New Hampshire’s outdoor recreation sector created $2.2 billion in economic activity in 2020, making it among the Top 10 states in the nation with the highest value added to the state’s gross domestic product (2.6 percent), according to a press release from the New Hampshire Department of Business and Economic Affairs. Though non-traditional outdoor activities like amusement parks, water parks and festivals were negatively impacted by the pandemic, more conventional outdoor activities like camping, boating, fishing and RVing either increased or stayed the same: boating/fishing increased by 41 percent, bicycling by 14 percent, RVing by 9 percent and OHRVing by 5 percent.
Score: +1
Comment:New Hampshire’s outdoor recreation industry employed more than 26,500 people in 2020, according to the release.
A new challenge to staying connected
New Hampshire residents who rely on 3G service could find themselves disconnected come 2022, as cell carriers shut down the old network to make way for higher-speed, more reliable 5G service, according to a report from WMUR. By the end of 2022 all 3G service will be obsolete, so people with older cell phones and tablets should check with their carriers to find out when they plan to stop 3G service.
Score: -1
Comment:According to the WMUR report, there are some medical devices and in-vehicle data services that still depend on the 3G network, too, and services like OnStar are contacting customers about plans to update its software to keep people connected.
Community caring
Students of the Granite State Independent Living programs in Manchester, Nashua, Concord and Littleton are giving back to their communities all month long, according to a press release. Granite State Independent Living helps underserved students with disabilities transition from high school to the workforce or a post-secondary education. Now some of those students are reaching out to help others; locally, Manchester students are writing thank-you notes to health care workers, Nashua students will volunteer at the Nashua Soup Kitchen and make Christmas ornaments for a local nursing home, and Concord students will prepare Thanksgiving dinners for the homeless.
Score: +1
Comment:“Our students are remarkable and we are deeply touched to see their youthful enthusiasm for various community projects all around the state,” Deborah Ritcey, CEO of GSIL, said in the release. “It’s a great way to showcase the kindness and generosity of these young people.”
Even easier travel options at MHT
Prefer to fly nonstop, and from Manchester, not Boston? Manchester-Boston Regional Airport has launched two more nonstop routes on Spirit Airlines, to Southwest Florida International Airport in Fort Myers and Tampa International Airport, joining its nonstop routes to Fort Lauderdale and Orlando, according to a press release. This also adds more options for passengers who want to fly internationally, as they can connect in Florida to destinations like Colombia, Jamaica, Mexico and Costa Rica. Spirit started flying out of MHT this year, the first new airline at the airport in 17 years.
Score: +1
Comment:“Time and time again, our passengers are showing us that they prefer to fly out of MHT, even to connect internationally,” Airport Director Ted Kitchens said in the press release. “It’s exciting to see Spirit expanding to two more Florida destinations from MHT.”
QOL score: 75
Net change: +2
QOL this week: 77
What’s affecting your Quality of Life here in New Hampshire? Let us know at news@hippopress.com.
Information from the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services.
Covid-19 news
During the state’s weekly public health update on Nov. 10, state epidemiologist Dr. Benjamin Chan reported that New Hampshire averaged about 650 new cases of Covid-19 per day over the previous week. Test-positivity rates, hospitalizations and deaths due to the virus have all continued to climb in recent weeks. “We are … seeing an increasing number of deaths reported from long-term care facilities, although the majority of deaths continue to be in our community setting,” he said. Chan renewed the state’s recommendations for residents to get vaccinated if they have not already done so, adding the reminder that kids ages 5 to 11 are now eligible to receive their first shot. “We continue to work with our Public Health Networks to set up a combination of both school-based clinics [and] community-based pediatric vaccination clinics to support the vaccination efforts that are ongoing in our communities,” Chan said.
Gov. Chris Sununu also commented on the state Executive Council’s unanimous vote earlier that day to accept $22.4 million in federal Covid relief funds. “The vote … will definitely help speed up that distribution process, which is a good thing for all of our citizens, putting funding behind the efforts and help battle the pandemic,” Sununu said during the press conference.
As of Nov. 15 there were 6,295 active infections of Covid-19 in New Hampshire, up by more than 1,000 from just a week ago, with 260 current hospitalizations statewide. All 10 counties remain at substantial levels of community transmission.
Renting resolutions
The New Hampshire Judicial Branch has launched a new free mediation service to help landlords and tenants resolve conflicts before resorting to filing an eviction case in court. According to a press release, the “eviction diversion mediation program” is supported by federal funds through the Governor’s Office for Emergency Relief and Recovery and administered by the Office of Mediation and Arbitration and the New Hampshire Circuit Court. To use the service, a residential landlord or tenant can request a remote mediation session with a neutral third-party mediator, who will assist the parties in talking through issues, such as paying back rent or applying for rental assistance, and drafting a contract of agreement to prevent an eviction case from being filed. “When parties can resolve a dispute without filing an eviction, everyone wins,” Circuit Court Administrative Judge David King said in the release. “Landlords avoid the time, expense, and uncertainty of going to court, tenants avoid the black mark of an eviction case on their records, and the courts see fewer new cases.”
Anti-discrimination webpage
According to a press release, a new webpage launched by the New Hampshire Department of Education will help “ensure that students and educators are free from discrimination, and that they have the opportunity to learn and teach in a safe environment.” The release said the website supports the New Hampshire Commission on Human Rights by giving parents an online site to report concerns that their child may have been discriminated against. Parents, guardians and teachers can submit a public education intake questionnaire that will be reviewed by a Commission intake coordinator to determine if there are grounds to file a formal complaint.
Education Freedom accounts
More than 1,600 children in New Hampshire have been approved for Education Freedom Accounts, and the first round of funding from the Children’s Scholarship Fund NH is being made available to eligible families this month. According to a press release from the New Hampshire Department of Education, the grants, which total $8,096,903, give families access to resources like customized learning, tutoring services, career schools, technical schools, home schooling, and non-public and private schools. Among the 1,635 participants, 88 are special education students, 81 are English Language Learners and 879 are eligible for free and reduced lunches. Manchester has the largest number of families enrolled throughout the state, with 166 students receiving Education Freedom Accounts, followed by Nashua with 64 students enrolled, Rochester with 52 students, Laconia with 52 and Concord with 46.
Funds for farmers
New Hampshire will receive more than $1.2 million in federal funding from the U.S. Department of Agriculture to support farmers in the state, according to a Nov. 2 press release from the office of U.S. Sen. Jeanne Shaheen. Of those funds, $749,856 will be awarded to Land for Good in Keene through USDA’s Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program, which helps beginner farmers develop the knowledge and skills to successfully acquire land for farming. Five hundred thousand dollars has been allocated through USDA’s Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network to facilitate mental health services for farmers in the state. “Granite State farmers face a myriad of unpredictable and uncontrollable challenges that can create or exacerbate stress, anxiety and trauma,” Shaheen said in the release. “Now more than ever, ensuring they have access to the resources they need to address these mental health challenges must be a top priority.”
Affordable housing
The New Hampshire Housing Board has approved funding for three new multi-family affordable housing developments to be built in Concord, Newport and Rochester, providing a total of 83 units to help meet the need for more affordable rental housing in the state. According to a press release, the Concord development, Penacook Landing II, is a second-phase expansion of a new development on a brownfield property that was previously owned by the city. Thirty-four general occupancy units were created in Phase I; Phase II will build 20 additional general occupancy units, with a small portion of the site to be used for a public park. Funding for the housing developments is allocated through Low-Income Housing Tax Credits About 95 percent of publicly funded workforce housing in New Hampshire is LIHTC-funded, according to the release, and the Housing Board expects to allocate more LIHTC funds for additional housing developments by the end of the year.
NewDEAL
Last week Manchester Mayor Joyce Craig was chosen as one of 20 leaders from across the country to join the NewDEAL (Developing Exceptional American Leaders), a national network of state and local elected officials chosen from more than 1,650 nominations over its decade-long history. According to a press release, the nearly 200 members “work to enact pro-growth progressive solutions in a diverse array of communities” and are currently supporting each other in addressing the challenges created by the pandemic.
The national Choose Love wellness tour stopped at Gill Stadium in Manchester on Nov. 13, a free event promoting mental health for kids and adults and offering “Choose Love” lessons and strategies, plus activities, food, vendors and performances. According to a press release, the tour is a response to the increase in stress and anxiety that has resulted from the pandemic.
The Salem Police Department reported last week the community has seen an increase in reported car thefts and break-ins. According to a press release, several motor vehicles had been broken into and others were stolen over the course of a few nights last week. The investigations are ongoing, and anyone with information is asked to call the Salem police at 893-1911.
The Nashua Public Library is celebrating 50 years at its Court Street home, having moved from the Hunt Memorial Building at 6 Main St. in 1971. According to a press release, the library is celebrating its anniversary this month and next with a display of photos, posters, furniture, architectural drawings and other memorabilia, and it will have 50th-anniversary library cards for anyone who signs up for a new card or anyone who already has a library card and wants to replace it with a new one.
Races can bring in a lot of money and raise awareness for nonprofits, and they offer all kinds of fun to serious and not-so-serious runners too.
Also on the cover, Mamma Mia! wraps up its run at the Palace this weekend, p. 10. After a pandemic hiatus, Granite Restaurant reopens, p. 26. And make your night out a little more fun with trivia, p. 41.
I really enjoy poached pears. They are a versatile menu item. Want a less sweet dessert? The poached pear plays that role well. Want a fruit-centric appetizer? The poached pear can be that also. However, poached pears can be a little challenging to eat when served whole or even halved. Their rounded edges want to defy the fork and knife you’re wielding!
That is where this recipe for a deconstructed poached pear comes in handy. Thin slices of pear cooked until tender are eaten easily, no knife required. Plus, sliced pears poach more quickly and evenly than a whole or half pear.
The trickiest part of this recipe may be forming the quenelle of goat cheese. Don’t fret about that. A quenelle is simply an egg-shaped portion of food. Using two spoons you should be able to do that. If not, you can use a small spatula to help shape the goat cheese into a similar shape.
A few ingredient notes for this recipe: You can replace Bosc pears with Bartlett or Anjou. I would not suggest using a smaller pear, such as Seckel. For the wine, you want to add another flavor element to the dish without overpowering the other ingredients, which is why I suggest unoaked chardonnay. Another choice would be a pinot gris or pinot grigio.
Get your ingredients assembled; it’s time to make a new and delicious appetizer or dessert.
Michele Pesula Kuegler has been thinking about food her entire life. Since 2007, the New Hampshire native has been sharing these food thoughts and recipes at her blog, Think Tasty. Visit thinktasty.com to find more of her recipes.
Deconstructed poached pear Serves 4
2 Tablespoons sliced almonds 1 Tablespoon maple syrup 1 Bosc pear 1 cup dry white wine, such as an unoaked chardonnay 2 ounces goat cheese, room temperature 1 Tablespoon milk
Combine almonds and maple syrup in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave on high in 30-second increments, stirring after each. When syrup clings to almonds and no liquid rests in the bottom of the bowl, remove from the microwave. Carefully transfer almonds to a cutting board or piece of waxed paper, using a spoon. Spread out the almonds to cool. Cut pear in half, and carefully remove stem and core. Cut each half into 10-12 thin slices. Pour wine into a small saucepan, and place on high heat. When wine begins to boil, reduce to a simmer and add pear slices. Allow slices to simmer for 4 to 5 minutes or until just fork tender. While pear slices simmer, combine goat cheese and milk in a small bowl, stirring until fully combined. To assemble: Place 5 or 6 pear slices on a small plate. Form a quenelle of goat cheese, using two spoons, and place next to pears. Sprinkle maple-coated almonds over pear slices.
Photo: Deconstructed poached pear. Photo courtesy of Michele Pesula Kuegler.
Today at the Currier Museum of Art (150 Ash St. in Manchester; 669-6144, currier.og) veterans and their guests can get a free meal (of up to $15 each) in the Winter Garden Cafe, according to the museum website. Also today, at 11 a.m. and noon the “Looking Together” tour, when a docent focuses on a small number of works, will focus on the “WPA in NH” exhibit. The NH DHHS Mobile Covid-19 Vaccination Van will be set up in the Currier parking lot from 3 to 7 p.m. offering booster shots as well as first shots for adults and children, the website said. And today’s Art After Work, when admission is free to all from 5 to 8 p.m., will feature music by Charlie Chronopoulos.
Saturday, Nov. 13
Catch Warren Miller’s 72nd film Winter Starts Nowtoday at noon and 3 p.m. at the Rex Theatre (23 Amherst St. in Manchester; palacetheatre.org). Tickets cost $30.50 ($55 for VIP tickets). Proceeds from this screening will support Kristen’s Gift Endowed Fund at Children’s Hospital at Dartmouth-Hitchcock. The movie will also screen next week at The Music Hall in Portsmouth.
Saturday, Nov. 13
See Matt Carbonello perform a Neil Young Tribute tonight at the Dana Center (Saint Anselm College, 100 St. Anselm Drive in Manchester; tickets.anselm.edu) at 7:30 p.m. with proceeds from the show benefiting the Wounded Warrior Project. Tickets cost $25.
Saturday, Nov. 13
Another November Saturday, another round of craft fairs.
Today, head to Memorial High School in Manchester for their booster club’s craft sale from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Admission costs $1 per person; the fair will feature more than 215 booths and vendors, according to the club’s Facebook page.
The Lil’ Iguana’s Craft Fair & Raffle will run today from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Nashua North High School. Admission is free and more than 70 crafters and vendors are expected to attend, according to liliguanausa.org.
You can also find a fair at the Eagles Wing Function Hall, 10 Spruce St. in Nashua, sponsored by Bazaar Craft Fairs, which will run from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and feature more than 40 crafters and vendors, according to Bazaar Craft Fairs Facebook page. Admission is free.
The United Church of Penacook (at Community Drive and Canal Street) will hold its fair today from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and has a list of participating crafters with photos of their items at ucpnh.org.
At St. Kathryn Parish (4 Dracut Road in Hudson), the Christmas Bazaar and Penny Sale will run from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. today and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. tomorrow, Nov. 14. The event will include raffles, sales of theme baskets, baked goods and an appearance by Santa, according to stkathryns.org.
Also on Sunday, Nov. 14, head to the Bedford High School for the Bedford High School Handmade Fair from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. featuring local artists and artisans, according to the group’s Facebook page.
Save the Date! Nov. 19
The Jamantics — Masceo Williams, Freeland Hubbard, Jordan Tirrell-Wysocki, Eric Reingold and Lucas Gallo — will reunite Friday, Nov. 19, at 8 p.m. at the Bank of NH Stage (16 S. Main St. in Concord; ccanh.com). Tickets cost $15 for general admission, $25 for reserved balcony seating (plust fees).
The first Inferno of the Badges, a fundraiser and fitness challenge that will have police, fire, corrections and military personnel compete for a title and to help a good cause, is looking for more teams to make the inaugural event a success. Teams of five will perform CrossFit-type exercises, and the one with the best time gets to choose the charity that the event’s proceeds will be donated to. The Inferno is a community effort: CrossFit of New Hampshire and the Manchester Police Department have helped organize it, McIntyre is providing its facilities for free, McHugh Funeral Home in Manchester is a sponsor, and Messy Mike’s Barbecue from Derry is providing free lunch to competitors and volunteers.
Score: +1
Comment: Though this first Inferno of the Badges, happening Nov. 17, is just for police, fire, corrections and military personnel, if it’s successful it will become an annual event that the public will be invited to watch, according to Bibiana Rummler of McHugh Funeral Home.
Something fishy
Elevated levels of perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS) have been detected in fish tissue samples in five lakes, according to a press release from the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services. There are now new and more restrictive fish consumption limits for those lakes: Beaver Lake in Derry, Robinson Pond in Hudson, Horseshoe Pond in Merrimack, Canobie Lake in Salem and Cobbetts Pond in Windham. According to the release, the mercury-based statewide guideline of fish consumption for most freshwater fish is one meal per month for young children and pregnant woman and four per month for adults and children 7 years old or older; in comparison, many of the recommended guidelines for fish consumption in these lakes are more restrictive. The levels of PFOS in Robinson and Horseshoe ponds, for example, are high enough that kids younger than 7 should not eat any amount of any freshwater fish taken from those water bodies.
Score: -1
Comment: NHDES pointed out in the release that there is no known risk to catching and handling these fish, so catch-and-release fishing is not impacted.
Three more cases of Jamestown Canyon virus
Three adults have tested positive for Jamestown Canyon virus, a viral infection transmitted through the bite of an infected mosquito, according to a press release from the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services. The adults are from Loudon, Pittsfield and Rumney, and they are the second, third and fourth detections of the virus in the state this season. According to the release, the adults from Rumney and Pittsfield were hospitalized with neurological symptoms but are now recovering at home, and the person from Loudon was not hospitalized and is in good health.
Score: -1
Comment:“It is important to remember the season of mosquitos is longer than just the summer months. Mosquitos can continue to transmit infections like Jamestown Canyon Virus until there is a mosquito-killing hard frost,” Dr. Benjamin Chan, New Hampshire State Epidemiologist, said in the release.
Letter a scam
A consumer alert has been issued by the Attorney General’s Office after scammers sent a fraudulent letter purporting to be from the Office to a New Hampshire resident. According to a press release, it appears to be issued on Attorney General’s Office official letterhead and has a forged signature from the New Hampshire’s Deputy Attorney General. It claims the recipient’s identity has been used in connection with a purchase through an online retailer and warns that any of the accounts linked with the resident’s Social Security number will be shut down.
Score: -1
Comment:The resident called the number in the letter and was asked to buy gift cards from a local retailer and send photos of the gift card numbers, and to send cash through the mail with personal identifying information, the release said.
QOL score: 77
Net change: -2
QOL this week: 75
What’s affecting your Quality of Life here in New Hampshire? Let us know at news@hippopress.com.
