Author: The Hippo Press

Veggies for Granite Staters

Formula recall

Parents and caregivers are advised not to use Nara Organics Powered Infant Formula, according to a New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services Division of Public Health press release from June 14.

“The company has voluntarily recalled the products, which have been linked to a multistate outbreak of infant botulism. There have been no reports of illnesses associated with this recall in New Hampshire to date,” the release said. “Nara Organics Powdered Infant Formula was distributed nationally across Target retail stores, Target.com, and Nara.com between July 2025 and June 2026,” the release said.

“Infant botulism happens when a baby swallows spores from a type of bacteria called Clostridium botulinum, which leads to the bacteria multiplying and producing toxins in the baby’s large intestine. The earliest signs of illness may be constipation, difficulty feeding (sucking and swallowing), a weak and altered cry, or muscle weakness, which can progress to paralysis and difficulty breathing. Anyone with an infant experiencing any of these symptoms should notify their infant’s healthcare provider immediately,” the release said. See fda.gov and click on “recalls” for more information.

Nashua Pride Festival

The Nashua Pride Festival, which for the first year includes the Downtown Nashua Association doing hosting duties working with Pride Empowerment Network, will take place Saturday, June 20, according to an association press release. The day begins with a parade hosted by the city of Nashua at 1:30 p.m., running from the Soldiers and Sailors Memorial on Nashville Street and ending at Holman Stadium, the release said. The festival will take place at Holman Stadium from 2 to 7 p.m. and will feature entertainment, activities for kids, food trucks, LGBTQIA+ resources, a beer tent, vendors and more, the release said. “Beyond the stadium festivities, Downtown Comes Out will invite attendees to explore downtown Nashua through a PRIDE passport activity. Passports can be picked up at participating downtown businesses during the week leading up to the event, and attendees who complete their passports will receive special PRIDE giveaways,” the release said. This year’s pride will benefit New Hampshire Outright, the release said. See downtownnashua.org/nashua-pride.

Trial bus route

The City of Manchester will celebrate a free pilot bus route, running June 22 through Sept. 5, with a kick off celebration on Monday, June 22, according to a post on the Manchester Transit Authority’s Facebook page. “June 22 marks the commencement of MTA’s Route 42 Northside Plaza/Livingston Park. The route travels north on Maple St from Price Rite on Valley St to Livingston Park and Northside Plaza. The bus will then travel south on Beech St to the Elliot Health Center back to Price Rite. All MTA buses are ADA accessible and this service will operate hourly from 7:15am until after 4:00pm daily, including Saturdays,” a post about the route said. Monday’s event will feature music, games, the book mobile and the police pony Milly in Livingston Park from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., a post said. See mtabus.org or the Facebook page for details.

Motherhood doc

No Country For Mothers, a documentary “about what motherhood really looks like in America today,” will screen on Thursday, June 25, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the George H. & Ella M. Rodgers Memorial Library in Hudson, according to a press release. See a trailer at momsfirst.us and register to attend at mobilize.us/momsfirst. The screening is free, the release said.

Put on your dancing shoes for a New England contra dance with caller Don Veino and music by Audrey Budington and Anders Larson at the City-Wide Community Center, 14 Canterbury Road in Concord, on Saturday, June 20, from 7 to 10 p.m., according to an email. See concordnhcontra.wordspress.com. Beginners, singles and families are welcome, the email said.

Indoor rollerskating has returned to the Douglas N. Everett Arena in Concord through July 26, according to the Concord General Services newsletter. Skating runs Wednesday through Friday as well as Sunday from 6 to 9 p.m. (no skating July 3) with admission $6 per person and skate rentals available for $6, the newsletter said.

Dads will be eligible for free popcorn and a free pass for a future visit at Chunky’s Cinema Pub in Manchester on Sunday, June 21, Father’s Day, according to a Chunky’s email. See chunkys.com for movie times.

Veggies for Granite Staters

Northeast Organic Farming Association of New Hampshire (NOFA-NH) is helping local residents with limited incomes to participate in Community Supported Agriculture at local farms, according to a press release. NOFA-NH raises half the money to purchase CSA shares, the farms donate a quarter of the cost and the participants pay the other quarter, the release said. “In partnership with 25 New Hampshire farms, this year’s program is connecting over 400 of Granite Staters with 115 farm shares, providing community members in need with fresh, local food access at discounted prices across the state. … Shares span 7 – 26+ weeks during the growing season. Over half of the recipients served are children, families, and seniors,” the release said.

“We believe that everyone should have access to local, organic, ecologically grown, nutrient-dense foods, regardless of income,” said Executive Director Julie Davenson in the press release. “NOFA-NH’s Farm Share Program illustrates the strength and impact of New Hampshire’s organic farming community. Through intentional collaboration and support, individuals, farms, businesses, foundations, and nonprofits are working together to improve food access for our neighbors in need across the Granite State.”

See nofanh.org/donate for more information about the program, to donate and for a list of participating farms and information about their CSA programs.

Plant swap

In addition to early summer being plant sale season for area garden clubs and other local organizations, now is also Plant Swap season. The Wilton Public & Gregg Free Library, 7 Forest Road in Wilton, for example, is currently running a plant swap, according to a newsletter sent June 2. Bring healthy plants or seeds in a container you don’t need back and label it with the kind of plant, care instructions and tips, the newsletter said. The library is open Tuesday through Thursday, 9:30 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Friday, 1:30 to 5 p.m., and Saturday, 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., the newsletter said. Have any upcoming plant sales or upcoming or on-going plant swaps? Let us know at adiaz@hippopress.com.

Longtime friends

Celebrate the “250 Years of France-U.S. Friendship” with summer mini classes from the Franco American Centre New Hampshire, according to a recent newsletter. The organization is offering two summer 2026 mini classes, one of which is focused on “cultural workshop exploring the people, ideas, traditions, and artistic achievements that have shaped France,” according to facnh.com/introclasses-workshops. That class runs five Tuesdays in July and August from 5:30 to 7 p.m. The Franco American Centre is also offering a mini class on “Verbs: The Foundation of French Grammar” which will run five Thursdays in July and August from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., according to the website, where you can register for either class.

“Song of Democracy” will be performed along with “other stirring music that evokes a vast range of the American experience” by the New Hampshire Master Chorale on Saturday, June 20, at 7:30 p.m. at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Concord and on Sunday, June 21, at 4 p.m. at the Plymouth Congregational Church, according to a press release. For tickets, see events.ticketleap.com/tickets/nhmc-4/song-of-democracy.

“Art in Bloom Celebration” will take place Friday, June 12, through Sunday, June 14, at the Center for the Arts Members Gallery, 428 Main St. in New London. Local garden clubs and florists will create floral interpretations inspired by selected works from “Emergence,” a spring juried members exhibition at the gallery, according to a press release. See cfanh.org.

The Hollis Social Library will host “Women of ‘76 with Rita Parisi” on Saturday, June 13, at 7 p.m. in the Lawrence Barn in Hollis. Actress and playwright Parisi will offer a solo performance of historical women from the Revolutionary period, according to hollislibrary.org, where you can register to attend.

The Seacoast LitFest runs Thursday, June 11, through Sunday, June 14, at the Music Hall in Portsmouth, according to a press release. Events include multiple author talks including with Jenna Bush Hager (June 11), Temple Grandin (June 12) and Jill Lepore (June 14); a book fair and kid book giveaway on June 14 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.; panels; book signings and more, the release said. See themusichall.org for a complete schedule and to purchase tickets to some of the events.