Theresa Zwart of Derry is the owner of 603 Charcuterie (603charcuterie.com, find them on Facebook and Instagram), a new business specializing in customizable charcuterie to-go platters, featuring a variety of cheeses, meats, crackers, jams and other items. She currently operates on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays as well as most holidays, accepting orders via phone, email or social media messages. Charcuterie platters are available in several sizes. 603 Charcuterie is currently offering a special antipasto charcuterie wreath for the holidays.
What is your must-have kitchen item?
The only utensil I use — a knife!
What would you have for your last meal?
Fancy cheeses. Manchego is my favorite. It’s a very dry cheese, similar to Parmesan.
What is your favorite local restaurant?
Gauchos Churrascaria Brazilian Steakhouse [in Manchester]. I love all of the yummy meat and fish choices brought around to you by the waiters. Probably why I love charcuterie boards so much.
What celebrity would you like to see ordering a charcuterie platter from you?
Jennifer Lawrence. I feel like she would aggressively and wholeheartedly love these cheeses and meats.
What is your personal favorite type of platter you’ve made for someone since starting this business?
My first one. I brought it in as a gift for my co-workers … and they all encouraged me to sell these. … It was basically similar to my extra-large order, so it had seven different cheeses, five different meats and a couple of different jams. It was a pretty big variety.
What’s the biggest food trend in New Hampshire right now?
I’m going with breweries. They’re popping up all over the place and almost everyone I know of goes to them. I personally love them as well.
What is your favorite thing to cook at home?
Anything on the grill! Steak tips, turkey tips, any vegetable, chicken, pizza, all of it.
Caramelized onion and fig jam baked brie
From the kitchen of Theresa Zwart of 603 Charcuterie (603charcuterie.com)
1 wheel of brie cheese (4 to 5 inches in diameter) ½ large sweet yellow onion 1 tablespoon light brown sugar 2 tablespoons olive oil Pinch of salt and pepper 3 tablespoons fig jam 1 container/tube store-bought puff pastry 1 tablespoon flour 1 egg Choice of dipping items (such as apple slices, crackers or baguettes)
Slice onion, then heat in a skillet on medium-high heat with olive oil. After five minutes, turn on low to medium heat, then add brown sugar, salt and pepper. Keep stirring occasionally for 15 to 20 minutes, until onions are nice and caramelized. Preheat the oven at 400 degrees. Roll pastry dough out with the flour, big enough to cover the whole wheel of brie. Place brie in the center of the dough. Top with fig jam and caramelized onions. Wrap the dough all the way on top of the brie, overlapping the edges of dough for full coverage. Paint an egg wash on the outside of the dough. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, until the dough is golden brown. Let it sit for 15 minutes and serve with dipping choices.
Carrie Williams of Contoocook is the owner and chef of the Flannel Tavern (345 Suncook Valley Road, Chichester, 406-1196, flanneltavern.com), a casual eatery on Route 28 that opened in April and offers scratch-made comfort foods. The menu features everything from burgers and sandwiches to appetizers, fresh salads, and plated entrees, like fish and chips, baked haddock, chicken fingers, lasagna rolls and macaroni and cheese. Beer and wine selections include both domestic and local options, with craft cocktails also available. Williams, who worked as a caterer for more than a decade, said the restaurant’s concept is based on many different types of comfort foods she grew up eating.
What is your must-have kitchen item?
I would be lost withoaut aluminum foil, and then obviously a chef’s knife. I have one that I use all the time, with an orange handle.
What would you have for your last meal?
Prime rib and mashed potatoes.
What is your favorite local restaurant?
I would have to say the Lakehouse Tavern in Hopkinton. They are really good. A lot of times, I’ll get The Bird Man, which is a huge sandwich.
What celebrity would you like to see eating at your restaurant?
Someone I’ve always wanted to meet is Van Morrison. We listen to him in the kitchen all the time.
What is your favorite thing on your menu?
The chicken bacon ranch sandwich. It [has] chicken tenders with mozzarella sticks, bacon and our homemade buttermilk ranch on a kaiser roll. It’s our No. 1 sandwich.
What is the biggest food trend in New Hampshire right now?
What I’m seeing across the board, especially with so many restaurants that have been closing, is that people are more going back to home-cooked meals and things that are just really comforting during such a stressful time.
What is your favorite thing to cook at home?
Thanksgiving dinner is one of my favorite things to put on. It’s always been a big deal in my family. We do turkey, boiled onions, sweet potatoes, my grandma’s cranberry relish and an apple sausage stuffing.
Carrie’s coconut cream pie From the kitchen of Carrie Williams of the Flannel Tavern in Chichester 9-inch pie shell, baked and set aside 1 cup shredded coconut, toasted to golden brown (1 to 2 minutes at 450 degrees) 3 cups heavy whipping cream ½ cup flour ¾ cup sugar 2 eggs, beaten 1 teaspoon vanilla Add heavy whipping cream, flour, sugar and eggs to a saucepan, turning on to medium heat and stirring constantly until thickened. Remove from heat and add ¾ cup of the toasted coconut and vanilla. Add mixture from cream, flour, sugar and eggs to the pie shell and cool for two hours. Top with whipped cream and the last ¼ cup of coconut.
Helping families keep their pantries stocked and more ways Granite Staters are supporting each other
This year’s need for volunteers has been next-level, with shelters, food pantries, healthcare facilities and other nonprofit organizations dealing with increasingly higher numbers of people seeking not only the basics, like food and housing, but also masks and other personal protective equipment, plus in-home services due to stay-at-home orders and quarantining. Meanwhile, nonprofits have had to get creative in order to provide those services safely, and to continue raising the money that supports their programs. Gretchen Stallings, executive director of Volunteer NH, said Granite Staters have really stepped up. “Volunteers quickly engaged, helping with tasks such as distributing food and checking on neighbors during the pandemic,” she said. “Organizations across the state acted nimbly, mobilizing technology and establishing safety protocols.” Here, we asked some all-star volunteers — several of whom will be honored with Volunteer NH’s 2020 Spirit of NH awards during a virtual ceremony on Dec. 9 — to tell us via email what they’ve been doing, how the pandemic has affected their work, and what you can do to help.
Jennifer Kidwell
Meals for Manchester, Fuel Our Families
What is your role in the organization?
As a volunteer, I helped distribute over 93,000 meals to the Manchester community during the spring of 2020, and 19,500 meals in summer and fall of 2020 to families in Manchester with the Fuel Our Families program.
What kinds of things do you do?
With the Meals for Manchester program, I helped pack buses with food and milk at Southern New Hampshire University first thing in the morning, and then would distribute the lunches to Manchester families in person at the Manchester Police Athletic League and at different locations across the city. I help pack fresh fruit and healthy nonperishable items for the Fuel Our Families program that are distributed by different organizations to families across the city of Manchester.
Why did you get involved?
My colleague, Steve Thiel, helped create the Meals for Manchester program in the spring of 2020, and I was fortunate enough to be able to volunteer and connect with members of the Manchester community. My favorite part of volunteering was being able to personally meet Manchester families, talk with them and make sure they were doing OK, and give them healthy and delicious lunches. I am currently volunteering with the Fuel Our Families program, a collaboration between SNHU, Granite United Way, Granite YMCA, and the Manchester School District, packaging up fresh fruits and vegetables as well as other healthy nonperishable items to be delivered to families this fall and winter.
How has the pandemic affected your efforts, both personally and within your organization?
The opportunity to volunteer and give back to the Manchester community in the midst of a pandemic has been one of the greatest experiences of my life. Volunteering fills up my heart and soul, and I was shocked and honored to be awarded the Chairman’s Award/Volunteer of the Year from the Granite YMCA last week.
What can others do to help?
Donate by texting ‘Manchester’ to 41444 and see if your company is able to donate, too!
Isabel Povey
Seeds of Hope, based in Hampstead
What is your role?
I am the president and founder. [She’s also a 17-year-old junior at Pinkerton Academy.]
What kinds of things do you do?
Seeds of Hope is a nonprofit organization that works to end hunger on both a local and global scale. We provide vegetable seeds to schools, churches and orphanages overseas to serve as a reliable source of nutrients. Here in New Hampshire, I work every weekend in various food pantries throughout the state and focus on keeping their shelves stocked for those who need it. One example of this would be the ‘Povey Power’ virtual 5K I organized back in April, which raised enough to feed nearly 9,000 New Hampshire families after just a few days! Aside from eliminating food insecurity, it is my biggest goal to spread hope and ignite change in others, as noted from the Seeds of Hope motto, ‘From the smallest of seeds grow the mightiest of trees,’ because we all have the power to make a difference!
Why did you get involved?
I have been working to end hunger since I was 7 years old, after giving my dinner leftovers to a kind homeless man. Immediately after I met him, I was determined to help others who were struggling and visited my local soup kitchen. There, I was turned away for being ‘too young’ to help, so instead I decided to go home and decorate placemats with positive messages for everyone getting served! I then began initiating food drives and it wasn’t too long until I watched this simple hobby turn into a passion, then ultimately my true purpose. I decided to start my own organization with the goal to help more people and make change everywhere.
How has the pandemic affected your efforts, both personally and within your organization?
As soon as there was talk at school of a potential shutdown, I started spending my lunch periods in our campus food pantry, preparing take-home bags for the kids of food-insecure households. Then, once the switch to remote was announced, I immediately spearheaded a food drive to help out another local school take-home program and continued to work hard to keep multiple food pantries stocked. … Now, every Saturday I work at a mobile food pantry and we serve more than 350 families right in Manchester, and I am always helping with other organizations throughout the state. With the unprecedented need that surfaced along with the Covid pandemic, this has truthfully been the busiest I’ve ever been!
What can others do to help?
Food insecurity can impact anyone; it might be your friends, neighbors, or even family members who must decide between paying the bills or paying for groceries. It is incredibly important that we work together and share our strength especially after we have all been through so much this year. For information on how to help those struggling around you, visit isabelpovey.com. Giving back means so much more than raising thousands of dollars. It can be as simple as holding the door for someone. Sharing a meal, a smile, an hour, or donating some of your allowance to a food pantry … it all helps.
What are you doing to take care of your own well-being during this crazy time?
Like so many others, I have been taking advantage of our beautiful state and spending lots of extra time outdoors! I have been hiking a lot and am on my way to climbing all 48 of New Hampshire’s 4,000-footers. I even incorporated a new project I like to call ‘Kindness Rocks’ and have left painted rocks with inspirational messages on each peak.
Jillian Schucart
Representing the volunteers of St. Joseph Community Services Meals on Wheels in Nashua
What is your role in the organization?
Assistant program director
What kinds of things do you do?
I assist the Program Department in overseeing the daily operations of multiple sites throughout Hillsborough County. I love that each day is different in my role. A core aspect of my position is to oversee our volunteer program. I spend a lot of my time recruiting and onboarding new volunteers, which includes conducting driver trainings. I also follow-up on client concerns, and sometimes I have the opportunity to deliver meals to our homebound clients, which is definitely a highlight!
Why did you get involved?
I joined the Meals on Wheels team in 2018 when I was looking to make a career change. I knew I wanted to work for Meals on Wheels when I learned of the significant difference that the agency makes in the lives of our clients. Not only do we provide clients with nutritious meals, we also combat social isolation through our friendly visits and wellness checks!
How has the pandemic affected your efforts, both personally and within your organization?
The biggest change has been the transition from our traditional hot lunch program to providing all frozen meals to our clients. Our administrative team has been working remotely when we can, and of course we are socially distancing and wearing masks when we are in the office or at nutrition sites. I am proud that our agency has continued to deliver meals throughout the entire pandemic. We could not do it without all of our staff and volunteers! We are taking the necessary precautions and screening processes to ensure that everyone is as safe as possible. The pandemic has definitely impacted the way we think about everything we do.
What can others do to help?
Help us deliver meals to homebound individuals in Manchester and Nashua! If you are interested in learning more, call me at 603-424-9967 or email [email protected].
Sarah Heard
Concord Coalition to End Homelessness
What is your role in the organization?
I am a weekly volunteer at the Resource Center.
What kinds of things do you do?
I serve coffee, snacks and supplies to guests; I monitor shower, laundry and computer use; I sort, distribute and sometimes help decipher mail, and I try to provide an open ear for guests.
Why did you get involved?
I got involved shortly after moving to Concord because I wanted to get to know my new community.
How has the pandemic affected your efforts, both personally and within your organization?
The pandemic has really just moved my daily volunteer routine from inside to outside. The staff at CCEH have adapted the Resource Center remarkably well. I know it’s taken a lot of work on their part to make the changes seem so smooth to me and to guests, and it gives me confidence that the Resource Center will be able to weather the winter months.
What can others do to help?
CCEH is working to end homelessness by creating more affordable and supportive housing. Their website, concordhomeless.org, suggests a number of ways we can work toward that goal, including volunteering our time, donating specific supplies, and, of course, financial support.
Christina Melanson
Friends of the Manchester Animal Shelter
What is your role in the organization?
I am a cat care volunteer, and also help the vet tech in the clinic once a week.
What kinds of things do you do?
Volunteers are given an orientation, then choose from a variety of duties they are comfortable with, including dog walking, cat or dog care and feeding, adoptions, restocking, cleaning, handling donations or simply spending time keeping the animals company and playing, the fun part! I chose to volunteer one morning a week, and what I do is feed the kittens and cats waiting for adoption, clean and sanitize their “houses,” provide each one the opportunity for some free-roaming exercise and play, restock, sweep and mop their rooms. We make sure there is classical music playing to help soothe them. There are several spaces housing cats; the adoption room and community room are open to the public, an intake room where strays await being medically evaluated by the veterinarian, and an additional building housing cats in isolation being treated for illness, plus two large rooms housing cats that may be free-roaming but not ready for adoption. There are always blankets and bedding to be laundered, donations to organize and put away, participating in fundraisers such as the annual plant sale, dog wash days, auctions, golf tournaments and fun runs. One Saturday we installed engraved memorial bricks in the courtyard commemorating beloved pets. Groundskeeping is also a need. We also get guinea pigs, rabbits, parakeets, even roosters and snakes from time to time! I’ve volunteered 327 hours since 2018.
Why did you get involved?
On retirement, I knew I wanted to give back to my community in some way. My background is surgical and post-anesthesia nursing, but I was burned out with hospital work. The Volunteer NH website listed the shelter, and as I am animal-lover, this was a good fit. What is especially important to me is that this is a no-kill shelter, and every animal that comes through our doors is spayed or neutered to further zero-population growth of stray and abandoned animals; they are also vaccinated and microchipped, placed for adoption here or at PetSmart and Petco, or if socialization is not an option such as for feral cats, tagged and placed in available barn housing in the warm weather or released back to a neighborhood with feeding stations. Abandoned kittens too young for neutering are cared for by ‘foster parent’ volunteers. Also impressive is the Fix-a-Pit program. Plus, it was obvious the staff care deeply about what they do.
How has the pandemic affected your efforts, both personally and within your organization?
Our hours have been arranged to minimize the number of people in the building at one time, and masks are required. From March through the summer, only staff were allowed in the buildings and handled all the work. Adoptions are presently by appointment only. Personally, I actually had a mild case of Covid-19 in April, and my mother in law, also infected, passed away while living with us. So we have postponed our planned visiting our grandchildren on the West Coast and annual backpacking trips and are acutely aware of the guidelines.
What can others do to help?
Visit Friends of the Manchester Animal Shelter website, discover all this organization offers, and investigate the opportunities to get involved. Ask how you might contribute. Help is needed every day of the year. There is currently such limited space, I would say badly needed is an updated facility for a city of this size; donations are always welcome.
Jay Schumacher
Granite United Way
What is your role in the organization?
I serve on the Community Impact Committee, as a Community Grant Reviewer and volunteer with various other projects.
What kinds of things do you do?
As one of several Community Impact Committee members, we meet monthly with staff members of Granite United Way to receive program … updates that the organization has undertaken or is considering. We are fortunate to hear directly from community leaders with organizations such as the Friendly Kitchen, the Concord Coalition to End Homelessness, the Concord Police department, Health and Human Services and Concord Hospital. They share insight regarding trends, challenges and success that they are experiencing and how these are impacting our greater Concord residents. Often during these meetings we are asked for our input and ideas, as well as brainstorming and vetting of the action plans GUW is considering for action.
Why did you get involved?
Several years ago I wanted to provide more volunteer support within the Concord area. Granite United Way has been a longtime partner with my employer and it seemed like a natural fit when one of the GUW representatives asked if I would like to participate with the annual Grant Review Committee process. After that initial experience I was hooked! … The organizations seeking funding during these times are truly doing all they can to support residents in every corner of our community. … It’s nice to be able to offer some of my time to this imitative in particular because I can quickly understand and see the results of our efforts, helping these wonderful organizations help our community members in our local area.
How has the pandemic affected your efforts, both personally and within your organization?
Very quickly we shifted to all remote for meetings and … have taken strides to find creative work-arounds for all of our volunteerism. We recently took on a part of the Concord Reads initiative to build and install several Little Free Libraries with Granite United Way providing leadership. Several of us met virtually, discussed and planned the required actions and who would take on each one. Normally we would have gathered in person for these sessions and we probably would have assembled the libraries together as a team. Instead we have all worked remotely and in very small groups of only two or three people. This is surely different than normal, but nonetheless I believe we have been effective, installing our first of four Little Free Libraries just recently.
What can others do to help?
The best suggestion I can offer is to visit the Granite United Way website at graniteuw.org … [which] provides quick links to how anyone can give, advocate or volunteer. A little help from everyone goes a long way and the information from within these links provides several ways that we can all contribute!
Ajay Rana Bhat
Everest Centennial Lions Club, based in Nashua
What is your role in the organization?
I am the secretary for the Club.
What kinds of things do you do?
I communicate the mission and the success of the club, and I help with projects, including two recent Covid-19 projects that I coordinated: masks for health care workers and public workers, and one month of food for youth affected by Covid-19.
Why did you get involved?
After the tragic earthquake in 2015 Nepal, I got myself super active in helping the needy and poor, from building shelters to distributing medical supplies. … My volunteering services were not just limited in Nepal but when I moved to the United States in 2019 I immediately joined the Everest Centennial Lions Club as secretary and began contributing my time for the needy.
How has the pandemic affected your efforts, both personally and within your organization?
To be honest at first we were confused on how and what we should do during this pandemic but after we knew more about this virus and the guidelines, it helped us make a path to help the needy. The Everest Centennial Lions Clubs provided masks for health care workers and public workers, and one month of food for youth affected by Covid-19. … We were able to distribute 1,000 masks for health care workers of Rochester Manor Nursing Home, some staff of the National Visa Center and needy families. We also distributed 100 pieces of medical safety glasses during this project. … We have [also] delivered … groceries for 20 international students from different countries and two national students of the different states of the U.S.A. who came to study in New Hampshire who are in a tough situation and having a hard time meeting needs. … I took a challenge to deliver a one-month grocery [supply to] their home with help of Umesh Koirala and Alina Karki.
What can others do to help?
You could help in your neighborhood, online or in other countries. To start helping you’ll need a passion as well as time, and don’t expect anything back.
What are you doing to take care of your own well-being during this crazy time?
We need to have strong mental health, and since I have experienced a similar situation during the 2015 earthquake in Nepal, I made sure that … I kept myself engaged with different activities and didn’t give enough time to myself to think about this pandemic. In my free time, I made sure that I listened to the news once a day, practiced yoga, gardening and photography.
Terri McGrew
Representing the volunteers of YMCA of Greater Nashua
What is your role in the organization?
Volunteer coordinator
What kinds of things do you do?
I recruit volunteers to share their time and talents at our three local branches located in Nashua and Merrimack to support our staff members and enhance our membership experiences and our community partnerships. Our volunteers help advance our mission and they make an important contribution in our communities.
How has the pandemic affected your efforts, both personally and within your organization?
Our Program and Policy Volunteers started the year strong with nearly 400 individuals contributing 6,100 hours of volunteer service before the Covid-19 statewide shutdown in March caused us to pause our volunteer opportunities. As the YMCA opens more programs and activities at our branches our volunteers are returning to share their time and talents with our community. At the start of our year the YMCA offered over 50 different volunteer opportunities, including fitness instructors, coaches, early childhood education helpers, homework helpers and YMCA Togetherhood volunteers. … To address the Covid-19 pandemic and offer assistance to local families, we partnered with the United Way of Greater Nashua to provide volunteer drivers for a Covid Relief Food and Produce Distribution Program. The YMCA provided volunteer drivers Monday through Thursday to pick up food and produce at the Nashua Soup Kitchen and deliver it to eight different outdoor pop-up pantries around Nashua. The YMCA volunteer drivers delivered food and produce to 6,675 clients through the end of October. As the winter months and colder weather set in we transitioned to delivering food and produce to two indoor pop-up pantries located at the Nashua YMCA and First Church in downtown Nashua in early November. … Another proud accomplishment is the contribution our Annual Campaign Volunteers make to help raise money during the pandemic for the Y Cares program to provide scholarships to local children and families in need so they can experience Y programs and services such as child care, day camp, dance and arts, sports, swimming and more. The Y Cares Financial Assistance Program provided $456,000 in financial assistance in 2020 to ensure the Y is accessible to all.
What can others do to help?
Individuals and families can share their time and talents at the YMCA of Greater Nashua and make a fundamental difference in many lives. Check out our website for current volunteer opportunities at nmymca.org
What are you doing to take care of your own well-being during this crazy time?
Having a wonderful position at the YMCA and being an engaged volunteer with the Brookline Lions Club and Camp Allen is very rewarding and keeps me busy. I always remember there are many opportunities to help others and make a difference in the world.
Jaimie Adams
Seacoast Medical Reserve Corps/Central New Hampshire Medical Reserve Corps
What is your role in the organization?
My role in the organization is to respond to requests for help as a licensed EMT or any other duties that fall under my scope of practice, whenever available.
What kinds of things do you do?
A request was put out asking for LNAs to work in an Assisted Living Care Facility for a couple weeks with the possibility of being extended, as they had active Covid cases within the facility. I volunteered to help out, with the agreement that the State could get me housing so I didn’t pass Covid on to anyone else in the event I became infected. I worked anywhere between 8- to 12-hour shifts, filling the role of an LNA and helping out wherever I could. At times I had to jump into EMT mode as residents started to destabilize and the nurse and I would do everything in our power to get them stable again.
Why did you get involved?
I got involved because I have skills and training that were in high demand (and still are) and I couldn’t just stand by and do nothing. I believe in leading by example and I hope my actions will inspire others to do the right thing, even if it’s scary. I am a stay-at-home mom with a 2½-year-old, at the time, and my mother was able to take care of my daughter while I was gone and my husband worked. I try to take care of people and help out whenever I can — it’s just who I am.
How has the pandemic affected your efforts, both personally and within your organization?
The pandemic has taken a normally slow organization, business-wise, and increased the workload exponentially. There are limited amounts of people to help and a lot of help is needed right now so resources are thin. I started out early in the pandemic volunteering for the Metropolitan Medical Response System, conducting testing, and training others on how to do the testing. I did this before I began my work in the nursing home and also a few times while working in the nursing home. Being gone for so long had a negative impact on my daughter, which has been [difficult] to overcome. I just pray as she gets older she will understand what I did and why I did it. I was a hospice volunteer and volunteer firefighter prior to the pandemic and I have had to give everything up because I simply do not have the time any longer. This was tough for me because I absolutely loved volunteering in both organizations.
What can others do to help?
Others can help by signing up for NH Responds and see if you have any of the skills that are desired: doctors, nurses, LNAs, paramedic, EMTs, the list goes on. Even if you don’t have any medical background you can still be an active member in a support role. If you have the time, please take that step because everyone is already exhausted and we are just hitting wave 2.
What are you doing to take care of your own well-being during this crazy time?
I am just trying to keep a toddler alive, entertained and learning and support my husband as much as I can as he works long hours. My well-being? Sleep would be nice but I will just enjoy whatever life [my toddler] throws at me day by day. I met some amazing people through this, and for that I will always be grateful.
Team Bronze Award Project
Ginger Koslowski, representing the Girl Scouts of the Green and White Mountains
What is their role in the organization?
This is a team of Girl Scout Juniors (those in grades 4 and 5), who stepped up to provide personal protective equipment and other items to help out during the pandemic. A team of 103 Girl Scouts, 67 of them from across New Hampshire, formed the team to work on this project. It is called the Team Bronze Award Project because each girl earned Girl Scouting’s Bronze Award, the highest achievement for a Girl Scout Junior, for participating in this effort.
What kinds of things do they do?
The Girl Scouts chose to make face masks, ear savers, face shields, hand sanitizer and care packages. They also created websites and tutorials on how to make PPE and the best way to wear a face mask. They worked remotely but together.
Why did they get involved?
Girl Scouting is all about making the world a better place, and as soon as the pandemic hit girls got busy trying to help. Our council decided a team project would make a significant impact.
How has the pandemic affected your efforts?
The pandemic has definitely forced changes in the way Girl Scouts meet and conduct activities, but our girls are resilient and determined, and they always find a way to meet new challenges.
What can others do to help?
Girl Scouting is open to any girl — and adult volunteers — and provides many ways to not just help during the pandemic, but to make their community a better place in which to live at any time. See girlscoutsgwm.org.
David Crespo
Manchester Rotary Club
What is your role in the organization?
President
What kinds of things do you do?
Rotary is the largest nonprofit organization in the world. Our club is focused on children. Every year we hold the Cruising Downtown car show, which draws 30,000 people and 1,000 cars and we raise about $70,000. Every dollar is put into programs through organizations like the Boys & Girls Club, MPAL, Camp Allen, YWCA, Catholic Charities, Manchester Mental Health Center and Waypoint, to name a few.
Why did you get involved?
I was a single dad raising two daughters; my whole life was about providing for them and raising them to be good and successful people. I learned that many of their friends did not have the foundation I had provided and many did not have the means. I wanted to help in a small way at first and joined Rotary. During my time here I realized that I can do so much more. With all the crazy in the world it’s great working with good people who just want to help make a difference. Our motto is ‘Service Above Self.’
How has the pandemic affected your efforts, both personally and within your organization?
Unfortunately as a club we were not able to hold our big fundraiser, which was heartbreaking but we knew it was in the best interest and we also know that we will adapt and overcome. Like many organizations we have gone virtual and recently [have had] hybrid meetings. We have done many service projects such as renovations at Camp Allen, working at New Horizons feeding the homeless, making face masks for Amoskeag Health and are in the process of a renovation project at Girls Inc. We held a Mask Up program in April and handed out about 30,000 face masks to the general public. In conjunction with Rotary International we put together grants for PPE and distributed checks to YWCA, Manchester Mental Health Center and Amoskeag Health. Personally my biggest challenge is making sure for the safety of my children — as a dad you never outgrow that!
What can others do to help?
I believe that you need to find something you are passionate about! One of my biggest passions is homeless veterans. As a veteran I understand the challenges returning home so I wanted to get involved with The Liberty House. Once you find that passion go and volunteer. Many people do not know that Rotary International cured polio. We now have a clean water initiative. Maybe you want to help internationally — there are so many opportunities out there just waiting for a few good people to make a difference and you could be one of them!
Melinda Sergi of Concord is the owner of The Cannoli Stop Cafe & Bakery (239 Loudon Road, Concord, 224-9706, find them on Facebook), which opened in its current location in January after being in business for nearly two years a mile down the road. In addition to featuring a full pastry case of cheesecakes, cupcakes, chocolate-dipped Oreos and more than 30 types of homemade cannoli fillings, the shop has expanded its offerings since reopening to include subs, calzone turnovers, soups, pastas and other homemade dinners to go. All cannolis are made fresh to order — you can simply choose a small or large-sized shell, then pick your fillings and toppings. Fillings run the gamut from traditional and chocolate chip to caramel, blueberry, pumpkin and cotton candy.
What is your must-have kitchen item? I use rubber spatulas for everything. We have piles of them.
What would you have for your last meal? I’d probably say just a slice of pizza. I love pizza with sausage and onions.
What is your favorite local restaurant? Vinnie’s Pizza in Concord.
What celebrity would you like to see ordering from your shop? Sandra Bullock.
What is your favorite thing on your menu? The cannolis top everything. I love the orange zest flavor and the chocolate-dipped shell. We’ve had orange zest from the beginning.
What is the biggest food trend in New Hampshire right now? Takeout is the big thing right now, [like] subs, sandwiches, pizza, that kind of stuff.
What is your favorite thing to cook at home? I love to make a full meal for the family, like a shepherd’s pie or a turkey dinner.
Photo courtesy of the Cannoli Stop Cafe & Bakery.
Chocolate-dipped Oreos From the kitchen of Melinda Sergi of The Cannoli Stop Cafe & Bakery 1½ pounds chocolate of choice (milk, dark or white) 1 bag of Oreos (any flavor) Toppings like sprinkles, coconut shavings or chopped candies (optional) Melt chocolate using a double boiler and dip in Oreo flavor of choice. While chocolate is still wet, add any optional toppings. One and a half pounds of chocolate yields about 30 Oreos, which make great dessert trays for events.
Zoom dinners, outdoor meet-ups and more holiday tips
Nicole Chute, Health Promotion and Communication Specialist for the Nashua Division of Public Health and Community Services, shares some guidance on how to celebrate the holidays as safely as possible.
How risky is it to be traveling and/or gathering this holiday season? Should people even be considering it? We’re strongly encouraging folks to just stay home this holiday season, if possible, and celebrate with the people who live in their own household. … With the substantial community spread in the state of New Hampshire and in Hillsborough County, we really don’t want anyone, especially anyone who is older or has underlying conditions, to do any in-person activities this year. … If you can video chat with family members and friends, that’s always safer than getting together with them and spending time [in contact] with them.
Got any fun ideas or tips for virtual gatherings? Think about the things you would do together and how you would usually celebrate if you were together and try to do a virtual version of it. Cooking meals together over video chat is a great one. Also, I just heard that Zoom is going to be offering free calls without the 40-minute cap for the whole day on Thanksgiving, so that’s one way that people will be able to gather virtually.
If someone is hosting an in-person gathering, what can they do to make it as safe as possible for their guests? Keep it small, and limit your time together. The more time you spend with people, the greater the risk is of contracting Covid from somebody who has it. Also, stay outdoors. I know it’s going to be cold, but if it’s a nice day on Thanksgiving, try to have people outside. … Make sure you have hand sanitizer available, encourage mask use for anyone coming in, and space out any chairs to allow people to practice social distancing while they’re at your home. … You want to be practicing general food safety and good handwashing while you’re preparing any food. We’re encouraging people to do more of a buffet-style meal with prepared plates that people can grab and go, versus everyone grabbing their food out of the same food dishes and touching the same serving utensils. … Something else I’d recommend to a host of any gathering is to talk to the people who are planning on coming over beforehand and remind them to practice social distancing, mask wearing and handwashing [during the days leading up to the gathering].
If you’re a guest, what additional steps can you take to protect yourself? First, if you’re sick — and that means any new symptoms, whether it’s just a throat tickle or any little thing — you need to stay home. … Any time you’re spending time with people who don’t live in your house, it’s so important to keep that social distance, wear that face covering and wash your hands often, even if no one has symptoms, because we know that this virus can spread asymptomatically. … Try to stay outside, and keep your time there short.
What’s the safest way to travel? It’s definitely safer to drive [than to fly] as long as you’re driving with members from your household, but if you’re driving long distances, you’re probably going to need to stop for gas or at a rest area, so just make sure you’re practicing healthy behaviors there, too, like using hand sanitizer after you’re done pumping gas, and washing your hands at the rest stops. If you’re in an airport, make sure you’re washing your hands, wearing your mask, keeping your distance from others and avoiding touching your face.
What’s the safest way to go about lodging? There isn’t too big of a difference between staying at someone’s house versus staying at a hotel. … I’d recommend bringing some [disinfectant] wipes and wiping down the room when you get there. If you’re staying at a hotel, make sure you’re wearing a mask while checking in, and find out what all of their Covid protocols are.
Should people be quarantining post-gathering/traveling? In New Hampshire, we tell any travelers, visitors and residents who leave New England that they must quarantine for 14 days upon their return to the state, even if they feel OK. They can end their quarantine early at seven days if, on the seventh day, they get a PCR Covid test that comes back negative.
What’s happening with students? Do you have any special guidance for them? A lot of school districts are looking at remote learning for at least two weeks after the holidays, just to make sure that kids don’t come back to school and spread anything. I know there are going to be a lot of college kids traveling home, and if they’re traveling from out of state to come home to New Hampshire, they need to quarantine. Just plan on staying home with your family and the people who live in your house.
What about holiday shopping? Online shopping is the best way to avoid any contact with anybody, so if you can do your shopping online I would definitely recommend that.
Matt Casey is the owner-operator of Casey Magee’s Irish Pub & Music Hall (8 Temple St., Nashua, 484-7400, caseymagees.com), which opened in June. Casey Magee’s offers a menu of American comfort items with an Irish flair, featuring burgers, sandwiches and wraps, appetizers, flatbreads and entrees, with specialty cocktails, beers and wines available out of its full bar and a brunch menu on Sundays. Since opening, the pub has become especially popular with the late-night crowd on the weekends, Casey said, with upstairs pool tables and a jukebox you can use from your phone. Casey is a graduate of Johnson & Wales University in Rhode Island and a three-time marcher in the South Boston St. Patrick’s Day parade as a costumed leprechaun. Casey Magee’s is the culmination of his decades-long dream to open his own Irish pub.
What is your must-have kitchen item?
The grill is huge. You can throw anything on it and get creative with it.
What would you have for your last meal?
It would be steak, cooked medium, with a loaded baked potato and an IPA.
What is your favorite local restaurant?
Tostao’s Tapas-Bar. They are right around the corner from me on Main Street in Nashua. I’ve been in there a few times and they are really nice people with incredible food. The Buffalo dip and the empanadas are great.
What celebrity would you like to see eating in your restaurant?
Adam Sandler. I would love to have him come in during an open mic night!
What is your favorite thing on your menu?
The Irish nachos are awesome, and also the Guinness-battered fish and chips. I also love our traditional Irish boxty. That’s a different type of item that you can’t really find around here.
What is the biggest food trend in New Hampshire right now?
Street tacos, and just experimenting with different sauces and flavors. I think we will be jumping on that wagon. We’re looking into adding them on our menu.
What is your favorite thing to cook at home?
English muffin pizzas. I eat them like M&Ms. I like to do a chunky mushroom sauce and mozzarella cheese.
Traditional Irish boxty (potato pancakes) Courtesy of Matt Casey of Casey Magee’s Irish Pub & Music Hall in Nashua 2 pounds mashed potatoes (no skin) ¼ cup diced red onion ¼ cup diced green peppers ¼ cup diced bacon ¼ cup shredded cheese of choice ¼ cup diced scallions ¼ cup milk 1 egg 1½ teaspoons salt 1½ teaspoons coarse black pepper 1 tablespoon butter Combine all ingredients in a bowl. Place onto a skillet, forming into patties and cooking on both sides, like pancakes. Layer and top them with scallions and a citrus sour cream drizzle.
Featured Photo: Matt Casey. Photo by Matt Ingersoll.
