The Allenstown Public Library reading program on Aug. 8 at 2 p.m. will have a New England Animals petting zoo at 59 Main St., where you will see chicks, bunnies, ducklings, and lambs. For more information, call 603-485-7651.
The Allenstown Historical Society will meet on Aug. 7 at 6 p.m. at MRF Building off Route 28 onto Lavoie Drive. For more information, call 603-485-4437.
St. John the Baptist Parish Nurse will not be available on Tuesday, Aug. 6. The Suncook Senior Center on Aug. 8 at 12 p.m. will celebrate birthdays for the month of August. Meals on Wheels are still looking for drivers. This is a paid volunteer position, and as a driver, you will be needed for approximately four hours a day, 12 to 20 hours per week. No experience is necessary, but you need your own transportation and vehicle insurance. Please call Carol for more information at 603-485-4254.
Bone Builders is from 8:45 to 9:45 a.m. on Monday and Wednesday. Bingo is from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Monday and Thursday. Klunk is from 12:30 to 2 p.m. on Monday and Thursday. Chair Yoga is from 9 to 10 a.m. on Tuesday and the cost is $5. Cribbage Club is from 10:15 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Tuesday. Art and Crafts have no scheduled crafts for the month of August.
August means Boscawen Old Home Day/Week is coming very soon. Swanky Swine is the 2024 theme and the names and locations of participants will be released on Saturday, Aug. 17. Judging is done on Aug. 18.
BINGO at Alan’s Restaurant is on Tuesday, Aug. 20 from 5 to 8 pm. For $10, enjoy a Turkey Dinner and stay to play the games and win prizes. On Aug. 21, Avaloch Farm Music Institute will give a concert at Twiggs Gallery from 6 to 7:30 p.m.; The Old Home Day Golf Classic is held on Aug. 22 with registration starting at 8 a.m. and shotgun start at 9 a.m.; Runners Alert! Sign-up for the 4th Annual Elektrisola Copper Run, 5K to be held on Aug. 23 from 5 to 8 p.m. It is free to Boscawen residents and Elektrisola employees. All others pay $20 per person. Registration is open until the start of the race. Smoke Shack BBQ will be catering and a beverage truck will be available; Events on Old Home Day on Aug. 24 begin with the parade at 11 a.m, and a Craft Fair at the Boscawen Congregational Church Park from 11 to 4. Head to Jamie Welch Field for an afternoon of fun with children’s activities, cornhole tournament, and a basketball tournament. Food Trucks will be available from noon to dusk.
The Summer Reading Program at the Boscawen Public Library ends on Saturday, Aug. 10. If kids have stickers left, they must redeem for the terrific prizes by then.
The Young at Heart Club will meet on Aug. 14 from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the Old Town Hall, 91 Bow Center Rd., where it will show a film about the Merrimack River. Bring your own lunch at 11:30 a.m. and the film begins at 12:30 p.m. For more information about the club and joining them for their meetings (guests are always welcomed) or how to become a member, contact Peter Cherici at 603-774-7682 or email at fairfield_a@hotmail.com.
The Bow Rotary free summer concert series has begun. This year’s concerts will be held on Thursday evenings from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at the town gazebo. In the event of inclement weather, the concerts will move inside the Community Building. The next concert is Aug. 8 and features “The Freese Brothers Big Band,” which honors the big band traditions of yesteryear. The following concert is Aug. 15 and features “The Hot Skillet Club,” a band that specializes in hot vintage jazz with a western swing flavor. Plenty of good seats are still available for both concerts.
Congratulations to Will Bennett on being selected to represent New England in the New Balance All-American Lacrosse Games in Baltimore, Maryland.
Fireworks come to Chichester on the night of Aug. 8. The Chichester police sponsor National Night Out at Carpenter Park starting at 6 p.m. The police and fire department will have a tug of war, and a live Blackhawk will be on site. Enjoy BBQ with your family. Fireworks will be at dusk.
The Suncook Valley Rotary Club announced that Sophia Sykes of Chichester was a recipient of a 2024 scholarship. Sophia embodied the Rotary’s motto of “Service Above Self” in her commitment to her community and future plans.
The Perkins-Maxfield Cemetery has gotten a much-needed facelift. Many thanks go to the cemetery trustees who commissioned NH Monuments Company to set the leaning and falling stones. After many years of leaning, the stones have now been given a proper and respectful repair.
The Chichester Youth Association is seeking soccer referees for the fall season. If you are a seasoned referee or a high school student interested in earning volunteer hours for the fall season, email Chichesteryouthassociation@gmail.com.
Want a great deal on books, games, puzzles, and DVDs? Come to the library book sale and market day on Aug. 10 at 9 a.m. It’s fun to be a vendor. To sign up, call 603-798-5613.
Be a hero at Old Home Day. Volunteer spots are available to make Aug. 17 a community success. Help is needed with parking, serving lunch and clean-up, event set-up and clean-up, overseeing children’s activities, and much more. Contact Nina@legacyplumbingnh.com.
The Chichester PTO is looking for raffle prize donations for their annual raffle calendar fundraiser. Donations from individuals and businesses help make this fundraiser successful. The PTO supports community family events, such as Santa Breakfast, Trunk or Treat, and the Easter Egg Drop. The students and staff at CCS get support for many different activities. Contact alisa.m.mullen@gmail.com.
Chichester Central School recently acknowledged the Chichester Hope in Christ Church for donating hundreds of boxes of snacks to the students of CCS who aren’t able to access snacks from home. The extra boost to our students is appreciated, and if anyone is interested in donating, donations can be dropped off at the main office at school.
The Solid Waste District BCEP has returned to glass recycling, and the normal disposal hopper is up and running.
National Night Out is America’s night out against crime. It is an annual event held throughout the United States to promote cooperation between the police and the community. The Concord community is invited to be part of National Night Out at Rollins Park, 116 Broadway St., on Tuesday, Aug. 6 from 5 to 8 p.m. Bring the whole family. Entry and parking at 33 Bow St. are free and food is only one dollar with a ticket. Free parking is also at Rundlett Middle School with complimentary shuttle service. This year’s festivities will include music, police and fire equipment, K9 demonstrations, touch-a-truck, and much more. Numerous businesses from around the community will have booths to make people aware of the services they have available. Learn more about the event at: https://www.concordnh.gov/828/National-Night-Out.
During National Night Out, visit the library’s eBike Bookmobiles with materials to borrow and fun activities and surprises for everyone who stops by.
On Wednesday, Aug. 14 at 6:30 p.m. at Gibson’s Bookstore, 45 South Main St., Peter Heller will share his new book, Burn, a novel about two men—friends since boyhood—who emerge from the woods of rural Maine to discover their home has become a dystopian country wracked by bewildering violence in their absence. Can’t make this event? Order a book through the website and they’ll be happy to have it signed at the event!
Gibson’s Bookstore with New Hampshire Public Radio and the Capitol Center for the Arts are pleased to welcome best-selling author Jodi Picoult (Mad Honey) to the Chubb Theater for an evening of literary discussion of her new novel, By Any Other Name, on Thursday, Aug. 15 at 7 p.m. Tickets are available from The Capitol Center for the Arts website: https://www.ccanh.com/show/24000039. Two women, centuries apart, one of whom is the real author of Shakespeare’s plays, are both forced to hide behind another name. A meet and greet photo line follows the event. Your $40 ticket includes a pre-signed hardcover copy of By Any Other Name. There will be no signing line.
Come out and enjoy a beer, listen to live music, and learn about participating in the 19th Annual Pedaling for Payson cycling fundraiser to support Concord Hospital Payson Center for Cancer Care on Wednesday, Aug. 14 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. One dollar per pint of beer purchased between Wednesday, Aug. 14 and Friday, Aug. 16 will support Nurse Navigation at the Payson Center. RSVP by selecting ‘Yes’ to this event. Concord Craft Brewing will host at 115 Storrs St.
Storytime Stations at the Heights Branch, 14 Canterbury Rd., happens on Saturday, Aug. 10, for ages 0 to 9 years old. Enjoy books, crafts, activities, and feltboard/manipulatives at your own pace with our self-guided stations from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m.
Stop by the Heights Branch Library Wednesdays to learn about eBooks, downloadables, library databases, and other questions you may have. Bring your own device or borrow one of our Chromebooks.
It’s free music! Nevers Band plays on Tuesday at The Kiwanis River Front Park (behind Everett Arena) at 7 p.m. On Thursday, go see Club Soda play at Eagle Square at 7 p.m.
Katie Dobbins will be playing at the White Park Merrimack Lodge, 1 White St., starting at 10 a.m. for the White Park Acoustic Concerts on Sunday, Aug. 11. All are welcome!
Street Closure covers the Restoration Foursquare Church Kids Week from Tuesday to Thursday, 4:30 to 8 p.m., Fayette St. between South St. and Chesley St.
Capitol Street will be closed from Main St. to North State St. for the farmers market on Saturday, Aug. 10, from 6 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Cars & Coffee on Capitol will close Park St., and Capitol St. will be closed from North Main St. to Green St.; and North State St. will be closed from Centre St. to School St. on Sunday, Aug. 11, from 7 to 11:30 a.m.
On Sunday, Aug. 11 at 2 p.m. at Gibson’s, celebrate NH author Terry Farish with her new novel, Go Home! Farish is joined by her co-author, Concord teen Lochan Sharma. In a world beset by anger and fear, what does it mean to protect one’s home and family?
The August Dunbarton Garden Club meets Mon., Aug. 12, at 6:30 p.m. at the Dunbarton Town Hall (second floor), 1004 School St. in Dunbarton. Enjoy social time connecting with other club members for the first 30 minutes. The agenda will begin at 7 p.m. Catch up on the 2024 happenings: Daffodils for Dunbarton, their annual mum sale in September, and upcoming programming. Meetings are always open to the public. Check Facebook (Dunbarton Garden Club) for the most up-to-date information and photos of our events and projects.
Reminder: Dunbarton’s Pages Corner, located at the intersection of State Routes 77 & 13, has a new traffic pattern. In an effort to improve overall driver safety while also reducing motor vehicle collisions and driver confusion, the three-way stop configuration at the intersection of State Routes 77 & 13, otherwise known as “Page’s Corner,” is converted to an all-way-stop configuration by the New Hampshire Department of Transportation. This is an interim measure prior to the programmed Ten-Year Plan Project for the construction of a roundabout.
Songs of Emigration: Storytelling Through Traditional Irish Music presented by Jordan Tirrell-Wysocki will be on Thursday, Sept. 12, at 6:30 p.m. at the Upper Town Hall. Through traditional music, Jordan Tirrell-Wysocki relays some of the adventures, misadventures, and emotions experienced by Irish emigrants. The presenter discusses the historical context of these songs, interspersing their stories with tunes from Ireland that made their way into New England’s musical repertoire, played on his fiddle or guitar. Check the library’s Facebook or website to confirm the time and date.
Hopkinton Village Greenway is now fully protected thanks to the generosity of Tim Sweatt of Old Stagecoach Road for granting a permanent trail easement on the section that connects Ransmeier Woods with Old Stagecoach Rd. The 4.5-mile Greenway encircles Hopkinton Village with a network of trails that connect town forests and conservation lands. The Greenway also connects to the Sweatt Preserve, a 72-acre forest on Old Stagecoach Road that was donated to Five Rivers Conservation Trust by another member of Tim’s family. For more information: hopkintonconservationland.org/hopkinton-village-greenway/
Two Villages Art Society (TVAS) has a new exhibit featuring the work of Campton artist Lizzy Berube. The exhibition “Somewhere to Remember” opens Saturday, Aug. 10, with a 12-2 p.m. reception that is free and open to the public. The exhibit runs through Sept. 7. Gallery hours are Thursday through Sunday from 12-4 p.m.
Shared Harvest 2024 vegetable donation dates: Aug. 14 and 28, and Sept. 11. Please drop off your vegetables between 3 and 5:30 p.m. on our donation dates at the Slusser Center lower level. Tables and coolers will be set up outside to receive your donations. All donations support the food pantry.
American Red Cross Blood Drive at Contoocook American Legion Post 81 at 169 Bound Tree Road on Aug. 14 from 1:30 to 6:30 p.m. Schedule at 1-800-RED-CROSS or redcrossblood.org and enter HOPKINTONNH to schedule an appointment.
Morning story times are Monday and Wednesday at 10 a.m. featuring books, movement, snacks, and crafts. Magic Fred Monday is at 5 p.m. The kindergarten social is on Tuesday at 1 p.m. Join us for a chance for your child to meet their future classmates before starting school! Featuring stories about starting school, icebreakers, crafts, and more. Mr. Connors, the ECS principal, will be here to meet the kids and answer questions as well! The knitters group will meet on Tuesday evening at 5 p.m. Bouncing Babies is on Thursdays at 10:30 a.m. The cooking workshop is Thursday at 4 p.m. for ages 12+ with pre-registration required. Summer reading continues through Aug. 17. You are still able to sign up to join our reading challenge at the library anytime. If you have signed up and did not receive a jump pass to Altitude Trampoline Park, please reach out to Miss Hannah at youth.services@epsomnh.org.
The library mums sale will kick off on Old Home Day. Be sure to stop by the Friends of the Library booth to reserve your mums for the fall. Mums will be $9 each or 5 for $40.
Old Home Weekend begins Friday at 5:30 with a cookout, cornhole, and basketball tournaments.
Franklin Historical Society, 21 Holy Cross Road, will be open now through Labor Day weekend from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. On Labor Day Weekend, it will be open all three days, Saturday through Monday. If you are out enjoying the Northern Rail Trail, on foot or biking, or looking for an adventure by any means, feel free to stop by, visit the museum and see what the Society has to offer. Contact: Leigh Webb, at 603-934-8111.
This week’s Free Concerts in the Park is Thursday with Bow Junction starting at 5 p.m. Mark your calendars ahead for every Thursday and enjoy a great evening at Marceau Park in the middle of downtown Franklin. Bring your favorite chair or blanket and browse the Farmers Market.
Franklin City Council meets Monday Aug. 5 at 6 p.m. at the Elks Club. The agenda is available on franklincitycouncil.org/city council. The link to Zoom can also be found there, as well as previous agendas and minutes.
The annual National Night Out returns Tuesday at Odell Park from 5 – 7 p.m. This popular free event is intended to forge strong relationships between communities and their first responders. Activities for the whole family.
The Penacook Village Association will host a free informational meeting, “Community Power Program – What This Means for Penacook,” on Wednesday, Aug. 7 at 6:30 p.m. in the Merrimack Valley High School auditorium, 106 Village St., Penacook. Concord has joined as a member of the Community Power Coalition of New Hampshire to allow residents an option for lower-priced electricity supply, scheduled to start this October. Representatives from Concord’s Energy and Environment Advisory Committee will present information about the program and answer your questions.
A community block party hosted by Joy Church will be held Saturday, Aug. 10, from 12 to 4 p.m. at Drake Field. All are welcome to attend. There will be a free cookout, face painting, games, bounce house, and more. The rain date is Saturday, Aug. 17.
The Pittsfield Historical Society is open on Sunday, Aug. 11, from 1 to 4 p.m. Stop in at the museum on Oak St. and view all the wonderful artifacts from Pittsfield’s history.
The Gabriel Douglas Anthony 21 Foundation was established by Gabe’s family after his death to provide roadside safety equipment to all high school-aged drivers. Please visit the website https://gda21foundation.org to learn more about this wonderful foundation or more importantly to donate. You may also contact the foundation at GDA21 Foundation, 98 Main St., Pittsfield, NH 03263; 603-470-6927 or email gda21foundation@gmail.com.
Attention PHS Class of 1984: It’s our 40th class reunion this year. Save the date, Saturday, Sept. 14, at Murphy’s Tap Room in Bedford. Invitations have been mailed and the Facebook event is live. Please RSVP as soon as possible. Contact Andi Grainger Riel at pittsfieldtowncrier@hotmail.com or 603-435-6346 for info.
The Shana Stark Band is being presented at 6 p.m. by the Henniker Concert Series on Tuesday.
The Henniker Weare Youth Theatre starts their first musical camp of the summer at Weare Middle School on Monday, Aug. 12. They are doing the very funny family musical, Thwacked! and there are still roles available for area young people. Email dunn.t@comcast.net for more info.
The Weare Board of Selectmen will attend an awards ceremony for the police officers and citizens on Wednesday, Aug. 14, 2024, at 6 p.m. at Weare Middle School, 16 East Rd., Weare, NH 03281.
The Town of Weare is seeking a motivated individual willing to tackle challenges with high energy while developing positive working relationships with coworkers, residents, and public officials as the land use administrative assistant for the land use boards (planning & zoning).
It’s never too early to volunteer for the Warner Fall Foliage Festival, coming Oct. 11-13 – mark your calendars. Volunteers receive the Warner 250th birthday commemorative t-shirt. Sign up for two-hour shifts at https://signup.com/go/PSmTgMv to help with parking, selling booster tickets, staffing the info booth, set-up, clean-up, and more.
Don’t miss the summer exhibit at the Upton Chandler House Museum celebrating Warner’s 250th birthday, open Tuesday from 1 to 4 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. through Fall Foliage Festival weekend. Free admission and AC.
Two great bike events hosted by GRVL Cycling are coming to Warner: The Kearsarge Klassic bike ride on Aug. 10 and the Mt. Kearsarge Hill Climb – the second most famous hill climb in NH – on Aug. 11. The Klassic is a non-competitive 55- or 35-mile ride on a challenging route that includes packed gravel and climbing segments and finishes with a delicious meal and craft beer. A portion of the registration fee supports the Concord-Lake Sunapee Rail Trail. The Hill Climb is a challenging bike race of roughly eight miles up the tallest peak in Warner. Proceeds benefit the Warner Connects NH Food Pantry. For more information and to register for either event, visit https://www.grvl.net.
The Webster Zoning Board of Adjustment will hold two public hearings on Tuesday, Aug. 13, at 6:30 p.m. at the Webster Town Hall in the Grange Hall. In the first hearing, the board will consider an application from Kevin Bernier for a special exception to the setback requirements under Article V Section 8 of the Webster Zoning Ordinance to build a shed using the 25-foot setback. The property is located on Map 7 Lot 27 at 150 Battle St. in the residential/agricultural zone. In the second hearing, the board will consider an application from Marea Santos for a special exception under Article V Section 8 to build an addition using the 25-foot setback. The property is located on Map 6 Lot 17 at 120 Walker Pond Rd. in the residential/agricultural zone. If a decision is not reached, the hearing(s) will be continued at the next scheduled meeting of the zoning board of adjustments.
Effective Aug. 1, the cost of a dump sticker for the Hopkinton/Webster Transfer Station has increased to $5. Please be aware that the town clerk will need your vehicle registration/license plate number for each vehicle getting a dump sticker.