Category: Family Fun

Treasure Hunt 24/10/24

Dear Donna,

Is this pink glass old? We found it in my mom’s cabinet while cleaning out. I don’t remember ever seeing or using it while growing up. It’s in good clean shape with quite a few pieces to the set as you can see in the photos. Thank you, Donna, for your assistance.

Deborah

Dear Deborah,

What you have found is a later version of what we call Depression glass. Yours was not from the 1930s or ’40s. It was a later version produced by the Arcoroc Co.

Even though it was produced later and is a less expensive version of Depression glass, today it has a collectible market. Condition is important in all older glassware, so no scratching, chips or cracks.

Deborah, thank you for all the photos. It helps in determining values. I would say your pink swirl dishes would be in the $150 range to a collector as long as the condition is good and clean.

Thanks for sharing with us. I hope your set finds a new place in your home.

Kiddie Pool 24/10/24

Family fun for whenever

Spooky Season

Find lots of haunted happenings in the Halloween guide in the Oct. 17 issue of the Hippo. Go to hippopress.com to find the issue in the digital library; the stories start on page 10. Here are some of the highlights:

• Charmingfare Farm (774 High St., Candia) will offer its Children’s Trick-or-Treat Experience on Saturday, Oct. 26, and Sunday, Oct. 27, with start times available on the hour between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. In addition to trick-or-treating, families can meet a friendly witch, see wildlife exhibits and barnyard animals, take a horse-drawn wagon ride, decorate pumpkins, ride a pony and watch a juggling show. Tickets cost $29 per person — admission is free for children under age 2 — and must be purchased online in advance. Visit visitthefarm.com.

• The New Hampshire Audubon’s McLane Center (84 Silk Farm Road, Comcord, nhaudubon.org, 224-9909) will hold its annual Enchanted Forest on Friday, Oct. 25, and Saturday, Oct. 26. Follow a trail in the forest illuminated by jack-o’-lanterns, watch skits, hear stories by the campfire and more, according to the website, where you can purchase tickets for $15 per person. Reservations are required.

• The Children’s Museum of New Hampshire hosts its Not-So-Spooky Spectacular on Friday, Oct. 25, and Saturday, Oct. 26, with sessions each day from 9 a.m. to noon and from 1 to 4 p.m. Attendees are encouraged to wear costumes. The event will feature interactive science experiments, crafting in the STEAM Lab and a pumpkin scavenger hunt. The afternoon session includes a concert and dance party with kids’ musician Mr. Aaron at 2 p.m. Admission costs $12.50 for adults and children over age 1; $10.50 for 65+. Register in advance online.

• Join kids’ musician Laurie Berkner for a Halloween show at the Capitol Center for the Arts (44 S. Main St., Concord) on Saturday, Oct. 26, with performances at 11 a.m.and 3 p.m. Laurie will blend her hits with Halloween tunes. Attendees are encouraged to wear dancing shoes and bring a stuffed animal. Tickets start at $31.75 on the CCA website.

• Family Fright Fest will be haunting the McAuliffe-Shepard Discovery Center (2 Institute Drive, Concord) on Sunday, Oct. 27, from 10:30 to 4 p.m. Participants can engage in hands-on activities, endure “Seven Minutes of Terror” ahead of the Tonight’s Sky planetarium shows at noon and 2 p.m., and even go on a code-cracking scavenger hunt, according to their website. Participants are encouraged to dress up in their favorite Halloween costume. Regular admission costs apply, but general admission tickets are buy one, get one free when you come in costume and the discount is only applicable for tickets purchased at the front desk, according to the website. “Hands-On Spooky Science Demonstrations” will occur throughout the day as well as activities for the whole family like pumpkin constellation painting, the bat paper airplane target challenge and more, according to the website. Visit starhop.com.

Treasure Hunt 24/10/17

Dear Donna,

Can you help me age this Mickey Mouse eraser? Is there any value to it?

Thank you.

Christine

Dear Christine,

I have seen many of these so I think I can help.

Your Mickey Mouse pencil top eraser was manufactured by the Diener Co. The owner was a good friend of Walt Disney. In the late 1950s he produced a line of Disney character erasers from his company. Along with Mickey there were many other Disney characters —Pinocchio, Goofy, Dumbo, Donald Duck etc. I believe yours, in the style it is, was from the late 1950s or 1960s. The value is in the range of $15 in good condition.

Christine, I hope this was helpful and thanks for a smile. How can you not when you see a Disney item?

Kiddie Pool 24/10/17

Family fun for whenever

Season of fun

Windham Recreation Department will hold its annual Harvest Fest on Saturday, Oct. 19, from 1 to 4 p.m. in Griffin Park. A Doggie Costume Parade will take place at 11 a.m. (check in at 10 a.m.) with judging in several categories, according to sarlnh.org, where you can register your pup in advance. The Fest itself will feature DJ Greg; Wildlife Encounters from 1 to 3 p.m.; a bubble performer from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m.; a Kids’ Horrible Costume Parade with a 2:45 p.m. line-up, and Mr. Aaron’s Halloween show at 3:30 p.m. as well as games, crafts, pumpkin decorating and Halloween treats, according to windhamnh.gov.

It’s Touch A Tractor day at the Coppal House Farm (118 N. River Road in Lee; nhcornmaze.com) on Saturday, Oct. 19, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Get photo ops with large farm implements before exploring the corn maze, which is open on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., according to the website. (The maze is also open Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Mondays, Thursdays and Fridays from noon to 5 p.m. — last admission is 4:30 p.m.) On Sunday, Oct. 20, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., catch Wildlife Encounters, which will bring their animals to the farm (see weecocenter.com), the website said. Admission to the corn maze costs $10 per person for ages 13+ and $8 for ages 5 to 12; kids age 4 and under get in for free, the website said.

On stage

Alice in Wonderland Jr. will be presented by the Peacock Players at Janice B. Streeter Theatre (14 Court St., Nashua) Friday, Oct. 18, through Sunday, Oct. 27. 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.

Disney’s The Little Mermaid will be performed by the Manchester Community Theatre Players at The MCTP Theatre at North End Montessori School (698 Beech St., Manchester) Friday, Oct. 18, through Sunday, Oct. 27. Showtimes are at 7 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays and 2 p.m. on Sundays. According to a press release from the Players, The Little Mermaid is musically directed by Christie Conticcio and directed by Trysran Stoffel who said, “Our production of The Little Mermaid is full of life, color and laughter.” Tickets to this family musical comedy cost $20 for adults, $18 for seniors and $10 for ages 18 and under. See mcpt.info.

Treasure Hunt 24/10/10

Hi, Donna,

My parents got this from my dad’s aunt about 20 years ago, not sure how long she had it. We are just wondering how much it would be worth to sell. It also comes with a dining table and four or six chairs. Not in perfect condition — there are some dings.

Thanks.

Carol

Dear Carol,

Your black lacquered dining room set is in an Asian decor style. Looks to me like it was a high-quality set when purchased.

The issue for me is it’s really not considered an antique. It looks like it could be from the 1960s-ish. To put a value on it I think first it has to be in good clean condition. Any damage or areas needing work will take away from the value.

I would try retail consignment or marketing it yourself. If you bring it to a consignment store they should be able to help in pricing it. I also think photos of all of the set will help too.

Carol, I’m sorry to not give you more than advice. Tough for me to give you a proper value for it. Good luck and I hope you find a new home for it.

Kiddie Pool 24/10/10

Family fun for whenever

Fun in the dark

• The Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Live Glow Party comes to SNHU Arena (555 Elm St. in Manchester; snhuarena.com) on Saturday, Oct. 12, with shows at 12:30 and 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, Oct. 13, at 2:30 p.m. “Fans of all ages will experience the thrill of watching their favorite Hot Wheels Monster Trucks in the dark!” according to the arena website. Tickets cost $35.50 to $57.

• The Coppal House Farm (118 N. River Road, Route 155, in Lee; nhcornmaze.com) will hold one of its two remaining Flashlight Night Mazes this weekend on Saturday, Oct. 12, from 6:30 to 9 p.m. (The final Flashlight Night Maze is slated for Saturday, Oct. 26.) Tickets cost $15 each for ages 5+ (free for ages 4 and under), according to the website, where you can buy tickets in advance. Kids age 15 and under must be accompanied by an adult, the website said. BYO flashlight.

Movie time

• Chunky’s (707 Huse Road in Manchester; chunkys.com) will offer a sensory-friendly screening of The Wild Robot (PG, 2024) on Tuesday, Oct. 15, at 11:30 a.m. For these screenings, “Chunky’s will keep the theater lights up, the sound of the film turned down,” according to the website. Tickets cost $6.99 plus service charge.

Kids in the Carol

• The Palace Theatre will hold auditions for grades 2 to 12 for the Youth Ensemble of its Professional Production of A Christmas Carol on Sunday, Oct. 13, at 5, 6 or 7 p.m. The show will run Nov. 29 through Dec. 29 at the Palace Theatre (80 Hanover St. in Manchester; palacetheatre.org). Auditions will take place at the Forever Emma Studios (516 Pine St. in Manchester). To schedule an audition time and find out more of the audition requirements, contact [email protected] with performer’s name, age and preferred time, the email said.

Stay in the loop!

Get FREE weekly briefs on local food, music,

arts, and more across southern New Hampshire!