Somersworth Presents 21st Annual Winterfest

SOMERSWORTH—
The 21st Annual Winterfest, which is presented by the Somersworth Festival Association, will be held on February 4 and 5, sponsored by DF Richard Energy.
On Friday, February 4 from 7 to 9 p.m., there will be a Somersworth Middle School Dance for grades 6, 7 and 8. The event will be held at Somersworth High School Cafetorium. The cost is $6 per student and light refreshments will be available. If there is a snow day there will not be a dance.
On February 5, the Somersworth Festival Association will be holding Breakfast with Frosty and Frosty’s Funfest. The breakfast cost is $3 per meal and breakfast sandwiches will also be available. The event is held at the Somersworth High School Cafetorium from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. Also in conjunction with the breakfast, the festival will be hosting Frosty’s Funfest. Admission is free and the price per ticket for games is 25 cents each. They will offer lots of games, face painting, crafts and lots of prizes! The Somersworth Library will also be there and offer a craft to do.
From 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., The Rec Department will be hosting free sledding at the Oaks Golf Links on Route 108 in Somersworth. The Somersworth Lions Club will be hosting Open Skating from 12 to 4 p.m. at the Lions Club skating rink on W. High Street in Somersworth. Light refreshments will be available. The high school will be holding a Prom Fashion Show at 2 p.m. in the High School Cafetorium.
A new event this year will be a Pizza Tasting contest. For $5 you can taste the pizzas from the many local pizza restaurants in the area. After you have tasted the pizzas, you will then be asked to vote for the best. That pizza establishment will be presented the award: “Voted the Best Pizza of Winterfest 2011.”
To end the festival weekend, the high school will be holding the Mr. Somersworth contest from 7 to 9 p.m. in the high school cafetorium.
For more information about the Winterfest events, call the Somersworth Festival Association at 692-5869.
Photo caption: The 21st Annual Winterfest will be held on February 4 and 5, and includes free sledding, a pizza tasting contest, the Somersworth Middle School Dance, Breakfast with Frosty, Frosty’s Funfest, a Mr. Somersworth contest, and more. (MetroCreative photo)

‘iIMAGE: The Uncommon Portrait’ at Museum of Art

PORTSMOUTH—
“iIMAGE: The Uncommon Portrait” opened on January 26 at the Portsmouth Museum of Art. The show, curated by Stephanie Holt, takes a fresh look at the once traditional concept of portraiture. This 21st–century perspective explores constantly evolving ideas of self, unexpected interpretations of the notion of portrait, unusual materials and techniques including the use of technology.
A new generation of artists, supported by the wide possibilities of the Internet and arts organizations like Eyebeam Art and Technology Center and Bitforms Gallery, are expanding the horizons where art is made. Artists Evan Roth and Aram Bartholl create interactive online portraits using QR codes and Google searches. Daniel Rozin creates interactive installations and sculptures that have the ability to respond to the viewer. His work brings art, technology, and the viewer together to create the interactive experience. The work of more than a dozen artists is represented in this show, including Laylah Ali, whose small figurative works are meticulously planned in advance and take months to complete. She considers her portraits to be “distilled narratives” and “a kind of storytelling”. “Uniform/s: Self-Portrait/s: My 39 Years” by Korean sculptor and installation artist Do Ho Suh is a display of all the uniforms the artist has worn in his life, from childhood through compulsive military service. It challenges viewers to think about the whole versus the self and different ways that various cultures perceive them.
From artwork created using digital media to interactive video installations and sculpture, “iIMAGE” stretches the bounds of traditional portraiture. “iIMAGE” offers wholly 21st-century views around the ideas of self, identity and the wide range of ways in which we perceive one another. The artists in this exhibition have found their own unique ways to address these ideas with a modern toolbox, incorporating contemporary influences directly into what is often thought of as a very traditional art form.
“iIMAGE: The Uncommon Portrait” opened on January 26, 2011 and runs through April 24, 2011. The Portsmouth Museum of Art is located at One Harbour Place in downtown Portsmouth. Admission is free. Hours of operation for the Portsmouth Museum of Art are Wednesday-Sunday, 11:00-5:00. It is closed Mondays and Tuesdays. Guided group tours are available by appointment by contacting the museum at 603-436-0332 or by email at info@portsmouthmfa.org.
Photo caption: “Uniform/s: Self-Portrait/s: My 39 Years” by Korean sculptor and installation artist Do Ho Suh is on display at the Portsmouth Museum of Art as part of the ongoing exhibition, “iIMAGE: The Uncommon Portrait.” (Courtesy photo)

Opening Scenes: ‘Black Swan’

By Chip Schrader
Movie Reviewer
“Black Swan” begins with a ballerina in a white, feathered costume, a spotlight cast above her from an unknown source as she is surrounded by black. She begins to gracefully dance, the camera following her every step. As she turns, a beast in black feathers appears and they thrash together as the feathers fly off of her costume. The next scene opens with the dancer awake, discussing this dream with her mother as she cracks the bones in her feet, stretches and prepares for her rehearsal.
This ballerina is Nina, played by Natalie Portman. Under the director of “Swan Lake,” she and other hopefuls vie for his attention and approval to land that coveted spot. The director is shrewdly portrayed by Vincent Cassel as he manipulates and seduces the dancers to not only perform at their best, but perhaps to seduce them for his own personal gratification.
Portman nails becoming physically and emotionally tortured Nina. She is caught in the envy of the other dancers and goaded into discovering her dark side to veer away from trying to be perfect, and becoming a believable black swan, as her portrayal of the white swan comes naturally. But, with a controlling mother, played by a weathered Barbara Hershey, who tries to keep her young and innocent, her quest for perfection splits her between what her mother wants, and what her director wants. It seemed to never cross her mind what she wants for herself.
Mila Kunis’ supporting role as Lily is equally convincing, however, the role of Nina requires a deeper study of character and transformation, making Portman a runaway Oscar favorite. The writing has multiple layers that establish a visual vocabulary where Nina’s physical beatings and lacerations resemble the molting of a swan whose feathers are about to change from white to black. She is faced with the rebellion, growing pains, and the psychological cost of perfection.
The metaphors and dream sequences coupled with a color palate that revolves around the color gray, dark and light, and cinematography where the camera appears as a dance partner makes this film a very tightly conceived motion picture. Not once does the director lose the audience, as they are continually clued in on what is happening.
The only fault with the cinematography is the lack of panoramic shots to exploit the settings, at times it seems a little claustrophobic, although this technique does fit the theme of the movie. Also, the storyline has some predictability, but the way the scenes and acting colors it all in, it doesn’t matter.
The best way to describe Portman’s portrayal, and on screen transformation, of Nina is fierce. By the end, she has the audience gripping the arms of their seats cringing, gasping, and rejoicing as if it were a live stage performance. This is a far cry from her monotone portrayal of Queen Amidala/Padme in the Star Wars prequels, and is likely the role of her lifetime.
With scenes of frank sensuality, demonic visions, blood and pain, this is not a film for everyone. For those who can cringe through a few brief graphic scenes, this will prove to be the most rewarding cinematic experience of the season. A must-see, and well-deserving Oscar contender. 4.5 out of 5.
Photo caption: (Courtesy image of “Black Swan” movie poster)

New Wedding and Event Space to Open in Dover

DOVER—
Anyone who’s ever tried to hold a large indoor event in Dover will tell you that there simply aren’t a lot of choices, which makes the opening of Rivermill at Dover Landing a welcome addition to the burgeoning business and social landscape in the Garrison City.
“We’ve had a flood of inquiries already,” notes Britt Schuman, one of Rivermill’s five founding partners. “We’ve taken calls from wedding planners, non-profit organizations, business professionals, bands and comedians, and of course brides, and without fail, they’ve all expressed excitement about our space, many without even the benefit of having seen a picture.”
The early enthusiasm is no surprise. With room to accommodate up to 350 guests for a seated dinner event, Rivermill will instantly become one of New Hampshire’s largest event facilities when they open their doors to the public in February.
Its sheer capacity alone is enough to give an event space a leg up on the competition, but size isn’t the only distinctive characteristic that sets Rivermill apart. Located in downtown Dover in the artfully refurbished mill facility that was once home to Clarostat, Rivermill is elegantly situated on the banks of the Cochecho River in the heart of one of America’s oldest cities, just steps away from literally dozens of shops and restaurants, and within easy reach of convenient lodging and transportation options.
“We felt all along that Dover needed something like this,” reflects Schuman, “and once we got a good look at this space and saw its potential, we knew we had to make it happen.”
Once inside Rivermill, guests are treated to something much different than anything that the typical contemporary ballroom offers. There are no electric chandeliers or giant, folding room dividers, but instead, an impressive example of classic 1800s brick and beam architecture: lofty ceilings; rugged brick walls; and soaring, arched windows that offer layered views of the river, the adjacent, grassy expanse of Henry Law Park, and the peaks of Dover’s historic downtown edifices, including the picturesque Clock Tower atop City Hall.
“It’s just an amazing space,” says Anna Boudreau of the Strafford Rivers Conservancy, a Dover-based non-profit, which is holding a fundraiser in May that will be among the first events held in the new facility. “Our office is just upstairs, so we’ve had the unique opportunity to watch the day-to-day progress as Rivermill has been transformed from an abandoned warehouse to an inviting community treasure. We couldn’t be happier to be hosting an event here.”
Boudreau isn’t the only person to jump at the opportunity to utilize the new facility. During a recent photo shoot, local photographers, florists, and stylists converged on the space, including highly touted international wedding planner Kate Parker, who helped choreograph the shoot. Rivermill has also begun to align itself with notable area caterers like Galley Hatch and Kelley’s Row, along with Evan Hennesey, renowned chef from the 100 Club, The Dunaway restaurant and 43 Degrees North, and founder of Flavor Concepts Catering.
“Things are really beginning to happen quickly,” acknowledges Michelle Clancy, another of the Rivermill partners, who adds, “We’ve already booked several weddings right out of the gate, and we’re exhibiting at the bridal expo at UNH this weekend, so we’re hoping to generate even more interest and exposure at that event.”
In the meantime, Rivermill has scheduled an Open House for Saturday, February 5, a Valentine’s Dance on February 12 featuring beloved local band The Spectras, and is also targeting several front-line comedians for upcoming performances.
“At this point, it’s all about getting people in to see the space,” remarks Clancy. “Everyone who’s seen it to this point has had the same positive reaction, so our goal is just to let people know we’re here. If we can get them in, we’re confident that they’ll come back again and again.”
For a tour of the Rivermill space, or to book an event, please visit www.rivermillnh.com.
Photo caption: Rivermill at Dover Landing is situated on the banks of the Cochecho River, just steps away from Dover’s finest downtown shops and restaurants. (Courtesy photo)

‘Eat, Pray, Love’ Author Comes to Portsmouth

PORTSMOUTH—
Writers on a New England Stage, the celebrated author series presented at The Music Hall with partners New Hampshire Public Radio, Yankee Magazine and RiverRun Bookstore, welcomes Elizabeth Gilbert to the stage on Thursday, February 3, 2011. In her only New England appearance this winter, the bestselling author of “Eat, Pray, Love” will discuss her latest work of nonfiction, “Committed,” which will be published in paperback in early February. The new book, which also topped the New York Times bestseller list, is a true “love story” and a favorite of readers across the country.
“We encourage Gilbert readers who don’t yet have tickets to act fast as the night is nearly sold out. You won’t want to miss hearing from one of today’s best-loved authors, a voice that has resonated with generations of women,” said Writers on a New England Stage Executive Producer Patricia Lynch.
“Committed” begins where Gilbert’s # 1 New York Times bestseller Eat, Pray, Love ended—just after Gilbert fell in love with Felipe, a Brazilian-born man of Australian citizenship who’d been living in Indonesia when they met. Resettling in America, the couple swore eternal fidelity to each other, but also swore to never, ever, under any circumstances get legally married. (Both were survivors of previous bad divorces.) But providence intervened one day in the form of the U.S. government, which—after unexpectedly detaining Felipe at an American border crossing—gave the couple a choice: they could either get married, or Felipe would never be allowed to enter the country again.
Having been effectively sentenced to wed, Elizabeth and Felipe spent the next ten months wandering haphazardly across Asia, traveling with limited resources and waiting for word from their immigration lawyer as their case languished in bureaucratic uncertainty. Gilbert used this time to investigate the concept of marriage: examining what historians, psychologists, sociologists and poets have written about the subject, interviewing everyone from housewives in Vietnam and Thailand to family members and friends, and looking closely at how marriage has evolved to reflect our social needs and how it is so often intertwined with religion, politics, class, and money.
“Committed” tells the story of one woman’s efforts to make peace with marriage before she enters its estate once more. Told with Gilbert’s trademark wit, intelligence, and compassion, the book attempts to turn on all the lights when it comes to matrimony by frankly examining questions of compatibility, infatuation, fidelity, tradition, economic realities, divorce risks, and social expectations. Myths are debunked; fears are unthreaded; historical perspective is found; and romantic fantasies are ultimately exchanged for vital emotional compromises. In the end, Gilbert’s book is a clear-eyed celebration of the complexity and consequence that real love, in the real world, actually entails.
Tickets to Writers on a New England Stage: Elizabeth Gilbert are $13 ($11 for members of The Music Hall), available through The Music Hall Box Office, located at 28 Chestnut Street, Portsmouth, over the phone at 603-436-2400 or online at www.themusichall.org. Autographed copies of “Committed” (paperback edition) are available on the evening at The Music Hall or in the days following at RiverRun Bookstore.
Photo caption: Renowned author of “Eat, Pray, Love,” Elizabeth Gilbert, comes to The Music Hall in Portsmouth on Feb. 3 to discuss her new book, “Committed.” (Courtesy book cover image of “Committed”)

Seacoast Children’s Chorus Presents Winter Concerts & Auditions

RYE/STRATHAM—
On January 22 and 23, Sandpipers, the Seacoast Children’s Chorus, will present concerts for the entire family. The programs features both the Senior (ages 9-16) and Preparatory (ages 7-10) divisions of Sandpipers, and has something to appeal to all musical tastes, including both secular and sacred music in a variety of styles.
The Senior Chorus will perform a setting of Robert Frost’s poem “Stopping By Woods On A Snowy Evening,” arrangements of Shaker and Quaker hymns, as well as other choral gems, both traditional and contemporary. The Prep Chorus’ selections will include a set of Dominican Folk Songs and pieces by Copland and Britten. Two of the chorus’ talented pianists will perform movements from the keyboard works of Beethoven and Bach. The chorus is accompanied by Michelle Enos.
Sandpipers was founded in 1993 by Dianne Colby Dean, to give children exposure to the finest choral literature and to provide them with musical training and performance opportunities. Sandpipers has given annual concerts ever since, and has sung for local retirement communities, at The Music Hall in Portsmouth with Celtic fiddler Natalie McMaster, at the Wentworth-by-the-Sea Hotel’s Illumination, for Tree Lightings, and for many other community events over the years. These January concerts will be the first performances under new director Tamara Rozek.
“It’s a privilege to direct such a talented group of young singers,” says Rozek. “The kids are very supportive of one another and enthusiastic about learning.”
In addition to the upcoming concerts, Sandpipers is auditioning singers for Term 2 (January 31-May 22), and auditions are ongoing for the 2011-12 season. Auditions are an informal assessment to determine your child’s readiness and acquired musical skills. It is a simple process, and does not require any preparation.
One 8-year-old participant, Alba, says about her Sandpipers experience, “It gives me an opportunity to let my voice fly out of my mouth.”
The concerts will take place Saturday, January 22 at 7:30 p.m. at Stratham Community Church, 6 Emery Lane in Stratham, and Sunday, January 23 at 3 p.m. at Rye Congregational Church, 580 Washington Rd in Rye. Donations will be accepted at the door; the suggested donation is $8 for adults and $3 for children over 12.
For more information about the concerts and auditions, visit www.sandpipers.com, or contact director Tamara Rozek at 436-4226 or tamara_rozek@yahoo.com.
Photo caption: Sandpipers Seacoast Children’s Chorus will perform concerts on Jan. 22 and 23, and are also auditioning new members for the 2011-2012 season. (Courtesy photo)

Striking Back at Budget Cuts: Benefit Bowl-A-Thon in the Works

DOVER—
Dover Children’s Home, through the support of the Liberty Mutual Foundation, the Rotary Club of Dover, and WTSN/The BAY, is “striking” back at budget cuts by holding its annual bowl-a-thon at Dover Bowl on February 27 to raise critical funds for the 117-yearold program. A local non-profit, Dover Children’s Home has been providing outstanding care and a wide-array of life-changing services to NH’s most vulnerable children since 1893. With severely limited state funding and annual budget cuts, the Home enters each fiscal year with a deficit, creating an urgent need for fundraising and donations in order to bridge the gap. In July of 2010, the Home received its most recent cut of 2%, translating into a loss of thousands of dollars in funding.
The third annual Dover Children’s Home bowl-a-thon will be held at the newly renovated Dover Bowl at 887 Central Avenue in Dover on Sunday, February 27, with two 90-minute sessions to choose from: 11 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. or 1 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.
Both candle pin and 10 pin lanes will be available. Bowling shoes and lanes fees will be provided for each participant. Prizes will be awarded to the four-person team that raises the most money; the four-person team with the highest bowling score; and the four-person team with the most creative team theme-wear. The members of each four-person team that raise a combined total of $800 or more will be entered into a grand prize drawing for an all inclusive 2-night stay for two at the Balsam’s Grand Resort Hotel in Dixville Notch, NH. Valued at $1,260, this getaway includes lodging in the best available room; all meals, tax, and gratuity; and free use of all resort facilities including golf, tennis, or skiing, depending on the season.
“If we can fill every lane during both sessions with four-person teams and each bowler sets a goal of raising at least $100 in pledges, this event will make a huge impact on our budget,” says Donna Coraluzzo, the Home’s Executive Director. “100% of the proceeds from the event will be directly applied to the Home’s most critical operating expenses such as heat, food, and electricity. Based on the turnout during the last two years, we’re hoping for a full house again. We’re looking for teams of co-workers, neighbors, friends, youth groups, clubs, service organizations, league bowlers, and families. Everyone is welcome to participate... adults and children of all ages,” she adds.
Anyone interested in participating in this fun-filled event by bowling, pledging money, or sponsoring a lane can contact Donna Coraluzzo at dcoraluzzo@doverchildrenshome.org or call 742-4289, ext. 12 for more information. For more information about Dover Children’s Home, please visit our website at www.doverchildrenshome.org.
Photo caption: 2010 Bowl-a-thon team Seapoint Electrical Services of Dover “strikes” a pose. Pictured left to right: Front row: Jack and Corrin Kephart. Back Row: Mara Torres; Molly Kephart, Lynn Erikson, and Kristen Kephart. (Courtesy photo)

Chamber of Commerce Names Citizen and Business of the Year Honorees

DOVER—
The Greater Dover Chamber of Commerce announces Chuck Cheney as the 2011 Citizen of the Year Award Winner. Winners of the Volunteer of the Year Award are the Officers and Firefighters of Dover Fire and Rescue. The 2011 Non-Profit of the Year is the Dover Moose Lodge, Habitat for Humanity’s ReStore takes the New Business of the Year Award and Holy Rosary Credit Union is the Business of the Year.
The Citizen of the Year Award, presented by Citizens Bank, recognizes individuals who have made major contributions of time and energy to the progress and betterment of the Dover community. The Business of the Year Award, presented by Public Service of New Hampshire, recognizes companies and organizations who have demonstrated leadership in the business community, have made substantial contributions to the quality of life in the greater Dover area and embody excellence, not only in their line of business, but through their daily interactions within the community. The recipients were selected from nominations submitted to a committee of Chamber, Business and Community Leaders. The Volunteer of the Year Award, presented by DF Richard Energy, recognizes individuals or organizations that have made a significant volunteer impact to the Chamber and the community at-large.
The awards will be presented formally at the Chamber’s Annual Awards Dinner, sponsored by Liberty Mutual, featuring entertainment, a reception, dinner and the award presentation beginning at 5:30pm on January 27. The evening will start with a Reception Hour with the award winners, presented by FairPoint Communications, and will be followed by dinner and the awards presentation at approximately 6:30pm.
The Hellenic Center in Dover will be the host of this annual event that is quickly becoming the premier social gathering of the winter season. Tickets can be purchased online at dovernh.org or by calling 603-742-2218. Individual tickets are $50 and tables of eight are available for $360. Additionally, individuals or companies interested in being listed as a ‘friend’ of the Citizen of the Year or Businesses of the Year may purchase an upgraded ticket for $250 that includes admission for two, recognition in the program and two cocktails at the event.
Additional sponsors of the Annual Awards Dinner include, Laconia Savings Bank and Wentworth-Douglass Hospital. Support is provided by Mister Oz Graphics, Infinite Imaging, Andrew Davis Photography and Sweet Meadows Florists.
Photo caption: Citizen of the Year, presented by Citizens Bank is Chuck Cheney. Mike Bolduc, Chair of Chamber Board; Chuck Cheney, Citizen of the Year; John Burke, Citizens Bank - Dover Branch Manager; Kirt Schuman, Chamber Executive Director. (Courtesy photo)

Opening Scenes: True Grit

By Chip Schrader
Movie Reviewer
True Grit opens with a woman’s voice narrating about her father’s assassination over a black screen where a golden light slowly emerges. As the shutter opens, we slowly make out an old house front; the golden lights become recognizable as the porch light. A dead man’s body lays peacefully on the front yard as the snow falls. The scene then cuts to a man riding into the night.
This remake of the classic John Wayne movie uses the next two scenes to set the tone with some quick humor, including Rooster Cogburn being approached by fourteen-year-old girl Mattie Ross in his office, the outhouse, as he insists she come at a later time since he is likely to be a while. Mattie is a sharp-tongued, hard-bargaining young girl who puts the craggy old cowboy’s masculinity to shame. Hailee Steinfield‘s portrayal of Mattie shows her precocious mastery of rapid-fire dialog, complex phrasing, and a cool delivery that might just put her out there as the next “It Girl,” particularly when thinking back to Kirsten Dunst’s Oscar-winning performance in “Interview with a Vampire” at only a couple of years younger than Steinfield.
Jeff Bridges plays Cogburn in his second Coen Brothers’ Western, given one considers “The Big Lebowski” a modern day spoof on westerns, among other genres. While many of film’s best known actors only play themselves no matter their role, note Tom Cruise playing a German with an American accent in “Valkyrie,” Bridges is barely recognizable with his eye patch and gravelly voice, and this role is vastly different from “the Dude” he portrayed in “…Lebowski.”
Matt Damon and Josh Brolin hold up the supporting roles with equal transformative and gritty skill. Josh Brolin is a villain that is at first disarming, as unwitting as he is, but quickly reveals the wolf beneath his mask. This is a far more interesting villain than his character in “Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps,” and he is convincing as that old school, bullet chewing killer. Damon will likely land another Oscar if he delivers performances that are as versatile as LeBeof, a Texas Ranger who can be funny, sincere, and brutal all within one shot.
The sepia interior shots look as if they are shot through a whiskey bottle, and the bleached exterior shots out on the prairie frame Cogburn as he continually rattles off anecdotes to his young companion. The use of muted and even stripped color is highly reminiscent of the groundbreaking cinematography of the Coen Brothers’ “O’ Brother Where Art Thou” where digital technology was used to make the lush southern greenery appear golden and past season.
The use of color, angles, light, and panoramic shots make True Grit the most stunning cinematic experience of 2010, and will likely hold its place through 2011. The most memorable shots come from a scene where Cogburn throws pieces of corn bread into the air and shoots them to prove his eye is sharp. The low angle shot from behind him in his duster aiming to the sky is the imagery of a classic movie poster, and would make an amazing comic book cover.
Bottom line, True Grit is a must see. The acting is fun and believable, the action and story line are engaging, and the scenery is intoxicating. The only weakness is the minor lag in conflict for the first part of the film. This could easily be a sidestep to the conventional Hollywood scriptwriting which caters to attention spans that have shortened and craves “reality” T.V. Black humor, shootouts with antique weapons, and a snowy and dusty landscape make this a homespun classic to watch with Old Grandad. 5 out of 5.
Photo caption: (Courtesy photo of True Grit)

Local Dairy Farm Featured in Statewide Magazine

ROLLINSFORD—
Rollinsford’s Brookford Farm was recently profiled in Forest Notes magazine, published this fall by the Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests. Written by Dover resident Joyce El Kouarti, the feature focuses on the role that conservation land plays in the changing farming industry.
Agricultural activities in New Hampshire and the United States have declined since the 1950s as farmland has steadily been converted to other land uses. Despite this, an increase in farms—particularly small farms—has occurred in recent years. According to a 2005 study conducted by the New Hampshire Department of Agriculture, Markets & Food, the numbers of farms in the state with less than 180 acres grew from about 1,160 in 1997 to nearly 1,860 in 2007. This phenomenon suggests that agricultural activities in New Hampshire are diversifying, moving away from traditional large-scale operations to smaller custom farms.
The 400 acres that make up Brookford Farm are owned by Rollinsford native Robin Aikman, who donated a conservation easement on the land 30 years ago. Aikman continued to run a dairy farm there until the mid-2000s, then advertised for a farm manager.
Luke and Catarina Mahoney, a young couple with extensive organic farming experience, responded to Aikman’s advertisement. Rather than adopt the large-scale farm model of growing or raising vast quantities of a single item, the couple chose to emulate the farm management practices that they experienced first-hand in Europe. The Mahoneys produce and sell milk, cheeses, eggs, meat, and a variety of different vegetables.
The cows’ milk is stored and sold as raw, or unpasteurized, milk or processed into various cheeses and quark—a type of spreadable cheese made from skim milk. The farm is also home to 1,000 chickens, mostly hens, all New Hampshire Reds—a heritage breed noted for its foraging skills and large brown eggs. Several hogs also live on the farm, contributing their part to the cycle by consuming leftover produce and whey, a byproduct of cheese making.
The demand for the Mahoney’s organic food products has been steadily increasing, especially for the raw milk, eggs, and quark. The couple agrees that a key component to their success has been the farm’s geographical proximity to dense population centers.
“It is a totally different story for farmers up in ‘the county,’ who have to ship everything away to conglomerates,” said Luke.
Brookford Farm, like many other successful small farms, is not dependent upon a highly specialized, government-subsidized agricultural system. The “new” farm offers a greater diversity of products, takes advantage of market niches, and has been particularly successful in urban/rural fringe areas that have direct access to customers.
Brookford Farm’s location near the New Hampshire cities of Dover and Somersworth as well as the downtowns of Rollinsford, New Hampshire and South Berwick, Maine allows Luke and Catarina to sell their products directly to the residents of these communities, who don’t mind driving a short distance to purchase farm-fresh foods. Their products can also be found at the Salmon Falls Mill in downtown Rollinsford and at the farmers’ markets in Portsmouth, Exeter, and Dover.
But working farms like Brookford on the “urban fringe” will remain only as long as land is available in these locations. Even in a depressed economy, the land nearest such population centers is among the most vulnerable to development pressure. Fortunately, there’s help: protecting the farms and forests in these areas with conservation easements ensures that these land-based activities will have the opportunity to endure and flourish.
The complete article “Will Work for Food” can be found in Forest Notes magazine, available on newsstands statewide and on the Forest Society’s web site at http://www.forestsociety.org/news/forest-notes.asp.
Founded in 1901, the Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests is the state’s oldest and largest non-profit land conservation organization. Supported by 10,000 families and businesses, the Forest Society’s mission is to perpetuate the state’s forests by promoting land conservation and sustainable forestry. For more information, visit www.forestsociety.org.
Photo caption: Brookford Farm manager Luke Mahoney carries a newborn calf. (Photo by Joyce El Kouarti)

The Music Hall Presents National Theatre of London HD: Fela!

PORTSMOUTH—
The Music Hall, the landmark Victorian theatre in downtown Portsmouth, will be screening its latest HD broadcast from the National Theatre of London: Fela! Thursday, January 13, 2011 at 7pm.
Winner of three 2010 Tony Awards. Grammy nominated, provocative and wholly unique hybrid of dance, theatre and music, which explores the extravagant, decadent and rebellious world of Afrobeat legend Fela Anikulapo-Kuti. Using his pioneering music (a blend of jazz, funk and African rhythm and harmonies), Fela! reveals Kuti’s controversial life as an artist and political activist. Featuring many of Fela Kuti’s most captivating songs and Bill T. Jones’ visionary staging, this original new creation comes via Broadway to London and the National Theatre.
Currently playing on Broadway, the Tony Award-winning musical comes to the National with Sahr Ngaujah as Fela Anikulpao Kuti. Produced in association with luminaries such as Shawn ‘Jay-Z’ Carter, Will & Jada Pinkett Smith, Knitting Factory Entertainment and with Ahmir ‘Questlove’ Thompson. Estimated running time: 2 hours, 45 minutes (1 intermission).
According to Music Hall Film Coordinator Chris Curtis, “The National Theatre of London is one of the world’s leading theater producers of Shakespeare, international classic drama and contemporary playwrights. No need to go to London – just sit back, enjoy high tea and scones and watch top plays in High Definition on our enormous screen!”
Photo caption: Fela! comes to The Music Hall all the way from London in HD. (Courtesy image of show poster from The National Theatre of London)

Blue Ocean Society to Hold First Cleanup of 2011

RYE—
Blue Ocean Society for Marine Conservation is hosting its first monthly cleanup of 2011 on Saturday, January 8 at 10:30 a.m. at Jenness Beach in Rye.
Blue Ocean Society staff and public volunteers have been cleaning Jenness Beach every month, year round for almost 10 years with support from the New Hampshire Coastal Program. During the cleanups, which take 1-2 hours, trash is picked up and volunteers record their findings on data cards as part of the Society’s efforts to study litter on our coasts. At the cleanup, volunteers can also enjoy hot beverages.
Cleanups usually take 1-2 hours and include a brief orientation. All supplies will be provided. Volunteers are encouraged to bring their own work or winter gloves (to minimize the use of disposables) and wear sturdy shoes for safety.
The Blue Ocean Society for Marine Conservation is a Portsmouth, NH-based non-profit organization that was established in fall 2000. The Society’s goal is to inspire passion in people to conserve the marine environment, and it does that through organizing beach cleanups, studying whales and conducting educational programs. Funding for the Society’s beach cleanups comes from the New Hampshire Coastal Program/New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services, the NOAA Marine Debris Program and private donations. More information can be found online at www.blueoceansociety.org or by calling 603-431-0260.