Tag: 220707

On The Job – Elise Noga

Eco-friendly product maker

Elise Noga of Bedford is the owner of The Beaded Sheep (thebeadedsheep.com), a blog, podcast and online shop selling handmade eco-friendly home and beauty products.

Explain your job and what it entails.

Mostly, I’m making my products, which currently consist of cloth napkins, dish towels, paperless towels, cotton rounds, no-drip cuffs, tote bags and drawstring bags. … There’s a lot of creativity [involved] in picking out patterns, designing new products and putting the products out into the world via my online shop and a few retail locations. I also host a podcast … The most important part of my job is that I get to do it with my daughters. That’s truly my favorite part.

How long have you had this job?

I started The Beaded Sheep officially in the spring of 2019, and it became an online shop in the fall of 2020, where I sold only cloth napkins through Etsy.

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

In 2019, I left my full-time job in tech support to be home full-time with my first daughter, since she had just turned 1. I started The Beaded Sheep originally to do blogging, then dabbled for a small time period in family photography, and finally landed on selling cloth napkins.

What kind of education or training did you need?

I didn’t need a lot of training for this job, but my mom taught me how to sew. … In college I studied Communication Arts with concentrations in Creative Writing and Global Missions, and that education has helped me with marketing, writing, communicating what my business is about, hosting my podcast — also called The Beaded Sheep — and having my business strive to help others be more eco-friendly.

What is your typical at-work uniform or attire?

Since I work from home … my work attire is whatever is comfortable and kid-friendly.

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

I started this job during the pandemic, and it was difficult at first since I wasn’t comfortable doing business in person and had to rely heavily on online orders. Now that more things are open, I’ve been able to do more fairs, which has been more helpful for my business.

What do you wish other people knew about your job?

I wish other people knew how much work goes into having a business like this. Not only do I make things, but I’m the accountant, the marketer, the salesperson, the writer, the creative director — everything.

What was the first job you ever had?

My first job was being a babysitter for some of my neighbors.

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

My husband recently gave me the sweetest advice, and that was to follow my heart with this business and not let anyone else dictate what I should be doing. I also think it’s so important to be willing to pivot and change what direction you’re going in since making a change can bring so much good.

Five favorites

Favorite book: Harry Potter series.
Favorite movie: I don’t have a favorite movie, but my favorite show is Schitt’s Creek.
Favorite music: My favorite genres are indie, folk, alternative and hardcore.
Favorite food: Pretty much anything chocolate.
Favorite thing about NH: There’s so much to do, and most of my immediate family lives here.

Featured photo: Elise Noga. Courtesy photo.

Kiddie Pool 22/07/07

Family fun for the weekend

Farm fun

• Get some family fun, farm-style, at J & F Farms (124 Chester Road in Derry; jandffarmsnh.com) on Friday, July 8, at their Friday Family Fun event from 4 to 7 p.m., with a petting farm, food truck, live music and $5 per person hayrides, according to the farm’s Facebook post. A Sunday Funday event will feature many of the same attractions from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., a post said, and of course at both events you can load up on farm goodies from the farm stand.

Brand-new play center

• The American Independence Museum (1 Governors Lane in Exeter; independencemuseum.org) has a new interactive space, the Foy Family Children’s Library. The library has a reading nookfilled with books about American history, a dress-up area where kids can wear 18th-century-style clothing, a play kitchen area and historic games. The museum is open Wednesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission to the museum costs $8 for adults; $6 for seniors, students, educators and first responders; $4 for children 6 to 18 years old; and free for children under 6.

Movie time

• O’neil Cinemas’ Summer Kids Series continues on Monday, July 11 with a 10 a.m. showing of Hotel Transylvania: Transformia(PG, 2022). The movie will also screen on Wednesday, July 13, at 10 a.m. Tickets cost $2 for attendees age 11 and lower, $3 for ages 12 and older, and the cinema is offering a $6 popcorn-and-drink combo pack. See oneilcinemas.com/epping-nh/events.

And for the older crowd that might need a more relaxed movie-going environment, the theater’s weekly Sensory Friendly Flix film on Saturday, July 9, is Thor: Love and Thunder(PG-13, 2022) at 10 a.m., when house lights will be higher and noises will be a little less loud, the website said.

• After a fun-filled day in the sun, relax with Movie Night Mondays on Hampton Beach (next to the playground) on Monday, July 11, starting at dusk. The movie lineup will run through Aug. 29. Bring a chair or a blanket to set up for the free show. The first in the family-friendly movie series is Paw Patrol (G, 2021). For more information and for a full lineup of all the summer shows and approximate dusk times, visit hamptonbeach.org. Rain dates are Tuesdays.

• And while you’re not watching a movie you do get to enjoy some movie theater candy at Theater Candy Bingo, which will be held at Chunky’s in Manchester (707 Huse Road) on Wednesday, July 13, at 6:30 p.. and in Nashua (151 Coliseium Ave.) on Thursday, July 14, at 6:30 p.m. The event, described as family friendly and offering chances to win movie theater candy and other prizes, costs $10 per person to reserve a seat ($5 for a food voucher plus the candy). See chunkys.com.

Story time!

• Petals in the Pines (126 Baptist Road, Canterbury) is bringing Peter Rabbit to life with an in-garden reading of “The Tale of Peter Rabbit” on Saturday, July 9, and Sunday, July 10, from 1 to 3 p.m. and on Monday, July 11, from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. Children will get to participate in activities like seed starting and gardening, play in the award-winning outdoor classroom, and pose for a character photo. The event requires registration and tickets are $12 for adult and one child, $6 for each additional child, and infants are free. Reservations can be made at petalsinthepines.com/kids-workshops.

• New Hampshire Boat Museum (399 Center St., Wolfeboro) is hosting an outdoor story hour for kids ages 2 to 6 on Friday, July 8, at 10 a.m. The Wolfeboro Public Library children’s librarian, Jeanne Snowdon, will read stories and lead kids in a craft. This event is free for one child with an accompanying adult. For more information, visit nhbm.org.

Play ball!

• The New Hampshire Fisher Cats run of games against the Hartford Yard Goats continues with games daily through Sunday, July 10 at Northeast Delta Dental Stadium in Downtown Manchester. Games Thursday, July 7; Friday, July 8, and Saturday, July 9, start at 7:05 p.m. and Thursday and Saturday games feature post-game fireworks. Friday is North Woods Law night with a jersey giveway, according to the website. Sunday’s game starts at 1:35 p.m. See nhfishercats.com.

• The Nashua Silver Knights have home games Thursday, July 7, and Friday, July 8, at Holman Stadium (67 Amherst St. in Nashua). Both games start at 6 p.m. and are against the Vermont Lake Monsters. Friday’s game features post game fireworks. See nashuasilverknights.com.

— Katelyn Sahagian

Treasure Hunt 22/07/07

Dear Donna,

Recently got this bracelet in a box of assorted jewelry. It stood out to me because it’s marked sterling and Dane Craft. Any help would be appreciated.

Sandra in Salem

Dear Sandra,

Good catch in the jewelry box.

Your Dane Craft sterling daffodil bracelet was produced in the 1940s. The company was located in Rhode Island. It has a very interesting story if you want additional information. I have had many pieces over the years from sterling to gold-filled. But I have to say I learned information by doing research for you through Google. I always say learning something new makes for a great day!

The values I found were in the $100 range on average. Some were higher and a couple lower. So for me I would feel safe in the middle.

Sandra, you found a treasure! Hope this was helpful and glad you shared!

Donna

There is a free lunch!

Veggies for the lackadaisical gardener

My father, may he rest in peace, always told me that there is no such thing as a free lunch. Wrong, Dad. I grow at least three tasty vegetables that require no work to speak of: I just plant, mulch and harvest. If you are a lackadaisical gardener and like garlic, rhubarb and horseradish, you are in luck.

Let’s start with horseradish: It’s in the broccoli family, and once planted, it will never ask anything of you. Yes, it does slowly expand the patch of ground it claims as its own, so you may want to dig some up each year and make horseradish sauce. But if you plant it bordering a lawn on one side and a barn, house or path on the other, it won’t travel far.

The roots of a mature horseradish plant will grow deep, probably all the way to China. So when you dig it, some will always be left in the ground to come back. I have extracted roots longer than 18 inches. The plant is tall, easily 3 or 4 feet, and the leaves are wide and a bit coarse-looking. Not a particularly pretty plant. And although it produces little white flowers, it doesn’t produce viable seed. You can start it from a scrap of root you get from a friend at harvest time.

The sauce can be very powerful or more mild, depending on how you make it. Wash the roots with a scrub brush, then peel with a potato peeler. Chop into chunks under an inch in size, and put in a food processor or blender. A cup of chunks will make all I need for a year. I blend the chunks with half a cup of water or so. It takes a few minutes of blending to get it to the right consistency as this stuff is fibrous and tough to break down. Don’t overheat your blender, so stop and start.

horseradish plant in garden on sunny day
Horseradish is a big plant. The roots can be used to make a spicy condiment for sandwiches. Photo by Henry Homeyer.

If you want mild horseradish add a third of a cup of vinegar pretty much right away. If you want it hot (which I do), wait a few minutes after blending, then add it. The mix should be spreadable with a butter knife and juicy. Store it in a glass jar, preferably with a plastic lid. Metal lids rust and dissolve from the fumes in less than a year.

The fumes when blending are powerful, so don’t get your eyes and nose by looking into the blender. You may even want to do the job outside on the deck.

Rhubarb is a wonderful vegetable, even if old-fashioned. Like horseradish, it is a forever plant that once planted should provide you with treats for the rest of your life. You can buy a plant or get a friend to divide and share some roots. Some rhubarb has red stems, others green stems. They taste the same, but I like the red color. The leaves contain oxalic acid and are not edible.

Since rhubarb is going to live forever, I recommend adding lots of compost and some slow-release organic fertilizer at planting time. If dividing rhubarb, early spring is the best time to do it, but anytime is all right. It grows best in full sun, but as a leafy green it will thrive in part sun, too.

I like making rhubarb punch as an early-summer refreshing drink. Pick a few stems, and cut into one-inch chunks. Add an equal amount of water, and boil until the rhubarb is falling apart. Sieve through a colander or sieve. The add water — a cup of fruit will easily make a quart of punch, or even two, depending how you like it. Add sugar to taste and serve cold.

rhubarb plant in garden
Rhubarb does best in rich, moist soil but will grow most anywhere. Photo by Henry Homeyer.

Garlic should be planted in October, and it is ready to harvest in July. This year mine started to blossom in late June, sending up curly stalks called scapes that are edible and decorative. I will resist picking any bulbs of garlic until mid-July or later so it can reach maximum size. But don’t wait too long; if you do, the outer layers of leafy material that cover each bulb will start to break down, and it will not store as well.

OK, I looked at mine today and did see a few weeds I should pull. But it really is essentially a work-free crop. I plant cloves 3 inches apart and 3 inches deep in rich, compost-containing soil. Full sun is best. Once planted, I mulch it heavily — up to a foot of fluffy mulch hay or straw. Over the winter it will pack down to just 3 or 4 inches. In the spring the leaves will grow right through the straw, but weeds do not.

Garlic stores well in a cool, dry place. By now, some of last year’s garlic is starting to sprout in the kitchen. I have made garlic powder by drying it in a food dehydrator, then grinding in a coffee or spice grinder, but normally I just store it. I have read that one can freeze it, too, but haven’t done so yet. Don’t store it at room temperature in oil — as a root crop there is always the possibility of getting botulism.

Whatever you plant in the garden will reward you well beyond the work it involves to grow. To get good results do these things: prepare the soil well, and add compost. Provide plenty of sunshine, even if it means planting in the front lawn. Water regularly in hot times, especially early in the season. Pick your veggies when they are small and tender — that’s when they will taste best. And lastly, don’t let the weeds get ahead of you. Never let weeds blossom and distribute their seeds. Mulch is an easy way to keep weeds at bay, particularly if you put down a few sheets of newspaper under the straw or hay.

Featured photo: Garlic scapes can be sauteed and eaten, or put in a vase like flowers. Photo by Henry Homeyer.

Hillsboro Summer Festival returns

Fun times to support firefighters

By Katelyn Sahagian

[email protected]

Hillsboro Summer Festival is back for its 32nd year, celebrating the firefighters and community that started it all those years ago.

“The event has evolved a lot in the past 32 years,” said Katherine Charette, the co-chair of the Hillsboro festival committee. “It started out as something put on by the fire department and had different events to raise money for the community and their organization.”

Back when it started, Charette said that there would be Fireman Musters, or competitions between fire departments. Back in the day, firefighters would work to see who was fastest at unraveling hoses and winding them up again, do obstacle courses, and compete in other tests of their skill. Charette said that firefighters from across the country would come to compete.

Now, the event is filled with local artisans selling their wares, live music performances, carnival rides and games, and an impressive fireworks show. Even with the changes, the festival still honors firefighters.

“This is our second year back since having that time off from the pandemic,” Charette said. “We have the most events we’ve ever had for every single age.”

Hillsboro Fire Chief Kenny Stafford said that while the event is time-consuming for him and his volunteer firefighters, who set up and take down everything for the event, he is glad that it brings the community together.

“It brings people to town, and this weekend shows you exactly who we are,” Stafford said. “[The festival] shows what our town is all about.”

Charette said that she wanted to try to make the festival as low-cost as possible so that families could plan to have fun throughout the day without breaking the bank. Besides the $25 wristbands that gain access to all the rides, the only other part of the festival that costs money is donating to the fire department for parking.

From pie and cupcake eating contests to a warrior obstacle course, Charette said, “it’s all free and a really great event for the whole community.”

For Stafford, seeing the community recognize the sacrifice and dedication of his firefighters is what makes the event special.

“It’s awful nice to have someone come up and say, ‘Thanks for all you do,’” Stafford said. “We couldn’t do what we do if we didn’t have that support.”

Hillsboro Summer Festival

Where: 29 Preston St., Hillsboro
When: Thursday, July 7, from 6 to 10 p.m.; Friday, July 8, from 5 to 11 p.m.; Saturday, July 9, from noon to 11 p.m., and Sunday, July 10, from noon to 5 p.m.
Price: $10 per car, $25 for rides wristband.
Events include:
• Friday, 6 to 8 p.m. — Cub Scouts host the mobile basecamp (with gaga, archery, bb range and more)
• Friday, 6:30 p.m. — 5K Road Race (register in advance or onsite at 5:30 p.m.)
• Friday, 7 to 9 p.m. Superbug performs
• Saturday, noon to 4 p.m. Warrior Obstacle Course
• Saturday, 1 p.m. Women’s Skillet Toss
• Saturday, 2 to 5 p.m., Interactive Juggling
• Saturday, 10 p.m., fireworks
• Sunday, noon, Hometown Parade
• Sunday, noon to 2:30 p.m., Car and Truck Show
• Sunday, 1 p.m. 10-and-under cupcake eating contest
• Sunday, 2 p.m. Pie Eating Contest
• Sunday, 2 to 4 p.m. Mary Poppins Balloon Artist
More: hillsborosummerfest.com, 464-0377

Featured photo: Photo courtesy of Katherine Charette of the Hillsboro Festival.

The Art Roundup 22/07/07

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

• “I wish I were big”: The Majestic Theatre presents Big – The Musicalon Fridays, July 8 and July 15, at 7 p.m.; Saturdays, July 9 and July 16, at 7 p.m., and Sunday, July 17, at 2 p.m. at the Derry Opera House (29 West Broadway, Derry). Adapted from the 1987 film of the same name, Big follows Josh, an awkward kid who wishes to a Zoltar machine to become an adult and soon realizes it’s not all it’s cracked up to be. Tickets are $20 for adults, $15 for seniors 65 and up and $15 for youth 17 and younger. Tickets can be purchased by calling the box office at 669-7469 or visiting www.majestictheatre.net, or at the door.

• Owls in focus: The photography exhibit “All Things Owl in New England Habitats” featuring the work of Howard S. Muscott opened on July 1 at the New Hampshire Audubon’s McLane Center (84 Silk Farm Road in Concord; nhaudubon.org, 224-9909) and will be on display through Wednesday, Aug. 1. The exhibit is available during the center’s hours, Tuesdays through Fridays 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. On Thursday, July 7, the center will host an opening from 4 to 6 p.m. Find more about Muscott and his nature photography at chasingthegoldenlight.com.

Through the fire
For one night and one night only, the Village Players present Through the Fire, Victor Almanzar’s newest work. On Friday, July 8, at 7:30 p.m., Almanzar will give a preview performance of the production at the Player’s theater (51 Glendon St. in Wolfboro). Almanzar, seen in Homeland, Empire and Pulitzer prize-winning Between Riverside and Crazy, shares his own life’s story through this hip-hop-filled production developed by Wolfeboro local Estelle Parsons, an Oscar-winning and Tony-nominated actress. The show, which follows Almanzar as he immigrates from the Dominican Republic to New York and spends time serving in the U.S. Marine Corps in Kosovo and Iraq, will be headed to New York City in the coming weeks, and this preview performance at the Village Players Theater will benefit the theater. Tickets are $25 each, available online at village-players.com and at the door.

• Students on stage: The kids of the Palace Youth Theatre summer camp will present High School Musical 2 Jr. on Friday, July 8, at 7 p.m. and Saturday, July 9, at 11 a.m. at the Palace Theatre (80 Hanover St. in Manchester; palacetheatre.org). Tickets cost $15 for adults, $12 for kids. The young performers range in age from second grade to high school, according to the website.

• Toys and art: Author and illustrator Sandy Steen Bartholomew drew some of her favorite toys for her “My Year of Toys” project. Some of these drawings are now on display at the Children’s Museum of New Hampshire (6 Washington St. in Dover; childrens-museum.org) in their Gallery 6 space. The show, perfect for kids who love toys and comics, is on display through Oct. 16 and Gallery 6 can be viewed for free during museum hours without purchasing museum admission. The museum is open Tuesdays through Saturdays from 9 a.m. to noon and 1 to 4 p.m. and Sundays from 9 a.m. to noon. Admission to the museum costs $12.50 for everyone over 12 months (65+ is $10.50) and advance online registration is required, the website said.

• Summer theater: The Peterborough Players’ 2022 summer season continues with Circle Mirror Transformation, opening on Thursday, July 7, and running until Sunday, July 17, at the Players’ stage at 55 Hadley Road in Peterborough. The dramedy by Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Annie Baker follows a group of acting students in Vermont as they learn more about each other and themselves through a series of seemingly outrageous exercises. Tickets are $47 each, available online or at the door. The Friday, July 8, show will allow for ‘pay what you can’ ticketing, for patrons to pay what they are able. See peterboroughplayers.org or call the box office at 924-7575

Just like the Doobies
Concerts on the Common features “What a Fool Believes – A Doobie Brothers Experience” on Wednesday, July 13, from 7 to 8:30 p.m. on the Londonderry Town Common (265 Mammoth Road, Londonderry). The performance features vocalist Sean Byrne as well as a host of performers to perform Doobie Brothers top hits. In case of bad weather, the concert will relocate to the Londonderry High School cafeteria. For a complete schedule and more details visit concertsonthecommon.org

• Art as a response: Ukrainian sculptor Natasha Dikareva opens an exhibition called “From Whispering to Screaming” at the Seacoast Artist Association gallery at 130 Water St. in downtown Exeter, as a “response to war on her country with art.” Dikareva, an internationally acclaimed sculptor who now lives in Newmarket, describes the collection as a reaction to both the pandemic and the war in her homeland. The works are on display at the gallery during regular business hours for the month of July, and a reception will be held for the public on Friday, July 8, from 5 to 7 p.m. For more information, visit seacoastartist.org.

• Strings in the garden: Saint-Gaudens National Park in Cornish kicks off its summer concert series with The Fischers and The Jennings, a program of classical works for violin, cello and piano, on Sunday, July 10, at 2 p.m. The summer concert series will run every Sunday through August. The concerts will take place in Little Studio on the grounds at 139 Saint Gaudens Road, which include a large lawn space for listeners to sit and enjoy. Tickets are $10 per person, which includes a seven-day pass to the grounds. Visit saint-gaudens.org.

• Be a part of Shrek: The Epping Community Theater (38c Ladd’s Lane in Epping; eppingtheater.org) will present Shrek the Musical Oct. 21 through Oct. 30 at the Epping Playhouse and is holding auditions on Sunday, July 17, from 1 to 5 p.m. and Tuesday, July 19, from 6:30 to 9 p.m. See the website for the audition form, the signup form and the play’s production schedule. The show is a “family fun musical with casting opportunities for ages 8 to 108,” according to a press release.

– Hannah Turtle

ART

Exhibits

• “WARHOL SCREEN TESTS” In the mid-1960s, American multimedia artist Andy Warhol had shot more than 400 short, silent, black-and-white films of his friends at his studio in New York City. Warhol referred to the films, which were unscripted and played in slow motion, as “film portraits” or “stillies.” The exhibition will feature 20 of those films, provided by the Andy Warhol Museum, in loops across four large-scale projections. The Currier Museum of Art (150 Ash St., Manchester). On display now through July 24. 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 age 12 and under 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 for more information.

• “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 display now 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 age 12 and under 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 for more information.

• “THE PEOPLE’S SCULPTOR: THE LIFE AND WORKS OF JOHN ROGERS” Exhibit celebrates the art of American sculptor John Rogers, who came to Manchester in 1850, and explores the influence that Manchester had on Rogers’ life and work. Presented by the Manchester Historic Association. On view now through September. Millyard Museum (200 Bedford St., Manchester). Gallery hours are Tuesday through Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission costs $8 for adults, $6 for seniors age 62 and up and college students, $4 for youth ages 12 through 18, and is free for kids under age 12. Call 622-7531 or visit manchesterhistoric.org/millyard-museum.

• “WOOL: CONTEMPORARY FIBER ART EXHIBITION Twiggs Gallery (254 King St., Boscawen) through Sept. 2. 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.

• ROBIN CORNWELL The New Hampshire Boat Museum will feature local artist Robin Cornwell in the museum’s gallery (399 Center St. in Wolfeboro; nhbm.org) in July. Cornwell produces art quilts as well as bark paper paintings and woven placemats and rugs. The museum is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 4 p.m. To learn more about Cornwell, visit robincornwellembellishments.com.

• “PIXELS, WOOD, CLAY” Two Villages Art Society presents an exhibition of work by artists Tony Gilmore, Rick Manganello and Caren Helm. The Bates Building (846 Main St., Contoocook). Aug. 12 through Sept. 9. Gallery hours are Thursday through Sunday, from noon to 4 p.m. There will be an opening reception on Sat., Aug. 13, from noon to 2 p.m. Visit twovillagesart.org or call 413-210-4372.

• ART ON MAIN The City of Concord and the Greater Concord Chamber of Commerce present a year-round outdoor public art exhibition in Concord’s downtown featuring works by professional sculptors. All sculptures will be for sale. Visit concordnhchamber.com/creativeconcord, call 224-2508 or email [email protected] for more information.

• SUMMER MEMBERS SHOW Two Villages Art Society presents a mixed media art show at the Bates Building (846 Main St., Contoocook) from July 1 through July 30.Visit twovillagesart.org or call 413-210-4372.

Fairs and markets

• CRAFT FAIR AT THE BAY More than 75 juried artisans from all over New England will feature their work. Sat., July 16, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sun., July 17, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Community House and Waterfront (24 Mount Major Highway, Alton Bay). Visit castleberryfairs.com.

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 for more information.

Workshops and classes

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

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

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

THEATRE

Classes/workshops

• STORYTELLING WORKSHOPS Monthly workshop series hosted by True Tales Live storytelling showcase. First Tuesday (except November), from 7 to 8:30 p.m., virtual, via Zoom. Registration is required. Visit truetaleslivenh.org for more information.

Shows

•​ THE COMPLETE WORKS OF WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE (ABRIDGED) [REVISED] at the Winnipesaukee Playhouse (33 Footlight Circle, Meredith; winnipesaukeeplayhouse.org) through July 9, with showtimes Tuesday through Saturday at 7:30 p.m. Tickets cost $29 to $39.

•​ ANYTHING GOES The Seacoast Repertory Theatre (125 Bow St., Portsmouth; seacoastrep.org, 433-4472) presents the musical through July 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 p.m. Tickets cost $32 to $52.

• FOOTLOOSE Prescott Park Arts Festival (105 Marcy St., Portsmouth; prescottpark.org , 436-2848) presents this outdoor musical through Aug. 14, with showtimes on most Thursdays and Sundays at 7 p.m., and most Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m., with some matinee showtimes TBA. General admission costs $5, and reserved seating tickets cost $55 to $150.

• INTO THE WOODS RGC Theatre presents this musical at Hatbox Theatre (inside the Steeplegate Mall, 270 Loudon Road, Concord; hatboxnh.com, 715-2315) July 8 through July 17, with showtimes on Friday and Saturday at 7:30 p.m., and Sunday at 2 p.m. Tickets cost $25 for adults, $22 for students, seniors and members and $19 for senior members.

•THE GREAT ATLANTIC AND PACIFIC SHAKESPEARE COMPANY presented by Granite Playwrights at the Hatbox Theatre (inside the Steeplegate Mall, 270 Loudon Road, Concord; hatboxnh.com, 715-2315) from Aug. 19 through Aug. 28, with showtimes 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.

• DISNEY’S FROZEN KIDS presented by the 2022 Bank of New Hampshire Children’s Summer Seriesat the Palace Theatre (80 Hanover St., Manchester; palacetheatre.org, 668-5588) Tuesday, Aug. 23, through Thursday, Aug. 25, at 10 a.m. and 6:30 p.m., and Friday, Aug. 26, at 10 a.m. Tickets cost $10.

•​ LES MISERABLES presented by the Seacoast Repertory Theatre (125 Bow St., Portsmouth; seacoastrep.org, 433-4472) teen company from Aug. 25 through Sept. 4, 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 p.m. Tickets cost $25 for students and $30 for adults.

• CRUEL INTENTIONS: THE ’90s MUSICAL presented by the Actorsingers at the Court Street Theatre (14 Court St., Nashua; actorsingers.org) Friday, Aug. 26, through Sunday, Aug. 28.

• SHREK THE MUSICAL presented by the Riverbend Youth Company at the Amato Center for the Performing Arts (56 Mont Vernon St., Milford; svbgc.org/amato-center) from Friday, Aug. 26, through Sunday, Aug. 28.

• TITANIC THE MUSICAL Presented by the Manchester Community Theatre Players. Manchester Community Theatre Players Theatre, located at the North End Montessori School (698 Beech St., Manchester; manchestercommunitytheatre.com, 327-6777). Showtimes on Fri., Oct. 14 and Oct. 21, and Sat., Oct. 15 and Oct. 22.

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

CLASSICAL

Events

• LISTEN AND LUNCH presented by Monadnock Music’s summer festival, David William Ross (guitar) performs at Depot Park in Peterborough, 12 Depot St, Thursday, July 7, from noon to 1 p.m., concert is free and open to the public. Visit monadnockmusic.org.

• DEERING VILLAGE VOCAL RECITAL Monadnock Music Summer Festival hosts vocalists Carley DeFranco and Aaron Engebreth for a recital including works by Debussy and Ravel on July 9 at 7pm at the Deering Community Church, 763 Deering Center Road, in Deering. Event is free and open to the public. Visit monadnockmusic.org. • SERGEI NOVIKOV PIANO RECITAL The NH Philharmonic’s Summer Concert Series will host accomplished pianist Sergei Novikov for two concerts this month, first on Friday July 15 at 7pm at the Kingswood Art Center, 21 McManus Rd, in Wolfeboro, then on Friday July 22 at 7pm at the Seifert Performing Art Center, 44 Geremonty Drive, in Salem. Part of ticket sales will go to the International Rescue Committee (IRC) to help assist Ukraine. Tickets are available online at speakingmusic.com or by calling (800) 595-4849.

• TOWN HOUSE EXTRAVAGANZA presented by Monadnock Music’s summer festival features a program of Weber and Schubert at Peterborough Town House, 1 Grove St, on Sunday, July 17, 3 p.m. Tickets: $35, Seniors- $25 Students and Under 18- $10. See monadnockmusic.org.

• PROGRESSIVE GARDEN PARTY Monadnock Music’s summer festival presents a botanical tour of Jaffrey set to classical music, performed live by soloists in 3 separate gardens, and featuring unique food and drink at each location, Saturday, July 23, noon to 5 p.m., location TBA. Tickets cost $100. Visit monadnockmusic.org.

• FAMILY CONCERTS Monadnock Music Summer Festival hosts three family concerts on July 27, titled “Moonstrike: Tellings of American Indian Legends.” The program features a string quartet with a narrator. The first is at noon at George Holmes Bixby Memorial Library, Francestown Old Meeting House, the second at 2 p.m. at Peterborough Library, 1833 Room, Peterborough, and the third at 4 p.m. at Olivia Rodham Memorial Library, Nelson Town Hall. Performances are free and open to the public. For more info, visit monadnockmusic.org.

Open calls

• THE RHYTHM OF NEW HAMPSHIRE SHOW CHORUS Women’s a cappella chorus is looking for female singers in the region to join. The group, an affiliate of the North American singing organization Harmony, Inc., performs a wide variety of music, including Broadway musical songs, patriotic songs, pop, jazz and seasonal pieces, for community and veterans’ events and private functions. Rehearsals are held weekly on Thursdays from 6:45 to 8:30 p.m. at the Marion Gerrish Community Center, 39 W. Broadway, Derry. Masks are required for singing, but both vaccinated and unvaccinated singers are welcome. Visit rnhchorus.org or email [email protected] for more information.

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