Hannaford Donates $250,000 to Support New Nursery

DOVER—
The Hannaford Charitable Foundation recently awarded Wentworth-Douglass Hospital (WDH) the largest private gift in the history of the Wentworth-Douglass Hospital & Health Foundation. Hannaford’s gift of $250,000 over five years will support the multi-level nursery in the new WDH Women & Children’s Center opening in early 2013. In honor of this significant gift, the nursery will be named the Hannaford Special Care Nursery at Wentworth-Douglass Hospital.
According to Donna Boyce, charitable giving specialist at the Hannaford Charitable Foundation, Hannaford awards grants for initiatives that have long-lasting benefits to communities and fill a significant need. Over the past years, a few New Hampshire hospitals have closed their birth centers, creating a critical need for obstetric and newborn care facilities. Seacoast community birth rates are some of the highest in NH and WDH has led local hospitals in the number of births for several years.
At the heart of the Hospital’s new addition is a state-of-the-art Women & Children’s Center that will house the Hannaford Special Care Nursery. “It is a great example of the kind of healthcare projects of lasting value that the Hannaford Charitable Foundation works to support,” said Boyce.
The Hannaford Special Care Nursery’s family-centered model of care will facilitate bonding and attachment between parents and newborns, and prepare the family for the transition to home. Designed for multiple levels of care, the Nursery will feature a five-bed, well-baby area for newborns rooming-in with mom most of the time, a stabilization care area for infants awaiting transfer to or from a neonatal intensive care unit, and an eight-bed special care area for preterm or other babies having difficulty transitioning to life outside the womb. Four private special care rooms are equipped with state-of-the-art monitoring systems, radiant warmers, bassinets and a day bed for parents to stay with their baby. A specially-designed family suite with kitchen and laundry facilities will offer private space for the family’s comfort while staying with their baby for as long as is needed to stabilize the infant for transition to home.
According to Karen MacDonald, RN, Nurse Director for Maternal and Child Services at WDH all of the staff of Women & Children’s are really excited about the Hannaford Special Care Nursery. MacDonald said, “The Hannaford organization understands families are best served in a center that supports the privacy parents need to get to know their infants. This is especially important for high-risk infants.”
The Hannaford Charitable Foundation is the charitable giving arm of Hannaford Supermarkets of Scarborough, Maine. The Hannaford Foundation provided $1.3 million in grants in 2010 to 130 non-profit organizations that serve communities where Hannaford Supermarkets does business and where its associates live. Hannaford Supermarkets operates 178 stores in Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, New York and Massachusetts.
Photo caption: Pictured is a rendering of the Wentworth-Douglass Hospital addition, which will house the new Hannaford Special Care Nursery. (Courtesy image)

Zero Waste Portsmouth to Roll Out Unique Recycling Stations

PORTSMOUTH—
This week marks the official launch of the Downtown Portsmouth Zero Waste Project, a community-wide effort to establish the city’s first public recycling program.
On Tuesday, September 27, the first four colorful recycling stations were placed throughout the downtown area, along with a fifth in Prescott Park. The recycling program hopes to boast 15 stations throughout Portsmouth when it is in full swing.
The initiative’s official rollout was followed by a brief gathering and ribbon cutting in Market Square. Afterwards, attendees, supporters and participants of the program joined the Zero Waste Portsmouth team for a celebration at the nearby Portsmouth Brewery.
A strategic partnership of the Islington Creek Neighborhood Association, Tim Gaudreau Studios, and EcoMovement Consulting and Hauling, Zero Waste Portsmouth has over the last two years spearheaded efforts in and around Portsmouth to reduce the amount of waste being dumped into Rochester’s Turnkey landfill through creative recycling and composting alternatives.
Karina Quintans, Zero Waste’s Director says the project began with a simple brainstorming session amongst neighbors, all of whom harbored a keen interest in helping speed up Portsmouth’s push towards sustainability. By the end, it had become clear that “zero waste” sat atop the list of priorities.
Specifically, the group envisioned recycling stations – placed throughout the town – as eye-catching as they were practical. A few months later, during a green homes tour, Quintans met Tim Gaudreau, a self-proclaimed “eco-artist” and one of the Green Alliance’s first ever Business Partners. Needless to say, Quintans had found the ideal partner for the job.
“It was the perfect alignment,” recalls Quintans. “It was obvious that Tim’s passion for art and the environment would help transform the project into something unique.”
Gaudreau, with the help of students at Portsmouth’s Middle and High Schools, as well as the Robert Lister Academy, designed the resulting colorful bins with region-specific themes intended to draw the attention of passersby, including Portsmouth architecture, sea creatures, trees, and Piscataqua River scenes.
No less than seven Green Alliance Business Partners (Little Green Homes, Simply Green, Minute Men Painters, Cornerstone Tree Care, ReVision Energy, Middleton Building Supply, and EcoMovement Consulting and Hauling) provided funds, building materials or logistical support for the project, with many having their logos or contact information emblazoned on the bins themselves.
For Middleton Building Supply Manager Andy Carberry, the partnership – and sponsorship – was in sync with the company’s continued trending towards green.
“We first were introduced to this project through our partnership with the Green Alliance – they brought the Zero-Waste folks to a Green Alliance Business Partner meeting and encouraged some of the businesses to get involved and we could see right away the synergy between our company and this worthy effort,” says Carberry. “We are really working to offer more green options in our stores and collaborating with such a group on a very visible project such as this one was a perfect fit, and we knew we had a lot to contribute in terms of materials and equipment.”
Tuesday’s roll-out festivities were a welcome vindication for Quintans and the rest of the Zero Waste Portsmouth team, who have been hard at work on the initiative for just over two years. Still, the work is far from complete.
“We look at this as one of many steps forward in achieving zero waste here in Portsmouth,” she says. “The city has had a fairly low recycling rate of 22%, so it’s going to be a process. But hopefully with the rise of single-stream recycling and these new public recycling stations, we can make more of a difference, and strengthen our profile as an Ecomunicipality.”
This article was submitted by Jim Cavan.
Photo caption: Andy Carberry of Middleton Building Supply delivers new recycling stations to downtown Portsmouth. (Photo by Karina Quintans, Director, Zero Waste Portsmouth)

Hampton Readies for Second Annual Art Show and Sale

HAMPTON—
Mark your calendars for Artwalk 2011, the 2nd Annual Hampton Art Show and Sale, October 6-7, 4-8 pm. The Hampton Arts Network (HAN), in partnership with the Town of Hampton’s Department of Recreation, has greatly expanded the offerings from last year. In addition to the display and sale of artwork by talented HAN members, Artwalk 2011 features poetry, sculpture, a book signing. live entertainment, activities for both children and adults, balloon twisting, pumpkin carving and historical re-enactors strolling throughout downtown Hampton telling stories from the past.
New this year is a Seacoast first: the Edible Art Contest! Here is your chance to create a work of art made from edible materials. This is a People’s Choice contest and prizes will be awarded. Contact Karen at hanmembership@gmail.com for further information or to obtain an application form.
And, by special request, professional area chefs will create some fantastic new pumpkin-based recipes. Their amazing creations will be showcased during the event.
You are invited to help HAN artists complete a community mandala drawing, where you can add your personal contribution. We anticipate displaying the completed mandala somewhere in downtown Hampton.
Look for the bright blue, red and orange Artwalk flags that identify venues where artwork can be found. Luminaries will line the sidewalks, and maps and guides (wearing scarves) will also be available to help direct you.
Want to know more? Visit www.hamptonartwalk2011.word
press.com.

Apple Harvest Day 5K and Festival Returns to Dover

DOVER—
Based on last year’s success, the Apple Harvest Day 5k is back this year with an improved course and enhanced experience. The event will take place on Saturday, October 1, beginning at 8:30 a.m.
This year’s race includes the popular Apple Harvest Day 5k T-Shirt for the first 400 runners, a USTAF certified 5k downtown course (changes pending), cash prizes for top three male and female runners, age group prizes for the top three finishers in each division, awards presented in the heart of festival, and more. Registration is available online, priced at $17 for adults and $12 for children under 12. On the day of the race, registration costs $20 for adults, $15 for children under 12.
The race proceeds benefit the Greater Dover Chamber of Commerce’s community programming such as Apple Harvest Day and Cochecho Arts Festival. In 2011, the Cochecho Arts Festival brought 30 free concerts to Dover over a 7-week period. In addition, it helps support educational initiatives such as Teacher of the Year Awards and Chamber Scholarships.
After you run the race, stay in Dover for a full day of family fun at Apple Harvest Day underwritten by Federal Savings Bank. The Harvest Day committee has brought some significant enhancements to the festival including “Orchard Alley” along Orchard Street, which will feature a half dozen farms and orchards showcasing their fall harvests. There will also be family-friendly amusement zones in Henry Law Park and the Cocheco Courtyard and the new Northend Rocks Stage on Third Street.
In addition to these new features, patrons will find the streets lined with local artists and crafters displaying and selling their work, non-profits spreading the word about their various charitable causes, and a wide variety of local businesses, many of whom are offering Festival Specials and other attractive discounts. There will be food, music, dancing and entertainment, a petting zoo, a pie baking contest, raffles and giveaways, carnival rides and amusements, and of course, lots and lots of apples and apple products ranging from fragrant baked goods to freshly made cider.
Over the years, Apple Harvest Day has truly become a signature event here in Dover, and its broad appeal and timeless charm underscore the genuine sense of community that permeates our extraordinary city. Steeped in tradition, Apple Harvest Day is always a cheerful and energizing occasion for citizens of all ages, and on this, the 26th year of the event, we are sure that it will be the most memorable one yet.
Enjoy the celebration, and most of all, enjoy the precious company of friends and family and the simple delights that make Dover a great place to live, work and visit. We hope to produce the Festival for many years to come, and continue to showcase our community in all its New England splendor.
For more information, contact the Chamber office at 603/742-2218.
Photo caption: Dover will host its 26th annual Apple Harvest Day on October 1, including the second annual 5k event. (Courtesy photo)

Somersworth Readies for Pumpkin Festival

SOMERSWORTH—
Once again, loads and loads of activities - all family-friendly and pumpkin-themed - will be front and center during the city’s 9th Annual Pumpkin Festival, set to take place on Saturday, Oct. 8.
“Everything’s pumpkin, pumpkin and more pumpkin,” Festival Co-Director Darryl Cauchon said. “Loads of fun for the whole family.”
The Oct. 8 event will feature tents offering pumpkin carving, pumpkin painting, pumpkin putt-putt golf, pumpkin smashing, pumpkin catapult, pumpkin basketball shooting and pumpkin pie eating contests. The festival will conclude with a short Pumpkin Parade down Main Street at 3:30 p.m. with kids encouraged to take part.
Always trying to keep things fresh, the festival will introduce a giant slingshot this year in which kids can fire small pumpkins into orbit.
The primary objective of the festival, sponsored by the Somersworth Festival Association, is to offer areas that encourage participation of parents and children of all ages.
“We really seek to have parents and their kids do things together, rather than the adults standing in the background watching their kids have all the fun,” said Cauchon. “In this light, families can carve a pumpkin together, make a scarecrow together, take a hay ride together, etch leaves together, get a meal from our food court and eat together, enjoy the live music, get a family photo taken to remember the day.”
The event will be held rain or shine. Bracelets sell for $12 per child (adults are free), which allows them access to all activities except the food court. All supplies are provided for each area, including pumpkins to paint, smash, catapult, slingshot or carve. Everything necessary to create a scarecrow, including hay, shirt, pants and face kit, are also available.
The festival runs from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. in front of Somersworth Plaza on Main Street, just down the street from General Electric.
Deborah Longo, the library director, will host a continuous “Halloween Pumpkin Storytime” under a tent located in the heart of the plaza. There will also be a family and child photo area managed by local photographer John Huff. Festival-goers can pose behind plywood decorated like scarecrows or simply pose in a more traditional backdrop of hay bales and pumpkins.
“We really want to have a festival that appeals to kids of all ages and not just children 8 years and younger. Older kids will like pulling the trigger to the catapult, building a scarecrow, bowling with a pumpkin for a ball. There’s just so much for that age-group, both boys and girls, as well,” Cauchon said.
Performances by the Doug Mitchell Band, the Somersworth High and Tri-City Christian Academy select choruses, Tricky Dick the Magician, and other soloists and duets will highlight the main stage. Dance teams, cloggers and jump roping teams will be featured on the second stage area throughout the day as well.
Papa Gino’s will be selling pizza, the Boy Scouts will serve up hot dogs and hamburgers, the Lions will make fried dough, the Girl Scouts will offer chili, and other non-profits will also have items such as cotton candy, popcorn and chowder.
Hayrides will be offered all day from the plaza entrance down to the Summersworth Historical Museum and back. Face painting, pumpkin mask making, bead making and Pumpkin Cookie/Pumpkin Cupcake Decorating tents will also be available for the children.
Organizers are also always looking for volunteers to help oversee a myriad of areas and any amount of time would be appreciated.
For more information, call Cauchon at 841-0858 or email Co-Director Anna Houde at annahoude@yahoo.com.

What the…? A Review of Stephen King’s ‘Mile 81’

By Chip Schrader
Book Reviewer
Stephen King continues his experiment with publishing with “Mile 81,” a story that is published strictly as an eBook to be downloaded to a Nook, iPad, Kindle or any of the other e-readers edging their way into the market. King is known to play with publishing formats: electronic, serial (“The Green Mile”), and comic and graphic novel re-releases (“The Dark Tower”), to name a few. With this eBook, it is evident that King is still having fun writing and publishing his stories, and he is taking his fans with him for the joyride.
As any Maine resident knows, Exit 81, under the new exit naming system, stands at 81 miles north of the Maine border on I-95. The whole story takes place at the abandoned rest area on this exit.
Long-time readers will be taken back a few years with this story. King’s main character is a ten-year-old boy, Pete Simmons, who wants to prove he is rough enough to hang out with his brother’s gang. With a half-full bottle of vodka and his favorite magnifying glass packed in his bag, he decides to hide out in the abandoned shack at this exit. For a ten-year-old, Pete has a precocious knowledge of the female anatomy, and a sense of mischief that is almost impossible to believe.
The chapters of this novella, clocking in at the equivalent of 80 print pages, are divided into the characters that will meet their untimely demise at this exit, and the make of their car. For example, Chapter 3 is named “Julianne Vernon (’05 Dodge Ram).” Known as the horse lady, Julianne stops at the exit curious about a Prius parked with a mucky station wagon. As time moves along, she gets eaten by that muddy wagon. Yes, she is eaten by a car.
The story is strange, not unlike “Christine,” which he references in this story, but it works. “Mile 81” is gruesome, bizarre, and silly, but also inventive and fun. King has an imagination that makes most of his contemporaries scoff in envy, perhaps the reason for the literary snobbery that he has been the target of in the past. Sometimes King goes out to the edge – a car eating people isn’t exactly in our realm of believability – but he weaves the campiest concepts into the kind of fun storytelling that hearkens back to old Americana.
Moreover, as he did in “Under the Dome,” he doesn’t just mercilessly slaughter character after character without a care. The characters in each segment are believable, and the reader pities their demise. In each character’s backstory, King reminds us these are loved ones with real souls who have reached out to others in their lifetimes. There is a sense of tragedy in their passing, this is where King’s genius as a horror writer shines through. He never forgets these people are human. The grisly horrific occurrences are actually episodes of high drama that ends these everyday lives.
The narration is quirky, preadolescent, filthy and very funny. At times the pop culture references and youthful tone seem a little forced, but still attention grabbing. To figure out why in the world (and how) this car is eating people is the driving force to finish reading the story, the answer is pure campy delight, and possibly predictable to select King fans. The style of storytelling and bizarre plot are classic Stephen King that references to the early short stories, novellas and novels that put him and the state of Maine on the modern literary map. Not his best work to date, but highly recommended!
File Size: 213 KB. Print Length: 80 pages. Publisher: Scribner (September 1, 2011).
Photo caption: (Courtesy e-book cover image of Stephen King’s “Mile 81”)

Portsmouth Criterium Returns to the Streets of Market Square

PORTSMOUTH—

The 7th Annual Smuttynose Brewing Co. Portsmouth Criterium will return to the streets of historic downtown Portsmouth this Sunday, September 18.
Visitors will be able to pick up a race schedule at the Chamber of Commerce Kiosk located in front of Breaking New Grounds on race day; but here is the schedule of events:
11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Lifestyle Expo on Market and Pleasant Streets filled with vendors including National Passport Center, Papa Wheelies Bicycle Shop, Portsmouth Kayak Adventures, Rye Airfield, Whole Body Chiropractic, Access Sports Medicine & Orthopedics, American Lung Association, BreastCancerStories.org, Bondi Band, ChildVoice International, Gus’ Bike Shop, Jem Events, and Loco Sports.
11:00 a.m. Children’s bicycle races for ages 4-6 with training wheels will kick off the kids races followed by the 4-6 without training wheels, then the 7-9 year olds will do one full lap of the 1km race course and finally the 10-12 year olds will do two whole laps!
12:00 p.m. The Men’s Category 4 amateur race will kick off the amateur and professional races and will race for 45 minutes. Lot of local riders from the Seacoast in this field of riders - look for red and white NorEast jerseys!
1:00 p.m. The Men’s Category 3 amateur race will run for 45 minutes, will be faster than the Men’s Cat 4 but not as power driven as the Men’s Pro/1/2.
2:00 p.m. Our 2nd annual Community Challenge will hit the course with 10 teams of 4 riders. This is a citizen race and we are very excited! All proceeds will go to The Krempels Center (www.krempelscenter.org).
2:45 p.m. The Women’s Pro/1/2/3 race will excite the crowds!
3:45 p.m. The grand finale of the day will be our Men’s Pro/1/2 race where the riders will hit speeds of up to 40 mph!
For more details please visit the Portsmouth Criterium website at www.portsmouthcrit.com or call Catherine Keenan at 603-617-2418.
Photo caption: The 7th Annual Smuttynose Brewing Co. Portsmouth Criterium returns to the streets of downtown Portsmouth on Sunday, Sept. 18. (Photo by Andrew Canniff)

BioBlitz! An Extreme Nature Scavenger Hunt in Odiorne Point State Park

RYE—

The Seacoast Science Center will hold its 9th annual BioBlitz! on Saturday, September 24. BioBlitz! is a dawn-to-dusk species scavenger hunt, where you can explore Odiorne Point State Park alongside scientists, field naturalists and backyard enthusiasts to record data on as many different species in Odiorne Point State Park as possible in one day.
Bring your boots, binoculars and butterfly nets; families are welcome. BioBlitz! is a great way to excite children about science and a rare opportunity to meet many passionate biologists working together.
Meet at the Seacoast Science Center to join a team. The exploration schedule is as follows: 6 a.m. Birding, 8 a.m. Insects, 9 a.m. Freshwater Pond, 10 a.m. Mammals, 11 a.m. Plants, 1 p.m. Salt Marsh, 2 p.m. Seaweed, 3 p.m. Tide Pooling, 4 p.m. Species Overview.
Additional guided field programs and special activities take place throughout the day and will be announced during the event.
The Center’s Gregg Interactive Learning Studio will serve as homebase. There, you will see samples of species collected by naturalists and learn about the identification process. You can see amazing images of the plants, animals and activities from past years on the big-screens, observe insects through microscopes, see samples of seaweeds and fungi, and research on your own on our touch-screen computers.
At noon, renowned nature photographer Jerry Monkman will discuss his work on the international initiative, Meet Your Neighbors, and his images that were taken in Odiorne, which are currently on display in the Center’s Learning Studio Gallery. Jerry and his wife Marcy have published several adventure and eco-photography books including “Wild Acadia.”
Seacoast Science Center members have the opportunity to participate in a special members-only program with author and evolutionary biologist Dr. Michael Canfield at 1:30 p.m. After a brief presentation on the historical context of field notes, participants will head outdoors with Michael to create their own field notes. Become a member today to participate.
BioBlitz! is much more than just a one-day endeavor. The data collected is used to assess biodiversity in the park. Join us to help break the record of more than 1,830 species recorded at Odiorne since 2003. With insight gained through BioBlitz!, participants will understand how they can create habitats that help increase biodiversity at home.
Thanks to generous support from Normandeau Associates, ReVision Energy and Seatrade International, admission is free to those who register before September 20. You can find details and register online at www.seacoastsciencecenter.org/events. Please call 603-436-8043 for more information.
Photo caption: The Seacoast Science Center will hold its 9th annual BioBlitz! on Saturday, September 24 from 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. (Courtesy photo)

Farmer’s Market Welcomed as Regular Event

HAMPTON FALLS—
The Hampton Falls Board of Selectmen recently officially welcomed the Hampton Falls Farmer’s Market to the town as a regular community event. The market, held on the Common Mondays from 2:00 to 6:00 p.m., offers a wide range of locally produced products.
Chairman of the Board Richard McDermott commended market founder Sue Veilleux for her efforts in founding and managing the market. He said that the Board of Selectman “welcomed the addition of a place for residents to meet, to share the beauty of the common and enjoy the area’s agricultural and creative bounty.” He cited this effort as a true example of promoting both community spirit and the area’s agricultural tradition.
Besides Sue’s Jesta Farm, the market offers vegetables and fruit from Applecrest in Hampton Falls and Long Hill Orchard in W. Newbury, MA, Buzz Bomb World spices and gluten free bakery in Hampton, and maple ice cream and candy from Sugarmomma’s in Northwood. We also offer honey wines from the Moonlight Meadery in Salem and cut flowers from Late Bloomer Gardens in South Hampton. Other vendors offer products ranging from herbal teas and syrups to Belgian waffles.
The vendor list is constantly growing and we welcome applications from area producers, especially in the category of organic produce. We can be contacted at Hamptonfallsfarmersmarket@comcast.net.

To Our Readers

This week, we at The Granite State Sentinel bring you a very special edition.
In recognition of the 10th anniversary of 9/11, we have compiled an 8-page editorial feature commemorating this anniversary. Staff reporters have covered stories that are both close to home, as well as national in scale, paying tribute to America’s loss ten years ago and its rebirth in the wake of those tragedies.
The memorial section also includes photos, information regarding educational resources, and a special events section to keep you informed of local, regional, national and televised programs that are taking place during this solemn anniversary.
Thank you to everyone who has contributed to this special issue. We are proud to bring it to your community, and we appreciate your taking the time to remember with us.
Sincerely,
The Staff at The Granite State Sentinel
Note: This section can be downloaded as a PDF on our web site. Additionally, photos taken by Molly McCoy during her trip to the 9-11 Memorial in NYC, can be viewed at this link: https://picasaweb.google.com/116758352106429291735/MollySTripToNYC?authuser=0&feat=directlink
Photo caption: The National September 11 Memorial in New York City is a tribute of remembrance and honor to the nearly 3,000 people killed in the terror attacks of September 11, 2001 at the World Trade Center site, near Shanksville, Pa., and at the Pentagon, as well as the six people killed in the Center bombing in February 1993. The Memorial’s twin reflecting pools, which sit in the footprints of the Twin Towers, are each nearly an acre in size and feature the largest man-made waterfalls in the North America. (Artist’s rendering courtesy of www.911memorial.org)

Children’s Museum Exhibits Work of McPhail

DOVER—
Celebrating children’s literature, Gallery 6 at the Children’s Museum of New Hampshire is presenting an exhibit featuring the whimsical work of New Hampshire author and illustrator David McPhail. This new show, David McPhail: Looking Back … and Beyond, opens September 17 and will be on exhibit until the end of the year.
Recognized as one of the most influential and prolific children’s writers in the country, David McPhail has been a passionate artist since the age of two. He studied at the School of the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston, and began illustrating books for children in 1972. Since then, he’s created over 75 books, including the celebrated Mole Music, which was a New York Times Book Review Best Illustrated Book of the Year.
This fall, visitors to Gallery 6 will get a glimpse into David’s creative process from his first experiments with simple ideas and drawings, to more refined sketches and preliminary dummy books, culminating in finished artwork that brings David’s animal characters to life. Children and adults will enjoy meeting Henry Bear, Waddles the Raccoon, Emily Duck, Budgie & Boo and the characters from David’s newest book, Abandoned Lighthouse, coming out this fall.
As a special treat, David McPhail will be conducting a mini-workshop as part of the Children’s Museum’s Annual Birthday Celebration on Sunday, September 25 at 1:30 p.m. He looks forward to meeting with visitors of all ages to talk about his creative process, doig some drawing with children, and answering questions about being an artist. This mini-workshop is included in paid admission to the museum.
The “David McPhail: Looking Back… and Beyond” exhibit in Gallery 6 can be viewed during regular business hours at the Children’s Museum of New Hampshire in Dover: Tuesday – Saturday, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. and Sunday noon – 5 p.m. No admission fee is required to view the gallery only. Regular admission applies for families who wish to explore the rest of the museum.
Photo caption: Henry Bear, a character created by author/illustrator David McPhail, is just one of the charming children’s book characters featured in a new exhibit of McPhail’s work at the Children’s Museum of NH this fall. (Courtesy photo)

NH Fish and Lobster Festival to Celebrate 400 Years of Local Seafood

PORTSMOUTH—
The uniquely local New Hampshire Fish and Lobster Festival will return Saturday, Sept. 24, 2011, from noon to 4 p.m. at Prescott Park in Portsmouth, New Hampshire. Admission is free, with seafood tastings available for $4 each. Support for the event is provided by sponsor Smuttynose Brewing Company.
The largest festival focused on local food in New Hampshire comes together once again in Prescott Park along the working waterfront where residents of all ages will have the opportunity to learn, explore and celebrate our community-based local fishing fleet and its fresh, healthy harvest. Through activities and delicious tastings of a wide variety of locally landed species, “Fishtival” will educate residents and visitors about local seafood resources and support and honor local fishermen by bringing fun and fish together.
Visitors are invited to walk the decks of a local fishing boat, taste freshly landed local seafood prepared by beloved Seacoast chefs, learn to identify and prepare local fish, watch a chef’s cook-off competition, investigate the Gulf of Maine ecosystem, meet local fishermen, and create one of a kind fish print t-shirts to wear. An exciting collaboration with the Portsmouth Maritime Folk Festival will feature their performances woven throughout the event.
The event is a true community collaboration. Numerous environmental, heritage and cultural non-profits participate alongside working fishermen, and restaurants and markets to bring this event to our working waterfront. Activities will be hosted by the Northeast Consortium, Blue Ocean Society, Strawbery Banke Museum, Portsmouth Historic House Associates, Gundalow Company, Gulf of Maine Research Institute, UNH Slow Food, NH Coastal Protection Partnership, and UNH Marine Docents, among others.
To highlight the diversity and quality of the local fishing industry, chefs from restaurants, markets and culinary programs across the region will prepare creative, delicious samplings fresh from local boats. Each participating chef will be assigned, by lottery, a different locally-caught seafood species to prepare and serve. For a nominal fee ($4 for fish and oysters, $8 for lobsters) celebration attendees can taste each of the species and the unique preparations.
Tastings will be prepared by chefs from 100 Club, Black Trumpet, The Blue Mermaid, Jumpin’ Jay’s Fish Cafe, Little Bay Oyster Company, The Old Salt, Portsmouth Brewery, Seaport Fish, Philbrick’s Fresh Market, Portsmouth Lobster Company, 106 Kitchen and Bar, and Hebert Brothers Seafood, among others.
Also during the afternoon, there will be opportunities to meet a lobster, or interact with two touch tanks worth of seafood animals. Aboard fishing vessels, captains will show how they bring in their haul; on land, listen to different talks about the aspects of the fishing industry, including innovations and sustainability in the industry, and watch first-hand the art of net building. Local fishmongers will show how to process several species of whole fresh fish, and share fish selection and preparation tips.
And for the third year, the festival features an exciting celebrity chef Seafood Cook-off where the defending champ Susan Tuveson defends her title against a new challenger.
Smuttynose Brewing Company, the Seacoast’s uniquely local and award-winning craft brewery, is the festival sponsor. The NH Fish and Lobster Festival is produced by a variety of community organizations and businesses collaborating to support the local fishing industry. Seacoast Local and Prescott Park Arts Festival co-host the event in collaboration with local fishermen (NH Sectors, Commercial Fishermen’s Association and Granite State FISH) and local food advocates, including Seacoast Eat Local and Northwest Atlantic Marine Alliance. Grant funding is provided by UNH Sea Grant, and generous in-kind support is provided by Seaport Fish Market, participating restaurants, educational non-profits, and Seacoast Growers’ Association.
More information about Fishtival is available at www.fishtival.org. To find out more information about the movement to support New Hampshire’s local fishing industry, visit our event partners at www.nhseafood.com, www.granitestatefish.org, and www.nhfishsectors.org.

Hampton Beach Seafood Festival Celebrates 22nd Year

HAMPTON BEACH—
The Hampton Beach Seafood Festival has once again been acclaimed as “One of the Top 100 Events in North America” for 2011 by the American Bus Association. It is certainly one of the biggest street fairs we know of in New England. And why wouldn’t it be when you consider all the ingredients that make up the Hampton Beach Seafood Festival and Sidewalk Sales Days on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, September 9, 10 and 11? First and foremost, it’s a genuine seafood extravaganza and that’s the hook, so to speak. Seafood lovers cannot seem to get their fill of the abundant choices. Almost any seafood favorite you can think of will be grilled, steamed, or deep-fried from calamari to shrimp and clams to lobsters—not to mention the chowder and delicious light lobster raviolis. The choices go on and on! After all, there are more than 50 area restaurants under large tents plying their skills. Plenty of non-seafood items and other typical fair fare are available to keep everybody happy.
On Saturday, September 10, 2011, the Second Annual Lobster Roll Eating Contest will take place at the Hampton Beach Seafood Festival. Twelve lucky contestants will be chosen to compete alongside four celebrities. $1,000 is on the line, with the winner receiving $600, second place taking home $250, and third place leaving with $150. The winner will receive bragging rights along with automatic entry into next year’s competition. The ten-minute eating frenzy is sponsored by The 401 Tavern and the Pat Whitley Restaurant Show.
The ideal places to enjoy your catch of the day are the “Pub Tent” with a cool Bud or Redhook Ale or a glass of Barefoot Wine, and the expanded “Beach Tent” where you can keep your toes in the sand while enjoying your beverages and continuous entertainment.
What to place second is a toss up between the fabulous sidewalk sale lineup on closed-to-traffic Ocean Boulevard; the incredible entertainment playing continuously; an appearance by the Air Force Band of Liberty on Saturday; spectacular fireworks Saturday at 8:15; a skydiving demonstration on Sunday at 5:00 p.m.; or the crafts on sale by over 60 local artisans. Not to mention magnificent culinary demonstrations by big name chefs featured on the Pat Whitley Restaurant Show, and a specially designated Kiddie Land with puppet performances, magicians, and more to entertain the younger set.
The whole event kicks off Friday afternoon, September 9 at 4:00 p.m. Admission fee is $5.00 per day. Admission for children under 12 is free. The entrance gates will be staffed by volunteers from the Hampton Rotary Club, who will share in the proceeds from admission fees.
The 2011 Presenting Sponsor is Peoples United Bank. Other sponsors include: A&A Services, Barefoot Wine, Devcon Security Systems, FairPoint Communications, Green Mountain Coffee, Kaburst, Mohegan Sun, New Hampshire Distributors, Owens Corning Basement Finishing Systems, Seacoast Coca-Cola, Seacoast Harley-Davidson, Subaru of New England, Waste Management, Jerky Hut, NE Gutter Kings, Seabrook Chiropractic & Wellness Center, and Wacky Candy Shack.
The best deal of the festival is the free parking and shuttle service from 13 uptown satellite parking lots. Everyone is urged to park and ride free courtesy of the First Student Bus Company, who will have over 30 volunteer bus drivers shuttling festival goers each day.
For a complete itinerary, visit the festival website at www.hamptonbeachseafoodfestival.com.
Photo caption: The 22nd Annual Hampton Beach Seafood Festival will take place September 9-11. (Courtesy photo)

Celebrate the Start of Fall at Jackson Hill Cider Day

PORTSMOUTH—
Get an early start on the fall season at the Jackson Hill Cider Day, held Saturday, September 10 from noon to 4 p.m. on the grounds of the Jackson House, the oldest house in northern New England. This early fall festival will celebrate all things apple-related, under the fruit-laden branches of the Jackson House’s historic orchard.
Activities and games for kids, like bobbing for apples and apple matching, music, and refreshments will be offered along with cider pressing and spinning demonstrations. Local craftsmen and artisans will also be on-hand and tours of the c. 1664 historic house will be available. New this year, the New Hampshire Theater Project will be presenting several classic “apple stories” from across the centuries. River Run Bookstore is supporting the event by offering a number of season-inspired books for sale, and local group Reaganta will be playing in the orchard throughout the afternoon. Artist and illustrator Leona Hosack will also be available to cut silhouette portraits.
“Jackson Hill Cider Day has become a favorite fall tradition for so many people in the area,” said Regional Site Manager Craig Tuminaro. “It will be a great day to relax, have some fun, and celebrate the start of the harvest season while also learning a little bit about one of Portsmouth’s oldest treasures.”
The Jackson House is located at 76 Northwest Street, along the north shore of the North Mill Pond. The event is free to members of Historic New England, $6 for nonmembers, and $3 for children. Advance tickets may be purchased by calling 603-436-3205 or by visiting the Events page at www.HistoricNewEngland.org. For more information please call (603) 436-3205, email ctuminaro@historicnewengland.org or visit our website at www.HistoricNewEngland.org.
Photo caption: Jackson Hill Cider Day will take place this year on Saturday, September 10 in Portsmouth. (Photo courtesy Historic New England)

Dover to Host Annual Oktoberfest

DOVER—
This is one event you won’t want to miss. No fewer than 15 downtown restaurants have joined together to present the Annual Oktoberfest Downtown Grub & Pub Crawl.
Tickets/Bracelets for the event are just $12 in advance, and $18 on the day of the event, and the first 300 tickets purchased include a Commemorative T-Shirt and a 23-Ounce Samuel Adams Octoberfest Beer Stein. Tickets are available at any of the participating restaurants, or at the Chamber Visitor Center, located at 550 central Avenue.
On Saturday, September 17 from noon until 5:00 p.m., each of the participating restaurants will provide bracelet-bearers with free appetizers and live entertainment, as well as specials on Samuel Adams Octoberfest. In addition, participating restaurants will also be offering exclusive specials for Oktoberfest ticket-holders throughout the week of September 12th to 16th.
Proceeds from this community event benefit the Dover Holiday Lighting Campaign, which helps beautify our community with lights, American flags and other decorative elements. For more information, please visit octoberfest.weebly.com/information.html.