Author: The Hippo Press

On The Job – Andrew Williamson and Larry Williamson

Roofing and gutter specialists

Andrew Williamson and Larry Williamson own North East Roof Tune-Ups, a roof and gutter maintenance company out of Manchester.

Explain your job and what it entails.

We specialize in roof repair and maintenance and all aspects of gutters. We both clean and install custom gutters, downspouts and gutter covers designed for our New England weather.

How long have you had this job?

We initiated North East Roof Tune-Ups in February 2020, previously operating as New England Gutter Systems from March 2016 to 2020.

What led you to this career field and your current job?

Our journey began under our father’s business, Premier Gutter Systems, from 2009 to 2014. …We started out cleaning gutters. We added the gutter machine and started doing gutter installations shortly after. Later we added the roof tune-up package. In the last two years we added services for property managers and Realtors. We also offer 7-inch gutters for commercial buildings.

What kind of education or training did you need?

We mainly learned on the job from our father teaching us side by side. We are constantly learning new things from trade groups and forums.

What is your typical at-work uniform or attire?

Our uniform features the company’s logo, trade and contact information, and proper footwear.

What is the most challenging thing about your work, and how do you deal with it?

Constantly improving our craft and knowledge to serve our local community effectively. Handling fall rushes by conducting our time wisely and striving for quality and professional service. I would say ‘the cold’ but, hey, this is New England.

What do you wish other people knew about your job?

It’s not easy but we love it. Our work is essential in preventing potential damage to your home.

What was the first job you ever had?

Andrew worked for Premier Gutter Systems, and Larry was a grill cook at Wendy’s.

What’s the best piece of work-related advice you’ve ever received?

You have to enjoy what you do for work.

Five favorites
Favorite book: The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People. This book is a great blueprint of how to live your life.
Favorite movie: We don’t have much time for movies. I guess movies with the kiddos on the weekend.
Favorite music: We like all kinds of music. We really enjoy checking out local bands.
Favorite food: We are on the road a lot. We have favorite small diners in every town. Then, of course, pizza.
Favorite thing about NH: Its scenic wonders. An hour or so one way gets you to our gorgeous lakes and mountains while the other direction gets you to gorgeous beaches on the ocean.

Featured photo: Andrew Williamson and Larry Williamson. Courtesy photo.

Kiddie Pool 24/01/18

Family fun for whenever

Movie afternoon

• See Happy Feet (PG, 2006) on Friday, Jan. 19, at 3:45 p.m. at all three area Chunky’s Cinema Pub (707 Huse Road, Manchester; 151 Coliseum Ave., Nashua; 150 Bridge St., Pelham, chunkys.com). Purchase $5 food vouchers to reserve a seat.

Game night

• Cheer on the Saint Anselm Hawks basketball teams on Saturday, Jan. 20, at Stoutenburgh Gymnasium (73 College Road on Saint Anselm College campus in Manchester). The women’s team takes the court at 1:30 p.m. and the men’s team plays at 3:30 p.m. — both teams face off against teams from American International College. Tickets to either game cost $10 (kids 5 and under get in free to regular season games) and are available for purchase starting one hour ahead of game time at the Gymnasium ticket booth. See saintanselmhawks.com.

• Southern New Hampshire University Penmen basketball teams will face the Saint Anselm Hawks in games Wednesday, Jan. 24, when the women’s team plays at 5:30 p.m., followed by the men’s team at 7:30 p.m. The games take place at Stan Spiro Field House (Southern New Hampshire University campus, 2500 River Road in Manchester); regular season games are free to attend. See snhupenmen.com.

Art class

• The winter session of classes starts this week at the Currier Museum of Art (150 Ash St. in Manchester; currier.org) with adult classes (in person and online) and classes for teens and kids. A series of “art after school” classes was slated to begin Wednesday, Jan. 17, and run for five weeks. On Saturday, Jan. 20, art classes for ages 5 through teen begin, including Art Explorers at 10 a.m. (ages 5 to 7); Pencil, Pen & Marker at 10 a.m. (ages 8 to 10); Drawing Adventures at noon (ages 10 to 12); Character Design for Storytelling at noon (teens), and Narrative Collage & Printmaking (teens) at noon, according to a press release. Go online for price and availability. On Thursday, Jan. 18, at 10:30 a.m. a “Homeschool Art Studio” session begins.

The Art Roundup 23/01/18

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

• OG Oscar winner: Here in the thick of the Oscar season for 2023 movies, check out one of the winners of the first Oscars. Emil Jannings, the first winner of a Best Actor Oscar, stars in the movie that got him the statue, The Last Command (1928), which will screen on Sunday, Jan. 21, at 2 p.m. at the Wilton Town Hall Theatre (40 Main St. in Wilton), according to a press release. This silent film will screen with live musical accompaniment by Jeff Rapsis. Admission is free with a suggested $10 donation.

• Exhibit layover: The “Flying Home for the Holidays” exhibit at the Aviation Museum of New Hampshire (27 Navigator Road in Londonderry; aviationmuseumofnh.org, 669-4820) will extend its run through Sunday, Feb. 4. The exhibit features World War II-era uniforms and large-format posters, according to a press release. The museum is open Fridays and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sundays 1 to 4 p.m. Admission costs $10 for ages 13+ and $5 for ages 6 to 12 and is free for kids 5 and under, 65+ and veterans and military.

The museum will also host Ken Perkins, a New Hampshire pilot who helped bring Charles Lindbergh to Hawaii in 1974 before his death, for a program called “Lindbergh’s Last Flight” on Thursday, Jan. 25, at 7 p.m.

• Closing the book: Portsmouth Book & Bar (40 Pleasant St. in Portsmouth), a venue for food, drink, music, art and poetry as well as a book shop, has announced that it is closing its doors on Sunday, Jan. 28. See bookandbar.com for a schedule of events up until that final day, including Beat Night on Thursday, Jan. 18, at 7 p.m.; a musical performance by Tourist Attraction on Friday, Jan. 19, at 8 p.m.; Taylor Marie Band with Andrew Kavanaugh on Saturday, Jan. 20, at 8 p.m.; The Lion Sisters with Jim Prendergast on Saturday, Jan. 21, at 7 p.m.; singer-songwriter open mic night on Wednesday, Jan. 24, at 7 p.m., and Standup Night hosted by Jake Valeri on Friday, Jan. 26, at 8 p.m. A “Hello, Good-Bye: Send-off and Celebration Weekend” is planned for Saturday, Jan. 27, and Sunday, Jan. 28. Some events are ticketed; see the website.

Art & Bloom
The Concord Garden Club and local artists present “Art & Bloom,” the annual show featuring floral arrangements paired with works by local artists, on display Thursday, Jan. 25, through Saturday, Jan. 27, at Kimball Jenkins Estate (266 N. Main St. in Concord). The show comes together with club members, local florists and others picking a piece from a Kimball Jenkins exhibit and then crafting arrangements inspired by that piece, according to concordgardenclubnh.com/art-and-bloom, where you can see a gallery of past arrangements with the works that inspired them. The show will be on display Thursday, Jan. 25, from 2 to 5 p.m., with a reception from 5 to 7 p.m.; Friday, Jan. 26, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Saturday, Jan. 27, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

• Call for art: The Meredith Sculpture Walk is accepting applications to take part in the lakefront Meredith Sculpture Walk exhibit, a juried event with installation slated for mid-May through mid-June, according to a press release. The application period is open through March 31, with notifications to go out by April 30. Applications are open to new and returning artists with new pieces for up to two sculptures per applicant, the release said. See greatermeredith.org.

• Support for teen artists: Mosaic Art Collective (66 Hanover St., Suite 201, in Manchester; mosaicartcollective.com, 512-6309) has started an open studio for students from Manchester’s public high schools, according to a press release. The students have studio time, work on creative exercises and work together with mentor artists and will have an exhibition to spotlight their work at the end of the semester, the release said. Spaces are still available; contact [email protected].

• Commedia dell’arte: The Players’ Ring Theatre (105 Marcy St. in Portsmouth; playersring.org) will present an original commedia dell’arte, I See No Arlecchino, running Friday, Jan. 26, through Sunday, Feb. 11. Showtimes will be Fridays at 7:30 p.m.; Saturdays at 2:30 and 7:20 p.m., and Sundays at 2:30 p.m. According to a press release: “Jessica Miller, a cast member …, described commedia as a ‘highly physical slapstick comedy with a cast of stock characters … lovers, the old miser, etc.’” “I like to think of it as a live-action cartoon with a very thin, if at all existent, fourth wall,” Miller said according to the release. “It’s pure, raucous comedy.” Admission costs $28, $25 for students and 65+.

• New show: Works by painter Sharyn Paul will be on display in the exhibit “We Are Water” through February at The Art Center (1 Washington St. in Dover; theartcenteronlinegallery.com). For a look at Paul’s work, see sharynpaul.com. She will attend the Meet the Artist event on Saturday, Feb. 3, from 6 to 9 p.m. The gallery is open Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

• Recycled returns: If you missed Recycled Percussion during their Palace Theatre run over the holidays, you can catch up with them in early February at the Nashua Center for the Arts (201 Main St. in Nashua; nashuacenterforthearts.com). The band will bring their blend of music, comedy and percussive theatricality to Nashua on Saturday, Feb. 3, at 3 and 7 p.m. and Sunday, Feb. 4, at 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. Tickets cost $39.50 through $49.50.

• Like Maestro but live: The New Hampshire Philharmonic Orchestra will perform Mahler’s Resurrection Symphony (as seen in the movie Maestro) with the Plymouth State University and Keene State College Choral groups at performances in February — on Sunday, Feb. 18, at 2 p.m. at the Plymouth State University Silver Center and two at the Seifert Performing Arts Center in Salem. The Salem performances will be Saturday, Feb. 24, at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, Feb. 25, at 2 p.m. (with a livestreaming ticket option for the Sunday concert). For tickets (which cost $35 for adults, $30 for seniors and $10 for students to the Salem shows) see nhphil.org.

• 40 years of fun: The Children’s Museum of New Hampshire (6 Washington St. in Dover; childrens-museum.org) continues its “40 Years of Play” exhibit through Thursday, Feb. 29, in Gallery 6. The exhibition includes artwork, puppets and other items that look back at the museum’s 40 years, including photographs, according to a press release. The museum and gallery are open Tuesdays from 9 a.m. to noon; Wednesdays through Saturdays from 9 am. to noon and 1 to 4 p.m., and Sundays from 9 a.m. to noon. You don’t have to pay admission to visit the gallery; to visit the museum as well, reserve a play slot online. Admission costs $12.50 for everyone over 12 months, $10.50 for 65+.

• Art, music, winter: Winterfest Lowell will take place Friday, Feb. 16, and Saturday, Feb. 17, in downtown Lowell, Mass., and feature ice carvings, fire sculptures, live music, magic, family activities, an art tent and a local vendors marketplace as well as food trucks, a chocolate festival on Saturday and a soup bowl competition (also Saturday). See lowellwinterfest.com.

This Week 24/01/18

Big Events January 18 and Beyond

Friday, Jan. 19

It’s opening night for Dancing Queens, billed as the Ultimate ABBA and Disco Tribute, which runs through Sunday, Feb. 11, at the Palace Theatre (80 Hanover St. in Manchester; palacetheatre.org, 668-5588) with shows at 7:30 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays and 2 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays, plus Thursday, Feb. 8, at 7:30 p.m. Tickets cost $28 to $49.

Saturday, Jan. 20

Catch Beatlejuice tonight at 8 p.m at the Tupelo Music Hall (10 A St. in Derry; tupelomusichall.com). Tickets cost $33. Find more concerts this weekend and beyond on page 38.

Saturday, Jan. 20

Come for the art, stay for the Bruce. The winter show (running through March) is up at the Sandy Clearly Community Art Gallery at the Nashua Center for the Arts (201 Main St. in Nashua; nashuacenterforthearts.com) featuring photographers Brenda McDougland, Seth Dewey, Craig Michaud and Dan Splaine. Find more about the artists at nashuacommunityarts.org/sandy-cleary-community-art-gallery. Check out the exhibit and then stay for tonight’s 8 p.m. show Bruce in the USA (with Matt Ryan and musicians presenting a celebration of the music of Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band); tickets cost $29 to $59.

Saturday, Jan. 20

It’s the third Saturday in January, which means it’s the annual winter Free Fishing Day in New Hampshire. Residents and non-residents can fish in any inland water or saltwater in New Hampshire without a fishing license (though season dates and bag limits are still in effect), according to wildlife.nh.gov, where you can find details about the day.

Saturday, Jan. 20

The 21+ show Life’s a Drag, described as a fiercely hilarious drag show, comes to Chunky’s Cinema Pub in Manchester (707 Huse Road; chunkys.com) on Saturday, Jan. 20, at 9 p.m. Doors open at 8 p.m. Tickets to this approximately two-hour show cost $25 (plus fees).

Tuesday, Jan. 23

It’s nomination morning for the 96th annual Academy Awards (the Oscars, which will air on Sunday, March 10); the announcement usually starts during the 8 a.m. Eastern hour (see oscars.org). In this week’s film section (page 31) see reviews of some Oscar hopefuls (Poor Things and Wonka) and listings of where to catch other possible contenders.

Save the Date! Tuesday, Feb. 13
Spend Galentine’s Day with the ladies of the Rockford Peaches when Red River Theatres (11 S. Main St. in Concord; redrivertheatres.org, 224-4600) screens A League of Their Own at 7 p.m. Tickets cost $15. And remember, “There’s no crying in baseball!”

Quality of Life 24/01/18

Food Bank funds

The New Hampshire Liquor Commission (NHLC) raised a record $180,000 for the New Hampshire Food Bank at its 10th annual Distiller’s Showcase of Premium Spirits. According to a press release, the event, held on Nov. 2, 2023, at the DoubleTree by Hilton Manchester Downtown, is the region’s largest spirits tasting expo and featured over 1,000 guests sampling from 600 premium spirits. The New Hampshire Food Bank procured and provided more than 16.3 million pounds of food in 2023 to over 400 nonprofit food agencies. The funds raised at the Distiller’s Showcase will help provide thousands of nutritious meals to individuals and families facing food insecurity. The Distiller’s Showcase is part of the larger Distiller’s Week, featuring events and tastings across the state with celebrities and industry experts.

QOL score: +1

Comment: The NHLC has worked with suppliers and brokers over the past eight years to raise more than $4 million for various nonprofit organizations in New Hampshire and beyond, contributing to causes like Best Buddies New Hampshire, Easterseals New Hampshire and the New Hampshire Lodging and Restaurant Association.

We beg to differ, WalletHub

In a recent study by WalletHub, New Hampshire was ranked as the 45th best state to start a business, out of all 50 U.S. states. This ranking was based on a comprehensive analysis of 25 key indicators of startup success, considering factors like financing accessibility, labor costs and office-space affordability. Despite being a challenging environment for new businesses, New Hampshire showed specific strengths and weaknesses in the study: It ranked 26th in the average growth of small businesses, but lower in other areas like labor costs (44th) and availability of human capital (48th). The state’s average length of the work week was ranked 32nd, with the cost of living and industry variety coming in at 41st and 34th respectively.

QOL score: -1

Comment: This ranking is part of a larger national trend where about 20 percent of new businesses fail within their first year. The challenges are compounded by factors like inflation and labor shortages.

It’s winter somewhere

Ice Castles in North Woodstock, New Hampshire, a popular winter attraction in New England, is set to open earlier than anticipated at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Jan 20. According to a press release, the original opening date was planned for Jan. 26, but favorable colder temperatures have allowed for an earlier launch. The attraction, located in the White Mountains, features a range of interactive experiences, including ice-carved tunnels, fountains, slides, frozen thrones and a Polar Ice Bar. Additionally, visitors can enjoy horse-drawn sleigh rides, snow tubing, a mystic light walk, and cascading towers of ice with color-changing LED lights. Tickets for the grand opening are available on the Ice Castles website at icecastles.com/new-hampshire.

QOL score: +1

Comment: Ice Castles was founded in 2011 by Brent Christensen, who developed the process to create these frozen attractions initially as a winter playground for his children.

QOL score: 48

Net change: +1

QOL this week: 49

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

Let us know at [email protected].

News & Notes 24/01/18

Fire safety

The New Hampshire State Fire Marshal’s Office is commemorating Community Risk Reduction (CRR) Week from Jan. 15 to Jan. 21, aiming to raise awareness about fire safety and prevention in the community, according to a press release. During this period, residents are reminded of critical fire safety practices, especially given that cooking and heating are leading causes of home fires in New Hampshire. The state has experienced more than 100 civilian injuries due to fires between 2020 and 2023, highlighting the importance of preventive measures. Key safety tips include vigilant cooking, maintaining safe zones around heating equipment and ensuring the proper functioning of smoke and carbon monoxide alarms. CRR Week offers resources for both the public and fire service professionals, emphasizing the integrated approach of education, engineering, enforcement, emergency response and economic incentives in fire risk reduction. Visit CRRWeek.org.

Lead testing

The New Hampshire Insurance Department (NHID) has released a bulletin mandating that health insurers cover blood lead testing for 1- and 2-year-old children without cost-sharing, in compliance with the Affordable Care Act. According to a press release, the directive comes after noticing that some insurers were not following ACA guidelines, which prohibit cost-sharing for preventive services, including lead screening. The NHID emphasizes adherence to Health Resources and Services Administration and American Academy of Pediatrics’ recommendations, ensuring New Hampshire’s children can access necessary lead testing without financial barriers. This move aligns with recent Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services guidance, extending no-cost provisions to follow-up testing as well. Insurers are advised to review their practices in light of this bulletin to uphold health care coverage standards and protect the health of young children in the state.

New director

Richard K. Sala has been appointed as the new director of the Bureau of Vocational Rehabilitation (VR New Hampshire), under the New Hampshire Department of Education. According to a press release, Sala’s experience and qualifications include a Master of Business Administration and Master of Environmental Law and Policy, as well as a membership with the New Hampshire Bar Association since 2013. With a background including service in the U.S. Marines and roles in education and law, Sala will manage VR New Hampshire’s operations, focusing on aiding individuals with disabilities and engaging with business partners. His tasks will involve shaping long-term strategies for meaningful career development and meeting workforce objectives. He succeeds Lisa Hinson-Hatz, who served the department for two decades and has moved on to a similar role in a different location.

Mandatory minimums

Gov. Chris Sununu has officially endorsed Senate Bills 414 and 415, which introduce mandatory minimum sentences for drug trafficking and distribution offenses resulting in death, specifically targeting large quantities of controlled substances like fentanyl. According to a press release, these bills represent the state’s intensified efforts to address the drug crisis by imposing stringent penalties on drug dealers whose actions contribute to fatalities. Gov. Sununu’s support is documented in a letter to the Senate Judiciary Committee, urging the advancement of these bills to reflect the severity of the drug-related challenges facing New Hampshire.

Athletes on the run

Special Olympics New Hampshire (SONH) has launched a year-long campaign called “Running For Special Olympics,” focused on running. According to a press release, the campaign includes a fitness program to encourage SONH athletes to run independently or participate in organized races across the state, as well as a series of fundraising events related to running. Millennium Running, based in Bedford, has named SONH as its official charity for 2024, allowing Special Olympics athletes to take part in 14 Millennium Running signature events. SONH staff and volunteers will attend these races to provide information about the organization’s programs. Approximately 40,000 runners are expected to participate in the 14 signature events in 2024.

Catholic Medical Center in Manchester has become the first in New England to successfully implement AVEIR™ DR, the world’s first dual chamber leadless pacemaker system. According to a press release, this new technology by Abbott, FDA-approved in June 2023, provides a minimally invasive treatment for patients with abnormal heart rhythms requiring pacing in both the right atrium and ventricle. The system enhances patient care with a smaller device size, leadless placement and synchronized pacing between two pacemakers using i2i™ technology, which facilitates communication through the body’s blood.

Daniel Douidi has been sworn in as the new chief of the Bedford Police Department, succeeding retired Chief John Bryfonski. According to a press release, Chief Douidi, who has served with the Bedford Police for 33 years, began his career as a part-time special police officer in Manchester in 1987 and joined Bedford Police as a full-time officer in 1989. He has steadily risen through the ranks, holding positions including captain and deputy chief. Chief Douidi said he aims to improve department morale and make it an attractive place to work, focusing on hiring, training and retention, and emphasized an open-door policy and prioritizing the needs of Bedford’s citizens.

The United Way of Greater Nashua has launched the Tech Connect United Laptop Donation Program, accepting donations of working laptops, tablets or smartphones. According to a newsletter, these devices will be cleared of data, refurbished and distributed to children, job-seekers, college students and seniors in the community, with the aim of enhancing digital access for telehealth, job searches and educational purposes. Donations can be made at their Nashua office (20 Broad St.) during weekdays or by appointment. This effort is supported by Microsoft’s Tech Spark Fellowship Grant Funding.

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