Jackson Town Column Rich Johnson 383-6479 [10/13/2004]

By Rich Johnson

The leaves are going, the visitors are on their ways home and the "pumpkin people" remain. If you haven't taken the opportunity to ride around Jackson to view the 50-some "Pumpkin People" families, then do so today. The imagination and effort taken by so many to entice them out to adorn the properties of the area are fantastic. We should become another Keene, only with "pumpkin people." On Oct. 23, Keene intends to break their own world record with 30,000 jack-o-lanterns on display. I can just see Jackson with a world record of 250 to 300 "pumpkin people" families on display. Go chamber, go!The Jackson Ski Touring Foundation is gearing up for the upcoming season, and do they have a deal for you, Jackson. Until Nov. 30, Jackson residents can take advantage of unlimited cross-country skiing at the special Jackson resident price of $50. No mistake there, just fill out the form in the newsletter and stop at the JSTF office with your State of New Hampshire, Jackson residency, driver's license. After Nov. 30, the normal $110 per adult price returns. And that also is a real bargain.Coming up this weekend is the White Mountain Art Sale, Oct. 16 and 17, with a preview party on Oct. 15. The Jackson Historical Society and the Mount Washington Valley Arts Association are co-hosting this unprecedented sale. Over 70 19th-century paintings, complimented by 40 contemporary landscapes, along with paintings of deceased 20th-century artists, vintage books and a large collection of White Mountain memorabilia will be available for sale. The sale will be at the Black Mountain Ski Lodge, free to the public, on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and on Sunday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. There will be an early bird admittance on Saturday at 7 a.m. for a fee of $25. The preview party on Friday evening, Oct. 15, will include a catered reception from 6 to 9 p.m., the opportunity to view the over 200 items for sale, and a presentation by Tom Eastman regarding the importance of art over the centuries to the White Mountains. Cost is $60, which may be paid at the door. Please contact the Jackson Historical Society (383-4060) if you plan to attend. An event not to be missed.The Friends of the Jackson Public Library will be hosting a presentation and literary luncheon with local author Donald Graves on Thursday, Nov. 4, at 11:30 a.m. The program is free and open to the public, will be followed by a luncheon at the Eagle Mountain House at a cost of $20 per person. Don Graves has published some 26 books, with his latest works being dedicated to writing stories for both children and adults. "Everyone Has A Story To Tell" will be subject for the presentation and he will read a number of his stories, including A War Comes Home, How to Catch a Shark, Baseball, Snakes and Summer Squash. He will also speak regarding the discipline of the writing life and where to find stories. To RSVP for the luncheon, please send a check to the Friends of the JPL, P.O. Box 276, Jackson 03846 or drop by the library prior to Oct. 28.Nov. 4 begins a new and exciting activity. Every Thursday from 3 to 4:30 p.m. (except Veteran's Day) until Christmas break, at the Jackson Town Hall, the cup stacking club will meet. Stacking cups is a relatively new and exciting sport, which is an eye-hand coordination activity with specially designed cups following a prescribed action. More information will be available shortly but plan on it being part of your Thursday afternoons.On Friday, Oct. 22, there will be the Great Kick-out as the parent-teacher-student games (both K through 2 and 3 through 6 teams) will take place in the village park. (Isn't it great to see the entire park mowed and looking real spiffy?) Following the games, there will be a pizza celebration at the town hall. Each family is asked to bring a dessert to share. Details will follow.Did you know that Albertville, Ala., claims to be the capital of fire hydrants and has a chrome hydrant in the center of town; Gilroy, Calif., is claiming to be the capital of garlic; Hartford, Conn., the capital of insurance; Claxton, Ga., the capital ofwhat else, but fruitcakes, and on and on. Next week we will have a contest to see if you can discover the "capitals" of some other products. I'll have to come up with a few neat prizes to entice you all out there.That's it for this week. Let me know what is happening in your world by FAX at 383-6464, USPS at P.O. Box 504, or E-mail at: rnj1@adelphia.net. Have a great week and I'll hopefully see you all around the loop.