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Make it a game night

Find fun and competition at area trivia events

Looking for an activity with your friends or a way to make new ones?

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. (Know of a trivia night not mentioned here? Let us know at [email protected] to get added to our weekly trivia listings that run in the Nite section.)

Ready for some white hot competition? Sharpen those pencils…

Game maker

Heather Abernathy, a Manchester-based trivia host, runs general knowledge pub trivia at The Farm every Wednesday and themed trivia at Chunky’s every Thursday. In this Q&A, she discusses her transition from player to host, her process for crafting trivia questions, strategies for keeping the atmosphere lively, and how she deals with answer disputes. Additionally, Heather provides advice for aspiring trivia hosts. Her experience spans various themes and formats, catering to a wide range of trivia enthusiasts.

How did you get started with hosting trivia nights?

Heather Abernathy. Courtesy photo.

I have such a wealth of random trivia knowledge, probably from watching Jeopardy! with my grandfather every night as a kid. … I was always that person you wouldn’t want to play against in Trivial Pursuit. … I got started at The Farm in Manchester, because I was a player there. I played pretty consistently for about four years. And when the guy who was hosting before me decided he was done, the owners told him, ‘If you can find somebody you think would make a good host, we’ll hire them.’ He reached out to me and said, ‘You’re smarter than I am … and you’re here every week anyway, so why not get a guaranteed paycheck for it?’ So after a bit of hesitation, I decided, ‘What the heck,’ hung up my playing time, and switched over to hosting. That was in January of 2019.

What do you enjoy most about hosting trivia?

For my real job, I work in health insurance, and I work from home. So, it’s boring, and I don’t see a lot of people. Trivia is my way to get out, to be sociable. I’ve also made some good friends along the way. I really enjoy the interaction with the people that come out and play every week.

Can you describe the type of trivia you host?

At The Farm I mostly stick to general pub trivia, because that’s what my players like. I have thrown in themes once in a while, and my regulars tend to skip those because they prefer coming in and knowing they could be asked anything. Whereas at Chunky’s I do a different theme every single week. For example, tomorrow night, in honor of the new Mean Girls movie, I’ll be doing trivia on the original Mean Girls movie. But once a month I do something more music-themed. This month my music theme is The Beatles, but in the past I’ve done ’80s and ’90s music, which always sell out. Taylor Swift was another big one. And then once a month at Chunky’s on Sundays — because my Thursdays at Chunky’s are a 21-plus event — I do a family-friendly trivia where all ages are welcome. You can bring your kids, and I tend to do more family-oriented themes. So this month, for example, I’m doing Disney music as my family-friendly theme.

How do you create questions for your trivia nights?

For themed trivia, it’s easy. If it’s a movie, I will watch the movie and throw on my subtitles so I can make sure I’m getting quotes or spelling correctly. As I’m watching I’ll think, ‘Oh, that would be a good thing to ask.’ So I jot down what I’m thinking. For the general knowledge trivia, I do a lot of scouring the internet for what strikes me as a good question. One unique thing about my trivia, which I can’t take credit for because I took the format from the guy hosting before me — if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it — is when I ask a question, I follow it up with a song. The song serves two purposes: it gives time for players to hand in their answers and it also acts as a hint for the question. Some weeks I really want an excuse to play a certain song, so I’ll work backward and figure out a question that matches with the song. So for example, last week I asked a question … ‘Who was named Time Magazine’s Person of the Year for the very first time in 1927?’ The hint song that I played for that was REO Speedwagon’s ‘Time for me to Fly.’ … Charles Lindbergh was the answer to the question.

How do you maintain a good balance of topics and difficulty levels in your trivia questions?

I have a kind of mental checklist. For example, if I’ve already asked a geography question I’ll move on to science, then maybe something pop culture-related. Generally, as the game progresses, at least for the bar trivia, Round 1 questions are easier than Round 3 questions. Also, my music hints might become less obvious as the game goes on. … My rule of thumb is if I wouldn’t have known the answer, odds are I won’t ask it.

What strategies do you use to keep participants engaged and ensure a fun atmosphere?

The music is a big part of keeping participants engaged. Sometimes I’ll play a hit song and, without realizing it, strike a nerve, and next thing you know half the bar is singing along. I do my best to engage with people. Anyone who knows me knows that I speak fluent sarcasm. I try to let my own personality come through, like engaging in banter with the players. … I just try to keep it light and breezy.

How do you handle disputes or disagreements over answers during trivia nights?

It does come up, because I’m human. There’s a real chance that I might come up with a question and not be right, or there could be an alternate answer. If someone comes up to me with a dispute, I respect that, because when I played I was that person who challenged the host. I’ll do a spot check with my phone or laptop right there while hosting. I’m always open to being corrected. If it’s determined that an alternate answer was acceptable, I’ll admit it, award the points, and eat crow if I have to. On the flip side, if someone’s answer is close but not accurate, I might say, ‘Close enough isn’t good enough,’ and not give points, or I might give half points for being close. I try to be flexible, because the goal at the end of the day is to get people to come back.

What advice would you give to someone interested in becoming a trivia host?

My biggest piece of advice is to have fun with it. … You’ve got to have the confidence to go with it. Just get out there, have fun, and get to know your players. That has been key for me, because after hosting for so long these people are not just random attendees; many of them are now my friends. Establishing that rapport with players is crucial for retention. If people are having fun, they’re going to come back. So try to relax, have fun, and when you see people returning that’s always a good sign.

Game player

group of people sitting around table at crowded event, leaning in to take selfie, some wearing patterned Christmas sweaters — Amy Leal (third left) and her trivia team. Courtesy photo.

Amy Leal, 51, from Salem, participates regularly in themed trivia nights at Chunky’s in Manchester. She talked about her involvement in trivia since August 2020, her methods for forming and preparing her trivia team, the competitiveness of the games, challenges faced by the team, and some memorable experiences from the trivia nights.

Can you share a bit about yourself and how you got involved in trivia?

I just like collecting random information about various things. I’ve always enjoyed trivia-type games. For this particular weekly event, I got involved during Covid in August of 2020. Chunky’s couldn’t show movies, so they were hosting a Disney Pixar trivia event. My sister, knowing my interest in trivia and my love for Disney Pixar, saw it and thought I would be interested, so I went with my cousin Trish, who’s the same age as me. We thought, ‘Let’s check this out.’ We loved the format. It was a way to have a night out, kind of low-key during Covid, and do something fun. … Three and a half years later we’re still going just about every week.

How do you go about forming your trivia team?

For this trivia, you can have from one to eight people. Initially it was just my cousin Trish and I regularly. Then, when she couldn’t attend, I invited another friend, who has been going with me ever since. She brought a friend from high school. I also asked a few more cousins, and we all joined based on the themes Heather announced. We base our participation on our interests and strengths. Even if some of us don’t know the specific show or movie, we go just to have a night out. Our team can range from two to eight players weekly, depending on the theme and what’s happening in our lives. We have a diverse team, with people into music, movies, TV series and different genres. Everyone knows a little about everything, and some are experts in certain areas. So, for building a trivia team, the key is finding people interested in a wide knowledge base and looking for a night out, who can commit to more than once or twice a month. It’s about sharing interests, being competitive, and a commitment to winning and being together.

What’s your strategy, and how do you prepare?

Our approach for themed nights, especially if it’s something we’re not familiar with, is to watch the movie or TV show. We’re lucky to know the theme a couple of weeks in advance, so we can plan to watch a movie or brush up on it. If it’s a movie we haven’t seen in 20 years, we rewatch it. For a TV series with multiple seasons, like The Office with eight seasons, different team members will watch different seasons. It’s all just for fun; you can’t remember everything. Our strategy is to watch the content and then have a group chat where we throw out questions to each other for practice, just to keep it top of mind.

How competitive do things get?

Our group is pretty laid back, and we enjoy being together and having something to look forward to every week. But there are times when we get competitive, especially if we disagree with how a question was phrased. We’ll challenge the answer. Ultimately, Heather, who hosts the trivia, has the final say. Sometimes we feel that an answer wasn’t accurate or was a bit twisted, but it’s all in the context of the content. There’s some competitiveness, especially since there are repeat teams. Since August 2020 about six teams have been regulars, and we’ve all gotten to know each other, often on a first-name basis. We congratulate other teams when they win, but we also feel like it should have been us, especially if it was our game to lose. Sometimes we go in overconfident, and depending on the questions we might blow it or win. But at the end of the day it’s a game. We all want to win, but not everybody can.

What kind of hurdles do you run into with trivia and how do you handle them?

A challenge for us is that we don’t always have the same people available every week because life happens. When we’re missing someone we really feel it, especially if it’s a question they would have known. We had a phase where we won almost every week for six to eight months, placing first, second or third each time. It felt great, especially since we won gift cards for Chunky’s, which we used for meals. But not winning can be a downer, and we’re in a bit of a slump right now due to inconsistent team availability during the holidays. We need to get back up and overcome this slump.

Do you have any memorable moments or stories from trivia nights?

Around February 2021, it was my cousin Jamie’s birthday, and we had become friendly with Heather, the host. I sent her a childhood picture of Jamie, the classic school photo with the laser background, and asked her to put it up on the big screen in the theater to wish him a happy birthday. It was hilarious, and she even showed it a few times after just for fun. There was also this funny moment during a music round. We couldn’t remember the artist of a song, so all I pictured was a white guy wearing a vest with chest hair sticking out. That’s what we wrote as our answer. When Heather was reading the answers, she read ours out loud and it got a big laugh in the theater. Now, when we can’t remember something, that’s become our signature answer. And it turns out the artist for that song wasn’t even close to what I was picturing.

Trivia nights

Liven up your weeknights with some fun and games. Know of a trivia night not listed here? Let us know at [email protected].

Monday

Pub Quiz at Shaskeen (909 Elm St., Manchester, 625-0246, shaskeenirishpub.com) at 7:30 p.m.

Tuesday

Able Ebenezer Brewing (31 Columbia Circle, Merrimack, 844-223-2253) at 6 p.m.
Sea Dog Brewing (5 Water St., Exeter, 793-5116) from 6 to 8 p.m.
Second Brook Bar & Grill (1100 Hooksett Road, Hooksett, secondbrook.com) at 7 p.m.
Lynn’s 102 Tavern (76 Derry Road, Hudson, 943-7832, lynns102.com) at 7 p.m.
Gibb’s Garage Bar (3612 Lafayette Road, Portsmouth, gibbsgaragebar.com) at 7 p.m.
Geeks Who Drink trivia at Peddler’s Daughter (48 Main St., Nashua, 821-7535, thepeddlersdaughter.com), from 8:30 to 10:30 p.m.

Wednesday

Community Oven (845 Lafayette Road, Hampton, 601-6311, thecommunityoven.com) at 6 p.m.
Brews & Qs, 21+, at Feathered Friend (231 S. Main St., Concord, 715-2347, featheredfriendbrewing.com) at 6 p.m.
Spyglass Brewing Co. (306 Innovative Way, Nashua, 546-2965, spyglassbrewing.com) at 6 p.m.
Earth Eagle North (Barclay Square, 350 Route 108, Somersworth, 841-5421, eartheaglebrewings.com) at 6 p.m.
Popovers (11 Brickyard Sq., Epping, 734-4724, popoversonthesquare.com) from 6:30 to 8 p.m.
The Greatest Trivia in the World at Revolution Taproom and Grill (61 N. Main St., Rochester, 244-3042, revolutiontaproomandgrill.com/upcoming-events) at 6:30 p.m.
Don Ramon (6 Whitney St., Merrimack, 420-8468) from 7 to 9 p.m.
KC’s Rib Shack (837 Second St., Manchester, 627-7427, ribshack.net), sponsored by Mi Campo in Manchester, 7 to 9 p.m..
The New England Trivia Co. at City Hall Pub (8 Hanover St.,Manchester, 232-3751, snhhg.com) 7 to 9 p.m.
World Tavern Trivia at Fody’s Tavern (9 Clinton St. in Nashua, fodystavern.com, 577-9015) at 8 p.m.

Thursday

Reed’s North (2 E. Main St. in Warner, 456-2143, reedsnorth.com) from 6 to 8 p.m.
Mitchell BBQ (50 N. Main St., Rochester, 332-2537, mitchellhillbbq.com) at 6 p.m.
Station 101 (193 Union Sq., Milford, 249-5416) at 6:30 p.m.
Music trivia at Day of the Dead Taqueria (454 Charles Bancroft Hwy. in Litchfield, 377-7664) at 6:30 p.m.
Geeks Who Drink trivia at The Barley House (132 N. Main St., Concord, 228-6363), from 7 to 9 p.m.
Themed trivia at Cheers Bar & Grille (17 Depot St., Concord, 228-0563) at 7 p.m.
Hart’s Turkey Farm (223 Daniel Webster Hwy., Meredith, 279-6212, hartsturkeyfarm.com) from 7 to 9:30 p.m.
Opinionation by Sporcle trivia at Uno Pizzeria & Grill (15 Fort Eddy Road in Concord; 226-8667) at 7 p.m.
Hop Knot (1000 Elm St., Manchester, 232-3731, hopknotnh.com) at 7 p.m.
Shooters Sports Pub (6 Columbus Ave., Exeter, 772-3856) at 7:15 p.m.
Liquid Therapy (14 Court St., Nashua, 402-9391) at 7:30 p.m.
Game Changer Sports Bar (4 Orchard View Dr., Londonderry; 216-1396, gamechangersportsbar.com) from 8 to 10 p.m.
Strange Brew (88 Market St., Manchester, 666-4292) at 8 p.m.

Friday

The Biergarten Anheuser-Busch (221 Daniel Webster Hwy., Merrimack, 595-1202) from 6 to 8 p.m.

Sunday

Mountain Base Brewery (553 Mast Road, No. 111, Goffstown, 315-8382) at 4 p.m.

Other trivia nights

Chunky’s Cinema Pub in Manchester (707 Huse Road in Manchester; chunkys.com) holds regular 21+ trivia nights on Thursdays at 7:30 p.m. with varying themes:
The Beatles on Thursday, Jan. 11.
General Knowledge on Thursday, Jan. 18.
Barbie on Thursday, Jan. 25.
Chunky’s also hosts family-friendly trivia nights. Next up is Disney Songs on Sunday, Jan. 14, at 6 p.m.
Take part in Schitt’s Creek trivia night on Tuesday, Jan. 16, at 6:30 p.m. at Vine Thirty Two (25 S. River Road in Bedford; vinethirtytwo.com).
Trivia at Fody’s (9 Clinton St., Nashua; fodystavern.com) the first Thursday of each month at 8 p.m.
Trivia on the first and third Thursday of every month trivia at To Share Brewing (720 Union St., Manchester, tosharebrewing.com) at 6:30 p.m.
Trivia at Park Theatre (19 Main St., Jaffrey; 532-9300, theparktheatre.org) on the second Wednesday of each month at 7:30 p.m.

Featured Photo: Courtesy photo.

Quality of Life 24/01/11

Butterfly in the sky

The New Hampshire Audubon’s 2023 monarch butterfly tagging initiative has yielded promising insights, with a notable 40 percent return rate on detections from the 50 nanotags deployed. According to a press release, this research, building on the previous year’s work, has revealed significant migration distances, including a record detection close to 850 miles away, enhancing our understanding of monarch butterflies’ journey and informing potential conservation efforts. The repeated detection of monarchs along the same routes over consecutive years opens new avenues for targeted conservation strategies, marking a positive step in preserving these vital pollinators.

QOL score: +1

Comment: This is especially significant given the monarch butterfly’s status as a species of concern due to declining populations in recent years, the release said.

Better bills

The Community Power Coalition of New Hampshire (CPCNH) has announced a 26 percent reduction in its base electric rate to 8.1 cents per kWh starting February 2024, maintaining its position as the provider of the lowest residential energy supply rates in New Hampshire for the third consecutive rate period. According to a press release, this new rate is expected to yield $5.3 million in benefits for member communities. Serving over 120,000 customers in 28 cities and towns, with more joining soon, the Coalition offers cost-effective energy options, including choices for 100 percent, 50 percent and 33 percent renewable power, and provides savings to residential and mid-sized commercial customers.

QOL score: +1

Comment: In March, an additional 12 communities will join the Community Power Coalition of New Hampshire (CPCNH), expanding its reach to more than 50 municipalities.

Seeking a stage

Steeplegate Mall in Concord is set for a transformation into a mixed-use development, requiring tenants without long-term leases, including the Hatbox Theatre, to vacate by the end of January, NHPR reported. This redevelopment marks the end of Hatbox Theatre’s tenure at the mall, where it has been a part of the local arts scene since its inception in 2016. While some businesses like JC Penney and Altitude Trampoline Park remain unaffected due to long-term contracts, Hatbox Theatre faces immediate closure, disrupting its planned season, which included 15 scheduled productions, ranging from musicals to local playwrights’ works.

QOL score: -2 for the upheaval, particularly for Hatbox

Comment: Hatbox, which was slated to have its final show at the current location on Jan. 10, is looking for alternative locations. See hatboxnh.com for updates.

QOL score: 48

Net change: 0

QOL this week: 48

The Quality of Life meter resets for the new year. Let us know what’s affecting your Quality of Life at [email protected].

This Week 24/01/11

Big Events January 11 and Beyond

Saturday, Jan. 13

Enjoy the music of The Beatles, the Rolling Stones, The Animals, The Troggs, The Searchers, The Dave Clark Five, Herman’s Hermits and others at “The British Invasion” tonight at 7 p.m. at the Majestic Studio Theatre (880 Page St. in Manchester; majestictheatre.net, 669-7469). Tickets cost $20 and can be purchased by phone, online or at the door. Performers slated to embody the music of the mid-1960s include Dale Byrd, Emerson Carracedo, Glynn Cosker, Robert Dionne, Jonathan Flower, Kate Flower, Angelo Gentile, Kristin Grant, Bo Guyer, Cady Hickman, Karen McGraw, Jim Rogato, The Rockin Daddios, Brynn Susi and Bruce Williams, according to a press release.

Saturday, Jan. 13

Today is the Second Saturday at the Currier Museum of Art (150 Ash St. in Manchester; currier.org), the monthly Saturday when admission is free for New Hampshire residents (the museum is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.). From 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. head to the Creative Studio to learn how to make recycled paper beads in the style of artist Sanaa Gateja, whose show is currently on view, according to the museum’s website.

Saturday, Jan. 13

Catch some Southern New Hampshire University Penmen basketball when the women’s team takes to the court at 1:30 p.m., followed by the men’s team at 3:30 p.m., both against Southern Connecticut State University. The games take place at Stan Spiro Field House (at the Southern New Hampshire University campus, 2500 River Road in Manchester); regular season games are free to attend. See snhupenmen.com.

Saturday, Jan. 13

Symphony NH and the Spartans Drum and Bugle Corps present “Brass to the Max,” a show at the Keefe Center for the Arts (117 Elm St. in Nashua) today at 7:30 p.m. “The program will be visceral and high-energy. Be prepared to feel this one all the way through your bones with great music like Aaron Copland’s ‘Fanfare for the Common Man’ and ‘Celebrate’ by Kool and the Gang,” according to a press release. Tickets cost $10 to $60 and are available at symphonynh.org or by calling 595-9156.

Sunday, Jan. 14

As of earlier this week, WMUR was predicting a 52 degree high and rain for Saturday, Jan. 13, and a 32 degree high today (Jan. 14), when you can hit the streets of Bedford for the 3-mile HPM Insurance Snowflake Shuffle at 9:30 a.m. Registration costs $35 ($30 for under 21). See millenniumrunning.com.

Monday, Jan. 15

Cellist Roric Cunningham will hold a solo recital (with pianist Elizabeth Blood) today at 7 p.m. at the Manchester Community Music School (2291 Elm St. in Manchester; mcmusicschool.org). Tickets cost $15 for adults, free for students under 21, according to the website.

Save the Date! Saturday, Jan. 20
The New Hampshire Audubon Massabesic Center (26 Audubon Way in Auburn; nhaudubon.org, 668-2045) will hold a class on “Winter Sowing of Native Plants” on Saturday, Jan. 20, from 9:30 to 11 a.m. with presenters Donna Miller, UNH Extension Advanced Master Gardener, and Stacey Scaccia, UNH Extension Master Gardener, according to the website. The cost is $15 per person and you will “leave with a pot of native perennial seeds that will grow all year and be ready to plant in your garden next fall,” the website said.

Featured photo: British Invasion

Huge week for HC of NEPs

The Big Story – Bill Belichick’s Future: After the season ended, what happens to Bill Belichick was the raging local question and would be until the answer comes, which may have happened by the time you read this. So stay tuned.

Sports 101: Name the four teams who’ve never played in the Super Bowl.

News Item – NFL Wild Card Weekend: The biggest national story is the opening of the NFL playoffs. The three most intriguing side stories are these:

Miami at KC: Tyreek Hill’s return to Arrowhead Stadium.

Cleveland at Houston: It pits the team involved in bringing DeShaun Watson to Ohio against the one that not only now has the better QB anyway in CJ Stroud but also has all those draft picks Cleveland gave up for Watson.

L.A. at Detroit: Round 2 of who got the better of that Matthew Stafford–Jared Goff deal. Round 1 went to L.A. when they immediately won the SB with Stafford. But the Lions are now thriving with the much younger QB the Rams dumped and have a brighter long-term future thanks to the boatload of picks that came with Goff. A win for Detroit tilts the arrow toward them.

News Item – College Football Championship Game: The game between Big 10 Michigan and (not for long) PAC 12 Washington would have been played on New Year’s in the Rose Bowl a generation ago. And while it’s exciting for many, the two things that strike me are that it’s the swan song for the PAC 12 Conference, and UM’s coach is there despite being suspended twice for cheating this season. Oh, and semifinals-losing Texas had a back-up QB (Arch Manning) who made $3.2 million in NIL money as a freshman. Welcome to college football2024.

The Numbers:

7.8 – eye-popping yards per carry average (on 103) by rookie Miami back De’Von Achane.

15 –secondbest in the NFL rushing TD’s done somehow by quarterbacks Josh Allen of Buffalo and Jalen Hurts of Philly.

236 – last in the league points scored by the pathetic offense of your New England Patriots.

… Of the Week Awards

Shot of the Week – Nikola Jokic: The big fella delivered a 40-footer off glass as time expired to make Denver 130-127 winners over stunned Golden State. Though I ain’t buying Joker’s claim he called the bank, so if it’s H-O-R-S-E Nuggets lose.

Thumbs Down of the Week – NFL and NBC: For its sign of what lies ahead in putting Saturday’s KC-Miami wild card game only on NBC’s pay TV streaming service, Peacock.

Random Thoughts:

Disgruntled Patriots tackle Trent Brown wants to be elsewhere next year. Fine with me.

Speaking of Hayward: While durability is always his issue, if he’s bought out by Charlotte, he’d fit perfectly as an affordable point forward, 3 and D option off the Celtics bench.

Sports 101 Answer: Three of the Super Bowl-less teams — the Lions, Browns and Texans — can end their streaks this month, while Jacksonville missed again.

Final Thought – Coach B:

Here’s what my thinking on Coach B would be if I owned the Patriots.

Biggest Problems

Picking Talent: The player evaluation and draft strategy has been mostly awful since 2014. And the big free agent spending year of 2021 was a gigantic bust. It’s left them devoid of talent, especially on offense.

Strategic Approach: He just doesn’t seem to get how important a dynamic wide receiving threat is in 2023.

Can It Be Fixed? Yes, but it means a personnel chief must come in from the outside.

Biggest Issues Determining Whether Bill is the Guy to Fix It

(1) Is he willing/able to work with someone else picking the groceries?

(2) Can he adjust offensive strategy?

(3) Can he still coach them up?

(4) What’s more important: winning SB 7 or him breaking Don Shula’s record as a Patriot?

Answers:

(1) Doubtful, and who from the outside would want to do that?

(2) Maybe, since he did the same adding Randy Moss and Wes Welker after being run over by Peyton Manning in the 2006 AFC title game. Or if the unemployed Josh McDaniels (who was in Bob Kraft’s suite Sunday) comes back as OC.

(3) Given all the crazy penalties, unnecessary timeouts and questionable game management moves the last few years I wonder about that.

(4) For me the wins record is the final exclamation mark to the dynasty, so it tops SB7.

Bottom Line: While I think he’s leaving, if he accepts Issue 1 and brings back McDaniels I give him one last year. As for who has the stature to be Bill’s boss, I give Tom Brady a minority share of the team to nix his Raiders deal and put him in charge of football operations. Then we’re on to 2024.

Email Dave Long at [email protected].

News & Notes 24/01/11

NH vs. DNC

On Jan. 8, the New Hampshire Attorney General, John M. Formella, issued a cease-and-desist order to the Democratic National Committee’s Rules & Bylaws Committee for instructing the New Hampshire Democratic Party to inform the public that the Jan. 23 New Hampshire Democratic presidential primary election is “meaningless.” According to a press release, this statement has been declared false and misleading by the Attorney General, constituting a violation of RSA 659:40, III, against voter suppression. The Attorney General has ordered the cessation of any conduct that undermines the state election law, emphasizing the primary election’s legal significance and its role in the democratic process, despite the DNC’s stance on delegate allocation. The situation is under continued review by the Attorney General’s Office.

Paid leave

The New Hampshire Insurance Department, along with the Department of Employment Security and the Department of Administrative Services, is mobilizing community advocates to increase awareness of and participation in the state’s Paid Family Medical Leave (PFML) program. According to a press release, despite a strong enrollment in its first year, there is a recognized need to further inform the public, particularly those who could benefit but remain uninformed or uncertain about how to enroll. The state agencies are urging advocacy organizations to help disseminate information and facilitate enrollment by appointing liaisons to work with the PFML team. The initiative focuses on the urgency of promoting the 2024 PFML open enrollment, which concludes on Jan. 29.

Mocktails

The New Hampshire Liquor Commission (NHLC), in collaboration with Brown-Forman, has initiated the fourth annual New Hampshire Mocktail Month, with nearly 70 local restaurants participating. According to a press release, the event is part of the ongoing “Live Free & Host Responsibly” campaign, started in 2016, to encourage responsible alcohol service and consumption. This year’s mocktail month, which highlights several Brown-Forman brands, is designed to provide alcohol-free beverage options, enhancing a safe drinking environment for patrons. An online guide with mocktail recipes is available for those who prefer to create these drinks at home. The NHLC aims to leverage this initiative to foster responsible drinking habits and is encouraging social media engagement with the campaign. Visit liquorandwineoutlets.com/responsibility.

Cultural grants

The New Hampshire State Council on the Arts is offering Cultural Facilities grants to arts and cultural organizations for facility improvements to enhance their venues for cultural programming, according to a press release. With a focus on projects that promote accessibility and long-term venue enhancements, organizations can apply for grants ranging from $2,000 to $25,000 for use between April 1, 2024, and Jan. 31, 2025. Eligible applicants must be ADA-compliant, have a history of public arts programming, and hold a 501(c)(3) status, with the application deadline set for Feb. 9. Further details and application guidelines are available at nh.gov/nharts.

Keep the money here

A new economic study released by the New Hampshire Bankers Association has underscored the potential economic benefits of retaining taxpayer funds within the state, according to a press release. Conducted by Polecon Research, the study indicates that by investing public funds locally through the New Hampshire Public Deposit Investment Pool (NH PDIP), the state could experience a surge in economic growth, with an estimated increase of nearly $200 million in state GDP. Key findings suggest substantial boosts in available credit for small businesses, increased tax revenues, job growth and a significant rise in personal income for residents. Sen. Cindy Rosenwald has introduced the GLOW Act to capitalize on these findings, aiming to keep public funds invested within New Hampshire to maximize the economic impact. The study advocates for local investment as a strategic move to bolster the state’s economy and support community needs like affordable housing. The full report detailing these benefits is available on the NH Bankers website, nhbankers.com/PDIP, as they work with legislators to pass this initiative in the upcoming legislative session.

Dixville Notch is set to host the state’s only midnight vote for the 2024 first-in-the-nation presidential primary. Continuing a tradition that began in 1960, Dixville voters will cast their ballots at midnight as Jan. 22 turns into Jan. 23. This year, due to renovations at the Balsams’ Dix House, the vote will occur in the Living Room at the Tillotson House. The event will be overseen by Dixville Town Moderator Tom Tillotson, son of Neil Tillotson, who initiated this unique voting tradition. The Balsams’ principal owner, Les Otten, and the community’s voters will be present, along with a special appearance by Cory “C Pez” Pesaturo, a renowned accordion champion.

Ken Perkins, a retired United Airlines pilot, will present “Lindbergh’s Last Flight” at the Aviation Museum of New Hampshire in Londonderry on Thursday, Jan. 25, at 7 p.m. The event will feature Perkins’ firsthand account of the 1974 flight that transported a seriously ill Charles Lindbergh to Hawaii shortly before the legendary aviator’s death. Part of the museum’s speaker series, the presentation will offer unique insights into this historic flight and Perkins’ experiences during the Golden Age of Aviation. Admission is $10, with free entry for museum members. Visit aviationmuseumofnh.org.

The Be BRAVE Gala, presented by Safe Haven Ballet, is set to take place at the Nashua Center for the Arts on Jan. 28 at 6 p.m. This event, known for diverse artistic performances including ballet, contemporary dance, martial arts and music, aims to support survivors of sexual violence and trauma. Tickets are priced at $35 for adults and $30 for children and seniors. The Gala, which has been successful in raising funds for crisis centers in the past, will contribute a portion of its proceeds to HAVEN NH for building a larger shelter. Tickets can be purchased at NashuaCenterfortheArts.com or by calling 1-800-657-8774.