Dear Donna, I found this small horse charm and it says “Black Horse Ale NY.” It’s only 1 1/2” x 1” and is made of plastic. Can you give me any information and a possible value?
Lynne
Dear Lynne, I did some research on your horse charm and found out it was an advertising charm for Black Horse Ale. The story is a very interesting one but a long one as well; if you’ve got the time I would encourage you to do some research online to read the story of Black Horse Ale and see how one tiny plastic charm has such a history.
The interesting thing to me about this charm, and other small collectibles, is how did such a tiny piece even survive to today?
The value on it is in the $25 range but the history is priceless. I know that collecting charms from gum machines, cereals, Cracker Jack and premiums is still happening today. What’s amazing is how many old ones are still out there and the stories that go behind them.
The tipi set up at Mt. Kearsarge Indian Museum. Courtesy photo.
Virtual field trips
Watch on-stage performances of Pete the Cat, Dog Man the Musical, We the People: America Rocks and other kid-friendly shows as part of the Theaterworks USA Virtual Field Trip series, available through the Capitol Center for the Arts’ website (ccanh.com). The series was created for schools, home-schooled children and families. Non-school groups can purchase tickets through theaterworksusa.uscreen.io, where there is a full list of productions that are available for in-home rentals. Most shows are $20 per household, and once purchased they are available to view for 48 hours.
Free fun for military families
The Children’s Museum of New Hampshire (6 Washington St. in Dover; children’s-museum.org, 742-2002) kicks off its Military Appreciation Summer on Armed Forces Day, Saturday, May 15, allowing all current and retired military personnel and their immediate family members free admission. From this Saturday through Sunday, Sept. 5, military members with an ID will receive free admission, plus free admission for dependent children and spouse — up to five family members. The museum’s current hours are Wednesdays and Sundays from 9 to 11:30 a.m., Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays from 9 to 11:30 a.m. or 1 to 3:30 p.m., and reservations are required. Admission is $9 per person ages 3 and up.
Explore Native cultures
The Mt. Kearsarge Indian Museum in Warner (18 Highlawn Road, 456-2600, indianmuseum.org) is now open for the season, offering self-guided tours Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 4 p.m. The museum features exhibits that explore Native cultures and encourage respect for nature, including historical and contemporary crafts and customs. Two new exhibits are a scenic mural in the Northeast Region and an 1800s Cree man’s outfit from the Plains Region. Outside, the Medicine Woods Trail features native plants that were commonly used for food, medicine and shelter, the Janeway Arboretum includes 85 species of trees, and there are 20 new birdhouses throughout the property. The cost of admission is $9 for adults, $8 for seniors and students, $7 for kids ages 6 through 12, free for kids under 6 and Native Americans, and $26 for families of two adults and children under 18.
Featured photo: The tipi set up at Mt. Kearsarge Indian Museum. Courtesy photo.
Dear Donna, Enclosed is a necklace belonging to my great-grandma that I believe is of the Victorian era and made of brass. I have tried to research it but came up with nothing. There is also a cup and saucer, also belonging to my grandma, that says “J.P.L.France” and then “Limoges.” I believe it could be of some value, and any help would be greatly appreciated.
Jackie from Pelham
Dear Jackie, Let’s start with your tea cup and saucer. The mark “J.P.L.” stands for Jean Pouyat Limoges. This was done during the middle to late 1800s. Definitely part of a much larger set for dining.
You are right about Limoges china having value, but in today’s market even value can sometimes be a tough market. The value on china is in the makers and mostly in the larger more uncommon pieces that are in excellent condition (which is hard to find). Then it would be in the hand painting designs (patterns). There is quite a history behind Limoges, and it’s interesting to read about in books or online to find out more about yours.
The value would be in the $25 range for the tea cup and saucer. Finding a buyer might be tough. though. in today’s market.
As far as your sweet necklace, unless pieces like it are marked it’s tough to find a value. So some things can give us a clue: material (gold or silver would have a higher value than brass); age (tough to tell in this case) and maker (if not signed then go by the design and condition).
It looks to be an earlier style, maybe from the same estate and period of time as your tea cup and saucer or a bit later. I think we’re safe to say it is in the $40 range but I would have it checked by a professional to confirm my view from here.
New Hampshire Children’s Trust is offering a free download of its Strengthening Families Across NH Activity Book. Courtesy image.
Outdoor circus
Find jugglers, acrobats, aerialists and other circus performers in the great outdoors during Circus in the Woods. Register now to attend one of Flying Gravity Circus’s four performances, taking place at four different nature and arts organizations in New Hampshire for the remaining Sundays in May — at the Harris Center for Conservation Education in Hancock on May 9, the Beaver Brook Association in Hollis on May 16, the Hooper Institute in Walpole on May 23, and the Andres Institute of Art on May 30. Flying Gravity is a nonprofit based at High Mowing School in Wilton and is a circus education organization that promotes artistic expression, physical fitness and positive youth development through circus arts. Circus in the Woods will allow the annual show, which was canceled last year, to return as a fun family activity in a safe environment. Performances are between 2 and 5 p.m. and reservations are required through eventbrite.com. Tickets are $5 (children 2 and under get in free). Reserve a time slot now at flyinggravitycircus.org.
Mission to Mars
Find out what NASA is up to on Mars during Super Stellar Friday at the McAuliffe-Shepard Discovery Center (2 Institute Drive, Concord). On Friday, May 7, the discovery center will hold its monthly virtual program at 7 p.m.; this month’s topic is “Robotic Life on Mars.” STEM instructor and senior Discovery Center educator Dave McDonald will share updates on the Perseverance Mars rover and Ingenuity Mars helicopter and talk about what’s next for their missions. The event is free, but registration is required at starhop.com.
I have a set of clear Pyrex bowls that I got at a yard sale. I’m wondering if they have value to them, being a set of three. All are in really great unused condition. I have seen pattern Pyrex pieces for much more than I paid for these, so I am curious. Linda
Dear Linda, I think the set of bowls is sweet, and being Pyrex is a plus. But keep in mind Pyrex is still produced today. Many patterns have changed and there have been some different styles as well over time. The company started in Corning, N.Y., but now is in Pennsylvania. Can’t think of any home that doesn’t have a piece or several in it. The stuff was made to last, and that it did.
I would say that values are in the patterns, age, condition and rarity of production of pieces. So clear and common form at any age would be in the lower end of values. Not knowing what you paid I still think in today’s secondary market the set of three would be in the range of $25. You can’t buy a good set of bowls cheaper these days.
New Hampshire Children’s Trust is offering a free download of its Strengthening Families Across NH Activity Book. Courtesy image.
Animal fun
A traveling petting zoo and horse and pony rides will be part of the Power of Angels Kitty Angels Fundraiser, which takes place Saturday, May 1, and Sunday, May 2, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Treasures, Antiques, Collectibles & More (106 Ponemah Road, Amherst, 672-2535, treasuresnh.com). The weekend will also feature artists and artisans, live entertainment, food vendors, flea market and yard sales and a raffle — and of course, adoptable kitties. Proceeds go to Kitty Angels, a no-kill cat shelter that rescues stray and abandoned cats and kittens, treats their injuries or health issues and then places them into new homes.
Explore the live animal exhibit trail, which features a new raptor exhibit, when Squam Lakes Natural Science Center (23 Science Center Road, Holderness, 968-7194) opens for the season on Saturday, May 1. The raptor complex includes nine raptor species in new aviaries, including a bald eagle and great horned owl. At another exhibit, children can imagine themselves as baby birds hatching out of giant eggs, and there’s a new Songbird Feeding Station for visitors to observe wild birds that visit the Science Center. The Hidden Stories Exhibit, which opened in 2020, uses trail cameras to observe red fox, white-tailed deer, coyote and black bear. Hours are 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, with the last trail admission in the 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. time slot. Trail admission is $18 for adults and seniors (age 16+), $13 for youth ages 3 to 15, and free to children 2 and younger. Tickets must be purchased in advance at nhnature.org. The center’s Squam Lake Cruises, which feature lake wildlife, will begin in mid-May. Tickets are available online.
Family activity
New Hampshire Children’s Trust is offering a free download of its Strengthening Families Across NH Activity Book, which is designed for young children and early adolescents and features activities like word searches, mazes, coloring pages and drawing pages, all with messages that promote things like resilience and positive relationships. New Hampshire Children’s Trust works to prevent child abuse by strengthening families with basic supports, parenting education and more. Download the activity book at nhchildrenstrust.org/prevention.
Featured photo: New Hampshire Children’s Trust is offering a free download of its Strengthening Families Across NH Activity Book. Courtesy image.
