125 exciting things to do in the spring — 03/20/2025

Like a newly hatched chick, spring is a season full of possibilities — and events! In this week’s Hippo, we look at 127 fun ways to spend this season, which for our purpose runs until Memorial Day weekend (yeah, yeah, we know what the calendar says). FInd arts, theater, music, food events and so much more to brighten up this sometime sunny, sometimes rainy time of the year.

Also on the cover The NH Jewish Film Festival is a statewide, multi-week event that will feature screenings at theaters in Manchester, Concord, Merrimack and more as well as virtual screenings. Michael Witthaus gets the details on this festival that starts Sunday, March 23, on page 17. John Fladd looks at the United Way of Greater Nashua’s upcoming “Cheers to the Community Night of Wine and Comedy” event (page 21). And that comedy show on Saturday, March 22, is one of several comedy events this weekend. Michael Witthaus talks to comedian Zane Lamprey about his show on Saturday at the Henniker Brewing Company on page 26, where you will also find our rundown of other comedy shows this weekend and beyond. Is music more your style? Check out the Music This Week, which starts on page 27.

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A graphic the shape of the state of New Hampshire, filled in with the New Hampshire flag made up of the crest of New Hampshire on a blue field.
Open senate seat in ’26 Sen. Jeanne Shaheen announced on March 12 that she will not seek reelection in 2026, ...
Photo of assorted sports equipment for football, soccer, tennis, golf, baseball, and basketball
The Big Story – NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament: It all started with Tuesday’s play-in games, which included San Diego State ...
A graphic the shape of the state of New Hampshire, filled in with the New Hampshire flag made up of the crest of New Hampshire on a blue field.
Cookies for heroes There is still time to buy Girl Scout cookies for “Hometown Heroes.” According to Ginger Kozlowski, spokesperson ...
web banner showing young woman with long hair, holding bagpipes under one arm, standing in front of purple background with text "Ally the Piper Spring Tour 2025" above and behind her head
Thursday, March 20 Tonight’s Art Off the Walls at the Currier Museum of Art (150 Ash St., Manchester, 669-6144, currier.org) ...
three chicks isolated on transparent background
The calendar says spring begins on March 20. Whether this year’s spring is hot, cold or just muddy, here are ...
film still from Bad Shabbos showing a group of people sitting around a dinner table, looking in the direction of the camera
NH Jewish Film Festival opens This year’s New Hampshire Jewish Film Festival, opening March 23 at the Rex Theatre in ...
package of incense sticks, green and white package design, with words Balsam Fir
Dear Donna, I have a question on whether they still make the houses for incense like this. I can remember ...
Family fun for whenever More maple The sap season fun continues at some area maple sugar farms. • Ben’s Sugar ...
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News from the local food scene • Shaw’s to close: As reported by the Boston Globe in a March 12 ...
woman wearing black shirt, posing behind bar at restaurant, sunlight coming in through window
Spice Restaurant is an adventure Carolyn Trepanier has put more thought into cocktails than most people have into their retirement ...
bottle of wine sitting on barrel beside quarter full stemmed wine glasses, outside with flowers and wooden door in background
United Way helps Food Bank According to the New Hampshire Food Bank, one out of every 10 New Hampshire residents ...
two scoops of chocolate sorbet in stemmed glass, sitting on counter beside cardboard cup of ice cream with spoon
I have a rule in life — well, maybe more of a guideline. Anytime somebody says that a low-fat or ...
album covers
Diane Coll, I Am Fire (Happy Fish Records) Musically, Coll, a professional couples therapist from Atlanta, Georgia, is a true ...
book cover for We Do Not Part by Han Kang
We Do Not Part, by Han Kang, translated by E. Yaewon and Paige Aniyah Morris (Hogarth, 256 pages) It was ...
• Wine and comedy: An eclectic wine bar celebrates its third year with Mona Forgione, who leans into motherhood for ...
man with mustache, wearing button up shirt and bright tie, holding beer in one hand and puppy in the other, orange burst background
Three Sheets host stops in Henniker For over a decade, Zane Lamprey traveled the world and drank for a living ...

Meaty, Savory, Maple? — 03/13/2025

On the cover
10 Sure, maple syrup is great on pancakes and waffles, but what else can it do? In this week’s cover story, John Fladd looks at the surprising uses for maple, from an adornment for barbecue to a flavoring for beer.

Also on the cover: We’ve got maple on the mind this week because this weekend is Maple Weekend in New Hampshire, when sugar houses (who are enjoying a good year, according to our story) offer tours and samples. See page 18. It is also the season for St. Patrick’s Day (Monday, March 17) eats. John talks to meat experts about corned beef (page 20). And Michael Witthaus talks to Frigg, a band playing “Nordgrass” — a Nordic take on Western folk and bluegrass (see page 26).

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A graphic the shape of the state of New Hampshire, filled in with the New Hampshire flag made up of the crest of New Hampshire on a blue field.
TB patient According to a press release from March 7, the New Hampshire Department of Health & Human Services and ...
Photo of assorted sports equipment for football, soccer, tennis, golf, baseball, and basketball
The Big Story – NFL Year Opens: The new business year starts today with the opening of free agency, where ...
A graphic the shape of the state of New Hampshire, filled in with the New Hampshire flag made up of the crest of New Hampshire on a blue field.
Pi Day Friday, March 14, is National Pi Day — as in π, 3.14... . The McAuliffe-Shepard Discovery Center in ...
Hockey puck and stick on the ice arena. Texture, background
Thursday, March 13 The BNH Stage (16 S. Main St., Concord, 225-1111, ccanh.com) will host TR3 with Tim Reynolds tonight ...
rectangular aluminum baking dish filled with cut ribs glazed in a shiny maple sauce, close up
Chefs describe the surprising side of maple syrup When you think of maple syrup, you are much more likely to ...
middle aged white man with dark hair and gray beard, wearing white shirt with dark vest, leaning on hand drum, portrait style
Gastrobrewery hosts dinner and storytelling “Sean’s Red Scarf” is a playful story about a greedy man who lets a leprechaun ...
A large pile of ivory-colored antique plates and dishes.
Good morning, Donna, I am wondering what is the worth of these dishes and if you are interested or know ...
Family fun for whenever Kids on stage • The Palace Youth Theatre will present an hour-longDiary of a Wimpy Kid: ...
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News from the local food scene By John Fladd [email protected] • New head of NH Food Bank: New Hampshire Food ...
A man goes about his work boiling off water to make maple syrup.
New Hampshire celebrates the sweet stuff at Maple Weekend By John Fladd [email protected] Last year was a rough one for ...
Photo of a corned beef brisket, cut in juicy pink slices.
It’s a New England thing By John Fladd [email protected] According to James Malik, the first thing you need to know ...
The Daydream of Milky Joe. Photo by John Fladd.
At the moment, I am working on a project that involves thinking deeply about a couple of cows celebrating a ...
Free Range, Lost & Found (self-released) & Good Looks, Lived Here For A While (Keeled Scales Records)
Free Range, Lost & Found (self-released) ’Tis the season for music journalists getting inundated with spam from agents and record ...
Ends of the Earth, by Neil Shubin
(Dutton, 235 pages) Unless visiting all seven continents is on your bucket list, you probably don’t think a lot about ...
A scene from Mickey 17 (R)
Robert Pattinson plays a man who agrees to be killed over and over again in service to an interplanetary colonization ...
By Michael Witthaus [email protected] Stories and dance: Michael Londra brings his PBS series Ireland With Michael to the stage. The ...
Frigg. Photo by Marek Sabogal.
From Finland, it’s Frigg By Michael Witthaus [email protected] With a blend of Celtic, American bluegrass, and a Nordic fiddle tradition ...

Play On — 03/06/2025

on the cover

10 Symphony NH is coming to the end of its Roger Kalia era — at the end of the season in May, he will set off for Indiana and the Symphony will embark on a season-long journey to find the perfect fit for the job. Michael Witthaus gets the details about the Symphony’s plan and talks to Kalia.

Also on the cover: Actually, let’s start with what’s not on the cover — thank you to everybody who voted in Hippo’s Best of 2025 readers’ poll. Look for the results in early April. In this week’s issue, John Fladd takes a look at the many restaurants of The Nash Casino (page 20). Rock band River Sang Wild plays two shows at Pats Peak (page 26). Homefree makes cookies safe for all (page 20).

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members of an orchestra seen from the back, trumpet player holding up his trumpet in one hand, dark stage
A look at Symphony NH as its music director prepares to pass the baton Though it doesn’t take cues from ...
A graphic the shape of the state of New Hampshire, filled in with the New Hampshire flag made up of the crest of New Hampshire on a blue field.
Town meeting The N.H. Secretary of State’s office has a “New Hampshire Town Meeting Voter’s Guide” on its website, sos.nh.gov, ...
Photo of assorted sports equipment for football, soccer, tennis, golf, baseball, and basketball
The Big Story – Spring Training: Baseball games are back as the spring training exhibition season is under way. Sports ...
A graphic the shape of the state of New Hampshire, filled in with the New Hampshire flag made up of the crest of New Hampshire on a blue field.
Not returning In a Feb. 26 online article, WMUR reported that Spirit Airlines will not be returning to Manchester-Boston Regional ...
two men wearing flannel and jeans, leaning against car, words LOCASH Hometown Home overlaid at the bottom of the image
Thursday, March 6 LOCASH will perform at the The Dana Center (Saint Anselm College, 100 Saint Anselm Drive, Manchester, tickets.anselm.edu) ...
Relief sculpture done in white plaster, showing stylized female figure holding infant to her chest, pressing their cheeks together, mounted on white panels
New twist on religious iconography at Currier The mother-and-child theme has been part of Ann Agee’s art going back to ...
photo of framed abstract print showing lines and shapes in muted colors, simple thin dark fram with white matt around print
Hi, Donna, I enjoy your column in the Hippo and am wondering if you would have any insight into a ...
Family fun for whenever Sweet fun • NH Maple Weekend is next weekend (March 15-16) but Charmingfare Farm (774 High ...
A table of delicious food, including mini burgers, a large pretzel, and pancakes.
New casino offers a full house of restaurants and bars By John Fladd [email protected] When The Nash, the new casino ...
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News from the local food scene By John Fladd [email protected] • New player in the enchilada game: A new Mexican ...
Cole Gaude. Courtesy photo.
Cole Gaude is the owner and head ice cream maker of Social Club Creamery (138 N. Main St, Concord, 333-2111, ...
Freshly baked cookies without the top 14 allergens.
The challenge of putting less in a cookie By John Fladd [email protected] It’s probably fair to say that Jill Robbins’ ...
A plate of tasty corn fritters.
By John Fladd [email protected] This recipe came from what most of us call an “Old Church Lady Cookbook.” “Old” in ...
Yes, Relayer (Atlantic Records) Rush, Permanent Waves (Anthem Records), & Eric Comstock & Barbara Fasano, Painting The Town (Human Child Records)
Anika, Abyss (Sacred Bones Records) Since the assimilation of punk, New Wave, et al. by the corporate Matrix (it happens ...
Penitence, by Kristin Koval
Penitence, by Kristin Koval (Celadon, 320 pages) If former lawyer Kristin Koval’s debut novel, Penitence, were a court case, it ...
A scene from Paddington in Peru (PG)
Paddington and the Brown family go on a quest to find a missing, possibly treasure-hunting Aunt Lucy in the Amazonian ...
By Michael Witthaus [email protected] • Arena laughs: With an act that begins with an entrance riding a Vespa, Sebastian Maniscalco ...
River Sang Wild, Courtesy photo.
River Sang Wild plays a ski resort weekend By Michael Witthaus [email protected] A year ago River Sang Wild played an ...

Summer Day Camps — 02/27/2025

On the cover

10 Summer might not be here yet but the time for making plans for your kids this summer is definitely here. In this week’s cover story, we offer a collection of area day camps, from the traditional outdoors camp experience to camps with specialized themes, such as soccer or video production. Did we miss a camp? Let us know at [email protected].

Also on the cover: It is your last chance to vote in Hippo’s Best of 2025 readers’ poll! The poll is open until 11;59 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 28. Vote for the Best Fine Dining Restaurant, Best Venue for Live Music and other going out and having fun establishments. See hippopress.com.

Zachary Lewis talks to the owner of Pillar Gallery + Projects about their ocean-inspired exhibit “Currents.” See page 6.

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A graphic the shape of the state of New Hampshire, filled in with the New Hampshire flag made up of the crest of New Hampshire on a blue field.
Scam updates The United Way of Greater Nashua is offering a free scam alert newsletter called the “Scam Alert Email ...
A graphic the shape of the state of New Hampshire, filled in with the New Hampshire flag made up of the crest of New Hampshire on a blue field.
See ‘Currents’ at Pillar Fallon Rae is the co-founder and owner of Pillar Gallery + Projects (205 N. State St., ...
Photo of assorted sports equipment for football, soccer, tennis, golf, baseball, and basketball
The Big Story – NBA Hits the Stretch Run: With the All Star Game nonsense and Super Bowl out of ...
A graphic the shape of the state of New Hampshire, filled in with the New Hampshire flag made up of the crest of New Hampshire on a blue field.
A really big wedding Intown Concord will pay for the wedding of one couple who agree to get married in ...
Two musicians play a Saxaphone and guitar in a red-lit venue
Thursday, Feb. 27 Open extra days during school vacation, the Aviation Museum of N.H. (27 Navigator Road in Londonderry; aviationmuseumofnh.org) ...
View from low angle of little kids who are sitting on a bridge in the playground. The happy kids spend time together in the summer park
Compiled by Amy Diaz [email protected] There is no “too soon” when it comes to summer day camps. Some summer camps ...
The cast of Escape to Margaritaville. Courtesy photo.
Easygoing Escape to Margaritaville hits Palace By Michael Witthaus [email protected] New England spent most of February waking up to single-digit ...
A large collection of rusty old keys on a paper towel.
Hello, Donna, My question is, does anyone have a use for these old keys? My wife said I should ask ...
Family fun for whenever Dine with fairy tales • The Derryfield Country Club (625 Mammoth Road, Manchester, 669-0235, thederryfield.com) will ...
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News from the local food scene By John Fladd [email protected] • New coffee shop: Two Moons Coffee and Curiosities has ...
A man uses a freshly sharpened knife to cut through a piece of paper.
Chefs can stay sharp with proper knife care By John Fladd [email protected] The first thing Jim Renna wants you to ...
Greater Manchester Restaurant Week Header
Manchester Restaurant Week returns By John Fladd [email protected] The Second Annual Manchester Restaurant week will run Friday, Feb. 28, through ...
Sazerac. Photo by John Fladd.
Ice Absinthe to rinse the ice with (see below)½ ounce simple syrup 3 drops Peychaud’s bitters 1 dash Angostura bitters ...
Anika, Abyss (Sacred Bones Records) & The South Hill Experiment, Earthbreaks
Anika, Abyss (Sacred Bones Records) Since the assimilation of punk, New Wave, et al. by the corporate Matrix (it happens ...
Three Days in June, by Anne Tyler
Three Days in June, by Anne Tyler (Knopf, 166 pages) Anne Tyler is one of America’s most beloved writers, especially ...
Conclave, the movie.
My annual cheerleading for the Oscars By Amy Diaz [email protected] Go, Oscars! Yay, the movies! Huzzah for a beloved form ...
By Michael Witthaus [email protected] •• Welcome back: The show never ends as Carl Palmer hosts An Evening With Emerson, Lake ...
Orleans, Courtesy photo.
Orleans comes to Concord By Michael Witthaus [email protected] Orleans’ story is one of hurdles faced and cleared, including one so ...

Mind & Body — 02/20/2025

On the cover

10 Karate lessons (and other forms of martial arts) aren’t just for kids. John Fladd looks at picking up martial arts at any age and what the benefits might be. Photo at right and on the cover: Lenny Demers of Kenpo Academy of Self Defense in Londonderry (courtesy photo).

Also on the cover

Vote now! It’s time to make your voice heard on the spot that serves the best steak dinner, serves the hottest manicures and serves serious fashion lewks. Voting in Hippo’s Best of 2025 readers’ poll is happening now, get your picks in at hippopress.com.

Michael Witthaus talks to Shawn Barker about his show “The Man in Black: A Tribute to Johnny Cash” coming to Nashua Center for the Arts on Sunday, Feb. 23. See the story on page 26.

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A graphic the shape of the state of New Hampshire, filled in with the New Hampshire flag made up of the crest of New Hampshire on a blue field.
Landfill moratorium During her Feb. 13 budget address, Gov. Kelly Ayotte announced “a landfill moratorium and a revamped regulatory process ...
A graphic the shape of the state of New Hampshire, filled in with the New Hampshire flag made up of the crest of New Hampshire on a blue field.
New Hampshire Housing helps Granite Staters find their home New Hampshire Housing was established by statute in 1981 and is, ...
Photo of assorted sports equipment for football, soccer, tennis, golf, baseball, and basketball
The Big Story – Alex Bregman: There is an old adage that says it’s not how much you spend, it’s ...
A graphic the shape of the state of New Hampshire, filled in with the New Hampshire flag made up of the crest of New Hampshire on a blue field.
Headed for the Big Show Venomous snake on Aisle Four As reported by WMUR in a Feb.16 online article, an ...
Two musicians play a Saxaphone and guitar in a red-lit venue
Thursday, Feb. 20 The Nashua Center for the Arts (201 Main St., Nashua, 800-657-8774, nashuacenterforthearts.com) will host Less is More: ...
Jim Sears, Stephanie Lazenby, Michelle Levine, and Matt Recine. Courtesy photo.
Faithless is a fast-paced look at modern religion By Michael Witthaus [email protected] A play with humor, intelligence, drama and the ...
The latest from NH’s theater, arts and literary communities • Art Off the Walls: The Currier Museum of Art (150 ...
A metal pin of a swan. Courtesy photo.
Dear Donna, I recently picked this up and fell in love with it. There is no information on it or ...
Lenny Demers poses in a long fighting stance with a wooden staff in his studio.
Events and spots for a night out with longtime sweethearts, first dates and friends! By John Fladd [email protected] Lenny Demers ...
A cardboard box containing many small pots of young daffodils.
It’s flower time By Henry Homeyer [email protected] Here in Cornish Flat, this seems like an old-fashioned winter. Temperatures have been ...
Family fun for whenever Ski days Area ski hills are offering special events and camps during New Hampshire’s February vacation ...
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News from the local food scene By John Fladd [email protected] • New coffee shop: Two Moons Coffee and Curiosities has ...
Dawn Aurora Hunt. Courtesy photo.
Culinary cards get you thinking about your day and your meals By John Fladd [email protected] There are any number of ...
PowerThirst owner Sean Wren. Photo by John Fladd.
New shop offers beverages with purpose By John Fladd [email protected] Sean and Gina Wren picked a challenging location for a ...
Amanda Spooner. Photo by John Fladd.
Chef at Honey Cup Tea Room in Manchester. Spooner is also a caterer and personal trainer. “I was raised in ...
Chocolate Mint Crinkle Cookies. Photo by John Fladd.
By John Fladd [email protected] A brief lesson in food science There is a trick that some bartenders use called “fat ...
Sanhedrin, Heat Lightning (Metal Blade Records) & Mark Pritchard & Thom Yorke, “Back In The Game,” Warp Records
Sanhedrin, Heat Lightning (Metal Blade Records) I haven’t checked in with the Metal Blade Records stable in quite a while ...
Mood Machine, by Liz Pelly
Mood Machine, by Liz Pelly (Atria, 241 pages) Spotify is in the news this month, having recently reported that 2024 ...
A scene from the movie, Nickel Boys
A Complete Unknown (R) A Black teen with a promising future is derailed when he’s sent to a Florida reform ...
Shawn Barker. Courtesy photo.
The Man In Black is a convincing Cash By Michael Witthaus [email protected] Shawn Barker walked into auditions for the rock ...
By Michael Witthaus [email protected] • Family affair: With their reputation as Canada’s first couple of music set, Natalie MacMaster and ...

86 Dates — 02/13/2025

On the cover

10 Whether you’re planning a date with your sweetie for Valentine’s Day (which is, like, now — Friday, Feb. 14), an outing with a buddy or a get-to-know-you activity with someone new, we’ve got some ideas (86 of them) for places and happenings that can offer you new experiences, fun activities for two or even a little adventure.

Also on the cover

Have you voted? Vote now for best ice cream, best spa and best bookstore! Voting is open in Hippo’s Best of 2025 readers poll now through Feb. 28. See hippopress.com.

In this week’s food section, John Fladd finds out about the new Manchester eatery, Rock n Roll Meatballs (see page 20).

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A graphic the shape of the state of New Hampshire, filled in with the New Hampshire flag made up of the crest of New Hampshire on a blue field.
Fritz retires Fritz Wetherbee, broadcaster and longtime teller of stories from New Hampshire history on WMUR-TV’s New Hampshire Chronicle, has ...
Photo of assorted sports equipment for football, soccer, tennis, golf, baseball, and basketball
The Big Story – Super Bowl: The Kansas City Chiefs’ effort to chip away at the Patriots dynasty took a ...
A graphic the shape of the state of New Hampshire, filled in with the New Hampshire flag made up of the crest of New Hampshire on a blue field.
Headed for the Big Show Brigid the Terrier has been tapped to compete at the most prestigious dog show in ...
A theater actor dressed in Greek garb holding up an apple.
Thursday, Feb. 13 Learn how to hand-sew a small notepad in the traditional Japanese Stab Binding style and personalize it ...
People dancing bachata on the dance floor
Events and spots for a night out with longtime sweethearts, first dates and friends! Compiled by Amy [email protected] Planning a ...
one man and two women, dressed in costume, posing as characters in play
Lend Me A Tenor playwright’s latest hits Concord The old adage “Be careful what you wish for” guides The Gods ...
Family fun for whenever New stuff • Check out two new exhibits at the Children’s Museum of New Hampshire (6 ...
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News from the local food scene • Chocolate and raspberries: The martini-and-cupcake pairing at Copper Door (15 Leavy Drive, Bedford, ...
small carved relief of the Virgin Mary and baby Jesus, made of clay, encased in black round frame under glass
Hello, Donna, Have enjoyed your column for years in the Hippo. The photos will show a carving of some type ...
A plate of Swedish meatballs, sitting in a pool of gravy surrounded by mashed potatoes
Elm Street eatery offers Swedish, red sauce, ‘Thanksgiving’ and other variations By John Fladd [email protected] Even after 28 years in ...
Shanta Lee. Courtesy photo.
Project looks at relationships to what we eat By John Fladd [email protected] Shanta Lee knows that you have a fascinating ...
Trinidad Sour. Photo by John Fladd.
Trinidad Sour It’s easy to fall into a rut. Ruts are comforting. They provide predictability and structure in a chaotic ...
EST Gee, I Ain’t Feeling You (Bonus Edition) (Interscope Records) & Friko, Where We’ve Been, Where We Go from Here (ATO Records)
EST Gee, I Ain’t Feeling You (Bonus Edition) (Interscope Records) This 30-year-old Louisville, Kentucky-born rapper lost a good number of ...
The Heart of Winter, by Jonathan Evison (Dutton, 368 pages)
The Heart of Winter, by Jonathan Evison (Dutton, 368 pages) A 70-year marriage is unfathomable to most. After all, approximately ...
By Michael Witthaus [email protected] • Shake it: A group of Boston area musicians with a love for funk, Booty Vortex ...
September 5
The ABC Sports crew covers a terrorist attack at the 1972 Olympics in West Germany in September 5, a swift, ...
Guy Davis. Courtesy photo.
Guy Davis returns to Flying Goose By Michael Witthaus [email protected] History through song and storytelling imbues the performance of Guy ...

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