This Week 22/02/24

Big Events Feb 24, 2022 and beyond

Thursday, Feb. 24

Head to the Currier Museum of Art (150 Ash St in Manchester;   currier.org) today for Art After Work, when the museum admission is free from 5 to 8 p.m. and the Winter Garden offers drink specials and a full menu for purchase as well as live music — this week’s performer is Paul Nelson. Tours include a 5:30 p.m. tour of the exhibit “As Precious As Gold: Carpets from the Islamic World, which is on display through Sunday, Feb. 27. The Currier is open Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Friday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission costs $15 for adults, $13 for seniors, $10 for students and $5 for ages 17 to 13; kids under 13 get in for free.

Thursday, Feb. 24

Head to the Rex Theatre (23 Amherst St. In Manchester; palacetheatre.org) for a screening of 1954’s Seven Brides for Seven Brothers today at 10 a.m. as part of the Senior Movie Mornings series. Tickets cost $10.

Friday, Feb. 24

The final weekend of the LaBelle Lights, a walk-through light show at LaBelle Winery in Derry, starts tonight. LaBelle Lights is open from 5 to 8 p.m. tonight through Saturday, Feb. 26. See labellewinery.com for tickets (which can also be purchased on site); tickets cost $15 for adults (plus fees, for all paid tickets), $10 for 65+, $8 for ages 4 to 12 and free for kids 3 and under, according to the website.

Friday, Feb. 25

Millyard Brewery (25 E. Otterson St. in Nashua; millyardbrewery.com) hosts an exploration of the pairing of beer and chocolate featuring Loon Chocolate tonight at 6:30 p.m. Tickets cost $12 and are available online. Sample four beers with four specially paired chocolates.

Head back to Millyard Brewery for the pairing of Saturday night and laughs: Comedian Jimmy Cash will headline a comedy show starting at 7 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 26.

Friday, Feb 25

Catch the Soggy Po Boys tonight at 8 p.m. at the Bank of NH Stage (16 S. Main St. in Concord; ccanh.com). Tickets cost $18 to $21 (plus fees). See the Cap Center website for a video that shows off their New Orleans-inspired sound.

Saturday, Feb. 26

Relax with Klipper (Austin Klipp’s piano and vocals) at Liquid Therapy (14 Court St. in Nashua; liquidtherapynh.com) this afternoon at 2 p.m. Find more live music at area bars, breweries, restaurants and other locales in the Music This Week listing, which starts this week on page 42.

Saturday, Feb. 26

“Hostess with the mostest?” Monique Toosoon will preside over the monthly “Life Is a Drag” show at Chunky’s Cinema pub (707 Huse Road in Manchester; chunkys.com) at 9 p.m. Tickets to this 21+ show cost $25; doors open at 8 p.m.

Wednesday, March 2

Get some free doo-wop at the Concord City Auditorium (2 Prince St. in Concord) tonight at 7:30 p.m. when The Rockin’ Daddios perform. See walkerlecture.org or call 333-0035.

Prepare to beam up: March 3

Head to the Capitol Center for the Arts (Chubb Theatre, 44 S. Main St. in Concord; ccanh.com) on Thursday, March 3, at 7 p.m. for a screening of 1982’s Star Trek II: Wrath of Khan followed by a live presentation featuring Capt. James T. Kirk himself, William Shatner. The actor will tell stories about his career and take questions from the audience, the website said. Tickets cost $39.75 to $99.75.

Featured photo. Tent featured in the “As Precious As Gold” exhibit.

Quality of Life 22/02/24

Benny and the Cats?

Benny, Casey, Tucker — those are the options for the name of the New Hampshire Fisher Cats’ new bat dog in-training, and fans are being asked to vote for their favorite. According to a press release, the golden retriever puppy won’t be working as the bat dog this year, but he will be making appearances at Delta Dental Stadium throughout the season, including his official debut at the May 13 game. The to-be-named puppy is a rescue who came from New Hampshire-based volunteer organization Hero Pups, which provides support dogs to veterans and first responders in New England. “We’re proud to continue the legacy of Ollie the Bat Dog, who provided us so many wonderful memories over the years,” Fisher Cats President Mike Ramshaw said in the release.

Score: +1

Comment:The winning name of the Fisher Cats’ new bat dog in training will be announced in the coming weeks. Vote at nhfishercats.com.

Help wanted

New Hampshire employers are having a hard time finding people to work for them: According to WalletHub’s 2022 States Where Employers Are Struggling the Most in Hiring report, the Granite State ranks 4th in the nation. The report said that overall the country’s labor force participation rate is experiencing the slowest recovery of any recession since World War II. In New Hampshire the job openings rate during the latest month was 8.50 percent; in the past 12 months it was 7.28 percent. Alaska topped the list, followed by Vermont and Wyoming, the report said.

Score: -2

Comment: This is tough on businesses, and customers too understaffing is making for longer lines at the grocery store, longer waits at the drive-thru and more frustrating customer service experiences.

Professional education opportunities

Through its micro-credential program, UNH is now offering more than 250 micro-credential courses and 26 certificate programs, the New Hampshire Department of Business and Economic Affairs announced last week. Classes and programs focus on providing work-ready skills and are available in areas ranging from computer science and cryptocurrency to business management and law, according to a press release. Classes are taught in person and online; they start as low as $50 and are open to anyone, not just UNH students. Several similar programs are available at other schools in the state’s Community College System, including at NHTI, where all micro-credentials lead to an NHTI certificate or a degree program, the release said.

Score: +1

Comment: “Our state’s micro-credential programs give individuals a cost-efficient option to higher education that allows them to obtain and showcase ‘work ready’ skills,” BEA Commissioner Taylor Caswell said in the release. “It’s an interesting turning point in our higher-education system that will shape the future of the state’s workforce as a whole, benefitting thousands of companies.”

QOL score: 60

Net change: 0

QOL this week: 60

What’s affecting your Quality of Life here in New Hampshire? Let us know at news@hippopress.com.

News & Notes 22/02/24

Covid-19 update As of Feb 11 As of Feb 18
Total cases statewide 288,191 293,697
Total current infections statewide 5,343 3,073
Total deaths statewide 2,294 2,333
New cases 4,011 (Feb. 8 to Feb. 11) 5,506 (Feb. 12 to Feb. 18)
Current infections: Hillsborough County 1,314 749
Current infections: Merrimack County 547 286
Current infections: Rockingham County 769 439
Information from the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services.

Covid-19 news

State health officials reported 846 new cases of Covid-19 on Feb. 18. The state averaged 371 new cases per day over the most recent seven-day period, down 42 percent from the week before. As of Feb. 18 there were 108 hospitalizations statewide, the fewest since August of last year.

Also on Feb. 18, the state Department of Health & Human Services announced in a press release that, effective Monday, Feb. 21, the state-run fixed vaccination sites have modified their hours. The sites operated by ConvenientMD are now open seven days a week from noon to 7 p.m., while the sites operated by On-Site Medical Services are open Monday through Saturday, from noon to 7 p.m. According to the release, the hours were modified to allow for greater access beyond traditional school and work hours. Go to covid19.nh.gov and click on the “vaccination fixed sites” button to view a complete list of locations — no appointments are required.

State of the State

Gov. Chris Sununu gave his State of the State address on Feb. 17, praising New Hampshire for its economy, how it’s handled Covid and its progress toward better mental health care, among other things. “Today the Granite State is ranked as the freest state in the nation. … We have the strongest economy in the Northeast and the fastest population growth in New England. … We are No. 1 in America for public safety … first in economic freedom … and we continue to have the lowest poverty rate in the country with some of the highest average wages for our citizens,” he said in his address. Sununu pointed out that in the past year the statewide property tax has been cut by $100, the rooms and meals tax has been cut, business taxes have been cut, and the state’s rainy day fund has doubled. Regarding Covid, he said that “it has been safer to live in New Hampshire through the pandemic than virtually any other state,” with relatively low infection rates and hospitalization rates and a high vaccination rate. And in other health-related progress, Sununu said in his address that “For the first time in state history, New Hampshire is developing the most innovative paid family medical leave program in America — one that is truly voluntary and funded without an income tax.” The state’s mental health system, too, is seeing major improvements, he said. “When I came into office, the State had a mental health system that was fragmented and designed by and for bureaucrats, not for families and individuals … and [we] have worked to dramatically transform the entire mental health system,” he said. As for new initiatives, Sununu announced the creation of the InvestNH Housing Incentive Fund, a $100 million federally funded program to increase housing construction throughout the state. He also announced the creation of the New Hampshire Veterans Campus; the state will partner with Easterseals to build this campus on a 15-acre site in Franklin, to provide mixed housing, supportive services and a retreat campus for veterans and their families.

Library goals

The Nashua Public Library has some new goals for the next three years. According to a press release, staff and trustees surveyed the public, talked with focus groups, and held retreats for staff and trustees to answer the question, “What does Nashua want and need from its library?” After an analysis of the data they compiled, staff and trustees have decided to focus on three strategic directions: Make the library welcoming and comfortable and a hub of community activity; support learning and culture in the community by connecting people to learning opportunities in an inclusive way; and keep the library collaborative and connected by integrating it into the community. Three long-term goals were set for each of the three strategic areas, the release said, and the library is now working on an action plan to meet those nine goals. The plan is expected to be completed this spring.

Dr. Gretchen Mullin-Sawicki, president of NHTI in Concord, will be stepping down from her position later this spring, having served as president since 2019. According to a press release, she is relocating to be closer to family, and Chancellor Mark Rubinstein will serve in a dual role, leading NHTI for about six months while the Community College System of New Hampshire’s board of trustees begins its search process.

Drivers should anticipate daytime and nighttime lane closures for bridge work on I-293 in Manchester. According to a press release, the project entails replacing the concrete bridge deck and expansion joints, and work is expected to last through the fall. Initial lane closures will move traffic under the bridge at Huse Road while construction crews set up protective shielding on the bridge, the release said.

Longtime instructional paraeducator Beverly Mann celebrated 40 years as an employee at New Searles Elementary School in Nashua last week as staff threw her a surprise gathering under the guise of a Valentine’s Day staff breakfast. According to a press release, more than 50 current and former colleagues attended the event, which was also a celebration of her 80th birthday.

Dogs Versus Cats — 02/17/22

Are you on Team Cats or Team Dogs, or both? We talked to animal experts and pet owners to find out the benefits that each one brings to a home.

Also on the cover, it’s time to vote for your favorite people, places and things in New Hampshire in the Hippo’s annual Best of readers’ poll, p. 21. And find new brews in Concord and African and Caribbean eats in Manchester, p. 24 & 25.

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Dogs Versus Cats

Animal caregivers weigh in on the best pet for you

By Angie Sykeny and Matt Ingersoll

Cats or dogs — which is the better pet for you? We asked local animal shelters, doggy day care and pet store owners to weigh in on the unique benefits to having either feline or canine companions, and the variety of different qualities present in each. Here’s a look at what they said.

Team Cats

Fascinating

Cats can be fun and entertaining to watch as they all have distinct personalities and their behavior is often unpredictable and full of surprises.

“Contrary to popular belief by non-cat people, cats are not all alike,” Hilscher said. “They are fascinating and very smart. … A cat can get you to do almost anything for them.”

Photo courtesy of The Cat’s Cradle in Deerfield.

Cathy Bailey, CFO and co-founder of Hearts and Tails Animal Alliance in Weare, said cats have a certain mystique that has “appealed to humans on a profound level for millennia.”

“Cats are … incredibly intelligent … and savvy — apparently the sole navigator of their own destiny,” Bailey said. “Possessing an innate beauty, … a cat is a treasure to behold … and to this day, we love to share our hearts and homes with them.”

Selective

Cats can be hard to please and picky about whom they choose to interact with, which makes winning their approval all the more rewarding.

“They are the ones that pick the time they want with their human,” said Jinelle Hobson, Salem Animal Rescue League executive director. “It’s on their terms.”

“I tend to favor cats because I feel like I have to earn their trust and love more so than with dogs,” Salem Animal Rescue League feline coordinator Tiffany Martin added.

Low maintenance

Caring for a cat is significantly less involved than caring for a dog, making them a good fit for people who work outside the home or travel frequently.

“When my husband and I bought our first home, we decided on a pet cat because we would both be away from home working all day,” said Kristen Westhoven, owner and operator of The Cat’s Cradle,a cat boarding business she runs out of her home in Deerfield. “We knew a dog would need more attention than a cat, so when a friend had a kitten up for adoption, we took him.”

In general, a cat can be alone at home for much longer periods of time than a dog could be, Hobson said, since they already have their food, water and litter box readily available to them.

“You can buy timed feeders and provide them with a cat water fountain so they have food and water,” SARL canine manager Katie Corso said. “They even have litter boxes that clean themselves.”

“If I’m running late I don’t have to worry about them as much, since they have food, water and a potty always available for them,” Martin added.

Seacoast Cat Club
A New Hampshire-based affiliate of the Cat Fanciers’ Association (CFA), a worldwide organization that registers more than 40 breeds of cats with individual pedigrees, the Seacoast Cat Club is open to all cat lovers. Most of their work revolves around their annual show in early May — this year’s show is set for Saturday, May 7, and Sunday, May 8, at the Douglas N. Everett Arena in Concord. “The primary reason for having a show is to have CFA judges handle the cats and judge them according to the CFA standards that are written up for each breed,” Seacoast Cat Club secretary Marilyn Conde said in an email. “The cat who fits the standard best is chosen as [the] best. However, there are also secondary placements. … It’s a hobby and a wonderful way to meet others who share a love of cats.” To become a member, annual dues are $15 per person. Find them on Facebook @seacoastcatclub for more details.

Affectionate

Because dogs tend to be more open with how they show their affection, they are often thought of as the more affectionate of the two pets, but cats can be equally affectionate; they’re just a bit more discerning in how and when they show that affection.

“To some, cats may seem aloof and indifferent, but in my experience, they’re gentle and affectionate … [and] oh so cuddly … when they want to be,” Bailey said.

“Contrary to popular belief, cats are loyal beings, albeit on their terms,” added April Guilmet, board of directors and events coordinator at Happy Tails Pet Rescue in Hudson.

Cats’ displays of affection are typically more subtle than those of dogs, but they’re there if you know what you’re looking for.

“When they give you the slow blink to let you know everything is OK, or when they squish up against you … all is right with the world,” said Adi Rule, vice president of Pet Tails Rescue in Northwood, “and their purrs are just magical.”

Testimonials

April Guilmet, board of directors and events coordinator at Happy Tails Pet Rescue

Cat fosterer (and dog owner)

April Guilmet. Courtesy photo.

“I currently have four cats living with me, or rather, they let me live with them. As an avid volunteer, I’ve been known to take my work home with me, and that means all my cats arrived as fosters and decided to stay. Each kitty has a very distinct personality. My rescued coonhound mix, Cannoli, is pretty much attached to me at the hip most days, whereas my cats Squeegie, Mikey, Aspen and Albert opt to seek attention at their convenience, which tends to be when I’m taking a shower or in a WebEx meeting.”

Tiffany Martin, feline coordinator at Salem Animal Rescue League

Cat owner

Tiffany Martin. Courtesy photo.

“My cat Bastet was surrendered to our shelter in July 2014 as a 5-year-old black semi-feral cat named Chaos. … At the shelter Chaos was very scared, and no one could pet her or get very close to her; she would run and hide up high. I knew that she was going to be overlooked at the shelter … so I told her she could come live at my house with my then-8-year-old son and me. If she decided she ever wanted pets, she could have them. We would love her for her. … It took just over a month of sitting or laying on the floor, just talking to her, letting her have her time to feel safe … before she started slowly coming out for pets. Now, she’s turning 13 this July, and she is a belly-rubbing love bug. Nothing compares to earning an animal’s trust and love.”

The money factor
Whether you choose to become the parent of a dog or a cat, it’s important to consider the expenses associated with each. According to the ASPCA, the estimated annual costs of owning a cat are around $634, or roughly $53 per month. For dogs, these numbers vary a bit more and are largely dependent on the size of your pooch — the ASPCA estimates the range to be from about $512 per year ($42.66 per month) for smaller breeds like Boston Terriers and Pugs, about $669 per year ($55.75 per month) for medium breeds like German Shepherds and Labrador Retrievers, and about $1,040.31 per year ($86.69 per month) for large dogs like Great Danes and Bullmastiffs. For both dogs and cats, all of the required expenses are taken into account, including food and regular medical care, but optional purchases or unexpected medical costs may also apply. The ASPCA also notes several ways that pet owners can save money, like making their own toys or treats. See aspcapetinsurance.com for more of a breakdown on costs.

Team Dogs

Man’s best friend

Cats are known to be elusive and difficult to read at times, whereas dogs tend to be more expressive and transparent. They’re good at developing special ways of communicating with their humans, and that rapport often grows stronger over time.

“I love the fact that we can learn a language that dogs want to learn,” said Amber McCune, manager and co-owner of American K9 Country, an animal care and event facility specializing in dog boarding and doggy daycare, obedience and agility classes, grooming, canine rehab and other services for dog-owners.

Many cats need their “me” time and can get irritated if their human doesn’t allow them to get some space when they need it, but that is not so much the case with dogs. You don’t have to worry about smothering them; if you have attention to give them, they will never turn it down.

“Dogs let you love on them for days,” said Laurie Gouley, social media director at Sato Heart Rescue in Milford. “Cats let you love on them when they allow it.”

If you want a pet that will always be by your side and accompany you as you go about your daily activities, a dog fits the bill. With a dog, you’ll never have to be alone if you don’t want to be.

“A dog makes a good companion,” Corso said. “I think dogs are well-suited to owners who might work from home or have more time to devote to their pet.”

Active

Photo courtesy of American K-9 Country in Amherst.

If you live an active lifestyle and spend a lot of time outdoors — or if you don’t but would like to start — a dog might be your perfect companion.

“You can train them, take them hiking, camping, swimming, to the dog park and go out to dog-friendly establishments in your community,” Corso said.

“I love being able to take them everywhere,” added Alyssa Mudgett, kennel technician at Darbster Doggy in Chichester.

Having a dog by your side can also be a great way to help you break the ice with new people and make friends.

“Dogs in particular can improve your social life,” Hobson said. “People stop all the time to give attention to dogs.”

Local dog parks

Derry Dog Park
Fordway and Transfer Lane, Derry
Hours: Sunrise to sunset, year-round
Visit: derrynh.org
Friend-Lee Pets Dog Park
40 Concord Road, Lee (directly behind the Friendly Pets store)
Hours: Same as the Friendly Pets store in Lee (Monday through Saturday, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.)
Visit: friendlypets.com
Hooksett Dog Park
101 Merrimack St., Hooksett
Hours: 6 a.m. to dusk, year-round
Visit: hooksett.org
Hudson Dog Park
Benson Park, 19 Kimball Hill Road, Hudson
Hours: 5 a.m. to 5 p.m. through Feb. 28; 5 a.m. to 7 p.m. from March 1 through April 30; 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. from May 1 through Aug. 31; and 5 a.m. to 7 p.m. from Sept. 1 through Oct. 31
Visit: hudsonnh.gov
Longhill Dog Park
Longhill Memorial Park, 42 Longhill Road, Dover
Hours: 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. through March 31; 7 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. from April 1 through Sept. 30
Visit: dovernh.gov
Manchester Dog Park
Bass Island Park, Second Street, Manchester
Hours: Dawn to dusk, year-round
Visit: manchesternh.gov
Merrimack Dog Park
Wasserman Park, 116 Naticook Road, Merrimack
Hours: Sunrise to sunset, year-round
Visit: merrimackparksandrec.org
Terrill Park Dog Park
Terrill Park, Old Turnpike Road, Concord
Hours: Sunrise to sunset, year-round
Visit: concordnh.gov
Yudicky Farm Dog Park
1 Groton Road (Route 111A), Nashua
Visit: nashuadog.org

Unconditional love

Dogs live for their human companions, Bailey said, and love nothing more than to make them happy.

“They put their heart and soul into figuring out ways to please people, expecting nothing more in return than some words of love and encouragement,” she said, “and maybe some treats — can’t forget the treats.”

Rule said every reunion with her dog feels like a celebration, even if she’s only been away for a few minutes.

“[I love] their soulful eyes, tappy paws and heart-healing smiles,” she said.

Testimonials

Charles Stanton. Courtesy photo.

Charles Stanton, executive director at New Hampshire Humane Society

Dog owner

“In my family, we have two rescue dogs: a bassett/American bull terrier mix and a shih tzu mix. They are bonded companions for one another and provide lots of daily entertainment for each other and our household. They are both moderately active and enjoy multiple walks per day. Polly, the basset mix, tends to be more of a snuggler and wants to be beside you on the couch, while Sophie is a bit more independent. All of our daily activities are arranged with them in mind.”

Gail Fisher, owner and founder of All Dogs Gym & Inn

Dog owner

“I have had at least one dog (and as many as eight) in my home since I got my first apartment. … Currently I have an 8-and-a-half-year old Chinook (New Hampshire’s state dog) named Larry and an 18-month-old Basset Fauve de Bretagne (French hound) named Brio. Both dogs love the sport of scent work — searching for and finding specific odors. Larry enjoys playing with his younger brother, but Brio has far more energy … and definitely benefits from going to doggy day care. Truth be told, it is Larry and I [who] benefit from Brio expending his energy in day care and coming home tired and relaxed. I can’t imagine life without the love of a dog.”

Alyssa Mudgett. Courtesy photo.

Alyssa Mudgett, kennel technician at Darbster Doggy

Dog owner

“My rescue pup, April, fits my family perfectly. She matches my younger dog’s energy, and they are wonderful together. She’s also going to be my hiking buddy this summer. I’m truly grateful to have brought her into my life. She’s been nothing but great, and you can tell that she’s grateful as well.”

Jill Crane of Paws on Pine

Dog owner

“Beyond the kennel dogs, which feel like our own, we have two dogs. First is Wilson, a 15-year-old chihuahua, who is a foster failure as they call it. He came to us in very bad shape and I couldn’t bear it for him to ever leave and start over. His personality is huge and captivates everyone he meets. Our second dog is Ivy, a mixed breed larger dog that we adopted three years ago. She’s an amazing [combination] of [a] lively player and the calmest, sweetest hugger you’ll ever meet. These two are best friends, a huge part of our kennel life and the best traveling companions ever.”

Everyone Wins

While choosing one over the other ultimately comes down to your own individual lifestyle, there’s no denying that both cats and dogs can make great pets.

“Any furbaby provides unconditional love to its human,” Hobson said. “Whether it’s a cat or a dog, pets in general improve our moods, reduce stress, provide us comfort and sense of relief and, of course, humor.”

Thinking about your own daily activities is the best way to make a decision for you, said Charles Stanton, executive director of the New Hampshire Humane Society.

“The question of pet ownership is more about what is best for the family and for the home,” he said.

Cathy Hilscher, owner of Cats Kingdom in Manchester, agrees.

“I do feel dogs are better fits for family households and small children for sure, overall … but if you are a cat person, you love your cat just as much as a dog person loves their dog,” she said.

Local animal shelters

Animal Rescue League of New Hampshire (545 Route 101, Bedford, 472-3647, rescueleague.org)

Animal Rescue Network of New England (PO Box 1053, Pelham, 233-4801, arnne.org)

Darbster Doggy (109 Dover Road, Chichester, 635-4495, darbsterfoundation.org)

Darbster Kitty (332 Kelley St., Manchester, 856-9233, darbsterfoundation.org)

Franklin Animal Shelter (19 Rescue Road, Franklin, 934-4132, franklinanimalshelter.com)

Greater Derry Humane Society (PO Box 142, East Derry, 434-1512, derryhumanesociety.com)

Happy Tails Pet Rescue (14 Pine Road, Hudson, 595-7387, happytailspetrescue.org)

Hearts and Tails Animal Alliance (PO Box 593, Goffstown, heartsandtails.org)

Humane Society for Greater Nashua (24 Ferry Road, Nashua, 889-2275, hsfn.org)

Manchester Animal Shelter (490 Dunbarton Road, Manchester, 628-3544, manchesteranimalshelter.org)

Mary’s Dogs Rescue and Adoption (984 1st New Hampshire Turnpike, Northwood, 608-3374, marysdogs.com)

New Hampshire Humane Society (1305 Meredith Center Road, Laconia, 524-3252, nhhumane.org)

New Hampshire SPCA (104 Portsmouth Ave., Stratham, 772-2921, nhspca.org)

Peace and Paws Dog Rescue (PO Box 1155, Hillsborough, peaceandpaws.org)

Pet Tails Rescue (PO Box 86, Northwood, 942-8905, pettailsrescue.org)

Pope Memorial Humane Society of Cocheco Valley (221 County Farm Road, Dover, 749-5322, popememorialcvhs.org)

Pope Memorial SPCA (94 Silk Farm Road, Concord, 856-8756, popememorialspca.org)

Salem Animal Rescue League (4 SARL Drive, Salem, 893-3210, sarlnh.org)

Sato Heart Rescue (PO Box 686, Wilton, satoheartrescue.org)

Second Chance Ranch Rescue (449 Joe English Road, New Boston, secondchanceranchrescue.com)

Featured photo: Courtesy photos.

This Week 22/02/17

Big Events Feb 17, 2022 and beyond

Thursday, Feb. 17

The Full Monty, the musical based on the 1997 film, concludes its run at the Palace Theatre (80 Hanover St. in Manchester; palacetheatre.org, 668-5588) with shows tonight at 7:30 p.m.; tomorrow, Friday, Feb. 18, at 7:30 p.m.; Saturday, Feb. 19, at 2 and 7:30 p.m., and Sunday, Feb. 20, at noon. Tickets cost $39 and $46 (plus fees).

Thursday, Feb. 17

Oscar completists can mark off Drive My Car (NR, 2021), nominated for Best Picture, Best Director, Best International Feature Film and Best Adapted Screenplay, tonight at the Music Hall (28 Chestnut St. in Portsmouth; themusichall.org). The show starts at 7 p.m. and tickets cost $15 for adults.

Saturday, Feb. 19

Unwind with some music this weekend. Area 23 (254 N. State St., Unit H, in Concord; thearea23.com) will feature a bluegrass jam with Ross Arnold at 2 p.m. today. Then at 8 p.m., catch Scalawag. Find more live music in our Music This Week listing, which starts on page 35.

Monday, Feb. 21

If President’s Day (today) is one of your days off, head to the Currier Museum of Art (150 Ash St. in Manchester; currier.org, 669-6144), which isn’t usually open Mondays but is open today from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. , according to the website. The “Looking Together” docent-led close study of one piece of art that day will be of Augustus Saint-Gaudens’ “Standing Lincoln” at 11 a.m. and noon.

Monday, Feb. 21

Or use this day to get outside. Beaver Brook Association (117 Ridge Road in Hollis; beaverbrook.org, 465-7787) is holding a Guided Winter Hike for ages 14 and up today from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. Admission costs $20. The hike (or snowshoe walk, depending on the weather) will go through meadows and evergreen forest and near wetlands, according to the website.

Wednesday, Feb. 23

The Flying Ace, a 1926 silent film with an all African American cast, will screen tonight at Red River Theatres (11 S. Main St. in Concord; redrivertheatres.org, 224-4600). Tickets cost $12. The screening will feature live musical accompaniment by Jeff Rapsis.

Jeff will be performing at several other silent film screenings this week. On Thursday, Feb. 17, he will accompany Girl Shy (1924), a Harold Lloyd rom-com, at the Rex Theatre (23 Amherst St. in Manchester; palacetheatre.org) at 7:30 p.m. Tickets cost $10. On Sunday, Feb. 20, he will accompany When Knighthood Was in Flower (1922), which stars Marion Davies, at 2 p.m. at the Wilton Town Hall Theatre (wiltontownhalltheatre.com). (Suggested donation is $10).

Save the date! Feb. 28 through March 6

The Nashua Garden Club and the Nashua Public Library will hold a Seed Swap Monday, Feb. 28, through Sunday, March 6, at the library (2 Court St. in Nashua; nashualibrary.org) during library hours (Monday through Thursday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and Sunday from 1 to 4 p.m, according to the website). Samples donated by seed companies and information on collecting seeds and gardening will be available, according to a press release. People with seeds to swap can bring them packaged in small quantities, labeled with the name and instructions, to the Chandler Memorial Wing of the library before Feb. 28, the press release. A virtual lecture, “The Soil Food Web” by Diane Miessler, will be presented on Thursday, March 3, at 7 p.m.; register at bit.ly/soil2022. See nashuagardenclub.org for more information.

Featured photo. Kathryn Boyd and Laurence Criner star in The Flying Ace (1926).

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