Talk of the Towns for Feb. 11, 2024
Published: 02-13-2024 12:50 PM |
Concord/Penacook
■Penacook Winter Farmers Market is open every Wednesday, from 3 to 6 p.m., at Riverhill Grange, 32 Horse Hill Road.
■The United Church of Penacook Food Pantry, serving Penacook residents only, is open every Tuesday from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. year-round. (If Penacook Elementary/Merrimack Valley School District is closed due to weather, the pantry will also be closed.) Visitors coming to the pantry are allowed two bags of groceries and one bag of personal care items every two weeks unless extra food is available or an emergency situation comes up.
CHERYL STINSON
news03303@aol.com
■NHTI is pleased to announce Dr. Hector Iweka as vice president of Academic and Workforce Education. Dr. Iweka first came to the college in 2023.
■New Hampshire Historical Society has stories capturing our iconic spirit. Programs held at the Society this winter and spring will feature two topics. This first will explore Mount Washington and the Concord Coach. Come Saturday at 2 p.m. Admission is free for New Hampshire Historical Society members; $7 for nonmembers. No registration is required.
■Margo Cooper visits Gibson’s Bookstore, 45 South Main St., with her stunning book of photographs and interviews, Deep Inside the Blues on Tuesday, February 20 at 6:30 p.m. Cooper documents the lives of blues musicians.
Article continues after...
Yesterday's Most Read Articles





■On Wednesday, February 21 at 4:30 p.m., Gibson’s hosts the Poetry Society with Chard deNiord and an open mic follows. Newcomers are encouraged!
■Concord Community Music School, 23 Wall St., presents an extra special free Student Recital on Thursday, February 22 at 7 p.m. Participants display their art using their music as inspiration. For details, call 603-228-1196 or ccmusicschool.org/event/ccms-student-recital-feb-22-2024/.
■Join the Greater Concord Chamber of Commerce and Warrenstreet Architects, 4 Crescent St. on Tuesday at 5:30 p.m. for a fun networking event with fellow Chamber members! For more information, contact Gabriel Szczepanik at (603) 224-2508.
■Hat Tricks? There will chances with these Hockey Games at the Douglas N. Everett Arena on these days: Wednesday at 3:30 p.m. with the Concord High Girls vs. Central (Make-Up); then at 5:30 p.m., it’s Concord High Boys vs. Exeter; followed at 7:30 p.m. with Pembroke Academy vs. Belmont. On Saturday at 3:30 p.m. it’s Concord High Girls vs. Keene; at 5:30 p.m., watch Concord High Boys vs. Londonderry; ending with a 7:30 p.m. game featuring Pembroke Academy vs. Kearsarge. Wednesday, February 21 starts at 5:30 p.m. with Bow High School vs. Central; followed at 7:30 p.m. with Concord High Girls vs. Bishop Guertin.
■Winter at the Library is hot! Sourdough Starter Care & Feeding is on Monday at 5:30 p.m. Learn the basic principles of feeding and maintaining a healthy and active sourdough starter.
■Parlez-vous français? Join the Library French Club for your fluency on Tuesday, February 20 at 5 p.m.
■Learn about the Black Heritage Trail of New Hampshire and African American History on Tuesday, February 20 at 6 p.m.
■Attend a Book Discussion on Girl Waits with Gun on Wednesday, February 21 at 5:30 p.m.
■The I-93 Bridge Park Feasibility Study Public Input Session is on Tuesday, February 20 at 6:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers, 37 Green St.
■The monthly meeting of the Recreation and Parks Advisory Committee welcomes the public from Thursday to Tuesday at 5:30 p.m. at 14 Canterbury Road.
■Croce Plays Croce! Multi-faceted singer/songwriter A.J. Croce celebrates his father Jim Croce’s legendary albums. Hear the hits on Thursday at 7 p.m. at the Chubb Theatre, Capitol Center for the Arts, 44 S. Main St.
■On The Exhale debuts at Bank of NH Stage 16 S. Main St. When a senseless act of violence changes her life forever, a liberal college professor is drawn to the weapon used in the crime. See it on Friday and Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, February 18 at 2 p.m.
■On Friday at 7:30 p.m., Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, February 18 at 2 p.m. and Friday, February 16, Saturday, February 17 at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, February 18 at 2 p.m., the Community Players present “Witness for the Prosecution”. “Guilty of being a Good Night Out.” Tickets are Adults, $20 and Juniors (age 17 and under) and Seniors (age 65+), $18 available online at communityplayersofconcord.org or by mail to David Murdo, 8 Old Suncook Road, Unit 12, Concord, NH. 03301. The Audi Box Office is open performance days 90 minutes before curtain. For information, call 603-344-4747.
■The American Heart Association Go Red for Women is prepared to meet the needs of women at every age at the Grappone Center, 70 Constitution Avenue on Thursday at 10 a.m. Inquiries: Rosemary Hendrickx at rosemary.hendrickx@heart.org or 603.512.1625.
■Motherless Daughters is an opportunity to share support with other women, who like you, lost their mother too soon. If this is you, then come to The Forum Pub, 106 Village St., on Thursday at 6 p.m. to share your stories with and for others who understand.
■President’s Day means City Offices are closed on Monday, February 19.
■A sad good-bye to Kim and Brendan. Kim volunteered for many things in Concord.
■A Happy Mardi Gras/Shrove Tuesday and a blessed Lent to all!
■What’s the most romantic ship? Courtship. Who always has a date on Valentine’s? The calendar. What’s the best breakfast on Valentine’s? A hug and a quiche! Tell everyone who means something to you, Happy Valentine’s Day! I’m sending love to Charlie, Daniel and all my Concord Friends!
JEAN VER HOEVEN
jeanann@voicenet.com
Allenstown
■The Supervisors of the Checklist is on March 2 from 11 to 11:30 a.m. at the Allenstown Town Hall, 16 School Street. Allenstown residents can register to vote and residents can change their party affiliation. The Town Meeting Election Date is March 12, 2024 from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. at St. John the Baptist Parish Hall.
■The Suncook Knights of Columbus is sponsoring a pre-lent breakfast on Sunday, Feb.11 following the 10 a.m. Mass. Pancakes, sausage,bacon,scrambled eggs, toast, coffee and juice will be served. Cost is $5 per person.
■The Knights of Columbus will hold their monthly dinner on Saturday, Feb.17 at 5 p.m. at St. John the Baptist. Roast Pork, gravy, stuffing, mashed potatoes, green beans. Cost is $10. per person and take out are available.
■The Suncook Senior Center will have a Valentines Celebration at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, Feb.14.
■Arts and Crafts on Wednesday, at 10 a.m. will be making a Micrrowave Cozy.
■The Suncook Senior Center is planning a trip to the Regal Theater in Waltham, Mass. to see “The Magic of Ireland” with talent who have performed in NY and Boston stage. Dinner at the Chateau in Waltham. The cost is $137 per person. Call Nancy at 603-485-9181 for more information and to reserve a spot.
CLAUDETTE VERVILLE
cverville2@comcast.net
BOSCAWEN
■Interested in enjoying lunch and BINGO before the Super Bowl? Alan’s Restaurant will be serving lunch at 12:30 pm and the games start at 1:30 pm. Luncheon cost is $10 per person. No cash prizes will be given. This is a fundraiser for Old Home Day. Call Polly at 603-496-5231 if you have questions.
■“The Lying Game” a novel by Ruth Ware, is the topic of the Book Discussion Group meeting on Tuesday, beginning at 2 pm at the Boscawen Public Library. Interested in the book but can’t attend the meeting? Additional books available for takeout.
■Kids and their families are invited to participate in the popular Pine Cone Bird Feeders workshop at the Boscawen Public Library on Thursday, February 29. The fun starts at 2 pm and all supplies will be provided. Space is limited so be sure to sign up at the library or give them a call at 603-753-8596.
■The Penacook-Boscawen Water Precinct will have a Public Hearing on Wednesday starting at 6 pm. It will be held at the Precinct office at 9 Woodbury Lane.
■Town Offices and the Boscawen Public Library are closed on Monday, February 18 in honor of President’s Day.
MARY ALLARD
boscawenpl@gmail.com
BOW
■Upcoming Town and School events include: i) Town Elections March 12th at the Bow Community Center, ii) Town Annual Meeting March 13th at 6:30 pm at Bow High School, iii) School Annual Meeting March 15th at 6 pm at Bow High School.
■This Year’s Summer Campership Applications are now available through the Bow Recreation office or the Bow Rotary website. bowrotary.org . The form is now a fillable PDF and the deadline for submission is Feb. 15th. Due to increased demand and limited resources, some requests may only receive limited funding. If received by Feb. 15th, families can expect to hear from our committee by March 1st.
■The Bow Garden Club is busy planning fun and educational programs for 2024. Its first program on April 8 will be on “Container Gardening” by a UNH Extension Advanced Master Gardener and will be held at the Bow Baker Free Library. Watch their Facebook page or website bowgardenclub.org/ for details as time gets closer. If you’d like to join garden club, the membership link is on the website.
■There will be a Bow Young at Heart Club meeting Feb. 14 at 11:30 am at the Old Town Hall (91 Bow Center Road) where Matt Dodge will offer a discussion of the Rotary Club and community programs in Bow. Bow Young at Heart is a social club with membership open to residents of Bow and surrounding communities age 55 and older. The public is always welcome at any meeting, event or presentation. All meetings begin at 11:30 with social time. Attendees are asked to bring their own lunch (however, dessert is provided).
■Bow High School Athletic schedules can be found at bowhighschoolathletics.org and include home events this coming week for i) the 5th place boys basketball team has games on Tues. Feb. 13 (Manchester West) and Fri. Feb. 15 (Plymouth) – senior night – all games start at 5:30 pm (JV) and 7 pm (Varsity) at Bow High School, and ii) the 1st place wrestling team competes in the state meet held at Bow High School – Sat. Feb. 17 (all day).
■Congratulations to all state sophomore Jake Reardon for being nominated NH Sportspage basketball player of the week.
BRYCE LARRABEE
bryce_larrabee@trg.com
BRADFORD
■The Bradford Selectmen will hold a Public Hearing on Monday February 19, 2024, at 5:00PM on Official Ballot Referendum SB2. This will be held in the Bradford Area Community Center on East Main Street.
■Parks and Recreation will be sponsoring an Introduction to Curling on Saturday, March 16 th at 1:30pm at Plymouth State College Ice Arena. The fee for this Introduction to Curling is $30.00 and any person interested can contact the Bradford Parks and Recreation Department.
■The Town Hall update includes a weekly sprinkler system test and the driveway condition is being considered at this time. Both the stage lift and the main elevator were inspected and approved with a certificate to operate by the State of New Hampshire. To test the main elevator, it was loaded with a weight of 1500 pounds and then operated.
MARGE CILLEY
mgcilley@gmail.com
CANTERBURY
■Thursday, February 15 at 6:00pm in the Town Hall : Liberty Is Our Motto!: Songs and Stories of the Hutchinson Family Singers by Steve Blunt. Originally from Milford, NH, the Hutchinson Family Singers were among America’s most notable musical entertainers for much of the mid-19th century. They achieved international recognition with songs advancing social reform and political causes such as abolition, temperance, women’s suffrage, and the Lincoln presidential campaign of 1860. In this living history program, Steve Blunt portrays John Hutchinson. This is a NH Humanities Program.
■Shaker Regional School District school board meetings are held on the second and fourth Tuesday each month and begin at 6 p.m. Upcoming dates are as follows: Feb. 13 at Canterbury Elementary School; March 12 at Belmont High School; March 26 at Belmont High School; and April 9 at Canterbury Elementary School Live broadcast available on the Shaker Regional School District YouTube Channel. To access the YouTube channel, visit SAU80.org Please note that occasionally meetings will be rescheduled due to scheduling conflicts, holiday and or vacation weeks. Meeting agendas and minutes are posted on our website for your convenience.
RACHEL BAKER
bakercompany4@gmail.com
CHICHESTER
■UNH has announced Chichester students that have made the Dean’s list for the fall semester as being Jillian Colbert, Jade Pescinski, Summer Pescinski, Abigail Randall, Saylor Degeevge, Mason Pillsbury and Julianna Hoar. Congratulations to these students.
■Cody Lewis of Chichester has been named Professional Winner of the Pittsfield Hot Air Balloon Rally Photo Contest. Cody was pronounced winner by the Suncook Valley Rotary Hot Air Balloon Rally for his expertise is photography.
■The school have been having “snow” much fun at recess lately. Donations of new or gently used, plastic saucer disks or plastic sleds for the students to use during recess is needed. Donations can be dropped off at the main office.
■Town and School Elections of Officers is March 12 from 10-7 at town hall. Two names appear on the school board ballot and are Briana Stone and Frank Swirko. Names on the ballot for Board of Selectmen are Corie St. Germain, Frank Swirko and Michael Williams.
EVELYN PIKE
broomtailfarm@hotmail.com
DUNBARTON
■Congratulations to Dunbarton and Bow 4-H Robotics Club, also known as FIRST Robotics Team Ov3R1y KOMp13X. The FIRST Tech Challenge, FTC, had a long and hard-fought battle at recent competition and came out with the highest award at the qualifier competition in Bedford, NH. The Inspire Award. This allows for an automatic advance to State Competition, Feb. 17 at NHTI in Concord.
■Open Mic at the Spireside Coffee House on Feb. 17. Cost is $5 donation at the door. Doors open at 4:30p.m. Performances begin at 5pm at the Dunbarton Congregational Church, 6 Stark Highway North, Dunbarton, NH. Musicians, poets, and storytellers are welcome. Coffee, tea, soup, and snacks are available. Donations appreciated for refreshments. Important note: the FEB Coffee House starts an hour earlier. Please check the website or FB page for weather cancellations. Visit facebook.com/SpiresideCoffeehouse?mibextid=ZbWKwL or contact Lizz@dunbartonucc.org with questions.
■The public library book group is reading: The Lost Apothecary by Sarah Penner. “A female apothecary secretly dispenses poisons to liberate women from the men who have wronged them setting three lives across centuries on a dangerous collision course.” Discussion will be Feb. 21 at noon in the library. For more info or weather-related cancelation, contact the library or check their Facebook page.
NORA LEDUC
noleduc2000@yahoo.com
EPSOM
■The 11th Annual ECS Soup/Chili/Chowder Cook-off is on Monday from 5 to 7 p.m. Admission is $8, $6 for children 10 and under if you want to sample. Tickets will be sold at the door while supplies last. All proceeds will go to ECS Student Activities, supporting field trips and student clothing needs.
■Library happenings: Lego Club meets on Mondays at 3:30 p.m.; Morning Storytime is on Monday and Wednesday at 10 a.m.; Monday Makers at 3:30 p.m., featuring Lego, Duplo Blocks, and more; Mahjong meets from 10:15 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. on Tuesday; Knitters Group gathers on Tuesday at 6:30 p.m.; Adult Matinee is on Wednesday at 1:30 pm, featuring “The Retirement Plan.”; Bouncing Babies meet on Thursday at 10:30 a.m.; Bone Builder sessions are on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 9 a.m.; Thinker Thursdays Club starts at 4 p.m., and February’s theme is Love Your Library Month Library Book Bridge Challenge. Test your engineering skills as we create bridges using household building materials. Experiment with paper, clothespins, craft sticks, and more to see who can make a bridge that holds the most library books.
■On Monday from 6 to 7:30 p.m., join Sue Bosiak at the library for a fun-filled night of art! In this beginner’s class, we will create Valentine-themed watercolor art while learning simple watercolor techniques. Students can choose from various examples. Come and create your unique piece of art and have some fun!
■Author visit! Join us on Saturday, Feb. 17, at 11 a.m. to hear Avree Kelly Clark talk about her new book! She will share a prepared introduction discussing the writing of her debut novel — “Malice Aforethought.” There will be time for questions. Join us in learning more about this story set right in our backyard about a crime that put the area on the map.
■The ECS PTO will meet on Thursday, Feb. 15, at 6 p.m. in the ECS Library. We will discuss upcoming spring events such as the “Be His Guest” bingo night and “Be Her Guest Dance,” as well as plan our Granite State Candy Fundraiser.
■On Feb. 17 at 3 p.m., EYAA will host the third- and fourth-grade boys’ teams from the league for a jamboree! We are looking for volunteers. If you have any questions about the season or how you can help, please contact Janelle Griffin at eyaabasketball@gmail.com.
■Happy birthday shout-outs this week to Brenda Butterfield, Beth Adams, Gordon Ellis, Leah Powers, and Nancy Claris! I hope you have fabulous celebrations!
TERRY RIEL
rielt397@gmail.com
Hopkinton
■Hoops for Hunger generated an amazing response for Food Pantry donations. At recent Hopkinton High basketball games over 200 food items and $1,150 in cash were collected. Thank you!
■Free tax return preparation is available on Wednesdays and Thursdays, at Hopkinton Town Library’s Community Room. Go online to www.nhtaxhelp.org or call 2-1-1 to make an appointment.
■Registration for HYSA Hawks summer basketball and softball camps is now available. For more information: https://hysasportsnh.com/summer-camps-1
■2024 spring lacrosse registration is open. Information and registration at – www.hopkintonlacrosse.com.
■If you are between the ages of 9 and 15 who is interested in playing baseball this spring, Hopkinton will once again be participating in the Concord Northeast Cal Ripken and Babe Ruth baseball leagues. Please register ASAP so that we can start planning our 2024 season. Visit concordnortheast.com to register.
■We are collecting spring and summer items for the Neighbor to Neighbor Children’s Clothing Sale, proceeds benefit the Pass along program to help foster families. Clothing can be dropped off at Countryside Community Church, 815 Main Street in Contoocook from 8:00-10:00 on February 17. Clothing Sale Date May 18th. If you need to arrange for a pickup, please text/email Jiselle at (603) 218-9600 or jiselleb@yahoo.com
KATHLEEN BUTCHER
kathb123@comcast.net
Pembroke
■Pembroke Town Library: Friends of the Pembroke Town Library Meeting, Monday February 12, 2024 3 p.m. Come join the Friends of the Pembroke Town Library and talk with us about future plans to help the library grow. Preschool Storytime: Tuesday, February 13, 2024 10:30-11:15 am. Adult Book Discussion
■Wednesday February 14, 2024 6:30 pm. Our Adult Book Discussion is currently reading “Before the Coffee Gets Cold” by Toshikazu Kawaguchi. This event is FREE and open to the public. Extra copies of the book are provided at the library.
■Tiny Tots Thursday, Feb. 15, 2024 10:30-11:30 am. This program is designed for kiddos ages 0-3 years. This is a caregiver/child program. Mahjong Thursday, Feb. 15, 2024 1 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Come play and socialize with friends old and new! Contact: Ryan O’Hora at rohora@pembroke-nh.com or 603-485-7851. Free and open to the public.
■Suncook Senior Center Trip: On March 10 we will be travelling to the Regal Theater in Waltham Mass to see “The Magic of Ireland” with talent who have performed on the NY stage and Boston. Dinner at the Chateau in Waltham. Call Nancy at 603-485-9181 to reserve.
■Pembroke Historical Society: The winter/spring schedule of speakers for the Pembroke Historical Society and Pembroke Town Library, in conjunction with the New Hampshire Humanities Council are as follows: February: Marek Bennett, will present “Rally Round the Flag: The American Civil War through Folksong” Thursday, Feb. 29 at 7 p.m. Mr. Bennett, a celebrated comic artist and educator, will also present a workshop on comics on Thursday Feb. 29 at 5 p.m. March: Robert Perrault will discuss “Franco Americans in Manchester” Wednesday evening March 6 and on Saturday March 30. Professor Mary Kelly will address Irish American History of Ireland’s Great Famine at 11 a.m..; April: Historical Society President Ayn Whytemare will present “Climate Change for Dummies” at 7 p.m. Thursday April 18. All events are free and open to the public, and will be held at the Pembroke Town Library. For more information, call 603-485-7851.
JOCELYN CARLUCCI
taihi@comcast.net
Pittsfield
■The Pittsfield Historical Society on Oak Street will be open on Sun, Feb. 11 from 1-4pm for you to stop in and browse all the wonderful Pittsfield artifacts! Mark your calendars - open the second Sunday of each month.
■The First Congregational Church, 24 Main Street, will observe the beginning of Lent with an Ash Wednesday service, February 14, 7 p.m. The Rev. Steven Small will lead the service with the addition of special music by the Chancel Choir and the JuBellation Handbell Choir. Everyone is welcome to attend. Parking and wheelchair accessible entry are available at the rear of the church building at Chestnut Street. For more information, call the church office at 603 435-7471. On Mon, Feb. 19, a Community Supper will be held from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the First Congregational Church. Price is donation only.
■Pittsfield Players will present “10 Ways To Survive The Zombie Apocalypse” as their Kids’ Theatre Workshop production on February 15, 16 and 17th at 7:30pm at The Scenic Theatre, home of The Pittsfield Players, 6 Depot Street, Pittsfield, NH. Be sure to reserve your tickets now. Visit www.pittsfieldplayers.org for more information and tickets.
ANDREA RIEL
pittsfieldtowncrier@hotmail.com
Warner
■Pillsbury Free Library Book Group meets next Wed., Feb. 14, at 1:30pm to discuss Homecoming by Kate Morton. Copies are available at the library. Also at the Library is the next meeting of Warner River Workshops for Writers with prize-winning author, poet, and writing teacher David Elliott. The next meeting will be held on Thursday, February 15, at 6:30pm. Whether a beginner or a seasoned writer, join this group to enhance your writing experience. Sign up at https://signup.com/go/biWjiqL.
■The highly anticipated Simonds Annual Lip Sync, featuring children in grades 2-5, will be held on Friday, February 16, 6pm at the Town Hall. Baked goods and refreshments will be for sale with all proceeds benefitting Simonds Elementary School.
■Glassblower and educator Carolyn Rordam will hold a Design Your Own workshop at the Buttonwood Shop at 11 E. Main Street on Feb. 15 from 6-7:30pm. Participants will design and create a bracelet ($50) or a necklace ($70) to take home. Materials provided. To register and for more information about this and other workshops, visit buttonwoodshop.com.
ELIBET CHASE
warnertowncrier@gmail.com
Webster
■The Webster Zoning Board of Adjustment will hold a public hearing on Tuesday, February 13, at 7 p.m. The hearing will be held at Webster Town Hall in the Grange Hall. This is a meeting that was originally scheduled for Dec. 12.
■Pillsbury Lake is holding a Paint and Sip on February 15 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Clubhouse. The cost is $20. BYOB. The first class will paint four snowmen looking at the sky. All supplies for the painting are supplied. The class is limited to ten people. Please call or fax Sandy at 603-230-0697. The first ten to call will be painting. Payment due the night of class.
■The Webster Library’s Free Friday Film will be on February 16 at 7 p.m. In homage to Valentine’s Week, we’re showing the classic romantic comedy “Groundhog Day,” starring Bill Murray as a cynical weatherman who is forced to relive February 2 over and over again, and Andie MacDowell as the producer with whom he falls in love. Join us in the meeting hall next to the library. Free snacks!
NANCY PICTHALL-FRENCH
jobar2003@yahoo.com