CONCORD, NH˜ W. Jeffrey Bolster, from the University of New Hampshire's history department, will present "When Shipping Was King: Portsmouth and the Atlantic World in the 18th Century," at 2 p.m., April 27 as the fourth in a four-part lecture series sponsored by The New Hampshire Historical Society. Bolster holds the James H. Hayes and Claire Short Hayes Chair in the Humanities at UNH.

The lecture series is being held in conjunction with "Women of the Moffatt-Ladd House," an exhibition at the New Hampshire Historical Society's museum in downtown Concord. The lecture takes place at the Historical Society at 30 Park Street. Admission is free for New Hampshire Historical Society members and $5 for nonmembers.

The Moffatt-Ladd House in Portsmouth is among the best-preserved and finest Georgian mansions in all of the United States.  The elegant home, which overlooks Portsmouth's harbor, is listed as a National Historic Landmark and has survived through the efforts of generations of women who have lived within its walls and fought to save it.

Built between 1760 and 1763 for merchant John Moffatt, the house later served as the home of General William Whipple, one of New Hampshire's three signers of the Declaration of Independence, and his wife, Katharine Moffat Whipple, during the Revolutionary War.  In 1817, the house passed to John Moffatt's great-granddaughter, Maria Tufton Haven Ladd (1787-1861).  Her son, Alexander Hamilton Ladd, lived in the house from 1862 until his death in 1900.

Founded in 1823, the New Hampshire Historical Society is an independent, nonprofit organization dedicated to saving, preserving, and sharing New Hampshire history.  The Society serves thousands of children and adults each year through its museum, research library, educational programs, publications, and outreach programs.  The Society is not a state-funded agency.  All of its programs and services are made possible by membership dues and contributions.  For more information, visit nhhistory.org or call 603/228-6688.

HOLY MEOW! ANNUAL KITTY ANGELS FUNDRAISER GETS BIGGER & BETTER

Amherst, NH ?The owners and dealers of Treasures Antiques, Collectables & More, located on Route 122 in Amherst, NH are planning their 11th Annual "Kitty Angels" fundraiser and adoption days and Flea Market-Garden Sale. This much sought after event, that has grown every year, will run from 9AM to 5PM (rain or shine) on the weekend days of May 3rd & 4th.
     This fun, outdoor/indoor bargain bonanza will feature everything from antiques and collectables to the unexpected find including an eclectic mix of decorative items, ranging from vintage furniture, furnishings,  architectural and garden items, plants, pet items, clothing, sports related items, and back by popular demand, an everything for a $1 "junque" table! You’ll almost be assured of finding something for yourself, your home or garden sanctuary. Be sure to check out all the vendor’s areas for some great deals on a mixture of household and personal items. Other vendors with special interests scheduled to be there and showcasing their items and services are "HOYNACKI’S KETTLE KORN" by Felicia, Jim, James & Ryan who will also offer free refills while at the flea market! Entertaining Nashua native Erin Holly with "QUEENIE’S WEENIES" (also serving ice cream, stews, sausage, fries and drinks ? yummy!), In-house folk artist Anne Wifholm, of "DECORATING ON A SHOESTRING" will be there to offer her painting and decorating services. Several new dealers will be joining us with a multitude of specialties, including "LiaSophia" jewelry, Avon products and others. There is still a building list of more exciting vendors and features, and as always, some of the kitties will be on hand to help!
       Are you interested in setting up as a vendor for the event? A donation of only $25.00 is all that is needed for a weekend space. This will be in an open, outdoor area but, if you wish, you may set up a tent. You can contact the owners at (603)-672-2535 for more information.
      The fundraiser is for "Kitty Angels, Inc." the "pet" charity of Treasures’ owners, Rick & Sherry Tobin. A little over thirteen years ago, they adopted their first little angel "Kameo," from this no-kill shelter and it is their way of giving something back to this worthwhile organization.  Two years ago this past November, they adopted another kitten, "Kodak" a Maine Coon from Kitty Angels.
     Kitty Angels, Inc. is dedicated to rescuing stray and abandoned cats and furnishing them with treatment for injuries or other health issues. The cats are then placed into life-long, loving homes with compatible owners. All the necessary steps are taken to insure the well being of the cats, including screening for infectious diseases, spaying and neutering, providing rabies, distemper and other necessary vaccinations.
     All of "Kitty Angels" work is accomplished by a network of dedicated, unpaid volunteers. "Kitty Angels, Inc." serves the Southern New Hampshire and Eastern Massachusetts areas.
     "Kitty Angels" is a non-profit, charitable corporation. All donations to "Kitty Angels" are both federal and state tax-deductible. Every penny of every donation is used in the caring of cats. This has been a particularly tough season, due to the harsh winter conditions here in this part of New England. If you’d like to make a donation through Treasures, and can’t come down during that weekend, you may send a check or money order made out to "Kitty Angels, Inc." to Treasures Antiques & Collectables, 106 Ponemah Road, Amherst, NH 03031.
     If you can’t make a monetary donation at this time, but would like to help, material donations will be happily accepted, such as postage stamps, cat food (both dry and canned have many cats on prescription foods, so if you have some that you are no longer using, please donate it too), kitty litter (non-scoopable preferred, but any litter is good litter), medical supplies, (they have many cats that are on medication for diabetes, heart problems, thyroid issues, etc.. Supplies of insulin, syringes, fluids, tapazole, heart medications, in addition to any and all other medications would be much appreciated) bedding (clean towels, blankets, quilts, clean denim and corduroy, quilted bedspreads), carriers, cleaning supplies (bleach, laundry detergent, paper towels, photocopy paper, cat toys and cat furniture as well as trash bags. If you can help them out, please do!
     This popular, annual fundraising event will not only benefit the kitties, but will provide you with fun, bargains, food, ideas and knowledge. You pawsitively have to attend. Hopefully, you can adopt a new, life-long friend as well.

Fan Association to meet in Philly
   Members of the Fan Association of North America (FANA) will hold their 26th annual meeting in Philadelphia, Penn., from Wed, April 30 - Sun, May 4, 2008 at the Old City Holiday Inn in the historic district has been selected as the headquarters hotel.
  A major highlight of the event will be a private viewing of important fans from the collections in the Department of Costume and Textiles, now located in a new, state-of-the-art environment in the recently dedicated, Art Deco style Perelman Building. This special display of fan treasures has been arranged through the courtesy and cooperation of Curator Dilys Blum. The Friday schedule will include the world-renowned art collection at the Barnes Foundation and Arboretum, and visiting the authentic 17th century style Japanese House and Garden in Fairmount Park. To learn more about FANA and obtain a
membership application, visit the associations informational web site, www.fanassociation.org

NANTUCKET SHIPWRECK & LIFESAVING MUSEUM TO REOPEN JULY 2008

Former Nantucket Life-Saving Museum to Showcase Exciting New Exhibits and Family-Friendly Programs in Expanded Space

Nantucket Island, MA  ­ Celebrating rescues and heroism at sea, the Nantucket Shipwreck & Lifesaving Museum will reopen on July 1, 2008 following an extensive $3 million renovation.  Drawing on its collection of over 5,000 objects ­ including period surfboats, beach carts, vintage photographs, and more ­ the Nantucket Shipwreck & Lifesaving Museum will feature new exhibits and family-friendly programs appealing to all ages.  Visitors to the newly expanded museum will immediately be engaged by the fascinating stories of people in peril at sea and those who risked their lives to rescue them.

Marshall, a friendly Newfoundland dog who was rescued along with 16 people at the island’s Surfside Life-Saving Station in 1877, will serve as the museum’s mascot.  His real-life tale of animal rescue will unfold through captivating displays designed for younger visitors.

Marshall’s heroic rescue also has inspired a new children’s book that is accompanied by an adorable plush toy, available through the museum’s gift shop.  Retailing for just $6.50, Marshall: A Nantucket Sea Rescue (by Whitney Stewart, published by Soundprints 2008) is destined to become a cherished memento for those who visit the museum.

“Considered a major hub along what was then a modern-day sea highway similar to I-95, Nantucket’s shipping lanes once boasted over 1,200 boats per day ­ all navigating without the advantages of today’s technology,” said best-selling author Nathaniel Philbrick, founding director of the Egan Maritime Institute, which spearheaded fundraising for the museum.  “Treacherous shoals and inclement weather led to over 700 shipwrecks in the surrounding waters, causing the area to be dubbed the ‘graveyard of the Atlantic.’”

A long-time Nantucket resident, Philbrick is best known for such books as Mayflower, a finalist for the 2007 Pulitzer Prize in History, and In the Heart of the Sea, winner of the 2000 National Book Award for Non-Fiction.

Formerly known as the Nantucket Life-Saving Museum, the museum is being rechristened to better reflect the impact of shipwrecks on Nantucket and elsewhere in the fledging United States, when maritime travel was in its heyday.  The ambitious renovation project was made possible by an 18-month capital campaign led by Egan Maritime, a non-profit organization dedicated to advancing the study and appreciation of Nantucket’s maritime heritage.

The Nantucket Shipwreck & Lifesaving Museum is located at 158 Polpis Road, just 3.5 miles from Nantucket Town. The museum and gift shop will reopen Tuesday, July 1 and close on Columbus Day, Monday, October 13, 2008. Hours of operation are 10:00 a.m. ­ 4:00 p.m. daily. Admission is $5 for adults, $3 for children 5 ­ 18, and free to children under 5, and also includes admission to Egan Maritime Institute exhibits at the historic Coffin School, located at 4 Winter Street in Nantucket Town. For more information prior to the museum’s opening July 1, please call (508) 228-2505; as of July 1, call (508) 228-1885, or visit online at www.nantucketshipwreck.org