Category: News

News & Notes 23/08/03

Bill signing

Gov. Chris Sununu signed a number of bills into law on July 28, according to a press release, including SB 215, which aims to address the national shortage of nurses by allowing fully qualified individuals to join the workforce and contribute their nursing skills across various settings; SB 268, which allows for pre-hospital treatment and transportation for supporting K9 members of law enforcement, search and rescue and military operations, ensuring that the animals receive the necessary resources for their health and safety while serving and protecting the communities; SB 161, which aims to provide clean energy benefits to low-income families who have been particularly impacted by inflation and high energy costs, to facilitate a fair and equitable energy transition for all residents; and HB 249, which establishes regulatory standards for the pet insurance industry and allows restaurant owners to keep their companion dogs on the premises. Gov. Sununu vetoed one bill, according to the release; SB 42 would have allowed interest-free loans to be provided to individuals who received benefits they were not eligible for due to manipulating the system. In response to the veto, New Hampshire Employment Security Commissioner George Copadis and Deputy Commissioner Richard Lavers expressed appreciation for the governor’s decision, stating that it is crucial to discourage such behavior and uphold honesty and integrity in the program.

Help for kids

Granite VNA is reintroducing the “Helping Heal with Others” (H2O) program, providing support for grieving children ages 6 to 18 and their families. According to a press release, the monthly program offers coping skills and peer support, aiding children in experiencing and processing grief. Led by agency staff and volunteers, the sessions incorporate age-appropriate creative activities, pet therapy and stress management techniques to encourage healing. Concurrently, the program offers supportive sessions for accompanying parents and caregivers. A drop-in information session will take place on Saturday, Aug. 5, at the Boys & Girls Club of Central NH in Concord. From Sept. 9, 2023, to June 8, 2024, H2O will run on the second Saturday of each month. The program is offered at no charge, and participants will receive lunch during each session. To register, call 224-4093, ext. 82822, or visit granitevna.org.

Consumer help

The New Hampshire Insurance Department’s Consumer Services Unit has released its statistics for Fiscal Year 2023, revealing a record-breaking recovery of approximately $6 million for New Hampshire consumers. Throughout the year, the unit processed 1,078 consumer complaint investigations, 4,086 assistance requests and 88 applications for external health review, according to a press release. The unit’s mission is centered around educating, navigating and investigating to assist residents with insurance-related issues. Consumers can contact the Consumer Services unit for assistance and guidance on insurance matters by calling 271‐2261 or by email at consumerservices@ins.nh.gov.

Dental assistants

Dartmouth Health’s Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center (DHMC) is addressing the community’s dental health concerns by partnering with the Hartford Area Career and Technology Center (HACTC) to offer scholarships for their new dental assisting program. According to a press release, the program is an online certificate program that provides hands-on work experience as dental assistant trainees with participating dental offices and aims to increase the local dental workforce and improve access to dental care. Students interested in the program can contact Aron Tomlinson at tomlinsona@hartfordschools.net or calling 802-359-4752.

Firefighter grants

The New Hampshire delegation, including Sens. Jeanne Shaheen and Maggie Hassan, along with Reps. Annie Kuster and Chris Pappas, has announced more tha $700,000 in Assistance to Firefighters Grants (AFG) program funding for fire departments in rural New Hampshire towns, including Errol, New Hampton, Surry and Warren. According to a press release, the grants will be used to enhance the safety and training of firefighters and to purchase necessary equipment, such as a tanker vehicle, firefighter turnout gear, vehicle extrication equipment and firefighter breathing apparatus.

Certification

Joshua Mann, Chief of Operations, Radio Communications Maintenance for the New Hampshire Department of Safety, Division of Emergency Services and Communications, has achieved the Certified Public-Safety Executive (CPE) designation, a prestigious initiative aimed at elevating professionalism and recognizing excellence in the public safety communications industry. According to a press release, the program, established in 2016, consists of two 12-week online courses and a 10-day capstone seminar at APCO headquarters in Daytona Beach, Florida, focused on equipping participants with essential skills to lead organizations in the complex and ever-changing environment of public safety agencies

The Northeast Organic Farming Association of New Hampshire (NOFA-NH) has announced the return of the Collaborative Regional Alliances for Farmer Training (CRAFT) of Farming for its fifth season. According to a press release, the program features on-farm workshops in summer and early fall, aimed at building farming skills and fostering community among local growers, aspiring farmers and consumers. The 2023 CRAFT season starts at Callie’s Creamery, an organic micro-dairy in Peterborough, on Thursday, Aug. 3, from 4 to 6 p.m. The workshop, focused on intensive rotational grazing and grassland management, is open to all, with free admission for farmers, farm workers and NOFA members, and a sliding scale fee of $5 to $15 for other attendees. Register at nofanh.org/craft.

The New Hampshire Department of Transportation (NHDOT) will begin work on a bridge replacement project on Route 107 in Deerfield at Freese’s Pond on Aug. 7. According to a press release, the work will require a full closure of the section for 30 days, with detours for southbound and northbound traffic. This is part of a larger $975,000 effort to replace the bridge, which is expected to be completed by Nov. 3, 2023.

The Upper Room in Derry is providing backpacks filled with school supplies for the new academic year. According to a press release, families enrolled in Upper Room programs can register to receive backpacks in late August. The organization is seeking donations of backpacks, folders, notebooks, pencils, pens, erasers, highlighters, index cards and loose-leaf paper. Around 75 to 100 children will benefit from the annual backpack distribution day. Donations can be dropped off at The Upper Room’s front desk on Tsienneto Road until Aug. 21.

This Week 23/07/27

Big Events July 27, 2023 and beyond

Thursday, July 27

The New Hampshire Fisher Cats celebrate that classic Manchester food item, the chicken tender, at tonight’s game at 7:05 p.m. versus the Hartford Yard Goats. There will be Atlas Fireworks after the game. The run of games continues at Northeast Delta Dental Stadium in downtown Manchester (7:05 p.m. on Friday and Saturday — Saturday will also feature post-game fireworks) through Sunday, July 30, when game time is 1:35 p.m. and the first 1,000 attendees will receive a Fisher Cats flag. See milb.com/new-hampshire.

Friday, July 28

The Nashua Silver Knights also have a game this week — tonight at 6 p.m. they will face off against the Westfield Starfires with post-game fireworks. See nashuasilverknights.com.

Friday, July 28

Ro Gavin Collaborative Theatre kicks off the final weekend of its production Big Fish at the Hatbox Theatre (Steeplegate Mall, 270 Loudon Road in Concord; hatboxnh.com) with shows tonight at 7:30 p.m.; tomorrow, Saturday, July 29, at 7:30 p.m., and Sunday, July 30, at 2 p.m. Find more theatrical productions in the Arts section, which starts on page 13.

Friday, July 28

Catch comedians Will Noonan and Andrew Della Vope tonight at 7:30 p.m. at the Rex Theatre (23 Amherst St. in Manchester; palacetheatre.org). Tickets cost $25. Find more laughs in the Comedy This Week listings on page 36.

Saturday, July 29

Browse sales of books and whatnots, enjoy a frappe bar and sausage grinders, participate in (or just cheer on) a 5K road race and watch an 11 a.m. performance by Mr. Aaron (pictured) at the Canterbury Fair today from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at locations in Canterbury Center. The day will also feature live animal encounters and other activities for kids, Canterbury Historical Society exhibits, artisan demonstrations, a full schedule of live music and a wide variety of eats including a chicken barbecue. See canterburyfair.com.

Tuesday, Aug. 1

Author Richard Russo will discuss his new book Somebody’s Fool tonight at 7 p.m. at the Bank of NH Stage (16 S. Main St. in Concord; ccanh.com). Tickets cost $39 for one admission, $49 for two admissions and include a book. Find more book listings on page 29.

Save the Date! Thursday, Aug. 10
The Manchester International Film Festival returns for its second year on Thursday, Aug. 10, through Saturday, Aug. 12, at the Palace Theatre (80 Hanover St. in Manchester; palacetheatre.org, 668-5588) and the Rex Theatre (23 Amherst St. in Manchester). The festival kicks off with Animation Night at 6 p.m. on Aug. 10 at the Rex with screenings of animated shorts, an animated student film, a feature film, a Q&A with filmmakers and a presentation of an “Emerging New Hampshire Animator” award, according to the Palace’s website. Friday, Aug. 11, is New England Night and Comedy Night with a screening of the short Nuclear! (see the trailer at gonfalonpictures.com/nuclear), a post-film Q&A, a feature film billed as a “Manchester premiere,” a Q&A with filmmakers and the presentation of “Best New England Short Film” award, the website said. At the Rex, the Saturday, Aug. 12, line up will include a Cartoon Festival with Cereal, short films, a feature presentation and an audience choice film, the website said. Tickets cost $20 ($10 for students) to each day. Call the box office for more ticket info.

At the Palace Theatre on Aug. 12, catch actor and comedian Kevin Pollack at 7:30 p.m. for “An Evening with Kevin Pollack.” Tickets to this event cost $59 to $79 (VIP tickets include a 6:45 p.m. meet and greet) and include a weekend pass to the rest of the festival.

Featured photo: Mr. Aaron.

Quality of Life 23/07/27

Plastic habit

According to a study by personal-finance website WalletHub, New Hampshire ranks 4th among the states with the highest credit card debts. The median credit card balance in New Hampshire is $2,793, and the cost of interest until payoff is $355, with the expected timeframe to pay off the median credit card balance at 14 months and 13 days. The study used data from TransUnion, the Federal Reserve, the U.S. Census Bureau, and WalletHub’s proprietary credit card payoff calculator to determine the cost and time required to repay the median credit card balance in each state. The analysis included credit cards with a balance and excluded store cards. The calculation assumed consumers would pay an average 20.92 percent interest rate, based on the APR paid by existing cardholders.

QOL score: -1

Comment:Interesting considering New Hampshire’s per capita income is on the higher end at $41,241, ranking the 8th highest, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

Kids catching up

Recent assessment results in New Hampshire indicate positive academic gains among students, marking a slow upward recovery trend for two consecutive years. According to a press release, preliminary performance scores from the spring 2023 assessment show modest improvements in math and reading across various grade levels, except for 11th-grade SAT scores. Education Commissioner Frank Edelblut expressed delight in the signs of academic progress, which defy national trends. “This newest data from New Hampshire contradicts some nationwide data showing that academic recovery has stalled and reflects the hard work of our school leaders, teachers, students and families, that everyone needs to work together to close learning gaps,” he said in the release. While student performance advanced from 2022 to 2023, student growth percentiles also improved in every grade level and subject area, indicating accelerated learning rates compared to 2019.

QOL score: +1

Comment: The iPlatform system will release individual school and district data for both the NHSAS and SAT results in the fall. Parents had previously been given access to their child’s scores.

Go, team!

The University of New Hampshire swimming and diving team has been awarded CSCAA Scholar All-America honors for the Spring 2023 semester. According to a press release, they achieved a program-best 3.68 team GPA, surpassing their previous record of 3.67 from the previous semester. Additionally, senior captain Madison Linstedt won the America East Women’s Swimming and Diving Scholar Athlete of the Year award, making it the 11th time a Wildcat has received this honor. Several other team members also earned academic accolades.

QOL score: +1

Comment: The University of New Hampshire swimming and diving team also achieved their fourth consecutive America East Championship and secured their 11th overall title in the league’s history during the past seasons, marking the first time in the program’s existence that UNH has won four championships in a row.

QOL score: 80

Net change: +1

QOL this week: 81

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

Pats camp open for business

The Big Story: Amid unending talk about Bill Belichick’s job security, the Patriots got back to work on Wednesday in what is a big year for many, including the coach and his hand-picked QB. They begin camp without much fanfare nationally, where almost everyone is picking them for last in the AFC East. And after trading for Aaron Rodgers, New Yawkas are sensing blood in the water after having it shoved down their throats since Belichick resigned as HC of the NYJ’s over 20 years ago. So buckle up, because it should be interesting, if not as enjoyable as it was in these parts for so long.

Football 101: Name the two men who hold the NFL record for most losses by a head coach at 165.

News Item – 3 Biggest Patriots Question Marks: You would think they’d have addressed the first two in free agency and the draft, but incredibly, by going defense with their three draft picks they didn’t. This leaves the focus on the offense.

The Receivers: They were below average last year and besides a slight upgrade in JuJu Smith-Schuster over the departed Jakobi Meyers the GM didn’t give Mac Jones much new help, though putting all out of their misery by sending mistake-prone Jonnu Smith elsewhere was addition by subtraction.

The O-Line: The big question is, was Trent Brown hurt, out of shape or deep into the back nine? Because he was a procedure penalty or sack give-up waiting to happen. Determining his status is a major key, because the protection for Jones last year was uneven at best and terrible at worst.

Mac Jones: The Pats need to find out if 2022 was just a bad year brought on by a combination of factors, not the least of which was having an inexperienced and completely over his head offensive coordinator in charge of his development, or if he’s just not good enough to build around. I think it was the former, but only time will tell, making this the make-or-break year for Mac.

Numbers:

2 – times the Patriots will wear their Pat the Patriot throwback uniforms in 2023. They’ll do it against old-time AFL day foes Miami in Week 2 and in Week 13 vs. the Chargers.

12 – teams scoring in double digits Tuesday night, which was the first time that has happened since 1994, with the highlight being the Cubs’ 16-13 over Atlanta.

Injured List: Trevor Story – There appeared to be no setbacks in his rehab weekend in AA Portland. He played shortstop three times while going 2-8 with a homer and 3 RBI.

Of the Week Awards:

Who’s Hot: Triston Casas –The batting average of the Sox rookie continued to climb. After an 8 for 17 week he’s hitting .348 in July. That’s taken the average to .247 after being .131 on May 1.

Hippo Jinx – Right after I lauded the recent performance of Sox rookie hurler Brayan Bello, he got lit up by the lowly A’s for six runs in four innings before the column even came out.

In Case You Missed It – The Stolen Base: Thanks to the pitch clock and other new rules, the stolen base is back. After eight years without anyone stealing 50+, at least two players are going to 50, including Braves star Ronald Acuna, who with 45 is on pace to swipe 80 and he could be joined by four more.

Football 101 Answer: The late Dan Reeves (190 wins) and longtime Oilers/Titans coach Jeff Fisher (176 wins) hold the record for most losses by an NFL coach at 165.

Final Thought – Prediction: While an avalanche of media types can’t talk about anything else, count me as one who doesn’t buy that Coach B is on a category 4 hot seat. The detractors are broken into two camps: (1) national media, many of whom are speculating without any real evidence and looking for payback on the cantankerous Coach B, and (2) the local gaggle all hitting on the same follow-the-leader conspiracy theories. Now the latter are closer to things than me, but I’m better at logic and reading people. And the reason I don’t think he’s in real trouble (outside of a two-win season) is the needy owner’s unending desire to sit at the cool kids’ table. Like his forays to hang with 20-something rappers at star-studded parties in the Hamptons each summer. Or showing up at the Academy Awards despite not being in the movie business. So while everyone wants another Super Bowl, with six his dynasty already has two more than anyone else in one run. Thus a bigger prize (besides him getting in the Hall of Fame) is him being able to bask in the glow of the coach he picked becoming the winningest coach in NFL history.

So no matter what, Belichick the coach stays because Bob Kraft doesn’t want to see Coach B pass Don Shula while on the sideline for someone else. Simple as that.

Email Dave Long at dlong@hippopress.com.

Van chef

Local author talks about big flavors in small spaces

Delve into the world of practical cooking with M. Allyson Szabo, New Hampshire author of Cook Small, Live Large!. Szabo talked about how she crafted unique recipes catered to those embracing van life and small living spaces, and how her cookbook offers a diverse range of ideas for cooking in limited kitchen setups. Visit mallysonszabo.com and find the book on Amazon.

What is the idea behind Cook Small, Live Large!, and who are these recipes for?

Cook Small, Live Large! is a compendium of recipes for one or two people. It was originally designed for people who are doing van life, living in their vans or tiny homes, traveling or living on land, that sort of thing. People who are doing van life run into problems that the rest of us don’t. They can be driving through what they call a “food desert,” where there aren’t any big box stores to buy things. So there are a lot of recipes in the book for people who are either new to cooking or stuck in a place like that for a few days, which show how to make relatively healthy food using canned goods from Dollar General and what you can get from the frozen food section at Aldi. … It also works well for people who are backpacking and doing small cooking. … I have a friend whose twins are going to college this year and are living in dorms with small kitchenettes. The recipes in the book are great for them since they’re made for small portions and don’t leave a lot of leftovers.

What inspired you to write this type of cookbook?

I have a friend, Justin Hughes, who is also known as Smokey Da Van, who started doing van life. I had never even heard of it. … He works remotely, and he was living in his van with his cat purposefully, not because they were homeless, but just because that’s what they decided they wanted to do. He’s had so many adventures, but he had no idea how to cook. So I started teaching him through email. After a couple of months, he said, ‘You need to make a book out of this.’

How did you develop these recipes?

I took recipes that I use on a regular basis or that I like, and I miniaturized them. … It was a learning curve for me since I’m used to cooking for a lot of people, so learning to cook small was a challenge at first. Miniaturizing a recipe is not as simple as dividing it into portions. You have to work with ratios and find the right balance for small portions. It involved some trial and error and making the recipes over and over to get it right. The initial learning curve was tough, but once I got there, it became easier.

What cooking utensils and equipment are needed for preparing these recipes?

I recommend a cooking surface like a butane stove, especially for van life, as butane can be used indoors with proper ventilation. There are also setups in vans that allow the use of a [slow cooker]. A Dutch oven is also recommended since it can be used on a camp stove or in a fire. Having a few essential pots and pans allows you to cook anything from the book.

Do you have a favorite recipe?

One of my favorites is the one-pot Thanksgiving dinner that I created for Justin. He was in Arizona, and it was Thanksgiving. I told him to preheat his big cast iron pot and put a turkey leg in one piece of tinfoil, pre-made stuffing in another, and some corn with a pat of butter in a third. We designed this one-pot Thanksgiving dinner that covered all the basics, made for one person, and it turned out beautifully. Working with tin foil is something that you can do a lot, and it makes cooking and cleaning easier in a small space, whether that’s a dorm or a tiny home or when you’re camping.

What do you want readers to take away from the recipes and ideas in Cook Small, Live Large!?

First and foremost, I want people to know that they can eat healthy while cooking small. You don’t have to buy large quantities of ingredients to eat healthily. I encourage people to utilize farmers markets and farm stalls for fresh and inexpensive food. The book is for anybody who wants to cook small, whether they’re doing van life, backpacking or just cooking for one or two people. It offers a variety of recipes and flavors to enjoy.

News & Notes 23/07/27

2024 governor’s race

New Hampshire Gov. Chris Sununu has decided not to seek re-election in 2024, WMUR reported. In a letter to supporters, he explained that after much consideration and discussions with his family, he believes it is the right time for another Republican to lead the state. Following his announcement, the Republican field is already taking shape for the 2024 race in New Hampshire: former New Hampshire Senate President Chuck Morse immediately tweeted his gubernatorial candidacy announcement, saying, “Year in and year out New Hampshire ranks among the best states to live in. It’s not an accident and it’s not luck either. It’s because we elect conservatives who get results. It’s what I did as Senate President and it’s what I’ll do as Governor.” Morse previously lost the Republican primary for U.S. Senate in 2022. A few days later, former U.S. Senator Kelly Ayotte announced her candidacy for governor, saying, “Today, I’m announcing our campaign to be the next Governor of New Hampshire. … I love New Hampshire. I was born here, raised here, raised my kids here, and I’m going to die here. What we have here is worth fighting for.” On the Democratic side, Executive Councilor Cinde Warmington and Manchester Mayor Joyce Craig have already declared their campaigns.

Historic house

The Sullivan House in Manchester has been added to the U.S. Secretary of the Interior’s National Register of Historic Places due to its remarkable architectural integrity and its significance as a rare example of a “Little House” architectural design. According to a press release, the Little House series was a unique collaboration between the magazine House and Garden and the department store W. and J. Sloane, aiming to offer affordable homes with room for expansion to young couples. The Colonial Revival-style Sullivan House, built in 1932 and 1933, showcases modernist decor elements inside while still retaining its original floor plan and finishes. It remains in the possession of the Sullivan family and stands as one of only six known Little Houses of this style. Listing on the National Register facilitates preservation efforts and provides potential benefits to property owners, such as qualifying for federal tax provisions and grants.

Road work

The New Hampshire Department of Transportation (NHDOT) began full span overhead sign foundation construction on Rockingham Park Boulevard in Salem on July 24 that will continue for seven weeks on weekdays from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., weather permitting, according to a press release. During this period, daytime lane closures will be in effect. To ensure safety, arrow boards and traffic control devices will be used to guide motorists through the construction zone, and drivers are advised to be cautious and follow all posted signs. Those traveling in the area are encouraged to sign up for real-time construction and traffic updates via text or email from newengland511.org. The construction is part of the $1.1 million Full Span Overhead Traffic Sign replacement project on Rockingham Park Boulevard in Salem, with an expected completion date of Sept. 8, 2023.

Lake preservation

Steve Wingate, a resident of the Lakes Region, has been honored with the 2023 John F. Morten Memorial Award for Exemplary Lake Stewardship by NH LAKES. According to a press release, Wingate has actively served in various local, regional and statewide organizations and projects dedicated to conserving New Hampshire’s lakes, wetlands and forests and educating lake residents about environmental care. The award was presented on July 15 at the Winter Harbor Way Association Meeting. The John F. Morten Memorial Award was established in 2002 to honor individuals who generously contribute their time, talent and resources to protect New Hampshire’s lakes and ponds. NH LAKES is a statewide nonprofit organization focused on preserving and restoring the health of New Hampshire’s lakes.

New hire

HealthForce NH and its backbone entity, Foundation for Healthy Communities, have named Kate Luczko as their new Senior Director, according to a press release. With extensive experience in economic and workforce development, Luczko’s previous role as the founding President & CEO of Stay Work Play New Hampshire focused on young workforce recruitment and retention. In her statewide leadership position, she will collaborate with various stakeholders, including employers, policymakers and underserved populations, to address health care workforce challenges and raise awareness for HealthForce NH strategies.

The State of New Hampshire will conduct an information session on Monday, July 31, to update the public on the progress of constructing a new 24-bed forensic psychiatric hospital. According to a press release, this facility, which is to be built adjacent to New Hampshire Hospital in Concord, aims to provide skilled psychiatric treatment in a secure and therapeutic environment for forensic patients. The session will take place virtually on Zoom at 6 p.m., and attendees can ask questions and share comments. Details can be found at dhhs.nh.gov/about-dhhs/locations-facilities/new-hampshire-hospital/proposed-forensic-hospital-information.

Manchester City Library (405 Pine St.) offers free lunches for children and teens age 18 and under through a pilot project by New Hampshire Hunger Solutions, running until Aug. 17. Meals are available on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from noon to 12:30 p.m., according to a press release. Children must be present, and supplies are limited. Visit nhhungersolutions.org.

The NH Division of Parks and Recreation, along with Hampton Beach State Park lifeguards, will host Water Safety Day at Hampton Beach State Park on Thursday, July 27. According to a press release, the event aims to raise awareness about water safety at New Hampshire State Parks and oceanfront beaches, lakes and rivers. It will feature rescue demonstrations, interactive discussions and an environmental component. The focus will be on water safety around Seacoast beaches, given the 207 ocean rescues already made this season by NH State Beach Patrol Ocean lifeguards. Visit usla.org/page/safety-tips.

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