The Hippo Press

Kiddie Pool 25/04/24

Family fun for whenever

Vacation day at the museum

• The Aviation Museum of New Hampshire (27 Navigator Road in Londonderry; aviationmuseumofnh.org) is open two extra days for April school vacation. The museum will be open Monday, April 28, and Tuesday, April 29, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in addition to the regular hours, which are Wednesdays through Saturdays 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday 1 to 4 p.m. Admission costs $10 for ages 13 and up, $5 for ages 6 to 12 and for veterans, active military and 65+, and free for kids 5 and under.

• There’s an extra day to see SEE Science Center (200 Bedford St. in Manchester; see-sciencecenter.org): Monday, April 28, for April school vacation in addition to its regular Tuesday-through-Sunday days of operation. SEE is open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on weekdays and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekends. Admission costs $14 for ages 3 and up.

• The McAuliffe-Shepard Discovery Center (2 Institute Drive in Concord; starhop.com) is also open daily Wednesday, April 16, through Sunday, May 4, from 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission costs $13 for adults, $12 for 62+ and ages 13 through college, $10 for ages 3 to 12 and free for ages 2 and under. Planetarium shows are an additional $7 for ages 3 and up.

Game time

• The Fisher Cats will kick off a series of games at Delta Dental Stadium in downtown Manchester against the Portland Sea Dogs on Tuesday, April 29, with a 6:35 p.m. game. Other games are Wednesday, April 30, at 5:05 p.m. (Waggin’ Wednesday, when leashed dogs can come to the park); Thursday, May 1, at 6:35 p.m. (with a koozie giveaway); Friday, May 2, at 6:35 p.m. (Grateful Dead Night), and Sunday, May 4, at 1:35 p.m. (Cats Con — “game will celebrate our favorite movies, comic books, heroes, villains … featuring characters from Double Midnight Comics!”), the website said. See milb.com/new-hampshire.

Bout time

• Check out the double-header season opener for NH Roller Derby on Saturday, April 26, at JFK Memorial Coliseum (303 Beech St. in Manchester). Doors open at 3:30 p.m. At 4 p.m. it’s the NH Roller Derby Cherry Bombs vs. Twin State Derby’s Bandits, and at 6 p.m. it’s an open gender mixed scrimmage (for A level experienced skaters ages 18+; sign up online), according to nhrollerderby.com. Tickets at the door cost $15 for adults, $5 for veterans and NH Roller Derby vets and kids 12 and under get in free, the website said.

Family fun

• Chunky’s (707 Huse Road in Manchester; chunkys.com) has upcoming family game nights. On Saturday, April 26, at 6 p.m. it’s a family trivia night about Bluey. On Sunday, April 27, at 1 p.m., and Friday, May 2, at 6:45 p.m., it’s a family-friendly theater candy bingo night, with a $10 ticket reserving you a seat (which comes with a bingo card, a box of candy for the pot and a $5 food voucher), according to the website. Chunky’s will also hold a family paint night event featuring A Minecraft Movie image on Friday, April 25, at 6 p.m. Admission costs $25 per person, the website said.

• Vacation hours at Krazy Kids (60 Sheep Davis Road in Pembroke; krazykids.com) will be Monday, April 28, through Thursday, May 1, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and then from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on Friday, May 2, with Glow Night hours from 6 to 9 p.m.

• Cowabunga’s (725 Huse Road in Manchester; cowabungas.com) will be open daily through April school vacation week with visits by different costumed characters scheduled for each day, Monday, April 28, through Friday, May 2, according to the website. The characters are slated to appear at 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. for photos and to play a game, according to the website, where you can find the expected lineup.

Episode III

O’neil Cinemas at Brickyard Square (24 Calef Highway in Epping; oneilcinemas.com) is among the area theaters screening Star Wars: Episode III — Revenge of the Sith(PG-13) a movie celebrating its (brace yourself) 20th anniversary. The theater will have more than one screening daily Thursday, April 24, through Wednesday, April 30.

Outdoor time

Trails open for the season at the Squam Lakes Natural Science Center (23 Science Center in Holderness; nhnature.org) on Thursday, May 1, from 9:30 a.m to 5 p.m. (with the last trail admission at 3:30 p.m.). Walk the ¾-mile live animal exhibit trail, which traverses meadows, forests and marsh boardwalks and features animals including coyote, fisher, red fox, bob cat, black bear, mountain lion, river otters, white-tailed deer, owls, raptors and more, according to a center press release. Admission costs $28 for adults, $26 for 65+ and $22 for ages 3 to 15, and is free for ages 2 and under, the release said.

The Art Roundup 25/04/24

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

• Childhood memories: Nashua Theatre Guild presents the New Hampshire premiere of Incident at Our Lady of Perpetual Help, a play by Katie Forgette, on Friday, April 25, and Saturday, April 26, at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, April 27, at 2 p.m. at the Court Street Theatre (14 Court St. in Nashua). The story is a “bittersweet memory play about a Catholic childhood in the 1970s … a gently funny, often hilarious and touching production directed by Vicky Sandin,” according to nashuatheatreguild.org. Tickets cost $20 for adults, $18 for 65+, students and military.

• Our Town: Tickets are on sale now for the Community Players of Concord’s Thornton Wilder’s Our Town on Friday, May 2, and Saturday, May 3, at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, May 4, at 2 p.m. at the Concord City Auditorium (2 Prince St. in Concord). Tickets cost $20 for adults, $18 for 17 and under and 65+. See communityplayersofconcord.org

• Basket making: Ruth Boland will hold a series of basket-making classes (three eight-week sessions) for all levels, beginners included, starting Tuesday, April 29, in Nashua. The classes will be held on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6 to 8:30 p.m. and Wednesdays and Fridays from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. For a fee of $200, attend any 10 classes during the session including multiple classes during a week, with additional classes available for $10 per class or for $32 per class attend individual classes, according to an email. Email [email protected] to register or for additional information.

• Playreading: Theatre Kapow’s ARTiculate series returns with a live reading of the play Bauer by playwright Luren Gunderson on Sunday, May 4, from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Currier Museum of Art (150 Ash St. in Manchester; currier.org). The play “tells the visceral and true story of forgotten modern artist Rudolf Bauer, struggling with his fading place in the history of art,” according to the Currier’s website. After the reading, there will be an “expert-led conversation in the galleries inspired by the themes of the play and the Currier’s latest exhibition, ‘Nicolas Party and Surrealism: An Artist’s Take on the Movement,’” the website said. Tickets cost $30 for adults, $25 for 65+ and students and $15 for ages 13 to 17. See currier.org.

Jack of Diamonds
Majestic Productions will present Jack of Diamonds, a comedy about four residents of a retirement home trying to regain their savings stolen by a crooked financial adviser, on Friday, April 25, at 7 p.m.; Saturday, April 26, at 2 and 7 p.m. and Sunday, April 27, at 2 p.m. at Majestic Theatre (880 Page St. in Manchester; majestictheatre.net). Tickets cost $15 to $20.

• Play fest: The Players’ Ring (105 Marcy St. in Portsmouth; playersring.org) will present Dionysia: A Festival of Short Plays Friday, April 25, through Sunday, April 27, with shows on Friday and Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and shows on Saturday and Sunday at 2:30 p.m. Tickets cost $15.

• Summer show: Disney’s Freaky Friday will be the summer musical appearing on the Wilcox Main Stage of the Prescott Park Arts Festival in Portsmouth Friday, June 20, through Sunday, Aug. 10. Show will be most Thursdays through Sundays at 7 p.m. Matinees will be announced later this season. Reservations opening in May. See prescottpark.org.

• Craft classes: The Meredith League of NH Craftsmen has several upcoming classes, according to a press release. On Sunday, May 4, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. it’s an Advanced Stained Glass Class with artist Sue Ries; tuition is $55 plus a $45 materials fee. On Wednesday, May 7, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. it’s a Mini Textile House Workshop with artist Cheryl Miller; tuition is $50 plus a $25 materials fee. On Saturday, May 10, from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., it’s a Nuno Felted Scarf Workshop with artist Melinda LaBarge held at the Meredith Community Center; tuition costs $68 plus a $25 materials fee. Also May 10, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., it’s a Fun with Felt class; tuition costs $45 plus a $20 materials fee, the release said. The Meredith League of NH Craftsmen Fine Craft Gallery is at 279 DW Highway in Meredith and call 279-7920 to register; see meredith.nhcrafts.org/classes.

• Mother’s Day concert: St. Peter’s Church (Mammoth Road at 3 Peabody Row in Londonderry) will hold a “Contemporary Baroque” chamber music concert with the Brandenburg and Beyond ensemble on Sunday, May 11, at 3 p.m. The event is free and open to the public (donations accepted), according to a church email. “You will hear classic baroque works including Bach’s Brandenburg Concerto No. 2, themes from Masterpiece Theatre … and many others,” the email said. See stpeterslondonderry.org and brandenburgandbeyond.com.

This Week 25/04/24

Friday, April 25

Nashua Theatre Guild presents the New Hampshire premiere ofIncident at Our Lady of Perpetual Help, a play by Katie Forgette, tonight, tomorrow, Saturday, April 26, at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, April 27, at 2 p.m. at the Court Street Theatre (14 Court St., Nashua). The story is a “bittersweet memory play about a Catholic childhood in the 1970s … a gently funny, often hilarious and touching production directed by Vicky Sandin,” according to nashuatheatreguild.org. Tickets cost $20 for adults, $18 for 65+, students and military.

Saturday, April 26

Today is Open Farm Day at Coppal House Farm (118 N. River Road, Lee, 659-3572, nhcornmaze.com) from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. featuring animal viewing, farm demonstrations, treats from local food vendors, live music, horse-drawn wagon rides and more.

Saturday, April 26

Today is Dance Day at Pumps & Pirouettes (250 Commercial St., Manchester, 518-5350, pumpsnpirouettes.com), from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. with classes running all day long in shortened blocks to allow new and experienced dancers alike the chance to try out all the styles that Pumps & Pirouettes offers including ballet, heels, jazz, hip-hop, k-pop, contemporary and more. Each class runs for 30 mins and costs $1.

Saturday, April 26

It’s Independent Book Store Day! Balin Books (375 Amherst St. in Nashua; balinbooks.com) will have refreshments, exclusives, a rack of advance reading copies and more with 10 percent of the day’s sales (including $1 per advance reading copy) going to the Nashua Soup Kitchen and Shelter, according to an email from the book store. Bookery (844 Elm St., Manchester, bookerymht.com) has plans for local authors, giveaways, discounts, live music and more, according to an email from the store. Gibson’s Bookstore (45 S. Main St., Concord, gibsonsbookestore.com) will offer “exclusive merch, giveaways, maybe even some games and activities,” according to an email from the store. Check with your favorite indie bookstore for updates.

Sunday, April 27

Lyle Lovett and his Acoustic Group perform tonight at the Chubb Theatre (Chubb Theatre at CCA, 44 S. Main St, Concord, 225-1111, ccanh.com) starting at 7:30 p.m Tickets start at $58.28.

Sunday, April 27

The Hooksett Lions Club Presents its 28th Annual Model Train and Modeling Show today from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Cawley Middle School (89 Whitehall Road, Hooksett). This event features vendors, operating layouts, raffles, a white elephant table, food, clinics and more. Admission is $7 for adults, $1 for children 6 to 12, and free for children five and under.

Tuesday, April 29

Meet Ellie, Nashua’s newest police dog at the Nashua Public Library (2 Court St., Nashua, 589-4600, nashualibrary.org) today at 1 p.m. Meet Officer Turcotte and his partner, K9 Ellie, and learn about Ellie’s job at the police department, ask questions or simply say hello.

Save the Date! Tuesday, April 29

The Flying Gravity Circus, featuring children and teens who learn the circus arts, will perform a show called “One Man’s Trash” Tuesday, May 6, at 7 p.m. at Pine Hill Auditorium at the HIgh Mowing School in Wilton. Tickets cost $16.30 for adults, $11.20 for kids. See flyinggravitycircus.org.

Featured photo: Independent Bookstore Day Logo.

Quality of Life 25/04/24

Gold (golden brown) anniversary

As reported in an April 18 online story by New Hampshire Public Radio (NHPR), the chicken tender has celebrated its 50th anniversary. Manchester comedian and chicken tender activist Nick Lavallee, known as “The Mayor of Tender Town,” organized a celebration at the Puritan Backroom Restaurant on Thursday, April 17, to celebrate the chicken tender’s entry into middle age. Food historians speculate that Manchester-style chicken tenders originated at the Puritan. NHPR quoted Lavallee: “A Manchester style tendie. Not only is it marinated in a blend of pineapple juice and other things, but when it’s served fresh and hot, it’s like it’s more of a crisp than a crunch,” he said. “It’s the best. There’s nothing quite like a Manchester style tender.”

QOL score: +1

Comment: As reported by WMUR in an April 17 online article, the cast of the MTV show Jersey Shore visited the Puritan to celebrate its chicken tenders. “Mike ‘The Situation’ Sorrentino, Nicole ‘Snooki’ Polizzi, Ronnie Magro and the crew from the show were at the Puritan Backroom in Manchester filming a new season of their show, Jersey Shore: Family Vacation, the story reported.

EZ to get scammed

An April 15 online story by WMUR stated, “The state Department of Justice and the Federal Trade Commission are working together to combat a scam that targets E-ZPass users in New Hampshire.” Many drivers have reported receiving fake text messages saying they have outstanding balances on their EZ accounts for unpaid tolls that need to be paid immediately. (For example: “Immediate action is required to avoid penalties and enforcement actions resulting from non-payment,” as the scam text QOL received just this week said.) “The agencies are planning to use data from reports to identify patterns and potentially disrupt scam operations,” the WMUR story reported.

QOL score: -1

Comment: WMUR quoted Senior Assistant Attorney General Brandon Garod, who emphatically stated that “E-ZPass will never text someone about an unpaid bill, something it makes clear on the front page of its website.”

A very senior prom

On Thursday, April 17, Winnacunnet High School students helped throw a prom for residents at a Hampton assisted living home. As reported in an April 18, online article by WMUR, “For months, students and residents at Cornerstone at Hampton worked together to plan the event, creating centerpieces, selecting songs for the DJ and crafting a menu.”

QOL score: +1

Comment: The prom’s theme was “Botanical Garden.” WMUR reported that “each resident was invited to bring a family member or friend as their prom date.”

QOL score: 62

Net change: +1

QOL this week: 63

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

Let us know at [email protected].

News & Notes 25/04/24

Senate race update

U.S. Rep. Maggie Goodlander told WMUR that she will not seek the U.S. Senate seat in 2026, according to an April 17 report. The race will have no incumbent for the seat as Sen. Jeanne Shaheen has said she will not run for reelection. U.S. Rep. Chris Pappas, a Democrat, announced his campaign for the seat in early April. Earlier this month, former New Hampshire Gov. Chris Sununu also told WMUR that he wouldn’t run for senate. In the April 17 story, which you can find at wmur.com, Goodlander endorsed Pappas in his campaign for the seat and Pappas endorsed Goodlander in her reelection campaign to the New Hampshire 2nd District seat.

Historic marker

The Black Heritage Trail of New Hampshire will hold an unveiling ceremony on Saturday, April 26, at 10 a.m. for a historic marker honoring author Harriet E. Wilson (the first Black novelist in the U.S. whose book was published in 1859), according to a Black Heritage Trail press release. The marker is on the historic Nehemiah Hayward Homestead (19 Maple St. in Milford) where Wilson was indentured as a child, the release said. A statue of Wilson stands in Milford in Bicentennial Park at 123 South St., where the Trail also has a marker about Wilson. See blackheritagetrailnh.org.

Weather ready

April 20 through April 26 has been designated Severe Weather Awareness Week, during which New Hampshire Department of Safety’s Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management will be offering information on preparedness and safety tips, according to a press release. “Flooding is the main disaster that affects New Hampshire. In recent years, the state has seen tornadoes, earthquakes, extreme heat and extreme cold,” the release said. See readynh.gov for tips as well as instructions for signing up for NH Alerts, a serive that will send information about tornades, floods, gas leaks, power outages and other emergencies to your phone or email. The N.H. Forest Protection Bureau and Gov. Kelly Ayotte have also proclaimed April 21-27 Wildfire Awareness Week in New Hampshire as spring is the beginning of wildfire season, according to a press release from the N.H. Department of Natural & Cultural Resources.

Recall reminder

Gerber Products sent out a recall reminder on April 18 for its Gerber Soothe N Chew Teething Sticks, originally recalled and discontinued Jan. 31, “due to a potential choking hazard for babies and young children,” according to the recall notice at nestleusa.com. “We are issuing a second press release about this recall due to recent reports of recalled product still available for sale on some retailer shelves and online,” the release said. The products were sold nationwide, including in New Hampshire.

Plymouth State University will host its annual Showcase of Student Research and Engagement on Friday, May 2, from 2 to 4 p.m. on the Plymouth campus in the Courtroom at HUB and at Silver Center and Museum of the White Mountains, according to a press release. Students from a variety of disciplines including the arts, humanities and sciences will present their projects on topics including mental health, biology, history and more, the release said. The event is free and open to the public. See plymouth.edu/2025-showcase-research-engagement.

Mosaic Art Collective (66 Hanover St. in Manchester; mosaicartcollective.com) will hold a Drop + Draw on Thursday, April 24, 5:45 to 8 p.m. “Open to all to just hang out and make some art together,” according to the post on Mosaic’s Facebook page.

Craftworkers’ Guild Spring Craft Shop at Kendall House (3A Meetinghouse Road in Bedford, behind the Bedford Public Library) will open Thursday, May 1, and stay open through Sunday, May 25, Thursdays through Sundays, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. See thecraftworkersguild.org.

Bring Back the Trades will hold a Skills Expo Saturday, April 26, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Londonderry High School (295 Mammoth Road in Londonderry) featuring more than 50 local trades organizations, according to a press release. The event is free and open to all ages and includes live demonstrations, equipment showcases and giveaways, the release said. See bringbackthetrades.org.

The Big Cookie — 04/17/2025

on the cover

10 In this week’s cover story, John Fladd looks at the Big Cookie — you know the one. It’s a supersized sugar or chocolate chip cookie, bigger than your standard teaspoon-full-of-dough size, that is more a full dessert than snack. It offers you sharing opportunities or is a special indulgence just for one. How are they assembled? What are their tastiest qualities? John looks at the art of the gloriously big cookie.

Also on the cover: Take a look back at Manchester history with the book Grenier Air Base (see page 15). Is there a better combination than waffles and doughnuts (page 18)? And find all sorts of live music for your weekend including shows at area bars and restaurants listed in our Music This Week (see page 27) and ticketed shows in our Concerts listings (page 30).

Read the e-edition

News & Notes 25/04/17

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Celtics go for 19th title

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Quality of Life 25/04/17

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*#$^&@-%! weather A reminder that New England can still New England in April, the snow totals from last weekend’s snowfall ...

This Week 25/04/17

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Friday, April 18 Chunky’s Cinema Pub (707 Huse Road, Manchester, 206-3888, chunkys.com) hosts a Gilligan’s Island Paint Night this evening ...

The Big Cookie

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Two-lane runway

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Book recounts the roots of Manchester Airport By Michael Witthaus [email protected] Charles Lindbergh’s historic solo flight across the Atlantic in ...

Treasure Hunt 25/04/17

A tall black urn, with a detailed base and large prominent handles.

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Hi, Donna. The New Boston Historical Society wonders what you might know about an old urn that’s now in the ...

Kiddie Pool 25/04/17

250417 Family Fun Outdoors

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The Weekly Dish 25/04/17

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Doughnut batter in a waffle iron

The "Waffle Donut Dragon", a food fan that sells waffle donuts.

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New Dessert House satisfies a sweet tooth By John Fladd [email protected] Have you ever eaten a doughnut and thought to ...

For whatever you’re cooking

Nashua sauce-maker Allison Marques holds up her prized "G-Mom's BBQ Sauce".

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G-Mom’s BBQ Sauce goes beyond the grill By John Fladd [email protected] Nashua sauce-maker Allison Marques’ dream recipe comes from a ...

Rhymes with ‘shmeegan’ lemon Bundt cake

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Album Reviews 25/04/17

Iron Lung, Adapting // Crawling (Iron Lung Records) & Mac Sabbath “Pair-a-Buns” (self-released)

250417 Albums Pop

Iron Lung, Adapting // Crawling (Iron Lung Records) Holy catfish, fam, this is the craziest thing I’ve heard since — ...

Source Code, by Bill Gates

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Source Code, by Bill Gates (Knopf, 315 pages) Of all the Big Tech moguls, Bill Gates is the one getting ...

G20 (R)

250417 Film Reviews by Amy

Viola Davis is Madame President Bad-ass in G20, which is like Air Force One but radder. U.S. President Viola Davis ...

The Music Roundup 25/04/17

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By Michael Witthaus [email protected] • Folk duo: Celebrating 10 years since releasing their debut album, A Wolf in the Doorway, ...

Musical conversation

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Author: The Hippo Press

Kiddie Pool 25/04/24

The Art Roundup 25/04/24

This Week 25/04/24

Quality of Life 25/04/24

News & Notes 25/04/24

The Big Cookie — 04/17/2025

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