Tamworth Town Column: Fireman's Auction July 7

Published Date Written by Ann McGarity

The Fireman's Auction takes place at the South Tamworth Fire Station, Saturday, July 7, starting at 10 a.m. with a preview at 9 a.m. This is always an enjoyable event and with George Cleveland as the auctioneer there will be plenty of laughs. If one of your appliances has broken down or you need furniture for a camp or guest room, you will likely find what you need at a very reasonable price. Proceeds benefit the Tamworth Firemen's Club, which over the past six decades has purchased protective clothing,a generator, air packs , financed matching grants, and bought necessities unavailable through other funding.

The monthly bean supper to benefit the South Tamworth Methodist Church will take place this Saturday, July 7, at Union Hall. There are two settings at 5 and 5:45 p.m. The cost is $7 for adults, and $4.50 for children under 12.

Saturday contra dances, hosted by the Tamworth Outing Club, continue at the Tamworth Town House until Sept. 1, from 8 to 11 p.m. Dances are taught and everyone is welcome.

The Arts Council of Tamworth's main summer event is its annual art show and sale at Runnells Hall in Chocorua from July 27 to 29, and Art in the Park, an outdoor sale of smaller works of art such as note cards and matted prints on Chocorua Day, Saturday, July 28. Arts Council of Tamworth invites local and visiting artists, both professional and amateur, to share their work with the community. The art show is a delight every year, with much diversity of style and media. Each artist can submit up to three pieces in any media, at least one of which must be offered for sale. The deadline for registering is Saturday, July 7 and work must be dropped off on Thursday, July 26, between 5 and 7 p.m. The public is invited to meet the artists at the Artists' Reception and Opening on Friday, July 27, from 7 to 9 p.m. The show will be open on Saturday, July 28, and Sunday, July 29, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Art in the Park runs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, July 28. Call Art Show Chair Myles Grinstead at 323-5444 or Arts Council of Tamworth at 323-8104 for more information.

"Concerts by the River" behind The Other Store begin this Sunday, July 8, with the Mike Stockbridge Jazz Quartet. On July 15 enjoy the Mango Groove Steel Drum Band, and on July 22, Cormac McCarthy will play, followed by Amy and Adam Weston on July 29. The last scheduled concert is Middle Ground on Aug. 5 with Cindy Duchin, Natalie Hebden and Peter Heimlich. You can choose to sit on the deck, lawn or shady riverbank. Bring your own chair or blanket. Ice cream and drinks are available at The Daley Cafe.

A new six-week series of yoga classes begins on Tuesday, July 10, at the Tamworth Town House led by Certified Yoga Teacher Corey Judge. The classes will run from 5:30 to 7 p.m. every Tuesday as part of the Tamworth Recreation Department's summer programs.

Trained at YogaSpirit Studios, Corey completed a 200-hour course featuring the major Yoga styles. She teaches restorative Yoga as well as Yoga for special situations, including prenatal and children. Corey also has studied Reiki and taught Yoga at the Gunstock Inn in Gilford prior to taking time off to start a family. Beginners as well as more seasoned practitioners are welcome to join the class. These gentle to moderate sessions include postures, breath work, and guided meditations. Mats are available or you can bring your own.The cost of the series is $50 for six weeks; drop-ins are welcome for $10 a class. No pre-registration is necessary. For more information, call Corey Judge at 662-2041.

Congratulations to the owners and staff of the Tamworth Lyceum. This beautiful refurbished store and coffee shop celebrates its first year anniversary on July 4, This month Part of the proceeds from Frontside Grind coffee sales (10 cents from every cup) will go to the Tamworth Historical Society. You may also contribute a direct amount upon your purchase at the Lyceum: $1, $5, or just round up your transaction to the nearest dollar to help this local institution. The Lyceum is hosting free daily educational events: Mondays from 2 to 5 p.m. "Writing with Diana"; Tuesday "Weekly Home Brew Workshop" 2 ti 4 p.m.; Wednesday "Art Classes with Jamie" from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., followed by Game Day and Tournament at 2 p.m.; Thursdays "Nature Speaks", 4 to 6 p.m.; Fridays: movie nights at 6 p.m.

The Red Cross Summer Swim Program, at White Lake State Park, beloved by generations of Tamworth families began this week. If you missed the deadline you are encouraged to call Brenda Robinson 986-7873 and if there is a space in the appropriate age group your child will be admitted. This is a wonderful program: children learn invaluable lessons in swimming and survival which last a life time,and it's a great opportunity for parents to work on their tans and socialize while their children take lessons. Parents or caregivers are admitted free of charge to White Lake State Park when they arrive with their children for the lessons.

July 4 Family Day celebrations in Tamworth were wonderful, despite early concerns about the weather. By 11 a.m., the sun was shining for the parade which we watched from our usual spot outside the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of the Eastern Slopes church, waving to friends as they marched, bicycled or rode in cars or atop floats. The suggested theme: "Honor our Veterans" led to many creative interpretations, and much red white and blue. The Friends of the Library float featured an enormous "bed" filled with youngsters to honor this year's summer reading program:"Dream big, read." The Barnstormers' theme this year was "Summer Vacation" .The Swift River Jazz Band entertained parade watchers many of whom waited in large family gatherings at homes along Route 113. Bun Nickerson's antique Ford, veteran of many Tamworth parades was driven by his son Larry, a poignant reminder that the first anniversary of Bun's death was last month. As always gleaming fire and rescue vehicles noisily brought up the rear. We slowly made our way behind the procession to the school and were greeted by an aroma of barbecued chicken, cooked and served by the Tamworth Outing Club. The Firemen's Club cooked up sausage subs, and the 8th Grade grilled hamburgers and hotdogs to benefit their annual trip. The Swift River Jazz Band were already playing under the marquee, and we enjoyed listening to the New Orleans style jazz of Kent and Betty Schneider, Ernie and Mary Mills, and and David KilKelley.Other activities, included egg toss, pie eating and traditional Fourth of July contests. In the late afternoon rumblings of an approaching storm gave rise to fears that the evening celebrations might be jeopardized. Skies cleared, however, and a large crowd gathered to listen to the Jonathon Sarty Band, an excellent, versatile group that played without a break for more than two hours. They played toe tapping songs from decades ago, right up to today's , rock, folk, country and Western concluding with a moving rendition of "Star Spangled Banner." The firework display was the best I recall, giving rise to many "oohs" and "aahs" from families gathered under the tent and on the grass. As the display ended, nature took over with thunder and lightening, illuminating the departing crowds. Family Day in Tamworth was truly a patriotic celebration. Thanks to Parker Roberts who coordinated everything, the fire department for igniting the fireworks safely, all the non profit members who worked so hard,the Police Department, volunteers and vendors and everyone who participated in any way to give us a safe memorable Fourth of July.

Fr Julius Bwowe, recently arrived from Uganda, watched the parade and enjoyed the festivities. He has been our house guest every summer for five years , and celebrated Mass at St Joseph's Church in Ossipee most days. He loves our area, quite a change from the very poor section of Kampala, where he is parish priest in charge of about 5,000 parishioners. During Fr Julius' visits we have learned many things about Uganda: weather, food, celebrations, tribal customs. We plan to take Fr Julius to see some places of interest, including the Remick Farm Museum, and events including Concerts by the River.

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