Hoppy & Happy - Seacoast Scene - 06/22/23

Hoppy & Happy

june

Advertising Staff

Charlene Nichols seacoast scene advertising sales Manager (603) 625-1855, ext.126 Charlene@seacoastscene.net

Roxanne Macaig seacoast scene account executive (603) 625-1855 ext. 127 rmacaig@hippopress.com

Editorial Staff Editor Angie Sykeny editor@seacoastscene.net

Editorial Design Brooke Fraser

Contributors Matt Ingersoll, Betty gagne, curt Mackail, Lily Hartman, Mya Blanchard amy Diaz, jennifer graham, Katelyn sahagian, Michelle Pesula Kuegler

Production Brooke Fraser, Jennifer Gingras

Circulation Manager Doug Ladd, 625-1855, ext. 135 dladd@hippopress.com

The Seacoast Scene is looking for adventurous freelance writers to cover food, arts, entertainment, lifestyle and culture on the seacoast. If you're passionate about uncovering the best stories and experiences the seacoast has to offer, we want to hear from you! Summer internship opportunities for college students are also available. Send your resume, writing samples and

Courtesy photo

Hoppy & Happy

During summertime on the Seacoast, some locals and visitors gravitate toward smoothie shops and beaches, while others are in search of a good brew. There’s no better time of year to enjoy a light and refreshing craft beer, such a sweet and smooth India Pale Ale (IPA) from a local brewery. As the most popular craft beer on the market right now, Stevie Bareford, co-founder of and brewer at BareWolf Brewing in Amesbury, says “there are more people taking a crack at brewing IPAs than any other style.”

Historically the beer scene in the United States had a declining arc of hops, but in the past 10 or 15 years, Bareford says, there’s been a renaissance of brewers realizing they can take advantage of hops as an ingredient that does more than just making beer bitter.

“When the IPAs hit, it was like the opposite end of the spectrum. Instead of no flavor, it was this huge amount of flavor and aroma,” says Thomas Bath, co-owner of Loaded Question Brewing Co. in Portsmouth. “It’s one of the more aromatic beer styles, and I think it’s just the polar opposite of where beer had been for so long that it was refreshing to people; it was new and different.”

If someone claims they don’t like beer, perhaps they’ve never tasted a

beer with a lot of dank character, Cashmere, Columbus and Citra hops, and a light taste of green melon and fruitiness. Bareford and his team of brewers moved doses of hops away from the kettle and into the fermenter, which reverses West Coast IPA standards of heavy hopping in the kettle and light dry hopping.

“That makes the beer fun and interesting; fun and approachable; less off-putting Wfor people who say that they don’t like beer,” says Bareford.

According to Nicole Carrier, co-founder and President of Throwback Brewery in North Hampton, the popularity of IPAs really started with New England IPAs. As a soft and smooth type of beer that dilates your mouth with so many pleasing, sweet flavors, IPA appeals to a lot of people.

“A lot of people don’t love bitter,” says Carrier. “If you look around, not a lot of people drink their coffee black.”

Throwback Brewery’s Rule The Roost New England IPA with 6.9% ABV is a sweet beer that has notes of melon, citrus and bright lemon with a grassy and dank finish that is smooth and easy to drink.

Bill Fisher, co-founder and Chief Operating Officer of Newburyport Brewing Co. in Newburyport, Mass., finds that crafting an IPA caters to creativity since brewers can experiment

top-selling Green Head IPA is an easyto-drink West Coast-style beer with 7.2% ABV that’s made with Cascade hops. Just like the greenhead flies that swarm this area in the summer, it’s “the beer that bites you back,” says Fisher.

“You don’t get that aroma [with other beers] that you get when you drink an IPA,” he says. “An IPA reaches more senses; it’s more of a drinking experience when it’s done correctly with a lot of dry hopping.”

IPAs can be brewed several ways with different alcohol percentages — meaning they can appeal to every beer lover, no matter their palate. While Carrier enjoys pairing an IPA with Throwback Brewery’s Korean-style wings or a light, fruity salad to match the bold flavor profile of an IPA, Bareford prefers to drink them as a stand-alone to take in the sensory input of each sip — whether that be on a hammock, on his back patio, or in the tap room with family and friends. He says beer is always better when shared.

Bath says that Loaded Question Brewing is a place where people of different cultures and backgrounds gather together and explore conversations they wouldn’t regularly talk about.

“The beer has a way of lubricating them into being a little more open-minded,” he says.

The brewery’s Just Lucky New

England IPA is their most popular lia, it includes peach and fruity notes in each sip that customers can experience together — whether that be in the tap room or during one of their outdoor events. Bath finds that when it comes to outdoor activities, the two styles of beer that people tend to gravitate toward are a light and refreshing lager or an IPA.

According to Fisher, an IPA is great for “anything that has to do with adventure — whether it’s in the mountains, or on the beach, or at the lake or on a sandbar, but also with music.” Newburyport Brewing Co. is all about music, adventure and well-balanced, easy-to-drink beers. He says their live music events are a great way to bring people together.

“Beer and community I think have gone hand in hand for centuries,” says Carrier.

At Throwback Brewery, building and supporting community is a big part of what they do, whether that’s through one of their book clubs, yoga classes or another event. Carrier has seen several friendships form as customers bond over beer. She’s happy to provide a relaxing, comfortable space where people can get together and enjoy an IPA.

“As a beer style, it’s kind of like the birthday hat of beer styles,” says Bareford. “People just seem to be excited and happy when they drink IPA.”

The rise and allure of IPA

Loaded Question Brewing

909 Islington St., Suite 12, Portsmouth

Hours: Open 1 to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday, noon to 9 p.m. Saturday, and 1 to 8 p.m. Sunday.

IPAs: Sparkletoes (7.4% ABV), a dank and fruity Vermont style DIPA; Just Lucky (6.3% ABV), a NE IPA with tropical citrus and stone fruit flavors; Pat’s Purls (6% ABV), a NE IPA full of Cashmere hops with a soft finish; Tu-Notorious (6% ABV), a modern West Coast IPA with malt character and Chinook and Centennial hops; East Coast Steeze (4.7% ABV), a session NE IPA full of melon character and notes of black tea, orange and candied lime; Mirage (7% ABV), a smooth NE IPA with grapefruit and white wine grape notes; and more.

More info: The brewery hosts several events, such as 603 Pub Runs, a running Facebook group hosted by SIX03 Endurance; Corn Hole League Night, a night of cornhole competitions, and Service Industry Night, a night where service industry members get 25 percent off beer, food and merchandise. Call 603-852-1396, email lqinfo@loadedquestionbrewing. com or visit loadedquestionbrewing.com.

through Sunday and includes a rotation of artists, such as female musicians during Girl Jam and performances by local artists during Wednesday Night Music Club. They also have summer festivals with food trucks, live music, face painting, and more. Call 978-4638700, email info@nbptbrewing.com or visit nbptbrewing.com.

BareWolf Brewing

12 Oakland St., Amesbury, Mass.

Hours: Open 4 to 9 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday, 4 to 10 p.m. Friday, noon to 10 p.m. Saturday, and noon to 6 p.m. Sunday; closed on Monday and Tuesday.

IPAs: Vast (6% ABV), a heavily dry-hopped NE IPA with green melon character and fruitiness; Foggy Galaxy (6.5% ABV), a Galaxy and Citra double dry-hopped NE IPA; one-off IPAs; and more.

More info: The brewery is in an antique mill building and is designed with colorful furniture, artwork by local artists, and 14 picnic tables in the beer garden. They focus on quality, creativity and aromatic hops. They also have several live music events, such as a performance every fourth Friday by bassist, beatmaker and producer Scott Ziegler, and Scarlet Fire BBQs. Call 978-5726520, email info@barewolfbrewing. com or visit barewolfbrewing.com.

Throwback Brewery

7 Hobbs Road, North Hampton

Hours: Open 4 to 7:30 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday, noon to 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and noon to 6 p.m. Sunday; closed on Monday and Tuesday.

Newburyport Brewing Co.

4 New Pasture Road, Newburyport, Mass.

Hours: Open 3 to 9 p.m. Tuesday, 2 to 10 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday, noon to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and noon to 8 p.m. Sunday; closed on Mondays.

IPAs: Green Head (7.2% ABV), a clean and crisp West Coast-style IPA; Sandbar (8% ABV), a fruity, juicy, and hazy Double IPA; Overboard (6.2% ABV), a super juicy and hazy NE IPA; Melt Away IPA (4.6%), a flavorful, bright and crisp Session IPA that’s perfect for summer.

More info: The brewery is in a warehouse and has a beer garden and indoor space. Live music occurs Tuesday

IPAs: Rule the Roost (6.9% ABV), a hazy NE IPA with sweet citrus, melon, bright lemon, and a grassy and dank finish; Donkey-Hoté (8.2% ABV), a soft Double IPA with citrus, apricot, peach, and melon favors; The Rusty Plow (4.2% ABV), a Red Session IPA; Cashmere Track Suit (8.4% ABV), a fruity, New England-style double IPA with citrus, melon, and pineapple; and more.

More info: Throwback Brewery is a restaurant, brewery and farm all in one. They aim to get all of their ingredients within 200 miles and anything they put in their beer is grown on site or is from local farms. With a warm and welcoming atmosphere and a variaety of brews, visitors can enjoy their IPA of choice during events, such as book club and yoga class. Call 603-379-2317, email hello@throwbackbrewery.com or visit throwbackbrewery.com.

Photo Courtesy of Newburyport Brewing Company.

What’s in a name?

The origins and evolution of IPA

By Matt Ingersoll and Mya Blanchard

The term “IPA” stands for India pale ale, although the style did not originate in India, but rather in England. According to Share, the story goes that, during the height of the British colonization of the Indian subcontinent in the 18th and 19th centuries, shipping merchants would brew strong, heavily hopped beers designed to survive the long voyages between England and what is now India. The pinecone-like hop plant, also known as humulus lupulus, has many varieties and is an essential ingredient in craft beers, especially IPAs.

“They realized that adding more hops to the beer actually preserves the beer, because there are some antimicrobial and antibacterial properties that the hops help,” Share said. “So, they started adding more hops to their beer to ship it to India, and that’s where the term IPA came from.”

The popularization of the style would eventually migrate to the United States, and it became prominent by the mid- to late 1990s and early 2000s, especially in California and the Pacific Northwest — the latter continues to be one of the largest hop-growing regions in the country, said Brian Parda, sales and marketing manager for Great North Aleworks in Manchester.

While the term “IPA” has been muddied over the years since, Parda said that today it generally refers to any type of hop-forward beer.

“[The hops] are kind of the main feature of the beer, the star of the show, in an IPA. Every IPA that we make has more than one variety. It’s usually a

combination of varieties,” Parda said.

“Then when you get into what is ‘hoppy,’ I think that means different things to different people. Hops can be anywhere from kind of spicy, earthy and grassy all the way to fruity. … New hops are being developed all the time from all kinds of breeding programs … to create new expressions.”

Ali Leleszi, who has owned Rockingham Brewing Co. in Derry with her husband, Rob, since February 2015, said that while all beers are made with hops, it is their flavor profiles that set them apart from other beers.

“There’s only like one big change for an IPA versus any other beer, and it’s the amount of hops you add and when,” Leleszi said.

Hops are grown all over the country and the world today, including even New Hampshire. Share said part of the fun of being a craft brewer involves experimenting and playing around with different hop varieties, not only for IPAs but for a wide array of other beer styles.

“The vendors that sell hops, their sales reps will come around and give you little sample packs of the hop so you can try them out,” he said. “What you can do is you can open the package up and kind of crush it in your fingers and you can smell it, and then get kind of an idea of what the aroma is going to be.”

Traditionally, and especially prior to the rise of the New England IPA, Parda said, the bitterness of added hops served as a balancing agent to the sweetness of a beer’s malt.

“A perfectly balanced beer has the best of both of those, where you’ll go, ‘Oh, wow, this is really smooth and really refreshing.’ All of that comes

from the back and forth between the bitterness and the sweetness,” Parda said.

Not only the varieties of the hops themselves but the combinations of certain varieties, and even at what

Find your IPA

point they are added in the brewing process, aid in creating different flavor profiles of a beer. These, Share said, are all among the factors for how the New England IPA would eventually be created.

A guide to styles and flavors

By Matt Ingersoll and Mya Blanchard

Here’s a short glossary of IPA terms commonly found on the tap lists of local breweries, defined by owners and brewers themselves.

• American IPA: The term “American IPA,” according to Aaron Share of To Share Brewing Co. in Manchester, is generally used as a catch-all for a wide range of hop-forward pale ales.

“We have one on tap right now that we call an American IPA which is Not an

Exit,” Share said. “We’ve made it with kind of a West Coast-style malt bill, but the hops that we use and the way that we use them are more of a New England-style.”

• Black IPA: Rather than the straw-like golden color of its New England-style cousin, a black IPA is known for being very dark brown, almost black, in appearance. “A black IPA … would be an IPA made with some dark malts, so it’s almost got a darker appearance like a stout or a porter, but it’s still very hoppy,” Share said.

• Brut IPA: This IPA is known for being very dry, with a mouthfeel almost

Donkey - Hoté from Throwback Brewery. Courtesy photo from Throwback Brewery

like that of a Champagne, according to Tucker Jadczak of Feathered Friend Brewing Co. in Concord.

• Cold IPA: Brian Parda, sales and marketing manager for Great North Aleworks in Manchester, said a cold IPA is a kind of IPA and lager hybrid that was born out of the Pacific Northwest. “The temperatures are a little cooler than [what is] typical of an IPA fermentation,” he said.

• Double IPA: Also known as an Imperial IPA, this a stronger version of any kind of regular IPA with a typically higher alcohol by volume. “The term ‘imperial’ just denotes very high alcohol, [it] doesn’t matter what beer style,” Curtis Dopson, assistant brewer and can artist of Pipe Dream Brewing in Londonderry, said in an email.

• English IPA: Unlike the hoppiness of its New England counterpart across the Atlantic, Jadczak said an English IPA tends to be more malt-forward.

• Milkshake IPA: An offshoot of the New England IPA, the milkshake IPA adds lactose and occasionally fruit to give it a creamier flavor, Jadczak said.

• New England IPA: It’s generally accepted that this style of IPA originated in Vermont in the early 2000s. Share said this brew is best characterized by its hazy, opaque appearance, milky yellow or straw-like color, soft mouthfeel and juicy, fruity or citrus flavors.

• Session IPA: Like double or imperial, “session” is a term that can be applied to any style of IPA. “It just means they are lighter in alcohol,” Share said. “It’s sessionable, meaning you can drink multiple ones in a drinking session. That’s where that came

More local brews

The Czar’s Brewery

from. … We do a New England-style session IPA every now and then.”

• Triple IPA: A Triple IPA is characterized by a high ABV, even higher than what would be considered a Double IPA.

“As a general rule of thumb, an IPA goes up to anywhere from 5 to, say, 7, 7-anda-half [percent ABV] and then once you get over 7-and-a-half, you’re getting into the Double IPA range,” Share said.

“You get over into like 9 or 10 percent, then it would be more like a Triple IPA.”

• West Coast IPA: West Coast IPAs are typically more balanced between their malt and hop profiles. “They tend to be much, much less opaque, almost clear, with little to no haze in appearance,” Dopson said. “They typically last much longer before the hops diminish, due to when hops are added to the beer.

You … get much softer and more floral aromas and a much more bitter flavor profile.”

2 Center St., Exeter, 583-5539, theczarsbrewery.com

Try this brew: Flabbergasted and Bewildered, two popular New England IPA options

Northwoods Brewing Co.

1334 First New Hampshire Turnpike, Northwood, 942-6400, northwoodsbrewingcompany.com

Try this brew: Preservation Line, an IPA brewed with Mosaic and Citra hops and featuring notes of mango and guava fruits

Out.Haus Ales

442 1st New Hampshire Turnpike, Northwood, 942-6036, outhausales.com

Try this brew: NúDIPA, a New England-style Double IPA with juicy mango flavors

Sawbelly Brewing

156 Epping Road, Exeter, 583-5080, sawbelly.com

Try this brew: Eastbound Galaxy, a New England IPA featuring Citra and Galaxy hops

Topwater Brewing

748 Calef Hwy., Barrington, 664-5444, topwaterbrewingco.com

Try this brew: Simple Life, Topwater’s flagship beer, is a New England IPA featuring Citra, Mosaic and Simcoe hops

Chris and Dan Moore

The Rusty Plow IPA from Throwback Brewery. Courtesy photo from Throwback Brewery.

Naturally photogenic Conservation group accepting submissions for amateur photo contest

By Katelyn Sahagian ksahagian@hippopress.com

Photography hobbyists have until early September to get shoots ready for a photography contest by the New Hampshire Association of Conservation Commissions.

The contest, called the Natural World Photography Competition, wants photos that make the landscapes and wildlife of New Hampshire the star of the show.

“Important government entities and NHACC provide support, technical assistance, training, and education for these volunteers. We really wanted to showcase the work they do protecting the local lands,” said Barbara Richter, the executive director at NHACC. “We thought an ideal way would be through a photo contest to encourage residents to take pictures of these beautiful places that are on their back doorstep.”

Photos are accepted in three categories: those taken by kids up to 12 years old, by teens ages 12 to 18, and by

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adults over 18. The top photo in each age group will win $250, with the runner up winning $50. Each photographer can submit up to three photos in the competition, and Richter said that there have already been a few submissions.

The competition will have a theme, Richter said, focusing on the wetlands and water in the Granite State.

“We’ve done a lot of wetland training this year. The theme for the whole year is wetlands,” said Richter. “Water is the big theme [for the contest]. The bay, the ocean, especially in the summer, those are the places we love to visit, the beau-

tiful beaches and lakes.”

While the Association has its own protected lands, Richter said the photos don’t need to be taken on its lands. She said that so long as the photos are of nature in New Hampshire, they’re fair game.

The competition will be judged by three photography specialists, including a member of the Association’s board. Richter said that, because the judges know a lot about photography, it might be best for submissions to be minimally edited, just because the judg-

es had mentioned highly edited photos wouldn’t be considered as seriously.

In addition to prizes, and bragging rights, NHACC will be using some of the submitted photos for their marketing, Richter said. This means that photographers who want to seek professional gigs could have a published photo in their portfolios.

While the competition has a lot of benefits to photographers and the Association, Richter said the real emphasis is on getting the people of the state out into nature and being inspired by it.

“The connection to art is really important in New Hampshire,” Richter said. “While this is focused on amateur photographers, I think there’s a lot of people who enjoy taking pictures and being outside and I think it’s a great connection.”

Natural World Photography Competition

When: Now through Sept. 8. Winner will be announced on Nov. 4 Visit: nhacc.org

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If you could choose any profession, what would it be?

“I’d love to be an NBA basketball player. I’m here in New Hampshire because I was offered a scholarship at Saint Anselm, and I’m trying to figure it out.”

— ryan of DallaS, texaS

What’s your favorite ice cream flavor?

“ Ben & Jerry’s Phish Food. Chocolate ice cream with caramel, marshmallow swirl and chocolate fish. It’s fantastic, and everyone should try it!”

— Joe of Burlington, VerMont

Baseball, basketball, football or hockey?

“ New England Patriots football. I got interested around age 15 by supporting my high school team. They went 0 and 7 in our senior year, so it was great to watch the Pats win.”

— JaMeS of Bennington

Do you prefer scallops, lobster or shrimp?

“ I’m a shrimp person. I’ve been making a lot of homemade shrimp in a creamy Cajun sauce at home. I load it with cheese and serve it over pasta.”

Do you prefer to text, call or email?

“I’d rather call someone directly. Calling is much faster than texting or emailing. Sometimes I’ll text, too, but I prefer calling.”

Hamburgers or hot dogs?

“ Hot dogs, hands down. They’re easier to cook, and I really love them grilled over an open fire. They just taste better.”

— caitlin of reDerickSBurg, Virginia

SHOPPING VENUES.

Compiled by Betty Gagne at Hampton Beach.

— Patty of PalMer, MaSSachuSett S

— Michaila of Bennington

Route 1 Antiques

3 Great Shops in One Seacoast NH Destination!

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Open Wed-Mon 10am - 5pm Closed Tuesdays

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The Brickhouse

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Try This aT home extra-crunchy okra the healthy way

Okra isn’t an item you find all that often on menus in New Hampshire. That is why I’m advocating for you to cook it at home. This recipe will show you just how amazing it can be as a side dish or appetizer.

There are two key components to extra crunchy okra: an air fryer and panko bread crumbs. The air fryer almost goes without saying. It’s hard to get extra-crunchy veggies that are healthy without an air fryer. Panko is also essential to the consistency of the okra. Regular bread crumbs don’t add enough texture.

When you are cooking the okra it is important not to crowd the slices. My air fryer has shelves, so I divide the okra slices among two racks. I also rotate the racks halfway through cooking to give exposure to both top and bottom. If you are cooking in an air fryer that has a basket, it may take two rounds of cooking.

For serving, I highly recommend you make the dipping sauce. Ketchup is a fine alternative, but the barbecue dipping sauce just adds that little something extra. Either way, keep an eye out for okra when you shop; it could be the veggie you didn’t know you love!

Extra-crunchy okra the healthy way

Serves 4

12 ounces okra

1 egg white

1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

1 cup panko

1 teaspoon garlic powder

1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

Dipping sauce

1/4 cup plain Greek yogurt

2½ Tablespoons barbecue sauce

Clean okra, and remove stem and tip ends; set on paper towels to dry slightly.

In a shallow bowl, whisk egg white and ½ teaspoon garlic powder. In a second shallow bowl, combine panko, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, and salt. Cut okra into 1-inch segments. Place ¼ of okra into egg white mix. Use a fork to toss and fully coat okra pieces.

Michele Pesula Kuegler has been thinking about food her entire life. Since 2007 the New Hampshire native has been sharing these food thoughts and recipes at her blog, Think Tasty. Visit thinktasty.com to find more of her recipes.

Remove okra from egg white, using the fork, shaking to remove excess egg. Transfer to panko mixture. Toss until all pieces of okra are well-coated.

Spray air fryer racks with nonstick cooking spray.

Place coated okra pieces on rack. Repeat with remaining okra. Do not crowd the okra on the rack; use multiple racks as needed. Heat air fryer to 375 degrees. Place rack(s) in oven and air fry for 6 minutes.

If using more than one rack, rotate positions, and air fry for 6 more minutes. While okra cooks, combine yogurt and barbecue sauce in a small bowl, stirring well.

Remove okra from air fryer and serve immediately with dipping sauce.

Extra-crunchy okra. Photo by Michele Pesula Kuegler.

oUT For a BiTe

at nick’S Place of

fallS

Following several decades of success on the North Shore of Massachusetts, Nick’s Place moved north to New Hampshire for the first time in 2019 with the opening of a spot in Raymond. A second Granite State restaurant, this time in Hampton Falls (115 Lafayette Road, 265-8000, letseatnicks. com), is the company’s 10th overall — the eatery opened last fall in the former Native Coffee + Kitchen storefront on Lafayette Road and is now best-known for its fresh roast beef sandwiches, pizzas, calzones, subs and pasta and seafood dinners. Another Seacoast-area location is on the way in Newmarket. Each restaurant offers dine-in, takeout and online ordering, and 12-ounce bottles of Nick’s Place’s house creamy Greek dressing are available for retail in some area businesses. The Scene recently caught up with Constantine “Costa” Alexandrou, whose father and uncle launched Nick’s Place in Winthrop, Mass., back in the mid-1980s (the original spot is still going strong), to chat about some of his personal must-try menu item recommendations.

How long has Nick’s Place of Hampton Falls been around?

We opened in Hampton Falls in October of last year [2022]. … I don’t know the exact year my father started Nick’s Place with my uncle, but we always just say it was 1986. … He started it in a little corner store, and then we moved to the old McDonald’s in Winthrop Center, and we’ve been there ever since. … My father’s middle name is Nicholas. There’s really nobody by the first name of Nick … but we have a little ongoing joke that there’s an employee there by that name, and we always blame everything on Nick.

What makes Nick’s Place of Hampton Falls unique?

We try to bring forth the best customer service that we can, and honestly, we use the best stuff that we can possibly get … whether it’s the flour that we use for the dough, or the produce that we get every day. The seafood is all fresh, from the haddock to the clams that we get delivered every day. … We really try to go above and beyond.

What is your favorite thing on your menu?

Right now it’s probably going to be something off of our bowls menu. … We’ve got a Greek bowl, which is kind of like a play on a Greek salad, but in a bowl with rice … and it’s got romaine lettuce, feta, onions and our house dressing on the

side. … Even though we offer great salads, the bowl is a different alternative now, and it fills you up.

What is something that everyone should try?

A North Shore roast beef sandwich … and it’s got to be tried “3-way,” with barbecue sauce, cheese and mayonnaise, either on a grilled hamburger bun or an onion roll.

What celebrity would you like to see eating at Nick’s Place of Hampton Falls?

I’d like to be featured on a Diners, Driveins and Dives type of show, or Phantom Gourmet. Something like that would be cool for us. … We actually had our little spotlight last year [at] our Raymond location, with

Charlie Moore’s son. He started a show, Travel Moore, and so that was pretty cool.

What is an essential skill to running a restaurant?

No. 1 is hard work. Hard work with a great team, really, is what I think it is. Everybody’s got to work together, especially being in a busy place like where we are. But we get it done, and at the end of the day, it’s all about hard work, and you’ve got to love what you do, too.

What is your favorite thing about being on the Seacoast?

Definitely the beach. … I also have to say, I do really like Markey’s [Lobster Pool in Seabrook].

Photo Courtesy of @the_roamingfoodie

WIT h m ATT IN gerso LL

haMPton

Turning a page

Poetry Society of NH begins search for new poet laureate

By Katelyn Sahagian ksahagian@hippopress.com

The last four years for state Poet Laureate Alexandria Peary have been filled with readings, assorted projects, and making poetry as accessible for people as she could.

“It’s been a total joy to serve the state,” Peary said about her tenure. “I’m really happy with the initiatives I’ve started and that they are continuing. I feel like it’s been a whirlwind of all these activities and engagement, and I hope people have benefited from it.”

Her appointment will be over in March 2024. As of now, the submission gates are open for the Poetry Society of New Hampshire, as it begins the search for the next state poet laureate.

Melanie Chicoine, the president of PSNH, said that, while this will be her first time leading the search for a poet laureate, she was excited to be finding the new statewide voice for the artform.

Chicoine said the process for finding the next laureate will be a long one. Submissions are currently open online and will be until Tuesday, Aug. 1. She said that applicants could be nominated by a third party or self-nominated, so long as they meet the criteria the committee is looking at.

The guidelines are simple, Chicoine said. The writer must be a Granite State resident, must have published a fulllength book of poetry (with a hardcover copy sent into PSNH) and must indicate what they plan to do with the position once they are appointed.

“That’s the really important part,” Chicoine said about the last requirement.

To her, a winning application will have something like what Peary has done through her international literary magazine Under the Madness, which relies on a teenage staff to sift through submissions and to edit and design. She also spent her time as laureate doing readings and workshops with poetry lovers of all ages and setting up a time to read poetry submissions on air with New Hampshire Public Radio.

Chicoine wants nominees to set goals in their submissions about making poetry available to study, read and create for as many members of the state as possible.

“Bringing poetry to people all over

the state in different contexts that makes it something relatable is something important,” Chicoine said. “‘Make poetry more accessible,’ that’s my mantra. [The poet laureate] is representing poetry in the state; what is their plan for how to do that?”

Peary said that while the last four years have been exhilarating she’s also excited to have time to spend with her family and at her profession as well. Being a laureate is an unpaid appointment, and Peary said she would easily work 30 hours a week in addition to her teaching schedule.

While it has been demanding, Peary said it was equally rewarding, remembering a time she met an amateur poet whose work she had read during her poetry hour on NHPR. She said she remembered his poem clearly, and to see his excitement meeting her and expressing what he experienced was amazing.

“To basically do good like that for other writers, from anyone from a kid just starting, to someone older, or someone struggling with writer’s block, just helping out, that’s one of the purposes of life, to cause some good in the world,” Peary said. “I’ll miss that. I’ll miss giving people those bursts of pure joy and pleasure about writing.”

SUNDAY

Grilled Twin Pork Chops - $11.99

Served with Mashed Potatoes & Veg

MONDAY

Burger Night - $9 Hamburger or Cheeseburger includes lettuce & tomato, additional toppings extra

TUESDAY

Taco Tuesday & Ladies Night

$3 Tacos All Day - 8pm-Close 1/2 Price Drinks for the Gals

WEDNESDAY

Spaghetti & Meatballs - $10.99

Served with Garlic Bread

THURSDAY

Wing Night$11.99

For a Dozen Wings

FRIDAY

Fish n Chips - $15.99

12oz Prime Rib - $26.99

SATURDAY

12oz Prime Rib - $26.99

Roasted Half Chicken - $15.99 with mashed potatoes & vegetable

*Not available 5-8pm daily submissions

Poet Laureate

Detailed guidelines can be found at psnh. org/2024-laureate-nomination-guidelines.

Submission deadline: Tuesday, Aug. 1

Current State Poet Laureate Alexandria Peary. Courtesy Photo

transformers: rise of the Beasts (Pg-13)

the animal-y transformers Maximals make their appearance in transformers: rise of the Beasts — collect them all, on sale now at a store near you!

Once upon a time, the gorillabot Optimus Primal (voice of Ron Perlman) became leader of a group of other animal bots who escaped a world about to be eaten by Unicron (voice of Colman Domingo), a Death Starry-looking being who is a little bit Sauron and a little bit Galactus. Though he is able to eat the world the Maximals are living on, Unicron can’t move on to other worlds because his helper Scourge (voice of Peter Dinklage) failed to find the energy key thing that will allow him to wormhole throughout the universe. Optimus Primal and crew took the key while escaping the planet, eventually landing on Earth.

In the present day — which is 1994 New York City — Noah Diaz (Anthony Ramos) is just a guy struggling to help his single mom, Breanna (Luna Lauren Velez), and his sick younger brother Kris (Dean Scott Vazquez), who is being denied medical care for his sickle cell anemia because his family is behind on his bills. Noah loses out on a security job and decides to turn to a buddy offering him some non-violent criminal work. It’s supposed to be an in-and-out job stealing a Porsche from a parking garage. But the car in question turns out to be Mirage (voice of Pete Davidson), an Autobot. And Noah slides into the car just as Optimus Prime (voice of Peter Cullen) is calling all Autobots.

A troubling light beam — that only the Transformers can see — marks the location of a reawakened energy key and the possible calling of Scourge and Unicron.

The key was inadvertently reawakened by Elena (Dominique Fishback), an antiquities expert examining artifacts recently delivered to the museum where she works. She knows the hawk sculpture she’s been given isn’t Egyptian or Nubian as was claimed but she didn’t know the piece’s exterior was going to fall away and reveal a large glowstick crystal inside.

Thus do Autobots, Mirage and Noah and Elena all end up near the key, whose light has called Scourge and some other bad guys that are probably available as action figures and in multi-character sets. Eventually they all fight together to try to stop Scourge from taking the

Transformers: Rise of the Beasts

key. Noah thinks they should destroy it to prevent Unicron from eating Earth or any other world but Optimus Prime hopes to use it himself to help the Autobots go to their home world. The gang learns that there is another piece of the key they must find and a Maximal hawkbot called Airazor (voice of Michelle Yeoh) shows up to help them find it.

I was a little surprised to learn that Rise of the Beasts earned a PG-13 rating — it is perhaps the closest live-action analog to those many Transformer cartoons on Netflix that seem to transfix my kids despite seeming to me like a lot of exposition punctuated by very basic fight scenes. The “real” nature of the robots and people (and thus the “realness” of the violence they’re involved in) might put it out of reach for my younger elementary school kids

Film

• Movie Night Mondays on Hampton Beach (next to the playground) return on July 10 at dusk (approximately 8:25 p.m. for the first movie and then a few minutes earlier for each subsequent film). The films run weekly through Aug. 28, and admission is free. Bringing chairs or blankets is welcome. The lineup of familyfriendly films kicks off with Hotel Transylvania: Transformia (2022, PG) on July 10. See hamptonbeach.org for the full schedule and the approximate dusk times; rain dates are on Tuesdays for all films.

but for interested tweens it’s probably fine. There’s no icky Michael Bay-ish male gaze stuff, and nothing jumps out at me as being super inappropriate for your average double-digit-age kid.

Anthony Ramos and Dominique Fishback are both likable, capable people without having a whole lot of personality beyond that.

“This movie would be fine to take a nap to” is a thought I had while watching it, as was “the Transformer action figures this movie is advertising should be cheaper” (you can find some for $10-ish but $15 and up seems more common). This movie is benign enough that I don’t mind that I’m watching a two-hour-plus commercial for a Mirage action figure — particularly if they could price him at $9.99.

Perhaps the movie anticipated some parental grumpiness and thus to keep

the elders amused it throws in a few 1990s hip-hop needle drops that have you thinking “aw, hey, that song” and then drifting off on nostalgia. So, if “benign OK-ness for much of the family” is what this movie was shooting for, it basically hits its mark. Maybe it climbs to a B- if your kids are old enough for this sort of thing and you’re just looking for tolerable family entertainment, a C+ for everybody else.

Rated PG-13 for intense sequences of sci-fi action and violence, and language, according to the MPA on filmratings.com. Directed by Steven Caple Jr. with a screenplay by Joby Harold and Darnell Matayer & Josh Peters and Erich Hoeber & Jon Hoeber, Transformers: Rise of the Beasts is two hours and seven minutes long and distributed in theaters by Paramount Pictures.

The Collected Regrets of Clover, by Mikki Brammer (St. Martin’s Press, 314 pages)

Clover Brooks is 36, single and surrounded by death — not the thing you’d want to put on a Tinder profile. The lifetime New Yorker lives alone in a rent-controlled apartment she shared with her grandfather growing up and she works as a death doula — the opposite of a birth doula. She sits with dying people, ensuring that they don’t die alone and helping them to process their pain and other complicated emotions they are experiencing. She keeps three notebooks in which she records notes; they are labeled “Regrets,” “Advice” and “Confessions.”

That’s what you need to know to understand the title of The Collected Regrets of Clover, a debut novel from Mikki Brammer, an Australian transplant who has a remarkable level of knowledge of New York City, where she lives now. It is a surprisingly upbeat novel, given the subject matter. The protagonist is a lonely young woman who has been hobbled by grief, having lost both parents as a child and, later, more traumatically, the grandfather who raised her. You might call her death-haunted; the first line of the novel is, “The first time I watched someone die, I was five.” (It was her kindergarten teacher.)

Clover does not have much of a life outside her work, caring for her two cats and a low-maintenance dog and keeping up with her neighbors. The only thing she does with any regularity is attend an occasional death cafe — a group where people gather to talk about death and enjoy refreshments (yes, this is a thing) — and every weekend have breakfast out and visit the bookstore she used to frequent with her grandfather before he passed more than a decade ago.

The few friends she has are old, and

Books

Author events

• AMY GRACE LOYD will discuss her new novel The Pain of Pleasure at Water Street Bookstore (125 Water St., Exeter, 778-9731, waterstreetbooks.com) on Sunday, June 25, at 4 p.m.

• MICHAEL BRUNO will discuss his book Cruising New Hampshire History at Exeter Public Library (4 Chestnut St., Exeter, 772-3101, exeterpl.org) on Tuesday, June 27, at 6 p.m.

they include the 70-something bookstore owner and an elderly man who lives in her building and has known her since childhood. An only child who never learned to be social, she sees no reason to make friends and finds all the companionship and solace she needs in her structured life and in her books. Or so she thinks.

You probably see where this is going. Which is the only problem with this generally engaging book.

From the moment Brammer introduces a character named Sebastian, an overly enthusiastic visitor to a death cafe who tries to befriend Clover, there is a likely trajectory of this story. Our heroine will resist Sebastion’s overtures for only so long, and eventually he will bring her the companionship and love that she has long resisted. (She has never, she reveals, uttered the words “I love you” nor had them said to her — although her grandfather, a biology professor at Columbia University, clearly loved Clover deeply, he wasn’t one to say it, and her parents, whom she only vaguely remembers, had been more interested in each other than their child before they died in an accident while visiting China.)

To her credit, Brammer doesn’t follow that well-trampled plot, at least not completely. Instead, the story takes a sharp detour when Clover takes on a new client who, at 91, is dying of pancreatic cancer and has two months to live. Although she had a good marriage and a fulfilling life, she has long wondered if her life would have been better if she had married another man, someone she fell in love with when she was young and living in France. Clover does some research and finds the man seems to be

• DR. LUANA MARQUES

will discuss her book Bold Move: A 3-Step Plan to Transform Anxiety into Power at The Music Hall Lounge (131 Congress St., Portsmouth; 436-2400, themusichall.org)

on Wednesday, June 28, at 7 p.m. Tickets cost $47 and include a signed book.

• ANDRE DUBUS III will discuss his new novel, Such Kindness, in conversation with Elizabeth Strout, at The Music Hall Lounge (131 Congress St., Portsmouth; 436-2400,

living in Maine, so she sets off on a New England road trip to find him to fulfill the dying woman’s last wish.

In many ways The Collected Regrets of Clover is a literary death cafe — it is populated with millennials who grew up in families uncomfortable with talking about life’s end and who therefore are eager to explore the subject — everything from the legality of burial at sea to burial suits made out of compostable mushrooms. From Clover’s work to her memories to the visits to death cafes, the novel is one long conversation about grief and death. It’s a subject that the author seems to know something about.

One character says, “Someone told me once that [grief is like] a bag that you always carry — it starts out as a large suitcase, and as the years go by, it might reduce to the size of a purse, but you carry it forever.”

Clover has been carrying her own grief for reasons that unfold throughout the novel, and while it’s not an especially complicated story, it’s competently told and has enough light twists to keep readers engaged. The squeamish need not worry; death is largely a concept here; there are no unsettling depictions of the stages of decomposition or other things that happen to the body after we die. Nor does Brammer take up any discussion about the existence (or not) of an afterlife.

In a writing group she joined while she was working on the bo mer told others that she was trying to write a book about death “that’s fun and uplifting.” Strange as that sounds, she succeeded. B

themusichall.org) on Saturday, July 8, at 7:30 p.m. Tickets cost $47 and include a signed book.

• PAUL TREMBLAY & JOE HILL, bestselling horror authors, will be in conversation at Water Street Bookstore (125 Water St., Exeter, 778-9731, waterstreetbooks.com) on Saturday, July 15, at 6 p.m.

• COLSON WHITEHEAD will discuss his latest novel, Crook Manifesto, at The Music Hall Historic Theater

(28 Chestnut St., Portsmouth; 436-2400, themusichall.org) on Thursday, July 20, at 7 p.m. Tickets cost $5 plus fees and the required purchase of a $30 book voucher per one or two tickets.

• SY MONTGOMERY & MATT PATTERSON will talk about their new nonfiction picture book, The Book of Turtles, at Water Street Bookstore (125 Water St., Exeter, 778-9731, waterstreetbooks.com) on Saturday, July 22, at 11 a.m.

guitar sundays goes shorter

Eric Hofbauer pays tribute to the jazz legend

By Curt Mackail

Renowned guitarist Eric Hofbauer visits Portsmouth on Sunday, June 25, for the season-closing concert of the Guitar Sundays series, presented by Portsmouth Music and Arts Center and the Portsmouth Public Library. The solo performance begins at 3 p.m. in PMAC’s Haas Family Gallery and Recital Hall.

“Eric Hofbauer has become a significant force in Boston’s improvised-music scene,” wrote David Adler in Stereophile magazine. “His aesthetic evokes old blues, Americana, Tin Pan Alley, bebop, and further frontiers. There’s a rule-breaking spirit but also an impeccable rigor, a foundation of sheer chops and knowledge, that put Hofbauer in the top tier of guitarists.”

Andrew Gilbert wrote in The Boston Globe, “No other guitarist in jazz has developed a solo approach as rigorous, evocative, and thoughtful as Hofbauer.”

Hofbauer’s 2016 solo album release Ghost Frets was described by Chris Haines of The Free Jazz Collective “as a real testament to Hofbauer’s musical style and vision. The playing is virtuosic throughout, providing a master class in creative solo performance.”

“I’ve never heard anyone play the guitar like that before. There’s so much going on in there and it’s quite extraordinary to listen to. A lot of tremendous energy and that real self-propelling rhythmic feel as if he had his own built-in rhythm section,” said John Fordham, host of BBC Radio’s Jazz on 3 program.

Hofbauer was recognized in 2017, 2019 and 2022 by the DownBeat magazine critics’ poll as a rising star. According to his biography, Hofbauer is perhaps bestknown for his solo guitar work featured in a trilogy of recordings — American Van-

ity, American Fear and American Grace.

Hofbauer holds a master’s degree from New England Conservatory of Music and a bachelor’s degree from Oberlin Conservatory of Music. He chairs the Jazz and Contemporary Music Department at Longy School of Music of Bard College in Cambridge, Mass. Hofbauer also served as visiting professor at Wellesley College and faculty member at Clark University and the University of Rhode Island. In 2009 he was honored with the Massachusetts Cultural Council’s Artist Fellowship in Music Composition.

selections for the guitar sundays concert

“For this concert I’m performing my solo guitar arrangements of Wayne Shorter compositions,” Hofbauer told Seacoast Scene while on tour in Japan this month.

“Wayne recently passed away, and he was a huge influence on me, both his music, his composing, his improvising. His passing really inspired me to transform his compositions into my own personal solo guitar arrangements,” Hofbauer said.

Wayne Shorter was an American saxophonist whose jazz performances and compositions earned worldwide recognition, critical praise and 12 Grammy awards. Shorter was well-known for his work with Miles Davis, Herbie Hancock, Joni Mitchell, Carlos Santana and bands Weather Report and Steely Dan. Shorter also led his own ensembles. He died at age 90 in March this year.

Hofbauer said he has picked out nine Wayne Shorter compositions for the Guitar Sundays concert. Some are more common pieces of Shorter’s repertoire and some are deeper cuts. Hofbauer will be playing acoustic, using just a microphone and a hollow-body guitar.

melodic marvels

“There’s something very honest and pure about that,” Hofbauer said, “and people, even if they don’t know who Wayne Shorter was or are not even into jazz, can find a connection, I think. In a live setting, the solo guitar is a very intimate, very inviting vehicle for dialogue and for deep listening,”

“My approach to solo guitar performance, versus my ensemble work, well, I see them on a continuum,” Hofbauer continued. “Other guitarists and critics have called my work unique, weird and quirky. I take those all as compliments, really. I use a lot of layers of sound and extended techniques, a lot of taps and rattles and growls and harmonics. There are bass lines, inner voicings, counterpoint, different melodies…. I think of the guitar fretboard as a jazz orchestra, really.”

The Guitar Sundays series is a partnership between PMAC, a nonprofit community music and arts school, and the Portsmouth Public Library.

“Together, we’ve been very successful, bringing in audiences for dozens of solo, duo and trio guitar concerts,” said Russ Grazier, PMAC founder and chief executive officer. “We’re fortunate to be able to offer free admission because of the sponsorship of Service Credit Union.

Next year, thanks to a grant from the Augustine Foundation, the series will be bringing in some high-profile guitarists, including Colin Davin, who kicks off the fall season with a concert on Sunday, Sept. 10. The series features eight concerts next year that will continue to be offered for free, according to Grazier.

“We have received wonderful feedback from audiences and have many people who attend all of the concerts,” Grazier said. “We’re looking forward to having Eric Hofbauer bring his eclectic aesthetic to PMAC. Whether playing Americana, bebop, blues, or his unique interpretations of modern pop music, Eric’s music challenges audiences in the best of ways. His exciting and personable style will be a treat for everyone to hear,” said Grazier.

guitar Sundays series features eric hofbauer

Where: Portsmouth Music and Arts Center Haas Family Gallery and Recital Hall, 973 Islington St., Portsmouth

When: Sunday, June 25, 3 p.m.

Cost: Free admission

More info: Call 431-4278

The 2023 Halcyon Music Festival continues with three chamber music concerts from June 22 to June 24 at St. John’s Episcopal Church (101 Chapel St., Portsmouth). On Thursday, June 22, the program titled “For the People” will showcase Beethoven’s Folk Song Selections, Webern’s Langsamer Satz, Bolcom’s Three Rags for String Quartet, and Brahms’ Piano Quartet No. 3 in C minor, Op. 60. On Friday, June 23, the concert “Longing and Lullabies” will present Brahms’ Zwei Gesänge, Schumann’s Piano Quintet in Eb Major, Op. 44, and Ravel’s Piano Trio. The festival concludes on Saturday, June 24, with “Land of Dreams,” featuring Barber’s Dover Beach, Shostakovich’s String Quartet No. 7 in F# minor, Op. 108, Beethoven’s String Quartet No. 6 in Bb Major, Op. 18, and Brahms’ String Sextet No. 2 in G Major, Op. 36. Single concert tickets are $25 for general admission and $10 for students. A three-concert ticket package for the final performances is also available for $55. Each concert will also be livestreamed and tickets for those virtual performances are $25. For more information and tickets, visit halcyonmusicfestival.org.

Guitarist Eric Hofbauer in studio. Courtesy photo.

exeter Sawbelly Brewing 156 Epping Road 583-5080

Sea Dog Brewery 9 Water St.

Shooter’s Pub 6 Columbus Ave. 772-3856

Swasey Parkway 316 Water St.

hampton Bernie’s Beach Bar 73 Ocean Blvd. 926-5050

Bogie’s 32 Depot Square 601-2319

Community Oven 845 Lafayette Road 601-6311

CR’s The Restaurant 287 Exeter Road 929-7972

The Goat 20 L St. 601-6928

Hampton Beach Sea Shell Stage Events on southern stage L Street Tavern 603 17 L St. 967-4777

Logan’s Run 816 Lafayette Road 926-4343

Sea Ketch 127 Ocean Blvd. 926-0324

Shane’s BBQ 61 High St. 601-7091

Smuttynose Brewing 105 Towle Farm Road

Wally’s Pub 144 Ashworth Ave. 926-6954

Thursday, June 22

Exeter

Swasey Parkway: Amorphous Band, 6 p.m.

Hampton

Bernie’s: Dylan Welch, 7 p.m.; GZA, 7:30 p.m.

Bogie’s: live music, 7 p.m.

CR’s: Steve Sibulkin, 6 p.m.

L Street: Craig Lagrassa, 2:30 p.m.; Chris Powers, 7 p.m.

McGuirk’s: Sonic Boomers, 7:30 p.m.; Sean Buckley, 8 p.m.

Sea Shell: Nashville Line

Dance, 6 p.m.; Shana Stack Band, 7 p.m.

Smuttynose: Common Ground, 6:30 p.m.

Wally’s: Liz Bills Mosaic Mirrors, 7 p.m.

Whym: music bingo, 6 p.m.

Venues

Concerts

3S Artspace 319 Vaughan St., Portsmouth, 7663330, 3sarts.org

Hampton Beach Casino Ballroom

169 Ocean Blvd., Hampton Beach, 929-4100, casinoballroom.com

Jimmy’s Jazz and Blues Club 135 Congress St., Portsmouth, 888603-JAZZ, jimmysoncongress.com

The Music Hall

28 Chestnut St., Portsmouth, 4362400, themusichall.org

The Music Hall Lounge

131 Congress St., Portsmouth, 4362400, themusichall.org

Portsmouth Gas Light: Dave Ayotte, 9 p.m.

The Goat: Dave Ayotte Duo, 7 p.m.; Isaiah Bennett, 9 p.m.

Seabrook

Backyard Burgers: Jennifer Mitchell, 6 p.m. Red’s: Ryan Flynn, 7 p.m.

Friday, June 23

Exeter

Sea Dog: Mark Lapointe, 5 p.m.

Hampton

Bernie’s: The Far, 8 p.m.; Russ

Six, 8 p.m.

Bogie’s: live music, 7 p.m.

CR’s: Bob Tirelli, 6 p.m.

The Goat: Alex Anthony, 8 p.m.

L Street: Chris Michaels, 8 p.m.

McGuirk’s: Kieran McNally, 1 p.m.; Radio Roulette, 7:30 p.m.;

Press Room 77 Daniel St., Portsmouth, 4315186, pressroomnh.com

Shows

• Mo Lowda Thursday, June 22, 8 p.m., Press Room

• Vincent Engala Friday, June 23, 7:30 p.m., Jimmy’s

• The Quebe Sisters Friday, June 23, 7:30 p.m., Music Hall Lounge

• Jerry Harrison & Adrien

Belew Friday, June 23, 8 p.m., Casino Ballroom

• Eggy Friday, June 23, 9 p.m., Press Room

• Roomful of Blues Saturday, June 24, 7:30 p.m., Jimmy’s

• John Cleary & the Absolute Monster Gentlemen

Saturday, June 24, 7:30 p.m.,

Jimmy’s

Sean Buckley, 8 p.m.

Sea Shell: Brandy Band, 7 p.m.

Smuttynose: Bulkheads, 6 p.m.

Wally’s: Chris Toler, 3 p.m ; Banana Gun, 9 p.m.

Whym: Krystian Beal, 6:30 p.m.

Newmarket

Stone Church: Human Rights & DJ Chocolate, 6 p.m.

Portsmouth

Gas Light: Dave Clark, 2 p.m.; Max Sullivan Group, 7 p.m.; Pete Peterson, 9:30 p.m.

The Goat: Chris Toler, 9 p.m.

Mojo’s: live music, 7 p.m.

Seabrook

Red’s: Squire of Soul, 8 p.m.

WHYM 853 Lafayette Road 601-2801

newmarket Schanda Park off Creighton Street Stone Church 5 Granite St. 659-7700

north hampton Locals Restaurant & Pub 215 Lafayette Road 379-2729

saturday, June 24

Dover

Fury’s: Feverslip

Hampton

Bernie’s: MB Padfield, 1 p.m.; Steve Dennis, 1 p.m.; Chris Toler, 8 p.m.

Bogie’s: live music, 7 p.m.

L Street: Bob Tirelli, 3:30 p.m.; Craig Lagrassa, 8 p.m.

McGuirk’s: Mason Brothers, 1 p.m.; Sean Buckley, 8 p.m.

Sea Ketch: Ricky Lauria, 1 p.m.

Sea Shell: B Street Bombers, 7 p.m.

Smuttynose: Steve Haidaichuk, 1 p.m.; 90 Miles Away, 6:30 p.m.

Tuxbury Pond: MonkeyKat

Band, 7 p.m.

Wally’s: The Far, 9 p.m.

Whym: Dave Corson, 6 p.m.

Portsmouth Clipper Tavern 75 Pleasant St., 501-0109

The Gas Light 64 Market St., 430-9122

Gibb’s Garage Bar 3612 Lafayette Road

The Goat 142 Congress St. 590-4628

Grill 28 Pease Golf Course 766-6466

Herbert’s Restaurant 1500 Lafayette Road 431-5882

The Statey Bar & Grill 238 Deer St. 431-4357

Newmarket

Stone Church: Petty Thieves, 3 p.m.; Rose Alley, 9 p.m.

Portsmouth

Gas Light Pub: Paul Warnick, 2 p.m.; Bob Pratte Band, 7 p.m.; Chris Fraga, 9:30 p.m.

The Goat: The Petty Thieves, 9 p.m.

Mojo’s: Scooter Run, 12 p.m.

Seabrook Beach Deck: The GemsTones Jukebox, 3 p.m.

Chop Shop: live music

Red’s: Take 2, 8 p.m.

sunday,

Hampton

June 25

Bernie’s: Justin Jordan, 7 p.m.; The Reis Brothers, 8 p.m.

Bogie’s: live music, 7 p.m.

Red’s Kitchen + Tavern 530 Lafayette Road 760-0030

L Street: Dave Clark, 3:30 p.m.; Chris Powers, 8 p.m.

McGuirk’s: Charlie Carazzo, 7 p.m.

Sea Ketch: Ray Zerkle, 8:30 p.m.

Sea Shell: Christian Music Festival, 2:30 p.m.

Smuttynose: Two Towns, 1 p.m.; Redemption, 5:30 p.m.; Two Towns, 6:30 p.m.

Wally’s: MB Padfield, 2 p.m.

Whym: live music, 1 p.m. p.m.

Portsmouth

Gas Light: Chris Powers, 2 p.m.; Dancing Madly, 6 p.m. The Goat: Rob Pagnano, 9 p.m.

Seabrook

Red’s: Groovy Tuesday, 7 p.m.

• Harrison Goodell Saturday, June 24, 8 p.m., Music Hall Lounge

• Dirty Deeds (AC/DC tribute) Saturday, June 24, 8 p.m., Casino Ballroom

• Sarah Shook & the Disarmers Saturday, June 24, 8 p.m., 3S Artspace

• Immanuel Wilkins Quartet Sunday, June 25, 7:30 p.m., Jimmy’s

• The Scotch Bonnet Sunday, June 25, 8 p.m., Press Room

• Tom Kiefer Band/Winger/John Corabi Wednesday, June 28, 8 p.m., Casino Ballroom

• Curtis Stiegers Thursday, June 29, 7:30 p.m., Jimmy’s

• Chase Rice Thursday, June 29, 8 p.m., Casino Ballroom

• A Night of Sinatra with

Rich DiMare Friday, June 30, 6 p.m. & 8:30 p.m., Music Hall Lounge

• Michael Franti & Spearhead Friday, June 30, 8 p.m., Casino Ballroom

• Rufus Wainwright Friday, June 30, 8 p.m., Music Hall

• Badfish (Sublime tribute) Friday, July 1, 8 p.m., Casino Ballroom

• Darrell Scott Wednesday, July 5, 7 p.m., Music Hall Lounge

• Dirty Dozen Brass Band Wednesday, July 5, 7:30 p.m., Jimmy’s

• Sugaray Rayford Thursday, July 6, 7:30 p.m., Jimmy’s

• Rumours—A Fleetwood Mac Tribute Thursday, July 6, 7:30 p.m., Music Hall

Vincent Engala.

Are bumps and potholes equally taxing?

Please settle a bet: Which is more taxing on shocks a 6-inch bump in the road or a 6-inch pothole? I say they’re equally taxing.

— Joe

By Ray Magliozzi

I think you’re right, Joe. I haven’t interviewed many shocks, so I don’t know their personal feelings on this, but my guess is that they don’t care.

The car has springs, to isolate your tush from the bumps and potholes on the road. The shock’s job is to dampen the spring’s oscillations — so that after you hit a bump or a pothole, your tires don’t bounce up and down for the next mile and a half, making it hard to turn or stop.

To dampen the motion of the springs, most shocks are filled with fluid and non-combustible gas. When the springs compress (wheels get pushed up), the shock’s piston pushes inward.

When the springs expand (wheels

go down), the piston pushes out. And whether the piston is pushing in or out first, I don’t think matters, because it always does one, then the other.

As for the other suspension components, I would guess that a 6-inch pothole is worse than a 6-inch bump.

Keep in mind, that guess is — as my late brother would have said — “unencumbered by the thought process.” But in my driving experience, the impact of a pothole is more abrupt, and therefore more severe. So, a ball joint, a tie rod end, a coil spring, not to mention a wheel or tire, has greater potential to be damaged if it takes a sudden, sharp jolt, all at once from the forward edge of a pothole, as compared to a bump —which is rarely sharp. Bumps usually have some degree of curvature to them — they’re somewhat rounded. And I think that makes a difference.

So, if I were a coil spring (isn’t that a song from “Fiddler on the Roof”?), I’d rather hit a 6-inch bump than a 6-inch pothole, Joe.

Dear Car Talk:

I’m curious about the location of disc brakes vis-a-vis the wheel.

I’ve seen the caliper housing mounted on top of the wheel, in front of the wheel, and to the rear of the wheel. What determines the placement of the disc brakes?

— Josh

Probably the mood of the engineer that day.

You notice their placement these days because they’re often painted bright colors on expensive cars now. Some high-end models even let you choose your caliper color when you order the car. “I’ll take the black interior and the chartreuse calipers, please.”

Anyway, the job of the caliper is to squeeze the brake pads around the spinning rotor. That’s what creates friction and slows the car. The caliper has to remain stationary, so it’s bolted to the car’s steering knuckle. The steering knuckle is the contraption that holds the wheel on the car while simultaneously allowing you to steer.

Depending on the design of the sus-

pension, the caliper is usually placed where there’s room for it. It can be mounted toward the front of the wheel or the rear. It can also be moved toward the top, although putting it at the top of the wheel would interfere with the strut assembly, so I don’t think I’ve ever seen one there.

You don’t want it underneath the wheel, because that would require extending the steering knuckle down closer to the ground, where it can easily get damaged. And besides, you’ve got plenty of other, good options.

Ultimately, where it’s placed really makes no difference to how well the car stops — as long as it stays put. So, it’s really an engineering and design decision based on where it fits best on a particular car.

In that sense, calipers are a lot like the watermelon you just bought visa-vis the fridge. It goes wherever you can fit it, Josh.

Visit Cartalk.com

BRAND AMBASSADOR/PROMOTER PART-TIME, CONTRACT

Do you Love Interacting with People? We have a fun Weekend Gig for you! Stone Fence is looking to grow our promotions team! We are looking for RELIABLE, outgoing and enthusiastic representatives to sample and advocate for our brands at NH and ME based liquor store tastings. Our Brand Ambassadors will promote brand awareness and drive sales through live featured product demo’s/ tastings. The ideal candidate represents Stone Fence’s values of unique and authentic products through sales and customer engagement.

This is a great opportunity for anyone with a flexible schedule looking to make extra money! **Must be at least 21 years of age to apply.** Tastings are typically 2 hours. Pay: $30 per hour.

Please send us a copy of your resume to krissy@stonefencebev.com

ABOUT STONE FENCE BEVERAGE

We represent local and craft-oriented brands. Stone Fence was formed to support craft spirit makers who don’t have the recognition of national brands, and therefore tend to be dismissed by big name distributors. Our mission is simple: To promote the authenticity of craft spirits, and introduce cool and unique brands to our audience.

www.stonefencebev.com

BeACh Bum FuN HoRoSCoPES

All quotes are from Where the Deer and the Antelope Play , by Nick Offerman, born June 26, 1970.

Cancer (June 21 – July 22)

When I look at Madison, Wisconsin, on a map, I sometimes see a bow tie, or an orchid, or the Bat Signal…. You see what you see.

Leo (July 23 – Aug. 22) I’m down with adrenaline-inducing fun-times, and have enjoyed a variety of them over the years, but … I feel like we could all use a refresher on our manners. It never hurts.

Virgo (Aug. 23 – Sept. 22) The personal labor involved in the crafting of a table or chair or canoe was the whole handmade point. Work it.

Libra (Sept. 23 – Oct. 22) Nothing infuriates me more than when some ‘tastemaker’ publishes the details of the amazing hole-in-the-wall burrito stall near your woodshop, rendering it forevermore unavailable because of

the line around the block…. Don’t get burritos during rush hour.

Scorpio (Oct. 23 – Nov. 21) Moths … are at a severe aesthetic disadvantage when held in comparison to their

sunnier cousins, the butterflies, or so I thought. There is a wide variety of both.

Sagittarius (Nov. 22 –Dec. 21) It all continues to come back to remembering that none of us is an island, and that we really do have to think of others in the ways we use, well, everything. Who made your toilet paper?

Capricorn (Dec. 22 – Jan. 19) Once I had crested this garbage trail, I sat on a rock and had a cup of tea that was so … roborative that I think I morphed into Jim Carter for a minute (Mr. Carson from Downton Abbey , a paragon of proper comportment) …. It’s tea time.

Aquarius (Jan. 20 – Feb. 18) [S] tand-up paddleboarding is a bit of a balancing act …. You have to actively stand still as hard as you can. Harder than it sounds, but doable.

Pisces (Feb. 19 – March 20) I had to do a little homework to discover that a ‘gap inn the paling’ refers to the spaces between slats in, like, a slatted fence or picket fence. Picket fences make great neighbors. Have a chat!

Aries (March 21 – April 19) At long last, I understood the feeling of wonder and relief that travelers must have experienced upon arriving at Rivendell, the Elvish sanctuary in The Lord of the Rings . You may enjoy an Elvish sanctuary. Or Elvis. Or something like that.

Taurus (April 20 – May 20) My indulgent solace was suddenly shattered when two young men on mountain bikes came catapulting around the corner …. Wait it out.

Gemini (May 21 – June 20) In so many ways that are referred to as ‘progress,’ we happily leave behind such an incredible wealth of accrued human knowledge. What is progress, really?

Last Week’s Answers:

Diesel is a very handsome 5-year old male pit bull who came to the NHSPCA when his owner was moving and could not bring him along. He is very playful, friendly and affectionate. He has lived with younger children in the past and has done well, but an introduction should be made with any younger children before he’s taken home. Through his time here, Diesel has proven to be dog-selective, and he will require a dog-to-dog meet-andgreet with other dogs living in the household. He has also never lived with cats, so he will need a slow introduction to any cat housemates. Overall, Diesel is a very good dog and loves to play frisbee. Do you think Diesel is the perfect addition to your family? Visit the adoption center, open every day from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., except Wednesday, or email info@nhspca.org.

Thong and cheek

Protesters at the Massachusetts Statehouse bared more than their souls as they demonstrated against climate change on June 15, according to an NBC-10 Boston report. Shouts began to rain down from the public gallery just after 1 p.m. from eight members of Extinction Rebellion, an international environmental movement, followed by a warning: “We are going to be mooning you ... You can look away if you wish.” At that point, the octet turned their backs on the senators and dropped trou, revealing pink thongs and bare buttocks emblazoned with the words “stop passing gas.” The protesters continued with chants of “You’re a senator, not an ass, why are you still passing gas,” and “Butts out for climate” for about an hour before they were arrested and escorted out of the chamber.

reunited and it feels so good

A first edition of George Orwell’s “1984” has been returned to the library ... 65 years late. UPI reported that the Multnomah County Public Library in Portland recently received

the return from an 86-year-old patron. The patron attached a note to the book, explaining that they meant to return it in 1958 after checking it out as a Portland State University student, they just “never got around to it.” But talk about excellent timing: The library just went fine-free.

s ome things beg certainty

Relatives were mourning Bella Montoya, 76, at her wake in Ecuador on June 9 when they heard strange sounds coming from the coffin.

“There were about 20 of us there,” the woman’s son, Gilberto Barbera, said.

“After about five hours of the wake, the coffin started to make sounds.”

The supposedly deceased had been declared dead the Martin Icaza Hospital in Babahoyo earlier that day, but that evening, “my mom was wrapped in sheets and hitting the coffin, and when we approached we could see that she was breathing heavily,” Barbera said. Montoya was rushed back to the hospital, but the Associated Press reported that she was intubated and is not expected to recover. Ecuador’s Health Ministry has launched an investigation into the incident.

A bear’s gotta eat

Workers for American Plate Glass in Sunapee, New Hampshire, learned an important lesson about locking up their valuables on June 14, but it wasn’t at the hands of the typical thief, and the valuables weren’t the usual tools or construction materials. Curtis Fidler was working onsite when he noticed movement in his peripheral vision: “I turn and it was a bear nonchalantly just having lunch in the front seat of the truck.” The bear enjoyed all of the snacks it could find, left the truck and disappeared into the woods. Fidler FaceTimed his mother-in-law, Melinda Scott, who watched the encounter live and later told WHDH-7 News that “There is not a single scratch on the box truck. He did no damage. He just had lunch and took a nap.”

The agony of the heat

The hopes of Bangkok residents were slightly deflated on June 9, as a long-awaited art installation in Victoria Harbor lost steam. Dutch artist Forentijn Hofman’s giant rubber ducky installation, which tours cities around the world and captured the affections of Bangkok residents when it visit-

ed there back in 2013, returned to the city earlier this month, this time with two giant rubber duckies, which the artist said would bring “double luck.” Unfortunately, Yahoo News reported that rising temperatures put one ducky -- and residents -- at risk. The “rubber duck skin had become strained because the hot weather has caused air pressure to rise,” organizers said in a statement. They deflated the duck as a precaution.

u p in smoke

A dispensary in Baltimore faces fines for blowing smoke ... literally. WMAR-2 in Baltimore reported that the Cookies dispensary opened May 27, only to be shut down less than a week later after a surprise inspection revealed a laundry list of violations, including “large plumes of medical cannabis smoke being blown from a large gun apparatus into the mouths of persons outside the dispensary,” according to the suspension notice. Cookies is part of a franchise, and Cookies San Francisco was the first to utilize a “Flame Thrower” smoke blower, created by Jeff Dick of Colorado. The blower has since become part of the Cookies brand.

Fill in the grid so that every row, every column, and every 3x3 box contains the digits 1 through 9. Answers will appear in next week’s paper.

Puzzle A from 6/15

Puzzle B from 6/15

Puzzle B

Puzzle A

don’t want the world to see me

Across

1. ‘I Got You __’ Sonny/Cher

5. Like solo concertgoer

9. Opening line to 64. Across “You and __ something”

13. Ben Folds Five ‘97 album ‘Whatever And Ever __’

14. Steve Douglas played this sax on Dylan’s ‘Street-Legal’

16. Old 45 player (hyph)

17. Owl City song for one’s outline

against a lighter background

19. Ripping Texan guitarist Johnson

20. Mazzy Star ‘She Hangs Brightly’

opener

21. Hungover Strokes misspell ‘Last __’

22. Countertenor

23. ‘The Mighty Quinn (Quinn The Eskimo)’ Manfred __ Earth Band

25. ‘17 Beck album has all the rainbow

ones

27. Iconic American composer Porter

29. 80s

‘Vienna Calling’ singer

32. Killers were “turning on” this smallest coin on ‘Flesh And Bone”

35. Goo Goo Dolls “I’m just a man it’s __”

39. Astbury of The Doors Of The 21st Century

40. ‘Another Day On Earth’ pro-

ducer/artist Brian

41. Oingo Boingo “Had an operation with no __ reaction”

42. Max Webster guitarist Mitchell

43. She married her backup singer, Cris Judd

44. ‘02 Starting Line album ‘Say It Like You __’

45. ‘The House Of Dolls’ __ Loves Jezebel

46. Colt Ford school song for College Station, TX ‘Texas __’

48. Ozzy song that means “sail across the ocean”, perhaps (abbr)

50. ‘Minute By Minute’ __ Brothers

54. Trevor of Yes

57. Blueswoman Popovic and Matronic of Scissor Sisters

59. Beck looks into the guy next to him on ‘Soul Of __’

61. Lenny Kravitz “My mama said you can be __ small”

63. Jefferson Starship hit from ‘79 with girl’s name

64. ‘02 Goo Goo Dolls ‘Guttermouth’ single for heading over “there”?

66. This Warner-owned label relaunched in ‘20

67. Unrecognized soul rocker Butler

68. ‘Generation Doom’ metalers

69. UK ‘Getaway’ band inspired by snorkeling site?

70. ‘99 Red Balloons’ band

71. Cheap instrument’s wood goes bad or does this

Down

1. Party or this thrown for album release

2. STP “I am, I __ I said I wanna get next to you”

3. Australian country trio

4. Some beers may do this for your show’s fun level

5. Founding Stones pianist Ian (abbr)

6. Youth ‘Angel’ Mark Dinning sang of

7. Stage prank

8. Cheryl Lynn disco jam ‘__ Be Real’

9. Supremes hit ‘__ Symphony’

10. Maroon 5 “__ you run ‘round with guys like me”

11. Loverboy ‘Lovin’ Every Minute __’

12. Bon Jovi drummer Torres

15. Part of Ska punkers, w/Big Fish

18. ‘Invincible’ OK Go album

24. ‘Run Runaway’ band

26. Ain’t seen ‘The Best __’ yet say Goo Goo Dolls

28. ‘02 Unwritten Law ‘Up All Night’ album

30. Bad English keyman Jonathan

31. Abba ‘Take A Chance __’

32. CSN&Y classic album ‘__ Vu’

33. Where Missing Persons might walk

34. Van Morrison said “It’s a marvelous night for” one

36. Iconic ‘Popular Problems’ sing/ songer Cohen (abbr)

37. “I just want you to know who I am” Goo Goo Dolls hit

38. Barry Manilow heard her belt and said ‘She’s __’

41. Great producer for album?

45. American Authors ‘__ Go Home’

47. Replacements got one good ‘__ Thunder’

49. Sheet notations for guitarists (abbr)

51. ‘My Man Stanley’ __ Men

52. Oasis asked ‘D’You Know What __’

53. ‘Washington Square Serenade’ Steve

55. Avett Brothers “__ my heart on my knees”

56. Group consisting of nine people

57. Where a ‘Fly’ was trapped, to Modest Mouse

58. fun. singer Ruess

60. Like XTC ‘Shuffle’ or light on Broadway

62. Label’s sales force

65. Smokey Robinson ‘Silent Partner __

Three-Way Love Affair’

© 2023 Todd Santos

Todd’s new book Rock and Roll Crosswords Vol. 1 is available now on Amazon.

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