New Hampshire Magazine June 2024

DREAM RETIREMENT

What’s Inside YOUR

Finding a home at Taylor means more than access to a stunning new cottage or apartment – it means receiving the keys to present and future peace of mind.

Taylor Community is located in the beautiful Lakes Region of New Hampshire with campus locations in both Laconia and Wolfeboro. Whether you prefer an active lifestyle lled with tness classes and an extensive lineup of social and recreational opportunities, or would rather enjoy a ne dining experience with friends after a day spent by the lake... Taylor is the place for you!

“Many Moons” – Boulder opals and designer pearls set in 22k and 18k gold and sterling silver. Created by artist Jennifer Kalled.

The Meals of Thanks program, sponsored by Harvard Pilgrim Health Care, began with more than 900 meals prepared by New England’s Tap House Grille on National Nurses Day in May, and continued in November with two more deliveries. On Veterans Day, the Tap House served lunch outside the Manchester VA Medical Center, and just before Thanksgiving, the Common Man Family of Restaurants provided more than 700 meals to the New Hampshire Food Bank and an additional 40 meals to The Way Home.

We would like to thank our sponsors and our advertisers for their support of New Hampshire Magazine, our community and this mission. Together we are Granite State strong.

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TOP LEFT AND MIDDLE PHOTOS BY KENDAL J. BUSH

CARING FOR OUR COMMUNITIES AND MEMBERS, BIG AND SMALL.

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We Could All Learn From a Nurse

Health care workers do not have an easy job. The hours are long. The time spent on their feet is endless. They are with patients through hardships, both physically and emotionally. Yet they show up to every shift ready to put the needs of others ahead of their own.

We at Harvard Pilgrim Health Care are especially thankful to those health care workers in New Hampshire doing their part to guide and empower our communities to live healthier lives, which is why it is an honor to help to recognize the 2024 Excellence in Nursing Awards recipients. Your tireless efforts do not go unnoticed. Thank you for demonstrating what true strength, compassion and dedication looks like. Thank you for all that you do.

Kathryn Skouteris Vice President, Regional Commercial Markets

Vice President/Publisher Ernesto Burden (603) 624-1442 x5117 ernestob@yankeepub.com

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New Hampshire Magazine® is published by Yankee Publishing, Inc., 250 Commercial Street, Suite 4014, Manchester, NH 03101, (603) 624-1442. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without the written permission of the publisher is prohibited. The publisher assumes no responsibility for any mistakes in advertisements or editorial. Statements/ opinions expressed herein do not necessarily reflect or represent those of this publication or its officers. While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information contained in this publication, Yankee Publishing, Inc.: New Hampshire Magazine disclaims all responsibility for omissions and errors. New Hampshire Magazine is published monthly, with the exception of February and April. USPS permit number 022-604. Periodical postage paid at Manchester 031039651. Postmaster send address changes to: New Hampshire Magazine, P.O. Box 37900, Boone, IA 50037-0900

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Contents

603 Navigator

12 Sunset Blooms

Experience lupines come to life in the fields of Sugar Hill

Photo by Dorian Sanders Photography

14 Queen City Slickers

Lured by new apartments and a bustling nightlife, more people are making downtown Manchester their home

By Mark Hayward

Photography by Allegra Boverman

20 Extreme Scooping

These NH ice cream makers fill cups, cones and puffles with inspired creations

By Elisa Gonzales Verdi and Jenn Bakos

Photography by Jenn Bakos

603 Informer

38 Passion and Purpose

For these NH nonprofit leaders, the path to a career change began with volunteer work

48 Summer Fun

Your favorite events are back!

We’ve compiled a three-month calendar of the best things to do around the state.

By Elisa Gonzales Verdi

60 Sounds of Summer

Plenty of New Hampshire venues

fit the summer music bill: There are cozy, restored barns full of character; scenic views and art installations; and big-name rock star performance spots. With warm breezes brushing your cheek and good music wafting through the dewy air, there’s no better time of year to be here.

Here’s some of our best outdoor music venues.

By Emily Reily

70 Excellence in Nursing

In partnership with the New Hampshire Nurses Association, we are proud to announce the winners of the seventh annual Excellence in Nursing Awards.

Photography

by

Jared Charney

By Mike Cote

Photography by Jodie Andruskevich

44 Blips

Seth Meyers teams up with “Saturday Night Live” video gang for new podcast By Casey McDermott

46 What Do You Know?

Surveying the History of America’s Stonehenge By Marshall Hudson

603 Living

86 Bouquets in Bloom

A flower farm in the Lakes Region brings regenerative organic flowers to the community through a membership model

By Jessica Saba

Photography by Jenn Bakos

92 Total Eclipse of the Magazine

A collection of reader-submitted photos from the April eclipse

96 Live Free

Two Schoolhouses on the Move By Rebecca Rule

Special Advertising Sections

28 Summer Fun Marketplace

34 Ask the Experts: Education

Cradle of Summer

DADS MY AGE ALL SHARE A COMMON FEAR: becoming that sorry dude in the Harry Chapin song. Comedian Tim Hawkins reduces the storyline of “Cat’s in the Cradle” to a single verse: “My son got mad because I worked all the time. He grew up to be a jerk just like me.”

There were stretches in my journalism career where it seemed like I worked all the time, but thankfully none of my three sons grew up to be jerks.

Yet, the song still resonates with me. Chapin, who died in a car crash at age 38, left behind a wife and five children. Its theme — the brevity of our time on Earth and the consequences of the choices we make — cuts deep.

My three sons and their families are scattered around the country, which makes connecting with them difficult. I’ve had many video chats with my grandchildren that inevitably lead to a 2-year-old running around the house with a phone, offering great views of the floor and a soundtrack peppered with grunts and giggles. Those moments have helped fill in the long gaps between our in-person visits, especially during the pandemic.

www.jacquesflowers.com

1-800-622-5155 • 603-625-6153 712 Mast Road, Manchester, NH 03102

When I think of Father’s Day, I look back on moments I’ve shared with my sons over the years, especially as they reached adulthood and I had opportunities to spend time with them one-on-one: a road trip across the country from Colorado to Washington, D.C., with my oldest son, Paul, riding shotgun for most of my journey back to New Hampshire; kayaking at Lake Sunapee with my middle son, Ben, when he visited us on his own one summer; building a fence with my youngest son, Eric, at his North Carolina home to keep his sheep (yes, sheep) from escaping.

Making time for fun

The greatest gift to give or receive is time. My ultimate Father’s Day fantasy would be to gather with my wife our five collective families — which include eight young grandchildren — and plan some adventures in New Hampshire.

This issue is packed with ideas for such excursions. Our “Summer of Fun” feature (page 48), compiled by Assistant Editor Elisa Gonzales Verdi, spotlights perennials like the Prescott Park Arts Festival in Portsmouth and newer traditions like the live music series at Vernon Family Farm in Newfields.

Assistant Editor Emily Reily presents a guide to the Granite State’s outdoor music venues (page 60), including a selection of communities throughout the state that offer free concerts all summer long.

Gonzales Verdi and photographer Jenn Bakos serve up scoops of “extreme” ice cream from various New Hampshire locales. (page 20)

The caring kind

This issue also celebrates professionals in two sectors of our economy whose impact resonates through all our lives. Our Excellence in Nursing feature (page 70) spotlights 13 nurses who spend their workdays caring for others, including helping people cope during their greatest moments of need.

In “Purpose and Passion” (page 38), we profile several nonprofit leaders who chose to make a career change during a pivotal moment in their lives.

Most of them work for nonprofits dedicated to improving the lives of children — especially the kids who have never seen a silver spoon.

PHOTO BY KAREN BACHELDER

Florals & Plants for Personal & Professional Occasions

Contributors

Portsmouth-based photographer Jenn Bakos took the cover and photography for our Food & Drink story, “Extreme Scooping.” She also took the photos for this month’s Living section. She loves to document and capture the special moments in life, and she specializes in food, product, lifestyle, editorial and brand photography. Check out more of her work at jennbakosphoto.com

Jessica Saba, who wrote this month’s “Bouquets in Bloom,” grew up between the White Mountains and the Seacoast. She uncovers stories of all types across the state.

Hayward retired last year as an award-winning reporter and columnist. He wrote this month’s “Our Town” story about downtown Manchester.

Photographer Jared Charney’s work has appeared in numerous national and regional publications. He photographed this month’s Excellence in Nursing winners.

Assistant Editor Emily Reily wrote this month’s feature, “Sounds of Summer,” about New Hampshire’s outdoor music venues.

About | Behind the Scenes at New Hampshire Magazine

Spot the Newt Contest

You know the drill. Open up each issue, spot four newts hidden on ads (or three for the month of May because we forgot to triple check the fourth’s placement — apologies to our Newt extraordinares!), write in and tell us where you found them and you may win a great gift from a local artisan or company.

We could not be more grateful for the support of these local artisans or companies over the years and for their donations to our Newt fans, particularly New Hampshire Made in Portsmouth.

Starting this month, we are going to be changing the Newt prize to a surprise gift card to go with each issue. Whether it is a gift card to our New Hampshire Magazine online store where you can purchase New Hampshire-themed gifts like coasters, totes, mugs and more, or a dinner out to any of The Common Man restaurants, or a piece of jewelry or art from one of the League of NH Craftsmen locations, your treat will be worth your hunt for the newt. We love seeing your entries in the mail or via email — keep them coming!

We would like to congratulate our first Newt winner under this new prize rollout, Marli Cole Davis of Kittery — she spotted May’s newts while perusing the issue over blueberry pancakes at Roundabout Diner at the Portsmouth traffic circle.

Photojournalist Allegra Boverman took the photos for this month’s “Our Town” about downtown Manchester.

Mark

Assistant Editor Elisa Gonzales Verdi penned this month’s Food & Drink story and curated the Summer of Fun calendar for fun things to do in NH this summer.

CONGRATS

Pictured from top (L-R):

Jay Bryan Bannister, MD (Bedford)

Cristi Egenolf, MD (Derry)

Douglas Phelan, DO (Windham)

James Fitzgerald, MD (Bedford & Goffstown)

John Daley, MD (Derry)

John Wheeler, DO (Derry)

Katharine Wetherbee, DO (Londonderry)

Anne Barry, DO (Windham)

Adam Androlia, DO (Bedford & Derry)

Douglas Dreffer, MD (Concord)

Jennifer Badger, DO (Derry),

Presenting Sponsor:

Sponsors:

This year’s celebration returns to Flag Hill for an evening of sampling great food and drink, live music and fun from across the state. The event will be an elegant tent and garden party at one of NH’s most beautiful local treasures.

Spot four newts like the one here hidden on ads in this issue, tell us where you found them and you might win a great gift from a local artisan or company.

To enter our drawing for Spot the Newt, visit spotthenewt.com and fill out the online form. Or, send answers plus your name and mailing address to: Spot the Newt c/o New Hampshire Magazine 250 Commercial St., Suite 4014 Manchester, NH 03101

You can also email them to newt@nhmagazine.com or fax them to (603) 624-1310.

Last month’s “Spot the Newt” winner is Marli Cole Davis from Kittery. May issue newts were on pages 13, 15 and 33.

Need a Good Reason for Spotting The Newt?

The prize is a gift certificate for $50 to use at the shop or restaurant of our choosing. Each month’s gift card will be different, which adds to the overall Newt fun. Let the hunt begin!

603 Navigator

Sunset Blooms

Lupines come to life in the fields of Sugar Hill

The town of Sugar Hill is picturesque enough, but add thousands of purple, pink, white and blue lupines, and it becomes an even greater sight to behold. Every June (usually during the first two weeks), these breathtaking blossoms bloom and create a stunning sight in fields, like the one pictured here across from Polly’s Pancake Parlor overlooking Franconia Ridge. Whether you make a sunrise trip or finish your day with their display, check them out as the perfect way to celebrate the joy of the season.

PHOTO BY DORIAN SANDERS PHOTOGRAPHY, @HISDORICAL

Queen City Slickers

Lured by new apartments and a bustling nightlife, more people are making downtown Manchester their home

BY MARK HAYWARD / PHOTGRAPHY BY ALLEGRA BOVERMAN / ILLUSTRATION BY PETER NOONAN

We all know the quintessential postcard views of New Hampshire.

A pumpkin-colored sun sets on a forest-blanketed mountainside. A solitary canoe slices through a hushed morning fog and still water. Nineteenth-century, white-clapboard homes and a modest church encircle a cozy town common.

None of that is true for Armando Lopez when he rises.

The Veterans Administration Medical Center urologist and his wife live on the 13th floor of an apartment building in downtown Manchester. Every day, he takes in falcon-eye views of an endless Merrimack River cutting through an urban canyon of 19th-century mill buildings, dams and parking lots.

Concrete supports, two of them sporting colorful murals, shoulder a four-lane roadway over the river, the cars moving perpendicular to the roiling water.

And at dusk, a purple- and pink-hued sky backlights the soaring steeple of Ste. Marie Church, the cliffs of Rock Rimmon Park and the twin Uncanoonuc Mountains.

“The view here is everything,” said Lopez, who decided on the Wall Street Towers apartment after losing a bidding war for a Bedford house.

Lopez represents a breed of New Hampshire residents who have ditched the pastoral, slow-lane of old New Hampshire for an urban, energized existence in Manchester, the state’s largest city.

They make their homes in office space that is being reconfigured into luxury apartments or in repackaged condos, no longer cheap, that had been built for solitary mill workers.

“I love it. I love downtown,” said Stephen Hemming, 30. Last year, he purchased a $235,000 one-bedroom, walk-up condominium in the row houses that connect downtown to the historic Millyard.

“There’s everything you want,” said Hemming, a Concord police officer. That includes restaurants with a United Nationsstyle selection of cuisines: Thai, Italian, Japanese, African, Vietnamese, Mexican, Nepalese, farm-to-table and, of course, rib-sticking pub food.

There are bars and nightclubs to share

drinks with friends, and gyms to work off the carb overload the following day.

If he sits at home, Hemming can study the comings and goings of Canal Street from his fourth-floor bedroom window. “It’s like the (Hitchcock) movie ‘Rear Window’: You see everything,” he said.

That’s because everything seems to be happening downtown.

• Foot races as short as 5K and as long as a marathon.

• Performances at arenas that range from the 300-seat Rex to the 10,000-seat SNHU arena.

• Parades and cultural festivals with as much ethnic diversity as the restaurant scene.

• Summer movies and music shows at the block-sized Veterans Memorial Park.

• Car shows, fireworks and the latest rave – the Taco Tour, a May event that draws thousands to sample tacos created with all sorts of culinary twists. (One of the best: the taco contribution from Kisaki Japanese restaurant, a downtown dweller assured me.)

The popularity of downtown Manchester is reflected in a building boom. During the previous two years, 902 dwelling units were under construction in the city, according to data provided by the city Department of Planning and Community Development.

The data does not distinguish between downtown or other areas of the city, but a good portion of the residential growth is arguably centered downtown.

Consider Brady Sullivan Properties, one of the largest developers in the state.

Last summer, Brady Sullivan started the conversion of some of the office space in the Brady Sullivan Plaza, a 20-story, monotoned, gray-glass office building. When completed, 200 apartments will be rented out.

The one-to-three-bedroom apartments rent from $2,450 to $3,500 a month.

The rent includes lots of amenities: parking, a putting green, a fitness gym, a theater, community spaces that include electric fireplaces and big-screen TVs, a pet washing station and a game room with ping pong, foosball and air hockey.

Many tenants work at area hospitals, Southern New Hampshire University or the DEKA tech company, said Mikel MacAuley, executive director of residential property management for Brady Sullivan.

Further north on Elm, the company will lease out another 100 apartments in an office building that had been leased to

Southern New Hampshire University.

“There never seems to be enough to meet the demand,” MacAuley said. She sees similar growth in Boston satellite cities such as Worcester and Providence, Rhode Island.

Also downtown, Red Oak Properties last year completed a multicolored, six-story building on Elm Street with 90 high-end apartments. On Hanover Street, Red Oak is retrofitting a former commercial building to 40 studio and one-bedroom apartments.

Also under construction downtown: a 250-unit development on Canal Street and a 77-apartment building next to Veteran’s Memorial Park.

The new downtown dwellers are firmly committed to an urban lifestyle.

“We’re not interested in settling down in a small town and taking on the responsibility that comes with home ownership right now,” said Mallory K. Chumas. The social media consultant lives downtown with her husband, Kyle Chumas, who works on business strategy for a Sweden-based tech company.

“Living downtown allows us so many opportunities to connect with other people,” Chumas said. Restaurants, coffee shops and a supermarket are within walking distance.

“Even when we don’t want to, we are always running into friends, family and other members of the downtown community,” she said.

The Chumas, who are in their 30s, fit the downtown demographic. More than onethird, 38 percent, of the people living in the U.S. Census tract that includes the downtown and Millyard are between the ages of 20 and 35.

That compares to a mere 18 percent in the state as a whole.

“As a 22- to a 30-year-old, it’s great to live downtown. I know a lot of people who do,” said Wil Hebert, who serves and tends bar at a unique downtown club. Focused on retro gaming, Boards and Brews charges customers $5 per person, which includes three hours at a table and access to a library of 1,700 board games.

Hebert, who shares a $1,400-a-month two-bedroom apartment with his brother, likes the convenience of living downtown.

Just a year above the legal drinking age,

Mallory and Kyle Chumas enjoy coffee at The Bookery. The couple have lived in downtown Manchester for many years, first on Hanover Street and then more recently at the corner of Hanover and Elm.

Last year, Concord police officer Stephen Hemming bought a one-bedroom condo on Canal Street for $235,000.

he clubs. A weekend night with friends starts at Chicken Biscuit USA, a fried chicken fast-order restaurant that boasts a fanatical following.

Then they hit Bonfire, a country-music themed bar where they can go downstairs

to play games such as cornhole and the Big Buck Hunter arcade game.

If they want to dance, they will walk seven blocks to The Goat, which has a dance floor and live music that slants toward country and rock. Next door is Soho Bistro

& Lounge, which is more clubby and offers high-energy techno and hip-hop music.

On occasion, their foray ends at the Red Arrow, the landmark diner in downtown Manchester.

“Everything’s so accessible,” he said.

Demographics make downtown Manchester rife for clubbing. Singles comprise 60 percent of downtown/Millyard households (39 percent are men; 21 percent women), according to the census. Singles count for only one-third of the city as a whole.

“There’s more people to interact with,” said Michael DelValle, 37, an architect who lives with a roommate in a three-story condo just off Elm Street. “You can go to the restaurants and bars and have all the nightlife you want.”

Downtown is not all clubbing. It has jewelers, barber shops, a computer store, an independent bookstore and a couple of tattoo parlors.

And little crannies offer a surprise. Hometown Coffee Roasters serves up a fresh-made cup of joe and all its -achino derivations in an industrial setting: concrete floor, white walls and a roll-up corrugated-

Carolyn and Armando Lopez live on the 13th floor of the Wall Street Tower with an unobstructed view of Arms Park, the Merrimack River, the Manchester Millyard and the West Side of Manchester and beyond.

Katheryn Rolfe

Katheryn has been designing spaces for over three decades. Her unique take on both color and shape can transform your interior from mundane to spectacular.

Dee’s extensive design experience, combined with her ability to revitalize rooms, will provide a distinctive touch and feel to your home.

Making homes beautiful for over 45 years. Call 603-279-7974 to schedule your appointment

New Hampshire Magazine would like to thank our sponsors and attendees for making this year’s event a night to remember! We appreciate your support, and look forward to next year’s celebration!

THURSDAY, MARCH 21, 2024

Bedford Village Inn

Bedford, New Hampshire

Dee Cahill

steel garage door on the street-facing wall.

The Hop Knot, a small bar at the base of the Brady Sullivan Plaza, offers its own contribution to downtown culture: two drag shows a month (one for Sunday brunch).

Downtown draws all sorts, said Hop Knot owner Kenny Frasch.

“It’s all kinds of people, from ultra-rich to

the homeless folks,” said Frasch. “You get a nice mix of everything.”

Downtown dwellers acknowledge that homeless people congregate downtown. But several said the numbers seem to be declining, and none expressed fears.

DelValle, whose bedroom is three stories up from an alley, hears them

outside his window, at times animated and argumentative.

“It’s like a soap opera,” he said. But he doesn’t fret about their presence. “It’s everywhere.”

Another recent downtown denizen is John Clayton, 70, a historian, former newspaper columnist and undisputed ambassador/cheerleader for the city.

Last December, he sold his home in the city’s upscale North End neighborhood and moved to a two-bedroom, $2,300-a-month apartment in the former Citizen’s Bank building on Elm and Hanover streets.

In honor of the move, his daughter bought him a two-wheeled cart he uses to visit Market Basket.

He misses his backyard bird feeder, but loves being in the heart of his beloved city. This past winter, he and his wife went for dinner at XO Bistro, which is less than a block from his building.

They walked back the way they came to meet his sister-in-law at the City Hall Pub on Hanover Street across from his apartment building. Then they walked a halfblock up Hanover Street to see his niece in the Palace Theatre production of the ABBA-themed musical “Dancing Queens.”

“Never started the car, never paid for parking,” Clayton said. “This is why you want to live downtown.” NH

Architect Michael DelValle lives in Cat Alley in downtown Manchester.

The Super Secret Flight from Super Secret Ice Cream features six flavors. Clockwise: Raspberry Jam Jam, Mt. Cabot Maple, Blackout Honeycomb, Coconut Cream, Meyer Lemon Pistachio and Carrot Cake.

“Our first inspiration for our flavors comes from what our farmer friends are growing.”

– Kristina Zontini

Extreme Scooping

These NH ice cream makers fill cups, cones and waffles with inspired creations

BY ELISA GONZALES VERDI & JENN BAKOS PHOTOGRAPHY BY JENN BAKOS

New Hampshire loves its ice cream. The cold weather that grips the state for the majority of the year doesn’t stop Granite Staters from flocking for a scoop year-round, and the 50-stop New Hampshire Ice Cream Trail has become a pilgrimage for diehard devotees of the frozen treat.

From local ice cream shops, to ice cream chains and small stands, ice cream is a part of New Hampshire’s regional tradition. There is no shortage of places to get a classic cone or cup of a soft serve twist, or maybe some moose tracks, but what about those who go above and beyond to create something that is unique, bold and fresh?

Here are a few ice cream spots from around the state that are pushing ice cream to its creative extreme.

Super Secret Ice Cream, Bethlehem

The secret is definitely out, now that Bethlehem’s (once) Super Secret Ice Cream has gained national culinary attention. In January, owner Kristina Zontini was nominated as a James Beard Award Finalist, one of the highest culinary honors in the nation.

“We were really surprised by it,” Zontini said. “They are kind of like the secret shoppers, and I guess someone came by and liked it! I think the right word about how I feel is ‘flabbergasted.’ Our kitchen team is really incredible, and they have done a really incredible job. This is only possible because of their hard work and determination.”

Super Secret’s handmade ice cream features all-natural ingredients that are locally sourced, thanks to partnerships with local farms. If an ingredient isn’t grown (or can’t be grown) locally, like vanilla beans or coffee, Zontini makes sure to source those ingredients from family-owned farms that are committed to ethical business practices.

“Our vanilla bean comes from a family farm in Hawaii,” Zontini said. “We partnered with a farm in Ecuador for our coffee, who treats their employees fairly. We make sure to be

diligent about our sourcing.”

Their commitment to farm-fresh flavors means they’ve had to get creative, depending on what’s growing each season.

“Our first inspiration for our flavors comes from what our farmer friends are growing,” Zontini said. “In the summer, we get a lot of berries, rhubarb, mint — everything you would want for summer flavors. In the fall, we have a lot of squashes and apples, and in the winter, we work with Birch Hill Farm in Maine, who has frozen blueberries that were flash-frozen, so they stay fresh.”

Some of their flavors, like the popular Blueberry Juniper ice cream, are inspired by the natural world. This flavor came to be when a Super Secret employee was hiking and saw blueberries and juniper growing along the trail. After a fair amount of testing, the flavor hit the stand and quickly became a bestseller. Along with Blueberry Juniper, flavors like Honeycomb and Meyer Lemon & Pistachio are also front-runners.

“Our flavors always seem to change,” Zontini said. “You never know what you’re going to get each time you come in.”

Eldridge Family Sugar House, Tamworth

Nothing screams “New Hampshire” quite like a sugar house. Eldridge Family Farm’s maple soft serve is a fan favorite made from maple syrup they produce at their sugar house.

This small, family-owned business started making syrup in 2016 and quickly started growing. They eventually opened a larger sugar house that is home to their ice cream shop. Maple lovers flock to Eldridge Family Farm for their maple soft serve, and to try one of their other popular items, the Breakfast for Dessert. This tasty treat consists of maple soft serve, topped with Cinnamon Toast Crunch and drizzled with maple syrup, and is served in a puffle cone — a light and airy waffle cone where the squares are “puffed” out, instead of flattened.

Another fun offering is their Nor’Easter. It’s a layered dessert filled with maple soft serve, stroop waffle pieces and snowflake sprinkles, a decadent treat for those who want some layers of flavor and texture. If you like to keep it simple, try Simply Maple, which is vanilla ice cream drizzled with maple syrup.

Eldridge Family Sugar House’s Nor’Easter is a must-try for diehard fans of maple ice cream.

“Since our flavors are seasonal, it’s tough to tell what our most popular flavors are. But one of our most popular flavors, when it’s in season, has been the Santa Rosa Plum.”

– Sarah EgriAmsden

Red Rover Creamery, Portsmouth Nestled in the heart of downtown Portsmouth, just outside Market Square, is an ice cream shop that has become a local favorite since opening five years ago. Red Rover Creamery is a small but mighty ice cream shop, traditional in style but playful and artisanal with flavors.

With 25 years of culinary experience under her belt, former pastry chef and owner Sarah EgriAmsden decided to take her love of ice cream and local flavors to the next level by creating Red Rover Creamery.

“I noticed there was a great ice cream culture here, between the beaches and the parks, you see summer, and there’s so much joy,” EgriAmsden said. “I knew I wanted to start working again, and I saw an opportunity and jumped at it. We thought an ice cream shop that featured local flavors was a great concept, and we wanted to embrace that ice cream excitement.”

The creamery opened in the summer of 2019, one year before the start of the global pandemic. While many businesses struggled during the lockdown, Red Rover was able to use that time to build community.

“It was definitely a chaotic time to open,” EgriAmsden said. “But there was such amazing support within the community between other businesses and customers and seeing the same names for our mobile ordering.”

“We love our location on State Street,” she continued. “We’re close enough to Market Square that we get to watch people on their way to and from Prescott Park and Strawbery Banke.”

Now entering their fifth year, Red Rover Creamery has plans to expand their production kitchen, so they can meet the demands of the summer.

“This started as a spark, and it’s grown over time,” EgriAmsden said. “We’ve been enjoying the slow, organic growth, and we’re now at a place where we’ve grown enough where we’re expanding our production kitchen, so we can meet the higher demand.”

Red Rover prides itself on using fresh, simple and local ingredients. Their flavors change frequently and seasonally, which allows for plenty of creative opportunity.

“Since our flavors are seasonal, it’s tough to tell what our most popular flavors are,”

EgriAmsden said. “But one of our most popular flavors, when it’s in season, has been the Santa Rosa Plum. Anything we do with coffee is also always popular, and it’s the same with fruit flavors like strawberry, blueberry and rhubarb, since the season is so fleeting.”

Not only can you get a couple scoops in a cone, but you can try their ice cream sandwiches on homemade cookies, which include some gluten-free options.

“We as a family do better without gluten,” EgriAmsden said. “We use a cup-for-cup gluten-free flour if we need, or we will find a recipe that doesn’t need flour at all. We want to make sure that this can be fun for all, since this is supposed to be a fun business.”

For those who prefer a cup over a cone, Red Rover has a selection of edible ice cream cups that come with a tiny cone on top, so there’s nothing to throw away once you’re finished. EgriAmsden also makes a wide arrangement of baked goods, and plans are in motion to expand the kitchen and storage space to be able to offer more variety for other goodies like milkshakes, soft serve, and maybe even some grab-and-go breakfasts.

A scoop of Almond Buttercrunch ice cream served with an edible sugar cone cup, and topped with a sugar cone next to delicious ice cream sandwiches made with homemade cookies and ice cream.

Lickees and Chewy’s, Dover

Inside a large mill building in Dover is the candy/ice cream/chocolate shop of every milkshake-lover’s dreams. Lickees and Chewy’s is renowned for their wild and creative milkshakes that reimagine what a milkshake can be. Named the “King Shakes,” these themed jumbo shakes are loaded to the brim with ice cream and then covered with all types of candy. It’s not just frivolously thrown on, though. These shakes are created based off a theme and planned out, tested and retested to ensure the flavor (the body of the milkshake and the toppings), candies, and toppings all complement each other down to the last sip.

Owner Chris Guerrette is the mastermind behind these creations. He started making these shakes at the previous location in Durham, where they used to be secret menu items, but when Lickees and Chewy’s opened in Dover in 2018, they were added to the permanent menu and ended up being what people came in for the most.

“I put them on the menu thinking that they would be a side note for the families who come in,” Guerrette said. “But now, we have folks driving for hours to come in for a shake. I call them art — they’re artwork. Since we’re a candy, ice cream and chocolate shop, we have a lot more ability to be creative since we have so much at our disposal. We call them King Shakes because we want to treat people like royalty when they come in, and also because they’re huge.”

In their busiest year, they made about 35,000 shakes. Since their opening, they have created more than 60 styles of shakes, with nine staple shakes that are always available on their menu. They make special shakes with themes for each holiday and season, or if something in pop culture is relevant.

“We get our inspiration sometimes from the silliest things,” Guerrette said. “I was walking through the grocery store the other day and saw a box of Cracker Jack, and now we’re going to do a baseball-themed shake.”

Lickees and Chewy’s is open yearround, seven days a week. NH

Lickees

“We call them King Shakes because we want to treat people like royalty when they come in, and also because they’re huge.”

– Chris Guerrette

and Chewy’s King Shakes include the Pink Flamingo.

UNLIKELY PAIRINGS

Liquid Therapy Brewery, Nashua

There’s nothing better than a perfect pairing. Peanut butter and jelly, maple syrup and pancakes… ice cream and beer?

Liquid Therapy Brewery & Grill has mastered the art of taking an unlikely pair and turning them into a harmonious treat. The brewery/ice cream shop pairs ice cream and sorbets with their beers to create a delicious dessert. Their NotCho Gose is a spicy, tart and salty wheat beer served with a scoop of mango sorbet, that is made with their Juice Monster TIPA, which results in a flavor reminiscent of spicy chips and salsa. Brewing beer is already a fun and experimental process, and Liquid Therapy Brewery takes it up a notch with their ice cream floats and pairings. Located within Nashua’s original Firehouse Central Station, the brewery is full of bright colors and memorabilia that pay tribute to the building’s history. They have also become a staple within the Nashua community and frequently raise money for local nonprofits.

PB+J on wheat beer paired with a Fruit Punch Sorbet that is made with their Grape Sour beer.

Summer Sipperၳ

Strawberry Mint Julep

Ingredients:

2 parts Maker’s Mark® Bourbon

½ part simple syrup

½ part fresh lemon juice

2 sliced strawberries

6 fresh mint leaves

Garnish:

Mint leaves and strawberries

Add all ingredients to a shaker. Muddle until strawberries are broken up. Add ice. Give a quick shake and fine strain into a julep cup with ice. Garnish with mint and strawberries.

Blood Orange Sparkler

Ingredients:

1½ parts Roku Japanese Gin

½ part dry sake

1 part blood orange syrup

½ part fresh squeezed lemon juice Sparkling wine

Garnish:

Blood orange wheel

Combine all ingredients, except sparkling wine in a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake and strain into a champagne flute. Top with sparkling wine. Garnish with blood orange wheel.

Pineapple Sparkler

Ingredients:

1 cup Tres Generaciones® Plata Tequila

½ cup orange liqueur

1 cup pineapple juice

1 cup lime juice

¼ cup lemon juice

1 bottle champagne

Garnish:

Fresh mint; salt and chipotle chili powder

Combine all ingredients, except champagne, into a pitcher over ice. Strain into chili-saltrimmed glasses over ice and top each glass with champagne. Garnish with mint and serve. Serves 8.

COCKTAIL RECIPES

Strawberry Lemonade

Ingredients:

1½ parts Truly Strawberry Lemonade Vodka

¾ parts triple sec

¾ parts fresh lemon juice

¾ parts cranberry juice

Garnish:

Lemon peel and strawberry slices

Combine ingredients in a shaker with ice. Shake and strain into a chilled coupe or martini glass. Garnish with a lemon peel and strawberry slices. Optional: Top with 2 parts of any Truly Lemonade Hard Seltzer.

Bourbon “Tee”

Ingredients:

2 parts Jim Beam® Bourbon

5 parts unsweetened iced tea

½ part triple sec

Garnish:

Mint sprig and lemon wedge

Fill a highball glass with ice. Add the bourbon, triple sec and iced tea and stir. Garnish with the mint sprig and lemon wedge.

Tequila Sangria

Ingredients:

1 bottle of dry red wine

¾ cup Hornitos® Plata Tequila

¼ cup triple sec

½ cup orange juice

1 cup pomegranate juice

2 tablespoon simple syrup

1 lemon and 1 orange, cut into thin wheels

1 apple, cored and cut into small pieces

Garnish:

Orange, apple and lime slices, quartered

Combine all ingredients and refrigerate for 24 hours. Serve over ice in a sugar-rimmed wine glass and garnish with fresh slices of oranges, lemons, or apples. Serves 12.

New Hampshire’s attractions, beaches, wineries, galleries and more are ready to welcome you for an epic season of warm-weather excitement. The following advertisers are a great resource for starting your summer plans.

Newington OVERNIGHT CAMPS • YMCA Camp Foss in Strafford, NH • YMCA Camp Mi-Te-Na in Alton, NH

Premiering on Public Television Stations Nationwide This Spring

ASK THE

Experts

We reached out to higher education institutions to learn how these New Hampshire schools are making higher education more accessible, more affordable and allowing residents to pursue new opportunities ... and their dreams. Affordable, quality higher education is within reach. The Granite State is home to a number of excellent institutions that meet the needs of a broad range of students. Read on to learn about how to begin (or continue) your academic journey. >>>

New Hampshire’s Community Colleges

Who better to speak to the benefits of Community College than a current student, a recent alumna and a leading faculty member?

Q&A with Melissa S., Student

Q Why did you decide to attend one of New Hampshire’s Community Colleges?

A It was close to home and close to work, and it enabled me to have a home life and a school life. When I first started, I had one major in mind, but as I took some courses, I discovered a whole new passion. There’s so much support and opportunity and everyone that comes here feels like they’re part of a community.

Q&A with Tiffany V., Alumna

Q How did your experience prepare you for what’s next?

A The professors here did an outstanding job of supporting me all along the way and I felt very well prepared for the workforce because there’s just so much here. The experience and the knowledge I gained really set me up for success.

Q&A with Michael M.,

Professor

Q What are the unique strengths of a community college?

A Community colleges are focused on you, the student. Our classes are small. You won’t be sitting in a huge lecture hall being taught by professors who don’t know your name. Our faculty will get to know you and be there to help you explore and achieve your goals.

appeal to many different interests and align with what employers are looking for. The community colleges also offer short-term workforce programs that quickly lead to employment and advancement opportunities and often can be completed in a single semester

appeal to many different interests and align with what employers are looking for. The community colleges also offer short-term workforce programs that quickly lead to employment and advancement opportunities and often can be completed in a single semester

QQ

What are the unique strengths of a community college?

What are the unique strengths of a community college?

AAExperience for yourself all that our colleges have to offer, with a variety of programs to explore at seven colleges and 11 locations all across the state. From accounting to welding, biotech to visual arts, there’s a program to meet every interest.

Community colleges are focused on you, the student. Our classes are small. You won’t be sitting a huge lecture hall being taught by professors who don’t know your name. Our faculty will get to know you and be there to help you explore and achieve your goals. Students play a big role in contributing to campus culture by forming clubs, taking on leadership positions, and taking advantage of community connections to learn about jobs and careers in their field. If your goal is a four-year degree, starting at a community college can help you build confidence and a strong foundation — all at a very affordable cost

Community colleges are focused on you, the student. Our classes are small. You won’t be sitting a huge lecture hall being taught by professors who don’t know your name. Our faculty will get to know you and be there to help you explore and achieve your goals. Students play a big role in contributing to campus culture by forming clubs, taking on leadership positions, and taking advantage of community connections to learn about jobs and careers in their field. If your goal is a four-year degree, starting at a community college can help you build confidence and a strong foundation — all at a very affordable cost

Laconia

FRANKLINPIERCE.EDU

QWhat new programs are coming to Franklin Pierce University?

ASince 1962, Franklin Pierce University has empowered thousands of undergraduate and graduate students to achieve academic excellence and lead meaningful, successful lives. Franklin Pierce encompasses a farreaching geographic and virtual network. Regardless of whether programs are delivered 100% online, from our flagship campus in Rindge, New Hampshire, or one of several academic centers, we meet students where they are, enabling them to succeed academically and prepare for rewarding careers across a breadth of fields.

Franklin Pierce University recently announced a new graduate program, the Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. Offered in a hybrid model, which will welcome its first cohort this fall, the program aims to equip and empower students as leaders and caregivers in the field of mental health treatment.

The Clinical Mental Health Counseling program represents a significant step forward in our mission to prepare compassionate, skilled professionals who can meet the growing demand for mental health services.

Through the hybrid learning model, not only will we be able to provide a comprehensive, flexible educational experience that meets the diverse needs of our students, but also equip them with the essential skills and understanding necessary to emerge as leaders in this vital field.

Franklin Pierce has named Dr. Hannah Bland as its inaugural director. She has previously served as a professor, CMHC clinical coordinator and CMHC program director. Her research, presentation, and publication interests relate to the intersection between law and counseling ethics, bodily autonomy, marginalized religious groups, working with incarcerated populations, and working within Appalachian and rural communities.

QIn what ways does the new program align with students’ career goals?

AThe demand for licensed mental health counselors has grown exponentially in recent years. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects an 18% growth in employment for substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors from 2022 to 2032 — significantly faster than the average for all occupations.

The curriculum will encompass a comprehensive framework in counseling theory and clinical methods, equipping students to advocate for clients facing a wide range of mental health challenges, including addiction, depression, anxiety and trauma. Graduates of the program will be eligible for licensure as licensed clinical mental health counselors.

The 24-month hybrid program aligns with the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs standards and blends online learning sessions with two intensive five-day in-person labs. Additionally, students will gain invaluable practical experience through 30 weeks of clinical work.

— Dr. Catherine M. Paden, Provost & VP for Academic Affairs

Dr. Hannah Bland

603 Informer

Passion & Purpose

For these NH nonprofit leaders, the path to a

career

change began with volunteer work

BY MIKE COTE / PHOTOGRAPHY BY JODIE ANDRUSKEVICH

If you wanted to stoke some competition between Diane Fitzpatrick, Sharron McCarthy, Kathleen Reardon, Mike Gibeault and Erica Thoits, you could set a stopwatch for 15 minutes and see how much money they could raise for charity.

Then you could watch them scroll through their phones and start making calls. To excel in the world of nonprofits, your contacts are your key to success, whether you’re seeking donors, assembling a volunteer team or recruiting new members to serve on your board.

It’s not just who you know, but who you know who knows other people you should know — especially in a small state like New Hampshire, where personal connections are the currency of business.

It’s no surprise that the path for some nonprofit leaders begins with a career in another industry. Once they apply their skill sets to volunteer work, such as serving on the board of their favorite nonprofit, they want more, perhaps as a way to cap their professional life or to fulfill a desire to forge deeper connections in their community.

For the five people in the following profiles — four whose nonprofits are focused on helping children — the pathway was paved with passion.

Diane Fitzpatrick, CEO, Boys & Girls Club of Manchester

Back in the ’70s, when it was just the Boys Club, members had a place to play basketball, make arts and crafts and read books in the library.

Over the past decade, Diane Fitzpatrick has overseen the growth of programs at the Boys & Girls Club of Manchester to include daily meals, educational assistance and mental health services.

Fitzpatrick first became involved with nonprofits as a kindergarten teacher for the Growing Years in Manchester. She also served as a volunteer wish granter for Make-A-Wish New Hampshire, meeting with families to help shape wishes for children fighting life-threatening illnesses.

“I had two healthy babies. I was a kindergarten teacher, and I just wanted to give back,” she says.

Fast forward to 2011, when Fitzpatrick’s

husband, Steve, was diagnosed with glioblastoma brain cancer. The college sweethearts had raised two children together.

“We had the house, the dog, the two kids, a boy and girl. Life was great,” says Fitzpatrick, who was working as dean of admissions for New England College. “And then you get news like that. It turns your whole life upside down.”

After her husband died two years later, Fitzpatrick was ready for a change.

“I just didn’t want to do what I was doing anymore. Higher ed was great and everything, but I just felt like I had a higher power. I needed to do something different.”

After a conversation with then-club development officer Brian Tremblay, who had given Fitzpatrick’s husband a book about the club published for its 100th anniversary, Fitzpatrick inquired about joining the nonprofit’s board.

After a short stint working in business

Diane Fitzpatrick, CEO of the Boys & Girls Club of Manchester, reads to club members at its Union Street clubhouse. Fitzpatrick was working in higher education when she decided to make a career change.

development for the New Hampshire Center for Nonprofits, Fitzpatrick applied for the chief executive role at the club when longtime CEO Gary Frost decided to retire.

After a national search that lasted a year, the board chose Fitzpatrick, one of the two finalists for the job.

The club serves 560 kids through 160 programs at its Union Street club house, three school-based sites and a summer day camp. Fitzpatrick has been working with local leaders to open a community center on Manchester’s West Side that would include another club space.

“I absolutely love it. There are hard days. There’s no question about it,” Fitzpatrick says. “But when you think about our children and the work that we’re doing here and the community work, we’re making a difference in these kids’ lives, and we’re removing barriers.”

Sharron McCarthy, CEO, Girls Inc.

Sharron McCarthy joined Girls Inc. as CEO in January 2020 — just before COVID-19 hit.

Her first order of business was to convert the Girls Inc. annual auction to a virtual fundraiser with the help of local company Events United, a model other local nonprofits soon adopted.

McCarthy made a career shift after spending more than three decades in newspaper and magazine publishing, most recently with the parent company of New Hampshire Magazine.

McCarthy’s work with Girls Inc. began with a tenure on its board of directors. When the CEO announced she would be retiring in two years, McCarthy began considering applying for the role.

“I distinctly remember sitting in that

board meeting when she announced that, and I just had a moment,” McCarthy recalls during an interview at her office in Manchester. “I had a full year to think about it and to kind of evaluate what was happening in my publishing job.”

While McCarthy loved her job and her team, she was rethinking how she wanted to spend the last decade of her working life. “I am very happy with how things worked out in my career. It was just a great time to make a change there,” she says.

Girls Inc., one of 75 affiliates around the country, serves 650 girls a year in New Hampshire through its centers in Manchester and Nashua and through school outreach programs throughout the state. The nonprofit provides education and leadership training designed to prepare girls for adulthood.

“Most of our participants can’t afford to pay so we either raise money to scholarship them or try to help the family figure out how to get some money from state assistance, and that’s tricky,” McCarthy said. Her publishing career prepared her well for her fundraising.

“I’ve been asking for money for 35 years now so I’m not shy about that,” McCarthy says. “But I feel so good about people who do something with us, the value they get, and that I hope they realize what a difference they make by doing that.”

McCarthy, the mother of two daughters, gets to experience that difference daily.

“I have a lot more young friends than I’ve ever had in my life, which is really fun,” she says. “You walk in and you get hugs from everybody. It’s amazing. It pumps you up.”

Anyone who thinks transitioning to a nonprofit will lead to a cushy pre-retirement job has never worked for one.

“It’s like every single skill I have ever learned in my career applies to this job every day — from managing people to being creative to bringing money in,” McCarthy says, “Now I’m learning about what it’s like to have two brick-and-mortar buildings and all that goes with that.”

Kathleen Reardon, CEO, New Hampshire Center for Nonprofits Kathleen Reardon’s career is bookended with work for nonprofits, but her journey included a banking career that spanned nearly two decades.

Reardon serves as the CEO of the New

Girls Inc. CEO Sharron McCarthy, a former media publisher, interacts with one of the club’s members.

Hampshire Center for Nonprofits, which provides leadership, collaboration and training for the state’s nonprofit sector. While Reardon worked for nonprofits early in her career, she spent 18 years with Citizens Bank before returning to the nonprofit sector.

“Growing up, I knew about community organizations, and I volunteered, and my family was active,” Reardon says. “But I didn’t necessarily think about volunteer organizations or nonprofit organizations as a career path,” Reardon says. “It wasn’t on my radar screen that way.”

After graduating from college with a degree in political science, Reardon worked for a multiservice agency in Cambridge, Mass., working side-by-side with the nonprofit’s executive director, primarily on administrative tasks.

“I got a lot of understanding of nonprofits and some of the ways that they worked at

that time,” says Reardon, whose nonprofit career including working in volunteer management for the Girl Scouts.

She did similar work when she joined Citizens, serving as public affairs coordinator before moving on to other roles. “I had a lot of different responsibilities and opportunities, but all of them had to do with community engagement and community involvement,” she says.

Reardon considers her role at the New Hampshire Center for Nonprofits as a natural progression from her early nonprofit work and the relationships she developed through the corporate grant work at Citizens. “Those relationships and relationship building in New Hampshire is so essential to your work no matter what sector you’re in,” she says.

Her role at Citizens also helped her better appreciate and understand the role

of nonprofit leaders as well as the grantfunding process.

“One of the things that I really valued and appreciated about that role was how much nonprofit leaders knew about their field and educated me as a funder,” says Reardon, who through Citizens directed funds to affordable housing, community development and other local needs.

Reardon, who recently celebrated her eighth year with the center, was able to help nonprofits navigate through the pandemic, when fundraising dwindled just as needs rose.

“We were able to successfully advocate for the nonprofit Emergency Relief Fund, which was awarded $60 million for nonprofit businesses that were impacted by the pandemic,” she says. “New Hampshire was the first state in the nation to have a fund specifically dedicated for nonprofits.”

Mike Gibeault, director of philanthropy, Make-A-Wish New Hampshire

Mike Gibeault spent most of his career with Coca-Cola, where he worked in sales.

He’s still in sales now.

“Instead of selling Coke, I’m basically selling our product, which is something people really have a passion for and believe in once they get to know it,” Gibeault says in his office at Make-A-Wish New Hampshire in Manchester.

After 32 years with Coca-Cola Bottling Company of Northern New England, Gibeault joined Coca-Cola Corp. to service the company’s Dunkin’ Donuts customers. When the pandemic crimped the hospitality industry, he was at a crossroads.

“After COVID, my job was impacted. What that did was, it gave me two years off,” Gibeault says. “My goal was to work for a nonprofit, I but didn’t really have the opportunity to do that.”

Gibeault worked part-time for a couple of years, helping out some of his former Coke customers, which included local restaurants. But he didn’t have to wait long for that nonprofit opportunity to arrive.

Gibeault first became involved with Make-A-Wish in 2010, when he became a wish granter, a volunteer who meets with the families of children fighting life-threatening illnesses to coordinate their wishes. Some want a tree house. Some want to hang out with firefighters. Many want to visit Disney World.

Through his sales contacts, Gibeault also

CEO Kathleen Reardon joined the New Hampshire Center for Nonprofits after 18 years with Citizens Bank.

would solicit free goods for Wish kids to help keep the costs down. He was serving on the nonprofit’s board when he learned its director of philanthropy was stepping down. Gibeault wanted the job and was willing to resign from the board to take it.

Now he spends much of his time calling on long-time donors and potential new ones, nurturing relationships and playing the long game.

“The one good thing that I learned with my old position that helps me with this and even with the families as a wish granter is you’ve got to adjust to everybody’s personality,” he says. “That’s one of the things that I can do, whether it’s a wish family or whether it’s a customer or whether it’s a donor.”

Gibeault’s wife, Karen, who retired about the same time he left Coca-Cola, works with Make-A-Wish as a volunteer, helping staffers review wish referrals. Their college-age daughter, Madi, volunteers at fundraising events.

“Our whole family has been involved for a long time,” he says.

Erica Thoits, director of community relations, CASA New Hampshire

Erica Thoits decided to leave magazine publishing to work for a nonprofit after spending time on a barstool.

Josh Auger, sales manager for New Hampshire Magazine, and Marcia “Marty” Sink, president and CEO of CASA, were developing a new fundraiser in 2016 to raise money for the nonprofit, which trains volunteers to represent abused and neglected children in court.

“They came up with the idea for On Tap for CASA, which we just had in March (at New England’s Tap House Grille in Hooksett),” says Thoits, former managing editor of New Hampshire Magazine. “It’s a barstool marathon, and it’s a great fundraiser for us, a great community event. And they were trying to figure out how to do it. Josh asked if I would like to co-chair the planning committee with him.”

Thoits helped with planning and marketing and also volunteered at the event, which was an immediate hit.

“Our first year was really successful, and then we had two more great years,” Thoits says. “And then the pandemic happened, which put a halt to in-person events.”

Thoits wanted to remain connected with CASA, having gotten to know Sink and many of her staff members. And she had been working as an editor for 15 years.

“I felt very strongly about their mission. It was really sad that I couldn’t volunteer anymore in that capacity,” she says. “I think that is what got the wheels rolling.”

When CASA decided it needed a fulltime marketing person, the person in that role working part-time decided to retire. “I had been thinking about making a change, and knowing Marty and the staff, it just all came together in a really fortuitous way,” Thoits says.

Thoits is based in Manchester, CASA’s largest office, where about 20 people work. The nonprofit has about 25 staffers working at seven regional offices around the state.

Mike Gibeault joined Make-A-Wish New Hampshire as director of philanthropy after working in sales for Coca-Cola for more than three decades.

More than 600 people serve as volunteer advocates through CASA every year. They must complete 40 hours of training before they can begin working with clients, and they are also required to complete additional training each year.

“Then there are all the things they have to do to go to court. They meet with kids, they meet with schools, they meet with medical professionals, therapists, foster parents, biological parents,” Thoits says.

“It’s a lot, and it’s a big commitment, not to mention the emotional commitment that comes along with it. It’s pretty remarkable that there are that many people in our state who are willing to sign up for this.”

While Thoits enjoyed writing and editing for magazines, her work for CASA has been fulfilling.

“It’s nice to feel like you’re making a difference,” she says. “Not that it’s all sunshine and roses every day, but there are kids out there who have a better shot at life because we exist. And that’s a good feeling when you go to sleep at night.” NH

Erica Thoits began her career with CASA after helping to plan and market an annual fundraiser for three years.

Blips

Monitoring appearances of the 603 on the media radar since 2006

Deep Secrets from The Lonely Island

SNL video gang launches podcast with Seth Meyers

BY CASEY McDERMOTT

Take it from this millennial: If you were anywhere in the vicinity of a computer in the mid-2000s, it was hard to escape The Lonely Island. (Not that we wanted to!)

The trio — made up of childhood friendsturned-“Saturday Night Live” personalities Andy Samberg, Akiva Schaffer and Jorma Taccone — catapulted to fame through a series of bite-sized digital comedy sketches,

often anchored by an absurdist but undeniably catchy musical number.

One of their biggest hits was an original rap celebrating the blissful mundanities of a “Lazy Sunday.” But other breakout tunes featured cameos from the likes of T-Pain (on the enthusiastic and self-explanatory “I’m On A Boat”), Michael Bolton (who croons his way through “Jack Sparrow,” named for the fictional Disney pirate) and

Justin Timberlake (whose song isn’t quite fit for print in this particular magazine).

In the nearly two decades since their debut, they’ve put out studio albums, nabbed Grammy Awards and continued churning out production credits on a slew of film and television projects. Now, the band is reconvening to reflect on the mark they left on comedy, internet culture and more — with the help of fellow SNL alum Seth Meyers, who was raised in Bedford.

“The Lonely Island and Seth Meyers Podcast” offers a behind-the-scenes look inside the band’s creative process, through a candid and loosely structured series of conversations about what it was like to launch one of the first truly viral phenomena of the modern digital age. The series kicks off with an overview of their earliest efforts to break into the business and their eventual arrival at SNL, and subsequent episodes focus on one Lonely Island short at a time — promising to eventually dissect each segment, in order.

It’s the latest installment in what appears to be a budding podcast empire for Meyers. Last year, he launched the still ongoing “Family Trips with the Meyers Brothers,” in which he and his brother, Josh, interview famous friends — and, memorably, their own parents — about past vacations. As of this writing, both podcasts are among the 50 most popular comedy shows on Apple Podcasts.

On the latest show, Meyers straddles the line between host and participant, interjecting with plenty of his own memories from SNL’s Lonely Island era. There’s plenty of friendly banter on all sides, including in a recurring segment dubbed “Seth’s Corner,” focusing on Meyers’ contributions to The Lonely Island’s sketches.

“We’re gonna tell him what we think for real this time,” Samberg promises at the end of the debut episode, “Not because we were scared of him like back then when he was our boss. No, now we’re gonna tell him the real truth. Prepare to be reamed, Seth.” NH

GIRLS INC. OF NEW HAMPSHIRE

The pre-eminent girls’ leadership organization equipping girls to reach their full potential.

Girls Inc. equips girls –particularly girls from lowincome communities and girls of color– to succeed and lead while advocating for an end to inequity and discrimination.

Serving girls throughout NH since 1974

Providing after-school and summer programs at two Girls’ Centers located in Manchester and Nashua

Dinner Club feed over 100 girls daily

Delivering in-school programs at dozens of schools across the state

Educational programs on careers and leadership, health and nutrition, STEM, media and economic literacy, drug and alcohol prevention, and violence prevention

Scan for information on programs, volunteer opportunities, or to donate www.girlsincnewhampshire.org info@girlsincnewhampshire.org

Surveying the Mystery of NH’s ‘Stonehenge’

Salem hilltop offers prime spot for viewing celestial events

STORY & PHOTOS BY MARSHALL HUDSON

I’m travelling south on Interstate 93, quite happy not to be going north. Traffic in the northbound lane is bumper-tobumper and barely crawling, packed with people heading north to see the total eclipse. I’m also headed to see the eclipse, but unlike most observers, I’m southbound. I’ll witness this rare planetary alignment at the curious hilltop in Salem, N.H., known as “America’s Stonehenge.”

America’s Stonehenge, formerly known as “Mystery Hill,” is a unique place to observe astronomical alignments and celestial events. Similar to other ancient sites around the world, upright stones at America’s Stonehenge are strategically placed to align with astronomical events such as solstices and equinoxes. Other rocks are positioned to point to significant stars such as Polaris, the north star.

This 30-acre hilltop has for many years puzzled archaeologists, astronomers and historians. It contains numerous standing

stones, stone chambers, stone tables and serpentine stone walls. The upright stones create an accurate astronomical calendar that can be used to predict solar and lunar

events. Perhaps the unknown builders also accounted for this solar eclipse and something unexpected will be revealed today?

At the center of the site, adjacent to the “oracle chamber” and the rock slab “sacrificial table,” I’ve set up an old surveyor transit containing a large magnetic compass. When I aim the transit crosshairs at the upright rock said to be in alignment with Polaris and then float the compass needle… it points to “North 14° 30’ East.”

Calculating the adjustment for magnetic declination using today’s date and the latitude and longitude, I determine my bearing needs to be adjusted by negative 14 degrees and 10 minutes. That is precise enough to be spooky. Whoever positioned these monoliths had an understanding of polar north and was not using a compass. Like Stonehenge in England, America’s Stonehenge must have been built by a culture well-versed in astronomy.

Inside the oracle chamber is a hidden room containing what is believed to be a speaking tube. Words spoken into this tube emit from beneath the sacrificial table. Perhaps this was done for eerie effect by a hidden priest or shaman during a religious ceremony. The sacrificial table has channels carved into the stone, thought to have been used for carrying away the blood of the sacrificed.

Skeptics point out that similarly grooved stone tables were used by early New England colonists to drain away the lye while making soap, or for pressing apples to make cider, or for butchering hogs. But these theories don’t explain the hidden room and speaking tube.

Marshall Hudson uses a transit to observe magnetic bearings on eclipse day, April 8, with the sacrificial table behind him to set the scene.

A group gathers in Salem, New Hampshire, to witness the historic celestial event.

There are several theories as to who built America’s Stonehenge, including ancient seafaring cultures such as Vikings, Phoenicians or Celts, who navigated by the sun and stars. Irish Culdee monks, Indigenous Native Americans and early colonial settlers are also named in theories about possible builders. Inca, Maya, and Aztec cultures from Central and South America worshiped a sun god, performed sacrifices and possessed stone construction skills. Could they have wandered this far north in the ancient past? Other theories include a 20th century hoax, visitors from outer space, or another dimension.

Radiocarbon dating analyses indicate a period of human occupation on the hilltop about 4,000 years ago. Some archaeologists believe this is evidence of a Native American presence and not that of Bronze Age sailors from across the sea. Native Americans did have an interest in celestial alignments, and it can be demonstrated that they occupied Mystery Hill in more recent history based on artifacts unearthed at the site. But were they the builders of this elaborate stonework?

In 1802, the Pattee family settled on the hilltop and built a home amid the ruins. Records indicate several generations of Pattees resided here throughout the 18th and 19th centuries. Pattee family members were Revolutionary War soldiers, town

officials, farmers and humble shoemakers. Abolitionist Jonathan Pattee used their hilltop home as a stop on the Underground Railroad and hid runaway slaves in his cellar. Some archeologists believe the Pattee family is responsible for all the stonework on this site. There is evidence that the family constructed some stone cellar walls and stone-lined wells, and perhaps used some of the chambers as root cellars. They also sold quarried stone from the site, so they were moving rocks around to suit their purposes, but science suggests the site pre-dates the Pattees.

Owner Dennis Stone believes the site is some 4,000 years old and the work of Native Americans, or perhaps ancient Europeans who arrived here thousands of years before Columbus. Supporting this theory are various inscriptions found in rocks throughout the site and identified by Dr. Barry Fell of Harvard University as Ogham, Phoenician and Iberian Punic script. Skeptics point out that these alphabets are composed largely of straight lines and suggest they could have been made by early farmers scratching a horsedrawn plow over field rocks.

In a continuing effort to find answers, Stone has welcomed new technology including lidar mapping, DNA testing of bones, ground penetrating radar, carbon dating, optically stimulated luminescence

dating, ultraviolet luminosity research, archeoastronomy and archaeological digs that sift the site for artifacts. There are also ongoing studies of historic photographs and research into the Pattee family. Perhaps someday the secrets of America’s Stonehenge will be revealed.

I’m in alignment with Stone’s thinking. Too much backbreaking labor has been done here for this to be a hoax. After the surveying measurements I took, I don’t believe it was constructed by a colonial family trying to carve a farm out of a rocky hilltop. As a surveyor, it’s been my experience that early New Hampshire settlers followed magnetic compass bearings when laying out their lots and ranges. They also built their stone walls in straight lines following property boundaries, or as enclosures to contain domestic animals. Neither is what I’m seeing now.

This site is too far south for the eclipse to have been noteworthy, but I was able to observe it with solar glasses. Disappointingly, nothing eerie or unexpected was revealed. Maybe I’ll come back for the summer solstice on June 20 — I’m told the sunrise and sunset over each monolith is something special I need to witness. Now, however, I’m heading for home in the open and moving I-93 northbound lane, quite happy not to be in the crawling bumper-to-bumper traffic going south. NH

Inside the oracle chamber at America’s Stonehenge, in Salem, N.H.

The standing stone is the perfect spot to view the setting sun during the winter solstice.

SUMMER 2024. It’s finally here! New Hampshire Magazine will help you get the most of the 90+ days of the season. Buckle up as we uncover loads to do around the Granite State.

PHOTO BY VERONICA KRAVITZ

COMPILED BY ELISA GONZALES VERDI

The dog days of summer are finally upon us. There’s no shortage of one-day or weekend-long events occurring this summer, but here are a few activities that stretch their legs through the entire season. Art festivals, arts in the park, concert series, open mic nights, crafting weekends and more — these frequently-occurring festivities should keep you plenty busy around the Granite State.

FEATURED EVENT

JUNE THROUGH OCTOBER

Prescott Park Arts Festival > The state’s most sprawling summer arts festival returns to celebrate its 50th anniversary. Count on another season of world-class entertainment for the whole family. A chili cook-off, jazz festival, weekly movie screenings, theatrical productions, big-name musicians and a whole lot more make this one of the Granite State’s best summer outdoor gatherings. Make sure you don’t miss out on the Main Stage musical, “Legally Blonde: The Musical.” To avoid fighting for a spot in the first-come, firstserve outdoor spaces, don’t forget to reserve a blanket or table in advance. Free (donation suggested). Dates and times vary. Prescott Park, 105 Marcy St., Portsmouth. (603) 436-2848; prescottpark.org

PHOTO

FEATURED EVENT

THROUGHOUT SUMMER

Gunstock Adventure Park > While Gunstock has become known as a go-to wintertime skiing and snowboarding mecca, don’t sleep on its warm-weather offerings. Gunstock Adventure Park features miles of dog-friendly hiking and biking trails, scenic lift rides, ziplining, aerial treetop adventures, a mountain coaster and even a campground to spend the night after a full day of summer fun. Head over to Gilford to enjoy the wonders of summer in the scenic mountains. Prices and times vary. Gunstock Adventure Park, 719 Cherry Valley Road, Gilford. (603) 293-4341; gunstock.com

ARTS & MUSIC

THURSDAYS & SUNDAYS

THROUGHOUT SUMMER

The Gundalow Concert Series > The Gundalow Company presents a relaxing sunset sail accompanied by multiple musicians all summer long playing a mix of music genres. Attendees board at the Prescott Park Dock next to the historic Sheafe Warehouse. Prescott Park Dock, 105 Marcy St., Portsmouth. (603) 433-9505; gundalow.org

EVERY THURSDAY

Gay Paper Mache > A queer-centered, sober, all-ages, free papier-mâché club at the Dover nonprofit arts center. All are welcome. Suggested donation $5. 7-9 p.m., Wrong Brain, 66 Third St. B1, Dover. wrongbrain.net

EVERY WEDNESDAY

Auspicious Brew Open

Mic Night > Come on down to Dover’s only kombucha craft brewery for a night where the unexpected is expected. If you’re interested in showing your stuff, make sure you sign up at 6:30, because the show starts at 7. No cover; music starts at 7 p.m. Auspicious Brew, 1 Washington St. Suite 1103, Dover. (603) 953-7240; auspiciousbrew.com

JUNE 7, JULY 5, AND AUG. 2

Littleton First Friday Arts > On the first Friday of each summer month, local shops, artists and food vendors will stay open after hours to pop up, and celebrate the arts and culture of Littleton and the surrounding North Country region. First Friday is a grassroots event that values collaboration and connection within the community. Free. 5-10 p.m. between Main Street and the covered bridge, Littleton; littletonfirstfriday.wpcomstaging.com

FRIDAYS FROM JULY 12- AUG. 16

38th Annual Cochecho Arts Festival > The festival began in the summer of 1987, after the chamber had accepted the challenge of matching an anonymous donation to produce a summer concert series. The festival showcases regionally recognized acts as well as local Seacoast entertainers. All events are free to attend and open to the public. Henry Law Park, 1 Washington St., Dover. (603) 742-2218; dovernh.org

JUNE 1 THROUGH SEPTEMBER 14

Of Baskets and Borers > This exhibition at Museum of the White Mountains will explore the past, present, and future of Indigenous basketry in the White Mountains region. As a museum about a place, exhibitions seek to present stories about the people, plants and animals of the region. This one will be explore the intersection between Indigenous basketry, brown ash trees, and the emerald ash borer. Museum of the White Mountains, 34 Highland St., Plymouth (603) 535-3210; plymouth.edu/mwm

FEATURED EVENT

THROUGHOUT SUMMER

Water Country > Celebrate 41 years of summer fun at Portsmouth’s Water Country. In case you missed last year’s 40th anniversary, the park underwent updates, redesigns and renovations that transformed the water park. In addition, there is a photo-opportunity area by Adventure River; plus, new eye-catching colors are being painted on Dragon’s Den, Plunge, Racing Rapids and Hyperlight. Prices and times vary. Water Country, 2300 Lafayette Road, Portsmouth. (603) 427-1112; watercountry.com

HOPING TO GET OUT AND ABOUT THIS SUMMER with your closest canine companions?

Whether it’s salty air and sandcastles at dog-welcoming beaches, doggo socials at local dog parks or mountain trails forgiving to those with four legs, here are the best dog-friendly activities to get you and your pup soaked in some sunrays this summer.

BEACHES

Although dogs aren’t allowed on any ocean beaches in New Hampshire state parks, there are several pet-friendly beaches along the state’s 18 miles of shoreline to explore.

Seabrook Beach > Located in Seabrook between Hampton Beach and Salisbury Beach, Seabrook Beach is a dog-friendly hidden gem for you and your pet. Dogs are required to be leashed year-round, and are limited to the hours before 8 a.m. and after 6 p.m. from Memorial Day through Labor Day.

Foss Beach > Foss Beach in Rye is a town-owned beach, which means that you and your dog are allowed from sunrise to 9 a.m. and 7 p.m. to midnight the Saturday before Memorial Day through the Saturday after Labor Day (and anytime during the off-season). It’s a long stretch of beach that runs from Rye Harbor State Park along Ocean Boulevard past Washington Road. While the beach is rocky, you are allowed to have your dog off the leash as long as they are under voice control. Make sure to check the tidal charts before you head out, as this beach disappears during high tide.

DOG PARKS

Hudson Dog Park at Benson Park > Located on the grounds of the original 166-acre Benson Wild Animal Park, this park boasts plenty of room for your dog to romp around from sunrise to sunset, and there are even two separate areas, large and small, for dogs to play leash-free. Leashed dogs are welcomed to use the over 4 miles of looping trails. 19 Kimball Road, Hudson.

Live Free and Run Dog Park > This is a fencedin, off-leash park where you and your dog are encouraged to engage with the community around you and participate in education, training and recreational activities. There is a membership fee to be a part of this park, but dues go toward keeping the space maintained. Green Road, Kingston.

Derry Dog Park > This local park is completely fenced in, allowing your dog the opportunity to run and play freely in a safe and enclosed environment. There are also agility obstacles available to keep your dog entertained from sunrise to sunset. Fordway Extension, Derry.

Shaker Field Dog Park > This park has something for every dog. The park features three separate enclosures: one for small dogs (30 pounds and under), one for large dogs (over 30 pounds) and a training area. There are also amenities like benches, tunnels, rock piles, boulders and tires. 535 NH-4A, Enfield.

HIKES

LEISURELY

Lake Massabesic Trail, Auburn > This is a 4-mile, heavily trafficked loop that offers the chance to see wildlife and is appropriate for all skill levels. The trail also offers a number of activity options and is best used from April until October. Your dog must be on a leash if you are going to walk this trail. This is an Audubon sanctuary, and you can view the trail map online.

INTERMEDIATE

Mount Major and Brook Trail Loop, Alton Bay > This is a moderate-level, 3.7-mile, heavily trafficked loop with beautiful wild flowers, and ideal for walks from April through November. This trail is a fan favorite for its hike along a pretty brook where your dog can drink and swim. Your dog is required to be on a leash, and there are as many dogs on the trail as there are people.

UP FOR A CHALLENGE?

Mount Osceola, Lincoln > If you and your dog are looking to tackle one of the Granite State’s famous 4,000-foot peaks, Mount Osceola is a good place to start. This 12.3-mile round-trip hike has gorgeous views of the Kancamagus wilderness and plenty of wild-flowers that make the steep trek worth it. The entrance at Tripoli Road is the more dog-friendly place to start.

FEATURED EVENT

JULY 13, 27 AND AUG. 10

Nostalgia Nights at Story Land > Calling all kids at heart: Story Land is going all-out so you can relive your younger years in the “Land Where Fantasy Lives.” Jump on the rides you loved as a kid, then visit Cinderella in her castle and get your photo taken — just like the old days. Indulge in treasured snacks like cotton candy, popcorn and ice cream cones. Kick back and enjoy an adult beverage instead of a juice box and groove to the tunes of live music. Ticket prices vary. 5-10 p.m., Story Land, 850 Route 16, Glen. (603) 383-4186; storylandnh.com

FEATURED EVENT

MAY THROUGH OCTOBER

Vernon Family Farm Live Music Series > This favorite family farm is known as a one-stop shop for shopping local, but its outdoor music series is one for the books, too. Every Friday and second Saturday of the month from May to October, the farm hosts live music, including bands like High Range and Superfrog, and offers delicious local food from its own farm-to-table restaurant, Vernon Kitchen. The farm will also host a brunch on the fourth Sunday of each month. Grab your friends and family and head over for a night (or morning) of community, rotisserie chicken and music at a space that nurtures the human desire to connect and love. Prices vary. 5-8 p.m., Vernon Family Farm, 301 Piscassic Road, Newfields. (603) 340-4321; vernonfamilyfarm.com. New Hampshire Magazine is a proud sponsor of this event.

JULY 11- AUG. 1

Atlantic Grill Music by the Sea Concerts>

This summer concert series brings some of New England’s hottest bands to the Seacoast on Thursday nights. Enjoy great tunes and the seaside setting while supporting the Seacoast Science Center and its ocean education mission. Bring a blanket or chair, pack a picnic or purchase freshly grilled dinners and chilled beverages on-site. Concertgoers can also enjoy the center and its exhibits, free with concert admission. $15-$20. 6-8:30 p.m., 570 Ocean Blvd., Rye. (603) 436-8043; seacoastsciencecenter.org

JOSHUA TREE

June!

FAIRS & FESTIVALS

JUNE 1

NH Maker Fest > This festival is a gathering of fascinating, curious people who enjoy learning and love sharing what they do. From engineers and artists to scientists and chefs, the Maker & Food Fest is a venue for these “makers” to show off hobbies, experiments and projects, and for attendees to enjoy fantastic grub. The team at the Children’s Museum call it “The Greatest Show and Tell on Earth” — a family-friendly showcase of invention, creativity and resourcefulness. Suggested donation of $5 per person. 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., The Children’s Museum of New Hampshire, 6 Washington St., Dover. childrens-museum.org

JUNE 1

37th Annual WOKQ Chowder Festival & Summer Social > Prescott Park Arts Festival welcomes the Granite State to chow on some chowder and get jiggy with it. This event features restaurants from throughout the Seacoast in a delicious chowder competition for the ages. The festival also offers music, merch and other family-friendly activities for friends young and old. And for those non-chowder chompers, a host of other delicious treats will be available as well, including handmade ice cream sandwiches, fresh-pressed lemonade, oysters and more. Prices vary. 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. (or until the chowder runs dry), Prescott Park, 105 Marcy St., Portsmouth. (603) 436-2848; prescottpark.org

JUNE 1

NH Bacon & Beer Festival > A fundraiser for High Hopes Foundation of New Hampshire — an organization dedicated to providing life-enhancing experiences and medical equipment to New Hampshire’s terminally and chronically ill children — this 8th annual event celebrates the savory grease of some good ol’ bacon alongside the endless flavor possibilities that have come to define

well-crafted beer. Featuring local restaurants pulling up with their finest pork products, live music from The Slakas and more than 60 breweries slinging their delicious brews. $35-$125. 12:30-4:30 p.m., Anheuser-Busch Brewery, 221 Daniel Webster Highway, Merrimack. nhbaconbeer.com

JUNE 8

47th Annual Market Square Day > Created by the nonprofit Pro Portsmouth to celebrate the renovation and beautification of downtown Portsmouth and, in particular, Market Square, the festival has grown in size along with the growth and popularity of Portsmouth. About 60,000 people will walk through downtown Portsmouth on that day, enjoying the entertainment, products and food offered by artists, crafters and merchants – many from the Seacoast area. Two performance stages feature local and regional musicians. The day kicks off with a 10K Road Race. Free. 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., downtown Portsmouth. (603) 433-4398; proportsmouth.org

JUNE 7, 8, 13, 15 AND 19

Juneteenth Celebration 2024 > Portsmouth’s Black Heritage Trail of New Hampshire offers a weeklong Juneteenth celebration to honor early African settlers and their descendants for their extraordinary contributions to the growth of the region. The celebration includes a tour, a panel discussion, live concerts, art, African drumming and more. Prices and times vary. Portsmouth. (603) 570-8469; blackheritagetrailnh.org

JUNE 8-16

101st Laconia Bike Week > Feel the wind in your hair while you ride into the next century. Celebrate the world’s oldest motorcycle rally, while enjoying the beauty of the Lakes region and celebrating the open road. Why ride in New Hampshire? Come and find out! Laconia. laconiamcweek.com

JUNE 14-15

Northlands Music and Arts Festival > This boutique-sized independently owned music and art festival is as authentic as it gets. Let your spirit soar with a lineup that will let the good vibes roll. Prices and times vary. Cheshire Fairgrounds, 247 Monadnock Hwy., Swanzey. northlandslive.com

JUNE 16

Father’s Day Sip, Brew, and BBQ > Give dad a special Father’s Day where he will enjoy a roast pig BBQ, with beer from Fogg Brewing, wine from the vineyard, live music and more. It’s an event that’s going the whole hog! $59. Noon to 3 p.m., Averill House Vineyard, 521 Averill Road, Brookline. (603) 244-3165; averillhousevineyard.com

JUNE 20-22

Hampton Beach Master Sand Sculpting Classic > This extravaganza boasts 200 tons of imported sand transformed into elaborate sculptures. World-class master sculptors come together to create their own unique sculptures and compete for the grand prize. Their masterpieces will be illuminated at night for an unforgettable walk down the boardwalk. Free. Hampton Beach, Hampton. hamptonbeach.org

JUNE 20-22

Concord Market Days Festival > Celebrate summer in the Capitol City with this annual free fest, now in its 50th year. Throughout the weekend, visitors can enjoy more than 150 vendors and exhibitors, concerts in both Eagle and Bicentennial squares, and a beer tent smack-dab in the middle of the festival. The weekend also coincides with the Capital City 10K, in case you like your street food served with a side of athleticism. Free. Main Street, Concord. (603) 226-2150; marketdaysfestival.com

JUNE 29- 30

Hampton Falls Liberty Weekend Craft Festival > More than 75 juried artisans from all over New England come to Hampton Falls to display and sell their American-made works. Crafts include pottery, fine art, aprons, ladies’ apparel, cutting boards, soaps, dolls, scarves, fine jewelry, country wood crafts, floral arrangements, vintage chic décor, mixed media, metal sculpture, glass garden art and more. Free. Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sunday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Town Common, 4 Lincoln Ave., Hampton Falls. castleberryfairs.com

CELEBRATE PRIDE

JUNE 15

Manchester Pride > Celebrate pride in the Queen City. This year’s event is moving to Veteran’s Memorial Park to increase the downtown community’s involvement. The festival will feature art, youth-focused activities, queer performers and many local community vendors. Free. noon to 6 p.m., Veteran’s Memorial Park, 723 Elm St., Manchester. manchestertrue.org

JUNE 29

White Mountains Pride > Head to North Conway for a full day of activities, including food trucks, music, kids activities and other celebrations. Check out their website for more details. Free. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., White Mountains Community Center Park, 78 Norcross Circle, North Conway. whitemountainspride.com

JUNE 22

Nashua Pride Festival > Join members of the local LGBTQIA community to celebrate Nashua Pride. The festival is a free celebration of diversity, acceptance, music and fun focused on promoting equality and inclusion of all people. The festival takes place in the Nashua Public Library parking lot. A parade kicks off at 2 p.m. at the Elm Street School. Free. 2-6 p.m., Nashua Public Library, 2 Court St., Nashua. Facebook.

JUNE 22

Portsmouth Pride Celebration > Celebrate Pride with Seacoast Outright on the grounds of Puddle Dock at Strawbery Banke. The festival will feature 100+ vendors, music featuring DJ Sunshine, food trucks, local artisans and more. Free. 12:30-5 p.m., Strawbery Banke Museum, 14 Hancock St., Portsmouth. strawberybanke.org

FEATURED EVENT

JUNE 20

Best of NH Party > Shameless plug or not, this is a party you won’t want to miss. Our Best of NH celebration features great food, drink, live music and fun from across the state. We’re hosting an elegant tent and garden party at one of our most beautiful local treasures — Flag Hill Distillery & Winery in Lee. Sign up for our VIP hour and private sampling opportunity, limited to 75 guests; spend the night in one of 10 tiny homes right on the property; or come just for an evening of sampling and fun. And it’s all to honor the 2024 Best of NH winners and to support our nonprofit beneficiary, the New Hampshire Food Bank. $75-$115. 5-8 p.m., Flag Hill Distillery & Winery, 297 North River Road, Lee. bestofnh.com

SPORTS & REC

JUNE 22

5th Annual Winnipesaukee Volleyball Classic > Hosted by the Akwa Marina Yacht Club, this competitive sand classic combines the fun of beach volleyball with making a difference in the lives of young children with special needs. All proceeds benefit Crotched Mountain’s CMF Kids, an initiative that supports children with autism and other disabilities from the communities of greatest need. The event offers a bouncy castle for kids and all the amenities of the beautiful waterfront at AKWA Marina. Prices vary. 9 a.m. till completion, Akwa Marina Yacht Club, 95 Centenary Ave., Laconia. (603) 669-0821; akwamarina.com

JUNE 8

Fun in the Sun Color Run > Open to children, adults, families and teams, the event is hosted by the Nashua Silver Knights and benefits the Lil’ Iguana’s Children’s Safety Foundation. Participants run or walk a 1 mile or 5K course around Nashua North High School. Following the race, participants and their families can enjoy a “Finish Line Luau” with live music, entertainment, food and beverage samples and activities provided by area businesses and vendors. Registration fee varies. 8:30 a.m. to noon, 8 Titan Way, Nashua. (603) 881-9805; liliguanausa.org

JUNE 15

Hike for Hope > The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention’s Hike for Hope put a hiking spin on the “Out of the Darkness Walks” — an opportunity

to bring people together to generate awareness for the cause, along with raising funds for suicide prevention in the community while fostering connection and generating important conversations. Hike for Hope provides an opportunity to enjoy our natural surroundings and acknowledge the ways in which suicide and mental health conditions have affected our lives and the lives of those we love and care about. Join in for a jaunt up beautiful Mount Major in this hope-filled event. Donations encouraged. 10 a.m. to noon, Mount Major, Alton. (603) 759-5039; asfp.org

JUNE 22

White Mountains Triathlon > Not only is this athletic event among the most scenic triathlons in the state, it’s also the only one with a whole festival built around it. Over two days, runner-biker-swimmers can participate in either the sprint, half-Iron man or Olympic distance races, and they can hang around for a Saturday post-race BBQ followed by a mountaintop sunset social. $169-$419. Early packet pickup and registrations begins Friday at 4:30 p.m. and continues through Saturday at 5:30 a.m., with the first race kicking off at 7 a.m. Cannon Mountain Ski Area, 260 Tramway Drive, Franconia. (603) 4881186; millenniumrunning.com

JUNE 22-23

Gunstock Trailfest > This epic weekend event hosts some of New Hampshire’s most popular trail runs with a mountain of options to choose from. Choose from The Peak Challenge, the 1.5 Mountain Climb, or the 5K, 10K, 30K, 50K and 80K trail runs.

There’s also events for kids and dogs, along with a full day of festivities including live music and complimentary BBQ and craft beer. $15-$89. Times vary. Gunstock Mountain Resort, 719 Cherry Valley Road, Gilford. gunstocktrailfest.com

JUNE 22-23

NASCAR Cup Series > If you haven’t taken the plunge to attend a NASCAR race at New Hampshire Motor Speedway, here’s your chance. New England’s only NASCAR weekend is June 22-23 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. $10-$164. 2:30-5:30 p.m., New Hampshire Motor Speedway, 1122 Route 106, Loudon. (603) 783-4931; nhms.com

JUNE 25-29

Cross New Hampshire Adventure Trail > This great three-day ride takes you through the breathtaking scenery of New Hampshire’s famous White Mountains. You’ll enjoy incredible cycling through charming towns, passing along beautiful rivers and streams. But be warned… the XNHAT will throw every kind of terrain possible at you — paved trails and back roads, easy riding crushed stonedust, and even gnarly gravel — delivering, as promised, adventure. Prices vary. 10 a.m., Cannon Mountain Rec Area, 270 Profile Road, Franconia. (315) 316-2453; cycletheusa.com

ARTS & MUSIC

JUNE 1

Starry Starry Night Gala > Show your support for the Nashua Center for the Arts by attending the Center’s first gala! You will enjoy a night of cocktails, dinner and dancing, all while supporting your local art scene. $200, black tie optional, 6 p.m. Nashua Center for the Arts, 201 Main St., Nashua. (800) 657-8774; nashuacenterforthearts.com

JUNE 29

Consider the Source w/ Arukah > Two amazing trios offering up Middle Eastern-soaked jams of improvisational wizardry. Sci-fi fusion trio Consider the Source defy easy categorization. With their blend of progressive rock and improvisatory jazz, soaked in Indian and Middle Eastern styles, CTS blends disparate elements into an utterly original whole. A relentless touring schedule has earned them a fervent following around the world, with fans ranging from tie-dye-covered hippies to metalheads. decked in black. $20. 9 p.m., Stone Church Music Club, 5 Granite St., Newmarket. (603) 659-7700; stonechurchrocks.com

July!

FAIRS & FESTIVALS

JULY 9- AUG. 1

New Hampshire Music Festival > Classical music lovers rejoice: Venues throughout Plymouth and Wolfeboro come alive to celebrate 71 festival years with the sounds of orchestras, choruses and professional soloists on instruments and voice. The fest plans to run three weeks this year, and feature performances at the Silver Center for Performing Arts at Plymouth State University and in various locations in the Lakes Region and farther north. Prices, times and locations vary. Plymouth. (603) 238-9007; nhmf.org

JULY 11-14

Hillsboro Summer Festival > From live music and a parade to a fairway full of carnival rides, this legendary festival is packed with activities. This year, there will also be a beer tent, 5K road race, skillet toss, tractor pull and more. For a free spectacle, stick around till dusk on Saturday night. Free. Times vary. Grimes Field, 29 Preston St., Hillsboro. (603) 464-0377; hillsborosummerfest.com

JULY 13

Keep NH Brewing Festival > For a beer fest that’s all New Hampshire, all the time, look no further than this annual fête. The event features more than 50 Granite State breweries and has more than 120 craft beers on tap, making it the largest single collection of NH breweries found at any event this year. $20-$65. Noom to 4 p.m., Kiwanis Waterfront Park, 15 Loudon Road, Concord. (334) 603-2337; nhbrewers.org

JULY 13

American Independence Festival > If you didn’t get all the patriotism out of your system on the Fourth, then try this later homage to America. Activities at this 33-year-old fest include battle reenactments, lawn games, live music and enough kids’ activities to keep the little ones entertained all day. Free. All day. American Independence Museum, 1 Governors Lane, Exeter. (603) 772-2622; independencemuseum.org

JULY 24-28

North Haverhill Fair > Described as “Christmas in July,” the North Haverhill Fair features a boatload of free events. Crowd-pleasers include concerts on Friday and Saturday nights, horse, pony and oxen stone boat pulling, a demolition derby, tractor and pulling events with transfer sleds, dairy, sheep, goat and dog shows for 4-H, an open horse show and art, photography, arts, crafts and flower

FEATURED EVENT

JULY 27-AUGUST 4

Sunflower Festival > Coppal House Farm’s annual Sunflower Festival is a special event put on every summer to celebrate their beautiful sunflower fields. The farm harvests the sunflowers every fall to press the seeds into culinary oil — but they’re a sight to behold while blooming. Oilseed sunflowers bloom and begin to turn their heads after only 12 days, so this week-long festival is a special, ephemeral time for flower lovers. Enjoy a sunrise in the sunflowers, an artisan craft fair, live local musicians, local food vendors and a series of mini-events while gazing on the sunflowers’ natural beauty.

$10-$14. 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. each day, Coppal House Farm, 118 North River Road, Lee. nhsunflower.com. New Hampshire Magazine is a proud sponsor of this event

shows. Prices and times vary. 1299 Dartmouth College Highway, North Haverhill. (603) 989-3305; nohaverhillfair.com

JULY 26-AUG. 4

Freedom Old Home Week > Every summer the community of Freedom is one of only five NH towns that celebrate an “Old Home Week.” Freedom’s 125th Old Home Week will feature a lawn party, a parade, an ice cream social, a 5K and more. Free. Times vary. Freedom. freedomoldhomeweek.com

JULY 26-28

Sail Portsmouth 2024 > This July, five tall ships plus the Gundalow will sail up the Piscataqua River. The parade kicks off at Sail Portsmouth, and the tall ships lead a flotilla of other vessels, both civilian and commercial fishing boats, plus military and municipal craft. They start at the mouth of the river and end at the Memorial Bridge where the tall ships turn around and head to their mooring sites. After the parade, two of the tall ships will be open to the public for tours at the Sail Portsmouth site. They are the renowned Barque Eagle, Denis Sullivan and Ernestina-Morrissey. Prices and times vary. Visit their website for updated information. Portsmouth Commercial Fish Pier, 1 Pierce Island Road, Portsmouth. sailportsmouth.org

JULY 27

New England Hot Sauce Fest > Last year was so spicy, they’re doing it again! Spicy Shark presents a New England destination and celebration for hot sauce lovers. Featuring hot sauce samples from more than 20 craft companies, music, food trucks, food challenges (including a hot pepper eating contest and a hot wing contest), craft vendors, Smuttynose Brewing Co. beer, bouncy houses and more. Don’t miss out on the spicy-sweaty fun. Proceeds support the Blue Ocean Society and Seacoast

Science Center. $13-$17. 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Smuttynose Brewing Co., 105 Towle Farm Road, Hampton. newenglandhotsaucefest.com. New Hampshire Magazine is a proud sponsor of this event

JULY 27

25th Annual Chocolate Fest > Enjoy an evening of chocolate temptations in Town Square accompanied by a free outdoor concert as the sun sets. Pack a picnic, or just bring a bottle of your favorite red or white libation and enjoy an indulgent evening in the square, on a blanket or with your toes in the sand. 5:30-8:30 p.m. Town Square, 33 Village Road, Waterville Valley. waterville.com

JULY 27

Hebron Fair > This fair boasts that it’s the place to be for the last Saturday in July. Festivities include more than 100 craftspeople, pony rides, children’s games, white elephants, delicious foods, baked goods, plants and a silent auction. It’s held on the picturesque Hebron Common at the north end of Newfound Lake and will happen rain or shine. Free. 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Hebron Common, 16 Church Lane, Hebron. (603) 409-7143; hebronchurchfair.org

JULY 27

13th Annual Summer Psychic and Craft Fair > Come enjoy a fun-filled day with the whole family. Inside with the cool AC, get a reading from one of the many talented psychics, experience the wonder of Aura Photography and shop from lots of gorgeous hand-crafted items. Then make your way to the parking lot where many more vendors and artisans will peddle their amazing offerings. Free. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Weirs Community Center, 25 Lucerne Ave., Laconia. fairsandfestivals.net

SPORTS & REC

JULY 7

Loon Mountain Race > This Granite State race is the race to end all races. It is 6.03 miles, 10.62 kilometers, has an elevation gain of 3,125 feet and an average slope of 14 percent. It has a reputation as one of the country’s toughest mountain races in large part due to the kilometer ascent of North Peak, known as Upper Walking Boss. “The Boss,” as it’s colloquially termed, is around a kilometer of grassy slope with angles that exceed a 40-percent grade. Voted as one of the five classic vertical trail races in the U.S., this race is no joke. If you are feeling daring this summer, be sure to check this one out, but make sure you register in advance — there’s no race day registration. $60. 7:30 a.m., Loon Mountain Resort, 60 Loon Mountain Road, Lincoln. loonmountainrace.com

JULY 12-13

The Prouty > If you enjoy outdoor recreation of just about any kind, then you’ll find something to suit your tastes at this annual mega-fundraiser for the Dartmouth Hitchcock Norris Cotton Cancer Center. Cyclists can opt for 20- to 100-mile rides on the road or the 200-mile, two-day Prouty Ultimate; walkers can traverse anything from a 3K stroll through Hanover to an 11K walk in the woods; rowers can hit the Connecticut River for 5 to 15 miles, and for the first time ever, there will be a mountain bike route! Prices, times and locations around Hanover vary. (603) 646-5500; theprouty.org

JULY 28

15th Annual Sunrise Ascent on Mount Washington > Get your hiking shoes and cameras ready for this sunrise hike. Before dawn, teams ascend the Mount Washington Auto Road to reach the 6,288-foot summit. Each team includes an athlete with a disability and a team of crew, who support the athlete as they climb to the summit. After the teams complete their hike to the summit, roadrunners help transport athletes and their crew back down to the base area. Volunteers help throughout the event, with setup, registration and the celebratory after-party at the base of the Mount Washington Auto Road. Together, the teams are inspired by the beauty of the sunrise, the majesty of the Presidential Range and the determination shared amongst them.

The goal for this event is to raise over $100,000 to help fund the operating budget of Adaptive Sports Partners. Donations accepted. 2 a.m., Auto Road, Gorham. (603) 823-5232; adaptivesportspartners.org

ARTS & MUSIC

JULY 1

James Taylor and His All-Star Band > On the first of July, spend an evening with folk legend James Taylor. Prices vary. 8 p.m., Bank of New Hampshire Pavilion, 72 Meadowbrook Lane, Gilford. (603) 293-4700; banknhpavilion.com

JULY 13, 27; AUG. 10, 24

Lynda Cohen Performing Arts Series > Originating from her love of music and the mountains, Lynda Cohen imagined a series where people from far and wide can come together nestled among the mountains of Crawford Notch to enjoy live tunes. Performers include Donna and Rick Nestler with Rik Palieri, The Sensational Barnes Brothers, Harvey Reid and Joyce Andersen and Bryan Bowers Band. Free. 7-9 p.m., AMC Highland Center, Bretton Woods. (603) 466-2727; outdoors.org

JULY 17-28

Chicago at Interlakes Theatre > A tale of fame, fortune and “all that jazz,” with one show-stopping song after another, “Chicago” is now the longestrunning American musical in Broadway history. This six-time Tony Award-winning musical is set amid the razzle-dazzle decadence of the 1920s and tells the story of Roxie Hart, a housewife who maliciously murders her lover. Prices and times vary, Interlakes Theatre, 1 Laker Lane, Meredith. (603) 707-6035; interlakestheatre.com

JULY 19

16th Annual CLM Benefit Concert > This benefit concert — featuring Bob Seger cover band, Hollywood Nights — raises critical funding to support uninsured children, adolescents and adults with direct access to comprehensive emergency, clinical and medical services, case management, substance use treatment and community-based counseling support. $45-$65. 5 p.m., Tupelo Music Hall, 10 A St., Derry. (603) 437-5100; tupelohall.com. New Hampshire Magazine is a proud sponsor of this event

JULY 26

Nu Metal Night > From Kinetic City Events, the creators of Live Free or Cry (New Hampshire’s longest running emo night) comes: The Psycho Social Nu Metal Night featuring your favorite nu metal covers from live bands: Dangerous Nights and Nu Kids on the Block. $18.75. 8 p.m., Bank of New Hampshire Stage, Capitol Center for the Arts, 16 S. Main St., Concord. (603) 225-1111; ccanh.com

JULY 27

New London Historical Society Antique Show & Sale > Get ready for the 56th annual Antique Show and Sale on the New London Historical Society’s grounds. Goosefare Antiques and Promotions of Saco, Maine, is helping bring more than 50 quality dealers to the show. The proceeds of the event will help the historical society. $8. 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., New London Historical Society, 179 Little Sunapee Road, New London. goosefareantiques.com

FIELDS FOR FROLICKING

The world is fully in bloom, which means it’s time to savor the season and enjoy the lush beauty of summer. Whether you want to stop and (literally) smell the roses this summer, or put together the ultimate floral bucket list, New Hampshire has plenty of verdant flower fields for you to enjoy. Frolic through the flowers to your heart’s content, and maybe liven up your insta with some beautiful local bouquets.

EARLY JUNE

Fields of Lupine Festival > Paying homage to the annual blossoming of this captivating wildflower, the Fields of Lupine Festival is a time-honored regional event. The brilliant spikes of the lupine flower carpet local fields and pastures in a rolling sea of vibrant purples, pinks, blues and whites. The long-lasting blossoms attract equally dazzling butterflies and create a breathtaking floral display against the majestic backdrop of the Franconia, Presidential and Kinsman mountain ranges. Every visitor is guaranteed abundant photo and recreational opportunities in the Northeast’s most spectacular mountain region. Easton, Franconia, Sugar Hill.

EARLY-MID JULY

Rhododendron State Park > Explore Rhododendron State Park this summer, when these big beautiful blooms are the center of attention. The 16-acre grove of rhododendrons is the largest grove in northern New England, and if you’ve never seen that many in bloom at one time, you’re in for a treat. There’s also a nearby wildflower trail with flowers that bloom throughout the season. 424 Rockwood Pond Road, Fitzwilliam; nhstateparks.org

AUGUST 10- 18

Sunfox Farm Sunflower Bloom Festival > Twenty acres of sunflowers awaits you at Sunfox Farm’s 6th Annual Sunflower Bloom Festival. For the first time, the event will take place at their 57-acre farm in the heart of Concord, New Hampshire’s capital city. Walk through the fields and experience the beauty and vibrancy of sunflowers towering over you, stretching nearly as far as the eye can see. In addition to the beautiful blooms, during festival weekends enjoy local musicians, as well as a variety of vendors showcasing unique offerings, and food trucks too. Parking is at NHTI. sunfoxfarm.org

FAIRS & FESTIVALS

AUG. 1-4

Cheshire Fair > This traditional agricultural fair will feature entertainment, crafts, vendors, rides, animals and plenty of live music. Special events for 2024 include performances by the Northeast Six Shooters, Larry Lee Ebera, The Lake Effect Band and more. This year’s theme is “Country Nights and Carnival Lights.” This year will also have a new midway, and new rides and games! Prices and times TBA, 247 Monadnock Highway, Swanzey. (603) 357-4740; cheshirefair.org

FEATURED EVENT

AUGUST 2-4

42nd Annual Hot Air Balloon Rally > This event, put on by the Suncook Valley Rotary, has something fun for everyone in your family. There will be a carnival, tethered hot air balloon rides, helicopter rides, a craft fair, food, drinks and so much more. Free to attend. Times vary, Drake Field, 17 Fayette St., Pittsfield. pittsfieldnh.gov

AUG. 3

Great New England BBQ & Food Truck Festival > This is a great family fun event that features a cornhole tournament, a kids zone with free bounce houses, face painting, axe-throwing, artisans, music, food trucks, caricature drawings and more. $5. 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., Hampshire Hills Athletic Club, 50 Emerson Road, Milford. gnefoodtruckfest.com

AUG. 3-11

91st Annual League of NH Craftmen’s Fair > Start clearing out the car — you’ll want plenty of trunk space for this. Artisans and crafters from around the state set up shop at this massive fest, which boasts the title of oldest continuously running craft fair in the U.S. Come ready to shop or just learn and admire; tap in for learn-howit’s-made workshops scattered throughout the week or head to the exhibition building full of curated art shows. There’s also live music, chances to meet artisans one-on-one and other fun events held throughout the week. Mount Sunapee Resort, 1398 Route 103, Newbury. (603) 763-3500; nhcrafts.org

AUG. 2-3

Journey to Jericho - ATV Jamboree > This high-energy festival takes place at Jericho Mountain State Park, which has more than 80 miles of trails. There will be mud races, demo rides, obstacle courses, helicopter rides, poker run, kids’ fun zone, live music, delicious food, a downtown block party and more. You won’t want to miss this summer weekend of fun. Ticket prices and times vary, Jericho Mountain State Park, 298 Jericho Lake Road, Berlin. androscogginvalleychamber.com

FEATURED EVENT

AUGUST 10

Woods, Water and Wildlife Festival > This day-long celebration of the great outdoors is a chance for families to have fun, explore and learn about the natural world together and features fun and educational outdoor activities. Take a hayride to the river, observe and learn about NH wildlife, explore the corn maze, take a discovery walk, watch demonstrations of traditional skills, try your hand at fishing, do crafts with your kids and more. Prices vary. 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Branch Hill Farm, 307 Applebee Road, Milton Mills. (603) 473-2020; mmrgnh.org

AUG. 8-10

The 67th Annual New Hampshire Antiques Show > Managed by a team of dedicated volunteers, the New Hampshire Antiques Show is considered “the best show of its kind in New England” (“Maine Antique Digest”). The 59 professional antiques dealers who exhibit at the show save merchandise throughout the year to ensure that the show maintains its longstanding reputation for “fresh-to-the-market” antiques. $10-$15. Times vary. DoubleTree by Hilton, 700 Elm St., Manchester. nhada.org

AUG. 12

The 16th Annual Hampton Beach Children’s Festival > There’s no better place to be a kid than at Hampton Beach. The Hampton Beach Children’s Festival will delight the young (and young at heart) with magic shows, storytelling, a costume parade and more. Free, times vary. Hampton Beach State Park, NH Route 1A, Hampton. hamptonbeach.org

AUG. 16-18

White Mountain Boogie n’ Blues Festival > With two decades of festival sand and a bevy of national blues preservation awards under its belt, this boogiefest is not to be missed. This year’s lineup includes Joanne Shaw Taylor, Vanessa Collier and many more. To really dive into the festival experience, rent a campsite on the Boogie’s sprawling White Mountains grounds. Prices and times vary. Sugar Shack Campground, 210 NH Route 175, North Thornton. (603) 726-3867; whitemountainboogie.com

AUG. 16-18

Cornish Fair > Since 1950, the Cornish Fair remains a traditional, family-friendly, educational, agricultural fair offering fruits and vegetable exhibits, horse and oxen pulling, 4-H, crafts, children’s activities, live entertainment, vendors, amusement rides and more. The Cornish Fair is also home to

the largest dairy show in all of New Hampshire, and remains committed to the education and sustainability of the agriculture industry. This year’s theme is “Mills.” Prices and times TBA, 294 Town House Road, Cornish. (603) 675-5426; cornishfair.org

AUG. 23-25

North Country Moose Festival > Head to Colebrook the weekend before Labor Day to celebrate all things moose. This year’s festivities include live music, arts and crafts vendors, and horse and wagon rides. Rumor has it, there is even a moose-calling contest. There will also be a dog show, maple syrup tasting contest and the classic car show. Bring the whole family to this old-time fun event that showcases the many diverse talents and services in the North Country. Free admission on Friday, Saturday $6. Friday 3-8 p.m. and Saturday 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., downtown Main Street, Colebrook. (603) 237-8939; mygonorth.com

AUG. 24

10th Annual Gate City Brewfest > As summer starts winding down, head to Nashua for one last beer-fueled hurrah. An extensive beer list, live music, a cornhole tournament and more are on tap. $15-$70. 1-5 p.m., Holman Stadium, 67 Amherst St., Nashua. gatecitybrewfestnh.com. New Hampshire Magazine is a proud sponsor of this event.

SPORTS & REC

AUG. 24

AutoFair NH 10 Miler > Run 10 miles. Attend after-party. Repeat? This event takes runners on a near-half-marathon run around Massabesic Lake, then rewards them with a free post-race beer. $50- $90. 8 a.m., Massabesic Lake, 1 Londonderry Turnpike, Manchester. (603) 488-1186; millenniumrunning.com

ARTS & MUSIC

AUG. 10

The Doobie Brothers > Woah! Listen to the music! The Doobie Brothers are coming to the BankNewH Pavilion, with special guest Steve Winwood. Prices vary. 7 p.m., Bank of New Hampshire Pavilion, 72 Meadowbrook Lane, (603) 293-4700; banknhpavilion.com

AUG. 15

KC and the Sunshine Band > Get down tonight, and shake your booty with KC and the Sunshine Band at the Casino Ballroom. $66-$559. 8 p.m., Hampton Casino Ballroom, 169 Ocean Blvd., Hampton. (603) 929-4100; casinoballroom.com

FIND ADDITIONAL EVENTS

at nhmagazine.com/calendar. Submit events eight weeks in advance to Elisa Gonzales Verdi at egonzalesverdi@nhmagazine.com or enter your own at nhmagazine.com/calendar. Not all events are guaranteed to be published either online or in the print calendar. Event submissions will be reviewed and, if deemed appropriate, approved by a New Hampshire Magazine editor.

Sounds of Summer

New Hampshire’s outdoor venues stay in tune with the season

Framed by lush trees and plenty of ambient lighting, a band plays under deepening skies at the Word Barn & Meadow in Exeter one summer.

The warm weather brings along the chance to break out of the seasonal indoor venue box, when fans customarily go shoulder to shoulder for the best spot in the general admission arena. New Hampshire’s outdoor music venues hold what larger cities lack — room to breathe, scenic, unique concert spaces in beautiful surroundings, and communities ready to welcome visitors taking in a show. And it doesn’t hurt that concertgoers can sidestep much of the parking and traffic tie-ups that other regions are known for.

Plenty of New Hampshire venues fit the bill: There are cozy, restored barns full of character; scenic views and art installations; and big-name rock star performance spots. With warm breezes brushing your cheek and good music wafting through the dewy air, there’s no better time of year to be here. Here’s some of our best outdoor music venues.

By Emily Reily

Word Barn & Meadow, Exeter

Located in a renovated farm building that dates to 1695, The Word Barn has been flying under the music radar since it opened in 2015.

In 2020, during COVID, when no one wanted to socialize in tight spaces, The Word Barn introduced its open air “meadow” as a safer alternative.

The Word Barn also focuses on community and local arts — one recent event was a mushroom ID workshop. Its live poetry and fiction readings spotlight new and upcoming artists, and they welcome live animal shows, standup comedy, theater camp for kids and even wellness activities.

The venue often hosts shows from the booking and production company Bright & Lyon Productions, who have worked with such established indie acts as The Tallest Man on Earth, Shakey Graves and Band of Horses, as well as local acts. Dead to the Core, a group of acoustic artists dedicated to the Grateful Dead, will bring new life to the barn.

Ben Anderson, co-creator of Bright & Lyon Productions, says their end of summer celebration will make headlines.

“We're launching our very own minifestival here at the end of the summer, feature the Whiskey Treaty Roadshow, Ali McGuirk, Jamie McLean and a slew of other bands, along with food trucks and camping,” Anderson says.

The Word Barn & Meadow is a hidden treasure near the heart of downtown Exeter. Its barn, which dates to 1695, hosts community and local arts events as well as up and coming bands. The outdoor meadow was added as an additional performance space in 2020.

Great Waters, Wolfeboro

Great Waters in Wolfeboro, home to the Great Waters Music Festival, is another multifaceted venue geared toward community enrichment. Deeply rooted in music, its late founder, Gerald Mack, conducted the Great Waters Festival Chorus and Orchestra.

With Lake Winnipesaukee as a backdrop, Great Waters began as an 800-person tented venue in 1995, and has evolved as its popularity increased.

In 2021, Great Waters partnered with the Castle Preservation Society to create a new tent space at Castle in the Clouds in Moultonborough, debuting with the “Concerts in

the Clouds” series. The “Concerts in Town” series takes place at Brewster Academy in Wolfeboro.

Great Waters Executive Director Joan Myers says they’ve added an additional concert for each series.

“All of our shows are selling fast, and we are busy planning for and ensuring that our patrons continue to enjoy the very best experience at both our venues: intimate, high-quality performances, and community camaraderie,” Myers says.

Their summer lineup includes sets by The Docksiders, a yacht rock tribute group, and folk music legend Judy Collins on Aug. 3.

“We are so excited to have Judy Collins back. She performed for Great Waters way back in 1999 at Brewster Academy in Wolfeboro. We are also very pleased to have Belinda Davids, the quintessential Whitney Houston performer all the way from South Africa,” Myers says.

To share the power of music, the organization offers a scholarship program and educational outreach.

For its Street Piano Project, for example, brightly colored pianos are placed in various Wolfeboro locations, just begging to tinkered with, nurturing the musical soul in each of us.

Great Waters in Wolfeboro, near the shores of Lake Winnipesaukee, is home to the aptly named Great Waters Music Festival. In 2021, the organization added the "Concerts in the Clouds" music series at Castle in the Clouds in Moultonborough, joining the "Concerts in Town" series at Brewster Academy in Wolfeboro.

PHOTO, LEFT: RYAN BURHANS; OPPOSITE

PAGE: NICOLE RUGGIERO, THE RANGE

The Range, Mason

The Range lives up to its name. This family-owned venue has an outdoor performance stage, driving range and tiki bar, in-house food offerings and 30 flavors of local ice cream, all within close proximity on 10 acres of land.

Nicole Ruggiero, who co-owns The Range with her dad, has been continuously adding new features since taking the helm in 2011.

“Every year we sink our money back into the business and just keep building it up and growing it, and that's just how much we believe in it,” Ruggiero says.

Originally known as a popular ice cream stand and driving range, Ruggiero made a tiki bar to diversify, then began booking acts.

Once the new model took off, The Range’s popularity grew.

“It has been a wild ride. We've had people drive eight hours to our venue to see a show,” Ruggiero says.

A general admission open-air venue with a 1,000-person capacity, The Range offers patio and VIP seating. An additional food truck and more parking has been added, and new glamping cabins are on tap for next year.

Ruggiero also wants to ensure their ticket pricing is as transparent as possible.

“We are really trying to focus on the customer experience from start to finish. I really want people to feel genuinely that we care and that we're a different experience,” Ruggiero says.

Shows range from country to jam bands to reggae to bluegrass, and even hip-hop shows and tribute acts, though Ruggiero says, “I try not to pigeonhole myself into specific genres.”

The “Garage Door” series features free live concerts shows with weekly themes — Taco Tuesdays; Cruise Nights on Thursdays; and BBQ and Blues on Sundays.

The return on the family’s investment has yielded unforgettable responses.

“People tell us, ‘Oh, this atmosphere is magical.’ You feel the vibes when you enter onto the property. We showcase artists, live painting and fire dancers. It's more of a miniature festival experience,” Ruggiero says.

The Range has been gaining momentum in the small town of Mason since it evolved into an outdoor music venue with VIP seating, an ice cream shop, tiki bar and more. Opposite page: The Eli Young Band performs in August 2022. Above: Concertgoers gather at a food truck for some much-needed nourishment during the show.

The Farmstand, Tamworth

With a tagline like “Feel the Barn,”

The Farmstand doesn’t take itself too seriously. This is a farm, a B&B, an organic food stand that presents intimate concerts with “lawn seats” just outside the barn door or on the lawn, and hosts weddings and special events. It’s also a place to get pure maple syrup in the spring. In the fall, they churn out about 200 gallons of apple cider from heirloom varieties.

“Our 1810-era barn only seats 80 lucky music fans, and then we sell lawn seats, and we have speakers for the folks outside,” says Kimball Packard, Farmstand owner and longtime artist manager who draws from his rich pool of music contacts to curate his concerts.

“We have some big names coming this summer, including Sonny Landreth with Cindy Cashdollar, Steve Forbert and Chris Smither, and Oscar and Tony winning author/songwriter Ernest Thompson,” Packard says.

These same artists also sing The Farmstand’s praises.

Packard says one musician, Rhett Miller, a solo artist who also performs with the country rock band Old 97’s, once told him: "There aren't many venues like this anywhere in the world.”

PHOTOS COURTESY KIMBALL PACKARD, THE FARMSTAND

Above: Crowds gather outside The Farmstand's barn in Tamworth.

Top: The Glen David Andrews Band, a group from New Orleans, keep the crowd on their toes during a show.

Northlands, Swanzey

With just a few summers under their belt, the independently owned Northlands – a music and arts venue and campground nestled in the Monadnock region at Cheshire Fairgrounds in Swanzey – has been making waves as a hot western New Hampshire landing zone for music fanatics.

Bands that have previously graced its stage include Dinosaur Jr., Lettuce, the Melvin Seals Grateful Revue, the String Cheese Incident – far too many to include here. Their Maple Barn is a recording and performance space, and a secondary “Campground Stage” offers room for even more acts.

Northlands features arts installations and campground wellness workshops, and places an emphasis on watching a show while staying sober. The organization is also improving the negative vibe that expansive music festivals often bring: The image of beer cans and red Solo cups strewn along a grassy field comes to mind.

In response, Northlands’ sustainability program includes a composting and recycling program that bans disposable cups and offers refillable water stations, a welcome sight during those hot summer festival days.

Its Music and Arts Festival is June 14-15, so grab your tickets early.

The fairly new Northlands, an outdoor music venue at Cheshire Fairgrounds in Swanzey, has two performance spaces and a recording space, and holds art installations and campground wellness workshops. It also has a robust sustainability program that bans plastic Solo cups and provides composting and refillable water stations.

BankNH Pavilion, Gilford

The BankNH Pavilion in Gilford, near Lake Winnipesaukee, has a long history as an outdoor music amphitheater and a strong reputation as one of the premier spots in the state to catch world-class acts.

Originally opening in 1996 as Meadowbrook Farms, the Pavilion can seat about 9,000 fans, who can choose from spots underneath the pavilion, or under the stars. General admission lawn seats are also up for grabs.

One unique perk: Music fans who’d rather

spend the night there instead of sit in stalled traffic can camp out overnight after the show, either in the woods or next to their cars on grass fields.

Their 2024 summer lineup brings a broad spectrum of music groups, everything from classic rock bands like ZZ Top, Lynyrd Skynyrd and Styx, to Dave Matthews Band, Third Eye Blind and New England’s homegrown, Boston-based alternative band The Pixies. This year, the ultimate summer surf rock band, The Beach Boys, will bring memories of California dreaming. NH

FREE MUSIC UNDER THE STARS

You don’t need to spend money to enjoy good live music in New Hampshire this summer. Many cities and towns hold concerts on town greens or local meeting places. Children’s entertainment, big brass bands and genre-specific music festivals are all up for grabs throughout the Granite State. Pack a picnic lunch and a blanket and get there early for these budget-conscious summer outdoor music venues. Check town websites for guidelines. For additional listings, go to visitnh.gov/blog/ new-hampshire-live-and-in-concert

CANTERBURY

For the third year, Canterbury Shaker Village will host its annual Music on the Green concert series. 288 Shaker Road, Canterbury shakers.org/whats-on/music-onthe-green

CARROLL

Four free concerts take place through July and August at the Lynda Cohen Performing Arts Series at Crawford Notch. Registration is required. Park at the AMC Highland Center at Crawford Notch, U.S. 302, Carroll outdoors.org/events/lynda-cohenperforming-arts-series

EXETER

Thirty years strong, the summer concert series at Swasey Parkway takes place from June 20 to Aug. 8 from 6-8 p.m. at Swasey Parkway, 316 Water St., Exeter. exeternh.gov/recreation/2024summer-concerts-swasey-parkway

HAMPTON BEACH

The Sea Shell Stage at Hampton Beach holds nightly concerts from 7-8 p.m. and 8:30-9:30 p.m. through August. The stage also hosts a country music fest July 9-11, and an Irish festival and a polka festival in August. hamptonbeach.org/events/ sea-shell-stage-nightly-shows

LACONIA

Belknap Mill’s Arts in the Park concert series has performances begin Friday nights from 6-8 p.m. The Belknap Mill, 25 Beacon St. East, Laconia belknapmill.org/sock-hop

LEBANON

Lebanon Recreation and Parks offers Monday night concerts featuring a range of acoustic, brass and jazz bands; and the Front Porch Concert Series is Thursday nights at 6:30 at Colburn Park, 51 N. Park St. Rain location: First Congregational Church, 10 South Park St. lebanonnh.gov/345/SummerConcerts-Performances

MILFORD

The Milford Summer Concert Series’ kicks off its nine-week “Sounds on the Souhegan” series July 3. Concerts are Wednesday nights from 7-8:30 at either Emerson Park or The Stage at Keyes Park. milford.nh.gov/recreation/pages/ summer-concert-series

NASHUA

The Nashua Parks and Recreation Department holds its free weekly Summer Fun concert series at Greeley Park, 100 Concord St. Every Tuesday night at 7, the series will cover several genres, including oldies, R&B, classic rock and oldies. nashuanh.gov/546/SummerFun

NEW BOSTON

On select Tuesdays from 6-7:30 p.m., the town hosts its “Concert on the Common” summer concert series at the gazebo on New Boston Common. newbostonnh.gov/recreation/pages/ concert-common

PORTSMOUTH

Concerts at the Portsmouth Prescott Park Arts Festival’s River House Restaurant concert series are free, though a $15 donation is suggested. Concerts start at 7 p.m. at the Wilcox Main Stage in Prescott Park. prescottpark.org

Excellence in NURSING

Too often, nurses are the unsung heroes of medicine. In fact, they are key members of any health care team, but their skills and contributions go unrecognized time and again. As the world comes back to baseline post-pandemic, the public has become more aware of the challenges nurses face, and the professionalism and compassion they demonstrate as they continue to provide the best possible care in stressful, uncertain times.

New Hampshire Magazine, in partnership with the New Hampshire Nurses Association, is proud to celebrate the important contributions by nurses and their many talents with the seventh annual Excellence in Nursing Awards. This past winter, we accepted nominations for New Hampshire nurses in 13 vital specialties, from pediatrics and public health to leadership and education. The winners were selected by an independent committee of nursing leaders from adjoining states. Each nurse profiled in the following pages represents the very best in nursing — those who go above and beyond to comfort, heal and teach.

PHOTOGRAPHY BY JARED CHARNEY / PROFILES BY NH MAGAZINE STAFF

Sharon Breidt MSN, RN Director of Nursing

PROFESSIONAL NURSE EDUCATOR

Keene State College

When Sharon Breidt needs inspiration, she looks back to the founder of nursing, a 19th century social reformer she fondly refers to as “Flo.”

“I have a girl crush on Florence Nightingale,” says Breidt, the director of nursing at Keene State College. “She was a woman of privilege, and chose to step away from her life of luxury and roll up her sleeves and head to the Crimean War to make positive change in how patients were treated,” Breidt says.

“She defined the profession of nursing and the importance of hygiene, nutrition, clean air and caring. Flo toiled endlessly and taught many through education and modeling behavior. She never asked more of her students than she gave of herself. She set high standards.”

Breidt is responsible for maintaining the college’s accreditation with the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education and the New Hampshire Board of Nursing. She also serves as coordinator of Keene State’s nursing simulation lab.

Breidt began college majoring in deaf education because she always loved to teach. When Ronald Reagan was elected president, she become concerned that there would be less federal funding for education, particularly special education, so she changed her major to nursing.

“I knew to be my best self, I needed to balance work and family and felt nursing would allow me flexibility,” she says. “(Now) 41 years later, I do not doubt the decision to become a nurse. It is where I belong and defines me.”

She met the “handsome guy” who would become her husband when he was a roommate to a patient in her care. The couple celebrate their 39th wedding anniversary in September.

Breidt cherishes the many people whose paths she has crossed during her career.

“One neat thing I found out last year is one of our 2024 graduates first heard me teaching before she was born. Her mother was in a childbirth class I had taught, and now 21 years later she is my student.”

Carol Long DNP, MS, RN, CENP, NEA-BC

Director of Inpatient Care Services

SENIOR NURSE LEADER Elliot Hospital

Carol Long began her career in 1979 as a licensed practical nurse in a small community hospital in northern Maine. In 1981, she and her husband moved to New Hampshire, where she started at Elliot Hospital in Manchester. Long worked for several years as an LPN on a medical surgical unit. In 1989, she received her associate’s degree in nursing.

Long, who describes herself as a “lifelong learner,” didn’t stop there. She went on to earn a bachelor’s degree in nursing, a master’s in management and, in 2019, a doctorate in nursing.

“I have had the privilege and opportunity to experience a variety of roles during my time at Elliot, to include unit educator, resource nurse, manager and director,” Long says.

As director of inpatient care services, Long collaborates with managers who have clinical oversight and daily operations for medical/surgical, critical care, the IV team, the outpatient infusion center and respiratory therapy.

“In my role, I can mentor managers, drive operational excellence and quality in patient care, while promoting a work environment that positively influences staff satisfaction and retention,” Long says.

She considers excellent communication “with astute listening skills” as essential for a great leader. “However, staying genuinely humble, caring and kind has served me well in my roles,” she says.

Over her career, Long has been inspired to make a difference for patients and staff and elevating the practice of nursing.

“My love of learning gave me the drive to always do better, be better, and motivate others to do the same,” she says. “I have had personal and professional satisfaction in impacting so many individuals’ lives and careers when exploring with them what is possible for them professionally.”

Erin Maltais RN, BSN

Staff Nurse/Clinical Lead EMERGENCY NURSING

Concord Hospital Laconia/Franklin

Erin Maltais entered the medical field in high school, and while the seasons of her career have changed over the years, her health care inspiration has never wavered. “People are my inspiration,” she says. “To help, to teach and to train people so they are able to take care of themselves and others will always be the driving force of why I do what I do.”

After going through trade school to receive her LNA, Maltais joined the Red Cross to finish the hours she needed to take the boards and receive her license. From there, she has learned and grown as she’s gained experience. The days can be long and hard, but it her team carries her through. “I’m blessed to have the knowledge, training and ability to take care of patients in some of the most vulnerable times in their lives,” she says. “I am very fortunate to be able to work with such a great team so that together we can make a difference in people’s lives.”

Jennifer Osborne BSN,

RNC

OB, C-EFM

Clinical Nurse Educator/Perinatal Safety Nurse

MATERNAL CHILD NURSING

Dartmouth Health — Cheshire Medical Center

In one day, Jennifer Osborne gained a niece and a career trajectory. When she was 14, she was present for the birth of her niece, and from that moment on knew she wanted to be a nurse. Her passion for obstetrics has helped propel her career.

“I love caring for pregnant women and being present for childbirth,” Osborne says. “I find it incredibly fascinating and a true miracle every single time I witness it. It is truly miraculous. I will never not be in awe of the moment new life enters this world. This is a time in a woman’s life that she never forgets, and knowing I was there for her in the most difficult and best times of her life is an honor to say the least.”

It isn’t always happy, but Osborne holds a special place in her heart for the families who have to say hello and goodbye at the same time. “Knowing as her nurse you were there for her and could hold her hand and help her through her toughest time is something that never gets forgotten. I love what I do, and I am so happy I chose this career in nursing.”

Ian B Kirit DNP, RN, CEN

Informatics Nurse Specialist

NURSING INFORMATICS

Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center

The most essential traits for an informatics nurse are flexibility and patience, and Ian Kirit embodies both.

“In my field, you must be able to deal with a variety of personality types,” Kirit says. “As a nurse who has worked in various clinical settings, I can relate to nurses’ pain points, and that experience is integral to my daily interactions with staff.”

Kirit employs technology to enhance nursing efficiency and patient safety and has traveled around the country implementing emergency department systems. The moments of joy along the way have been plentiful, but the times when he is able to meet people out in the community may be the best.

“I love seeing people when they tell me, ‘Oh, I remember you. You were my mom’s/dad’s favorite nurse,’ ” he recalls. “It’s such a simple thing, but you know deep within that what you did for them really mattered to make that lasting impression. Nurses’ light may not always shine the brightest, but we know we always have that inner spark to light up someone’s darkest moments.”

Kimberly Bernard MSN, RN

Chief Public Health Nurse

PUBLIC

HEALTH NURSING

City of Nashua Division of Public Health and Community Services

For Kimberly Bernard, kindness is a strategy for success.

“Kindness isn’t about being nice, it’s about fostering trust, having empathy and facilitating collaboration — essential ingredients for addressing the complex health needs of my staff and the community we serve,” says Bernard, chief public health nurse at the Nashua Division of Public Health and Community Services.

Bernard oversees community health staff and programming for the Greater Nashua region, leading initiatives to improve community health and well-being.

After graduating with a diploma in nursing at St. Elizabeth’s Hospital in Boston in May 1994, Bernard welcomed her first child that June and passed her boards four days later. That fall, she began pursuing her bachelor of science in nursing degree at Rivier University.

Over her 30-year career, Bernard has worked in both inpatient and outpatient settings. The majority of her practice, 20 years, was at St. Joseph Hospital. She has also worked at Mass. General, Parkland Medical Center and Rivier University.

Bernard earned a master of science degree in nursing education at Western Governors University and a certificate in advanced nursing leadership Saint Anselm College. She plans to take the public health certification exam this spring.

Her mom encouraged her to pursue a career in nursing.

“I am grateful to my mother for her role modeling of what it really means to be a nurse.”

Strong. Compassionate. Dedicated.

With courage and unwavering commitment, nurses make the world a better place. We celebrate your tireless efforts in providing high-quality care every day. On behalf of Harvard Pilgrim Health Care and our parent company, Point32Health, we thank you for going above and beyond for our communities.

Learn more at HarvardPilgrim.org

Diane M. Stearns MSN, APRN

Crystal Geoffroy MSN, RN Assistant Nurse Manager FRONTLINE LEADER

Manchester VA Medical Center

Crystal Geoffroy wanted to be a nurse for as long as she could remember. Thanks to her parents’ guidance and support, Geoffroy’s passion for caring for others has turned into a nursing career that has spanned two decades. “My parents always taught me that if you want something bad enough you have to put forth the effort,” Geoffroy says. That support and guidance continues to inspire her nursing today. “I know that what I do on a daily basis is beneficial to every person that I come across,” Geoffroy says. “I know that I make a difference in the lives of those I take care of.” A variety of traits are important to possess if you are in her field, ranging from integrity to advocacy to reasoning, leadership, versatility and empathy. “Patients’ needs can change frequently, and as nurses we need to bring our best qualities forward to promote positive patient outcomes and strengthen the overall nursing profession,” Geoffroy says. “We are critical members of the health care team.”

Advanced Practice RN Hospital I Lead HEMATOLOGY

Dartmouth Health

Understanding her “why” is Diane Stearns’ key to success, a trait she also sees in her colleagues and even her patients.“My clinical team, colleagues and patients all inspire me to grow, provide comfort and education and share my passion for oncology nursing with others,” she says. “They help me know my ‘why.’ To be able to accompany patients as they navigate through their cancer journey is a privilege.”

As an ambulatory nurse practitioner and the lead advanced care provider for Dartmouth Cancer Center, Stearns knows the intensity of her field and the depth of empathy, advocacy and humanity that it requires, but her patients make it all worth it.

“I recently had the privilege of working with a lovely elderly gentleman with a diagnosis of myelodysplastic syndrome, and our goals were to provide support in the way or growth factors and transfusions to supplement the declining function of the bone marrow,” she says.

“As we prepared for the end of his life, he reminded me that in all that we have to offer patients with diagnostics and novel therapies, what he and I needed was the privilege of being able to provide my presence, acknowledgement of who he was as a person beyond his diagnosis, education about his disease process and therapy, honest communication and shared decision making throughout his disease trajectory.”

Melanie D’Agata RN

Home Health and Hospice RN/Case Manager HOSPICE-PALLIATIVE CARE

North Country Home Health and Hospice Agency

After losing her father-in-law to cancer within six months of diagnosis, Melanie D’Agata pivoted her career and enrolled in nursing school to pursue her new passion for providing end-of-life care to those who need it most. Now, she is a case manager for 25 to 30 patients where she helps with a variety of needs, from wound care to blood draws to hospice system management. “My goal is to provide my patients with the same care that I would want for my family,” she says. “It requires commitment to follow through in seeking answers to lingering questions and extending reassurance, honesty, compassion, empathy, and at times, maybe even tough love. This can sometimes become exhausting. Then I look to my dedicated team for inspiration to dig a little deeper to continue to try to make a difference every day.”

Many traits are crucial in her field, but good communication may top them all. “Not only does transparent communication with patients and families allow us to truly get to know them, understand every aspect of their needs and identify barriers to progress, it also allows them to feel heard, to better understand the plan of care, and creates trust and confidence for better outcomes,” she says.

Emily Kordas RN

Registered Nurse

MEDICAL SURGICAL NURSING

Concord Hospital, Laconia

Emily Kordas always knew she wanted to follow in the “wise footsteps” of her grandmother and become a nurse.

“I think that the heart of nursing is patience and understanding,” Kordas says. “In nursing, you encounter many patients from all walks of life: patients who are dealing with a new life changing diagnosis, family members who don’t know what is to come next, and patients who just need a little extra support.”

At Concord Hospital in Laconia, Kordas worked on a med-surge/orthopedic unit. She recently accepted a position as a clinical manager at Concord Orthopaedics.

One day, Kordas cared for a young patient in the emergency room who was suffering with a failing kidney. When Kordas returned to work the next day, she learned the patient was now on her regular unit, and Kordas requested to be her nurse again.

“She was alone most of the day without any family support, so I tried to be there for her and hold her hand through each difficult conversation,” Kordas says.

Kordas told the patient she would return on her day off to wish her good luck before her surgery. When Kordas arrived, the patient was in tears and handed her a card.

“Later that day, I read the card, and it was the most touching moment of my career. In the card, she wrote, ‘After meeting you, I have found the strength and courage I have needed to stay positive and keep moving forward’ and ‘I will forever remember your kind words and huge heart.’”

Mona Lavalliere MSN-NI, RN

BCMA-Coordinator/Staffing Methodology Coordinator

NURSE

INNOVATOR-ENTREPRENEUR & QUALITY IMPROVEMENT

Manchester VA Medical Center

Nursing and technology often work hand-in-hand, and nursing informaticists like Mona Lavalliere help bridge the gap between the two to lead the charge of change and innovate patient care. During a 21-year career as an ICU and same-day surgery nurse, Lavalliere saw the impacts of technology on patient outcomes firsthand.

When an opportunity opened up to join the informatics team at Manchester VAMC, she knew she had to apply. “I knew I had found a position that would encompass my passion for innovation and technology while complementing my expert experience in direct patient care,” Lavalliere says. Not only is Lavalliere able to provide the same impassioned level of patient care, but she also is able to care for her patients by ensuring everything technologically is running smoothly.

“I recall one instance when I discovered that nine out of 12 downtime contingency computers were not working,” Lavalliere says. “I immediately went into action, following procedure, and placed an HR ticket and then advised all nursing units to print out medication administration records daily as a backup to BCMA. Then one day when rounding, I noted none of the downtime contingency computers were running and spoke up. I told our chief of IT that I was having a difficult time sleeping at night thinking about the veterans, and the possibility that they wouldn’t receive their medications correctly if those downtime contingency computers were not fixed immediately. He told me that he was a veteran and that he hoped that all nurses could have as much compassion in what they do.”

Lucille Marvin BSN, RN, CDCES Program Manager

AMBULATORY CARE NURSING

Exeter Hospital

Like the science that empowers it, nursing is a self-improving system when properly practiced, especially with a team. It’s by passing on the lessons learned that each new generation of nurses can build upon the hard-won successes of those who have gone before, and the lessons from patients who have been teachers all their own.

As a diabetes care and education specialist as well as program manager of the HealthReach Diabetes program at Exeter Hospital, Lucille Marvin is critical in this chain of success. The scope of her work ranges from daily work of in- and out-patient DSMES team members to ensure policy compliance to human resource management to working as a clinician once a week in the in-patient setting.

“My experience caring for my patients shapes what happens next,” she says. “If I need to learn more, I learn more. If I need to work with our senators to help insulin more affordable, I will do that. Continual process improvement for me is very deeply person-centered.”

Marvin, who has worked in her field for over 10 years, says compassion and engagement guide her team every day.

“You need a genuine, empathetic understanding of what it is to live with Type 1 diabetes, especially how they eat, how much insulin is needed to keep everything right and more,” she says. “They are the true heroes of the story.”

Deborah McCarter

Ph.D., RN, WHNP-BC, IBCLC

Professor

ACADEMIC

NURSE EDUCATOR—RESEARCH

Saint Anselm College

While reflecting on her nursing career, Deborah McCarter believes that the most essential characteristic to nursing is humility. “Without it, there is no willingness to grow or change,” says McCarter, who is now a professor of nursing at Saint Anselm College. Since her graduation from Simmons College in Boston in 1979, McCarter has been a staff nurse, a women’s health nurse practitioner, a lactation consultant, childbirth educator and now, a professor. Her motivation for her career in women’s health stems from the realization that women’s physical and emotional needs are often unmet at different points of their lives. That realization is what inspired her to advocate and be a “caring touch for those who need it most.” “(This) has also been the inspiration for my research and publications. I only hope I have passed this (passion for women’s health care) onto my students,” she says.

Not a single story could capture her gratitude for moments of connections with patients over the years, but one particular special story comes to mind. “I recently cared for a woman in a prenatal clinic in Atlanta whose pregnancy presented a significant life crisis for her,” she recalls. “Through a translator, we addressed the reason for her tears and her concerns and planned together for her care. As she was leaving the exam room, she stopped to speak to me, so I offered to include the translator again. Instead, she just came and gave me a big hug. No translation was needed!” NH

Congrats!

We

concordhospital.org

Erin Maltais

603 Living

Bouquets in Bloom

A flower farm in the Lakes Region brings regenerative organic flowers to the community through a membership model

BY JESSICA SABA / PHOTOGRAPHY BY JENN BAKOS

Live Free Farm sits at the top of a dirt road that is rutted, sloping and beastly — named Disdam Road for a reason. Like many unpaved roads in New Hampshire, however, it leads to a special place hidden among the trees.

At Live Free Farm, owner Marianna Evans leases three acres on a 32-acre property in Holderness and operates a cut flower business through a community-supported agriculture (CSA) program. Members sign

up at the start of the season in May and make a pact with the farmer to take whatever comes of the season, whether abundant harvests or limited blooms. Members pay $240 for eight weekly bouquet pickups averaging $30 per bouquet. To bring more flowers to the community outside the CSA, she drops additional bouquets at the Squam Lake Marketplace and pop-ups at Boomerang in Plymouth.

“Cut flower farming in general can be

Marianna Evans grew up hiking the White Mountains and enjoying the forest. After living in Colorado, she found that she missed her family and the forests of the East, so she went back to her roots, and her little flower farm in Holderness was born.

challenging in New Hampshire,” says Jonathan Ebba, extension field specialist at UNH Extension School. “From the standpoint of labor, energy and growing conditions, it can be much cheaper to grow cut flowers in other regions of the country and the world. The technology and systems to ship and distribute affordable fresh cut flowers from other places is excellent. When marketing their crop, New Hampshire growers need to leverage both the benefits of local production and the species grown, which may not be available through traditional mass-market channels.”

Local grocery stores make it easier to find fresh flowers for any occasion, but it comes with a price. Imported flowers, shipped thousands of miles overseas, are preserved and made perky with additives. They’re sometimes dyed in crayon-like yellows and oranges, or blues or greens to match the current holiday. Imported varieties can be expensive: Marianna recently saw one florist

price a single ranunculus stems for $8 each. Evans’ mission is to make fresh, locally grown flowers available to the community at a reasonable price. “Most people buy flowers from all over the world — they’ve lost the connection,” Evans says. “My flowers are for people who want a deeper connection to this area. They are for people who want flowers that grow and bloom in the same environment with an intimate relationship with this area.”

Live Free Farm flowers are always harvested the morning of pickup. Twice a week, between mid-May and the first week of November, Evans visits her fields before the flowers are wilted by the sun. Wearing knee-high muck boots, a pair of overalls and a handmade leather florist’s belt, she harvests blooms spread around the fields. She fills several buckets with biointensive flowers she has grown on no-till soil she has cultivated.

Evans carries them from the field to the

flower room in the barn, where blooms are placed on a work table, stems are clipped, leaves are removed, and flowers are arranged in bundles prepared for CSA members who arrive to select their bouquet from options on the pickup table.

The self-serve nature of the pickup process lets CSA members admire the arrangements and pick their favorites to bring home. There might be one remarkable flower that draws them in — whether it’s a vibrant red, an ombre-colored pink-toorange petal pattern, or a bouquet in yellow shades. Arrangements feature varieties like snapdragons, ageratum, sweet peas, zinnias, calendula, bells of Ireland, Queen Anne’s Lace, hydrangeas, cosmos, pincushions, bachelor buttons, sunflowers and the spectacular dahlias. Some weeks, there are playful ranunculus, classic lilacs and boppy zinnias.

Pickup days provide a special warmweather ritual for the 35 or so CSA members

Evans hopes that her slice of heaven can bring color and a taste of New Hampshire to your home or event.

who take their morning drive to collect the fresh-picked flowers; bring them home; admire the colors, textures, varieties and fragrances; then arrange them for display. In early spring, fresh flowers in a room that’s been dormant during the long colorless months of winter can feel enchanting.

In addition to providing flowers for seven weddings per season and other events, Evans prepares bouquets and guides members on floral arranging. Twice a week she creates an arrangement, placing the finished design next to a flower book from her library to help inspire others to think about how to arrange their flowers at home.

Building the flower farm

Evans spent her early career as a farm manager at a nonprofit farm and education center in Westchester County, New York, that was dedicated to feeding the community and educating the public on sustainability. She gained skills as an organic and sustainable grower with experience in greenhouse management, irrigation, composting, weeding/pest management, farm equipment and soil health. Evans also runs Local Foods Plymouth, which encourages community members to source more local food. These skills carry into her farm today.

Evans had to learn quickly on her farm. She recalls having a lot of energy for farming, despite the daily challenges and chores. Evans often works alone, and finds immense

Guide For Keeping Flowers Fresh:

1. Change the water daily; recut stems when doing so

2. Feed your flowers by adding a little sugar to the water

3. Keep blooms out of direct sunlight

Evans works hard to create farming practices that are designed to leave the land and soil better than she found them, and to grow flowers that bring joy to everyone who beholds them.

This year’s CSA has begun with each session lasting eight weeks at $30 a week. Pick up is at the farm in Holderness on either Tuesdays or Fridays.

joy and fulfillment in farming. She says she was called back to her home in New Hampshire “by the spirit of Squam Lake” after years of living in New York.

When Evans acquired the land in 2019 before opening the CSA in 2023, the growing area was a dense forest. She cut and chipped trees, removed roots and moved rocks to make beds. For a long stretch, she recalls feeling like a rock mover, not a farmer.

Once that was done, Evans found the soil was mostly dense, heavy clay. To make flower beds, she “fluffed it up” by adding 4 inches of compost, and dug trenches to route water flow on the sloped lot. It took a full year to build up the soil for the flower beds, but now they are ripe for planting and growing.

At the end of the day, these farming practices are designed to leave the land and soil

better than Evans found it. “We believe in stewarding the land in order for our future generations to enjoy what is beautiful, our earth,” she says.

Farm Season 2024:

After a year of abundant rain in 2023, the 2024 flower season began in April with the anticipation of extra vibrant colors.

“Every season consists of miniature farm battles, and mine have already begun. An unseasonably warm February into March, a cold spell and then a huge snowstorm caused issues in the low tunnels. Vole pressure is high this year and they ate 200 poppy plants after the snow drove them undercover,” Evans wrote to CSA subscribers in April. “What will the season bring? The ranunculus plants are already up and look great, tulips have buds and the greenhouse is completely full of seed trays.”

New Hampshire farmers are hearty, independent people who can overcome innumerable obstacles. With a can-do attitude, resilience and optimism, Evans is ready to face the challenges of the 2024 growing season on the flower farm.

“I’m so excited to have over 1,000 lisianthus in the ground this year, a new addition, and I have brand new varieties of zinnias that I can’t wait to grow,” she says. NH

Live Free Farm CSA

CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) Sign-ups for the 2024 CSA opened in May. Weekly-pickups run from May 27 to July 15, July 22 to Sept. 9, and Sept. 16 to Nov. 4.

How to Sign Up: Sign up directly by emailing Live Free Farm with a preferred session, pickup day (Tuesday or Friday), and bouquet preference (prearranged or market bouquet).

Total Eclipse of the Magazine

On April 8, thousands flocked to the Granite State to experience totality for three minutes and 15 seconds during a once-in-a-lifetime solar eclipse. We challenged our state’s photographers to send us their best shot of the eclipse itself or the hubbub leading up to it. Here is the winning photo selected by our editors. ↓

Congratulations to our winning photographer, Arthur Coy from Webster. @arthurcoy.jpg

My Northern Trek for the Perfect View of the Eclipse

On April 8, parts of northern New England were treated to an astronomical sight: a total solar eclipse. While not everyone was in the path of totality, many saw the moon block at least part of the sun from Earth, which cast otherworldly crescent-like shadows on the ground and caused a national uproar

as it crossed 12 other states.

It’s only been a couple weeks since I saw my first total eclipse, but it feels like I could still reach out and touch it.

I made the trek from Bangor, Maine, to Jackman, Maine, just 16 miles from the Canada border, and set up several cameras. Around 3:30, I watched the sunlight

By Emily Reily

dissolve into a thin circular sliver before the sun was finally eclipsed by the moon.

As “dusk” fell, I heard a single bird announce the unscheduled light change, but other than astonished cheers from the crowds, it was eerily silent. During totality, I worked as quickly as possible to grab pictures of something I might never see again.

The three-minute window seemed gone in seconds. In the next instant, the sun’s rays peeked back out to share the “diamond ring” phenomenon, and life went back to normal.

The trip home from Jackman was its own little odyssey. Bumper-to-bumper traffic knotted up nearly all of Route 201 South. The sight of thousands instantaneously making their own journey home replayed throughout the region. It took about eight hours to drive the 212 miles back to Dover, but every mile was worth it.

Here are some more eclipse photos that we were tagged in on our Instagram. Keep tagging us @nhmagazine for a chance for your photo to appear in print.

“Here’s one from Monday’s solar eclipse. It’s a composite from start to end, which took around two hours for the moon to start and end moving across the sun.” @eisenhaur_photography

@thetrendylensman

“The moon covering the sun or something like that yesterday.”

@joey_d18

PRIZE DETAILS:

Grand Prize: Publication in the August issue of New Hampshire Magazine. $500 cash prize!

2nd Place: Publication in the August issue of New Hampshire Magazine. $300 cash prize!

3rd Place: Publication in the August issue of New Hampshire Magazine. $200 cash prize!

All photos must be taken in New Hampshire and fall within one of three categories: Lifestyle, Wildlife, or Landscape.

Entries will be judged by our panel of professional photographers. Contest deadline: June 15, 2024. For contest rules and to enter, go to nhmagazine.com/photo-contest

Two Schoolhouses on the Move

In the days of the one-room schoolhouse, each town needed several, spaced out so children could walk to school, since there were no buses and darned few roads. Woodstock had five schoolhouses, each built — by decree — in the exact center of their respective school districts.

Except somebody messed up, and Park Mountain School ended up being built 471/2 rods* north of center. Town meeting voters decided the schoolhouse should be moved to its proper place by a committee-of-one, who’d be paid to make it so.

After the meeting, frugal taxpayers complained: “Why should we pay money to move the schoolhouse? Leave it be!” They started a petition calling for a special meeting to overturn the vote. The wife of the committee-of-one heard about the petition and walked 15 miles to the Profile House (where her husband worked) with the news. The two of them then walked 15 miles home, so distraught they didn’t even stop to look at the Old Man.

What to do?

A plan was hatched.

That night, the committee-of-one and friends — with skids and four yoke of oxen — moved the schoolhouse 47 1/2 rods south. So come morning, when a petitioner tried to

tack the petition to the schoolhouse door, it was gone.

Ida Sawyer, in Woodstock History, says the petitioner asked the nearest neighbor:

“Who in @#*% stole that schoolhouse?”

“What, has the school house been stole?” said the neighbor. “Yes by @#*% it has.” “Well I swan,” said the neighbor. That’s the story of the Schoolhouse that Moved in the Night.

A couple hundred years later in Northwood, a one-room schoolhouse next to town hall has fallen into disrepair. The town votes (by a slim margin) to tear it down. A date is set for demolition. But history buff Gary Tasker, business owner Jamie Lynne Cavarretta, and others think it should be saved. In recent years, it was a beloved preschool; before that, an American Legion hall. Lots of people had fond memories of that dear old schoolhouse.

What to do?

A plan was hatched.

What if the school is surgically deconstructed and rebuilt elsewhere? Tasker, Cavarretta and Cavaretta’s 12-year-old daughter, Karelyn, present their idea to the select board. As long as the schoolhouse disappears from town hall yard, the vote to be rid of it can be honored and the building saved. Cavarretta bid $100 for the privilege.

Hers was both the highest and lowest bid. (Actually, it was the only bid.)

She assembled a team, and together they moved the schoolhouse — nail by nail, board by board, timber by timber — 160 rods east along the First New Hampshire Turnpike to Cavarretta Gardens, her garden center and farm. Here it will be resurrected, she says, as a retail shop, with “unique artifacts and historical relics for the community to see and enjoy.” Who knows, she might even offer classes and bring the old schoolhouse full circle.

That’s the story of the Schoolhouse that Moved in the Day. Short version.

I left out political maneuverings and pushback as well as the challenge of raising money, organizing volunteers, hiring specialists, scheduling the work, and meeting deadlines despite a lot of rain.

Ollie Fifield of Canterbury, experienced in moving old buildings, could have charged a bundle for his services. Instead, he and Gary Tasker cut a Yankee-trader bargain. Fifield would move the schoolhouse, which he deemed well worth saving, for free if Tasker, a landscaper, agreed to cut his grass for two years. Ayuh, handshake, done deal. NH

* 1 rod = 51/2 yards, therefore 471/2 rods = 2611/4 yards

Clinical Nurse Educator/Perinatal Safety Nurse

Women