Author: The Hippo Press

The Weekly Dish 23/12/28

News from the local food scene

• Futuristic new year: 815 Cocktails and Provisions hosts a futuristic, sci-fi themed New Year’s Eve party from 8 p.m. to midnight on New Year’s Eve with music, dancing, contests, a photo booth, an open bar menu and small appetizers. General admission tickets are $120 and can be purchased via eventbrite.

• New Year’s at The Side Bar: The Side Bar (845 Lafayette Road, Hampton, thesidebarnh.com, 601-6311) will have their full menu along with drink specials at their New Year’s Eve party from 9 p.m. to midnight. Tickets are $10 on eventbrite and $15 at the door.

• Paint night at Spyglass Brewing: Spyglass Brewing (36 Innovative Way, Nashua) hosts a paint night with All Ways Art on Thursday, Jan. 11, at 6 p.m. You’ll be walked through the process of painting a 16×20-inch canvas while enjoying a free drink that is included in the ticket prices. Tickets are $45 and can be purchased at allwaysart.com.

• Winemaker’s dinner: Zorvino Vineyards (226 Main St., Sandown) hosts a winemaker’s dinner on Friday, Jan. 19, at 6:30 p.m. Cocktail hour starts at 6:30 p.m. followed by dinner at 7:30 p.m. The welcome reception will include a seasonal charcuterie and artisanal bread display paired with Vintner’s Select Semillon and Z Labs Chocolate Tangerine wine. Roasted winter squash, grilled leek and Gruyere savory bread pudding make up the first course with Zorvino Vineyards Gewurztraminer, followed by fig and pomegranate glazed “kurobuta” pork for the entree paired with Zorvino Vineyards Estate Grown Marquette. For dessert is chocolate ganache and caramelized banana tart with Z Labs s’mores. Tickets are $85 and can be purchased on eventbrite.com.

On The Job – Kristen Glennon

Director of Rehabilitation, Fitness and
Occupational Health Services

Kristen Glennon is the Director of Rehabilitation, Fitness and Occupational Health Services for Elliot Health System in Manchester.

Explain your job and what it entails.

I oversee the inpatient (hospital) and outpatient rehab clinics for the health system, as well as our three fitness centers and our occupational health clinic. I help oversee the operations of the clinics, manage budgets, support staff and ensure the departments have what they need to be as successful as possible. I’m also a licensed physical therapist.

How long have you had this job?

I’ve been a physical therapist for 27 years and have been in clinic management for 11 years.

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

In high school I knew I wanted to go into medicine … I observed some physical therapists in my hometown and thought it was great to help people get back to their functional independence. I decided to go to school for physical therapy … After many years as a physical therapist in a variety of different settings, I decided to move into the management side of the operations.

What kind of education or training did you need?

When I went to school I received a bachelor’s of science in physical therapy. Nowadays you need a doctorate in physical therapy to become a PT. As part of schooling, students do clinical affiliations at different clinics to get exposure to a variety of clinical settings. And there is a requirement for continuing education throughout your career. As I’m now in management, I am working toward my MBA to further my business training.

What is your typical at-work uniform or attire?

As a physical therapist, you could be wearing scrubs, which is common within the hospital, or business casual attire for outpatient therapy clinics..

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

From a clinical perspective, having a patient that isn’t getting better is definitely the most challenging situation.

What do you wish other people knew about your job?

We love to educate on prevention of injuries. While we’re here to treat the injuries, teaching patients and caregivers how to prevent them is a major part of the work.

What was the first job you ever had?

In the rehab field, my first job was at a sports clinic in Boston when I was a co-op student at Northeastern University. My first job ever was at my hometown movie theater.

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

Understand what the patient’s goals are and meet them where they are.

Five favorites
Favorite book: The DaVinci Code
Favorite movie: The Princess Bride
Favorite music: Musicals
Favorite food: Tacos
Favorite thing about NH: How close you are to everything — the mountains, lakes, ocean and cities.

Featured photo: Kristen Glennon. Courtesy photo.

Kiddie Pool 23/12/28

Family fun for whenever

Everybody entertainment

• Catch the family-friendly magician Ben Pratt, whose show is described as “high energy and super fun,” at Chunky’s Cinema Pub in Pelham (150 Bridge St.; chunkys.com) on Thursday, Dec. 28, at 6:15 p.m.; at Chunky’s in Nashua (151 Coliseum Ave; chunkys.com) on Friday, Dec. 29, at 6:15 p.m. and at Chunky’s in Manchester (707 Huse Road; chunkys.com) on Saturday, Dec. 30, at 6:15 p.m. Admission costs $15.

• The Harlem Globetrotters 2024 will come to the SNHU Arena (555 Elm St., Manchester, 644-5000, snhuarena.com) with shows Thursday, Dec. 28, at 2 and 7 p.m. Tickets cost $44 through $134, with pre-game VIP options.

• The Swiftie Party at the Rex Theatre (23 Amherst St. in Nashua; palacetheatre.org) is billed as an all-ages dance party event with space still available for the party at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 30. Admission costs $25 for adults and $20 for 12 and under.

More museums

Here are some museums with special offerings and hours through the holiday week.

• At the Aviation Museum of New Hampshire (27 Navigator Road in Londonderry; nhahs.org, 669-4820) see the exhibit “Flying Home for the Holidays,” on display through Jan. 14. The museum is open daily through Saturday, Dec. 30, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. as well as Sunday, Dec. 31, from 1 to 4 p.m. Admission costs $10 for ages 13 and above, $5 for 65+, veterans/military and kids ages 6 to 12, and is free for ages 5 and under.

• The Children’s Museum of New Hampshire (6 Washington St. in Dover; childrens-museum.org, 742-2002) has play sessions from 9 a.m. to noon and 1 to 4 p.m. daily through Saturday, Dec. 30. On Sunday, Dec. 31, a Family New Year’s Eve celebration takes place at 9:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. and will feature a “countdown to midnight” along with other activities. Buy admissions for a time slot online in advance; admission costs $12.50 for adults and children over 12 months, $10.50 for 65+.

• The Currier Museum of Art (150 Ash St. in Manchester; currier.org, 669-6144) will have December Days Thursday, Dec. 28, through Saturday, Dec. 30, with a lineup of family-friendly activities daily including a magic show on Friday, Dec. 29, at 2 p.m. (tickets cost $10 to $30, depending on age, and are available online); the museum will be open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (and until 8 p.m. on Dec. 28) during those days. The museum will also be open Sunday, Dec. 31, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Admission costs $20 for adults, $15 for ages 65+, $15 for students and $5 for ages 13 to 17 (children under 13 get in for free).

The Art Roundup 23/12/28

The latest from NH’s theater, arts and literary communities

Brass to the Max

Symphony NH will team up with the Spartans Drum and Bugle Corp for “Brass to the Max,” a show at the Keefe Center for the Arts (117 Elm St. in Nashua) on Saturday, Jan. 13, at 7:30 p.m. “For the first time, Symphony NH’s brass and percussion join forces with the award-winning musicians of Nashua-based Drum Corps International’s The Spartans in a thrilling, high-octane performance of brass and percussion favorites…. The program will be visceral and high-energy. Be prepared to feel this one all the way through your bones with great music like Aaron Copland’s ‘Fanfare for the Common Man’ and ‘Celebrate’ by Kool and the Gang,” according to a press release. Tickets cost $10 to $60 and are available at symphonynh.org or by calling 595-9156.

You, Me and The Woodsmoke

The original surrealist drama You, Me and The Woodsmoke, by Catherine Stewart, will come to the Players’ Ring Theatre (105 Marcy St. in Portsmouth; 436-8123, playersring.org) Friday, Jan. 5, through Sunday, Jan. 14, with shows at 7:30 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays and 2:30 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays. In the play, which runs two hours and has an intermission, two women are on a camping trip to rekindle a long-lost friendship, but the forest holds secrets, according to a press release. Tickets cost $28, $25 for students and 65+.

Join the band

Ted Herbert Music School will hold auditions for its Ted Herbert Community Big Band for ages 13 to 19 on Sunday, Jan. 14, from 3 to 6 p.m. at Ted Herbert Music School and Rentals (880 Page St. in Manchester). Students in the band can rehearse, perform and learn in an ensemble setting and will be mentored by professional working musicians, according to a press release. The audition will feature sight reading and improvisation, the release said. Auditions are open to kids who are not students at Ted Herbert Music School. Band rehearsals will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. on the second Sunday of each month from February through June, the release said, with a final performance held on June 9 at the Majestic Studio Theatre (at the Page Street location). Reserve an audition spot by emailing [email protected] or calling 669-7469. See tedherbert.com for more.

Quality of Life 23/12/28

Toys!

The 12th Annual Tower of Toys initiative in Manchester marked another successful year by collecting approximately 1,100 gifts and raising more than $15,000 for local children and families during the holiday season. According to a press release, the donated toys were assembled into a tower for public viewing at the Beacon Building’s atrium before distribution to beneficiaries through schools, churches and nonprofit organizations. Local businesses, individuals and 10 restaurants actively participated in the campaign, which also received support from various sponsors.

QOL score: +1

Comment: “With heartfelt appreciation, the 12th annual Tower of Toys initiative celebrates the collective generosity that has made the holidays truly magical for New Hampshire children and families,” Larry Thibodeau, Tower of Toys founder and sponsor, said in the release.

Little extra

Following advocacy efforts by the New Hampshire and Vermont Congressional delegations, the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) has announced an increase in pay for federal employees in certain counties of New Hampshire and Vermont. According to a press release, this change, impacting workers in Carroll, Cheshire, Grafton and Sullivan counties in New Hampshire, aligns their locality pay with most counties in New Hampshire and the Greater Boston area. Over 1,000 federal employees, including those working at the White River Junction VA Medical Center, White Mountain National Forest and the Army’s Cold Regions Research and Engineering Laboratory, will benefit from more competitive pay rates.

QOL score: +1

Comment: The pay raise aims to improve hiring and retention of federal employees, which is crucial for initiatives like the implementation of the PACT Act, a law passed to secure health care and benefits for veterans exposed to toxic substances, according to the release.

Money management

A recent analysis by the Pew Charitable Trusts commended New Hampshire for its prudent use of the $995 million received from the American Rescue Plan, NHRP reported. The state allocated the majority (72.5 percent) of these funds to one-time expenses and dedicated over 19 percent to direct pandemic response, such as vaccine distribution and support for long-term care facilities. Only a small portion (8.1 percent) was used for operating expenses, which are typically recurring and could lead to future budget shortfalls.

QOL score: +1

Comment: New Hampshire’s strategic spending on pandemic response and one-time investments, like purchasing Hampstead Hospital and expanding housing, is in line with Pew’s recommendations for minimizing the risk of future fiscal imbalances, the article said.

QOL score: 90

Net change: +3

QOL this week: 93

What’s affecting your Quality of Life here in New Hampshire?
Let us know at [email protected].

Featured photo: 12th Annual Tower of Toys. Courtesy photo.

This Week 23/12/28

Big Events December 28, 2023 and Beyond

Thursday, Dec. 28

Recycled Percussion begins its multi-show run today at the Palace Theatre (80 Hanover St., Manchester, 668-5588, palacetheatre.org) running through Jan. 7 (see the Nov. 9 issue for an in-depth interview with Justin Spencer). Showtimes include today at 7 p.m.; Friday, Dec. 29, through Monday, Jan. 1, at 3 and 7 p.m.; Friday, Jan. 5, at 7 p.m.; Saturday, Jan. 6, at 11 a.m., 3 and 7 p.m., and Sunday, Jan. 7, at 3 and 7 p.m.

Thursday, Dec. 28

Take a moment for some art at the Currier Museum of Art’s (150 Ash St. in Manchester; currier.org) Art After Work today from 5 to 8 p.m., when admission is free and live music will be provided by Max Sullivan Band. This is the last Art After Work Thursday before a winter break, according to the museum’s website.

Sunday, Dec. 31

Catch Adam Ezra tonight at 9 p.m. at the Tupelo Music Hall (10 A St. in Derry; tupelomusichall.com) — tickets cost $45 for the show ($95 for a dinner-and-show ticket). Find more ideas for New Year’s Eve celebration in the Dec. 21 issue of the Hippo at hippopress.com, where you can flip through the e-edition. On page 28, find alist of restaurants with special meals and seatings; on page 36 find a listing of music and parties.

Sunday, Dec. 31

Juston McKinney is just one of several comedians dishing out the last laughs at 2023. He’s performing tonight at the Nashua Center for the Arts (201 Main St. in Nashua; nashuacenterforthearts.com) at 5 and 8 p.m. Tickets cost $39. Find more comedy in our Comedy This Week listings in the Nite section.

Monday, Jan. 1

Start the year with a brisk run — the Apple Therapy & Derry Sports Rehab Millennium Mile in Londonderry steps off at a New Year’s Eve party-attendee-friendly 2 p.m. Registration costs $20 for everyone 12 and over; $10 for 11 and under. The course is described as “a point-to-point, downhill 1-mile course for all ages and abilities starting on Mammoth Road in front of Londonderry High School,” according to millenniumrunning.com, where you can find out more about the race and register.

Wednesday, Jan. 3

Andrew North and the Rangers host RangerZone Open Mic tonight at the Bank of New Hampshire Stage (16 S. Main St. in Concord; ccanh.com). Signups start at 6:30 p.m. and participants will get a slot based on a lottery; music starts at 6:45 p.m. Bring your instrument; amps are provided and the band can serve as your backing band. Admission is free.

Save the Date! Friday, Jan. 19
Heat up with winter with Dancing Queens, billed as “the Ulimate ABBA and Disco Tribute,” at the Palace Theatre (80 Hanover St. in Manchester; palacetheatre.org, 668-5588) Friday, Jan. 19, through Sunday, Feb. 11, with shows at 7:30 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays and 2 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays, plus Thursday, Feb. 8, at 7:30 p.m. Tickets cost $28 to $49.

Featured photo: Adam Ezra Group

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