A three-day celebration of Greek culture through homemade food, music, dancing and crafts, Glendi is making a highly anticipated return this weekend a year after its first cancellation in more than four decades. The 42nd annual festival is happening at Manchester’s St. George Greek Orthodox Cathedral, where from Friday, Sept. 17, through Sunday, Sept. 19, a diverse menu of authentic Greek items will be served, from lamb shanks to pastichio, plus dozens of homemade cookies and pastries available and imported Greek items for sale at an Aegean Market.
Originally known as the Harvest Bazaar, a small three-day fundraising event for the church and community center, the festival was renamed Glendi, which means “good times” in Greek, in 1980. The first event as it’s known today was held that year — since then, generations of church members and volunteers have gathered throughout each year to prepare Glendi’s featured dishes.
This will be the first in-person Glendi since the fall of 2019, although the church has presented a series of several “Taste of Glendi” drive-thru events in the interim.
Past Glendi event. Courtesy photo.
“I really do feel that there is a lot of pent up demand out there for events, especially our Glendi,” said George Skaperdas, festival co-chairman and president of its board of directors. “We decided in April that we were going to go ahead with it … and so it was full speed ahead, just doing our part to make sure that people are safe but still have a good time.”
Food preparation has been underway since early June and will continue right up until just days before the festival begins. As with previous years, dozens of tents will be set up on the church’s grounds all weekend, housing the food servings and outdoor dining tables.
“Everything that everybody expects out of Glendi will be there,” Skaperdas said. “The setup is pretty much the same. We’ve got everything to make everybody happy.”
Several returning favorites will be served once again, like the seasoned and marinated lamb that’s barbecued over charcoal; the baked lamb shanks with tomato sauce; the marinated chicken with Grecian herbs; and the pastichio, a Greek lasagna dish with a creamy cheese sauce. Stuffed green peppers with rice and meat, and dolmathes, or stuffed grape leaves with rice and meat covered in a lemon sauce, will be available too. All of these options can be ordered as part of a full meal, which comes with rice pilaf, a salad and a roll, or you can order them a la carte.
Other items will include gyros, served with a blend of beef and lamb; loukanikos, or Greek sausages; and chicken souvlaki that is topped with lettuce, red onion and tzatziki sauce and wrapped in pita bread. There will also be a small offering of non-Greek items like hot dogs, popcorn, cotton candy and freshly squeezed lemonade.
Inside the church’s community center will be an assorted display of desserts and pastries, including multiple versions of baklava; as well as loukoumades, or fried dough balls soaked in syrup and sprinkled with cinnamon and sugar, that come in quantities of six, 12 or 20. Several types of cookies are also returning, like finikia, or honey-dipped cookies with walnuts; and kourambiethes, which are dusted with powdered sugar.
The community center will once again have its Aegean Market open for the duration of the festival, where you’ll find items like Greek olive oil, coffees, jewelry and T-shirts for sale. Gift baskets, local restaurant gift cards and certificates, and other items will be raffled off.
Masks and hand sanitizer will be provided to festival attendees. Skaperdas said the state’s mobile vaccination van is expected to be parked at the church each day.
Glendi
When: Friday, Sept. 17, and Saturday, Sept. 18, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. (food services end at about 9:30 p.m.), and Sunday, Sept. 19, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Where: St. George Greek Orthodox Cathedral, 650 Hanover St., Manchester Cost: Free admission; foods are priced per item Visit: stgeorge.nh.goarch.org, or find them on Facebook @glendinh Free parking is available at Derryfield Park (Bridge Street) and at the McDonough Elementary School (550 Lowell St.), with shuttle services to the church that will be available throughout the day on Friday and Saturday.
Featured photo: Past Glendi events. Courtesy photo.
• Flavors of Egypt: The annual Egyptian Food Festival returns to St. Mary and Archangel Michael Coptic Orthodox Church (39 Chandler St., Nashua) over three days, from Friday, Sept. 17, through Sunday, Sept. 19. There will be a full menu of freshly prepared items to choose from, including beef or chicken kebab platters, beef shawarma, and vegetarian dishes like falafel and koshari, a popular Egyptian dish featuring rice mixed with brown lentils, chickpeas, macaroni and sauce. For desserts, attendees will have the opportunity to try several types of sweets and pastries, from baklava and fried dough to om ali, a puff pastry-like delicacy with nuts soaked in milk, baked and served warm. According to the Rev. Kyrillos Gobran of the church, a gift bazaar is also planned, as well as live music, face-painting and family-friendly games and activities. Festival hours are from 4 to 9 p.m. on Friday, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturday and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday, rain or shine each day. Admission is free and foods are priced per item. Parking is available nearby at BAE Systems (95 Canal St., Nashua). Visit stmarycoptsnh.org.
• Pristine poutine: Tickets to the New Hampshire PoutineFest Spooktacular, a special Halloween edition of the popular poutine festival, will go on sale on Saturday, Sept. 18, at 10 a.m. The event itself is set for Saturday, Oct. 23, at Anheuser-Busch Tour Center & Biergarten (221 Daniel Webster Hwy., Merrimack), resuming the friendly competition among local and regional restaurants, food trucks and other vendors for the best poutine dish as voted by attendees. Costumes are encouraged at the festival, which will also feature craft beer, children’s activities, games and a DJ. Tickets are $39.99 for general admission and entry at 12:45 p.m., $49.99 for VIP admission (early entry at 11:30 a.m.), $14.99 for kids ages 6 to 12 with sampling, and free without it. All kids ages 5 and under also receive free admission. Visit nhpoutinefestspooktacular.eventbrite.com to get your tickets.
• Crescent City cravings: Join the Bedford Village Inn (2 Olde Bedford Way Bedford) for a New Orleans dinner on Thursday, Sept. 23, at 6 p.m., the next installment in its summer dinner series held on its Grand Terrace. This five-course dinner will feature options inspired by the city of New Orleans, where executive chef Tina Verville spent three years of her culinary career. Items will include broiled oysters, shrimp and sausage gumbo, andouille jambalaya arancini and more — each course will be paired with a classic handcrafted New Orleans cocktail. Tickets are $125 per person plus tax (the dinner is open to attendees ages 21 and up only), and all proceeds will be donated to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief to help Louisianans affected by Hurricane Ida. Visit bedfordvillageinn.com.
• Soups and chowders: The Collins Brothers Chowder Co. (59 Temple St., Nashua), which offers homemade hot soups and chowders in addition to prepared meals, reopened for the season on Sept. 15. The takeout-only eatery usually features several soups and chowders that are available daily, in addition to different specials that will run depending on the day. Homemade comfort meals to go have also been available, like shepherd’s pie, chicken pot pie and American chop suey. The Collins Brothers Chowder Co. is open Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Thursday and Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., usually through the winter and early spring. Visit collinsbrotherschowder.com or follow them on Facebook @collinsbrotherschowder.
Stephanie Kirsch is a photographer and owner of Sweet Aperture, a photography studio with a storefront on the Oval in Milford. She runs the business with her husband, Nicholas, who does the videography.
Explain your job.
We cover all sorts of lifestyle shoots as well as wedding events. An average day at the studio could range from headshots for professional use to a toddler cake smash session. On the weekends we travel all over New England for weddings, engagement shoots and adventure shoots.
How long have you had this job?
We opened the studio in October of last year.
What led you to this career field and your current job?
During the pandemic I was laid off from [my job in] architecture. Photography had always been a hobby and a surprising source of income that I had always underestimated. We decided to take the plunge and make it a full-time thing.
What kind of education or training did you need?
My bachelor’s is in architecture, but I also have a minor in studio art … and I took a photography course [in college]. Everything else I learned … through experience and mentorship … and doing a lot of research.
What is your typical at-work uniform or attire?
If I’ve got young kids coming in, I typically dress in comfortable but professional clothing, like a black shirt and black pants or maybe jeans. If we’re going to a wedding or event, we definitely dress up for the occasion while staying on the neutral side.
What was it like opening a new business during the pandemic?
It was the scariest thing I’ve ever done … We didn’t know what was going to happen … but we did know that we would have a steady income coming in from all of the weddings that were booking out two or three years into the future. For the first few months we were busy doing fall-themed shoots, and then, going into Christmas, everyone wants to have a great Christmas card photo. In January we had nearly nothing except for the occasional wedding, so it’s been all over the place.
What do you wish you’d known at the beginning of your career?
To not study architecture. … In high school, I went by the books that our guidance counselor laid out … to help you find the path that you’re supposed to follow in life. I had never heard of creative people, like photographers, making [art] a full-time profession; most artists work [a day job] in addition to their art, so I never pursued it. I wish I had been a little more confident in myself and focused on the arts rather than on math.
What do you wish other people knew about your job?
How happy I am when I see families. A lot of clients who come in with young kids apologize a lot if their kid is running around the studio or doesn’t want to smile, but those are the moments that make me smile, because that’s real life. Life isn’t always pretty and perfect, but I get to capture moments for families to remember, even when things in life change.
What was the first job you ever had?
I was a pharmacy technician.
What’s the best piece of work-related advice you’ve ever received?
‘Go for it.’ When I was young … a co-worker told me, ‘Money isn’t everything when it comes to making the best decisions. Sometimes you have to take a little leap of faith and just go for it.’ … I started applying that [advice] to other areas of my life. If I hadn’t, I never would have had the guts to actually call when I saw that ‘For Rent’ sign [in the studio space].
Five favorites Favorite book: The Princess Bride Favorite movie:All of theHarry Potter movies Favorite music: ’90s alternative Favorite food: German Favorite thing about NH: You can get in our car and within two hours you can be at the ocean, the mountains or in the middle of a big city.
Can you give me any information on my dog? It was mine when I was growing up so I know it’s old. Any information would be appreciated.
Cynthia
Dear Cynthia,
Your childhood toy is a Cragstan Wacky Dog. It was made in the 1960s in Hong Kong. It is a wind-up toy and should have a key. Once wound up it should have moving parts, eyes, mouth etc. So the original key is an important part, or finding a replacement one would help.
When valuing a toy’s age, rarity and original condition are very important. Even having it in the original box can easily increase the values. So my advice first is to find the key or one that will work to wind it up. If the toy is working I would say the value is in the range of $50 because it looks to be in good condition. The key to its value is the key!
• As you may have read on page 24 of last week’s Hippo (find the e-edition at hippopress.com) or on page 9 of this week’s issue, this weekend is the Granite State Comicon 2021. The Con will run Saturday, Sept. 18, and Sunday, Sept. 19, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the DoubleTree by Hilton Manchester Downtown (at 700 Elm St.). Kids under 8 get in free with adult admission (which costs $25 on Saturday, $20 on Sunday and $40 for a weekend pass). Organizers for Kids Con New England (which is returning to in-person cons with a Kids Con in Portland, Maine, in November and in May 2022 in Concord) will have a setup in the Fan Zone during the convention. See the full program for GraniteCon at granitecon.com.
Meeting of the makers
• See the hobbies and inventions of the makers at the NH Maker & Food Fest at the Children’s Museum of New Hampshire (6 Washington St. in Dover; childrens-museum.org, 742-2002) on Saturday, Sept. 18, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. People with a variety of experiments, creations and hobbies will show off their work at this event, which will also feature food trucks and food vendors. Admission is pay-what-you-can (suggested donation of $5), according to the website.
Town celebrations
• Derryfest will run Saturday, Sept. 18, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at MacGregor Park on East Broadway. The day will feature kids activities, live animals, demonstrations and performances by local groups throughout the day, food and more. See derryfest.org.
• Head to Pelham’s Old Home Day for a parade, food trucks and chicken poop bingo on Saturday, Sept. 18, from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. The day kicks off with a pancake breakfast from 7 to 10 a.m., craft fair vendors open at 9 a.m., a cornhole tournament starts at noon and the parade steps off at 2:30 p.m., according to pelhamoldhomeday.org, which also explains chicken poop bingo — it features a chicken pooping every hour throughout the day, and if the poo lands on the square corresponding to the number you’ve picked, you win prize money. Kid-specific amusements include face painting, touch a truck, inflatable ax throwing and more, the website said.
• The annual Fall Equinox Festival hosted by TEAM Exeter will run 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 18, at Swasey Parkway. The day will feature food vendors and live music as well as kids activities and artist vendors, according to teamexeter.com, which suggests a $10 donation per person or $20 per family.
Movie time
• See Indiana Jones in his first (and best) adventure, Raiders of the Lost Ark (PG, 1981), on Friday Sept. 17, in Wasserman Park (116 Naticook Road in Merrimack) as part of the town’s summer movies in the park. The screening starts at dusk and the films are free and open to residents and nonresidents, according to the town’s Parks and Recreation website.
Manchester community invited to first CelebratED festival
Manchester’s schools are starting off their year by inviting everyone in the community to come see all the positive things they’re doing at the first annual CelebratED MHT!, happening Saturday, Sept. 18, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Veterans Park.
The festival is free for all Manchester residents and will feature multicultural performances, activities for kids, food and a celebration of some of the school district’s accomplishments.
“There are good things happening in the Manchester School District that aren’t celebrated as much as they should be,” said Barry Brensinger, president of Manchester Proud, which is organizing the event. “Then with the whole Covid matter of the past year and a half and the incredible challenges that has presented us … [we thought], wouldn’t it be nice if somehow the community could come together and launch the new school year with a celebration?”
Manchester Proud — formed a few years ago to promote the success of the city’s public schools, with the intent of building a stronger city through those successes — started working with the Manchester Chamber of Commerce and the school district a few months ago to get this festival off the ground. Since then, it’s become a whole-community effort that includes support from the mayor’s office, city departments, youth organizations and other nonprofits.
“One of the things we said from the beginning is that we really wanted this to be all-inclusive,” Brensinger said.
It’s shaping up to be exactly what Manchester Proud envisioned. Entertainment includes African drummers, a Mexican band, a performance from hip-hop performer Martin Toe, the high school marching bands, an aerial show and more. Manchester Police Department will be there with its equestrian and K9 units, and the city’s fire department will have a fire muster.
The event starts at 10 a.m. when City Year — a group that works in Manchester’s schools to help support students — will welcome its new core members, followed by welcoming remarks from the mayor.
“Then we roll right into the entertainment,” Brensinger said.
Aside from the performances, there will be an activity area for kids with yard games and contests, and each student will be given a free book.
There will be three high school teachers acting as emcees throughout the day who will be highlighting some of Manchester’s standout teachers and students.
“We have designated three blocks of time during the day when on the main stage there will be a celebration of kids,” Brensinger said.
There will also be a tent filled with students’ stories, artwork and other achievements.
Brensinger said about 20 to 25 organizations who provide youth-related services will set up booths around the perimeter of the park to offer information to parents and small giveaways for kids.
At 1 p.m. the Fisher Cats mascot will show up to give away 1,000 tickets to that night’s game.
“This celebration will continue at that game,” Brensinger said. “Students will sing the national anthem and throw out the first pitch. … It should be a fun night.”
At 2 p.m. comic characters who will be across the street at Granite State Comicon will make an appearance and may have a few giveaways as well.
“I think there’ll be something for everyone,” Brensinger said.
And of course there’s food. Brensinger said there will be food trucks and other food available for purchase, but there will also be plenty of free food, including pizza, bottled water and healthy snacks.
To make the event as accessible as possible to everyone in the community, fliers were sent home to students written in the top six languages in Manchester. And free trolleys will run every hour on both the east and west side to make sure anyone who wants to get there can. Pickups and dropoffs will be at Parkside/Gossler Park to West High School to Veterans Park, and at Karatzas Avenue/Eastern Avenue to JFK/Beech Street School to Veterans Park, starting at 10:30 a.m.
Brensinger said precautions will be taken for Covid, including guidelines posted throughout the park and free masks and hand sanitizer. The event will be held rain or shine.
CelebrateED MHT!
When: Saturday, Sept. 18, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Where: Veterans Park, Elm Street Cost: Free for all Manchester residents
Featured photo:Hip-hop artist Martin Toe. Courtesy photo.
Most gardeners do some composting. Some compost anything that was part of a living plant, mixing it with barnyard waste; they turn and aerate the piles, making terrific compost in record time. Others are lazy composters who throw kitchen scraps or weeds in a pile and let it decompose. I’m a lazy composter. I have too much to do in the garden to take the temperature of my compost pile or check it weekly for moisture content — let alone turning it regularly.
Let’s look at the basics: Organic matter — leaves, weeds, moldy broccoli or cow manure — is digested by bacteria and fungi. These microorganisms exist in amazing numbers in biologically active soil or compost. But for them to multiply and break down organic matter, they need a good supply of materials containing lots of carbon and a little bit of nitrogen. Both are needed to build cell walls of the little critters and the proteins and oils in their bodies.
Scientists say your compost pile should be 25 or 30 pounds of material containing carbon for one pound of nitrogen. Carbon-containing materials include dry grass or leaves, straw and, in general, brown materials. Nitrogen-containing things are also referred to as “green” materials — fresh grass clippings, weeds and household kitchen waste. Just to confuse you, all manures — which are brown — are also full of nitrogen.
We keep a 55-gallon drum of dry leaves next to our compost bin. We fill it in the fall and pack down the leaves to get in as many as possible. Each time we empty our 5-gallon bucket of kitchen scraps into the bin, we add some leaves on top. This adds carbon to the pile and helps to keep flies away from the goodies. These leaves are certainly not in the ratio of carbon to nitrogen needed for the fastest composting, but it helps. We count on the kitchen scraps to have some carbon, too.
For weeds, we just pile them up and let them decompose over time. We suffer from an infestation of goutweed, a noxious invasive. We try to keep any goutweed out of piles that will eventually be used for compost as even a scrap of root can start a new place for it to grow. Other invasives we do not have — but would separate if we had them — include Japanese knotweed and black swallow wort. In fact, anything invasive should not go in any compost pile you hope to use later.
What else should stay out of compost piles? Meat scraps, oils and fat, dog and cat feces. Shredded newspapers and office paper can be used in compost piles — they are carbon-based, and their inks now are made from soy products. Shiny color inserts and magazines I avoid using. If you add shredded paper to your compost pile, mix it in well — thick layers will not decompose easily.
What about weed seeds in compost causing problems when you use your homemade compost? Ideally, if you’re doing everything right, your compost pile will heat up enough for a few days to kill the weed seeds, curing it for three days at 140 degrees. I’ve done experiments using annual grass seed and a soil thermometer, and found that even a day or two at 135 will kill those seeds. Weed seeds may be tougher, and it’s tough to get an entire compost pile hot at the same time.
How do you get your compost to heat up? Layer green (nitrogen-containing) and brown (carbon-based) materials. The key is the nitrogen layer. Fresh grass cuttings are high in nitrogen and easily collected with a bagger. Mix them in your compost pile, and it will heat up. Poultry manure, or any manure, is also high in nitrogen and will heat up your pile. Compost thermometers look like meat thermometers with a longer probe and are sold at garden centers or online.
Moisture level is important for making compost. The pile should be neither dry nor soggy. A handful should feel as moist as a squeezed-out sponge. I place tree branches underneath a new compost pile to help with drainage. Never put a pile where a roof dumps water. Your compost should be well-aerated. You want aerobic decomposition. Some gardeners turn and fluff their compost regularly.
I add compost to the planting holes for my tomatoes and kale, and work some in for everything, in fact. Why? Because even though I have great soil, compost gets oxidized and breaks down. Plants extract minerals from it. Beneficial bacteria and fungi use it to build their bodies. I try to keep my soil fluffy — roots do better in soil that’s loose and aerated — and compost helps me to create that most desirable of soils: a nice loam.
Even though I make compost, I also buy it by the truckload. It’s available from farms, garden centers and others. Ask for hot-processed, aged compost to avoid weeds.
There are no poor gardeners, just poor soil. Add compost and perhaps a little organic fertilizer and you will have a “green thumb.” It takes time to make compost and build soils, which is why you should start now!
Featured photo:Simple compost bins made of pallets allow old compost to age, and new materials to be added. Photo by Henry Homeyer.
The latest from NH’s theater, arts and literary communities
• Saturday market: This month’s Concord Arts Marketwill take place on Saturday, Sept. 18, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Rollins Park (off Broadway Street, with parking at 33 Bow St.). The outdoor artisan and fine art market features 50 vendors, live music and a food truck. This is the second to last market of the season, with the final market to be held on Saturday, Oct. 16. Visit concordartsmarket.net/summer-arts-market.
• Call for art: The New Hampshire Art Association is still accepting online submissions of artwork for its 22nd annual Joan L. Dunfey Exhibition, which will go on display at NHAA’s Robert Lincoln Levy Gallery (136 State St., Portsmouth) on Sept. 29. The juried show is open to all regional artists, both NHAA members and non-members. Works in all media will be considered and should be related to this year’s theme, “Portals.” Artists can submit up to two pieces. The submission deadline is Monday, Sept. 20, by 5 p.m. The exhibit is one of NHAA’s most prestigious exhibits of the year, according to a press release, and is held in honor of Joan L. Dunfey, who was a resident of the New Hampshire Seacoast and a steadfast patron of the arts. Visit nhartassociation.org or call 431-4230.
• Molten fun: The Andres Institute of Art (106 Route 13, Brookline) will host its annual Fall Iron Melt remotely this year. Traditionally, the public is invited to the Institute’s studio space, where they can create an iron tile of their own design. Participants scratch their design into a 6-by-6-inch sand mold and coat it with a liquid graphite, then watch as molten iron is poured into their molds on site. For the remote event, participants will pick up a mold from the Institute — pickup dates are Sept. 23, Sept. 25, Sept. 30 and Oct. 2 — and scratch their design at home. Then, they can drop off their scratched molds back at the Institute — drop-off dates are the same as pickup dates, plus Oct. 7. Designs will be poured and ready to pick back up on Oct. 14 and Oct. 16. Register anytime now until Oct. 2 to secure a kit. The cost is $40 per mold. Visit andresinstitute.org.
The TEAM Fall Equinox Festival returns to Exeter. Vernon Family Farm at Exeter Arts Fest. Courtesy photo.
• Arts festival in Exeter: The annual TEAM Fall Equinox Festival will return to Swasey Parkway in downtown Exeter on Saturday, Sept. 18, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. The festival features live music at the main stage and at the singer-songwriter tent; local food vendors; artist vendors; cultural exhibitions; yoga on the lawn; activities for kids and more. A Racial Unity Celebration will take place at the mainstage from 4 to 6 p.m., with a musical performance by Kaia Mac and Clandestine, a dance performances by Anthony Bounphakhom and The BLOCK with Groove Lounge; and guest speaker Lovey Roundtree Oliff. Admission is a suggested donation of $10 per person or $20 per family. The event is rain or shine. Visit teamexeter.com.
• Just married: The Players’ Ring Theatre (105 Marcy St., Portsmouth) performs Neil Simon’s Barefoot in the Park from Sept. 18 through Oct. 3, with showtimes on Friday at 7:30 p.m., Saturday at 2:30 and 7:30 p.m., and Sunday at 2:30 p.m. Tickets cost $25 for adults and $22 for seniors age 65 and up and students. The play, set in the 1960s, follows a newlywed couple, Corie and Paul Bratter, during their first week of marriage. Living together in a top-floor New York City brownstone apartment, they are confronted with their personality differences; Corie, a free spirit, wonders why Paul, a straight-laced lawyer, can’t be more carefree and do things like running barefoot in the park. Visit playersring.org.
ART
Call for Art
• JOAN L. DUNFEY EXHIBITION On display at the New Hampshire Art Association’s Robert Lincoln Levy Gallery, 136 State St., Portsmouth, beginning in November. The NHAA is accepting online submissions of artwork now. Works in all media will be considered and should be related to this year’s theme, “Portals.” Artists can submit up to two pieces. The submission deadline is Mon., Sept. 20, by 5 p.m. Visit nhartassociation.org or call 431-4230.
• WOMEN’S ARTISAN FAIR Girls at Work, a Manchester-based nonprofit that empowers girls through woodworking and building, is seeking artists for this fair, which is set for Oct. 15 and 16. Women artisans are invited to submit handcrafted fashion pieces, home goods, paintings and other visual arts for consideration. Visit girlswork.org or call 345-0392.
Exhibits
• “ROBERTO LUGO: TE TRAIGO MI LE LO LAI – I BRING YOU MY JOY” Philadelphia-based potter reimagines traditional forms and techniques with inspiration from urban graffiti and hip-hop culture, paying homage to his Puerto Rican heritage and exploring his cultural identity and its connection to family, place and legacy. The Currier Museum of Art (150 Ash St., Manchester). On view now through Sept. 26. On view now. Currier Museum of Art, 150 Ash St., Manchester. Museum admission tickets cost $15, $13 for seniors age 65 and up, and must be booked online. Call 669-6144 or visit currier.org.
• “KICK-START!” Also known as “the shoe show,” this themed art exhibition from the Women’s Caucus for Art’s New Hampshire Chapter opens at Twiggs Gallery, 254 King St., Boscawen. The exhibit runs through Oct. 31. The shoe theme is expressed in a wide variety of works that include paintings, sculptures, artist books, drawings and mixed media pieces. Gallery hours are Thursday and Friday, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Saturday, from noon to 4 p.m. Visit twiggsgallery.wordpress.com.
• “AROUND NEW HAMPSHIRE” On exhibit at the Greater Concord Chamber of Commerce’s Visitor Center, 49 S. Main St., Concord, from Sept. 21 through Dec. 16. Featuring the work of New Hampshire Art Association member Elaine Farmer, the exhibit features her oil paintings embodying New Hampshire’s iconic views and ideals, ranging from mountain lakes and birch tree woods to historic landmarks. Visit concordnhchamber.com or nhartassociation.org.
• “1,000 CRANES FOR NASHUA” Featuring more than 1,000 origami paper cranes created by hundreds of Nashua-area kids, adults and families since April. On display now at The Atrium at St. Joseph Hospital, 172 Kinsley St., Nashua. Visit nashuasculpturesymposium.org.
• GALLERY ART A new collection of art by more than 20 area artists on display now in-person and online. Creative Ventures Gallery (411 Nashua St., Milford). Call 672-2500 or visit creativeventuresfineart.com.
• “TOMIE DEPAOLA AT THE CURRIER” Exhibition celebrates the illustrator’s life and legacy through a collection of his original drawings. On view now. Currier Museum of Art, 150 Ash St., Manchester. Museum admission tickets cost $15, $13 for seniors age 65 and up, and must be booked online. Call 669-6144 or visit currier.org.
• ART ON MAIN The City of Concord and the Greater Concord Chamber of Commerce present a year-round outdoor public art exhibit in Concord’s downtown featuring works by professional sculptors. All sculptures will be for sale. Visit concordnhchamber.com/creativeconcord, call 224-2508 or email tsink@concordnhchamber.com.
Fairs and markets
• CANTERBURY ARTISAN FESTIVAL The event celebrated artisanal, handcrafted works, also featuring live music and demonstrations. Sat., Sept. 25, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Canterbury Shaker Village, 288 Shaker Road, Canterbury. Admission is $12 for adults, $6 for Village members and free for kids, teens and young adults under 25. Visit shakers.org.
• CONCORD ARTS MARKET Outdoor artisan and fine art market. Every third Saturday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Now through October. Rollins Park (33 Bow St., Concord). Visit concordartsmarket.net.
• CAPITAL ARTS FEST Event hosted by the League of New Hampshire Craftsmen will feature contemporary and traditional crafts by League members and invited artisans, live music, pop-up street theater, dance performances, author presentations and more. Outside the League of NH Craftsmen headquarters (49 S. Main St., Concord). Sat., Sept. 25, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sun., Sept. 26, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Visit nhcrafts.org or call 224-3375.
• 40TH ANNUAL FALL FESTIVAL AND NATURE ART SHOW Event hosted by the Beaver Brook Association (117 Ridge Road, Hollis, 465-7787, beaverbrook.org) will feature art by regional artists, children’s art, live music, live animal demonstrations, guided hikes and natural products for sale. Sat., Sept. 25, and Sun., Sept. 26, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Special events
• FALL IRON MELT Participants create an iron tile of their own design by scratching it into a 6-by-6-inch sand mold and coat it with a liquid graphite, then watch as molten iron is poured into their molds on site. Participants can pick up their mold from the Andres Institute of Art, 106 Route 13, Brookline. Pickup dates are Sept. 23, Sept. 25, Sept. 30 and Oct. 2. Dop-off dates are the same as pickup dates, plus Oct. 7. Designs will be poured and ready to pick back up on Oct. 14 and Oct. 16. Register anytime now until Oct. 2 to secure a kit. The cost is $40 per mold. Visit andresinstitute.org.
Tours
• NASHUA PUBLIC ART AUDIO TOUR Self-guided audio tours of the sculptures and murals in downtown Nashua, offered via the Distrx app, which uses Bluetooth iBeacon technology to automatically display photos and text and provides audio descriptions at each stop on the tour as tourists approach the works of art. Each tour has 10 to 15 stops. Free and accessible on Android and iOS on demand. Available in English and Spanish. Visit downtownnashua.org/nashua-art-tour.
Workshops and classes
• GENERAL ART CLASSES In-person art classes for all levels and two-dimensional media. held with small groups of two to five students. Private classes are also available. Diane Crespo Fine Art Gallery (32 Hanover St., Manchester). Students are asked to wear masks in the gallery. Tuition costs $20 per group class and $28 per private class, with payment due at the beginning of the class. Call 493-1677 or visit dianecrespofineart.com for availability.
• 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.
THEATER
Shows
• IT HAD TO BE YOU The Winnipesaukee Playhouse presents. 33 Footlight Circle, Meredith. Now through Sept. 18, with showtimes Tuesday through Saturday at 4 p.m., plus matinees on Saturdays, Sept. 11 and Sept. 18, at 11 a.m. Tickets cost $20 to $37. Visit winnipesaukeeplayhouse.org.
• WHITE RABBIT RED RABBIT Produced by the Community Players of Concord. Hatbox Theatre, 270 Loudon Road, Concord. Fridays and Saturdays, 7:30 p.m., and Sundays, 2 p.m., Sept. 10 through Sept. 26. Visit communityplayersofconcord.org.
• TRUE TALES LIVE Monthly showcase of storytellers. Held virtually via Zoom. Last Tuesday of the month, 7 p.m., September through December. Visit truetaleslivenh.org.
• GLORIOUS The Winnipesaukee Playhouse presents. 33 Footlight Circle, Meredith. Sept. 22 through Oct. 9, with showtimes Tuesday through Saturday at 7:30 p.m., plus matinees on Tuesday, Sept. 28, and Thursday, Sept. 30, at 2 p.m. Tickets cost $20 to $37. Visit winnipesaukeeplayhouse.org.
• NEIL SIMON’S BAREFOOT IN THE PARK Produced by the Community Players of Concord. Concord City Auditorium, 2 Prince St., Concord. Fri., Oct. 15, and Sat., Oct. 16, 7:30 p.m., and Sun., Oct. 17, 2 p.m. Visit communityplayersofconcord.org.
• HEATHERS THE MUSICAL Presented by Cue Zero Theatre Company. Oct. 22 through Oct. 24. Derry Opera House, 29 W. Broadway, Derry. Visit cztheatre.com.
• ALL TOGETHER NOW! Produced by the Community Players of Concord’s Children’s Theater Project. Concord City Auditorium, 2 Prince St., Concord. Fri., Nov. 12, 7 p.m., and Sat., Nov. 13, 2 p.m. Visit communityplayersofconcord.org.
• THAT GOLDEN GIRLS SHOW: A PUPPET PARODY at the Capitol Center for the Arts (44 S. Main St. in Concord; ccanh.com) on Sat., Nov. 20, at 8 p.m. Tickets cost $35.
Classical
• OPENING NIGHT Symphony New Hampshire’s opening night concert will feature Frank Ticheli’s There Will Be Rest, a tribute to health care workers and those lost during the pandemic, followed by Mozart’s Sinfonia Concertante for Four Winds and the concert chamber orchestra suite of Gershwin’s Porgy and Bess. Sat., Oct. 9. Keefe Center for the Arts (117 Elm St., Nashua). Visit symphonynh.org.
• “FROM DARKNESS TO HOPE” The New Hampshire Philharmonic concert will feature Beethoven’s Coriolan Overture, Adagio for Strings by Samuel Barber and Tchaikovsky’s Fifth Symphony. Seifert Performing Arts Center (44 Geremonty Drive, Salem). Sat., Oct. 16, and Sun., Oct. 17. Visit nhphil.org.
Get in the harvest season spirit with some pig racing and corn mazes
It’s a farm’s time to shine.
Here in the thick of the late summer early fall harvest season, farms are getting a chance to show off their hard work — from displaying animals at upcoming fairs to welcoming guests for some agritainment.
Hence that cover pig. Pig-related events feature on the schedule of both the upcoming Granite State Fair and the Deerfield Fair. In addition to the pig barn and some pig racing on the schedule, you can see other animals in the barnyard babies, petting zoo and cattle barn at the Granite State Fair, which kicks off on Thursday, Sept. 16. Starting Sept. 30, you can see the horses, alpacas, sheep, goats and more at the Deerfield Fair.
There are also good reasons to go visit a local farm or orchard. Local corn mazes have opened their attractions, offering a chance to spend some time in their corn fields. Apple picking season has started and growers are reporting that it’s been a good year for apples.
Feeling in the mood for some farm fun? Here are a few places to go.
Farmers at the fair
Animals are the highlight of New Hampshire’s agricultural fairs
By Angie Sykeny
From live music and amusement rides to demonstrations and delicious food, New Hampshire state fairs offer all kinds of fun, but the heart of the fair remains the same year after year.
“Agriculture is the bedrock of what fairs represent,” said E.J. Dean, fair coordinator for the Granite State Fair in Rochester. “Farmers wanting to showcase all of their hard work is how the fairs were born.”
“The largest percentage of time that a patron spends at any fairground is looking through the barns,” co-coordinator Mark Perry added. “At the end of that day, that’s why people come.”
For local farmers, the fair is a chance to engage with the public, spread the word about their farms and promote their products — like a farmers market, Dean said, but on a larger scale.
“The farmers are proud,” he said. “They love talking with people and showing off what they do.”
For fairgoers, the fair is a place to learn about agriculture in the state and see up-close how a cow is milked, how a sheep is sheared, how butter is made and more.
“When you hear that there’s 21 billion gallons of milk produced in the United States each year, it’s hard to quantify that number,” Dean said. “[The fair] sheds some light on the [agriculture] industry and puts all of the things that we take for granted in perspective.”
Putting a face to the name behind where their food comes from can encourage people to buy more local food and products, Perry said.
“People see and hear things [about food] in the news, and they want to know what is true,” he said. “Who better to ask than the farmer who produces the food?”
Another goal of the fair, Perry said, is to expand agriculture in the state by inspiring people with homesteads to take up farming, even if only on a small scale. Just half an acre is enough for a person to raise animals such as rabbits, chickens or goats, he said.
“As the number of full-time farmers decreases, there’s a need that’s being filled by part-time farmers,” he said. “We want to help champion those part-time farmers.”
But educating the public about agriculture isn’t the only mission of the fair, Perry said; making the experience fun and memorable is equally important, especially for children and families, and for people living in urban areas who don’t have many opportunities to visit farms or see live animals.
“When a kid gets to reach out and touch a calf or see a cow being milked for the first time, that’s a powerful thing,” Perry said. “There’s magic in that moment.”
Granite State Fair
Daily festivities include a cattle barn, pig barn, barnyard babies, exhibitions and displays, chickery, a petting zoo and live judging in the exhibition hall. Helicopter rides will be offered Friday through Sunday. Daily entertainment will include racing pigs, Circus Hollywood ($15 for a ringside box for up to four people) and a variety of live music. Recycled Percussion will perform on Friday, Sept. 17, at 8 p.m. (Tickets are $20). The horse pulling competition will take place on Saturday, Sept. 18, at 11 a.m. A mechanical bull riding competition will be held on both Thursdays, a cornhole tournament on both Fridays, and a demolition derby on both Sundays. When: Thursday through Sunday, from Sept. 16 through Sept. 19, and Sept. 23 through Sept. 26. On Thursday and Friday, both the main fair and midway open at 4 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, the main fair opens at 10 a.m., and the midway opens at noon. Where: 72 Lafayette St., Rochester Tickets: $10 per person, free for children age 8 and under. Plus $7 for parking. Wristbands are available for $25 on Thursday from 4 p.m. to close, Saturday from noon to 4 p.m., and Sunday from 1 to 5 p.m., and, on the final Sunday, from 5 p.m. to close. More info: granitestatefair.com
Deerfield Fair
Daily festivities include agricultural shows like a horse pull, pig scramble, cattle pull and more, as well as agricultural demonstrations, exhibits and competitions; tractor pulls and demonstrations; children’s shows and activities; magic shows; a variety of live music on multiple stages and strolling performers. Special events include a woodsman contest on Thursday at 10 a.m., a pumpkin weigh-off on Thursday at 6 p.m., Granite State Disc Dogs on Saturday at 2 and 4 p.m., a truck pull on Saturday at 5 p.m., and a women’s frypan toss on Sunday at 4 p.m. Where: 34 Stage Road, Deerfield When: Thursday, Sept. 30, through Sunday, Oct. 3. Hours are 8 a.m. to 10 pm., Thursday through Saturday, and 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., on Sunday. Tickets: $12 for adults ($10 if purchased online before Sept. 27), free for kids age 12 and under and for active military and veterans. $9 for seniors age 65 and older on Thursday and Friday at the gate only. Premium parking is available for $10. Midway wristbands are available for $30 on Friday (valid through 6 p.m.) and for $35 on Sunday (valid through closing). More info: deerfieldfair.com
Mazes of maize
Lose yourself in a corn maze this fall
By Matt Ingersoll
Traversing through a corn maze is a uniquely fall activity at the farm — most of them are open to the public from early to mid-September through about Halloween. From family-friendly mazes to spookier nighttime outings, there are all kinds of unique features and experiences you can discover as you make your way through the cornfields trying to get out.
Corn maze at Sherman Farm. Courtesy photo.
At Beech Hill Farm and Ice Cream Barn in Hopkinton, there are two different 4-acre corn mazes with their own distinct themes that are never repeated after each year. Co-owner Holly Kimball, who was an elementary school teacher for more than 20 years, said she has a lot of fun designing the mazes and implementing various educational aspects into each theme.
“It’s a great outdoor activity that appeals to all ages,” Kimball said of the mazes. “This is our 24th year doing the mazes … and [they have] become a fall tradition for many people. … We get field trips from elementary school students right up through high school, [and] it can be a fun date activity or an outing for workplace team building.”
This year happens to be the 250th anniversary of the nine-generation Beech Hill Farm, a milestone Kimball has integrated into one of the corn mazes. People are given a crossword puzzle with different clues to the answers they must search through the maze to find. Each clue has to do with a different fact about farming history.
The other corn maze activity at Beech Hill Farm is what Kimball calls a “Clue-Dunnit,” featuring a corn maze mystery twist on the popular board game. Attendees are tasked with finding the “suspect” who stole the weather vane off the top of the farm’s barn.
“It’s a cornfield scavenger hunt, where you go through with a checklist and find the ‘suspects,’ which are all farm animals,” she said. “They are all signs people have to find in the maze.”
Animals are also regularly used corn maze themes at Coppal House Farm in Lee. Owner John Hutton said they will usually focus on a different animal or bird each year that you’re likely to find in your backyard. As you make your way deeper into the maze, you’ll come across different facts about that animal — this year, he said, it’s all about red foxes.
“The different facts you find … help you navigate your way through the maze,” Hutton said, “so on top of learning about the fox, it’s a scavenger hunt. … It’s something fun that the whole family can do together, and it’s very interactive with no electronics involved.”
In Milford, Trombly Gardens has a corn maze that’s open to the public from dawn to dusk, with four wooden farm animals each maze-goer is challenged to find. According to business manager Alicia Kurlander, a Halloween-themed “haunted” corn maze with actors is currently in the works for each weekend throughout the month of October.
Where to find a local corn maze
Check out this list of local farms and orchards with corn mazes to discover this fall. Many of them feature their own unique themes, often with clues you must find to navigate your way out.
Applecrest Farm Orchards 133 Exeter Road, Hampton Falls, 926-3721, applecrest.com Hours: Daily, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Cost: $7 per person and free for ages 5 and under This 8-acre corn field features a maze of twists and turns that typically remains open through Halloween or early November depending on the weather conditions, according to Applecrest Farm Orchards owner Todd Wagner. Visitors who want to traverse it during the week are encouraged to check in at the farm market, as the maze entrance is only staffed on the weekends.
Beans & Greens Farm 245 Intervale Road, Gilford, 293-2853, beansandgreensfarm.com Hours: Daily, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; a night maze is offered Thursday through Saturday, from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m., with a final sweep of the maze at 10 p.m. Cost: $14 for adults and $10 for kids; the cost for the night maze ranges from $18 to $22 (tentative) According to Cheyenne Patterson of the farm’s management team, the corn maze will open for the season on Sept. 17 and will conclude with a special Halloween-themed maze on Oct. 31.
Beech Hill Farm and Ice Cream Barn 107 Beech Hill Road, Hopkinton, 223-0828, beechhillfarm.com Hours: Daily, noon to dusk Cost: $6 per person and free for kids ages 3 and under Beech Hill Farm and Ice Cream Barn has two 4-acre corn mazes, and one applied rate gives you access to both. Co-owner Holly Kimball said the farm has been offering them for more than two decades, with a different theme each year that has never been repeated. This year’s mazes include a cornfield-sized “crossword puzzle” in celebration of the farm’s 250th anniversary in 2021, as well as a “Clue-Dunnit” corn maze inspired by the popular board game.
Brookdale Fruit Farm 41 Broad St., Hollis, 465-2240, brookdalefruitfarm.com Hours: Saturday and Sunday, noon to 5 p.m. Cost: $3 per person The corn maze, set to open soon, is among several of the family-friendly activities that will be available at Brookdale Fruit Farm this fall, along with hayrides and apple picking.
Coppal House Farm 118 N. River Road, Lee, 659-3572, nhcornmaze.com Hours: Monday, Thursday and Friday, noon to 5 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (last entrance is at 4:30 p.m.). Columbus Day hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Cost: $9 for adults, $7 for kids ages 5 to 12 and for students, seniors and active military service members, and free for kids ages 5 and under Coppal House Farm features two corn mazes, with a different theme every year centered around a bird or animal you might see in your backyard. This year the theme is red foxes — maze attendees will learn various facts about the red fox that help them navigate their way out of the maze. Coppal House Farm co-owner John Hutton said the mazes are typically open through the last weekend of October, after which the corn is harvested for grain. There are also three upcoming nighttime maze dates that are open to the public, scheduled for Sept. 18, Oct. 9 and Oct. 23 (general admission is $12 per person; online ticketing only). Bring your own flashlight.
Elwood Orchards 54 Elwood Road, Londonderry, 434-6017, elwoodorchards.com Hours: Daily, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. (last entrance is at 5 p.m.) Cost: $10 per person and free for kids ages 5 and under The 15-acre corn maze at this family-owned and -operated farm and orchard is open now through the first weekend of November, owner Wayne Elwood said. Throughout the month of October, there is also a nighttime maze on Fridays and Saturdays that runs until 10 p.m. (last entrance is at 9 p.m.). Bring your own flashlight.
Emery Farm 147 Piscataqua Road, Durham, 742-8495, emeryfarm.com Hours: Daily, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Cost: $5 per person and free for kids ages 2 and under This corn maze, featuring an educational pollinator theme, will be open daily through Oct. 31. Tickets can be purchased inside the farm’s market and cafe.
J & F Farms 124 Chester Road, Derry, 437-0535, jandffarmsnh.com Hours: Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Cost: $8 per person One of several available family-friendly activities, the corn maze at this longtime family-run farm is open to the public now through the end of October.
Lavoie’s Farm 172 Nartoff Road, Hollis, 882-0072, lavoiesfarm.com Hours: Daily, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Cost: Free At the family-owned and -operated Lavoie’s Farm, visitors can traverse the 3-acre corn maze with a pick-your-own apple or pumpkin purchase.
Riverview Farm 141 River Road, Plainfield, 298-8519, riverviewnh.com Hours: Tuesday through Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Cost: $5 per person and free for kids ages 4 and under Artist and illustrator Emily Zea comes up with all kinds of unique themes each year for Riverview Farm’s corn maze. The theme of this year’s 3-acre maze is Ghosts and Monsters of New England.
Scamman Farm 69 Portsmouth Ave., Stratham, 686-1258, scammanfarm.com Hours: Monday, and Wednesday through Friday, noon to 5 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (last entrance is at 4:30 p.m.) Cost: $9 for adults, $7 for kids ages 5 to 12 and for seniors and active military service members, and free for kids ages 4 and under with a paid adult At more than 6 acres, Scamman’s Farm’s corn maze features a different theme every year. This year’s theme is “Fantasy Land.”
Sherman Farm 2679 E. Conway Road, Center Conway, 939-2412, shermanfarmnh.com Hours: Saturday and Sunday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Cost: Varies from $12 to $15 per person, depending on the day, and free for kids ages 2 and under Known simply as “The Maize,” this year’s 12-acre corn maze was designed with help from students at Pine Street Elementary School in Center Conway. It’s due to open for the season on Sept. 18 and will welcome visitors every Saturday and Sunday through Oct. 24.
Trombly Gardens 150 N. River Road, Milford, 673-0647, tromblygardens.net Hours: Daily, dawn to dusk Cost: $5 per person and free for kids ages 3 and under Four wooden animals hidden throughout this corn maze for attendees to attempt to find. Trombly Gardens business manager Alicia Kurlander said a Halloween-themed haunted nighttime maze with actors who will try to jump out and scare you is also being planned for each weekend throughout the month of October. You can receive a discount to enter the corn maze if you bring a non-perishable canned food item to donate to the local food bank.
Washburn’s Windy Hill Orchard 66 Mason Road, Greenville, 878-2101, find them on Facebook @washburnswindyhill Hours: Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday, 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Cost: $5 per person and free for kids ages 3 and under The 5-acre corn maze at Washburn’s Windy Hill Orchard is open through the end of October, according to owner Timothy Anderson. A nighttime maze will also be hosted from Friday, Oct. 29, through Sunday, Oct. 31, from 6:30 to 9 p.m. each night.
Macs and Honeycrisps
Where to load up on apples
By Amy Diaz
The McIntoshes are ready.
Over Labor Day weekend, Apple Hill Farm in Concord kicked off its season of pick-your-own with its trees heavy with McIntoshes. The rain, rough on ground crops, has been good for apples, helping them to get big and juicy, said Diane Souther, owner at Apple Hill.
“The apples are plentiful,” Souther said on Sept. 7, when she expected Cortlands to be ready for picking in a few days and then Macouns soon after that, followed by Empires, with other varieties expected more toward the third and fourth weeks of September. Souther’s farm has more than 60 varieties of apples, some in PYO and some that the farm picks, some of them for eating and baking and some for hard cider.
Leigh Hardy, pick-your-own manager at Brookdale Fruit Farm, agreed that this year’s crop is large — big apples and lots of them. Brookdale has 32 varieties for pick your own as well as other varieties available in the farm stand. On Sept. 7 she said Jonamacs, Galas, McIntoshes and Honeycrisps were ready, with Cortlands and Empires coming soon.
“They’re coming in a bit earlier,” Hardy said, estimating that crops were available about 10 days or so earlier.
While some varieties like the McIntoshes and Galas will go all season long some apples have shorter seasons of three or so weeks when they are available, so Souther recommends that pickers be flexible if their favorite variety isn’t available at the moment and try something new. She recommends, at pick your own or at farm stands and farmers markets, asking farmers about varieties you may not have seen in decades past, such as Ambrosia, a yellowish apple with a red tinge that is sweeter and can last a while in the refrigerator.
Hardy said some people are becoming “apple connoisseurs” and interested in new varieties as well as some of the older New England varieties, such as the Baldwin apple, which is harder and stores well but has a great flavor when you cook with it, she said. Empire (a cross between a Red Delicious and a McIntosh) has a good flavor as does Spencer (a cross between a Golden Delicious and a McIntosh).
“Those are really good,” Hardy said.
Others to look for later in September are the Snow Sweet (a mild apple that doesn’t turn brown when you cut it), a Ruby Mac (a McIntosh variety that is sold red and a little bit tarter) and some new Honeycrisp varieties that are available later, like Pink Luster, Firecracker and Crimson Crisp, Hardy said.
At Brookdale they offer both a paper map and a version you can get on your smartphone via a QR code that will help direct you toward trees that are ready for picking and help you find the varieties you’re interested in.
For apples you don’t eat right away, Souther and Hardy recommend putting them in a refrigerator at as close to 33 degrees as possible for future eating. Sweeter apples especially need refrigeration, Hardy said, and if you store apples in a cool basement or garage, don’t leave them directly on cement, where moisture will get into the apple and speed rot; elevate them a little. Souther also suggested that apples you don’t eat now can go toward a future pie: Make a pie filling and freeze to use later in the winter when you want a fresh taste of fall.
Apple Grower of the Year
Brookdale Fruit Farm, which has been operated for 174 years by seven generations of the same family, received special recognition this year: Chip Hardy and sons Trevor Hardy and Tyler Hardy were named 2021 Apple Growers of the Year by American Fruit Grower and Western Fruit Grower magazines, according to a story on GrowingProduce.com. (Tyler Hardy, who died in 2019, was called “one of New Hampshire’s up-and-coming agricultural stars” in the story.) The farm is only the second farm in New Hampshire to receive the award, the website said.
Where to get your apples
Here are a few of the local apple orchards offering pick-your-own. On the day you plan to head out, call ahead to check that the varieties you’re interested in are available. Most of these farms also sell apples at their farm stands (along with other goodies) if you’d rather pick up than pick your own, and many of the websites (which, along with the farms’ and orchards’ social media, is where most of the pricing and hours listed here come from) list varieties available at the orchard (including, in some cases, what’s currently available for picking). Is your favorite pick-your-own farm not on this list? Let us know about it at food@hippopress.com.
Apple Annie 66 Rowell Road East in Brentwood; 778-3127, appleannienh.org Hours open for PYO: Thursday through Sunday, 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (Email for reserving group times Monday through Wednesday) Cost: Bags priced at $1.75 per pound
Applecrest Farm Orchards 133 Exeter Road (Route 88) in Hampton Falls; 926-3721, applecrest.com Hours open for PYO: daily, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Cost: $15 for half a peck, $30 for a peck, $40 for half a bushel Also: In September, PYO raspberries and peaches; into October, pumpkins and gourds. On weekends look for harvest festivals, which run Saturday and Sunday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and can feature live music, tractor rides, eats for sale and more.
Apple Hill Farm 580 Mountain Road (Route 132) in Concord; 224-8862, applehillfarmnh.com Hours open for PYO: daily, 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Cost: Peck is $15, half bushel is $25. Also: As of Sept. 3 Apple Hill still had PYO seedless grapes.
Appleview Orchard 1266 Upper City Road in Pittsfield; 435-3553, applevieworchard.com Hours open for PYO: daily, 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. (earlier as the sun sets earlier) Cost: Call for pricing. Also: Free hayrides on weekends, weather permitting.
Brookdale Fruit Farm 41 Broad St. in Hollis; 465-2240, brookdalefruitfarm.com Hours open for PYO: Wednesday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. (call for information on group outings on Mondays and Tuesdays) Cost: $35 for half a bushel or $1.75 per pound. Also: PYO pumpkins later in the season, according to the farm’s website. On weekends, check out the corn maze and hayrides.
Carter Hill Orchard 73 Carter Hill Road in Concord; 225-2625, carterhillapples.com Hours open for PYO: Daily, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Currier Orchards 9 Peaslee Road in Merrimack; 881-8864, find them on Facebook @currierorchards Hours open for PYO: Daily, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Cost: $15 for a 10-pound bag; $30 for a 20-pound bag. Also: The store is open until 6 p.m.
DeMeritt Hill Farm 20 Orchard Way, Lee; 868-2111, demeritthillfarm.com Hours open for PYO: Monday and Tuesday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m; Wednesday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Cost: Purchase one peck bag to pick: $18 for a peck bag. Also: PYO pumpkins. Visit farm animals and on weekends take a hayride ($2 per person), weather permitting. The farm also has several upcoming events including a Harvest Weekend (Sept. 25 and Sept. 26) and a Pumpkinfest (Oct. 2 and Oct. 3) and Haunted Overlook, a haunted attraction that opens Oct. 8.
Elwood Orchards 54 Elwood Road in Londonderry; 434-6017, elwoodorchards.com Hours open for PYO: Open daily 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Cost: Call for pricing. Also: Elwood will offer pick your own pumpkins and runs a corn maze daily (with nighttime corn mazes on Fridays and Saturdays in October).
Gould Hill Farm 656 Gould Hill Road in Contoocook, 746- 3811, gouldhillfarm.com Hours open for PYO: Tuesday through Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. (plus Monday, Oct. 11) Cost: Quarter peck (which is about two or three pounds depending on the apple) is $7, half peck is $12, peck is $18, half bushel is $28. Also: Gould Hill operates Contoocook Cider Co., which has a tasting room open weekends from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. for flights, tastings and light food (such as cheese plates) and live music from 1 to 4 p.m., according to the website. Cider doughnuts on weekends.
Hackleboro Orchards 61 Orchard Road in Canterbury; 783-4248, on Facebook Hours open for PYO: Daily, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Cost: By the page $6 half peck, $10 peck and $20 a half bushel Also: Every weekend they offer burgers, hot dogs, cider doughnuts and ice cream.
Hazelton Orchards 280 Derry Road in Chester; 493-4804, find them on Facebook @hazeltonorchardschesternh Hours open for PYO: Daily 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Cost: Call for pricing.
Lavoie’s Farm 172 Nartoff Road in Hollis; 882-0072, lavoiesfarm.com Hours open for PYO: Daily, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Cost: $1.99 per pound. Also: PYO pumpkins. Look for hay rides on weekends and a corn maze open whenever the farm is open.
Lull Farm 65 Broad St. in Hollis; 465-7079, livefreeandfarm.com Hours open for PYO: Daily, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Cost: Peck for $15, and half bushel for $30. Also: Food on weekends and The Daily Haul fish market Saturdays (preorder at thedailyhaul.com).
Mack’s Apples 230 Mammoth Road in Londonderry; 432- 3456, macksapples.com Hours open for PYO: Daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Cost: Purchase bags for picking as you enter the orchard. Also: PYO peaches and pumpkins.
McLeod Bros. Orchards 735 N. River Road in Milford; 673-3544, mcleodorchards.com Hours open for PYO: Monday through Friday from 1 to 5:30 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. (also 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on Columbus Day) Cost: Buy bags or baskets before picking — $16 for peck bag, $27 for a half bushel bag; $24 for a peck basket, $35 for a half bushel basket. Also: For groups larger than 7 people, make a reservation online.
Meadow Ledge Farm 612 Route 129 in Loudon; 798-5860, meadowledgefarm.com Hours open for PYO: Daily from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Also: Look for the farm’s Harvest Festival on Columbus Day weekend, with games for the kids, music and entertainment. After Thanksgiving they sell Christmas trees and wreaths among other items.
Sullivan Farm 70 Coburn Ave. in Nashua; 595-4560, find them on Facebook Hours open for PYO: Daily, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Washburn’s Windy Hill Orchard 66 Mason Road in Greenville; 878-2101 Hours open for PYO: Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday, 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Cost: $12 for a peck, $24 for a half bushel. Purchase apple bags inside the farm stand or reusable baskets. Also: PYO pumpkins. The orchard also has a corn maze and free hayrides on weekends.
Featured photo: Corn maze at Beech Hill Farm and Ice Cream Barn in Hopkinton. Courtesy photo.
Barring Covid-cancellations, the New Hampshire Fisher Cats will have their final regular season run of home games at Northeast Delta Dental Stadium (1 Line Drive in downtown Manchester; nhfishercats.com) against the Harrisburg Senators. As of Sept. 13, the Sept. 14 game was canceled but the Fisher Cats are scheduled to play nightly at 6:35 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 15, through Saturday, Sept. 18, and then a 1:35 p.m. game on Sunday, Sept. 19. Tonight’s game features the first of two winter hat giveaways (also at Sunday’s game). Friday’s and Saturday’s games will feature post-game fireworks.
Friday, Sept. 17
See TLC on their Crazy Sexy Cool Tour 2021 with Bone Thugs-N-Harmony tonight at 7:30 p.m. at the Bank of New Hampshire Pavilion (72 Meadowbrook Lane in Gilford; 293-4700, banknhpavilion.com). Tickets start at $18.75 on the lawn.
Saturday, Sept. 18
After sitting out 2020, GraniteCon, the Granite State Comicon 2021, returns today and tomorrow (Sunday, Sept. 19) from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the DoubleTree by Hilton Manchester Downtown (at 700 Elm St.). Admission costs $25 on Saturday, $20 on Sunday or $40 for a weekend pass. Meet comic book creators and entertainment guests, take part in the costume contest, check out the vendors and more. See last week’s issue of the Hippo (find the e-edition on hippopress.com) for our story about the event on page 24 and go to granitecon.com to see an event program.
Saturday, Sept. 18
Today is the second to last Concord Arts Market of the season. It will run 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in Rollins Park, 33 Bow St. in Concord. See concordartsmarket.net for a list of vendors.
Sunday, Sept. 19
It’s a big weekend for food festivals: Glendi in Manchester, the Concord Multicultural Festival, the Egyptian Food Festival in Nashua. Find details about all of those events on page 28. Here’s another to add to the schedule: Oysterfest, held today from noon to 5 p.m. at Stone Church (5 Granite St. in Newmarket; stonechurchrocks.com). The event will feature craft beer offerings, as well as oysters from three local oyster farms and live music.
Tuesday, Sept. 21
Check out a couple of cult films this week at the Rex Theatre (23 Amherst St. in Manchester; 668-5588, palacetheatre.org). Hedwig and the Angry Inch (R, 2001) screens tonight at 7 p.m. John Water’s Serial Mom(R, 1994) screens tomorrow, Wednesday, Sept. 22, at 7 p.m. Tickets to either show cost $12 each, with a portion of the proceeds going to Motley Mutts Rescue, according to the website.
Save the Date! Saturday, Oct. 23
Tickets go on sale this weekend for the New Hampshire Poutinefest Spooktacular, which will be held Saturday, Oct. 23, at the Anheuser-Busch Tour Center & Biergarten (221 DW Highway in Merrimack). Enjoy a variety of competing poutine dishes as well as craft beer, games, activities for kids and more. Tickets go on sale Saturday, Sept. 18, and cost $39.99 for general admission (gates at the event open at 12:45 p.m.), $49.99 for VIP admission (which includes a 11:30 a.m. entry time), $14.99 for kids age 6 to 12 with sampling and free for kids who aren’t sampling or are under 6. See nhpoutinefestspooktacular.eventbrite.com.
Featured photo: The Massachusetts Ghostbusters are heading to Granite State Comicon. Courtesy photo.
