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.

Celebrating Christa McAuliffe

The McAuliffe-Shepard Discovery Center in Concord will hold “Reach for the Stars: Celebrating Christa McAuliffe” Saturday, Jan. 24, through Sunday, Feb. 1, according to the Center’s website, starhop.com. “Join us as we honor the legacy of Christa McAuliffe and the STS-51L Challenger crew. Together, we remember their lives, their courage, and their enduring impact on education and space exploration,” the website said. Concord school teacher McAuliffe and the crew of the NASA Space Shuttle Challenger died on Jan. 28, 1986, shortly after the shuttle’s launch. The NHPBS documentary Christa will be shown throughout the week in the Planetarium, the website said.

On Wednesday, Jan. 28, the center will hold a program called “Reach for the Stars: Then, Now, & Forever” from 5 to 7:30 p.m. that will include “Christa’s Lost Lessons with NASA Astronaut, Ricky Arnold,” the unveiling of a new Christa McAuliffe exhibit and a panel discussion, the website said. Deadproof Pizza Co. will be on site for patrons to purchase dinner starting at 4 p.m., the website said.

On Saturday, Jan. 31, the center will host “Challenger: Soaring with Christa McAuliffe,” described on the website: “Journey through Christa’s life in this multi-media immersive living history performance, suitable for all ages.” Doors open at 5 p.m.

Go online to purchase tickets to either event or to purchase admission tickets for the week-long programming and reserve planetarium tickets.

Wash your hands

The Manchester Health Department reported that respiratory viruses including influenza, RSV and Covid-19, and norovirus (known for its stomach-related symptoms) are “actively circulating, statewide,” according to a Jan. 13 press release “Area hospitals are experiencing much higher than expected admissions and emergency department visits related to respiratory illnesses,” the release said. In the statement, Anna Thomas, MPH, Manchester’s Public Health Director said “We have officially entered the beginning peak of cold and flu season. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) anticipates that this will last for a period of up to three months.” Recommendations for preventing the spread of respiratory illnesses include getting a flu shot, washing hands often for at least 20 seconds and using alcohol-based hand sanitizers, covering your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze and throwing tissues in the trash after using them, disinfecting high-traffic surfaces and staying home from school or work until “your fever has been gone for 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medicines” if you get sick, the release said.

New Hampshire author Mary Anne Totten will hold a reading of her book Silos, Secrets, and Silence at Bookery in Manchester on Saturday, Jan. 24, from 1 to 3 p.m. See bookerymht.com for more on the event and matottenwrites.com for more on the author.

Thursday, Jan. 22, is Oscar nominations morning; see oscars.org at 8:30 a.m. for the announcements by Danielle Brooks and Lewis Pullman. Then settle in for some movie talk with the Derry Public Library at their “2025: The Year in Film” Zoom presentation on Monday, Jan. 26, at 6:30 p.m. Register at derrypl.org.

The Live Free or Die Farm, 11 Cricket Hill Drive in Amherst, will hold its annual Christmas Tree Burn and Bonfire Party on Saturday, Jan. 24, from 5 to 9 p.m., according to the listing on eventbrite.com, where you can find details about food and reserve a spot.

NH Pipes and Drums and Scottish Arts will hold a Burns Night celebration on Saturday, Jan. 24, starting at 5 p.m. at Castleton in Windham. The night will feature haggis, Highland dancers, whisky, Ceilidh dancing, live music, Burns poetry and more, according to nhssa.org, where you can purchase tickets.