🌱 REI Three-Day Grand Opening + Peak Foliage Map + Turnpike Meeting

Good morning, friends! It's Paula Constance, your host of the Bedford Patch newsletter — here with everything that's happening in our community. Including these stories and more:

• REI's three-day grand opening celebration.
• Public meeting for the Everett Turnpike lane widening project.
• Find beautiful foliage across the state with the NH peak foliage map.

But first, today's weather: Very warm; patchy morning fog. High: 85 Low: 59.

Here are the top stories in Bedford today:

1. Get ready for the grand opening celebration for REI Co-op at its new Market & Main location in Bedford on Oct. 6-8! The three-day celebration will have a variety of outdoor activities with nonprofit partners, music, giveaways, afternoon socials and more. The 22,000-square-foot REI store will offer gear for camping, cycling, running, fitness, hiking, paddling, climbing, snow sports and more. They will also offer a specialty bike and ski tune-up and repair shop led by certified mechanics. You can also stop by Trader Joe's or Whole Foods while you're in the neighborhood. (REI.com)
2. The public is invited to a public meeting about the progress of the Everett Turnpike lane widening project. The New Hampshire Department of Transportation (NHDOT) will attend the meeting hosted by NH State Senator Shannon Chandley. The public and officials are encouraged to attend and ask questions about the project to widen the turnpike from Nashua to Bedford to three lanes and what to expect. The meeting will be held on Wednesday, Oct. 4, at 6 p.m., in the Matthew Thornton Room, Merrimack Town Hall, 6 Baboosic Lake Road, Merrimack. (Manchester Ink Link)
3. Tinges of red and orange hint that peak foliage will arrive soon in Southern New Hampshire. If you don't want to wait, travel north where New Hampshire foliage is on full display in the Great North Woods through Oct. 5. Find out peak foliage dates for Bedford and where to see fall colors across the state at NH's peak foliage map here: (Bedford Patch)

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Click here to feature your Bedford business and organization in this spot!

Today in Bedford:

Tuesday, Oct. 3

• The Craftworkers' Guild Annual Harvest Fair (10 a.m.)

From my notebook:

• Dog with new hair cut made it home! "Merrimack/Nashua residents/visitors. This little guy was feeling his seemingly new hairdo and took himself for an outing. He was found on Concord Street at Bells. Happily, he is back home." (Animal Rescue League of NH via Facebook)
• Birthday donations! Thank you: "A big thank you to Allison and Chris, who asked for donations instead of birthday presents this year! We are so touched, and our animals are so grateful!" (Animal Rescue League of NH via Facebook)
• The last Storywalk of the year: "The weather looks perfect for a stroll on the last Storywalk of the year! 'Cows Go Boo' by Steve Webb and Fred Blunt will be up through October at the Bedford Village Commons." (Bedford (NH) Public Library via Facebook)
• Need to expand emergency services: "Good afternoon, Bedford. Please take a moment to watch this video, which is the first in an educational series highlighting the need for expansion of emergency services infrastructure within the community." (Bedford Fire Department, NH via Facebook)

More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Featured businesses:

• Quality Driven Exteriors — (Visit website)
• Add your business here

Featured events:

• Challenges Facing Healthcare Delivery (October 4)
• Dartmouth October 16th Nursing In-Person Hiring Event (Lebanon) (October 16)
• Add your event

You're all good for today. I'll see you soon!

— Paula Constance

About me: Paula is a contributing writer, author, and media producer. When she's not writing, you can find her hiking or watching fireflies in the sultry moments before sunset. You can also find her on Facebook, Instagram and X, formerly Twitter.

Have a news tip or suggestion for an upcoming Bedford Patch newsletter? Contact me at paula.constance.patch@gmail.com