Category: Family Fun

Treasure Hunt 23/06/29

Dear Donna,

Can you tell me if people even still use alarm clocks? This was in my parents’ home for years. It still works fine. I just don’t have a need for it any longer.

Does it have value to someone?

Thanks, Donna.

Kate

Dear Kate,

I bet there are many people that still use alarm clocks — electric ones, and maybe some people even still use wind-ups.

Your Big Ben clock is from the early 1900s and looks like one of the first models. Westclox Co. has an interesting history. Your clock working is a plus for you, Kate. The value would be in the range of $60 to a collector or decorator. Who doesn’t love the look and charm of an antique timepiece?

Thanks for sharing with us, Kate. I hope you find time to find your clock a new home.

Kiddie Pool 23/06/29

Family fun for the weekend

Outside fun

• The first Hopkinton Field Fun Day is going to be on Thursday, June 29, starting at 10 a.m. at the town library (61 Houston Drive, Contoocook). The event will be filled with fun and games for visitors of all ages. Visit hopkintontownlibrary.org for more information.

• The New Hampshire Boat Museum (399 Center St., Wolfeboro) is having a Lake Discovery Day on Thursday, June 29, from 10:30 a.m. to noon. Kids will learn about boating safety and the world under the water and on the shore through different activities and craft projects. Admission is free. For more information visit nhbm.org.

• Kids can hang out with kids — meaning baby goats — at Rochester Blue Seal (275 Portland St.) for its baby goat day on Friday, June 30, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Baby goats will be provided by Denbow Acres Farm for the makeshift petting zoo. For more information visit blueseal.com.

• Get your engines running for high-octane fun at the New England Dragway (280 Exeter St., Epping) with the Street Outlaws: No Prep Kings on Friday, June 30, at 5 p.m. and Saturday, July 1, at 2 p.m. Street Outlaws: No Prep Kings is a group of racers that have a reality television show documenting their experiences doing racing without any preparation on the cars or tracks. Tickets cost $30 for general admission, free for kids 12 and younger. To buy tickets visit nedragway.com.

• Earth Child New England is hosting an Inclusive Nature Immersion Event on Saturday, July 1, from 11 a.m. to noon at Mine Falls Park in Nashua. The event will have a gentle nature walk for children, as well as yoga, mindfulness, social skills and nature-based learning. The event is $30 per child, $15 for each additional sibling. To purchase tickets go to forms.gle/aMi3YmeMT4UPM28Y6

Theater extravaganza

• The Educational Theater Collaborative, Plymouth State University’s summer camp for kids ages 8 to 14, is putting on an original play called Team Up Together at The Flying Monkey (39 Main St., Plymouth) at 7 p.m. on Friday, June 30. Tickets to the show cost $10, $5 for children. Tickets can be purchased online at flyingmonkeynh.com.

• The 2023 Bank of New HampshireChildren’s Summer Series at The Palace (80 Hanover St., Manchester) begins with renowned children’s magician BJ Hickman Wednesday, July 5, with shows at 10 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. Tickets cost $10 per child and can be purchased at palacetheatre.org.

Kiddie Pool 23/06/22

Family fun for the weekend

Festival time

• The Nest Family Café (20 Orchard View Drive, Londonderry) is hosting Nest Fest! on Saturday, June 24, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. There will be live music, games and crafts for the kids, a variety of vendors, a picnic area and a fire truck visit. The event is free to attend with any purchase at the café. For more information, visit the café’s website at thenestfamilycafe.com.

• Summerfest by the Wilton Main Street Association is back on Saturday, June 24, at 10 a.m. There will be an arts market, live music, food, street vendors, and fireworks in the evening. In the morning there will be a pancake breakfast. The rain date is Sunday, June 25. For more information visit visitwilton.com/summerfest.

• Independence Day is coming early to Pelham for its annual Independence Day celebration on Saturday, June 24, starting at 6 p.m. There will be fair food like hot dogs, hamburgers, kettle corn, fried dough, strawberry shortcake and more. There will also be plenty of entertainment in the form of games, live music, face painting and, of course, fireworks. For more information about this event, visit pelhamcommunityspirit.org.

Movie night

• Regal Cinemas (282 Loudon Road, Concord) is starting its Summer Movie Express series this week. There will be discounted movie screenings on Tuesdays and Wednesdays from now until Sept. 6. The next movies in the lineup are Sonic the Hedgehog (2020, PG) and Dora and the Lost City of Gold (2019, PG), will both screen on June 27 and June 28 at 2 p.m. Tickets cost $2 per person. Purchase at regmovies.com.

Outdoor fun

• Monday, June 26, is the first day of Greater Derry Track Club’s Kids Summer Fun Runs. These fun runs will be held behind the Londonderry High School (295 Mammoth Road), with start time at 6:30 p.m. The series will continue every Monday through July 31. Registration deadline is Saturday, June 24, and it is free to register. Bib pickup will be earlier in the evening on the night of the first race. Kids 3 and younger run 50 yards, ages 4 to 6 run 200 meters, ages 7 and 8 run 300 meters, ages 9 and 10 run 600 meters, and ages 11 to 13 run the cross-country mile. Runners 14 and older do not need to register but can run the open mile after the younger runners are done. To register, visit runsignup.com/Race/NH/Londonderry/GDTCkids.

• Construct a palace fit for royalty at the Sandcastle Building Contest at Max Cohen Memorial Grove (3 Mason Road, Brookline) on Tuesday, June 27. Builders can begin construction whenever they choose, but must have finished their castles by 1 p.m. Winners will be announced at 1:30 p.m. For more information, visit brooklinenh.us.

Treasure Hunt 23/06/22

Dear Donna,

I have a question about this tiny chicken plastic charm. My mom always had it in a jewelry box. It was special to her. Would you know why? Thanks, Donna,

Tina

Dear Tina,

The special part of this Cracker Jack prize charm. Hmmm. Has to be the situation at the time she acquired it.

Is there anyone who doesn’t know Cracker Jacks? The sweet popcorn treat has been around since the late 1800’s. Inside the box was that special treat toy charm you couldn’t wait to unwrap. Your chicken charm is from the 1940’s, Tina.

Prizes and charms are still in the boxes of sweet popcorn. Older ones like yours vary in price but all are collectible. I would say yours is in the $20 range. Some can bring a lot more, depending on the rarity. Common ones can bring a lot less as well. The idea was to collect lots of them and buy more Cracker Jack.

A fun collection to have with a history behind them. I hope this was helpful, Tina. Thanks for sharing.

Treasure Hunt 23/06/15

Good morning.

I have had these six luncheon plates in storage for years. I’m wondering if you can tell me anything about them and their value. Thank you!

Pam

Dear Pam,

Your Haviland Limoges plates with the Frontenac pattern were produced in the 1920s. They were part of a much larger set. The plates, cups and saucers are very common. The rarer pieces are the serving pieces, such as platters, pitchers and tureens. As with all dishware the harder-to-find pieces today will bring a higher value.

Frontenac is such a nice light pattern.

The value on your plates with no damage (chips, cracks, excessive scratching) would be in the $40 range for the six.

Thanks for sharing, Pam. I hope this was helpful.

Kiddie Pool 23/06/15

Family fun for the weekend

Play ball

• Saturday, June 17, is Cats-Con Night as the theme for the Fisher Cats game at Northeast Delta Dental Stadium (1 Line Drive, Manchester) is Granite State Comicon. The night will celebrate comic pop culture with heroes and villains out on the concourse, and visitors will get a free comic book before the game. After the game there will be a firework show. First pitch is at 7:05 p.m. Tickets cost $10 to $17 and can be purchased at milb.com/new-hampshire.

Outside fun

• The YMCA of Downtown Manchester (30 Mechanic St.; graniteymca.org) will hold a Rock the Block party Saturday, June 17, from 10:15 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. on Mechanic Street. This free family event will feature games, a bounce house, live DJ and music, arts and crafts, food and more, according to a social media post about the event.

• Celebrate all things that make children amazing at the 41st annual Somersworth International Children’s Festival on Saturday, June 17, with a special pre-festival celebration at Somersworth High School (11 Memorial Dr.) on Friday, June 16, at 6 p.m. The pre-festival celebration will have live music, food and fireworks to enjoy. The festival day will be packed with food, craft and retail vendors, educational exhibits and talented street performers. There will also be free activities provided for children by local businesses. The fair runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Visit nhfestivals.org/festival-day.html.

• Head to the Aviation Museum of New Hampshire for the Annual Fly In Barbecue on Saturday, June 17, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The event will be at the hangar of Nashua Jet Aviation (83 Perimeter Road at the Nashua Airport). There will be all kinds of food to choose from, and access to watching the planes land and get ready to take off. Tickets for the barbecue cost $30 for adults, $25 for museum members, $10 for ages 6 to 12. Tickets for just access to the ramp cost $10. Kids under 5 years old are free in both cases. For more information visit nhahs.org.

• On Father’s Day, Sunday, June 18, Charmingfare Farm (774 High St., Candia) is giving free entrance to dads coming to the farm with kids 12 or younger. The farm will have all its usual exhibits open, including the hands-on petting area, tractor train rides, horse-drawn rides, visits with the farm animals, and the North American wildlife exhibits. Tickets for not-dad adults are $22 and can be purchased at visitthefarm.com.

• See Studio Two, a Beatles tribute band, at Greeley Park on Tuesday, June 20, at 7 p.m. The band will play the greatest hits at the outdoor band shell. The rain date for this event is Wednesday, June 21. For more information about this event visit nashuanh.gov/546/SummerFun.

Inside activities

• Have a Parents Night Out thanks to Snapology (826 Central Ave., Suite 1, Dover) on Friday, June 16. Kids ages 5 to 9 can participate in Mini-Figure Mania from 5:30 to 8 p.m. and kids ages 7 to 14 will create Prehistoric Robots from 6 to 8:30 p.m. In addition to doing fun STEAM activities, kids can enjoy a pizza dinner with drinks and desserts included. Spots cost $29; to reserve a spot, visit snapology.com/location/dover.

• The creepy and kooky Addams Family Musical is opening on Friday, June 16, at The Strand (20 Third St., Dover) by Break a Leg Legally. The show follows the eldest child of the Addams family, Wednesday, as she grows up and finds love with a normal boy, much to her parents’ concern. Showtime is at 8 p.m., with two more shows, on Saturday, June 17, at 8 p.m. and Sunday, June 18, at 2 p.m. Tickets to the show cost $20. More information is available at thestranddover.com

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