Category: Family Fun

Treasure Hunt 24/11/28

Hello, Donna,

Can you provide any information on this black plastic pin? I have provided a few photos to try to help. Thank you in advance.

Jenny

Dear Jenny,

First I want to say thank you for all the pictures. Multiple views help always.

Your pin is from the Victorian Era. Used for mourning times. It is a cameo style (which means the center woman is raised, not recessed into it. That would be considered an intaglio.)

Even though it feels like plastic, it’s most likely Gutta Percha. That is made from a sap from special trees. Very common in that era.

Your pin looks to be in great condition for the age. Remember being a mourning pin it was mainly used just for that purpose back then. It’s a nice piece of history, Jenny.

The value on one like yours would be in the $100 range. Thanks for sharing with us.

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.

Kiddie Pool 24/11/28

Family fun for whenever

Trip to the museum

Looking for an out-of-the-house thing to do this long weekend?

• The Children’s Museum of New Hampshire (6 Washington St. in Dover; 742-2002, childrens-museum.org) is open Tuesday, Nov. 26, for its morning session (9 a.m. to noon); Wednesday, Nov. 27, for morning and afternoon (1 to 4 p.m.) sessions; Friday, Nov. 29, and Saturday, Nov. 30, for morning and afternoon sessions, and Sunday, Dec. 1, for the morning session. Reserve a spot online in advance; admission costs $12.50 for everyone over 12 months and $10.50 for 65+.

• SEE Science Center (200 Bedford St. in Manchester; see-sciencecenter.org, 669-0400) is open Tuesdays through Friday (closed Thanksgiving) from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. (last admission at 3 p.m.) and and Saturdays and Sundays 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (last admission at 4 p.m.). Admission costs $14 per person for ages 3 and up.

• The Aviation Museum of N.H. (27 Navigator Road in Londonderry; aviationmuseumofnh.org) will be open Fridays and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sundays from 1 to 4 p.m. Admission costs $10 for ages 13; $5 for ages 6 to 12 and 65+ and veterans and military, and is free for kid 5 and under.

• McAuliffe-Shepard Discovery Center (2 Institute Drive in Concord; starhop) is open Wednesdays through Sundays from 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission costs $13 for adults, $12 for 62+ and ages 13 through college, and $10 for kids ages 3 to 12 (kids 2 and under get in free).

Save the date

• Zach Umperovitch, builder of contraptions of all shapes and sizes, is inviting everyone to join him at SEE Science Center on Thursday, Dec. 5, from 5 to 7 p.m. for a free public event to celebrate the launch of his new book. Zach worked for three and a half years with Rube Goldberg’s granddaughter Jennifer Geoge and illustrator Ed Steckly to create a book that anyone can use to build 25 machines. Zach will have several machines on display and attendees can purchase a book and get it autographed, according to their website. Advance signup is required for this free event. A News Q & A with Zach Umperovitch can be found in the June 13 issue of the Hippo at hippopress.com. Visit see-sciencecenter.org or call 669-0400 for more info on the event, and check out @ZachsContraptions on YouTube and @zachscontraptions on Instagram.

Kiddie Pool 24/11/21

Family fun for whenever

Stories

  • Local authors David J. Preece and Jim Webber will hold a special Saturday storytime at Bookery Manchester (844 Elm St.) on Saturday, Nov 23, at 11:30 a.m. featuring their picture books A Home for Mr. Higgins and Mr. Higgins Takes a Stand. Spoiler: Mr. Higgins is an adorable dog.
  • In honor of her new picture book, Alice in a Winter Wonderland, which goes on sale Nov. 26, New York Times bestselling author and artist Jan Brett is on a bus tour that will make a stop at Oyster River High School (55 Coe Drive, Durham) in partnership with Durham Public Library and Gibson’s Bookstore on Friday, Nov. 29, at 5 p.m. Her new story is set in the shimmering Alaskan tundra and reimagines classic characters as animals native to Alaska. At the event, Jan Brett will do a drawing demonstration, talk, and book signing, according to the release. Visit durhampubliclibrary.org and gibsonsbookstore.com/event/jan-brett-alice-winter
  • Disney’s Descendants The Musical is presented by Kids Coop Theatre Friday, Nov. 22, through Sunday, Nov. 24, at the Derry Opera House (29 West Broadway, Derry). In the story, Belle and Beast have married and become king and queen of the United States of Auradon, where they have created a prosperous new nation from the surrounding kingdoms and banished the villains to the Isle of the Lost, where magic is suspended, which traps the villains on the island. Performances are on Thursday, Nov. 22, and Friday, Nov. 23, at 7 p.m. and on Sunday, Nov. 24, at 2 p.m. See kctnh.org for updates.
  • The Nutcracker is presented by Safe Haven Ballet at the Nashua Center for the Arts (201 Main St., nashuacenterforthearts.com) Saturday, Nov. 23, at 4:30 p.m. This full-length ballet of The Nutcracker is a dynamic performance including everyone from strong-minded Clara to the eccentric Drosselmeyer, the spooky Rats, and the beloved Sugarplum Fairy danced by artistic director Lissa Curtis, according to their website. In the Land of Sweets you will be introduced to a variation unique to Safe Haven Ballet called The Brave American, according to their website, where the audience is encouraged to sing and clap along to the spirited, patriotic piece. Adult tickets cost $45; tickets for seniors and students cost $40. See safehavenballet.org.
  • Disney’s Frozen is presented by Ogunquit Playhouse at the Music Hall (28 Chestnut St., Portsmouth, themusichall.org)Wednesday, Nov. 27, through Sunday, Dec. 22, with shows Wednesdays through Thursdays (except for Thanksgiving).The production is from the renowned producer of The Lion King and Aladdin and audiences should be prepared to be captivated by a thrilling and genuinely moving performance that The New Yorker describes as “simply magical!” according to the website. The show promises sensational special effects, stunning sets, costumes, and powerhouse performances, according to the same website. See specific days and times for ticket prices on their website.

Outdoors

Join the New Hampshire Audubon for a birding outing along the trails at the Massabesic Center (26 Audubon Way, Auburn) on Saturday, Nov. 23, from 8:30 to 10 a.m. Participants will meet at the front doors of the main building, according to their website. This is an informal birding outing that begins at Massabesic Center trailhead and explores the trails with local birder and Massabesic Center Advisory Committee member Joe Mahoney, inviting all ages and skill levels of birders, according to their website, even those who are new to birding. The Massabesic Wildlife Refuge is home to many species that prefer open space and lakeshore habitats such as eastern bluebirds, red-shouldered hawks, common loons and bald eagles in the fields and on the lake, according to their website. Binoculars rental is provided and they ask that participants dress for the weather with sturdy shoes and expect to walk 1-2 miles over mostly flat but uneven trails through grassy and wooded terrain, according to their website. Trails may be soggy or muddy in the rainy season and dogs are not allowed on this walk, according to the same website. Free admission. Visit nhaudubon.org.

Treasure Hunt 24/11/21

Dear Donna,

I am looking for information on this Heywood Wakefield dresser. It’s got a stamp in the top drawer and on the back it says Champagne and a number. I have seen some with low prices and others very high in price. Wondering where mine would be.

Theo

Dear Theo,

Your mid-century (1950’s) Heywood Wakefield dresser appears to be in good, clean, original condition. The Heywood Wakefield Co. goes all the way back to the middle 1800s. It started off as just Wakefield and in the 1920s became The Heywood Wakefield Co. It has an interesting history. The word “Champagne” on the back relates to the color. The number would be the style.

You are right that values are all over the place. Most are in the high range and very collectible today. Condition and surface are important. Dressers would be very desirable in today’s decor.

As long as drawers are structural as well with the condition we can see, I would say the value would be in the $800+ range to a collector. Possibly even higher in another region. I hope this was helpful, Theo, and thanks for sharing with us. Note: If you have or find mid-century furniture try to leave it in the original finish and condition. Once refinished it doesn’t have the highest value.

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 24/11/14

Hello, Donna.

Can you shed some light on these paintbrushes? Possibly for stenciling. They belonged to a member of my family who was a painter. They seem to not have much wear.

Any information would be helpful. Thank you in advance, Donna.

Linda

Dear Linda,

Your brushes are actually not for painting. They are antique Shaker clothes brushes, made to dust off clothing and coats. They are from the early 1900s and a lot of them made it through to today.

Possibly your family member used them for a purpose related to dust removal in painting. Being made of horsehair, they could be easily used for many purposes.

Most are used today for decorative purposes. The value on them is in the $50 range each to collectors. Thank you for sharing, Linda.

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.

Kiddie Pool 24/11/14

Family fun for whenever

Bubbles!

• The Stockbridge Theatre (44 N. Main St. in Derry; stockbridgetheatre.showare.com, 358-5210) will present BubbleMania on Saturday, Nov. 16, at 2 p.m. This is a live experience where Casey Carle “will transform the theater into a whimsical wonderland, blending high-energy bubble performances with hands-on fun” in an immersive journey that’s perfect for kids and adults alike, according to the press release. “Featuring world-class bubble artists, BubbleMania is designed to mesmerize with tricks like giant bubbles you can stand inside, bubbles stacked like towers, and more unexpected twists that allegedly defy the laws of physics,” the release said. Tickets cost $20.

See a show

• The Bedford High School Theatre Company will present Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella at Bedford High School (47 Nashua Road in Bedford) this weekend on Friday, Nov. 15, and Saturday Nov. 16, at 7 p.m., and Sunday, Nov. 17, at 2 p.m. and next weekend on Thursday, Nov. 21, and Saturday, Nov. 23, at 7 p.m. and Sunday, Nov. 24, at 2 p.m. Tickets cost $5 for students, $10 for seniors and $15 for adults. See seatyourself.biz//bedfordhigh for tickets and find the Bedford Theatre Co. on Facebook for more about the show.

• The Peacock Players will present their fall teen mainstage production of Mean Girls: High School Version, at Janice B. Streeter Theatre (14 Court St., Nashua) Friday, Nov. 15, through Sunday, Nov. 24. Shows are 7 p.m. on Fridays, 2 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays. Tickets cost $15 and $18 for adults; $12 and $15 for students and seniors. See peacockplayers.org.

• Save the date for an early Nutcracker — The Nutcrackerwill be presented by Southern New Hampshire Dance Theater at Palace Theatre (80 Hanover St. in Manchester; palacetheatre.org) Thursday, Nov. 21, through Sunday, Nov. 24. Zackery Betty-Neagle will reprise his role as the Nutcracker Prince and is currently the Artistic Director of NSquared Dance. Lori Mello, a regular guest artist with SNHDT and former Radio City Music Hall Rockette and Theater Artist, will join the cast as Mother Ginger, according to the press release. See snhdt.org for more about the dancers.

Be in a show

• Palace Youth Theatre will hold auditions for performers in grades 2 through 12 for its January production of Grease: School Version at Forever Emma Studios (516 Pine St., Manchester) on Thursday, Nov. 21, at 4, 5, 6 and 7 p.m., according to a press release. Audition participants will learn a dance and be asked to sing (a short section of a musical theater or Disney song), the release said. Rehearsals are typically on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays with some Monday rehearsals that will occur early in the rehearsal process, according to the press release. Performances at the Palace Theatre occur on Wednesday, Jan. 22, through Thursday, Jan. 23, and Wednesday, Jan. 29, through Thursdays, Jan. 30. To schedule an audition time, email MeganAlves@palacetheatre.org with performer’s name, age and preferred audition time.

Candy & games

• Chunky’s Cinemas (707 Huse Road in Manchester; chunkys.com) will host Movie Theater Candy Bingo on Friday, Nov. 15, at 6:30 p.m. Billed as family-friendly, the game will feature prizes for each round (boxes of movie theater candy) of at least eight rounds of bingo, according to the website. Doors open one hour before the start time. Bingo lasts about 90 minutes. Reserve a space for $10 and receive a $5 off virtual food voucher good for this event as Chunky’s food and drink menu will be available, according to the same release. One bingo card per customer.

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