32nd Annual Somersworth International Children’s Festival

SOMERSWORTH –

(photo courtesy of Metro Creative)

The celebration kicks off the weekend on Friday, June 15, at 6:30 p.m. at the Festival Pavilion located at Somersworth High football field. This year, they feature T- Bone and the local popular band Gazpacho. The evening will also have more than thirty vendors with an excellent variety of foods, games, activities, and a large fireworks display. The evening will be sponsored by the City of Somersworth to promote the pride of Somersworth.  

The enjoyment continues on Saturday, June 16,  as the Main Street of Somersworth and the Noble Pines Park become an area of entertainment. With three stages on Main Street of continuous acts, you can enjoy kids’ entertainers to adult entertainment from blues to rock and roll music. Also, they will have lots of ethnic entertainers.   There will be a large variety of kids’ activities - for example the Expo Tent will have pine wood derby racing and exotic animals from the Zoo Encounters. You can actually hold a snake! They also have an early childhood play area where the tiny ones can make bubbles and play in the sand or finger paint. There will also be a variety of all American and ethnic foods. More than eighty crafters will bring their wares for you to buy.

 Take a trip around the world and visit the World Cultures area, which will feature many countries. This area includes groups from Brazil, Poland, China, Rwanda, Indonesia and many other countries with different ethnic and cultural backgrounds. They will demonstrate aspects of their heritage. As children learn about a country, they will have a passport stamped for that country. When they have stamps from all the countries represented, they will be entered into a drawing for a bike and many other  great prizes. In this area, many of the countries will offer foods from their native lands.

Then take a bus up to the Noble Pines Park. There will be pony rides, a free petting zoo, llamas, food vendors and another stage of entertainment to amuse the children and the young at heart. There is even a water slide done by the fire department.

The festival has a large variety of more than 200 vendors, crafts, activities and food for the young and old alike. For more information, call the Somersworth Festival Association office at 603- 692-5869.

Pulitzer-prize Winner Speaks about Her New Book

NEWINGTON & PORTSMOUTH -

(courtesy image)

As part of a pre-Father’s Day event, Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Barbara Walsh will speak about her new book, “August Gale: A Father and Daughter’s Journey into the Storm” Friday, June 15, at the Newington/Portsmouth Barnes & Noble from 4 to 7 p.m.

In “August Gale,” Walsh - who has interviewed killers, bad cops, and crooked politicians in the course of her career - faces the most challenging story of her lifetime: asking her father about his childhood pain. In the process, she takes readers on two heartrending odysseys: one into a deadly Newfoundland hurricane and the lives of schooner fishermen who relied on God and the wind to carry them home. The other, into a squall stirred by a man with many secrets, a grandfather who remained a mystery until long after his death.

A New Hampshire native and University of New Hampshire graduate, Walsh is also the author of “Sammy in the Sky,” a children’s book illustrated by painter Jamie Wyeth. She will also sign her children’s book at the event.

Walsh has worked at several newspapers during her career, and at the Lawrence Eagle-Tribune in Lawrence, Massachusetts, she worked on a year-long series about first-degree killer Willie Horton and Massachusetts’ flawed prison furlough system. The story won a Pulitzer Prize and affected the 1988 presidential election.

For more information, contact Barnes & Noble at its 45 Gosling Road store 603-422-7733. Read more about Barbara Walsh at http://barbarawalsh.net.

Local Sunday Schoolers Become Environmentalists, Raise Funds to Protect Trees

Anna Boudreau of the Strafford Rivers Conservancy accepts a generous donation from Kristin Forselius' 2nd and 3rd grade Sunday School Class at Durham Community Church. L to R: Jack Lilly, Lucy Rainer, Liam Ashburner, Madison LaForce, Ailla Cross, Jack Glutting Gilsdorf, Kyra Langley & Mia Hricz. Kneeling: Evelyn Ashburner and Emma Hall. 

(courtesy photo)

DURHAM & ROLLINSFORD –

Kristin Forselius is very proud of her 2nd and 3rd grade Sunday school class at Durham Community Church. On Sunday, June 3, the class presented the Strafford Rivers Conservancy, a nonprofit land trust, with a donation of $597.08 which was the result of the fundraiser portion of their “give back” project. Last fall, the class decided to focus on a community service project that would help in the preservation of trees and launched a ten-week endeavor to carry out their goal.  The project incorporated two elements, an educational piece and a fundraiser.  With the help of Chris Hall and Brenda LaForce, the children made 558 flower seed balls to sell and raise money for the tree preservation work of the Strafford Rivers Conservancy (SRC). For the educational component, the students wrote the play called “Should We Plant a Seed?” and performed it at the Durham Community Church on Sunday, May 20.  “Their goal for the play,” said Forselius, “was to spread the word about why we should appreciate and preserve the beautiful trees we are blessed to have around.” When  asked what their favorite part of the project was, 2nd grader Evelyn Ashburner said, “Getting messy and putting the seed balls together!” Mia Hricz said “The most fun part for me was thinking about helping someone else and knowing that we’re helping save trees.”  Anna Boudreau, executive director of the SRC was on hand to receive the generous donation from the beaming children. “I wasn’t expecting this,” said Boudreau. “This is amazing. You’ve all done such a great job. Thank you.”  Ms. Forselius pointed out how “one person, or in this case, fourteen of you put together, can make a big difference.”  “It’s just like the seed!” said Liam Ashburner, as he and fellow classmate, Jack Glutting Gilsdorf, jumped up to recall the final words of the play, “It may be small, but seeds grow into something big!” For more information about how you can support the Strafford Rivers Conservancy, contact Anna Boudreau at 603-516-0772, via mail at the SRC, PO Box 623, Dover, NH 03821 or visit them online at www.StraffordRiversConservancy.org.

Strawbery Banke Hosts "Passion For Fashion" Benefit Gala

PORTSMOUTH -
On Saturday, June 30, Strawbery Banke Museum will host the "Passion For Fashion Gala." The event, which supports the museum's education programs and preservation efforts, will take place under a tent on the museum's grounds at 14 Hancock Street in Portsmouth, beginning at 6 p.m. The Gala is being held in conjunction with the museum's exhibit, "Thread: Stories of Fashion at Strawbery Banke, 1740-2012."
Renowned fashion designer and television star, Austin Scarlett ("Project Runway: All-Stars" and Lifetime's "On the Road with Austin and Santino"), serves as the evening's emcee. Museum patrons, Lawrence A. Larose and Janet Y. Larose, who co-curated the exhibit with museum curator Elizabeth Farish, and conceptualized the event, serve as co-chairs.
The Passion For Fashion Gala, includes an elegant champagne reception and celebrity designers runway show, followed by a limited availability VIP dinner.
The Gala was inspired by Strawbery Banke Museum's extraordinary collection of men's, women's and children's fashion dating from the 1740 through the 1954. The Celebrity Designers Runway Show showcases a number of cutting-edge and contemporary designs by nineteen extraordinary 21st century fashion designers represented in the Thread exhibit, paying homage to the diversity of the unique pieces contained in the museum's collection. Designers participating in the exhibit and the celebrity designers runway show include: Austin Scarlett, Epperson, Emily Muller, Carter Smith, Emma Hope, Philip Treacy, Katerina Lankova and Chesley McLaren and local designers including Robin Bettencourt, Sarah Beth Johnson, Sarah Koski, Bridget Bleckmann, Erana and Leah Kirk. The designers were inspired to use the historic collection as their creative force in the execution of their fashion forward garments.
The Passion For Fashion Gala promises to be an elegant and unforgettable evening and the highlight of the summer season for all those who attend. Guests are encouraged to wear "festive dress" (black tie optional).
For more information on the Gala or to purchase tickets, please visit Strawbery Banke Museum's website: www.strawberybanke.org/tickets. Guests may purchase tickets for the champagne reception and celebrity designers runway show or for the full Passion For Fashion Gala with preferred admission to the champagne reception and celebrity designers runway show and a place at the VIP dinner.
In addition, a raffle to benefit Strawbery Banke offers a one in 200 chance of winning a package to attend New York Fashion Week 2012, including a wardrobe styling and image consultation provided by Amy McLaughlin Lifestyles (value $500), roundtrip airport transportation via Green Rides USA (value $220), Delta Airlines gift card (value $300), gift card for luxury accommodations in Manhattan ($800), dinner for two at Alfredo's in Manhattan (value $300) and two tickets for New York Fashion Week 2012 to view the Spring Collection 2013 by Marchesa (value "priceless"). Raffle tickets are also available on Strawbery Banke's website: www.strawberybanke.org, and the holder need not attend the Gala to win. (courtesy photo)

WorkReadyNH Opens Free Training to 16 Year Olds

PORTSMOUTH –

The WorkReadyNH program is expanding to help youth age 16 and older develop job skills, officials at Great Bay Community College announced today.  Since the program began accepting participants in October of 2011, WorkReadyNH has worked with more than 60 unemployed or under-employed area residents to enhance their workplace skills and employability.  Great Bay Community College is now running their ninth class and has had a total of 42 participants complete the program.  Currently, there are a total of 22 students in the two classes running. 

Originally, the program was offered at no cost to unemployed New Hampshire residents ages 18 and older.  Because it has been received so well by employers and partner organizations like NH Works, the free training age requirement has been extended to those 16 years or older.  WorkReadyNH is also available to New Hampshire residents working 30 hours or less per week.

“By extending  WorkReadyNH to include 16 -18 year olds, we can assist a population that is not typically able to access professional development opportunities.  We are able to help them build their resume, and portfolio, and at the same time have a real life business experience in a job simulation format.  The program was shaped to help people prepare for an effective job search and be successful once they’re hired,” said Christopher Lawrence, statewide liaison for WorkReadyNH.

“Students who complete the WorkReadyNH program receive a National Career Readiness Certificate in addition to a soft skills credential,” said Jennifer Scotland, WorkReadyNH Director at Great Bay Community College. “Not only have employers been thrilled with the outcomes of our program, but participants say they have changed their lives in just 15 days.  We have seen job seekers who on day one come into our program downtrodden and about to give up on their job search.  By participating in our course, they hone in on their strengths and learn about the workplace with remarkable outcomes.  Now that we can open the doors to a wider audience of potential participants, WorkReadyNH can make even more of an impact on the workforce and answer New Hampshire employer’s needs.”

Eligibility

WorkReadyNH is FREE to New Hampshire residents, ages 16+, working 30 hours or less per week (or is unemployed).  To find a qualified WorkReadyNH graduate or to refer a job-seeker to WorkReadyNH, please contact the Great Bay Community College WorkReadyNH Center at 603-427-7636 or workreadygbcc@ccsnh.edu. Next classes begin June 25 (Night class, Mon-Thurs, 4-8pm) and July 9 (Day class, Mon-Thurs, 9am-1pm).  Complete schedules and more information can be found at www.ccsnh.edu/workreadynh. (courtesy photo)

Cartoon Class Draws on Student Excitement

Anthony Raimondo with one of his cartoon creations (courtesy photo)

DOVER –

Anthony Raimondo is the kind of kid that will only launch into new projects unless it’s something he is truly excited about. So when the 15-year-old Dover resident started buying comic books and plastering his room with cartoon posters, his parents knew they should take it seriously.
And that is when Tony Raimondo, Anthony’s dad, heard about a local cartoon camp taught by a nationally-published cartoonist. The week at Seacoast Specialty Camp was exactly what Anthony’s parents hoped for, and more.
“When he started, Anthony was still drawing stick figures,” said Debbie Caritos, Anthony’s mom. “Then he started drawing characters he was really interested in. Now, he sits for hours in his room and draws. His work is much improved and he’s drawing people who look like people.”
This summer, Anthony will attend Seacoast Specialty Camps’ cartoon class for the third season. And the difference between his artwork in 2010 and now is notable, said cartoonist and teacher John Klossner of South Berwick.
“Anthony is very passionate and hard-working, and we've seen results,” said Klossner, a freelance cartoonist whose work is in several national publications, including the New Yorker.
Camp director Jayne Morell said Anthony was just the kind of teenager she wanted to reach when she started Seacoast Specialty Camps in 2010.
“I wanted to create an opportunity for kids who want to evolve as individuals and to offer opportunities that enrich the creative and artistic spirit,” said Morell, who has started several different camping programs over the years.
In the past two years, Morell has run CSI crime investigation camp, fashion design camp and screen writing camp, as well as the cartoon class. All of them were based in Portsmouth and have filled. Morell recently moved from South Berwick to Portland so for 2012 the camp will only include Klossner’s “Cartooning and Comic Book Design” camp. Hopes are to expand programs to the Portland area as well.
This year the program has moved to Washington Center in Dover, where it will run from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. The facility changed to a more central location for the campers who come from towns ranging from Newburyport, Massachusetts to York and North Berwick Maine.
“One of the things I love about these programs is that students usually attend on their own, because they are motivated to participate. They develop brand new friendships, as well as to bond with kids of similar interests.”
Caritos credits Klossner’s impressive ability to match his teaching style to the needs of a variety of young artists. For instance, Raimondo was improving his craft but still having difficulty drawing from his own imagination. Klossner tailored a second set of classes in part to help Raimondo do that. He had students draw a few lines then fold the paper over and pass it on for the next student to continue.
“This got Anthony to learn how to use his imagination,” Caritos said.”He’s still struggling with it, but doing much better and he’s really happy he is in this camp. He can’t wait till the next session.”
For more information on Seacoast Specialty Camps, go to http://www.seacoastspecialtycamps.com/ or write seacoastspecialtycamps@gmail.com.  Seacoast Specialty Camps offers scholarships and partners with local nonprofits to offer tuition assistance.