Cost of living
The New Hampshire Fiscal Policy Institute will host the full-day conference “Working Hard and Falling Behind: The High Cost of Living in New Hampshire” on Friday, Oct. 24, at the Grappone Conference Center in Concord, according to a press release. The event will “examine why the cost of living in New Hampshire keeps climbing and what it will take to make the state more affordable and equitable,” the release said. Attendance costs $60 and includes breakfast, lunch and all conference sessions (with a discount for those who register by Sept. 5), the release said. See nhfpi.org/conference.
Mural ideas
The SEE Science Center, 200 Bedford St. in Manchester, is hosting a community meeting on Thursday, Aug. 21, from 1 to 3 p.m. to discuss ideas for a new mural at the Canal Street retaining wall and stairway to Pleasant Street, according to an email from SEE.
Voting stickers
New Hampshire Secretary of State David M. Scanlan and Deputy Secretary of State Erin T. Hennessey announced the 2025 “I Voted” Sticker Contest in a press release. Any fourth or fifth grade New Hampshire student in public or private school or home schooled can enter the contest, which ends Oct. 14, the release said. Four winning sticker designs will be printed to be handed out to voters during the 2026 statewide elections, the release said. See sos.nh.gov for the rules and to print out a template for the sticker and the parent permission slip.
Star volunteers
Volunteer NH is accepting nominations through Monday, Aug. 25, for the 22nd Annual Spirit of NH Awards recognizing volunteers and volunteer organizations in the state, according to a press release. Awards are given in seven categories: youth/young adult (for ages 22 and younger); adult (ages 23 through 64); senior (ages 65+); AmeriCorps; group; business and Volunteer Champion (for businesses and nonprofit/public service organizations), the release said. Eligible nominees will be awarded at a ceremony on Monday, Oct. 22, at the Capitol Center for the Arts in Concord, the release said. See volunteernh.smapply.io/prog/spirit_of_nh_awards_2025/ to make a submission.
Holy Trinity Orthodox Church in Concord will hold a flea market and gyro lunch on Saturday, Aug. 23, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., according to holytrinitynh.org. Entrance to the market is free; the gyro lunch costs $8, the website said.
Manchester Proud will hold its CelebratED event to get ready for the new school year on Thursday, Aug. 21, from 4 to 7 p.m. at Victory Park and French Hall in downtown Manchester, according to a press release. The event will offer backpack and school supply distribution, haircuts and clothing support, a family resource fair and school registration assistance, the release said. See facebook.com/mhtproud for more on this event and manchesterproud.org for more on upcoming events.
Nashua’s Department of Economic Development will celebrate the grand opening of the newly transformed Library Walk on Saturday, Aug. 23, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., according to a post on the city’s Enjoy Nashua Facebook page. The Library Walk is located near 100 Main St. to connect Main Street to Court Street and now features overhead lighting, art including a mural by local artist Quest Nine, seating and more, the post said. The celebration will feature food, music, games and interactive stations, the post said.