Activities
Keene Pumpkin Festival will be held on Oct. 17, 2009
The Keene Pumpkin Festival began in 1991. Bring your own jack-o-lantern or carve one on site and see it shine alongside more than 25,000 others. There are plenty of activities to keep you busy until the fireworks show in the evening. Participate in the largest costume parade in New England, visit the Museum of Pumpkin Oddities, join the pumpkin eating or seed-spitting contests, and shop at the arts and crafts fair.
Take in a Show
Saturday, March 14 8:00PM
The Broadway musical based on the hit film that captured the heart of America, Footloose is filled with the same youthful spirit, dazzling dance and electrifying music. With an award nominated soundtrack, including the classic 80’s hits “Holding out for a Hero,” “Almost Paradise,” “Let’s Hear It For The Boy,” and the unforgettable “Footloose,” this is more than just a show you want to dance to; it celebrates the wisdom of listening to young people and that there is no sin in having fun and getting to dance. After successful runs on Broadway and in London’s West End, Footloose makes a stop in Keene .
For tickets call Colonial Theatre
Box Office 603 352-2033
or visit
www.thecolonial.org
Golf at one of many courses
Hike Mt. Monadnock
With its thousands of acres of protected highlands, 3,165-ft. Mt. Monadnock was designated a National Natural Landmark in 1987. There are 40 miles of maintained foot trails, many of which lead to the bare rock summit through unique alpine vegetation. Unsurpassed 100-mile views to points in all six New England states are the reward for a climb. A magnet for hikers, Monadnock is said to be the second most frequently climbed mountain in the world, after Japan's Mt. Fuji. Approximately 12 miles of the trail system in the lower elevations offers ski touring for the experienced cross country skier.
The main trail up Monadnock starts at the end of a paved road. Trail information and maps are posted near the Visitor Center at the start of the trail. The Monadnock Visitor Center offers interesting exhibits on various aspects of the park's history, ecology and trails. Monadnock State Park is a carry in/carry out park site; please carry home what you carry in. Remember there are no facilities available on the mountain.
Stonewall Farm Hosts Annual Sap Gathering Contest
In
celebration of the New England maple season, Stonewall Farm will host
its annual Sap Gathering Contest on Saturday, March 28,
from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm.
This unique event tells the tale of maple sugaring the old-fashioned way, with teamsters and their work horses riding through hills and woods gathering sap to bring back to the sugarhouse.
As many as twenty-five teams from all over New England will compete in the contest, loading and carrying ‘sap’ they’ve gathered from old-fashioned buckets along a marked course. Judges award points to the teams based on technique, quantity of sap collected, and the time it takes each team to successfully complete the course.
Visitors are invited to watch the action from a knoll outside the Learning Center. The event will feature exhibits, maple sugaring demonstrations, and an obstacle course. Hayrides will be available and the small animal area will feature sheep, chickens and angora rabbits. Lunch and refreshments will be served all day in the Community Room, and maple syrup on ice cream may be purchased outside the sugarhouse.
Admission to the event is free to Stonewall Farm members and children 6 and under. General admission is $5 per person. Visitor parking will be located at Alumni Field on Arch Street in Keene, with shuttle service to the event. On-site parking is reserved for teamsters only.
This year’s event is sponsored by Benson Woodworking, Bascom’s Maple Farms, The Melanson Co., Jack’s True Value Hardware.
Stonewall Farm is a non-profit working farm and education center located at 242 Chesterfield Road, one mile off Route 9 West in Keene.
This Month's Guest Tip:
Wedding Guest Etiquette
Don't be late! If a
wedding invitation says that the ceremony
will begin at 5, be sure to arrive there by
4:45 so as to give yourself time to find a
seat and get settled. You wouldn't want to
interrupt the processional.
Avoid taking photographs during the
ceremony. Leave that to the professionals
and respect the sanctity of the ritual in
front of you.
If you are unable to attend the wedding, it
is customary to still send a wedding gift.
Don't bring a date unless your invitation
specifically says their name or "+ Guest"
Remember that the cost for each person
attending a wedding is generally high, so
bringing unexpected guests is very impolite.
This includes your children or other
relatives!
RSVP promptly. The couple will be making
many decisions based on the number of people
who will be there. Additionally, if you must
cancel after you have accepted, do so as
soon as possible.
While a wedding is a time to enjoy yourself,
no one appreciates a drunk guest
embarrassing themselves. Drink alcohol in
moderation.
Above all, enjoy yourself, and tell the
happy couple that you are so pleased for
them.
