Rail trail
The South Manchester Rail Trail has been selected as an American Public Works Associations 2025 Public Works Historical Restoration/Preservation Project of the Year, according to the city’s Department of Public Works. The project finished in May 2024 and extended the city’s rail trail network and repurposed the historic wooden railroad trestle over Cohas Brook into a pedestrian bridge, the press release said.
Forever chemicals
Mariah Blake, author of They Poisoned the World: Life and Death in the Age of Forever Chemicals, will take part in a community conversations about her book on Thursday, May 8, from 7 to 8:30 p.m. online and in person at the Merrimack Historical Society (10 Depot St. in Merrimack), according to a press release. The event is sponsored by New Hampshire Network for Environment, Energy and Climate along with the CItizens for Clean Water, League of Conservation Voters and the Sierra Club New Hampshire Chapter. See mobilize.us/lcvnh/event/781201 to RSVP.
Miss NH
A new Miss New Hampshire and Miss New Hampshire’s Teen were crowded last weekend and both will go on to compete in the national competitions, Miss America and Miss America’s Teen, according to a press release. Xanthi Russell, who is slated to graduate from NHTI in Concord this month with an associate degree in Paralegal Studies, was named Miss New Hampshire and Megan Plaza, a sophomore at Londonderry High, was crowned Miss New Hampshire’s Teen, the release said. Both won scholarships and will begin a year of service, the release said.
Egg update
Two of the five eggs have hatched in the peregrine falcon nest at Brady Sullivan Tower in downtown Manchester, according to the daily log available in the comments of one of the three livestreaming feeds. The two eyasses — unfledged falcon chicks — are Una, short for Sunapee, hatched on May 2, and Alpy, short for Walpole, hatched on May 6, the log said. The names of five New Hampshire towns were picked by two fifth-grade classes in Hooksett to serve as names for this year’s hatchlings, the log said. The eggs were laid between March 22 and April 7. Find the links to the three live views of the nest via nhaudubon.org/education/birds-and-birding/peregrine-cam, where the New Hampshire Audubon offers the nest cams with support of Peregrine Networks and Brady Sullivan Properties, the website said. The log also has a link to a document with basic information about the nest, the falcons and previous seasons of peregrine falcons that have occupied it and the chicks that hatched there.
Henniker Handmade & Homegrown, a festival of music, arts and food trucks, will run Saturday, May 10, and Sunday, May 11, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., at the community center and park at 57 Main St. in Henniker, according to a press release. The event will feature nearly 90 local artists, crafters, farmers and food makers, the release said.
Red Arrow Diners in Concord, Londonderry, Manchester and Nashua will offer teachers and nurses 50 percent off their individual meal, including cocktails and desserts, through Sunday, May 11, according to a press release. See redarrowdiner.com/appreciation.
The Great Bay Food Truck Festival will run Saturday, May 10, from noon to 4 p.m. at Stratham Hill Park in Stratham. General admission tickets cost $10 in advance, $15 on the day. See greatbayfoodtruckfestival.com.
The Rodney Marsalis Philadelphia Big Brass will perform, with special guests the Pinkerton Academy Jazz Ensemble, at the Stockbridge Theatre (44 N. Main St. in Derry; stockbridgetheatre.showare.com) on Tuesday, May 14, at 7 p.m. Tickets cost $30.