Photos by Nanci Blog

It's a family affair...The Hamblins of Hartland are very "crafty" people.  Mom makes "Green Mountain Treats" for cats and dogs, Dad makes furniture and collectibles from recycle barn boards and Kenny Hamblin IV is the creator of Vermont Stone Crosses.  Stone masons by trade the Hamblin men now focus their talents on stone and wood crafts for the home. On Saturday, Kenny the III and Kenny the IV opened their studio Vermont Stone Cross Co. to visitors as part of the statewide "Open Studio Weekend"; held twice a year in the spring and fall. The younger Hamblin creates carved stone trays, oil lamps, table lamps, and now stone crosses. Like the great stone carvers before him (Michelangelo) Hamblin says the stone tells him what it should be made into. He examines its shape, color and texture then begins to reshape the stone. He creations are unique and very affordable. More studio images: Vermont Cross Co. Pics Open Studio Weekend Kenny Hamb...

Zack's Place Players presented their Spring Musical for one night only Wednesday May 22 at the Yoh Auditorium at the Woodstock Union High School. The Zackleton Expedition was written and directed by Woodstock' Jim Sadwith. The tale was based on the real life expedition of Ernest Shackleton, relative of Charles Shackleton of Shackleton Thomas in Bridgewater. The musical had many guest performers who along with the Zack Place Players have been rehearsing since February. Set and Costume design was by Holly Levinson and props organized by Fiona Davis. The hour long play was well received by the full house and left the audience with many memories of a great adventure both in real life (Ernest Shackleton's voyage in 1914) and the one created at Zack's Place. More performance images: Zackleton Pics ***************************** Follow Photos By Nanci at: photosbynanci.com Photos by Nanci Blog SmugMug Galleries YouTube Twitter Facebook

From:  http://www.mister-baseball.com/swiss-player-throws-ceremonial-pitch-prior-kansas-city-royals-game/ In January 2013,  Kevin Seitzer  of the Kansas City Royals coaching staff visited Switzerland on invitation from Embrach Mustangs head coach  Chris Byrnes . The Swiss Baseball Federation had the great pleasure to enjoy a full day of hitting clinics from the 2x MLB AllStar who played 12 years in the Big Leagues and posted a career batting average of .295. Three months later,  Josh Crouse  and  Harry Wischnewski  – both playing club ball with the Embrach Mustangs – followed their own invitation to visit  Kevin Seitzer  and the Kansas City Royals baseball community. Driven by a superb baseball column by  Lee Judge  from the Kansas City Star, the two players became big Royals fans in the past years and enjoyed many outstanding comments and tidbits on pro ball. Crouse  and  Wischnewski  had the amazing o...

Monday night about 800 Upper Valley women (and a few men) were in the Lebanon Opera House to witness SPANK!, The Fifty Shades Parody (loosely based on the popular "mommy porn" books by E L James.) This hilarious new musical brings the naughty fun of the best-selling books to life and will have your inner goddess laughing out loud ! Hugh Hanson ( Drew Moerlein , from Bow NH) is the rich, rich , rich, very twisted hunk and Tasha Woode ( Michelle Vezilj ) is the naive (read VIRGIN) character you becomes involved with Hugh Hanson after a college newspaper article interview. These wacky characters are created "on stage" by E.B. Janet ( Suzanne Sole ) whose hubby is away for the weekend. E.B. is well equipped with chardonnay and one "hot" keyboard. This new imagining of the characters comes to life with sharp-witted comedy, musical numbers, sexy striptease performances from the leading hunk, plus lots of surprises! Many in the audience could...

On a beautiful Sunday evening supporters of the Norman Williams Public Library gathered first at the library for cocktails then at the Woodstock Inn for dinner. The event was the library's 12th annual Gala. Last year this event raised between $35,000-$40, 000. According to Board of Trustee President Jack McGuire this year's event was the best attended event so far with 210 confirmed tickets sold. McGuire also explained that the Library "Wish List" brought in over $10,000 last year. McGuire attributed the success of the event to the new Library Executive Director Jennifer Belton and also to the event's guest speaker Lynne Olson .  The Gala Committee Members: Paula Audley, Gail Stickney, Mary Costella nd Library Executive Director Jennifer Belton. Joan McGee was recognized as an exceptional volunteer for her work cataloging the library's collection of books. Before guest speaker Lynne Olson began writing books full time, she worked more than ten...

April was National Grange Month and the Bridgewater Grange #284 , in Bridgewater VT celebrated by hosting an Open House on Thursday April 25, 2013. At this meeting they also took the time to honor Ed Earle, friend, neighbor, volunteer fire fighter and all around good guy as "Citizen of The Year." Audrey and Wilbur Putnam escort Ed Earle to the altar. Earle, 52, grew up on a dairy farm with 100 head of milking cows. He started working on the farm when he was two years old. Earle has always been there when you needed him. He served as Town Constable for 12 years, volunteered with the Fire Department for 28 years and has been a correctional supervisor in Windsor for 21 years.  When Grange Master Alice Paglia's cows get loose she knows who to call and Earle hops on his four-wheeler and rounds them up. Ed Earle and Alice Paglia. Following the meeting, a pot luck was enjoyed by the attendees. Audrey Putnam slices her maple frosted cake. More images from ...