Hot dog season hits the valley
Published Date Written by Tom Eastman
FROM A STORMY BUT GOOD FOURTH with Uncle Sam, to the much-anticipated return of Thomas the Tank Engine to the Conway Scenic Railroad, July 6 through 8 and July 13 through 15, summer is rolling down the tracks and into high gear, my fellow firecracking Yankee Doodle Dandees.The word from around the valley was that the Independence Day parades were great (especially loved those Segways from Cranmore in Conway's parade Wednesday afternoon).
Despite the threat of showers and real-life thunder boomers, local fireworks were also splendid, including in Conway — which helped wipe out any lingering memories of last year's Fourth fireworks fiasco, when the Londonderry-based RS Fireworks' produced show was 65 minutes behind schedule.
This year's, produced by Atlas Fireworks, the largest fireworks company in New England. got the job done superbly.
Due to the expected arrival of another storm, the fireworks were moved up by Conway Recreation Center director John Eastman by about 20 minutes to 9:25 p.m, which turned out to be a wise move.
I was out there in the park with everyone, and it looked pretty cool to have the low cloud cover combine with the fireworks. The fireworks would often be shrouded by the low-hanging smoke to create a surreal scene that looked like something out of a battlefield — which was appropriate for the Fourth, given that Francis Scott Key was inspired to write “The Star Spangled Banner” after the British attack on Fort McHenry in the War of 1812 two centuries ago.
Thanks to the traffic control efforts of Conway's finest, the traffic dissipated after the fireworks in about 35 minutes, which wasn't bad at all. (Many folks headed over to Spoons at Horsefeathers to have an ice cream or cocktail at the bar to wait for the post-fireworks traffic to ebb).
Those who were walking back to their parked cars over near Mechanic Street had a post-fireworks surprise, when they came upon a bear that was up in a tree, according to Lt. Chris Perley of the Conway Police Department.
We're not sure if the bear climbed the tree to get a better view of the fireworks, but we're sure he got an earful at any rate from the boomers.
That village bear is one of many that have been making their way around the valley this season, according to Perley, Bartlett Police Chief Tim Connifey and Fish and Game's Brian Abrams.
They're hungry and ahead of schedule due to the warm spring, but the berries have yet to appear, so they're on the move. People are being asked to secure their garbage and food.
“Again, I've said it before,” said Lt. Perley. “We don't have a bear problem — we have a people problem. The bears are just being bears.”
But back to the main show: kudos to John Eastman, Mike Lane and Lynore Wagner, all of the Conway Recreation Department, for putting on a great parade and show in Conway, and thanks to the valley's “Community Celebrations” caretakers for their generous donations.
“Presenting Caretakers” are the Town of Conway, PainCare and the Mount Washington Valley Preservation Association. “Spirit of Community Caregivers” are North Conway Hannaford, North Conway Country Club, Northway Bank, the Eastern Slope Inn, Badger Realty, Public Service of New Hampshire, the North Conway Village Association, 93.5-FM, Magic 104 FM and Valley Information Radio; the North Conway Water Precinct, and Conway Fire Department.
“Community Connector Caretakers” are the Muddy Moose, Zeb's General Store, Varsity Beverages, Fields of Ambrosia, the Conway Daily Sun, the Mountain Ear; Gamwell, Caputo, Siek and Co. CPAs; Hancock Lumber, Conway Family Dental Care, and North Conway Rotary.
For further information, visit www.conwayrec.co or www.mwvpa.org.
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ON THE TOWN: Al “The Rev” Shafner and The Revtones are at the White Lake Inn & Tavern (formerly Sammy's) in Tamworth this Friday from 7 to 10 p.m. They will also be playing at Jukebox Junction this Saturday night in North Conway from 7 to 10 p.m...Al and Revtones' smooth-drumming bandmate Alan Phenix were among the many local a talents who played at this past Tuesday's Hoot Night at the Wildcat Inn and Tavern. Marv “Give My Regards to Broadway” Haber sounded great (as usual) on trumpet, and the always excellent Heather Pierson graced the stage with her talent. Other top talents we saw included a set by Bennett and Perkins, Scot Montgomery and bassist Al Hospers playing Scot's originals, the always foot-stompin' Swampdog, and a very good rendition of “The The Sounds of Silence.” It was a big week for Mr. Haber, originally from New York, as he took advantage of last week's CDS ad deal to visit the Top of New England for his first time for just $15 per carload...Original Hoot host Rockin' Rod MacKenzie is back from Florida for the summer, and is co-hosting Hoot with regular host Jonathan Sarty. Rod is available for gigs, so give him a buzz at (23( 784-8849 (e-mail to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. )...Rod tells us, by the way, that the soon-to-reopen old Up Country, new Wolverine Tavern, will host the annual Peters Concert to benefit Kennett High musical scholarships Sept. 16. It honors the late Peter Lewis and Peter White...RADIO SHOW COMING: Jon Sarty and Vince Pelote, active with the Arts Council of Tamworth, are teaming up to record the debut of the live “Cold River Radio Show” at the Theater in the Wood Aug. 26. The syndicated show series will air locally on WJSK 101.1-FM of Bartlett in January. It is intended to put the spotlight on ascending local New England talent, including songwriters, authors and storytellers. Check it out at Coldriverradio.com for further information and updates...Talented local guitarist Ben Hammond we hear is at the Thompson House Eatery for a gourmet burger night July 9...Speaking about good eats, did you hear about Joey Chestnut, who defended his top hot dog-eating crown on the 4th by downing 68 wieners and winning $10,000 at the annual Coney Island hot dog eating contest? Hey, maybe we should have one of those here, eh?...Happy b-days to one and all this week, including (belatedly) Conway town manager Earl Sires (7-3) and my late bro Steve “Ear Loeb” Eastman (1949-2008; he would have been 63 on 7-5), talented Tamworth artist Carol Phenix (7-7), and to all others out there, including my kid sister and fearless lifelong protector Jeanie Eastman Ryan of Rye (7-8)...See you at all the valley events, including, of course, the “Day Out With Thomas: Mystery on the Rails Tour 2012,” and the kickoff to the 2012 Arts Jubilee season at Cranmore July 12 with the Freese Brothers. Summer's here, so get on out there and live it up, valley-style!
