Staging New Hampshire

Benson's Wild Animal Farm -  Then and Now

I recently revisited a childhood haunt in Hudson, New Hampshire, that is currently being restored back to life.  I had no idea how emotional it would be revisiting Benson's Wild Animal Farm,... but I'm really happy I did.

In yesterday's post about Benson's I promised some photos.  So, as promised:

BENSON'S  1960's

 BENSON'S 1982       The next generation - Visiting with my daughter

Benson Park 2010

BENSON'S WILD ANIMAL FARM 

  THEN                                         and                                    NOW

There is still a lot of work to do clearing and restoring, but volunteers are determined to bring the park back to life after so many years of neglect.  They have done a great job so far, and I look forward to visiting Benson Park again very soon!

There is such an emotional attachment to places we cherish as children.  For many Massachusetts and New Hampshire families Benson's Wild Animal Farm was more than cotton candy, amusement rides, and Colossus the gorilla.  Benson's was a childhood treasure...documented in our old photographs and home movies.

If you were lucky enough to visit Benson's as a child, you most likely have a special place in your heart where you keep those memories. 

Benson's was for many years, and for many people, the destination for  family fun.

Benson's Wild Animal Farm was closed in November, 1987

 after 60 years of making Hudson, New Hampshire, a regional tourist attraction. 

Now, 23 years after closing it's doors, it has been reopened as Benson Park.   Volunteers have worked very hard clearing away years of neglect and vandal abuse to create a beautiful place to walk, bike or picnic.  

The zoo animals and amusement rides are gone, probably forever, but the memories live on. 

Restoring several original landmarks is an ongoing process by volunteers.

 There are plans for the back of the gorilla house to become restrooms.

The front cage area will remain and be restored for historic purposes.

 On Saturday, September 25, 2010 at 9:00 am,  Benson Park is having a grand opening celebration with cake and refreshments for everyone! 

Tomorrow...

 I will share vintage photos from Benson's

 and some pictures I took

 when I recently visited the new Benson Park.  

It's prime blueberry picking season on the New Hampshire Seacoast and that means it's time to bake some homemade blueberry muffins!

I was given this recipe from a friend over 20 years ago and I've yet to find one I like better.  I prefer to use fresh, local berries...but frozen work just fine too.

BLUEBERRY MUFFINS

2 cups all purpose flour

3/4 cup sugar

2 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp salt

2 eggs

1/2 cup milk 

1/2 cup melted butter

1 cup blueberries

Preheat oven to 350˚

Mix dry ingredients.  Add eggs, milk, and butter and mix with hand mixer.   Fold in blueberries.

Bake for 30 minutes.

Enjoy!

Professional Home Stagers Provide, Prepare, and Present

Home staging is becoming more main stream here in New Hampshire thanks to media attention and real estate programs on television.  There are still many sellers, however, who are not sure exactly what home staging involves.  What does a professional home stager do? 

Here's my simple explanation:

1.  PROVIDES THE PLAN

A professional home stager provides you with a plan.   A professional staging consult will leave you with a complete list of suggested improvements that will increase your chances of selling sooner. 

2.  PREPARES THE PROPERTY

A professional home stager prepares your property.   Your house must be dressed to impress - with each room's space and function clearly defined.  A professional will highlight the positive and minimize the negative features.

3.  PRESENTS THE PRODUCT 

A professional home stager presents your product to buyers.   A professional creates emotional appeal and perceived value that guarantees a memorable first impression and stands out from the competition. 

US Navy Blue Angels - Portsmouth International Airport at Pease - August 28 & 29

The United States Navy Blue Angels are coming to Portsmouth, New Hampshire this weekend, August 28 and 29.  The Blue Angelslast appeared at Pease in 1989.  They will be headlining the first Pease air show in over twenty years. 

Motorists can expect extremely heavy traffic on both the Spaulding Turnpike and Interstate 95 when upward of 70,000 individuals converge on Pease for this highly anticipated Boston-Portsmouth Air Show.

  "We are delighted to be able to bring the world's most popular air show demonstration team to the people of New England," said Steve Wade, CEO, of the Brain Injury Association of New Hampshire - sponsoring the event with the Daniel Webster Council, Boy Scouts of America.

Performing in addition to the Blue Angels is New Hampshire resident and national aerobatic champion Rob Holland as well as a demonstration from the WWII era B-25 "Panchito".

There will be ground displays of many different aircraft including military jets, vintage warbirds, and civilian aircraft.

Many of the displays allow the public to walk through.

Tickets for the show went on sale in January and the flightline seat packages are all sold out.  

 General Admission Price:    Adults -  $25 

                                        Children (6-11),  Seniors (60+), and Military ID - $20 

                                        Children under 5 - Free

You can purchase tickets online through 8/27/10 at a discounted price.

For more information and to view a schedule of events visit the Boston-Portsmouth Air Show website.

Guy Fieri Brings DINERS, DRIVE-INS & DIVES to Bob's Clam Hut in Kittery, Maine!

Local fans of chef Guy Fieri and the show Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives are in for a real treat!

In June Guy brought his popular Food Network television show to Kittery, Maine, to highlight one of my favorite places, Bob's Clam Hut. 

You can watch the show

 on the Food Network

  Monday, September 6

10:00pm

Bob's Clam Hut has been a favorite of seafood lovers since 1956.  Bob's is located on Route 1 in Kittery, Maine and is open year round. 

Bob's offers Senior Appreciation Days on Tuesdays and Kid's Night every Wednesday.

If you order at the side window, say "hello" to Lillian...

"Since Lillian started in 1986 she has taken orders at her own window. She is a big part of the tradition here at Bob's." 

For more information on Bob's Clam Hut, just click any of the "Bob's" photos above to visit their website.

Are you walking the dog or simply holding the leash?

My daughter, Jaime, recently took this picture of Zack, and it got me thinking...

Zack may believe he is walking the dog, but

the person really responsible for the walk is the one pushing the stroller. 

Whether it's selling your house,

raising your kids,

or running a successful business...

simply believing you are running the show is not enough. 

If you aren't the one pushing the stroller...you aren't the one deciding where you are going!

Facebook has added a new feature called "Facebook Places" and you may want to disable it.

Let me first say, I am not pretending to fully understand this new feature, Facebook Places.  I just heard about it today, checked around online, and made the decision to disable the feature on my Facebook page.

I am passing the information on so that you can make the decision for yourself whether this feature is something you want to use or disable.

My understanding is that Facebook Places is currently only available on an updated iPhone app and through the touch.facebook.com mobile site, if your browser supports geo-location and HTML5 features.  It allows you to check in at locations for Foursquare and other geo-based services. 

There are some people concerned that their location could be made public and their privacy infringed upon.

Facebook Places doesn't appear to be much of a threat, because you must first "check in" before any info regarding your location will be actually shared.  If someone else tries to post your location...it is my understanding that you will be notified and have the option of removing it.

Disabling Facebook Places is easily done through your Privacy Settings.

1.  Log in and go to your Account Menu.  Choose Privacy Settings.  Choose Customize Settings.

2.  In the "Things I Share" section, go to "Places I Check In" and choose the option you prefer.  I chose "only me" - not wishing to share the info at all.

3.  If you do not wish to be "included in the people here now"  you will need to uncheck the "enable" box.

 4.  If you don't want your friends sharing your location...

go to the section "Things Others Share" and

 DISABLE "Friends can check me into places".

One other thing to consider...your location can be shared through the apps that your friends are using...like calendar and birthday and family tree applications.  If you would like to limit what personal information is passed through the apps of others:

Return to Privacy Settings page.  (See first picture)  At bottom of page, under Applications and Websites, click on Edit your settings.   There is a section called "Info accessible through your friends" with an Edit Settings box.  Here you can decide which information you want your friends' applications to have access to.