The Hippo Press

Kiddie Pool 25/04/03

Family fun for whenever

Play ball!

• Friday, April 4, is the season opener for the New Hampshire Fisher Cats at Northeast Delta Dental Stadium in downtown Manchester. The Cats will play the Binghamton Rumble Ponies at 6:35 p.m. and guests can pick up a free magnet schedule to help them plan their season of baseball. The Fisher Cats also will play the Rumble Ponies on Saturday, April 5, at 4:05 p.m. (when they will play as the Manchester Chicken Tenders) and Sunday, April 6, at 1:35 p.m. (when the first 1,000 fans will receive a free fleece blanket). The next stretch of games begins Tuesday, April 15, at 6:35 p.m. versus the Harrisburg Senators. See milb.com/new-hampshire for the game schedule, tickets and promotions.

Book fun

• Curious George will visit for a story time at the Children’s Museum of New Hampshire (6 Washington St. in Dover; childrens-museum.org) on Friday, April 4, and Saturday, April 5, at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. on both days. The visits are part of the museum’s Books Alive! programming and are included with admission, which costs $14.50 for everyone over 12 months and $12.50 for 65+. The museum offers sessions from 9 a.m. to noon or 1 to 4 p.m. on those days.

Down in Fraggle Rock

Jim Henson’s Fraggle Rock: Back to the Rock Live comes to the Capitol Center for the Arts’ Chubb Theatre (44 S. Main St., Concord, ccanh.com) on Friday, April 4, at 7:30 p.m. The show features walk-around versions of the Fraggles and puppet-sized Dozers, according to the website. Tickets start at $46.75 and a VIP option includes an opportunity to get a photo with the Fraggles for an additional $30.

Spring fun

• It’s egg hunt season and Charmingfare Farm in Candia kicks off the fun early with its Egg-citing Egg Hunt Saturdays and Sundays, April 5 through April 20 (Easter Sunday). Kids between the ages of 2 and 12 can hunt for a dozen eggs in Grandpa’s Barn, the website said. The event will also include an opportunity to meet the Easter bunny, visit farm animals (including new spring babies) and more, according to the website. Time slots between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. are available on those days. Admission costs $29 per person.

• Springfest! will take place at the Saint Anselm College Sullivan Arena Saturday, April 5, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The day will feature vendors, a kid zone, food concessions and more. Admission costs $5 for adults and is free for kids 12 and under. See goffstowncitizens.org.

Pancakes with a princess

• Have a Royal Princess Breakfast on Sunday, April 6, at 9:30 a.m. at the Derryfield Restaurant (625 Mammoth Road, Manchester, thederryfield.com). Tickets cost $55 for adults, $45 for children. The day will feature breakfast, games, costumed princesses, stories and more.

Quality of Life 25/04/03

Pay gap

According to a March 24 report by the New Hampshire Fiscal Policy Institute (nhfpi.org), women in New Hampshire still make less than their male counterparts. “Nationally, women earned 83 percent of what men earned in 2023,” the report read, “according to the most recently available data from the U.S. Census Bureau. In New Hampshire, women working full-time, year-round, earned 76 percent of what men earned. Of the 25 occupational categories described in 2023 New Hampshire Employment Security data, there were only three in which women had higher median earnings than men”

QOL score: -1

Comment: To read the report in its entirety, including its methodology, visit nhfpi.org/blog.

Visitor to the casino goes owl-in

As reported in a March 28 online article on Boston.com, the Gate City Casino in Nashua had an unexpected visitor last Tuesday, a female barred owl. According to the article, “local rescuers were unable to immediately remove the bird, so casino guests watched as the owl slept perched on a television.” The story quoted the casino’s marketing manager, Mark Martino, who “said the owl, who was named ‘Jack Pots’ by the casino’s security team, seemed slightly bothered by all the noise.” It wasn’t until the next day that a local animal rescue organization, Wings of the Dawn, was able to catch and remove “Ms. Pots.”

QOL score: +1

Comment: Maria Colby, director of Wings of the Dawn Rehabilitation Center, said the owl was ready to leave by the time she got there. “I netted it, and it took all of like 10 seconds to do,” she was quoted by Boston.com. “[She was] shaking” and seemed “shell-shocked. It was obviously a traumatic experience for the bird.” After two days of observation, the owl was released back into the wild.

Not as clean as it looks

In a March 28 story, New Hampshire Public Radio reported that “almost 900 million gallons of untreated sewage flowed into the Merrimack River last year, 30% more than the usual overflows over the past 10 years.” Surprisingly, according to the Merrimack River Watershed Council, that is an improvement over the previous year. “It was a reduction from 2023 — the year of the state’s wettest summer on record — when about 2 billion gallons of sewage ran into the river.” According to the report, about half the sewage in 2024 came from Manchester and Nashua in New Hampshire and Lowell, Lawrence and Haverhill in Massachusetts.

QOL score: -1

Comment: The culprit, according to the NHPR story, is an old design of the sewer system that allows it to overflow during rain storms.

QOL score last week: 61

Net change: -1

QOL this week: 60

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

Let us know at [email protected].

News & Notes 25/04/03

Eggs!

The peregrine falcons at the Brady Sullivan tower in downtown Manchester welcomed a second egg on March 27, according to a log recording action at the nest. This new speckled egg joins an egg laid a little more than five days earlier on March 22. You can watch the couple and their progress at the Peregrine cam at nhaudubon.org/education/birds-and-birding/peregrine-cam, where the New Hampshire Audubon offers three live views of the nest with support of Peregrine Networks and Brady Sullivan Properties, the website said.

NH literacy

The New Hampshire Department of Education has launched a survey to get community input about literacy education in the state, according to a press release. The “New Hampshire’s Literacy Landscape Survey” asks to rate satisfaction in literacy education at local schools and about instruction in literacy elements as well as what tools might be needed, according to the survey, which is available at education.nh.gov. (Find the March 31 press release about the survey for the link.) The survey will close on June 3, the release said. “As part of the state’s commitment to improving literacy outcomes for all students, NHED is conducting this needs assessment survey to identify the most pressing needs and opportunities to achieve the goals outlined in the creation of the State Literacy Plan,” the release said.

Sustainability

The Boys & Girls Club of Souhegan Valley (56 Mont Vernon St., Milford) will hold the 2025 Souhegan Sustainability Fair on Saturday, April 5, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Bring a non-perishable food item to donate to the local food pantry SHARE, according to a press release. The fair will feature live music, food, a guided hike, a story walk, kids crafts, 34 exhibits, presentations and more, according to the release. Admission is free.

Juneteenth event

The Black Heritage Trail of New Hampshire will hold a discussion on Ona Marie Judge, the woman who eventually settled in New Hampshire after escaping enslavement at George Washington’s Mount Vernon estate, at the Currier Museum of Art in Manchester on Thursday, June 12, at 5:30 p.m., according to a press release from the Black Heritage Trail. Judge, the focus of the book Never Caught by Erica Armstrong Dunbar, escaped to Portsmouth, and the event will include a dramatic reading of her 1845 interview published in The Granite Freeman, the release said. New Hampshire actress Sandi Clarke Kaddy will perform as Ona Judge, after which Armstrong Dunbar will discuss Judge’s story, the release said. Admission is free; reserve a spot at blackheritagetrailnh.org or by calling 570-8469.

The artist reception for “Revive, Renew, Reconnect,” an art exhibit from Concord-based Art Alley Cats (artalleycats.com) and DIY Craft & Thrift (diycraftandthrift.com) at Kimball Jenkins (266 N. Main St., Concord, kimballjenkins.com), will be on Saturday, April 12, from 5 to 7 p.m. The event was originally scheduled last weekend but was postponed due to weather.

The Evolution Expo, with the tagline “mind, body & spirit,” will be held Sunday, April 6, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Grappone Conference Center, 70 Constitution Ave. in Concord, and will feature exhibitors, demonstrations, workshops and more, according to holisticnh.org/evolution-expo, where tickets are free (admission costs $10 at the door).

Hampton Beach Casino Ballroom (169 Ocean Blvd., Hampton Beach, casinoballroom.com) will kick off its new season with Experience Hendrix (a multi-artist show featuring Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Christone Kingfish Ingram, Zakk Wylde, Eric Johnson, Devon Allman and Samantha Fish) on Thursday, April 3, at 8 p.m. and Melissa Etheridge on Sunday, April 6, at 8 p.m.

The Milford Garden Club will hold a program on purple martins, birds native to North America, featuring Pamela D. Hunt, a biologist for avian conservation at the New Hampshire Audubon, on Monday, April 14, at 10:30 a.m. at the First Congregational Church Parish House, 10 Union St. in Milford. The meeting is free and open to the public.

This Week 25/04/03

Friday, April 4

The New Hampshire Fisher Cats open their season with a game tonight at Northeast Delta Dental Stadium in downtown Manchester, at 6:35 p.m. against the Binghamton Rumble Ponies. Fans attending tonight can get a magnetic schedule of the season to plan their baseball outings. On Saturday, April 5, the game starts at 4:05 p.m. and the Fisher Cats play as the Manchester Chicken Tenders for the night. The Sunday, April 6, game starts at 1:35 p.m. and the first 1,000 fans get a free fleece. See milb.com/new-hampshire for the game schedule, tickets and promotions.

Thursday, April 3

Gibson’s Bookstore and the BNH Stage (16 S. Main St., Concord, 225-1111, ccanh.com) will host author Katee Robert to talk about the eighth book in their Dark Olympus series, Sweet Obsession, tonight at 7 p.m. Tickets are $29 and include a copy of the book.

Thursday, April 3

Manchester True Collaborative will hold a grand opening for the organization’s new community center, billed as the state’s first-ever LGBTQIA+ community center, at 72 Concord St. in Manchester today from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. RSVP at manchestertrue.org.

Friday, April 4

Try samples and check out locally made items at the Made in NH Expo today from 1 to 7 p.m.; tomorrow, Saturday, April 5, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday, April 6, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the DoubleTree by Hilton Manchester Downtown Hotel. Tickets cost $8 for adults and $7 for 65+; children under 14 get in free. See businessnhmagazine.com/events/ made-in-nh-expo.

Friday, April 4

Catch the Palace Theatre’s Short Play Festival at the Rex Theatre (23 Amherst St., Manchester, palacetheatre. org) today and tomorrow, Saturday, April 5. The show starts at 7:30 p.m. each night, featuring eight new plays a night, and tickets cost $24.

Saturday, April 5

The Animal Rescue League of NH (545 Route 101, Bedford, 472-3647, rescueleague.org) will host a 24-hour Slumber “Paw”ty, starting today. The National Shelter Slumber Pawty brings together shelters from across the nation (and beyond) to help raise funds and awareness for shelter pets. Visit shelterslumberpawty.com/event/Arlnh.

Wednesday, April 9

The Walker Lecture Series presents “Before They Could Speak: Laurel & Hardy in the Silent Film Era,” which features Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy silent films including Two Tars (1928), The Finishing Touch (1928) and You’re Darn Tootin’ (1928), on Wednesday, April 9, at 7:30 p.m. at the Concord City Auditorium (2 Prince St.). See silentfilmlivemusic.blogspot.com. All Walker Lectures are free and open to the public.

Save the Date! Saturday, April 12

The Friends of the Whipple Free Library will hold their annual auction on Saturday, April 12, at 7 p.m. at the Library (67 Mont Vernon Road, New Boston, 487-3391, whipplefreelibrary.org) From 6 to 7 p.m. there will be a silent auction, a raffle room, a treasure trove, light refreshments, and preview of items. Items can be donated to the library during open hours until April 10.

Save the Date! Saturday, April 5

R&B singer-songwriter and rapper Jeremih will perform at the SNHU Arena on Saturday, April 5, beginning at 7:30 p.m. Tickets start at $30 through ticketmaster.com.

Featured photo: Jeremih. Courtesy photo.

From the underground — 03/27/2025

The art and music scenes in New Hampshire have more variation than you might expect. Michael Witthaus takes a look at some of the artists, musicians and makers creating communities beyond the mainstream. Photo on the cover: Keegan Fitzgerald (MyArtbyKF) stands with her work at NH Underground. Photo by Eleanor Luna.

Also on the cover John Fladd examines the chai latte (page 18). Michael Witthaus gives an update on the music director search at Symphony NH (page 14). And Michael talks to the Young Dubliners ahead of their show at the Tupelo (page 26).

Read the e-edition

News & Notes 25/03/27

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Kiddie Pool 25/03/27

Family fun for whenever

Lacrosse season

• Catch the Saint Anselm College Hawks men’s lacrosse team at Grappone Stadium on the Saint Anselm College campus in Manchester on Friday, March 28, at 4 p.m. when they play Assumption. See saintanselmhawks.com.

• Cheer Nashua’s Rivier University Raiders men’s and women’s lacrosse teams at games this weekend on Joanne Merrill Field at Linda Robinson Pavilion in Nashua. The men’s team will play Johnson & Wales University Providence on Saturday, March 29, at 11 a.m. The women’s team will play Colby Sawyer at 2 p.m. See rivierathletics.com.

At the ballet

• Cinderella will be performed by Ballet Misha’s professional adult dancers, apprentice company and students from Dimensions in Dance on Saturday, March 29, at 2 and 6 p.m. at the Concord City Auditorium (2 Prince St. in Concord). Tickets cost $31.60 for adults, $21.40 for children. See balletmisha.com

• Snow White will be presented by Southern NY Youth Ballet at the Palace Theatre (80 Hanover St., Manchester, palacetheatre.org) on Sunday, March 30, at 1 and 4 p.m. The show is “appropriate for children and young ballerinas of all ages” with an approximately 90-minute runtime and a brief intermission, according to a Palace email. Tickets cost $24 to $29. Tickets to a pre-show tea with Snow White cost an additional $20. The tea starts 45 minutes before showtime.

• Hispanic Flamenco Ballet will come to the Concord City Auditorium (2 Prince St. in Concord) on Tuesday, April 1, at 10 and 11 a.m. Tickets cost $19 to $33 and are available by calling 305-420-6622. See flamencoballet.com for more on the company.

Lil’ runners

• Kids in three different age divisions — ages 4 and younger, ages 5 and 6 and ages 7 and 8 — can participate in the Lil’ Leprechaun Run on Sunday, March 30, at 10:30 a.m. Participants receive a medal at the finish, according to millenniumrunning.com/shamrock, where kids can register for the 100-yard fun run. The cost to register for the Lil’ Leprechaun is $5. Kids over 8 can register for the Shamrock Shuffle, which starts at 11 a.m. and is a 2-mile run/walk on Elm Street. The cost is $10 for kids 11 and under and $20 for ages 12 to 20. Adults can register for the Shuffle for $25 each. After all that running, grab a spot on Elm Street to watch the Manchester St. Patrick Parade, which steps off at noon. See saintpatsnh.com for more on the parade.

Author: The Hippo Press

Kiddie Pool 25/04/03

Quality of Life 25/04/03

News & Notes 25/04/03

This Week 25/04/03

From the underground — 03/27/2025

Kiddie Pool 25/03/27

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