Tag: 211202

On The Job – Justin Tanner

Justin Tanner

Engraver

Justin Tanner is the owner of Rustic Cabin Designs, a laser engraving business that does custom engraving on wood and sells engraved wooden signs at the Kearsarge Business Center in Warner.

Explain your job and what it entails.

We’re a graphics design shop that does custom graphics and logos with a laser engraver. Basically, on an average day, I’m taking people’s orders, doing the programming for the machines, doing the design work, working hands-on with the materials, cutting and sanding the wood, doing the actual laser engraving and then whatever sanding or staining is involved in the finishing process.

How long have you had this job?

We are only four months old; we just started in July.

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

I had gotten laid off from my previous job … as a machinist. I was tired of the shop life, anyway. I was tired of punching a clock every day, working for someone else. I started looking for something different that I could do. I already had the skills, and I had just bought my own machine, so I figured, why not work for myself? I decided to take a leap and start my own business.

What kind of education or training did you need?

Formally, my education is only through high school, but I learned a lot of skills through on-the-job training. I have 20 years of experience working in a shop as a CNC machinist.

What is your typical at-work uniform or attire?

Just jeans or a pair of shorts, and a T-shirt.

What was it like starting this business during the pandemic?

We definitely ran into some issues. The biggest one has been getting the supply. We ordered a lot of lumber online, and the delivery times are just so unpredictable right now, and that’s if [the lumber] is even available at all. It’s been taking two or three times longer than it should to get here.

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

Try to learn as much as you can, and take any advancement opportunities that present themselves.

What do you wish other people knew about your job?

I wish people realized the amount of time and work it takes. There’s the logistics of getting the materials; doing the programming and design work; the fixturing and workholding to actually get [the wood] into the [engraving] machine; the tooling for the machines, and the finishing process, so there’s a lot that goes into making a final product from scratch.

What was the first job you ever had?

I was a dishwasher at Colby-Sawyer College.

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

Never give up.

Five favorites

Favorite book: The Dark Tower by Stephen King
Favorite movie: Happy Gilmore
Favorite music: hard rock
Favorite food: pizza
Favorite thing about NH: the history

Featured photo: Justin Tanner. Courtesy photo.

Treasure Hunt 21/12/02

Dear Donna,

Can you help identify this piece? It’s 14 inches long and marked US Standard. It also has measurements from top to bottom.

Brittney from Salem

Dear Brittney,

What you have is an older ring sizer. If you slide your ring on it you will be able to tell your accurate size.

Most of these were and still are used by jewelers in determining a person’s ring size. They are not uncommon. Most people like yourself don’t recognize what they are for, so they go unnoticed.

The value is in the $30 range. Not a high value for something so useful, right?

Kiddie Pool 21/12/02

Family fun for the weekend

The most event-y time of the year

Last week’s Hippo (the Nov. 25 issue) was our big Holiday Guide issue, packed full of Christmas/winter/general holiday-themed events happening through the end of the year. You can find the e-edition at hippopress.com. Here are some of the events happening this weekend.

Winter wonderlands

• Charmingfare Farm (774 High St., Candia) has combined its Santa’s Big Party and Lighted Winter Wonderland events into one celebration, Santa’s Christmas. Individual tickets are not being sold; only packages are available, for $249 (one package is good for up to 10 people), with various times available to visit the farm on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, starting Dec. 3 through Dec. 5 (and running through Thursday, Dec. 23). Horse-drawn wagons are divided into two sections of 10 passengers each. Attractions include a live animal Nativity; visits with Santa, Mrs. Claus and live “reindeer,” and hot cocoa and sugar cookies provided by Mrs. Claus. See visitthefarm. com for available times.

• Santa Land returns to the Gilford Youth Center (19 Potter Hill Road in Gilford) on Friday, Dec. 3, and Saturday, Dec. 4. Kids can enjoy games, arts and crafts, cookie decorating and bounce houses. In small groups they’ll also be invited to Santa’s room for photo opportunities. Admission is free. Santa Land hours are from 5 to 7:30 p.m. on Friday and from 10 a.m. to noon on Saturday. See gilfordyouthcenter.com.

Everybody loves a parade!

In addition to Manchester’s Christmas parade (see page 9 for details) other parades on the schedule this weekend include these:

• The Town of Nottingham’s Parks & Recreation Department is hosting a holiday parade Saturday, Dec. 4, at 10 a.m. at the community center (Stage Road). See nottingham-nh.gov.

• Experience Hampton will present its annual Hampton Holiday Parade on Saturday, Dec. 4, at 1 p.m., which will kick off at the Hampton-North Hampton town line and end at Winnacunnet Road. See experiencehampton.org.

• Portsmouth’s illuminated holiday parade and tree lighting will be held on Saturday, Dec. 4, at 5 p.m. at Market Square in Portsmouth, with remarks from the mayor and music from the Portsmouth Holiday Ensemble. The parade will then kick off from the Goodwin Park area on Islington Street at 6 p.m. See cityofportsmouth.com.

• The Exeter Holiday Parade returns on Saturday, Dec. 4, beginning on Portsmouth Ave. at 5:30 p.m. and ending at Swasey Parkway. Visit exeterholidayparade.org.

• The Hampstead Christmas Parade returns for its 57th year on Sunday, Dec. 5, at 1 p.m. This year’s parade is Hawaiian-themed. See hampstead.nhlions.org.

• The Merrimack Parks & Recreation Department will present its 28th annual holiday parade and tree lighting on Sunday, Dec. 5, at Abbie Griffin Park (6 Baboosic Lake Road in Merrimack). The parade begins at the Commons Shopping Plaza (515 Daniel Webster Hwy.) at 3 p.m., with the tree lighting at 3:45 p.m. immediately following the parade’s arrival at the park. See merrimackparksandrec.org.

More chances to meet the big guy

• Goffstown’s annual Friday Night Under the Lights will take place on Friday, Dec. 3, from 5 to 8 p.m. in Goffstown Village, featuring the town tree lighting by Santa, caroling, holiday hay rides, cocoa, cookies and more. See goffstownmainstreet.org.

• The Millyard Museum (200 Bedford St. in Manchester; manchesterhistoric.org) will hold its annual holiday open house on Saturday, Dec. 4, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., featuring children’s holiday crafts, raffles, photo opportunities with Santa Claus and more. All are welcome free with museum admission. The museum is also hosting its annual American Girl Doll Tea Party from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.; the cost for that is $10 per person (register online).

• St. Joseph Hospital (172 Kinsley St. in Nashua; stjosephhospital.com) will hold its Christmas Around the World event on Saturday, Dec. 4, featuring free photo opportunities with Santa Claus, holiday-themed activities for all ages, sweet treats, live multicultural performances and more. Attendees can sign up for one of two time slots, either from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. or from 1 to 3 p.m. Admission is free.

• Windham’s annual tree lighting is happening on Saturday, Dec. 4, at 5 p.m. on the Windham Town Common. Santa Claus will be in the gazebo for photos; there will be a bonfire and carolers from 4 to 5 p.m. See windhamnh.gov.

• Visit Santa Claus at Greeley Park (100 Concord St. in Nashua) for a socially distanced photo opportunity on Sunday, Dec. 5, from noon to 2 p.m. All kids will also receive a free gift. See nashuanh.gov.

• The Children’s Museum of New Hampshire (6 Washington St. in Dover; childrens-museum.org) will hold its Jingle Bell Extravaganza on Sunday, Dec. 5 (and Sunday, Dec. 12), with time slots available from 1 to 2:30 p.m. or from 3 to 4:30 p.m. The event includes a socially distanced meeting with Santa Claus, readings of The Polar Express, hands-on holiday craft activities, a magical science experiment and more. Pajamas are welcome. Tickets are $20 for non-members (free for ages 12 months and under).

Hoe hoe hoe

Gifts for the gardener

Ready to shop! Every time I turn on the radio or open a newspaper, there are articles about supply chain issues. Even the reliable old U.S. Postal Service is saying deliveries may well be delayed. So share some garden produce this year or shop at a local, family-owned business when you can.

Food is a great gift. You don’t need fancy fruit shipped from Oregon if you made plenty of tomato sauce or quince jelly this year. Share the harvest. A quart of dried cherry tomatoes contains a lot of love and work. You had to grow, harvest, wash and dehydrate. Only people dear to my heart will rate such a gift.

My dream gift? A friend, loved one or reader sending me a nice card, along with a homemade certificate for four hours of weeding in my garden. Or two hours. Working in the garden with a friend or relative can be a great way to strengthen a friendship. Politics don’t matter in the garden. I might suspect my brother-in-law didn’t vote the way I did in the last election. But if he will bring his chainsaw and help me take down and cut up a 12-inch-diameter box elder I want removed, send me the gift certificate!

Books are great gifts, and books printed in the United States should be readily available at your local bookstore. My first choice for a book to give? Doug Tallamy’s Nature’s Best Hope: A New Approach to Conservation That Starts in Your Yard. It explains how what we plant can affect the planet, especially our pollinators and birds. And all of us, really.

I’ve re-printed my last gardening book and will be selling it at a discount directly to you, signed. It’s a collection of my best articles organized around the calendar year. It’s titled Organic Gardening (not just) in the Northeast: A Hands-On, Month-by-Month Guide. Signed and mailed to you for just $19. Send a check to Henry Homeyer at PO Box 364, Cornish Flat, NH 03746. I will try to figure out how to reduce the price on my website, Gardening-Guy.com where it is currently for sale at $21 if you want to use PayPal.

What else at the bookstore? Essential Native Trees and Shrubs for the Eastern United States by Tony Dove and Ginger Woolridge is a great companion for Doug Tallamy’s book. Michael Dirr has written lots of great tree books. He is informative and opinionated. Allan Armitage is just as opinionated and thorough about flowers as Dirr is about trees. Or get a gift certificate and let your gardener pick her own books at the local bookstore.

If deer are a problem in the garden of your loved one, I find nothing better than Fend Off Deer and Rabbit Repellent Odor Clips, available at Gardener’s Supply and other retailers. A package of 25 sells for about $20. I use one or two per shrub to keep deer away all winter. They clip on with a clothespin-style attachment. They contain just garlic and soy oil, no chemicals.

Courtesy photo.

I recently wrote about using hardware cloth (wire screening) to keep voles from chewing off bark and killing young trees. Since then I have used plastic spiral tree guards that are easy to install and will protect against sun scald in winter, too. They are inexpensive and can be reused (I will remove them in the spring). They are sold as Rainbow Professional LTD White Spiral Tree Guards at OESCOinc.com or by calling them at 413-469-4335. They sent my order out the very day I called.

Also available from OESCO are some pruners that I like a lot. OESCO is a small company based in Conway, Massachusetts, catering to orchard professionals. The pruners are made by a German company, Löwe (not to be confused with the American retailer Lowe’s). The pruners are of the anvil type, designed and manufactured well. They sell a size nice for small hands (Löwe 5.107) and a larger size, too. OESCO sells replacement blades and parts.

Of course every gardener needs a good weeding tool. The CobraHead is my favorite and has been for years. They now have a mini-Cobrahead designed for smaller hands. Available from CobraHead.com or 866-962-6272 or at your local garden center. It has a single curved tine like a steel finger that will tease out roots from below while you tug a weed from above. I emailed the owner, Noel Valdes, who told me there are plenty in stock.

I found a wonderful shovel for digging in tough areas with lots of roots. It’s called the Root Slayer and is available from Gardener’s Supply and a few other retailers. I’ve used mine all summer and love it! Great for cutting though sod, too. It has a sharp blade and teeth along the sides for slicing roots.

Lastly, think about a gift certificate at your local nursery or garden center for plant purchases in the spring. Plants are always good.

Featured photo: Gardening books make great presents. Courtesy photo.

The Art Roundup 21/12/02

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

• Three weekends of Nutcracker: The Nutcracker will be performed at the Dana Center (Saint Anselm College, 100 Saint Anselm Dr., Manchester) for the next three weekends by different local dance companies. Bedford Dance Center will perform on Saturday, Dec. 4, at 6 p.m. Tickets cost $25. Then, Dance Visions Network will perform on Sunday, Dec. 12, with shows at 12:30 and 5:30 p.m. Tickets cost $22. Finally, Ballet Misha will perform on Saturday, Dec. 18, with shows at 1 and 6 p.m., and Sunday, Dec. 19, with shows at 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. Tickets cost $26. Visit anselm.edu/dana-center-humanities.

• Experiential dance: Manchester art gallery Kelley Stelling Contemporary presents an experiential dance performance in partnership with the New Hampshire Dance Collaborative on Thursday, Dec. 2, at 5:30 p.m. at the Kimball Jenkins Estate (266 N. Main St., Concord). There will be four featured dancers — Kelly Diamond, Alyssa Desruisseaux, Anthony Bounphakhom and Sallie Werst — with catered hors d’oeuvres and drinks, complimentary with admission. The performance is an extension of Kelley Stelling’s new exhibit, “The Dysfunction of Social Practice,” which is on view in the Jill C. Wilson Gallery of the Estate now through Jan. 14. Tickets cost $50 and are available on the Kimball Jenkins website. Attendees must be fully vaccinated. Visit kelleystellingcontemporary.com and kimballjenkins.com, or call 225-3932.

• Open for the holidays: Several local studios and galleries are hosting holiday open houses this weekend. Stop by Studioverne Fine Art Fused Glass and Creative Framing Solutions (81 and 83R Hanover St., Manchester) on Saturday, Dec. 4, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., where you can browse and purchase work by local artisans and make your own fused glass snowman ornament for $15. There will be refreshments and live music. Visit facebook.com/verneorlosk.

The Picker Collaborative Artists (3 Pine St., Nashua) have a holiday open house on Saturday, Dec. 4, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Browse handmade items including stained glass, jewelry, woodworking, quilting, fiber arts, pottery and more, and meet the artists. Visit pickerartists.com.

Visit Art Gallery 46, located at Remember This Antiques and Collectibles (46 Route 101A, Amherst) on Saturday, Dec. 4, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., and browse paintings by seven local artists, who will be on site to talk about their work. Visit facebook.com/artgallery46.

• Festive projects: Twiggs Gallery (254 King St., Boscawen) will have a series of holiday craft workshops on Sunday, Dec. 5. From 10 a.m. to noon visitors can make a holiday boxwood tree centerpiece and decorate it with their choice of color theme, holiday decor and fresh flowers. The cost is $70. Then, from noon to 3:30 p.m., make a tiny book ornament that, when opened, transforms into a three-dimensional star. The cost is $75. The final workshop of the day, which runs from 1 to 3 p.m., is a wintry balsam door-hanging wreath. The cost is $70. Visit twiggsgallery.wordpress.com.

• Joyful chorus: Get in the holiday spirit with some choral music this weekend.

The Nashua Choral Society performs its holiday concert, “Season of Lights,” on Sunday, Dec. 5, at 3 p.m. at Immaculate Conception Church (216 E. Dunstable Road, Nashua). Tickets cost $20 for adults and $10 for students. Admission is free for children. Visit nashuachoralsociety.org.

The New Hampshire Gay Men’s Chorus presents its holiday concert series, “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year,” on Saturday, Dec. 4, at 7:30 p.m. at Londonderry United Methodist Church (258 Mammoth Road, Londonderry), and Sunday, Dec. 5, at 4 p.m. at Wesley United Methodist Church (79 Clinton St., Concord). Tickets cost $20 for adults; admission is free for children ages 12 and under. Visit nhgmc.com.

Ring in the season

The Granite State Ringers handbell choir returns with its holiday concert series, “Who Has Seen the Wind?” with shows on Sunday, Dec. 5, at 2:30 p.m. at St. Paul’s Methodist Church (335 Smyth Road, Manchester), and Saturday, Dec. 11, at 2 p.m. at the Sandown Town Hall (320 Main St., Sandown). Tickets cost $10 in advance and $12 at the door for the Dec. 5 show. The Dec. 11 show is free, but reservations are required. Visit granitestateringers.org or call 647-7322.

ART

Exhibits

• “WPA IN NH: PHILIP GUSTON AND MUSA MCKIM” Exhibit features a pair of 14-foot monumental murals painted by artist Philip Guston and poet and painter Musa McKim for the Federal forestry building in Laconia, New Hampshire, in 1941. The Currier Museum of Art (150 Ash St., Manchester). On view now through Dec. 5. Museum admission tickets cost $15, $13 for seniors age 65 and up, and must be booked online. Call 669-6144 or visit currier.org.

• “AROUND NEW HAMPSHIRE” On exhibit at the Greater Concord Chamber of Commerce’s Visitor Center, 49 S. Main St., Concord, on view now 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.

• “SLEIGHBELL STUDIO” Annual holiday showcase at Twiggs Gallery featuring a wide selection of fine art, jewelry, cards, books, honeys, soaps and more, all locally made and priced affordably for gift buying. Now through Dec. 18. 254 King St., Boscawen. Gallery hours are Thursday through Saturday, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Sunday, from noon to 4 p.m. Visit twiggsgallery.wordpress.com or call 975-0015.

• CRAFTWORKERS’ GUILD HOLIDAY FAIR Features seasonal decor, photography, fine art and prints, cards, gourmet treats, woodworking, fiber and fabric, stained and fused glass, mixed media, jewelry and more by juried local artists and craftspeople. Now through Dec. 23. In-person shopping at the historic Kendall House (3A Meetinghouse Road, Bedford), open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and an online shop. Visit craftworkersguild.org.

• “SMALL WORKS — BIG IMPACT” Creative Ventures Gallery presents its annual holiday exhibit in-person at the gallery (411 Nashua St., Milford) and virtually on the gallery’s website (creativeventuresfineart.com/product-category/small-works-show). The exhibit features non-juried small works of art in a variety of media and styles, created by area professional and nonprofessional artists, priced affordably for holiday gift buying. Now through Dec. 31. Visit creativeventuresfineart.com or call 672-2500.

• “LET IT SNOW” The New Hampshire Art Association presents its holiday exhibition. Robert Lincoln Levy Gallery (136 State St., Portsmouth). Now through Jan. 2. Features works in a variety of media, as well as books and cards for sale. Opening reception on Fri., Dec. 3, from 5 to 8 p.m. Gallery hours are Tuesday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Sunday from noon to 5 p.m. Visit nhartassociation.org.

• EMILY NOELLE LAMBERT Solo exhibition by New York City artist Emily Noelle Lambert. Dana Center for the Humanities at Saint Anselm College (100 Saint Anselm Drive, Manchester). On view now through Jan. 9. Masks required inside the gallery. Visit anselm.edu/dana-center-humanities or call 641-7700.

THEATER

Shows

•​ PETER PAN The Seacoast Repertory Theatre (125 Bow St., Portsmouth) presents. Now through Dec. 23, with showtimes on Thursday at 7:30 p.m., Friday at 8 p.m., Saturday at 2 and 8 p.m., and Sunday at 2 and 7:30 p.m. Tickets cost $32 to $50. Visit seacoastrep.org.

• DICKENS’ A CHRISTMAS CAROL The Hatbox Theatre (Steeplegate Mall, 270 Loudon Road, Concord). Dec. 3 through Dec. 19. 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.

• THE TOYMAKER’S APPRENTICE The Players’ Ring Theatre presents. 105 Marcy St., Portsmouth. Dec. 4 through Dec. 19, with showtimes on Saturday and Sunday at 10 a.m. and noon. Tickets cost $25 for adults, $22 for students and seniors age 65 and up and $15 for kids under age 12. Visit playersring.org or call 436-8123.

• CONEY ISLAND CHRISTMAS The Pinkerton Players present. Stockbridge Theatre (5 Pinkerton St., Derry). Fri., Dec. 10, and Sat., Dec. 11, at 7 p.m., and Sun., Dec. 12, at 2 p.m. Tickets cost $15 for adults and $10 for students and seniors. Visit stockbridgetheatre.com.

• SCROOGE IN LOVEThe Majestic Theatre presents. Derry Opera House (29 W. Broadway, Derry). Fri., Dec. 10, at 7 p.m., Sat., Dec. 11, at 2 and 7 p.m., and Sun., Dec. 12, at 2 p.m. Tickets cost $20 for adults and $15 for seniors age 65 and up and students age 17 and under. Visit majestictheatre.net.

•​ RUDOLPH THE RED NOSED REINDEER The Palace Youth Theatre presents. Palace Theatre (80 Hanover St., Manchester). Tues., Dec. 14, and Wed., Dec. 15, at 7 p.m. Tickets cost $12 to $15. Visit palacetheatre.org or call 668-5588.

• TRUE TALES LIVE Monthly showcase of storytellers. Held virtually via Zoom. Last Tuesday of the month, 7 p.m., Now through December. Visit truetaleslivenh.org.

• SCENE CHANGES Produced by New World Theatre. The Hatbox Theatre (Steeplegate Mall, 270 Loudon Road, Concord). Jan. 7 through Jan. 23. 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.

• MARY & ME Produced by Glass Dove Productions. The Hatbox Theatre (Steeplegate Mall, 270 Loudon Road, Concord). Jan. 28 through Feb. 13. 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.

Classical

• GRANITE STATE RINGERS Handbell choir presents its holiday concert series. Shows on Sun., Dec. 5, 2:30 p.m., at St. Paul’s Methodist Church (335 Smyth Road, Manchester); and Sat., Dec. 11, 2 p.m., at 320 Main St. in Sandown. Tickets cost $20 for adults and $15 for kids age 10 and under for the Nov. 28 show and $10 in advance and $12 at the door for the Dec. 5 show. The Dec. 11 show is free, but reservations are required. Visit granitestateringers.org.

• HOLIDAY POPS The New Hampshire Philharmonic performs holiday music. Sat., Dec. 18, 7:30 p.m., and Sun., Dec. 19, 2 p.m. Seifert Performing Arts Center, 44 Geremonty Drive, Salem. Tickets cost $30 for adults, $25 for seniors and $8 for students. Visit nhphil.org.

• “IT’S THE MOST WONDERFUL TIME OF THE YEAR” The New Hampshire Gay Men’s Chorus presents its holiday concert series. Shows on Sat., Dec. 4, 7:30 p.m., at Londonderry United Methodist Church (258 Mammoth Road, Londonderry); Sun., Dec. 5, 4 p.m., at Wesley United Methodist Church (79 Clinton St., Concord); Sat., Dec. 11, 7:30 p.m., at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church (22 Fox Run Road, Newington); and Sun., Dec. 12, 4 p.m., at The Derryfield School (2108 River Road, Manchester). Tickets cost $20 for adults; admission is free for children ages 12 and under. Visit nhgmc.com.

• HOLIDAY SPECTACULAR The Lakes Region Symphony Orchestra performs. Fri., Dec. 10, at 7 p.m., at Colonial Theatre of Laconia (617 Main St., Laconia); and Sat., Dec. 11, at 7 p.m., and Sun., Dec. 12, at 3 p.m., at the Inter-Lakes Community Auditorium (Route 25, Meredith). Tickets cost $10 to $20 for students and $20 to $30 for adults for the Dec. 10 show, and $10 for students and $25 for adults for the shows on Dec. 11 and Dec. 12. Visit lrso.org.

• HOLIDAY POPS Symphony NH performs. Sat., Dec. 11, at 7:30 p.m., at the Keefe Center for the Arts (117 Elm St., Nashua); and Sun., Dec. 12, at 3 p.m., at the Concord City Auditorium (2 Prince St., Concord). Tickets range from $20 to $60 for adults, from $18 to $55 for seniors age 65+, and are free for children. Visit symphonynh.org.

• “A CELEBRATION OF CHRISTMAS” The Souhegan Valley Chorus performs its holiday concert. Sat., Dec. 11, at 7 p.m. Souhegan High School (412 Boston Post Road, Amherst). Tickets are available at the door and cost $15 for adults and $12 for students and seniors. Visit souheganvalleychorus.org.

Shop festively

Midnight Merriment returns to downtown Concord

After a year without Merriment, shoppers looking for unique, local gifts are invited to return to downtown Concord’s traditional Midnight Merriment event for a night of shopping along with holiday festivities like caroling, s’mores and photos with Santa.

Happening Friday, Dec. 3, from 5 p.m. to midnight, the event has been Covid-modified to keep it safe. The Concord Arts Market Winter Giftopolis, for example, is typically held in the atrium at Eagle Square, but this year the artists will be stationed at businesses in and around downtown. And Santa will be there, but he’ll be wearing a mask, and photos will be taken from afar to allow for social distancing.

“We definitely took into consideration where we’re at right now with Covid,” said Jess Martin, Director of Intown Concord. “But a lot of the businesses depend on this event. … The real highlight is the shopping.”

Martin said a lot of downtown stores will be offering sales and specials that night.

“We’re really trying to encourage people to shop local, especially after last year … [and we’re] trying to create a festive shopping experience,” she said.

The event officially starts at 5 p.m., and there will be strolling carolers and piped-in holiday music. At 5:30 p.m., the hot cocoa and s’mores stations will open up, DJ Nazzy’s Holiday Dance Party will begin, and Santa will set up shop at New Hampshire Federal Credit Union for socially distanced photo opportunities. Santa’s helpers will be there to collect gift cards and homemade holiday cards for the Santa for Seniors donation drive, which will go to seniors in the local community.

Throughout the event, visitors can participate in the Winter Giftopolis Art Walk, which takes the place of the Winter Giftopolis in Eagle Square that typically sees large crowds in the confined space.

“We were always just packed to the gills. … It didn’t seem Covid-safe,” said Christa Zuber, producer of the Concord Arts Market. “So we changed it to an art walk around the city, on Main Street [or nearby].”

She said some artists will be set up in busier retail locations, like Gondwana, while others will be at places like the Concord Chamber of Commerce office — “not your typical shopping spot,” Zuber said.

There are a couple dozen vendors this year, about the same as usual, Zuber said.

“We have everything from jewelers to … homemade personal care, soaps, paintings, traditional holiday crafts … a knitter who makes her own yarn … a little bit of everything,” she said.

Zuber is hopeful that the change in format will introduce new customers to the Concord Artists Market, since the artists will be more integrated into the community this year. She said people going to Concord Craft Brewing Co. for a beer, for example, might not be thinking about Christmas shopping or art, so having an artist there could inspire them; likewise, someone who’s never been to Concord Craft Brewing might go in to see the artist and decide to grab a drink.

“I think the biggest challenge is just making sure people know where to find our artists,” Zuber said.

Each of the vendors will have a map, and there’s one on the Concord Arts Market’s Facebook page too.

Sue McCoo, owner of Capitol Craftsman Romance Jewelers, Viking House and Hilltop Consignment, has been taking part in Midnight Merriment since it started almost 30 years ago and is looking forward to the event’s return.

“It was just strange not having it [last year],” she said. “It’s fun to come downtown when there’s bustling crowds. … It’s also fun when people aren’t in a hurry.”

McCoo said the Halloween Howl was very well-attended, so she said as long as the weather is OK, it should be a good night for businesses.

“The holiday season is always fun just across the board,” she said. “Midnight Merriment always, to me, feels like you’re waiting for Jimmy Stewart to show up.”

Midnight Merriment

When: Friday, Dec. 3, 5 p.m. to midnight
Where: Downtown Concord
Holiday activities: Shopping and the Winter Giftopolis Art Walk will be open throughout the event. From 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., DJ Nazzy will host his Holiday Dance Party. S’mores and hot cocoa stations will be open from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Santa will be at New Hampshire Federal Credit Union for socially distanced photo opportunities from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. All activities are free.

Featured Photo: Midnight Merriment. Courtesy photo.

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