Category: Family Fun

Kiddie Pool 21/07/15

Family fun for the weekend

Summer of movies

Head to Greeley Park (100 Concord St. in Nashua) on Friday, July 16, at dusk for a screening of Abominable (PG, 2019), an animated movie about a girl and her friends in Shanghai who help a Yeti return to his family in the Himalayas. The screening is part of Nashua’s SummerFun lineup of activities; see nashuanh.gov.

Check out Space Jam: A New Legacy(PG, 2021), the update on the 1990s mix of Looney Tunes characters and live human basketball players that opens on Friday, July 16 (in theaters and on HBO Max). See a sensory-friendly screening on Saturday, July 17, at 10 a.m. at O’neil Cinemas at Brickyard Square in Epping (24 Calef Highway; 679-3529, oneilcinemas.com). The screening takes place in a theater where the sound is down and the lights are up.

O’neil’s summer kids movies series continues by celebrating Christmas in July with Elf (PG, 2003) screening Monday, July 19, and Wednesday, July 21, at 10 a.m. Tickets to the screening cost $2 for kids ages 11 and under and $3 for ages 13 and up. A $5 popcorn and drink combo is also for sale.

Before the fourth movie (Hotel Transylvania: Transformania) comes out this October, check out the original Hotel Transylvania (PG, 2012), featuring the voice work of Adam Sandler, at Chunky’s Cinema Pub (707 Huse Road in Manchester; 151 Coliseum Ave. in Nashua; 150 Bridge St. in Pelham, chunkys.com) on Wednesday, July 21, at 11:30 a.m. The screening is a “Little Lunch Date,” with kid-friendly lighting. Reserve tickets in advance with $5 food vouchers.

This weekend at all three Chunky’s, try to win some sweet prizes at Theater Candy Bingo on Sunday, July 18, at 6:30 p.m. Admission costs $4.99 plus one theater candy.

Summer of performances

The Palace Theatre (80 Hanover St. in Manchester; palacetheatre.org, 668-5588) continues its 2021 Bank of New Hampshire Children’s Summer Series. Finishing up this week’s run, catch Peter Pan on Thursday, July 15. Next week, the production is Wizard of Oz, Tuesday, July 20, through Thursday, July 22. Showtimes are at 10 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. and tickets cost $10 per person.

The Everlasting Characters, a group of fairytale character performers, will present “Royal Ball,” a free show at the Pelham Village Green (in front of the library at 24 Village Green) on Wednesday, July 21, from 6 to 8 p.m. Meet the characters, take a photo with them and play games, according to the website pelhamcommunityspirit.org/sponsored-events/concerts-on-the-village-green. The event is free and kids are encouraged to come in their favorite fairy tale outfits, the site said.

Or check out children’s musician Steve Blunt, who will perform a free kids concert at Ordway Park (Main Street in Hampstead) on Wednesday, July 21, at 6 p.m. See hampsteadconcerts.com/concert-series for more about the events; find out more about the Nashua-based Blunt at steveblunt.com, where you can find videos of some of his songs.

Treasure Hunt 21/07/15

Dear Donna,
I have this basket that is probably 100 years old from my mother; I think it was for a baby. I would love to know if it has value and am also looking for ideas for places that might like this, or to find out if there is no real value other than as a family item.
Martha

Dear Martha,
I’m not sure if your basket is for a baby; it could be a gathering basket as well. It doesn’t show any signs of interior wear or of any cloth or liner.
I also can say I have never seen one made out of grapevine. Maybe it’s not American. I don’t have any expertise in this area. I’m giving you my gut feeling after doing a bit of research as well.
My advice is to bring it to an antique shop and have someone look at it directly. That sometimes can help.
I’m sorry to not be much help to you and hope you do find out more. Please share with me if you do, as I am always looking to learn more myself.

Treasure Hunt 21/07/08

Dear Donna,
I am interested in finding out what this piece might be. Can you identify it?

RJ

Dear RJ,
What you have is a Victorian (middle to late 1800s) infant or invalid feeder. They were very common, used mostly to feed sick children or adults. There were ceramic ones, silver ones and many with a wooden handle and a silver-plated or sterling feeder like yours.

The value on one like yours would be in the range of $30 to $50. Finding a buyer might be tough, but I am sure there are collectors out there somewhere.

Kiddie Pool 21/07/08

Family fun for the weekend

Pick-your-own update

Last week’s Kiddie Pool mentioned some places to check out for picking your own strawberries. Now it’s time for blueberries: Check out Brookdale Fruit Farm (with picking entrance across from farmstand at 41 Broad St. in Hollis; brookdalefruitfarm.com), which has blueberries and raspberries available to pick daily (8 a.m. to 3 p.m. on weekdays, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekends). Sunnycrest Farm’s (59 High Range Road in Londonderry; sunnycrestfarmnh.com) blueberries and raspberries will be open for pick your own on Friday, July 9, daily from 7 a.m. until noon, according to its website. Berry Good Farm (234 Parker Road in Goffstown; 497-8138) will open for pick-your-own blueberries on Thursday, July 8, and will be open Mondays through Fridays from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. and Saturdays and Sundays from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., according to their Facebook page.

See a show

The 2021 Bank of New Hampshire Children’s Summer Series continues at the Palace Theatre (80 Hanover St. in Manchester; palacetheatre.org) with Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs on Thursday, July 8, at 10 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. Next week’s show is Peter Pan, which runs Tuesday, July 13, through Thursday, July 15, at 10 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. Tickets cost $10 per person.

Mr. Aaron, a children’s musician you may remember from his pandemic-era online videos will perform a free concert in the park at the Belknap Mill (25 Beacon St. E. in Laconia; belknapmill.org) on Wednesday, July 14, at 10:30 a.m.

And get your tickets now for next weekend’s production of Moana Jr. at the Capitol Center for the Arts’ Chubb Theatre (44 S. Main St. in Concord; ccanh.com) on Friday, July 16, and Saturday July 17, both at 7 p.m. Tickets cost $15 for adults and $12 for seniors and students.

See a show — with popcorn!

The Summer Kids Series of films continues at the O’neil Cinemas at Brickyard Square (24 Calef Highway in Epping; oneilcinemas.com) with the screening of 2004’sShark Tale(PG), an animated movie featuring the voices of Will Smith, Renee Zellweger and Jack Black, on Monday, July 12, and Wednesday, July 14, both at 10 a.m. Tickets cost $2 for kids age 11 and under and $3 for older moviegoers; the theater also offers a $5 popcorn and drink combo during these screenings.

Families with teens and people who were teens in the ’80s and ’90s can bring their own popcorn for a screening of Ferris Bueller’s Day Off (PG-13, 1986) on Friday, July 9, at Wasserman Park (116 Naticook Road in Merrimack) as part of the town’s summer movies in the park. The screening starts at dusk and the films are free and open to residents and nonresidents, according to the town’s Parks and Recreation website.

Science storytime

Add some science to your storytime at SEE Science Center (200 Bedford St. in Manchester; 669-0400; see-sciencecenter.org). This summer they will hold Storytime Science Tuesdays geared toward kids ages 2 to 5 at 9:30 a.m. The program is about an hour long, according to the website, where you can pre-register (as is required). Admission costs $5 per person ages 3 and up and $2 per child under 3 and the cost includes an hour of exhibit time, the website said. SEE Science Center is open daily this summer with sessions from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. to 5 pm. Admission costs $9 for everyone ages 3 and up.

American Independence Festival

The American Independence Museum (1 Governors Lane in Exeter; 772-2622, independencemuseum.org) is holding its annual American Independence Festival throughout July, both virtually and in person. On Saturday, July 10, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., the day will include artisans (including people doing needlework, shoemaking, turning flax into linen and ropemaking) and reenactor groups, First Regiment of New Hampshire and Ladies Association of Revolutionary America, according to the website. Tickets are available online or at the door and cost $5 for adults, $3 for children 4 and over and are free to active military and veterans. A pass for all three days of the festival is also available for $10 per adult and $6 per child.

There is also a free concert on Saturday night with Theo Martey and the Akwaaba Ensemble at 5 p.m. (tickets available online).

Virtual programming includes a Revolutionary Storytime, which will be available on Thursday, July 8, and perhaps more for history-minded adults, a program on plagues and pandemics on Friday, July 9, and famous speeches on Tuesday, July 13.

A Fourth full of fireworks

Communities plan Independence Day celebrations

Fourth of July fireworks are looking more promising this year. Concord, Manchester and Nashua are all planning fireworks events, and so are several other communities in southern New Hampshire. All events take place on Sunday, July 4, unless otherwise noted. All events are subject to change or cancellation, so check with the town before heading out.

Bristol

Where: Over Newfound Lake

When: July 3 at dusk; rain date July 4

Canterbury

Where: Canterbury Elementary School (15 Baptist Road)

When: Saturday, July 3, at 9 p.m.

Concord

Where: Memorial Field (70 S. Fruit St.)

When: Approximately 9:15 p.m. The Nevers Band will perform starting at 7:45 p.m. Rain date is July 5.

Derry

Where: Suggested viewing along Tsienneto Road, Hood Commons, Folsom Road and Crystal Avenue

When: Dusk (approximately 9 p.m.)

Dover

Where: Set off at Garrison Hill Park, viewable from around the city

When: 9:15 p.m.

Exeter

Where: Swasey Park (316 Water St.)

When: July 10, after 8 p.m.

Hampton

Where: Hampton Beach (Ocean Boulevard)

When: 9:30 p.m.

Hillsboro

Where: Hillsboro fairgrounds (17 Hilldale Lane)

When: July 10, 10 p.m.

Laconia

Where: Weirs Beach and Opechee Park (915 N. Main St.)

When: July 3 at 11:59 p.m. at Weirs and July 4 at 10 p.m. at Opechee

The second annual Independence Day Boat Parade on Lake Winnipesaukee will take place at Weirs Beach from 1 to 4 p.m.

Manchester

Where: Arms Park (10 Arms St.) and Northeast Delta Dental Stadium (1 Line Drive)

When: At 9:30 p.m. on July 3 at Arms Park and after the Fisher Cats game on July 4

Merrimack

Where: Merrimack High School (38 McElwain St.)

When: 9 p.m.

The town is also hosting its annual Fourth of July Parade, which will feature bands, militia units, clowns, community organizations and more. This year the town is celebrating its 275th anniversary, so the theme for the parade is Celebrate Merrimack’s History – Past, Present and Future. The parade begins at the Commons Shopping Plaza (515 Daniel Webster Hwy.), then travels south down Daniel Webster Highway, onto Baboosic Lake Road, then O’Gara Drive, ending in front of Merrimack High School.

Milford

Where: Keyes Memorial Field (45 Elm St.)

When: July 2, dusk

Nashua

Where: Holman Stadium (67 Amherst St.)

When: 9 p.m.

New Boston

Where: Hillsboro fairgrounds (17 Hilldale Lane)

When: 9:15 p.m.

Portsmouth

Where: Leary Field (Parrott Avenue)

When: July 3, 9 p.m.

Raymond

Where: Town Common

When: July 10, 9:30 p.m.

Salem

Where: Tuscan Village (72 Rockingham Park Boulevard)

When: July 3, 9 p.m.

Sunapee

Where: Sunapee Harbor

When: July 3 at dusk

Weare

Where: Town center

When: July 17 at dusk

Windham

Where: Windham High School (64 London Bridge Road)

When: June 30 at 9:30 p.m.; rain date July 1

In lieu of fireworks…
There won’t be any fireworks in Amherst this year, but the town is hosting a “reverse parade” at Souhegan High School (412 Boston Post Road) from 9 to 10 a.m. Clowns, cheerleaders, bands and more will be standing on the sides of a looped route, allowing people in cars to drive through the loop and wave.

This story was possible with the generous financial support of Hippo readers. Hippo is very grateful to have the support of its readers. If you haven’t contributed yet, please consider a small contribution. Your contributions allow Hippo to write more stories and gets you access to additional stories and columns. 

Treasure Hunt 21/07/01

Dear Donna,
My husband inherited two very large wooden plaques that hung in his father’s bar in Philadelphia, circa 1948-1955. They are both 8 feet long and 22 inches (each a solid single piece of wood).

Thank you for any information you can give us, or a direction to point us in.

Norma from Concord

Dear Norma,
The carvings are sweet!

It can be tough to figure out who made these or exactly when they were done without any signatures. That means the values for them have to come from just the quality of the work, like the detailing and craftsmanship.

I love the size of them too. I can see why you had them hanging in your home. I think the value would be in the $200 to $400 range for each one. I would try to keep them together.

Kiddie Pool 21/07/01

Family fun for the weekend

An activity now and a snack later

Get kids picking summer fruits as a way to spend some time outdoors and get a haul of strawberries for your Fourth of July weekend shortcakes. A few weeks ago, cherries joined strawberries as a crop ready for visitors to pick at Brookdale Fruit Farm (41 Broad St. in Hollis is the farm stand and pick-your-own fields are across the street; see brookdalefruitfarm.com). Both fruits are available to pick daily from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Apple Hill Farm (580 Mountain Road in Concord, applehillfarmnh.com) also has strawberry picking available Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. to noon (and keep an eye on their website and social media for the start of blueberry season). Sunnycrest Farm (59 High Range Road in Londonderry; sunnycrestfarmnh.com) has pick your own cherries, raspberries and blueberries daily from 7 a.m. to noon. Call or check websites before heading out to make sure fields are open.

More days to learn and play

The Children’s Museum of New Hampshire (6 Washington St. in Dover; childrens-museum.org, 742-2002) is now open daily except for Mondays (and, this weekend, it is also closed Sunday, July 4) for visits from 9 a.m. to noon or 1 to 4 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays and 9 a.m. to noon on Sundays. Reserve a spot and buy tickets online in advance (as is required). Open this year is the Play Patio for outdoor “messy creative fun,” weather permitting, according to the website. Admission costs $11 for everyone over 1 year old and $9 for over 65.

Birds!

Squam Lakes Natural Science Center (534 Route 3 in Holderness; nhnature.org) celebrates a new raptor exhibit with “All About Birds Day” on Thursday, July 1, when you can see live raptors at Pop Up Animal Encounters and talk to naturalists about the exhibit. The trails are open daily from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., with the last trail admission at 3:30 p.m. Advanced trail ticket purchase online is required; admission costs $28 for adults and $13 for kids ages 3 to 15 (children age 2 and under get in for free).

See the sea

The Seacoast Science Center (Odiorne Point State Park, 570 Ocean Blvd. in Rye; 436-8043, seacoastsciencecenter.org) offers family tide pool explorations in small group programs that last about 75 to 90 minutes, according to the website. This week’s tide pool adventures are happening at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, July 2, and at noon on Saturday, July 3, and Sunday, July 4. The cost is $15 for adults and $5 for kids ages 3 to 12. Register online for this program or to ensure tickets to visit the Center, which is open Wednesdays through Sundays from 10 a.m to 4 p.m.

Fun in the park

Get in the Independence Day spirit with a “Patriotic Concert in the Park” on Friday, July 2, from 7 to 8 p.m. at Abbie Griffin Park in Merrimack (behind the town hall at 6 Baboosic Lake Road). The Merrimack Concert Association will perform at this free event.

Head out with your teenage superhero fans to see Wonder Woman 1984 (PG-13, 2020), screening Friday, July 2, at Greeley Park Bandshell, 100 Concord St. in Nashua. The screening is part of the city’s SummerFun programming.

Strawberry shortcake and celebration

The New Hampshire Farm Museum (1305 White Mountain Hwy. in Milton; nhfarmmuseum.org) will celebrate Fourth on the Farm on Sunday, July 4, from noon to 3 p.m. The day will feature musicians playing traditional patriotic music, tractor rides, a reading of the Declaration of Independence and strawberry shortcake with homemade whipped cream. Admission costs $10 for adults, $7.50 for seniors over age 64, $5 for kids ages 4 and up and free for kids under age 4 and for members and active military.

Puppets!

Cactus Head Puppets will present the puppet show Magnificent Monster Circus at the park at the Belknap Mill (25 Beacon St. East in Laconia) on Monday, July 5, from 10 to 11 a.m. The event is free and open to the public; see belknapmill.org.

Off to theater we go

The 2021 Bank of New Hampshire Children’s Summer Series at the Palace Theatre (80 Hanover St. in Manchester; palacetheatre.org,668-5588) kicks off Tuesday, July 6, with a presentation of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. Shows continue Wednesday, July 7, and Thursday, July 8. A different kid-audience-friendly show featuring professional actors runs each week through Aug. 19, Tuesdays through Thursdays, at 10 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. Tickets cost $10.

Kiddie Pool 21/06/24

Family fun for the weekend

Mrs Smith’s Quality Crested Geckos at the New England Reptile Expo. Courtesy photo.

Slithering Sunday

Take the whole family to see creepy crawly creatures at the New England Reptile Expo on Sunday, June 27, from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the DoubleTree by Hilton Manchester Downtown (700 Elm St.). There will be more than 180 vendor tables and more than 75 breeders with thousands of reptiles, amphibians, arachnids and more. Pre-purchased admission tickets are required, and some time slots were already full as of Tuesday, June 22. The cost is $10 for adults, $5 for kids ages 7 to 12 and free for kids under 6. Visit reptileexpo.com.

Music, magic & motion

And the Kids Coop Theatre performs Bring It On: The Musical on Friday, June 25, and Saturday, June 26, at the Derry Opera House. Inspired by the movie, this musical is filled with cheering, plus the complexities of teens navigating friendship, jealousy, betrayal and forgiveness. All seats are $15 and seating will be assigned in advance to maximize social distancing. Masks will be required for all patrons, staff and performers. Purchase tickets on the events Facebook page or visit kids-coop-theatre.org.

And watch dancers live on stage as the Movement Box Dance Studio performs its recital “Movement in Motion” at the Capitol Center for the Arts (44 S. Main St., Concord) on Saturday, June 26, at 1 p.m. Tickets cost $30. Visit ccanh.com.

Magician BJ Hickman performs a family-friendly magic show at the Palace Theatre in Manchester on Wednesday, June 30, and Thursday, July 1, at 10 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. The show is part of the Children’s Summer Series. The next show in the series is Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, performed by professional actors, on Tuesday, July 6, Wednesday, July 7, and Thursday, July 8, at 10 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. each day. Tickets for all shows are $10. Visit palacetheatre.org or call 668-5588.

Play ball!

The New Hampshire Fisher Cats are on the road this weekend, but the team will return to Northeast Delta Dental Stadium (1 Line Drive, Manchester) for a six-game homestand against the Portland Sea Dogs, beginning Tuesday, June 29 and through Sunday, July 4. All game start times are at 7:05 p.m., and promotions will include a Jonathan Davis bobblehead giveaway on July 1, meet-and-greets and autograph signings with local stars of the hit series North Woods Law before the game on July 2, and Atlas Fireworks shows each night from July 2 to July 4. Tickets start at $8 for a “pod” of two seats. Visit nhfishercats.com.

All natural

Spend the day out in nature at Beaver Brook Association (117 Ridge Road, Hollis) which has more than 35 miles of maintained trails, open every day from dawn to dusk. The trails cut through diverse landscapes, including forests, fields and wetlands and are home to a variety of wildlife. Admission is free. A number of different trail maps and accompanying guidebooks with pictures for identifying wildlife are available on the website. Call 465-7787 or visit beaverbrook.org.

The New Hampshire Audubon’s McLane Center (84 Silk Farm Road, Concord) is now open to visitors, featuring live animals and exhibits, including the Reptile Room and raptor mews, and a Nature Store. Admission is free. Hours are Tuesday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. The trails and gardens at both the McLane Center and the Massabesic Audubon Center (26 Audubon Way, Auburn) are open daily from dawn to dusk with no admission fee. Call 224-9909 or visit nhaudubon.org.

Featured photo: BubbleMania! at the SEE Science Center. Courtesy photo.

Treasure Hunt 21/06/24

Dear Donna,

I have no idea what these are. They look like they were attached to something at one time. They are bronze and about 3 inches. Can you identify what they are? Thanks for your help and expertise.
Judy

Dear Judy,
Sometimes things can be difficult to appraise from just photos. I think they should be seen by an appraiser in person for an accurate value. But for now, let’s get you to work.

You’ll want to look for any unusual markings, signatures, etc. To determine whether they are bronze, they should be heavy and noticeably so. It could be a spelter metal (a mix of metals with a bronze finish), They should be solid, not hollow, as well. And you also need to figure out what they were attached to. Were they bookends? Were they screwed to the thing they were attached to or was there an epoxy of some sort?

Now that you know what you need to figure out, I can give you some information that may help. They have faces like foo dogs (common Asian figures). They are crude (which means not a lot of intricate detailing). I do think they could have been some kind of bookends. If they are bronze it would carry a higher value, and even more so if they are signed as well. I think, though, that you have just a piece and not the whole pie, so determining a value will be tough. But take them to someone to see and they should be able to answer all of those questions.

Treasure Hunt 21/06/17

Dear Donna,
I just acquired this antique toy game and was wondering if you could tell me anything about it. Personally I just enjoyed all the colors of the clowns. Was it a treasure at $5 for the set?
Brooke from Pelham

Dear Brooke,
I can see why you liked the game. The clowns are great!

Bill Ding has been around since the 1930s, made right here in the U.S. After doing some research, I found that the game consists of not just the clowns but rings and dowels as well. There also should be 15 clowns. The Bill Ding game has been called one of the best educational toys of its time, great for eye and hand coordination for children as well as adults.

I think you did find a piece of a treasure. Just balancing the colorful clowns without the full game would be fun and a challenge. And the colors are so fun even just for a decorative purpose. I would say the price for the clowns without the full game would be in the $20 range; a complete game is best for a higher value, with all parts and pieces and the original box all in good condition.

I hope you have fun with the clowns just as they are.

Stay in the loop!

Get FREE weekly briefs on local food, music,

arts, and more across southern New Hampshire!