A peachy delight – and lobster, too

Friday, August 13, 2010

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Photo by Andrew M. Virzi Milford resident Kevin Therrien has his caricature done by Brookline artist Robin Peringer at Saturday's peach festival at Lull farm.

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Photo by Andrew M. Virzi Enjoying peach shortcake Sundaes are from left, Mattie Marco, Rita Therrien and Mary Dodd of Milford.

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Photo by Andrew M. Virzi Annie Herfurth of Lyndeboro takes a chance at dropping peach pits into a jar for a prize. Mont Vernon resident Alice Corbett was the game operator.

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IF YOU GO

The seventh annual New England Peach Festival and Lobster Supper

WHEN: 9:30 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 21, with lobster dinners at 5 and 6 p.m.

WHERE: Lull’s Farm Stand, Route 13, Milford.

COST: Free to attend; $20 for lobster dinner.

MORE INFORMATION: Call Jean Treadwell at 673-4706 or e-mail Treadbar6@aol.com.

MILFORD – When you think of summer, fresh fruit and seafood come immediately to mind.

It’s a reality that the Church of Our Savior in Milford openly embraces as it prepares to launch its seventh annual New England Peach Festival and Lobster Supper on Saturday, Aug. 21, at Lull’s Farm Stand.

“We have a large group of very dedicated people who’ve been working on this for years,” said Jean Treadwell, publicity coordinator for the church, who admits to having “a finger in every pie” where these functions are concerned.

Started by parishioner Don Formica, the event has grown in size and importance.

“It’s become one of our biggest fundraisers,” Treadwell said. “It’s definitely a nonprofit effort to help the church, the community, the SHARE program and Habitat for Humanity.”

The festivities will start at 9:30 a.m. with peach muffins and coffee. That’s also when the rush will begin for the 175 homemade pies filled with locally grown peaches. One has to move pretty fast, as the pies are generally gone by noon.

Jake’s Ice Cream, of Amherst, will provide the frosty sweets that will be served throughout the day, accompanied by an array of hamburgers, hot dogs and soft drinks.

But it isn’t all about the food. There have to be things to keep the children occupied, and the festival hasn’t fallen short on that side.

“There will be a bounce house,” Treadwell said. “That’s a first for us here, but they seem to have become much more popular over recent years.”

Caricaturist Robin Peringer will return to the festival with her pens and wits sharpened, and there will also be a crafts table with many homemade items for sale.

When asked about the “pocket lady” who will be in attendance, Treadwell said, “I’m not sure what she has in all those pockets, but the kids certainly do.”

For the last three years, the festival has also played host to a lobster dinner. This year, there will be two sittings, at 5 and 6 p.m. For $20, you get a 1¼-pound Maine lobster, corn on the cob, potato salad, peach bread and peach iced tea.

For children who might not have developed a taste for lobster, there is the alternative hamburger supper, complete with all of the accompaniments, for $8.

You have to be on the ball for this one, as well, as tickets must be purchased in advance. They’re available at Lull’s Farm Stand, the Toadstool Bookshop and the Milford Veterinary Hospital. You can also obtain tickets by sending a check marked “Lobster Supper” to the church at P.O. Box 237, Milford, NH 03055.

Treadwell said the lobster supper was added to the venue as a way to support the building of a new church for Church of Our Savior’s companion parish, St. Andre’s Church in Ondjiva, Angola.

“Several of our members went out there a few years back to visit and see what the situation was,” Treadwell said. “We needed a fundraiser to help them out, and that’s where the idea for the lobster dinner originated.”

No festival would be complete without music, and the Peach Festival has this in abundance.

While you’re enjoying your morning coffee and peach muffins, you’ll be entertained by Amy Conley, director of Milford’s own Music Together, an educational program featuring music and movement classes for mixed ages, including baby, toddler, preschool and kindergarten. She also has her own band, Folkenergy, which entertains children’s parties with banjo, guitar, songs, dances and puppets.

Following Conley at 10:30 a.m. will be the Russell Hill Band, regaling the audience with their own brand of folk rock and country music. Up-and-coming country-western singer Shelby Lyn Rogers will hit the stage at 11:20 a.m. with her country, rock and bluegrass standards.

The PJ and Jammin Jazz Ensemble will arrive at noon with their mixture of jazz and rock tunes. Created by reed instrument teacher Cecile Rowlette, the band was formed to give his students and other aspiring students an exciting venue in which to play.

Musicians range from middle school students to adults, playing soprano, alto, tenor and baritone saxophones. This is set to a rhythm section including bass guitar, drums and piano.

The group is no stranger to area events, having appeared at the Milford Pumpkin Festival and Temple Harvest Festival, as well as sessions at area nursing homes and other fundraisers.

Alternative rock band Undertow will blast off at 1 p.m. Featuring local musical veterans John Mayberry, Rick Sommers, Chris Bowser and John Snyder, this ensemble aims to show off their years of playing throughout various local bands over the years.

The Common Thread Quartet will arrive at 1:45 p.m., bringing its barbershop harmonies to the stage. Members Rick Marchant, Paul Dallair, Bill Selander and Manoj Padki look to bring back nostalgic memories with their old-style harmonizing.

The music will continue as ticket-holders settle down for the lobster dinner.

Entertaining the first crowd will be folk artist Kip Ferguson, who’ll be bringing out his repertoire of Celtic and English folk ballads. Ferguson is well known for his commanding stage presence, strong vocals and lively sense of humor. In addition to the folk ballads, he’ll be adding some original compositions.

Marlena Phillips will regale the second sitting with her renditions of Celine Dion, Whitney Houston and Bette Midler covers.

Her expertise with power ballads has made her a strong favorite among functions at the most elite Boston hotels, and she promises to move the crowd with sentimental favorites.

Music, food and fun combine to make an event complete for just about everyone. Furthermore, since it all goes to a good cause, you can feel good about it, even as you enjoy a peach of a day.