In the garden, the harvesting continues. We are making tomato sauce now–already enjoyed with spaghetti and sausage–such a treat! We’re also in the midst of making jams and jellies (with a little help from our local farmers and my generous aunt). So far, it’s been beach plum grape jelly, and our most coveted: raspberry jam! The kitchen air is heavy with the smell of crushed raspberries, and I adore it.

A quick note on our tomato plants: blight has continued to proliferate and has become quite obvious on some plants. As I mentioned, we’re still harvesting, but I expect plants with such infections to slow down in production quite soon. If your plants are also suffering from blight, once you have finished harvest for the year and are pulling out the plants, throw the infected plants away or destroy them. Do not put them in your compost pile as it can spread into your valuable soil amendment. Also, be sure to pick up any fallen leaves or fruit out of the garden bed and throw them out.

Moving on to some very unfortunate news, the invasive Spotted Lantern Fly has finally landed in New Hampshire. The Concord Monitor confirmed this story last week, indicating that their numbers are still small. These pests can do huge damage to plant life for the agricultural industry, as well as the home gardener. Please be on the lookout for the Spotted Lantern Fly, and report any sighting to NHBugs. For more information on the Spotted Lantern Fly, please visit the UMASS Extension Service’s reference page.

This news, though long expected, has me quite worried, but I’m going to table it for now and move on to what’s blooming in the flower garden. In happier news, I found two monarch caterpillars munching away on the milkweed (ascelpias tuberosa) that I started from seed. And! I’ve seen a couple of monarch butterflies gliding around the yard–one even sampled some nectar from my okra’s flowers! My strawflowers and celosia are still in bloom. I’ve been deadheading the strawflower to encourage more buds. Finally, my New York asters are starting to blossom, as are my sedums (a favorite Fall flower of mine that pollinators just love).

Some final notes on this week’s report: we’ve had a number of inquiries at Nashua Farmers’ about Fall garlic. It hasn’t arrived yet because growers are still processing their harvests, but we expect to have five varieties of hardneck garlic; typically they arrive the last week of September/beginning of October. I recommend waiting to plant until at least mid-October. You can download our Nashua Farmers’ planting instructions here. Lastly, if you are hoping to plant tulips, daffodils, hyacinth, or other Fall flower bulbs, Mid-October or later is also the time to plant. We have shipments of bulbs on the way to the store, but if you need a great planting guide, download my aunt’s step-by-step instructions here.

Until next week, take a stroll through the garden and see if you can spy any monarch caterpillars!

Kate Ratta is the manager of the local feed store Nashua Farmers' Exchange, Inc. She has more than 10 years of experience working in the business owned by her aunt and uncle, Judy Ratta-Harrington and Gene Harrington, and will be contributing weekly garden reports. The store is located at 38½ Bridge Street in Nashua in the converted Boston & Maine and Concord Railroad stati

AMR medics responded to a total of 44 suspected opioid ODs in Nashua and Manchester during August 2026. 30 occurred in Manchester and 14 occurred in Nashua.

1 of the suspected opioid ODs in August was a suspected opioid OD death and it occurred in Nashua.  There were no suspected opioid OD fatalities in Manchester last month and that is the first time that has happened since we began tracking opioid ODs back in January of 2015. A significant milestone.

Both Nashua and Manchester are now trending to end 2026 with the lowest number of suspected opioid ODs and deaths since we began tracking them over 11 years ago.

In Nashua, through August, the data indicates that Nashua is continuing to trend downward on an annual basis for suspected opioid ODs at 7% lower than the previous year which would result in a record low.  If that number holds, it will mark 5 straight years of suspected opioid OD incidence decline in Nashua. More importantly, suspected opioid OD related deaths are trending 28% lower on an annual basis in Nashua from the previous year and that would also result in a record low.

 In Manchester, through August, the data indicates that Manchester is trending downward on an annual basis for suspected opioid ODs at 1% lower than the previous year which would result in a record low.  That’s after falling 47% over the last three years. Suspected opioid OD-related deaths are trending 17% lower on an annual basis in Manchester from the previous year and that would also be a record low.

NASHUA AUGUST 2026 –

·       Suspected opioid ODs – 14

·       Suspected fatal opioid ODs – 1

·       7% of the suspected opioid ODs in Nashua were fatal in August.

 MANCHESTER AUGUST 2026 –

• Suspected opioid ODs – 30
• Suspected fatal opioid ODs – 0

Please keep in mind that due to the nature of the opioid epidemic and its clear history of unpredictability, it is always possible that the trend of lower numbers could quickly change. Both cities continue to experience substantial declines in overall opioid OD incidents and deaths. At the same time, community Narcan activity has continued to steadily increase year over year. Although opioid OD volumes and deaths continue to fall, the continued need for investment and action to fight the opioid epidemic and prevent loss of life cannot be understated or ignored.

In NH, anyone can seek substance use disorder treatment by accessing the NH Doorway program 24/7. To access the NH Doorway program, call 2-1-1 at any time of the day or night, or visit www.thedoorway.nh.gov. If you believe someone is overdosing call 9-1-1 immediately.

To help prevent death, it is critical that those who use illicit drugs do not use them alone and have Narcan readily available. Narcan is available throughout New Hampshire at most pharmacies. It is available free of charge from local public health departments & any NH Doorway location. It is completely safe and easy to administer. Narcan is available ‘over the counter’, meaning it is available without a prescription to anyone seeking it.

Please feel free to share this information. As always, if anyone has any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to me! A bit delayed this month due to some days off to enjoy July.

The approach of fall has us in a good mood here at Downtown Nashua Association. How about you? It’s not just because of the pretty foliage and mild temps, but also because fall kicks off our busiest event season. There’s lots to do, but bringing the best possible community events to Downtown Nashua is, you know, our whole thing and we love it.

Coloring Main Street: This event was brand new last year and was such a hit we had to bring it back. People of all ages seemed to really love the opportunity to socialize and let their creativity fly—especially kids.

Main Street Monster Mash: This was another brand new event last year and it was loads of fun. Children were invited to trick-or-treat on Main Street and visit participating businesses that were distributing candy. We’re happy to announce that we are once again partnering with the Humane Society for Greater Nashua for the Howl-O-Ween Pet Parade.

Main Street Unwrapped: Walk Main Street with Santa as he removes the wrapping from store fronts to reveal their holiday displays!

Plaid Friday: Take the opportunity to shop small, local businesses instead of the big box or online stores. Participating businesses will be offering special deals and you’ll receive a Plaid Friday canvas tote bag to aid in your shopping adventure.

Winter Stroll: Do we need to explain this one? The Winter Stroll has been a Nashua tradition and staple for over thirty years. We’re bringing back the skating rink, Santa, the whole nine yards. Don’t miss it!

Finally, this seems like a good time to ask that, if you enjoy the events and programs we organize all year long, we hope you will consider making a donation in support of the work we do. As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, we rely on donations, sponsorships, and grants to continue to keep these traditions going year after year.

A Dollar for Downtown

Thank you for your support! 

Take a look below for other fun things happening Downtown this week.

Have a great Labor Day weekend and I’ll see ya Downtown!
Elaina Bedio, Downtown Nashua Association 

Thursday 9/3
5:00PM: Pokémon League Night at Grave Troll Games
5:00PM: Buck-a-Shuck Oysters at The Pearl
5:30PM: Chris Lester at Union Public House
7:00PM: Buzztime Trivia at Odd Fellows Brewing Co
7:30PM: Open Mic Night at Casey Magee's Irish Pub
7:30PM: Trivia Night at Liquid Therapy

Friday 9/4
12:30PM: Fryday: Fried specials all day at Soel Sistas Café
7:30PM: John Chouinard at Union Public House
9:30PM: Karaoke Dance Party at Casey Magee's Irish Pub

Saturday 9/5
7:30PM: Sean Coleman at Union Public House
8:00PM: Jordan Quigley at Casey Magee's Irish Pub
9:30PM: GoodFoot at The Peddler's Daughter

Sunday 9/6
10:00AM: Nashua Farmers Market
3:00PM: Colin Hart at Stella Blu

7:00PM: Karaoke Tuesday at The Spot

Monday 9/7
8:00PM: Tipsy Bingo at The Peddler's Daughter

Tuesday 9/8
7:00PM: Trivia at The Peddler's Daughter
8:00PM: Music Bingo at Fody's Tavern
8:00PM: Tacos & Tequila Tuesday at Stella Blu

 Wednesday 9/9
5:30PM: Peter Pappas at Union Public House
7:00PM: Free Movie Night at The Spot
8:00PM: Trivia at Fody's Tavern

The modern, two-story building was designed to fit into the landscape, with large windows offering views that connect with the surrounding natural areas.

The $4.1 million facility is the first phase of Beaver Brook’s Transforming Beaver Brook capital campaign and represents the largest fundraising effort in the organization’s history. The building will support nature and environmental education programs.

“This building came about after many years of our teachers just making do with our historic buildings as their primary space to prepare and teach children and adults year-round,” Executive Director Lindsay Jones said. “We had a yurt previously that really was past its useful life.

“We have such high demand for field trips and summer camps and you name it. We have wait lists and wait lists. So, we really needed a facility that reflected the quality of environmental education we’ve been delivering for 60 years.”

Program Director Becky Kellner said the new center will allow the organization to serve more students and improve accessibility.

“Currently, we have about 2.00 public school kids come through for field-trip experiences,” Kellner said. “We’re anticipating growth of 30 percent in the next five years. We’re going to grow it very slowly and steadily, but this allows us to have larger class sizes and kids with different abilities and disabilities here in the building, which we couldn’t have before.”

The nonprofit land-conservation and environmental-education organization was founded in 1964. Today, Beaver Brook employs 22 educators and 10 full-time staff members, manages 2.200 acres of conservation land and maintains 35 miles of trails. It offers year-round environmental education programs for people of all ages.

The trails and gardens are open to the public from dawn to dusk every day of the year.

About 100 people gathered on a rainy evening to tour the new space and celebrate the ribbon-cutting ceremony.

The new center replaces a yurt that served as an education space for 17 years.

“I love that the mice can’t get into our teaching materials,” Jones joked.

Jones said the building gives Beaver Brook a home that better represents the scope of its work.

“I think the most special thing of all is that, after more than 60 years, we finally have a building that reflects the amazing environmental education that we’ve been providing from day one of Beaver Brook coming into existence,” Jones said. “There are very few organizations like Beaver Brook, certainly very few that offer conservation and environmental education at the scale that we offer.”

Jay Nannicelli, a former president of the Beaver Brook Association board and longtime supporter of the nonprofit, made daily visits during construction, serving as an unofficial “clerk of the works.”

Reflecting on Beaver Brook’s role in the community, Nannicelli said the organization offers people a chance to connect with and understand the natural world.

“When you read the headlines in today’s newspapers, you see what’s on television. You see the devastation of the fires out West, the floods and everything else,” he said. “This is a place where you can come, learn about nature, experience it, and build an awareness and an understanding of how important it is to preserve nature.”

West Publishing discovered the unauthorized access on June 30 and determined on July 20 that some New Hampshire Supreme Court data was among the files accessed. The breach also impacted appellate and supreme courts in other states that use C-Track. 

In mid-August, West Publishing provided the Judicial Branch with a link to the files subjected to the breach. According to West Publishing, the information in those files has not been made public.

The New Hampshire Supreme Court data at issue was stored by West Publishing in a system separate from the New Hampshire Judicial Branch’s own systems and networks. Since being informed of the breach, the Judicial Branch has been working to determine the specific Supreme Court case information involved. To date, the Judicial Branch’s review indicates that the accessed information pertained to cases filed between January 2002 and January 2015. There is no evidence that the responsible party obtained information outside that timeframe or gained access to the Supreme Court’s case management system. Court operations have not been affected.

West Publishing has informed the Judicial Branch that compromised data from several states could potentially include individuals’ names and possibly one or more of the following: Social Security numbers, driver’s license numbers, medical information, dates of birth, or health insurance information.

The Judicial Branch’s review of the New Hampshire data to date indicates that names of parties and service addresses in cases from the 2002–2015 timeframe, including in confidential matters, were accessed.

To date, the New Hampshire Judicial Branch has not identified any New Hampshire data in the accessed files that includes Social Security numbers, driver’s license numbers, medical information, dates of birth, or health insurance information.

The Judicial Branch’s information technology team is continuing its work to confirm that unauthorized access to New Hampshire data was limited to what West Publishing has disclosed and to what the Judicial Branch’s own review has identified so far.

West Publishing has established a phone number and website for individuals seeking additional information: 1-833-918-5294 and https://www.ctracknotification.com.

For media inquiries related to the C-Track cybersecurity incident, please contact West Publishing at mediarelations@ctracknotification.com.

The New Hampshire Judicial Branch will provide additional information as it becomes available.

NASHUA, N.H. – St. Joseph School of Nursing celebrated 21 graduates during its 35th Commencement Ceremony, held at Nashua High School North, recognizing the newest class of nurses prepared to begin the next chapter of their healthcare careers.

The August 2026 graduating class represented both of the School’s Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) pathways: 10 graduates from the accelerated one-year program for Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) and 11 graduates from the traditional two-year ASN program.

“These graduates have demonstrated tremendous dedication, perseverance, and compassion throughout their nursing education,” said Vickie Fieler, PhD, RN, AVP of Academic Affairs and Dean of St. Joseph School of Nursing. “As they begin their careers as registered nurses, they carry with them not only the knowledge and clinical skills they have developed, but also a commitment to caring for patients and families with dignity and compassion. We are incredibly proud to welcome them to the nursing profession.”

Eileen Duggan, MSN, RN, CNE, Associate Dean, delivered the commencement address. Sarah Lally was recognized as valedictorian of the graduating class.

August 2026 Graduates: Daniella Aferewuah, Katherine Cabrera, Nicole Carter, Christina Clarke, Edward Ewiah, Grace Kihara, Gifty Kyere, Sarah Lally, Anna Langan, Grace Mitchell, Tianna Muniz, Bravinda Namulindwa, Sean Nichols, Mia Nicolet, Catherine Ogonowski, Carolyn Penney, Kenneth Powell, Hailey Rios, Sandra Sindor, Dianara Torres and Natasha Valdez.

St. Joseph School of Nursing prepares students for careers in nursing through rigorous classroom instruction, hands-on clinical education and a commitment to compassionate, patient-centered care. Its Associate of Science in Nursing program offers pathways for both traditional students and Licensed Practical Nurses seeking to advance their nursing education.

For more information about St. Joseph School of Nursing or to apply, visit sjson.edu.

About St. Joseph School of NursingSt. Joseph School of Nursing, located in Nashua, New Hampshire, has been preparing compassionate, skilled healthcare professionals for more than a century. The School offers Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) degree programs, including a traditional 2-Year ASN Track and an accelerated 1-Year ASN Track for Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) seeking the fastest pathway to becoming Registered Nurses. In addition to nursing degree programs, the School also offers allied health training programs in Nursing Assistant, Phlebotomy, Medical Assisting, and Paramedic studies, helping students prepare for a wide range of rewarding healthcare careers. To learn more, please visit www.sjson.edu

Several local and state elected officials, Nashua Chamber of Commerce officials, Southern New Hampshire Health Executive Leadership and Pharmacy team members attended.

The full-service retail pharmacy focuses on serving people in the community, including patients being discharged from the hospital and those who want a more personalized experience for medication ordering, pick-up, and counseling.

You do not need to be a Southern NH Health patient to have prescriptions filled at the pharmacy, which is open to everyone Monday-Friday 7 a.m.-7 p.m. and Saturday 7 a.m.- Noon. Most major insurance plans are accepted.

Individuals can also visit this link or call 603-598-MEDS to discuss transferring their prescriptions.

“Receiving the Chime Scholarship means so much to me,” said Veronica G. Ndungu. “As a nursing student, this scholarship not only helps ease financial burden of my education but also reminds me that the hard work and sacrifices I am making toward my goals are worth it. I am truly grateful to Phi Theta Kappa and Chime for investing in students like me and helping me continue working toward becoming a nurse.”

The Chime Workforce Scholarship, funded by the Chime Scholars Foundation and administered by the Phi Theta Kappa Foundation, provides each scholar with $1,000 to help cover educational expenses while completing a certificate or associate degree that prepares them to enter the workforce in a high-demand field.

“At the Chime Scholars Foundation, we believe that career and technical education opens doors to financial progress and long-term opportunity. We’re proud to support students who are working hard to gain in-demand skills and build better futures for themselves and their families,” said Jeni Izuel, president of the Chime Scholars Foundation.

“This past year, I have witnessed Veronica demonstrate leadership, academic excellence, and a strong commitment to supporting her peers,” said Professor Lisa Gray, Chairperson of the Nursing Department at Nashua Community College.
“Veronica has been actively fostering support for her peers by developing a small study group to help her and her peers succeed in this rigorous nursing program.  Her compassion and willingness to help others embody the values of nursing and make her a highly deserving recipient of this prestigious scholarship.”

"We are thrilled to launch this new program and award hardworking students with Chime Workforce Scholarships,” Amanda Karpinski Gorman, executive director of the Phi Theta Kappa Foundation said. “These scholarships support students pursuing career and technical education at two-year colleges, and we look forward to see all they go on to accomplish."

The Chime Workforce Scholarship supports students preparing for high-demand careers that strengthen their communities and local economies. By helping students complete their education and earn workforce credentials, the program helps create a stronger pipeline of skilled workers in fields where they are needed most

For more than 120 years, Nashua Children’s Home, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, has served youth and families in the region by providing residential care, educational support, transitional living, and family services to children whose circumstances have placed them at-risk. The gala serves as a powerful evening of personal stories, and community impact, bringing together business leaders, advocates, and neighbors who share the belief that every child deserves safety, stability, and opportunity.

Sponsorships are still available, offering valuable business exposure, and auction item donations are welcome, such as gift baskets, gift cards, spirits, home goods, handcrafted wares, luxury experiences, sporting event tickets, signed memorabilia, or jewelry. Every donation encourages bidding and helps raise funds to make a difference in the lives of the youth at Nashua Children’s Home.

Guests will step into the spirit of the 1920s from the moment they arrive, with an iconic vintage car photo opportunity upon arrival, followed by a lively evening of cocktails, hors d’oeuvres, silent and live auctions, impactful stories, live music and dancing to the internationally acclaimed 19-piece Compaq Big Band, and more. Roaring Twenties-inspired semi-formal attire is encouraged.

The Silent Auction opens online September 26, allowing guests to bid from home, whether or not they attend the Gala, with items also on display at the event. The Live Auction will feature exciting travel packages and more, offering guests the chance to bid on once-in-a-lifetime experiences.

To sponsor, buy tickets ($125 ea.), or donate an auction item, visit www.nashuachildrenshome.org, or contact the organization by emailing gala@nashuachildrenshome.org or calling 603-883-3851.

This free, family-friendly event will showcase the rich cultural diversity of our community through live cultural performances, music, multicultural food vendors, and interactive family activities representing traditions from around the world.

The Nashua Multicultural Festival offers an opportunity for people of all ages and backgrounds to come together, celebrate heritage, learn about different cultures, and enjoy an afternoon of food, cultural entertainment, and community along the Nashua River.

Admission is free, and all are welcome.

Event Details

Saturday, September 26, 2026

12:00 PM to 5:00 PM

Le Parc De Notre Renaissance Française

23 Water Street, Nashua, NH 03060

Local sponsors include The New Hampshire Charitable Foundation, Nashua Community College, Triangle Credit Union, The Adult Learning Center, United Way of Greater Nashua, The YMCA, Southern New Hampshire Health, New Hampshire Public Radio, and The Girl Scouts of the Green and White Mountains.

Come experience the flavors, sounds, and traditions that make Nashua a vibrant and welcoming community.

For additional event information, visit: https://www.nashuanh.gov/1237/Nashua-Multicultural-Festival 

 To RSVP for this free event, go to our Eventbrite page.

Pleasant weather both days added to the experience as visitors browsed artists’ tents. The event also included live music, artist demonstrations and children’s games.

“Our motto — the organization’s motto — is encouraging the arts and the artists,” said Sonia Lee Gilmore, co-manager of the NAAA ArtHub Gallery on Main Street. “That’s what we’re doing here this weekend. Most of what you see here are artists who display at the ArtHub Gallery.”

Gilmore said the show included roughly equal numbers of craftspeople and painters.

“When I refer to artists, that includes the craftspeople, who we call artists also,” she said. “At the show, we have about an equal number of craftspeople as we do oil, paint, et cetera, artists.”

Ron Downing, an 83-year-old Merrimack artist, displayed his oil paintings. Downing said he has painted since 1965 and has participated in the Greeley Park Art Show for too long to remember.

He said this year would be his last Greeley Park exhibition. “I’m getting too old, and it’s getting tough to …” Downing said, trailing off.

Mixed-media artist Kevin Brassard, by comparison, has worked in that format for about four years. Trained as a photographer, Brassard said he began making mixed-media collages “because I couldn’t draw or paint.”

“The traffic was really good,” Brassard said. “People came to the park to see some art. I think it’s been great. They come into my booth and things are a little different, a little unique and different than what they’ve seen, and the response has been nice.”

Greeley Park Art Show 2026 Adult Art Competition Winners

Best in Show: Marilene Sawaf 

Oil Painting

1^st prize: Luci Lesmerises

2^nd prize: Brenda Mendoza

3^rd prize: Phil Bean 

Acrylic Painting

1^st prize: Lisa Papastefanou

2^nd prize: Caleb Gibbs

3^rd prize: Doug Philbrick 

Watercolor Painting

1^st prize: Charles Mooradian

2^nd prize: Leah Kuehne

3^rd prize: Hiltrud Bennett

Mixed Media

1^st prize: Marilene Sawaf

2^nd prize: Mellifera Modern

3^rd prize: Kevin Brassard

3D

1^st prize: Ron Marcoux

2^nd prize: Brandie Sweetland

3^rd prize: Abagail Taper

Drawing/Printmaking

1^st prize: Tina Gagnon

2^nd prize: Maureen Fitzpatrick

Pastels

1^st prize: Erin-Anne Lemieux

2^nd prize: Jennifer Lichtenberg 

Photography

1^st prize: Matt Chaves

2^nd prize: Jayson Gleneck

3^rd prize: Howard Muscott

“We’ve lost too many young people to fentanyl and other deadly drugs,” said Governor Kelly Ayotte. “As we continue working to get this poison off our streets, it’s important that our young people can have conversations about the real risks of counterfeit and unlabeled pills not only with parents, teachers, and other trusted adults, but also with each other. This campaign will help youth and young adults know the facts, understand the risks, and look out for each other, and I thank DHHS for spearheading this critical effort.”  

“We have a collective responsibility in every community to keep our youth and young adults informed and safe,” said DHHS Commissioner Lori Weaver. “When communities can share accurate information in honest conversations, we are demonstrating prevention in  action. Unlabeled is designed to make those conversations between our youth and the people who care about credible, easier and more frequent.”

Unlabeled was created with direct input from youth and young adults across New Hampshire, incorporating feedback from colleges, young adult organizations, and hundreds of youth who participated in focus groups and testing panels. Their insights shaped every part of the campaign, ensuring that its messages and visuals are real, authentic, and trustworthy.

The campaign aims to help young people recognize the risks of counterfeit and unlabeled pills, which can often contain fentanyl. Feedback from youth revealed that while most young people have heard of fentanyl, many still struggle to identify substances that may contain it. The Unlabeled campaign aims to provide information on fentanyl through honest, fact-based education.

Unlabeled is grounded in evidence-based prevention frameworks and emphasizes practical safety strategies, while remaining conversational and human-centered. Its creative strategy focuses on clarity and youth empowerment, making space for honest, supportive conversations. The campaign is connected to broader behavioral health supports within DHHS’s Strong as Granite ecosystem. Ads will appear on social media platforms visited most frequently by youth and young adults and will include digital, print, and out-of-home placement in locations across the state.    

For more information on Unlabeled, please visit www.unlabeled.nh.gov.  

Read Governor Ayotte’s proclamation for International Overdose Awareness Day.

They brought creativity, talent and a shared generosity of spirit.

Working along three blocks of the trail between Elm and Ash streets, the artists transformed walls, building facades and roughly a dozen large panels, giving the Tree Streets neighborhood a new outdoor gallery.

Art City Nashua was a one-day festival organized by local resident Kori Thomas, a mural artist who works as Quest Nine and is known to friends as “Q.” Thomas brought together fellow wall-art creators to make the transformation happen.

Thomas estimated that about 2,000 people attended the festival, watching artists at work throughout the day. For some, it was an unexpected addition to their regular walk; for others, it was a destination.

“People walk the trail every day, and they stayed a little bit longer,” Thomas said. “Other people came from all over, and they stayed for maybe three or four hours.”

The festival’s goal was both to involve the community and introduce visitors to the neighborhood. Art City Nashua 2026 achieved both, Thomas said.

“We had the neighborhood out helping, cleaning, moving things and breaking up the mess, and that was really wonderful,” she said. “A lot of people from the neighborhood said this was one of the best days of their life. Like, this was the best event they’d ever been to, and they couldn’t believe it. They didn’t even know about art like this.”

Watching the work take shape in a single day also gave some visitors a sense of creative possibility, Thomas said.

“We’re creating a spark of what art could be to somebody who doesn’t create,” she said. “Seeing the process makes them think, ‘I might be able to do that,’ or, ‘I used to draw.’ Those are the stories you get from people.”

On Sunday morning, after the crowd had left and only a few artists remained to finish their work, Thomas surveyed the scene with satisfaction.

“We’re really making an impact on communities, and it doesn’t have to be my hometown,” she said. “Although this is mine, I think we can do this anywhere and have a very similar reaction. But I would really like to keep doing this in Nashua.”

“I love doing it and being able to walk home at the end.”

Monday, August 31, 2026

Greater Nashua Revolving Loan Fund Meets at 12:00 PM Room 208 (City Hall,2nd Floor, 229 Main Street)

Pennichuck Water Special Committee Meets at 7:00 PM in Aldermanic Chambers (City Hall,2nd Floor, 229 Main Street)

Tuesday, September 1, 2026

Holman Stadium Activation Committee - BPW Subcommittee Meets at 3:00 PM at Mayors Suite (Holman Stadium 67 Amherst Street)

Conservation Commission Meeting Meets at 7:00 PM Room 208 (City Hall,2nd Floor, 229 Main Street)

Nashua Public Library Board of Trustees Meets at 7:00 PM Nashau Public Library (2 Court Stret)

Special Budget Review Committee - FY28 Budget Planning Meets at 7:00 PM in Aldermanic Chambers (City Hall,2nd Floor, 229 Main Street)

Wednesday, September 2, 2026

Board of Registrars Meets at 9:00 AM in Auditorium (City Hall,3rd Floor, 229 Main Street)

Board of Fire Commission Meeting Meets at 5:30 PM Nashua Fire and Rescue (Training Classroom, 1177 Lake Street)

Finance Committee Meets at 7:00 PM in Aldermanic Chambers (City Hall,2nd Floor, 229 Main Street)

Thursday, September 3, 2026

Keefe Auditorium Commission Meets at 4:30 PM Room 208 (City Hall,2nd Floor, 229 Main Street)

If you'd like to review the agendas, minutes, or check for any last-minute schedule changes, let me know if you want details for a specific board, or visit the Nashua Public Hearings Directory and City of Nashua Agendas Portal to see the full list of postings.

Board of Education meetings schedule can be found here.  

Official Live Streams (Web Browsers)

You can watch gavel-to-gavel live streams of city operations directly through the CTV Live Streams Portal on the City of Nashua Website:

• Board of Aldermen & Infrastructure Committees: Watch on the Government TV 16 Live Stream.
• School Board & Education Committees: Watch on the Nashua ETV Live Stream.

YouTube Channels (Live & Archived Recordings)

If you miss a live broadcast, the city categorizes and uploads meeting archives onto dedicated YouTube channels:

• Board of Aldermen & City Subcommittees: Available on the Nashua BOA Meetings YouTube Channel.
• Board of Education & School Committees: Available on the Nashua BOE Meetings YouTube Channel.
• General Educational & Community Programming: Available on the Nashua ETV YouTube Channel and Nashua Public Television Channel 6.

NASHUA, N.H. – St. Joseph Hospital has earned verification as a Level III Trauma Center by the American College of Surgeons (ACS), achieving national recognition for the strength of its trauma program and its commitment to providing high-quality trauma care close to home.

Notably, the ACS review team identified zero non-compliant standards during its comprehensive evaluation, an exceptional result that reflects the strength of St. Joseph Hospital’s trauma program and interdisciplinary team.

For more than 30 years, St. Joseph Hospital has served southern New Hampshire as a state-designated Level III Trauma Center. As New Hampshire transitioned Level III trauma center verification to the American College of Surgeons, St. Joseph Hospital successfully completed the rigorous national verification process, ensuring continued access to trauma services for the Greater Nashua community.

“Achieving American College of Surgeons verification with zero deficiencies is an extraordinary accomplishment and a testament to the dedication of our entire trauma team,” said John A. Jurczyk, FACHE, President of St. Joseph Hospital. “This recognition demonstrates that our patients can count on receiving nationally recognized, evidence-based trauma care right here in our community. We are incredibly proud of every physician, nurse, EMS partner, and staff member whose commitment made this possible.”

ACS verification involves a rigorous external peer review of a trauma center’s leadership, clinical care, staffing, resources, education, data collection, patient safety, and performance improvement. Verification confirms that St. Joseph Hospital has the personnel, resources, and systems necessary to provide organized and coordinated trauma care and to rapidly transfer patients who require a higher level of care when medically appropriate.

“This achievement reflects years of dedication from an extraordinary multidisciplinary team committed to providing the highest standard of trauma care,” said Dr. Kristin Raven, FACS, Chair of Surgery and Trauma Medical Director at St. Joseph Hospital. “Most importantly, it gives our community confidence that nationally recognized trauma care is available close to home, backed by a culture of continuous improvement and patient safety.”

A cornerstone of ACS verification is continuous performance improvement and patient safety. St. Joseph Hospital systematically reviews trauma cases to identify opportunities for program improvement, driving consistent, ongoing process improvement across trauma care.

The verification is valid for three years, reaffirming St. Joseph Hospital’s commitment to providing high-quality trauma care for the Greater Nashua community.

To learn more about St. Joseph Hospital’s Trauma Center, visit www.stjosephhospital.com/trauma-center.

About St. Joseph Hospital

St. Joseph Hospital, a member of Covenant Health, is a 208-bed acute care community hospital located in Nashua, New Hampshire. The main campus features the latest diagnostic and treatment technologies and is supported by a network of primary care providers and specialists focused on delivering personalized medicine. Our hospital is DNV-GL accredited and its extensive services include 24-hour emergency care and a certified stroke program, as well as a Cardiovascular Center, Breast Care Center, Cancer Center and Maternal Child Health Center. To learn more about us, please visit www.stjosephhospital.com.

Sadly, not in America these days.

Right now, billionaires and corporate special interests — from big tech to big oil — are using their deep pockets to essentially buy election outcomes. But Granite Staters will not be silenced by dark money. We will have our voices heard in this election.

I’ve known Congressman Chris Pappas for two decades. If anyone has the integrity, commitment and know-how to fix our broken campaign finance system, it’s him. 

Chris doesn’t take a dime of corporate PAC money. He is working to overturn Citizens United, the disastrous Supreme Court decision that declared money speech, no holds barred. And he introduced the bipartisan CLEAN Act to demand ethical conduct in Congress and the DISCLOSE Act to stop billionaires and corporate interests from secretly funneling millions of dollars into our elections. He even broke with Democratic House leadership to support a ban on congressional stock trading and he backs the No Getting Rich in Congress Act. 

Chris is running for U.S. Senate to be our voice in Washington. Unfortunately the same cannot be said of his opponent. John Sununu has spent his career cashing in with corporate special interest groups and getting very rich in the process. Lately he has been cozying up to Donald Trump and his billionaire friends. He is woefully out of touch with everyday Granite Staters. 

Chris’s commitment to tackling political corruption is clear. Once we elect him to the Senate in November, I know he’ll continue fighting to make our government once again be of, by, and for the people. 

Dan Weeks - Nashua

Traversing around the yard and around the local trails, I’ve been seeing so many mushrooms! With the humid weather, mushrooms and fungi can really flourish. At Nashua Farmers’ Exchange, it is not unusual for customers to come in concerned with mushrooms growing in lawns. I tell folks that mushrooms are actually helping out your soil. Mushrooms are simply the fruiting bodies of fungi living underground. Mushrooms actually help break down organic material in your soil (something your lawn will thank you for). Though, understandably, folks with hungry and curious pups get very concerned about mushrooms in the yard. There isn’t a spray or herbicide that I recommend for this. Mowing them as you mow the lawn is a great solution for limiting these fruiting bodies.

Speaking of fungus, the UMASS Extension Service recently issued a warning for cucurbit downy mildew. There were reports of downy mildew in Pennsylvania and northern Ohio. With some storm systems moving in this direction, the Extension Service is recommending applying a preventative fungicide on your cucurbits (this includes cucumbers, squash, watermelon, etc.). Downy mildew thrives in the late-August humidity and spores travel on the wind. If there is a suspected threat of downy mildew, preventative measures are essential. Once a plant has contracted downy mildew, there is nothing to be done as it is a highly destructive “fungal-like organism called an oomycete. It appears with fungus on the underside of foliage, and it also presents on the topside of the foliage with angular, yellow-brown lesions along veins of the leaf.

This is also the time of year that the highly invasive Japanese Knot Weed (many refer to it as a type of bamboo) is flourishing; however, this is also that time of year that Japanese Knot Weed can be well controlled with chemical means. If you can, get this stuff out! It spreads like crazy. If you need to use chemical control, be sure to properly identify the plant and use it appropriately–timing is everything. Feel free to come by the store with samples and concerns–we can help advise!

A few other thinking to keep in mind around the yard:

●       Crabgrass: get it out as best you can ASAP. They will soon be ready to drop their seeds, which can live in your soil for years. Once you pull what you can, remember that it’s the perfect time to throw some grass seed down. It will really set you up for success next year.

●       Cabbage looper: these little white moths LOVE brassicus (broccoli, brussel sprouts, cauliflower). As caterpillars, they blend perfectly into brassicus foliage, and are so destructive. Be aware if you have any Fall plantings growing, and if you spy these caterpillars and moths, you can apply B.T..

●       Squash Vine Borer & Japanese Beetles: Are you tired of me talking about these guys yet? Yes, they are still at large. Be observant and get those buggers!

Okay, enough garden alerts and pest talk! At my house, we’re still harvesting tomatoes, tomatillos, okra, cucumbers…and we are starting to spy little baby butternut squashes on the vine! We  also managed to process some of the tomatoes. We canned tomatoes whole (with a little fresh basil), and we made some stewed tomatoes. I love having herbs for the winter time, and am an avid tea drinker, so we’re drying some of our parsley, basil, and mojito mint!

In the flower beds, I have seen SUCH cool things this week. My bees have been so, so happy and doing the cutest things! On my Red Flame Celosia and my Flamingo Feather Celosia, every morning I’ve been waking up to sleepy, dew-covered bumblebees having a lovely snooze on these flowers. They have also been enjoying afternoon nectar naps on my Fireball Strawflowers. I’m obsessed, it’s so precious. Also, I’m completely obsessed with strawflowers. It’s my first year growing them, and I’m going to plant way more next year! One more surprise in the flower beds? My gladiolus had an unusual visitor. Stuck inside the narrow throated bloom: a katydid! I got a good chuckle out of seeing its little rear end poking out of this flower.

That’s a wrap on this week’s garden report! Do yourself a favor and go get some peaches from your local farm! The batch I got at Kimball’s Fruit Farm last week was absolutely delightful!

Kate Ratta is the manager of the local feed store Nashua Farmers' Exchange, Inc. She has more than 10 years of experience working in the business owned by her aunt and uncle, Judy Ratta-Harrington and Gene Harrington, and will be contributing weekly garden reports. The store is located at 38½ Bridge Street in Nashua in the converted Boston & Maine and Concord Railroad station.

People are returning from vacations and activities are ramping back up. But before we get into it, I want to encourage you to visit the Nashua Farmers Market this Sunday. The weather looks like it will be beautiful and we have a full house in terms of vendors. Nineteen are scheduled to set up and peddle their wares so there will be plenty to choose from, plus live music as always—this week from Gary Smith and While My Guitar Gently Weeps.

Speaking of the arts, it’s a big weekend for visual arts as the 73rd Greeley Park Art Show will be happening this Saturday and Sunday from 10am to 4pm at, you guessed it, Greeley Park. Fifty-six artists, live music, games, and raffles should keep you plenty busy. However, you should also check out Art City Nashua’s all-day walking art festival from noon to 8PM at the Heritage Rail Trail—from Elm Street to Ash Street. Check out murals, live art demos, live music, food trucks and more.

Take a look below for other fun things happening Downtown this week.

Stay creative and I’ll see ya Downtown!
Elaina Bedio, Downtown Nashua Association 

Thursday 8/27
5:00PM: Pokémon League Night at Grave Troll Games
5:00PM: Buck-a-Shuck Oysters at The Pearl
5:30PM: D-Comp at Union Public House
7:00PM: Buzztime Trivia at Odd Fellows Brewing Co
7:30PM: Open Mic Night at Casey Magee's Irish Pub
7:30PM: Trivia Night at Liquid Therapy

Friday 8/28
12:30PM: Fryday: Fried specials all day at Soel Sistas Café
3:00PM: Free Drop-in Painting class at ArtHub Downtown Gallery
7:30PM: Matt Jackson at Union Public House
9:30PM: Karaoke Dance Party at Casey Magee's Irish Pub

Saturday 8/29
9:30AM: Zumba on the Plaza at Nashua Public Library
10:00AM: 73rd Greeley Park Art Show at Greeley Park
12:00PM: ArtCity Nashua Art Walk at Nashua Heritage Rail Trail
7:30PM: Colin Hart at Union Public House
7:30PM: Sunset Electric at Renaissance Park
8:00PM: Steve & Mike Duo at Casey Magee's Irish Pub
9:30PM: No More Blue Tomorrows at The Peddler's Daughter

Sunday 8/30
10:00AM: Nashua Farmers Market
10:00AM: 73rd Greeley Park Art Show at Greeley Park
1:30PM: MooMoos & Mimosas Karaoke Brunch at Soel Sistas
              Café
3:00PM: Peter Pappas at Stella Blu (patio)
6:00PM: Sunday Evening Karaoke at The Spot
7:00PM: Tuba Skinny at Nashua Center for the Arts

Monday 8/31
10:00AM: Overdose Awareness Day at Revive Recovery
8:00PM: Tipsy Bingo at The Peddler's Daughter

Tuesday 9/1
7:00PM: Trivia at The Peddler's Daughter
8:00PM: Music Bingo at Fody's Tavern

8:00PM: Tacos & Tequila Tuesday at Stella Blu

Wednesday 9/2
5:30PM: Seth Connelly at Union Public House
7:00PM: Free Movie Night at The Spot
8:00PM: Trivia at Fody's Tavern

Nashua, NH - The Nash Casino, New Hampshire’s largest charitable gaming venue, has once again broken the record for the largest charitable contribution in state history, presenting $2.7 million to 14 New Hampshire nonprofit organizations on Tuesday, August 25, 2026. This extraordinary amount was accumulated from the combined revenues generated by games of chance, historical horse racing (HHR) machines and video lottery terminals during the month of July and surpasses The Nash’s previous record of $2.4 million in charitable contributions generated the previous month.

“It warms our hearts to see our partnership directly improve the lives of New Hampshire residents through the vital services provided by our esteemed charitable partners,” said Eric Althaus, general manager of The Nash Casino. “Whether it’s supporting and honoring veterans or expanding programs offered to local youth, these funds make a meaningful difference in communities across the state.”

This is the second month in a row The Nash has smashed its own record for largest monthly charitable contribution and the fifth consecutive month the venue has contributed over $2.2 million to charitable partners. The Nash has raised a combined $12.1 million in that period. In the past 17 months, The Nash generated $31.1 million for New Hampshire nonprofits.

In December, The Nash began offering five-day weeks to partnering nonprofits, down from seven days, in order to significantly increase the number of nonprofits served.

• Austin17House: $256,840.77
• Honor Flight New England: $256,840.77
• American Legion Post 48 Hudson: $214,832.33
• Gateways Community Services: $214,832.33
• Nashua Elks Crusaders Football & Spirit Assoc.: $214,819.36
• Elliot Perry Foundation: $214,819.36
• Loudon Firefighters Association: $186,954.96
• Nashua Regional Cancer Center: $186,954.96
• Girls Inc. of NH: $180,071.08
• Nashua Area Artists Association: $180,071.08
• Nashua Historical Society: $171,551.88
• NH Alcohol & Drug Abuse Counselors Assoc.: $171,551.88
• American Legion Young & Richardson Post 59: $164,739.00
• Monadnock Music: $164,739.00

Mark Anderson, the founder of the youth community center in Brentwood, Austin17House, called the funds “transformational.”

“Ours is a place where you can belong and build a bridge into the fullness of who you are,” Anderson said. “These funds allow us to double our reach and create a foundation to move our organization to the next level.”

Honor Flight New England transports local veterans that served during WWII, in Vietnam and Korea to Washington D.C. to visit and reflect at their memorials at no cost to them. They receive the welcome home and recognition they deserve, according to board member and veteran volunteer Chad Franz.

“We average about two to three flights per year, but with these substantial funds we hope to add more flights to the calendar,” Franz said. “It fills my cup to see these veterans get the closure they deserve, and we’re grateful for the opportunity to expand our mission, as we race against time to say ‘Thank you.’”

According to state law, 35% of games of chance revenues and 8.75% of HHR machine revenues are set aside for two nonprofits assigned to each week of gaming. The combined revenues are split evenly between the two nonprofits. In addition, 10% of games of chance and 16.5% of HHR revenues are contributed to the state Education Trust Fund. New VLT revenue is taxed at 31%. Of that amount, 35% will be contributed to local charities. The remainder is contributed to the state’s General Fund, Education Trust Fund and other state programs. In the month of June, The Nash sent $2,255,058.36 to the state fund.

For more information about The Nash visit thenashcasino.com.

An additional ambulance was requested from Allenstown, NH due to Manchester being out of ambulances.

Radio traffic indicated the trooper had an eye injury, cuts from broken glass used by a juvenile, and abrasions. A 37 year-old trooper was transported to the Elliot Hospital by AMR.

Later a 16 year-old was transported to Catholic Medical Center by Allenstown EMS. Radio traffic indicated the juvenile was in a “scuffle” and had been pepper sprayed. He had irritation to his upper body and abrasions.

They communicated to the hospital the juvenile was in a five point restraint, in custody, a flight risk, and a staff member was on board. CMC was advised to have security standing by.

No official communication has been distributed at this time.

You will need to re-register, and how much proof you need will depend on why you were removed from the rolls.

If you moved to a new town or ward, or moved back to NH, bring your government-issued photo ID (student IDs are no longer acceptable) and proof of your domicile (where you live). Your new clerk can usually confirm your prior NH registration and won't require you to reprove citizenship and age.

If you were removed for inactivity, not voting in five years, you'll need to reprove the full set: age, citizenship, identity, and domicile (ACID), even if you're staying in the same town. If you don't have citizenship documents available, you can sign a Qualified Voter Affidavit (QVA), swearing under penalty of law that you are a U.S. citizen. Please note, whatever documents you need to bring, both the original and a photo on your phone of the original document are acceptable.

Check your voter registration today at app.sos.nh.gov/voternformation and remind your friends and family to do the same before the Primary on Sep 8th and the General on Nov 3rd.

Frankie Smith

Nashua, N.H.

 Frankie Smith is a recent resident of Nashua, New Hampshire, having relocated from Florida. She retired after a successful career in high-tech marketing, and throughout her career and retirement has enjoyed traveling extensively around the world. Today, Frankie is passionate about civic engagement, educating people about New Hampshire's voting requirements, and encouraging everyone to register, participate, and make their voices heard at the ballot box.

About Community Voices 

Thoughtful perspectives from our community

Community Voices is where Nashua residents share their views on local issues, and community concerns. We welcome opinion submissions that are civil, fact-based, and relevant to our city. Submissions are subject to editing and must include the author's name and local connection. Join the conversation at news@nashuaindependent.com.

The driver was entrapped in the vehicle, and New Boston Fire Department worked to extricate him, and gave him medical treatment at the scene in preparation of being transported to a local hospital.

The road was shut down for hours between Greg Mill Road and Howe Bridge so that Duval’s Towing and recovery could work to remove the vehicle.NH Department of Environmental Services came to the scene due to the truck being in the water.

NHSP Troop G is investigating the accident with the assistance of New Boston Police.

Hillsborough County Sherif’s Office assisted at the scene and with closing the road.

The driver appears to have non-life-threatening injuries.

In addition to the payment, Meta must implement a sweeping set of safety features designed to protect children on Instagram and Facebook. The agreement resolves claims by 47 other States and D.C., Guam, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands that the company designed Instagram and Facebook with addictive features, knowingly exposed young users to serious mental harms, and intentionally misled the public about the safety of its platforms, among other things. This settlement is an important step toward holding social media companies accountable for intentionally designing their platforms with manipulative features that foster excessive use and for deceiving the public about the harmful effects of those features on kids and teens.

“Nothing is more critical than protecting our children, and social media companies have fallen short of that mission,” said Governor Ayotte. “With this settlement, we are taking an important step to hold them accountable and ensuring parents have the tools they need to keep their children safe online and safeguard children’s mental health. I thank Attorney General Formella, the team at the New Hampshire Department of Justice who worked tirelessly on this case, and attorneys general across the country for demanding accountability from Meta and other social media platforms. We will ensure these dollars are used to continue efforts to protect children and support youth mental health services in our state, and we’ll continue holding social media companies’ feet to the fire to ensure they do their part.”

“Children, young adults, and parents are no match for the powerful technological tools and design choices that Meta utilizes to keep kids on its platforms at all hours of the day and night. Though Meta has a history of making cosmetic safety changes, we have strived to ensure that the new default settings offered are meaningful, enforceable reforms that children will not be able to circumvent as easily as they have in the past,” said Attorney General Formella. “While this settlement represents an important step in our efforts, our concerns about social media have always been about more than one company. Technology may change, but the principle does not: when companies put children at risk, they must be held accountable. New Hampshire will continue to work with our state partners to ensure social media companies live up to their obligations and that families have the information and tools they need to protect their children.”

The settlement requires Meta to implement a series of safety features on Instagram and Facebook, including:

• Default daily time limits and “Productive Pauses” for children: across its two platforms, Instagram and Facebook, a combined default two-hour daily time limit with mandatory pauses after 15 minutes of continuous use and again at 60 and 90 minutes to interrupt endless scrolling. These limits remain in effect for five years. If Snapchat, TikTok, and YouTube adopt comparable terms, the daily limit on each platform will drop to 60 minutes for 10 years.
• Default “nighttime blocks” restricting children’s access from 12:00 a.m. to 6:00 a.m.  
• Default limited school-time access for children, eliminating push notifications on weekdays from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. during the school year.
• Age assurance measures to more effectively verify the age of young users, to deter kids under 13 from creating accounts, and to ensure teen users are properly identified.
• Improved content controls, including stronger measures against bullying, content promoting eating disorders, and content related to suicide and self-harm.
• Stronger, more user-friendly parental controls.
• The ability for parents and kids to limit social comparison features, including beauty filters mimicking cosmetic surgery and visible “like” counts, that have been linked to poor mental health outcomes in kids and teens.
• Both the implementation and efficacy of the features will be regularly assessed by an independent auditor and the settling states.

Through this settlement agreement, Meta has agreed to make changes to Instagram and Facebook that are more significant and comprehensive than previously ordered by any court. This settlement represents a significant step toward an industry-wide social media experience that allows our children to connect in a healthy way. There is more work to be done, and New Hampshire is committed to continuing to work with other stakeholders, including parents, educators, and caregivers, to protect our kids from the negative consequences of social media use.

Seventy percent of the amount (approximately $158 million) due under this settlement agreement is guaranteed. The remaining amount is contingent and will be paid to New Hampshire if other Core Industry Members become subject to certain injunctive and monetary terms within a specified period of time. The settlement agreement defines “Core Industry Members” as Snapchat, TikTok, and YouTube.   

Beginning in 2021, nearly every attorney general in the country worked together to investigate the social media industry for promoting platforms with manipulative design features such as recommendation algorithms that were known to be unreasonably dangerous to children. The bipartisan, nationwide investigation found that Meta designed Instagram’s features to encourage excessive and compulsive use, causing addiction in the most severely affected children, while internally documenting the resulting mental health harms and failing to warn parents. After the investigation, many states joined a federal consolidated lawsuit against Meta in California. New Hampshire was one of a handful of states that sued Meta in its own state court. This settlement resolves both our individual case and claims by the other settling states and territories. The settlement also resolves the states’ claims against Meta for its sharing of nonpublic information about Facebook users with third parties, like Cambridge Analytica, leading up to the 2016 election.

The settlement terms have been agreed to by the parties but remain subject to approval by the court.

The New Hampshire Department of Justice Consumer Protection and Antitrust Bureau investigates unfair, deceptive, or unreasonable practices involving New Hampshire consumers. To file a complaint with the New Hampshire Department of Justice, visit https://www.doj.nh.gov/consumer/complaints.

The walkable celebration of creativity and community will feature more than 20 muralists creating 15 permanent murals in one day.

ArtCity is organized by mural artist Kori Thomas, who works as Quest Nine. Thomas is a creative placemaker and neighborhood resident. A local example of her work is on the rear of the Maynard & Lesieur building.

This is the second ArtCity event Thomas has presented. She hopes to build on the success of ArtCity Lowell in 2025, which drew more than 800 people. Thomas said art can transform communities.

“Over the last five years, I’ve seen how much murals have changed Lowell and how there’s less trash around where the murals are,” she said. “There are more community events where the murals are now.”

Although the festival lasts one day, Thomas said its impact could benefit the neighborhood over time. More than 55,000 people have sought directions on Google Maps to her Jack Kerouac mural in Lowell, she said.

“These things attract so many people to a community,” Thomas said. “When people start seeing the beauty of a community, then they start taking care of it more. You see the trash that’s along the Heritage Rail Trail now, and I really want the city to see the value and the culture that’s in these neighborhoods.”

The event’s theme is “Rooted in Rising.”

Thomas said the theme is similar to the imagery in one of her murals: A seed of inspiration takes root, prompting residents to consider what pride and change might grow in the neighborhood.

Thomas and the ArtCity team have invested money, time and energy in preparing for the event. To involve residents, team members walked the neighborhood, knocked on doors and invited people to attend Saturday’s festival.

“We went around and flyered. We went through every Tree Street and talked to everybody,” Thomas said. “Our team is bilingual, so we were able to really talk to everybody that we could.”

Thomas’ enthusiasm for the neighborhood is central to the day’s plans. The festival will include local food trucks, restaurants, vendors and other creators.

“All of the local businesses are going to be open. We’re putting them on the map,” Thomas said. “It’s getting people to go into the restaurants and shops that they haven’t been into and discover this neighborhood.”

The free festival runs from noon to 8 p.m. Artists and community members will paint throughout the event.

Scheduled activities include:

• 2-2:30 p.m.: Spray-painting tutorial.
• 3-4 p.m.: Dance cypher.
• 5-6 p.m.: Community salsa hour.
• 5-8 p.m.: Baile Tropidelico on the main stage.

Other offerings include two live music stages featuring local musicians; creative vendors; neighborhood businesses; food trucks; free art classes; interactive art experiences; and an indoor gallery exhibition at 809 Lounge curated by Fallon Andrews of Pillar Gallery.

“To be able to do this in my neighborhood, that’s why I’m investing so much time into it,” Thomas said. “The payoff is the art. And then afterward, this neighborhood gets better. And I live right here. So my neighborhood gets better.”

At approximately 3:50 a.m., Tuesday, Aug. 25, 2026, State Troopers assigned to the Troop F barracks were responding to assist members of Dalton Fire & Rescue with a house fire in Dalton when they learned that the owner of the home, identified as Nestor Roman II, 30, of Dalton, had stolen a Whitefield Fire & Rescue vehicle. Roman then drove the stolen vehicle east on Faraway Road.

Further investigation determined that while driving the stolen rescue vehicle, Roman struck another Whitefield Fire & Rescue engine actively engaged in firefighting operations, drove over multiple water supply lines, and narrowly missed three firefighters. Wooden fences at two separate properties were also damaged.

Troopers later received a report from a homeowner in Dalton that the stolen rescue vehicle had crashed on their property. The caller also reported that the suspect was attempting to take items from the porch of the home. Troopers arrived moments later and located Roman on the porch. He was uncooperative with Troopers but was ultimately taken into custody.

Roman was arrested on multiple charges, including three counts of reckless conduct with a deadly weapon, obstructing government administration, felony theft by unauthorized taking, four counts of conduct after an accident, burglary, and resisting arrest and detention. Roman was transported to the Coös County jail. He is scheduled to be arraigned on Wednesday, August 26, 2026, in Lancaster District Court.

 Anyone with information that may assist the ongoing investigation is asked to contact Trooper Allan Esty at (603) 846-3333 or via email at Allan.H.Esty@dos.nh.gov.

Mesozoic Tiki Bar and Lounge co-owners Josh Migliori and Aaron Shelton hope to resurrect the extinct late-night nightlife in downtown Nashua — much like a certain businessman did with the Jurassic era in a famously campy movie which shall remain nameless.

Migliori and Shelton have completely revamped the interior of 97 Main Street, redesigning it in a lush and sultry style that combines the jungle, tiki culture, and the occasional dinosaur motif, which all manages to still look classy and inviting. If you had ever been to that former brewery site in either of its last two business iterations, you will be truly stunned at how different it looks inside. They did a lot of work creating a completely new and unique environment. 

From the Jungle Room area that seats a dozen — next to a brand-new stage for live entertainment (which will start mid-September) —to the front window area lounge seating, two bar-seating areas and the dining tables, there’s plenty of room to invite friends to meet and enjoy food and drinks. 

One person in our party has been a huge fan of tiki culture and the mixology that goes along with it; he’s had to drive to Wusong in Cambridge, Mass., to enjoy that experience before now. He’s absolutely thrilled that he no longer must go that far anymore, and went on to assert that Mesozoic is one of, if not the best, tiki bars in Southern New Hampshire.

Migliori has brought his Za Dude Pizza prowess to Nashua before, and I’ve been a fan of his wood-fire craft pizzas since that time. He has brought a whole new crop of them to this new business endeavor, and I could not be more thrilled. I’m glad we had four people with us so that we could order a variety of them, being incapable of deciding on simply one on our first outing.

Real-time article edit: I am laughing at how we really thought there would be leftover pizza. There was not.

These are not your ordinary classic pizzas; we have plenty of great places in town to enjoy those, and we’ll forever be fans. These are elevated flavor combinations and unique ingredients, for those seeking a more exciting and unique pizza experience. 

We ordered four pizzas: Tripping in the Jungle ($17), Scallion Pancake ($15), Filmed in Hawaii ($18) and Nublar’s Inferno ($18). I’ve listed them in order of my personal ranking, but I would eat any of them again. I was excited for the first one because it features Dunks Mushrooms; I will order any dish in any restaurant that features these local, stellar mushrooms. The Scallion Pancake pizza was the clear hit in our quartet of diners. Unique and delicious, it will absolutely be popular for them. They all were delicious in their own right, made especially so because of the thin and perfectly cooked crust and flavorful dough. These are not crusts that will be left on the plate.

We also ordered Mala chicken-topped fries ($15), and both types of bao buns offered ($7 or $8 each). My friend loved the fries, and our resident bao expert complimented the fluffy consistency of them. I liked the flavor of the Szechuan orange glaze in the Orange Chicken one.

No article on Mesozoic would be complete without discussing the diverse offerings for alcohol drinkers. Co-owner Shelton is the mastermind behind the mixology, and he has come up with some really amazing tiki drinks. I don’t envy the bartender having to make cocktails with so many ingredients, but the end result to the consumer is well worth the time it takes to make them. 

My best friend had the Five Deaths ($17) and said it was the best drink she’s ever had. It features five rums (limit two per person!), but what really makes it so delicious is that touch of cinnamon at the end. Even I, not a rum drinker at all, went back for multiple sips of her drink. 

I chose the Trapped in Amber ($16), which featured lavender gin and cherry heering, which were right up my alley. 

Our companions snagged the Saurian Bastard (a wink to the classic tiki drink Suffering Bastard that some of us remember from decades ago), and the Passionate Painkiller ($15 each). Both received high marks.

Bestie and I shared a LaBrea Martini ($15) — vodka, chocolate and espresso liqueur, Bailey’s — for “dessert.”

We attended Mesozoic’s soft opening weekend and of course, they’re still getting their footing. Pizzas cook really fast in a wood fire oven, so we were pleased with the time on getting our food. The drinks took a little longer naturally, but I’m sure that will all get ironed out as they progress. Our friendly server Erin checked on us often, which was appreciated.

Migliori told us he hopes to eventually have extended hours out to 1 AM, “to bring late-night nightlife back to downtown Nashua.” I think this will definitely be a great addition, especially with the live entertainment they have planned, which is already booked out for the rest of the year. Like and Follow their Facebook page for the daily hours and the schedule of entertainment.

To paraphrase Jeff Goldbloom‘s character in a certain above-mentioned movie: Tiki, uh… finds a way.

IF YOU GO:

Mesozoic Tiki Bar and Lounge

97 Main Street

On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1B9Q9wJ1zi/?mibextid=wwXIfr

Kathleen Palmer is an award-winning journalist. You may remember her as the former editor of the Encore section of the Nashua Telegraph. Sharing what she loves about Nashua is her passion

 LONDONDERRY, N.H. — It's a case of opportunity knocking. Or actually, opportunity landing.

The Aviation Museum of N.H. has launched a search for the next school to host its innovative high school student plane-building program.

Begun in 2019 in partnership with the Manchester (N.H.) School of Technology, the program gives young people the opportunity to build a real flyable airplane.

Working alongside volunteer mentors, students assemble a two-seat all-metal aircraft as part of a credit-earning course. The completed airplane is then sold on the open market, with proceeds used to pay for the school's next aircraft build.

Following the success of the program in Manchester, the non-profit Aviation Museum established similar programs at Lebanon (N.H.) High School in 2024 and Farmington (N.H.) High School in 2025. Under the program, about 50 students are currently building aircraft as part of their high school classwork.

The museum is now seeking a fourth district ready to add "Airplane Building" to its course line-up for the 2027-28 school year.

The plane-build program is open to any educational institution enrolling students of high school age, including public, private, charter, and parochial schools.

"We're looking for a school ready to embrace this innovative partnership, with its potential to change students' lives," said Jeff Rapsis, executive director of the Aviation Museum of N.H.

The plane-building program is open to schools located anywhere in New Hampshire, or in Massachusetts in Essex or Middlesex counties.

The program is offered at no direct cost to local taxpayers. The Aviation Museum of N.H. will commit to raising start-up funds of $320,000 needed to launch the plane-building program, after which it will be self-funding.

 The Aviation Museum will also supply a team of trained adult mentors with backgrounds in the aviation or aerospace industries to work alongside the students.

"Our volunteers often bring decades of experience to the workshop. They form a crucial part of the plane-building program," Rapsis said.

Interested districts are asked to submit a proposal to be considered. A copy of the Request for Proposals may be downloaded online at www.aviationmuseumofnh.org. Proposals are due by Thursday, Oct. 1, 2026.

The Aviation Museum, a non-profit 501(c)3 tax-exempt organization based in the 1937 Art Deco passenger terminal at Manchester-Boston Regional Airport, is dedicated to preserving the Granite State's rich aviation past, and also inspiring today's students to become the aviation pioneers of tomorrow.

For more information, visit www.aviationmuseumofnh.org or call (603) 669-4820. Follow the Aviation Museum on social media at www.facebook.com/nhahs.

 Monday, August 24, 2026

BOE Public Hearing - Policies EEAA and ECAF Meets at 5:30 PM NHS North Board Room (8 Titan Way)

BOE Meeting Meets at 6:00 PM NHS North Board Room (8 Titan Way)

Historic District Commission Meets at 6:00 PM Room 208 (City Hall,2nd Floor, 229 Main Street)

Special Board of Aldermen - Public Hearing (R-26-053) Meets at 7:00 PM in Aldermanic Chambers (City Hall,2nd Floor, 229 Main Street)

Budget Review Committee Meets at 7:15 PM (or immediately after the Special Board of Aldermen meeting) in Aldermanic Chambers (City Hall,2nd Floor, 229 Main Street)

 Tuesday, August 25, 2026

Special Board of Aldermen - Resource Center Meets at 7:00 PM in Aldermanic Chambers (City Hall,2nd Floor, 229 Main Street)

Zoning Board of Adjustment Meets at 6:00 PM in Auditorium (City Hall,3rd Floor, 229 Main Street)

Wednesday, August 26, 2026

Cultural Connections Committee Meets at 12:00 PM City Hall (229 Main Street)

Edgewood/Suburban Cemetery Trustees Meets at 3:00 PM Cemetery Office (107 Amherst St.)

Electric Aggregation Committee Meeting Meets at 5:30 PM Room 208 (City Hall,2nd Floor, 229 Main Street)

 Thursday, August 27, 2026

Board of Public Works Meeting Meets at 4:00 PM DPW Administration Building, Mine Falls Conference Room (848 W. Hollis St.)

Joint Committee on Infrastructure & Board of Public Works Meets at 5:30 PM DPW Administration Building

If you'd like to review the agendas, minutes, or check for any last-minute schedule changes, let me know if you want details for a specific board, or visit the Nashua Public Hearings Directory and City of Nashua Agendas Portal to see the full list of postings.

Board of Education meetings schedule can be found here.  

Official Live Streams (Web Browsers)

You can watch gavel-to-gavel live streams of city operations directly through the CTV Live Streams Portal on the City of Nashua Website:

• Board of Aldermen & Infrastructure Committees: Watch on the Government TV 16 Live Stream.
• School Board & Education Committees: Watch on the Nashua ETV Live Stream.

YouTube Channels (Live & Archived Recordings)

If you miss a live broadcast, the city categorizes and uploads meeting archives onto dedicated YouTube channels:

• Board of Aldermen & City Subcommittees: Available on the Nashua BOA Meetings YouTube Channel.
• Board of Education & School Committees: Available on the Nashua BOE Meetings YouTube Channel.
• General Educational & Community Programming: Available on the Nashua ETV YouTube Channel and Nashua Public Television Channel 6.

Nashua Fire Dispatch received the initial report of a garage fire just before 4:00 a.m. Upon arrival, first responders encountered heavy flames rapidly advancing from a garage area underneath the home and climbing up the front exterior wall.

Firefighting operations encountered immediate hurdles outside the structure. Dense tree growth on both sides of the property, combined with  utility lines in the front, severely restricted access for emergency apparatus. Once inside, crews faced additional challenges due to heavy hoarding conditions throughout the residence, which obstructed movement and visibility.

To combat the growing flames, firefighters positioned a ladder truck to access the roof, cutting strategically placed ventilation holes to relieve heat and trap the fire's spread.

• Evacuation & Control: NFR Deputy Kevin Kerrigan confirmed that all occupants managed to escape the dwelling safely. Deputy Kerrigan reported the heavy body of fire was knocked down by 4:30 a.m.
• Overhaul: Crews utilized power saws to open exterior wall access holes, spending an extended period extinguishing hidden hot spots. The incident was officially brought under control at 5:45 a.m.
• Support: American Medical Response (AMR) personnel provided standby support on scene, though no injuries to residents or firefighters were reported. Multiple mutual aid departments covered Nashua fire stations during the event.

Online municipal records indicate the same address previously suffered a structural fire in 2009, with subsequent building permits filed for structural modifications.

Investigators from the Nashua Fire Marshal's Office remain on the scene to determine the exact origin and cause of the blaze.

This week I’ve been harvesting and processing! It’s always a fun time of year–to see the work in the garden pay off with tasty crops that will hopefully last through at least part of the winter. I’ve been picking some lovely tomatoes (we haven’t had any critter thievery since we put up the temporary fencing), okra, and tomatillos. The tomatoes are getting ready to be processed; we’ll be getting them ready to can and save for the season. The okra is getting chopped and frozen, and I managed to pick enough tomas for a batch of salsa verde! I prefer roasting all my salsa veg under the broiler, rather than a boiled salsa. The flavors really come out and the salsa has a thicker texture. I am kicking myself for not getting my Fall garlic, Lhasa peppers (a lovely Thai pepper that has become a favorite), and cilantro into the garden this year! Am I plotting for next year already? Yes. All’s well that ends well, though. I went to one of my favorite farms, Kimball’s Fruit Farm in Pepperell, MA, and grabbed bunches of beautiful cilantro, garlic, some jalapeños–and I treated myself to some potatoes, peaches, and zucchini! All grown right on the farm. Life is good with such great farms around.

Before we can get too at ease in the late season, some things to consider and be on the lookout for. With the wet, humid weather there has been lots of powdery mildew evident on plants, but this isn’t something to overly worry about. I would recommend keeping an eye out for slug and snail damage. They thrive in moist weather and can do quite a lot of damage to your veggie garden, among other things. These buggers (actually they’re molluscs!) feed at night, so if you’re motivated, you can scout for them in the evening with a flashlight. They can skeletonize a plant if left unchecked. If you find slug or snail damage, I find that a baited iron phosphate (like Sluggo or Sluggo Plus) works well–plus it’s organic! Pro tip: don’t apply this pesticide at the base of the plant, or it will attract slugs right to the plant itself. Instead, give it a little space, and apply a perimeter around the plant.

I also recommend pulling any common, unwanted weeds that you can out of the garden. It’s a great time to get ahead of weeds like crabgrass or spotted spurge because they have not yet flowered and gone to seed. That is how infestations can grow and spread every year! Especially as we get closer to putting gardens to bed, weeding and then applying a natural weed control (I’ve been using Espoma Organic Weed Preventer–it’s all corn gluten, and gives you about 8 weeks of prevention). If you’re feeling really motivated to suppress those weeds in your perennial beds, you can also put a good layer of mulch after applying your weed control.

On the lawn front, get your lawn de-thatched, and apply a nice fertilizer! It’s the most important fertilizer application of the year because it is the beginning of your grass’ growth cycle. Also, it’s the absolutely perfect time to seed your lawn if you need to patch, overseed, or start a whole new lawn (if you need more advice see Nashua Farmers’ website or come by the store). It’s a great time to seed white clover too! I overseed my lawn with clover–I love it and my bees love it. An important reminder while you work in the yard: be aware of your stinging insects! It’s the time of year when they switch from a more protein-based diet, to a sugar/carbohydrate-based diet. That means they’re gonna love your picnics, and can get aggravated easily.

A note on prepping for the coming autumn: get your houseplants ready to come back inside for the cold seasons. It’s a great time of year to repot plants, whether they have outgrown their pot or just need a little zhuzhing up. One last recommendation: it’s a great time of year for transplanting, especially your more woody plants. The sun is lower in the sky and it’s less hot, making for an easier transition. I use a good soil amendment while I transplant, and give it a very generous, slow watering to ease root systems into their new homes. 

Until next week, enjoy your late blooming plants! I’m in love with all the Joe Pye Weed and coneflowers showing off. Various types of golden rod are starting to bloom (though not my Seaside Golden Rod, I’ll be patient)--according to farming legend, blooming golden rod means there’s only 6 more weeks until our first frost!

Kate Ratta is the manager of the local feed store Nashua Farmers' Exchange, Inc. She has more than 10 years of experience working in the business owned by her aunt and uncle, Judy Ratta-Harrington and Gene Harrington, and will be contributing weekly garden reports. The store is located at 38½ Bridge Street in Nashua in the converted Boston & Maine and Concord Railroad station.

Summer is winding down and autumn is just around the corner.  With New Englanders taking their last opportunities to get away, events are fewer. So it seemed like the perfect time to talk about some invigorating changes downtown.

Fresh Boutique on Main Street is closing as owner Cheryl embarks on a well-deserved retirement and we wish her well. We were excited to learn that another boutique is already slated to take its place and more details will be coming soon.

Mesozoic Tiki Bar and Lounge just celebrated a soft opening this week and we can’t wait to see all they will be offering in the coming months. It’s a really cool space with great atmosphere so make a point to stop in.

Campo Enoteca is also positioned to open soon, taking over the space previously occupied by San Francisco Kitchen, bringing new flavors and variety to the Downtown foodscape. 

Nonetheless, we see the scuttlebutt online when these changes happen—numerous Facebook comments about “another empty storefront” which, at this point, we want to address. As always, businesses close for a multitude of reasons and new ones open. If one were to walk down Main Street, they would see perhaps one empty street-level storefront. From where we are standing, things look pretty good. We are excited to see many of our newer retail spaces and restaurants thriving. These include Bound Together, Local Street Eats, Pun Thai Kitchen, T&T Way, and others who are breathing new life into the Downtown area. We look forward to seeing what the future brings. And if you would like to see it grow, be sure to come down and patronize these businesses.

Stay positive and I’ll see ya Downtown!
Elaina Bedio, Downtown Nashua Association 

Thursday 8/20
5:00PM: Pokémon League Night at Grave Troll Games
5:00PM: Buck-a-Shuck Oysters at The Pearl
5:30PM: Joe Winslow at Union Public House
7:00PM: Buzztime Trivia at Odd Fellows Brewing Co
7:30PM: Open Mic Night at Casey Magee's Irish Pub
7:30PM: Trivia Night at Liquid Therapy

Friday 8/21
12:30PM: Fryday: Fried specials all day at Soel Sistas Café
3:00PM: Free Drop-in Painting class at ArtHub Downtown Gallery
6:30PM: Quartet Showcase at Nashua Senior Activity Center
7:30PM: Dave Z at Union Public House
9:30PM: Karaoke Dance Party at Casey Magee's Irish Pub

Saturday 8/22
7:30PM: ALXIA at Union Public House
7:30PM: Ruby Shabazz & the Evolutionists at Renaissance Park
8:00PM: Sugarbush at Casey Magee's Irish Pub
9:30PM: Category 5 at The Peddler's Daughter

Sunday 8/23
10:00AM: Nashua Farmers Market
3:00PM: Dan Morgan at Stella Blu (patio)
6:00PM: Sunday Evening Karaoke at The Spot

Monday 8/24
8:00PM: Tipsy Bingo at The Peddler's Daughter

Tuesday 8/25
2:00PM: Cybersecurity/Avoid Scams Workshop at YMCA Greater Nashua
7:00PM: Trivia at The Peddler's Daughter
8:00PM: Music Bingo at Fody's Tavern
8:00PM: Tacos & Tequila Tuesday at Stella Blu

Wednesday 8/26
5:30PM: John Chouinard at Union Public House
7:00PM: Free Movie Night at The Spot
8:00PM: Trivia at Fody's Tavern

Announced in December 2025, Rivier’s Degree in 3 initiative allow students to earn an applied bachelor’s degree over six fall and spring semesters with majors in Artificial Intelligence, Business Management, Criminal Justice, and Elementary Education.

This innovative option complements Rivier’s traditional four-year programs, giving students greater flexibility to choose the path that best fits their goals.

Unlike many accelerated or online three-year programs, Rivier’s three-year degree programs are entirely on campus and do not require summer enrollment. Students complete a full-time course load during the traditional academic year, graduating one year earlier than students in a four-year program.

A hallmark of Degree in 3 is its emphasis on experiential learning. Every student completes a guaranteed internship, gaining meaningful workplace experience before graduation. Elementary Education majors benefit from a collaboration with the Nashua (N.H.) School District, working in a Nashua-area elementary school as they prepare for New Hampshire site-based licensure.

Degree in 3 students qualify for Rivier’s Employment Promise Program, and those interested in graduate study can pursue a 3+1 pathway to earn a master’s degree with just one additional year of study.

“Rivier has always responded to the changing needs of students while remaining grounded in our mission,” says Sister Paula Marie Buley, IHM, President. “These programs create a new pathway to a bachelor’s degree while preserving the transformative education and sense of community that define Rivier.”

Degree in 3 students are fully integrated into undergraduate life at Rivier, with access to campus housing, NCAA Division III athletics, clubs and organizations, leadership opportunities, campus events, and academic and student support services. They learn alongside their peers, build relationships with faculty and classmates, and take part in the same campus traditions and experiences as students in four-year programs.

By graduating a year earlier, students can save a full year of tuition, room, board, and related expenses while also having the opportunity to enter the workforce and begin earning income sooner.

“Students and families are paying close attention to cost and career outcomes,” says Ricky Mott, Vice President for Enrollment Management. “Rivier’s three-year degree programs lower the overall cost of a bachelor’s degree while giving students the extensive career preparation and campus experience they expect from Rivier.”Rivier’s three-year applied bachelor’s degrees are approved by the New England Commission of Higher Education and the New Hampshire Higher Education Commission. Learn more at rivier.edu/degreein3.

Each backpack contained an assortment of supplies valued at about $50 according to the organization.

“The cost of going back to school is especially hard this year,” said one mother picking up backpacks with her three children. “Sneakers can be 100 bucks, so getting these school supplies really helps, and it’s nice for the kids to have something new and all their own.”

This is the 31st year of the NSKS Backpacks for Back to School. Ledge Street Elementary School served as the operation’s base for three weeks before distribution day, as volunteer teams worked multiple shifts to fill bags and prepare for the event.

About 900 backpacks were distributed directly to schools and other agencies. The remaining backpacks were picked up in person at the school gymnasium.

Families lined up early, and a steady stream of students moved through the gymnasium throughout the morning. Volunteers and staff escorted each child past rows of backpacks stacked on tables so they could make their selection.

Some students quickly chose a favorite color or design. Others took their time, methodically examining the options to find the right backpack. Volunteers gave students the time and space to make that important decision for themselves.

High housing costs, inflation and tighter federal benefit requirements have strained many families, and demand for NSKS services is rising. Nashua’s public schools enroll about 9,600 students, meaning the nearly 2,000 backpacks distributed represent more than 20% of the district’s student population.

A recent Feeding America report found that child food insecurity in New Hampshire increased by more than 6%in one year. The report estimated that 16.3% of children in Hillsborough County experienced food insecurity.

“It is hard to keep up, and every bit of help matters,” one mother said as she left the school. “These backpacks are a nice break for my family.”

 Joining their Board for the 2027 fiscal year is Jaime Abrams, Eric Kirchberger, and Donna Kraus. The Agency asked for insight on what drives them to make a difference in our community: 
 

Jaime Abrams  

Jaime lives in Merrimack, New Hampshire with her family and currently serves as the Supervisor of Substation Operations within the Civil Construction Division within Eversource. In this role, she oversees critical infrastructure work that supports safe and reliable energy delivery across the region. Prior to her career in utility operations, she proudly served as a police officer with the City of Nashua, where she developed a strong foundation in leadership, public service, and community engagement. Outside of work, she is deeply committed to giving back to the community. She coaches several different youth sports teams and volunteers with Special Olympics, supporting athletes and helping create positive, inclusive experiences for local families.  

 Eric Kirchberger   

Eric has recently joined The Event Center at the Courtyard by Marriott Nashua as Director of Sales. Eric is returning to the hotel as he previously was the Sales Director from 2004-2010. A career professional in hospitality sales, he has worked mostly with Marriott and Starwood hotels and is excited to return to the Nashua hospitality market. Eric grew up in NJ but spent summers in NH since childhood and moved to the Granite State in 2000. Eric lived in Nashua until 2020 and now resides with his family in Milford, NH. His wife, Ardith, is the owner of Speak Easy Speech Therapy in Amherst. They have two children, one who is in college and one who attends Milford area schools. Eric is excited about the opportunity join the board of Directors at the Front Door Agency. “The wonderful work that the Front Door Agency does and its mission to help put people in a position to succeed is something that I would be honored to take part in.”  

 Donna Kraus 

Donna first became acquainted with the Front Door Agency more than 20 years ago through her late husband Ron’s membership on the Board of Directors. Since his passing in 2012, she has been the sole owner and President of Bausch Articulating Papers, Inc., a North American dental products distribution company that they co-founded in 1998. Donna has most recently served on the Board of Directors for the Nashua Community Music School and also on the Board of the Nashua Symphony Association. She is currently a member of the Nashua Choral Society and Crossway Christian Church. The proud mother of twins, Donna now resides in Hollis with her husband, Howard Bonenberger. 

 About the Front Door Agency  

The Front Door Agency, Inc. is a 501(c) (3) tax-exempt organization that invests in New Hampshire individuals and families as they transition from crisis to self-sufficiency by providing a hands-up opportunity to those at risk of homelessness. Through our four core programs, we invest in those who need assistance with basic needs by providing direction and educational opportunities as they transition from crisis to sustainable independence. To learn more, visit www.frontdooragency.org.  

NASHUA, N.H. — St. Joseph Hospital has earned American Heart Association recognitions for its commitment to providing high-quality, evidence-based stroke and resuscitation care.

The hospital received the Get With The Guidelines®–Stroke Gold Plus quality achievement award, Target: Stroke Honor Roll Elite recognition, Target: Type 2 Diabetes™ Honor Roll recognition and Get With The Guidelines®–Resuscitation Silver quality achievement award.

Together, the awards recognize St. Joseph Hospital’s commitment to following nationally recognized, research-based guidelines designed to improve patient outcomes.

“These recognitions reflect the dedication of our clinical teams and their commitment to providing the highest quality care when our patients need us most,” said John Jurczyk, President of St. Joseph Hospital. “Get With The Guidelines helps us put proven science into practice every day, whether we are treating someone experiencing a stroke or responding to a cardiac arrest. Ultimately, our goal is to help more patients recover and return home to their families and loved ones.”

St. Joseph Hospital earned Stroke Gold Plus for its commitment to providing timely, appropriate treatment to patients experiencing stroke. The hospital also received Target: Stroke Honor Roll Elite recognition for meeting measures designed to reduce the time between an eligible stroke patient’s arrival and treatment, as well as Target: Type 2 Diabetes Honor Roll recognition for providing evidence-based care to stroke patients with Type 2 diabetes.

The hospital’s Resuscitation Silver award recognizes its achievement in meeting specific quality measures in the treatment of adult patients who experience cardiac arrest while hospitalized. The Get With The Guidelines–Resuscitation program focuses on key elements of care including rapid response to medical emergencies, high-quality cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and post-resuscitation care.

About St. Joseph Hospital

St. Joseph Hospital, a member of Covenant Health, is a 208-bed acute care community hospital located in Nashua, New Hampshire. The main campus features the latest diagnostic and treatment technologies and is supported by a network of primary care providers and specialists focused on delivering personalized medicine. Our hospital is DNV-GL accredited and its extensive services include 24-hour emergency care and a certified stroke program, as well as a Cardiovascular Center, Breast Care Center, Cancer Center and Maternal Child Health Center. To learn more about us, please visit www.stjosephhospital.com.

About Get With The Guidelines

Get With The Guidelines® is the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association’s hospital-based quality improvement program that provides hospital with the latest research-based guidelines. Developed with the goal of saving lives and hastening recovery, Get With The Guidelines has touched the lives of more than 18 mission patients since 2001. For more information, visit heart.org

Artist, creative placemaker, and Tree Streets resident Kori Thomas, known as Artist “Quest Nine” believes the neighborhood's story deserves to be told differently.

After spending years creating murals across New England and internationally, Kori began to see public art as more than a finished painting. She saw it as a way to bring people together, support local businesses, create opportunities for artists, and inspire communities to reconnect with the places they call home. Rather than waiting for someone else to invest in that vision, she decided to invest in it herself.

ArtCity was founded on the belief that artists can play an active role in shaping their communities while creating meaningful opportunities for other creatives. What began as a grassroots mural festival has grown into a community placemaking initiative that brings together artists, residents, local businesses, nonprofit organizations, musicians, and civic leaders to activate public spaces through art and culture.

On Saturday, August 29, that vision comes to life in the Tree Streets.

From 12:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., the Heritage Rail Trail from Elm Street to Ash Street will become a walkable celebration of creativity and community. Throughout the day, more than 20 muralists will paint 15 permanent murals, transforming blank walls into vibrant public art that will remain long after the festival ends. Visitors will experience two live music stages, local musicians, creative vendors, neighborhood businesses, food trucks, free art classes, dance cyphers, a community salsa hour, interactive art experiences, and an indoor gallery exhibition at 809 Lounge, all designed to showcase the incredible talent and culture that already exists within Nashua.

For Kori, the murals are only one piece of the project.

The real goal is to change the way people experience the neighborhoods impacted by a project like this. Public art invites people to slow down. It encourages them to walk instead of driving through, stop inside a neighborhood business, meet an artist, strike up a conversation with a neighbor, and spend time in a place they may have otherwise overlooked.

The festival also creates meaningful opportunities for artists. Established muralists paint alongside emerging creatives, providing paid work, mentorship, professional connections, and visibility. Local businesses benefit from increased foot traffic, vendors reach new audiences, and residents gain permanent works of art that continue to strengthen the identity of the neighborhood for years to come.

This project has been built through determination, collaboration, and even personal investment. As an independent artist, Kori has invested countless hours and significant personal resources into bringing ArtCity to life because she believes every neighborhood, especially hers, deserves access to inspiring public spaces, cultural experiences, and creative investment. That vision has brought together an incredible network of artists, volunteers, businesses, sponsors, community organizations, and the City of Nashua, all working toward a shared goal.

ArtCity is not arriving to redefine the Tree Streets. The neighborhood already has a rich history, remarkable cultural diversity, and people who have been investing in their community long before this event. ArtCity exists to celebrate those strengths, amplify the voices of the people who live and work there, and help create the conditions for the neighborhood to imagine and shape its own future.

For Quest Nine, ArtCity is more than a festival. It is a way to plant seeds of inspiration for her community, she believes that art can help people see themselves, and be seen by others, in a new light.

Incident #1
First Unit on Scene: E6
Incident Location: 11 Ledgewood Hills Drive
Number of NFR Engines in response: 2
Number of NFR Ladder trucks in response: 1
Other NFR apparatus in response: C4, EMS 1, K2, K4
Number of NFR personnel in response: 16
AMR Units: ALS 11

General Incident Description:

At approximately 3:56 pm on August 17, 2026, the Nashua Fire Rescue dispatch center received a call reporting an appliance fire at the listed address. The caller reported a clothes dryer with black smoke coming from the unit.

Engine 6 was the first engine on scene, with no obvious conditions showing from a middle-unit three-story townhouse. The Engine officer established command. Engine 6 crew stretched a 1 ¾” hose line to the front door. and upon entering, the company was met with a heavy smoke condition. As the crew got to the second-floor with the hose line, visibility was zero and a significant heat condition was present. Utilizing the Thermal Imaging Camera, the officer of Engine 6 was able to locate the fire and direct its extinguishment. Engine 2 arrived and immediately provided water supply to Engine 6. The crew also stretched a backup line to the front door in preparation for additional extinguishment needs. L2 positioned in front of the building and laddered the roof with the aerial device for the possibility of vertical ventilation. The crew also positioned ground ladders in the front and rear of the building. L2 conducted searches on the second and first floor.

The fire was quickly brought under control and salvage operations were conducted to protect as many contents as possible. One occupant was home at the time of the fire, and safely evacuated.

The fire is currently under investigation by the Nashua Fire Marshal’s office.

Mutual Aid to Scene: No
Mutual Aid Coverage/Stations: No
Smoke Detectors Present? Yes
Smoke Detectors Working? Yes
Sprinkler System Present? No
Sprinkler System Function? No
Injuries: None

PSA: Make sure to clean and maintain appliances according to manufacturer’s recommendations.

Incident #2
First Unit on Scene: L3
Incident Location: 11 Newcastle Drive
Number of NFR Engines in response: 4
Number of NFR Ladder trucks in response: 2
Other NFR apparatus in response: C4, EMS 1, K2, K4, R2
Number of NFR personnel in response: 29
AMR Units: ALS 10

General Incident Description:

At approximately 5:47 pm on August 17, 2026, the Nashua Fire Rescue dispatch center received a call reporting smoke from the building at 11 Newcastle Drive.

Ladder 3 was the first truck on scene, in the rear, with light smoke showing from the roof vents and soffits of a 3-story garden style apartment building. Command was established by Ladder 3. Engine 3 stretched a 1 ¾” hose line to the front door of the building awaiting the location of the fire. E2 Provided water supply to Engine 3 from a nearby hydrant. L2 positioned in the front of the building as coordinated with command. E4 positioned itself to supply water to the rear of the building if necessary. E1 arrived as the RIT company.

All crews were working to locate the fire as access to apartments was a challenge. Ladder 3 located the fire apartment and directed the hose lines to the third floor. The fire was located in the ceiling of a third-floor apartment. The fire was knocked down and crews worked to ensure there was no further extension. There was a significant smoke condition and subsequent water damage to the fire apartment, as well as, the apartments below.

The fire was brought under control and companies again worked to protect the contents of the apartments effected by the water damage.

Several occupants were in the building at the time of the fire and all safely evacuated. Four apartments were damaged as a result of the fire and several occupants were forced to find another place to stay.

The fire is currently under investigation by the Nashua Fire Marshal’s office.

Mutual Aid to Scene: No
Mutual Aid Coverage/Stations: No
Smoke Detectors Present? Yes
Smoke Detectors Working? Yes
Sprinkler System Present? No
Sprinkler System Function? No
Injuries: None

PSA: When alarms sound in the building, it is important to leave the premises as soon as possible.

Governor Ayotte signed several bipartisan laws to protect victims of domestic and sexual violence, combat crimes like human trafficking, and ensure timely restitution payments to victims, including:

• HB 1469: Requires certain massage establishments to be licensed and subject to state oversight, giving regulators and law enforcement another tool to identify illegal activity, including human trafficking.
• HB 1576: Strengthens the process for collecting court-ordered restitution and requires victims to be notified about changes or interruptions in their payments.
• HB 1651: Gives survivors of sexual assault a new civil protection option through a sexual assault protective order, while strengthening their rights to information about and preservation of their sexual assault evidence kits.

“Every survivor deserves to know that New Hampshire stands with them and that our laws are there to protect them when they need help most,” said Governor Ayotte. “These new laws build on the progress we made last year by closing gaps in protections for survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault, strengthening support for crime victims, and helping to prevent and stop human trafficking. I’m grateful to the survivors, victim advocates, law enforcement, and legislators from both sides of the aisle who have worked tirelessly to strengthen our laws and make New Hampshire even safer.”

“Every new law addressing domestic and sexual violence is born out of a survivor sharing their story and legislators, advocates, and leaders like Governor Ayotte coming together to find a solution to gaps in our system,” said Rep. Jennifer Rhodes of Winchester. “I want to thank the Governor and everyone involved in this bipartisan effort to strengthen protections for survivors in New Hampshire. To all of the survivors who have yet to come forward, my message is clear: you are seen, you are heard, and you are not alone. Let today be the day that you share your story and know that New Hampshire stands with you.”

“The work that crisis center advocates in New Hampshire do every day to provide life-saving services for victims would not be possible without the dedication of Governor Ayotte and the legislature to address domestic and sexual violence in our state,” said Shauna Foster, Executive Director at New Beginnings – Without Violence and Abuse. “Survivors deserve to feel safe in their communities, and an important part of that is advancing policies that enhance access to justice and improve victims' rights, like the new laws we are celebrating today.”

“New Hampshire has a long tradition of leading the nation in passing strong, meaningful laws that support victims, hold offenders accountable, and strengthen public safety,” said Amanda Grady Sexton, Director of Public Affairs at the New Hampshire Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence. “The legislation signed into law this year will make a meaningful difference in the lives of victims and survivors and help make New Hampshire safer for everyone. We are incredibly grateful to Governor Ayotte for her leadership, her longstanding commitment to victims, and her continued partnership in this important work.”

If you or someone you know needs support, help is available through the statewide helpline at 1-866-644-3574. Calls are confidential, and advocates are available to listen and support. You are not alone

WHO + WHAT: The 73^rd Greeley Park Art Show hosted by the Nashua Area Artists Association, free and open to the public, parking available

WHERE: Greeley Park, 100 Concord St., Nashua, N.H.

WHEN: Aug. 29 + 30, 2025, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. each day

 Wander, browse and soak it all in during this lively two-day long art show where fresh work, creative energy, and plenty of beautiful surprises await you around every turn!

The Nashua Area Artists Association will be holding its 73^rd annual Greeley Park Art Show, a two-day outdoor juried art show, on Aug. 29 and 30, 2025 that will bring the beloved, beautiful and historic Greeley Park in Nashua N.H. to life!

The show is open to artists 18 and older working in two- and three-dimensional media. There will be more than 56 artists on hand, from painters and photographers to woodworkers, showing their work and holding demonstrations, from around the region. New this year are more local live musicians and music students performing on both days.

Art awards will be given in several categories: 3D, acrylic, drawing/illustration, mixed media, oil, pastel, photography, watercolor, digital art, in addition to Best in Show (the winner will have work placed on view at ArtHub, the NAAA gallery, with an artist’s reception) and Viewer's Choice. Prizes - monetary and non-monetary for the adults and the children’s art contest is judged by age with great prizes.

Each year, visitors enjoy seeing their favorite artists they’re familiar with and seeing their new work, while also discovering new artists. The artists and visitors come mostly from New Hampshire and Massachusetts.  Attendance varies depending on the weather, sometimes the event draws thousands of visitors! The GPAS started out first with artists hanging their work outside on a picket fence. Now artists set up their 10'x10' tents, each its own unique “microgallery.”

The art show gives artists a chance to see what everyone is working on, get inspired, and connect with visiting art-lovers. It’s a great chance to meet local working artists and buy real, local, hand-made art.

And the show is a whole lot of fun! Show co-organizer Vicky Tkaczevski said, "An outdoor art fair is a lot of fun, a chance to enjoy the summer weather and see real live artists that still make things by hand.  We have 56 artists signed up to display their work, including painters, woodworkers, photographers, and more. Several musicians will perform. Artists will be doing live demonstrations. This year we have received many donations from area businesses and artists for our ever-popular raffles, the art competition for adults promises to be a great show on Saturday, and we expect many entrants into the kids' competition on Sunday. There will be games and art-related activities for kids. Thanks to the Nashua Arts Commission for their generous grant toward this event."

Art can bring people together and create special experiences and moments. Tkaczevski recalled a wonderful moment from last year’s show. “Surprising things happen at these art shows. You meet the people you made your art for. Last year I exhibited a painting of giraffes on the Serengeti. While I was doing it, I strongly felt like there ought to be the Taj Mahal in the clouds, just subtly, but floating there. So I painted it. A young lady came to my booth and she was drawn right to that painting. ‘Do you like giraffes?’ I asked. ‘I love giraffes’, she said, ‘and my nickname is Taj Mahal.’” Perfect!

In addition to the artists and their works, some of whom will also be working on pieces and demonstrating what they do during the show, there are many other activities planned, including but not limited to: 

- Live music throughout the weekend by local musicians and music students – NEWLY expanded this year

- A marionette show for kids

- Lawn games and activities for kids this year including rock painting, artmaking, story hour, corn hole, giant Jenga, a life size Connect Four game, and more!

- Raffles – an eclectic mix of art, artifacts, and gift certificates from generous area donors

- Artist demonstrations all weekend

- On Saturday, adult art awards will be announced. On Sunday, NAAA will award scholarships to high school students who intend to pursue degrees in art. Student art awards will also be announced on Sunday

The schedule for both days is as follows:

Sat., August 29

10 AM - 1 PM: Cliff Conti, ambient healing music performance

1 PM: Teresa Moler’s marionette show

2 PM: Adult Art competition winners will be announced (judging begins at 12 p.m.)

3 - 4 PM: Electriksoul musical performance

Sun., August 30

11 AM: Matt and Melissa musical performance

12 PM: Students from Let's Play Music school will perform

1 PM: Teresa Moler’s marionette show

2 PM: Raffle winners and artwork winners will be announced

3 PM: Kids' art competition winners and the two scholarship winners will be announced (judging begins at 12)

The Nashua Arts Commission has provided NAAA with a generous grant to fund the show, recognizing how important it is to artists and the community. Many local organizations and businesses, including artists, have very generously sponsored the event and donated many wonderful items for the raffles, prizes and more. A comprehensive list is available upon request.

ABOUT THE NAAA:

Since 1951, the NAAA has been an all-volunteer, non-profit, educational organization whose goal is the advancement of art in Nashua and its surrounding communities. Our membership is comprised of visual artists working in a variety of media as well as patrons of the arts. The NAAA welcomes members and non-members at any level of experience from students to established artists. Our goal to foster the advancement of art is met through our EAST (Emerging Artist Student Talent) shows and scholarship program. The ArtHub Gallery, at 98 Main Street in downtown Nashua, opened in May 2025 in this space and provides exhibit opportunities for local artists and the community benefits from a variety of art classes, demonstrations, workshops and interaction with other artists – many are free to attend and participate. ArtHub is also open to organizations and groups of all kinds who want or need  a place to meet that is inspiring and conveniently located.

The annual Greeley Park Art Show, since 1953, now in its 73^rd year, showcases artists from the NE region and is held in August. NAAA always welcomes new members, volunteers and donations.

For more information:

https://www.nashuaarts.org

NAAA on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NashuaAreaArtistsAssociation

NAAA Artists and Friends: https://www.facebook.com/groups/518248144259824

The new Education Building is the centerpiece of Phase I of Beaver Brook’s Transforming Beaver Brook capital campaign and represents the completion of the largest fundraising effort in the organization’s history. Beaver Brook raised $4.1 million from donors, board members, local businesses, volunteers, and community members to fully fund the project.

The new facility expands Beaver Brook’s ability to offer year-round programming and education in a fully accessible building. It provides the space needed to support the organization’s growing programs and better serve the community for generations to come.

“This is a really significant moment for Beaver Brook, and it would not have been possible without the incredible support of our community,” said Lindsay Jones, Executive Director of Beaver Brook Association. “For decades, Beaver Brook has invested in protecting land, caring for our trails, and creating meaningful opportunities for people to connect with nature. This is the first major investment we have made in our buildings and facilities, and it represents an important step forward for the organization. We are incredibly grateful to the donors, board members, volunteers, businesses, and community members who believed in this project and helped us reach our $4.1 million goal. This building gives us a place that reflects the quality of the work happening at Beaver Brook and provides the space, accessibility, and infrastructure we need to serve our community for generations to come.”

The grand opening celebration will take place from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, September 1. The celebration will bring together donors, board members, volunteers, project supporters, local community leaders, members of the Souhegan Valley Chamber of Commerce, and others who helped make the project possible.

The evening will begin with light refreshments and an opportunity for guests to gather. Opening remarks and the official ribbon cutting will take place at 5:30 p.m., followed by guided tours of the new Education Building.

Members of the press are invited to attend the grand opening, cover the ribbon-cutting ceremony, tour the new facility, and learn more about the project’s impact and Beaver Brook’s future plans. Media representatives interested in attending or arranging an interview with Beaver Brook leadership are encouraged to contact Debbie Johnson, Director of Development at djoshnson@bbanature.org or 603-465-9521 in advance.

The completion of Phase I represents an important milestone in Beaver Brook’s Transforming Beaver Brook campaign. With the new Education Building now open, Beaver Brook looks forward to building on this investment and continuing its mission of conservation, education, and connecting people with the natural world.

About Beaver Brook Association

Beaver Brook Association is a nonprofit organization dedicated to land conservation, environmental education, and community engagement. By stewarding 2,200 acres of conservation land, 35 miles of trails and offering year-round programs for children and adults, Beaver Brook provides opportunities for people of all ages to explore, learn, and engage with the natural world. For more information, visit our website at beaverbrook.org.

Monday, August 17, 2026

Human Affairs Committee Meets at 7:00 PM EDT in Aldermanic Chambers (City Hall,2nd Floor, 229 Main Street)

BOE Finance & Operations Committee Meets at 6:00 PM EDT NHS North Board Room (8 Titan Way)

 Tuesday, August 18, 2026 

Mayor's Opioid Taskforce Meets at 9:30 AM EDT in Auditorium (City Hall,3rd Floor, 229 Main Street)

Planning and Economic Development Committee Meets at 7:00 PM EDT in Aldermanic Chambers (City Hall,2nd Floor, 229 Main Street)

BOE Policy Committee Meets at 6:00 PM EDT NHS North Board Room (8 Titan Way)

 Wednesday, August 19, 2026

Finance Committee Meets at 7:00 PM EDT in Aldermanic Chambers (City Hall,2nd Floor, 229 Main Street)

 Thursday, August 20, 2026

Board of Assessors Meeting Meets at 9:00 AM EDT in Auditorium (City Hall,3rd Floor, 229 Main Street)

Ambulance Advisory Committee Meeting Meets at 3:00 PM EDT Nashua Fire-Rescue, (177 Lake Street)

Environment and Energy Committee Meets at 6:00 PM EDT Room 208 (City Hall,2nd Floor, 229 Main Street)

 Friday, August 21, 2026

Nashua Housing and Redevelopment Authority Meets at 8:30 AM EDT at 40 East Pearl Street

If you'd like to review the agendas, minutes, or check for any last-minute schedule changes, let me know if you want details for a specific board, or visit the Nashua Public Hearings Directory and City of Nashua Agendas Portal to see the full list of postings.

Board of Education meetings schedule can be found here.  

Official Live Streams (Web Browsers)

You can watch gavel-to-gavel live streams of city operations directly through the CTV Live Streams Portal on the City of Nashua Website:

• Board of Aldermen & Infrastructure Committees: Watch on the Government TV 16 Live Stream.
• School Board & Education Committees: Watch on the Nashua ETV Live Stream.

YouTube Channels (Live & Archived Recordings)

If you miss a live broadcast, the city categorizes and uploads meeting archives onto dedicated YouTube channels:

• Board of Aldermen & City Subcommittees: Available on the Nashua BOA Meetings YouTube Channel.
• Board of Education & School Committees: Available on the Nashua BOE Meetings YouTube Channel.
• General Educational & Community Programming: Available on the Nashua ETV YouTube Channel and Nashua Public Television Channel 6.

There are only a few shows left in our Summer Music @ the Riverwalk series, with Sunset Electric as our last show on the 29th. This Saturday, we hope you can make it out to see Sonic Avionics at 7:30pm at Renaissance Park. These free summer evening concerts are the result of a collaboration between Downtown Nashua Association and the Nashua Arts Commission. Sonic Avionics is a funk/soul/groove band bringing smooth mellow sounds perfect for a warm summer evening on the river.

We’ll have fantastic vendors for you to shop at the Nashua Farmers Market on Sunday from 10am to 1pm, also at Renaissance Park. Here too you’ll be treated to live music from Rockin’ Ed Thomas and Moosi Music. 

Take a look below at some of the other fun things going on this week!

Stay groovy and I’ll see ya Downtown!
Elaina Bedio, Downtown Nashua Association 

𝐓𝐡𝐮𝐫𝐬𝐝𝐚𝐲 𝟖/𝟏𝟑

5:00PM: Pokémon League Night at Grave Troll Games

5:00PM: Buck-a-Shuck Oysters at The Pearl at Stella Blu

5:30PM: Caylin Costella at Union Public House

7:00PM: Buzztime Trivia at Odd Fellows Brewing Co

7:30PM: Open Mic Night at Casey Magee's Irish Pub

7:30PM: Trivia Night at Liquid Therapy

𝐅𝐫𝐢𝐝𝐚𝐲 𝟖/𝟏𝟒

12:30PM: Fryday: Fried specials all day at Soel Sistas Cafe-Catering & Food Truck

3:00PM: Free Drop-in Painting class at ArtHub - Downtown Gallery, Nashua Area Artists Association

7:30PM: Chris Cavanaugh at Union Public House

9:30PM: Karoake Dance Party at Casey Magee's Irish Pub

𝐒𝐚𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐝𝐚𝐲 𝟖/𝟏𝟓

7:30PM: Jamie Hughes at Union Public House

𝟕:𝟑𝟎𝐏𝐌: 𝐒𝐨𝐧𝐢𝐜 𝐀𝐯𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐢𝐜𝐬 𝐚𝐭 𝐑𝐞𝐧𝐚𝐢𝐬𝐬𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐤

8:00PM: Jenni Lynn Duo at Casey Magee's Irish Pub

9:30PM: No More Blue Tomorrows at The Peddler's Daughter - Nashua

𝐒𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐲 𝟖/𝟏𝟔

𝟏𝟎:𝟎𝟎𝐀𝐌: 𝐍𝐚𝐬𝐡𝐮𝐚 𝐅𝐚𝐫𝐦𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐤𝐞𝐭

3:00PM: The Incidentals at Stella Blu (patio)

6:00PM: Sunday Evening Karaoke at The Spot

7:00PM: Bo Deans at Nashua Center for the Arts

𝐌𝐨𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐲 𝟖/𝟏𝟕

8:00PM: Tipsy Bingo at The Peddler's Daughter

𝐓𝐮𝐞𝐬𝐝𝐚𝐲 𝟖/𝟏𝟖

7:00PM: Trivia at The Peddler's Daughter

8:00PM: Music Bingo at Nashua Fody's Tavern

8:00PM: Tacos & Tequila Tuesday at Stella Blu

𝐖𝐞𝐝𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐝𝐚𝐲 𝟖/𝟏𝟗

1:30PM: Ice Cream Social + Karaoke at Nashua Senior Activity Center

5:30PM: SJ Martin at Union Public House

7:00PM: Free Movie Night at The Spot

8:00PM: Trivia at Fody's Tavern

I have finally plucked and am in the process of drying my shallots. I’m harvesting okra only a small amount at a time. When this happens, I chop and process them so I can freeze it. Gotta have enough for gumbo! I want my tomatillos to hurry up, but something is starting to nibble on their papery shells–I suspect beetles, but I’m not too worried at this point. Another mystery pest has taken large chomps out of some tomatoes! It’s what I get for not putting up our temporary fencing this year. Physical barriers are really a fantastic tool–and putting them up before any critters realize there’s good eating works amazingly well in my experience (I’m lookin’ at you, groundhogs and deer!).

My blueberries are still coming and are so sweet! I can’t help but eat some straight from the branch. Can you tell Blueberries for Sal was a favorite childhood book? Honestly, what can be better than walking by and plucking a veggie or berry for a drive-by snack?

On my to-do list this week is my dreaded chore: lawn care prep. Good thing I will be fortified with blueberries for this task. As much as we might not want them to be, lawns are a cultivated crop, and they take a lot of work. As my aunt says. “New Hampshire wants to be forest!” In other words, we have to maintain conditions for lawns to be successful. For Nashua, that means:

●       Maintaining a neutral pH through liming. Remember, liming takes a full three years to completely incorporate into your soil. We run very acidic in these parts (hello, granite bed rock), which grass hates. Be sure to do a pH test to determine how much, if any, lime you need to apply.

●       Get on a fertilizer routine. Apply at least in early June and early September as a minimum.

●       Raking. My least favorite chore, but you gotta do it if you plan on seeding your lawn.

●       An inch of water per week, including rainfall.

●       Seed in mid-August through mid-September. Rake the area thoroughly first, then apply a starter fertilizer. Do not bury your seed, it only needs to be gently pressed into the top of your soil. Keep the seed moistened until it germinates; if it dries out, it will die.

Lawns are a lot. I try to limit the amount of lawn we have. I also overseed with white dutch clover (check out what The Big Little Garden has to say about clover lawns). It’s much less persnickety; it doesn’t require so much water or fertilizer, and it fixes its own nitrogen (this keeps the plants very green). Plus, bees adore it ! My last piece of advice for any lawn or turf seed: go light on your application. Less is more when seeding; allow your grass and clover to spread through proper maintenance. Putting extra seed down “to make sure something comes up,” will eventually lead to too much competition, causing your grass to choke itself out. Save yourself the time and money. Looking for more information? Check out Nashua Farmers’ lawn care page, or visit us at the store!

Ugh, enough of lawns! I dream of replacing most of ours with native perennials. Speaking of, we’ve got some beautiful blooms going! My Joe Pye Weed (a native) is pushing out these sweet, pink flourishes. Next year, I hope to get them nice and tall! My meadow rue that I planted in the spring has such cool little blooms coming in! I am so excited to see the full show–meadow rue can reach up to 7’ tall, but mine are only about 4’ tall. Like Joe Pye, I want to see if I can really get them growing. My gladiolas are slowly opening still–some have tarnish on their petals. I wonder if it’s cold water damage from the rain, but they are still quite pretty; though, I might have to plant them elsewhere next year.

Until next week, enjoy your harvests and garden walks! If you have a bumper crop, share with family, friends, neighbors–or even soup kitchens and food pantries. There’s nothing better than sharing the wealth of a garden. My aunt shared a zucchini with me. This baby has chocolate zucchini cake written all over it!

Kate Ratta is the manager of the local feed store Nashua Farmers' Exchange, Inc. She has more than 10 years of experience working in the business owned by her aunt and uncle, Judy Ratta-Harrington and Gene Harrington, and will be contributing weekly garden reports. The store is located at 38½ Bridge Street in Nashua in the converted Boston & Maine and Concord Railroad station.

NASHUA, N.H. — Harbor Care announces the 22nd Annual NH Veteran Stand Down, taking place Friday, September 18, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Eversource Energy Park in Manchester. The free event will bring together more than 50 organizations to connect veterans and military families with services and support. Stand Down attendance also includes a free lunch for veterans.

Harbor Care also invites organizations and businesses across New Hampshire to participate as community partners and sponsors.

Organized by Harbor Care, in partnership with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and Presenting Sponsor Eversource, Stand Down brings veteran-serving organizations, government agencies, community and non-profit groups, and businesses together in one location, making it easier for veterans and their families to find the help they need.

“Stand Down works because so many organizations come together around one goal: making it easier for veterans to find the support they have earned,” said Henry Och, President and CEO of Harbor Care. “We invite organizations across New Hampshire to join us—whether by providing services at the event or helping make those services possible through sponsorship.”

Community partner organizations that provide benefits, resources, or other support to veterans are encouraged to participate. Services include employment assistance, medical and behavioral healthcare, housing support, VA benefits and claims assistance, food and clothing, legal and financial resources, and more.

The free outdoor event welcomes all former service members, veterans, and military families while continuing its longstanding commitment to veterans experiencing homelessness or at risk of homelessness.

Businesses can also support the event through sponsorship. Eversource is serving as this year’s Presenting Sponsor, continuing its support for an event that depends on collaboration across the nonprofit, public, and private sectors. Additional sponsorship opportunities are available at several levels at www.harborcarenh.org/stand-down.

“Military veterans have selflessly sacrificed on behalf of us all and are invaluable members of our communities. They make up a significant part of Eversource’s workforce because the experience, dedication, and skills they bring to the job make our teams stronger—as they do for countless businesses and organizations across the state,” said Bob Coates, Eversource’s President of NH Electric Operations. “We’re thrilled to once again host Harbor Care’s Stand Down and welcome veterans to Energy Park to get the services and support they need—and have earned through their dedicated service—for their journey forward.”

The NH Veteran Stand Down is modeled after the military tradition of a “stand down,” when troops could pause from duty to rest, receive supplies, and connect with essential support before returning to their mission. Today, the event carries that tradition forward by creating a welcoming place where veterans can get answers, meet directly with providers, and connect with fellow service members.

With more than 81,000 veterans calling New Hampshire home, coordinated access to services remains important across the state. The September event will also highlight progress toward ending veteran homelessness in Manchester, an initiative announced by Mayor Jay Ruais at the 2024 NH Veteran Stand Down.

For more information, including details about sponsorships and partnerships, visit www.harborcarenh.org/stand-down or email standdown@harborcarenh.org.

22nd Annual NH Veteran Stand Down

Friday, September 18, 2026
10 a.m.–2 p.m.
Eversource Energy Park
780 N. Commercial Street, Manchester, NH

www.harborcarenh.org/stand-down

Standdown@harborcarenh.org

Harbor Care is dedicated to breaking the cycle of homelessness through housing, healthcare, and veteran services. As an innovative nonprofit organization, Harbor Care assists more than 5,000 adults, children, and families in New Hampshire each year, offering solutions to some of life’s most challenging issues. The organization provides a range of services for individuals and families experiencing or at risk of homelessness, including transitional and permanent housing; medical, dental, and mental healthcare; substance use treatment; HIV/AIDS support services; and veteran services. Learn more at www.harborcarenh.org.

The volunteer team is composed of experienced legislators committed to constructive dialogue and effective governance.  Throughout the Forum's inaugural cycle, Legislative Advisors will provide guidance on the legislative viability of citizen-developed proposals, participate in public events, offer feedback during the Civic Assembly process, and help ensure citizen recommendations are informed by legislative experience and positioned for consideration during the 2027 legislative session.

The inaugural Legislative Advisory Team includes:

• Senator Tim Lang, Senate District 2 (R - Sanbornton)
• Senator Tara Reardon, Senate District 15 (D - Concord)
• Representative Mike Bordes, Belknap County District 5 (R - Laconia)
• Representative Dan Veilleux, Hillsborough District 34 (D - Amherst)
• Representative Kim Rice, Hillsborough District 38 (R - Hudson)
• Representative Alicia Gregg, Hillsborough District 7 (D - Nashua)
• Representative Bill Boyd, Hillsborough District 12 (R - Merrimack)
• Representative Jessica Grill, Hillsborough District 18 (D - Manchester)
• Representative Dave Lundgren, Rockingham District 16 (R - Londonderry)
• Representative Loren Selig, Strafford District 10 (D - Durham)

Legislative Advisors say the Forum offers an opportunity to build on New Hampshire’s tradition of citizen participation while creating a constructive pathway for residents to bring ideas to policymakers.

“New Hampshire’s citizen legislature works because people stay engaged. The New Hampshire Forum gives residents another opportunity to roll up their sleeves, work through difficult issues, and bring forward ideas that lawmakers from both parties can seriously consider. I’m proud to be part of that effort,” said State Senator Tim Lang.

For State Senator Tara Reardon, the Forum’s bipartisan approach also provides an opportunity to bring a broader range of voices into the policymaking process.

“The best public policy starts by listening to the people we serve. The New Hampshire Forum creates a meaningful opportunity for citizens from different backgrounds to come together, learn from one another, and develop thoughtful recommendations,” Reardon said. “I’m honored to serve as a Legislative Advisor and help ensure those ideas have a path forward in the Legislature.”

With the addition of the Legislative Advisory Team, the New Hampshire Forum is taking the next step in its effort to put citizens at the center of the legislative process.  Legislative Advisors help bridge the gap between the priorities Granite Staters identify together and the legislative action needed to move those priorities forward.  They bring experience and insight to help translate bipartisan citizen proposals into meaningful opportunities for action at the State House.

Together with citizens across the state, the Forum is building a new model for civic participation – one grounded in listening, common ground, and the belief that New Hampshire is strongest when its people have a meaningful voice in shaping its future.

Backpacks for Back-to-School: A Program Three Decades in the Making

The book bag program was launched in 1995 by longtime staff member Eileen Brady, making this the 31st year the Soup Kitchen has outfitted local students for the start of the new school year. What began as a modest school-supply drive has grown into one of the organization's largest annual volunteer efforts, rivaled only by its Thanksgiving food distribution in terms of scale.

Gathering supplies, packing backpacks and distribution unfold in stages. Next Monday, the nonprofits and schools that have submitted requests pick up their bags and on Tuesday the general public pickup will be held at the Ledge Street Elementary school.

School supplies are included in each backpack.  There is one selection of items for kindergarten through grade 5 and another for grades 6-12.  The backpacks are good quality in a large variety of colors that are selected for their durability. The intent is to have the bag last the school year.

Multiple companies and group have provided volunteer teams that have been essential to getting the big project done on time.. Weeks typically schedules teams of 10 across three shifts per day, meaning at least 30 volunteers on a given day, over a two-and-a-half-week preparation window. One recent Friday, an unexpected group of about 15 volunteers new to helping NSKS arrived and, in Weeks' words, "made miracles happen," fully sorting and organizing a backlog of donations — including 250 newly arrived backpacks — in a single shift.

Why the Need Is Growing

Asked whether demand has increased, Weeks didn't hesitate: "This year, it's got to be incredibly higher because of the cost of everything. Groceries, your electric bill, gas," she said, noting that school supplies can start to feel like a luxury for stretched family budgets. The pressure is real enough that one area high school called in January asking for additional bags — only to be told none were left, underscoring why the Soup Kitchen urges the community to order and donate early and generously.

Weeks said the organization begins sourcing supplies as early as June, timing bulk backpack orders to back-to-school sales at national retailers ahead of the region's August start date. Businesses that host supply drives, she added, are "the engines behind the project that make it successful," and residents who prefer not to shop can simply donate funds for staff to purchase supplies on their behalf.

The Moment That Makes It Worth It

For all the hard work and complex logistics, Weeks says her favorite part of the program remains simple: watching kids' faces on distribution day. "Their eyes are so big," she said, recalling past years’ memorable moments as children select their own bag.

At 9:03 p.m., Tuesday, August 12, 2026, Marine Patrol Officers received a report of a person who was possibly in the Merrimack River near the Taylor Falls Bridge on the Hudson/Nashua line.

A coordinated search of the river and surrounding area was conducted for several hours. At approximately 11:23 p.m., search personnel located an unresponsive 34-year-old male. The man was recovered from the water and pronounced deceased.

The identity of the man is being withheld pending the ongoing investigation.

The State Police remind anyone struggling with a mental health crisis that help is available. Anyone can call or text the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 9-8-8 for free and confidential support for themselves, a friend, or a loved one.

Marine Patrol Officers were assisted by members of the Hudson and Nashua police and fire departments, the Nashua Fire Rescue Dive Team, and the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner. Anyone with information related to the incident is asked to contact Trooper First Class Christopher Prenaveau at (603) 223-8620 or Christopher.J.Prenaveau@dos.nh.gov.

The APCO International Emergency Communications Center Awards recognize communications professionals from across the United States and beyond who demonstrate exceptional leadership, professionalism and service to the public safety communications profession. According to APCO International, recipients represent the highest levels of professional conduct and outstanding performance in the line of duty.

As a Telecommunications Supervisor at New Hampshire 911, Talbot manages telecommunicators at a high-pressure 911 communications center. Her role encompasses everything from staffing and employee well-being to ensuring compliance with protocols and making policy recommendations.

"This recognition is a testament to Abby's unwavering commitment to both the people she serves and the team she leads," said DESC Director Mark Doyle. "She exemplifies the professionalism, compassion and leadership that define New Hampshire 911. We are incredibly proud to see her recognized on the international stage."

Talbot's selection comes one year after being named the Atlantic Chapter of APCO's 2025 Supervisor of the Year, an honor recognizing outstanding leadership among public safety communications professionals across New England. She has also been recognized by the New Hampshire Emergency Dispatchers Association as Supervisor of the Year and received national recognition for establishing the Department of Safety's first comfort dog program to support the wellness of 911 telecommunicators.

"Abby leads by example every day," said DESC Chief of Operations Deb Bray. "She has earned the respect of her peers through her dedication to excellence, her willingness to support others and her genuine commitment to the well-being of her team. This award reflects the impact she has on our organization and the profession as a whole."

Talbot received the award during APCO's Annual Conference & Expo in San Antonio, Texas.

Manchester, NH – A new report from Feeding America highlights a concerning rise in food insecurity across New Hampshire, particularly among children. According to the 2026 Map the Meal Gap study, child food insecurity increased by 6% year-over-year, climbing from 36,160 children in the 2025 report to 38,430 this year. Because the comprehensive federal surveys required for this study involve a standard two-year data processing lag, the newly published 2026 report reflects the reality families faced in 2024.

The overall food insecurity rate has also grown, with the latest data showing 11.2% of all New Hampshire residents lack consistent access to adequate food, up from 10.7% in the previous report. In response to these rising numbers, the New Hampshire Food Bank, a program of Catholic Charities New Hampshire, is urging Granite Staters to act and help support the local families who do not know where their next meal will come from.

“The Map the Meal Gap report confirms what we see every day: the struggle to put food on the table is a growing reality in every corner of the Granite State,” said Elsy Cipriani, Executive Director of the New Hampshire Food Bank. “What is most heartbreaking is the toll this takes on our children. As the state’s only food bank, we are working tirelessly to distribute fresh, nutritious food through our network of over 400 partner agencies. But we cannot do this alone. We are calling on our community to stand with us so we can reach our ultimate goal of eliminating hunger in New Hampshire.”

The following statistics reflect New Hampshire food insecurity rates by county, according to the 2026 Feeding America report:

• Belknap – 2026: Overall: 10.6%; Child: 15.8%
• Carroll – 2026: Overall: 11.1%; Child: 17.3%
• Cheshire – 2026: Overall: 11.5%; Child: 16.3%
• Coös – 2026: Overall: 15.4%; Child: 22.1%
• Grafton – 2026: Overall: 11.8%; Child: 16.2%
• Hillsborough – 2026: Overall: 11.1%; Child: 16.3%
• Merrimack – 2026: Overall: 11%; Child: 15%
• Rockingham – 2026: Overall: 8.8%; Child: 11.6%
• Strafford – 2026: Overall: 11.7%; Child: 16.6%
• Sullivan – 2026: Overall: 12.3%; Child: 18.3%

The following statistics reflect New Hampshire food insecurity rates by county, according to the 2025 Feeding America report:

• Belknap – 2025: Overall: 11.2%; Child: 16.1%
• Carroll – 2025: Overall: 10.9%; Child: 17.3%
• Cheshire – 2025: Overall: 11.6%; Child: 16.7%
• Coös – 2025: Overall: 14.3%; Child: 21.6%
• Grafton – 2025: Overall: 11.5%; Child: 15.7%
• Hillsborough – 2025: Overall: 10.3%; Child: 14.1%
• Merrimack – 2025: Overall: 10.5%; Child: 13.7%
• Rockingham – 2025: Overall: 8.9%; Child: 10.8%
• Strafford – 2025: Overall: 11.3%; Child: 14.1%
• Sullivan – 2025: Overall: 11.9%; Child: 16.9%

The 2026 Map the Meal report (2024 data) shows that while food insecurity rates remained relatively stable in some counties, in seven out of ten counties the state experienced measurable increases. The most significant increases were seen in Hillsborough, Strafford, Merrimack and Sullivan counties, especially among children. Strafford County's child food insecurity rate increased from 14.3% to 16.6%, while Hillsborough County rose from 14.3% to 16.3%. Merrimack and Sullivan counties also saw notable increases in child food insecurity, reaching 15.0% and 18.3%, respectively.

To address the growing demand for healthy and nutritious options, the Food Bank is significantly expanding its fresh rescue operations, increasing deliveries to remote communities, providing more fresh produce and protein through Mobile Food Pantries, and supporting partner agencies with capacity-building grants.

In 2025, the New Hampshire Food Bank distributed more than 20 million pounds of food to its more than 400 partner agencies statewide. In addition to distributing food to all corners of the state, the New Hampshire Food Bank provides an array of programming designed to address the root causes of hunger, including Culinary Job Training, Mobile Food Pantries, NH Feeding NH, the Nutrition Pantry Program, and SNAP Outreach and Application Assistance, among many others.

Residents looking to support the New Hampshire Food Bank can:

• Donate: for every $1 donated, 93 cents directly supports New Hampshire Food Bank’s programming
• Volunteer: visit nhfoodbank.org to learn more about volunteer opportunities
• Host a Food Drive: host a food drive or consider donating some of the New Hampshire Food Bank’s “Most Needed Items”
• Participate in Local Events: participate in upcoming programming and events happening throughout the state

About the New Hampshire Food Bank

The New Hampshire Food Bank, a program of Catholic Charities New Hampshire, has been working to relieve hunger in the Granite State since 1984. In 2025, as the state’s only food bank, the New Hampshire Food Bank efficiently procured and distributed more than 20 million pounds of food to people experiencing hunger through more than 400 partner agencies. Agencies include food pantries, neighborhood centers, low-income housing sites, senior nutrition centers, family crisis centers, hospices, soup kitchens, emergency shelters, after school programs and day care centers.

In addition to food distribution, the NH Food Bank leads innovative programming that helps fight the root causes of hunger by empowering people to learn new skills, enabling them to become more self-sufficient.

For more information about the New Hampshire Food Bank, please visit https://nhfoodbank.org/. Find us on Facebook and follow us on Instagram, LinkedIn and X.

2 of the suspected opioid ODs in July were suspected opioid OD deaths. 1 death occurred in Nashua and 1 occurred in Manchester.

The fatality percentage was 5% for July, which was significantly lower than the 12-month average of 11%.

The 38 suspected opioid ODs in July were 8% below the rolling 12-month average of 41. Both cities are now forecasting either a drop or no increase for this year vs. last year in both overall suspected opioid overdoses and more importantly opioid-related deaths, 

In Nashua, through July, the data indicates that Nashua is continuing to trend downward on an annual basis for suspected opioid ODs at 9% lower than the previous year.  If that number holds, it will mark 5 straight years of suspected opioid OD incidence decline in Nashua. More importantly, suspected opioid OD related deaths are trending 25% lower on an annual basis in Nashua from the previous year.

In Manchester, through July, the data indicates that Manchester is trending exactly at the same number as last year with no increase.  That’s after falling 47% over the last three years. Suspected opioid OD-related deaths are trending 5% lower on an annual basis in Manchester from the previous year after falling 49% over the last three years.

NASHUA JULY 2026

 Suspected opioid ODs – 10

Suspected fatal opioid ODs – 1

10% of the suspected opioid OD in Nashua were fatal in July.

MANCHESTER JULY 2026

Suspected opioid ODs – 28

Suspected fatal opioid ODs – 1

4% of the suspected opioid ODs in Manchester were fatal in July.

Please keep in mind that due to the nature of the opioid epidemic and its clear history of unpredictability, it is always possible that the trend of lower numbers could quickly change – as evidenced by the increase in Nashua this month. Overall, the trend is continuing in the right direction. With Narcan now widely available it is likely that some opioid overdoses are now occurring without 9-1-1 intervention and are not being reported due to rapid reversal.

In NH, anyone can seek substance use disorder treatment by accessing the NH Doorway program 24/7. To access the NH Doorway program, call 2-1-1 at any time of the day or night, or visit www.thedoorway.nh.gov. If you believe someone is overdosing call 9-1-1 immediately.

To help prevent death, it is critical that those who use illicit drugs do not use them alone and have Narcan readily available. Narcan is available throughout New Hampshire at most pharmacies. It is available free of charge from local public health departments & any NH Doorway location. It is completely safe and easy to administer. Narcan is available ‘over the counter’, meaning it is available without a prescription to anyone seeking it.

LONDONDERRY, N.H.—Looking for fun and family-friendly activities for the final week of summer vacation? Then look no further than the Aviation Museum of New Hampshire at Manchester-Boston Regional Airport!

The museum will open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 24, and Tuesday, Aug. 25 during the final full week of summer vacation for most N.H. public school students. This is in addition to its regular open hours of Wednesdays through Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and on Sundays from 1 to 4 p.m.

"Adding these extra days means we'll be open every day from Wednesday, Aug. 19 all the way through Sunday, Aug. 30," said Jeff Rapsis, the museum's executive director. "It's a great opportunity for families to make summertime memories before school starts."

The Aviation Museum of N.H. offers activities and exhibits for kids of all ages; from a real Embraer cockpit which future pilots love to play in, to scavenger hunts and a collection of aviation-themed toys that visitors are encouraged to interact and have fun with.

Knowledgeable volunteers, many of whom have years of experience in aviation-related fields, are available to offer tours and answer questions from kids and adults alike.

Families with children age 12 and under are invited to a free aviation-themed Story Time on Tuesday, Aug. 25 or Thursday, Aug. 27 starting at 10 a.m. each day. Participants will enjoy reading several aviation-themed stories as well as additional activities.

Story Time is suitable for families with kids up to age 8. No reservations are required and it's free to all attendees; for families wishing to explore the museum afterwards, regular admission applies.

Also, the museum’s Elite Flight Simulator will be running on Saturday, Aug. 21 and Saturday, Aug. 28 from 1 to 4 p.m. each day, giving young pilots age 13 and up a chance to experience flying a single-engine plane. Simulator operators will be on duty; use of the simulator is on a first-come, first-served basis. The simulator is included with museum admission.

Museum admission for children age 5 and under is free, kids ages 6 to 12 are $7.50. The museum also offers $7.50 admission for veterans and families. Standard admission for adults (age 13 and above) is $15. Holders of EBT cards are eligible for $5 admission under the 'Museums for All' program.

In addition, the Aviation Museum’s parking lot is the closest the public can get to the runways at Manchester-Boston Regional Airport, making it a great location for plane-watching as the big jets come and go. The parking lot is free and open to the public every day from dawn until daily 8 p.m.

Come see why the Aviation Museum of N.H. was named the ‘Best Place to Take Kids’ in Southern N.H. six years in a row in the annual Hippo Reader's Poll. 

The Aviation Museum, a non-profit 501(c)3 tax-exempt organization based in the 1937 art deco passenger terminal at Manchester-Boston Regional Airport, is dedicated to preserving the Granite State's rich aviation past, and also inspiring today's students to become the aviation pioneers of tomorrow.

The Aviation Museum is located at 27 Navigator Road, off Harvey Road, in Londonderry, N.H.

For more information, visit www.aviationmuseumofnh.org or call (603) 669-4820. Follow the Aviation Museum online on www.facebook.com/nhahs

Monday, August 10, 2026

Housing Revolving Fund Meeting:   Meets at 5:00 PM EDT in City Hall Room 208 (2nd Floor, 229 Main Street)

Ad Hoc Joint Committee on Capital Expenditures and Debt Service Planning: Meets at 6:00 PM EDT in the Aldermanic Chambers (2nd Floor, 229 Main Street)

 Tuesday, August 11, 2026

Arts Commission Meeting:  Meets at 8:00 AM EDT 3rd Floor Auditorium Nashua City Hall 229 Main Street

Zoning Board of Adjustment: Meets at 6:30 PM EDT at the City Hall Auditorium (3rd Floor, 229 Main Street).

Board of Aldermen: Meets at 7:30 PM EDT in the Aldermanic Chambers (2nd Floor, 229 Main Street)

 Wednesday, August 12, 2026

Board of Health Meeting: Meets at 12:30 PM EDT at 18 Mulberry Street (2^nd Floor)

Greeley Park Advisory Committee: Meets at 5:00 PM EDT at Mine Falls Conference Room, DPW (848 West Hollis Street)

 Friday, August 14, 2026

Downtown Improvement Committee: Meets at 7:35 AM EDT in City Hall Room 208 (2nd Floor, 229 Main Street)

Nashua Center for the Arts Board of Trustees Meeting: Meets at 9:00 AM EDT in City Hall Room 208 (2nd Floor, 229 Main Street)

If you'd like to review the agendas, minutes, or check for any last-minute schedule changes, let me know if you want details for a specific board, or visit the Nashua Public Hearings Directory and City of Nashua Agendas Portal to see the full list of posting

Official Live Streams (Web Browsers)

You can watch gavel-to-gavel live streams of city operations directly through the CTV Live Streams Portal on the City of Nashua Website:

• Board of Aldermen & Infrastructure Committees: Watch on the Government TV 16 Live Stream.
• School Board & Education Committees: Watch on the Nashua ETV Live Stream.

YouTube Channels (Live & Archived Recordings)

If you miss a live broadcast, the city categorizes and uploads meeting archives onto dedicated YouTube channels:

• Board of Aldermen & City Subcommittees: Available on the Nashua BOA Meetings YouTube Channel.
• Board of Education & School Committees: Available on the Nashua BOE Meetings YouTube Channel.
• General Educational & Community Programming: Available on the Nashua ETV YouTube Channel and Nashua Public Television Channel 6.

NASHUA, N.H. — The Nashua Community Music School’s (NCMS) highly anticipated annual fundraiser rock show, Play It Forward is scheduled for Sunday, August 16 at 2pm. Happening at Taffeta Music Hall in Lowell, MA, this all-ages, family friendly, afternoon event raises funds for NCMS student scholarships and free music programming, all while celebrating live local music and community. An epic summer rock show and celebration all in one.

NCMS provides the only FREE teen rock band program in the state of New Hampshire, one of the programs funded by Play It Forward. NCMS’ teen rock band, Fates Collide, will open the show, showcasing the talent of young musicians developing their talents at NCMS. “There’s something so special to me about learning an instrument and then being able to play it with other people,” said teen rock band member and NCMS student Gabriel Bartoli. “...it’s a special connection you can’t get through anything else. The community is amazing. I’ve made some very close friends just by doing music every day. Having all the support I have here (at NCMS) definitely helped me grow into the person I am now.”

Soulful ska reggae Westbound Train hit the stage as this year’s Play It Forward headliner. “We’re super stoked to be a part of this,” says Obi Fernandez of Westbound Train. “(NCMS) offers great resources for next gen to get involved in music, learn about music and the arts… it’s a great cause, it’s going to be an awesome day!” Influenced by pioneers ranging from The Skatalites to Otis Redding, Hepcat to The Slackers, the band's infectious vocal hooks and high-energy live shows have found them performing all over the world--from the Vans Warped Tour to Summer of Ska to Rude Cat Festival to countless reggae festivals and national and international tours.

“After almost a decade, Play It Forward has become a summer tradition for so many in our community and we can’t wait to bring the good vibes to Lowell. Westbound Train is the perfect headliner, because their high energy, dancey music shows that you can do WAY MORE with your trumpet, trombone, or sax than just play in a concert band or orchestra,” said NCMS Executive Director, Lindsay Rinaldi. Where else can you find live music the entire family will enjoy AND be home in time for dinner?” 

“There aren’t many rock shows out there that put both professional musicians on stage with the rising stars of tomorrow. This is your chance to share the live music experience with your kids in a fun and safe space. Best of all, you’ll walk away knowing your ticket will help us bring free music programming to 300 people every week! 

Tickets for Play It Forward 2026 start at $20 (+ fees) if purchased online. To avoid fees, you can purchase your tickets in advance at Taffeta’s box office, at A Damn Shame Records in the Hive, or at the door for $30. Children 5 & under receive free admission.

Charlie served with the Mounted Unit for only a relatively short chapter of his life, but his impact on the program and the community was significant. He helped establish what Nashua's Mounted Unit could be—not simply another public safety resource, but a way of creating connections between police officers and the people they serve.

That was precisely the type of horse Capt. Jennifer Moriarty was looking for when Charlie was selected for the new unit.

Before coming to Nashua, Charlie had been a pulling horse, competing at state and local fairs. His experience meant that crowds, noise and chaotic environments were familiar to him. He also came from a family with young children who adored him and would climb all over him whenever given the opportunity.

"From the moment I met Charlie, he was one of the kindest, most gentle souls that I have ever met," Moriarty recalled. "I knew that it would take a very special horse to be a new ambassador for our community."

His demeanor around children was particularly important. Combined with his experience at fairs, it gave Moriarty confidence that Charlie possessed the temperament necessary for police work. That assessment was reinforced during the months of training that followed.
"He never ceased to amaze us with what he would put up with as far as noise, strange objects and exposure to new environments," Moriarty said. "He was always willing to please."

Once Charlie began patrolling Nashua alongside Officers Haley Paulay, Katie Finn and Lauren Colletti, another part of his value became apparent. At nearly 17 hands tall, he could initially be intimidating. Yet the same people who hesitated to approach him often ended up reluctant to leave.

Colletti described him as a "big teddy bear" who was loving and patient despite his imposing size. She remembers watching people move from being nervous about approaching him to being unable to stop petting him.

 For Finn, that ability was part of what made Charlie such an effective member of the Mounted Unit.

"He was so patient and kind to everyone he met," she recalled. "He welcomed everyone on the street to come say hello, even people who were nervous to meet horses or maybe didn't want to talk with law enforcement. Charlie's kind spirit would calm everyone and let them open up to us for a conversation."

That may be Charlie's most important legacy.

Mounted units have an obvious operational purpose. Horses give officers visibility, mobility and a unique presence in crowds and at large public events. But their value can also be found in the much smaller interactions they create. A person who might never walk up to a police cruiser will walk across the street to meet a horse. A child who may be apprehensive around a uniformed officer will ask to pet one. A conversation begins that otherwise might never have occurred.

Charlie was exceptionally good at creating those moments.

Of course, those who worked with him also knew that beneath his calm police demeanor was a horse with plenty of personality.

Paulay remembers Charlie as "an old soul who always held it together even when he was unsure of things." Some of her favorite memories are not of major events, but of quiet moments—riding down an empty Main Street at 3 a.m. or watching Fourth of July fireworks from Charlie's back. On one bitterly cold patrol, the officers attempted to tuck Charlie and fellow Mounted Unit horse Sam into a secluded downtown alley so they could eat a snack out of public view. As Paulay discovered, it is difficult to hide a 17-hand draft horse.

Finn remembers Charlie's remarkable ability to fall asleep almost anywhere—outside PAL, standing on Main Street or in the middle of an event. Colletti remembers his head slowly dropping until he suddenly woke himself up, only to repeat the process a few minutes later.

Those quieter moments extended to the volunteers who cared for Charlie when there was no crowd and no police equipment.

Volunteer Larry Clay remembers working alone in a dark paddock one Friday night. While cleaning, he suddenly felt a warm breath on the back of his neck. Startled, he turned around to find himself nose-to-nose with Charlie, who had silently crossed the paddock simply to visit him.

"He was just coming over to say hi," Clay recalled. "What really impressed me was how absolutely silent he was as he approached. This is my favorite memory of that sweet boy."

Volunteer Chris Toomey's children experienced that same gentleness. Charlie would place his head on their shoulders as they walked with him into his stall to eat.

These memories help explain why Charlie's passing has affected so many people. The community knew a police horse. His riders and volunteers knew the individual behind the badge.

Earlier this summer, changes in Charlie's health led to veterinary testing and the diagnosis of irreversible chronic kidney failure. After consultation with his veterinary team, it became clear that there was no treatment that could reverse the disease. The decision was made to humanely lay Charlie to rest before his condition caused unnecessary suffering. He spent his final days surrounded by the people who had ridden him, cared for him and loved him.

For Moriarty, there is understandable sadness that Charlie's police career was so brief. There is also gratitude that his final chapter was one of service.

"Although it absolutely breaks my heart that we had him for such a short time, living out his last year as a police horse and engaging with our community was the most noble way for him to leave this world," she said.

Charlie came to Nashua at the beginning of something new. He helped a young Mounted Unit establish its identity and demonstrated why a horse can still have an important place in modern policing. His contribution cannot be measured simply by the number of patrols he completed or events he attended. It can also be measured by the people who stopped to talk because he was there, the children who reached up to pet him and the relationships that began with a simple question about the enormous horse standing on a Nashua street.

The Mounted Unit will continue. New horses will join its ranks, new riders will take the reins and the program Charlie helped establish will grow.

But those of us who had the privilege of knowing Charlie will remember the gentle draft horse who transitioned from the pulling ring to police service and, in doing so, became one of Nashua's most recognizable ambassadors.

His watch may have ended, but his contribution to the Nashua Police Mounted Unit will remain part of its story.

End of Watch: August 1, 2026.

The Board of Directors of the Friends of the Nashua Police Department Mounted Unit extends its gratitude to Charlie's riders, volunteers, veterinary team, supporters and members of the community who cared for him and made his final year one defined by service and companionship.

Remember when I was dancing at the prospect of rain? Well, you might have noticed we got some! My gardens underwent significant downpours, but the wind caused some damage. Earlier this week, I woke up to find one of my tomatillos flattened to the ground. I’m upset, though puzzled. This plant was in the middle of the row (it was the only one flattened); it was staked and tied. When I took a closer look, the pole was still standing straight, but my ties looked like they had been untied. It wasn’t an animal, or the pole would be bent, and there was no trace of animal tracks to be found! Mystery…I’m going to chalk it up to the wind for now. The tomatillo was partially snapped, so I tied it back up on the stake and am hoping for the best.

I’m really starting to harvest. I’m picking okra, and their cream-yellow blooms are making their showcase. I’m still picking blueberries as well, and I’m waiting to pull my shallots till it’s a little drier. I mentioned in the last garden report, but I will say it again: if you want to store your shallots or onions, properly drying them is imperative. My tomatillos and tomatoes still need a bit more time to develop and ripen, while my late-planted butternut squash and cucumbers have a ways to go. As a side note: if you’re worried about buying store-bought lettuce and leafy greens, don’t forget you can do a late summer/fall planting!

Moving on to what’s buggin’ us in the garden: with the rain we have gotten, keep an eye out for disease and fungus. Humid weather allows disease to flourish! I’m still working to slow down the blight on my tomatoes, and I have heard customers mention fungus concerns on squash foliage. What has been most concerning to me lately isn’t in the veggie garden. We have a lot of hemlocks in our yard, and they are very susceptible to hemlock wooly adelgid. These insects can do some significant damage and even kill these trees if the infestation is significant.

 Well, I have seen the adelgid present and injury to these trees. In the agricultural industry, the standard treatment for these insects is chemical treatment. I am very, very hesitant to do this. I haven’t yet decided what to do, but I can see how much these trees are suffering. Sometimes there aren’t easy solutions in the garden but know that it’s okay to take time to decide what to do. If you have concerns like this, make sure you consult with a professional to properly identify issues and appropriate solutions.

But enough garden worries for now! Let’s talk about what’s blooming. You know I’m thrilled to see my okra’s sweet, yet eye-catching flowers. Our butterfly bush, though it has struggled this year, has pushed out its vivid purple flowers. It’s a welcome sight to see these tall, waving stems burst with color! My daylilies are still going strong, along with my hollyhocks. Around town, cheery-faced sunflowers are greeting all who pass by. My red flame celosias are ramping up, and I’m seeing a flash of pink budding on flamingo feather celosia. What am I most excited for? While my back was turned, my gladiolas finally sent up their flower stems! I am seeing peeks of colors on these cuties.

Before I bid you farewell, a quick note on lawns and turf: we are approaching the best time of year to seed grasses. The third week of August through mid-September is the ideal window to plant, but it is important to do some prep work first!

●       If needed, aerate your lawn. This helps to break up compacted soils.

●       Thoroughly rake and dethatch the area. I highly suggest doing this after aerating.

●       Weed out anything undesirable. Your grass seed wants contact with the mineral soil, so remove obstacles where you can

●       Finally, I highly recommend doing a pH test of your soil. We run quite acidic in this area, and grass wants a neutral pH. Apply lime as needed (come talk to us at Nashua Farmers’ Exchange for more information and advice).

That’s it for now! More to come on lawns and what’s growing in the garden next week!

Kate Ratta is the manager of the local feed store Nashua Farmers' Exchange, Inc. She has more than 10 years of experience working in the business owned by her aunt and uncle, Judy Ratta-Harrington and Gene Harrington, and will be contributing weekly garden reports. The store is located at 38½ Bridge Street in Nashua in the converted Boston & Maine and Concord Railroad station.

We at Downtown Nashua Association are excited to share that we are gearing up for the return of Coloring Main Street. We introduced this event last year and the feedback was overwhelmingly positive so bringing it back was a no-brainer. 

On September 26th, Downtown Nashua sidewalks will once again transform into giant coloring-book canvases, outlined by talented local artists and ready for participants of all ages to bring to life with color. The event is free, family-friendly, and lots of fun, running from 12PM to 3PM along Main Street. 

We hope you stop by Renaissance Park this Saturday at 7:30PM to check out the Mike Stockbridge Quartet at the pavilion, and return on Sunday for the Nashua Farmers Market.

Take a look below at some of the other fun things going on this week.

Stay cool and I’ll see ya Downtown!

Elaina Bedio, Downtown Nashua Association 

Thursday 8/6

5:00PM: Pokémon League Night at Grave Troll Games

5:00PM: Buck-a-Shuck Oysters at The Pearl

5:30PM: Kat Ivy at Union Public House

7:00PM: Buzztime Trivia at Odd Fellows Brewing Co

7:30PM: Open Mic Night at Casey Magee's Irish Pub

7:30PM: Trivia Night at Liquid Therapy

Friday 8/7

12:30PM: Fryday: Fried specials all day at Soel Sistas Café

3:00PM: Free Drop-in Painting class at ArtHub Downtown Gallery

7:00PM: The Tempest at Greeley Park

7:30PM: Oteil & Friends at Nashua Center for the Arts

7:30PM: Ian Archibold at Union Public House

9:30PM: Karoake Dance Party at Casey Magee's Irish Pub

Saturday 8/1

8:00AM: Hazardous Waste Collection at Pelham Hwy Dept (until 3PM)

2:00PM: The Tempest at Greeley Park

7:00PM: The Tempest at Greeley Park

7:30PM: Dan Morgan at Union Public House

7:30PM: Mike Stockbridge Quartet at Renaissance Park

8:00PM: Boom Lava Reggae at Casey Magee's Irish Pub

9:30PM: Pop Farmers at The Peddler's Daughter

Sunday 8/8

10:00AM: Nashua Farmers Market

3:00PM: Danny McCarthy at Stella Blu (patio)

6:00PM: Sunday Evening Karaoke at The Spot

Monday 8/9

8:00PM: Tipsy Bingo at The Peddler's Daughter

Tuesday 8/10

7:00PM: Trivia at The Peddler's Daughter

8:00PM: Music Bingo at Fody's Tavern

Wednesday 8/11

5:30PM: Pete Smith at Union Public House

7:00PM: Free Movie Night at The Spot

8:00PM: Trivia at Fody's Tavern

Johnson has been located; however, he was unfortunately found deceased. The circumstances surrounding his death remain under investigation by the Nashua Police Department.

There is no additional information available for release at this time.

The Nashua Police Department extends its deepest condolences to Johnson’s family and loved ones during this difficult time. We also thank the members of the public who assisted by sharing information and supporting the search efforts.

On August 6, 2026, Johnson was reported missing to the Nashua Police Department.  Family and friends are concerned for his well-being.  They do not have any information at this time as to where he may be headed. 

Johnson left the residence operating a gray 2026 Honda CR-V with New Hampshire Handicap registration 7G81.

Anyone with information on his whereabouts is asked to contact Officer Alex Gangi at GangiA@nashuapd.com or by phone at (603) 589-6132.

Those who wish to remain anonymous may submit tips through the Nashua Police tip line at (603) 589-1665 or contact the main line at 603-594-3500.

A new Remote Pilot Certificate preparation course at Nashua Community College begins August 31 at Nashua Community College. The 8-week class can accommodate up to 15 students and costs $400.

“This course will be an FAA (Part 107) Remote Pilot Certificate preparation course to operate drone up to 55 pounds,” said Professor Doug Mitchell, Chair of the Aviation Department at NCC. “Students who take this course will learn the knowledge test topics areas needed to pass the ‘Unmanned Aircraft General- Small UAG’ Test needed to get their FAA Remote Pilot Certificate (AKA Drone License).”

This ground school will be online based, with some active drove flying, said Mitchell.    

Over the 8-weeks of training, students will learn a series of key topic areas to prepare to test for their FAA Remote Pilot Certificate, including:

• Applicable regulations relating to small unmanned aircraft system rating privileges, limitations, and flight operation
• Airspace classification and operating requirements, and flight restrictions affecting small unmanned aircraft operation
• Aviation weather sources and effects of weather on small unmanned aircraft performance
• Small unmanned aircraft loading and performance
• Emergency procedures
• Crew resource management
• Radio communication procedures
• Determining the performance of small unmanned aircraft
• Physiological effects of drugs and alcohol
• Aeronautical decision-making and judgment
• Airport operations
• Maintenance and preflight inspection procedures
• Operation at night

To pilot a drone, students must also meet a series of requirements:

• Be at least 16 years old
• Be able to read, speak, write, and understand English
• Be in a physical and mental condition to safely fly a drone
• Pass the initial aeronautical knowledge exam: "Unmanned Aircraft General – Small (UAG)”
• Pass a TSA Security Background test

Those who meet the requirements and earn their Drone License can qualify for a variety of career pathways, such as:

• Infrastructure Inspection and Maintenance
• Search and Rescue Operations
• Agriculture and Precision Farming
• Law Enforcement and Public Safety
• Aerial Photography and Videography
• Mapping and Surveying
• Environmental Monitoring and Conservation
• Emergency Response and Disaster Management
• Telecommunications and Power Line Inspection
• Medical and Cargo Delivery

To sign up for the Remote Pilot Certificate preparation course, contact Professor Doug Mitchell at DWMitchell@ccsnh.edu or visit nashuacc.edu/drone-pilot-training for more information.

About the Aviation Department at Nashua Community College
Beyond the new Remote Pilot Certificate training, NCC also offers associate degrees in Air Traffic Control, Aviation Management (100% online), and an associate degree or certificate in Aviation Technology.

About Nashua Community CollegeSince 1970, Nashua Community College has been successfully meeting the educational needs of Greater Nashua by delivering a high quality two-year, post-secondary education. The college partners closely with area industries that provide students with a unique perspective in their fields of study, allowing for a real-world experience to further their academic journey. Students can choose from a variety of associate degree, certificate, and career training programs. Nashua Community College is a member of the Community College System of New Hampshire. The seven community colleges in the system are committed to working with businesses throughout the state to train and retain employees to develop a robust workforce across all sectors.  Learn more at nashuacc.edu. 

The fair features more than 200 craftspeople and guest artists exhibiting and selling their work alongside live demonstrations and curated exhibitions. You will discover fine woodwork, clay and ceramics, metal and jewelry, glass and fiber and photography and mixed media designs. The talent and artistry on display among the backdrop of Mount Sunapee is inspiring.

Make sure to stop by and say hello to Nashua craftspeople Mark and Kathleen Frank. They are the owners of Renaissance Glass in the Picker Arts building and are longtime exhibitors at the annual fair.

This fair is the largest annual fundraiser for the League of New Hampshire Craftsmen and allows them to continue to provide arts advocacy and educational opportunities for their members and the public year-round. The fair is open 10am-5pm rain or shine through August 9. Tickets are $20 at the door or $18 online. Children under 16 are free. For tickest and information click here.

Parking is free and your ticket includes a $10 discount for the scenic chairlift ride to the summit of Mount Sunapee which is a fun bonus adventure!

The school principals from Nashua’s thirteen schools look forward to welcoming students and their families to the start of a new school year.  Keith Richard, Principal, Nashua High School South described Nashua Goes Back to School as, “….A great way to kick off the school year with energy and support.  Students receive essential school supplies, helping them start the year prepared and confident. It’s also a chance for families to connect with valuable community resources. This event brings everyone together, creating a strong and supportive start for students, families, and the entire school community.”  

Representatives from over 40 community organizations provide information about their programs for students and their family members. NGB2S provides an opportunity for families to learn about programs such as the Nashua Community Music School, Nashua PAL, Boy Scouts, SCARE (second-hand costumes), First Tech Robotics, NH Food Bank/ SNAP Outreach, Nashua Y Academy, Girl Scouts, Nashua Center for Lifelong Learning and Bridges. This year UNH Manchester will be providing information about the programs they offer, the admissions process, financial resources, and support for veterans. 

The first Nashua Goes Back to School Celebration was August 2004 and coincided with the first time Nashua started the school year with two high schools. The event continues to reflect the research which indicates students are more successful and less likely to drop out when they feel connected and supported by others in their community, the lunch lady, a coach, a peer, a scout leader or a music lessons teacher.

Nashua Goes Back to School is funded through community donations. The Greater Nashua United Way serves as the 501c-3 fiscal agent, but No United Way funds are used for this event. Donations may be made by Check, payable to United Way of Greater Nashua, noting NGBTS in the memo line and mailed to: NGB2S 20 Broad Street, Nashua New Hampshire 03064; or Donate Online

Flash flood warnings were issued early Monday for southern Hillsborough County by the National Weather Service office in Gray, Maine. The heaviest rain fell in the morning, and the storm continued into the early evening. More than 4 inches of rain had been recorded by day’s end.

Nashua Office of Emergency Management Director Emily Martuscello said flooding was reported in the city’s “usual locations,” noting that a large volume of rain in a short period can overwhelm storm drains. “We have a few roads flooded and there have been reports of minor accidents this morning, but for the most part, no significant damage has occurred,” she said.

A cold front will move through the area tonight with intermittent showers and possible thunderstorms. Lower humidity and more comfortable conditions are expected Tuesday, with heat and humidity returning Wednesday. High temperatures are expected to climb back into the 90s for the rest of the week.

The event will take place on Saturday, August 8, 2026, from 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. in Nashua.at the Soldiers & Sailors Monument.

Gate City Voices is pleased to welcome Liz Tentarelli, President of the League of Women Voters New Hampshire, as the featured guest speaker. Tentarelli has been a longtime advocate for voter education, civic participation, and protecting the fundamental right to vote.

The event is designed to bring neighbors together in a welcoming environment to learn more about the importance of civic engagement, voter participation, and ensuring every eligible voter has the information they need to make their voice heard.

"At Gate City Voices, we believe democracy is strongest when people are informed, engaged, and empowered to participate," said Michele Buckley, founder of Gate City Voices. "Unite & Rise is an opportunity for our community to come together peacefully, connect with one another, and celebrate the importance of exercising our civic rights."

Community members of all backgrounds are encouraged to attend. The event will feature opportunities to connect with local organizations, learn about voting resources, and hear from leaders committed to strengthening civic participation throughout New Hampshire.

Event Details

What: Unite & Rise: Voting Rights Day of Action -Nashua, NHWhen: Saturday, August 8, 2026 | 12:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.Where: Soldiers & Sailors Monument, Nashua, New Hampshire 

About Gate City Voices

Gate City Voices is a grassroots community organization dedicated to fostering civic engagement, encouraging respectful dialogue, and empowering individuals to become active participants in their communities. Through peaceful gatherings, voter education, and community partnerships, Gate City Voices works to strengthen democracy by bringing people together and encouraging every voice to be heard.

Under a 2025 law (SB 221), New Hampshire now verifies its voter checklists every year, not once a decade. Names are removed annually; some voters have been dropped despite voting regularly and never moving. A database mix-up or missed verification letter could mean arriving to vote and finding you're not listed.

So take two minutes now: go to app.sos.nh.gov/voter information or call your town/city clerk.

If you need to register or re-register, bring documents proving age, citizenship, identity, and domicile. A birth certificate or passport proves citizenship; if you lack those, a May federal court ruling lets you again sign an affidavit. But the affidavit covers only citizenship; for the rest, a license with your current address covers all three, or add a lease, utility bill, or tax document.

Still, bring citizenship documents (paper or on your phone) if you possibly can. Under legislation finalized in June (HB 1062), the state could "randomly" audit the citizenship of affidavit registrants using databases a federal judge found unreliable for people born or married out of state. An eligible voter flagged by a bad match can be referred to the Attorney General. Documents up front spare you that.

On Election Day, September 8 primary, November 3 general, every voter needs a government-issued photo ID to get a ballot; student IDs no longer count.

The rules have changed more in two years than in the previous twenty. Check your registration, gather your documents, and vote because your vote matters.

FRANKIE SMITH - Nashua, N.H.

At 3:42 a.m., Sunday, August 2, 2026, State Troopers assigned to the Troop B barracks received a report of a vehicle traveling southbound in the northbound lanes of I-293, near Exit 5, in Manchester.

Within two minutes of the initial call, Sgt. Brendan Tallon found the vehicle, a white Nissan Altima, driving head-on toward him, southbound, on the northbound side of the F.E. Everett Turnpike. As the Altima approached, Sgt. Tallon used his patrol vehicle, with its emergency lights activated, to block the lane to protect other innocent motorists. The driver brought the Nissan to a stop at mile marker 19.6 in Bedford.

The driver was identified as Paul Conners, 72, of Nashua.

Conners was arrested on charges of misdemeanor reckless conduct and violations of reckless operation and negligent driving. He is scheduled to appear in Merrimack District Court on Tuesday, September 15, 2026. No booking photo is available at this time.

Anyone with information that may assist the investigation is asked to contact Trooper Alexander Guilbeault at Alexander.R.Guilbeault@dos.nh.gov.  

Monday, August 3, 2026

• Board of Education Special Meeting
  • Time: 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
  • Location: NHSN Lecture Hall (Nashua High School North)

Tuesday, August 4, 2026

• Joint Meeting – Committee on Infrastructure and Library Board of Trustees (Special Meeting)
  • Time: 6:30 PM
  • Location: Aldermanic Chambers, 2nd Floor, City Hall, 229 Main St
• Conservation Commission Meeting
  • Time: 7:00 PM
  • Location: Room 208, 2nd Floor, City Hall, 229 Main St

Wednesday, August 5, 2026

• Finance Committee
  • Time: 7:00 PM
  • Location: Aldermanic Chambers, 2nd Floor, City Hall, 229 Main St

Thursday, August 6, 2026

• Board of Assessors Meeting
  • Time: 9:00 AM
  • Location: Auditorium, 3rd Floor, City Hall, 229 Main St
• Keefe Auditorium Commission
  • Time: 4:30 PM
  • Location: Room 208, 2nd Floor, City Hall, 229 Main St
• Planning Board Meeting
  • Time: 7:00 PM
  • Location: Auditorium, 3rd Floor, City Hall, 229 Main St

City meetings frequently provide public access and are generally held at City Hall located at 229 Main Street.

If you'd like to review the agendas, minutes, or check for any last-minute schedule changes, let me know if you want details for a specific board, or visit the Nashua Public Hearings Directory and City of Nashua Agendas Portal to see the full list of posting

Official Live Streams (Web Browsers)

You can watch gavel-to-gavel live streams of city operations directly through the CTV Live Streams Portal on the City of Nashua Website:

• Board of Aldermen & Infrastructure Committees: Watch on the Government TV 16 Live Stream.
• School Board & Education Committees: Watch on the Nashua ETV Live Stream.

YouTube Channels (Live & Archived Recordings)

If you miss a live broadcast, the city categorizes and uploads meeting archives onto dedicated YouTube channels:

• Board of Aldermen & City Subcommittees: Available on the Nashua BOA Meetings YouTube Channel.
• Board of Education & School Committees: Available on the Nashua BOE Meetings YouTube Channel.
• General Educational & Community Programming: Available on the Nashua ETV YouTube Channel and Nashua Public Television Channel 6.

This column is about respite care.  Most people associate respite with service-providing care in relief of a primary caregiver, but it can be more subtle.  Relief may be an effect, coming from support other than substitute care such as information, friendly visitors, a delivered meal that does not have to be prepared, someone else to set up the week’s medications.   Careful discernment about what caregivers find provides them with relief is important as one size does not fit all.

Publicly funded respite service has been traditionally offered primarily to live in caregivers which can create eligibility issues.  How can the granddaughter who lived in the apartment above her nana, the primary caregiver, though not in the same unit be supported.  New England has many such households, and most services recognize this as a respite situation.

Respite care gives family caregivers a temporary break from caregiving duties — anywhere from hours to a few weeks — so they can rest, handle other responsibilities, get to their medical appointments, or just recharge. It is one of the most important tools for preventing caregiver burnout.

Types include In-home respite — a paid aide, trained volunteer, or companion comes to the house to be with the person while the caregiver steps out or rests.

Adult day programs — the person with dementia spends the day (often with structured activities, meals, and social engagement) at a center, and the caregiver has the day free.

Residential/overnight respite — short-term stays (days to a few weeks) at an assisted living facility, nursing home, or memory care community. Useful for longer breaks, like a caregiver's own medical procedure or a vacation.

Informal respite — other family members, friends, or faith/community groups stepping in for a few hours.

How people typically pay for it:

·         Out of pocket

·         Long-term care insurance (if the policy covers it)

·         VA has specific respite programs for eligible veterans

·         Aging agencies such as the Aging and Disability Resource Center for Hillsborough    County may have funds. Conveniently located in the heart of downtown Nashua in the same building as the Nashua Senior Activity Center 603-598-4709

·         Visiting Nurses respite care program

Michael Splaine has worked with older adults since 1986, primarily people with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias, their families and professional caregivers. He is the principal of a small advocacy and government affairs consultancy and has collaborated with leaders in Alzheimer's organizations across the U.S. and in more than 60 countries, representing them at the World Health Organization and the United Nations. His columns will provide information and perspective on aging issues.

The application period opened on March 25, 2026, and HSEM submitted all state applications ahead of the federal deadline of July 23, 2026.

“These grant opportunities can be key to helping build more resilient communities before a disaster strikes,” said HSEM Director Robert Buxton. “We will continue to work with our partners to assist them with future funding opportunities as they arise.”

BRIC provides federal resources to help states, local communities, tribes, and territories reduce impact from future disasters by strengthening infrastructure through mitigation.

Under the combined NOFO, New Hampshire applied for $2 million in state allocated funds and $728,715.28 in Building Code Plus-Up funding, which is used to adopt, enforce, and implement modern, hazard-resistant building codes. The State also assisted five sub-applicants in submitting an additional $43 million in competitive grant funds.

Submittals included construction implementation costs for Barrington’s Daniel Cater Road and Claremont’s Grandy Brook Drainage Improvement. Both stem from previously funded BRIC project scoping efforts.

HSEM also submitted planning sub-applications under the Flood Mitigation Assistance (FMA) Program for FFY2024. This was the first time the state applied for FMA funding since FFY2019.

The FMA submissions focus on local hazard mitigation planning activities that are no longer eligible under BRIC, ensuring communities can continue to maintain FEMA-approved hazard mitigation plans.

The total amount of the submittals for BRIC and FMA is $47,735,174.50. If chosen, 75% of the project cost is grant funded with 25% being funded by the eligible applicant. One hundred percent of management costs are federally funded.

“We are excited to assist our partners with their grants should they be chosen to receive funding,” said Austin Brown, Chief of Mitigation and Recovery at HSEM. “Taking action before a disaster happens is the best way to lessen the impacts.”

In addition, HSEM submitted a Legislative Pre Disaster Mitigation project for coastal resiliency storm water flow in Hampton with a federal cost share of $795,498.44.

Local communities in New Hampshire who have project ideas, can submit them to HSEM via a Letter of Intent form.

Knowing to expect rain, I prepared by giving everything a good, thorough watering, as well as fertilizer (except for my shallots). With the soil being so dry, giving water before the storm will hopefully allow the plants to uptake more moisture rather than just running off. But I am positively dancing at the prospect of this rainfall (no judging, I think plants enjoy terrible dancing). All this to say: hauling water around can get tiring!

If you remember from a couple weeks ago, I found damage that I was unsure if it was fruitworm or blossom-end rot. So, it’s time for a dissection! I cut up one tomato and found no evidence of fruitworm, so I am more confident that the plant has blossom-end rot. It simply needs a foliar calcium spray. The coming fruit will hopefully be without any black spots and rot.

I am starting to spy evidence of blight on the tomatoes as well, which in my garden is amazing–usually we are very far along with this disease at this point in the season. One good thing about hot, dry weather: diseases don’t thrive as well in these conditions. I will be applying a fungicide to slow down the blight.

We had a false alarm on squash vine borer damage, so I will stop procrastinating and wrap the first 12” of vine with fabric. I also spied some Japanese Beetles on my okra–its the first time in a long while I have seen them in our yard, and these guys are destructive. I sent them packing into a cup of soapy water. I’ll be checking the undersides of leaves for any kind of egg masses and will be squishing or spraying them with organic neem oil.

A quick note on yellow jacket activity. As my aunt recently reminded me, yellow jackets are more active and more interested in human food this time of year. They are after the sugars in your carbohydrates–watch out for your picnics! Resist the urge to shoo them away. If they are interested in your food, it’s usually wisest to let them investigate and do their thing. Yellow jackets are pollinators but are quick to get defensive and are willing to chase after you. Just be cautious and aware out in the yard.

Alright, I’m excited to report that I’m getting to harvest a few things. My okra has a couple of fruits ready (and their gorgeous flowers are nearly ready to open!). My shallots will get yanked once the rain stops, so I can dry them properly (it’s very important to dry them, so they will store through the winter). If you’re looking for instructions on growing and storing onions, click here to download Nashua Farmers’ instructions!

My tomatillos are pushing out their papery lanterns, which means I will be harvesting them in the next few weeks. Salsa verde, here we come! Not to mention, it’s blueberry picking time at my house, but we have to beat the birds to it. I also see Blueberry Buckle in my future–a family favorite dessert in our house that doubles as an acceptable breakfast.

On to what’s blooming! My little celosias are starting to bud their flame-red blooms, as are my New York asters. My mint has started flowering, and my bees and butterflies are in heaven! My mint patches are simply covered with them; they seem to hum and sway on their own accord.

An exciting discovery: a lone strawflower plant survived! I thought they all died in the heat, but this tenacious survivor is thriving, and its flowers are so unusually cool! Still flowering are my stunning Black Watchmen hollyhocks, lovely daylilies, swamp verbena, and the hydrangeas are just holding on! And there’s so much Queen Anne’s Lace blooming all over–I love how delicate they are.

That wraps up this week’s report–enjoy your break from watering! Until next week, go play in the dirt–or enjoy some of the seasonal fruit at your local farm stand! I’ve got my eye on peaches next!

Kate Ratta is the manager of the local feed store Nashua Farmers' Exchange, Inc. She has more than 10 years of experience working in the business owned by her aunt and uncle, Judy Ratta-Harrington and Gene Harrington, and will be contributing weekly garden reports. The store is located at 38½ Bridge Street in Nashua in the converted Boston & Maine and Concord Railroad station.

The story of The Tempest centers around the character of Prospero, the exiled Duke of Milan, and how he reacts to being trapped on an island.  He conjures up a violent storm in an attempt to regain his throne.

"I love Shakespeare," Wisneski says.  "I wrote my dissertation about the relevance of Shakespeare today.  We are looking at magic versus technology in this play.  What I'm trying to show the audience is this: How far is too far in the pursuit of knowledge?  The main character, Prospero, does what he thinks is correct, but he's using technology for reasons that are not great.  For this play, the technology is the use of magic.  This parallels the use of artificial intelligence of today.  It's an increasingly relevant topic."

Prospero is brought to life by actor Colin Principe, who most recently starred in Nashua Theatre Guild's spring production, The Littlefield Gazette Does Not End Today.  

"I love Shakespeare," Principe says.  "I've always wanted a lead role, and I'm happy to be in this play.  I'm very thankful to Val, our director.  Prospero has a lot of lines, and one of the challenges is remembering the order of the words in Elizabethan English.  But the cast says I'm doing great.  So are they.  I love working with them."

Andrea Hansgen, one of the actors playing Ariel, agrees with Principe.  "Rehearsal has been so much fun, and very collaborative.  Val has good ideas.  Her vision is so beautiful."

Appearing with Nashua Theatre Guild for the first time is Jenna Costa Deedy, who stepped into the role of Boatswain the ship officer.  The transition from cosplayer to actor was a natural one for her, and she has enjoyed bringing a new role to life.  "This is an art form just like cosplaying."

"She's so enthusiastic about it," says her sister Janis.  "It's nice.  We used to do dance together, but this is the first time we've ever worked together in a play."

Catherine Sweet, playing the role of Sebastian, has loved Shakespeare since childhood.  "My family used to take me to go watch Shakespeare in a park in Cape Cod," she recalls.  When I was three, I got called up on stage to play the role of Puck, and that made me fall in love with Shakespeare.  I love The Tempest.  It's been a lot of fun meeting new people and acting in something new."

The Tempest is free and runs on Fridays and Saturdays from July 31 to August 8 at Greeley Park, 100 Concord Street, Nashua.  Bring a chair or blanket and some snacks and enjoy Nashua Theatre Guild's annual Shakespeare in the Park.

Friday, July 31:  7:00pm

Saturday, August 1:  2:00 and 7:00pm

Friday, August 7:  7:00pm

Saturday, August 8:  2:00 and 7:00pm