Thank you to Alex Drummond and Jim Drummond of Drummond & Drummond Real Estate and RE/MAX Presidential North Conway, who recently became Sustaining Sponsors of the 2008 Jubilee!
Patrick Gavin Middle School, our newest sending school
February 25, 2008 By Leave a Comment
Badger Realty to Sponsor Jubilee ’08
February 22, 2008 By Leave a Comment
Badger Realty of North Conway is our newest Sustaining Sponsor for the upcoming Jubilee event!
Special thanks to Brenda Leavitt and Meg Simone of Badger for making this new connection.
When: May 17
Where: Cranmore Mountain Resort
Invitations are mailed in April. Join the mailing list to receive yours!
Sponsorships are still being accepted for this event. Call 603 986 9457 or email us to learn more. Take advantage of this excellent cause marketing opportunity!
Kismet makes news in the Manchester Union Leader!
February 8, 2008 By Leave a Comment
Check out the article by Jim Fennell, Calling kids to Kismet Rock, in the Union Leader.
PRESS RELEASE: First Annual “The Art of Climbing” A Success
November 19, 2007 By Leave a Comment
Photo by Brian Post
CONWAY VILLAGE: November 18, 2007: It was a first in more ways than one: who knew that art and climbing could make such a successful combination?
On November 9th over one hundred guests attended Kismet Rock Foundation’s first ever The Art of Climbing event at Salyards Center for the Arts in Conway Village. Outdoor enthusiasts and art appreciators alike gathered to enjoy a climbing themed art opening followed by a captivating slideshow presentation by The North Face athlete Mark Synnott. The result was nearly $4,000 in donations and artwork purchases, with proceeds split between Kismet and Salyards.
“It was a most wonderful event held at the Salyards last Friday”, said Salyards Center for the Arts managing director Cindy Russell. “It was such a unique and superb presentation. I truly hope we can have a ‘second annual’ next fall.
Featured artists included painter Renan Ozturk and mixed media artist Emilie Lee. Local photographers included Anne Skidmore, Brian Post, Joe Klemintovich, A.J. Jones, Ashley Link, Brian Irwin and Rick Wilcox. Two jewelers, Kris Pastoriza and Karen Eisenberg, offered wearable climbing and nature-inspired pieces. Participating Jackson artists included oil painter Anne Garland, Randy Rackliff with his climbing-inspired woodcut prints, Stan Bodkins and Dick Devellian. Non-local contributing artists included Mike Shore, George Bouret, Harrison Shull, Mark Richey, Martha Davis and R. Todd Shaffer. Climbing literature from writers Clint Willis and Laura Waterman was also featured.
Special thanks to Mark Synnott for donating his slideshow presentation and gathering The North Face giveaways. Thanks also to Mike Jewell, Kismet’s executive director and master pianist, for donating musical entertainment; to Louise Perry of Vintage Frameworks for offering discounts to participating artists and providing easels for the event; to Joe Quirk of the Majestic Theatre for assistance with the slideshow technology and to Steven Hartmann & Laura Glassover of Nereledge Inn for offering lodging discounts. The Art of Climbing event atmosphere was greatly enhanced by Cafe Noche’s food and beverage bar as well.
Kismet Rock Foundation offers comprehensive and technical courses in rock climbing and mountaineering to young people who, because of financial and cultural limitations, do not have access to such an education. Kismet’s annual campaign is now underway, with a goal of raising $40,000 by the year’s end. Learn more by visiting www.kismetrockfoundation.org or send a check to Kismet Rock Foundation, P.O. Box 1744, North Conway, NH 03860.
November 9 Benefit Art Show: “The Art of Climbing”
October 11, 2007 By Leave a Comment
(Post card art by Renan Ozturk; Design by Anne Skidmore. Join the Kismet mailing list to receive your post card invite.)
The Art of Climbing: Art Show with Slide Show by Mark Synnott is coming to the Salyards Center for the Arts on November 9. Proceeds from the event, featuring artwork and literature with climbing themes, will benefit Kismet Rock Foundation and the newly renovated Salyards Center for the Arts.
The evening will begin at 6:00 at Salyards Center for the Arts, located at 110 Main Street, Conway, NH next to the Conway Historical Society and across the street from the town park. Featured work will have a distinct slant towards the culture of climbing. At 7:30, world renowned The North Face athlete Mark Synnott, a long time local to the Mount Washington Valley, will present a slideshow about his globe-spanning adventures.
A $10 suggested donation will be accepted at the door and artwork and books will be for sale with proceeds equally benefiting Kismet and Salyards.
For more information about The Art of Climbing event, including contributing as an artist, contact Heidi Lewis, Kismet Rock Foundation, 603-383-9928 or email Heidi.
Contributing artists to include:
Stan Bodkins
George Bouret
Dick Devellian
Anne Garland
AJ Jones
Emilie Lee
Ashley Link
Renan Ozturk
Kris Pastoriza
Brian Post
Randy Rackliff
Mike Shore
Harrison Shull
Anne Skidmore
Laura Waterman
Rick Wilcox
Clint Willis
Special thanks to Brian Post, Anne Skidmore and Ruthann Brown for volunteer contributions for the event.
PRESS RELEASE: Special Edition TShirt Created to Benefit Kismet
July 18, 2007 By Leave a Comment
Outdoor Equipment Manufacturers and Retailers Team Up to Create Limited Edition T-Shirts
100% of proceeds will benefit Kismet Rock Foundation, a rock climbing educational program for New England youth.
North Conway, NH, July 2007: Polartec LLC, of Lawrence, MA and Ragged Mountain Equipment, of Intervale, NH teamed up recently to create unique t-shirts, the proceeds of which will benefit Kismet Rock Foundation, a New Hampshire rock climbing educational program.
“We have observed Kismet’s unique programs for many years, and it is apparent they are changing children’s lives by offering an opportunity they might not have had otherwise,” says Ruthann Brown of Polartec. “This is our way of supporting their efforts”.
The limited edition t-shirts are made from a variety of Polartec fabrics and colors, cut for women and men, and can be bought for $20 each at retailers including International Mountain Equipment, Ragged Mountain Equipment and Wild Things, all of whom have donated shelf space for the special project. The fabric, stitching, embroidery and hang tags were also donated, so 100% of proceeds will go to Kismet rock climbing education programs.
“We are thrilled about this unique project,” says Janet Bergman, Kismet Development Coordinator. “Polartec and Ragged Mountain Equipment have been so generous in arranging for the t-shirts to be made and distributed. Plus International Mountain Equipment and Wild Things are donating shelf space, making this a true community effort.”
Kismet Rock Foundation summer programming starts this coming Monday, July 23, in North Conway, New Hampshire.
Kismet Rock Foundation, founded in 1999, enhances the physical, intellectual and emotional development of well-functioning but economically disadvantaged children by providing access to the immense value of a comprehensive and multi-dimensional education in technical rock climbing. Kismet students travel from Boston, MA, Manchester, NH and Bartlett NH for unique one week educational programs. The summer program session starts July 23. Find them online at www.kismetrockfoundation.org.
Polartec, LLC is the creator of Polartec fabrics the most advanced performance textiles available today. Polartec started as the original synthetic fleece and now offers a collection of over 300 different fabrics designed to keep you warm, dry, and most importantly, comfortable in a variety of outdoor activities. Polartec fabrics range from extremely lightweight base layer fabrics for long underwear and t-shirts to water repellent soft shells to flame resistant fabrics for the military.
Ragged Mountain Equipment, makers of quality outdoor clothing and equipment since 1978, is still going strong up in Intervale, New Hampshire. We manufacture quality handcrafted technical outdoor clothing, outdoor accessories and outdoor clothing and equipment, as well as operate a full retail shop filled with camping and climbing equipment, telemark skis, tents, backpacks, sleeping bags, hiking boots, alpine and mountaineering equipment, and lots of other outdoor eqipment, clothing and gear you’ll need for your next adventure. Outdoor clothing and technical outdoor equipment With Ragged Mountain labels are still handcrafted in our shop in Intervale, NH.
Photo:
The Kismet TShirt Project Supporters. From Left to Right: Titoune Meunier (Wild Things), Rob Nadler (behind, Ragged Mountain Equipment), Janet Bergman (Kismet), Michael Jewell (Kismet), Ruthann Brown (Polartec, LLC), Heidi Lewis (Kismet) and Alec Behr (International Mountain Equipment):
Jubilee a success!!
June 4, 2007 By Leave a Comment
The Eagle Mountain Carriage House was packed last Saturday with Kismet supporters who shared in great food, spirited company, and an entertaining mix of music by the Kismet Rock Stars.
Several Kismet students and Vicki Varrichione, a Bartlett/Jackson guidance counselor and family support liaison, gave moving testimonials of their experiences with the organization.
New this year, and very popular with guests, was a silent auction. Forty items and packages–including artwork, weekend getaways, outdoor gear, signed books, and more– brought $3,400 in donations to Kismet’s educational programming.
Thank you to all who attended! As always, we welcome feedback and suggestions on how to make the event even more enjoyable. Look for a full report on the event in the upcoming Summer Newsletter. Make sure you receive the newsletter by joining our mailing list.
Many thanks to all who made it possible!
The Event Steering Committee
The Kismet Rock Stars
The Kismet Board of Directors
The Auction and Door Prize Donors:
Anne Skidmore Photography
Aquaboggan Water Park
Jane Biggio
Black Diamond
Boston Museum of Science
Ruthann Brown
Carriage House Spa @ Christmas Farm Inn
Chinook Cafe
Debony’s
Downeast Whitewater
Eastern Mountain Sports
Healing with Hands
Horny Toad Outfitters
Horsefeathers Restaurant
International Mountain Equipment
The Inn at Thorn Hill
Brian Irwin
Isis
Julbo, Nick Yardley
Kemplemedia
La Sportiva, Doug Madara
S. Peter Lewis, TMC Books
Maine Rock Gym
Mammut, Eric Siefer
Maui Jim
May Kelly’s Restaurant
Mike Jewell
Nereledge Inn
N’east Magazine
New England Aquarium
Kristina Pastoriza
Pleasant Street Massage, Wendy Yager
Portland Symphony Orchestra
Ragged Mountain
Ripple Effect
Saco Bound
Sky Ambitions, Dave & Kristin Karl
The Sound Resort
SOLO Schools
Stefi Reed Hastings
Sterling Rope Co., Sonya Becker
Storyland
T. Murray Wellness Center
Laura Waterman
Wild Things
Wildcat Service Station
Clint Willis
