Category: Family Fun

Kiddie Pool 24/07/04

Family fun for whenever

Outside

• Prescott Farm Environmental Education Center (928 White Oaks Road, Laconia, prescottfarm.org) will host an all-ages workshop, “Tractor Tour: Life in the Fields,” on Saturday, July 6, at 10 a.m., where participants can watch for hawks and songbirds soaring overhead and learn how animals such as deer, bears, songbirds and turkeys depend on open fields for food and shelter, according to their website. Free for members, $15 for nonmembers.

• Prescott Farm will also hold four different Summer Polliwog programs for kids on different Wednesdays in July at 10 a.m. The first is Mudtastic and involves a mud run on July 10 for $12 per adult-and-child pair; the next is Glorious Bugs, where participants will make homes for bugs, on July 17; the third is Water Up! Water Down! Water all Around! where participants will learn about the water cycle, on July 24, and the last one, on July 31, is Acorn Was a Little Wild, which involves a puppet named Stasher and a hunt for deciduous trees. These last three are $15 for an adult and child pair.

• Pumpkin Blossom Farm (393 Pumpkin Hill Road, Warner) hosts Lavender U-Pick in its lavender fields on various dates between Friday, July 5, and Sunday, July 25, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Everyone is invited to wander the fields and cut and harvest bundles of lavender. Attendees are welcome to relax and have a picnic on the lawn, walk the shaded trail and visit the baby chicks. Lavender plants, products and treats will also be for sale. Discount bundles are $18 during the weekdays and $20 on weekends. Visit pumpkinblossomfarm.com.

On stage

• The Impact Touring Children’s Theatre presents Return to Oz on Tuesday, July 9, at 10 a.m. at the BNH Stage (16 S Main St., Concord, 225-1111, ccanh.com): Dorothy returns to the magic land in hopes of finding her friends once again, but somehow the Emerald City has lost its sparkle and a new witch is in town, ready to rumble. This is a free performance. Seating for this show is mostly on the open floor. Patrons are encouraged to bring blankets to sit on.

• Join Alice as she tries to make sense of her crazy adventure when The Palace Youth Theatre Summer Camp presents Alice in Wonderland, Jr., Friday, July 5, at 7 p.m. and Saturday, July 6, at 11 a.m. at the Palace Theatre (80 Hanover St., Manchester, 668-5588, palacetheatre.org). The student actors are in grades 2 through 12. Tickets start at $12.

• Camp Encore! presents Shrek, The Musical, Jr. on Saturday, July 6, at 11 a.m. in Prescott Park (105 Marcy St., Portsmouth), as part of the Prescott Park Arts Festival (prescottpark.org). At Camp Encore!, performers, artists and aspiring technicians ages 7 to 17 come together to gain teamwork skills and experience theater arts; Shrek, The Musical Jr. is the culmination of this session. Tickets start at $5 and reservations can be made at portsmouthnhtickets.com.

• The 2024 Bank of New Hampshire Children’s Summer Series has begun at the Palace Theatre (80 Hanover St., Manchester; palacetheatre.org) and the shows run Tuesday through Thursday at 10 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. and Friday at 10 a.m. This week the show schedule includes Madagascar Jr. from Tuesday, July 9, to Friday, July 12, according to their website.

Sports!

• The New Hampshire Fisher Cats will face off against the Portland Sea Dogs at Northeast Delta Dental Stadium (1 Line Drive, Manchester) at games Thursday, July 4; Friday, July 5, and Saturday, July 6, all at 6:35 p.m. Catch fireworks after each of the games. Visit milb.com/new-hampshire.

• The Major League Soccer team the New England Revolution II will take to the pitch this Saturday, July 6, at7 p.m. at Mark A. Ouellette Stadium (Victory Lane in Hooksett) against Philadelphia Union. Tickets start at $12. Visit revolutionsoccer.net/revolutionii.

• The Nashua Silver Knights, members of the Futures Collegiate Baseball League, will kick off a day of celebrations at Holman Stadium (67 Amherst St., Nashua) on Thursday, July 4, at 11 a.m. when they play the Westfield Starfires. If you have other Independence Day plans, you can still catch them this weekend on Saturday, July 6, at 6 p.m. when they face the Worcester Bravehearts. Visit nashuasilverknights.com.

Treasure Hunt 24/07/04

Dear Donna,

These belonged to my dad. I have fond memories of him wearing them. Does anybody still use or wear them? Rather find a home than toss them.

Thank you, Donna

Caroline

Dear Caroline,

What a fun memory you have!

I am sure people still do wear them. I think they would fit right into today’s styles.

In general values on them are under $10 each. Some higher depending on maker, condition and design.

I think to find them a new home I would try an antique shop for any value. If no interest there, I would go to a clothing thrift store. You might just end up donating them, but then there is a chance for a new home. I hate seeing anything go to waste!

Caroline, I hope you find a place for the ties and someone can enjoy them again. Thanks for sharing your fun memories with us.

Treasure Hunt 24/06/27

Dear Donna,

Found these pennies at a flea market over the weekend. We paid $10 for all of them. Can you give me any information on them?

Thank you, Donna.

Tim

Dear Tim,

Coins are a field of their own and not one I have the most experience in. It’s a very interesting and complex collectible market and some can be very, very valuable.

Your pennies are from 1943 and if you’re lucky maybe you have one dated 1944. The 1943 wheat penny was made to conserve copper during World War II. They were made of steel with a zinc coating. Beware, though, some of the values are in the mint marks and other conditions that either enhance the values or take away from it. As with everything there are reproductions out there. Sad but true!

The average value of a steel penny in good condition is a few dollars. In order for you to get a real value they must be seen by a professional. This is a must should you have a treasure.

Tim, even if you have only a few dollars in steel pennies, the education you’re going to get from them will be priceless. Some of your work could be done via a guide to collecting coins or online. Don’t assume, though — have them looked at! Good luck, Tim, and I hope you found a treasure or two.

Kiddie Pool 24/06/27

Family fun for whenever

Nature and a story

• Squam Lakes Natural Science Center will be hosting its StoryWalk kickoff reception at the Curry Place (846 Route 3, Holderness) on Friday, June 28, at 10 a.m. Attendees can stroll along the Squam channel as they read a nature-inspired story posted one page at a time along the trail. Children can participate in a craft and enjoy a snack connected to the story at the reception. It’s free and there’s no registration required. Visit nhnature.org. The Center’s live animal exhibit trail and hiking trails are open every day from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., with the last trail admission at 3:30 p.m., according to the website.

On stage

• The Impact Touring Children’s Theatre will perform The Emperor’s New Clothes on Tuesday, July 2, at 10 a.m. at the BNH Stage (16 S. Main St., Concord, 225-1111, ccanh.com). This is a free performance. Seating for this show is mostly on the open floor. Patrons are encouraged to bring blankets to sit on.

• Kidz Bop Live comes to the BankNH Pavilion (80 Recycle Way, Gilford, 293-4700, banknhpavilion.com) on Wednesday, July 3, at 7 p.m. Tickets start at $49.

Movies!

• Kids Series O’neil Cinemas Brickyard Square (24 Calef Highway, Epping, oneilcinemas.com) features Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem(PG, 2023) on Monday, July 1, and Wednesday, July 3, at 10 a.m. and 7 p.m.

• The Park Theatre’s Kids Summer Movie-Rama continues in Jaffrey with Peter Rabbit (PG, 2018) on Saturday, June 29, at 10 a.m. and Hotel Transylvania 3: Summer Vacation (PG, 2018) on Tuesday, July 2, at 1:30 p.m. and Saturday, July 6, at 10 a.m. Tickets are $7. Visit theparktheatre.org/kids or call 532-8888.

Treasure Hunt 24/06/20

Hi, Donna!

I read your column each week in the Hippo!! I am hoping you can help us out. We have an antique fire extinguisher. Do you know if this is worth anything? I was going to donate it to a historical society. Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Thank you!

Donna Lee

Dear Donna Lee,

Your extinguisher makes me smile. Back in my days of owning an antique center they were very collectible and were all cleaned and polished, then either stood in a room or were made into lamps.

Not sure if they are collectible for the same reasons today. But they do have a value in the range of $100 and higher in some cases. I do think donating items to a local historical society is a great thing. Some things such as antique fire extinguishers were made en masse and there are still too many around today. You could still check to see if it is something they might want.

No matter what you decide, Donna Lee, you have an interesting piece of history. Thanks for sharing.

Kiddie Pool 24/06/20

Family fun for whenever

Summer party

• The YMCA of Downtown Manchester will host its Rock the Block event on Mechanic Street on Saturday, June 22, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Activities at this free event include games, crafts, music, a bounce house, food and drink and a free swim (bring a bathing suit and towel if you’re interested), according to the website. In addition, if you join the YMCA on that day you’ll pay no join fee. Visit graniteymca.org.

Search for adventure

• This weekend, Charmingfare Farm (744 High St., Candia) holds a “Scouting for Bigfoot ” event on Saturday, June 22, and Sunday, June 23, with entry times from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., with a guided tour through the serene woodlands of the farm, a perfect setting for Bigfoot sightings, according to the website. This family-friendly excursion blends education with excitement, offering interactive activities and engaging discussions, the website said. Tickets range from $23 to $33. Visit visitthefarm.org.

Game time

• The New Hampshire Fisher Cats, the Double-A minor-league affiliate of the Toronto Blue Jays of Major League Baseball, is in the middle of a home stand at Northeast Delta Dental Stadium (1 Line Drive, Manchester) until Sunday, June 23, at 1:35 p.m. against the Reading Fightin Phils. On Thursday the Fisher Cats get ferocious as they transform into Gatos Feroces de New Hampshire and battle for Copa de la Diversión (The Fun Cup!), according to their website. On Friday, June 21, they present the Oral Health Challenge from Northeast Delta Dental, who want to reward children under 12 who brush and floss their teeth for seven days straight with two free tickets (they’ll need to fill out a form online). There will be fireworks following the game on Saturday, June 22, and a Super Bros. inspired brunch before the 1:35 p.m. game on Sunday, June 23. (tickets to the brunch come with tickets to the game). Vist milb.com/new-hampshire.

• NASCAR Weekend at New Hampshire Motor Speedway (1122 Route 106, Loudon) Saturday, June 22, and Sunday, June 23, includes the SciAps 200 NASCAR Xfinity Series race and Mohegan Sun 100 NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour race on Saturday and the NASCAR Cup Series race on Sunday. Tickets vary in price, depending on the race. See nhms.com.

• The Major League Soccer team the New England Revolution II will play this Sunday, June 23, at 6 p.m. at Mark A. Ouellette Stadium (Victory Lane in Hooksett) against Crown Legacy. Tickets start at $12. Visit revolutionsoccer.net/revolutionii.

• The six-time champion Nashua Silver Knights, members of the Futures Collegiate Baseball League, will have three home games in a row at Holman Stadium (67 Amherst St., Nashua) starting on Friday, June 21, against the Worcester Bravehearts, then on Saturday, June 22, against the Norwich Sea Unicorns, on Sunday, June 23, against the Westfield Starfires. First pitch on Friday and Saturday night is scheduled for 6 p.m. and first pitch on Sunday is scheduled for 12:30 p.m., according to their website. Visit nashuasilverknights.com.

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