Author: The Hippo Press

Kiddie Pool 26/02/05

Family fun for whenever

Valentine’s fun

  • The Children’s Museum of New Hampshire, 6 Washington St. in Dover, childrens-museum.org, will hold a Valentine’s Dance party featuring special musical guest Mr. Aaron on Sunday, Feb. 8, from 1 to 3 p.m. Mr. Aaron will perform between 2 and 2:30 p.m.; the day will also feature Valentine’s crafts, the website said. See the website for tickets, which cost $18 per person.
  • The Educational Farm at Joppa Hill, 174 Joppa Hill Road in Bedford, will hold a Valentine’s Day Birdseed Hanger craftmaking event on Thursday, Feb. 12, from 11 a.m. to noon, according to jhef.org/events-at-the-farm, where you can reserve a spot for $15 per child. The event will feature a story about animals in winter, a walk on the story patch, a visit to farm birds and making the birdseed hanger, the website said.

Stellar!

  • The Friday, Feb. 6, Super Stellar Friday program at the McAuliffe-Shepard Discover Center in Concord is all about “Stellar Spectroscopy & Exoplanet Observation,” according to starhop.com. “Join us in the planetarium theater as we take a guided tour through how we use telescopes like the James Webb to learn more about stars too far to visit or take detailed pictures. Learn about the traces left in starlight and what they mean for a star’s formation and potential for habitable worlds, as well as the importance of events in our universe leading up to our own lives on Earth,” the website said. Doors open for the Friday night programming at 6:30 p.m., the presentation starts at 7 p.m. and a sky viewing with New Hampshire Astronomical Society begins at 9 p.m., weather permitting, the website said. A planetarium show, for an additional $7 per person, takes place at 8 p.m. See the website for tickets to the event.

Pink Day

Southern New Hampshire University’s women’s basketball team will celebrate Penmen Pink Day — “Fill the gym with love for breast cancer fighters and survivors” according to a post on the NH Hoop Skills Facebook page — on Saturday, Feb. 7, with a vendor fair starting at 12:30 p.m. before the game against Southern Connecticut State University at 1:30 p.m., according to snhupenmen.com. The men’s game, also against Southern Connecticut, will start at 3:30 p.m., the website said. The games take place at the Stan Spiro Field House on the SNHU campus in north Manchester.

This Week 26/02/05

Thursday, Feb. 5

NH Poet Laureate Jennifer Militello will present her new book Identifying the Pathogen: An Inquiry tonight at 6:30 p.m. at Gibson’s Bookstore, 45 S. Main St. in Concord, gibsonsbookstore.com.

Thursday, Feb. 5

Comedian Katherine Blanford takes the stage at the BNH Stage (16 S. Main St., Concord, 225-1111, ccanh.com) tonight at 7:30 p.m. Blanford is known for her “human golden retriever presence” on stage. Tickets are $32 in advance through the Capitol Center’s website or $37 at the door.

Friday, Feb. 6

Lotus Land: the definitive Rush tribute act performs at the Tupelo Music Hall (10 A St., Derry, 437-5100, tupelomusichall.com) tonight and tomorrow, Saturday, Feb. 7, at 8 p.m. Tickets start at $50 through the Music Hall’s website.

Friday, Feb. 6

The Jewel Music Venue (61 Canal St., Manchester, 819-9336, jewelmusicvenue.com) hosts Loud Entertainment’s 2-Year Birthday Bash tonight starting at 7 p.m., featuring Hit-N-Run: Tickets are $20.98 through eventbrite.com.

Friday, Feb. 6

Mentalist Jon Stetson performs a live 18+ show of mysterious mental abilities tonight at 8 p.m. at Chunky’s Cinema Pub (707 Huse Road, Manchester, 206-3888, chunkys.com). Tickets are $35 through the Chunky’s website

Saturday, Feb. 7

Local author Robert B. Perreault will be signing copies of his books from 1 to 4 p.m. today at Barnes & Noble in Manchester (1741 S. Willow St., bn.com). His latest, Courtship in Purgatory, is his first historical romance novel. Perreault is also the author of nonfiction titles about Manchester history.

Sunday, Feb. 8

Join the High School Musical sing-along at the BNH Stage (16 S Main St., Concord, 225-1111, ccanh.com) today at 2 p.m. Tickets are $15 in advance through the Capitol Center’s website, or $20 at the door.

Sunday, Feb. 8

Watch your New England Patriots face off agains the Seattle Seahawks in Super Bowl LX at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California, on Sunday, Feb. 8, starting at 6:30 p.m. The game airs on NBC and via Peacock.

Monday, Feb. 9

The Glimpse Gallery, 4 Park St. in Concord, theglimpsegallery.com, opens its newest show with the works of six featured artists — Barbara Morse, Linda Graham, Larry Smukler, Peter Sandback, Tessa Magnuson and Bonnie Beauchamp-Cooke — today. The show runs through March 9. See the website to RSVP to a Feb. 21 opening reception and to make an appointment to see the exhibit.

Save the Date! Friday, Feb. 13
The Community Players of Concord NH will present Ms. Holmes & Ms. Watson Apt 2D at the Concord City Auditorium (2 Prince St., Concord, 228-2793, theaudi.org) at 7 p.m. Friday, Feb. 13, and Saturday, Feb. 14, and at 2 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 15. Oddball female roommates Sherlock Holmes and Joan Watson join forces solving mysteries and kicking butts until they come face to face with the villain who seems to have all the answers. Tickets are $22 for adults and $20 for guests under 13 or over 64 years old. Visit communityplayersofconcord.org or buy tickets at the box office 90 minutes prior to curtain.

Featured photo: Courtship in Purgatory by Robert B. Perreault

Quality of Life 26/02/05

Frozen pipes

As reported by WMUR in a Jan. 27 online article, the recent cold weather has led to frozen pipes throughout New Hampshire. “As frigid weather continues in New Hampshire,” the article read, “plumbers say they’re keeping busy fixing frozen pipes.” WMUR quoted Steve Labbe, a plumber who has responded to dozens of frozen pipe calls over the past week or two.

QOL score: -1

Comment: According to the WMUR story, Labbe said: “It mostly happens to people that go away for vacation for a week, and they don’t know when they have no heat,” he said. “And then the house freezes up. We’ve seen that. And that’s thousands and thousands of dollars to fix.”

Can she declare a recess?

The Honorable Liv Crete-Sayer of Boscawen has been sworn in. As reported on nh.kidgovernor.org, the official website of the New Hampshire Kid Governor organization, [Kid] Governor Crete-Sayer and her Kid Executive Council “were inaugurated in a ceremony on Tuesday, January 27th in the NH House Chambers. Chief Justice Gordon MacDonald administered the oath of office and Governor Kelly Ayotte and other New Hampshire dignitaries presided.” Crete-Sayer’s “platform is to educate NH kids on the dangers of smoking, vaping, and drugs,” a post on the website read.

QOL score: +1

Comment: As explained on its website, “New Hampshire’s Kid Governor is a national award-winning civics program led by NH Civics in partnership with the New Hampshire Institute of Politics”.

More hungry families

As reported by NH Hunger Solutions (nhhungersolutions.org) on its website, with the future of the State’s SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) uncertain, 76,000 New Hampshire residents are at risk of going hungry. “The cost of operating SNAP in New Hampshire has increased,” the report said. “Historically, the state and federal government split administrative costs 50/50. Now, the state is required to cover 75% of the costs — an estimated $5.75 million increase to the state’s budget to run the program…. SNAP is our first line of defense against hunger in our state”

QOL score: -1

Comment: In a Jan. 23 blog post, the New Hampshire Fiscal Policy Institute (nhfpi.org) wrote, “Food insecurity in New Hampshire, while still lower than the national average, has been rising since the Covid-19 pandemic-era low.”

QOL score: 54

Net change: -1

QOL this week: 53

What’s affecting your Quality of Life here in New Hampshire?

Let us know at news@hippopress.com.

News & Notes 26/02/05

Greater Nashua Mental Health

In a Facebook post on Feb. 2, Greater Nashua Mental Health said that the 440 Amherst St. location in Nashua is closed due to the fire on Monday afternoon. Three firefighters were injured and the building was destroyed in the fire after a natural gas leak and explosion, according to a Feb. 3 report on WMUR. Greater Nashua Mental Health advised patients to call during business hours if they are scheduled for in-person appointments at the 440 Amherst St. location; Greater Nashua Mental Health locations on Prospect and Pine streets are “operating as usual,” the Facebook post said. See gnmhc.org.

Discover science

SEE Science Center, 200 Bedford St. in Manchester, will hold a Community Discovery Night on Friday, Feb. 13, from 5 to 8 p.m. “During this free event SEE is inviting all members of the community to discover Black influence in Science Technology Engineering and Math,” according to a press release. Sign up by Wednesday, Feb. 11, at see-sciencecenter.org. This family event will feature food, demonstrations, activity stations, a scavenger hunt and more, the website said. “SEE will continue the celebration during February to celebrate Black History Month. The scavenger hunt will be available daily and pop-up activities will be available on select weekend and vacation days,” the press release said. SEE will be open extra days for school breaks in February: Monday, Feb. 16, and Monday, Feb. 23, from 10 a.m to 4 p.m., the release said.

Farming conference

The Northeast Organic Farming Association of New Hampshire will hold its 24th Annual Winter Conference on Saturday, March 7, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., at Colby-Sawyer College in New London, according to a press release. The conference, featuring the theme “Taking Root: Nourishing Community,” is open to farmers, gardeners, food system professionals, organic advocates and others, and will feature more than 20 workshops, the release said. The day also features a Green Market Fair and a keynote with David Trumble of Good Earth Farm and Sara Hansen of Kearsarge Gore Farm, the release said. See nofanh.org for tickets.

Housing conference

New Hampshire Housing will hold a homeownership conference at the Grappone Conference Center in Concord on Wednesday, March 18, from 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., according to an email about the event. “The agenda includes discussions on housing affordability, property taxes, and housing finance trends, along with a keynote fireside chat,” the email said. Tickets cost $75 and include breakfast. See nhhfa.org.

The Eleventh Letter Writing Gallery, 146 N. Main St. in Concord, in partnership with the Women’s Caucus for Art/New Hampshire Chapter, will hold a free drop-in Valentine’s Day Art Event on Saturday, Feb. 7, from 1 to 3 p.m., with supplies provided to decorate an “I Am Grateful For You” postcard, according to a press release. See theeleventhletter.com.

“Paint Your Partner” at Stark Brewing, 500 N. Commercial St. in Manchester, on Saturday, Feb. 14, 1 to 3 p.m., during a special Valentine’s Day event from Junior Service League of Concord and NH Craft Club. Registration for a pair costs $45 — “bring a significant other or a friend!” the press release said — with craft materials provided, and Stark Brewing’s menu will be available to purchase from. See jslconcord.org/upcoming-events.

Spyglass Brewing Co., 306 Innovative Way in Nashua, will hold a competitive puzzle night on Thursday, Feb. 5, from 6 to 8 p.m, according to spyglassbrewing.com. The fastest team (of up to four players) to put together a 500-piece puzzle wins a prize and bragging rights; limited spots available, the website said.

Winter Hikes — 01/29/2026

on the cover

In this week’s cover story, Michael Witthaus considers the particular fun of winter hikes, getting some advice for hitting the trails in winter and some trails to check out.

Also on the cover Have you voted? Vote now in Hippo’s Best of 2026 readers’ poll, where you can vote for your favorite tacos, pizza, chicken tenders, ice cream and cocktails — plus non-food faves. See hippopress.com for a link to the survey.

Read the e-edition

News & Notes 26/01/29
A graphic the shape of the state of New Hampshire, filled in with the New Hampshire flag made up of the crest of New Hampshire on a blue field.
260129Featured ContentNews
Bob Baines Bob Baines, who served as Manchester’s mayor in the early 2000s, died last week, according to a statement ...
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Quality of Life 26/01/29
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St. Patrick’s Day Parade canceled According to its website (saintpatsnh.com), Manchester’s annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade, originally scheduled for Sunday, ...
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Pats Super Bowl bound
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The Big Story – It’s 2013 All Over Again: Every time the Red Sox advanced in 2013, I asked, how ...
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This Week 26/01/29
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Thursday, Jan. 29 The SNHU Arena (555 Elm St., Manchester, 644-5000, snhuarena.com) will host Dancing With the Stars: Live tonight ...
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Winter Trails
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The joys of hiking in winter This year the Appalachian Mountain Club marks its 150th anniversary as the country’s oldest ...
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The 2026 Wedding Revolution
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Local actors, directors and more will be honored at the New Hampshire Theatre Awards Granite State stages were quite busy ...
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Treasure Hunt 26/01/29
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Kiddie Pool 26/01/29
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Family fun for whenever The hills are alive • The Gilbert H. Hood Drama Club will present The Sound of ...
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The Weekly Dish 26/01/29
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Album Reviews 26/01/29
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The Music Roundup 26/01/29
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Kiddie Pool 26/01/29

Family fun for whenever

The hills are alive

• The Gilbert H. Hood Drama Club will present The Sound of Music youth edition on Friday, Jan. 30, at 7 p.m. and Saturday, Jan. 31, at 4 p.m. at Stockbridge Theatre, 44 N. Main St. in Derry, according to stockbridgetheatre.com. Tickets cost $13.

Walk in winter

• Squam Lakes Natural Science Center, 23 Science Center Road in Holderness, nhnature.org, holds Wild Winter Walks on some Saturdays and Sundays through March, according to the website. “Join one of our naturalists for a guided walk along the live animal exhibit trail to see our animal ambassadors sporting their winter coats,” the website said. The walks are geared toward ages 6 and up and attendees are reminded to “dress in warm layers,” the website said. Upcoming dates are Sunday, Feb. 1; Saturday, Feb. 7; Sunday, Feb. 15; Saturday, Feb. 21; Saturday, Feb. 28; Saturday, March 7, and Sunday, March 15, with walks slated for 10 to 11:30 a.m. and 1 to 2:30 p.m. on those days. Register online.

Celebrating Christa

• The McAuliffe-Shepard Discovery Center in Concord is continuing its program “Reach for the Stars: Celebrating Christa McAuliffe” 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.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 for Jan. 31 or to purchase admission tickets for the week-long programming and reserve planetarium tickets.

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