Author: The Hippo Press

On The Job – Melissa Derusha

Event Planner

Melissa DeRusha is an event planner and owner of Star Events, based in Hudson.

Explain your job and what it entails.

I host craft and vendor fairs and family outdoor events in New Hampshire. As an event planner, I find venues around New Hampshire to rent. I draw up a contract for my vendors with all the info they need. After that, I create an event page on Facebook with advertising on a bunch of different platforms. Before the event, I continue advertising; then I will create a floor plan for where the vendors’ places will be. The day of the event, the vendors arrive and I have them placed in their spots, and they give me a donation of one of their products. I hold a penny sale raffle for a different charity or program at every event that we have. There is a lot of emailing involved and working with all the vendors.

How long have you had this job?

Four and a half years.

What led you to this career field and your current job?

I loved organizing parties for my family, so I decided I would get into events. And this allows me to have a flexible schedule for my children.

What kind of education or training did you need?

I didn’t need any.

What is your typical at-work uniform or attire?

I wear tops based on the event theme with jeans or leggings.

What is the most challenging thing about your work, and how do you deal with it?

Something challenging would be finding event space to host at.

What do you wish you’d known at the beginning of your career?

You need a lot of patience, and it’s not as easy as most people think.

What do you wish other people knew about your job?

That craft fairs have come a long way. It’s not your old-style crafts. There are so many talented small-business owners as well as direct sale vendors. We have food trucks, face painting and so many fun things.

What was the first job you ever had?

I worked at Canobie Lake in the event center.

What’s the best piece of work-related advice you’ve ever received?

To stick to my contract. — Angie Sykeny

Five favorites
Favorite book: Be Yourself
Favorite movie: Dirty Dancing
Favorite music: everything
Favorite food: french fries
Favorite thing about NH: camping

Featured photo: Michael J. White. Courtesy photo.

Kiddie Pool 24/02/01

Family fun for whenever

Fun for the whole family

• Recycled Percussion will bring their big loud high-energy show to the Nashua Center for the Arts (201 Main St. in Nashua; nashuacenterforthearts.com) on Saturday, Feb. 3, at 3 and 7 p.m. and Sunday, Feb. 4, at 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. Tickets cost $39.50 to $49.50. Find out more about the band in the Nov. 9 issue of the Hippo (find e-editions at hippopress.com), where Michael Witthaus interviewed band founder Justin Spencer.

On the ice

• Watch the Saint Anselm College Hawks Women’s Ice Hockey team face the Franklin Pierce University Ravens on Friday, Feb. 2, at 6 p.m. at Sullivan Arena on the Saint Anselm college campus (100 Saint Anselm Drive in Manchester). Tickets cost $10 and are available at the ticket booth one hour ahead of game time. See saintanselmhawks.com.

For the teens

• The Palace Teen Apprentice Company, featuring performers ages 13 to 18, will present Cabareton Tuesday, Feb. 6, at 7 p.m. at The Rex Theatre (23 Amherst St. in Manchester; palacetheatre.org). Tickets cost $15 for adults, $12 for ages 6 to 12.

The Art Roundup 23/02/01

The latest from NH’s theater, arts and literary communities

• Youth ensemble: Manchester Community Music School (2291 Elm St. in Manchester; mcmusicschool.org) will hold New Hampshire Youth Ensembles concerts on Saturday, Feb. 3, at 1 p.m. (featuring the Suzuki Violin Group, String Pep, Concert Orchestra, Boom wackers, Percussion Ensemble, Rock & Blues Orchestra and the NH Youth Jazz ensemble) and at 6 p.m. (featuring Queen City Voices, Queen City Concert Choir, Flute Choir, Concert Band and Symphony Orchestra), according to a press release. The event is free and open to the public.

• Exhibit closing: “Heart of a Museum: Saya Woolfalk” at the Currier Museum of Art (150 Ash St. in Manchester; currier.org, 669-6144) ends its run Sunday, Feb. 4. Described as “a new experiential installation by artist Saya Woolfalk, the exhibition is a commission for the museum that investigates the history of the institution and revisits its iconography and original design,” according to the website, which says the exhibition uses the mosaics designed by Salvatore Lascari that were the entrance of the Currier as the starting point. The Currier is open Wednesday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and admission costs $20 for adults, $15 for 65+, $15 for students, $5 for ages 13 to 17, and children 12 and under get in free.

• Sounds of Dune:The music of frequent movie composer Hans Zimmer (Dune, The Dark Knight, Gladiator) will be the focus at the Candlelight Concert on Wednesday, Feb. 7, at 6 and 8:30 p.m. at the Rex Theatre (23 Amherst St. in Manchester; palacetheatre.org). Tickets cost $43 to $60.

• At Balin: Next weekend at Balin Books (375 Amherst St., Somerset Plaza, Nashua; balinbooks.com) author Deborah Roof will sign her book Words, Wonder and the Divine in You on Saturday, Feb. 10, from noon to 1 p.m.

• More playwrights, more stories: The next “Expanding the Canon” play reading circle from Theatre Kapow will take place Sunday, Feb. 11, at 2 p.m. featuring the work Blanche and Stella by A.A. Brenner. See tkapow.com and contact [email protected] for information on joining this Zoom event.

• The kids take ABBA to Greece: The Londonderry High School Drama Club will present Mamma Mia! Thursday, Feb. 15, through Saturday, Feb. 17, at 7 p.m. daily plus 1 p.m. on Saturday at the Derry Opera House (26 W. Broadway in Derry). Tickets to this show, which they rate as PG-13, cost $15 for adults, $10 for seniors and students. See lancerdramaclub.org.

• Coming up from Community Players of Concord: The next main stage production from the Community Players of Concord is coming Friday, Feb. 16, through Sunday, Feb. 18. Witness for the Prosecution, a play by Agatha Christie, is described as “suspenseful thriller” about a man accused of murdering a rich widow, according to communityplayersofconcord.org. The show is at the Concord City Auditorium (2 Prince St. in Concord) at 7:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday and 2 p.m. on Sunday; tickets cost $20 for adults, $18 for 17 and under and 65+.

• “Banjos, Bones and Ballads”: Folklorist and traditional music performer Jeff Warner will perform Thursday, Feb. 22, at 11 a.m. in studio A at the YMCA of Downtown Manchester (30 Mechanic St. in Manchester), for a show open to both members and non-members (non-members will need an ID), according to a Y Facebook post. He will present 19th-century music including music that would have been familiar to people of Adirondack Mountain lumber camps, Outer Banks fishing villages and New England whaling ports, according to the post. See jeffwarner.com for more on Warner and his music.

• Improv night: Queen City Improv will perform at Chunky’s Cinema Pub (707 Huse Road in Manchester; chunkys.com) on Friday, Feb. 23, at 7:30 p.m. Tickets cost $20 and are on sale now.

The Players will also hold auditions for their early May main stage production, Pride and Prejudice, on Sunday, Feb. 25, from 4 to 6 p.m. and Monday, Feb. 26, from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Players’ studio (435 Josiah Bartlett Road in Concord). See communityplayersofconcord.org/auditions for the requirements.

• Save the date for Dana: The March schedule has three events coming up at the Dana Center for the Humanities (Saint Anselm College, 100 Saint Anselm Drive in Manchester; tickets.anselm.edu, 641-7700). On Friday, March 1, Ernest Thompson — the playwright and screenwriter who won an Oscar for On Golden Pond — will discuss his latest book, The Book of Maps, and tell stories from his 50-year career, according to the website. The event begins at 7:30 p.m; tickets cost $45. On Thursday, March 14, Delfeayo Marsalis, a jazz and blues trombonist and composer, will perform at 7 p.m. Tickets cost $35. On Saturday, March 16, celebrate Saint Patrick’s Day with Irish folk band The Jeremiahs and the trio Kalos at 7:30 p.m.; tickets cost $45.

Wartime music
The Thursday, Feb. 1, “Bach’s Lunch” program at the Concord Community Music School (23 Wall St. in Concord; ccmusicschool.org) has had a program change; the Feb. 1 program will be “Echoes of Struggle and Triumph” featuring works by composers from World War I and World War II, according to a press release. Flutist Erin Dubois, clarinetist Stephanie Ratté and bassoonist Maria Isaak will present music from “Rosy Wertheim, a Dutch Jewish composer who lived and hid in Amsterdam during World War II; Walter Piston, an American composer born in Maine who became a Navy musician during World War I; Jacques Ibert, a French composer whose musical studies were interrupted during World War I and his music later banned during World War II; and Joachim Kötschau, a German composer and organist who was 26 when World War II began,” the release said. The event is free and open to the public.

This Week 24/02/01

Thursday, Feb. 1

Do you remember Ned Ryerson? Test your knowledge of 1993’s Groundhog Day tonight at 7:30 p.m. at the 21+ trivia night at Chunky’s Cinema Pub (707 Huse Road in Manchester; chunkys.com). Reserve seats for $6 (which includes a $5 off food voucher).

Meanwhile actual Groundhog Day is Friday, Feb. 2, when we find out how Punxsutawney Phil is feeling — early spring or a bunch more winter?

Friday, Feb. 2

The McAuliffe-Shepard Discovery Center (2 Institute Drive in Concord; starhop.com, 271-7827) will focus on eclipses at tonight’s Super Stellar Friday programming, happening from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. For “Elevating Eclipses” Jacob Garside, a student at Plymouth State University and who has participated in the Nationwide Eclipse Ballooning Project, will discuss the project and the April 8 eclipse, according to the website. Admission costs $12 for adults, $9 for ages 3 to 12, $11 for 62+ and 13-college, the website said. You can also register to attend a webinar version of the discussion.

Friday, Feb. 2

This week’s Friday Night Comedy at the Rex features comedian Dave Russo and friends at 7:30 p.m. at the Rex (23 Amherst St. in Manchester; palacetheatre.org). Tickets cost $35. Find more laughs this weekend and beyond in the Comedy This Week listings on page 33.

Friday, Feb. 2

Constantine Maroulis, a sixth-place finisher on 2005’s American Idol and Tony nominated for his role in Rock of Ages, will perform tonight at the Bank of NH Stage (16 S. Main St. in Concord; ccanh.com) at 8 p.m. (doors open at 7 p.m.). Tickets cost $44.75 ($5 more at the door). Find more concerts this weekend and beyond in our Concerts listings on page 34.

Saturday, Feb. 3

It’s Pink Day at Southern New Hampshire University Women’s Basketball, when the Penmen take on the New Haven Chargers at 1:30 p.m. at Stan Spiro Field House (at the Southern New Hampshire University campus, 2500 River Road in Manchester). Head to the lobby at 12:30 p.m. for raffles, T-shirt sales and more. The men’s game is at 3:30 p.m. Regular season games are free to attend; see snhupenmen.com.

Sunday, Feb. 4

The Peabody, Mass., band Fortune will play the Tupelo Music Hall (10 A St. in Derry; tupelomusichall.com) tonight at 7 p.m. Tickets cost $30.

Save the Date! Thursday, Feb. 8
Comedian Bob Marley brings the laughs to the Flying Monkey (39 S. Main St. in Plymouth; flyingmonkeynh.com) on Thursday, Feb. 8, at 7:30 p.m. Tickets start at $39.50. Find out more about Marley, whose “about” button on his website is New England-ily labeled “Who is this dink?,” at bmarley.com.

Quality of Life 24/02/01

Democracy and stickers!

Voters in last week’s presidential primaries were able to score some pretty great “I voted” stickers. Three different options were available: an Old Man in the Mountain profile in front of an American flag, a happy-face-having state of New Hampshire fishing and a moose in front of an autumnal landscape. The artists behind these stickers are New Hampshire fourth graders Grace of Milton, Jacob of Auburn and Rilynn of Mont Vernon, respectively. New Hampshire Secretary of State David M. Scanlan and Deputy Secretary of State Erin T. Hennessey announced the winners of a statewide sticker-making contest for fourth graders back in October 2023. The stickers will appear at all state elections in 2024.

Score: +1

Comments: QOL did — after asking permission — take one of each.

Students helping out

The University of New Hampshire has introduced the “Semester for Impact” program, a unique experiential learning initiative designed to benefit students and New Hampshire organizations, according to a press release. This program enables UNH undergraduates to work 30 hours a week for 15 weeks with local businesses, nonprofits and municipalities, focusing on projects with positive environmental and social impacts. Students earn academic credit and engage in complementary workshops and courses. The program, which embeds immersive learning into the academic curriculum, is a collaboration with the nonprofit College for Social Innovation. It builds on the success of the Semester in the City program in Boston and aims to develop key competencies, professional skills and career networks for students. Host organizations are invited to apply to participate in the program.

QOL score: +1

Comment: Previously, 190 UNH students have participated in the Semester in the City program in Boston through this collaboration, focusing on community-based learning experiences.

Tax help

Granite United Way has launched its free tax prep program for New Hampshire residents with annual household incomes of up to $64,000. According to a press release, the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program, supported by a $50,000 contribution from Citizens, connects qualifying low-to-moderate-income individuals and families in the state with IRS-certified volunteers who can help them access the greatest amount of tax refunds. This initiative helped participants collectively receive more than $5.5 million in federal tax refunds last year, including significant amounts through the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC). To schedule an appointment near you visit nhtaxhelp.org, or go to MyFreeTaxes.com for self-preparation with guidance.

QOL score: +1

Comment: IRS data revealed that about one in five eligible New Hampshire residents don’t file for the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), leaving an estimated $31 million unclaimed, according to the release.

QOL score: 52

Net change: +3

QOL this week: 55

What’s affecting your Quality of Life here in New Hampshire? Let us know at [email protected].

News & Notes 24/02/01

New drug to reverse opioid overdoses

The New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) has announced the availability of nalmefene, a new medication for reversing opioid overdoses, statewide. According to a press release, pharmacies across New Hampshire are authorized to dispense nalmefene to individuals at risk of opioid overdose and their support networks. This initiative is part of the state’s efforts to combat substance use disorder, with Gov. Chris Sununu and DHHS Chief Medical Officer Jonathan Ballard emphasizing its importance in saving lives. “Yet again, New Hampshire is increasing access to every resource possible in our continued work to combat substance use disorder and save lives,” Gov. Sununu said in the release. “With this tool, we increase opportunity to partner Granite Staters in need with the variety of recovery resources available and put them on a path to a brighter future.” Nalmefene, which is particularly effective against potent opioids like fentanyl, will be provided at no cost to Medicaid beneficiaries in New Hampshire. This announcement complements the existing availability of naloxone and the state’s investment in opioid response initiatives, including the establishment of The Doorways program for substance use disorder support and the statewide placement of NaloxBoxes in 2023.

Insurance news

New Hampshire Insurance Department (NHID) staff have been appointed to key roles within the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC), positioning New Hampshire at the forefront of discussions and decisions that impact insurance regulations and policies nationwide. According to a press release, Christian Citarella is now Chair of the Casualty Actuarial and Statistical (C) Task Force, while Commissioner DJ Bettencourt serves as Vice Chair of the NAIC/Consumer Liaison Committee and the Consumer Participation Board of Trustees. These appointments, along with others in various task forces, help to ensure that New Hampshire residents’ interests and concerns are directly represented at a national level in the insurance sector.

Child protection

Senate Majority Leader Sharon Carson (R-Londonderry) has introduced two bills, SB 459-FN and SB 463-FN, aimed at bolstering protections for children. According to a press release, SB 463-FN proposes expanding access to court-appointed counsel for children involved in dependency proceedings, specifically for those in group homes or child care institutions. Meanwhile, SB 459-FN seeks to amend the child protection act by including restraint or seclusion in the definition of institutional child abuse or neglect, updating the presumption of harm and enhancing the mandatory reporting law.

Awards

Four members of Dartmouth Health — Alice Peck Day Memorial Hospital (APD), Dartmouth Cancer Center, Mt. Ascutney Hospital and Health Center, and New London Hospital — have received national recognition from Press Ganey, a leader in health care experience solutions. According to a press release, APD’s Emergency Department and New London Hospital Express Care were awarded the Guardian of Excellence Award for Patient Experience, with APD receiving this honor for the second consecutive year. Mt. Ascutney Hospital and Health Center earned the same award for Employee Experience. Dartmouth Cancer Center, New Hampshire’s only NCI-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center, received the Pinnacle of Excellence Award for the fourth year in a row, ranking in the top five percent of health care organizations for exceptional patient experience. These accolades are part of Press Ganey’s annual evaluation of top hospitals and health systems for patient experience.

Funds for northern New Hampshire

The Northern Border Regional Commission (NBRC) has been awarded nearly $3 million in federal funds, aimed at supporting economic development in New Hampshire, Maine, New York and Vermont. According to a press release, this funding, allocated through the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development’s Rural Business Development Grant Program, will assist in enhancing rural businesses, outdoor recreation and workforce development in these states. Specific allocations in New Hampshire include the Coös Economic Development Council, Upper Valley Snowsports/Whaleback, White Mountain Science, Inc., and Shugah Valley Snow Riders. The funding is a result of legislative efforts that included the expansion of the NBRC’s scope in the 2018 Farm Bill and increased funding in government funding legislations for FY2023 and the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, which aims to support infrastructure and community development projects in the region.

The Southern New Hampshire Chamber of Commerce’s Government Affairs Committee hosted the Concord Update on Jan. 26 at Campbell’s Scottish Highlands Golf Course in Salem. According to a press release, this event provided Chamber members and local citizens an opportunity to hear from State Representatives about current business matters in Concord.

The Bishop’s Charitable Assistance Fund (BCAF) of the Diocese of Manchester has announced the opening of its grant application period for the Spring 2024 cycle, with a submission deadline of Feb. 21. According to a press release, the BCAF, focusing on projects that address basic needs, welcomes applications from all 501(c)(3) organizations in New Hampshire, irrespective of religious affiliation. Funding comes from donations by individuals, businesses and philanthropic entities. See catholicnh.org/BCAF.

The Nashua Garden Club is hosting a program featuring Kerry Ann Mendez, a garden design consultant and author. According to a press release, the event, scheduled for Wednesday, Feb. 7, at 7 p.m. at First Baptist Church in Nashua, will showcase a pre-recorded video titled “Clever Design Tips for Everblooming, Low-Maintenance Gardens.” The program aims to provide insights to help gardeners avoid common landscaping mistakes. This event is open to all. Visit nashuanhgardenclub.org

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