Category: Family Fun

Treasure Hunt 25/05/29

Dear Donna,

We live in Manchester and thought to share a piece with you. This is an ashtray from 7-20-4 Cigar. My dad, who has long passed, had it on our table for many years. It was heavily used by him. Some corners have pieces missing but that was from use. Would this still have value?

Terry

Dear Terry,

What a nice piece of Manchester’s history. Also your memory of it as well. Sweet piece of the 10-cent 7-20-4 cigar memorabilia.

The history of the R.G. Sullivan Cigar Co., located originally on 724 Elm St. in Manchester, goes back into the late 1800s. It’s an interesting story worthy of research for locals. Now the 7-20-4 cigar is still being produced by a new owner Kurt Kendall along with others.

7-20-4 memorabilia is very collectible locally and by cigar collectors nationwide. Condition and the item’s rarity count as usual. But even though you have chipping on the rim, Terry, I think the value would be in the $50 range still.

Nice piece of local history as I said. Most of all though is your memory of it with your dad.

Donna Welch has spent more than 35 years in the antiques and collectibles field, appraising and instructing. Her new location is an Antique Art Studio located in Dunbarton, NH where she is still buying and selling. If you have questions about an antique or collectible send a clear photo and information to Donna at footwdw@aol.com, or call her at 391-6550.

Treasure Hunt 25/05/22

Dear Donna,

We were given this carved duck several years ago. Wondering an approximate value now. It is signed and has a company name on it also.

Any help appreciated.

Thank you.

Mary

Dear Mary,

As always I thank you for the added photos, it really helps.

Your carved and hand-painted duck decoy is a Canada goose by the Big Sky Carvers from Montana.

The makers were around from the 1980s to 2010, when they merged with another gift store company.

Falling into the collectible market, decoys are always evaluated by age, maker, artist and quality of work.

I found several Big Sky Carvers decoys to compare yours to. So safe to say it’s in the $200 range in the collectible market.

Nice gift you got, Mary, thanks for sharing with us.

Featured photo: Courtesy photo.

Kiddie Pool 25/05/15

Family fun for whenever

STEM fun

• Family STEM Day, presented by Brian S. McCarthy Memorial Foundation, will showcase more than 25 local science, technology, engineering and math programs and organizations on Saturday, May 17, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at World Academy, 138 Spit Brook Road in Nashua, according to a press release. The day will feature hands-on exhibits, interactive demonstrations and more, the release said. The event is free to attend and also will also feature food trucks, the release said.

Fish fun

• The Amoskeag Fishways Learning & Visitor Center (4 Fletcher St. in Manchester; find them on Facebook) was slated to open for the season on May 12. See fish on the move Mondays through Fridays, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Admission is free.

Theater fun

• The Mo Willems book comes alive when Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus hits the stage at Stockbridge Theatre in Derry on Friday, May 16, at 10 a.m. Tickets cost $12. See stockbridgetheatre.showare.com

• The Emperor’s New Clothes is presented by the Majestic Academy Youth/Teens at the Majestic Theatre, 880 Page St., Manchester, majestictheatre.net, on Friday, May 16, at 7 p.m.; Saturday, May 17, at 2 and 7 p.m., and Sunday, May 18, at 2 p.m. at the Majestic Theatre (880 Page St. in Manchester; majestictheatre.net). Tickets cost $10 to $15.

• Disney’s Moana Jr. is presented by Bedford Youth Performing Company at the Goffstown High School Theatre on Saturday, May 17, at 7 p.m. and Sunday, May 18, at 1 p.m. Find the link to purchase tickets via BYPC’s Facebook page.

• The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical will be presented by Kids Coop Theatre (kctnh.org) at Derry Opera House (29 W. Broadway in Derry) on Friday, May 16, at 7 p.m.; Saturday, May 17, at 7 p.m., and Sunday, May 18, at 2 p.m. See derryoperahouse.org for links to tickets.

Book fun

• Calista Brill will discuss her new graphic novel Creaky Acres(written with and illustrated by Nilah Magruder)at the Barnes & Noble in Manchester (1741 S. Willow St., bn.com) on Saturday, May 17, from noon to 3 p.m. An excerpt of the novel was one of the books you might have picked up on Free Comic Book Day a few weeks ago. On to the Barnes & Noble website Creaky Acres is described as “[a] heartwarming graphic novel about being the new kid in middle school, making new friends, and learning to trust yourself through the power of horseback riding.”

• Children’s authors Kari Allen (whose latest book is Maddie and Mabel Make a Friend) and Carrie Kruck (whose latest book is Alfred Blooms) will attend a storytime on Sunday, May 18, at 1 p.m. at Gibson’s Bookstore (45 S. Main St. in Concord; gibsonsbookstore.com). They will sign copies of their books after storytime.

Treasure Hunt 25/05/15

Hello, Donna,

I believe this set of fruit knives and forks may have been a wedding present for my parents in 1939. I have done a little research on the company that produced them; it existed until 1994. Would you be able to determine a value for them? Is there a market for such items? Thank you.

Chris

Dear Chris,

Nice dessert set!

Your Sheffield six-piece dessert serving set falls right into your date frame. They had earlier and later sets; some weren’t stainless steel but were silver-plated. Some even in sterling silver. The set appears to be in really good clean condition with the mother of pearl handles.

Chris, the value is in the $100 range but to find a home is tough. Most of this generation wants simplicity. I might try a local antique shop near you first. Expect less than full value. They have to then find a home. Or possibly online if you have that option.

Whatever you choose , I think the buyer would be getting a nice set!

Thanks, Chris, for sharing and I hope this helped.

Featured photo: Courtesy photo.

Kiddie Pool 25/05/08

Family fun for whenever

Faire time

• The New Hampshire Renaissance Faire, which bills itself as a “family-friendly, educational, visual, theatrical and fantastical event,” will run two weekends in Fremont — this weekend Saturday, May 10, and Sunday, May 11, as well as the weekend of May 17 and May 18. Tickets, which can be purchased at nhrenfaire.com, cost $20 for adults and $15 for ages 6 to 12 and for military and veterans, the website said. Kids ages 5 and under get in for free. The event includes performers across several stages, as well as archery, craft demonstrations, tea with the queen, knights and pirates and theme days — May 10 is “Pirates Vs. Ninja” and May 11 is “Celtic Vs. Norse,” according to the website, where you can also find a list of participating vendors, food vendors, games and more.

Outdoor time

• Petals in the Pines (126 Baptist Road in Canterbury; petalsinthepines.com) officially opens for the season on Saturday, May 10. Featuring 7 acres of native plants and natural features as well as garden beds, Petals in the Pines will be open Wednesdays through Sundays from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. See the website for a look at the trails, gardens and labyrinths.

• Charmingfare Farm (774 High St. in Candia; visitthefarm.com) will offer moms free admission on Mother’s Day (Sunday, May 11) when accompanied by children.

Storytime

• Authors David J. Preece and Jim Webber will celebrate their book Mr. Higgins to the Rescue, the latest in their series about the Scottish terrier Mr. Higgins, on Saturday, May 10, at 11:30 a.m. atBookery Manchester (844 Elm St. in Manchester; bookerymht.com). RSVP online to reserve a spot.

Movie time

• The recently releasedMinecraft(PG, 2025) starring Jack Black and Dwayne Johnson will screen on Tuesday, May 13, at Chunky’s Cinema Pub (707 Huse Road in Manchester; chunkys.com) in two sensory-friendly screenings — 11:30 a.m. and 4:45 p.m. For both of these screenings the sound will be turned down and the lights will be up, according to the website.

Game time

• The Fisher Cats continue a series of games at Delta Dental Stadium in downtown Manchester against the Hartford Yard Goats with games Thursday, May 8, at 6:35 p.m. (with a koozie giveaway); Friday, May 9, at 6:35 p.m.; Saturday, May 10, at 4:05 p.m. and Sunday, May 11, at 1:35 p.m. with a Mother’s Day celebration and a visor giveaway, the website said. See milb.com/new-hampshire.

Library time

• The Derry Public Library (64 E. Broadway in Derry; derry.org) will host a puzzle swap on Wednesday, May 14, at 6 p.m. Donate a puzzle, take a puzzle or both, according to the website, where you can register for the event (or call 432-6140).

The Friends of the Derry Libraries are also holding a book sale on Saturday, May 10, from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

• The Manchester City Library (405 Pine St. in Manchester; manchester.lib.nh.us) will hold a Bug Hunt for ages 1 to 5 on Tuesday, May 13, at 10 a.m. Kids can listen to bug stories, play games, make a bug craft and then head outside for bug hunt-related activities, according to the website. Register online or by calling 624-6550, ext. 7628.

The library will also hold a Family Game Night featuring different board games and puzzles on Tuesday, May 13, from 4 to 7:30 p.m.

And on Wednesday, May 14, from 10 to 11 a.m. the library will host Storytime Science for ages 2 to 6 featuring Ms. Yvonne and Ms. Amanda from the SEE Science Center, according to the library’s website. The storytime will have a STEM/STEAM theme and include a hands-on activity, according to the website, where you can register for the event (registration required). Or register by calling 624-6550, ext. 7628.

Treasure Hunt 25/05/08

Hello, Donna.

Maybe you can help in giving me some information on these coins. They are all buffalo nickels. They were in a change jar belonging to my dad. I could read some of the dates so I shared that with you if it helps. They are in used condition so not sure there is any value left. Any information would be helpful, Donna. Thanks for your time.

Ken

Dear Ken,

Coins are really a specific field. Going directly to a coin dealer is truly recommended. I can provide you some history and guidelines but the final determination should be made by a numismatic dealer (fancy name for coin dealer).

Buffalo nickels have been around since 1913–1938. The values always depend on condition, mint mark, date, etc. So you can have a pile of them but just one can line up right with all of the above and have a high value. In general buffalo nickels had a 25-year run until they were replaced by the Jefferson nickel.

Giving you values without seeing them, as I said, would be incorrect. So I suggest doing a search for a local coin dealer. Then do a historical check for some interesting stories about the coin.

I hope this gave you some good advice, Ken. Good luck with your coins.

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