Author: The Hippo Press

Needs survey

Volunteer NH is gathering input on the state’s “most critical issues” with a New Hampshire State Service Plan: Needs Assessment Survey, according to a press release. The information will be used to develop the 2026-2028 State Service Plan, the release said. The survey asks about the most pressing issues for New Hampshire — for example, education, environmental stewardship or disaster services. See forms.office.com/r/FpN76EMcPY to fill out the survey. “As an incentive for taking this short survey, participants will be entered into a drawing for weekly prizes,” the release said.

New nurses

University of New Hampshire announced the establishment of the School of Nursing on July 15, which will contain all the nursing programs, faculty and students from the Durham campus and the online campus, according to a press release. “The establishment of a nursing school comes at a critical time for New Hampshire, as the state faces a significant shortage of nurses and increasing demand for highly trained health care professionals. Housed within the College of Health and Human Services, the School of Nursing will play a vital role in addressing those challenges by expanding access to nursing education, strengthening clinical partnerships, and preparing practice-ready graduates who are equipped to serve communities across the state — particularly in rural and underserved areas,” the release said. See chhs.unh.edu/nursing.

Back to school

The United Way of Greater Nashua is seeking new school supplies for its annual Rod Hansen Memorial School Supply Drive, according to a press release. The United Way of Greater Nashua is partnering with the Teachers and Paws Project for the drive, which will collect supplies Saturdays, Aug. 2 and Aug. 9, and Sundays, Aug. 3 and Aug. 10, at Staples in Nashua and Amherst, the release said. The Rod Hansen / TAPP School Supply Pantry is located at United Way’s office, 20 Broad St. in Nashua, and served more than 500 educators and more than 2,000 students last year, the release said. The United Way is seeking backpacks, colored pencils, markers, Sharpies, chalk, lined paper, construction paper, composition notebooks, scissors, erasers, glue sticks, tape, staplers, pencil cases, Post-It Notes, hand sanitizers, disinfecting wipes, headphones, webcams, computer mice and calculators, the release said. In addition to the Staples during the two listed weekends, donations will also be accepted at the United Way of Greater Nashua’s office, the release said. See tinyurl.com/UWGNSchoolSupply.

See handcrafted works from local artists in a pondside garden at the Gallery in the Garden 2025 event Saturday, July 26, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday, July 27, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 148 Sandogardy Pond Road in Northfield. See suzanneconnor.com/gallery-in-the-garden for details. On Saturday, Steve Hancock of Appletree Nursery will be on site to answer gardening questions, according to an email about the event.

Learn about the “History of New England Sweets” via a virtual program through the Dover Public Library on Wednesday, July 30, at 7 p.m. Susan Mara Bregman will discuss her book New England Sweets: Doughnuts, Bonbons & Whoopie Pies. Sign up at library.dover.nh.gov.

The New Hampshire Liquor Commission announced that it ceased operations of the NH Liquor & Wine Outlet at 1100 Bicentennial Drive at North Side Plaza in Manchester following an “ongoing maintenance issue caused by a fire sprinkler system,” according to a July 18 press release. “NHLC is actively exploring new locations in Manchester’s North End,” the release said. See liquorandwineoutlets.com for updates and other Manchester locations.

The Wentworth-Coolidge Mansion Association in Portsmouth will hold a mansion talk and tour to celebrate the 329th birthday of Benning Wentworth, New Hampshire’s first Royal Governor, on Friday, July 25, at 5:30 p.m. RSVP for this free event at wentworthcoolidge.org.