Category: News

Teacher of the year

Candice DeAngelis, a Spanish teacher at Bedford High School, was named New Hampshire’s 2025 Teacher of the Year, according to a press release from the New Hampshire Department of Education. DeAngelis, who was picked from a pool of 331 nominees, has taught for 18 years and has worked as a Spanish teacher in Bedford since 2016; before that she worked at Sanborn Regional High School in Kingston and in a temporary position at Londonderry High School, the release said.

The release quoted Superintendent Mike Fournier of the Bedford School District as saying that “Her dedication to creating a positive and nurturing environment makes her a true asset to our school district. She is not only a treasure to our community, but also an inspiration to every student she teaches.”

Fire prevention

New Hampshire’s State Fire Marshal Office urges residents to check their smoke alarms as part of the National Fire Protection Association’s Fire Prevention Week, which runs through Saturday, Oct. 12, according to a press release. The NFPA reports that smoke alarms reduce the risk of dying in a house fire by 54 percent and that nationally 60 percent of fire deaths happen in home with “either no smoke alarms or no working smoke alarms,” the release said. In New Hampshire, 63 percent of fatal home fires have “no working smoke alarms or inadequate coverage” the release said. Smoke alarm safety tips include installing smoke alarms in every bedroom, outside each sleeping area and on each level of a home; testing smoke alarms at least once a month (using the test button) and replacing all smoke alarms when they are 10 years old, the release said. See fpw.org for more.

EEE news

A fifth New Hampshire resident tested positive for Eastern equine encephalitis and later died, the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services reported, according to an Oct. 4 story at WMUR.com. The person is described as an adult from Danville, the story said. All five of the residents who tested positive for EEE got sick in August, the story reported. Find more information on EEE and other mosquito-borne illnesses at dhhs.nh.gov — under “Programs and Services” choose “Disease Prevention” and then “Infection Diseases,” where information on EEE includes a regularly updated Arboviral Risk map of the state.

Charge up

Foxfire Property Management’s Storrs Street parking lot in downtown Concord received a new EV charging station, installed in August, according to a press release from Revvit, the Somerville, Mass.-based climate tech startup. The EV station is part of an initiative that “aims to make EV charging more accessible and efficient by deploying Revvit’s Level 1 charger, purpose-built for long-dwell parking environments such as workplaces, airports, hotels, and more,” the release said. According to the release, “Revvit’s chargers … require no apps or QR codes — drivers can begin charging within seconds by entering a manual code, similar to a garage door opener.” See revvit.net.

Tech help

The United Way of Greater Nashua has launched Tech Help United, “a new initiative aimed at improving digital literacy across our community,” according to a press release. The program is “designed to help individuals who struggle with technology gain essential digital skills, enabling them to access vital services,” the release said.

The program is looking for community partners and volunteers including digital navigators, to work with individuals who need tech help (no advanced tech knowledge is needed; full training will be provided) and community locations (local agencies, community centers and faith communities who can provide space for digital help to be offered), the release said. Those interested in volunteering or providing a host location are asked to contact Sara Ceaser at sceaser@unitedwaynashua.org or 882-4011.

Top value

University of New Hampshire was ranked No. 7 “Best Value” public university in the country (No. 56 best value among all universities) in the 2025 U.S. News & World Report, according to a UNH Today report. This is the second consecutive year UNH ranked No. 7 and the fourth consecutive year it ranked “the No. 1 best value public university in New England,” the report said. See unh.edu/unhtoday.

Historic preservation

The Concord Preservation Advocates are hosting an informal gathering on Tuesday, Oct. 15, from 5 to 6:30 p.m. at Feathered Friend Brewing, 231 S. Main St. in Concord, to “celebrate local historic preservation successes, connect with others, and share ideas for future networking events,” according to an email. Concord Preservation Advocates’ Facebook page describes them as a “network of people who value the historic character of Concord” and says they “aim to make historic preservation a priority and use it to bring history to life.” The event is free (cash bar) with light refreshments and soft drinks and brief presentations on nearby historic landmarks at 5:45 p.m. — “Bring your ideas and a jacket. Plan to be in an outdoor space if the weather cooperates,” the email said. RSVP to tinyurl.com/POSOct15 by Sunday, Oct. 13.

Author and photographer Jon Waterman will present his book Into the Thaw: Witnessing the Wonder Amid the Arctic Climate Crisis at Gibson’s Bookstore in Concord on Monday, Oct. 21, at 6:30 p.m. At this free event, New Hampshire author Richard Adams Carey, a professor emeritus of SNHU, will be in conversation with Waterman. See gibsonsbookstore.com.

Herbalist, teacher and director at the Sabbathday Lake Shaker Community Betsy Golon will speak to the Manchester Garden Club on Thursday, Oct. 17, at noon at St. Hedwig Church Hall in Manchester. Guests are welcome. See manchesternhgardenclub.weebly.com.

Actor Alan Ruck, known for his roles in Ferris Bueller’s Day Off and Succession among others, will be the featured speaker at the New Hampshire Film Festival in Portsmouth and will appear for a conversation followed by audience Q&A at the Music Hall on Friday, Oct. 18, at 4 p.m. Tickets cost $45. See themusichall.org.

Meet a Harris’ hawk and see it on the wing while experts from Monadnock Falconry answer questions at the bandshell in Nashua’s Greeley Park on Saturday, Oct. 12, from 2 to 4 p.m., hosted by Nashua Public Library. See nashualibrary.libcal.com.

Emergency housing

The Friends Program, a Concord-based nonprofit organization serving at-risk youth, seniors and families, re-dedicated its newly renovated Emergency Housing Shelter in Concord with a ribbon cutting and tours on Sept. 25, according to a Friends press release. “The renovation increased both the capacity and efficiency of the shelter, which can now house up to nine families at a time,” the release said. The organization helps to support families after they leave the Emergency Housing Program to help them maintain long-term housing, the release said. See friendsprogram.org for more on the programs and for a wish list of items the shelter needs.

Grant for health

The Foundation for Healthy Communities — “a nonprofit organization that builds healthier

communities for all” — has been awarded the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Federally Facilitated Exchange grant, a five-year grant, according to a Foundation press release. In its first year, the grant will provide $1.5 million to “assist consumers across the state with enrollment in the federal marketplace, Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program, the release said. The grant will help expand the NH Navigator program, which offers “free assistance to people exploring health coverage options through HealthCare.gov” as well as those enrolling in or renewing Medicaid and CHIP coverage, the release said.

“We are thrilled with this expanded opportunity to support all people across the state in garnering the access they need to health care services. Quality health insurance is vital to ensure people get the care they need, as well as be protected from unaffordable health care costs without coverage” said Peter Ames, Executive Director of the Foundation for Healthy Communities, said in the release.

“Consumers who have questions about acquiring health insurance can call 1-877-211-NAVI, visit acanavigator.com/nh/home, or email Adrian Jasion at ajasion@healthynh.org to request an in-person visit to identify the right insurance options available to them,” the release said.

Seeking workers

The New Hampshire Auto Dealers Association will host a Career Day at Manchester Community College (1078 Front St. in Manchester) on Thursday, Oct. 3, from 7:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. “There are hundreds of job openings available in the automotive industry in New Hampshire,” according to an association press release. “The event will host manufacturer-specific auto tech programs to include Heavy Diesel, GM ASEP, Toyota, Motorcycle, Audi, Subaru, Chrysler, Ford, Nissan, Honda, Power Sports, Auto Body and Auto Technology,” the release said. For more information, email support@nhada.com or call 224-2369.

Sustainability projects

Plymouth State University has received $4.67 million in federal grants to support sustainability projects such as solar arrays on building rooftops; insulation, heat and energy efficiency upgrades at the Physical Education Center, and the installation of a Renewable Energy Open Lab, according to a university press release from Sept. 20. The Lab will “provide students with hands-on learning opportunities with the latest in sustainable energy technology,” the release said. The new solar arrays will be on rooftops of buildings such as the Savage Welcome Center & Ice Arena and the Silver Center for the Arts and are expected to generate approximately three times as much energy as existing solar panels on the Physical Education Center, the release said. See plymouth.edu.

NH day

Squam Lakes Natural Science Center (23 Science Center Road in Holderness; nhnature.org) will hold a fall New Hampshire Day on Sunday, Oct. 6, from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. (with the last trail admission in the 2:30-to-3:30 entry block), according to a press release. New Hampshire residents pay $5 for trail admissions on that day (rather than the regular $26 for adults), the release said. All NH Day tickets are for a one-hour block and must be purchased in advance at nhnature.org, the release said. An “Up Close to Animals” presentation at the Amphitheater will take place at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m., the release said.

New board members

Girls Inc. of New Hampshire has seven new board members on its board of directors, joining eight returning board members including Chair Susan Walsh, according to a press release. Girls Inc. of New Hampshire, which operates centers in Manchester and Nashua, “has provided thousands of girls ages 5 to 18 with life-changing experiences and solutions to the unique challenges faced by girls,” the press release said. The new board members are Lisa Cramb, senior vice president of Montagne Powers; Dan Hickey, vice president sales & marketing at Comcast; Kristen Koch, vice president of public policy at Business & Industry Association of New Hampshire; Jamie Marcial, U.S. business development manager at ServiceNow; Jeff Moynihan, vice president of employee benefits at Clark Insurance; Rebecca Thomas, senior vice president of marketing at Triangle Credit Union, and Valerie Whitman, a president and CEO in the health care industry, the release said. For more on Girls Inc. of New Hampshire, see girlsincnh.org.

The Lakes Region Parade of Homes, a self-guided tour of homes in the Lakes Region, will run Saturday, Oct. 12, and Sunday, Oct. 13, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and feature “new homes, remodeling possibilities and allow builders to present the latest home innovations,” according to a press release from Meredith Village Savings Bank, one of this year’s sponsors. Tickets to this event from Lakes Region Builders & Remodelers Association costs $25. See lakesregionparadeofhomes.com.

Spooky Season is the theme for the Oct. 4 First Friday in downtown Concord from 4 to 8 p.m. Hear live music from The Wandering Souls from 6 to 8 p.m. and watch a dance performance by the Wicked Witches of the Lakes Region at 6:30 p.m. Food trucks will be Wicked Tasty Food Truck on Main Street and Teenie Wienies on Capitol Street, according to intownconcord.org.

The first Science on Tap of the 12th season of the SEE Science Center discussion program will be Tuesday, Oct. 8, at 6 p.m. and focus on “New Hampshire Creatures of the Night” — bats, owls and insects, according to a SEE press release. These free discussions take place at Bo’s Lounge at Stark Brewing Co., 500 Commercial St. in Manchester; doors open at 5 p.m. RSVP at see-sciencecenter.org/science-on-tap.

Tuscan Village in Salem will host the Sam Adams-sponsored Barktoberfest featuring adoptable dogs, music, beer and more on Saturday, Oct. 5, from noon to 3 p.m. The event will support Salem Animal Rescue, Live Free Rescue, Dawgs Fight Bank and Great Dog Rescue New England, according to a press release. The event is dog-friendly. See tuscanvillagesalem.com/events.