Category: News

This Week 25/03/27

Friday, March 28

The Dana Center (Saint Anselm College, 100 Saint Anselm Drive, Manchester, anselm.edu) will present a staging of Guys & Dolls by the Anselmian Abbey Players starting tonight. . Today and Saturday, March 29; Thursday, April 3; Friday, April 4, and Saturday, April 5, the curtain goes up at 7:30 p.m. On Sunday, March 30, there will be a matinee performance at 2 p.m. Tickets are $20 for adults, $12 for Saint Anselm students. Visit tickets.anselm.edu.

Friday, March 28

Ally the Piper takes the stage tonight at 8 p.m. at Tupelo Music Hall (10 A St., Derry, 437-5100, tupelomusichall.com) with an electrifying bagpipe show that blends classic rock and heavy metal covers with fresh, original music. Tickets are $35.

Saturday, March 29

Symphony NH (6 Church St., Nashua, 595-9156, symphonynh.org) will stage performances of Hollywood Hits this weekend. There’s a show tonight at 7:30 p.m. at the Stockbridge Theatre (22-98 Bypass 28, Derry, 437-5210, pinkertonacademy.org/stockbridge-theatre) and another tomorrow, Sunday, March 30, at 3 p.m. at the Chubb Theatre (Chubb Theatre at CCA, 44 S. Main St., Concord, 225-1111, ccanh.com). This show presents majestic and beautiful music from some of the world’s greatest films of all time. Tickets at the Stockbridge Theatre start at $40 through the Theatre’s website, and tickets at the Chubb start at $35.75 through the Capitol Centre’s website.

Tuesday, April 1

Celebrate the2nd Anniversary of the opening of Nashua Center for the Arts (201 Main St, Nashua, 800-657-8774, nashuacenterforthearts.com) tonight at 7 p.m., showcasing artists from across New Hampshire’s rich performing arts scene. Enjoy performances by Nashua Community Music School String Ensemble, Ukestra, the Symphony NH Brass Ensemble, Ruby Shabazz (pictured), Y Dance in Motion, Peacock Players, and Actorsingers. Presented by Nashua Community Arts. Tickets are $10.

Wednesday, April 2

Join New Hampshire Humanities (117 Pleasant St., Concord, 224-4071, nhhumanities.org) today for “The Beginner’s Guide to Cemetery Sleuthing” at 7:30 p.m. at the Florence H. Speare Memorial Museum (5 Abbott St, Nashua, 883-0015, nashuahistoricalsociety.org/florence-h-speare-memorial-museum). Historian and author Erin Moulton presents techniques and teaches the meaning behind cemetery iconography, abbreviations and epitaphs. Copies of her book The Beginner’s Guide to Cemetery Sleuthing: Scavenger Hunt and Workbook will be available for purchase at the close of the program.

Wednesday, April 2

Tonight at 7:30 p.m. the Walker Lecture series presents the NH Ukeladies at Concord City Auditorium (2 Prince St., Concord, 228-2793, theaudi.org). This event is free and open to the public. Visit walkerlecture.org.

Save the Date! Saturday, April 5

R&B singer-songwriter and rapper Jeremih will perform at the SNHU Arena on Saturday, April 5, beginning at 7:30 p.m. Tickets start at $30 through ticketmaster.com.

Featured photo: Jeremih. Courtesy photo.

Quality of Life 25/03/27

Free prom dresses

Missy’s Closet Thrift Shop (13 Hazel Lane, Manchester, 978-7872, facebook.com/MissysClosetBoutique) is in the midst of its biggest event of the year, Free Prom Dress For Teens. Throughout the year the Missy’s Closet staff collects prom dresses, suits, make-up, jewelry and anything else teens may need for prom. These are given away to teens entirely for free, according to a press release.

QOL score: +1

Comment: Teens can shop for prom necessities at 68 March Ave. in Manchester on Fridays (4 to 7 p.m.), Saturdays (10 a.m. to 3 p.m.) and Sundays (10 a.m. to 3 p.m.) until April 6.

Nevertheless, they persisted

As reported by WMUR in a March 19 online article, an Exeter coffee bar owner has used a negative review as a way to promote business. The shop, Flamingos Coffee Bar, recently received a two-star review online, with the comment, “Place was disgustingly pro women and just walking inside I immediately felt unwelcome as a male … probably wouldn’t return.” “Logan says she initially thought, ‘Ouch’,” the WMUR article read, “but her mindset quickly shifted from offended to empowered. ‘It’s actually a really great motto,’ she said. ‘It’s a great slogan.’” Since then, Logan has used the phrase “Disgustingly Pro-Women” sell popular merchandise with the motto on it.

QOL score: +1

Comment: See the “Disgustingly Pro-Women” merch at flamingoscoffeebar.com/merch.

Tolls, now 20 percent more annoying

In a March 19 online article, New Hampshire Public Radio reported that “the open road tolls in Hooksett on Interstate 93 will be closed starting in April until about Memorial Day. In the meantime, all traffic will be directed through the traditional cash and EZ Pass Lanes.” According to a March 18 press release from the Department of Transportation (dot.nh.gov) the shutdown is “to replace the full ORT system equipment. The anticipated start date is Tuesday, April 1, 2025, weather dependent. The work is expected to take approximately two months with an anticipated reopening prior to Memorial Day 2025.”

QOL score: -2

Comment: As recommended by NHPR, “Travelers can check traffic conditions at NewEngland511.org before heading out.”

Trophy fish

In a March 20 press release, the New Hampshire Department of Fish and Game (nhfishgame.com) announced the winners of 2024’s Trophy Fish Program. Two new state records were set in 2024. Douglas Shanahan of Laconia bested the former pumpkinseed mark with a 10.75-inch long, 1-pound 3.92-ounce specimen from Winnisquam Lake last May. Stephen Whisler, age 13, of Portsmouth, set a new state record for the species with a 21.75-inch long, 6-pound 4-ounce sea raven taken in the Atlantic Ocean off Hampton in July.

QOL score: +1

Comment:For a list of New Hampshire trophy fish, and to learn more about the program, visit wildlife.nh.gov/fishing-new-hampshire/trophy-and-record-fish-program.

QOL score last week: 60

Net change: +1

QOL this week: 61

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

A busy sports week

The Big Story: Baseball Arrives: Tough call — opening of the baseball season or the NCAA Basketball Tournaments as the week’s top story.

I’m going with baseball because for the first time in five years there’s legit optimism regarding the Red Sox.

As for the basketball, it doesn’t hold my attention like it once did thanks to the advent of one and done, the transfer portal, consolidation of the Power 5 Conferences and NIL money. On the women’s side even with its amazing improvement/evolution it’ll likely never grab me the way the men’s tournament once did. But here’s the good news: It’s a “to each his/her own” world, so everyone can watch whatever they like most! So enjoy.

Sports 101: Who threw the only complete-game opening-day no-hitter?

News Item – NCAA Hockey Regional at SNHU Arena: It kicks off Friday when it’s Boston College vs. Bentley at 2 p.m. followed by Providence vs. Denver at 5:30 p.m. The winners meet at 4:30 p.m. or 7 p.m. to see who goes to the Frozen 4.

News Item – Celtics Sold: The two most notable elements are (1) the $6.1 billion is the highest ever paid for a North American sports team, and (2) thanks to tension between him and Wyc Grousbeck, original partner Steve Pagliuca was by passed over in favor of some guy I never heard of. Most likely because he agreed to let Wyc run the team through 2027 and Pags would not.

News Item – MLB Stories to Follow: Seeing the astonishingly versatile “why can’t we get guys like that?” Mookie Betts moving over at 32 to play shortstop for the Dodgers. Terry Francona taking over in Cincinnati after retiring because he was “too beat up” to manage. Question: How do you get beat up managing? Can anyone stop the free-agent-heavy L.A. Dodgers with their monstrous $375 million payroll? The encore for Shohei Ohtani’s 50-50 season. Can he do it again as he returns to pitching? How the Yanks fare with their retool after losing Juan Soto to the crosstown Mets and a mountain of spring injuries that includes losing ace Gerrit Cole for the year to Tommy John surgery.

News Item – NCAA Update: A few notables.Two-time defending champ UConn went down in a great game, a 77-75 loss to top seed Florida. In the battle of UMass, ex-Minuteman coach John Calipari beat ex-UMass player Rick Pitino, who recommended Cal for that job in the ’90s, when Arkansas knocked off 2-seed St. John’s.

Bryant University, who not too long ago was playing in the NE 10 with SNHU and Saint Anselm, got skunked by Michigan State 87-62.

The Numbers:

.333 –spring BA of Sox SS prospect Marcelo Mayer with one homer, two triples and 11 RBI in 36 at-bats.

17.2 –strikeouts per nine innings rate Crochet had with 30 in 15.1 innings this spring.

888 – career goals for Alexander Ovechkin leaving him six shy of Wayne Gretzky’s all-time NHL record 894.

Of the Week:

Ignoramuses of the Week – The 2 percent of 4,003 voters who said the Bruins trade for Tuukka Rask was bigger than the Celtics getting Bill Russell in the Boston Globe’s Greatest Boston Trade Ever contest. Which was so big, I don’t know who they traded to get Rask.

What a Stupid I Yam Award – Me: For incorrectly saying in Sports 101 Joe DiMaggio won 10 World Series. He was in 10 but the Yanks lost to St. Louis in 1942, leaving Yogi Berra as the only 10-time winner. Thanks to Gil Rogers of Bow for pointing that out.

Sports 101 Answer: On April 16, 1940, the great Bob Feller no-hit the White Sox with 8 k’s in Cleveland’s 1-0 win.

Final Thought – Red Sox 2025: Things to be excited about:The trade that cost them four prospects but brought back lefty Crochet, who struck out people this spring at a Nolan Ryan-like pace. Second, free agent Alex Bregman gives them two things they badly need: better D at third base and the kind of leader this young team needs.

The young core. With Jarren Duran, Triston Casas, Brayan Bello, Ceddanne Rafaela, Marcelo Mayer, Kristian Campbell and Roman Anthony either here or on the cusp, the Sox have their best group of promising young players since the 1970s when guys named Lynn, Rice, Fisk, Evans, Burleson, Ben Oglivie and Cecil Cooper arrived one after another.

There are two big questions, though. How many innings can the former reliever Crochet pitch now that he’s the ace? And the bullpen overall, and especially who is the closer? While they are clearly rising up, they likely still are a year away. But with the AL East appearing to be wide open you never know. So it should be a fun year. Prediction: Sox go 88-74 and make the playoffs.

Email Dave Long at [email protected].

News & Notes 25/03/27

Taco proposal

The Greater Manchester Chamber is holding a Taco Tour Manchester proposal contest for someone willing to propose at the Thursday, May 8, Taco Tour, which runs from 4 to 8 p.m. in downtown Manchester. The winner will receive an engagement ring from Day’s Jewelers (valued at $7,000) and professional photography to document the moment at the tour, the release said. Enter the contest at tacotourmanchester.com/proposal by April 30.

Egg!

The peregrine falcons at Brady Sullivan Tower in downtown Manchester welcomed their first egg of the season on the morning of March 22, according to the daily log. You can watch the couple and their progress at the Peregrine cam at nhaudubon.org/education/birds-and-birding/peregrine-cam, where the New Hampshire Audubon offers three live views of the nest with support of Peregrine Networks and Brady Sullivan Properties, the website said. The log also has a link to a document with basic information about the nest and a look back at previous seasons of peregrine falcons who have occupied it and the chicks that hatched there.

RIP to a K-9

The New Hampshire State Police Canine Unit announced the death of K-9 Wyatt, a Plott Hound who worked with the state police since 2015, according to a press release. Wyatt and handler Trooper First Class Kevin Devlin specialized in search and rescue as well as detection of human remains, the release said. “Wyatt passed away … after being diagnosed with an aggressive form of cancer that had spread throughout his chest and lungs,” the release said. “K-9 Wyatt was a cherished member of the New Hampshire State Police family, an essential part of the Canine Unit,” said Colonel Mark B. Hall in the release. “Today we mourn his passing and remember his years of exemplary service. Trooper First Class Devlin and K-9 Wyatt were instrumental in bringing closure to families throughout New Hampshire and beyond.”

Gardening & climate

The Atkinson Garden Club will host a presentation by UNH Master Gardeners Betsy Coes and Mike Koutelis on “Gardening in a Changing Climate” on Wednesday, April 2, at 6 p.m. at Kimball Library, 5 Academy Ave. in Atkinson, according to a club email. The event is free.

Sustainability

The Boys & Girls Club of Souhegan Valley (56 Mont Vernon St. in Milford) will hold the 2025 Souhegan Sustainability Fair on Saturday, April 5, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Bring a non-perishable food item to donate to the local food pantry SHARE, according to a press release. The fair will feature live music, food, a guided hike, a story walk, kids crafts, 34 exhibits, presentations and more, according to the release. Admission is free.

The Bach’s Lunch on Thursday, April 3, 12:10 to 12:50, at the Concord Community Music School, 23 Wall St. in Concord, will feature a lecture on “Raga Music Composition.” “Hari Maya Adhikari and David Nugent will present a lecture on traditional Indian string instruments and their use in the creation and performance of Raga music,” according to a press release. The event is free; see ccmusicschool.org.

Keep those St. Patrick’s Day celebrations going: Manchester St. Patrick’s Parade steps off at noon on Sunday, March 30, running down Elm Street from Salmon to Central. Join in the fun by running in the Shamrock Shuffle at 11 a.m. (a kids’ fun run starts at 10:30 a.m.). See millenniumrunning.com/shamrock for details on the 2-mile run/walk and visit saintpatsnh.com for more on the parade.

The Southern NH Skating Club will hold its “All the Best” 60th annual ice revue on Saturday, March 29, at 1 and 7 p.m. at JFK Coliseum (303 Beech St. in Manchester). Tickets cost $10 for adults, $6 for children and seniors. See snhsc.com.

The Nashua Garden Club will hold a workshop on figs on Wednesday, April 2, at 7 p.m. at the First Baptist Church, 121 Manchester St. in Nashua, with Jay Guarneri, who will discuss growing figs in cold climates, the different flavor classes of figs and more, according to a club email. Admission is free; see nashuanhgardenclub.org.

This Week 25/03/20

Thursday, March 20

Tonight’s Art Off the Walls at the Currier Museum of Art (150 Ash St., Manchester, 669-6144, currier.org) will spotlight the works of contemporary artist Ann Agee and her exhibition “Madonna of the Girl Child” is on view at the Currier from March 7 to June 5. The Art off the Walls event is tonight from 5 to 8 p.m. Admission is free, but donations are encouraged.

Thursday, March 20

The Manchester Garden Club will hold a meeting today at noon and feature “Go Native! Incorporating Native Plants into Your Landscapes” by Jane Raymond, Master Gardener through the UNH Cooperative Extension. The meeting will take place at St. Hedwig Hall, 147 Walnut St., Manchester, and is open to the public.

Friday, March 21

Ventriloquist and comedian Jeff Dunham will take the stage at SNHU Arena (555 Elm St., Manchester, 644-5000, snhuarena.com) tonight at 7 p.m. as part of his Artificial Intelligence Tour. Tickets start at $66.

Friday, March 21

The 11th Annual National SleepOut takes place tonight. This is a challenge to spend a night outside to raise awareness and funds to support New Hampshire’s only low-barrier emergency youth shelter and safe space in Manchester and a range of support services. Visit waypointnh.org.

Saturday, March 22

Join the fun at the Goffstown Public Library (2 High St., Goffstown, 497-2102, goffstownlibrary.com) today from 11 a.m. to noon with The Musical Baseball Show with Howie Newman, former sportswriter for the Boston Globe, the Lowell Sun, the Patriot Ledger and Associated Press. Howie will entertain with live baseball songs, stories, trivia and surprises. Register at the Library’s website.

Saturday, March 22

The Chubb Theatre (Chubb Theatre at CCA, 44 S. Main St., Concord, 225-1111, ccanh.com) presents comedian Whitney Cummings tonight at 7 p.m. on her Big Baby Tour. Tickets start at $37.50.

Saturday, March 22

There’s a Seed Starting Workshop at Canterbury Shaker Village (288 Shaker Road, Canterbury, 783-9511, shakers.org) this morning from 9 to 11 a.m. Learn from Andy Messenger of Turning Mill Farm how to start your own seedlings for your garden this year. The cost is $20.

Wednesday, March 26

The Concord City Auditorium (2 Prince St., Concord, 228-2793, theaudi.org) is hosting two Walker Lectures tonight, starting at 7:30 p.m.: “New England Traditions: Maple Mania” with Willa Coroka and “Discovering New England Stone Walls” with Kevin Gardner. All Walker Lectures are free and open to the public.

Save the Date! Wednesday, March 26

Join Ally the Piper on Friday, March 28, at 8 p.m. at the Tupelo Music Hall (10 A St., Derry, 437-5100, tupelomusichall.com). Ally is known for taking the traditional Great Highland bagpipe into the modern era. Tickets are $35.

Featured photo: Ally the Piper. Courtesy photo.

Quality of Life 25/03/20

Cookies for heroes

There is still time to buy Girl Scout cookies for “Hometown Heroes.” According to Ginger Kozlowski, spokesperson for the Girl Scouts of the Green and White Mountains, the Gift of Caring program is a way for community members to thank active military members and other professionals who give of themselves to their communities: “Police, fire, hospitals, food banks — almost any charitable or nonprofit kind of [organization].” Gifts may be made online at https://bit.ly/4fquQeW for the rest of cookie season.

QOL score: +1

Comment: According to the website of the Girl Scouts of the Green and White Mountains (1 Commerce Drive, Bedford, 888-471-9686,girlscoutsgwm.org), their most popular cookie is the Thin Mint. This year each box of cookies is $6, which helps support the Girl Scouts and their mission.

Concord man sets medical milestone

As reported in a March 7 online article by New Hampshire Public Radio, a Concord man has received a kidney transplanted from a pig. According to the story, 66-year-old Tim Andrews “is one of only four people in the world who have ever received pig kidneys. And he’s one of just two still living.” The two-and-a-half-hour operation took place on Feb. 7 at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston. According to a press release from Mass General, the kidney was “a genetically edited pig kidney with 69 genomic edits.” According to the NHPR report, Andrews is on his feet and walking independently.

QOL score: +1

Comment: As reported by NHPR, “Mass General is planning two more pig-to-human kidney transplants this year, as part of a federally approved study.” To hear more from Tim Andrews and his doctors, visit YouTube and search for “Our Milestone Second Successful Xenotransplant.”

Big winners for tiny films

The Nashua Public Library has announced the winners of this year’s Tiny Film Festival. The Library showcased 20 local filmmakers on Friday, March 7, at this third annual event. According to a March 10 press release from the Library, “film submissions were open to everyone and featured only two criteria: the film had to be under 60 seconds and must be suitable for viewing by all ages.” The winner of the Kids 12 and Under category was Skunk Movie by Elizabeth Goemans, and the runner-up was Little Worm by Laurel Guarneri. In the Teen category, Lyriq Rivera, Vidhi Pawar and Chase Coffin won for The Other Side, with Yin vs. Yang by Gil and Roy Costa taking second-place honors. In the Adult category, Case of the Missing Pizza by Ronit Sinha and Dark by 3 by Andi Cass took first and second place.

QOL score: +1

Comment: View the films at nashualibrary.org/tinyfilmfestival.

QOL score last week: 57

Net change: +3

QOL this week: 60

What’s affecting your Quality of Life here in New Hampshire?

Let us know at [email protected].

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