Special Valentine Exhibit at Children’s Museum of NH

DOVER—
Local historian, photographer and nationally known collector of photographica, Thom Hindle, will share a collection of camera-related Valentine’s Day cards, some dating back to the early 1900s, during the month of February in a special exhibit at the Children’s Museum of New Hampshire in Dover.
Many of the cards have illustrations of children taking pictures of their valentines with old-fashioned box cameras. Mass production of cards began as early as 1800. In 1840, the first mechanical valentines were introduced. By pulling a tab, a figure or object on the card could be made to move. Some had elaborate honeycomb “pop-outs” or various other three dimensional features.
Other cards on display are from the 1940s and 1950s, when American school children usually celebrated Valentine’s Day with a party at school. Prior to the party, the children would make a decorated box with a slot in the top. During the party, the children would distribute valentines to their classmates’ Valentine Box. Samples of early embossed mechanical and 1940s school cards are featured in the exhibit at the Children’s Museum of NH.
Sue Kaufmann, Director of Exhibits, stated, “We are happy to be hosting this month-long exhibit that bridges two of our favorite subject: art and history. Thom Hindle’s colorful collection of Valentine’s Day cards is of great interest to kids as well as adults. Because the cards feature a photography theme, children can see the evolution of cameras from back in the days when posing for a photo was quite a big deal and required much larger equipment than the pocket-sized digital cameras of today.”
The Valentine exhibit will be on display at the museum through February 28, and can be viewed when the museum is open to the public: Tuesday – Saturday 10 am – 5 pm and Sunday 12-5 pm. Visitors wishing to come in and view just this exhibit may do so at no charge by checking in at the front desk for a gallery visitor badge. People wishing to explore the entire museum will pay the standard admission fee of $8 per person.
Photo caption: Vintage Valentine’s Day card from the private collection of historian Thom Hindle on display at the Children’s Museum of NH during the month of February. (Courtesy image)

Book Review: ‘The Whisperers’

By Chip Schrader
Book Review Editor
Set between Southern Maine and the wilderness-shrouded highways of the Quebec border, “The Whisperers” is John Connolly’s newest installment of Detective Charlie Parker’s adventures. Parker is a whip smart private eye who is deeply tied with the city of Portland, Maine and its surrounding cities. More often than not, his knowledge of the who’s who of the region gets him out of jams, into a few pickles, and lands him some good leads.
A troubled Gulf War Veteran’s treatment of his girlfriend has her boss concerned for her well being, and has the boss wondering of his own son’s, another Veteran, suicide. As Detective Parker starts snooping and contacts an old friend, Jimmy, to get some dirt, the detective finds himself in the irony of being water boarded by a group of men associated with this Veteran.
The story takes some turns as more Gulf War Veteran suicides crop up. These deaths begin shortly after Herod, an elderly man riddled with disease and an icy moral code, offers an ultimatum to a father that is too grizzly and heart wrenching to depict in this review.
Herod is a fascinating character who is often described with zombie-like features, and has a history of his own with death. As we learn more of this almost superhuman (or subhuman) villain, we also learn of a mysterious organization that collects ancient relics that are believed to possess supernatural powers. As these deliveries fail to make their destination to the organization, more suicides emerge.
Connolly’s astute use of recent politics and history by injecting details like water boarding, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, and the lack of veterans’ benefits adds a sufficient amount of cultural context to an otherwise straight ahead piece of hard-boiled fiction.
The local references like the Great Lost Bear in Westbrook, or the Longfellow Bookstore in the Old Port will attract local interest, but more interestingly, this is another nationally bestselling author who brings Southern Maine into the spotlight.
As for the writing, Connolly writes smoothly. The descriptions slide down easily and the transitions from connected story lines are seamless and each chapter leaves threads that will be picked up in future chapters. His descriptions of the characters are his strongest asset as they are depicted in full dimension and color, and the converse naturally in unique voices. But, with each chapter, Connolly feeds his audience just enough detail and dirt to satiate readers until the next chapter as the pages beg to be turned.
While the Private Eye has a quick wit, like many other private eyes, his persona doesn’t get much deeper than that for the most part. But, who reads hard-boiled mysteries to look into the mind of the P.I. when the diabolical mind like Herod’s often more interesting?
Charlie Parker is the classic “Code Hero” from the Sam Spade and Jake Barnes (The Sun Also Rises) school of heroes. Connolly uses first person narration from Parker’s point of view and two other third person points of view, a method that nicely adds layers to the storytelling. This is a fun and well-written book that pulls in elements from the headlines and the horror genre to reel in readers. Highly recommended!
“The Whisperers” by John Connolly, Atria July 2010. 416 pages.
Photo caption: (Courtesy book cover image of “The Whisperers”)

Arctic Plunge to Benefit Local Nonprofit

HAMPTON BEACH—
Ethel’s Tree of Life will be hosting their Third Annual Arctic Hardshell Plunge on Saturday, February 19 at Hampton Beach, NH. The event will include prizes, laughter, and fun. Participants (plungers) will receive a t-shirt while supplies last. Warm beverages will be served along wonderful Weathervane Chowder. Sign in begins at noon, plunge is at 1 p.m. sharp.
Registration for the event costs $10 for pre-registrants, $15 day of the event. Registration fee is waived for those who will raise at least $100.00 in donations. Monies raised will go to support Ethel’s Tree of Life.
It is the mission of Ethel’s Tree of Life, Inc. (ETL) to provide transitional training in life and work skills for youth of age 14 up to young adults of 25 who live with disabilities and/or special needs. ETL serves Seacoast New Hampshire and Southern York County, ME.
Form a team, come in costume if you like, and, prepare to have fun! ETL is also seeking corporate sponsors and volunteers. For more information, please go to http://www.ethelstree.org and click on the 2011 Plunge tab. Registration forms and donor forms are available there.