Hampton Historical Society Celebrates Arbor Day Anniversary

HAMPTON—
Arbor Day, which falls this year on Friday, April 29, is a day set aside to increase awareness of the importance of trees. In honor of the 125th Anniversary of Arbor Day in Hampton, the Hampton Historical Society is asking the community to join them in a celebration of trees in their community. With a grant from the Rye Driftwood Garden Club, the museum has purchased two sugar maple trees and an ornamental cherry, which they will be planting on the Museum Green on Arbor Day with the help of local contractor Vic Lessard.
It is a tradition in the town to plant trees on Arbor Day. Hampton first celebrated Arbor Day in 1886. On that day, 125 years ago, numerous maple trees were planted on the grounds of the Academy, as were many pine trees that still stand today along Academy Avenue. In 1938, in honor of the town’s Tercentenary Celebration, about 130 sugar maple trees were planted near the center of town.
The Museum and the Leavitt Barn will be open for the event. Students from the Marston Centre and Sacred Heart Schools will display their tree art on clotheslines around the museum grounds. Guy Giunta from the Governor’s Lilac and Wildflower Commission will be giving away lilac starts, and the Hampton Recycling Committee, the UNH Cooperative Extension Forestry & Wildlife Program and the Hampton Arts Network will participate. Bring a picnic and help celebrate with the trees and the community! The event takes place at the Tuck Museum, 40 Park Avenue in Hampton, on Friday, April 29, from 1 to 4 p.m. For more information contact the Hampton Historical Society at info@hamptonhistoricalsociety.org or (603) 929-0781.
Photo caption: The Tuck Museum is the home of the Hampton Historical Society. On April 29, the Society will celebrate Arbor Day by planting trees on the museum grounds. (Photo by Rich Hureau, courtesy www.hamptonhistoricalsociety.org)

Dover Chamber Sweepstakes Event Celebrates 10th Anniversary

DOVER—
Tickets for the Greater Dover Chamber of Commerce’s Tenth Annual “Sweep into Spring” Sweepstakes, underwritten by Federal Savings Bank, are available at the Chamber Visitor Center at 550 Central Avenue or by calling (603) 742-2218.
The event takes place on Friday, April 29, 2011 at the Dover Arena on Portland Avenue in Dover, with doors opening at 6:30 p.m. To celebrate the tenth anniversary, this year’s themed is “Ten,” and features themed entertainment, a silent auction, a sampling from over a dozen local restaurants and caterers, as well as a 1 in 250 chance of winning $10,000 in the grand prize drawing, and a 1 in 25 chance of winning at least $200.
Proceeds from the event help fund Chamber programming, which includes joint promotion, community marketing, business education and economic development projects that keep Dover a great place to live, work and visit, and continue to support Dover’s claim to being the “Family Capital of New Hampshire.”
Photo caption: Cartelli’s inviting raw bar display is indicative of the caliber of food selections available at the Dover Chamber’s Annual Sweepstakes event. In addition, several attendees win cash prizes, including the Grand Prize of $10,000. (Courtesy photo)

Strawbery Banke Commemorates Civil War 150th Anniversary

PORTSMOUTH—
Portsmouth men were the first to answer Lincoln’s call for volunteers to fight for the Union cause in the American Civil War. More than 3,000 responded, from a city population of 10,000, affecting life at home as well as on the southern battlefields, where they fought.
Opening for the 2011 season on May 1, Strawbery Banke Museum’s commemoration of New Hampshire in the Civil War leads with the history of Fitz John Porter, the political intrigues that shredded his illustrious career, his court-martial after the Battle of Second Manassas and the struggle for his ultimate exoneration - 125 years ago this August. Born in Portsmouth and a hero of the early battles, commended by President Lincoln, Porter ran afoul of War Department politics. General Pope, on the ascendant gave Porter orders at Second Manassas that were impossible to follow. Porter’s “insubordination” based on better knowledge of the enemy’s position saved his troops from certain disaster. But the Court martial listened to biased observers with bad maps. Even after a military tribunal corrected the account of the incident, it took until 1886 for the pardon that would clear Porter’s name.
The Museum looks at Porter’s record with an exhibit in the Rowland Gallery that invites visitors to make decisions for themselves about the verdict, based on the evidence. The exhibit is based on research in Porter’s letters and the court martial records. Highlights include Gen. Fitz John Porter’s sword (recently discovered and purchased for the Strawbery Banke Museum collection) and his field glasses (on loan from the Manassas National Battlefield Park).
On August 6 - the 125th Anniversary of the pardon of Gen. Fitz John Porter - the City of Portsmouth conducts a wreath-laying ceremony at the Gen. Fitz John Porter statue in Haven Park. Members of the 5th NH 2nd Volunteer Regiment and NH Civil War Roundtable join representatives from Strawbery Banke Museum for the program. On August 20-21, the Museum will host an encampment of 5th NH Regiment 2nd Volunteers, music of the era and a rally with “Governor Goodwin” exhorting the troops to perform their duties in New Hampshire’s name.
Beyond Porter, the museum will be interpreting NH’s home front during the War at the Goodwin Mansion, the home of NH’s 1859-61 Civil War Governor. In collaboration with the Portsmouth Historical Society and Portsmouth Athenaeum, visitors will also be able to participate in a walking tour of Porter’s Boyhood Portsmouth and Civil War Portsmouth.
Associated programs include a fall lecture series featuring prominent historians: Richard Schubart, Phillips Exeter Academy, on Lincoln’s 1860 Visit to New Hampshire; Col. Fred Borch, US Military Academy at West Point on military tribunals; and Dr. Brent Glass, Director of the National Museum of American History at the Smithsonian Institution in DC.
In addition, Strawbery Banke Museum curator Kimberly Alexander, and Dane Morrison, Salem State University faculty, present a Summer Institute course, “Topics in Local History: New England & The Civil War” at Strawbery Banke Museum, July 11-15, 2011. For information on the course, call 978-542-600 or visit https://www.salemstate.edu/academics/2803.php.
“So far, it appears that Portsmouth is making one of the largest commitments to the Civil War 150th in the state,” said Lawrence Yerdon, President of Strawbery Banke Museum. “We take quite seriously the responsibility of including the role of New Hampshire’s 34,000 - including Gen. Fitz John Porter and our 3,000 other Portsmouth men - in the great national historical discussion taking place over the next five years.”
Strawbery Banke Museum’s commemoration of Portsmouth in the Civil War is made possible by grants from The Roger R. and Theresa A. Thompson Endowment Fund, The Putnam Foundation of the New Hampshire Charitable Foundation, the New Hampshire Humanities Council and individual donors who have helped procure artifacts for the exhibit. The Civil War programming also includes collaborations with Civil War Roundtable of New Hampshire, Portsmouth Historical Society, Dover Historical Society, Massachusetts Historical Society, Manassas National Battlefield Park and Fredericksburg National Battlefield Park (National Park Service), New Hampshire’s Fifth Regiment, Phillips Exeter Academy, Portsmouth Athenaeum and West Point Military Academy Archives.
Photo caption: Gen. Fitz John Porter was one of thousands of men from Portsmouth who joined Lincoln’s call for volunteers in the Civil War, but Porter’s story adds political intrigue to the mix. (Photo courtesy Strawbery Banke Museum)

Green Star Rising at Redhook Brewery

PORTSMOUTH—
It almost sounds too good to be true: a young man returns to his native New England to apply what he’s learned in distant places, leading a major New Hampshire brewery into new territory.
But that’s exactly the story of Ryan Colwell, GM of the Cataqua Pub at the Redhook Brewery at Portsmouth’s Pease International Tradeport complex. Since joining the hallowed brewery company last September, which boasts facilities in three states, he has instituted major sustainability initiatives, including sourcing corn-based compostable cups throughout the restaurant, saving 8,000 watts of electricity by switching to high-efficiency lighting in the pub, reducing the facility’s waste stream through an aggressive recycling program, and contracting with a local biofuels company to recycle the grease from the fryer to be used as heating oil, or fuel for diesel vehicles. The bathrooms will also receive a sustainability makeover with the installation of low-flow toilets and energy-efficient hand dryers.
A Woodstock, Vermont native, Colwell cut his teeth in Hawaii, where he lived and worked on an organic farm, proving to be quick study in growing food. From there, Colwell moved to California where be began to apply his food interest and knowledge to the restaurant business. While there, he co-founded the Santa Cruz Restaurant Association, whose mission included eliminating the local restaurant industry’s use of Styrofoam, while increasing recycling. That association quickly gained positive notoriety, and eventually the town assumed control and extended the effort’s scope to water conservation, energy efficiency, and other facets of sustainability in restaurants. His experiences in Hawaii and California helped pave the way for some of the programs he’s now spearheading at Redhook in Portsmouth.
“When I started at Redhook, and noticed the composting program in place, I realized they were serious about sustainability,” said Colwell. “I knew I had to set the bar even higher.”
Considering that Redhook had already implemented numerous green improvements - such as reusing water, donating spent grains to farms for animal feed, and housing an onsite wastewater treatment facility - it’s not surprising that Colwell has been empowered to lead Redhook’s local sustainability committee, which contributes ideas for all of the company’s breweries to adopt, including its Widmer and Kona brands.
Colwell has leveraged his farm experience by initiating significant improvements to Redhook’s culinary experience. By sourcing more of the pub’s food from local suppliers he has integrated much healthier food into Redhook’s diverse menu.
“We used to get a lot of our food from Sysco, and a lot of that is just processed, bland-tasting, nutrient-free stuff,” explained Colwell. “Now, we get most of our food from Favorite Foods (New Hampshire’s only independently-owned food distributor) and Saunders Produce (a Somersworth, NH-based provider of high quality fruit and produce), and our food not only tastes much better, it’s much healthier. I want our cooks to make meals from scratch, instead of just heating things up.”
While Colwell could have remained out West, he disliked being thousands of miles away from his family. “My grandfather passed away last year, not long after I came back East, and it made me realize that I wanted to be closer to home and closer to my family,” recounted Colwell. “Plus, I’m a New Englander at heart.”
His decision to return to his New England roots has helped revitalize Redhook’s pub, and Colwell isn’t resting on his laurels: he wants to hold farmers markets at the brewery this summer to help promote buying local, and hopes to offer seasonal menus that offer pub customers the freshest, in-season produce and meats available from local suppliers.
Additionally, Redhook is a proud member of the Green Alliance, a union of almost 100 businesses across New Hampshire, Southern Maine and Northern Massachusetts that certifies operational sustainability and community involvement. Green Alliance memberships are also available to the public, and those members receive a 10% discount on food at the Cataqua Pub in addition to substantial discounts at 94 other local green businesses. Colwell says that Redhook’s GA affiliation is a sort of “icing on the cake” to the company’s overall commitment to sustainability.
“We are engaged in sustainability here because not only is it the right thing to do but also because we know that it’s good for business – it helps to set apart our restaurant and brewery in a very positive way, in what is a very crowded industry. All the Green Alliance members are impressed with what we’ve accomplished here, but I tell them we’re just getting started,” cracks Colwell with a smile.
For more information on Redhook go to www.redhook.com. To learn more about the Green Alliance visit www.greenalliance.biz.
This story was submitted by Scott Szycher.
Photo caption: Bartender Nick pours Redhook’s Seacoast-brewed libations. The brewery’s general manager, Ryan Colwell, has been industrious in expanding the company’s sustainable initiatives. (Courtesy photo)

Five-Mile Walk Honors 9/11 Airline Co-Pilot

DOVER—
Close to 200 Portsmouth Christian Academy students, alumni, faculty, friends, and staff gathered April 8 for the 9th Annual McGuinness Walk to honor Thomas McGuinness. McGuinness. McGuinness was a former Navy pilot and the co-pilot of American Airlines Flight 11, the first of the hijacked planes, which flew into the North Tower of the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001. McGuinness was the father of PCA graduates Tommy and Jennifer McGuinness.
Each year, at the end of PCA’s Spiritual Emphasis Days, students take to the streets for a five-mile walk in memory of the fallen co-pilot. They obtain sponsors and walk through South Dover to help raise money for a scholarship created in McGuinness’ name. All proceeds from the walk go directly to a tuition assistance fund to benefit a student who demonstrates high personal and moral caliber, is of strong faith, and has a proven desire for high academic standards. To date, the annual walks have raised more than $20,000.
“Over the past few years, we’ve walked in rain, snow, and wind,” recalls Stephen Foley, PCA Upper School Principal. “We’ve walked in Portsmouth and Dover, but it has always been great to walk together as a community in memory of Tom. We walk not to recall his death, but to recall his life.” Each step the students take not only keeps his memory alive, but also gives the young people an opportunity to come together as a community to the benefit of another.
Photo caption: Approximately 200 Portsmouth Christian Academy students, alumni, family, friends, and staff took part in the 9th Annual McGuinness Walk on April 8. This walk commemorates Thomas McGuinness, who was the co-pilot of American Airlines Flight 11, the first of the hijacked planes, which flew into the North Tower of the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001. McGuinness was the father of PCA graduates Tommy and Jennifer McGuinness. (Courtesy photo)

Opening Scenes: ‘Arthur’

By Chip Schrader
Movie Reviewer
“Arthur” begins with a close up of a man putting on Batman’s gloves followed by a scanning shot of liquor bottles. The montage continues with scenes of Russell Brand dressing as Batman and an impressive collection of bottled hard liquor. After blowing bubbles, Brand greets “cheers” and downs a strong drink before enter the Batmobile with a man dressed in green bikini briefs posing as Robin. A high-speed chase down New York City ensues, and comes to a hilarious and symbolic end with the Wall Street bull crashed on the hood. Brand answers the officer, “I have remained drunk since our last encounter.”
While these first scenes are well covered in the previews and commercial spots, there is plenty of fun left for the rest of the movie. Russell Brand reprises the role of Arthur with the expected manic and witty persona that makes him the cross-comedic offspring of Robin Williams and Monty Python. He delivers his lines clean as the cut of a scalpel, but brings an emotional depth that was lacking in Dudley Moore’s portrayal.
Brand’s personal struggle with addiction seems to allow him to bring a sense of tragedy to the role, and expands his range as an actor as he can be serious, heartbroken, and hilarious at the turn of a scene. He is well balanced by Helen Mirren’s role of Ms. Hobson, Arthur’s nanny. The man who never grew up is well matched by her wit and her maternal wisdom while his own mother keeps him at arm’s length.
Arthur’s love interest, Naomi, has an interesting story with her dream to write children’s stories and rise above poverty. The character is not far from the original version portrayed by Liza Minnelli, but sadly, she comes off as simple-minded and sappy, rather than as a real person. It makes for a nice contrast to Arthur, whereas his moral match, Susan, is played adequately by Jennifer Garner. Like Naomi, Susan doesn’t seem like a very challenging character, but amusing at the very least.
While the most important elements of the story from the original version are intact, along with one or two vital scenes, the majority of the film takes a different sequence and completely different scenes to update the story. The economic decline, Paris Hilton-like faux pas, and seventies and eighties film references bring a great deal of interest to the new version.
Bottom line: while “Arthur” is neither beautifully shot nor does it have strong supporting characters, Brand and Mirren are dynamite. If anything, “Arthur” is proof that Brand is ready to have top billing, and is capable of carrying a two-hour movie from beginning to end. He keeps the audience laughing and believing every scene. Even with Naomi being an oversweet character, their romance works. The humor is quick, thoughtful, and most importantly, funny. The elements of humanity and human struggle Brand brings to Arthur is sincere, but doesn’t bring the mood of the movie down. This human element was woefully missing from the original. 3.5 out of 5.
Photo caption: (Courtesy movie poster from “Arthur”)

Prescott Park Arts Festival and Seacoast Repertory Theatre Announce Collaboration

‘The Wizard of Oz’ Kicks Off Summer 2011

PORTSMOUTH—
Demonstrating once again that when it comes to the arts in the Seacoast region, the whole can truly be greater than the sum of its parts, Prescott Park Arts Festival (PPAF) and Seacoast Repertory Theatre (the Rep) are proud to announce a new collaborative effort for the upcoming summer season. The organizations will co-produce “The Wizard of Oz” as part of the FairPoint Communications mainstage this summer. This new partnership draws on the combined resources of both organizations to bring the highest quality theatre possible to the PPAF this summer for visitors and locals alike to enjoy.
“It just really started making sense,” said Ben Anderson, executive director of the PPAF. “This type of collaboration is what I like to call a win-win-win. By partnering our efforts, both organizations will benefit and become stronger, but ultimately it is the community that will gain from what will come from this partnership. It’s more than exciting.”
The Rep will support the effort with rehearsal space, costuming, scenery building and other production-critical capabilities.
Beyond artistic vision and production leadership, the Rep’s Artistic Director, Craig Faulkner will co-direct “The Wizard of Oz” with Tony Award winner Jon Kimbell. In addition to being a longtime supporter of the Rep and advocate for the arts in our region, Kimbell served as the Artistic Director of the Theatre by the Sea in Portsmouth and North Shore Music Theater in Beverly, MA.
“I’m proud to be part of the collaboration between PPAF and the Rep; working together to create a terrific production for PPAF is a win for both arts organizations and, more importantly, for Seacoast audiences,” said Jon Kimbell. “Collaboration among arts groups was exactly what Grace Casey and I had in mind when we started the PPAF almost four decades ago.”
“It’s very exciting that the two largest arts organizations in the community have come together,” said Rep Artistic Director Craig Faulkner. “It’s taken a great deal of work and enthusiasm from both organizations to make this happen. We couldn’t be happier about this collaboration.”
The announced partnership actually expands the collaboration between the two organizations. Over the past few years, The Rep performed a series of concerts at PPAF and offered the Rep’s facility to PPAF for their concert series in the event of inclement weather. This relationship growth is a natural outcrop of the two organizations’ shared history and commitment to bringing the arts to the Seacoast.
Considered to be one of the greatest family musicals of all time, “The Wizard of Oz” is based on the Royal Shakespeare Company’s celebration of the 1939 MGM movie that transports Dorothy, Toto and their friends the Cowardly Lion, Tin Man, and Scarecrow Over the Rainbow to adventures in Munchkin Land, the Haunted Forest, and the Emerald City.
Featuring classic songs such as “Over the Rainbow,” “Ding Dong the Witch is Dead,” and “If I Only Had A Brain,” along with the beloved characters, “The Wizard of Oz” will have the entire family captivated as they travel down the yellow brick road for an unforgettable evening in the Park.
This magical production will run every Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday from June 24 to August 21.
Photo caption: The annual Prescott Park Arts Festival brings quite a crowd to the area, as seen here at a previous year’s concert. (Photo courtesy www.prescottpark.org)