Category: Q&A

Booked up

NH celebrates Indie Bookstore Day

Saturday, April 24, is Independent Bookstore Day, a nationwide celebration of independent bookstores and the book-lovers who frequent them. Though you won’t find as many in-store author visits, live music, food and other festivities as have been offered in pre-Covid years, local bookstores are doing what they can to make it a special day.

“We are celebrating … but we still don’t feel it is the right time to encourage in-store activities,” said Willard Williams, co-owner of Toadstool Bookstore, which has locations in Nashua, Peterborough and Keene. “Instead, we are using IBD to draw attention to our bookselling staff, who have done so much for us over the past year. We want to acknowledge them with our heartfelt thanks and hope others will as well.”

Participating bookstores will still carry IBD-exclusive items, such as special-edition books, art prints and literary themed novelty items, and some stores, including the Toadstool, will host special events virtually or outdoors.

IBD participating bookstores and special events

• A Freethinker’s Corner (652 A Central Ave., Dover, 343-2437, freethinkerscorner.com)

• Bookery Manchester (844 Elm St., Manchester, 836-6600, bookerymht.com)

Live music, gift card giveaways with purchases and a weeklong trivia contest on Instagram

• The Country Bookseller (Durgin Stables, 23-A N. Main St., Wolfeboro, 569-6030, thecountrybookseller.com)

• Gibson’s Bookstore (45 S. Main St., Concord, 224-0562, gibsonsbookstore.com)

Erin Bowman book signing for Dustborn, on the sidewalk outside the store, 1 to 2:30 p.m.

Literary Cocktail Hour, featuring authors Kat Howard, Kelly Braffet, Cat Valente, and Freya Marskem in conversation with bookstore staff, Zoom, 5 p.m.

• Innisfree Bookshop (312 Daniel Webster Hwy., Meredith, 279-3905, innisfreebookshop.com)

• Still North Books & Bar (3 Allen St., Hanover, 676-7846, stillnorthbooks.com)

• The Toadstool Bookshop (Somerset Plaza, 375 Amherst St., Route 101A, Nashua, 673-1734; 12 Depot Square, Peterborough, 924-3543; 12 Emerald St., Keene, 352-8815, toadbooks.com)

Paddy Donnelly presents The Vanishing Lake, Zoom, 1 p.m.

• Water Street Bookstore (125 Water St., Exeter, 778-9731, waterstreetbooks.com)

2021 IBD exclusive items

Available on Independent Bookstore Day through participating bookstores. Call ahead to find out which items your local bookstore will be carrying.

• Baby Yoda cotton onesie (size 6 to 12 months), a Mandalorian twist on the American Library Association’s iconic “READ” posters

• Signed special edition of Cook, Eat, Repeat: Ingredients, Recipes, and Stories by Nigella Lawson

• Being Alive is a Good Idea, an edited transcript of a conversation held between Nikki Giovanni and Glory Edimat at the 2020 Well-Read Black Girl Festival, covering poetry, Tupac, Black Lives Matter, aliens, pencils, Kamala Harris and more

• Special edition of Embodied: An Intersectional Feminist Comics Poetry Anthology that includes a foil cover and poster

• “Bad Citizen” Graffiti Stencil featuring George Orwell quote, “In a time of deceit telling the truth is a revolutionary act.”

• In the Tall Grass, a short story by Stephen King and Joe Hill, available for the first time in a limited-edition book form

• Signed special edition of Hummingbird Salamander by Jeff VanderMeer

• Art print based on the picture book The ABCs of Black History by Rio Cortez, created by artist Lauren Semmer

• Independent Bookstore Day 2021 pop chart map of participating bookstores in the U.S.

• “Little Victories” canvas pouch (cotton, with zipper, 9” x 6”)

• Signed special edition of Sharks in the Time of Saviorsby Kawai Strong Washburn

For more information about Independent Bookstore Day, visit indiebookstoreday.com.

Zoom Play Festival
Where: Virtual, via YouTube.
When: Pre-recorded, available to watch Friday, April 16, through Sunday, April 25.
Cost: Free, donations appreciated.
More info: Visit communityplayersofconcord.org, belknapmill.org or Powerhouse Theatre Collaborative on Facebook.

Featured photo: 2021 IBD exclusive items. Courtesy photo.

Living bigger

The Phoenix to offer recovery support, sober activities

The Phoenix is a nonprofit that cultivates free, organized sober activities within a supportive community for people in recovery. SRecently it announced plans to bring its programs to New Hampshire, starting this summer. The Phoenix New England Regional Director Sydney Durand talked about the upcoming expansion.

What kinds of programs does The Phoenix offer for people in recovery?

The Phoenix is really focused on this message of hope, with the idea that when you’re sober and in recovery your life should get so much bigger. … Our programs are sober active events, like yoga, rock climbing, strength-based fitness, surfing … that people can do actively together outdoors and in public spaces.

What sets The Phoenix apart from other activity-based recovery programs?

Accessibility and inclusivity; we eliminate as many barriers as possible for people in recovery to access a safe, supportive, healing environment. Our programs are completely free and open to anyone [who has maintained] at least 48 hours of continuous sobriety. … Another huge part of what we do is stigma reduction. We have members who are really proud about their recovery and talk openly about their past substance use and their sobriety, so we’re really trying to eliminate any shame people may have.

How has The Phoenix adapted its programs for a pandemic world?

In March 2020 we launched a virtual platform. … The great thing about that was we were able to connect with a lot of people who [lived in] parts of the country where we didn’t [offer] programs, so people from New Hampshire have been able to [participate in] our virtual programming. We now have more than nine hours of free programming every day that anyone can join virtually. … We’ve created prerecorded content [too], like workout videos, so people can … see what Phoenix is like [before joining a live program], because it can be pretty intimidating to come into a group of sober people, even virtually, especially when you’re new to recovery. … We’ve been able to start doing in-person events again, but now we also have the virtual and on-demand [programs] that people can join at any time.

What led to The Phoenix’s upcoming expansion to New Hampshire?

A combination of the need — New Hampshire is one of the hardest-hit per-capita states with the opioid crisis — and our partnerships. We have some partners … who live in New Hampshire who also see the need in the state … who have supported this expansion financially.

What programs will The Phoenix offer in New Hampshire initially?

A lot of that is to be determined … as we build relationships and form connections. We want our programming to be informed by the community. … Are there areas where there are sober houses or treatment centers, but not a lot of activities around? … We do know that we … want to do a lot of activities outdoors and use the natural resources that are so abundant in New Hampshire.

How will The Phoenix tailor these programs to meet New Hampshire’s unique needs?

We’re looking, first, at Manchester and Nashua and other communities with higher population densities, because they’ve been hit particularly hard with folks experiencing substance use disorder. Our strategy is to start programs in those communities, where we can offer support to [the largest number of people], as soon as possible. At the same time, we know there are rural parts of New Hampshire that need support, too, so we are also working on making Phoenix programs accessible to them … by getting them connected through virtual options … and by getting volunteers trained throughout the state.

Featured photo: Sydney Durand

Jeff Martin

Jeff Martin of Nashua is the executive chef of Industry East Bar (28 Hanover St., Manchester, 232-6940, industryeastbar.com), which opened in early February. Industry East features an eclectic cocktail menu with syrups, juices and other ingredients made in house, along with a food selection that includes flatbreads, charcuterie boards and shareable plates, from duck confit-stuffed popovers to braised short rib toast points. A native of Litchfield, Martin got his start in the industry working as a dishwasher at Woodman’s Seafood and Grill at Mel’s Funway Park while in high school — he later went on to study culinary arts at Nashua Community College. He was the sous chef at The Birch on Elm prior to Industry East’s opening, and has also held cooking jobs at the Bedford Village Inn and the Vesper Country Club in Tyngsborough, Mass.

What is your must-have kitchen item?

I’d probably have to say either my chef’s knife or a pair of tongs.

What would you have for your last meal?

I am a huge steak lover, so a big fat juicy rib-eye … and probably a nice glass of bourbon.

What is your favorite local restaurant?

Savannah Kitchen in Newmarket. A shout out to my buddy Ian Gage, who’s the executive chef out there. They do a lot of really great stuff there. There’s a pork belly dish with barbecue sauce and apple slices that is unreal.

What celebrity would you like to see ordering from your menu?

I’m going to say Guy Fieri.

What is your favorite thing on your menu?

The duck confit-stuffed popovers, which I’m super proud of. We make them fresh every day.

What is the biggest food trend in New Hampshire right now?

It’s been going on for years but vegan and plant-based items have become really popular.

What is your favorite thing to cook at home?

Honestly, when I get home from being in the kitchen all day, I’m either ordering out or I’m eating frozen pizzas or Cheez-Its.

Homemade popovers
From the kitchen of Jeff Martin of Industry East Bar in Manchester

2 cups all-purpose flour
2 cups whole milk
4 eggs
Salt and pepper

Mix flour, salt and pepper together. Heat the milk to about 120 degrees. Pour the milk slowly into the eggs to temper them. Mix the dry ingredients with the wet ingredients to form the batter. Pour them over into a popover pan about halfway up. Bake at 395 degrees for 15 minutes, then bring the temperature down to 350 degrees and bake for 15 additional minutes.

Featured photo: Jeff Martin

On The Job – Susan Terzakis

Susan Terzakis

Founder and CEO, Terzakis & Associates

Susan Terzakis is a professional certified business coach and founder and CEO of Terzakis & Associates, a team of small business advisors based in Bedford.

Explain your job and what it entails.

We work with small businesses, exclusively [ones with] under $10 million in annual sales volume … referred to as microbusinesses. We support, nurture and guide their leadership with two key programs: ‘Seed’ and ‘Growth.’ Seed … is for folks in the concept and idea stage. We help them [with] vetting and proving the idea, making sure there’s an appetite for it in the community and creating a market. … ‘Growth’ is where we put the pedal to the metal; they’ve proven the concept, and now they need to [develop] systems and processes, build out their team and delegate.

How long have you had this job?

Since 2014.

What led you to this career field and your current job?

I was a business banking director … and then a staffer for Sen. [Kelly] Ayotte’s office, [assisting with] the senator’s efforts on small business, treasury and HUD issues within the state. … Then, I had a health event … and had to slow down a bit. … There was an opportunity for me to assist at the Center for Women’s Business Advancement at SNHU. It was a perfect transition … but it was only a year-long gig. After that contract ended, I was consistently [hearing] from clients I had worked with at that center, and what started as ‘Sure, I’ll meet you for coffee and help you with your strategy’ eventually turned into my realizing, ‘Hey, I think this might be an enjoyable business.’

What kind of education or training did you need?

I grew up in a family-owned business, so I got to witness and be part of a growing business … and in banking, I got to learn the financial [aspects] of business … but I felt that, to round out the experiential portion of my resume, I should get some technical knowledge, so I went and got my Professional Coaching Certificate at the UNH business school. That took two years.

What is your typical at-work uniform or attire?

I’d say, pre-Covid, business-casual, and during Covid, casual-business. If I have [an important] meeting, then I’ll break out the full suit, so it really depends on what I’m doing.

How has your job changed over the last year?

The first three months, everything was really confusing and overwhelming [for small businesses]. Once we got into May and June, the energy started to move from panic to ‘OK, let’s figure this out. How do we keep this business afloat?’

What do you wish you’d known at the beginning of your career?

Patience. Patience is a virtue, but we entrepreneurs are a rather impatient group, so that’s something I had to learn.

What do you wish other people knew about your job?

You’re constantly going back and forth between the personal — [the business owner is] scared, overwhelmed, freaked out or lacking confidence — and the professional, where things are more technical. You have to have the ability to guide and support business owners in both [of those ways], and that’s one of the greatest joys of my job.

What was the first job you ever had?

At our family-owned restaurant in Salem, Massachusetts, I had the true joy of being the busser and honorary potato peeler.

What’s the best piece of work-related advice you’ve ever received?

Your word is your bond. Nobody can take your name away from you, so guard it preciously.

Five favorites
Favorite book: The Bible
Favorite movie: The Godfather trilogy
Favorite type of music or musician: Elton John and AC/DC
Favorite food: I love all of it. Food is my love language. Except for mayonnaise. I really hate mayonnaise.
Favorite thing about NH: The variety. The coast, the mountains, the suburbs, some cities — we have it all here.

Featured photo: Susan Terzakis

Zooming in

Festival showcases plays created for virtual performance

Laconia-based theater company Powerhouse Theatre Collaborative is giving a new meaning to virtual theater with its Zoom Play Festival, featuring a series of short plays written specifically for the Zoom video chat platform.

“It’s not like these are just readings of plays,” Powerhouse manager Bryan Halperin said. “These are plays that are actually being performed as they were intended.”

The festival, produced in collaboration with the Community Players of Concord, will be pre-recorded and available to watch for free on YouTube from Friday, April 16, through Sunday, April 25.

There will be seven original plays, all written by New Hampshire playwrights who participated in a 10-week playwriting workshop hosted by the two theater companies last fall. The workshop was open to playwrights of all experience levels and covered the basics of playwriting, such as developing plot points, characters and dialogue, as well as how to write a Zoom-based play.

“If they came up with an idea that wasn’t really workable, I steered them back to how we could make it work to fit into this format,” said Halperin, who instructed the workshop.

Featured playwright Douglas Schwarz of Concord has been active with the Players for years, acting, directing and doing backstage work. Recently he’s taken an interest in playwriting.

“I’ve done a very small amount of playwriting in the past, and it’s something I’ve been sort of wanting to get better at,” he said. “I thought the workshop would be an opportunity to get some more perspective on how playwriting works and give me the confidence that I can really do this.”

Schwarz’ play, titled Choices, follows four people at various stages in their lives, talking over Zoom and reflecting on the choices they’ve made.

“I’ve thought a lot about how decisions can change our lives and really [determine] what direction our lives are going to go,” he said. “I thought, wouldn’t it be cool if I could do [a play] that somehow expresses these thoughts I’ve had?”

The plays In Boxes, Boys in Boxes and Girls in Boxes are three different versions of a play by Sharleigh Thomson, each with a different director and cast. Set in May 2020 during the pandemic, it centers on a video chat between two college seniors as they consider the next chapter of their lives and realize their romantic feelings for each other.

“You’d never make a captive audience sit through three versions of the same play back-to-back, but since it’s on YouTube, they can choose which one they want to watch, or they can watch all three at their leisure,” Halperin said. “It’s a bit of an experiment.”

Other plays include Couple Seeks Extrovert by Brenda Wilbert, a comedy about an introverted couple who step outside their comfort zone when they rent out a room to an extrovert; Ship of Fools by Chuck Fray, an interview between an oblivious newscaster and an author of apocalyptic fiction; and Here We Go by Doreen Sheppard, a look at how families come together and cope during hard times.

More than 30 people are creatively involved in the festival.

“That’s what we’re most happy about,” Halperin said. “It’s great to be able to give [theater artists] an opportunity to be appreciated during this time when theater is so limited.”

“Theater is so important to us, and going without it has been difficult,” Schwarz added, “so this was really a gift to us from the Players and Powerhouse.”

Zoom Play Festival
Where: Virtual, via YouTube.
When: Pre-recorded, available to watch Friday, April 16, through Sunday, April 25.
Cost: Free, donations appreciated.
More info: Visit communityplayersofconcord.org, belknapmill.org or Powerhouse Theatre Collaborative on Facebook.

Featured photo: Joel Iwakiewicz and Adam Beauparlant in Boys in Boxes. Courtesy photo.

Strong families, safe kids

Children’s Trust defines child abuse prevention

April is National Child Abuse Prevention month. To bring awareness, the New Hampshire Children’s Trust has launched its “Prevention Is” campaign, focused on defining prevention and showing how strengthening families by giving them basic needs and emotional support is a key factor in preventing abuse. NHCT executive director Cliff Simmonds talked about the campaign and what individuals and communities in New Hampshire can do to help.

What is National Child Abuse Prevention Month all about?

Last year it was about reacting to the pandemic, but this year it’s about really defining what prevention is. … Primary prevention is about strengthening families [by] giving them the basic needs, emotional support and sense of community they need to be successful, because we know that drastically reduces the occurrence of child abuse and neglect.

What does child abuse look like?

As many people know, child abuse can be physical, sexual, emotional or neglect, but what’s also important to know is that these [types of abuse] don’t show up exclusively. A lot of times it’s a combination.

What is the impact of child abuse on a family?

It’s disruptive to a family unit, and it lessens the odds of success for that child because they aren’t getting the social and emotional growth that they need to be successful. Ultimately, [abuse] can translate into some lifelong psychological consequences, like feelings of isolation, fear, distrust, lower self-esteem, depression [and] trouble forming and maintaining relationships.

What is the impact of child abuse on a community?

A community is defined [by its] family units. … If you have these cases of abuse or neglect going on within a family, [abuse] can cycle through multiple generations … and through a specific geographic area and disrupt the whole idea of success within that community.

How has the pandemic affected efforts to prevent and end child abuse?

It’s been challenging, to say the least. It created a lot of concern when the schools shut down, because that’s where the eyes on kids are. Teachers are one of the major reporters of abuse. They know these kids; they see these kids every day, so they can see if there are any behavioral changes, physical changes or emotional changes. … Reports [of abuse] started dropping significantly when the schools shut down. We got together with different community organizations and state agencies and put our heads together [to think of] creative ways that we could keep eyes on kids and keep families strong. I think we’ve done a pretty good job of reaching out to families, making sure their needs are being met … and pivoting to being more virtual to get the word out about the resources and services that are available.

What is the “Prevention Is” campaign?

Throughout the month, we’re highlighting the factors … of primary prevention — parenting education, social and emotional development of children, basic supports and building a sense of community — through videos, podcasts and other digital [media]. We’re trying to elevate the conversation around these factors and what people can do as a family member, a neighbor or a community member to help strengthen those factors.

What can people do in their everyday lives to help prevent child abuse?

Reach out and say, ‘How are you doing? How are things going?’ It can be as simple as that. If you have a neighbor with young children who is struggling between getting work done and going to the grocery store, maybe you can go over and say, ‘Hey, why don’t you have your kids come play at my house for a bit so you can do what you need to do.’ … It’s not about catching [a parent] doing something wrong; there’s no such thing as a perfect parent. It’s really about having that ‘It takes a village’ mentality and attitude and contributing to create that sense of community that strengthens families.

Featured photo: Cliff Simmonds. Courtesy photo.

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