Category: News

News & Notes 25/11/06

More food news

The New Hampshire Food Bank “is intensifying its fundraising efforts to address the anticipated statewide rise in food insecurity as the federal government shutdown persists,” as the shutdown has impacted funding for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), according to a Food Bank press release on Oct. 31 at its website, nhfoodbank.org. “The New Hampshire Food Bank has already increased food distribution by 26% year-over-year to meet the growing demand.” The NH Food Bank has a webpage — nhfoodbank.org/govshutdown — with information about SNAP, a food map of partner agencies throughout the state and links to information on mobile food banks and SNAP-recipients-specific mobile food banks. The page also features links on donating to the NH Food Bank.

Veterans Day parade

Manchester’s Veterans Day Parade will kick off changes to the city’s parade route, according to a press release from the Manchester Emergency Operations Center. “Beginning with the Veterans Day Parade on November 11, 2025, and all parades moving forward, the parade route will start at Bridge St and Elm St continuing south on Elm St and concluding at Elm St and Central St,” the release said. The parade steps off around 10:45 a.m., according to the police department.

To celebrate Veterans Day the city is also offering free parking to anyone with a Veteran plate at metered spaces in downtown Manchester, according to The MEDO Minute, the newsletter of the city of Manchester Economic Development office.

At the DMV

The New Hampshire Division of Motor Vehicles is fully appointment-based as of Nov. 3, according to a press release from the state’s Department of Safety on Oct. 27. Go to dmv.nh.gov to make an appointment at one of the state’s 14 locations. “DMV staff will assist walk-in customers with finding appointments, including at other DMV locations if necessary,” the release said. “The busiest DMV locations in Concord, Manchester, Nashua and Epping will also offer appointments during extended hours until 5 p.m., twice a week. Additionally, a limited block of same-day appointments will be made available each day for customers with urgent transactions,” the release said. This new system is designed to reduce waiting times in DMV lobbies and manage customer flow more effectively, the release said.

The new exhibition “If You Had to Choose: Patriots and Loyalists in Revolutionary New Hampshire,” which “presents the stories of New Hampshire colonists in 1775 and 1776,” is on display now at the New Hampshire Historical Society, 30 Park St. in Concord. Also on display is “Lafayette’s Visit to New Hampshire,” about the Marquis de Lafayette’s 1825 visit to the state, according to nhhistory.org. The Society is open Tuesdays through Saturdays, 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

“Hive Mind: Nature Inspired Group Art” from the New England-based artist group NAV Arts will be on display through Dec. 27 at the New Hampshire Audubon’s Massabesic Center, 26 Audubon Way in Auburn. An artists’ reception will be held Saturday, Nov. 8, from noon to 3 p.m. See nhaudubon.org.

The Friends of the Newfields Public Library will hold an antique and vintage item appraisal event called “What’s It Worth?” on Saturday, Nov. 8, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at The Brook Casino in the Showroom, 319 New Zealand Road in Seabrook, according to an email from organizers. The event is 18+, with no firearms allowed, up to three items per person and a fee by donation, the email said. See newfieldslibrary.org/whats-it-worth-2025

This Week 25/10/30

Thursday, Oct. 30

The 18th New England Regional Genealogical Conference will run today through Saturday, Nov. 1, at the DoubleTree by Hilton in downtown Manchester. This conference is designed for researchers at all experience levels. Onsite registration for the main conference is available. Visit nergc.org.

Friday, Oct. 31

The Anselmian Abbey Players present a stage production of Dracula, adapted by Neil LaBute from the novel by Bram Stoker, at the Dana Center for the Humanities (Saint Anselm College, 100 Saint Anselm Drive, Manchester, anselm.edu) tonight and tomorrow night, Saturday, Nov. 1, at 7 p.m, and Sunday, Nov. 2, at 2 p.m. This adaptation “strips the legend to its barest and most brutal bones—revealing a chilling, psychological battle between predator and prey,” according to the Players. Tickets start at $10 through the Dana Center website, tickets.anselm.edu.

Friday, Oct. 31

Arts Alley (20 S. Main St., Concord, artsalleyconcordnh.com) will hold a Halloween Party: Alley After Dark today at 7 p.m. The evening will feature a party with DJ music, specialty cocktails, costume contest and giveaways. Admission is $30. Find more Halloween parties for grown-ups in the story on page 22.

Saturday, Nov. 1

The Ladies of Saint Anne Sodality will hold a Christmas Fair today from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. and tomorrow, Nov. 2, from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at St. Anthony of Padua Parish, 148 Belmont St. in Manchester.

Saturday, Nov. 1

SNHU Arena (555 Elm St., Manchester, 644-5000, snhuarena.com) will host MMA super event Combat Zone 90 today at 5 p.m. The fightcard for this event features 18 matches. Tickets start at $59 through ticketmaster.com. Visit czmma.com/cz90fightcard.

Saturday, Nov. 1

“Roaring for a Cause,” the third annual gala for Less Leg More Heart, will take place at the Castleton Banquet and Conference Center (58 Enterprise Drive, Windham) tonight from 6 to 11 p.m. This Roaring ’20s-themed celebration will feature a DJ and dance floor, a buffet dinner, a cash bar with signature 1920s cocktails, and more; 1920s attire is encouraged. Tickets are $100 each at lesslegmoreheart.com/events.

Saturday, Nov. 1

Lend Me a Theater will present Deadly Deal, a Murder Mystery Dinner Theater at the Tupelo Music Hall (10 A St., Derry, 437-5100, tupelomusichall.com) tonight at 6 p.m. and tomorrow, Sunday, Nov. 2, at 5 p.m. Tickets cost $60 for dinner and the show or $30 for the show only.

Sunday, Nov. 2

Catch 1976’s All the President’s Men at the Nashua Public Library, 2 Court St. in Nashua, today at 1 p.m. in the theater. See nashualibrary.org.

Save the Date! Saturday, Nov. 22

The Franco American Centre will present its annual Beaujolais Nouveau Gala on Saturday, Nov. 22, 6 to 10 p.m., at Oscar Barn in Hooksett. Celebrate the release of 2025 Beaujolais Nouvea with a five-course dinner to complement the wine, according to the Centre’s newsletter. The cost is $155 per person for the dinner ($135 without wine). See facnh.com/facevents.

Quality of Life 25/10/30

Fisher Cats alumni go the distance

In an Oct. 24 press release the New Hampshire Fisher Cats (milb.com/new-hampshire) announced that 11 former Fisher Cats are on the Toronto Blue Jays’ roster for this year’s World Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers (the World Series could run through Saturday, Nov. 1, if it goes all seven games). Players include pitchers Trey Yesavage, Braydon Fisher, Jeff Hoffman and Mason Fluharty, right fielder Addison Barger, left fielder Davis Schneider, first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and shortstop Bo Bichette.

QOL score: +1

Comment: In addition to the eight players, the Manchester alumni include team manager John Schneider, pitching coach Pete Walker and assistant hitting coach Hunter Mense. The Fisher Cats are a double-A farm team for the Blue Jays.

Toll increases

As reported by the Portsmouth Herald in an Oct. 27 online article, “New Hampshire Department of Transportation officials have floated a $1 hike at three tollbooths across the state.” “If approved by the Executive Council and the governor,” the Herald article said, “the proposed toll increase would raise rates from $2 to $3 at the Hampton plaza and from $1 to $2 at the Hooksett and Bedford tollbooths.”

QOL score: -1

Comment: As reported by the Herald, Department of Transportation officials cited “stagnating revenues and a growing list of priorities” as the impetus for the proposed toll increases. “The idea, if it moves forward,” the article continued, “may be paired with a discount for New Hampshire-registered E-ZPass holders to ensure additional tollbooth revenue is generated primarily by out-of-state tourists.”

Families losing ground financially

According to a new study by the New Hampshire Fiscal Policy Institute (nhfpi.org), average New Hampshire families are not making enough to cover their expenses.”The typical New Hampshire family has lost major ground over the past decade, as the cost of basic necessities has risen substantially faster than household incomes,” the NHFPI reported in an Oct. 21 press release. “According to the study, the typical four-person New Hampshire family’s disposable income — the amount left after paying for only a few of the essentials (food, housing, child care, health care, gasoline) — has dropped by $17,349 since 2015. Ten years ago, a New Hampshire family with the median household income would have had an inflation-adjusted surplus of about $15,400 after those same basic needs — money that could be saved, invested, used for other typical expenses, or used for emergencies.”

QOL score: -2

Comment: According to the NHFPI report, it’s not the expensive items that have gotten pricier. “While prices for many luxuries like certain types of clothing, recreation, and technology have remained relatively stable or even declined since 2005, the cost of essentials such as food, housing, and health care has risen sharply. For example, the price of a television or toys, listed as recreational commodities in the Consumer Price Index, decreased by 96 and 64 percent, respectively, between 2005 and 2024. At the same time, necessities like medical care, food, and housing costs increased.” Visit nhfpi.org/press-releases.

QOL score last week: 71

Net change: -2

QOL this week: 69

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

Let us know at news@hippopress.com.

Sports gambles with future

The Big Story – World Series? It takes a big story to bump the World Series from the front page. But the growing pro sports gambling problem did that with the arrest of ex-Celtics Chauncey Billups and Terry Rozier in a nationwide gambling probe.

But we’ll be total homers and go with the 6-2 Patriots start that no one saw coming after Sunday’s 32-13 win over Cleveland.

Sports 101: Who has the most career World Series hits, and most in a single series?

News Item – The World Series Games: With the series tied 1-1 on Monday morning, it could be over by the time you see this. So we’ll save the post mortem for next week.

Maye Day In October: The prodigy’s latest was 18-24 for 282, three TD’s and a pick. The 135.8 QB rating was the fifth time he’s been over 135.

Painful Lesson – Will Campbell: All five of his sacks didn’t come against him, but Myles Garrett gave the fourth overall pick a rough day Sunday.

Play of Game – Jaylinn Hawkins: For the reach back one-handed grab/pick.

Game Ball – The D: No one rushed for 50 yards against them for the eighth straight week.

News Item – Celtics Opener: They lost to Philly 117-116. Here’s what jumped off the box score: (1) They shot 25.3% on 3-balls as Payton Pritchard and Derrick White went 5 for 20. (2) The Sixers won while getting just four points from Joel Embiid. (3) Starting center Neemias Queta scored 17 on 7 of 8 shooting and had eight rebounds in 25 minutes before fouling out. (4) Pritchard joined White and Jaylen Brown in the revamped starting line-up.

News Item – NFL Trade Deadline is Nov. 4:

Top NE Target – Trey Hendrickson – Bengals: The free agent to be is dealing with a nagging hip issue. But they’re 28th in sacks, and adding an edge rusher who had 17.5 sacks in 2024 and ’25 would help the pass D immensely.

RB – Depth: With TreVeyon Henderson coming off his best game Sunday (despite a red zone fumble) they don’t need a name. A solid backup who does not fumble would provide the depth they need.

Wide Receiver: New Orleans’ three-time 1,000-yard receiver Chris Olave is available. But with the receiving room dramatically improved he’d be a luxury.

The Numbers:

40 & 15 – points and rebounds from Victor Wembanyama as San Antonio ruined the NBA debut of maniac Cooper Flagg in a 125-92 slaughter.

105 – after getting five on Sunday vs. NE, career sacks by Browns DE Myles Garrett to move past the great Reggie White on the all-time sack list.

111 – career rushing TD’s for Derrick Henry as he passed Walter Paytonfor fifth place on the all-time list. And to add insult to injury he did it playing against the Bears.

… Of the Week

Thumbs Down – Merch Sales: The Packers in all white and Steelers in all gold on SNF, give me a break. U-gly!

Worst Loss: Nope, notCoach B; UNC lost again 17-16 but it was in OT to a quality Virginia team.

Instead, Deion Sanders sees Colorado drop to 3-5 after a 53-7 toasting from Utah on Saturday in the worst loss of Coach Prime’s coaching career as his UC record dropped to 16-17.

Random Thought: John Smoltz is a great color analyst because he uses his experience to tell us what he would do facing the hitter at the plate before he throws the pitch, giving us something to look for on the next pitch.

Sports 101 Answer: With 71 the all-time WS hit leader is Yogi Berra. For one series it’s a tie with Bobby Richardson (64), Lou Brock (68) and Red Sox alum Marty Barrett (86).

Final Thought – Gambling Threat to Sports: It is a story that first came to light during the 1919 World Series and has reared its head many times in boxing, horse racing, college basketball and many other activities in the years since. The latest episode of Gambling And Sports Together Is A Disaster Waiting to Happen has come to the legal gambling industry in the last year or so.

First the interpreter for baseball’s biggest star goes to prison for embezzling money from him after getting in over his head to gamblers. Then last week the NBA had a head coach (Billups), of all things, and an assistant coach (Pitino-era Celtic Damon Jones) who is a confidant for their game’s biggest star, along with an active player (Rozier), indicted in a nationwide FBI-led gambling sting. The indictments say those mentioned either allegedly provided inside player info to bettors or were separately involved in a systematic way of cheating in high-stakes poker games that had ties to the mafia.

Hello, professional sports, you have a problem! And guess what, I’m, ahhh, betting, a college scandal isn’t far off. I mean where else is a college kid gonna put all that NIL money? Bet on it.

Email Dave Long at dlong@hippopress.com.

News & Notes 25/10/30

SNAP plan

More than 75,000 Granite Staters receive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, according to an Oct. 24 press release from the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services, which announced a contingency plan in the event that the federal government shutdown leads to November’s SNAP benefits not being issued. The state will partner with the New Hampshire Food Bank “to increase SNAP recipients’ access to food through the Food Bank’s mobile food pantry program and traditional food pantries across the state. Upon approval by the Fiscal Committee and Executive Council, the Food Bank will provide mobile food pantries specifically for SNAP participants in locations identified by the State,” the release said. The state can sustain funding for the 13,000 people in the state “participating in the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) until at least Nov. 7,” the release said. If the federal shutdown lasts into November funding will not support local WIC agencies, which will close starting on Nov. 1, the release said. “While Local WIC Agencies are closed, WIC participants can continue to receive benefits and food balances on the WIC Shopper app or by calling 855-279-0680. Anyone with additional questions can call DHHS at 800-942-4321,” the release said. See dhhs.nh.gov and click on the link about WIC and SNAP at the top of the page for more information.

Clean room

The University of New Hampshire held a ribbon-cutting for a new high-tech cleanroom at its John Olson Advanced Manufacturing Center at the Durham campus, according to an Oct. 24 press release. “The new ISO7 cleanroom was donated by Airtho and will help strengthen UNH’s role as a leader for emerging research and innovation, contributing to the growth of advanced manufacturing in New Hampshire and the surrounding region,” the release said. “Currently, the John Olson Advanced Manufacturing Center is home to seven co-located technology businesses with approximately 24 UNH undergraduate and graduate students doing research and gaining experience with these companies — helping to train the state’s future workforce and contribute to its economic development.”

Music market

The First Congregational Church, 70 Clinton St. in Concord, will host the Third Annual Musicians’ Flea Market on Saturday, Nov. 1, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Admission costs $2 per person, kids under 13 get in free, according to a press release. The event will feature musical instruments, gear, sheet music, CDs, vinyl records and more, the release said. See ConcordsFirstChurch.org/events.

The Route 3 Art Trail will run Saturday, Nov. 1, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and feature 15 locations in Concord, Penacook, Boscawen and Franklin, according to route3arttrail.com, where you can find a map and information on each location.

The Granite State Ringers will perform Wednesday, Nov. 5, at 7:30 p.m. at Concord City Auditorium, 2 Prince St. in Concord. Admission is free. See walkerlecture.org.

The Exeter Fall Art Tour will run Saturday, Nov. 1, and Sunday, Nov. 2, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. featuring 15 stops within 3 miles, according to exeterfallarttour.com.

The Hollis Arts Society will hold its 2025 Art Show & Sale on Saturday, Nov. 1, and Sunday, Nov. 2, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Lawrence Barn, 28 Depot Road in Hollis. Find works crafted by member artists including pottery, eco prints, glass work, paintings, photographs, jewelry, gift cards, ornaments and more, according to a post on the Society’s Facebook page, facebook.com/HollisArtsSocietyNH.

This Week 25/10/23

Thursday, Oct. 23

New Hampshire Secretary of State David Scanlan and State Archivist Ashley Miller host an open house and lecture at the New Hampshire State Archives (9 Ratification Way, Concord) today to celebrate American Archives Month. The open house begins at 1 p.m. with documents and artifacts showcasing significant periods in New Hampshire history, including records on the state’s witchcraft cases. Dr. Tricia Peone will deliver a lecture on the history of witchcraft in New Hampshire at 2 p.m. The lecture will be available both in person and virtually.

Friday, Oct. 24

The internationally acclaimed chamber group Spanish Brass performs at the Concord City Auditorium (2 Prince St., Concord, 228-2793, theaudi.org) tonight at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $20 (cash or checks) at the door, $24 at ccca-audi.org, youth admission is free.

Saturday, Oct. 25

The Stockbridge Theatre (22-98 Bypass 28, Derry, 437-5210, pinkertonacademy.org/stockbridge-theatre) presents Neil Berg’s 50 Years of Rock and Roll, Part 2 tonight at 7 p.m. Relive the best moments of music history from Motown and funk to Elton John and Aerosmith. Tickets start at $33.

Saturday, Oct. 25

The Phil Vassar Acoustic Duo takes the stage at the Nashua Center for the Arts (201 Main St., Nashua, 800-657-8774, nashuacenterforthearts.com) tonight at 7:30 p.m. The duo features Vassar on piano and vocals, accompanied by a second musician. Tickets start at $43.25.

Sunday, Oct. 26

Virtuoso guitarist Tommy Emmanuel will perform at the Tupelo Music Hall (10 A St., Derry, 437-5100, tupelomusichall.com) tonight at 7 p.m., as part of his Living In The Light Tour. His style fuses pop, jazz, classical, and roots influences. Tickets start at $60 through the Tupelo website.

Tuesday, Oct. 28

Balin Books in Somerset Plaza, 375 Amherst St. in Nashua, will hold a “Horrorfest” with authors Christopher Golden (editor of and contributor to the newly released The End of the World As We Know It, “an original short story anthology based on Stephen King’s” The Stand, and author of books including 2023’s All Hallows), Paul Tremblay (also a contributor to The End of the World As We Know It and author of 2024’s Horror Movie), Bracken MacLeod (author of Stranded, released in May), Christa Carmen (author of the blog Horror Homesteading and the recent release Something Borrowed, Something Blood-Soaked) and Tanya Pell (author of Her Wicked Roots) on Tuesday, Oct. 28, at 6:30 p.m., according to a press release. The evening will feature a discussion, question-and-answer period and book signing, the release said. The event is free. See balinbooks.com.

Save the Date! Nov. 7

Tickets are on sale now for Tailgate Rescue’s (785-7662, tailgaitrescue.org) biggest event of the year, the Fourth Annual Wine and Whiskers Fundraiser. An evening of fine wine tastings, hors d’oeuvres and chocolate will be accompanied by silent auctions, not-so-silent auctions, and raffles, with a grand prize of a 52-bottle tower of wine. The event will take place Friday, Nov. 7, from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Manchester Country Club (180 S. River Road, Bedford, 624-4096, manchestercountryclub.com). Tickets are $40 through zeffy.com.

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