Month: April 2021

Treasure Hunt 21/04/08

Dear Donna,

Can you tell me anything about this sweet doll? She is 3 1/2” tall and seems to be made out of string.
Tina

Dear Tina,
Your doll is part of a family for 1960s doll houses. I think they are made from a rubber plastic with string applied over it for a natural color and look and possibly durability.

Any kind of toys that made it through the 1960s to now should be priceless. I was a 1960s child and I played hard with my toys so it amazes me whenever I see such toys in good or unused shape.

The value of your doll would be higher if you can find the whole family of them together. Alone I would say that for collectors of miniatures she might be in the $10 to $20 range.

Kiddie Pool 21/04/08

Family fun for the weekend

A Glow Night at Krazy Kids. Courtesy photo.

Kids’ night out

It’s Kids Night at the Y! On Friday, April 9, from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m., parents can drop their kids off at the YMCA of Downtown Manchester (30 Mechanic St., Manchester, graniteymca.org), where trained child care professionals will lead the kids in games, arts and crafts, scavenger hunts and more. Dinner will be provided. The cost is $25 per child and $10 for each additional sibling. Space is limited; register online or at the Welcome Center. Children must wear masks at the Y.

Goats, kids and yoga

Kids ages 6 and up can spend an hour with the goats at Legacy Lane Farm (217 Portsmouth Ave., Stratham) — while doing yoga. Drop your kids off at the farm on Saturday, April 10, at 9:30 a.m. for this indoor Goat Yoga for Kids class, where they’ll stretch and move while goats wander around and give them plenty of attention. Classes are limited to eight kids, and signups are only available online. The cost is $30. Search for the event on eventbrite.com or find Legacy Lane Farm on Facebook.

Play inside

Spend a few hours at Krazy Kids (60 Sheep Davis Road, Pembroke, 228-PLAY, krazykids.com), on Friday night, when the indoor playground is open from 6 to 9 p.m. and the cost of admission covers all three hours ($15 per child, $5 per adult). Check out their Facebook page each week to find out if Friday night will be Glow Night, when the whole space is lit with black lights and disco party lights! Let the kids bounce, climb, jump and crawl on the inflatables or test their agility on the aerial ropes course. Other hours are Saturday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and the cost of admission is for two hours. Online reservations are required, though walk-ins are accepted if capacity allows. Face masks are required except for toddlers 36” or less, and temperature screenings are required for entry.

Featured photo: A Glow Night at Krazy Kids. Courtesy photo.

Spring planting

Frost, soil, drainage and other considerations

I know some gardeners who plant their potatoes or tomatoes in the garden on the same day every year. Not me. I think planting time is best based not only on the last frost date in your garden, but also on the soil temperature and up-to-date weather predictions. And of course late frosts do occur unexpectedly and can wipe out your tomato or pepper seedlings. So don’t jump the gun.

The internet has many guides and suggestions for when you should plant, but I think an experienced next-door neighbor probably has a better sense of when to plant. So, for example, one internet source says the last frost for Cornish Flat is May 15, while another internet source says June 11 to June 20. That’s over a month of difference!

My vegetable garden is in a low spot, with hills on either side. Cold air slides downhill, so I am cautious about planting too early. Often there is a late frost in my garden, but not around my house, which is 15 or 20 feet uphill. Rivers, lakes and the ocean can have a warming effect, too. The closer you are to the Connecticut River or the Atlantic Ocean, the sooner you can plant.

It is often thought that a full moon will cause late frosts. But a friend of mine used the frost data his mother had collected over decades and compared it to the phases of the moon. He observed that the moon does not seem to affect frost dates.

Soil temperature is important, too. Seeds are genetically programmed not to germinate if the soil is too cold. That makes sense: Seedlings are tender and many can be damaged by frost. So you can plant spinach or pea seeds “as early as you can work the soil,” according to the package, but they may not germinate for weeks if the soil is cold — and they may rot.

Seeds can rot in cold, wet soil. Corn seeds are particularly susceptible to rot, and many are treated with fungicides to prevent rotting. But as organic gardeners, we should avoid treated seeds.

If you are in a hurry, you can warm up the soil. First, rake off any fall leaves or other mulch from your garden beds. That will allow the sun to warm the soil, and air to evaporate some of the melted snow and spring rains that make the soil soggy.

Raised beds help with drainage. My vegetable garden is near a stream and the water table is high, especially in spring, when it is occasionally flooded. Each fall I shape my beds for spring, raking soil into the beds before covering them with leaves. In the spring I rake the leaves into the walkways, but after the soil has warmed up in mid-June I will put down hay and newspapers around my plants.

If you want to warm the soil and kill any annual weeds that start growing early in the season, you can cover the soil with clear plastic. If you get what is called “4-mil” plastic, you can reuse it. Flimsy stuff sold to painters is not usually reusable. Be sure to pin down the edges, or better yet, put soil or boards over the edges to keep wind from lifting the plastic and cooling the soil.

On a sunny day the temperature under the plastic can exceed 100 degrees, “solarizing” weeds and killing them. Perennial weeds and grasses will have their tops browned, but it will not kill the roots unless you do this for a long time.

So what seeds can you plant early? Spinach, peas, lettuce can be planted 3 to 6 weeks before last frost. In the fall I let a few lettuce plants flower and go to seed. Those seeds fall on the soil and start up much earlier than I plant any lettuce. But I also start lettuce indoors to get nice-sized plants in the ground in May for early eating. Carrots, beets, onion sets and radishes can go in the ground a week or two before last frost.

Tomato, pepper and squash family seedlings I plant in mid-June, well after last frost because I want the soil to reach at least 60 degrees before planting. Because I am bothered by a beetle that eats my cukes and squash I start those indoors instead of by seed outdoors. When the vines are about 6 inches long I plant them outdoors. By then they will survive any beetle munching.

Before planting any seedling outdoors, be sure to harden off the plants. That means to start putting the seedlings outdoors a few hours a day and increasing their exposure over the period of a week or so. You should do this for store-bought seedlings, too, as they have probably been protected from sunburn and windburn inside a greenhouse. But ask at the nursery if they are hardened off.

You can protect seedlings from light frost by covering them with something called row cover, Reemay, or Agribon. These are spun agricultural fabrics that come in 5-foot-wide swaths that you can cut to fit your rows. Unlike plastic sheeting, this stuff breathes and allows moisture to pass through it. Buy the wires sold to support it and form hoops over your plants. It will also keep bugs off your plants, but you need to remove it when vine crops start to bloom — they are insect pollinated.

The more you garden, the more you know. But we never know exactly when a late killing frost will come. So I am always the last on the block to get my garden planted — but my plants catch up.

Featured photo: Row cover with hoops helps to keep insects off and keep plants warm. Photo by Henry Homeyer.

Plant now, eat later

What to start growing this spring so you can feast this summer

If you want to enjoy garden-fresh fruits and veggies from your own backyard, now is the time to plant them. Local horticulture experts shared some tips on how to get your plants in the ground, care for them while they grow and harvest them when the time is right. And, if you need some inspiration for how to use your homegrown bounty in the kitchen, there’s some cooking tips and recipes to get you started.

Beets

Plant now: “Beets are a hardy crop and easy to plant,” Erler said. They can be sown from seed outside, even before the last frost. Plant the seeds around an inch deep, allowing for at least a couple of inches between each plant and around a foot between each row.

Watch them grow: Beets like a well-draining, sandy soil, Erler said, and a minimum of six hours of direct sunlight. Water the plant lightly, keeping the top inch of soil evenly and consistently moist.

Out to harvest: Beets can be harvested after six to eight weeks, ideally no later than June as they don’t grow as well in the summer heat. Use your best judgment, Erler said, and when in doubt, it’s better to harvest them too early than too late. “There’s a point where it will have gotten as big as it’s going to get, and if it sits in the ground too long, [the beets] get kind of tough on the inside,” she said.

Eat later: Beet smoothie

Recipe by Sara Oberle, Nutrition Connections Teacher, and courtesy of UNH Cooperative Extension.

Serving size 1½ cups. Serves two.

1 cup plain yogurt

1 frozen banana, peeled

1/2 medium beet

1 teaspoon fresh ginger

1/2 cup frozen mango

1/2 cup frozen mixed berries (strawberries, blueberries, raspberries and blackberries)

1 cup ice cubes

1 cup water

Place all of the ingredients in the order given into a blender and blend until smooth. Pour into a glass and enjoy.

Bell peppers

Plant now: As with tomatoes, you should plant bell peppers indoors if you want to start growing them now.

“Bell peppers take a little bit longer, probably about eight to 10 weeks, to go from seed to transplant,” Bernitz said. “They like very warm soil and warm weather.”

Watch them grow: As long as you give them the light and temperatures they need, Bernitz said peppers are a relatively easy vegetable to grow. As with peas, peppers should not be overfertilized.

“Some varieties of peppers benefit from staking,” he said. “Certain varieties are going to mature quicker than others. … A more advanced technique would be using black plastic mulch, like you might see on a farm. It helps to warm the soil.”

Out to harvest: According to Bernitz, peppers can be picked green and immature as long as they are full-sized and firm. They can be cut from the plant using clippers, scissors, pruners or a sharp knife and will have a short storage life of only one to two weeks.

Eat later: Peppers that are allowed to ripen on the plant, Bernitz said, will be sweeter and more nutritious. You can use them as ingredients in sandwiches or soups, or dice and combine them with tomatoes and other ingredients like garlic, onions and cilantro to create a dipping salsa for tortilla chips.

Carrots

Plant now: Carrots can be sown from seed directly outside. Since carrot seeds are so tiny, it’s easier to just sprinkle the seeds in a row rather than planting individual seeds; you can space them out as they grow, Erler said. “You pull out some of the little baby carrots in between [plants] to make sure they’re properly spaced,” she said. “You’re sacrificing a few, but you’re going to get nice, full-sized carrots.”

Watch them grow: Carrots like a soil that is rich, yet well-draining, such as a loamy soil, Erler said. They need at least six hours of direct sunlight and at least an inch of water per week.

Out to harvest: Carrots can be harvested after eight to 10 weeks, depending on how the tops look. “If that much time has elapsed and the top is really large, it’s probably done all it’s going to do,” Erler said. “You’ll just get diminishing returns if you leave it in longer, like the carrots will get hard and woody.” Ideally, you should be able to pull the carrots out of the soil by hand with little resistance, but you can loosen the surrounding soil with a garden fork if necessary. “Worst-case scenario, the top breaks off when you try to pull it out, and then you’ll just need to grab a tool to dig it out of the ground,” Erler said.

Eat later: Carrot dip

Recipe by Lisa Richards and courtesy of UNH Cooperative Extension.

Serves 6

6 carrots, shredded

1 1/2 cups nonfat yogurt, plain

1 clove of garlic, mashed

1 tablespoon olive oil

Juice from 1/2 a lemon

1/2 teaspoon salt

18 4-inch celery strips

24 cherry tomatoes

Wash, peel and grate carrots. Add garlic, olive oil, lemon juice and salt to yogurt. Stir. Add carrots to yogurt mixture. Mix well. Serve with celery, tomatoes and other vegetables, if desired.

Herbs

Plant now: Some culinary herbs can be planted outdoors now or in the next one to two weeks, while for others you’ll need to wait until steadier warm weather arrives, according to Maria Noel Groves, owner of Wintergreen Botanicals in Allenstown and author of the book Grow Your Own Herbal Remedies. If you’re starting from seeds, you can usually find information on the seed packet on how long it will take the crop to germinate (when the seedling pops out of the soil) and mature (when it’s ready to be harvested). This can take a few weeks to a month, depending on the plant.

Watch them grow: Culinary herbs can be grown and harvested on their own, while some can thrive when paired up with others. Local experts say it all comes down to the ecosystem each one prefers.

“If you’ve got Mediterranean herbs like rosemary and thyme that like lots of sunlight, then they would be OK to go together,” said Jessica LaBrie, owner of Blackbird’s Daughter Botanicals in Barrington and a past president of the New Hampshire Herbal Network. “You might keep herbs that like a lot more watering together, like parsley and dill.”

Thyme and mint, Groves said, are among some of the herbs that can handle a bit of colder temperatures. Others prefer warmer or drier conditions.

“Mediterranean herbs are not going to survive outside right now,” she said. “Rosemary is definitely one of the ones that likes it more dry. Basil likes a hot, rich soil and lots of sun.”

Out to harvest: LaBrie said it’s a good idea to let your plants get established before you begin regularly harvesting —‌ you can usually tell by their smell or their feel.

“With a lot of herbs, if you pinch off the new growth it will grow back even bushier,” she said. “It’s like giving them a little haircut every couple of days.”

Eat later: Groves said she likes to use her herbs in all kinds of ways in the kitchen, from simply adding them to a glass of seltzer water to using them as ingredients in a variety of dishes.

“If I’m making a nice savory breakfast, maybe with eggs, I could have them with basil or sage,” she said. “If we’re making Mexican food, like tacos, then I’ll use a lot of cilantro, oregano and parsley. I also like to do some Korean and Thai-inspired meals like bowls or stir-frys with herbs.”

Kale

Plant now: Kale can be sown from seed outdoors, or it can be started inside and transplanted outdoors after around four weeks, when it gets its first sets of leaves. “Both [ways to plant] are options, but if you plant them directly in the garden they probably aren’t going to get quite as big and are going to take a little longer before you can harvest them [than if you start them indoors],” Earler said.

Watch them grow: Kale “isn’t too fussy” with its growing requirements, Erler said. Just give it a well-draining, sandy soil, at least six hours full sun, and water whenever the soil feels dry. The biggest concern with growing kale, Erler said, is pests, such as cabbage worms, aphids and certain kinds of moths. “You want to make sure you’re looking closely at the plants and scouting for insects often, at least a couple times a week, to make sure that nothing is getting out of hand,” she said. If you do find yourself with an insect problem, she said, consult your local garden store about an insecticide or a row cover.

Out to harvest: “Kale is nice because you can harvest it as you go along,” Erler said. Simply remove the leaves as desired, using a pair of gardening scissors or by twisting them off by hand. Always pick the oldest leaves first, growing from the base of the plant.

Eat later: Kale chips

Recipe by Caitlin Porter and courtesy of UNH Cooperative Extension.

Serves 4.

1 bunch kale, red or curly

1 Tablespoon olive oil

1/4 teaspoon salt

2 Tablespoons Parmesan cheese

1/4 teaspoon paprika

1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

Preheat oven to 300 degrees. Wash and completely dry kale leaves, remove stems. Tear into medium to large size pieces, place in a medium to large bowl. Add all the other ingredients and toss until kale is coated. Line a baking sheet with foil, coat with non-stick cooking spray. Spread kale onto baking sheet in a single layer. It might take two baking sheets. If using two baking sheets, make sure to rotate them halfway through the cooking time. Cook for 20 to 25 minutes. Store any leftovers in an airtight container.

Lettuce

Plant now: Any type of lettuce you can buy at the grocery store is one you can also grow yourself —‌ the easiest to grow is loose leaf lettuce, as it is the quickest to mature at about four weeks.

“Lettuce … can withstand light to moderate frost and will tolerate some shade, but it really prefers a lot of sun,” Bernitz said. “Loose leaf lettuce is really good for planting in the spring, for both containers and raised beds. … You’re planting in early to mid-April, and harvesting all May and June long if you’re planting it successionally.”

Watch them grow: Depending on your variety of choice, from smaller loose leaf lettuce to larger heads, Bernitz you might need a little extra space between each for them to grow.

“Lettuce is something you don’t want to plant too deeply. The seeds should be just below the surface of the soil,” he said.

Out to harvest: Most varieties of lettuce take about 40 to 50 days and then can be harvested over and over throughout the season, according to Munroe. Like spinach, Bernitz said, lettuce is best harvested at cooler temperatures. You can harvest individual leaves or alternatively cut the entire plant at or just above the surface of your soil.

Eat later: Most lettuces can go great in salads, sandwiches or wraps. Romaine lettuce, according to information from the New Hampshire Farm to School’s Harvest of the Month program, is typically viewed as the most nutrient-rich.

Onions

Plant now: If you’re looking for a “big, supermarket size” onion, Erler said, there are two ways to plant them: You can start them from seed in a container indoors, then transport them outside after several weeks when they’ve sprouted, or you can grow them from an onion set, a tiny, immature onion bulb, which can be planted outside. Plant the seeds or sets no deeper than an inch, allowing several inches of space between each plant.

Watch them grow: Onions grow well in a rich, loamy soil, with a full day of direct sunlight. They like having plenty of water, Erler said, so make sure the soil stays consistently moist.

Out to harvest: The growing time for onions is longer than that for most other vegetables, Erler said. Expect to harvest at the end of the summer, around three to four months after planting. You’ll know they’re ready once their tops start to yellow and fall over.

Eat later: Onion casserole

Recipe by Sara Oberle, Nutrition Connections Teacher, and courtesy of UNH Cooperative Extension.

4 large onions, diced

1 Tablespoon olive oil

1 cup long grain rice, cooked according to package directions

⅔ cup milk

¼ teaspoon black pepper

¼ teaspoon salt

⅛ teaspoon ground allspice

½ cup cheddar cheese, grated

Cook rice according to package directions and set aside. Preheat oven to 325 degrees. In a skillet add olive oil and diced onions. Sauté for 5 minutes or until soft and translucent. In a large bowl add the sautéed onions, cooked rice, milk, black pepper, salt, and ground allspice; stir until blended. Pour into a lightly oiled casserole dish. Sprinkle the grated cheddar cheese on top. Cover and bake for 40 minutes. Remove cover and bake for 5 more minutes until cheese begins to brown.

Peas

Plant now: Peas are considered cool-season veggies that should be planted now, according to Nate Bernitz, home horticulture outreach program manager for the UNH Cooperative Extension.

“In order to get a good crop of peas, you’d want to plant them early in the spring, to give them time to mature before it gets too hot out,” Bernitz said. “Their ideal temperatures are between 60 and 75 degrees. … I’d also recommend planting peas successionally, which means making additional plantings every week or couple of weeks rather than all at once. It guarantees you a good continuous harvest, because peas are veggies you want to eat soon after they’re ready.”

Watch them grow: Bernitz said peas do best when growing on something they can climb on —‌ you can use some kind of trellis, or make your own using chicken wire, sticks or other materials. Peas shouldn’t be overfertilized, either.

“They really thrive when given that space,” he said. “I would also say that peas … do really well when grown with other crops. So peas and spinach, for example, go really well together. Peas are kind of slow growing, whereas spinach grows quickly.”

Out to harvest: Peas will flower and produce pods that can be picked when ready to be harvested. Depending on the variety, this can take around 50 to 60 days from when you plant it, although some may produce pods sooner than others, according to Justin Munroe, founder and executive director of the nonprofit Grow Nashua.

Eat later: According to Bernitz, peas will taste sweet, tender and non-starchy when ready to be harvested. Peas or pea pods can be enjoyed as a side vegetable to a protein, while pea shoots can be added in dishes like pastas or potato salads.

Radishes

Plant now: Radishes can be sown by seed outside in the spring. Plant the seeds about 1/4 inch deep in the soil, spaced a couple of inches apart and in rows about a foot apart. “They need space,” Erler said. “If you aren’t really careful in the way that you space them, you may need to thin them out a bit [as they grow].”

Watch them grow: Radishes prefer a well-draining, sandy soil and at least six hours of full sun each day. It’s very important that radishes get enough water, Erler said, as that can directly affect how the radishes come out. “They tend to have a milder flavor and be more tender when they’ve had plenty of water,” she said. “[If they haven’t] they can end up pithy or woody and really spicy.” Give them at least an inch of water a week, more if conditions are hot or dry.

Out to harvest: Radishes have a quicker turn-around than most vegetables, Erler said, reaching maturity in as little as two to three weeks. Simply pull them out of the soil by hand.

Eat later: Radish stir-fry with sugar snap peas

Recipe by Shirley Clark of Nutrition Connections and courtesy of UNH Cooperative Extension.

Serving size ¾ cup. Serves 8.

1 tablespoon. oil

1/2 cup shallots, diced

3 cups sugar snap peas, chopped

2 cups radishes, sliced

1/4 cup orange juice

2 tablespoons fresh dill, chopped

salt and pepper to taste

Wash your hands and fresh ingredients. Heat oil in large pan over medium heat. Add shallots and cook until soft, about 3 minutes. Add snap peas and cook 3 minutes. Add radishes and cook 3 more minutes. Stir. Add orange juice and dill. Add salt and pepper to taste. Mix well. Serve and enjoy. Refrigerate leftovers and use within 2 to 3 days.

Spinach

Plant now: Like peas, spinach is another cool-season vegetable you’d want to start planting now, according to Bernitz, and is another one he recommends planting successionally.

“Spinach is a great one to plant not only in the spring but also in the fall as well. Peas tend not to be great for the fall because they are a little slower to mature,” he said.

Watch them grow: Spinach will prefer shade over full sun and cooler temperatures over warm. In fact, Bernitz said spinach that has been exposed to a little bit of frost will change its overall taste.

“It tastes somewhat sweeter when exposed to some light frost and harvested in cooler temperatures,” Bernitz said.

Out to harvest: According to Bernitz, single leaves of spinach should be harvested as soon as they reach a usable size, at cool temperatures if possible. Spinach has a short shelf life, lasting just a few days in the refrigerator. It should be run under cold water and immediately refrigerated after harvest, he said.

Eat later: Spinach cooks very quickly and can go great when sauteed with other greens like collards and Swiss chard, on its own or added to dishes like scrambled eggs or soups.

Tomatoes

Plant now: If you have the space indoors, you can start planting tomatoes now. Otherwise, if you’re looking to plant seeds directly into the ground, those will need to wait a little bit longer.

“Tomatoes you don’t want to plant or transplant outdoors until the danger of frost has passed, because they will not tolerate frost,” Bernitz said. “They are veggies that people typically start growing indoors. … We recommend starting them from seed indoors under grow lights for about six to eight weeks before you transplant them out.”

Watch them grow: Tomatoes need a lot of room for their roots to grow, so if you are starting them indoors, Bernitz said, they need pots or containers at least five gallons in size.

Varieties of tomatoes are either determinate or indeterminate —‌ indeterminate varieties will continue producing new tomatoes throughout harvest season and until the threat of frost, which is normally around October but could return earlier or later than that, depending on the year and what part of the state you live in, according to Bernitz.

“Indeterminate tomatoes are common,” he said. “Determinate tomatoes are much shorter and bushier, and they produce all of their tomatoes at once, which is not really what some people like if they want to be enjoying fresh tomatoes off the vine all summer.”

Out to harvest: In general, Munroe said tomatoes can take around 60 to 75 days to be ready depending on their size, and there may be additional harvesting time depending on when the first fall frost occurs. Tomatoes should then be stored at room temperature, out of direct sunlight.

“Our seasons have been getting longer and longer,” he said. “We’ve been growing strong through the end of September, and even this past year we were a week or two into October.”

Bernitz said some tomato varieties will drop when ripe, whereas others will cling to the plant. Most will come off the plant easily when they are ripe or close to ripe.

Eat later: A fresh homegrown tomato can be eaten by itself, Bernitz said, or cooked alongside some homegrown basil or made into a sauce for meals like pastas. Frozen tomatoes will keep for about eight to 12 months.

Tree fruits

Apples, pears, plums, cherries and certain varieties of peaches grow well in southern New Hampshire.

Plant now: Fruit trees can be planted in the spring once the snow has completely melted and the soil is thoroughly dried and workable. The best way to start growing a fruit tree, according to Emma Erler, Commercial Horticulture Field Specialist for UNH Cooperative Extension, is to plant a “grafted” tree, a branch that’s taken from a parent plant and attached to its own root system. “You could certainly try to grow [a fruit tree] from seed, but you’re probably not going to end up with a very delicious fruit,” she said. To plant the grafted tree, dig a hole that is deep enough to accommodate the full height of the root system and wide enough to spread the roots out. “Ideally, the part of the stem that’s just above the roots will be sitting just above soil level,” Erler said. “You don’t want [the stem] of the plant to be covered by soil at all.”

Watch them grow: Fruit trees need direct sunlight — around six to eight hours of it a day — and a well-drained soil to thrive. “A shaded area or low-lying area where water tends to pool and form puddles is not the spot for them,” Erler said. “You want a nice, open, sunny spot where the soil can dry fairly quickly.” The young tree needs water — by rain, sprinkler or watering can — at least a couple times a week. Each watering should be enough to soak at least 8 to 12 inches down into the soil. “You want to make sure you aren’t just flooding the upper inch or so of soil,” Erler said. “You want to water enough so that if you were to dig into the soil near the plant you’d see the water.”

Out to harvest: The yield from fruit trees takes some patience, Erler said; you probably won’t see any quality fruit until the tree is at least 3 to 5 years old. “The tree needs to be structurally strong first, so it’s not likely to break under the weight of the fruit or from snow or ice,” she said. One of the biggest mistakes people make when planting fruit trees, Erler said, is trying to harvest the fruit prematurely. “It’s tough to do, but you should actually be removing any fruits that start growing during the first couple of years,” she said. “When the tree is producing fruit, it’s taking energy away from the growth of the roots and the tree.”

Eat later: Fruit crisp

Recipe by Christine Parshall, Nutrition Connections Teacher, and courtesy of UNH Cooperative Extension.

Serving size 1/2 cup. Serves 6.

4 cups fruit, like blueberries, pears, apples, peaches (frozen, canned or fresh)

2 tablespoons. white or whole wheat flour

1/3 cup packed brown sugar

1/2 cup whole wheat flour

1/2 cup oats

1/2 stick softened margarine or butter

3/4 teaspoon cinnamon

3/4 teaspoon nutmeg

Heat oven to 375 degrees. Wash hands with soap and water. Grease an 8 x 8 x 2-inch pan. If using canned fruit, drain juices and rinse. If using frozen fruit, thaw and drain. Scrub firm produce like apples and pears with a clean vegetable brush under running water. Gently rub tender produce, like peaches, under running water. Rinse fresh berries under running water. Slice fruit, if needed, and put in the pan. Add 2 tablespoons flour to fruit and stir in. Spread fruit evenly in pan. In a bowl, mix remaining ingredients together with a fork or hands until crumbly. Sprinkle over fruit evenly. Bake 30 to 40 minutes, or until topping is golden brown and fruit is tender when pierced with a fork. Serve warm.

The Art Roundup 21/04/08

The latest from NH’s theater, arts and literary communities

Art by digital artist William Townsend, featured in the New Hampshire Art Association exhibition, “Transformations: Nature and Beyond.” Courtesy photo.

• Thirty days of poetry: April is National Poetry Month, and New Hampshire Poet Laureate Alexandria Peary, New Hampshire Magazine, Concord-based publisher Hobblebush Books and others have organized all kinds of opportunities for poets and poetry lovers in the state to celebrate. One is a series of poetry writing prompts, created by Peary, with one prompt posted each day in April on New Hampshire Magazine’s Facebook page. The prompts are meant to be “a reflection of the past year,” Peary said, particularly in regard to the pandemic, and cover a wide variety of poetry styles. “They’re just something to get people started,” she told the Hippo earlier this month. “You could look at the prompts and just see what comes to mind and do a free-write every day, or you could pick just one or two [prompts] and try to write a whole poem — whatever works for you.” Now through May 15, original poems by state residents can be submitted for review and possible publication in an anthology of poetry about the pandemic experience in New Hampshire — a follow-up to COVID Spring: Granite State Pandemic Poems, an anthology edited by Peary and published by Hobblebush Books in September 2020. Virtual poetry workshops and readings and conversations with Granite State poets are also being held throughout the month. Visit newhampshirepoetlaureate.blogspot.com and hobblebush.com/national-poetry-month for a complete schedule and list of activities.

• Emerging artist from Nashua: Nashua native Tayla Cormier has been making a name for herself in the regional arts scene, according to an email from Clark University in Worcester, Mass., where she is currently pursuing a graduate degree in biology. “I am a 23-year-old artist specializing in portraiture,” Cormier states on her artist Facebook page. “My art is often inspired by music. I sell art prints, but I am always open to commissions.” Cormier’s art, which she originally started selling on the online marketplace Etsy, is now displayed around Clark’s campus and has been featured in ClarkNow and Worcester Magazine. She recently won top prize at the 17th annual Arts Worcester College Show. Visit facebook.com/taylacormierart to connect with Cormier and see her art.

• Nature reimagined: The New Hampshire Art Association has an exhibition, “Transformations: Nature and Beyond,” featuring the work of digital artist William Townsend, on view at the gallery in the Concord Chamber of Commerce Visitor Center (49 S. Main St.) now through June 17. Townsend uses digital tools and techniques to alter line, form and color in photographs of natural objects, such as trees in a forest or seaweed on a beach. In some pieces, Townsend duplicated and inverted parts of the photograph and merged the parts into a symmetrical form, or converted the scene into an oval shape. “These effects transform the original photographed objects into images beyond nature,” an NHAA press release said about the exhibit. “His goal is to reveal the mystery and wonder that live within the realm of the mystical imagination.” All works are for sale. Gallery hours are Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Visit nhartassociation.org or call 431-4230.

• We have a winner: The New Hampshire State Council on the Arts has named Newmarket High School student Lilla Bozek the winner of the 2021 New Hampshire Poetry Out Loud High School Championship. The national poetry recitation program invites students to memorize and recite poems chosen by the National Poetry Foundation. Competition begins at the classroom level, then advances to school championships, a series of semifinals, and finally the state championship. Students are judged on their recitations by their physical presence, voice and articulation, dramatic appropriateness and evidence of understanding and accuracy. Bozek received a $200 prize as well as a $500 stipend for her high school to purchase poetry books. She will represent New Hampshire at the national finals, which will be held as a video submission-based competition this year. Rachel Budd from Bow High School has been selected as the alternate winner and received $100, plus a $200 stipend for Bow High School’s poetry book collection. Visit nh.gov/nharts.

Live to tell the tale

Storytelling Festival features traditional and personal stories, poetry, music

The New Hampshire Theatre Project’s annual Storytelling Festival returns to the stage — and to the screen — on Saturday, April 10, with six storytellers telling traditional and personal tales inspired by the theme “What Are You Waiting For?” The performance will be held for a live audience in person at The Music Hall in Portsmouth and virtually over the live video platform Crowdcast.

“There are several [storytelling series] in the area that honor personal stories in the Moth [Radio Hour] tradition, but in terms of telling different kinds of stories, telling traditional tales and [highlighting] storytelling as an art form, there’s really nothing else like [NHTP’s Storytelling Festival] in the area,” said NHTP executive director Genevieve Aichele, who is hosting and performing at this year’s event.

Featured storytellers will include Boston-based award-winning storyteller Diane Edgecomb, presenting a comedic story from her early acting career; British storyteller and humorist Simon Brooks, performing a traditional tale from northern England; Seacoast jazz musician and entertainer Sharon Jones, sharing a story about a special moment on stage at Portsmouth High School; Seacoast storyteller and emcee Pat Spalding of the storytelling series True Tales Live, aired on Portsmouth Public Media TV, telling tales of her time as a majorette with the Leftist Marching Band; and poet Maya Williams of Portland, Maine, telling stories of suicidality, racial identity, religion and healing through the art of spoken word poetry.

Additionally, world fusion musician Randy Armstrong will perform musical interludes throughout the festival with an eclectic mix of instruments.

“If you like Moth Radio Hour and you want to hear those types of personal stories, there will be some of that, and if you enjoy traditional tales, there will be some of that, too,” Aichele said. “Poetry, music — there’s something in it for everyone.”

Aichele will perform her original adaptation of “The Elephant and the Ant,” a traditional tale from India, with musical accompaniment by Armstrong.

“The music is really part of the storytelling,” she said. “It helps to set the mood and gives it that cultural atmosphere and flavor of the culture where the story begins.”

The theme “What Are You Waiting For?” was inspired, Aichele said, by the innovation of the arts community throughout the pandemic.

“It’s a new world; we can’t do art the way we used to,” she said, “so why not use Covid as an opportunity to reinvent ourselves? What are we waiting for? That’s really what these stories are about — not waiting to act or make a change.”

While experiencing a performance virtually is “not quite the same” as experiencing it in person, Aichele said, there’s still a “feeling of excitement and energy” that comes with watching any kind of live event.

“No matter where you are, you’re there; you’re in the audience,” she said. “You’re a part of that community of people who are seeing this thing happening live, and that can be really exciting.”

New Hampshire Theatre Project’s 5th annual Storytelling Festival
Where: Live in person at The Music Hall Historic Theater, 28 Chestnut St., Portsmouth, and virtual livestream via Crowdcast
When: Saturday, April 10, 8 p.m.
Cost: Tickets cost $36 for the performance at The Music Hall and $15 for the livestream performance
More info: Visit nhtheatreproject.org and themusichall.org

Art

Call for Art

• FIBER ART EXHIBIT The Surface Design Association’s (SDA) New Hampshire Group invites New Hampshire fiber artists to submit work for its upcoming exhibit of fiber art and textiles, “Tension: Process in the Making.” Exhibit will run July 24 through Sept. 4 at Twiggs Gallery (254 King St., Boscawen). Submission deadline is Fri., May 1. Visit twiggsgallery.wordpress.com or call 975-0015.

Classes & lectures

• GENERAL ART CLASSES In-person art classes for all levels and two-dimensional media. held with small groups of two to five students. Private classes are also available. Diane Crespo Fine Art Gallery (32 Hanover St., Manchester). Students are asked to wear masks in the gallery. Tuition costs $20 per group class and $28 per private class, with payment due at the beginning of the class. Call 493-1677 or visit dianecrespofineart.com for availability.

• DRAWING & PAINTING CLASSES Art House Studios, 66 Hanover St., Suite 202, Manchester. Classes include Drawing Fundamentals, Painting in Acrylic, Drawing: Observation to Abstraction, Exploring Mixed Media, and Figure Drawing. Class sizes are limited to six students. Visit arthousestudios.org.

Exhibits

• “BODY OF WORK: SERIES I” New Hampshire Art Association presents an exhibition featuring artwork in a variety of media by eight local artists. On view now through May 2. Online and in person at the NHAA’s Robert Lincoln Levy Gallery, 136 State St., Portsmouth. All works are for sale. Gallery hours are Monday and Tuesday by appointment, Wednesday and Thursday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Sunday from noon to 5 p.m. Visit nhartassociation.org or call 431-4230.

• 35TH ANNUAL OMER T. LASSONDE JURIED EXHIBITION The New Hampshire Art Association presents a group art show featuring works in a variety of media by NHAA members and non-members. NHAA’s Robert Lincoln Levy Gallery (136 State St., Portsmouth). On view now through May 30. A virtual opening reception and awards ceremony is planned for Thurs., April 15, at 6:30 p.m. Call 431-4230 and visit nhartassociation.org.

• “THE BODY IN ART: FROM THE SPIRITUAL TO THE SENSUAL” Exhibit provides a look at how artists through the ages have used the human body as a means of creative expression. On view now through Sept. 1. Currier Museum of Art, 150 Ash St., Manchester. Museum admission tickets cost $15, $13 for seniors age 65 and up, and must be booked online. Call 669-6144 or visit currier.org.

• GALLERY ART A new collection of art by more than 20 area artists on display now in-person and online. Creative Ventures Gallery (411 Nashua St., Milford). Call 672-2500 or visit creativeventuresfineart.com.

• “TOMIE DEPAOLA AT THE CURRIER” Exhibition celebrates the illustrator’s life and legacy through a collection of his original drawings. On view now. Currier Museum of Art, 150 Ash St., Manchester. Museum admission tickets cost $15, $13 for seniors age 65 and up, and must be booked online. Call 669-6144 or visit currier.org.

Special events

• MAGNIFY VOICES EXPRESSIVE ARTS CELEBRATION Youth artwork showcased to help raise awareness and decrease stigma of mental illness and effect change to ensure social and emotional health for all children in New Hampshire. May, date TBA. Visit tinyurl.com/magnifyvoices2021 or email magnifyvoices@gmail.com.

Theater

Shows

• THE SORCERER’S APPRENTICE Filmed live in London 2021. Virtual screening presented by Capitol Center for the Arts in Concord. Now through April 11. $25 per ticket. Call 225-1111 or visit ccanh.com.

• DON QUIXOTE Performed by Safe Haven Ballet. Thurs., April 8, and Fri., April 9, 7 p.m. The Music Hall, Historic Theater, 28 Chestnut St., Portsmouth. Tickets cost $50 for adults and $45 for children, seniors and groups. Visit themusichall.org or call 436-2400.

• THE ART OF CIRCUS Virtual screening presented by Capitol Center for the Arts in Concord. Thurs., April 8, 7 p.m., Sat., April 10, 8 p.m., and Sun., April 11, 2 p.m. $25 per ticket. Call 225-1111 or visit ccanh.com.

• FIFTH ANNUAL STORYTELLING FESTIVAL New Hampshire Theatre Project presents. Five storytellers tell traditional and personal tales inspired by NHTP’s 2020 – 2021 MainStage theme “What Are You Waiting For?” Featuring Diane Edgecomb, Pat Spalding, Simon Brooks, Sharon Jones and Maya Williams; with special guest host Genevieve Aichele and musical accompaniment by Randy Armstrong. Sat., April 10, 7 p.m. The Music Hall Historic Theater, 28 Chestnut St., Portsmouth. Tickets cost $36. Call 431-6644 or visit nhtheatreproject.org.

• KINKY BOOTS Recorded live in London. Virtual screening presented by Capitol Center for the Arts in Concord. April 14 through April 21. $15 per ticket. Call 225-1111 or visit ccanh.com.

• COX AND BOX Performed by New York Gilbert & Sullivan Players. Virtual screening presented by Capitol Center for the Arts in Concord. Thurs., April 15, and Fri., April 16, 8 p.m., and Sun., April 18, 2 p.m. $20 per ticket. Call 225-1111 or visit ccanh.com.

• ZOOM PLAY FESTIVAL Presented by Powerhouse Theatre Collaborative and Community Players of Concord. Features short original plays by New Hampshire playwrights. Fri., April 16. Virtual. See Powerhouse Theatre Collaborative on Facebook.

• THAT GOLDEN GIRLS SHOW: A PUPPET PARODY at the Capitol Center for the Arts (44 S. Main St. in Concord; ccanh.com) on Sat., April 24, at 8 p.m. Tickets cost $35.

Classical

• CONCORD COMMUNITY MUSIC SCHOOL FACULTY CONCERT Part of Concord’s Walker Lecture Series. Virtual, via Concord TV (Channel 22, or stream at yourconcordtv.org). Wed., April 21. 7:30 p.m. Free and open to the public. Call 333-0035 or visit walkerlecture.org.

Featured photo: Featured storyteller Diane Edgecomb. Courtesy photo.

Quality of Life 21/04/08

Read a book, watch some baseball

Students who read five books between now and May 11 will earn two tickets to a New Hampshire Fisher Cats game at Delta Dental Stadium. The Reading Challenge started in 2010, according to a press release, and more than 3 million books have been read as part of the program so far. Students can submit their five books and preferred game date through an online form at NHFisherCats.com. The home opener is scheduled for May 11 against the Somerset Patriots, which will be followed by a fireworks show to kick off the season.

Score: +1

Comment: After a year without Fisher Cats baseball, the Reading Challenge is a great way to help kids and their families get back to the stadium.

Sleeping out to support homeless youth

For the second year, Waypoint’s SleepOut was held remotely, according to a press release, with 179 people from across the state sleeping in their backyards and fundraising online, ultimately raising more than $350,000 to support homeless youth. During the March 26 event, participants came together virtually in a livestream event featuring Gov. Chris Sununu, Congressman Chris Pappas, Congresswoman Annie Kuster, and Sens. Maggie Hassan and Jeanne Shaheen. Proceeds from the SleepOut event will support Waypoint’s services to youth experiencing homelessness, including street outreach, basic needs relief, crisis care, the Youth Resource Center in Manchester, rapid rehousing, and transitional housing in four towns across the state, the release said. Waypoint is also planning to expand services, including a drop-in center in Rochester and Concord and a youth shelter in Manchester.

Score: +1

Comment: “Especially in the midst of a pandemic, homeless youth are at greater risk than ever,” Borja Alvarez de Toledo, president and CEO of Waypoint, said in the release.

Strong state for women-owned businesses

A new study from advisorsmith.com has ranked New Hampshire as the third best state for female-owned businesses. According to a press release, in New Hampshire, the average female-owned employer business had 9.6 employees, while the national average was 9 employees; female-owned companies had an average payroll of $383,225, compared with the national average payroll of $330,171; and the proportion of female-owned businesses with more than $100,000 in revenue as a percentage of the female working-age population was 1.8 compared to the national average of 1.7.

Score: +1

Comment:Massachusetts and Wisconsin topped New Hampshire, coming in at No. 1 and No. 2, respectively, while the worst states were West Virginia, South Carolina and Georgia, according to the study.


Steps toward sobriety

The Phoenix, a nonprofit sober active community for individuals recovering from substance use, will expand into New Hampshire, according to a press release. The Phoenix will offer free in-person programs using donated gym space and outdoor sites, and volunteers will provide support and connection to individuals in recovery. Programs will initially be available in the Seacoast, Manchester, Concord and Nashua areas, the release said, with further expansion planned throughout the state. Anyone who is interested in taking classes, volunteering or attending virtual programs can visit thephoenix.org; all classes are free, and the only requirement to participate is 48 hours of continuous sobriety.

Score: +1

Comment: According to an April 2020 CDC report, New Hampshire has the sixth highest opioid overdose rate in the country, the press release said.

QOL score: 63

Net change: +4

QOL this week: 67

What’s affecting your Quality of Life here in New Hampshire? Let us know at news@hippopress.com.

Shaky start for the Sox

Well, the local nine put all those in Red Sox Nation with fears a second titanic-like season is dead ahead on Defcon 5 by getting swept by Baltimore right out of the box. It’s only the second time they’ve started a year with three straight losses at home and the first since 1948. Made all the worse by its being at the hands of the horrible for two decades Orioles.

Making matters even worse was after a historically bad team-wide pitching performance in 2020 they gave up 17 runs in three games and started the season with their two best pitchers on the DL. Though it’s expected that after missing all of last year it will be a short stay for Eduardo Rodriguez, who went there with the common late spring training malady “dead arm.” On the other hand the returning from Tommy John surgery Chris Sale likely won’t be seen before mid-July.

Compounding it all is the total organizational makeover underway by new (sort of) stat geek GM Chaim Bloom, which in two short seasons turned a 108-win world championship team into a last-place finish in the AL East. So, given the major skepticism coursing through the Nation for Bloom and his plan, it’s going to make finding even a glimmer of optimism a little tough. But seeing now that JD Martinez has his beloved video tools back he jumped out going 5-10 with a homer after his miserable 2020 campaign probably qualifies. There’s also, warts and all, the curiosity of seeing how/whether Bobby Dalbec develops into the Tony Conigliaro-like power hitter some are predicting, which would be sweet.

In the meantime, as some sit patiently, others not so much, watching the year unfold, here are some stories to keep an eye on around baseball as we begin the 2021 season.

Hoping Cleveland does what it appears Washington will do after dropping the Redskins nickname to be the Washington Football Team. Since contrived new nicknames rarely stick with anyone, The Cleveland Baseball Team rings true.

Baseball 101: Which player is the active leader in career hits?

Incidentally, if you follow these sort of things, Dalbec’s five strikeouts over the weekend project to 270 over 162 games. Probably a bit of an aberration, but if you’re headed to Vegas I’d bet the over on his K’s for the year no matter what it is.

For the record, the record for strikeouts in one season is 223 held by ex-Oriole Mark Reynolds in 2009. The 200-K season tells all what baseball has become in 2021. All 13 times someone has struck out 200-plus times have happened since 2008, when Reynolds whiffed 204 times. And you have to go all the way down to 31 on the single season list to find someone from the 20th century. That would be Barry’s father Bobby Bonds, who K’d 189 times with the Giants in 1969.

Actually there is another thing that exemplifies what baseball 2021 is: the handling of the pitching staff, and it only took all of two games for me to want to throw up in my mouth all over again on that after hearing Twins manager Rocco Baldelli pulled Jose Berrios on Saturday with a no-hitter in progress. Making it more maddening is that despite having a pitch count-consuming 12 strikeouts in six innings vs. Milwaukee he’d thrown just 84 pitches. Guess 84 is the new 100 pitch count. Despite that lunacy from Rocco, Minnesota still won 2-0. Here’s hoping Minnesota goes 1-161 after that.

However, from baseball’s sickening follow-the-leader approach to managing comes the story of Angels pitcher/outfielder Shohei Ohtani. In the first game he ever hit in the order on the day he pitched Ohtani achieved a first of its kind double-double. He registered 100 mph-plus three times in the first inning, then on the first pitch he saw later that inning he hit a 450-foot homer that went out at 115 mph. He also became the first pitcher to bat second in the order since the Cardinals’ Jack Dunleavy last did it in 1903!

Baseball 101 Answer: Detroit’s Miguel Cabrera is the hit leader with a 46th best all-time 2,867.

Cabrera is also 12 homers short of 500. But given recent history neither’s a lock for 2021. He’s only had the 133 hits needed for 3,000 once since the year after Dave Dombrowski made him the highest paid player in 2016. Ditto on the homers he needed for 500. And they still owe him a mind-bending $120 million.

Albert Pujols has even bigger historical targets in range, He’s 37 homers and 33 doubles shy of becoming the first ever member of the 700 club in both categories. Plus he’s 111 RBI behind Babe Ruth’s 2,214 for second best all time in runs batted in. However, like Cabrera he’s only reached each needed number one time in his nine years with the Angels.

Incidentally the $342 million 10-year contract Francisco Lindor just got from the Mets is not apples and apples with the Sox passing on a big one for Mookie Betts. The motivation in Metland was a new owner looking to make a good first impression. Plus they had just given up a lot of talent to bring him to NYC, and it would have made no sense to do that for a one-year rental. And new owner Steve Cohen is also a lifelong Mets fan boy and his team hadn’t won it since 1986.

Hearing that a Tommy John survivor hit 100 on the gun had to be music to Sale’s ears. Though never a strikeout pitcher like Sale, the real TJ went on to have three 20-win seasons, win 164 games overall and pitch until he was 46 after becoming the first to have it done in 1975.

So I’m guessing there is hope for an eventual return to form by Sale.

Protecting and serving

Det. Justin Breton is Manchester PD’s Officer of the Year

The Manchester Police Department has named Detective Justin Breton its 2020 Officer of the Year. Breton talked about his career and initiatives to provide mental health and wellness support for police officers.

What have you done during your career in law enforcement?

I’ve been a police officer for just about 12 years. I started … in Hopkinton, then came to Manchester in 2010. I’ve been a patrol officer, and I was a detective in a juvenile division investigating child abuse and sexual exploitation cases. Then I transitioned into the detective division, where I’m a general investigator, handling any types of cases ranging from homicides to thefts and burglaries. I’m a member of our crisis negotiator team, a component of our SWAT team. I’m a member of our mobile crisis team, [in which] we work closely with the Mental Health [Center of Greater Manchester] and go out with them [to respond to] mental health crisis calls. … I recently trained to work with our ACERT team [Adverse Childhood Experience Response Team], which [helps] children or young adults who have been exposed to domestic violence or have been victims of a crime themselves. … Another one of my big jobs is [being] a coordinator for our Critical Incident Stress Management peer-to-peer team, which … connects our [department] employees with mental health services. … I also [am the primary handler of] Patch, our first comfort dog at the PD.

You helped create the Critical Incident Stress Management Team. Why was it needed?

The team started in 2012 after Officer Dan Doherty was shot in Manchester [and] was comprised of several officers who had gone through the [Officer] Michael Briggs homicide case. … We realized we wanted to do a better job as a police department of taking care of each other after those critical incidents. We all know this is a very stressful job, but what we don’t always recognize is that there are long-term lasting effects from some of the traumatic incidents we’re exposed to. We wanted to train and educate ourselves on how to recognize [the effects of trauma] amongst our peers and get them the professional help they may need to work through that situation. … We were able to work with [New Hampshire State] Sen. Lou D’Allesandro from Manchester to create a statute which enabled us to have confidentiality with our peers, so … we’re able to speak with our peers confidentially and get them to the appropriate mental health services.

You helped bring Patch the Comfort Dog to MPD. What does the comfort dog program do?

Concord Police Department was the first [PD] in the state to have a comfort dog. They worked with an agency called Hero Pups, a nonprofit in New Hampshire that trains dogs to work with veterans and first responders [experiencing] PTSD, depression, anxiety or some other type of significant mental health issue … to create this comfort dog program [for police departments]. … It really helps us break down barriers and make connections not only with the community but also with officers, to help them engage in the support services we have set in place.

MPD recently instituted a new training curriculum for its officers. Do you have a role in that?

It’s a 40-hour training curriculum, so there are many different components, and one of the components I’m happy about is a four-hour block of mental health and wellness training. I’m helping to run that class.

What has driven your interest in law enforcement mental health?

I didn’t grow up wanting to be a police officer; I just always knew I wanted to help people. In college, I ended up enrolling in a social work program. I got an internship with the Division for Children, Youth and Families, investigating child abuse and trauma in children. [Through] that job, I started working with a lot of local police departments … and saw the ability police have to not only intervene in dangerous and traumatic situations, but also to be good resources and network-creators to get families connected to services. The Hopkinton police chief at the time convinced me that if I were to become a police officer I’d have a much better ability to help people, so I jumped all in.

What’s something you’ve seen over the last year that has been inspiring or encouraging to you as a police officer?

The national recognition of law enforcement mental health and well-being. In 2020, we applied for [a] grant … to get more personnel trained in this peer-to-peer model. … There are now 20 different agencies across the state that have officers, dispatchers or other department employees trained through [the International Critical Incident Stress Foundation] who can help their fellow colleagues get through some of these stressful times and through their career.

What’s something that you’d like the public to know about the police during these times?

We do recognize [the reasons for the] scrutiny and concern nationwide in regards to the police profession, and we completely understand why they’re so leery right now. … [But the police] can really help our community get through tough times if they trust us … and we’re working very hard to build that trust the community is looking for.

Featured photo: Detective Justin Breton

News & Notes 21/04/08

Covid-19 updateAs of March 29As of April 5
Total cases statewide83,34086,125
Total current infections statewide2,7853,287
Total deaths statewide1,2371,249
New cases2,590 (March 23 to March 29)2,785 (March 30 to April 5)
Current infections: Hillsborough County9481,083
Current infections: Merrimack County214320
Current infections: Rockingham County727826
Information from the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services

Covid-19 news

As of April 2, all New Hampshire residents ages 16 and up can register for their Covid-19 vaccines through the state-run Vaccine & Immunizations Network Interface website, which can be found at vaccines.nh.gov. Dr. Beth Daly, Chief of the Bureau of Infectious Disease Control of the New Hampshire Department of Health & Human Services, said during the state’s weekly public health update on April 1 that only one of three vaccines being administered —‌ the Pfizer vaccine —‌ currently has FDA approval for use in children ages 16 and 17. “Not all vaccination locations have Pfizer but many do,” she said. “A parent or legal guardian does need to come to the vaccination site with their child for those 16- and 17-year olds.” For teens that do not have driver’s licenses or non-driver’s IDs, a birth certificate or passport is required to show proof of age. Parents must also bring their own driver’s license or other document that would show proof of New Hampshire residency. By 3 p.m. on April 2, nearly 150,000 new vaccine appointments were scheduled statewide over the course of the week, including more than 42,000 for people ages 16 and up, according to a press release.

Also on April 2, Gov. Chris Sununu issued Emergency Order No. 89, an order mandating that public K through 12 schools in New Hampshire return to full-time, in-person learning for five days a week starting April 19. “We have said all along, and it has been proven, that schools can reopen safely,” Sununu said during the April 1 press conference announcing the order. “We’re providing plenty of time to allow districts and parents to plan … [and] in a few short weeks, all teachers and school staff who want the vaccine will have received their second dose.”

The state will host its third mass vaccination site at New Hampshire Motor Speedway in Loudon the weekend of Saturday, April 10, and Sunday, April 11, according to an April 5 press release. This site will be by appointment only and not open to walk-ins. Only the Johnson & Johnson vaccine will be administered —‌ according to the release, the state hopes to vaccinate 12,000 people over the course of the weekend. Appointments can be scheduled online.

On April 5, a member of the Governor’s Office tested positive for Covid-19, according to a press release. The individual is currently quarantining and was determined not to have been in close contact with Sununu.

Tuition freeze

The University System of New Hampshire, which includes the University of New Hampshire, Plymouth State University, Keene State College and Granite State College, will freeze tuition for in-state students for the 2021-2022 academic year. According to a press release, this is the third straight year tuition has been frozen for New Hampshire residents. These schools have also committed to providing significant increases in financial aid to students, the release said. “This has been an incredibly challenging year in so many ways, and we continue to work to lessen the financial burden on our students and their families, many of whom have suffered job losses, business closures and other impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic,” Cathy Provencher, USNH Vice Chancellor, said in the release.

Health savings

New Hampshire residents can now enroll in or change their health coverage through the Health Insurance Marketplace and get lower pricing, according to a press release. As of April 1, anyone who is not eligible for insurance through Medicare, Medicaid or employer-based insurance is eligible for Marketplace insurance under the Affordable Care Act, and new rules have expanded coverage options for those who currently have ACA insurance. From now through Aug. 15, consumers can enroll for the first time, or resubmit their application on healthcare.gov, to take advantage of lower monthly premiums and out-of-pocket expenses. Ambetter, Anthem, and Harvard Pilgrim will offer deductible and out-of-pocket maximum expense credits for consumers who want to change plans within the same company, the release said. Anyone who is uninsured and has received unemployment benefits in 2021 will have access to free or reduced-cost plans. NH Navigator, a non-profit enrollment assistance group, is available to assist people with the process; call 931-3858 for free assistance.

VNA merger

Concord Regional Visiting Nurse Association and Central New Hampshire VNA & Hospice have merged, according to a press release. The organization is now called Granite VNA and will serve the home- and community-based health care needs of residents across 82 communities in the greater Concord area and Lakes Region of New Hampshire. More than 470 clinicians and staff members provide care through home care, hospice care, palliative care, pediatric and maternal child health and personal home services, and the agency offers community clinics and wellness programs, the release said.

State rec director

New Hampshire has its first director of Outdoor Recreation Industry Development, according to a press release from the New Hampshire Department of Business and Economic Affairs. In this new position, Scott Crowder will support the state’s outdoor economy as a primary way to grow the state’s workforce and attract businesses. Crowder is the founder of the North American Pond Hockey Classic, was a founding partner of Ekal Activity Center in Meredith and has served on various tourism, economic development and nonprofit boards around the state. “We have an amazing opportunity in the state to leverage our outdoor assets to enhance the lives of our residents and visitors, our communities and our overall economic position,” Crowder said in the release.

The city of Franklin will soon be home to the only whitewater park in New England, according to a report from WMUR. With construction set to begin in July, downtown Franklin will be home to Mill City Park, as well as a camping area and an amphitheater. Campsite and cabin rentals will help fund the free community adventure park, which will also feature mountain biking and climbing, the report said.

Manchester Fire Chief Dan Goonan will retire on April 30, according to a March 26 report in the Union Leader. He joined the department when he was 21 and has served 36 years there, becoming chief in 2016, the report said.

Girl Scouts of the Green and White Mountains is offering a free kindergarten readiness series, Make New Friends, to any girl entering kindergarten this fall in Bow and the surrounding area at Bow Elementary School each Wednesday from April 14 to May 19 from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m., according to a press release. There will also be a Make New Friends group for girls in the Manchester area at the Girl Scout Discovery Zone in the Mall of New Hampshire, each Saturday from April 10 through May 15 at 1:30 p.m. No membership is required for either group. Find the series on eventbrite.com to register.

Seventh- and eighth-graders at World Academy in Nashua are learning about personal finance and banking from real-life bankers through the new “Millyard Bank University” educational series. According to a press release, the 12-week financial literacy program offers practical experience with savings and checking accounts, plus lessons on borrowing, credit scores and the banking industry as a career path. In the future, the program will be open to all students as an elective at World Academy.

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