If you’re anything like the rest of us New Englanders this time of year, you are in need of a little pick-me-up to beat the winter blues and cure cabin fever. That’s why Dave Emerson rounded up local artisans, musicians and eateries in the Canterbury community for a Cabin Fever Reliever this weekend.
“That’s what got it going,” said Emerson, of Old Traditional Ways and organizer for the event. “I was getting cabin fever and everyone agreed.”
And what’s a better cure than to enjoy handmade works by local artists, carvers and brewers with live music and hot food? There will be plenty of hands-on activities for children and unique shops with interesting people to talk to.
At Old Ways Traditions in Canterbury, Emerson offers Shaker and country furniture and accessories along with antiques and art-prints. “The beauty of it is people come in and appreciate what you’re doing and the people doing it,” Emerson said. “And hopefully buy it,” he added with a laugh.
A former modeling contractor, Emerson picked up woodworking when he aged out of the job and now mainly focuses on “turning.” This skill creates products such as plates, bowls, platters and boxes, all made right at his shop with local wood.
In addition to his shop, there will be a demonstration of the antique steam-powered woodmaker, trails to explore, live music and hot chili. And that’s only at one of the participating venues; there’s still more than 20 more to check out throughout the weekend.
“The Patriots have done it, Cabin Fever Reliever is what’s next,” said Jackie Powell of Loudon Station. “It’s an opportunity for you to get out in Loudon and Canterbury this coming weekend and check out the local talents in the community.”
Loudon Station is a gift shop located at Brookside Mall on Route 106 that offers locally crafted products ranging from Native American jewelry and art to hand-poured soy candles, which are healthier to burn, Powell said.
Also at this location will be a fiber arts studio, the Woolen Pear, featuring hand hooked rugs, as well as participating restaurants the Eggshell and Brookside Pizza.
Twiggs Gallery, 254 King St. in Boscawen, will be joining, too, for this open studio weekend. The gallery will have visiting fine artists, Bev Norton and Shawne Randlett; live music by “Liz and Friends,” who will play a variety of folk, country, and bluegrass; and, of course, Adele Sanborn’s calligraphy on display in the gallery and shop. There will be demonstrations by each of the artists, a free Valentine’s make-and-take, and delicious goodies to eat and drink.
So say goodbye to winter blues and get-together with friends and family to appreciate local artists in quaint New England towns.
“Canterbury has the best concentration of open studios of anywhere in the state,” Emerson said. “You can come to this one area and see the most.”
To find out more about the event or for a full list of venues, contact Dave Emerson at 783-4403 or email efurnitr@comcast.net.
Canterbury Aleworks
305 Baptist Hill Road
Saturday, Sunday 1 to 5 p.m.
Handcrafted beers
Canterbury Country Store
3 Center Road
Saturday 6:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.
and Sunday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Local food, crafts, sweets
Cold Garden Spirits
338 Shaker Road
Saturday, Sunday 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Craft distillery
Canterbury Center B & B
2 Baptist Road
Saturday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
and Sunday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Visiting artists Kathie Fife with photography, Jolene Cochrane with hand-carved spoons and Teresa Wyman with fiddle music.
Fox Country Smokehouse
164 Briar Bush Road
Saturday, Sunday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Smoked meat and cheeses
Old Ways Traditions
418 Shaker Road
Saturday, Sunday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Wooden accessories and turned bowls by Dave Emerson and antiques on display. Visiting artists Janet King with handmade soap and paintings, Mark Kneeland with hand-carved spoons, and Linda Ray with rabbit fur accessories and dulcimer music.
Riverland on the Merrimac B&B
32 Oxbow Pond Road
Saturday, Sunday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Visiting artists Nadja Hebert and Ellen and Conrad Dumas with yarn and knitted items
Jane Balshaw Studio
12 Cogswell Hill Road
Saturday, Sunday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Hand-painted quilted textile art
Marsh Meadow Bison
16 Scales Road
Saturday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
and Sunday noon to 4 p.m.
Bison meat cuts
Hackleboro Pottery and Quilts
376 Hackleboro Road
Saturday, Sunday 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Braided rugs
Twiggs Gallery
254 King St.
Saturday, Sunday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Art by Adele Sanborn; visiting artists Bev Norton and Shawne Randlett and music by Liz and Friends
Brookside Pizza
562 Route 106
Saturday 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.
and Sunday 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Pizza, gyros, Italian food
Eggshell Restaurant
563 Route 106
Saturday 6 a.m. to 2 p.m.
and Sunday 7 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Breakfast and lunch
Loudon Station
563 Route 106
Saturday 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Local products, crafts, art, gifts
Woolen Pear
563 Route 106
Saturday, Sunday 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Hand-hooked rugs, supplies, classes