Author: The Hippo Press

Celebrating Christa McAuliffe

The McAuliffe-Shepard Discovery Center in Concord will hold “Reach for the Stars: Celebrating Christa McAuliffe” Saturday, Jan. 24, through Sunday, Feb. 1, according to the Center’s website, starhop.com. “Join us as we honor the legacy of Christa McAuliffe and the STS-51L Challenger crew. Together, we remember their lives, their courage, and their enduring impact on education and space exploration,” the website said. Concord school teacher McAuliffe and the crew of the NASA Space Shuttle Challenger died on Jan. 28, 1986, shortly after the shuttle’s launch. The NHPBS documentary Christa will be shown throughout the week in the Planetarium, the website said.

On Wednesday, Jan. 28, the center will hold a program called “Reach for the Stars: Then, Now, & Forever” from 5 to 7:30 p.m. that will include “Christa’s Lost Lessons with NASA Astronaut, Ricky Arnold,” the unveiling of a new Christa McAuliffe exhibit and a panel discussion, the website said. Deadproof Pizza Co. will be on site for patrons to purchase dinner starting at 4 p.m., the website said.

On Saturday, Jan. 31, the center will host “Challenger: Soaring with Christa McAuliffe,” described on the website: “Journey through Christa’s life in this multi-media immersive living history performance, suitable for all ages.” Doors open at 5 p.m.

Go online to purchase tickets to either event or to purchase admission tickets for the week-long programming and reserve planetarium tickets.

Wash your hands

The Manchester Health Department reported that respiratory viruses including influenza, RSV and Covid-19, and norovirus (known for its stomach-related symptoms) are “actively circulating, statewide,” according to a Jan. 13 press release “Area hospitals are experiencing much higher than expected admissions and emergency department visits related to respiratory illnesses,” the release said. In the statement, Anna Thomas, MPH, Manchester’s Public Health Director said “We have officially entered the beginning peak of cold and flu season. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) anticipates that this will last for a period of up to three months.” Recommendations for preventing the spread of respiratory illnesses include getting a flu shot, washing hands often for at least 20 seconds and using alcohol-based hand sanitizers, covering your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze and throwing tissues in the trash after using them, disinfecting high-traffic surfaces and staying home from school or work until “your fever has been gone for 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medicines” if you get sick, the release said.

New Hampshire author Mary Anne Totten will hold a reading of her book Silos, Secrets, and Silence at Bookery in Manchester on Saturday, Jan. 24, from 1 to 3 p.m. See bookerymht.com for more on the event and matottenwrites.com for more on the author.

Thursday, Jan. 22, is Oscar nominations morning; see oscars.org at 8:30 a.m. for the announcements by Danielle Brooks and Lewis Pullman. Then settle in for some movie talk with the Derry Public Library at their “2025: The Year in Film” Zoom presentation on Monday, Jan. 26, at 6:30 p.m. Register at derrypl.org.

The Live Free or Die Farm, 11 Cricket Hill Drive in Amherst, will hold its annual Christmas Tree Burn and Bonfire Party on Saturday, Jan. 24, from 5 to 9 p.m., according to the listing on eventbrite.com, where you can find details about food and reserve a spot.

NH Pipes and Drums and Scottish Arts will hold a Burns Night celebration on Saturday, Jan. 24, starting at 5 p.m. at Castleton in Windham. The night will feature haggis, Highland dancers, whisky, Ceilidh dancing, live music, Burns poetry and more, according to nhssa.org, where you can purchase tickets.