Category: News

This Week 26/05/14

Friday, May 15

The Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests will “celebrate the Merrimack Floodplain All Persons Trail located off Portsmouth Street in Concord” today from 1:30 to 3 p.m., according to forestsociety.org (click on “events”), where you can RSVP. The afternoon will feature a tour of the upgraded trail and refreshments by the river, the website said.

Saturday, May 16

It’s another big weekend of garden club plant sales, including the Goffstown Community Garden Club, which will hold its sale today from 8 a.m. to noon on the town common. Find a list of upcoming sales in the May 7 issue of the Hippo in the story on page 19; find the digital issue at hippopress.com. Have a plant sale? Let all your fellow green thumbs know! Send the information to adiaz@hippopress.com.

Saturday, May 16

St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church, 1160 Bridge St. in Manchester, will host a multi-family yard sale from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., according to a post on the church’s Facebook page.

Saturday, May 16

It’s the second and final weekend of the 2026 New Hampshire Renaissance Faire today and Sunday, May 17, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Brookvale Pines Farm, 80 Martin Road in Fremont. See nhrenfaire.com for tickets. For our story about the fair, see page 14 in the May 7 issue of the Hippo; find the digital issue at hippopress.com.

Saturday, May 16

Check out the New England contra dance tonight from 7 to 10 p.m. at the City-Wide Community Center, 14 Canterbury Road in Concord, according to an email about the event. Chris Ricciotti will serve as caller and the music will be performed by the Lamprey River Band, the email said. See concordnhcontra.wordpress.com. Beginners, singles and families are welcome, the email said.

Sunday, May 17

The New London Historical Society Fields, 179 Little Lake Sunapee Road in New London, will host Kite Fest today from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., according to a post on the society’s Facebook page. The day will feature an opportunity to make and fly kites as well as food and more, the post said.

Sunday, May 17

Bedford holds its annual Pre-Memorial Day Sunday Parade today at 1 p.m. down County Road between Bedford High School and McKelvie Intermediate School, according to bedfordnh.myrec.com.

Tuesday, May 19

Get some mid-week ABBA with a screening of 2008’s Mamma Mia! The Musical in a sing-along format at Red River Theatres, 11 S. Main St. in Concord, today at 7 p.m., according to redrivertheatres.org, where you can purchase tickets.

Save the Date! Friday, May 22
The Manchester Community Music School will hold its fundraising Luau on Friday, May 22, from 6 to 9 p.m. at Bear Brook State Park in Allenstown, according to mcmusicschool.org, where you can purchase tickets. The evening will include a traditional pig roast catered by Bentley’s Famous BBQ, live tropical music, a ukulele performance by the Southern New Hampshire Ukulele Group, tropical drinks and island-inspired treats and more, the website said.

From bad to worse

Top Story – Celtics Playoff Loss Got Worse: Just when you thought the embarrassment of blowing a 3-1 series lead to the 76ers couldn’t get any worse, the Knicks then annihilated Philly in a four-game sweep. The biggest ignominy to Slow Joe and company was that they tied a playoff record by making 23 3-balls and shot 63% in two blowout wins vs. the same Philly D that held Boston to 27.7% on 3’s in three of their wins.

Interesting that no one complains when the 3’s are falling, isn’t it? Which re-enforces the point made here last week, that all their 3’s aren’t really the problem. It’s shot selection, where Slow Joe lets them just chuck up any 3 at any time over searching out better open 3’s by running through their offense and never adapts to Plan B when they don’t.

Sports 101: Friday is the 85th anniversary of when Joe DiMaggio started his legendary 56-game hitting streak on May 15, 1941. The best since was a 44-game streak done by who?

News Item – Welcome Back, Kotter: Merrimack product Mickey Gasper came back up from AAA to go 2-3 in the Sox’s 4-1 loss to Tampa Bay Sunday.

News Item – NBA Lottery is a Joke: There’s a clear irony of the NBA going to the lottery to prevent teams from tanking, which happened after Houston did it to make sure they could draft Hakeem Olajuwon in 1984. Now several teams regularly tank for better draft position once out of the playoff race, the latest being a team with Anthony Davis and Trae Young somehow losing 26 of their last 27 to ensure getting the best pick they could, which happened by getting the top pick after winning Sunday’s lottery.

Local loss – Dave Bonner: The New Hampshire basketball community lost a great guy last week when he passed after a lengthy illness. The 6’8” giant played for Concord HS in the late ’60s before becoming the father of three D-I players, one of whom was a 12-year NBA pro. No New Hampshire family we know of has ever done that. Condolences to the family. RIP, big fella.

The Numbers

12 – playoff record blocks by 7’5” Victor Wembanyama in the Spurs’ Game 1 loss to the T-Wolves.

91 – years since the Cubs last won 10 straight in 1935 like last week.

Of the Week Awards…

Earth to Slow Joe Award: His guys were 49 for 147 (27.7%) on 3’s in their four losses to Philly. And bet it was worse in those fourth quarters.

Stat of the Year – Celtics: Guess those shocked they got knocked out in Round 1 weren’t paying attention, as they went 3-11 vs. the Top 5 playoff seeds during the regular season.

Bad Record Tied – James Harden: Interesting week for one of the biggest playoff chokers in history. First he tied Bob Cousy by shooting under 25% in a playoff game with at least 10 shots for the 20th time when he was 3-13 in Cleveland’s 107-97 Game 2 loss to Detroit. Then a game later kept the Cavs alive with the game winner in Game 3.

Sports 101 Answer: Pete Rose had everyone on high alert when the free-agent-to-be made a run for 56 in 1978 before it ended 12 short at 44.

Final Thought – A Little Streak History: The stat boys and New England deniers have been saying Ted Williams should have been the MVP instead because he hit .406 that same year and out-hit Joe D’s .408 (91-223), 15 homers and 55 RBI in every category during the same two-month period. However, those people have missed the point for 85 years. The only player to be as inspirational to his team’s success since was Yaz during the Impossible Dream season of 1967.

On May 15, 1941, the Yanks were languishing 6.5 games behind Cleveland in fourth place. The Sox were 13-10. And when it ended on July 15 the first-place Yanks led Cleveland by five games as they went 31-13 to take command of the AL race. They went on to win the pennant by a then AL record 20 games ahead of Ted and the Sox after clinching it on the earliest date in history, Sept. 4.

If you want to say based on the stats Ted was the Player of the Year, fine. But Joe D was the definition of most valuable. Which is what the award in saner times than today was about. Because if Williams didn’t play the Sox still won squat. And, oh by the way, after his o’fer, DiMaggio hit in his next 16 straight to make it an astonishing 72 out of 73 games.

Email Dave Long at dlong@hippopress.com.

Quality of Life 26/05/14

Let’s buy one and dress it in a hat and tie

As reported by Manchester InkLink in a May 7 online article, the City of Manchester is selling retired parking meters to the public “… as Manchester completes its transition to newer parking technology,” the article read. “The meters will be available for $15 each, cash only, while supplies last.” InkLink quoted Manchester Parking Director Faye Morrison, who said that there were approximately 300 parking meters for sale as of May 7. She said she expected them to sell quickly.

QOL score: +1

Comment: To buy one of these meters, pay in person at the Victory Garage, 25 Vine St. Sales took place May 8 and will continue on Friday, May 15, “with additional pickups possible afterward, for as long as they last,” the story reported.

The sweet breeze of a whiffing batter

In an April 28 press release the New Hampshire Fisher Cats announced their fifth no-hitter ever. “Jackson Wentworth, Nate Garkow, Irv Carter, and Kai Peterson combined to throw the fifth no-hitter in Fisher Cats history, as New Hampshire blanked the Binghamton Rumble Ponies,” the press release read about that day’s game. “The 6-0 combined nine-inning no-hitter is New Hampshire’s second in franchise history and their first since May 21, 2012.“

QOL score: +1

Comment: According to the Fisher Cats press release, “Starter Jackson Wentworth has pitched in a combined no-hitter in both college and professional. (While at Kansas State, Wentworth tossed the final two frames on a no-hitter against Cincinnati on March 8, 2023.)”

Nursing is strong in New Hampshire

A recent study by online financial services company Wallet Hub reported that New Hampshire is the second-best state for nurses. The report cited a strong job market for nurses. “The state has the most nursing-job openings per capita, and a large number of hospitals per capita. In addition, New Hampshire has some of the best nursing schools in the country. The Granite State also restricts mandatory overtime for nurses, which helps stop nurses from being taken advantage of and overworked.”

QOL score: +1

Comment: New Hampshire ranked second of the 50 states, with the 12th best “Opportunity and Competition Rank”, and first in “Work Environment. Maine ranked No. 1 overall, and Oklahoma ranked 50th. Visit wallethub.com/edu/best-states-for-nurses/4041.

QOL score: 48

Net change: +3

QOL this week: 51

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

Let us know at news@hippopress.com.

News & Notes 26/05/14

New mural in Manchester

Manchester is slated to get a new mural on Saturday, May 16, at “the embankment along Canal and Pleasant Streets,” a project that is a collaboration between SEE Science Center, Manchester Connects and artist Big Sam Paints, according to a press release from SEE Science Center. The mural will “highlight Manchester’s industrial history and natural landscape” and “will span about 130 feet long by 8 feet high and run along both sides of the stairway, tapering at each end to follow the shape of the embankment. Installation will take place throughout the day,” the release said. “The design pulls from Manchester’s past as a textile mill city, using abstract patterns inspired by fabric production. It also includes flowing elements that reference the Merrimack River. … Residents and visitors are encouraged to stop by Canal and Pleasant Streets on May 16 to see the mural come together.”

New mural in Nashua

A mural celebrating Nashua’s history and French Canadian heritage will be unveiled on the Water Street bridge wall in Nashua on Saturday, May 23, at 3:30 p.m. during a weekend-long celebration at Nashua’s Renaissance Park and Riverwalk, according to a press release from Nashua’s Offices of the Mayor and Economic Development. The mural fills the wall that is 70 feet long and ranges from 5 to 20 feet high and is the work of artist Graham Carraway of Denver, Colorado, the release said. According to the mayor’s office Facebook page Enjoy Nashua, there will be “four days of music, food, events and fun for the whole family” at the newly renovated Le Parc de Notre Renaissance from Friday, May 22, through Monday, May 25.

New nurses

New Hampshire community colleges will graduate 347 nursing students over the next few days, the largest class since 2013, according to a press release from Community College System of New Hampshire on May 11. “Of those, 290 will graduate prepared to become Registered Nurses (RN) and 57 as Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN), ready to enter a healthcare workforce stretched thin across the state,” the release said. Pinning ceremonies, which date to 1855 “when Queen Victoria honored Florence Nightingale for her service during the Crimean War,” will take place at colleges May 14 through May 18, with 22 RN graduates from Nashua Community College, 79 RN graduates from NHTI Concord’s Community College and 61 RN graduates from Manchester Community College among them, the release said. See ccsnh.edu for information on the community college system.

Grants for the outdoors

The New Hampshire Department of Natural and Cultural Resources, Division of Parks and Recreation has opened the latest round of grant applications for Land and Water Conservation Fund grants and will accept applications through April 30, 2029, according to a press release. Applicants can submit project proposals at any time during the three-year period with projects “reviewed annually for eligibility and readiness, including site inspections,” the press release said. “Funding requests must range from $150,000 to $1,000,000 and require a minimum 1:1 match. Eligible projects include park and recreation facility development, land acquisition, or a combination of both,” the release said. “The LWCF is a federal program, administered in partnership with the National Park Service, that provides matching grants to states and local communities for the acquisition and development of public outdoor recreation areas. Since its inception, LWCF funding has supported parks, trails, and recreational facilities in communities from every corner of New Hampshire, expanding access and enhancing quality of life for residents and visitors alike,” the release said. Contact the LWCF Program at 271-3556 or lwcf@dncr.nh.gov for more information or see nhstateparks.org/about-us/community-recreation/land-water-conservation-fund-grant.

Wesley United Methodist Church, 79 Clinton St. in Concord, will hold a church plant sale on Saturday, May 16, from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m., according to an email from the church.

The In Our Roots Annual Multicultural Fashion Show will take place at Manchester West High School auditorium on Saturday, May 16, from 2 to 4 p.m. featuring “bold looks” as well as performances by Cozy Throne, Rhythm & Roots Studio and the school’s own Nepali dancers, according to west.mansd.org.

This Week 26/05/07

Friday, May 8

Catch Bluz Chile performing their New England blues tonight at 8 p.m. at Riley’s Place, 29B Mont Vernon St. in Milford. Find more live music at in the Music This Week listing, which starts on page 32. Have a gig? Let us know at adiaz@hippopress.com.

Saturday, May 9

The New Hampshire Sheep and Wool Festival will take place today from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday, May 10, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., at the Deerfield Fairgrounds, 34 Stage Road in Deerfield, and will feature workshops, a youth sheep show, a fleece sale and more, according to nhswga.org, where you can purchase tickets.

Saturday, May 9

The Granite State Trading Card and Collectibles Show will take place today from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Everett Arena, 15 Loudon Road in Concord, according to the Facebook page for Jimmy’s Place Sports Cards and Memorabilia in Tilton. See jimmysplacesportscards.com

Saturday, May 9

Queerlective’s spring market — “Reduce, Reuse, Upcycle ” — will take place today from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., at the YWCA, 72 Concord St. in Manchester. The event will feature hands-on craft activities such as embroidery, heat press designs, sewing patches and more, according to queerlective.com. At 1 p.m., there will be a release party for State of Queer NH, aresource that “brings together queer and BIPOC organizations, businesses, artists, and spaces from across New Hampshire,” the website said.

Saturday, May 9

Catch Monster Jam Freestyle Mania today at 1 and 7 p.m. and Sunday, May 10, at 1 p.m. at the SNHU Arena, 555 Elm St. in Manchester. See snhuarena.com for tickets and see monsterjam.com for a look at this team-up between Monster Jam trucks and Freestyle Motocross bikes.

Saturday, May 9

Mosaic Art Collective, 66 Hanover St., Suite 201, in Manchester will hold an opening reception for “Shaping Ourselves,” “a group exhibition exploring the forces that shape identity,” tonight from 5 to 7 p.m., according to a press release. The exhibit will be on display through Tuesday, May 26. See mosaicartcollective.com.

Saturday, May 9

The New Hampshire Gay Men’s Chorus continues its spring concert series “Love, Pride & Hope,” with a show tonight at 7 p.m. at BNH Stage, 16 S. Main St. in Concord, ccanh.com. See nhgmc.com for additional upcoming performances, which include Saturday, May 16, at 7 p.m. at Christ the King Lutheran Church in Nashua and Sunday, May 17, at 3 p.m. at Rex Theatre in Manchester.

Saturday, May 9

Cosmic Blossom will bring their “funk, soul and rock & roll” to the Andres Institute of Art, Big Bear Lodge, 106 Route 13 in Brookline, on Saturday, May 9, at 7 p.m. See andresinstitute.org for tickets.

Tuesday, May 12

Merrimack Parks and Recreation begins a six-week “Tuesday Tennis with Coach Dee” program today from 6 to 8 p.m. at Wasserman Park Tennis Courts for adult intermediate level players, according to merrimackparksandrec.org, where you can register for the program.

Save the Date! Saturday, May 15
Joppa Hill Educational Farm in Bedford will host Star Gazing and Sky Watching on Friday, May 15, from 8 to 10 p.m., featuring 4-H volunteers and the NH Astronomical Society, according to jhef.org/events-at-the-farm, where you can register for the event. “This adult focused star party is for anyone with an interest in the night sky. We welcome people with all levels of experience,” the website said. Learn about perpetual star maps and how to identify constellations and planets, the website said.

Lost weekend for Boston

The Big Story – Loserville Weekend: Well, the Bruins had their season ended with a 4-1 loss to Buffalo on Friday. Saturday it was the Celtics’ turn, getting turned out in more brutal fashion by losing a playoff series to the 76ers for the first time in 44 years (1982) after blowing a 3-1 series lead, to make Boston Loser City for the winter pro sports teams over the weekend.

Sports 101: Who was the last NL’er to hit .400 and when did he do it?

Big Story II – Saint Anselm Drops Down To D-III: The rumor that’s been around forever finally came true when Saint Anselm Athletic Director Phil Rowe announced last week their athletic programs would compete in D-III after the 2026-27 season for mission-related reasons.

It prompted basketball HC Chris Santo to resign and be replaced by top assistant Trey Witter. It ends the great local men’s basketball rivalry between the Hawks and SNHU. Though it really hasn’t been the same since Keith Dickson and Stan Spirou each retired a few years ago.

News Item – Red Sox: In a 3-4 week when they scored just 2.5 runs per game things are still pretty much a disaster. But one good thing new manager Chad Tracy did was move his best RBI guy, Roman Anthony, out of the lead-off spot, back to third in the order, where he belongs.

News Item – Gronk Goes to Patriot Hall:As predicted, the wildly popular Rob Gronkowski was selected in a fan vote to be the next to enter the Patriots Hall of Fame. Gronk goes in on the strength of being arguably the greatest tight end ever with after being their all-time TD leader with 80 to go along with 521 receptions and a second best all-time 7,861 receiving yards.

The Numbers:

-6 – revealing plus/minus rating when the Bruins’ alleged best defenseman Charlie McAvoy was on the ice as the B’s were eliminated in the Stanley Cup series by the Buffalo Sabres 4-2.

7 – MLB record-tying consecutive walks issued by Cincinnati pitchers in the second inning of a 17-7 loss to Pittsburgh.

13 – major league leading homers hit by Japanese import Munetaka Murakami, who embattled Sox GM Craig Breslow passed on last winter for his power-devoid team for a measly $35 million over two seasons.

… Of the Week Awards

Thumbs Up – Airplane Advertising: For the one flying over Fenway on Friday dragging a banner behind it begging John Henry to SELL THE TEAM.

Quote of the Week – Kareem Abdul-Jabbar: From YouTube post about why the skyhook he made famous has faded away from the game. “So the kids, they don’t want two points … that’s not cool. They want to go out there in the stratosphere and shoot three-pointers. … They don’t get to realize that if you get close to the basket, a lot more of your shots will go in.”

Sports 101 Answer: NY Giants player-manager Bill Terry hit .401 in 1930 to be the last NL’er to hit .400 or better. He was a lifetime .340 hitter, but didn’t have the power numbers Ted Williams had when he was the last .400 hitter.

Final Thought – Celtics Elimination:

Joe Mazzulla is the only coach I’ve ever seen who expands his rotation in the playoffs rather than shortening it like everyone else has done since James Naismith nailed that first peach basket up on the side of the barn. A long way from Pat Riley’s “use 8, rotate 7, play 6, trust 5” Lakers credo.

Does anyone besides slow Joe think Boston wouldn’t be a top team if they became less 3-ball dependent?

Besides, a much bigger problem was their shot selection on those 3’s. Which was about taking really quick ones, settling for that rather than running through the offense to get a better one or forced 3’s because the shot clock was running down after never taking it below the line.

But give the Philly D its due. All of their wings have outstanding quickness to tie up guys with the ball on the perimeter and had one of basketball’s best big men at protecting the rim if someone got by them.

Outside of the White House, if there’s a bigger sideline crybaby in the world than Sixers coach Nick (good night) Nurse I’ve yet to see who it is.

Let the record show that the ridiculous starting line-up Mazzulla opened Game 7 with included his eighth (to fill in for Jayson Tatum), ninth and 11th best guys for “strategic” reasons, did not score at all and put them in an immediate 13-point hole.

If KC Jones had done that for Game 7 vs. L.A. in 1984, it would have given Carlos Clark, Greg Kite and 112-year-old M.L. Carr the start.

Bottom line – Joe does a great job keeping everyone playing hard through the regular season. But he is the worst game coach with strong talent I’ve seen since Guy Lewis got U of Houston to all his Final 4 appearances.

Fortunately for them, their next moves will be made by GM Brad Stevens.

Email Dave Long at dlong@hippopress.com.

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