Mountain View Publishing Online
Community, Culture and Lifestyle in the Connecticut River Valley
As the days grow longer, it’s time to think about how you are going to keep your energetic children active and engaged this summer. There are countless summer camp options right in the Upper Valley. Whether your kids would like to express their artistic flair in artwork or on the stage, or would prefer to explore in the woods, collecting leaves and insects and playing nature games, we have a camp for you.
With spring in full swing and summer approaching, people everywhere will be sitting on porches, decks, and patios with their favorite ice-cold beverage in hand. In the other hand? A good book. Take a break from the yard work and check out five new releases that have either hit the market in the past month or soon will.
The best museums in New England and the Northeastern US offer a walk through history, whether it’s the natural world or the man-made, as well as the best in contemporary art. This region is steeped in tradition and is one of the most dynamic places in the nation, where history is always being made. Here are four of the museums that bring the best of the old and the new to the fore.
Surprise parties are one of the great joys of life. While they aren’t the easiest kind of party to pull off, they offer some of the best fun. And they don’t have to be limited to birthdays either! Try planning one for an engagement, anniversary, or a baby shower. Seeing the look on the guest of honor’s face when he or she sees family and friends all gathered to celebrate is absolutely priceless, so be sure your camera is ready! Check out these tips to help your surprise party go off without a hitch.
It’s that time of year again—the Super Bowl is nearly upon us. That means friends will get together to eat and drink too and watch great football. Of course, for most people the game is the main draw. But for many viewers, the new commercials that air throughout the game are entertainment enough. Advertisers pay top dollar for a tiny slice of airtime, and they pull out all the stops to produce a memorable ad. Here are the top 5 Super Bowl commercials of all time.
Now that we’ve had our fill of turkey, stuffing, and pumpkin pie, it’s officially that most wonderful time of the year—Christmas-music-on-the-radio season! Anything before Thanksgiving is sacrilegious, but as we head into the holiday season, we can now indulge our deepest desire—to listen to Christmas music 24/7—without feeling guilty. And for those of us who have been making our Christmas playlists since September, here are a few more to include as you rock around the Christmas tree. Happy caroling!
The best holiday commercials hit a soft spot and tug at your heartstrings. Even Scrooge is vulnerable to emotional manipulation during the holidays, and certain commercials, whether they are humorous, sentimental, or serious, just have a way of grabbing hold. Putting together a list of the top 5 most memorable holiday commercials is tricky, but somehow a list appeared, and well, here it is, in no particular order.
So you’ve decided to host Thanksgiving dinner this year. You’ll want to make it special, of course. A beautifully set table makes any meal more spectacular. Create a memorable holiday dinner by decorating your table with autumn-themed hues and accessories. Here are some easy, economical ideas to set the stage for your delicious Thanksgiving dinner.
Fall has officially begun, bringing with it hot apple cider, hayrides, and pumpkin carving. To find a great pumpkin this season, head to your favorite pumpkin patch and look for Connecticut Field, Howden, and Baby Bear pumpkins (they’re best for carving). Choose a pumpkin that’s symmetrical enough to rest squarely on a flat surface. Pass over any with bruises, cracks, or broken stems—they tend to go bad more quickly. Plan on waiting to carve your pumpkin until a day or two before Halloween. Once they have been carved, pumpkins have short shelf lives. And if the temperature is going to drop below freezing, bring your jack-o’-lantern indoors for the night. Now that you’ve picked a great pumpkin, check out these tips for easy carving!
Dig out the jackets and gloves, and enjoy all that the season has to offer. Autumn brings not only breathtaking foliage and chilly mornings but also many activities for families to do together. Embrace the change in season with a visit to one of the farms or venues here. Then enjoy a few of our “at home” things to do. They all spell family fun this fall!
