Spring Vacation: Be a Tourist in Your Own Town

Some schools in the region have their spring break next week. What will you do with the kids? Here’s an idea: Become a tourist in your own hometown, commonly known as a "stay-cation"! After all, how many times have you said you’ve wanted to climb Mt. Monadnock, visit a local museum or even stay at a local B&B?

Here are some tips to making your hometown “stay-cation” a success:

1. 
Visit to your local Chamber of Commerce for guides and maps. You may think you know your town, but you'd be surprised by all that is new to see and explore.


2. Go to the local library. Libraries often have special discounted rates and good resources for children about your hometown
3. Go to a restaurant you've never tried.


4. Sign up for a tour – such as a walking tour, museum tour or historical tour.


5. Park the car and walk! It's amazing how different your familiar surrounding looks on foot.
6. Book a night at your local hotel or B&B. You can't imagine how thrilling it is for kids to spend the night just minutes from home but still a sleepaway
7. Take pictures, have your kids send postcards to their neighbors and friends. They may think you're a little crazy, but you'll have fun!

Greater Monadnock Earth Days 2013

In the Monadnock Region, Earth Day doesn’t just come and go on April 22. Thanks to the efforts of Antioch University New England’s Environmental Studies Department, the Greater Monadnock Earth Days Festival spans a full two weeks – packed with workshops, seminars, community service projects and more to celebrate the region’s commitment to a healthy community and planet.

The fun (okay, work, but it’s fun if you do it with your neighbors and friends!) begins on Saturday, April 13 with a litter pick-up event, Green Up Keene.  The next week includes the Monadnock Earth Day Festival on April 20 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. starting with another clean-up event at the Ashuelot Trail in Keene, followed by an expo, sustainable skills workshop and more.

Earth Days continue the following week on college campuses throughout the region, such as at Keene State College’s earth week events, Marlboro College’s “Wild and Scenic Films Festival”, Franklin Pierce University’s Earth Day Fair on April 22nd and Campus Garden Building Party, a garden blessing and more.

The Earth Days conclude at Keene State College on April 27 with the Campus Ecology Solar Fest.

For more information, visit Greater Monadnock Earth Days 2013 Facebook page.

Ice Out … Fishing In

While true spring-like weather has not yet arrived in the Monadnock Region, the region’s lakes, ponds and streams are in warm-weather mode. The ice is gone … and spring fishing is about to come into season.

Fishing can happen year-round in New Hampshire – there is an active winter/ice fishing community in the state – but the number of fish you can catch and seasons for particular species, such as trout, vary. So make sure you check the NH Fish & Game website for all the rules. They have a handy full-color flipbook magazine for all you need to know about fishing in the state.

Once you get the rules and regs down, and buy your fishing license at N.H. Fish & Game offices statewide or online, or at selected stores around the state, you’ll be ready to grab your pole and start fishing in the Monadnock Region.

And where are the fish biting in the Monadnock Region? Here’s The List

But local fishing lore narrows down the list considerably … some of the best fishing spots include Laurel Lake in Fitzwilliam, Granite Lake in Nelson, Silver Lake in Nelson (best for trout), Nubanusit Lake in Nelson, Robin Hood Park Reservoir in Keene, Thorndike Pond in Jaffrey and Willard Park in Antrim.

Where’s your favorite fishing spot in the Monadnock Region? Let us know!

The Monadnock Region’s Abuzz with MONiff

Just in case you haven’t left your house (or read any local news!) since the snow began to fall, Monadnock International Film Festival (MONiff) – is the region’s first international film festival that will bring world-class film and filmmakers to the area this April.

This exciting event – held on April 4, 5 and 6, 2013 – will feature great movies (along with the filmmakers and actors) at various venues in Keene – including the Colonial Theatre and venues at Keene State College.

Films include international, national as well as New Hampshire made films http://moniff.org/festival-films; the festival includes film screenings, panel discussions with the filmmakers, actors and directors, and parties on each evening of the event.

MonIFF was created through a collaboration of artists, local film makers and producers, community leaders from local non-profits, universities and colleges, social service agencies and businesses.