Category: News

Needs survey

Volunteer NH is gathering input on the state’s “most critical issues” with a New Hampshire State Service Plan: Needs Assessment Survey, according to a press release. The information will be used to develop the 2026-2028 State Service Plan, the release said. The survey asks about the most pressing issues for New Hampshire — for example, education, environmental stewardship or disaster services. See forms.office.com/r/FpN76EMcPY to fill out the survey. “As an incentive for taking this short survey, participants will be entered into a drawing for weekly prizes,” the release said.

New nurses

University of New Hampshire announced the establishment of the School of Nursing on July 15, which will contain all the nursing programs, faculty and students from the Durham campus and the online campus, according to a press release. “The establishment of a nursing school comes at a critical time for New Hampshire, as the state faces a significant shortage of nurses and increasing demand for highly trained health care professionals. Housed within the College of Health and Human Services, the School of Nursing will play a vital role in addressing those challenges by expanding access to nursing education, strengthening clinical partnerships, and preparing practice-ready graduates who are equipped to serve communities across the state — particularly in rural and underserved areas,” the release said. See chhs.unh.edu/nursing.

Back to school

The United Way of Greater Nashua is seeking new school supplies for its annual Rod Hansen Memorial School Supply Drive, according to a press release. The United Way of Greater Nashua is partnering with the Teachers and Paws Project for the drive, which will collect supplies Saturdays, Aug. 2 and Aug. 9, and Sundays, Aug. 3 and Aug. 10, at Staples in Nashua and Amherst, the release said. The Rod Hansen / TAPP School Supply Pantry is located at United Way’s office, 20 Broad St. in Nashua, and served more than 500 educators and more than 2,000 students last year, the release said. The United Way is seeking backpacks, colored pencils, markers, Sharpies, chalk, lined paper, construction paper, composition notebooks, scissors, erasers, glue sticks, tape, staplers, pencil cases, Post-It Notes, hand sanitizers, disinfecting wipes, headphones, webcams, computer mice and calculators, the release said. In addition to the Staples during the two listed weekends, donations will also be accepted at the United Way of Greater Nashua’s office, the release said. See tinyurl.com/UWGNSchoolSupply.

See handcrafted works from local artists in a pondside garden at the Gallery in the Garden 2025 event Saturday, July 26, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday, July 27, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 148 Sandogardy Pond Road in Northfield. See suzanneconnor.com/gallery-in-the-garden for details. On Saturday, Steve Hancock of Appletree Nursery will be on site to answer gardening questions, according to an email about the event.

Learn about the “History of New England Sweets” via a virtual program through the Dover Public Library on Wednesday, July 30, at 7 p.m. Susan Mara Bregman will discuss her book New England Sweets: Doughnuts, Bonbons & Whoopie Pies. Sign up at library.dover.nh.gov.

The New Hampshire Liquor Commission announced that it ceased operations of the NH Liquor & Wine Outlet at 1100 Bicentennial Drive at North Side Plaza in Manchester following an “ongoing maintenance issue caused by a fire sprinkler system,” according to a July 18 press release. “NHLC is actively exploring new locations in Manchester’s North End,” the release said. See liquorandwineoutlets.com for updates and other Manchester locations.

The Wentworth-Coolidge Mansion Association in Portsmouth will hold a mansion talk and tour to celebrate the 329th birthday of Benning Wentworth, New Hampshire’s first Royal Governor, on Friday, July 25, at 5:30 p.m. RSVP for this free event at wentworthcoolidge.org.

Fighting cyanobacteria

NH LAKES, described as “a statewide, publicly-supported nonprofit organization … to restore and preserve the health of New Hampshire’s lakes,” has awarded $400,000 in grants to support lake protection projects to fight cyanobacteria blooms in six communities through summer 2026, according to a press release. “The funding comes from the federal American Rescue Plan Act,” the release said. “Lake Sunapee Protective Association is working with the Town of Sunapee and Little Lake Sunapee Protective Association to fix shoreline erosion, incorporating native plants as possible, near Georges Mills Town Beach and Little Lake Sunapee,” and “Wentworth Watershed Association is tackling stormwater runoff into Lake Wentworth from gravel roads, especially near Red Brook Circle,” the release said. Other projects involve the Acton Wakefield Watersheds Alliance, which is based in Union; Country Pond Lake Association with the town of Newton; the town of Alton and the White Oak Pond Association in Holderness, the release said. See nhlakes.org.

The Franco-American

The Franco-American Centre, which describes itself as “dedicated to celebrating French language, culture and heritage throughout New Hampshire” with an office at Saint Anselm College campus, has named Dr. Katharine Harrington as the 2025 Franco-American of the Year, according to a press release. The award goes to people for promoting French language, culture and heritage in New Hampshire, the release said. In addition to teaching at Plymouth State University since 2010 “where she has served as chair of the Languages and Linguistics department and the Tourism, Environment, and Sustainable Societies academic unit,” Harrington launched “the Bienvenue au New Hampshire initiative that helps business and tourism providers welcome visitors from Québec and the French-speaking world,” the release said. See facnh.com.

Chess prez

The Nashua Chess Club, an organization with a 50-year history, has appointed a new president, Tyler Kiliulis of Wilton, according to a club email. The club meets at the Nashua Public Library, 2 Court St. in Nashua, every Thursday at 6:30 p.m. and welcomes players of all skill levels with boards and pieces provided, the email said.

MAC seeks members

The Manchester Arts Commission is seeking members, according to an item in the July 9 Medo Minute newsletter from Manchester’s Economic Development Office. “The commission is looking for those who want to use their insights and background to help shape and build cultural initiatives and events…,” the newsletter said. Email ArtCommission@ManchesterNH.Gov for information or to apply.

Catch Peabody’s Coal Train, a local acoustic six-piece Americana band, at the Music on the Green Concert Series at the Canterbury Shaker Village in Canterbury on Sunday, July 20, at 4 p.m. Admission is free; donations accepted. See shakers.org.

Work on the Amoskeag Bridge in Manchester is slated to continue for another week and a half, according to a press release from the city’s Department of Public Works. The work requires the southbound closure of River Road and Canal Street between West North Street and Brook Street between 7 a.m. and 4 p.m. with posted detours, the release said.

Derry Public Library, 64 E. Broadway in Derry, is holding a craft supply swap event. Donations of clean, gently used craft items will be accepted at the information desk starting Saturday, July 19, with the swap itself on Saturday, July 26, from 1:30 to 3 p.m. See derrypl.org for details and to register for the swap day.