Archive for December, 2010
December 27th, 2010 by donnanandersen
Couch Potato Racing
Each February, during Dartmouth Winter Carnival, Occum Pond hosts a party. This enormous effort brings together the town of Hanover, Dartmouth College and the Occum Pond neighborhood for the benefit of young and old alike. Now in its 13th year, the Occum Pond Party is a free festival where all can participate in traditional winter activities such as sledding, skating and pond hockey as well as less traditional events such as penguin bowling and couch potato racing. The miniature ice palace is both festive and a fun place for kids to explore. Whether you desire to dash through the snow on a horse-drawn sleigh or to slowly savor maple sugar on snow, this is one party you do not want to miss. The 2011 Occum Pond Party is scheduled for February 12, 2011 from noon to 3pm. Stay at Breakfast on the Connecticut and enjoy all the activities Dartmouth College Winter Carnival offers.
Tags: Dartmouth College, Hanover Winter Activities, Occum Pond Party, Winter Carnival
Posted in Area Events & Activities, Winter Events | Comments Off
December 27th, 2010 by donnanandersen
Black-capped Chickadee
In 2003 the Hanover/Norwich area had the top number of this diminutive bird according to the annual Hanover/Norwich Christmas Bird Count making it a “major center of abundance”. Nationally and internationally, volunteer birders gather in small groups in the few weeks around Christmas to count the population of winter birds in their area. The Hanover/Norwich count takes place on December 31 and dates back to 1960. According to noted researcher/ornithologist Chris Rimmer, “The data generated over the years is useful to track population trends. The counts provide an index of what is there.” The meeting place for the Hanover/Norwich count is in front of the Hopkins Center, Hanover at 7:00 am on December 31, 2010. Groups are formed and given assignments which cover a 15-mile diameter radius centered near the Hanover reservoirs reaching south to Lebanon, west to West Norwich, north to Thetford Center and east to Goose Pond. This is an all volunteer project, so people are encouraged to participate. The day concludes at Everything But Anchovies for the “countdown”. Each group reports and there are always a couple of surprises at the end. In 1990 the count included six Tundra Swans on the Connecticut River and in 2009 a Snowy Owl in Hartford. For information contact Nancy Martin and Walter Ellison at borealdee@baybroadband.net. What a wonderful social gathering for birders getting them out to maintain a monitoring tool started over 100 years ago.
Stay at Breakfast on the Connecticut and see what birds you can count on our 23 acres on the banks of the Connecticut River.
Tags: Birding, Black-capped Chickadees, Christmas Bird Count, Hanover/Norwich, Winter Birds
Posted in Area Events & Activities, Winter Events | Comments Off
December 23rd, 2010 by donnanandersen
Boot Hill at Farm-Way
Where can you go and find that the individual in the check out line in front of you is buying a Pendleton suit and the individual behind you is purchasing a kayak? The answer is Farm-Way, a store that is a cultural experience where you will find the rhythms of rural Vermont and New Hampshire. From footwear, clothing , saddlery, animal nutrition, snowshoes, kayaks, hunting and camping supplies to Vera Bradley bags, Jim Shore figurines and big comfy leather recliners, Farm-Way is there with the products to make your life better. Visit “Boot Hill” stocked with over 20,000 pairs of shoes and boots – they can fit your feet and your lifestyle. Browse through the enormous clothing and outerwear selection that spans several connected buildings. At the furniture and gift house you will find everything from kayaks and hammocks to specialty cookware and Yankee Candles. They are located on 17 acres with a small portion set aside for a solar power system that provides 43% of their electricity. They even offer free monthly Solar Educational Seminars to help provide information about clean solar energy. And don’t miss the famous “Bargain Balcony” where you will find huge discounts on a wide variety of items. Farm-Way is the perfect place to spend that holiday gift cash from the family. They are truly the “Complete Outfitters for Man & Beast”.
They have old fashioned store hours:
Monday – Saturday 8:30 – 5:30
Fridays nights until 8:00 PM
Closed Sundays
Stay 10 miles away at Breakfast on the Connecticut on Friday, and shop on Saturday.
Tags: Bargain Balcony, Boot Hill, Bradford Vermont, Down to Earth Store, outfitters, Solar Educational Seminars
Posted in Inn News, Restaurants & Shopping | Comments Off
December 17th, 2010 by donnanandersen
Dartmouth Skiway
Situated just north of Hanover in rural Lyme is one of New Hampshire’s hidden treasures – the Dartmouth Skiway, home to one of the nation’s elite collegiate ski programs. With 104 skiable acres covering two mountains, 30 trails and ample terrain to satisfy every level, the Skiway has been referred to as “the essence of a family ski area” by the Boston Globe. You will find the modern McLean Lodge the perfect place for warming up between runs, getting a bite to eat or just relaxing. But the real draw for me – no long lift lines and adult lift tickets at half the price of the Skiway’s big named cousins – $40 per day weekends, $25 weekday. Two and one half (2 1/2) hours from Boston, MA and Hartford, CT, the Skiway beckons. Stay at Breakfast on the Connecticut and get a $10 discount on adult weekend tickets.
Tags: affordable skiing, Dartmouth Skiway, Family ski area, New Hampshire Ski Area, Ski Discount
Posted in Area Events & Activities, Inn News, Winter Events | Comments Off
December 11th, 2010 by donnanandersen
La Salette Light Display December 2010
On a cold, crisp night with a gently falling light snow, we visited Enfield, NH to see the annual Christmas light display at the Shrine of Our Lady of La Salette. Every year a local designer and a team of volunteers spend over a month constructing a magnificent light display of more than 50,000 lights on 20 acres of hillside. Admission is free and hours are 5 to 9pm through the month of December. So bring a thermos of hot cocoa or buy a cup in the cafeteria and spend some quiet reflective moments admiring the handiwork of many.
Tags: 50000 Lights, Christmas, Enfield NH, La Salette Shrine
Posted in Area Events & Activities, Seasons at the Inn, Winter Events | Comments Off
December 7th, 2010 by donnanandersen
Revels North 2009, A Scottish Celebration of the Winter Solstice
The 60-member Revels North will present “One of the best Christmas Time Entertainments” on December 16-19 at the Spaulding Auditorium, Hopkins Center, Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH. Through music, dance, song and stories, Revels North will celebrate the Winter Solstice with one of their most requested shows, the French Canadian “The Flying Canoe”. Set deep in the winter woods in the settlement of Trois Rivieres, where villagers and travelers alike gather for the New Year, the show will feature narrator Debra Wise, step dancer, Pierre Chartrand, fiddler Eric Favreau, accordion master Stephane Landry and singer/guitarist Bernard Simard. There is audience participation so bring your best voice to join in singing carols and rounds. It is a wonderful evening full of energy and music – you will leave with a song in your heart. If you are headed to the Upper Valley to attend this event, look us up at Breakfast on the Connecticut for a great place to stay.
Individual tickets $30/$25/$20
December 16-19, 2010
Spaulding Auditorium, Hopkins Center
Dartmouth College, Hanover NH
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Tags: Christmas Entertainment, Hanover NH, Revels North, The Flying Canoe, Upper Valley Events, Winter Solstice
Posted in Area Events & Activities, Winter Events | Comments Off
December 3rd, 2010 by donnanandersen
Dartmouth Big Green Hockey Face Off - Alexis Monroe/The Dartmouth
From November through February it’s the “Best Game in Town”, offering fast paced, hard hitting action in a great venue. Never thought you would enjoy hockey? Take in a game – you might be surprised! It’s an indoor rink but you will want to wear a warm coat, gloves and hat. Enjoy a bowl of clam chowder from the EBA concession. Went recently and saw Dartmouth beat Harvard 5-1. Go “Big Green”.
December games you might want to catch:
12/13 Vermont
12/30 & 12/31 Ledyard Bank Tournament (Boston College, Colgate, Dartmouth, Mercyhurst)
Tags: Big Green Hockey, Dartmouth Men's Hockey, Hanover-Home of Dartmouth Men's Hockey
Posted in Area Events & Activities, Winter Events | Comments Off
Baby Animal Day – Billings Farm, Woodstock, VT
12 Years A Slave, Lyme And The Underground Railroad
There Is No Such Thing As A Free Lunch – Or Is There?