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When is 'Seacoast Idol'?

The singing competition will be held this weekend.

The seventh annual Seacoast Idol competition will be held this weekend. The event is scheduled for Sunday at 3 p.m. at the Cooperative Middle School in Stratham. Gov. Maggie Hassan accepted an invitation to attend the event, organizers said. Proceeds will benefit Exeter's 375th anniversary events this year. Exeter's Kat Murphy was named "Seacoast Idol" in 2012. Murphy sang Queen Latifah's "I Know Where I've Been" to earn a $1,000 prize. There were a record 75 contestants last year, according to organizers.

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Dan Brown 'Inferno' Release Event in Stratham

The best-selling author, who got his start in Exeter, is releasing his latest book this week.

Best-selling author Dan Brown, a Phillips Exeter Academy graduate whose early books were sold at Exeter's Water Street Bookstore, is releasing his latest book this week. "Inferno" is the latest in his wildly popular Robert Langdon series. Brown will talk about the book at a release event in New York Wednesday. It will be live-streamed at the Cooperative Middle School in Stratham at 7:30 p.m. Water Street Bookstore is hosting the live steam and selling tickets for $10. The store is also taking pre-orders for signed copies of "Inferno." Brown's new novel is set in Italy and focuses on the "Inferno," the first part of Dante Alighieri's 14th-century "Divine Comedy" poem. The cover of the book was recently released on his website. “Although I …

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Spring in Exeter [IMAGE GALLERY]

Add your photos to our image gallery.

It's spring in Exeter. Flowers at the Town House Commons park are blooming, Phillips Exeter Academy rowers are out on the Squamscott River, and walkers and runners are out on Swasey Parkway. Above are some photos we took around town this week. Have photos of your own? Post them here for everyone to see by clicking the "Upload" button above!

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Board Eyes Regulation of Alcohol Events

Some are worried about liability.

Exeter officials are taking a closer look at events on town property involving alcohol. In October, the Exeter Area Chamber of Commerce held a "Powder Keg Beer & Chili Festival" on Swasey Parkway after gaining approval from town officials. Town officials pulled out a one-day insurance certificate for the event for about $1,700, according to Town Manager Russ Dean. The chamber plans to hold the festival again this October. Dean said the participating breweries picked up $1,500 of the insurance certificate. The chamber put in $100, and the town paid the remaining $100, he said. Some Selectmen said Monday they are worried about the prospect of more and more events like the Powder Keg festival being held on public property like Swasey Parkway…

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Maurice Wynne

10:55 pm on Monday, May 20, 2013

As an attendee and musical performer in two Exeter Fall Festivals(2011,2012)and again in this years 2013 Fall Festival,one can't help but notice how the variety of performers brought instant delight to all,and especially to Families with children. I was taken aback by at least one dozen little ones in front of my stage dancing their hearts out together,letting loose(under parental supervision) …   more ›

Adopt a Garden in Exeter

More than a dozen organizations have adopted gardens around town.

From the Town of Exeter: The "Adopt a Garden" program is designed to make it clear to visitors and residents alike that we care about our Town and the way it looks. For years, this program has helped the Town and volunteers like you improve the appearance of our roadways and roadside gardens while reducing the cost of litter removal. Without you this would not be possible! This program has been "growing" over the last couple of years. During the planting season our department has financial resources however; our staffing many times is only two people. Given our numerous seasonal demands this program has assisted us and has made the gardens throughout the town more beautiful.  Who can adopt a garden? Anyone! Local community organizations …

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Group Makes Last-Ditch Effort to Buy Ioka

The Exeter Theater Company set a June deadline.

A nonprofit group is making a last-ditch effort to buy the Ioka theater in downtown Exeter. The Exeter Theater Company is trying to secure more donors to work out a deal with Alan Lewis, a real estate mogul who owns the Ioka. Lewis bought the building for $600,000 at a 2011 auction. That price was nearly double the building's assessed value at the time. Lewis offered to lease the building to the theater company but changed his mind and wanted it to buy it. The theater company declined to do so after it said it didn't raise enough money. The theater company said if it can't work out a deal with Lewis by the end of June, it will return donations to people who have already made them in July. "We will remain faithful to our promise made years …

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First Outdoor Exeter Farmers Market is Today

It starts at 2:15 p.m. on Swasey Parkway.

The first outdoor Exeter Farmers Market of the year will be held today from 2:15 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Swasey Parkway. More than two dozen vendors will be at the market, which is run by the Seacoast Growers Association. The group created a map showing where each vendor is. Food stamps can be used to purchase food at the market. You can find links to the different vendors below:          

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