Category: Cover Stories

Mini parks, lesser-known monuments, land trusts and other unexpected outdoor spaces

Rocks that rock

On the hunt for rocks with history

By Dan Szczesny

[email protected]

The following is an excerpt from NH Rocks That Rock: An Adventure Guide to Twenty-Five Famous Boulders in the Granite State by Dan Szczesny and his daughter Uma (2021, Hobblebush Books). See danszczesny.com, where you can purchase this and other books by Dan and find information on upcoming events.

New Hampshire loves its rocks. Though the state’s nickname, The Granite State, actually comes from a preponderance of 19th-century quarries, the casual visitor wouldn’t know it from how many famous, historic, named or identified rocks and boulders there are all across the state.

From the ocean to the south, to the river valley to the west to the grand White Mountains up north, the state is full of boulders with eccentric names such as the Old Man of the Valley, Nessie’s Humps, Big Bertha, T-Rex, Boise Rock, Glen Boulder and The BOB, just to name a few. There are Elephant, Dog, Frog, Sheep, Monkey and Wolf rocks. Take a ferry to the Isles of Shoals for Underhill’s Chair. And take a moment to puzzle out the state’s greatest love story, the Chicken Farmer I Still Love You Rock.

Some are boulders. Some are glacial erratics. Some are cleaved from cliffs and mountain walls. Others just happened to be in places of historic importance and have been labeled through time. Some are monuments to people or events. A few have signs, while many you’ll have to search for. Some are brand new. A few have been on the New Hampshire map since before New Hampshire was New Hampshire.

One weighs more than 5,000 tons and is one of the largest glacial erratics in North America. You can’t miss Madison Boulder.

During a short hike out to Frog Rock in New Boston, my 6-year-old daughter asked me what other rocks were named after animals.

A lot, it turns out. Oh, so very many!

So the idea for our field guide, hiking patch quest and certificate was born.

Chicken Farmer Rock, Newbury

Access: Right on the north side of Route 103 about two miles south of Newbury town center. Nearest address is 539 Route 103.

Of all the rocks in New Hampshire, all the great stone profiles, all the epic gravity-defying boulders and grand vista-facing cliffs, one rock stands above them all in popularity and fame.

We are, of course, talking about the Chicken Farmer I Still Love You Rock.

This painted, overgrown, weedy outcropping along a busy state route is so well-known Google Maps has it pinned as a Historical Landmark. Even Madison Boulder doesn’t get that.

But that’s accurate because the Chicken Farmer I Still Love You Rock is all about history, and that history more or less encompasses what it’s like to be from and live in New Hampshire, where love stories about chicken farmers are entirely relatable.

In short, local legend tells the tale of a hard-working Chicken Farmer and his wife who lived across the road. So hard-working to provide for his family was this farmer that the wife became upset at him for spending so much time away from the family. She lashed out, but instantly regretted her anger. And realizing how grateful she was for her husband, she painted the words on the rock, “Chicken Farmer I Love You,” as a love note and apology.

Years later, in what was perhaps the greatest small town government mistake of all time, the message was covered, the town deeming it to be graffiti. Petitions were signed. Angry voices expressed outrage. And overnight, a new sign was painted, only this time the word “still”was added. And so it remains.

New Hampshire writer and storyteller Rebecca Rule said the original message and the update are two parts of the same message. “The original is a story of young love,” she said. “The revision is the story of unrequited and enduring love. Two beautiful stories; one rock.”

The chicken farmer endures.

The Train/Londonderry

Boulder, Londonderry

Access: We’re certain you’ve driven by The Train many times, as it sits on one of the busiest roads in one of the most densely populated areas, near Boston-Manchester Regional Airport. The rock, usually covered in graffiti, can be found jutting out of the embankment on Rockingham Road/Route 28 in North Londonderry near the intersection with Sanborn Road. If you’re heading south from Manchester, turn right on Sanborn Road and park in one of the office parking lots, then walk back. But of course be careful of traffic on this very busy road.

Of all the boulders on our list, The Train may have the richest pedigree as the slab that birthed the career of one of the best-known rock climbers in the world.

“I think I was maybe 14, driving back from soccer practice with my mom when I saw just one guy on that boulder,” said pro climber Joe Kinder. “I was obsessed with climbing but didn’t really have any outlets and I kept getting in trouble as a kid so my mom just stopped the car and told me to go say hi.”

Young Kinder hit the jackpot that day as the climber working the rock was none other than Brett Meyers, another pro most associated with developing routes on the Pawtuckaway Boulders.

Kinder already had a mentor at Manchester West High School, a guidance counselor named Gary Hunter, himself an amateur climber who encouraged Kinder to climb. But now, with a friendship with Meyers, Kinder’s destiny was set.

“Being from New England, it’s not easy to find the most profound places to climb,” Kinder told me from Las Vegas, where he now lives. “But that rock, in terms of rock quality, texture and accessibility, makes it special. It was like our little playground, a practice place where we could have fun and try new things. That place made me!”

Climb in the shadow of the greats, there on a busy state route in Londonderry.

Frog Rock, New Boston

Access: The rock that started it all. From Route 13 heading north through Mont Vernon go left on Francestown Turnpike, also known as 2nd New Hampshire Turnpike. Drive about 3 miles. The southern entrance to Frog Rock Road (now an abandoned access road) will be on your right, just after a long left turn with warning sign arrows. If you reach Hopkins Road, you’ve gone too far. Parking is available at the side of the road for perhaps two cars.

The dirt road path will reach some stone barriers at about 0.1 mile and a sign indicating that you are entering Frances Hildreth Townes Memorial Forest. Continue down the trail road for about 0.35 mile or so until you see a clear side path on your right. Take that 50 feet or so to Frog Rock.

It was Frog Rock that started it all. The list. The patch. The book you hold. Somewhere along the way, Little Bean wanted to find more rocks shaped like creatures. And once that door opened, there was no closing it.

And perhaps unlike many of the other rocks on this list, there’s very little debate over Frog Rock’s namesake. From a particular angle, the 10-foot erratic looks exactly like what it’s named after. So much so in fact that Frog Rock used to be a popular destination in the days of the grand hotels.

There were five grand (and grand-ish) hotels in the Mont Vernon area around the mid to late 19th century that drew tourists from the south as far away as Boston. The ladies and children would summer at the resorts while the men would work and come up on the weekends. That meant the hotels would need to keep their guests occupied, and one way to do that was to plan picnic excursions into the countryside. One of those resorts, The Grand Hotel, would send wagonloads of guests to visit what their literature called Bull Frog Rock.

Today the pasture land that once made up the area has been reclaimed by the forest, but through it all Frog Rock reigns supreme.

T.M.N.T. Rock, Auburn

Access: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle Rock is a small, sometimes covered, waist-high boulder near the summit of little Mine Hill in Auburn. A section of the rock looks just like one of the cartoon ninja fighters. The trailhead and parking area are on Route 121, just about a mile south of the junction with Hooksett Road in the center of Auburn. Park at a pull-off at the shore of Lake Massabesic, immediately north of Shore Road. On the opposite side of the road, look for the sign Gate A21, Fire Road #42. That’s your trail!

Head up the fire road until you come to a large open field in about 100 yards. Stay to the right as the trail heads up into the woods. Continue up for about 0.4 mile, always keeping to the right, until you see a dilapidated set of steps built into the ground.

These are the old steps that led up the fire tower that used to be at the summit. The foundations of the tower and debris are still there. Climb to the top of the steps and make a right, keeping the No Trespassing signs to your left. At about the 0.5-mile mark look right into the woods and you’ll see TMNT Rock about 10 feet in.

This trail was the one Little Bean asked to come back to. Asked to bring her momma along. Asked if we could visit the rock again, to show off her find. This rock is all hers.

Our original intent was to climb the hill to find the tower, Little Bean being a fire tower buff. But the hike became more. We found a family of tiny mice, entrenched in their rotten log home. We found a dead porcupine and took home some quills, which Little Bean used to paint a portrait of that creature, creating a permanent record. And we imagined what it must have been like to be up in that tower, looking over the great Massabesic.

Certain trails leave a mark. Mine Hill is ours.

NH Rocks That Rock: Memorial Stones
The following is from the prologue to Dan’s forthcoming book, NH Rocks That Rock: Memorial Stones. Find publication updates at danszczesny.com.

Rocks endure, and thus memorials on rocks endure. Such is the thinking anyway.
Unlike a stand-alone sign, or wooden marker, or even one of those dark green metallic state historic markers, bolting a sign against an enormous slab of granite provides some authority to the person or place being honored. Memorial stones are designed for authority and permanence.
And you may not realize it, but they are everywhere, in traffic circles in busy Manchester streets, and tucked away near popular sandy beaches, and hidden behind curious enclosures. Memorial rocks in New Hampshire (not to be mistaken for town veteran memorials or individual tombstones) commemorate a wide variety of people and events, many now lost to the fogs of time.
In Newport you can visit a boulder with an attached cannonball memorializing Civil War hero George Eugene Belknap. In Auburn you can try to puzzle through a way-finder obelisk that served as an 18th-century street sign, and up in Sugar Hill, near a popular waterfall, one of the most famous Hollywood celebrities of her time paid tribute to her long-lost love with a memorial stone that’s simply signed as being from “A Grateful One.”
After the success and thrills of big boulder-hopping through our first field guide, my daughter decided something more personal, more intimate, would be best for a follow-up — these small moments of rock history, tiny tributes set in stone to epic humans and events.
We decided to find the memorial stones to reconnect with history and bring some of these stories back to life. If our first book was about grand epochs of geology, our second would be about individuals. We were going to memorialize the memorial stones.

History on display

War monuments at parks show how the Granite State honors those who served the country

By Katelyn Sahagian

[email protected]

In the shade of Victory Park stands a statue to remember the first World War. The symbolism shows an angel watching over a group of soldiers, and a cloaked figure holding a plaque thanking those who died in the Great War.

This statue is one of the last made to be a grand depiction of the suffering of war, said local historian Kathleen Bailey.

“After World War I, you get a more streamlined effect,” Bailey said about the design of statues. “It’s almost as if World War I was the last straw and we weren’t going to romanticize war anymore.”

Bailey, a veteran journalist from New Hampshire, is the coauthor of the book New Hampshire War Monuments: The Stories Behind the Stones with her daughter Sheila Bailey. The book looks at war monuments across the state.

Bailey said it’s much more common for statues to be erected in memory of the soldiers who fought and died. The trend began after World War II but became the custom when memorializing the efforts of soldiers in the Korean and Vietnam wars.

Monuments like this exist in many parks in New Hampshire, but they aren’t all confined to parks. There is one such monument farther north in the state that is a grave marker for Derek Oxford, an enslaved man who fought for independence during the Revolutionary War and made his home in Plainfield, Bailey said.

Another is the Brigadier General Harrison Thyng Memorial. Thyng, who was born in a one-room schoolhouse in Pittsfield, became one of the five flying ACEs to serve in both World War II and the Korean War before becoming a Brigadier General.

Bailey said that she and her daughter were stunned when they came upon the memorial. She said that it seemed to pop out of nowhere.

“But this is fascinating because you’re going down this dusty back road in Pittsfield,” said Bailey. “There’s nothing there but auto repair shops and little frame houses, and then you come upon this and it’s something that looks like it belongs on the National Mall.”

Bailey said that New Hampshire has a way of remembering its sons and daughters, no matter how long they stayed here. While some memorials are dedicated to soldiers like the Five Guardsmen, a group of five young men in the National Guard who were all from Manchester’s West Side and who were all killed on the same day, some honor people who only lived in New Hampshire for a short part of their lives.

“New Hampshire loves its veterans and takes care of its own,” Bailey said. “Jed Barker did not live in Franklin since he was 6 years old. And the town still put up a plaque for him. He died in Vietnam. New Hampshire loves long and hard.”

Barker was a marine who was killed while suppressing explosives during the Vietnam war, and he saved a fellow soldier’s life.

Bailey said that one of the things she noticed the most during her research was that more modern memorials are less slabs of granite and statues and more places, like gymnasiums, or fundraiser events people can participate in.

“The other thing we noticed was not only did the complexion and design of the monuments change, but starting at the tail end of Vietnam, people started honoring their war dead in more creative ways,” Bailey said. Many people have now chosen to do charity fundraisers, like golf events, or to have recreation centers or town pools named after them.

Bailey said that this only changes the way society recognizes people who fought in wars. Instead of having just monuments memorializing the dead, there are places remembering the sacrifice of those who survived as well.

War Monuments
All the following monuments and memorials, as well as longer descriptions of them, can be found in local historian Kathleen Bailey’s book New Hampshire War Monuments: The Stories Behind the Stones

Amoskeag Bridge
Amoskeag Brg, Manchester
This bridge is dedicated to all New Hampshire soldiers who died in Vietnam, including the five National Guardsmen from Manchester who were all killed the same day.

Brigadier General Harrison Thyng Memorial
Next to Floral Park Cemetery, 30 Barnstead Road, Pittsfield
The monument recognizes one of the few flying ACEs from both World War II and the Korean War.

Derrick Oxford Gravesite
Coreyville Cemetery, Plainfield
Originally, Oxford’s grave was marked with a plain stone. The Plainfield Historical Society found his grave and erected a gravestone with his name.

Jedh C. Barker Memorial Monument
Across from Franklin High School, 115 Central St., Franklin
This monument was erected in 2022, more than 50 years after Barker’s death because Barker is the only Medal of Honor recipient from Franklin.

Merci Train Boxcar
136 Reed St., Manchester
This memorial was given to Manchester by France to honor all the soldiers from New Hampshire who died in France during World War II.

World War I Monument
Victory Park, 91-139 Concord St., Manchester
The monument symbolizes the loss and mourning felt after the first World War.

A grassy oasis

Southern New Hampshire’s smallest city parks

By Matt Ingersoll

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There is so much to discover in local parks — even the smallest ones that serve as grassy oases within major New Hampshire cities and towns. Some offer sweeping waterfront views or adequate tree shade perfect for a picnic, while others are home to statues honoring prominent figures in local history. No matter its size, every one of these mini parks has a story to tell.

“We are incredibly fortunate … to have such an extensive and diverse network of parks,” Mark Gomez, Chief of the Parks, Recreation & Cemetery Division for the City of Manchester, said in an email. “In an urban environment, the benefits of parks to both physical and mental health cannot be overstated.”

Nearly half of all 47 of the Queen City’s parks are under 5 acres in area — of these, several can be found within walking distance of the bustle of downtown. Many offer a wide array of amenities and are popular destinations for all kinds of community events and gatherings.

Arms Park, for instance, offers a mostly tree-lined walk along the waters of the Merrimack River, which directly faces to the west. It’s also known for being home to “Baer Square,” featuring a memorial statue and bench of Ralph Baer, a longtime Manchester resident widely considered to be “the father of video games.”

Wagner Park, which encompasses the block between Maple, Oak, Prospect and Myrtle streets, is also commonly referred to as “Pretty Park” due to its lush setting. It’s easily identifiable by a Greek-style temple monument in one of the park’s northern corners.

At the intersection of Hanover and Beech streets is Bronstein Park. Its features include an open grassy area, a scattering of trees and plenty of benches lining the sides.

“Bronstein Park … also has a bike FixIt station, which is pretty cool,” parks project manager Kate Waldo said. “We partnered with the Queen City Bike Collective, so if you’re riding your bike through town and you go through that park, [the FixIt station] has little attached tools to it that you can use to make repairs right there. So that’s a really cool, unique element you’ll see.”

According to Waldo, every feature of even the smallest park is maintained, from grass that’s mowed and trees that are pruned on a regular basis to benches and stone tables that are monitored for repairs. Other maintenance needs are commonly addressed, like trash receptacles to maintain a park’s cleanliness and light posts to improve its safety.

In Concord, there are a total of 21 parks and the vast majority of them are within a 10-minute walk of a residential area, said David Gill, the city’s Parks and Recreation director. Small parks like Bicentennial Square and Eagle Square, for instance, are located directly in the hub of downtown Concord’s business district and feature uniquely placed picnic areas and fountains. Fletcher-Murphy Park, which is adjacent to the Concord Community Music School, has its own open area facing the building where visitors can enjoy outdoor concerts and other events.

“Although they do not have the [visibility] or high use like … White Park or Keach Park, they are still very important as they provide space for the community to gather, relax and have fun,” Gill said of some of the Capital City’s smaller parks.

Downtown Nashua is similarly known for having several mini parks within walking distance of its center. Among them is a memorial known as Le Parc De Notre Renaissance Française, which was dedicated in May 2001 by the City to its French Heritage Committee. It has the distinction of being both the first full figure erected in the Gate City in a century and the first sculpture in New England to honor Franco-American culture.

Mini parks

Here’s a list of where you can check out some of southern New Hampshire’s smallest parks within major city and town limits. Features include everything from commemorative statues to playgrounds, picnic tables and benches, gazebos, basketball courts and more. Sources: bedfordnh.myrec.com, concordnh.gov, derrynh.org, manchesternh.gov, milford.nh.gov and nashuanh.gov

Bedford
Muller Park North Amherst Road
This park features just over 3 acres of conservation land that’s great for hiking, picnicking, and various scouting and camping activities.

Waterfowl Park Beech Street
Waterfowl Park features a scenic area with a ¼-mile walking trail located off Beech Street. The site is ideal for walking, hiking and bird-watching.

Concord
Bicentennial Square 1 Odd Fellows Ave.
This park is located in the hub of downtown Concord’s business district, with uniquely placed picnic areas, a fountain and electrical access.

Eagle Square 3 Eagle Square
Just below the historic Clock Tower on Main Street in downtown Concord, Eagle Square is a great place to enjoy a local concert, a stroll or an afternoon lunch break. Like in the Capital City’s Bicentennial Square, there are picnic areas and electrical access.

Fletcher-Murphy Park 28 Fayette St.
Directly adjacent to the Concord Community Music School, this park is known for its open area facing the building where you can enjoy outside concerts. It also features a basketball court and a playground.

Kiwanis Waterfront Park 15 Loudon Road
Behind the Douglas N. Everett Arena is Kiwanis Waterfront Park, situated on the banks of the Merrimack River. It’s a perfect area for a shady riverside picnic, and Concord’s local skateboard park is also located there.

McKee Square 8 Broadway St.
McKee Square is a small triangle-shaped park found at the intersection of Broadway, South and West streets. It’s easily identifiable by its gazebo in the center.

Reed Park 105 Hall St.
Named after the Concord-born Corp. Robert Wellington Reed, this park is nestled just below Interstate 93, featuring a softball field and playground. It’s also the site of youth and adult flag football leagues in the fall.

Riverside Park Tanner Street
Overlooking the Contoocook River in Concord’s Penacook neighborhood, Riverside Park is a great place for picnics due to its shady setting.

Derry
Hood Park 4 Rollins St.
Located within walking distance of Broadway in downtown Derry, Hood Park features amenities like basketball courtes, outdoor floor hockey and shuffleboards and a waterfront area.

MacGregor Park East Broadway
Directly adjacent to the Derry Public Library on East Broadway, MacGregor Park is known for hosting several special events throughout the year, like the town’s summer concert series, Memorial Day observances and Derryfest.

Manchester
Arms Park Between the Merrimack River and Commercial Street
This tree-lined riverside park features scenic views of the waters of the Merrimack River to the west. It’s also known for being home to “Baer Square,” featuring a memorial statue and bench of Ralph Baer, a longtime Manchester resident widely considered to be “the father of video games.”

Bass Island Park Second Street, between West Hancock and Cleveland streets
Located on the Piscataquog River on Manchester’s West Side, Bass Island Park is a peaceful park within a congested area of the city, with a vessel boat ramp and granite stones that provide access to the river’s edge.

Bronstein Park Hanover and Beech streets
This park is named after Ben Richard Bronstein, who was the first man from New Hampshire to die during World War II. The park is within walking distance of Manchester Central High School, with an open grassy area, a bicycle FixIt station, a scattering of trees and plenty of benches lining the sides.

City Hall Plaza, Manchester Elm Street, adjacent to City Hall
Manchester’s City Hall Plaza features several park benches and tables just outside the City Hall building on Elm Street.

Harriman Park Corner of Lake Avenue and Hall Street to the corner of Hall and Central streets
Originally named East Side Park, this park was renamed in 1922 in honor of Lt. Lynn H. Harriman, who served in the 101st Infantry in World War I. The park includes a memorial, a playground and a basketball court.

Kalivas Park Lake Avenue, Spruce Street and Chestnut Street
Located directly behind Manchester’s SNHU Arena, this park is named after Christos N. Kalivas, the first Greek-American from Manchester to be killed in action during World War I. A monument and plaque honoring Kalivas faces the park’s center.

Lafayette Park Notre Dame Avenue
At just over 2 acres on Manchester’s West Side, this park features a statue of Ferdinand Gagnon, widely considered to be “the father of Franco-American journalism.” The park was dedicated by the Franco-American Memorial Commission in 1957.

Martineau Park Montcalm Street and Dionne Drive
Martineau Park is a small triangle of land spanning less than a third of an acre between Montcalm Street and Dionne Drive on Manchester’s West Side. It’s named after Albert R. Martineau of Manchester, who served in the Army during World War II. It features benches, a cobblestone walkway and some tree-shaded grass.

Oak Park Oak and Maple streets
Accessed from Oak, Maple, Brook or Harrison streets, this park features several benches in a mostly tree-covered setting.

Pulaski Park Bridge and Pine streets
Named for Casimir Pulaski, a Polish immigrant who served in the Revolutionary War as a general and one of George Washington’s right-hand men, Pulaski Park has his statue in the center and is surrounded by lush grass fields as well as a basketball court.

Sweeney Park South Main Street
Sweeney Park is named after Private Henry John Sweeney, the first soldier from Manchester to die during World War I. Amenities include a memorial, a children’s playground and a basketball court.

Veterans Memorial Park Elm Street, between Central and Merrimack streets
Veterans Memorial Park is a popular destination for outdoor concerts and festivals, featuring a large covered stage that’s generally open from the spring through the early fall. In 2009, a World War II monument was erected inside the park.

Victory Park Between Concord and Amherst, Pine and Chestnut streets
This park is dedicated to Private First Class Rene A. Gagnon, who fought on Iwo Jima as a member of the Marine Corps. It’s a popular destination for family events throughout the summer months, courtesy of the Manchester City Library.

Wagner Park Maple, Oak, Prospect and Myrtle streets
In 1944, a woman named Ottilie Wagner Hosser granted the entire city block where her house stood to the city to be used as a park. It was modeled after a small park in Paris across from the League of Nations that she loved to visit. Amenities include park benches, a gazebo and a Greek-style temple that stands in the park’s northern corner and serves as the centerpiece.

Milford
Emerson Park 6 Mont Vernon St.
The parcels of land that today make Emerson Park were donated to the Town of Milford in 1947. The park is uniquely adjacent to the Souhegan River, just off the Milford Oval, and is the site of Milford’s widely attended summer concert series, which takes place every Wednesday night from 7 to 8:30 p.m., from early July to late August.

Kaley Park 448 Nashua St.
Like Emerson Park, Kaley Park’s location is directly adjacent to Milford’s Souhegan River. Its amenities include two multi-purpose playing fields, a softball diamond, a canoe launch and a conservation area.

Keyes Memorial Park 45 Elm St.
This park was originally farmland that was owned by members of the Crosby family. It was sold in 1957 to the Arthur L. Keyes Memorial Trust, which then gave the land to the Milford School District for athletics fields and a playground. A public swimming pool was added in 1965, followed by tennis courts in 1974.

Nashua
Deschenes Oval Main Street
Named after Amedee Deschenes, who served in World War I, this park is located in the heart of downtown Nashua, commemorating several war heroes from New Hampshire who gave their lives.

Le Parc De Notre Renaissance Française Water Street
This Water Street park, which overlooks the Nashua River, commemorates local Franco-American immigrants. Dedicated in May 2001 by the City of Nashua to its French Heritage Committee, the featured sculpture is both the first full figure erected in the Gate City in a century and the first sculpture in New England to honor Franco-American culture.

Natural treasures

What land trusts are and where to check them out

By Hannah Turtle

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When it comes to finding natural treasures in and around the local community, the role of a land trust is paramount. Land trusts are often nonprofit organizations with the goal of aiding in land conservation.

“We’re all about conserving special places,” said Liz Short, executive director of Five Rivers Conservation Trust, based in Concord. “It really boils down to sustaining the ecological, social and community benefits that nature provides.”

Five Rivers, like many of the other land trusts in the area, focuses on helping community members protect their land through various conservation efforts. Through those efforts, the land often becomes a place that’s open for hiking and recreation, with a whole variety of natural landscapes to explore. Land trusts also play a role in engaging and protecting the community at large.

“Our mission at our core is land conservation, but we try to do that in a way that’s respectful of the need for housing, because it’s all part of a really important network,” Short said. “It’s what goes into making New Hampshire a great place to live, work and play.”

This goal is in part what drives the community events offered by land trusts in the area. Five Rivers, for instance, is hosting a free evening yoga class outdoors on Wednesday, Sept. 21, at Dimond Hill Farm in Concord. Piscataquog Land Conservancy, another trust in the local area, hosts the Rose Mountain Rumble, a non-timed gravel bike ride, on Saturday, Aug. 27, which will begin at Center Hall in Lyndeborough. Details on these events are available on the land trust websites, and more opportunities are available through the New Hampshire Land Trust Coalition’s website.

While land trusts endeavor to serve the community, there are also a multitude of ways for the community to get involved in land conservation.

“We have a lot of volunteer opportunities,” Short said. “Every year, we have volunteers help us with our annual monitoring of conserved lands.”

Five Rivers sends volunteers to all their protected lands to check on the conservation efforts, walk the grounds and take pictures.

“We offer training for that, so it’s really great for someone interested in learning more about conservation, and someone who wants to get out into the woods and learn to use a map and compass,” Short said. “We’re also always looking for new ideas on how to engage new members of the community … We really want to listen to what folks in this region care about, and how we can work to create more recreational opportunities and provide more access. A great way to help out and get involved is to join that conversation.”

Local land trusts with public access hiking trails and recreation
Here are some local land trusts with opportunities to check out hiking trails, parks and more. To find a land trust near you, visit nhltc.org.

Bear-Paw Regional Greenways
Deerfield, bear-paw.org
• Burbank Woods Preserve: 25-75 Coffeetown Road, Deerfield
• Great Marsh Preserve: Old Chester Turnpike, Hooksett
• North River Preserve: 128 Stage Road, Nottingham

Five Rivers Conservation Trust
Concord, 5rct.org
• Chichester Town Forest: 130 Hutchinson Road, Chichester
• Dimond Hill Farm: 314 Hopkinton Road, Concord
• Marjory Swope Park: Long Pond Road, Concord
• Winant Park: 11 Fisk Road, Concord

Piscataquog Land Conservancy
New Boston, plcnh.org
• Benedictine Park: 333 Wallace Road, Bedford
• Educational Farm at Joppa Hill: 174 Joppa Hill Road, Bedford
• Ferrin Pond Nature Preserve: Ferrin Pond Road, Weare
• Florence M. Tarr Wildlife Sanctuary: 83 Joppa Hill Road, Bedford
• Tuthill Woodlands Preserve: Tucker Mill Road, New Boston

Featured photo: Ralph Baer statue and memorial at Arms Park in Manchester. Baer, a longtime Manchester resident, is widely considered to be “the father of video games.” Photo courtesy of the City Of Manchester’s Parks and Recreation Division.

Your guide to the soccer leagues, martial arts classes, dance lessons and more to get your kid excited for fall

By Katelyn Sahagian, Matt Ingersoll, Angie Sykeny and Hannah Turtle

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It’s almost back-to-school time, and that means the return of all kinds of extracurricular activities for your kids to enjoy, whether they have a creative flair with art, music or theater, or they’re looking to stay active with karate, horseback riding, baseball or soccer. Check out this guide to all kinds of after-school and fall programs available in the Granite State.

ART

Creative Ventures Gallery (411 Nashua St., Milford, 672-2500, creativeventuresfineart.com) is offering Teen Drawing this year, taught by Michelle Beliveau. It will cover the drawing fundamentals, including blending, composition and perspective. The class is open to teens ages 13 to 17 and meets Thursdays from 7 to 8:30 p.m. beginning in September. The cost is $22 per class, with registration available online.

Currier Museum Art Center (180 Pearl St., Manchester, 518-4922, currier.org) offers art education, enrichment and art-making classes as well as workshops and camps for art enthusiasts as young as first grade, beginning in September. Classes include Animals in Art and Sea Magic for grades 1 to 3, Drawing Adventures for grades 4 to 6, Science Fiction and Fantasy Drawing for grades 5 to 7, and Drawing from the Mind’s Eye for teens. The cost is $225 for non-members and $212.50 for members, with registration available online.

Kimball Jenkins School of Art (266 N. Main St., Concord, 225-3932, kimballjenkins.com) is expected to announce its fall schedule soon, which will include weekly drop-in art classes for ages 11 to 13 that are free to attend, as well as a teen program that focuses on art-making for community development.

Paint pARTy (135 N. Broadway, Salem, 898-8800, paintpartynh.com) offers fine art classes throughout the week year-round. Classes are available for kids in grades 1 through 9 and are held Monday through Thursday. The cost is $20 per session with the first session free, and classes run throughout the school year with students able to join at any time.

Seacoast ArtSpot (2992 Lafayette Road, Unit 3, Portsmouth, seacoastartspot.com) offers a variety of classes running in four-week sessions starting Sept. 8 for kids ages 9 and up, including acrylic painting, fiber arts and drawing. The cost ranges from $135 to $140, depending on the class. Registration is available online.

Studio 550 Art Center (550 Elm St., Manchester, 232-5597, 550arts.com) offers clay classes for kids ages 9 to 12 and teens ages 13 and up, ranging from 8- to 10-week sessions, beginning in September. Prices range from $150 to $216, depending on the length of the session. The studio also offers an eight-week drawing and painting class for kids ages 9 and up, beginning Sept. 13 and held on Tuesdays at 4 p.m. The cost is $150. Students under 9 are welcome during one-day workshops. Registration is available online.

DANCE

Alicia’s School of Dance (Fox Pond Plaza, 58 Route 129, Suite 201, Loudon, 406-0416, aliciasschoolofdance.com) offers tap, jazz, ballet, lyrical, hip-hop, gymnastics, creative dance and dance fitness programs, beginning Sept. 6. Classes are available for kids ages 2 and up and are held Monday through Thursday and Saturday. The cost for one class per week is $60 per month. Any extra classes are $20 per class.

Allegro Dance Company (100 Factory St., Nashua, 886-7989, allegrodancenh.com) offers ballet, pointe, jazz, modern, lyrical and contemporary, improv, acro, cheer/pom, musical theater, hip-hop, tap and tumbling programs, beginning Sept. 10. Classes are available for kids ages 18 months and up and are held Monday through Saturday. Call for cost details.

Ameri-kids Baton & Dance (Candia Youth Athletic Association, 27 Raymond Road, Candia, 391-2254, ameri-kids.org) offers baton-twirling and dance in recreational and competitive programs for kids ages 5 and up, beginning Sept. 11. Classes start at $55 for a 45-minute session, plus an annual $30 registration fee. The cost for private lessons ranges from $30 to $50 depending on the length of the lesson.

Bedford Dance Center (172 Route 101, Bedford, 472-5141, bedforddancecenter.com) offers classes in ballet, pointe, jazz, modern, hip-hop, acro and tap dance programs, beginning Sept. 6. Classes are available for kids ages 3 and up and are held Monday through Saturday. The cost ranges from $50 to $74 per month, depending on the number of class hours taken per week. A month of unlimited classes is $305.

Bedford Youth Performing Company (155 Route 101, Bedford, 472-3894, bypc.org) offers dance, music and theater group and private classes for kids ages 2 and up, beginning Aug. 29. Dance lessons include ballet, acro/gymnastics, tap, jazz, theater jazz, contemporary and lyrical. The cost ranges from $57.60 to $86.40 per month, depending on the type and length of each class.

Broadway Bound Performing Arts Center (501 Daniel Webster Hwy., Merrimack, 429-8844, broadwayboundpac.com) offers jazz, ballet, lyrical, hip-hop, tap, musical theater, tumbling and special needs dance programs, beginning Sept. 12. Classes are available for kids ages 2 and up and are held Monday through Thursday. Tuition varies depending on the class. An unlimited classes package is available for $285 per month.

The Cadouxdle Dance Studio (297 Derry Road, Hudson, 459-4392, thecadouxdledancestudio.com) offers programs in ballet, jazz, tap, lyrical and tumble, as well as private lessons, beginning Sept. 6. Classes are available for students ages 3 and up and are held Monday through Thursday. The cost starts at $45 for one class per month.

Concord Dance Academy (26 Commercial St., Concord, 226-0200, concorddanceacademy.com) offers tap, jazz, ballet, lyrical, hip-hop, contemporary, pointe, and combination dance and karate programs, beginning Sept. 19. Classes are available for kids ages 2 and up, from Monday through Saturday. The cost ranges from $75 to $345 per month, depending on the number of classes taken.

Creative Dance Workshop of Bow (1355 Route 3A, Unit A & B, Bow, 225-7711, nhdances.com) offers ballet, hip-hop, lyrical and contemporary, pointe, acro/tumbling, musical theater, jazz, cheer, tap and lyrical and contemporary dance programs for kids ages 18 months and up, beginning Sept. 12. Classes are held Monday through Saturday. The cost ranges from $70 to $225 per month, depending on the number of classes taken.

The Dance Company (130 Route 101A, Amherst, 864-8374, thedancecompanyonline.com) offers ballet, contemporary, hip hop, jazz, lyrical, pointe and tap, beginning Sept. 19. Classes are available for kids ages 18 months and up and are held Monday through Saturday. The cost ranges from $56.50 to $335 per month, depending on the number of class hours taken per week, plus a $30 registration fee.

Dance Connection Fitness & Performing Arts (8 Rockingham Road, Windham, 893-4919, danceconnectionnh.com) offers jazz, tap, ballet, contemporary, hip-hop and cheer-dance programs, beginning Sept. 19. Classes are held Monday through Thursday and Saturday, and are available for kids ages 2-and-a-half and up. Call for cost details.

Dance Visions Network (699 Mast Road, Manchester, 626-7654, dancevisionsnetwork.com) offers dance instruction in ballet, pointe, contemporary, jazz, hip-hop, partnering, tap and tumbling for dancers ages 2-and-a-half and up, beginning in September. Competition team opportunities are available as well. Call for cost details.

Dancesteps Etc. (27 Black Hall Road, Epsom, 736-9019, dancesteps-etc.com) offers jazz, tap, ballet, pointe, lyrical and contemporary, tumble, hip-hop, musical theater, dance programs, beginning Sept. 6. Classes are available for children ages 2-and-a-half and up and are held Monday through Thursday and Saturday. The cost ranges from $45 to $182 per month, depending on the number of class hours taken per week and the length of each class, plus a $35 registration fee.

The Dancing Corner (23 Main St., Nashua, 889-7658, dancingcorner.com) offers classical ballet, pointe, tap, jazz, hip-hop, musical theater and lyrical programs, beginning Sept. 7. Classes are available for kids ages 3 and up. The cost for a seven-week session ranges from $112 to $410, depending on the number of class hours taken per week. There is also a $30 annual registration fee.

Dimensions in Dance (84 Myrtle St., Manchester, 668-4196, dimensionsindance.com) offers classes in ballet, pointe, jazz, lyrical, acro, hip hop, tap, partnering, contemporary and modern dance programs, beginning Sept. 6. Classes are available for kids ages 2 and up and are held Monday through Saturday. Monthly tuition costs $48 to $348, depending on the number of class hours taken per week.

Gen’s Dance Studio (151A Manchester St., No. 5, Concord, 224-0698, gensdancestudio.com) offers tap, ballet, jazz and tumbling programs for kids ages 3 and up, beginning in September. Call for cost details.

Happy Feet Dance School (25 Indian Rock Road, Windham, 434-4437, happyfeetdanceschool.biz) offers dance instruction in a variety of dance forms such as ballet, jazz, creative dance, hip-hop, contemporary and more. Classes are available for kids ages 2 and up and are offered Monday through Thursday and Saturday, beginning Sept. 7. First class rates are $62 per month for 30 minutes, $67 per month for 45 minutes and $72 per month for 60 minutes. Rates for additional classes are $48 per month for 30 minutes, $52 per month for 45-minute classes and $57 per month for 60-minute classes. A rate of $300 per month for unlimited classes is also offered.

Kathy Blake Dance Studios (3 Northern Blvd., Amherst, 673-3978, kathyblakedancestudios.com) offers ballet, tap, jazz, musical theater, acro-dance, hip-hop, creative dance, contemporary and lyrical classes, beginning Sept. 9. Classes are available for kids ages 2 and up and are held Monday through Saturday. The cost ranges from $60 to $70 per month, depending on the number of class hours taken per week, plus a $30 registration fee.

Londonderry Dance Academy (21 Buttrick Road, Londonderry, 432-0032, londonderrydance.com) offers ballet, pointe, jazz, tap, hip-hop, acro and contemporary dance programs, beginning in September. Classes are available for kids ages 2 and up and are held Monday through Saturday. The bi-monthly cost ranges from $140 to $720, depending on the number of class hours taken per week.

Martin School of Dance (288 Route 101, Bedford, 488-2371, martinschoolofdance.com) offers ballet, pointe, jazz, tap, hip-hop, tumbling and a variety of other dance programs, beginning Sept. 6. Classes are available for kids ages 2 and up and are held Monday through Saturday. The cost varies depending on the child’s age and the number of class hours per week. There is also a registration fee of $40 per child or $55 per family

Melissa Hoffman Dance Center (210 Robinson Road, Hudson, 886-7909, melissahoffmandancecenter.info) offers hip-hop, ballet, pointe, jazz, modern, lyrical, tap and tumble dance programs, beginning Sept. 12. Classes are available for kids ages 2 and up and are held Monday through Saturday. The cost ranges from $55 to $315 per month, depending on the number of class hours taken per week (with discounted rates for each additional child), plus a $40 registration fee per student, or $55 per family.

Miss Kelsey’s Dance Studio (2626 Brown Ave., Manchester, 606-2820, mkdance.com) offers tap, jazz, ballet, pointe, hip hop, acro, lyrical, contemporary and music theater programs and more, beginning in September. Classes are available for kids ages 1 and up and are held Monday through Saturday. Call for cost details.

Nancy Chippendale’s Dance Studios (49 Range Road, Building 2, Suite A, Windham, 458-7730, chippswindham.com) offers a variety of recreational and competitive dance programs, including ballet, jazz, tap, lyrical and hip-hop, beginning in September. Classes are available for kids ages 2 and up and are held Monday through Saturday. Monthly tuition costs $75 to $150, depending on the number of class hours taken per week.

New England School of Dance (679 Mast Road, Manchester, 935-7326, newenglandschoolofdance.com) offers classes in ballet, pointe, contemporary, tap, jazz, hip-hop and more, beginning on Sept. 6. Classes are available for kids ages 3 and up and are held Monday through Saturday. Call for cost details; costs vary depending on the amount of class hours taken per week.

New Hampshire Academie of Dance (1 Action Blvd., No. 4, Londonderry, 432-4041, nhadance.com) offers jazz, ballet, pointe, lyrical, tap, hip-hop, contemporary, acro, musical theater, aerial and street dance, beginning on Sept. 12. Classes are available for kids ages 18 months and up and are held Monday through Thursday and Saturday. Monthly tuition ranges from $54 to $292, depending on the number of class hours taken per week.

New Hampshire School of Ballet (183 Londonderry Turnpike, Hooksett, 668-5330, nhschoolofballet.com) offers ballet, jazz, tap, lyrical, contemporary, modern, acro and hip hop programs, beginning Sept. 3. Classes are available for kids ages 2 and up. Monthly tuition ranges from $55 to $345 per month, depending on the number of class hours taken per week and the student’s experience level.

N-Step Dance Center (1134 Hooksett Road, Hooksett, 641-6787, nstepdance.com) offers recreational and competitive dance programs in tap, jazz, point, ballet, hip-hop, tumbling, musical theater, lyrical and contemporary, beginning Sept. 6. Classes are available for kids ages 18 months and up and are held Monday through Thursday and Saturday. The cost is $55 to $65 per class.

Rise Dance Studio (125 Northeastern Blvd., Nashua, 402-2706, risedancenh.com) offers ballet, point, tap, jazz, hip-hop, modern and contemporary dance programs for all ages, beginning Sept. 6. Classes are held Monday through Thursday and Saturday. Call for cost details.

Showcase Dance & Performing Arts Center (5 Executive Drive, Hudson, 883-0055, showcasehudsonnh.com) offers ballet, pointe, jazz, lyrical, hiphop, tap, tumbling, acro and pom. beginning Sept. 7. Classes are available for kids ages 1 and up and are held Monday through Saturday. The cost ranges from $40 to $80 per month, depending on the child’s age and the class length.

Southern New Hampshire Dance Theater (19 Harvey Road, Bedford, 637-4398, snhdt.org) offers pre-dance, ballet, tap, jazz, hip-hop and modern/contemporary programs, beginning Sept. 3. Classes are available for boys and girls ages 15 months and up and are held Monday through Saturday. Tuition starts at $69 per month and varies depending on the level and number of class hours taken per week.

Turning Pointe Center of Dance (371 Pembroke St., Pembroke, 485-8710, turningpointecenterofdance.com) offers dance lessons in ballet, jazz, point, musical theater, tap and lyrical dance, starting Sept. 10. Classes are available for kids ages 3 and up and are held Monday through Saturday. Monthly tuition ranges from $65 to $210, depending on the number of class hours taken per week.

Unbound Dance Academy (237 Londonderry Turnpike, Hooksett, 714-2821, unbounddanceacademy.com) offers classes in pre-ballet, ballet, tap, contemporary, lyrical, acro, hip hop, jazz and musical theater, beginning in September. Classes are available for kids ages 2 and up and are held from Monday through Saturday. Call for cost details.

GENERAL

Alpha-Bits Learning Center (227 Londonderry Turnpike, Manchester, 624-6650; 333 Allard Drive, Manchester, 641-6642; alphabitsnh.com) offers after-school programs for kids in grades 1 to 3. Programs place an emphasis on building positive homework habits, encouraging creativity, and achieving good sportsmanship. The program uses its own transportation buses as well as Manchester Transit Authority yellow school buses. Call for scheduling and cost details.

Boys & Girls Clubs of America (555 Union St., Manchester, 625-5031, mbgcnh.org; 1 Positive Place, Nashua, 883-0523, bgcn.com; 3 Geremonty Drive, Salem, 898-7709, salembgc.org; 56 Mont Vernon St., Milford, 672-1002, svbgc.org; 55 Bradley St., Concord, 224-1061, nhyouth.org; 40 E. Derry Road, Derry, 434-6695, derrybgclub.com) offers a variety of after-school programs that include homework assistance, sports and recreation, arts and crafts, leadership development, life skills and more. Programs and costs vary at each location; most start around $15 per week, but depend on a student’s membership status and school. Call your local branch or visit its website for details.

The Culinary Playground (16 Manning St., Suite 105, Derry, 339-1664, culinary-playground.com) offers various cooking classes throughout the year for kids ages 3 and up. Call for details on upcoming programs. The cost starts at $20 for individual classes.

Daniel Webster Council Scouts BSA (625-6431, nhscouting.org) is the center of information for Scouting in New Hampshire (formerly the Boy Scouts of America). Contact them for information about joining a local troop. Troops set their own start dates, meeting days and times and meeting locations.

Franco-American Centre (100 Saint Anselm Drive, No. 1798, Manchester, 641-7114, facnh.com) is offering classes in French as a second language for kids in kindergarten through third grade, beginning in September. Beginner 1 classes are designed for students with no previous French-speaking experience (Wednesdays, 6 to 8 p.m., dates offered Sept. 14 to Dec. 7, except for Nov. 23). Beginner 2 classes provide more of an in-depth study of present and past tenses, in which students improve pronunciation and conversational skills (Tuesdays, from 6 to 8 p.m., dates offered Sept. 13 to Nov. 29). Other classes include Intermediate 1 (Tuesdays, 6 to 8 p.m., dates offered Sept. 13 to Nov. 29), Intermediate 2 (Thursdays, 6 to 8 p.m., dates offered Sept. 15 to Dec. 1, except Nov. 24), Advanced French (Thursdays, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., dates offered Sept. 8 to Dec. 1, except for Nov. 24), Advanced French Conversation 1 (Tuesdays, 6 to 8 p.m., dates offered Sept. 13 to Dec. 6, except for Nov. 8) and Advanced French Conversation 2 (Wednesdays, 6 to 8 p.m., dates offered Sept. 17 to Dec. 7, except for Nov. 23). The cost for each program ranges from $375 to $410, depending on the student’s membership status.

Girl Scouts of the Green and White Mountains (1 Commerce Drive, Bedford, 888-474-9686, girlscoutsgwm.org) offers programs for girls in kindergarten through grade 12, focused on leadership-building, including outdoor and STEM activities, sports programs, virtual programming and more. Visit their website or call to learn how to join a local troop. The cost starts at $40 per girl and financial aid is available. Troops set their own start dates, meeting days and times, and meeting locations.

Girls at Work (200 Bedford St., Manchester, 345-0392, girlswork.org) offers programs in woodworking, furniture building and more for girls ages 9 to 13, beginning in September. Classes are held on weekdays from 3 to 5 p.m.; the schedule follows the Manchester School District’s calendar. See website or call for registration details.

Girls, Inc. of New Hampshire (340 Varney St., Manchester, 623-1117; 27 Burke St., Nashua, 882-6256, girlsincnewhampshire.org) offers a girls-only after-school program that includes media literacy, self-defense, STEM, economic literacy, drug abuse prevention and leadership skill building. The program is open to girls ages 5 and up. The cost is $75 per week and financial aid is available. A preschool program for boys and girls ages 3 to 5 is available at the Nashua branch only.

Granite YMCA (30 Mechanic St., Manchester, 623-3558; 116 Goffstown Back Road, Goffstown, 497-4663; 206 Rockingham Road, Londonderry; 437-9622; 15 N. State St., Concord, 228-9622; 35 Industrial Way, Rochester, 332-7334; 550 Peverly Hill Road, Portsmouth, 431-2334; graniteymca.org/child-care) offers before- and after-school programs for kids and teens of all ages, including sports, art, dance, academic support and more. Programs vary at each location. Call your local branch or visit its website for details.

Hampshire Hills Athletic Club (50 Emerson Road, Milford, 673-7123, hampshirehills.com) offers after-school programs for kids in kindergarten through fifth grade. Programs involve a free-time activities group, a sports skill center, homework help and nutritious snacks. After-school pick-up from area schools is available. The cost is $190 per month (for five days a week) for members and $240 for non-members. Visit the website to fill out a form and turn it in to the center to register.

Manchester Police Athletic League (409 Beech St., Manchester, 626-0211, manchesterpoliceathleticleague.org) offers year-round programs in aikido, boxing, cooking, skateboarding and wrestling for kids ages 5 and up (age ranges depend on the program offered). All programs are free and kids are invited to start most of them at any point during the year.

Mathnasium (257 Daniel Webster Hwy., Nashua; 1 Bicentennial Drive, Manchester; mathnasium.com) offers after school tutoring in various types of mathematics to students from kindergarten through high school. Both locations are open Monday through Thursday from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m., Sunday from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.

YMCA of Greater Nashua (24 Stadium Drive, Nashua, 882-2011; 6 Henry Clay Drive, Merrimack, 881-7778, nmymca.org) offers before- and after-school programs for kids and teens. Programs vary at each location. Registration for the first fall session (beginning Aug. 29) is currently open. Both locations are full, but a waiting list is available. Call your local branch for details.

GYMNASTICS

A2 Gym & Cheer (16B Garabedian Drive, Salem, 328-8130, a2gc.com) offers recreational and competitive gymnastics and tumbling programs for kids ages 18 months and up, beginning Sept. 6. Call for cost details.

Flipz the Gym for Kids (Flipz Gymnastics, 14 Chenell Drive, Concord, 224-3223, flipzgymnastics.com) offers gymnastics programs for kids ages 1 to 6, beginning on Sept. 6. Classes are offered Monday through Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday. Monthly tuition ranges from $80 to $135, depending on the class and number of classes taken per week.

Gymnastics Village (13 Caldwell Drive, Amherst, 889-8092, gymnasticsvillage.com) offers gymnastics programs and ninja and tumbling classes, beginning in September. Classes are available for kids of all ages and are held Monday through Saturday. The cost starts at $21 for a 45-minute class, plus a registration fee of $35 and a membership fee of $35.

Gym-Ken Gymnastics (184 Rockingham Road, Windham, 434-9060, gymkengymnastics.com) offers gymnastics, tumbling, parkour and other programs, beginning Aug. 28. Classes are available for kids of all ages and are held Monday through Saturday. The cost for classes ranges from $195 to $215 per 10-week session with one class per week, plus a $50 annual registration fee.

Impact Gymnastics (301 River Road, Bow, 219-0343, impact-gymnastics.com) offers a variety of recreational gymnastics and tumbling programs for kids of all ages, beginning Sept. 6. Classes are held Monday through Saturday. Monthly tuition, which includes one class per week, ranges from $78.75 to $147. Competitive team programs are also available.

Nashua School of Gymnastics (30 Pond St., Nashua, 880-4927, nsggym.net) offers recreational and team gymnastics programs for kids of all ages, beginning on Sept. 5. Classes are held Monday through Thursday and Saturday. Call for cost details.

Palaestra Gymnastics Academy (8 Tinkham Ave., Derry, 818-4494, pgagym.com) offers a variety of recreational and competitive gymnastics and tumbling programs for kids of all ages, beginning Sept. 6. Classes are held Monday through Saturday. Call for cost and registration details.

Phantom Gymnastics (142 Route 111, Hampstead, 329-9315, phantomgymnastics.com) offers a variety of recreational and competitive programs for kids of all ages, beginning Sept. 12. Classes are held Monday through Saturday. Tuition ranges from $75 to $130 per month.

Sky High Gymnastics (185 Elm St., No. 2, Milford, 554-1097, skyhighgym.com) offers a variety of gymnastics, cheer and tumbling programs for kids of all ages, beginning Sept. 5. Classes are held Monday through Friday. Tuition costs vary; call for details.

Southern New Hampshire Gymnastics Academy (4 Orchard View Drive, No. 11, Londonderry, 404-6181, snhga.com) offers a variety of both recreational and competitive gymnastics programs for kids of all ages, beginning Aug. 29. Classes are held Monday through Saturday. Call for cost and registration details.

Spectrum Gymnastics (26 Buttrick Road, Londonderry, 434-8388, spectrumgymnast.com) offers gymnastics and tumbling programs for kids of all ages, beginning Sept. 6. Classes are held Monday through Saturday. Call for cost and registration details.

Tumble Town Gymnastics (444 E. Industrial Park Drive, No. 10, Manchester, 641-9591, tumbletownnh.com) offers a variety of gymnastic programs for kids of all ages, beginning Sept. 6. Call for cost and registration details. Free trial lessons are offered.

HORSEBACK RIDING

Apple Tree Farm (49 Wheeler Road, Hollis, 465-9592, appletreefarm.org) offers year-round group and private lessons for kids ages 4 and up. Beginner students will receive English balance seat instruction while advanced students will focus on eventing, which includes dressage, stadium jumping and cross-country. Lessons are held Tuesday through Saturday. The cost is $85 per one-hour private lesson and $200 per month for group lessons.

Chase Farms (146 Federal Hill Road, Hollis, 400-1077, chasefarmsnh.com) offers saddleseat group, semi-private and private lessons for kids ages 4 and up. Lesson packages are also available. Call for more information.

Different Drummer Farm (55 South Road, Candia, 483-2234, differentdrummerfarm.com) offers private and group lessons from April through November for introductory riders ages 5 to 10. They also offer lessons for riders who can bring their own horses in, and they’ll help owners with green horses. Lessons are $60 for a private or $55 for semi-private or group options. All beginning lessons include time to learn grooming and tacking up, as well as care of the pony following the lesson.

Fox Creek Farm (Pine Hill Road, Hollis, 236-2132, foxcreek.farm) offers year-round group and private hunter/jumper lessons for all ages. A 30-minute private lesson costs $55, and a one-hour group lesson costs $45. A Pony Lover’s lesson package for kids ages 4 to 8 is also available for $180 per one month’s worth of lessons.

Gelinas Farm (471 Fourth Range Road, Pembroke, 225-7024, gelinasfarm.com) offers year-round Western and English, private or group riding lessons for all ages. Call for cost details.

Hollis Ranch (192 Wheeler Road, Hollis, 465-2672, hollisranch.com) offers one-on-one lessons in English and Western disciplines. Lesson packages are customized. Call for cost details.

Mack Hill Riding Academy (3 Mack Hill Road, Amherst, 801-0958, mackhill.net) offers private and group riding lessons for kids of all ages. Disciplines include hunters, eventing, equitation, Western pleasure and horsemanship. The cost is $60 per private lesson. Tiny Trotters, for kids ages 6 and younger, are $35 per half-hour lesson. Packages are also available at $300 per six or $540 per 12.

Walnut Hollow Farm (40 Walnut Hill Road, Amherst, 475-1645, walnuthollowfarm.com) offers year-round riding lessons for all ages. Lessons may focus on dressage, hunter/jumper and eventing. The cost is $60 for private lessons, $50 for a semi-private, and $45 for group lessons. Lesson packages are also available.

MARTIAL ARTS

Al Lima’s Studio of Self Defense (28 Lowell Road, Hudson, 765-5753, alssd.com) offers year-round kenpo karate and self-defense programs for kids and teens. Classes are held Monday through Thursday. The studio is currently offering a 40th anniversary special of four weeks’ worth of classes for $40. Private classes are also available.

Amherst Karate Studio (Salzburg Square, 292 Route 101, Amherst, 672-3570, amherstkaratestudio.com) offers martial arts training and karate programs year-round, for kids and teens ages 3 and up. Classes are held Monday through Friday, as well as on Saturday mornings. The cost starts at $49 for a three-class trial.

Bedford Martial Arts Academy (292 Route 101, Bedford, 626-9696, bedfordmartialartsacademy.com) offers year-round karate classes for kids ages 3 and up. Classes are held Monday through Friday, and an after-school pick-up program is also available. Call for schedule and cost details.

Central Tae Kwon Do Academy (222 Central St., Suite 8, Hudson, 882-5617, central-tkd.com) offers tae kwon do youth programs year-round, both in person and via Zoom. Classes are available for kids ages 3 and up and are held Monday through Thursday. Call for cost details.

Checkmate Martial Arts (200 Elm St., Manchester, 666-5836, checkmateselfdefense.com) offers youth martial arts programs year-round. Classes are open to kids ages 5 to 13 and are held on Monday, Wednesday and Thursday from 5 to 5:45 p.m., and Saturday from 9 to 9:45 a.m. Call for cost details.

Chung’s Tae Kwon Do Academy (115 Northeastern Blvd., Nashua, 883-2577, chungs-tkd.com)offers year-round tae kwon do programs for kids ages 4 and up. Classes are held Monday through Saturday. A free trial lesson is available for new students.

Empowering Lives Martial Arts (542 Mast Road, No. 15, Goffstown, 978-414-5425, martialartsnewhampshire.com) offers year-round karate classes for kids ages 7 to 12, as well as an ATA Tigers program for ages 4 to 6, in which kids learn to boost their self-confidence and mental attitude in addition to physical fitness. Free trial classes are available. Call for scheduling and cost details.

Eric Menard’s Complete Martial Arts Academy (220 Innovative Way, Suite E, Nashua, 888-0010, cma-martialarts.com) offers martial arts classes for boys and girls ages 4 and up. Classes for children are held on Monday through Thursday and Saturday. Now through Aug. 31, two months’ worth of classes is $99 per student.

Family Martial Arts of Pelham (122 Bridge St., No. 6, Pelham, 635-8323, familymartialartsofpelham.com) offers year-round martial arts programs for kids and teens ages 4 and up. Call for scheduling and cost details.

Golden Crane Traditional Martial Arts (46 Lowell Road, No. 6, Windham, 437-2020, goldencranenh.com) offers year-round karate and weapons training in four age groups for kids and teens ages 5 and up. In-person classes are held from Monday through Thursday and on Saturday mornings. Online training and private lessons are also available. Call for cost details. Free introductory classes are available for first-time students.

Granite State American Kenpo Karate (290 Derry Road, No. 5, Hudson, 598-5400, gsakenpo.com) offers year-round kenpo karate classes for kids and teens ages 3 and up. Call for scheduling and cost details.

Inner Dragon Martial Arts (77 Derry Road, Hudson, 864-8756, innerdragonma.com) offers traditional kenpo karate programs for students ages 2½ and up. Classes are held Monday through Saturday. An after-school pick-up program is also available. Call for cost details.

Inspired Martial Arts (58 Range Road, Windham, 893-7990, inspiredmartialartscenter.com) offers kids’ karate and jiu jitsu programs, enrolling this month. Call for schedule and cost details.

Kaizen Academy (17 Freetown Road, No. 6, Raymond, 895-1545, raymondkarate.com) offers year-round traditional martial arts programs. Classes are available for kids and teens ages 3 ½ and up and are held Monday through Thursday and Saturday. Trials start at $49 per four-week program for ages 3½ to 5 and $99 per six-week program for ages 6 and up.

Kenpo Academy of Self Defense (40 Manchester Road, Derry, 437-9900, kenpo-academy.com) offers martial arts programs for kids and teens ages 2 and up. Classes are available Monday through Saturday. Call for cost details.

Manchester Karate & Gracie Jiu Jitsu Center (371 S. Willow St., Manchester, 625-5838, manchesterkarate.com) offers karate classes for ages 3 and up, as well as Gracie jiu jitsu programs for teens. Classes are held Monday through Saturday for karate and Monday through Thursday and Saturday for jiu jitsu. Costs vary depending on the programs chosen — an introductory offer of three lessons and a uniform for $20 is available.

The Martial Arts Zone (31 Auburn St., Manchester, 206-5716, themartialartszone.com) offers traditional martial arts and Brazilian jiu jitsu programs for kids ages 4 and up, enrolling this month. Call for schedule and cost details.

Merrimack Karate (534 Daniel Webster Hwy., Merrimack, 424-7458, merrimackkarate.com) offers traditional martial arts programs for kids and teens ages 5 and up. A free two-week trial is available.

Neil Stone’s Karate Academy (22 Proctor Hill Road, Hollis, 672-8933, neilstonekarate.com) offers karate programs for students ages 2½ and up. Classes are held Monday through Friday. An after school special is currently available, featuring a karate uniform, two private lessons and two weeks of group classes for $29 per student.

New England Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Academy (30 Henniker St., Unit 9, Concord, 369-4764, nebjj.com) offers year-round Brazilian jiu jitsu classes for kids ages 5 and up. Classes are held in two different age groups, on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday for ages 5 to 8 and Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday for ages 5 to 13. Kids’ membership prices range from $75 to $140 per month, depending on the number of classes taken each week. For all ages, the first class is free.

Phoenix Fire Martial Arts (79 Plaistow Road, Plaistow, 234-8665, phnixfire.com) offers traditional martial arts programs for kids and teens ages 3 and up. Call for schedule and cost details.

Professional Martial Arts Academy (15 E. Broadway, Derry, 434-7995, pmaderry.com; 501 Daniel Webster Hwy., Merrimack, 429-0008, pmamerrimack.com; 37 Plaistow Road, Plaistow, 974-2455, pmaplaistow.com) offers kids’ karate and jiu jitsu programs, enrolling this month. Call for each location’s schedule and cost details.

Spero’s Martial Arts Academy (31 Westville Road, Plaistow, 275-7111, speromma.com) offers kids’ martial arts programs that are broken down into two age groups (ages 4 to 7 and ages 8 to 12). Classes are available Monday through Friday. One month’s worth of contract-free unlimited classes is $400 and includes a free uniform and a complimentary private lesson.

Tiger Black Belt Academy (11 Kimball Drive, Unit 121, Hooksett, 627-7744, tigerblackbeltacademy.com) offers tae kwon do programs for kids and teens ages 3 and up, as well as programs in kumdo and hapkido, two other traditional Korean martial arts. Classes are available Monday through Saturday. One month’s worth of unlimited classes is $99 and also includes a free uniform.

Tokyo Joe’s Studios of Self Defense (85A Northeastern Blvd., Nashua, 889-4165; 20 Hammond Road, Milford, 672-2100, tokyojoes.net) offers kids’ martial arts programs with an emphasis on self-defense, enrolling this month. Classes are available for kids and teens ages 3 and up and are held Monday through Saturday. An introductory special features one private lesson and one group lesson for $19 per student.

Tokyo Joe’s Studios and Team Link NH (1338 Hooksett Road, Hooksett, 641-3444, tokyojoeshooksett.com) offers kids’ kenpo karate, BJJ, MMA, Muay Thai and cardio kickboxing, with ongoing enrollment all year long. Most programs are open to boys and girls ages 3 and up (ages 5 and up for kids’ BJJ and Muay Thai), with classes offered seven days a week. A free two-week trial is available, depending on which programs you choose.

The Training Station (200 Elm St., Manchester, 505-0048, thetrainingstationnh.com) offers martial arts programs for kids and teens ages 3 and up. Youth classes are held Monday through Thursday and Saturday. A two-week class trial program is $25.

USA Ninja Challenge (locations at Gymnastics Village, 13 Caldwell Drive, Amherst, 889-8902, gymnasticsvillage.com; Flipz Gymnastics, 14 Chenell Drive, Concord, 224-3223, ninjaconcordnh.com; 17 Friars Drive, Unit 18, Hudson, 417-6820, ninjahudson.com; and 444 E. Industrial Park Drive, Manchester, 935-7100, ninjamanchester.com) introduces kids ages 4 and up to the sport of ninja, featuring a variety of swinging, jumping and climbing obstacles and an interactive learning program, in which they can have fun while learning fitness and life skills. The fall sessions begin in September (exact date varies depending on the location), with open enrollment year-round. The programs are open several days a week at various class times of 50 minutes, 60 minutes or 75 minutes. The cost varies depending on the length of the class.

World Class Martial Arts (25 Nashua Road, Unit D3, Londonderry, 845-6115, londonderrymartialarts.com) offers karate and kenpo programs for multiple age groups. Beginner’s karate classes are available for kids ages 5 and up and are held Monday through Thursday and Saturday. Call for cost details.

Zenith Martial Arts (40 Thorndike St., Concord, 513-9993, zenithmartialarts.net) offers martial arts programs for kids and teens ages 3 and up. An after-school program is also available, paid for in monthly installments of $550, or $25 per day.

MUSIC

Amy Conley Music (102 Elm St., Milford, 249-9560, amyconleymusic.com) begins its fall season on Sept. 13 with a variety of music programs for kids, including beginner, advanced and intermediate ukulele classes for ages 11 and up, as well as private guitar and ukulele lessons. The cost for each program ranges from $60 to $150, depending on the type of class taken and the number of weeks offered. Private lessons are $30 per 25-minute session. Students have the option of choosing weekly or less frequent lessons. Sibling discounts are also available.

Concord Community Music School (23 Wall St., Concord, 228-1196, ccmusicschool.org) begins its fall season in September with private lessons, ensembles, early childhood programs, music therapy programs and choruses. Among the programs available is the Purple Finches Youth Chorus, which is open to kids in kindergarten through eighth grade who are learning an instrument. The three sections of the Chorus — the Fledglings, the Fliers and the Finches — allow an age-appropriate sequence of musical development, as students learn music literacy through regular rhythm, solfège and ear-training. Students rehearse weekly during the school year and perform regularly. The program is held Mondays at 4:10, 5 and 6 p.m. (times dependent on the student’s experience level), beginning Sept. 16. The cost is $210 per semester.

Let’s Play Music! (2626 Brown Ave., Unit A2, Manchester, 218-3089; 145 Hampstead Road, Derry, 425-7575; 136 Lowell Road, Hudson, 882-8940; letsplaymusic.com) offers weekly lessons in piano, guitar, voice, violin, cello, viola, drums, saxophone and a variety of other musical instruments for students of all ages and abilities. The cost is $140 per month for 30-minute lessons, $260 per month for 60-minute lessons, $380 per month for 90-minute lessons, and $499 per month for 120-minute lessons. Instrument rental is available for $25 per month, and group classes are $99 per month or $150 per month for two children.

Lidman Music Studio (419 Amherst St., Nashua, 913-5314, lidmanmusic.com) offers private lessons in violin, viola and piano for kids ages 5 and up. Classes are held Monday through Friday in the afternoon and evening, beginning Sept. 4. The cost is $120 per month for 30-minute lessons, $180 per month for 45-minute lessons, and $240 per month for 60-minute lessons.

Londonderry Piano (20 N. Broadway, Salem, 898-9910, londonderrypiano.com) offers piano, guitar, drums, bass and voice lessons for all ages. The cost for one 30-minute lesson per week is $140 per month, $200 for one 45-minute lesson per week and $280 for one 60-minute lesson per week.

Manchester Community Music School (2291 Elm St., Manchester, 644-4548, mcmusicschool.org) begins its fall season in September with opportunities for private lessons, classes and youth ensembles for all music instruments and all ages and levels of ability. Private lessons are available in 30-minute, 45-minute and 60-minute increments. Tuition costs for youth ensembles range from $450 to $550 for the full academic year, depending on the type of music studied. Most ensembles require an audition, and those materials are available online. There are also music theory classes for $100 for non-students and free for Community Music School students for a 28-week session beginning in September, and an early childhood music program for ages 18 months to 3 years old, ranging from five- to eight-week sessions and ranging from $110 to $176 depending on the session length. An open house is scheduled for Tuesday, Sept. 13.

Manchester Music Mill (329 Elm St., Manchester, 623-8022, manchestermusicmill.com) offers private lessons in guitar, bass, drums, saxophone, clarinet, flute, trumpet, trombone, piano and voice for students of all ages and skill levels. Lessons are offered once a week. The cost ranges from $20 to $25 per 30-minute lesson. Group lessons are also available.

Nashua Community Music School (2 Lock St., Nashua, 881-7030, nashuacms.org) begins its fall season in September with private lessons and group classes in a wide variety of instruments including piano, voice, guitar, bass, flute, clarinet, saxophone, violin, viola, cello, trumpet, French horn, trombone and tuba. All programs are open to kids and teens ages 3 and up. Private lessons are held Monday through Friday, costing $140 per month for 30-minute lessons, $215 per month for 45-minute lessons, and $288 per month for 60-minute lessons. Group classes and ensembles are also available. Financial need-based scholarships are also available through the school’s Music For All! scholarship program.

NH Tunes (250 Commercial St., No. 2017, Manchester, 660-2208, nhtunes.biz) offers year-round lessons in voice, guitar, drums, piano, ukulele and more to students of all ages and abilities. The cost starts at $31.50 per 30-minute lesson, and $56.70 per 60-minute lesson. Certificates and studio time packages can also be purchased.

SPORTS

Amherst Soccer Club (amherstsoccerclub.com) offers fall soccer for boys and girls in U3 through U10, beginning in September. Registration ranges from $95 to $295, depending on the player’s age group.

Bedford Athletic Club (bedfordac.com) is offering a fall recreation soccer program for Bedford residents ages 3 to 15, with practices beginning the week of Aug. 29 for second-graders and up, and beginning Sept. 10 for pre-K, kindergarten and first grade. Registration is $100 per player.

Bedford Little League (bedfordll.com) still has signups available for weekly fall baseball clinics for boys and girls ages 5 to 7, to be held Wednesdays from 5:30 to 7 p.m. from Sept. 7 through Oct. 12. Registration is open until Aug. 26 and is $30 per player.

Cannons Baseball Club (Concord, cannonsbaseballclub.com) offers a fall baseball league for boys in U9 through U12, as well as middle and high school divisions. Registration is open until Aug. 20 and is $400 per player or $800 per team. The league includes a six-week season, beginning Sept. 10, with a doubleheader on either Saturday or Sunday. A playoff and championship round is held at the conclusion of the season, beginning the week of Oct. 22.

Conway Arena (5 Stadium Drive, Nashua, 595-2400, conwayarena.com) offers year-round public skating, as well as skating lessons for boys and girls of all ages and ability levels that begin Sept. 7. The cost for public skating is $5 per skater, plus a $4 fee for rental skates. Skating lessons range from $120 to $139 per program, depending on the length of each session.

Derry Diamond Athletic Association (derryll.org) offers year-round baseball and softball programs for boys and girls ages 6 and up. Registration ranges from $50 to $125 per player, depending on the program, and closes on Aug. 26.

Derry Soccer Club (derrysoccerclub.org) offers an eight-week recreation soccer program in the fall for players in U4 through U10, beginning in September. For most groups, games are on Saturday mornings. Practices during the week are determined by coaching availability. Registration is available now and should be done ASAP, so that the club can build teams and register practices. The cost ranges from $90 to $155, depending on the age group. The cost for a jersey is $25.50.

FieldHouse Sports (12 Tallwood Drive, Bow, 226-4646, fieldhousesports.com) offers five-week soccer clinics for kids ages 3 to 6 on Saturdays, beginning Sept. 10; five-week field hockey clinics for kids in kindergarten through eighth grade on Thursdays, beginning Oct. 20; and six-week soccer clinics for kids ages 6 and up on Mondays, beginning in November. Call for cost details.

Girls on the Run New Hampshire (137 Water St., No. 3, Exeter, 778-1389, girlsontherunnh.org) is a physical activity-based volunteer youth development program for girls in grades 3 through 8, offered through various local schools and rec programs. Each team meets twice a week for 90 minutes after school and participates in research-based lessons that use dynamic discussions and running games to teach life skills. The season will culminate with a 5K event that brings together friends, family and members of the community. The cost for the 10-week program (beginning Sept. 12) is $140 per participant, with the celebratory 5K event taking place on Saturday, Nov. 19, at Memorial Field in Concord.

Granite Base Camp (300 Blondin Road, Manchester, 617-615-0004, experiencebasecamp.org) has several upcoming interactive in-person workshops geared toward kids and teens ages 6 to 17, beginning in September. Programs cover a variety of areas, including canoeing, climbing, swimming, orienteering, search and rescue and more.

The Icenter (60 Lowell Road, Salem, 893-4448, icentersalem.com) offers skating lessons for kids ages 3 and up, beginning Sept. 10. The cost is $325 for the 12-week program, which will take place on Saturday mornings through Nov. 26. All experience levels are welcome.

Londonderry Soccer Club (londonderrysc.org) begins its fall season on Sept. 10, with practices beginning the week of Sept. 4. Programs are open for divisions U3 through U19. Registration is open until Aug. 31.

Longfellow New Hampshire Tennis & Swim Club (140 Lock St., Nashua, 883-0153, longfellownh.com) is offering junior tennis clinics for kids ages 5 and up, beginning Sept. 7. Most sessions run Monday through Friday and Sunday, at various times. The cost ranges from $160 to $435 per eight-week session, depending on the player’s age group.

Manchester East Soccer League (mesl.org) offers fall soccer for U6 through U19, beginning in September. Registration is $60 per player, or $140 per family.

Manchester North Soccer League (mnsl.org) offers fall soccer for U6 through U19, as well as for juniors (under age 3) beginning in September. Registration is $80 for U6 through U19 divisions, and $45 for the juniors division.

My Gym Children’s Fitness Center (410 S. River Road, Bedford, 668-7196, mygym.com/bedford) offers various fitness classes year-round for kids ages 6 weeks to 10 years old, with the goal to help them develop physically, cognitively and emotionally, and to improve each child’s strength, balance, coordination and self-esteem. Dozens of classes are offered throughout the week — see website for scheduling details. A four-class card (redeemable for all ages and classes) is $129.

Nashua Cal Ripken Baseball (multiple field locations in Nashua and surrounding towns, nashuacalripken.org) begins its fall baseball program in September, running from just after Labor Day through Columbus Day. All kids ages 4½ to 12 from Nashua are eligible to play. Registration starts at $40 per player.

New Balance Training Facility (3 Progress Ave., Nashua, 402-2897; 16 Industrial Way, Salem, 898-0332; nbtrainingfacility.com) offers baseball or softball lessons from trained instructors that can be used for hitting, pitching, catching and fielding for players of all ages and abilities. The cost starts at $50 per 30-minute lesson and $95 per 60-minute lesson. Lesson packs can also be purchased, ranging from $225 per five-lesson pack to $800 per 20-lesson pack.

New Hampshire Junior Roller Derby (nhjuniorrollerderby.com) is a junior roller derby team based in Manchester. Fall and winter practices are to be held soon in Hooksett — a total of two practices will be held weekly. The program is open to all kids and teens ages 8 and up, regardless of skating ability. Sessions will meet on Wednesdays from 6 to 8 p.m., and on Sundays from 10 a.m. to noon; dates TBA. New skaters are always welcome. The cost is $100 per six-week session, plus a $40 new skater fee.

New Hampshire Spartans Youth Basketball (nhspartans.com) is holding its first fall basketball tryout on Saturday, Aug. 20, at the New England Sports Center (7 A St., Derry). The tryout is open to boys and girls in third grade through high school. Times are from 10 to 11 a.m. for grades 3 through 6, from 11 a.m. to noon for grades 7 and 8, and from noon to 1 p.m. for high school students.

New Hampshire Sportsplex (68 Technology Drive, Bedford, 641-1313, nhsportsplex.com) offers soccer classes for kids ages 18 months to 7, lacrosse lessons for ages 4 to 8, youth boys and girls indoor lacrosse leagues for players ages 6 and up, kids’ field hockey lessons, tee-ball for ages 3 to 7, a basketball program for ages 3 to 14 and a hockey program for ages 4 to 8. Fall sessions begin Aug. 30 for all of these programs. Costs vary depending on the program. Call for details.

Safe Sports Network (New Hampshire Musculoskeletal Institute, 35 Kosciuszko St., Manchester, 627-9728, safesportsnetwork.net) is holding a special event on Saturday, Nov. 12, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., kicking off a week-long highlight of the importance of youth sports safety, particularly related to head injuries and concussions. Professional athletic trainer staff will provide free baseline concussion tests to all school-age Manchester area student athletes. No registration or appointment is required.

Salem Youth Baseball (salemyouthbaseball.net) offers fall baseball for ages 4 to 13. Registration is $75 for Little League and $65 for tee-ball and is open until Sept. 1.

Seacoast Fencing Club (271 Wilson St., Manchester; 261 N. Main St., Rochester, 428-7040, seacoastfencingclub.org) offers beginner and intermediate fencing classes for kids and teens ages 7 and up. From September to May, classes meet once a week for nine weeks. Beginners’ classes are designed for fencers of all ages and abilities and are $265 per nine-week session, while intermediate classes are $295. Three-month training programs are also offered, with prices ranging from $365 to $395.

Tri-Town Ice Arena (311 W. River Road, Hooksett, 485-1100, tri-townicearena.com) offers a “Mini Monarchs” program in ice hockey lessons for kids ages 4 to 10, beginning in September. The cost for the program is $175, and classes are held on Wednesdays at 4:40 p.m. and Saturdays at 8 a.m. A total of three sessions are available — from Sept. 14 through Dec. 7 (no classes on Sept. 17, Oct. 8, Oct. 29, Nov. 23 or Nov. 26); from Dec. 10 through Feb. 25 (no classes on Dec. 24, Dec. 31 or Feb. 18); and from March 1 through May 6.

THEATER

Kids Coop Theatre (Londonderry, [email protected], kids-coop-theatre.org) offers youth theater productions throughout the year open to kids and teens ages 8 and up. Rehearsals are held 10 hours per week on Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday. Membership is $30 per month and guarantees students to be cast in at least one show per year. The cost to be in a production varies. Visit the website or call for the most up-to-date audition schedule for shows.

The Majestic Theatre (880 Page St., Manchester, 669-7469, majestictheatre.net) offers private lessons in acting, piano, voice and audition preparation for all ages through the Ted Herbert Music School. Student productions of musicals run year-round with audition info regularly updated on the website. If cast in a performance, there is a $125 production fee.

New Hampshire Theatre Project (West End Studio Theatre, 959 Islington St., No. 3, Portsmouth, 431-6644, nhtheatreproject.org) offers private coaching and audition preparations for students interested in theater. These lessons cost $80 per hour. Registration is available online.

Palace Youth Theatre (Forever Emma Studios, 516 Pine St., Manchester, 688-5588, palacetheatre.org) will hold auditions for the fall semester of its Palace Teen Co. and Palace Teen Apprentice Co. on Wednesday, Aug. 31, at 4:30 p.m. Both programs are for performers ages 13 to 18 who want a more intensive theater experience. They’ll begin on Sept. 7, with rehearsals on Mondays and Wednesdays, from 6 to 9 p.m., as well as two mandatory dance classes throughout the semester. Palace Teen Apprentice Co. performances will be on Wednesday, Nov. 2, and Thursday, Nov. 3, and Palace Teen Co. performances will be on Tuesday, Nov. 8, and Wednesday, Nov. 9, all at the Palace Theatre. Audition participants must bring a headshot and resume, and prepare 16 bars of a song of choice, preferably one in musical theater. If accepted into either program, there is a $600 semester fee. For grades 2 to 12, auditions for Freaky Friday the Musical will be held on Tuesday, Aug. 23, and Wednesday, Aug. 24, at 5:30 and 6:30 p.m., with performances to take place on Wednesday, Oct. 5, and Thursday, Oct. 6, and Tuesday, Oct. 11, and Wednesday, Oct. 12. If cast, there is a production fee of $125.

Peacock Players (14 Court St., Nashua, 886-7000, peacockplayers.org) offers theater, music, dance and private studio classes for kids in kindergarten and up, group classes and ensembles, as well as theater productions. Auditions for The Aristocats: Kids will take place on site on Sunday, Aug. 21, from 5 to 8 p.m., and on Monday, Aug. 22, from 6 to 9 p.m. There is a $150 production fee if cast. Registration to audition is available online.

Featured photo: Courtesy photo.

Test your knowledge at trivia night, live out your rock star dreams and win prizes by listening to your favorite tunes.

New Hampshire’s nightlife scene has plenty to offer, with games and events happening at local bars, restaurants and pubs nearly every night of the week. Check out where you can go to test your knowledge with trivia nights, live out your rock star dreams with karaoke nights, or even win prizes by simply listening to your favorite tunes with musical bingo.

Name that tune

Listen to music, win prizes during musical bingo

By Matt Ingersoll

[email protected]

Musical bingo is exactly what it sounds like. Instead of letters and numbers like in a traditional game of bingo, you’re given a card filled with squares of song titles and recording artist names. The DJ or event host plays a clip of a song, and it’s your job to identify a match shown on your bingo card. In a normal game, the clips continue until the first player is able to match five squares in a row on their card, whether it be vertically, horizontally or diagonally.

It’s a weekly activity at area bars and restaurants that finds a happy medium between trivia and karaoke nights for its interactivity, said Gregory Nickerson, owner and founder of Musical Bingo Nation. Since launching in 2018, the entertainment company has grown to now host several public musical bingo events at venues across southern New Hampshire, as well as Massachusetts and Florida. Musical bingo is played every Wednesday night at Shopper’s Pub + Eatery in Manchester and at The Barnyard Venue in Candia, for instance, and on Thursday nights you can play at Backyard Brewery & Kitchen in the Queen City or at Main Street Grill and Bar in Pittsfield. All public musical bingo events are free to play, with the chance to win prizes. The company also offers private musical bingo events and even virtual events via Zoom.

Nickerson, a professional DJ for more than a decade playing in venues across New England, said he got the idea of launching Musical Bingo Nation after coming across the game online.

“I was really intrigued by the concept, because it created an engagement that I had never found at an event, other than playing the right music for a specific crowd that’s there for it,” he said.

Each game consists of different rounds, featuring songs that encompass a specific genre, decade or theme of music. You could be playing in a classic rock or reggae round, for instance, or a “one-hit wonders” theme — more than 50 different music rounds are featured across each event.

“We play enough of the song for the player to essentially try and figure it out, so songs like ‘Sweet Home Alabama,’ or ‘Crazy,’ by Gnarls Barkley, for instance … you can hear [the name] multiple times in the chorus,” Nickerson said. “There are a couple of cool things we do like that, to be able to help engage players that might not know the song off the top of their head. … It’s also a cool way to make new friends, because we encourage players at our events to ask the table next to them if they might not know the song, and one table could share a song with another.”

Musical Bingo Nation has a whole team of DJs and event hosts, and you’ll never know which themes will be featured at each public musical bingo event until you actually sit down and play.

“We like to make it a surprise, and that allows our hosts to be flexible too,” Nickerson said. “If we were planning on doing ‘top hits of the 2000s’ but it’s a classic rock crowd, then they can swap that. It allows us to … cater to whatever age, demographic or crowd is in front of us.”

Jennifer Mitchell of Good Vibes Music Bingo, which holds free public events at Salona Bar & Grill in Manchester on Monday nights and at Backyard Grill Burgers & Wings in Seabrook on Tuesday nights, said she got into hosting the game after trying it out as a player. Her games also randomly shuffle the theme of the songs played each night and, prior to the start of every game, players are given a free space that they can pick anywhere on their card.

“I give them anywhere from 20 to 30 seconds of the song, and typically in that amount of time will be the song title,” Mitchell said, adding that, depending on the venue, players sometimes may be allowed to use song recognition apps like Shazam or SoundHound to help them out.

Prizes normally include gift cards or certificates to whichever restaurant, bar or venue you’re playing in. Mitchell said she has also seen some venues give out scratch tickets, or various swag such as T-shirts, keychains and beer koozies. Salona Bar & Grill even has a cash coverall, or a jackpot cash prize that rolls over each week, for anyone who can mark every single square on their bingo card within a certain amount of songs played.

But while everyone loves winning prizes, Nickerson added that the game has also proven to be a fun way for players to broaden their musical knowledge and horizons.

“In my eyes, one of the reasons I started this company was because I felt like I was keeping music history alive … [and] all those songs that are essentially disappearing off the radio,” he said. “We’re keeping them in play on a regular basis to hundreds and sometimes thousands of people each week, so that was the beauty of it. … I feel like it’s the best music game out there.”

Where to play musical bingo

Here’s a list of local restaurants, bars and pubs where you can go every weeknight to try your luck at a game of musical bingo. Know of a spot not listed here? Let us know at [email protected] to include in our weekly Music This Week listings.

Backyard Brewery & Kitchen
1211 S. Mammoth Road, Manchester, 623-3545, backyardbrewerynh.com
When: Thursdays, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Featuring: Musical Bingo Nation, musicalbingonation.com

Backyard Grill Burgers & Wings
5 Provident Way, Seabrook, 760-2581, backyardgrillnh.com
When: Tuesdays, 7 to 9 p.m.
Featuring: Good Vibes Music Bingo, jennifermitchellmusic.com

The Barnyard Venue
285 Old Candia Road, Candia, 483-4888, barnyardvenue.com
When: Wednesdays, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Featuring: Musical Bingo Nation, musicalbingonation.com

Fody’s Tavern
9 Clinton St., Nashua, 577-9015; 187 Rockingham Road, Derry, 404-6946; fodystavern.com
When: Tuesdays, 8 to 10 p.m. (Nashua); Thursdays, 8 to 10 p.m. (Derry)
Featuring: JB Entertainment, find them on Facebook

The Goat Bar and Grill
142 Congress St., Portsmouth, 590-4628, goatnh.com
When: Mondays, 7 to 9 p.m.
Featuring: Musical Bingo Nation, musicalbingonation.com

JB’s on the Boardwalk
187 Ocean Blvd., Hampton Beach, 926-1420, jbsnh.com
When: Tuesdays, 8 to 11 p.m.
Featuring: Music Bingo by Ironic, ironic.it/musicbingo

Logan’s Run Restaurant & Sports Bar
816 Lafayette Road, Hampton, 926-4343, logansrunrestaurant.com
When: Tuesdays, 6 to 8 p.m.
Featuring: Game of Tunes, gametimetrivia.com

Main Street Grill and Bar
32 Main St., Pittsfield, 435-0005, mainstreetgrillandbar.com
When: Thursdays, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Featuring: Musical Bingo Nation, musicalbingonation.com

McGarvey’s Saloon
1097 Elm St., Manchester, 627-2721, mcgarveysnh.com
When: Wednesdays, 9 to 11 p.m.
Featuring: Perfect Entertainment, perfectne.com

Saddle Up Saloon
92 Route 125, Kingston, 347-1313, saddleupsaloonnh.com
When: Wednesdays, 7 to 9 p.m.
Featuring: Musical Bingo Nation, musicalbingonation.com

Salona Bar & Grill
128 Maple St., Manchester, 624-4020, find them on Facebook @salona
When: Mondays, 6 to 8 p.m. (no bingo on Sept. 5)
Featuring: Good Vibes Music Bingo, jennifermitchellmusic.com

Shane’s Texas Pit
61 High St., Hampton, 601-7091, shanes-texas-pit.com
When: Tuesdays, 6 to 9 p.m.

Shopper’s Pub + Eatery
18 Lake Ave., Manchester, 232-5252, shoppersmht.com
When: Wednesdays, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Featuring: Musical Bingo Nation, musicalbingonation.com

Smuttlabs Brewery & Kitchen
47 Washington St., Dover, 343-1782, smuttynose.com
When: Fridays, 6 to 8 p.m.

Wally’s
144 Ashworth Ave., Hampton, 926-6954, wallysnh.com
When: Tuesdays, 9 to 11 p.m.
Featuring: Musical Bingo Nation, musicalbingonation.com

Whym Craft Pub & Brewery
853 Lafayette Road, Hampton, 601-2801, whym.beer
When: Thursdays, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Featuring: Music Bingo by Ironic, ironic.it/musicbingo

Sing your heart out

A look at southern New Hampshire’s thriving karaoke scene

By Katelyn Sahagian

[email protected]

Karaoke is more than just singing along to some song on an old stereo system into a half-dead microphone and reading lyrics from a tiny monitor. Many DJs and venues in New Hampshire take it to the next level, featuring specialty equipment and live bands.

George Cox of Cox Karaoke, based in Manchester, said that karaoke should feel like you’re a rock star playing your own concert.

“I love the fact that people can get up and perform in front of an audience,” Cox said. “It brings a lot of people together.”

While almost all karaoke nights will have singers choose a song from a list, sign up for a designated time and sing away, Cox said he tries to make the experience much more special. From a hard drive with more than 100,000 songs to sound systems that add layered vocal effects to the singers, Cox said he is focused on giving the best experience possible to performers.

“When you come to one of my shows, it sounds like a professional show,” Cox said. “It’s like singing at your own concert.”

Cox was the DJ for Manchester Idol, a local singing competition held at The Goat Bar and Grill in Manchester earlier this summer. It was so popular, he said, that people came from as far as Boston, Connecticut and Rhode Island for their shot at winning a $3,000 grand prize.

“I couldn’t believe the amazing talent [of] the people who came,” he said. “There was a line out the door.”

Erica Fleury, one of the co-owners of The Goat, said that she had known the competition would be popular since she had competed in one years ago with a much smaller prize.

“We just wanted to give … a huge prize away to get some real talent to come out,” Fleury said, adding that Cox’s fans coming to the competition made it even more popular than she had hoped for it to be. “I was surprised it did even better than I thought.”

While there’s no set date yet, Fleury said she is planning to host another Manchester Idol competition sometime later this winter. Right now, karaoke will continue at The Goat through the summer. Fleury said that she wants to see how it does with college students to see if it’ll continue being a weekly event — or if it will slow down to every other week or stop altogether until the next competition.

Cox, who has been working as a karaoke DJ for a decade in southern New Hampshire, said that he’s seen nothing but a boom in popularity for the activity over the years. Even with the pandemic causing most events to close, Cox said that he worked with South Side Tavern, across the Queen City on South Willow Street, to set up an outdoor karaoke night.

“It was the biggest gig of my karaoke career,” Cox said. “I didn’t think people would show but it was packed. There were about 50 singers and a lot of newcomers.”

Fleury said that karaoke will be around for a very long time. She and her husband also own Wally’s in Hampton, where they have a live band performing the karaoke set. The goal, she said, is for you to feel less like you’re just singing for a crowd of people and more like you’re the headliner at your own concert.

“You’re able to be your alter ego when you get up there on stage,” Fleury said. “People like to do things when they go out other than just sit at a bar. It just gets the energy going in the room and livens up the night.”

Where to sing karaoke

Check out this list of venues in southern New Hampshire that offer karaoke. In most cases, singers can choose a song from a pre-selected list and sign up to sing at a designated time. Know of a spot not listed here? Let us know at [email protected] to include in our weekly Music This Week listings.

American Legion Post 31
11 Charles St., Penacook, 753-9372, nhalpost31.org
When: Fridays, 7 p.m.
Featuring: JMitch Karaoke

Angel City Music Hall
179 Elm St., Unit B, Manchester, 931-3654, angelcitymusichall.com
When: Sundays and Tuesdays, 8 p.m.
Featuring: DJ Clashious Clay

The Bar
2B Burnham Road, Hudson, 943-5250
When: Mondays, 7 p.m.

Boonedoxz Pub
95 Park St., Northfield, 455-3755, find them on Facebook
When: Fridays, 7 p.m.
Featuring: DJ Oz

Crow’s Nest Pub & Grill
181 Plaistow Road, Plaistow
974-1686, crowsnestnh.com
When: Thursdays, 7:30 p.m.

Fody’s Tavern
9 Clinton St., Nashua, 577-9015; 187 Rockingham Road, Derry, 404-6946; fodystavern.com
When: Mondays and Thursdays, 9:30 p.m. (Nashua); Wednesdays, 7 p.m. (Derry)
Featuring: DJ Rick (Nashua); DJ Jay (Derry)

The Goat Bar and Grill
50 Old Granite St., Manchester, 844-603-4628, goatnh.com
When: Thursdays, 8 p.m.
Featuring: Cox Karaoke

L Street Tavern
17 L St., Hampton, 967-4777, lstreettavern.com
When: Wednesdays, 9 p.m.
Featuring: DJ Jeff

Lynn’s 102 Tavern
76 Derry Road, Hudson, 943-7832, lynns102.com
When: Thursdays and Fridays, 8 p.m.
Featuring: DJ George Bisson

Millyard Brewery
25 E. Otterson St., Nashua, 722-0104, millyardbrewery.com
When: Every other Thursday, 6 p.m.
Featuring: Bobby Lane

Raga Contemporary Kitchen
138 Main St., Nashua, 459-8566, find them on Facebook @raganashua
When: Tuesdays, 7:30 p.m.

Saddle Up Saloon
92 Route 125, Kingston, 347-1313, saddleupsaloonnh.com
When: Thursdays, 7 p.m.
Featuring: DJ Jason

South Side Tavern
1279 S. Willow St., Manchester, 935-9947, southsidetavernnh.com
When: Thursdays, 9 p.m.
Featuring: Cox Karaoke

Stark Brewing Co.
500 N. Commercial St., Manchester, 625-4444, starkbrewingcompany.com
When: Mondays, 8 p.m.
Featuring: Cox Karaoke

Stonecutters Pub
63 Union Square, Milford, 213-5979, find them on Facebook @stonecutterspubmilfordnh
When: Fridays, 9 p.m.
Featuring: KJ-Dave O.

Tower Hill Tavern
264 Lakeside Ave., Laconia, 366-9100, towerhilltavern.com
When: Thursdays and Sundays, 8 p.m.; and Saturdays, 9 p.m.
Featuring: DJ Tim and guest hosts

Knowledge is power

Flex your mental muscles during trivia night

By Hannah Turtle

[email protected]

Bill Seney, local host of the trivia event named “Best Weekly Bar Event” in Hippo’s readers’ poll this year, believes a good trivia contest comes down to two things.

“One: It’s interactive, there’s some competition, and people like that. Two: It’s kind of like dinner theater. It’s entertaining,” Seney said.

Trivia is easy to jump into. Everyone can participate because everyone knows something, but nobody knows everything. Typically, bar trivia is free to attend, the only price being that of the drinks and food offered by the bar. A typical bar trivia event lasts about two hours.

For Marc Chamberland of Game Time Trivia, the special ingredient to a successful trivia night comes down to the host. Game Time Trivia is a regular at several local spots, including The Thirsty Moose Taphouse in Merrimack (on Mondays) and in Manchester (on Wednesdays).

“They’ve got to be personable. They can’t be a robot reading questions, [and] they have to make it entertaining for everyone,” Chamberland said.

Chamberland’s trivia events, like many, consist of themed rounds. Teams answer a set of questions, turn in their answers, see how their scores rank in the group, and move to the next round, with scores accumulating. It’s a system that allows players with different skill sets all to show their stuff.

Seney, who hosts weekly trivia nights at The Hop Knot, Shopper’s Pub + Eatery and Backyard Brewery & Kitchen in Manchester, points to the art of writing the questions as the most important facet of a successful trivia night.

“What I’ve learned from hosting is that nobody is really there to get stumped,” he said. “You have to have good questions. Not too hard, [but] not too easy either. My criteria is this: People should have at least heard of the answer.”

He gave an example of how he goes about writing a question.

“If I ask, ‘College Dropout and Late Registration are two albums by what famous rapper?’ And the answer is Kanye West, you might not have known that, but at least you know who Kanye West is,” Seney said. “If I ask the question in the reverse order, ‘What are the names of Kanye West’s first two albums?’ You might think, ‘Well, I never would have gotten that.’”

Seney uses an online scoring system, allowing guests to submit answers through their phones.

With the formula perfected, it’s up to trivia-goers to create their teams and try their hand at bar glory. Seney’s Instagram page, @trivianightwithbillseney,shows the names of some teams celebrating their hard-fought wins. Champions include “Quiz Free or Die,” “The Boothday Truthers,” “Have Kids They Said – It’ll Be Fun They Said,” “Boys’n Berries,” and “Only Here for the Beer.”

Where to check out local trivia nights

Here are some of the local trivia offerings. Some trivia nights happen many but not all weeks; contact the venue before gathering your team for the evening. Know of a regular game night not mentioned here? Let us know at [email protected].

Area 23
254 N. State St., Concord, 760-7944, thearea23.com
When: Tuesdays, 7 p.m.

Backyard Brewery & Kitchen
1211 S. Mammoth Road, Manchester, 623-3545. backyardbrewerynh.com
When: Wednesdays, 6 p.m.

The Bar
2B Burnham Road, Hudson, 943-5250
When: Wednesdays, 7 p.m.

Battle of the Breweries Trivia
When: Third Thursday of every month, 7 p.m.
Where: Join from Great North Aleworks (1050 Holt Ave., Manchester), To Share Brewing Co. (720 Union St., Manchester), Rockingham Brewing Co. (1 Corporate Park Drive, No. 1, Derry), From The Barrel Brewing Co. (1 Corporate Park Drive, No. 16, Derry), or Daydreaming Brewing Co. (1½ E. Broadway, Derry).

Chunky’s Cinema Pub
707 Huse Road, Manchester, 206-3888, chunkys.com
When: Thursdays, 8 p.m.

Crow’s Nest
181 Plaistow Road, Plaistow, 817-6670, crowsnestnh.com
When: Mondays, 8 p.m.

Downtown Cheers Grille and Bar
17 Depot St., Concord, 228-0180, cheersnh.com
When: Fridays, 8:30 p.m.

The Farm Bar and Grille
1181 Elm St., Manchester, 641-3276, farmbargrille.com
When: Wednesdays, 8 p.m.

Fody’s Tavern
9 Clinton St., Nashua; fodystavern.com
When: Wednesdays, 8 p.m.

Great North Aleworks
1050 Holt Ave., Manchester, 858-5789, greatnorthaleworks.com
When: Thursdays, 7 p.m.

The Hop Knot
1000 Elm St., Manchester, 232-3731, thehopknot.com
When: Thursdays, 8 p.m.

KC’s Rib Shack
837 Second St., Manchester, 627-7427, ribshack.net
When: Wednesdays, 7 p.m.

Lakehouse Tavern
157 Main St., Hopkinton, 746-1800, lakehousetavern.com
When: Saturdays, 8 p.m.

Main Street Grill and Bar
32 Main St., Pittsfield, 435-0005, mainstreetgrillandbar.com
When: Wednesdays, 7 p.m.

Millyard Brewery
125 E. Otterson St., Nashua; 722-0104, millyardbrewery.com
When: Wednesdays, 7 p.m.

Peddler’s Daughter “Geeks Who Drink” trivia
48 Main St., Nashua, 821-7535, thepeddlersdaughter.com
When: Tuesdays, 8:30 p.m.

Popovers on the Square
11 Brickyard Square, Epping, 734-4724, popoversonthesquare.com
When: Wednesdays, 6:30 p.m.

The Shaskeen Pub & Restaurant
909 Elm St., Manchester, 625-0246, shaskeenpub.com
When: Mondays, 7:30 p.m.

Shopper’s Pub + Eatery
18 Lake Ave., Manchester, 232-5252, shoppersmht.com
When: Tuesdays, 6 p.m.

Station 101
193 Union Square, Milford, 249-5416, station101nh.com
When: Thursdays, 6:30 p.m.

The Thirsty Moose Taphouse
360 Daniel Webster Hwy., Merrimack, 670-0270; 795 Elm St., Manchester, 792-2337; 21 Congress St., Portsmouth, 427-8645; thirstymoosetaphouse.com
When: Mondays, 7 p.m. (Merrimack); Wednesdays, 7 p.m. (Manchester and Portsmouth)

Featured photo: Courtesy photo.

The Manchester International Film Fest is ready for the big screen

How to make a film festival

The Manchester International Film Festival, year one

By Katelyn Sahagian

[email protected]

The Rex Theatre will again become a venue for a weekend of movies with the inaugural Manchester International Film Festival, happening over the course of three days from Friday, Aug. 12, through Sunday, Aug. 14.

Some of the movies are from New England-based filmmakers, while others are cult classics, like An American Werewolf in London (R, 1981) and Slap Shot (R, 1977).

Festival director Warren O’Reilly said that it was important to him to highlight not just the established film world but the growing filmmaking scene in the Granite State as well.

“There’s a lot of exciting filmmaking happening in New Hampshire,” O’Reilly said. “We’re happy to be a place [where] people … can actually have their movie shown on the big screen.”

Four of the featured films are directed by New Englanders — two of whom are Granite Staters, O’Reilly said, adding that that number was approximately a third of the blocks of movies.

“Like the three legs of a stool, a third of the stuff that we’re showing is international, a third of it is cult and stuff that people recognize from their childhood, and then a third of it is New England-based filmmakers,” he said.

With exposed brick walls, a large stage, thick carpeting, a bar and the balcony from its original iteration as a theater, the Rex seats about 300 people. Perhaps the biggest highlight is the digital 4K wall along the back of the stage — the main reason for the film festival in the first place, O’Reilly said, as plans had been in the works to hold the event before the pandemic hit.

“It opened and then Covid hit and it closed down,” he said. “This was the first year that everything had reopened long enough for us to put out the feelers for the festival.”

Manchester International Film Festival
Where: The Rex Theatre, 23 Amherst St., Manchester
When: Friday, Aug. 12, through Sunday, Aug. 14; films are screened at various times throughout each day
Cost: $20 for a one-day pass ($10 for students), or $50 for a weekend pass
Visit: palacetheatre.org/film

Making movie magic

O’Reilly, who has worked in the film industry in both Los Angeles and Massachusetts, said that it was easy getting submissions. He even has friends who work around the world — that’s how he received submissions of independent international films, like Alice? (Short 2020) from New Zealand.

A total of 970 film submissions were received — of those, a panel narrowed it down to 400, and only a handful of those will be shown over the three-day event. David Humphreys, a film professor at Southern New Hampshire University, said that it’s extremely common for filmmakers to submit whatever they have to any festival, even if it doesn’t align with the event.

“You have to start with weeding out the ones that aren’t a good fit for whatever reason,” Humphreys said. “You can be running a documentary film fest and you’ll get fiction films.”

Pat Kalik and Ross Fishbeins, the co-chairs of the New Hampshire Jewish Film Festival, said that they will go through watching at least 60 movies for their festival which will end up showing about a dozen movies.

“I never decide what will be in the festival until I’ve seen at least 40 [films],” Kalik said.

Their festival primarily focuses on movies made by Jewish filmmakers for Jewish audiences.

“You need to balance everything,” Kalik said. “You can’t have too many movies about the Holocaust, but you also can’t have too many movies that are comedies.”

Kalik said that the Jewish Film Festival differs from the Manchester International Film Festival in that it doesn’t have a home theater for showing movies. Instead, they partner with small theaters across New Hampshire. In the future, Kalik hopes to partner with the Rex to show movies during their own festival. One of the movies cut from their program, Haute Couture (2021), directed by Sylvia Ohayon, will be shown at the Manchester International Movie Festival on Sunday.

Despite the long hours of movie watching, note taking, debating and decision making, Fishbeins said he was excited to start.

“It’s a great community activity for me … and I love films,” he said. “Everyone loves to go to the movies and talk about it after.”

For the love of movies

While O’Reilly wasn’t the mastermind behind the idea of the festival, he said he definitely was a driving force in getting it launched this year — a new event to match the growing artistic vibe of Manchester.

“This is an exciting time for downtown Manchester,” O’Reilly said. “There’s a bunch of new people moving into town and people want to go out and see movies. It’s the perfect recipe for a film festival.”

In addition to the film screenings, the festival will have conversations and Q&A sessions with directors and crew members who worked on different films. Local comedian Jimmy Dunn will also provide commentary on the 1977 sports comedy film Slap Shot on Friday, while Tony and Emmy Award-winning actor John Lithgow will host a conversation about his career at the Palace Theatre on Saturday.

Humphreys, along with his colleague Vincent Corbo, a Southern New Hampshire University psychology professor, will also be part of the festival’s live entertainment. The two professors run the podcast “A Dark Impression,” in which they dive into the psychology behind horror movies.

After Saturday’s screening of An American Werewolf in London (1981 R), Humphreys and Corbo will host a live recording of their show.

“The stage will be a new location for me,” Corbo said, adding that he believes most people seeing the cult horror classic “will want to see it and have that theater experience.”

The experience is what makes a film festival, Humphreys said. According to him, festivals are meant to be events in which people take in a film and then discuss it either amongst themselves or with the filmmakers.

“You go and share this space with other people,” Humphreys said. “I think that [is] something we’re losing with Netflix and home streaming, is having a conversation about the movies afterward.”

Corbo agreed, saying that those conversations are what makes film festivals so important.

“It enhances that personal and emotional experience,” Corbo said. “It’s much richer from the moviegoer perspective.”

Featured films

Film descriptions and times are according to the schedule at palacetheatre.org/film.

Friday, Aug. 12

Sherlock Jr. (1924)
Directed by Buster Keaton
A film projectionist longs to be a detective, putting his meager skills to work when he is framed by a rival for stealing his girlfriend’s father’s pocket watch. (The screening will include live musical accompaniment by Jeff Rapsis). 5:45 p.m.

The Egg (Short 2021)
Directed by Terrence Fitzgerald Hayes
Days into a pandemic, Tristan sets sail to escape a world wrought with violence, racism and greed in search for a fresh start. The film is “a story of torment, isolation and introspection.” Shorts program, 6 p.m.

Four Pins (Short 2022)
Directed by Matthew Beltz
A young man named Tommy Graves spends his days tending to the declining lanes of the local bowling alley. In this place time feels stuck, as does Tommy. Shorts program, 6 p.m.

Slap Shot (1977)
Directed by George Roy Hill
Coach Reggie Dunlop (Paul Newman) lets his failing mill town minor-league ice hockey team play their own distinct brand of violent hockey, in hopes of drawing a big crowd. 7:30 p.m.

Saturday, Aug. 13

Shrek (2001)
Directed by Andrew Adamson and Vicky Jenson
A mean lord exiles fairytale creatures to the swamp of a grumpy ogre, who must go on a quest and rescue a princess for the lord in order to get his land back. Noon.

The Last American Colony (2019)
Directed by Bestor Cram
The Last American Colony traces the life of Juan Segarra, who graduates from Harvard and sets off on a treacherous path to fight for Puerto Rico’s independence — a struggle that he rightly assumes will lead to either jail or death. 2 p.m.

Man (Short 2018)
Directed by Oksana Artemenko
A little boy is scared of using the toilet. His father, a military soldier, taught him, “A real man should pee in the toilet, not the pot.” The father goes to war and doesn’t come back home. “Son should become man now.” Shorts program, 4 p.m.

Thunder (Short 2022)
Directed by Orest Smylanetz
This film was shot during the air raid on the 77th day of Russia’s aggression against Ukraine. Shorts program, 4 p.m.

Marsh Clouds: The Oysters of Harris Neck (Short 2022)
Directed by Kevin Mannens
The Timmons family has been picking oysters in Harris Neck, Georgia, for more than 100 years. The land they call home has a tragic history. Marsh Clouds tells “a story of trauma and racism — and the perseverance to overcome against all odds.” Shorts program, 4 p.m.

Alice? (Short 2020)
Directed by Grace Hood-Edwards
A starry-eyed plus-size teenager actively reimagines the world around her as she experiences first love and first heartbreak. Shorts program, 4 p.m.

Conservative Horses (Short 2022)
Directed by David Manitsky
In the mid-1950s, a Los Angeles television show that does weekly interviews with B-list celebrities goes to Vermont to interview Hollywood’s premiere horse trainer, Richard Turgidson (Jack Barron), and his wife, Kitty (Delaney Spink). Shorts program, 4 p.m.

About Him (Short 2015)
Directed by Rick Dumont
Adapted from the short story by New Jersey author Adele Schwartz, this dark comedy tells the story of a lonely woman trying to find her soulmate in the personal ads of newspapers. Shorts program, 4 p.m.

Finding Sandler (2022)
Directed by David Seth Cohen
Director David Seth Cohen embarks on a quest to find Adam Sandler and finally have that beer Adam asked him to have back in 1998. Will David find Adam Sandler? Will they have that drink? 6 p.m.

An Evening with John Lithgow
At the Palace Theatre, 80 Hanover St., Manchester (tickets for this event are separate from the Saturday pass).
Join the Tony and Emmy Award-winning actor for a heartwarming conversation to reflect on his life on stage and screen from his decades-long career. 7:30 p.m.

An American Werewolf in London (1981)
Directed by John Landis
Two American college students on a walking tour of Britain are attacked by a werewolf that none of the locals will admit exists. (The screening will be followed by a live podcast recording with the hosts of the local podcast A Dark Impression.) 9 p.m.

Sunday, Aug. 14

Spin (Short 2021)
Directed by Lisa Marie Tedesco
When the curtain descends on their final performance of Romeo and Juliet in drama club, high school seniors Abigail and Sky bid a fair adieu to the stage they loved while letting their deepest desires for one another surface at the cast party.

Whale Fall (Short 2021)
Directed by Katie McNeice
“A glimpse beneath the surface of a relationship bonded by books, whales and love.”

Parrot (Short 2021)
Directed by Kyle B. Thompson
A drag queen protects a child during a crisis as prejudices reach a breaking point.

Love is Strange (2014)
Directed by Ira Sachs
While struggling with the pain of separation, Ben and George are further challenged by the intergenerational tensions and capricious family dynamics of their new living arrangements.

Haute Couture (2021)
Directed by Sylvia Ohayon
Instead of calling the police on the girl who stole her handbag, Esther decides to pass on her skills, the craft of dressmaking. Presented in partnership with the New Hampshire Jewish Film Festival. 2p.m.

Summer (Short 2020)
Directed by Nick Czerula and Anna Belmonte
Following the death of their father, a set of siblings find a figurative skeleton in his closet and must find a way to discreetly dispose of it, so as not to tarnish their family’s good name. 4 p.m.

Filmmaker Q&As

Meet the directors behind some of the festival’s films

By Hannah Turtle

[email protected]

David Seth Cohen, Director of Finding Sandler (2022)

The biggest premiere of the festival, Finding Sandler has an interesting backstory. In 1998, director David Seth Cohen was working as a production assistant on the Adam Sandler film Big Daddy. While tasked with dropping off a suit to Sandler’s hotel one day, Cohen was invited by the actor himself to have a drink with him — an offer Cohen declined, as he was running on a busy schedule. Years later, while living in his grandmother’s basement with his filmmaking dreams cast aside, Cohen began to wonder if his life might have been different had he gotten that drink with Adam Sandler. He set out to finally get that drink, getting a small film crew together in search of Adam Sandler and making friends along the way.

In your own words, can you tell me a little bit about the film?

Well, when I went to drop off the suit, it was rushed. I had to double park in Manhattan, and I left another [production assistant] named Autumn with the car. If you’ve ever double parked in Manhattan, you’ll know that’s an emergency situation. At the time, in 1998, I was a poor 22-year-old kid with no cell phone, so I really had to hurry. I went upstairs and knocked on the door, and he [Sandler] started messing with me through the door. … You know how he yells in his movies? He yelled at me like that: ‘Who is it? What do you want?’ I tell him who I am, [and] he opens the door and has a big smile on his face. He invites me in to come have a drink and hang out. I froze. There were all these thoughts going through my head, like, ‘Autumn’s in the car, you’re double parked, you have no way of contacting her, if you leave her there, you’re totally fired and you’ll never get a job in the movie industry again.’ The other part of my brain was saying, ‘Stay, he’s your hero, this is the opportunity of a lifetime to hang out with your hero.’ The angel part of my brain won and told me to leave and do the right thing. So, I left. … Fast forward years later, [and] I was tossing and turning in my bed at night, wondering what might have happened if I had stayed with Adam Sandler. Would he have given me advice, or would something he said have triggered me to take a different path? … Finally, one night, I had this dream where I went to California and went looking for Adam. … Somehow in my dream I found him, and when I woke up, right then, I decided I had to do something about this whole thing, or I’d regret it for the rest of my life. That’s where the idea came from.

How long did it take from the inception of the idea to the creation of the film?

As soon as I had the idea, I knew I had to call my business partner. At the time, I was working at a Catholic TV station … but I also had a small production company where I did videos for sporting events, and I called [my business partner] at 6 in the morning, all amped up, and said, ‘Dan, I want to make a movie. Can you help?’ He responded with, ‘It’s 6 in the morning, can we talk about this later?’ … So I got up, got dressed, went to the TV station, and told my production assistant, Vinnie, about the idea. He said he was in, and the whole day I was telling people, and some were interested, and some said it was the stupidest idea they had ever heard. But it really just took off from there. … The film got held up for a number of years in the editing room, going through revisions, and I never quite liked it … but finally we got an edit I really liked, and at the beginning of 2022 we completed it.

What were you planning to do if you couldn’t end up finding Adam Sandler?

I was hoping that, no matter what, it would inspire people to follow their dreams. At the end of the day, there’s that line from The Rolling Stones: ‘You can’t always get what you want, but if you try sometimes, you might find, you get what you need.’I always wanted to make a movie, so I knew that no matter what, if I finished the movie, I’d achieve a goal.

Throughout the journey of making this film, were there any unexpected moments that made the film what it is?

Tons. When we first started making this thing, we didn’t really know what was going to happen. It’s a documentary, so nothing was set up. It was a lot of just seeing what happened. The first cool thing was that we found out Emeril Lagasse, the celebrity chef, was doing a book signing right by where we lived. So we decided to go and ask Emeril to cook appetizers for the drink with Adam. Then we found out that Billy Joel was heading to the Long Island Music Hall of Fame, so we decided to find him and ask if he’d play the piano while we had this drink, and so all these crazy things were popping up, all these surprises along the way. … When we went to Manchester, we decided we wanted to get into the school to talk to his [Sandler’s] teachers. At the time, I called the principal about six times, and every time I got the same assistant, and she wouldn’t let me talk to the principal. So when we went to Manchester, we weren’t hopeful that we would be able to get into the school. … When we got there, we went to the Red Arrow Diner and had the Adam Sandler Burger, and learned a little bit about him from the people there. Then we went to the Puritan Backroom, and we were just talking to random people there, and we ran into Jane Clayton, who, at the time, was a gym teacher at Manchester Central [High School]. She heard our story and made some calls, and then all of a sudden we got to go in and talk to everyone at the school. … It was just a ton of unexpected stuff, like throwing a bunch into the wind and seeing what catches.

So, did you end up getting a drink with Adam Sandler?

You’ll have to come see the movie to find out. What I want to ask is, how can we lure Adam Sandler back to come to the film festival?

Matthew Beltz, Director of Four Pins (Short 2022)

Four Pins is a short film that follows a young man, Tommy Graves, as he works at a bowling alley in western Massachusetts. At the same time, Walter, an older man experiencing memory loss, comes in to play a game with his grandson. When his grandson doesn’t come, the two men reckon with their lives and their futures as they bowl together. Matthew Beltz, the film’s director, has worked as a production assistant on Ghostbusters (2016), and Black Mass (2015), and as a location manager for The Purge: Election Year (2016), as well as the television miniseries Dexter: New Blood and, most recently, HBO’s Julia, about acclaimed chef and cookbook author Julia Child.

What led you to this story?

My partner Jimmy Luc and I had just done another short film together, and we wanted to try our hand at another. We were working on a TV show at the time, and there was this great bowling alley close by. It was one of the oldest candlepin bowling alleys in America. It really started with this great location. Mostly it was born of that, and [because] Jimmy and I wanted to keep working together, to sort of keep the ball rolling.

What were some of the challenges you faced along the way?

Every project has its own unique challenges. The biggest challenge for this project wasn’t even in the filming of it, or in pre-production. The real challenge was in post-production, [and] in how to best tell the story we were trying to tell. We were very cognizant of wanting to ‘show’ and not ‘tell,’ so [during] the editing process we had all this footage to whittle down, to best get across the idea that our main character, Walter, is in the early stages of dementia without any of the characters coming out and saying that. It was really about finding the rhythm of the story in the editing room, and figuring out how to best tell this story.

What do you hope the audience gains from your film?

With any project, you hope that first and foremost … [they] enjoy it. I hope that anyone who sees it, when they walk away, doesn’t say to [themselves], ‘Well, that was time wasted.’ That’s definitely the first priority. I think that’s the only thing I can really hope for. Everyone sees a project in a different way, and everyone takes something unique away from every movie they go to see, and if something resonates with them, or if they connect with something, I would love that.

What’s next for you?

We’ve got another project that’s currently in post-production … called Nuclear. It’s a short film about a father and a son during the Cuban Missile Crisis, [and they are] dealing with a death in the family. They get brought together again because of a cartoon turtle. We’re hoping to release a trailer for that in September on our website, [which is] gonfalonpictures.com.

Nick Czerula and Anna Belmonte, Directors of Summer (Short 2020)

Summer, a short film shot on location in Concord, follows two siblings as they clean out their father’s apartment after his death. Their father, a pillar of the community, has a proverbial skeleton in the closet. To protect their father’s reputation, the siblings have to dispose of the item without anyone in town finding out. Czerula also owns Cz Video Productions, based in Concord.

Can you talk a little bit about the process of getting this film off the ground?

Belmonte: We had the script ready to go in early 2020, and we had planned to have a 30-person crew — hair, costumes, makeup, grips, lighting, all of it. We were planning to bring people in from New York, and then Covid hit, so we had to put it on hold. Then, later, when things were a little bit better, we decided to make this safely, and cut the crew down to five people on set maximum at a time. There was a funeral scene that was originally supposed to have as many extras as possible, but we had to cheat some camera angles and make everything with a fraction of what we originally planned.

What was it like shooting in Concord?

Czerula: Filming with locations in New Hampshire offered a very unique experience and opportunity for us. It’s not spoiled like other places. We’d call businesses and say, ‘We want to film there, [but] not during business hours,’ and they’re much more receptive to it than somewhere that has that happen all the time. It went very smoothly. … For example, we had this scene where we had the actors loading a body into a car off the street, and we had to tell the Concord police in advance what was going on, and they were very understanding. The whole thing was kind of a pleasure.

Belmonte: Everywhere we went, everyone was so eager to be a part of it. We went to a hardware store, and they offered to let us stay after hours, and invited their whole staff to come and watch, and everyone was not only accommodating but really went above and beyond. There was a lot of enthusiasm.

Aside from the Covid elephant in the room, were there other challenges you faced in the filming of this project?

Czerula: We were really blessed as far as locations were concerned, and the crew was great, so we had a pretty smooth process. A lot of it came down to making it work with what we had, so for the funeral scene, since we couldn’t have a ton of extras, we really had to step back and think, and we came to the conclusion that the funeral scene doesn’t really add a ton to the story. … So we changed it to a post-funeral scene, and it really worked.

Belmonte: Well, the biggest challenge was probably the doll [a large doll that gets carried around through the majority of the film]. It was honestly like having another actress. Tripping over her, bending her arms back into place, brushing her hair, [and] shoving shoes on her rubbery, wiggly toes.

Czerula: A funny story is that we lost this eyeball for the doll, and I was trying to buy eyeballs everywhere I could that would match, but none of them did. I ended up finding a doll dealer in Texas who had an assortment of eyeballs in stock. I had to call this guy and ask him to send me a whole bunch of eyeballs to try. But I wasn’t really being forthcoming about what we were doing, since at the time we were keeping the idea pretty close to the vest. So I had to make up a story about why I needed eyeballs.

What are you hoping audiences gain from your film?

Czerula: Acceptance. But really, just to laugh. At a time when there’s not a whole lot of fun happening in the world, I just hope people can laugh at it and forget everything else for a little while.

Belmonte: It’s really about family bonding through unexpected, silly obstacles. But especially having been made during Covid, [the film] will be a little microcosm of levity in a rough time.

Rick Dumont, Director of About Him (Short 2015)

About Him follows Corrine on her search to find her soulmate through a personal ad in the paper. After escaping an abusive relationship, she recruits a friend on a search for the right kind of partner. The film is based on a short story by Adele Schwartz. Director Rick Dumont runs Sweaty Turtle Entertainment, a production company based in Madbury.

So, a personal ad?

It’s kind of old-school. … It’s a period piece, or a period-ish piece, set in the pre-internet days. Back then, personal ads were the thing — the original dating app, if you will. Today’s ways of connecting with a partner have changed so dramatically. It’s not necessarily less personal than an ad in the paper, but it has definitely changed.

What was the process like of getting this made?

We shot it in about four days, four very long days, [during] one of which we went to Portsmouth to shoot a restaurant scene. We shot at a place called Massimo, and we wrapped there after midnight. Then we had to immediately pack up and go to Salem to shoot another scene. But we had a great crew and a great cast, and it was a lot of fun to do.

What are you hoping audiences get out of this film?

Mostly, I hope people are entertained, and maybe it gives them a little bit of thought about how we interact with each other … but I don’t like telling people what they should think. I remember the second feature I did. A reviewer reached out to review my film, and after he watched it, he asked, ‘What was I supposed to think?’ … and I said, ‘Exactly that.’ That’s what you felt, so go with it. I would say go see the film [and] see what you think. It’s a great thing, the festival. It’s a chance to see the work of great artists in the area. I think it’s important to support artists, especially the ones in our community who are really working hard to create something beautiful and intriguing. Sometime in the future, we might be able to say, ‘I saw the new Scorcese’s first film at the Manchester International Film Festival.’

Where did the name ‘Sweaty Turtle’ come from?

It’s an homage to my wife. … People are always confused when I say that. Several years ago, I had called my wife ‘My Sweet Eternal,’ and she is a very talented artist, but also a little kooky, and she says, “Did you just call me a sweaty turtle?” … So, she became my sweaty turtle, and later on, when I started my company, it became my honorarium to her.

Featured photo: Finding Sandler. Courtesy photo.

A look at the spicy world of New Hampshire’s craft hot sauces

Growing up in an ethnically diverse community in northern New Jersey, Gabe DiSaverio was introduced to spicy foods at a young age.

“A lot of my friends growing up were Asian and Indian … and I was eating hot food before I was even 10 years old. I remember always going to a fast food place in New York City that was called Curry in a Hurry,” he said. “Even as teenagers in high school, my friend group and I were doing all these eating challenges, like who could eat the hottest, spiciest, most unique foods.”

New England Hot Sauce Festival
Where: Smuttynose Brewing Co., 105 Towle Farm Road, Hampton
When: Saturday, July 30, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Cost: $10 in advance online and $15 at the door; kids ages 10 and under are free
Visit: newenglandhotsaucefest.com

DiSaverio originally started making his own hot sauces “kind of casually” before eventually, with the help of his culinary-minded sister, Adriana, deciding to jumpstart his passion into a business. Today he owns The Spicy Shark, a line of products that includes seven craft hot sauces, a wing sauce, a Sriracha, a hot honey and two hot maple syrups using all natural ingredients. A self-described “Jaws fanatic” since the age of 8, DiSaverio said the “shark” part of the business comes from combining spicy foods with his other lifelong passion, shark conservation.

Since selling its first bottle in early 2019, the Portsmouth-based company has gone on to win multiple national awards for its sauces, and DiSaverio and his team have participated in various hot sauce festivals and expos all over the country. But all the while, these experiences led him to a pivotal question: Why wasn’t there such an event anywhere in New England?

“These festivals are awesome, and I kind of said to myself that since I’ve heard nothing of someone putting one on around here anytime soon, then the heck with it. I’ll do it,” he said.

The inaugural New England Hot Sauce Festival, happening on Saturday, July 30, at Smuttynose Brewing Co. in Hampton, has already generated substantial buzz among its participating vendors. Nearly 30 New England and Northeast-area hot sauce companies will be there, and that doesn’t include the more than 20 others that had to be placed on a waiting list. Food challenges, including hot pepper and hot wing eating contests — and a world record attempt by Canadian competitive eater Mike Jack — are planned throughout the day, along with live music, food trucks and more.

DiSaverio is a regular proponent of Save the Sharks and several other nonprofits that focus on shark conservation and education. In keeping with his passion, proceeds from the festival will benefit the Blue Ocean Society in Portsmouth and the Seacoast Science Center in Rye.

For DiSaverio, the festival’s immense anticipation is a testament to a growing culture.

“I think it’s an understatement to say that New England is not exactly known as a ‘spicy’ region, and that’s fair, up until the last five years or so,” he said. “But as I’ve gotten more entrenched in the hot sauce community, the amount of new hot sauce companies that have popped up in New England is unbelievable. … I think a lot of it has to do with the ethnic diversity that continues to grow within our country … and there’s this growth of more people seeking out those cultures.”

With New England’s first hot sauce festival right around the corner, we took a deeper dive into New Hampshire’s growing hot sauce scene. Here’s a look at how some companies turn up the heat and enhance the flavor of their products, as well as what their top suggestions are for how you should use them.

Smokey Tom pineapple pulled pork
Courtesy of Dandido Sauce, dandidosauce.com

4 to 5 pounds pork butt
⅕ of a bottle of hot or medium Dandido Smokey Tom hot sauce
1 can pineapple chunks
1 sweet onion, thinly sliced
1 Tablespoon cumin

Combine ingredients in a slow cooker and set on high for 7 hours.

Coming in hot

DiSaverio, who worked for Boston Beer Co. for 17 years prior to founding The Spicy Shark, said the surging interest in craft hot sauces is not unlike that of the local craft beer scene.

“You go into any beer store now and there’s craft beer that’s falling off the shelf onto your head,” he said. “Where we were around 10 to 15 years ago with craft beer [is] where I feel like we are now with craft hot sauces. You’re starting to see this huge explosion.”

Phil Pelletier of Manchester, for instance, got into making his own sauces in 2017 when his wife, Melissa, bought him a ghost pepper plant. Her goal? She wanted to see if her husband, an avid lover of spicy foods, could handle the intense heat of the peppers.

“Every time we’d go out to eat … she’d always try to get me to get the spiciest thing to try,” Pelletier said. “So when I got that plant, I had to figure out what the heck I was going to do with all those peppers, because each plant will produce up to 200-plus ghost peppers, easily.”

The Pelletiers are now the husband-and-wife team behind Smokin’ Tin Roof, a specialty sauce company also offering items like a hot pepper jelly, a bacon stout mustard and a spiced pumpkin butter. All of their products, Pelletier said, are created using ghost peppers that are dehydrated and pulverized into a powder. He adds them in different amounts to control the heat level.

Smokin’ Tin Roof’s sauces include the Smoky Peppah, made with roasted red bell peppers; Grow a Pear, a sweeter pear-based sauce; and Burnin’ Raspberry, a raspberry-based sauce.

“The way I developed all of them was by creating a flavor first … and then I would add the ghost pepper powder to give it the amount of heat that I wanted to have,” Pelletier said. “We don’t want the flavor to get destroyed with the amount of heat that we add to it, which is key for us.”

Marshall Irving of the aptly named Hots Hoss, a small-batch producer of countless flavors of craft hot sauces, similarly began dabbling in his own unique flavors late last year.

“I’ve always been the spicy guy, even as a kid,” he said. “Last October, my mother came up from Florida and went to the Concord Farmers Market. I work in Concord, and so she visited me and handed me a bag of some ghost peppers she got from the farmers market. … Then literally that night, I went home and I looked up probably 10 or 20 different hot sauce recipes online.”

Since then, Irving has gravitated toward all types of other peppers, experimenting with other ingredients to create his own flavor profiles. He’s done everything from a strawberry carrot habanero hot sauce to a black truffle sauce with Fresno and habanero peppers. New flavors are regularly posted to Hots Hoss’s social media channels and when they’re gone they’re gone.

“I haven’t repeated a batch yet,” Irving said. “I’ve been working on making a bunch of different new recipes and just kind of seeing what sticks and what the crowd favorites are.”

According to DiSaverio, most of the bigger mass-market hot sauce brands — think Tabasco, TexasPete or Frank’s — are considered Louisiana-style and are known for their simplicity.

“They [contain] vinegar, mostly cayenne or tabasco peppers, and salt. That’s it, three ingredients,” he said. “They’re very vinegar-y, [but] that’s what Louisiana-style is.”

Chef Adam Parker, who founded NH Hot Sauce nearly 15 years ago, said he set out to make his own products after growing disenchanted with what was available on the market at the time. For each of his four sauces, he likes to individually roast and concentrate the peppers that are used.

“What that does … is it really starts to bring out the natural flavors that are in those peppers, as opposed to [the sauce] just being something spicy that you put on your food,” said Parker, who has most recently served as the owner of The Utopian, a cozy scratch-cooked bistro in Amherst.

Kevin Taillon, another chef by trade with his own craft hot sauce company on the side, bottled the first of what would become Naked Hot Sauces in 2015 — a green chile pepper-based sauce called Garden Variety. The sauce received such a positive reaction that it inspired Taillon, who co-owns Fire and Spice Bistro in Newfields with his wife, to make more. Eventually, he began experimenting with other types of sauces and started to sell them at local farmers markets.

Scale of spiciness

In 1912 a pharmacist named Wilbur Scoville created what he called the Scoville Organoleptic Test. Now more commonly referred to as the Scoville Scale, it’s used as a measurement method to determine the pungency of different types of peppers, with each being assigned a range of numbers, or Scoville Heat Units (SHU). The more units assigned, the hotter the pepper is.

“The Scoville Scale goes from zero to 16 million. It’s the scale of the amount of capsaicin, which is the portion of the pepper that causes the heat,” DiSaverio said. “So you’ve got this scale of 16 million, which is pure capsaicin, and even the hottest peppers are in the 1 to 2 million range. … That’s a measure of the pepper itself, and basically what it means is how many drops of water it would take to dilute that drop of capsaicin so that you wouldn’t be able to feel the heat.”

Even bell peppers without a trace of heat in them, Irving said, are technically on the Scoville Scale, but at zero units. As you move your way up the scale, you encounter different types of peppers assigned to different tiers based on their Scoville units — a jalapeno, for instance, sits at a range of about 2,500 to 8,000 units, while a much hotter habanero pepper is about 100,000 to 350,000 units. Ghost peppers are even higher, from 855,000 to just over 1 million units.

The hottest pepper on the Scoville Scale, ranked at about 1.4 million to 2.2 million Scoville units, is known as the Carolina Reaper. In fact, in 2017 Guinness World Records declared it the hottest pepper in the word, citing tests that were conducted by Winthrop University in South Carolina.

Ed Currie — a.k.a. “Smokin’ Ed” — of the PuckerButt Pepper Co. in Fort Mill, South Carolina, is the creator of the pepper. He also happens to be a friend of DiSaverio’s and will be supplying Carolina Reaper peppers for the New England Hot Sauce Festival’s pepper eating contest.

“There are so many more different peppers available now in the United States to buy because of the demand … and now you’re seeing people like Ed who are cross-pollinating and cross-breeding to make new peppers … and experimenting, just like with beer,” DiSaverio said.

The Carolina Reaper is used as a base pepper in several of Taillon’s sauces, like the Reaper Madness, and the Red Reaper, which blends them with red Fresno peppers. Dandido Sauce, based in Manchester, also offers its “extremely hot” Dandido Black — its newest product, according to sales consultant Jennifer Renaud. The sauce blends Carolina Reaper peppers with wasabi, hot cinnamon and ginger, among other fresh ingredients.

Can you take the heat?

Here’s a snapshot of various peppers most commonly used in New Hampshire’s craft hot sauces. Peppers are ranked using a method known as the Scoville Scale; each is assigned a range of numbers, or Scoville Heat Units (SHU), based on the amount of capsaicin, the active ingredient in the pepper. The more units assigned, the hotter the pepper is.

Nurse Shark, Thresher Shark or smoked maple Sriracha breakfast egg bake
Courtesy of The Spicy Shark, thespicyshark.com

12 eggs
½ of a bottle of Nurse Shark (jalapeno hot sauce), Thresher Shark (chipotle hot sauce) or smoked maple Sriracha
5 ounces baby kale
5 ounces baby arugula
1 small Vidalia onion, thinly sliced
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese (optional)
2 three-finger pinches each of salt and pepper
Extra virgin olive oil (enough to coat the bottom of a large skillet)

Preheat the oven to bake at 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Beat eggs in a large bowl and set aside. Heat oil in a large skillet on medium heat. Saute onions for a few minutes, or until translucent. Add salt, pepper, kale and arugula to the onions. Mix and cook for a few more minutes, or until the kale and arugula are wilted. Remove from heat. Coat a 9-by-12-inch baking pan with olive oil, nonstick spray, ghee or butter. Evenly spread the mixture from the saute pan into the baking pan. Sprinkle mozzarella over the mixture. Pour the eggs over the mozzarella. Gently move everything in the baking pan slightly with a fork, so the eggs can reach the bottom. Bake for 35 to 40 minutes, or until lightly browned. Let it cool for a few minutes before cutting.

Universal flavor

When it comes to hot sauce, local makers say their usage opportunities are consistently endless.

“The interesting thing is … you can have it [with] your breakfast, lunch or dinner and it can still be amazing in every way, shape and form,” Parker said. “I like using it on eggs. … Sometimes I’ll mix some into a sour cream or even some yogurt and use that as a dipping sauce.”

Depending on the flavor, Pelletier said, his sauces are great for everything, from ingredients in tacos and nachos to their use as salad dressings or chicken or pork marinades. A regular client even purchases his raspberry sauce by the half-gallon to use as an ice cream topping.

“We get more ideas as people talk to us and come back to buy more when they see us at a show,” he said. “They’ll go, ‘Oh, yeah, I put this sauce on this and, boy, did that make a difference!’”

Most of Dandido’s sauces are also great when incorporated into your cooking — or even as ingredients in shrimp cocktail sauces, co-owner Ed Baroody said.

“It’s not just something to put on top,” Renaud said. “You can build a chili off of it, [or] you can add it to your baked potato in your sour cream. … I’ve even scrambled it into my eggs.”

Irving’s best friend, Rylan Hill, is the head chef of New Hampshire Pizza Co. in Concord — the eatery has incorporated Hots Hoss into its specials, notably using a blackberry hot sauce Irving made for a Delmonico steak pizza special that was topped with chimichurri, pickled red cabbage, leeks, mozzarella and Gouda.

“I put my hot sauce on everything,” Irving said. “That’s the thing about hot sauce. It’s a topping, it’s a condiment, it’s a dipping sauce. … You can do anything with it.”

Scovie Awards
Dubbed the “Oscars of hot sauce” by Gabe DiSaverio of The Spicy Shark in Portsmouth, the annual Scovie Awards recognize the most acclaimed fiery foods and spicy products from around the world. The awards ceremony is held every year at the Sandia Resort & Casino in Albuquerque, New Mexico, usually the first weekend in March — a panel of judges rates all applicable submissions in various categories like appearance, aroma, texture, originality, flavor and overall impression.

To date, The Spicy Shark has taken home a total of 11 Scovie awards in either first, second or third place categories for its products. DiSaverio said he is most proud of two of those awards in particular: winning first place last year for his Hammah Gatah 7 Pot Primo pepper sauce, and winning Best in Show, the grand prize award, in 2020 for his hot maple syrup. Manchester’s Smokin’ Tin Roof has a Scovie Award of its own — its Smoky Peppah sauce, made from ground ghost pepper and some pineapple and sweet red bell peppers, was awarded second place in 2021.

New Hampshire-made craft hot sauces

Here’s a list of some of the Granite State’s spiciest hot sauce companies — visit their websites directly or follow them on social media to find out how to order them or where to pick them up.

Dandido Sauce
dandidosauce.com, @dandidosauce
Try this sauce: The Dandido Black This “extremely hot” sauce, the company’s newest product, blends Carolina Reaper peppers with wasabi, hot cinnamon and ginger, among other fresh ingredients.

Effin Sauces Co.
effinsauces.com, @effinsauces
Try this sauce: Sweet Lava This apple cider-based vinegar hot sauce is made with bell and habanero peppers, offering a unique balance of sweetness and heat.

Hots Hoss
[email protected], @hots.hoss
Try this sauce: Strawberry carrot habanero One of the more recent offerings from Marshall Irving of Hots Hoss, a one-man operation of small-batch craft hot sauces in Manchester, this sauce combines habanero peppers with strawberry and carrot flavors.

Naked Hot Sauces
nakedhotsauces.net, @nakedhotsauces
Try this sauce: Reaper Madness One of several Carolina Reaper-based offerings from chef Kevin Taillon of Naked Hot Sauces, who also owns Fire and Spice Bistro in Newfields, the Reaper Madness is best recommended for use on tacos or cheesesteaks.

NH Hot Sauce
nhhotsauce.com, @nhhotsauce
Try this sauce: Pull Fire Pull Fire, made with red Fresno peppers and fresh garlic, is one of four products from NH Hot Sauce, brought to you by longtime local chef Adam Parker.

Philbur’s Hot Sauce
philburs.com, @philburs
Try this sauce: Philbur’s No. 21 Hot The hottest offering from Philbur’s of Portsmouth, this sauce starts with sweet roasted peppers, jalapeno and habanero, along with extra ghost and scorpion peppers and a fresh herb finish.

Pogo’s Peppers
pogospeppers.com, @pogospeppers
Try this sauce: Jalapeno lime Pogo’s Peppers of Rye creates this sauce using roasted jalapenos and bright lime flavors, making it a versatile addition to just about any dish.

Rubin’s Hot Sauce
rubinshotsauce.com, @rubinshotsauce
Try this sauce: Inferno This sauce features a unique proprietary blend of twice the normal amount of home-grown Carolina Reaper peppers that’s then infused with a citrus-based blend of tropical fruits.

Smokin’ Tin Roof
smokintinroof.com, @smokintinroof
Try this sauce: Smoky Peppah A 2021 Scovie Award winner, taking home second place in the national competition, Smokin’ Tin Roof’s Smoky Peppah sauce is made from ground ghost pepper and some pineapple and sweet red bell peppers.

The Spicy Shark
thespicyshark.com, @thespicyshark
Try this sauce: Megalodon Named after the largest shark that ever lived, this craft sauce is brought to you by The Spicy Shark of Portsmouth, featuring “a sweet cherry start with the blazing finish of the Carolina Reaper pepper.”

Volcanic Ash Hot Sauce
volcanicashhotsauce.com, @volcanicashhotsauce
Try this sauce: O.G. Volcanic Ash This small-batch sauce features a blend of fresh habanero peppers with slowly caramelized onions, garlic, premium olive oil and a touch of sea salt.

Waldo Pepper’s Hot Sauce
waldopeppershotsauce.com, @waldopeppershotsauce
Try this sauce: Chipotle Ghost Featuring a blend of chipotle and ghost peppers with other ingredients like cider vinegar, carrots, onions, ground garlic, ginger and lime juice, this sauce is great for spicing up your eggs, burgers or chicken.

Featured photo: Courtesy photo.

A look at New Hampshire’s world of tattoo artistry

By Katelyn Sahagian and Jack Walsh

listings@admin

Live Free or Die Tattoo Expo
Where: DoubleTree by Hilton Manchester Downtown, 700 Elm St., Manchester
When: Friday, July 22, 5 p.m. to midnight; Saturday, July 23, 11 a.m. to midnight, and Sunday, July 24, noon to 8 p.m.
Cost: $15 for a single-day pass, $20 for a two-day pass, or $25 for a three-day pass
Visit: livefreeordietattoo.com

On Friday, July 15, the air was buzzing with more than just the whir of tattoo machines at Tattoo Angus and Spider-Bite, Inc., a joint tattoo and body piercing shop in Manchester. Anticipation grew as artists and apprentices scurried across the main floor — those not currently getting inked or pierced looked through flash sheets and pointed out elegantly crafted adornments, occasionally stooping to pet one of the “shop dogs,” a black-and-white-colored pit bull named Bijou.

It’s nearly time for the long-awaited return of the Live Free or Die Tattoo Expo — the 14th annual event is a three-day affair packed with local vendors, contests and live music, returning to the DoubleTree by Hilton Manchester Downtown from Friday, July 22, through Sunday, July 24.

The largest event of its kind in the Granite State, the expo originally started in 2007 but hasn’t been held since 2019. Organizer Jon Thomas, who is also the owner of Tattoo Angus and Spider-Bite, said he never imagined it would be as successful as it has become.

“An hour before the show, people started piling up and I saw this huge line out there, and that feeling was amazing,” Thomas said. “We had a sold-out show.”

The expo will be a little smaller this time around, Thomas said, but there will still be more than 100 booths set up. Sideshows by Doctor Finnigan’s Circus and burlesque performer Marlo Marquis are also planned, as well as the return of the ever popular pin-up pageant.

“For the tattoo contest and pin-up contests, we went back to the classics,” Thomas said, adding that some past themes have complicated things. “It takes [the models] a lot more work. They all do a decent job, but every time we do a classic pin-up, it goes back four times bigger.”

Artists can participate in different competitions, like Best Cover-up, Best Half-Sleeve and Best Portrait in either color or black and gray. Each of the expo’s three days will culminate with an artist being awarded the Best Tattoo of the Day.

Smaller tattoos like scripts and dates, as well as images chosen from flash sheets, will make up most of the walk-in tattooing opportunities at the expo. Thomas said that a few of the artists will be fully booked for the competitions. He added that even with the smaller number of booths there will be no shortage of artists willing to do some quick work.

Thomas is even hosting a party at Angel City Music Hall, a bar below his shop, with a complimentary limo service to take people from the expo to there and back. There will also be live music, including performances from Bar Hoppers and The Dilemma.

Meet the artist
Sean Ambrose, Arrows & Embers Tattoo
117 Manchester St., Suite 3, Concord, 988-6067, arrowsandemberstattoo.com
Years of experience: 12
Appointments: arrowsandemberstattoo.com/contact
Ambrose started his first apprenticeship at the age of 18. “I knew I was going to be a tattoo artist from an early age,” he said. “It was meant to be.” Having opened Arrows and Embers in 2010, Ambrose has gone on to win awards and accolades, continuing to do what he loves today. As for his style, it’s hard to pin down. “I work in any style that is beautiful,” he said. “I follow my instincts, draw from classical art sources, any piece of art has a recipe, like baking a cake, more so than being a magical experience.”

Meet the artist
Jo-Jo Clark, Scaredy Cat Ink Tattoo
181 Route 13, Brookline, 347-8980, scaredycatinktattoo.com
Years of experience: 17
Appointments: scaredycatinktattoo.com (scroll down to the contact form)
Originally from Maine, Clark has been tattooing since 2005, opening Scaredy Cat Ink in 2018. Working in a lot of different styles, she specializes in watercolor tattoos, preferring to do things the old-fashioned way. “I like to sit down with the client and do an in-person consultation,” she said. “I love the opportunity to sit down with them and design it for them in the studio. That way any changes can be made right there, instead of messaging back and forth.”

Meet the artist
Sami “Moxi” Monoxelos, Scorpion Tattooing
10 Manchester Road, Derry, 434-4798, scorpiontattooing.com
Years of experience: 4 1/2
Appointments: [email protected] (not currently accepting bookings)
Monoxelos, who dresses up as her favorite characters from different fandoms and attends different conventions, specializes in doing fandom and anime tattoos. While she isn’t open for booking, her shop takes walk-ins and bookings with other artists.

A rapidly growing culture

Thomas organized the first Live Free or Die Tattoo Expo just one year after tattooing became legal in Manchester. In fact, he was a major part of getting that legislation passed in 2006.

“I tried to tell [the court] how safe shops would be, instead of people getting tattooed in basements,” he said. “I had Spider-Bite already. I showed them my aftercare sheets and other stuff. They finally broke down and gave it to me.”

A major part of tattooing is getting an apprenticeship. According to the Board of Body Art Practitioners, apprenticeships are required in New Hampshire for tattoo artists to become licensed. Apprenticeships must last at least a year, but most will extend for longer until the training artist is confident in their apprentice’s abilities.

Paul Teves of Blue Iris Tattoo in Merrimack has been practicing the art for more than 20 years in New Hampshire. Back then, Teves said, there was a huge social taboo hanging over the heads of artists and people covered with tattoos alike.

“When I first started, [tattoos were] really frowned upon,” Teves said. “I remember when older women would get up and sit on the other side of the bus from me. Now you can’t go [to] the hospital without seeing a nurse with a sleeve.”

Teves will be one of the featured artists at the expo. He said he is glad to see how the art form and its overall reception have evolved tremendously over the last few years.

Meet the artist
Abe Hilerio, Tat2abe
100 Main St., Nashua, 341-0145, tat2abe.com
Years of experience: 23
Appointments: Made via phone
To Hilerio, tattooing is more than just a profession — it’s his passion. He treats every day of work as a chance to better his skills and hone his craft, as well as making the best art he can for his clients. He specializes in black and gray realism tattoos, especially portraiture. Tat2abe, his shop, only accepts clients via appointment.

Abe Hilerio of Tat2abe, a private studio in Nashua, said tattooing has changed drastically since he began back in 1999. His career started in his home state of Massachusetts, where it was illegal for people without medical degrees to tattoo up until the year 2000.

“Back then tattooing wasn’t popular,” Hilerio said. “There were no reality shows, [and] it was more of an underground type of thing. It was still kind of cliché.”

Hilerio gained an apprenticeship by word of mouth — a friend boasted of his talents in illustration — as there was no social media for him to share his work.

Now, Hilerio said that tattooing has grown in acceptance, crediting the popularity of reality television shows. He said they have shaped the current industry and have shown the world the true diversity in art surrounding each tattoo artist and piece.

Hilerio spends hours studying and drawing his designs to perfection for each of his clients. He only takes on one client per day so that he can maintain complete focus.

“Everybody wants custom [tattoos], so we have to sit there and draw, and sometimes we have to figure out what it is the client wants us to do,” Hilerio said. “That takes a lot of time.”

Sami “Moxie” Monoxelos of Scorpion Tattooing in Derry said that in recent years tattoo culture has changed for the better. She started her career as an art student at Maine College of Art before transitioning to skin canvases.

“Almost any tattoo shop that I’ll go into, it doesn’t matter what walk of life, who you are, where you come from, [or] what you identify as, people are super accepting of it,” Monoxelos said.

Lloyd Goodwin of Magic Moon Tattoo in Nashua said that being personable is a huge part of the process nowadays, especially in having recurring clients.

“The business has changed a lot,” Goodwin said. “It used to be that somebody would come in, [and] they’d sit down, be quiet and get the tattoo.”

Originally taking up illustration in his early years, Goodwin worked in retail when he was told that he could make money in tattooing by an admirer of his art. Tattooing quickly became his passion, and he has been giving people permanent art for six years.

Meet the artist
Paul Teves, Blue Iris Tattoo
416 Daniel Webster Hwy., Merrimack, 505-7701, blueiristattoo.com
Years of experience: 23
Appointments: [email protected]
Teves received his first tattoo at the age of 13 and has been in love with the artform ever since. He began his career as a self-taught tattooer in 1999. A few years later he completed his apprenticeship in Massachusetts under longtime artist Mulysa Mayhem, ultimately returning to New Hampshire to fulfill his dream of owning his own shop. Teves owns Blue Iris Tattoos, where he is also a principal artist. The shop is by appointment only.

Meet the artist
Sarah Arnold, Apothecary Tattoo
141 Route 101A, Unit M4, Amherst, 521-7491, apothecarytattoonh.com
Years of experience: 8
Appointments: apothecarytattoonh.com/contact/
Arnold, who has been fascinated with art and drawing her whole life, said transitioning to tattooing in 2014 felt like a natural extension of that passion. She opened Apothecary Tattoo in 2020 as a joint tattoo shop and fine art gallery. She specializes in neo-traditional, illustrative, and cartoon tattoos. Apothecary Tattoo is open for walk-ins, as well as booked appointments for larger pieces.

Tattooing trends

While she favors creating unique fandom and anime pieces for her clients, Monoxelos said she has noticed over her four-and-a-half-year career that tattooing trends change frequently. Right now, she is seeing a spike in people requesting floral pieces.

“There’s so much that you can do with it, too. It flows naturally with the body, and it usually looks really good,” she said. She explained that any type of plant life, from forests to flowers, is considered a floral tattoo. “Black and gray floral, color floral, floral with a pet portrait, I’d say, [is] the going trend right now.”

Sarah Arnold, an artist at Apothecary Tattoos in Amherst, said that she’s seen a lot of tattoo trends come from social media.

“On TikTok, there was a girl [with] five butterflies going from her hand up her arm and the amount of people who wanted this tattoo was staggering,” Arnold said. “It was pretty, but I kept thinking, ‘Why do you all want the same thing?’”

Arnold said she has been obsessed with tattoos since she was 18, when she got her first piece done. She has been designing art and inking people since 2014, but said she has never before seen people embracing the art form like they are now.

“Everybody is getting tattoos now,” she said. “Everybody is going straight for hand, neck, face and that used to be the last thing you’d get done. You’d only do those spots when you ran out of space.”

Arnold said she won’t do faces, hands or necks for people unless they are already heavily covered. She said that a lot of young people don’t fully grasp the implications of what having tattoos in those spots could mean in the future.

A piece of advice Arnold has for people who are new to getting tattoos is for clients to not worry about offending artists if they don’t like the stencil. Arnold said that there’s no harm in turning away a drawing, because it’s the client’s body that will be permanently changed.

“Say something when you’re upset with the drawing. We have to look at it for a couple hours. You have to look at it for the rest of your life,” Arnold said. She added that offending an artist might be uncomfortable, but it outweighs the other option. “Their feelings will be fixed in an hour when they’ve forgotten you. You’d be stuck with a tattoo that you don’t want.”

Meet the artist
Lloyd Goodwin, Magic Moon Tattoo
38C E. Hollis St., Nashua, 320-9616, magicmoontattoo.com
Years of experience: 7
Appointments: form.jotform.com/magicmoontattoo/tattoo
Goodwin has been drawing and creating illustrations his whole life. While working in retail he was encouraged to take the plunge into tattooing, and he’s never looked back. Goodwin specializes in neo-traditional but is comfortable with all styles of tattooing. Magic Moon Tattoo does not take walk-in clients.

Meet the artist
Dave McCormick, Tattoo Angus
179 Elm St., Unit C, Manchester, 935-9398, tattooangus.com
Years of experience: 27
Appointments: [email protected]
McCormick does a mix of styles but said he specializes in photorealism and more classic styles. His process for designing a tattoo with a client is simple: “They just have to put me on a path,” he said. McCormick had an interesting start to his tattooing career. ”My wife bought me a ‘tattoo starter kit,’ with our tax money that we desperately needed to pay bills that year, and she said, ‘Get good quick,’” he said. “27 years later I’m still doing it.”

When it comes to trends, Goodwin said that there are often waves. He said that a lot of what people consider hot tattoos is based on the art notable celebrities get done.

“Rihanna’s pharaoh bird came out and that really set the trend for sternum tattoos,” Goodwin said. “It’s all based on what people see in the media.”

Goodwin added that now, more people are doing research on who they want to use as an artist rather than walking into a shop and picking the first artist that they happen to speak with.

Birth flowers, mandalas, dates and memorial tattoos take up about 30 to 40 percent of Goodwin’s business. The other 60 to 70 percent, he said, is based on his own creativity — he works with clients to design art that fits their body and will accommodate their special requests.

“People are beginning to see [the value of] going to see a specific artist because of the quality of the work, in comparison to just going everywhere and getting a bunch of work,” Goodwin said. “When I first started in the industry, it was more or less flash tattoos that people were doing.”

Despite the growing demand for custom tattoos, Arnold said that there isn’t any hostility amongst artists that she’s noticed in New Hampshire. She said that she’ll often refer people who are looking to get mandalas done to artists she knows who will excel at the geometric style.

“I feel we’re super lucky to have so many great artists concentrated in such a small state,” Arnold said. She said that there is competition, but it pushes her and other artists to do the best they can. “I feel like the community between artists … [is] not negative and super competitive in a bad way. We’re all proud of the accomplishments of each other.”

Tattooing styles
Source: Inked Magazine, inkedmag.com
• American traditional: A popular style of tattoo with thick black outlines, a minimal but bold color palette, and iconic tattoo imagery like skulls, snakes, knives, swallows and anchors.
• Black and gray: A style of tattooing that only utilizes black ink. The ink is diluted with water to get the gray tones for shading and highlighting.
• Cosmetic tattoo: A type of tattoo that is used to enhance features, much like make up. Common types are microblading, which is done to fill out eyebrows, as well as permanent lip and eye liner.
• Cover-up: A tattoo designed to hide an older tattoo in the new one. A good cover-up
will completely hide the old tattoo through strategic linework and color.
• Geometric: A style of tattooing that uses geometric shapes and linework with no shading. Mandalas are a popular form of geometric tattoo.
• Illustrative: A style of tattooing that combines aspects of realism and American traditional. It uses bold outlines and realistic shading to depict illustration designs.

Hannah Turtle contributed to this story.

Featured photo: Courtesy photo.