Year: 2021

Quality of Life 21/02/04

Lots of student loans

A recent study that looked at student loan debt nationwide ranked New Hampshire ninth for the most people with student loans. The study was done by AdvisorSmith, a small business research website, which analyzed data from the U.S. Department of Education to find the states with the highest student loan balances and states with the most student loans outstanding. According to the study, in New Hampshire 14 percent of the population has an outstanding federal student loan.

Score: -1

Comment: On the bright side, the average loan balance in New Hampshire is $33,459 — which is slightly lower than the national average. At the end of 2020 the average student loan debt held in the federal student loan portfolio was $36,510 per borrower, according to the study.

Granite State for the golden years

Retirees are faring better than students in the Granite State, it seems; New Hampshire ranked 10th in a recent study that looked at the best states for retirees in 2021. Last week, the personal finance website WalletHub released the report, which looked at factors like affordability, health and overall quality of life. While the state didn’t exactly score high marks for affordability — ranking 30th — it came in at No. 1 for quality of life and ninth for health care.

Score: +1

Comment: Quality of life is key (that’s why we weigh in on it on this very page every week!), but bringing that affordability ranking down a bit would make the state’s QOL even better, no?

Tough loss for gift store owners

Countryberries, a gift store in Deerfield, was destroyed by a fire on the morning of Jan. 29, according to a report from WMUR. The shop is a total loss, and there is no word yet on the cause. The owners, Bruce and Kathy Graham, who live in the house adjacent to the shop, were asleep when the fire started but awoke in time to get out safely, according to a message that the couple’s daughter, Kelly, posted on the store’s Facebook page. “We built the shop in 1997 with the help of family and friends, but as so many of you know, Countryberries was more than just a building on the Graham property (or a room in their house many many years ago),” the post reads. “It has been a dream, a passion, and part of the Graham family since May 1991.”

Score: -2

Comment: The post on Facebook said that although the family is devastated, they are grateful that no one was hurt and that the Graham’s family home of 36 years was not destroyed in the fire.

The Plunge is on

The Special Olympics of New Hampshire’s Penguin Plunge will go on this year, giving brave plungers a chance to raise funds for the program, which is still supporting its athletes by offering fun activities even while they’re at home. There’s still time to sign up and meet fundraising minimums before taking the plunge, which can be done anytime in any non-frozen body of water (the event normally takes place at Hampton Beach) between now and Feb. 7. According to a press release, signing up at sonh.com will get you a link to the fundraising platform, which can be used on any social media.

Score: +1

Comment: If you run into the ocean in the middle of winter and no one is around to see it, did you really run into the ocean?

QOL score: 56

Net change: -1

QOL this week: 55

What’s affecting your Quality of Life here in New Hampshire? Let us know at [email protected].

Super Bowl questions

The 55th Super Bowl comes your way on Sunday to conclude a season marked by disruptions, limited fans in the stands, and other craziness of the pandemic season. I’m among the dwindling group who’s seen all 55 and given the QB match-up it’s one of my more highly anticipated when I haven’t got a dog in the hunt. Yeah, I know, you-know-who is back for his incredible 10th SB, this time with Tampa Bay. But that’s an “I want him to do well, I don’t want him to win” rooting toss-up. Plus I love watching how the KC Chiefs play.

Starting with “Will KC’s 27-24 win over TB in Week 12 matter?” here are some of the questions I’ll be looking to have answered as the opening kickoff goes airborne at 6:35 p.m. Sunday on CBS.

Is KC As Good As They Seem? I know Pat Mahomes is. Ditto for Tyreek Hill and Travis Kelce, and their defense is better than most think. But with Sammy Watkins and their two top running backs sidelined they’ve relied on Hill and Kelce an awful lot. Though it didn’t hurt in the 38-14 win over Buffalo to get here. To win, Bill Belichick always looks to shut down the No. 1 option. But who’s the number option? The more dangerous Hill, or first-down machine Kelce? Watkins is questionable, but it looks like Clyde Edwards-Helaire will play and that should help. Not unbeatable, but really dangerous.

How Good Is TB’s Defense? Their linebackers are fast to the ball. Especially Devin White, who’s had a great playoffs so far. And while they don’t have a huge sack guy, in Jason Pierre Paul (9.5), White (9.0), Shaquil Barrett (8.5) and Ndamukong Suh (6.0) they have an array of guys who create pressure from different directions. So it can create problems.

Will Having Home Field Matter for TB? No team has ever played a Super Bowl in their own stadium as Tampa Bay will Sunday, though the Rams basically were home at the Rose Bowl in nearby Pasadena when they lost 31-19 to Pittsburgh in SB14, and five years later the 49ers walloped Miami 38-16 in nearby Palo Alto at Stanford. But with that a split they’re no help. It also won’t be a “hometown crowd” as the majority are out-of-town neutrals, made an even smaller factor with the pandemic-induced 25 percent max capacity. So the biggest difference could be without the usual who-ha festival environment factor seeming more like just a “regular game.” Normally home field gives home teams a three-point edge. I’ll give it just a one-point bump and only because having it can’t hurt.

At What Point is Tom Brady’s Overall SB Record a Consideration? It irritates me that evaluating quarterbacks comes down to just counting their rings. Like they’re the only ones who had anything to do with the wins. Pardon me for thinking Tedy Bruschi, Richard Seymour, Julian Edelman and Malcolm Butler and many othershad something to do with Brady’s six. The point is you need a team to get there. Then there’s Joe Montana, never lost in four tries. Ditto for Terry Bradshaw, and Troy Aikman was 3-0 in the ’90s. And while Brady was 3-0 before (gulp) losing the undefeated season to the G-Men in SB42, if Tampa loses Sunday Brady will tie Jim Kelly for most losses with four. If he gets credit for the wins, shouldn’t his record losses be taken into account in the “greatest ever” discussion? As should the team you played for? Because if Kelly had Adam V instead of Scott Norwood, he’d be 1-3 at least, not 0-4. So which number is most significant for TB, 6, 4, 6-4 or 10?

Friends, Romans, Countrymen: Using Roman numerals was quaint through the first 10 years. But now at 55 it’s nuts, because no one younger than, say 1,982 years old has a clue what L, V or X means. For instance, I look at the list of all the games on Wikipedia and see the aforementioned 2007 game is SBXLII and go, “What? Does X = 30 and L = 10 to make it 42? Or does it mean X = 50 and L is -10?” Confusing it even further is that the game for the 2007 title was played in 2008. And if Roman numerals are so great, why is the 50th game called Super Bowl 50? That’s stupidest of all, when you see it in a list with all the others with X’s, L’s and V’s. For the love of god just give us real numbers and leave chariot races, Julius Caesar and those dang numerals to the Romans.

Key to KC Win: We all know how to beat Brady: with pressure up the middle. It prevents him from stepping up into the pocket, makes him hurry throws and is tough to throw over. If I’m KC my defensive game plan is built around that.

Key to TB Win: They have to put Mahomes on the ground, which should be a little easier with left tackle Eric Fisher now lost to a torn Achilles tendon. The problem is you can’t miss him, because he’s deadly outside the pocket where he’s great throwing on the run and has a knack for getting to the sticks for first downs on third and long.

Will There Be An X-Factor? For TB it was Scott Miller somehow getting behind the Green Bay defense for a game-altering TD with one second left in the first half of the NFC Conference game. This week I’ll go KC’s Mecole Hardman, whose dazzling speed produces a special teams TD or big plays from scrimmage like that 50-yard run off a Jets sweep vs. Buffalo.

Who Wins: Take the (gulp) under (57.5) in a 31-24 KC win.

If you build it…

Performing Arts Center moves into construction phase

After four years of planning, construction on the Nashua Performing Arts Center is set to begin this month. The 750-seat venue, located on Main Street in the space formerly occupied by Alec’s Shoes, is scheduled to open in late spring 2022. Richard Lannan, president of Nashua Community Arts, which is overseeing the project, talked about how the venue is coming along.

What progress has been made on the Nashua Performing Arts Center so far?

The history goes back a few years ago when a committee was formed to find a consultant to do a study to determine if Nashua could support a performing arts center and, if so, how big could it be and where could it be located and so forth. The study came back [and revealed] that, yes, Nashua can, in fact, support it, so we started talking about size and possible locations. … We had determined that a size in the 750-seat range was the sweet spot for what Nashua could support and still be profitable, and that the Alec’s Shoes building was by far the best location; it could handle the size, has an abundance of parking available [nearby] and is in the heart of downtown, walking distance to restaurants and bars and shops. … Then, the mayor appointed a steering committee of 12 people. It included four … aldermen and individuals from the arts community and from downtown, so it was a pretty diverse group. … The [first] of the steering committee’s goals was to hire a team … for the architecture, construction and operation. … There was a bond approved by the City of Nashua to fund the performing arts center [with the condition that] an additional $4 million be raised privately in order to get it off the ground. … We did end up raising the $4 million that was necessary and were able to close out the transactions [with the contractors] in the middle of December.

How did Covid affect the progress?

Nashua Community Arts had already started [raising private funds] and was pretty successful in late 2019 and early 2020, but when Covid hit, we weren’t sure what was going to happen, so we pulled back and were kind of on a hiatus for four or five months. … But even with the pandemic, there was still a lot of interest and desire in the Performing Arts Center, and people were still donating, so we decided to start back up again and be more aggressive to raise the money. … So, [Covid] probably did hurt us a little bit — we might have been able to get to our [fundraising] goal a few months earlier — but we still made it in time.

What are you working on now?

We’ve been planning with the subcontractors to get everything in line, and everything is pretty much lined up to start construction as early as [this month]. … Nashua Community Arts is continuing to fundraise. We’ve kicked off a name-a-seat campaign where people are able to donate and get a plaque on the arm of the chair that could be their name or a name in memory of someone or a company name. We’ll continue to do that program until all of the seats are taken. … Spectacle Management, which will be in complete management of the property, from the maintenance to the concession stands to booking performances, is already gearing up to take over when it opens. They’re [setting up] their social media and already have a Facebook page, and they’re even having some conversations about future performances to book.

What kinds of events will the Performing Arts Center host?

We’re striving to make it very versatile. The whole bottom level’s seats are designed to roll back into a wall, so we could have a flat floor and set up tables for a corporate banquet or a wedding or whatever kind of event. Then, we could roll the seats back out and have a concert or comedy show or book signing. … If we were having a rock concert or something like that, we could also roll the seats back to make it a standing room. We can actually fit up to 1,000 people if we do that.

What is this going to do for Nashua?

Theater events end up bringing a lot of people into the city and create vibrancy downtown. People may come a little early or stay after the event and walk around downtown, grab a bite to eat or a couple of drinks or do some shopping. … It’s also going to employ a lot of people, not only out of the performing arts center itself, but also in downtown, because if [downtown businesses] are doing well, that may create more jobs around the city. It’s all a domino effect.

Featured photo: Richard Lannan. Courtesy photo.

News & Notes 21/02/04

Covid-19 updateAs of January 25As of February 1
Total cases statewide62,76866,058
Total current infections statewide5,6274,662
Total deaths statewide9901,059
New cases4,904 (Jan. 19 to Jan. 25)3,290 (Jan. 26 to Feb. 1)
Current infections: Hillsborough County1,9941,587
Current infections: Merrimack County420389
Current infections: Rockingham County1,2781,096
Information from the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services

Covid-19 news

On Jan. 26, the first vaccine doses to Granite Staters in Phase 1B of the state’s distribution plan began. “New Hampshire’s rollout of Phase 1B has been very successful with over 300,000 individuals registering to receive their vaccine in just one week,” Gov. Chris Sununu said in a Jan. 29 press release. According to that release, the state sent out emails to people in Phase 1B who have received their first dose of the vaccine but had not yet scheduled a second dose, or scheduled an appointment that is several weeks away. “We are leaving no stone unturned when it comes to speeding up the process, including opening up additional appointments for individuals to receive their second dose,” Sununu said in the release.

As of Feb. 2, additional second dose appointments were made available at vams.cdc.gov. “In order to accommodate the entire statewide vaccination campaign, we’ve added additional locations in partnership with our hospitals,” Dr. Beth Daly, Chief of the Bureau of Infectious Disease Control of the New Hampshire Department of Health & Human Services, said during a Jan. 26 press conference, “so we currently have 22 sites that are open to the public.” During the same press conference, state epidemiologist Dr. Benjamin Chan said that, while the test-positivity rates and hospitalization numbers due to Covid-19 continue to be on the decline over the last several weeks, the overall level of community transmission remains very high statewide. The following day, Jan. 27, New Hampshire surpassed 1,000 deaths since the start of the pandemic last March, according to the daily public health update.

On Jan. 29, Sununu and the governors of each of the five other New England states and New Jersey issued a joint statement extending the suspension of all interstate youth hockey competitions for public and private schools through at least March 31. A regional suspension had previously been in place through Dec. 31 before it was then extended to Jan. 31. The prohibition does not impact interstate collegiate, professional or national hockey team activities, according to the statement.

Details on Sununu’s emergency orders, executive orders and other announcements can be found at governor.nh.gov.

Support local

The state has launched a marketing campaign called “Support Local: Go the Extra Mile” to help boost the local businesses as they struggle through the economic fallout of the pandemic, according to a press release. Economic development and tourism officials will run the campaign through March via ads on billboards, television spots and social media. The ads encourage residents to eat, shop and stay local, and there’s a new website with listings of New Hampshire businesses: supportlocal603.com. “While the resiliency, resourcefulness, and fierce determination of our industry has been on full display during these challenging times, we need the support of everyone in the state right now,” Mike Somers, president and CEO of the New Hampshire Lodging & Restaurant Association, said in the release.

Housing assistance

On Jan. 26, the City of Manchester launched the Manchester Emergency Housing Assistance Program, which will allow residents with low or moderate incomes who have lost income due to the pandemic to receive grants of up to $4,500 to cover rent, mortgage payments or utilities, according to a press release. “Preventing and ending homelessness starts with making sure that those who are struggling to make ends meet remain housed,” Mayor Joyce Craig said in the release. Eligible applicants will be selected on a first-come, first-served basis. According to the release, the program is being funded with a Community Development Block Grant and federal funds provided to the city through the CARES Act.

Interim supers

The Nashua Board of Education voted last week to hire Garth McKinney as Superintendent of Schools and Mario Andrade as Assistant Superintendent for Elementary, according to a press release. They are both serving in an interim capacity until June 30. McKinney is taking the place of Jahmal Mosley, who has taken a job as a superintendent in Massachusetts; he will continue in an advisory capacity to the Office of Superintendent until the end of the school year. McKinney is the current Assistant Superintendent for Elementary for the Nashua School District, and Andrade started the school year as Principal of Elm Street Middle School in an interim capacity, according to the release.

The Friends of Norris Cotton Cancer Center in Lebanon announced last week that registration is now open for the 40th annual Prouty, a fundraising event that combines cycling, walking, rowing, golfing and more. According to a press release, this year’s event will be virtual, with potential in-person options depending on safety and health guidelines. In honor of its 40th year, the Prouty will take place over the course of 40 days — June 1 through July 10 — and virtual participants can do whatever activity they want anywhere at any time. Visit theprouty.org.

The Christa McAuliffe Commemorative Coin became available for pre-order on Jan. 28, the 35th anniversary of the Challenger tragedy, at catalog.usmint.gov. According to a press release, the coin honors Christa McAuliffe, the Concord teacher who died aboard the Space Shuttle Challenger in 1986, and proceeds will promote STEM education.

The SEE Science Center in Manchester is hosting its adult science discussion series, Science on Tap, virtually on Tuesday, Feb. 9. The informal discussion this month is Covid-19: Lessons Learned. According to a press release, local science and health care professionals will talk about the virus and the vaccines, and how the response to this virus will impact the medical field in the future. Admission is free, but sign-up is required at see-sciencecenter.org.

NH gets vaccinated

WMUR reported that on Jan. 22, nearly 150,000 people signed up within the first 10 hours of Phase 1b opening for a Covid-19 vaccine. According to the Department of Health and Human Services, by Jan. 27 this number had increased to 200,000 with another 50,000 signed up by their health care provider. This phase includes anybody 65+ years of age, as well as those with certain health conditions, and others who qualify because of where they work. All totaled, there are about 300,000 in this group. That is an impressive response from our New Hampshire residents, and it gives me hope that the end is on the horizon for a pandemic that has taken so much.
While we’re off to an ambitious start, I continue to hear concern and hesitation about taking the vaccine. Given how quickly both the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines received emergency authorization, it is understandable. According to PBS NewsHour, the methodology that both of these vaccines utilize, however, messenger RNA (mRNA), is not new. mRNA has been studied for 50 to 60 years, not only for vaccines but also for cancer treatment. Scientists and researchers have been studying how to utilize mRNA with RSV, MERS and SARS viruses since the early 2000s. Both Moderna and Pfizer built on science that had been collected for many years, thus enabling Moderna to design its vaccine in just two days. After development, both vaccines were required to go through the normal three phases of trials encompassing nearly 70,000 people in the Phase 3 trials. Both companies reported efficacy of approximately 95 percent.
This vaccine is not mandatory. People are free to choose whether or not to receive the vaccine based on their personal circumstances and personal health situation. The decision should be made after fully understanding the facts. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention offers factual information on the vaccines (cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/faq.html), and the State of New Hampshire’s Covid-19 website (nh.gov/covid19/) is very informative.
We must achieve herd immunity for the pandemic to end. The World Health Organization states that herd immunity should be achieved through vaccination rather than through exposure to the pathogen that causes the disease. To achieve herd immunity, most experts agree between 75 to 80 percent of the population needs to be vaccinated. Will New Hampshire be first in the nation again and lead the country out of this pandemic? It seems as though we are well on our way.

Romantic eats

Special dinners, desserts and more for Valentine’s Day

From special dine-in menus to takeout dinners and desserts, local restaurants, bakeries and candymakers have you covered this Valentine’s Day. For those that require reservations, be sure to call or check online on availability, as seatings fill up fast. Do you know of a special Valentine’s Day dinner or menu in New Hampshire not on this list? Let us know at [email protected]. 

• Angela’s Pasta & Cheese Shop (815 Chestnut St., Manchester, 625-9544, angelaspastaandcheese.com) is taking orders for specialty Valentine’s Day dinners for two, which feature your choice of either sweet pea and pancetta bisque or local greens and baby arugula salad; an entree (lamb tenderloins, macadamia-crusted Chilean sea bass or chicken and heirloom tomato saute); sides (roasted beefsteak tomatoes and wild mushroom risotto); and assorted mini petit fours and mignon mini pastries for dessert. The cost is $74.95 and includes wine ($69.95 without wine). Order by Feb. 8. Pickups are on Saturday, Feb. 13, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

• Ashley’s Eats & Sweets ([email protected], find them on Facebook) is taking orders for a variety of specialty items for Valentine’s Day, like milk, dark or white chocolate-covered strawberries, strawberry white chocolate macarons, cocoa bombs, heart-shaped iced sugar cookies and more. Order by Feb. 6. Orders will be ready for pickup or delivery on Saturday, Feb. 13.

• Atkinson Resort & Country Club (85 Country Club Drive, Atkinson, 362-8700, atkinsonresort.com) will serve a special multi-course dinner for Valentine’s Day on Saturday, Feb. 13, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Courses include brie en croute with orange preserves, antipasto insalata, petite filet mignon with demi-glace and chicken pomodoro and chocolate-dipped strawberries, macaroons and cheesecake lollipops. The cost is $75 per person. A cash bar will also be available.

• Averill House Vineyard (21 Averill Road, Brookline, 244-3165, averillhousevineyard.com) will serve a special five-course dinner and wine and chocolate pairing all Valentine’s Day weekend, with seatings on Friday, Feb. 12, and Saturday, Feb. 13, from 5:30 to 8 p.m., and on Sunday, Feb. 14, from 4:30 to 7 p.m. The cost is $89 per person.

• The Bakeshop on Kelley Street (171 Kelley St., Manchester, 624-3500, thebakeshoponkelleystreet.com) is taking orders for several treats for Valentine’s Day, like chocolate-dipped strawberries, crispy cream puffs, strawberry white chocolate or chocolate mousse gateaux, heart-shaped cream tarts, assorted cupcakes and chocolate molten lava cake.

• Bearded Baking Co. (819 Union St., Manchester, 647-7150, beardedbaking.com) is taking orders for “date night dessert boxes” for Valentine’s Day for $50 each, featuring assorted treats like cupcakes, cocoa bombs, chocolate-covered strawberries, cookies, brownies, cakesicles and chocolate-covered pretzels. Smaller-sized boxes of cupcakes ($10) and chocolate-covered strawberries ($10) are also available. Order by Feb. 6.

• Bedford Village Inn (2 Olde Bedford Way, Bedford, 472-2001, bedfordvillageinn.com) will serve a special four-course prix fixe menu for Valentine’s Day on Sunday, Feb. 14, with seating times from 5 to 9:30 p.m. The cost is $89 per person ($300 for each additional couple) and reservations are required. This year, the Bedford Village Inn is also offering a special “Valentine’s Day Takeaway” package that you can enjoy at home, featuring a three-course dinner for two and select wines, complete with cooking instructions and housemade bread and Vermont butter. The cost is $135 per couple. Order by Feb. 7. Pickups are on Friday, Feb. 12, and Saturday, Feb. 13, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

• Birch Wood Vineyards (199 Rockingham Road, Derry, 965-4359, birchwoodvineyards.com) will serve a special multi-course Valentine’s Day dinner on Sunday, Feb. 14, from 5 to 8 p.m., featuring items like oyster oaxacafeller, frisee salad, surf and turf of short rib and stuffed shrimp, and chocolate strawberry martinis. 

• Buckley’s Great Steaks (438 Daniel Webster Hwy., Merrimack, 424-0995, buckleysgreatsteaks.com) is taking reservations online now for Valentine’s Day, serving its regular menu with specials.

• Buckley’s Market & Cafe (9 Market Place, Hollis, 465-5522, find them on Facebook @buckleysmarketcafehollis) is taking orders for Valentine’s Day “dinner for two” takeout boxes, featuring shrimp cocktail, a bottle of Prima prosecco, a surf and turf dinner of pan seared filet mignon and crab cake, roasted potatoes, spinach, tomatoes, Madeira demi-glace and remoulade, and white chocolate creme brulee and chocolate-covered strawberries for dessert. The cost is $90 per box. Order by Feb. 10. Pickups are Saturday, Feb. 13, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., and Sunday, Feb. 14, from 8 a.m. to noon.

• The Cake Fairy (114 Londonderry Turnpike, Hooksett, 518-8733, cakefairynh.com) is taking orders for several specialty treats for Valentine’s Day, like chocolate-covered strawberry cheesecake, heart-shaped cookies or cheesecakes, assorted breakfast pastries and more. Pickups are on Saturday, Feb. 13, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

• Candy Kingdom (235 Harvard St., Manchester, 641-8470, candykingdom.shop) has a variety of specialty treats available for Valentine’s Day, like chocolate-dipped strawberries, assorted heart-shaped boxes of chocolates and more.

• Caroline’s Fine Food (132 Bedford Center Road, Bedford, 637-1615, carolinesfood.com) is offering special Valentine’s Day dinners for two. Entree options include beef tenderloin with port demi, roasted duck breast with cherry gastrique, horseradish-encrusted salmon with sauteed haricot verts, or pan seared chicken breast with porcini cream and roasted asparagus. All dinners come with shallot whipped potatoes and your choice of either pot de creme or baby lemon cake. The cost ranges from $75 to $90 per order. Order by Feb. 9 at 2 p.m. Pickups are on Friday, Feb. 12.

• Cask & Vine (1 E. Broadway, Derry, 965-3454, caskandvine.com) is taking reservations for Valentine’s Day on Sunday, Feb. 14, when various specials will be served.

• Cava Tapas & Wine Bar (10 Commercial Alley, Portsmouth, 319-1575, cavatapasandwinebar.com) will serve its annual aphrodisiac tasting menu for Valentine’s Day on Saturday, Feb. 13, and Sunday, Feb. 14, featuring items like yellowfin tuna, scallops and saffron, cherries and figs and more. The cost is $75 per person and reservations are required.

• City Moose Cafe & Catering Co. (30 Temple St., Nashua, 943-5078, citymoosenh.com) is taking orders for fully prepared four-course meals for Valentine’s Day, which include your choice of housemade lobster chowder or corn chowder, a “cupid” salad with local hydroponic greens, pomegranate and goat cheese, airline chicken with house pan gravy and petite filets of beef with house demi sauce, and chocolate ganache tart with Champagne berry compote. Order by noon on Feb. 8. Pickups are on Saturday, Feb. 13, between 11 a.m. and noon.

• Colby Hill Inn (33 The Oaks, Henniker, 428-3281, colbyhillinn.com) will celebrate Valentine’s Day on Sunday, Feb. 14, with a chocolate lover’s brunch from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., and a three-course prix fixe menu from 4 to 8 p.m. The cost is $45 for the brunch and $70 for the dinner menu. Reservations are required.

• The Common Man (25 Water St., Concord, 228-3463; 304 Daniel Webster Hwy., Merrimack, 429-3463; 88 Range Road, Windham, 898-0088; Lakehouse Grille, 281 Daniel Webster Hwy., Meredith, 279-5221; 10 Pollard Road, Lincoln, 745-3463; 21 Water St., Claremont, 542-6171; Foster’s Boiler Room, 231 Main St., Plymouth, 536-2764; 60 Main St., Ashland, 968-7030; Lago, 1 Route 25, Meredith, 279-2253; Italian Farmhouse, 337 Daniel Webster Hwy., Plymouth, 536-4536; Airport Diner, 2280 Brown Ave., Manchester, 623-5040; Tilt’n Diner, 61 Laconia Road, Tilton, 286-2204; 104 Diner, 752 Route 104, New Hampton, 744-0120; thecman.com) is taking orders for “Sweetheart Suppers To Go,” or three-course Valentine’s Day dinners for two, that feature crab, spinach and artichoke dip, petite filet and lobster tail, and white chocolate mousse, almond and raspberry torte. The cost is $74.95 per meal for two and includes optional chocolate-covered strawberries for an additional $14.95 per four. Order by Feb. 7. Pickups are on Saturday, Feb. 13.

• Copper Door Restaurant (15 Leavy Drive, Bedford, 488-2677; 41 S. Broadway, Salem, 458-2033; copperdoor.com) will serve a special prix fixe dinner menu for one day only for Valentine’s Day, on Sunday, Feb. 14. The cost varies depending on the number of courses ($59 per two-course meal, $69 per three-course meal or $79 per four-course meal). Options include crispy Brussels sprouts, shrimp-stuffed mushrooms, chicken rangoons, roasted beet and potato soup, kale and lemon panzanella salad, five-onion gratinee, caprese stuffed chicken, sesame ginger pork chop, cedar roasted salmon, lobster ravioli, red velvet cupcakes, strawberry shortcake, and bittersweet molten chocolate cake. Reservations are strongly recommended.

• Copper Kettle To Go (39 Main St., Wilton, 654-2631, copperkettletogo.com) is taking orders for special Valentine’s “date boxes,” which come with your choice of either a bottle of Champagne or a four-pack of craft beer, plus heart ravioli, pasta sauce, real Italian ricotta and two cupcakes spiked with strawberries and cream liqueur. The cost is $74.95 per box. All boxes will be ready for pickup on Saturday, Feb. 13.

• Cotton (75 Arms St., Manchester, 622-5488, cottonfood.com) is accepting Valentine’s Day dinner reservations now, from Wednesday, Feb. 10, through Sunday, Feb. 14, from 4 to 8:30 p.m. each day. Online reservations can be made through OpenTable.

• The Cozy Tea Cart (104 Route 13, Brookline, 249-9111, thecozyteacart.com) will hold a Valentine’s Day afternoon tea on Sunday, Feb. 7, from 1 to 3 p.m. at the Gatherings at The Colonel Shepard House (29 Mont Vernon St., Milford). The cost is $39.95 per person and reservations are required.

• The Crown Tavern (99 Hanover St., Manchester, 218-3132, thecrownonhanover.com) will be open on Sunday, Feb. 14, from 4 to 8 p.m., serving its regular dinner menu with Valentine’s Day specials.

• Cupcakes 101 (132 Bedford Center Road, Bedford, 488-5962, cupcakes101.net) is taking orders for customizable goodie baskets for Valentine’s Day, which can include items like cake pops, chocolate-covered strawberries, chocolate-covered pretzels, chocolate bark and more.

• Dahlia Restaurant (dahlianomadic.com) is taking reservations for a six-course prix fixe menu for Valentine’s Day, with seatings at 5 and 7:30 p.m. on multiple days, beginning Feb. 7. Dinners will be served at The Birch on Elm (931 Elm St., Manchester) and are $175 per person. Among the courses are mushroom agnolotti with scallop, carrots and caviar; rib-eye with cauliflower puree, carrots and potatoes; and a buttermilk panna cotta with strawberry preserves, thyme and an almond crumble. Email [email protected] for the most up-to-date availability.

• Emilee’s Sweet Treats (find them on Facebook @emileessweettreats) is taking orders for cocoa bombs in a variety of flavors, like milk or dark chocolate with strawberry marshmallows, dark raspberry, amaretto, peanut butter, mint, salted caramel and more. Specialty orders are also available, like an “I Love You” four-pack of cocoa bombs, and a single heart-shaped cocoa bomb inside a heart box. Order by Feb. 3. Pickups are on Wednesday, Feb. 10, at the Manchester Craft Market (inside the Mall of New Hampshire).

• Fire and Spice Bistro (70 Route 108, Newfields, 418-7121, fireandspicebistro.com) will serve a special prix fixe dinner for two on Valentine’s Day Eve, Saturday, Feb. 13, from 4 to 9 p.m. The meal will include your choice of an appetizer (charcuterie platter, artisan cheeses, crab dip or half-dozen oysters on the half shell); a soup or salad; an entree (crabapple braised beef short ribs, wild mushroom risotto, Korean barbecue pulled pork gnocchi and cheese, mussels fra diavolo ramen bowl, or shrimp and grits); and a dessert (creme brulee cupcake, chipotle chocolate souffle or dark chocolate-covered strawberries). The cost is $99 per couple and reservations are accepted.

• Firefly American Bistro & Bar (22 Concord St., Manchester, 935-9740, fireflynh.com) will be open for socially distanced indoor dining and heated patio dining on Valentine’s Day, and will also be offering takeout and delivery services within eight miles. Firefly will also be offering specialty wine, cocktail and gift boxes for Valentine’s Day, details of which are expected to be available in the coming days, according to event coordinator Rachael Jones. 

• Flag Hill Distillery & Winery (297 N. River Road, Lee, 659-2949, flaghill.com) will serve a three-course dinner with wine pairings for Valentine’s Day on Sunday, Feb. 14, at 6 p.m. Options will include blackberry beet salad, your choice of an entree (seared tuna steak, grilled steak tips or grilled zucchini rollatini) and chocolate hazelnut tart for dessert. The cost is $90 per person (21+ only) and reservations are required.

• The Foundry (50 Commercial St., Manchester, 836-1925, foundrynh.com) will be open for brunch on Sunday, Feb. 14, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., as well as for dinner from 4 to 9 p.m., serving Valentine’s Day specials in addition to its regular menu, like blood orange panzanella, grilled sugar cured New York strip steak, pan seared cod, chocolate-covered strawberries, strawberry French macarons and more. Reservations can be made online through OpenTable.

• Frederick’s Pastries (109 Route 101A, Amherst, 882-7725; 25 S. River Road, Bedford, 647-2253; pastry.net) is offering several specialty treats for Valentine’s Day, like conservation heart cakes, double chocolate chunk cookies with hearts, fresh strawberry tarts and more.

• Georgia’s Northside (394 N. State St., Concord, 715-9189, georgiasnorthside.com) is taking orders for a special surf and turf dinner for Valentine’s Day, which includes bourbon-marinated New York strip steak, garlic and herb grilled shrimp kebabs, roasted jewel potatoes, winter salad and Brussels sprouts with bacon, honey and sweet pickled mustard seeds. The cost is $25 per person. Order by noon on Sunday, Feb. 14, for pickup later that day. Georgia’s Northside’s full menu will also be available on Valentine’s Day.

• Granite State Candy Shoppe (13 Warren St., Concord, 225-2591; 832 Elm St., Manchester, 218-3885; granitestatecandyshoppe.com) is offering a variety of specialty chocolates and candies for Valentine’s Day, like milk, white or dark chocolate heart boxes, Valentine malt balls and nonpareils cherry hearts.

• Greenleaf (54 Nashua St., Milford, 213-5447, greenleafmilford.com) will serve a special multi-course prix fixe menu for Valentine’s Day, with multiple seatings all weekend, at 5, 7 and 9 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 12, and Saturday, Feb. 13, and at 5 and 7 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 14. The cost is $99 per person, or $130 per person with optional wine pairings. Reservations are being accepted online through OpenTable.

• Hanover Street Chophouse (149 Hanover St., Manchester, 644-2467, hanoverstreetchophouse.com) will serve a special four-course prix fixe dinner menu for Valentine’s Day, on Sunday, Feb. 14, from 4 to 8 p.m. Reservations are required.

• The Hills Restaurant (Hampshire Hills Athletic Club, 50 Emerson Road, Milford, 673-7123, hampshirehills.com/the-hills-restaurant) is taking reservations now for specialty five-course meals all weekend for Valentine’s Day, on Thursday, Feb. 11, Friday, Feb. 12, and Saturday, Feb. 13. Courses will include your choice of an appetizer (crispy Brussels sprouts, cheese and berries plate, arancini, or roasted pepper and goat cheese flatbread); a soup or salad (creamy tomato basil bisque or field greens salad); an entree (steak frites, roasted cauliflower and black bean tacos, char siu pork tenderloin, brown sugar duck or cast iron shrimp); and a dessert (flourless chocolate torte, Italian lemon cream cake or sea salted caramel cheesecake). The cost is $45 per person.

• The Inside Scoop (260 Wallace Road, Bedford, 471-7009, theinsidescoopnh.com) is taking orders for Valentine’s Day ice cream pies in a variety of flavors, each of which is made with a homemade Oreo crust and a whipped topping. Order by Feb. 10.

• Jamison’s (472 Route 111, Hampstead, 489-1565, jamisonsrestaurant.com) will serve Valentine’s Day specials from Wednesday, Feb. 10, through Saturday, Feb. 13. Options will include foie gras, fried oysters, yellowfin tuna, duck confit tostada, lobster ravioli, statler chicken, roasted filet of beef, bread pudding and banana brulee. The cost is $55 per person for four courses and reservations are being accepted now. All items are also available to purchase a la carte.

• LaBelle Winery (345 Route 101, Amherst, 672-9898, labellewinerynh.com) will host its next Winemaker’s Kitchen cooking class on Wednesday, Feb. 10, at 6 p.m., when participants will learn how to make beet ravioli with goat cheese filling. The cost is $45 per person and includes wine pairings. Then on Saturday, Feb. 13, at 6:30 p.m. the winery will host “My Funny Valentine Dinner,” featuring a three-course dinner with a performance by Rich DiMare and Ron Poster and The Sinatra Ambassadors. The cost of that event is $85 per person and a full bar with wine, beer and cocktails will also be available for purchase.

• Live Free or Pie Stand (455 East Road, Hampstead, livefreeorpiestand.com) is taking orders for “sweetie-pie” flights featuring three five-inch pies in flavors like dark chocolate chess, dark chocolate peanut butter swirl and pecan. Pickups are on Saturday, Feb. 13. 

• Love & Joy Vegan Sweets (Raymond, loveandjoyvegansweets.com) is taking orders for several specialty vegan treats for Valentine’s Day, including heart-shaped macarons, chocolate cashew creams, strawberry-dipped cakes, raspberry lemon entremets and more. Order by Feb. 10. Local pickups will be on Saturday, Feb. 13.

• Madear’s Southern Eatery & Bakery (141 Main St., Pembroke, 210-5557, madears603.com) will serve an all-you-can-eat Cajun brunch for Valentine’s Day on Sunday, Feb. 14, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., featuring items like chicken and red velvet waffles, beignets, shrimp and grits, Southern greens, catfish nuggets and banana-stuffed French toast. The cost is $25 (plus $15 for unlimited mimosas or a bloody mary bar) and reservations are required. Then from 4:30 to 10 p.m., Madear’s will serve a five-course dinner with optional wine pairings. The cost is $114 per couple and reservations are required.

• MT’s Local Kitchen & Wine Bar (212 Main St., Nashua, 595-9334, mtslocal.com) is taking reservations online now for Valentine’s Day, serving its regular menu with specials.

• New England’s Tap House Grille (1292 Hooksett Road, Hooksett, 782-5137, taphousenh.com) will serve a special “to go” version of its Valentine’s Day Sunday brunch, featuring various items available for takeout, like house frittata, mini pancakes, croissants, blueberry muffins, homefries, bacon and sausage. Add-on options include mimosa or bloody mary baskets. The cost is $55 per order. Order by Feb. 10. Pickups will be on Feb. 14.

• Nelson’s Candy & Music (65 Main St., Wilton, 654-5030, nelsonscandymusic.com) is offering a variety of specialty chocolates and candies for Valentine’s Day, like heart-shaped boxes made out of chocolate and filled with various flavors of chocolate-dipped strawberries, as well as solid chocolate dinosaurs holding tiny chocolate-covered marshmallow penguins holding hearts, and chocolate mold pianos filled with brandy-soaked cherry cordials.

• Pearls Candy & Nuts (356 S. Broadway, Salem, 893-9100, pearlscandynh.com) is offering a variety of specialty chocolates and candies for Valentine’s Day, like assorted milk chocolate heart lollipops, classic conversation hearts, gummy sour candy hearts and more.

• Presto Craft Kitchen (168 Amory St., Manchester, 606-1252, prestocraftkitchen.com) is taking orders for a variety of handcrafted desserts for Valentine’s Day, like jumbo chocolate-covered strawberries, Oreo cheesecake truffles, gold-dusted candy bars, assorted cheesecake push pops and chocolate-covered Oreos. Presto is also taking orders for special Valentine’s Day dinners for two, featuring either Caesar or field green salads, your choice of an entree (roast pork loin with rice pilaf and glazed carrots, sirloin steak marsala over penne, chicken Parmesan over penne, baked lobster mac, shrimp scampi over linguine, petite filet over lobster risotto with asparagus, heart-shaped cheese ravioli with garlic bread, or twin beef filet with roast potato and garlic beans), and a sweet (Oreo truffles, strawberry cheesecake, tiramisu or mini pastry sampler). Free chocolate strawberries are also included with all dinner orders. Order by Feb. 8. Pickups are on Friday, Feb. 12, and Saturday, Feb. 13.

• Roots Cafe at Robie’s Country Store (9 Riverside St., Hooksett, 485-7761, rootsatrobies.com) will serve a special Valentine’s Day dinner menu on Saturday, Feb. 13, at 6 p.m. featuring seared scallops with parsnip puree and beet reduction, your choice of an entree (local short ribs with herbed mashed potatoes, ginger and honey carrots with a cabernet demi, or citrus roasted hen with petit roasted potato, spring pea and prosciutto hash), and chocolate cherry mousse with chocolate-covered cherries for dessert. The cost is $150 per couple and includes a red rose, card and Champagne ($100 per couple for just the dinner), and the menu is also available via takeout.

• Sawbelly Brewing (156 Epping Road, Exeter, 583-5080, sawbellybrewing.com) will be open on Friday, Feb. 12, and Saturday, Feb. 13, from noon to 8 p.m., and on Sunday, Feb. 14, from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., serving various specials in addition to its regular menu, like grilled oysters, honey-roasted parsnips, beef Wellington and butternut squash ravioli.

• Surf (207 Main St., Nashua, 595-9293, surfseafood.com) is taking reservations online now for Valentine’s Day, serving its regular menu with specials.

• To Share Brewing Co. (720 Union St., Manchester, 836-6947, tosharebrewing.com) will hold a “Valentine’s & Galentine’s” weekend from Thursday, Feb. 11, through Sunday, Feb. 14, featuring themed table games, a beer and chocolate truffle with the Bearded Baking Co., live music and more.

• Van Otis Chocolates (341 Elm St., Manchester, 627-1611, vanotis.com) is offering a variety of specialty chocolates and candies for Valentine’s Day, like assorted chocolate gift boxes, red velvet truffles, custom chocolate-dipped Champagne bottles and chocolate-dipped strawberries.

• Ya Mas Greek Taverna & Bar (125 Bridge St., Pelham, 635-4230, yamasgreektaverna.com) is celebrating Valentine’s Day with a special two-course brunch on Sunday, Feb. 14, with seatings at 10 a.m. or at noon. The meal will feature your choice of lobster Benedict, steak and eggs, a breakfast skillet, braised lamb shank or braised pork shank for a first course, and your choice of banana coconut cream pie French toast, bougatsa French toast, S’mores French toast or chocolate fondue for a second course. The cost is $120 per couple. Four-course dinner reservations are also being accepted that day, from 2 to 4:30 p.m., 5 to 7:30 p.m. and 8 to 10:30 p.m., featuring your choice of a first course (coconut lobster bisque, baked stuffed oysters, vegan grape leaves or Greek village salad); a second course (cheese fondue, house spanakopita or a cold meze platter); a third course (chicken roulade, braised lamb shank, braised pork shank, prime short rib, seafood risotto, or whole grilled branzino), and a fourth course (orange and chocolate-stuffed crepes, crema caramel, or a chocolate fondue for two). The cost is $250 per couple.

• Zorvino Vineyards (226 Main St., Sandown, 887-8463, zorvino.com) will serve a special four-course dinner for Valentine’s Day on Saturday, Feb. 13, at 6:30 p.m. Courses include burrata blood orange and fennel salad, five spice seared duck breast, your choice of entree (prosciutto-wrapped stuffed sole or coffee-braised short rib) and strawberry cheesecake. The cost is $75 per person and reservations are required.

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