Michelle McCartney of Concord does freelance social media management for a variety of clients as well as solar sales for Freedom Forever.
Explain your job and what it entails.
I talk to potential clients and give them a consultation to see if it’s a good fit … then I manage their social media accounts on Facebook and Instagram through the Meta business suite. … I also help people acquire solar panels to help them have lower locked-in energy rates and help the planet at the same time. I utilize social media and networking to talk to people who may be interested in solar sales.
How long have you had this job?
I’ve been doing this since January 2023.
What led you to this career field and your current job?
I previously had a bookkeeping business for three years, had a homeschooling center in Weare for six months and ended up closing both of those down in September 2022. During that time, I scaled my businesses entirely organically on social media, so some of my business friends asked me to do social media management for them. I realized very quickly that I loved it, was very good at it, and could make good money doing it. So it stuck.
What kind of education or training did you need?
None. … I took some online courses to learn more and am always reading books about marketing, entrepreneurship and social media mastery to improve my skills to better serve my clients.
What is your typical at-work uniform or attire?
I work at home with my three children. They are very young, so most days we are rocking pajamas.
What is the most challenging thing about your work, and how do you deal with it?
The most challenging thing about my work is clients that come to me with problems in their social media and marketing approaches, but they don’t want to take suggestions seriously or pay for services that they really need. … I have learned to deal with it by being very straightforward with what their expectations should be with the approach they are taking.
What do you wish you’d known at the beginning of your career?
That I didn’t need to take on every client. It’s not worth the money to work with someone who is difficult to work with.
What do you wish other people knew about your job?
How necessary it is. … There are many very effective strategies to gain a loyal following on social media.
What was the first job you ever had?
I was a cashier at PetSmart. I loved it.
What’s the best piece of work-related advice you’ve ever received?
Not every client will be a good fit, and that’s OK.
Five favorites Favorite book: The Bible. It’s the most incredible story ever told and has a lesson for everybody for every situation. Favorite movie: My Fair Lady Favorite music: I love listening to all the wonderful encouraging music on K-love. Favorite food: home-cooked Italian dinner — baked ziti, salad, garlic knots Favorite thing about NH: The Free State Project
Featured photo: Michelle McCartney. Courtesy photo.
National Night Out, the annual community-building campaign that promotes police-community partnership (according to natw.org), takes place Tuesday, Aug. 1, this year and features community outreach events in several area towns.
• Bedford Fire Department will face Bedford Police Department for a game of softball at Selvoski Field (at County and Nashua roads in Bedford) at 6 p.m., according to the town’s Parks and Recreation page.
• Chichester Police Department will hold its event in Carpenter Park (8 Bear Hill Road in Chichester) from 6 to 9 p.m., according to a posting on its Facebook page.
• The Concord Police Department will hold its event at Rollins Park from 5 to 8 p.m. with free parking at Rundlett Middle School and a complimentary shuttle to the park, according to concordnh.gov/828/National-Night-Out. The event will feature police and fire equipment, K9 demonstrations, touch a truck and food available with $1 food tickets, according to the website.
• The Deerfield Police Department’s event will take place at the gazebo at 10 Church St. (behind the firehouse) from 5 to 7 p.m. and feature the Fire and EMS departments, games, vehicles to explore and food, according to the department’s Facebook page.
• The Derry Police Department will hold its event in MacGregor Park (12 Boyd Road in Derry) from 6 to 9 p.m. It will feature free music from The Slakas, lawn games, freebies and more, according to the department’s Facebook page.
• The Dunbarton Police Department will join the Goffstown Police Department for their event at Goffstown High School (27 Wallace Road in Goffstown) from 5 to 8 p.m. The evening will feature food, a dunk tank, live music, face painting, a climbing wall, ax throwing, a Police vs. Fire tug of war competition, a NH State Police helicopter and more than 45 area businesses and organizations, according to a Facebook post by the departments.
• The Epping Police and Fire departments will hold their event at Epping Middle/High School (213 Academy St. in Epping) from 4 to 7 p.m., according to a post on the town’s Facebook page.
• The Hollis Police Department will hold its event at the Lawrence Barn in Nichols Field (40 Depot Road) starting at 6 p.m. The evening will feature bounce houses, music, a cookout and a movie night, according to the department’s Facebook page.
• The Hooksett Police Department’s event will be at Donati Memorial Field (51 Main St. in Hooksett) from 5:15 to 7:45 p.m., according to the department’s Facebook page.
• The Hudson Police Department will hold its event from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Rogers Memorial Library (194 Derry Road in Hudson) and will feature touch a truck, a dunk tank, a rock climbing wall, a K9 demo, a water balloon fight and safety vendor booths as well as food vendors with food for purchase, according to the department’s Facebook page.
• The Manchester Police Department will hold its event from 5 to 8 p.m. at the J.F.K. Coliseum and Beech Street School. The evening will feature games, activities, giveaways, a motorcycle rodeo, the mounted patrol, Patch the Comfort Dog and more, according to the department’s Facebook page.
• The Merrimack Police Department will hold its event from 5:30 to 7 p.m. in Abbie Griffin Park and feature music, games, hot dogs, ice cream and s’mores, according to a post on the department’s Facebook page.
• The Milford Police Department will offer touch a truck, a barbecue, games and more in Emerson Park from 6:15 to 8:15 p.m.
• The Nashua Police Department will hold its event in Greeley Park (100 Concord St. in Nashua) from 5 to 8 p.m. and feature a petting zoo, food trucks, music, ice cream, touch a truck and more, according to the department’s Facebook page.
• The Pelham Police Department will have music, food, games, a dunk tank, cars and trucks, a tour of the police station and more from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Village Green, according to the department’s Facebook page.
• The Salem Police Department will hold its event at the department (9 Veterans Memorial Parkway) from 5 to 8 p.m. The evening will include food, a DJ, a dunk tank, a K9 demonstration, giveaways, a bounce house, a taser demonstration, face painting, a petting zoo and more, according to the department’s Facebook page.
• The Tilton Police Department will hold its event at the police department field (45 Sanborn Road) from 5 to 8 p.m. with food, music, entertainment, child fingerprinting, a dunking booth, a bike raffle, first responder vehicles, a police department tour, car show and more, according to the department’s Facebook page.
• The Vernon Family Farm (301 Piscassic Road in Newfields, vernonfamilyfarm.com) will hold a Van Gogh Sunflowers art workshop on Thursday, July 27, from 2 to 4 p.m. for kids (ages 6 to 12) and parents where kids will create a painting inspired by “Sunflowers.” The farm also will hold a Mini Masters class for kids (ages 0 to 3) and parents on Friday, July 28, from 10 a.m. to noon. The cost for one kid and parent is $43.50 for either class. Go online to register or call 340-4321.
Music!
• Mr. Aaron will perform at the Manchester City Library (405 Pine St. in Manchester; manchester.lib.nh.us) Thursday, July 27, from 6 to 7 p.m. A familiar performer at family-friendly music events, Mr. Aaron has a packed schedule of appearances at area libraries and other locations. See mraaronmusic.com.
Theater!
• The 2023 Bank of New Hampshire Children’s Summer Series at The Palace (80 Hanover St., Manchester, palacetheatre.org) presents Peter Pan Thursday, July 27, at 10 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. and Friday, July 28, at 1 p.m.
The Palace Youth Theatre summer camp will present Elf Jr.on Friday, July 28, and Saturday, July 29, at 7 p.m. at the Palace Theatre. Tickets range from $12 to $15.
Next week, the children’s series will feature Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs Aug. 1 to Aug. 4. Children’s Series productions have shows Tuesday through Thursday at 10 a.m. and 6:30 p.m., and Friday at 10 a.m. Tickets cost $10.
• The youth performers with RB Productions are putting onNewsies 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.
• There will be two productions on the stage this Saturday, July 29, at the Prescott Park Arts Festival. Camp Encore! will presentInto the Woods Jr. at 1 p.m. and the summer production of Little Shop of Horrorswill be on the stage at 7 p.m. Little Shop of Horrors continues through Sunday, Aug. 13, with shows Thursdays through Sundays at 7 p.m. See prescottpark.org.
Movies!
• Catch Coco (PG, 2017) Thursday, July 26, at dusk (around 8 p.m.) in Veterans Park (Elm Street between Central and Merrimack streets) in Manchester as part of the city’s Movies in the Park lineup. Concessions will be available for purchase; bring chairs, blankets and snacks, according to the event’s Facebook post.
• Teens and their parents (or maybe especially their parents) may want to check out the Movies in the Park in Merrimack offering this Saturday, July 29: Top Gun: Maverick (2022, PG-13), which is slated to start at 8:30 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.
• If you’re at Hampton Beach on Monday, July 31, the “Movie Night Mondays” screening (next to the playground) at dusk is slated to be DC League of Super-Pets (PG, 2022). See hamptonbeach.org for the full schedule and the approximate dusk times; rain dates are on Tuesdays for all films.
• The Summer Kids Series Mondays and Wednesdays at 10 a.m. at O’neil Cinemas (24 Calef Hwy., Epping, 679-3529, oneilcinemas.com) will feature The Boss Baby: Family Business (PG, 2021) on Monday, July 31, and Wednesday, Aug. 2. Tickets cost $3.
• Regal Cinemas in Concord (282 Loudon Road, Concord, regmovies.com) will screen The Boss Baby: Family Business (PG, 2021) and Doolittle (PG, 2020) on Tuesday, Aug. 1, and Wednesday, Aug. 2, at 2 p.m. Tickets cost $2.
Found something I can’t figure out. Any clues on what this tool could be? Thanks for any input.
Sandy
Dear Sandy,
Thanks for sharing with us. Had fun figuring it out. I love learning something new any time. Thanks for all the photos.
This is an antique wine bottle cork stopper/inserter. What a neat and useful item. Not being a wine drinker, I found it a fun and educational thing to research. I found values to be in the range of $60+ for older ones, less for more modern versions. The history of cork inserters and corkscrews was priceless.
Again, thanks for sharing, Sandy, and we figured it out!
The recent rains have kept many gardeners from getting outdoors to weed, and weeds have loved the rain and are growing like Boy Scouts on “Free Ice Cream Day” at the Ben & Jerry’s factory. But don’t give up. Weeds also pull well now, with the soft, moist or soggy soil, so get to work!
Recently I spent an hour or so pulling dock (Rumex spp.), a coarse, tall weed that can get to be 5 feet tall or more. There are several species of dock, but all are about the same. And all have deep, fleshy roots that often fork and divide deep in the ground.
I took a garden fork and plunged it into the soil a few inches from each clump of weeds and tipped back the handle to loosen the soil. For the biggest clumps I used the fork in up to four places, once on each side. Then I grasped the clump of strong stems down low and leaned back, allowing all my weight to slowly pull out the weed. And out they came, roots and all. Very satisfying. If I had tried that when the soil was dry, it would have been much more difficult and resulted in broken roots, which would re-sprout the pesky weeds.
I worked on those dock plants now as they had already flowered and had formed seeds, which I don’t want in the soil. If pressed for time, I could have just cut the plants at ground level so the seeds would not be dispersed, but I favored pulling the weeds and getting rid of them once and for all.
Herbalists use dock for various concoctions, not the least of which, I have read, is to prevent “elf sickness.” Not much of that around here, but if you have a problem with it, consult Just Weeds: History, Myths and Uses by Pamela Jones (Chapters Publishing, 1994). It’s an interesting and amusing read.
I’ve been working on most of my flower gardens for at least 40 years and have lots of mature plants. This allows me to brag that in some beds I need not weed at all, or only very occasionally. How is that? The plants are growing so close together that most weeds cannot compete. The weeds are shaded out, or starved for nutrients and moisture by plants with deep roots and thick leaves.
One of those plants good for outcompeting weeds is the ever-present shade-lover, hosta. Although I sometimes plant daffodils between hostas, the daffies bloom and the foliage dies back by the time hostas are fully leafed out. Most common weeds will not compete well with hostas.
Seeds and roots of dock, a big weed. Photo by Henry Homeyer.
Bigroot geranium (Geranium macrorrhizum) is another plant that outcompetes weeds. I use it as a groundcover — the leaves stand 12 inches tall or more, and it blooms with pink, magenta or white flowers in early summer. It works well in dry shade, but will grow in sun or shade. It spreads by root, so plant three plants a foot apart in a triangle and let them fill in the space. Once well-established, it outcompetes most anything.
What else? Sweet woodruff (Galium odoratum) is good for sun or shade and, once established, spreads well. It stands about 8 inches tall and has fragrant white flowers in the spring. It may be a bit too aggressive, though. It can run roughshod over more delicate plants, growing right up to them and stealing moisture and nutrients. This year I plan to weed some out of a dry shade bed where it is diminishing the effectiveness of some primroses.
Dead nettles (Lamium spp.) is another shade to part-shade ground cover and, like the plants above, is non-native here in the United States. It is low-growing with green and silver or white leaves and attractive small flowers that can be pink, white or even yellow, depending on the species. Rarely do I see grasses or weeds coming through plantings of it.
As to full-sun plants there are many that, once established, outcompete weeds. Among those are amsonia, astilbe, black-eyed susans, daylilies, daisies, European wild ginger, Siberian iris, Helenium, phlox, iris and goldenrod. But even these take time to establish themselves. Not only that; you need three or more of each in a planting, and patience.
A perennial plant that will form a clump 2 or 3 feet wide when mature will come in an 8-inch pot. For most plants, it will take three years or more to get to full size. If you plant them 18 inches apart, they will fill in and their leaves touch sooner than if you plant them farther apart. Think of dice with three or five dots. Those are good patterns for planting if you want overlap, much better than planting them in a row.
Weeds will grow almost anywhere, even in your gravel driveway. Cultivated plants need some help to get established. So when you plant, dig a wide hole, say 2 feet wide for an 8-inch potted plant. Put in two or more shovels of compost and stir it up, mixing the native soil with the compost. I always add some organic slow-release fertilizers to the hole, too. That first year water when dry.
Mulch helps young plantings to get established. It helps keep weed seeds from germinating and holds in moisture. You will still have to weed for a few years while getting your flower bed to maturity.
There is no such thing as a weed-free garden. But with time and effort, you can reduce the work considerably once established.
Henry is a lifetime organic gardener living in Cornish, New Hampshire. Reach him at henry.homeyer@comcast.net. His website is www.Gardening-Guy.com.
Featured photo:Seeds and roots of dock, a big weed. Photo by Henry Homeyer.
The latest from NH’s theater, arts and literary communities
• So you will listen to every word they have to say: The Kids Coop Theatre (kids-coop-theatre.org) will present The Wedding Singer at the Derry Opera House (29 W. Broadway in Derry) on Friday, July 28, and Saturday, July 29, at 7 p.m. and Sunday, July 30, at 1 p.m. Tickets cost $15. Based on the 1998 Adam Sandler comedy, The Wedding Singer is set in 1985 and features music from the period, according to the website, which advises that the play contains adult language and themes and suggests parental discretion for audience members 14 and under.
• Marking history: There will be a Black Heritage Trail of New Hampshire marker unveiling event on Saturday, Aug. 5, at the Derry Opera House (29 W. Broadway in Derry) to celebrate William Hobdy, a ragtime musician and the first known Black business owner in Derry, according to the organization’s newsletter. This all-ages event will begin at 1 p.m. with a pop-up museum and activities exploring Hobdy’s era with music, games and history, the newsletter said. The afternoon will culminate with a walk to the Derry Rail Trail to unveil the new marker at 1:45 p.m. and participants can have some ice cream, according to blackheritagetrailnh.org/derry-historic-marker-unveiling. After the event, Rockingham Brewing Co. will offer pre-Prohibition-style lager for purchase as well as pretzels from Hop Knot in Manchester, the website said.
I Hate Shakespeare! The Nashua Theatre Guild will present I Hate Shakespeare! at Temple Beth Abraham (4 Raymond St. in Nashua) on Sundays, Aug. 6 and Aug. 13, at 2 p.m. The play, by Steph DeFerie, will include the classic stories of Hamlet, Macbeth and more with “talking cows, zombies and other characters [who] will give you a fast-paced intro to the riotous charm of the man himself,” according to an email from the Guild. Tickets to these performances (which will be held outdoors under a tent) cost $5 for adults and children 6 and older (children 5 and under get in free). Cash-only concessions will be available (no outside food or drink), the release said. See nashuatheatreguild.org.
• A day of dance: Saint Anselm College (Saint Anselm College, 100 Saint Anselm Drive in Manchester; tickets.anselm.edu) will offer a Summer Dance Intensive on Sunday, Aug. 13, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. with Aaron Tolson as the camp director. The day will cost $150 and is open to all ages, according to a Dana Center email. Eight classes will focus on tap, ballet, contemporary dance, hip hop and yoga. See the website to register.
• Book events at Gibson’s: Gibson’s Bookstore (45 S. Main St. in Concord; 224-0562, gibsonsbookstore.com) has several upcoming events.
Author Melissa Moore will be at the bookstore to discuss her book Land of Low Hills, a history of Loudon, on Thursday, Aug. 17, at 6:30 p.m.
RSVP on the bookstore’s Facebook page for the Sunday, Aug. 20, 4:30 p.m. event with Katee Robert for Cruel Seduction, the fifth book in her Dark Olympus series, according to a press release.
Astronomer and physicist Marcelo Gleiser will discuss his book The Dawn of a Mindful Universe: A Manifesto for Humanity’s Future on Tuesday, Aug. 29, at 6:30 p.m.
On Wednesday, Sept. 20, at 6:30 p.m., New Hampshire author Melanie Brooks will discuss her book A Hard Silence: One Daughter Remaps Family, Grief and Faith when HIV/AIDS Changes It All.
Goldilocks and the 3 Bears See the Majestic Theatre’s teen touring musical Goldilocks and the 3 Bears at the Majestic Studio Theatre (880 Page St. in Manchester; majestictheatre.net, 669-7469) on Wednesday, Aug. 2, at 6 p.m. Ticket cost $5 and will be available for purchase in advance and at the door. Bring two new or gently used children’s books and admission is free, according to a press release.
• Book event at the Epsom Library: Author Michael Tougias will discuss his book The Finest Hours (the basis for a 2016 movie starring Chris Pine and Casey Affleck) and his new book Extreme Survival: Lessons From Those Who Have Triumphed Against All Odds at the Epsom Public Library (1606 Dover Road in Epsom; epsomlibrary.com) on Saturday, Aug. 5, at 10 a.m.
• Be one of the favorite things: The Community Players of Concord are holding auditions in August for their upcoming production of The Sound of Music. The Rodgers and Hammerstein classic will hit the Concord City Auditorium Stage Friday, Nov. 17, through Sunday, Nov. 19. Auditions for adults will take place on Sunday, Aug. 13, and Monday, Aug. 14; for youth (age 15 and under) auditions will be Sunday, Aug. 20, and Monday, Aug. 21. See communityplayersofconcord.org/auditions for audition times and other information.
• Music and color: Artist Brandy M. Patterson will discuss her art and synesthesia — a condition where she sees color when she hears music — at a 4th Phriday at the Phone Museum event “Painting What She Hears” on Friday, July 28, from 7 to 8 p.m. at the New Hampshire Phone Museum (One Depot St. in Warner; nhtelephonemuseum.org, 456-2234). Register online or by phone. The cost is $5, according to the website.
Ella Walker meets Betty Woodman “Distant Conversations: Ella Walker and Betty Woodman” is open now at the Currier Museum of Art (150 Ash St. in Manchester; currier.org, 669-6144) and is slated to be the first in a series of “Distant Conversations” exhibits. The exhibits will explore “intergenerational dialogues and artistic conversations between practitioners who have not necessarily met in real life but whose work similarly resonates despite their differences,” according to the Currier’s website. The exhibit will be on display through Sunday, Oct. 22. The Currier is open Wednesday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (as well as from 5 to 8 p.m. on Thursdays as part of Art After Work, when admission is free) and admission costs $20 for adults, $15 for 65+, $15 for students, $5 for ages 13 to 17 and children 12 and under get in free.
• Baskets: The League of NH Craftsmen Meredith Fine Craft Gallery (279 Daniel Webster Hwy. in Meredith; 279-7920, meredith.nhcrafts.org) will hold a basket-making class with Ray Lagasse on Saturday, Aug. 5, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tools and materials will be supplied; no prior experience is needed. Register in advance; the cost is $125 to $155, depending on the style of basket. Additional classes will be held Saturday, Sept. 16, and Saturday, Oct. 14, according to a press release.
• Save the date for the symphony: Ticket subscriptions for the Portsmouth Symphony Orchestra’s 2023-2024 mainstage season are now on sale, with subscription prices at $160 for adults, $145 for 60+ and $92 for students, according to a press release. The season will start on Sunday, Nov. 5, with a premiere of the commissioned piece “At This Point” at the Music Hall in Portsmouth at 3 p.m. Additional shows include Holiday Family Pops! and New Year’s Eve Champagne Pops and concerts in March and June, the release said. See portsmouthsymphony.org.
A Midsummer Night’s Dream “Shakespeare on the Green” presented by Theatre Kapow (tkapow.com) on Founder’s Green outside the Dana Center (Saint Anselm College, 100 Saint Anselm Drive in Manchester; tickets.anselm.edu) wraps up its two-week presentation with A Midsummer Night’s Dream on Thursday, July 27, through Saturday, July 29, at 7:30 p.m. Find the Dana Center on Facebook to check on any weather-related schedule or location changes. Tickets cost $25 for general seating; ages 12 and under get in free. Bring your lawn chairs, blankets, coolers and snacks, according to the website.
Currier Museum of Art opens the conversation on substance use disorder with Art of Hope
By Mya Blanchard mblanchard@hippopress.com
In January 2018, Currier Museum of Art in Manchester started Art of Hope, a support group for people with loved ones who have, or had, substance use disorder.
“This was really our response to what we can do in light of the opioid epidemic here in Manchester and our whole local area,” said Corie Lyford, who organizes the program. “[It] is intended as a wellness and respite program for people who … have family and loved ones [with] substance use disorder.”
Art of Hope is held on select Mondays from 6 to 8 p.m. when the museum is closed, to offer a level of privacy, and is free and open to the public. Doors open 45 minutes before the program begins for people to spend time in the galleries and for a late dinner.
After an introduction to the night’s theme, which include topics like love, hope, grief and self-care, the evening begins with time in the galleries to enjoy art and engage in conversation centering around the theme. The group, which tends to average between 12 and 20 people in size, then gathers in one of the studio spaces for the peer support group led by parent mentors.
“[The parent mentors] might immediately talk about personal experiences they’ve had, they might talk about helpful resources that they’ve found for the group, or they might start by opening it up and just asking the group, ‘What do you think about that?’ [or] ‘What do you all have to say about this topic?’” Lyford said. “It’s really led by the participants. Everyone is encouraged to share, although no one has to.”
One parent mentor who has found it helpful and rewarding to share her experience is Patricia Perkins, whose son is now seven years opiate-free and recently married after a five-year battle with substance use disorder. His struggle began after losing both his father and grandfather within seven months of each other when he was 17.
“I have a son who’s a productive part of society and no longer looks to substances to temporarily solve his problems, but it was years of waiting by the phone [for someone] to say he didn’t make it, or trying to put all your things away so he doesn’t take anything,” Perkins said. “Living in a prison in your own house is really what it’s like. I look at him [now] and think, ‘He’s my miracle kid.’ I’m just such a lucky mom to have made it so far.”
According to Perkins, it is these conversations that work toward breaking down the stigma that surrounds substance use disorder.
“If people don’t talk about it, that stigma just continues to grow,” she said.
The night ends with an art project designed, demonstrated and led by Lyford, which can involve painting, drawing, sculpting or printmaking. While everyone is working on the same thing, creative expression is always emphasized.
“I think that the shared life experience and the knowledge that people are so willing and so brave to share within the [topic] of substance use disorder always amazes me,” Lyford said. “There are other support groups out there, but I think this support group is special in that they’re enjoying the calm and the beauty and the peace of the museum, and they’re learning how to incorporate the power of the arts into their lives at the same time.”
Art of Hope When: Select Mondays, 6 to 8 p.m.; upcoming dates are July 31 and Aug. 21 Where: Currier Museum of Art (150 Ash St., Manchester) Visit: currier.org
There are few traditions upheld in the modern day that truly run back to the roots of civilization. The rise of technology in just the past few decades has virtually transformed life past a point of recognition for generations past. But one cornerstone of community has remained throughout: the farmers market.
Being one of the few business models that not only survived the pandemic, but thrived, farmers markets were one of the few opportunities to venture out of the house during lockdown. Taking place outside, with limited required contact, New Hampshire farmers markets saw a record high number of attendees and vendors. According to Richard Stadnick, president of the Bedford Farmers’ Market and owner of Pup’s Cider Co. of the Houndstooth Brewing Co., “When Covid came along, everybody’s sales went through the roof. Farmers markets are viewed as a great way of getting outdoors and supporting local merchants, etc. Everybody’s numbers just skyrocketed. … A lot of people were home and they were looking for side gigs and they were looking for other ways to make money. Lots of vendors came into the market and we probably had more vendors than we had markets to sustain them.”
Although the transition to comply with Covid guidelines wasn’t completely seamless, Stadnick explained that the changes to the overall function of most markets were minimal. Indoor markets were hit the hardest, either having to relocate to an outdoor location or shutting down. Markets which had typically operated outdoors simply implemented masks and social distancing policies. One noticeable change was in the procedures surrounding payment. As contact-free became the norm, more vendors utilized technology for payment, beginning to accept Venmo or card, instead of cash. Stadnick noted, however, that about half of vendors still continue to accept cash only.
“The credit cards were accelerated a little bit by Covid, but not dramatically, I think no more so than the societal in, as younger consumers have entered the market, they’re less likely to carry cash,” he said.
Now three years after summer 2020 Covid-19, according to Wayne Hall, the president of the Concord Farmers’ Market, interest in the markets has sustained.
“There was definitely an increase in business, but we really didn’t see much of a slowdown…. The more interest gathered, the more people come, and it’s just kind of a snowball effect, which is a wonderful thing,” Hall said.
Tom Mitchell, owner of Ledge Top Farm in Wilton, founded the Milford Farmers’ Market alongside Tim O’Connell back in 1978 and has been selling at farmers markets ever since. Mitchell noted that the change in attendance numbers didn’t so much seem to be due to Covid.
“I mean, I’m not so sure really if it is significant in my particular case as to whether or not Covid made a big difference. The sales were still pretty good. They’re actually less now. There may be totally different reasons and so on. I don’t know, maybe there’s more competition and people are getting tired of farmers markets. I think one of the things that hurts farmers markets is there’s so many of them, almost every town has a farmers market,” Mitchell said.
Stadnick pointed out the different experiences among the markets.
“In some cases, they [attendance numbers] declined after Covid waned. But in other cases they didn’t. We had established a new set of customers and people wanted to come out and support. They discovered this was a great venue. Instead of just going to Trader Joe’s or Whole Foods or something, they could get great produce and great products at the farmers market. So there’s not a consistent pattern,” he said.
Concord Farmers Market. Photo courtesy of Nancy Flowers-Mangs.
Stadnick mentioned another interesting shift in the market schedules, not necessarily attributed to Covid, but rather to the changing landscape of producers and the desires of consumers.
“In some cases, in many cases, they’re doing some greenhouse gardening as well. So they’re getting an earlier start. They can offer cherry tomatoes at the end of May. They’ll offer full-size tomatoes by the middle to the latter part of June. You end up seeing that they’ve got produce available earlier. So the markets are shifting. Even the outdoor markets are starting to shift into May,” he said.
Although sickness may not be the daily barrier it once was, a new stressor has taken its place now — rising prices. How have farmers markets fitted into the budget of New Hampshire locals conscious of pricing?
“If you’re in a financial bind, stretching your food dollar as far as you can, the farmers market isn’t necessarily a good place to do that,” Stadnick said. “Strawberries are a great example. Strawberry season is just now over. A few weeks ago, typical prices for a quart of strawberries at the farmers markets was about $10. Now, you can go to Shaw’s or Market Basket and get those same strawberries for about $4. It’s not the same strawberries, they’re not locally grown or they’ve got a lot of food miles on them and everything else…. Farming is not a particularly cost-effective venture. It’s a labor of love as much as anything else.”
Mitchell, who has been selling at markets for 45 years, noted that the prices have always been reflective of the amount of work that goes into local farming.
“We’ve tried to keep our prices fairly consistent over the years. I have increased a few of them here and there, and if we have a new product we price it a little higher. But farmers markets aren’t necessarily, in my estimation, places to go for a real bargain…. We’re all about quality and we try to give people the best possible quality that we can have. But we have to keep the price point high enough that we can actually keep the whole farm going,” he said.
For Hall, the farmers market is a place for shoppers to invest in the quality and freshness of their food.
“They are looking for a reasonable price but they want the quality, the freshness. The value to them is being able to say, ‘Hey, how did you grow those tomatoes?’” Hall said.
Even more, to Hall, the value of the market lies beyond just your weekly grocery shop. It is a place to directly invest in your local community.
“All your markets are going to be fantastic. You’re going to get some of the best products, you’re going to get local, you’re going to get fresh. It’s a good reason to get out. It’s a good event to socialize with your townspeople,” he said.
“I think the interest actually started before Covid. People definitely want to know where their food is coming from and they want to meet the farmers. They’re looking for a small, more personal touch to their farms…. The reason most of the farmers come to market is because of the patrons, because we enjoy engaging with the people,” Hall continued. “I was very proud to hear that it seemed to be the place to be on Saturday morning — at the farmers market,” he said.
Find a farmers market
Here are some of the area markets. If you know of a great local farmers market not listed here, let us know at food@hippopress.com.
Tuesday
• Bedford Farmers Market at Murphy’s Taproom, 323 Route 101, Bedford, on Tuesdays from 3 to 6 p.m. through Oct. 17. Market features flowers, maple, conventional produce, fish, jams, wine, fruits, baked goods, eggs, jellies, specialty foods, etc. See bedfordnhfarmersmarket.org.
Wednesday
• Canterbury Community Farmers Market at 9 Center Road on Wednesdays from 4 to 6:30 p.m. through September, rain or shine. Find vendors selling fresh produce, eggs, baked goods, cheese, milk, maple products, potted plants, meats, seafood, jams, cut flowers, herbs, crafts, etc. See canterburyfarmersmarket.com.
• Derry Homegrown Farm & Artisan Market next to Derry Feed and Supply at 1 West Broadway, Wednesdays from 3 to 7 p.m. through September. Choose from fresh produce, flowers/plants, dairy, maple, baked goods, meat, wine, ice cream, gluten-free items, jams/jellies, body care products, crafts. Events include live music and art demonstrations. See derryhomegrown.org.
• Kingston Seacoast Growers Association Across from the Kingston fire station at the intersection of Church and Main streets on Wednesdays from 2:15 to 6 p.m, through October, rain or shine. Enjoy baked goods, meat, eggs, fresh vegetables, fruits, plants, flowers. See SeacoastGrowers.org.
• Lee Cooperative Farmers Market at the Little River Park on the fourth Wednesday of every month from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. through September. Shop vegetables, fruits, bakery, lamb, pork, beef, elk, flowers, cheese, honey, syrup, canola oil, plants, crafts, soaps, fudge, music, scone overs in many flavors, sunflower oil, corn, berries, variety of breads, muffins, and pies. Find them on Facebook.
Thursday
• Loudon Farmers’ Market at 7039 School St. on Thursdays from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. through October. Vendors supply vegetables, fruits, flowers/plants, dairy, maple, meat, fish, prepared foods, baked goods, and crafts. Markets will feature live music. See facebook.com/loudonfarmersmarketnh.
Friday
• Francestown Community Market in the Francestown Horse Sheds at the Town Hall. Fridays from 4 to 6:30 p.m. through the end of October, rain or shine. Vendors supply vegetables, fruits, flowers/plants, dairy, maple, meat, prepared foods, baked goods, crafts, mustard, sauces, cider, beer, jams/jellies and honey. See facebook.com/francestowncommunitymarket.
Saturday
• Candia Farmers Market at the Smyth Library Grounds (55 High St.) on the third Saturday of the month from 9 a.m. to noon through October. All farmers and artisans bring fresh quality produce, value-added farm products, and crafts to market. See candiafarmersmarket.org.
• Concord Farmers Market on Capitol Street on Saturdays from 8:30 a.m. to noon through the end of October. Vendors include a regular rotation of fresh produce, flowers/plants, baked goods, maple, wines, beers, meat, dairy, fish, agricultural crafts, etc. See concordfarmersmarket.com.
• Contoocook Farmers Market at the Contoocook gazebo on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to noon through the end of October, rain or shine. Shop fresh produce, eggs, flowers/plants, dairy, maple, baked goods, meats, herbs, weekly entertainment, etc. See facebook.com/ContoocookFarmersMarket.
• Milford Farmers Market at 300 Elm St. on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. through Oct. 14. Shop fresh produce, flowers/plants, maple, baked goods, meat, fish, wool, guest chefs, weekly entertainment, etc. See milfordnhfarmersmarket.com.
• New Boston Farmers Market on the corner of Route 13, 7 Meetinghouse Hill Road, on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. through the end of October. Enjoy organic produce, fruits, flowers/plants, soaps, honey, teas, bakery goods, maple, chocolate, barbecue, eggs, wool products and local artisans, plus musicians, demonstrations and education. See facebook.com/NewBostonFarmersMarket.
• Warner Area Farmers Market on the Warner Town Hall Lawn on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. through the end of October. Find vegetables, baked goods, art and more. See warnerfarmersmarket.org.
Sunday
• Nashua Farmers Market (Main Street Bridge Farmers Market) on the Nashua Public Library Lot, 6 Hartshorn Ave. on Sundays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. through Oct. 22. Find fresh produce, meat, eggs, plants, pastries, artisan breads, honey, maple syrup, candy, ice cream, soap and crafts from a variety of vendors. See downtownnashua.org/nashuafarmersmarket.
• Salem Farmers Market at The Mall at Rockingham Park (77 Rockingham Park Blvd.) between Dick’s Sporting goods and Cinemark on Sundays from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. all year. This year-round market features fresh produce, flowers/plants, dairy, maple, baked goods, meat, crafts, and live entertainment. See salemnhfarmersmarket.org.
Featured photo: Bedford Farmers Market. Courtesy of Cherilyn Bukofske.
The New Hampshire Fisher Cats celebrate that classic Manchester food item, the chicken tender, at tonight’s game at 7:05 p.m. versus the Hartford Yard Goats. There will be Atlas Fireworks after the game. The run of games continues at Northeast Delta Dental Stadium in downtown Manchester (7:05 p.m. on Friday and Saturday — Saturday will also feature post-game fireworks) through Sunday, July 30, when game time is 1:35 p.m. and the first 1,000 attendees will receive a Fisher Cats flag. See milb.com/new-hampshire.
Friday, July 28
The Nashua Silver Knights also have a game this week — tonight at 6 p.m. they will face off against the Westfield Starfires with post-game fireworks. See nashuasilverknights.com.
Friday, July 28
Ro Gavin Collaborative Theatre kicks off the final weekend of its production Big Fish at the Hatbox Theatre (Steeplegate Mall, 270 Loudon Road in Concord; hatboxnh.com) with shows tonight at 7:30 p.m.; tomorrow, Saturday, July 29, at 7:30 p.m., and Sunday, July 30, at 2 p.m. Find more theatrical productions in the Arts section, which starts on page 13.
Friday, July 28
Catch comedians Will Noonan and Andrew Della Vope tonight at 7:30 p.m. at the Rex Theatre (23 Amherst St. in Manchester; palacetheatre.org). Tickets cost $25. Find more laughs in the Comedy This Week listings on page 36.
Saturday, July 29
Browse sales of books and whatnots, enjoy a frappe bar and sausage grinders, participate in (or just cheer on) a 5K road race and watch an 11 a.m. performance by Mr. Aaron (pictured) at the Canterbury Fair today from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at locations in Canterbury Center. The day will also feature live animal encounters and other activities for kids, Canterbury Historical Society exhibits, artisan demonstrations, a full schedule of live music and a wide variety of eats including a chicken barbecue. See canterburyfair.com.
Tuesday, Aug. 1
Author Richard Russo will discuss his new book Somebody’s Fool tonight at 7 p.m. at the Bank of NH Stage (16 S. Main St. in Concord; ccanh.com). Tickets cost $39 for one admission, $49 for two admissions and include a book. Find more book listings on page 29.
Save the Date!Thursday, Aug. 10 The Manchester International Film Festival returns for its second year on Thursday, Aug. 10, through Saturday, Aug. 12, at the Palace Theatre (80 Hanover St. in Manchester; palacetheatre.org, 668-5588) and the Rex Theatre (23 Amherst St. in Manchester). The festival kicks off with Animation Night at 6 p.m. on Aug. 10 at the Rex with screenings of animated shorts, an animated student film, a feature film, a Q&A with filmmakers and a presentation of an “Emerging New Hampshire Animator” award, according to the Palace’s website. Friday, Aug. 11, is New England Night and Comedy Night with a screening of the short Nuclear! (see the trailer at gonfalonpictures.com/nuclear), a post-film Q&A, a feature film billed as a “Manchester premiere,” a Q&A with filmmakers and the presentation of “Best New England Short Film” award, the website said. At the Rex, the Saturday, Aug. 12, line up will include a Cartoon Festival with Cereal, short films, a feature presentation and an audience choice film, the website said. Tickets cost $20 ($10 for students) to each day. Call the box office for more ticket info.
At the Palace Theatre on Aug. 12, catch actor and comedian Kevin Pollack at 7:30 p.m. for “An Evening with Kevin Pollack.” Tickets to this event cost $59 to $79 (VIP tickets include a 6:45 p.m. meet and greet) and include a weekend pass to the rest of the festival.
According to a study by personal-finance website WalletHub, New Hampshire ranks 4th among the states with the highest credit card debts. The median credit card balance in New Hampshire is $2,793, and the cost of interest until payoff is $355, with the expected timeframe to pay off the median credit card balance at 14 months and 13 days. The study used data from TransUnion, the Federal Reserve, the U.S. Census Bureau, and WalletHub’s proprietary credit card payoff calculator to determine the cost and time required to repay the median credit card balance in each state. The analysis included credit cards with a balance and excluded store cards. The calculation assumed consumers would pay an average 20.92 percent interest rate, based on the APR paid by existing cardholders.
QOL score: -1
Comment:Interesting considering New Hampshire’s per capita income is on the higher end at $41,241, ranking the 8th highest, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.
Kids catching up
Recent assessment results in New Hampshire indicate positive academic gains among students, marking a slow upward recovery trend for two consecutive years. According to a press release, preliminary performance scores from the spring 2023 assessment show modest improvements in math and reading across various grade levels, except for 11th-grade SAT scores. Education Commissioner Frank Edelblut expressed delight in the signs of academic progress, which defy national trends. “This newest data from New Hampshire contradicts some nationwide data showing that academic recovery has stalled and reflects the hard work of our school leaders, teachers, students and families, that everyone needs to work together to close learning gaps,” he said in the release. While student performance advanced from 2022 to 2023, student growth percentiles also improved in every grade level and subject area, indicating accelerated learning rates compared to 2019.
QOL score: +1
Comment: The iPlatform system will release individual school and district data for both the NHSAS and SAT results in the fall. Parents had previously been given access to their child’s scores.
Go, team!
The University of New Hampshire swimming and diving team has been awarded CSCAA Scholar All-America honors for the Spring 2023 semester. According to a press release, they achieved a program-best 3.68 team GPA, surpassing their previous record of 3.67 from the previous semester. Additionally, senior captain Madison Linstedt won the America East Women’s Swimming and Diving Scholar Athlete of the Year award, making it the 11th time a Wildcat has received this honor. Several other team members also earned academic accolades.
QOL score: +1
Comment:The University of New Hampshire swimming and diving team also achieved their fourth consecutive America East Championship and secured their 11th overall title in the league’s history during the past seasons, marking the first time in the program’s existence that UNH has won four championships in a row.
QOL score: 80
Net change: +1
QOL this week: 81
What’s affecting your Quality of Life here in New Hampshire?Let us know at news@hippopress.com.
