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Sandwich Craftsmen’s Christmas in the Village Festival
The 31st annual Sandwich Craftsmen’s Christmas in the Village Festival is this weekend, December 6 and 7. At the Sandwich Central School, Sandwich Fire Station and many other locations around Sandwich, crafters and business people have been busy and you will be able to buy all sorts of locally made Christmas, holiday and household items for everyone on your list. The “official” festival locations will be open Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and Sunday from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.- special events and other locations may be open some different hours (read on for details). This is a great weekend to visit with various craftspeople in town, many of them in their workshops; and it’s also a fun way to visit with friends, have a stroll around town, have lunch, visit with Santa… Maps will be available at each location and all around town.
John Knight of Holderness has been hired by the crafters and businessmen in town to escort you in old fashioned style from location to location in Center Sandwich Village during the day on Saturday from 10-3. He and his team will have some designated pick-up and drop off locations which will be detailed in a brochure at each stop and many other places in the village.
In addition to the crafts locations, you can enjoy some special events like: A gingerbread house contest of Sandwich Historical buildings at Mocha Rizing; Breakfast with Santa at the Corner House Inn Saturday 12/6 two seatings: 8:30am & 10:00 am.; Lunch with the Ladies Aid at the Federated Church Saturday; Tour the Christmas exhibit at the Sandwich Historical Society Saturday and Sunday; Horse-drawn carriage rides on Saturday; Tree lighting & caroling on the Green at 4:30 pm. Saturday.
Sunday morning at 10 attend church in the Methodist Meeting of the Federated Church of Sandwich and be inspired by the Advent message given by Rev. David Morgan. Shop for a bit , have brunch at the Corner House, listen to music at Mocha Rizing, shop again. Movies and games with the Sandwich Recreation Department will be Sunday, 12noon to 2:00 p.m. at the Sandwich Library or in the Rec Building so that parents can shop independently—please call Nancy Morton at 284-6473 for information and to sign-up. Come out and join in the fun; do some holiday shopping and support your local craftsmen & women!
The Sandwich Central School will be the largest festival location where more than a dozen craftspeople and community organizations will be selling items. Around mid-day Saturday, Santa will make a visit to read a book, give out candy canes, and listen to lists. The Sandwich PTO will be selling new and used books, gifts, school items and baked goods. Club Sandwich 4-H members will be selling cookies, stuffed critters, and crafts made by members. Charleen O’Coin and Greg Hausch will be at the school with their beautiful stained glass and pressed flowers in glass. Pam Urda has been busy making dried wreaths, kissing balls, and center pieces from natural materials. Ellen Lemburg, owner of Starlight Gems, makes delightful handcrafted stone (precious and semi-precious) and pearl jewelry. Tom and Lisa Merriman of the Sandwich Creamery will be selling cheese and ice cream and taking orders for gift boxes to be shipped. Holly Johnson will have her Hire Fire Wheel Thrown Pottery for sale. Janet Reidy, owner of Danet Designs, has delightful dress scarves, beaded hats and ad bands. Janet originally designed the wraps during her breast cancer treatments as she wanted a wonderful warm beaded hat was perfect for everyone and everyday. Janet has also designed some Sandwich Scene T-shirts that depict the potholes and Bearcamp Pond.
Other people at the school include: John Harris who has been carving birds for about 20 years and he has sold his wooden birds at juried fairs in Florida and other places. He and his wife moved to Sandwich about a year ago. Jennifer Allen, owner of Botanical Lampshades, will be at the school this year so you don’t have to travel out to her workshop off Foss Flats Road. She makes lovely handmade pressed flower lampshades and night lights, matted prints, placemats, note cards, and lamp bases. If you can’t decide exactly what you want, you may purchase a gift certificate. Ginna Lund will be selling handmade chocolates; and Heather Tobin will have quilted items. Valerie Veld will be selling Longaberger Baskets and gift baskets.
Surroundings Art Gallery and Willow Pond Antiques on Main Street will be open and is listed as the second stop on the Sandwich Christmas in the village Map. Surroundings sells traditional New Hampshire Landscapes, still lifes, florals, barrel staves, painted boxes, carved figures, and much more. Jane Brown at Willow Pond sells a whimsical and eclectic variety of antiques, accessories and local crafts. Don Sutton has made arrangements with some of the artists at Surroundings Art Gallery to offering their older but still high quality paintings at greatly reduced prices (30-50% off) between now and Christmas. Between these and their current paintings, you may just find the perfect gift for yourself or somebody else for Christmas. Come check them out or call the Gallery at 284-6888 for more information. Surroundings is open on Saturday (10-5) and Sunday (12-5) or by appointment on other days between now and Christmas. Both shops will have hours through Christmas.
Mocha Rizing and The Sandwich Emporium is stop number three on the map. Nancy Papp sells fair trade gifts, teas, coffees, chocolates, gifts and goods. Jennifer Elliott’s Lupine Blossoms knits and jewelry by Elizabeth Wilcox Jacobsen are just some of the many local crafts for sale at Mocha Rizing this weekend. Heather Phelps runs the Sandwich Emporium which is located in the lower level of the building. She sells educational toys, books, Sandwich clothing, stocking stuffers, children’s books, and handmade natural candles.
In the window of Mocha Rizing you will be able to view the first annual gingerbread contest. Almost a dozen houses are on display. Don’t miss them. Judging and the awarding of prizes will take place at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, December 7. Prior to the judging, enjoy live acoustic music from 11-1 at Mocha Rizing. Embedded in this announcement are some of the entries for the gingerbread co ntest.
The Sandwich Central Fire Station is stop number 4 on the map and it is one of the major locations for crafters. Dotty Burrows, Joan Wright and Annette Kelly who teach 4-H sewing are some of the local quilters who sew at the firehouse on Thursday evenings have been busy as Santa’s elves. They have made many lovely aprons, hot pads, and pot-holders. They also have baked some items ahead and will be baking both days at the firehouse so you can buy super fresh baked goods. You can also sample some items right out of the oven with some hot coffee or cocoa. The firehouse should have a wonderful aroma! Some members of the Club Sandwich 4-H sewing project will be on hand to help them and to possible sell some items they have made. These ladies will also have some knitted and crocheted items.
Also at the fire station will be: Debbie Plimmer who will be selling fabric crayon holders, gifts and toys for children that her daughter, Shannon, has made. Julie Hird of Partridge Rock B&B will have home-made creams and lotions. Sue Rowan, a weaver, will have woven placemats and other hand-woven items. Linda Spear who has been teaching many in town to hook rugs will be doing a hooking demonstration and selling-rug hooking kits, supplies, and ornaments. There may also be other crafters there such as someone with sequence ornaments, or a stained glass artist.
Across from the firehouse is Soft Touch Farm and location number five; this and the firehouse are one of the stops for the horse-drawn carriage. This is the first year that Diane Johnson, owner of Soft Touch Farm (www.softtouchfarm.com), will be in her shop instead of at the school demonstrating the art of needle felting. (There will be a few 4-Hers at the school demonstrating and selling some of the small things they have learned to make in Fiber Arts.) In the shop Diane will be selling a vast array of felting supplies and kits, books, gift certificates for classes, holiday plants, and other items. The shop is a small square building with a porch at 22 Wentworth Hill Road (Route 109 across from the Sandwich Fire Station). In addition to a colorful selection of wool roving, felting tools, she has handmade cards, cloth and wooden toys, and other gifts. Until Christmas, the shop will be open Fridays and Saturdays 10-5 and other by chance and appointment (284-7168) on other days. Book a gift-making party, or give a gift of a group class for friends and family before or after the holiday. Felting is a great winter blues reliever and a fun party activity. December 13 the shop will be closed on Saturday morning due to elf duty; it will be open that day noon to 5. On fair weather days, the angora rabbits will be out in front of the shop to visit with people who stop by.
Location number 6 on the map is Maplewood Farm which is at the corner of Little Pond and Vittum Hill Roads. It is the home of the Martels. Jennifer will have fresh eggs, and handmade items just right for Christmas giving. Valerie May who lives down the road a piece will have her Gourmet Dog Biscuits for sale. They are Sandwich dog approved. Valerie’s vegetarian biscuits are a hit with the rabbits at Soft Touch Farm so you might get some of those for a favorite rabbit or guinea pig.
A bit further down Vittum Hill Road is location number 7 which is the home of Martha and Rudy Carlson –Range View Farm. They have local organic cranberries, balsam, partridge berry and boxwood wreaths, maple syrup, jams, jellies, and Christmas Trees.
In North Sandwich Village you will find the Pease Gallery where Elizabeth Pease will have her workshop open and be selling screen printed cards, oil paintings, landscapes, and still lifes. This is stop number 8.
While in North Sandwich, make a stop in the North Sandwich Store and say hello to Mike Shattuck and Lois Carmody. They have lots of things like hot and cold drinks, sandwiches, and lots of convenience items. They also sell wine, local hard cider, Cabot cheese wheels, antiques and local crafts. They are open Monday through Saturday from 7-6 and Sundays from 8-5.
Make your way back into Center Sandwich Village and stop at the home of Patricia Carega on Route 113 just across from the Sandwich Police Station. This location number 9 on the map. During the summer, Patsy’s barn is set-up as the Patricia Ladd Carega Gallery. Though the barn gallery will be closed (it is not heated), Patricia Carega’s house will be filled with unique ideas for the holiday season and holiday budgets! As always painting, prints and etchings, sculpture and objects will be part of the weekend. CC White, Sallie Wolf, Madeliene Lord and Kathryn Field are among gallery artists to exhibit new work. Animal etchings by Anna Jeretic and tiny photographs of the region’s delicate wildflowers by Dale Lary make irresistible gifts. (and affordable!)
New work from Madeleine’s Jewelry and Embraceable Jewels will be available along with the elegant new silk and velvet accessories for the winter season from Kathleen Ladd of “Importants”. They will also have the whimsical woolen creations of Maggie Porter. Each design is original and each piece, one of a kind. Speaking of woolens, meet the work of CC White that is not created on paper. Hand-knit scarves, Christmas stockings, hats and “treasure bags” (perfect for cell phone or Ipod) are made by CC in all natural fibers. For a sneak preview visit www.patricialaddcarega.com.
Join Patricia at the gallery for Holiday Cheer from 9 to 4 on Saturday and 9 to 3 on Sunday. The gallery is located at 69 Maple Street (Route 113) in Center Sandwich.
Above are the 9 “official” locations which will have stamps for door prizes. Visit 5, have your card stamped, and turn in your card with five stamps to one of the boxes at the official locations to be eligible for one of five door prizes offered by the Craftsmen and on display at the school. The boxes will be gathered and the drawing will be held on Sunday at 4:00 p.m. in the Sandwich Central School; you do not need to be present to win. Each of the door prizes is valued at $25 or more.
Anne Made and Hill Country Books
AnneMade, Hill Country Books, & Friends at 25 Grove Street, Center Sandwich are not listed as an “official” location on the Craftsmen’s Map so they are not part of the door prize stamping. They are, however, one of the Saturday stops for the carriage rides and they are in the village so are an easy walk from the churches and the school. This will be their 25th annual Holiday Open House. They will be open Sat, Dec 6 from 10-5 & Sun, Dec. 7 from 10-5. Anne, John, and Ellen Perkins have fabulous used and rare books, original handmade Christmas ornaments, art, hand-knits, baked goods, jewelry and more. Unique Handmade Items for Everyone on Your List!
Among the local crafters and friends are: Carrie Sandblom (who goes by Tigerlilly Studios) and Liz's Jewelry (Blue Jewelry Designs) and Judi Dunlap. Handmade cards and tags and all that good stuff. AnneMade and Hill Country Books and Friends will hold a pre-view evening from 5-7 on Friday, December 5. For more information, please call 284-7008.
Robinwood Bowls
On Saturday (only), December 6 from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Robin Dusitn will be in her basement workshop at "Robinwood," 59 Squam Lake Road. Bowls, platters, trays and other turned items will be on display and for sale. If you've wondered how this work is done, stop in and she'll be happy to show you. She is across the street from the Sandwich Central School, down by the entrance to the fairgrounds - flowers, or in this case, winter greens are in a pot on the mail box.
There are many special events planned during the Christmas in the Village. Maps, brochures and lots of friendly people will be able to help you find your way around. If you want to get an early start to the weekend, a few of the in-the-village shops will be open Friday evening. There’s a sing-a-long “Rise-up Singing” at Mocha Rizing on Friday nights, the Corner House is Open for dinner and there is live music in the pub.
Sandwich Historical Society.
The Sandwich Historical Society will have it's Museum decorated and Shop open during Christmas in the Village and there will be vendors setting up in the exhibit room. Some of the vendors are: The Sandwich Woman's Club -Town Plates; Bearcamp Valley Garden Club -Amaryllis; Anne-Marie Selinger -Swedish Apple Pies; Gil Rodgers -Wood Carvings.
The Bearcamp Valley Garden Club will be selling potted bulbs and gardening gifts. The bulbs are potted and most of the amaryllis will have four flowers on a stalk. The paperwhites are started in lovely containers. Both types of bulbs will look beautiful for Christmas and should be in bloom. There will also be some loose bulbs for sale so you can pot them up as you wish. Come out and support your gardening friends.
Annual Breakfast with Santa
The Corner House Inn will sponsor their annual Breakfast with Santa on Saturday, December 6. Enjoy a delicious breakfast buffet and share your Christmas “wish’ list with Santa Claus! There are two seatings-one at 8:30 and 10:00 a.m., please call 284-6219 for reservations! Adults $7 Children $4 (plus tax & gratuity). Proceeds benefit the Squam Lakes Chamber of Commerce. Please call the Corner House at 284-6219 or info@cornerhouseinn.com for reservations.
Soup and Chowder Luncheon
On Saturday, December 6, from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., the Ladies Aid of the Federated Church of Sandwich invite you to enjoy their now famous corn chowder and vegetable beef soup in the Methodist Meetinghouse Fellowship Hall. Crackers, bread, dessert and beverages are included, all for $4 per adult or $3 for children under 10. The ladies of the Ladies Aid also have a table of crafts they have made and some brand new gifts, not necessarily hand-made. Marion Blackshear and Susan Davies are chairmen for the luncheon, and Fran Keith is chairman for the crafts table, which opens at 10:30. All are welcome to attend 10:00 a.m. worship on Sunday and after the service during coffee hour, any remaining crafts will be available for purchase.
Christmas Tree Lighting
Get in the spirit with a fun Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony! Sponsored by the Sandwich Rec Department. Gather around the tree in the green (now white) in front of the Sandwich home Industries at 4:30 p.m. on Saturday, December 6. Valerie May, music teacher at the Sandwich Central School, will lead the singing of Christmas Carols. Warm up afterwards with Hot Chocolate & Cookies at Mocha Rizing (cookies will be provided by The Corner House!). If you would like lead a special song or play a musical
instrument, please call 284-6473 and leave a message. If you have any other great ideas, please share them!!
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