Mount Washington Valley News Brought To You By Horsefeathers

Concord, New Hampshire, May 26th, 2009 - Many businesses and attractions throughout the state reported activity on par with last year or better, surpassing their expectations.  Visitors came here in larger numbers than last year and took advantage of the parks and attractions opening up for the year.  Traffic through the tolls was up slightly over last year, with the biggest increase coming on Saturday.

“A lot of people chose New Hampshire for their long holiday weekend” said Tai Freligh, Communications Manager for the NH Division of Travel and Tourism Development.  “It was nice to hear that the beaches, lakes and mountains got a lot of activity this weekend.  Many visitors took advantage of our summer promotion, the NH Dream Vacation Scavenger Hunt, to snap photos of themselves enjoying our beautiful state with the ‘I love it here’ sign.  You can see all the entries on the contest website at www.nhdreamvacation.com www.nhdreamvacation.com  and download your own contest sign.”

Here’s what members of New Hampshire’s tourism industry had to say about the Memorial Day Weekend… Read the rest of this entry »

This weekend brings the return of one of the largest East Coast Rugby Tournaments to the Mt. Washington Valley - The New England Rugby Cup.  In the great social tradition of this unqiue sport one of the nations top men’s clubs - The Boston Irish Wolfehounds - former men’s Divison 1 and Division 3 National Club Champions - will call the Wildcat Inn & Tavern home for the weekend as they compete in the 2009 NERFU Cup.
Also, hanging out at the Wildcat is the New England Rugby Referees Society.  70 plus officials from all over New England plus an elite cadre of 12 international officials will host thier annual blue blazer dinner Saturday night at the Tavern.  Capping off the weekend’s rugby festivities are The White Mountain Boys who play Saturday night at the Tavern.

By Tom Eastman
Conway Daily Sun
PINKHAM NOTCH NH -   Longtime ski race official Ted Sutton, 71, of Lincoln at the Tuckerman Inferno awards ceremony April 18 was named recipient of Friends of Tuckerman Ravine’s first-ever Steve Eastman Volunteer of the Year Award. The award is presented by Friends of Tuckerman Ravine in honor of late Mountain Ear co-founder Steve Eastman of Kearsarge, who died last April at age 58 from brain cancer.
The Eastman award is to be given every year to a volunteer who shows the team spirit, integrity and love for the mountain exemplified by the late World Mud Bowl co-founder and publisher in his years in the Mount Washington Valley. The award shows a 1978 shot of the ravine taken by Eastman from Boott Spur. It also shows a photograph of Eastman taken by Sarah Eastman on Black Cap Mountain in 1982 when they were first dating. Read the rest of this entry »

By Tom Eastman
Conway Daily Sun
INTERVALE NH -   Trophies were recently presented to the Top TuckerWoman of Friends of Tuckerman Ravine’s ninth annual Inferno Pentathlon, held April 18. Placing first in the two-women was Leanne Bernier (right) of Franconia, who was also the champion last year in the female solo class. Placing second was fellow Cannon Mountain skier and triathlete Kat Fiske (left) of Landauf, who also was second last year.
She’s my training partner, said Fiske, a massage therapist, of Bernier, who works winters at Cannon. Being Cannon skiers, they both joked that handling the day’s tough and icy  not to mention foggy  conditions down Left Gully was not that demanding, as they said, We’re used to it!
Like their three male counterparts, the two top women received trophies created by Glass Graphics of Conway and sponsored by Decades Restaurant of North Conway.Tops in the 29-man TuckerMen class were Pete Ostroski of Intervale, four-time champion David Lamb of Jackson, who was second, and defending champion Chad Denning of New London was third. As the Conway Daily Sun reported April 25, the two TuckerWomen had registered for the race after the entry deadline, hence their trophies had not been ordered by organizers in advance. Two trophies were ordered after the race, and were presented to the two female athletes this week. Read the rest of this entry »

MAY

Fridays throughout May: Open Studio Sessions for Painters - Each Friday from 9am-noon the Mt. Washington Valley Arts Association’s (MWVAA) Friday Painters group is meeting indoors for Open Studio sessions to escape the cold weather season. The group, which has been meeting in a different scenic location every Friday since June, will now meet inside at the MWVAA’s Norcross Place office every Friday from now until June. Artists of all ages and abilities are invited to attend. Friday Painters is an informal group of artists that welcomes artists of all abilities and all media, including watercolor and oils, acrylics, pastels, pencil and photography. Artists can bring in a photo or other subject matter they’d like to paint, paint the still life provided each week, or bring pieces they’re already working on. At the end of each session, all artists will gather and critique each others’ work. . Artists should bring their own supplies and are also welcome to bring a brown bag lunch. The Friday Painters group is free for members and a $5 donation is suggested for non-members. Info: 603-356-2787, www.mwvarts.org.

May10: Conway Scenic Railroad Mother’s Day Special – Mom rides FREE in Coach when accompanied by one or more of her children. Mom rides FREE in First Class when accompanied by another paying adult. Complimentary appetizers served on First Class Parlor Car. Departures are 11:30 a.m. to Bartlett and 1:30 p.m. to Conway. Info: 603-356-5251 or www.conwayscenic.com. Mom also rides free on the Bretton Woods Canopy Tour too! Info: www.mountwashingtonresort.com.

May 15 - 17: 8th Annual Northern New England Home, Garden & Flower Show - This annual event is held at the Fryeburg Fairgrounds and is one of the largest shows of its kind with more than 62,000 square feet of indoor home and garden related products and six acres of outdoor exhibits. From kitchens and all things related to the home to garden centers selling zone hardy perennials, annuals, vegetable seedlings, garden artists and other related businesses. Meet the Chefs Cooking Series, Miniature train display by Maine Garden and Railroad Society, Seminars by home and garden experts and more. Experience hands on demonstrations for adults and children. Show Hours are 11:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. on Friday, 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. on Saturday, and 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. on Sunday. General admission tickets are $8, seniors are $4, children six and under are free. Info: 800-359-2033 or www.homegardenflowershow.com.

May 17: Children’s Fishing Derby at the Remick Country Doctor Museum - The fish pond on the farm is stocked for children 15 years old and under, with parental supervision. Trophies are awarded for biggest fish, smallest fish and first to catch the limit. Two fish limit per child. Derby hours are 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 noon. This event is sponsored by Bearcamp Valley Sportsmen’s Club. Free admission. Info: 603-323-7591 or www.remickmuseum.org.

May 18: 11th Annual Business to Business Expo – Businesses going green, people, planet, profits! This event features 100 exhibitors, a business luncheon, educational workshops, wine and brew tasting and more. Presented by the Mount Washington Valley Chamber of Commerce, this popular event is the largest networking opportunity in the North Country. Info: www.mtwashingtonvalley.org

May 22-25: Annual Memorial Day Sidewalk Sale at Settlers’ Green - Save even more at over 60 brand name outlet stores. Info: 603-356-7031 or www.settlersgreen.com

May 23: Wildcat Express Scenic Gondola and ZipRider Opens – Its opening day for the skyrides and they will be open every weekend from Memorial Day to mid June. After that, Skyrides are open daily until mid October (weather permitting). Info: 603-466-3326 or www.skiwildcat.com.

May 23: “The Barra MacNeils” at the Stone Mountain Arts Center – For over twenty years this six sibling group has been a true family affair. With strong Celtic roots, the band comes alive on the stage with a plethora of instruments ranging from acoustic, stringed, percussion, and wind. Stone Mountain Arts Center is located in Brownfield, Maine. Doors open at 6:00 p.m., show starts at 8:00 p.m. Tickets are $25 per person. Info: 866-227-6523 or www.stonemountainartscenter.com.

Memorial Day – Mid-June: All Mt. Washington Valley Attractions open for daily or weekend operations. While many are already open (including the Mount Washington Auto Road, Conway Scenic RR and Hartman RR), all of the Valley’s family attractions are scheduled to open by Memorial Day. Some are open daily, others open weekends through June. Go to www.visitwhitemountains.com for more information and a complete schedule of attractions opening dates.

May 24: Jackson Wildquack 20th Anniversary River Festival - Come early for this action packed fun filled race to the finish line. Activities in the Park start at 10 a.m. and post time for the race is 2:00 p.m. There will be children’s games, vendors, food, entertainment, t-shirts and more. Over 3000 rubber ducks will cascade down the Jackson Falls into the Wildcat River as visitors cheer, jeer, and quack on their duck. Prizes are awarded to the fastest ducks that cross the finish line. The first to cross the finish line will win $1000 in cash for the lucky ticket bearer. Over 70 other valuable prizes will be awarded. Tickets are $6 each or $20 for four tickets. Info: 603-383-9356 or www.jacksonnh.com .

May 29: 32nd Annual Taste of NH: Join the American Culinary Federation for the 32nd Annual Taste of NH, A benefit for the scholarship fund, helping local culinarians continue their education. Held at the Eagle Mountain House, Jackson, NH, from 6-10pm, come hungry for station-style dining. Local chefs will prepare and host more than ten live action stations for dinner and entertainment. Tickets are $30 per person, available from any ACF member or at the Eagle Mountain House in Jackson, NH. Info: 603-383-9111.

May 29-31: Lifestyle Expo: Three days of exploration into the body, mind and soul. It’s filled with receptions, seminars and more than 35 exhibitors introducing everything from healthy to green to introspective lifestyle topics. From meditation to metaphysical, spend the weekend expanding the body, mind and soul. It’s a weekend filled with healthy lifestyles, organic foods and expanding the spirit. Sponsored by the Mt Washington Valley Chamber of Commerce, for more information and a complete schedule of seminars and events, visit www.mtwashingtonvalley.org or call 1-800-DO-SEE-NH.

May 30-31: Inn to Inn Spring Herb Tour - Country Inns in the White Mountains, a premier country inn association in New Hampshire, will host the First Annual Inn to Inn “Spring Herb Tour”. The theme of this year’s tour will be culinary herbs and guests at member inns that weekend, not only can tour all thirteen inns in the association, but will also receive a plethora of herb related goodies at each inn. Guests will get to sample the culinary use of thirteen different herbs and go home with a folder of recipes, interesting herbal lore, and herb seeds and plants of their own to grow. Each inn will focus on a different culinary herb and provide guests with a sample of how that herb is used in cooking. In addition to samples of food, each inn will provide guests with a fact sheet on the history and uses of the herb they are featuring, recipes using that herb, and finally either a packet of seeds or a live plant, so guests can grow their own culinary herbs when they go home. The Spring Herb Tour is available exclusively to those booking a two-night package at one of the 13 participating inn members of Country Inns in the White Mountains. Some inns will also be offering packages that include a special five-course, herb-themed dinner created by participating inns with restaurants. Info: www.countryinnsinthewhitemountains.com