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On The Job – Jennifer Lynch

Hair stylist

Jennifer Lynch is a hair stylist and owner of Style and Grace Salon in Bedford.

Explain your job and what it entails.

Not only do I run the business myself and perform all hair services, but I also change people’s lives. I make people feel good about the way they look, which goes deeper than the surface. I’m also like a therapist with scissors.

How long have you had this job?

I have been in the industry since 1999.

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

I love making people feel good and transforming how they look.

What kind of education or training did you need?

I originally went to a vocational high school in Mass. for 1,000 hours of training. When I moved to New Hampshire, I ended up going back to school, because the state’s requirement here is 1,500 hours. I did about a year at Empire Beauty School — only missed one day due to an emergency room visit.

What is your typical at-work uniform or attire?

I would call it professional-casual. I have to think about what is practical for standing and working for eight to 12 hours, and what I won’t be too sad about getting ruined.

What is the most challenging thing about your work, and how do you deal with it?

You cannot please everyone, no matter how bad you want to and how hard you try. Trust me, a hairdresser’s goal is to make people happy, and when it doesn’t happen, it crushes us. But we can’t live there too long; some people need more than just a good balayage and blowout.

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

That the possibilities are literally endless. I never pictured myself owning multiple businesses, but I love it, and nothing is stopping me from growing and expanding. There are so many more options other than working behind the chair. I might look into being an educator or being a brand ambassador or business advisor for salon owners.

What do you wish other people knew about your job?

That we are not bubble gum-chewing, hair-twirling bimbos. Most of us are chemists, marketing majors, business owners and masters of networking and communication. We need to know so much information just to be able to shampoo someone. It’s not at all how the movies portray us. We also are human, and we have emotions and bad days, but have to put on our game faces so that it doesn’t interfere with the client’s experience.

What was the first job you ever had?

My first job ever was at McDonald’s, but my first job in the industry was right after that at age 15, shampooing people’s hair at a local salon and wiping down sweaty tanning beds. I wouldn’t recommend that.

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

Never stop learning; when you stop growing, you start dying.

Five favorites

Favorite book: Discipline Equals Freedom by Jocko Willink
Favorite movie: It’s a tossup between Zero Dark Thirty and The Devil Wears Prada.
Favorite music: pop/hip-hop
Favorite food: Pizza
Favorite thing about NH: There’s so much to do here, but the mountains and beach are something I couldn’t live without.

Featured photo: Jennifer Lynch. Courtesy photo.

Treasure Hunt 23/06/15

Good morning.

I have had these six luncheon plates in storage for years. I’m wondering if you can tell me anything about them and their value. Thank you!

Pam

Dear Pam,

Your Haviland Limoges plates with the Frontenac pattern were produced in the 1920s. They were part of a much larger set. The plates, cups and saucers are very common. The rarer pieces are the serving pieces, such as platters, pitchers and tureens. As with all dishware the harder-to-find pieces today will bring a higher value.

Frontenac is such a nice light pattern.

The value on your plates with no damage (chips, cracks, excessive scratching) would be in the $40 range for the six.

Thanks for sharing, Pam. I hope this was helpful.

Learning from other gardens

Gather ideas from great green spaces

One of the best ways to learn how to create a lovely garden is to see others. Visit good gardens of neighbors, great gardens near and far. I recently visited three great gardens and, as always when viewing other gardens, they gave me much to consider. The gardens I visited were Bedrock Gardens in Lee, N.H., Chanticleer Gardens in Wayne, Pennsylvania, and Longwood Gardens in Kennett Square, Pennsylvania.

All these gardens had significant areas of lawn or meadow. I realize that lawns are not in favor, generally, among the pro-pollinator and bird crowd. But if you provide plenty of plants that support pollinators, I do not see lawns as bad. Each of these gardens has plenty of flowering trees, shrubs, perennials and annuals. Something is always in bloom, including both native plants and exotic ones.

So what does lawn accomplish? It provides contrast — a simple green palette — to show off the plants. Expanses of green are soothing to the eye. I can only focus on so many amazing plants before I get visually fatigued, much as I do when I visit an art museum.

Lawn also allows you to stand back to see the landscape from a distance. For trees, that is important. In a forested area, and all three of these gardens have them, individual trees are sometimes hard to see. They blend in with the others. But I need to stand back to look at a majestic beech or oak that towers 100 feet above me.

Bedrock Gardens only recently was deeded over from the original owners, Jill Nooney and Bob Munger, to the nonprofit that manages the property. Jill is an amazing sculptor who for over 30 years has created art to surprise and delight visitors to this 20-acre garden. Much of her art is painted welded steel that will delight visitors for the century ahead. She is the modern Alexander Calder of gardens.

Although I am not an artist, I do purchase and create art and whimsy for my own gardens, and you can, too. Look around at what you can use: a brass headboard from an abandoned bed; the rim of an old wagon wheel, a collection of stacked stones or a single tall standing stone buried in the ground. Stone always enhances a garden. Walls are expensive but almost worth their weight in gold.

Pathways are important to a great garden, too. They lead the visitor from one area to another. Placing art or even a bench at a distance pulls viewers forward, luring them to see what is ahead. Chanticleer has wonderful pathways through the woods that appear to be wood chips embedded in rubber. Very soothing to knees and feet.

My late sister, Ruth Anne Mitchell, taught me long ago when viewing art or gardens, “If you see a place to sit down, sit down.” So I do, and I find it enhances the experience of the garden. Not only am I less tired; often gardens surprise us with something special near a resting point. Perhaps you can design a special feature near a bench: rare and dainty plants or a small water feature.

All three of the gardens I visited made much use of water in the landscape. I am lucky enough to have a small stream that runs by my gardens. I built a bench near it, so I can listen to the burble of the water. And you can tune your brook: Place stones that hold back water, allowing it to cascade over them. Different drops create different sounds.

Years ago, for a New York Times article, I interviewed by phone the designer of the gardens at the Getty Museum in Los Angeles, Robert Irwin. He created a recirculating stream that crossed a path through a woodland area seven times. He told me he tuned it so that at each little bridge visitors would hear a different aquatic tune. Think of that if you have a stream on your property.

Color is very important in designing good or great gardens. I only got the eight-color box of crayons as a boy; my sister Ruth Anne got the 64-crayon box. But I have learned to appreciate all the nuances of color and how they go together. The best explanation of how colors go together — or don’t — is a book by garden writer Sydney Eddison: The Gardener’s Palette: Creating Color in the Garden (Contemporary Books, 2003, $30 in hardback). Get it if you can find a copy.

Great gardens like those at Longwood, an old DuPont family residence originally, recognize that color is important all year. But most shrubs and perennials only bloom for a few weeks. So they choose trees and shrubs that are not only sculptural in form but also have nuanced colors in their leaves. Green is not one color but many. Choose wisely.

Lastly, another way to present color all spring, summer and fall is to use annual flowers liberally. Many of these will keep on blooming in an effort to create seeds. Pots of annual flowers are used frequently in these great gardens. Pots place flowers closer to the viewer’s eye and can also be replaced with other pots if the flowers finish their displays or look a bit bedraggled.

So do visit other gardens this summer, whether at a local garden club tour or one of the fine gardens I mentioned here today.

Henry is a garden consultant and the author of four gardening books. He speaks often to garden clubs and library groups. Reach him at henry.homeyer@comcast.net or PO Box 364, Cornish Flat, NH 03746.

Featured photo: Formal use of lawns and water at Longwood. Photo by Henry Homeyer.

Kiddie Pool 23/06/15

Family fun for the weekend

Play ball

• Saturday, June 17, is Cats-Con Night as the theme for the Fisher Cats game at Northeast Delta Dental Stadium (1 Line Drive, Manchester) is Granite State Comicon. The night will celebrate comic pop culture with heroes and villains out on the concourse, and visitors will get a free comic book before the game. After the game there will be a firework show. First pitch is at 7:05 p.m. Tickets cost $10 to $17 and can be purchased at milb.com/new-hampshire.

Outside fun

• The YMCA of Downtown Manchester (30 Mechanic St.; graniteymca.org) will hold a Rock the Block party Saturday, June 17, from 10:15 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. on Mechanic Street. This free family event will feature games, a bounce house, live DJ and music, arts and crafts, food and more, according to a social media post about the event.

• Celebrate all things that make children amazing at the 41st annual Somersworth International Children’s Festival on Saturday, June 17, with a special pre-festival celebration at Somersworth High School (11 Memorial Dr.) on Friday, June 16, at 6 p.m. The pre-festival celebration will have live music, food and fireworks to enjoy. The festival day will be packed with food, craft and retail vendors, educational exhibits and talented street performers. There will also be free activities provided for children by local businesses. The fair runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Visit nhfestivals.org/festival-day.html.

• Head to the Aviation Museum of New Hampshire for the Annual Fly In Barbecue on Saturday, June 17, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The event will be at the hangar of Nashua Jet Aviation (83 Perimeter Road at the Nashua Airport). There will be all kinds of food to choose from, and access to watching the planes land and get ready to take off. Tickets for the barbecue cost $30 for adults, $25 for museum members, $10 for ages 6 to 12. Tickets for just access to the ramp cost $10. Kids under 5 years old are free in both cases. For more information visit nhahs.org.

• On Father’s Day, Sunday, June 18, Charmingfare Farm (774 High St., Candia) is giving free entrance to dads coming to the farm with kids 12 or younger. The farm will have all its usual exhibits open, including the hands-on petting area, tractor train rides, horse-drawn rides, visits with the farm animals, and the North American wildlife exhibits. Tickets for not-dad adults are $22 and can be purchased at visitthefarm.com.

• See Studio Two, a Beatles tribute band, at Greeley Park on Tuesday, June 20, at 7 p.m. The band will play the greatest hits at the outdoor band shell. The rain date for this event is Wednesday, June 21. For more information about this event visit nashuanh.gov/546/SummerFun.

Inside activities

• Have a Parents Night Out thanks to Snapology (826 Central Ave., Suite 1, Dover) on Friday, June 16. Kids ages 5 to 9 can participate in Mini-Figure Mania from 5:30 to 8 p.m. and kids ages 7 to 14 will create Prehistoric Robots from 6 to 8:30 p.m. In addition to doing fun STEAM activities, kids can enjoy a pizza dinner with drinks and desserts included. Spots cost $29; to reserve a spot, visit snapology.com/location/dover.

• The creepy and kooky Addams Family Musical is opening on Friday, June 16, at The Strand (20 Third St., Dover) by Break a Leg Legally. The show follows the eldest child of the Addams family, Wednesday, as she grows up and finds love with a normal boy, much to her parents’ concern. Showtime is at 8 p.m., with two more shows, on Saturday, June 17, at 8 p.m. and Sunday, June 18, at 2 p.m. Tickets to the show cost $20. More information is available at thestranddover.com

Science summer fun

SEE holds third annual Kick Off to Summer

It’s all about summer fun at SEE Science Center, and reminding kids and families that summer can be a time for learning.

“It’s a celebration of science going into the summer months,” said Pete Gustafson, the deputy director at SEE. “We’re encouraging families to get into science learning.”

The Kick Off to Summer event at SEE is a chance for kids of all ages to learn more about science, outside of the classroom.

The event will have all the museum’s normal interactive exhibits on display and will also have a special guest in the New England Mobile Insectarium. The insectarium will have all sorts of crawling critters to spark curiosity.

“Insectarium is open all day, as well as a special room where people can come in and meet the specialists and interact with their activities and their microscopes and their bugs, both live and preserved displays,” Gustafson said.

The whole purpose of Kick Off to Summer, he said, is to remind kids and parents that curiosity is what drives learning.

“During the summertime kids want a break from school, but summertime is a great time to learn about what you want to learn about,” Gustafson said.

While the dates haven’t been determined, Gustafson said there will be visitors from University of New Hampshire and Advanced Regenerative Manufacturing Institute with interactive activities. SEE also plans on doing some programs on solar eclipse safety, as well as giving out glasses, ahead of the partial eclipse in October.

In addition to the displays, SEE is offering a $15 discount to the museum’s summer camps throughout the week of Kick Off to Summer. The camps have different themes, from a bioengineering program to building simple machines.

Gustafson said the wants to see students follow their passions and curiosities, and realize that’s all science is.

“Kids go to school and they have to learn the lessons they’re taught, but summertime is when you learn what you want to know,” said Gustafson. “That’s what SEE science center aims to do year-round and that’s our message for Kick Off to Summer: Learning happens year-round and in summertime you get to pick the topic.”

Kick Off to Summer
Where: SEE Science Center, 200 Bedford St., Manchester; 669-0400
When: Friday, June 16, through Thursday, June 22, during normal museum hours, Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday and Sunday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Price: Kick Off is included with museum admission, $12 for visitors ages 3 and older, free for those younger.
Visit: see-sciencecenter.org

The Art Roundup 23/06/15

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

• One production, two plays: “A Night of One Act Plays” continues this weekend from Bedford Off Broadway. Check Please, Takes 1 & 2 and Bob’s Date run Friday, June 16, and Saturday, June 17, at 8 p.m. and Sunday, June 18, at 2 p.m. at the Bedford Old Town Hall (3 Meetinghouse Road in Bedford). The door opens an hour before curtain; tickets cost $15 ($12 for seniors, students and children) at the door or on brownpapertickets.com. See bedfordoffbroadway.com.

Calling all woodworkers
The Guild of New Hampshire Woodworkers is holding a New England Woodworking Competition, open to professional and amateur woodworkers with judges evaluating entries in 11 categories relative to ability and experience, according to a press release. Register to participate at gnhw.org/register. On Saturday, Oct. 21, from 5 to 10 p.m., the competition will culminate in a display of entries and award ceremony at the McAuliffe-Shepard Discovery Center & Planetarium in Concord. Tickets cost $25 in advance, $35 at the door. Some of the pieces on display may be for sale; the New Hampshire Furniture Masters will also present an exhibit on that night, the release said.

• Festival of chamber music: The Halcyon Music Festival features six chamber music programs at St. John’s Episocpal Church (101 Chapel St.) in Portsmouth begins Thursday, June 15, and runs through Saturday, June 14, according to a press release. All shows start at 7 p.m. Tickets are available to individual shows and multiple concerts as well as for livestreamed viewing: Single concert tickets cost $25, get tickets to all six concerts for $130 and buy a ticket for livestreamed viewing for $25 (additional ticket packages are available for fewer concerts and tickets for students to one concert cost $10). See halcyonmusicfestival.org/concert for tickets. The festival schedule is: “Lyric” (featuring Bach, George Walker, Brahms, Mozart and more) which also features a Q&A with musicians on Thursday, June 15; “Summer Sounds” (with Dvořák, Britten, Mendelssohn) on Friday, June 16; “Youthful Genius” (with Rachmaninoff, Schubert and Schönberg) on Saturday, June 17; “For the People (with Beethoven, Webern, Bolcom and Brahms) on Thursday, June 22; “Longing and Lullabies” (with Brahms, Schumann, Ravel) on Friday, June 23, and “Land of Dreams” (with Barber, Shostakovich, Beethoven and Brahms) on Saturday, June 24.

• Exhibits and receptions: The Rochester Museum of Fine Art (rochestrmfa.org), which displays its exhibits and collections at the James W. Foley Memorial Community Center and at the Rochester Public Library, has two artist receptions on the calendar. On Saturday, June 17, the museum will hold a reception for artists Nate Twombly, Barbara Morse and Connor Gottfried from 5 to 7 p.m at 150 Wakefield St. in Rochester and on Tuesday, June 27, there will be a reception for Kristy Cavaretta from 5 to 7 p.m. at 66 S. Main St. in Rochester. Twombly’s exhibit of illustrations is called “By & By” and Gottfried’s exhibit, featuring his scraped paint, improvised layering, and other techniques, is called “Save Game”; both of these exhibits hang through Friday, June 30, according to a museum press release. Cavaretta’s exhibit is called “Milk & Cookies” and hangs through Friday, Aug. 4; her preferred media include printmaking, woodblock, collagraph, and cyanotype, the release said.

Layers of Identity
The Mosaic Art Collective’s current show, in collaboration with Queerlective, is on display through Friday, June 30, and is called “Layers of Identity: A Visual Exploration,” according to a press release. The pieces invite “the viewer to consider their own complex identities and how societal factors influence perception and treatment of self and others,” the release said. The Mosaic Art Collective (66 Hanover St., Suite 201, in Manchester; 512-6209, mosaicartcollective.com) is open Wednesdays through Fridays from 2 to 6 p.m.

• What’s the buzz, tell me what’s a-happening: Actors Ted Neeley and Bob Bingham a.k.a. Jesus and Caiaphas from the 1973 film Jesus Christ Superstar will be at a screening of the musical at Park Theatre (19 Main St. in Jaffrey; theparktheatre.org, 532-8888) on Sunday, June 25, at 7 p.m. to celebrate the movie’s 50th anniversary, according to a press release from the theater. The screening will include a pre-film introduction by the actors and a post-film meet and greet, the release said. Tickets cost $20.

• American crafts: The Hampton Falls Liberty Craft Festival will take place Saturday, July 1, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday, July 2, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Hampton Falls Town Common on Route 1 and feature more than 75 artisans, according to a press release. Admission is free; see castleberryfairs.com.

• Summer light: Exeter’s Seacoast Open Studio artists are displaying their spring show “Shades of Summer” at the Exeter Public Library (4 Chestnut St. in Exeter; the Godino Wing on the second floor features the exhibit; hours are Monday through Thursday 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.) through Thursday, June 29, according to a press release. The artists meet Friday mornings from 9:30 a.m. to noon at the Exeter Parks and Recreation building to share ideas and critiques and new members are welcome, the release said.

The Birdcage
The 1996 movie The Birdcage (R) starring Robin Williams, Nathan Lane, Gene Hackman and Dianne Wiest will screen Friday, June 16, at 7 p.m. at the Nashua Center for the Arts (201 Main St. in Nashua; nashuacenterforthearts.com, 800-652-8874). Tickets cost $10 and will include an opportunity to enter a raffle for two tickets to the Pride Parade viewing party to be held at the Nashua Center for the Arts on Saturday, June 24.

Naturally photogenic

Conservation group accepting submissions for amateur photo contest

Photography hobbyists have until early September to get shoots ready for a photography contest by the New Hampshire Association of Conservation Commissions.

The contest, called the Natural World Photography Competition, wants photos that make the landscapes and wildlife of New Hampshire the star of the show.

“Important government entities and NHACC provide support, technical assistance, training, and education for these volunteers. We really wanted to showcase the work they do protecting the local lands,” said Barbara Richter, the executive director at NHACC. “We thought an ideal way would be through a photo contest to encourage residents to take pictures of these beautiful places that are on their back doorstep.”

Photos are accepted in three categories: those taken by kids up to 12 years old, by teens ages 12 to 18, and by adults over 18. The top photo in each age group will win $250, with the runner up winning $50. Each photographer can submit up to three photos in the competition, and Richter said that there have already been a few submissions.

The competition will have a theme, Richter said, focusing on the wetlands and water in the Granite State.

“We’ve done a lot of wetland training this year. The theme for the whole year is wetlands,” said Richter. “Water is the big theme [for the contest]. The bay, the ocean, especially in the summer, those are the places we love to visit, the beautiful beaches and lakes.”

While the Association has its own protected lands, Richter said the photos don’t need to be taken on its lands. She said that so long as the photos are of nature in New Hampshire, they’re fair game.

The competition will be judged by three photography specialists, including a member of the Association’s board. Richter said that, because the judges know a lot about photography, it might be best for submissions to be minimally edited, just because the judges had mentioned highly edited photos wouldn’t be considered as seriously.

In addition to prizes, and bragging rights, NHACC will be using some of the submitted photos for their marketing, Richter said. This means that photographers who want to seek professional gigs could have a published photo in their portfolios.

While the competition has a lot of benefits to photographers and the Association, Richter said the real emphasis is on getting the people of the state out into nature and being inspired by it.

“The connection to art is really important in New Hampshire,” Richter said. “While this is focused on amateur photographers, I think there’s a lot of people who enjoy taking pictures and being outside and I think it’s a great connection.”

Natural World Photography Competition
When: Now through Sept. 8. Winner will be announced on Nov. 4
Visit: nhacc.org

Featured photo: Cherry Mtn by Rick Van de Poll. Courtesy photo.

Kids’ guide to summer 2023

Festivals, theater, Nature adventures and More during this season of fun

School’s out forever — OK, maybe not forever but when you’re facing a dozen weeks of summer vacation, it can feel a little like forever. If you need to fill up the calendar with some kid-friendly summer fun, here are some of the events you can look forward to between when your kids’ school’s out for summer and when they have to pick up those backpacks in the fall.

And, if you’re still filling out your summer camp schedule, check out our listing of area day camps in the Feb. 23 issue of the Hippo (find the e-edition at hippopress.com).

Fairs & festivals

Catch a local festival or old home day celebration.

• The Somersworth International Children’s Festival is back for its 41st year. Enjoy live music, food, wildlife encounters, a petting zoo, vendors and more on Saturday, June 17, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Main Street and at Noble Pines Park in Somersworth. A trolley will transport attendees to and from the two locations. A pre-festival celebration will take place at Somersworth High School (11 Memorial Drive, Somersworth) on Friday, June 16, at 6 p.m. with fireworks to end the night. Visit nhfestivals.org.

• Join the Aviation Museum of New Hampshire for its annual Father’s Day weekend Fly-In BBQ, happening Saturday, June 17, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Nashua’s Boire Field (83 Perimeter Road, Nashua). Attendees are welcome to enjoy a barbecue buffet lunch and get a close look at visiting aircraft on the ramp. Tickets, including the barbecue, are $30 for adults and $10 for kids ages 6 to 12. Tickets are $10 for adults and free for kids ages 12 and under without the barbecue. To purchase tickets visit nhahs.org to access the Eventbrite link.

• Plaistow’s Old Home Day returns on Saturday, June 17. It will include local vendors on the Town Hall green (145 Main St., Plaistow), as well as a beard contest, a baby contest, raffles, entertainment booths, a parade and more. This year’s theme is “Gather on the Green.” Follow the event on Facebook @plaistowoldhomeday for updates.

• American Legion Riders, Chapter 37 (5 Riverside St., Hooksett), is having a Father’s Day Festival in the Village of Hooksett on Sunday, June 18, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. In addition to having a “Dunk Your Dad” tank, there will be a chili cook-off, a farmers market, food, vendors, and activities for kids. See “Father’s Day Festival in the Village” on Facebook.

• Intown Concord’s 49th annual Market Days Festival runs from Thursday, June 22, to Saturday, June 24, in downtown Concord from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. The event includes a wide array of local vendors, live entertainment, family-friendly activities and more. Visit marketdaysfestival.com to see the full schedule, or follow Intown Concord on Facebook @intownconcord.

• Join the Wilton Main Street Association for its annual Summerfest on Saturday, June 24, starting at 10 a.m. and featuring an arts market, live music, food, street vendors, a pancake breakfast and a fireworks display in the evening. Rain date is June 25. See visitwilton.com/summerfest.

• Join the New Hampshire Farm Museum (1305 White Mountain Hwy., Milton) for Fourth on the Farm, happening Saturday, July 1, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Activities include a tractor ride to see farm animals, as well as demonstrations, reenactments, a scavenger hunt, lawn games, lunch and strawberry shortcake, and live performances of songs from the 1700s and 1800s. Admission is free for members and children under 4, $12 for adults, $8 for seniors and $6 for children ages 4 to 17. A family pass can be purchased for $30. Visit nhfarmmuseum.org.

• The Raymond Town Fair returns for its 48th year from Friday, July 7, to Sunday, July 9, at the Raymond Town Common (Epping and Main streets, Raymond). It will feature live music, family-friendly entertainment, a children’s parade, a fireworks display and more. See “Raymond Town Fair” on Facebook to keep up to date on details as they become available.

• The next New England Reptile Expo is scheduled for Sunday, July 9, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the DoubleTree by Hilton Manchester Downtown (700 Elm St., Manchester). The show features more than 200 vendor tables full of reptiles, pet supplies and more. Tickets are $10 for adults, $5 for kids ages 7 to 12 and free for kids ages 6 and under. Visit reptileexpo.com.

• The Hillsborough Summer Festival is back again this year at Grimes Field (29 Preston St., Hillsborough) from Thursday, July 13, to Sunday, July 16, with live entertainment, carnival rides, a fireworks show on Saturday night, a 5K road race on Friday, a parade on Sunday and more. Festival hours are 6 to 10 p.m. on Thursday; 5 to 11 p.m. on Friday; noon to 11 p.m. on Saturday, and noon to 5 p.m. on Sunday. Admission is free. Visit hillsborosummerfest.com.

• Returning to the grounds of the American Independence Museum (1 Governors Lane, Exeter) for its 33rd year is the American Independence Festival on Saturday, July 15, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Be transported back in time with a live reading of the Declaration of Independence, and enjoy historical reenactments and colonial artisan demonstrations as well as colonial games, music and dances. Visit independencemuseum.org.

• After a successful inaugural year, the Stratham 4-H Summerfest returns on Saturday, July 15, at the Stratham Hill Park Fairgrounds (270 Portsmouth Ave., Stratham). The work of 4-H volunteers and members will be on display in the 4-H building, show rings and livestock barns from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Exhibits include shows and displays on gardening, cooking, environmental stewardship, hiking and much more. Visit extension.unh.edu/event/2023/07/stratham-4-h-summerfest.

• The Aviation Museum of New Hampshire’s (27 Navigator Road, Londonderry) annual car show is set for Saturday, July 15, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. See vehicles of all makes and eras as well as the student-built two-seat RV-12iS light sport aircraft completed in August 2022 by students at Manchester School of Technology. Vehicle registration is $10, or you can come as a spectator for $5 (cash only; kids ages 12 and under are free). A rain date of July 22 is planned. Visit nhahs.org.

• Have a magical day with the Royal Princess Ball at LaBelle Winery (14 Route 111, Derry) on Sunday, July 23, at 2:30 p.m. Kids will get the chance to meet their favorite princesses, eat delicious treats, and sing and dance to their favorite songs. Tickets cost $35 for adults, $29 for children ages 2 through 12, free for kids 1 and younger. Visit labellewinery.com for more information or to reserve spots.

• Come to the Fairytale Festival at Greeley Park (100 Concord St., Nashua) on Saturday, July 29, at 10 a.m. as part of Nashua’s 2023 Summer Fun. Get a chance to meet with classic fairytale characters. There will be a stage show, a meet and greet with the characters afterward, and activities, vendors, food, games and book events. Visit nashua.gov for more information.

• The Canterbury Fair is celebrating its 65th year — join the fun on Saturday, July 29, at Canterbury Center (Baptist and Center roads) with live music, demonstrations from local artisan and antique vendors, children’s activities and more. Admission is free. Visit canterburyfair.com.

• From Friday, Aug. 4, through Sunday Aug. 6, the skies will be full of color for the 41st Suncook Valley Rotary Hot Air Balloon Rally at Drake Field (17 Fayette St, Pittsfield). In addition to the colorful aeronautic vessels, there will be vendors selling arts and crafts, options for different food, and the annual road race at 9 a.m. on Sunday, Aug. 6. At the time of this article, there were no official times listed for the rally on the website. More information can be found at nhballoonrally.org.

• The Belknap County Fair is set to return on Saturday, Aug. 5, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Sunday, Aug. 6, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 174 Mile Hill Road in Belmont. The fair features live entertainment, food, exhibits and animal shows. Admission at the gate is $10 for adults, $5 for senior citizens 65 and older, police, fire and EMS personnel, and free for kids under 10 and for military service members. Visit bcfairnh.org.

• Hudson’s Old Home Days return from Thursday, Aug. 10, to Sunday, Aug. 13, on the grounds of the Hill House (211 Derry Road, Hudson). There will be carnival games, live music, fireworks, food and more. Event times are Thursday from 5 to 10 p.m., Friday from 5 to 11 p.m., Saturday from noon to 11 p.m., and Sunday from noon to 5 p.m. See hudsonchamber.com or visit their Facebook page @HudsonNHOldHomeDays for updates.

• The Hampton Beach Children’s Festival runs from Monday, Aug. 14, through Friday, Aug. 18. The event includes ice cream, dancing, balloons, storytelling, a magic show and a costume parade. All activities are free and open to the public. Visit hamptonbeach.org.

• Londonderry’s Old Home Days is set for Wednesday, Aug. 16, to Saturday, Aug. 19. The four-day event promises concerts, fireworks, a parade, a 5K road race, a baby contest, children’s games and more. See londonderrynh.gov or follow the event page on Facebook @townoflondonderryoldhomeday.

• The fifth annual History Alive event will be on Saturday, Aug. 19, and Sunday, Aug. 20, at Jones Road in Hillsborough. This year’s event will center around battle reenactments and village life experiences and will include activities, crafts, musicians and more. Tickets are $8 for adults when purchased ahead of time, and $10 on the days of the event. Kids ages 16 and under are free when accompanied by an adult. Visit historyalivenh.org.

• The New Hampshire Farm Museum (1305 White Mountain Hwy., Milton) is hosting its annual Truck and Tractor Day on Saturday, Aug. 19, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Trucks, wagons, antique cars and tractors dating back to the mid 1900s will all be on display, and the event will also feature demonstrations on things like the two-man saw and the butter churn treadmill. Attendees will have a chance to take a tractor ride around the farm to see various farm animals. Admission is $12 for adults, $8 for seniors 65 and older, $6 for children ages 4 to 17, and free for members and children under 4. A family pass is also available for $30. Visit nhfarmmuseum.org.

• Join Field of Dreams Community Park (48 Geremonty Drive, Salem) for its annual Family Fun Day on Saturday, Aug. 26, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. A wide variety of activities is planned, from circus acts and face-painting to bounce houses, photo opportunities with superheroes and princesses, food trucks, local vendors and more. Visit fieldofdreamsnh.org.

• Candia’s Old Home Day will return on Saturday, Aug. 26, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Moore Park (74 High St., Candia). The event starts with a parade after a firemen’s homemade breakfast. Local crafters and artisans, town community booths, games, a wildlife exhibit, food and music will also be featured. Visit candiaoldhomeday.com.

• Pembroke and Allenstown’s Old Home Day returns on Saturday, Aug. 26, starting with a parade that goes down Main Street in Allenstown and ends at Memorial Field (Exchange Street) in Pembroke. A fun-filled day is planned at the field, featuring two stages of live entertainment, antique cars, children’s games, a craft area, bounce houses and a fireworks display at dusk. Admission and parking are free. See “Pembroke & Allenstown Old Home Day 2023” on Facebook, or join its group page, for details.

• Don’t miss this year’s Hopkinton State Fair, a Labor Day weekend tradition happening from Thursday, Aug. 31, to Monday, Sept. 4, at the fairgrounds (392 Kearsarge Ave., Contoocook). There will be livestock shows, a demolition derby, carnival rides, monster trucks, live entertainment, food and more. The fair hours are 5 to 10 p.m. on Thursday; 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Monday. Tickets are $9 for all fairgoers ages 3 and up on Thursday night. Day passes for Friday through Monday are $14 for adults, $12 for seniors and $8 for youth ages 3 to 12. Children 35 months and under are free. Five-day passes are also available for $39. Visit hsfair.org.

• The Exeter UFO Festival returns to downtown Exeter on Saturday, Sept. 2, and Sunday, Sept. 3 — the event commemorates the anniversary of the “Exeter Incident” (an alleged UFO sighting on Sept. 3, 1965) with in-depth talks and presentations from experts on UFOs, along with a variety of “intergalactic” children’s games and food, all to benefit the Exeter Area Kiwanis Club. See exeterkiwanis.com/exeter-ufo-festival.

Live entertainment

Find live music for a family night out at town greens and theatrical performances for kids and teens.

• The Disney musical Newsiesat the Seacoast Repertory Theatre (125 Bow St., Portsmouth, seacoastrep.org) premiered last month and continues through Saturday, July 8. Shows run Thursday through Sunday, with showtimes at 2 p.m. or 7:30 p.m. that vary every day. Tickets start at $35.

• Henniker’s Summer Concert Series started on Tuesday, June 13, and has music at the Angela Robinson Bandstand (57 Main St.) starting at 6:30 p.m. Next up on the schedule is Dancing Madly Backwards performing on Tuesday, June 20. Food trucks and restaurants will attend the concerts to sell eats for the evening, according to a press release. Admission is free (donations accepted). See henniker.org for the summer’s lineup.

• Hampton Beach’s nightly Sea Shell Stage series continues with a performance by Angela West and Showdown on Thursday, June 15 — unless otherwise noted on the online schedule, all shows are held from 7 to 8 p.m. and from 8:30 to 9:30 p.m. and are weather dependent. Visit hamptonbeach.org to view the full schedule.

• Stop by the Greeley Park Bandshell (100 Concord St., Nashua) for free summer concerts, featuring performances by Studio Two: A Beatles Tribute Band, American Legion Band, Belairs: Doo Wop and Vintage Rock n’ Roll and more. Performances are on Tuesdays at 7 p.m., dates offered June 20 through Aug. 15 (except July 4). Visit nashuanh.gov/546/summerfun to view the full schedule.

• Palace Teen Co. is serving up all that jazz with Chicagoon Tuesday, June 20, and Wednesday, June 21, at the Palace Theatre (80 Hanover St., Manchester, palacetheatre.org). The shows are at 7 p.m. and tickets cost $12 to $15.

• The Londonderry Arts Council’s Concerts on the Common series continues with a performance on Wednesday, June 21, from 7 to 8:30 p.m. by Bruce Marshall and the Shadow Riders. Performances continue every Wednesday evening on the Town Common (265 Mammoth Road, Londonderry) through Aug. 16. In the event of inclement weather, most will take place inside the cafeteria of Londonderry High School (295 Mammoth Road). Visit londonderryartscouncil.org.

• Merrimack’s Summer Concert Series will host weekly concerts at Abbie Griffin Park (6 Baboosic Lake Road, Merrimack) on Wednesdays, starting with a performance by children’s musician Steve Blunt on Wednesday, June 21, from 6 to 8 p.m. Performances will continue through Aug. 16 and will include Crescendo’s Gate, Scenes: a Billy Joel Experience, The Reminisants, Marc Berger, The Twangtown Paramours, The Slakas and Will Parker. Visit merrimackparksandrec.org.

• The Prescott Park Arts Festival’s annual outdoor production at Prescott Park in Portsmouth is Little Shop of Horrors and it starts Friday, June 23. Shows will run most Thursdays through Sundays at 7 p.m. through Sunday, Aug. 13. See prescottpark.org for information on reserving a blanket or table for a performance.

• The Martin School of Dance presents Sleeping Beauty at the Capitol Center for the Arts (44 S. Main St., Concord) on Sunday, June 25, at 2 p.m. Tickets are $38.75 per person and are available online at ccanh.com.

• New Boston Parks & Recreation’s Concerts on the Common series returns on select Tuesdays from 6 to 7:30 p.m., starting with a performance by Jamdemic on June 27. Shows take place in the gazebo on the New Boston Town Common (corner of Route 13 and Meetinghouse Hill Road in New Boston) and continue for select weeks through Aug. 22. Chairs and blankets are welcome, and the Rail Trail Grill concession stand will feature hot dogs, hamburgers, soft drinks and snacks for sale, with proceeds benefiting the New Boston Rail Trail. The town’s community church will offer a dessert table. Visit newbostonnh.gov.

• Pelham Community Spirit will once again host its Summer Concerts on the Village Green in front of the town’s public library. Concerts will be held on Wednesdays from 6 to 8 p.m., beginning June 28, followed by July 12, July 26, Aug. 9 and Aug. 23. Lawn chairs or blankets are welcome. Visit pelhamweb.com.

• The 2023 Bank of New Hampshire Children’s Summer Series at the Palace Theatre (80 Hanover St., Manchester, palacetheatre.org) begins with magician BJ Hickman Wednesday, July 5, through Friday, July 7. Children’s Series productions have shows Wednesday and Thursday at 10 a.m. and 6:30 p.m., and Friday at 10 a.m. Tickets cost $10. The series includes Beauty and the BeastJuly 11 through July 14; RapunzelJuly 18 through July 21; Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs Aug. 1 to Aug. 4; The Little Mermaid Aug. 8 to Aug. 11; Frozen KidsAug. 15 through Aug. 18, and Finding Nemo Jr. Aug. 22 through Aug. 25.

• This year’s Meetinghouse Park Concert series, sponsored by Hampstead Cable Television, is happening Tuesday evenings at 6 p.m. behind Hampstead’s Town Hall (11 Main St.). Performances are scheduled weekly from July 4 through Aug. 29 — see hampsteadconcerts.com for the full schedule. Wednesday night concerts are also planned at 6 p.m. at Ordway Park (Depot Road and Main Street), starting with a performance by children’s musician Steve Blunt on Wednesday, July 5, at 6 p.m.

• The creepy and kooky musical The Addams Familyis coming to Chubb Theatre (44 S. Main St., Concord, ccanh.com) on Friday, July 7, and Saturday, July 8, at 7 p.m. Tickets cost $15.75 for students and seniors and $18.75 for adults.

• Camp Encore presents Disney’s 101 Dalmatians Kids and The Artistocats Kids at the Prescott Park Arts Festival (105 Marcy St., Portsmouth) on Saturday, July 8, and Sunday, July 9, at 11 a.m. Other scheduled performances include Meredith Willson’s The Music Man Jr. on Saturday, July 22, and Sunday, July 23, at 11 a.m.; and Into the Woods Jr. on Saturday, Aug. 5, and Sunday, Aug. 6, at 1 p.m. See prescottpark.org.

• Up, up and away at the Palace Theatre (80 Hanover St., Manchester, palacetheatre.org) for the Palace Youth Theatre’s version of Peter Panon Friday, July 14, at 7 p.m. Tickets begin at $12.

• See Mary Poppins Jr.at the Chubb Theatre (44 S. Main St., Concord, ccanh.com) on Friday, July 14, and Saturday, July 15, at 7 p.m. Tickets for the show cost $18.75 for adults, $15.75 for seniors and students.

• The Franklin Footlight Theatre presents Beauty and the Beast at the Franklin Opera House (316 Central St., Franklin) from Friday, July 14, through Sunday, July 16; and from Thursday, July 20, through Saturday, July 22 — showtimes are at 2 p.m. on Sunday and at 7:30 p.m. for the rest of the nights. Tickets are $18 for adults and $16 for seniors, students and children. Visit franklinoperahouse.org.

• On Saturday, July 15, at 2 p.m., RB Productions is putting on Annie Kids at the Bank of New Hampshire Stage (16 S. Main St., Concord, ccanh.com). The show starts at noon. Tickets cost $10 for adults, $8 for students.

• Head Into the Woods with RB Productions at the Chubb Theatre (44 S. Main St., Concord, ccanh.com) on Friday, July 21, and Saturday, July 22, at 7 p.m. Tickets cost $18.75 for adults, $15.75 for students and seniors.

• See the Kidz Bop Kidz on Sunday, July 23, at 4 p.m. at the Bank of New Hampshire Pavilion (72 Meadowbrook Lane, Gilford, banknhpavilion.com). Tickets start at $29.

• Circus Smirkus comes to the High Mowing School (222 Issac Frye Highway in Wilton) with “A Midsummer Night’s Circus” on Monday, July 24, at 1 and 6 p.m. and Tuesday, July 25, at 1 and 6 p.m. Tickets cost $35 for ages 13 and over and $20 for children ages 2 to 12. See smirkus.org.

• The youth performers with RB Productions are putting on a production of Disney’s Newsies Jr. at the Chubb Theatre (44 S. Main St., Concord, ccanh.com) on Friday, July 28, and Saturday, July 29, at 7 p.m. Tickets to the shows start at $15.75.

• The Kids Coop Theatre’s Teen Company will present a production of The Wedding Singer at the Derry Opera House (29 W. Broadway, Derry) from Friday, July 28, through Sunday, July 30 — showtimes are at 7 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, and at 1 p.m. on Sunday. Tickets are $15 and can be purchased in advance online. See kids-coop-theatre.org.

• Celebrate Christmas in July with Elf Jr. performed by the Palace Youth Theatre on Friday, July 28, and Saturday, July 29, at 7 p.m. at the Palace Theatre (80 Hanover St., Manchester, palacetheatre.org). Tickets range from $12 to $15.

• See Snow White at the Palace Theatre (80 Hanover St., Manchester, palacetheatre.org), performed by the Palace Youth Theatre on Friday, Aug. 4, at 7 p.m. Tickets start at $12.

• The Peacock Players (14 Court St. in Nashua; peacock players.org) will presentLegally Blonde Jr.on Friday, Aug. 4, at 7 p.m.; Saturday, Aug. 5, at 2 and 7 p.m., and Sunday, Aug. 6, at 2 p.m.

• The Palace Youth Theatre presents High School MusicalJr.at the Palace Theatre (80 Hanover St., Manchester, palacetheatre.org) on Friday, Aug. 18, and Saturday, Aug. 19, at 7 p.m. Tickets start at $12.

• Disney cover band The Little Mermen has a scheduled show on Sunday, Aug. 20, at 7 p.m. at the Sea Shell Stage on Hampton Beach. Admission is free. See thelittlemermen.com.

• See the Palace Youth Theatre’s performance of Winnie the Pooh Jr.at the Palace Theatre (80 Hanover St., Manchester, palacetheatre.org) on Saturday, Aug. 26, at noon. Tickets for the show start at $12.

At the movies

Find kid-friendly screenings indoors and out.

• Join Chunky’s Cinema Pub (707 Huse Road, Manchester; 151 Coliseum Ave., Nashua; 150 Bridge St., Pelham) for a special “Little Lunch Date” screening of Madagascar (2005, PG) on Friday, June 16, at 3:45 p.m. Purchase tickets in advance online to receive a $5 off food voucher to be used toward your lunch during the show. See chunkys.com.

• Regal Cinemas, which has locations in Concord (282 Loudon Road) and Newington (45 Gosling Road), is holding its Summer Movie Express series, featuring discounted movie screenings on Tuesdays and Wednesdays for $2 per ticket, now through Sept. 6. Next up are Minions: The Rise of Gru (2022, PG) on Tuesday, June 20, and The SpongeBob Squarepants Movie (2004, PG) on Wednesday, June 21. See regmovies.com for the full schedule.

• Cinemark Theatres, which has a location in Salem (15 Mall Road, near the Mall at Rockingham Park), is once again running its Summer Movie Clubhouse program, featuring an eight-week schedule of previously released children’s and family-friendly films for $1.50 per ticket. Showtimes run on Wednesdays, beginning June 21 and through Aug. 9. See cinemark.com for the full list of films, which includes Sonic the Hedgehog (2020, PG), The Bad Guys (2022, PG) and Puss in Boots: The Last Wish (2022, PG), among others.

• Catch a family-friendly theater candy Bingo night at Chunky’s Cinema Pub, either on Friday, June 23, at 6 p.m. or on Friday, July 21, at 6:15 p.m. — both events are happening at Chunky’s Manchester location (707 Huse Road). Tickets are $10 per person and can be purchased in advance online at chunkys.com.

• Join Chunky’s Cinema Pub at its Manchester theater (707 Huse Road) for a family-friendly trivia night featuring Disney villains on Sunday, June 25, at 6 p.m. Chunky’s gift card prizes will be awarded to the first-, second- and third-place winning teams. Tickets are $6 per person and are available for purchase online at chunkys.com.

• Mondays and Wednesdays in July and August, O’neil Cinemas (24 Calef Hwy., Epping, 679-3529, oneilcinemas.com) hosts its annual summer kids series, featuring a schedule of children’s and family-friendly films for $3 per ticket. The screenings begin Monday, July 3, and Wednesday, July 5, with Minions: Rise of Gru and continue weekly through the week of Aug. 14. The theater will be offering an $8 popcorn-and-drink combo as well.

O’neil also holds regular sensory-friendly screenings, when the house lights are higher and there are no loud noises, according to the website, where you can find the full schedule of upcoming screenings. Movies in June include Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse (PG, 2023) on Saturday, June 10, at 10 a.m. and the new Pixar film Elemental (PG, 2023) on Saturday, June 24, at 10 a.m.

• Movie Night Mondays on Hampton Beach (next to the playground) return on July 10 at dusk (approximately 8:25 p.m. for the first movie and then a few minutes earlier for each subsequent film). The films run weekly through Aug. 28, and admission is free. Bringing chairs or blankets are welcome. The lineup of family-friendly films kicks off with Hotel Transylvania: Transformia (2022, PG) on July 10. See hamptonbeach.org for the full schedule and the approximate dusk times; rain dates are on Tuesdays for all films.

• Another element of Nashua’s SummerFun programming is the “Pic in the Park” series, which starts Friday, July 14, at dusk with a screening of E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial (1982). On Friday, Aug. 4, the film is High School Musical (G) and on Friday, Sept. 8, it’s National Treasure.

• Chunky’s Cinema Pub of Manchester (707 Huse Road) will host a Taylor Swift-themed family-friendly trivia night on Sunday, July 16, at 6:15 p.m. Teams of up to six players are welcome, and Chunky’s gift cards will be awarded to the first-, second- and third-place winning teams. Tickets are $6 per person and can be purchased online at chunkys.com.

• Join Merrimack Parks and Recreation for its annual Movies in the Park series, which returns on Saturday, July 29, with a screening of Top Gun: Maverick (2022, PG-13) at 8:30 p.m. The lineup also includes Minions: The Rise of Gru (2022, PG) on Saturday, Aug. 26, at 7:30 p.m. and Puss In Boots: The Last Wish (2022, PG) on Saturday, Sept. 30, at 6:30 p.m. Admission is free and open to Merrimack residents and non-residents. Screenings are held in Wasserman Park (116 Naticook Road, Merrimack). In the event of inclement weather, a decision will generally be posted to Merrimack Parks & Recreation’s website or Facebook by 1 p.m. as to whether or not it will be postponed. Visit merrimackparksandrec.org.

• Red River Theatres continues its annual summer movie series with a special outdoor screening of The Rescuers Down Under (1990, G) on Wednesday, Aug. 9, at Rollins Park (116 Broadway St., Concord), starting at dusk. Admission is free and open to all ages. See redrivertheatres.org.

Arts & museum

Find new experiences and maybe even sneak in a little learning at area museums.

• The American Independence Museum (1 Governors Lane, Exeter, 772-2622, independencemuseum.org) is a place for people of all ages to learn about America’s revolutionary history. It provides access to historic buildings and interactive, historically accurate depictions of what life was like during the American Revolution. Museum tours are offered Wednesday through Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission costs $8 for adults, $6 for seniors, students, educators and first responders, and $4 for children ages 6 to 18. Tickets are free for children under age 6 and for active or retired military veterans.

• The Aviation Museum of New Hampshire (27 Navigator Road, Londonderry, 669-4820, aviationmuseumofnh.org) is dedicated to the science, technology, history and culture of aviation and features interactive exhibits and educational programs. It’s open Friday and Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Sunday, from 1 to 4 p.m. Admission costs $10 for adults, $5 for seniors age 65 and over, veterans, active duty and kids ages 6 through 12, and is free for kids age 5 and under, with a $30 maximum for families.

• Travel back to a simpler time at Canterbury Shaker Village (288 Shaker Road, Canterbury), a restored Shaker village and history museum with historic buildings, interactive exhibits and activities, educational programs and more. The Village grounds and trails are open every day from dawn to dusk with no admission fee. Guided indoor and outdoor tours with different themes are offered Tuesday through Sunday at 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. Tour tickets cost $20 to $25 for adults, depending on the tour, and are free for visitors age 25 and under. Call 783-9511 or visit shakers.org.

• The Children’s Museum of New Hampshire (6 Washington St., Dover, 742-2002, childrens-museum.org) is a family museum featuring unique interactive exhibits with a focus on art, science and culture. Summer hours are Tuesday through Sunday, from 9 a.m. to noon, with an additional session from 1 to 4 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday. Masks are required on Tuesday and Sunday, but optional Wednesday through Saturday. Tickets are available for either the morning (9 a.m. to noon) or afternoon (1 to 4 p.m.) sessions and cost $12.50 for adults and children over age 1 and $10.50 for seniors over age 65. Participants must register online.

• The Currier Museum of Art (150 Ash St., Manchester) offers Creative Studio, a themed art-making project for families, every second Saturday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., free for New Hampshire residents. On the third Saturday of every month it hosts Art for Vets Family Days, where veterans and active military members and their families get free admission to the museum and can enjoy art-making activities and a complimentary lunch. The museum also has many interactive exhibits on display at a time and art kits families can take home. Registration is required for all special events. Current gallery hours are Wednesday and Friday through Sunday, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Thursday, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Admission costs $15 for adults, $13 for seniors age 65 and up, $10 for students, $5 for youth ages 13 to 17 and free for children age 12 and under and museum members. General admission to the museum is also free for New Hampshire residents on the second Saturday of the month. Call 669-6144 or visit currier.org.

• Mariposa Museum & World Culture Center (26 Main St., Peterborough, 924-4555, mariposamuseum.org) is a museum of art and artifacts from around the world that includes hands-on exhibits with costumes, puppets, instruments and more for children to explore. It’s open Wednesday through Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission costs $8 for adults, $6 for seniors and $5 for kids ages 3 through 16.

• The McAuliffe-Shepard Discovery Center (2 Institute Drive, Concord, 271-7827, starhop.com) is a museum focused on astronomy and aviation, offering interactive exhibits, simulations, an observatory, a planetarium and more. During the summer it’s open daily from 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. General admission costs $12 for adults, $11 for students and seniors and $9 for kids ages 3 through 12. The museum also features a variety of planetarium shows, with daily showtimes on the hour from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., for an additional cost of $6 per person.

• The Millyard Museum (200 Bedford St., Manchester, 622-7531, manchesterhistoric.org/millyard-museum) is dedicated to educating the public about Manchester’s history, particularly the history of the Amoskeag Millyard. It’s open Tuesday through Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. General admission costs $10 for adults, $8 for seniors 62+ and college students, $5 for youth ages 12 through 18, free for kids under age 12.

• The New Hampshire Telephone Museum (1 Depot St., Warner, 456-2234, nhtelephonemuseum.com) features nearly 1,000 telephones, switchboards and other telecommunication memorabilia and history, and has an interactive kids’ room. Its summer hours are Tuesday and Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission costs $7 for adults, $6 for seniors age 65 and up and $3 for students in grades 1 through 12. There is a guided tour available for an additional $3 per admission ticket.

• Learn about New Hampshire marine life and science with live animals, hands-on exhibits and educational programs at the Seacoast Science Center (Odiorne Point State Park, 570 Ocean Blvd., Rye, 436-8043, seacoastsciencecenter.org). Summer hours are Wednesday through Monday, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. General admission costs $12 for ages 12 and up, $8 for ages 3 to 11, and $10 for seniors age 65 and up. Children under age 3 are free. The Center recommends that attendees book ahead, since availability may be limited.

• SEE Science Center (200 Bedford St., Manchester, 669-0400, see-sciencecenter.org) is a museum focused on technology, engineering, mathematics and more, featuring interactive exhibits, demonstrations and educational programs. It’s home to the Lego Millyard Project, the largest permanent minifigure scale Lego installation in the world, depicting Manchester’s Amoskeag Millyard circa 1900. During the summer the museum is open Monday through Friday, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission costs $12 per person and is free for kids under age 3.

• Strawbery Banke Museum (14 Hancock St., Portsmouth, 433-1100, strawberybanke.org) is an outdoor museum preserving more than 300 years of the history of New Hampshire’s oldest neighborhood to be settled by Europeans. Visitors can tour historic buildings preserved on their original foundations, meet costumed roleplayers, see traditional craft demonstrations and more. For June and September, the museum is open weekdays 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. In July and August it’s open daily 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission costs $23 for adults, $21 for seniors ages 65 and up and $10 for children ages 5 to 17. Children under age 5 are free. Family and group rates are also available.

• Studio 550 Art Center (550 Elm St., Manchester, 232-5597, 550arts.com) offers an all-ages family clay sculpting workshop on select Fridays at 4:45 p.m., for $20 per person, and a family pottery wheel workshop for kids ages 9 and up every Friday at 4:30 p.m., for $35 per person.

• You’re Fired (25 S. River Road, Bedford, 641-3473; 133 Loudon Road, No. 101, Concord, 226-3473; 264 N. Broadway, Salem, 894-5456; yourefirednh.com) is an all-ages walk-in pottery studio, open Monday, Wednesday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.; and Sunday from noon to 5 p.m. Mondays are “Mini Mondays,” when studio fees for kids age 12 and under are half off all day, and Fridays are “Teen Fridays,” when teenagers have half off studio fees from 5 to 9 p.m.

Outdoor fun

See a baseball game or discover wildlife right in your backyard. There’s something for everyone to enjoy outside this summer.

• The Squam Lakes Natural Science Center (23 Science Center Road, Holderness) recently reopened its live animal exhibit trail and hiking trails — daily hours are from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., with the last trail admission at 3:30 p.m. According to the Center’s website, the live animal exhibit trail winds through open meadows, mature forests and marsh boardwalks along a packed gravel path. Tickets are $24 for adults, $22 for seniors ages 65 and up, $18 for kids and teens ages 3 to 15 and free for kids ages 2 and under. Tickets grant attendees check-in access anytime between 9:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. Plan about two and a half hours to walk through the trail. See nhnature.org for more details.

• The six-time champion Nashua Silver Knights, members of the Futures Collegiate Baseball League, will play their next home game at Holman Stadium (67 Amherst St., Nashua) on Thursday, June 15, against the Brockton Rox, with first pitch scheduled for 6 p.m. They will then take on the Norwich Sea Unicorns on Sunday, June 18, followed by the Worcester Bravehearts on Tuesday, June 20. Their last home game will be on Sunday, Aug. 6, at 3 p.m., when they will take on the Vermont Lake Monsters, before the playoffs begin later that week. Visit nashuasilverknights.com.

• The New Hampshire Fisher Cats, the Double-A minor-league affiliate of the Toronto Blue Jays of Major League Baseball, are currently in the middle of a homestand against the Akron RubberDucks at Northeast Delta Dental Stadium (1 Line Drive, Manchester), with the next few games scheduled for Thursday, June 15, through Sunday, June 18 (first pitch is at 6:35 p.m. on Thursday, 7:05 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, and 1:35 p.m. on Sunday). Their season wraps up in mid-September with a series at home against the Somerset Patriots. Visit nhfishercats.com.

• New Hampshire Audubon and New Hampshire Fish and Game will host a free field training session on New Hampshire butterfly monitoring and conservation on Thursday, June 15, at 11 a.m. at the McLane Center (84 Silk Farm Road, Concord). Participants will learn how to identify butterflies in various habitats and contribute to long-term data collection to monitor changes in species’ ranges. The training will prepare participants for the first July Butterfly Survey in Concord. No prior experience is necessary, and all skill levels are welcome. Space is limited, and registration is required. Visit nhaudubon.org.

• View sand sculptures crafted on Hampton Beach at the 23rd annual Hampton Beach Master Sand Sculpting Classic, happening Thursday, June 15, through Saturday, June 17, at Hampton Beach (180 Ocean Blvd.). The event includes award ceremonies and prizes for the greatest sand sculptures built. The competition is by invitation only, but the sculptures will be illuminated for viewing at night until June 26. Visit hamptonbeach.org.

• Don’t miss the 100th annual Loudon Classic Middleweight Grand Prix, a 1.6-mile road race happening at New Hampshire Motor Speedway (1122 Route 106, Loudon) on Saturday, June 17, as part of Laconia Motorcycle Week. General admission is $40 and VIP admission is $70. Visit nhms.com.

• Squam Lakes Natural Science Center (23 Science Center Road, Holderness) will hold its annual StoryWalk Kickoff Reception on Friday, June 23, from 10 to 11:30 a.m. Stroll along the Squam channel while reading Look and Listen by Dianne White, posted one page at a time along the trail. The story is a guessing game in a book that celebrates the curiosity and delight of a jaunt through a garden, meadow and alongside a brook, according to nhnature.org. After the kickoff reception, the trail will be open daily through Sept. 4.

• Dozens of high school football players from across the state will participate in the 11th annual CHaD NH East-West High School All-Star Football Game, scheduled for Friday, June 23, at 6 p.m. at Grappone Stadium at Saint Anselm College (100 St. Anselm Drive, Manchester). General admission tickets are $15, with all proceeds benefiting Children’s Hospital at Dartmouth-Hitchcock (CHaD). Visit chadkids.org.

• As part of Nashua Parks & Recreation’s annual SummerFun schedule of events, the Nashua Silver Knights game scheduled for Tuesday, July 4, at 11 a.m. will also feature an expanded kids’ zone and activities. Children ages 12 and under, in addition to the first 500 adults that reserve tickets, get into the game for free. The game will be followed by a full evening’s worth of live entertainment at Holman Stadium (67 Amherst St., Nashua), including a free concert by The Slakas at 5:30 p.m., the Spartans Drum & Bugle Corps at 7:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m., Nashua Hall of Fame inductions at 8 p.m. and a fireworks show at dusk, according to the SummerFun event brochure. See the full schedule of events and happenings at nashuanh.gov/summerfun.

• Pumpkin Blossom Farm (393 Pumpkin Hill Road, Warner) is due to host Lavender U-Pick events in its lavender fields on various dates between July 5 and July 23, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Everyone is invited to wander the fields and cut and harvest bundles of lavender. Attendees are welcome to relax and have a picnic on the lawn, walk the shaded trail and visit the baby chicks. Lavender plants, products and treats will also be for sale. Discount bundles are $15 during the weekdays and $20 on weekends. Visit pumpkinblossomfarm.com.

• The annual summer concert series at Field of Dreams Community Park (48 Geremonty Drive, Salem) returns on Thursday, July 6, and will continue weekly at 6:30 p.m. through Aug. 17 (all dates, except for Friday, July 21, and Friday, July 28, are on Thursdays). Admission is free and open to the public and chairs and blankets are welcome. Visit fieldofdreamsnh.org.

• It’s NASCAR Weekend at New Hampshire Motor Speedway (1122 Route 106, Loudon) from Friday, July 14, through Sunday, July 16 — weekend happenings include Friday Night Dirt Duels on Friday; a doubleheader on Saturday featuring the Ambetter Health 200 NASCAR Xfinity Series race, followed by the Mohegan Sun 100 NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour race, and the Crayon 301 race on Sunday. Tickets vary in price, depending on the race. See nhms.com.

• Head to Prescott Farm Environmental Education Center (928 White Oaks Road, Laconia) for Forest Trail Games for Kids and Adults on Saturday, July 22, from 10 a.m. to noon. Discover ways to make nature time enjoyable and captivating for the whole family through immersive games that spark children’s imagination and sense of adventure. The cost is $15 per person. Visit prescottfarm.org.

• The inaugural New Hampshire Butterfly Survey will take place on Saturday, July 29, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at New Hampshire Audubon’s McLane Center (84 Silk Farm Road, Concord). The collaborative effort between New Hampshire Audubon and New Hampshire Fish and Game is aimed at gathering long-term butterfly data in the Concord region and beyond to understand the changing ranges of butterfly species over time and support statewide butterfly conservation efforts. Visit nhaudubon.org.

• Prescott Farm Environmental Education Center (928 White Oaks Road, Laconia) presents an educational program, “Animals of New Hampshire: Monarch Butterflies,” on Saturday, Aug. 5, at 1 p.m. Learn about monarch butterflies, from their habitat and life cycle to their annual migration, as well as ways to contribute to conservation efforts in your own backyard. Explore the farm’s pollinator field and search for signs of the butterfly’s different life stages. This program is open to youth and adults. The cost is $15. Visit prescottfarm.org.

At the library

Libraries across the Granite State have all kinds of summer programming planned for kids and teens over the next few months, from arts and crafts to live performances, nature and wildlife events and more. Most libraries offer storytimes for specific age groups as well as age-specific crafts and reading-to-dog programs. Many events require registration; check with libraries for additional information. Here are a few of the stand out events.

• Aaron Cutler Memorial Library 269 Charles Bancroft Hwy., Litchfield, 424-4044, acmlnh.blogspot.com Summer programming highlights include Wildlife Encounters presentation Wednesday, June 21, 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.; STEM & Arts programs: Tuesdays and Wednesdays, 10 and 10:45 a.m., June 27 through July 25 (except July 4); Anime Movie Night: Wednesday, July 12, 5:30 p.m. (open to ages 9 and up); Game On! Video game event: Tuesday, July 18, 4 p.m. (open to ages 9 and up) ; “All About Lobsters” storytime with UNH’s Marine Program: Thursday, July 20, 11 a.m; Summer reading finale: “The Cure for the Common Show” Juggling and Comedy Act: Saturday, July 29, 1 p.m.

• Amherst Town Library 14 Main St., Amherst, 673-2288, amherstlibrary.org Wildlife Encounters is on Tuesday, July 11, 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. (ages 4 and up). See Bryson Lang, Juggler Extraordinaire: Wednesday, July 26, 3 to 4 p.m. (ages 4 and up). Be an Earth Hero with Squam Lakes Natural Science Center (live animal program): Wednesday, Aug. 2, 2 to 3 p.m. (ages 5 and up.End of Summer Ice Cream Social is on Friday, Aug. 11, 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. (all ages).

• Baker Free Library 509 South St., Bow, 224-7113, bowbakerfreelibrary.org. The Summer Reading Kick-Off Event: Touch-a-Truck is Saturday, June 17, 10 a.m. to noon. Everyone is welcome to attend and to register for the summer reading program, “Find Your Voice.” Maker Mondays are rop-in craft sessions are held every Monday, from 2:30 to 4 p.m., dates offered June 19 through Aug. 17 in the upstairs meeting room. Drop-in Stay & Play: Takes place on Tuesdays, June 20 through Aug. 8 (except for July 4), in the Merrimack County Savings Bank Room. Children age 2 to 6 are welcome with an accompanying adult. Summer Movie Sing-Along: Wednesdays, June 21, July 12, July 26 and Aug. 9, from 2 to 4 p.m for children with an accompanying adult. A Comics workshop with Marek Bennett is Wednesday, June 28, 4 to 5 p.m. (ages 7 and up). NH Shared Reading Program: Sign Language Storytime: Presented by Northeast Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services; everyone of all ages is welcome to this event on Saturday, July 8, from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Ice cream party and children’s concert with Judy Pancoast will be heldThursday, Aug. 10, from 5 to 6:30 p.m.

• Bedford Public Library 3 Meetinghouse Road, 472-2300, bedfordnhlibrary.org Children ages 5 to 7 are welcome to take part in lawn game sessions on Mondays from 3:30 to 4 p.m., starting June 19. The Summer Reading Kick-Off Concert with Mr. Aaron is Monday, June 19, 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. (ages 12 and under). STEM Pals will run Thursdays, 3:30 to 4:15 p.m., starting June 22 (ages 9 to 12). Touch a Truck is onTuesday, June 27, 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. Camp Comics runs on Wednesdays from 7 to 7:45 p.m. for four weeks starting July 5. Super Mario Party is Friday, July 7, 11 a.m. to noon (ages 4 to 10). Camp Critters Drawing will run Tuesdays, July 11 and July 25, 3:30 to 4:15 p.m. (ages 7 to 9); registration is required. Wildlife Encounters is held Monday, July 17, 11 a.m. to noon, and 1 to 2 p.m. (ages 3 to 12). Get Stories and S’mores: Monday, July 24, 7 to 7:30 p.m. (ages 8 and under). Mike Bent Magic Show is Wednesday, July 26, 2 to 3 p.m.; and Thursday, July 27, 1 to 2 p.m. The Summer Reading Finale Party is Friday, Aug. 4, 2 to 3 p.m. (ages 12 and under).

• Boscawen Public Library 116 N. Main St., 753-8576, boscawenpubliclibrary.org.The Summer Reading Program Kick-Off Party is Monday, June 26, 2 to 5 p.m. Steve Blunt & Marty Kelly Music & Stories is Monday, July 17, 6:30 p.m. The Bryson Lang Comedy & Juggling Show is Saturday, Aug. 5, 1 p.m.

• Brookline Public Library 16 Main St., Brookline, 673-3330, brooklinelibrarynh.org. Yoga for Kids takes place the first and third Friday of each month at 4 p.m. Summer Reading Kick-Off Party featuring Wildlife Encounters takes place Saturday, June 17, 1 to 3 p.m. (all ages) at the middle school gym. Mario Video Game Day is Wednesday, June 21, 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. (all ages). Wolves Night – Beach Party! takes place Thursday, June 29, 6 to 7 p.m. (kids in grades 4 to 7). Take a Family Ukulele Lesson with Julie Stepanek: Friday, June 30, 4:30 to 5:45 p.m.

• Chester Public Library 3 Chester St., Chester, 887-3404, chesternh.org/chester-public-library. Summer Reading Kick-Off is Monday, June 26, 3 to 8 p.m. (all ages) and includes a Foam Party: from 5 to 7 p.m. (all ages). The Lego Challenge Club meets Mondays, 5 p.m. (except for July 3; ages 5 to 10). Catch the Annual Community Talent Show on Wednesday, June 28, 6 p.m. (all ages).

• Concord Public Library 45 Green St., Concord, 225-8670, concordnh.gov/Library. The Comic Book Club meets Fridays, June 16 and June 30, 10 to 11 a.m.The Summer Reading Kick-Off with Mr. Aaron will be Friday, June 23, 2 to 3:30 p.m.

• Derry Public Library 64 E Broadway, Derry, 432-6140, derrypl.org CONNECT (featuring crafts, snacks, stories and more) takes place Fridays, June 16, July 21, Aug. 18 and Sept. 15, 11 to 11:45 a.m. The Library Fan Con is Saturday, June 17, 9:50 a.m. to 4 p.m. All Together Now Glow Dance Party! is Tuesday, June 20; 11 to 11:45 a.m., and 1:30 to 2:15 p.m. Summer Reading Event: Cards for Veterans: takes place Thursday, July 6; 11 to 11:45 a.m., and 1:30 to 2:15 p.m. Working together: Amazing Animal Builders! Brought to you by the Children’s Museum of NH takes place Tuesday, July 11, 1:30 to 2:15 (ages 5 to 10). Catch Magic Fred!: Thursday, July 13, 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. (all ages). Lindsay & Her Puppet Pals vists Thursday, July 20, 1 to 2 p.m. Campfire Stories at Taylor Library takes place Thursday, July 27, 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Bear Friends Celebration and Sleepover will take place Tuesday, Aug. 8, 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. (ages 3 and up). The End of Summer Party Featuring Mr. Aaron is Thursday, Aug. 10, 1 to 2:30 p.m.

• Dunbarton Public Library 1004 School St., Dunbarton, 774-3546, dunbartonlibrary.org Reading to dogs takes place Thursday, June 29, 11 a.m.; Thursday, July 13, 11:30 a.m., and Thursday, July 27, 11 a.m. “Touch Dunbarton Trucks” is Wednesday, June 21, 10:30 a.m. Summer Reading Kick-Off Musical Concert on the band stand is slated for Wednesday, June 28, 10:30 a.m. See Mr. Aaron concert on the band stand on Thursday, July 13, 10:30 a.m.

• Elkins Public Library 9 Center Road, Canterbury, 783-4386, elkinspubliclibrary.org. The littles can attend Tunes, Tales & Tumbles on Thursdays, 10 a.m. (next one is June 15), open to preschoolers. Other kids can check out storytime on Tuesdays, 10 a.m. (next one is June 20), open to kindergarteners and under

• Goffstown Public Library 2 High St., Goffstown, 497-2102, goffstownlibrary.com. Kids Garden Club runs Tuesdays, June 20, July 18 and Aug. 29, 3:30 p.m. (children in grades 1 through 5). North River Music concert is Tuesday, June 20, 6 p.m. The Miss Julieann Concert is Wednesday, June 21, 10 a.m. (ages 2 to 8). The Pokémon Passion Club meets Wednesday, June 21, 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. (children in grades 1 through 5). Lego Day at the Library is Friday, June 23, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. (children in grades 5 and under). Kids’ Graphic Novel Book Club meets Tuesday, June 27, 3:30 p.m.; Wednesday, July 12, 1 p.m., and Tuesday, Aug. 22, 3:30 p.m. (children in grades 2 to 4). Reading with Candy the Reading Therapy Dog will be on Tuesdays, June 27, July 18, July 25, Aug. 1 and Aug. 8; 15-minute sessions offered from 6 to 7:30 p.m. (children in kindergarten through grade 5) Learn Chess 101 for Kids on Wednesday, June 28, and Friday, July 14, 2 to 3:30 p.m. (children in grades 1 through 5). Forensics for Kids: Who Ate My Scooby Snacks? is on Thursday, June 29, 1 p.m. (children entering kindergarten through Grade 3). Skywatch with the New Hampshire Astronomical Society is scheduled for Wednesday, July 19, 7 p.m. (rain date Wednesday, Aug. 23).

• Griffin Free Public Library 22 Hooksett Road, Auburn, 483.5374, griffinfree.org. Summer Reading Crafts t take place most Wednesdays from 2 to 4 p.m. starting with Self Portraits on Wednesday, June 21. The Tail Winds Show is Saturday, June 24, 2 to 3 p.m. The Annual Book Sale is Saturday, July 29, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.; and Sunday, July 30, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

• Hollis Social Library 2 Monument Square, Hollis, 465-7721, hollislibrary.org. PokePals meet Saturdays, June 17, July 22 and Aug. 12, 11 a.m. to noon. (ages 5 to 15) Community Flowers (Part 1 and 2) is Wednesdays, June 21 and June 28, 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. (ages 3 to 11). Henna Tattoos with Mandy is Thursday, June 22, 5 to 7 p.m. (ages 12 and up). The Summer Reading Kick-Off Party: Friday, June 23, 3 to 5 p.m. The KindKids Music Concert is: Tuesday, June 27, 11 a.m. to noon(ages 12 and under). Outdoor Movie Night is Thursday, June 29, 8:30 to 10 p.m. (all ages). The End of School Party with the Brookline Public Library is Friday, June 30, 1 to 2 p.m. (for rising 7th graders). Insect Safari with Professor Bugman is Friday, July 7, 11 a.m. to noon (ages 4 to 12. Is Kindness rocks with the Brookline Public Library: Monday, July 10, 1 to 2 p.m. (ages 4 to 12). Touch-A-Truck event is Tuesday, July 18, 3 to 5 p.m. (all ages). Family Outdoor Movie Night is Friday, July 21, 8:30 to 10 p.m. (all ages); registration is required. See Aesop’s Fables with Bright Star Theatre on Monday, July 31, 2 to 3 p.m. See the Charmingfare Farm petting zoo on Thursday, Aug. 3, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. (all ages)Sing A Song Together with Steve Blunt & Marty Kelley is Wednesday, Aug. 9, 2 to 3 p.m. (all ages). Summer Reading Program Wrap Party is Friday, Aug. 11, 2 to 4 p.m. (all ages). Celebrate Hugo’s (children’s room mascot) 2nd Birthday Party on Thursday, Aug. 24, 2 to 4 p.m. (ages 3 to 12).

• Hooksett Public Library 31 Mount St Mary’s Way, Hooksett, 485-6092, hooksettlibrary.org Drop-In Summer Art Painting is Monday, June 19, through Friday, June 23, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Touch A Truck on Saturday, June 24, 10 a.m. to noon. Attend the Bubble Party Monday, June 26, 10 to 11:30 a.m. Family Movie will screen Thursdays, noon to 2 p.m., June 29 through Aug. 3 Tie Dye Day is Friday, July 14, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Family Bingo Night is Monday, July 17, 6 to 7:30 p.m. See Squam Lakes Natural Science Center: Hawks and Owls on Monday, July 24, 10 to 11 a.m. The End of Summer Reading Party featuring Mr. Aaron is Monday, July 31, 6 to 7:30 p.m.

• Leach Library 276 Mammoth Road, Londonderry, 432-1132, londonderrynh.gov/leach-library Elephant & Piggie visit the library onTuesday, June 20, 11 a.m.; Wednesday June 21, and Thursday, June 22, 4 p.m. The Kindness Club Ladybug Picnic takes place Tuesday, June 27, 11 a.m.The Library After Dark Movie Night is Lilo & Stitch and will screen Friday, June 30, 6 p.m.

• Manchester City Library Main Branch: 405 Pine St., Manchester, 624-6550; West Branch: 76 N. Main St., Manchester, 624-6560; manchester.lib.nh.us. Catch the Beach Party on Friday, June 16, 10 to 11 a.m. (ages 1 to 5) followed by the Summer Reading Kick-Off from 2 to 4 p.m. Elementary Experiments takes place every other Tuesday starting June 20, 3 to 4 p.m. (kids in grades 1 through 6). Family Flicks screen Thursdays, June 22 through Aug. 10, from 2:30 to 4 p.m. (all ages) Pollinator Party – Massabesic Audubon Center is Wednesday, June 28, 3 to 4 p.m. See a New Hampshire Wildlife presentation on Wednesday, July 12, 3 to 4 p.m. Teen Anime and Pizza Night is on Wednesday, July 12, and Tuesday, July 18, 5:30 to 7:40 p.m. (teens in grades 6 to 12). Teen Movie & Pizza Night is Wednesday, Aug. 9, 5:30 to 7:40 p.m. (teens in grades 6 to 12).

• Maxfield Public Library 8 Route 129, Loudon, 798-5153, maxfieldlibrary.com. Catch storytime on Thursdays at 10:30 a.m. and Music and Movement: Tuesdays at 10:30 a.m.

• Merrimack Public Library 470 Daniel Webster Hwy., Merrimack, 424-5021, merrimacklibrary.org Comics Club is the third Thursday of each month, 5:30 p.m. (ages 9 to 13). The Friends of the Library Book Sale is Saturday, June 17, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. The Summer Reading Kick-Off Concert with Steve Blunt is Wednesday, June 21, 6 p.m. Fandom-onium is on the fourth Thursday of every month, 4:15 to 5:15 p.m. (kids in grades 7 to 12). Catch Paint-a-Palooza Fridays, June 23, July 28 and Aug. 25, 1 to 2 p.m. Saturday Matinees screen Saturdays, July 1 and Aug. 5, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Pokemon Club Summer Session meets Wednesdays, 5 to 5:45 p.m. (July 5, July 9, Aug. 2 and Aug. 23); recommended for kids in kindergarten through grade 5. The Tween Genre Book Club meets the first Thursday of every month (starting July 6), 4:15 to 4:45 p.m. (ages 9 through 13).The Magic of HouDana: is Thursday, July 6, noon to 1 p.m. Teddy Bear Picnic is Thursday, July 20, 10:30 to 11:15 a.m. (ages 5 to 8). The Summer Reading Finale Concert with Will Parker is Wednesday, Aug. 16, 6 to 7 p.m.

• Nashua Public Library 2 Court St., Nashua, 589-4600, nashualibrary.org. A field trip to the Nashua National Fish Hatchery is Friday, June 30, 1 to 2 p.m. (toddlers and preschoolers). A field trip to the Amherst Street Fire Station is Friday, July 14, 1 to 2 p.m. (kids in kindergarten through grade 5. Meet Ellie, the Nashua Police Tracking and Therapy Dog on Tuesday, July 18, 1 to 2 p.m. (all ages).International Friendship Day is Thursday, July 27, 3 to 4 p.m. (kids in kindergarten through grade 5). Family Field Day is Tuesday, Aug. 1, 3 to 4 p.m. (all ages). Introduction to American Sign Language is Thursday, Aug. 3, 3 to 4 p.m. (kids in kindergarten through grade 5).

• Nesmith Library 8 Fellows Road, Windham, 432 -7154, nesmithlibrary.org. The Teen Rainbow Pride Party is Tuesday, June 20, 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. (teens in grades 7 to 12).

• Pelham Public library 24 Village Green, Pelham, 635-7581, pelhampubliclibrary.org. Candy Bar Bingo is Friday, June 23, 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. (ages 4 and up). The Summer Reading Kick-Off is Wednesday, June 28, 6 to 8 p.m. Tween Time: Cupcake Wars will be Friday, June 30, 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. (ages 8 to 12). Slime Time is Wednesday, July 12, 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. (ages 5 and up). Working Together: Amazing Animal Builders is Friday, July 21, 11 a.m. to noon (ages 5 and up) All Together Now Carnival is Friday, Aug. 11, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

• Pembroke Town Library 311 Pembroke St., Pembroke, 485-4747, pembroke-nh.com/pembroke-town-library TheSummer Reading Kick-off Night: Wednesday, June 21, 5 to 6:30 p.m.

• Rodgers Memorial Library 194 Derry Road, Hudson, 886-6030, rodgerslibrary.org. Story Safari at Benson’s Park: Thursdays and Tuesdays through Aug. 1, 10 to 10:30 a.m. (geared toward ages 3 to 8). Family Candy Bingo is Tuesday, June 20, 1 to 2 p.m. Preschool Playtime and Family Lawn Games will take place Wednesdays, June 21 through July 26, 10 to 11 a.m. (ages 2 to 12). See Encanto: Interactive Family Movie on Wednesday, June 21, 1:30 to 3:30 p.m., and 6 to 8 p.m. Catch Amazing Animal Builders on Friday, June 23, 1:30 to 3 p.m. A Harry Potter Escape Room is slated for Monday, July 31, 10 to 11 a.m., and 11 a.m. to noon (ages 7 and up).

• Smyth Public Library 55 High St., Candia, 483-8245, smythpl.org. The Flying High Dog show is Thursday, June 29, 6 p.m.A Summer reading family program is Wednesday, July 5, 6:30 p.m. Summer concerts will be Wednesdays, July 12, July 19, July 26, Aug. 2 and Aug. 9, 6:30 to 8 p.m.

• Wadleigh Memorial Library 49 Nashua St., Milford, 249-0645, wadleighlibrary.org. TheSummer Reading Kick-Off Picnic is Friday, June 16, 6 to 7 p.m. Big Truck Day is Thursday, June 22, 10 a.m. to noon. Kindness Rocks! is Wednesday, June 28, noon to 5 p.m. (ages 5 to 11). We Dig Dinosaurs is Wednesday, July 5, 2 to 4 p.m. (kids in grades 5 and under). See Magic Fred Show on Monday, July 10, 2 to 3 p.m (kids in grades 5 and under). A Shark Week Party is Monday, July 17, 2 to 4 p.m. (kids in grades 5 and under). Kona Ice and Games (for Summer Reading Program) is Friday, July 28, 1 to 2 p.m.

• Weare Public Library 10 Paige Memorial Lane, Weare, 529-2044, wearepubliclibrary.com. Scholastic Chess runs Tuesdays, 2 to 4 p.m., through Aug. 1 (except for July 4). Pokemondays are Mondays, 2 to 5 p.m., through Aug. 7. The Summer Reading Kick-Off Party is Thursday, June 22, 6:30 to 8 p.m. A Skywatch with the New Hampshire Astronomical Society takes place Thursday, June 29, 8:30 p.m. (rain date: Thursday, July 20).

• Whipple Free Library 16 Mont Vernon Road, New Boston, 487-3391, whipplefreelibrary.org. The Summer Reading registration is Monday, June 19, 10 a.m.The Wildlife Encounters Kick-Off event is Monday, June 26, 6:30 p.m.

• Wilton Public & Gregg Free Library 7 Forest Road, Wilton, 654-2581, wiltonlibrarynh.org. The Summer Reading Program: “All Together Now” begins Monday, June 19A Story Circle is held Thursdays at 10 a.m.

This Week 23/06/15

Big Events June 15, 2023 and beyond

Saturday, June 17

The Flashy Flock Community Art Project is starting today at Twiggs Gallery (251 King St., Boscawen) from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The project pays homage to the farming roots of Boscawen. There will be a horse-drawn plow demonstration as well as wooden chicken cutouts for residents to take and display on their yards.Food and take-home crafts will be available for purchase. Visit twiggsgallery.org for more information.

Saturday, June 17

Today is the Manchester Pride Festival from 1 to 7 p.m. at Veterans Park (723 Elm St.). There will be different forms of entertainment, including a drag queen storytime, food, more than 50 vendors, and an art extravaganza by Queerlective. Once the day’s events finish up, there will be an after party at Jewel Music Collective (61 Canal St.). Tickets to the after party cost $25 for general admission, $45 for VIP. For more information, see the “Granite State Pride” story in our June 8 issue online or visit manchestertrue.org.

Saturday, June 17

See the Aquamarines, the only artistic swimming team in New Hampshire, for their 53rd annual water show, titled “Synchro through the Ages,” at 1 p.m. today at The Boys & Girls Club of Nashua (1 Positive Place). The team is made up of athletes from 6 to 18 years old; they will demonstrate how artistic swimming has changed through the decades. Tickets are $10 for adults, $5 for students, free for children 4 and younger or for members of BGCN. For more information, visit bgcn.com.

Sunday, June 18

The Fully Loaded Comedy Festival is tonight at the Bank of New Hampshire Pavilion (72 Meadowbrook Lane, Gilford) at 7 p.m. The show will have comedic superstars including Bert Kreischer, Tiffany Haddish, Jim Norton, Big Jay Oakerson, Dan Soder and Tammy Pescatelli. Tickets start at $38 and can be purchased at banknhpavilion.com.

Tuesday, June 20

See the classic rockabilly band Dancing Madly Backwards tonight at 6:30 p.m. as part of the Henniker Concert Series at the Community Park. The band, formed in Rochester, is known for playing music from alternative to modern to rhythm and blues. For more information about the concert, visit henniker.org.

Tuesday, June 20

Gibson’s Bookstore (45 S. Main St., Concord) is welcoming Tom Raffio to speak about his new book, Stories from the Starting Line, today at 6:30 p.m. Raffio’s book explores stories of New Hampshire runners and why they run. Raffio interviewed everyone from stroller pushers to veterans with 100 races under their belts. For more information visit gibsonsbookstore.com.

Save the Date! Saturday, June 24
The Rex Theatre (23 Amherst St., Manchester) will host Trinity, a band that covers Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young, at 7:30 p.m. The five-man group covers classics of the golden age of rock music. Tickets cost $29 and can be purchased at palacetheatre.org.

Quality of Life 23/06/15

More local birds on your screen

The Loon Preservation Committee in Moultonborough is currently livestreaming a 24/7 Loon Cam on YouTube, which has shown a pair of loons nesting in the Lakes Region. According to a press release, the pair’s first egg was laid on June 11, with a second egg expected to arrive in the days to follow. The eggs are projected to hatch between July 7 and July 9. Viewers can witness the birds’ entire incubation process and the hatching of their chicks in real time over the next 28 days via the livestream. Additionally, the cam provides an online chat feature for viewers to engage with fellow bird enthusiasts and LPC biologists, allowing them to share observations and socialize. To access the Loon Cam, visit loon.org/looncam.

QOL score: +1

Comment:Bill Gassman, a volunteer at the Loon Preservation Committee and the operator of the Loon Cam, noted that many viewers have expressed feeling a sense of connection with the loons after watching them over the 28-day incubation period. “In the nine years that the cam has been running, we have shown four different pairs of loons … and each pair’s behaviors and routines are unique, and … the loons seem to have their own personalities and quirks,” Gassman said in the release. “Part of the fun of watching the Loon Cam is coming to know these loons and seeing how the pair interact with each other and their chicks.”

Hazy skies from wildfires

Wildfire smoke from Canada has caused hazy skies and potential health risks for New Hampshire residents, according to NHPR. The article, published June 9, reported nearly 430 active wildfires across Canada, fueled by a long drought and atmospheric circulation patterns, with nearly 11 million acres burned so far this year, an area almost double the size of the state of New Hampshire. Analysis by the state’s Department of Environmental Services revealed good particle pollution levels, but experts warn that the situation remains unpredictable. The smoke, carried by wind currents, can trigger respiratory symptoms, exacerbate lung conditions and increase susceptibility to respiratory illnesses such as Covid-19 and influenza, particularly among vulnerable populations, including those with asthma, pregnant individuals, children and older adults.

QOL score: -2

Comment: During air quality alerts, experts advise that it’s best to stay indoors and to keep indoor air clean.

Art for charity

Dr. Marc Bard, an artist recently retired from a career in medicine, has partnered with Meredith Village Savings Bank (MVSB) to revive the “Paintings for a Purpose” art show to support local charitable organizations. After water damage occurred at the show’s original venue, the Meredith Frame Shop, MVSB offered to host the show in its lobby space at its main office in Meredith. A special preview night will be held on Thursday, June 29, from 4 to 7 p.m., with the artwork, created by Dr. Bard, on display June 30 through Aug. 1. All proceeds from the art sales will benefit the Meredith Food Pantry, and MSVB has committed to matching up to $5,000 in support of the fundraiser.

QOL score: +1

Comment: Dr. Bard’s artwork includes watercolor paintings inspired by his passion for the Lakes Region, with a focus on the Squam Lake and Winnipesaukee communities. Visit benjylevine07.wixsite.com/paintingforapurpose to see samples of his paintings.

QOL score: 77

Net change: 0

QOL this week: 77

What’s affecting your Quality of Life here in New Hampshire? Let us know at news@hippopress.com.

Featured photo: Students at Spark Academy of Advanced Technologies. Courtesy photo.

Tag: 230615

On The Job – Jennifer Lynch

Treasure Hunt 23/06/15

Learning from other gardens

Kiddie Pool 23/06/15

Science summer fun

The Art Roundup 23/06/15

Naturally photogenic

Kids’ guide to summer 2023

This Week 23/06/15

Big Events June 15, 2023 and beyond

Quality of Life 23/06/15

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