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The Thompson-Ames Historical Society
writes a weekly news release.


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9/2/06   THOMPSON-AMES CELEBRATES ITS HISTORY WITH FIRST ANNUAL HERITAGE DAY

Gilford's Thompson-Ames Historical Society proudly announces that its first annual Heritage Day will be held at all three of its historical buildings on Saturday, September 16th, 2006 from 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. The event itself began many years ago as an idea that, then T-AHS president, the late Reverend Raymond Wixson brought forth as something he thought the historical society should hold as a way for the entire town of Gilford to celebrate its heritage and its history.

Reverend Wixson did not see that come about in his lifetime, but the historical society did not forget his wishes. At the beginning of this year, some of the T-AHS board members began to discuss hosting an event that would show Gilford and the surrounding towns what and who was involved in its history.

T-AHS vice president, Carol Anderson, and board members, Kathy Lacroix and Carmel Lancia, have created an event that Reverend Wixson would be proud of and would have enjoyed. Come and celebrate Gilford's rich heritage and show your support for the Thompson-Ames Historical Society which has worked very hard to bring together exhibits and demonstrators of things from long ago.

Certainly one of the most complex demonstrations on Heritage Day will be one done at the Union Meetinghouse by Lee natives, Patricia Jenkins and Shirley Walker. Both women have a great interest in the old ways of doing things, including the use of tools that might have been used in the households from the past. Jenkins and Walker have created a flax weaving demonstration entitled, "Straw to Gold: the flax to linen process". These fiber artists will give two flax weaving demonstrations, one at 10 a.m.; the other at 1 p.m. on the 16th. In between demonstrations the public is invited to try their hand at weaving linen. This will give people the opportunity to understand just how long and difficult the process of weaving linen actually was in the past. Jenkins and Walker themselves grow flax from seed, harvest it and then work through the tedious process of weaving it into linen. This process itself honors what people that came before had to do to clothe themselves and their families as well as furnish their homes.

We all know that Gilford and its surrounding towns have an abundance of people who live and create works of art in the old way. Gilford resident, Kathy Salanitro, will be at the Rowe House, with her ever-popular teams of oxen. Sue MacDonald and her family, of MacDonald Farm in Meredith will join us with her farmstand. Lynda Schmalberger, who is well-known throughout the community for her wonderful quilling works of art, as well as her group craft projects, will be demonstrating quilling throughout the day. Jeanne Compton, from Jeanne's Attic in Laconia will demonstrate chair caning.

Karen Vadney will make a repeat appearance and teach us all how to weave with men's neck ties. Ernie Bolduc, our local expert beekeeper will be on hand to answer beekeeping questions and will have local honey for sale.

In addition to these talented artists and craftspeople, Thompson-Ames Historical Society itself has an endless number of talented people who make the organization run smoothly and efficiently. These talents are not limited to running the historical society but many, many members are wonderful artists as well.

On Heritage Day, you will see many of these members as exhibitors and demonstrators. Carol Dale and Angela Foote will be demonstrating wool rug hooking. Carmel Lancia will have a redwork display and Bea Vezina will give a quilting demonstration. Ellen Gelotte, for many years has demonstrated the art of drop-spindle spinning of wool and she will be here on Heritage Day also. Weavers Diane Mitton and Marlene Witham will be demonstrating weaving; Witham will demonstrate how to make rag mats on a 20" loom.

People who have attended our Heritage Arts Bees, which are held on the third Saturday of every month, will most certainly recognize rug-braiders Kathy Lacroix and Marian Eckholm and our knitters, Madeline Weeks and Priscilla Puleo. T-AHS board member, Gerald Knight has invited his grandson, Jonathan, and his boys' singing group to create some musical entertainment for this year's attendees.

Admission to Heritage Day 2006 is $5.00 person. A bake sale will continue throughout the day at the Grange. Why not celebrate not only the coming of fall, but also the rich heritage of Gilford. Please join Gilford's Thompson-Ames Historical Society at its very first Heritage Day. For more information about this event, please call the Thompson-Ames historical society at 527-9009 or e-mail us at gilfordhistoricalsociety.org.