Summer is just around the corner, and so is the Andover Historical Society’s Old Time Fair and Summer Raffle Basket. The Raffle Basket is an annual fundraising event which is made possible through the generous support of local businesses, artists & crafters, and friends of the Society. Proceeds from the raffle help with the Society’s everyday expenses, as well as with the maintenance and upkeep of the Society’s buildings. Many treasures, both big and small, have been entrusted to the Society’s care. On a larger scale, the Society watches over the Potter Place Railroad Station, the J.C. Emons Store & Post Office, the Lull House, the Freight Shed, the Tucker Mountain Schoolhouse, the Boxcar and the Caboose. But to the average person, the smaller items we have donated to the Society, and asked them to watch over forever, might be even more important than the above larger treasures. What could be more precious than our family’s pictures? Our mother’s hat or apron? Our father’s wheel barrow or bull rake? Our grandmother’s water dipper or ice cream maker? Our grandfather’s sickle or scythe? Please help the Historical Society carry out its mission by buying tickets for the raffle, and also by supporting everyone who has made this basket possible.

Ticket prices are: $2.00 for one or $5.00 for 4. Tickets will be on sale at the Emons Store during regular museum hours beginning May 27th. The museum is open on Saturdays from 10:00 to 3:00, and on Sundays from 12:30 to 3:00. Tickets will also be on sale at the town’s Fourth of July celebration, and at the Society’s Old Time Fair on Sunday, August 6th. If none of these places, dates, or times works for you, feel free to contact an AHS member who would be more than happy to help you with your ticket purchase. The winning ticket will be drawn at the Old Time Fair, and the winner does not need to be present to win. The basket contains 14 gift items and 7 gift certificates.

In the basket of gifts you will find: a necklace created and donated by Alex Estin; woolen mittens knitted and donated by Pat Baker; a package of Andover Hooked Rug Note Cards donated by Andover Historical Society; grape jelly, orange marmalade and grapefruit marmalade made and donated by Highland Lake Apple Farm; Willy Finds A Home written by Thomas L. Shanklin, with photographs by Mary Lloyd-Evans and Thomas L. Shanklin, and donated by Mary Lloyd-Evans; an Old Town Hall Christmas Ornament donated by Andover Historical Society; a lady’s cloth purse with shoulder strap donated by The Constant Quilter; a variety of hair products donated by New Horizons Hairstylists; a pint of maple syrup donated by Proctor Academy; travel size gel memory foam pillow donated by Grevior Furniture; New Hampshire Historical Covered Bridges with watercolor paintings and facts on existing bridges by Conrad Young and donated by Andover Historical Society; a Bearington Collection bunny donated by Forest Cone & Evergreen Shop; hand thrown pottery bud vase with imprinted picture of the Cilleyville Covered Bridge donated by Bear Hollow Trading Post; ready to frame scene of the Highland Lake Channel donated by Andover Historical Society; Gift Certificate for a State Inspection donated by Keyser’s Garage; Gift Certificate for $25 donated by Tarte Cafe & Bakery; Gift Certificate for One Large Pizza donated by Pizza Chef; Gift Certificate for $20 donated by Jake’s Market & Deli; Gift Certificate for $20 donated by Blackwater Junction Restaurant; Gift Certificate for $25 donated by LisAnn’s Essentials & Extras for Women; Gift Certificate for Overnight Stay for 2 donated by Highland Lake Inn.