Tag: 260723

Artists in conversation

Two distinct styles join at Outer Space exhibition

In mid-July, a small second-floor gallery in Concord opened a show called “Montages,” with two artists, Peter Cordova and Kyoko Idetsu, showing their work. It’s billed as an artistic conversation, and that’s the idea that led Roger Buttles to open Outer Space Arts in a well-lit space across the hall from his own studio in the former residence of a Civil War colonel.

Pairing artists has been a constant at Outer Space since it opened in 2023. Sometimes Buttles looks for resemblances in genre or style. Occasionally he’ll mix media, bringing together a two-dimensional painter or drawer with a sculptor or ceramicist. “I’m not repeating myself over and over, because that becomes stagnant to me,” he said by phone recently.

For Buttles, the connection between Cordova, an illustrator who also works in ceramic sculpture, and Idetsu, a Japanese painter, was that both disorient the picture plane in their work.

“That’s why I titled the show ‘Montages,’” he said. “There are multiple perspectives — not in a cubist sense, but a distorted perspective coming together into one unified image.”

Cordova’s ceramic works aren’t included in the exhibition. “There were a few I could have chosen, but logistically it made more sense to keep this show all two-dimensional,” Buttles said. “His works are all colored pencil on cardboard. Kyoko’s side has both paintings and works on paper — pen and ink.”

The inspiration for Outer Space, and the reason Buttles pairs artists rather than mounting solo shows, traces back to his time studying under Michelle Grabner at the Art Institute of Chicago. Grabner, an artist and curator, ran an exhibition space called The Suburban out of her garage and tool shed outside of the city.

Buttles, whose primary job is advising collectors in New York, Miami, San Francisco and other big cities, never planned to open a gallery. That changed when his wife, a radiologist, took a job in Manchester. The couple and their family, two twin daughters and a son, relocated from NYC.

Upon arrival he found a studio on Pleasant Street in Concord with enough space for small exhibitions.

“It’s affordable,” he said. “I don’t have the pressure or expectations of running a commercial gallery in an expensive city. That gives me a lot of creative freedom in what I show, because I’m not going to go bankrupt doing this.”

In other words, he’s not trying to build an empire.

“I’m basically breaking even … it’s not a money-making venture,” he said. Outer Space is closer to a calling, and a way of staying connected to the artist he still primarily believes himself to be. “I consider myself an artist first, who happens to run this artist-run exhibition space.”

Buttles grew up on Long Island with little exposure to art. His creative outlet was sports, and he played lacrosse through college. Photography found him almost by accident, sparked at 14 by an offhand comment from his older brother’s college friend about earning credit for a photo class.

That seed grew into a career in black-and-white photography. Finding William Eggleston’s color work at 22 was a key jolt of discovery. During his twenties, Buttles apprenticed in San Francisco galleries and frame shops, mounting Diane Arbus and Robert Frank photos one day, and Mission School painters the next.

His entrée into collecting came when he discovered Creativity Explored, a nonprofit studio in San Francisco, began buying their 20- and 30-dollar pieces and embraced the idea of affordable art. Coincidentally, Cordova worked there. He immigrated to San Francisco from the Philippines at 19 and joined the studio in 1996, having never made art before.

Buttles has already featured Creativity Explored artists in two prior Outer Space shows but held Cordova back, sensing he deserved one of his own. That show found its second half in Idetsu, an artist Buttles connected with separately. Her work centers on domesticity and child-rearing filtered through a Tokyo perspective.

Buttles insists that the upcoming show should feel unintimidating. He compares the experience with listening to classical music without needing expertise in music theory. “I don’t know anything about it technically, but I really enjoy it; I feel like that’s how art should be too,” he said. “There shouldn’t have to be a prerequisite of knowledge.”

“Montages”: Peter Cordova & Kyoko Idetsu
When: Saturdays, through Sept. 19, noon-3 p.m. (or call for appointment)
Where: Outer Space Gallery, 35 Pleasant St., 2nd floor, Concord
More: outerspacearts.xyz
A reception with both artists happens Wednesday, July 29, at 5 p.m.

Featured photo: “Two Indian Head Tail” by Peter Cordova. From outerspacearts.xyz.

Race Day

Runs, walks and other races to keep you moving

Time to take your run on the road.

From now through Thanksgiving, there are oodles of runs and run/walks to help you stay motivated. Know of one not mentioned here? Tell us all about it at adiaz@hippopress.com. Here are some of the races on the upcoming schedule.

Millennium Running

Millennium Running, which has a store at 138 Bedford Center Road in Bedford, has Millennium Running Signature Events and events it manages, according to millenniumrunning.com, where you can register (registration costs usually vary based on age) and get bib pick-up information, see race maps and get more details about each run. Here are some of the races on its schedule:

Signature events

• Delta Dental/Elliot Corporate Road Race takes place Thursday, Aug. 6, at 6:20 p.m. with a 5K “loop starting at Stark and Elm Streets, heading north on Elm, west on Thayer, south on River Road and Canal Street, then turning onto Stark and Elm Street before finishing on Elm Street, next to Veterans Park,” the website said. Solinsky Cancer Center is listed as the event’s official charity.

• The Rockland Trust and Bank Boot Scootin’ Boogie 5K & Brewfest takes place Saturday, Aug. 15, with the race start time at 6:30 p.m. and a brewfest and concert that runs from 6:45 to 9 p.m. at the Londonderry Athletic Field Complex, 98 Sargent Road in Londonderry, according to the website, which describes the course as starting on Sargent Road and heading “north onto Mammoth Road before turning onto Otterson Road for an out and back loop to finish at the Londonderry Athletic Fields.” Registration for the race includes entry to the brewfest and concert; tickets to the brewfest and concert only are also available. The first 1,200 adult and youth runners to register can get a “Live Free and Run” tank top, according to the website, which listed Girls on the Run New Hampshire, Londonderry Athletics and Londonderry Lions Club as the event’s charities.

• The Autofair New Hampshire 10 Miler takes place Sunday, Aug. 23, at 8 a.m. with an out-and-back route described as a “flat & fast course along the banks of the picturesque Piscataquog River” in New Boston, the website said. This event offers 10-mile, relay and 5K options (5K has an 8:15 a.m. start time), according to the website, which lists Girls on the Run New Hampshire as the official charity.

• Two races remain in Millennium Running’s Happy Hour Hustle five-race series: Thursday, Aug. 27, at 6 p.m. at North Elementary School in Londonderry to benefit Wesley’s Way Foundation, and Thursday, Sept. 17, at 6 p.m. at McIntyre Ski Area in Manchester to benefit NH Campaign for Legal Services, according to the website, where you can find details on the series.

• Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Seafood Fest 5K takes place during the Hampton Beach Seafood Festival (to which racers can receive free entry) on Sunday, Sept. 13, at 9 a.m. with Yoga on the Beach at 8 a.m. and Lil’ Lobster Fun Run at 8:30 a.m., according to the website. The Hampton Beach Seafood Festival runs from Friday, Sept. 11, through Sunday, Sept. 13, according to seafoodfestivalnh.com, where you can find details on that event. The website describes the course as an out-and-back run “along Route 1A on New Hampshire’s beautiful seacoast” that finishes on the sand at Hampton Beach. The first 1,000 adult and youth runners to register can get a race shirt, according to the website, which listed Girls on the Run New Hampshire as the event’s charity.

• Footrace For the Fallen takes place Sunday, Sept. 27, at 9 a.m. with a 5K route that “starts at the Manchester Police Department and finishes inside Gill Stadium,” the website said. The first 1,000 adult and youth runners to register can get a Footrace for the Fallen race shirt, according to the website, which listed Manchester Police Athletic League as the event’s charity.

• Delta Dental New England Half Marathon takes place on Sunday, Oct. 18, with the race starting at 8 a.m., according to the website, which describes the 13.1-mile route as a downhill “course starting at Gould Hill Farm, a quintessential New Hampshire apple orchard with views of fall foliage and running scenic country roads to finish at the NH Statehouse.” The first 1,200 adult and youth runners to register can get a long-sleeve performance fleece, the website said. The event’s official charity is Girls on the Run New Hampshire, the website said.

• The All Star Smiles Orthodontics Trick or Trot 3K will take place Saturday, Oct. 31, at 11 a.m. at Backyard Brewery and Kitchen in Manchester with an out-and-back route on South Mammoth and Lucas Roads, the website said. The event starts at 9:30 a.m. with a Kids Halloween Festival and magic show (at 10 a.m.), followed by Lil’ Pumpkin Fun Runs starting at 10:30 a.m. in age-based groups, according to the website, which encourages wearing costumes for the race. The first 1,000 registered runners can receive running gloves. The event’s official charity is Girls on the Run New Hampshire, the website said.

• The Elliot Manchester City Marathon takes place Sunday, Nov. 8, with marathon, half-marathon, relay and 5K options, according to millenniumrunning.com/marathon-2, where you can also purchase marathon merch. The event’s official charity is Run with a Mission, the website said.

Millennium Running-managed events

• The final two races of the Capital Area Race Series will take place Saturday, July 25, at 9 a.m. (the Canterbury Woodchuck Classic 5K at Canterbury Elementary School on the day of the Canterbury Fair; see www.canterburyfair.com) and Saturday, Aug. 15, at 8 a.m. (Celebrate Tom Walton 5K & 6-Miler). See runcarsnh.com for details about the series.

• Rotary Trails 2 Ales 5K, presented by the Rotary Club of Bedford, will take place Thursday, July 30, at 6 p.m. “The event is a trail race designed for individual runners of all ages on the cross-country ski trails and features an after-run event with refreshments of grilled burgers and ales from local breweries,” according to the Rotary’s website (portal.clubrunner.ca/2908).

• His Mansion Ministries Run for Recovery 5K Run/Walk will take place Saturday, Aug. 8, at 8:30 a.m. on the New Boston Rail Trail in New Boston, according to hismansion.com/hm-5k.

• Pinkerton Academy 5K Astro Run will take place Saturday, Aug. 8, at 9 a.m. at the Pinkerton Academy campus in Derry to “support the Pinkerton Fund, with proceeds going directly back to benefit the students” according to pinkertonacademy.org/alumni/upcoming-events.

• Race to the Ledges 5K at the Granite Ledges in Concord will take place Saturday, Aug. 8, at 9 a.m., according to graniteledges.com/events/granite-ledges-of-concord-annual-5k, where you can see a race route.

• Veterans Count Nashua 5K Fun Run & Walk will take place Saturday, Sept. 5, at 9 a.m. according to the website, where you can purchase race merch. See vetscount.org/events/veterans-count-nashua-5k to see a route for the race, which begins and ends at Stellos Stadium in Nashua.

• D.A.R.E. Classic 5K, presented by the New Hampshire State Police and D.A.R.E. New Hampshire, will take place Wednesday, Sept. 9, at the New Hampshire Motor Speedway in Loudon with options for a one-mile fun run (starting at 5:30 p.m.) and a 5K (at 6:25 p.m.), according to the website, where you can find race merch.

• The Mile for Mentoring 2026 Race and Fun Run, held by Big Brothers Big Sisters of New Hampshire and Vermont, is one of the few single-mile runs and it takes place Sunday, Oct. 4, 9:30 a.m. at Gunstock Mountain Resort in Gilford, according to bigsnhvt.org (look under “Events”).

• St. Gianni’s Place Family First 5K Run/Walk takes place Saturday, Oct. 17, 9:30 a.m. in Londonderry. See stgiannasplace.org for more on the organization and the Millennium Running website to register.

• The Runaway Pumpkin 10K & 5K Run/Walk presented by WOW Trail,will take place on Saturday, Oct. 24, at 9 a.m. and begin and end at Smith Track at Opechee Park in Laconia, according to wowtrail.org/runawaypumpkin, which said a kids’ fun run will take place at 10 a.m. on the track. Register by Oct. 10 to receive an event shirt, the website said.

• The Salem Animal Rescue League’s Howl’ween 5K will take place Saturday, Oct. 31, at 9 a.m. in Salem. “Whether you’re a seasoned runner, casual walker, or want to bring your four-legged best friend along for the fun, this family-friendly event is the perfect way to celebrate Halloween while supporting homeless animals. Enjoy a 5K course, costume fun, vendors, music, and more,” according tosarlnh.org/events.

More runs & races

• The Christmas in July 5K Running Race takes place Sunday, July 26, at 9 a.m. (a children’s Tunnel Run takes place at 8:45 a.m.) at Two Delta Dental in Concord, according to runsignup.com/Race/NH/Concord/ChristmasInJuly5KRunningRace, where you can register.

• The Mine Falls Summer Trail Series in Nashua continues with races on Mondays, July 27, Aug. 3 and Aug. 10, all starting at 6:30 p.m. (with a 5:30 p.m. in-person registration) with 5-mile and 5K options, according to posts on the series Facebook page, where you can also find the list of themes for each week (July 27 is “We Rock Socks”). The series is an event by the Gate City Striders; see gatecity.org.

• This one is just for the athlete ages 4 to 15 years: the Kid’s Try-athlon featuring swimming, biking and running will take place on Sunday, Aug. 2, at 8 a.m. at the Bedford Town Pool and Bedford High School, according to friendsofaine.com/get-involved/events/kids-try-athlon. Kids are grouped into ages 4 to 10 and ages 11 to 15, with different distances for each, the website said. The event benefits the Friends of Aine.

• The Pittsfield Balloon Rally’s Frank H. Donovan 5K will take place Sunday, Aug. 2, at 9 a.m., according to nhballoonrally.org, where you can register for the race and see the course map. “The starting line is just beyond the bridge on Barnstead Road, and the finish line is in the center of Drake Field,” the website said. The Suncook Valley Rotary’s 44th annual Hot Air Balloon Rally takes place Friday, July 31, through Sunday, Aug. 2, the website said.

• The Belmont Old Home Day 10-Mile Road Race takes place Saturday, Aug. 8, at 7:30 a.m., part of a line-up of Old Home Day events, according to belmontnh.gov/old-home-day, where you can see the route map and register. The sign-up page describes the race as “one of the oldest and most challenging hilly 10-mile races in New England!”

• The Sabine Strong Foundation 33 will hold the Sabine Strong 3.3 & Kids Dash on Sunday, Aug. 9, in Newington, according to sabinestrong.org, where you can see a map of the 3.3-mile course.

• Anna’s Run 4-Miler will take place Thursday, Aug. 13, with the race starting at 5:30 p.m. (a children’s race starts at 5 p.m.) in Contoocook, according to runsignup.com/Race/NH/Contoocook/AnnaSRun, where you can register.

• The Granite Man Triathlon will take place Saturday, Aug. 15, at 9 a.m. beginning and ending at Carry Beach on Forest Road in Wolfeboro, according to wolfeboronh.us/304/Granite-Man-Triathlon, where you can find links to register (there is no race-day registration). The event features “a ¾-mile swim, 15-mile bike ride and a 4.2-mile run,” the website said.

• The Wanakee Wilderness 5K will take place Saturday, Aug. 15, at 9 a.m., according to wanakeewilderness5k.com. The course is described as “a challenging and exciting course traversing through the beautiful hills and woodland valleys of our 227-acre site. As a race participant you’re sure to enjoy the varied trail terrain through northern hardwoods and evergreens, running over the granite rocks and woodland paths toward Lemon Squeeze, enjoying the breathtaking view from Look Out Point, or feeling the cool breeze along the path at the Waterfront,” according to the website, where you can register for the race and find out details about the Homecoming BBQ and other events after the race.

• The Run Your Buns Off 4.2 Miler comes with a treat: a post-race sticky bun after the race on Saturday, Sept. 5, at 8:30 a.m. at Newfound Lake in Bristol, according to runyourbunsoffnh.com, where you can register for the race (there is no same-day registration).

• The Colon Cancer Coalition Get Your Rear in Gear New Hampshire 5K Run/Walk will take place Saturday, Sept. 12, at 9 a.m. (preceded by a kids’ fun run) at Gould Hill Farm in Contoocook, according to coloncancercoalition.org/event/get-your-rear-in-gear-new-hampshire, where you can register.

• The Healthy Kids Running Series for ages kindergarten through 8th grade kicks off its fall season on Sunday, Sept. 13, according to healthykidsrunningseries.org, which lists fall information for series in Amherst, Litchfield, Manchester and Peterborough. Check back for updates.

• The Run to Fall 5K will take place on Coe-Brown Northwood Academy’s campus on Sunday, Sept. 13, according to event organizers. See runtofall5k.com for updates.

• The Hooksett Kiwanis 5K Trail Race will take place Saturday, Sept. 19, from Heads Pond Trail to the Hooksett Library with an 8:30 a.m. start time for the race (a kids’ fun run in front of the library starts at 9:15 a.m.), according to k16021.site.kiwanis.org/hooksett-kiwanis-5k-trail-race, where you can register (the first 100 registrants get T-shirts).

• The 8th Annual Rock Steady Boxing Lakes Region Parkinson’s 5K will take place Saturday, Sept. 19, at 9 a.m. in Laconia, according to runsignup.com/Race/Events/NH/Laconia/RSBLakesRegionforParkinsons5k, where you can register for the race.

• Miles for Meals 5K, held by Meals on Wheels of Hillsborough County, will take place Saturday, Sept. 19, at 9:30 a.m. in Mine Falls Park in Nashua, according to hcmow.org/miles-for-meals, where you can register. Register before Aug. 14 to get a T-shirt, the registration website said.

• The Big Brothers Big Sisters of New Hampshire & Vermont will hold the 18th Annual Stiletto Sprint, presented by LeMay Family Goodworks, on Saturday, Sept. 19, at 2 p.m. on Pleasant Street in Portsmouth. The race is a “40-yard sprint or strut in heels” according to give.bigsnhvt.org/event/stiletto-sprint-2026/e771570, where you can register.

• Operation Delta Dog’s 5K Run to the Rescue will take place Sunday, Sept. 20, at 9 a.m. in Mile Falls Park in Nashua, according to the registration page, which you can reach via operationdeltadog.org. “The first 200 registrants by August 16th will receive a commemorative Operation Delta Dog Run to Rescue T-shirt,” according to the race page, which explained that you can register to run with or without your dog.

• The 13th Annual Seacoast Cancer Run/Walk 5K will take place Sunday, Sept. 20, at 9 a.m. and the “festivities will be held at the Mass General Brigham Cancer Institute at the Wentworth-Douglass Portsmouth Outpatient Center – located on the Pease Tradeport at 121 Corporate Drive, Suite 100 in Portsmouth, NH. Join us for that block-party feel while making an impact on local cancer patients and their families — and bonus — a much flatter 5K course!” according to seacoastcancer5k.org, where you can register. Register by Aug. 22 to get a race shirt, the website said.

• The 2026 5K and Family Walk for Connor’s Climb Foundation will take place Sunday, Sept. 20, at 9 a.m. at the Seacoast School of Technology in Exeter, according to connorsclimb.org/2026-5k-family-walk, where you can register for the race.

• Southern New Hampshire Health will hold its Run/Walk 5K on Sunday, Sept. 27, at 9 a.m. at Holman Stadium in Nashua, according to Southern New Hampshire Health’s Facebook page. The event will also include a kids’ fun run, according to the post, which includes a link to register.

• The Dover Race Series has four more races on its schedule before the end of the year: the Frances G. Hopkins Elementary School at Horne Street 5K and Fran’s Fitness Walk on Sunday, Sept. 27, at 9 a.m.; the Apple Harvest Day 5K on Saturday, Oct. 3; the Pumpkin Dash 5K at Dover Middle School on Sunday, Oct. 25, at 9:30 a.m. (a costume contest will take place at 9 a.m.), and the Dover Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving, Thursday, Nov. 26, at Garrison Elementary School, according to doverraceseries.org, where you can find links to details on each race and how to register. The Apple Harvest Day 5K will kick off at 8:30 a.m. at 32 St. Thomas St. in Dover; registration is open at dovernh.org/ahd5k.

• Gourdy’s Pumpkin Run 5K takes place on Saturday, Oct. 3, with a 9 a.m. race time, in Veterans Memorial Park in Manchester, according to gourdyspumpkinrun.com/event/manchester-5k-2026, where you can register. Registration gets you a lightweight tech hoodie, a cup of apple cider, a small pumpkin and more, the website said.

• The New Hampshire Marathon at Newfound Lake in Bristol takes place Saturday, Oct. 3, at 9 a.m., according to nhmarathon.com, where you can register for a marathon, half marathon, 10K or kids’ race. Register before Aug. 27 to get a race shirt, according to the website, where you can see the race maps. You can also buy tickets for a pasta dinner on Friday, Oct. 2, at Union Lodge in Bristol.

• The Smuttynose Rockfest Half Marathon and 5K will take place Sunday, Oct. 4, with an 8 a.m. start for half marathoners and an 8:40 a.m. start for 5K runners, according to hamptonrockfest.com, where you can register and purchase food and beer tickets as well as merch. The event also features a “race within a race”: “We’ve partnered with our friends at Coastal Run to bring you a race within the race. The Mile Madness is a 1-mile section of the course that is timed separately from the overall and age group categories where runners are encouraged to throw down their best mile,” the website said.

• The Second Annual New England Ostomy 5K takes place Sunday, Oct. 4, with the race starting at 10 a.m. in Wallis Sands Park in Rye Beach, according to the race registration page, which can be reached via ostomy.org/5k. The event will feature a 5K fun run and walk and a kids’ fun run, the website said. Registration includes a T-shirt.

• The Third Annual Pumpkinfest 5K & Fun Run will take place Saturday, Oct. 10, at 9 a.m. at the Boys & Girls Club of Souhegan Valley, 56 Mont Vernon St. in Milford, which is hosting the event, according to svbgc.org (the event is the same weekend as the Milford Pumpkin Festival; see milfordpumpkinfestival.org). Sign up for the 5K run/walk or the Kid 1 Mile Fun Run by clicking on the “See Last Year’s Fun” button, where you can also find the course map.

• The Warner Fall Foliage Festival 5K Race takes place Saturday, Oct. 10, at 9:30 a.m., winding from Main Street to the Rail Trail toward Denny Hill Road, through a forest and then eventually headed back to the center of town, according to wfff.org/warner-5k-race, where you can find a link to register. The first 130 registrants get free race shirts, the website said. The 5K takes place during the Warner Fall Foliage Festival, which runs Friday, Oct. 9, through Sunday, Oct. 11. See wfff.org for more event details.

• Howl-O-Ween 5K to benefit the Animal Rescue League of New Hampshire in Bedford will take place on Saturday, Oct. 17, at 10 a.m. at the Delta Dental Stadium in Manchester and is a dog-friendly 5K run/walk (you can purchase a dog bib for a participating dog), according to rescueleague.org/events. The event will include vendors, prizes and post-race refreshments, the website said. Register before Sept. 10 to receive an event T-shirt, the website said.

• The 12th annual James W. Foley Freedom Run will take place Saturday, Oct. 17, at 10 a.m. in Rochester (a kids’ fun run starts at 9:15 a.m.), according to foleyrun.org, where you can register for the New Hampshire run, a Washington, D.C., run or a virtual run.

• The Great Bay 5K takes place in Stratham Hill Park on Saturday, Oct. 24, with a 9 a.m. start for runners and walkers and an 8:45 a.m. start for wheelchair racers, according to greatbay5k.org, where you can register (register by Oct. 1 to get a shirt). The race is described as a “fun, fast, scenic, and mostly downhill event” and proceeds “go to the non-profit Great Bay Stewards, which supports conservation, education, community outreach, stewardship, and research of the Great Bay Estuary,” the website said.

• The Seacoast Half Marathon will take place Sunday, Oct. 25, with walkers starting at 8 a.m. and runners starting at 8:30 a.m., according to seacoasthalfmarathon.com, where you can register and see a map of the route, which begins and ends at Portsmouth High School. The website describes the course as “fabulous, fast, and mostly flat with rolling hills.”

• Second Annual Run to Remember Brandi will take place Sunday, Oct. 25, at 9 a.m. in Mine Falls Park in Nashua with 5K run, 5K walk and virtual options, according to runsignup.com/Race/NH/Nashua/RunToRememberBrandi, where you can register.

• Live Free Animal Rescue will hold the Franken Paws 5K & Fun Run on Saturday, Oct. 31, at 10 a.m. at Stumble Inn in Londonderry, according to an event post on Live Free’s Facebook page, where you can register. Leashed dogs are welcome and costumes are encouraged, the post said. Register by Oct. 9 to get a T-shirt; there will be prizes for first-place finishers and for best costumes, the post said. See livefreerescue.com for more on the organization.

• The Hugs For Vets Trail 10K-ish will take place Sunday, Nov. 1, at 10 a.m. “starting and finishing at Henniker Brewing Company and American Legion Post 78,” according to runsignup.com/Race/NH/Henniker/HugsForVetsTrail10kishm, where you can register. The race is described as “a fun and challenging race that combines scenic trails, country roads, community spirit, and support for our local veterans,” according to the website, which said the field is limited to 150 participants.

• The Pope Memorial SPCA will hold its Frosty Paws 5K on Saturday, Nov. 14, at 9 a.m. for a dogs-welcome running or walking race, according to pmspca.org/frosty-paws-5k-run, where you can register and see the course map. “Course begins at the Banks Humane Education Center at 95 Silk Farm Road, Concord (across from the shelter), taking you to the grounds of St Paul’s School and back,” the website said.

• The Novemberfest Race in Nashua, described as a “4-mile race through Mine Falls Park and raffle at Martha’s Exchange for the Nashua Children’s Home,” will take place on Sunday, Nov. 22, at 11:33 a.m., according to the event’s Facebook page. “The start finish area is near the Pine Street Extension Entrance into Mine Falls Park about 200 yards west of the Millyard Smokestack,” the post said. “New this year, you can purchase a Novemberfest T-shirt for $20 each. All profits go directly to Nashua Children’s Home.” For more information on the race, see gatecity.org/novemberfest.

This Week 26/07/23

Thursday, July 23

Organized by the Merrimack Valley Military Vehicle Collectors Club, the Weare Rally will run today through Saturday, July 25, at Center Woods School (14 Center Road, Weare). The rally features military vehicle displays, scenic rides, demonstrations, food and more, according to mvmvc.org.

Friday, July 24

The Live Free or Die Tattoo Expo runs today through Sunday, July 26, at the DoubleTree by Hilton Manchester Downtown (700 Elm St. in Manchester). The event features tattoo artists, daily contests, vendors, live music, food and performances, according to livefreeordietattoo.com, where you can find a schedule and purchase tickets.

Friday, July 24

Tickets are still available to maybe one of the greatest summer blockbusters ever? Go see 1975’s Jawsand then discuss. The movie will screen nightly today through Wednesday, July 29, at 7:30 p.m. at Chunky’s in Manchester, according to chunkys.com, where you can purchase tickets.

Saturday, July 25

TheKinfolk Music & Arts Festival, described as “A day where reggae drifts into roots, jam bands run into songwriters, and by the end of the day it somehow all makes perfect sense,” will take place today from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. at Ragged Mountain Resort in Danbury, according to raggedmountainresort.com/event-overview, where you can purchase tickets. The lineup of musicians includes headliner Mihali as well as Joe Samba, Roots of Creation, Van Gordon Martin, King Kyote, Strange Machines, Mike Jetti Trio, Nate Ramos, Steve Rondo and Brendan Clemente as artist at large, the website said. The day will feature 65 artisan booths, interactive activities and demos, family fun, food trucks, a beer garden and more, according to a press release about the event.

Saturday, July 25

The Second Annual Five Senses Tour at Tiffany Gardens, a fundraiser for Community Caregivers of Greater Derry, will take place today and tomorrow, Sunday, July 26, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the private Tiffany Gardens, a one-acre residential garden with more than 20 garden beds, according to comcaregivers.org/garden-tour, where you can purchase tickets.

Saturday, July 25

The Manchester Craft Market at the Mall of New Hampshire will hold its Local Author Book Fair today from noon to 4 p.m., featuring 75 New England area authors, according to manchestercraftmarket.com, where you can preorder some of the books.

Saturday, July 25

New Hampshire Audubon’s McLane Center (84 Silk Farm Road in Concord) will hold the Capital Area Butterfly Survey on Saturday, July 25, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., according to nhaudubon.org, where you can register to participate.

Wednesday, July 29

Celebrate the life and work of New Zealand actor Sam Neill at a screening of Jurassic Park tonight at 7:30 p.m. at Red River Theatres, 11 S. Main St. in Concord. See redrivertheatres.org.

Save the Date! Thursday, July 30
Get a taste of the New Hampshire Film Festival (2026’s is in October) on Thursday, July 30, at 7 p.m. at the Rex Theatre in Manchester for “The New Hampshire Film Festival Presents: NHFF Short Films — Best of the Fest part 1,” according to palacetheatre.org, where you can purchase tickets. The films include previous Film Festival entries, including shorts Jury Award winners and Festival Award winners, according to the website.

Featured image: Mihali in a photo from mihalimusic.com

Sox win streak hits 13

The Big Story – Sox Stay Hot: The scalding hot Red Sox pushed World Cup soccer out of the top story again. The Sox’ winning streak that started the day Jaylen Brown got traded hit a third best in franchise history 13 games after they swept the AL East-leading Rays coming right out of the All-Star break.

They did it with great pitching and clutch late-game rallies and they’ve even started to hit homers. It’s put them in the third wild card spot and at 50-48 moved them to within six games of Tampa Bay. Who’d have thought that on June 15?

Sports 101: Just two players have had three seasons with 50 or more doubles — name them.

News Item – Spain takes World Cup: The FIFA World Cup was mostly great. But the 1-0 Spain win over defending champion Argentina was a bit of a dud. Spain was so dominant Argentina didn’t get its first shot on goal until the waning minutes of regulation. But despite peppering the goal all game long Spain couldn’t get it past Argentina’s superb goalie Emiliano “Dibu” Martinez, until Ferran Torres finally did for the game winner in the first extra time period.

News Item – Patriots Open Camp: What with just free agency, the draft, a big trade for A.J. Brown and a weeks-long gossip-soaked scandal involving the HC it’s been a quick off-season. It ends Saturday when camp opens for all to see at 10:30 a.m. in Foxboro.

News Item – Caitlin Clark: If you missed it — CC went for 45 and 10 in a 119-107 Indiana win over Seattle to become the first in WNBA history to have a 40-point, 10-assist double-double. To her petty, jealous WNBA detractors: Take that.

The Numbers:

0 – hits by the Red Sox while somehow scoring three runs in the third inning of Sunday’s 6-1 win on four walks, a hit batter, a passed ball and a fielder’s choice.

3:42.66 – time it took Josh Kerr in minutes and seconds to set the world record for the mile run last week in London.

270 – Ryan Fox’s 10 under par British Open winning score finished off a dramatic 18th-hole birdie that pushed him one shot past runner-up Cameron Young.

Game of the Week: That would be Washington’s 23-4 pasting of Oakland as Andres Chaparro drove in eight runs in a two-homer, 4-for-5 night.

A Little History – First Sub-4 Minute Mile: The latest evidence today’s athletes are bigger, faster and stronger came from London when Kerr set that world record for the mile.

As if you could somehow put him into the same race with Roger Bannister on the day he broke the once thought to be unbreakable four-minute mile with his 3:59.4 run on May 6, 1954, RB would have finished an astonishing 46 yards behind Kerr.

For a visual, that is 11 yards farther behind Kerr than Twice a Prince was when finishing second as Secretariat blew away the field by 31 lengths to win the first Triple Crown in 25 years at the 1973 Belmont Stakes. Which, oh by the way, I witnessed in person.

Random Thought: How in the name of Joe Castiglione did Greg Weissert somehow “earn” that win vs. Tampa Bay after entering in the third inning Friday with it tied 3-3? He then pitched to four batters over parts of two innings giving up two hits before getting yanked. But after they rallied to lead 4-3 in the bottom of the third he got the win after getting just two measly outs despite being out-pitched by all five pitchers who followed him.

Sports 101 Answer: The two with three seasons of 50+ doubles are Tris Speaker and Stan Musial, who are also Nos. 1 and 2 respectively in doubles all-time.

Final Thought – World Cup Leftovers:

Most Notable Players: Hey, while that Lionel Messi guy didn’t have a great Final, he’s pretty good. Ditto for French star Kylian Mbappé.

TV Ratings: The 33 million watching U.S.-Belgium was the largest audience ever for an English-speaking soccer broadcast according to World Cup broadcaster Fox Sports.

Financial: In taking in $9 billion worldwide the 2026 FIFA World Cup was the largest sporting event in history. The $27 beer prices tell you all you need to know — gouging on everything was the order of the day.

Commercials: Don’t want to sound like one of those goobers who watch the Super Bowl only for the commercials. But the World Cup’s clear winner were those Lysol ads with women’s star Julie Ertz. She wasintense and funny scaring the bee-jeebers out of hubby/Washington TE Zach Ertz.

Long-Term Impact: It remains to be seen if soccer takes a big step forward in popularity because of the World Cup or it finds its place where track and field is, an amazing spectacle seen just every four years in the Olympics.

Miscellaneous: With 36 different countries and many languages involved, how did the refs know when disgruntled players were swearing at them?

Email Dave Long at dlong@hippopress.com.

Quality of Life 26/07/23

Smoky summer

Last week saw hazy, smoky skies from Canadian wildfires. Even as conditions improved toward the weekend, the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services declared a Code Orange for air quality on July 18. “A Code Orange Air Quality Alert means that air pollution concentrations may become unhealthy for sensitive groups,” according to a July 17 release. “Sensitive individuals include children and older adults; anyone with lung disease such as asthma, emphysema, and bronchitis; and people who are active outdoors. Even healthy individuals may experience mild health effects and should consider limiting strenuous or prolonged outdoor activities.”

QOL score: -2

Comments: You can keep an eye on air quality in New Hampshire at des.nh.gov/air, which offers information about current conditions and a forecast for a few days out. Get a look at the rest of the country at the EPA’s Fire and Smoke Map at fire.airnow.gov with explanations for what the color-coded conditions mean at airnow.gov/aqi/aqi-basics.

We bring tendies to the “Potluck”

For its America 250 speciality issue “America’s Potluck,” America’s Test Kitchen (the group behind Cooks Illustrated and Cook’s Country magazines and the PBS series America’s Test Kitchen, among other endeavors) gathered “75+ recipes, representing every state in the USA to celebrate America’s milestone birthday,” according to the magazine’s description. New Hampshire’s contribution: “Puritan Backroom-Style Chicken Tenders” along with a “Puritan Backroom-Style Sweet and Sour Sauce.”

QOL score: +1, for New Hampshire being represented by something actually New Hampshire famous (and tasty!)

Comments:It claims that the tenders take 45 minutes plus 1 hour of marinating time. Or we can use our living-here privilege and just order.

Girl Scouts doing good

The Girl Scouts of the Green and White Mountains have sent out some recent press releases about Girls Scouts doing good:

• Gold Award Girl Scout Kaelyn Gagnon received a $5,000 scholarship from the Girls Scouts of the USA, according to a July 13 release. “Gagnon, 18, of Manchester, NH, earned the Girl Scout Gold Award last year for creating a Young Athletes Program through Special Olympics in Goffstown,” the release said. “The Special Olympics Young Athletes Program in Goffstown is still running strong today. Gagnon continued volunteering with the program after earning the Gold Award because it is close to her heart.”

• The Girl Scouts at Captain Samuel Douglas Academy elementary school in Brookline earned a Bronze Award for building and painting a new gaga ball pit, according to a July 15 release. According to a statement in the release, “the troop said, ‘We wanted to make a sturdy gaga ball pit that could be used by our current and future classmates.’”

• Annabelle Moriarity of Amherst earned a Silver Award by addressing “book deserts”: “She collected and distributed more than 1,000 books … created book and literacy kits and donated them to public schools in Nashua, the Boys & Girls Clubs, the Nashua Children’s Home, Marguerite’s Place, St. Gianna’s Place, and other community organizations,” according to a July 15 release.

QOL score: +3

Comments: See girlscoutsgwm.org for information about the Girl Scouts.

QOL score last week: 50

Net change: +2

QOL this week: 52

What’s affecting your Quality of Life here in New Hampshire?

Let us know at news@hippopress.com.

News & Notes 26/07/23

Let us abstain

Don’t eat the recalled iceberg lettuce products from Taylor Fresh Foods, the New Hampshire Department of Health & Human Services, Division of Public Health, advised in a July 19 press release. “The lettuce may be contaminated with Cyclospora, a parasite that can cause foodborne illness. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has announced that Taylor Fresh Foods is voluntarily recalling certain iceberg lettuce products sourced from central Mexico. To date, DHHS has not identified any cases of cyclosporiasis (Cyclospora infection) in New Hampshire linked to the national outbreak,” the release said.

“The recalled products were distributed to retailers and food service customers, including locations in New Hampshire, between June 29 and July 16, 2026. The FDA website contains a complete list of products and lot numbers. At this time, there is no information indicating that any recalled products were distributed directly to consumers through New Hampshire stores, but restaurants and other food service entities should check their inventory for recalled products,” the release said. Find the list of recalled products at taylorfarms.com (click on “Statement regarding Cyclospora information”) or at fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/taylor-fresh-foods-recalls-iceberg-lettuce-central-mexico-because-possible-health-risk

“People infected with Cyclospora may develop symptoms including watery diarrhea, loss of appetite, weight loss, stomach cramps, nausea, fatigue, and low-grade fever. Symptoms typically begin about one week after consuming contaminated food and can last for several weeks if left untreated. Anyone experiencing these symptoms with potential exposure to recalled lettuce should contact their health care provider,” according to the release, which said the Granite State has recorded six Cyclospora infections in 2026.

New chancellor

The Board of Trustees of the Community College System of New Hampshire have selected Dr. Chuck Lloyd as the next chancellor, according to a July 16 press release. “Dr. Lloyd currently serves as CCSNH’s vice chancellor, a position he has held since 2023. From 2017 to 2023, he was president of White Mountains Community College (WMCC) with campuses in Berlin and Littleton, N.H.” the release said. “Dr. Lloyd was chosen through a search process led by Donnalee Lozeau, chair of the CCSNH Board of Trustees, and unanimously endorsed by the full board,” the release said. Lloyd will begin the role on Aug. 24, with current chancellor Dr. Mark Rubinstein retiring at the end of August, the release said. The Community College System of New Hampshire consists of seven colleges — Great Bay Community College in Portsmouth; Lakes Region Community College in Laconia; Manchester Community College; Nashua Community College; NHTI – Concord’s Community College; River Valley Community College in Claremont, Lebanon and Keene; and White Mountains Community College in Berlin and Littleton — and serves more than 25,000 students annually, the release said. See ccsnh.edu.

Granite State Roller Derby will hold Skate-A-Thon 2026 to celebrate the season’s final public skate at Everett Arena, 15 Loudon Road in Concord, on Sunday, July 26, from 6 to 9 p.m. Admission costs $6, with $6 for skate rental if needed, according to an email from the event organizers. “All proceeds support local women’s flat track derby,” the release said. “The lights will be dimmed, music and party lights will be on, the snack bar will be open, and skating will be a blast.” See granitestaterollerderby.org.

The Goffstown Public Library Foundation will hold a FUNdraiser on Wednesday, July 29, from 4 to 8 p.m. at Remix Skate & Event Center, 725 Huse Road in Manchester, at which “a percentage of each paid admission will go to the Goffstown Public Library Foundation’s mission to raise funds to support the capital needs of the Goffstown Public Library,” according to an email from event organizers. See gplnhfoundation.org/events to purchase tickets.

Colson Whitehead, Pulitzer Prize-winning author of The Nickel Boys, presents his new book Cool Machine, Book 3 in the Harlem Trilogy, on Friday, July 24, at 7 p.m. at BNH Stage (16 S. Main St. in Concord) as part of the Author on Main series. Tickets cost $40 via ccanh.com.

The Griffin Free Public Library (griffinfree.org) in Auburn will hold its annual book sale at the Auburn Village School gym on Saturday, July 25, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Sunday, July 26, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., according to the library’s Facebook page.

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