Category: News

This Week 23/11/02

Big Events November 2, 2023 and beyond

Thursday, Nov. 2

It’s the final weekend to catch the musical Kinky Boots at the Palace Theatre (80 Hanover St. in Manchester; palacetheatre.org, 668-5588). The show plays tonight at 7:30 p.m.; Friday, Nov. 3, at 7:30 p.m.; Saturday, Nov. 4, at 2 and 7:30 p.m., and Sunday, Nov. 5, at 2 p.m. Tickets cost $28 to $49.

Thursday, Nov. 2

At tonight’s Art After Work at the Currier Museum of Art (150 Ash St. in Manchester; currier.org, 669-6144) the live entertainment is Trivia Live! With Bill Seney. Art After Work runs from 5 to 8 p.m., when admission is donation-based.

Friday, Nov. 3

Discover the art of presidential impersonation at Playing POTUS, a multi-media show with Peter Funt (who has a book of the same name) featuring clips, interviews and more tonight at 7:30 p.m. at the Dana Center (Saint Anselm College, 100 Saint Anselm Drive in Manchester; tickets.anselm.edu). Tickets cost $45.

Friday, Nov. 3

The curtain rises tonight at 8 p.m. on the first of Bedford Off Broadway’s presentations of The Curious Savage, the story of an elderly widow who plans to give away her multimillion-dollar inheritance to people pursuing “foolish dreams” over the objections of her stepchildren, according to bedfordoffbroadway.com. The show runs through Sunday, Nov. 12, with shows at 8 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays, and 2 p.m. on Sundays. Tickets cost $15 general admission, $12 for children, students and seniors.

Saturday, Nov. 4

From Little Richard and Buddy Holly to the stars of MTV, explore Neil Burg’s 50 Years of Rock and Roll tonight at 7 p.m. at the Stockbridge Theatre (44 N. Main St. in Derry; stockbridgetheatre.showare.com). Tickets cost $30 to $35.

Save the Date! Friday, Nov. 10
Symphony NH will perform Wynton Marsalis’ “A Fiddler’s Tale” with guest artist Danny Rivera as narrator at three venues next week starting on Friday, Nov. 10, at 7:30 p.m. at the Stockbridge Theatre (Pinkerton Academy, 5 Pinkerton St. in Derry; stockbridgetheatre.com). The performance will move to the Rex Theatre (23 Amherst St. in Manchester; palacetheatre.org) on Saturday, Nov. 11, at 7:30 p.m. On Sunday, Nov. 12, at 3 p.m., catch the performance at the Bank of NH Stage (16 S. Main St., Concord). The piece is a modern interpretation of Stravinsky’s “The Soldier’s Tale” that integrates blues, jazz, tangos, rags, waltzes and classical music to narrate a contemporary story about love, greed and Faustian deals, according to Symphony NH. See symphonynh.org for ticket information.

Featured photo: Kinky Boots. Photo by AnnMarie Lidman Photography.

Quality of Life 23/11/02

Volunteer spirit

Seventy volunteers and nonprofits were honored at Volunteer NH’s 20th Spirit of NH Awards in Concord for their exceptional community service, according to a press release. Hosted by WMUR’s Sean McDonald and Erin Fehlau and streamed by ConcordTV, the ceremony recognized individuals and groups in various categories. Notable awardees included Sophia Day from Girl Scouts, Dana Hedrick from the Animal Rescue League, and the Concord Hospital End of Life Volunteer Program. Special mentions included Justin Vanasse, who received the Spirit of NH Award for resource work at Southern New Hampshire University, Doug Moorhead with a Lifetime Achievement Award for 30 years of service to Special Olympics, and Kari Karwedsky, the People’s Choice Award recipient for her work with FIRST Robotics. Volunteer NH, based in Concord, champions community-building through volunteerism in New Hampshire.

QOL score: +1

Comment: “Volunteers are the backbone of our communities,” said Gretchen Stallings, Executive Director of Volunteer NH, in the release.

Future teachers

Bedford Academy is joining forces with Southern New Hampshire University to offer its students an enhanced educational experience and pave the way for future educators, according to a press release. Aspiring teachers from SNHU will join Bedford Academy’s classrooms, acquiring hands-on experience. This partnership give teacher candidates a chance to develop their skills in a real-world setting.

QOL score: +1

Comment: Bedford Academy, a private STEAM-inspired elementary school.

Safe walking

In observance of October’s Pedestrian Safety Awareness Month, a study by Bumper highlighted the rise in pedestrian fatalities across the U.S. However, New Hampshire stands out, reporting the lowest death rate of the 50 states with 0.58 pedestrian deaths per 100,000 population in 2021, making it the safest state for pedestrians in the country. Additionally, the Granite State has seen a reduction in fatalities over recent years, from 10 in 2019 to 8 in 2021, marking a 39.58 percent decline.

QOL score: 0 (because while NH is in a good position comparatively, any pedestrian death or injury is too much)

Comment: Experts emphasized a few key precautions to prevent pedestrian accidents: pedestrians should use crosswalks, don reflective gear at night, and avoid distractions like texting. Drivers, especially those in SUVs, should yield to walkers, obey speed limits, and avoid alcohol and device distractions.

Clock o’clock

Sunday, Nov. 5, marks the end of daylight saving time. We all officially “fall back” at 2 a.m.

QOL score: –2

Comments: Because “yay” for the extra hour of sleep on Sunday but “boo” for having to remember how to access the clocks on your non-smart appliances, for the general approaching-winter post-work-day darkness and for changing clocks twice a year at all.

QOL score: 91
Net change: 0
QOL this week: 91

What’s affecting your Quality of Life here in New Hampshire?
Let us know at news@hippopress.com.

C’s start strong

The Big Story – Celtics Get Started: The NBA season kicked off last week with great expectations for the local five. After an off-season of major changes, the new-look Celtics are among the favorites to win it all.

First they’d have to get by Milwaukee, who had a major renovation by acquiring Damian Lillard and saying goodbye to Jrue Holiday (which will hurt more than they think) in a trade with Portland. To which the Celtics said thanks very much when Holiday was flipped to them a few days later.

Then comes defending champ Denver and reconfigured Kevin Durant-led Phoenix out west.

It started well with newbie Kristaps Porzingis pulling their bacon out of the fire with a big fourth quarter in the opening-day win over New York at MSG. Two nights later new starter Derrick White was the man with 28 vs. Miami at home.

All of which suggests an interesting season lies ahead.

Sports 101: Who’s the all-time leading scorer in NBA Finals?

News Item – Strength: They arguably now have the best six-player group in the league. And while I loved (most) of what Marcus Smart did, it was clear at the end of last year White was not only the consistently better player but also the better on ball defender. And while his toughness was invaluable, it was time for Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown to become the top leadership dogs.

News Item – Concerns – The Bench: These also were revealed in Game 1, when the bench gave them nothing (four points) in 33 minutes. And while Payton Pritchard could be ready for a bigger role, better consistency is paramount and answers for everywhere else are not obvious. So in some ways the season rides on whether Pritchard and Sam Hauser can exceed low expectations and someone (anyone) can emerge as a reliable big off the bench.

News Item – The New Guys: Besides the obvious (needed size up front), by going for33 vs. the Knicks with a strong inside defensive/shot blocking presence and surprisingly tough rebounding, Porzingis demonstrated in Game 1 what he can do — if he remains healthy.

The real surprise was seeing Holiday play a 6’9” bull like Julius Randle all night as he shot 4 for 22 in scoring just 14 points. That was impressive toughness.

The Numbers:

0, 4, 7, 8, 9 – Am I the only one who noticed Celtics starters Tatum, Holiday, Brown, Porzingis and White all have single digits on their jerseys? That’s a first in team history?

Random Thoughts:

I know he’s two years away from free agency, but the Celtics may rue the day they didn’t get White signed to an extensionby last week’s deadline.

I do love seeing Jalen Brunson, who thinks he’s smarter than everyone else Dallas owner Mark Cuban let walk to NY, ranked 32nd ahead of Kyrie Irving’s 34 in ESPN’s Top 100 Players. All while making $10 million less per than Cuban pays the overrated, team-killing Kyrie.

Continuing on with those ESPN’s Top 100 rankings. The guy who had Grant Williams, who wasn’t even in the Celtics’ regular rotation from March on, rated over the not-ranked Horford and Brogdon must be on some really strong recreational medication.

Porzingis at 62, Klay Thompson at 41, Holiday at 23 and Brown at 19 seem lower-ranked than they should. I’ve got JB cracking the Top 15.

Sports 101 Answer: L.A. Laker Jerry West is the NBA Finals top scorer with 1,679 points, followed by LeBron James (1,562) and Kareem Abdul Jabbar (1,317).

Final Thoughts – The Blockbuster Deals: I loved the Porzingis-Smart trade immediately. But not so much with the Portland deal. And it isn’t because by giving up Rob Williams, Sixth Man of the Year Malcolm Brogdon and two first picks they overpaid for a 33-year-old point guard. It’s that they did so at the expense of their depth because it gives them zero insurance against a big injury to the not durable Porzingis and in the second game of the 12 back-to-back games Horford will not play in. But even more so after finding the long-term replacement for the 38-year-old Horford, it put them right back in the same position of needing to find his replacement with less trade material and more salary cap obstacles than before.

Brad Stevens hasn’t missed on one deal yet, so he gets the benefit of the doubt. But the feeling that gnaws at me is he’s taking a big long- and short-term risk to go for it right now over maybe having both without the second trade.

Email Dave Long at dlong@hippopress.com.

News & Notes 23/11/02

NH efforts

After a shooting in Lewiston, Maine, which resulted in 18 fatalities, New Hampshire’s Department of Safety actively monitored the situation and provided significant assistance, according to a press release. The state dispatched its SWAT team, shuttled blood donations and offered other critical resources. Maine authorities led a manhunt for the suspect, who was later found deceased in a trailer at a former workplace. Gov. Chris Sununu issued the following statement: “Grateful for the efforts of Maine State Police who led the manhunt to bring closure to this challenging search. Thanks to the men and women of our own New Hampshire State Police for their tireless assistance. It is time for the communities in Maine to heal and I hope the families of this tragic situation can heal in peace.”

Biden write-in

In an unprecedented move, New Hampshire Democrats, including numerous state lawmakers and prominent figures like filmmaker Ken Burns, have initiated a write-in campaign supporting President Joe Biden for the state’s presidential primary, NHPR reported. This comes after Biden opted not to list his name on the New Hampshire ballot, following the Democratic National Committee’s decision to prioritize South Carolina as the first primary state. The “Write-In Biden” website guides voters on the write-in process and critiques the DNC’s decision as “misguided.” Despite Biden’s notable lead in local Democratic polls, Minnesota Congressman Dean Phillips has entered the fray, emphasizing the younger generation’s desire for alternative nominees. The write-in initiative marks a historic moment, as campaigns of this nature targeting a sitting president during the New Hampshire primary have never occurred before, according to the article.

New AUSA

U.S. Attorney Jane E. Young has announced the appointment of Tiffany Scanlon as an Assistant U.S. Attorney (AUSA) to handle domestic terrorism and violent crimes in the District of New Hampshire. AUSA Scanlon brings with her a wealth of experience from her tenure since 2012 at the Worcester County District Attorney’s Office, where she worked in various units, including the Major Felony and Gang Units. Throughout her career she has prosecuted numerous severe criminal cases, such as homicides and armed robberies. In May 2023 the U.S. Attorney’s Office in New Hampshire was allocated two new attorney positions, with one focused on Civil Rights yet to be filled.

School security

The New Hampshire Department of Education has opened its third round of applications for the Security Action for Education (SAFE) grants program, according to a press release. This program will allocate $10 million to district and public charter schools to bolster school security, with a focus on enhancing access control, emergency alerting, and surveillance. Although $13.9 million has been awarded in previous rounds, schools that haven’t received grants before will be given priority in this round. Applications can be submitted to the Public School Infrastructure Commission, and the maximum award for any school will not surpass $100,000. Award decisions will likely be made in the first quarter of 2024.

Honorees

U.S. Sen. Maggie Hassan honored Dr. Reiko Johnson of Newfields and Dr. Nathan Swanson of Durham as October’s Granite Staters of the Month for their contributions to the community, according to a press release. Dr. Johnson founded Volunteers in Medicine of New Hampshire (VIM-NH) to cater to uninsured and underinsured patients. Recognizing a need for dental care among these patients, she collaborated with Dr. Swanson to organize VIM-NH’s inaugural Dental Day of Caring. The event witnessed volunteer dentists providing 19 extractions, 10 fillings and one root canal, donating services worth $11,531. Sen. Hassan’s “Granite Stater of the Month” initiative acknowledges remarkable New Hampshire residents for their community contributions.

FEMA funds

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has awarded New Hampshire more than $26 million in reimbursements for Covid-19-related costs, according to a press release. Of this, a grant of $24,410,106 will be directed to the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services for staffing vaccination sites, having facilitated the vaccination of around 36,727 vulnerable individuals. Mary Hitchcock Memorial Hospital will receive $1,770,931 to cover expenses tied to a Covid-19 testing system and related public service announcements. In addition, the state will receive nearly $1.4 million for renting and operating warehouse space from April 2020 to July 2022, which stored and distributed essential Covid-19 supplies. To date, FEMA’s Public Assistance program has reimbursed New Hampshire more than $286 million for pandemic expenses.

In Pembroke, more than 50 “No Coal No Gas” activists rallied by the Merrimack River, urging Granite Shore Power to transition from coal to solar energy at the Merrimack Station. Several were arrested after clashing with Bow Police on trespassing claims.

The Greater Manchester Chamber (GMC) reports that more than 20 nonprofits will participate in the “Find Your Cause” event organized by the Manchester Young Professionals (MYP). Presented by Southern New Hampshire University, this event, scheduled for Wednesday, Nov. 29, at the Rex Theatre, aims to connect young professionals in Manchester with nonprofit leaders and opportunities. Attendees will have the chance to interact directly with each organization before the nonprofits present their two-minute pitches. Registration is available on Eventbrite, and nonprofits interested in joining can contact the GMC for more information.

The Nashua Public Library will host a Veterans Day celebration on Saturday, Nov. 4, from 2 to 3:30 p.m. in the Chandler Wing, according to a press release. Inspired by a previous Salute to Service display, this year’s event will feature live music, miniature military vehicle displays and a preview of a WWII oral history project. Attendees can engage in crafting buttons and cards for veterans. Veteran organizations will be present to provide resources. Visit nashualibrary.org.

This Week 23/10/26

Big Events October 26, 2023 and beyond

Tuesday, Oct. 31

Get ready for trick-or-treat! Whether you’re walking the neighborhood with your candy-seekers or handing out treats to little Jedi, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and Barbies, tonight is the big night in Concord (from 5 to 7:30 p.m.), Manchester (6 to 8 p.m.) and Nashua (6 to 8 p.m.). A few area towns hold trick-or-treat Sunday or Monday evening. Find our list of area trick-or-treat times in our roundup of Halloween happenings in the Oct. 19 issue, available at hippopress.com.

Friday, Oct. 27

Get classic thrills with The Lodger, Sabotage and The 39 Steps at the Majestic Theatre (880 Page St. in Manchester; majestictheatre.net, 669-7649) presented as part of Vintage Hitchcock: A Live Radio Play today through Sunday Oct. 29, with showtimes at 7 p.m. on Friday, 2 and 7 p.m. on Saturday and 2 p.m. on Sunday. Tickets cost $20 for adults, $15 for 65+ and 17 and under.

Friday, Oct. 27

The Witch of Weston Tower will haunt McIntyre Ski Area (50 Chalet Court, Manchester) from tonight through Sunday, Oct. 29. Activities will run on Friday from 4 to 8 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from noon to 6 p.m. For a scenic chairlift to Weston Tower, tickets are $22 for adults, $15 for children and seniors, and $5 for children 5 and under. Those who do not wish to ride the chairlift to Weston Tower may purchase a witch ticket, which is a $10 donation per family. For an additional cost there will be food trucks, face painting and pumpkin painting. The proceeds from the event will benefit the Manchester Historical Association. Additionally, on Saturday there will be a touch-a-truck and a trunk-or-treat event that are free to attend. See mcintyreskiarea.com.

Friday, Oct. 27

There will be some zomb-ertunities this weekend. Tonight the downtown trick-or-treat in Rochester will feature a Zombie Walk at 7 p.m.; see rochestermainstreet.org for details. The New Hampshire Pumpkin Festival in Laconia will also feature a zombie walk tonight at 6 p.m.; see the story on page 20 for details. Tomorrow, the 17th Annual Dover Zombie Walk will take place on Saturday, Oct. 28, at 2 p.m. Visit facebook.com/doverzombiewalkd and admission is free.

Saturday, Oct. 28

Halloween runs: The 2nd Annual Halloween Howl Hustle for Housing, a 5K to benefit Fellowship Housing Opportunities, will take place from 9 a.m. to noon on Saturday, Oct. 28, at Masonic Lodge in Concord. Visit runsignup.com/ halloweenhowlhustle5k. The Amherst Orthodontics Trick or Trot 3K will be held at Arms Park in Manchester on Saturday, Oct. 28, at 11 a.m. At 9:30 a.m. there will be a Kids Halloween Festival featuring vendors, magic and animals. Visit millenniumrunning.com/trick-or-trot to register.

Saturday, Oct. 28

It’s a big night for grown-up Halloween parties: Derryfield (625 Mammoth Road, Manchester, 623-2880) will feature cover band Mugsy and D-Comp for the Halloween Monster Bash. Find more nightlife events in the Music This Week in this issue on page 34 and in last week’s issue (Oct. 19) on page 18 (find the e-edition at hippopress.com).

Save the Date! Friday, Nov. 24
The curtain rises on A Christmas Carol at the Palace Theatre (80 Hanover St. in Manchester; palacetheatre.org, 668-5588) on Friday, Nov. 24, with shows Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. and Saturdays and Sundays at 2 p.m. through Dec. 23. Tickets cost $28 to $49.

Featured photo: Courtesy photo.

Quality of Life 23/10/26

Increased fatalities for motorcyclists

In 2023, New Hampshire experienced its highest number of motorcycle-related deaths in almost two decades. Since Jan. 1, the state has recorded 39 fatalities: 35 motorcycle operators, three passengers and one moped operator. A breakdown of these figures indicates 31 victims were men and eight were women, with 31 of the deceased being New Hampshire residents. Historical data from the Division of Motor Vehicles’ Fatal Crash Unit shows that on average 22 riders typically die in crashes each year, with the last peak in fatalities occurring in 2005 with 43 deaths. Geographical data reveals Rockingham County had the highest count with 11 deadly crashes, followed by Hillsborough with six, and both Merrimack and Grafton counties with five each.

QOL score: -3

Comment: The New Hampshire Motorcyclists’ Rights Organization has since emphasized the importance of responsible riding practices. Traci Beaurivage, president of the NHMRO, has urged riders to embrace the “RideSMART” philosophy, emphasizing safety, awareness and informed decision-making on the road.

Otherwise … safe in NH

WalletHub recently published its 2023 report on the Safest States in America, which ranked New Hampshire as the third safest state. The ranking was based on 52 key metrics, from assaults per capita to climate disaster losses per capita. In the report, New Hampshire notably ranked third-safest when it came to murders and non-negligent manslaughters per capita, second-safest in assaults per capita, seventh-safest when it comes to loss amounts from climate disasters per capita, 16th-safest in fatal occupational injuries per 100,000 full-time workers and fourth-safest in fatalities per 100 million vehicle miles of travel (despite the above, perhaps).

QOL score: +1

Comment: All six New England states made the top 10, with Vermont securing the top spot.

Job help

Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center (DHMC), a part of Dartmouth Health, was honored for its role in the Project SEARCH program, an internship initiative that helps individuals with intellectual disabilities develop job-related skills, according to a press release. Since 2011, DHMC has hosted the program, recently gaining recognition for achieving a 100 percent job placement rate for its 2021-2022 interns. The acknowledgment came during Project SEARCH’s 16th Annual Conference in Milwaukee. Interns at DHMC undergo intensive training through three 10-week internships within the hospital, alongside classroom learning. These internships foster technical and soft skills, preparing participants for a variety of job positions. Local institutions such as the Hartford, Vermont, school district, and New Hampshire Vocational Rehabilitation collaborate to administer the DHMC Project SEARCH program.

QOL score: +1

Comment: Starting from a single site at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital in 1996, Project SEARCH has expanded to more than 600 locations worldwide.

QOL score: 92
Net change: -1
QOL this week: 91

What’s affecting your Quality of Life here in New Hampshire?
Let us know at news@hippopress.com.

Stay in the loop!

Get FREE weekly briefs on local food, music,

arts, and more across southern New Hampshire!