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2023 in Review

The Big Story – As the year closes, it’s time to look at the biggest stories of 2023 and to remedy Sports Illustrated’s choice of Deion Sanders as Sports Person of the Year by giving five better nominees for that distinction.

News Item – Top 5 Sports Stories of the Year:

Women’s Sports Growth in Business: The WNBA’s Seattle Storm sold for $160 million and an all-women group is putting up $100 million to bring a NWSL expansion team to Boston. These are previously unheard of prices for women sports franchises, so it’s clear the business of women’s sports is finally on its way.

Collapse of Pac-12: The generation of fans who grow up with it may come to love the bloated conference world. But those of us who grew up with schools’ regional identities tied to the conference they played in never will. Stanford in the ACC? USC, UCLA and podunk Rutgers in the Big 10? Creighton in the Big East? Give me a break. The culprit, of course, is money, with the first three schools mentioned being the reason behind the collapse of the once great Pac-8 (then 10, then 12).

Shohei Ohtani the $700 Million Dodger: The final number makes it hard to see how it can match the return L.A. will get back. And you don’t need much imagination to envision how an early injury to an already injury-prone guy can wreck this deal. But I’ll still root for him because he put greed aside to defer all but $2 million of his annual $70 million salary to let L.A. afford more players, which happened less than a week later when the Dodgers (incredibly) also put prized Japanese hurler Yoshinobu Yamamoto under their Christmas tree for a paltry $325 million.

Rise of Gambling in Sports: You can’t turn on any TV sportscast without being overrun by legalized sports betting ads. It’s gone from the ultimate taboo to “it’s all fine with us, boys, as long as you keep sending the cash.”

Collapse of the Patriots Dynasty We now have a clear answer to “Was it more Tom or Bill?,” don’t we? Tom Brady didn’t play in 2023 but clearly he was even more important to the dynasty than most realized.

News Item – Sports Person of the Year:

Brock Purdy: He may not be Brady just yet. But by going from 2022’s last player drafted to beating out the QB who cost the 49ers three first-round picks to get a year earlier, to the MVP favorite, he’s a Brady-like Cinderella story.

Pat Mahomes: The heir apparent to Brady’s passing records won his second Super Bowl.

Nikola Jokic: He led Denver to the NBA title, so he actually did something in Colorado besides promoting himself.

Nick Sirianni: By leading Philly to the SB while somehow adding excitement to the ancient QB sneak with the unstoppable Brotherly Shove, he’s a coach who actually did something besides promote himself.

Notable Deaths – RIP:

Tim Wakefield – 57: He wasn’t the greatest player, but he did earn a special place in Red Sox Nation’s heart.

Jim Brown – 87: The Browns 1950s-’60s fullback was simply the greatest and most indestructible football player who ever lived.

Dick Butkus – 80: No one was scarier or hit harder than da Bears’ MLB. With all due respect to LT, he was the most intimidating player I’ve ever seen.

Bobby Knight – 83: Dan Patrick said it best on his radio show: “I had friends who played for him. I had people who swore by him and swore at him. … This is a coach who demanded poise, composure, but he didn’t have it.” All true, but no one got more out of less athletic ability than the Indiana coach.

Vida Blue – 73: You had to be there to fully get how the A’s fireballing lefty took baseball by storm in 1971 like no first-year player ever has.

Willis Reed – 80: No one has ever put the hopes of his team and its fans on his back like the Knicks captain did in Game 7 of the 1970 NBA Finals. After two days of “will Willis play or won’t he?” fears, he limped onto the Madison Square Garden floor to face Wilt Chamberlain and the L.A. Lakers to energize everyone watching, then scored the game’s first two baskets to crush L.A.’s hopes 90 seconds into the game. I’ve never been more inspired or had a greater day as a sports fan.

Thumbs Up – Brad Stevens: Adding Kristaps Porzingis and Jrue Holiday to reshape the C’s has worked perfectly. Add bringing back Al Horford and Derrick White to town and every trade he’s made as Celtics GM has been a heist.

Thumbs Down – John Henry: He’s currently destroying his legacy as the Sox’ best owner ever. Save the legacy by taking the $3 billion profit you’ve earned and sell to someone who wants to win.

Final Thought: Happy new year to all.

Email Dave Long at dlong@hippopress.com.

State of the state

A snapshot of New Hampshire’s economic climate

Mike Skelton, President and CEO of the Business & Industry Association of New Hampshire, analyzes the state’s economic climate for 2023. His comprehensive overview covers key topics such as inflation, housing and job market trends, highlighting the challenges and opportunities that have shaped New Hampshire’s business landscape. Skelton reflects on the year’s economic trajectory and provides projections for 2024, offering insights into the state’s economic health and future prospects.

How would you characterize the economic climate in New Hampshire for the year 2023?

I would say the economic climate in New Hampshire for 2023 was or is strong with some reservations and risk factors that inhibited the ability for some businesses to grow in the manner that they would like to or to make investments with full confidence. Those risk factors primarily were rising interest rates, inflation, consumer confidence and sentiment, as well as an overarching sense of potential risk with world events and whether predictions about some sort of recessionary environment were coming to fruition. The general conditions lasted through the bulk of 2023. However, as the year wore on, folks began to warm up to the fact that while those risk factors are present, economic conditions on the ground are reasonably strong. Unemployment remains low, job growth remains steady and demand remains high in most, if not all, sectors. Inflation was easing slowly, and the hopes of avoiding a recession and heading to the “soft landing,” which was the Federal Reserve Bank’s target with its rate adjustment strategy over the last year, became more and more plausible as a potential path forward.

What have been the key drivers of inflation in New Hampshire this past year, and how have they impacted local businesses?

The key drivers of inflation in New Hampshire are similar to those in any other place around the country. Depending on your perspective as a consumer or a business, you have too many dollars and too much demand chasing too few products or too little supply. As supply has increased — considering there were supply chain issues in the last few years, whether it was in vehicles or various consumer products, and those have moderated or corrected — inflation has followed that in terms of decreasing. And with the Fed’s adjustments to interest rates, that obviously has an effect on dampening demand. So the impact on businesses is potentially seen in lessening demand. However, the surprise for many folks was that demand has remained relatively high, whether you’re in the services business or in the products business. Demand has remained pretty steady. It may be starting to slow a little bit now from the earlier breakneck pace, but it’s still quite strong, and that’s evident in what you see in economic indicators, job numbers and GDP. Where the biggest impact was felt was really in interest rates and how that impacts businesses’ ability to borrow money and finance expansions or operations, or activities they’re looking to invest in for future growth. This is probably most felt in the construction industry and the housing sector. But we’re seeing some shifts now with the Fed signaling that they are done raising rates and that rate cuts are expected at some point in 2024. We’ve already started to see interest rates begin to decline, and that starts to build some momentum for 2024, in terms of businesses looking at better conditions for financing operations and financing expansions in the manner they would like to.

How did New Hampshire’s housing market evolve over 2023?

The housing market continues to be extremely challenging, and it’s something that is inhibiting our growth as an economy. We have workers and citizens who would like more housing options, who would like more affordable housing options, and we simply don’t have enough supply. That’s really the story of New Hampshire’s housing market. It’s similar to many other states around us and locations across the country: We have too much demand chasing too little supply, and we’re not building enough new units to satisfy that increasing demand. That, of course, has pushed average prices higher over the past several years, making it more difficult for new homeowners to enter the market, for homeowners who wish to upgrade or move into a larger housing unit to find that, and it makes it more difficult for older homeowners who look to downsize. We’re seeing those stressors across the housing market, and, of course, that also translates to our rental market, where rental vacancy rates continue to be below 1 percent, well far off of what we would like to see as a balanced housing market. So this continues to be a challenge. There’s a flip side of the issue where it is positive that people want to move here and want to live here. New Hampshire has a lot of desirable qualities, both in terms of job availability and quality of life, that attract people. That contributes to the demand in our housing market. But we can’t sustain having this level of demand without it coming at the cost of holding back economic growth. If we’re going to continue to grow as an economy — and for companies that wish to hire to find a qualified workforce — we need to create more housing opportunities here in 2024 and for the foreseeable future.

What changes have you observed in the New Hampshire job market? Are there any sectors that have shown significant growth or decline?

Overall, the job market is robust. New Hampshire continues to have one of the lowest unemployment rates in the country, and I don’t necessarily see that changing dramatically in 2024. We’re going to continue to have an overall shortage of available workers compared to available jobs, and that underscores the need to create pathways for workers to move here, to work here, to open themselves up to opportunities here in New Hampshire. That cuts across multiple sectors, whether you’re looking at workers in the retail sector or manufacturing sector, or the need for more workers in high tech or engineering, or more positions that require advanced degrees or training. It’s really across the board, and I would expect New Hampshire to continue to be in fierce competition with surrounding states and other parts of the country, given the advent of remote work, to attract and retain workers here.

What were the major challenges and opportunities faced by New Hampshire businesses in 2023?

In this type of economy, where there [are] some overarching risk factors relating to changes in the interest rate environment, world events impacting the economy and consumer confidence, a challenge for businesses was navigating that uncertainty while continuing to invest in the future, without having necessarily a clearer picture of what the future might bring. Would there be a recession? Or would we navigate through that? Earlier this year at one point, national economists were forecasting, in some cases with 100 percent certainty, that there would be a recession in 2023. So, for many businesses, the challenge was bracing for a downturn in the economy that ultimately has not come, and we hope does not come, but through that, continuing to look toward the future and how they can grow. In terms of opportunities, this is a time where, for companies, depending on what their industry sector is, coming out of a challenging few years with the pandemic, with high pent-up demand across multiple sectors of the economy, this is an opportunity to grow and to discover new markets, new customers and new strategies for how to reach those customers. This was a year where if you were able to navigate the uncertainty, there were probably some pretty interesting and exciting business opportunities to discover that could position you for growth well into the future.

What potential impacts do you anticipate the upcoming elections having on New Hampshire’s business environment and economic policies?

At this point, because we’re in the primary season right now, it’s a little early to say what type of impact it might have. Generally speaking, I think the business community looks to the political realm, first and foremost, for stability. And if an election cycle is particularly highly partisan and not necessarily focused on important policy issues, that can serve as a distraction from some of the important business issues that business leaders and those interested in the future of the economy would like to discuss. So, hopefully, the election cycle will allow for and have a platform where voters will be able to dig into what are the business policies and plans of each candidate, whether it’s at the presidential level or congressional level, down to state officeholders, because those issues really matter and will have a material impact on the businesses in which they work as well as their individual quality of lives. … As is the case with most elections, economic issues, in the end, tend to bubble up to the top, and how voters perceive the health of the economy and the direction of the economy usually has a significant impact on their decision-making when they ultimately go to the polls.

Based on current trends, what are your projections or expectations for New Hampshire’s economy in 2024?

I’ll caveat this to say that I am not an economist, so this is not a traditional economic forecast, but from my perspective, as CEO of the BIA, I feel very bullish on New Hampshire’s economy heading into 2024 and believe we have significant opportunities for continued growth. … I think there is increasing optimism. There are certainly going to remain some economic challenges and risk factors, but the environment and conditions are improving or strengthening compared to where we were a year ago. … New Hampshire has a favorable business climate with a business-friendly regulatory system. We have a highly educated workforce, and we have a strong quality of life and community. We’re a state that is regularly rated as one of the best places to live and raise a family. We have all of these pillars of what makes the state a strong place to do business already here, and in relatively good condition and health. That allows us to compete really well against our neighbors here in New England, and with some other states. Where we need to continue to focus is really the cost of housing, the cost of energy, and attracting workers; those are the key challenges, and I think we are making progress on them, but it’s a question of how much progress can we make year in, year out to realize the growth potential that is here before us. In terms of 2024, if continuing in the current direction with a strong job market, a lower interest rate environment and an overall economy that’s headed toward a soft landing — avoiding a recession — I think you’re going to see a really strong year for New Hampshire economically, and businesses are going to have more confidence to move forward with hiring or expansion plans that they may have put off in 2023 that they were a little worried about. They wanted a clearer picture. … So I think that is an optimistic and also realistic view of where we could be headed. I think New Hampshire continues to be well-positioned compared to many other states in the region and also around the country.

Featured photo: Mike Skelton.

News & Notes 23/12/28

Storm clean-up

In the aftermath of a massive storm system on Dec. 18, 2023, which brought heavy rainfall and strong winds to New Hampshire, both the state’s Congressional delegation and the Department of Safety’s Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management (HSEM) have requested assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). According to a press release, the New Hampshire Congressional delegation, led by Sens. Jean Shaheen and Maggie Hassan, along with Reps. Annie Kuster and Chris Pappas, sent a letter to FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell expressing their support for the affected local communities. The storm resulted in extensive road closures, infrastructure damage and home destructions in northern New Hampshire, leading to the rescue of some residents by National Guard helicopters. The delegation urges FEMA to be prepared to conduct Preliminary Damage Assessments in collaboration with state and local officials, should the state request it, especially as impending snowfall could complicate the assessment of the full extent of the damage. On the state level, the HSEM, on behalf of Gov. Chris Sununu, initiated joint Preliminary Damage Assessments with FEMA to document the impact on communities, which is crucial for securing federal disaster relief funds. HSEM had nine teams visiting affected communities to assess initial damage estimates, working closely with communities to determine whether they meet the state threshold of $2.53 million in damages.

Food help

NH Hunger Solutions and other anti-hunger advocates plan to attend a public hearing in Concord on Jan. 3 for SB499, the Hunger Free NH Act. According to a press release, this bipartisan legislation, led by Sen. Becky Whitley (D-Hopkinton) and introduced for the 2024 session, aims to address food insecurity in New Hampshire. Key objectives of the act include increasing participation in Federal Nutrition Programs (FNPs), removing administrative barriers for accessing these programs and improving participation in School Breakfast and Summer Meals programs. The act also focuses on making it easier for older adults and people with disabilities to access food and nutrition benefits.”Our food and nutrition support system is designed to work like a power grid that can move healthy food to communities and households — the problem is that the grid is well-powered in some areas and patchy or even non-existent in others,” Executive Director of NH Hunger Solutions Laura Milliken said in the release. “At the same time, rising costs of goods, housing and child care are straining household budgets. For many, it is increasingly difficult to meet basic needs.” Milliken noted that over half of New Hampshire children and 46 percent of adults live in households with insufficient food as of Oct. 30. “The Hunger Free NH Act will connect more Granite Staters with nutritious food and bolster our food support system in NH,” she said.

Historic registry

The Bald Peak Colony Club in Moultonborough has been listed in the National Register of Historic Places as a notable example of a rural country club from the 1920s, according to a press release. Located with views of Lake Winnipesaukee and surrounded by the Belknap and Ossipee mountain ranges, the club was founded in 1921. It stands out as one of New Hampshire’s most preserved historic golf clubs, featuring 93 contributing buildings, sites and structures that maintain the Colonial Revival architectural style. The club’s facilities include a symmetrical clubhouse, early cottages near the clubhouse, a variety of recreational buildings, and an 18-hole golf course that has kept its original layout since 1919. The listing on the National Register, administered by the National Park Service, recognizes the property’s historical significance without imposing new restrictions on it. It also makes the property eligible for certain state grants aimed at conservation and heritage investment.

Corrections training

The New Hampshire Department of Corrections has partnered with the National Alliance on Mental Illness New Hampshire (NAMI NH) for a training initiative funded by a grant from the Governor’s Commission on Alcohol and Other Drugs. According to a press release, this collaboration aims to equip all corrections staff with specialized skills through programs like Building a Trauma-Responsive Correctional Setting and Crisis Intervention Training, with a focus on application in correctional environments. This move comes after a significant number of individuals were referred for behavioral and substance use services upon booking, highlighting the need for enhanced staff training. The initiative, starting in Fiscal Year 2025, seeks to improve outcomes for justice-involved individuals with mental illness and support corrections staff in managing complex issues within the criminal justice system.

Pembroke received approval from the NH Public Utilities Commission to proceed with the Pembroke Community Power Energy Aggregation Plan, set to launch on March 1, 2024. According to a press release, the plan aims to provide residents and businesses with more affordable and cleaner electricity. Residents will receive information letters starting Jan. 22, detailing the benefits and explaining how to participate or opt out of Pembroke Community Power. The Pembroke Energy Committee will hold an informational public meeting on Jan. 31 at 6:30 p.m. in the Pembroke Academy auditorium.

The New Hampshire Department of Transportation (NHDOT) has announced the closure of the temporary E-ZPass Walk-In Center (WIC) at Exit 16 on the Spaulding Turnpike (Route 16) in Rochester, according to a press release. The center, which was set up to assist travelers in transitioning to the All-Electronic-Toll (AET) system implemented in September 2023, will cease operations permanently on Dec. 29 at 6 p.m. Walk-In Centers in Concord, Nashua and Portsmouth will continue to serve the public from Monday to Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

The Upper Room, a family resource center in Derry, is launching a six-week series titled “Is This Crossing The Line?” to educate teen women on boundary setting, consent, sexting and personal confidence. According to a press release, the free program will run Mondays, Jan. 22 through March 4, from 3 to 4 p.m. Sessions will be facilitated by Valerie Mazzola, LICSW, from Clear Balance Counseling, to provoke insightful discussions among participants about maintaining healthy relationships. Attendance for all six sessions is required for participants. To register, call 437-8477.

The Great NH Cookie Swap — 12/21/23

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

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

News & Notes 23/12/21

231221 Featured Content News

College for first responders The New Hampshire Department of Safety has launched a new First Responder program in collaboration with ...

Future workers

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Small business owners take their issue to D.C. In response to the Basel III Endgame regulation, which could escalate capital ...

Holiday joy for Boston

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The Big Story – Xmas Arrives: With the holiday season a time of joy, the focus for the big story ...

Quality of Life 23/12/21

231221 News Quality Of Life

Ski NH New Hampshire has been ranked as the sixth-best state for skiing vacations in the U.S., with a score ...

This Week 23/12/21

large walk through sphere made of white and purple christmas lights on outdoor walkway at night

231221 News This Week

Big Events December 21, 2023 and beyond Thursday, Dec. 21 The LaBelle Lights outdoor walkthrough path of holiday light displays ...

The Great NH Cookie Swap

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231221 Cover Stories Featured Content

Dozens of cookies to share and enjoy Cookies are the best. They are a great dessert, a great snack, a ...

Color exploration

231221 Art & Theater Featured Content Visual Arts

New class at Currier Museum of Art looks at behavior of color Registration is now open for Design & Color ...

Kiddie Pool 23/12/21

231221 Family Fun Outdoors

Family fun for whenever Visit the museum Entertain restless kids and visiting relatives at area museums. • The Aviation Museum ...

Treasure Hunt 23/12/21

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231221 Family Fun Treasure Hunt

Dear Donna, Do you have any knowledge of this kind of bracelet? It’s the characters from the movie The Wizard ...

The Weekly Dish 23/12/21

231221 Food

News from the local food scene • Doughnut and wine pairing: One of Wine on Main’s (9 N. Main St., ...

Last meal of 2023

Homemade Thanksgiving Turkey Plate with Cranberry Stuffing Potatoes and Beans

231221 Featured Content Food

Ring in the new year with dinner, parties, Champagne and more New Year’s Eve reservations fill up fast, so make ...

Butterscotch Drops

round cookies with layer of frosting on top on square plate on table

231221 Food

It was 1950. The war was over, the economy was booming New suburbs were springing up all over the country, ...

Album Reviews 23/12/21

231221 Albums Pop

Dollyrots, “Auld Lang Syne” (Wicked Cool Records) I absolutely hate New Year’s Eve. It’s the last celebratory moment before everything ...

Eat, Poop, Die, by Joe Roman

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231221 Books Pop

Eat, Poop, Die, by Joe Roman (Little, Brown Spark, 253 pages) One of the most fascinating and underrated places on ...

Chicken nuggets and naughty elves

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231221 Featured Content Film Reviews by Amy

A look at new family films Need to entertain an all-ages crowd? There are several new streaming movies geared at ...

The Music Roundup 23/12/21

231221 Music This Week

Local music news & events • Hometown bash: The Concord scene celebrates the holiday as Lucas Gallo & the Guise ...

Party the year away

231221 Featured Content Nightlife

Music, comedy and more for New Year’s Eve Here are a few of the parties planned for Sunday, Dec. 31 ...

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Party the year away

Music, comedy and more for New Year’s Eve

Here are a few of the parties planned for Sunday, Dec. 31. Know of more? Let us know at adiaz@hippopress.com.

• 3S Artspace (319 Vaughan St., Portsmouth, 766-3330) $24 and up. Harsh Promadillo is a semi-annual prom-themed dance party; dress loud and have fun with it. A prom king/queen will be crowned. Music from Harsh Armadillo with Adra. 8 p.m.

• 815 Cocktails & Provisions (815 Elm St., Manchester, eventbrite.com) $120. Music from DJ Shamblez, Siren of the Circle Burlesque, magic by Benjamin, photo booth, best-dressed contest, door prizes, Champagne toast with open bar menu and small bites. 8 p.m.

• Alan’s (133 N. Main St., Boscawen, 753-6631) Hell on Heels plays a variety of music from old to new, rock, country, blues and a few surprises. 8 p.m.

• American Legion Post 8 (640 Central Ave., Dover, 742-9710) Live music by Dancing Madly Backwards, full bar, food and snacks, dance floor. 8 p.m.

• Artisan Hotel at Tuscan Village (17 Via Toscana, Salem, tuscanbrands.com) $175. Sky High Soirée with all-you-can-eat bites, a sparkling welcome and farewell prosecco toast, cash bar, and exclusive rooftop access all night. A few floors down there’s a separate bash with Dueling Pianos starting at 6 p.m. with passed appetizers, fresh raw bar, a grand Tuscan-style Salumi board followed by a three-course sitdown dinner, dessert bar and late-night snacks that will keep the party going until 2024. 6 p.m.

• Bowl-O-Rama Family Fun Center (599 Lafayette Road, Portsmouth, bowlorama.com) $99 per lane package includes shoe rental for up to five people, two hours of unlimited bowling, large one-topping pizza, fountain beverage pitcher, five $5 arcade game cards and party favors. Noon.

• Bridgewater Inn (367 Mayhew Turnpike, Bridgewater, 744-3518) Classic rock band Horsepower performs downstairs, with DJ upstairs spinning all night long. $50 per person includes buffet (5:30 to 7:30 p.m.) and party; $20 for party only. Hats & tiaras, noisemakers, beads and Champagne toast. 8 p.m.

• The Brook Casino (319 New Zealand Road, Seabrook, eventbrite.com) $30. Diamonds & Dice New Year’s Eve with special guest DJ Ryan Cabrera. 10:30 p.m.

• Buckey’s (240 Governor Wentworth Hwy., Moultonborough, 476-5485) Red Hat Band is back, a tradition at this Lakes Region spot. 9 p.m.

• Cercle National Club (550 Rockland Ave., Manchester, 623-8243) Potluck dinner and appetizers with Mugshot Monday playing rock covers at this members club, with Champagne at midnight. 7:30 p.m.

• Chop Shop (920 Lafayette Road, Seabrook, 760-7706) AC/DC tribute act Who Made Who performs with country rockers Bulletproof, at a party including hors d’oeuvres, party favors, outdoor fun, and awards for best dressed along with Champagne toast at midnight. 6:30 p.m.

• Chunky’s Cinema Pub (707 Huse Road, Manchester, 232-4794) $30. Comedy show starring James Dorsey, Matt Barry and Greg Boggis. 7 p.m.

• Chunky’s Cinema Pub (151 Coliseum Ave., Nashua, 880-8055) $30. Comedy show starring Phillip Anthony, Joey Carrol & Pat Napoli. 7 p.m.

• Chunky’s Cinema Pub (150 Bridge St., Pelham, 635-7499) $30. Comedy show starring Jody Sloane, Mark Scalia & Dave Decker. 7 p.m.

• Colonial Theatre (613 Main St., Laconia, powerhouse.org) $30. A Very Broadway New Year’s Bash with trivia, social bingo, karaoke, costume contest, dancing and games. Ticket includes light appetizers, Champagne/sparkling cider toast. 7:30 p.m.

• Copper Door (15 Leavy Dr., Bedford, 488-2677) Clint Lapointe plays from 4 to 7 p.m., and the restaurant stays open until 11 p.m. Starts at 3 p.m.

• Copper Door (42 S. Broadway, Salem, 458-2033) Bella Perrotta plays from 4 to 7 p.m., and the restaurant stays open until 11 p.m. Starts at 3 p.m.

• Derryfield (625 Mammoth Road, Manchester, 623-2880) $25. Once again, the Chad LaMarsh Band, a high-energy dance combo with male and female lead vocals, entertains with tunes from the ’60s to now, with Champagne toast at midnight and party favors. 9 p.m.

• DoubleTree by Hilton Manchester Downtown (700 Elm St., Manchester, headlinersnh.com) $35 and up. Comedy show starring Ken Rogerson, Tim McKeever, Rob Steen and Alex Giampapa, also separate Dueling Pianos show, dinner/hotel packages available at headlinersnh.com. 6 p.m.

• Doubletree by Hilton Nashua (2 Somerset Parkway, Nashua, eventbrite.com) $149. Food, laughs and dancing, as a multi-course dinner is followed by Boston comics Pete Costello and Dave Russo followed by local favorites Joppa Flats; Champagne toast. 6 p.m.

• Eagles Club Concord (36 S. Main St., Concord, 228-8922) Dave Graham performs, non-members signed in. 8 p.m.

• Eagles Club Salem (8 Eagles Nest, Salem, 337-8053) $30 and up. Ring in 2024 with the Manhattan Band. 8 p.m.

• East Side Club (786 Massabesic St, Manchester, 669-1802) NYE party with DJ Keith. 9 p.m.

• Flying Monkey (39 Main St., Plymouth, 536-2551) $49 and up. Standup comedy from Season 12 America’s Got Talent finalist Preacher Lawson. 8 p.m.

• Fody’s (9 Clinton St., Nashua, 577-9015) Perfect Entertainment and Captain Morgan Promo Girls bring a 2024 celebration party with live DJ and giveaways. 9 p.m.

• Fody’s Derry (187 1/2 Rockingham Road, Derry, 404-6946) DJ Jay and Captain Morgan Promo Girls bring a NYE 2024 celebration with prizes and giveaways. 9 p.m.

• The Goat (50 Old Granite St., Manchester, 603-4628) NYE party with Seven Day Weekend is reprised. 8 p.m.

• The Goat (142 Congress St., Portsmouth, 658-4628) Rob Pagnano performs at 9 p.m.

• Governors Inn Hotel & Restaurant (76 Wakefield Road, Rochester, 332-0107) $85 includes dinner with appetizers and dessert, along with dancing to classic rock and pop cover band Bad Penny. 7:30 p.m.

• Grappone Conference Center (70 Constitution Ave., Concord, eventbrite.com) Disco dinner party with DJ spinning hot tracks all night long. Groove to your favorite tunes and show off your best moves on the dance floor. 7 p.m.

• Hermit Woods Winery & Eatery (72 Main St., Meredith, eventbrite.com) $35 to $45. Begin with a 5:30 p.m. wine tasting, then enjoy jazz singer Ashley Warwick accompanied by Craig Jaster on piano and Brian Warwick on drums. Intermission Champagne toast of Cirque De Strawberry and a special dessert included with ticket. Show ends early, leaving time for another party to ring in 2024. 7 p.m.

• Jewel Music Venue (61 Canal St., Manchester, eventbrite.com) $45. A Big Gay Events production, Studio 24 harkens back to the height of the disco era when Studio 54 was the epicenter of glitz, glam and parties. The soiree is hosted by Pancake and Sasha Stone and Boston DJ Andrea Stamas, with drag from Chi Chi Marvel and CiCi Crystal. 9 p.m.

• LaBelle Winery (345 Route 101, Amherst, 672-9898) $145. Three-course plated dinner and music from Freese Brothers Big Band followed by a stroll through the LaBelle Lights. 9 p.m.

• Luna Bistro (254 N. Broadway, Salem, luna-bistro.com) $100. Get a head start with an afternoon Dueling Pianos cocktail party that begins with dinner and Rat Pack music from Joey Canzano. Later, it’s passed hors d’oeuvres and a “ball drop” at 4 p.m., followed by more dancing and a raffle drawing. 6 p.m.

• Lynn’s 102 Tavern (76 Derry Road, Hudson, 943-7832) Crave rocks out at this annual bash. 8:30 p.m.

• Murphy’s Carriage House (393 Route 101, Bedford, 488-5875) $40. Comedy show with Bob Niles, Amy Tee, E.J. Murphy and Eric Hurst. 8 p.m.

• Murphy’s Taproom (494 Elm St., Manchester, scampscomedy.com) $30. Comedy show with Chris D., Joe Espinola and host Jack Lombardo. 8 p.m.

• Music Hall Loft (131 Congress St., Portsmouth, 433-3100) $35. After outdoor First Night festivities, high-energy string band Rockspring performs, with a midnight Champagne toast. 10 p.m.

• Nan King Restaurant (222 Central St., Hudson, 882-1911) Patty’s Energizer Karaoke rings in the new year. Have dinner and sing your favorite song. 7:30 p.m.

• Nashua Center for the Arts (201 Main St., Nashua, etix.com) $39. Juston McKinney’s Year in Review debuts at the region’s newest venue. 8 p.m.

• New London Barn Playhouse (88 Main St., New London, 526-6710) $175. Curated dinner menu, Champagne and an assortment of drinks, and entertainment including Alec Michael Ryan, Hannah Hunt and Cara Rose DiPietro from the 2019 Acting Intern Company. 6 p.m.

• Palace Theatre (80 Hanover St., Manchester, 668-5588) Recycled Percussion is again home for the holidays. Ring in 2024 with junk rock, two shows, 3 and 4:30 p.m.

• Pats Peak Ski Area (686 Flanders Road, Henniker, 728-7732) New Year’s fireworks (slopes close at 8:45 p.m.) and dancing to The McMurphy’s in the Sled Pub. No NYE party. Night lift tickets start at 4 p.m., last call 10:30 p.m.

• Pembroke Pines Country Club (42 Whittemore Road, No. 3128, Pembroke, eventbrite.com) $160. Comedy from Mike Koutrobis with dancing and food. Buffet starts at 6:30 p.m., comedy at 8 p.m., followed by dancing until midnight with a Champagne toast.

• Portsmouth Gas Light (64 Market St., Portsmouth, 430-9122) Winter Wonderland party on the third floor, passed hors d’oeuvres, Champagne toast, late-night buffet, giveaways, with VIP packages available. 8 p.m.

• Red’s Kitchen & Tavern (530 Lafayette Road, Seabrook, 760-0030) Live music by Redemption Band, cocktails, food and more. 8 p.m.

• Rex Theatre (23 Amherst St., Manchester, 668-5588) $30. Two shows from comedian Jimmy Dunn, at 7:30 and 9 p.m.

• Riley’s Place (22 Mt. Vernon St., Milford, 325-2177) $10. Soultown Band plays the best of Motown, with soup-to-nuts dinner sold separately (make reservations). 9 p.m.

• Rockingham Ballroom (22 Ash Swamp Road, Newmarket, eventbrite.com) $40. With a theme of Retro Fantasy, it’s dancing all night on the area’s largest dance floor. DJ host Johnny B Groovy and his Soul Sister. Party favors, healthy late-night food and dessert table, midnight glass of Champagne. 8 p.m.

• Saddle Up Saloon (92 Route 125, Kingston, 369-6962) $25. Ring in the new year with live music from Bite the Bullet; tickets include a midnight pizza buffet. 8 p.m.

• Shaskeen (909 Elm St., Manchester, 625-0246) All-inclusive Epic New Year’s Bash with 200 tickets sold covering a dinner buffet, midnight Champagne toast, live DJ and open bar (no shots). The club will be closed to anyone without tickets (21+ only). 8 p.m.

• Skymeadow Country Club (6 Mountain Laurels Dr., Nashua, headlinersnh.com) $110. Dinner and comedy with Mark Scalia and Joey Carroll, along with DJ dancing ($50 without dinner). 6:30 p.m.

• Soho Bistro (20 Old Granite St., Manchester, 222-1677) $21. Masquerade gala promises the hottest crowd, dazzling beauties and epic music with entertainment from Medio Pollo. 9 p.m.

• Stone Church (5 Granite St., Newmarket, 659-7700) $20. A Very Max Chase New Year’s Eve featuring Superfrog, Amulus, and The Chops. 6 p.m.

• Strand Ballroom (20 Third St., Dover, 343-1899) $50 and up. Comedy with Dave Sheehan, followed by ’80s tribute act Neon Wave, with finger foods and midnight toast. 7 p.m.

• Sweeney Post No. 2 (251 Maple St., Manchester) Live music from Stray Dogs, with a potluck dinner, so bring an app, favorite dish or dessert to share. 8 p.m.

• Tower Hill Tavern (264 Lakeside Ave., Laconia, 366-9100) DJ Kadence hosts NYE party. 8 p.m.

• Tupelo Music Hall (10 A St., Derry, 437-5100) Adam Ezra Group and opening duo dynamo Sirsy play with a four-course dinner at 5:30 p.m. for $95; 9 p.m. show only is $45, and all tickets include a Champagne toast.

• Wally’s Pub (144 Ashworth Ave., Hampton, 926-6954) Scott Brown & the Diplomats with Highway 20 Fried provide the live music at this epic bash. 9 p.m.

Featured photo: Behind the Seams: My Life in Rinestones by Dolly Parton

The Music Roundup 23/12/21

Local music news & events

• Hometown bash: The Concord scene celebrates the holiday as Lucas Gallo & the Guise hold forth for a jammy night of music. The group includes Gallo and JamAntics mates Eric Reingold and Freeland Hubbard, along with Curtis Marden. Expect some of Gallo’s solo tunes and a few numbers from his old band among the upbeat jams at this party; surprise guests are a foregone conclusion. Thursday, Dec. 21, 7:30 p.m., Penuche’s Ale House, 16 Bicentennial Square, Concord. See lucasgallomusic.com.

• Holiday laughs: It’s a little bit of everything as comedian Kelly MacFarland hosts a seasonal soiree that promises holiday glow-ups, last-minute gift ideas, giveaways, a Yankee swap and an ugly sweater contest. Of course, there’s standup, with a lineup rounded out by Kathe Farris, Emily Ruskowski and Dan Crohn. MacFarland had an eventful year that included the supergroup Mother of a Comedy Show. Friday, Dec. 22, 7:30 p.m., Rex Theatre, 23 Amherst St., Manchester, $25 at palacetheatre.org.

• Wishful fashion: Now in its 19th year, the Ugly Christmas Sweater Party is a fundraiser for Make-A-Wish’s New Hampshire chapter. To date, the annual event has amassed over a quarter million dollars for the charity. Entertainment happens in three locations, with DJ Terry Moran in the function room, beloved rockers Never in Vegas on the main room stage, and D-Comp playing outside. Saturday, Dec. 23, 7 pm., Derryfield Country Club, 625 Mammoth Road, Manchester, $20 at eventbrite.com.

• Maine thing: A two-day, three-show run capped by a couple of New Year’s Eve performances from Bob Marley is further proof that along with being a king of the region’s comedy circuit, he’s probably the busiest funny man in the country. Tuesday, Dec. 26, 8 p.m., Rochester Opera House, 31 Wakefield St., Rochester, $42.50 at bmarley.com.

• Celtic twist: Few bands connect with their audience quite like Enter the Haggis. A loyal “Haggis Head” fanbase has rewarded them, crowdfunding their last four albums. Bagpipe- and fiddle-forward, ETH blends the storytelling of traditional Celtic music with high-energy rock and rhythm. Wednesday, Dec. 27, 8 p.m., 3S Artspace, 319 Vaughan St., Portsmouth, $25 and up at eventbrite.com.

2023 in Review

State of the state

News & Notes 23/12/28

The Great NH Cookie Swap — 12/21/23

Party the year away

The Music Roundup 23/12/21

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