Tag: 261105

An art journey

This year’s Route 3 Art Trail provides paths to creativity

This year’s Route 3 Art Trail will take place Saturday, Nov. 7, and will include 20 sites, from Concord to Franklin. Erika Rydberg-Hall of the Concord Maker Space is the coordinator of this year’s Art Trail.

“It is a network of creative spaces,” Rydberg-Hall said. “It’s a one-day event and it’s a driving experience where you can visit up to 20 sites that are a part of the art trail itself. Every [stop along] the Art Trail celebrates some aspect of the creative economy art community from Concord to Franklin. Participants are invited to stop at any of the sites. There are artist demonstrations. There is always something creative aligned with each stop as you go along the trail. You just show up wherever you have the most interest. The interesting thing about this year’s [Art Trail] is we have 20 stops, four or five per community. …You could choose and pick one community. You could choose and pick what you’re interested in. And if you go to five, then you can enter the raffle. So that’s kind of cool, too.”

The creative activities will include everything from demonstrations of expert crafting skills, Rydberg-Hall said, to hands-on participation activities.

“At the Eleventh Letter Writing Gallery, they are having a postcard-writing opportunity,” she said, “where folks will be able to participate in both the creation of an exhibit for the gallery and to write postcards. The idea is that folks are writing postcards to somebody that they’re grateful for and sending it home. … Carol [Ellis] at Laborata Gallery in Penacook, for example, typically does some metalworking demonstrations. Ben [Braggins], who has knitting metal and often sits at the Makerspace, will be making jewelry as he’s talking to folks.”

One of the goals of the Art Trail, Rydberg-Hall said, is to embrace creative arts that don’t necessarily fit into a traditionally labeled niche.

“Heidi Pauer at Penumbra here in Concord will do intuitive poetry. You walk into the shop and Heidi will talk with you a little bit and interact with you, and then write a poem about her interaction between you and what she experiences. I think that’s kind of a cool interactive opportunity that’s happening on the trail.

Another goal of the Route 3 Art Trail is to inspire visitors, Rydberg-Hall said.

“Sometimes it’s just getting exposure to different kinds of creativity that inspires somebody to go and pursue that thing themselves. And I know a number of the spaces along the trail that we partner with are also teaching spaces, so places like Kimball Jenkins … where people will have the opportunity after the trail to also learn a new skill … So I think that’s just a wonderful thing to emphasize that we have all these spaces in our community where folks can participate and learn a creative skill that maybe they’ve never tried before. And just knowing that those resources exist is really inspiring and encouraging to try new things.”

2026 Route 3 Art Trail
When: Saturday, Nov. 7, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Where: At 20 sites in four communities. See route3arttrail.com.

Concord: Penumbra (10 N. State St., Concord, 731-9469; 24c Main St., Goffstown; penumbra.shop), George S. Wallace Bag Maker (132½ N. Main St., Concord, 931-9570, georgeswallacebagmaker.com), 781-296-3316, The Eleventh Letter Writing Gallery (146 N. Main St., Concord, theeleventhletter.com), Kimball Jenkins Estate and School of Art (266 N. Main St., Concord, 225-3932, kimballjenkins.com).

Penacook: Jo Shields’ Studio (5 Steeple View, Penacook, 731-4427, jo-shields.com), Laborata Studio (1b Merrimack St., Penacook, 568-9925, laboratastudio.com), The Wild Bean (316 Village St., Penacook, 568-1190, thewildbeanshop.com), Sweet Dreamz and Fox Hardware (325 Village St., Pennacook, 581-8112)

Boscawen: Concord Makerspace (197 N. Main St., Boscawen, 565-5443, concordmakerspace.org), The Art Porch Gallery (181 King St. (front porch), Boscawen, 406-9003), Chadwick Hill Rustic Furniture by Doug Egounis (187 King St., Boscawen, 724-9963), Black Forest Nursery (209 King St., Boscawen, 796-2756, blackforestnursery.com), Gadzooks Glass (232 King St., Boscawen), Garden Sculptor Susan Douglas (231 King St., Boscawen, 724 3593)

Franklin: Eagles Aerie (31 N. Main, Franklin, 520-2640), Franklin Public Library (310 Central St., Franklin, 934-2911, franklinnh.gov/franklin-public-library), Analog Coffee (366 Central St., Franklin), Downtown Crepes (42 Franklin St., Franklin, 912-7373, downtowncrepes.com), The Waterhorse Irish Pub (361 Central St., Franklin, 671-7118, thewaterhorsepub.com)

Featured photo: Photo courtesy of the Bookery.

Community hub

Readings, signings and (sometimes) songs at Bookery

If grabbing a copy of the latest in the Dungeon Crawler Carl series were a reader’s only objective, going online or to a big box store might suffice. The Bookery in Manchester, however, is much more than a place to shop. It’s a gathering space, for customers to meet authors, hear about new offerings, even create on their own — or just relax among like minds.

It exists as a buffer zone for those who go to work or school, and then head home while staring at phones.

“We don’t have a lot of what people call third spaces,” Alex Pellerin, Bookery Event Coordinator, said in a recent Zoom interview. “With the advancement of technology … the need for human interaction has been in some ways removed.”

The Bookery offers a bevy of ways to address that modern conundrum.

Word Search, an open mic with poetry, writing, music and performance, happens the second Wednesday of every month. Hosted by the NAV Arts collective, it begins with a featured poet, then hands the room over to its audience. Not everyone steps up with a poem, Pellerin noted.

“It’s for anything,” she said. “Poetry, a short story … we’ve had people come play a song they wrote, things like that.”

Music will take center stage on the Bookery’s busiest shopping day of the year. On Small Business Saturday, Nov. 28, the NH Ukeladies, an all-female ukulele troupe, will play later in the day. Local authors staff tables throughout, and the event will include giveaways and holiday discounts.

In the near term, at 11:30 a.m. on the Saturday before Veterans Day, Londonderry author and retired Army sergeant first class William Graser will host a signing. Graser’s books include Veterans’ Reflections: History Preserved, a collection of veterans’ stories, and his more recent Smell the Gunpowder: The Land of the Morning Calm.

At the same hour, the store’s weekly Saturday story time features a staff reading of Ellen L. Ramsey’s A Book for Bear, followed by a craft activity. At 6 p.m., poet and scholar A.P. Walton will read from and discuss Letters of a Poet Dying: The Selected Correspondence of Frank Stanford. Stanford, a cult figure among poets, took his own life in 1978 at age 29.

Pellerin was a longtime customer — “I feel like I’ve been with Bookery for life,” she said — before joining the staff last year; she took over events in March. Her previous work as a residence hall director at both UNH and University of Maine was focused on a lot of community-building, which made her a good fit for the new role.

An early high point came when she helped stage the launch of Celia Botto’s children’s book The Ostrich Needs a Lift, and drew about 80 people. A Dungeon Crawler Carl-themed event during Granite State Comic Con weekend pairing in-store games with a bar crawl along Elm Street was another success, and the Bookery hopes to make it a yearly tradition.

Gathering at the Elm Street store doesn’t depend on the calendar. There are regulars who come in every day, to talk about what they’re reading, recommend a book, or just get help working through a problem.

“Everything we do here is a lot more intentional,” Pellerin said. “It’s kind of going beyond just making a sale.”

That personal touch shows up all over the store.

Staff hand-draw the wrappers for Blind Date With a Book and write the teaser blurbs. There is a staff picks wall, and a suggestion box for customers’ own recommendations. The monthly book club polls members on what to read next, and writers’ groups meet in the space. A romance and romantasy book club run by a staff member starts next year.

The poetry side keeps growing, too. Beyond the NAV Arts open mic, Pellerin is working with local poets and the Slam Free or Die crew to bring in more readings, and she’s planning monthly drop-in art sessions for the new year.

“We have some really exciting ideas,” she said, adding that details are developing.

Finally, a new café is due to open in mid-November to replace Critical Mass, which operated as a separate business, with an effort run by Bookery staff. It will focus on grab-and-go items like salads, sandwiches and soups, along with coffee and some vegan options. “I heard rumblings about a soft-serve machine,” Pellerin said. “So who’s to say?”

Upcoming events at the Bookery, 844 Elm St., Manchester
When: Saturday, Nov. 7
What: Storytime reading of Ellen L. Ramsey’s A Book for Bear, 11:30 a.m.; book signing with William Graser (Smell the Gunpowder: The Land of the Morning Calm, 11:30 a.m.; A.P. Walton reads and discusses Letters of a Poet Dying, 6 p.m.
Tickets: RSVP at eventbrite.com
More info: Full calendar at bookerymht.com/our-events

Featured photo: Photo courtesy of the Bookery.

Make Stuff, Meet People

A community of crafters

In praise of making stuff and meeting people

By Zachary Lewis
listings@hippopress.com

“Craft,” the word itself, encompasses a wide variety of hands-on activities that you, a loved one, a friend, or even a frenemy can partake in together or separately. In fact, a real craft community has woven together.

Following along with the almighty easel to Bob Ross re-runs on YouTube all by me onesies is a swell way to spend a Sunday morning but one can not live solely by crafting alone.

Where should the curious crafters go? Studio 550 is a swell choice. Located on Elm Street in downtown Manchester, Studio 550 was founded by and is run by Monica Leap, who provides a space for crafters to congregate.

“I can’t say everybody likes being around other people, but I think people enjoy doing things together,” Leap said. “And when you are making something with your hands, it occupies a different kind of brain space and it puts you in a different kind of presence…whether you’re painting, working with clay, stained glass, drawing or whatever, it requires your presence. So when you’re doing them together in a group, you’re all in it together.”

Crafting takes you out of your head and into the present moment and allows for space to strike up a conversation. Studio 550 offers a wide range of art classes and workshops on drawing, pottery, watercolor painting, acrylic painting, introductory drawing, stained glass, clay hand-sculpting and more.

“In November,” Leap said, “we have a visiting artist coming named Lisa Orr. She’s an artist from Massachusetts who’s been working in clay for over 40 years. She makes some really funky, ornate stuff that is actually really functional and just sucks you in when you’re looking at it in person.”

Studio 550 also has its Hands-On Holiday Market in December, a market that is only possible through the contribution of many.

“It happens the week before Christmas and it’s just members and people that create their work here selling their work for a week-long market. We just take over our 2D painting studio and turn it into a browsing space, so you don’t have to socialize. You don’t have to talk with the vendor. It gives our students a low-stakes way to start selling their work and to start presenting their work to the public. It’s usually very impressive what they can come up with,” Leap said.

Cheering you on

Another righteous way to craft down with family and friends is at the Bedford Canvas Roadshow. I asked the owner, Casey Wilson, why she thought people liked to get together to craft.

“Well, I think one thing, especially for businesses and people that aren’t crafters, is it’s something that gets them out of that comfort zone,” Wilson said. “I think a lot of people are like, I’m not an artist, I can’t do it, there’s no way it’s going to look just as good as the example, but when they come out and we show them, kind of get them out of their comfort zone of what they think they can do and really show them that they can do it, it’s kind of a really wow factor to see that explored.”

That winning feeling makes one social too.

“People can talk, mingle, kind of see what other people are doing, and hopefully make a friend,” Wilson said.

Bedford Canvas Roadshow will be well into its holiday as you read these words.

“We’ve already switched on to our winter Christmas kind of vibe. So it’s going to be all winter and Christmas projects but they’re always changing. Our seagrass trees were really popular last year, so that always catches a lot of people’s interest during that holiday season,” she said.

Wilson spoke on the positivity in the studio: “When you’re at the studio, not only do you have the instructor there to help you, root you on, but you also could have the whole class giving you suggestions and helping you. Saying, how that looks great or that kind of thing. We’re almost like our own cheerleaders in a sense.”

Crafters can learn how to create crushed glass snow globes, tumble sea glass holiday trees, knit snowmen, and do other crafts in November. Some more opportunities to make friends as well as crafts could take place at a knit blanket workshop, wood workshops, resin workshops and much more.

Getting together

Other venues exist where the art itself is a pleasant visitor alongside the crafter. Another pleasant visitor is the wine. Wine on Main in Concord hosts a plethora, and I mean a plethora, of fun arts and crafts events.

“We definitely do wine events like wine classes and like food and wine pairing events, but we do like a large amount of crafting activities as well,” Emma Stetson, the owner of Wine on Main, said. “Specifically, we work with a friend of mine. Her name is Stephanie, but she goes by the moniker The Funky Squid. She and her family also own Averill House Vineyards in Brookline, New Hampshire. She is also a professional crafter. So she comes here at least once a month to do some kind of fun craft. We pair it with a wine tasting, usually including four wines from around the world, and light snacks,” Stetson said.

Some of the offerings include the wine bag tote workshop coming up on Thursday, Nov. 12, from 6 to 8 p.m. as well as a glass sweater ornament creation extravaganza on Dec. 2 with plenty more.

“We’ve had a lot of new people move to Concord who have come here and said, ‘I’ve recently come to Concord and I’m looking to meet people.’ So I’ll say, come to one of our crafting nights because there are lots of people who come by themselves and people who come to make friends, and they do. It’s become a great place to meet people and especially for new people coming to Concord to make friends and become part of the community,” Stetson said.

Sure, it’s perfectly acceptable to stay at home and stare at the yarn crumpled in your bedroom corner, but it’s also a swell idea to interact with the living and crochet the world’s largest scarf.

Enjoying the journey

The process should be enjoyable, and completion is not necessarily the main goal nor is producing what you originally set out to create. Crafting is a journey. Meg Locker, the founder of New Hampshire Craft Club, is a fan of the crafting journey.

“I like imperfect crafting,” Locker said. “Stuff like scrapbooking, where there’s no specific desired outcome. It just kind of becomes whatever it becomes over the course of the event. So scrapbooking and mosaics and anything that’s like hands-on and doesn’t need to be perfect.”

Locker started the Craft Club in May 2025, “which feels like it was so long ago,” she said. “Our business model at the time was everything we do is completely mobile.” Catering to the majority of the state, she is now happy to report she’ll be opening a new studio in Concord (check their websites for the most up-to-date information).

New Hampshire Craft Club will be exploring the many threads of fiber arts in November.

“So things like knitting, crocheting. It’s very much a ‘come as you are’ sort of thing. You don’t need to have a defined skill. You don’t need to be what I call a capital-A artist, overly knowledgeable and skillful in fine arts. It’s meant to be, first and foremost, an opportunity to get out of the house and do something with people in your community. Secondary to that, we want everyone to leave every event with something fun that they can say, ‘Hey, I made this with my own hands.’ If you’re ever curious, feel free to stop by. I’m very responsive online, so send me an email, message me on Instagram. We just want to build this community.”

Continuing on this same spool of thought, the craft community, like any other, is built one thread at a time, although it is a lot more fun to say it in a crafting context.

Touch moss

Dash of Creativity is another excellent crafting endeavour where Granite Staters can sew together. Founded by Dasha Randlett, Dash of Creativity has spiced up breweries, libraries and other venues all across New England. Her selections can be found through Eventbrite or her Facebook page.

“I really started out with crochet and macrame,” Randlett said. “That’s really where my foundation is, but since then I’ve been doing a lot of different things.”

“Macrame is, I guess I’d call it the art of knot tying. You have strings that are set up in a configuration and then you just make specific kinds of knots and patterns. Then by doing that repetitively, you’ll end up with an image or a design,” Randlett said.

“I think it’s nice to actually go out in the real world and actually do something with your hands and feel accomplished,” Randlett said. “For instance, with bows, embroidery, and crochet, a lot of people have never done it. Once they actually have done it, it’s like, oh, that was actually really fun. And it was actually a really enjoyable experience.” These good vibes are a major component in the naturally occurring friendship fabrication that goes on during Dasha’s crafting workshops.

Penumbra in Concord also contains a wonderful curation of crafting events. Alison Murphy and Alyssa McClary are the married team behind the crafty plant store where one could meet a friend making a terrarium or even a kokedama.

“It’s a Japanese word and it’s like a moss and soil ball,” McClary said. “You pick out a plant and then we show you how to make the moss ball. Then you wind it up in a bunch of twine or fishing line, and you can hang it and it’s super cool.” This workshop will be held on Thursday, Nov. 12.

Another project is succulent centerpieces for Thanksgiving, which will take place on the week of Thanksgiving. A personal favorite of McClary’s have been needle felting projects that they have hosted in the past.

“Needle felting is, you get raw wool [fleece] and take these, they have these special different kinds of needles and you just stab it repeatedly until it’s become this solid mass and yeah, I find it incredibly therapeutic.” The relaxation produced allows crafters to be open to meeting others while they create cuddly little supernatural critters.

“We have had an artist at the store,” McClary said, “who makes needle-felted characters. She made a bunch of ghosts for Halloween. She’ll make little gnome guys at Christmas, whatever strikes her. … You turn this raw, stringy felt into this compact mass of whatever you want to make. It’s pretty cool.”

Buy crafts

Holiday season is craft fair season

Compiled by Amy Diaz
adiaz@hippopress.com

Here are some of the crafts fairs, arts markets, open studios and other arts and artisan and crafter promoting events in the holiday season. Have an event not mentioned here? Let us know at adiaz@hippopress.com.

• Manchester Craft Market at the Mall of NH, 1500 S. Willow St. in Manchester, features the works of several area makers, artists and craftspeople, according to manchestercraftmarket.com, where you can find a list of the makers. The shop is open Monday through Thursday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., and Sunday, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., the website said.

• The Craftworkers’ Guild in Bedford has two shopping opportunities at its location in Oliver Kendall House, behind the Bedford Public Library on Meetinghouse Road in Bedford, according to its website, thecraftworkersguild.org. The November Hearth & Home Shop will run Thursday, Oct. 29, through Sunday, Nov. 22, open Thursdays through Sundays, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., the website said. The Holiday Shop is open Friday, Nov. 27, through Sunday, Dec. 20, open Wednesdays through Sundays, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., the website said. “Handcrafts in our shop include fashion accessories, fabric & fiber arts, jewelry, home decor, art glass, pottery & ceramic arts, painting & photography, gourmet & goodie treats, children’s goods, cards & papercraft, soaps, lotions and candles, woodenware, metalwork, knitwear and blankets,” and more, the website said.

• The Concord Arts Market (concordartsmarket.org) and others will participate in the Concord Art Walk, the final First Friday event of the season in downtown Concord, on Friday, Nov. 6, from 4 to 8 p.m., according to firstfridayconcord.com. Concord Arts Market will set up with 20+ vendors on Capitol Street, the website said. Arts Alley, Kimball Jenkins and other Concord locations will also be participating, the website said.

• The First Church of Nashua, 1 Concord St. in Nashua, will hold its Holiday Fair & Silent Auction on Friday, Nov. 6, from 4 to 7 p.m. and Saturday, Nov. 7, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., featuring a Santa visit from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday; a Friday night dinner from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. and a Saturday lunch from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.; a thrift shop from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday; homemade goodies, gift baskets, craft items and more, according to a church flyer.

• Merrimack Knights of Columbus Fall Craft Fair will be held at Mastricola Upper Elementary School, 26 Baboosic Lake Road in Merrimack, on Friday, Nov. 6, from 5 to 8 p.m., and Saturday, Nov. 7, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., featuring more than 40 crafters, a bake table, a chance auction, a food counter and more, according to an email from event organizers.

• Grace Episocopal Church, 30 Eastman St. in Concord, will hold its annual St. Nicholas Fair on Saturday, Nov. 7, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., featuring “fresh-baked Christmas goodies, crafts, jewelry, children’s fun,” a cookie walk and more, according to an email from the church. See graceeastconcord.org.

• The Nashua YMCA of the YMCA of Greater Nashua, 24 Stadium Drive in Nashua, will hold its Fall Craft Fair on Saturday, Nov. 7, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. and will feature concessions, kids’ activities, local vendors and more, according to nmymca.org/fall-craft-fair.

• Scout Troop 101 Craft Fair will take place Saturday, Nov. 7, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Raymond High School, 45 Harriman Hill Road in Raymond, featuring more than 75 local crafters and artisans plus hot foods and baked goods, according to a Facebook page for the event.

• The Hampstead Mother’s Club 40th Annual Craft Fair will take place on Saturday, Nov. 7, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Hampstead Middle School, 28 School St. in Hampstead, featuring more than 80 local artisans, according to hampsteadmothersclub.org.

• The Granite State Choral Society will hold a Craft Fair on Saturday, Nov. 7, from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the James W. Foley Memorial Community Center, 150 Wakefield St. in Rochester, according to gschoralsociety.org.

• The Route 3 Art Trail will run Saturday, Nov. 7, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. featuring a self-guided tour of locations in Concord, Franklin, Boscawen and Penacook, according to a press release. Find a map and schedule at route3arttrail.com. See the story on page 14.

• The Third Annual Holiday Craft & Artisan Show will take place at the Capital City Sports Complex, 10 Garvins Falls Road in Concord, on Saturday, Nov. 7, and Sunday, Nov. 8, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. featuring 125 exhibitors of “jewelry … seasonal décor, gourmet treats, art, clothing, woodwork, home goods, and more,” according to an event email. Admission costs $7 (which covers both days) and is free for kids 14 and under and for everyone after 3 p.m. on Sunday, the email said. The event will also feature craft brews and cocktails, live music, lunch and more, the release said. See gnecraftartisanshows.com.

• The Assumption Greek Orthodox Church Ladies Philoptochos Society will hold its annual Fall Bazaar on Saturday, Nov. 7, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Sunday, Nov. 8, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the church hall at 111 Island Pond Road in Manchester, featuring Greek food and pastry as well as raffles and vendors. Visit assumptionnh.org.

• Paper Jam, a zine and print fest, will take place at The Millspace, 55 Main St. in Newmarket, millspace.org, on Saturday, Nov. 7, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., “bringing together artists, writers, printmakers, and indie publishers from across the Seacoast and greater New England,” according to the website.

• The Bedford Handmade Fair will take place Sunday, Nov. 8, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Bedford High School, 47 Nashua Road in Bedford, featuring local artists, crafters and artisans, according to a press release. See sites.google.com/bedfordnhk12.net/bedfordhandmade/home.

• Lil’ Iguana’s Children’s Safety Foundation will hold its annual Craft Fair & Raffle on Saturday, Nov. 14, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Nashua High School North, 8 Titan Way in Nashua, according to liliguanausa.org/craft-fair. The event will feature more than “150 crafters, vendors and area businesses” as well as a raffle room, the website said.

• St. Paul’s United Methodist Church, 335 Smyth Road in Manchester, will hold its Craft Fair on Saturday, Nov. 14, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. featuring crafts and homemade goods, a cookie walk and bake sale, a silent auction and more, according to a flyer on the church’s Facebook page. See stpaulsumcnh.org.

• Bow Mills United Methodist Church, 505 South St. in Bow, will hold its annual Snowman Fair on Saturday, Nov. 14, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. The day will feature crafts to make for kids, holiday crafts for sale, baked goods and a silent auction and more, according to bowmillsumc.org.

• United Church of Penacook, at Community Drive and Canal Street in Penacook, will hold its annual Christmas Fair on Saturday, Nov. 14, from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. featuring a bake sale, holiday decorations, home decor and pottery, knitted items, jams and jellies, jewelry and handbags, quilts and fabric crafts and toys and pet gifts, according to a flyer on the church’s Facebook page.

• Pembroke Academy, 209 Academy Road in Pembroke, will host the Pembroke Academy DECA business and marketing club’s Holiday Craft Fair on Saturday, Nov. 14, from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., according to a flyer on the Facebook page for the Spartan Market, which provides the school’s branded gear and will be open at the fair, the post said.

• The Christmas Craft Fair at St. Elizabeth Seton, 190 Meetinghouse Road in Bedford, will take place on Saturday, Nov. 14, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. featuring 50 vendors, raffle baskets and more, according to stelizabethsetonchurch.org.

• The 36th Annual Memorial High School Booster Club Craft Fair will take place Saturday, Nov. 14, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Memorial High School, 1 Crusader Way in Manchester, in the gym, mini gym, cafeteria and hallway, according to a Facebook post about the event at facebook.com/events/1774901677192151. The fair will feature 215+ booths, a raffle table, 50/50 drawing, The Whoopie Pie Wagon from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Burstin’ Kernel and Tom’s Travelin’ Coffee Truck, and more, according to the post.

• Main Street United Methodist Church, 154 Main St. in Nashua, will hold its Fall Fair on Saturday, Nov. 14, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. featuring craft items, baked goods, a cookie walk, Grandma’s Attic, food and more, according to a post on the church’s Facebook page.

• Londonderry United Methodist Church, 258 Mammoth Road in Londonderry, will hold its ’Tis the Season Craft Fair on Saturday, Nov. 14, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., according to the church newsletter at londonderryumc.org. The event will feature more than 40 artisan and food vendors as well as Hangryz Food Truck and Roy’s Empanadas, a silent auction and more, the flyer said.

• St. Charles Borromeo, 300 N. Route 25 in Meredith, will hold its Craft Fair on Saturday, Nov. 14, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., according to stcharlesnh.org.

• Concord Hospital will hold its 40th Annual Holiday Craft Fair on Saturday, Nov. 14, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the hospital, 250 Pleasant St. in Concord, according a hospital flyer. The event will feature “100+ tables of handmade creations,” raffles and more, the flyer said.

• Seacoast Artisans present the 27th annual Holiday Fine Arts & Crafts Show on Saturday, Nov. 14, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Great Bay Community College, 320 Corporate Drive at Pease Trade Port in Portsmouth, according to seacoastartisansshows.com. Admission costs $8 and kids ages 14 and under get in free, the website said.

• The League of NH Craftsmen will present Handmade in the Harbor, described as a “38 talented League craftsmen for an intimate, curated showcase of exceptional handmade work,” at Jimmy’s Jazz & Blues Club, 135 Congress St. in Portsmouth, on Saturday, Nov. 14, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday, Nov. 15, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., according to a press release. See nhcrafts.org to purchase tickets.

• The YMCA Allard Center of Goffstown, 116 Goffstown Back Road, will hold a Holiday Arts Market Monday, Nov. 23, through Thursday, Dec. 24, with a baked goods auction Nov. 16 through Nov. 23, according to an email from the Goffstown YMCA. See graniteymca.org.

• The Southern NH Chamber of Commerce will host a Small Biz Marketplace Expo at the Plaistow Community YMCA, 175 Plaistow Road in Plaistow, on Wednesday, Nov. 18, from 3 to 7 p.m., featuring unique products, one-of-a-kind gifts, and special finds from local small businesses, according to a post on the Southern NH Chamber of Commerce’s Facebook page.

• Concord Handmade — A Holiday Popup Shop, which will feature “artwork and handmade goods from more than 40 artists and makers throughout New England,” will open for the season on Friday, Nov. 20, at 10 N. State St. in Concord, according to an organizer email. Find Concord Handmade on Facebook for updates.

• The Bedford Women’s Club will hold its Festival of Trees and Holiday Market on Friday, Nov. 20, from 4 to 6 p.m., and Saturday, Nov. 21, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., at the Presbyterian Church, 4 Chad Road in Bedford, according to a club flyer. See bedfordwomensclub.org.

• St. Patrick Church, 34 Amherst St. in Milford, will hold its Church Fair on Saturday, Nov. 21, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., according to an email. The fair will feature homemade baked goods, handmade quilts, Christmas trees, holiday decor, food concessions and more, the email said.

• The United Methodist Women of Hampton United Methodist Church, 525 Lafayette Road in Hampton, will hold their annual Christmas Fair on Saturday, Nov. 21, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., according to a press release. The event will include food for dine-in and takeout, a bake and treat shop, a silent auction, craft corner, Woodland Pines wreaths and baskets and more, the release said.

• The 44th Annual Holiday Craft Fair at Thorntons Ferry School. 134 Camp Sargent Road in Merrimack, will take place on Saturday, Nov. 21, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., and feature more than 70 vendors, a silent auction, baked goods, Mr. and Mrs. Claus and more, according to facebook.com/TFSPTTF.

• Saint Catherine of Siena School, 206 North St. in Manchester, will hold its Holiday Fair on Saturday, Nov. 21, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Saturday, Nov. 22, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., in the school gym, according to saintcatherineparishnh.com.

• Holiday Fair from the Women’s Association at Congregational Church of Amherst, 11 Church St. in Amherst, will run Saturday, Nov. 21, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. featuring crafts, wreaths and ornaments, raffle baskets, holiday arrangements, baked goods, food, jewelry, collectibles and more, according to ccamherst.org.

• The Church of St. Patrick, 34 Amherst St. in Milford, will hold a Church Fair on Saturday, Nov. 21, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., according to spccnh.org/events.

• The PTO at New Searles Elementary School, 39 Shady Lane in Nashua, will hold a Holiday Craft Fair on Saturday, Nov. 21, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. featuring games, crafts, raffles and more, according to the PTO’s Facebook.

• The 15th Annual Community Holiday Craft Fair at Meredith Community Center, 1 Circle Drive in Meredith, will be held on Saturday, Nov. 21, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. and will feature more than 45 local crafters, a bake sale, lunch and raffles, according to an email from Meredith Parks and Recreation Department.

• The Pelham High School Craft Fair, 87 Marsh Road in Pelham, will be Saturday, Nov. 21, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., and will feature more than 45 vendors, according to the event’s Facebook page.

• St. Anne Parish, 26 Emerson Ave. in Hampstead, will hold its Christmas Fair on Saturday, Nov. 21, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday, Nov. 22, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., according to the church’s Facebook page. The fair will feature a raffle, silent auction, crafters, baked goods, themed gift baskets and more, the flyer on the post said.

• The Picker Artists, 3 Pine St. in Nashua, will hold their Holiday Open Studios on Saturday, Nov. 21, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., according to the Picker Artists Facebook page. “Explore our studios, meet our artists, and get a behind-the-scenes look at their creativity,” the post said.

• Holiday Fine Craft & Artisan Show on the Seacoast takes place Saturday, Nov. 21, and Sunday, Nov. 22, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. both days, at Rim Sports Complex, 311 Winnacunnet Road in Hampton, according to GNECraftArtisanShows.com. The event will feature 135 exhibitors, food trucks, live music, Santa and more, the website said. Admission costs $5, valid both days; ages 14 and under get in free, the website said.

• The Portsmouth Holiday Arts Tour featuring seven home studios in Portsmouth with 14 local artists will be held Saturday, Nov. 21, and Sunday, Nov. 22, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., according to a press release. See the map and more information at portsmouthartstour.com.

• The Derry Third Annual Holiday Sip and Shop at Fody’s Tavern, 187½ Rockingham Road in Derry, will take place Sunday, Nov. 22, from noon to 5 p.m. and feature crafters and vendors, according to the Facebook page for New England Vendor Events.

• The Great New England Holiday Craft Market will take place Friday, Nov. 27, and Saturday, Nov. 28, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the LaBelle Winery, 14 Route 111 in Derry, according to labellewinery.com, where you can RSVP.

• Exeter Holiday Parade Craft Fair will take place on Saturday, Nov. 28, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Historic Exeter Town Hall, 10 Front St. in Exeter, according to a press release. The fair will feature two floors of “craft items from local crafters and artisans,” the release said.

• Deck the Shelves Bookish Holiday Market held by Bookish Bliss Books will take place Saturday, Nov. 28, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at DoubleTree Expo Center, 700 Elm St. in Manchester, according to a post on Bookish Bliss Books’ Instagram. The event will feature 100+ makers and crafters, 40+ local authors, door prizes, raffles and more, the post said.

• Winter Members Show & Sale 2026 at Two Villages Art Society, 846 Main St. in Contoocook, twovillagesart.org, will be on display Saturday, Nov. 28, through Saturday, Dec. 26, according to the website. The show features works from more than 50 artist members, the website said. The gallery is open Thursdays through Sundays, noon to 4 p.m. with an opening reception held Saturday, Dec. 5, from noon to 2 p.m., the website said.

• The Nashua 12th Annual Holiday Craft Fair will take place at Broad Street Elementary School, 390 Broad St. in Nashua, on Sunday, Nov. 29, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., according to the Facebook page for New England Vendor Events. The event will feature more than 50 crafters and vendors plus photo opportunities with Santa, the post said.

• NH Alt Market will take place Sunday, Nov. 29, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Millspace, 55 Main St. in Newmarket, according to millspace.org.

• A Holiday Market at To Share Brewing, 720 Union St. in Manchester, will take place on Sunday, Nov. 29, from 1 to 6 p.m. and feature artists, artisans, makers and more, according to the brewery.

• The Artisan Nook at Kimball Jenkins, 266 N. Main St. in Concord, will run Thursday, Dec. 3, through Sunday, Dec. 20, with shopping hours Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays from noon to 8 p.m. (through 10 p.m. on Dec. 4) and Sundays from noon to 6 p.m., according to kimballjenkins.com. “Visit our pop-up holiday showcase of locally made fine art and craft items featuring local artisans,” the website said.

• The Contoocook Artisans Holiday Craft Fair “featuring 30+ local artisans” will take place Friday, Dec. 4, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Saturday, Dec. 5, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday, Dec. 6, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the American Legion Post 81, E.R. Montgomery Event Center, 169 Bound Tree Road in Contoocook, according to an organizer email. Email ContoocookArtisansNH@Gmail.com with questions.

• Manchester Makers Market Co. will present the 2026 Manchester Christmas Food, Crafts & Holiday Market on Friday, Dec. 4, through Sunday, Dec. 6, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Center of NH Expo, 650 Elm St. in Manchester, according to the eventbrite.com page for the event.

• The Atkinson Garden Club will hold its Greens and Gifts Sale on Friday, Dec. 4, and Saturday, Dec. 5, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Atkinson Community Center, 4 Main St. in Atkinson, featuring fresh greens in holiday decorations as well as other items, according to atkinsongardenclub.com, where you can pre-order wreaths, kissing balls and more.

• The UNH Makers Expo, featuring items made by UNH students, staff and faculty, will take place Friday, Dec. 4, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the Granite State Room at the New Hampshire Memorial Union on the campus in Durham, according to students.unh.edu. “Engineers who knit! IT folks doing scratch prints! Jewelry from biologists! It’s a great way to support local artisans and get some holiday shopping done,” the website said.

• Concord Arts Market will present Giftopolis at Midnight Merriment on Friday, Dec. 4, from 5 to 11 p.m. at the Eagle Square Atrium in downtown Concord, according an email from an organizer. Concord Arts Market is also creating a Give A Little Art Holiday Gift Guide, which will be at concordartsmarket.org/give-a-little-art, the email said.

• The 49th Annual Pine Hill Holiday Fair will take place at High Mowing School, Pine Hill Campus, 77 Pine HIll Drive in Wilton, on Friday, Dec. 4, from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. (adults only) and on Saturday, Dec. 5, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., according to an email from organizers. Saturday will feature children’s activities, a puppet show, a circus performance, music, treats and more, the email said. See highmowing.org/holidayfair.

• The Longmeadow Church Ladies Circle will hold its 48th Annual Snowflake Fair on Saturday, Dec. 5, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the church, 4 Wilson’s Crossing in Auburn, according to the fair’s eventbrite.com page.

• The First Baptist Church, 121 Manchester St. in Nashua, will hold its Christmas Fair and Food Extravaganza on Saturday, Dec. 5, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., with an all-day buffet, a Christmas gift shop, a Santa visit from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., kids’ activities, home-baked pies and more, according to fbcnashua.org.

• The Holiday Craft Fair at Brookline Event Center, 32 Proctor Hill Road in Brookline, will take place Saturday, Dec. 5, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., with free admission, according to brooklineeventcenter.com/our-events.

• The PTO at Beaver Meadow School, 40 Sewalls Falls Road in Concord, will hold its annual Holiday Craft Fair on Saturday, Dec. 5, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., according to the PTO’s Facebook page. The event will also feature baked goods and raffles, the post said.

• The Amherst Lions Club will hold its 46th Annual Craft Fair & Silent Auction on Saturday, Dec. 5, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., at Amherst Middle School, 16 Cross Road in Amherst, according to the Amherst Lions Club Facebook page.

• St. Patrick Parish, 12 Main St. in Pelham, will hold its Christmas Craft Fair on Saturday, Dec. 5, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., featuring local crafters, homemade baked goods, raffles and more, according to an email.

• The Somersworth Festival Association will host its Holiday Craft Fair on Saturday, Dec. 5, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Somersworth High School, 11 Memorial Drive in Somersworth, according to nhfestivals.org

• The 37th annual Christmas in Strafford, featuring more than 50 artists and craftspeople across about 30 locations (stores, studios and other locations), is scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 5, and Sunday, Dec. 6, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on both days.

• The 5th Annual Grinnell Elementary Craft Fair, held by the Grinnell School PTA, will take place at 6 Grinnell Road in Derry, on Saturday, Dec. 5, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. featuring “unique handmade items, gifts, crafts and products from talented local vendors and makers,” according to a post on the PTA’s Facebook page.

• The Animal Rescue League of NH, 545 Route 101, Bedford, will hold a Holiday Fair Saturday, Dec. 5, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. featuring pet photos with Santa or the Grinch (by appointment), craft vendors, tree sales, a bake sale and more, according to rescueleague.org.

• The Unitarian Universalist Church of Manchester, 669 Union St. in Manchester, will hold its Holiday Faire on Saturday, Dec. 5, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. according to uumanchester.org.

• Searles Castle at Windham, 23 Searles Road, will hold a Searles Castle Christmas Market on Saturday, Dec. 5, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., featuring “local vendors, unique gifts, festive treats, holiday cheer” and more, according to a post on the Searles Castle at NHC Events Facebook page.

• Local vendors are part of Merrymaking on West Merrimack, an event featuring food, music, family fun and vendors in Manchester on Sunday, Dec. 6, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., according to merrymakingmht.com.

• The Holiday Sip and Shop at the Bedford Event Center, 379 S. River Road in Bedford, will take place Thursday, Dec. 10, from 6 to 9 p.m., according to the center’s Facebook page.

• Warner Historical Society will hold its annual Holiday Artisans event and Barn Sale at the Upton Chandler Museum House in Warner on Friday, Dec. 11, from 5 to 7 p.m., and Saturday, Dec. 12, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., according to an organizer email.

• The Milford 4th Annual Holiday Craft Fair will take place at VFW Post 4368, 1 VFW Way in Milford, on Saturday, Dec. 12, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., according to the Facebook page for New England Vendor Events. The event will feature more than 50 crafters and vendors plus photo opportunities with Santa, the post said.

• The PTO at Main Dunstable Elementary School, 20 Whitford Road in Nashua, will hold its second annual Holiday Fair on Saturday, Dec. 12, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. featuring local artisans and crafters, raffles and silent auctions, baked goods, kids’ activities and a Santa meet-and-greet photo opportunity, according to an email.

• The NH Audubon’s McLane Center, 84 Silk Farm Road in Concord, will hold its Holiday Craft Fair on Saturday, Dec. 12, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., according to nhaudubon.org.

• The Concord Arts Market will hold a Merry Little Market at the Carriage House of Kimball Jenkins, 266 N. Main St. in Concord, on Saturday, Dec. 12, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., according to kimballjenkins.com.

• The 15th Annual Wrong Brain Holidaze Bizaare will take place Saturday, Dec. 12, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Community Campus Gymnasium, 100 Campus Drive in Portsmouth, according to a post on the Wrong Brain Facebook page. The post describes the event as a “multimedia arts open market and creative celebration.” See wrongbrain.net.

• Bishop Brady High School 25 Columbus Ave. in Concord will hold a Craft Fair on Saturday, Dec. 12, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., according to bishopbrady.edu.

• The New Hampshire World Christmas Market will take place Saturday, Dec. 12, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Sunday, Dec. 13, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., at Owl’s Nest Resort in Thornton, according to nhworldchristmasmarket.com, where you can purchase tickets.

• Studio 550, 550 Elm St. in Manchester, 550arts.com, will hold its Handmade Holiday Market of pottery, stained glass, paintings, ornaments, cards and stickers Monday, Dec. 14, through Saturday, Dec. 19, from noon to 8 p.m. each day, according to a post on the studio’s Facebook page. The studio will sell 50+ Cups for a Cause, mugs and cups to raise funds for the International Institute of New England, the post said.

• Sip, Shop, Celebrate will take place on Tuesday, Dec. 15, from 5 to 8 p.m. at Kimball Jenkins in Concord and feature the sale of items from local artisans, according to an event description from a participant. See kimballjenkins.com for updates.

• The Holly Jolly Craft Fair, held by Joyce’s Craft Shows, will take place Saturday, Dec. 19, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at DoubleTree by Hilton, 2 Somerset Parkway in Nashua, according to joycescraftshows.com.

• The Holly Jolly Hooksett Festival & Vendor Fair held by Spirit and Soul Events LLC will take place Saturday, Dec. 19, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., at the Hooksett Town Hall, 35 Main St. in Hooksett, according to the Spirit and Soul Events Facebook page. The event will feature food, games, prizes, a DJ, a children’s dance party, vendors and more, the post said.

• NH Alt Market will take place Sunday, Dec. 20, noon to 4 p.m. at the Millspace, 55 Main St. in Newmarket, according to millspace.org. “Shop unique gifts from local artists, makers, and creatives featuring handmade art, jewelry, oddities, witchy wares, holiday décor, and one-of-a-kind treasures you won’t find in big-box stores,” the website said.

A sample of upcoming events
Check with each business or organization for event specifics and for many more events.

Studio 550
550 Elm St., Manchester, 232-5597, 550arts.com
– Date Night in the Pottery Studio: Fridays and Saturday nights at 6 p.m., runs 1 hour 15 minutes, $35
– One-Day Workshop: Loose Watercolor Painting November: Mmm Pastries! with East Corner Studio, Saturday, Nov. 7, noon, two hours at $55, 15+

Canvas Road Show
25 S. River Road, Bedford, 913-9217, thecanvasroadshow.com
– Crushed Glass Snow Globes: Friday, Nov. 6, 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., $56 per 11” globe. 12+
– Light-Up Tumbled Sea Glass Holiday Tree: Friday, Nov. 13, noon to 2 p.m., $58 -$78 depending on size of tree, 12+

Wine on Main
9 N. Main St., Concord, 897-5828, wineonmainnh.com
– Wine Bottle Tote Workshop & Wine Tasting with bagmaker George S. Wallace: Thursday, Nov. 12, 6 to 8 p.m., $75 per person, 21+ and limited to 18 people.
– Holiday Sweater Fused Glass Art Workshop & Wine Tasting with Nancy from True Colors Glassworks: Wednesday, Dec. 2, at 6 p.m., $50 per person, 21+ and limited to 20 people.

New Hampshire Craft Club
Studio at 117 Manchester St., Unit 5B, nhcraftclub.com
– Knitting & Crochet Club: in the studio, free on Thursday, Nov 5, and Thursday, Dec. 3, from 6 to 7:30 p.m.
– Gingerbread Doormats: at The Gathering Grounds, 104 Route 13, Brookline, $30 on Friday Nov. 20, from 6 to 8 p.m.

Dash of Creativity
Check their Facebook and Eventbrite pages
– Mystery Books & Brews: Crochet Bookmark Night: at Tideline Public House in Durham, Thursday, Nov. 5, from 6 to 8 p.m.; register at eventbrite.com.
– Beginner Finger Crochet at Stark Brewery: Create a Cozy Chunky Blanket: Monday, Nov. 9, at 6 p.m. at Stark Brewing Co., Manchester; register at eventbrite.com.
– Stitch & Stories: Beginner Embroidery at Reedmor Books & Brews in Portsmouth on Wednesday, Nov. 11, 6 to 8 p.m.; register at eventbrite.com.

Penumbra
10 N. State St., Concord, 731-9469, penumbra.shop/events
– Make Your Own Kokedama: Thursday, Nov. 12, ​$45 per person; all classes begin at 6:30 p.m. unless otherwise noted.
– Succulent Centerpiece Making: Sunday, Nov. 22, at 4:30 p.m. or Tuesday, Nov. 24, at 6:30 p.m., $45.

This Week 26/11/05

Friday, Nov. 6

Crimes of the Heart will be presented by Bedford Off Broadway at Bedford Town Hall, 3 Meetinghouse Road in Bedford, Friday, Nov. 6, through Sunday, Nov. 8, and Friday, Nov. 13, through Sunday, Nov. 15, with shows at 7:30 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays and 2 p.m. on Sundays, according to the Facebook page and bedfordoffbroadway.com. “Packed with sharp Southern wit, family secrets and unexpected tenderness, this award-winning dark comedy is a laugh-out-loud celebration of sisterhood and survival,” according to the website.

Friday, Nov. 6

Hear the iconic theme music live at Rocky in Concert featuring a screening of the 1976 film with the score performed live by a full symphony orchestra tonight at 7:30 p.m. The Music Hall (Historic Theater at 28 Chestnut St. in Portsmouth), according to themusichall.org, where you can purchase tickets.

Friday, Nov. 6

The curtain rises on Neil Simon’s Rumors presented by the Anselmian Abbey Players at the Dana Center at Saint Anselm College in Manchester tonight and tomorrow, Saturday, Nov. 7, at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, Nov. 8, at 2 p.m., according to tickets.anselm.edu, where you can purchase tickets. “Neil Simon’s Rumors is a fast-paced, laugh-out-loud farce where nothing goes according to plan. When a prominent New York couple’s tenth wedding anniversary celebration takes an unexpected turn, the evening quickly spirals into a whirlwind of mistaken identities, outrageous cover-ups, and escalating misunderstandings,” the website said.

Friday, Nov. 6

Is this a thing that coulda been brought to your attention yesterday? The Wedding Singer will be presented by the Actorsingers as a mainstage production at the Keefe Center for the Arts, 113 Elm St., Nashua, today and Saturday, Nov. 7, at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, Nov. 8, at 2 p.m., according to actorsingers.org, where you can purchase tickets. “Based on the hit Adam Sandler movie, The Wedding Singer’s sparkling new score does for the ’80s what Hairspray did for the ’60s,” the website said.

Friday, Nov. 6

Jamantics assembles to play at the BNH Stage in Concord tonight at 8 p.m., according to ccanh.com, where you can purchase tickets.

Saturday, Nov. 7

“The Folksoul Band creates new music from old traditions, combining horns, vocals, wild rhythms, and New Orleans Mardi Gras spirit to create music for celebration and dancing,” according to their website, folksoul.com. Catch them tonight at 7 p.m. at the Big Bear Lodge at the Andres Institute of Arts in Brookline, according to andresinstitute.org, where you can purchase tickets.

Wednesday, Nov. 11

NH Jazz Orchestra celebrates Veterans Day with“Swingin’ to Victory! A Big Band Salute to the Greatest Generation” tonight at 7 p.m. at the Dana Center at Saint Anselm College in Manchester, according to tickets.anselm.edu, where you can purchase tickets.

Save the Date! Saturday, Nov. 28
Recycled Percussion will play two holiday fundraiser shows on Saturday, Nov. 28 — one at 4 p.m. and one at 7:30 p.m. — both at the Concord City Auditorium, 2 Prince St. in Concord, according to a press release. See ccca-audi.org for tickets. The shows will benefit the Capitol Region Food Program and the Concord Community Concert Association, the release said.

Brewers complete their mission

The Big Story – World Series/Lockout Coming: While it’s been over for a while for the local nine, the baseball season is finally done, and with a lockout looming, perhaps for 2027 as well.

But with the Brewers and their 19th-ranked $130 million payroll winning the World Series and having baseball’s best record the last two seasons, it came at the perfect time for the players. Ditto with AL champ Tampa Bay having an even smaller 28th-ranked payroll.

That’s because the coming labor fight will be about getting a salary cap most fans want and the players will vehemently refuse to give. And they’ll point to the World Series in saying teams can compete with the free-spending Dodgers even when the Dodgers’ payroll is more than the combined payroll of both World Series teams.

But for now, let’s tip a cap to the Brewers, who have done it the way John Henry envisioned since pulling the pin on his one-time gigantic payrolls: (1) having a farm system that fills holes left by departing players for big contracts, (2) not overpaying for big names, and (3) playing a style counter to the homer-ball most do now.

Sports 101: This is one for old-timers. Who was the last QB to wear a number above 19 in the NFL?

News Item – Pats 24, Miami 19: It wasn’t so much lucking out as that they woke up in the second half to overcome a 13-3 halftime deficit.

• Good – Drake Maye accounted for three passing and running TDs while Rhamondre Stevenson banged his way to 82 rushing yards.

• Bad – how does a team playing prevent defense with 2:05 left allow Miami’s Kevin Coleman to get behind them for a 35-yard TD to keep their hopes alive?

• Ugly – too many ill-timed penalties (seven for 46 yards) again, which took away three first downs and an interception.

• Grade – C+

News Item – CTE Update: Alarming news last week from the Boston University study on brain damage from playing in the NFL. It said nearly 75 percent of NFL players who died between 2008 and 2023 had significant CTE damage.

The Numbers:

15 – second most in the NFL turnovers committed by the Patriots in their first eight games.

154 – 28th-ranked number of homers hit by World Series winning Milwaukee.

… Of the Week Awards

Thumbs Up – The Golden State Valkyries: If you had GS’s second year expansion WNBA team winning a title before/if Steph Curry did in the company pool you win. Plus they beat dastardly Angel Reese and the Atlanta Dream.

The Holy Moly Award – Tampa Bay: For the Bucs somehow scoring 16 points to beat Atlanta 16-0 without completing even one pass as they ran for a franchise 324 yards instead. The only other time that’s happened was 1974 when Buffalo beat (of course) the Jets 16-12.

Random Thought: Earth to Bob Kraft. The Patriots’ main uniform should be the dynasty years blue jersey with silver pants they wore Sunday.

Sports 101 Answer: Nope, not Doug Flutie; he wore 2, not 22, in the NFL. It’s John Hadl, a solid AFL-er who brought 21 with him when San Diego joined the NFL in the 1966 merger and kept it until retiring in 1973.

Final Thought – David Hamilton: The thing I liked most about the World Series was how dumb it made all the media folks look who claimed one of the biggest reasons the Red Sox only went as far as they did was that they didn’t invest big money in a third baseman.

First, the Prince of Darkness (Dan Shaughnessy of the Boston Globe) keeps litigating last year’s trade of Raffy Devers to the Giants as just “a salary dump” instead of what it actually was, removing an insubordinate, grossly expensive, immature dog who walked out on his team ’cause he didn’t get his way. Saying his production numbers (37 homers and 98 RBI) would’ve made a big difference here. Well, how come they didn’t help SF? They were 10 games over .500 the day they got him, and since are 69-93. That doesn’t sound like a difference-maker to me. Plus the $35 million saved was spent to bring on Willson Contreras (27 and 81) and Sonny Gray (18 wins), which is a good two-for-one return for Devers.

Then came the demand to spend $40 million per year for Alex Bregman. Yes, he had a big last six weeks, but the Cubs still went out meekly in Round 1 of the playoffs too.

Meanwhile, with their miniscule payroll, the Brewers built a T-E-A-M that won more than anyone else for two years and rolled through the playoffs to win the World Series. And who was their primary third baseman who homered in the World Series deciding game? Red Sox reject David Hamilton, who made a whopping $780k.

Which goes to show that while money can be very helpful it still comes down to who you spend it on, not how much you spend.

Email Dave Long at dlong@hippopress.com.

Quality of Life 26/11/05

Very blustery days

If you watched tiny trick-or-treaters in inflatable costumes fighting the wind last week, according to a report by the Boston Globe, it’s not your imagination — it’s been unusually windy lately. In an Oct. 26 online article, the Globe reported that cities across New England, including Manchester, “have recorded top five blustery starts to meteorological fall (September-November) so far, according to the data.” Apparently, the frequent storm systems that have passed through or near New England over the past month or so “introduce a sharp change in atmospheric pressure and blustery conditions arise. Wind is generated by differing pressure systems attempting to find balance.”

QOL score: -1, because there’s the wild beauty of fall and then there’s “I just ate a leaf”

Comment: “It’s important to note that the data is for wind gusts,” the Globe reported. “Just a quick lesson: ‘Wind speed’ is determined by the average flow during a minimum two-minute stretch, while ‘gusts’ are recorded as sudden, instantaneous increases in wind that can last anywhere from a few seconds to 30 seconds.“

A straight shot through Bedford

According to an Oct. 27 online article from WMUR, work on the Bedford tolls is almost halfway done. “The toll canopy has been removed,” the article read, and “the NHDOT said about 40% of the remaining booths, concrete slabs and island have been demolished as well. The project is replacing old booths, which was the site of several crashes, and replacing them with electronic tolling.”

QOL score: +1

Comment: According to WMUR:“Crews will continue to work through the winter on remaining demolition, drainage installation and roadway preparation. The project is expected to be finished by September 2027.”

A new pair of scams

According to an Oct. 27 online article from WMUR, Hudson residents have been receiving emails from scammers posing as town officials. “Police said the messages request payment for permits and applications, and may include details about a person’s property or project,” the WMUR story read. At the same time, New Hampshire Public Radio reported in an Oct. 30 online story that scammers have been targeting authors by impersonating show hosts and producers. “Fraudsters are impersonating public radio producers and hosts — including staff from NHPR — to set up fake interviews and in-person appearances, with the ultimate goal of stealing money,” NHPR reported.

QOL score: -2

Comment: Both the Hudson Police Department and NHPR recommend verifying any requests for money independently. “Officials urge residents to contact the [Town of Hudson] directly using a phone number from the town website before sending any money,” the WMUR article recommended. “If you’re in doubt about the sender, please call [or email] NHPR to verify,” the NHPR story warned.

QOL score last week: 63

Net change: -2

QOL this week: 61

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

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