Cook for your Valentine— 02/08/24

10Maybe you want to woo your sweetheart with a big romantic gesture. Maybe you want to cover for the fact that you forgot about Valentine’s Day (Wednesday, Feb. 14). Whatever your reasons for wanting to construct a delicious meal for two, John Fladd walks you through it. And, if that sounds too much, go straight to his recipe for a decadent, chocolatey but surprisingly easy dessert. Or how about a romantic cocktail?

Also on the cover Vote now in Hippo’s Best of 2024 readers poll! Go to hippopress.com to vote for best ice cream, best margaritas and best doughnuts! See page 31 for details.

And in the food section: On Friday, Feb. 9, the Amherst Lions Club holds its annual chili competition and ice cream social (page 27). And next Tuesday, Feb. 13, is Mardi Gras, the annual celebration that calls for a King Cake (page 28).

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.
Poetry competition Due to its growing popularity, the New Hampshire Poetry Out Loud competition will hold four semi-finals this month, ...
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A talk with the new director of the NH State Council on the Arts Adele Bauman, who recently transitioned from ...
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The Big Story – The Tom Brady Super Bowl: Even though the great man is retired, Sunday’s Big Game between ...
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Child care aid The New Hampshire Department of Health of Human Services (DHHS) has launched “Child Care Accelerate,” an 8-week ...
Man smiling and looking very energetic at the camera.
Thursday, Feb. 8 Dancing Queens, the Ultimate ABBA Disco Tribute, begins its final weekend run tonight, with a show at ...
Man cooking, dusting flour off his hands.
How to impress with fancy eats, cozy eats and a decadent dessert Generally speaking, as a grownup on Valentine’s Day, ...
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Mosaic Art Collective takes on Valentine’s Day In its latest month-long themed exhibition, Mosaic Art Collective in Manchester turns to ...
The latest from NH’s theater, arts and literary communities • Own an original Tomie dePaola: The Currier Museum of Art ...
Big leafy green pan with shovel at the base of it.
It’s like an artichoke, but with more food per plant Most years I start some onion seeds and perhaps a ...
Family fun for whenever Family shows • Local family entertainer Mr. Aaron throws a Valentine’s Day Party Saturday, Feb. 10, ...
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Hello, Donna. This quilt was given to my husband and me when we were married. It was a family piece ...
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Beekeeper Alexiev Gavriluk is a beekeeper and owner of Mad Russian Apothecary in Derry. Explain your job and what it ...
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News from the local food scene Valentine’s Day is Wednesday, Feb. 14, and if you haven’t made those dinner reservations ...
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NOFA winter conference fosters community The Northeast Organic Farming Association of New Hampshire (NOFA-NH) will host its 22nd annual Winter ...
Teenage girl and her grandmother both dressed in a red apron and chefs hat serving chili
Try Amherst’s best at the Lions Club cookoff Warm up on a chilly Friday night at Fire & Ice, the ...
Big circular cake with yellow, purple, and green sprinkles for Mardi Gras
Special dessert sweetens pre-Lent festivities They don’t call it Fat Tuesday for nothing. Celebrated around the globe with exuberant parades, ...
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Ekkstacy, Ekkstacy (United Masters Records) This Vancouver, British Columbia-based singer is a mildly odd bird, extracting inspiration from a wide ...
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How far will you read into a book if you don’t like the protagonist? With her first novel directed toward ...
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A successful writer of spy novels finds herself hunted by real-life spies in Argylle, an action romantic comedy thing that ...
Orion and the Dark (TV-Y7) Voices of Paul Walter Hauser, Jacob Tremblay. Based on the book of the same name ...
Local music news & events Cowgirl jazz: Come for a light supper as the weekend approaches and enjoy Hot Skillet ...
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Guitar-forward Winter Blues Fest To celebrate an area band’s new recording contract, the 14th New England Winter Blues Festival has ...

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Roller Revival — 02/01/24

Remember the roller rink? In this week’s cover story we talk to the folks at Remix Roller Skating and Event Center in Manchester about their new approach to this beloved classic activity. And we get tips from an expert on how to pick skates of your own.

Also on the cover Voting begins Thursday, Feb. 1, in our readers poll, Hippo’s Best of 2024. Best pizza! Best ice cream! Best burgers! Other things that don’t have to do with food! Fun questions! Go to hippopress.com to vote now! See page 23 for details.

In this week’s food section we look at a few wine events: LaBelle Winery has some wine and chocolate classes in February (page 20) and Wine on Main in Concord has classes for those who might want to make vino their vocation (page 21).

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New drug to reverse opioid overdoses The New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) has announced the availability ...
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The Big Story – Super Bowl-Bound: After a Sunday filled with great performances and bizarre plays we’ve got our Super ...
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Democracy and stickers! Voters in last week’s presidential primaries were able to score some pretty great “I voted” stickers. Three ...
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Thursday, Feb. 1 Do you remember Ned Ryerson? Test your knowledge of 1993’s Groundhog Day tonight at 7:30 p.m. at ...
Colorful indoor skating rink with the work "remix" painted on the wall in bright colors.
A look at a new roller risk and advice on picking your perfect skates A New spin Remix Roller Rink ...
The latest from NH’s theater, arts and literary communities • Youth ensemble: Manchester Community Music School (2291 Elm St. in ...
Family fun for whenever Fun for the whole family • Recycled Percussion will bring their big loud high-energy show to ...
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Event Planner Melissa DeRusha is an event planner and owner of Star Events, based in Hudson. Explain your job and ...
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Hello, Donna. Found this at a thrift store in Manchester. I actually thought how fun would it be to use ...
Table with four wine glasses filled with various wines paired with chocolates in front of each glass
Classes create pairings for dinner and dessert Other than red roses, nothing says “valentine” more than chocolate and wine, and ...
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Learn about wine for fun or profit Wine on Main is not only a cozy storefront where shoppers can acquire ...
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News from the local food scene • Cookies and candy: Chunky’s Cinema Pubs (707 Huse Road, Manchester; 151 Coliseum Ave., ...
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Corn Chowder It’s been a week. You don’t even have the brain cells to describe what kind of week it’s ...
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Diane Coll, Old Ghosts (self-released) This Chicago-based singer-songwriter puts a decent-enough foot forward with this album, but the cascading verisimilitude ...
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The first short story in Jill McCorkle’s new collection, Old Crimes, is set in New Hampshire, but it’s not a ...
A man looking into the distance who is half man, half machine
A look at some of the films on the nomination list First and foremost, Oscar nominations are a list of ...
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A writer creates a drunken joke that wins wide acclaim in American Fiction. Fun note: that’s also kind of the ...
Local music news & events Get together: For anyone itching to play an original song for a sympathetic crowd, Acoustic ...
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Rex triple bill spotlights New Hampshire talent A showcase of singer-songwriters coming up at Manchester’s Rex Theatre will depart from ...

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Warm up with cool tunes — 01/25/24

Surprise, winter is a hot season for music! Michael Witthaus, Hippo’s music writer and local music expert, takes a look at the many music series filling schedules this season.

Also on the cover We are, issue-date-wise, a mere week away from the beginning of voting in the Best of 2024. Head to hippopress.com at 12:01 a.m. on Thursday, Feb. 1, to support your favorite places to eat, beautify, hang out and more. See page 5 for details.

And head to page 14 for another annual tradition, Hippo’s Wedding Section. Are you headed down the aisle (or headed toward heading down the aisle)? Here are some things to think about.

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Pandemic Response House Speaker Sherman Packard (R-Londonderry) has announced the formation of the Special Committee on Covid Response Efficacy, a ...
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The Big Story – NFL Championship Weekend: The Sunday when the NFC and AFC championships are played is the best ...
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We’re #1! In a comprehensive report by Retirement Living, New Hampshire has been ranked the best state for retirement in ...
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‘The key is to get involved,’ says Central High student Can you describe your roles and activities at Central High ...
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Big Events January 25 and Beyond Thursday, Jan. 25 Drum Tao, a show with costumes and staging highlighting Japanese Taiko ...
Woman in black romper and silver cowboy boots leaning back and striking a cool pose.
A look at the Winter Music Series heating up the local scene With sunny gazebo concerts hovering between distant memory ...
Newlyweds kissing under a flowing veil.
Hiring a Professional There's a lot more to nuptials than saying "I do." In fact, there are so many moving ...
Three women cover band of ABBA dressed in disco fashion.
Dancing Queens salutes ABBA-and more There are a few things to know before heading out to see the Palace Theatre’s ...
The latest from NH’s theater, arts and literary communities • Classical by candlelight: Candlelight Concerts, thea presentation of classical and ...
Man making an ice sculpture using a chainsaw
Puppies prepared, pond hockey postponed Not all the festival fun has to be reserved for summer. Ice sculptures, curling, telescope ...
Family fun for whenever Kids watching kids on stage • So fetch! The Palace Youth Theatre, featuring performers in grades ...
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Dear Donna, I have three of these toys, all metal and marked Tootsietoy on the bottom. This one is in ...
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Party Rental Operator Michael J. White owns Studios2go, a unique mobile party rental company based in Rochester. Explain your job ...
It was always special for Ryan Lewis, general manager at Napoletana Pizzeria & Bar, when his family would go out ...
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News from the local food scene • Wine season: If you’re used to pairing January with a wine tasting, Wentworth ...
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If you listen to Irish Coffee Enthusiasts, you will be taken aback by how complicated the process for making one ...
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High school nonprofit hosts event with eateries If you like to eat, then Taste of Bedford is where you and ...
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When Gotham Chopra was growing up near Boston, it was expected that he would follow the path of his famous ...
album covers
Oneohtrix Point Never, Again (Warp Records) Recently I had a sudden burst of people messaging me on Facebook, writing hundreds ...
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Joaquin Phoenix has some fun with the hat in the Ridley Scott-directed biopic Napoleon. It’s not a practical hat, that ...
Local music news & events Rising sounds: Celebrating its 30th anniversary last year, taiko drum group Drum Tao continues a ...
Lead singer, singing back to back with her female lead guitarist.
Lez Zeppelin plays Manchester With eyes closed, it’s hard to distinguish Lez Zeppelin from the act they’re honoring. Throbbing rhythm, ...

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Browse for Adventure — 01/18/24

Do you agree that there is no such thing as “too many books”? This is your story. We take a look at four area book stores and talk to the staff members about trends in reading, trends in shopping and what makes a physical book store special. We also get some recommendations from these professional book folks for some new reads and point you toward a few book groups if you want to meet some new people to talk books with. Know of any book events, clubs or more not mentioned here? Let us know at adiaz@hippopress.com.

Also on the cover It ain’t just award season in Hollywood. Voting for Hippo’s Best of 2024 starts soon — Thursday, Feb. 1, at 12:01 a.m. See page 6 for the details. Also, Mya Blanchard talks to Barbara George, who you may remember from her contributions to our recent cookie swap story, about her business Auntie B’s Greek Pastries.

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Fire safety The New Hampshire State Fire Marshal’s Office is commemorating Community Risk Reduction (CRR) Week from Jan. 15 to ...
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Andrew Pinard discusses the future of Hatbox Theatre The transformation of Steeplegate Mall in Concord into a mixed-use development necessitates ...
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The Big Story: After 24 years of mostly excellence Bill Belichick is out as head coach of the Patriots, something ...
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Food Bank funds The New Hampshire Liquor Commission (NHLC) raised a record $180,000 for the New Hampshire Food Bank at ...
Colorful fishing lures in an old tackle box.
Big Events January 18 and Beyond Friday, Jan. 19 It’s opening night for Dancing Queens, billed as the Ultimate ABBA ...
freestanding wall of book shelves in bookstore, curving into an aisle, looking down row between free standing bookshelves
In Praise of the brick and mortar Bookstore plus recommendations for new reads and book clubs to join There’s nothing ...
woman and man standing behind podium , on darkened stage, orchestra behind them, screen with words NH Theatre Awards
New Hampshire Theatre Awards return to the scene Returning after a Covid-induced hiatus are the New Hampshire Theatre Awards on ...
The latest from NH’s theater, arts and literary communities • OG Oscar winner: Here in the thick of the Oscar ...
patch of small flowering plants outside with purple flowers on tall stems
As we begin 2024 I think it is good not only to look back but also to plan ahead. We ...
Family fun for whenever Movie afternoon • See Happy Feet (PG, 2006) on Friday, Jan. 19, at 3:45 p.m. at ...
open ledger book on wooden table
Dear Donna, Can you help figure out what this register is from? It says W.C.F.I. on the side. Inside it’s ...
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Roofing and gutter specialists Andrew Williamson and Larry Williamson own North East Roof Tune-Ups, a roof and gutter maintenance company ...
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News from the local food scene • See vineyard, taste wine: Experience the Fire Tower Winter Wonderland Wine Tasting Experience ...
curly haired middle aged woman sitting behind table displaying greek pastry on plates and some wrapped for sale, holding mug, smiling
Manchester native opens homestead business to honor her mother and yia yia On Nov. 11, 2023, Barbara George made her ...
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Clinical herbalist Lior Sadeh has been growing herbs and making products for 12 years. Having closed the physical location of ...
round cake with hole in the middle, covered in icing, decorated with yellow, green and purple sprinkles, one piece cut out and set on plate beside
This is not an authentic Mardi Gras King Cake. An actual New Orleanian would sneer at this hard enough to ...
album covers
Friko, Where We’ve Been, Where We Go From Here (ATO Records) A hard one to classify, this Chicago indie band’s ...
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Don’t Die, by Bryan Johnson (Kindle and self-published paperback, 247 pages) A few months ago, Time magazine profiled Bryan Johnson ...
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Fetch becomes retro cool in Mean Girls, a Tina Fey-penned feature film musical adaptation of the stage musical comedy based ...
Local music news & events • Blues man: While growing up, Guy Davis said the only cotton he picked was ...
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Bobby Rush’s lifetime of the blues Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour covered less than two decades of music. For Bobby Rush ...

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Make it a game night — 01/11/24

Weekly trivia nights abound at area restaurants, breweries and even a movie theater. We talked to two experts about how to put together a team and how the games are crafted and we give you a listing of some of the spots to find trivia.

Also on the cover Check out the extra helping of art and theater events in the Art section on page 14. Mya Blanchard talks to the woman behind Table in Concord (page 22). Michael Witthaus talks to Eric Gibson of the bluegrass band The Gibson Brothers.

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.
NH vs. DNC On Jan. 8, the New Hampshire Attorney General, John M. Formella, issued a cease-and-desist order to the ...
Photo of assorted sports equipment for football, soccer, tennis, golf, baseball, and basketball
The Big Story – Bill Belichick’s Future: After the season ended, what happens to Bill Belichick was the raging local ...
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Big Events January 11 and Beyond Saturday, Jan. 13 Enjoy the music of The Beatles, the Rolling Stones, The Animals, ...
Butterfly in the sky The New Hampshire Audubon’s 2023 monarch butterfly tagging initiative has yielded promising insights, with a notable ...
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Find fun and competition at area trivia events Looking for an activity with your friends or a way to make ...
The latest from NH’s theater, arts and literary communities • At the Currier: It’s the final days to view “Sanaa ...
Family fun for whenever Storytime at the museum Local author Marti Fuerst is scheduled to visit the Children’s Museum of ...
old wooden classroom style desk with attached wooden chair
Hi, Donna, I have two old school desks I acquired several years ago from a small New Hampshire elementary school ...
headshot of smiling black woman wearing long earrings and off shoulder tunic
Braider/loctician Nora Rwatangabo is a braider/loctician and owner of Nora’s Locs Haven in Nashua. Explain your job and what it ...
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News from the local food scene • Cookie decorating: Decorate winter-themed cookies at Station 101 (193 Union Square, Milford) on ...
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Farmers market vendor opens shop selling meals and baked goods While opening her own bakery wasn’t her original career plan, ...
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When Cara Karpinski moved to New Hampshire in 2020, she discovered that her new job was no longer being offered ...
tossed salad in big wooden bowl on counter filled with ingredients
On Jan. 10, 1992, the Greek container ship Ever Laurel ran into rough weather in the North Pacific, a couple ...
album covers
Nigel J. Anderson, Material Science (Redwave Recordings) I literally had to weed through a few dozen emails from public relations ...
book cover for Familia by Lauren E. Rico
Familia, by Lauren E. Rico (Kensington, 368 pages) I started reading Familia in a hotel room while waiting for my ...
still from Anatomy of a Fall showing a man and a woman facing away from each other, snowy mountains behind them
A man dies after a fall at his home and his wife becomes the prime suspect for his murder in ...
Local music news & events • Crooner cuisine: Enjoy supper and song as Steve Blackwood performs with his trio. The ...
2 middle aged men wearing button up shirts and jackets, holding guitars, standing in front of wooden wall with peeling paint
Gibson Brothers bring Darkest Hour tour to Rex If great musicians wanting to get in the studio with a performer ...

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63 reasons to get excited about January — 01/04/24

After the vacation days and cookies and cocktails and general merriment of December, January with its bills and resolutions and frequent grayness can feel like a letdown. But there ARE reasons to get excited about January — and in this week’s cover story, we present 63 of them. Local sports, concerts, theater, Concord’s WinterFest and a fair amount of wine events — January has a lot going on.

Also on the cover In this week’s Nite section, Michael Witthaus talks to electric violinist Mia Asano and bagpiper Ally Crowley-Duncan, who will play the Tupelo in Derry on Jan. 6 (29). Mya Blanchard finds out about the new takeout market in Nashua, Live Free and Dine (page 22). And Angie Sykeny gets the information on how to volunteer to work at the polls for the presidential primary (page 6).

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.
Storm clean-up In the aftermath of a massive storm system on Dec. 18, 2023, which brought heavy rainfall and strong ...
Photo of assorted sports equipment for football, soccer, tennis, golf, baseball, and basketball
The Big Story – Ahead in 2024: The new year has arrived, so it’s time to look ahead for things ...
White sign that reads "Vote Here" with a red arrow pointing to the right
Manchester holds training for primary poll workers If you’re interested in working or volunteering at the polls for the Jan ...
Woman sitting with arms wrapped around acoustic guitar
Big Events January 4 and Beyond Thursday, Jan. 4 It’s the final weekend for the LaBelle Lights outdoor walkthrough path ...
Scam alert Eversource is issuing a cautionary notice to its customers about a surge in scam activities. Scammers are using ...
Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse holding hands while ice skating
Find a new wine and more fun for the first month of 2024 Holidays and vacations over, weather uncertain and ...
photo of long tables set up to face inward in square, colorful abstract paintings on small sheets of paper, some cut into shapes on top of tables
Teen wellness program at Currier Museum of Art aims to create connections through art On Monday, Jan. 22, the Currier ...
Family fun for whenever STEM fun • The Children’s Museum of New Hampshire (6 Washington St. in Dover; childrens-museum.org, 742-2002) ...
Small,stout butcher block island
Dear Donna, We have this very heavy block island. I am wondering what its value would be. We’re downsizing and ...
Woman smiling swearing indigo sweater and matching blouse.
Museum communications director Neva Cole is the communications director for the Children’s Museum of New Hampshire in Dover. Explain your ...
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News from the local food scene • Paint night at Spyglass Brewing: Paint a 16x20-inch canvas while enjoying a free ...
woman wearing apron standing in store filled with baked goods talking with another woman, cozy scene at dusk
Gourmet takeout market and culinary school opens in Nashua On Wednesday, Dec. 20, Hollis resident Karen Calabro opened the doors ...
woman sitting behind table filled with baked goods in dark restaurant
A self-taught baker and a caretaker by nature, Chelsea Annett has a love for baking and cooking that sprouted when ...
tossed salad in big wooden bowl on counter filled with ingredients
I have to admit there have been a lot of cookies over the past month or so. And cake and ...
Left album cover: Woman with bright red hair wearing a candy cane dress having a tea party. Right album cover: Man wearing a olive wreath crown and a black rob with his hand raised while walking on the moors.
Save Ferris, “Xmas Blue” (self-released) This one came in too late to be included in the pre-HannuChistmaKwanzaa column. This teaser ...
Illustration of pig sitting at a desk with sunglasses on typing on a typewriter.
Everywhere an Oink Oink, by David Mamet (Simon & Schuster, 225 pages) The philosopher Arthur Schopenhauer famously described talent as ...
Family of birds about to eat a batch of red berries
A scaredy duck overcomes his fears of the unknown to take his family on an adventure in Migration, a totally ...
Local music news & events • Spindizzy: A biweekly EDM version of open mic night has Vermont DJ Montel Tucker ...
2 young woman wearing plaid skirts, one holding bagpipes and one holding violin and bow, in front of white backdrop
Mia x Ally take viral act on tour The curious lockdown revival of a 600-year-old folk tradition was the catalyst ...

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Year in Review 2023 — 12/28/23

In this week’s issue, we consider the year that was with a discussion about the economy in New Hampshire (page 6), a look at the art scene (page 12), a taste of the food scene (page 20) and a look at the local music scene (page 32) as well as some of the year’s best picks in books (page 26) and movies (page 28). And along the way we take a peek at some events coming up in 2024.

Also on the cover Mya Blanchard looks at a new year of cooking classes at the Culinary Playground (page 21). Find live music before, on and after New Year’s Eve in the Music This Week (page 34). And Michael Witthaus talks to Taylor Goldsmith of the band Dawes (page 30), which is playing a pre-New Year’s Eve show.

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.
Storm clean-up In the aftermath of a massive storm system on Dec. 18, 2023, which brought heavy rainfall and strong ...
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A snapshot of New Hampshire’s economic climate Mike Skelton, President and CEO of the Business & Industry Association of New ...
Photo of assorted sports equipment for football, soccer, tennis, golf, baseball, and basketball
The Big Story – As the year closes, it’s time to look at the biggest stories of 2023 and to ...
Four person band holding their instruments
Big Events December 28, 2023 and Beyond Thursday, Dec. 28 Recycled Percussion begins its multi-show run today at the Palace ...
Holiday window display with toys inside
Toys! The 12th Annual Tower of Toys initiative in Manchester marked another successful year by collecting approximately 1,100 gifts and ...
teen actors rehearsing in large room, wearing pink shirts with words Mean Girls
Experts talk about their 2023 achievements From musicals, festivals, murals and new exhibitions, 2023 was an eventful year for the ...
The latest from NH’s theater, arts and literary communities Brass to the Max Symphony NH will team up with the ...
Family fun for whenever Everybody entertainment • Catch the family-friendly magician Ben Pratt, whose show is described as “high energy ...
vintage 45 albums laid out on wooden floor
Dear Donna, Found these 45 records and about 100 more. I think some were my parents’ and mine too. Can ...
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Director of Rehabilitation, Fitness andOccupational Health Services Kristen Glennon is the Director of Rehabilitation, Fitness and Occupational Health Services for ...
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News from the local food scene • Futuristic new year: 815 Cocktails and Provisions hosts a futuristic, sci-fi themed New ...
woman wearing glasses standing in front of wall with photos, holding up large plate piled with cookies
A look back at the dishes of 2023 We asked some local food experts to talk about their year in ...
young children gathered around table in cooking lesson, rolling vegetables into strips of dough
The Culinary Playground offers new cooking classes Looking to eat healthier, save money by eating out less, or just pick ...
tall cocktail glass with stem, on table under lamp
New Year’s Eve is supposed to be a romantic holiday. In my experience, it’s a little over-hyped. The best New ...
album covers
Morbid Saint, Swallowed By Hell (HR Records) Still a lot of metal in the pipeline, folks, so let’s look at ...
book cover for Class by Stephanie Land
Class, by Stephanie Land (Atria, 272 pages) Stephanie Land’s dream of becoming a writer came through in a big way ...
assortment of book covers
Books that earned “A”s from Hippo reviewers in 2023 Fiction Life on Delay, by John Hendrickson Hendrickson writes movingly of ...
Ryan Gosling as Ken wearing sunglasses, a headband and a fur coat in Barbie
Considering the many facets of the cinematic landscape in 2023 Barbie is my favorite movie of 2023. Why pretend otherwise? ...
Local music news & events • Alchemistic: Randy Roos leads the free jazz Hall of Mirrors for an early evening ...
Man with scruff playing an acoustic guitar
Dawes returns to New Hampshire By Michael Witthaus mwitthaus@hippopress.com When Dawes steps on the Music Hall stage Dec.30, it will ...
Three women with matching outfits sitting on a couch surrounded by greenery
Looking back on 2023 By Michael Witthaus mwitthaus@hippopress.com 2023 was an eventful year for the state’s music and comedy scene ...

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The Great NH Cookie Swap — 12/21/23

In this week’s cover story, we hold a cookie swap — asking a variety of people to share a cookie recipe and a little about what makes it special. We have 48 cookies (including cookie-ish items like bars and drops) for your baking and eating pleasure.

Also on the cover I know, I know, we’re not even to Festivus (Dec. 23) and we’re already talking about New Year’s Eve, which this year falls on a Sunday. Get to making those plans and those RSVPs for a special meal (page 28) or a night of music (page 36). Of course you don’t have to wait to Dec. 31 to enjoy some live music or a comedy show — check out the Music This Week listing of music at area restaurants (page 38), find laughs in the Comedy This Week (page 41) and check out upcoming ticketed Concerts (page 42). And puzzles — sure, we always have puzzles but it felt like a good reminder that if you need a quiet moment to yourself, we offer two crosswords, three sudokus and more, starting on page 43.

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.
College for first responders The New Hampshire Department of Safety has launched a new First Responder program in collaboration with ...
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Small business owners take their issue to D.C. In response to the Basel III Endgame regulation, which could escalate capital ...
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The Big Story – Xmas Arrives: With the holiday season a time of joy, the focus for the big story ...
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Ski NH New Hampshire has been ranked as the sixth-best state for skiing vacations in the U.S., with a score ...
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Big Events December 21, 2023 and beyond Thursday, Dec. 21 The LaBelle Lights outdoor walkthrough path of holiday light displays ...
stack of chocolate chip cookies on wooden table
Dozens of cookies to share and enjoy­ Cookies are the best. They are a great dessert, a great snack, a ...
painted color blocks in four square
New class at Currier Museum of Art looks at behavior of color Registration is now open for Design & Color ...
Family fun for whenever Visit the museum Entertain restless kids and visiting relatives at area museums. • The Aviation Museum ...
chain link bracelet with small metal charms shaped as Wizard of Oz characters
Dear Donna, Do you have any knowledge of this kind of bracelet? It’s the characters from the movie The Wizard ...
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News from the local food scene • Doughnut and wine pairing: One of Wine on Main’s (9 N. Main St., ...
Homemade Thanksgiving Turkey Plate with Cranberry Stuffing Potatoes and Beans
Ring in the new year with dinner, parties, Champagne and more New Year’s Eve reservations fill up fast, so make ...
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It was 1950. The war was over, the economy was booming New suburbs were springing up all over the country, ...
album covers
Dollyrots, “Auld Lang Syne” (Wicked Cool Records) I absolutely hate New Year’s Eve. It’s the last celebratory moment before everything ...
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Eat, Poop, Die, by Joe Roman (Little, Brown Spark, 253 pages) One of the most fascinating and underrated places on ...
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A look at new family films Need to entertain an all-ages crowd? There are several new streaming movies geared at ...
Local music news & events • Hometown bash: The Concord scene celebrates the holiday as Lucas Gallo & the Guise ...
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Music, comedy and more for New Year’s Eve Here are a few of the parties planned for Sunday, Dec. 31 ...
frontpage of Hippo showing pile of chocolate chip cookies with words The Great NH Cookie Swap.
View entire selection throughout the years here ...

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Welcome to ski season — 12/14/23

In this week’s cover story, we take a look at the ski season via an interview with officials at McIntyre Ski Area, which held its opening day of the season on Saturday, Dec. 9. We also list a few places where you can hit the slopes this season and explain the science of man-made snow.

Also on the cover Bedford Village Inn celebrates the season with the Feast of the Seven Fishes (page 26). Restaurants that will be open on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day (page 27). Naturally 7 plays Derry on Sunday (page 36), and find other concerts (page 42) this weekend.

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.
Higher ed Gov. Chris Sununu has established a Public Higher Education Task Force, as outlined in Executive Order 2023-06, to ...
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The Big Story – A Weird Local Week: No story dominated. The Red Sox actually got worse at the winter ...
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Big Events December 14, 2023 and beyond Thursday, Dec. 14 The Palace Theatre’s (80 Hanover St., Manchester; palacetheatre.org, 668-5588) production ...
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Welcome, winter enthusiasts! New Hampshire has been recognized as the fourth-best state for a winter trip in the U.S., achieving ...
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Art 3 Gallery in Manchester explores the power of art with current exhibit Art 3 Gallery’s final exhibition of 2023, ...
The latest from NH’s theater, arts and literary communities Last weekend of Hatbox’s A Christmas Carol Charles Dickens’ A Christmas ...
Family fun for whenever It’s a party! • Catch Mr. Aaron Holiday Party on Saturday, Dec. 16, at 11 a.m ...
pile of decorative mini umbrellas in assorted colors
Dear Donna, What can you tell me about these tiny drink umbrellas? They have tags on them that say ‘Made ...
children dressed up in snow pants and coats, standing in a line on ski slope with skis on snowy day
What to expect on the slopes this winter As the crisp winter air settles in and the first snowflakes begin ...
woman wearing open sweater at sunset on fall day, standing near small pine tree, woods behind
Landscape designer Georgia Brust is a landscape designer with her own company, The Floral Hound, based in Salem. Explain your ...
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News from the local food scene • New Thai eatery in Plaistow: After construction-related delays in the summer, the family-owned ...
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Bedford Village Inn hosts Feast of the Seven Fishes The halls are decked at Bedford Village Inn with garlands, decor ...
Thanksgiving turkey dinner with mashed potatoes and gravy, stuffing, and homemade cranberry sauce.
Where to eat on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day Looking for someone else to cook a special holiday meal? Here ...
woman wearing apron, standing at end of buffet table filled with artfully displayed food
Born and raised in New Hampshire, Tracy Fitts has had experience in the restaurant industry since she was 13 years ...
cocktail with ice in short glass sitting on plate on table
It’s a pretty good party. There is good jazz playing in the background — Louis Armstrong, and Tony Bennet, and ...
album covers
Asha Jefferies, Ego Ride (Nettwerk Records) Debut album from this Australian pop-princess, steeped in queer sensibilities, aimed at the straight-ahead ...
Book cover of a christmas vanishing by Anne Perry
A Christmas Vanishing, by Anne Perry (Ballantine, 190 pages) Since childhood, Christmas reading has been a large part of my ...
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An uptight middle-aged lady takes her Brooklyn family on a weekend trip to a beautiful country house on Long Island ...
A Disturbance in the Force If the words “Star Wars Holiday Special” conjure up an image of Bea Arthur or ...
Local music news & events • Holiday green: Celebrating its 18th year, Irish Christmas in America is a multimedia show ...
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Beyond a cappella with Naturally 7 Close your eyes is the advice Roger Thomas gives fans seeing his group Naturally ...

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Gifts for everyone! — 12/7/23

Find gifts for everybody on your list. On page 12, check out the list of area arts organizations selling unique items. Henry Homeyer recommends gifts for gardeners (page 19). John Fladd offers ideas of gifts to make (page 28) and gifts to buy (page 29). Find more giftable eats on page 32. Michael Witthaus helps you find perfect presents for music-lovers (page 44). And, if you’re thinking about how you can give to the wider community this holiday season, see the Q&A on page 6.

Also on the cover Symphony NH presents their Holiday Pops show (page 42). Take a trip to the Monadnock Region for the Currier & Ives Cookie Tour (page 30). Plan those holiday meals now — Mya Blanchard rounds up some of the eateries offering pies, hams and more to go (page 31).

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Treating substance use disorders The Executive Council has approved an additional $9.8 million for The Doorways program, elevating the state’s ...
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Food, housing costs & utilities bills are the big concerns Karen Moynihan is the Vice President of Philanthropy, Catholic Charities ...
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The Big Story – Big Week for New Red Sox GM: Except for the St. Louis Cardinals, the action all ...
chocolate and sugar christmas cookies in star and christmas tree shapes with icing decoration
Big Events December 7, 2023 and beyond Thursday, Dec. 7 Head to the Currier Museum of Art (150 Ash St ...
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Funding the show The Community Players of Concord, an all-volunteer theater company founded in 1927, received a significant boost with ...
shelves of handcrafted christmas ornaments and little gifts
Where to find one-of-a-kind gifts This holiday season, go for gifts that make an impact by choosing local artwork and ...
The latest from NH’s theater, arts and literary communities • It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas: The Majestic ...
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Give the kids a wheelbarrow and a shovel Once again it is time to find the perfect gifts for your ...
man in santa suit standing in front of very tall christmas tree decorated with large glass ornaments
Holiday gift festival features New England-made items On Saturday, Dec. 9, and Sunday, Dec. 10, the group that brings us ...
Family fun for whenever Mr. Claus travels in style • Santa Claus will helicopter in and touch down at the ...
fake silver vintage christmas tree outside on dead grass on sunny day
Dear Donna, We dug this out of my parents’ estate attic. It’s all complete but no papers or box. We ...
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Welder Matt Lazzaro is the owner-operator of Matt the Welder in Derry. Explain your job and what it entails. There ...
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News from the local food scene • Free wine tasting: Wine on Main (9 N. Main St., Concord) hosts a ...
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Gifts for when you’ve run out of gift ideas Not to blow my own horn, but I am an excellent ...
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Kitchen presents you can buy One or two labor-intensive sincere gifts are doable in a holiday season, but if you’re ...
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Eat your way through the Currier and Ives Cookie Tour By Betty Gagnefood@hippopress.com The 18th Annual Currier and Ives Cookie ...
Honey Smoked Ham with sides and xmas desserts/ Christmas Holiday Dinner setting
Where to get all the holiday must-haves Why make the pie when you can order it? Here are some of ...
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While Boscawen resident Katie Pope has always liked to bake and experiment in the kitchen, she didn’t originally plan on ...
piece of gingerbread cake with dollop of whipped cream on top, on late on table with striped tablecloth
Gingerbread is strange. Not the actual gingerbread itself but what people do with it. I can’t think of any baked ...
album covers
KO Mini, Chef’s Kiss (self-released) We’re seriously just about at the point where there’s almost no need to list a ...
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The Little Liar, by Mitch Albom (Harper, 333 pages) There’s a downside to being the author of a runaway bestseller ...
Local music news & events • Old souls: A throwback blend of old-school jazz and contemporary hits, Postmodern Jukebox returns ...
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Holiday pops in Nashua, Concord This year, Symphony NH will perform its Holiday Pops concert twice, at its home venue, ...
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A fan’s gift guide It’s the holiday season and once again time to make a music fan’s eyes and ears ...

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