The New Hampshire Jewish Film Festival begins March 16
Eleven feature films, a five-film shorts package and a kids’ event make up the slate of screenings for this year’s New Hampshire Jewish Film Festival, which starts Thursday, March 16.
Screenings at locations across the state take place through Sunday, March 26; virtual screenings will run through Sunday, April 16.
“What I think is important is after the film there’s a conversation that happens at a film festival,” said Pat Kalik, one of the co-chairs of the festival. “People gather and are able to talk about what they just saw.”
The festival starts Thursday, March 16, with a screening of Out of Exile: The Photography of Fred Stein at 7 p.m. at the Rex Theatre in Manchester. The documentary, which showcases the photography of Fred Stein, who shot in 1930s Paris and eventually fled to New York City, will be followed by a post-film discussion with filmmaker Peter Stein, Fred Stein’s son.
The post-film panel is an addition to this year’s program, Kalik said. Three of the films — including Dedication (the filmed version of Roger Peltzman’s one-man play about his mother’s brother, a celebrated pianist, who was murdered at Auschwitz) and Israel Swings for Gold (a documentary about the 2021 Israeli Olympic baseball team) — will feature in-person post-film discussions with their directors. Israel Swings for Gold will screen Tuesday, March 21, at Southern New Hampshire University’s Webster Hall in Hooksett at 7 p.m. and feature a discussion with Seth Kramer. Dedication will screen at the festival’s wrap party on Sunday, March 26, at 3:30 p.m. at Red River Theatres in Concord and will feature a discussion with Petlzman.
A Zoom discussion with filmmaker Steve Pressman, whose film Levys of Monticello is available virtually, is slated for Wednesday, March 22, at 7 p.m.
Kalik and her co-chair Ross Fishbein said that 9 of the feature-length movies will be available virtually — either during the festival’s initial in-person run or in the weeks following (Out of Exile and Dedication will be in-person only). The shorts package is completely virtual. Six of the feature films are getting in-person screenings, along with a special event for kids that will feature a screening of an episode from the cartoon series Shaboom! (that event is scheduled to take place Sunday, March 19, at 2 p.m. at the Jewish Federation of New Hampshire in Manchester and include snacks and making a cardboard car; the program is free but registration is required).
“Offering that virtual component … has enabled us to continue to show films to people that may not be fully comfortable being in person yet, but also just reaching further within the state,” Fishbein said. “People that maybe don’t live within easy driving distance of one of the multiple locations where we’re showing a film, they can still enjoy the programming.”
The viewing and selection processes for the festival are started in the summer the year before it opens, Kalik said. This year, the selection team viewed approximately 60 movies before coming to a final decision.
The movies follow a multitude of themes and stories, Kalik said. She and Fishbein stressed that it was important to have movies that weren’t just about the Holocaust but also weren’t just romantic comedies. They wanted to show the diversity of Jewish and Israeli film.
“For me, it’s hard to pick out a favorite because each film has its own unique quality,” Kalik said. “You know, it’s hard to compare a documentary about a photographer to a film about the Israeli baseball team.”
New Hampshire Jewish Film Festival When: First in-person screening is Thursday, March 16, at 7 p.m. at the Rex Theatre in Manchester; wrap party and final in-person screening are Sunday, March 26, at 3:30 p.m. at Red River Theatres in Concord. Virtual screenings will run through Sunday, April 16 — beginning March 16 or March 27, depending on the film. Price: Individual tickets cost $12. Ticket packages are also available including for all in-person screening and all virtual screenings.
Schedule: • Out of Exile: The Photography of Fred Stein screens Thursday, March 16, at 7 p.m. at Rex Theatre (23 Amherst St. Manchester, 668-5588, palacetheatre.org/rex-theatre). • Farwell, Mr. Haffmann screens Sunday, March 19, at 2 p.m. at 3S Artspace (319 Vaughan St., Portsmouth, 766-3330, 3sarts.org) and The Showroom in Keene. • PJ Goes to the Movies: Shaboom! event takes place Sunday, March 19, at 2 p.m. at Jewish Federation of New Hampshire (273 S. River Road, No. 5, Bedford, 627-7679, jewishnh.org). • Israel Swings for Gold screens Tuesday, March 21, at 7 p.m. at Southern New Hampshire University (Webster Hall, Mara Auditorium, 2546 N. River Road, Hooksett, 645-9700, snhu.edu) • Man in the Basement screens Thursday, March 23, at 7 p.m. at Red River Theatres (11 S. Main St., Concord, 224-4600, redrivertheatres.org) • America screens Sunday, March 26, at 1 p.m. at Red River Theatres in Concord. • Dedication screens Sunday, March 26, at 3:30 p.m. at Red River Theatres in Concord. More info: nhjewishfilmfestival.com
Films
Descriptions according to nhjewishfilmfestival.com
Features
• Follow swimming coach Eli in America(2022) as he travels back to Israel after his father’s death and his relationship with his childhood friend’s fiancée, who is a florist.
• In Barren (2022) the young ultra-orthodox couple Feigi and Naftali live at home with Naftali’s parents. While Naftali is away, a visitor named Rabbi Eliyahu comes to stay in the household, promising to help Feigi with treatment for being barren. When Naftali returns, the couple must face a difficult crisis that leads to questions about faith and trust.
• Roger Peltzman turned his one-man play into the film Dedication (2022). The play and film follow Peltzman’s family’s escape from Berlin to Brussels in 1933, focusing on his uncle Norbert, a popular pianist in Belgium, who was killed in Auschwitz at 21 years old.
• Farewell, Mr. Haffmann (2022) follows the story of Joseph Haffmann, a jeweler in occupied Paris in 1941. After sending his family away, Haffmann seeks out the help of his employee after he fails to escape the city.
• In the documentary Israel Swings for Gold (2022), the Israeli Olympic baseball team makes its first appearance at the Olympics. Because there were no professional media devices available at the village, the teammates documented the experience themselves with videos and pictures.
• Join older couple Tova and Meir as they explore what life has to offer them, with the help of their eccentric neighbor Itzik, in the film Karaoke (2022).
• Learn more about the family that owned Thomas Jefferson’s famed estate, Monticello, for more than a century in this documentary. The Levys of Monticello (2022) tells the history of the Levy family, as well as how it intersects with the rise of antisemitism in American history.
• In The Man in the Basement (2022), a couple sell their unused cellar to a former history professor. In a dark turn, they find out that the professor is an antisemitic conspiracy theorist and has befriended their teen daughter.
• Actress Mariette Hartley explores the dating scene as an older woman in Hollywood in Our (Almost Completely True) Story (2022). When she finds herself smitten with comedian Jerry Sorka, and him with her, unexpected challenges arise, leaving Mariette wondering if she’s too old to find love.
• The documentary Out of Exile: The Photography of Fred Stein (2021), follows how a young photographer, fearing the Nazi party, traveled to France in the 1930s to document everything he saw. When an accident ended his life, Stein’s photography seemed to vanish with it, until his son, Peter, brought the pictures back into the art world.
• The documentary Reckonings (2022) follows the untold true story of the negotiations between Jewish and German leaders determining the reparations for the survivors of the Holocaust.
Short films
• A Kaddish for Selim (2022) follows a young British Jewish man who changes his name to fight in World War I.
• Give It Back (2019) follows Olivia, a girl new to Israeli society, and her blossoming friendship with an Ethiopian boy named Alem.
• In Nazi-occupied Albania, Ismail must choose between his nation’s honor code to protect visitors (in his case, two Jewish men) and the safety of his family in Ismail’s Dilemma (2020).
• In Pops (2021), sisters Elli and Roz must honor their father’s dying wish, even though it’s unusual.
• Space Torah (2020) documents the journey of Jewish-American astronaut Dr. Jeff Hoffman as he brings parts of his religion and culture into space.
Featured photo: Israel Swings for Gold. Courtesy photo.
Compiled by Matt Ingersoll, Angie Sykeny and Amy Diaz listings@hippopress.com
Spring is awesome.
Sure, it can be blizzardy or flower-filled, muddy or suddenly strangely summer-like, but the stretch between mid-March and Memorial Day is packed with fun, from arts and music to the changing outdoor offerings and food events like NH Craft Beer Week in early April. Here are 63 reasons to get excited about spring.
• The 2023 New Hampshire Jewish Film Festival starts on Thursday, March 16, and runs through Sunday, March 26, with screenings at locations in Manchester, Bedford, Keene, Concord, Portsmouth and Hooksett — to be followed by bonus weeks, March 27 through April 16, when four of the feature films shown in theaters will be available for streaming at home. See nhjewishfilmfestival.com for film trailers, tickets (individual and multi-film packages) and all the details, and check out our story in this issue.
• The annual Black Ice Pond Hockey Tournament, originally scheduled for late January outdoors, has been postponed to Friday, March 17, through Sunday, March 19, and will take place inside the Douglas N. Everett Arena (15 Loudon Road, Concord). Go to blackicepondhockey.com to view the full schedule.
• When you need a break from emails and spreadsheets throughout your work day, head to the New Hampshire Audubon’s Manchester Peregrine Cam to check out the progress of the breeding season for the peregrine falcons living at 1750 Elm St. in Manchester. A visit to the cams (find the links at nhaudubon.org/education/birds-and-birding/peregrine-cam/) on March 9 showed a falcon surveying downtown from the perch. The local peregrine falcon pair in Manchester stays around all winter, according to Chris Martin, conservation biologist at New Hampshire Audubon. The breeding season “really heats up in March. Expect to see eggs appear beginning around the last week in March and hatching to start at the end of April. Early June is when the youngsters will start flying,” Martin said in an email. The Peregrine Cam at Brady Sullivan Tower is operated by Peregrine Networks, an internet services provider based in Dover, Martin said. During the 2022 season five peregrine falcons hatched and fledged from the nest (a photo on the Audubon’s website showed the five chicks newly banded on May 20), according to the Audubon.
• Have fun with versatile fashion pieces that can be modified for spring’s warmer and cooler days, like an oversized blazer. “An oversized blazer is the perfect option to put over thick sweaters now, that will also be perfect when worn as a spring coat over tanks and shorter sleeve options once the weather warms up,” Elyssa Alfieri, owner of Lilise Designer Resale in Concord. Another tip, which comes from Ashley Lyons, owner of Chic Boutique Consignments in Bedford, is to layer with spring and summer dresses until the weather is warm enough to wear them on their own. “With the help of a good tight, bootie or boot, and a leather moto jacket or cardigan, you can take full advantage of your warmer weather pieces even in cooler months,” she said.
• The New Hampshire Audubon’s McLane Center (84 Silk Farm Road, Concord) is open to visitors Tuesday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., with live animals and exhibits, including a reptile room, nature store and raptor mews, which are home to a bald eagle, red-tailed hawk, barn owl and barred owls. The center also features 3 miles of mostly forested trails, pollinator gardens, grassland fields and access to the Great Turkey Pond shoreline, which are free and open to the public daily from dawn to dusk. Call 224-9909 or visit nhaudubon.org.
• You may still (maybe? possibly?) be able to go ice skating outdoors on some city and town ponds that offer it, depending on the current weather conditions. But regardless of what it’s doing outside, public ice skating indoors at the Douglas N. Everett Arena (15 Loudon Road, Concord) remains available through Thursday, March 16, from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Admission is $6 per person (free for kids ages 3 and under) and skate rentals are available in the pro shop for $6. See concordnh.gov. Other local spots offering indoor skating include The Icenter (60 Lowell Road, Salem) — this month the arena will be open for about one hour and 20 minutes each time, on Saturday, March 18, at 4 p.m.; and Sunday, March 19, at 2:15 p.m.; as well as on Saturday, March 25, at 4 and 7:30 p.m., and Sunday, March 26, at 2:15 p.m. The cost is $8 per person (cash only), and free for kids ages 4 and under. Visit icentersalem.com.
• St. Patrick’s Day is Friday, March 17 — check out a rundown of food and drink specials at area bars and restaurants on page 25 in the March 9 issue of the Hippo. You’ll find details on where to go to get that ceremonious plate of corned beef and cabbage with a glass of green beer, as well as all kinds of St. Paddy’s Day-related festivities from live Celtic music to comedy shows. In this week’s issue Michael Witthaus takes a look at some pub-based celebrations; find that story on page 34.
Battle of the Badges Hockey Championship. Courtesy photo.
• Firefighters and police officers from across New Hampshire will renew their friendly rivalry for charity during the Battle of the Badges Hockey Championship, which returns for a 15th year to the SNHU Arena (555 Elm St., Manchester) on Saturday, March 18. The puck drops at 1 p.m., and proceeds from the game benefit the Children’s Hospital at Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center (CHaD). Tickets are $16 in advance online and $20 on game day for attendees ages 6 and up (kids ages 5 and under are free). See chadhockey.org.
• Springtime means, in many cases, the return of local seasonal eateries — ice cream stands like Sundae Drive (346 Route 13, Brookline) and The Big 1 (185 Concord St., Nashua), for instance, opened for the season in late February, while King Kone (336 Daniel Webster Hwy., Merrimack) and Memories Ice Cream (95 Exeter Road, Kingston) are each set to reopen on Saturday, March 18. Clam Haven (94 Rockingham Road, Derry), known for its fried seafood specials, was scheduled to open for the season on Wednesday, March 15, and Cremeland Drive In (250 Valley St., Manchester) is also set to begin its season soon.
• This coming weekend — Saturday, March 18, and Sunday, March 19 — is also New Hampshire Maple Weekend, when sugarhouses and farms across the Granite State welcome visitors for tours, demonstrations, tastings and other family-friendly activities, all revolving around local maple syrup production. Learn how sap is collected and trees are tapped, and enjoy samples of everything from maple syrup to fudge, roasted nuts, ice cream and more, depending on where you go. See the New Hampshire Maple Producers Association website at nhmapleproducers.com for a full list of participating sugarhouses. Find more coverage of Maple Weekend on page 26.
• Maple Weekend also means the return of the annual Kearsarge Maple Festival, a regional event featuring two days of local sap house tours, pancakes, a syrup tasting contest and more. A pancake breakfast and raffle will be held on Saturday, March 18, from 7:30 to 11 a.m. at the United Church of Warner (43 E. Main St.), with proceeds going toward the town’s 250th birthday celebration committee (Warner will turn 250 in 2024). The cost is $12 for adults, $5 for kids ages 7 to 12 and free for kids under 6, and the breakfast will feature plain and blueberry pancakes, waffles, home fries, baked beans and sausage. The maple syrup tasting contest happens on Sunday, March 19, from noon to 3 p.m. in front of Town Hall (5 E. Main St.). See warnerhistorical.org or kearsargechamber.org for more details on festival happenings.
• Charmingfare Farm (774 High St. in Candia; visitthefarm.com, 483-5623) is celebrating Maple Month with its Maple Express event featuring a ride to the sugar shack, where you can watch the syrup making process, get a look at tree tapping, meet farm animals and taste syrup on silver dollar pancakes, according to the website. Admission costs $22 per person. The Maple Express continues this weekend — Saturday, March 18, and Sunday, March 19 — and next (Saturday, March 25, and Sunday, March 26), with entry times starting at 10 a.m. On Saturday, March 18, the farm will hold Sugar Shack Live, with entry times from 5 to 6 p.m.; the evening will feature live music from Morgan-Nelson (Dan Morgan and Lynda Nelson), horse-drawn and tractor rides, a visit to the sugar shack and a campfire (BYO marshmallows for toasting or hot dogs for roasting), the website said. Tickets to this evening event cost $29 per person.
• It may not look like it outside at the moment, but the first day of spring is Monday, March 20. For many — er, or at least those of us who aren’t already year-round iced coffee drinkers — this means the kickoff to iced coffee season! Pinard Street Bakery (1 Pinard St., Manchester; inside Charlie’s) is one shop celebrating spring with several specialty coffee flavors all month long in March, including Scout’s Samoa (coconut with a caramel and mocha swirl) and In Bloom (blueberry, lavender, melted raw honey and white chocolate swirl). See pinardstreetbakery.business.site for their full list of spring-inspired coffee flavors.
• Catch some action on the ice when the NCAA Division I Men’s Ice Hockey Regional Championship comes to the SNHU Arena (555 Elm St. in Manchester; snhuarena.com) Thursday, March 23, and Saturday, March 25. See the arena’s website for times (which are to be announced) and tickets.
• The Educational Farm at Joppa Hill (174 Joppa Hill Road, Bedford) will host a Cacao Ceremony with Empress Alchemy on Saturday, March 25, from 7 to 8 p.m. In this immersive and interactive experience, held outside around a firepit, participants will be served ceremonial grade cacao in the form of “hot chocolate” while being led through a series of guided meditation exercises. Dress warm and bring a blanket to sit on and a journal to write in. The event costs $35 and is open to participants ages 16 and up. Visit theeducationalfarm.org.
• Catch a show at the Tupelo Music Hall (10 A St., Derry), which has a full lineup of live acts scheduled throughout the season. They host Blues Brothers The Next Generation on Saturday, March 25, for instance, as well as their next Tupelo Nights of Comedy on Friday, March 24, and Friday, April 14. Visit tupelomusichall.com to view the full concert schedule and to buy tickets.
• The Manchester St. Patrick’s Parade returns on Sunday, March 26, kicking off at noon at the intersection of Salmon and Elm streets in the Queen City and continuing south on Elm. Admission is free, and shuttle services will run from 10 a.m. to noon from the corner of Central and Chestnut streets to the parade’s assembly area. See saintpatsnh.com. The parade immediately follows the Citizens Bank Shamrock Shuffle, a road race organized by Millennium Running starting and finishing in front of Veterans Memorial Park (723 Elm St.). Visit millenniumrunning.com.
• McIntyre Ski Area (50 Chalet Way in Manchester; mcintyreskiarea.com, 622-6159) plans to wrap up its season of skiing, snowboarding and tubing on Sunday, March 26 (see the website for hours), according to an email. On Saturday, March 18, the Pond Skim and Hawaiian Festival will run from 1 to 3 p.m., with competition starting at 1 p.m., according to the website. “End the season with a splash and join us at the pond. Wear your most festive attire as we celebrate the end of an amazing season! Prizes awarded for biggest splash, best costume and best skim!” the website said.
• You voted and we counted. In mere weeks, Hippo will present the Best of 2023 readers poll results. Find out who fellow readers picked as the best pizza purveyor, beer brewer or cupcake creator. Keep your eyes on Hippo newsstands for that issue.
• Get into birding by focusing on the Eastern Bluebird. The New Hampshire Audubon will hold “NestWatch Volunteer Training: Bluebird Monitoring” on Saturday, April 1, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., at the Massabesic Audubon Center (26 Audubon Way in Auburn; 668-2045, nhaudubon.org) where there are “almost 100 monitored nest boxes,” according to the website. The workshop costs $5; register by March 30. Learn how to be a volunteer monitor (monitors usually spend about an hour or two weekly from April to August to record data in their sections, according to the website) or just learn more about the Eastern Bluebird. The workshop features inside and outside sessions.
• The Beaver Brook Association (117 Ridge Road, Hollis) will host a guided full moon hike on Saturday, April 1, at 7 p.m. During the hike, a naturalist will share moon facts and lore and talk about how animals are adapted for the night and how they prepare for seasonal changes. The cost is $22, and registration in advance is required. Visit beaverbrook.org.
• Join the Franco-American Centre for a traditional sugaring off celebration on Saturday, April 1, at the Oscar Barn Wedding Venue (191 W. River Road, Hooksett). The event will feature a maple syrup demonstration from Chisholm Farm from 5 to 6 p.m., followed by a traditional cabane à sucre (sugar shack) dinner served family-style from 6 to 7:30 p.m., and music and dancing from 7:30 to 10 p.m., featuring a live performance by the Reel McCoys. The cost is $25 for adults, $15 for kids ages 5 to 12 and free for kids under 5. Visit facnh.com to register.
• The craft fair scene ramps up again in the spring. On Saturday, April 1, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday, April 2, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., the Capital City Craft Festival will bring more than 125 artisans to the Douglas N. Everett Arena (15 Loudon Road in Concord), according to castleberryfairs.com, where you can purchase tickets ($8 for adults, under 14 get in free; one admission is good for both days). Tickets will also be sold at the door. The spread of arts and crafts includes folk art, candles, apparel, metal art, fiber arts, personal care items, jewelry, glass and more as well as specialty foods, the website said.
• Conversations with Concord Authors returns for the second year to the Bank of New Hampshire Stage (16 S. Main St., Concord) on Wednesday, April 5, at 7:30 p.m. Laura Knoy, formerly the host of New Hampshire Public Radio’s The Exchange, will host a discussion with local authors including Kathleen D. Bailey, Sarah McCraw Crow, Dan Lawton, Paul Brogan and Margaret Porter. Admission is free. Visit ccanh.com/show/conversations-with-concord-authors-2023.
• Enjoy a First Thursday Hike at The Fells (456 Route 103, Newbury) on Thursday, April 6, at 11 a.m., with landscape director Nick Scheu and education director Simon Parsons. No reservations are necessary, and non-members are welcome with the regular admission price ($10 for adults), $8 for seniors and students, $4 for kids and teens ages 6 to 17 and free for kids ages 5 and under, or $25 per family of two adults and 2 or more children under 6. Visit thefells.org.
Arts & Dance Company’s Hispanic Flamenco Ballet Ensemble. Courtesy photo.
• The nationally touring Arts & Dance Company’s Hispanic Flamenco Ballet Ensemble will perform a matinee show at the Concord City Auditorium (2 Prince St., Concord) on Thursday, April 6. The show celebrates the art and culture of Latin America and Spain, featuring flamenco dancing in an immersive experience. Visit theaudi.org/events/matinee-arts-dance-company-on-tour-presents-flamenco-ballet.
• Join Etz Hayim Synagogue (1 ½ Hood Road, Derry) for a Passover Second Seder on Thursday, April 6, at 6 p.m. The meal will be catered by Levine’s Kosher Market and will include roast chicken, kugel, carrot tzimmes, chicken soup with matzo balls and gefilte fish and costs $49 for adults and $29 for kids ages 10 and under. Reserve online at etzhayim.org by March 26.
• New Hampshire Craft Beer Week, an annual 10-day celebration of the Granite State’s craft brewing industry, returns from Thursday, April 6, through Saturday, April 15. The campaign is presented by the New Hampshire Brewers Association and is meant to coincide with National Beer Day (April 7). Check back at nhbrewers.org or follow Craft Beer Week’s Facebook page @nhcraftbeerweek for updates on ongoing events and happenings as they become available.
• The Derry Author Fest will bring a day of books, speakers and panels to the Derry Public Library (64 E Broadway in Derry; 432-6140) on Saturday, April 8, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Author Ann Dávila Cardinal kicks off the day with a keynote on “Writing from the In Between: Navigating Identity as a Writer Between Worlds,” according to a press release. Find the lineup of speakers and more at derryauthorfest.wordpress.com.
• The 14th annual Our Promise to Nicholas Indoor Maze to the Egg Hunt returns to New Hampshire Sportsplex (68 Technology Drive, Bedford) on Saturday, April 8, from 8:30 a.m. to noon. There will be 15,000 plastic colored eggs filled with candy and prizes on the indoor fields for children to collect. Other festivities will include face painting, photos with the Easter Bunny and other mascots, games, DJ music, balloon creations, a bake sale, raffle baskets and an auction. Tickets cost $8 per person, $28 for four to seven people or $56 for eight people if purchased online in advance, and $10 per person at the door. Visit ourpromisetonicholas.com.
• Next year — April 8, 2024 — parts of New Hampshire will be in the “path of totality for a total solar eclipse! This hasn’t happened since 1959 and won’t happen again until 2079!” according to the website for the McAuliffe-Shepard Discovery Center (2 Institute Drive in Concord; starhop.com, 271-7827), which has started the countdown for the big event. On Saturday, April 8 (of this year), the Center will hold an “Eclipse Countdown Kick Off Event” from 1 to 4 p.m. with presentations, eclipse giveaways, solar telescope viewing with the New Hampshire Astronomical Society and pizza, according to the website. Admission prices are as usual: $12 for adults, $11 for seniors and students 13 through college, $9 for kids ages 3 to 12 and free for children ages 2 and under.
• Get your orders in for a special pastry tray sale being offered by St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church (1160 Bridge St., Manchester). The cost is $35 per tray, which includes six pieces of baklava, six kourambiethes (powdered sugar cookies) and koulourakia (butter cookies), and orders must be placed by April 5 for pickup on Friday, April 14 (Greek Easter is observed on Sunday, April 16, this year). Contact parishioner Barb George at bitos1254@yahoo.com or at 925-330-9966 to place your order.
• And while you’re at it, join the Aviation Museum of New Hampshire (27 Navigator Road, Londonderry) in welcoming the Easter Bunny by air travel on Saturday, April 1 — he’ll arrive at the museum at 11 a.m. via the student-built RV-12iS aircraft after a planned low pass over Runaway 35. After landing, he’ll taxi under a water cannon arch courtesy of the Manchester Airport Fire Department, greeting families in front of the museum, posing for pictures and giving out candy (courtesy of Granite State Candy Shoppe). The event will take place rain or shine, and the museum will be open for visitors, with regular admission charges applying. See nhahs.org.
• Charmingfare Farm (774 High St. in Candia; visitthefarm.com, 483-5623) will hold its Egg-City Egg Hunt on the weekends of Saturday, April 1, and Sunday, April 2, and Saturday, April 8, and Sunday, April 9. Pick a time between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. (morning only on Easter Sunday, April 9) and kids ages 2 to 12 can hunt for candy-filled eggs, meet the Easter Bunny, meet farm animals and new spring baby animals, take a horse-drawn or tractor train ride and more, according to the website. Tickets cost $22 per person and will only be available online.
• New Hampshire poets and poetry lovers will have all kinds of opportunities throughout April to celebrate National Poetry Month, with readings, workshops, contests and more, spearheaded by state Poet Laureate Alexandria Peary in partnership with NHPR, NH Humanities Council, Poetry Society of NH and others. Peary will present a program on mindful writing techniques at Goffstown Public Library (2 High St., Goffstown) on Tuesday, April 4, and as an online event on Friday, April 14; a poetry reading at NHTI (31 College Drive, Concord) on Wednesday, April 12; a celebration of life for the poet Charles Simic at UNH (105 Main St., Durham) on Wednesday, April 19; and a teen poetry contest with Under the Madness Magazine (underthemadnessmagazine.com). See Peary’s blog, newhampshirepoetlaureate.blogspot.com, for updates on Poetry Month happenings.
• It’s almost time for baseball! The New Hampshire Fisher Cats are due to hold their home opener of the 2023 season on Tuesday, April 11, at Northeast Delta Dental Stadium (1 Line Drive, Manchester) against the Portland Sea Dogs. First pitch is at 6:35 p.m., starting a six-game homestand that continues through Sunday, April 16. See nhfishercats.com for the full schedule of games, which runs through mid-September this year.
• Through the New Hampshire Astronomical Society’s Library Telescope Program, you can check out a telescope from your local library just as you would a book. April is full of astrological events, including the best day of the year to view Mercury on Tuesday, April 11, a hybrid solar eclipse the night of Wednesday, April 19, and a meteor shower expected to peak between Friday, April 21, and Sunday, April 23. Visit nhastro.com for a list of local libraries participating in the telescope program and to connect with a New Hampshire Astronomical Society member who can provide information about upcoming astrological events and tips on how to have your own skywatch.
• It’s Reba Live in Concert! Reba McEntire comes to the SNHU Arena (555 Elm St. in Manchester; snhuarena.com) on Thursday, April 13, at 6:30 p.m. with special guests Terri Clark and The Isaacs. Tickets start at $49.75.
• The Currier Museum of Art (150 Ash St., Manchester) presents its annual gala celebration on Friday, April 14, from 6 to 10 p.m. The evening will include a curated fine art auction, a reception with cocktails and hors d’oeuvres, a gourmet dinner and a fundraising program highlighting the museum’s Art & Wellness programs. Attire is formal. Tickets cost $350 per person, and tables can be purchased for eight people. Visit currier.org/event/gala-celebration or call 669-6144
• The annual Made in New Hampshire “Try It & Buy It” Expo, presented by Business NH Magazine and Events NH, returns for a 26th year to the DoubleTree by Hilton Manchester Downtown (700 Elm St.) from Friday, April 14, through Sunday, April 16. Show hours are from 1 to 7 p.m. on Friday, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday and from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday, when attendees will have the opportunity to sample a wide variety of products and services made right here in the Granite State. Tickets are $10 for adults, $9 for seniors ages 65 and over and for military service members, $3 for kids ages 2 to 12 and free for kids under 2. Visit madeinnhexpo.com or follow the event page on Facebook @madeinnhexpo to see the full list of this year’s participating vendors.
• The New Hampshire Philharmonic Orchestra presents its annual “Drawn to the Music” concert on Saturday, April 15, and Sunday, April 16, at 2 p.m. at the Seifert Performing Arts Center at Salem High School (44 Geremonty Drive, Salem). The program will include music from Copland’s Appalachian Spring, as well as Rossini’s Overture “Barber of Seville,” Chopin’s Piano Concerto No. 2 and Ginastera’s “Estancia.” The concert is a collaborative arts project for which elementary school students from across New Hampshire submitted their original artwork inspired by the featured music. Tickets cost $30 for adults, $25 for seniors, $8 for students and $5 for Salem School District students. Visit nhphil.org.
• After the Palace Theatre’s (80 Hanover St. in Manchester; palacetheatre.org, 668-5588) production of the musical Little Women wraps up this weekend (March 17 through March 19 with shows at 7:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday and 2 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday) the next big show on the schedule is the musical Rent, which opens Friday, April 21, and runs through Sunday, May 14. As with Little Women, shows run Fridays at 7:30 p.m., Saturdays at 2 and 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. along with a show on Thursday, May 11, at 7:30 p.m. Tickets for adults cost $44 to $51, based on seating ($35 for 60+ and veterans; $30 for ages 6 to 12).
• The Anselmian Abbey Players of Saint Anselm College in Manchester will perform Disney’s The Little Mermaid at the college’s Dana Center for the Humanities (100 Saint Anselm Drive, Manchester) with showtimes on Friday, April 21, and Saturday, April 22, at 7:30 p.m., and Sunday, April 23, at 2 p.m. Tickets cost $20 for adults, $17 for seniors and $8 for youth and students. Visit anselm.edu/dana-center-humanities.
• Celebrate the joy of flipping through albums to find new-to-you tunes at Record Store Day on Saturday, April 22. Participating shops will have specialty releases (CDs, vinyl, cassettes, etc.) from a variety of artists. Find a complete list of the offerings this year at recordstoreday.com, where you can also find a list of area participating stores including Music Connection in Manchester; Metro City Records in Manchester; Pitchfork Records in Concord; Bull Moose in Salem, and Newbury Comics in Manchester and Nashua.
• Celebrate Earth Day — Saturday, April 22 — by getting out in the fresh air. Millennium Running’s Stonyfield Earth Day 5K & Fair starts at 9 a.m. and will feature a 3.1-mile course that starts and finishes in Londonderry’s West Soccer Complex (90 West Road), just steps away from the Stonyfield Earth Day Fair, which will include local vendors, live music, games and more. Visit millenniumrunning.com.
• The New Hampshire Audubon will celebrateEarth Day, Saturday, April 22, with a celebration at the Massabesic Center (26 Audubon Way in Auburn; 668-2045, nhaudubon.org) from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission costs $15 for a family of four and pre-registration is recommended, according to the website. The day will include guided walks, storytimes, live reptile meet-and-greets, live raptor presentations, crafts, a master gardener available for answering questions, food sales from the Walking Gourmet Food Truck and more.
• Head to Hampstead Congregational Church (61 Main St.) on Saturday, April 29, from noon to 5 p.m. for Hampstead Eats, the third annual food truck festival held outdoors on the church grounds. There will be a variety of options from local food trucks, along with live music, and a portion of the event proceeds goes toward the New Hampshire Food Bank. See “Hampstead Eats” on Facebook for updates as they become available.
• Among Symphony NH’s spring concert lineup is “Momentum! 100 Year Anniversary Concert” on Saturday, April 29, from 4 to 5:30 p.m. at the Nashua Center for the Arts (201 Main St. in Nashua; nashuacenterforthearts.com). According to symphonynh.org, the symphony “marks the anniversary of its very first concert to the day” with the celebration featuring cellist Amit Peled, and a movement from Schubert’s “unfinished” Symphony and Strauss’s “On the Beautiful Blue Danube,” two works played at the Symphony NH’s first concert in 1923. Tickets for the concert start at $39 for adults ($12 for ages 12 to 17 and free for children under 12 with an adult or senior ticket purchase). After the concert, Symphony NH will hold a gala from 6:30 to 9 p.m. at Courtyard by Marriott Nashua; tickets to this dinner (which must be purchased separately) cost $110 for a single ticket or $1,000 for a table.
• Saturday, April 29, is Independent Bookstore Day, a nationwide celebration of independent bookstores and the book-lovers who frequent them. Participating bookstores sell merchandise released exclusively for that day, which may include special-edition books, signed art prints and covers and literary-themed novelty items. Some bookstores may host additional festivities, such as author visits, readings and book signings, live music, food, activities for kids, contests and giveaways and more. Visit indiebookstoreday.com to see a list of this year’s featured merchandise and to find a bookstore near you that is participating.
New Hampshire Roller Derby. Courtesy photo.
• New Hampshire Roller Derby returns to JFK Memorial Coliseum (303 Beech St., Manchester) with a season-opening doubleheader on Saturday, April 29, at 5 p.m. More home bouts are scheduled for Saturdays, May 20, June 24 and Aug. 5. Tickets cost $12 at the door; admission is free for kids age 12 and under and veterans. Visit nhrollerderby.com.
• After a successful comeback year in 2022, Taco Tour Manchester will return in full force to downtown Elm Street on Thursday, May 4, from 4 to 8 p.m. Now presented by the Greater Manchester Chamber, more than 60 area restaurants, food trucks, bakeries and other establishments will be participating in this year’s event, selling their signature tacos for $3 apiece. Each has a shot at winning a custom “Golden Taco Trophy,” in addition to $1,000 to donate to a charity of their choice, as voted by taco tasters. New to this year’s Taco Tour will be a concert at Veterans Memorial Park (723 Elm St.), thanks to the support of 92.5 The River, with performing acts to be announced in the coming weeks. See tacotourmanchester.com for details.
• The Craftworkers’ Guild presents its Spring Craft Shop from Thursday, May 4, through Saturday, May 13, at the historic Kendall House (5 Meetinghouse Road, Bedford) from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day. There will be handmade items by more than 50 juried artisans and craftspeople, including seasonal decor, photography, fine art and prints, cards, gourmet treats, woodworking, fiber and fabrics, sewn and knit specialties, stained and fused glass art, mixed media, jewelry, doll clothes and more. Visit thecraftworkersguild.org.
• Get a little magic when the Champions of Magic come to the Nashua Center for the Arts (201 Main St. in Nashua; nashuacenterforthearts.com, 800-657-8774) on Thursday, May 4, at 7:30 p.m. Tickets range from $39 to $69.
• The two-day New Hampshire Farm, Forest & Garden Expo returns for its 40th year on Friday, May 5, and Saturday, May 6, this time at the Deerfield Fairgrounds (34 Stage Road). Expo hours are from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturday, and from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday, when there will be a wide array of local exhibitors, live animal visits, gardener showcases, workshops, demonstrations of farm machinery and other family-friendly activities. Tickets are $10 for adults and free for kids ages 12 and under. Visit nhfarmandforestexpo.org to view the full schedule of expo happenings.
• Perhaps May’s best holiday, Free Comic Book Day takes place Saturday, May 6, at your favorite participating comic book shop. Get totally free comics produced especially for the day; see previews of this year’s books at freecomicbookday.com. Notables on the list so far include a Dog Man comic from Dav Pilkey, a Baby-Sitters Little Sisters comic, a graphic novel biography of Stan Lee, an Investi-Gators comic, Smurfs, Last Kid on Earth, Garbage Pail Kids and several Marvel titles. Local participants include Merrymac Games and Comics(550 Daniel Webster Hwy. in Merrimack) and the Double Midnight Comics in Manchester (252 Willow St.) and Concord (341 Loudon Road). For this first Free Comic Book Day at its new Manchester location, Double Midnight is offering free comics in the store and running a free comic con in The Factory’s event space, with artists and vendors, food trucks, a video game truck, movie cars, lawn games, lightsaber training, a scavenger hunt, live music, kids’ activities, costume contests and more, according to an email from Double Midnight’s Chris Proulx. Up in Concord it’s a more laid back Free Comic Book Day and a good alternative for families with kids who have sensory issues, he said. See dmcomics.com.
• Also doing Free Comic Book Day up big is Jetpack Comics (37 N. Main St. in Rochester; jetpackcomics.com), which is the hub for a city-wide Rochester Free Comic Book Day Festival, which starts at 10 a.m. and runs until 4 p.m., according to the website. The day will include a free comic book scavenger hunt throughout the city, comic creators and special guests, vendors and others at the Event Hall at the Governor’s Inn, a food truck and beer garden, a costume contest at 4 p.m. and more. See the website for locations and other details.
• A few local farmers markets are due to start their seasons outdoors this spring. The Concord Farmers Market is one of the first — it’s due to return to Capitol Street in downtown Concord (adjacent to the Statehouse lawn) on Saturday, May 6, from 8:30 a.m. to noon, continuing every weekend through October, according to its website.
• The Senie Hunt Project performs at the Bank of New Hampshire Stage (16 S. Main St., Concord) on Friday, May 12, at 8 p.m. The blues rock band, fronted by guitarist and singer Senie Hunt, takes influence from classic blues rock and Southern rock and soul powerhouses such as Stevie Ray Vaughan, Jimi Hendrix and The Allman Brothers. Tickets cost $21.75. Visit ccanh.com/show/the-senie-hunt-project.
• If your kids love comics, comic book or movie characters, books in general, Jedi training, puppets, princesses, magic or dressing up as their own adventure creations, check out Kids Con New England, a comic book and pop culture convention for kids and families, on Saturday, May 13, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Douglas N. Everett Arena (15 Loudon Road in Concord). Tickets cost $12 for adults and kids 5 and over (kids 4 and under get in free) and are available at kidsconne.com, where you can see the line-up of activities, participating authors and artists and more.
• Stock up on annuals, perennials, seedlings, veggie plants, herbs and more at a local garden club’s spring sale. The Amherst Garden Club’s annual sale takes place on Saturday, May 13, from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. outside on the grounds of Wilkins School (180 Boston Post Road, Amherst); Nashua Garden Club’s sale is on Saturday, May 20, from 8 a.m. to noon at the Nashua Historical Society (5 Abbott St., Nashua); and Bedford Garden Club’s sale is also on Saturday, May 20, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., at the Bedford Village Common (15 Bell Hill Road, Bedford).
• Get big truck action when the Monster Jam comes to SNHU Arena (555 Elm St. in Manchester; snhuarena.com) on Saturday, May 13, at 1 and 7 p.m., and Sunday, May 14, at 1 p.m. Ticket prices are $18 to $73, according to the arena website. See monsterjam.com for details on likely featured competitors (Grave Digger, Megalodon, El Toro Loco, etc.) and for information on the Pit Party events scheduled for 10:30 a.m. each day, when you can meet drivers and see the trucks up close; tickets to the Pit Party cost $20, according to Ticketmaster.
• Sunday, May 14, is Mother’s Day — be sure to check back in early May for our annual listings detailing special Mother’s Day brunches at area eateries. The Bedford Village Inn (2 Olde Bedford Way), for instance, will serve a three-course prix fixe dinner that day, with reservations available from 2 to 7 p.m. The cost is $75 for adults and $39.98 for kids ages 10 and under. See bedfordvillageinn.com or call 472-2001 to make a reservation.
• Tickets are on sale now for the second annual New England Coffee Festival, returning to downtown Laconia on Friday, May 19, and Saturday, May 20. Organized by Wayfarer Coffee Roasters in Laconia, the inaugural event last year drew more than 5,000 attendees to the area. “We received so much amazing feedback and are excited to elevate the next festival,” Karen Bassett of Wayfarer Coffee Roasters told the Hippo via email, going on to note that this year’s event will feature even more hands-on workshops and outdoor vendors than before, plus a “latte art throwdown” on the Main Stage of the Colonial Theatre in front of a grand audience. See newenglandcoffeefestival.com for the full schedule of events, or follow the event page on Facebook @newenglandcoffeefestival for updates as they become available.
• Preparations are now underway for the annual Greek food festival to return to St. Philip Greek Orthodox Church (500 W. Hollis St., Nashua) on Friday, May 19, and Saturday, May 20. Following a series of pop-up and takeout events held the past few years, plans are in the works for this year’s event to return in person with a full menu. Visit stphilipnashua.com or follow the event page on Facebook @stphilipgreekfoodfestival.
• Explore all the natural beauty New Hampshire has to offer with a New Hampshire State Parks season pass. Passholders are guaranteed access to day-use parks with exemption from entrance fees. Passes, which are good for one year, cost $60 for individuals; $105 for New Hampshire resident families of up to two adults and up to four dependents; and $120 for non-resident families. Seacoast parking passes are also available for $175, granting one vehicle exemption from the $15 parking fees at Hampton Beach State Park and Wallis Sands State Park for one year. To purchase a pass, visit nhstateparks.org/planning/schedule-and-fees/passes-promotions.
Featured photo: Amherst Garden Club’s annual plant sale. Courtesy photo.
For the fourth consecutive year, the New Hampshire Department of Education is inviting parents, educators and community members to share their perspectives and experiences with their respective schools through the 603 Bright Futures Survey. According to a press release, the survey was created to gather actionable feedback surrounding learning models, school climate, family and community engagement and other topics in order to understand the successes and challenges of the recent school year and craft policies and programs to meet the needs of students in the upcoming school year. “Public input and feedback is crucial as we aim to help all students succeed in the classroom and beyond.” Frank Edelblut, education commissioner, said in the release. The survey, which takes 15 minutes or less to complete, is available to take online now through Friday, April 28. Families, visit bit.ly/nhedfamily; school staff, visit bit.ly/nhedstaff; and community members, visit bit.ly/nhedcommunity. The results of the survey will be shared on education.nh.gov once the survey closes.
Mounted patrol
The New Hampshire Horse Council has named Officer Kelly McKenney of the Manchester Police Mounted Patrol as its 2023 New Hampshire Horseperson of the Year. According to a press release, the award recognizes individuals who have contributed to the betterment of New Hampshire’s equine industry. Officer McKenney, a lifelong equestrian, can often be seen patrolling downtown Manchester on her main equine partner, General, or visiting schools, retirement homes and other community venues with Eddy the comfort pony. “Officer McKenney’s efforts as a member of the Manchester Mounted Patrol have greatly enhanced the well-being of city residents,” Christina Keim, New Hampshire Horse Council president, said in the release. “Whether interacting with the public from horseback while on mounted patrol, or bringing Eddy the comfort pony to reach citizens on a more personal level, Officer McKenney is connecting people with horses, for the betterment of all.”
Conservation funding
The New Hampshire Land and Community Heritage Investment Program, in partnership with a variety of conservation funding programs, will host a two-day webinar on conservation funding sources on Thursday, April 6, from 8:30 to 11 a.m., and Friday, April 7, from 8:30 to 10 a.m. According to a press release, presenters will include the Land and Water Conservation Fund, NH DES Drinking Water and Groundwater Trust Fund Source Water Protection, State Conservation Committee, NH Land and Community Heritage Investment Program and USFS Community Forest and Forest Legacy Programs on Thursday, and NH DES Aquatic Resources Mitigation Fund, USDA Agricultural Conservation Easement Program and NH Fish and Game on Friday. The presenters will provide an overview of their respective program’s funding priorities, eligibility requirements, application process and schedule. To register, email kmidolo@lchip.org with the subject line “State Conservation Funding Webinar.”
State of teens
Results from New Hampshire’s 2021 Youth Risk Behavior Survey have been released. According to a press release, the anonymous and voluntary survey is distributed every other year to high school students through a partnership between local schools, the New Hampshire Department of Education and the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services as part of a nationwide effort to learn more about the health-related behaviors that contribute to the leading causes of death and poor health among youth and adults. Positive changes include a decrease in students who reported regularly vaping at 16.2 percent, down from 33.8 percent in 2019; a decrease in students who reported drinking alcohol (21.3 percent, down from 26.8 percent) and binge drinking (11.2 percent, down from 14.4 percent); and a decrease in students who reported having sexual intercourse (29.3 percent, down from 39.8 percent) and being sexually active (21.3 percent, down from 29.7 percent). Concerning changes include an increase in students who reported feeling sad or hopeless at 44 percent, up from 34 percent in 2019; an increase in students who reported having seriously considered suicide at 25 percent, up from 18 percent; an increase in students who reported having been physically forced to have sexual intercourse (8.8 percent, up from 6.7 percent) and having experienced sexual violence (11.4 percent, up from 10.1 percent); an increase in students who reported feeling unsafe at school or while traveling to and from school (at 9.6 percent, up from 6.9 percent); and an increase in students who reported being affected by cyberbullying (at 21.8 percent, up from 20.1 percent). “The survey results are concerning in that girls, especially, reported that their mental wellbeing has been in distress,” Tricia Tilley, Director of the DHHS Division of Public Health Services, said in the release. “The good news is that youth in New Hampshire are making better decisions about their health, including decreases in students using alcohol, tobacco and vaping.” The full results of the survey are at education.nh.gov.
Nominations sought
The New Hampshire Audubon is seeking nominations for its annual Tudor Richards and Goodhue-Elkins awards, according to a press release. The Tudor Richards Award recognizes an individual who exemplifies a love and knowledge of the outdoors and has made contributions to conservation efforts in New Hampshire. The Goodhue-Elkins Award recognizes an individual who has made an outstanding contribution to the study of New Hampshire birds. Visit nhaudubon.org/about-us/annual-awards for a nomination form. The deadline for nominations is Saturday, April 15.
Girl Scouts of the Green and White Mountains will host a Unicorn Party and informational session on Monday, March 20, from 6 to 7 p.m. at Center Woods School in Weare (14 Center Road). Girls in grades K through 3 and their caregivers are invited, according to a press release. Walk-ins are welcome. Sign-ups for Girl Scouts are available year-round at girlscoutsgwm.org.
Safran Optics 1, which designs and produces electro-optic and navigation systems, welcomed U.S. Sen. Jeanne Shaheen at a groundbreaking ceremony for an expansion project at its Bedford plant on Monday, March 13. According to a press release, Sen. Shaheen, a senior member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, toured the facility and spoke about the role of New Hampshire-based companies in the national security industrial base.
United Way of Greater Nashua is accepting donations of new and like-new items for its Community Baby Shower to help low-income families with new babies. According to a press release, more than 60 families are expected to attend the April 12 event to pick items they need. A wish list is available at tinyurl.com/2023bbshwr. Donations can be sent or dropped off at United Way (20 Broad St., Nashua) on weekdays between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m., by April 7.
Along with his musical prowess, John McEuen could give a master class in networking. Fifty years ago he asked his new friend, bluegrass legend Earl Scruggs, to work with his group The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band on what became Will The Circle Be Unbroken, a record that brought together American roots music’s leading lights.
McEuen used that promise to bring the equally iconic Doc Watson on board. “I told him, ‘We’re making an album with Earl Scruggs, and I want to know if you want to be part of it,’” he recalled by phone recently. “We weren’t making an album yet — he’d just said he would record with us.”
One by one, an all-star cast of bluegrass legends joined up.
Its success led to two follow-ups, one in 1989 featuring John Prine, Rosanne Cash, John Hiatt and other country-folk stars, and a third volume in 2002, which had Alison Krauss, Emmylou Harris and Willie Nelson, the latter singing “Goodnight Irene” with Tom Petty.
The Willie and Tom duet came together when McEuen heard Petty recording in another studio and again chose to be bold.
“I walked in and said, ‘Hey, Mr. Petty, I’m John McEuen from the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band and I have one question: Have you ever wanted to sing with Willie Nelson?’ It took him off guard. He said, ‘Well, yeah, I wanna sing with Willie Nelson’ and I said, ‘We’re recording him down the hall.’ He came right then.”
There will be more stories like that when McEuen and his group The Circle Band appear March 18 at Manchester’s Rex Theatre. During the interview, he recalled getting a private serenade from Linda Ronstadt at her “When Will I Be Loved” session, capturing an early take of Gregg Allman’s “It’s Not My Cross To Bear” in a Los Angeles studio, and recording an 18-year-old Kenny Loggins in McEuen’s Laurel Canyon home, before Loggins joined Jim Messina.
A few years later, McEuen and bandmate John Hanna turned down Messina when he pitched him a tune; Hanna didn’t think it was a hit. “It’s a teeny-bopper song,” he recalled him saying. “Anybody can write, ‘Your mama don’t dance and your daddy don’t rock and roll.’ I called up Jimmy the next day and said no. He said, ‘That’s OK; Kenny and I decided to put that out together.’ Good decision, huh?”
The show commences with early hits like “Mr. Bojangles” — the Dirt Band was the first act to have a hit with that song — and winds through gems like “Voila, An American Dream” and “Long Hard Road (The Sharecropper’s Dream).” Along with McEuen are bassist (and Dirt Band cofounder) Les Thompson, and Nashville guitarist Danny Knicely.
The bulk of the evening is devoted to McEuen’s best-known project, a recording that so powerfully documented the many threads of American acoustic music that a copy of the 1972 triple disc could have been sent to the Library of Congress at the same time it shipped to record stores across the country.
It’s a multimedia show, much of it centered on that first Circle album.
“My brother Bill was manager of the group; he also produced the record, and he shot photographs, so behind us on a screen will be a projection of the studio sessions, with us in front, playing the music,” he said, adding, “it’s really exciting to see myself 50 years ago; it helps keep me young.”
There are occasional divergences, McEuen continued.
“We do things that aren’t reflected by what’s on the screen when we get into some other music,” he said, then began to muse. “This is a strange job; you travel all this time so you can go work for an hour and a half. Well, I try to make it … maybe two hours depending on the audience. I hear that this room is really nice and I’m looking forward to it.”
Asked what fans can expect from the evening, McEuen was expansive.
“People should come if they want to see a night of music that takes them to a pleasant space that exists from 1860 to 2018,” he said. “ I like to tell stories about what’s going on before and after the songs, and we have a good time. We play hot, fast, sweet, smooth and all that. I hope people come out to hear us.”
John McEuen & The Circle Band When: Saturday, March 18, 7:30 p.m. Where: Rex Theatre, 23 Amherst St., Manchester Tickets: $29 and up at palacetheatre.org
Adonis Creed fights childhood trauma in Creed III, a thoroughly engaging entry in the Creed offshoot of the Rockyverse.
After finally beating Ricky Conlan (Tony Bellew), his opponent from the first movie, Adonis “Donnie” Creed (Michael B. Jordan) retires from boxing and lives a happily family-centered life in Los Angeles. He spends time at his gym building up the next generation of boxers and takes care of his elementary-school-age daughter Amara (Mila Davis-Kent), including dressing up as a dragon or something for a tea party while wife Bianca (Tessa Thompson) is working on the music she writes and produces. He seems content — until childhood friend Damian “Dame” Anderson (Jonathan Majors) comes to visit him. Dame has been in prison for nearly two decades but before that he and Donnie were as tight as brothers when they lived in a foster care group home together. They still hung out after Apollo Creed’s widow, Mary-Anne (Phylicia Rashad), adopted Donnie, though apparently she didn’t think much of the friendship since we see a young Donnie (Thaddeus J. Mixson) sneaking out to hang out with young Dame (Spence Moore II), who at the time is a promising young boxer.
In the present, Dame’s presence pushes Donnie back into the headspace of his younger self, remembering the physical abuse he suffered at the group home and the incident that led to Dame’s incarceration. When Dame, who is older than Donnie, tells him he wants to get back to boxing, Donnie knows it’s a bad idea but he reluctantly helps his friend get a fight, out of guilt and obligation. As everyone around Donnie realizes faster than Donnie does, Dame isn’t just trying to recapture past glory; he has some serious grudges to work out.
The beats of this movie are all pretty much what you expect them to be. And there aren’t a lot of surprises in the arcs of the characters either. But everybody here — Jordan, Thompson, the suddenly everywhere Majors — is so compelling, so engaging to watch even when they’re working with some fairly familiar material, that I was pulled in even if this movie doesn’t have the spark of the first Creed. (And while this movie is plenty warm-hearted, I missed the squishy bear hug that Sylvester Stallone’s Rocky brought to these movies.) Nevertheless, I was in and I enjoyed this movie that is a smarter, well-finessed version of the boxing movie standard. B
Rated PG-13 for intense sports action, violence and some strong language, according to the MPA on filmratings.com. Directed by Michael B. Jordan with a screenplay by Keenan Coogler & Zach Baylin, Creed III is an hour and 56 minutes long and distributed in theaters by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures.
Operation Fortune: Ruse de Guerre (R)
Jason Statham does a goofy riff on James Bond-ish spy adventure with the Guy Ritchie-directed and co-written Operation Fortune: Ruse de Guerre, a movie that really feels like someone’s hoping to make it a part 1.
And I feel like, were this on Netflix and available for watching while you sipped your cocktail of choice and dozed on the sofa some Friday night after a long week, it would be a perfect part 1 for a perfectly moderately entertaining series.
Orson Fortune (Statham), a contract government spying-and-stuff type, is charged by his handler Nathan (Cary Elwes), who has been charged by British government official Knighton (Eddie Marsan, doing quality “exasperated”), to find a thing. What thing? It’s called “The Handle” and nobody knows what it is or what it does but it was stolen from a lab, it’s being sold by arms dealer Greg Simmonds (a delightfully sleazy Hugh Grant) and all the wrong sorts of people want it. So Nathan and his team of Orson, Sarah (Aubrey Plaza) and JJ (Bugzy Malone) have to get it back before any of the bad people get it. Unfortunately, someone has clearly tasked a competing team led by Mike (Peter Ferdinando) to do the same, so the two teams — who have professional rivalries with each other — are constantly getting tangled in each other’s operations.
Eventually, the Nathan-Orson team lands on a means of getting close to Greg Simmonds that involves enlisting the help of/blackmailing into service Greg’s favorite actor, Danny Francesco (Josh Hartnett). The gang jumps around Europe, to Los Angeles and eventually to Turkey, pulling off assorted capers along the way to try to track down The Handle, which is such a McGuffin that I was a little disappointed when we actually learned what it is.
There are several more characters — a house full of shady types, a pair of sketchy tech types, an assortment of henchmen and women — I haven’t mentioned yet, the tonnage of which also gives the movie a feel of a two-episode pilot packed full of the characters we’ll bump into throughout the season. It also means that no one character, not the actor-y Danny or hacker Sarah or tough guy Orson (who has this whole character thing about liking fancy wine that just never really goes anywhere), gets time to really develop. Operation Fortune stuffs in a whole lot of a whole lot — fights, chases, Aubrey Plaza wackiness that feels a bit like her Parks and Recreation character doing a computer hacker a la Janet Snakehole — into its not-quite two-hour run time and yet it feels more like it’s stocking up on plot business than telling a complex story. I often felt like somehow in all this too much, there was not enough — not enough choreographed-action wows or sparky intra-character chemistry or general funness. Some of the action even hit that spot of movie white noise, where I felt myself having to work extra hard to stay awake — not a fatal flaw for a movie you watch on your couch where you can rewind but not ideal for a movie you put on hard pants to see. B-
Rated R for language and violence, according to the MPA on filmratings.com. Directed by Guy Ritchie with a screenplay by Guy Ritchie and Ivan Atkinson & Marn Davies, Operation Fortune: Ruse de Guerre is an hour and 54 minutes long and distributed in theaters by Lionsgate.
Corned beef and cabbage, Irish desserts and more special eats for St. Patrick’s Day
Ready for St. Patrick’s Day? Whether you’re looking to enjoy that ceremonious corned beef and cabbage dinner or you want to know where all the Guinness is being kept, check out this list of St. Paddy’s Day-related specials and happenings across southern New Hampshire’s bars and restaurants. Some are choosing to celebrate on the day itself — Friday, March 17 — while others are making an entire weekend out of the festivities with live music, comedy shows and more. For those who would rather celebrate at home, we’ve included details on some takeout specials for dinners and sweets being offered by area eateries and bakeries.
• Alpine Grove Banquet Facility (19 S. Depot Road, Hollis, 882-9051, alpinegrove.com) will host a special St. Patrick’s Day dinner and Irish comedy show on Friday, March 17. The doors open at 6 p.m., with a buffet to be served from 6:30 to 7:45 p.m. — items will include corned beef and cabbage quesadillas, Irish nachos and grilled cheese bites, potato skins, Reuben sliders, Irish soda bread, corned beef and cabbage-infused macaroni and cheese, Baileys mint chocolate chip brownies and cupcakes, and more. The comedy show kicks off at 8 p.m., with appearances by Andrew Della Volpe and Al Ghanekar. Tickets are $55 and include dinner and the show.
• Atkinson Resort & Country Club (85 Country Club Drive, Atkinson, 362-8700, atkinsonresort.com) will serve corned beef and cabbage all day on Friday, March 17, at both Merrill’s Tavern and the Stagecoach Grille, beginning at 11 a.m. Call to make a reservation or place a takeout order. A special Irish comedy show will be held at 7:30 p.m. that evening, featuring comedians Steve Sweeney, Ken Rogerson and Rob Steen. Tickets are $35.
• Auburn Pitts (167 Rockingham Road, Auburn, 622-6564, auburnpitts.com) is celebrating St. Patrick’s Day with corned beef dinners on Friday, March 17, and live entertainment from singer-songwriter Crazy Steve at 2 p.m.
• Averill House Vineyard (21 Averill Road, Brookline, 244-3165, averillhousevineyard.com) will serve a special four-course mystery dinner and wine pairing for St. Patrick’s Day on Friday, March 17, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Tickets are $59 (the event is 21+ only) and must be purchased in advance online.
• The Biergarten at Anheuser-Busch Brewery (221 Daniel Webster Hwy., Merrimack, 595-1202, biergartenevents.com) will hold a special St. Patrick’s Day Happy Hour celebration on Friday, March 17, from 3 to 8 p.m. Food will be available for purchase from the Sammich NH food truck, and live music from Dan Fallon will be featured from 4 to 8 p.m.
• Bonfire Country Bar (950 Elm St., Manchester, 217-5600, bonfiremanch.com) is celebrating St. Patrick’s Day all day long, opening early at 1 p.m. with drink specials and live music from Maddi Ryan (at 1 p.m.), Fat Bunny (at 5 p.m.) and the Eric Grant Band (at 9 p.m.).
• Buckley’s Market & Cafe (9 Market Place, Hollis, 465-5522, buckleysbakerycafe.com) is taking orders for St. Patrick’s Day dinner boxes for two, featuring slow-braised corned beef with potatoes, cabbage, turnip and carrots, whole-grain mustard and horseradish sauces, Irish soda bread and chocolate Guinness cupcakes with Baileys frosting for dessert. Order by March 10. Pickups will be on Friday, March 17.
• Casey Magee’s Irish Pub & Music Hall (8 Temple St., Nashua, 484-7400, caseymagees.com) is hosting a St. Patrick’s Day celebration on Saturday, March 18, featuring food and drink specials and live music from the Workin’ Stiffs Band from 8 to 11 p.m.
• City Hall Pub (8 Hanover St., Manchester, 232-3751, cityhallpub.com) will open at 11 a.m. on Friday, March 17, and celebrate St. Patrick’s Day all day long with a special Irish Reuben.
• Cruzin Cakes Shop (150 Broad St., Nashua, 882-1666, cruzincakesshop.com) is taking orders for “Kiss Me, I’m Irish” cake pop boxes, as well as other themed sweets and treats, like platters of green velvet whoopie pies, brownies, sugar cookies and chocolates. Order for pickup on Friday, March 17.
• The Derryfield Restaurant (625 Mammoth Road, Manchester, 623-2880, thederryfield.com) will open at 11 a.m. on Friday, March 17, celebrating St. Patrick’s Day all day long with corned beef and cabbage dinners, Reuben sandwiches and other Irish-themed food and drink specials. Live music will be featured by D-Comp at 5 p.m. and Last Kid Picked at 9 p.m.
• Elm House of Pizza (102 Elm St., Manchester, 232-5522, elmhop.com) will open at its normal time on Friday, March 17, at 11 a.m., celebrating St. Patrick’s Day all day long with a special corned beef and cabbage plate.
• Fody’s Great American Tavern (9 Clinton St., Nashua, 577-9015; 187 ½ Rockingham Road, Derry, 404-6946; fodystavern.com) will open at noon on Friday, March 17, celebrating St. Patrick’s Day all day long with traditional corned beef and cabbage dinners, Reuben sandwiches and Reuben fries, in addition to drink specials, giveaways and a full schedule of live music throughout the afternoon and evening. The restaurant’s Derry location, meanwhile, is opening at 8 a.m. with an Irish breakfast and will also have live music, boiled dinners, drink specials and more.
• Frederick’s Pastries (109 Route 101A, Amherst, 882-7725; 25 S. River Road, Bedford, 647-2253; pastry.net) is celebrating St. Patrick’s Day with all kinds of seasonally inspired sweets and treats, like Guinness cupcakes and tortes, mint chocolate chip cupcakes, Irish flag shamrock cookies, Baileys Irish cream tortes, pot-of-gold cakes and — new this year — cookie kits with shamrock-shaped butter cookies.
• The Goat Bar and Grill (50 Old Granite St., Manchester, 844-603-4628, goatnh.com) is celebrating St. Patrick’s Day all weekend long, with featured brunch specials from Friday, March 17, through Sunday, March 19, plus Irish coffee, green beer, live music, and a chance to win a trip to Ireland, sponsored by 97.5 WOKQ Radio (registrants must enter by 11 a.m. on Friday, March 17).
• Great North Aleworks (1050 Holt Ave., Unit 14, Manchester, 858-5789, greatnorthaleworks.com) will host a special post-St. Patrick’s Day celebration on Sunday, March 19, from 12:30 to 5 p.m., featuring live music from The Pop Farmers and a kitchen pop-up from The Potato Concept, serving their loaded twice-baked potatoes in a variety of seasonal flavors. The brewery is set to release its Nitro Dry Irish stout on tap that day.
• Holy Grail Food & Spirits (64 Main St., Epping, 679-9559, holygrailrestaurantandpub.com) is celebrating St. Patrick’s Day all day long on Friday, March 17, with live music from Max Sullivan (from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.) and Penhallow (from 3 to 6 p.m.), in addition to a kitchen party with Irish-inspired food and drink specials from 7 to 10 p.m.
• Jamison’s (472 Route 111, Hampstead, 489-1565, jamisonsrestaurant.com) will offer several seasonally themed specials for St. Patrick’s Day on Friday, March 17, including boiled corned beef and cabbage dinners, Guinness beef stew, Irish nachos with corned beef, sauerkraut and Thousand Island dressing, Reuben egg rolls and shepherd’s pie.
• LaBelle Winery Amherst (345 Route 101, Amherst, 672-9898, labellewinery.com) is celebrating St. Patrick’s Day with a special five-course whiskey pairing dinner in its Great Room on Friday, March 17, from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m., featuring cocktails made with Roe & Coe Irish whiskey. Courses will include mini duck “Reubens,” deconstructed Scotch eggs, crushed luxardo and orange-sweetened sorbet, beef Wellington with a potato and chive puree, roasted Brussels sprouts and a dark cherry demi glaze, and chocolate stout cheesecake for dessert. LaBelle’s chef and staff will also be on hand to provide insights into each course and the cocktails they are paired with throughout the dinner. Tickets are $110 per person (event is 21+ only) and registration is required.
• LaBelle Winery Derry (14 Route 111, Derry, 672-9898, labellewinery.com) has a Cooking With Wine class on Wednesday, March 15, at 6 p.m. that will dabble in Irish recipes, just in time for St. Patrick’s Day. Attendees will learn how to make everything from Reuben-inspired hot dip appetizers to Guinness-braised short ribs, Irish soda bread and Guinness chocolate desserts. The class is $35 per person and registration is required. The following evening, on Thursday, March 16, LaBelle Winery’s Derry location will host a special St. Patrick’s Day concert featuring the Jordan Tirrell-Wysocki Trio, performing traditional Celtic music — doors open at 7 p.m. and the performance begins at 8 p.m. Tickets are $35.
• McGarvey’s Saloon (1097 Elm St., Manchester, 627-2721, mcgarveysnh.com) will open early at 10 a.m. for St. Patrick’s Day, celebrating all day long with a corned beef plate and other food and beverage specials.
• Milano’s House of Pizza (1 Broad St., Nashua, 883-6610, milanospizzanashua.com) will open at 10 a.m. on Friday, March 17, celebrating St. Patrick’s Day all day long with corned beef and cabbage, shepherd’s pie egg rolls and $3.17 priced drinks.
• New England’s Tap House Grille (1292 Hooksett Road, Hooksett, 782-5137, taphousenh.com) is celebrating St. Patrick’s Day all weekend long with several food specials, available from Friday, March 17, through Sunday, March 19. In addition to traditional boiled dinners of corned beef and cabbage with carrots, turnips and red bliss potatoes, other specials will include panko-crusted Reuben balls, Guinness stew, beer-battered fish and chips, house-made Guinness cake and Baileys Irish cream cheesecake. The eatery’s Burger of the Month for March is a Reuben burger, featuring a four-ounce Angus beef patty topped with sliced corned beef, sauerkraut, Swiss cheese and Thousand Island dressing on a fresh pretzel roll.
• North Side Grille (323 Derry Road, Hudson, 886-3663, hudsonnorthsidegrille.com) is celebrating St. Patrick’s Day all weekend long with an Irish-themed menu, along with family-sized meals of corned beef and cabbage, from Tuesday, March 14, through Friday, March 17. Dine-in meals and takeout orders are available.
• The Peddler’s Daughter (48 Main St., Nashua, 821-7535, thepeddlersdaughter.com) will open at 8 a.m. on Friday, March 17, celebrating St. Patrick’s Day with a special kegs and eggs Irish breakfast, along with a variety of other food and drink specials available throughout the day. A full schedule of live music is also planned, including performances by the Ramblin’ Rogues band (from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.), the Jim Coyle and Joe Kessler band (from 3 to 7 p.m.) and The Pop Farmers (from 7 p.m. into the night). The Peddler’s Daughter keeps the festivities going with a “hangover” brunch on Saturday, March 18, at 11 a.m., and a “Sunday Funday” brunch on Sunday, March 19, featuring house mimosas and bloody marys.
• Rambling House Food & Gathering (57 Factory St., Nashua, 318-3220, ramblingtale.com) will host “Tales from the Seanchai,” an Irish storytelling dinner with humorist and author Simon Brooks, on Sunday, March 12, from 5 to 7:30 p.m. Featured entrees during the dinner will include lamb stout stew, fish and chips and vegetable hand pie and potato leek soup, along with apple cake for dessert, specialty event cocktails and full beer and wine lists on tap. Brooks will be the event’s seanchai (pronounced shan-a-key), or a storyteller tasked with keeping Irish myths, folklore and legends alive. Tickets are $70 per person and include dinner and dessert (due to adult themes, the event is not suitable for children). Reservations are required.
• The Shaskeen Pub and Restaurant (909 Elm St., Manchester, 625-0246, shaskeenirishpub.com) will open its doors at 5:30 a.m. on Friday, March 17, for St. Patrick’s Day, serving its first pints at 6 a.m. and breakfast until 11 a.m. Other Irish-inspired food and drink specials will be offered throughout the day, and live music from several local artists will be held from 3 p.m. until closing time.
• Sky Meadow Country Club (6 Mountain Laurels Drive, Nashua, 888-9000, skymeadow.com) is throwing a St. Patrick’s Day Bash on Friday, March 17 — doors open at 5 p.m., with an optional buffet to be served beginning at 6 p.m. and live entertainment until 11 p.m., including from DJ Chip and Irish step dancers from the McGonagle School of Irish Dance. Admission is free and the cost of the optional buffet is $50. Book your spot by filling out the attendance form online.
• Strange Brew Tavern (88 Market St., Manchester, 666-4292, strangebrewtavern.net) will open the doors early at 9 a.m. on Friday, March 17, celebrating St. Patrick’s Day all day long with food and drink specials and a full schedule of live entertainment, including music from David Rousseau (from 9 a.m. to noon) and Jake Pardee (from 2 to 5 p.m.), as well as Irish step dancing from the McGonagle School of Irish Dance (from 4 to 4:45 p.m.) and music from Waking Finnegan (8 p.m. to midnight). Strange Brew Tavern will also open early at 10 a.m. on Sunday, March 26, ahead of the annual Manchester St. Patrick’s Day parade.
• The Wild Rover Pub & Restaurant (21 Kosciuszko St., Manchester, 669-7722, wildroverpub.com) is opening early at 6 a.m. on Friday, March 17, celebrating St. Patrick’s Day all day long with a special Irish breakfast, followed by corned beef and cabbage plates and other seasonally inspired food specials.
Featured photo: Corned beef and cabbage from The Shaskeen Pub and Restaurant in Manchester. Courtesy photo.
The basics on adding hens, chicks and roosters to your backyard farm
Perhaps the fluctuations in egg prices have you considering getting your own flock of egg-laying chickens. A New York Times story from Feb. 2 about the “inflation chicken” trend points out that there is a hefty upfront cost to raising chickens — the cost of the birds, the cost of the coops. But if you are thinking about adding chickens to your spring and summer gardening plans, here’s what you can expect in terms of chores, costs and eggs.
Barred rock chicken. Photo courtesy of UNH Cooperative Extension.
What are the regulations for raising backyard chickens in New Hampshire?
New Hampshire does not mandate statewide regulations for keeping chickens for personal use. Rather, regulations are set by municipalities and vary by town or city.
“Most towns and even cities are very chicken-friendly,” said Christine Templeton, who co-owns Templeton Family Organics farm in Goffstown with her husband, Brian Templeton.
Residents may be subject to zoning ordinances and land use laws that dictate zones in which backyard chickens are and are not permitted; the minimum acreage or lot size required; the distance maintained between chickens and neighboring residences and roads; the number of chickens allowed to be kept (which may be relative to the acreage or lot size); and rules regarding roosters.
“Some towns regulate roosters — limit the numbers or do not allow them — in residential areas,” said Mary Davis, UNH Cooperative Extension Field Specialist and New Hampshire State 4-H Animal Science program manager. “There are fewer regulations in more rural areas and areas zoned residential.”
“It is the responsibility of the chicken owner to check if roosters are allowed or not,” added Kendall Kunelius, UNH Cooperative Extension Field Specialist in Agricultural Business Management. “I always recommend checking with the town before considering purchases of any animal.”
What types of chickens do well in New Hampshire? How do I decide what type(s) of chickens to get?
There are many different breeds of chickens to consider; New Hampshire chicken experts mentioned Golden Comet, Barred Rock, Rhode Island Red, New Hampshire Red, Speckled Sussex, Australorps, Leghorn, Buff Orpington, Araucana, Easter Eggers and Wyandottes as some of the most commonly kept breeds in the Northeast.
Mixed breed chickens, often called a “barnyard mix.” Photo courtesy of UNH Cooperative Extension.
The best type of chicken for you depends on your goals.
“Why do you want chickens?” Davis said. “For the fresh eggs? For locally raised meat? Any breed of hen will lay eggs, but the popular egg-laying breeds have been selectively bred to produce more eggs per year, and ‘meat breeds’ are bred to have larger breast muscles, be bigger and yield more meat.”
New Hampshire Red, Rhode Island Red, Barred Rock and Golden Comet chickens are reliable egg-layers and tolerant to the cold, making them popular picks among New Hampshire chicken owners. Other breeds might be chosen for their more specialized egg-laying qualities.
“There’s a lot of variety among breeds bred for egg production,” said Carl Majewski, UNH Cooperative Extension Field Specialist in Dairy, Livestock, and Forage Crops, “from the modern Leghorn breeds used for commercial production, to older ‘heritage’ breeds dating back to the 1800s or so, to oddball breeds that lay different colors of eggs — anything from blue to green to chocolate brown — or have striking plumage.”
“People need to decide what is most important to them, such as high egg production, show quality or even egg color,” Templeton added. “It’s about what the person or family wants to get out of the experience.”
Backyard chicken seminar Nashua Farmers’ Exchange (38 1/2 Bridge St., Nashua) will host a poultry seminar on Saturday, March 11, at 10 a.m. The seminar will cover the basics of raising chickens, including how to get set up and how to care for chicks and full-grown chickens. It’s free and open to the public. Visit nashuafarmers.com/events/chicken-seminar-2023.
What’s the best way to start — from eggs, chicks or grown chickens?
There are advantages and disadvantages to each, but ultimately it’s a matter of personal preference, based on the kind of experience you want and the amount of time and money you’re willing to invest.
• Hatching from eggs can be a fun and educational project for families. However, Majewski warned, it can be hard to find fertilized eggs that have been properly screened to be disease-free. Hatching also requires an incubator and other expensive equipment, and the conditions in the incubator must be frequently monitored and maintained. Finally, even if you do everything right, there’s still no guarantee that the eggs will hatch.
• Starting with chicks also requires some extra equipment, including a heat source and special food and water dispenser, and some extra care for a few weeks while the chicks are at their most fragile, but chicks are less expensive — and less risky — than hatching from eggs.
“Many farm supply stores offer pre-orders for chicks, allowing customers to order exactly what they want,” Davis said, adding that in New Hampshire an order must include a minimum of six chicks. “For those wanting laying hens, the retailer can help you determine if a chick is female. In many breeds there is a color difference of the males, although this is not 100 percent.”
It takes four months or longer from the time a female chick is born until it starts laying eggs.
• If you want to skip the wait, you can purchase “pullets” — young hens that have not started laying eggs yet but are expected to start soon.
“They save you the time and bother of brooding and rearing chicks, and they’re ready to start laying within just a week or so of getting settled in at your home,” Majewski said, “but they are more expensive. They can go for around $20 apiece, versus $3 for a chick.”
Do I need a rooster?
“It is a common misconception that you need to have a rooster for hens to lay eggs,” Davis said. “This is not true. The hens will lay eggs without a rooster.”
There is an argument to be made that hens are happier and feel safer having a rooster around, but most chicken owners who aren’t interested in producing fertilized eggs opt not to have one.
“Mature roosters are undesirable for many people,” Davis said. “They are loud, crowing not just in the morning but throughout the day. They may be aggressive to other poultry and to human caregivers, and two or more roosters may often fight one another.”
“They’re kind of obnoxious,” Majewski added. “They really do crow at an ungodly hour of the morning, and their voices can carry for a half mile — not a great way to stay on your neighbors’ good side.”
Buff Orpington chicken (back), Barred Rock chicken (middle) and Rhode Island Red chicken (front). Photo courtesy of UNH Cooperative Extension.
What kind of housing and essential items are needed to raise chickens?
The proper dimensions for a coop, Majewski said, should include at least 3 square feet of floor space per chicken and an additional 10 square feet of fenced outdoor space per chicken.
“This doesn’t need to be elaborate,” he said. “If you don’t have great carpentry skills, it’s fine to requisition and/or modify a portion of a shed or even the garage.”
Next you’ll need feeders and waterers — enough to give each chicken at least 4 inches of space. Supplemental heat lamps aren’t necessary for adult chickens.
“Those feathers provide remarkable insulation,” Majewskis said. “I’ve seen our birds running around outside in January with the temperature in the teens.”
What supplies are needed for maintenance and care, and what is the average monthly cost?
Feed is the main expense. Majewski said a 50-pound bag of conventional feed, which lasts a small flock a little over a month, costs around $20 to $25. A non-GMO or organic feed will cost more. Bedding for the coop — usually wood shavings — may cost around $10 to $15 and should be refreshed at least monthly, after cleaning the coop.
What’s on the chore list for raising chickens? What’s the time commitment?
Most people find a small flock of six to 12 adult chickens is easy to manage, even if they work a regular job.
“It really takes no more than 20 minutes per day to collect eggs, refill water and feed and do general wellness checks,” Kunelius said.
The only chore that you may have to set aside some time for is cleaning the coop. Majewski said most coops should “ideally be cleaned weekly, but at a minimum once per month.”
Where to buy chicken supplies • Achille Agway, 351 Elm St., Milford, 673-1669; 65 Jaffrey Road, Peterborough, 924-6801, achilleagway.com • Cloverdale Feed & Farm Supply, 12 Roby Road, Webster, 746-3234, cloverdalefeed.com • Dodge Grain Co., 59 N. Broadway, Salem, 893-3739, dodgegrain.biz • Nashua Farmers’ Exchange, 38 1/2 Bridge St., Nashua, 883-9531, nashuafarmers.com • Osborne’s Farm & Garden Center, 16 Cinemagic Way, Hooksett, 627-6855; 258 Sheep Davis Road, Concord, 228-8561, osbornesfarm.com • Tractor Supply Co., locations throughout New Hampshire, including Hooksett, Derry, Merrimack, Chichester, Plaistow, Milford and Pelham, tractorsupply.com Where to buy live chickens • Cloverdale Feed & Farm Supply, 12 Roby Road, Webster, 746-3234, cloverdalefeed.com • Dodge Grain Co., 59 N. Broadway, Salem, 893-3739, dodgegrain.biz • Nashua Farmers’ Exchange, 38 1/2 Bridge St., Nashua, 883-9531, nashuafarmers.com. Deadline for chick orders is March 25. • Osborne’s Farm & Garden Center, 16 Cinemagic Way, Hooksett, 627-6855; 258 Sheep Davis Road, Concord, 228-8561, osbornesfarm.com • Templeton Family Organics, 176 Kennedy Hill Road, Goffstown, 781-316-5067, templetonfamilyorganics.com • Tractor Supply Co., locations throughout New Hampshire, including Hooksett, Derry, Merrimack, Chichester, Plaistow, Milford and Pelham, tractorsupply.com
Are there any safety concerns I should be aware of?
New Hampshire chicken experts mentioned three main dangers:
• Fires. Heat lamps are only needed for raising chicks; adult chickens do not need a heat lamp to stay warm during the colder months, but some chicken owners still choose to use one. In any case where a heat lamp is being used, exercise caution to prevent fires.
“Follow the safety guidelines included with your heat lamp to keep the heat source a safe distance from combustible items,” Davis said. “In the winter, water deicers can also be a fire concern. Always make sure all your equipment is in good condition and functioning properly.”
• Biohazards. “Salmonella or other bacteria can be present on birds, on eggs and in coop areas,” Kunelius said.
Wash your hands directly after handling poultry and related equipment.
In recent months, avian influenza has also been a concern with chickens and other birds nationwide.
“There is currently an avian influenza outbreak in migratory wild birds that can spread to domestic poultry and other animals. As of early 2023, there had been no human cases in the U.S. You can prevent exposure of your birds by limiting their exposure to wild birds, especially waterfowl such as ducks and geese,” Davis said. And the best way to limit that exposure is basically to have them penned up and not let them free range, she said.
• Wildlife. “Predators are a real issue,” Majewski said. “[Raising chickens] probably won’t significantly increase the number of encounters you have with wildlife, but it does affect the welfare of the birds themselves.”
Free-range chickens are at a greater risk.
“Keeping them fenced in — with adequate space, of course — is much better for all concerned,” Majewski said.
How many eggs can I expect to get, and how often?
“In peak production, a hen will lay an egg approximately every 26 hours, so you pretty much get an egg per day,” Majewski said. “A small flock of four to six hens kept in good condition will provide the average family plenty of eggs, with an extra dozen for friends and family on a regular basis.”
Older hens lay eggs at a lower rate — usually about every other day, but sometimes less.
How long do chickens live? Is it common to keep a chicken for its whole natural life?
Most chickens can live to between five and eight years. Chickens that are raised for meat are usually processed at a young age. Hens lay eggs at peak productivity for two to three years. When a hen’s laying starts slowing down, a chicken owner may make a decision about what comes next for the chicken.
“A pampered chicken can live for several years, and people have kept them for that long when they become sort-of pets,” Majewski said. “[An older hen] still lays occasional eggs, but they’re not really earning their keep. We keep ours at home for about two years, and then they make the transition from breakfast feature to, um, soup.”
Are there any benefits to raising chickens besides poultry products?
Davis said free-range chickens can help to control a variety of insects, and chickens’ manure and used bedding can be composted for later use in the garden.
“Chickens offer great tick control and fertilize your lawn,” Templeton added.
Raising chickens can be especially rewarding for families with children.
“It offers a way for families to do something together and reconnect,” Templeton said. “It is also a great way to teach children responsibility and in a world where people have become far from their food source it provides an opportunity to be close to it.”
Adopt a rooster
Frosty is a rooster available for adoption at the New Hampshire SPCA (104 Portsmouth Ave., Stratham). According to the NHSPCA website, Frosty was a stray found in Durham and is now looking for his perfect home. He gets along with other birds and would love to have a flock of his own.
Horhey is also a rooster available for adoption at the New Hampshire SPCA. According to the NHSPCA website, this handsome guy is very friendly and gets along with other roosters and hens. He is easygoing and would make a nice addition to any flock.
To learn more about chickens and other farm animals available for adoption at the NHSPCA, visit nhspca.org/adoptable-animals or email mmurch@nhspca.org.
U.S. Sens. Jeanne Shaheen and Maggie Hassan, alongside Reps. Annie Kuster and Chris Pappas, welcomed $23,186,000 to support clean water infrastructure upgrades in New Hampshire. According to a press release, the funds are allocated through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and distributed by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to the State’s Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF). The upgrades will be made to essential water, wastewater and stormwater infrastructure that protects public health and treasured water bodies. $2.1 million has been designated to address contaminants such as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, more commonly known as PFAS, a class of industrial chemicals used in Teflon, GoreTex, carpeting, food wrappers, firefighting foam and other products, which take decades to break down and can build up in the body. “Everyone deserves access to clean water,” Sen. Shaheen said in the release. “Investing in modern water infrastructure is essential for preventing pollution and driving economic development in our communities.”
Community Impact awards
Dartmouth Health is accepting nominations now through March 21 for its first annual Community Impact Social Justice Awards. According to a press release, the awards were created by Dartmouth Health’s Black, Indigenous, and People of Color Employee Resource Group to recognize individuals who have demonstrated active engagement in social justice action, empowering marginalized communities and promoting human rights to facilitate ongoing inclusive change. Awards will be given in three categories: to a community member, a youth community member under age 24 and a Dartmouth Health employee. Visit dartmouth-health.org/news/honoring-those-working-toward-deib to access a nomination form. The awards ceremony will take place at the New Hampshire Audubon Society (84 Silk Farm Road, Concord) on Saturday, April 29, at 6 p.m. Search “Community Impact Social Justice Awards” on Eventbrite for tickets to the event.
Student scientists
Students in grades 5 through 8 are invited to compete in the annual 3M Young Scientist Challenge, presented by 3M and Discovery Education. According to a press release, the nationwide competition gives student innovators an opportunity to compete for a variety of prizes, such as an exclusive mentorship with a 3M scientist, a $25,000 grand prize and a chance to earn the title of “America’s Top Young Scientist.” To enter, students should submit a one- to two-minute video explaining an original idea using science to help solve an everyday problem. “This is such a fun and unique way for students to showcase their scientific minds and explore how they can truly make a difference in the world — even at such a young age,” New Hampshire Education Commissioner Frank Edelblut said in the release. The submission deadline is April 27. Visit YoungScientistLab.com.
Student inventors
New Hampshire Gov. Chris Sununu has issued a proclamation declaring March 18 “New Hampshire Kid Inventor Day.” According to a press release, the first annual celebration coincides with the K-12 Invention Convention Regional Finals at the University of New Hampshire in Durham. The competition recognizes the innovation and achievement of talented young inventors and showcases the ingenious ideas developed this year. “New Hampshire is full of talented and bright young learners, and this honor gives students a perfect opportunity to celebrate their inventive spirit,” Tina White, Director for the Young Inventors’ Program and the Northern New England Regional Invention Convention, said in the release. “We hope that with each annual celebration of New Hampshire Kid Inventor Day, we’ll have more and more students throughout the state experiencing the benefits of Invention Education.”
State Archivist
New Hampshire Secretary of State David Scanlan announced the appointment of Ashley Miller as New Hampshire’s new State Archivist. According to a press release, Miller’s appointment was approved at the Governor and Executive Council meeting on Feb. 8, and she was officially sworn in on Feb. 22 at the Secretary of State’s Office. Miller, a resident of Concord, was previously the Archivist, Reference and Outreach Coordinator for the Concord Public Library. She holds master’s degrees in Archives Management and History from Simmons College and a bachelor’s degree in History from Pennsylvania State University. “Ms. Miller will bring a great deal of knowledge and enthusiasm to the position, especially in digital archiving,” Secretary Scanlan said in the release. “Articulate and engaging, she is well equipped to manage the Archives Division and move it forward with the use of technology.”
Intown Concord, the nonprofit community organization that hosts the annual Market Days street festival in downtown Concord in June, has received a $5,100 Arts for Community Engagement (ACE) project grant. According to a press release, the grant, awarded by the New Hampshire State Council on the Arts, will support local artists who perform at the festival. “This grant will help us compensate local musicians who have been performing for free at Market Days for over a decade,” Jessica Martin, Executive Director of Intown Concord, said in the release.
The Atkinson Historical Society will grant a $1,000 scholarship to a graduating Atkinson high school senior who has been involved in their community through volunteering, civics, local government, scouting and other activities, according to a press release. Eligible students can be graduating from any accredited high school but must be a resident of Atkinson during their senior year. Applications are available at atkinsonhistoricalsociety.org. Email atkinson.nh.history@gmail.com.
Hollis Social Library presents a live performance by musician Jeff Snow at the Lawrence Barn in Hollis (28 Depot Road) on Sunday, March 12, from 2 to 4 p.m. According to a press release, Jeff Snow plays six- and 12-string guitar, autoharp and Celtic bouzouki and bodhran, combining Irish and Scottish music, stories and history in his performances. Registration is required. Visit hollislibrary.org.
A few months ago my husband and I were in Illinois visiting my 82-year-old mother. We pulled into a burger joint for lunch and went inside to eat. This was a favorite spot of my mother’s, and we had always enjoyed it as well. Once inside, I noticed a panicked look on her face when she realized there were no longer any waitstaff, and we were required to use a kiosk to place our order and pay. I assured my mom this was not a problem, and we could do it, which we did. However, my mom noted she wouldn’t be able to come here any longer because she would never be able to order on her own. She seemed resigned to it even though I tried to encourage her to give it a try.
Fast-forward to a conversation I had recently with our 18-year-old son regarding ChatGPT (an AI-powered chatbot) and the utilization of that in various areas. We had a very spirited debate on how it should be used in education, research and communication. We marveled that ChatGPT was able to pass a law school exam, the medical licensing exam and the Wharton MBA exam. My son commented that at some point AI will replace humans in almost everything. I disagreed, but as many of you know, you never win an argument with an 18-year-old.
Ironically, during this debate, we happened to be dining at a restaurant using a tableside tablet to play trivia games and used that to pay. This prompted me to tell our son about the experience with his grandmother. I commented that there is a segment of the population that is getting left behind with the pace of technological advancement. For these folks, the things that we take for granted (ordering from Amazon with one click, online shopping, Apple Pay, online bill paying, etc.) are not only a struggle, but many times simply impossible.
Change is difficult, and we all have different capacities for it. It seems as though we should be addressing this skills/learning gap in our society to encourage engagement and participation versus isolation and withdrawal. In the meantime, be kind and be patient. Lend a helping hand when someone is struggling ahead of you in line. Help to restore faith in mankind.
The best guitar duos carry on a conversation with their instruments, but Nicola Cipriani and Brad Myrick engage in musical mind-melding, two sonic serpents swirling into a rope of notes. The Italian-born Cipriani and Concord native Myrick recall the similarly synchronistic Tom Verlaine and Richard Lloyd, of the ’70s rock band Television.
Those two, though, had amplifiers. not to mention lyrics and a rhythm section. Cipriani and Myrick speak strictly through their fretboards — and they’re unplugged. On stage, they sit in angled chairs to play, with eyes moving fluidly between each other and an eavesdropping audience.
They also compose this way, a practice firmed up on the 2020 album Reflections. Released in the spring of that year, this fine effort disappeared in the pandemic’s fog. A canceled world tour was another costly problem, and even worse was the lockdown’s impact on their creative process.
“We tried to compose from a distance,” Myrick recalled in a recent joint interview with Cipriani. “For the kind of music that we do, it ended up being impossible…. We need to be in the room together, have the interplay, the visual connection. We just found that it wasn’t working out, so basically we were on pause for almost three years.”
Finally, the two have new a new album, Silver Lining, and are back on tour. They spoke during a pause on a Southern run that wrapped up in Asheville. It resumes with a show at Bank of NH Stage on March 5, and another the next day at UNH’s Paul Creative Arts Center. In April they’re in Italy, and they hope to book a few South American dates later in the year.
The cover of the new album is a monochrome Noemi Trazzi photo of Myrick and Cipriani facing each other in a terminal. This theme is explored in the opening track, “Ritrovarsi.” The Italian word translates to “find again,” and for Cipriani, the joyous, playful track has “a double meaning … to find ourselves again as artists and composers, and find each other.”
“Like reunite,” Myrick added.
With all the talk of Covid silver linings in the world of music like extra time to reflect and write, there weren’t many for the duo. That’s reflected on the new album. With titles like “Ode To Solitude” and “Remember To Breathe,” many of its songs came from “the experience that we had all been through,” Myrick said. “There was a lot of darkness in there, some tension, some melancholy.”
The seemingly ironic title was chosen, Myrick explained, because “we found that there was still so much good that we were able to pull out, even in this really challenging time — for me particularly.” That said, Silver Lining isn’t intentionally a pandemic album. “A lot of artists made those,” Cipriani said, while allowing that “it was a perfect photography of where we were at the time, actually.”
A suite in three stages, “Dragonfly Ritual” is one of the record’s celebratory moments. “I think that speaks to silver linings,” said Myrick, who wrote it as he watched the regal insects mating from his back window. “They’re attached as they’re flying, then they detach. I think they’re the only animal that does that; it’s this really incredible kind of ritual.”
Though a tonic, quiet contemplation doesn’t compare to the feeling Cipriani and Myrick had walking on stage and leaving with a standing ovation a few weeks ago at Coastal Carolina University, where they once recorded a live album.
“It was rewarding and it was inspiring,” Myrick said. “It is just totally propelling us forward. For me at least, and Nicola can tell me if this is true for him, it’s confirming that this is exactly what I should be doing artistically right now.”
“It is a huge privilege, what we are able to do…. I never get the sensation that I’m doing a kind of a normal job,” Cipriani agreed. “When we go to places like the university, and get the chance to meet a lot of people, especially young students that are really passionate and searching for their own artistic way, it’s so inspiring.”
One big benefit of live performance is it gives their instrumental music a narrative.
“We get to tell the stories and share the ideas behind it, so we can give people a little bit more information before they listen,” Myrick said. “Here’s what we were feeling, this is what sparked the idea; now maybe you have an idea in your head, and you can take it into a place, follow on the journey, and make it your own with us.”
Nicola Cipriani and Brad Myrick When: Sunday, March 5, 6:30 p.m. Where: Bank of NH Stage, 44 S Main St., Concord Tickets: $23.75 at ccanh.com Also Monday, March 6, 8 p.m., Paul Creative Arts Center (Verrette Recital Hall), 30 Academic Way, Durham
Featured photo: Nicola Cipriani & Brad Myrick. Courtesy photo.
