Category: News

Rail trail

The South Manchester Rail Trail has been selected as an American Public Works Associations 2025 Public Works Historical Restoration/Preservation Project of the Year, according to the city’s Department of Public Works. The project finished in May 2024 and extended the city’s rail trail network and repurposed the historic wooden railroad trestle over Cohas Brook into a pedestrian bridge, the press release said.

Forever chemicals

Mariah Blake, author of They Poisoned the World: Life and Death in the Age of Forever Chemicals, will take part in a community conversations about her book on Thursday, May 8, from 7 to 8:30 p.m. online and in person at the Merrimack Historical Society (10 Depot St. in Merrimack), according to a press release. The event is sponsored by New Hampshire Network for Environment, Energy and Climate along with the CItizens for Clean Water, League of Conservation Voters and the Sierra Club New Hampshire Chapter. See mobilize.us/lcvnh/event/781201 to RSVP.

Miss NH

A new Miss New Hampshire and Miss New Hampshire’s Teen were crowded last weekend and both will go on to compete in the national competitions, Miss America and Miss America’s Teen, according to a press release. Xanthi Russell, who is slated to graduate from NHTI in Concord this month with an associate degree in Paralegal Studies, was named Miss New Hampshire and Megan Plaza, a sophomore at Londonderry High, was crowned Miss New Hampshire’s Teen, the release said. Both won scholarships and will begin a year of service, the release said.

Egg update

Two of the five eggs have hatched in the peregrine falcon nest at Brady Sullivan Tower in downtown Manchester, according to the daily log available in the comments of one of the three livestreaming feeds. The two eyasses — unfledged falcon chicks — are Una, short for Sunapee, hatched on May 2, and Alpy, short for Walpole, hatched on May 6, the log said. The names of five New Hampshire towns were picked by two fifth-grade classes in Hooksett to serve as names for this year’s hatchlings, the log said. The eggs were laid between March 22 and April 7. Find the links to the three live views of the nest via nhaudubon.org/education/birds-and-birding/peregrine-cam, where the New Hampshire Audubon offers the nest cams with support of Peregrine Networks and Brady Sullivan Properties, the website said. The log also has a link to a document with basic information about the nest, the falcons and previous seasons of peregrine falcons that have occupied it and the chicks that hatched there.

Henniker Handmade & Homegrown, a festival of music, arts and food trucks, will run Saturday, May 10, and Sunday, May 11, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., at the community center and park at 57 Main St. in Henniker, according to a press release. The event will feature nearly 90 local artists, crafters, farmers and food makers, the release said.

Red Arrow Diners in Concord, Londonderry, Manchester and Nashua will offer teachers and nurses 50 percent off their individual meal, including cocktails and desserts, through Sunday, May 11, according to a press release. See redarrowdiner.com/appreciation.

The Great Bay Food Truck Festival will run Saturday, May 10, from noon to 4 p.m. at Stratham Hill Park in Stratham. General admission tickets cost $10 in advance, $15 on the day. See greatbayfoodtruckfestival.com.

The Rodney Marsalis Philadelphia Big Brass will perform, with special guests the Pinkerton Academy Jazz Ensemble, at the Stockbridge Theatre (44 N. Main St. in Derry; stockbridgetheatre.showare.com) on Tuesday, May 14, at 7 p.m. Tickets cost $30.

Bedford traffic

The New Hampshire Department of Transportation is working on F.E. Everett Turnpike, in both directions, at the Bedford Tolls through June 15, according to a NHDOT press release. The work will take place between 7 a.m. and 4 p.m. and require lane closures as construction crews work on the first phase of creating an all electronic toll area (boothless and cashless), the release said. Sign up for “free, real-time traffic related messages … from newengland511.org,” the release said.

Grant proposals

New Hampshire Division of Parks and Recreation is accepting proposals for 2025 Land and Water Conservation Fund State and Local Assistance Grants, “a program providing federal funds to assist with public outdoor recreation projects,” according to a press release. Submit an intent-to-apply form to New Hampshire State Parks by Friday, June 27, at 4 p.m.; eligible parties will receive an invitation to apply, the release said. Call 271-3556 or email lwcf@dncr.nh.gov,” the release said.

Mac & vets

Mr. Mac’s Macaroni and Cheese (497 Hooksett Road in Manchester, mr-macs.com) will donate $1 for every order of “Classic All-American” variety of mac & cheese (featuring a blend of cheddar and American cheeses) sold during May to help end veteran homelessness, according to a press release. The eatery is joining the City of Manchester, which has partnered with Harbor Care on efforts to address housing for veterans, the release said. Mr. Mac’s is slated to hold a kickoff for the effort on Thursday, May 1, at 10 a.m.

NH scholars

Six New Hampshire high school seniors have been named semifinalists in the 2025 U.S. Presidential Scholars Program, according to a New Hampshire Department of Education press release. The semifinalists are Charles J. Anderson of Portsmouth, Portsmouth High School; Rahma A. Ibrahim of Brookline; Li Po Chun of United World College; Roxane Park of Bedford, Phillips Exeter Academy; Vedant Patil of Nashua, Nashua High School South; Meera Rajendran of Salem, Salem High School, and Avishant Gupta Ullal of Hollis, The Derryfield School, the release said. “The Commission on Presidential Scholars will select the finalists, and the U.S. Department of Education will announce the Scholars at a later date,” the release said. See ed.gov/psp.

Ona Judge

The Black Heritage Trail of New Hampshire, in partnership with the Greenland Historical Society, will unveil a historic marker honoring Ona Marie Judge Staines at the Greenland Parade Gazebo in Greenland on Saturday, May 3, at 11 a.m., according to a press release. Ona Judge was enslaved by George and Martha Washington and escaped in 1796, eventually settling in Greenland, the release said.

Celebrate coffee at the Northeast Coffee Festival Friday, May 2, and Saturday, May 3, in Concord. A community market (admission is free) featuring vendors, demonstrations and live music will run 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Friday and 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturday. Coffee education and a Latte Art Throwdown require passes. See northeastcoffeefestival.com.

Petals in the Pines in Canterbury will be open Saturday, May 3, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., for World Labyrinth Day when attendees can explore the venue’s two woodland labyrinths, according to a press release. A nature journaling activity will be held from 2 to 3 p.m.; register in advance at petalsinthepines.com/world-labyrinth-day for $10 per person. Admission to World Labyrinth Day will cost $7 per person or free with a 2025 Season Pass purchase on or before that day, the release said.

The Dover Public Library will present the virtual program “From Sewer to Superstars: The Untold Story of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles” with Dan Yezbick, professor of English and communications at Wildwood College in Missouri. The event is free; sign up at library.dover.nh.gov.