Month: November 2023

The Weekly Dish 23/11/09

News from the local food scene

• Wine and cheese fest: Enjoy artisan meats, cheeses, desserts, vinegar, oil and a complimentary wine tasting and more at Fulchino Vineyard (187 Pine Hill Road, Hollis) on Saturday, Nov. 11, and Sunday, Nov. 12, at their annual wine and cheese festival. Tickets are $55. To select your time slot and purchase tickets visit fulchinovineyard.com.

• Cookie decorating: Kate Soleau from Posy Cottage Cookies will lead a Thanksgiving cookie decorating class at Station 101 (193 Union Square, Milford) on Monday, Nov. 13, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. All supplies will be provided. If you’d like gluten-free cookies, contact Kate at least two weeks prior to the event. Tickets are $65. For more information and to purchase tickets visit https://rb.gy/sc1i5.

• Cocktails on the rooftop: Rooftop at the Envio (299 Vaughan St., Portsmouth) hosts a cocktail class on Wednesday, Nov. 15, from 6 to 8 p.m. Learn about the history and proper building of a cocktail while crafting three that you can enjoy along with an appetizer, full-sized entree and dessert. Tickets are $110 and can be purchased at eventbrite.com.

• Bottle signing with Robert Irvine: Meet celebrity chef Robert Irvine at the NH Liquor & Wine Outlet in Bedford (9 Leavy Drive), where he will be for a bottle signing on Friday, Nov. 17, from 2 to 4 p.m. Featured products include Irvine’s Precision Vodka and Irvine’s American Dry Gin. Visit eventbrite to reserve your spot.

• Tour of French wines: Tour the flavors of France with wine expert Elizabeth Schneider and Serge from Serge Dore Selections on Saturday, Nov. 18, from 2 to 3 p.m. at the New Hampshire Liquor & Wine Outlet in Nashua (Willow Spring Plaza, 294 Daniel Webster Hwy.). Learn about the history and culture of French wine making while tasting the blends. Tickets are $12 and can be purchased via eventbrite.

On The Job – Heather Hamel

Public information officer

Heather Hamel is the public information officer for the Manchester Police Department.

Explain your job and what it entails.

I handle all inquiries from the media, write press releases, conduct interviews and organize press conferences. I also manage the police department’s social media pages both with print and video content that I gather. I highlight all of the positive things police officers do every day that the general public may not even realize.

How long have you had this job?

Four-and-a-half years.

What led you to this career field and your current job?

I was a television news reporter for close to two decades. I understand what the media is looking for and feel comfortable speaking with reporters. Working at the local television station, I was already well-acquainted with the Manchester Police Department, having visited the station on numerous occasions to do interviews with officers. It was a natural fit.

What kind of education or training did you need?

I have a bachelor of science degree in mass communications. I also completed several internships during my college career and went on to work in both radio and television news.

What is your typical at-work uniform or attire?

I don’t have a uniform, but I am expected to dress nicely: dress pants and a nice top or a dress.

What is the most challenging thing about your work, and how do you deal with it?

At a police department you never know when something may happen. I am responsible for getting pertinent information out to the media, who then disseminate it to the public. This can happen at any time of day or night. I have my phone with me at all times and respond as quickly as possible whether I am on or off the clock.

What do you wish you’d known at the beginning of your career?

You are always learning and growing. There are constant changes in the industry, and you need to be adaptable. Don’t stagnate.

What do you wish other people knew about your job?

What a great group of people work here. The people who work at this police department genuinely care about the community and it is an honor to showcase their hard work and talents.

What was the first job you ever had?

Grocery store cashier.

What’s the best piece of work-related advice you’ve ever received?

Keep it clear and concise. Talk in sound bites.

Five favorites
Favorite book: Anything by Harlan Coben or Linwood Barclay. I love mysteries.
Favorite movie: Grease
Favorite music: Pop/rock or most anything from the ’80s
Favorite food: Pizza, sushi, lobster
Favorite thing about NH: The Lakes Region

Featured photo: Lacey Brown. Courtesy photo.

Treasure Hunt 23/11/09

Dear Donna,

I hope you can answer a question for me. I have a few wooden animals that appear to be hand-carved. This horse is my favorite.

How can you tell the age of it and who might have carved it? There is no name or date visible.

Thanks for your time, Donna.

Anna in Brookline

Dear Anna,

Hand-carved animals have been made for so many years. It is tough without markings to figure out the exact age and who made them.

In your photos you can see a natural age patina (this is a natural coloring that develops over time). You also can see crackling of the original varnish (finish).

What you’re looking for in each animal you have is detailed craftsmanship. Sometimes by looking at them all you can see they could all have been made by the same carver.

Your horse appears to be from around the early 1900s to 1940s. I would say the value is in the $75 range.

Horses are very collectible, even today!

Thanks for sharing, Anna, and I hope this helps.

Featured photo: Courtesy photo

Kiddie Pool 23/11/09

Family fun for whenever

Animal entertainment

• Catch the animated movie Free Birds(PG, 2013) on Friday, Nov. 10, at 3:30 p.m. at all three Chunky’s Cinema Pubs (707 Huse Road, Manchester; 151 Coliseum Ave., Nashua; 150 Bridge St., Pelham, chunkys.com) as part of a “Little Lunch Date” screening. Admission is free but reserve a seat with a $5 food voucher.

• At the Children’s Museum of New Hampshire (6 Washington St. in Dover; childrens-museum.com) the “Visiting Mexican Artists Program: The Dancing Chickens of Ventura Fabian” will take place Friday, Nov. 10, at 10:30 a.m. (during the morning 9 a.m. to noon session) and feature Oaxacan wood carver Norberto Fabian, son of the late master carver Ventura Fabian, according to a press release. Norberto Fabian will share his wood pieces that celebrate Mexican folk art and culture, conduct a demonstration and answer questions, the release said. Admission costs $12.50 per person ($10.50 for 65+); purchase reservations online.

In other animal news at the museum, the Service Credit Union Money Mammals’ Joe the Monkey will visit on Saturday, Nov. 11, at 10:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. The program will include the reading of a book that promotes financial literacy alongside a costumed Joe the Monkey, according to the museum’s website.

And save the date for some fish-ertainment. As part of the museum’s Family Literacy Month programing, the Pout Pout Fish will be on hand to meet fans on Friday, Nov. 17, at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. and Saturday, Nov. 18, at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.

Showtime!

• See the tale as old as time when the Peacock Players (14 Court St., Nashua, peacockplayers.org) youth theater company presents Beauty and the Beast Friday, Nov. 10, through Sunday, Nov. 19, at their home theater, the Janice B. Street Theatre. Showtimes are on Friday at 7 p.m., Saturday at 2 and 7 p.m., and Sunday at 2 p.m. Tickets cost $15 to $18 for adults, $12 to $15 for seniors and students.

• The Palace Youth Theatre presents The Best Christmas Pageant Ever, The Musical featuring student actors in grades 2 through 12 on Wednesday, Nov. 15, and Thursday, Nov. 16, at 7 p.m. at the Rex Theatre (23 Amherst St. in Manchester; palacetheatre.org, 668-5588). Tickets cost $12 for ages 6 to 12 and $15 for adults.

• The curtain rises on the Seacoast Repertory Theatre’s (125 Bow St. in Portsmouth; 433-4472, seacoastrep.org) presentation of Matilda, the musical based on the Roald Dahl book, Thursday, Nov. 9, through Saturday, Dec. 23, with showtimes most Thursdays at 7:30 p.m., Fridays at 8 p.m., Saturdays at 2 & 8 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. plus Wednesday, Nov. 15, at 7:30 p.m. Tickets cost $35 to $60.

Wednesdays we wear pink

Ovation Theatre Company presents Mean Girls

Upon returning to Ovation Theatre Company to sit in on a rehearsal for Mean Girls after having observed a rehearsal for Newsies this past summer, I was excited to again be privy to the inner workings of an Ovation production, and I was not disappointed. Filled with humor, relatability and lots of talent, the show will be at the Derry Opera House on Friday, Nov. 10, and Saturday, Nov. 11.

The 2004 teen comedy starring Lindsay Lohan, a classic for anyone who grew up in the 2000s as I did, was adapted into a musical in 2017.

“It only came out for licensing around last January or February … [and] I knew it was very popular among this age range and so I wanted to do it because I knew that they wanted to do it,” said director Meg Gore. “I don’t always do shows they’re begging for, but I like this one and I really wanted to take it on.”

About a week away from opening night, the cast ran through the second act of the show, pausing periodically to work out blocking and to refine, and unrefine, certain aspects, some songs requiring vocal grit, such as “World Burn” and “I’d Rather Be Me,” the latter of which contains a mouthful of words that Lorelei Stahl, playing Janice, executes with diction, attitude and power, after Regina George discovers and spreads the pages of the infamous “burn book.”

Regina is portrayed by Hanna Carroll, who embodies the role of queen bee with a “mean girl” demeanor as well as a dramatic and controlled belt and fantastic vocal runs. Regina is less than pleased when her throne is stolen by new girl Cady Heron.

“My favorite part about playing Cady is … [that] she’s kind of fun,” said Lily Gennetti, who landed her first lead role as Cady. “She’s so excited about everything all the time and you really see her development throughout the show. … I think the hardest part of playing her is the roller coaster of Cadys. … There’s pre-plastic Cady, plastic Cady, really plastic Cady [and] post-plastic Cady.”

Regina’s boyfriend turned ex-boyfriend Aaron Samuels is played by Greer Danzey.

“My favorite part of being Aaron is getting to be genuinely nice and just being a real person,” Danzey said. “He’s probably one of the realest, besides Janice and Damian. He doesn’t really care.”

“Although it’s kind of highlighting stereotypes and larger-than-life characters, it really has a strong message about being yourself and addressing those issues that high schoolers have every day, so that’s kind of what I hope people take away from it,” Gore said. “We’re not highlighting the meanness [and saying] that’s a good thing, we’re saying this is what people deal with every day and how to navigate that path and still be supportive and empathetic.”

Ovation Theatre Company presents Mean Girls
When: Friday, Nov. 10, at 7 p.m., and Saturday, Nov. 11, at 1 p.m. and 7 p.m.
Where: Derry Opera House, 29 W. Broadway, Derry
Cost: Tickets are $25
More info: Visit ovationtc.com

Featured photo: PILLAR Gallery. Courtesy photo.

The season of giving

Mosaic Art Collective presents new exhibit with donation drive

Fancy Florals by Mariah Sample. Courtesy photo.

Just in time for the holiday season is Mosaic Art Collective’s “A Few of My Favorite Things” exhibit, showing pieces that are 12×12” or smaller in size from Monday, Nov. 6, through Wednesday, Dec. 18, with an opening reception on Saturday, Nov. 11, from 4 to 8 p.m. The gallery will run an art supply donation drive for the Webster House concurrently with the exhibition.

“We had 112 pieces submitted and there will be 94 pieces on display,” said Liz Pieroni, owner of the gallery. “There are many different mediums represented.”

They include oil paintings on metal as well as on canvas, linoleum black prints, eraser prints, digital work, portraiture and acrylic paintings and other works depicting floral bouquets and mandala-like designs. The opening reception will include refreshments and music.

In addition to “A Few of My Favorite Things,” See Saw Art will have a 120-square-foot exhibition space within Mosaic Art Collective throughout November and December, so there will always be something new to see.

“It’s usually just a lot of really wonderful people gathering together to talk about art and life. It’s really a celebration,” Pieroni said of the opening reception. “We’re also going to be doing a collection of art supplies for the Webster House, so I’m hoping that people will come with art supplies to donate.”

The Webster House is a Manchetser residence for children ages 8 to 18 who are currently displaced from their homes. It offers services such as counseling and crisis management as well as trips and recreational programming. Donations can include any new or lightly used art supplies, such as crayons, paint brushes and paper.

“Art supplies especially are so helpful for kids who are in transition in one way or another to be able to express themselves,” Pieroni said. “Even if they’re not sharing the artwork that they’re making, it’s still cathartic in one way or another and I think most artists recognize that need to create work and just fully express their inner worlds. … It seems like such a simple thing, but it’s … a fun way of giving back to children in need.”

While most of the pieces in the gallery are done by New Hampshire artists, the venue features work from artists all around New England with various backgrounds and experience levels.

“What I think is incredibly unique about Mosaic is that we have artists that are very new [who are] creating [and] showing [their art] and then we have very seasoned professional artists who have been showing all their lives,” Pieroni said. “I think what’s wonderful about that is everyone has so much to learn from each other, the artists who have been exhibiting longer come with a lot of experience and the [emerging] artists have this really fresh perspective.”

Mosaic Art Collective
Where: 66 Hanover St., Manchester
Hours: Sunday, 1 to 4 p.m.; Wednesday through Friday, 2 to 6 p.m.

Featured photo: Happy Hippie by Terri Cote. Courtesy photo.

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