Allenstown

The Allenstown Supervisor of the Checklist will hold voter registration on Aug. 31 from 11 to 11:30 a.m. at the Allenstown Town Hall, 16 School Street. The Town of Allenstown will hold the state primary election on Sept. 10 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the Allenstown Elementary School, 30 Main Street.

End of Curbside Recycling: At the Feb. 3 deliberative session, voters learned about the cost increases coming after Aug. 26 for the collection and disposal of recyclables. Casella Waste Systems' 10-year contract will end. A new, more expensive, three-year contract is to go into effect at the beginning of Sept. They voted to cut costs by eliminating curbside recycling. Casella will retrieve all recycling barrels beginning on Aug. 26. Recycling will no longer be mandatory.

St. John the Baptist Annual Penny Sale will take place from Oct. 25 to 27. They are requesting donations of new items only, cash donations, and/or gift certificates. Items may be brought to the Parish Office Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

The Suncook Senior Center on Thursday, Aug. 15, will hold its food raffle right after Bingo. This is the monthly fundraiser for the center, so please bring in some food for people to raffle off and take home. Sew It Up will be held on Friday, Aug. 16, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. If you need to finish a project or want to start one, this is a great time to get the help you may need.

Boscawen

Have you marked your calendar for events of Boscawen Old Home Day/Week? Announcement of Swanky Swine participants, 2024 theme, will be released on Saturday, and judging will be done Sunday, Aug. 18.

Bingo games and a turkey dinner can be enjoyed at Alan’s Restaurant on Tuesday, Aug. 20, from 5 to 8 p.m. All for $10!

On Wednesday, Aug. 21, Avaloch Farm Music Institute presents a multi-faceted evening of music at Twiggs Gallery from 6 to 7:30 p.m.

The Old Home Day Golf Classic is held on Thursday, Aug. 22, with registration starting at 8 a.m. and a shotgun start at 9 a.m.

Calling all runners to sign up for the 4th Annual Elektrisola Copper Run 5K to be held on Friday, 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.

Grab your spot to see the Old Home Day Parade on Saturday, Aug. 24, that begins at 11 a.m. A craft fair at the Boscawen Congregational Church Park will be held from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Afternoon events will be held at Jamie Welch Park and include children’s activities, a cornhole tournament, and a basketball tournament. Food trucks will be available from noon to dusk.

More opportunities to hear the sounds of Avaloch Farm Music Institute, located at 16 Hardy Lane, are available on Friday evenings on Aug. 16, Aug. 23, and Aug. 30 from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. The concerts will be held in their barn space or outside if weather permits. A donation of $10 is suggested.

Bow

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 Road) where it will show a film about the Merrimack River. The following meeting will be on Aug. 28 (at the same time and place), where Bow Fire Chief Comeau will present information about fire safety. Bring your own lunch at 11:30 a.m., and the film begins at 12:30 p.m. For more information about the club, joining their meetings (guests are always welcomed), or becoming a member, contact Peter Cherici at (603) 774-7682 or email fairfield_a@hotmail.com.

The Bow Rotary free summer concert series is wrapping up for the summer. The final concert is Thursday, Aug. 15, and features “The Hot Skillet Club” – a band that specializes in hot vintage jazz with a western swing flavor. The concert is 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. Plenty of good seats are still available. Bow Rotary would like to thank the following sponsors, as the concert series could not happen without their support: Allied Insurance Agency, Baker Free Library, Baker Free Library Foundation, Capital Chiropractic Center, Century 21 Real Estate, Charles Schwab, Cobb Hill Construction, Joya Dennehy, Realty One Group Next Level, O'Keefe & Flanagan Electric, Merrimack County Savings Bank, Twin Oaks Home Inspection LLC, and UBS Financial Services.

The Bow Garden Club invites everyone to a free presentation on Sept. 9 on Putting Your Garden to Bed. Ron Trexler, UNH master gardener, will share tips and steps necessary to properly prepare your garden for winter, including finishing off annuals and vegetables and preparing perennial beds to reduce pests and disease. Refreshments are served at 6 p.m., and the program starts at 6:30 p.m. at the Bow Old Town Hall, 91 Bow Center Road. Please register ahead at register@bowgardenclub.org. A big welcome to the Bow Garden Club’s new 2024 President Michelle Fortin. Michelle takes over for Keryn Anderson, who, along with her husband Eric, are moving back to her homeland of Australia after 10 years in Bow.

Canterbury

Genealogy Workshop with Evan Christensen: Aug. 8 and 15 at 2 p.m. Come to one or come to both! Elkins Public Library offers both Ancestry and FamilySearch for use in the Library. Join Evan as he guides you through starting or refining your family tree. If you have your own laptop or tablet, bring it along. Bring any genealogy information you may already have and learn more about your own family.

Elkins Public Library Speaker Series: Thursday, Aug. 15 at 6 p.m.: Around the World with Jim and Isobel: A Travelog. Jim and Isobel went around the world in 6 weeks, created their own itinerary, and lived out of backpacks. No big tour groups, no big box hotels. They saw lots of incredible sights, both natural and man-made, met many interesting people, including both tourists and locals, and ate lots of yummy food, often from an insider’s perspective (food tours). Come hear them speak and view amazing pictures from this once-in-a-lifetime adventure.

Chichester

Old Home Day is Aug. 17 at Carpenter Park, starting at 9 a.m. with a Fun Run with fun prizes. At noon, enjoy the traditional pig roast and Bean Hole Beans prepared by the Marden Family, followed by a horseshoe tournament at 1 p.m. and contra dancing with Dudley Laufman at 1:30 p.m. Test your skills with cornhole all day. Beer tent from noon to 4 p.m. Old Home Day Market tent from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. with bakers, craft sales, and local businesses. Kids Zone is special this year with events at 10 a.m., including a bubble station, giant Chichester coloring sheet, touch-a-truck, superhero soccer tournament, a giant water slide, OHD Relay games, and much more. The Hope in Christ Church is sponsoring an ice cream social and vintage car show at the church on Aug. 14 at 4 p.m. to kick off Old Home Day. On Friday, Aug. 16, see the traditional burying of the beans at the park at 7 p.m. Aug. 16 at 7 p.m. at the Grange Hall, an Old Home Day talent show will happen. Come and show your talent. Aug. 18 at 10 a.m. an Old Time Church Service will be held at the Hope in Christ Church. Come enjoy free food, activities, and games; there is something for everyone. The Chichester Country Store has offered free mini donuts to the first 150 attendees. Need more information? Contact Nina@LegacyPlumbingNH.com.

The Naboth Gardens and Apiary will be opening their doors for the annual Suncook Valley Open Farm Days on Aug. 17 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. The host farm will be featuring fruits and vegetables. The Ayers Family welcome everyone to their Swiggey Brook farm to see their gardens.

Are you a NH voter living overseas or serving in the military outside of New Hampshire? Make sure you request your UOCAVA ballot (Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act) for the Sept. 10 state primary.

End 68 Hours of Hunger is coming back to Chichester. This is a project opportunity and is looking for someone interested in taking charge of this fundraiser to help Chichester and other school communities. 68 Hours of Hunger confronts the nearly 68 hours of hunger that some school children experience between the free lunch they receive in school on Friday and the free breakfast they receive in school on Monday. Contact Northwood@end68hoursofhunger.org.

The library has planned a Summer Reading Finale at the Grange Hall on Aug. 14 at 3 p.m. Readers, come and enjoy free ice cream and prizes for the end of the summer reading program.

The Zoning Board of Adjustment will have a public meeting on Aug. 14 at 6:30 p.m. at the Grange Hall to hear an application from Map 9, Lot 63-1 on Ring Road for a variance on the number of acres required to build a two-family home.

Concord

The 20th Annual Charity Golf Tournament for Youth Programs at Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church is Saturday, Aug. 31, at Loudon Country Club, Rte. 106, from 7:45 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Included for $125.00 is coffee/doughnut, 18 holes (best ball), cart, contests, $1,000 hole-in-one on #17, raffle tickets, snack goodie bag, and a chicken BBQ. Single golfers will be joined with a team. Registration closes Saturday, Aug. 25. Questions? Contact 20-year chairmen, Paul and Diane Cantin at 603-219-4716 or email diane@cantind.com.

Gibson's Bookstore, 45 South Main Street, welcomes Peter Heller on Wednesday at 6:30 p.m., sharing his new book, Burn, about two men who emerge from the Maine woods discovering their home is a dystopia wracked by violence.

Then on Thursday, Aug. 22, at 6:30 p.m., Gibson's hosts New Hampshire author Sophia Collie presenting her debut young adult fantasy novel, Billows of Wrath and Betrayal! Three unique islands form a world with thriving inhabitants, except for one day a year.

Friday, Aug. 23 to Sunday, Aug. 25, is Retrouvaille Weekend for Troubled Marriages. Register at tinyurl.com/5n6jat7d.

Feathered Friend Brewing, 231 South Main Street, presents The Senie Hunt Project on Friday from 6 to 9 p.m.

Pedaling for Payson Brew Night at Concord Craft Brewing, 115 Storrs Street, is Wednesday at 5:30 p.m. Enjoy beer, music, and learn about the Pedaling for Payson Cycling Fundraiser to support Cancer Care. One dollar per beer between Wednesday and Friday will support Nurse Navigation.

Ryan Williamson plays amidst the sunflowers on Wednesday at 6 p.m., Gully Hill Road. Secure tickets now for an evening filled with music, laughter, and a sunflower sunset! For 21+ years old, tickets are $35 entry with online tickets and limited availability! Parking is at 6 Loudon Road.

The NHPR Block Party will have food, studio tours, a dunk tank, and fun on Saturday, Aug. 24, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 2 Pillsbury Street. Email Zoë Kay at zkay@nhpr.org for more information.

Feathered Friend presents Summertime Sadness Emo Nite Plus on Saturday, Aug. 17. Doors open at 6 p.m.; music starts at 8 p.m. Purchase tickets for $8 in advance, $10 at the door! Go to tinyurl.com/b3asuz5b.

Join the Chamber of Commerce for networking at Havenwood Heritage Heights Retirement Community, 33 Christian Avenue, on Tuesday from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Members cost $7 in advance/$10 at the door; nonmembers are $25.

Music on the Patio at The Courtyard by Marriott Concord, 70 Constitution Avenue, presents Scott King on Wednesday from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Enjoy amazing artists, light bites, and drinks free every Wednesday.

Come hang out at Cars & Coffee on Capitol the second Sunday of every month at 8 a.m. Parking for show cars on Capitol Street and Park Street. All makes and models welcome.

Live Music with the Library is Monday at 6 p.m. for bluegrass with the High Range Band in Bicentennial Square, 1 Odd Fellows Avenue.

GoodLife Programs & Activities, 254 North State Street, presents Cell Phone Class: Emailing & Texting on Friday from 12:30 to 2 p.m. The cost is $10, and you must register in advance at 603-228-6630. Bring your phone, email, password, and your questions.

On Sunday, Aug. 18, and Monday, Aug. 19, it’s Bye Bye Birdie Auditions for the Community Players, 435 Josiah Bartlett Road at 6:30 p.m. The production is Friday to Sunday, Nov. 22, 23, and 24, at the Audi. It’s an opportunity for young performers (or those looking 15-18), who sing, dance, and act. There are also adult roles and a high-energy score. Those auditioning should prepare 16-32 bars of music in the show’s style. Auditions may include simple choreography. Information about audition requirements/descriptions may be found at https://communityplayersofconcord.org/auditions/.

The Train Show chugs into the Everett Arena, 15 Loudon Road, on Sunday, Aug. 18, from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Speculative Fiction Books Talk: The Leftovers discusses Tom Perotta's novel on Wednesday at 5:30 p.m. in the Library’s Blanchard Room, 45 Green Street.

The Monthly Matinee is Field of Dreams on Friday at 2:30 p.m. in the Library Auditorium. If they show it, they will come. Register at tinyurl.com/a7hatt65.

The End of Summer Reading Picnic is Saturday, Aug. 17, and RSVP is required at tinyurl.com/4czz378n.

Interested in history and archives? Be a Library History Detective! Join them Tuesday, Aug. 20, at 4 p.m. and every month to answer a question or solve a Concord mystery. Please register at https://tinyurl.com/4c9c42m6.

Come learn about photography from professional Gary Samson on Wednesday, Aug. 21, at 6 p.m. at the Library! Register at tinyurl.com/yc3d7y6k.

Will Hatch will be playing at the White Park Merrimack Lodge, 1 White Street, starting at 10 a.m. on Sunday, Aug. 18!

Street closures for the Concord Farmers Market are on Saturdays, Aug. 10 and 18, from 6 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Capitol Street from Green Street to North State Street.

Cars & Coffee on Capitol on Sunday, Aug. 11, from 7 to 11:30 a.m., will close Park Street and Capitol Street from North Main Street to Green Street; and North State Street from Centre Street to School Street.

You reading this today is a birthday present to me! Thank you!

Dunbarton

The Dunbarton Garden Club meets Monday, Aug. 12, at 6:30 p.m. at the Town Hall (second floor), 1004 School Street, 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 2024 happenings: Daffodils for Dunbarton, their annual mum sale in September, and upcoming programming. Meetings are open to the public. Facebook (Dunbarton Garden Club) for the most up-to-date information and photos of our events and projects.

Celebrate 2024 Old Home Day on Saturday, Aug. 17, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The parade starts at 10 a.m. from the Dunbarton Elementary School and marches to the common. Come and enjoy the fun! Historical crafts: pony rides, face painting, live music entertainment, vendors—20 plus booths, pie and cake baking contest, and free ice cream. DunbartonOHD@gmail.com.

The 7th Annual Dunbarton Bicycle Rodeo is Sunday, Aug. 25, from 1 to 4 p.m. This free, family-friendly event is open to all ages and levels of riding experience. Participants can visit with their local police and fire departments, ride through a skills and agility course, discuss bicycle safety, and enjoy a cold treat provided by the Dunbarton Elementary PTO! Thanks to a grant from the Children's Hospital at Dartmouth (CHaD), the police will pass out a limited supply of free multi-sport bicycle helmets and bicycle safety equipment on a first-come, first-served basis. S&W Sports of Concord will also conduct free bicycle safety inspections! Questions? Contact chrisremillard@gsinet.net or (603) 774-5500.

Epsom

Morning Story Times are Monday and Wednesday at 10 a.m. and feature books, movement, snacks, and crafts! The Knitters Group will meet on Tuesday evening at 5 p.m.; Bouncing Babies on Thursdays at 10:30 a.m.; Kids Cooking Workshop on Thursday at 4 p.m. Ukulele Workshop on Wednesday at 6 p.m.! Adults: Bingo for Books on Monday at 5:30 p.m.; sign up online; Movie Matinee on Wednesday at 1:30 p.m.: The Big Year. The Library will be closed on Saturday as they will be at Webster Park kicking off 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. Hope to see you at Old Home Day Saturday and Sunday! Check these Facebook pages to see if any cancellations: Epsom NH Community Group OR Epsom Old Home Weekend at Webster Park for more info. Hopefully, the weather will be on our side! So much to see and do! We are planning for rain or shine for now, especially our Bean Hole Dinner starting at 5 p.m. at Webster Park, which is under cover!

Happy birthday to Tyler Partridge on Saturday, Anne Shumway on Wednesday, and Stacy Davis on Saturday! Enjoy your special day!

Franklin

Advance tickets for Franklin Animal Shelter fundraiser – a Night of Comedy, 8 p.m. Aug. 23 at the Elks Lodge in West Franklin. General admission is $35, with a limited number of VIP seats available. Students and veterans use code STUDENTVET10 to get a 10% discount. Visit franklinanimalshelter.com/comedy-night/ for more information and to purchase tickets.

This week’s Free Concerts in the Park Thursday, Aug. 15, presents 93 North starting at 5 p.m. Mark your calendars ahead for Thursdays through Sept. 5 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.

Book Sale Aug. 14 and 15 at Franklin High School to benefit the Franklin Public Library and Franklin High School Gymnasium Renovation. Sale of books of all kinds and vintage sports memorabilia (FHS and Pro sports). Donation drop-off at FHS Aug. 12 and 13, 11-12:30. Questions? Contact mlf@,metrocast.net. Sponsored by FHS Alumni and volunteers of the Thrift Clothes Closet.

Henniker / Weare

Tuesday night (Aug. 13) the 6 p.m. concert in Henniker will be Matt Carbonello.

Thursday (Aug. 15) Doug Farrell will be performing at the Henniker Community Market from 4 to 7 p.m.

Henniker Youth Theatre starts their Thwacked! twisted family musical theatre camp at Weare Middle School with a free public performance at 7 p.m. Friday, Aug. 16. 603-568-5102 for more info.

Weare Board of Selectmen meets Monday at 6:30 p.m. PARC meets Tuesday at 7 p.m. Wednesday, the Conservation Commission meets at 7 p.m. Thursday, the Trustees of Funds meet at 3:45 p.m. and the Ethics Committee at 6 p.m.

Save the date: Henniker Historical Society is holding a Gravestone Cleaning Workshop on Sept. 11—see their website or Facebook page for more info.

Hopkinton / Contoocook

American Red Cross Blood Drive at Contoocook American Legion Post 81 at 169 Bound Tree Road on Wednesday, 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.

Two Villages Art Society (TVAS) has an 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. Shared Harvest 2024 Vegetable Donation Dates: Aug. 14 and 28, Sept. 11. Please drop off your vegetables between 3 and 5:30 pm 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.

Penacook

There will be a Storytime in the Park on Wednesday, Aug. 14, from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. at Rolfe Park, 79 Community Drive, recommended for ages 0-5. Register at concordpubliclibrary.net/librarycalendar. In case of wet weather, Storytime is held in the Concord Public Library auditorium, 45 Green Street, Concord.

The pool at Rolfe Park will close for the season at 4 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 16.

On Saturday, Aug. 17, a Free and Fun Summer Carnival will celebrate the grand reopening of Penacook Community Center, from 10 a.m. to noon! You can also take a tour of the rebuilt PCC facilities. There is limited parking near the Center; more parking is available at Merrimack Valley High School.

Pembroke

Would you like to be a clown in the Pembroke & Allenstown Old Home Day Parade? We provide all the costumes and candy to pass out. It's a lot of fun for the children and parents!!! Call Jocelyn at 603-491-9976.

Pittsfield

Thank you to The Suncook Valley Rotary Club and everyone that helped to make the Hot Air Balloon Rally a great event. Save the date for next year - Aug. 1, 2 & 3, 2025. The Suncook Valley Rotary Club Hot Air Balloon 2024 Photo Contest is open - Did you take a great photo at the Balloon Rally? Enter the photo contest. Up to three entries per person. The deadline to enter is Sept. 4. Read the rules and enter at https://nhballoonrally.org/photo-contest/.

The Pittsfield Players are holding auditions for their upcoming production of Into the Woods on Sunday, Aug. 18, and Monday, Aug. 19, at 7 p.m. Callbacks (if needed) will be held on Tuesday, Aug. 20, at 6:30 p.m. Performers will be asked to fill out an online registration form before auditioning. Auditions will consist of singing and cold readings from the script. Auditionees should prepare a 32-bar cut of a musical theater song (no longer than two minutes) that shows your voice and range. Songs from the show are not discouraged. Please bring sheet music for the accompanist! For more information on auditions or to register, please visit https://www.pittsfieldplayers.org/auditions or contact director Catherine Martinez at general@pittsfieldplayers.org.

Warner

The Warner Democrats meet monthly to discuss issues of interest to Democrats, promote voting and awareness of Democratic candidates, and engage in fundraising activities for Democratic candidates. Speakers attend the meetings and/or events periodically and share perspectives. If you are interested in joining the Warner Democrats, either as part of the email group or to attend meetings and/or events, please indicate your interest by sending an email to WarnerDems@gmail.com.

Book Groups! The Pillsbury Free Library book discussion group meets the second Wednesday of each month at 1:30 p.m. in the Library, which has multiple copies of the book about four weeks before the discussions. Join the group on Aug. 14 to discuss Hello Beautiful by Ann Napolitano. Read ahead for the Sept. 11 meeting: Travels with George by Nathan Philbrook. The BookEnds BookGroup meets the first Sunday of the month at 4 p.m. via Zoom or at the MainStreet BookEnds Gallery. BookGroup participants receive 20% off the book prior to the event. Contact info@mainstreetbookends.com to join. The next meeting is Sept. 9 to discuss The History of Warner by Walter Harriman, great preparation for the 250th celebration! All are welcome to both groups.

Webster

Webster Old Home Day: Judy Jones will be the Grand Marshall. The parade begins at 10 a.m. There is no deadline to get in the parade, just get to the safety building by 9:30 a.m. Following the parade, all the old cars will line up behind the school where people can vote for their favorite. There will be games, music, and fun, so bring a picnic lunch. We will have some lemonade and watermelon and maybe another surprise treat. Wear old clothes as there will be pie eating, grease pole, sand dig, cornhole, horseshoes, and a story walk by the river for people to enjoy.

Join the town’s Hazard Mitigation Committee on Tuesday, Aug. 13, at 9 a.m. to discuss the past and potential natural hazard and severe weather events in Webster and explore the risk to critical facilities and vulnerable areas over a series of meetings. We’ll identify the town’s capabilities for mitigating disaster events. Tell us what matters to you. Help us develop actions to better protect people, buildings, infrastructure, businesses, and property from natural hazards and severe weather. Meetings will be held remotely via Zoom Webinar (us02web.zoom.us/j/89993566768 | Webinar ID: 899 9356 6768) and in person in the Town Hall. Interested residents, public, businesses, agencies, and stakeholders are welcome.