Category: News

This Week 22/05/19

Big Events May 19, 2022 and beyond

Friday, May 20

Beaver Brook Nature Center (117 Ridge Road in Hollis; beaverbrook.org) will hold a Lilac Walk today from 1 to 3 p.m. (for adults). Walk around Beaver Brook’s Shoen Meadow to learn about the area’s lilacs, according to the website, where you can register for $20 per person.

Saturday, May 21

Inventor Ralph Baer, father of the video game console, has a statue in his honor in Arms Park in Manchester (he was born in Germany and he moved to the Queen City in 1955; he died in 2014). A celebration of the centennial of his birth will be held today in Arms Park starting at noon (with a food truck social hour). At 1 p.m., speakers and presentations will discuss Baer and his legacy in video games and local innovation and there will be an unveiling of a new plaque for his sculpture, according to see-sciencecenter.org/baer-100-celebration, which also lists the schedule of events at SEE Science Center in downtown Manchester (where entry will be free starting at 2 p.m.) celebrating Baer.

Saturday, May 21

Another plant sale Saturday: The Bedford Garden Club will hold its May Plant Sale today from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Bedford Village Common (15 Bell Hill Road in Bedford). The sale will feature perennials, annual, herbs and ground cover as well as the presence of master gardeners who can answer questions, according to bedfordgardenclubnh.org.

The Goffstown Community Garden Club will start its Plant Sale on the Common today at 8 a.m. Find more about the club on their Facebook page.

Saturday, May 21

The Manchester Choral Society and Orchestra will put the cap on their 61st season with a performance tonight at 7 p.m. at Ste. Marie’s Parish (378 Notre Dame Ave. in Manchester). The presentation will include a performance of “Lobgeang” (Song of Praise) by Felix Mendelssohn and will feature the Queen City Youth Choir, a choir featuring kids in grades 3 through 6, according to a press release. Tickets cost $30 for adults, $25 for seniors and admission is free to all students from kindergarten through undergraduate, the release said. Call 472-6627 or go to mcsnh.org to purchase tickets in advance; they may also be purchased at the door.

Saturday, May 21

The New Hampshire Renaissance Faire begins its second weekend today. The fair is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. today and tomorrow (Sunday, May 22) at 80 Martin Road in Fremont. In last week’s (May 12) issue of the Hippo, Meghan Siegler talked to some of the performers and organizers about getting ready for the Faire and what attendees can expect. Find the e-edition of the issue at hippopress.com; the story is on page 10. Or go to nhrenfaire.com.

Sunday, May 22

The James Montgomery Band will perform at the Rex Theatre (23 Amherst St. in Manchester; palacetheatre.org) today at 6 p.m. Tickets cost $29. Find more concerts this weekend and beyond in our concert listings on page 42.

Save the Date! Thursday, May 26
Next Thursday is the first home game of the season for the Nashua Silver Knights, described on their website as a “wood-bat baseball team competing in the Futures Collegiate Baseball League of New England.” The Silver Knights will play the Pittsfield Suns on Thursday, May 26, at 6 p.m. See nashuasilverknights.com for tickets and the season schedule and the promotion schedule (Thursday’s game will feature a magnet giveaway).

Featured photo from Brian Caton of the Brotherhood of the Arrow and Sword. New Hampshire Renaissance Faire. Courtesy photo.

Quality of Life 22/05/19

Red and blue go head to head

The New Hampshire Legislative Softball Classic that pits Republican lawmakers against Democratic lawmakers is back after a two-year pandemic hiatus. According to a press release, this is the fourth charity game in the series, which was established in 2017 after the shooting of congressmen who were practicing for the annual Congressional Baseball Game in Washington, D.C. The Granite State version of the game will take place Sunday, May 22, at 2 p.m. at the Anheuser Busch Softball Field in Merrimack. The three previous games raised approximately $30,000 to assist the homeless, the release said. This year, the nonprofits that will benefit include Liberty House in Manchester, which helps homeless and transitioning veterans; Haven, which supports victims of domestic violence; and the Nashua Center, for children and adults with disabilities. Contact Rep. Peter Somssich at staterep27nh@gmail.com or Rep. Tim Lang at timothy.lang@leg.state.nh.us for more information about the Classic or on how to donate to the charities.

Score: +1

Comment: The Republicans have won all of the state’s Legislative Softball Classics thus far, the release said.

Increase in overdoses linked to fentanyl

Last week, state officials issued warnings about the recent increase in fatal overdoses in Manchester and Nashua that appear to be primarily due to easy access to cheap, potent fentanyl and fentanyl being mixed with other substances such as cocaine, methamphetamine and marijuana. According to a press release, fentanyl is about 50 times more powerful than heroin and 100 times stronger than morphine, and drugs may have deadly levels of fentanyl that can go undetected because it can’t be seen, tasted or smelled. “Fentanyl is by far the most common drug implicated in overdose deaths in New Hampshire,” Dr. Jennie Duval, Chief Medical Examiner for the state, said in the release. “It is a highly potent opioid drug that may be fatal in very small amounts, alone or in combination with other drugs, medications or alcohol. Our investigations often suggest that the decedent may not have even known they were using fentanyl.”

Score: -2

Comment: The state is also reminding residents that The Doorways is available to help access any level of treatment by calling 211, the release said.

Manchester-Nashua area rent up 13.4 percent

A new report from Stessa, a digital platform that allows property investors to manage the performance of real estate assets, shows that median rent in the Manchester-Nashua metro area is now $1,571, compared to $1,385 in 2019 — an increase of 13.4 percent. According to the report, which calculated the percentage change in median rent from 2019 to 2022 in metro locations throughout the country, Manchester-Nashua had the 33rd highest increase in median rent out of 96 midsize metro areas.

Score: -1

Comment: It could be worse; the median rent in San Jose, Calif., is $3,161, the report said, and closer to home, the median rent in Boston-Cambridge-Newton is $2,308.

New businesses struggle in the Granite State

New Hampshire ranks 6th in the country for the highest percentage of businesses failing in their first year. According to a LendingTree analysis, 22.9 percent of new businesses fail in the Granite State before they make it to their one-year anniversary. On average, 18.4 percent of private-sector businesses in the U.S. fail within the first year; after five years, 49.7 percent have failed, and after 10 years, 65.5 percent have failed, the report said.

Score: -1

Comment: New Hampshire’s business failure rate after five years is 53.5 percent, while its failure rate at 10 years is 67.9 percent, the report said.

QOL score: 80

Net change: -3

QOL this week: 77

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

Celtics move on to Round 3

In a week with the Bruins going out in a Game 7 loss to Carolina, Tom Brady getting a record deal to become a game analyst for Fox Sports if he ever does retire, the Patriots finally getting hit with a really tough schedule in 2022 and the Red Sox showing a little life, the surging Celtics continue to be the big local story after knocking off the defending champion Bucks in Game 7 on Sunday.

By the time you read this Game 1 vs. Miami will be history, with Game 2 coming up Thursday. So here are some things to think about as Miami, Boston, Golden State and Dallas battle it out over the next 10 days.

While acknowledging Khris Middleton was a big loss for the Bucks, remember the Celtics won Game 2 without Marcus Smart and Games 4, 6 and 7 without lob-it-to-Rob Williams.

OK, after a rough couple of early Round 2 games, Jayson Tatum’s impending Hall of Fame induction is back on track.

How anyone could think Brooklyn would be a tougher opponent than Miami is beyond me. While they don’t have Kevin Durant, they have more good, tough-minded players, a better point guard and one of the best coaches in the NBA, and everyone plays D to the max. Plus while Jimmy Butler is a bit nuts, he’s a real leader.

I’ve got Dallas in the other series. They had a near duplicate of the season turnaround the Celtics had and own the league’s best record from January after Boston. They also beat the Celtics at the Garden in late March. Plus they have Luka Doncic. I hate to think how good he’s going to be if he ever realizes he’s got to work on his body. Because he’s wreaking havoc right now looking like the Pillsbury Doughboy.

At the beginning of the year I thought this might be the last stand for Golden State’s mini-dynasty. But I’m not so sure now. Jordan Poole has come out of nowhere to be a pretty good player to make Andrew Wiggins a possible trade chip and they have the potential of James Wiseman to move, which they should do quickly before he turns into the bust I think he’s going to become.

It’s hard to make the all playoff awards team before the playoffs even start, but Bucks coach Mike Budenholzer did the impossible this year. It’s getting a lot of play now, but remember who said a month ago in my NBA Notebook before the playoffs started that Budenholzer had already won the award for most idiotic move by a coach for tanking his final game of the year to hand the Celtics home court advantage when/if they met in Round 2. He gets bonus points for the message he sent to his team about being afraid to play a team as feeble as the Nets.

Plus not making any adjustments to his “dare you to beat us with 3’s” strategy as Tatum, Grant Williams, Payton Pritchard and company were raining 3’s on the Bucks all through Game 7 boarded on coaching malpractice.

While the ultra-serious Ime Udoka is not exactly a barrel of laughs, the more I see the more I like. The latest example was, with Derrick White and Daniel Theis repeatedlythrowing up bricks, the coach searching out a hot hand by running in the up and down Pritchard right after Tatum picked up his fourth foul in the third quarter. It yielded four 3’s and 14 points along with a couple of scrappy, big rebounds. One of which was kicked to Smart in the corner, who buried it as the lead grew with Tatum on the bench.

Udoka also gets credit for not ducking Brooklyn in Round 1 to earn home court on Sunday.

Fans at the Garden certainly have been on their game the first two rounds. They were loud and energized in Round 2 vs. Milwaukee and totally in Kyrie’s head vs. the Nets in Game 2 of Round 1.

I dig the Van Gundy brothers. So I’m hoping Mark Jackson gets one of the head coaching jobs he’s rumored to be in contention for and that ABC steals Stan from TNT to pair the Van Gundys with Mike Breen. Together they’d be a hoot.

Not sure this means anything, but the Top 5 playoff leaders in rebounds, assists and steals are all on vacation, while three of the top scorers (Doncic, Butler and Tatum) remain. Ditto for the 3-point leaders (Tatum, Steph Curry, Klay Thompson).

Forgot to mention this last time. Of course the New York Post had the best headline after Tatum won Game 1 vs. Brooklyn with a shot over Kyrie at the buzzer. That came not too long after Kyrie had flipped off the fans several times at the Garden. It read “Bye, bye birdie” over a picture of Tatum with his arms raised in jubilation as Kyrie walks by with a look of disgust on his face.

Chris Paul came up small in the playoffs again. This time by scoring 5, 7, 13 and 10 in his last four games vs. Dallas, which included a shocking 33 Game 7 drubbing. My question to those giving the “the playoffs grind is tough, he’s 37” excuse is yes, that may be so, but what’s the excuse in his first 16 years when his personal record in the playoffs is under .500? He may have been a better regular-season player, but give me a prime-of-life Rajon Rondo in a big game any day, any way.

Am I the only one who sees the irony of so many treating Kyrie leaving the Celtics as a calamity, while the Nets were anointed as sure to be champs when he and KD hooked up in Brooklyn?

Know why that didn’t happen? ’Cause, repeat after me, he ain’t that good.

Setting the stage

Peacock Players welcomes new director

Meet Elle Millar, the new executive director of Nashua-based youth theater company Peacock Players.

What is your background in this kind of work?

I’m currently a middle school teacher in Nashua, and I’m also the drama club director there, so I already have a connection with a lot of the young people … in Nashua. I’m also a performer and have performed with … different companies in southern New Hampshire. As a kid, I [performed with] Andy’s Summer Playhouse.

What will your job as executive director entail?

The big things that I’m figuring out right now are what productions we’re going to be putting on next year, and identifying the people who will be doing the music, directing and choreographing. It’s a lot of organizing and planning and figuring out the logistics of how to make everything happen.

What do you hope to accomplish?

I have big plans to expand our programming over the next calendar year. … The board and I have talked a lot about expanding [theater] beyond the stage to bring it to the kids in elementary schools, middle schools and high schools in Nashua. We’re also working on some programming for preschool and early elementary school kids, and some adult arts education opportunities, as well. … We’re working on bringing some fresh theater to Nashua, ‘fresh’ meaning [shows that are] less-done, but still beloved.

What do you expect to be some of the biggest challenges?

With the isolation of the pandemic and the stress of being out of school and out of their routine, kids are really struggling with how to communicate with each other in healthy ways. There’s a lot more arguing and a lot more drama. … We’ve been talking about how we can help our kids put themselves into other people’s shoes and understand healthy, positive ways to interact with each other, resolve conflicts and broach difficult topics with their friends. We’re looking at some different sorts of social-emotional learning and relationship-building and empathy-building exercises [using theater] that we could potentially bring into the schools. … I’m certainly not an expert in the field, but I plan on doing an immense amount of research over the summer and reaching out to experts who have done this kind of work before.

What unique qualities or perspectives do you bring to this position?

I’m the first woman to have this role; I’m, I believe, the first openly queer person to have this role; and I’m also, I believe, the first certified teacher. It’s these personal and professional experiences that allow me to bring in an entirely different perspective. … My goal is to make Peacock Players feel like Peacock Players, but also bring my own perspective and experiences and education with me so that we’re building something new while honoring what has always been.

What are you looking forward to most?

Theater is a learning experience for everyone involved; whether you’re the director or the stage manager or a performer, you are learning. You’re learning about how to work with others; about their strengths and where they need support; about how to create a piece of art together; about how to take direction and how to give direction; about how to be a leader and how to be a follower in appropriate ways. That type of learning is just so incredibly valuable. I’m really excited to take … my experiences as a teacher in the classroom and facilitate a totally different type of learning.

Featured photo: Elle Millar.

News & Notes 22/05/19

Covid-19 update As of May 9As of May 13
Total cases statewide 314,533 316,691
Total current infections statewide 3,902 4,527
Total deaths statewide 2,488 2,500
New cases 3,389 (May 3 to May 9) 2,158 (May 9 to May 13)
Current infections: Hillsborough County 1,148 1,243
Current infections: Merrimack County 364 417
Current infections: Rockingham County 817 1,058
Information from the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services.

Covid-19 news

State health officials announced 585 new positive cases of Covid-19 on May 13. The state averaged 524 new cases per day over the most recent seven-day period, an 8 percent increase compared to the week before. As of May 13 there were 31 people being treated for Covid in state hospitals.

Child care

The Department of Health and Human Services will use an additional $29 million in American Rescue Plan Act funding to support child care providers, families and businesses impacted by the pandemic, making the total amount of funding that has been invested in the state’s child care sector more than $142 million since the beginning of the pandemic. According to a press release, plans for improving child care in the state include strengthening the child care workforce; partnerships with businesses and employers; a child care capacity building; and equitable access to affordable, quality child care. “Access to quality child care has been a critical touchpoint during the Covid-19 pandemic,” DHHS Associate Commissioner Christine Santaniello said in the release. “Since March of 2020, we have worked … to keep child care centers open so that parents can continue to work and maintain their families’ financial stability. Making continued investments will help us build a better child care system, allowing more families to afford quality care, and ensuring equitable access to child care for all New Hampshire families.”

Primary deadlines

The deadline to change your party affiliation before the New Hampshire state primary election is May 31, according to a press release from New Hampshire Secretary of State David M. Scanlan. Voters who want to change their party affiliation can do so by contacting their local town or city clerk, or at any scheduled meeting of their local supervisors of the checklist. Voters can check their status on the Secretary of State’s Voter Information Lookup page at app.sos.nh.gov if they’re unsure of their party affiliation. Voters who have not declared a party affiliation may vote in the state primary, which will take place Sept. 13, but they must choose either a Republican or Democratic ballot on the day of the election and will remain a registered member of that party unless they submit a signed request to the supervisors of the checklist to return to an undeclared status before leaving the polling place, the release said.

Scanlan also issued a reminder that the filing period for candidacy for the state primary election and general election is June 1 to June 10. Those who want to file for office but aren’t registered voters in their town must register no later than May 31, and registered voters who want to file for nomination must be registered as a member of that party, the release said. For more information on the filing period, candidacy fees and qualifications for office, visit sos.nh.gov.

Apprentices & LNAs

ApprenticeshipNH, the Community College System of New Hampshire, Catholic Medical Center and Elliot Health System have collaborated to launch a registered apprenticeship program designed to cultivate talent in nursing, tech and support roles at The Elliot and CMC. According to a press release, the “earn while you learn” approach will give participants a chance to engage in classroom learning and on-the-job training while being in a paid position. “I can’t recall a point in my career when it has been this challenging to fill these positions,” Karen Schoch, Director of Organizational Development at Catholic Medical Center, said in the release. “A program like this not only helps us place people in critically important positions, it also removes barriers for people who want to pursue a health care career.” A Healthcare Career Fair at Manchester Community College will be held Thursday, May 19, from 1 to 6 p.m., and anyone interested in entering the health care workforce through a paid registered apprenticeship program is encouraged to attend.

Meanwhile, the New Hampshire Needs Caregivers! initiative has launched Healthcare Heroes in the Making, which will recruit, train and place high school students across the state as licensed nursing assistants to fill critical in-demand positions. According to a press release, the program pays for training and licensing costs and requires 110 hours of time and is open to high schools across the state; so far, 16 schools and 72 students have been approved to participate.

Earlier this month, John Askew of Derry won the 2022 9-Ball Shootout Pool Championship — and a cash and prize package worth $10,000 — in Las Vegas. According to a press release, Askew was one of nearly 6,000 pool players in the country who attempted to qualify for the American Poolplayers Association’s 9-Ball Shootout and one of 518 who advanced to the national finals. Askew is a member of the local APA League, the release said.

The Goodwill store on John E. Devine Drive in Manchester celebrated its grand re-opening on May 14. According to a press release, the store has been renovated to include smoother checkout lanes, a Handpicked Boutique where shoppers can find quality merchandise and more items for sale. The nonprofit’s revenues go toward its mission to support those in need.

The new school superintendent who was selected by the Nashua Board of Education is not able to be certified in New Hampshire as was expected, and he will not be able to serve the district, according to a press release. Stephen Linkous is certified as a school superintendent in Kansas, and it was assumed that there is reciprocity between Kansas and New Hampshire, the release said, but there is not, and Linkous can’t be certified in New Hampshire. Linkous had already started transitioning to the role, and the Board of Education voiced its appreciation for his efforts.

This Week 22/05/12

Big Events May 12, 2022 and beyond

Thursday, May 12

It’s “Bark in the Park” this afternoon when the New Hampshire Fisher Cats take on the Binghamton Rumble Ponies at 6:35 p.m. at Northeast Delta Dental Stadium in downtown Manchester and your dog is welcome (there are dog-designated seats and tickets for a dog/human pair cost $22). See milb.com/new-hampshire and search “Bark in the Park” to find all the dog-related information. Tomorrow (May 13) Benny the Bat Dog will make his first visit, with Saturday’s game featuring post-game fireworks (both games start at 6:35 p.m.; Sunday’s game starts at 1:35 p.m.).

Friday, May 13

Catch Ted Solovicos performing tonight at 6 p.m. at the Millyard Brewery in Nashua. For more live music for your weekend and beyond, see our Music This Week listing, which starts on page 37.

Saturday, May 14

The Nashua Garden Club will hold its annual plant sale today from 8 a.m. to noon (rain or shine; cash or checks only) at the Nashua Historical Society (5 Abbott St. in Nashua). The event features a raffle of themed gift baskets and a yard sale of garden-themed items.

Also today, the Friends of the Plaistow Public Library has a plant sale from 8:30 a.m. to noon at the library (85 Main St. in Plaistow). The sale, officially called the Maryan Sullivan Memorial Sale, will feature annuals, perennials and raffles. Plaistow Recreation is also holding the town-wide yard sale today from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Find information about maps to yard sales in the town at plaistownh.myrec.com.

Saturday, May 14

The New Hampshire Audubon’s McLane Center (84 Silk Farm Road in Concord; 224-9909, nhaudubon.org) will hold its Big Day in May beginner bird walk today starting at 8 a.m. at the McLane Center. Head out for a one-to-two hour informal birding walk on the Turkey Pond trails, according to the website, which says all ages and skill levels of birders are welcome. The event is free but registration is required; go online to register.

Saturday, May 14

The Canterbury Shaker Village (288 Shaker Road in Canterbury; shakers.org) opens for the season today, with guided tours and, in partnership with Capital Area Race Series and Millennium Running, the annual 5K Cross Country Race at 10 a.m. Walk or run the unpaved course, which wraps around the Village’s trails, fields, ponds and pastures, according to the press release. Register for the race by Friday, May 13, at noon at shakers.org/cars-xc-5k-2022; the cost is $25.

Tuesday, May 17

Ernie & Joe: Crisis Cops(2019), a film about two Texas police officers who respond to mental health crisis calls, will screen this evening at Red River Theatres (11 S. Main St. in Concord;224-4600, redrivertheatres.org). The event starts at 6 p.m. with dessert and networking, and the screening will be followed by a panel discussion featuring Joe Smarro, from the film, as well as Concord Chief of Police Bradley Osgood, Susan Steans (executive director of NAMI-NH), Sarah Gagnon (VP of Clinical Operations at Riverbend) and more. Tickets are free but reservations are required.

Save the Date! Saturday, May 21
Kids Con New England returns in person to New Hampshire on Saturday, May 21, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Everett Arena (15 Loudon Road in Concord). Tickets in advance cost $12 for kids ages 5 and up; $15 at the door (kids under 5 get in for free; admission for seniors, military and veterans costs $10). The event will feature more than 80 family-friendly artists, authors, creators and special guests, according to the press release, in addition to an art contest, kids and family costume contests, various workshops and more. See kidsconne.com for tickets and a full schedule.

Featured photo. Kids Con New England. Courtesy photo.

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