🌱 N.H. 200 Winner+Target Closed Nov. 25 +Farm Fresh School Lunch

Happy Wednesday, Bedford! Here's everything going on in our area today.

First, today's weather:

A beautiful day today with plenty of sunshine. High: 43. Low: 28.

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Here are the top stories in Bedford today:

1. Congratulations, Dylan Cruess! Cruess, chief operating officer of the Bedford, New Hampshire civil engineering company, TF Moran, was selected for the "New Hampshire 200" most influential business leaders list by N.H. Business Review for the second time. The New Hampshire Business Review honors business leaders who have made the greatest impact on the Granite State’s economy and to the state overall. Cruess also won the award in 2019, the award’s inaugural year. (Yahoo News)
2. Target announced its stores will be closed on Thanksgiving Day permanently, including the store in Bedford, New Hampshire. The retailer was forced to close stores last year on Thanksgiving Day due to the pandemic to limit crowds and the "blitz" of shoppers that shop for Black Friday sales — and it may have been the best thing that could have happened. Target said by starting holiday discounts much earlier due to the forced shift, sales improved last year, and stores did not have long lines of frustrated customers. The National Retail Federation reported U.S. holiday sales for last November and December rose 8.2 percent in 2020 from the previous year. Americans were able to get the same discounted products over a greater timespan, relieving some of the holiday shopping stress. With sales up, and customers responding well to the new schedule, Target stores will be closed Thanksgiving Day and employees will have the day off, wrote Target CEO, Brian Cornell. Shoppers are happy with early holiday discounts, and employees are happy to be home on Thanksgiving Day. (CBS Boston)
3. "Farm-to-School" meals may be coming to New Hampshire schools soon. The school board expects to hear more about the "Farm to School" proposal to bring more locally grown foods into Manchester schools over a two-year period. Jameson Small, director of the Fresh Start Farms Program, said after two years of planning, the Organization for Refugee and Immigrant Success (ORIS) said they are ready to bring the farm foods program to the Manchester School District. The project, paid for with federal and private funds, has students help farmers and community gardeners help grow vegetables as part of an educational program. The foods are harvested and processed into pizzas that the students can enjoy when they return after the summer break. The new Farm-to-School program would run from July 2021 to June 2023. (The Union Leader)

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Bedford Patch Notebook

• Bedford Fire Department, N.H.: "According to the most recent State of New Hampshire data, active COVID-19 cases in the state have exceeded over 7,000, which is the highest volume since the pandemic began." (Facebook)
• Bedford N.H. Police Department: "Join us on Saturday, Dec. 4 from 10 a.m.-1 p.m., outside Tucker's Restaurant for our Toys for Tots Stuff-A-Cruiser event!" (Facebook)
• Bedford N.H. Public Library: "Wishing everyone a very happy Thanksgiving this week from all of us at the Bedford Public Library! The library building will close early at 5 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 24 and we will remain closed on Thursday and Friday." (Facebook)

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Events:

• 41st Amherst Lions Club Annual Craft Fair and Silent Auction. (November 24)
• Celebrate Thanksgiving With 15 Percent Off Floral Centerpieces. (November 26)
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Announcements:

• St. Philip Pastry Pre-order Event! (Details)
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Thanks for following along and staying informed! See you tomorrow with the next update. If you enjoy these newsletters, consider bringing a few of your friends and neighbors on board. You can send them this link to subscribe.

— Paula Constance

About me: I am a freelance writer, author, and media producer. I am committed to media projects that empower, engage, and help make the world a better place.

Have a news tip or suggestion for an upcoming Bedford Daily? You can contact me at paula.constance.patch@gmail.com.