Category: News

News & Notes 25/08/21

Cost of living

The New Hampshire Fiscal Policy Institute will host the full-day conference “Working Hard and Falling Behind: The High Cost of Living in New Hampshire” on Friday, Oct. 24, at the Grappone Conference Center in Concord, according to a press release. The event will “examine why the cost of living in New Hampshire keeps climbing and what it will take to make the state more affordable and equitable,” the release said. Attendance costs $60 and includes breakfast, lunch and all conference sessions (with a discount for those who register by Sept. 5), the release said. See nhfpi.org/conference.

Mural ideas

The SEE Science Center, 200 Bedford St. in Manchester, is hosting a community meeting on Thursday, Aug. 21, from 1 to 3 p.m. to discuss ideas for a new mural at the Canal Street retaining wall and stairway to Pleasant Street, according to an email from SEE.

Voting stickers

New Hampshire Secretary of State David M. Scanlan and Deputy Secretary of State Erin T. Hennessey announced the 2025 “I Voted” Sticker Contest in a press release. Any fourth or fifth grade New Hampshire student in public or private school or home schooled can enter the contest, which ends Oct. 14, the release said. Four winning sticker designs will be printed to be handed out to voters during the 2026 statewide elections, the release said. See sos.nh.gov for the rules and to print out a template for the sticker and the parent permission slip.

Star volunteers

Volunteer NH is accepting nominations through Monday, Aug. 25, for the 22nd Annual Spirit of NH Awards recognizing volunteers and volunteer organizations in the state, according to a press release. Awards are given in seven categories: youth/young adult (for ages 22 and younger); adult (ages 23 through 64); senior (ages 65+); AmeriCorps; group; business and Volunteer Champion (for businesses and nonprofit/public service organizations), the release said. Eligible nominees will be awarded at a ceremony on Monday, Oct. 22, at the Capitol Center for the Arts in Concord, the release said. See volunteernh.smapply.io/prog/spirit_of_nh_awards_2025/ to make a submission.

Holy Trinity Orthodox Church in Concord will hold a flea market and gyro lunch on Saturday, Aug. 23, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., according to holytrinitynh.org. Entrance to the market is free; the gyro lunch costs $8, the website said.

Manchester Proud will hold its CelebratED event to get ready for the new school year on Thursday, Aug. 21, from 4 to 7 p.m. at Victory Park and French Hall in downtown Manchester, according to a press release. The event will offer backpack and school supply distribution, haircuts and clothing support, a family resource fair and school registration assistance, the release said. See facebook.com/mhtproud for more on this event and manchesterproud.org for more on upcoming events.

Nashua’s Department of Economic Development will celebrate the grand opening of the newly transformed Library Walk on Saturday, Aug. 23, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., according to a post on the city’s Enjoy Nashua Facebook page. The Library Walk is located near 100 Main St. to connect Main Street to Court Street and now features overhead lighting, art including a mural by local artist Quest Nine, seating and more, the post said. The celebration will feature food, music, games and interactive stations, the post said.

This Week 25/08/14

Friday, Aug. 15

The Aviation Museum of New Hampshire will host the traveling exhibit “Rise Above” today through Sunday, Aug. 17, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily, featuring “an iconic P-51C Mustang fighter aircraft painted in the Tuskegee Squadron’s ‘Red Tail’ design — one of the few still flying today. Also included are a mobile theater featuring films and displays about the Tuskegee Airmen and the Women’s Airforce Service Pilots — two groups that overcame adversity to make crucial contributions to the Allied effort during World War II,” according to a museum newsletter. The exhibit and admission to the museum are free during the weekend, the newsletter said. The museum’s annual Planefest takes place Saturday, Aug. 16, when a “1943 Grumman Widgeon amphibious aircraft” will be on display and the day will feature family activities and food trucks. See aviationmuseumofnh.org.

Friday, Aug. 15

Osborne’s Farm & Garden Center of Hooksett will hold Dock Dogs,a family-friendly event where dogs compete to see who can jump the farthest and the highest. Try it out today from 4 to 8 p.m. The actual competition will be tomorrow, Saturday Aug. 16, from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sunday, Aug. 17, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Register dogs at dockdogs.com.

Saturday, Aug. 16

Media Power Youth will host its second annual Summer Youth Film Festival today from 9 to 11 a.m. at Red River Theatres (11 S. Main St., Concord, 224-4600, redrivertheatres.org). The festival features short films and other media creations made during Media Power Youth’s programs over the past year. Purchase tickets at mediapoweryouth.org.

Saturday, Aug. 16

A mural unveiling at Sheehan-Basquil Park, 297 Maple St in Manchester, is slated for today from noon to 4 p.m. The afternoon will feature a pop-up gallery as well as the unveiling of “Thoughts Projected,” according to posts on Positive Street Art’s Facebook page.

Saturday, Aug. 16

The Bank of NH Stage (16 S. Main St., Concord, 225-1111, ccanh.com) is hosting an Uncruel Summer Dance Party tonight at 7 p.m. Tickets cost $21.

Saturday, Aug. 16

Granite State Generosity (gsgnh.org) is hosting its 2nd Annual Shhhake It Off Silent/Headphone Dance Party tonight at Auburn Pitts (167 Rockingham Road, Auburn, 622-6564, auburnpitts.com) from 7 to 11:30 p.m. Attendees will be given a pair of three-channel headphones to pick between three playlists playing simultaneously. Tickets cost $20 in advance, $25 at the door. Visit gsgnh.org/shhake-it-off-silent-headphone-dance-party.

Sunday, Aug. 17

The Folksoul Festival returns today, kicking off at 10:30 a.m. The performers include Peter and Linda Simoneaux’s Cajun-flavored Back O’ Town, old-time gospel group Long Journey, Ivychum Trio, roots music favorites Low Lily, and the host Folksoul Band — plus a second line parade. Outdoor Stage, Driscoll & Mountain Road, Greenfield, $20, under 12 free, folksoul.com.

Save the Date! Saturday, Aug. 23
The New Hampshire Irish Festival will take place Saturday, Aug. 23, starting at 5 p.m. at the Palace Theatre in Manchester, palacetheatre.org. The line-up on stage includes The Spain Brothers, Ronan Tynan, Screaming Orphans, Mick McAuley and Eileen Ivers, the website said. Tickets start at $43.

Quality of Life 25/08/14

Name that horse!

His official registered name is Tally Ho Alphie’s Fritzmon, but the Manchester Police Department is looking for something less formal to call its new police horse — technically a “Mounted Patrol Equine Officer.” As reported by WMUR in an Aug. 7 online article, “the 6-year-old gelding is currently known as Fritz, but a new name will be selected through a community contest.” In an Aug. 6 Facebook post the MPD announced a contest to give a new name to the new officer. Name suggestions can be made through Zeffy.com. Each submission costs $5, which will support the Friends of the Manchester Mounted Patrol.

QOL score: +1

Comment: According to the Police Facebook post, one name suggestion will be accepted per entry, the deadline for submission is 8 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 18, and the chosen officer name will be announced on Wednesday, Aug. 20.

Veterinarians booked solid

Tough financial times are not limited to humans. According to an Aug. 7 online article by WMUR, the New Hampshire SPCA has expanded its available veterinary care for pets in financially strapped households but is already booked to capacity. “It’s open on Tuesdays and Thursdays and has been booked solid.”

QOL score: -1

Comment: WMUR quoted veterinarian Kristi Zimmerman-Lundt, who said the clinic largely performs wellness exams, gives vaccines and provides medicine, all at a low cost. Visit nhspca.org/community-wellness.

Get used to that haze

The Department of Environmental Services has issued eight air quality alerts this year, according to an Aug. 8 online story by New Hampshire Public Radio. “Of those, six were issued because of increased levels of fine particle air pollution caused by wildfires in Canada, which is on track to have its second-most devastating wildfire season on record,” NHPR reported. According to several climate scientists interviewed for the article, this will probably be the “new normal” in our region for the foreseeable future.

QOL score: -2

Comments: Find real time reports on air quality in New Hampshire at des.nh.gov.

QOL score last week: 64

Net change: -2

QOL this week: 62

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

Let us know at news@hippopress.com.

Sox and Pats rolling

The Big Story – Pats and Sox Generate Surprising Excitement: Both have Boston sports fans revved up, getting more so by the day. Six months ago, who’d have thunk it?

Sports 101: Name the NY Giants rookie who ran back the first-ever kickoff at spanking new Schaefer Stadium for a TD in August 1971.

News Item – Red Sox Update: (1) After starting the week 65-54, they need to go 25-18 in their last 43 games to get the 90 wins likely needed for a WC berth. (2) At 13-4 with a 2.24 ERA Garrett Crochet has lived up to the hype. He leads the majors with a career-high 148.1 innings pitched. (3) Without having somebody with even 20, the Sox are on pace to fall just short (194) of 200 homers. (4) Since starting 0-2 Kyle Harrison, the top player they got back in the Raffy Devers trade, has won four straight with a 3.75 ERA and 74 Ks in 62 AAA innings.

News Item – Observations from Pats Win Over Commanders: (1) In running for 153 yards they looked overpowering at times, with five guys rushing for over 5 yards a carry. (2) The D had zero sacks — didn’t expect that. (3) Pre-season stat, so it doesn’t count, but with second-round pick TreVeyon Henderson running back the opening kickoff 100 yards for a TD, he already had more total yards on his first play as a pro than the 85 last year’s second-round pick, Ja’Lynn Polk, accumulated in his entire rookie season. (4) This year’s top receiver pick, Kyle Williams, continued the tradition by having a Polk-like no catches on four targets. (5) The 48-18 final score was nice, but pump the brakes, folks, Washington didn’t play its Top 30 players.

The Numbers:

70 – yard field goal made by Jacksonville’s Cam Little, too early to be an NFL record because it came in Saturday’s pre-season game vs. Pittsburgh.

+84 – AL-leading run differential the Red Sox have vs. their 2025 opponents.

Of the Week Award

Thumbs Up – Bedford Little Leaguers: Their fantastic season ended one game short of the LL World Series, in extra innings of a 3-2 loss to Braintree, Mass., in the NE Championship game. Hurts now, but chins up, because it really is a great achievement and the thrill of a lifetime. Well done!

Sports 101 Answer: Giants’ first-round pick Rocky Thompson took the first kickoff ever at Schaefer Stadium back for a TD. Hopefully things go better for Henderson because that basically was the highlight of Rocky’s career.

Final Thought – Are Red Sox Still Cheap? While many commentators continue to yack on about the cheapness of the Red Sox to advance their own personal agendas, they’re ignoring the last five months. After locking up Roman Anthony last week until he’s 30 for $130 million they have spent roughly a half billion dollars since March on contracts for Anthony, Crochet, Alex Bregman and Kristian Campbell, so it’s hard to see how the Sox have been cheap this year. But, even though it will save them money in the long run by buying up the free agent years of Anthony, Campbell, Ceddanne Rafaela and Brayan Bello, it won’t do it in 2026, when Anthony will be paid $16 million instead of the minimum $700k he would have earned under the collective bargaining agreement. And for all three it’s $24 million and change in 2026. That doesn’t sound cheap to me.

Email Dave Long at dlong@hippopress.com.

News & Notes 25/08/14

WIC at the market

New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services Division of Public Health has launched a Women, Infants and Children Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program in Hillsborough and Rockingham counties, according to a DHHS press release. Eligible WIC participants receive a one-time $30 benefit to buy fruits, vegetables and cut herbs at local farmers markets, good through Oct. 31, the release said. Participating markets are Derry Homegrown Farm and Artisan Market (West Broadway in Derry on Wednesdays, 3 to 7 p.m.), Nashua Farmers’ Market (6 Hartshorn Ave. in Nashua on Sundays, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.), Portsmouth Farmers’ Market (1 Junkins Ave. on Saturdays, 8 a.m. to noon) and Salem Farmers’ Market (77 Rockingham Park Boulevard on Sundays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.), the release said. “Participants interested in receiving farmers market benefits can request them at their next appointment with their local WIC agency. Families will be able to access their benefits through the WIC Shopper app,” the release said. See dhhs.nh.gov/FMNP.

Net zero housing

Elkridge Construction, Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Verani Realty and Eversource have partnered on the state’s first net zero homes in the Barrett Hill subdivision at Windsor Lane in Hudson, according to an Eversource press release. The project features 26 housing units “designed to the Passive House Standard, certified to the United States’ Department of Energy (DOE) Net Zero Energy Ready Home Program and [including] on-site solar power generation, electric vehicle charger circuit and optional battery. Furthering the commitment to net zero energy usage, each unit is equipped with a low-emission heat pump for heating, energy-efficient appliances, LED lighting that consumes 75 percent less energy than incandescent lighting, and WaterSense fixtures that use 20 percent less water,” the press release said. See barretthillhudson.com.

Blood drive

The Gail Singer Memorial Blood Drive will run Wednesday, Aug. 20, through Thursday, Aug. 21, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the DoubleTree By Hilton Hotel, 700 Elm St. in Manchester, according to a press release. Schedule an appointment at redcrossblood.org or by calling 1-800-733-2767 and use the code “Singer,” the release said. Donors at the Gail Singer Memorial Blood Drive will receive a Red Cross T-shirt and a tote bag with vouchers and coupons from local businesses, and any donors who give by Thursday, Aug. 28, will receive a $15 e-gift card, the release said. Also, the Red Cross will perform a free A1C testing (one per 12-month period), the release said. In its 42nd year, the Gail Singer Memorial Blood Drive is hosted “in memory of the late Gail Singer, who passed away from leukemia in 1984” at 29 years old, the release said.

Get your free tickets now to the Creative Guts Short Film Festival at Red River Theatres in Concord on Friday, Aug. 22; doors open at 5 and the show starts at 6 p.m., according to a press release. The festival will feature 19 films with awards presented in six categories after the screenings, the release said. “Some films contain adult themes, language, or violence, and may not be suitable for children,” the release said. Reserve free tickets at redrivertheatres.org.

Manchester Community Music School (2291 Elm St., Manchester, mcmusicschool.org) will hold a fundraiser — Paint How the Music Makes You Feel — on Tuesday, Aug. 26, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. in the school’s gym. A musician will play music while you paint; all supplies included, according to a school newsletter. Families encouraged. The cost is $25 for ages 10 and under and $35 for adults.

The Poetry Society of NH and Percheron Poets will host Poetry & Pie at Kimball Jenkins Estate (266 N. Main St., Concord) in the Carriage House on Sunday, Aug. 17, from 1 to 3 p.m. Members of the Percheron Poets, a group based in central New Hampshire, according to their Facebook page, will read followed by an open mic for the first 10 poets who sign up. The event is free.

This Week 25/08/07

Thursday, Aug. 7

The New Hampshire Antiques Show, hosted by the New Hampshire Antique Dealers Association, returns to the DoubleTree by Hilton Manchester Downtown (700 Elm St., Manchester) today through Saturday, Aug. 9. Nearly 60 professional antiques dealers will exhibit their collections of antique furniture, art, jewelry and more. Show hours are 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Thursday and Friday, and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday. Tickets are $15 on Thursday, and $10 on Friday and Saturday; return visits are free. Visit nhada.org.

Saturday, Aug. 9

The Friends of the Library of Hudson, New Hampshire will hold an “Everything Must Go” Second Hand Prose book sale today, and tomorrow, Sunday, Aug.10, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., at the Hills Library Building (18 Library St, Hudson). There will be books for all ages, from 25 cents to $2, as well as CDs and DVDs for $1. Cash or checks only. Find them on Facebook.

Saturday, Aug. 9

It’s the Second Saturday, which means free admission at the Currier Museum of Art in Manchester for New Hampshire residents today 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. See currier.org.

Sunday, Aug. 10

Today is the final day of the League of NH’s Craftsmen’s annual fair at Mount Sunapee Resort in Newbury. The fair is open daily through today, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. See nhcrafts.org/annual-craftsmens-fair or see our story on the fair in last week’s (July 31) issue of the Hippo. Digital issues of the paper are at hippopress.com; the story is on page 10.

Sunday, Aug. 10

Check out Studio Two, a tribute to the Beatles’ early career, when this quartet plays the Stark Park bandstand (550 River Road, Manchester) today at 2 p.m. Admission is free and open to the public.

Monday, Aug. 11

There will be an information night this evening from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. for anyone interested in auditioning for an upcoming production of The Addams Family Musicalby the Community Players of Concord (435 Josiah Bartlett Road, Concord, 224-4905, communityplayersofconcord.org). Auditions will be held on Aug. 17 and Aug. 18. Visit the Community Players’ website.

Tuesday, Aug. 12

Iconic rock foursome Stryper will take the stage at the Tupelo Music Hall (10 A St., Derry, 437-5100, tupelomusichall.com) tonight at 8 p.m., on their 40th Anniversary Tour, celebrating the release of the band’s 16th studio project, When We Were Kings. Tickets are $55.

Wednesday, Aug. 13

Londonderry’s Old Home Days kick off today and run through Saturday, Aug. 16. Tonight’s happenings include Senior Night Bingo & Barbecue at Lions Hall Pavilion and, fresh from Sunday, a performance by Studio Two at 7 p.m. at the Town Commons. See londonderrynh.gov for a full schedule

Save the Date! Sept. 19
The Granite State Comic Con is just a little more than a month away but you can get tickets (as well as merch, such as a Back to the Future-style Back to Granitecon shirt) now for the event, which kicks off Friday, Sept. 19, with a preview night and an 8-Bit Karaoke Bash at Strange Brew followed by the convention itself Saturday, Sept. 20, and Sunday, Sept. 21, at DoubleTree by Hilton Manchester Downtown and the nearby SNHU Arena. Guests for the event include actors, comic creators, game creators, cosplayers and more. Find vendors and exhibitors covering all things comic book and pop culture. Advance tickets include single day admission for Saturday or Sunday, weekend admission, Friday preview only and a VIP that comes with a swag bag. See granitecon.com to purchase tickets, see the line-up of guests and to see a layout of the convention.

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