Author: The Hippo Press

More food news

The New Hampshire Food Bank “is intensifying its fundraising efforts to address the anticipated statewide rise in food insecurity as the federal government shutdown persists,” as the shutdown has impacted funding for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), according to a Food Bank press release on Oct. 31 at its website, nhfoodbank.org. “The New Hampshire Food Bank has already increased food distribution by 26% year-over-year to meet the growing demand.” The NH Food Bank has a webpage — nhfoodbank.org/govshutdown — with information about SNAP, a food map of partner agencies throughout the state and links to information on mobile food banks and SNAP-recipients-specific mobile food banks. The page also features links on donating to the NH Food Bank.

Veterans Day parade

Manchester’s Veterans Day Parade will kick off changes to the city’s parade route, according to a press release from the Manchester Emergency Operations Center. “Beginning with the Veterans Day Parade on November 11, 2025, and all parades moving forward, the parade route will start at Bridge St and Elm St continuing south on Elm St and concluding at Elm St and Central St,” the release said. The parade steps off around 10:45 a.m., according to the police department.

To celebrate Veterans Day the city is also offering free parking to anyone with a Veteran plate at metered spaces in downtown Manchester, according to The MEDO Minute, the newsletter of the city of Manchester Economic Development office.

At the DMV

The New Hampshire Division of Motor Vehicles is fully appointment-based as of Nov. 3, according to a press release from the state’s Department of Safety on Oct. 27. Go to dmv.nh.gov to make an appointment at one of the state’s 14 locations. “DMV staff will assist walk-in customers with finding appointments, including at other DMV locations if necessary,” the release said. “The busiest DMV locations in Concord, Manchester, Nashua and Epping will also offer appointments during extended hours until 5 p.m., twice a week. Additionally, a limited block of same-day appointments will be made available each day for customers with urgent transactions,” the release said. This new system is designed to reduce waiting times in DMV lobbies and manage customer flow more effectively, the release said.

The new exhibition “If You Had to Choose: Patriots and Loyalists in Revolutionary New Hampshire,” which “presents the stories of New Hampshire colonists in 1775 and 1776,” is on display now at the New Hampshire Historical Society, 30 Park St. in Concord. Also on display is “Lafayette’s Visit to New Hampshire,” about the Marquis de Lafayette’s 1825 visit to the state, according to nhhistory.org. The Society is open Tuesdays through Saturdays, 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

“Hive Mind: Nature Inspired Group Art” from the New England-based artist group NAV Arts will be on display through Dec. 27 at the New Hampshire Audubon’s Massabesic Center, 26 Audubon Way in Auburn. An artists’ reception will be held Saturday, Nov. 8, from noon to 3 p.m. See nhaudubon.org.

The Friends of the Newfields Public Library will hold an antique and vintage item appraisal event called “What’s It Worth?” on Saturday, Nov. 8, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at The Brook Casino in the Showroom, 319 New Zealand Road in Seabrook, according to an email from organizers. The event is 18+, with no firearms allowed, up to three items per person and a fee by donation, the email said. See newfieldslibrary.org/whats-it-worth-2025

SNAP plan

More than 75,000 Granite Staters receive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, according to an Oct. 24 press release from the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services, which announced a contingency plan in the event that the federal government shutdown leads to November’s SNAP benefits not being issued. The state will partner with the New Hampshire Food Bank “to increase SNAP recipients’ access to food through the Food Bank’s mobile food pantry program and traditional food pantries across the state. Upon approval by the Fiscal Committee and Executive Council, the Food Bank will provide mobile food pantries specifically for SNAP participants in locations identified by the State,” the release said. The state can sustain funding for the 13,000 people in the state “participating in the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) until at least Nov. 7,” the release said. If the federal shutdown lasts into November funding will not support local WIC agencies, which will close starting on Nov. 1, the release said. “While Local WIC Agencies are closed, WIC participants can continue to receive benefits and food balances on the WIC Shopper app or by calling 855-279-0680. Anyone with additional questions can call DHHS at 800-942-4321,” the release said. See dhhs.nh.gov and click on the link about WIC and SNAP at the top of the page for more information.

Clean room

The University of New Hampshire held a ribbon-cutting for a new high-tech cleanroom at its John Olson Advanced Manufacturing Center at the Durham campus, according to an Oct. 24 press release. “The new ISO7 cleanroom was donated by Airtho and will help strengthen UNH’s role as a leader for emerging research and innovation, contributing to the growth of advanced manufacturing in New Hampshire and the surrounding region,” the release said. “Currently, the John Olson Advanced Manufacturing Center is home to seven co-located technology businesses with approximately 24 UNH undergraduate and graduate students doing research and gaining experience with these companies — helping to train the state’s future workforce and contribute to its economic development.”

Music market

The First Congregational Church, 70 Clinton St. in Concord, will host the Third Annual Musicians’ Flea Market on Saturday, Nov. 1, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Admission costs $2 per person, kids under 13 get in free, according to a press release. The event will feature musical instruments, gear, sheet music, CDs, vinyl records and more, the release said. See ConcordsFirstChurch.org/events.

The Route 3 Art Trail will run Saturday, Nov. 1, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and feature 15 locations in Concord, Penacook, Boscawen and Franklin, according to route3arttrail.com, where you can find a map and information on each location.

The Granite State Ringers will perform Wednesday, Nov. 5, at 7:30 p.m. at Concord City Auditorium, 2 Prince St. in Concord. Admission is free. See walkerlecture.org.

The Exeter Fall Art Tour will run Saturday, Nov. 1, and Sunday, Nov. 2, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. featuring 15 stops within 3 miles, according to exeterfallarttour.com.

The Hollis Arts Society will hold its 2025 Art Show & Sale on Saturday, Nov. 1, and Sunday, Nov. 2, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Lawrence Barn, 28 Depot Road in Hollis. Find works crafted by member artists including pottery, eco prints, glass work, paintings, photographs, jewelry, gift cards, ornaments and more, according to a post on the Society’s Facebook page, facebook.com/HollisArtsSocietyNH.