The Hippo Press

This Week 26/05/07

Friday, May 8

Catch Bluz Chile performing their New England blues tonight at 8 p.m. at Riley’s Place, 29B Mont Vernon St. in Milford. Find more live music at in the Music This Week listing, which starts on page 32. Have a gig? Let us know at adiaz@hippopress.com.

Saturday, May 9

The New Hampshire Sheep and Wool Festival will take place today from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday, May 10, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., at the Deerfield Fairgrounds, 34 Stage Road in Deerfield, and will feature workshops, a youth sheep show, a fleece sale and more, according to nhswga.org, where you can purchase tickets.

Saturday, May 9

The Granite State Trading Card and Collectibles Show will take place today from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Everett Arena, 15 Loudon Road in Concord, according to the Facebook page for Jimmy’s Place Sports Cards and Memorabilia in Tilton. See jimmysplacesportscards.com

Saturday, May 9

Queerlective’s spring market — “Reduce, Reuse, Upcycle ” — will take place today from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., at the YWCA, 72 Concord St. in Manchester. The event will feature hands-on craft activities such as embroidery, heat press designs, sewing patches and more, according to queerlective.com. At 1 p.m., there will be a release party for State of Queer NH, aresource that “brings together queer and BIPOC organizations, businesses, artists, and spaces from across New Hampshire,” the website said.

Saturday, May 9

Catch Monster Jam Freestyle Mania today at 1 and 7 p.m. and Sunday, May 10, at 1 p.m. at the SNHU Arena, 555 Elm St. in Manchester. See snhuarena.com for tickets and see monsterjam.com for a look at this team-up between Monster Jam trucks and Freestyle Motocross bikes.

Saturday, May 9

Mosaic Art Collective, 66 Hanover St., Suite 201, in Manchester will hold an opening reception for “Shaping Ourselves,” “a group exhibition exploring the forces that shape identity,” tonight from 5 to 7 p.m., according to a press release. The exhibit will be on display through Tuesday, May 26. See mosaicartcollective.com.

Saturday, May 9

The New Hampshire Gay Men’s Chorus continues its spring concert series “Love, Pride & Hope,” with a show tonight at 7 p.m. at BNH Stage, 16 S. Main St. in Concord, ccanh.com. See nhgmc.com for additional upcoming performances, which include Saturday, May 16, at 7 p.m. at Christ the King Lutheran Church in Nashua and Sunday, May 17, at 3 p.m. at Rex Theatre in Manchester.

Saturday, May 9

Cosmic Blossom will bring their “funk, soul and rock & roll” to the Andres Institute of Art, Big Bear Lodge, 106 Route 13 in Brookline, on Saturday, May 9, at 7 p.m. See andresinstitute.org for tickets.

Tuesday, May 12

Merrimack Parks and Recreation begins a six-week “Tuesday Tennis with Coach Dee” program today from 6 to 8 p.m. at Wasserman Park Tennis Courts for adult intermediate level players, according to merrimackparksandrec.org, where you can register for the program.

Save the Date! Saturday, May 15
Joppa Hill Educational Farm in Bedford will host Star Gazing and Sky Watching on Friday, May 15, from 8 to 10 p.m., featuring 4-H volunteers and the NH Astronomical Society, according to jhef.org/events-at-the-farm, where you can register for the event. “This adult focused star party is for anyone with an interest in the night sky. We welcome people with all levels of experience,” the website said. Learn about perpetual star maps and how to identify constellations and planets, the website said.

Quality of Life 26/05/07

Full tank, empty wallet

According to a May 4 press release from online fuel price tracker GasBuddy.com, New Hampshire gasoline prices rose 28.5 cents per gallon during the week beginning April 24. The average gasoline price in the state as of Monday, May 4 was “$4.35/g … according to GasBuddy’s survey of 875 stations in New Hampshire. Prices in New Hampshire are 44.1 cents per gallon higher than a month ago and stand $1.48/g higher than a year ago. The national average price of diesel has increased 21.3 cents compared to [April 24] and stands at $5.621 per gallon.”

QOL score: -1

Comment: The same announcement reported that gas inflation in New Hampshire is fairly modest compared to the rest of the country.

New Hampshire, the Lithium State?

As reported in an April 29 online news story in the Concord Monitor, “a new USGS assessment estimates that the Appalachian region of the eastern U.S. contains 2.3 metric tons of undiscovered, economically recoverable lithium: enough to replace 328 years of U.S. imports.” Lithium deposits have been known about in Maine for several years, the report continued, “and the geological conditions suggest that similar deposits likely exist in New Hampshire.”

QOL score: +1

Comment: “Lithium has long been a valuable resource for industrial and health-related applications,” the Monitor story read, “but has become much more important as the energy transition has increased the importance of batteries, often based on various lithium chemistries. About half of the lithium used in the U.S. is currently imported. “

New proms, experienced dresses

As reported on WMUR’s New Hampshire Chronicle on April 28, many area teens will be wearing second-hand or vintage dresses to prom this year. “There are several reasons teens are thrifting for prom,” WMUR reported, noting “the cost, environmental concerns, or wanting a unique look no one will have. Lucky for those students, there are several free or low-cost options available around the Granite State.” One of these options, according to the report, is Missy’s Closet Thrift Shop (13 Hazel Lane, Manchester, 978-7872, facebook.com/MissysClosetBoutique); ReProm Pop-Up in Exeter and Tom and Chickpea in Derry were also mentioned.

QOL score: +1

Comment: The story said that Missy’s Closet “collects donations all year long and started the season off with 3,000 dresses and received 1,000 more over the four weeks it was open.”

A Nashua Junior Ranger?

An April 29 online article in The Cabinet Press was headlined “Nashua fifth grader in running for Junior Ranger title … and $20k.” Fifth-grader Gavin Ryan is one of five remaining contestants in his age group in this year’s Junior Ranger contest sponsored by Ranger Rick Magazine, the story said. The competition’s website (jr-ranger.org) says the contest is designed to “celebrate curiosity, confidence, and a love for the natural world.”

QOL score: +1

Comment: “The competition ends on June 4 and the winner will be announced on June 19,” the Cabinet story read. “Should Gavin win the competition, he would be featured in Ranger Rick, have an exclusive wildlife experience with renowned biologist Jeff Corwin and receive $20,000.” The story also noted “The link to vote for Gavin is available at jr-ranger.org/2026/gavin-8531.”

QOL score last week: 46

Net change:+2

QOL this week: 48

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

Let us know at news@hippopress.com.

News & Notes 26/05/07

Energy week

NH Energy Week continues through Friday, May 8, according to a press release from Clean Energy NH. Throughout the week, which started May 4, more than 30 in-person and virtual events are scheduled, focusing on a range of energy-related topics, the release said. Events on Thursday, May 7, and Friday, May 8, include 603 Solar for a “Solar Lunch and Learn” on May 7 in Exeter at noon; Energy Trivia at Rockingham Brewing Co. in Derry on May 7 at 6:30 p.m.; a virtual program on “How to Combat Rising Energy Costs with Solar Panels” on May 8 at 11 a.m., and “Currents of Change: Hydro & Community Power at Amoskeag” in Manchester at noon on May 8, according to nhenergyfuture.org, where you can find details on these and other events those days and register to participate. On Saturday, May 9, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. the Lake Region Citizens’ Climate Lobby will hold a “Love Your Earth Day” event at Veterans Square in Laconia, the website said. See cleanenergynh.org for more on Clean Energy NH.

Career Closet

Plymouth State University Student Support Foundation and Academic and Career Advising Center has opened the University’s Career Closet, a program that gives students access to business casual clothing, according to a press release. The program offers the clothes to students at no cost and will accept donations of clean, stain- and tear-free men’s and women’s blazers and jackets, dress pants, button-down shirts, sweaters, cardigans, suits and matching sets, professional dresses and skirts, professional shoes and accessories such as belts, ties and bags, the press release said. “Clothing donations must be scheduled prior to drop-off; appointments are available Monday through Friday. Anyone interested in scheduling a donation appointment may email career.development@plymouth.edu or call 603-535-3065,” the release said.

Fundraiser for veterans

The Pulse of NH radio stations will hold an on-air fundraiser Wednesday, May 13, from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. — the Veterans Count “Make 12-Hours Count Radiothon,” according to an Easterseals NH press release. The money raised during the event will support New Hampshire service members, veterans and their families, the release said. The event will broadcast on stations including “News Talk 107.3 WTPL, 98.1 WTSN, and 107.3 WEMJ” and “music stations, including Frank FM, 105.5 JYY, Country 93.3 The Wolf, and Country 95.3 & 107.1 The Wolf,” the release said. “Easterseals NH Veterans Count is joining forces with Binnie Media to present a day of programming by and about veterans to fundraise for the New Hampshire military community. Hosted by Jack Heath of Good Morning New Hampshire and broadcast legend Mike Pomp, listeners will enjoy a day filled with stories, sponsor interviews, celebrity endorsements, and dignitary spotlights,” the release said. Last year’s event raised more than $70,000 according to the press release, which said “close to 100,000 NH residents over the age of 18 are either active-duty service members, in the National Guard or military veterans.” See vetscount.org/donate-now.

Ride for a cause

Iron Legacy Motorcycle Club – Freedom Crew in partnership with American Legion Post 27 and Connor’s Climb Foundation (“an organization dedicated to mental health awareness and suicide prevention initiatives”) will host a Charity Ride for Mental Health & Suicide Awareness on Sunday, May 17, at the American Legion Post 27 in Londonderry, according to a press release. “This community-focused event aims to raise awareness around mental health and suicide prevention while supporting a meaningful cause,” according to the release, which said that 100 percent of the proceeds will benefit Connor’s Climb (see connorsclimb.org for more on the organization). Registration is from 9 to 10:30 a.m. with “kickstands up” at 11:30 a.m. Participation costs $20 per rider, $30 per rider with passenger, and $10 non-rider admission to the party, which will feature food, a cash bar, raffles and more, the release said. Contact abarilone0405@gmail.com for more information.

Twilight tour

The Currier Museum of Art is selling raffle tickets for a private Twilight Tour of the Frank Lloyd Wright houses for up to six people featuring drinks and light bites, according to currier.org. Tickets cost $100 each and only 150 will be sold, the website said. A winner will be drawn on May 15 and proceeds will go to the Currier’s Annual Fund, according to the website, where you can purchase a ticket.

Evening at the village

The Canterbury Shaker Village will hold “Simply Shaker,” a fundraiser, on Thursday, June 25, starting at 5 p.m., according to shakers.org, where you can purchase tickets. The evening will feature a cocktail reception, live music, an opportunity “to experience traditional printing methods and to create a handmade souvenir,” dinner and a presentation about the Meeting House preservation project and the Village’s new summer internship program, the website said.

Night at camp

The New Hampshire Boat Museum in Moultonborough will host its fundraiser, “Night at the Museum: Up to Camp,” on Friday, June 5, from 5:30 to 9 p.m. The event is a tribute to New Hampshire youth camps and will feature “camp-themed cuisine with a modern twist” as well as dancing, auctions and more, the release said. Guests are encouraged to wear camp-inspired attire, the release said. Tickets cost $150; see nhbm.org.

Strawbery Banke in Portsmouth will hold Springfest: A Celebration of Gardens and Baby Animals on Saturday, May 9, and Sunday, May 10, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., which will feature animals, artisan vendors, sheep shearing demonstrations, hands-on activities, food trucks and a bake-off of Portsmouth orange cakes on Sunday, according to strawberybanke.org, where you can purchase tickets.

Families in Transition will hold its Walk Against Hunger on Sunday, May 17, starting at noon in Veterans Park in Manchester, according to fitnh.org, where you can register to participate in the 2.5-mile loop and find details about the after-party.

The NH Humanities Council and the New Boston Historical Society will host a program on “African American Soldiers and Sailors of New Hampshire During the American Revolution” with speaker Glenn Knoblock on Thursday, May 14, at 7 p.m. at the New Boston Community Church, 2 Meetinghouse Hill Road, according to newbostonhistoricalsociety.com.

Keith O’Brien will be at Balin Books in Nashua on Saturday, May 9, at 2 p.m. to discuss his new book Heartland, about the life of Larry Bird and his “unlikely rise from a struggling small-town life in Indiana to college basketball stardom,” according to balinbooks.com.

Meet the Locals — 04/30/2026

on the cover

With this year’s garden plans, go local! Gardening Guy Henry Homeyer offers his recommendations for native plants that will add beauty to your garden and also offer benefits to local and visiting birds, pollinators and other wildlife, such as the butterfly in Henry’s photo above and on the cover.

Also on the coveR Saturday is Free Comic Book Day! Michael Witthaus gets the details on how area comic book stores are celebrating (page 12). We have team coverage of Concord’s new season of First Friday events, which offer food, entertainment and shopping in the downtown on the first Fridays of most months through November. Michael looks at the music on page 22 and John Fladd takes a look at the food truck plan on page 16. And if this week’s cover story has you inspired to tackle your outdoors, John also gets the details on this weekend’s New Hampshire Farm, Forest & Garden Expo (page 15).

Read the e-edition

News & Notes 26/04/30

260430 Featured Content News

Text scam New Hampshire Attorney General John M. Formella sent out an April 22 press release “warning residents about an ...

Quality of Life 26/04/30

260430 News Quality Of Life

Spectacularly beautiful murals for kids From April 16 to April 26, the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Nashua hosted ...

Sox fire Alex Cora

260430 News Sports

The Big Story – Cora Gets the Axe: It takes something big to knock the NFL draft and crucial playoff ...

This Week 26/04/30

260430 News This Week

Friday, May 1 The curtain rises tonight on To Kill a Mockingbird, an adaptation of the Harper Lee novel by ...

Meet the Locals

monarch butterfly resting on pink milkweed flowers in garden

260430 Cover Stories Featured Content

Native plants support wildlife and offer beauty in your garden In recent years there has been a real upsurge in ...

Twice as nice

woman dressed as comic character Jubilee in pink shirt and yellow coat, man dressed as comic character Wolverine in yellow jumpsuit and mask. Both standing in front of shelves of graphic novels reading open comic books

260430 Art & Theater Featured Content

For Free Comic Book Day, industry change means more for fans It’s counterintuitive that bankruptcy would make a company’s big ...

Kiddie Pool 26/04/30

260430 Family Fun Outdoors

Family fun for whenever Fest fun • Register now for the Woolly Wonder Fest at the Joppa Hill Educational Farm, ...

Treasure Hunt 26/04/30

old wooden balls in box, some croquet ball painted colors with white stripes

260430 Family Fun Treasure Hunt

Dear Donna, I have an assortment of wooden balls — croquet balls and others that are larger with no painting ...

Lambs, lathes and lumberjacks

260430 Featured Content Outdoors

Lots to see and do at the NH Farm, Forest & Garden Expo Kelly Bryer is the manager of the ...

The Weekly Dish 26/04/30

260430 Food

• Fashionably wine-y: Wine on Main (9 N. Main St., Concord, 897-5828, wineonmainnh.com) will celebrate the 20th anniversary of the ...

Tequila and community

courtyard between building and short diner style restaurant with astroturf in center surrounded by outdoor patio tables and chairs

260430 Featured Content Food

Arts Alley hosts a celebration of agave The tequila-themed event, called Agave in the Alley, will take place from 6 ...

Plant-based May

man and woman standing in restaurant holding up award shaped like spatula and giving the thumbs up gesture, smiling

260430 Featured Content Food

The Vegan Chef Challenge returns to Manchester During the month of May a number of Manchester restaurants will compete in ...

Food trucks on Friday

cardboard takeout dishes with wiener in a bun topped with vegetables and a veggie salad

260430 Featured Content Food

Concord’s First Fridays kick off another season Beginning Friday, May 1, Main Street in Concord will host a celebration on ...

Tom Collins

tall collins glass filled with clear liquid and ice cubes, on counter beside lemon, bottle of gin, and jigger

260430 Drink Food

2 ounces botanical gin – This time, I went with Collective Arts Plum and Blackthorn Gin, and I do not ...

Album Reviews 26/04/30

album covers for Khun Narin Electric Phin Band, “Sut Sanaen”/“Poet Wong Pt. 1” and April + Vista, Traditional Noise

260430 Albums Pop

Khun Narin Electric Phin Band, “Sut Sanaen”/“Poet Wong Pt. 1” (Innovative Leisure Records) This multi-generational psychedelic ensemble from rural Thailand ...

The Music Roundup 26/04/30

260430 Music This Week

• Laugh learning: Many comics began in education. Share It with the Class – A Teachers Comedy Show showcases four ...

Downtown sounds

woman singing into microphone under green and purple lighting

260430 Featured Content Nightlife

Concord First Friday 2026 unveils six months of music The rich music scene in Concord will be on display through ...

Kiddie Pool 26/04/30

Family fun for whenever

Fest fun

• Register now for the Woolly Wonder Fest at the Joppa Hill Educational Farm, 174 Joppa Hill Road in Bedford, on Saturday, May 2, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The event will feature hands-on wool skirting, washing, carding and spinning; live fiber demonstrations, an opportunity to meet the sheep, music and more, according to the farm’s Facebook page. See jhef.org/events-at-the-farm.

On stage

• You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown will be presented by the Manchester Community Theatre Players on Fridays, May 1; Saturday, May 2; Friday, May 8, and Saturday, May 9, at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays, May 3 and May 10, at 2 p.m. at the MCTP Theatre, the North End Montessori School, 698 Beech St. in Manchester. Described as an all-ages-friendly show, the play “explores life through the eyes of Charlie Brown and his friends in the Peanuts gang. This revue of songs and vignettes, based on the beloved Charles Schulz comic strip, is the ideal first show for those who would like to do a musical. Musical numbers include ‘My Blanket and Me,’ ‘The Kite,’ ‘The Baseball Game,’ ‘Little Known Facts,’ ‘Suppertime’ and ‘Happiness,’” according to a press release. See manchestercommunitytheatre.com for tickets.

• Shrek The Musical will be presented by Actorsingers on Friday, May 1, and Saturday, May 2, at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, May 3, at 2 p.m. at the Keefe Center for the Arts, 117 Elm St. in Nashua, according to actorsingers.org, where you can purchase tickets.

• The Magician’s Elephant, based on the book by Kate DiCamillo, will be presented by the Powerhouse Theatre Collaborative in its New Hampshire premiere on Friday, May 1, at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday, May 2, and Sunday, May 3, at 2 p.m. at Colonial Theatre, 609 Main St. in Laconia, according to powerhousenh.org, where you can purchase tickets.

On stage, canine edition

• Mutts Gone Nuts, described as “eight world-class stunt dogs in a hilarious comedy show” by muttsgonenuts.com, will perform Friday, May 1, at 7 p.m. at the Dana Center at Saint Anselm College in Manchester. See tickets.anselm.edu for tickets. See the Mutts Gone Nuts website for video clips from previous shows.

This Week 26/04/30

Friday, May 1

The curtain rises tonight on To Kill a Mockingbird, an adaptation of the Harper Lee novel by Christopher Sergel, performed by the Community Players of Concord tonight and Saturday, May 2, at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, May 3, at 2 p.m. at Concord City Auditorium, 2 Prince St. in Concord. See communityplayersofconcord.org for tickets.

Friday, May 1

Puffs, or: Seven Increasingly Eventful Years at a Certain School of Magic and Magic, a parody of a magical school and the students who go there, will be presented by the Windham Actors Guild on Friday, May 1, and Saturday, May 2, at 7 p.m. and Sunday, May 3, at 2 p.m. at Windham High School Auditorium, 64 London Bridge Road in Windham, according to a press release. “The play follows the journey of Wayne Hopkins, a regular boy from New Mexico who finds out he’s a wizard and is whisked away to a magic school in England. There, he is sorted into the ‘Puffs,’ a group of well-meaning, loyal, and often disregarded students…,’” according to the press release, which also stresses that this is “not authorized, sanctioned, licensed or endorsed by J.K. Rowling, Warner Bros. or any person or company associated with the Harry Potter books, film or play.” “Due to language/themes, this play is suited for audiences 13+,” the release said. See windhamactorsguild.com/tickets for tickets.

Saturday, May 2

Frizzhome Gardens, 270 Back River Road in Bedford, is holding its Spring Blossoms Festival today from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. featuring 20 local vendors and Wicked Tasty Food Truck (slated to arrive at 11 a.m.), according to a post on Frizzhome’s Facebook page. Seefrizzhomegardens.com.

Saturday, May 2

The annual Kitty Angels fundraiser featuring an artisan, craft, flea and yard sale with more than 100 vendors as well as raffles, food and more, will take place today and Sunday, May 3, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Treasures Antiques, Collectables & More at 106 Ponema Road, Route 122, in Amherst. See treasuresnh.com.

Saturday, May 2

The Queen City Bazaar will offer “premier vintage clothing and period antiques and high-end collectibles” today from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 3 Sundial Ave. in Manchester, according to a Facebook post about the event. The market will also feature artisanal goods, furniture and historical items, textiles, and more, the post said. Admission is free, according to a press release.

Saturday, May 2

The Concord Chorale will perform Brahms’ Requiem today at 7 p.m. and Sunday, May 3, at 3 p.m. at St. Paul’s Church in Concord, according to concordchorale.org, where you can purchase tickets.

Saturday, May 2

The Liberty House: Stand Up for Vets featuring Jimmy Dunn and friends will take place tonight at 7 p.m. at the Dana Center at Saint Anselm College in Manchester. See tickets.anselm.edu for tickets. “Enjoy a lineup of talented comedians, exciting raffle and auction items, and an overall fun night out, all while supporting a meaningful cause. Proceeds from this event directly benefit Liberty House’s program and services for veterans in our community,” the website said.

Wednesday, May 6

The Concord Hospital Rock’N Race will be held today at 6 p.m., featuring live music and food on the Statehouse lawn in downtown Concord, according to runsignup.com/Race/NH/Concord/RockNRace, where you can register.

Save the Date! Saturday, May 8
Monday, May 18, is the deadline to apply to be part of the 14th annual New Hampshire Maker Fest, which will be held in and around the Children’s Museum of New Hampshire in Dover on Saturday, June 6, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., according to a press release. “If you are an engineer, a scientist, a baker, a tinkerer, a hobbyist, or an artisan, we want to see what you do! Makers must offer a demonstration, free make-and-take activity, or some kind of interactive experience,” the release said. See childrens-museum.org/programs/nh-maker-fest.

Featured photo: To Kill a Mockingbird. Courtesy photo.

Author: The Hippo Press

This Week 26/05/07

Quality of Life 26/05/07

News & Notes 26/05/07

Meet the Locals — 04/30/2026

Kiddie Pool 26/04/30

This Week 26/04/30

Stay in the loop!

Get FREE weekly briefs on local food, music,

arts, and more across southern New Hampshire!