Category: Family Fun

Treasure Hunt 26/06/11

Dear Donna,

I have a hanging tapestry that is approximately 7 feet by 4 feet, and a wall-mounted one that is about 5 feet by 4 feet. Both have backing sewn on the rear.

According to family lore, the tapestries were acquired by my grandfather in the early 1930s when the Roxy Theatre chain in NYC went bankrupt during the Depression. Allegedly, they were “antiques” at that time. They were given to his son, my uncle, and were stored in a duffel bag for more than 50 years. My uncle gave me the weavings and we have had them on the wall since about 1985, but know nothing about their origin or provenance beyond the family tale. My uncle could provide no further info and is now deceased.

Thanks in advance for your help.

Ron

Dear Ron,

Thanks for all the information.

I can tell you, Ron, that your tapestries are from the late 1800s or early 1900s. Most are made in other countries such as England, France and a couple others.

They were made en masse for years. Larger ones like yours could have easily been used in a theater for decorative purposes.

I have had many throughout my career. I think you would be safe going to an antique shop for help. Or a consignment shop. Most larger ones in good clean condition can run up to $200. They are not an easy sell. Whoever buys or sells for you needs room financially to find the final buyer.

I hope this helps, Ron, and you find a new home for both tapestries.

Thanks for sharing with us.

Treasure Hunt 26/06/04

Dear Donna,

We have a partial set of encyclopedias, with just one missing. Is there any interest in these? Would love to see them reused at a good home. All are in good clean shape with no smell.

Thanks.

George

Dear George,

Not sure what the secondary market will bring these days for an incomplete set. I would think being from the late 1950s into the ’60s these Golden Book encyclopedias would have some interesting information.

I think as far as value goes the missing one would be important for a sale. The value of a complete set would run in the $75 range. But to give them away you just have to find the right place. If it were me, I might try a used book store, a donation store or possibly an afterschool program. It could be tough, though, to find the right one. I hope this helps you, George, and wish you luck. Thanks for sharing with us.

Kiddie Pool 26/06/04

Family fun for whenever

Music and learning

The “Be Like Blippi” Tour comes to the Capitol Center for the Arts Chubb Theatre, 44 S. Main St. in Concord, on Friday, June 5, at 6 p.m., according to ccanh.com, where you can purchase tickets. “Join Blippi and Meekah live on stage for a one-of-a-kind interactive adventure that inspires kids to move like, play like, and explore just like Blippi! the website said. See Blippi’s videos on YouTube.

Book fun

• Bookery, 844 Elm St. in Manchester, will celebrate the book launch for the children’s book The Ostrich Needs a Lift, by local author Celia Botto, on Friday, June 5, from 6:15 to 7:15 p.m., according to bookerymht.com.

• The Griffin Free Public Library, 22 Hooksett Road in Auburn, will hold a Happy 100th Birthday to Pooh celebration of Winnie the Pooh on Saturday, June 6, from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m., according to griffinfree.org.

• Get some new-to-you books for everyone in the family at the Friends of the Goffstown Public Library Book Sale on Saturday, June 6, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the lawn of the Goffstown Public Library, 2 High St. in Goffstown, according to goffstownlibrary.com. A $10-per-bag sale (bring your own reusable shopping bag) will take place from 1 to 2 p.m., according to the Friends’ Facebook page.

Old Home Day

• Goffstown’s Old Home Day will take place Saturday, June 6, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. with local vendors, food, live music and entertainment and kids’ activities and games, according to goffstownmainstreet.org/old-home-day. The festivities also include an outdoor movie at 7 p.m. and LED fireworks in the Town Common on Friday, June 5, the website said.

Treasure Hunt 26/05/28

Dear Donna,

Looking to find a value for our hanging ceiling lamp. Not sure of the age. I believe it’s all there and original other than re-wiring and cleaning often for the hanging glass. It’s not very large but can light a room brightly.

We love it and are not looking to sell it. It’s been here since we bought the house in the 1950s, if that helps.

Thank you, Donna.

Celeste

Dear Celeste,

You are making my job easy today.

I would say your small chandelier ceiling light is probably from the 1930s or 1940s. This is judging by the style.

It appears to be in great condition and clean. Doing the wiring over I always say is a great thing to do. It doesn’t take away from the value. As long as it’s done properly, it’s for safety. Chandeliers are collectible for people restoring houses to as close to original as they can. They also are just pleasantly attractive for decorators.

As far as a value, Celeste, if there is a maker’s name that would help with valuing it. But if it’s not marked the value still would be in the $400 range. So keep using and enjoy your treasure.

Kiddie Pool 26/05/28

Family fun for whenever

Fest fun

• Truckfest, an event featuring big vehicles that kids can explore, will take place Sunday, May 31, from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Wilton-Lyndeborough Cooperative High School and Middle School, according to an email from the event’s organizer. The event is free to attend and will feature a “lemonade and cookie stand to raise money for Relay for Life, a program run by the American Cancer Society,” the email said.

Game time

• The Nashua Silver Knights, members of the Futures Collegiate Baseball League, will play the Lowell Spinners on Saturday, May 30, at 6:30 p.m. against the Lowell Spinners. Formerly a minor-league Red Sox affiliate, the Spinners are returning to the field with new ownership after several years, joining the Silver Knights as members of the FCBL, according to a story at wcvb.com and the team’s Wikipedia page. See lowellspinners.com for more on the Spinners. See nashuasilverknights.com for tickets to the game.

• The 2026 New Hampshire Soap Box Derby Local Championship will be held on

Sunday, May 31, at 120 Broadway in Dover — check-ins begin at 7:45 a.m., with competitions (between drivers ages 7 to 20) starting at 10 a.m. Spectators can cheer on the races for free. See nh.soapboxderby.org.

Storytime

• Local author John Rubin will read his book Oscar— “a whimsical, heartfelt story of an adorable fourteen-year-old pug on a journey” — and then sign books at the Barnes & Noble, 1741 S. Willow St. in Manchester, on Saturday, May 30, at 11 a.m., according to barnesandnoble.com

Summer activity updates

• The Currier Museum of Art, 150 Ash St. in Manchester, has summer workshops for ages 6 through 15, according to an email from the Currier. The workshops are grouped by age (with groups for 6 to 8 years old, 9 to 11 years old and 12 to 15 years old) with half-day sessions for each age group and include “Mixing Magic: Color Lab” July 15-17; “Stories of the Sky and Sea: Myths and Legends in Art” July 22-24; “Landscapes & Daydreams” Aug. 12-14, and “Wright This Way” Aug. 19-21, the email said. See currier.org for times, prices and to register.

• Southern NH Gymnastics Academy, 4 Orchard View Drive, Unit 11, in Londonderry, 404-6181, is offering a summer camp running June 22 through Aug. 21 with full- and half-day options best for ages 4 to 14, according to an email from the academy. The day will include gymnastics as well as games and arts & crafts, the email said. See snhga.com.

• The Flying Gravity Circus has weeklong camp sessions in June and July held at the First Congregational Church in Milford. See flyinggravitycircus.org.

• Spartans Basketball is offering two youth basketball camps this summer at Pickup USA Gym in Manchester — July 13-16 and Aug. 3-6, both from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. See nhspartans.com.

• Studio 550 Community Art Center, 550 Elm St. in Manchester, 232-5597, has added three more tween/teen (ages 10 and up) Clay Camps to their summer camp offerings for the weeks of June 22, July 27 and Aug. 17, according to a press release. See 550arts.com for their full line-up of summer offerings.

Treasure Hunt 26/05/21

Dear Donna,

I have several of these metal figures. They belonged to my grandfather. Do you think they are safe to allow my son to use in play?

Thank you, Donna, for your help.

Tina

Dear Tina,

Your question is a good one.

Your figures are Lincoln Logs people. They were made from the early 1900s to the 1940s.

They are made from a metal with lead base. They are cold painted to give the details. After years and lots of use the paint cracks and chips. So my thought is that to play with them would be a safety issue. Collecting them and displaying them is fine. This is only my opinion, though! Lincoln Logs have been around for many years. I think everyone as a child played with them. The figures just made them more fun.

Lincoln Log figures in good shape with minimal to no damage are collectible. Values run in the range of $6 to $10 and up. So maybe a collection for your son would be fun. Now look for more!

Thanks for sharing, Tina.

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