NEW HAMPSHIRE

Dorr Mill Store at 22 Hale Street in Guild, is a national center for wool and has had manufactured an extensive line of 100 percent wool for the time-honored crafts of traditional rug hooking, braiding and quilting. Dorr produces white and natural wools for those who wish to dye their own colors, thousands of yards of woolen textures and solids, and a full line of accessories and the latest patterns from noted designers. Fiber artists find Door’s wide selection of fabric designs, textures, wools, and blends irresistible. Open year-round, Monday through Saturday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Phone: 800-846-3677.

If you are curious about New England farming and would love to see farming up close, plan a day-long or overnight visit to D Acres of New Hampshire, an organic farm and educational homestead at 218 Streeter Woods Road in Dorchester. The farm’s mission is to teach skills of sustainable living and small-scale farming. Its grounds include forests, walking trails, and gardens. Workshops are plentiful, but many visitors come just to hike, tour the gardens, visit the farm animals, paint landscapes, and take nature photography. The farm offers lodging, accommodations, and camping to overnight guests. The farm hosts Farm Feast Breakfasts, Soup Nights, Pizza Nights, Potlucks and other monthly community dining events. Phone: 603-786-2366.

Founded in 1932, the League of New Hampshire Craftsmen is one of the oldest craft organizations in the country. The League was formed during the Depression to help New Hampshire craftspeople make a living through difficult financial times by building an audience and market for fine handmade craft. The League operates seven retail galleries throughout New Hampshire. The galleries present the work of juried craftspeople, along with demonstrations, exhibits and educational programs.
Galleries in the Dartmouth-Lake Sunapee region are Hanover Retail Gallery, 13 Lebanon Street, Hanover, 603-643-5050.

The 30-mile Currier and Ives Trail displays the beauties of small-town New England along its entire length, through or near the towns of Hopkinton, Warner, Henniker, and Webster. The trail follows Route 127 from Salisbury at its northern end down to Contoocook and Hopkinton, and from there along Routes 103 and 202 towards Hillsborough. Hopkinton has its historic covered bridges and grand colonial houses along Main Street. Downtown is split by the Contoocook River runs shimmering through the heart of Hopkinton. Henniker is rich in the arts and culture of the region. Warner is the home of Rollins State Park and Mount Kearsarge Indian Museum. Webster is filled with old farms and fields. See map.

At most ski areas, if a family wants to learn how to ski or snowboard, members would be split up by age. Mount Sunapee Resort on Route 103 in Newbury, offers Families First, a program in which a family can learn how to ski or snowboard as a group. Family members must be at least eight years old. If there is a mix of skiers and snowboarders then two instructors are assigned to the family. Families First program includes: A two-hour introductory ski or snowboard lesson, specially designed rental skis or snowboard that facilitate the learning process, and unlimited lift ticket to the South Peak Learning Area. Cost is $80. Phone: 603-763-3500.

People with every taste and preference in world art will find something wonderful to savor at the Hood Museum of Art on East Wheelock Street on the campus of Dartmouth College in Hanover. The Hood is home to an outstanding collection of European, American, Middle Eastern, African, and Asian art and artifacts. The collections are especially strong in American art, with portraits and landscapes by noted Americans. Hours: Tuesday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Wednesday, 10 a.m.-9 p.m.; Sunday, noon-5 p.m. Closed on Mondays. Phone: 603-646-2808.

Claremont Opera House, located in the city hall at Opera House Square in Claremont, is in full swing, presenting acoustic singers and instrumentalists, chamber music, dance, comedy, and children’s theater year-round. The theater, above the city offices, has a frescoed ceiling and a decorative wall frieze culminating with a proscenium arch adorned with gold-leaf molded plaster-work in high relief--sounds fancy, right? Coming up in 2012: comedian Juston McKinney, Doo-Wop group The Corvettes, and more. Phone: 603-542-4433.

This region of New Hampshire is wealthy with covered bridges. We have a tender spot for the puckishly named Blow Me Down Bridge in Cornish. The most famous of the region’s bridges is the Cornish-Windsor Bridge, the longest wooden covered bridge in the United States. Shutterbugs: try the interesting viewing challenges on both the New Hampshire and Vermont ends of the bridge.