“The Bøyg”

Septenber 26, 2021 — In their first indoor theatre performance since the beginning of the pandemic nearly two years ago, theatre KAPOW presented the premiere of “The Bøyg” by A. J. Ditty at the Stockbridge Theatre in Pinkerton Academy in Derry, New Hampshire. It was good to be back in a theater again, but measures were required to safeguard against the still-active virus. Masks were required to be worn throughout the performance, and we all had to show proof of vaccination or a recent negative test result. There was no social distancing. In fact, we were fairly jammed together in the small seating area in close proximity to the stage. The actors did not wear masks.

In this complicated, philosophical play, not without its moments of humor, six prisoners of the Nazis in World War II Norway are portrayed by Lisa Boyett, Molly Kane Parker, Rachael Chapin Longo, Carey Cahoon, Rebecca Tucker and Sabrina Schlegel-Mejia. Nicholas Wilder and Peter Josephson appeared as sadistic Nazi officers.

The prisoners decide to rehearse and stage a performance of “Peer Gynt” by Henrik Ibsen to brighten their oppressive confinement as Christmas approaches. The bøyg is a monster in Norse legend that appears in Ibsen’s play. Artistic director Matt Cahoon’s able direction and superb performances by the entire cast held the audience’s rapt attention for almost two hours without intermission. It was definitely two hours well-spent.

Carriagetown Car Show

September 25, 2021 — The Carriagetown Car Show in Amesbury, Massachusetts, a show that has traditionally drawn a wide variety of cars, including many from the brass era, was back after skipping last year due to COVID. At the center of Market Square, on what they call the bullnose, a select few rare antiques are assembled, usually featuring steam-powered cars and others from the brass era. This year a rare 1929 Hudson joined them.

Cars are scattered all over the hilly, picturesque downtown area, filling parking lots and even parked parallel on several streets. There are many good photo ops besides the cars, with the Powwow River tumbling down through the center. Wooden bridges, stairways and foot paths criss-cross the area. Wear comfortable walking shoes.

You can see my photos and a few videos of this year's show at:

https://www.linwoodstreet.com/carriagetown2021/

Rye Lions Car Show

September 19, 2021 — After the two disappointing shows of the previous day, the 38th annual Rye Lions Club Car Show and Cruise-In in Rye, New Hampshire, was car enthusiasts' heaven. When you find two Rolls-Royces and a Bugatti right at the entrance, and look out over several acres of Parson's Field covered with antique, custom and specialty vehicles under sunny skies, you know it's a good day.

After missing last season because of COVID, Rye Lions came roaring back with one of its best shows ever. My coverage of the show, 107 photos, the second highest number out of the 29 shows I've attended this season, can be viewed at this link:

https://www.linwoodstreet.com/rye21/

Moose Charity Car Show

September 18, 2021 — My intention was to cover two car shows on this Saturday. My first stop was Amherst, New Hampshire, for the Car, Truck & Tractor Show in Lowe's parking lot. With barely more than a dozen vehicles, and only three I found interesting enough to photograph, I never took my camera out of my car and left less than an hour after arriving and headed for the Dover Moose Charity Car Show in Dover, New Hampshire, a bit over an hour's drive away.

The Dover show, sponsored by the Loyal Order of Moose with proceeds going to Dover Children's Home, offered only slightly more than Amherst, but was still sparsely attended, with few worthwhile photo ops. It was no doubt disappointing for the sponsors and the children's home. I was reluctant to leave the second show of the day with no photos, so I took multiple shots of the two most interesting cars, along with a few unusual vehicles, and cobbled together enough photos to fill a small page on my website. You can view them at this link:

https://www.linwoodstreet.com/dovermoose/

British Invasion

September 11, 2021 — The show known as British Invasion observed its 30th anniversary this year in Stowe, Vermont. It claims to be the biggest show of British vehicles in the nation. It is indeed a huge show covering quite a few acres on the Stowe Events Field. As always, a ladies' hat competition was held. The ladies design and construct their own hats. Their creations show great artistic skill and originality.

This year featured some stunningly beautiful Rolls-Royces and Bentleys, some from the collection of Ernie Boch, Jr. Also on the field was the largest gathering of Jaguars, MGs, Austin-Healeys, Aston Martins, Triumphs, etc. you'll ever see in one place. The show was supposed to have featured a collection of Singers, but continued closure of the Canadian border prevented many of this make from appearing.

I was there on Saturday of the three-day Friday-Saturday-Sunday show. Friday evening features a block party and gathering of show cars on Stow'e Main Street, and more events Sunday. There's music, food, crafts throughout the three days, all very British. My photos of the main car show and hat competition can be viewed at this link:

https://www.linwoodstreet.com/invasion21/

Atkinson Truck & Car Show

September 4, 2021 — Third car show in three days wraps up my Labor Day holiday weekend. Getting three consecutive days of fair weather was a rarity this summer. Returning after being absent last year, like so many other shows, was the Atkinson Lions Club and Atkinson Fire Association Truck and Car Show in Atkinson, New Hampshire, a Labor Day tradition for many years. As always, the show featured many Model A Fords, some I had seen and photographed before, but it was good to see them again.

Besides the Model A's there was a good mix of cars and trucks. Perfect weather brought out many show vehicles and spectators. You can see some of the best at this link:

https://www.linwoodstreet.com/atkinson21/

Ashby Car Show for Veterans

September 3, 2021 — In spite of a summer of near-record rain, we've had good luck with car shows, only two or three all season experiencing brief showers or drizzle, but no all-out rain-outs. The 11th annual Ashby Car Show for Veterans in Ashby, Massachusetts saw light drizzle most of the day, but still drew a near-capacity field full of cars and many spectators. Presented by Ashby Fire & EMS Association, the show's proceeds benefited veterans.

Rain-drop speckled cars and trucks under overcast skies look good in spite of the weather. You can view them at this link:

https://www.linwoodstreet.com/ashby/

Cruising Downtown

September 2, 2021 — Cruising Downtown returned to Manchester, New Hampshire after skipping last year because of COVID-19. Organizers anticipated the largest turnout of show cars and spectators in the show's history, so they claimed they doubled the space allocated to the show. I couldn't see that, but for the first time they opened the Notre Dame Bridge for the display of cars. Otherwise, the show occupied the usual six blocks of Elm Street, the main downtown thoroughfare, along with Veterans' Park and several side streets. There was indeed a huge turnout. By afternoon, the crowd was so dense it was impossible to observe any semblance of social distancing.

More than 1,000 cars were estimated to have appeared, with spectators numbering many thousands, abetted by perfect summer weather. Cruising Downtown, hosted by the Rotary Club of Manchester with proceeds going to area non-profits, may be the largest car show in New Hampshire, and among the few largest in New England. Besides the cars, there are numerous food concessions and live bands.

My 144 photos were by far the most of any show this season up to this time. I don't expect the number to be exceeded. You can see them all st this link:

https://www.linwoodstreet.com/cruising2021/

Moose Festival

August 27-28, 2021 — The Moose Festival, a two-day event held in Colebrook, New Hampshire and Canaan, Vermont was back for its 30th anniversary after missing last year like so many events because of COVID-19. Unfortunately, participation has declined over the years and many features of the show have been discontinued.

The town of Colebrook, observing its 250th anniversary this year, hosts the festival on the first day, always a Saturday. Howard's Restaurant where I always stopped for lunch upon arrival is closed. The colorful Le Rendez-Vous bakery is closed. The Kiwanis Club no longer serves barbecue chicken. Square dancing in the street is no longer held. Even the arts and crafts booths and other concessions along Main Street have dwindled down to a few, and the crowds of spectators are smaller.

But the quilt show at Trinity Methodist Church is still going strong with its huge array of colorful quilts by local quilters, all different every year. The production and quality of these talented artists is amazing. Helicopter rides are offered all day. The Parker Hill Road Band was back to entertain with country music. There was a demonstration of police dog training. Antique cars still line up on Bridge Street to be admired while they wait to parade through town. Near dusk, the parade begins, This year, in honor of the festival's 30th anniversary, there was a fireworks display.

On Sunday, the festival moves to the recreation park in Canaan, Vermont. Held in open fields rather than town streets, it features most of the arts and crafts booths that were in Colebrook, more antique cars, food concessions, moose stew sampling, maple syrup sampling, a moose calling contest, dog show, horse-drawn wagon rides, more helicopter rides, and this year the Axe Women Loggers of Maine displaying their expertise with axe-throwing, chain-saw operation, cross-cut sawing and other daring stunts involving loggers' equipment. Missing were the tethered hot air balloon and children's horseback and pony rides of previous years.

The Moose Festival, though diminished compared to its best years, is still a couple of days well-sepnt. To help you decide whether it's the kind of event you'd enjoy, check out my photos and videos. The first day in Colebrook can be seen at this link:

https://www.linwoodstreet.com/colebrook21/

The second day in Canaan may be viewed at this link:

https://www.linwoodstreet.com/canaan2021/

Bow Rotary Car Show

August 21, 2021 — It was a long time coming, but the Bow Rotary Club of Bow, New Hampshire, finally had their show after cancellation last year because of COVID and a delay of two months this year. This show, usually held in June, is one of the shows that usually starts off a new season. They may have been waiting this year to see what direction the pandemic would take.

The day was perfect for photography with bright sun and moderate temperature. The good weather brought out cars and spectators in large numbers, all happy to see this popular show return. My photographic coverage can be viewed at this link:

https://www.linwoodstreet.com/bowrotary21/