Year: 2024

Leadership Program

Stay Work Play is now accepting applications for its 2025 Rising Stars Leadership Program, a leadership development initiative tailored to young people across a myriad of industries from February through June, according to a press release.

The program consists of six in-person sessions that focuses on leadership skills, community engagement and fostering ambition for the Granite State. Tuition is $2,000 and discounts are available for Stay Work Play Board of Advisor members, according to the release. Applications are due Friday, Jan. 24. Visit stayworkplay.org/rising-stars-leadership-program for more information.

In a statement, Corinne Benfield, Executive Director of Stay Work Play NH said “the Rising Stars Leadership Program exemplifies our mission to elevate and empower the incredible young people that call the 603 home. By investing in this program, we are ensuring that New Hampshire has strong ambassadors who can help shape New Hampshire to be an attractive and vibrant place to live, work, and play.”

Here, fishy, fishy, fishy

According to a press release, the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department stocks trout during the fall to bolster the winter ice fishery for winter anglers.

Fish and Game has listed on its website links for different bodies of water that are open year-round as well as rules for these water bodies with special regulations included in the New Hampshire Freshwater Fishing Digest, which is also available from license agents, according to the same release.

The following lakes and ponds were stocked with trout during the fall of 2024 and are open to ice fishing: Akers Pond in Errol, Beaver Pond in Woodstock, Bow Lake in Strafford, Cedar Pond in Milan, Big Diamond Pond in Stewartstown (opens Wednesday, Jan. 1), Higher Ground Pond in Wentworth, Highland Lake in Andover, Hildreth Pond in Warren, Little Dan Hole Pond in Ossipee, Manning Lake in Gilmanton, Martin Meadow Pond in Lancaster, Mascoma Lake in Enfield, Mirror Lake in Woodstock, Newfound Lake in Bristol, Ogontz Lake in Lyman, Pearl Lake in Lisbon, Perch Pond in Lisbon, Pleasant Lake in Deerfield, Streeter Pond in Sugar Hill, Sunapee Lake in Newbury, Tewksbury Pond in Grafton, Webster Lake in Franklin, White Lake in Tamworth, and Winnisquam Lake in Laconia. There are additional ones not listed here.

In a statement, Fish and Game’s Inland Fisheries Program Supervisor John Magee said that “the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department’s hatcheries stock post-spawn brook and brown trout into selected water bodies that do not have a closed season before winter. These fish can range from 2 to 3 pounds each. Numbers, dates, and stocking locations vary annually. I would encourage anglers of all skill levels to take advantage of this season’s stocked opportunities throughout New Hampshire when weather conditions are favorable and once the ice is safe.”

In another statement, he said that “The Granite State’s rivers and streams open to fishing on Jan. 1, and there are some quality fish to be caught in some of the tailwater fisheries such as the Newfound River. When water levels are drawn down on larger lakes for the fall, prize-sized fish often drop down below dams, creating opportunities for savvy winter anglers. This winter’s free fishing day is Jan. 18, so why not try your luck through the ice this year.”

To learn more about ice fishing in New Hampshire visitwildlife.nh.gov.

More access to education

According to a press release, New Hampshire’s public higher education systems have created more than 100 direct pathways designed to help students move smoothly from associate degree programs offered by New Hampshire’s community colleges to bachelor’s degree programs offered by the University System.

This collaboration between the Community College System of New Hampshire (CCSNH) and the University System of New Hampshire (USNH) makes it easier for students to continue their education, earn subsequent degrees more efficiently, and fill critical jobs in New Hampshire’s workforce faster and with less debt, according to the release.

Students currently enrolled in or planning to enter any of New Hampshire’s seven community colleges can now follow clear, structured pathways that lead directly to bachelor’s degrees at Keene State College, Plymouth State University, or the University of New Hampshire (UNH), which includes UNH Durham, Manchester and the College of Professional Studies Online, according to the release.

In a statement, USNH Chancellor Catherine Provencher said “these pathways give students the confidence to pursue their educational goals with assurance that we have taken steps to align programs to help manage time and cost. This collaboration makes it easier for New Hampshire residents to stay in the state, earn a degree, and strengthen our workforce.”

The CCSNH has trained advisors available at each community college and USNH sponsors a centralized Outreach and Enrollment Center that assists with applications, financial aid resources, and other support services available to students in both systems, according to the same release.

For more information visit nhtransfer.org.

There will be a Winter Ball at Phenix Hall: Home for the Holidays, Saturday, Dec. 28, from 7 to 10 p.m. at Phenix Hall (38 N. Main St., Concord). Tickets are $100 each. Visit eventbrite.com.

Shaskeen Pub (909 Elm St., Manchester, 625-0246, shaskeenirishpub.com) will hold its annual New Year’s Eve Bash on Tuesday, Dec. 31, from 8 p.m. to 1 a.m. There will be an open bar, a free buffet, a free Champagne toast, and music by DJMyth.Tickets are $60 through ticketleap.com

The Strand (20 Third St., Dover, 343- 1899, thestranddover.com) will feature a dance party on Saturday, Dec. 28, at 8 p.m.