Category: News

This Week 25/12/25

Thursday, Dec. 25

The Gift of Lights display at NH Motor Speedway, 1122 Route 106 in Loudon, continues through through Sunday, Jan. 4, opening at 4:30 p.m. on most days (weather dependent), according to nhms.com, where you can purchase a ticket (one ticket per vehicle).

Friday, Dec. 26

Charmingfare Farm, 774 High St. in Candia, visitthefarm.com, keeps the fun going with Encore of the Lights running this weekend today; tomorrow, Saturday, Dec. 27, and Sunday, Dec. 28, in the afternoon and early evenings. See the website to book tickets on a sleigh or logging sled to see the farm’s holiday lights display and to visit the farm animals, enjoy hot cocoa by the campire and more.

Friday, Dec. 26

The Rex Theatre (823 Amherst St., Manchester, 668-5588, palacetheatre.org) will host Wheel Gone Wild: an R-Rated Game Show tonight at 7:30 p.m. This is the ultimate adults-only twist on your favorite game show, according to the website.

Friday, Dec. 26

The Jewel Music Venue (61 Canal St., Manchester, 819-9336, jewelmusicvenue.com) will host I Love R&B: the Ultimate R&B Party Experience at 8 p.m.. Visit ILoveRNBParty.com for tickets for this 21+ event.

Saturday, Dec. 27

Hard-rocking band Chasing the Devil will perform at the Angel City Music Hall (179 Elm St., Manchester, 931-3654) tonight from 7 to 11:30 p.m., with special guests Angry Hill, Silent Season, and Trawl. Tickets are $23.18 through eventbrite.com.

Sunday, Dec. 28

Oscar Wilde’s The Importance of Being Earnest will screen today at 2 p.m. at the BNH Stage (16 S. Main St., Concord, 225-1111, ccanh.com). Max Webster (Life of Pi) directs the performance, filmed live from the National Theatre in London.

Sunday, Dec. 28

Experience the slam dunks and trick shots of The Harlem Globetrotters today at 2 and 7 p.m., at the SNHU Arena, 555 Elm St. in Manchester, snhuarena.com. They will take on their long-time rivals the Washington Generals.

Tuesday, Dec. 30

Comedian Juston McKinney will perform at the Nashua Center for the Arts (201 Main St., Nashua, 800-657-8774, nashuacenterforthearts.com) tonight through Friday, Jan. 2, at 10 p.m. Tickets are $45 through the Nashua Center’s website.

Wednesday, Dec. 31

The Adam Ezra Group will perform at the Tupelo Music Hall (10 A St., Derry, 437-5100, tupelomusichall.com) tonight at 9 p.m. Find more special meals, parties and other events to celebrate New Year’s Eve starting on page 24.

Save the Date! Thursday, Jan 8
Mania: the ABBA Tribute will take the stage at the Chubb Theatre (Chubb Theatre at CCA, 44 S. Main St., Concord, 225-1111, ccanh.com) Thursday, Jan. 8, at 7:30 p.m. This show has toured every continent in the world and has played more than 3,000 live concerts in more than 35 countries. Featuring a cast of musicians and performers, Mania: The ABBA Tribute delivers an authentic tribute to the legendary Swedish band, according to the website. Tickets start at $38 through the Capitol Center’s website.

Featured Photo: Juston Mckinney. Courtesy photo.

Quality of Life 25/12/25

We know how to holiday

According to a recent study by health and wellness website Innerbody.com, New Hampshire is one of the most festive states in the U.S. The study examined Christmas-related online searches of topics including the sales of advent calendars, inflatable lawn decorations and festive holiday clothing. “New Hampshire has risen to 9th place in the rankings, up from 10th last year,” read a Dec. 16 press release from Innerbody, “suggesting an increase in its Christmas spirit.” This contrasts with its neighbors, Vermont and Maine, which rank among the states with the lowest (or “Grinchiest”) Christmas cheer.

QOL score: +1

Comment: The study ranked West Virginia as the most festive, and the District of Columbia as the least festive. Visit innerbody.com/most-festive-state.

Girl Scouts convert bags to benches

A Mont Vernon Girl Scout troop has collected enough semi-firm plastic bags — the type you get groceries in — to be recycled into a park bench. Girl Scout Troop 59205 is a group of four cadets in seventh grade, led by Scout Leader Bobbi Billow. When the project began, the troop had 13 members who all contributed to the project for a full year and helped reach the 1,000-pound milestone. “Month after month, the residents of Mont Vernon came together and averaged 100 pounds of plastic recycled per month,” Billow posted on Facebook on Dec. 1, “an incredible achievement for a small town with a big heart.”

QOL score: +1

Comment: According to a Dec. 15 press release from Girl Scouts of the Green and White Mountains, Troop 59205 will donate their bench to the Mont Vernon Conservation Commission to be placed at Carleton Pond. This project was taken on as part of a challenge by Trex Recycling. Visit nextrex.com/view/programs.

New Hampshire and the Peace Corps

In a Dec. 15 press release, the Peace Corps (peacecorps.gov) announced its 2025 rankings of the top volunteer-producing states across the United States with New Hampshire ranked No. 3 among states with the highest number of Peace Corps volunteers per capita. According to the press release there are currently 36 New Hampshire residents serving worldwide. “In 2025, the nation’s capital is the largest producer of volunteers per capita with 31 volunteers, more than 4 volunteers per 100,000 citizens. Vermont took the No. 2 spot for per capita production, with 24 volunteers.”

QOL score: +1

Comment: Volunteers in the Peace Corps travel to other countries to donate their time and expertise. The Peace Corps aims “to help promote a better understanding of Americans on the part of the peoples served” and “to help promote a better understanding of other peoples on the part of Americans,” according to its website.

QOL score: 79

Net change: +3

QOL for the end of 2025: 82

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

Let us know at news@hippopress.com.

Pats reclaim AFC East supremacy

The Big Story — Christmas: Today is the day for giving gifts. The Patriots got theirs a little early, by clinching a return to the playoffs for the first time since 2021 with Sunday’s 28-24 win over Baltimore. And as they try to get ahead of Denver and Buffalo for AFC Top Seed and win the AFC East, they get another Sunday with the Jets on their holiday menu, followed by 6-9 Miami. Meanwhile for Buffalo it’s Philadelphia and the Jets, while Denver got Pat Mahomes-less KC on Christmas Day and closes it out with a tough one vs. the 11-4 Chargers.

Sports 101: Whose NFL fans in the 1970s booed Santa Claus on Christmas Day when he was shown on the Jumbotron making his rounds during the game?

News Item – Patriots Down Baltimore 28-24:

KeyStat – Drake Maye had his first career 300+ yard game when he was 31-44 for 380 yards and two TDs.

Improvement –Kyle Williams had another tremendous contested long TD catch (36 yards) and gained 29.7 on three key returns.

Brain Dead Call – MikeVrabel – The failed fake punt giving Baltimore FG position with them just down three with 20 minutes still left.

Backslide – Maye had three turnovers.

Game Ball – A Tie –Maye overcame the TO’s to lead his first fourth-quarter comeback when Stefon Diggs was vital to that with nine catches for 138 yards.

News Item – Holiday Presents: Time to see who’s been naughty and nice as we hand out our presents for 2025.

2025 Patriots – No home playoff games. If you haven’t noticed, they’re 5-3 at home and 7-0 on the road.

Jayson Tatum – a healthy return from the Achilles injury.

Celtics – a better collective bargaining agreement that doesn’t hurt fans by forcing teams to shred very good players to avoid onerous financial and player acquisition penalties.

Red Sox Nation – A New Owner: One willing to spend what it takes to acquire top-level talent like John Henry once did and the Dodgers now always do.

Patriots Owner Bob Kraft – Mystery Votes: Some fall his way in the Hall of Fame voting. Because getting the needed 80 percent of the 50 voters (who only have three votes each) to say yes, it’ll be a tough slog in his contributors/long retired players category to get in with him up against the “what took them so long” trio of SF running back Roger Craig, Steelers defensive end L.C. Greenwood, Cincy QB Kenny Anderson along with Bill Belichick in that group. He’s a distant fifth to them.

Coach B – Not Enough Votes: It won’t happen, but given how he went out of his way to make the media’s job harder, especially after losses, waiting a year seems appropriate penance for that nonsense.

Ryan Day – a second straight college football national title for the local lad to get him a step closer to legendary Woody Hayes’ Ohio State record of five national titles.

Coach B – Another: Since he already got a snarky one, we’ll give him another. Being the surprise hire for an open NFL job to let him keep trying to pass Don Shula’s record for most wins all-time.

2026 Patriots – Player Additions: Two studs added to the O-line and a major pass rusher in the draft and free agency.

Outside World

Lane Kiffin, Brian Kelly and Nick Saban (twice) – Coal in their Stockings: For walking out on their bowl-bound players to take the next job.

Notre Dame Football – More Idle Post Seasons: To college football’s most entitled whiners, a CD of Miami advancing to R-II by knocking out Texas A & M 10-3.

Al Horford – Success: With trade chatter already in the air, a better career ending than it’s looking like for the 39-year-old in Golden State, where he’s only played 13 times in 28 games as he’s shooting just 29.5 percent of his three-ball tries while averaging 5.6 points and 4.2 rebounds per game.

Major League Baseball – A Salary Cap: Because, to their credit, the Dodgers are making a mockery of their spending advantage over all but the five or six teams capable of playing big-money baseball.

Mike Vrabel – Coach of the Year: He already got his present Sunday in Baltimore. But, while he’s got real competition from Liam Coen and others, it would be a nice reward for the spectacular job he’s done in returning the great franchise to its accustomed place.

Drake Maye – MVP Award: Coming up big in the year’s biggest game definitely got him back in that race.

Sports 101 Answer: Who else but the never happy unless they have someone to boo fans in Philly would boo Santa on Christmas?

Final Thought:

Holiday wishes to all for a happy, healthy and prosperous year ahead.

Email Dave Long at dlong@hippopress.com.

News & Notes 25/12/25

Symphony NH

Symphony NH is postponing two upcoming concerts, the “executive director is taking a personal pay cut” and some staff will be given reduced hours, among other measures, due to financial challenges, according to an email from the Symphony NH Board of Trustees and staff on Dec. 18. “Last season brought unexpected financial challenges: declining ticket revenue, reduced charitable gaming income, and a drop in individual giving. At the same time, operating costs — especially venue expenses — rose significantly. These combined pressures have created a shortfall that we must address now to protect the long-term health of Symphony NH,” the email said. The Jan. 17 and March 28 music director finalist concerts will be rescheduled to next season; ticket holders can call 595-9156 or email snh@symphonynh.org for information.

Red Cross

The American Red Cross is looking for blood and platelet donations, especially of types O, A negative and B negative, according to a press release from the Northern New England Region of the American Red Cross. Those who donate through Jan. 4 will receive a long-sleeved T-shirt, while supplies last, the release said. Donors between Jan. 1 and Jan. 25 will be “entered for a chance to win a trip for two to Super Bowl LX in the San Francisco Bay Area,” the release said. Schedule a donation at redcrossblood.org.

Old buildings

The New Hampshire Preservation Alliance is offering a Career Exploration in the Old Building Trades vacation week program, according to a Dec. 10 newsletter. The programs take place Feb. 23-27 and April 27 to May 1, 8:45 a.m. to 3 p.m., and are open to ages 16 to 21, according to the application form, which you can find at nhpreservation.org/preservation-trades-initiative. The programs will take place at Canterbury Shaker Village and Sanborn Mills Farm in Loudon and at Seacoast/Portsmouth locations, the site said. No experience is necessary. The application deadline is Friday, Jan. 16.

Art & Bloom

The Concord Garden Club will take part in its 23rd annual “Art and Bloom” show in collaboration with the Women’s Caucus for Art, New Hampshire Chapter, and Kimball Jenkins Estate, 266 N. Main St. in Concord, where the show will be on display Thursday, Jan. 22, through Saturday, Jan. 24, according to a press release. “Club members and local floral professionals will create floral arrangements inspired by works of art and craft on display during Kimball Jenkins’ January art exhibition. [The show] will coincide with Intown Concord‘s Winter Festival,” the release said. For information about participating, see concordgardenclubnh.com.

Celebrate the life of Rob Reiner with a screening of one of his directorial gems, 1989’s When Harry Met Sally…, on Saturday, Dec. 27, at 10 a.m. at Red River Theatres in Concord. See redrivertheatres.org for tickets.

Andrew Pinard brings his Discovering Magic with Andrew Pinard show to New Hampshire Theatre Project, 959 Islington St. in Portsmouth, nhtheatreproject.org/onstagenow, on Friday, Dec. 26, at 7:30 p.m.; Saturday, Dec. 27, at 2:30 and 7:30 p.m., and Sunday, Dec. 28, at 2:30 p.m., according to a press release. Tickets cost $32 general admission, $28 for seniors and students, according to the website.

Goffstown First Night: Rockin’ New Year’s Eve Celebration takes place on Wednesday, Dec. 31, from 6 to 9 p.m. downtown in the village, according to goffstownmainstreet.org/goffstown-first-night. The “fun-filled, family-friendly celebration” will feature a winter wonderland with princesses and other characters for photos, hands-on activities, music, a New Year’s Eve ball drop every hour on the hour and more, the website said.

Mosaic Art Collective, 66 Hanover St., Suite 201, in Manchester, mosaicartcollective.com, is inviting local artists to submit work for its next show, “Peaceful Rebellion,” which opens Wednesday, Jan. 28, according to the December newsletter. “This open call is for works that celebrate the act of art making and the awareness and solace it provides us,” the newsletter said. See the website for details; the deadline is Jan. 14.

This Week 25/12/18

Thursday, Dec. 18

The Nature Conservancy (nature.org) will celebrate the longest night of the year with a Winter Solstice Soirée this evening from 5 to 9 p.m. at the McAuliffe-Shepard Discovery Center (2 Institute Drive, Concord, 271-7827, starhop.com). Celebrate the season and mingle with other nature lovers with drinks, light appetizers and holiday cheer. Register at preserve.nature.org/page/180114/event/1.

Thursday, Dec. 18

Pop-rock band the Jonas Brothers perform at the SNHU Arena (555 Elm St., Manchester, 644-5000, snhuarena.com) tonight beginning at 7:30 p.m. as part of their Greetings From Your Hometown tour. Tickets start at $196 through ticketmaster.com.

Friday, Dec. 19

The Canadian Brass will perform at the Nashua Center for the Arts (201 Main St., Nashua, (800) 657-8774, nashuacenterforthearts.com) tonight at 7:30 p.m. as part of their Making Spirits Bright tour, which includes original arrangements and signature takes on beloved holiday classics. Tickets start at $54.

Friday, Dec. 19

Etz Hayim Synagogue (1 1/2 Hood Road, Derry, 432-0004, etzhayim.org) continues its annual tradition of lighting its giant outdoor electric menorah tonight from 7:15 to 8:30 p.m. to celebrate the sixth night of Hanukkah. Jelly doughnuts will be served.

Saturday, Dec. 20

Red River Theatres, 11 S. Main St. in Concord, redrivertheatres.org, has fam-ily-friendly holiday screenings on the schedule this weekend. Catch Elf (PG, 2003) on Saturday, Dec. 20, at 10 a.m. andThe Grinch (PG, 2018), the animated movie, on Sunday, Dec. 21, at 10 a.m. Both screenings feature complimentary hot cocoa. Tickets can be purchased on the website.

Saturday, Dec. 20

Enjoy a festive holiday tradition at The Stockbridge Theatre (22-98 Bypass 28, Derry, 437-5210, pinkertonacademy.org/stockbridge-theatre) at 7 p.m. with the Safe Haven Ballet’s production of The Nutcracker. Tickets start at $33 through the Theatre’s website.

Saturday, Dec. 20

New Hampshire Philharmonic Orchestra (647-6476. nhphil.org) will perform its Annual Holiday Pops concert this afternoon and tomorrow, Sunday, Dec. 21, at 2 p.m. at the Seifert Performing Arts Center (Salem High School, 44 Geremonty Drive, Salem, 893-7069, ext. 5601, sau57.org/pac). An audience favorite returns with seasonal classics, sing-alongs and more. General admission tickets are $35.

Saturday, Dec. 20

’80s glam metal band Warrant will take the stage at the Tupelo Music Hall (10 A St., Derry, 437-5100, tupelomusichall.com) at 8 p.m. tonight as part of its Let The Good Times Rock tour. Tickets start at $84.

Save the Date! Sunday, Dec. 28
Experience the thrills of slam dunks, trick shots and moments you’ll never forget as The Harlem Globetrotters dazzle, dunk and hype the stands as part of their 100 Year Tour. They will take on their long-time rivals the Washington Generals, who are due for a win. Performances will take place at 2 and 7 p.m. Tickets start at $90 through ticketmaster.com.

Featured Photo: The Harlem Globetrotters. Courtesy photo.

Quality of Life 25/12/18

Nobody legit asks for gift cards

The email seems authentic at first glance. It says it’s from the Director of the Allenstown Public Library. She’s writing to ask you for some technology help. She’s trying to buy some gift cards for her niece with cancer, the email tells you, and for whatever reason, she can’t seem to finalize the purchase. Could you do it for her and she’ll pay you back? Maybe you should call her for clarification. The problem is, it turns out, the Allenstown Library doesn’t even have a Director at the moment. “We’ve spent the last two days fielding phone calls about this,” one of the librarians on duty said in a phone interview.

QOL score: -1

Comment: On its website, the New Hampshire Department of Justice advises: “Use known and trusted contact information to reach out to the individual and confirm that they are not responsible for the suspicious request. Assume that any request to purchase gift cards is a scam. This is a tactic that is widely used by scammers.” Visit doj.nh.gov/news-and-media.

Make friends now or be lonely and sick later

A recent study by the University of New Hampshire suggests that building social connections earlier in life can help prevent isolation and its associated health problems in old age. According to a Dec. 4 press release from UNH, “The study found that older adults without children are more vulnerable to loneliness, but good friends helped fill that void. The researchers said the study was partially motivated by current demographic shifts like declining fertility rates and the growing number of people without children living longer.”

QOL score: +1

Comment: “Research into loneliness is important on multiple fronts,” the press release read,”including informing social programming that could help older adults. That is especially relevant in a state like New Hampshire, which has one of the oldest demographics.” Visit unh.edu/unhtoday/news.

QOL score: 79

Net change: 0

QOL this week: 79

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

Let us know at news@hippopress.com.

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