Monthly Archives: May 2009

:: NH Wineries

YES, I SAID NEW HAMPSHIRE WINERIES (SERIOUSLY…)

Carla Snow Returns to Ampers&

On Friday, June 19th, 2009 (7–9 PM), the Lamprey Arts & Culture Alliance will host another of their popular wine tasting/educational events, with Carla Snow, CSW, of A Grape Affair [link removed], here in the gallery at Ampers&.

Snow has written a new book, Wine & Dine in New Hampshire, offering an in-depth look at New Hampshire’s award-winning wines, ciders, and meads, and the pioneer companies who create them: Candia Vineyards, Farnum Hill Ciders, Flag Hill Winery and Distillery, Jewell Towne Vineyards, LaBelle Winery, Piscassic Pond Winery, and Zorvino Vineyards. Full of wonderful photography, interesting info on wineries — located right here in New Hampshire! — and a recipe section, too, it makes a terrific gift for wine enthusiasts and NH natives alike. Copies will be available at the tasting for purchase ($19.95) and signing by the author.

At the LACA event, Carla will present from her book and share six samples for tasting; cost is $28 per person, including samples, wine/cheese, and two hours of interesting and entertaining discussion on NH Wineries. Call 659-6823 or 969-4768 for reservations.

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ED. NOTE: This entry was first posted on Blogger, under the handle “ampersandblogger,” in May 2009.  : :  kf, 2/3/2021

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:: Ampers& Website Review

Ampers& Website Home Page (2009)

MY SITE SCORES 17.5 OUT OF 20 — NOT BAD!

This past weekend, I ran into some friends I hadn’t seen in quite some time, and they congratulated me on my recent website award. My confused reply, “What are you talking about?”

Needless to say, I was curious, and they didn’t have much more info, as they had heard it from another mutual friend of ours…. So, when I got back to the office this morning, I did a Google search, to see what I could find. (I didn’t find any mention of an award, so if someone knows more about that, please share.) What I did find though, was that, apparently, back in February of this year, the Ampers& website was reviewed in a local e-newspaper, seacoastonline.com [article link removed]), and scored a respectable 17.5 out of 20. (Who knew?!?)

Anyway, thank you John Shore, for your kind words regarding Ampers&’s website. It’s always nice to be recognized and to hear that someone notices and appreciates your design efforts. Cheers!

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ED. NOTE: This entry was first posted on Blogger, under the handle “ampersandblogger,” in May 2009.  : :  kf/&, 2/3/2021

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: : Ode to Purple Lilacs

NEW HAMPSHIRE’S STATE FLOWER

New Hampshire Lilacs

Who doesn’t love the wonderfully fragrant bouquet of lilacs, wafting on the breezes across New Hampshire, in the month of May? Always one of my favorite flowers (so lacy and delicate, in varying shades of one of my favorite colors!), each spring I eagerly await the budding of the lilac bush outside our home. It was transplanted from a neighbor’s yard —24 years ago — in celebration of our first home and the birth of our first son.

There’s nothing quite like sitting out on the porch on a sunny day, and taking in that familiar fragrance carried on the warm spring breeze. My whole family looks forward to this small window of time (two weeks at most — and early this year!) when we can throw open the windows and let the heady lilac fragrance in; so we hack off a few glorious bunches for good measure, and bring them inside, allowing their luscious scent to seep from room to room. It’s a comfort, and a reminder — of family, of home, and of childhood memories.

NEW HAMPSHIRE NATIVES

I’m a New Hampshire girl (born and raised and forever true). When I was young, we used to sing a happy song about NH and lilacs at summer camp, which captures the feeling perfectly:

I want to wake up, in the morning,
where the purple lilacs grow;
where the sun comes a peepin'
into where I'm a sleepin'
and the songbirds say, "hello!"

I want to wander, through the wild woods,
where the fragrant breezes blow,
and drift back, through New Hampshire,
where the purple lilacs grow.

I couldn’t have put it better myself.

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ED. NOTE: This entry was first posted on Blogger, under the handle “ampersandblogger,” in May 2009.  : :  kf/&, 2/3/2021

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::  High Flying Flags

High Flying Flags at Ampers&

WATCH FOR THE FLUTTER FLAGS!

Even though it’s situated on Main Street — in the heart of downtown Newmarket — my studio/gallery is located in the lower level of a huge mill building, below street level. Which, quite frankly, proves to be a real challenge when trying to attract patrons to our frequent LACA events [link removed].

Recently, we purchased some royal blue “flutter flags” on 20 foot poles to post outside my shop windows. The flags are tall enough to see from the street above, stand out nicely against the red brick, and attract the eye with their motion, too. A smaller, matching “open” flag was also purchased, for posting at street level, near the Rivermoor Landing Condominium sign.

OH SAY CAN YOU SEE (US NOW)?

Because the tall flags will only be put out during events, people won’t get overly accustomed to seeing them, day in and day out. So, hopefully, when they do notice the brightly colored flags, fluttering in the breeze, they’ll know instantly that something is happening in the gallery at Ampers&.

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ED. NOTE: This entry was first posted on Blogger, under the handle “ampersandblogger,” in May 2009.  : :  kf/&, 2/3/2021

» Find more Ampers& Gallery Exhibit posts …

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::  Arrangement(s) in Grey and Black

HAPPY MOTHERS DAY!

Arrangement in Grey and Black, No. 1

Did You Know…?
Arrangement in Grey and Black, No. 1 was painted by American artist James M. Whistler in 1871. However, its Victorian-era viewing audience simply could not accept what was apparently a portrait being referred to as a mere “arrangement”—particularly as it was of his own mother! So, to appease the masses, Arrangement in Grey and Black: Portrait of the Artist’s Mother became the new official title. And, it was from this revised title that the work acquired its popular (albeit incorrect) colloquial name, Whistler’s Mother.

CELEBRATE MOM … ART … SPRING!

There’s been a flurry of activity at the gallery this week, in preparation for an upcoming special exhibition, our own “Arrangements in Grey and Black,” featuring a collection of black & white photography by Seacoast Camera Club members, alongside a selection of colorful floral shots by Russ Simon. The exhibit, in honor of Whistler’s mother—and moms everywhere — is the anchor show for the Lamprey Arts & Culture Alliance’s 4th annual Mothers Day ArtWalk celebration (Sat & Sun, May 9 & 10, 2009) in downtown Newmarket, NH.

The ArtWalk features business specials for all mothers on offer by ten downtown merchants (all of whom will be displaying student artwork in their establishments); live music by the BrandyLeif Quartet at the bandstand on Saturday (12-3); free mimosas & pastries (while they last) at the gallery at Ampers&—and 10% off all merchandise (12-3 both days); and, weather permitting, easel artists set up along Main Street.

If you’re in the area, swing on in to town and check it out!

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ED. NOTE: This entry was first posted on Blogger, under the handle “ampersandblogger,” in May 2009.  : :  kf, 12/22/18

» Find more Ampers& Gallery Exhibit posts …

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