The Hippo Press – Page 249

Quality of Life 20/09/03

Granite Stater of the Month

Kendra Smith of Nashua was named August’s Granite Stater of the Month by U.S. Sen. Maggie Hassan for the work she has done to bring hot meals to community members in need, according to a press release. Through the nonprofit organization Feed the Children, which she started through her catering company Soel Sistas, Smith and her team drive to neighborhoods around Nashua twice a week to distribute hot meals. Menu items include burgers, chicken and rice bowls and fruit. According to the release, Smith started her mission in the spring, when she realized that, with schools closed due to Covid-19, students in her community were at risk of going hungry.

Score: +1

Comment: Feed the Children is also supported by people in Smith’s community who make small donations and hold food drives, according to the release.

More better food

A new pilot program created to provide locally grown food to those in need while supporting local farmers has just launched. NH Feeding NH is a collaboration between the New Hampshire Food Bank, New Hampshire Farm Bureau, New Hampshire Food Alliance and Northeast Organic Farming Association of New Hampshire and is an effort to “support the purchase of New Hampshire-grown food to provide food insecure Granite Staters with more access to nutritious, locally grown produce, dairy and meat,” according to a press release.

Score: +1

Comment: NH Feeding NH is being funded through a one-time grant from the federal CARES Act, which has allowed New Hampshire Food Bank partner agencies to purchase more local foods from farmers at a fair market price, according to the press release.

Beware pandemic scam

Never trust anyone who offers financial help and then asks for money or your personal information — that’s the message that New Hampshire Homeland Security and Emergency Management Director Jennifer L. Harper and New Hampshire Attorney General Gordon J. MacDonald are sending out to residents after receiving reports of scams related to Covid-19 financial help. According to a press release, scammers are pretending to be from the government, contacting people by robocalls, text messages, emails and other outreach, falsely claiming that they can get people financial help during the pandemic, or offering essential worker hazard pay.

Score: -1

Comment: To avoid being scammed, Harper and MacDonald advise that you should never send money or provide personal information to someone you don’t know; immediately delete any email or text asking for money or personal information (and never open links in emails, as it might contain a virus); and hang up on anyone asking for money in exchange for disaster assistance.

Golfing for good

Two local nonprofit organizations recently held successful socially distanced golf tournaments to raise funds for their programs. On Aug. 10, Girls Inc. of New Hampshire held its second annual Granite State Golf Challenge at the Nashua Country Club, hosting 30 teams and raising more than $51,000, according to a press release. High school age Girls Inc. members volunteered at the event, helping with parking, handing out gift bags and giving water to golfers on the course. And on Aug. 17, the seventh annual feednh.org golf tournament was held at the Manchester Country Club and raised $77,840, according to a press release.

Score: +1

Comment: Girls Inc. of New Hampshire is for girls ages 5 to 18 and inspires all girls to be strong, smart and bold, while feednh.org’s mission is to make New Hampshire’s communities stronger through philanthropy, employee involvement and volunteerism, according to the organizations’ press releases.

QOL score: 52

Net change: +2

QOL this week: 54

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

Mule season

How the Moscow mule and its many variations can take you from summer to fall

A traditional Moscow mule is just three ingredients — vodka, ginger beer and lime juice — poured over crushed ice, garnished with a lime wedge and, of course, served in a copper mug. But it’s also a cocktail that lends itself to countless variations, from the type of alcohol used to the different flavors added, whether you’re working with liqueurs, syrups or purees.

“It’s a very basic drink … but also a very versatile one that you can easily change up,” said Ron Pacheco, assistant general manager of The Foundry Restaurant in Manchester, which has dabbled in all kinds of seasonal mules on its cocktail menu over the years.

Local bar managers and mixologists discuss the unique spins they’ve made on this American bar staple (as it turns out, the Moscow mule was not actually invented in Moscow, nor does it have anything to do with mules) and give some recommendations for the best flavor pairings.

The classic mule

Even a mule’s most basic ingredients have many variations, depending on the brand of vodka or ginger beer used. Elissa Drift, a manager and bartender at Stella Blu in Nashua, said that Gosling’s brand ginger beer is among the most common in making mules.

“It’s a little bit more sweet and sugary … so people aren’t put off by the astringent ginger flavor,” she said, “but you can really use whatever version of ginger beer floats your boat.”

Sarah Maillet, who co-owns 815 Cocktails & Provisions in Manchester, said the mules you’ll find there use Maine Root ginger beer, a brand made with organic cane sugar. A couple of years ago, the downtown speakeasy-style bar also introduced a house Moscow mule recipe on draft.

The brand of vodka is also largely up to personal preference. Drift has used Ketel One and Celsius vodka, while at The Foundry, Pacheco said the No. 1 selling brand for mules is Tito’s. The ratio of vodka to lime juice in a mule will vary slightly depending on where you go.

“It’s always more ginger beer,” Pacheco said. “For us, you’re looking at typically an ounce and a half of vodka … to a half-ounce of lime juice, and then the rest is ginger beer.”

Drift said she likes to incorporate the vodka and the ginger beer into the cocktail at the same time to best combine them before adding the lime juice. A lime wedge is a very common garnish in classic mules, although you might see herbs like mint or basil used.

The origin of the Moscow mule is traced back to Hollywood, California, in the early 1940s. Cathy Dion of Martini’s Etc. Professional Bartending Services, based in Hooksett, said the drink was first known as a vodka buck. A “buck” is a more general term for a cocktail with ginger beer and a liquor, according to Jeff Eagen, a bartender at Earth Eagle Brewings in Portsmouth.

In his 2004 book Vintage Spirits and Forgotten Cocktails, author Ted Haigh writes that the Moscow mule is widely credited with popularizing the consumption of vodka in the United States. The story goes that the very first Moscow mule was created in 1941 at the Cock’n Bull Pub on Sunset Boulevard in Hollywood. Jack Morgan, then the tavern’s owner, had been brewing his own ginger beer that wasn’t selling, according to Haigh.

Eventually, Morgan collaborated with John Martin, a regular at the Cock’n Bull who had recently acquired Smirnoff Vodka. The Moscow mule, Haigh writes, was created as a way for Morgan and Martin to do something with their excess ginger beer and vodka, respectively, both of which were not popular in America at the time. The drink soon gained popularity in the Los Angeles area and then spread to other parts of the country.

Dion, who specializes in private bartending for weddings and has travelled across New Hampshire, Maine and Massachusetts, said she’s noticed a recent resurgence of Moscow mules.

“I would say that about five or six years ago people mostly did beer, wine and then your basics like vodka soda or gin and tonic,” she said. “The mule kind of came out of nowhere. But it’s definitely a classic wedding cocktail that’s very easy and refreshing. … A lot of people will say, ‘I had it at a wedding, and now I want to have it at my wedding.’”

Beyond the basics

The ginger beer, according to Pacheco, is the most fundamental ingredient found in any mule. But you can make all kinds of variations by swapping out the vodka for another type of alcohol.

If you’re using gin, for example, you’ll get a London mule, or if you’re using tequila, that will make a Mexican mule. Bourbon makes a Kentucky mule, while ginger beer with dark rum is known as a Dark ’n’ Stormy.

“Those are kind of the five general variations,” Pacheco said. “We use six different purees behind the bar, so we’ve done a blackberry Kentucky mule, with a blackberry puree, sugar, lemon juice and water. Last winter we ran a cranberry mule. … On our brunch menu, we do the Sunday morning mule, which is Stoli vodka with orange juice in it.”

Dion said she grows her own fresh herbs like basil and rosemary that she’ll sometimes use as garnishes for her mules, like a blackberry and basil mule.

“I would say it’s definitely more of a summer drink, but you add all kinds of things to sort of ‘fall’ it up, like cranberry or cinnamon sticks or whatever you want.”

Drift has made a Maine mule, which features Cold River blueberry vodka that’s muddled with a fresh blueberry puree and topped with blueberries for a garnish. Stella Blu has also done several types of mules on its cocktail menu, including a mint cucumber mule, a bing cherry puree mule, a London lime mule with Tanqueray Rangpur gin, fall-inspired mules with cider, and a honey mule with Jack Daniel’s honey whiskey and fresh-squeezed lemon.

Another honey-flavored mule can be found at the XO Bistro, on Elm Street in Manchester, known as the Bee Sting. Manager Steve Tosti said this drink features Jack Daniel’s whiskey, ginger beer and a splash of honey liqueur.

At Granite Tapas & Cocktail Lounge in Hooksett, co-owner Jamie Jordan said a Stoli salted caramel mule was recently introduced, featuring Stoli salted caramel vodka, apple cider, ginger beer and an infused simple syrup with cinnamon sticks, garnished with a caramel cinnamon rim.

One of Maillet’s favorites that has been featured at 815 is called the Nor’Easter mule. It swaps the vodka for whiskey and adds maple syrup with the lime and ginger beer. She said she’s also experimented with a Moscow mule ice cream float with vanilla ice cream, and is looking into crafting a mezcal mule with cinnamon and agave moving forward into the fall.

“The possibilities are literally endless,” she said. “You can essentially think of it as like a martini. … You have the classic cocktail and everything’s kind of derived from that.”

Featured Photo: Maine Mule from Stella Blu in Nashua. Courtesy photo.

Back to school?

Returning to school will look a lot different this year for everyone, but exactly what it will look like will vary from district to district and school to school. We talked to education experts about what parents and students can (probably) expect as the new school year gets underway.

Also on the cover, a new axe throwing venue opens in Hudson, p. 13. The Fire & Fusion chef competition returns, virtually, p. 17. And find live shows in our Music This Week listings, starting on p. 27.

Album Reviews 20/08/27

Rudresh Mahanthappa, Hero Trio (Whirlwind Recordings) Jazz sax legend Charlie Parker is often referred to by his nickname “Bird,” which ...

At the Sofaplex 20/08/27

*Mucho Mucho Amor: The Legend of Walter Mercado (TV-14)You don’t have to know who Walter Mercado was to understand his ...

Back to school?

Experts talk about the new school year and what parents and students can expect Students in New Hampshire are heading ...

Beach-time porters

Drink these beers now Look, I know, when you think beach time and summertime, you don’t think about porters and ...

Boys State (PG-13)

Film Reviews by Amy Diaz Teenage boys who might be some degree of embarrassed by this movie when they are ...

Clean, The New Science of Skin

by James Hamblin (Riverhead, 253 pages) He was a doctor with questionable judgment, or so it seemed, when he gave ...

Fruits of our labor

The final months of summer gardening are always met with mixed emotions. This is often when the plants we have ...

In the kitchen with Steve Chase

Steve Chase of Belmont is the owner and founder of Steve’s Original Sauces (stevesoriginalsauces.com, find them on Facebook @stevesoriginalsauces), a ...

In the spirit

Unique Beatles tribute act The Weeklings play Manchester The Socially Distanced Concert Series closing out the summer at Delta Dental ...

Kiddie Pool 20/08/27

Children’s Museum to reopen The Children’s Museum of New Hampshire (6 Washington St. in Dover; childrens-museum.org, 742-2002) is scheduled to ...

May the best chef win

Fire & Fusion chef competition returns (virtually) A friendly contest featuring local chefs who are asked to create their best ...

News & Notes 20/08/27

Covid-19 updateAs of August 17As of August 24Total cases statewide7,0047,134Total current infections statewide279255Total deaths statewide423429New cases164 (Aug. 11 to Aug ...

Plant-based eats

Col’s Kitchen opens in downtown Concord By Matt Ingersoll mingersoll@hippopress.com Bow native Jordan Reynolds found out in June that Willow’s ...

Quality of Life 20/08/27

Victory for the KnightsThe Nashua Silver Knights baseball team, part of the Futures Collegiate Baseball League, concluded its 10th anniversary ...

Re-wild your lawn

Start small to build up your garden Tired of mowing your lawn, but afraid to stop? What would it look ...

Ready, aim, throw

New axe throwing center opens in Hudson By Angie Sykeny asykeny@hippopress.com The axe throwing trend is growing in New Hampshire, ...

The Art Roundup 20/08/27

• Depicting sanctuaries: A new art exhibit, “Searching for Solace: Sacred Spaces/Sacred Places,” opens at Twiggs Gallery (254 King St., ...

The Music Roundup 20/08/27

• Artful: A free courtyard concert by River Sister offers a wonderful blend of folk traditions and jazz rhythms, pure ...

The Weekly Dish 20/08/27

• Apples to apples: Gov. Chris Sununu proclaimed Aug. 25 to be New Hampshire Apple Day to celebrate the Granite ...

Treasure Hunt 20/08/27

Dear Donna,This is a piece of wall art, I think. Can you tell me anything about this? I was told ...

Wrath on Rask

Another hectic week during the Covid era in sports inspired the following thoughts and many more. All I have to ...

Click to read our E-Edition PDF for FREE.
Our advertiser supported e-edition will always be free to view and download.

At the Sofaplex 20/08/27

*Mucho Mucho Amor: The Legend of Walter Mercado (TV-14)
You don’t have to know who Walter Mercado was to understand his place in the 1990s TV ecosystem, thanks in part to clips presented here of his appearances on shows hosted by Sally Jessy Raphael and Sinbad. And that’s just for English-language American audiences; the movie also helps to explain his far greater fame among Latin Americans (both living in the U.S. and in the rest of the hemisphere). An astrologer, Mercado had a wardrobe Liberace might envy and projected a love for all of his viewers that had an almost Mister Rogers-like tone. Certainly, fans meeting him shortly before his death in 2019 seemed to be filled with a kind of giddy awe mixed with childhood nostalgia. As one fan (Lin-Manuel Miranda) explains, his show was the stuff of afternoons spent with grandma and a general aura of unconditional love. Fans, friends and business associates (including one who eventually sued Mercado for use of his own name) explain the legend and the impact of Walter Mercado in this jolly documentary. Even if you aren’t a Walter Mercado fan going in, you will be when the movie is done. A Available on Netflix.

Kiddie Pool 20/08/27

Children’s Museum to reopen

The Children’s Museum of New Hampshire (6 Washington St. in Dover; childrens-museum.org, 742-2002) is scheduled to reopen for a members weekend on Thursday, Sept. 3, through Sunday, Sept. 5. Membership levels include $90 for one adult and one child and $120 for two adults and children under 18 living in the same house. The next week (Sept. 10) the museum will open to the public with two timed-ticket entry sessions, Thursdays through Saturday, from 9 to 11:30 a.m. and 1 to 3:30 p.m., according to an email from the museum. Pre-registration will be required for visits and can be done online starting a week in advance, the email said. In October, the museum plans to offer two-hour private rentals to groups of up to 50 people on Sundays, the email said.

At the Discovery Center

After you make those Children’s Museum reservations for next weekend, head to the McAuliffe-Shepard Discovery Center (2 Institute Dr. in Concord; starhop.com, 271-7827) this weekend. Summer hours at the center continue through Sunday, Aug. 30: Wednesday through Sunday, 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. See the website for all the covid-era protocols.

Quality of Life 20/08/27

Victory for the Knights
The Nashua Silver Knights baseball team, part of the Futures Collegiate Baseball League, concluded its 10th anniversary season with a 5-3 win over Worcester, claiming its league-leading fifth title, according to a press release. Kyle Bouchard, who was named MVP of the series, made the final run in the ninth inning that won the Knights the game. The win also made the Knights the first team in FCBL history to lose the first game in the three-game championship series, then make a comeback to win the final two games.
QOL Score: +1
Comment: The Silver Knights players, coaches and staff members will receive their championship rings at a ceremony in Nashua (date TBD).

Drought worsens
Parts of southern New Hampshire have escalated from a “moderate drought” to a “severe drought,” according to a press release from the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services. The drought has affected areas in Rockingham and Merrimack counties, more than half of Strafford County and a small portion of Belknap and Hillsborough counties, with 49 percent of the state still experiencing moderate drought, 31 percent experiencing abnormally dry conditions, and groundwater levels across the state steadily decreasing. The U.S. Drought Monitor said below-average precipitation and a lack of snowpack followed by hot and dry conditions are leading factors.
QOL Score: -1
Comment: The New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services urges people living in areas that are in moderate or severe drought to practice water conservation, like eliminating water use for watering lawns and washing cars, to help ensure that communities’ basic water supply needs can be met .

Beware of pet scam
There’s a new internet pet sale scam making the rounds, according to a press release from New Hampshire Attorney General Gordon J. MacDonald. There have been recent reports throughout the state of scams in which purebred puppies and kittens are advertised for sale at a low price on seemingly legitimate websites.The sellers claim that the animals must be shipped and that buyers cannot pick up the animals in person. When a buyer sends money to purchase an animal, the seller demands more money to cover supposed shipping costs, paperwork and vaccinations, but the buyer never receives the animal.
QOL Score: -1
Comment: To protect yourself from this scam and similar scams, MacDonald advises not buying a pet online (unless it’s from an established rescue group) or from a long-distance seller who has to ship the pet to you; always speaking to a seller on the phone and, if possible, verifying their legitimacy through references; being skeptical of rare or expensive breeds being sold for too-good-to-be-true prices; and never transferring or wiring money to people you don’t know.

Another case of Jamestown Canyon virus
An adult from Dunbarton has tested positive for the Jamestown Canyon virus, becoming the third detection of the virus in the state this year, the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services Division of Public Health Services announced. The arboviral risk level, which measures the risk of infections being transferred from mosquitoes to humans, has been increased to “high” for Dunbarton. The neighboring town of Bow, which was already labeled high risk, will remain so; the risk level in the neighboring town of Weare will increase to moderate; and the surrounding towns of Hooksett, Hopkinton and Goffstown will remain at moderate risk.
QOL Score: -1
Comment: Jamestown Canyon virus and other mosquito-transmitted infections present in New Hampshire can cause severe neurologic illness, according to State Epidemiologist Dr. Benjamin Chan.

QOL score: 54
Net change: -2
QOL this week: 52
What’s affecting your Quality of Life here in New Hampshire? Let us know at news@hippopress.com.

Author: The Hippo Press

Quality of Life 20/09/03

Mule season

Back to school?

At the Sofaplex 20/08/27

Kiddie Pool 20/08/27

Quality of Life 20/08/27

Stay in the loop!

Get FREE weekly briefs on local food, music,

arts, and more across southern New Hampshire!