Category: News

This Week 22/02/03

Big Events January 27, 2022 and beyond

Thursday, Feb. 3

Let Enter the Haggis kick off the weekend spirit early tonight at 8 p.m. at the Bank of NH Stage (16 S. Main St. in Concord; ccanh.com). Admission costs $18 for general admission, $25 for a reserved balcony seating (plus fees). Listen to songs from the band’s newest album, The Archer’s Parade, at enterthehaggis.com.

Some the other shows on the schedule at the Capitol Center for the Arts and the Bank of NH Stage: Spamilton — An American Parody on Friday, Feb. 4, at 8 p.m. at the Cap Center; Mike Daws and Yasmin Williams at the Bank of NH Stage on Saturday, Feb. 5, at 8 p.m.; The Brothers Brothers at the Bank of NH Stage on Sunday, Feb. 6, at 7 p.m., and, also at the Bank of NH Stage, Andrew North and the Rangers on Thursday, Feb. 10, at 8 p.m.

Thursday, Feb. 3

Liven up your winter evening with a little poetry and music. Rob Azevedo will read from his book of poetry, Don’t Order the Calamari, and musicians Becca Myari and Todd Hearon will perform tonight at 6 p.m. at the Bookery Manchester (844 Elm St. in downtown Manchester; bookerymht.com). Admission is free but go online to register. Angie Sykeny talked to Azevedo when he released his first book of poetry, Turning on the Wasp; find that story in the May 6, 2021, issue of the Hippo (page 14). Click on “view more” under E-Editions to find older issues of the Hippo.

Friday, Feb. 4

Catch up with the University of New Hampshire team sending an experiment to the International Space Station tonight at 7 p.m. as part of the virtual Super Stellar Friday program at the McAuliffe-Shepard Discovery Center (2 Institute Drive in Concord; starhop.com, 271-7827). Team Cooke NoMADS — Novel Methods of Antibiotic Discovery in Space — will explain their experiment and talk about their experiences working with NASA, according to the website, where you can register for this free virtual program.

The center is open for in-person visits, Fridays through Sundays with sessions from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. and from 1:30 to 4 p.m. Admission costs $11.50 for adults, $10.50 for students and seniors, $8.50 for children ages 3 to 12 and free for kids 2 and under. Planetarium tickets are an additional $5 per person. Reserve tickets for a session online in advance.

Friday, Feb. 4

Comedian Jim Colliton brings the laughs to the Rex Theatre (23 Amherst St. in Manchester; 668-5588, palacetheatre.org) tonight at 7:30 p.m. Tickets cost $25 and can be purchased at the Palace website, where you can find a link to clips from Colliton’s DryBar sets.

Saturday, Feb. 5

Get some fresh produce and fresh baked goods and other must-haves for a yummy weekend at the Contoocook Farmers Market today from 9 a.m. to noon at Maple Street School (194 Maple St. in Contoocook).

Save the date! Galentine’s Day

Grab your besties and your vaccination card for a screening of Bridesmaids (R, 2011) on Sunday, Feb. 13, at 10 a.m. at Red River Theatres (11 S. Main St. in Concord; redrivertheatres.org, 224-4600). Tickets cost $12. The screening is a “snax and vax” screening, which means that the concession stand will be open and attendees are required to show proof of full vaccination.

Featured photo. Enter the Haggis. Courtesy photo.

Quality of Life 22/02/03

Winter weather cancels Winter Festival

Intown Concord sent out a notice last Saturday to inform people that almost all of the events at that day’s Winter Festival were canceled because of the snowstorm. “This is really disappointing for everyone involved [but] safety is our number one priority. Intown Concord will be working to reschedule as many elements from today’s festival as we can for the springtime,” Intown wrote in the notice.

Score: -2

Comment: The exceptions were the ice carvers and the ice bar – “the ice carvers are a hardy crew,” the notice read. The carvings were done on the Statehouse lawn, with the plan that they would remain on display for about a week.

Keeping college costs down

For the fourth year in a row, the University System of New Hampshire is freezing in-state tuition for the upcoming academic year. According to a press release, university system schools currently provide more aid to more students than at any other time in their history, and students are paying less on average to attend these public institutions than in-state students paid five years ago. The University of New Hampshire campuses in Durham and Manchester, Plymouth State University and Keene State College continue to offer the Granite Guarantee program, which makes college affordable for more than 1,800 New Hampshire residents by covering the full cost of in-state tuition for all who qualify.

Score: +1

Comment: Ninety-five percent of first-year students attending University System of New Hampshire schools currently receive some form of financial aid, the release said.

Supporting our health care heroes

For the second year, the NH Healthcare Heroes effort is recognizing outstanding professionals in the health care community, naming one hero for each of the state’s seven regions. According to a press release, the winners were nominated by colleagues, family, friends and patients and were chosen by a volunteer committee made up of health care professionals across the state. Locally, winners are Laura “Beth” Nagy, director of rehabilitation services at New Hampshire Hospital in Concord; Matt Bouchie, homeless outreach coordinator at the Mental Health Center of Greater Manchester; and Stacy Dionne, clinical nurse manager at Lamprey Health Care in Raymond.

Score: +1

Comment: Winners are being honored during pinning ceremonies with their employers, and runners-up stories will be shared on social media at facebook.com/healthcareheroesnh, according to the release.

Giving girls a Sporting Chance

Girls Inc. of New Hampshire is collaborating with Harvard Pilgrim Health Care in support of healthy living and access to sports through its Sporting Chance Program, which provides opportunities to young girls to participate in physical activities and develop good habits that will benefit their physical and mental health. According to a press release, both the Nashua and Manchester Girls Inc. centers offer the program, with activities like basketball, yoga, soccer and racquet sports.

Score: +1

Comment: “Sporting Chance provides girls a safe and supportive environment to participate in competitive and recreational activities and sporting events and empowers girls to succeed,” Sharron McCarthy, CEO of Girls Inc. New Hampshire, said in the release.

QOL score: 56

Net change: +1

QOL this week: 57

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

That was the week that was

When it rains it pours and that’s what happened in sports over just a few days last week. Rather than decide which story is biggest of the big, we’ll give all a mention in News Item fashion and come back to each in more detail during quieter weeks after the Super Bowl.

News Item: Brady Retired

While ESPN stood by its reporting last weekend that forever young Tom Brady was retiring, his father, Tom Sr., said he wasn’t. But Brady made his retirement official via Twitter on Tuesday. My bet is the news was leaked early because the decision was made long ago as part of a deal with his wife where he got to play two more years if they moved to a place she liked living in more than New England. But what do I know.

In any event, if it is the end, I can’t say he was the greatest player ever, because how do you tell if a QB is better at his job than greats like Jerry Rice, Jim Brown or Lawrence Taylor were at their respective, very different, jobs? But I do know after throwing for 40 and 43 TD passes in his last two years, he joins Brown, Sandy Koufax and Barry Sanders as the only guys I know of to retire while still at their peak. And, since he was the best ever at the position most critical to team success, he’s the most valuable football player ever. Something we got to view up close for 20 years. So thanks for the memories. It’s hard to imagine a better fan experience than we got from TB-12.

News Item: Ortiz Walks Through That HoF Door

Since we’re a week behind we won’t rehash the numbers. Instead I’ll say Sox President Sam Kennedy was right saying that David Ortiz is the most important Red Sox player ever. Yes, that means even over Ted Williams. Why? Because he was the straw that stirred the drink as the Sox won their first three World Series in nearly a century, and Ted never even won once. The stats are nice, but winning matters most.

I thought the 78 percent Hall of Fame vote total was a little low (75 percent is needed). It was due to taint from a positive 2003 drug test he disputes, and no votes from nitwit purists who don’t think DH’s who didn’t play the field belong. To them I say, if the defensively indifferent Williams had played now he’d be a DH. It’s been an “official” position for 50 years, so get over it. Besides, when you’re one of just four players to win three rings and hit 500-plus homers, you belong.

So congrats, big fella, for a well-earned honor.

News Item: Bonds and Clemens Controversy Done For Now

With Roger Clemens and Barry Bonds being denied in their final year on the ballot, there were an awful lot of wins and homers that missed the train to Cooperstown on Wednesday, all due to the PED-era backlash. If you vote no on a steroid guy because you think cheating for higher stats is wrong I respect that. Not to mention you’re backed by one of the five voting criteria that speaks to a player’s overall character. However, my problem with that lies with it doesn’t square with Bud Selig cruising in even though he was commissioner when all the cheating went down. If the media and almost every fan knew what was going on, how could coaches, managers, GM’s, owners and the league office not know? Answer: They did know, and looked the other way ’cause chicks dig the long ball. So, while I lean toward the cheaters-should-never-prosper side, I just can’t keep out any pre-2004 testing player if the guy who enabled it all breezed in.

To solve the bloated numbers part, put Bill James’ numerical nonsense to good use for a change to come up with and apply a mathematical factor that normalizes them to pre-PED numbers. Then put up a permanent PED-era exhibit that names names, vote and be done with it.

Enough already.

News Item: The Super Bowl Match-Up

Here are some pre-Super Bowl thoughts on the surprising Cincinnati Bengals and L.A. Rams.

Cincy: (1) Just two seasons ago they were the worst team in the NFL, so being in the SB now is quite a quick turnaround. (2) Hope seeing how the electric Ja’Marr Chase immediately transformed Cincy offensively (with help from Joe Burrow) turns a light bulb on as getting blown out in the second half of the 2006 AFC title did to Coach B. It led to getting Randy Moss because he realized they couldn’t beat Peyton Manning and company anymore unless they outscored them. Ditto for Mac Jones in 2022, because he needs a threat like that to take the next step. (3) How does coming back from 18 down to Patrick Mahomes in thunderous Arrowhead Stadium during an AFC title game compare to the Pats’ comeback vs. Atlanta in SB 51?

L.A.: (1) With the game in L.A. the SB will be a home game for one team for a second straight year. (2) Who had Sony Michel going to the SB again before his former team? (3) To skeptics like me, giving up two first-round picks, a third-rounder and your starting QB to get Matthew Stafford seemed extravagant. But the draft-choice-averse Rams are showing there’s more than one way to skin a cat as they wouldn’t be in the SB without that trade.

News Item: Andy Reid Does It Again

Going for it and failing with no timeouts and five seconds left in the first half, then losing in an OT you never would have been in if you’d kicked the sure FG instead, is the latest in a long line of game management mistakes by Andy.

Taking care of business

Meet Entrepreneur of the Year Kyle York

The New Hampshire Tech Alliance has named Kyle York, co-founder and CEO of the Manchester-based strategic growth and investment firm York IE, its Entrepreneur of the Year. York discussed his work, the award and his approach to business and entrepreneurship.

What entrepreneurial work have you done in New Hampshire?

My entrepreneurial work began as a young man working at my parents’ store in Manchester called Indian Head Athletics. In college I got my first internship at … WhippleHill [in Bedford]. I later went on to become the head of West Coast sales for WhippleHill. … I became the Chief Revenue Officer of Dyn … [and] helped lead the sale of Dyn to Oracle. For three years I was VP [of] product strategy for Oracle Cloud Infrastructure and general manager of Oracle Dyn. In 2019 I co-founded York IE. … I’ve invested in nearly 100 startups over the past decade, which have created thousands of jobs. … I also own a real estate portfolio [with] more than 100,000 square feet in Manchester … focused on innovators, community organizations and nonprofits.

What are you working on now?

York IE … [is] committed to supporting the startup ecosystem globally. We’ve invested in over 30 scaling companies that have created hundreds of jobs, with hundreds if not thousands more to come in the future. … We work with hundreds of companies … helping them to grow responsibly … [and are] incubating a few additional New Hampshire-based startups as part of our York IE labs efforts.

What is the Entrepreneur of the Year award?

The Entrepreneur of the Year is an award given out by the New Hampshire Tech Alliance. It was first given 33 years ago to … Dean Kamen. Since then, it’s been awarded to some truly outstanding business leaders and visionaries, so it’s a true honor to be included in such esteemed ranks.

How did it feel being named Entrepreneur of the Year?

It felt great. I’ve worked very hard over the years to make an impact, but … so many people have helped me along the way, starting with my wife, Katie, my children, my parents and brothers and everyone I’ve been blessed to work with in all of my various roles.

What is the secret to your success?

My parents preached and … [demonstrated] in their daily actions the importance of an incredible work ethic and commitment to family. Those … characteristics fuel my life to this day. From the beginning of my career, I’ve operated under … two principles: be loyal [and] play the long game. These are … [how] I view everything and [are] the parameters I use to keep myself guided. If I do something that contradicts either of these principles, an internal warning alarm goes off in my gut. If there’s a great outcome but it comes at the expense of my principles, I don’t pursue it; the end doesn’t justify the means.

What is your business philosophy?

We don’t operate with management fees or a traditional fund of any kind. … We work with entrepreneurs in so many different ways because we want to do what’s best for the entrepreneur and what will help their company grow. We never want to make decisions simply because we have capital to deploy. That’s not normal or natural. … I’ve never believed in the win-at-all-cost method. I think, in most markets, there’s room for many winners [because] success is relative to ambition [and] goals. … If there can only be one winner in a market, then the market is too small.

What do you enjoy most about helping startups?

I truly enjoy sharing my knowledge and mentoring entrepreneurs. [There are] so many wonderful people with bright ideas who simply need someone — or a firm, like York IE — they can call when faced with a new problem. I always want to be that phone call, because passion and integrity are contagious, and, honestly, I learn as much from these entrepreneurs as they learn from me. Making an impact and always learning is what fuels me.

Do you have any advice for aspiring entrepreneurs in New Hampshire?

One of the key lessons I like to share is to not be passive. Don’t sit back and let things happen to you. Take charge and ownership of your career. Think of your career as a company … [and] be the CEO. Lead your ‘company’ to success.

Featured photo: Kyle York. Courtesy photo.

News & Notes 22/02/03

Covid-19 update As of Jan 14 As of Jan 31
Total cases statewide 265,140 276,856
Total current infections statewide 15,641 10,436
Total deaths statewide 2,145 2,209
New cases 29,242 (Jan. 15 to Jan. 24) 11,716 (Jan. 25 to Jan. 31)
Current infections: Hillsborough County 4,843 2,890
Current infections: Merrimack County 1,842 1,158
Current infections: Rockingham County 2,885 1,762
Information from the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services.

Covid-19 news

During a Jan. 26 press conference, state epidemiologist Dr. Benjamin Chan reported that, while the test positivity rate of Covid-19 in New Hampshire dropped slightly from 22 percent to 17 percent over the previous week, hospitalization and death rates in the state remain high. “In the last week, we reported 59 new Covid-19 related deaths, averaging more than eight new deaths identified each day,” he said. As of Jan. 31 there were 10,436 active cases and 303 hospitalizations, and all 10 counties are still reporting substantial community transmission.

Gov. Chris Sununu also announced during the press conference the Executive Council’s approval earlier that day to sell 1 million at-home rapid tests across the state’s Liquor & Wine Outlet stores. “We will put them on the shelves and sell them … approximately in the $13 range,” Sununu said, adding that tests should be available at the stores “within the next two weeks.”

On Jan. 31, the New Hampshire Insurance Department released a Frequently Asked Questions sheet regarding the national mandate that private insurers will have to cover the cost of eight at-home coronavirus tests per person per month. According to a press release, those with private individual health insurance coverage or covered by an employer-sponsored health plan who purchase Covid-19 diagnostic tests that have been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration can get them covered by insurance, without a health care provider’s order or clinical assessment and without cost-sharing requirements such as deductibles, co-payments or prior authorization. The costs may be covered up front by their health plan or reimbursed after a claim is submitted. The Frequently Asked Questions document can be found at nh.gov.

Meanwhile, more state-run fixed vaccination sites continue to open for walk-ins, including in Belmont, Lincoln and Manchester as of this week. Go to covid19.nh.gov and click on the “vaccination fixed sites” button to view a complete list — no appointments are required.

U.S. attorney nomination

Last week Attorney General John M. Formella issued a statement after President Biden nominated Deputy Attorney General Jane E. Young to serve as the United States attorney for the District of New Hampshire. “We at the Department of Justice greet today’s news with mixed emotions. For almost thirty years, Jane has served this Office and the State of New Hampshire with distinction as an incredible prosecutor and public servant. She is one of a kind and irreplaceable,” Formella wrote. “That said, Jane is more than worthy of this recognition and honor, and … the District of New Hampshire will be well served with Jane Young as United States Attorney.”

Sununu in D.C.

Last weekend Gov. Chris Sununu attended the 2022 National Governors Association Winter Meeting in Washington, D.C., where he planned to meet with Canada’s Ambassador to the United States. According to a press release, he also attended NGA meetings with United States Department of Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg and Infrastructure Coordinator for the White House Mitch Landrieu. The governors were scheduled to have dinner with President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden and attend a Governors meeting at the White House.

Reducing classroom stress

New Hampshire educators will soon have new resources to reduce stress and dysregulation in the classroom. According to a press release, the Executive Council recently approved an $815,400 contract between the state Department of Education and The Regulated Classroom, a Peterborough-based company that provides tools for educators to help de-escalate adverse and confrontational issues in the classroom and refocus students on academics. The program includes a somatosensory toolkit and four kinds of classroom practices to regulate stress for teachers and students, the release said, and about 2,500 toolkits will be made available to New Hampshire educators. “This new collaboration is aimed to support teachers who may be experiencing disruptions in their school environments, who today are struggling with dysregulated students that have had inconsistent and disrupted instructional schedules going on two years, as well as the high stress level among the teachers themselves,” Frank Edelblut, New Hampshire state education commissioner, said in the release.

The Manchester Fire Department was dispatched to 1 City Hall Plaza on Jan. 29 when a sprinkler pipe burst above the ceiling in a second-floor office. According to a press release, firefighters tried to salvage items by consolidating and covering them with tarps and removing some electronics from the area. Offices on all three levels below the sprinkler pipe sustained significant water damage, the release said.

A first edition novel published in 1859 by Harriet E. Wilson — the first Black woman to publish a novel in English — returned to New Hampshire recently, celebrated in part with a reading of selections from the book at First Congregational Church in Milford on Jan. 22. According to a press release, the book was hand delivered from California by a woman who had found it in a safe when settling her husband’s estate. Wilson was free when she published the novel, but she had been an indentured servant in Milford.

Greater Nashua Mental Health recently received a $60,000 grant from the New Hampshire Charitable Foundation, allowing it to expand capacity and offer mental health services to people of all ages, as well as substance use disorder services to ages 12 and older, and primary health care services to clients 16 and up. According to a press release, new clients can walk into the 440 Amherst St. facility Tuesday through Thursday from 8 to 11:30 a.m. and be seen the same day.

This Week 22/01/27

Big Events January 27, 2022 and beyond

Thursday, Jan. 27

The Aviation Museum of New Hampshire will present a screening of the documentary Simba: King of the Beasts (1928) tonight at 7:30 p.m. at Wilton Town Hall Theatre (40 Main St. in Wilton; wiltontownhalltheatre.com). Admission costs $10 per person and supports the museum, according to a press release. The silent film will be accompanied by live music by Jeff Rapsis. The film is part of a presentation — “Martin and Osa Johnson: Adventure’s First Couple,” which will also include a lecture, the release said.

Friday, Jan. 28

Also opening tonight: Mary & Me, a one-woman show about a girl in 1980s Ireland, at the Hatbox Theatre (270 Loudon Road in Concord; hatboxnh.com, 715-2315). Tonight’s show is at 7:30 p.m. The show will run Fridays (7:30 p.m.), Saturdays (7:30 p.m.) and Sundays (2 p.m.) through Sunday, Feb. 13. Tickets cost $22 for adults. Angie also spoke with Emily Karelitz, the show’s star, in last week’s issue; find that conversation on page 11.

Friday, Jan. 28

Heat up winter with The Full Monty, the musical based on the 1997 film, which begins a four-week run at the Palace Theatre (80 Hanover St. in Manchester; palacetheatre.org, 668-5588) tonight with a show at 7:30 p.m. The show runs Fridays through Sundays, with shows at 7:30 p.m. on Fridays, 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. on Saturdays and noon on Sundays, as well as Thursday, Feb. 17, at 7:30 p.m. Tickets cost $39 and $46 (plus fees, for adults). Angie Sykeny talked to Carl Rajotte, the director of the show, in last week’s (Jan. 20) issue of the Hippo; find that conversation on page 10.

Saturday, Jan. 29

Catch the Metropolitan Opera’s HD Live broadcast of Rigolettotoday at 12:55 p.m. at the Bank of NH Stage (16 S. Main St. in Concord; ccanh.com). Tickets cost $26 for adults (plus fees) and doors open at 12:30 p.m.

Saturday, Jan. 29

Attend a virtual event with Isabel Allende to promote her new book Violeta via Gibson’s Bookstore (45 S. Main St. in Concord; 224-0562, gibsonsbookstore.com). The Zoom event starts at 7 p.m. Tickets cost $28 plus a $3.33 for a bundle that includes a copy of the book (for pickup at Gibson’s; for an additional cost, you can have the book shipped to you).

Wednesday, Feb. 2

Inject a little art into your midday. The Currier Museum of Art (150 Ash St. in Manchester; 669-6144, currier.org) has restarted its Wednesday “Art Conversations from Home” sessions at 1 p.m. via Zoom. Each week a different work is discussed during the 30-minute program (which is geared toward adults). Admission is free but register online in advance. This week the focus will be Franz Lenk’s “The Old Weir (Altes Wehr).”

Save the date! Friday, Feb. 11

Is the music of Bruce Springsteen your love language? Check out “Bruce in the USA,” a tribute to the music of the Boss, on Friday, Feb. 11, at 7:30 p.m. at the Dana Center (Saint Anselm College, 100 Saint Anselm Drive in Manchester; 641-7000, anselm.edu/dana-events).

Featured photo. The Full Monty. Photo courtesy of the Palace Theatre.

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