Neva Cole is the communications director for the Children’s Museum of New Hampshire in Dover.
Explain your job and what it entails.
I get to promote all the awesome things that the Children’s Museum of New Hampshire offers, including its two floors of hands-on exhibits, field trip opportunities, classes, play-based learning and parent and educator resources.
How long have you had this job?
It will be nine years this June, 2024.
What led you to this career field and your current job?
I previously worked at the Currier Museum of Art in Manchester as a communications specialist, but on top of that I work as a freelance graphic designer and illustrator, specializing in children’s books.
What kind of education or training did you need?
I went to Syracuse University for Illustration, then got an MFA from Lesley University. People joke a lot about how an art degree is pretty niche and you can’t do much with it, but in my experience it taught me to think outside the box and how important it is in any position to be able to prioritize quality work and creative problem-solving.
What is your typical at-work uniform or attire?
Well, working at a children’s museum definitely makes dressing for work fun. My favorite thing to wear is a dress decorated with dog drawings, rainbow leggings and T. rex earrings. And of course all staff dress up according to the season or holiday — the entire month of October is open season for costumes.
What is the most challenging thing about your work, and how do you deal with it?
Unfortunately, most of the work I do occurs behind a computer. But all of our staff, regardless of title, take time every day to get out from behind our desks and walk through the museum to interact with the guests, wave to babies, play trains with toddlers and offer help to parents and grandparents.
What do you wish you’d known at the beginning of your career?
If only all 20-somethings could have the confidence of 40-somethings. At this stage of my career I know when to say no. I know when to admit I don’t know the answer to something, and that that’s totally fine.
What do you wish other people knew about your job?
Nonprofit work is so challenging and rewarding. I love what I get to promote and how it impacts the community. And I love that I get to be a part of something that I experienced as a kid and carry traditions forward for my own daughter.
What was the first job you ever had?
My very first job was a respite provider for a family with a child on the autism spectrum. I was 13 and I loved it. We would play games, run around his backyard, go for walks and play.
What’s the best piece of work-related advice you’ve ever received?
My ideas matter, and it’s important to speak up and speak out for the things you believe in. — Angie Sykeny
Five favorites Favorite book:East of Eden by John Steinbeck Favorite movie:The Princess Bride Favorite music: Taylor Swift Favorite food: Guacamole Favorite thing about NH: The fall
• The Children’s Museum of New Hampshire (6 Washington St. in Dover; childrens-museum.org, 742-2002) will hold a “First Friday Play Late” on Friday, Jan. 5, from 4 to 7 p.m. Admission is the usual price — $12.50 for everybody over 12 months old, $10.50 for 65+ — and go online to reserve the spot. The Friday evening play period will run first Fridays through May 2024, the website said. The STEAM activities of Science Friday also continue into the new year, with scheduled activities at 10:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m., during the morning (9 a.m. to noon) and afternoon (1 to 4 p.m.) play sessions.
• The SEE Science Center’s (200 Bedford St. in Manchester; 669-0400, see-sciencecenter.org) Free Storytime Science programming has moved to the Manchester City Library (405 Pine St. in Manchester; manchester.lib.nh.us). Kids ages 2 to 6 can join librarian Ms. Yvonne and the Center’s Ms. Becky for a storytime with STEM/STEAM themes and hands-on activities, according to the Center’s website. The next theme is Owl Moon on Wednesday, Jan. 10, at 10 a.m. Register with the library.
Storytime
• Looking for an excuse to visit the bookstore with your kids? Barnes & Noble Manchester (1741 S. Willow St. in Manchester; 668-5557) holds its weekly storytimes Saturdays (including Saturday, Jan. 6) at 11 a.m. led by Ms. Elizabeth in the children’s department.
Nature
• Beaver Brook Association (117 Ridge Road in Hollis; beaverbrook.org) has nature programs starting this week. “Natural Wonders Friday,” which will feature six classes 10 to 11 a.m. on Fridays, Jan. 5 through Feb. 9, is geared toward kids ages 1½ to 5 years old and their adults. The cost is $72 for a kid-adult pair (additional kids can be registered for 25 percent discount). Classes for homeschoolers will also start later in the month: A class for 1st through 6th graders will run for seven sessions Tuesdays, Jan. 23 through March 12, from 9 a.m. to noon, and a class for 7th through 9th graders will run for seven sessions Wednesdays, Jan. 24 through March 13, from 9 a.m. to noon. The classes cost $210 for the series.
Find a new wine and more fun for the first month of 2024
Holidays and vacations over, weather uncertain and frequently gray, bills due — January can feel like a bit of a letdown after the hoopla of December. But there are oodles of fun things to look forward to during the first month of 2024. Need a reason to get excited about the forthcoming month? Here are 57 of them.
1. We’ll get snow! Or maybe we won’t! This winter, the excitement is in the not-knowing. Experts at NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center said there is “considerable uncertainty” in the region’s winter outlook, with equal chances for above-, below- or near-normal precipitation. Adding an interesting twist, El Niño years are traditionally associated with increased snowfall; however, with a warmer winter on the horizon, the expected flurry of snowflakes might turn into raindrops. So embrace the element of surprise as we step into a season that could be filled with snowy adventures or cozy rainy days.
2. Disney on Ice presents Into the Magic comes to the SNHU Arena (555 Elm St. in Manchester; snhuarena.com, 644-5000) for seven shows Thursday, Jan. 4, through Sunday, Jan. 7. Tickets cost $23 through $103. See disneyonice.com for images from the show.
3. The Greatest Love of All, a tribute to Whitney Houston with Belinda Davis, comes to the Capitol Center for the Arts’ Chubb Theatre (44 S. Main St. in Concord; ccanh.com) on Thursday, Jan. 4, at 7:30 p.m. Tickets cost $53.75 to $79.75. The show is just one of the tribute shows coming to the Cap Center this month: Get the Led Out plays Saturday, Jan. 6, at 8 p.m. and Dirty Deeds (the AC/DC Experience) plays Friday, Jan. 12, at 7:30 p.m.; at the Bank of NH Stage (16 S. Main St. in Concord) catch Being Petty (a Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers Experience) on Saturday, Jan. 13, at 8 p.m. and The Rock and Roll Playhouse: The Music of Tom Petty for Kids on Sunday, Jan. 14, at noon.
4. Averill House Vineyard (21 Averill Road in Brookline; averillhousevineyard.com) hosts a Fire Tower Winter Wonderland Wine Tasting Experience on Fridays through Sundays with different time slots available to reserve. You’ll enjoy a private, outdoor tasting of four different wines around pellet stoves with a view of the vineyard. Each ticket ($59) accounts for two adults and each additional person will cost $15 for a maximum of eight people. Children under 13 are free and pets are also welcome if on a leash. There is also the option of reserving an igloo or gazebo. Also at Averill House Vineyard is the Vine to Wine Igloo & Gazebo Experience & Wine Pairing on Mondays and Wednesdays through Sundays throughout January. Private Norwegian-themed igloos for two adults and one guest include a manager and tasting associate to serve you, theme lighting, music, a charcuterie board with meat, nuts, cheese and crackers, wine tasting of four wines per person and complimentary parking. Gazebos include all of this as well as a fireplace and fluffy living room. Tickets are $100, which accounts for two people, and can be purchased via eventbrite.
5.Recycled Percussion wraps up its run at the Palace Theatre (80 Hanover St., Manchester, 668-5588, palacetheatre.org) with shows Friday, Jan. 5, at 7 p.m.; Saturday, Jan. 6, at 11 a.m., 3 p.m. and 7 p.m., and Sunday, Jan. 7, at 3 and 7 p.m. Find Michael Witthaus’s interview with Justin Spencer in the Nov. 8 issue of the Hippo (e-edition is at hippopress.com).
6. Rivier University Raiders ice hockey will see its next home game at Conway Arena (5 Stadium Drive in Nashua) on Friday, Jan. 5, when the women’s team takes on Potsdam at 8 p.m. (they also face Potsdam on Saturday, Jan. 6, at 7:10 p.m.). The women’s team has two additional home games this month. The men’s team next plays at Conway on Tuesday, Jan. 9, when they take on Potsdam at 7:10 p.m. The men’s team has two additional home games in January. See rivierathletics.com.
7. Tupelo Music Hall (10 A St., Derry, 437- 5100, tupelomusichall.com) will feature several tribute shows this January: Captain Fantastic (playing music including songs of Elton John) on Friday, Jan. 5, at 8 p.m.; Eaglemania on Saturday, Jan. 13, at 8 p.m.; Boogie Wonder Band (playing disco hits) on Friday, Jan. 19, at 8 p.m.; Beatle Juice (Beatles songs) on Saturday, Jan. 20, at 8 p.m. and The The Band Band (playing a celebration of The Last Waltz from The Band) on Sunday, Jan. 28, at 7 p.m.
8. Catch comedy most weekends at Chunky’s Cinema Pubs in Manchester (707 Huse Road) and Nashua (151 Coliseum Ave.). This weekend see Steve Bjork in Manchester on Friday, Jan. 5, and Saturday, Jan. 6, at 8:30 p.m. and Will Noonan in Nashua on Saturday, Jan. 6, at 8:30 p.m. Tickets cost $20.
9. The Contoocook Farmers Market offers live music from the NH Music Collective (on Saturday, Jan. 6, it’s Mikey G) as well as locally made treats, produce, soaps and more. (A post from December showed Batulo’s Kitchen serving its meat and veggie hand pies.) Find them at the Maple Street School (194 Maple St. in Contoocook) on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to noon through April.
10. Cheer Saint Anselm Hawks basketball on Saturday, Jan. 6, at Stoutenburgh Gymnasium (73 College Road on Saint Anselm College campus in Manchester). The women’s team plays Adelphi at 1:30 p.m. and the men’s team plays Adelphi at 3:30 p.m. Tickets to either game cost $10 (kids 5 and under get in free to regular season games) and are available for purchase starting one hour ahead of game time at the Gymnasium ticket booth. Each team has four additional home games in January; see saintanselmhawks.com for the schedule.
11. You can also catch Saint Anselm Hawks ice hockey at home — Sullivan Arena on the college campus — this month. The men’s team will next play at home on Saturday, Jan. 6, at 4 p.m. versus Anna Maria College. The women’s team’s next home game is Friday, Jan. 26, at 6 p.m. versus Long Island University. Tickets cost $10 and are available at the ticket booth one hour ahead of game time. See saintanselmhawks.com.
12. See electric violinist Mia Asano and bagpiper/multi-instrumentalist Ally the Piper when Mia X Ally play Tupelo Music Hall (10 A St., Derry, 437- 5100, tupelomusichall.com) on Saturday, Jan. 6, at 8 p.m. Tickets cost $40; for an additional $75 attend a VIP meet and greet after the show.
13. Pats Peak Ski Area (686 Flanders Road, Henniker) is lighting up Saturday nights with its POP (Pay One Price) tickets, available through the end of the season in 2024. The POP offer includes skiing, snowboarding, snowtubing, rentals and lesson tips, with prices varying by time of entry: $99 for 4 to 10 p.m.; $89 for 5 to 10 p.m;, and $79 for 6 to10 p.m. Lesson tips are offered from 4 to 6 p.m., and snow tubing runs from 5 to 10 p.m. Groups of 15 or more can receive discounts with advance reservations. For more details and to purchase tickets, visit patspeak.com.
14. Lace up those sneakers and go for a run with the 2024Freeze Your Buns 5K Series run by the Gate City Striders on a relatively flat low-traffic path that kicks off on the road between Conway Arena and Nashua YMCA on five Sundays over the next three months at 9 a.m., starting Sunday, Jan. 7. The cost to join is $20 ($12 for 17 and under); see gatecity.org/freeze-buns-5k-series for details and to register.
15. Find your fixings for Sunday dinner at the Salem NH Farmers Market, which runs Sundays from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and through April is at the LaBelle Winery in Derry (14 Route 111), according to salemnhfarmersmarket.org where you can find a list of vendors.
16. The Pizzastock Battle of the Bands 2024 comes to the Tupelo Music Hall (10 A St. in Derry; tupelomusichall.com) on Sunday, Jan. 7. Doors open at noon. The show will feature Glue, Tree Streets and Porcelain Jumpsuit, special guest Sotah and hosts Cozy Throne, according to the Tupelo website, where you can purchase the $20 tickets. Pizzastock is a production of the Jason R. Flood Memorial, which seeks to raise awareness about mental health; see pizzastock.org.
17. The Golden Globes will air Sunday, Jan. 7, at 8 p.m. on CBS and Paramount+ with comedian Jo Koy hosting. Looking for a list of 2023 films worth catching, you could do worse than checking out the nominees at goldenglobes.com/nominations/2024.
18. The next home game for Rivier University Raiders basketball is Monday, Jan. 8, at 4 p.m. when the men’s team takes on Lesley University at Muldoon Fitness Center (440 Main St. in Nashua). The women’s next home game is Saturday, Jan. 13, at 2 p.m. versus Saint Joseph. The men’s team has seven additional home games in January; the women’s team has five. See rivierathletics.com.
19. If holiday carols reminded you how much you like singing, audition for theNew Hampshire Gay Men’s Chorus on Tuesday, Jan. 9, and Tuesday, Jan. 16, from 6:30 to 7 p.m. at the First Congregational Church (508 Union St. in Manchester). New singers are asked to stay for rehearsal from 7 to 9:30 p.m, according to nhgmc.com, where you can find details about auditioning. The chorus seeks singers who are men over the age of 18 (who are gay, straight and male-identifying), the website said. The chorus will have a spring concert series “Putting it All Together” in May.
SNHU Penmen Basketball, Courtesy photo.
20. Southern New Hampshire University Penmen basketball has its next home games Wednesday, Jan. 10, when the women’s team plays at 5:30 p.m., followed by the men’s team at 7:30 p.m., both against American International College. The games take place at Stan Spiro Field House (at the Southern New Hampshire University campus, 2500 River Road in Manchester); regular season games are free to attend. Both teams have two additional home games in January. See snhupenmen.com.
21. Consider roller derby at Granite State Roller Derby’s recruitment night on Wednesday, Jan. 10, 7 to 9 p.m. at the Concord YMCA (15 N. State St. in Concord). The program is the first night of a skating boot camp open to all levels of experience. See granitestaterollerderby.org.
22. Discovering Magic with Andrew Pinard will be the final performance at the current location of the Hatbox Theatre at Steeplegate Mall, 270 Loudon Road in Concord. See the show Wednesday, Jan. 10, at 7:30 p.m. and stay tuned to hatboxnh.com for updates on the theater’s search for a new venue. Tickets to the Jan. 10 show cost $25 for adults, $22 for students and seniors.
23. Southern New Hampshire University Penmen men’s ice hockey has its next home game at The Ice Den Arena (600 Quality Drive in Hooksett) on Wednesday, Jan. 10, at 7:40 p.m. versus SUNY Potsdam. The team has two additional home games this January; see snhupenmen.com.
24. Crotched Mountain (615 Francestown Road, Bennington) is set to host the Over the Moon Rail Jam on Friday, Jan. 12, from 6 to 8 p.m. This no-cost event invites skiers and riders to showcase their talents with competitive divisions for Under-13, 14 to 17, Adult Male Skiers, Adult Male Riders, Adult Female Skiers and Adult Female Riders. Registration begins at 6 p.m. at the ATC deck, followed by a practice session, final course prep and the main event. Prizes will be awarded at 8:15 p.m. on the ATC deck. While entry is free, a valid pass or lift ticket is required, with mandatory helmets and signed waivers. Call 588-3668 or visit crotchedmtn.com.
25. Get some Satisfaction, The International Rolling Stones Show on Friday, Jan. 12, at 7:30 p.m. at the Dana Center (Saint Anselm College, 100 Saint Anselm Drive in Manchester; tickets.anselm.edu, 641-7700). Tickets cost $45.
26. Friday Night Comedy at the Rex will feature Corey Rodrigues and Maya Manion on Friday, Jan. 12, at 7:30 p.m. at the Rex Theatre (23 Amherst St. in Manchester; palacetheatre.org). Tickets cost $25.
27. Get some locally made cheese or bread, locally grown meat or produce — and of course look for some tasty baked treats at the Downtown Concord Winter Farmers Market which runs Saturdays from 9 a.m. to noon at 7 Eagle Square. Find live music from the NH Music Collective (see the schedule at nhmusiccollective.com for a look at who will be playing on Saturday, Jan. 13). Find a list of vendors and more at downtownconcordwinterfarmersmarket.com.
28. Catch The British Invasion, an evening of music from the bands of the mid-1960s, at the Majestic Theatre (880 Page St. in Manchester; majestictheatre.net, 669-7469) on Saturday, Jan. 13, at 7 p.m. Tickets cost $20.
29. Symphony NH and the Spartan Drum & Bugle Corps will present Brass to the Max on Saturday, Jan. 13, at 7:30 p.m. at the Keefe Center for the Arts (117 Elm St. in Nashua) — a concert that promises to be loud (ear plugs will be offered) and is described as a “high-octane performance of brass and percussion favorites.” Tickets cost $10 to $63. See symphonynh.org.
NH Symphony presents Brass to the Max. Courtesy photo.
30. Headliners Comedy Club’s weekly shows at the DoubleTree by Hilton Downtown Manchester continue on Saturday, Jan. 13, at 8:30 p.m. with comedian Steve Bjork and others. Tickets cost $20. Find a complete lineup of upcoming shows at headlinersnh.com.
31. Run in the HPM Insurance Snowflake Shuffle, a 3-mile race in Bedford, on Sunday, Jan. 14, at 9:30 a.m. Registration costs $35 ($30 for under 21). See millenniumrunning.com.
32. Marek Bennett, author of graphic novels such as the The Civil War Diary of Freeman Colby series and The Most Costly Journey, presents “Drawing Community: Creating Comics from Shared Stories,” on Sunday, Jan. 14, at 2 p.m. at Tucker Free Library (31 Western Ave., Henniker, 428-3471) and again Saturday, Jan. 20, at 9:45 a.m. at Peterborough Town Library (2 Concord St., Peterborough, 924-8040). See nhhumanities.org.
33. Culinary Playground (16 Manning St. in Derry; culinary-playground.com), a recreational culinary school in Derry, has plenty of classes planned for January, including new additions and popular favorites, like the single-day Intro to the Mediterranean Diet on Sunday, Jan. 14, at 4 p.m. led by a registered dietitian. On Jan. 28 their three-class artisan bread series begins, in which students will learn the fundamentals and techniques of bread making and baking through the crafting of a wheat sandwich loaf, a boule, an olive rosemary loaf, a cranberry walnut loaf and a sourdough.
34. Learn about the wines of the Rhone and Loire valleys in France at Wine on Main (9 N. Main St. in Concord; wineonmainnh.com, 897-5828) on Tuesday, Jan. 16, from 6:30 to 8 p.m. or Wednesday, Jan. 17, from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Taste wine from six bottles, accompanied by light snacks. The cost is $35 per person.
35. The Educational Theatre Collaborative at Plymouth State University will present GypsyWednesday, Jan. 17, through Sunday, Jan. 21, with shows Wednesday through Saturday at 7 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday at 2 p.m. at the Flying Monkey (39 S. Main St. in Plymouth; flyingmonkeynh.com, 536-2551). Tickets cost $25 to $38.
36. LaBelle Winery (labellewinery.com) can teach you how to make a cozy soup (Wednesday, Jan. 17, at 6 p.m. at the Derry location, 14 Route 111) or warm you up with a five-course whiskey dinner (Friday, Jan. 19, at 6:30 p.m. at the Amherst location, 345 Route 101). Go online to sign up for these and other LaBelle events.
37. Dancing Queens, billed as the Ultimate ABBA and Disco Tribute, opens Friday, Jan. 19, and runs through Sunday, Feb. 11, at the Palace Theatre (80 Hanover St. in Manchester; palacetheatre.org, 668-5588) with shows at 7:30 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays and 2 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays, plus Thursday, Feb. 8, at 7:30 p.m. Tickets cost $28 to $49.
38. Spend an Evening with TR3 featuring Tim Reynolds, Dave Matthews’ collaborator, on Friday, Jan. 19, at 7:30 p.m. at the Rex Theatre (23 Amherst St. in Manchester; palacetheatre.org, 668-5588). Tickets cost $39 to $49.
39. Saturday, Jan. 20, (the third Saturday in January) is one of two annual Free Fishing Days in New Hampshire. Residents and non-residents can fish in any inland water or saltwater in New Hampshire without a fishing license (though season dates and bag limits are still in effect), according to wildlife.nh.gov, where you can find details about the day and getting a fishing license if you get (sorry, not sorry) hooked on the sport.
40. McIntyre Ski Area (50 Chalet Way, Manchester) presents the Mac Parks Rail Jam on Saturday, Jan. 20, starting at 4 p.m. Test your skills in the terrain park with a chance to win prizes. Registration is $25, including a lift ticket and two runs, with a discounted rate of $15 for season pass holders. Competitive age categories include under-12, 13 to 17, 18 to 29, and 30+. On-site registration opens at 11 a.m., closing 15 minutes before the event. Helmets are required. For details and to secure your spot visit mcintyreskiarea.com.
41. Author Joseph Carrabis will hold a workshop called “Write Your History, Change Your Life” on Saturday, Jan. 20, at 5 p.m. at Bookery Manchester (844 Elm St. in Manchester; bookerymht.com). The event is free; register online to save a spot.
Terrain Park at McIntyre Ski Area. Courtesy
42. Celebrate the best of local theater when the 19th New Hampshire Theatre Awards are handed out on Saturday, Jan. 20, at 7 p.m. at the Capitol Center for the Arts’ Chubb Theatre (44 S. Main St. in Concord; ccanh.com). Tickets cost $45. See nhtheatrealliance.org.
43. Hear the music of Springsteen played live when Bruce in the USA comes to the Nashua Center for the Arts (201 Main St. in Nashua; nashuacenterforthearts.com) on Saturday, Jan. 20, at 8 p.m. Tickets cost $29 through $59.
44. The 21+ show Life’s a Drag, described as a fiercely hilarious drag show, comes to Chunky’s Cinema Pub in Manchester (707 Huse Road; chunkys.com) on Saturday, Jan. 20, at 9 p.m. Doors open at 8 p.m. Tickets to this approximately two-hour show cost $25 (plus fees).
45. The Last Command (1928), a silent film starring Emil Jannings, who won the first-ever Academy Award for Best Actor for his role, will screen with live musical accompaniment by Jeff Rapsis on Sunday, Jan. 21, at 2 p.m. at Wilton Town Hall Theatre (40 Main St., Wilton, wiltontownhalltheatre.com, 654-3456). See silentfilmlivemusic.blogspot.com for more on the film.
46. See Bobby Rush with the Eric Lindner Band opening on Sunday, Jan. 21, at 7 p.m. at the Bank of NH Stage (16 S. Main St. in Concord; ccanh.com). Tickets cost $43.75 to $63.75.
47. Enjoy some wine and learn to curate the cheeses, salame and other treats to create a charcuterie board at Vine 32 Wine and Graze Bar (25 South River Road, Unit 107, in Bedford; vinethirtytwo.com) on Monday, Jan 22, at 6:15 p.m. The class costs $125 (plus fees) and includes local NH charcuterie products for the boards, a New Hampshire-made 20-inch wooden serving board to keep, a $10 wine card and samples during the class, according to the website where you can register.
48. Nominations for the 96th Annual Oscars (which will air on Sunday, March 10) will be announced Tuesday, Jan. 23; the announcement is usually around 8 or 8:30 a.m. Until then, check out the short list of nominee contenders in categories such as documentary feature, international feature, music and sound categories, shorts and more. See oscars.org.
49. Lloyd Sederer, a Concord author and a doctor, will discuss his book Caught in the Crosshairs of American Healthcare, described as “an inspiring true story of how a small group of dedicated leaders achieved radical and relentless change to save McLean, Harvard’s historic psychiatric hospital,” at Gibson’s Bookstore (45 S. Main St. in Concord; gibsonsbookstore.com) on Wednesday, Jan. 24, at 6:30 p.m.
50. After you see the feature film musical (slated for release Wednesday, Jan. 17), see the Palace Youth Theatre’s take on Mean Girls Jr. with performers in grades 2 through 12, at the Palace Theatre (80 Hanover St. in Manchester; palacetheatre.org, 668-5588) on Wednesday, Jan. 24, and Thursday, Jan. 25, at 7 p.m.; Wednesday, Jan. 31, at 7 p.m. and Thursday, Feb. 1, at 7 p.m. Tickets cost $12 to $15.
51. The Black Ice Pond Hockey Festival and Tournament begins with youth hockey night on Thursday, Jan. 25, from 5 to 8 p.m. in White Park in Concord, with games starting at 6 p.m. and a heated spectator tent and concessions. The event continues with games and special events through Sunday, Jan. 28, all in White Park — activities include fireworks on Friday evening, bonfires on Friday and Saturday and public skate on Friday, according to blackicepondhockey.com where you can find the complete schedule and get updates.
Led Zeppelin. Courtesy photo.
52. Find a new wine — specifically, a malbec at WineNot Boutique (25 Main St. in Nashua; 204-5569, winenotboutique.com) which will hold a blind tasting of seven malbec wines on Thursday, Jan. 25, at 6 p.m. The cost to attend is $40 (plus fees) and the wines will be served with cheeses, salami and chocolate, the website said.
53. Drum Tao, a show with costumes and staging centered on Japanese Taiko drums, will be at the Capitol Center for the Arts Chubb Theatre (44 S. Main St. in Concord; ccanh.com) on Thursday, Jan. 25, at 7 p.m. Tickets cost $44 through $76. See drum-tao.com/en for a look at the performance.
54. Concord NH Winterfest takes place Friday, Jan. 26, through Sunday, Jan. 28, with events including the Art & Bloom show and Concord Garden Club show at Kimball Jenkins Estates (opening reception is Thursday, Jan. 25, from 5 to 7 p.m.); ice carvings on the Statehouse lawn; food trucks and vendors from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, and a Winterfest Family Dance Party with Mr. Aaron at the Bank of NH Stage on Sunday, Jan. 28, at 2 p.m. See all the details at intownconcord.org.
55. See Lez Zeppelin, the all-girl tribute to Led Zeppelin, on Friday, Jan. 26, at 6 p.m. at Angel City Music Hall (179 Elm St. in Manchester; angelcitymusichall.com). Tickets to this 21+ show cost $25.
56. The Majestic Academy (majestictheatre.net) will present Footloose — Youth Edition at the Derry Opera House (29 W. Broadway in Derry) on Friday, Jan. 26, at 7 p.m.; Saturday, Jan. 27, at 2 and 7 p.m., and Sunday, Jan. 28, at 2 p.m. Tickets cost $10 to $15.
57. Get some laughs at the Tupelo Music Hall (10 A St., Derry, 437- 5100, tupelomusichall.com) monthly comedy night, this month on Friday, Jan. 26, at 8 p.m. and featuring comedians Kenny Rogerson, Jody Sloane and David Lamb. Tickets cost $22.
58. Get some local produce at the Milford NH Indoor Farmers Market which runs Saturday, Jan. 27, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Milford Town Hall Auditorium (One Union Square). The market runs five Saturdays through early March; the other markets are Jan. 13, Feb, 10, Feb. 24, and March 9. See milfordnhfarmersmarket.com.
59. Jeanne Dietsch, former New Hampshire senator from Peterborough, will discuss her report New Hampshire: Battleground in the Fight to Dismantle Democracyat Balin Books (Somerset Plaza, 375 Amherst St., in Nashua; balinbooks.com, 417-7981) on Saturday, Jan. 27, at 11 a.m.
60. Sing your heart out at Rockstar Karaoke on Saturday, Jan. 27, at 6 p.m. at the Bank of NH Stage (16 S. Main St. in Concord; ccanh.com). Admission to this 18+ show is free; sign up to sing on a first come, first served basis.
61. It’s a night of metal at Jewel Music Venue (61 Canal St., Manchester, 819- 9336, jewelmusicvenue.com) with Pyrexia, Immortal Suffering, Goreality, Necronomichist, and Maidenhead on Saturday, Jan. 27, at 7 p.m. Tickets cost $25.
62. Celebrate 85 years of the yellow brick road, ruby slippers and flying monkeys at a screening of The Wizard of Oz(1939) presented by Fathom Events. Catch the movie Sunday, Jan. 28, at 1 p.m. at AMC Londonderry, Cinemark Rockingham Park in Salem, O’neil Cinemas in Epping and Regal Fox Run in Newington and also at 7 p.m. at AMC Londonderry and Regal Fox Run; on Monday, Jan. 29, at 7 p.m. at all of those theaters and on Wednesday, Jan. 31, at 7 p.m. at AMC Londonderry, Cinemark and Regal Fox Run.
63. See the professional dance company Step Afrika! on Tuesday, Jan. 30, 7 p.m. at the Capitol Center for the Arts (44 S. Main St. in Concord; ccanh.com, where you can see videos of the company’s performances). The show is part of the William H. Gile Concert Series, so tickets are free, but go online to reserve seats.
Eversource is issuing a cautionary notice to its customers about a surge in scam activities. Scammers are using tactics like the shut-off scare tactic, where they impersonate utility employees and threaten service disconnection unless immediate payment is made using prepaid debit cards. Other prevalent scams include the overpayment scam, demanding personal banking information to refund an alleged overpayment; the phony fee for equipment or repair scam, asking for separate payments for non-existent device replacement; the phishing or smishing swindle, involving text messages that solicit personal information under the guise of a reputable company; and the power restoration scam, where scammers promise quick restoration of power after outages in exchange for immediate payment. Eversource assures that its representatives will never demand immediate payment or specify payment methods such as prepaid debit cards. Customers are advised to hang up on suspected scammers, report such incidents to local authorities and contact Eversource for confirmation and assistance.
QOL score: -2
Comment:To aid customers in recognizing and responding to these deceptive schemes, Eversource provides extensive information and resources, which can be accessed in the Safety section of their website, eversource.com, under ‘My Account’ or by directly calling Eversource at 800-662-7764.
Holiday cheers
Ryan Kalantzis and Chad Stanton at 100 Becker St. won, for the second year in a row, Manchester’s Holiday Lights Contest. According to a press release, their winning display included bright lights and Mariah Carey’s music, standing out among 20 entries citywide. The contest concluded with voting by residents and a Facebook Live event to announce the winners. Mayor Joyce Craig praised the team’s dedication, which begins in the fall, and thanked them and their English Bulldog, Rocky, for bringing holiday cheer to Manchester. Prizes for the winners, including those at 575 Brent St. and 90 Waverly St. who secured second and third places respectively, were provided by the Manchester Radio Group.
QOL score: +1
Comment: A map of the festive displays can be found at manchesternh.gov/Government/Mayor-and-Aldermen/Mayors-Office/Manchester-Holiday-Lights-Contest.
Wanna drive a snowplow?
The New Hampshire Department of Transportation is facing challenges in recruiting snowplow drivers due to an increase in retirements and high demand for commercial driver’s license (CDL) holders in the private sector, NHPR reported. To address this issue, the state is offering hiring and retention bonuses, targeting military service members transitioning to civilian life, using social media platforms, and encouraging retirees to return during storms. The difficulty in staffing is also attributed to a decreased interest in trades and career shifts during the Covid-19 pandemic. NH DOT has increased hourly rates for contractors by 15 percent to make the positions more appealing.
QOL score: -1
Comment: Despite these efforts, Richard Arcand, NH DOT’s public information officer, indicated in the article that while they will meet their plowing obligations, the clearing of roads might take longer after significant snowfalls.
QOL score: 50
Net change: -2
QOL this week: 48
The Quality of Life meter resets for the new year. Let us know what’s affecting your Quality of Life at [email protected].
It’s the final weekend for the LaBelle Lights outdoor walkthrough path of holiday light displays, which continues operations through Sunday, Jan. 7, and is open daily 4:30 to 9:30 p.m. The theme for the final week is “’80s Ski Week,” according to labellewinery.com/lights, where you can see a map of the attraction and purchase tickets (which cost $18 for adults and ages 14+, $12 for ages 65+, $8 for ages 4 to 13 and free for ages 3 and under, plus fees).
Friday, Jan. 5
See Andrea Paquin play tonight at the Backyard Brewery and Kitchen (1211 S. Mammoth Road in Manchester) from 6 to 9 p.m. Find more live music at area restaurants and breweries in the Music This Week listing on page.
Friday, Jan. 5
This month’s Super Stellar Friday at the McAuliffe-Shepard Discovery Center (2 Institute Drive in Concord; starhop.com, 271-7827) will look at the “History of Early Astronomers” featuring Carlie Fowler, education specialist at the Discovery Center. The program will tonight at 7 p.m., doors open at 6:30 p.m. Admission costs $12 for adults, $9 for ages 3 to 12 and $11 for 62+ and 13 to college.
Friday, Jan. 5
Rubikon will perform tonight at 8 p.m. with bands Mission to Sleep and Wired for Sound at Bank of NH Stage (16 S. Main St. in Concord; ccanh.com). Tickets cost $18.75. Find more concerts this weekend and beyond in the Concert listings on page 34.
Friday, Jan. 5
Catch the “high-energy all-request interactive show!” Dueling Pianos live tonight at 7:30 p.m. at the Rex Theatre (23 Amherst St. in Manchester; palacetheatre.org). Tickets cost $29.
Saturday, Jan. 6
The Downtown Concord Winter Farmers Market offers a place to browse local produce, baked goods and other items as well as a spot for live music — this week from Ryan Williamson — on Saturday mornings from 9 a.m. to noon at 7 Eagle Square in Concord. See downtownconcordwinterfarmersmarket.com for a list of vendors.
Save the Date! Saturday, March 23 Hear Symphony New Hampshire play the music from the video games of Mario, Zelda and more at Game Over(ture), a concert scheduled for Saturday, March 23, at 7:30 p.m. at the Capitol Center for the Arts (44 S. Main St. in Concord; ccanh.com), where tickets cost $20.75 to $53.75, and Sunday, March 24, at 3 p.m. at the Keefe Center for the Arts (117 Elm St. in Nashua), where tickets cost $10 to $63. See symphonynh.org.
In the aftermath of a massive storm system on Dec. 18, 2023, which brought heavy rainfall and strong winds to New Hampshire, both the state’s Congressional delegation and the Department of Safety’s Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management (HSEM) have requested assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). According to a press release, the New Hampshire Congressional delegation, led by Sens. Jean Shaheen and Maggie Hassan, along with Reps. Annie Kuster and Chris Pappas, sent a letter to FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell expressing their support for the affected local communities. The storm resulted in extensive road closures, infrastructure damage and home destructions in northern New Hampshire, leading to the rescue of some residents by National Guard helicopters. The delegation urges FEMA to be prepared to conduct Preliminary Damage Assessments in collaboration with state and local officials, should the state request it, especially as impending snowfall could complicate the assessment of the full extent of the damage. On the state level, the HSEM, on behalf of Gov. Chris Sununu, initiated joint Preliminary Damage Assessments with FEMA to document the impact on communities, which is crucial for securing federal disaster relief funds. HSEM had nine teams visiting affected communities to assess initial damage estimates, working closely with communities to determine whether they meet the state threshold of $2.53 million in damages.
Food help
NH Hunger Solutions and other anti-hunger advocates plan to attend a public hearing in Concord on Jan. 3 for SB499, the Hunger Free NH Act. According to a press release, this bipartisan legislation, led by Sen. Becky Whitley (D-Hopkinton) and introduced for the 2024 session, aims to address food insecurity in New Hampshire. Key objectives of the act include increasing participation in Federal Nutrition Programs (FNPs), removing administrative barriers for accessing these programs and improving participation in School Breakfast and Summer Meals programs. The act also focuses on making it easier for older adults and people with disabilities to access food and nutrition benefits.”Our food and nutrition support system is designed to work like a power grid that can move healthy food to communities and households — the problem is that the grid is well-powered in some areas and patchy or even non-existent in others,” Executive Director of NH Hunger Solutions Laura Milliken said in the release. “At the same time, rising costs of goods, housing and child care are straining household budgets. For many, it is increasingly difficult to meet basic needs.” Milliken noted that over half of New Hampshire children and 46 percent of adults live in households with insufficient food as of Oct. 30. “The Hunger Free NH Act will connect more Granite Staters with nutritious food and bolster our food support system in NH,” she said.
Historic registry
The Bald Peak Colony Club in Moultonborough has been listed in the National Register of Historic Places as a notable example of a rural country club from the 1920s, according to a press release. Located with views of Lake Winnipesaukee and surrounded by the Belknap and Ossipee mountain ranges, the club was founded in 1921. It stands out as one of New Hampshire’s most preserved historic golf clubs, featuring 93 contributing buildings, sites and structures that maintain the Colonial Revival architectural style. The club’s facilities include a symmetrical clubhouse, early cottages near the clubhouse, a variety of recreational buildings, and an 18-hole golf course that has kept its original layout since 1919. The listing on the National Register, administered by the National Park Service, recognizes the property’s historical significance without imposing new restrictions on it. It also makes the property eligible for certain state grants aimed at conservation and heritage investment.
Corrections training
The New Hampshire Department of Corrections has partnered with the National Alliance on Mental Illness New Hampshire (NAMI NH) for a training initiative funded by a grant from the Governor’s Commission on Alcohol and Other Drugs. According to a press release, this collaboration aims to equip all corrections staff with specialized skills through programs like Building a Trauma-Responsive Correctional Setting and Crisis Intervention Training, with a focus on application in correctional environments. This move comes after a significant number of individuals were referred for behavioral and substance use services upon booking, highlighting the need for enhanced staff training. The initiative, starting in Fiscal Year 2025, seeks to improve outcomes for justice-involved individuals with mental illness and support corrections staff in managing complex issues within the criminal justice system.
Pembroke received approval from the NH Public Utilities Commission to proceed with the Pembroke Community Power Energy Aggregation Plan, set to launch on March 1, 2024. According to a press release, the plan aims to provide residents and businesses with more affordable and cleaner electricity. Residents will receive information letters starting Jan. 22, detailing the benefits and explaining how to participate or opt out of Pembroke Community Power. The Pembroke Energy Committee will hold an informational public meeting on Jan. 31 at 6:30 p.m. in the Pembroke Academy auditorium.
The New Hampshire Department of Transportation (NHDOT) has announced the closure of the temporary E-ZPass Walk-In Center (WIC) at Exit 16 on the Spaulding Turnpike (Route 16) in Rochester, according to a press release. The center, which was set up to assist travelers in transitioning to the All-Electronic-Toll (AET) system implemented in September 2023, will cease operations permanently on Dec. 29 at 6 p.m. Walk-In Centers in Concord, Nashua and Portsmouth will continue to serve the public from Monday to Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
The Upper Room, a family resource center in Derry, is launching a six-week series titled “Is This Crossing The Line?” to educate teen women on boundary setting, consent, sexting and personal confidence. According to a press release, the free program will run Mondays, Jan. 22 through March 4, from 3 to 4 p.m. Sessions will be facilitated by Valerie Mazzola, LICSW, from Clear Balance Counseling, to provoke insightful discussions among participants about maintaining healthy relationships. Attendance for all six sessions is required for participants. To register, call 437-8477.
