A new business based in Bedford is aiming to take away the stress of planning a special event while turning celebrations into uniquely customizable experiences.
Boho Pop-Up Picnic — short for “bohemian,” which is the style of the company’s locally built picnic tables — is owned and operated by Tanya Tobin and her husband, Matt. Since their launch earlier this year, the couple has provided elevated picnic setups for events large and small with all kinds of themes and add-ons to fit the occasion. They’ll also often partner with local businesses for small food enhancements like cakes, cupcakes and charcuterie boards.
Tobin, who has always had a passion for the holidays and for hosting events, said she became inspired after following other similar luxury picnic setup concepts out on the West Coast.
“I hadn’t seen anything like this on the East Coast and in New Hampshire, so I wanted to bring it to this area,” she said. “It has had a bigger and quicker response than I anticipated. … I’ve found that a lot of people either didn’t know about it or they came across it during a search of trying to find ways to celebrate an anniversary or a birthday or a bridal or baby shower.”
Whether it’s a romantic indoor or outdoor picnic for two or a more involved gathering in a public park, Tobin has handled it all. Inquiries can be filled out on Boho Pop-Up Picnic’s website.
A standard picnic setup would include low sitting tables and all plates, utensils, placemats and napkins, plus any wine glasses, baskets, and small chalkboards with a custom written message. Umbrellas, fresh flowers, bar carts, cornhole sets and ice buckets can be added too.
“They tell me what the theme is, and I try to incorporate their idea the best that I can to match what’s being celebrated,” Tobin said. “I do the setup about an hour before the event, and then they have the event for two hours. Then I pick up and clean up everything after.”
Tobin has also formed relationships with local bakeries like Frederick’s Pastries, Queen City Cupcakes and the Bearded Baking Co., as well as 603 Charcuterie and The Grazing State, which offer customizable charcuterie boards and boxes to go. Personal snack-sized charcuterie boxes, boxed waters or seltzers are provided to each member of the party.
While many of the more specialized picnics take place at clients’ homes, Tobin has done setups in public places. A recent picnic she organized overlooked Lake Massabesic in Manchester, and she’s also travelled to the Seacoast to put together picnics by the beach.
You don’t even need to wait for someone’s birthday or baby shower to come up either, as Tobin offers a few of her own preset picnic themes. The “Game Day” pop-up, for instance, is football-themed with a faux green grass football field table runner and a mini chalkboard scoreboard, while the “Popcorn & Movie Night” pop-up, available for up to four hours, features a popcorn machine, a movie projector and a 10-foot screen all provided by Tobin herself. She has also done sleepover pop-up parties for kids that will often have themes of their own.
Indoor and outdoor events can still be booked both now and during peak dates early next year.
Boho Pop-Up Picnic
Visit bohopopuppicnic.com or follow them on Facebook and Instagram @bohopopuppicnicnh to submit an event inquiry.
Exhibits, make-and-take crafts, demos and more on the Route 3 Art Trail
Building on a small but successful inaugural event, the second annual Route 3 Art Trail returns with more artists, more demonstrations and more hands-on activities at three anchor locations — Kimball Jenkins, Twiggs Gallery and MakingMatters — plus a cluster of small studios in between. The event takes place Saturday, Nov. 6, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Adele Sanborn, owner of Twiggs Gallery in Boscawen, came up with the idea last year to create the art trail as sort of a replacement for NH Open Doors, which the gallery used to take part in.
Doug Egounis handcrafts furniture and holiday decorations. Courtesy photo.
“We are connecting [the public] with local artists this way instead,” Twiggs Gallery Manager Laura Morrison said. “The ultimate idea is to create an arts corridor that’s north of Concord.”
During the event, Twiggs will open its annual holiday exhibit Sleighbell Studio for the season.
“During November and into mid-December we kind of turn it into more of a shop for people to pick up gifts,” Morrison said.
If weather permits, the gallery will also host a bonfire from 1 to 3 p.m., where people can roast marshmallows, drink hot chocolate and listen to caroling, and it will offer free kits for making holiday cards.
MakingMatters in Penacook is another of the tour’s anchor stops, and MakingMatters Treasurer Sandra May said they’ll have 10 or 11 demonstrators.
“We’ve more than doubled what we had last year,” she said. “We [also] have a full house of resident artists.”
Some of the demonstrations will be done by non-resident artists, including a bowl turner and a wood carver from the Guild of New Hampshire Woodworkers and a sculpturist. There will be some hands-on activities, including happiness rocks, collage painting and two free classes: posca pen paint art for all ages, and cyanotype image printing for mature kids and adults. For the posca pen class, people are welcome to bring objects from home to paint on.
Jo Shields incorporates recycled objects into her work. Courtesy photo.
May said she’s looking forward to “sharing the energy of the arts community that’s north of Concord.”
“I think Penacook doesn’t always get the love it deserves,” she said.
Also in Penacook, mixed-metal artist Jo Shields is back on the art trail after getting a lot of traffic last year at her studio, located inside her house. Shields was just juried into the League of New Hampshire Craftsmen and is starting to get some of her pieces into the League stores. She uses all kinds of recycled objects in her jewelry, including old knitting needles, pieces of metal she’s found on the road, old porcelain dolls and cut-up silver-plated trays.
“I like to work with copper, and I make a lot of earrings. I love making necklaces. My stuff is very different, kind of funky and fun,” she said.
Also at Shields’ studio will be her friend Diane Fishel of Ofishel Designs!
“She makes some of the most awesome handbags,” Shields said.
Both will be doing demonstrations; Shields will be doing repousse, a metalworking technique, while Fishel will be painting on fabric.
Back in Boscawen, glass artist Karen Mehos will open her studio and home retail shop, Gadzooks Glass, for tours and shopping, as well as demonstrations if the weather is warm enough. Mehos makes fused glass ornaments, bowls, votive holders and night lights. Up until now it’s mostly been just for fun, but she was intrigued by the idea of opening up her home and studio for the tour.
“I’ve never done this before, [but I thought] I should really sell [my work] because it’s piling up,” she said. “I just want to make pretty things that other people can enjoy.”
Mehos has been working with fused glass for about eight years, having done stained glass in college.
Small glass bowl by Karen Mehos. Courtesy photo.
“Life happened, then I [eventually] moved into my own place with my own little shed, and that’s where I work,” she said.
Mehos will have something for every price range; most will be less than $50, and many are in the $10 to $25 range.
“The more complex they get, the price goes up,” she said. “I can spend anywhere from an hour to a day just putting the glass in place and making it go the way I want it to.”
Her priciest item is a bowl that features a sunset, which she spent three months working on.
“That bowl is a labor of love and passion,” she said. “That image popped into my head and it was my job to get that image out of my head and into the glass.”
Several other artists will open up their shops for the Route 3 Art Trail, as will the third anchor location, Kimball-Jenkins, which is in the northern part of Concord. It will have its Salon 2021 exhibit open for viewing.
Each of the locations will have an item to raffle off; pick up your Passport at your first stop, then visit at least five more sites to be eligible to participate.
Route 3 Art Trail
When: Saturday, Nov. 6, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Where: Various locations throughout Boscawen, Penacook and northern Concord More info: For a map, visit route3arttrail.com.
Trail stops
On King Street in Boscawen:
Twiggs Gallery, 254 King St.
Twiggs Gallery’s holiday exhibit Sleighbell Studio will open for the season. Weather permitting, there will be a bonfire from 1 to 3 p.m. for roasting marshmallows, plus hot chocolate and caroling by the Boscawen Congregational Church Choir. Take home a free kit to create a unique holiday card.
Gadzooks Glass, 232 King St.
Glass artist Karen Mehos will open her studio for tours and demonstrations, weather permitting, and she will have her retail space open to sell her small ornaments, night lights, votive holders, platters and bowls.
Susan Douglass, 231 King St.
Susan Douglass will have a tent set up outside her home to showcase the sculptures and whimsical items she creates for the home and garden. Everything is made from upcycled objects.
Chadwick Hill Rustic Furniture, 187 King St.
Furniture craftsman Doug Egounis creates log furniture made from a variety of wood such as black birch, white birch, maple and pine. He will be making a bench and some small reindeers during the tour.
Marshall’s Flowers & Gifts, 151 King St.
Marshall’s Flowers & Gifts features New Hampshire-made gifts, fresh, dried and silk arrangements and dish gardens. Stop by to watch the florist designing fresh flower arrangements.
In Penacook:
Dreamland Machine Quilting, 15 Fowler St.
Quilter Tracy Szanto provides custom machine quilting, custom-made T-shirt quilts and other quilted items and gifts. Tracy will have her quilting machine set up to do demos and will also demonstrate how she paints on fabric.
Jo Shields Studio, 5 Steeple View
Jo Shields is a mixed-metal jeweler; she invited Diane Fishel of Ofishel Designs! to join her for the day. Jo will be demonstrating repoussé, a metalworking technique, and Diane will be demonstrating painting on fabric.
MakingMatters NH, 88 Village St.
MakingMatters NH is Concord’s makerspace and artist/business incubator. It will be offering facility tours, artisan and equipment demos and children’s make-and-take craft stations. There will be two free classes: Explore Posca Paint Pen Art from 11 a.m. to noon and Cyanotype Image Printing Workshop from 2 to 3:30 p.m. Sign up at makingmattersnh.wildapricot.org.
In Concord:
Kimball Jenkins, 266 N. Main St.
Kimball Jenkins Salon 2021 exhibit will be open for viewing. The exhibition explores the diversity of studio practices and media from a range of regional artists and is hung floor-to-ceiling, salon-style.
Featured photo: Susan Douglass upcycles glass objects for home and garden. Courtesy photo.
How the princesses, clowns, jugglers and other performers are keeping the party going
Everyone could use a little magic these days, and these local entertainers are up to the task of bringing that magic to New Hampshire communities and families. We talked via phone and email with eight entertainers — two princesses, two clowns, an old-time magician, a fire-breathing juggler, one of Santa’s helpers and even a unicorn queen with “real” unicorns — about how they got into the business of making kids’ dreams come true, what goes into becoming a character and how they’ve adapted throughout the pandemic.
Andrew Pinard, Absolutely Magic
Pinard is a magician and variety performer offering entertainment for private and public events throughout the state. He has a number of original shows, including a family-friendly vaudeville-style magic show called Alejandro’s Olde Tyme Magik Showe. Visit absomagic.com.
Andrew Pinard
What is your stage persona or character?
While the name of my family audience show is Alejandro’s Olde Tyme Magik Showe, my character is still named Andrew. Alejandro was a name that I first encountered as a child, and it sounded mystical. With my name starting with an ‘A,’ it seemed a natural fit.
Is this your main occupation or something you do on the side?
Until the pandemic hit, performance was my full-time job, [and had been] for 30 years. I’m mainly performing part-time right now while serving as Executive Director of the Claremont Opera House, but I expect [performance] will always be a part of my life.
How did you get into this?
I’ve been interested in performance, specifically theater, since I was a young child. I got interested in magic and gave my first magic show at a school assembly show when I was in second grade. I started performing music in fifth grade and theater in sixth and haven’t looked back. At one time, I had the notion of being a music teacher, but theater and variety [performance] put out its siren song, and by 1990 I was performing full-time.
Describe your costume and process of getting ready.
I wear a pretty basic costume: a custom waistcoat, collarless shirt — I have around 60 in about 20 different colors and patterns — and dark slacks. … I would say the aesthetic is vaudeville-meets-barbershop-quartet.
How do you get into character?
Part of it is putting on the costume; part of it is loading in and setting up my show; and the final part is breathing in just before stepping on stage and reminding myself how much I love playing with my audiences. They’re giving me a gift of their time whenever they come to see a show, and I want that time to be well-spent. At the end of every show, I want my audiences walking away delighted and excited to tell others of the experience they had.
How have events and your relationship with your audience changed over the course of the pandemic?
I did a few live public performances, mostly last summer, but for the most part I pulled back from performing as I wanted to be safe and … my audiences to be safe. I avoided livestreamed or virtual performances as I struggled to feel a real connection. … The technology got in the way of my goal of sharing a moment in time with audiences. I’m grateful to have a monthly show in a small theater and to see gigs starting to come back. … Some of the mechanics have changed, especially with mask use and less contact in the show. … I feel I have to exude more energy to make up for the muted responses caused by mask wearing. … I also try to [perform] in a way that helps [the audience] forget the conditions we’re in and transports them to a place where they’re simply existing and enjoying.
What do you enjoy most about this work?
There are two things, really: the opportunity to travel all around the world seeing the sights, coupled with the opportunity to celebrate the people I meet along the way. There are far more things that connect us than those that divide us, and laughter is universal.
What is one of your favorite memories from on the job?
At almost every performance, there is at least one individual who will be completely swept up, to the point where they gasp or respond physically to the experience. I love, love, love those moments. Those moments are precisely what keep my love for the performance of magic alive. As the performer … I never get to experience the magic until I get to see it through my audience’s eyes. That’s a true gift they give me every single show.
What do the next few months look like for you?
I have a few shows lined up, but we’re all kind of waiting to see what will happen next. I’m hoping 2022 will be much more like the past, but I am resolved to commit to the process. We all need a little magic in our lives right now, and I feel a responsibility to share my gifts as long as I may.
Jason Tardy, Jason Tardy Productions
Tardy is an entertainer specializing in juggling, comedy, fire performance and circus arts. Based in Maine, he does much of his performing in New Hampshire, for both private and public audiences. Visit jasontardy.com.
Jason Tardy
What is your stage persona or character?
Mostly I’m just an exaggerated version of myself, since most of my shows are my high-energy juggling performances. … I do sometimes perform in variety shows where I do need to play a character. … I just created The Dragon Man character, [which is] a costume I wear while doing fire demonstrations.
Is this your main occupation or something you do on the side?
Believe it or not, this is the only job I’ve ever had. I’ve been performing since I was 15 years old, and when I graduated high school I made enough [income] to make a living. As you get older you get more bills, and luckily I’ve [continued to make] enough money to keep up with all that.
How did you get into this?
When I was 15 my brother Matt and I met a professional juggler, Michael Miclon, at our town’s variety show. Basically, everyone in the town would come out and sing or dance or tell jokes. Michael was a full-time professional juggler and comedian and was kind of a guest performer in the show. He saw my brother and me and another friend doing an act where we lip-synced Weird Al Yankovic music and wore crazy costumes. He thought we had great energy. I mostly think he [was impressed that] we weren’t afraid to look dumb in front of a lot of people and [didn’t] take ourselves too seriously. He asked us if we would like to apprentice with him, which basically meant we would travel with him and help him set up [for shows], and he would teach us juggling and how to get into the business. Michael was also an apprentice when he was in middle school, so it was something he always wanted to pass on. I also took on an apprentice a few years back, and now he is a full-time performing artist.
Describe your costume and process of getting ready.
The costume I wear for most of my shows is just comfortable black pants that don’t wrinkle, which is important when traveling a lot, and usually a very bright pixelated T-shirt made of tech fabrics. My juggling show is very high-energy and physical, so I need to be comfortable during the show.
How do you shift into your stage persona?
I take the parts of me that are high-energy and silly and just dig into that side of my personality. … Since [The Dragon Man] is pretty new, I’m not totally sure how I’m going to play that character. … A lot of times I feel like the costuming of the character really helps me get into that personality. … The main thing I do before my performances … is remind myself to have fun. I learned a long time ago that the audience puts themselves in the performer’s shoes, so if I’m nervous or shy, the audience will feel that, but if I’m having fun and not worrying about making mistakes, the audience will have fun as well.
How have events and your relationship with your audience changed over the course of the pandemic?
I was able to adapt and do virtual performances. I quickly learned how to use Zoom and bought a good webcam and even turned my garage into a performance space. The garage has lighting and even a curtain on the back wall. I think I lost about two-thirds of my work that year, but I was able to make enough money to get by. I also made a few pre-recorded shows I could sell over and over again for a lower price, which worked out really well, and I’m still selling those to this day. … Now, [doing live shows,] I’m just a little bit more aware of when I bring people on stage, and schools sometimes still make you wear a mask while setting up for the show. Once the show starts, the audience is just into the show, and it doesn’t feel that different [from pre-pandemic shows]. At some of my first shows after the pandemic, it felt like the audience was really ready to have fun and maybe even more energetic than before.
What do you enjoy most about this work?
Getting to be creative and really challenging myself creatively and physically. I love that my job challenges me in those ways. Also, one of the most special things about [being a performer] is that my job is to make people happy, and what could be better than that?
What is one of your favorite memories from on the job?
One of the best things about this job was getting to do it with my brother for so many years. When we first started we would sometimes fight and get into arguments as all brothers do, but you learn pretty quickly to get along if you’re going to be throwing knives at each other. My brother has since retired from performing because of an illness, but getting to spend 25 years with him as my performing partner is something I’ll never forget.
What do the next few months look like for you?
I definitely have less work than during the summer. The summer is usually pretty insane, with almost no days off, and sometimes three different shows in three different states in one day, so I kind of look forward to winter, but also dread the lack of work. … I do have a few virtual shows and in-person shows booked … [and] a few winter festivals.
Savannah Bernard, Once Upon a Tea Room
Opened in August, Once Upon a Tea Room is a party service with its own event venue in Newport. It specializes in princess parties with costumed performers and currently offers around 30 different characters. Visit onceuponatearoom.org.
Savannah Bernard
What characters do you play?
Cinderella, Ariel, Belle, Snow White, Majestia the Unicorn Princess, Evie, Dorothy, Holly the Christmas Elf, Rapunzel, Hogwarts student, Elsa, Anna and Barbie. Most of the characters have stories already — they’re just the traditional Disney stories — but there are a couple that we make up stories for, and I tend to do that based on what the child likes.
Is this your main occupation or something you do on the side?
This is a part-time job for me. My full-time job is [working as a] behavioral interventionist in the Claremont School District.
How did you get into this?
That’s actually a funny story. Katlynn, the owner, ran into my best friend at Walmart and invited her to join the team. I was actually pretty skeptical, but after meeting Katlynn and talking to her, I knew that working with her would be a lot of fun. Who doesn’t want to be a princess? Now, Katlynn and everyone I work with has become family, on the job and just in life.
Describe your costume and process of getting ready.
I start by doing my makeup, and that takes about 20 to 30 minutes. Then, with some help, I’ll put the hoop skirt and petticoat and dress on, depending on the character I’m playing for that event … and then jewelry. Lastly, Katlynn will help me with pinning my wig on.
How do you get into character?
I personally like to watch all the movies and short films [featuring] the character and listen to all that character’s music on repeat. Knowing their stories is key to making the kids’ experiences magical.
How have events and your relationship with your audience changed over the course of the pandemic?
I didn’t work at Once Upon a Tea Room [during the pandemic] — I was actually still in high school at the time — but events are picking up, and each one is an absolute blast every time.
What do you enjoy most about this work?
I love my coworkers — they are my second family — and I love knowing I’m making some little girl’s or boy’s fairytale dreams come true. I love seeing their faces as they are completely enthralled with the character.
What is one of your favorite memories from on the job?
Actually being with the kids and seeing their smiles … [and] coming together with the other cast members and setting up for the events. That’s where real relationships are built, spending those hours together. I’ve probably met some of my forever friends that way.
What do the next few months look like for you?
The next few months are packed with parties on the weekends, and I couldn’t be more excited.
Alora Bowers, Once Upon a Tea Room
What characters do you play?
Alora Bowers
Snow Princess, Peasant Belle, Rapunzel, Tail Ariel, Snow White, Majestia the Unicorn Princess, Dorothy, Mal, Poppy, Barbie, Jessie and fairies.
Is this your main occupation or something you do on the side?
This is part-time. I work full-time as a resource tech at a pharmacy.
How did you get into this?
This has always been such a huge passion of mine. I volunteer for some nonprofits doing character calls, but I wanted to do more. I’ve always heard of these [party services] but could never find one near me. I kept searching and found Once Upon a Tea Room. I nearly screamed. I applied right away.
Describe your costume and process of getting ready.
Thé process can be long, but, honestly, [it should] when you’re starting out, because you’re learning … what the process will be for you, what’s good for your skin and how to apply the makeup yourself. The more you do it, the faster and more comfortable [it becomes]. We arrive [to an event] an hour early. … Our costumes are beautifully designed, and they fit the period, so … the classical princesses like Belle and Cinderella have hoop skirts and corsets. I absolutely love it.
How do you get into character?
It’s understanding [the character’s] motivation and mannerisms. I try to think of situations and how she would feel … and respond. … Singing their songs always helps me get in their mindset, too.
How have events and your relationship with your audience changed over the course of the pandemic?
We always state that masks are optional, and we are very flexible with how the family wants to proceed. We respect the family’s comfort level and how they feel about the pandemic, making sure everyone feels safe. We still have games and activities … and we still make sure each child gets that personal connection [with the characters] and enjoys themselves.
What do you enjoy most about this work?
There are no words to describe how it feels seeing kids so excited and like their dream came true. … To see the kids’ eyes light up during a party is the absolute best. … Another thing is just practicing, honestly — having fun before events, loosening up, dancing and laughing. … We are truly a family here.
What is one of your favorite memories from on the job?
[While playing] Rapunzel, [I] was told by a birthday princess that she had the best birthday and [was given] a big hug.
What do the next few months look like for you?
We’re hoping to do some events for the holidays and back-to-school. … Majestia the Unicorn Princess will be visiting our Tea Room soon for some parties. … We also have new characters in the works … [including] a fire fairy I am [playing].
Barbara Foristall, Cracker Jacks the Clown
Foristall of Merrimack is a professional clown with more than three decades of experience. She is a member and the former president of Granite State Clowns, a group of local clowns that works to promote the art of clowning in New Hampshire. Visit crackerjackstheclown.com.
Barbara Foristall, Cracker Jacks the Clown
What are your stage personas and characters that you play?
I do many characters: Cracker Jacks, Maggie May, Twink the Elf, Esmeralda the Witch, Do Fuss the Magic Clown, Melanie the Elegant Clown and Mrs. Barbara Claus. Cracker Jacks is a zany little boyish character, best geared for children up to age 7, but she can handle most any crowd. … Maggie May is suited for older [audiences]. … [She] collects [information] from family and friends [of the guest of honor] and uses that in a roast-like form to put the guest of honor on the spot. It’s hysterical. … I mimicked Carol Burnett, Lucy Ball, Red Skelton and other great comics to develop Maggie May, and added all my clowning experience so that I could basically fly by the seat of my pants at functions.
Is this your main occupation or something you do on the side?
This is a part-time job. I’m also currently a nursery school teacher.
How did you get into this?
I began my clowning career 35 years ago. … I was a nursery school teacher … but had to get a corporate job because I couldn’t survive on nursery school pay. I missed the kids, so I … started clowning around. I found other clowns in the area who guided me in the proper techniques. I attended many conventions and groups to learn more, and I still do. You can always learn something new.
Describe your costume and process of getting ready.
Cracker Jacks wears big clown shoes, pants with suspenders, a shirt and bowtie and a baseball hat. Maggie May … [wears] a dress [with] patches, a cape and a hat with a dirty old flower. … It takes me a few minutes to get really ugly. … I take out my teeth — well, most of them — and glue on a nose.
How do you get into character?
I’m kind of a character [in real life] anyway, so that part is easy. … Cracker Jacks is who I am, exemplified. … [For Maggie May,] on my ride to the event, I go over the information I got on the guest so if an opportunity comes up, I can use it to embarrass them — all in good fun.
How have events and your relationship with your audience changed over the course of the pandemic?
I didn’t work during the pandemic. I didn’t get calls, and I wasn’t comfortable, due to my age, 72 years young. Events are very slowly picking up. My hope is that in 2022 everyone will feel safer and we as performers can strut our stuff again.
What do you enjoy most about this work?
Cracker Jacks can [interact] with a child who may be fearful [of clowns] and win them over. … I love it when there’s a child [who is] fearful [at first], but by the end of the event they are my best friend. … [As Maggie May,] I adore causing laughter by doing the unexpected. … I never know what I’m walking into, which makes it exciting for me and for the audience. I’m quite quick-witted. … I surprise the guest of honor with all kinds of personal gags and jokes. It thrills me when a performance comes together.
What is one of your favorite memories from on the job?
I also use my Maggie May character at clown conventions in skit competitions, and I love being on stage in front of my peers and causing them to laugh. It’s the ultimate compliment.
What do the next few months look like for you?
A very slow return of more jobs. I’m part of Granite State Clowns in Nashua, a group that meets to teach the art and love of clowning. … We’ll be holding a six-week clown school in March, and we hope to bring more interest to clowning and the joy it brings to all. Let’s face it — we need more laughter, especially today.
Deanna Levesque, NH Unicorns
Levesque is the founder and owner of NH Unicorns, an entertainment service offering parties, special appearances and photoshoots with horses and ponies, transformed into “unicorns.” Visit nhunicorns.com.
Deanna Levesque
What character do you play?
I’m not always in costume at NH Unicorn parties, but when I am, we call [the character] the Unicorn Princess. She’s a princess who grew up in a castle where the unicorns are from. We thought it would go along great with the unicorns since a lot of people associate unicorns with fairy tales and magic and princes and princesses.
Is this your main occupation or something you do on the side?
It was intended to be a part-time thing, but is definitely more full-time than I ever thought it would be.
How did you get into this?
I’ve been working with horses my whole life. I’m a professional horse trainer … and I own Bella Vista Stables in Barnstead, which is a competitive equestrian facility. … NH Unicorns came about as a way to fulfill a child’s dream of meeting a unicorn. I have a niece who was born with heart complications and had many heart surgeries and a pacemaker by the time she was 3 years old. We asked her, ‘What do you want most in life?’ and she said she wanted to meet a unicorn. I got a little white pony and turned it into a unicorn, and it grew from there into a business.
How do you get into character?
It’s pretty easy because I love the job. The character feels very natural to me.
Describe your costume and process of getting ready.
The princess costume is fairly simple. I slap on a princess dress, do my hair up big and curly, do a little bit of light makeup and I’m ready to go. [Getting ready] is much more intense for the unicorns. The majority of our unicorns are all white … so they have to go through a rigorous grooming routine to maintain their cleanliness and softness. … Then, they get their hooves polished and their horns shined up for every event.
How have events and your relationship with your audience changed over the course of the pandemic?
Pre-pandemic, our events were pretty crazy; we had to start limiting [the number of] guests because the events got overcrowded. … We didn’t really do anything during the pandemic. … Post-pandemic, we’ve stayed pretty busy … but our crowds are a lot smaller. The vast majority of parties over the last year have been for one kid or a couple of kids and their immediate family.
What do you enjoy most about this work?
Getting to work with animals, getting to work with kids and getting to make so many people happy. I can’t even count the number of people who have told us that we’ve made their dreams come true when they get to meet our unicorns.
What is one of your favorite memories from on the job?
When my niece first got to sit on one of the unicorns. Her face lit up, and I see that beautiful smiling face on every kid that sits on a unicorn.
What do the next few months look like for you?
We do slow down a little bit in the winter; we won’t have parties every single weekend, but we have enough on the schedule to stay mostly busy. We also have some photo shoots scheduled for the next couple of months.
Kristi Parker, Krickey the Clown
Parker is a trained, professional clown and currently serves as president of Granite State Clowns, a group of local clowns that works to promote the art of clowning in New Hampshire. Visit krickeytheclown.com.
Kristi Parker, Krickey the Clown
What characters do you play?
My main character is Krickey the Clown. When I was young, my mom used to call me Krickey as a nickname for Kristi, so that’s how Krickey was born. I also do Mrs. Wickywacky, the Not-So-Scary Witch during October. At Christmastime I work alongside one of my Santa Claus friends as Cookie the Elf.
Is this your main occupation or something you do on the side?
It’s on the side. I’m a full-time middle school teacher, and I also teach some quilting classes. … When I first became a clown I didn’t even know I could get paid. Now I put whatever money I make back into clowning; I use it for attending conferences and trainings and buying balloons and supplies and materials to make costumes.
How did you get into this?
I’ve always loved theater and entertaining people, and I was always involved in plays when I was in school. … I first learned about clowning around 15 years ago when the Granite State Clowns did a program at the library. They encouraged me to come to a meeting, and I got sucked right in. … From there I actually went to clown school and have been to several trainings and conventions throughout the country. I’ve put a lot of time into learning my craft.
Describe your costume and process of getting ready.
I love costuming. I sew, so I make my own costumes. … There are different kinds of makeup for different kinds of clowns. I’m what’s called an auguste clown, which has a white muzzle, red lips and some white or some kind of accent near the eyes. … It takes me almost an hour to put on my costume, makeup and wig.
How do you get into character?
My clown persona is really just an extension of my own persona. I’m naturally a shy and somewhat reserved person, so I don’t do a lot of slapstick or physical [performance]. … I don’t juggle; I’ve tried to learn, but I’m not very good, but that’s OK, because I have other talents. … My focus is more on making a connection with a child and making them smile, and I don’t do that in a loud or boisterous way.
How have events and your relationship with your audience changed over the course of the pandemic?
Last year was pretty devastating; I think I had two gigs in the entire year. … I’ve been getting more gigs lately, primarily outside gigs. … I am being more cautious about getting too close to people. Instead of doing face painting, where I’m right up next to their face, I’ve been doing glitter tattoos, applied on the back of the person’s hand. … The younger kids don’t always understand that they shouldn’t get too close, so sometimes I’ll have to say, ‘Everyone, take one giant step back.’
What do you enjoy most about this work?
It fills my heart and soul seeing a child smile and giggle and their eyes get wide. … This is my way of spreading joy and helping people forget about their troubles and things that are weighing them down and just let loose and laugh.
What is one of your favorite memories from on the job?
I did a birthday party where one of the children was deathly afraid of clowns. Her grandmother said to me, ‘Can you please make sure that you don’t scare her?’ … I was making balloon animals, and the grandmother brought her up to me, holding her hand, and I made her a balloon animal. When it was time for me to pack up and say goodbye, she came running up to me, hugged me around my knees, looked up at me and said, ‘I love you, clown.’ I guess I had won her over. It melted my heart.
What do the next few months look like for you?
I’ve only been doing outdoor [events], so when things move inside for the winter I won’t be doing a lot, but I do have a couple of outdoor things coming up, like the Concord Tree Lighting and the Christmas Parade.
Ernie Rousseau, Santa’s Den
Rousseau, also known as “Santa Ernest,” is a professional Santa from Hudson. His services include home visits, photo shoots, video messages and letters from Santa. Visit santasden.com.
Ernie Rousseau
What character do you play?
My character is Santa Claus. Of course, there are all kinds of stories about Santa Claus, so you learn about the history of St. Nicholas, from the beginning up to modern times, and you add your own spin to it, and that’s how you develop your Santa persona. … Mine is based mostly on Santa as he’s known in the United States — the kind, generous gift-giver.
Is this your main occupation or something you do on the side?
This is part-time. My main employment is working as a city bus driver.
How did you get into this?
I also work part-time at a haunted house, primarily doing security, but I also play a few different characters there. … That got me thinking, and a couple years ago I said, ‘I’m going to become Santa Claus.’ I started doing a bunch of research and then became a member of the New England Santa Society.
Describe your costume and process of getting ready.
It usually takes me about an hour to get ready. … I have four different types of suits … for different types of events. I get [suits and accessories] from a Santa company out of Michigan … and a seamstress in Texas … and a craftsman in North Carolina. I do a lot of research to find the best-looking stuff.
How do you get into character?
I have a room designated as my ‘Santa den.’ It has the smell of Christmas and a Christmas tree that stays up all year round. … I sit in there and take in the scent of the tree and the decorations, and then I’m ready to put my suit on.
How have events and your relationship with your audience changed over the course of the pandemic?
I worked at Bass Pro Shops during the pandemic. There was no contact; we had face shields and plexiglass between me and the visitors, and we cleaned everything between each visitor. … I also did social-distanced private visits where I’d stand out in the [family’s] front yard and they would drive up and have a brief interaction with me from their vehicle. It was great that the children still got to see Santa. … We don’t use face shields or plexiglass anymore, but there’s still no contact; the families sit on a bench and chat with me. … I’ve also been doing virtual visits from my Santa den.
What do you enjoy most about this work?
Watching the children’s eyes get wide when they see Santa. When you bring a child joy, and that in turn brings joy to the parents, how can you not feel good about what you’re doing?
What is one of your favorite memories from on the job?
There was a little boy who had been in some kind of burn accident and was all bandaged up. … When he got to me, he looked at me, and there wasn’t any pain in his face — just pure joy and happiness to see Santa Claus. I had to keep myself from crying.
What do the next few months look like for you?
Very, very busy. From October through December I’m working nonstop, doing everything from private events where I go to people’s homes; [public] events with a Santa visit; [charity] events; and some virtual visits.
Featured photo:Savannah Bernard as Ariel from The Little Mermaid, a princess from Once Upon a Tea Room. Courtesy photo.
Information from the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services. *Numbers not available on Oct. 26 when the state’s Covid dashboard was undergoing maintenance.
Covid-19 news
As of Nov. 1 there were 3,948 active infections of Covid-19 statewide and 193 current hospitalizations. Three additional deaths were announced in the last week, bringing the total number of deaths to 1,568 since the start of the pandemic last year.
The Department of Health and Human Services has resumed the Homebound Vaccination program to administer Covid-19 vaccines and booster doses to Granite Staters who are unable or have difficulty leaving their home or who have been advised by a medical provider that their health could worsen by leaving their home, according to a press release. Call 603-338-9292 or visit onsitenh.com/vaccine to set up an appointment.
Vax lawsuit
New Hampshire has joined the states of Missouri, Nebraska, Alaska, Arkansas, Iowa, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wyoming in filing a lawsuit against the federal government for imposing a vaccine mandate on federal contractors and federally contracted employees, according to a press release from Attorney General John M. Formella. “The State has made clear that the available Covid-19 vaccines are safe and effective and that every eligible person in New Hampshire is encouraged to get a Covid-19 vaccine. That said, the benefits of the Covid-19 vaccine do not justify violating the law. This lawsuit is being filed to protect the State of New Hampshire from the federal government’s attempt to impose illegal mandates,” Formella said in a statement.
Criminal defense
The New Hampshire Supreme Court Report on the Recommendations of the Criminal Defense Task Force has been released. According to the report, the Supreme Court has approved and adopted the following recommendations from the task force to help resolve current criminal defense issues, including a shortage of public defense attorneys.
(1) Increase public awareness.
(2) Adopt Early Case Resolution. “ECR programs are a necessity given the present overwhelming caseloads that are challenging all participants in the criminal justice system,” the report says. “The Hillsborough County Attorney’s Office is hiring two additional prosecutors for ECR purposes.”
(3) Secure additional funding to support contract attorneys. “Funds from the Governor’s Office for Emergency Relief and Recovery have been approved to reimburse contract attorneys for past administrative costs associated with their increased caseloads,” the report says. “The Judicial Council is in the process of seeking $2,066,000 in American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 funds for up to ten new, temporary attorneys to assist with current caseload challenges…”
(4) Improve scheduling: “A brief pause in criminal cases would allow practitioners to better assess caseloads. … The Court recommends that the Administrative Judges of the trial courts schedule a one-time, one-week pause on all criminal cases in the trial courts [in] January 2022.”
(5) Work on recruitment: “Judges in the trial courts … should consider making personal overtures … to criminal practitioners in their counties to accept contract and/or pro bono criminal cases.”
(6) Expand training: “Criminal defense training and mentoring [is needed] to expand the number of attorneys representing indigent clients.”
(7) Make rule changes: “Temporary rule changes could encourage more attorneys to represent indigent defendants,” the report says.
ARP Homeless funds
The New Hampshire Department of Education announced last week that nearly $2.3 million in American Rescue Plan funds will go toward funding the education of homeless children and youth. “Students experiencing homelessness encounter unique barriers in accessing educational opportunities, which have been exacerbated by disruptions to academic and other vital supports throughout the pandemic,” McKenzie Snow, director of NHDOE’s Division of Learner Support, said in a press release. ARP Homeless funds were distributed to the state in two parts: Part I, which totals nearly $575,000, was awarded through a competitive grant process to Concord, Claremont, Seabrook, Winnacunnet and Manchester school districts and will be used to support activities such as trauma-based professional development, social work staffing and expanded school liaisons hours, according to the release. Part II, which totals more than $1.7 million, was awarded to 52 school districts by a formula based on population, poverty and homelessness and will be used to address the academic, social, emotional and mental health needs of children and youth experiencing homelessness, the release said.
The Manchester Marathon will take place Sunday, Nov. 7, starting at 9 a.m. in front of Veterans Park on Elm Street. There will be a marathon, half-marathon and relays on that day, according to a press release, as well as a 5K the day before at Fisher Cats Stadium.
After being selected as the state’s most outstanding schools for demonstrating leadership in getting and keeping their students fit, Londonderry Middle School, Portsmouth Middle School and Groveton High School each opened their new Don’t Quit Fitness Centers at a virtual ribbon cutting ceremony last week. According to a press release, the facilities were gifted to the schools by the National Foundation for Governors’ Fitness Councils.
The 2021 Seven to Save list was released last week and includes the Milford Bandstand. According to a press release, all the properties on the list need investments to help restore them back into viable community assets. Other properties include The Weirs Drive-In & Archaeological Site in Laconia and all of New Hampshire’s Historic Theaters.
Whether the topic is the pandemic, the economy, the climate, world affairs or politics, we all seem to be having serious conversations these days. And to come to those conversations with knowledge, we often feel there is so much to read, to view or to listen to. It seems overwhelming. What I have observed, sadly, is that those conversations too often end with a comment such as, “I am really worried” or “I feel so depressed” or “Will things ever change for the better?”
The roller coaster of daily life these days contributes greatly to this sense of dis-ease. With its flow and ebb, Covid-19 keeps us shifting our behavior, ever uneasy about where to go, what to do or with whom to be, and with what consequences. The rising cost of living, the persistence of hate speech and acts, the inequities of our society, and the sufferings of so many cast deep shadows over the lives of so many. No wonder there exists the mental stress about which we read, which we see in others and we feel at times ourselves.
A recently departed dear friend once counseled me, “Hope is that most noble of human virtues. Especially in tough times, we need it to keep us going and to do what we need to do.”
Those words came back to me as by chance I happened upon a poem by John O’Donohue titled “This is the Time to be Slow” (from his collection To Bless the Space Between Us: A Book of Blessings). While the very title of the poem was strangely, and in a welcome way, quieting to me, it was an image in his poem that impressed me most by its simplicity and beauty.
He counsels the reader not to let “the wire brush of doubt scrape [from your heart] all sense of yourself.” Instead, he urges we remain generous even as our “hesitant light” may flicker. For with hope, we shall, in time, find a new beginning. We’ll step again on “fresh pastures of promise.”
A poem is a purse made of words into which a treasure is kept (or so I once heard it described). O’Donohue’s poem did indeed carry a treasure greatly in need at this time in all of our lives. His image of “the wire brush of doubt” and its potentially abrasive effect is truly wise counsel too. I hope to keep it firmly in mind and to share it with others.
Open mic nights are a lifeblood for comedians, a place to hone their craft and work on new material.
For much of the pandemic, Yankee Lanes in Keene was one of the few to remain open, and comics from all across New England flocked to it. Seacoast standup Michael Millett inherited the weekly event when its original host left, and as the nightlife scene began reopening, he moved it to Yankee’s sister location in Manchester.
Millett’s Grey Area Comedy has become a hub for a growing alt comedy scene that includes Gone Rogue Productions’ events at Manchester’s Backyard Brewery, Tragedy Plus Time’s shows in Londonderry, Exeter’s Word Barn and the venerable downtown Shaskeen showcase, now run by Ruby Room Comedy.
The Yankee conclave recalls the now-defunct Monday open mic at Penuche’s Ale House in Concord — in both venues, audiences don’t always arrive expecting comedy, Millett said in a recent phone interview.
“You have to basically fight for the audience’s attention. … The stage is in the same room as the bar,” he said. “We bank off the bowling league that gets out around 8:45; our open mic is at 9. Regular patrons bleed in, sit down, and watch the comedians.”
A dozen or so hopefuls show up every week to face the challenging milieu.
“Every mic has a different energy,” Millett said. “People that work on their comedy come to mine, and I like that.”
Millett also hosts a comedy showcase at Yankee Lanes on the last Friday of every month with a headliner, feature comic and opening act. The next one happens Oct. 29 and stars the comedy team of Jai Demeule and Will Pottorff. The two ran a popular weekly event in Beverly, Mass., until it became a casualty of lockdown. Anthony Massa features, and Troy Burditt opens.
Demeule and Pottorff were known for raucous sets done in costume, as teachers, politicians, camp counselors and other characters. Their upcoming appearance will most likely have a similar approach, but when reached for comment, Demeule demurred on the details — while hinting at a potential exorcism.
“Without giving too much away, Will and I will be doing a Halloween themed set that might have some guests from our time running The Studio of Madness,” she wrote via Facebook Messenger. “Audiences can expect laughs, a healthy dose of insanity, and if all goes well, for the bowling alley to be cleansed of all ghostly presence by the end of the evening.”
Next month, local comic Matt Barry is joined by Tom Spohn and Tristan Hoffler, and in December, Paul Keller headlines.
“He’s a kinetic comedian who does comedy and magic at the same time,” Millett said of Keller. “He’s very good at magic tricks, but he’s also good at being funny about it.”
Millett has hopes for expanding to a more formal setting in the future.
“Yankee Lanes has a rec room that they don’t use for anything [and] I could easily fit 120 people in there,” he said. “I’m working toward getting enough draw with Grey Area Comedy to do that … it’s now been just over a year, between Keene and Manchester.”
His efforts are about more than just promoting shows, Millett stressed.
“I’m trying to build a community with everything I do, trying to get as many comedians involved in it as possible,” he said. “What I want to do is — I don’t want to use the word safe haven — but I want it to be a cornerstone, contributing to the rest of the scene. A place for people to work on their craft.”
Grey Area Comedy Club
When: Friday, Oct. 29, 8 p.m. Where: Yankee Lanes (formerly Spare Time), 216 Maple St., Manchester More: Free show starring Jai Demeule and Will Pottorff, Anthony Massa, Troy Burditt, Michael Millett (host)
Featured photo: Will Pottorff and Jai Demeule. Courtesy photo. Courtesy photo.
