Author: The Hippo Press

The Art Roundup 24/12/12

The latest from NH’s theater, arts and literary communities

• Show reception: Glimpse Gallery’s (Patriot Building, 4 Park St., Concord) newest exhibit begins on Monday, Dec. 9, and runs through Jan. 9, featuring works from artists Pat Arzillo, Byron Carr, Julie Daniels, Mark Ferland, David Wiggins, Barbara Morse and Michael McCormack, as well as a selection from curator Christina Landry-Boullion. The opening reception will take place on Saturday, Dec. 14, from 5 to 8 p.m.; RSVP by emailing contact@ theglimpsegallery.co. Visit theglimpsegallery.com or call 892-8307.

• Pops! The New Hampshire Philharmonic Orchestra is holding its annual Holiday Pops Concert at the Seifert Performing Arts Center (44 Geremonty Drive, Salem) on Saturday, Dec. 14, at 7:30 p.m. and on Sunday, Dec. 15, at 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. Visit nhphil.org or call 647-6476.

• Christmas from the Cape: At the Dana Center (Saint Anselm College, 100 Saint Anselm Drive, Manchester, tickets. anselm.edu) catch A Cape Breton Christmas with Coigon Thursday, Dec. 12, at 7:30 p.m. Nova Scotia’s own Còig will bring their renditions of timeless Christmas classics in a Celtic holiday mix that includes everything folk, classical and swing, and will give favorite carols a fresh and original sound, according to their website. Visit tickets.anselm.edu.

• Holiday show: Peacock Players present their Holiday Spectacularat Court Street Theatre (14 Court St., Nashua). This musical cabaret features holiday favorites and musicaltheater classics. Shows are scheduled for Friday, Dec. 13, at 7 p.m. and Saturday, Dec. 14, at 2 and 7 p.m. The show is slated for a two-hour run time with one 15-minute intermission and the performance is rated PG. Tickets range from $12 to $18. Visit peacockplayers.org or call 889-2330.

• You’ll shoot your eye out: Majestic Productions brings to stage A Christmas Story: The Musical at Derry Opera House (29 W. Broadway, Derry). Performances are on Friday, Dec. 13, at 7 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 14, at 2 and 7 p.m., and Sunday, Dec. 15, at 2 p.m. Tickets are $22 for adults, $18 for seniors 65+ and $15 for children age 17 and under. Visit majestictheatre.net or call 669-7469.

• Handel for the holidays: Saint Joseph Cathedral (145 Lowell St., Manchester) will present a performance of Handel’s “Messiah” and Vivaldi’s “Gloria” on Friday, Dec. 13, at 7:30 p.m. Tickets cost $20 per person online or at the door. Visit stjosephcathedralnh.org/cathedralconcert or call 622-6404.

Art that tells a story

Hannah Cole Dahar discusses her inspirations

By Zachary Lewis

[email protected]

Hannah Cole Dahar is an artist and art educator whose studio is based in Manchester at Mosaic Gallery.

“Currently… through Dec. 22, Mosaic Art Collective has their small works shows called ‘Small Wonders.’ It’s a great way to come on in and find beautiful one-of-a-kind gifts for people. A lot of local artists and artisans have work of all price points and subjects and styles, so there’s a little bit of everything for everyone,” Dahar said.

Mosaic is also holding a couple of fundraisers. “There are two benefits that we are hosting. One is an ongoing raffle with weekly draws and the money will go directly to benefit the New Hampshire Reproductive Freedom Fund.” The gallery is also looking for unwanted paints and brushes. “The other thing that we’re doing is we are collecting art supplies for children at Waypoint. If you come to Mosaic … during operating hours you can come on in, we will collect the supplies and make sure that it gets to Waypoint.”

Dahar is adept at many artistic media; for the Small Wonders exhibit she has a sterling silver pearl and cast necklace. “I call it Snowdrops,” she said. “Usually, my work is much edgier, but for the holiday season I decided to make something that was a little bit whimsical and fanciful …. You’ve got to have fun too. It’s made out of pearls, sterling silver and chalcedony.”

Dahar said that available time can often determine the direction of her creations.

“When I have more time I love to sit down with a very formal and elaborate painting. If I have a six-hour window, I’m going hyper-realistic scale. The icon paintings, they’re kind of in between. It combines a love of all of the mediums that I love to work with, and history and mythology. Lately I’ve really been getting into people’s stories. Instead of reinventing a historical or mythological people, viewing how they see themselves through their own lens and having them tell their particular story.”

A recent example is about the story of her friend Jen and mockingbirds. Hannah uses various stones and natural materials to construct the piece. “She feels a very strong connection with mockingbirds and she has to be surrounded by mockingbirds. So we made that happen. There’s a tree outside their house where they nest. The neighborhood cat, Sumo, harasses them and unfortunately does their little fledglings in and so that was the story that she chose to tell. I have another one where … I’m incorporating that idea of nests and home and the eggs… .”

She invites everyone to experience what Mosaic and See Saw Art, the gallery next door, has to offer. “My door is always open when Mosaic and See Saw are open. Stop on by and enjoy the space, kind of pick and poke,” Dahar said.

Small Wonders and more
Small Wonders Miniature Art Show
Mosaic Art Collective, 66 Hanover St., Manchester
Now through Sunday, Dec. 22
Wednesdays through Fridays from 2 to 6 p.m.; Saturdays and Sundays from 1 to 4 p.m.
coledahar.com
mosaicartcollective.com

See Saw Art
66 Hanover St., Manchester
seesaw.gallery

Featured image: “Hecate The High Priestess.” Oil on Copper Plated Aluminum in an Architectural Frame. Photo by Zachary Lewis.

Homemade gifts

Where to make your own one-of-a-kind gift

Compiled by Zachary Lewis
[email protected]

Not sure what to give? Make an original gift of your own or give a gift certificate for someone to make their own something special.

• Manchester Craft Market (Mall of New Hampshire, 1500 S. Willow St., manchestercraftmarket.com) On Friday, Dec. 13, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. “In My Cookie Decorating Era” Cookie Decorating Class will be presented by Sweet Treats by Emilee. Included in the ticket price is everything you need to fully decorate six professionally baked sugar cookies, according to the website. Tickets are $65. On Saturday, Dec. 14, from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. Dash of Creativity will present Macrame Yarn Gnomes. Tickets are $50. On Tuesday, Dec. 17, from 10 a.m. to noon Fluid Art will be presenting their Ornament Class. Tickets are $35. On Friday, Dec. 20, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Sweet Treats by Emilee will be hosting a Christmas Cookie Decorating Class. Tickets are $60. Also Dec. 20, from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. Fluid Art will hold their Fluid Art Christmas Ornaments Class.

• Studio 550 Art (550 Elm St., Manchester, 232-5597, 550arts.com) Participants who make three crafts will receive a $15 digital gift card. This applies to mosaics, paint-your-own, and any of the art-at-home-kits.

Art at Home Project Kits include Watercolor Bundles, which lead purchasers step-by-step through three paintings in a themed bundle with an introductory tutorial video and guided exercises; Open-Ended Clay, which includes a 1 1/2-pound ball of clay and basic tools; Mosaic Coasters, and Paint Your Own Pottery.

The Maker’s Lounge service offers a making session with the final cost to be based on the pieces chosen. Base shapes range from $7 to $80 but most are between $20 and $30, according to the website. All youth must be accompanied by a responsible and watchful adult, and while directions for the steps will be provided, this will be unstructured making time without a guided lesson or teacher, according to the website.

Studio 550’s Handmade Holiday Market will run the week of Monday, Dec. 16, through Monday, Dec. 23. Participants will find pottery, stained glass, ornaments, and more from noon to 8 p.m. The Studio will be closed Sunday, Dec. 22.

• You’re Fired (25 S. River Road, Bedford, 641-3473; 133 Loudon Road, Concord, 226-3473; and 264 N. Broadway, Salem, 894-5456; yourefirednh.com) Walk-ins are always welcome at this pottery painting studio and various daily promotions are held, such as Mini Mondays (half off from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. they provide half off studio fees for children 12 and under), Ladies Night on Tuesday and Thursday from 5 to 9 p.m, Senior Wednesdays from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. (seniors receive half off their studio fee) and Teen Fridays (from 5 to 9 p.m. when teens get half off studio fees).

• The Canvas Roadshow (25 S. River Road, Bedford, thecanvasroadshow.com, 913-9217) Workshops include sea glass art, canvas painting and wood crafts. Registration is typically required and closes a few days before the project date. Upcoming projects include: Tuesday, Dec. 17, 6:30 to 9:30 p.m.: Cozy Knit Blanket Workshop, $95; Wednesday, Dec. 18, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.: Pick Your Project, $45 to $75; Thursday, Dec. 19, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.: Resin Art Ocean Wave – Trays and Shapes, $55 to $75; Friday, Dec. 20, 6:30 to 9 p.m.: Tumbled Sea Glass Holiday Tree, $58 to $72; Saturday, Dec. 21, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.: Open Studio/Walk-in (no registration required, kid-friendly); Saturday, Dec. 21, 6 to 8 p.m.: Crushed Glass Ornaments, Snow Globes & Trees, $35 to $60; Sunday, Dec. 22, 2 to 4 p.m.: Sea Glass Creations, $50 to $60; and Sunday, Dec. 22, 6 to 8 p.m.: Resin Art Ocean Wave – Trays and Shapes.

• Creative Ventures ( 411 Nashua St., Milford, 672-2500, creativeventuresfineart.com) Creative Ventures offers multi-session art classes and workshops for all ages, taught by professional artists and art teachers. Call or check the website for the current schedule.

• Currier Museum of Art ( 150 Ash St., Manchester, 669-6144, currier.org) On Saturday, Dec. 14, from 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. the workshop Tantalizing Textures with Rachel Montroy allows participants to “take a deep dive into the rich textures found within the realm of fiber arts,” according to their website. Inspired by the Currier’s current exhibition, “Olga de Amaral: Everything is Construction and Color,” the class will explore a variety of textile media, including fabric, wool and yarn, to create a dimensional wall hanging, and students will be introduced to basics such as hand sewing, weaving and felting, and then be given the option to focus on one technique or combine them all. No experience is necessary and those with fiber/art knowledge will be creatively challenged. All materials and tools will be provided. Cost is $144 for members, $160 for non-members.

Featured image: Courtesy photo.

Quality of Life 24/12/19

Baffling the beavers

As reported in a Dec. 5 article by Nashua Ink Link (nashua.inklink.news) the City of Nashua is deploying technology in its ongoing battle of wits against beavers. In an effort to reduce beaver-related flooding, the article said, “after deliberation … a pond leveler was installed at Mine Falls Park, near the entrance on Spine Road. Pond levelers are pipes that run underneath beaver dams that create a permanent leak to keep ponds at a controlled, safe level.” The pipes are fitted with baffles to prevent beavers from feeling the flow of water and kicking off a new spate of dam-building. Popularly referred to as “beaver deceivers,” pond levelers have been used successfully in several beaver ponds in southern New Hampshire.

QOL score: +1

Comment: Sustainability manager Deb Chisolm said in the article, “We really have no local data to indicate whether [pond levelers] work or don’t work. We’re just trying to test it out; we thought that the Spine Road area would be a good location.”

Protecting against holiday scams

According to a recent study, Granite Staters were scammed out of more than $27 million online in 2023. In a Dec.3 press release, the Internal Revenue Service (irs.gov) warned consumers to protect themselves online this holiday season. “Taxpayers can be duped into unwittingly handing over their confidential tax and financial information,” the press release read. “Would-be victims could also get tricked into disclosing their addresses, Social Security numbers, bank account numbers, credit card numbers or passwords, which can lead to tax-related identity theft and fraud.” The IRS recommends shopping at online sites with web addresses that begin with the letters “https:” (The “s” stands for secure communications.) Also look for a padlock icon in the browser window. Make sure that your security and anti-virus software is up-to-date, and use strong, unique passwords for online accounts.

QOL score: -1

Comment: Better news is that New Hampshire ranked 47th in the United States in online scam victimhood. View the study at socialcatfish.com/scamfish/state-of-online-scams-2024.

Wrong way

As reported by WMUR in a Dec.2 online article, the number of New Hampshire drivers involved in driving in the wrong direction is increasing. “New Hampshire State Police said there have been 248 reported cases of wrong-way drivers and 17 related crashes on state roads this year,” the article reported. Although the number of accidents has decreased slightly — there were 26 last year — the overall number of wrong-way driving incidents has increased significantly. WMUR quoted Lt. Christopher Storm with New Hampshire State Police, who said that alcohol is a common denominator in most wrong-way crashes. “Number one, impairment,” he said. “Number two is people’s inattention or medical situations. And the third is our drivers that may not understand the language.”

QOL score: -2

Comment: According to WMUR’s article, the State plans to form a commission to study this problem.

Last week’s QOL score: 74

Net change: -2

QOL this week: 72

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

Let us know at [email protected].

This Week 24/12/12

Thursday, Dec. 12

The Currier Museum of Art (150 Ash St. in Manchester; currier.org) will stay open for Art After Work tonight from 5 to 8 p.m. Enjoy live music from the band Cozy Throne, check out the galleries, take part in an art activity and more. Admission is free. The Winter Garden Cafe will be open — find the menu online.

Saturday, Dec.14

The New Hampshire Audubon Society (84 Silk Farm Road, Concord, 224-9909, nhaudubon.org) will begin its annual Christmas Bird Count as early as today in some areas. Each count takes place in a designated “count circle” on a specific day. See the website for details.

Saturday, Dec. 14

Cheer on the brave souls “Freezin’ for a Reason” during the 8th Annual Pantry Plunge today at noon at Gallien’s Town Beach in Derry. The event raises money for the FBC Food Pantry. Find information on plunging yourself at pantryplunge.org.

Saturday, Dec. 14

The Christmas in Amherst Village House Tour will take place today from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sponsored by the Congregational Church of Amherst, this tour has become a favorite tradition. Ready for the holidays with traditional and unique decorating ideas, every home is unique in size and style and each will be a surprise.Tickets are $40 in advance, $45 on the day of the event. Visit ccamherst.org/cav for ticket-purchasing locations.

Saturday, Dec. 14

Join the world-famous Boston Pops led by conductor Keith Lockhart for their iconic holiday performance tonight at 7:30 p.m. at the SNHU Arena (555 Elm St., Manchester, 644-5000, snhuarena.com). This yearly concert is legendary for its high-energy, deeply emotional immersion in traditional holiday music. Tickets start at $33 through ticketmaster.com.

Saturday, Dec. 14

Mike Girard’s Big Swingin’ Thing will play at the Nashua Center for the Arts (201 Main St., Nashua, 800-657-8774, nashuacenterforthearts.com tonight at 8 p.m. Tickets are $39.

Sunday, Dec. 15

The Wizards of Winter will play the Tupelo Music Hall (10 A St., Derry, 437-5100, tupelomusichall.com) this afternoon at 3 p.m. Tickets start at $45.

Sunday, Dec. 15

The Yule Light Up the Night road race will take place at 4:30 p.m. at the New Hampshire Speedway in Loudon. Run the 2.1-mile course through the “Gift of Lights” display. Registration costs $25 for adults (12+) in advance, $30 on the day; $15 for youth (4 to 11) in advance, $20 on the day, $10 for kids (3 and younger), and $20 for virtual runners. See millenniumrunning.com to register.

Save the Date! Saturday, Dec. 28
NHSCOT will hold its Hogmanay Celebration — a Scottish-style celebration of the new year — on Saturday, Dec. 28, from 2 to 6 p.m. at the Pembroke Pines Country Club in Pembroke. Tickets cost $40 for adults and kids age 6 and up (ages 5 and under get in for free). This family-friendly event will feature indoor and outdoor activities including live music from Rebel Collective, a performance by Pipes and Drums of NHSCOT, s’mores, a Highland Fling, street curling, a parade and more. See nhscot.org.

Featured photo: Hogmanay Celebration.

Food for everyone

Keeping Granite Staters fed at the New Hampshire Food Bank

Nancy Mellitt is the Director of Development at the New Hampshire Food Bank, a program of Catholic Charities New Hampshire, and spoke to the Hippo about the organization and what they get done. Visit nhfoodbank.org for more information or call 669-9725.

What does the New Hampshire Food Bank do?

The New Hampshire Food Bank is the only food bank in New Hampshire and we do quite a bit. We provide food to more than 400 partner agencies throughout the state. That’s our primary purpose. We’re providing approximately 60 percent of the food that the food pantries, soup kitchens, etc., are distributing to individuals in the state. Then we have some programs that are designed to address the root causes of hunger and to assist people in not being food-insecure.

What is a mobile food pantry?

They are sponsored by a company and we are going to areas in the state that have low resources and high needs. We are bringing enough shelf-stable boxes and produce boxes for approximately 400 families…. We do a drive-thru mobile food pantry, so folks stay in their cars and they drive up and they are provided with a box of shelf-stable food and a box of fresh produce to take home.

What can people donate to the food bank?

Well, we are looking for shelf-stable foods for donation purposes. So low-sodium, canned vegetables, soups, stews this time of year, shelf-stable milk. We have a list on our website, nhfoodbank.org, that is our most-needed food items, so folks can go on and look at that. Protein like cans of tuna, cans of chicken … peanut butter.

Would you want to mention some of the programs that you all do?

We have a culinary training program right here at the Food Bank in Manchester. It’s a program for individuals who are unemployed or underemployed and the individuals come in, they apply, they get interviewed, they’re accepted, they immediately learn knife skills, recipe conversions because they’re preparing meals that are going out to Boys & Girls Clubs in Salem, Manchester, Allenstown, Concord, Laconia. We do the nutrition incentive program. So folks that are on SNAP can go to farmers markets and … they can double their purchasing power for fruits and vegetables. And there are also some grocery stores that participate in that program as well. We do SNAP outreach. We are trying to reach those folks who qualify for SNAP. SNAP is the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, so trying to reach those folks who qualify to receive those benefits but are not accessing them, to help them get through that process. We have a production garden, so we have an acre of land here in Manchester that the state allows us to use. During the growing season we are growing our own produce. We have Cooking Matters, which is a program that teaches folks how to eat healthy on a budget. We do a lot. We have New Hampshire Feeding New Hampshire, which is a very cool program that we are providing funding to our partner agencies to purchase dairy and fruit through New Hampshire farmers.

How does someone know if they qualify for SNAP?

They can go to the State of New Hampshire website, New Hampshire Easy, or they can give us a call and we can walk them through the qualifications.

Is there anything else you’d like to mention about the food bank?

People can also help the food bank by making monetary donations because we are able to purchase, our purchasing power is greater. So we can purchase by tractor-trailer load so it drives prices down. … It means we need money. We can provide two meals for approximately $1.28. —Zachary Lewis

Upcoming NH Food Bank mobile food pantries
Colebrook
NH Liquor & Wine Outlet (16 Metallak Place, Colebrook)
Thursday, Dec. 12, noon to 1:30 p.m. (while supplies last)

Concord
NHTI, lots A/B (31 College Drive, Concord)
Friday, Dec. 20, noon to 2 p.m. (while supplies last)

Visit nhfoodbank.org or call 669-9725.

Area food pantries

Here are some area food pantries. See websites for donation information, hours of operation and information on how to access food assistance.

• Bedford Community Food Pantry 4 Church Road, Bedford, 867-1445, bedfordnhfoodpantry.org

• Christ the King Food Pantry temporarily at 219 S. Main St. in Concord during construction on a new food pantry building, slated to be open in the summer of 2025. Call 224-2328 or see christthekingfoodpantry.org.

• Community Action Program 225-6880, capbm.org/CAP-Area-Resource-Centers operates food pantries at locations in Concord, Franklin, Laconia and Suncook.

• Corpus Christi Food Pantry 3 Crown St., Nashua, 882-6372, corpuschristifoodpantry.org

• Families in Transition Food Pantry 176 Lake Ave., Manchester, 641-9441, fitnh.org/ services/food-programs

• First Baptist Church 4 Crystal Ave, Derry, 421-1897, fbcfoodpantry.org

• First United Methodist Church Food Pantry 961 Valley St., Manchester, 622-8863, fumcmanchester.org. Food pantry operates Tuesdays, 8 to 11:30 a.m.

• Friends of Forgotten Children 224 Bog Road, Concord, 753-4801, fofc-nh.org/food-pantry

• Goffstown Network Food Pantry 7 N. Mast Road, Goffstown, 497-3433, goffstownnetwork.org

• Hooksett Community Food Pantry Hooksett Town Offices, operated by the Kiwanis Club of Hooksett, 35 Main St., Hooksett, 485-7222, hooksettkiwanis.org

• Nashua Soup Kitchen & Shelter 2 Quincy St., Nashua, 889-7770, nsks.org

• Sacred Heart Food Pantry 247 S. Main St., Manchester, 668-4004, sacredheartchurch-nh.com

• SHARE Outreach 1 Columbus Ave., Milford, 673-9898, sharenh.org

• Shepherd’s Pantry 1 Church St., Windham, 432-2150, shepherdspantry.net

• Southern NH Rescue Mission 40 Chestnut St., Nashua, 889-3421, hope4nashua.org. The Community Gift Center distributes clothes and food every other Tuesday, the website said.

• St. Thomas Aquinas 26 Crystal Ave., Derry, 432-5000, stthomasderry.org

• Tolles St. Mission Food Pantry 52 Whitney St., Nashua, 880-4984, thetollesstreetmission.org

• The Upper Room Food Pantry 36 Tsienneto Road, Derry, 437-8477, urteachers.org

• NH Food Bank distributes food to more than 400 partner agencies across the state. Visit nhfoodbank.org/find-food/food-map to find locations.

Featured image: Plaque at Fort Constitution.

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