Arts & Life
New Hampshire bald eagle population continues to rise
Once a rare sight in New Hampshire, bald eagles continue to make a resurgence with the number of breeding pairs setting new records each year. Bald eagles were removed from the state’s list of endangered species in 2017, after two decades of...
Out & About: 20 good things from 2023
By LIZ SAUCHELLI
The year is coming to a close and that means it’s time for the “20 Good Things” wrap-up. Out & About started the list at the end of 2020 to acknowledge the good moments that happened in an otherwise difficult year. While 2023 was quite different from...
From some area Catholics, new policy on same-sex blessings a welcome change
By CHRISTINA DOLAN
NORWICH — The Vatican recently issued a declaration that allows Catholic priests to deliver blessings to same-sex couples. It has been a welcome change to some Upper Valley residents.The announcement marks a departure from a 2021 statement on same-sex...
Out & About: Hartford Community Coalition hosts sober New Years
By LIZ SAUCHELLI
WHITE RIVER JUNCTION — While many holidays can be challenging for those in recovery, perhaps none is more challenging than New Year’s Eve — where many events feature alcohol.That’s why events such as the annual Alcoholics Anonymous’ “Alcathon” of...
Unwanted wishbone collection serves as a reminder of days past
By ALEX HANSON
HARTFORD — This story is about chicken bones. More specifically, it’s about wishbones, a key part of a bird’s skeleton that helps it fly.For some time, Hartford native Jim Dow and his wife, Susan Buckholz, had a CSA share at a farm in Springfield,...
Out & About: Listen’s Christmas Day meal returns with volunteer support
By LIZ SAUCHELLI
WHITE RIVER JUNCTION — Listen Community Services is bringing back its Christmas Day meal.This year’s spread will be pickup and takeout only. People are required to reserve one of the 700 meals by calling 603-727-2518. They can either pick up the...
Upper Valley Jewish community celebrates Hanukkah as Gaza war continues
By CHRISTINA DOLAN
HANOVER — Against the backdrop of ongoing violence in Gaza, the Upper Valley Jewish community celebrates Hanukkah this week with joyful gatherings tinged with somber reflection. Celebrations around the region have included a public menorah lighting on...
Despite hard times of own, couple’s focus is helping church
By NORA DOYLE-BURR
WHITE RIVER JUNCTION — A Demers Avenue couple, facing housing and health challenges, is selling raffle tickets for a train set to benefit St. Paul’s Episcopal Church.Bob Stange, 84, and Cindyanne Packard-Stange, 64, are trying to clear out the model...
Art Notes: Actor Dan Butler revives a 30-year-old play about gay life
By ALEX HANSON
There is something humbling, and a bit exciting, about seeing one’s work turn into a period piece during one’s lifetime. It’s a reflection not on the work but on the pace of change.Thirty years ago, life was very different for LGBTQ Americans. “Don’t...
Out & About: 75 years since its founding, Lyme Christmas Pageant still brings community together
By LIZ SAUCHELLI
LYME — In the early 1990s, Patience and Aaron Rich performed in the annual Lyme Christmas Pageant.Now, their 13-year-old son Reed is the fourth generation of the Rich family to participate.“I for one love the tradition so it’s pretty special for me,”...
Theater Review: ‘Christmas Carol’ stays faithful to original
By CAOIMHE MARKEY
Ah, yes, “A Christmas Carol,” a quintessential wintertime tale that reminds us what the holidays are truly about: sending ghosts to guilt trip your mean relatives into coming to dinner.This season, Northern Stage debuts a fresh take on Charles...
Art Notes: Upper Valley artist takes side step to painting
By ALEX HANSON
As much as anyone in the Upper Valley, Matt Mazur has always seemed to me to lead a life of fluid creativity.He knew he wanted to be an artist from an early age, and since 2001 he has played in multiple bands, produced “Oh You!” a long-running zine,...
Association works to reduce cyanobacteria blooms on Lake Sunapee
By FRANCES MIZE
SUNAPEE — Despite a record number of cyanobacteria blooms across the state this year, Lake Sunapee saw none.The last bloom in the lake was in 2019, according to Elizabeth Harper, executive director of the Lake Sunapee Protective Association, or LSPA....
US Forest Service will go ahead with logging around NH’s Lake Tarleton
PIERMONT — The U.S. Forest Service is moving ahead with plans to log in the Lake Tarleton area. The project has drawn opposition from residents and advocacy groups since it was introduced to the public in 2019.Management actions for habitat,...
Upper Valley holiday markets 2023
Christmas Market with a Difference in Hanover: Friday, Nov. 3, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday, Nov. 4, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Church of Christ at Dartmouth College, 40 College St. Alternative holiday market features handcrafts and goods from fair trade and...
Hickory nuts show promise as food for the future
By FRANCES MIZE
CLAREMONT — Hickory wood makes for durable floor boarding, ax handles and baseball bats. Whittled into narrow spokes, hickory once even propelled wagon wheels across the country.The wood is a good “shock absorber,” said Jesse Marksohn, who grows...
Out & About: Volunteers needed to help with Upper Valley Thanksgiving meals
By LIZ SAUCHELLI
SOUTH ROYALTON — Volunteers are needed to help with two free community Thanksgiving Day meals taking place in the Upper Valley.Vermont Law and Graduate School is hosting a meal on the holiday, which is on Nov. 23 this year, as well as coordinating...
Over Easy: No garden spot
By DAN MACKIE
Is the Upper Valley making too much of Jersey Mike’s? I don’t think so — could we make too much of the Statue of Liberty, the Grand Canyon or the spectacular moonwalk, first by astronauts, and later by Michael Jackson? Jersey Mike’s is a sub shop, and...
Upper Valley Veterans Day ceremonies 2023
CLAREMONTVeterans Day ceremony and luncheon in Claremont: Saturday, Nov. 11, 11 a.m. Broad Street Park. Short ceremony followed by luncheon for veterans at American Legion Post 29. More information: 603-448-3429.HANOVER Hybrid: Veterans Day talk with...
Art Notes: Parish Players awaits ticket sales proceeds from online vendor
By ALEX HANSON
For a small community theater, Parish Players has had some pretty big shows over the last year.Last fall, a production of “The Play That Goes Wrong,” filled the house, as did the annual festival of 10-minute plays in February. And in April, a...
