News – Page 115

Acting skills

Theater company teaches kids healthy social behaviors

After a year of virtual programming, Plymouth State University’s TIGER (Theatre Integrating Guidance, Education and Responsibility) theater company is back on the road, bringing its social-emotional educational performances to K-through-8 schools across the state. The group, which consists of graduate students and professional actors, is led by artistic director Trish Lindberg. Lindberg talked about the program and how it addresses the challenges kids are facing today.

What is TIGER?

It’s a program that deals with social-emotional learning and helping kids process difficult traumatic events that happen to them using theater, music and dance. … I started it 17 years ago with colleagues at Plymouth State. … It started as a program that dealt exclusively with bullying. There was a lot of trauma around bullying happening in schools, and there still is today. I thought, I’m not a psychiatrist or psychologist or a school counselor, but why don’t I use my talents [in the performing arts] to partner with people [who are] to help kids who are being bullied.

What kinds of issues does TIGER address?

We try to stay very current and in the heartbeat of what kids are feeling now. … We send out writing prompts to get writings from kids to inform the piece … with actual stories about things that kids have gone through. … Kids are dealing with so many things right now that we really wish they didn’t have to [deal with]. … One of the biggest things is, with people being so frustrated with the pandemic … people are choosing not to be kind. That’s why we thought it was really important to do a show about kindness … and the importance of kindness in our lives. … We’re all in this pandemic together. We all have difficult things going on and things that we’d like to do but can’t do. But we can still be kind. That’s something that we want to help kids understand — that even in this crazy world, where there are a lot of things they don’t have control over, they can always control how they act, and even if [a situation] is really hard, they can still choose kindness.

What does a performance look like?

Each show teaches five concepts … represented by each letter [in ‘TIGER’]. … For example, [when teaching about] how important it is for kids to take care of themselves, ‘T’ stands for ‘Take care of you;’ ‘I’ stands for ‘Imagine;’ ‘G’ stands for ‘Grow your confidence;’ ‘E’ stands for ‘Empathy;’ and ‘R’ stands for ‘Respect yourself and others.’ … Then, we have songs and skits around those concepts. … It’s really cool, because at the end, when we ask the kids what each letter stands for, they always remember … because they’ve had it taught to them in multiple ways.

How is performance art an effective way to communicate with kids about difficult subjects?

Theater, music and dance helps kids to see themselves in scenarios that they’ve experienced themselves while being able to take a step back and watch it happen to someone else. … They’re safe; it’s not actually happening to them, but they can see the scenario played out. … It helps them understand what they’re going through from another perspective … and in a deeper way, and that can be a real catharsis for them. … I think one of the most powerful things about the arts is that it has the ability to touch hearts and minds and really resonate with people on a very deep, emotional level.

How do you keep yourselves and the kids safe while visiting schools?

Some districts have mandates where they’re not having any assembly programs of any kind, but many districts have been willing to have us. … Schools have chosen to do different [safety precautions]; some are comfortable having us do a regular performance in the gym. Others have us perform for a smaller audience or live-broadcast into the classrooms. … We’re willing to follow whatever protocols the schools have, in addition to [the safety precautions] we’re already doing ourselves. … All of our actors are fully vaccinated and tested every week … and we wear these wonderful face masks … that are made for performers. They’re full-face masks, and they’re clear so the kids can see our expressions and energy.

What impact has TIGER had on kids’ lives?

We had [a mother] call us … and tell us that her son came home from school [after a TIGER program] and burst into tears; he had been bullied for three months at school and had never told anyone. He said that TIGER taught him that he needed to tell an adult, so he told his mom, and the mom went to the school, and they were able to get help. … That’s what we’re all about — making a difference in kids’ lives, even if we’re performing for a school with 500 kids and we’re able to help just one kid.

Learn more about TIGER and how to bring them to your local school at campus.plymouth.edu/tiger.

Featured photo: Trish Lindberg. Courtesy photo.

News & Notes 21/12/02

Covid-19 update	As of Nov 19	As of Nov 29
Total cases statewide	150,813	160,287
Total current infections statewide	7,604	7,078
Total deaths statewide	1,662	1,694
New cases	3,979 (Nov. 16 to Nov. 19)	9,474 (Nov. 20 to Nov. 29)
Current infections: Hillsborough County	2,368	2,124
Current infections: Merrimack County	846	751
Current infections: Rockingham County	1,386	1,251

Information from the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services.

Covid-19 news

During the state’s weekly public health update on Nov. 23, state epidemiologist Dr. Benjamin Chan reported that New Hampshire averaged nearly 1,000 new infections of Covid-19 per day over the previous week. “We’re currently experiencing the highest level of Covid-19 in our communities that we’ve seen at any point during this pandemic,” he said.

Later during the press conference, Gov. Chris Sununu announced a new executive order to address hospital capacity across the state due to record numbers of Covid cases. The order directs state health officials to help hospitals set up “internal surge centers” within the campuses of individual hospitals, similar to those that were in school gymnasiums and fieldhouses last year. “We’re adding flexibilities to increase bed capacities at rehabilitation facilities, [and] we’re asking the Office of Professional Licensure and Certification and other boards that license our health care professionals to streamline licensing and to increase eligibility to assist the health care system in the coming months,” Sununu said. As of Nov. 29 there were 377 active hospitalizations statewide attributed to Covid, a record high since the start of the pandemic.

Sununu also announced a new “booster blitz” initiative to encourage people to get their booster shots before the holidays. On Dec. 11 the state will host more than 20 pop-up community sites where booster doses will be administered. Appointments can be booked online through the state Department of Health and Human Services website. Booster shots can also be scheduled at participating local pharmacies or doctor’s offices — go to vaccines.nh.gov to make an appointment and check availability.

As of Nov. 29, Granite Staters are now able to order free at-home rapid Covid-19 tests through DHHS’s website. About 100,000 free PCR tests are also going to be available to schools, as well as federally qualified health centers, homeless shelters and other locations throughout the state’s Public Health Networks.

Mandate on hold

The mandate issued by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services requiring that workers at health care facilities receiving Medicare or Medicaid benefits be fully vaccinated against Covid-19 will not be enforced for the time being, Gov. Chris Sununu and Attorney General John Formella announced on Nov. 29. New Hampshire, along with nine other states, challenged the mandate on Nov. 10, requesting a preliminary injunction. The United States District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri has granted the injunction so that the mandate is not enforceable in the 10 plaintiff states, pending a trial or an order of the Court.

Winter parking

The odd/even overnight winter parking ban is in effect in Manchester now through April 15, the city’s Department of Public Works announced. Between 1 and 6 a.m. all motor vehicles must be parked on the odd-numbered side of a street during odd-numbered calendar months, and on the even-numbered side of the street during even-numbered calendar months. On streets on which parking is only typically available on one side, drivers may continue to park on that side. Overnight parking on the circular portions of dead-end cul-de-sacs is not permitted and there is no parking on any city streets between the hours of 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. while a Snow Emergency is in effect. Snow Emergencies are indicated by flashing beacons at traffic intersections throughout the city. Residents and visitors may also sign up to receive Snow Emergency alerts via text or email at manchesternh.gov/snow, or call the Department of Public Works for updates at 624-6444. Drivers can park for free during set hours during a Snow Emergency at Victory Parking Garage, Pearl Street Parking Lot and behind West Side Arena.

Warming station

Hope for New Hampshire Recovery, in partnership with 1269 Cafe, is offering an overnight warming station at 1269 Cafe on Union Street serving people experiencing homelessness. Every night from 11 p.m. to 7 a.m., now through March 31, the station will be staffed, providing warmth and coffee to those in need of its services. “Hope and 1269 Cafe want people to stay alive and be healthy this winter,” Keith Howard, Executive Director for Hope for New Hampshire Recovery, said in a press release. The two nonprofits are asking for the community’s support in raising $65,000 to fund the warming station. More than $5,000 had been raised as of Nov. 26, according to the release.

A French teacher at Pembroke Academy is the 2022 Janis Hennessey World Language Teacher of Excellence for New Hampshire. The New Hampshire Association of World Language Teachers’ Board of Directors recently announced that Adriana Cauley won the honor as “an excellent, creative and innovative World Language teacher … [and] a leader of World Languages within her school and community,” according to a press release.

Former Vice President Mike Pence is scheduled to come to Manchester on Thursday, Dec. 8, to speak at a New Hampshire State Senate Republicans fundraiser. According to a report from WMUR, Senate President Chuck Morse confirmed Pence as the headliner for the event. Pence is being considered a possible presidential candidate in 2024, according to the report.

The daughter of astronaut Alan Shepard of Derry is going to space. On Dec. 9, Laura Shepard Churchley is scheduled to join five other passengers aboard a Blue Origin flight on a spacecraft named New Shepard after her father, according to a report from WMUR. One of the other passengers is Good Morning America anchor and former NFL player Michael Strahan, the report said, and the flight is expected to last 10 minutes — five minutes less than the 1961 Mercury flight that Alan Shepard was on.

This Week 21/11/25

Big Events November 25, 2021 and beyond

Thursday, Nov. 25

Turkey day! But first, turkey trot. In the Nov. 11 issue of the Hippo (you can find the e-edition at hippopress.com), Meghan Siegler looked at charitable races, such as the many turkey trots scheduled for today. Find info on races today in Bow, Manchester, Derry, Hampstead, Merrimack, Windham and Exeter, among many other towns, in the story, which starts on page 10. Feeling ambitious? The Amherst Junior Women’s Club is also hosting the Trot Off Your Turkey 5K tomorrow (Nov. 26) and Bishop Brady High School in Concord is hosting its Galloping Gobbler 4-Miler on Saturday, Nov. 27.

Thursday, Nov. 25

After your turkey dinner, head for a ride to see the lights: The New Hampshire Motor Speedway’s annual Gift of Lights opens today and runs through Sunday, Jan. 2, 2022, in Loudon (running daily, Sundays through Thursdays from 4:30 to 9 p.m. and Fridays and Saturdays from 4:30 to 10 p.m.). The show features 2.5 miles featuring 3.5 million lights with a variety of arches and attractions, according to nhms.com. Tickets cost $30 to $35 per car load ($60 per limo or bus). Upcoming theme nights are Dress Your Pet (Monday, Nov. 29), Crazy PJ Night (Tuesday, Nov. 30) and Crazy Sweater Night (Wednesday, Dec. 1).

Friday, Nov. 26

The Craftworkers’ Guild opens its doors for its Holiday Craft Shop at the Kendall House (behind the Bedford Library, 3A Meetinghouse Road in Bedford) today through Dec. 22. The show is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and online shopping is available at thecraftworkersguild.org.

Friday, Nov. 26

The Canterbury Shaker Village (288 Shaker Road in Canterbury; shakers.org, 783-9511) will hold a Holiday Open House today through Sunday, Nov. 28, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. with free hot chocolate and cider at the museum store and Shaker Stories Tours at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.

Saturday, Nov. 27

The Manchester Holiday Event, put on by New England Premier Events, runs today from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Doubletree by Hilton Manchester Downtown featuring demonstrations, shopping, giveaways, swag bags and more, with proceeds to help the New Hampshire Breast Cancer Coalition, according to myneevent.com/upcoming-events. Tickets cost $5.

Saturday, Nov. 27

Enjoy the sounds of Neighbor at Bank of NH Stage (16 S. Main St. in Concord; ccanh.com) tonight at 8 p.m. Doors open at 7 p.m. Tickets cost $20 general admission (plus fees).

Sunday, Nov. 28

Symphony NH presents Holiday Brass at 3 p.m. at the Dana Center (Saint Anselm College, 100 Saint Anselm Dr., Manchester; anselm.edu, 641-7000). Tickets $32 to $45.

Save the Date! Through Feb. 26, 2022

Get more light show at LaBelle Lights at the LaBelle Winery Derry location (14 Route 111), which opened last week and will run through Feb. 26, 2022. The light display is set up on the LaBelle Links golf course along a paved walking path with coordinated music and 15 light features that will be changed periodically throughout the run of the event, according to a press release. Tickets cost $15 and will be available for purchase onsite or in advance at the website, where you can find days and hours of operation (which are primarily Friday, Saturday and Sunday evenings from 4:30 to 9 p.m. with some additional days throughout the run). The LaBelle Links will also have a few special events and some theme weeks. See labellewinery.com.

Featured photo: 2020 Thanksgiving 5K. Courtesy photo.

Quality of Life 21/11/25

Hope in the face of homelessness

The Front Door Agency, a nonprofit that helps local families avoid and overcome homelessness, has kicked off its annual fundraiser, which last year helped 950 people in Greater Nashua, according to a press release. One of those people was Angela, a single mother from Nashua who had been involved in a series of unhealthy relationships and lost her full-time job, though even with her job she couldn’t afford rent. According to a New Hampshire Housing Finance Authority report, the cost to rent a two-bedroom unit in Hillsborough County is more than $1,600 per month, up 28 percent since 2016. “My daughter and I were literally facing homelessness,” Angela said in the release. “I’m motivated and educated. I could not believe it was happening to us.” After moving into one of the agency’s properties dedicated to single moms and their kids, Angela worked with a case manager to create financial goals. She is now working for a Fortune 500 company and makes enough to pay her bills and save money, her credit score is up, and she will leave Front Door Agency with the ability to afford market rent.

Score: +1

Comment: You can make donations at frontdooragency.org/giving.

That turkey’s gonna cost you

Enjoy your Thanksgiving dinner, because it’s going to be more expensive than last year’s. According to a report from WMUR, experts are saying lack of food isn’t an issue; it’s inflation that’s driving things up. The Farm Bureau reported that the average cost of a Thanksgiving meal for 10 people this year is $53.31, a 14 percent jump from last year. And the centerpiece of the meal is a big part of that; the average cost for a 16-pound turkey is almost $24, up 24 percent from last year, according to the report. Workforce shortage and disruptions to the supply chain are contributing to that increase, New Hampshire grocers told WMUR.

Score: -1

Comment:John Dumais, president of the New Hampshire Grocers Association, told WMUR that grocers would be “able to provide everything the consumer needs in one form or another.”

Beware of holiday scams

AARP NH State Director Todd Fahey is warning consumers about calls related to holiday scams, saying that “the gift-giving process … brings a plethora of opportunities for scammers to enrich themselves.” According to a press release, these opportunities can include online shopping scams, scams involving the draining of gift cards, and package and shipping scams. An AARP survey showed some of the risky behaviors of shoppers: For example, 69 percent of Americans will use their debit cards this season, but credit cards and digital wallets are safer when shopping online. Sixty percent will buy gift cards off the rack, which is a known target for scammers, according to the release.

Score: -1

Comment: “This holiday season, serve your holiday cheer with a side of skepticism to help stay safe from increasingly sophisticated scammers,” Fahey said in the release.

Tiny home appeal

New Hampshire is the 6th best state in the country to have a tiny home, according to IPX 1030, a Fidelity National Financial Company. The rankings are based on tiny home cost, cost of living, median income, park land coverage, annual average temperature as well as tiny home legality and regulations in every state. The Granite State has the 4th lowest cost of tiny homes, with the average being $34,950, according to the report.

Score: +1

Comment: Though homes in top-ranking Georgia and Texas are more expensive ($43,819 and $48,120, respectively), those states’ average daily temps (62.3 and 66 degrees) are likely more appealing than New Hampshire’s average of 44.5 degrees; QOL would imagine that living in such a small space makes being able to go outside a key factor.

QOL score: 77

Net change: 0

QOL this week: 77

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

Nobody asked me, but…

This issue is dated for Thanksgiving Day, so a great day to all as you watch football before and after we’ve stuffed our faces. But that’s not all that’s going on in sports, so here are a few more morsels to nibble on before you take that nap on the couch during halftime.

Here are my nominations for the next inductees to the Baseball Hall of Fame in the Legends category: Jim Kaat and Joe Torre. For Kaat, if Bert Blyleven is in, Kaat should be. BB was 285-258 lifetime with a 3.13 ERA and one 20-win season to Kaat’s 284-233 mark with a 3.45 ERA and three 20-win seasons, with a high of 25 in 1965. He also won 16 straight gold gloves. For Torre, if Craig Biggio is in, Torre should be. He doesn’t have 3,000 hits, but he exceeds CB in 100-RBI seasons (6-0), All-Star games (9-7), MVP’s (1-0) and batting titles (1-0) both in 1971, when he had 230 hits. He also was good enough to hit 36 homers in 1966 (CB’s best was 26) and made those All-Star teams playing three different positions (catcher, 1B, 3B) while three-position brother CB (C, 2B and CF) only did it for two.

Sports 101: Name the only other person besides Torre to make All-Star at three different positions.

Coach B said after the Carolina game that “not many players in history” could have made the incredible interception Jamie Collins did off Sam Darnold’s fastball when he wasn’t even far enough away to be officially socially distanced in the grocery store. The only other one I’ve seen that compares was Manny Ramirez crazily cutting off that Johnny Damon throw from 10 feet away that made Jerry Remy and Don Orsillo giggle uncontrollably every time they saw a replay.

If you want to see just how hypocritical and phony most fan outrage is, watch how fast fans in the Bronx go all in on Carlos Correa if the Yankees sign him to be their shortstop after booing him unmercifully since his role in the Astros’ cheating scandal. These are the same Yankee fans who gave a pass to the serially cheating A-Rod after he was caught in a series of steroid lies.

Besides Nomar Garciaparra it’s hard to think of anyone who let contractual stupidity lead to the downfall from career high points to absolute irrelevance at the end as Le’Veon Bell did. For Nomar it was his contentious 2004 negotiation that led him to be dumped at the trade deadline, which catapulted the Sox to win their first title in 87 years. He also left behind a fan base that adored him and the ballpark that made him seem even better than he was. The latter likely derailed his path to the Hall of Fame, which once seemed to be a lock for him. Instead he ended up as a part-time DH in Oakland and now is basically forgotten at Fenway.

For Bell, it’s being released by Baltimore last week after not being able to stick with them even after they lost their three best backs within two days during training camp. Not too long ago he was the best two-way back in football before arrogantly sitting out 2018 rather than take a big offer from Pittsburgh. That led to a disastrous year and two games with the Jets before being released amid complaints about not getting enough touches. Then it was on to KC, where the same thing happened in a nine-game stint, which included being a non-injury DNP in the Super Bowl. Now he’s gone after five games in Baltimore.

Well, now that I think of it, there’s Odell Beckham Jr., who I’m betting it ends badly for with a third team by year’s end in L.A.

The extra muscle on Jayson Tatum is not responsible for his shooting slump to start the season. Basketball is a game where you should be leaning forward, which he doesn’t do nearly enough. Instead he’s spending his time isolating on the wing looking to do that stupid fall-away shot he’s so in love with. So, Earth to Coach Udoka: Do your job. Make him stop that, because it’s killing both his shot and ball movement on offense.

Good God could Panthers edge rusher Brian Burns be any bigger a crybaby than he is? Two weeks later he’s still whining that Mac Jones tried to hurt him following his strip sack in the P’s 24-6 win over Carolina. It’s like 7’4” Ralph Sampson trying to blame 6’0” Jerry Sichting for the fight they got into duringthe 1986 NBA even though he spent the entire Finals swinging his elbows anytime anyone came close to him in the post. Take a look at the tape, big fella. It shows that after Mac’s face plant he didn’t know where the ball was, so he grabbed Burns’ leg to prevent him from recovering the fumble. That’s holding, for which he should have been penalized 10 yards (or lose the ball depending on what the rule is). Burns got hurt when he got to his feet and tried to yank his leg free by twisting it out of his grasp.

With the Bears now 3-6, Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot looks even smarter now than when she was asked last summer about the Bears’ just announced plans to move from city-owned Soldiers Field in favor of building a new stadium outside city limits in nearby Arlington Heights. She said then that instead of putting their focus on building a new stadium, the Bears should build a winning team and “focus on … being relevant past October.”

Sports 101 Answer: The only other three-position all-star was Pete Rose (naturally) who made it at second and third and as an outfielder.

In case you haven’t been paying attention: With 27 TD passes already after nine games, Tom Brady was on pace to throw a career-best 51 TD passes.

Happy Thanksgiving to all.

Knowledge is power

Podcast highlights substance abuse prevention

Christin D’Ovidio is the host of The Power of Prevention, a new podcast series produced by The Partnership@drugFreeNH that explores various facets of substance abuse prevention in New Hampshire and ways in which schools, families and health professionals can bolster prevention efforts. The series is available on Stitcher, Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Google Podcasts.

What is The Power of Prevention about?

The Partnership is an organizing force behind and [in cooperation] with organizations and individuals throughout the state working to prevent substance misuse and other [harmful] mental and behavioral health issues that can be prevented if prevention actions are put into place early on in people’s lives. The podcast talks with these organizations and individuals so that we can learn about how they work with families and within their communities to stop unwanted things from happening. Each episode goes deep into the topic or area that [the featured guest] is working in.

Why was it created?

During the pandemic, people and children [experienced] a lot of additional stressors; the safety nets they had and the ways they were functioning before were put under a huge strain. We know that substance misuse increased during that time. We saw a need to fill, to share what is happening out there with prevention so that [those efforts] can spread; prevention organizations can grow; more prevention organizations [can be established]; and more people can know about how to access prevention resources, because it’s not always evident what resources are available, and sometimes, just knowing that the resources are there is all it takes for people to get help.

How did you end up hosting the podcast?

I have a Master of Fine Arts in Acting and Production, and I was one of the people [The Partnership] asked to do it. That was super exciting for me, because I really enjoy learning about these prevention programs and getting to talk in depth with people about what they’re doing and help them share what they’re doing.

How do you define prevention in the podcast?

Prevention is an evidence-based set of messages, programs and services that lay a foundation for people so that when they encounter adversity they have the skills, support and knowledge to move past it in a positive way rather than turning to coping mechanisms that could harm their health.

Who is your target audience?

Our audience is primarily people working in prevention, so that they can [connect with] others … and families, caregivers, schools and other people who work with children, youth and young adults, because they play a very important role in prevention.

How many episodes have you done so far, and what are they about?

We’ve produced and released two episodes so far. The first one is with Kim Haley, who is a coordinator for one of the School Assistance Programs in the state, and she talks about what SAP programs are and how they provide support for families and schools. The second one is with Traci Fowler, who is a senior programs officer at the New Hampshire Charitable Foundation and has been working in the prevention field and [serving as] a prevention advocate for a very long time. She talks about how nonprofits in the state and the prevention community came together during the pandemic. … We’ve done a few other interviews that are still in the editing [process]. There’s one about self-managing chronic pain, because chronic pain, if unmanaged, can lead to misuse of prescribed medication … and depression. I also talked with two women working in prevention for young adults. There are a lot of changes in life on that bridge between high school, college and the workforce, and sometimes those young adults don’t know where [to access] the support that they need.

How many episodes do you have planned?

We have 27 episodes planned … and our intention is to release them monthly, though we’d like to release two a month, if we can. … Topics [will include] supporting families with skills and resources [in order to] prevent child abuse; the juvenile court diversion program … which [works to] keep [juveniles] who have committed a non-violent offense out of the system … so that they don’t end up with a mark on their record that they can’t get rid of that could take away from their future; vaping prevention; youth mental health efforts and social-emotional learning in schools; and how issues of equity, diversity and inclusion overlap with substance abuse and prevention.

Featured photo: Christin D’Ovidio. Courtesy photo.

Category: News