Category: News

Pats back on top!

The Big Story – Pats Win AFC East: The Patriots blasted the Jets 42-10 Sunday. Then when the Bills’ failed 2-point conversion as time ran out made them 13-12 losers to Philly, it made NE the AFC champs! Who saw that coming in August? Not me.

Sports 101: Which college has won the most New Year’s Day Rose Bowl football games?

News Item – Jets Crash Land in Foxboro:

The Pats’ 42-10 wasn’t much of a game competitively. But they took care of business from the jump and Drake Maye was something to see.

Key Stat – Maye’s five TD passes. He was unstoppable going 19-21 for 256 yards in only 35 minutes played.

Improvement – Everyone: It was their most dominant game of the year.

Backslide – The Jets: Somehow they gave up a TD the first six times the Pats had the ball. And amazingly they gave up 12 first downs on the first 15 plays of the game as NE scored two TDs and averaged 9.1 per play.

Game Ball – Maye and Stefon Diggs – Again: Diggs had five large catches for 101 yards and Maye was sensational.

Next Up – Miami, 1 p.m. Sunday: A win combined with Denver losing to the Chargers makes them the No. 1 Seed in AFC playoffs.

News Item – Predictions for 2026:

• LeBron James and Travis Kelce retire.

• Bill Belichick gets fired by UNC. Showing again it usually ends badly for even the best coaches.

• The Jets do not go the entire 2026 season without an interception as they have so far this season.

• At least five more players, coaches or refs get caught in illegal sports gambling stings in 2026.

• It’s a repeat of Henry letting Kyle Schwarber walk to hit 46, 47, 38 and 56 homers in four seasons in Philly. And aggravatingly for the same money they gave Masataka Yoshida, who has hit 29 with Boston. This time Pete Alonso hits 52 homers with Baltimore after Henry passes on giving him the money he shed in the Rafael Devers trade. Instead, to play first base, they traded for a solid but aging 33-year-old ex-catcher, Willson Contreras, who averaged 19 bombs the last four years in big park St. Louis.

• The 2026 Season Champs: NBA – Houston Rockets. NHL – no idea. MLB – L.A. Dodgers’ money buys their third in a row. NFL – 2026 Patriots come all the way back, baby.

2025 Big Numbers:

1.1 – billion dollars in deferred payment for the buy-everything-in-sight-just-because-I-can L.A. Dodgers.

3 – players — Nick Kurtz, Eugenio Suarez and Schwarber — each hit four homers in the same game.

82 & 146 – combined wins and losses of the teams the Pats played in 2025.

… 2025 Of the Year Awards:

Thumbs Up – Stefon Diggs: Very quick recovery from the ACL tear, much better than expected, with none of the diva nonsense we were warned about. A most pleasant surprise.

Thumbs Down – John Henry: You almost had me when you dumped Devers. Then you put the money back in your pocket instead of trying to win by signing a big banger to replace his big bat.

Best Individual Game – Nikola Jokic: Scoring over 50 in an NBA game like he did with 56 in an OT win vs. Golden State last week is a big deal. But then throw in the 15 assists and 16 rebounds he had as well, and that his 17 points were the most ever scored in OT. That gives it to him over the three four-homer guys because that makes 21 who’ve done that.

Sports 101 Answer: USC has far and away the most Rose Bowl victories with 25 in 35 appearances. They’re followed by Ohio State with 10, Michigan with 9 and Stanford with 8.

Final Thought – Things I Hope Happen in 2026:

• While he’s earned a big sendoff, I hope LeBron does not go out a winner, as that will keep the Celtics’ all-time 18 title wins one ahead of the Lakers. Though they actually only won 12 of them as the L.A. Lakers.

• Henry sells the Sox to someone who cares enough about winning to spend to do it. Then he gets elected to the Hall for being the owner when they ended the Curse and won three more titles before he went cheap.

• After finally knocking off the petty crap to keep Bill Parcells out of the Patriot Hall, ditto for Bob Kraft and Canton. If for no other reason than so we’ll be free from his relentless campaigning to get in (and for the six titles won on his watch).

• The very likable Brian Scalabrine gets a clue to not say “we” when broadcasting Celtics games. Even the biggest homer of them all, Johnny Most, never did that.

• The reigning blowhard of sports broadcasting, Steven A. Smith, gets a four-month case of laryngitis that starts right before the NBA playoffs begin. Happy New Year to all.

Email Dave Long at dlong@hippopress.com.

News & Notes 26/01/01

$2 less

Eversource customers are expected to see a 2 percent decrease in their bills for the first two months of 2026 “due to rate adjustments in the first two months of the new year,” according to an Eversource press release from Dec. 16. “The energy company recently filed multiple rate adjustments, including energy supply, that will take effect early next year, leading to a slight overall decrease for customers if approved by the New Hampshire Public Utilities Commission (PUC),” the release said. “Due to rate adjustments in the first two months of the new year, the delivery portion of all customer bills will go down, resulting in an approximately $2 or 2% decrease. The Default Service rate, which is the energy supply that Eversource purchases on behalf of customers with no markup or profit, will remain stable, changing in February from 11.2 cents per kilowatt-hour (kWh) to 11.3 cents per kWh,” the release said. See eversource.com.

Shoebox project

The United Way of Greater Nashua is collecting items for its Shoebox Project for Seniors Monday, Jan. 5, through Friday, Jan. 30, at its 20 Broad St. location in Nashua from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on weekdays, according to a press release. The shoebox kits are distributed to seniors “served by Gateways Community Services, Meals on Wheels, Americorps Senior Companions and The Caregivers, reaching individuals who are often isolated and difficult to reach,” the press release said. Items accepted include exercise bands, puzzle books, healthy recipe books, note cards, stamps, magnifying glasses, pocket calendars, small stuffed animals, colored pencils and adult coloring books, combs and brushes, dental floss, facial tissue, hot chocolate, tea and coffee bags, travel-size shampoo, toothpaste and other items, the release said. See unitedwaynashua.org/event/shoebox-project-for-seniors-day-of-caring/.

Renovations

The New Hampshire Audubon’s McLane Center, 84 Silk Road in Concord, will be open to visitors, such as those who want to check out the “Enchanted Owls” exhibit of fiber art featuring the works of Sandra Grant, on Friday, Jan. 2, and Saturday, Jan. 3, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. but then closed Jan. 4 through Jan 20 for renovations, according to a NH Audubon newsletter. “Enchanted Owls” will continue at the McLane Center after it reopens, on display through Saturday, March 7. See nhaudubon.org for updates. The Massabesic Center, 26 Audubon Way in Auburn, will be closed for New Year’s Day (Thursday, Jan. 1) but otherwise open normal hours, Wednesdays through Saturdays, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Its new exhibit — “Outings,” featuring the watercolor works of Nick Amadeo — will open on Friday, Jan. 9, with an artist reception that evening from 6 to 9 p.m. The exhibit will be on display through Saturday, Feb. 28, according to the NH Audubon’s calendar on its website.

The Concord Public Library, 45 Green St. in Concord, will hold a Stuffed Animal Sleepover for kids in preschool and elementary school on Friday, Jan. 2, at 3 p.m. Bring a stuffie who will spend the night at the library and then pick them up on Saturday, Jan. 3, at 10 a.m., when kids can have breakfast and watch a G-rated movie, according to concordnh.gov/1983/Library, where you can register for the event.

New England author Katy Hunt will be at the storytime on Saturday, Jan. 3, at 11:30 a.m. at Bookery Manchester, 844 Elm St. in Manchester, with her books There’s a Wub in the Tub and My Cousin Is A Dragon, according to bookerymht.com.

Check out another Rob Reiner-directed classic — 1986’s Stand By Me, based on Stephen King’s “The Body,” which will screen on Sunday, Jan. 4, at 1 p.m. at the Nashua Public Library, 2 Court St., according to nashualibrary.org.

This Week 25/12/25

Thursday, Dec. 25

The Gift of Lights display at NH Motor Speedway, 1122 Route 106 in Loudon, continues through through Sunday, Jan. 4, opening at 4:30 p.m. on most days (weather dependent), according to nhms.com, where you can purchase a ticket (one ticket per vehicle).

Friday, Dec. 26

Charmingfare Farm, 774 High St. in Candia, visitthefarm.com, keeps the fun going with Encore of the Lights running this weekend today; tomorrow, Saturday, Dec. 27, and Sunday, Dec. 28, in the afternoon and early evenings. See the website to book tickets on a sleigh or logging sled to see the farm’s holiday lights display and to visit the farm animals, enjoy hot cocoa by the campire and more.

Friday, Dec. 26

The Rex Theatre (823 Amherst St., Manchester, 668-5588, palacetheatre.org) will host Wheel Gone Wild: an R-Rated Game Show tonight at 7:30 p.m. This is the ultimate adults-only twist on your favorite game show, according to the website.

Friday, Dec. 26

The Jewel Music Venue (61 Canal St., Manchester, 819-9336, jewelmusicvenue.com) will host I Love R&B: the Ultimate R&B Party Experience at 8 p.m.. Visit ILoveRNBParty.com for tickets for this 21+ event.

Saturday, Dec. 27

Hard-rocking band Chasing the Devil will perform at the Angel City Music Hall (179 Elm St., Manchester, 931-3654) tonight from 7 to 11:30 p.m., with special guests Angry Hill, Silent Season, and Trawl. Tickets are $23.18 through eventbrite.com.

Sunday, Dec. 28

Oscar Wilde’s The Importance of Being Earnest will screen today at 2 p.m. at the BNH Stage (16 S. Main St., Concord, 225-1111, ccanh.com). Max Webster (Life of Pi) directs the performance, filmed live from the National Theatre in London.

Sunday, Dec. 28

Experience the slam dunks and trick shots of The Harlem Globetrotters today at 2 and 7 p.m., at the SNHU Arena, 555 Elm St. in Manchester, snhuarena.com. They will take on their long-time rivals the Washington Generals.

Tuesday, Dec. 30

Comedian Juston McKinney will perform at the Nashua Center for the Arts (201 Main St., Nashua, 800-657-8774, nashuacenterforthearts.com) tonight through Friday, Jan. 2, at 10 p.m. Tickets are $45 through the Nashua Center’s website.

Wednesday, Dec. 31

The Adam Ezra Group will perform at the Tupelo Music Hall (10 A St., Derry, 437-5100, tupelomusichall.com) tonight at 9 p.m. Find more special meals, parties and other events to celebrate New Year’s Eve starting on page 24.

Save the Date! Thursday, Jan 8
Mania: the ABBA Tribute will take the stage at the Chubb Theatre (Chubb Theatre at CCA, 44 S. Main St., Concord, 225-1111, ccanh.com) Thursday, Jan. 8, at 7:30 p.m. This show has toured every continent in the world and has played more than 3,000 live concerts in more than 35 countries. Featuring a cast of musicians and performers, Mania: The ABBA Tribute delivers an authentic tribute to the legendary Swedish band, according to the website. Tickets start at $38 through the Capitol Center’s website.

Featured Photo: Juston Mckinney. Courtesy photo.

Quality of Life 25/12/25

We know how to holiday

According to a recent study by health and wellness website Innerbody.com, New Hampshire is one of the most festive states in the U.S. The study examined Christmas-related online searches of topics including the sales of advent calendars, inflatable lawn decorations and festive holiday clothing. “New Hampshire has risen to 9th place in the rankings, up from 10th last year,” read a Dec. 16 press release from Innerbody, “suggesting an increase in its Christmas spirit.” This contrasts with its neighbors, Vermont and Maine, which rank among the states with the lowest (or “Grinchiest”) Christmas cheer.

QOL score: +1

Comment: The study ranked West Virginia as the most festive, and the District of Columbia as the least festive. Visit innerbody.com/most-festive-state.

Girl Scouts convert bags to benches

A Mont Vernon Girl Scout troop has collected enough semi-firm plastic bags — the type you get groceries in — to be recycled into a park bench. Girl Scout Troop 59205 is a group of four cadets in seventh grade, led by Scout Leader Bobbi Billow. When the project began, the troop had 13 members who all contributed to the project for a full year and helped reach the 1,000-pound milestone. “Month after month, the residents of Mont Vernon came together and averaged 100 pounds of plastic recycled per month,” Billow posted on Facebook on Dec. 1, “an incredible achievement for a small town with a big heart.”

QOL score: +1

Comment: According to a Dec. 15 press release from Girl Scouts of the Green and White Mountains, Troop 59205 will donate their bench to the Mont Vernon Conservation Commission to be placed at Carleton Pond. This project was taken on as part of a challenge by Trex Recycling. Visit nextrex.com/view/programs.

New Hampshire and the Peace Corps

In a Dec. 15 press release, the Peace Corps (peacecorps.gov) announced its 2025 rankings of the top volunteer-producing states across the United States with New Hampshire ranked No. 3 among states with the highest number of Peace Corps volunteers per capita. According to the press release there are currently 36 New Hampshire residents serving worldwide. “In 2025, the nation’s capital is the largest producer of volunteers per capita with 31 volunteers, more than 4 volunteers per 100,000 citizens. Vermont took the No. 2 spot for per capita production, with 24 volunteers.”

QOL score: +1

Comment: Volunteers in the Peace Corps travel to other countries to donate their time and expertise. The Peace Corps aims “to help promote a better understanding of Americans on the part of the peoples served” and “to help promote a better understanding of other peoples on the part of Americans,” according to its website.

QOL score: 79

Net change: +3

QOL for the end of 2025: 82

What’s affecting your Quality of Life here in New Hampshire?

Let us know at news@hippopress.com.

Pats reclaim AFC East supremacy

The Big Story — Christmas: Today is the day for giving gifts. The Patriots got theirs a little early, by clinching a return to the playoffs for the first time since 2021 with Sunday’s 28-24 win over Baltimore. And as they try to get ahead of Denver and Buffalo for AFC Top Seed and win the AFC East, they get another Sunday with the Jets on their holiday menu, followed by 6-9 Miami. Meanwhile for Buffalo it’s Philadelphia and the Jets, while Denver got Pat Mahomes-less KC on Christmas Day and closes it out with a tough one vs. the 11-4 Chargers.

Sports 101: Whose NFL fans in the 1970s booed Santa Claus on Christmas Day when he was shown on the Jumbotron making his rounds during the game?

News Item – Patriots Down Baltimore 28-24:

KeyStat – Drake Maye had his first career 300+ yard game when he was 31-44 for 380 yards and two TDs.

Improvement –Kyle Williams had another tremendous contested long TD catch (36 yards) and gained 29.7 on three key returns.

Brain Dead Call – MikeVrabel – The failed fake punt giving Baltimore FG position with them just down three with 20 minutes still left.

Backslide – Maye had three turnovers.

Game Ball – A Tie –Maye overcame the TO’s to lead his first fourth-quarter comeback when Stefon Diggs was vital to that with nine catches for 138 yards.

News Item – Holiday Presents: Time to see who’s been naughty and nice as we hand out our presents for 2025.

2025 Patriots – No home playoff games. If you haven’t noticed, they’re 5-3 at home and 7-0 on the road.

Jayson Tatum – a healthy return from the Achilles injury.

Celtics – a better collective bargaining agreement that doesn’t hurt fans by forcing teams to shred very good players to avoid onerous financial and player acquisition penalties.

Red Sox Nation – A New Owner: One willing to spend what it takes to acquire top-level talent like John Henry once did and the Dodgers now always do.

Patriots Owner Bob Kraft – Mystery Votes: Some fall his way in the Hall of Fame voting. Because getting the needed 80 percent of the 50 voters (who only have three votes each) to say yes, it’ll be a tough slog in his contributors/long retired players category to get in with him up against the “what took them so long” trio of SF running back Roger Craig, Steelers defensive end L.C. Greenwood, Cincy QB Kenny Anderson along with Bill Belichick in that group. He’s a distant fifth to them.

Coach B – Not Enough Votes: It won’t happen, but given how he went out of his way to make the media’s job harder, especially after losses, waiting a year seems appropriate penance for that nonsense.

Ryan Day – a second straight college football national title for the local lad to get him a step closer to legendary Woody Hayes’ Ohio State record of five national titles.

Coach B – Another: Since he already got a snarky one, we’ll give him another. Being the surprise hire for an open NFL job to let him keep trying to pass Don Shula’s record for most wins all-time.

2026 Patriots – Player Additions: Two studs added to the O-line and a major pass rusher in the draft and free agency.

Outside World

Lane Kiffin, Brian Kelly and Nick Saban (twice) – Coal in their Stockings: For walking out on their bowl-bound players to take the next job.

Notre Dame Football – More Idle Post Seasons: To college football’s most entitled whiners, a CD of Miami advancing to R-II by knocking out Texas A & M 10-3.

Al Horford – Success: With trade chatter already in the air, a better career ending than it’s looking like for the 39-year-old in Golden State, where he’s only played 13 times in 28 games as he’s shooting just 29.5 percent of his three-ball tries while averaging 5.6 points and 4.2 rebounds per game.

Major League Baseball – A Salary Cap: Because, to their credit, the Dodgers are making a mockery of their spending advantage over all but the five or six teams capable of playing big-money baseball.

Mike Vrabel – Coach of the Year: He already got his present Sunday in Baltimore. But, while he’s got real competition from Liam Coen and others, it would be a nice reward for the spectacular job he’s done in returning the great franchise to its accustomed place.

Drake Maye – MVP Award: Coming up big in the year’s biggest game definitely got him back in that race.

Sports 101 Answer: Who else but the never happy unless they have someone to boo fans in Philly would boo Santa on Christmas?

Final Thought:

Holiday wishes to all for a happy, healthy and prosperous year ahead.

Email Dave Long at dlong@hippopress.com.

News & Notes 25/12/25

Symphony NH

Symphony NH is postponing two upcoming concerts, the “executive director is taking a personal pay cut” and some staff will be given reduced hours, among other measures, due to financial challenges, according to an email from the Symphony NH Board of Trustees and staff on Dec. 18. “Last season brought unexpected financial challenges: declining ticket revenue, reduced charitable gaming income, and a drop in individual giving. At the same time, operating costs — especially venue expenses — rose significantly. These combined pressures have created a shortfall that we must address now to protect the long-term health of Symphony NH,” the email said. The Jan. 17 and March 28 music director finalist concerts will be rescheduled to next season; ticket holders can call 595-9156 or email snh@symphonynh.org for information.

Red Cross

The American Red Cross is looking for blood and platelet donations, especially of types O, A negative and B negative, according to a press release from the Northern New England Region of the American Red Cross. Those who donate through Jan. 4 will receive a long-sleeved T-shirt, while supplies last, the release said. Donors between Jan. 1 and Jan. 25 will be “entered for a chance to win a trip for two to Super Bowl LX in the San Francisco Bay Area,” the release said. Schedule a donation at redcrossblood.org.

Old buildings

The New Hampshire Preservation Alliance is offering a Career Exploration in the Old Building Trades vacation week program, according to a Dec. 10 newsletter. The programs take place Feb. 23-27 and April 27 to May 1, 8:45 a.m. to 3 p.m., and are open to ages 16 to 21, according to the application form, which you can find at nhpreservation.org/preservation-trades-initiative. The programs will take place at Canterbury Shaker Village and Sanborn Mills Farm in Loudon and at Seacoast/Portsmouth locations, the site said. No experience is necessary. The application deadline is Friday, Jan. 16.

Art & Bloom

The Concord Garden Club will take part in its 23rd annual “Art and Bloom” show in collaboration with the Women’s Caucus for Art, New Hampshire Chapter, and Kimball Jenkins Estate, 266 N. Main St. in Concord, where the show will be on display Thursday, Jan. 22, through Saturday, Jan. 24, according to a press release. “Club members and local floral professionals will create floral arrangements inspired by works of art and craft on display during Kimball Jenkins’ January art exhibition. [The show] will coincide with Intown Concord‘s Winter Festival,” the release said. For information about participating, see concordgardenclubnh.com.

Celebrate the life of Rob Reiner with a screening of one of his directorial gems, 1989’s When Harry Met Sally…, on Saturday, Dec. 27, at 10 a.m. at Red River Theatres in Concord. See redrivertheatres.org for tickets.

Andrew Pinard brings his Discovering Magic with Andrew Pinard show to New Hampshire Theatre Project, 959 Islington St. in Portsmouth, nhtheatreproject.org/onstagenow, on Friday, Dec. 26, at 7:30 p.m.; Saturday, Dec. 27, at 2:30 and 7:30 p.m., and Sunday, Dec. 28, at 2:30 p.m., according to a press release. Tickets cost $32 general admission, $28 for seniors and students, according to the website.

Goffstown First Night: Rockin’ New Year’s Eve Celebration takes place on Wednesday, Dec. 31, from 6 to 9 p.m. downtown in the village, according to goffstownmainstreet.org/goffstown-first-night. The “fun-filled, family-friendly celebration” will feature a winter wonderland with princesses and other characters for photos, hands-on activities, music, a New Year’s Eve ball drop every hour on the hour and more, the website said.

Mosaic Art Collective, 66 Hanover St., Suite 201, in Manchester, mosaicartcollective.com, is inviting local artists to submit work for its next show, “Peaceful Rebellion,” which opens Wednesday, Jan. 28, according to the December newsletter. “This open call is for works that celebrate the act of art making and the awareness and solace it provides us,” the newsletter said. See the website for details; the deadline is Jan. 14.

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