Month: October 2021

That was the week that was

Not that we didn’t know it already, but the outcomes during last week’s huge sports weekend once again showed how unfair sports can be. Despite infuriatingly losing two of three to the worst team in baseball during the final week, their best pitcher spitting the bit in both final-week starts, including just lasting into the third inning on Sunday, and Alex Cora yanking Tanner Houck with a slim 1-0 lead in the season’s biggest game after just five innings and 53 pitches on Saturday with a perfect game in progress, the Red Sox somehow managed to move on to play in Tuesday’s play-in game vs. the Yanks. Meanwhile, with their beleaguered coach abandoned by the memory-challenged in Patriot Nation showing the returning hero he doesn’t have all the answers to every test as he was being mostly outplayed Sunday night by a prodigy QB, the luckless Patriots lost 19-17 to the TB Brady’s when the 56-yard game-winning field goal attempt faded just enough to doink off the upright and away, instead of in.

Those were the news highlights of the big week and here are a few others.

News Item: Wickersham Book on Pats No Sham       

The post-Brady Patriots are in the crosshairs with ESPN reporter Seth Wickersham back with his second tome on the Patriots dynasty. Despite skepticism throughout Patriot Nation at the outset of the last one, it is being heavily scrutinized now after almost of all what he said last time was proven true. Given some of the disagreeable things that have leaked out, some unpleasant moments are ahead after some things owner Bob Kraft allegedly said to others about Coach B. For his part Bill Belichick says the relationship is solid. But if that’s fake news, you have to wonder where the end of Kraft’s rope might be if the 1-3 record during what was supposed to be the easiest part of their schedule continues to go south. Stay tuned.

News Item: Sox Exceed Expectations; Still Many Aren’t Happy

Got to love the expectation game in sports, where when things go bad it’s “I told you so” but when they go far beyond what many anticipated before eventually coming up short it’s not “thanks for a better season than I expected,” it’s instead “thanks for ruining our summer.” Granted a last-week Red Sox fold would have left a sour taste behind. But I’ll ask many in the media and cheap seats how many wins they were expecting in March. Given the obvious holes everywhere, Chris Sale injury questions and last year’s debacle, I doubt it was 92. I had them in the low 80’s and was bracing for worse. But they unexpectedly held the AL East lead into July and fought to the final out in Game 162. Not perfect and there’s still work to be done but it’s thanks for a great summer.

News Item: Low Expectations Greet 2021 Celtics

Speaking of expectations, with a 10-deep lineup and seven first-round draft picks over the next three years the Celtics had the ammo to compete for an NBA title going into 2018. But, after their second dumpster fire season in three years, Danny Ainge and Brad Stevens squandered that chance, which led Ainge to, ah, retire, Stevens to be kicked upstairs and a boatload of roster changes. First was the hiring of a guy I never heard of as the head coach, Ime Udoka. That he worked under legendary coach Pop is reassuring to some, but given that Gregg Popovich is in his own “Brady vs. Belichick” debate, as his team hasn’t done much since Tim Duncan retired, I’ve got see for myself what Udoka can do. Then there is the belief Stevens only became GM because the owners still owe him tons of money, something that was fortified when Brad had his lunch money stolen in his first three trades. We’ll leave the specific details to the season preview. But for now, Celtics expectations are at the lowest point since about 2015.

News Item: Worst Great Pennant Race Ever  

You have to understand the logic to get this headline. “Great” pennant races are defined here as those that go down to the final weekend with multiple teams involved. Like the AL race of 1967 when five teams entered the final week with a chance to win the pennant. When Yaz concluded the most inspirational season by a player since DiMaggio in 1941 by going 7 for 8 and knocking in the winning runs both times vs. Minnesota to eliminate them during the final two days of the year. The other way is a titanic two-team battle that pushes them to heights epitomized by what Reggie Jackson told Jerry Remy and Carlton Fisk as he entered the Sox locker room to thank them after the famed 1978 playoff game: “I hate to play you guys, but I love to play you guys.”

This year had both, with the Giants and Dodgers bringing to mind not only 1978 but their own rich history that saw them in special playoffs to determine the pennant in 1951 and 1962. And with the Yanks, Sox, Blue Jays, Mariners and A’s bunched together to start the final week the AL was more like ’67, though it’s been more of a study in bad baseball, where everyone survived terrible stretches to fall out of it before going on runs to get back in it, only to stumble again. It was like watching a slow-motion game of musical chairs where when the music stopped the Yanks and Sox just fell accidentally into their seats. Still, it had drama that lasted to the ninth inning of the final game.

All of which was fitting for the craziest baseball season I’ve ever seen.   

Water works

BrightFarms to expand NH’s largest hydroponic farm

BrightFarms, a national indoor farming company that grows leafy greens, is partnering with lēf Farms in Loudon to build its first New England farm. The “megafarm” will eventually span 14 acres and produce 4 million pounds of leafy greens for retailers across the Northeast. Donald Grandmaison, the sales manager for lēf Farms, talked about the expansion and what it means for New Hampshire.

What brought lēf Farms and BrightFarms together?

Lēf Farms was started in 2016 and was the only hydroponic greenhouse of its size in New Hampshire — one acre, with the capacity [to expand to] 14 acres — and it still is. We started with the mission of bringing fresh, local baby greens to the market and getting it to the retailers within 24 hours of harvest. … That mission really parallels what BrightFarms does. … Ninety-six percent of baby greens are imported from California or Arizona … so it takes four to seven days for them [to get here]. BrightFarms is working to bring that product closer to the market. … One reason [they chose lēf Farms] is that we’re centrally located in New Hampshire and right in the middle of New England, so we’re only an hour to two hours away from every major distribution center for a lot of the Northeast retailers, [including] Hannaford, Market Basket and Shaw’s.

How does your hydroponic growing system work?

The type of growing we do is called NFT, [which stands for] nutrient film technique. We grow in 19-foot-long gutters and plant the seeds right on top of a soilless media that germinates the seeds. The roots penetrate down to the bottom of these gutters where water is run over the roof, so there’s a rich, dense nutrient solution that runs over the roots, and that’s [what makes it] hydroponic. … We use some really advanced technology [including] a completely automated system … with greenhouses that regulate temperature, humidity and light levels.

What do you grow?

We grow baby lettuces, like romaines and an iceberg hybrid; a crop called mizuna, which is a type of mustard green; and a red leaf and a green leaf. We have four products: a spice blend which has arugula and mustard in it; a smooth blend with a variety of soft, leafy lettuces; a red and green leaf blend; and a straight green leaf blend.

What does this partnership do for lēf farms?

BrightFarms is the leading indoor farming company in the country. They’ve been in the market much longer than we have, and they have resources and expertise that we simply didn’t have. They’re bringing a world-class model to our farm and expanding our farm from one acre to three acres within the year, which will impact the entire Northeast.

What does it do for New Hampshire as a whole?

One of the hardest things about living in New Hampshire is the limited growing season; you get to October and [don’t have many] options, but people want fresh local products year-round. We’re able to create a supply for that demand. … We [in the agriculture industry] are expecting that within the next five to 10 years 50 percent of all leafy greens that people buy at the retail level will be grown indoors, which is phenomenal. … There’s also the convenience factor: our products are in Hannaford, Whole Foods, Market Basket, Shaw’s and Star Market, which [adds up to] about 800 retailers … and we also work with more than 200 independent and local retailers, so if people are shopping at a retailer [rather than a farmers market], they can still get products from local manufacturers. That’s a huge win for New Hampshire residents.

What does it mean to you personally, to be a part of this project?

I’ve been working for lēf since the beginning. … Before that, I went to school for integrated agriculture and got degrees in plant physiology and growing, and I was the general manager of a farm in Concord for 13 years. I’ve always had an intense passion for growing food for locals. There’s nothing more rewarding than growing a crop and selling it right here in the region … especially when you think about how there are pockets of food insecurity throughout New England with limited access to healthy foods.

Featured photo: Donald Grandmaison. Courtesy photo.

News & Notes 21/10/07

Covid-19 update As of Sept 27 As of Oct 4
Total cases statewide 118,706 122,054
Total current infections statewide 3,595 3,502
Total deaths statewide 1,476 1,485
New cases 3,305 (Sept. 21 to Sept. 27) 3,348 (Sept. 28 to Oct. 4)
Current infections: Hillsborough County 1,038 920
Current infections: Merrimack County 447 380
Current infections: Rockingham County 715 650
Information from the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services

Covid-19 news

During a Sept. 29 press conference, state epidemiologist Dr. Benjamin Chan reported that New Hampshire had averaged between 400 and 500 new positive tests of Covid-19 per day over the previous few weeks, with the total number of infections now exceeding 120,000 since the beginning of the pandemic. “The test-positivity [rate] has been slowly declining the last several weeks,” Chan said. “Hospitalizations have also remained elevated … and, in fact, the majority of deaths that we are identifying and reporting out on a daily and weekly basis continue to be community-associated deaths.” Chan renewed state recommendations to seek vaccination against the virus, citing a recent CDC study highlighting the fact that unvaccinated people are five times more likely to be infected and 10 times more likely to be hospitalized. “People who have been naturally infected do have some protection … against recurrent infection,” he said, “but studies have shown that vaccination after natural infection provides higher levels of protection and likely longer duration of protection and immunity.” As of Oct. 4, there were 3,502 active infections of Covid-19 statewide and 141 current hospitalizations. All 10 counties remain at substantial levels of community transmission.

Vaccine protest

Gov. Chris Sununu postponed the Sept. 29 Executive Council meeting after anti-vaccine mandate protesters disrupted the meeting, which was being held at Saint Anselm College. “I will not put members of the Executive Council or state agencies in harm’s way,” Sununu said in a statement after the postponement. “State Police had to escort state employees to their cars after unacceptable, unruly behavior. This meeting is being postponed until our state employees can go before the Council in a safe and orderly manner. The items on today’s agenda will be brought up at a later date.” That afternoon, at the state’s Covid-19 briefing, Sununu said protestors had threatened state employees, and that the employees who needed to be escorted to their cars were career DHHS employees, WMUR reported. Sununu said the protesters’ claim that approving federal funds for state vaccination efforts would compromise New Hampshire’s sovereignty was “not true,” and that the protesters’ behavior was “incredibly disappointing” and “not what New Hampshire is about.” Republicans Ted Gatsas, Joseph Kenney and David Wheeler exited the room shortly after the protests began. According to WMUR, Executive Councilor Cinde Warmington said protesters were to be expected at the meeting due to the controversial nature of the topic, but were not expected to be a danger to the lives of state employees. “‘Saying to people, ‘I know where you live,’ I think that’s threatening and intimidating,” she said. “I was very surprised by that.”

Women’s march

Rallies were held across New Hampshire on Saturday as part of a nationwide Women’s March organized to protest recent laws restricting and banning abortion, including the ban on nearly all abortions in Texas and the ban on most abortions after 15 weeks in Mississipi, which is to be brought before the U.S. Supreme Court. According to NHPR, speakers at a rally held in Concord addressed issues affecting the Granite State, including a recent state law that will go into effect in January requiring people to get ultrasounds before an abortion and banning abortion after 24 weeks, and the Executive Council’s recent vote to stop funding some reproductive health clinics. Gov. Chris Sununu has stated that he wants to hold another vote for the latter, NHPR reported.

Indigenous Peoples Day

Mt. Kearsarge Indian Museum, located at 18 Highlawn Road in Warner, will recognize Indigenous People’s Day with a public panel to celebrate and honor Native American people, histories and cultures, according to a press release. The panel is set for Monday, Oct. 11, from 1 to 3 p.m. Topics of discussion will include the Abenaki Trails Projects, efforts made by Warner and other New Hampshire towns to support local Native voices, and the contemporary goals of local Indigineous People. The event is free. Visit indianmuseum.org.

NH Hospital

The New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services, Department of Administrative Services and New Hampshire Hospital officials will discuss a proposal to build a secure 24-bed forensic hospital next to New Hampshire Hospital in Concord during a virtual public information session on Thursday, Oct. 7, at 6 p.m. on Zoom. According to a press release, the new facility will be the first in the state appropriate for treating acute mental illness in forensic patients, including patients who are civilly committed for treatment, in a safe and secure environment. The session will also cover state leadership for the plan, the progress that has been made and a timeline for the project.

NAMIWalks NH

NAMIWalks NH, the state’s largest mental health awareness and suicide prevention event, will remain a virtual event this year, according to a press release. NAMIWalks NH Your Way – A United Day of Hope is planned for Saturday, Oct. 9, and invites people to participate independently through kayaking, hiking, horseback riding, skateboarding, knitting, playing, drawing, painting or any other activities they enjoy, and to share their activities on social media while raising awareness about mental health and suicide prevention. For more information and to register for the event, visit naminh.org.

The Doorway

The Doorway of Greater Manchester is now available to clients in the city 24 hours a day, seven days a week, replacing the Manchester Safe Station, according to a press release from the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services. Previously, individuals seeking recovery services after hours would have to go to the fire station, but now they can call 2-1-1 for immediate access to services, including screening and stabilization at The Doorway facility on Rogers Street or at an overnight respite facility. The Manchester Fire Department will continue to provide mobile, field-based recovery and substance misuse outreach services as needed, according to the press release.

Memorial Elementary School in Bedford and Grantham Village School in Grantham have been named 2021 National Blue Ribbon Schools. According to a press release, the Blue Ribbon award recognizes schools for their high performance in academics. “These two innovative schools have managed to thrive throughout the pandemic, finding creative ways to not only achieve high academic results, but successfully engage with students and support their overall needs,” New Hampshire Department of Education commissioner Frank Edelblut said in the release.

Girls Inc. NH, based in Manchester and Nashua, has a new school bus thanks to a grant from Fidelity Investments. According to a press release, the bus will be used to transport girls to after-school programming and field trips and replaces a retired bus that needed repairs exceeding its value.

Homeowners searching for a contractor or handyman for home improvement projects can get free help from 411 Contractor Referral Network (411mycontractor.com) of Brookline. According to a press release, the company’s website provides information about companies that have been screened and have agreed to a code of ethics. The screening includes tracking licenses and insurance coverage, records checks and references from at least three local homeowners.

Are we blowing this?

I’m genuinely afraid for the future of my/our country. We seem to have gotten to a point where it feels nearly impossible to talk to one another. There are some smart folks who are comparing the atmosphere in this country to just before the Civil War. Is it possible that, in our lifetime, maybe even within a generation or two, we will start to see the breakup of America? One of the primary areas of our inability to communicate is around the issue of race. This breaks my heart.

It’s not hard to understand how minorities can get upset at inequities, whether real or perceived. But, it’s also not hard to understand how whites can get upset when the term “racist” is often used, seemingly, at the drop of a hat.

I believe that most Americans are not racists and that the vast majority of our fellow citizens buy into the “all men are created equal” notion that our country is built on. That said, I also believe that, pardon the analogy, it’s not all black and white where you’re either a racist or you’re not. In my opinion, there is a lot of gray. In fact, I believe that the majority of us, regardless of our race, fall into that gray area.

While I believe that most would view my personal history as non-racist, only I know what is in my heart. I regularly try to measure my unconscious bias and admit that I have some. While I have never felt proud of being white, I continued to feel proud of my Italian heritage. Is that OK in your eyes? Or, is that somehow problematic? How do you measure your unconscious bias?

Too often, I have heard Democrats refer to Republicans as racists. I’m sure that there are Republicans who are racists, but I believe that most Republicans also fit into that gray area. To lump them together in this highly negative way is not only hurtful but ensures the furthering of our divisions and our inability to talk to one another. This is dangerous! We have to find a way to talk to one another in a manner that will ensure everyone stays at the discussion table. If we can’t, I fear for the future of our democracy.

I believe that the majority of us believe that America is the greatest country in the history of the world. Is it possible that we could blow this?

Fred Bramante is a past chairman and member of the New Hampshire State Board of Education. He speaks and consults on education redesign to regional, state and national organizations.

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