Tell us about the Sandwich Home Industries.
The Sandwich Home Industries is a non-profit organization supporting local artists and the local economy by providing a welcoming gallery and educational programs for area residents and visitors to Center Sandwich.  The gallery sells a wide selection of fine hand-crafted items, and offers classes in arts and crafts. Our gallery stocks traditional and contemporary fine crafts made by juried members of the League of NH Craftsmen. Our Education Program is the cornerstone of our mission – we create a varied curriculum for both adults and children. 

How did the Sandwich Home Industries get started?
The Sandwich Home Industries (SHI) has a rich history of supporting the craft economy of Sandwich. The Industries began in 1926 when Mrs. J. Randolph Coolidge and a committee of local Sandwich women organized an exhibition of locally made rugs and brought an expert from Boston to give a talk on the practical aspects of making and marketing rugs. From this experience the committee decided to form a cooperative venture. The Sandwich Home Industries opened in the summer of 1926 selling locally made handicrafts to support the local economy. ​

It was such a success that, a few years later, Mrs. Coolidge went to the Governor of NH to request a state-wide arts and crafts organization. In 1931, NH Governor John Winant supported their idea, establishing and funding the NH Commission of Arts and Crafts. As a result, the League of NH Craftsmen was formed in 1932 with Mary Coolidge as their President.

​The League of NH Craftsmen has become one of the oldest and most recognized craft organizations in the country with seven galleries located throughout the state. For over 88 years, the nonprofit League has promoted fine craft, supported craftspeople, and educated and enriched New Hampshire’s communities.

What is the most fun/satisfying aspect of your job? 
The manager job allows me to use skills I acquired in my career as a teacher. I find it most satisfying to collaborate with creative people, so setting up the gallery each season is quite fun. I am interested in Feng Shui and enjoy arranging the gallery so that it not only looks beautiful, but has the positive feel and flow of energy throughout. It is most satisfying to observe customers’ reactions when they visit the gallery. I also enjoy learning more about the many aspects of marketing and social media, which has been new to me!

What is the hardest?
The hardest part is schlepping inventory from League Headquarters! Many artists deliver their work to us (we take most work on consignment), but we will also pick up merchandise in Concord.

What has happened to your business in this last Covid year?
The beginning of the pandemic was nervewracking. We (the Board of Directors and myself) had no idea if it would be safe to open or if people would want to come out to shop. Ordinarily, we open mid-May, but we were in lockdown, so we waited to see what the State would decide. When we were able, we decided to open on a limited basis last year, which meant 3 days/week.  We laid off staff and reduced my hours. We applied for the government grants and were able to stay afloat, thankfully. 

I was surprised at the number of people who came by to shop last summer. They were happy and thankful that we were open. Of course, we practiced safety measures recommended by the State, and the season progressed smoothly. This season, we are planning on opening mid-May with our usual 7-day schedule. We are also planning our 2021 education program.

How do you see the future for this business?
The brick and mortar retail business is challenging these days since one can buy almost anything on the internet. SHI has even started selling some inventory through the League Galleries Webstore. However, I believe that seeing fine craft in person at our historic gallery and being able to touch it and pick it up as well as imagine it in your own space is critical. 

Our town, in the summer particularly, is a tourist destination. People enjoy stopping by and finding that special NH-made gift or item for their home. It is best to experience art with the senses and one can’t get that while online shopping. 

What else can you tell us about yourself and your business?
We have amazing talent and dedication on our Board of SHI Directors and are working on strategic planning for the future. We maintain the historic character of the building while making necessary repairs and updating displays. Collaboration with local businesses is also important to us. Last summer we held an Artists on the Porch series where we invited local crafters to sell their work. We are always looking for new ways to engage our community and would love to hear more ideas from Sandwich folks.
​
I am looking forward to Spring and starting our annual opening process. This year marks our 95th season and we are working to keep SHI going strong through its 100th Anniversary and beyond. 
​
Martha Nichols, Gallery Manager
League of NH Craftsmen Center Sandwich Fine Craft Gallery
PO Box 164, 32 Main Street
Center Sandwich, NH 03227
603-284-6831
Open mid-May to mid-October
Shop our gallery online!!

 The 2021 application deadline is Friday April 16 at 5:00 pm ET. Please share this information with any students who could benefit from these scholarships for Sandwich students.

The Alfred Quimby Trust and the Doris L. Benz Trust both provide scholarships to Sandwich residents. These scholarships each have distinct and different criteria and processes.

Doris L. Benz Trust
The Doris L. Benz Trust will consider scholarship awards to Sandwich residents who meet ALL of the following criteria:
(1)  Resident of Sandwich 
(2)  Graduated from Interlakes High School 
(3)  Enrolling in an accredited undergraduate post-secondary education program

Alfred Quimby Trust
Graduate and adult students or traditional students who did not graduate from Interlakes High School are not eligible for funding from the Doris L. Benz Trust.  
The Alfred Quimby Trust sponsors scholarships for residents who do NOT qualify for the Doris L. Benz Trust.  This means if the student is a Sandwich resident but did not graduate from Interlakes High School or is a graduate student or an adult student, they qualify for the Alfred Quimby Trust.

The Alfred Quimby Trust and the Doris L. Benz Trust scholarships are managed through the New Hampshire Charitable Foundation’s online application. 

The 2021 application deadline is Friday April 16 at 5:00 pm ET.

To access the online application and to receive further instructions students should visit the Foundation’s website at www.nhcf.org.  For more information about the Quimby or Benz scholarships or other student aid resources, please contact the Student Aid Office at the NH Charitable Foundation at 1-800-464-6641 or studentdocs@nhcf.org.

Diane Johnson writes: Saturday turned out to be a perfect day for the Community Tree Party. The weather was amazing. Santa and Mrs. Claus were perfect and there were folks of all ages around the Library and Quimby Field and the Tennis Courts. Families and children were talking to Santa, leaving wish lists and letters, getting gifts, candy canes, and $10 family gift certificates to their choice of E.M. Heath Grocery and Hardware, Bayswater Bookstore, or Innisfree Bookshop. 

​Kids and families were sledding and sliding, building snowmen, XC skiing, and a group of middle school youths were hard at work building forts and a maze in one of the tennis courts. Some families tromped through the snow to read the Story Trail--Ox Cart Man by Donald Hall--which is set up on the Library lawn. Many thanks go to all the elves, generous donors , and families who came out to set a truly Currier and Ives scene. It was Sandwich at its best. Covid protocols were followed and didn't dampen the atmosphere. 

The Community Christmas Tree Party has been a Sandwich tradition since at least the Great Depression in the 1930’s. Even the oldest folks in town can't remember a year when this party didn't happen so it is likely been going on for nearly 100 years. In the 30's and 40's, the local girl scouts under the direction of Helen Ingles and others decided to make gifts, put on a skit, sing carols, and have a party for all the children in town. Fresh fruit was hard to come by in December so an orange or banana was a special treat. 

The Sandwich Woman’s Club was organized in 1928. It is a 501c3 civic and social organization that exists to do good in the Sandwich Community. In a normal (i.e. non-pandemic ) year, members meet four times a year for lunch, an interesting speaker or program, and a short business meeting. The ladies raise funds for book and supply money for college students from Sandwich and sponsor the annual holiday party for all children in Sandwich. Woman of all ages in Sandwich and environs are welcome to join.

The club is run by a membership of nearly 70 women and an executive board. Regular meetings, programs, and luncheons in are held on Wednesdays in March, May, September and December at local restaurants. Funds are raised by a summer raffle held during Old Home Week, a snack bar during the Old Home Week Art Show, and by dues and donations. Annual dues are $10. Donations are always welcome (Sandwich Woman’s Club, PO Box 485, Center Sandwich, NH 03227). Please consider joining and being a part of this wonderful group. For more information follow Sandwich Woman's Club on Facebook or email sandwichwomansclub@gmail.com

Veterans Day, Wednesday, November 11, the Sandwich Super Sew-ers 4-H Club and Club Sandwich 4-H are preparing a delicious Spaghetti Supper to honor veterans and first line helpers. Dotty Burrows and her 4-H Sewing Group have been hosting these suppers for many years. Usually, the community gathers and enjoys a homemade supper with veterans while the 4-H youths serve and wait tables. This year the supper is take out only because of COVID. 

Veterans and First Line Helpers are guests and will enjoy their meal at no charge. Everyone else is invited to order and enjoy a meal and support this supper while thanking our Veterans and Helpers. the cost is $8.00 for adults and children under 12 are $3.00. 

Dotty Burrows, and 4-Hers will spend Wednesday afternoon safely preparing sauces, spaghetti, homemade rolls, and desserts. Suppers may be pre-ordered by calling Dotty Burrows at 603-247-5270. Placing your order well ahead helps Dotty and the kids know how much food to prepare. Please let Dotty know how many dinners you want, and if you want meat sauce or meatless sauce. Give her the time you plan to pick up the meals and call her when you arrive at the Methodist Meetinghouse. A 4-Her member will bring your meal(s) out to your vehicle.  

Suppers may be picked up on Wednesday, November 11 between 4:30 and 6:30 pm. The Methodist Meetinghouse of the Community Church of Sandwich is on Main Street (Route 109). The kitchen is in the basement and is most easily accessed from the back parking lot. Take Church Street and just beyond the OLD Fire station there is a driveway on the right that takes you to the back of the church. The new granite steps to the front of the church are arriving Monday 11/9. The exit to the church parking lot is on the side of the church. 

You are invited to attend a poetry reading of Deep Beauty, by Rosemary Winslow and Catherine Lee (editors) on Friday, September 4, 12:00 noon  on the Quimby Green in front of Sandwich Home Industries. Please feel free to bring a chair and lunch if you like. Rain date September 5, at 4 pm.

Poets from Sandwich and Tamworth are included in the new book, Deep Beauty. Rosemary Winslow, editor, will introduce the book and poets will read excerpts. Books will be on sale at the reading and inside the League of NH Craftsmen gallery (Sandwich Home Industries).

About Deep Beauty: As our global discourse continues to be dominated by border walls, white nationalism, sexual assault, and autocratic leaders, many of us find our basic human values under constant attack. Deep Beauty is one collective attempt to counteract this discourse. The essays presented herein offer curious and thoughtful inquiries into experiences of wonder and beauty through the eyes of a diverse group of beholders, at a time when such considerations are often lacking from public discourse.

These writers help create an emotional and psychological space for us to meditate on how peace, safety, compassion, and dignity are integral to a fulfilled and fulfilling life. These essays examine beauty from a number of different perspectives, including the arts, culture and counter-culture, the physical world (from our individual bodies to our embattled planet), successes and failures, remoteness, and spirituality. This collection is perfect for students of writing and philosophy--and for anybody who needs a moment of respite from the chaos exploding in the world around us.

League of NH Craftsmen Center Sandwich Fine Craft Gallery, 32 Main Street
Center Sandwich, NH 03227 www.centersandwich.nhcrafts.org Follow us on Facebook! OPEN for our 94th season . 2020 hours Thursday - Saturday 12:00 - 5:00

Three of Sandwich's wonderful establishments doing what we do best in this community: bringing creativity and caring to the needs of the day.

The Sandwich Home Industries, Patricia Ladd Gallery, Sandwich Historical Society, and Wentworth Library have put their hearts and minds together to create some fun for the community. Maybe you have heard of the Getty Challenge where people recreate famous works of art? We have borrowed the idea and challenge you to do the same! See below for more information...