2025 Kids Guide to Summer — 06/12/2025

On the cover

10 School is — or will shortly be — out for summer! How are you going to keep kids entertained for all of those weeks? In this week’s Hippo we have some ideas, from events with family and kid friendly elements to local attractions and events going on in area libraries and parks.

Also on the cover: Henry Homeyer offers advice for difficult gardening seasons (page 21). John Fladd talks to a baker who has gone from farmers markets to a brick and mortar shop (while still visiting markets) — see page 22. And check out all the live music options this weekend — music at area breweries and restaurants is listed in our Music This Week (starting on page 31). And find ticketed shows in the Concert listings on page 34.

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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.
Hurricane season The Atlantic hurricane season started June 1 and runs through Nov. 30, and the Red Cross is urging ...
Sox fighting downward spiral
The Big Story – Red Sox Update: The 2025 ship appeared to be sunk after Friday night’s 9-6 loss to ...
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.
Maybe the pollen was preferable? On June 8, the National Weather Service announced an Air Quality Alert for the state ...
The PHISH band logo
Thursday, June 12 The second annual United Through Color art event takes place at Positive Street Art (48 Bridge St., ...
A group of kids run and smile in a field as they chase bubbles
Festivals, performances and other events offering big fun for the school-free season Compiled by Amy Diazadiaz@hippopress.com Looking for excitement and ...
A line of silhouettes pose dramatically on a stage
A Chorus Line closes out Palace season — a review By Michael Witthausmwitthaus@hippopress.com When A Chorus Line opened in 1975, ...
An antique painted pot with a white body and glass lid
Dear Donna, I was ready to put this in a yard sale this summer. My sister said “no, it could ...
A pebble path in a small garden with large flat walking stones.
Gardening in difficult conditions By Henry Homeyerlistings@hippopress.com The very last day of May this year surprised me: We got three ...
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News from the local food scene By John Fladdjfladd@hippopress.com • Noodles at Nash: The Lucky Lantern Noodle Restaurant has opened ...
For loaves of raditional European style bread made by Woodman’s Artisan Bakery.
Woodman’s Artisan Bakery takes its farmers market success to its own shop By John Fladdjfladd@hippopress.com Bill Woodman makes bread — ...
A black painted metal chicken coop
By John Fladdjfladd@hippopress.com In May, the New Hampshire Farm Bureau Federation held a statewide Chicken Coop Contest. “People love chickens,” ...
A photo of Daniel MacCrea, new Culinary Director of Pats Peak Ski Area
New Culinary Director, Pats Peak Ski Area (686 Flanders Road, Henniker, 428-3245, patspeak.com) “Culinary’s something I kind of fell into,” ...
A slice of lime custard cake presented exquisitely with the rest of the cake in the background.
By John Fladdjfladd@hippopress.com ½ cup (1 cube) butter, melted 1¼ cup (250 g) sugar 4 eggs, separated zest of 3 ...
Lüt, “Opp Ned” (Indie Recordings) & Noah Haidu, Standards III (Infinite Distances Records)
Lüt, “Opp Ned” (Indie Recordings) Well here’s a filthy, ear-grabbing burner, the final advance from this Norwegian post-emo band’s third, ...
The cover of Morgenstern’s Finest Ice Cream, by Nicholas Morgenstern
Madeline Hill wasn’t looking to expand her family when a stranger in a PT Cruiser pulled up to her farm ...
Local music news & events By Michael Witthausmwitthaus@hippopress.com • Enduring: A band that grew out of jazz’s rising popularity in ...
A photo of singer Annie Brobst.
Country singer Annie Brobst stays positive By Michael Witthausmwitthaus@hippopress.com There’s a timeless adage both revered and reviled among songwriters. Essentially, ...

On the Grill — 06/05/2025

Grilling is a particularly summery way to cook. In this week’s cover story, John Fladd gets advice from local experts on how to pick extra tasty meat to prepare on the grill.

Also on the cover Saturday is the annual NH Bacon & Beer Festival (page 16). In the Nite section, Michael Witthaus talks to Jordan Quinn about her upcoming “A Celebration of Iconic Women in Music” show (page 22).

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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.
Help for students Granite Edvance, a nonprofit that supports New Hampshire students and their families through free career and higher ...
Mayer for mayor?
The Big Story – Another Top Prospect Makes it to Fenway: Another of the Red Sox jewel prospects made it ...
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.
Animal news, part 1 The state’s moose population is under siege by winter ticks, according to a New Hampshire Bulletin ...
A community gardening event.
Thursday, June 5 Dogma,the 1999 movie from director Kevin Smith that features Jay and Silent Bob, Ben Affleck and Matt ...
three long containers of three different flavors of steak tips, filled with marinade, in refrigerated case at marketplace
Advice on what to cook tonight There are significant differences between the terms “grilling” and “barbecuing.” It has to do ...
two line drawings with limited color palettes, side by side, one of a sitting frog, one of a fuzzy creature toy sitting against the edge of the paper
Grant winner showcases new works As a child growing up in Houston, Texas, Aris Moore was fascinated by creatures. “I ...
a tarnished silver spoon on a red checked table cloth
Hello, Donna. The photo of the spoon I sent you is from my family. My mom had it and used ...
Family fun for whenever Kick off to summer fun • Nashua will hold the opening day of its SummerFun programming ...
trophy with flat cut out image of pig wearing chef's heat and sunglasses hanging out with piece of bacon, also wearing sunglasses, both behind counter with stripped awning
Bacon and Beer Festival highlights two tasty eats This weekend marks the ninth annual Bacon and Beer Festival, a major ...
glass of light colored drink on counter with bottle of gin and lemon squeezer
By John Fladdjfladd@hippopress.com I really wanted a serious blender. Not one of the relatively inexpensive ones from a big-box store ...
album covers
Kurt Deimer, And So It Begins (Bald Man Records) From the fringes of arena-metal stardom comes this Cincinnati, Ohio-based actor ...
Run for the Hills, by Kevin Wilson
Madeline Hill wasn’t looking to expand her family when a stranger in a PT Cruiser pulled up to her farm ...
screenshot from Mountainhead showing the four lead actors taking a selfie while on the mountain
Four of the absolute worst (and richest) men in America have a poker weekend at a mountaintop rich-dude compound in ...
Local music news & events • Jersey night: A Bon Jovi tribute act with a following in the rocker’s home ...
three women posing on read sparkly background wearing red sparkling mini dresses
Crowned28 tribute show honors icons In 2023, when Jordan Quinn did her tribute to generations of great female singers, called ...

Sunny Sips — 05/29/2025

On the cover

10 Eventually, it will be sunny long enough to enjoy a drink in the warmth of the new season. What to drink this summer? John Fladd talks to experts to get some answers. Cover image courtesy Local Street Eats in Nashua.

Also on the cover Windham holds its annual Strawberry Festival Saturday, May 21 (page 16). In Nashua, they’re celebrating crafters and tinkerers of all kinds at the MakeIt Fest (page 12). In Derry, a baker is turning bread into art (page 16).

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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.
Health care research In a May 22 press release, New Hampshire Attorney General John M. Formella announced a $1.6 million ...
The week that was
The Big Story – The Red Sox Stumble Into June: To say they have not lived up to expectations is ...
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.
Concord has the best water According to a tasting panel of fourth- and fifth-graders, Concord’s municipal water is the best-tasting ...
A community gardening event.
Thursday, May 29 Author Marina Kirsch reads from her family memoir Flight of Remembrance and signs copies at the Aviation ...
A blueberry Daiquiri, sitting in a wide top glass ornamented with a fruit spear.
What to drink this summer By John Fladdjfladd@hippopress.com Summer provides another season, another reason for making some new sipping choices ...
A giant lobster-bike made out of random parts and pieces, piloted by two men.
See and learn at 2025 MakeIt Fest By Michael Witthausmwitthaus@hippopress.com An upcoming free event in Nashua will showcase creations from ...
A green glass cigar box with a white graphic on the front.
Dear Donna, We live in Manchester and thought to share a piece with you. This is an ashtray from 7-20-4 ...
Family fun for whenever Game day • The Nashua Silver Knights, members of the Futures Collegiate Baseball League, returned to ...
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News from the local food scene • Your late-night cookie connection: There was a ribbon-cutting ceremony earlier this week for ...
A collection of strawberry shortcake cups.
Shortcake is highlight at Windham fest By John Fladdjfladd@hippopress.com For the past 41 years the Friends of the Library of ...
Beauty and the yeast
A Derry baker creates art through bread By John Fladdjfladd@hippopress.com Cheryl Holbert is more than a baker and more than ...
A savory (not sweet) slice of cheesecake.
By John Fladdjfladd@hippopress.com “Why don’t you ever make anything for me?” Amanda asked. “How about some cookies?” “No,” she said ...
Smut, Tomorrow Comes Crashing (Bayonet Records) & Ryan Truesdell, Shades of Sound: Gil Evans Project Live at Jazz Standard, Vol. 2 (Outside in Music)
Smut, Tomorrow Comes Crashing (Bayonet Records) From Cincinnati, Ohio, comes this pleasingly melodic but quite loud post-Riot grrrl outfit combining ...
Great Big Beautiful Life by Emily Henry
Great Big Beautiful Life by Emily Henry (Berkley, 432 pages) Cracking open a new Emily Henry novel is like settling ...
A scene from Mission: Impossible — The Final Reckoning
Tom Cruise does awesome stunts with biplanes but you gotta wait through like two hours of movie to get to ...
Local music news & events By Michael Witthausmwitthaus@hippopress.com • Shedheads: There must be something about the Lakes Region that Zac ...
A group shot of the Faith Ann Band in a row of chairs.
Faith Ann Band refines sound, adds guitarist By Michael Witthausmwitthaus@hippopress.com In January, with some new songs done, but not enough ...

Summer Guide 2025 — 05/22/2025

On the cover

10 Time to break out your sunglasses — it’s summer, baby! Or, you know, it’s “summertime” — that season between Memorial Day weekend and Labor Day weekend when we all try for more relaxed and sunny vibes. In this year’s guide, we offer a look at some of the fairs, fests and other events that make the season shine.

Also on the cover, John Fladd gets all the details of the newly released NH Beer Trail Guide (page 24). Michael Witthaus talks to the Manchester Crafts Market ahead of their mulit-author event (page 20). Michael also talks to comedian Joe Fenti, who can help you kick off a weekend of laughs with a Thursday, May 22, show at Kettlehead in Nashua (see page 32). Find more comedy this weekend and beyond in the Comedy This Week, which is also on page 32.

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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.
Volunteer Fair The United Way of Greater Nashua will hold a Greater Nashua Volunteer Fair on Thursday, May 22, from ...
Knicks end C’s season
The Big Story – Celtics Season Ends Early: That’s all she wrote for the 2024-2025 Celtics. And maybe for 2025-2026 ...
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.
Competitive Ford fixing As reported by Nashua InkLink on May 8, teams of high school students in auto tech programs ...
A closeup of pink and red geranium flowers.
Thursday, May 15 The BNH Stage (16 S. Main St., Concord, 225-1111, ccanh.com) hosts a performance of “This Is My ...
red haired girl / female with sunglasses looking at sunset
Fairs, festivals, food, fun and more events to look forward to this season Summer is here! OK, maybe it’s more ...
shelves along dark painted wall holding faced out books, neon light above reading "Read Local"
Manchester market hosts author event A collection of new books written by local authors isn’t something one expects to find ...
carved, painted, wooden duck decoy
Dear Donna, We were given this carved duck several years ago. Wondering an approximate value now. It is signed and ...
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News from the local food scene • New Works: The Works Bakery Cafe (1000 Elm St., Manchester, 877-641-4787, workscafe.com/locations/manchester-nh) has ...
high shot of outdoor patio and yard at brewery, with picnic tables, buildings in the mid ground, mountain peak in the far distance.
A new map will make it easier to explore NH breweries. Road-trip enthusiasts who like to follow a theme have ...
head shot of woman standing beside window that looks out on mountain landscape with snow on the ground, woman dressed in cold weather clothes, smiling
Owner/Baker, Big Trees Baking Company “I make sourdough bread, which I sell at some local stores and at the Canterbury ...
fancy martini glass filled with cocktail that is blue at the bottom and white at the top, sitting on counter with limes and cocktail shaker
There’s a trope called “The Ninety-Dollar Tomato.” It describes an all-too-familiar situation that many of us frustrated gardeners go through: ...
album covers for Cautious Clay and Sparks
Sparks, MAD (Transgressive Records) The press notes for this nearly 60-year-old band’s 26th album start with this: “If the world ...
book cover with large text The Art of Winning, Bill Belichick
The Art of Winning, by Bill Belichick (Avid Reader Press, 289 pages) It is challenging to approach Bill Belichick’s new ...
A scene from the Wedding Banquet
Friends contemplate a green card marriage in The Wedding Banquet, a remake of the 1993 movie by the same name ...
Local music news & events • Fab Faux: Unlike many Beatles tribute acts, Studio Two sticks to John, Paul, George ...
man standing in front of wall with large photos of red roses, holding microphone and making shrugging gesture
Comedy Coop comes to Kettlehead Like the classic rock song, Joe Fenti has learned to roll with the changes. In ...

Summer Stage — 05/15/2025

Check out https://hippopress.com/ to read about local food and events or download our always free E-Edition from our Digital Library

On the cover

10 Michael Witthaus takes a look at summer theater — from the shows for kids and the shows by kids to the shows that will take place in the fresh air. Cover photo of a previous production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream at Saint Anselm College by Matthew Lomanno.

Also on the cover: Michael also takes a look at the Nashua Area Artists Association’s revived ArtHub Gallery (page 15). It’s a good weekend for Greek eats — John Fladd takes a look at Karv Greek Kouzina in Windham (page 18) and offers information about this weekend’s Greek Food Festival at St. Philip in Nashua (page 20). And find all sorts of music this weekend — shows at area restaurants (listed in the Music This Week on page 26), ticketed shows (see the Concert listings on page 30) and Ward Hayden & the Outliers at Pembroke City Limits (page 25, also by Michael).

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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.
Family bicycle day Trek Bicycles and the Granite State Health & Fitness Foundation will hold a free family-friendly Bike Day ...
Knicks stun Celtics
The Big Story – C’s Go Down 1-2 to New York: There’s not enough space to list the number 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.
Ew, ticks In a May 1 press release Gov. Kelly Ayotte declared May Lyme Disease Awareness Month in New Hampshire ...
A closeup of pink and red geranium flowers.
Thursday, May 15 The BNH Stage (16 S. Main St., Concord, 225-1111, ccanh.com) hosts a performance of “This Is My ...
A previous production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream by Theatre Kapow at Saint Anselm College. Photo by Matthew Lomanno.
A look at the coming theater season By Michael Witthaus mwitthaus@hippopress.com Cooperation, collaboration and interdependence are all hallmarks of New ...
Work by George Eross & Work by Brenda Noiseux. Courtesy photo.
ArtHub in Nashua opens on Main Street By Michael Witthaus mwitthaus@hippopress.com Among the many hard-luck stories to come out of ...
Purple Lisianthus flowers. Lisianthus comes in several colors and lasts forever in a vase. Photo by Henry Homeyer.
Start slowly and save your back By Henry Homeyer listings@hippopress.com It’s April, and spring has sprung. Or will soon. Winter ...
A collection of antique dessert silverware.
Hello, Donna, I believe this set of fruit knives and forks may have been a wedding present for my parents ...
Family fun for whenever STEM fun • Family STEM Day, presented by Brian S. McCarthy Memorial Foundation, will showcase more ...
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News from the local food scene • Flowers, snacks, flowers, cocktails and flowers: Local Street Eats (112 W. Pearl St., ...
Three delicious-looking gyros well-wrapped stuffed with fries.
Sometimes lamb, sometimes pork By John Fladd jfladd@hippopress.com Alex Lambroulis would like to clear up a couple of misconceptions about ...
A DIY wine dispenser, with four various bottles on display.
Self-service might be the future of NH wine bars By John Fladd jfladd@hippopress.com A bill is working its way through ...
Poster for the St. Philip Greek Food Festival
Nashua church festival brings gyros and more By John Fladd jfladd@hippopress.com Saint Philip Greek Orthodox Church in Nashua will hold ...
Nick Provencher. Courtesy photo.
Executive Chef at The Birch on Elm (968 Elm St., Manchester, 836-1958, birchonelm.com) “I started by cooking in high school ...
A tasty plate of Guava and goat cheese cookies made by John Fladd.
These cookies are adapted from a recipe in Bodega Bakes by Paola Velez. The idea of cheese in a cookie ...
Malphas, Tales from the Olden Realm (self-released/Bandcamp) & Ches Smith, Clone Row (self-released)
Malphas, Tales from the Olden Realm (self-released/Bandcamp) From the murkiest depths of Michigan comes this sixth album from a one-man ...
Homestand, by Will Bardenwerper
Homestand, by Will Bardenwerper (Doubleday, 301 pages) Batavia is a small city in western New York that most people have ...
A scene from Another Simple Favor
Mom-frienemies played by Anna Kendrick and Blake Lively reunite in Another Simple Favor, a sequel to the 2018 movie that ...
Local music news & events • Mixed media: The Currier’s monthly Art Off the Walls event has Black Pudding Rovers ...
Ward Hayden & the Outliers
Ward Hayden & the Outliers bring Springsteen tribute to Pembroke By Michael Witthaus mwitthaus@hippopress.com When Pembroke City Limits scheduled its ...

The Kimchi Chronicles — 05/08/2025

John Fladd takes a look at kimchi, the fermented staple of Korean dishes that is on dishes at a variety of area restaurants — and can be a tasty addition in your kitchen.

Also on the cover Twisted Mallow describes itself on its website as a marshmallow company producing “small batches crafted in the US ironically created by a dental hygienist.” See the story on page 18. The Nashua International Sculpture Symposium starts Thursday, May 8 (page 14). Michael Witthaus talks to House Lights singer and lyricist Sam Beachard ahead of their Friday, May 9, show at the Shaskeen in Manchester with SleepSpirit, Moments Of and Empty Halls (page 25).

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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.
Rail trail The South Manchester Rail Trail has been selected as an American Public Works Associations 2025 Public Works Historical ...
C’s have NY in sight
The Big Story – Celtics vs. Knicks Playoff Series: There have been a few skirmishes the last two decades. But ...
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 reprieve from pollen Although this time of year is typically one of high pollen counts, recent rainy weather has ...
two young actors portraying Mrs. Lovett and Sweeney Todd in a production of Sweeney Todd
Friday, May 9 The Majestic Academy of Dramatic Arts teens will present Sweeney Todd School Edition tonight at 7 p.m.; ...
Kimchi cabbage, Korean homemade fermented side dish food
The many uses for this Korean cuisine staple For Susan Chung, owner of Sue’s Kimbap House, kimchi is as much ...
collage of 4 headshots of sculptors
Sculpture symposium returns to Nashua Most art exhibitions focus on already completed works, but the City of Nashua is unique ...
The Art Roundup 25/05/08
The latest from NH’s theater, arts and literary communities • Reopening: ArtHub, the gallery of the Nashua Area Artists Association ...
old coins laid out on dark paper, pieces of round paper beside them with dates
Hello, Donna. Maybe you can help in giving me some information on these coins. They are all buffalo nickels. They ...
Family fun for whenever Faire time • The New Hampshire Renaissance Faire, which bills itself as a “family-friendly, educational, visual, ...
Variety of hand made marshmallows cut into squares and sitting in rows, different colors and different toppings
Small batch marshmallows play with flavor Krista Melina has a day job, but she spends a lot of her time ...
two eyedropper bottles, one labelled chipotle, one labelled bubble gum, sitting on bar top, partially full of colored liquid
A bartender explains how bitters & tinctures add flavor When a bartender is developing a new cocktail, a constant challenge ...
white woman bartender in front of bar shelves, closed mouth smile, looking slightly mischievious
Bar Manager at Spice Restaurant & Bar (300 Main St., Nashua. 417-7972, thespicenashua.com). “I got into bartending in 2004. I ...
Red round icon that reads Weekly Dish
News from the local food scene • Gutted by fire: As reported by WMUR in an April 24 online article, ...
pink cocktail in martini glass sitting on counter surrounded by bottles of alchohol
Every cocktail sends a message. A draft beer from a major brewery sends one message. Garnishing it with an orange ...
album covers for Michael Younker, “So What!” and This Is It, Message
Michael Younker, “So What!” (self-released) Ack, if you ever need to count your blessings, you can start by being thankful ...
cover for How to be Well by Amy Larocca showing scented candle on pink background with large black title text
How to Be Well, by Amy Larocca (Knopf, 291 pages) At some undefined point between Helen Gurley Brown and Gwyneth ...
screen still showing cast of Thunderbolts
A scrappy band of Marvel secondary characters come together in Thunderbolts*, a movie that pretty nicely sells you on the ...
Local music news & events • Two covers: Paying tribute to two classic rock bands in one show, Foreigners Journey ...
5 male band members wearing white t-shirts, standing on staircase, photo effect to make it look old fashioned
House Lights celebrate new release at Shaskeen It’s been two years since post-hardcore alt metal band House Lights released their ...

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