Author: The Hippo Press

Museum news

As of December, Aviation Museum of New Hampshire, 27 Navigator Road in Londonderry, has joined SEE Science Center and the Millyard Museum, both at 200 Bedford St. in Manchester, in offering reduced admission to “individuals and families presenting a SNAP Electronic Benefits Transfer card during all normal operating hours,” according to a press release from the Aviation Museum. The three museums are now part of the “national ‘Museums for All’ program, which offers discounted admission to visitors who receive federal food assistance,” the release said. “Under ‘Museums for All,’ the SEE Science Center and the Millyard Museum offer a discounted admission of $3 per person to those who qualify. The Aviation Museum of N.H. offers a $5 admission under the program,” the release said. “This program is so important because it allows us to create a culture of museum-going and ensure access to cultural resources as a basic right within our community,” said Shana Hawrylchak, executive director of the SEE Science Center, in the release. See see-sciencenter.org, manchesterhistoric.org and aviationmuseumofnh.org for details on the local museums and Museums4All.org for more on the national program.

Rural health

The U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has awarded New Hampshire more than $204 million for 2026 “as part of the federal Rural Health Transformation Program, the largest award among New England states,” according to a Dec. 29 press release from the state Department of Health and Human services. “New Hampshire’s application requested $200 million annually throughout the duration of the five-year program to strengthen rural health care access, quality, and long-term sustainability,” the release said. See dhhs.nh.gov.

Radon

January is National Radon Action Month, according to a Dec. 29 press release from the American Lung Association, which is “raising awareness of the potential health risks of radon and the importance of home testing. Exposure to radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer, and the number one cause of lung cancer in people who have never smoked. Radon is responsible for an estimated 21,000 deaths annually in the U.S,” the release said. According to the association’s “State of Lung Cancer” report, more than 35 percent of homes tested for radon in New Hampshire “had results that were at or above the action level recommended by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), which is 4 pCi/L,” the release said. For more information about radon, described in the release as “naturally occurring radioactive gas emitted from the soil,” and to order test kits, see lung.org/clean-air/indoor-air/indoor-air-pollutants/radon.

Queerlective, queerlective.com, will hold Cupid Lied: A Queer Anti-Valentine Market at “our new space at 72 Concord St. inside the YWCA” in Manchester on Saturday, Feb. 14, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., according to an email about the event. “This market will feature queer artists, community activities, and room to connect with chosen family,” the email said. RSVP at the website for updates and reminders; artists interested in participating can apply via go.queerlective.com/cupidvend.

Auburn Pitts, 167 Rockingham Road in Auburn, will hold their annual Christmas Tree Burning Party on Saturday, Jan. 10, according to their Facebook page. The 21+ event, featuring music from DJ Chris, starts at 6 p.m. and the burning starts at 7 p.m., the post said. Drop off your tree before Saturday, according to the page.

Joppa Hill Educational Farm, 174 Joppa Hill Road in Bedford, will hold “Out and About on a Winter’s Night and Star Gazing with 4-H” on Friday, Jan. 16, with activities for families and youth ages 6+ from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. followed by stargazing until 8 p.m., according jhef.org. The cost is $15 per family (up to four people) plus fees. The night will feature story-telling, an illuminated story path, constellation identification, naked-eye and binocular observing and more, the website said.

The eighth Common Man Roadside Market & Deli opened Dec. 31 at 56 Crystal Ave. in Derry, according to a press release. The eatery features “an open kitchen for preparing made-to-order meals, a café, fresh pastries, NH-made goods, a ‘grab and go’ display with sandwiches, salads, and drinks, a coffee bar, a ‘Beer Cave,’ seating for dining, a fireplace, and a wide array of convenience store items” and more, the release said.

$2 less

Eversource customers are expected to see a 2 percent decrease in their bills for the first two months of 2026 “due to rate adjustments in the first two months of the new year,” according to an Eversource press release from Dec. 16. “The energy company recently filed multiple rate adjustments, including energy supply, that will take effect early next year, leading to a slight overall decrease for customers if approved by the New Hampshire Public Utilities Commission (PUC),” the release said. “Due to rate adjustments in the first two months of the new year, the delivery portion of all customer bills will go down, resulting in an approximately $2 or 2% decrease. The Default Service rate, which is the energy supply that Eversource purchases on behalf of customers with no markup or profit, will remain stable, changing in February from 11.2 cents per kilowatt-hour (kWh) to 11.3 cents per kWh,” the release said. See eversource.com.

Shoebox project

The United Way of Greater Nashua is collecting items for its Shoebox Project for Seniors Monday, Jan. 5, through Friday, Jan. 30, at its 20 Broad St. location in Nashua from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on weekdays, according to a press release. The shoebox kits are distributed to seniors “served by Gateways Community Services, Meals on Wheels, Americorps Senior Companions and The Caregivers, reaching individuals who are often isolated and difficult to reach,” the press release said. Items accepted include exercise bands, puzzle books, healthy recipe books, note cards, stamps, magnifying glasses, pocket calendars, small stuffed animals, colored pencils and adult coloring books, combs and brushes, dental floss, facial tissue, hot chocolate, tea and coffee bags, travel-size shampoo, toothpaste and other items, the release said. See unitedwaynashua.org/event/shoebox-project-for-seniors-day-of-caring/.

Renovations

The New Hampshire Audubon’s McLane Center, 84 Silk Road in Concord, will be open to visitors, such as those who want to check out the “Enchanted Owls” exhibit of fiber art featuring the works of Sandra Grant, on Friday, Jan. 2, and Saturday, Jan. 3, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. but then closed Jan. 4 through Jan 20 for renovations, according to a NH Audubon newsletter. “Enchanted Owls” will continue at the McLane Center after it reopens, on display through Saturday, March 7. See nhaudubon.org for updates. The Massabesic Center, 26 Audubon Way in Auburn, will be closed for New Year’s Day (Thursday, Jan. 1) but otherwise open normal hours, Wednesdays through Saturdays, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Its new exhibit — “Outings,” featuring the watercolor works of Nick Amadeo — will open on Friday, Jan. 9, with an artist reception that evening from 6 to 9 p.m. The exhibit will be on display through Saturday, Feb. 28, according to the NH Audubon’s calendar on its website.

The Concord Public Library, 45 Green St. in Concord, will hold a Stuffed Animal Sleepover for kids in preschool and elementary school on Friday, Jan. 2, at 3 p.m. Bring a stuffie who will spend the night at the library and then pick them up on Saturday, Jan. 3, at 10 a.m., when kids can have breakfast and watch a G-rated movie, according to concordnh.gov/1983/Library, where you can register for the event.

New England author Katy Hunt will be at the storytime on Saturday, Jan. 3, at 11:30 a.m. at Bookery Manchester, 844 Elm St. in Manchester, with her books There’s a Wub in the Tub and My Cousin Is A Dragon, according to bookerymht.com.

Check out another Rob Reiner-directed classic — 1986’s Stand By Me, based on Stephen King’s “The Body,” which will screen on Sunday, Jan. 4, at 1 p.m. at the Nashua Public Library, 2 Court St., according to nashualibrary.org.