Cars and food trucks The Aviation Museum of New Hampshire (27 Navigator Road in Londonderry; aviationmuseumofnh.org, 669-4820) will hold its annual Classic Car Show outdoors on its grounds on Saturday, July 11, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The event, which welcomes vehicles of all makes and eras, including odd or unusual vehicles, will include a raffle, a yard sale and several food trucks, according to a press release (which also noted that while the museum remains closed, portable toilets will be available). Admission costs $5 per adult; children 12 and under are free; admission is cash only, the release said. The museum’s reopening is scheduled for Saturday, July 18.
In-person science The McAuliffe-Shepard Discovery Center (2 Institute Dr. in Concord; starhop.com, 271-7827) reopened last week and will be open Wednesdays through Sundays, 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., in July and August, according to the website. Admission costs $11.50 for adults, $10.50 for students and seniors, $8.50 for children ages 3 to 12 and free for children up to age 2, plus an additional $5 per person for planetarium shows, the website said. Visitors over the age of 2 are required to wear masks and sanitizing wipes will be provided to wipe down exhibits before use, according to the website, which runs down the list of other protocols.
SEE Science Center (200 Bedford St. in Manchester; see-sciencecenter.org, 669-0400) has scheduled a few “members only” weekends in early August. On the first two Saturdays and Sundays (Aug. 1 and Aug. 2, and Aug. 8 and Aug. 9), the museum will offer admission by pre-reservation to members between the hours of 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 2 to 5 p.m. (between 1 and 2 p.m., the staff will do a deep cleaning of the museum), according to the website. Guests will be asked to stay six feet apart, a temperature check will be done at the door and everybody above the age of 2 will be required to wear masks, the website said. Memberships start at $100 and include a year of free admission for everybody in a household, the website said. See the website for details about the member weekends and the in-person summer camps, which start July 27.
Family movies Catch Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker (PG-13, 2019) at the Merrimack Parks & Recreation’s Movies in the Park series at Wasserman Park (116 Naticook Road in Merrimack) on Friday, July 10, at 8:30 p.m. A movie that ties up the nine-movie saga of the Skywalker family, Rise of Skywalker is two hours and 22 minutes long. The screening is free, open to residents and non-residents and weather-dependent. See merrimackparksandrec.org or call 882-1046.
For more family films, check out some of the offerings at area theaters, which are screening older films mixed in with some of the 2020 releases that have made it to theaters. For the younger moviegoers, check out Trolls World Tour (PG, released in April), which is screening at Chunky’s in Manchester, Nashua and Pelham, andDespicable Me(PG, 2010) screening at both Chunky’s and the Milford Drive-In, where it is paired with Shrek(PG, 2001). For older moviegoers, check out the double feature of Ghostbusters (PG, 1984 — so like a 1980s PG, be warned) and Jumanji: The Next Level (PG-13, 2019). The 1984 Ghostbusters is also screening at Chunky’s, as is The Goonies(PG, 1985) andJaws (PG, 1975). 2016’s The Jungle Book (PG) is also screening at Chunky’s. See milforddrivein.com and chunkys.com for details. These film line-ups are through July 9 and may change on July 10.
Bummer about baseball The Fisher Cats announced last week that Minor League Baseball has officially canceled the 2020 season. According to a message on the team’s website, Fisher Cats season ticket holders, mini-plan holders and fans who booked groups, suites and other hospitality nights for the 2020 season will receive a 125-percent credit on their deposit to be used toward the 2021 season, and single-game tickets can be used at any Fisher Cats home game in 2021. “We’ve remained optimistic throughout this process and done everything we can to prepare for the 2020 season, so [this] news is difficult to hear,” Fisher Cats President Mike Ramshaw said in the release. “But fan safety is our top priority, and we’ve already begun hosting safe, socially distanced events to make Delta Dental Stadium available to our community this summer.” Score: -2 Comment: This will be the first time in 17 years that the Fisher Cats won’t play ball in New Hampshire, according to the message. In that time, the team has won three Eastern League Championships and sent 125 players to the majors.
Volunteers for the win Civic involvement and engaging youth volunteers were a couple of the topics covered in the three-day 2020 Governor’s Conference on Volunteerism, held recently via Zoom, according to a press release. The keynote address, “The Power of Giving Power Away: Finding Fit to Maximize Volunteer and Organization Impact,” was given by Bryan Bessette, president and director of the Freedom Café in Durham, which is a nonprofit that works to end human trafficking. Score: +1 Comment:It’s never too late to start volunteering. “[Covid-19] has made people kind of reevaluate a little bit where they’re going on their path in life, and that’s what Volunteer NH is all about,” Gov. Chris Sununu said at the conference. “That’s what these service organizations are all about — finding something that can be a new path for you to find your service, whatever it might be.”
Dry conditions mean higher risk of wildfires The risk of wildfires due to abnormally dry or moderate drought conditions throughout the state has prompted the New Hampshire Forest Protection Bureau and the New Hampshire Fire Marshal’s Office to ask that residents and visitors use extra caution when having campfires, cooking outdoors or using fireworks. According to a press release, 90 percent of wildfires in New Hampshire are caused by human factors, and the state experiences 200 wildfires on average each year. “A single ember from a campfire or an errant spark from fireworks landing on dried grass, leaves or other combustible items can ignite and become a wildfire that results in property damage, personal injury or even loss of life,” the press release reads. Score: -1 Comment: Fire permits are required for all open outdoor burning, which includes debris fires, campfires and bonfires; seasonal permits are available to individuals or businesses that have recurring fires, such as home fire pits and campgrounds. Permits are available at nhfirepermit.com.
Local food at your fingertips Wondering where to get fresh dairy, produce and specialty foods in Merrimack County? A town-by-town food guide, created by the Merrimack County Conservation District, lists farms in the area as well as local farmers markets, according to a press release. This is the 10th year the district has created this guide, which also features short articles about local farms. The purpose of the guide, according to the release, is to let residents and visitors know about the agricultural diversity in Merrimack County and how to find a variety of products. Score: +1 Comment:You can download a copy at merrimackccd.org, or request a physical copy by calling 223-6020 or emailing [email protected].
QOL score: 52 Net change: -1 QOL this week: 51
What’s affecting your Quality of Life here in New Hampshire? Let us know at [email protected].
Information from the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services
Governor’s updates On June 30, Gov. Chris Sununu issued Emergency Orders No. 57 and No. 58 amid the state’s ongoing response to Covid-19. Emergency Order No. 57 gives temporary emergency wage enhancements of $3 per hour to park management and roadside laborer employees of the New Hampshire Department of Natural and Cultural Resources whose duties include restroom cleaning and trash disposal functions at facilities within Hampton Beach State Park. The order is applicable for any qualifying time worked from June 19 through Oct. 23.
Emergency Order No. 58 is an order terminating Emergency Order No. 3, which was issued on March 17, prohibiting all providers of electric, gas, water, telephone, cable and other utility services in New Hampshire from disconnecting or discontinuing service for non-payment during the Covid-19 pandemic. Under Emergency Order No. 58, Emergency Order No. 3 will terminate on July 15.
On July 6, the Governor’s Office for Emergency Relief and Recovery (GOFERR), in conjunction with the state Department of Revenue Administration and New Hampshire Employment Security, announced the opening of the New Hampshire Self Employed Livelihood Fund (SELF) application period. Sununu had announced the establishment of the fund in a June 25 press conference. The New Hampshire SELF program builds on the success of the Main Street Relief Fund. To qualify, a business must not be permanently closed or be in bankruptcy and must not be a nonprofit, a franchise or a national chain. Applications can be accessed online at gopher.nh.gov and will be accepted through July 17.
Also on July 6, Sununu issued a statement in response to President Trump’s upcoming rally in Portsmouth on July 11, saying that it is “imperative” that all attendees wear masks. “I am pleased to see the campaign will be handing out face masks and hand sanitizer to all attendees, as has been true at all public gatherings … where social distancing is hard to maintain,” he said.
Details of all Emergency Orders and other announcements can be found at governor.nh.gov.
All the bills The New Hampshire House of Representatives sent several bills to the governor’s desk when it met June 30 for the last day of the 2020 session. Here are some of the highlights, according to multiple press releases from the House and the Senate:
• HB 1166, HB 1129, HB 1246, and HB 1247 — pieces of the Granite Promise Plan — include provisions for workers’ protections; annual meeting and budget provisions for municipalities, school districts and village districts; enhancements for child care scholarships and long-term care facilities, and modest protections for renters and homeowners now that the moratoriums on evictions for nonpayment of rent and foreclosures expired July 1.
• HB 1240 includes protections for victims of sexual assault by those in a position of authority in the education system, and authorizes temporary marriage officiant licenses and apportions a portion of the license fee to domestic violence prevention.
• HB 1162 is an omnibus bill encompassing several pieces of legislation aimed at increasing equity and safeguards for Granite State children and families. “This legislation … allows for unmarried couples to adopt children … and provides legal security for all children brought into the world through assisted reproduction,” chair of the House Children and Family Law committee Rep. Pat Long (D-Manchester) said in a statement. “This legislation also establishes and improves oversight of children’s services, including the office of the child advocate, and clarifies statute providing for insurance coverage during children’s early intervention services.”
• HB 731 would increase the state’s minimum wage gradually to $12 by January 2023.
• HB 1582 is an omnibus bill relative to veterans’ protections. “In this legislation we assist our veterans to start businesses, find jobs and apprenticeships matching their skill set, obtain physical and mental health services, prevent suicide, achieve license and certification reciprocation, access educational opportunities for themselves and their families, and we continue the fight to end veteran homelessness,” Sen. Jon Morgan (D-Brentwood) said in a statement.
• HB 1111 would expand broadband access across the state.
• HB 1558 is comprehensive education legislation. “The comprehensive education bill passed today is very important to our schools and the children they serve. Assuring that students have access to special education and behavioral health resources and that schools have the resources to offer needed programs will be especially important as education moves back into the classroom,” Rep. Mel Myler (D-Hopkinton), chair of the House Education Committee, said in a statement.
• Comprehensive election law bills HB 1266 and HB 1672 — “Including concern for Covid-19 as a specific reason to request an absentee ballot will provide clarity to voters in the upcoming fall election, and the provision to permanently expand absentee balloting will assure equal access to elections moving forward. I urge the governor to sign this crucial legislation,” Rep. David E. Cote (D-Nashua), chair of the House Election Law Committee, said in a statement. House Republican Leader Dick Hinch (R-Merrimack) released the following statement in response to the House voting to concur with HB 1672: “The Attorney General and Secretary of State have already issued guidance allowing absentee balloting in the primary and general election for those who have concerns voting in person due to Covid-19 ensuring all New Hampshire citizens are able to vote in the 2020 elections. Spending CARES Act funds for brand new programs, such as online voter registration, is unacceptable and puts our state’s reputation of having clean and fair elections at risk.”
• HB 578, HB 1246, HB 1520, HB 1623 and HB 1639 address health care needs in the wake of the first wave of the Covid-19 pandemic.
• HB 1280 is an omnibus bill that increases prescription drug affordability and improves access to affordable health care for Granite Staters.
• HB 1494 covers a variety of workers’ protections including health and safety standards and a state death benefit.
• HB 1623 is omnibus legislation that seeks to ensure coverage and reimbursement for health care services provided through telemedicine on the same basis as services provided in office visits.
• HB 1639 addresses long-term public health crises. “Long running public health emergencies such as New Hampshire’s opioid crisis may very well be exacerbated by the economic and social impacts of Covid-19,” Sen. Tom Sherman (D-Rye) said in a statement. “This legislation takes steps to give the state the necessary funding and tools to gain a clearer picture of what works, and how we can expand treatment and recovery options.”
No indoor vaping The New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services has modified the definition of “smoking” in the Indoor Smoking Act to include the use of e-cigarettes and devices. Under the new law, according to a press release from DHHS, smoking is defined as “having a lit cigarette, pipe, or any device designed to produce the effect of smoking, including devices … that may include, but are not limited to, hookahs, e-cigarettes, e-cigars, e-pipes, e-hookahs, and vape pens.” The Indoor Smoking Act says all tobacco products are prohibited in enclosed workplaces and enclosed places accessible to the public, including restaurants, bars and vape shops.
The homeowner of 10 Currier Dr. in Manchester got an unwelcome surprise the night of July 2 when a car crashed through her living room while she was watching TV. According to a press release from the Manchester Police Department, the car had swerved off Wellington Road, hit a utility pole, then crashed into the home. Both the driver and the homeowner were taken to the hospital with minor injuries, though there was significant damage to the pole and the home. The cause of the crash is under investigation.
Final paving work was scheduled to begin July 7 on Route 102 in Londonderry and will continue for about two weeks, between 7 a.m. and 4 p.m. each day, according to a press release from the NH Department of Transportation. There will be alternating one-way traffic between the Derry/Londonderry town line and the intersection of Michael’s Way. It is part of a $62.2 million project that encompasses work on I-93 in the Exit 4 Derry/Londonderry area and Route 102 reconstruction, according to the release.
The Stone House in Hooksett, eligible to be placed on the state and national registers of historic places as an example of an early 20th-century period house, may be demolished to make way for a storage facility, according to a press release from the Hooksett Heritage Commission, which is petitioning to stop the demolition. The commission is hosting a public hearing Thursday, July 16, at 6:30 p.m. at the Municipal Building, 16 Main St.
Jim Hansen, a fifth-grade teacher at New Searles Elementary School in Nashua, has been named New Hampshire’s recipient of the National University System-Sanford Teacher Award and will receive $10,000 in recognition of his work supporting student development and achievement, according to a press release. Hansen frequently travels to Kenya and uses his fifth-graders’ poems as learning tools for Kenyan students, then brings his Kenyan students’ poems back to New Hampshire to show his students that they have similar dreams and aspirations despite their different cultures and life experiences.
Hovering hummingbirds, colorful salamanders, the occasional porcupine and more wildlife you might find in your neighborhood
Meet 22 birds, reptiles, amphibians and mammals that you might glimpse in your backyard, from the common white-tailed deer to the more elusive bobcat.
Also on the cover, after delaying Hippo’s Best of 2020, we’ll be sharing the results in August! Find out more about that and how to vote in a new mini Best of poll, p. 13. Taste of the Region returns to Derry — live and in person! — p. 22. And find live music all week long in our Music This Week listings, starting on p. 34.
Covid-19 updateAs of July 6As of July 6Total cases statewide5,9146,068Total current infections statewide826621Total deaths statewide382391New cases143(July 1 - July 6)158(July ...
Hovering hummingbirds, colorful salamanders, the occasional porcupine and more neighborhood wildlife Curious about the wildlife you’ve seen during your neighborhood ...
This year’s Greek food festivals may have been canceled or postponed, but you can still get your fill of great Greek eats. Find out where to go for your pastichio, gyros, baklava and more.
Also on the cover, yes, you can grow roses in your garden, p. 12. Find live music all week long in our Music This Week listings, starting on p. 34. And, after delaying Hippo’s Best of 2020, we can’t wait to bring you the results in August! Find out more about that and how to vote in a new mini Best of poll, p. 11.
Derry teacher earns sabbatical for Promoting Just Schools The New Hampshire Charitable Foundation has awarded its 2020 Christa McAuliffe Sabbatical ...
Governor’s updates Covid-19 updateAs of June 29As of July 6Total cases statewide5,7605,914Total current infections statewide958826Total deaths statewide367382New cases212 (June 23 ...
There are still two months of summer ahead of us, and with more places reopening, there are plenty of ways to get out of the house and have some fun safely. Check out this guide to find ideas that the whole family will love, from getting ice cream for dinner to watching a movie in the park.
Also on the cover, after delaying Hippo’s Best of 2020, we can’t wait to bring you the results in August! Find out more about that and how to vote in a new mini Best of poll on p. 33 and in the publisher’s note on this page. Plus, find live music for your long weekend in Music This Week, starting on p. 32.
Covid-19 updateAs of June 22As of June 29Total cases statewide5,5585,760Total current infections statewide929958Total deaths statewide339367New cases233 (June 16 to June ...
