Top Reasons to Visit Walpole, New Hampshire and the Monadnock Region This Winter

Although our New Hampshire bed and breakfast is not "smack dab" in the middle of ski country, there's still plenty of great reasons to visit our Walpole farm during the winter months. Winter activities in southwest New Hampshire's Monadnock Region abound - listed below are just a few of our favorites. And to make a winter visit even more appealing, we're offering a 20% discount off our regular cottage rates now through March 31st!

SNOW! Let's just say that being located in the country we're a little closer to the stuff to start with. You can literally walk out our door and snowshoe for miles. We've got great sledding hills here on the property with sleds and snow tubes for your use as well as areas for cross country skiing. If snowmobiling is more your style go ahead and bring your sled as we have plenty of parking and easy access to NH Corridor 5 - a snowmobile trail which runs from Massachusetts to the Canadian border!

2011 Keene Ice and Snow Festival

WINTER FAIRS AND FESTIVALS abound in this area so come help celebrate the almighty white stuff! Stonewall Farm's Frozen Farm Festival kicks off the winter festival season in the Monadnock Region on 1/28, the 101st Dartmouth Winter Carnival is held February 9th - 12th, 56th Brattleboro Winter Carnival being held February 17th - 26th, the Keene Ice and Snow Fest is slated for February 18th, the Harris Hill Ski Jump Competition scheduled for February 18th and 19th with the season being rounded out with Stonewall Farms ever popular 13th Annual Sap Gathering Contest March 24th, 2012.


DOWNHILL SKIING - There are numerous larger ski mountains within a 45 minute drive from our Inn, but with Granite Gorge Ski Area in our own backyard offering 2-for-1 ski passes for our guests why would you go anywhere else?? Coupon good for skiing or tubing.


ICE SKATING - If you have your own skates many local ponds and recreation areas offer ice skating during the colder months but of course this is weather dependent. Indoor skating with heated viewing room and skate rentals is available at the Cheshire Ice Arena, in Keene, NH or Living Memorial Park in Brattleboro, VT.

Orchard Hill Pizzas - Yumm...!

FARMERS' MARKETS - Think farmers' markets are just for the summer season?? Think again! Although the supply of fresh produce at this time of year is a bit limited, our region has numerous farmers' to keep us supplied with fresh, healthy, local foods like grass-fed beef, pork, chicken, lamb, fresh raw milk, maple syrup, honey, artisan cheese, jams and jellies, organic artisan breads, and local wine all year long. Most local markets offer other necessities like soap and woolen goods, as well as food and garden related demonstrations/talks and live music - a fun time for all for sure! Plan ahead, bring a cooler and bring a bit of local home with you today! Walpole's Winter Market is held on the 3rd Saturday of each month from 11-2 at the Walpole Town Hall, Keene's Winter Market is being held on the 1st and 3rd Saturdays of each month from 10-2 at 25 Roxbury Street, Keene and Brattleboro, VT Winter Market is held every Saturday from 10-2 at the River Garden, 153 Main Street, Brattleboro, VT.

PEACE AND TRANQUILITY - Of course one of the main reasons you visit our New Hampshire bed and breakfast is to rest and recuperate from the stress of the daily grind. This season brings on a special quality of tranquility allowing for true rejuvenation. Snuggle up and get caught up on your reading or that knitting project you've been meaning to finish since...???? The Toadstool Bookshop and Village Square Booksellers are two great locally owned independent bookstores or for that knitting project visit any of these local knitting shops for an amazing selection of fibers: the Knitting Knook, Knit or Dye or the Green Mountain Spinnery.


Our 20% discount on cottage rates offers you the same great amenities including a homemade breakfast basket complete with fresh baked goods, locally made organic artisan breads and our own farm fresh eggs brought to your doorstep each morning. And of course a tour of our sustainable farm is always available as well as many area year-round activities like tasting some of the world's best hot chocolate from Burdick Chocolates, fine dining, visiting other local farms, museums, antique stores and more. Check out our attractions page to help you further plan your New England family vacation. We hope to see you in Walpole soon!


Innkeeper The Inn at Valley Farms

Top 6 Holiday Activities in New Hampshire's Monadnock Region

 

With all the hustle and bustle of the busy holiday season it's easy to forget to slow down and enjoy the some of its magic. Below are 6 of our favorite unique local activities to do in southern New Hampshire’s Monadnock Region - each sure to help get you into the spirit of the holiday season (activities are in no particular order).

1. Cut-Your-Own Christmas Tree: Although Christmas trees are available nearly everywhere nowadays, have you ever cut-your-own? Take a walk through the woods, enjoy the scenery and views and select a fresh, perfect-for-you tree all while supporting a local tree farmer. There are too many tree farmers in our area to list. Some have a larger selection than others (type of tree as well as numbers), some provide free wagon rides to collect your tree while others encourage the exercise, but will transport your tree back for you. Most have pre-cut trees available as well as other related items, like wreaths, swags, roping and often a warm drink to round out the experience. We’re happy to help you find the right tree farm to search for your special tree.

2. Candy canes, anyone? Watch the candy masters of Ye Goodie Shoppe on Keene NH’s beautiful Main Street make candy canes from scratch right before your eyes. The sweet sticks of sugar are hand crafted in a variety of colors and flavors to suit any sweet tooth. Candy cane production is typically done on weekends, but production is weather and supply dependant so call ahead if you want to be sure to catch sight of their production.

3. Take part in a 150 year old Christmas Classic: Watch the local talent of the Walpole Players put on their 4^th annual production of Charles Dickens’ classic, A Christmas Carol. This annual production put on in Walpole’s historic Town Hall is free, but tickets are required due to limited space in the theater.  A cash donation to area food shelves is requested at the door. The production takes place at 7pm on December 14, 15, 16 &17 and the free tickets are available at area local businesses including Real to Reel Video, Galloway Real Estate, Village Booksellers, Costume Ladies, Murray’s and Jake’s or call us at the Inn and we’d be happy to pick them up for you.

4. Holiday Light Spectacular: The holiday light display at “the Farm” in Chesterfield is a collection of hundreds of thousands of outdoor lights creating a wondrous, winter fantasyland for all to enjoy. Truly a “sight to see” and a fun evening to share with family or friends as you drive through this spectacular display of glittering lights. Thursday, December 8^th- Sunday, December 18^th, 6-9pm. Donations of canned goods or cash collected at the gate to benefit Joan’s Food Pantry. The light display is located off of Route 9 at Pond Brook Road in Chesterfield, NH. For more information contact Valerie Starbuck, 603-762-3447 or starbuckjv@gmail.com.  

5. The Walpole live nativity is one of my favorite events of the year. The nativity begins shortly after 8pm on Christmas Eve just after the three Walpole church services (Unitarian, Congregational and Episcopal) conclude. Hundreds of people gather on the quaint town common holding white candles around a full size crèche with live animals and numerous role players including sweet little angels and a baby “Jesus”. Words are spoken, carols are sung and warm holiday wishes are exchanged with friends, neighbors and strangers alike. This annual event has been going on for decades and is one of many Walpole traditions that make this community so special. 

6. Savor a warm drink: And here’s where that “slow down to enjoy the season” bit comes in. Take a moment and savor a cup of likely the best hot chocolate you’ll ever have the pleasure to consume at the Café at Burdick Chocolates. Their Christmas display is just as impressive as the hot chocolate and sure to help get you into the spirit of the season! Certainly, if you’ve built up an appetite doing any of the above activities they have a wonderful selection of offerings for lunch and dinner in their restaurant too. 

Of course there are many other great reasons to come to the picturesque village of Walpole now or any other time of the year including wine tastings at Walpole Mountain View Winery, unique gifts in local shops like the Walpole Art Cooperative and Ruggles and Hunt, miles of hiking trails, Walpole Farmers’Market, Alyson’s Orchard, the highly acclaimed 9-hole Hooper Golf Course, and more.

Spend the night at the Inn at Valley Farms and relax by a roaring fire in the library of our New Hampshire Bed and Breakfast and wake up to a three course candlelight breakfast before heading back to reality – almost enough to wish it was holiday time year-round!

Happy Holidays!

 

Innkeeper The Inn at Valley Farms

9th Annual Walpole NH Artisans Cooperative November 25th - 27th

The Walpole Artisans Cooperative will be hosting its 9th Annual Walpole Artisans’ Tour this November 25th, 26th, and 27th from 11:00am to 5:00pm each day. This tour is yet another great reason to visit our New Hampshire bed and breakfast in New Hampshire’s “quiet corner”, the Monadnock Region. Walpole Artisans’ Tour participants will present their works at six locations this year. All of these locations will be clearly marked with the purple and yellow signs, and all locations will have Tour brochures and maps available.

The Artisans Co-op at 52 Main Street, Walpole, is the easiest starting location as it is right in the center of Walpole. In the shop, you will find merchandise by all the artists who are members of the Walpole Artisans. If you’re looking for a dazzling selection of fine, locally crafted art objects, 52 Main Street is a great place to start your Christmas browsing.

Of the other five Tour locations, three are in Walpole, one is in Alstead, NH and one is in nearby Bellows Falls, VT. Artists’ work for sale will cover everything from paintings, photography, prints, note cards, jewelry, hand-knit accessories, wooden hand crafted furniture, cabinets, mirrors and other various wood products, delicate baskets from birch bark and paper, wooden mobiles, various wooden kitchen products (cutting boards, wooden spoons, coffee scoops), barrettes and earrings, blown glass artwork, and metal sculptures for every setting, from the garden to the bookshelf.

Come to picturesque Walpole and have an enjoyable weekend shopping beautiful and unique handcrafted  gifts for those special people on your list. We still have a few guest rooms in our New Hampshire Country Inn available if you’d like to make a weekend out of it! And if the Walpole Artisans Tour isn't enough to keep you busy, check out our attractions page for a list of other great things to do in the Monadnock Region.


Innkeeper The Inn at Valley Farms

Stress Free, Tax-Free Holiday Shopping at Walpole's Holiday Fete November 19th

Looking for an enjoyable way to get a jump on your holiday shopping? The Walpole Holiday Fête on Saturday, November 19, will offer one-stop shopping for both Thanksgiving meal preparations and gifts for the December holidays. Plan to spend the weekend at our New Hampshire country Inn and get that well deserved rest and relaxation while you simultaneously check off your holiday list. Buying local has never been more fun!

Get an early start on shopping for the December holidays at the First Congregational Church’s Mistletoe Mart, St. John’s Episcopal Church’s Christmas on the Green holiday bazaar, and the Walpole Farmers' Market’s (WFM’s) Thanksgiving Market. All three venues feature gifts, crafts, baked goods and more! Park near the Common and visit three venues within an easy walk of each other.

At the Thanksgiving Farmers Market there will be fresh, locally grown produce for your holiday meal and to store for winter. Weather permitting, there should still be fresh salad, pot greens and storage crops like pumpkins; winter squash in many colors, sizes and shapes; potatoes; beets; cabbage; Brussels sprouts; garlic and carrots. A number of different meats, sourdough and traditional Italian breads, dairy products, maple products, and wine can round out meal preparations. Gluten free baked goods, animal and plant fibers and the products made from them, diverse crafts and prepared foods will also be available.

At St. John’s Christmas on the Green holiday bazaar you’ll find the ever popular “cookie can.” You can select your own mix of home made cookies to fill a holiday-decorated can. There will be tables of hand-crafted gifts, holiday ornaments, plants, dried goods, and bulb kits, Christmas Attic Treasures and baked goodies. The sale of crafts made by this year’s Art After School students will benefit Heifer International.

First Congregational Church’s Mistletoe Mart will be serving hot coffee and luncheon.  It will also offer a long table laden with home made fudges and candies. The ladies of the church have labored long and hard to create luscious baked goods, crafts, gifts, and holiday trims for sale. You’ll also find tables of white elephants at the Mistletoe Mart.

All three events run from 9 am to 2 pm on Saturday November 19th, on or just off the Common. St. John’s is on the corner of Westminster and Elm Streets, across from the Town Hall. First Congregational in on Washington St, just opposite the middle of the Common, and the Thanksgiving Market is on the Common. It is an easy walk between the events, which are less than a block apart. All events are wheelchair accessible. For more information about the Mistletoe Mart, please call Gwen Yardley at 603-756-3677; about the Christmas on the Green holiday bazaar; please call St. John’s at 603-756-4533; and about the Thanksgiving Market, please call 603-756-3168 or email jill@walpolefarmersmarket.com.

The area will be abuzz with other local activities as well. Our farm store which features our own sustainable pasture-raised meats will be open Saturday from 10-3. The Walpole Mountain View Winery will have wine tastings from 11-6 and Stonewall Farm 11th Annual Thanksgiving Farm Fare will be taking place Friday and Saturday as well.

We hope to see you in Walpole next weekend!


Innkeeper The Inn at Valley Farms

NH Open Doors - a Statewide Shopping and Touring Event This Saturday and Sunday

The weekend of November 5th and 6th, 2011 marks the annual NH Open Doors event - a weekend of creativity, adventure, stress-free and tax-free shopping all while exploring the beauty of New Hampshire!

Let the scenic highways and country roads of New Hampshire take you to picturesque towns to meet New Hampshire's talented artisans and craftspeople who are opening their studios to welcome you. Stroll through shops, galleries, and open studios filled with NH-made products and artwork, savor the local cuisine, sample local wines and spend the night in a unique lodging property to complete your weekend. A great event to get a jump on your holiday shopping!

Discover the natural beauty and timeless traditions of the people, products, and places right here in the Mondanock Region or extend your stay and tour more of NH during this Open Door event. Visit 10 locations during NH Open Doors with a special passport and be entered to win great prizes.

Click on Participants and Plan Your Tour to see a statewide listing of the hundreds of participating artists, craftspeople, wineries, restaurants, retail shops, and more. Be sure to check the hours and days of participation to not be disappointed. Rooms are available this weekend at our New Hampshire bed and breakfast so check our attractions page for a list of additional area activities to round out your stay.

Additionally, two similar events, the 9th Annual Walpole Artisan Tour and the 33rd Annual Putney Crafts Tour, will occur Thanksgiving weekend (November 25th, 26th, and 27th) so plan ahead to attend those wonderful events as well!


Innkeeper The Inn at Valley Farms

Keene Pumpkin Festival in Keene, New Hampshire This Saturday, October 22nd

This Saturday marks the 21st annual Keene Pumpkin Festival in picturesque downtown Keene, New Hampshire.With eight world records for the most lit jack-o'-lanterns in one place, Keene has become a magnet for visitors to the Monadnock Region each fall. 

The 21st annual Keene Pumpkin Festival 2011 opens for visitors at 12 Noon on Saturday, October 22, 2011 and offers a Pumpkin Festival parade, pumpkin bowling (real bowling pins and score keeping only using pumpkins), food court under the lights of one of the festival's magical towers, craft fair, live music, storytelling and of course the spectacular three-story high pumpkin towers with tens of thousands more lit jack-o-lanterns on display at grounds level!

The original Pumpkin Festival, which has been copied in cities across the United States, started in Keene, NH, in 1991, the brainchild of communications and public relations professional Nancy Sporborg. Since that time the Keene Pumpkin Festival has earned 8 Guinness World Records and has drawn challenges from other cities vying to replicate the magic of Keene's Pumpkin Festival. This year, Highwood, Illinois, has officially challenged Keene to a duel and a dual festival. These dueling community-hosted pumpkin festivals will be held at the same time, and each city will attempt to break the current world record of 30,128 jack-o-lanterns currently held by Boston since 2006. Both small towns have decided to come together in the spirit of friendly competition to showcase how two separate cities can shine and exemplify the beauty of community involvement.

"Don't come to Keene this Saturday without your pumpkin," advises Keene Pumpkin Festival event manager Ruth Sterling of Sterling Design & Communications and Let it Shine, Inc. "For years people have thought they are coming here to see our pumpkins when in fact, it has always been a full-participation festival." So carve a pumpkin and head on down to Keene to help regain the title and have yourself some good old-fashioned fun!

With the fall harvest season in full swing here on our sustainable pasture-based farm as well as all around us in the agriculturally productive Connecticut River Valley, the Keene Pumpkin Festival presents yet another great Monadnock Region attraction for your next New Hampshire family vacation. If you wish to make a weekend of the festival be sure to plan far in advance for this popular weekend.


Innkeeper The Inn at Valley Farms

"Feast on This Film Festival" FilmThis Saturday at Inn at Valley Farms in Walpole, New Hampshire

Thursday, October 13th begins Monadnock Farm and Community Connection's 4th Annual Feast on This Film Festival here in the beautiful Monadnock Region. This four day event features films that highlight a diversity of issues and viewpoints related to food and agriculture that will spark conversation on what we value about the farms in our region, and action we can take to support them.

Films are being screened at a variety of locations scattered in and around Keene, New Hampshire including here at our very own farm in Walpole. The festival kicks off with a progressive dinner in Keene Thursday evening with a local beer and cheese tasting at Brewtopia then moving downtown to the Works Bakery Cafe. Films over the four days will also be shown at a local cafe, coffee shop, library, bookstore and in some cases a lively discussion is planned to follow.

This Saturday, October 15th, our sustainable pasture-based farm will be the site of one of the feature films of this year's festival - The Farmer and the Horse. From award-winning journalist Jared Flesher, this film digs into difficult questions about sustainability, self-sufficiency, and why we do the work we do. Flesher’s film goes beyond the usual platitudes of smiling organic farmers talking about the good life. Farming is hard work, especially if you don’t use a tractor. This is a documentary everyone who cares about land use, the environment, and good food should see. Our event will begin at 2pm with a tour of our farm and discussion of our sustainable farming methods with lots of opportunity for questions. Then we'll gather in our four story, century-old barn and sit on hay bales to snack on freshly popped popcorn while viewing the film. Alyson's Orchard will be donating some of their fresh tasty apples for the event as well.

Each film has a suggested donation of $2 at the door or festival passes are available for a suggested donation of $10 each. For more info visit www.feastonthis.org or call 603-756-2988 x116.

With the foliage arriving later than usual this year, the fall color should be just about peak this weekend. We're very fortunate in this area to have such a wealth of thriving agricultural enterprises. Apples at Alyson's Orchard are at their peak right now, Walpole's Farmers' Market Friday afternoon will be brimming with all the fall harvest has to offer, wine tastings both Saturday and Sunday at Walpole's own Walpole Mountain View Winery, of course Walpole's own Burdick Chocolates, Walpole Creamery Ice Cream, Boggy Meadow Farm Cheese, several farmstands, a corn maze and more! Why not make a weekend of it and come stay at our New England country Inn? Either way, hope to see you at the farm on Saturday!


Innkeeper The Inn at Valley Farms