AGP Executive Report

Local Music & Live Shows: Cheap Trick added five September dates to its 2026 North American tour, with new stops including New Hampshire. Art & Community: Canal Street Art Gallery in Bellows Falls is hosting new solo shows by Edward Kingsbury III, MC Noyes, and Debbie A. Barton through Aug. 9. NH Culture & Media: NHPR’s Summer Raffle runs June 1–July 31, with eight prizes and winners announced Aug. 10. Health & Public Life: A Dartmouth-linked dermatology public health spotlight features Umayr Shaikh on treating patients of color and rural access barriers. Sports & Pride: Special Olympics New Hampshire sends 26 athletes to the USA Games in Minneapolis, starting competition in bocce, golf, and powerlifting. Outdoor & Lifestyle: Norway Pond water-quality testing continues into summer with buoys collecting data for the Hancock commission and NHDES. Local Interest: A three-way I-93 crash in Tilton left one driver seriously injured, according to New Hampshire State Police.

Special Olympics Spotlight: 26 New Hampshire athletes are competing at the Special Olympics USA Games in Minneapolis, starting Monday in bocce, golf and powerlifting, with the week drawing 3,000 athletes and 10,000 volunteers. Lakes Region Film Lore: A new “Postcard from Golden Pond” column revisits how the 1981 classic—shot in New England—keeps inspiring local businesses and summer memories. Local Food Farewells: May brought multiple New Hampshire restaurant closures, including long-running Dover pizza spot River Bend, plus several other community staples. Indie Music & Community: Northlands Music & Arts Festival in Swanzey is leaning into rootsy jam culture with big names and a DIY spirit that’s pushing back against “corporate” festival trends. Arts & Craft Fair: Francestown’s Arts Fair drew an eclectic mix of makers—from hand-spun linen to digital art and anime—alongside live saxophone music. Outdoor Fun, Big Wins: Hampton Beach’s Sand Sculpting Classic crowned “The Hieght of Stupitidy,” which survived heavy rain, while the People’s Choice went to “Waiting for the Sunrise.” Sports on the Field: Nashua’s Silver Knights topped Worcester 3-1 in a Father’s Day game despite weather delays.

Local Arts & Events: Market Days returns to Concord for its 52nd year with 200+ vendors—and this time, a vintage clothing twist via Capital Vintage’s curated lineup. Public History: Greenfield Historical Society marks the nation’s 250th with “Redcoats and Rebels: New Hampshire in the American Revolution” plus July 4 community events at Oak Park. Arts in the Spotlight: Hampton Beach Sand Sculpting Classic crowned Abe Waterman with “The Hieght of Stupitidy,” a towering, rain-tested piece on display through June 28. Community Pride & Activism: Wayne Turner reflects on Freedom Day Committee and ACT UP organizing, tying past LGBTQ+ activism to today’s fight for rights. Sports & Youth: Seacoast high school baseball and softball Player of the Year voting is open, with nominees listed for both categories. Outdoor Safety: Fish and Game reports rescues on Mount Moosilauke and Mount Lafayette, warning that cold, wet conditions can turn dangerous fast. Policy Watch: Gov. Kelly Ayotte vetoes NH’s “bathroom bill” (SB 552), keeping gender-identity protections intact.

Sail Boston 250: Boston tug crews are calling their work the “Super Bowl” of the harbor as Sail Boston’s 250th anniversary (July 11–16) draws an estimated 4 million people, even though their boats rarely show up in the iconic Constitution photos. Outdoor Arts & Community: Hampton Beach’s Master Sand Sculpting Classic crowned Abe Waterman with a 21-foot AI-themed piece, “The Height of Stupidity,” after three days of brutal weather. Music & Legacy: Upper Valley musician Ralph Bowie is remembered as a teacher who made music feel like an adventure, with a community band concert dedicated to him. Local Culture Spotlight: Biddeford’s La Kermesse Franco-American Festival returned for its 43rd year, celebrating French heritage with live music, vendors, rides, and a crepe party. NH Sports & Recreation: New Hampshire Fish and Game is weighing higher hunting and fishing license fees after a decade of stagnant rates, citing rising costs and expanded responsibilities. Music History: Today marks Adolphe Sax’s 1846 saxophone patent.

French Heritage Festival: Biddeford’s La Kermesse Franco-American Festival returned for its 43rd year, celebrating the city’s French-Canadian roots with live music, rides, vendors, a parade, and a Sunday free crepe party. Adult Sports & Community: In the Phoenix area, adult social leagues are booming—sand volleyball and other recess-style sports are drawing people looking for connection as much as fitness. Sports Culture: Scotland’s Tartan Army got a big heroes’ send-off in Boston before heading to Miami, with locals and visitors crediting the fans for a major boost to the city. Local Arts Spotlight: Plainfield musician Ralph Bowie is being remembered for decades of teaching and band direction, with community members praising his gift for making music feel like an adventure. Summer Fun in NH: Hampton Beach’s Master Sand Sculpting Classic crowned Abe Waterman for a towering “The Height of Stupidity,” while Dmitry Klimenko and Ilya Filimonstev took second and third. Father’s Day Picks: NH event ideas include strawberry picking at Applecrest Farm Orchards and a Mount Washington Cruises Father’s Day brunch on Lake Winnipesaukee.

Father’s Day in NH: Looking for plans? Applecrest Farm Orchards hosts a free strawberry festival (11 a.m.-3 p.m.) with live music, animal barnyard fun, and samples, while Mount Washington Cruises offers a 2½-hour Father’s Day brunch cruise on Lake Winnipesaukee with live entertainment and tickets starting at $54. Sand Art Spotlight: The Hampton Beach Master Sand Sculpting Classic crowned Abe Waterman for a 22-foot piece, “The Height of Stupidity,” with Dmitry Klimenko taking second and Ilya Filimonstev third. Local Arts & Culture: Opera North’s Summerfest 2026 brings “The Ballad of Baby Doe,” plus “La Cenerentola” and “Fiddler on the Roof,” to Cornish’s Blow-Me-Down Farm June 26-July 26 under an air-conditioned tent. Community & Care: AARP and United Way expand the 211 Caregiver Support Program to New Hampshire, adding more call-center access for family caregivers. Sports Note: AJ Dybantsa’s NBA draft day is Tuesday, with his family promising to stay close no matter where he lands.

Motorcycle Week Culture: Gov. Kelly Ayotte joined the NASWA Resort in Laconia to celebrate the 103rd birthday of Laconia Motorcycle Week, a nine-day tradition that locals say fuels the Lakes Region economy with more than $100 million in statewide revenue. Local Land-Use Fight: Casella Waste Systems withdrew a wetlands permit application tied to its contested Dalton, N.H., landfill plans, though the company says it will keep pushing forward and other permits remain in limbo. Community & Care: The New Hampshire Charitable Foundation announced a leadership transition as Richard “Dick” Ober retires, and AARP/United Way expanded the 211 Caregiver Support Program to include New Hampshire, aiming to help millions of family caregivers find services faster. Arts & Performance: Opera North’s Summerfest 2026 brings Douglas Moore’s “The Ballad of Baby Doe” to Cornish, with performances staged under an air-conditioned circus tent. Public Safety: Police say a man was shot in the chest inside a Manchester restaurant; the suspect turned himself in, and the victim is stable. Sports Spotlight: Exeter High’s girls 4-by-800 relay set a New England-record time at the outdoor championships.

Opera & Summerfest: Opera North brings “The Ballad of Baby Doe” to Blow-Me-Down Farm in Cornish, NH, running June 26–July 26 under an air-conditioned circus tent, alongside “La Cenerentola” and “Fiddler on the Roof.” Museum & Photo Exhibit: The Currier Museum of Art debuts “Danny Lyon: The Bikeriders,” pairing Chicago motorcycle-club photography with local custom choppers for summer 2026. Live Music Tickets: WOKQ is giving away tickets to see HARDY at BankNH Pavilion in Gilford on June 25, with Muscadine Bloodline and McCoy Moore opening. Community & Culture: Hundreds rallied at Portsmouth’s African Burying Ground Memorial for Juneteenth, tying the holiday to the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. Sports Spotlight: Exeter High’s girls 4x800 relay set a New England-record at the outdoor championships, and Vermont announced its roster for the Twin State Baseball Classic against NH on June 27. Local Arts/Leadership: NH Business Review’s “Leadership Unscripted” featured senior executives sharing lessons from careers that include the Palace Theatre Trust.

Arts & Culture: The Currier Museum of Art is debuting “Danny Lyon: The Bikeriders,” pairing Chicago motorcycle-club photos with custom choppers from Manchester artist “Fish Tank” (James Berry), a summer 2026 show that brings bikes-as-art to the gallery. Music & Community: KJZZ’s “The Show” marks Juneteenth with a look at joy and resilience, plus a conversation with the Wild West Fiddle Project on Arizona’s hidden musical history and multicultural fiddle roots. Local Arts Spotlight: The Currier’s exhibit is part of a broader summer arts push, while NH’s public-facing creative scene also gets a boost from community programming and cultural storytelling. Sports & Entertainment: Deer Valley Resort announced the Deer Valley World Cup returns Jan. 28–30, 2027, with moguls and aerials and tickets slated for fall. Media & Pop Culture: A “Love Island USA” recap covers the episode’s double dumping, while “My Husband’s Mistress” is framed as a thriller built on revenge themes rather than a true story. Civic Life: Juneteenth events are listed across New Hampshire, including Portsmouth’s “Healing Rhythm of the Drums” at the African Burying Ground memorial park.

Juneteenth in NH: Portsmouth’s African Burying Ground memorial park hosts “The Healing Rhythm of the Drums” today, with a Native blessing, readings of enslaved Africans’ names, and African drumming and dance. Northern NH arts funding: Five northern organizations—including St. Kieran Community Center for the Arts in Berlin—are among Catalyst award recipients, with $8.1M+ in federal support tied to community projects and audience upgrades. Community arts & culture calendar: Harvard Public Library’s June 23 ice cream social pairs sundaes and classic rock from The Speed Bumps, plus more upcoming book and music events. Local sports-entertainment crossover: Manchester’s Delta Dental Stadium drew crowds for the first Banana Ball game in New Hampshire, blending baseball with music, dancing, and fan interaction. Outdoor arts spotlight: Hampton Beach’s sand-sculpting competition returns this weekend, with father-son artists “G1” and “G2” overseeing 10 competitors and $25,000 in prizes. Board-game fun: Derry Lions Club runs free summer chess and checkers nights Thursdays through Aug. 13.

Local Arts & Culture: Keene’s Colonial Theatre unveiled a 2026-27 season built for “vibrancy” and risk-taking, from Slavic Soul Party! to Talib Kweli, plus comedy with Margaret Cho and NH favorite Juston McKinney. Theater Leadership: Winnipesaukee Playhouse in Meredith named Broadway-trained Bryan Knowlton its new producing artistic director, aiming to deepen community and education ties. Arts Calendar: Pelham’s “Mystery Minds” book group tackles “The Return of Ellie Black,” and Nesmith Library hosts a craft-supply swap donation drop-off. Community Events: Littleton’s downtown block party drew 18,500 people with food trucks, local music, and vendors. Outdoor Arts & Craft: MacDowell in Peterborough opens its studios to the public for Medal Day on June 28. Sports & Entertainment: Hanover Lions Twin State lacrosse all-stars meet Saturday at Hanover High, with proceeds supporting local causes. NH Sports Spotlight: PWHL draft’s No. 1 pick Caroline “KK” Harvey, a New Hampshire native, was selected by the Vancouver Goldeneyes. Weather Watch: A tornado watch was posted for New Hampshire as storms approach Thursday.

Local Arts & Culture: Squam Lakes Artisans Gallery in Center Harbor added jeweler Susan Vachon, bringing more one-of-a-kind wearable beadwork to its lineup of painters, sculptors, glass, wood, and four resident jewelers. Music & Festivals: Jatoba, the “groovegrass” band, returns to Northlands Music & Arts Festival at Cheshire Fairgrounds this weekend, including a Saturday 1 p.m. Mountain Stage set alongside national acts like Yonder Mountain String Band, Lotus, and JRAD. Film/TV Buzz: Paramount Animation and CBS are developing an animated “Survivor” comedy where animal contestants compete for the title, with Jeff Probst executive producing. Sports (NH ties): Twin State Byrne Cup lacrosse rosters were announced for Hanover High School, with NH and Vermont top recent grads facing off Saturday. Community & Care: AARP and United Way expanded NH caregiver support through the 211 helpline, connecting families to respite, transportation, and other local resources. Weather Watch: Severe weather is possible in New Hampshire Thursday, with rain and passing thunderstorms in the forecast.

High School Sports Honors: Littleton’s Chase Fillion was named Granite State All-Conference spring baseball Player of the Year, capping a standout season for the Crusaders. Local Arts & Community: Lebanon High’s Oscar Gulledge earned National Football Foundation honors, recognized for both athletics and leadership. Juneteenth in New Hampshire: A roundup highlights where to celebrate Juneteenth across the Granite State, including events tied to the Black Heritage Trail of New Hampshire. Music Spotlight: Motionless In White shared “R.I.P.” featuring Skylar Grey, with a cinematic video and a heavy, gothic emotional theme. Outdoor & Nature: Authorities ruled a suspicious death at Eastman Pond in Grantham a suicide. Sports Fandom Retail: DICK’S announced Lids shop locations inside more than 100 DICK’S stores by late summer 2026, expanding licensed headwear for fans. Adult Recreation Trend: A report from Arizona shows social sport leagues growing fast as adults look for community through weekly games.

Outdoor & Wildlife: Pawtuckaway Lake in Nottingham is getting attention for loon “circle dance” and “penguin dance” behavior, a reminder of how much personality shows up on NH waters. State Policy & Recreation: New Hampshire Fish and Game’s proposed hunting and fishing fee increases were pulled back after Gov. Kelly Ayotte’s office said the department didn’t adequately consult stakeholders. Theater: “Our Town” lands on the Marion Art Center stage, bringing Thornton Wilder’s American classic to life with a focus on everyday moments and what we miss when life moves fast. Music: moe. and Umphrey’s McGee kept their moe.mentUM tour momentum going with a New Hampshire stop at Hampton Beach Casino Ballroom, including a joint encore and cross-catalog collaborations. Local Culture & Community: A Center Ossipee couple’s pet goose, Gabby, is turning walks into mini-events—drawing crowds in Wolfeboro and beyond. Public Safety: Elder Justice partners across NH are warning about financial exploitation targeting older adults, including romance scams and cryptocurrency fraud. Sports & Pride: UNH’s new football coach, Sean Goldrich, brings a deep music-industry family history along with Wildcats roots. Arts Media: NHPR announced it won eight 2026 journalism awards, including six Murrow honors.

NHPR Awards: New Hampshire Public Radio brought home eight 2026 journalism awards, including six Regional Edward R. Murrow Awards and two PMJA honors, spotlighting the work behind Outside/In and Operation Night Cat. Local Arts Calendar: Looking for something to do? A new guide rounds up 12 places to catch free concerts in New Hampshire this summer, with a focus on waterfront-friendly venues. Food & Culture: The James Beard Awards landed with plenty of politics and pride, including Portland restaurateur Dana Street winning Outstanding Restaurateur, plus New England restaurants and chefs taking home medals. Indigenous Art Dispute: An identity dispute is halting the replacement of an Abenaki sculpture in Burlington, keeping the region’s debate over representation and ancestry in the spotlight. Community & Learning: A Maine Adaptive Music Summit highlighted how educators are adapting music instruction for students with disabilities, with professional development and hands-on ideas. State Economy (Arts Angle): A new labor report finds fewer people working in New Hampshire overall, but notes job gains in healthcare, arts and entertainment, casinos, and restaurants. Health Education: The End Brain Cancer Initiative released free GBM/rGBM patient education videos, adding more public access to treatment options and research.

Youth Sports: Summit FC U19 girls won the Green Mountain Challenge, topping Maximum Velocity in a tight title game led by Isabella Anderson’s penalty kick and late goal. College Hockey: The NCAA agreed to tweak an age-eligibility rule, letting players’ clock start at 19 or college enrollment—an outcome driven by hockey commissioners and broad pushback. Arts & Community Events: Castle in the Clouds is teaming with Foxx Run Farm for a free Petting Zoo Weekend July 18-19, kicking off the Castle Preservation Society’s 20th anniversary season. Local Culture & Learning: Kearsarge Regional High School theater director Sandy Nelson is retiring after 15 years, reflecting on building a “safe place” through rehearsal and student-led productions. NH Policy & Health: Gov. Kelly Ayotte vetoed a bill that would have let medical cannabis dispensaries operate greenhouse grow sites, arguing against expanding cultivation. Gambling Watch: A new look at how New Hampshire’s gambling boom is reshaping state revenue—and raising concerns about addiction and predictability. World Cup Buzz: Manchester’s Suley’s Soccer Center reports World Cup sales up about 50%, even without local matches. Music: Lawrence Music Alliance will sponsor live acts ahead of World Cup watch parties, including Indra and SUNU. Outdoor Safety: Police are investigating a suspicious death after a body was found in the water near Eastman Pond in Grantham. Tech & Travel: New Hampshire is among states reporting REAL ID scanning glitches that can slow airport verification.