Hey, Granite Staters. Happy Wednesday!

The readers have spoken and I’m moving the weekend events newsletter to Wednesdays! This way, you’ll have more time to plan, snag tickets, and make the most of everything happening around the state. Thanks for all the feedback!

Here’s what I’m covering in today’s newsletter: 

🪻 10 beautiful spots to see wildflowers

🌸 Top events for your calendar

The best things in life are FREE, just like this newsletter. Subscribe here and pass this message along to a friend. 

There’s no better symbol for the end of our long New Hampshire winters than a cheerful, purple crocus poking out from a pile of last fall’s decaying leaves.

Simply put, we are wild about wildflowers in the Granite State, so we put together a handy guide to the flowers you might see and where you can see them on a spring hike.

Here are 10 New Hampshire locations where you can make the most of nature’s gift to the Granite State:

🪻Saco Ranger Station Viewing Garden

This garden is home to over 92 species of plants that grow in the White Mountains. It’s broken down into three parts, according to the specific environment in which they thrive. Wildflowers include red trillium, flat-topped aster, Canada lily, witch hazel flower, and stiff sunflower. 

🪻 Crawford Notch State Park

This 5.3-mile loop spreads out over 5,775 acres. Starting in June, you’re likely to see painted trillium, pink lady’s slipper, Canada mayflower, hobblebush, northern bush honeysuckle, and delicate, White Mountain Avens.

🪻 Lupine Towns

The tall and lithe lupine might just be New Hampshire’s favorite wildflower. These exotic pink, purple, white, and blue posies transform ordinary fields into 3-D Impressionist paintings from late May to early June in the towns of Sugar Hill, Franconia, Easton, and Bethlehem. White Mountains New Hampshire has created a free, self-guided daylong Field of Lupine Tour.

While New Hampshire leads the nation with its early presidential primary, it’s actually one of the last to hold primaries for other races. Our state primary isn’t until the second Tuesday in September—just two months before the general election. What do you think? Should we change that date or keep it? 

👉 Justice James P. Bassett announces retirement from NH Supreme Court
New Hampshire Supreme Court Justice James P. Bassett will retire on Aug. 31, 2025, a year before reaching the mandatory retirement age of 70. He has served since 2012, after being nominated by then-Gov. John Lynch. InDepthNH

👉 Nashua man detained, allegedly abused by immigration officials after trip abroad
Fabian Schmidt, a German-American living in Nashua, was detained by immigration officials at Boston Logan Airport on March 7 after returning from Luxembourg, according to his attorney. A press release claims he was stripped, placed in a cold shower, violently interrogated, denied medication, and given little food or water as officials pressured him to give up his green card. His mother says the family still doesn’t know why he’s being held. NHBulletin

👉 Family caught in crisis highlights value of NH’s child advocate as NH Republicans consider budget cuts 
In January, Julie and her husband, Richard, from southeastern New Hampshire, were told they had to pick up their daughter—who has severe behavioral issues from reactive attachment disorder—from state-run Hampstead Hospital or face child abandonment charges. At the same time, they were being investigated for child abuse. The stressful situation led them to the New Hampshire Office of the Child Advocate, a rare source of support. Now, that agency faces elimination as Republicans push to cut the state budget. NHBulletin

This weekend

🐰 Easter Bunny Express
North Conway, April 19-20 
Hop aboard at the North Conway rail station. There will be photo opportunities with the Easter Bunny, Easter-themed rail cars, and a treat from the Bunny himself.
More info

🌼 Homes and Hearth Guided Tours
Portsmouth, April 12-13 and April 19-20
Tour four historic homes.
More info

🚚 The Lakes Region HOME SHOW
Belmont, April 18-19
The event kicks off with an outdoor expo on Friday. On Saturday, there will be a food truck festival featuring The Home Plate Curbside Food Truck in front of Belknap Marketplace. There will also be a Touch-A-Truck exhibit with construction vehicles, emergency rigs, tractors, and more.
More info

⚾ Harrisburg Senators v. New Hampshire Fisher Cats 
Manchester, April 19-20
More info

🐰 Easter Egg Hunt
Belmont, April 19
There will be 4,000 treat-filled eggs to collect. Gathering bags will be provided, or you can bring your own.
More info

🥚 Jackson’s Easter Spring Extravaganza
Jackson, April 20
The second annual EGGstravaganza is a multi-property easter egg and treasure hunt. Parents can pick up a map and brochure listing all participating locations. Request your brochure map in advance by emailing Kathleen@JacksonNH.com. 
More info 

💵 New Hampshire Coin and Currency Expo
Manchester, April 18-19
New England’s biggest money show since 2003, featuring over 200 tables and 120+ dealers from across New England, New York, New Jersey, and beyond. Buy, sell, trade, or get a free appraisal from expert numismatists. 
More info

Next weekend

🌾 Open Farm Day
Lee, April 26
Coppal House Farm will host farm demonstrations and treats from local food vendors.
More info

🐣 Barnyard Babies & Beyond at Charmingfare Farm
Candia, April 26-27
Meet baby animals, enjoy pony and horse-drawn rides, explore wildlife exhibits, and let the kids get creative in the Craft Shed. There will be tractor train rides and a picnic area.
More info

Do you or your company want to support Granite Post’s mission and showcase your products or services to an engaged audience of more than 60,000 subscribers at the same time?

Contact advertising@couriernewsroom.com for more information.