November brought a mix of community fundraising, holiday giving, and regional food culture to the forefront in New Hampshire. Each story reflects a different way the community came together this past month.
1. NHSPCA’s ‘Auction for the Animals’ Returns for a Night of Impact
The New Hampshire SPCA’s annual Auction for the Animals, held Nov. 22 at Wentworth by the Sea, wrapped up another successful season of fundraising. Although the event itself has concluded, its impact continues well beyond the ballroom.
Each year, roughly 2,500 animals enter the NHSPCA. The auction remains one of the organization’s most important sources of support. It helps cover medical care, rehabilitation, cruelty investigations, shelter operations, and humane-education programs that reach thousands of children.
While the bidding is over, the event’s significance is ongoing. It reinforces how consistent community participation allows the NHSPCA to maintain high-quality care and remain a dependable resource for animals across the region.
2. Angel Trees in New Hampshire: How to Help Local Families This Season
The Salvation Army and Walmart’s long-running Angel Tree program began its 2025 season in November, with trees appearing in stores and online wish lists going live.
Children are enrolled as “Angels,” each with a list of needed items. Donors select a tag in-store or shop through Walmart’s Spark Good Registry. Gifts are delivered to local Salvation Army locations, then distributed to parents to wrap at home.
Last year, The Salvation Army provided food, shelter, utility assistance, disaster support, and rehabilitation services to millions nationwide. Angel Tree functions as a seasonal extension of that year-round safety net, offering children a moment of joy during what can be a stressful time for many families.
3. Chef Chris Viaud Hosts a Three Course Holiday Dinner at The Lake Estate on Winnisquam
Rounding out the month’s stories is a look ahead to a December culinary event shaped by New England. Chef Chris Viaud, known for his restaurants Greenleaf, Culture, Ansanm, and Pavilion, will host two three-course dinners at The Lake Estate on Winnisquam.
The dinners, held in the Estate Ballroom, are designed to feel communal and intentionally intimate. Viaud views the series as a way to introduce guests to the estate and to the stories behind each dish. He built the menu through direct conversations with farmers, focusing on whole-ingredient cooking and minimizing waste. The result is a format where chefs explain each course tableside, turning the evening into both a meal and a shared learning experience.
The Lake Estate—which opened earlier this year—continues to position food and landscape as central to its identity. The partnership with Viaud adds a layer of regional storytelling to the property’s dining program and reflects the ongoing evolution of New Hampshire’s culinary scene.
See You Next Month!
As the holiday season continues, these stories highlight the ways New Hampshire communities show up for one another. November offered a clear view of how small actions collectively shape the character of the region.
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