THE HUNT IS ON! If you like games, mystery, and adventure, then the Believe in Books Literacy Foundation has the perfect event for you. The Hunt for Literacy, a unique scavenger hunt throughout the White Mountains, will take place the weekend of May 17-18. Teams of up to six participants will hop in their cars and set off chasing clues and earning points for a chance to win a grand prize of $2,500 cash. New to the event this year is the choice of competing in a one, or two day event. Teams opting for the one day event have a chance of winning a $1,000 grand prize. The drive will lead participants to a variety of creative clue stops and challenging pit stops where either their brains, or their brawn, will earn points needed to continue the Hunt. All entry fees for the Hunt for Literacy go toward supporting the Believe in Books Literacy's Foundation's tremendous Outreach Reading Program, which now reaches over 1,300 households in Northern New Hampshire and Western Maine. For more information, or to register your team, call (603) 356-9980 or log on to the Hunt for Literacy. Registration is limited to the first 100 teams, so sign up today.

7th ANNUAL MWVCC GOLF TOURNAMENT Tee it up at Indian Mound Golf Club, Center Ossipee, NH on Friday, May 16th, 2008 for the 7th Annual MWVCC Golf Tournament. It's a Four-Person Scramble for players of all skill levels. Come and join your friends and colleagues for a day of fantastic golf, great food, special prizes and more! This event benefits the Mt Washington Valley Chamber of Commerce, and helps to support their efforts throughout the year. For more info contact Mary Carey Seavey, Events Manager at 603-356-5701 ext. 305 or Mary.

START PLANNING NOW FOR RALLY IN THE VALLEY Motorcycle travelers, mark June 14-22, 2008 on the calendar for eight days of exclusive offers and events in Mt Washington Valley. The Mount Washington Valley Chamber of Commerce and the Mt Washington Valley HOG Chapter invite all motorcyclists to experience Mountain Motorcycle Adventure in Mount Washington Valley, June 14-22, 2008. Motorcyclists looking for lakes, mountains, hills, curves, beautiful country roads, guided day trips, great food, live music, fantastic shopping, and so much more will find it all in Mt Washington Valley, along with an eight-day packed schedule of events, packages and brotherhood entirely geared toward motorcycle enthusiasts.

The eight-day event will feature different guided or self-guided rides each day including a Ride to the Sky up the Mount Washington Auto Road, where the road is "owned" exclusively by motorcycles. Additional themed rides include a covered bridge ride, Moose Hunt and Ladies Only ride. There will be fashion shows, fireworks and live entertainment, along with plenty of opportunity for brotherhood amidst the scenic beauty of the 660,000 acre White Mountain National Forest and Mt Washington Valley.

Plenty of lodging properties have come on board to offer lodging packages exclusively for Rally in the Valley participants. Wristbands offering discounts throughout the Valley will also be available through lodging packages. Packages start at under $50 per person per night. Many packages include plenty of extras like Jacuzzi suites, breakfast and dinner, special gifts and more. For a complete list of packages go to Rally in the Valley

MT WASHINGTON VALLEY SAYS BRING ON THE MUD Presidential contenders may have left New Hampshire, but there's plenty of mud slinging to come in Mt Washington Valley. Known for the "world's worst weather", Mt Washington Valley, NH has enjoyed a "mudder" of a winter with the second snowiest winter on record. When all the ice and snow melt, the waterfalls will roar and many locals will welcome the advent of spring with a little "mud in their eye". In Mt. Washington Valley, NH this is the season affectionately referred to as "Mud Season", when businesses roll out the brown carpet and invite travelers to come play in the mud capital of the universe. Mt. Washington Valley's Yankee proprietors know a good thing when they see it, and they're proud of their "dirty minds". For those who love to play in the mud, here are a few fabulous events tailored just for you

Spring Trail Running Series and "There's a black fly in my eye" 15k Trail Race at Great Glen Trails
Here's the chance for some competitive mud puddle splashing May through June. The spring Trail Running Series is an eight-week trail running series offering long and short course options for different age divisions, plus walking and running categories. Take on devious single track courses with plenty of muddy areas to splash in at Great Glen Trails. Also, on June 28, at 10am, don't miss the "Black Fly in My Eye" 15K Trail Race. Info: 603.466.3988, Great Glen Trails (click on Summer).

May 16-18: Home, Garden & Flower Show at Fryeburg Fairgrounds Come play in 60,000 square feet of exhibit space offering fabulous workshops, more than 200 exhibitors and products for making the most of mud and fun in the garden. Paul Parent, the Garden Guru and host of the Paul Parent Garden Show will be on hand to do some mud-slinging and advice giving. Of course, there's more than mud to this event and plenty of home products, specialty foods, natural furniture, cookware and more will join the garden and floral focus of this show. A Meet the Chefs series is a popular highlight with renowned local chefs offering demonstrations and tastings. Show hours are 11:00 am - 6:00 pm on Friday, 10:00 am - 6:00 pm on Saturday, and 10:00 am - 5:00 pm on Sunday. General admission tickets are $8, children ten and under are free. Info: 800-359-2033 or HGF Show.

MAY FAIRE IN SCHOULER PARK Plan your family visit to Mt Washington Valley the weekend of May 31 as children from the White Mountain Waldorf School create a Renaissance Faire. Dance around the May pole with children from the school along with the Harrisville Morris Women and the Jack in the Green Morris Dancers. Lemonade and strawberry shortcake will be in abundant supply so plan on attending this rain or shine event for a true Waldorf experience. For more information, visit WMWS.

ATTRACTIONS OPEN MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND A true sign of summer's impending arrival is the opening of Mt Washington Valley's family attractions. While some are already open, the official opening weekend for most is Memorial Day weekend, starting May 26th. Weekend operations continue for many until daily operations commence in late June. However, the schedule varies by attraction and some, like the Conway Scenic RR and Mt Washington Valley Auto Road start daily operations much earlier. For complete information on all of Mt Washington Valley's attractions, visit MWVCC and click on ATTRACTIONS.

WIN GETAWAYS AND GIFTS BY VISITING MTWASHINGTONVALLEY Be sure to visit the www.mtwashingtonvalley.org to see the newly designed website for the Mt Washington Valley Chamber of Commerce. This easy-to-navigate website is the perfect resource for planning your getaway to Mt Washington Valley. Enter to win a number of contests on the site, and you may be packing your bags this summer or fall! There are a number of surveys which can result in winning a free gift too. Additionally, you'll find contests for Flower Show, Motorcycle and Fall Golf getaways. Simply complete the registration form or surveys and you may be on your way to a great getaway or gift from Mt Washington Valley Chamber of Commerce. Visit MWVCC and click on the CONTESTS button to learn more.

MOM RIDES FREE ON MOTHER'S DAY AT CONWAY SCENIC RR Bring your Mom to Conway Scenic RR on May 11, and Mom will ride free in Coach when accompanied by one or more of her children. Mom also rides free in the First Class car when accompanied by another paying adult and complimentary appetizers will be served on board First Class Cars. Reservations are suggested either by phone or on line. Departure to Bartlett will be at 11:30am (1-3/4hrs RT); and to Conway at 1:30pm & 3:00pm. For reservations, call 800-232-5251. For more information, visit Conway Scenic.

In keeping with our mud theme, Mt Washington Valley lodging properties have devised some creative ways to find fun in mud in Mt Washington Valley. Read on for great ways to "get dirty" in the Valley.

Now through May 18: MUDSLIDE AWAY AT SNOWVILLAGE INN, SNOWVILLE, NH The town may be named for snow, but once it's gone, guests will be mudsliding away every weekend here. The Snowvillage Inn Mudslide package includes the best available accommodations for two nights, a full country breakfast each morning, dinner by candlelight each evening with a mudslide to start and mud pie for dessert all for $199 per person (double occupancy). Add a third night of lodging for just $49 per person. Info: 800-447-4345, Snow Village Inn.

Now through May: RIVERBEND INN B&B OFFERS "COME PLAY IN THE MUD", MUD, MASSAGE AND ROMANCE Discover the pleasures of Mud Season: no crowds or traffic, mild weather, and great deals! This spring Riverbend Inn will offer guests the glories of mud and massage with a two night packages for $499 per couple. "Mud"dle together in a deluxe king room for two nights, luxuriate with two one-hour massages and an organic mud mask, then top it off with mud-covered strawberries (chocolate dipped, actually) and an award-winning multi-course breakfasts for two, which include Mud Parfaits (fresh berries, yogurt, and granola) and Muddy Coffee Cake made with sour cream and blueberries. Who knew that playing in the mud could be so much fun for adults! Info: 800-628-6944, Riverbend Inn.