Author: The Hippo Press

Bob Baines

Bob Baines, who served as Manchester’s mayor in the early 2000s, died last week, according to a statement from his family posted on current Manchester Mayor Jay Ruais’ Facebook page. The statement, posted Jan. 23, reads: “With heavy hearts, the family of Robert ‘Bob’ Baines shares the news of his passing. Bob left us peacefully, surrounded by his loved ones. We kindly ask that you keep the Baines family in your thoughts and prayers during this incredibly challenging time.”

Baines was elected mayor in 1999 and his tenure is listed as 2000-2005 on the city’s website. Baines was currently a member of Manchester’s Board of School Committee, representing Ward 9. Baines, who was born in Manchester, taught music at Alvirne High School from 1968 to 1977, was the principal of Manchester High School West from 1980 to 1999 and was named New Hampshire Principal of the Year in 1990 and Educator of the Year by Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce in 1996, according to manchesternh.gov. “Mayor Baines married Maureen McCaugney of Nashua in 1974 and they have three children: Christina, Timothy and Catherine,” the city’s website said, and the Union Leader reported that they also had four grandchildren.

In the Jan. 25 issue of “Day By Day,” the Substack newsletter by local author and Hippo co-founder Dan Szczesny, Dan shared his memories about Baines: “His years as mayor coincide with myself and my two partners creating and launching HippoPress … Back then, one of our first stops … even before the paper had launched, was the mayor’s office. … Much to our surprise, he welcomed us enthusiastically. … [During] that first meeting with him (maybe the second or third) he was blunt about our chances of success, in particular because he hated the idea of the paper being called The Hippo. ‘That doesn’t even make sense!’ he’d say. We went with it anyway and the name stuck. And every time any of us saw him after that, he’d just smile and yell ‘Hey, Hippo!’ … He was a good guy. That’s it, that’s what sticks and this has played out after his passing as friends, officials and lawmakers from ever side of the political spectrum have come out to sing his praises.”

Interim chief

Deputy Chief Barrett J. Moulton has been named Interim Chief of the Concord Police Department effective Jan. 24, according to a Concord city newsletter. He takes over for Chief Bradley Osgood, who retired Jan. 23, the newsletter said. “Chief Moulton has more than 27 years of experience in law enforcement. He grew up in New Hampshire and attended Northeastern University. He joined the Concord Police Department in 2006 after serving as a Police Officer and Sergeant with the Town of Loudon,” the newsletter said.

The New Hampshire Audubon is holding an open house for raptor biologist Chris Martin, who has retired after 35 years with NH Audubon, on Wednesday, Feb. 11, from 4 to 6:30 p.m. at the McLane Center, 84 Silk Farm Road in Concord, according to an Audubon newsletter. RSVP by Jan. 30 at nhaudubon.org.

Capitol Cross-Country Ski Day, featuring races, gear demos and free lessons, will take place Sunday, Feb. 8, at the Concord Community Nordic Trails at Beaver Meadow Golf Course in Concord, according to skithebeav.org, where you can register for the races and clinics for youth and adults.

The Nashua Public Library, 2 Court St. in Nashua, will hold its first-ever metal concert with the local death metal band Cytokine on Friday, Jan. 30, at 7 p.m. in the Chandler Wing, according to a press release. The concert is free and all-ages. See nashualibrary.org.