Category: News

Birds & frogs

The New Hampshire Audubon’s annual Backyard Winter Bird Survey is slated for Saturday, Feb. 8, and Sunday, Feb. 9, and the Audubon will hold a webinar about how to participate in the survey on Wednesday, Jan. 29, at 6:30 p.m. Go to nhaudubon.org to sign up to learn how to observe birds and submit data, identify commonly confused bird species and more, according to the Audubon’s newsletter. Instructions for participating in the count are also available on the website, the newsletter said.

The Massabesic Center in Auburn will also offer a Backyard Winter Bird Survey Practice Walk on Monday, Jan. 27, at 9 a.m. The event is free but RSVP online.

In the newsletter the NH Audubon also introduced its newest animal ambassadors: Northern Leopard Frog tadpoles. The frogs will have green and spotted skin and be on display at the Audubon’s centers, the newsletter said.

Volunteers & games

The Aviation Museum of New Hampshire (27 Navigator Road, Londonderry, 669-4877, aviationmuseumofnh.org) will hold a volunteer open house on Wednesday, Feb. 5, from 7 to 8:30 p.m. for those interested in volunteering at the museum and its programs, according to a press release. Those interested in attending can call and leave a message or e-mail [email protected].

Or just visit the museum to check out the exhibit of vintage aviation-themed board games, on display for a final weekend, along with the “Holiday Festival of Toy Planes and Model Aircraft,” through Sunday, Jan. 26. The museum is open Fridays and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sundays from 1 to 4 p.m., the release said.

Class of 2026

Leadership New Hampshire, a program that seeks to help participants “explore critical issues facing the Granite State, gain a deeper understanding of its regions and communities, and create high-level, statewide connections,” is accepting applications for its class of 2026 through March 15. Those selected will participate in a 10-month program, according to a press release.

“Applications are open to anyone who has lived or worked in New Hampshire for at least one year,” the release said. See leadershipnh.org to apply or contact Leadership New Hampshire Associate Director Mandy Sliver at [email protected] for more information.

RIP David Lynch

Celebrate director David Lynch, who died last week, with a screening of his 2001 film Mulholland Drive (which is rated R) on Thursday, Jan. 30, at 6:30 p.m. at Red River Theatres, 11 S. Main St. in Concord. Lynch received a Best Directing nomination for the film, which he wrote and directed and which star Naomi Watts. See redrivertheatres.org.

Reed’s North in Warner will host a seaglass tree workshop on Sunday, Jan. 26, at 4 p.m. Register to learn to make this craft for $65 per person via Reed’s North’s Facebook page.

Bella Vita Dance Company will hold a 603 Salsa & Bachata Social at 859 Hanover St. in Manchester on Friday, Feb. 14, starting at 8 p.m. Tickets cost $20 solo admission, $35 for a couple ($5 more at the door). Lessons will run until 9 p.m., when the social dance will start. See bellavitadance.com.

Live Free Animal Rescue (livefreerescue.com) will hold its Great Gatsby Furball on Saturday, Feb. 8, from 5 to 10 p.m. at Zorvino Vineyards in Sandown. Tickets cost $125 and include a cocktail, dinner and dessert, according to the website, where you can find a link to purchase.

LaBelle Winery in Derry will host a Yellowstone-inspired dinner party on Friday, Jan. 31, from 6:30 to 9 p.m. featuring a three-course meal inspired by the TV show as well as games like cornhole and a mechanical bull, according to labellewinery.com, where you can purchase tickets ($85 per person).

Tickets are on sale now for the Granite Game Summit, a celebration of board games that will be held at the Doubletree by Hilton in Nashua with events Thursday, March 6, through Sunday, March 9. Tickets cost $80 and allow admission for all days ($35 for kids 13 and under). See granitegamesummit.com.

Radon Action Month

According to a press release from the American Lung Association, about 35 percent of radon test results in New Hampshire equal or exceed the Environmental Protection Agency’s action level, as reported in the Association’s “State of Lung Center” report, which you can see at lung.org/research/state-of-lung-cancer. As part of January and National Radon Action Month, “the Lung Association in New Hampshire strongly urges all residents to test their home for radon and take immediate steps to mitigate the threat if high levels are found,” the release said. “Radon is a colorless, odorless and tasteless naturally occurring radioactive gas emitted from the ground…. [Radon] is the leading cause of lung cancer in people who have never smoked.” Get a free radon test kit at freeradontestkit.com/ala. See lung.org/clean-air/indoor-air/indoor-air-pollutants/radon for more on radon.

Museums, assemble

The Currier Museum of Art, SEE Science Center, the Manchester Historic Association, which operates the Millyard Museum, and the Aviation Museum of New Hampshire are launching a “Manchester Museums” collaboration that will seek to promote the museums, according to a press release. A new website, manchestermuseumsnh.org, will offer links to the four museums’ websites as well as a suggested two-day trip itinerary. The partnership will hold a launch on Tuesday, Jan. 21, at 4 p.m. at the Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce, 54 Hanover St., the release said.

“Cultural institutions are the heartbeat of a city’s economy, weaving creativity and heritage into the fabric of daily life, driving tourism, innovation, and community growth,” said Heather McGrail, president and CEO of Greater Manchester Chamber, in the press release.

The four institutions are launching the campaign in advance of the November 2025 convention of the New England Museum Association, which will be held in Manchester, the release said.

Franco-American guv

Kelly Ayotte, who officially became New Hampshire’s governor on Jan. 9, is the first Franco-American elected to the office, according to a note in the Franco-American Centre’s newsletter from the Centre’s executive director John Tousignant. She is also the first Republican woman to hold the office, the note said. Large numbers of French Canadians moved to New Hampshire in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the note said.

Cash to charge

New Hampshire received $15 million in federal grants for publicly accessible electric vehicle charging infrastructure, according to a press release from the state’s Department of Transportation, which applied with collaboration from New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services and others. The funds will be used for the “Next Level NH” program, which will increase EV charging hubs throughout the state, the release said. See dot.nh.gov/projects-plans-and-programs/ev-charging-infrastructure for more on the projects.

Go, Twitchers

The Twitchers, a New Hampshire Audubon team that participates in the Mass Audubon’s annual Superbowl of Birding, will once again seek to find the most bird species during a 12-hour period on Saturday, Jan. 25, according to a press release. The Twitchers, led by captain Becky Suomala, are looking to raise $4,000 for the NH Audubon Conservation Department, the release said. See nhaudubon.org/make-a-donation-to-twitchers for more on the Twitchers. For more on the event, which covers the Massachusetts North Shore as well as towns in Rockingham County, see massaudubon.org and look for “Superbowl of Birding” in Programs & Events.

From church to home

The New Hampshire Preservation Alliance has a new handbook available to “assist congregations that are considering leaving or repurposing historic properties and want to explore their building’s re-use for housing,” according to an Alliance email. The handbook, Transitioning Religious Properties to Meet Housing Needs, is available for download for free at nhpreservation.org or for purchase as a hard copy for $22.

The preservation trades

The New Hampshire Preservation Alliance is also offering “career exploration opportunities for participants ages 16 to 19 who are interested in the old building trades,” according to an Alliance email. During February (Feb. 24-Feb. 28) and April (April 28-May 2) vacations, teens (who do not need experience) will get exposure to “a range of historic preservation activities which may include traditional construction techniques, repair of damaged building elements, wood window restoration and the history of the buildings being worked on,” according to the website. Professionals — many of whom are members of the Timber Framers Guild, the Window Preservation Alliance or other trade organizations — will provide the mentoring, the website said. The program will be offered in two regions — Central New Hampshire (Canterbury, Andover, Warner, etc.) and the Seacoast (Portsmouth and the vicinity), the email said. Apply at nhpreservation.org/internship-program by Jan. 24 for the February week and March 14 for the April week, the website said.

The New England Petite Pageant will be held Sunday, Jan. 19, at 3 p.m. at the Concord City Auditorium (2 Prince St. in Concord). The pageant is open to women of all ages who are 5 foot 6 inches and under. See newenglandpetite.com.

Queen City Rotary Club will hold its annual Comedy Bowl on Saturday, Jan. 25, at 6 p.m. at St. George Greek Orthodox Cathedral in Manchester. The event will feature a buffet dinner, comedy show, raffle, silent auction and cash bar, according to a club press release. Tickets cost $50 per person and can be purchased on eventbrite.com, search “2025 Comedy Bowl,” the release said. The comedian line-up includes Harrison Stebbins, Rob Steen and Tim McKeever, the release said. See queencityrotary.org.

St. George Greek Orthodox Cathedral in Manchester will hold an Apokriatiko Celebration (a Greek Mardi Gras) on Saturday, Feb. 22, from 7 to 10 p.m. in the church hall featuring music from The Salonica Boys with Greek and American dancing, hors d’oeuvres and a cash bar. The cost is a $25 donation per person (children 12 and under get in free). Call 622-9113 for information.

Nashua Fire Rescue will hold an “Adult Field Trip” with the Nashua Fire Marshal on Tuesday, Jan. 21, at 9 a.m. Meet at the fire station at 70 E. Hollis St. in Nashua on Tuesday, Jan. 21, at 9 a.m. to learn more about the Nashua Fire Marshal’s office, tour the station and get fire safety tips, according to a newsletter from Great American Downtown Nashua.