Talk of the Towns

Published: 09-24-2023 8:00 AM

Concord/Penacook

■The Pierce Manse Brigade Lecture Series takes place on Wednesdays beginning at 2 p.m. This Wednesday, it’s Wit and Wisdom - The Forgotten Literary Life of New England Villages. Tours of the Manse happen on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. For more info check out their website piercemanse.org.

■ “Hand To God” will be presented at the Hatbox Theatre in the Steeplegate Mall for three weekends from Friday to Sunday, Oct.15. Shows are Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. Tickets are $25 for adults, $22 for members, seniors and students, and $19 for senior members. Tickets can be purchased online at hatboxnh.com and can be reserved by calling 603-715-2315. “Hand To God,” a gripping and darkly hilarious theatrical experience that promises to leave audiences in stitches and deep contemplation. This play contains adult language, adult situations, strobe/flashing lights, fog/haze, sexual situations, and partial nudity.

■Also at the Hatbox, Discovering Magic with Andrew Pinard celebrates a decade of (almost) monthly performances on select Wednesday evenings through next August. Tickets are $19-$25 with discounts for students, seniors, and Hatbox Theatre members. Tickets and more information are available at hatboxnh.com. Rather than trafficking in the impossible, his performances beg the question: what might be possible?

■From American Gothic to Whistler’s Mother, from Starry Night to The Nighthawks, some images are so ubiquitous that we have stopped looking at them closely. This free Walker Lecture Series Program delves into these iconic works and shares the secret stories behind their creation and reception on Wednesday, Oct. 4 at 7:30 p.m. at Concord City Auditorium, 2 Prince St. For a complete season schedule, visit walkerlecture.org .

■On Friday, Oct. 6 at 6:30 p.m. at Gibson’s Bookstore, 45 S. Main St., join Nathan Hill with his new novel, “Wellness!” a poignant and witty novel about marriage, the often baffling pursuit of health and happiness, and the stories that bind us together.

■Gibson’s Book Club reads Shakespeare’s “Richard II” on Monday, Oct. 2 at 5:30 p.m. at Gibson’s. The Book Club is free and open to the public. Newcomers are encouraged to try it out! Club books are chosen democratically by the participants; they’ve chosen an eclectic, ambitious list of books for the coming year: join in for every meeting, or deal yourself in as the spirit moves you.

■Beyond their Celtic music heritage, this family of musicians, Next Generation Leahy, explores many genres of music and pull influences from far and wide at the City Auditorium on Saturday at 7:30 p.m. Your toes will tap!

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■Let’s Be Free in 2023! A Re-Declaration of Independence to be signed by NH Citizens will be at a Statewide Assembly on Tuesday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. at 107 North Main St. See copy of Notice to be signed here: ipetitions.com/petition/redeclaration-of-independence. We need notaries to cover the entire day. Please let us know if you are a notary and would be available to help the effort. Contact Derek Arnold 603-300-3073 or Regina Barnes 617 908-2365 for further information.

■Join the Greater Concord Chamber of Commerce on Wednesday at noon for this orientation for new and existing members. Enjoy a light lunch while learning about your member benefits and meeting other area professionals. Please register in advance; space is limited.

■UNO in Fort Eddy is hosting an Octoberfest on Thursday from 6 to 8 p.m. featuring four seasonal craft beers. There will be games, giveaways and snacks as well as our Happy Hour menu. A full menu will also be available. You don’t want to miss this Fall kickoff event!

■On Saturday from 11 a.m. to noon at the State House Plaza, a priest and lay preacher from St. Paul’s Episcopal Church will be blessing your pets. All pets welcome, as long as they are leashed or crated.

■Get your goodies but remember the street closure for the Farmers Market on Saturday from 6 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Capitol St., from Green St. to North State St.

■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.

■Thanksgiving sign-ups have started at Friends of Forgotten Children. If you reside in Merrimack County and are in need of holiday help, you can stop by the office, located at 224 Bog Road, to sign up; no requests will be accepted by phone. Sign-ups are being held on Tuesdays 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Wednesdays 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Thursdays 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Saturdays 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. You will need proof of residency; sign-ups will be accepted until Nov. 2. Dates and times are subject to change at the discretion of the director, it is best to call the office at (603) 753-4801 before stopping by the office.

CHERYL STINSON

news03303@aol.com

JEAN VER HOEVEN

jeanann@voicenet.com

Allenstown

■The Allenstown Economic Development Committee is planning a Family Movie Night for Sept. 30 that will be held at the Allenstown Fire Department to host this event. Bring your own chairs or cushions and cheeseburgers and hot dogs, soft drinks and chips is offered at a minimal charge and starts at 5 p.m. and the Free movie starts at 6 p.m.

CLAUDETTE VERVILLE

cverville2@comcast.net

BOSCAWEN

■Friday Night Coffee House returns on Oct. 6 to the Congregational Church sanctuary. Lou Antonucci, opens the evening and he has played in various venues and bands. His original music can be streamed on social media platforms. The coffee house is an “Open Mic” venue welcoming musicians, poets and comedians to take the stage for two songs or two minutes. Bring your appetite for the great array of refreshments for sale. Admission is free but donations are welcomed. For more information, contact Chris at 603-520-9196 or to sign up for open mic, email Liz at HighStreetCoffeeHouse@gmail.com.

■Got a hankering for Chicken Barbecue? The Fire Department is hosting one on Saturday, Oct. 7 from 4 to 6 p.m. It will be held at 15 High St.

■A Change for the Writer’s Workshop at the Boscawen Public Library as it is being held on Wednesday at 6 p.m., for this month only. New participants are always welcome to share their stories and hear those of other members.

MARY ALLARD

boscawenpl@gmail.com

BOW

■Bow Young at Heart on Sept. 27, 12:30 p.m. at 91 Bow Center Road, presents Kevin Martin of Epping to speak on his guide “Big Trees of Northern New England” with the subtitle “Short Hikes to the Biggest Trees.” Kevin has been the state coordinator for the New Hampshire Big Tree program, the state chapter of a national program that seeks to identify the largest example of each tree species in the country and the state. Bow Young at Heart is a social group that meets at 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. with a social hour, bring your own lunch, dessert is provided, all speakers begin their presentation at 12:30 p.m. Membership is open to all residents 55 and older in Bow and surrounding communities. The public is welcome at any meeting and membership is not required to attend any presentation. On Oct. 11, at 12:30 p.m. the public is invited to attend a presentation by Lois Hermann, a spiritual energy expert, author and coach, entitled “Her Story–the Spirits of Women in the Revolution. Ms. Hermann will be discussing the women involved in the Revolution, sharing their stories and tales shared by spirits who lost their men, children and livelihoods through war, revolution and even in the Amoskeag Mills.

<sbull value="sbull"><text xmlns="urn:schemas-teradp-com:gn4tera"></text></sbull>The Bow Garden Club will be holding their Oct. 16 meeting at the Old Town Hall, 91 Bow Center Road featuring Kevin Gardner, author of “The Granite Kiss.” Gardner will present his popular program “Discovering New England Stone Walls” lecturing on the history of New England’s thousands of miles of dry-stone structured walls that have withstood the test of time. And he will be building a table top mini stone wall from a pail of small rocks while he lectures. It is fascinating! The lecture is sponsored by New Hampshire Humanities. It is free and the public is invited to attend. Seating is limited. Please register at bowgardenclub.org by Oct. 11. Doors open at 6 p.m.

JOYCE KIMBALL

bowcomnews@comcast.net

BRADFORD

■The Bradford Community Church will be collecting shoeboxes filled with Christmas gifts during the month of October. These gifts will be given to children around the world. The deadline for these Shoeboxes will be Nov. 5. If you would like to fill a box, please call the Church office at 603-938-5313.

■Oct. 7 will be the date for the men’s breakfast at 8 a.m.

■The Community food Pantry will be open on Wednesday, Oct. 18 from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. This is located in the Church office building on West Main Street. If you do need help other than the open hours, please call the Church office at 603-938-5313 for an appointment.

MARGE CILLEY

mgcilley@gmail.com

CHICHESTER

■The Chichester Central School enrolled nearly 200 students for the 2023-24 school year. The school lunch program provides daily breakfast, snacks and lunch to its pupils. The lunch can be free or at a reduced rate for low income families whom apply. No child goes hungry. The cafeteria accepts donations for students that are unable to pay for their lunch at the time of purchase. Recent donations to the food service cafeteria from The Capital Region Board of Reality will help students keep their lunch account balance up to date. If you wish to make a donations please call 798-5651

■The Chichester Historical Society members have put together a new 2024 calendar. The theme is Early Chichester Schools. The calendar can be purchased for $5 at the museum located on Main Street. Stop by on Tuesday from 9 a.m. to noon or Friday mornings. Members will gladly offer you a seat to hear some cool stories of our early schools.

■The Secretary of State has announced that Oct. 6 is the last day to change your party affiliation before the Presidential Primary. If you are unsure of your affiliation you can check in the Town Office by looking it up on the voter checklist or call the town clerk at 798-5350. You can also check on the Secretary of State website. No party affiliation change can be made after the Oct 6 date. UOCAVA voters that are living over seas or in the military outside of NH should request their ballot immediately from the town clerk.

EVELYN PIKE

broomtailfarm@hotmail.com

DUNBARTON

■“Big House, Little House, Back House, Barn: The Connected Farm Buildings of New England” presented by Thomas Hubka on Sept. 27 at 7 p.m. at the St. John’s Episcopal Church Hall, 270 Stark Highway North, Dunbarton. Free event. Open to all. FMI contact fancyiris@gsinet.net of the Dunbarton Historical Society. Thanks to the NH Humanities Council for their support.

■At the library: On Sept. 28 is chair yoga with Sherry at 11 a.m., upstairs in the town hall. Reading to Dogs at the library is back on Sept. 28, 2:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. for children in grades K to 4 who register for their twenty minutes to Read Aloud to Mr. T. Call the library to register 774-3546.

■Supervisors of the Checklist will be in session on Oct. 6 at 7 to 7:30 p.m. at the Town Office for corrections and additions to the Checklist. This is the final date to change your party affiliation prior to the Presidential Primary Election in January. You can also change your party with the Town Clerk up to that date. If you are registered Undeclared you can choose your party on Primary Election Day. New registrations can also be received any time at the Town Clerk’s office.

■ Come to the Fall Festival, Sept. 30, noon to 2 p.m. at the Dunbarton Elementary School on 20 Robert Rogers Road. They’ll have food trucks, a PTO table, apples, pumpkins, raffle prizes, costume swap, and fun activities. This is a free Family Friendly event. Public invited. FMI contact Dunbarton Elementary PTO.

NORA LEDUC

noleduc2000@yahoo.com

EPSOM

■The Economic Development Committee will meet on Tuesday at 5:30 p.m. at the town office. The Planning Board meeting will meet on Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. at the town office. Planning Board Public Hearing will meet on Wednesday at Epsom Library at 7 p.m.

■Epsom Supervisors of the Checklist will meet Oct. 6, at Epsom Town Hall, 1598 Dover Road, Epsom from 7 to 7:30 p.m. The Supervisors of the checklist will be in session for correction of the checklist. Additions and corrections to checklist may be made: RSA 654:27 This date will be the last time registered voters may change their party affiliation prior to the Presidential Primary. New voters may continue to register until election day, as permitted by law. No additions or corrections shall be made to the checklist after this session, until election day.

■Library news: Mondays at 3:30 p.m. the LEGO’s will be joined by other building materials to try out! Duplex, Plus-Plus, and jumbo cardboard building blocks will also be available. Morning Story Times are Monday and Wednesday at 10 a.m. and feature books, movement, snacks, and crafts. Themes for this month will focus on transitioning to fall and visiting the library to celebrate Library Card Sign Up Month! Mahjong lessons every Tuesday from 11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. The Knitters Group will meet on Tuesday evening at 6:30 p.m. Movie Matinee on Wednesday at 1:30 p.m.:

The library is happy to be hosting a Granite VNA flu clinic again this year. We welcome anyone over the age of three to come get their flu shot on Sept. 28 from 4-6 p.m. masks will be required. Immunizations are offered at no charge with an ID card from Medicare B, Medicare Advantage, Medicaid, Harvard Pilgrim, Tufts, or Anthem. $30 (cash or check) for all others. This year, Granite VNA is offering the standard quadrivalent influenza vaccine. please visit granitevna.org/fluclinics or call 603-224-4093, ext. 85815.

TERRY RIEL

rielt397@gmail.com

FRANKLIN

■Hike-a-Thon at Veterans Memorial Recreation Area, today, Sept. 24. Register at: ranklinoutingclub.org/hikeathon.html. Prizes will be awarded to the top three hikers with the most miles hiked.

■Kids’ Storytime atFranklin Public Library, Wednesday, Sept. 27 from 10-11 a.m. Join us at the Library every Wednesday through Nov. 1 for exciting stories, and use your imagination on marvelous crafts!

■Dueling Pianos at Franklin Elks Lodge, Saturday, Sept. 30 at 7:30 p.m. Come listen to some beautiful and fun music! Two funny and talented performers challenge each other to play songs requested by the audience. Tickets: franklinoperahouse.org.

AMY and ANDREW DUGUAY

franklintowncrier@gmail.com

Henniker/Weare

■The Weare Planning Board will be holding a public hearing on Thursday, Sept. 28, at the Town Office Building beginning at 7 p.m. Conceptual Hearing: Robert & Janet Wilson, 126 Pondview Road, Tax Map 108-065. Lot Line Adjustment: Brian & Carolyn Daigle and Dawn & Yiu Leung, Cortland Avenue, Tax Map 411-152-12 & 411-152-11. Higginson Land Surveyor; Rural Agricultural Zone.

■The Supervisors of the Checklist will be in session on Friday, Oct. 6, from 7 p.m.-7:30 p.m. (and for extended hours at the discretion of the Supervisors) at the Weare Town Clerk’s Office, 15 Flanders Memorial Road for corrections to the checklist.

■Storytellers and story listeners needed for “Weare: Beyond Belief” on Oct. 26 at 6:30 at the East Weare Cemetery. Enter a world of both truth and deception. Hear tales of the paranormal from local storytellers. Your challenge is to separate fact from fiction. It’s in a graveyard. Have an incredible story that you’d like to share? Contact Cryptid Clay at the library.

■One day left for the Henniker music and handmade festival! And congrats to Bruce Whistier who won the largest pumpkin in the county award – 482 pounds!

TOM DUNN

dunn.t@comcast.net

Hillsborough/Deering

■On Sept. 27. at 7 p.m. at Henry Baldwin Hall, Fox Forest, 309 Center Road, Hillsborough, the Monadnock Herb Society Program presents Mike Collins speaking on “Guiding Plants to thrive with home grown tips and tonics using household items.” Come learn and share about ways to help your gardens grow. Plus there will be sharing about the Asian Jumping Worm Invasion in some gardens of Hillsborough. All are welcome. For further info, call 478-5650.

■On Oct. 18, the Smith Church Annual Harvest Supper continues its tradition in the community for well over 80 years! Enjoy a meal of turkey with all the trimmings finished off with slices of home-baked pie. Reservation information to follow for take-out, or eating in the church Vestry.

NANCY SHEE

nshee71@gmail.com

Hopkinton

■Changing Lives Equine Center is collecting clothes and textiles for a Savers Fundraiser to benefit Change Lives Equine Center Inc. We help people with or without life challenges and/or disabilities gain confidence, find acceptance and experience the joys of life through the love, care and riding of retired and rescued horses; and to provide nourishment and humane care for aged, retired, and rescued horses. We are accepting mens/womens/childrens clothing/shoes/boots, textiles (towels, sheets, blankets, pillows, curtains, tablecloths), accessories (hats, mittens, scarves, ties, socks, purses, wallets, backpacks, bags). All items should be in good, clean & sellable condition. The FUNDrive coordinator to arrange for pick-up of donations is Kath Butcher (603) 724-3452 cell or kathb123@comcast.net. The farm contact to arrange drop off donations is Marcia Evans (603) 746-3884, (603) 545-5213 or Marciadawnmar@tds.net . No donations accepted after Oct. 27.

■In his one man show, “New Hampshire Up Close,” oil painter Colin Callahan captures the beauty of our region. Callahan’s work is at Two Villages Art Society through Oct. 7. The gallery at 846 Main Street in Contoocook is open Thursday through Sunday from noon to 4 p.m.

■For the families who want to explore Ransmeier Woods under the full moon on Halloween weekend, join naturalist Linden Rayton on Friday, Oct. 27. Her full moon hikes are very special events, so register now! HopkintonRec.com

KATHLEEN BUTCHER

kathb123@comcast.net

Pembroke

■Presentation on Lafayette’s Tour of NH - “Lafayette and the Farewell Tour: Odyssey of an American Idol” is the topic of a presentation by Lafayette expert Alan R. Hoffman on Thursday Sept. 28 at the Pembroke Town Library at 7 p.m. This event is free and open to the public and is underwritten by the NH Humanities Council, with the support of the National Council on the Humanities. For more information, call 603-566-1031.

JOCELYN CARLUCCI

taihi@comcast.net

Pittsfield

■The Pittsfield High School Alumni Association will meet on Sept. 25 at 5 p.m. at the PMHS Media Center . We would love to have some new faces at the meetings. Please contact Andi Riel at 603-435-6346 or pittsfieldtowncrier@hotmail.com.

■ The town is in desperate need for volunteers for many of the committees – specifically mentioned were members are needed for the Budget Committee and the CDC (Community Development Committee). Please contact the Town Hall for information. More meetings - The Conservation Commission will meet on Sept. 28 at 7 p.m. at the Town Hall. The American Legion Peterson Cram Post 75 will meet on Oct. 2 at 6:30 p.m. at the Town Hall. The Victory Workers 4-H club will meet on Oct. 2 at 6:30 p.m. at PES Gym.

■The Infant Toddler Diaper Pantry will be open from 9 to 11 a.m. on Oct. 3, at the First Congregational Church of Pittsfield . Each family receives one set of diapers/product per child in need, and one package of wipes per family. Please use the Chestnut Street parking lot. Financial donations, donations of diapers (including open packages) and donations of wipes are always welcomed. Please call 603-435-7471 with any questions, including donation questions.

ANDREA RIEL

pittsfieldtowncrier@hotmail.com

Warner

■The Warner Fall Foliage Festival comes Oct. 6-8! Since 1947, the residents of Warner have hosted the festival, which attracts thousands. Warner’s five museums and numerous businesses welcome locals and visitors from near and far. There are road races, crafts, oxen, live performances, a midway with rides, an ice cream eating contest, a Grande Parade on Sunday, and much more. Proceeds are given back to the community to support the growth and enrichment of local culture, sports, and other town and school projects. To view the weekend schedule or register for one of the road races or contests, visit wfff.org. Volunteers are still needed for the Warner Fall Foliage Festival – it takes a village – and it’s the only way you can get the cool T-shirt. Help with setup or cleanup, staff the info booth, assist with parking, sell raffle tickets, and more. Visit wfff.org to sign up.

■MainStreet Warner presents “Category 3” on Sept. 28, at 6:30 p.m. on the Main Stage. In October, during the Fall Foliage Festival, check out their renovation of The Lodge, a new performance venue, and see its beautiful pipe organ from the original Baptist Church. T-shirts and pies will be for sale.

ELIBET CHASE

warnertowncrier@gmail.com

Webster

■The Webster Congregational Church will hold a Fall Yard Sale from 8 a.m. – 1 p.m. at the church on Oct. 7. The Webster Fire Department will hold a chicken barbecue on Oct. 14 to benefit the church. Finally, on Oct. 28, there will be a pork roast supper and a penny sale. All meals are $12 for adults and $6 for children.

■The Town Clerk’s office will be closed on Oct. 11 for the whole day.

■ On Oct. 2 and 16 the Selectboard will meet at 6:30 p.m. The filing dates for the agenda are Sept. 27 and Oct. 11. On Oct. 10, the Zoning Board will meet at 7 p.m. The appeal filing date for that meeting was Sept. 20. The Planning Board will meet on Oct. 19 at 6:30 p.m. The Application filing date was Sept. 19.

NANCY PICTHALL-FRENCH

webstertowncrier@gmail.com

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