More Nashua This 'N That

Welcome to a new month. Hasn't spring and summer gone way too fast this year?

Since my late June post about re-openings and events here in Nashua, NH, there's been a lot of activity in downtown businesses. Most are open for business with restrictions. NH is doing better than many other states during the pandemic. In an online report, the NH Department of Health and Human Services reported 6,613 diagnosed cases of COVID-19 statewide; of that number 88% (5,794) have recovered with a death rate of 6% (416). 

As in most cities, large public gatherings are not allowed. Despite cancellation of July 4 events, we watched a number of unofficial fireworks from our favorite riverside seat.

That's one of the two clocktowers for which this mill apartment complex is renamed. A group of neighbors gathered to watch over half a dozen displays from 8 to 10 pm on Independence Day evening.

Some venues have resumed business with necessary changes. These two "fellows" cautioned about proper social distancing outside the entry of a downtown tailor and alterations store. The owner created and outfitted both mannequins.

Downtown restaurants were first open for takeout, then outside dining opened up in late May after Jersey barriers were put in place on the city's main and side streets. Indoor dining opened in July with restrictions on seating capacity and seatings rearranged for distancing. Given a recent run of hot weather, outside dining remains very popular.

A couple of restaurants have attempted to make the on-street dining experience more pleasant by placing full grown trees in vary large enclosures on the street behind the barriers. The city recently installed ramps to allow those with disabilities easier access to outside dining.

 

The Nashua Public Library also reopened in July, while still offering curbside pickup of books, videos and other items requested from the library website. I stopped into the library last week and it was desolate. The only people I saw inside were librarians; even the parking lot was completely empty.

Despite being open, the library has very limited patron access. There's no access to book stacks, movies or music. The children's room is closed as well as activity rooms and the magazine area. Patrons use self-checkout and can only browse a selected new books themselves. The ongoing book sale area, formerly set aside for the Friends of the Library, and the free magazines rack by the front doors are gone. Patrons are allowed computer time only if pre-scheduled with only 6 users per timeframe. 

I've been downloading e-books since the library closed in March and personally, see no need to return until full access is allowed. I have always enjoyed going to the library to explore the materials inside, and that can't be done now.

The Nashua Farmers’ Market downtown near City Hall has been very super-busy on Sunday mornings. We've been there several times to stock up on fresh veggies. The market also has baked goods, artwork, honey, homemade pasta and other items. Grenville is waiting for some farm-grown tomatoes to be available.

There's also several garden co-operatives within the city where residents can "rent" garden spaces. Grow Nashua has several throughout the city. This one is located across the street from the Nashua Post office.

Kayaking continues to be a popular activity on the Nashua River, more so on weekends. A couple of weekends ago, we had a great view of a "Water Light Parade" from our 5th floor window. The event was organized by the Nashua Area Kayak Exploration Destinations group. It was estimated that over 60 water craft were on the river, most decorated with a variety of lights. We were watching a movie and heard a lot of shouting on the river. The flotilla lasted well over 20 minutes. 

Had we known in advance we would have gone down to the riverside. (The event was posted on Facebook which we don't use.) It was a wonderful sight and we hope will be repeated, not a once and done event.

 

The pocket park near the mill apartments, better known as the French Park  (Le Parc de Notre Renaissance Francaise) has a bountiful display of blooms which are attracting a lot of visitors especially ones with wings — bees and butterflies.

There's a lot of indoor blooms at Clocktower Place mill apts in the form of door decos.

We're doing well and continue to do our own grocery shopping and going out for walks. The most exciting personal update is that we've taken our bikes on a couple of excursions to nearby Mine Falls Park.

We definitely need a few more bike outings as it's been awhile since we've ridden and even small upgrades are tough. Temps have been in the 90s some days the past couple of weeks, but fall is coming fast. 

THANKS to everyone who left a comment on my last post about resolved Blogger issues and using Legacy Blogger (old) vs. New and Improved Blogger. It seems that many bloggers have the same attitude —  if it ain't broke, don't fix it. After I reverted back, this post was done using the Legacy version with no issues setting it up. Several bloggers have posted about being automatically switched to the new format. If, and when, that happens, I'll have to deal with it, but hoping it won''t happen anytime soon.