A new family-owned restaurant in Manchester is offering traditional African and Caribbean meals like oxtail stew, jerk chicken, goat meat and fried tilapia, in addition to all kinds of comfort options, from wing appetizers to burgers, macaroni and cheese and collard greens.
Gumaa’s Bar & Grill opened last month in the former Saigon Noodles space on Lincoln Street, just outside of downtown in the Queen City’s Kalivas Union neighborhood. The eatery serves lunch and dinner six days a week, according to manager Estella “Maya” Gumaa, whose mother, Aiesha Elmuhager, as well as her siblings and children, all have a hand in helping out.
“I come from a big family … and my dream was always to open a restaurant one day, because I’ve always loved to cook,” said Gumaa, who lives in Manchester but is originally from South Sudan. “I’ve been looking for a place for almost four years … and when this opportunity came along, I said, ‘You know what? Let me just jump in.’ My family has been very supportive.”
The restaurant’s menu incorporates dishes common across many African nations, as well as islands in the Caribbean. For plated entrees, there’s oxtail stew, curry chicken, goat meat, and whole marinated and fried tilapia. Each comes with a choice of two sides per order, like white or spicy rice, beans, fried sweet plantains, french fries, macaroni and cheese, and collard greens.
Harder-to-find options the eatery has served out of the gate include spicy okra stew and cow feet.
“The cow feet we prepare more like a soup … so we put it in a bowl and you can eat it just like that with a spoon, and some people like to have it with white rice on the side,” Gumaa said.
Beyond the traditional delicacies, Gumaa’s Bar & Grill does also have a variety of other familiar comfort foods available a la carte. The wings, for instance, feature several sauce flavors like Buffalo, barbecue and jerk, while other items have included chicken, beef or vegetable samosas, mozzarella sticks, barbecue ribs, chicken tender baskets, and shrimp, chicken or steak kebabs.
The restaurant has indoor seating and a full bar that Gumaa’s younger sister, Hillana Kodi, oversees. Gumaa said she hopes to add more items to the menu in the coming weeks and months.
“I’m starting slow right now, but gradually I’m going to add more … to make it a little bigger,” she said. “I want to add fried chicken, and maybe a lamb stew or fried lamb. … I also want to try to add things like spaghetti and meatballs and chicken alfredo.”
Gumaa’s Bar & Grill
Where: 342 Lincoln St., Manchester Hours: Tuesday through Thursday, noon to 9 p.m., and Friday through Sunday, noon to 1 a.m. (closed on Mondays) More info: Visit gumaas.com, find them on Instagram @gumaas603 or call 232-4154 to place a takeout order. Ordering is also available through DoorDash.
Featured photo: Chicken and shrimp kebabs. Photo courtesy of Gumaa’s Bar & Grill.
Tucker Jadczak’s family ties to brewing trace back multiple generations — his great-grandfather, Daniel Reardon, founded the D.J. Reardon Co. in 1933 and, according to Jadczak, became the first licensed distributor of Budweiser products in Massachusetts after the repeal of Prohibition.
Reardon’s son — Jadczak’s grandfather — would later take over the reins of the family business. Visiting the warehouse as a kid growing up made a lasting impression on him.
“It was this massive building that was like a whole refrigerator, with all these kegs and beer racks and other things all stacked up, and I remember going down there with my grandfather and being like, ‘This is really cool. This is what I want to do for a living,’” said Jadczak, who grew up in Warner and now lives in Concord. “I was probably like 8 or 9 years old at the time.”
Through high school and college, Jadczak’s interests led him down other paths, from political science to the music industry, until a chance encounter in 2018 led him to pick up bartending shifts at Concord Craft Brewing Co. There he would advance to the roles of assistant brewer and marketing coordinator, also becoming friends with fellow brewer Ryan Connor along the way.
“I kind of started wearing a lot of different hats,” Jadczak said. “I found that I was really enjoying it, and I kind of just got that love back from what I saw going to the warehouse as a kid. … I loved talking to people about the beer, and taking pride in the work that we were doing.”
That passion is now coming full circle with the launch of Jadczak’s own craft brewery. Feathered Friend Brewing Co., on track to open in the former Taylor Rental space in Concord’s South End in the coming weeks, is more than a year in the making. Jadczak has recruited Connor to serve as his head brewer — Connor will oversee a seven-barrel electric brewhouse and a total of 24 taplines.
According to Jadczak, the brewery’s name stems from his love and appreciation of birds. He’s working on several unique bird-themed names for some of his beer releases.
Out of the gate, he expects Feathered Friend Brewing Co. to be pouring a red ale, a stout, a sour, and a double dry-hopped IPA with Galaxy and Citra hops called Second Sun. A lager will soon follow, and Jadczak and Connor also hope to start brewing barrel-aged beers.
Ultimately, they’ll be exploring the opportunities to distribute cans and kegs to stores and restaurants. But for the time being, Jadczak said, the plan is to pour their beers in house.
Including bartop seats, Feathered Friend Brewing Co. has an indoor capacity of about 70. An adjoining space next door to the brewery will soon be the new home of Smokeshow Barbeque Co., and while Jadczak and owner Matt Gfroerer aren’t business partners, he said both hope to find ways to make it as easy as possible to streamline access for visitors between each.
Gfroerer will nearly triple the seating capacity he currently has over on Fort Eddy Road once he moves into the new South Main Street space. His menu will include all of the same Texas-style barbecue favorites, along with a few different options and a bigger beer selection.
A covered outdoor seating area will likely be added in the rear of the building by the spring or summer months. Jadczak is also planning to offer video games, trivia nights and various other activities for the space, and said he hopes to host charitable events and initiatives.
“Concord is a really great area, and being in the South End is awesome, so whatever we can do to be part of the community, we’d like to,” he said.
Feathered Friend Brewing Co. An opening date is expected in the coming weeks. Visit their website or follow them on social media for updates.
Where: 231 S. Main St., Concord Hours: TBA More info: Visit featheredfriendbrewing.com, find them on Facebook and Instagram @featheredfriendbrewing or call 715-2347.
Featured photo: Head brewer Ryan Connor (left) and owner Tucker Jadczak. Photo by Matt Ingersoll.
• Flavors of Haiti: Join Greenleaf (54 Nashua St., Milford) for A Taste of Haiti, a special five-course prix fixe dinner happening on Sunday, Feb. 20, at 5 p.m., to celebrate Black History Month. Each course features modern interpretations of flavors representing Haitian cuisine — items will include salade russe (Russian salad), soup joumou (pumpkin soup with braised beef and potato croquette and winter vegetables), macaroni au gratin, poule nan sós (braised chicken in Creole sauce with rice, beans and pikliz, a spicy cabbage slaw), and gâteau renversé (pineapple upside-down cake) with sweet plantain ice cream. Tickets are $95 per person and can be purchased online at greenleafmilford.com The next installment from Ansanm, meanwhile, a Haitian dinner series featuring scratch-made items from Greenleaf owner and chef Chris Viaud and his family, is scheduled for Sunday, Feb. 27. Visit ansanmnh.com.
• Say cheese for a cause: Get your tickets now for a charcuterie board building class at the Cork N’ Keg Grill (4 Essex Drive, Raymond) on Saturday, Feb. 26, from 5 to 8:30 p.m. A special fundraiser for the New Hampshire Police K9 Academy and the Working Dog Foundation, the event includes participation in the class for up to two people per ticket. All supplies will be provided to create a charcuterie board that will feed two to six people, along with samples of several Wisconsin cheeses, meats, crackers and artisan popcorn, and a ticket redeemable for one serving of beer or wine. Tickets are $70 per person and must be purchased by Feb. 19 — the evening will also feature raffle prizes, giveaways and a silent auction. To view the event flyer, which includes a QR code to purchase tickets, find the Working Dog Foundation on Facebook or Instagram @workingdogfoundation.
• Farm fresh to your door: A Massachusetts-based initiative featuring freshly prepared chef-crafted dinners launched in the early months of the pandemic is now available in New Hampshire for the first time. WECO Hospitality is now offering meal deliveries to more than a dozen Granite State cities and towns, including Manchester, Nashua, Bedford, Goffstown, Hooksett, Amherst, Hollis, Londonderry, Derry, Milford and several others, according to a press release. The service features an always changing menu of family-style dinners, bowls and kids’ meals using ingredients from local and regional farms and purveyors, with a focus on seasonal availability and a balance of proteins, vegetables and starches. Dessert and mocktail or cocktail mixers are also featured. Ordering opens at noon on Thursday for that week’s menu and deliveries are made daily from 9:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Visit wecohospitality.com.
• Frederick’s Pastries recognized: Amherst and Bedford bakery Frederick’s Pastries has been selected as a 2022 winner in The Knot’s Best of Weddings, an award representing the highest-rated wedding professionals as reviewed by real couples, according to a press release. This is the 11th consecutive year that Frederick’s Pastries has been named a winner by The Knot — the leading online wedding brand and app chose about five percent of hundreds of thousands of companies and industry professionals, from venues and caterers to florists, musicians and photographers. “We are honored to receive this award,” Frederick’s Pastries proprietor Susan Lozier Robert said in a statement. “It is truly our pleasure to create beautiful cakes inspired by the couples planning their very special day.”
Mike Dane is a heating, ventilation and air conditioning installer and service technician. He and his son Mason Dane own and operate their business Dane HVAC out of Nashua.
Explain your job and what it entails.
My job is about helping people by installing and servicing furnaces, boilers and heat pumps.
How long have you had this job?
I have been a heating and AC technician since 1990. My son and I started our own company in 2020.
What led you to this career field and your current job?
After leaving the Army, it was the advice of a career counselor that got me started in this field, and it was Covid that pushed me to start a business with my son. … My son and I were working in Boston, and the pandemic shut everything down, so we came together as a family and started our own little business.
What is your typical at-work uniform or attire?
Very casual — jeans and a T-shirt, mostly.
What kind of education or training did you need?
To do heating, ventilation and air conditioning, you’re going to need to learn a lot about electrical, plumbing, carpentry, drywall and painting. … I went to a two-year trade school to get started. Since then, I have had many training classes and certifications. … I feel like I am well-qualified to flip houses with what I have learned through heating, ventilation and air conditioning.
What was it like starting a business during the pandemic?
Starting a business during the pandemic wasn’t too bad, actually, but I do have to say that we didn’t get any stimulus money, which would have been nice. We saved six months of bills, and I started with my son, so if the business didn’t have a good week, then I didn’t have to pay my kid. It only happened a couple of times, and it wasn’t as stressful.
What do you wish you had known at the beginning of your career?
I’ve made some mistakes along the way: chasing money instead of being loyal to one company — I ended up driving to Boston every day and wasn’t any happier — and spending way too much time working and not enough time camping. … I wish I knew everything that I know now so that I wouldn’t have made as many mistakes along the way.
What do you wish other people knew about your job?
How satisfying it is to complete a job and to look back and see what you have created with your own hands.
What was the first job you ever had?
Working on my grandparents’ farm.
What is the best piece of work-related advice you have ever received?
You can’t always be right, but you can always be polite.
Five favorites Favorite book: Anything with a superhero Favorite movie: Avengers: Endgame Favorite music: Classic rock Favorite food: Cheesecake Favorite thing about NH: The seasons, the mountains and the water
Featured photo: Dane HVAC owners Mike Dane (left) and his son Mason Dane (right). Courtesy photo.
I was wondering if you could give me some background on these two pieces of jewelry. They were given to me about 55 years ago. The one on the left has a little knob on the top and I was told that if you unscrew it you can put perfume inside. The one on the right is a pencil and it has a chain. It will extend, and you can use it to write.
J
Dear J,
What you have here are two useful pieces of costume jewelry. Both are gold-filled/plated (gold wash over a base metal). And both are mid 1900s in age. The styles and usefulness go back much further than that, though. If you do some research on chatelaines, you will find similar pieces and how they were worn and used during the Victorian era.
If you were going to a dance then you might have on your chatelaine a dance card holder, perfume, a comb etc. Most back in that period of time were sterling silver, gold, etc.
Either then or in a more modern version, they are ingenious pieces for a bracelet or pin. The value on either would be about $20 each. For usefulness, priceless!
Take the “little” in your life to the “Little Lunch Date” at Chunky’s Cinema Pubs (707 Huse Road, Manchester; 151 Coliseum Ave., Nashua; 150 Bridge St., Pelham, chunkys.com) on Friday, Feb. 18, at 11:30 a.m. featuring the 2011 movie Gnomeo & Juliet (G). The movie features the voices of Emily Blunt and James McAvoy as star-crossed lovers from the red- and blue-hat having gnome societies, respectively. Admission is free but you can secure a seat in advance by purchasing $5 food vouchers.
Theater with the Marches
Get the antics of Jo, Meg, Amy and Beth in Little Women, the Broadway musical as performed by the Palace Youth Theatre, on Tuesday, Feb. 22, and Wednesday, Feb. 23, at the Rex Theatre (23 Amherst St. in Manchester; palacetheatre.org, 668-5588) at 7 p.m. Tickets cost $15 for adults, $12 for kids ages 6 to 12.
Winterfest with the neighbors
If you are looking for some fun and an excuse for a drive, Lowell is holding its Winterfest during the evening on Friday, Feb. 18, and on Saturday, Feb. 19, at the Lowell Memorial Auditorium (50 E. Merrimack St. in Lowell, Mass.). The event runs from 5 to 10 p.m. on Friday and from noon to 10 p.m. on Saturday, according to the event’s Facebook page, which lists plans as including entertainment, food trucks, a soup competition, an arts market, a youth mural competition, ice skating and family activities. See lowellwinterfest.com.
Basketball with the Wildcats
Catch the women’s UNH basketball team on Saturday, Feb. 19, at 1 p.m. when they play University at Albany at Lundholm Gymnasium at UNH in Durham. On Wednesday, Feb. 23, the women’s Wildcats team will play New Jersey Institute of Technology at 6 p.m. Tickets to individual games cost $10, $8 for seniors and 12 and under. See unhwildcats.com for details.
Storytime with a snail
The Bookery Manchester (844 Elm St. in downtown Manchester; bookerymht.com) will feature Dashka Slater’s books Escargot and A Book for Escargot, both illustrated by Sydney Hanson, at its weeklystorytimeand craft on Saturday, Feb. 19, at 11:30 a.m. After the books, kids can make a paper salad. Register for the event online.
This is a good time for all of us to stop and reflect on how we garden. Are we creating lovely-looking spaces but failing to support pollinators, birds and wildlife? What about the environment? Can we do more? If so, how can we improve? Here are a few of my thoughts.
First, I would recommend that native plants dominate our gardens. I’d say 80 percent of our plants (or more) should be native, especially trees. Why? Because they do the best, by far, at supporting wildlife — feeding birds and providing food and shelter for animals. Oaks, the best tree of all for wildlife, support nearly 1,000 species of butterflies and moths. But many species of landscape trees and shrubs are from China or Japan, and many only support a handful of species. All plants are not created equal.
Caterpillars of moths and butterflies feed on the leaves of our native trees and shrubs and are what are fed to baby birds. That’s right, even seed-eaters feed caterpillars to their young because they are full of protein and fat that baby birds need to thrive.
I think we all should avoid chemicals in the garden — and not just the vegetable garden. Rachel Carson taught the world that DDT, a powerful insecticide widely used in the 1950s, was killing off our eagles. But all chemicals used in the garden disrupt natural growth processes — and can adversely affect us, too. Even something as seemingly bland as 10-10-10 fertilizer is only 30 percent fertilizer — the makeup of the rest is deemed “proprietary information.” So we don’t know what chemicals are used in it. And the salts in fertilizer are lethal to many microorganisms.
Even pesticides that are derived from plants would be banned, if I ran the world. Yes, they are listed for use by organic growers, but many of them are non-specific killers. Both rotenone and pyrethrins are “organic” but very toxic to bees, others to fish and toads. I guess I would make you pass a test about the pros and cons of any pesticide before you could buy it! Go to thespruce.com for a nice online evaluation of organic pesticides.
Sure, the Japanese beetles can be pesky. But do you really want your kids and dogs playing on a lawn with pesticide residue on it? I don’t. Plants do fine with organic techniques. Pick off those dang beetles and drown them in soapy water.
Want to make your gardening easier? Don’t let your weeds make seeds. Seeds can last years, waiting patiently for you to decide to go to the beach for a week in August. Then they will germinate and grow like crazy, making you go crazy when you come back and see the gardens full of weeds.
The real solution is to learn to weed properly, have a tool that works well for you, and spend time doing it every day from April to October. We brush our hair and teeth every day, so why can’t we do a little weeding every day? Even 20 minutes six days a week will make a huge difference. The CobraHead weeder is the best tool I know for getting roots out and removing weeds.
This is the time to create some winter whimsy in the garden. Courtesy photo.
What else? Know your own capacity. Don’t have the local farmer plow up your entire back lawn to make your first vegetable garden. Start small, enjoy what you have, don’t work until your back hurts and your hands have blisters. If possible, garden with a loved one or friend. For me, gardening with another is always enjoyable.
And then this: Create biodiversity in the landscape. Put some flowers in with your veggies and veggies in with the flowers. Artichokes or purple kale will look great in your flower bed. Marigolds in the vegetable garden are thought by some to repel certain pests. An acre of cabbage will attract loopers that might not find one or two plants. A biodiverse garden supports more creatures of all sorts, including beneficials.
Build a compost pile. You don’t have to obsess about the carbon/nitrogen ratio or take its temperature weekly with a long compost thermometer the way some gardeners do. Just add green and brown materials to it in layers. Add some grass clippings to get it heating up and breaking down leaves and dead weeds.
Never add invasive weeds to your compost pile. Things like goutweed or Japanese knotweed, or anything with seeds. Turning a compost pile does add oxygen, which will help the breakdown of materials, but I rarely have time to do so. Don’t be afraid to buy good compost if you don’t have enough.
Think about the size of your lawn. Does it need to be so big? Could you plant some native trees or shrubs? Once established, trees are very little work. They provide shade and cool the air in summer, and fix carbon in the soil — carbon that otherwise would be contributing to global warming.
Add some hardscape to your property: stone walls, a bird bath, some sculpture or a few places to sit and relax. Things that can stay out all winter and look good against the snow are nice — after all, winter is long here in New England.
Grow enough food that you can share some. Go meet your new neighbors across the street or the elderly widow who no longer grows veggies. But don’t just give away zucchini. Grow enough tomatoes, potatoes and garlic to share with others.
Lastly, take a few moments every day to walk through the garden, pausing to look at the beauty, not just the weeds. Find time to sit and reflect on how lucky you are to have a nice garden.
Featured photo: Oaks are pretty for us and food for caterpillars and wildlife. Courtesy photo.
The latest from NH’s theater, arts and literary communities
• Making impressions: Catch the New Hampshire Art Association’s exhibition “Impressions: Nature,” featuring the work of Allenstown artist Daniela Edstromat, at the Greater Concord Chamber of Commerce Visitor Center (49 S. Main St., Concord) before it’s gone on Thursday, Feb. 17. Edstrom’s art explores the abstract qualities of light, form and color found in the New England landscape. “Sunlight and its play of light and shadow is perceived as halos of vibrating strokes and bold minimalist shapes,” the artist said in a press release. “Elements such as leaves, trees — the organic aspects of the woodland environment — are seen in emphatic primary colors and highlighted by gestural marks of rich complementary hues.” Gallery hours at the Chamber are Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. All works are for sale. Visit nhartassociation.org or call 431-4230.
Sally Dion, featured artist in “For the Love of Impression” exhibition. Courtesy photo.
Two Villages Art Society has a new exhibition, “For the Love of Impression,” on view at the Bates Building (846 Main St., Contoocook) now through March 5. It features eight local artists who are members of the group New Hampshire Printmakers. Their work utilizes traditional techniques and materials, combined with contemporary aesthetics, new materials and new technology. “Printmaking is a time-honored artistic process in which images are transferred from a wooden, metal or glass matrix onto another surface, such as paper or fabric,” Two Villages Art Society president Alyssa McKeon said in a press release. All pieces are for sale. Gallery hours are Thursday through Sunday, from noon to 4 p.m. Visit twovillagesart.org or call 413-210-4372.
Greek tragedy modernized The Winnipesaukee Playhouse Education Department presents Oedipus Rex at the Winnipesaukee Playhouse theater (33 Footlight Circle, Meredith), with showtimes Thursday, Feb. 17, through Saturday, Feb. 19, at 7:30 p.m., and Sunday, Feb. 20, at 2 p.m. The 2,000-year-old Greek tragedy by Sophocles is fitting for today’s times as it explores universal themes, like fate versus free will, throughout a story that’s set during a widespread plague. The Playhouse’s production will be an alternate version of the play with a contemporary spin, juxtaposing modern society with the backdrop of the ancient world. “Rehearsing, performing, and seeing Greek tragedy really is an experience like none other,” director Timothy L’Ecuyer said in a press release. “It has been rewarding to see the way this cast had dug into a 2,000-year-old text and found things that ring true to them.” The cast features nine local students ages 13 through 19. Tickets range from $11 to $20. Visit winnipesaukeeplayhouse.org.
• Theatrical adaptations: Jonesing for Theatre, in collaboration with Dive in Productions, presents I Love You Because at the Players’ Ring Theatre (105 Marcy St., Portsmouth) with showtimes on Friday, Feb. 18, at 7:30 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 19, at 2:30 and 7:30 p.m., and Sunday, Feb. 20, at 2:30 p.m. The musical is a gender-reversed retelling of Jane Austen’s novel Pride and Prejudice, set in modern-day New York City. “As a hopeless romantic, I love the idea of someone wanting you because of faults and idiosyncrasies rather than simply tolerating them,” performer Nicole Jones told the Hippo last month. “It’s hopefully happy, romantic and so funny — all things that everyone could use more of right now.” Tickets cost $28 for adults and $25 for seniors age 65 and up and students. Visit playersring.org or call 436-8123.
The Windham Actors Guild presents The 39 Steps at Searles School and Chapel (3 Chapel Road, Windham), with showtimes on Friday, Feb. 18, and Saturday, Feb. 19, at 7:30 p.m., and Sunday, Feb. 20, at 2 p.m. The show is a humorous reimagining of an Alfred Hitchcock film that uses a small group of performers to perform a large number of different roles. “The sheer absurdity of the plot and the situations in which the characters find themselves and the way the story is presented on stage are fresh and fun and escapist in a time where everyone could use a complete departure from reality,” performer Jonathan Kaplan told the Hippo last month. Tickets cost $16 for adults and $12 for seniors, students and military. Call 247-8634 or visit windhamactorsguild.com.
Dancing through life Manchester-based theater company Theatre KAPOW presents the New Hampshire premiere of Dance Nation at the Bank of New Hampshire Stage (16 S. Main St., Concord), with showtimes on Friday, Feb. 18, and Saturday, Feb. 19, at 7:30 p.m., and Sunday, Feb. 20, at 2 p.m. The Pulitzer Prize-finalist play by Clare Barron follows a group of pre-teen competition dancers as they navigate the challenges of growing up. “Just reading Dance Nation was like being struck by lightning,” director Wanda Strukus said in a press release. “It’s bold, intense, and fierce. It’s filled with an adolescent urgency, joy, and terror that truly feels like a force of nature.” A post-show panel discussion about the themes of the play will be held after the show on Sunday. Tickets cost $28 for adults and $23 for students. Visit ccanh.com/show/theatre-kapow-dance-nation.
• Musical journeys: The New Hampshire Philharmonic Orchestra performs its winter concert, “Winter Voyages,” on Saturday, Feb. 19, at 7:30 p.m., and Sunday, Feb. 20, at 2 p.m., at the Seifert Performing Arts Center (44 Geremonty Dr., Salem). Featured pieces will include Wagner’s Prelude to Das Rheingold, Vaughn Williams’ Norfolk Rhapsody, Tchaikovsky’s Rococo Variations and Robert Schumann’s Rhenish Symphony. Tickets range from $5 to $30 and must be purchased in advance. Masks are required. The concert will also be available via livestream for $15. Visit nhphil.org or call 647-6476.
ART
Auctions and sales
• NEW HAMPSHIRE ART ASSOCIATION PERMANENT COLLECTION AUCTION Fundraiser auction features 75 pieces acquired by NHAA over the last 40 years, including pieces by former and current NHAA members. Pieces will be on view starting Wed., Feb. 16, at NHAA’s Robert Lincoln Levy Gallery (136 State St., Portsmouth). Online bidding will run Fri., Feb. 18, through Sat., Feb. 26 at 5 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. Masks are required indoors. Visit nhartassociation.org or call 431-4230 to learn more.
Exhibits
• “TRANSLATING NATURE INTO FABRIC” Exhibition features nature-inspired artistic quilts by Ellen Fisher. Nashua Public Library, 2 Court St., Nashua. On view now through Feb. 26, during library hours. Visit nashualibrary.org.
• “AS PRECIOUS AS GOLD: CARPETS FROM THE ISLAMIC WORLD” Exhibit features 32 carpets dating from the 15th century to the 19th century. The Currier Museum of Art (150 Ash St., Manchester). On view now through Feb. 27. Museum admission costs $15 for adults, $13 for seniors age 65 and up, $10 for students, $5 for youth ages 13 through 17 and is free for children under age 13 and museum members. Current museum hours are Thursday, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Friday through Sunday, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., closed Monday through Wednesday. Call 669-6144 or visit currier.org.
• “VEHICULAR NARRATIVES” Exhibit features New Hampshire Art Association artist William Turner, whose narrative realism oil paintings have depicted distressed vehicles and machinery, vintage toys and stories from Greek and Roman mythology and folklore told through imagery of automobiles. All works are for sale. The Art Center (Washington Mill, 1 Washington St., Suite 1177, in Dover). On view now through Feb. 28. Gallery hours are Monday through Friday, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., with private appointments available by request. The exhibition can also be accessed via an online gallery. Call 978-6702 or visit nhartassociation.org or theartcenterdover.com.
• “SETTING THE STANDARD” Exhibit features new work from League jurors in all media areas. League of New Hampshire Craftsmen headquarters, 49 S. Main St., #100, Concord. Now through March 31. Regular exhibition hours are Tuesday through Thursday, noon to 4 p.m. Visit nhcrafts.org.
• “ARGHAVAN KHOSRAVI” Artist’s surrealist paintings explore themes of exile, freedom and empowerment; center female protagonists; and allude to human rights issues, particularly those affecting women and immigrants. The Currier Museum of Art (150 Ash St., Manchester). On view April 14 through Sept. 5. Museum admission costs $15 for adults, $13 for seniors age 65 and up, $10 for students, $5 for youth ages 13 through 17 and is free for children under age 13 and museum members. Current museum hours are Thursday, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Friday through Sunday, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., closed Monday through Wednesday. Call 669-6144 or visit currier.org.
• “ECHOES: ABSTRACT PAINTING TO MODERN QUILTING” Exhibit features abstract paintings inspired by the bold colors, asymmetry, improvisational layout, alternate grid work and negative space in composition of modern quilting. Two Villages Art Society (46 Main St., Contoocook). April 22 through May 14. Visit twovillagesart.org.
“NATURE AT NIGHT: PAINTINGS BY OWEN KRZYZANIAK GEARY” Two Villages Art Society (46 Main St., Contoocook). May 27 through June 18. Visit twovillagesart.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.
• “NEW HAMPSHIRE NOW” A collaborative photography project presented by the New Hampshire Historical Society and the New Hampshire Society of Photographic Artists, on display in eight exhibitions at museums and historical societies across the state. Nearly 50 photographers participated in the project, taking more than 5,000 photos of New Hampshire people, places, culture and events from 2018 to 2020 to create a 21st-century portrait of life in the Granite State. Exhibition locations include Belknap Mill Society in Laconia; Colby-Sawyer College in New London; Portsmouth Historical Society; Historical Society of Cheshire County in Keene; the Manchester Historic Association; Museum of the White Mountains at Plymouth State University; and the Tillotson Center in Colebrook; with the flagship exhibition at the New Hampshire Historical Society in Concord. Visit newhampshirenow.org and nhhistory.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
• PASTEL PAINTING WORKSHOP Diane Crespo Fine Art Gallery (32 Hanover St., Manchester). Sat., Feb. 26, 1 to 4 p.m. The cost is $40. Call 493-1677 or visit dianecrespofineart.com.
• WINTER ART CLASSES Art classes for teens and adults, including Pottery, Stained Glass, Intermediate Watercolor and Clay Hand Building. Studio 550 Art Center (550 Elm St., Manchester). Five-week sessions. Classes met for two hours a week. Call 232-5597 or visit 550arts.com for the full schedule and cost details.
• DRAWING & PAINTING CLASSES Art House Studios, 66 Hanover St., Suite 202, Manchester. Classes include Drawing Fundamentals, Painting in Acrylic, Drawing: Observation to Abstraction, Exploring Mixed Media, and Figure Drawing. Class sizes are limited to six students. Visit arthousestudios.org.
• GENERAL ART CLASSES Weekly art classes offered for both kids and adults of all skill levels and cover a variety of two-dimensional media, including drawing and painting with pastel, acrylic, watercolor and oils. Classes are held with small groups of three to eight to five students. Diane Crespo Fine Art Gallery (32 Hanover St., Manchester). Kids classes, open to ages 10 and up, are held on Thursdays and Fridays, from 4:15 to 5:45 p.m. Adult classes are held on Thursdays, from 6:30 to 8:15 p.m., and Saturdays from 10:30 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. Tuition is pay-as-you-go at $20 per student per class, due upon arrival. Call 493-1677 or visit dianecrespofineart.com for availability.
THEATER
Shows
• LIFESPAN OF A FACT Produced by Lend Me a Theater. The Hatbox Theatre (Steeplegate Mall, 270 Loudon Road, Concord). Feb. 18 through March 6. 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.
• DEADLY Cue Zero Theatre Co. presents an original movement-based theater piece by Crystal Rose Welch. Granite State Arts Academy (19 Keewaydin Drive, No. 4, Salem). Fri., March 4, through Sun., March 6. Visit cztheatre.com.
• LITTLE WOMEN The Franklin Footlight Theatre presents. Franklin Opera House (316 Central St., Franklin). Thurs., March 10, through Sat., March 12, 7:30 p.m.; and Sun., March 13, 2 p.m. Tickets cost $16 for adults and $14 for students and seniors. Visit franklinoperahouse.org or call 934-1901.
Classical
• WINTER MAINSTAGE CONCERT The Portsmouth Symphony Orchestra performs. The Music Hall Historic Theater, 28 Chestnut St., Portsmouth. Sun., March 13, 3 p.m. Tickets cost $25 to $35 for adults, $20 for students and $25 to $30 for seniors age 60 and up. Call 436-2400 or visit themusichall.org.
Multimedia art exhibition gives voices to immigrants
Pieces of New Hampshire immigrants’ stories are being expressed through images and written and spoken words in Kimball Jenkins’ latest exhibition, “Finding Home: Photos, Artwork, Stories & Voices of Immigrants.”
“We are making spaces to intentionally hold a diverse and inclusive [selection of artwork],” said Yasamin Safarzadeh, Kimball Jenkins Programming Coordinator. “[We want] to make spaces for people who have been historically marginalized.”
“Finding Home” is two separate but complementary exhibits. One, located in the Carriage House Gallery, contains Concord photographer Becky Field’s work. She has been capturing the journeys of local immigrants for about a decade — ever since she heard about four immigrant families whose Concord homes were graffitied.
“It made me very mad that we would treat somebody like that. … They encountered anger and hate right here in Concord,” Field said. “We should welcome them and we should recognize how much they add to our community.”
To better understand these immigrants, Field started what she expected to be a temporary project, capturing their images and listening to their stories.
Mahboba Akhtarzadah from Afghanistan, Manchester, NH 2019 archival digital print by Becky Field.
“I thought I would do it for a year and then I’d go back to photographing butterflies,” she said.
Instead she published her first book of photographs and filled it with what she calls “journey stories,” which gave her subjects an outlet to share what life was like in their home countries and why they came to New Hampshire.
“I made sure the words were the words of the immigrants — I’m not the immigrant, and I’m not the one who went through it,” she said. “People came for all kinds of reasons; some came for education, some came for job opportunities and some came because they fell in love with an American.”
After that book was released, Field kept going. She just released her second book on which the Kimball Jenkins exhibition is based, Finding Home: Portraits and Memories of Immigrants. Her exhibit in the Carriage House Gallery includes large framed portraits of immigrants, a story panel with an excerpt from their journey story, and a QR code that will allow viewers to download an mp4 audio file and listen to a sound bite of the immigrant telling their story.
Field is very aware that her perspective is still one of an outsider.
“What I show is the view of a photographer [seeing] immigration and diversity in our communities … and that’s my truth, that’s my story,” she said.
But she wanted another voice in this exhibition, and that’s where the second exhibit comes in. Located in the Victorian Mansion Gallery, it contains the work of fine art painter Jozimar Matimano, who came to New Hampshire from Uganda about six years ago through the refugee resettlement program with the International Institute of New England.
“It’s about what immigrants are trying to contribute, their voices,” Matimano said of his artwork, which comprises mainly portraits. “We have the perspective that we can try to contribute to the society. We appreciate things in America, our new home.”
Field has been working with Matimano for years, in part to help him be the model for his own paintings; he’ll set up scenes in his family’s Manchester apartment, Field will photograph him, and he’ll use those photos as inspiration for his paintings.
“Art is a powerful tool that can spark something in someone’s life and change the course of history,” said Matimano, who is studying fine art at the Institute of Art at New England College.
It’s important to him, he said, that people can look at his art and form their own opinions or connect to it in some way.
“Different people have different ways of looking at things,” he said. “I leave it to the audience to relate it to what’s going on in their lives … and appreciate the beauty. … “It’s not like every [work of] art is political.”
Another part of Matimano’s exhibit includes handcrafted goods that were made by people living at Promise Hub in the refugee camp in Uganda where he used to live.
“They want to put their voices out there, and their craftsmanship, [while] making a little bit of money,” Matimano said. “It’s another way of trying to empower youth [and help them] stay productive and create.”
The purpose of displaying those items isn’t to sell them — those items were gifted to him — but to raise awareness of the Promise Hub and the work they’re doing, he said.
Matimano and Field approached Kimball Jenkins together with the idea for this exhibit.
“We’ve had a wonderful partnership,” Field said of her work with Matimano. “We are both lifting each other up with this double exhibit. … It’s a great privilege on my part to have Jozimar join me.”
“I think the show is really solid,” Safarzadeh said. “I really enjoy these cross-pollinating shows. … A lot of people like to polarize and [these exhibits] meld into each other and uplift each other. … It’s complex and it’s intertwined.”
“Finding Home: Photos, Artwork, Stories & Voices of Immigrants”
Where: Kimball Jenkins, 266 N. Main St., Concord When: Throughout February and March. An opening reception for both exhibits will be held at Kimball Jenkins on Saturday, Feb. 19, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. and will feature comments by the artists, music and refreshments. More information: Call 225-3932 or visit kimballjenkins.com. For more on the artists, visit fieldworkphotos.com and jozimarmatimano.com, or find them on Facebook and Instagram.
Featured Photo: Solidarity, 36”x48” Oil on Canvas by Jozimar Matimano.
Animal caregivers weigh in on the best pet for you
By Angie Sykeny and Matt Ingersoll
Cats or dogs — which is the better pet for you? We asked local animal shelters, doggy day care and pet store owners to weigh in on the unique benefits to having either feline or canine companions, and the variety of different qualities present in each. Here’s a look at what they said.
Team Cats
Fascinating
Cats can be fun and entertaining to watch as they all have distinct personalities and their behavior is often unpredictable and full of surprises.
“Contrary to popular belief by non-cat people, cats are not all alike,” Hilscher said. “They are fascinating and very smart. … A cat can get you to do almost anything for them.”
Photo courtesy of The Cat’s Cradle in Deerfield.
Cathy Bailey, CFO and co-founder of Hearts and Tails Animal Alliance in Weare, said cats have a certain mystique that has “appealed to humans on a profound level for millennia.”
“Cats are … incredibly intelligent … and savvy — apparently the sole navigator of their own destiny,” Bailey said. “Possessing an innate beauty, … a cat is a treasure to behold … and to this day, we love to share our hearts and homes with them.”
Selective
Cats can be hard to please and picky about whom they choose to interact with, which makes winning their approval all the more rewarding.
“They are the ones that pick the time they want with their human,” said Jinelle Hobson, Salem Animal Rescue League executive director. “It’s on their terms.”
“I tend to favor cats because I feel like I have to earn their trust and love more so than with dogs,” Salem Animal Rescue League feline coordinator Tiffany Martin added.
Low maintenance
Caring for a cat is significantly less involved than caring for a dog, making them a good fit for people who work outside the home or travel frequently.
“When my husband and I bought our first home, we decided on a pet cat because we would both be away from home working all day,” said Kristen Westhoven, owner and operator of The Cat’s Cradle,a cat boarding business she runs out of her home in Deerfield. “We knew a dog would need more attention than a cat, so when a friend had a kitten up for adoption, we took him.”
In general, a cat can be alone at home for much longer periods of time than a dog could be, Hobson said, since they already have their food, water and litter box readily available to them.
“You can buy timed feeders and provide them with a cat water fountain so they have food and water,” SARL canine manager Katie Corso said. “They even have litter boxes that clean themselves.”
“If I’m running late I don’t have to worry about them as much, since they have food, water and a potty always available for them,” Martin added.
Seacoast Cat Club A New Hampshire-based affiliate of the Cat Fanciers’ Association (CFA), a worldwide organization that registers more than 40 breeds of cats with individual pedigrees, the Seacoast Cat Club is open to all cat lovers. Most of their work revolves around their annual show in early May — this year’s show is set for Saturday, May 7, and Sunday, May 8, at the Douglas N. Everett Arena in Concord. “The primary reason for having a show is to have CFA judges handle the cats and judge them according to the CFA standards that are written up for each breed,” Seacoast Cat Club secretary Marilyn Conde said in an email. “The cat who fits the standard best is chosen as [the] best. However, there are also secondary placements. … It’s a hobby and a wonderful way to meet others who share a love of cats.” To become a member, annual dues are $15 per person. Find them on Facebook @seacoastcatclub for more details.
Affectionate
Because dogs tend to be more open with how they show their affection, they are often thought of as the more affectionate of the two pets, but cats can be equally affectionate; they’re just a bit more discerning in how and when they show that affection.
“To some, cats may seem aloof and indifferent, but in my experience, they’re gentle and affectionate … [and] oh so cuddly … when they want to be,” Bailey said.
“Contrary to popular belief, cats are loyal beings, albeit on their terms,” added April Guilmet, board of directors and events coordinator at Happy Tails Pet Rescue in Hudson.
Cats’ displays of affection are typically more subtle than those of dogs, but they’re there if you know what you’re looking for.
“When they give you the slow blink to let you know everything is OK, or when they squish up against you … all is right with the world,” said Adi Rule, vice president of Pet Tails Rescue in Northwood, “and their purrs are just magical.”
Testimonials
April Guilmet, board of directors and events coordinator at Happy Tails Pet Rescue
Cat fosterer (and dog owner)
April Guilmet. Courtesy photo.
“I currently have four cats living with me, or rather, they let me live with them. As an avid volunteer, I’ve been known to take my work home with me, and that means all my cats arrived as fosters and decided to stay. Each kitty has a very distinct personality. My rescued coonhound mix, Cannoli, is pretty much attached to me at the hip most days, whereas my cats Squeegie, Mikey, Aspen and Albert opt to seek attention at their convenience, which tends to be when I’m taking a shower or in a WebEx meeting.”
Tiffany Martin, feline coordinator at Salem Animal Rescue League
Cat owner
Tiffany Martin. Courtesy photo.
“My cat Bastet was surrendered to our shelter in July 2014 as a 5-year-old black semi-feral cat named Chaos. … At the shelter Chaos was very scared, and no one could pet her or get very close to her; she would run and hide up high. I knew that she was going to be overlooked at the shelter … so I told her she could come live at my house with my then-8-year-old son and me. If she decided she ever wanted pets, she could have them. We would love her for her. … It took just over a month of sitting or laying on the floor, just talking to her, letting her have her time to feel safe … before she started slowly coming out for pets. Now, she’s turning 13 this July, and she is a belly-rubbing love bug. Nothing compares to earning an animal’s trust and love.”
The money factor Whether you choose to become the parent of a dog or a cat, it’s important to consider the expenses associated with each. According to the ASPCA, the estimated annual costs of owning a cat are around $634, or roughly $53 per month. For dogs, these numbers vary a bit more and are largely dependent on the size of your pooch — the ASPCA estimates the range to be from about $512 per year ($42.66 per month) for smaller breeds like Boston Terriers and Pugs, about $669 per year ($55.75 per month) for medium breeds like German Shepherds and Labrador Retrievers, and about $1,040.31 per year ($86.69 per month) for large dogs like Great Danes and Bullmastiffs. For both dogs and cats, all of the required expenses are taken into account, including food and regular medical care, but optional purchases or unexpected medical costs may also apply. The ASPCA also notes several ways that pet owners can save money, like making their own toys or treats. See aspcapetinsurance.com for more of a breakdown on costs.
Team Dogs
Man’s best friend
Cats are known to be elusive and difficult to read at times, whereas dogs tend to be more expressive and transparent. They’re good at developing special ways of communicating with their humans, and that rapport often grows stronger over time.
“I love the fact that we can learn a language that dogs want to learn,” said Amber McCune, manager and co-owner of American K9 Country, an animal care and event facility specializing in dog boarding and doggy daycare, obedience and agility classes, grooming, canine rehab and other services for dog-owners.
Many cats need their “me” time and can get irritated if their human doesn’t allow them to get some space when they need it, but that is not so much the case with dogs. You don’t have to worry about smothering them; if you have attention to give them, they will never turn it down.
“Dogs let you love on them for days,” said Laurie Gouley, social media director at Sato Heart Rescue in Milford. “Cats let you love on them when they allow it.”
If you want a pet that will always be by your side and accompany you as you go about your daily activities, a dog fits the bill. With a dog, you’ll never have to be alone if you don’t want to be.
“A dog makes a good companion,” Corso said. “I think dogs are well-suited to owners who might work from home or have more time to devote to their pet.”
Active
Photo courtesy of American K-9 Country in Amherst.
If you live an active lifestyle and spend a lot of time outdoors — or if you don’t but would like to start — a dog might be your perfect companion.
“You can train them, take them hiking, camping, swimming, to the dog park and go out to dog-friendly establishments in your community,” Corso said.
“I love being able to take them everywhere,” added Alyssa Mudgett, kennel technician at Darbster Doggy in Chichester.
Having a dog by your side can also be a great way to help you break the ice with new people and make friends.
“Dogs in particular can improve your social life,” Hobson said. “People stop all the time to give attention to dogs.”
Local dog parks
Derry Dog Park Fordway and Transfer Lane, Derry Hours: Sunrise to sunset, year-round Visit: derrynh.org Friend-Lee Pets Dog Park 40 Concord Road, Lee (directly behind the Friendly Pets store) Hours: Same as the Friendly Pets store in Lee (Monday through Saturday, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.) Visit: friendlypets.com Hooksett Dog Park 101 Merrimack St., Hooksett Hours: 6 a.m. to dusk, year-round Visit: hooksett.org Hudson Dog Park Benson Park, 19 Kimball Hill Road, Hudson Hours: 5 a.m. to 5 p.m. through Feb. 28; 5 a.m. to 7 p.m. from March 1 through April 30; 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. from May 1 through Aug. 31; and 5 a.m. to 7 p.m. from Sept. 1 through Oct. 31 Visit: hudsonnh.gov Longhill Dog Park Longhill Memorial Park, 42 Longhill Road, Dover Hours: 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. through March 31; 7 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. from April 1 through Sept. 30 Visit: dovernh.gov Manchester Dog Park Bass Island Park, Second Street, Manchester Hours: Dawn to dusk, year-round Visit: manchesternh.gov Merrimack Dog Park Wasserman Park, 116 Naticook Road, Merrimack Hours: Sunrise to sunset, year-round Visit: merrimackparksandrec.org Terrill Park Dog Park Terrill Park, Old Turnpike Road, Concord Hours: Sunrise to sunset, year-round Visit: concordnh.gov Yudicky Farm Dog Park 1 Groton Road (Route 111A), Nashua Visit: nashuadog.org
Unconditional love
Dogs live for their human companions, Bailey said, and love nothing more than to make them happy.
“They put their heart and soul into figuring out ways to please people, expecting nothing more in return than some words of love and encouragement,” she said, “and maybe some treats — can’t forget the treats.”
Rule said every reunion with her dog feels like a celebration, even if she’s only been away for a few minutes.
“[I love] their soulful eyes, tappy paws and heart-healing smiles,” she said.
Testimonials
Charles Stanton. Courtesy photo.
Charles Stanton, executive director at New Hampshire Humane Society
Dog owner
“In my family, we have two rescue dogs: a bassett/American bull terrier mix and a shih tzu mix. They are bonded companions for one another and provide lots of daily entertainment for each other and our household. They are both moderately active and enjoy multiple walks per day. Polly, the basset mix, tends to be more of a snuggler and wants to be beside you on the couch, while Sophie is a bit more independent. All of our daily activities are arranged with them in mind.”
Gail Fisher, owner and founder of All Dogs Gym & Inn
Dog owner
“I have had at least one dog (and as many as eight) in my home since I got my first apartment. … Currently I have an 8-and-a-half-year old Chinook (New Hampshire’s state dog) named Larry and an 18-month-old Basset Fauve de Bretagne (French hound) named Brio. Both dogs love the sport of scent work — searching for and finding specific odors. Larry enjoys playing with his younger brother, but Brio has far more energy … and definitely benefits from going to doggy day care. Truth be told, it is Larry and I [who] benefit from Brio expending his energy in day care and coming home tired and relaxed. I can’t imagine life without the love of a dog.”
Alyssa Mudgett. Courtesy photo.
Alyssa Mudgett, kennel technician at Darbster Doggy
Dog owner
“My rescue pup, April, fits my family perfectly. She matches my younger dog’s energy, and they are wonderful together. She’s also going to be my hiking buddy this summer. I’m truly grateful to have brought her into my life. She’s been nothing but great, and you can tell that she’s grateful as well.”
Jill Crane of Paws on Pine
Dog owner
“Beyond the kennel dogs, which feel like our own, we have two dogs. First is Wilson, a 15-year-old chihuahua, who is a foster failure as they call it. He came to us in very bad shape and I couldn’t bear it for him to ever leave and start over. His personality is huge and captivates everyone he meets. Our second dog is Ivy, a mixed breed larger dog that we adopted three years ago. She’s an amazing [combination] of [a] lively player and the calmest, sweetest hugger you’ll ever meet. These two are best friends, a huge part of our kennel life and the best traveling companions ever.”
Everyone Wins
While choosing one over the other ultimately comes down to your own individual lifestyle, there’s no denying that both cats and dogs can make great pets.
“Any furbaby provides unconditional love to its human,” Hobson said. “Whether it’s a cat or a dog, pets in general improve our moods, reduce stress, provide us comfort and sense of relief and, of course, humor.”
Thinking about your own daily activities is the best way to make a decision for you, said Charles Stanton, executive director of the New Hampshire Humane Society.
“The question of pet ownership is more about what is best for the family and for the home,” he said.
Cathy Hilscher, owner of Cats Kingdom in Manchester, agrees.
“I do feel dogs are better fits for family households and small children for sure, overall … but if you are a cat person, you love your cat just as much as a dog person loves their dog,” she said.
Local animal shelters
• Animal Rescue League of New Hampshire (545 Route 101, Bedford, 472-3647, rescueleague.org)
• Animal Rescue Network of New England (PO Box 1053, Pelham, 233-4801, arnne.org)
