Photos by Nanci Blog

Maple Syrup Making 101 Weathersfield VT Spring 2011 By Nancy Nutile-McMenemy Every spring the good folks of Vermont, most with severe cabin fever, hang out all kinds of buckets to collect the sweet sap that runs through the maple trees around the state. These are the same trees that provide such amazing color during Fall Foliage, but in the spring before the buds or leaves, it's the sap that provides joy to the people of Vermont and beyond. "Liquid Gold" many call it and at today's prices it surely is liquid gold! So what is this tradition all about...after a long winter, especially a long one like the winter of 2010-2011, folks start looking for signs of spring. When daytime temperatures start reaching into the upper 30s F it's time to tap the trees! Sap runs best with over night temperatures in the 20s F and day time temperatures in the 40s F. To tap the trees, you'll need a 1/16 drill bit, taps and a hammer and some sort of collection bucket. We use...

Kathy Mattea Lebanon Opera House Lebanon NH March 26, 2011 By Nancy Nutile-McMenemy Kathy Mattea performed at the Lebanon Opera House in downtown Lebanon NH Saturday evening March 26, 2011. She is currently on tour continuing to promote her CD Coal . Her website has some great photos showing her making the coal album and also a link to an interview that aired on NPR's Living Earth. She played two 45 minute sets, then met with fans in the Opera House lobby for almost an hour after the show.  More photos from the show on my Opera House page: http://www.photosbynanci.com/loh.html Photos from the Meet and Greet may viewed on the Lebanon Opera House Facebook page ! This performance was sponsored by: Courtyard by Marriott Mascoma Savings Bank KIXX 100.5 The Valley's BEST Country

Grace Potter and the Nocturnals Blues and Lasers opened House of Blues, Boston MA March 25, 2011  By Nancy Nutile-McMenemy Grace Potter and the Nocturnals took the stage at Boston's House of Blues (HOB) and rocked the SOLD OUT crowd in a solid two hour rock and roll love fest. The crowd was primed for this rock fest by the band Blues and Lasers , the Nocturnals guys plus John Rogone on bass and Steve Sharon on drums. The Nocturnals are a "tiny little band from Vermont," Potter told the audience that first appeared on the HOB stage in 2004 for the Boston Music Awards. The Nocs came out first and played a nice intro to "Only Love". Catherine Popper, bass, adds some angelic harmonies although folks that follow the Nocs know Ms. Popper is far from an angel! With two hot guitar players, Scott Tournet and Benny Yurco the band tore into "Hot Summer Night." Next up were crowd favorites: "Toothbrush", "Low Road", "Joey...

Grace Potter and the Nocturnals Blues and Lasers opened House of Blues, Boston MA March 25, 2011 By Nancy Nutile-McMenemy Blues and Lasers (B&L) opened for Grace Potter and the Nocturnals at the House of Blues Boston Friday night March 25.  B&L are Scott Tournet guitars and vocals; Benny Yurco guitars and vocals, John Rogone bass and vocals, Matt Burr drums, and Steve Sharon drums. It's not often that you get to see a band with two drummers but these guys work great together. Burr and Sharon add a level of thick rock and roll beats that a crowd can't help but head bang to. The guitar playing of Tournet and Yurco are scorching.  The guys played about an hour of solid rock and roll and even though the crowd was there to hear Grace Potter and the Nocturnals,  audience members were genuinely turned on to the B&L sound.  This is how rock and roll music should be played, loud and with a great beat! Stage Set List: WNWGD Fallen Friend...