Category: News

Emergency housing

The Friends Program, a Concord-based nonprofit organization serving at-risk youth, seniors and families, re-dedicated its newly renovated Emergency Housing Shelter in Concord with a ribbon cutting and tours on Sept. 25, according to a Friends press release. “The renovation increased both the capacity and efficiency of the shelter, which can now house up to nine families at a time,” the release said. The organization helps to support families after they leave the Emergency Housing Program to help them maintain long-term housing, the release said. See friendsprogram.org for more on the programs and for a wish list of items the shelter needs.

Grant for health

The Foundation for Healthy Communities — “a nonprofit organization that builds healthier

communities for all” — has been awarded the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Federally Facilitated Exchange grant, a five-year grant, according to a Foundation press release. In its first year, the grant will provide $1.5 million to “assist consumers across the state with enrollment in the federal marketplace, Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program, the release said. The grant will help expand the NH Navigator program, which offers “free assistance to people exploring health coverage options through HealthCare.gov” as well as those enrolling in or renewing Medicaid and CHIP coverage, the release said.

“We are thrilled with this expanded opportunity to support all people across the state in garnering the access they need to health care services. Quality health insurance is vital to ensure people get the care they need, as well as be protected from unaffordable health care costs without coverage” said Peter Ames, Executive Director of the Foundation for Healthy Communities, said in the release.

“Consumers who have questions about acquiring health insurance can call 1-877-211-NAVI, visit acanavigator.com/nh/home, or email Adrian Jasion at [email protected] to request an in-person visit to identify the right insurance options available to them,” the release said.

Seeking workers

The New Hampshire Auto Dealers Association will host a Career Day at Manchester Community College (1078 Front St. in Manchester) on Thursday, Oct. 3, from 7:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. “There are hundreds of job openings available in the automotive industry in New Hampshire,” according to an association press release. “The event will host manufacturer-specific auto tech programs to include Heavy Diesel, GM ASEP, Toyota, Motorcycle, Audi, Subaru, Chrysler, Ford, Nissan, Honda, Power Sports, Auto Body and Auto Technology,” the release said. For more information, email [email protected] or call 224-2369.

Sustainability projects

Plymouth State University has received $4.67 million in federal grants to support sustainability projects such as solar arrays on building rooftops; insulation, heat and energy efficiency upgrades at the Physical Education Center, and the installation of a Renewable Energy Open Lab, according to a university press release from Sept. 20. The Lab will “provide students with hands-on learning opportunities with the latest in sustainable energy technology,” the release said. The new solar arrays will be on rooftops of buildings such as the Savage Welcome Center & Ice Arena and the Silver Center for the Arts and are expected to generate approximately three times as much energy as existing solar panels on the Physical Education Center, the release said. See plymouth.edu.

NH day

Squam Lakes Natural Science Center (23 Science Center Road in Holderness; nhnature.org) will hold a fall New Hampshire Day on Sunday, Oct. 6, from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. (with the last trail admission in the 2:30-to-3:30 entry block), according to a press release. New Hampshire residents pay $5 for trail admissions on that day (rather than the regular $26 for adults), the release said. All NH Day tickets are for a one-hour block and must be purchased in advance at nhnature.org, the release said. An “Up Close to Animals” presentation at the Amphitheater will take place at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m., the release said.

New board members

Girls Inc. of New Hampshire has seven new board members on its board of directors, joining eight returning board members including Chair Susan Walsh, according to a press release. Girls Inc. of New Hampshire, which operates centers in Manchester and Nashua, “has provided thousands of girls ages 5 to 18 with life-changing experiences and solutions to the unique challenges faced by girls,” the press release said. The new board members are Lisa Cramb, senior vice president of Montagne Powers; Dan Hickey, vice president sales & marketing at Comcast; Kristen Koch, vice president of public policy at Business & Industry Association of New Hampshire; Jamie Marcial, U.S. business development manager at ServiceNow; Jeff Moynihan, vice president of employee benefits at Clark Insurance; Rebecca Thomas, senior vice president of marketing at Triangle Credit Union, and Valerie Whitman, a president and CEO in the health care industry, the release said. For more on Girls Inc. of New Hampshire, see girlsincnh.org.

The Lakes Region Parade of Homes, a self-guided tour of homes in the Lakes Region, will run Saturday, Oct. 12, and Sunday, Oct. 13, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and feature “new homes, remodeling possibilities and allow builders to present the latest home innovations,” according to a press release from Meredith Village Savings Bank, one of this year’s sponsors. Tickets to this event from Lakes Region Builders & Remodelers Association costs $25. See lakesregionparadeofhomes.com.

Spooky Season is the theme for the Oct. 4 First Friday in downtown Concord from 4 to 8 p.m. Hear live music from The Wandering Souls from 6 to 8 p.m. and watch a dance performance by the Wicked Witches of the Lakes Region at 6:30 p.m. Food trucks will be Wicked Tasty Food Truck on Main Street and Teenie Wienies on Capitol Street, according to intownconcord.org.

The first Science on Tap of the 12th season of the SEE Science Center discussion program will be Tuesday, Oct. 8, at 6 p.m. and focus on “New Hampshire Creatures of the Night” — bats, owls and insects, according to a SEE press release. These free discussions take place at Bo’s Lounge at Stark Brewing Co., 500 Commercial St. in Manchester; doors open at 5 p.m. RSVP at see-sciencecenter.org/science-on-tap.

Tuscan Village in Salem will host the Sam Adams-sponsored Barktoberfest featuring adoptable dogs, music, beer and more on Saturday, Oct. 5, from noon to 3 p.m. The event will support Salem Animal Rescue, Live Free Rescue, Dawgs Fight Bank and Great Dog Rescue New England, according to a press release. The event is dog-friendly. See tuscanvillagesalem.com/events.

Nashua’s Blue Ribbon

The Academy for Science and Design charter school in Nashua is one of two New Hampshire schools awarded as part of the 2024 National Blue Ribbon Schools, according to a U.S. Department of Education press release. The other is Bernice A. Ray School in the Hanover School District. The 2024 cohort has 356 schools; the recognition “highlights schools that excel in academic performance or make significant strides in closing achievement gaps among different student groups,” the press release said.

“The National Blue Ribbon Schools Award is a testament to the exceptional achievements of students and educators at each of these schools,” said U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona in the release. “The 2024 National Blue Ribbon Schools are raising the bar for our nation’s students, serving as models for effective teaching and intentional collaboration in their schools and communities. As we celebrate their achievements, let us look to these schools for inspiration as we champion education as the foundation of a brighter future for every child.” 

The Academy for Science and Design Chartered Public School in Nashua describes itself as being “the state of New Hampshire’s top-performing public school and largest STEM-specialty school,” and “is aimed at expanding students’ interest and ability in STEM locally and statewide,” according to its website, asdnh.org. The school serves kids in grades 5 through 12 and will begin accepting applications for the academic year 2025-26 on Monday, Oct. 7, the website said.

Pollen count

Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon has partnered with the National Allergy Bureau to install a pollen counting station on the roof of the medical center’s power plant, according to a Dartmouth Health release. Samples collected from the station will be reported to the Bureau for inclusion in its national tracking of allergen levels, the release said. The release said that the third week of September is often considered “peak week” for emergency departments seeing allergy and asthma patients, according to the release. The new station is the only one currently operating in New England, with the next closest located in Rochester, New York, the release said.

“Pollen seasons are changing,” said DHMC allergy and clinical immunology specialist Erin L. Reigh, MD, MS, in the release. “Studies show that ragweed season is two to four weeks longer than it was in the 1990s, and we are seeing allergenic plants spread farther north with the warmer temperatures. Higher CO₂ levels also cause ragweed plants to release more pollen.”

According to the press release, the DHMC pollen information will be at pollen.aaaai.org, where you can sign up to have it send updates.

Merci Boxcar

The annual commemoration of the Merci Train Boxcar will take place Sunday, Sept. 29, at 1 p.m. at the boxcar’s permanent location, 144 Reed St. in Manchester, according to a newsletter from the Franco-American Centre.

The event is organized by 40 & 8 Society, a veterans group, and will feature representatives from France and New Hampshire, the newsletter said. “This year’s event has a special meaning as it comes during the 80th anniversary year of the D-Day invasion and 200th anniversary of Lafayette’s farewell tour of the U.S.,” the newsletter said.

According to mercitrain.org: “49 French railroad box cars filled with tens of thousands of gifts of gratitude” from French citizens were sent to the U.S. in appreciation of 700 American box cars of relief goods sent to France in 1948. On the Merci Train website, you can see photos of some of the items that had been in New Hampshire’s car as well as photos of box cars and gifts that went to other states.

Butterfly results

The Second Annual Capital Area Butterfly Survey conducted on July 27 by the New Hampshire Audubon counted 981 individual butterflies from 38 distinct species, according to the NH Audubon September newsletter. “These surveys are part of a nationwide effort through the North American Butterfly Association to track butterfly populations and gain insight into how habitat and weather affect them,” the newsletter said. Six teams with a total of 36 participants spread out through the Concord area at 19 different sites, the newsletter said. “Several teams reported sightings of the delicate American Copper. … Ninety-three Crescent butterflies gathered in an open area of the Boscawen Town Forest. At the Karner Blue Conservation Area, observers were treated to sightings of six Karner Blues, along with several Edward’s Hairstreaks and a Coral Hairstreak. A few rarities were also recorded. One team encountered a Giant Swallowtail … a small team guided through the grassy areas of the Concord Airport, where they recorded a Variegated Fritillary. A Buckeye made an appearance at the Pembroke National Guard property, and a Common Sootywing was observed in the Concord Community Gardens,” the newsletter said.

Seeking volunteers

The Aviation Museum of New Hampshire (27 Navigator Road in Londonderry; aviationmuseumofnh.org, 669-4820) will hold a volunteer open house on Tuesday, Oct. 8, from 7 to 8:30 p.m. “The Aviation Museum is specifically seeking volunteers to help carry out its educational programming to young people from preschool through high school ages,” according to a museum press release. “The museum hosts field trips, school visits, and operates a popular ‘Flights of Discovery’ summer camp. In addition, the museum welcomes families with young children to participate in hands-on activities in its classroom. Volunteers can help all these programs.” Volunteers also help with special events such as the annual car show, fundraising gala and more, the release said.

Seeking essentials

The Zonta Club of Concord is asking for donations of toiletries and other essentials to be given to women at shelters and transitional housing as part of its Purse Program to be brought to the Fall Fling on Wednesday, Oct. 16, at 5:30 p.m. The event will explain more about the club and its programs, according to a Zonta Club of Concord fall newsletter. “For over 60 years, the members of our club have been making a difference in the lives of women and girls through service projects and scholarships,” according to zontaclubofconcordnh.org.

Seeking understanding

United Way of Greater Nashua (20 Broad St., Nashua, 882-4011, unitedwaynashua.org) will hold its ninth annual United We Sleep event Friday, Sept. 27, at Nashua Community College (505 Amherst St., Nashua, 578-8900, nashuacc.edu) “to raise funds to combat homelessness and support vital community services,” according to a United Way press release.

“The funds raised through United We Sleep support $400,000 in annual grants to local safety net organizations, emergency funds for homeless youth and adults (with $25,000 allocated so far this year), and programs at United Way that combat food insecurity,” the release said.

Visit fundraise.givesmart.com or text sleepout2024 to 71777 for information on how to participate or donate.

The Red, White & Brew Craft Beer and Wine Festival will take place Saturday, Sept. 28, at FunSpot in Laconia with a general admission time of noon to 4 p.m. The event benefits Veterans Count NH and will feature craft beer, wine, food, a car show, an auction, raffles, live music with The Bob Pratte Band and more. Admission includes sampling tickets and a commemorative glass, while supplies last (food is not included). Tickets cost $50 for VIP access (which starts at noon) and $35 general admission. See vetscount.org/events/red-white-brew.

Catch Highway to the Ranger Zone, the monthly open mic show featuring Andrew North & The Rangers, on Wednesday, Oct. 2, at the BNH Stage in Concord (16 S. Main St., ccanh.com) with sign-ups starting at 6:30 p.m. and the show at 6:45 p.m.

NAV Arts will feature New Hampshire Poet Laureate Jennifer Militello at the Word Search Open Mic event on Wednesday, Oct. 9, from 5 to 7 p.m. at Bookery Manchester. Militello’s new collection, Identifying the Pathogen from Tupelo Press, is slated for a 2025 release; see jennifermilitello.com. NAV Arts holds its open mics — which include poetry, music and other performers — on the second Wednesday of the month from 5 to 7 p.m.

The Nashua Choral Society is inviting new singers to join its 2024-2025 season. Check out a rehearsal — Monday evenings 7 to 9 p.m. at the Judd Gregg Auditorium, Nashua Community College, 505 Amherst St. in Nashua. Rehearsals will be open to new singers to this non-auditioned chorus with no obligations until Oct. 14. See nashuachoralsociety.org.