Category: News

This Week 26/04/30

Friday, May 1

The curtain rises tonight on To Kill a Mockingbird, an adaptation of the Harper Lee novel by Christopher Sergel, performed by the Community Players of Concord tonight and Saturday, May 2, at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, May 3, at 2 p.m. at Concord City Auditorium, 2 Prince St. in Concord. See communityplayersofconcord.org for tickets.

Friday, May 1

Puffs, or: Seven Increasingly Eventful Years at a Certain School of Magic and Magic, a parody of a magical school and the students who go there, will be presented by the Windham Actors Guild on Friday, May 1, and Saturday, May 2, at 7 p.m. and Sunday, May 3, at 2 p.m. at Windham High School Auditorium, 64 London Bridge Road in Windham, according to a press release. “The play follows the journey of Wayne Hopkins, a regular boy from New Mexico who finds out he’s a wizard and is whisked away to a magic school in England. There, he is sorted into the ‘Puffs,’ a group of well-meaning, loyal, and often disregarded students…,’” according to the press release, which also stresses that this is “not authorized, sanctioned, licensed or endorsed by J.K. Rowling, Warner Bros. or any person or company associated with the Harry Potter books, film or play.” “Due to language/themes, this play is suited for audiences 13+,” the release said. See windhamactorsguild.com/tickets for tickets.

Saturday, May 2

Frizzhome Gardens, 270 Back River Road in Bedford, is holding its Spring Blossoms Festival today from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. featuring 20 local vendors and Wicked Tasty Food Truck (slated to arrive at 11 a.m.), according to a post on Frizzhome’s Facebook page. Seefrizzhomegardens.com.

Saturday, May 2

The annual Kitty Angels fundraiser featuring an artisan, craft, flea and yard sale with more than 100 vendors as well as raffles, food and more, will take place today and Sunday, May 3, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Treasures Antiques, Collectables & More at 106 Ponema Road, Route 122, in Amherst. See treasuresnh.com.

Saturday, May 2

The Queen City Bazaar will offer “premier vintage clothing and period antiques and high-end collectibles” today from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 3 Sundial Ave. in Manchester, according to a Facebook post about the event. The market will also feature artisanal goods, furniture and historical items, textiles, and more, the post said. Admission is free, according to a press release.

Saturday, May 2

The Concord Chorale will perform Brahms’ Requiem today at 7 p.m. and Sunday, May 3, at 3 p.m. at St. Paul’s Church in Concord, according to concordchorale.org, where you can purchase tickets.

Saturday, May 2

The Liberty House: Stand Up for Vets featuring Jimmy Dunn and friends will take place tonight at 7 p.m. at the Dana Center at Saint Anselm College in Manchester. See tickets.anselm.edu for tickets. “Enjoy a lineup of talented comedians, exciting raffle and auction items, and an overall fun night out, all while supporting a meaningful cause. Proceeds from this event directly benefit Liberty House’s program and services for veterans in our community,” the website said.

Wednesday, May 6

The Concord Hospital Rock’N Race will be held today at 6 p.m., featuring live music and food on the Statehouse lawn in downtown Concord, according to runsignup.com/Race/NH/Concord/RockNRace, where you can register.

Save the Date! Saturday, May 8
Monday, May 18, is the deadline to apply to be part of the 14th annual New Hampshire Maker Fest, which will be held in and around the Children’s Museum of New Hampshire in Dover on Saturday, June 6, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., according to a press release. “If you are an engineer, a scientist, a baker, a tinkerer, a hobbyist, or an artisan, we want to see what you do! Makers must offer a demonstration, free make-and-take activity, or some kind of interactive experience,” the release said. See childrens-museum.org/programs/nh-maker-fest.

Featured photo: To Kill a Mockingbird. Courtesy photo.

Sox fire Alex Cora

The Big Story – Cora Gets the Axe: It takes something big to knock the NFL draft and crucial playoff games for the Celtics and Bruins off the week’s top story. But Red Sox owner John Henry did it Saturday by scapegoating Alex Cora and several coaches for the team’s you-get-what-you-pay-for dismal 10-17 start by firing them, leaving this question to be answered: Now what, Mr. Henry?

Sports 101: When the Patriots traded down with SF from 16 to 28 in the 1985 draft for extra picks, who did the 49ers take with the Pats’ original pick?

News Item – Patriots Draft Observations:

• They drafted for need in the first three rounds to improve the OL with tackle Caleb Lomu and tight end Eli Raridon, sandwiched around edge rusher Gabe Jacas. If they can play, nice job.

• It doesn’t mean he won’t be a good player, but it was interesting seeing six edge rushers taken in Round 2 alone ahead of Pats taking their new edge guy Jacas.

• After the Eagles used their top pick on the highly rated receiver along with dealing for pricey DL Jonathan Greenard, it’ll be a stunner if that AJ Brown-to-NE trade doesn’t happen in June.

The Numbers:

0 – sacks allowed on the 358 snapsLomu played last year for Utah when he allowed a puny eight pressures and six hurries.

21 – rebounding edge when the Celtics destroyed Philly on the boards 46-25 in Sunday’s blowout win.

43 – points scored off the bench by Ayo Dosunmu after Minnesota lost Anthony Edwards early in their 112-96 Game 4 win to lead Denver 3 games to 1.

… Of the Week Awards

Thumbs Up – The Celtics: A little of their annoying but familiar lost in game focus in the Game 2 loss. But mostly solid the rest of the time in taking a 3-1 lead over Philly.

Thumbs Down – Prime and the NBA: Blacking out playoff games, as the NBA did with the Celtics-Philly on Friday, so desperate fans will buy a Prime subscription is a good way to kill the goose that lays the golden eggs. Until it stops, boycott Amazon and NBA merch.

Bad Announcing Moments of the Week – Jayson Tatum: To all NBA announcers now slobbering over him every time he has the ball: He did not cure polio as you’re making it seem. It should be: admirable job on the rehab and nice to have you back, young fella, and leave it at that.

Anti-Raffy Devers Quote of the Week – Pats’ Top Pick Caleb Lomu: “I just want to play, I’ll play wherever. I’m coming in to play some football, the game I love. I’m able to play any position, so wherever the team needs me, I’m going to be able to play.”

Sports 101 Answer: That ill-fated 1985 draft swap is the Patriots version of selling Babe Ruth to the Yankees, as SF took the great Jerry Rice with the 16th pick that day.

A Little History – Yikes, What a Steal: The Patriots used the first, second and third SF picks from the swap for center Trevor Matich at 28, then DE Ben Thomas and DB Audray McMillian. The Niners got the all-time leader (by wide margins) in receptions, receiving yards and TDs, while leading them to three SB wins.

Final Thoughts – Alex Cota Firing: Some of it’s on Cora, as they lacked spark coming out of spring training again. However, a bigger reason is that their best players have not lived up to management’s expectations. But the GM also put a team out there on the cheap so devoid of power that they’re somehow last in MLB in homers while playing at Fenway! Whichhappened despite there not being anyone in New England who didn’t know they needed to add power last winter.

They cheaped out on Pete Alonso, whose slow three-homer start for Baltimore would still be second on the Sox in homers. Let Alex Bregman walk, which I was fine with because he’s injury-prone and not worth close to the $40 million per he got from the Cubs. How is that fatal flaw Alex Cora’s fault, Mr. Henry?

Especially when another big bat they didn’t even try for was slugging Japanese import Munetaka Murakami. Yes, he was untested in the MLB (so were Ichiro and Shohei Ohtani). All he did last week was hit more homers than any Red Sox has hit the entire season. His five bombs in five games gave him a second best in MLB 10 homers in 2026. And all baseball’s worst team (White Sox) gave him was $34 million over two years. Not a lot even for the ever evolving cheapness of John Henry.

Blame Cora all you want. But the truth is the mess at Fenway is much more a front office and ownership failure than bad managing. Email Dave Long at dlong@hippopress.com.

Email Dave Long at dlong@hippopress.com.

Quality of Life 26/04/30

Spectacularly beautiful murals for kids

From April 16 to April 26, the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Nashua hosted Mural Fest 2026, a public art initiative that covered walls in the building’s basketball courts, swimming pool room and other large spaces with brightly colored, highly detailed murals. As described on the Club’s website, “The festival brings together professional international mural artists, Club youth, families, and community partners to create murals that celebrate creativity, unity, and youth empowerment.” The murals are stunning.

QOL score: +1

Comment: In a telephone interview, Derek Pollacchi, the director of communications for the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Nashua, explained why the murals are so important: “It really boils down to this: It’s for the kids. It’s for the members. It’s for inspiration. It’s a message. It’s hope. The kids are involved with the murals from the start, you know, underneath the mural is their touches and their art. It’s really about using the space that we have to put out a message of inspiration and hope and inclusivity for the youth that we serve.”

Fewer cigarette butts, more science

On April 20, the SEE Science Center, Manchester Connects, and the City of Manchester worked together in the second year of SEE’s Park2Park clean-up event. In an April 23 press release, SEE Science Center reported, “With the coordinated power of 227 volunteers who each spent 2 hours in this effort, 266 bags of trash and 20 containers of sharps were removed from 15 parks in 4 city wards. Volunteers at this year’s event collected 23.75 bags of cigarette butts (approximately 6,000 butts) for special recycling and also participated in citizen science recording how much trash was collected where.”

QOL score: +1

Comment: According to the same press release, “Manchester public spaces span more than 1,400 acres of municipal property across 83 sites, including parks, trails, recreational facilities, cemeteries, and public schools.Anyone interested in how they can support Manchester’s public spaces throughout the year can learn more by visiting the division’s Adopt-a-Site and Blue Bags for Litter programs on the Manchester city website.”

QOL score last week: 44

Net change: +2

QOL this week: 46

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

Let us know at news@hippopress.com.

News & Notes 26/04/30

Text scam

New Hampshire Attorney General John M. Formella sent out an April 22 press release “warning residents about an ongoing wave of scam text messages falsely claiming to be from New Hampshire Courts, including a new variation that uses QR codes to direct recipients to fraudulent payment sites.” Consumers have made reports to the New Hampshire Department of Justice Consumer Protection and Antitrust Bureau about text messages alleging that “they have missed a court date or owe a fine. These messages may include what appears to be an official ‘notice of hearing’ and now, in some cases, a QR code that recipients are instructed to scan to obtain more information or submit payment to avoid legal consequences,” the release said. The state’s Judicial Branch does not solicit payments via text and does not request payment through links or QR code sent by text, the release said. To check on the status of a court case, go to courts.nh.gov.

Record scholarships awarded

The Foundation for New Hampshire Community Colleges, which “supports the Community College System of New Hampshire by securing and stewarding resources to assist students,” awarded 1,650 scholarships totaling $1.1 million during the 2025-2026 school year, the most scholarships awarded in the Foundation’s 25-year history, according to an April 20 press release. Students received scholarships ranging from $200 to $3,000 that went toward “tuition, fees, and emergency financial needs to reduce obstacles that can derail a student’s path to degree completion,” the release said. See givenhcc.org for more on the organization.

Climate summit

NHPR will present By Degrees Climate Summit: Community Resilience on Friday, May 8, from noon to 4 p.m. at Manchester Community College, according to a press release. “This year’s summit will examine water quality and environmental pollutants including PFAS chemicals and other emerging contaminants, and the ways communities are creating change through policy, science, storytelling and collective action. We will focus on community resilience, highlighting how local towns and neighborhoods respond to environmental threats and work toward practical solutions,” the release said. See nhpr.org for a link to register.

Golf for a cause

It’s golf fundraiser season.

The Junior Service League of Concord will hold its eighth annual Golf Tournament on Monday, May 11, at Pembroke Pines Country Club in Pembroke to raise money to “support women and children in crisis across the greater Concord area,” according to a press release. Golf starts at 8 a.m. and the day features a seated banquet lunch, raffles and games, according to a press release. See jslconcord.org/upcoming-events.

The Hooksett Soccer Club will hold its Golf Classic on Monday, June 1, at Pembroke Pines Country Club in Pembroke to benefit the club, according to an email from event organizers. The day starts with registration at 7 a.m. and a shotgun start at 8 a.m. and will feature lunch, awards, prizes for top teams, raffles and more, the email said. See birdease.com/hscgolf.

The Seacoast Cat Club will have its annual Cat Show at the Everett Arena, 15 Loudon Road in Concord, on Saturday, May 2, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday, May 3, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., featuring vendors and a feline agility competition, according to cfa.org/shows-events.

The Craftworkers’ Guild Spring Fair Craft Shop at Oliver Kendall House (3A Meetinghouse Road in Bedford, behind the Bedford Public Library) will be open Thursday, April 30, through Sunday, May 24, Thursdays through Sundays, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. See thecraftworkersguild.org.

Tickets will go on sale May 16 for this year’s PountineFest, which will be held Saturday, Aug. 29, at 603 Brewery in Londonderry. See poutinefest.com/newhampshire for details about the event, including different ticket tiers, and to purchase tickets.

Malvenn, described as “a traditional Balfolk trio based in Montreal with harp, cello and clarinet,” will perform Friday, May 1, at 7:30 p.m. at the Wilton Folk Cafe Coffeehouse, Wilton Collaborative Space, 21 Gregg St., Second Congregational Church Hall in Wilton, according to a press release. Admission for the coffeehouse is free; doors open at 7 p.m. with the show at 7:30 p.m., said the release, which recommends reserving a spot by emailing strumma@aol.com or calling Sandy at 603-654-1245.

This Week 26/04/23

Thursday, April 23

Catch Soul Asylum in an acoustic concert tonight at the Tupelo Music Hall, 10 A St. in Derry, with Living Colour’s Corey Glover opening. The show starts at 8 p.m. See tupelomusichall.com.

Thursday, April 23

Catch “A Conversation with Sy Montgomery,” author of Concord Reads book Of Time and Turtles — Mending the World Shell by Shattered Shell, and wildlife artist and illustrator Matt Patterson at the BNH Stage, 16 S. Main St. in Concord, today at 6:30 p.m. See ccanh.com for links to register. See concordnh.gov/1983/Library for more on Concord Reads.

Thursday, April 23

The curtain rises on Working, Localized Edition, from the book by Studs Terkel, at the Amato Center, 56 Mont Vernon St. in Milford, running tonight through Saturday, April 25, at 7:30 p.m. plus 2:30 p.m. on April 25. See amatocenter.org/riverbend-youth-company.

Saturday, April 25

The 2026 National Association of Watch and Clock Collectors New England Regional will be held at the Everett Arena, 15 Loudon Road in Concord, with its public day today from 8 a.m. to noon and its members day on Friday, April 24. See newenglandregional.org

Saturday, April 25

The Manchester Urban Ponds Restoration Program will hold a cleanup at Black Brook and Blodget Park today from 9 to 11 a.m., according to a post on the group’s Facebook page. Meet in the parking lot on Front Street near Dunbarton Road by 8:50 a.m. to register and hear instructions, the post said. See manchesternh.gov/Departments/Sewer-and-Stormwater/Pond-Restoration for more on the program and find them on Facebook for future cleanup events.

Saturday, April 25

The Nashua Public Library, 2 Court St. in Nashua, will host the 4th Annual Sustainability Fair today from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the plaza outside the library, according to nashualibrary.org. Described as a family-friendly event, the fair will feature an eco-market with artisan and food items for sale, a box turtle from the Zoo New England Conservation, the Rideable Nashua kickoff, a trash art community project, an electric vehicle showcase and more, according to the library’s website.

Saturday, April 25

Flow Free or Die will present Flow Sessions Live — a competition to find “The Hottest Emcee in the City. Winner claims the championship belt.” — at The Spot, 217 Main St. in Nashua, starting at 3 p.m. today, according to a post on Flow Free or Die’s Facebook page. Ten artists will perform for three judges in three rounds, with the final round a head-to-head between the top two, the post said. 18+.

Sunday, April 26

The Hooksett Lions Club will hold their annual train show today from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at David R. Cawley Middle School, 89 Whitehall Road in Hooksett, featuring model train layouts of various scales, train displays, vendors, Legos, kids’ activities, a dining car, a white elephant sale and more, according to a club press release. Admission costs $7 for adults, $1 for children ages 6 to 12, with a family maximum of $15, the release said.

Tuesday, April 28

The N.H. Fisher Cats kick off the first of six games against the Binghamton Rumble Ponies this week, running through Sunday, May 3, tonight at 6:03 p.m. See milb.com/new-hampshire for tickets.

Save the Date! Saturday, May 2
Register now for the Woolly Wonder Fest at the Joppa Hill Educational Farm, 174 Joppa Hill Road in Bedford, on Saturday, May 2, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The event will feature hands-on wool skirting, washing, carding and spinning; live fiber demonstrations, an opportunity to meet the sheep, music and more, according to the farm’s Facebook page. See jhef.org/events-at-the-farm.

Featured photo: Soul Asylum.

C’s take aim at 19

The Big Story – Celtics Begin Playoffs: The playoffs were not expected to begin with this amount of enthusiasm around here, or hopes for title 19. But with Jayson Tatum back and quickly more productive than most thought possible, they’re at worst co-favorites to win the East with top seed Detroit. It started swimmingly with a 123-91 thumping of the Joel Embiid-less 76ers in Game 1, as Tatum (25-11-7) and Jaylon Brown combined for 51 points.

Sports 101: Name the school and the record six players it’s had taken first overall in the NFL draft.

News Item – The NFL Draft: Story No. 2 for the week is the draft. It will be the biggest upset since 1980’s Miracle on Ice if the QB-needy Raiders don’t take Heisman winner Fernando Mendoza with the top pick. Meanwhile the Patriots will be looking to fill their three biggest needs — edge rusher, O-line and No. 1 receiver — with picks or picks used in a trade.

News Item – Red Sox Week:

Good –Ranger Suarez allowed no runs in two starts and 14 innings.

Bad – They’re collectively hitting .228 as a team and have the fewest homers in baseball with 13.

Ugly – Garrett Crochet had his two worst Red Sox starts when he gave up 15 earned runs and 16 hits in 6.2 innings to raise the ERA from 2.64 to 7.88.

News Item – NBA Playoff Notes: With retirement rumors all around, will this be the last we see of LeBron James? Ditto for GS’s trio of Steph Curry, Al Horford and Steve Kerr. And speaking of GS, he certainly has been a productive player on a historic team. But given his toxic act on and off the court, getting tossed and taunting the crowd on the way out as Golden State’s playoff hopes (and its mini-dynasty) were ended by Phoenix, it seems like a perfect way for the career of the always obnoxious Draymond Green to end.

Markelle Fultz Factoid: The failed 2017 first overall draft pick has an interesting connection to the Boston-Philly series by delivering each team’s best player to them. Danny Ainge traded that pick to Philly for their third overall slot where he took Tatum. Then after Fultz’s disastrous two years in Philly they dumped him to Orlando for the 20th pick in 2019 Round 1, which they used to take Tyrese Maxey out of Kentucky.

The Numbers

.542 – best batting average in the entire minor league as the week started, belonging to No. 2 Red Sox prospect Franklin Arias. He also has three homers, nine RBI, a .613 OBP and .875 OPS in AA with the Portland Sea Dogs.

11 – losing streak for the NY Mets, which left the team with the second highest payroll in baseball ($350 million) with its worst record at 7-15.

12 – straight years the Celtics have been in the NBA playoffs.

… Of the Week Awards

Thumbs Up – Jaylen Brown: He delivered one of the greatest step up performances to meet the challenge for a team that lost its best player before their year with his best year as a player and a leader.

Stat Day: Must have been something in the water Wednesday for the F-Cats and the SNHU baseball team. The F-Cats scored 30 times in a 20-1 and 10-0 doubleheader sweep of the Chesapeake Baysox, while for the Penmen it was a 24-0 demolition of crosstown rival Saint Anselm.

Sports 101 Answer: USC has had the most first overall picks in the NFL draft starting with tackle Ron Yary followed by O.J. Simpson, Ricky Bell, Keyshawn Johnson, Carson Palmer and Caleb Johnson.

Final Thought – Pats Name Hall Nominees: Even though it made sense to do it at the time, fan voting is what started the descent of baseball’s All-Star system into the death spiral it finds itself in today. It gave us simpleton fan-boy homerism ballot stuffing for favorite players over the guys who earned it and it hasn’t been the same since.And it’s about to happen with the Patriot Hall of Fame after Rob Gronkowski, Logan Mankins and Adam Vinatieri became this year’s Hall of Fame nominees, where the wildly popular Gronk will win the vote ahead of a most deserving guy, who, by the way, is already in Football’s Hall in Canton.

I know how great Gronk was in arguably being the greatest (and definitely the most fun) tight end ever. But, but, but how can Adam V, who started the dynasty with three of the greatest clutch plays/kicks in history, not get in ahead of Gronk? Especially after already having been elected to the tougher Pro Football HoF?

That there isn’t a sense of order to honor the players who started the Pats’ amazing run, like Julian Edelman getting in before Wes Welker, who is only the most productive receiver in Patriots history, doesn’t make sense. There should be an order to it. To be disrupted only by supreme Patriots like Tom Brady, Drew Bledsoe and Coach B.

Email Dave Long at dlong@hippopress.com.

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