Torn and tattered American flags should not be publicly displayed or flown, per the U.S. Flag Code. At Phaneuf Funeral Homes and Crematorium, it easy for residents of New Hampshire to retire flags. Simply bring your retired American flag to one of our locations at 172 King St. in Boscawen or 243 Hanover St. in Manchester. There is a new, easy-to-recognize mailbox with a red, white and blue flag wrap. All you have to do is place your flag to be retired into the mailbox slot and we will give it a proper retirement, per the U.S. Flag Code. Congress passed the joint resolution in 1942, providing guidance to how to and how not to display the American flag, and how to retire an American flag. “When the flag is in such condition that it is no longer a fitting emblem, it should be destroyed in a dignified and ceremonious fashion, preferably by burning,” states the code. Phaneuf has retired more than 1,000 flags since we started the flag retiring program in 2017. “We utilize our crematorium to burn decommissioned or tattered flags in a respectful manner,” Buddy Phaneuf, President of Phaneuf Funeral Homes and Crematorium said. “It made sense to have a mailbox at our Boscawen location, because we’re less than a mile from New Hampshire State Veterans Cemetery.” The exterior of Phaneuf’s Boscawen location just received a patriotic facelift, with flag poles installed representing each brand of the U.S. military. “Because of our proximity to the veterans cemetery, many families of veterans choose to have their services at our Boscawen location,” Phaneuf added. “The men and women who protect our country all deserve an honorable and respectful farewell. We’ve always included veterans funeral benefits in our literature and as online resources, to help families get the support and benefits available from the VA.”
Tatoo, a five-piece group of acoustic guitar, trombone, sax/flute, stand-up bass, keyboard/accordion, drums and vocals will perform on Aug. 18. The band plays American roots music. Sets have a heavy mix of Jazz, Motown, New Orleans Mardi Gras and Cajun music as well as some originals. All their music has a strong connection to American musical traditions. They choose songs from this vast reservoir and play them in their own inimitable, irresistible acoustic-jam-band-style, while you dance, or just sit back and listen. Henniker Summer Concert Series will continue Tuesday, 6:30 to 8 p.m. at the Angela Robinson Bandstand, Community Park. Masks, social distancing. No rain date. Check hennikerconcerts@henniker.org for safety guidelines.
Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church will be holding a socially distanced Yiayia’s Greek Night Out. Order the August dinner of spanakopita, salad, bread and galaktoboureko to support their outreach ministries. Meals are $15. The demonstration will be available on YouTube. You will receive the access information with your meal. Order online after Saturday, Aug. 15, at holytrinitynh.org click “Contribute to Holy Trinity” button, by email at zenoveronensis@outlook.com or by phone at 953-3051. You can pay either by website or by check sent to the church, 68 North State St., Concord, NH 03301. Pick up will be Aug. 22 from 4 to 5 p.m. or Aug. 23 from noon to 1 p.m.
Hopkinton Human Services’ Back to School Program, which supports 30 students, grades 1st through 12th, has been adjusted to meet COVID precautions. The program is asking for community help to provide gift cards that can be used by parents for on line or in-store back to school shopping. Purchased gift cards or financial donations (checks should be made out to Hopkinton Human Services) can be put in the secure drop box at Town Hall or mailed to Hopkinton Human Services, 330 Main Street, Hopkinton, NH 03229. For those using the Drop Box, please indicate Human Services on the envelop. School supplies are also needed. These will be collected at and distributed through the Food Pantry. Supplies may be dropped off at on Wednesday, Aug. 26, from noon to 5 p.m. at a table outside the Food Pantry. The pantry is located in the lower level of the Slusser Center. Suggested Supplies: single, wide ruled and college ruled subject note books, folders, pocket folders, pen, pencils, erasers, highlighters, colored pencils, pencil bags, colored markers, crayons, glue sticks, assignment books, lined paper, and post-it-notes. Thank you for your immense support during these difficult times. For more information, contact Marilyn Ceriello Bresaw at 746-8244 or humanservices@hopkinton-nh.gov.
Leadership Lake Region will take the year off due to concerns and uncertainty surronding COVID-19. Accepted applicants will participate the program in 2021. For more information, visit leadershiplakesregion.org.
Laughter returns to the Hatbox Theatre with Improv on Friday and standup comedy on Saturday, both at 7:30 p.m. Headliner Jay Chanoine is a New Hampshire comedian who performs nationally and was named “The funniest comedian you don’t know yet” by AXS. He has been a featured act on The Altercation Punk Comedy Tour since 2013, a spotlight performer at The Altercation Comedy Festival in Austin, Texas, and is a frequent guest on JT Habersaat’s The Road Podcast. Other festival credits include Pouzza Fest in Montreal and The End of the Earth Festival in Provincetown, Mass. As a contributing writer to popular satire site The Hard Times Jay has written several viral articles, including “Dropkick Murphys Cruise Just Stays Docked in Boston Harbor the Whole Time” and “Opinion: Could Someone Please Explain the Difference Between Punk and Emo to Porn Sites?” He has performed with many national acts such as Kyle Kinane, Myq Kaplan, Kristine Levine and Eddie Pepitone. His self-produced first album “Come On Feel Chanoine” was recorded in his hometown of Manchester and released in 2015. In 2019 he headed to Austin, Texas, to record his second album “The Texas Chanoinesaw Massacre,” which was released later the same year on Stand Up! Records and produced by Grammy Award winner Dan Schlissel. “Chanoinesaw” hit No. 2 on the iTunes/Apple Music comedy charts and No. 1 on the Amazon charts, also earning Jay the coveted “Comic of the Week” spot on Comedy Radio out of Denver, Colo. It is available on all major digital platforms and can be heard on Sirius XM radio. Feature Duke Mulberry is a traveling comedian /photographer that is semi-known the world over. Having performed in Las Vegas, New Orleans, and New Hampshire, one may mistake him as a low level celebrity, and if you asked him you would be correct. The host, Chad Blodgett, a New Hampshire native, is an affable Everyman with a plus size personality and presence, whose infectious charisma and sense of humor has delighted audiences all over New England and beyond. Chad was the 2018 Okemo Snowplow Contest winner as well as a six-time Vermont Comedy Thunderdome champion. Tickets are $18 for adults, $15 for members, seniors, and students and $12 for senior members. Tickets may be reserved by calling 715-2315 or purchased online at hatboxnh.com.