Joan Mirantz- Concord New Hampshire Realtor

MIKES AFFORDABLE AUTO                                                                                                                                              

Mikes Affordable Auto (223-6774) is at 124 Manchester Street(also known as Route 3). Mike has been in this location for several years. He was formerly Manchester Street Auto and recently re-opened under his new name (right next door) in his new "Art Deco" style building!   
 

  Mike Albert                                              

  Mike has been in the Auto Business for over 25 years. He started as a kid ...working with  his Dad in Rhode Island.

 Mike's Affordable Auto is a Full Service Establishment. Mike does Repairs, Inspections and Detailing. If you are seeking somthing special....give Mike the particulars and he will look for  special "pre-owned" vehicles at auctions.     Mike Stands By What He Sells!

Summer weather is not quite over and there's still time to pack up the little ones for a trip to Santa's Village in on Route 2 in Jefferson NH.

Santa's is open weekends through September from 9:30-5:00, limited weekends October and November and all weekends in December (of course!) with special programs and festivities.

Santa's Village is a family theme park geared for younger children but fun for all ages and everyone who's a kid at heart!

You will meet many North Pole Residents! Your bound to see Mrs Clause and can sit on Santa's lap-you'll even see where he keeps his reindeer! Ride the Ferris Wheel or the Log Flume Ride. Or take the train and tour the extensive grounds.

Jefferson is a beautiful part of our State and there is a lot to see. You may want to consider making it a weekend. The White Mountains Attractions Association is a great place for information. Check them out and plan your visit.

Winter's not that far away!

Concord NH Realtor Area Information

There is a little know attraction in Grafton, NH called Ruggles Mine.

It may not be very famous but every child who has been there will remember the trip forever! Ruggles Mine is a mica mine.

To geologists this area is known as the Littleton Formation, it is 300,000,000 years old!

Mica was discovered in 1803 by Sam Ruggles of Grafton. A "book" of mica as large as five feet in diameter has been found there.*

Mica is heat resistant and transparent. It was used in whale oil lamp chimneys, ships windows and stove fornts. Newer uses were cosmetics, cement block and asphalt roofing.Early electrical appliances such as toasters had mica in them. The mine was also a good source for Feldspar- used in glazes and also in nonabrasive scouring powder and glass cleaner. From 1932 to 1959 the Bon Ami Company extracted 10,000 tons of feldspar.

By the 1930's an estimated $12 million dollars worth of mica came out of Ruggles. By the 1960's the number had swelled to $30 million. But as is the way of the world....eventually other countries offered mica cheaper, the government eliminated subsidies and the demand became less.

In 1963 Ruggles Mine opened as a tourist attraction!

If you have children who love collecting rocks, or if you yourself are a rock hound you have got to make the trip. Bring boxes and buckets as well as hammers and spades because you are allowed to take anything you find. Your children will spend all day delighting in exploring the caves and anticipating finding treasure!

**Those of you who have coveted mica when you were a child are familiar with the transparent layer upon layer-pages like a book!

Ruggles Mine, Grafton NH Admission: $20/adults $10/children

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Concord NH Realtor Area Information

Pittsfield NH is a small town about 30 minutes from Concord. Simply travel North on Route 28...you can't miss it!

Every August the town celebrates its biggest event. Pittsfield's Hot Air Balloon Festival draws people from all over the region. It is a very large rally that also has rides, food vendors, crafts and Fireworks. And, depending on the weather...you may be able to take a ride (tethered of course) and there could also be hellicopter rides!

The biggest gamble is the weather. The balloons take quite a long time to inflate so everyone hopes for a calm and sunny day.The launches are usually planned for very early AM or late afternoon when the air currents are calmer.

If you are in the area...be sure to attend next years Fest....they've already started the planning!

GETTING READY TIME'S A WASTIN

WE"RE ALMOST THERE UP UP AND AWAY

Theses pictures are from a few years ago. Unfortunately this year Mother Nature didn't co-operate!

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Concord NH Realtor Area Information