Author: The Hippo Press

MLK Day

In the coming days, local organizations will celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. Day with special programming. In Manchester, the Currier Museum of Art, 150 Ash St., will be open on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Monday, Jan. 19, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and feature curator-led tours of Black American artists in the Currier collection, art-making for all ages and “a keynote presentation with Jada Hebra, Senior Vice President and Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer, Southern New Hampshire University,” according to an email from the museum. See currier.org.

The NH Martin Luther King Jr. Coalition will hold its 2026 MLK Jr. Community Celebration “Uplifting Resistance through Community” on Monday, Jan. 19, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Memorial High School in Manchester featuring a choir, according to mlknh.org.

“Let Freedom Ring for All” will take place Saturday, Jan. 17, from 12:30 to 3 p.m. at the Portsmouth Senior Activity Center, 125 Cottage St. in Portsmouth, according to a press release. The program will feature local musicians and speakers including “Sharon Jones, Randy Armstrong, Kent Ally, Carol Coronis, the Leftist Marching Band, TJ Wheeler, Hatrack Gallagher, Poor Howard Stith, Kiyoshi Imani, Fran Calo, Bruce Pingree, Bob Moore, Katie Hart & the Voices of Hope, David Holt and others,” the release said.

Art contest

The New Hampshire Children’s System of Care, an organization focused on children’s behavioral health care services, is accepting submissions through April 26 for its Magnify Voices Expressive Art Contest for students in grades 5 to 12, according to a press release. The works can be visual art, writing or other media that “express their experience with mental health,” the release said. Submissions can include short videos of two minutes or less, an essay or poem of 1,000 words or less, or visual art such as sculpture, photography, painting or diorama, the release said. An exhibit of the submissions will be featured at a May 27 event at the Kingswood Art Center in Wolfeboro, the release said. A panel of judges will choose 12 finalists who will receive a $250 cash prize, the release said. See nhcsoc.org/participate.

GM leaves

Tim Bechert has left his role as General Manager of the SNHU Arena in downtown Manchester, according to a Jan. 8 press release. “Bechert, who led the facility since its opening in 2001, is transitioning to focus on community-oriented endeavors,” the release said.

Commish retires

New Hampshire Department of Transportation Commissioner William J. “Bill” Cass will retire at the end of February, according to a Jan. 7 press release from the office of Gov. Kelly Ayotte. Cass has worked for the state for 40 years, the release said. “The Governor’s Office will begin an immediate search for a replacement commissioner,” the release said.

Open captions

Red River Theatres in Concord was slated to kick off its Open Caption Wednesdays with screenings on Wednesday, Jan. 14, according to a press release. Wednesdays will feature open captions — on-screen text of dialogue and relevant no-dialogue sounds — on all screenings where the caption files are available, the release said. See redrivertheatres.org.

The Queen City Rotary’s Comedy Bowl will feature Kyle Crawford, Will Noonan and headliner Mark Riley on Saturday, Jan. 31, at St. George Greek Orthodox Cathedral in Manchester, with doors opening at 5 p.m. for a social hour, a buffet dinner at 6:30 p.m., and 7:15 p.m. opening remarks, according to queencityrotary.org, where you can purchase tickets.

A new DMV branch opened to the public on Jan. 12 in the Raymond Shopping Center at 17 Freetown Road in Raymond, replacing the Epping office on Calef Highway, which closed on Jan. 9, according to press releases from the NH Department of Safety. To make an appointment at a DMV office, see dmv.nh.gov.

Museum news

As of December, Aviation Museum of New Hampshire, 27 Navigator Road in Londonderry, has joined SEE Science Center and the Millyard Museum, both at 200 Bedford St. in Manchester, in offering reduced admission to “individuals and families presenting a SNAP Electronic Benefits Transfer card during all normal operating hours,” according to a press release from the Aviation Museum. The three museums are now part of the “national ‘Museums for All’ program, which offers discounted admission to visitors who receive federal food assistance,” the release said. “Under ‘Museums for All,’ the SEE Science Center and the Millyard Museum offer a discounted admission of $3 per person to those who qualify. The Aviation Museum of N.H. offers a $5 admission under the program,” the release said. “This program is so important because it allows us to create a culture of museum-going and ensure access to cultural resources as a basic right within our community,” said Shana Hawrylchak, executive director of the SEE Science Center, in the release. See see-sciencenter.org, manchesterhistoric.org and aviationmuseumofnh.org for details on the local museums and Museums4All.org for more on the national program.

Rural health

The U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has awarded New Hampshire more than $204 million for 2026 “as part of the federal Rural Health Transformation Program, the largest award among New England states,” according to a Dec. 29 press release from the state Department of Health and Human services. “New Hampshire’s application requested $200 million annually throughout the duration of the five-year program to strengthen rural health care access, quality, and long-term sustainability,” the release said. See dhhs.nh.gov.

Radon

January is National Radon Action Month, according to a Dec. 29 press release from the American Lung Association, which is “raising awareness of the potential health risks of radon and the importance of home testing. Exposure to radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer, and the number one cause of lung cancer in people who have never smoked. Radon is responsible for an estimated 21,000 deaths annually in the U.S,” the release said. According to the association’s “State of Lung Cancer” report, more than 35 percent of homes tested for radon in New Hampshire “had results that were at or above the action level recommended by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), which is 4 pCi/L,” the release said. For more information about radon, described in the release as “naturally occurring radioactive gas emitted from the soil,” and to order test kits, see lung.org/clean-air/indoor-air/indoor-air-pollutants/radon.

Queerlective, queerlective.com, will hold Cupid Lied: A Queer Anti-Valentine Market at “our new space at 72 Concord St. inside the YWCA” in Manchester on Saturday, Feb. 14, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., according to an email about the event. “This market will feature queer artists, community activities, and room to connect with chosen family,” the email said. RSVP at the website for updates and reminders; artists interested in participating can apply via go.queerlective.com/cupidvend.

Auburn Pitts, 167 Rockingham Road in Auburn, will hold their annual Christmas Tree Burning Party on Saturday, Jan. 10, according to their Facebook page. The 21+ event, featuring music from DJ Chris, starts at 6 p.m. and the burning starts at 7 p.m., the post said. Drop off your tree before Saturday, according to the page.

Joppa Hill Educational Farm, 174 Joppa Hill Road in Bedford, will hold “Out and About on a Winter’s Night and Star Gazing with 4-H” on Friday, Jan. 16, with activities for families and youth ages 6+ from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. followed by stargazing until 8 p.m., according jhef.org. The cost is $15 per family (up to four people) plus fees. The night will feature story-telling, an illuminated story path, constellation identification, naked-eye and binocular observing and more, the website said.

The eighth Common Man Roadside Market & Deli opened Dec. 31 at 56 Crystal Ave. in Derry, according to a press release. The eatery features “an open kitchen for preparing made-to-order meals, a café, fresh pastries, NH-made goods, a ‘grab and go’ display with sandwiches, salads, and drinks, a coffee bar, a ‘Beer Cave,’ seating for dining, a fireplace, and a wide array of convenience store items” and more, the release said.