Kismet E-Newsletter Issue 1, 2010
March 4, 2010 By Leave a Comment
MWV Ice Fest Silent Auction Funds Kismet Student Scholarships; Intern Endowment Fund Established
February 19, 2010 By Leave a Comment
Thanks to the generosity of local business IMCS/IME for making Kismet Rock Foundation the beneficiary once again of the Friday night silent auction proceeds at the ICE FEST. The evening included a slide show by world-class climber Steve House as well as a dry tool competition. The event was emceed by Freddie Wilkinson (who some argued can actually get away with wearing neon lycra tights in public).
Many thanks to Anne Skidmore for use of these images
Kismet Rock Foundation volunteers MIKE LACKMAN, PHIL THALHEIMER, NICKIE SEKERA and board member BRIAN POST worked the silent auction tables and were on hand to answer questions about the organization.
Quality climbing hardware and soft goods were donated to the silent auction, which raised more than $1,700 for the Kismet student scholarship fund. Thank you to those sponsors: JULBO, ICEHOLDZ, LOWA, OUTDOOR RESEARCH, PRINCETON TEC, ASOLO, PETZL CHARLET, SCARPA, MAMMUT, MOUNTAIN HARDWEAR, PATAGONIA, LA SPORTIVA, and BLACK DIAMOND.
Adding to an already memorable evening, Jim Shimberg, a longtime friend of Kismet, presented a check for $2,500 to establish a KISMET INTERN ENDOWMENT FUND, in memory of Jonny Copp, Micah Dash and Wade Johnson. Jim ‘passed the hat’ for nearly a year, collecting contributions from $1 up to $500 to create the fund. Kismet is honored to carry on the memories of those three men who were so loved and are so missed with this very special fund for Kismet graduates.
Contact Kismet to learn more about the fund.
Our gratitude and appreciation goes out to Ice Fest event directors Sarah Garlick and Anne Skidmore for a successful weekend, and of course to Rick Wilcox and Brad White of IME/IMCS for making the event possible.
Caliente! Photos
December 1, 2009 By 3 Comments
A selection of photos from the 2009 Caliente! event. Thanks to Bruce Raymond for taking these!
Los Sugar Kings to play at Caliente
September 25, 2009 By Leave a Comment
Check out Los Sugar Kings – a rockin’ band from Boston specializing in Afro-Cuban Son, Salsa and Rumba-Flamenca. Los Sugar Kings draw their influence from all over the world though, mixing melodies and harmonies sure to peak your attention and make you move. You can see Los Sugar Kings at our Caliente! event November 7th at Black Mountain ski area in Jackson, NH. In the meantime check out their website to hear their sounds and learn more about these talented musicians.
2009 Kismet Cliff Run Photos and Video
September 25, 2009 By Leave a Comment
A selection of photos from the 2009 Kismet Cliff Run:
2009 Kismet Cliff Run video:
2009 Program Season, Week Two Photos
August 3, 2009 By 2 Comments
Here is a gallery of photos from Session 2, day 2, with first year students from Portland ME, Manchester NH, Boston MA, and the Mount Washington Valley. The students are climbing on Whitehorse Ledge in North Conway. All photos by Rob Vandegrift.
2009 Program Season, Week One Photos
July 25, 2009 By 1 Comment
We welcomed our first session of first year students to North Conway on July 12. The weather shaped up just in time for a great week of climbing! Photos and captions by Rob Vandegrift.
Week One ’08 Program Pics
July 28, 2008 By 2 Comments
Back Row: Alvin, Mike, Hassan, Steve, Rob
Middle: Keturah, Levante, Christopher, Amber
Front: Malika
Week One of the program season is reserved for first year students. It was attended by seven middle schoolers (all pictured above) from Boston, Manchester and Bartlett. They were an unusually cohesive group for having just met each other, so despite the unfavorable conditions throughout a lot of the week, an enjoyable time was had by all! The following images are from Friday and Saturday, our two sunny days. Special thanks to Week One volunteers and Matt Braun of Matty B’s pizza for a special night out for the students.
Hassan on Turner’s Flake, Cathedral Ledge
Chris, Hassan, Alvin
Chris on Square Ledge
Anchor clinic with Mike
PRESS RELEASE: Kismet Rock Foundation Announces Expansion Plans at Annual Jubilee
May 20, 2008 By
Kismet student Chelsea Laguerre took to the stage for a solo singing performance at the Kismet Jubilee. Photo by Brian Post
‘A Night to Remember’ for All in Attendance
Sixteen year old Kismet Rock Foundation student Chelsea Laguerre welcomed the crowd at Cranmore Mountain Resort this past Saturday with a phenomenal solo singing performance. Played at the end of the cocktail hour, she silenced the room of about 120 attendees, who enthusiastically applauded her before dining on the White Mountain Cider Company’s spread of delicious food.
“Chelsea’s performance was one of the evening’s highlights,” said Brian Irwin, MC for the evening and also a Kismet Board member. “Her confidence on stage was incredible, as was her voice. We’re very lucky to have such a passionate student in our program.”
The event, sponsored by RE/MAX Presidential-Drummond & Drummond and Badger Realty, attracted climbers and non-climbers alike from as far away as Pennsylvania.
After dinner, Michael Jewell, founder and director of the program, formally announced the organization’s expansion plans. The board has contracted a consultant for the project and plans to expand programs and serve additional geographic locations within the coming two years.
“This year is a turning point for Kismet,” said Irwin. “We’re expanding our curriculum, restructuring our organization to accommodate its growth and are more excited about the future than ever before. The Jubilee was the perfect place and time to make our new developments public to our most avid supporters.”
‘Volunteer of the Year’ awards were also presented to Ted Wroblewski, Brian Post and Ruthann Brown, all of whom have demonstrated outstanding commitment and passion for the Kismet mission. Three Kismet students, including Ms. Laguerre, spoke of their experiences with the organization as did Gary Hunter, a long time Kismet supporter from Manchester, one of the organization’s three service areas.
A successful silent auction including unique gift packages, flight tours, art work, climbing gear and more kept bidders busy, bringing in about $4,000 for this summer’s rock climbing programs.
The Kismet Rock Stars, consisting of Mr. Jewell, Ms. Laguerre, Mary Bastoni, Molly Campbell, Zebulon Jakub, Mike Jewell, Alain Comeau, Tony Iorfino and Mitch Scher, then took the stage for a set of dance music that had everyone out of their seats.
To learn more about or get involved with the long term plans of the organization, contact Janet Bergman, Project Director, at 603.986.9457 or janet@kismetrockfoundation.org.
Kismet student Josh Lee with founder and Director Mike Jewell. Photo by Brian Post.
The event committee extends its deepest gratitude for the long list of sponsors and donors who made the event possible:
Anne Skidmore Photography
Attitash Resorts
Badger Realty
Bear Notch Ski Touring Center
Becca Van Fleet Pottery
Bouret Photography
Brian Post Photography
Chinook Cafe
Christopher Noonan Oriental Rugs
Chuck Roast
Conway Historical Society
Cranmore Mountain Resort
Creative Expressions (Wanda Allen)
Debony’s Healthy Hair
Dutch Bloemen Winkel
Frechette Tire Co.
Front Side Grind
Finn Goodwin
Jerry Handren
Amee Hinkley
Horny Toad
Horsefeathers
Inn at Thorn Hill
Robert Irwin
Isis
Laura Johnson
Julbo
Lupine Pet Collars & Leads
Mammut (Eric Seifer)
Margarita Grill
Maui Jim
Museum of Science, Boston
Nereledge Inn
New England Aquarium
Renan Ozturk
Kris Pastoriza
Philbrick Photography
Polartec LLC
Randy Rackliff
Ragged Mountain Equipment
Kate Renner
RE/MAX Presidential-Drummond & Drummond
Rock & Ice Magazine
Saco Bound
Harrison Shull
Jim Siverts
Snowflake Inn
Sterling Rope
Stonehearth Open Learning Opportunities
T. Murray Wellness Center
The UPS Store North Conway
Urban Climber Magazine
Laura Waterman
Clint Willis
White Mountain Artisans Gallery
White Mountain Puzzles
Rick Wilcox
Wild Things, Inc.
Wildcat Service Station
About Kismet Rock Foundation: Based in North Conway, NH, Kismet Rock Foundation enhances the physical, intellectual and emotional development of well-functioning but economically disadvantaged children by providing access to the immense value of a comprehensive education in technical rock climbing. Kismet currently offers programs to students from Boston, MA, Manchester, NH and Bartlett, NH.
The Kismet Jubilee at Cranmore Mountain Resort. Photo by Brian Post
2008 Jubilee Auction highlight: Seacoast Air Tour
April 15, 2008 By Leave a Comment
Two Flight Tours for Two with Jim Siverts on his Diamond DA40 aircraft. Each flight is valued at $200+. Jim says that “The Diamond is a state of the art composite aircraft with the latest in computer glass panel avionics. I fly out of Portsmouth and can fly into Fryeburg or other airport convenient to the bidder.” You can download a pdf information piece.
