Category: Family Fun

Treasure Hunt 25/12/04

Dear Donna,

I would like to wish you happy holidays.

It took me a while to find one of these turkey platters, but now I have. It’s huge and in great condition with no damage that I can see. I can’t find any name on it on the back. I bought it at a thrift store and paid $9. For me it was a deal to finally own one similar to the one I grew up with. Going to be the center of my table Thanksgiving Day.

Did I find a deal, Donna?

Thank you.

Cynthia

Dear Cynthia,

You got a deal no matter what! If this makes you happy and brings back memories it’s priceless.

Your turkey platter is not just in your memories but in lots of people’s. Some were fancier and much older, dating to the late 1800s. Others are bright and colorful, running from the 1940s to present! I also remember one on my grandmother’s and mother’s table, only coming out once a year. You never forget them, though.

Values on unmarked ones usually run in the $50 range and up, as long as there’s no damage. So, Cynthia, you got a double deal this time!

Thanks for sharing and Happy Holidays to you as well.

Treasure Hunt 25/11/27

Hi, Donna,

I’m wondering if you can provide any information about this desk bell that I purchased at an antique shop several years ago. It’s made entirely of metal. It’s 5.25 inches tall, the base is 4.25 inches across, and the bell is 3 inches in diameter. I’m wondering about its age and value. It’s in very good condition, and it still works! Thank you.

Peter in Manchester

Dear Peter,

Your Victorian Era (late 1800s) service bell was probably used a lot back in its time. Any situation where you would have needed service is what it was for. Countertop bells would be in hotels, stores, etc. Bells are still used today, although most are electric.

Some antique bells are plain, some fancy. I think yours is in the middle but very pretty. I would say the value is in the $90 range. Thanks for sharing with us, Peter.

Donna

Kiddie Pool 25/11/20

Family fun for whenever

Gobble gobble

• Merrimack Parks and Recreation will hold Turkey Quest: The Great Wasserman Scavenger Hunt on Saturday, Nov. 22, from 10 a.m. to noon in Wasserman Park, according to merrimackparksandrec.org, where you can register in advance (which is required). Admission costs $10 per family/group, the website said. “Your mission: explore the park on foot, uncover hidden clues, and capture creative photos of special items,” the website said.

Hit the ice

• Public ice skating at JFK Memorial Coliseum, 303 Beech St. in Manchester, in November runs Tuesdays and Thursdays, 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. (no skating on Nov. 20 and Nov. 27) and Saturdays and Sundays from 2 to 4 p.m., according to a flyer posted on the Manchester Parks and Recreation department Facebook page. Looking to work out some Thanksgiving week energy? Public skate is also available Wednesday, Nov. 26, and Friday, Nov. 28, both from 12:30 to 2 p.m., the post said. Admission costs include $5 per person entry and $5 skate rental, cash only, the post said. See manchesternh.gov.

• Public ice skating is also available at Douglas N. Everett Arena, 15 Loudon Road in Concord, Tuesdays through Fridays, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. (closed Nov. 27); Saturdays from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.; Sundays from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m, and Mondays from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. and, through Dec. 8, 6:30 to 8 p.m., according to concordnh.gov/921/Ice-Skating-Stick-Practice. Admission costs include $6 for entry and $6 for skate rentals; see the website for punch passes and information on sharpening and helmet rentals.

Holiday storytime

• Author/illustrator Matt Tavares will be at Gibson’s Bookstore, 45 S. Main St. in Concord on Saturday, Nov. 22, at 2 p.m. for a storytime event for his new picture book Dasher and the Polar Bear, according to a press release. “One bright night just before Christmas, Dasher the reindeer is out admiring the stunning colors of the northern lights when she meets George, a sweet polar bear.,” the release said. See gibsonsbookstore.com.

Treasure Hunt 25/11/20

Dear Donna,

I have a quilt that I believe my mom’s mother made. This would make it from the 1940s I think. It’s smaller than a full-size bed. I think it’s in great shape for the age. Can you give me any information on caring for it and possible value?

Thank you, Donna.

Elaine

Dear Elaine,

Nice piece to have from your family.

Your quilt appears to be made from old clothing scraps. It wasn’t uncommon to create a quilt from fabric within the home.

Quilt values are in their patterns, age, condition, and whether or not they are hand stitched, among other factors. Some quilts were made from old feed sack material, using everything to create warmth. We might use quilts today for decorative reasons but back in the day they were needed.

There were quilts that were made and signed by the many people participating. Each piece would have its own folky design — animals, figures, embroidered then signed. All put together to complete a quilt.

Your quilt, Elaine, is a typical homestyle quilt, made sturdy to last. I think as for care it should be fine on delicate or possibly dry cleaned.

As far as value goes I think it would be in the $75 range. I hope it stays in your family. Nice piece! Thanks for sharing with us.

Treasure Hunt 25/11/13

Dear Donna,

I have a quilt that I believe my mom’s mother made. This would make it from the 1940s I think. It’s smaller than a full-size bed. I think it’s in great shape for the age. Can you give me any information on caring for it and possible value?

Thank you, Donna.

Elaine

Dear Elaine,

Nice piece to have from your family.

Your quilt appears to be made from old clothing scraps. It wasn’t uncommon to create a quilt from fabric within the home.

Quilt values are in their patterns, age, condition, and whether or not they are hand stitched, among other factors. Some quilts were made from old feed sack material, using everything to create warmth. We might use quilts today for decorative reasons but back in the day they were needed.

There were quilts that were made and signed by the many people participating. Each piece would have its own folky design — animals, figures, embroidered then signed. All put together to complete a quilt.

Your quilt, Elaine, is a typical homestyle quilt, made sturdy to last. I think as for care it should be fine on delicate or possibly dry cleaned.

As far as value goes I think it would be in the $75 range. I hope it stays in your family. Nice piece! Thanks for sharing with us.

Kiddie Pool 25/11/13

Family fun for whenever

Holiday lights

• LaBelle Lights, the LaBelle Winery’s lighted outdoor display at its location at 14 Route 111 in Derry, will open for the season on Friday, Nov. 14, and run through Sunday, Jan. 18, according to labellewinery.com. The walkable lights course is open most days through Jan. 4 (closed Mondays, Thanksgiving, Christmas and Christmas Eve) as well as Thursdays through Sundays for the first two full weeks of January. Among the special event dates and happenings at the lights, a LaBelle Lightsfest will take place on Friday, Nov. 21, featuring a tree lighting, fireworks, live performances and more, the website said. Time slots for entry this weekend start at 4:30 p.m., the website said.

On stage

• The Peacock Players’ production of Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderellakicks off its two-week run this weekend. The show will run Friday, Nov. 14, at 7 p.m.; Saturday, Nov. 15, at 2 and 7 p.m. and Sunday, Nov. 16, at 2 p.m. (as well as the following Friday and Saturday at 7 and Saturday and Sunday at 2 p.m.) at the Janice B. Streeter Theatre, 14 Court St. in Nashua, according to peacockplayers.org. The show is the Fall Teen Mainstage production, with actors ages 14 through 18, the website said.

Game night

• It’s time for the KPop Demon Hunters fan in your family to shine. Chunky’s, 707 Huse Road in Manchester, is holding a family trivia night all about the Netflix film on Saturday, Nov. 15, at 6 p.m. , according to chunkys.com, where you can purchase tickets.

Save the date

• Spartans Basketball, “NH’s largest AAU Basketball program” according to an email from organizers, will hold winter tryouts starting on Wednesday, Nov. 19, at Grinnell Elementary School in Derry for boys and girls in grades 3 through 8. Times are 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. for third- to sixth-graders and 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. for seventh- and eighth-graders, the email said. See nhspartans.com for more on the program and contact Chris Coates with questions at CoatesNew@hotmail.com.

Stay in the loop!

Get FREE weekly briefs on local food, music,

arts, and more across southern New Hampshire!