The history of the Rhode Island was made on the banks of Providence River.  It was here that Roger Williams established his colony as a haven for the Independent Man.  The river saw wars, shipyards, canals to the burgeoning textile mills,  slave traders, the first shots of the American Revolution, hurricanes, a record-setting bridge, and a teeming and vibrant modern city.

This book by Robert A. Geake is one of many titles available from History Press focusing on Rhode Island History.

Find it on Amazon or History Press

Here’s a fun book for a road trip, especially if that road trip takes you along the Eastern Seaboard. Filled with pictures and fun trivia, you can explore the entire route of I-95 as it runs from the top of Maine to the bottom tip of Florida.

In Rhode Island, author Barbara Barnes tells us about the Big Blue Bug, Rhode Island’s desert, and Hasbro’s Mr. Potatohead. In South Carolina, we learn the history of the famous tourist trap South of the Border. As we go along I-95, we discover the birthplaces of Presidents and the grave sites of rock stars.

Hop into the book and discover trivia about State birds, stately mansions, and unusual geographic features are all described with wit.

Find it on Amazon or IPG

We may do our best year around to treat Mom the way she deserves, but most of us take a special effort on Mother’s Day.  This year, consider making Mom feel like a million dollars by taking her to Mother’s Day buffet at the historic Vanderbilt Grace hotel.

A Newport landmark, the Vanderbilt Grace comprises 33 luxurious rooms and suites, two restaurants, a cocktail bar plus a spa and fitness centre with indoor and outdoor swimming pools. The building dates from 1909 and has a rich and glamorous history: it was one of many mansions in the area owned by the Vanderbilt family and today carefully combines original Beaux Arts features with the elegant simplicity that is a hallmark of Grace Hotels.

With the nicer weather in May, the brunch will have optional seating on the patio, where Mom can enjoy the springtime gardens.

Carved meats, hand-crafted omelettes, eggs benedict, fresh fruit, and traditional breakfast foods are served buffet style, along with desserts and treats to round out the meal.  Attentive service and the oppulant setting will make her feel like a millionaire.

You’ll find Vanderbilt Grace Hotel close to the Newport Waterfront.  For more information about the brunch or Vanderbilt Grace Hotel, visit their website at: www.vanderbiltgrace.com

Our weekend getaways sometimes take us well away from civilization, to where the air is clear and the sounds of the cities are left far behind. When our romantic weekend getaway took us to Central Vermont, we discovered the village of Bernard and the warm welcome of the Fan House bed and breakfast.

Bernard is countryside — the population of the entire township is under 1000. The town sits at the outlet Silver Lake, originally called Stebbings’ Pond and later Barnard Pond. On the north shore of the Pond is Silver Lake State Park. Along the south side are the town’s general store, post office, and most of the town’s residences. Woodstock is the next town over, twenty minutes away, and is no teaming metropolis itself.

Like most of Barnard, the Fan House dates from the mid 1800′s. Its Federal archecture is exhibited in the fireplace and polished plank floors. The fan-shaped motif above the windows, probably added in a later age, gave inspiration for the B&B’s name. The rennovations in preparation of turning the Fan House into a B&B in 2003 included exposing the rich wood grains in the doors and floors. The Fan House’s kitchen features a turn-of-century wood cook stove as its kitchen’s centerpiece, accenting a décor throughout that strives for simplicity, with heirloom tapestries, original art and toile that nudge The Fan House from vintage New England to couturier.

Each of the Fan House’s three guest rooms each has its own private bath. The rooms feature high thread-count linens, oversize bath sheets, Bulgari bath amenities, and plush bath robes.

Handcrafted breakfasts warm the mornings, while the fireplace warms the evenings. The gardens and the Vermont countryside may bring guests outdoors, vying with the comfort of reading in the cozy library for the choice of ways to relax through the weekend.

This bed and breakfast is in good company in Barnard, home of Twin Farms, the 1930′s & 40′s vacation home of Nobel Prize winning novelist Sinclair Lewis. Twin Farms is now reputed by many as one of the country’s finest destination resorts. Barnard was also a haven in the 1940s to the late Carl Zuckmayer, a noted German author and playwright.

On our visit, we dined at Max’s Tavern which shares a kitchen with the Barnard Inn Restaurant.  The Restaurant features a gourmet fix pris menu, while the tavern has more familiar foods with a gourmet flair.  We had half-pound hamburgers with Vermont chedder on a house-made bun, but could have had crispy seared salmon or ginger chicken spring rolls with asian vegetable salad, or any of a dozen other tempting entrees.

The Fan House enjoys a central Vermont location just minutes from premier ski resorts, lakes, the Appalachian Trail, art galleries and boutiques, and The Chateauguay, miles of unspoiled snowshoeing wilderness just across a creek bordering the property.

Learn more at:Fan House www.fanhouse.com 802-234-9096

Ever wonder what happens to seat belts once a car is retired from its driving days? Ok, probably not, but can you imagine using seat belts from those retired vehicles and making a really super, extra durable custom-made bag? Well, I couldn’t imagine anything like that until I was asked to sample one of these ‘seatbelt’ bags and see for myself what all the talk was about.

I am always on the looking for those ‘out-of-the-ordinary things’ that others tend to ignore. Plus, I am always, always, always looking for anything that can be reused, is made from reusable sources, and beyond creative! That’s why I just had to let everyone know about this great travel product!

Just a little background on how this idea emerged will make you giggle. The concept for the seatbelt bag was formulated in 1997 when Dana and Melanie were installing seatbelts into their 1950 Buick, getting it ready for their wedding. They happened upon the idea of making a matching handbag, made from seatbelts, for Melanie. It seemed that everyone Melanie knew thought it was such a great idea and she and Dana should make more. What started out as a fun and whimsical idea turned into a lucrative business for the both of them. Wha La…..Harveys Retails Stores featuring non other than, the Seatbelt Bag!

My bag arrived in a medium sized box so I figured it was probably average in size, give or take some packaging and what not. Not! The bag measured 15”L x 13”H x 5”W. Pretty large if you ask me. The tote was one Melanie’s favorite designs, featuring a navy blue background with sketches of Melanie’s ‘favorite things’ in white. The handles highlighted the bag with their shiny bright red color and nickel metal hardware. There was a zippered top, two internal slip pockets (1) 4.5″X5″ & (1) 2″X5″ and one internal zip pocket 7″X5″ . Big enough to carry a weekend get-a-way belongings!

I could not believe how durable this bag was! I could stand on it and pull as hard as I could on the handles and nothing, absolutely nothing happened (except for aches and pains in my rotator cuff). Durable beyond durable! In addition, it really isn’t that heavy either. I thought it would be, considering how seat belts are made so tightly. They have to be made that way since they are supposed to protect us while traveling.

I had to check out their website to see what other styles, colors and unique ideas they figured out for these seat belt bags. They carry anything from wallets and bags right up to pet collars and leashes. Can you imagine to finally being able to walk your dog and NOT have to worry about him/her chewing through their leash! They are that durable!

There are absolutely so many patterns, colors and creative thinking that it would be really hard to not find something that would suit anyone’s style! Prices range from $28 (for example, one of their totes) up to over $200 (superbly crafted bags of all kinds). Some may consider the cost of these bags to be a little bit expensive but remember, seat belts are beyond durable, easy to care for and can hold a pretty large capacity. They are definitely worth the price.

I would definitely suggest visiting there website: http://seatbeltbags.com to check out their collections and find out more about their unique “Seat Belt Bags”. I’m glad I did!

From spring until autumn, the Salmon and Snake Rivers in Idaho provide adventure that many travelers use as a climax to the land of Yellowstone and Jackson Hole.   But when the snow melts and the water rushes, the adrenline-fueled rush of riding Class IV rapids is an experience not to be missed.

All photos courtesy of O.A.R.S.

Idaho has 3,100 miles of river—more than any other state, some stretches with treacherous pulse-pounding action and other sections, particularly on the Main and Lower Salmon Rivers, perfect for family rafting on Class II to III rapids with thrills appropriate for kids as young as seven.

“Idaho is arguably the most overlooked destination for adventure travel in the United States,” said George Wendt, president and founder of vetran river outfitter and nature-based adventure travel company  O.A.R.S..  He notes that Idaho is second only to the Grand Canyon for clients who think of great domestic rafting adventures.

Bram Role, an Idaho native who has been guiding with O.A.R.S. for 16 seasons, says he favors the free-flowing aspect of the Salmon River “and everything that goes with that: huge chunks of roadless backcountry, the Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness, natural hot springs, Native American sites, abundant wildlife, great fishing and a vibrant, intact ecosystem. The first 25 miles of the Middle Fork [Salmon] are just absolutely fantastic. It’s constant action, flying down through there, making moves left and right. It’s a ton of fun!”

The modern raft is an inflatable boat, between 11 and 20 feet long, consisting of very durable, multi-layered rubberized fabrics with several independent air chambers.  Paddling the rafts through white water requires teamwork and a measure of nerve.

Rafts in white water are very different vehicles than canoes or kayaks and have their own specific techniques to maneuver through whitewater obstacles. Rafts carry great momentum, and on rivers hydraulics that are dodged by canoes and kayaks are often punched by rafts. This involves the rafting crew paddling the raft to give it enough speed to push through the hydraulic without getting stopped. If a raft is caught in a hydraulic it will often quickly go sideways. In order to stop the raft flipping on its inside edge, the rafters can climb to the side of the raft furthest downstream, which will also be the side of the raft highest in the air. In this position the rafters may be able to use the draw stroke to pull the raft out of the head, and back into a rapid flow downstream.

Like most outdoor sports, rafting in general has become safer over the years, espeically among professional rafting outfitters. Expertise in the sport has increased, and equipment has become more specialized and increased in quality, and rafting trips often begin with safety presentations to educate customers about problems that may arise.

O.A.R.S.’ professional guide-to-guest ratio (1:4) is the best in the industry. Its Idaho fleet includes oar rafts and colorful hand-crafted dories, paddle rafts and inflatable kayaks along with top-notch guides and expedition equipment. Each type of craft offers a different on-water experience.  Their all-inclusive three- to seven-day river and hiking adventures travel through the Gorges of the Lower Salmon out of Lewiston.  The company also features multiple-day instructional programs dedicated to stand-up paddleboarding and whitewater kayaking as well as hiking programs and specialized adventures for wine and beer aficionados.

Not every visitor to the Salmon and Snake Rivers need white-knuckle adventure. For some, the adventure is fishing, for others it’s a serene mix of upscale lodges and spas in the beauty of the Titon range.

For some, the adventure is fishing. Idaho’s Far and Away Adventures reports that fishing is excellent during the summer in the northern Rockies and expects normal-to-exceptional conditions for the fall. This outfitter melds world-class fly fishing and luxury camping on Idaho’s Middle Fork of the Salmon River on six day adventures.

Their adventure for seasoned and novice anglers and non-fishing companions includes the guided fishing / luxury camping experience, use of two-person fishing craft, one night at the upscale Sun Valley Lodge, and a full day guided fishing trip to Silver Creek, one of the most legendary trout streams in the West. Hemingway, Gary Cooper and Gregory Peck all helped put this incredible fishery on the map.

“In the fall when fly fishing is at its peak, an experienced angler chasing Westslope Cutthroat Trout on the Middle Fork can bring 100 fish a day back to the boat,” said Steve Lentz, owner. “We advocate resource conservation and are very sensitive to the proper handling of wild trout. We are more than happy to release your catch in a manner that least impacts the fish, after pictures are taken of course!”

Far and Away Adventures’ programs include all ground transportation, deluxe organic and locally sourced meals, all luxury tenting equipment, staff and guides.  The pace of the day sans have-tos revolves around guests. A light spread for early risers is followed by a later made-to-order breakfast. On the water, an organic feast serves as lunch. Formally served appetizers surface around 7 p.m. followed by a four-course, linen-draped, candlelight dinner with regional wines and micro beers. Solar power lights the camp and heats water for showers. State-of-art tents with elevated beds, flannel linens, carpets and nightstands ensure sweet dreams.

If you’re desiring relaxation between sessions of white-knuckle adventure, those options exist too.  Far and Away Adventures offers special adults-only rafting  and relaxation adventures. In the pristine riverside setting, instructors introduce new and advanced stretching techniques and lead daily warm-up and yoga sessions before each active day on the river. Morning guided hikes within the wilderness river corridor increase participant’s endurance and cardiovascular fitness while finding ancient petroglyphs along the way. Personalized stretch sessions and kinesthetic awareness activities drawn up by Cooper after individual assessments will give each guest a specific individualized program for improved posture and increased flexibility and range of motion. Massage and bodywork sessions in the ambience of the quiet river evenings will loosen joints and lengthen muscles, improving posture and balance.

As guests connect with nature’s gym and play on the river, adventure guides set up and break down five-star camps. They prepare and serve organic meals on pre-heated stoneware atop linen-draped tables lit by candlelight while pouring into crystal stemware wines selected from organic and small-batch wineries. The guides also arrange solar-generated hot water for showers, and state-of-art tents with elevated beds, flannel bedding, carpets and nightstands.

So if your idea of outdoor adventure concentrates on adventure or relaxation, the 3100 miles of Idaho rivers is calling you.

For more information:

Far and Away Adventures / Tel: 800-232-8588 / steve@far-away.com / http://far-away.com/

O.A.R.S. Adventures / call 209-736-4677 or 800-346-6277, email info@oars.com, or visit: http://www.oars.com/.

Few situations can provoke more anxiety for people with peanut or tree-nut allergies than having an allergic reaction while flying on an airplane and being unable to get help. But in a new study, published in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology-In Practice, researchers found passengers who engaged in eight mitigating factors were less likely to report an allergic reaction.

This is the first study to show that in-flight peanut and tree nut allergy is an international problem, says lead author and pediatrician Matthew Greenhawt, M.D., M.B.A., M.Sc., of the University of Michigan’s Food Allergy Center and C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital. Past research has focused on the U.S. and only on those who had reactions, instead of including those who did not.

Greenhawt, and his co-authors from Allergy & Anaphylaxis Australia and the International Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Alliance, asked passengers to answer an online survey about their in-flight experiences.  More than 3,200 people from 11 countries completed the survey. Of those, 349 reported having an allergic reaction during an airline flight.

Passengers with peanut/tree nut allergies who reported taking these actions had significantly lower odds of reporting a reaction:

• requesting any accommodation
• requesting a peanut/tree nut-free meal
• wiping their tray table with a commercial wipe
• avoiding use of airline pillows
• avoiding use of airline blankets
• requesting a peanut/tree nut-free buffer zone
• requesting other passengers not consume peanut/tree nut-containing products
• not consuming airline-provided food

“Flying with a peanut/tree nut allergy is equal parts frustrating and frightening for allergic passengers.  These eight passenger-initiated risk-mitigating behaviors may help clinicians wishing to advise concerned patients planning to fly commercially,” says Greenhawt, of U-M’s Food Allergy Center.

Greenhawt says most airlines still serve peanuts and tree nuts or snacks and meals with peanuts or tree nuts included. Canada is the only country with any formal policy in place, which requires a 3-row buffer zone with advance notification only on Air Canada flights, he says.

“So these behaviors are simple, practical measures which may offer some protection and reduce anxiety until formal policies are implemented.”

The study also found that epinephrine, a common and effective treatment, was drastically underused in-flight. Only 13.3 percent of passengers reporting a reaction received epinephrine as treatment.  Flight crews were notified regarding 50.1 percent of reactions.  In a similar study of US passengers five years ago, Greenhawt noted a similarly low rate of epinephrine use.

“Despite that 98 percent of passengers had a personal source of epinephrine available, epinephrine was underused to treat a reaction. Flight crews were not always readily alerted to reactions when they occurred, but interestingly, when they were notified, it was associated with a higher odds that epinephrine was used to treat the reaction,” Greenhawt says.

Interestingly, nationality was not a significant factor influencing the use of epinephrine as treatment. “We still think the risk of an in-flight reaction is small, but it’s hard to imagine a more helpless situation than having a reaction while you’re at 35,000 feet in an airplane,” Greenhawt says. “But this study identifies some things passengers can do to reduce their anxiety. We want them to fly. It can help improve their quality of life.”

“But more importantly, these findings provide a starting point for airlines to consider in terms of their own policies, where they could work with passengers to mitigate risk.  I think that consideration for training crew to identify anaphylaxis is another important potential measure to consider given that crew involvement significantly increased the odds of reported epinephrine use.  Poor crew notification of events has been noted in the earlier airline studies, so perhaps the solution is to train crew to be more proactive,” Greenhawt says.

About C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital in the University of Michigan Health System: Since 1903, the University of Michigan has led the way in providing comprehensive, specialized health care for children. From leading-edge heart surgery that’s performed in the womb to complete emergency care that’s there when you need it, families from all over come to the University of Michigan C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital for our pediatric expertise. In 2013, C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital was ranked eighth in the nation in Parents Magazine’s 10 Best Children’s Hospitals ranking. To learn more, go to www.mottchildren.org. C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital operates a food allergy clinic, specifically designed to care for patients with food allergies and eosinophilic gastrointestinal disorders. More information is available here: http://mottchildren.org/our-locations/df-allergy

Imagine driving through the woods while on vacation with your friends when you come across two parked cars blocking the road. What do you do?

A. Turn around and find another route to your destination

B. Get out of the vehicle and try to push them out of the way

C. Call the local authorities and wait until they move them

D. Drive over them and have a blast doing it

If you answered D, then an extreme adventure at Drive A Tank, the nation’s only venue where you can drive real military tanks, is waiting for you.

You now realize that behind the wheel of a tank, you are invincible and not even four tons of steel will get in your way. Drive A Tank is a once in a lifetime opportunity to live out fantasies of being unstoppable and having control over some of the most powerful vehicles ever built.

Located in Kasota, Minnesota, Drive A Tank’s mission is to offer adrenaline-inducing quasi-military adventures. With eight authentic military tanks and several military vehicles that have been used in actual combat, you can drive a tank in a combat scenario and run over just about anything that gets in your way.

Drive A Tank started by purchasing their first military vehicle, a 2 ½ ton military cargo truck, or “Deuce and a half”.  Fashioned with a full crew cab, the “hot-rod deuce” was born and it was soon apparent that people loved to climb into it for an off-road adventure. As the desire increased to take a ride in the Deuce, Drive A Tank’s arsenal of military vehicles grew to include five authentic military tanks. Thus began the Drive A Tank experience.

The Drive A Tank Experience includes a two-part adventure that includes being able to fire authentic military weaponry in a controlled indoor range:
Part One: Drive A Tank . Arrive at the Drive A Tank Armory, registration and check in.

•  Armored vehicle safety and familiarization class with Q & A in the Troop Training Room.  Here you will learn about various armored vehicles, how they are used and where they are used.
• Tour of Restoration, Maintenance and Storage Facility in the Motor Pool.
• Transport to field command HQ in a classic military transport vehicle.  Follow up with a final safety briefing and driving tips.
• Drive your first tank; this will include driving our Abbot tank through the challenging wooded course with your instructor, “riding shotgun”, with you.
• Next, drive your second tank!  This will be the FV432 APC through a challenge course.  However, this will be a little more exciting because you will drive this vehicle using nothing more than the small vision periscopes to guide your way.  (If you feel this may be too much, you may experience the drive with the hatch open.)
• Transport back to the motor pool in a classic military transport vehicle.
• CAR CRUSH!  (If one is booked by a participant that day)  First we go over basic car crushing tips and required safety guidelines.  Once again, your instructor will be right beside you to guide you along.
• Picture time.  There will be time allotted for pictures with vehicles you just drove and the car(s) crushed.

Part Two:  Historic Military Firearms . Re-group at the troop training facility for Firearm Safety, Small Arms Familiarization and Usage course. Here you will learn about various historic military firearms and how they were used, where they were used and who used them.

• Choose which firearm(s) you would like to test fire in our indoor range (amount of ammo varies by firearm, but is usually around thirty rounds for belt-fed weapons).
• Next, you will be issued your appropriate and required safety gear and granted clearance to enter the live-fire range.
• Test fire, the range is a controlled training environment where you will be accompanied by your instructor.  Muzzle of all firearms will be controlled by range design to ensure 100% safety in the range.
• Once all participants have fired their allotted amount of ammunition, there will be an opportunity to purchase more range time and test fire additional firearms.

For more information about the Drive A Tank experience, please call 507-835-5607, or visit www.driveatank.com.

For some, Spring is signals the end of winter fun, but instead of being the end of outdoor fun in the White Mountains, Spring is the primve viewing time for the region’s rushing waterfalls.  There is no better season for viewing and photographing waterfalls and rushing brooks, streams and rivers, and nowhere in New England are waterfalls so abundant and accessible for viewing.

Everyone from kids on spring vacation to photo buffs will enjoy the rush of the falls at this time of year.  An important note: while there is no admission to see the falls, you will be have to pay $5 for a one-day or $5 for up to 7-day pass to park at any of the White Mountain National Forest parking areas. These passes are available at any area Ranger Station, and at a variety of places throughout Mt. Washington Valley. Consider visiting any or all of these choices, located in Mt. Washington Valley, NH:

Sabbaday Falls: There are three drops in the falls, pretty pools and a pothole formed by the swirling waters and sand. In warmer weather, you can’t swim here, but it’s a great spot for picnics. Directions: Take the Kancamagus Hwy from Conway. The Sabbaday Falls Picnic Area is about 3.5 miles west of where Bear Notch Road joins the Kancamagus Highway. The falls are a short 0.33 mile hike in.

Glen Ellis Falls: The Ellis River plunges 64 feet to the basin below in a torrent of white water here. Make sure to stop and read the signs that describe the geology and history of the area. Directions: The turn-off to the falls is 0.7 miles south of Pinkham Notch on Route 16. This is also the parking area for the Glen Boulder and Wildcat Ridge Trails. A tunnel takes you to the other side of the highway where you turn right to reach the falls. It’s a relatively easy 0.2 mile walk to the falls.

Crystal Cascade: This is a two-tiered spectacular fall, with a dramatic 60-foot wall of water, followed by a 20-foot plunge, ending with the river making a 90 degree turn at the bottom. Directions: Park at the AMC Pinkham Notch Camp and take the path on the left of the Trading Post at the Tuckerman Ravine Trail. The falls are a 0.3 mile walk up. For the adventurous at heart, keep going up the Tuckerman Ravine Trail, and watch the spectacle of skiers in Tuckerman Ravine on a sunny day in May.

Thompson Falls: This is actually a series of falls along Thompson Brook at Wildcat Ski Area. The views to Mt. Washington from the highest ledge are worth the trip!  Directions: Take Route 16 to Wildcat Ski Area. To reach the falls, take the “Way of Wildcat” Nature Trail from the ski area’s parking lot. At the far end of the trail loop, you’ll find the path to the falls. It’s a 0.7 mile easy trek to the falls.

Arethusa Falls: Measuring in at about 176 feet, these are the highest single falls in New Hampshire. A bonus here is Bemis Brook Falls, Fawn Pool and Coliseum Falls can all be visited at the same time. Directions: Take Route 302 toward Bretton Woods and look for Crawford Notch State Park entrance. Turn onto a paved road just beyond the park and park on the short side road below the railroad tracks. The trail starts to the left of the private road above the RR tracks and it’s about 1.3 miles to the falls (2 miles if you take the trail to Bemis Brook Falls, Coliseum Falls & Fawn Pool).

Flume Cascade & Silver Cascade: These falls are easily viewable from the car, but you can get close for a better look. Directions: On Route 302, just below Crawford Notch Depot.
Ripley Falls & Kendron Flume: An easy hike with swimming holes at the top of the falls and pools upstream to cool off in warmer weather. It’s not safe, however, to climb the face of the falls. Directions: The Arethusa-Ripley Falls trail is off Route 302 at the old Wiley House station.

Jackson Falls: These are one of the popular watering holes for locals on a hot summer day. Easily accessible, they offer wonderful pools and small falls to cool off under. A few picnic tables nearby offer the perfect spot for a picnic lunch, dinner or cocktail. Directions: Take Carter Notch Road about 3/10 mile from Route 16A in Jackson.

Diana’s Baths: On a full moon night, this is one of the most romantic places in the world. The water supply for the area is located above this, so no access is allowed above, but this series of small falls, and pools offers the perfect place to cool off. You’ll hike about 1/2 mile in, following a well-marked trail to find them. Directions: Access the trail head from West Side Road., about 1/2 mile beyond the point where West Side Road turns toward Conway.

For more information on visiting Mt. Washington Valley, visit www.mtwashingtonvalley.org.  To request a free Tips and Tours Vacation Planning Guide, call 1-800-D0-SEE-NH (800-367-3364).

Even though we associate chili with Texas, there’s not much in this world more warming and filling than a bowl of spicy hot chili on a snowy day, even if that snowy day is in the North Conway Village, nestled in New Hampshire’s White Mountains. Every March, the Mount Washington Valley Chamber of Commerce sponsors the Chilly Chili Cookoff, giving late-season skiers, maple sugarers and tax-free shoppers a great way to warm up and fill up as they explore the village.

Once you have your ticket, take your Chilly Chili Cookoff passport and make your way around the village to 30 different competitors, samping chili in this International Chili Society-sanctioned regional cookoff. The ICS competitors int he ICS Chefs Competition are cooking at the Mount Washington Valley Chamber of Commerce. The teams competing for the People’s Choice Award are in the
North Conway Community Center and throughout the village. With so many different chilis, there will be tremendous variety to work through — red, green, meat, vegetarian — and all levels of spice from the subtle to red hot!

The competition can get intense as hot chili peppers, since the winner will qualify to compete in the Last Chance Cookoff at the International Chili Society’s annual championship event will be held at the Spa Resort Casino in Palm Springs. The International Chili Society (ICS) organizes chili cook-offs as fundraisers. Its annual cook-offs are on a grand scale, with regional qualifying events that attract tens of thousands of participants. The ICS has raised millions of dollars for charity while still awarding hundreds of thousands of dollars to winners.

Various activities will be going on in addition to the tastings. Shops and restaurants will be offering special discounts on products as well as chili themed treats, crazy hat making contests, Tuckerman Beer Tastings and more.

For more information, visit the Mt. Washington Valley website www.mtwashingtonvalley.org.

Tickets are $10 for adults, $7 for those 12 and under and free for those 5 and under.