Category: Family Fun

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.

Treasure Hunt 25/07/03

Dear Donna,

This bracelet belonged to my sister. I now have inherited it. My question is about cleaning it. I would like to pass it to my granddaughter. I wouldn’t want to ruin it in any way. Thank you for any help.

Ed

Dear Ed,

Passing on your sister’s charm bracelet is a sweet piece of family. Love it! Charm bracelets are a great way to show personal interest. Most reflect memories, likes, travel history, etc., so passing it on, Ed, will carry family history. For cleaning it, I recommend a liquid silver cleaner. Whether it’s sterling silver (if sterling each one will be marked sterling or 925) or silver-plated, liquid will work best. Using a cream will cause build-up in tiny hard to get to places. There are many good cleaners out there today. After cleaning it, store it wrapped in a cloth or paper towel. An airtight bag also will protect it from re-tarnishing.

Values on charm bracelets are all over the spectrum, depending on age, maker, being mechanical (moving parts) etc. They are also an older item that is more valuable clean. No one wants to wear a tarnished silver bracelet.

Kiddie Pool 25/06/26

Family fun for whenever

Dino days

• SEE Science Center (200 Bedford St. in Manchester; see-sciencecenter.org) will wrap up its Kick Off to Summer, Dinosaur Edition, which runs daily through Friday, June 27. Throughout the week the center will offer special dinosaur activities and displays, which are included with the admission price. The museum is open daily from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. on weekdays and 5 p.m. on weekends. Admission costs $14 per person ages 3 and up.

KidsFest

• Joppa Hill Educational Farm (174 Joppa Hill Road in Bedford; jhef.org) will hold its KidsFest on Sunday, June 29, from 3 to 6 p.m. The afternoon will feature kid-friendly performers including Mr. Aaron, Miss Alli and Magic Fred as well as food trucks (including Teenie Wienies hot dog purveyors and Sweet Cotton Candy makers, according to Joppa’s Facebook page), face painting, crafts, balloons and more, the website said. Tickets cost $44.52 per family; register in advance via the website.

Reptile fest

• The next New England Reptile Expo is scheduled for Sunday, June 29, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the DoubleTree by Hilton Manchester Downtown (700 Elm St., Manchester). The show features more than 200 vendor tables full of reptiles, pet supplies and more. Tickets are $12 for adults, $6 for kids ages 7 to 12 and free for kids ages 6 and under. Visit reptileexpo.com.

Playground road trip

• Looking for low-cost summer fun? Check out the Live Free & Play Southern NH Playground Challenge, available at salemnh.myrec.com. The printout features a list of playgrounds in Salem, Auburn, Londonderry, Pelham, Milford, Merrimack and Danville.

Library fun

• The Hooksett Public Library (31 Mount Saint Mary’s Way in Hooksett, hooksettlibrary.org) will hold a touch-a-truck event on Saturday, June 28, at 10 a.m. to noon.

• At the Merrimack Public Library (470 DW Highway in Merrimack, merrimack.aspendiscovery.org), the summer reading program will kick off with a Minecraft Party on Thursday, June 26, noon to 2 p.m. followed by a concert with Mr. Aaron at 6 p.m. in Abbie Griffin Park (registration required for both).

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