What's a bash without food?---Downton Abbey edition

The final segment of Downton Abbey just faded from my screen.

Did you notice those frequent scene stealers, food and drink?

The Crawleys knew you can't have a bash without food. And Glamour in Mud Season takes that lesson to heart.

Already The Downtown Grille Cafe is planning special small plates for Glam Night Out! March 22. But we have 6 other events April 13-15. Wolfeboro-area restaurants and pubs, we'd like you to get involved.

Want to serve your signature hors d/oeuvres for the Gala Art Opening Reception April 13? http://www.glamourinmudseason.org/artshow

How about creating a "mud" flavored drink in honor of the weekend? Mocha or Bailey's "Mud" is such a delicious ingredient in specialty coffees and cocktails!

Ooh! And what about desserts? Chocolate and diamonds are said to be a girl's best friends.

There's a good long lunch break between Glam Animals and before Mud Season band concert Saturday, April 14. A unique sandwich, soup or salad with great title may be just the thing to bring new customers in your door.

Start thinking. We'll be in touch...or send us an email, info@glamourinmudseason.org.

Ingenuity: Hallmark of Mud Season survival

Jackson Boudman's Toilet CarJackson Boudman's Toilet Car




Glamour in Mud Season is about the clever, creative and quirky ways we make it through, so I've been on the lookout...

Check out our local Scout's Choice Award for this weekend's Pinewood Derby: Jackson Boudman's Toilet Car.





Avalanche Safety BackpackAvalanche Safety Backpack


How about the North Face Avalanche Airbag Safety System Backpack?
(Hat tip: Wired Magazine, Mar 2012,"Most Dangerous Object in the Office This Month" & engadget Gadget Review blog)




Hot RideHot Ride
And here's a photo post by former Perform It! http://performitstagecompany.org/index.html player Justin Powell--a hot ride in Coronado, CA.

Yankee ingenuity prevails in New England and beyond! Post your favorite photos and links...

Lucky 13! Countdown to Juried Glamour in Mud Season Art Competition, Art Show, Art Sale

Lucky 13! There are still 13 days for you to get in your art for the Glamour in Mud Season juried Art Competition, Art Show and Art Sale! http://www.glamourinmudseason/artshow

I state juried Art Competition, Art Show and Art Sale so specifically because each is an important facet for artists and art lovers.

The Juried Art Competition: The art submitted will be assessed by professional artists to ensure that quality is displayed on the Village Players walls April 13-22. That's a plus for artists who want to be taken seriously (or want to see if they are able to play in the Big Leagues). It's also a plus for exhibit-goers who will be assured that they won't have to feel obliged to "admire" schlock.

The Art Show will be open the weekends of April 13-22, so people can enjoy the works and even vote for their favorites with a "Viewer's Choice" ticket. This is a plus for artists whose work may be exposed to new audiences, and they can invite their fans to see their work, too. A special Gala Opening Reception, Friday, April 13, will be a great time for artists and art lovers to mingle.

The Art Sale is a plus for both parties, too. Artists will set their own prices for their works, and the Village Players will ask only a small portion (10%) of the proceeds. This is an unusually good deal for artists, and art lovers can know that their purchases are supporting art in big ways.

Half of the Village Players commission will be returned to a single artist who will receive it as a cash prize from the professional artist jury.

What goes 'round comes 'round. Lucky 13! Make sure you submit your art in 13 days, by midnight, Thursday, March 1.

Lovin' the Love! Win free tix to Glam Animals at Black's

Okay. I'm human. I admit it.

I like it when I know people are paying attention.

I really like it when I see that people actually read what I write. (Hint: there is a "Comment" section at the bottom of this blog.)

I especially like it when other people quote things I've written. Exhibit 1: Today's blog post from the Phab Phoebe, http://phoebevg.blogspot.com/2012/02/glamour-in-mud-season.html

I really really really like it when I see that what I'm writing is moving things up on search engines,
Exhibit 2: Google "Mud Season & the Blackfly Horns"

And you know what? I truly sincerely, yeah actually really really LOVE it when I see people enter the sweepstakes for free tix to Glam Animals http://glamourinmudseason/animals at Black's.

I peeked in the box today and all I saw was lots of little pieces of paper with teeny tiny writing on them.

YOU, yes, YOU could win!

Then YOU can say, "I like it when.."

"Chekhov" the Glam List!

Artist's Call for Submission for Juried Art Competition & Sale?
http://glamourinmudseason.org/artshow
Due Date March 1.
CHECK
Gala Opening Reception & First Dibs at the Sale?
Friday, April 13, 6 p.m.
CHECK that, too!

"Glam Night Out" --ladies pre-event at the Downtown Grille & Cafe?
http://glamourinmudseason.org/Glamnightout
March 22, 5;30-9
CHECK

Wolfeboro Premiere of Noel Coward's Hay Fever?
http://glamourinmudseason.org/hayfever
With optional red carpet entrance peopled by bulb popping paparazzi & emcee Fred Fernald?
Friday, April 13, 8 p.m.
CHECK

Glamorous W.I.L.D. Animals?
http://glamourinmudseason.org/hayfever
Saturday, April 14, 10:30 a.m.
CHECK--them out!

Concert by Mud Season & the Blackfly Horns?
(They're New England's favorite seasonal band, you know)
Saturday, April 14, TBD
CHECK!

Hay Fever redux
Saturday, April 14, 8 p.m.
http://glamourinmudseason.org/hayfever
(No need to) DOUBLE CHECK

Breakfast at the Strawberry Patch?
YUM! Try something with Mud Season's favorite liquid: maple syrup!
Sunday, April 15, TBD
CHECK

Contra Dance
Sunday afternoon, April 15
Time and place TBD
Check

So, there you have it. No need to be Russian around, wondering what you want to do the weekend of April 13-15. We've done the hard work. Now you just have to "Chekhov" your favorites and meet us there!

{Apologies to all literary types who are now livid at the failure of the author to heed the advice re: "Chekhov's Gun" in this post. Low humor is grand!)

Of Snow Fleas & Valentines

Usually on sunny afternoons at this time of year, snow fleas appear on top of snow. They squiggle raucously in sinful pleasure.

I look forward to snow fleas' arrival. When I see them, I know we're on the "other side." Days are getting longer, sap will start to rise, MUD SEASON is on its way.

I went into the Wolfeboro Post Office about 4 o'clock yesterday. The line was nearly out the door. Someone suggested everyone must be getting their Valentines in the mail.

A dapper white-haired gentleman allowed as that was true. He was sending a Valentine to his granddaughter. But no one else. Nobody else cared.

As Randy Dales and I began to sniff in sadness for the situation, Mr. Dapper finished, "And that's JUST the way I like it!" and went off grinning.

If you're looking for a Valentine for your special someone, look no further than Black's Gift Shop & Paper Store or right here in the Glam Store, http://www.glamourinmudseason/shopping, where you'll find the "Wolfeboro" fragrance created by local playwright Amy Knapp, http://unitedparcelsbyamyknapp.com/UnitedParcels/Playwright.html.

Conjuring memories of ice cream cones and summer at the Town Docks, "Wolfeboro" is a great way to remind your love that summer WILL arrive.

--and you won't have to trap a snow flea to prove your truth.

No Joy in Mudville--but DID you see that Superbowl halftime show?

There is no joy in Mudville
Mighty Brady has struck...

Naaaah. Not going there.

Yesterday's Super Bowl was a great game. Well-matched. Generally well-played--what WERE 12 men doing on the field?! Definitely entertaining.

But since Glamour in Mud Season is an event of the Village Players THEATER, I have to ask:

DID you see the halftime show?

Amazing production. Flawlessly executed. Madonna was generous in sharing the stage (might have been good to keep MIA, MIA,but who knew?). Really special effects. Good fun and little ones' eyes didn't need to be covered.

Great entertainment looks easy, but that smooth presentation takes countless hours of pre-production preparation and practice, practice, practice. I have great respect for everything that went into making that halftime show work.

Here's an example:

The Village Players production of Little Shop of Horrors was a fabulous hit this past fall. Its star plant Audrey II was mesmerizing, horrific and almost lovable.

Months before she appeared onstage, though, she began life as pieces of foam in engineer Corky's garage. Here's a little video of just one aspect of her development,
http://vimeo.com/28872791

Then, after her moving parts were in working, eating order, Actors Jim Adams (inside onstage) and Ric Tessari (singing, backstage) had to bring her to believable, moving, hungry life.

Take a look at how it worked out. This video was taken at a late stage rehearsal http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PYhcug7UVjo&feature=youtube_gdata_player

A lot of work went into the Super Bowl halftime show. BRAVO!

Glamour in Mud Season Art Sale, Providing a Financial Haven

Sometimes I get a little ticked off.

Friends and family members from "away" sometimes assume that because I live in New Hampshire, that I'm removed from reality.

Now I admit that I like that I don't have curtains on my windows 'cause bears don't care if I'm bare, but puleeze! We who live in God's country are in touch, and sometimes leading the trends.

Take Wednesday's article in the Wall Street Journal, "Sold! Art Auctions Draw Buyers Looking for a Haven" by Kelly Crow http://www.linkedin.com/pub/kelly-crow/4/22a/4b5. Crow says, "Want to know where investors are placing some of their biggest bets? Look on their walls."

She goes on, "Art prices swelled last year" and quotes Steven Murphy, chief executive of Christie's who said collectors and investors alike see art as a potentially safe haven for their cash at a time when the broader financial outlook remains volatile. "Everyone is doubling down on art," he said. "That's why our market is so strong now."

Michael Moses,art-market analyst, told Crow that art values rose 10.2% last year.

So...mark your calendar for the Glamour in Mud Season Juried Art Show & Sale, http://www.glamourinmudseason.org/artshow April 13-14, 20-22 at the Village Players Theater, 51 Glendon Street. It's part of wise financial planning.

Lydia's Cafe on board with Glamour in Mud Season™ Travel Mugs!

Lydia's Cafe (http://www.lydiascafewolfeboro.com or find them on Facebook) on North Main is always looking for ways to be environmentally friendly, encourage cool (or hot) drinking, and supporting the community,

So, natch, they now carry Glamour in Mud Season ™ travel mugs.

The travel mugs feature nostalgic photographs of glamorous people in unlikely places, like the Abenaki ski hill and Gerry and Helene Hammer’s sugar house. Part of the build-up to the Village Players spring fun-raiser, Glamour in Mud Season, the travel mugs feature humorous captions to brighten your early morning brew.

Lydia’s owner Hunter Emory says, “At this time of year, I think we all need a boost. These mugs give a laugh and also encourage folks to reuse instead of drinking from throwaway cups.” They also show support for local theater.

His wife Mandy Ferriman says, “Hunter and I feel strongly that every small business needs to give back to the community, and we do that with the Village Players. We invest time, money, and talent.” Mandy was on the Village Players Board for several years, has acted in many shows and participates behind the scenes. Hunter has lighted the stage and designed sets for many productions.

Hey! Did you know that Mandy will be playing the lead role of Judith Bliss in the Village Players spring production of Hay Fever. The centerpiece of Glamour in Mud Season, and Nöel Coward’s most popular show, Hay Fever will receive its Wolfeboro premiere April 13-22.

Hunter will design and run the lighting for the production.)

Thanks Lydia's! Would your business or nonprofit like to get in on the fun? Contact us! info@glamourinmudseason.org

Downhill with Abenaki, Mt. Whittier & Ethan Frome

This past Saturday marked the first (annual?) Championship Mattress Races down the hills at Abenaki Ski Area.

If you don't know about it, Abenaki is the Wolfeboro ski area, started in 1936 by the Abenaki Outing Club, a group of Wolfeboro and Tuftonboro residents.

Abenkai is a great family hill,incredibly wallet-friendly, and it's now graced with professional snowmaking and grooming, thanks to the efforts of the Friends of Abenaki http://www.friendsofabenaki.org

Anyway, this past Saturday marked the first (annual?) Championship Mattress Races. And didn't the idea capture the imagination! "How will anyone hang on?" "How do you steer the thing?" Some people got real smart and figured if they clad their race rocket in plastic, they'd enhance their odds of winning.

Others were more pragmatic and saw the mattress race as a great time to get rid of the old mattresses piled in the basement, and offered generously. (We ARE still Yankees, you know. No need to pay a fee at the recycling center when you can do a good deed and grin.)

All the excitement got me thinking of other downhill stories.

Do you remember Mount Whittier Ski Area? http://www.nelsap.org/nh/mtwhit1.html It was off Route 16 in West Ossipee.

Well, one night after Mount Whittier had been closed in the '80's, a group of teens, apparently well-warmed by libation, decided to canoe down the main trail.

Uh huh. CANOE. Down the main SKI trail.

As I remember, some of the riders made it farther than others; some walked away and some did not. The canoe definitely did not medal in the Smith River Canoe Race the next May.

If you're an armchair adventurer, perhaps you remember Ethan and Maddie's tragic last run of the season in Ethan Frome by Edith Wharton. It's a great, fast read. With a very unexpected ending.

Have you seen Glam's riff on the tragic Ethan/Maddie run? http://www.glamourinmudseason.org/shopping Our t-shirt and travel mug shots were taken right at Abenaki Ski Area last Mud Season.

And that brings us back to the Championship Mattress Races. Josh Spaulding, the region's sportswriter, was on hand to cover them. His write-up captures the perfect essence of Abenaki. http://www.newhampshirelakesandmountains.com/Articles-Granite-State-News...

What's your favorite downhill story? (Or maybe you have details to add to mine.) Please share!

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