Friday Funnies

Today's Friday Funnies features wildlife seen around Nashua, NH, this week with a bit of added puns Humans aren't the only ones with funny moments.

Summertime is the time for outdoor dining and many downtown restaurants feature al fresco dining. The squirrel below took advantage of sidewalk birdseed to grab a quick meal al fresco.

Meanwhile, on the Nashua River this bird was splish-splashing earlier this week. 

The expression getting your ducks in a row applied to this trio of male mallards.

Apparently, it starts at a young age too as this duckling trio followed a mother mallard.

These two pairs of female and male mallards were in a row without being in the water.

A couple of painted turtles were out on a limb as we walked along the riverwalk this week.

Meanwhile, this pair of mute swans took an afternoon siesta on the Nashua River.

It's been a hot and humid week, pollen levels here are considered moderate to high and the yellow dust is seen everywhere, especially on vehicles. 

Cooler temps are forecast for the coming week and perhaps some needed rain as well.

Enjoy Your Weekend, Everyone

We're at home, dining al fresco & enjoying the new riverwalk and park.

What's on the River?

The past few posts have focused on goings on with the recently completed riverwalk along the Nashua River adjacent to our mill apartment home.

We've been enjoying the riverwalk by taking early morning walks and after-dinner as well. There's been a lot to see both in the river, alongside the river bank and reflected in it. Of course, living so close provides us with conventient views of everything. 

There's a resident Great Blue Heron, who we've nicknamed Harry. This heron has been a frequent return visitor usually in the early mornings or early evenings. Great Blue Herons are solitary birds for the majority of the year. They hunt alone, defend feeding territories and even migrate alone.

One evening, earlier this week, a lone swan appeared on the river and revisited the next couple of days. This sighting of just one swan was unique as they are known for forming monogamous pair bonds that can last life-long. We wondered if this one had lost its mate.

So, we were happy to see that within a couple of days, there were suddenly two swans on the Nashua River that stayed together most of the afternoon. But, the pair might have been only passing through as we didn't see in the river the past couple of days.

We've seen families of Mallard Ducks and Canada Geese. The ducklings and goslings have been a delight to watch, especially when they follow in formation. The adults have kept a close watch on their young as Red Tail Hawks have been spotted in this area.

We counted 10 Painted Turtles sunning themselves on the riverbank, including a couple hanging out on a tree limb in the river. A river otter swam by very quickly, not posing for a photo. Cormorants are frequent visitors and the one above spent an afternoon perched on the fountain which currently isn't working. Perhaps hoping for a fish lunch or dinner.

Numerous wildflowers grow along the riverbank. Many of these in bright yellow include: Yellow Flag, Wild Radish, Hoary Cinquefoil, Tower Mustard, Jim Hill Mustard, St John's Wort.

More colors were seen in these blooms of Oxeye Daily, Hawkweed (or Pilosella) and common Dandelion, a persistant weed on lawns this time of year.

Splashes of purple and pink were seen in Violet's Dame, Spiderwort, Fleabane and Crown Vetch. Unfortunately, many of these wildflowers are considered invasive because of their aggressive spread through seeds and roots. However, they do add interest and color along the walk.

Our late afternoon and early evening walks have provided some great reflections when there's no breeze and the river is motionless. Unfortunately, this past week, there's been an increase in the pollen levels; however, it hasn't kept us from enjoying our walks.

Thanks for coming along for a stroll along the Nashua River.

Friday Funnies

There's usually one standout in every crowd even among rubber ducks. This one was among entries in the Rubber Duck Regatta over the Memorial Day weekend.

Unfortunately, being unique was its sole claim to fame as it wasn't the winning duck. Still, it was arguably the most noticeable contestant.

Enjoy Your Weekend, Everyone

It will be a quiet one in Nashua, NH, after last weekend also rainy

Renaissance on the Riverwalk

This heart provided a great photo opp over the weekend

We spent the Memorial Day weekend at home in Nashua, NH. Despite the cooler and often rainy weather there was a lot of activity going on adjacent to our apartment residence.

Residents and city visitors lined the new river walk on Memorial Day weekend

Last weekend marked a 4-day celebration, Renaissance on the Riverwalk, to celebrate completion of the river park, Le Parc de Notre Renaissance Française, known locally as Renaissance Park, and a new walkway along the Nashua River. 

The event, which was coordinated by the Downtown Nashua Association and the city’s Department of Economic Development, brought many residents and out-of-towners to the city for events that included live music shows, a duck race, craft vendors, outdoor yoga, petting zoo, drone show and kayak parade.

Musical entertainment was heard Friday & Saturday evening

Built along the Nashua River waterfront, the park includes a paved walkway, grassy areas, benches, a band shell with outdoor seating and a mural. 

This mill worker & son sculpture overlooks the river walk

La Dame de Notre Renaissance Française, the sculpture of a mill worker and her schoolboy son, remains the focal point of Renaissance Park. It was also in the former park and was protected all during the reconstruction roject.

Mill workers were the driving force behind the city's transformation from a farming village to a major industrial hub. Employed primarily by the former Nashua Manufacturing Company and the Jackson Manufacturing Company, these mainly female workers fueled New England’s textile boom for over a century.

An estimated 5,000 ducks were dumped from the Main Street bridge

The highlight of Saturday afternoon was the return of the Rubber Duck Regatta with 5,000 ducks dropped into the Nashua River from the Main Street bridge. This fundraiser had community groups, businesses, and organizations competing to adopt the most ducks. The first duck to cross the finish line earned $1,500 for their team’s cause.

Up to a dozen volunteers in kayaks collected ducks after the race

Once all the ducks were dropped, volunteers in kayaks helped wrangle the ducks and then collected them after the race completion.

Makeit Labs provided these permanent duck sculptures for the river walk

These duck sculptures were installed on the river walk last week and will be a permanent display (unlike the Love Nashua display). They were completed by Makeit Labs in Nashua, the state's first community workshop described as a volunteer collection of engineers, makers, hackers, inventors and tinkerers who enjoy building cool things.

This new river walk mural was dedicated during weekend events

A new 70-foot-long mural along the north wall of the Water Street Bridge facing the Riverwalk shows highlights of the city's history. Students from Nashua high school helped artist Graham Carraway paint some of the mural. 

Some of the mural highlights include tributes to baseball, movie theaters and wildlife on the river. The Nashua Arts Commission hopes it will be a popular spot to socialize and take pictures.

The new riverwalk mural shows parts of Nashua's history

The 1948 Nashua Dodgers were the Class-B minor league affiliate of the Brooklyn Dodgers. They competed in the New England League and home games were played at Holman Stadium in Nashua, which today features summer collegiate baseball teams.

Downtown Nashua was once home to several single-screen venues that operated throughout the 20th century (State Theatre, Star Theatre, Tremont Theatre, Daniel Webster Theatre, Brandt Theatre and Nashua Mall Cinema). In 1896, the Nashua Theatre on Elm Street was the site of the first movie shown in the city. Today, none of these movie houses remain.

The fleur-de-lis in this egret mural is a nod to French mill workers

The Nashua River hosts a wide variety of marine life including geese, ducks, otters, herons, seagulls and turtles. This past week, a lone swan was seen on the river.

Lighted kayak parade on the Nashua River

Once the Saturday activities ended after sunset, kayaks and small boats floated downstream on the Nashua River decked out with lights and colorful decorations, before pulling off to the shoreline to take in the drone show, which started promptly at 9 p.m.

A colorful drone show capped Saturday's festivities

But, the evening's highlight was a lighted drone show over the river concurrent with the lighted kayak parade. The drone show was coordinated and staged by Sky Elements Drone Shows, which is the largest drone light show provider in the U.S. This first-time Nashua event was a huge hit producing the largest crowds of the weekend.

The drone images above depict Clocktower Apartments (formerly Nashua Manufacturing Company) and one of several mill towers in the area.

The Riverwalk is the new location for the weekly Sunday Farmers Market, which will continue through October with a rotating list of vendors. Unfortunately, rain on Monday morning cancelled the annual Memorial Day Parade.

Jazz guitarist & singer John Pizzarelli at Nashua Center for the Arts

We capped off the weekend by attending a show at the Nashua Center for the Arts featuring jazz guitarist John Pizzarelli with a musical tribute to the late Tony Bennett.

We couldn't resist a photo opportunity 

Being at home in Nashua, NH, was the best way to spend the Memorial Day weekend. Better yet, it was within steps of our apartment.

Memorial Day 2026

Memorial Day is a U.S. federal holiday to mourn and honor deceased American service men and women who have died in the line of duty. Volunteers will place flags on their graves in national and local cemeteries today. (Comments are off today.)

Field of Flags in Liberty Park, Hudson, NH

The Field of Flags is an annual event in Liberty Park in nearby Hudson, NH. This year over 200 flags were set up bearing the names of local heroes. The display remains in place from Memorial Day through Independence Day. The number of flags has grown annually. 

Today was first observed in 1868 as Decoration Day to honor Union soldiers who died in the American Civil War. Official recognition as a holiday spread among the states, beginning with NY in 1873, and by 1890, recognized by every state. It later expanded to become a day to remember U.S. military who fought and died in service during WWI and II. In 1871, Congress standardized its name to Memorial Day.

Many folks don’t know what they’re supposed to say today and often confuse the U.S. holidays of  Memorial Day and Veterans Day. Memorial Day honors the dead; Veterans Day honors the living.

What to Avoid Saying 
Happy Memorial Day is considered inappropriate as the day honors fallen military personnel who died in service to their country, it's a solemn day of remembrance and not a celebration.

Thank you for your service (to active-duty troops) while well-intentioned, is actually the incorrect greeting for Memorial Day which is strictly for those who have died.

Memorial Day is the end of a three-day holiday weekend for many, and often celebrated with backyard get togethers with its historical context overlooked. That said, many others, like ourselves, plan to attend a local parade and then gather with family or friends.

Unfortunately, because of rain continuing from this weekend, the 2026 Nashua, NH, Memorial Day parade was cancelled earlier today with no rescheduling.

Friday Funnies

This photo was sent by a friend, who lives in Oregon, and is currently spending a few days in CA. This notice was posted at the entrance to the Carmel Beach.

His comment in a text message: I can’t get my foot up there even if they didn’t tell me not to! We both wondered if anyone had tried, most likely the answer was Yes if parents held small children up to the fountain.

In the U.S., Memorial Day is seen as the unofficial start of summer and observed on the last Monday in May. While the weekend signals warm weather, outdoor activities, pool and beach openings and summer travel, its true meaning is often overlooked. First known as Decoration Day, it began after the Civil War as a time to decorate graves of fallen soldiers with flowers and flags. After WWI, it was expanded to honor all U.S. soldiers who had died in any war as a day of remembrance.

Schedule of Nashua, NH, holiday events

On Monday, there will be a Memorial Day parade in Nashua, NH on Main Street. The rest of the 3-day weekend will be filled with events centered on dedication of the recently renovated Le Parc de Notre Renaissance Français, known as Renaissance Park and the new riverwalk near Clocktower Place mill apartments, our current residence. 

There's an entire slate of events from Friday through Monday. Highlights include a rubber duck regatta, live music, mural dedication, lighted kayak parade, drone show, petting zoo, yoga, and the Nashua Farmers Market. 

Saturday night, we're going to a concert at the Nashua Center for the Arts. Grammy-winning guitarist and vocalist John Pizzarelli  will perform a program, Dear Mr. Bennett, celebrating the late celebrated singer Tony Bennett. 

Last night, we took a walk along the riverwalk in advance of this weekend's activities. The wall murals are still a work-in-progress, but the performance area is completed and ready for this events. A second river fountain will be running by early next week.

The performance area is completed; wall murals are still in progress

One of two river fountains was installed this week

A view of Clocktower Place and the riverwalk across the Nashua River

Enjoy Your Weekend, Everyone

We're staying home and enjoying the local events

Visiting Family & Friends

Road trips to see out-of-state family and friends have become an extended trip for us as it involves stops in RI, our home state of NJ and PA. Our most recent 12-day trip included those states and several we passed through in between. 

During this trip, we attended a college graduation in RI, a soccer game and Mother's Day celebration in PA and visited an unusual museum (more on that later) there. In NJ, we took a long-time friend to dinner to celebrate her retirement after 44 years with the same company; treated a 98-year old friend to a take-in lunch at her home and visited with a former co-worker of mine. 

It's unusual for me, but there wasn't a lot of photo-taking on this trip except at the graduation; however, a lot of happy memories were made.  

The smiling graduate above is oldest daughter who received an MBA degree from Johnson & Wales University in Providence, RI. In addition to ourselves, her children, husband and other family members attended the event.

In PA, the youngest granddaughter is an avid soccer player and on a traveling team this year. We watched one of her Saturday morning games which was in her hometown. 

In between the RI and PA visits, we treated ourselves at two food places in NJ, neither have NH locations. That's our excuse for these less-than-healthy eats.

White Castle is famous for its small, square hamburgers or sliders which sold for 5 cents when introduced, but have gone up in price, now $1.29 to $1.59. Founded in 1921, in Wichita, KS, it's credited as the world's first fast food hamburger chain, but it's not a franchise. The company has been family-owned since its founding with every location privately owned. White Castle operates over 350 restaurants primarily in the Midwest and Northeast, and some Southern and Western states. Since there's no New England location, we wait for a NJ trip and dined at the same one in Piscataway, NJ, that was written about in this 2019 post.

Rita's Italian Ice was founded in May 1984 by a former Philadelphia firefighter, Bob Tumolo, using a family recipe and the business was named after his wife, Rita. The product was originally advertised as water ice, using the Philadelphia regional term for what's called Italian ice in other parts of the country. In 1989, the family  franchised the business. Rita's has over 600 locations in over 30 states, predominantly on the East Coast and in the Sun Belt (Florida to California). The closest franchise to NH is 45 minutes south in Walpole, MA.

We enjoyed family, friends and treats on this road trip. As satisfying as all of these were, there really is no place like home — at least until our next road trip or travel adventure.