Things are going to get creepy, kooky, mysterious and spooky on the Piscataquog River at the 22nd annual Goffstown Pumpkin Regatta, an autumn event unlike any other, on Saturday, Oct. 14, and Sunday, Oct. 15, in downtown Goffstown.
“Addams Family – Every Night Is Halloween” is the theme for this year’s fall festival, hosted by the Goffstown Main Street Program (GMSP). An array of Gomezes, Morticias, Wednesdays, Uncle Festers, Cousin Its and other “Things” are guaranteed to be on hand (pun intended) to board the giant pumpkins-turned-boats, some of which may “Lurch” to and fro, and possibly sink into the old mill stream.
The weekend-long celebration of giant gourds will once again feature the Giant Pumpkin Weigh-Off on Saturday followed by the fun-filled Pumpkin Regatta and Pumpkin Drop on Sunday, which always makes a splash. A variety of contests, such as the crowd-favorite pie eating contest, the pet costume contest and a pumpkin cook-off, will be held. Other entertainment, including a coloring page and a talent show, as well as food, crafts and a hayride will also be included in the weekend of activities. Admission is free.
“A long-time volunteer thought turning our giant pumpkins into boats and racing them in the river would be an interesting touch,” said Tina Lawton, President of the GMSP Board of Directors. That volunteer was local visionary Jim Beauchemin, and the pumpkins competing in the weigh-off can tip the scales at one ton or more. “Little did he know at that time,” Lawton said, “it would become one of the most popular fall events in New Hampshire.”
No wonder the event has been covered national outlets like NBC News and the Washington Post. Atlas Obscura even sent a reporter to participate in the race, but her hopes for victory sank quickly along with her giant pumpkin boat. “I went down with my ship,” said Gastro Obscura foods editor Sam O’Brien.
“That’s valiant. That’s the best thing a captain can do. So I’m proud of myself. I did my best.”
How many adventurous Addams Family aficionados will participate in this year’s highly competitive contest? “That depends upon how many giant pumpkins we have,” Lawton said. “Some pumpkins split or fail before the big day. This year is especially challenging with all the wet weather. Many pumpkins have split in recent days. We are hoping for at least five.”
In addition to the gutted gargantuan gourd regatta, the fur may fly as area pets rival each other in the pet costume contest, hosted by and located at Glen Lake Animal Hospital (15 Elm St.) on Saturday at 10:30 a.m. Other contests will include the mouth-watering pumpkin cook-off, featuring four categories (appetizers/bread, entree, desserts, and kids (under age 12)); the talent show, spotlighting three age groups (up to 9 years; 10 to 15, and 16+), and the pie-eating competition, with three groups of 10 hungry and brave individuals competing to be named No. 1 in their age bracket.
Visitors are encouraged to enter the scavenger hunt, a fun way to get to know the village better, and the coloring contest, to be decided on Sunday morning after the judges review every completed coloring sheet brought to the GMSP Booth.
Lawton has borne witness to some of the most memorable moments — and mishaps — in the history of the Goffstown Pumpkin Regatta. “It snowed one year, and boats have sunk in the river,” she recalled. “[But] we do things with giant pumpkins like no other event.”
All are invited to put a witch’s shawl on, grab a broomstick you can crawl on, and plan to pay a call on the 22nd Annual Goffstown Pumpkin Regatta this weekend. “Come see the fun!” Lawson said. “And fall in love with the village of Goffstown.”
Goffstown Pumpkin Weigh-Off and Regatta When: Saturday, Oct. 14, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Sunday, Oct. 15, 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Where: 15 Main St., Goffstown, NH Cost: Admission is free Visit: www.goffstownmainstreet.org/pumpkin-regatta-2023 Municipal parking lots (with accessible spaces) and street parking are available.
Saturday, Oct. 14 9 a.m. – giant pumpkins begin to arrive at the Common 9 a.m. to noon – touch a truck (corner of Elm and Maple) 10 a.m. – giant pumpkin carving begins 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. – art show off at the town hall (16 Main St.) 10:30 a.m. – pet costume contest at Glen Lake Animal Hospital (15 Elm St.) 11 a.m. – Giant Pumpkin Weigh-Off at the Common 1 p.m. – pumpkin cook-off (location TBA) 2:30 p.m. – giant pumpkin boat building on Mill Street
Sunday, Oct. 15 10:30 a.m. – talent show on the Common noon – Giant Pumpkin Drop (Depot Street, across from the post office) 1 p.m. – pie eating contest on Mill Street 2 p.m. – mini pumpkin race for 50/50 raffle on the river 3 p.m. – Giant Pumpkin Regatta at the river
Original play shows family through the generations
By Renee Merchant arts@hippopress.com
Two local playwrights, Toby Tarnow of Hollis and Ellen Cunis of Amherst, share a personal story about family, community and strong women in their original play The Big White House on Main Street. The play premieres at the Amato Center for the Performing Arts in Milford on Thursday, Oct. 19.
The play begins with two Italian immigrants moving to Massachusetts in the 1920s to pursue their dream of opening a cafe and starting a family. Spanning five decades, The Big White House on Main Street is a piece of historical fiction inspired by Cunis’s parents and grandparents, who all lived together in a big white house.
Cunis said her grandparents owned the house and it was split into four apartments. Her grandparents lived in one apartment, her family in another, and her aunts and uncles lived in the other two.
“It was a place of community … music, and laughter,” she said. “We would sit on the steps of the big white house and sing.”
While The Big White House on Main Street is not a musical, Cunis said that there is spontaneous singing and dancing throughout the play, echoing the musical traditions of her family during her upbringing.
Cunis began to write her story as a children’s book. When she shared it with Tarnow, whom she had worked with in the past, Tarnow recalls saying, “I can see it — it’s a play, let’s do it.”
“The only pieces [from the children’s book] that remain are some of the narration,” Cunis said.
During their writing process, Tarnow is often at the computer, capturing the story, while Cunis acts out the scenes, which they said can be an emotional experience.
“Then we’re both crying, and we’re both laughing,” Tarnow said. “We’re both living it.”
Tarnow said that she pictures the set, the lighting and the sound, and she adds those elements into the script.
“Our plays flow one scene into another and we use lighting to create our moods and our scene changes,” Cunis said.
“It runs like a movie,” Tarnow added.
In all of their plays, Tarnow directs while Cunis acts — a dynamic that shapes their storytelling process.
“Those personas will always be a part of who we are, so they come out in the play through the writing,” Cunis said.
Tarnow said she takes an actor-focused approach to directing.
“I want to see what they feel and how they want to express the character,” she said. It’s a process, she said, of trusting the actor to become the character and then fine-tuning it.
Instead of telling an actor what their character should do in a scene, Tarnow said she asks them questions like, “What is your goal in this scene?” to help them elicit genuine emotion.
In this play, Cunis is the narrator — a departure from her work in other plays in which she portrayed characters within the story.
“It’s very different for me because the narrator is outside of the story,” she said. “So the challenge is to feel it. It’s not just saying words or setting up the story; it’s actually feeling it in the moment, which presents a challenge because it can be emotional.”
Writing and producing this play, Cunis said, has been filled with personal reflection, and a journey into the heart of her past. “It takes me to a place of great appreciation for the simple things in life — for family, for living in that house — and sharing that experience with people.”
The Big White House on Main Street When: Thursday, Oct. 19, through Saturday, Oct. 21, with showtimes at 7:30 p.m., and a 2:30 p.m. matinee on Saturday Where: The Amato Center for the Performing Arts, 56 Mont Vernon St., Milford Tickets: $15 for adults, $12 for students and seniors More info: thebigwhitehouseonmainstreet.com
Featured photo: Tarnow, left, and Cunis, right. Courtesy photo.
The latest from NH’s theater, arts and literary communities
Art in the City: The Manchester Arts Commission is hosting an Open Studios & Art Walk on Saturday, Oct. 14, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Participating galleries include Studioverne, Fine Art Fused Glass, Creative Framing Solutions, Mosaic Art Collective, See Saw Art, Brandy Patterson, Jason Baggetta, AR Workshop Manchester, Susanne Peterson Larkham and The Factory On Willow, according to the group’s Facebook page. Downtown visitors who find at least 10 of 14 pigeon mini-murals can also enter a drawing for gift cards to local businesses, according to a press release. Maps will be available for pick up in front of City Hall on Elm Street; an online map will be available on Saturday, Oct. 14, via the Commission’s Facebook page. Also, the Commission’s City Employee & Family Art Show is on display now at City Hall. The exhibit, which will run through Nov. 30, features works by dozens of artists — photos, paintings, ceramics and more, according to a press release.
Brigadoon The Manchester Community Theatre Players will offer a modern take on the Learner & Lowe Broadway classic Brigadoon for the next two weekends. The show, which features classic songs like “Almost Like Being in Love” and “Bonnie Jean,” will run Friday, Oct. 13, through Sunday, Oct. 22, with shows on Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, Oct. 22, at 2 p.m. Tickets cost $20 for adults, $18 for seniors and $10 for ages 18 and under. Purchase tickets at mctp.info or at the door.
On stage this weekend: The Nashua Theatre Guild will present The Laramie Project Friday, Oct. 13, through Sunday, Oct. 15, at the Court Street Theatre (14 Court St. in Nashua). The play tells the story of the murder of Matthew Shepard in 1998 in Wyoming, the aftermath and the trial of the men accused of killing Shepard, according to a press release. Shows are Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m. and Sunday, at 2 p.m. Tickets cost $20 for adults, $18 for 65+ and students; purchase tickets at nashuatheatreguild.org.
Versa-Style Dance The Los Angeles-based Versa-Style Dance Company brings its blend of hip-hop, popping, lock, krump, salsa, merengue and cumbia dance styles to Stockbridge Theatre (Pinkerton Academy, 5 Pinkerton St. in Derry; stockbridgetheatre.showare.com) on Thursday, Oct. 12, at 7 p.m. Their latest show, “Freemind Freestyle,” is performed to remixes of hip-hop, classical and electronic music, according to a press release. Tickets cost $25.
Crafts and corn: The Coppal House Farm (118 N. River Road (Route 155) in Lee; nhcornmaze.com, 659-3572) will host an Artisan Craft Fair Saturday, Oct. 14, and Sunday, Oct. 15, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Check out the handmade offerings from local artisans and then head to the farm’s corn maze, also open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission to the fair is free; admission to the corn maze costs $10 for ages 13+, $8 for ages 5 to 12 and for 65+ as well as military and college students (ages 4 and under get in for free).
Halloween craft: Twiggs Gallery (254 King St., junction of Routes 3 and 4, Boscawen; twiggsgallery.org, 975-0015) will offer a free Halloween make & take on Saturday, Oct. 14, from 1 to 3 p.m. Mixed media artist Shela Cunningham will lead the activity making spooky bookmarks. The event is free with all of the materials supplied, according to a press release.
Lizzie Dive In Productions will present the punk rock opera Lizzie, about Lizzie Borden and the murders of her father and stepmother, at the Hatbox Theatre (Steeplegate Mall, 270 Loudon Road in Concord; hatboxnh.com, 715-2315) Friday, Oct. 20, through Sunday, Nov. 5. Showtimes are Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. Tickets cost $28 for adults, $25 for seniors and students.
The state of NH’s bat population and what people can do to help
Bat Week, an international celebration and week of awareness for bats, runs from Tuesday, Oct. 24 through Halloween. While bats are a standard of Halloween scene-setting, many species of bats spend this time of year through mid-April hibernating in caves and mines. There, they face a threat — a fungal disease called white-nose syndrome that has, in addition to habitat loss and fragmentation, nearly obliterated the bat population in New Hampshire.
Bats in peril
“I wouldn’t call any of our bat species common because they all have threats to their population that result in population decline over the last 15 years or so,” said Haley Andreozzi, a wildlife conservation state specialist with the University of New Hampshire Cooperative Extension. “We have eight species of bats in the state of New Hampshire and all of them are what we consider species of greatest conservation need, which means they’ve been identified in the state wildlife action plan as species that warrant special concern.”
Half of these species, the little brown bat, eastern-small footed bat, tricolored bat and the northern long-eared bat, are all state endangered, the last of which is also federally threatened. The other species in the state include the big brown bat, the hoary bat, the silver-haired bat and the eastern red bat.
According to Sandra Houghton, wildlife diversity biologist with the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department, maternity colonies begin to disperse and head to their winter locations in mid-to-late August. Andreozzi says that the hoary bat, eastern red bat and the silver hair bat head south while the rest hibernate in the New England area, mostly Vermont and New York, in caves and mines, where they face the threat of acquiring white-nose syndrome.
“White-nose syndrome was first found in New Hampshire in 2009 and it really has decimated bat populations in the state for those species that spend the winter hibernating in caves and mines,” Andreozzi said. “Their populations have seen declines of [around] 99 percent … in the last 14 years since the occurrence of white-nose syndrome in the state.”
The conditions that are ideal for this fungus to spread are the same that are ideal for bats to hibernate: damp, 40-degree cave environments. The white fungus can be on an affected bat’s ears, wings, tail or nose, and while the fungus itself doesn’t directly result in a bat’s death, it leads to abnormal behaviors that do.
Little Brown Bat. Photo by Ann Froschauer.
“Bats are typically what we consider true hibernators; they’re really doing everything they can to expend very little to no energy in the winter months,” Andreozzi said. “They’re really kind of shutting down their bodies to make it through the winter so they don’t require any fuel, because their major food source, which is insects, isn’t available in winter. This fungus causes them to become more active and is really forcing them to use up fat stores that they otherwise really rely on to get through those winter months.”
Impacted bats will sometimes fly out of their hibernation sites into the cold to look for food and water and face the risk of freezing or starving to death. As with many wildlife species, Andreozzi notes, habitat loss and fragmentation pose further threats to bat populations.
“As development and human population has increased, we’ve seen an increase in habitat loss and fragmentation that’s had negative consequences for those species and populations,” she said.
Bats in the ecosystem
Losing the bat population could have negative impacts ecologically and economically.
In tropical areas, bats are very important pollinators for flowering plants, according to Andreozzi. Here, in more northern parts, their primary role is different.
“They eat a ton of insects and here in New Hampshire bats are actually the greatest predator of night flying insects that we have, and that’s because they have extremely high energy,” she said. “It takes a ton of energy for them to fly and so they’re typically eating half their body weight every night in insects, but even more if they’re a female who’s nursing pups.”
According to the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department, this can equate to 1,500 mosquitoes per bat per night. They also feed on agricultural pests, providing a pest control service valued at $3.7 billion annually according to an analysis mentioned on the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department website. One of the best things people can do to help bats combat the effects of white-nose, according to Andreozzi, is simply let them be and help maintain their habitat. Disturbing them during hibernation and rousing them can threaten their survival during the winter. During the summer, bats’ roosting sites vary depending on the species, eastern small-footed bats preferring hillside or cliffs and northern long-eared bats roosting in cracks in trees or crevices under tree bark. Others, like the big brown bat and the little brown bat, have adapted to using human structures.
“We encourage people to let bats exists where they have for centuries, which is in their barn or other outbuilding, so if someone has bats in their barn, shed or even their attic [if] it’s in a place where it’s not bothering them and there’s no human health concern,” Andreozzi said. “It’s really become an important, valuable bat habitat … and there is a way that bats and people can coexist if there’s no chance of direct contact with humans.”
If you meet a bat…
If you do come in contact with a bat, it’s important to take the right measures. While bats have a reputation for carrying rabies, they don’t carry rabies at a higher rate than any other mammal. Andreozzi says the issue with bat bites versus another animal, like a raccoon, is that their bites are so small you might not even notice you were bitten.
“Any case where a bat is found in a living space, like with a sleeping child [or] some other considerations, it needs to be treated as if the bat does have rabies regardless, and then you should get in touch with the department of health and human services through the state,” Andreozzi said.
If there is no chance of contact and you just wish to remove a bat from your house, she recommends turning off all the lights and opening a window and allowing the bat to fly out on its own. If that doesn’t work or the circumstances are more complicated, you can hire a licensed wildlife control professional for help.
Bat hospitality
Instead of sharing yours, there’s also the option of making bats a home of their own.
“People can install a bat house, which is basically an artificial roost structure,” Andreozzi said.
It’s not as simple as putting up a wooden box and hoping for the best, she says. There are specific features that make a bat house successful.
“You want them to be large, you want them to be dark in color, ideally facing south or southeast so they get really hot, because that’s what the bats are looking for,” Andreozzi said.
According to Bat Conservation International’s “The Bat House Builder’s Handbook,” the chambers of a bat house should be a minimum of 20 inches tall and 14 inches wide to be successful with at least one chamber. The bigger the house, and the more chambers it has, the better. While it’s important for the houses to be hot, ventilation slots are needed to prevent overheating when the average temperature in July is 85 degrees or higher. Having at least three chambers will likely be better at providing appropriate temperature ranges and will be more suitable for a larger number of bats and nursing colonies, according to the guide.
“You want them pretty high off the ground, typically more than 12 feet high or so,” Andreozzi said.
The guide says that bats are better able to find bat houses when they are mounted on poles or buildings as opposed to trees. This is also a more attractive location, as bat houses on trees will likely receive less sun and be more vulnerable to predation. Positioning them under an eave is a way to protect them from both predators and rain.
“With proper specifications and installation practices, those bat houses can be successful,” Andreozzi said. “They’re not always, but they do get occupied by bats pretty regularly when installed around the state.”
Bat Conservation International has further information on building and installing successful bat houses.
If building your own doesn’t sound like your thing, you can always purchase one and install it. In addition, there are other measures you can take when caring for your property.
“People can maintain or enhance bat habitat on their property or in their communities,” Andreozzi said. “Bats are using forested areas for roosting [and are] really interested in some of these dead trees we call ‘snags,’ these dead standing trees or cavity trees, so leaving some of those on the landscape can be beneficial.”
Other ways to be more “bat friendly,” according to Bat Conservation International, include opting for organic practices in your garden instead of using pesticides and remedial timber treatment agents, both of which can poison bats, and planting native plants and moth hosting plants that will attract native insects, noting that white and light-colored flowers are especially attractive to nighttime pollinators. On a larger scale, Andreozzi adds that conserving large areas of land that are ideal for foraging near ponds and streams is also helpful.
Another way people can help is by participating in UNH Cooperative Extension and New Hampshire Fish and Game’s Bat Counts program.
Northern Long-eared Bat. Photo by Al Hicks.
“Bat counts take about an hour and a half in an evening, starting a half hour before dusk, and volunteers are asked to conduct at least one count in June and one count in July, though they can count more frequently than that if desired,” Andreozzi said in an email. “The data collected helps us understand where bats currently live in New Hampshire and in what numbers, as well as help us learn more about the site characteristics where bats exist and are maybe even thriving.” In the 2022 Bat Count, 3,777 bats were counted, according to data provided by Andreozzi.
Training for the counts take place in May or June every year both virtually and in person. If interested, you can visit wildlife.nh.gov. For more information on upcoming sessions and training opportunities, as well as summer bat count results, you can sign up for the NH Bat Counts newsletter.
Bats of New Hampshire
The following information comes from the New Hampshire Wildlife Action Plan.
Big brown bat Big brown bats have three habitat types: forests, buildings and caves or mines. They can be found statewide in all forests, but are unlikely to be found in forests at high elevations. Forests with wetland, streams or other openings offer sites for foraging. During their active season, they use trees for day and night roosting and buildings for night and maternity roosting. During hibernation, they will use insulated buildings, caves, mines and artificial subterranean structures. Their habitat is highly threatened due to habitat conversion and the evicting bats out of buildings. Their bigger size and ability to hibernate in buildings means they are not quite as affected by white-nose syndrome as other hibernating bat species.
Little brown bat Like big brown bats, little brown bats live in forests, buildings and caves or mines and can be found anywhere in the state in different kinds of forests, but likely not in ones of high elevation. Their population has been greatly affected by white-nose syndrome, and they also have a high risk rating for human disturbances in their hibernation habitats.
Tricolored bat Tricolored bats hibernate in caves and mines, and occasionally in other structures, but there is no data available about where they roost during the summer in New Hampshire. Data from the Midwest shows that they are generally a foliage-roosting species, with females from maternity colonies living in the dead foliage of deciduous trees, particularly oak and maple.
Silver-haired bat The biggest threat to silver-haired bats is not white-nose syndrome — they migrate south in the fall — but wind turbines and habitat loss. Findings in their habitat studies have varied but it seems they typically roost in tree hollows and deep cavities in early to moderately decayed tall trees.
Northern long-eared bat Northern long-eared bats rely on caves and mines for hibernation — often in crevices or on the surface of walls and ceilings — and also use them year-round. They also roost in trees, both alive and dead. High-ranking threats for them are disturbance from humans as well as white-nose syndrome.
Eastern red bat Eastern red bats are another species that head south for the winter. They spend their New Hampshire summers roosting in tree foliage high off the ground in a variety of large deciduous trees near permanent water sources. They may roost closer to the ground when roosting in fragmented habitats like urban areas and farmland. Their biggest threats are habitat loss and wind turbines.
Hoary bat As with many other migrating bat species, the biggest threat facing hoary bats are wind turbines and habitat loss. While in New Hampshire for the summer, they roost in tree foliage, often woodpecker holes or squirrel nests and in branches sheltered by foliage about 12.7 meters off the ground.
Eastern small-footed bat Eastern small-footed bats live in rocky outcrops in the summer and in caves or mines in the winter. Their species status is not well known, but they have been caught in southern parts of the state during the summer months. They prefer colder hibernation temperatures and seem to arrive at their hibernation spot later and leave earlier than most other bat species, where the threat rank is high for disturbance from humans. One known winter site is the abandoned Mascot Lead Mine, which has stability concerns and accumulation debris, putting it at risk of collapsing.
Friday, Oct. 13 It’s a Taylor Swift weekend! Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour, a concert film of her hugely popular tour, hits area movie theaters starting today. And, over at the Nashua Center for the Arts (201 Main St. in Nashua; nashuacenterforthearts.com, 800-657-8774), “The Taylor Party,” an 18+ dance party, takes place tonight starting at 9 p.m.; tickets start at $21.
Thursday, Oct. 12 Candlelight Concerts (see candlelightexperience.com) gets in the Halloween spirit with two shows tonight at the Rex Theatre (23 Amherst St. in Manchester; palacetheatre.org, 668-5588) at 6 and 8:30 p.m. with tickets starting at $43. The Listeso String Quartet will perform works as diverse as Shostakovich’s “String Quartet No. 8 in C Minor” and Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” and the theme from John Carpenter’s Halloween.
Friday, Oct. 13 See the original group of victims, er, campers (including a shockingly young Kevin Bacon) arrive at Crystal Lake in 1980’s Friday the 13th today (Friday the 13th) at 9 p.m. at Red River Theaters (11 S. Main St. in Concord; redrivertheatres.org, 224-4600).
Saturday, Oct. 14 Hillsborough Community Center will hold a Harvest Festival today, rain or shine from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Grimes Field (23 Preston Road in Hillsborough). The event will feature food, vendors, games and other family fun; admission is free, according to hccnh.org/ harvest-festival.
Saturday, Oct. 14 BeadStock, an event celebrating the artistry of beading from around the world, will take place today from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Mt. Kearsarge Indian Museum (18 Highlawn Road in Warner; indianmuseum.org, 456-2600). Find beads (including antique beads, glass, gemstone, ceramic, turquoise, silver and more) for sale as well as demonstrations (including a glass bead-making demonstration), interactive exhibits, tours of the museum, a museum field store and food for sale. Admission cost $12 (get 8 a.m. admission for $25); tickets are available online.
Saturday, Oct. 14 Windham Recreation Department will hold its annual Harvest Fest on Saturday, Oct. 14, in Griffin Park with events including a doggie costume parade (at 10 a.m.), a food truck (from noon to 4 p.m.), live music, a balloon artist, pumpkin decorating and scavenger hunts (from 1 to 2:30 pm.) and trick-or-treat from 3 to 4 p.m. See windhamnh.gov.
Saturday, Oct. 14 The New Hampshire Philharmonic Orchestra will perform “Bohemian Rhapsodies” at Seifert Performing Arts Center (44 Geremonty Drive, Salem) today at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, Oct. 15, at 2 p.m. The program explores Czech and English music, featuring works by Smetana, Kaprálová, Suk, and Elgar, and culminating in Dvořák’s Symphony No. 7. Tickets cost $5 to $30. Visit nhphil.org.
Save the Date! Friday, Nov. 24 Catch the Trans-Siberian Orchestra with “The Ghosts of Christmas Eve” on Friday, Nov. 24, with shows at 3 and 7:30 p.m. at the SNHU Arena (555 Elm St. in Manchester; snhuarena.com, 644-5000). Tickets start at $43.
A recent study by Upgraded Points revealed that wealthy millennials, defined as individuals ages 26 to 45 earning more than $200,000 annually, are increasingly moving to certain U.S. states. Factors such as improved economic conditions, remote work opportunities, and the pursuit of affordable housing and better quality of life have driven this trend. The study found that New Hampshire ranks 7th in the nation in attracting wealthy millennials, with a net gain of 4.4 percent. This influx has resulted in a positive impact on the state’s tax base, with a net increase of more than $229 million attributed to wealthy millennial movers, the press release said. QOL score: +1 Comment: Florida and Texas were among the top states gaining wealthy millennials, while California and New York experienced losses.
Shot clock
Since the availability of updated Covid-19 boosters last month, many in New Hampshire have faced challenges in getting their shots due to limited slots, last-minute appointment rescheduling or insurance issues, NHPR reported. Previously the federal government procured and distributed Covid-19 vaccines to health care providers. Now hospitals, pharmacies and health centers purchase vaccines directly from manufacturers or wholesalers. This transition has led to shipping delays and availability issues in various pharmacies across the country, including in New Hampshire. QOL score: -2 Comment:This season’s vaccines have been updated to guard against the latest virus strains, and the CDC recommends a new vaccine for everyone age six months and older this fall.
We’ve got Halloween spirit
Lombardo Homes conducted a study on decorating for Halloween and found that New Hampshire ranks third in the nation for its decorative enthusiasm. The study also found that the crow is the state’s favorite Halloween adornment. Conducted in August 2023, the study is based on an analysis of 7,330 Halloween-related Google search terms and purchasing behaviors; data sourced from search volumes per capita over the last year; and a survey in the same month that involved 1,209 Americans discussing their Halloween decoration habits. QOL score: +1 Comment:The research also revealed that Americans are allocating more for Halloween decorations this year compared to the previous year, with an average expenditure of $87, a rise from $61 in 2022.
Child care woes
Since 2020 New Hampshire has received more than $142 million in federal funds for child care stabilization, covering costs like scholarships and aiding businesses that faced losses during the pandemic, However, as this funding concludes, local child care providers say that challenges like staffing shortages and limited options for families persist. NHPR reported that the central issue remains competitive wages for child care workers, who are often paid less. New Hampshire has introduced some legislation to aid child care services, but advocates emphasize the need for continued focus and funding at both the state and federal levels. QOL score: -2 Comment:Additionally, many areas, like Lancaster, face shortages of child care facilities, leading parents to travel considerable distances.
QOL score: 90 Net change: -2 QOL this week: 88
What’s affecting your Quality of Life here in New Hampshire? Let us know at news@hippopress.com.
Paul Brogan, author of The Concord Theatre, and author Margaret Porter present a gala at Bank of NH Stage — formerly the Concord Theatre — on Wednesday, Oct. 18, at 7 p.m., celebrating the 90th anniversary of the theater’s opening. NHPR’s Laura Knoy hosts the free event, which includes a screening of one of the theater’s most successful films, Moonstruck (1987). Brogan talked about his history with the theater and the impact it has had on him and on the Concord community.
What has been your personal journey with the Concord Theatre? Everyone in Concord would, at some point, come to watch a movie there. This was especially true in the late ‘60s and ‘70s before the prevalence of cable TV. Movies were an affordable entertainment choice. … I started working there in June of 1967. I was a teenager, a student at Bishop Brady High School in Concord. I was looking for an after-school job, and loving movies the way I did, it was the perfect job. I began working there in June of ‘67 and remained associated with the theater until it closed in September of ‘94. I didn’t work there every night, as I had been, but I was there two or three nights a week. I helped Theresa Cantin, who owned and ran the theater, to book films. She’d send me to screenings of upcoming films and would take into account my feedback. As a teenager, having someone much older value your opinion about movies was flattering. That’s partly why I stayed connected until the theater closed. Working there felt almost wrong to get paid because it was such a positive experience.
Tell us more about Theresa. Theresa was remarkable. She started there at 19 years old in 1933 and stayed until 1994. For 61 years this woman ran a first-run movie theater. Back in those days, while women might sell tickets or work the concession stand, the actual running of the theater and booking films was seen as a man’s job. She took care of everything from creating ads to selling tickets. Watching Theresa was truly inspiring.
How did the idea for an event come about? I wrote a book that was about the Concord Theatre and sort of a tribute to Theresa. … I was talking with my good friend Margaret Porter about it. We realized the date of the theater’s opening in 1933, Oct. 18, falls on a Wednesday this year, just as it did the year that the theater opened. … Laura Knoy [of NHPR] had also read the book and said she was just mesmerized by it. … So the three of us got together and decided we should do something special and give this gift to the community of a free evening in the theater.
You’ll be showing Moonstruck. Why that film? Well, the biggest hit at the theater was Valley of the Dolls, so we said, OK, what was the second biggest? [laughs] It was Moonstruck. It drew a little over 14,000 people, and Concord had [a population of] 30,000 at the time, so almost half the city came to see it. It was one of those movies where people walked out smiling and holding each other. It made everyone feel good, and it was one of those movies that Theresa was proud to play, so we thought that would be the perfect movie to celebrate the theater.
Have you heard from others who have memories of the theater? Yes. There’s a [Facebook page], ‘I’m from Concord, NH & remember when …’ and many people have shared their memories on there of when they went to see movies like The Breakfast Club and Pretty in Pink, Die Hard, the first Star Trek film. All those were shown at the theater. For a lot of people walking in there now, it’s going to be like a piece of history.
Featured photo: Paul Brogan with Margaret Porter, left, and Laura Knoy, right. Courtesy photo.
In September 2023, the Boys & Girls Club of Manchester (BGCM) announced its “Free Food Friday” initiative, offering club families complimentary groceries every week at its Union Street Clubhouse. According to a press release, this effort, in partnership with Hannaford and the New Hampshire Food Bank, aims to combat food insecurity in New Hampshire by providing essentials like produce, eggs, dairy and meats. With food laid out in the clubhouse lobby every Friday, families can easily collect supplies, ensuring they have ample food for the forthcoming week. During the summer of 2023, 353 families benefited from this program. For more information or to support BGCM’s endeavors, visit mbgcnh.org.
Nashua candidates
The Nashua Public Library (2 Court St. in Nashua; nashualibrary.org) and League of Women Voters NH — Greater Nashua will hold candidate forums at the library for the city’s alderman-at-large, ward aldermen and board of education positions. Meet alderman-at-large candidates on Thursday, Oct. 12, at 6:30 p.m.; ward 1, 2 and 6 alderman candidates on Thursday, Oct. 19, at 6:30 p.m. followed by wards 7, 8 and 9 at 7:45 p.m., and board of education candidates on Thursday, Oct. 26, at 6:30 p.m., according to a press release. At the forums, candidates will read opening statements and then take audience questions, via the moderator, the release said. Forums will also air on Nashua Public Television Channel 6, the release said.
New hire
Rebecca Fredrickson, a nonprofit veteran with over 15 years of experience, has joined Catholic Charities NH as a Major Gifts Officer, according to a press release. In her new role, Fredrickson will work on connecting supporters with their charitable passions, focusing on critical issues such as poverty, homelessness, mental health, and the aging population in New Hampshire. She will also contribute to the development of the organization’s major gifts strategy as Catholic Charities NH expands its presence in the state.
Sustainability studies
Plymouth State University (PSU) has initiated a series of courses and lectures as a part of its sustainability studies program, introduced in fall 2022, funded by a $56,867 grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH). According to a press release, a foundational course, Conversations in Sustainability, offers a multidisciplinary approach to sustainability, currently led by Associate Professor Laura Tilghman, Ph.D. This course, among others, is interwoven with the NEH Spotlight on the Humanities in Sustainability Lecture Series, which includes multiple events through December 2024. Additionally, the program will introduce an experiential class in fall 2024 and another centered on sustainability’s link to public health and humanities in spring 2025. The initiative aligns with Plymouth State’s interdisciplinary Cluster Learning Model and its focus on environmental education.
Pet paintings
The Salem Animal Rescue League, in collaboration with the Arts Academy of New Hampshire, is bringing back its unique fundraiser for its third year: custom pet portraits crafted by students of the Academy. From realistic renditions to imaginative interpretations, each portrait captures the essence of your pet in a distinct style, according to a press release. A donation of $25 gets you a digital portrait, while $50 provides both a digital and the original piece (with options for pick-up or mail delivery for an added cost). Orders are open until Oct. 17. Visit sarlnh.org.
Funds for breast cancer
Merrimack County Savings Bank sponsors the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer event on Sunday, Oct. 15, at Memorial Field in Concord. For the 8th consecutive year, The Merrimack will act as the Survivorship Sponsor of Survivor Place, having donated over $80,000 during this period, according to a press release. Survivor Place is a dedicated zone at the event where cancer survivors and thrivers can connect and share experiences. This year also sees the introduction of the Tribute Garden, which will display pink pinwheels purchased in homage to those who have battled breast cancer. The event, which annually raises about $500,000 for the American Cancer Society, is an avenue to fund research and provide cancer patients with necessary care and support.
Conservation awards
During its annual meeting on Sept. 16, NH Audubon announced its 2023 conservation award recipients. According to a press release, Karen Bennett of Antrim received the Tudor Richards Award for her impactful conservation efforts and work with Good Forestry in the Granite State. George W. Gavutis Jr. of Kensington secured the Goodhue-Elkins Award for his extensive contributions to bird knowledge and conservation in New Hampshire. The John Thalheimer Volunteer Award was given to Sandra Bowles of Bow for her dedicated gardening contributions at the McLane Center, especially her work on the pollinator gardens since 2018.
The Pembroke Town Library, in collaboration with the Pembroke Historical Society, is hosting a virtual Zoom presentation titled “Family Stories: How and Why to Remember and Tell Them” on Thursday, Oct.19, at 7 p.m. Jo Radner, a storyteller and oral historian, will lead the interactive session and guide participants on effective techniques to recall, develop and narrate personal stories. The event, sponsored by the NH Humanities Council, is free to the public. Register at pembroke-library.org.
Flag Hill Distillery & Winery in Lee is hosting a 10 Year Bourbon Release Party on Saturday, Nov. 4, to mark the launch of its 10-year-aged bourbon. According to a press release, the Prohibition era-themed event will start at 4 p.m., with a cocktail hour followed by a bourbon-inspired dinner, with opportunities to taste the bourbon, interact with the distillers and enjoy live music, campfire stories and line dancing. An after-party by candlelight will follow. Tickets cost $85. Visit flaghill.com.
SEE Science Center will host a Fall Fusion Festival on Saturday, Oct. 14, from noon to 3 p.m. at Arms Park in Manchester. The event focuses on art, science and inclusion and will feature the 2nd annual Disability Justice Parade, according to a newsletter. Attendees can view a partial solar eclipse at the designated SEE Science Center viewing area and witness the unveiling of Manchester’s newest murals. The Ooch Experience will provide music, and food trucks will be onsite. The festival is free and open to the public. Visit see-sciencecenter.org.
Symphony NH hosts a Halloween Magic Family Concert on Saturday, Oct. 7, from 11 a.m. to 12:15 p.m., at the Keefe Center for the Arts (117 Elm St., Nashua). The program will feature Halloween tunes such as “Hedwig’s Theme” from Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, Danse Macabre and Night on Bald Mountain. Costumes are encouraged. Tickets cost $8 to $20. Visit symphonynh.org.
The Rock and Roll Playhouse will present the live concert “Music of the Beatles for Kids” at the Bank of NH Stage (16 S. Main St., Concord) on Sunday, Oct. 8, at noon, doors open at 11:30 a.m. Tickets cost $18.75 in advance, an extra $5 at the door. Find out more about Rock and Roll Playhouse at therockandrollplayhouse.com.
Fall fest
Charmingfare Farm (774 High St. in Candia; visitthefarm.com, 483-5623) wraps up its Pumpkin Festival Saturday, Oct. 7, through Monday, Oct. 9, with admission times starting at 10 a.m. each day. Admission costs $29 per person (23 months and younger get in free). Pick a pumpkin from the pumpkin patch, take a tractor or horse-drawn wagon ride, enjoy live music and more.
Applecrest Farm Orchards (133 Exeter Road, Hampton Falls; applecrest. com) is open daily 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., and on weekends through the end of October the orchard holds harvest festivals, which run Saturday and Sunday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. This weekend the focus is the Great Pumpkin Carve, with a master carver tackling an 800-pound pumpkin to create a giant jack-o’-lantern, according to the website, which says the carve is scheduled for Sunday. Look for live music throughout the weekend: The Green Heron Bluegrass band on Saturday, Unsung Heroes on Sunday and RockSpring on Monday.
NH Music Collective is all over our Music This Week listings, with its artists playing at restaurants and breweries as well as on stages dedicated to music, like the Bank of NH Stage. Michael Witthaus tells the story of the creation of this booking, production and artist development operation. Photo above and on the cover comes courtesy the NH Music Collective and is of April Cushman and Brad Myrick.
Also on the cover: We’re still in the thick of festival season. Find a weekend of fun at the Warner Fall Foliage Festival (page 19) and the Milford Pumpkin Festival (page 18). And we check in with the Currier Museum of Art to get the details of this season’s exhibitions (page 14).
