Art Hits the Streets in the City of Portsmouth

PORTSMOUTH—
Art hit the streets in the city of Portsmouth last week as artists began work for the exhibition “Street a.k.a. Museum” at the Portsmouth Museum of Art, which opened on May 11. The exhibition features the work of a group of internationally known street artists whose work has appeared in cities around the world. Guest curator Beau Basse of LeBasse projects in Los Angeles developed the original concept for the exhibition, which has both an indoor and outdoor component. Artists arrived and have worked around downtown Portsmouth as passersby have gathered to watch them at work. Alexandros Vasmoulakis of Greece tackled the highest wall, made possible by the use of a scissorlift provided by Sunbelt Rentals of North Hampton. Vasmoulakis is known for his large dramatic portraits, primarily of women, that have appeared on buildings sometime six or seven stories high in cities around the world.
Sunbelt’s lifts have allowed the museum to bring the grand scale of Alexandros’ signature work to Portsmouth. It also provided a way for duo Herakut to reach the Pan Am Railways train trestle at Bartlett and Islington. The trestle features a quote from Ralph Waldo Emerson and, along with Papa Wheelies, is the first piece of outdoor work encountered by visitors entering Portsmouth from Islington Street.
Work continued at locations around Portsmouth through the opening of the exhibition on Wednesday, May 11. Other locations include Prescott Park, 150 State Street, Kaffee Vonsolln at 79 Daniel Street, Papa Wheelies at 653 Islington Street, 75 Pleasant Street above Brazo and the Salt Pile across from the Sheraton Harborside Hotel at 227 Market Street and the Harbour Place Marina Wall. Work from all of the artists will also be shown in the museum. They are Bumblebee, Andreas von Chrzanowski, Herakut, Shark Toof and Alexandros Vasmoulakis.
For more information on this exhibit, contact the museum at 603-436-0332 or by email at info@portsmouthmfa.org.
Photo caption: Artists work on city murals in Portsmouth as part of the “Street a.k.a. Museum” exhibit at Portsmouth Museum of Art. (Courtesy photo)

Rockingham County 4-H Shooting Sports Program Quadruples in Size

CHESTER—
In just four years, the size of the Rockingham County 4-H Shooting Sports program has grown to almost 70 members.
Morgan King, 4-H member and Junior Leader from Epping, noted that when she started, there were about 15 people participating. The program is run in conjunction with the Chester Rod and Gun Club’s Junior Rifle League. The 4-H Shooting Sports program is a component of the UNH Cooperative Extension 4-H Youth Development program.
April 30 was the last day of the 2010-11 shooting sports program, which runs annually from November through April at the club. The program is coordinated by Volunteer 4-H Leader Mike King of Epping, who was recognized for 10 years of volunteer service.
4-H Shooting Sports is run with support of the Chester Rod and Gun Club. Howard Houle, vice president, was helping at the rifle range on the last day, as he did almost every weekend throughout the program.
The program attracts a wide variety of boys and girls. Mike Shea of Windham pointed out the program was one of the few organized activities that really fit his teenage son’s interests. Cliff Cloutier, a Range Safety Officer from the gun club, brings his children as well as his niece and nephew to the program. He said that his children are well rounded and interested in other activities, but he could not tear them away from the shooting sports program because it was such a good outlet for them. It’s like their vacation, he added.
Fun as it may be, the program is focused on teaching safety and skills. The weekend sessions are run by 4-H volunteer leaders, including King, Bob Lamothe, Jr. from Hampton, and James Turner from Derry who are certified in safety and instruction and committed to helping the youth involved improve their skills.
Some participants, including Morgan King, Colleen McCormack, and Daniel Turner, have progressed to the point of becoming junior leaders. Similar to other successful 4-H Youth Development programs, shooting sports seeks to offer leadership opportunities to older youth in order to challenge them further.
Morgan and Colleen welcome new participants and work to keep the program’s paperwork in order. According to Lorrie Liebfried, a mother present on April 30, Junior Leader Dan Turner is as patient as the adult instructors when working with new archers. He plans to attend the 4-H shooting sports instructor training scheduled for May 21-22 at the New Boston 4-H Youth Center.
There were many smiles and proud moments on Saturday when youth used their archery skills to pop balloons pinned to the range wall or when they brought a target back from the rifle range marked with successful shots in the black. The program’s incredible growth is a testament to the fact that 4-H and the Chester Rod and Gun Club have hit a bull’s-eye with local youth.
4-H is the youth program of the UNH Cooperative Extension and has the mission to help youth acquire knowledge, develop life skills, and form attitudes to enable them to become self-directing, productive, and contributing members of society. The 4-H Youth Development Program provides a diversity of opportunities for youth and adult volunteers to make a difference in their lives and that of their communities. For more information on 4-H clubs and programs in Rockingham County, call (603) 679-5616 or visit bit.ly/RockCty4H.
Photo caption: 4-H Volunteer Leader Mike King of Epping is a typical blur of energy as he supervises the archery range at the Rockingham County 4-H Shooting Sports program run in partnership with the Chester Rod and Gun Club Junior Rifle League. The program nearly doubled in popularity this past year. (Courtesy photo)

Youths Fishing Derby Brings Fun, Fundraising and Fish to Somersworth

SOMERSWORTH—
On Saturday, May 14, 2011, the Somersworth Lions Club pond will be stocked with more than three hundred fish for the second annual Somersworth Lions Club Youth Fishing Derby. Event proceeds will benefit local people with visual and hearing impairments and help maintain the Somersworth Lions Club Skating Rink.
“We hope to make this fun, family fishing derby a great new Somersworth tradition,” says Peter Houde, Somersworth Lions Club President. “Fishing is a terrific way for kids to enjoy outdoor, old-fashion fun and at the same time, learn about giving back to the community.”
Giving back to the community is what the Lions Club is all about. Each year, the club gets involved and supports many local causes and events and runs their own activities like the Fishing Derby, The Annual Christmas Tree Sale and operating the free public outdoor Skating Rink.
Houde noted, “We are also hoping that parents will take note that the Lions Club is actively seeking new members to get involved. We have a lot of fun and we are looking to grow.”
All participants in the Fishing Derby will receive a free event tee shirt for registering and many prizes will be awarded during the event! Bring your appetite, as breakfast and lunch will be available for sale at the event. The Lions Club members will have the snack shack open all day with food and drinks, hot and cold available. The Derby kicks off at 8 a.m. and ends at noon. Derby participants should be 15 years old or younger and should be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
Registration forms can be downloaded at http://ssomersworth.nhlions.org. You can also mail them and payment to: Somersworth Lions Club, 135 West High Street, Somersworth, NH 03878 or drop them off Dover Marine / Covered Bridge Sports (Route 108, Dover). For more information, visit http://somersworth.nhlions.org.