This Week 24/09/05

Friday, Sept. 6

Oliver!, the musical based on Charles Dickens’ Oliver Twist, kicks off the St. Mary’s Bank 2024-2025 Performing Arts Series at the Palace Theatre (80 Hanover St., Manchester, palacetheatre.org) which offers a steampunk version of Victorian England for its production, according to a post on the theater’s Facebook page. The show runs tonight through Sunday, Sept. 29, with shows Friday at 7:30 p.m.; Saturday 2 and 7:30 p.m., and Sunday at 2 p.m. as well as Thursday, Sept. 26, at 7:30 p.m. Tickets cost $45 to $59.

Friday, Sept. 6

September’s First Friday tonight from 4 to 8 p.m. in downtown Concord is all about Back to School. Find food trucks, yoga on the Statehouse lawn, a Children’s Entrepreneur Market run entirely by children, pot painting, face painting, wine-tasting and outdoor dining. Visit intownconcord.org.

Saturday, Sept. 7

There will be a Thunder Run (thunderrunnh.com) today at 446 Raymond Road, Candia (the former site of Candia Springs). This race features more than 20 different obstacles and 5K of varied terrain. It bills itself as the best obstacle run experience in New Hampshire. Registration is $75 for adults and $40 for children. Group discounts are available. Register at the event website.

Saturday, Sept. 7

This year’s Monarch Festival (petalsinthepines.com/monarch-festival) concludes this weekend at Petals in the Pines (126 Baptist Road, Canterbury, 783-0220, petalsinthepines.com). Online reservations for two-hour time slots are required; the cost is $7 for adults, $3.50 for kids, and infants (non-walkers) get in free. Learn about ways to help migrating monarchs and other pollinators at the festival, which will feature kids’ activities and games, monarch tagging, book readings, labyrinths, ask a master gardener, free milkweed seeds and 2 miles of woodland trails and garden paths, according to a press release. Butterfly wings and costumes are encouraged, according to the website.

Saturday, Sept. 7

Today marks the 19th annual Pedaling for Payson Bike Event at Elm Brook Park (2097 Maple St., Hopkinton). This community event annually attracts more than 300 cyclists who help to support Concord Hospital Payson Center for Cancer Care. Choose from various routes: 50-mile, 30-mile, 16-mile, mountain bike, 22-mile gravel and 45-mile gravel rides. New this year is the P4P Spin Ride; sign up for a 40-minute wave, either as an individual or as a team, and spin for a good cause. Visit runsignup.com/Race/NH/Hopkinton/PedalingforPayson for registration costs and information.

Sunday, Sept. 8

Granite State Antique Shows (506-9848, gsashows.com) will stage an antique show today from 8:30 a.m. to noon at Granite Town Plaza (185 Elm St., Milford). General admission is $5 per person; early admission (beginning at 7 a.m.) is $30 per person.

Sunday, Sept. 8

Second Chance Ranch Rescue (secondchanceranchrescue.com) in New Boston is hosting its 4th Annual Poker Ride today from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. The participants (cars and motorcycles) must visit five checkpoints, drawing a playing card at each one to create a poker hand. Having the best hand and winning is purely a matter of chance. Begin at Manchester Harley-Davidson (115 John E. Devine Drive, Manchester, 836-4997, manchesterharley.com) at 9 a.m. and show your hand at the Auburn Pitts (167 Rockingham Road, Auburn, 622-6564, auburnpitts.com) by 1 p.m.

Wednesday, Sept. 12

The BNH Stage (16 S. Main St., Concord, 225-1111, ccanh.com) will host Choir! Choir! Choir! tonight at 7 p.m. This is a fully interactive, participatory show that turns audience members into performers as they sing their hearts out with hundreds of other music-lovers. It’s like a big birthday party for the greatest songs of all time. General admission tickets are $43.75 in advance; balcony seats are $10 more. All tickets will cost an additional $5 at the door. Visit ccanh.com.

Wags to Whiskers Festival
Saturday, Sept. 16, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Anheuser-Busch Brewery (221 DW Highway, Merrimack, 595-1202, anheuser-busch.com/breweries/merrimack-nh). It will be a day of fun, featuring vendors, food trucks, demos, games and raffles. There will be an adoption tent on site with puppies. Visit hsfn.org/wags-whiskers-festival. Tickets are $15 for adults 21 and up, $12 for ages 17 to 20. Ages 16 and younger attend free.

Featured photo: Oliver at the Palace Theater.

Quality of Life 24/09/05

Former Fisher Cat makes history

Danny Jansen, a catcher who previously played for the New Hampshire Fisher Cats, made Major League Baseball history by being the first player to play for both teams in the same game. On June 26 Jansen was at bat for the Toronto Blue Jays against the Boston Red Sox, while Sox catcher Reese McGuire was behind the plate, when the game was postponed due to rain and rescheduled to Aug. 26. In the interim, Jansen was traded to the Red Sox, taking McGuire’s slot as catcher. When the game resumed, the Sox put Jansen in McGuire’s spot in the lineup, so he finished out the game as a Red Sox player.

QOL score: +1

Comment: The Blue Jays went on to win the game, 4-1.

Helpful doggos

In an Aug. 27 press release, New Hampshire Emergency Services and Communication (DESC), which operates New Hampshire’s 911 Emergency Number System, announced the start of a new comfort dog program. Winni, a young golden retriever, will be on site to give support to 911 dispatchers. Agent Winni will be available upon request, even during off-shift hours, to provide mental health support to DESC personnel. The press release quoted Robert Quinn, the Commissioner of New Hampshire’s Department of Safety” “Our skilled telecommunicators at New Hampshire 911 professionally handle emergency incidents every day, but we know sometimes the nature of the work takes a toll. I commend all those who worked hard to make this happen, and I look forward to seeing Winni at work.”

QOL score: +1

Comment: Winni will be issued an employee ID and 911 agent number.

Challenges of a graying of New Hampshire

In an Aug. 16 report the New Hampshire Fiscal Policy Institute (nhfpi.org) said the number of older residents in the state will soon outstrip the number of children. The report, titled “New Hampshire’s Growing Population and Changing Demographics Before and Since the Covid-19 Pandemic,” states that New Hampshire’s population is aging faster than the United States overall. “By 2030, the number of adults over age 65 in the state is expected to be larger than the number of children,” the report read, citing data from the New Hampshire Department of Business and Economic Affairs. “With more residents reaching traditional retirement ages over the coming decade, many may leave the labor force, possibly contributing to workforce shortages and a smaller labor force,” the report said.

QOL score: -1

Comment: Find the report on the Fiscal Policy Institute’s website.

The Jaguars go global

The Windham High School Jaguars became the first football team from New England to play internationally, Friday, Aug. 23, when they played a Florida team at the Global Ireland Football Tournament in Dublin. As reported by the Boston Globe on Aug. 27, the Jaguars’ first game of the year was overseas. “Usually the first game is a 10-on-10 scrimmage,” the article quoted sixth-year Windham coach Jack Byrne. “Now all of a sudden, it’s the biggest game that we’ve ever played in.” The Jaguars played opposite the Maclay School from Tallahassee, Florida, as the first game in a triple-header.

QOL score: +1 for the global play

Comment: According to the NH Football Report (nhfootballreport.com), the Jaguars lost their game with Maclay, 35-23.

QOL last week: 78

Net change: +2

QOL this week: 80

What’s affecting your Quality of Life here in New Hampshire?

Let us know at [email protected].

Local concerns about KC

The Big Story – NFL Season Opener Dead Ahead: It all gets started tonight in KC when the two-time defending champs take on the Baltimore Ravens in a rematch of last year’s AFC Championship game. Three things about KC are relevant to fans in these parts.

First, with three already and Patrick Mahomes in just his seventh season, KC is halfway to matching the six won by the Patriots in the Brady-Belichick era. Second, depending on how long he plans to coach, with 284 wins and his QB just entering prime years, 66-year-old Andy Reid has a realistic shot to catch Bill Belichick (333) and move past Don Shula (347) for most wins ever. Finally, Mahomes is on pace to roll by every one of Tom Brady’s all-time passing records. Long way to go, but that puts him on a path to eclipse TB-12 as the GOAT. Enjoy.

Sports 101 – For Level-A History Folks: Who was the last QB to wear a number above 19 in the NFL?

News Item – Jarren Duran: It’s been quite a year for the Boston speedster. In addition to being the All-Star Game MVP, last week he became the first player in history to have 40 doubles, 10 triples, 20 homers and 30 stolen bases in the same season.

News Item – Pitching Effort of the Week: Brayan Bello continues to pitch well after finding his groove from that big dip starting in early June. Exhibit A was last week’s two-hit, eight-shutout-inning, nine-strikeout masterpiece in a 3-0 win over Toronto. It moved him to 12-6 and dropped the ERA to 4.66, its lowest point since June 8.

News Item – Patriots 2024 Kick-Off:

News and thoughts ahead of Sunday’s opener vs. the Bengals, when Jacoby Brissett will start at QB.

Notable Roster Moves – Cuts – QB Bailey Zappe and power back Kevin Harris. PUP List – G Cole Strange and WR Kendrick Bourne.

Most Improved on D – Keion White: Think he’s going to be a difference maker.

Most Improved on O – Demario Douglas: Showed flashes last year he could be their next go-to slot receiver.

Biggest Surprise – The D: Since they were better after he went down for the season I don’t think they’ll miss Matthew Judon that much. And while losing Christian Barmore is another story, I think White will pick up the slack and they’ll piece it together.

Worst Part of Team – Offensive Line: Its being so bad is the reason I thought drafting a QB with the third overall pick before fixing it was a big mistake.

The Numbers:

20 – consecutive years in the majors for 44-year-old Rich Hill after returning this week for his third stint with the Red Sox.

85 – most-in-the-majors unearned runs allowed (at press time) by the porous Red Sox defense, 21 ahead of second-worst Miami.

Of the Week Awards:

Dumbest Rule of the Year – New NFL Onside Kicks: Amid a number of new rules for the on-side kick, including that you can only do it in the fourth quarter and you have to be losing, the dumbest is having to tell the other team you’re going to do it.

Alumni News – Mac Jones Update: If you’re interested, here’s what the exiled Patriots QB did under an offensive head coach and with real receivers to throw to during the exhibition season: 38 for 52, completion average 73.3 percent, 421 yards, 8.1 yards gained per attempt, three TD passes, no picks, long gain 31 yards and a QB rating of 115.3.

What A Stupid I Yam Award – Me: Yaz actually turned 85 on Aug. 22, not 84 as I said. Thanks to eagle-eyed SF Giants fan/reader Dick Lombardi for catching that.

Random Thoughts

My only complaint about trading Judon is the brass should have anticipated he’d whine in the final year of his contract and traded him before the draft so they’d have that third pick now instead of having to wait until 2025.

Sports 101 Answer: JohnHadlwas the last above-19-wearing QB when he wore 21 for four teams starting with San Diego in 1962 through 1978.

Final Thought – Big Patriots Questions and Predictions:

Biggest Question – Jerod Mayo: He’s a first-time HC so expect hiccups, especially as the lifetime defender tries to untangle the offensive malaise of the last two years.

Should They Tank? Sadly with their schedule they don’t have to. But, while I hate trying to lose, that doesn’t mean they shouldn’t play all their young guys to gain as much experience as possible. That includes Drake Maye and if they lose as a result that’s OK.

When Will Maye Take Over? Week 7 vs. the Jets at home on Oct. 27.

2024 Season Prediction – 3-14: It ain’t like the old days when the question was will they win 13 or 14. Instead, it’s for how many losses. And they don’t get their last two until December.

Email Dave Long at [email protected].

EEE info

Health official discusses NH’s mosquito risk

Marco Notarangelo is the Vectorborne Disease Surveillance Coordinator at the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) in New Hampshire. He spoke to the Hippo about Eastern Equine Encephalitis Virus (EEEV), what it is and what people in the Granite State can do to stay safe. Visit dhhs.nh.gov for more information.

What is EEEV and how did this virus come about?

Triple E, also known as Eastern Equine Encephalitis, is an alpha virus that is transmitted by mosquitoes … primarily found in swamps and certain species of birds. It’s not necessarily native to the Northeast but we know it’s been circulating within the Northeast for a couple hundred years. It’s notorious for causing disease in ‘equine’ and perhaps that can lead to some confusion that the pathogen is maintained in horses but that’s not really the case. This is a very rare disease here in the Northeast. Most years we won’t even have detections. In fact, if you look at the data here in New Hampshire for the last 10 full years, only in 2023 do you have a couple of mosquito detections, really toward the end of the mosquito season,

How concerned should people be about EEEV with the recent news? What’s the probability or likelihood that someone would contract this infection?

Triple E is a very rare disease and you might recall in the United States there’s less than 15 cases that are typically reported nationwide. … [A]nd it’s thought that only 1 in 20 infections are actually going to result in individuals developing symptoms. However, what’s particularly concerning about this pathogen is severity. … it’s really thought that a large portion of infections that result in symptoms will result in individuals developing what is called Central Nervous System infections. Some examples of this are inflammation of the brain or inflammation of the membrane surrounding the spinal cord, which can be very severe. … about 30 percent of the individuals that develop this severe form of illness unfortunately do not make it. That’s not really the end of it, it’s also 50 percent of the survivors that have long-term if not lifelong complications and lifelong debilitation resulting from the illness. Although it’s very rare, it’s something that should be kept in mind because it can be a life-altering condition.

Why is EEEV an issue again now?

There is some uncertainty here, but … the current scientific thought on it is that Triple E is not really a pathogen that remains, or the strains of Triple E, surviving in the Northeast over extended periods of time. They may survive over winters for a couple years and then go locally extinct. It’s through their reintroduction from migratory birds that it comes back into the Northeast and causes novel outbreaks. We tend to see cycles with Triple E.

What areas of New Hampshire are most at risk for EEEV infection?

Historically, based on the last about 20 years’ worth of data we have, which is when Triple E has really resurged within our part of the United States, we see that the eastern part of the state, particularly the southeastern part of the state, is the area that most often has Triple E detections, human cases and equine detections. … We have had detections in other parts of the state. On the western side and then we’ve done surveys of deer populations, collecting their blood during the hunting season, and we’ve detected Triple E even in the far north part of the state, so around Coos County. …

What steps can people take to prevent mosquito bites?

The primary concern also lies when we spend time outside in greater mosquito habitats … So we want individuals to take steps such as wearing repellent, wearing protective clothing that makes it more difficult for mosquitoes to bite us, and being cognizant of where mosquitoes are most likely to be and when they’re most likely to be active. For Triple E we are primarily talking about swamp-dwelling mosquito species and unfortunately New Hampshire is very rich in swamp, especially in the southern part of the state. … it is a pathogen that’s more likely to cause severe illness in younger individuals, particularly those under the age of 15, so it’s very important for residents to consider not only their own personal care but also making sure their children are well aware of what they should do to prevent mosquito bites.

What repellants should people use?

Typically, EPA-registered repellents are the ones we are going to recommend, DEET being one of the more common ones. Oil of lemon eucalyptus and of course picaridin being additional options. … You always want to be reading the labels on the actual repellents to make sure that it works and … and is safe for different age groups….

Zachary Lewis

Featured image: Courtesy photo.

News & Notes 24/09/05

Listeriosis

The New Hampshire Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory has identified an uptick in cases of listeriosis this summer compared to recent years and many of these have been in sheep or goats showing neurologic signs, according to their website.

The most likely route of exposure is feed contaminated with the infectious organism, as hay or other feed that has spoiled after getting wet is a common source of infection, according to the website. The bacterium that causes listeriosis, listeria monocytogenes, can be infectious to people as well, so if you suspect listeriosis in your animals, contact a veterinarian. For more detailed information about listeriosis, see cfsph.iastate.edu/FastFacts/pdfs/listeriosis_F.PDF and cfsph.iastate.edu/Factsheets/pdfs/listeriosis.pdf. But if you have questions about listeriosis in humans, contact your health care provider, according to the same website. Visit agriculture.nh.gov

New Craftsmen

The League of New Hampshire Craftsmen Meredith Fine Craft Gallery has announced that their newest juried member is Steve Arcone, who creates striking art of ice in macro images on aluminum.

Arcone’s macro-imaged subjects mix art and science using an abstract process that captures details that are too small to see with the naked eye. Most of Arcone’s ice images are of thin pond crystals during change and decay caused by melt, sublimation and recrystallization. Arcone enhances the photos using digital editing tools to highlight the ice’s details, which are intertwined with twig, leaf or other colorful fall organic debris protruding or resting on the water surface, according to the press release. The images are printed on aluminum and finished off with a protective coating. Most of the images are from a near-shore area of a pond near Arcone’s home that were taken during the fall, early winter and early spring, the release said. Call 279-7920 or visit meredith.nhcrafts.org.

Clean streets

According to an Aug. 18 press release, Mayor Jay Ruais celebrated the city’s new street cleaning team for making a big difference in the downtown area after only one month on the job.

The workers wear distinct royal blue shirts and start their day early, taking care of trash, needles and waste and interacting frequently with the public, providing directions, responding to requests and meeting with local businesses, according to the release.

In a statement about the cleanliness of Manchester’s Central Business District (CBSD), Mayor Ruais said, “In only one month, they picked up 3,150 pounds of trash, 52 needles, and 34 piles of human/animal waste. Additionally, they’ve recorded 57 one-on-one contacts with the public that help make our city even more friendly and responsive. As a result, we’re getting very positive feedback from residents, businesses and visitors.”

Mayor Ruais noted the program is currently in its 90-day startup period with more staffing and equipment on the way and once fully operational the Streetplus Ambassadors will provide a range of services, including litter, debris and graffiti removal, plus power washing, along with sidewalk, pedestrian pathway and tree well cleaning, according to the same release.

Stethoscope presentation

According to a press release, Plymouth State University hosted its sixth annual Stethoscope Ceremony for Nursing Students with funds to purchase stethoscopes donated by local health care organizations and faculty.

Third-year nursing students were presented with engraved Littmann double-sided stethoscopes in a ceremony on Monday, Aug. 26. The ceremony marks the students’ transition to clinical practice, according to the release. Senior nursing students already working in clinical practice present the stethoscopes to the third-year students in a tradition that was started in 2019 by PSU nursing program alumna Lauren LaMontagne to ensure each nursing student enters the field with equitable access to this necessary but expensive equipment.

Tower is clean

The cooling tower located behind the Riverwalk Resort in the downtown area of Lincoln was successfully cleaned and disinfected with no elevated risk of Legionella infection from the tower, according to a press release from the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services on Aug. 21. The DHHS’s Division of Public Health Services and the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Service tested water samples from the tower after it underwent disinfection and the test had negative results for the bacteria, the release said. DHHS has identified seven people who have been confirmed to have Legionnaire’s disease after visiting downtown Lincoln in June and July, the release said. For information about Legionella, see the DHHS Waterborne Disease webpage at dhhs.nh.gov.

The 19th annual Pedaling for Payson event will be held on Saturday, Sept.
7, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Elm Brook Park in Hopkinton
(102 Elm Brook Park Road) with proceeds going to assist individuals
receiving cancer treatment at the Concord Hospital Payson Center for
Cancer Care. To register or make a donation, visit
pedalingforpayson.org or call Concord Hospital Trust at 227-7162.

The Concord Community Music School (23 Wall St., Concord) will hold an open house on Saturday, Sept. 7, from 10 a.m. to noon where guests will be able to meet faculty and staff and tour the facilities. There will be demo classes, jam sessions, information sessions, an instrument “petting zoo,” giveaways and refreshments, according to the website. Visit ccmusicschool.org.

The Mental Health Center of Greater Manchester and Manchester City Library (405 Pine St., Manchester) offer a conversational group for seniors on Mondays at 10:30 a.m at Manchester’s Cashin Senior Activity Center (151 Douglas St.), with the first session on Sept. 9. Virtual attendance is also available. The discussion topic for Sept. 9 is: Who was your favorite teacher and what do you remember about him or her? Call Susan Harmon at 624-6550, ext. 7620, or email [email protected] for details. Pre-registration is encouraged. Visit manchester.lib.nh.us

City color — 8/29/2024

During this long summery weekend, do some low-pressure sightseeing and check out the colorful murals filling the walls of Manchester as well as Concord and Nashua. At right and on the cover is a mural on a pillar in Arms Park in Manchester, photo by John Fladd.

Also on the cover On what is hopefully a relaxing long weekend, check out some live music: See Bees Deluxe in Laconia (Michael Witthaus talks to the band’s guitarist for the story on page 29) on Saturday, Aug. 31; find music at area breweries and restaurants in the Music This Week (starting on page 30) and find a rundown of ticketed concerts on page 34. Zachary Lewis offers up all the details about this weekend’s Exeter UFO Festival (page 18) and Saturday’s Cruising Downtown Manchester (page 19).

Read the e-edition

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