Wreaths Across America

Fifteen years ago, a couple by the name of Merrill and Karen Worcester, owners of the Worcester Wreath Company, began donating wreaths for the Arlington Cemetery. 

Back then, they were the leftover wreaths that they had that were still fresh.  He didn't want them to go to waste, so he began sending them to Arlington.  This came about because when he was younger, he won a trip to Washington DC, and he always remembered the Arlington Cemetery from that trip.

He continued sending these wreaths each year, as his way of giving back to veterans because "without them, we would not have what we do today".

This year, 2006, is the first year that they've included other veteran's cemeteries around the country.  They've sent six wreaths, "one for each branch of the military with the sixth wreath to remember those still missing in action", to each of the country's veteran's cemeteries.

Some of the organizations helping to achieve the goal of getting all these wreaths to their destinations include: the Civil Air Patrol and the Patriot Guard Riders.  The Patriot Guard Riders have chapters in each state, and each state's chapter will escort the procession in that state to the border of the next state, until they reach Washington DC.  The Civil Air Patrol will ensure the wreaths are flown to all of the states with veterans cemetaries.  At least one school in each state is taking part, and wreaths have been sent to them as well for delivery and placement in the cemetaries.  The Blue Bird Ranch is providing the trucking to get these wreaths to Arlington.

All the wreaths will be laid on December 14th this year, and everyone is invited to attend any of the cermonies.  For those unable to attend a ceremony, a moment of silence will be held at noon on December 14th.  Here is a schedule of the stops along the Escort to Arlington.

We were very fortunate here in Portsmouth New Hampshire to have been one of the stops of this wonderful Wreaths Across America procession.  Our New Hampshire State Police and the NH Chapter of the Patriot Guard Riders met them to escort them to the Massachusetts border. 

                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               
This video, posted on YouTube, put together by those who work at Worcester Wreath, tells the story of WHY they do this every year.  It is a beautiful tribute to our veterans, and is quite moving.  Please take a few minutes to watch it - it's well worth your time, I promise!

What a beautiful gesture the great folks at Worcester Wreath Company are doing - and what a great lesson to share with others about honoring our veterans and those who've given all on our behalf!  In the words of the Worcesters, "without them, we would not have what we do today".......   

                                 

Looking for something to do in Portsmouth?? 

We have three great theatrical treasures here in Portsmouth New Hampshire, and two of them offer year-round enjoyment for residents and visitors alike!

The Music Hall is a historic theater that was built in 1878.  It's the oldest theater in New Hampshire, and the second oldest theater in New England.  This beautiful 900 seat theater is one of only fifteen theaters built in the 1800s still in use in America. 

In its early years, The Music Hall was home to vaudeville performances and silent film shows.  Today, it offers a wide variety of offerings, from films, comedy, concerts, evenings with authors, and so much more.

In 2004, the theater went through a multi-phased, multi-million dollar restoration that returned this gem to its turn-of-the-century splendor.  Much of the beauty and original structural construction and design was able to be restored, as well as upgrades to technology, stage systems, and patron amenities that will enable this beautiful theater to continue offering fabulous programs for many years to come.

This is the stunningly beautiful restored arch above the stage.  It's called the "proscenium", and you just have to see this in person to see just what an amazing restoration job this was.

In 2003, the US Senate voted to include Portsmouth' Music Hall in the "American Treasures" because of its preservation and restoration work.

Some of the upcoming events are "A Vintage Christmas"; "A Celtic Yuletide"; "Holiday Pops with the NH Symphony Orchestra"; and "Clara's Dream - A Jazz Nutcracker".

Just a couple of blocks away from The Music Hall is another of Portsmouth's special little gems - The Seacoast Repertory Theater.  This theater in the round was orginally built as a beer and grain warehouse in 1892.  It was renovated into the theater we know today back in 1979.  Because of the size of this theater and due to it being a theater in the round, you'll experience a much more intimate setting here.

Boston Magazine has selected The Seacoast Rep Theater for their "Spotlight on the Arts Award for Best Year Round Theater" in the Seacoast.  They've won this award several times for their premier entertainment offerings.

Some of the upcoming plays on the calendar here are, "Miracle on 34th Street"; "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory"; "The Spitfire Grill"; and a varierty of
other plays.  The schedule here usually has 3-4 different plays offered each month.

Both The Music Hall and The Seacoast Repertory offer annual memberships as well as ticket sales for each individual event.

We are very fortunate here in Portsmouth to have both year-round and summer theaters!
Our beautiful Prescott Park has offerings all summer long that include concerts, plays, story-telling, art shows, chili and chowder cook-off festivals, and more.

Come and visit us, and check out all three theaters!  With all the various offerings each has to offer, you'll certainly find something everyone will enjoy.  Once you've been here to visit us, you'll fall in love and want to make this area your home!! 

Ann Cummings

Shop Till You Drop!!

If you love to shop, you'll love the Seacoast areas of New Hampshire and Southern Maine!!  We've got every kind of shopping you can imagine!

Shopping in New Hampshire is tax-free, but with all the outlet shopping in Kittery, Maine, you can save more at the outlets than the tax you'll pay there!!  And everyone likes to save money!! $$$$

If you take this bridge from downtown Portsmouth New Hampshire north, you'll cross over the Piscataqua River into Kittery Maine.  Kittery has about a 2 mile stretch on Route 1 where both sides are lined with outlet shopping of every kind you can imagine!  You can buy just about everything here in these outlets except groceries, but you can get food products at several shops.  Don't fear, you won't go hungry!

There's so much shopping, I can't imagine that everyone won't find something they've got to have.  The Maine Outlet plaza is the largest in the area.  Tanger Outlet Center in Kittery is loaded with great shops.  And there are several others as well.....plan to spend some time here and some money!

Don't forget to stop and enjoy some of the great area restaurants while doing all this shopping!  Fresh local seafood is everywhere, and some of the local favorites as well as favorites with visitors are Bob's Clam Hut and
The Weathervane Seafood Restaurant.  Both of these restaurants offer up the freshest of local seafood, including world famous Maine lobster served in a variety of ways. 

After all that shopping, you'll need to enjoy some sustenance, and what better way to do that than with our fresh local foods - lobster here is THE BEST!!  Fresh, sweet ....  oh I'm getting hungry as I write this!

Come to the Seacoast areas of New Hampshire and Southern Maine - I guarantee you'll have a fabulous visit and you'll leave wanting to come back for more.......perhaps you'll even want to make this slice of heaven your new home!!   ;-)

Ann Cummings