On The Job – Emily Shellenberger

Emily Shellenberger

Flower farmer and florist

Emily Shellenberger works as a farmer and florist at Live Bee, or Die Farm, a fresh cut flower farm and apiary in New Boston.

Explain your job and what it entails.

My job is a bit unusual, and I wear a few different hats. I’m what is referred to as a farmer/florist. I currently farm about two acres of cut flowers in New Boston, [where] I personally grow about 90 percent of the seedlings every year on site. I use these flowers to design for everyday occasions, weddings and events. This year we officially have been given approval to start hosting weddings on the farm, so, on top of my duties in the field, I’ll be helping to design and manage events held on site.

How long have you had this job?

I’ve been farming for the past five years and designing for four years.

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

My family and I started a pollinator project on their business land. From there, I fell in love with growing flowers and decided to expand into farming. I took a flower farming course online, but have mostly been a self-taught farmer. As time went on, I kept growing and adapting the business, which led me to take floral design courses. I now very purposely grow varieties of cut flowers that I can use for wedding and event design, which gives me the ability to provide fresh and unique offerings to my clients.

What kind of education or training did you need?

I graduated with a degree in environmental geology with the intention of working on reclamation projects. My degree has helped with the farming side of things, but, minus the flower farming course and a few floral design courses, I’ve mostly been self-taught. I’ve spent hours and hours researching farming and design, and, as it’s ever adapting, I’ve learned a lot by taking calculated risks and trying new things.

What is your typical at-work uniform or attire?

If I’m working on the farm, it’s pretty informal. As you can imagine, I’m covered in dirt most days. I’ll dress more professionally if I’m meeting with clients or designing for weddings, though.

How has your job changed over the course of the pandemic?

There has been a huge influx of people wanting to get married or moving their weddings forward over the past few years. I’ve had to work with my brides to reschedule their dates, and have also had to scale a few weddings back to accommodate Covid restrictions.

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

How to manage time more wisely. During my season, it can get a bit overwhelming juggling all of my different duties. This year, I’ve made a better effort to try and come up with a more secure schedule so I don’t suffer from burnout.

What do you wish other people knew about your job?

Farming is not easy and depends on so many variables. I’ve learned over the years to find backup supplies in case I suffer a crop failure or something doesn’t bloom on time. It can be a bit stressful, but there are ways to make it work, and my clients have been very understanding.

What was the first job you ever had?

I started working at my family business at a young age, but my first job outside of that was as a farm hand on a horse farm.

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

Dedication and persistence are the key to success.

Five favorites

Favorite book: I’m currently reading Discovering Dahlias by Floret Farm.
Favorite movie: Inception
Favorite music: I tend to gravitate toward alternative and folk.
Favorite food: I’ve been getting into sushi, which I never thought would be something I actually would like.
Favorite thing about NH: New Hampshire is such a gem of a state. There’s so much to do here, and even though I’ve lived here my whole life I’m still discovering new things.

Featured photo: Emily Shellenberger. Courtesy photo.

Ramp it up

Nashua to host inaugural skateboard festival

By Jack Walsh

listings@hippopress.com

Nashua native Nolan Munroe was just 4 years old when he discovered his passion for skateboarding. Years later he has accomplished more than most could ever dream of in his professional skating career. Munroe has now shifted his focus to giving back to the local community and helping expand the skateboarding scene among the youth of southern New Hampshire — he’s doing just that with the Nashua Skate Fest, a new fundraising event happening on Sunday, May 8, at David W. Deane Skateboard Park in the Gate City.

Munroe, now a business student at Rivier University, said the idea to hold a skating fundraiser came to him while he was taking a nonprofit course with professor Mark Meehan, who himself had hopes of finding a way to work with his students in giving back to the community.

“It’s something that I feel … kind of has to happen over here just because there’s a lack of it,” Munroe said. “I saw an opportunity to start something for the city and the nonprofits. We’re not making any money on it; we’re just simply doing this event for the love of skateboarding and what the community can bring in, by raising money for local nonprofits in Nashua.”

The process of creating such a large fundraiser wasn’t as easy as he expected, as waivers were required for skaters participating in the event. Insurance and permits from the City were also needed for the event itself, as well as agreements with vendors for spot reservations.

Sponsors include All I Need Skateboards, Eastern Boarder and Rivier University, to name a few, and a number of local vendors will be in attendance, such as Casanova Men’s Boutique, Stepping Stones, Memo Foundation and many more.

Those who plan on attending should prepare for a day full of witnessing talented skateboarders showing off their tricks, eating good food and having fun. There will be a number of contests for participating skateboarders, such as a best tricks competition using different obstacles of the park. Winners will also have a chance to receive free products from vendors by the end of the day. In addition, special guest and former pro skater Anthony Shelter will be in attendance representing his company All I Need Skateboards.

From a young age Munroe considered himself extremely competitive, his consistent work ethic and pinpoint focus on his craft proving him to be far different from any other skaters in his age range. At 16 he had his first opportunity to compete in the X Games. Though he started by competing in an amateur contest, he quickly went pro. His first stint in the X Games was in 2009, and he continued to compete until 2014. He won the 2012 bronze medal in the Big Air competition, which holds the highest ramp in the sport, oftentimes up to 90 feet high.

“It was a long road just to get to the X Games,” Munroe said. “It was a lot of traveling as an amateur, but luckily I had parents that were very supportive.”

Munroe chose to come back home to Nashua after constant injuries impacted his career during his time out in California.

“I’d rather keep skateboarding for fun instead of … not [being] able to,” he said. “At such a high level you’re really pushing your body.”

Upon his return, Munroe decided to attend his hometown college of Rivier University. He’s currently a senior business management major with a minor in marketing.

Nashua Skate Fest

When: Sunday, May 8, 10 a.m.
Where: David W. Deane Skateboard Park, 9 Stadium Drive, Nashua
More info: Find them on Facebook and Instagram @nashuaskatefest

Participating vendors
• All I Need Skateboards, allineedskate.com
• Cape Cod Skateboards, capecodskateboards.com
• Casanova Men’s Boutique, casanovanashua.com
• Eastern Ramps, easternramps.com
• Grow Nashua, grownashua.org
• James Parison, on Instagram @jamesfparison
• Kimchi Stuntwood, on Instagram @kimchistinks
• Klasse Skateboards, klasseskateco.com
• Memo Foundation, thememofoundation.org
• Nashua PAL, nashuapal.com
• Stay True Barbershop, staytruebarbershop.com
• Stepping Stones, steppingstonesnh.org
• Vulture Skateboards, vulturecrew.bigcartel.com

Featured photo: Courtesy photo.

Kiddie Pool 22/05/05

Family fun for the weekend

Fantastical adventures

See a performance of The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical at 3S Artspace (319 Vaughan St., Portsmouth) on Friday, May 6, at 7 p.m., and on Saturday, May 7, at 2 and 7 p.m. Adapted from the best-selling book The Lightning Thief, by Rick Riordan, the show is directed and choreographed by UNH senior Ro Gavin. It follows the story of Percy Jackson, the half-blood son of a Greek god, who discovers he has powers he can’t control. Admission starts at $25. Visit 3sarts.org.

All natural

It’s New Hampshire Day at the Squam Lakes Natural Science Center (23 Science Center Road, Holderness) on Saturday, May 7, from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., when Granite Staters may visit the live animal exhibit trail for an admission of $5. Advance tickets are required and are online at nhnature.org.

Fun at the farm

Visit with the animals of Charmingfare Farm (774 High St., Candia) every Saturday and Sunday, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., beginning May 7 and through September, and on select Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays through June, July and August. Charmingfare Farm is home to all kinds of animals, from alpacas and cattle to donkeys, horses, ponies, pigs, chickens, turkeys, rabbits and more. Admission is $22 per person (free for kids under 23 months old) and tickets must be purchased online.

Play ball!

The New Hampshire Fisher Cats return home for a six-game series against the Binghamton Rumble Ponies, Tuesday, May 10, through Sunday, May 15. Game times are at 11:05 a.m. on Tuesday, 6:35 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday and 1:35 p.m. on Sunday. Stick around after the May 14 game for a special fireworks display courtesy of Atlas Fireworks. Kids will also get to run the bases following the conclusion of the May 15 game. Tickets start at $8 per person. Visit nhfishercats.com.

Save the date: for Mutts Gone Nuts

Join the Dana Center for the Humanities at Saint Anselm College (100 Saint Anselm Drive, Manchester) for Mutts Gone Nuts, a show on Friday, May 13, from 7 to 9 p.m., featuring comedy duo Scott and Joan Houghton. They bring a unique blend of humor and circus acts to stages worldwide, their show participants all from animal rescues. Admission is $40. Visit muttsgonenuts.com/tour to purchase tickets.

Treasure Hunt 22/05/05

Dear Donna,

I inherited this typewriter and am wondering if you could give me any information on it, and a value.

Doug

Dear Doug,

I immediately liked your typewriter for the color.

The Royal Typewriter Co. has made many styles and colors since opening in the early 1900s. So many makes and models have survived and are still usable today. Ahh, the days when items were made to last!

Your green one is from the 1940s to 1950s. It looks to be in good shape with a cleaning needed. If you can get it typing again, I think the value would be in the $60 range.

If it’s only good for decorative use or for parts for steampunk jewelry makers, etc., the value would be lower.

Love your lawn

It may be time to rethink your outside space

It’s about the right time to do a little work on your lawn if it needs it. According to Paul Sachs, owner of North Country Organics and the author of several books on lawn care, if you want to fill in bare spots, wait until the lawn greens up after winter.

To fix bare spots I use a short-tined garden rake to scuff up the soil. Then I scatter some seed with my hand, just sprinkling it over the spot. Next I sprinkle a thin layer of compost or fine garden soil over the seed. Finally, pat it down with your foot, lightly, or with a metal tamper.

It’s important that the seed not dry out while it is getting ready to grow, so often people shade the seed with a fine layer of hay or straw. Of course hay has seeds, so straw is better, albeit more expensive. You can leave the straw and just let the seed grow through it.

Why do places in your lawn need help? Most lawn grasses do not like to grow in compacted soil. So if you park cars on the lawn, or walk over it every day on your way to the mailbox, it will get compacted. Enter (drum roll) CRABGRASS. Crabgrass will grow in compacted soil, but it is an annual, so it dies each winter — or by late summer if it gets too dry. The solution is simple: Build a stone path to the mailbox and park cars only in designated parking areas.

Let’s rethink the concept of a lawn. Why do we need a large patch of short grass at an even height all around our house? Sure, people with kids and dogs need some place to play ball or Frisbee. And if you like to have friends over and sit around a barbecue grill, a little lawn is nice. But do you really like mowing an acre of lawn once a week, or paying someone else to do it? Maybe it’s time to reduce the size of your lawn and plant some more native trees and shrubs.

Entomologist Doug Tallamy is the author of a terrific book called Nature’s Best Hope: A New Approach to Conservation That Starts in Your Yard. He suggests that we can help birds and pollinators by growing native trees and shrubs — and by adding more to replace some lawn, especially in new subdivisions and in-town lots.

Birds depend on the caterpillars of moths and butterflies to feed their young. He determined that 6,000 to 9,000 caterpillars are needed to feed a clutch of chickadees from hatching to fledging. That’s an amazing number of caterpillars, especially since most of us never even notice them.

Those butterflies and moths will mostly only lay their eggs on trees and shrubs they know: our natives. Even if your barberry or burning bush has been growing in your yard for 50 years, they probably will ignore it and look for an oak, a cherry or a willow — trees they evolved with over tens of thousands of years.

Dr. Tallamy makes a great suggestion about how to think about lawns: Think of lawn as you might throw rugs, not wall-to-wall carpeting. Bump out with trees planted along the edges of your property line, reducing the lawn with native trees. Create nice curves, then add some understory shrubs along the edge of the newly “forested” area.

In addition to the oaks, native cherry and willow trees, other “keystone” trees include birches, poplars (he calls them cottonwoods) and elm. He said just five percent of the genera of plants support 75 percent of the caterpillars. Great perennials include goldenrod (the absolute best), asters, and members of the sunflower family. There are many tame goldenrod species that will not take over your garden, so expand your plant palette to include “Fireworks” goldenrod and other nice varieties.

But back to lawns. My philosophy of lawns is this: If it is green and you can mow it, it’s a lawn. It need not be free of dandelions and Creeping Charlie. Yes, dig out thistles, or anything that hurts your bare feet. But violets? Sure, why not? Anything that blooms will provide nectar or pollen for bees and other pollinators.

Clover actually helps your lawn, despite being called a weed by the companies that promote using the “Weed-n-Feed” chemicals that kill it. Clover fixes nitrogen, taking it from the air and putting it into the soil, reducing a need for lawn fertilizer.

If you want a rich, lush lawn, don’t cut it too short. The longer the grass, the more food produced to grow grass roots.

When you add grass seed to fill in spots, I recommend a mix of seeds, not a pure Kentucky bluegrass, which is the neediest of all grasses. It needs fertilizer, and watering. A “conservation mix” will do better for you. And if you are planting in a shady area, get a mix made for shady places. Those sun/shade mixes are not as good for shady areas as those designed for them.

Soil pH is a measure of soil acidity. If you are serious about your lawn, buy a kit at the local feed-and-grain store or garden center to test the pH. If you have chlorinated water, buy some distilled water to use with the kit. If the soil pH is lower than 6.2, add some lime (ground limestone) to your soil to bring up the number. Lawns don’t do so well in highly acidic soil.

When I see a weed-free lawn, I know it’s been treated with chemicals, and so I won’t walk on it. You, your kids and dogs shouldn’t either.

Featured photo: Volunteers built this greenhouse that was paid for by a grant. Photo by Henry Homeyer.

The Art Roundup 22/05/05

The latest from NH’s theater, arts and literary communities

• Open studios: Art Up Front Street Studios & Gallery (120 Front St., Exeter), an artists’ collective consisting of eight working artist studios, will host its Spring Open Studios event on Saturday, May 7, and Sunday, May 8, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., each day. Browse a variety of small and large art pieces, prints and originals, handcrafted jewelry, assemblages, cards, metal sculpture, industrial quilts and more. There will also be live music, free drawings and light refreshments. Call 418-6286 or visit artupfrontstreet.com.

• Art raffle: Tickets are on sale now for the Currier Museum of Art’s 2022 signature raffle. The winner will receive an art piece from Roberto Lugo, a Philadelphia-based potter, painter, social activist, spoken word poet and educator. Lugo’s pottery, which was featured in a special exhibit at the Manchester museum last summer, reimagines traditional forms and techniques with inspiration from urban graffiti and hip-hop culture. Tickets cost $100 each. The drawing will be done on Saturday, May 14. Call 669-6144 or visit currier.org.

• Veteran reflections: The Wright Museum of World War II (77 Center St., Wolfeboro) will host a lecture and book signing with author Andrew Biggio on Tuesday, May 10, from 7 to 8 p.m. In his book The Rifle, Biggio chronicles his journey as a 28-year-old U.S. Marine who, after returning home from combat in Afghanistan and Iraq, set out to document the stories of surviving World War II veterans. Seating is limited, and reservations are required. Admission costs $5 for museum members and $10 for non-members. Call 569-1212 or visit wrightmuseum.org.

• Spy music: Symphony New Hampshire presents a concert, “The Music of James Bond,” at the Keefe Center for the Arts (117 Elm St., Nashua) on Saturday, May 7, from 7:30 to 8:50 p.m., featuring music from five decades of James Bond films by iconic songwriters like Shirley Bassey, Paul McCartney, Carly Simon and Adele. The performance will begin with “Themes from 007, a Medley for Orchestra,” which includes the themes “Goldfinger,” “You Only Live Twice,” “For Your Eyes Only” and “From Russia with Love,” followed by themes from other spy film favorites, including Mission Impossible, The Pink Panther and Raiders of the Lost Ark. Tickets cost $20 to $60 for adults and $18 to $55 for seniors age 65 and up. Children are admitted for free with a paying adult. Visit symphonynh.org or call 595-9156 for more information.

Last Gas
The Community Players of Concord present Last Gas at the Concord City Auditorium (2 Prince St., Concord) on Friday, May 6, and Saturday, May 7, at 7:30 p.m., and Sunday, May 8, at 2 p.m. A Red Sox-loving dad and convenience store manager must make a choice when he gets a chance to rekindle a romance with an old flame. Tickets cost $18 for adults, $16 for youth ages 17 and under and $16 for seniors age 65 and up. Visit communityplayersofconcord.org or call 224-4905.

• “The worst play ever written:” There’s still time to catch a performance of The Producers at The Palace Theatre (80 Hanover St., Manchester). The musical comedy, based on the 1967 Mel Brooks movie of the same name, runs through May 15, with showtimes on Fridays at 7:30 p.m., Saturdays at 2 and 7:30 p.m., and Sundays at noon. Tickets range from $39 to $46. Call 668-5588 or visit palacetheatre.org.

• Multimedia exhibit: Two Villages Art Society (Bates Building, 846 Main St., Contoocook) has an exhibition, “Echoes & Reflections: From Abstract Painting to Modern Quilting and Beyond,” on view now through May 14. It features the works of four painters, four quilters, four poets and two musicians. Visitors can listen to the poems and music, with comments from the artists, by scanning QR codes with a smartphone. “This blend of artistic mediums is something we haven’t tried before,” exhibit curator Rick Lugg said in a press release. “We hope this will enhance the exhibit and highlight the connections and resonances among these works.” Gallery hours are Thursday through Sunday, from noon to 4 p.m. Visit twovillagesart.org or call 413-210-4372.

ART

Fairs and markets

• CRAFTSMEN’S FAIR The annual nine-day outdoor craft fair hosted by the League of New Hampshire Craftsmen features hundreds of craftspeople with vendor booths, plus special craft exhibitions, demonstrations, hands-on workshops and more. Sat., Aug. 6 through Sun., Aug. 14. Mount Sunapee Resort, 1398 Route 103, Newbury. Call 224-3375 or visit nhcrafts.org for more information.

• CONCORD ARTS MARKET The juried outdoor artisan and fine art market runs one Saturday a month, June through October, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Market dates are June 11, July 30, Aug. 20, Sept. 17 and Oct. 15. Rollins Park, 33 Bow St., Concord. concordartsmarket.net. The first market will be held on Saturday, June 11. Visit concordartsmarket.net/summer-arts-market.html for more information.

Special events

• SPRING OPEN STUDIOS Art Up Front Street Studios & Gallery, 120 Front St., Exeter. The artists’ collective features seven working artist studios. Sat., May 7, and Sun., May 8, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Call 418-6286 or visit artupfrontstreet.com for more information.

Workshops and classes

• “BLACKSMITHING BASICS” Beginner level workshop. Sanborn Mills Farm(7097 Sanborn Road, Loudon). Fri., May 20, through Sun., May 22, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day. The cost is $375. Call 435-7314 or visit sanbornmills.org for more information.

• “INTRO TO 3D PRINTING” Port City Makerspace (68 Morning St., Portsmouth). Wed., June 8, from 6 to 9 p.m. The cost is $25 for members of the makerspace and $45 for nonmembers. Call 373-1002 or visit portcitymakerspace.com for more information.

• ART CLASSES Art classes for teens and adults, including Pottery, Stained Glass, Intermediate Watercolor and Clay Hand Building. Studio 550 Art Center (550 Elm St., Manchester). Five-week sessions. Classes met for two hours a week. Call 232-5597 or visit 550arts.com for the full schedule and cost details.

• DRAWING & PAINTING CLASSES Art House Studios, 66 Hanover St., Suite 202, Manchester. Classes include Drawing Fundamentals, Painting in Acrylic, Drawing: Observation to Abstraction, Exploring Mixed Media, and Figure Drawing. Class sizes are limited to six students. Visit arthousestudios.org or email arthousejb@gmail.comfor more information.

• GENERAL ART CLASSES Weekly art classes offered for both kids and adults of all skill levels and cover a variety of two-dimensional media, including drawing and painting with pastel, acrylic, watercolor and oils. Classes are held with small groups of three to eight to five students. Diane Crespo Fine Art Gallery (32 Hanover St., Manchester). Kids classes, open to ages 10 and up, are held on Thursdays and Fridays, from 4:15 to 5:45 p.m. Adult classes are held on Thursdays, from 6:30 to 8:15 p.m., and Saturdays from 10:30 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. Tuition is pay-as-you-go at $20 per student per class, due upon arrival. Call 493-1677 or visit dianecrespofineart.com for availability.

THEATRE

Shows

• THE PRODUCERS A mainstage production of the Palace Theatre (80 Hanover St., Manchester). Now through May 15, with showtimes on Friday at 7:30 p.m., Saturday at 2 and 7:30 p.m., and Sunday at noon. Tickets cost $39 to $46. Call 668-5588 or visit palacetheatre.org.

• AN INSPECTOR CALLS Presented by New Hampshire Theatre Project. West End Studio Theatre (959 Islington St., Portsmouth). May 6 through May 22, with showtimes on Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. Tickets cost $30 ($33.26 with fees) for general admission, $26 ($29 with fees) for seniors, students and veterans and must be purchased in advance. Masks are required in the theater. Visit nhtheatreproject.org or call 431-6644.

• THE PLAY THAT GOES WRONG Presented by the Manchester Community Theatre Players. Manchester Community Theatre Players Theatre, located at the North End Montessori School (698 Beech St., Manchester). Showtimes on Fri., May 13 and May 20, and Sat., May 14 and May 21, at 7:30 p.m. Tickets cost $20 and must be purchased in advance. Masks and proof of vaccination are required to enter the theater. Visit manchestercommunitytheatre.com or call 327-6777.

• CHILDREN OF THE GRIM Presented by Bitter Pill. Players’ Ring Theatre (105 Marcy St., Portsmouth). May 13 through June 5, with showtimes on Fridays at 7:30 p.m., Saturday at 2:30 and 7:30 p.m., and Sunday at 2:30 p.m. Tickets cost $28 for adults and $25 for seniors age 65 and up and students. Masks and proof of vaccination or a negative Covid test are required. Visit playersring.org or call 436-8123.

• THE BALD SOPRANO Produced by the Community Players of Concord. The Hatbox Theatre (located inside the Steeplegate Mall, 270 Loudon Road, Concord). Fri., June 17 through Sun., June 26. Showtimes are on Friday and Saturday at 7:30 p.m., and Sunday at 2 p.m. Tickets cost $22 for adults, $19 for students, seniors and members and $16 for senior members. Visit hatboxnh.com or call 715-2315 for more information.

• TRUE TALES LIVE Portsmouth-based storytelling showcase. Monthly, last Tuesday (no shows in July and August), from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Shows will be held in person (Portsmouth Public Media TV Studio, 280 Marcy St., Portsmouth) starting in April, and returning to the Zoom format for the winter, starting in November. Each month’s showcase is centered around a different theme. The series is free and open to all who want to watch or participate as a storyteller. Pre-registration for attendees is required for Zoom shows but not required for in-person shows. Visit truetaleslivenh.org and email info@truetaleslive.org if you’re interested in being a storyteller.

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