, and the day’s activities include a kids’ cupcake eating contest (at 1 p.m.) and a pie eating contest (1:30 p.m.). See hillsborosummerfest.com.

• The Raymond Town Fair will take place Friday, July 11, through Sunday, July 13, at the Raymond Town Common (Epping and Main streets, Raymond), according to the event’s Facebook page. Friday’s fun includes a Firemen’s Parade at 7 p.m. On Saturday, a children’s parade is at 10 a.m., a motorcycle show will run from 4 to 6 p.m. and fireworks are slated for 9:30 p.m. On Sunday, a dog parade takes place at 11 a.m. and a show of New England’s Native Animals is at 11:30 a.m. Throughout the event there will be live music, and on Saturday and Sunday the fair will feature a World War II living history event, a post said.

• The American Independence Museum (1 Governors Lane, Exeter) will hold its American Independence Festival on Saturday, July 12, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in downtown Exeter. The day will feature the arrival and live reading of the Declaration of Independence, historical reenactments and colonial-era artisan demonstrations as well as colonial-era games, music and dances. Visit independencemuseum.org.

Kiddie Pool 25/07/03

Family fun for whenever

Bounce!

• The Big Bounce America is bring what it bills as “the world’s biggest bounce house” to Budweiser Brewery, 221 DW Highway in Merrimack, Friday, July 4, through Sunday, July 6, according to thebigbounceamerica.com/event/manchester. Sessions are offered for ages 3 and under, ages 7 and under, ages 15 and under and ages 16 and over. See the website for specific times, prices and guidance on which time to pick for your family. The attraction includes the large bounce house as well as other areas such as “Sports Slam” and an obstacle course called “The Giant.”

Park adventure

• The Kids in the Park programming at Belknap Mill (25 Beacon St. East in Laconia; belknapmill.org/kidinthepark) kicked off this week, with events for families scheduled most Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 10 to 11 a.m. Next up is “IMPACT Fairy Tale Theatre: Lost in Wonderland” on Monday, July 7 (most Mondays feature IMPACT Fairy Tale Theatre productions). Other events to keep on the schedule are “Hiking Safety with Lakes Region Search and Rescue” on Friday, July 18, and “Safety Vehicles with Laconia PD and Laconia Fire Department” on Wednesday, July 30, according to the website.

Also at Belknap, the first and third Saturday of every month is Family Craft Day from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.; explore the gallery exhibits and “take part in a family-friendly craft activity,” the website said.

Skate!

• Roller skate at the Douglas N. Everett Arena (15 Loudon Road in Concord; concordnh.gov/496/Everett-Arena) on Sundays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays, 6 to 9 p.m., through Sunday, July 27. Admission costs $6 and skate rentals are available for $6, according to the Concord City Manager’s Newsletter. See concordnh.gov/rollerskating.

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