Tag: 230504

Dining with mom

Brunch buffets, dinners and more for Mother’s Day

Mother’s Day (Sunday, May 14) is fast approaching, so make those reservations now to celebrate mom on her special day at one of these local restaurants serving buffets, brunches, special menus or dinners. Some, where specified, also have a takeout option. Know of any eateries offering Mother’s Day specials that aren’t on this list? Tell us about them at food@hippopress.com.

• 110 Grill (875 Elm St., Manchester, 836-1150; 27 Trafalgar Square, Nashua, 943-7443; 110grill.com) will be serving several Mother’s Day brunch specials from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday, May 14, in addition to its full menus. Options will include prosciutto and egg flatbreads, breakfast tacos, lemon beignets, steak and eggs Benedict, chicken and waffles, house bloody marys, adult iced coffees and more.

• Airport Diner (2280 Brown Ave., Manchester, 623-5040, thecman.com) will be open from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Sunday, May 14, serving breakfast all day, in addition to its dinner menus with Mother’s Day specials.

• The Alamo Texas BBQ & Tequila Bar (99 Route 13, Brookline, 721-5500, alamobarbecue.com) is celebrating Mother’s Day on Sunday, May 14, with several special menu features, like harvest berry salad with grilled chicken, cherry tomatoes, sunflower seeds and pickled red onion, as well as spinach and artichoke dip with homemade pita chips and barbecue short ribs.

• Alan’s of Boscawen (133 N. Main St., Boscawen, 753-6631, alansofboscawen.com) will host a Mother’s Day Spectacular on Sunday, May 14, featuring a brunch buffet from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. that will include fresh fruit, cheese and assorted crackers, assorted pastries, scrambled eggs, bacon and sausage, as well as crabmeat-stuffed haddock, chicken Marsala, oven-roasted potatoes and fresh buttered green beans; and carving stations, featuring center cut roast pork loin, prime rib and roast leg of lamb. The cost is $34.99 per person, with half-price discounts for kids and $2 discounts for seniors. Traditional plated meals and dinner specials will also be available, beginning at noon and until close.

• All Real Meal (87 Elm St., Manchester, 782-3014, allrealmeal.com) is taking orders for Mother’s Day brunches to go, featuring eight-course meals for four adults. The packages include whole bacon Gruyere quiche, house-baked blueberry coffee cake, steel cut oats with nuts and berries, biscuits and raspberry jam, maple sausage with apples and sage, roasted potato medley, organic greens spring salad and rosemary-crusted baked ham. The cost is $99 per eight-course meal. Order online for delivery on Saturday, May 13.

• Alpine Grove Banquet Facility (19 S. Depot Road, Hollis, 882-9051, alpinegrove.com) will serve a special Mother’s Day brunch buffet on Sunday, May 14, with seatings at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. Featured options will include a breakfast station with scrambled eggs; Belgian waffles and syrup, and applewood bacon and sausage; an entree station with chicken piccata, slow roast prime rib of beef and pan-seared Atlantic salmon; a salad bar, a kids’ station and a dessert display table. The cost is $35 for adults, $30 for seniors ages 60 and up, $15 for kids ages 4 to 12 and free for kids ages 4 and under. Reserve online or via phone.

• Ansanm (20 South St., Milford, 554-1248, ansanmnh.com) will serve a special Mother’s Day brunch buffet experience on Sunday, May 14, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., featuring its signature fried chicken and waffles, in addition to French toast casserole, roasted potatoes, a variety of housemade pates, pineapple upside-down cake, Caribbean punch mimosas and more. Tickets are $25 per person and available via Eventbrite.

• Atkinson Resort & Country Club (85 Country Club Drive, Atkinson, 362-8700, atkinsonresort.com) will serve a special Mother’s Day brunch on Sunday, May 14, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. inside its Legacy Ballroom, featuring chef-attended omelet and waffle stations, bagels, Danishes and croissants, scrambled eggs, bacon, sausage and home fries; as well as carving stations with prime rib au jus with horseradish cream and cider-brined turkey breast with sage gravy. Other entrees will include grilled chicken saltimbocca with sage, prosciutto and fontina cheese, grilled Atlantic salmon with mango salsa, and falafel with lemon tahini and rice-stuffed grape leaves. For dessert, enjoy items like flourless chocolate torte, mini cannolis, blueberry coffee cake and assorted cakes and cookies. The cost is $80 for adults, $30 for kids ages 3 to 10 and free for kids ages 3 and under. Call to make a reservation.

• Averill House Vineyard (21 Averill Road, Brookline, 244-3165, averillhousevineyard.com) will serve a special Mother’s Day high tea brunch and wine pairing on Sunday, May 14, with seatings at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Guests will be treated to a four-course menu highlighting traditional high tea finger signature sandwiches, pastries and more, along with a cup of hot tea and a pre-selected flight of four wine samples. The cost is $59 per person. Reservations are being accepted online via Tock (exploretock.com).

• Bedford Village Inn (2 Olde Bedford Way, Bedford, 472-2001, bedfordvillageinn.com) will serve a special three-course prix fixe Mother’s Day dinner on Sunday, May 14, with reservations available between 1 and 6 p.m. The meal will include your choice of an appetizer (bacon, shrimp and corn chowder, Dunk’s mushroom bisque, mache and red watercress salad or Parmesan and pea salad); an entree (grilled tournedos of beef, New England seafood bouillabaisse, pinot grigio-braised veal osso buco, Duroc porchetta, pan-roasted king oyster mushroom or lobster carbonara); and a dessert (key lime tart, espresso pot de creme, sorbet flight, chocolate lava cake or strawberry tall cake). The cost is $75 for adults and $39.98 for kids ages 10 and under.

• Belmont Hall & Restaurant (718 Grove St., Manchester, 625-8540, belmonthall.net) will serve a special Mother’s Day breakfast buffet on Sunday, May 14, with seatings at 8:30 a.m., 10:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. for parties of five or more. Call to make a reservation. On the restaurant side, Belmont Hall will also be open to walk-ins on Mother’s Day — no reservation required.

• Buckley’s Great Steaks (438 Daniel Webster Hwy., Merrimack, 424-0995, buckleysgreatsteaks.com) will be open on Sunday, May 14, from noon to 5 p.m., serving several Mother’s Day specials in addition to its regular menu. Call or make a reservation online.

• Cafe la Reine — North End (53 Hooksett Road, Unit 6, Manchester, 782-5367, cafelareine.com) will be open its usual hours on Sunday, May 14, for Mother’s Day, from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Reservations are available online through Toast.

• Chez Vachon (136 Kelley St., Manchester, 625-9660, chezvachon.com) will be open regular hours from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sunday, May 14, for Mother’s Day. Calling ahead is recommended for larger sized parties.

• The Coach Stop Restaurant & Tavern (176 Mammoth Road, Londonderry, 437-2022, coachstopnh.com) will serve a special Mother’s Day a la carte menu on Sunday, May 14, with seatings at 11:30 a.m., 2:30 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. Options will include escargot, bacon-wrapped scallops, French onion soup, chicken Marsala, roast prime rib of beef, seafood linguine alfredo, veal oscar, fresh broiled salmon, roast beef tenderloin, baked haddock and lobster macaroni and cheese.

• Colby Hill Inn (33 The Oaks, Henniker, 428-3281, colbyhillinn.com) will serve a special three-course prix fixe menu for Mother’s Day on Sunday, May 14, with seatings at noon, 1 p.m., 2 p.m., 4 p.m., 4:30 p.m. and 5 p.m. The meal will include your choice of a first course (buttermilk mushroom soup, creamy scallop and tomato bisque, spring market greens, organic dandelion salad or ricotta gnocchi); an entree (coq au vin, seared petite tenderloin, wood-fired grilled lamb chop, peppered pan-roasted halibut or saffron risotto); and a dessert (coconut lime tart, maple bourbon panna cotta, chocolate cake with mocha buttercream, profiterole trio or seasonal house-made sorbet duo with almond cookie). The cost is $70 for adults and $35 for kids ages 12 and under.

• The Common Man (25 Water St., Concord, 228-3463; 88 Range Road, Windham, 898-0088; 304 Daniel Webster Hwy., Merrimack, 429-3463; thecman.com) will be open from 11:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. on Sunday, May 14, at all of their locations, serving Mother’s Day specials in addition to their dinner menus. Reservations are recommended.

• Copper Door Restaurant (15 Leavy Drive, Bedford, 488-2677; 41 S. Broadway, Salem, 458-2033; copperdoor.com) will be open from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Sunday, May 14, at both locations, serving their brunch and lunch menus from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Beginning at 2 p.m., a special Mother’s Day prix fixe menu will be served in lieu of the Copper Door’s regular menus, featuring the option to choose two courses for $59, three courses for $69 or four courses for $79. Items include shaved sirloin spring rolls, roasted tomato and basil bisque, pureed sweet pea soup, slow roasted prime rib, garlic Parmesan half chicken, pasta primavera, blackened salmon, shrimp gnocchi, cookie dough cupcakes, frosted animal cracker cheesecake and wild berry shortcake.

• Cotton Restaurant (75 Arms St., Manchester, 622-5488, cottonfood.com) will be open for Mother’s Day on Sunday, May 14, from noon to 4 p.m. Reservations are accepted online via OpenTable.

• The Derryfield Restaurant (625 Mammoth Road, Manchester, 623-2880, thederryfield.com) will serve a special Mother’s Day brunch on Sunday, May 14, with seatings from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., featuring an omelet station, a carving station with slow-roasted prime rib and oven-baked ham, and a salad station with assorted dressings and toppings. On the main buffet line, items will include fresh seasonal fruit, bacon, sausage, scrambled eggs, French toast, pancakes, eggs Benedict, grilled beef, seafood Newburg, assorted chicken and seafood dishes, and a dessert station will feature assorted pastries. The cost is $34.95 for adults, $32.95 for seniors ages 65 and over, and $19.95 for kids under 12.

• Firefly American Bistro & Bar (22 Concord St., Manchester, 935-9740, fireflynh.com) will be open on Sunday, May 14, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. for brunch and from 4 to 8 p.m. for dinner, serving its regular brunch and dinner menus in addition to several Mother’s Day specials. Reservations are available online via OpenTable.

• Flag Hill Distillery & Winery (297 N. River Road, Lee, 659-2949, flaghill.com) will host a special Mother’s Day edition of its “Brunch & Bubbles” event series on Sunday, May 14, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., featuring a full farm-to-table brunch buffet and a make-your-own mimosa bar. Items will include macaroni and cheese, fresh pastries and fruit, quiches, frittatas and more. The cost is $60 per person. Reservations are being accepted online via Eventbrite.

• The Flying Goose Brew Pub & Grille (40 Andover Road, New London, 526-6899, flyinggoose.com) will be open from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Sunday, May 14, for Mother’s Day, and reservations are being accepted via phone.

• Fratello’s Italian Grille (155 Dow St., Manchester, 641-6776, fratellos.com) will serve a special Mother’s Day brunch buffet on Sunday, May 14, with seatings at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. In addition to an omelet station and a salad station, there will be a carving station featuring roast beef tenderloin with bordelaise, and apple raisin porchetti with a cider demi-glace. On the main buffet line, items will include scrambled eggs, house breakfast pizzas, bacon, sausage, homestyle potatoes, carved turkey with gravy, vegetable pesto tortellini, smoked butternut squash and roasted spring vegetables. There will also be assorted pastries and cakes for dessert. The cost is $39 for adults and $18.95 for kids ages 4 to 11. Call to make a reservation.

• Gauchos Churrascaria Brazilian Steak House (62 Lowell St., Manchester, 669-9460, gauchosbraziliansteakhouse.com) will serve a special all-you-can-eat Mother’s Day brunch on Sunday, May 14, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., featuring the restaurant’s signature grilled meats, fresh salads, fruit, pastries and more. The cost is $39.99 for adults, $14.99 for kids ages 6 to 10 and free for kids ages 5 and under. Reservations are available via phone or online via OpenTable.

• Giorgio’s Ristorante & Bar (707 Milford Road in Merrmack, 883-7333; 524 Nashua St. in Milford, 673-3939; 270 Granite St. in Manchester, 232-3323; giorgios.com) will be open 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. with the regular menu and specials.

• The Granite Restaurant & Bar (The Centennial Hotel, 96 Pleasant St., Concord, 227-9005, graniterestaurant.com) will be open from 3 to 8 p.m. on Sunday, May 14, for Mother’s Day, serving their regular menu with some specials. Reservations are available online via OpenTable.

• Granite State Candy Shoppe (13 Warren St., Concord, 225-2591; 832 Elm St., Manchester, 218-3885; granitestatecandyshoppe.com) is running a special Mother’s Day sale of 15 percent off select gift boxes of chocolate, both in-store at both locations and online. See the website for the full list of assortments, which include hard and chewy chocolates, soft center chocolates, chocolate cherry cordials, Swiss fudge and more.

• Greenleaf (54 Nashua St., Milford, 213-5447, greenleafmilford.com) will be open for dinner service on Sunday, May 14, from 5 to 9 p.m., serving its regular menu. Reservations are available online via Tock (exploretock.com)

• Hanover Street Chophouse (149 Hanover St., Manchester, 644-2467, hanoverstreetchophouse.com) will be open on Sunday, May 14, from noon to 3 p.m., serving its regular menu in addition to some Mother’s Day specials. Reservations are being accepted online via OpenTable.

• The Hills Restaurant (Hampshire Hills Athletic Club, 50 Emerson Road, Milford, 673-7123, hampshirehills.com/the-hills-restaurant) will serve a special a la carte Mother’s Day brunch menu on Sunday, May 14, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., featuring items like chicken and waffles, Korean barbecue breakfast burgers, avocado toast, spicy Cajun blackened haddock tacos, lemon pepper chicken sandwiches and more. Meals are by reservation only, online via Resy.

• The Homestead Restaurant & Tavern (641 Daniel Webster Hwy., Merrimack, 429-2022, homesteadnh.com) is accepting reservations for Mother’s Day now. They’ll be serving a special a la carte menu featuring items like steak and cheese spring rolls, French onion soup, seafood chowder, roast prime rib of beef, 12-ounce New York sirloin strip steak, grilled swordfish, baked stuffed haddock, chicken cordon bleu, rack of lamb, barbecue baby back ribs and seafood and scallop risotto. Call to make a reservation.

• LaBelle Winery (345 Route 101, Amherst; 14 Route 111, Derry; 672-9898, labellewinery.com) will serve a special Mother’s Day grand buffet at both of its locations on Sunday, May 14, with seatings at 10 a.m., 12:30 p.m. and 3 p.m. The buffet will include a mimosa bar with assorted fresh fruits and juices, a fresh fruit display; assorted pastries, like muffins, scones, Danishes, croissants, breads and jams; waffle and omelet stations; carving stations, like herb-crusted sirloin of beef and apple wine-brined roasted turkey; lunch items, like bruschetta chicken, salmon piccata, and a smoked salmon display; salad stations; and assorted desserts, like chocolate cake, carrot cake, pot de creme, mini cannolis and chocolate-covered strawberries. Complimentary drinks will include orange juice, apple juice, cranberry juice, coffee and tea, and a full bar will also be featured, for additional purchases of wine, cocktails, beer and non-alcoholic beverages. The cost is $85 for adults, $35 for kids ages 3 to 12 and free for kids ages 2 and under. A non-refundable deposit of $50 is required at booking, which will be applied toward your final bill on the day of the event.

• Mile Away Restaurant (52 Federal Hill Road, Milford, 673-3904, mileawayrestaurantnh.com) is taking dinner reservations for Mother’s Day on Sunday, May 14. All meals are $45 per person and will include your choice of an appetizer (ham minestrone, Swedish meatballs, fresh fruit plates with sorbet, shrimp cocktail, escargot or onion soup); a salad (Caesar or garden, with dressings that include ranch, blue cheese, balsamic or raspberry vinaigrette); an entree (sliced roast sirloin, pork Marsala, chicken Florentine, chicken piccata, maple salmon, baked eggplant Parmesan or broiled scrod); and a dessert (carrot cake, sorbet, bread pudding, cheesecake, chocolate ganache cake, lemon mascarpone cake or chocolate mousse cake).

• MT’s Local Kitchen & Wine Bar (212 Main St., Nashua, 595-9334, mtslocal.com) will be open on Sunday, May 14, from noon to 5 p.m., serving several Mother’s Day specials in addition to its regular menu. Call or make a reservation online. Mother’s Day will be the restaurant’s last official day as MT’s before it is closed for about two weeks for renovations. It’s expected to reopen under a new name, Mike’s Italian Kitchen — see mtslocal.com for the full announcement.

• New England’s Tap House Grille (1292 Hooksett Road, Hooksett, 782-5137, taphousenh.com) will serve a special Mother’s Day brunch on Sunday, May 14, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. The cost is $32 for adults and $14.95 for kids. Call to make a reservation.

• Rambling House Food & Gathering (57 Factory St., Nashua, 318-3220, ramblingtale.com) will be open for its normal Sunday brunch service from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sunday, May 14, serving its regular menu with some Mother’s Day specials. Indoor spaces are available by reservation online, and outdoor deck seating will be available on a first-come, first-served basis, weather permitting.

• The Red Blazer Restaurant & Pub (72 Manchester St., Concord, 224-4101, theredblazer.com) will be open from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday, May 14, for Mother’s Day. Reservations are recommended.

• Rig A Tony’s Italian Takeout & Catering (38 W. Broadway, Derry, 425-6116; 13 Rockingham Road, Windham, 685-8122; 254 Wallace Road, Bedford, 488-2877; rigatonysitalian.com) is taking orders for special Mother’s Day breakfast boxes, available at all three locations. Meals are $48 and include rigatoni with meatballs, a family-sized Caesar salad and a loaf of scali bread.

• Sky Meadow Country Club (6 Mountain Laurels Drive, Nashua, 888-9000, skymeadow.com) will serve a special Mother’s Day brunch on Sunday, May 14, with seatings at 11:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. The menu will include assorted quiches, fresh sliced fruit, a salad station, fresh baked breads and pastries, and various lunch items, like cheese and truffle sacchetti, pan-seared cod, slow-roasted turkey breast, herb-crusted prime rib, spring herb-stuffed chicken, wild rice and whipped potatoes. There will also be assorted pastries and gluten-free desserts. The cost is $60 for adults, $19.95 for kids ages 5 to 12 and $5 for kids under 5. Reservations are being accepted online.

• Surf Restaurant (207 Main St., Nashua, 595-9293, surfseafood.com) will be open on Sunday, May 14, from noon to 5 p.m., serving several Mother’s Day specials in addition to its regular menu. Call or make a reservation online. Reservations are being accepted for any size party.

• Tilt’n Diner (61 Laconia Road, Tilton, 286-2204, thecman.com) will be open from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Sunday, May 14, serving breakfast all day, in addition to its dinner menus with Mother’s Day specials.

• Tucker’s (95 S. River Road, Bedford, 413-6503; 80 South St., Concord, 413-5884; 238 Indian Brook Road, Dover, 413-5470; 1328 Hooksett Road, Hooksett, 206-5757; 360 Daniel Webster Hwy., Merrimack, 413-6477; 207 Main St., New London, 413-5528; tuckersnh.com) will be open during its normal Sunday business hours (7 a.m. to 2 p.m.) on Mother’s Day at all of its locations. Only walk-ins are accepted. All locations will serve breakfast all day, along with their lunch menu starting at 11 a.m.

• WECO Hospitality (wecohospitality.com) is a Massachusetts-based community of local kitchens offering farm-fresh meal deliveries to more than three dozen Granite State cities and towns, including Manchester, Bedford, Nashua, Milford, Derry, Londonderry, Hooksett, Amherst and several others — see the website for the full list. They’re offering a special Mother’s Day brunch menu with items like fresh bagel spreads and add-on blood orange “mom-osa” mixers, bloody mary mixers and more. Order online for delivery on Saturday, May 13.

The Weekly Dish 23/05/04

News from the local food scene

• Farmers market news: Opening day for the Concord Farmers Market is set for Saturday, May 6 — one of the longest-running outdoor markets in southern New Hampshire, it features more than 40 vendors during its peak time of the season. The market will continue every Saturday, from 8:30 a.m. to noon, through October, on Capitol Street in Concord, adjacent to the Statehouse lawn. See concordfarmersmarket.com for a full list of this year’s vendors.

• For the choco-holics:Learn how to make chocolate bark during a 21+ class at Van Otis Chocolates (341 Elm St., Manchester). Classes are scheduled for Thursdays, from 5:30 to 7 p.m., dates offered May 11, May 18 and May 25, and will include tours of Van Otis’s chocolate factory. Participants will get to make their own chocolate bark customized with different flavors and mix-ins and will also be able to bring home their favorite bottle of wine and about 8 ounces of bark per person. After the class, guests will also receive a special discount to be used in the store that same day only. The cost is $50 per person and tickets can be purchased online via Eventbrite. See vanotis.com or find them on Facebook @vanotischocolate for more details.

• Wine is love:Join Balin Books (375 Amherst St., Nashua) in welcoming LaBelle Winery owner and winemaker Amy LaBelle on Saturday, May 6, at 2 p.m. — she’ll be there to present and sign copies of her debut book, Wine Weddings: The Ultimate Guide to Creating the Wine-Themed Wedding of Your Dreams. Released Dec. 16, the book offers advice on planning and hosting weddings of every size and type, covering everything from choosing invitation designs and wedding favors to creating your own menu of signature drinks and wine choices. It’s also filled with photographs taken at weddings hosted at both of the winery’s locations, in Amherst and Derry, and LaBelle even shares the details that went into planning her own wedding. Admission is free and the event will also include a wine and cheese pairing. See the event page on Facebook @balinbooks or call the shop at 673-1734.

• Food truck frenzy: It’s a weekend of food trucks! The Great Bay Food Truck Festival returns to Stratham Hill Park (270 Portsmouth Ave., Stratham) on Saturday, May 6, with limited VIP admission from noon to 1 p.m. and general admission from 1 to 4 p.m. Also happening on Saturday, May 6, is Northwood Parks & Recreation’s food truck festival, from 1 to 5 p.m. Both community events will feature unique options from a variety of area food trucks. See greatbayfoodtruckfestival.com or northwood.recdesk.com for details on each respective event.

Treasure Hunt 23/05/04

Hi, Donna.

I have two of these tiny little plates. They are 3 inches long by 1 7/8 inches wide. As shown on the bottom they are by Nippon and are hand-painted. What are these and do they have any value? They were from my grandmother, who would be 120+ now. Thank you.

Janice

Dear Janice,

Your Nippon dishes were most likely part of a larger set. They could have been used for bone dishes or for other things.

Interesting story of these dishes: Lots were hand-painted here in New England. The blanks were shipped in and local artists would paint the pattern. Then they were shipped back to complete a set.

The value really depends on the detailing. Some can have full scenes on them in detail. Simpler patterns like the ones you have would run about $10 each today.

I hope this was helpful, Janice, and that you still find use for them today. Idea: soap dishes?

Donna

Kiddie Pool 23/05/04

Family fun for the weekend

Cats & dogs

• The Dana Center for the Humanities at Saint Anselm College (100 St. Anselm Drive, Manchester) presents Johnny Peers and the Muttville Comix on Friday, May 5, at 7:30 p.m. A graduate of the Ringling Clown College and a professional clown, Johnny Peers with his gang of shelter dogs combines “the joyousness of physical comedy with man and his best friend,” according to the venue’s website. Tickets cost $45; see tickets.anselm.edu.

• The Seacoast Cat Club’s annual cat show will run Saturday, May 6 (10 a.m. to 5 p.m.), and Sunday, May 7 (9 a.m. to 3 pm.) at the Douglas N. Everett Arena (15 Loudon Road, Concord). Tickets cost $10 for teens and adults ages 12 and up, $7 for seniors, kids under 12 and active military service members, and free for kids ages 4 and under. A $25 discounted price also applies for families of four. See the event page on Facebook @seacoastcatclub for more details.

Taking the stage

• The Palace Youth Theatre (80 Hanover St., Manchester; palacetheatre.org, 668-5588) will present Guys and Dolls Jr., with showtimes on Wednesday, May 3, and Thursday, May 4, at 7 p.m. The mainstage musical will feature student actors in grades 2 through 12, according to the theater’s website. Tickets start at $12.

• The UNH Symphony Orchestra and the UNH Youth Symphony Orchestra will present a public concert on Sunday, May 7, at 6 p.m. in the Johnson Theatre of the Paul Creative Arts Center (on the campus of UNH, at 30 Academic Way, Durham). The performance is free and open to the public, and also available online at YouTube.com/unhmusic, according to a press release.

Fairies, gnomes & superheroes

• It’s Fairy & Gnome Day at the Children’s Museum of New Hampshire (6 Washington St., Dover; childresn-museum.org) on Saturday, May 6 — enjoy a live show from Lindsay and Her Puppet Pals (at 10:30 a.m. or 1:30 p.m.), a dance performance from the Musical Arts Ballet students at 2:30 p.m., and other ongoing activities, like crafts, scavenger hunts, fairy and gnome home building and more. Reserve admission for either the morning (9 a.m. to noon) or afternoon (1 to 4 p.m.) play sessions, which cost $12.50 for adults and children over 12 months old, $10.50 for 65+, according to the museum’s website.

• Join the Bookery (844 Elm St., Manchester) for a superhero-themed Saturday storytime on Saturday, May 6, at 1 p.m. featuring local cosplayer Jenna Deedy as Captain Marvel who will read the 2019 children’s book What Makes a Hero, by Pamela Bobowicz. Admission is free but registration is encouraged. See bookerymht.com.

Meet the Kid Conservationist

• May’s Super Stellar Friday at the McAuliffe-Shepard Discovery Center (2 Institute Drive, Concord; starhop.com) on Friday, May 5, at 7 p.m., will feature Jack Dalton, known as the “Kid Conservationist.” In 2021, at the age of 10, Dalton released his first book, Kawan the Orangutan, Lost in the Rainforest, hoping to inspire the next generation of conservationists, according to the Center’s website. Attendees will meet Jack and learn about his recent work on the island of Borneo. He will answer questions about orangutans. Admission costs $12 for adults, $9 for kids ages 3 to 12, $11 for 62+ and for students, and free kids under 2.

All things agriculture

Farm, Forest & Garden Expo celebrates its 40th year

By Mya Blanchard

listings@hippopress.com

With spring in full swing, it’s officially the season for all things outdoors. Just in time is the New Hampshire Farm, Forest & Garden Expo, returning for its 40th year to the Deerfield Fairgrounds on Friday, May 5, and Saturday, May 6.

The event will include demonstrations, classes and workshops held by exhibitors on countless agriculture-related topics, such as tapping maple trees, growing flowers, starting a garden, pruning trees and how to safely operate a chainsaw.

“This [is a] place to learn about agriculture and forestry for all, [from] the avid farmer to the backyard enthusiast,” said Jayson McCarter, chairman of the expo’s board. “History being very important, you could always learn from the experts on how things ought to be done.”

Farm animals will be present and contests will be held, like the Future Farmers of America Floral Design Competition and a grilling contest sponsored by 4-H, an international youth development program.

While there has been a kids zone for many years, 4-H is now responsible for organizing what is now dubbed the “Ag Discovery Zone.”

“This year we kind of have a farm-to-table theme going,” said Michelle Bersaw-Robblee, the program coordinator for 4-H. “I think it’s a great opportunity to engage our future decision-makers and consumers around agriculture.”

Traditionally having been held in Manchester, and usually during the month of February, the expo is now taking place at the fairgrounds.

“We just outgrew it, and it being in the winter was tough,” expo manager Kelly Bryer said. “The spring just seemed like a better fit and the Deerfield Fairgrounds is already an agricultural venue and it just gave us lots of room to grow, bring in more partners [and] expand those partnerships.”

The expansion allows the event to be used as a platform for organizations to showcase themselves. One such organization is Bedrock Gardens, a 37-acre public garden in Lee.

“[Formal gardens] … have formal beds where roses are planted and you walk from one bed to another bed of formal flowers. This is not that kind of garden,” said Nanci Taylor, the organization’s community outreach coordinator. “It’s more like meandering on a trail. Part of the time you will be in a forest and you will see plants and bushes that grow in shade, and then you’ll be in sunshine. … There’s a different feeling to each of these areas as you walk along.”

According to McCarter, the farming community is at risk due to economic hardships, regulatory issues and urban development.
“While our farmers are as committed as ever to keep our fields, forest and natural resources viable for future generations, the duty to preserve just doesn’t get any easier,” he said. “That’s where our expo comes in. Not only is it a great ‘old home day’ for all those who are currently protecting our precious commodities, it’s a chance to educate and inspire those who will take over these efforts some day.”

NH Farm, Forest & Garden Expo
Where: Deerfield Fairgrounds, 34 Stage Road, Deerfield
When: Friday, May 5, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Saturday, May 6, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Cost: $10 per person; includes one-day admission to the expo and additional entry for its door prize drawings (free for kids ages 12 and under)
More info: nhfarmandforestexpo.org

No Mow May

An idea for more pollination and less pollution

In 2019 a British nonprofit called Plantlife coined the term “No Mow May.” They proposed that gardeners leave their mowers in storage for the month of May in order to let wildflowers and weeds bloom and provide pollen and nectar for pollinators. And of course the caterpillars of many pollinators feed all our baby birds, so the ramifications are vast.

Early spring is a tough time for pollinators, especially here in New England as there are not many flowers to visit. I like the idea of a simple action that can have positive effects on so many species of wildlife.

The most obvious advantage to you is that you have a few extra hours to do other things in your garden. Next, you are not spending any money on gas or electricity. Most gas-powered mowers do not have the emission controls that are required for cars. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), one hour operating a new gasoline lawn mower emits the same amount of volatile organic compounds and nitrogen oxide as driving a new car 45 miles.

According to the EPA, lawn mowers and other garden machines like leaf blowers, string trimmers, etc., contribute as much pollution as our cars and homes. The statistics on lawns are deceiving; two percent of the land mass in America is lawn. But that is more square miles of land than all the corn grown here. Roughly 80 percent of homes have at least some lawn.

If we mow our lawns from May to the end of October, that’s six months of mowing. Eliminating one month of mowing reduces those emissions by 17 percent. Good for the environment, good for the wallet.

For the last two years I have been installing trees in what was a 5-acre lawn in Hanover, N.H. So far we have planted about 150 of them — and we largely stopped the mowing, just leaving pathways throughout. The owners now have their field mowed everywhere just once every two years to control growth of unwanted woody plants like poplars, which spread by root.

We were delighted last spring to see the field come alive in spring. At least a dozen species of flowers bloomed, probably more. And the bees and other pollinators just loved it.

What happened when we just stopped mowing? Grass grew, and largely flopped over as it got taller. It was nothing like the unruly 2- or 3-foot-tall mess that the mowing guys predicted. We were always able to walk anywhere in the field even though it was not mowed. Of course, when the mowing crew shows up soon, they have big, industrial-scale mowers that will chew up anything.

For your home lawn you may want to pay attention to how tall the grass gets in May. Presumably your push mower or electric mower will not mow tall grasses as easily as the riding mowers used on the field described above. If you can only avoid mowing for two or three weeks, it’s still better than mowing it short every week in May.

Another advantage to No Mow May is that you will probably end up with a better, more resilient lawn in times of drought. The longer your grass, the more food it produces for the roots, allowing them to grow longer and deeper.

Your lawn might complain about being mowed short on June 1. So put the blades up as high as they go. The lower parts of blades of grass may be a little pale in color as they were shaded out by the taller parts. Leave your lawn a little longer this year — it doesn’t have to look like the infield of Fenway Park.

What about bare spots on the lawn? These are often filled in with crabgrass, an annual weed. For large areas, you will need to plant new lawn seed — the sooner the better. Filling in empty spots can be done in May by scratching the soil with a short-tined rake to loosen the surface. Add half an inch of compost and mix it in with the soil. Then spread seed over it — just broadcast it with your hand in small areas. I use a lawn/leaf rake to mix the seed in with the soil: I flip over the rake and drag it lightly over the area, which mixes in the seed well. If you have a metal tamper, use it to press down the planted area. If not, use a small board and step on it.

I never fertilize my lawn, and it looks fine to me. If your lawn is a little feeble, check the soil pH. If it is too acidic, you can spread some limestone. Lawn grass prefers nearly neutral pH.

So take a break from mowing this May.

Featured photo: Drumstick primroses. Photo by Henry Homeyer.

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