Category: News

News & Notes 23/06/22

Moose Plate Day

Gov. Chris Sununu and the Executive Council celebrated the 25th anniversary of New Hampshire’s Conservation and Heritage Number Plate program by proclaiming June 14 as “Moose Plate Day.” According to a press release, the Moose Plate program has raised over $30 million through plate sales, providing crucial support for conservation, heritage and preservation initiatives across the state. All funds generated from Moose Plate sales are directly allocated to designated programs in five state agencies. To learn more about the program, visit mooseplate.com.

Lobster industry

The United States Court of Appeals recently ruled in favor of New England’s lobster industry, determining that the federal government had gone too far in imposing restrictive regulations, according to a press release. Gov. Chris Sununu expressed his satisfaction and support for the industry’s victory, stating, “I’m thrilled that the D.C. Circuit Court ruled in favor of New England’s lobstermen after New Hampshire supported their lawsuit against the National Marine Fisheries Service. We were not going to sit and watch as the federal government choked the lobster industry to death with draconian and arbitrary regulation. New Hampshire backs its fishermen, and today’s victory helps keep them in business.”

Charitable funds

New Hampshire Group (NHG), the owner of four charitable gambling facilities in New Hampshire, has surpassed $3 million in charitable donations to 164 local nonprofit organizations in the first five months of 2023, according to a press release. The facilities operated by NHG, including Filotimo Casino & DraftKings Sportsbooks in Manchester and Dover, Wonder Casino in Keene, and Lebanon Poker Room & Casino, have played a pivotal role in generating these donations, the release said. NHG is owned and operated by Peninsula Pacific Entertainment (P2E).

Help for Vets

Harbor Care’s Veterans FIRST program will host the second annual Summit to End Veteran Homelessness on June 28 at The Simon Center at New England College in Henniker. With a nearly 30 percent increase in veteran homelessness this year, the summit aims to bring together local, state and federal stakeholders to assess the current state of veteran homelessness, discuss available resources, address barriers to success, and explore efforts to combat veteran suicide. Participants include organizations like Easterseals Veterans Inc., Manchester VA, NH Housing Finance Authority, and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Harbor Care, the largest nonprofit service provider for veterans in New Hampshire, seeks to replicate its success in ending veteran homelessness in greater Nashua statewide through their Veterans FIRST program.

Health data

Dartmouth Health, based in Lebanon, has launched a new initiative aimed at improving the collection of patient demographic and health-related information. According to a press release, the project, titled “We Ask Because We Care,” is part of Dartmouth Health’s commitment to providing the best possible care to its patients. In the first phase of the nine-month project, patients are being asked about their preferred language for discussing health care at the time of their appointment check-in. Patients also have the option to update this information through the myDH online patient portal. Interpreter services will be provided at no cost for patients who prefer discussing their health care in a language other than English. As the project progresses, additional questions and options regarding patient information, such as race, ethnicity, sexual orientation and gender identity, will be incorporated, the release said. Patients are not obligated to share this information but doing so enables Dartmouth Health to better understand their needs and offer services and programs to their communities.

Air traffic staff

Sen. Jeanne Shaheen has introduced legislation aimed at addressing air traffic controller staffing issues and increasing transparency in the hiring process. According to a press release, the legislation would require the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to collaborate with the National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA) to establish staffing targets for air traffic controllers. These targets would be included in the annual Controller Workforce Plan, providing transparency and helping the FAA respond to workforce needs at airports across the country. The FAA has warned of potential delays this summer due to staffing shortages, and Sen. Shaheen’s bill aims to address this issue by improving hiring and training processes and providing accurate information to Congress about staffing needs.

The New Hampshire Department of Transportation has begun nighttime road work on Route 125 from Pinkham Road in Lee to Century Pines Road in Barrington. Road work will take place from approximately 7 p.m. to 5 a.m., Sunday through Friday, until around Friday, Aug. 18, weather permitting. Alternating one-way traffic will be implemented. This project is part of a larger pavement resurfacing initiative on two sections of Route 125 in Lee, Barrington and Plaistow, with an estimated completion date of Sept. 29.

A group of individuals, described as neo-Nazi extremists, targeted attendees of a community story hour at Teatotaller Cafe in Concord on June 18, displaying hateful behavior while wearing masks to intimidate and threaten marginalized groups, according to a press release. Sen. Becky Whitley (D-Hopkinton), Assistant Democratic Leader, expressed her firm stance in a press release: “Let me be clear — hate and white supremacy has no place here in New Hampshire,” Whitley stated.

The NH Liquor Commission hosted a grand opening ceremony on Tuesday, June 20, for the newly constructed NH Liquor & Wine Outlet in Derry. The 8,000-square-foot outlet, at 19 Manchester Road, offers a selection of over 2,600 wines and spirits. This outlet is part of NHLC’s efforts to revamp and expand its network, with over 40 locations renovated, relocated or constructed since 2012, according to a press release.

This Week 23/06/15

Big Events June 15, 2023 and beyond

Saturday, June 17

The Flashy Flock Community Art Project is starting today at Twiggs Gallery (251 King St., Boscawen) from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The project pays homage to the farming roots of Boscawen. There will be a horse-drawn plow demonstration as well as wooden chicken cutouts for residents to take and display on their yards.Food and take-home crafts will be available for purchase. Visit twiggsgallery.org for more information.

Saturday, June 17

Today is the Manchester Pride Festival from 1 to 7 p.m. at Veterans Park (723 Elm St.). There will be different forms of entertainment, including a drag queen storytime, food, more than 50 vendors, and an art extravaganza by Queerlective. Once the day’s events finish up, there will be an after party at Jewel Music Collective (61 Canal St.). Tickets to the after party cost $25 for general admission, $45 for VIP. For more information, see the “Granite State Pride” story in our June 8 issue online or visit manchestertrue.org.

Saturday, June 17

See the Aquamarines, the only artistic swimming team in New Hampshire, for their 53rd annual water show, titled “Synchro through the Ages,” at 1 p.m. today at The Boys & Girls Club of Nashua (1 Positive Place). The team is made up of athletes from 6 to 18 years old; they will demonstrate how artistic swimming has changed through the decades. Tickets are $10 for adults, $5 for students, free for children 4 and younger or for members of BGCN. For more information, visit bgcn.com.

Sunday, June 18

The Fully Loaded Comedy Festival is tonight at the Bank of New Hampshire Pavilion (72 Meadowbrook Lane, Gilford) at 7 p.m. The show will have comedic superstars including Bert Kreischer, Tiffany Haddish, Jim Norton, Big Jay Oakerson, Dan Soder and Tammy Pescatelli. Tickets start at $38 and can be purchased at banknhpavilion.com.

Tuesday, June 20

See the classic rockabilly band Dancing Madly Backwards tonight at 6:30 p.m. as part of the Henniker Concert Series at the Community Park. The band, formed in Rochester, is known for playing music from alternative to modern to rhythm and blues. For more information about the concert, visit henniker.org.

Tuesday, June 20

Gibson’s Bookstore (45 S. Main St., Concord) is welcoming Tom Raffio to speak about his new book, Stories from the Starting Line, today at 6:30 p.m. Raffio’s book explores stories of New Hampshire runners and why they run. Raffio interviewed everyone from stroller pushers to veterans with 100 races under their belts. For more information visit gibsonsbookstore.com.

Save the Date! Saturday, June 24
The Rex Theatre (23 Amherst St., Manchester) will host Trinity, a band that covers Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young, at 7:30 p.m. The five-man group covers classics of the golden age of rock music. Tickets cost $29 and can be purchased at palacetheatre.org.

Quality of Life 23/06/15

More local birds on your screen

The Loon Preservation Committee in Moultonborough is currently livestreaming a 24/7 Loon Cam on YouTube, which has shown a pair of loons nesting in the Lakes Region. According to a press release, the pair’s first egg was laid on June 11, with a second egg expected to arrive in the days to follow. The eggs are projected to hatch between July 7 and July 9. Viewers can witness the birds’ entire incubation process and the hatching of their chicks in real time over the next 28 days via the livestream. Additionally, the cam provides an online chat feature for viewers to engage with fellow bird enthusiasts and LPC biologists, allowing them to share observations and socialize. To access the Loon Cam, visit loon.org/looncam.

QOL score: +1

Comment:Bill Gassman, a volunteer at the Loon Preservation Committee and the operator of the Loon Cam, noted that many viewers have expressed feeling a sense of connection with the loons after watching them over the 28-day incubation period. “In the nine years that the cam has been running, we have shown four different pairs of loons … and each pair’s behaviors and routines are unique, and … the loons seem to have their own personalities and quirks,” Gassman said in the release. “Part of the fun of watching the Loon Cam is coming to know these loons and seeing how the pair interact with each other and their chicks.”

Hazy skies from wildfires

Wildfire smoke from Canada has caused hazy skies and potential health risks for New Hampshire residents, according to NHPR. The article, published June 9, reported nearly 430 active wildfires across Canada, fueled by a long drought and atmospheric circulation patterns, with nearly 11 million acres burned so far this year, an area almost double the size of the state of New Hampshire. Analysis by the state’s Department of Environmental Services revealed good particle pollution levels, but experts warn that the situation remains unpredictable. The smoke, carried by wind currents, can trigger respiratory symptoms, exacerbate lung conditions and increase susceptibility to respiratory illnesses such as Covid-19 and influenza, particularly among vulnerable populations, including those with asthma, pregnant individuals, children and older adults.

QOL score: -2

Comment: During air quality alerts, experts advise that it’s best to stay indoors and to keep indoor air clean.

Art for charity

Dr. Marc Bard, an artist recently retired from a career in medicine, has partnered with Meredith Village Savings Bank (MVSB) to revive the “Paintings for a Purpose” art show to support local charitable organizations. After water damage occurred at the show’s original venue, the Meredith Frame Shop, MVSB offered to host the show in its lobby space at its main office in Meredith. A special preview night will be held on Thursday, June 29, from 4 to 7 p.m., with the artwork, created by Dr. Bard, on display June 30 through Aug. 1. All proceeds from the art sales will benefit the Meredith Food Pantry, and MSVB has committed to matching up to $5,000 in support of the fundraiser.

QOL score: +1

Comment: Dr. Bard’s artwork includes watercolor paintings inspired by his passion for the Lakes Region, with a focus on the Squam Lake and Winnipesaukee communities. Visit benjylevine07.wixsite.com/paintingforapurpose to see samples of his paintings.

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.

Featured photo: Students at Spark Academy of Advanced Technologies. Courtesy photo.

LIV and let live

The Big Story: The Red Sox free fall? Nope. Denver maybe winning the NBA Finals? Nope. Las Vegas about to capture the Stanley Cup? Nope.

It was the beyond belief hypocrisy of the PGA merging with LIV Golf after a year spent (correctly) castigating the lack of morality of players abandoning the tour to take the giant money offered by the Saudi Arabia Public Investment Fund-backed tour.

It was a move with major sports financial and geopolitical implications that sent a shock wave of discontent through its players and left almost everyone else in sports stunned.

Sports 101: Name the winningest left-handed pitcher in Red Sox history.

News Item – Cassidy On The Brink: Anyone know the last time a manager or coach was fired at the end of one season by one team and then led his new team to the league championship the next year? Not me, but it’s on the cusp of happening for ex-Bruins coach Bruce Cassidy in Las Vegas, where his new club is up 3-1 over Florida as I write this.

And since it was the Bruins who fired Cassidy, what happens in Vegas will definitely not stay in Vegas this time if Cassidy pulls it off.

News Item – Sox Drop Into Last Place: Despite taking two of three from the Yankees over the weekend, the Red Sox were 14 games behind the division-leading Rays to start the week. It comes after losing six of their last 10 games to fall to an even .500 after 66 games.

Their biggest problem? It’s obvious: They’re in the AL East. If they were in the AL Central, 33-33 would have them tied for first place.

But they’re not. So an uphill struggle to get back in the race lies ahead.

Thumbs Up – Masataka Yoshida: Love hearing the Red Sox Japanese import saying he has no interest in being named Rookie of the Year. He correctly says after playing several years in Japan’s Nippon League he doesn’t believe he is a rookie.

The Numbers:

.209 –batting average after a 2-for-3 night vs. the Yankees on Friday to finally get Sox rookie Triston Casas over the Mendoza Line nine weeks into the season.

7 & 6 –wins and losses in the 13 games the Miami Heat have trailed by 12 points or more during the NBA playoffs. All other playoff teams were a combined 6 and 59 facing the same deficit.

Random Thoughts:

If the Patriots need cap space to make a deal with free agent wideout DeAndre Hopkins they should cut Trent Brown. Despite being terrible last year he’s looking like a possible camp holdout. So cut him instead and use the $11 million saved to sign Hopkins. Then if needed use draft picks to find another left tackle.

Is there any doubt now Denver’s Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray are a better 1-2 duo than Jayson Tatum and Jalen Brown?

The best the Suns could come up with to coach the final few prime years Kevin Durant has left is three-times-fried Frank Vogel? How is he an upgrade on the guy he replaced?

A Little History – June 15, 1964: In the ’60s the latest a baseball team could make an in-season trade was June 15. And for short- and long-term consequences, arguably the greatest deadline ever was made on this day in 1964, when the Cardinals traded 18-game winner Ernie Broglio for disappointing Cubs youngster Lou Brock.

It sparked the struggling Cards to roar from behind to win the pennant on the final day and then knock off the Yanks in the World Series.

Beyond that, Brock played a prominent role in getting St. Louis back to the Series in ’67 and ’68, while going on to personally rack up more than 3,000 career hits and become the all-time leader in stolen bases.

Meanwhile Broglio won just seven more games and was out of baseball after 1966.

Sports 101 Answer: Two-time 20-game winner Mel Parnell won 125 games between 1947 and 1956 to be the Sox’ winningest lefty hurler. Jon Lester is second with 110.

Final Thought: I’ve been watching sports for a long time and have never seen anything as bad as the PGA’s surrender to LIV Golf.

First, they sold out all the players loyal to the tour who passed on the giant money the defecting players took. To make the disloyal winners and the loyal guys the losers.

Second, the PGA is aiding the Saudis’ PR effort to obscure through sports its abhorrent civil rights abuses and what the CIA says was the murder and dismemberment by the kingdom of critic/journalist Jamal Khashoggi.

But worst was that PGA Commissioner Jay Monahan cast aspersions on the morality of players for taking Saudi cash, then a year later all is forgotten after the PGA got theirs.

It makes booing for the first time in golf seem like the right thing to do.

Email Dave Long at dlong@hippopress.com.

Getting ahead

On leaving high school with an associate degree

Spark Academy of Advanced Technologies, a chartered public high school located at Manchester Community College, recently celebrated its inaugural graduating class of nine students, who obtained both their high school diplomas and associate degrees simultaneously. One of these graduates, Caleb Smith of Manchester, shared his experiences at Spark and discussed the promising career opportunities that await him and his peers.

Tell us about your journey toward choosing Spark Academy and what led you to pursue this alternative high school experience.

When I was in eighth grade … I saw an ad for Spark Academy at a Fisher Cats game. The ad mentioned new opportunities for students, so I attended an info night with my mother. We both loved what we saw. I was immediately interested when they said they could graduate students with an associate’s degree right out of high school.

What was the curriculum like?

Basically, instead of taking traditional high school classes, we took college classes as dual enrollment — for both college and high school credits. … During the first two years, we were strictly at Spark Academy and took college classes that the Spark teachers were trained to teach, like basic CAD, robotic design and electrical fundamentals. In the third year, we gained full access to the college and could choose our own classes. Some professors knew we were high school students, and some didn’t. … This also allowed for accelerated learning based on [each student’s] capabilities. For example, I took Calculus I for my math credit, while some of my classmates went up to Calculus IV or Differential Equations. … Some of the classes were challenging, but as long as I dedicated enough time to them, they were manageable.

What degrees and certificates did you graduate with?

I earned an associate’s degree in advanced manufacturing. I also got a certificate in mechatronics. Not many people know what that is; it’s an electronic and mechanical system that’s used to automate an entire process. It’s very important in today’s industry and manufacturing world, and a lot of companies value that degree or certificate. Over the summer, I’m also going to be finishing up my certificate in robotics, which covers operating, programming and building robots to automate tasks.

What career opportunities has this path opened for you right out of high school?

It opens up opportunities in the field of manufacturing. … As part of the Spark program, we took a class called Systems One, which acted as our senior project. We could choose between doing a comprehensive project or securing an internship. I got an internship at Summit Packaging Systems, and that has provided valuable job pathways and networking opportunities. I’m working there now in inspection but will soon move to the machine shop. I learned to use CNC machines, problem-solving skills and various technologies relevant to my current work while I was at Spark. There are all kinds of [workplaces] around here that are looking for these kinds of skills. Some of my classmates with the same degree are working as mechanical engineers at DEKA or operating machinery at General Electric.

Are you content with your high school experience, even though you may have missed out on certain traditional elements?

It’s true that with such a small class and a class that was predominantly male, we couldn’t really have a prom or dances and stuff. But one of the extracurriculars they offered was the chance to compete in VEX Robotics on a robotics team, and this year we made it to the World Championship and got to go to Dallas for that, and that was really cool. … Honestly, I’m extremely happy to be in the position I’m in right now. It’s been great being one of the first graduates of the founding class.

What guidance or advice would you offer to future classes or students who are considering attending Spark Academy?

If you’re on the edge and not sure if you want to go or not, definitely take the leap. Worse comes to worst, you don’t like it, and you can back out and go to a different school. And, if you don’t like the Advanced Manufacturing pathway after the second year, you can choose a different path for yourself that will still be giving you early access to college [curriculum and credits]

Featured photo: Caleb Smith. Courtesy photo.

News & Notes 23/06/15

Protest at coal plant

A group of 75 climate activists and advocates of the No Coal No Gas campaign gathered outside Merrimack Station in Bow last week to demand the retirement of the coal plant and an end to the fossil fuel era. According to a press release, the event coincided with upcoming retirement offers for electricity generators in New England, providing an opportunity for the closure of Merrimack Station, and the activists expressed their determination to end the use of coal if the owners of the plant, Granite Shore Power, do not take action. Wearing white Tyvek suits, they raised signs with messages like “Happy Retirement, Merrimack Station,” “Shut it down” and “Climate justice now,” expressed concerns about the plant’s pollution’s impact on the environment and community health, and emphasized their belief in the need to phase out fossil fuels and the importance of not replacing the coal plant with a gas plant or expanding fracked gas projects, but rather turning to clean and renewable energy to mitigate the climate crisis. Law enforcement stood by, including Bow police, state troopers, an aerial drone and water patrol. The No Coal No Gas campaign is supported by various organizations dedicated to environmental justice and climate action. The gathering was part of a nationwide series of actions planned for June 8 through June 11 to end fossil fuel projects and address climate change, according to the release.

Guns scrapped

Gun violence prevention advocates, including GunSense NH and other members of the NH Gun Violence Prevention Coalition, organized a “Guns to Gardens” event at Concord Wesley United Methodist Church in Concord on June 10. According to a press release, the event allowed gun owners to voluntarily surrender their firearms, and 31 unwanted firearms, including an AR-15, were taken out of circulation. New Hampshire law prohibits the destruction of firearms by law enforcement, so Guns to Gardens offers an alternative for disposing of unwanted guns: The unloaded firearms were disarmed by trained volunteers and rendered inoperable, and the scrap metal from the firearms will be donated for metal artists to repurpose into garden tools. “This effort is a great opportunity for Granite Staters who want to remove unwanted firearms from their homes without putting them back out on the market,” Zandra Rice Hawkins, director of GunSense NH, a project of Granite State Progress, said in the release. “We are excited that so many people came out to our first Guns to Gardens event with the goal to reduce unwanted firearms in our homes and instead transform them into something more useful, and less harmful, to our community.”

Aeronautical Institute to open

A new online higher education institution, the New England Aeronautical Institute (NEAI), is set to open in New Hampshire. According to a press release, NEAI, approved by state legislators, will offer its inaugural term starting this fall, providing individuals with the opportunity to pursue a Bachelor of Science in Aviation degree. The Institute will specialize in flight operations and the managerial aspects of the aviation industry, aiming to address the future demands of aeronautics. With the first day of classes scheduled for Oct. 9, NEAI is poised to fill a gap in the state’s educational landscape by offering flight operations training and academic programs to enhance professional careers in aviation. The arrival of NEAI has been met with enthusiasm from state officials, including Frank Edelblut, the education commissioner, who highlighted the expanded academic and career possibilities it brings to New Hampshire students.

Fighting spam

Attorney General John M. Formella has joined a coalition of 28 state Attorneys General in urging the Federal Communications Commission to clarify telemarketing rules regarding consent for robocalls and texts. According to a press release, the coalition supports the FCC’s proposed amendment to ensure that National Do Not Call Registry protections also apply to text messages. The amendment aims to close a “lead generator loophole” by requiring consent for multiple entities that are logically and topically associated and listed on the same webpage. However, the Attorneys General argue in their letter that the proposed action may introduce ambiguity and suggest that clarification of the existing single seller-to-individual consumer language would be more effective.

House passes amended SB58

An amended bill addressing the issue of arrests without a warrant while under the care of medical professionals on the premises of residential care or health care facilities has been passed by the House. According to a press release, medical personnel have been required to provide emergency care to anyone who seeks it, even if they exhibit abusive behavior. However, if a health care worker is threatened or assaulted, law enforcement cannot make an arrest because the violence did not occur in their presence. The amended version of SB58 allows for the arrest of individuals who disrupt medical care through threats or actual violence. Once the necessary care is provided, the police will have the authority to remove such individuals from the premises.

Easterseals NH will soon reveal design concepts for its planned military and veterans campus, which will be the first of its kind in the state, according to a press release. Supported by $23 million in Covid Relief Funding from the state, Easterseals NH aims to enhance its efforts in the military community through the redevelopment of its 15-acre campus in Franklin. The campus will feature affordable rental housing for veterans, a hub of services for various military service providers, a retreat center and opportunities for therapeutic recreation.

Intown Concord’s Market Days, the largest annual festival in downtown Concord, will return for its 49th year on Thursday, June 22, with festivities through Saturday, June 24, including local vendors, live entertainment, family-friendly activities and more. According to a press release, this year’s festival will have a new approach as a sustainable event, featuring initiatives to promote recycling, waste reduction and eco-conscious practices. Staffed recycling stations, reusable cups in the beer tent and vendor composting are among the sustainability initiatives. Visit marketdaysfestival.com.

The Manchester School District will hold graduation ceremonies for all four of its high schools, on Saturday, June 17, at the SNHU Arena in Manchester. According to a press release, there will be two ceremonies in the morning — Manchester School of Technology High School at 8 a.m., and Manchester Central High School at 10 a.m. — and two in the afternoon — Manchester High School West at 2 p.m., and Manchester Memorial High School at 5:30 p.m. West High School will be hosting its 100th anniversary gala at the Millyard Museum from 4 to 6 p.m. on the same day.

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