Category: News

Spring playoff season ahead

The Big Story – Celtics Start Playoffs: Stumbling coming out of the All-Star break, including truly awful non-effort losses like blowing a 28-point lead vs. the non-Durant Nets, had Celtic Nation grumbling at best and filled with trepidation at worst. But they righted the ship to finish 57-25 and grabbed the second end in the East. However, they coughed up home court advantage vs. Milwaukee if both get to the Eastern Conference Finals, something that was vital last year when they had home court in their Game 7 win over Milwaukee.

I looked at it differently, as a product of their infuriating way of playing down to opponents, characterized by a lack of focus and lackadaisical defense. When someone good was on the schedule the focus and effort returned to show they can dominate anyone at their best, like the recent demolition of the Bucks, which came on the road, to show they ain’t afraid to play in Milwaukee.

And while they’re capable of getting through the East, it will be no cakewalk. The Bucks are as deep as they are and Giannis is more consistently great than Jayson Tatum, Philly has the likely MVP in Joel Embiid (see below), they were 1-3 vs. Cleveland and Miami plays them better/tougher than anyone except Golden State.

The key for them will be consistency behind the line and ability to deal with it by scoring inside and getting to the line when the 3-ball isn’t falling, as inevitably will happen some nights. Didn’t mention their D, because that’s an effort thing and the urgency of a playoff series usually puts a charge into everyone in green.

So, even with some concerns, buckle up because it could be a fun and hopefully long ride.

Sports 101: David Pastrnak became the eighth player in Bruins history to score at least 300 career goals when he became the 23rd NHL player to score 60 or more in a season on Sunday.

Name the seven other Bruins with 300 career goals.

The Numbers:

2 – pitch clock violations by Shohei Ohtani in being the first to do it once as a pitcher and once as a batter in the same game (a 4-3 Angels win over Seattle).

26 – years ago that Tiger Woods won the first of his six green jackets with a 12-stroke win in the 1997 Masters.

50 – recent per year increase in Major League homers attributed to climate change by a Dartmouth College study published last week.

News Item – Bruins Break All-Time Record: One down and one to go for your Boston Bruins after setting the all-time record for wins in a single season with No. 63 on Sunday vs. the Flyers. Next up is the 76-77 Canadiens record for most-ever 132 points, which they may get on Tuesday vs. Washington. Or, if not, against Montreal in Montreal on Thursday, which, given the way the Canadiens tormented them for most of their history, would be a more fitting way to do it.

News Item – Women’s Basketball Landmark Moment: Time will tell if this is the kind of watershed moment for women’s basketball that 1979’s legendary most watched Magic Johnson–Larry Bird clash was for the men. Drawing 12.6 million viewers, last Sunday’s Iowa-LSU NCAAchampionship game was the most-viewed women’s game ever in their sport, dwarfing last year’s 3.4 million viewers. An indicator may be the demographic breakdown between the more traditional male audience and the potentially growing female audience.

News Item – Watch Out For That Dude In The Playoffs: The 76ers may not have the greatest bench in the world but they will be a tough out in the playoffs thanks to having the most unstoppable force in Joel Embiid. Embiid showed that last week with a spectacular 52-point, 13-rebound, 6-assist night in Philly’s 103-101 win over the Celtics. And by going 20-25 from the field and 12-13 from the line he got those 52 the old-fashioned way since he didn’t make a 3-ball all night.

I Told You So Award – Me: With people inexplicably still calling Kyrie Irving a “game-changing superstar,” here’s what I said when he joined the then 28-26, 6-seed Mavericks after being traded/dumped by the Nets:“I’m betting they finish below .500 and land in the play-in round by year’s end….” I was wrong — kind of. They went 10-16 after he arrived, including 5-11 playing with Luka Doncic and 8-12 in the 20 games he played. In doing so they fell from the 6 seed to the 11 seed and entirely out of the playoffs. Superstar indeed.

Random Red Sox Thoughts:

Based on Masataka Yoshida’s decent start and stellar play in the WBC (three homers and a tournament-leading 13 RBI) the early indications are he’s not headed to be a Japanese version of Rusney Castillo.

I know he’s an emergency replacement who deserves some slack, but the five errors Kiké Hernandez already has in nine games projects to 90 over a full season.

How in the name of Calvin Schiraldi is Ryan Brasier still in their bullpen? He’s followed his 0-3, 5.36 ERA 2022 season with an early 9.00 ERA in five appearances. And the ERAs in two of the last three years were 3.96 and 4.85.

The 24,477 at Wednesday’s game vs. Pittsburgh was the smallest crowd since John Henry bought the Sox in 2002.

Sports 101 Answer: Johnny Bucyk (545), Phil Esposito (459), Patrice Bergeron (427), Rick Middleton (402), Ray Bourque (395), Brad Marchand (371), Cam Neely (344).

Email Dave Long at dlong@hippopress.com.

Outreach on four legs

Policing and building community with horses and a pony

Officer Kelly McKenney of the Manchester Police Mounted Patrol, honored last month as the 2023 New Hampshire Horseperson of the Year by the New Hampshire Horse Council, shared her thoughts and experiences on serving as a mounted police officer.

How did you become a mounted patrol officer?

I’ve been riding since I was 6 years old. … I was on the UNH equestrian team and lived at the UNH horse barns for my last two years there. After college … I became a police officer in Manchester, knowing that Manchester had a mounted patrol, with the intention and the hope of being put on that division. It took 13 years; I did my time, then finally got put on.

Tell us about the horses.

We have two big horses named General Stark and Bruno. General Stark is a Clydesdale cross and has been with the patrol for a while, while Bruno is a Percheron cross and relatively new. Right now we keep them at the Youth Detention Center in Manchester, because that used to be a county farm. … For almost two years I was alone — there are usually two riders, but we didn’t have the manpower to spare — but I finally got a partner this past summer. That helps a lot, so we can ride together and share the chores, and horses are herd animals, so they prefer to have a partner. … I’ve ridden General Stark for a long time, and we have a great partnership, but I’ve been letting my new partner ride him because he’s such a steady horse; he’s been doing [patrol riding] for a long time and has been exposed to everything. Bruno, however, is still new and can be a bit anxious about things. … Then, there’s Eddy, the pony …

OK, so what’s the story with the pony?

Our horses are huge. Kids go to pet them and it’s like, ‘OK, well, that’s a leg.’ So, I had this idea. … I asked the chief, ‘Can we get a pony? I want to bring a pony to the schools,’ and he was like, ‘… a pony? Uh, alright,’ so I found this little pony, and it just exploded. I did over 120 events with the pony just last year. We brought him to schools, day cares, senior centers, nursing homes, mental health facilities — who doesn’t love a pony, right? … And the comfort dogs are great, too, but every kid on the planet has seen a dog; it’s not every day you get to see a pony in Manchester.

What kind of police work do you do on mounted patrol?

Mostly we ride downtown, on Elm Street or throughout the parks. When we were having homelessness issues, I would monitor the parks and make sure people were behaving. I actually formed quite a few bonds with the homeless [individuals] out there. A lot of them would talk to me when they wouldn’t talk to [other officers], because they see that I’m a human, too. The horse kind of brings that out. I’ve also stopped cars and made arrests from horseback.

Do tell how you pull someone over while on horseback.

I use the traffic lights to my advantage. I stand at the corner, and when the cars are stopped at the light, if I see [a driver] on their phone or an expired inspection sticker or registration, I ride up to the car while they’re waiting for the light, and I say, ‘Hey, when the light turns green, I want you to pull over up there.’

Who picks up the horse poop?

I do! It’s so funny —I bring trash bags, and it’s basically like, the biggest dog-doo pickup in the world. … And Eddie, when we bring him places, wears a little diaper that catches his poo. Seriously. There are pictures on our Facebook page.

Why is the Mounted Patrol an important part of the police department?

At the end of the day I’m still a police officer doing police work, but working with horses is so much more community-oriented than just being in a cruiser … and allows for a better face-to-face interaction with the public. When I’m riding, people walk up to me and flag me down to talk, which opens up a dialogue, and that is just awesome. Nobody ever flagged me down to talk about my cruiser or bicycle when I rode them; most people tried to go the other way. But having the horses, it’s so nice to be able to actually talk with people instead of being something that people want to avoid. … It helps to show people that police officers are human beings and give people a positive experience with law enforcement.

Featured photo: Officer Kelly McKenney of the Manchester Police Mounted Patrol and Eddy the comfort pony visit Manchester Head Start. Courtesy photo.

News & Notes 23/04/13

City cleanups

The Manchester Urban Ponds Restoration Program hosts its 24th year of pond and park cleanups, with cleanups scheduled for Saturday, April 22, at Nutts Pond and Precourt Park; Saturday, April 29, at Stevens Pond and Stevens Park; and Saturday, May 6, at Black Brook and Blodget Park. All cleanups run from 9 to 11 a.m., and trash bags, latex gloves and trash pickers will be provided, according to a press release. Visit manchesternh.gov/urbanponds to learn more.

Get outside

Gov. Chris Sununu has proclaimed April 17 through April 23 “Outside For 5 Week” to recognize a new pledge campaign launched by the New Hampshire Environmental Educators, in partnership with the North American Association for Environmental Education Affiliate Network. According to a press release, the “Outside for 5” campaign encourages teachers and educators in New Hampshire to incorporate outdoor learning into their students’ routine for at least five minutes a day, five days a week, or any meaningful amount of time as a way to address the decline in youth mental health exacerbated by the pandemic and the resulting impact on classroom educators who have faced increased levels of burnout. “Our goal with this campaign is to inspire educators to think outside the box when it comes to enhancing the social-emotional wellness of their students, each other, and their entire school community,” Sarah Bodor, NAAEE’s Director of Policy and Affiliate Relations, said in the release. “We want kids to get outside and experience the benefits of nature’s classroom.” To sign the pledge and learn more about the “Outside for 5” campaign, visit outsidefor5.com.

Scholarship

The Merrimack County Conservation District is now accepting applications for its “Stanley Grimes Conservation Scholarship.” According to a press release, the $1,000 scholarship will be awarded in June to a Merrimack County resident who has been accepted to a two- or four-year college or university and will be attending full-time in the fall of 2023 with the intent to pursue studies in the field of agriculture, forestry, environmental science, soil science or a related natural resources program. The application deadline is May 5. Visit merrimackccd.org, email info@merrimackccd.org or call 223-6020 to learn more about the scholarship and to access an application form.

Help for homelessness

Harbor Care, a nonprofit organization that provides housing, health care and human services in New Hampshire, was awarded a $2,000 donation by the Rotary Club of Hollis-Brookline on April 5. According to a press release, Harbor Care has been a leading provider of supportive and permanent housing for veterans and individuals experiencing chronic homelessness in Greater Nashua and beyond, successfully moving 246 individuals and families experiencing chronic homelessness into permanent housing since 2020, and helping 343 veterans experiencing or at-risk of homelessness to access stable housing in the past year. The donated funds will be used to support Harbor Care’s Dignity of Home initiative, which aims to provide safe and stable housing to individuals experiencing homelessness and help them overcome the co-occurring challenges they often face, such as mental illness and addiction.

Beech leaf disease

A research team at the University of New Hampshire, led by Jeff Garnas, a UNH scientist researcher with the New Hampshire Agricultural Experiment Station, has received a grant to study the potential impacts of beech leaf disease (BLD), a relatively new disease caused by invasive felted beech scale insects that has been spreading rapidly throughout New England forests. According to a press release, the researchers will collect tree core samples from BLD monitoring sites across nine states in the Northeast to analyze annual beech growth patterns and assess the combined effects of BLD and beech bark disease (BBD), another threat to beech trees in the region. The team will also investigate climate records to determine the role of climate conditions in the spread of the diseases and its impact on tree growth and mortality. “As a new disease in our forests, the long-term impacts of BLD are currently difficult to predict with any certainty … and there is definitely cause for concern.” Garnas said in the release. “Ultimately, this work will provide forest managers and forest health specialists much-needed tools for understanding, assessing and predicting the long-term impacts of BLD.”

Emergency help

The New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services, in collaboration with the State’s substance misuse prevention partners, has announced a new initiative to distribute more than 700 “NaloxBoxes” in various public locations across all 10 counties in the state. According to a press release, this statewide coordinated effort — the first of its kind in the U.S. — aims to provide 24/7 access to naloxone, a medication that can reverse opioid overdoses and save lives. “During a medical emergency, every minute counts, and providing public access to life-saving medication that can reverse the impact of an overdose while it is occurring is a critical step in reducing the number of lives lost to substance use disorder,” DHHS Chief Medical Officer Jonathan Ballard said in the release. Any business or community entity in New Hampshire is eligible to request a NaloxBox unit for installation in an accessible and highly visible area by contacting State Opioid Response Director Jennifer Sabin at jennifer.a.sabin@dhhs.nh.gov. First responders, families, caregivers and other individuals who would like access to naloxone for individual purposes can reach out to their local Doorway, a resource for substance use disorder services in New Hampshire.

Registration is open for the Laconia Golf Classic, a fundraiser for Concord Hospital’s Laconia Dental Center and its programs set for Monday, May 22, at Laconia Country Club (607 Elm St., Laconia). According to a press release, the day will begin with a welcome barbecue at 11 a.m. and will feature raffles, giveaways and hole-in-one prizes, including a chance to win a car or Kubota tractor. Visit ch-trust.org or call 737-6752 to learn more and to register your team.

The Aviation Museum of New Hampshire in Londonderry (27 Navigator Road) will host an informational open house on Tuesday, April 18, from 7 to 8:30 p.m. for community members interested in volunteering for the museum’s education outreach program. According to a press release, attendees can meet current volunteers and learn about volunteering opportunities to help the museum in its mission to introduce young people to the world of aviation and aerospace. To RSVP, call 669-4877 and leave a message with your name, or send an email to ldearborn@nhahs.org. Visit aviationmuseumofnh.org to learn about other kinds of volunteering opportunities at the museum.

From April 17 through Oct. 28, United Way of Greater Nashua will move its Pop-Up Pantries to a dozen outdoor locations in the downtown Nashua area — two or three locations every weekday — to provide free fresh food to area residents facing food insecurity. Visit tinyurl.com/pop-uppantries for times and locations. Donations of nonperishable food are accepted at United Way of Greater Nashua’s office (20 Broad St., Nashua) weekdays between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m., according to a press release.

This Week 23/04/06

Big Events April 6, 2023 and beyond

Thursday, April 6

New Hampshire Craft Beer Week, an annual 10-day celebration of the Granite State’s craft brewing industry, returns today and will continue through Saturday, April 15. The campaign is presented by the New Hampshire Brewers Association and is meant to coincide with National Beer Day (April 7). Among this year’s happenings is the inaugural downtown Nashua craft beer tour, with chances to win prizes. Visit nhbrewers.org or follow Craft Beer Week’s Facebook page @nhcraftbeerweek for details on ongoing events and happenings.

Saturday, April 8

Catch Grammy- and Emmy-nominated Celtic violinist Máiréad Nesbitt for a special show with the New Hampshire-based Jordan Tirrell-Wysocki Trio tonight at 7:30 p.m. at the Rex Theatre (23 Amherst St., Manchester). Nesbitt is a founding member of the all-female worldwide traveling music phenomenon Celtic Woman, which has released several multi-platinum selling records. Tickets are $35, plus fees. Purchase them online at palacetheatre.org, or call the box office at 668-5588.

Saturday, April 8

Join the Derry Public Library (64 E. Broadway) today from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. for Derry Author Fest — the event features a full day of lectures, panels and networking opportunities for aspiring writers and storytellers, as well as a book sale in the children’s room courtesy of Gibson’s Bookstore. This year’s keynote speaker is Ann Davila Cardinal, author of the 2022 novel The Storyteller’s Death. Derry Author Fest is free and open to the public. See derryauthorfest.wordpress.com for the full schedule of this year’s events.

Saturday, April 8

Don’t miss the Boots & Brews car show, happening today from noon to 6 p.m. at Anheuser-Busch Tour Center & Biergarten (221 Daniel Webster Hwy., Merrimack). All vehicle makes and models are welcome in the show, which is being held in support of Heroes in Transition, a nonprofit assisting New England veterans and their families with service dogs, prosthetics and home modifications. Food trucks will also be on site, and the Biergarten and gift shop will be open from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Admission is free, but donations are requested. See biergartenevents.com.

Tuesday, April 11

Play ball! The New Hampshire Fisher Cats play their home opener of the 2023 season tonight at Northeast Delta Dental Stadium (1 Line Drive, Manchester) against the Portland Sea Dogs. First pitch is at 6:35 p.m., starting a six-game homestand that continues through Sunday, April 16. Single-game tickets start at $12, and the first 1,000 fans through the gate for tonight’s game also receive a free Frisbee. See nhfishercats.com for the full schedule of games, which runs through mid-September this year.

Wednesday, April 12

Vermont authors Rebecca and Sallyann Majoya will be at Gibson’s Bookstore (45 S. Main St., Concord) tonight at 6:30 p.m. to present their shared memoir, Uncertain Fruit: A Memoir of Infertility, Loss and Love, released in November. Admission is free, and for those who can’t make it, signed copies of the book may be ordered from Gibson’s Bookstore’s website. See gibsonsbookstore.com.

Save the Date! Friday, April 29
Saturday, April 29, is Independent Bookstore Day, a nationwide celebration of independent bookstores and the book-lovers who frequent them. Participating bookstores sell merchandise released exclusively for that day, which may include special-edition books, signed art prints and covers and literary-themed novelty items. Some may even host additional festivities, such as author visits, readings and book signings, live music, food, activities for kids, contests and giveaways and more. Visit indiebookstoreday.com to see a list of this year’s featured merchandise and to find a bookstore near you that is participating.

Featured photo. Fisher Cats. Courtesy photo.

Quality of Life 23/04/06

Egg updates!

As of the morning of Tuesday, April 4, four eggs had been laid by the peregrine falcon pair that resides in the New Hampshire Audubon’s peregrine nest box atop the Brady Sullivan Tower in Manchester. According to the Audubon’s daily peregrine falcons log, the first egg was laid on Sunday, March 26, at 4 a.m., with the second, third and fourth to follow on Tuesday, March 28, at 4 p.m., Friday, March 31, at 2 a.m., and Sunday, April 2, at 10 a.m. Last year the falcons laid a total of five eggs. Watch them on the Audubon’s 24/7 high-definition livestream of the nest box on YouTube; visit nhaudubon.org/education/birds-and-birding/ peregrine-cam for links and more information.

QOL score: +1

Comment: Peregrine falcons typically lay their eggs in late March, hatch their chicks at the end of April and fledge their young by early June, according to the NH Audubon.

Ride to school

The Bike School Bus program, a program of the nonprofit Manchester Moves, is back in action, NHPR reported. Now in its second year, Bike School Bus allows elementary school students in Manchester to ride bikes to school safely by providing them with good-quality bikes with bells and lighting and guidance along bike-friendly routes and paths. Visit manchestermoves.org/bike-school-bus to learn more.

QOL score: +1

Comment: According to the Manchester Moves website, the pilot Bike School Bus last year saw more than 20 kids pedaling to school five days a week, rain or shine, with each kid averaging 40 miles per week on their bike.

Manager of the year

Mike Capsalis, Manager of the Hannaford on Fort Eddy Road in Concord, has been named Hannaford Supermarkets’ Store Manager of the Year, according to a press release. With more than 30 years of experience working at Hannaford, Capsalis has served as a store manager for 18 years and previously held other positions at multiple Hannaford stores, including overnight stock crew manager and assistant manager. Chosen from among managers at 185 Hannaford locations across New England and New York, he was recognized in particular for his leadership skills, consistent support and engagement of associates, deep commitment to the community and innovative thinking to improve store operations.

QOL score: +1

Comment:“Receiving this honor is a dream come true,” Capsalis said in the release. “As a long-time associate, I have enjoyed so many experiences at Hannaford and I truly appreciate the family atmosphere, as well as the camaraderie and friendships I have built over the years.”

QOL score: 63

Net change: +3

QOL this week: 66

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

The week that was

The Big Story – Jackson Wants Out of Baltimore: He would unquestionably be an exciting upgrade over Mac Jones and for the Patriots overall. But the tantalizing question for local fans is, along with the two first-round picks Lamar Jackson would command if signed to a restricted free agent contract, are they willing to also surrender the additional players they’d have to give up/cut to fit $30+ million needed to get under the salary cap? That likely would start with Matthew Judon and Trent Brown for the first $20 million.

Then there’s also the question: Can a guy who runs as much as he does survive in the NFL through the entire term of his contract to make $200 million guaranteed worth it? Because if he goes down for a substantial time, as he has by missing the last two Decembers to kill the Ravens both times, or Bo Jackson-like for his career,it’s curtains.Ditto for the concussion-plagued way it ended for Troy Aikman and Steve Young. If it does, that’s a $40 million hole in your cap for whatever remained on the contract. and, oh by the way, you’d still need to find (and pay) a starting-caliber QB.

Finally, the other thing to consider is what Patriot Nation will think about letting Jackson pass by, if the Jets pivot from getting Aaron Rodgers to Jackson instead. Especially since they already have cleared enough cap space to fit Rodgers in without new cuts needed.

Sports 101: Who is the only person in baseball history to pitch a no-hitter on Opening Day?

News Item – NCAA Men’s Basketball Tourney Wraps Up: UConn’s 72-58 rout of Miami was a bit of a clunker. But who didn’t love the Florida Atlantic–San Diego State barn-burner? Especially since it came down to a play that anyone who has shot baskets in the backyard has pretended to take and make a thousand times? But this time it was for real with the nation’s eyes trained on Lamont Butler on his way to joining the debate over the biggest clutch shots in NCAA Tournament history. He did it by draining a right-side 12-foot jumper that saw the buzzer go off just after he let it go but before it hit nothing but net to send San Diego State to the championship game with a 72-71 heartstopping win over Florida Atlantic.

Unfortunately for us that UConn-SDST final went off after we went to press but before we hit the streets.

Thumbs Up: To CBS announcer Jim Nantz upon calling his 32nd and last NCAA Tournament. The SRO crowd gave him a standing O prior to Saturday’s games, which fittingly came in Houston, where he went to college and was a member of the U of Houston golf team with best bud Fred Couples.

News Item – The Greatest Packer Ever: That hilarious claim was made by Rodgers of himself a couple of weeks ago on the Pat McAfee podcast. Which basically is Rodgers’ propaganda outlet in the way Jim Gray does it for Tom Brady on his podcast.

Best ever? Really? He’s not even their best QB ever. With winning the most important thing in pro sports I’ve got him behind Bart and Brett. Bart Starr was a five-time champ who went to six title games overall, was 9-1 in playoff games as his QB rating climbed from 80.5 in the regular season to 104.8 in post season and was the MVP of the first two Super Bowls. For Rodgers, he has stat advantages thanks to a pass-happy era, but the QB rating dropped in January from 103.1 to 100.3 as he was 11-10 in the playoffs that annually never lived up to the usual hype in August of being championship-bound in all but one of his 15 years.

Brett Favre is No. 2 because he beats him in every stat you can think of and his two Super Bowls are one more than Rodgers has. And then there’s Forrest Gregg, Jim Taylor, Ray Nitschke and Willie Davis among others up there as well.

News Item – Choppy Seas for Sale: Giving up seven runs and three homers in just three innings was not the return to action many predicted for Chris Sale. However, his first 2023 start was not surprising to me, because after winning just five times in three years he’s going to have to prove he’s not the meatball artist he’s been in most outings since the second half of 2019.

In Case You Missed It: Let the record show that Raffy Devers was the first person called out for violating the new speed-up-the-game rules. It happened in the eighth inning of the opener when he took too long to get in the box and was hit with an automatic strike, which K’d him because he already had two strikes against him in the count.

The Devers punch-out was mildly reminiscent of opening day at Fenway 50 years earlier when the DH was baseball’s brand new rule as the Yankees’ Ron Blomberg stepped in as the first ever DH on a similarly brisk day in Boston in 1973.

Random Thoughts: Call me crazy, but amid all the MVP chatter for Jayson Tatum, I think Jaylen Brown has been more consistently excellent than Tatum, who’s had some seriously down games against some good teams.

Sports 101 Answer: The only hurler to pitch a no-no on Opening Day was Bob Feller, who struck out eight Chicago White Sox batters on April 16, 1940, and beat them 1-0.

A Little History: That game in 1940 was also the only time in history when no hitter in the lineup saw their average drop. That’s because the batting average for every player is .000 on Opening Day and thus it can’t drop lower even during a no-no.

Prediction: Red Sox go 77-85 to finish last in the AL East again.

Email Dave Long at dlong@hippopress.com.

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