Events happening in New Hampshire on and around the Fourth of July
By Katelyn Sahagian
ksahagian@hippopress.com
Independence Day is a time for cookouts, fireworks, parades and parties, as people say happy birthday to America.
One museum, Strawbery Banke in Portsmouth, has been taking it a step further for the past 20 years by holding a naturalization ceremony in conjunction with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and the United States District Court – District of New Hampshire.
“I’m so very much looking forward to it,” said Veronica Lester, the spokesperson for the museum. “The joy that radiates from the new citizens will be something quite special to witness.”
Strawbery Banke was settled by British colonists in 1623; they named the area for either wild strawberries that grew along Piscataqua River or an estate in England. Sometime later, it was given the name Puddle Dock and went from wilderness outpost to newcomer neighborhood. People lived in the area until the 1950s, when Portsmouth officials closed the neighborhood for urban renewal.
The new citizens will take their Oath of Allegiance on the museum’s lawn, Puddle Dock, named after the disbanded neighborhood. Lester said that the land Strawbery Banke is on has always been a place for immigrants, whether the first British settlers, or immigrants from across the world in the 19th century.
“It seems fitting that the naturalization ceremony occurs at the museum that is this neighborhood of newcomers,” Lester said. “It’s a special ceremony that takes place at this special location.”
In addition to the celebration at Strawbery Banke, here are some other celebrations happening in the Granite State.
Amherst Fourth of July Celebration
Two days’ worth of celebration and entertainment, featuring fireworks, a festival on the town green, and a parade with classic cars competing for awards.
When: Sunday, July 3, festivities begin at 6 p.m. with fireworks. A second day of festivities, including the parade and festival, begins Monday, July 4, at 9:45 a.m.
Where: July 3 events at Souhegan High School, 412 Boston Post Road. July 4 parade leaves opposite the Wilkins School, 80 Boston Post Road.
Visit: amherstnh4th.org
Brookline parade and fireworks
When: Monday, July 4, 10 a.m., parade will step off. The fireworks will begin shortly after dusk, around 9 p.m.
Where: South Main Street, traveling down Route 130 to Richard Maghakian Memorial School, 22 Milford St. The fireworks will be over Lake Potanipo, Max Cohen Memorial Grove, 3 Mason Road.
Visit: brooklinenh.us
Canobie Lake Park fireworks
Stick around after a day at the amusement park for fireworks over the lake. The fireworks show is timed to patriotic music and the amusement park recommends viewers to watch them by the daVinci’s Dream ride.
When: Saturday, July 2, through Monday, July 4, 9:15 p.m.
Where: Canobie Lake Park, 85 N. Policy St., Salem
Visit: canobie.com
Concord Fourth of July Celebration
Featuring food, live music, fireworks and more
When: Monday, July 4, food vendors and live music begin at 5 p.m., fireworks at 9:20 p.m. (rain date is Tuesday, July 5).
Where: Memorial Field, 70 S. Fruit St.
Visit: concordnh.gov
Derry fireworks
When: Monday, July 4, dusk.
Where: Best viewing areas are Hood Commons, Crystal Avenue and Tsienneto Road
Visit: derry-nh.org
Exeter Independence Day Celebration
The American Independence Museum is hosting its 32nd annual American Independence Festival later than the holiday. Visitors can take a self-guided tour of the museum and meet with vendors, learn about cooking during the Revolutionary War, and watch military reenactments.
When: Saturday, July 16, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Where: 1 Governor’s Way
Cost: $10 for adults, $5 children 4 to 18, free for children under 4, veterans and active military, and museum members.
Visit: independencemuseum.org
Hampton Beach fireworks
When: Monday, July 4, 9:30 p.m.
Where: On the beach, across from B and C streets
Visit: hamptonbeach.org
Hopkinton Fourth of July Family Fun Day
Featuring a kiddie and main parade, family games, live music and a cookie bake-off
When: Monday, July 4, cookie competition drop off is from 9 to 11 a.m., kiddie parade begins at 11:30 a.m., main parade begins at noon and competition results are at 2 p.m.
Where: Parades begin at Hopkinton High School (297 Park Ave., Contoocook), then proceed through Fountain Square toward Contoocook Village Cemetery. Other festivities held at Houston Park, 41 Houston Drive, Hopkinton.
Visit: hopkintonrec.com
Laconia Celebration and Fireworks
Not only will Laconia be holding a parade and a festival full of vendors and live music, but there will be two different fireworks shows. The first will be at Opechee Park following the festival, and the second will be at Weirs Beach at midnight.
When: Sunday, July 3. The parade will start at 4:30 p.m., the band will start playing at 5:30 p.m. and fireworks will begin at 10 p.m. A second round of fireworks will start at midnight.
Where: The parade will start at the Laconia High School, 345 Union Ave., and end at Opechee Park, 915 Main St. The second round of fireworks will be atWeirs Beach.
Visit: laconianh.gov
Manchester Independence Day Celebration
Enjoy fireworks, live music, and food vendors.
When: Sunday, July 3. Live music starts at 7 p.m.; fireworks begin at 9:30 p.m.
Where: Arms Park, 10 Arms St.
Visit: manchesternh.gov
Merrimack Fourth of July festivities
A weekend-long celebration featuring fireworks, live music, a road race, a pancake breakfast and much more.
When: The Merrimack Concert Association’s annual Patriotic Concert in the Park will be held Sunday, July 3, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. The 25th annual Merrimack Sparkler 5K Road Race will begin at 8 a.m. on Monday, July 4. The Merrimack Rotary Club Pancake Breakfast will be held from 8 to 11 a.m. A parade will begin at 1 p.m. and fireworks will begin at 9 p.m.
Where: Holiday concert at Abbie Griffin Park. Road race begins and ends at the Merrimack YMCA, 6 Henry Clay Drive. Pancake breakfast and fireworks at Merrimack High School, 38 McElwain St. The parade will start at the Commons Shopping Plaza, 515 Daniel Webster Hwy.
Visit: merrimackparksandrec.org
Milford Family Fun Day and fireworks
The holiday kicks off with a 5K, followed by a bike parade, family fun, live music and fireworks.
When: Saturday, July 2, family activities start at 1:30 p.m., concert is from 8 to 9:30 p.m. Fireworks begin at dusk.
Where: Keyes Memorial Park, Elm Street
Visit: milford.nh.gov
Nashua Fourth of July Celebration
Fireworks, live music, and hall of fame inductions.
When: Monday, July 4, children’s activities from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., concert at 6 p.m. featuring The Slakas. Fireworks begin at dusk.
Where: Holman Stadium, 67 Amherst St.
Visit: nashuanh.gov
New Boston Fourth of July Celebration
Featuring a parade, live music, a barbecue, ax throwing and the firing of the historic Molly Stark cannon.
When: Monday, July 4, parade begins at 10 a.m., fairgrounds will open at 4 p.m., opening ceremonies are at 5 p.m., and the fireworks will start at 9:30 p.m.
Where: Parade begins at the top of High Street and will end at the grounds of the Hillsborough County Youth Center Foundation, off River Road.
Visit: newboston4thofjuly.org
New London Fireworks
When: Saturday, July 1. Flares are at 9 p.m., fireworks will start at 9:30 p.m.
Where: Pleasant Lake
Visit: plpa.net
Portsmouth fireworks
When: Sunday, July 3, 9:15 p.m. (rain date is Tuesday, July 5)
Where: South Mill Pond, Junkins Ave. (across from Portsmouth City Hall)
Visit: portsmouthnh.com
Raymond Fourth of July Celebration
20th annual Fourth of July parade will have floats, horses, antique cars, clowns and more
When: Monday, July 4, parade at 9:30 a.m.
Where: Parade proceeds from Route 27 (Epping Street) down to the Raymond Town Common, onto Old Manchester Road and to Wight Street.
Visit: raymondareanews.com
Rye July 4th Celebration
When: Friday, July 1, live music will start at 7 p.m., fireworks will start at dusk.
Where: Parsons Field
Visit: town.rye.nh.us
Salem Independence Day Celebration
Featuring live music, food trucks, face painting, fireworks, a beer garden and more.
When: Saturday, July 2. Yappy Hour starts at noon, live music and face painting will be from 4 to 8 p.m., food and the beer garden will be open from 10 a.m. until 8 p.m., and fireworks will start at dusk.
Where: The event this year is taking place at Tuscan Village, 9 Via Toscana.
Visit: townofsalemnh.org
Silver Lake Fireworks
When: Sunday, July 3, at dusk.
Where: Silver Lake, Hollis.
Visit: facebook.com/SilverLakeFireworks
Strawbery Banke Naturalization Ceremony
Come and celebrate Independence Day by welcoming new citizens in one of the oldest neighborhoods in New England.
The latest from NH’s theater, arts and literary communities
• Book Signing: Local author and second-grade teacher, Kari Allen will be at Gibson’s Bookstore for a signing of her newly published picture book, The Boy Who Loved Maps, on Wednesday, July 13, from 4:30 to 6 p.m at Gibson’s Bookstore (45 South Main Street, Concord). This is Allen’s first published picture book, it features illustrations by G. Brian Karas, a vetted and award winning artist. Books can be purchased at the event or pre-ordered online. Visit gibsonsbookstore.com.
Summer Exhibit and Sale New Hampshire Art Association photographer Gary Samson will display his work in an exhibit titled “Unburdened Beauty: Portraits of Women in the 21st Century” at Creative Framing Solutions (410 Chestnut St., Manchester) from Friday, July 1, through Sunday, July 31. Samson takes a unique approach in his photography, shooting on film and opting to use a large wooden view camera mounted on a tripod, in an attempt to slow the process and allow room for thought and conversation to be captured in the final image, according to a press release sent by the Association. Samson is a New Hampshire native and “the seventh Artist Laureate of New Hampshire and has been awarded numerous grants, fellowships and honors for his photography and film work over the past five decades,” the release said. There will be an opening reception on Thursday, July 7, from 5 to 7 p.m. The exhibit will be open to view Tuesdays through Fridays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Visit nhartassociation.org.
• Famed comedian: Craig Ferguson, best known from the decade-spanning TV show The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson on CBS, will be coming to the Colonial Theatre (609 Main St, Laconia) as a part of his The Fancy Rascal tour on Saturday, Sept 3, at 8 p.m. Tickets start at $39 and are on sale now — they can be reserved online or by phone — but are expected to sell out quickly. Ferguson, born in Scotland, has had an immensely successful career in the American entertainment industry. His resume features roles on several notable shows, including The Drew Carey Show, in addition to film writing, directing and acting, and voice acting in the animated films Brave and How to Train Your Dragon. He’s also a New York Times bestselling author. Visit coloniallaconia.com or call the box office at 800-657-8774.
• Spray paint art: Expressit Art Studio (140 Melendy Road, Hudson; 438-7885) will offer adults and youth age 8 and up the opportunity to come into the studio and try their hand at experimenting with mixed media: spray paint, paint and canvas on Thursday, July 7, from 2 to 3:30 p.m. The event will be held both inside and outside the studio, as participants will get to experience full creative reign over their piece. One canvas is included in the price of the ticket, but participants may bring in an additional 9-by-12 or larger canvas if they wish to make more than one piece. The studio requests that participants bring a mask to protect from the fumes of the spray paint; the studio will supply goggles. Tickets to participate cost $35. Visit expressitarts.com.
Concerts on the Common Londonderry Arts Council will host musician Veronica Lewis on Wednesday, July 6, from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at the Londonderry Town Common (265 Mammoth Road, Londonderry) as part of their Concerts on the Common program. According to American Songwriter Magazine, “Veronica Lewis is one of the most promising torchbearers of American rock ‘n’ roll,” as an artist she mixes the technique of different genres to create a unique sound. Her lyrics are both “thought provoking and humorous.” Lewis is a New Hampshire native, according to a press release sent by Concerts on the Common, “Veronica fuses these crucial elements together with the true language of the blues, and the energy of the early rock and rollers, like Little Richard and Jerry Lee Lewis, to create a truly individual style that is completely Veronica Lewis.” Lewis has traveled nationally, performing for different audiences. Admission to the concert is free. Visit londonderryartscouncil.org.
ART
Exhibits
• “WARHOL SCREEN TESTS” In the mid-1960s, American multimedia artist Andy Warhol had shot more than 400 short, silent, black-and-white films of his friends at his studio in New York City. Warhol referred to the films, which were unscripted and played in slow motion, as “film portraits” or “stillies.” The exhibition will feature 20 of those films, provided by the Andy Warhol Museum, in loops across four large-scale projections. The Currier Museum of Art (150 Ash St., Manchester). On display now through July 24. Museum admission costs $15 for adults, $13 for seniors age 65 and up, $10 for students, $5 for youth ages 13 through 17 and is free for children age 12 and under and museum members. Current museum hours are Thursday, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Friday through Sunday, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., closed Monday through Wednesday. Call 669-6144 or visit currier.org for more information.
• “ARGHAVAN KHOSRAVI” Artist’s surrealist paintings explore themes of exile, freedom and empowerment; center female protagonists; and allude to human rights issues, particularly those affecting women and immigrants. The Currier Museum of Art (150 Ash St., Manchester). On display now through Sept. 5. Museum admission costs $15 for adults, $13 for seniors age 65 and up, $10 for students, $5 for youth ages 13 through 17 and is free for children age 12 and under and museum members. Current museum hours are Thursday, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Friday through Sunday, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., closed Monday through Wednesday. Call 669-6144 or visit currier.org for more information.
• “THE PEOPLE’S SCULPTOR: THE LIFE AND WORKS OF JOHN ROGERS” Exhibit celebrates the art of American sculptor John Rogers, who came to Manchester in 1850, and explores the influence that Manchester had on Rogers’ life and work. Presented by the Manchester Historic Association. On view now through September. Millyard Museum (200 Bedford St., Manchester). Gallery hours are Tuesday through Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission costs $8 for adults, $6 for seniors age 62 and up and college students, $4 for youth ages 12 through 18, and is free for kids under age 12. Call 622-7531 or visit manchesterhistoric.org/millyard-museum.
• “WOOL: CONTEMPORARY FIBER ART EXHIBITION Twiggs Gallery (254 King St., Boscawen) through Sept. 2. Gallery hours are Thursday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Sunday from noon to 4 p.m. Visit twiggsgallery.wordpress.com or call 975-0015.
• ROBIN CORNWELL The New Hampshire Boat Museum will host a member reception on Friday, July 1 for local artist Robin Cornwell, whose work will be featured in the museum’s gallery (399 Center St. in Wolfeboro; nhbm.org) in July. Cornwell produces art quilts as well as bark paper paintings and woven placemats and rugs. The museum is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 4 p.m. To learn more about Cornwell, visit robincornwellembellishments.com.
• “PIXELS, WOOD, CLAY” Two Villages Art Society presents an exhibition of work by artists Tony Gilmore, Rick Manganello and Caren Helm. The Bates Building (846 Main St., Contoocook). Aug. 12 through Sept. 9. Gallery hours are Thursday through Sunday, from noon to 4 p.m. There will be an opening reception on Sat., Aug. 13, from noon to 2 p.m. Visit twovillagesart.org or call 413-210-4372.
• ART ON MAIN The City of Concord and the Greater Concord Chamber of Commerce present a year-round outdoor public art exhibition in Concord’s downtown featuring works by professional sculptors. All sculptures will be for sale. Visit concordnhchamber.com/creativeconcord, call 224-2508 or email tsink@concordnhchamber.com for more information.
• SUMMER MEMBERS SHOW Two Villages Art Society presents a mixed media art show at the Bates Building (846 Main St., Contoocook) from July 1 through July 30.Visit twovillagesart.org or call 413-210-4372.
Fairs and markets
• HAMPTON FALLS LIBERTY CRAFT FESTIVAL More than 75 juried artisans from all over New England will feature their work. Hampton Falls town common (4 Lincoln Ave.). Sat., July 2, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sun., July 3, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Visit castleberryfairs.com.
• GUNSTOCK FOURTH OF JULY WEEKEND CRAFT FAIR There will be more than 90 artisans displaying and selling their work. Gunstock Mountain Resort (719 Cherry Valley Road, Gilford). Sat., July 2, and Sun., July 3, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Visit joycescraftshows.com.
• CRAFT FAIR AT THE BAY More than 75 juried artisans from all over New England will feature their work. Sat., July 16, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sun., July 17, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Community House and Waterfront (24 Mount Major Highway, Alton Bay). Visit castleberryfairs.com.
• CONCORD ARTS MARKET The juried outdoor artisan and fine art market runs one Saturday a month, June through October, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Market dates are July 30, Aug. 20, Sept. 17 and Oct. 15. Rollins Park, 33 Bow St., Concord. concordartsmarket.net. The first market will be held on Saturday, June 11. Visit concordartsmarket.net/summer-arts-market.html for more information.
• CRAFTSMEN’S FAIR The annual nine-day outdoor craft fair hosted by the League of New Hampshire Craftsmen features hundreds of craftspeople with vendor booths, plus special craft exhibitions, demonstrations, hands-on workshops and more. Sat., Aug. 6, through Sun., Aug. 14. Mount Sunapee Resort, 1398 Route 103, Newbury. Call 224-3375 or visit nhcrafts.org for more information.
• GREELEY PARK ART SHOW The annual outdoor juried art show hosted by Nashua Area Artists Association features a variety of artwork for sale. Greeley Park, 100 Concord St., Nashua. Sat., Aug. 20, and Sun., Aug. 21, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Visit nashuaarts.org/greeleyparkartshow.
Tours
• NASHUA PUBLIC ART AUDIO TOUR Self-guided audio tours of the sculptures and murals in downtown Nashua, offered via the Distrx app, which uses Bluetooth iBeacon technology to automatically display photos and text and provides audio descriptions at each stop on the tour as tourists approach the works of art. Each tour has 10 to 15 stops. Free and accessible on Android and iOS on demand. Available in English and Spanish. Visit downtownnashua.org/nashua-art-tour for more information.
Workshops and classes
• ART CLASSES Art classes for teens and adults, including Pottery, Stained Glass, Intermediate Watercolor and Clay Hand Building. Studio 550 Art Center (550 Elm St., Manchester). Five-week sessions. Classes met for two hours a week. Call 232-5597 or visit 550arts.com for the full schedule and cost details.
• DRAWING & PAINTING CLASSES Art House Studios, 66 Hanover St., Suite 202, Manchester. Classes include Drawing Fundamentals, Painting in Acrylic, Drawing: Observation to Abstraction, Exploring Mixed Media, and Figure Drawing. Class sizes are limited to six students. Visit arthousestudios.org or email arthousejb@gmail.comfor more information.
• GENERAL ART CLASSES Weekly art classes offered for both kids and adults of all skill levels and cover a variety of two-dimensional media, including drawing and painting with pastel, acrylic, watercolor and oils. Classes are held with small groups of three to eight to five students. Diane Crespo Fine Art Gallery (32 Hanover St., Manchester). Kids classes, open to ages 10 and up, are held on Thursdays and Fridays, from 4:15 to 5:45 p.m. Adult classes are held on Thursdays, from 6:30 to 8:15 p.m., and Saturdays from 10:30 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. Tuition is pay-as-you-go at $20 per student per class, due upon arrival. Call 493-1677 or visit dianecrespofineart.com for availability.
THEATRE
Classes/workshops
• STORYTELLING WORKSHOPS Monthly workshop series hosted by True Tales Live storytelling showcase. First Tuesday (except November), from 7 to 8:30 p.m., virtual, via Zoom. Registration is required. Visit truetaleslivenh.org for more information.
Shows
• ANYTHING GOES The Seacoast Repertory Theatre (125 Bow St., Portsmouth; seacoastrep.org, 433-4472) presents the musical through July 23, with showtimes on Thursday at 7:30 p.m., Friday at 8 p.m., Saturday at 2 and 8 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. Tickets cost $32 to $52.
• FOOTLOOSE Prescott Park Arts Festival (105 Marcy St., Portsmouth; prescottpark.org , 436-2848) presents this outdoor musical through Aug. 14, with showtimes on most Thursdays and Sundays at 7 p.m., and most Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m., with some matinee showtimes TBA. General admission costs $5, and reserved seating tickets cost $55 to $150.
• THE COMPLETE WORKS OF WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE (ABRIDGED) [REVISED] The Winnipesaukee Playhouse (33 Footlight Circle, Meredith; winnipesaukeeplayhouse.org) presents this show Wednesday, June 29, through July 9, with showtimes Tuesday through Saturday at 7:30 p.m., plus matinees on Thurs., June 30, and Tues., July 5, at 2 p.m. Tickets cost $29 to $39.
• INTO THE WOODS RGC Theatre presents this musical at Hatbox Theatre (inside the Steeplegate Mall, 270 Loudon Road, Concord; hatboxnh.com, 715-2315) July 8 through July 17, with showtimes on Friday and Saturday at 7:30 p.m., and Sunday at 2 p.m. Tickets cost $25 for adults, $22 for students, seniors and members and $19 for senior members.
•THE GREAT ATLANTIC AND PACIFIC SHAKESPEARE COMPANY presented by Granite Playwrights at the Hatbox Theatre (inside the Steeplegate Mall, 270 Loudon Road, Concord; hatboxnh.com, 715-2315) from Aug. 19 through Aug. 28, with showtimes on Friday and Saturday at 7:30 p.m., and Sunday at 2 p.m. Tickets cost $22 for adults, $19 for students, seniors and members and $16 for senior members.
• DISNEY’S FROZEN KIDS presented by the 2022 Bank of New Hampshire Children’s Summer Seriesat the Palace Theatre (80 Hanover St., Manchester; palacetheatre.org, 668-5588) Tuesday, Aug. 23, through Thursday, Aug. 25, at 10 a.m. and 6:30 p.m., and Friday, Aug. 26, at 10 a.m. Tickets cost $10.
• LES MISERABLES presented by the Seacoast Repertory Theatre (125 Bow St., Portsmouth; seacoastrep.org, 433-4472) teen company from Aug. 25 through Sept. 4: Thursday at 7:30 p.m., Friday at 8 p.m., Saturday at 2 and 8 p.m., and Sunday at 2 p.m. Tickets cost $25 for students and $30 for adults.
• CRUEL INTENTIONS: THE ’90s MUSICAL presented by the Actorsingers at the Court Street Theatre (14 Court St., Nashua; actorsingers.org) Friday, Aug. 26, through Sunday, Aug. 28.
• SHREK THE MUSICAL presented by the Riverbend Youth Company at the Amato Center for the Performing Arts (56 Mont Vernon St., Milford; svbgc.org/amato-center) from Friday, Aug. 26, through Sunday, Aug. 28.
CLASSICAL
Events
• LISTEN AND LUNCH presented by Monadnock Music’s summer festival, David William Ross (guitar) performs at Depot Park in Peterborough, 12 Depot St, Thursday, July 7, from noon to 1 p.m., concert is free and open to the public. Visit monadnockmusic.org.
• TOWN HOUSE EXTRAVAGANZA presented by Monadnock Music’s summer festival features a program of Weber and Schubert at Peterborough Town House, 1 Grove St, on Sunday, July 17, 3 p.m. Tickets: $35, Seniors- $25 Students and Under 18- $10. See monadnockmusic.org.
Having been in the United States for only four months, pianist Sergei Novikov found himself down on his luck and nearly homeless in 1991. Just three months later he would be playing piano for the president of the United States.
Born in Russia, Novikov displayed an affinity for music from an early age. Learning various instruments from the age of 6, he took up piano by age 8. After graduating from the Moscow School of Music at 15, he briefly played in a pop band, performing for stadiums of up to 100,000 people, before eventually emigrating from Russia to the United States. Novikov only briefly struggled to grasp his footing before he was hired to play piano at a restaurant in Kennebunkport, Maine. It was there that he played for former President George H.W. Bush.
“Kennebunkport is where Bush’s family has their summer home. … Bush was president at that time, so he was in town, and that’s where he went, and he came to have dinner,” Novikov said. “He was so impressed with my piano performance that he took the time and actually came to me and shook my hand and told me that I’m a great talent. He was very impressed. Everybody was very impressed that he was impressed with me.”
After finishing his studies at the University of Maine, Novikov began his career doing piano concerts, which he continues to do to this day. As part of his current show, “Piano Concert Like No Other,” Novikov is set to perform Friday, July 15, at 7 p.m. at the Kingswood Art Center in Wolfeboro, on Friday, July 22, at 7 p.m. at the Seifert Performing Arts Center in Salem.
Lasting an hour and 15 minutes, Novikov’s performance is specifically designed to cover an array of music genres, incorporating more than 14 different styles.
“Every piece is different. … Every piece has a unique style, although you can describe it in one word: the whole program is sophisticated. So for people who love Chopin, for people who love Duke Ellington, for people who love even Johann Sebastian Bach, you know, they come to my concerts, and they’re not disappointed,” Novikov said. “On the one hand, it’s entertaining. On the other hand, it is deep enough for people to enjoy it and feel that it’s not just something that came and they forgot about it right away.”
In his 20-year career thus far, Novikov has performed live more than 5,000 times and sold more than one million albums. He has performed in front of countless celebrities and been praised by not one but two U.S. presidents. His dedication to his craft is fueled simply by his desire to make people happy through music.
“Everybody has their troubles, problems, everybody has their thoughts, you know, everybody has something on their mind. The music that I deliver takes the load off the brain, at least for the hour and 15 minutes of my performance, and they feel better, and they tell me about it afterwards,” Novikov said. “I always tell people that it’s a privilege, and I feel that I am privileged to be able to do that. I’m not performing magic and taking people’s problems away. But I make them feel better for a little while, [and] that’s already a great deal.”
In addition to making people happy, Novikov hopes to introduce people to the sector of music that has yet to be touched by commercialization.
“There is plenty of good music of any genre, whatever you like, so my message to people is to stop complaining about music being bad. Just you know, get busy finding good music, because it’s out there,” Novikov said. “I am proud to be in that group. I’m offering something that you don’t find every day anymore. It’s really a unique experience.”
Tickets to Novikov’s Wolfeboro and Salem performances start at $40. Part of the proceeds will be donated to the International Rescue Committee “to help assist Ukraine.” Visit speakingmusic.com.
“Piano Concert Like No Other” • Where: Kingswood Art Center, 21 McManus Road, Wolfeboro When: Friday, July 15, at 7 p.m. Cost: $40 to $45 • Where: Seifert Performing Arts Center, 44 Geremonty Drive, Salem When: Friday, July 22, at 7 p.m. Cost: $40 to $45 Visit: speakingmusic.com
Bedford’s Family Concerts in the Park starts today at 6 p.m. at the Bedford Village Park Gazebo (off Bell Hill Road) with a performance by the Manchester Community Music School. The concert series continues with performances on Wednesdays and will run until Aug. 10. On Wednesday, July 6, catch Sixties Invasion (pictured, playing the music of the 1960s). The music will range from New Orleans jazz to rock, doo-wop, country, folk and other genres. Concerts are free to attend and bringing a lawn chairs or blankets (and a picnic dinner) is encouraged. bedfordnh.myrec.com.
Friday, July 1
The New Hampshire Boat Museum (399 Center St., Wolfeboro, nhbm.org, 569-4554) will be giving a Free Admission Day today because it will be closed for the Fourth of July. The current exhibits are “Letting Off Steam: Escaping to New Hampshire during the Golden Age of Steam” and “Who’s in the Boat? A Look at the History of the Sport of Rowing.”
Friday, July 1
Communities across the Granite State are doing Readings of Frederick Douglass’s Essay “What to the Slave is the Fourth of July?” The readings will all be taking place at noon today at Congregational Church of Amherst; Eagle Square in Concord; Dover Public LIbrary; Exeter Town Hall; Hopkinton Town Hall; Manchester City Hall Plaza; Nashua Library Gardens; Teixeira Park (Union Street, Peterborough); Strawbery Banke (Portsmouth); Rochester Performance & Art Center, Colonel Paul Wentworth House (Rochester), and Warner Town Hall. See blackheritagetrailnh.org/frederick-douglass-statewide-readings or call 570-8469.
Tuesday, July 5
Dover Public Library is giving Granite Staters a way to track down their heritage with a Genealogy Class beginning today at 6:30 p.m. The library welcomes everyone, experienced genealogists or newcomers, from across the state for free classes. Contact Anne Nelson at a.nelson@dover.nh.gov or call the library at 516-6050 for more information.
Wednesday, July 6
The Courtyard by Marriott (70 Constitution Ave.in Concord) is taking advantage of its patio with a nine-week lineup of live Music on the Patio, starting on July 6 with April Cushman. The music will play from 5 to 7 p.m. The series is free for anyone to enjoy. Find more live music on area decks in the Music This Week listing, which starts on page 34.
Thursday, July 7
Van Otis Chocolates is holding a Chocolate Happy Hour at its Manchester location (341 Elm St., vanotis.com, 627-1611) for chocoholics age 21 and older. Participants will get a tour of the chocolate factory and make their own special chocolate bark. Guests are invited to bring a bottle of wine to enjoy while they whip up their chocolate creations. Tickets are $45 per person and can be purchased on Eventbrite at eventbrite.com/o/van-otis-chocolates-15034673134.
Save the Date! Friday, July 15 Nashua’s Parks and Recreation department is starting Pics in the Park with a showing of Jurassic Park (PG-13, 1993) at dusk at Greeley Park (100 Concord St.). The movie will be shown on a screen in front of the bandshell and is free to attend.
A free women’s hygiene cabinet, organized by United Way of Greater Nashua and Girls Inc., has been set up outside of the Girls Inc. facility on Burke Street in Nashua. The cabinet, known as “Rosie’s Pantry,” is open during the club’s open hours, weather permitting, to distribute free women’s hygiene products to anyone who needs them. United Way of Greater Nashua volunteers will be outside Hannaford in Nashua on the second Sunday of every month from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., to collect donated products for the cabinet, according to a press release.
QOL score: +1
Comment: The cabinet features a depiction of Rosie the Riveter painted by student artist Isabella Zayas in collaboration with Manchester-based public art organization Arts Build Community.
Native plant globally extinct
The smooth slender crabgrass has been confirmed by the New Hampshire Natural Heritage Bureau to be globally extinct, making it the first documented plant extinction in New Hampshire and the fifth documented plant extinction in New England since European settlers arrived, according to a press release from the New Hampshire Department of Natural and Cultural Resources. The plant was native to New Hampshire and only existed at Rock Rimmon Park in Manchester. The confirmation of extinction was pending studies of a similar plant growing in Mexico and Venezuela, but that plant was recently determined not to be smooth slender crabgrass.
QOL score: -2
Comment: The smooth slender crabgrass is one of five rare plant species that used to grow in Rock Rimmon Park that are no longer there due to human activity, the press release said.
NH is the July 4 state
A recent WalletHub study ranked New Hampshire the ninth most patriotic state in the U.S. The study looked at 13 criteria, including the number of active duty military personnel, veterans, AmeriCorps volunteers and Peace Corps volunteers; civic engagement; community volunteer work; grand jury and trial participation and more. New Hampshire made the top 10 for three criteria, including Peace Corps volunteers per capita (7th), percentage of adults who voted in the 2020 presidential election (4th) and U.S. history or civics education requirements (1st).
QOL score: +1
Comment: Vermont is the only other New England state that made the top 10, coming in just above New Hampshire in 8th.
Gas prices are down again
The average price of gasoline in New Hampshire went down by 8 cents per gallon last week, averaging $4.86 per gallon as of June 27, according to a GasBuddy price report. The data is based on a survey of 875 gas stations throughout the state. Prices are still 20.2 cents per gallon higher than a month ago and $1.91 higher than a year ago. The national average price of diesel is currently at $5.80 per gallon, the report said.
QOL Score: +1
Comment: The price was down by 3.7 cents per gallon the week of June 20; here’s hoping the trend continues…
QOL score: 79
Net change: +1
QOL this week: 80
What’s affecting your Quality of Life here in New Hampshire? Let us know at news@hippopress.com.
Information from the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services.
Energy costs relief
Gov. Chris Sununu, along with legislative leaders and the New Hampshire Department of Energy, has announced a New Hampshire Emergency Energy Relief Program in response to the nationwide increase in energy costs. According to a press release from the Office of the Governor, the program will include $7.5 million in assistance to help 24,000 low-income families with the costs of cooling their homes during the summer; $7 million for the Electric Assistance Program, which provides assistance with energy costs on a tiered scale to households making less than 60 percent of the median household income; and $60 million to provide $100 bill credits to nearly every residential electric bill ratepayer in the state.
Pediatric Covid vaccine informative video
Dartmouth Health Children’s has created a video to inform the public about pediatric Covid vaccines. In the video, Susanne E. Tanski, MD, MPH, section chief of general pediatrics at Dartmouth Health Children’s, discusses the new emergency use authorization for Covid vaccines for children as young as six months old and answers commonly asked questions. “There are 19 million children who are six months to four years old who have not yet had access to this vaccine,” Tanski said in a press release. “This is a moment we have been waiting for.” Darmouth Health Children’s locations are booking pediatric vaccination appointments now, according to the release.
Applications open for Moose Plate grants
The New Hampshire State Conservation Committee is now accepting applications for 2023 Conservation Moose Plate Grants. Eligible grant applicants include municipalities, County Conservation Districts, nonprofit organizations engaged in conservation programs, public and private K-12 schools, County Cooperative Extension natural resource programs and scout groups that promote and support efforts to protect, restore and enhance the state’s natural and agricultural resources, and provide conservation leadership and guidance. Grant application information can be found on the New Hampshire State Conservation Committee website, scc.nh.gov. Applications are due on Sept. 9, and the grants will be announced in December and available to use in July 2023. The grants are made possible by funds raised through the sales of conservation license plates, known as Moose Plates. New Hampshire residents can purchase Moose Plates year-round at mooseplate.com.
Updates on new forensic psychiatric hospital
The New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services, Department of Administrative Services and New Hampshire Hospital officials will hold the fourth public information session on a proposed forensic psychiatric hospital on Thursday, June 30, at 6 p.m. According to a press release from DHHS, the 24-bed secure facility will be built adjacent to New Hampshire Hospital, a psychiatric hospital located on Clinton Street in Concord, and will provide safe, skilled and therapeutic psychiatric treatment for forensic patients. The information session, which will specifically cover design updates for the new facility, will be held virtually over Zoom, accessible at nh-dhhs.zoom.us.
NH Retail Association president to retire
Nancy C. Kyle, president and CEO of the New Hampshire Retail Association, will retire at the end of 2022 after a 28-year tenure with the Association, according to a press release. Kyle has a long list of achievements. In 2020, during the pandemic, Gov. Chris Sununu appointed her to the Re-opening Task Force, where she was pivotal in helping retailers adapt to the new restrictions and stay in business.
The Association’s board of directors have selected the Retail Association of Maine to provide full association management to the NH Retail Association, the release said. Curtis Picard, the president and CEO of the Retail Association of Maine, will become president and CEO of the New Hampshire Retail Association when Kyle officially retires, according to the release.
“I have thoroughly enjoyed my tenure at the Retail Association, and wanted to make sure that when I left, the Association was in good hands,” Kyle said in the press release. “I’ve known Curtis for 15 years, and there is no other person I would even consider handing our Association over to.”
Hundreds of people gathered last weekend in Manchester, Concord and other New Hampshire cities and towns to protest the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling overturning Roe v. Wade, according to NHPR. The rallies were organized by Planned Parenthood New Hampshire Action Fund and other abortion rights activists and reproductive health care providers. A small group of anti-abortion activists also gathered in Manchester to celebrate the ruling, the report said.
A New Hampshire Historical Highway Marker has been installed in Raymond near the intersection of New Hampshire Routes 27 and 156 to commemorate the invention of chain link fencing technology by a Raymond resident Frank J. Mafera in 1930. The marker reads “CHAIN LINK FENCE INNOVATION” and includes a brief history of the fencing.
The United Way of Greater Nashua is looking for more than 100 volunteers to help distribute free school breakfasts and lunches to elementary school students in the Nashua School District. According to a press release, the meals, provided by the school cafeterias, will be distributed on at least one weekday per week from July 5 through Aug. 5 outside of five elementary schools. Register at volunteergreaternashua.org or call 438-2173 or email info@unitedwaynashua.org.
It’s strawberry picking season! For many area farms, strawberries kick off a fruit harvest schedule that continues through the summer months with cherries, blueberries and raspberries, before apples and pumpkins take over in the fall. Find out where to go to pick your own strawberries this year, plus check out some upcoming local strawberry festivals this weekend. We’ve also included some fun ideas for how to incorporate fresh strawberries into your cooking or baking.
Also on the cover, The Nashua Pride Festival returns to the Gate City, featuring a parade, a free drag show and more, p. 17, cocktail columnist John Fladd shares how you can stay “cool” with some mango-infused rum, p. 28, and find three days of family-friendly fun at Intown Concord’s annual Market Days Festival, p. 14.
Lessons in Chemistry, by Bonnie Garmus (Doubleday, 386 pages)
There are a lot of things to appreciate about this debut novel from Bonnie Garmus: The story is original, the writing is engaging and the cast of characters is mainly quirky and fun. Well, except for most of the men. And therein lies one of the problems with this book.
Lessons in Chemistry is fiercely devoted to the idea that women in 1960s California were treated entirely unfairly and had no opportunities for careers outside of the home, and that men were generally awful humans who had zero respect for women and were successful only because they were born male.
The book centers on chemist Elizabeth Zott, who works with an otherwise all-male team at Hastings Research Institute, where she doesn’t feel her work is respected. Prior to that job, Elizabeth was trying to get her Ph.D. but was sexually assaulted and kicked out of the program after defending herself with what must have been a pretty sharp pencil. So she has a particularly strong point of view about the male species and equality. Fair.
“Elizabeth Zott held grudges … mainly reserved for a patriarchal society founded on the idea that women were less. Less capable. Less intelligent. Less inventive. A society that believed men went to work and did important things … and women stayed at home and raised children.”
But then she meets Calvin Evans, a renowned scientist who appreciates Elizabeth’s intelligence and passion for the sciences. His character is reminiscent of The Big Bang Theory’s Sheldon Cooper, with his academic genius far superior to his emotional intelligence and ability to understand human behavior and societal norms. But he is a champion of Elizabeth almost from the start, despite her oft-exaggerated views on life.
“‘You’re saying,’ he said slowly, ‘that more women actually want to be in science.’
She widened her eyes. ‘Of course we do. In science, in medicine, in business, in music, in math. Pick an area.’ And then she paused, because the truth was, she’d only known a handful of women who’d wanted to be in science or any other area for that matter. Most of the women she’d met in college claimed they were only there to get their MRS. It was disconcerting, as if they’d all drunk something that had rendered them temporarily insane.
‘But instead,’ she continued, ‘women are at home, making babies and cleaning rugs. It’s legalized slavery.’”
Not to be too dramatic or anything.
Elizabeth has self-righteous tendencies and can be annoying at times. There are some contradictions in the book too; Elizabeth spends so much time talking about how she deserves equality, yet she ends her cooking show, Supper at Six, with “Children, set the table. Your mother needs a moment to herself.” So fathers can’t be home cooking? If the point here is equality, shouldn’t it work both ways?
Still, Elizabeth as host of the show is one of the author’s more clever moves; Elizabeth takes the job begrudgingly when life seems to leave no other option, and she uses it as a forum to bolster the spirits and promote the intelligence of the housewives who are watching. She uses scientific formulas in her recipes and encourages women to do more and be more. The problem is, she isn’t likable (in my opinion — as of this writing, the book has a 4.4-star review on Goodreads, so I’m not necessarily in the majority here). I had a hard time believing that anyone would watch her show; she comes across as smart, yes, but not personable. She speaks like the scientist she is, and it’s not relatable dialogue. No one who is not a scientist — man or woman — would know what she’s talking about most of the time, and it’s not like Google existed back then to figure it out.
The book’s other “lesson in chemistry” — the chemistry between Elizabeth and Calvin — is short-lived. Their relationship was the highlight of the story to me, but it ends abruptly, and the plot disappointingly transitions to its heavy-hitting feminist focus. Calvin’s character becomes less about his impact on Elizabeth’s life and more about a convoluted subplot regarding his family history, an adoption mystery and the funding of scientists.
There are some fascinating characters, like Elizabeth and Calvin’s daughter Mad, and Mad’s babysitter Harriet, both of whom add depth and refreshingly different points of view to the book. And then there’s Six-Thirty, Elizabeth and Calvin’s dog, who learns to understand hundreds of words that Elizabeth teaches him. I appreciate the purpose of that message — anyone, and any dog, can do anything! — in the context of this book, and it’s mostly delivered well, through the eyes of other characters, like Elizabeth (who thinks it just makes sense that a dog could learn any words) or Harriet (who thinks Elizabeth is strange). But there are a few random, abrupt moments in the book where we’re seeing things from Six-Thirty’s point of view, and I found it a bit off-putting. His perspective didn’t seem to add anything to the story and, to me, it just slowed down the flow.
Ultimately, I enjoyed the first half of the book. The second half was missing, well, chemistry. Elizabeth is a better character alongside Calvin, which is likely the opposite of what Garmus was aiming for, her message seemingly being that women don’t need men. That message might have gone over better if Elizabeth were the least bit happy and hadn’t been described in the first few pages of the book as “permanently depressed” and “ashamed” of her job as a TV host — it’s hard to cheer for a bitter “hero.” C+ — Meghan Siegler
Book Notes
Nora Ephron’s most famous films were When Harry Met Sally and Sleepless in Seattle, but it was Heartburn, not insomnia, that made her famous.
A novel loosely based on her breakup with Carl Bernstein of Watergate fame, Heartburn (Knopf, 179 pages) was made into a movie starring Meryl Streep and began the transformation of Ephron from journalist to screenwriter and director, although she never stopped writing books. Her 2006 book of essays, I Feel Bad About My Neck (Knopf, 137 pages), was a droll reflection on aging.
Ephron would be pleased that her neck is concealed in the photo on the cover of the new book about her life. Nora Ephron, a Biography (Chicago Review Press, 304 pages) is by Kristin Marguerite Doidge, a journalist who combed through Ephron’s own writing and interviewed colleagues such as Tom Hanks and Martin Short.
Meanwhile, the ex who inadvertently launched Ephron’s Hollywood career published his own memoir this year: Chasing History, a Kid in the Newsroom (Henry Holt & Co., 384 pages). His work with Woodward at The Washington Post resulted in the 1974 book and subsequent film All The President’s Men, which was consequential in bringing down a president, Richard Nixon.
Incredibly, it’s the 50th anniversary of the Watergate scandal (although Nixon didn’t resign until 1974), which means that Woodward and Bernstein are making the rounds on news shows. There’s also a new history of Watergate called, quite redundantly, Watergate, a New History (Avid Reader Press, 832 pages) by Garrett Graff.
Did we need a new Watergate history? “The answer turns out to be yes,” writes Len Downie Jr., but he’s a former Washington Post editor, so take that with a grain of salt.
Meanwhile, if you’d rather not revisit the Nixon years, go back even further in time to The Monster’s Bones (W.W. Norton, 288 pages), promising nonfiction by David K. Randall. It’s about the discovery of the first T-rex skeleton in Hellcreek, Montana, in 1902, and how this fueled our fascination with dinosaurs — and natural history museums. —Jennifer Graham
Book Events
Author events
• PAUL DOIRON Author presents Hatchet Island. Gibson’s Bookstore, 45 S. Main St., Concord. Wed., June 29, 6:30 p.m. Visit gibsonsbookstore.com or call 224-0562.
• PAUL BROGAN Author presents A Sprinkling of Stardust Over the Outhouse. Gibson’s Bookstore, 45 S. Main St., Concord. Thurs., June 30, 6:30 p.m. Visit gibsonsbookstore.com or call 224-0562.
• SARAH MCCRAW CROW Author presents The Wrong Kind of Woman. Gibson’s Bookstore, 45 S. Main St., Concord. Tues., July 19, 6:30 p.m. Visit gibsonsbookstore.com or call 224-0562.
• CASEY SHERMAN Author presents Helltown. Bookery, 844 Elm St., Manchester. Sun., Aug. 14, 1:30 p.m. Visit bookerymht.com or call 836-6600.
Poetry
• DOWN CELLAR POETRY SALON Poetry event series presented by the Poetry Society of New Hampshire. Monthly. First Sunday. Visit poetrysocietynh.wordpress.com.
Writers groups
• MERRIMACK VALLEY WRITERS’ GROUP All published and unpublished local writers who are interested in sharing their work with other writers and giving and receiving constructive feedback are invited to join. The group meets regularly Email pembrokenhtownlibrary@gmail.com.
Book Clubs
• BOOKERY Monthly. Third Thursday, 6 p.m. 844 Elm St., Manchester. Visit bookerymht.com/online-book-club or call 836-6600.
• GIBSON’S BOOKSTORE Online, via Zoom. Monthly. First Monday, 5:30 p.m. Bookstore based in Concord. Visit gibsonsbookstore.com/gibsons-book-club-2020-2021 or call 224-0562.
• TO SHARE BREWING CO. 720 Union St., Manchester. Monthly. Second Thursday, 6 p.m. RSVP required. Visit tosharebrewing.com or call 836-6947.
• GOFFSTOWN PUBLIC LIBRARY 2 High St., Goffstown. Monthly. Third Wednesday, 1:30 p.m. Call 497-2102, email elizabethw@goffstownlibrary.com or visit goffstownlibrary.com
• BELKNAP MILL Online. Monthly. Last Wednesday, 6 p.m. Based in Laconia. Email bookclub@belknapmill.org.
• NASHUA PUBLIC LIBRARY Online. Monthly. Second Friday, 3 p.m. Call 589-4611, email information@nashualibrary.org or visit nashualibrary.org.
Language
• FRENCH LANGUAGE AND LITERATURE CLASSES
Offered remotely by the Franco-American Centre. Six-week session with classes held Thursdays from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. $225. Visit facnh.com/education or call 623-1093.
Load up on strawberries for sweets, savory dishes and a fresh taste of summer
By Matt Ingersoll and Jack Walsh
food@hippopress.com
It was a warm 70-degree morning on June 15 when Apple Hill Farm in Concord opened for its first day of pick-your-own strawberries. It also marked the return of visitors to the property for the first time since last November — the strawberry patch is just down the street from the main farm stand, which is due to fully open for the season in the coming weeks.
For many area farms, strawberry picking kicks off a fruit harvest season that will continue through the summer months with cherries, blueberries and raspberries, before apples and pumpkins take over. At Apple Hill Farm there are a total of 12 strawberry varieties that ripen over a three-week period from mid-June through about July 4.
Strawberries from Apple Hill Farm in Concord. Courtesy photo.
“This is perfect for us, because we usually start between about the 15th and the 20th [of June], and we usually go until July 4, or about the 6th or so,” co-owner Diane Souther said. “Right now what we have out there for berries is beautiful.”
It’s a similar story at Sunnycrest Farm in Londonderry, which opened for pick-your-own on June 11. Sunnycrest-grown strawberries include two varieties that are not only available for pick-your-own but are used as ingredients in several items at the farm stand’s bakery.
“Every season is different for strawberries. It usually depends on how much rain you get and it can depend on how much sunlight you get,” said Danny Hicks IV, the farm’s fourth-generation owner. “I would say this year we’re pretty much right on the money for that.”
Down in Milford, Trombly Gardens began its strawberry picking season on June 10. This is the farm stand’s first year having a pick-your-own strawberry field, according to business manager Alicia Richardson. Because every day is different during an already short picking window, Richardson said exact times the field is open always vary and are posted to social media.
As you head out to your local farm to pick some strawberries, here’s a look at some different varieties and what they’re best used for, as well as what the ideal conditions are for a strawberry crop to thrive. Read on even more for some ideas on incorporating freshly picked strawberries into your cooking or baking.
Farmers market summer strawberry salad with spring veggies Courtesy of Diane Souther of Apple Hill Farm in Concord
1 quart fresh strawberries, washed and sliced 2 Tablespoons fresh basil, thinly cut up 2 teaspoons balsamic vinegar 1 teaspoon sweetener, sugar, honey or maple syrup/sugar 2 baby cucumbers, peeled and sliced thin with the skin on 8 cherry-sized tomatoes 4 red radishes, sliced thin juice of ½ lemon, freshly squeezed ¼ teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
Combine basil, strawberries, balsamic vinegar and sweetener. Toss in a bowl, cover and chill for an hour. Slice the small baby cucumbers and juice from the ½ squeezed lemon and chill in the refrigerator. Quarter the cherry tomatoes just before serving and slice the radishes. Mix the chilled cucumbers with the strawberries and basil mixture, then add radishes and cherry tomatoes. Toss with fresh ground pepper. Serve immediately. Optional ingredients can include broccoli, cauliflower, spinach, kale, Swiss chard or any other veggies you can find at the farmers market.
Strawberry varieties
Apple Hill Farm began its strawberry picking season with three varieties — Wendy, which is a typical early season strawberry, according to Souther, as well as Valley Sunset and Cavendish.
“They’re a lot like apples. They ripen at different times, and then sometimes they overlap a little bit,” Souther said. “This year, it seems like the early and the mid-season are coming in together.”
Differences in varieties can include everything from the fruit’s size and color to its water content, making some strawberries better-suited for eating and others for making jams or shortcakes. Amy Ladds-Davis, who is working her 11th season at Apple Hill Farm, said Wendys are typically smaller but sweeter strawberries, while the Cavendish variety is characterized by its larger size and deeper red color. As the weeks go on, mid- and late season varieties include Darselect, Dickens, Honeoye and Malwina — the latter of these is among the largest and is not unheard of to continue growing as the calendar flips to July, Souther said.
Scenes from the Hollis Strawberry Festival. Courtesy photos.
“Sometimes if the strawberries are really big, they are a bit too watery for making jam and stuff with, so people like the more mid-sized ones,” she said. “Some are also good for freezing. … A lot of times with the bigger ones, we’ll just pop the caps off and freeze them whole … and then you can toss them into the blender like an ice cube. They cut right up.”
Sunnycrest Farm grows Cavendish and Cabot varieties, both of which are usually available for picking around the same time, Hicks said. Compared to one another, he said Cavendish strawberries tend to be slightly smaller and sweeter than Cabots — and while he can tell the difference, strawberries are strawberries to most pickers regardless of the variety.
“It’s funny, actually, I don’t ever have anybody asking if we have this variety or that variety of strawberry,” Hicks said. “That’s all [during] apple season. … The two varieties we have are relatively easy to grow and maintain, especially the Cavendish, which are one of my favorites.”
Kimball Fruit Farm, which has property on the state line between Hollis and Pepperell, Mass., features six strawberry varieties throughout its peak growing season. The farm originally used to only grow apples, but it’s now known for corn, peaches, kale and of course strawberries. It’s the first strawberry picking season for new owners David Wadleigh and his wife, Amanda — Brunswick, Darselect, Wendy and Allstar are a few of the popular varieties grown on the farm, and they are planted at separate times for them to be consistently ready for picking.
Strawberry festivals Check out these events happening across the state this weekend for a chance to enjoy some locally grown strawberries and strawberry-flavored desserts and treats.
• Litchfield Community Church (259 Charles Bancroft Hwy., Litchfield) will host a drive-thru version of its annual strawberry festival on Saturday, June 25, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. The event is expected to feature fresh handmade strawberry shortcakes and strawberry rhubarb pies, as well as sausage grinders, all prepared by church congregants. All items are cash only. Local vendors, courtesy of the Litchfield Historical Society, will also be set up on the other side of the church parking lot on the day of the festival. Visit lccpnh.org. • Join Beans and Greens Farm (245 Intervale Road, Gilford) for a strawberry festival to be held all day long on both Saturday, June 25, and Sunday, June 26 — the celebration will include a selection of various homemade strawberry treats, along with games, face painting, a craft fair and live music under the farm’s pavilion. Admission is free. Visit beansandgreensfarm.com. • A local tradition for more than seven decades, the Hollis Strawberry Festival will return for the first time since 2019 on Sunday, June 26, from 2 to 4 p.m. on the town common (2 Monument Square, Hollis). The festival is co-sponsored by the Hollis Woman’s Club and the Hollis Town Band — fresh, local strawberry shortcakes, with or without hand-whipped cream and homemade ice cream, will be available for sale. Local artisan and craft vendors, children’s games, strawberry-themed storytimes at the Hollis Social Library, and a live performance by the Hollis Town Band are also included. In the event of rain, the festival will take place inside Hollis-Brookline Middle School (25 Main St.). Visit holliswomansclub.org.
A short harvest season
Timing is everything when it comes to weather patterns that directly affect strawberry ripening.
“Last year, it was too dry in the beginning and then too wet at the end, so the plants struggled,” Souther said. “We like to have a little bit of rain at night, every couple of days or three days or so, and then bright sunshine. Strawberries really like the sun.”
Ladds-Davis said warm summer days of 70 to 80 degrees are usually the most ideal.
“You don’t want it to be up to 90 or 95 degrees because they will literally cook in the field,” she said, “but then you don’t want it to be cold either, because the sun really helps them ripen.”
Occasional rain is always welcome, but too much is also harmful to a strawberry crop.
Strawberries from Trombly Gardens in Milford. Courtesy photo.
“Rain will plump the berries up, but you also don’t want too much rain,” Wadleigh said. “All berries, including strawberries, are prone to mold and mildew, and anything that reproduces with spores likes heat and moisture to propagate itself.”
Strawberries are perennial plants, or single crops that carry over multiple seasons, depending on the variety. Some strawberry beds can last two or three seasons, while others will continue to produce fruit even longer if the farmer is lucky. Hicks said they’re typically planted between April and May a whole year before being ready for picking by that June.
“You still have to take care of them the whole year, even though you’re not going to get a crop,” he said. “You’ve got to make sure they are properly irrigated and that they are winterized.”
To prepare for the winter, the beds are covered in layers of straw (hence the berry’s name).
“In late November or early December, we take a tractor with a mulcher and we drive over each row of strawberries and cover every single one of them in straw,” Hicks said. “It goes on thick, and then once it’s on there, especially when a nice snowfall comes, they’ll be nice and preserved.”
After the snow melts, Hicks said, the straw is removed in the spring, typically around early May. Another month or so of maintenance, which includes frost protection, is then required for the strawberries to fully ripen in time for peak picking season.
“The best time to start strawberry picking season is obviously when you see a reddish hue, but also when you see a little bit of white on them,” Hicks said. “They can still ripen when you bring them home, so if you pick them when they’re, say, 80 percent red, and you bring them home and they sit on your counter or in the fridge for a couple of days, they’ll actually darken up and still taste good. … If you pick the ones that are dark, dark red, you’ve got to eat them right away.”
It’s hard to predict more than a day or two out when strawberries are ripe enough for picking. If the beds are picked out, for instance, the farm may need to temporarily close — but all it takes is a nice sunny day or two for new fruit to ripen. That’s why Hicks said it’s always a good idea to check the farm’s social media pages for continuous updates. Some farms, including Sunnycrest, also have a pre-recorded phone hotline message that’s regularly updated with details on pick-your-own.
Treat yourself
Trombly Gardens in Milford is currently offering specialty strawberry frappes. Courtesy photo.
From homemade shortcake to other strawberry-featuring baked goods and indulgences, local farm stands are offering all kinds of inspired treats to celebrate the season.
Trombly Gardens, for instance, is currently serving a specialty strawberry frappe out of its ice cream window — they’re also producing all kinds of sweets out of their bakery and kitchen, like strawberry shortcake sundaes, strawberry cake-flavored whoopie pies and, on Saturday and Sunday mornings, homemade strawberry doughnuts.
At Sunnycrest Farm, strawberries are the very first crops that Bonne Cavanagh, the farm stand’s in-house baker, receives. She uses them to bake fresh muffins — flavors include strawberry lemonade and strawberry rhubarb — as well as strawberry rhubarb crumb bars, and even a homemade strawberry cream cheese, all of which are currently available at the farm stand.
“The cream cheese is so good. It tastes like a cheesecake,” said Cavanagh, who’s been baking at Sunnycrest Farm for 10 years. “They go great with a jalapeno bagel because of the [contrast of] the hot and the sweet. The bagels are a huge hit. We get them in from New Jersey.”
Cavanagh also partners with Troy Ward Jr. of Troy’s Fresh Kitchen & Juice Bar in Londonderry. There, you’ll find her vegan gluten-free strawberry lemonade muffins, and she’s also baked strawberry rhubarb doughnuts. Once the season ends, Cavanaugh moves on to the next fruit.
Photo courtesy of Sunnycrest Farm in Londonderry.
“When I have no more strawberries, I’m done. I will not go buy strawberries or use frozen strawberries,” she said.
If you want to make a whole day of celebrating peak strawberry picking season, the Hollis Strawberry Festival is returning on Sunday, June 26, for the first time since 2019 — it’s co-sponsored by the Hollis Woman’s Club and the Hollis Town Band. A “hulling party” is scheduled to take place at the town’s Congregational Church on June 24, when Woman’s Club members, family and friends will be preparing the fruit to serve during the event.
According to festival chair Cathy Gast, the festival started out more than 70 years ago as a band concert before they soon began selling strawberry shortcake as a way to improve attendance. After two years off, the longtime tradition continues — as with previous festivals, attendees will have the option to order a strawberry shortcake with or without whipped cream, shortcake with or without Dr. Davis homemade vanilla ice cream, a bowl of ice cream with strawberries, or just a bowl of strawberries with or without sugar. Prices will vary depending on which item you choose, and the festival also features local artisan and craft vendors, children’s games, strawberry-themed storytimes in the town’s library, and a live performance by the Town Band.
Strawberry-rhubarb pudding Courtesy of Diane Souther of Apple Hill Farm in Concord
Sauce: 3 cups rhubarb (fresh or frozen), cut up into small pieces 2 cups sliced strawberries (fresh or frozen) 2 teaspoons butter ¾ cup maple syrup ¼ cup water
Cake batter: ½ cup granulated sugar 2 Tablespoons butter 1 cup whole milk 1 cup flour 2 teaspoons baking powder ½ teaspoon salt
Streusel topping: ½ cup flour ½ cup rolled oats ½ cup brown sugar ½ stick of butter 2 teaspoons cinnamon
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. In a quart saucepan on low heat, stew the sauce ingredients until tender (about seven minutes). To make the cake batter, cream together the sugar and butter in a small bowl, then add one cup of whole milk and stir until blended. Sift the flour, baking powder and salt together in a bowl, then blend with the creamed mixture of sugar, butter and milk. To make the streusel topping, cream together the flour, rolled oats, brown sugar, butter and cinnamon with a fork or with your fingers. Take the strawberry-rhubarb sauce and pour into an ungreased casserole dish, leaving ¾-inch to one inch of headspace around the top. Pour the cake batter over the top and sprinkle last with the streusel topping. Bake at 350 degrees for approximately 30 minutes, or until the top is lightly browned.
Where to get local strawberries
Here’s a list of local farms and farm stands offering fresh strawberries — where specified, it includes those that have them pre-picked as well as pick-your-own. For those that offer pick-your-own, be sure to contact each spot directly for the most up-to-date information on picking conditions and availability. Did we miss a southern New Hampshire-area farm stand offering strawberries that’s not on this list? Let us know at food@hippopress.com.
Apple Hill Farm 580 Mountain Road, Concord, 224-8862, applehillfarmnh.com Cost: $3.75 per pound for pick-your-own, or $8 per pre-picked quart Hours: Monday through Saturday, 8:30 a.m. to noon
Applecrest Farm Orchards 133 Exeter Road, North Hampton, 926-3721, applecrest.com Cost: $6.25 per pound for pick-your-own; $5.75 per pound if picking eight pounds or more Hours: Daily, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Barrett Hill Farm 450 Fitchburg Road, Mason, 878-2848, barretthillfarm.com Cost: Starts at $4.50 per pound for pick-your-own; price gradually decreases the more pounds you pick Hours: Daily, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Brookdale Fruit Farm 41 Broad St., Hollis, 465-2240, brookdalefruitfarm.com Cost: $4.50 per pound for pick-your-own Hours: Most days, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.; call or visit the website for the most up-to-date details on picking conditions and times
Butternut Farm 195 Meaderboro Road, Farmington, 335-4705, butternutfarm.net Cost: $4.29 per pound for pick-your-own; $3.99 per pound if picking 10 pounds or greater Hours: Tuesday through Sunday, 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Devriendt Farm Products 47 Story Road, Goffstown, 497-2793, devriendtfarm.com Cost: $3.99 per pound for pick-your-own Hours: Daily, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Fitch’s Corner Farm Stand 499 N. River Road, Milford, find them on Facebook Cost: $4.75 per pint, or $8.99 per quart (pre-picked only; cash or check only) Hours: Daily, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Heron Pond Farm 299 Main Ave., South Hampton, 394-0129, heronpondfarm.com Cost: $4.75 per pint, or $9 per quart (pre-picked only; pick-your-own likely coming soon) Hours: Daily, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
J&F Farms 124 Chester Road, Derry, 437-0535, jandffarmsnh.com Cost: $8 per quart or four quarts for $30 for pick-your-own; $10 per pre-picked quart Hours: Days and times vary for pick-your-own and are regularly posted to social media. The farm’s hours are Monday through Friday, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., according to its website.
Johnson Golden Harvest 412 W. River Road, Hooksett, 210-2031, johnsongoldenharvest.com Cost: $5.99 per pint, or $9.99 per quart (pre-picked only) Hours: Monday through Friday, 10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Saturday, 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Kimball Fruit Farm Route 122, on the Hollis and Pepperell, Mass., border, 978-433-9751 Cost: $3 per pound for pick-your-own Hours: Daily, 9 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Lavoie’s Farm 172 Nartoff Road, Hollis, 882-0072, lavoiesfarm.com Cost: $3.99 per pound for pick-your-own, or $8.49 per pre-picked quart Hours: Daily, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Lull Farm 65 Broad St., Hollis, 465-7079; 615 Route 13, Milford, 673-3119; livefreeandfarm.com Cost: $9 per quart (pre-picked only) Hours: Daily, 7 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. in Hollis, and 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. in Milford
McKenzie’s Farm 71 Northeast Pond Road, Milton, 652-9400, mckenziesfarm.com Cost: $4.29 per pound for pick-your-own; $3.99 per pound if picking 10 pounds or greater Hours: Daily, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
McQuesten Farm 330 Charles Bancroft Hwy., Litchfield, 424-9268, find them on Facebook @mcquesten.farm Cost: $3.99 per pound for pick-your-own, or $7.50 per pre-picked pint Hours: Daily, 7 a.m. to 2 p.m., for pick-your-own; the farm stand remains open until 5 p.m.
Paradise Farm 468 Center Road, Lyndeborough, 345-0860, paradisefarmnh.com Cost: $8.49 per quart (pre-picked only) Hours: Available at the Milford Farmers Market (milfordnhfarmersmarket.com) on Saturdays, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 300 Elm St. in Milford (across from the New Hampshire Antique Co-op)
Rossview Farm 85 District 5 Road, Concord, 228-4872, rossviewfarm.com Cost: $3.50 per pound for pick-your-own, or $8 per pre-picked quart Hours: Sunday and Monday, 7 a.m. to 1 p.m., Tuesday and Thursday, 7 to 11 a.m. and 2 to 6 p.m., and Wednesday, Friday and Saturday, 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Smith Farm Stand 131 Kimball Hill Road, Hudson, 882-4032, smithfarmhudson.com Cost: $8.50 per quart (pre-picked only) Hours: Most weekdays, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Spring Ledge Farm 37 Main St., New London, 526-6253, springledgefarm.com Cost: $7 per quart (cash or check only) Hours: Daily, 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. for pick-your-own. The farm stand is openMonday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Tuesday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., and Sunday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Sunnycrest Farm 59 High Range Road, Londonderry, 432-7753, sunnycrestfarmnh.com Cost: $4.50 per pound for pick-your-own, or $8.99 per pre-picked quart Hours: Most days, 7 a.m. to noon, for pick-your-own; call or visit the website for the most up-to-date details on picking conditions and times. The farm stand is open daily, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Trombly Gardens 150 N. River Road, Milford, 673-0647, tromblygardens.net Cost: $3.99 per pound for pick-your-own, or $8.50 per pre-picked quart Hours: Days and times vary for pick-your-own and are regularly posted to social media. The farm stand’s summer hours are Sunday through Thursday, from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Friday and Saturday, from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Featured photo: Photo courtesy of Trombly Gardens in Milford.
The city of Nashua will show love and support for LGBTQ individuals, supporting family members and straight allies with Nashua’s 2022 Pride Festival on Saturday, June 25, from 2 to 6 p.m.
“It’s important to [Mayor Jim Donchess] that everyone feels welcome and part of the community,” said Kathleen Palmer, the communications and special projects coordinator for the office of the mayor.
Before the festival starts, there will be a Pride parade, said Palmer. Attendees who want to walk in the parade can register online in advance at https://hipaa.jotform.com/200574115477151. At the festival grounds, Daunchess will give a speech and religious leaders will hold an interfaith blessing.
Live music will feature transgender artists Who.iAm and St. Blair, the New Hampshire Gay Men’s Chorus, and the local rock band Venom & Mayhem Twins. The Nashua Community Music School will preview their evening concert with music by nonbinary composer Aiden Feltkamp.
Food trucks from Kona Ice, Jeannette’s Concessions, and Soel Sistas will offer Hawaiian-style shaved ice, classic festival deep-fried candies and hand-cut french fries, and tender barbecue and soul food. Stonyfield Yogurt will be handing out free yogurt cups.
A free drag show will be held inside the Court Street Theatre from 3 to 4 pm. The show is geared toward an older audience and wouldn’t be appropriate for children, Palmer said. She added that the Peacock Players Youth Theatre will have games and activities for younger festival goers on the lawn between the library and the Court Street Theatre.
After the festival officially ends, some Nashua businesses want to keep the party going. Martha’s Exchange is hosting an adults-only drag show with Pandora Boxx from Ru Paul’s Drag Race as a special guest. Tickets are $20 for general admission, $35 for VIP, and the doors will open at 7 p.m. There will be a free open mic night from 4:30 to 7 p.m. at Vibe Yoga (182 Main St.) and a 5 p.m. concert at the Nashua Community Music School (2 Lock St.).
Palmer said that the Office of the Mayor had wanted to introduce an after-festival event for people too young to attend adult-only events but who want to still keep the party going.
“We discovered after the first few years of Pride that there was a big need for things for the youth of the community to do,” Palmer said. They partnered with the Gender and Sexualities Alliance at Nashua Community College and the Unitarian Universalist Church to host an after-festival dance party.
The party is for youth ages 14 to 20 and free. It’s being held at the Unitarian Universalist Church and will start at 7 p.m.
Palmer said that the fun-filled day is one that the mayor’s office hopes emphasizes the message that Nashua is a friendly place for LGBTQ people.
“The event is important to Mayor Donchess,” Palmer said. “We want everyone to know that Nashua is a welcoming city for the LGBTQ community.”
Nashua Pride Festival When: Saturday, June 25, from 2 to 6 p.m. Where: Parade will kick off at Elm Street Middle School, 117 Elm St., and the festival will be at the Nashua Public Library, 2 Court St. Cost: The festival is free; afterparty events prices vary. Visit: https://hipaa.jotform.com/200574115477151 to sign up to walk in the parade.
