Tag: 260625

Berry nice

An afternoon of strawberries and sousaphones

“In 1943, a boys’ band from Nashua came out to Hollis and gave a concert, and a lot of the parents and the kids were very enthusiastic and wanted to do a band of their own because at that time there was not music in the public school,” said David Bailey, conductor of the Hollis Town Band. “1946 was the first mention of the Strawberry Festival, and it was put on to help raise money for what was at that time called the Hollis Church School Band.”

Since then, Bailey said, the Band, eventually in partnership with Hollis Woman’s Club and the Hollis Congregational Church, has raised money every year by inviting the public to listen to the Band perform and eat strawberries. This year’s Festival will take place Sunday, June 28, from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Hollis Town Commons.

“There will be strawberries and shortcake,” Bailey said. “There will be hand-whipped cream. There will be ice cream and people can have strawberry shortcake with whipped cream or strawberry shortcake with ice cream or even just strawberries in a bowl.” The point, he said, is to support the Hollis Town Band, while eating the strawberries.

Bailey said this event has its roots in Hollis’s history as a farming community.

“It’s a great throwback to old-fashioned small-town agricultural New England,” he said, “when people would get together and pause because being farmers would be from sunup to sundown and even later, seven-days-a-week kind of job. And so they would take like one afternoon out of a busy season. At this point in the year, the crops are in the ground. They’ve been planted. Strawberries are an early crop, so that’s one of the reasons why we can have the festival now. But they could take an afternoon off and not put themselves back time-wise because of not working for the day. This is a lot like that, and when the weather’s nice — my fingers are crossed — we get between 1,000 and 2,000 people coming to listen and enjoy the desserts.”

The Festival is also a reminder of what an important institution the Band is to the local community.

“We have about 65 members,” Bailey said. “And while the band is called the Hollis Town Band, the members come from around 20 different towns in this surrounding area and we rehearse once a week in Hollis. I’m in my 41st year as the conductor of the band. It’s really close to my heart.”

The Hollis Strawberry Festival and Band Concert
Where: Hollis Town Common (3 Monument Square, Hollis) or at Middle School in case of bad weather.
When: Sunday, June 28, from 2 to 4 p.m.
Admission: The concert, which will feature patriotic and popular instrumental music, is free. The money raised will come from the purchase of strawberry desserts.farm-a-q.

Featured photo: Photo from cultivatenewengland.com/farm-a-q.

Farm-A-Q

Coming together for a celebration of local food

Evan Mallett is the chef and owner of Black Trumpet in Portsmouth. He is passionate about food and where it comes from. Twenty-five years ago, he struggled with a dilemma.

“We were doing these dinners called the Barn Dinner once a year in a very old barn in Stratham, New Hampshire,” Mallett said, “and each chef contributed a different course. And each of the ingredients that we used were heirloom varieties that were commercially extinct and had a story to tell. We had done the Barn Dinner for a few years, and it became clear that that was a very exclusive event that only a certain privileged population could attend. And we wanted farmers at the table. We wanted everyone in our community at the table.”

Which is how the first Farm-A-Q happened.

“It was a group of chefs, farmers, gardeners, and people interested in galvanizing our local food community,” Mallett said. “We did this outdoor festival and added music. And each of the chefs who had done a course at the Barn Dinner now had a table outside and were cooking outdoors. There was a big fire pit, and everyone sort of gathered around that and cooked overnight. So that tradition has stayed alive now for I think it’s been 15 years.”

This year’s Farm-A-Q will take place Sunday, June 28, at Tuckaway Farm in Lee. Sarah Cox is an owner of Tuckaway Farm. She said the event is a way to look at area food through several different lenses.

“The Farm-A-Q is an event that has really grown into a way for the community to come together and celebrate and learn about local farms, local chefs, and also more education on agriculture. It’s an inclusive kind of family-friendly event and features local chefs using local food as a way to bring the community together.”

Cox said anyone attending Farm-A-Q will have a chance to explore any number of food interests.

“They will come up onto one of our big farm fields,” she said, “and with one ticket, they’re going to have access to different chefs set up around the field. They can come and sample food and talk to those chefs. And there are tables where they could meet some of the farmers. There are tables with kids’ activities around food and farming. Kids can get their passes to go check things off all around the event as they’re tasting things. We have agricultural organizations like the Conservation District who come and they show some of the ways that they help support area agriculture. But for the most part, a family coming or a person coming just comes informally with a lawn chair or a blanket, and they can set up for the afternoon, walk around, get some food, and just enjoy themselves. It’s meant to be informal, but a way to really connect with [New Hampshire] food and get to know what’s around us, get to know maybe the chefs of places you’ve wanted to go or have been or introduce people to them; to connect how they work with farms and meet some of the farmers who are growing that food.”

Evan Mallett described the dish that he and his restaurant will serve at Farm-A-Q: “Black Trumpet is teaming up with a woman named Dina Wilford, and she is the owner of Vita Tortilla, which makes its tortillas from a masa that is in turn made from the corn grown on the farm where we are. So we are going to be cooking grass-fed beef shanks in a smoker and then braising them and then serving them barbacoa style with her tortillas.”

The Hollis Strawberry Festival and Band Concert
Where: Hollis Town Common (3 Monument Square, Hollis) or at Middle School in case of bad weather.
When: Sunday, June 28, from 2 to 4 p.m.
Admission: The concert, which will feature patriotic and popular instrumental music, is free. The money raised will come from the purchase of strawberry desserts.farm-a-q.

Featured photo: Photo from cultivatenewengland.com/farm-a-q.

The Weekly Dish 26/6/25

• Wine on wheels: LaBelle Winery Derry (14 Route 111, Derry, 672-9898, labellewinery.com/labelle-winery-derry) recently announced on its website that it has launched “its newest culinary experience — a food truck offering a seasonal selection of sweet and savory [foods] with more than 30 wines plus beer, cocktails, and non-alcoholic options.” Visit labellewinery.com/labelle-winery-derry/food-truck.

• A seriously important food award: As reported by NHPR in a June 16 online article, New Hampshire chef Evan Hennessey of Stages and Topolino restaurants in Dover has been awarded the 2026 James Beard Award for Best Chef Northeast, which covers the New England region. The James Beard Award is considered to be the top award in the American restaurant industry. Visit jamesbeard.org/stories/james-beard-award-winners-2026.

• Cookies and beer: Spyglass Brewing Co. (306 Innovative Way, Nashua, 546-2965, spyglassbrewing.com) will host an evening of cookie decorating with Kate Soleau of Posy Cottage Cookies, Friday, June 26, from 6 to 8 p.m. Learn five cookie designs with four colors of royal icing. All materials will be provided to create beautiful and delicious cookies. Tickets are $64.80 through posycottagecookies.com/cookie-decorating-classes.

• Mystery, murder and merlot: LaBelle Winery Derry (14 Route 111, Derry, 672-9898, labellewinery.com/labelle-winery-derry) will host a murder mystery dinner Friday, June 26, at 6:30 p.m. Step into the glitz and glamour of Old Hollywood at “The Last Curtain Call Murder Mystery Dinner Party.” Enjoy a three-course dinner inspired by the golden age of the silver screen as professional actors perform a dramatic murder mystery plot filled with scandal and betrayal. Gather clues, listen for whispered gossip among the stars, and use your detective instincts to uncover which Old Hollywood insider is hiding a deadly secret. Tickets are $84 through the LaBelle website.

• Grill and Gather at the Co-Op: Join the Concord Food Co-op (24 S. Main St., 225-6840, concordfoodcoop.com) for Grill and Gather during InTown’s Market Days, Thursday, June 25, and Friday, June 26, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.. There will be burgers, hot dogs and fries, with vegan options, according to the Co-op’s website.

• Cake Fest ’26: Deerfield’s first Cake Fest will take place Saturday, June 27, at the Town Gazebo on Church Street in Deerfield, beginning at 12:30 p.m., rain or shine. Tickets are $25 each and will not be available on the day of the event. Visit susieqscakery.com/cake-fest-2026.

Treasure Hunt 26/06/25

Hello, Donna,

At a recent yard sale I purchased a bag of jewelry. In it was this letter necklace. It’s marked Tiffany & Co AG 925. Can you help with a value?

Thank you, Donna.

Beverley

Dear Beverley,

Nice treasure you found!

Your Tiffany & Co necklace is from the 1990s era. The 925 confirms it’s sterling silver.

The marking looks authentic. Remember so many reproductions were made to pass off as the real well-known quality made ones.

The value is in the area of $125-ish. My suggestion, though, is to not clean it yourself. You don’t want to damage it in polishing. If you are looking to resell it, you could go to a jewelry store and ask for help with that. They can provide you with the right products. They might even clean it for you.

Beverley, thanks for sharing with us. Good luck with your treasure.

Kiddie Pool 26/06/25

Family fun for whenever

Summer fun

  • The Somersworth Festival Association will hold Celebration Night Friday, June 26, from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. at Somersworth High School, 11 Memorial Drive in Somersworth, featuring entertainment such as “Lightheaded Collective (featuring members of the Somersworth Student Jazz Ensemble), Tricky Dick’s Magic Show and ​Bad Breath Microphone,” according to nhfestivals.org. The evening will also offer food, kids’ activities and fireworks, the website said.
  • Go Scouting for Bigfoot Saturday, June 27, and Sunday, June 28, at Charmingfare Farm in Candia with entrance times starting at 10 a.m., according to visitthefarm.com. “Embark on a guided tour through the serene woodlands of the farm, a perfect setting rumored to have had Bigfoot sightings. Equipped with expert guides and storytelling, you’ll learn about the legendary creature’s history and explore potential habitats. This family-friendly excursion blends education with excitement, offering interactive activities and engaging discussions,” the website said.

Game time

  • Dartmouth Health Children’s NH East-West All Star Football Game featuring “the state’s best graduating high school football players together” will take place Friday, June 26, at 6 p.m. at the Grappone Stadium at Saint Anselm College in Manchester, according to childrens.dartmouth-health.org/events, where you can purchase tickets.
  • The New Hampshire Fisher Cats’ run of games against the Somerset Patriots continues Thursday, June 25, through Sunday, June 28, at the Delta Dental Stadium in downtown Manchester. Games Thursday through Saturday start at 6:03 p.m. and Sunday’s game starts at 1:05 p.m., according to milb.com/new-hampshire, where you can purchase tickets. Catch post-game fireworks both Friday (when the team will play as the New Hampshire Space Potatoes) and Saturday, when “Toy Story jerseys will be auctioned off postgame to benefit the Fisher Cats Foundation,” the website said.
  • Catch Nashua Silver Knights games Thursday, June 25, through Saturday, June 27, at 6:03 p.m. and Tuesday, June 30, at 6:03 p.m., according to nashuasilverknights.com. Catch fireworks after the game on Friday, June 26. The schedule of teams playing the Silver Knights is the Lowell Spinners on June 25; the New Britain Bees on June 26; the Norwich Sea Unicorns on June 27, and the Worcester Bravehearts on June 30, the website said.

Everybody celebrate

Downtown Concord comes together for Market Days

One of the high points of the year for downtown Concord is the Market Days celebration organized by Intown Concord. This year’s Market Days begin Thursday, June 25, and continue to Saturday, June 27.

Berit Brown is the events coordinator for Intown Concord. She said that because virtually all of Concord’s downtown businesses participate in Market Days it is an expression of the community.

“For instance,” she said, “there will be a stage in Bicentennial Square with live music throughout the three days, and we have a Country Day, which will be focused on country music on Friday. Donaher will play at 8 p.m., and that is in partnership with the Capitol Center; that performance will have two ASL [American Sign Language] interpreters, which is new to the festival this year. We’re really excited to be able to offer access to the festival.”

All of downtown Concord will be involved in this year’s Market Days, Brown said.

“We closed down Main Street and a few side streets. There are more than 200 vendors, including the Concord Arts Market. There’s food vendors and different service providers and places to shop. [Most] of our downtown businesses will have a booth and discounts and exclusive items and things like that. It will last from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. all three days. Most of the shops and booths will stay open until 8 p.m., and the music goes on until 10. This is a rain-or-shine event. We have definitely had years where it’s rained in the past, so our vendors have learned to plan for anything. Even if it rains, they will still be there and they’re still excited to interact and have a good time.”

“Something new this year,” Brown said, “is a vintage market with vintage clothing and records on one end of Pleasant Street and the other end will be a food truck alley. The vintage side will have a fill-a-bag sale on Saturday. Saturday will be when all the shops are open,” Brown said. “We’ve got a KidZone with two bounce houses and a bunch of different fun things, including puppies that you can play with. There’s a story time. There are musical performances from children’s performers. The Black History Trail will present a reading of Frederick Douglass’ speech, ‘What to a Slave is the 4th of July?’”

Intown Concord has sponsored a beer tent at the north end of Main Street this year, featuring ’90s music on Thursday, pub trivia on Friday, and live music from Randy McGravey on Saturday.

In previous years, finding parking during Market Days has been a challenge.

“I think honestly, the most exciting thing that we have happening this year,” Brown said, “is that we have a free trolley, so people can park at NHTI and take a free trolley to the festival and they can avoid the parking hassles. It’s a wheelchair-accessible shuttle. People can ride that every day from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., and it’s on a 30-minute loop and it just drops you right at the festival. I’m really excited about the inclusion efforts that we’ve included this year. We have increased our seating a lot this year so there is somewhere to sit on every block and enjoy a moment of shade or eat food. We also have a diaper-changing and breastfeeding tent that will be available on Friday and Saturday over in the kid zone. That’s a new thing that we’ve decided to incorporate into the festival since so many families attend the festival every year. We want people to be able to enjoy the festival and not feel rushed.”

Intown Concord’s Market Days Festival
When: 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Thursday, June 25, Friday, June 26, and Saturday, June 27
Where: along Main Street in Concord
More: An interactive digital program and map of the event is available at marketdaysfestival.com.

Market Days music

Music on the Main Stage on South Main Street will include dance band The Party Crashers, Freese Brothers Big Band, country band Mutha Hubbard, country singer Maggie Baugh, Celtic rock band Waking Finnegan, and YellowHouse Blues Band.

Music at the Homegrown Stage at Bicentennial Square will include Goldfish, 4Toes, Lava Llama, No Mango, J3ST, and Hometown Eulogy.

Visit marketdaysfestival.com/music-stages.

Market Days food

There will be more than 40 food vendors feeding the crowd at this year’s Market Days, including Batulo’s Kitchen (Somali food), Empanadas Deluxe 603 (gluten-free Latin American dishes), STREET (international street food), Unlawful Waffles (waffles with decadent toppings), Yankee Farmers Market Buffalo (bison-based burgers and dishes), Social Club Creamery (ice cream and cookies) and many more. Visit marketdaysfestival.com/vendors#Food-Vendors.

Featured photo: Market Days in Concord. Courtesy photo.

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