Category: News

The week that was

The Big Story – NBA Playoffs: Yes, the NFL draft captured a lot of attention, but since it’s four months before those 257 kids will strut their stuff it’s not the week’s big story — especially since its top feature was about an entitled, cocky kid (Shedeur Sanders) getting his comeuppance in full view of a national TV audience.

No, the big story is the NBA playoffs getting off in fine fashion. Especially with great games Sunday. Denver (down 1-3) and Memphis (swept) showed dumping their coaches three weeks before the playoffs didn’t pay off. The refs were once again in the middle of it by screwing Detroit out of a last-second win over New York. And emerging future stars like Paolo Banchero and Anthony Edwards continued their rise.

Sports 101: Last week Payton Pritchard became the fourth Celtic to win the Sixth Man of the Year award. Name their other three.

News Item – Pats Draft: In pretty much following the script to fill their needs it looks good. But time will tell, so check back in December. But here are two things I liked: Will Campbell was impressive during his interviews after getting picked; and while I didn’t see a lot of college ball last fall, I loved what I saw of second-round pick TreVeyon Henderson during Ohio State’s playoff run.

News Item – Celtics Update: They start the week up 3-1 vs. Orlando. (1) The Game 3 loss was the result of not being ready for physical play from Orlando that led to Jayson Tatum missing Game 2 and causing concern till the end of Game 4. (2) Tatum has been the man, especially in Game 4, where he scored 37 with 14 rebounds and even pushed someone back after a cheap bump for a double T. Boo-la-boo-la for that. (3) Someone please show Uncle Joe how a pick and roll to the basket will produce easy points against a team over playing the line to prevent against their 3-ball attack. (4) If the C’s took care of business in Boston on Tuesday, good night Orlando.

News Impatience is Back in Red Sox Nation:All I can think of when I hear impatient dopes like Tony Massarotti wanting to give up on the struggling Triston Casas three weeks into the season is Frank Costanza in the Seinfeld episode when George Steinbrenner thinks George Constanza got kidnapped. Upon meeting the Boss, instead of asking about his son, Frank shouts at the notoriously impatient Steinbrenner, “HOW COULD YOU TRADE JAY BUHNER,” who George dealt for journeyman DH Ken Phelps before Buehner went on to hit 310 homers for Seattle. As for Casas, he’s still not there yet but he hit two homers and a Wall Ball walk-off single to beat Seattle last week, so he’s getting there.

News Item – NFL Draft Notes: (1) Love that Travis Hunter will get a chance to play both ways.(2) But I wouldn’t have given as much as Jax did to move up to get him. (3) Which means my pre-draft plan to trade up for Jabar Carter wouldn’t have worked. (4) Mel Kiper Jr. seemed to take it personally as his top ranked QB kept falling like a rock until Sanders went in R5.

The Numbers:

4 & 14 –players from Ohio State taken in the first round and overall to give OSU the most players taken from any school in the NFL draft.

6 & 28 – homers and RBI for Sox prospect Marcelo Mayer in his first 21 games at AAA Worcester.

53 – most pitches thrown a single inning since 2022, by Toronto’s Kevin Gausman in the third inning of Sunday’s 11-3 loss to the Yanks.

… Of the Week Awards

Thumbs Up – Eugenio Suarez: While I doubt I could pick him out in a police line-up, Arizona D-Back slugger gets it for being the 19th guy in MLB history to hit four homers in a game.

Delusional Megalomania Moment of the Week: Hearing Steven A. Blowhard actually say if they don’t start getting it right, and he wasn’t kidding.

Random Thoughts: Pardon my cynicism, but, while it’s his right ’cause he earned it, I doubt Lawrence Taylor’s refusal of Sharp’s request to wear 56 was a gesture to help him make his own mark.

Sports 101 Answer: In addition to Pritchard, the other three Sixth Man of the Year winners are Kevin McHale (’84 and ’85), Bill Walton (’86) and Malcolm Brogdon (’23).

Final Thought – NBA Officiating: What good does it do after the fact to admit the refs missed an obvious Knicks foul on Pistons shooter Tim Hardaway Jr. as time expired that every fan in the building and millions watching on TV saw? The P’s still lost to give the Knicks a tainted 3-1 lead. Isn’t that what replay is supposed to prevent? So what were the people in the NBA replay center doing when it happened? And how could the only three people in the building who didn’t see such an obvious foul be the people paid to call the game? If they can’t make that call they should be fired

Email Dave Long at [email protected].

News & Notes 25/05/01

Bedford traffic

The New Hampshire Department of Transportation is working on F.E. Everett Turnpike, in both directions, at the Bedford Tolls through June 15, according to a NHDOT press release. The work will take place between 7 a.m. and 4 p.m. and require lane closures as construction crews work on the first phase of creating an all electronic toll area (boothless and cashless), the release said. Sign up for “free, real-time traffic related messages … from newengland511.org,” the release said.

Grant proposals

New Hampshire Division of Parks and Recreation is accepting proposals for 2025 Land and Water Conservation Fund State and Local Assistance Grants, “a program providing federal funds to assist with public outdoor recreation projects,” according to a press release. Submit an intent-to-apply form to New Hampshire State Parks by Friday, June 27, at 4 p.m.; eligible parties will receive an invitation to apply, the release said. Call 271-3556 or email [email protected],” the release said.

Mac & vets

Mr. Mac’s Macaroni and Cheese (497 Hooksett Road in Manchester, mr-macs.com) will donate $1 for every order of “Classic All-American” variety of mac & cheese (featuring a blend of cheddar and American cheeses) sold during May to help end veteran homelessness, according to a press release. The eatery is joining the City of Manchester, which has partnered with Harbor Care on efforts to address housing for veterans, the release said. Mr. Mac’s is slated to hold a kickoff for the effort on Thursday, May 1, at 10 a.m.

NH scholars

Six New Hampshire high school seniors have been named semifinalists in the 2025 U.S. Presidential Scholars Program, according to a New Hampshire Department of Education press release. The semifinalists are Charles J. Anderson of Portsmouth, Portsmouth High School; Rahma A. Ibrahim of Brookline; Li Po Chun of United World College; Roxane Park of Bedford, Phillips Exeter Academy; Vedant Patil of Nashua, Nashua High School South; Meera Rajendran of Salem, Salem High School, and Avishant Gupta Ullal of Hollis, The Derryfield School, the release said. “The Commission on Presidential Scholars will select the finalists, and the U.S. Department of Education will announce the Scholars at a later date,” the release said. See ed.gov/psp.

Ona Judge

The Black Heritage Trail of New Hampshire, in partnership with the Greenland Historical Society, will unveil a historic marker honoring Ona Marie Judge Staines at the Greenland Parade Gazebo in Greenland on Saturday, May 3, at 11 a.m., according to a press release. Ona Judge was enslaved by George and Martha Washington and escaped in 1796, eventually settling in Greenland, the release said.

Celebrate coffee at the Northeast Coffee Festival Friday, May 2, and Saturday, May 3, in Concord. A community market (admission is free) featuring vendors, demonstrations and live music will run 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Friday and 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturday. Coffee education and a Latte Art Throwdown require passes. See northeastcoffeefestival.com.

Petals in the Pines in Canterbury will be open Saturday, May 3, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., for World Labyrinth Day when attendees can explore the venue’s two woodland labyrinths, according to a press release. A nature journaling activity will be held from 2 to 3 p.m.; register in advance at petalsinthepines.com/world-labyrinth-day for $10 per person. Admission to World Labyrinth Day will cost $7 per person or free with a 2025 Season Pass purchase on or before that day, the release said.

The Dover Public Library will present the virtual program “From Sewer to Superstars: The Untold Story of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles” with Dan Yezbick, professor of English and communications at Wildwood College in Missouri. The event is free; sign up at library.dover.nh.gov.

This Week 25/04/24

Friday, April 25

Nashua Theatre Guild presents the New Hampshire premiere ofIncident at Our Lady of Perpetual Help, a play by Katie Forgette, tonight, tomorrow, Saturday, April 26, at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, April 27, at 2 p.m. at the Court Street Theatre (14 Court St., Nashua). The story is a “bittersweet memory play about a Catholic childhood in the 1970s … a gently funny, often hilarious and touching production directed by Vicky Sandin,” according to nashuatheatreguild.org. Tickets cost $20 for adults, $18 for 65+, students and military.

Saturday, April 26

Today is Open Farm Day at Coppal House Farm (118 N. River Road, Lee, 659-3572, nhcornmaze.com) from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. featuring animal viewing, farm demonstrations, treats from local food vendors, live music, horse-drawn wagon rides and more.

Saturday, April 26

Today is Dance Day at Pumps & Pirouettes (250 Commercial St., Manchester, 518-5350, pumpsnpirouettes.com), from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. with classes running all day long in shortened blocks to allow new and experienced dancers alike the chance to try out all the styles that Pumps & Pirouettes offers including ballet, heels, jazz, hip-hop, k-pop, contemporary and more. Each class runs for 30 mins and costs $1.

Saturday, April 26

It’s Independent Book Store Day! Balin Books (375 Amherst St. in Nashua; balinbooks.com) will have refreshments, exclusives, a rack of advance reading copies and more with 10 percent of the day’s sales (including $1 per advance reading copy) going to the Nashua Soup Kitchen and Shelter, according to an email from the book store. Bookery (844 Elm St., Manchester, bookerymht.com) has plans for local authors, giveaways, discounts, live music and more, according to an email from the store. Gibson’s Bookstore (45 S. Main St., Concord, gibsonsbookestore.com) will offer “exclusive merch, giveaways, maybe even some games and activities,” according to an email from the store. Check with your favorite indie bookstore for updates.

Sunday, April 27

Lyle Lovett and his Acoustic Group perform tonight at the Chubb Theatre (Chubb Theatre at CCA, 44 S. Main St, Concord, 225-1111, ccanh.com) starting at 7:30 p.m Tickets start at $58.28.

Sunday, April 27

The Hooksett Lions Club Presents its 28th Annual Model Train and Modeling Show today from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Cawley Middle School (89 Whitehall Road, Hooksett). This event features vendors, operating layouts, raffles, a white elephant table, food, clinics and more. Admission is $7 for adults, $1 for children 6 to 12, and free for children five and under.

Tuesday, April 29

Meet Ellie, Nashua’s newest police dog at the Nashua Public Library (2 Court St., Nashua, 589-4600, nashualibrary.org) today at 1 p.m. Meet Officer Turcotte and his partner, K9 Ellie, and learn about Ellie’s job at the police department, ask questions or simply say hello.

Save the Date! Tuesday, April 29

The Flying Gravity Circus, featuring children and teens who learn the circus arts, will perform a show called “One Man’s Trash” Tuesday, May 6, at 7 p.m. at Pine Hill Auditorium at the HIgh Mowing School in Wilton. Tickets cost $16.30 for adults, $11.20 for kids. See flyinggravitycircus.org.

Featured photo: Independent Bookstore Day Logo.

Quality of Life 25/04/24

Gold (golden brown) anniversary

As reported in an April 18 online story by New Hampshire Public Radio (NHPR), the chicken tender has celebrated its 50th anniversary. Manchester comedian and chicken tender activist Nick Lavallee, known as “The Mayor of Tender Town,” organized a celebration at the Puritan Backroom Restaurant on Thursday, April 17, to celebrate the chicken tender’s entry into middle age. Food historians speculate that Manchester-style chicken tenders originated at the Puritan. NHPR quoted Lavallee: “A Manchester style tendie. Not only is it marinated in a blend of pineapple juice and other things, but when it’s served fresh and hot, it’s like it’s more of a crisp than a crunch,” he said. “It’s the best. There’s nothing quite like a Manchester style tender.”

QOL score: +1

Comment: As reported by WMUR in an April 17 online article, the cast of the MTV show Jersey Shore visited the Puritan to celebrate its chicken tenders. “Mike ‘The Situation’ Sorrentino, Nicole ‘Snooki’ Polizzi, Ronnie Magro and the crew from the show were at the Puritan Backroom in Manchester filming a new season of their show, Jersey Shore: Family Vacation, the story reported.

EZ to get scammed

An April 15 online story by WMUR stated, “The state Department of Justice and the Federal Trade Commission are working together to combat a scam that targets E-ZPass users in New Hampshire.” Many drivers have reported receiving fake text messages saying they have outstanding balances on their EZ accounts for unpaid tolls that need to be paid immediately. (For example: “Immediate action is required to avoid penalties and enforcement actions resulting from non-payment,” as the scam text QOL received just this week said.) “The agencies are planning to use data from reports to identify patterns and potentially disrupt scam operations,” the WMUR story reported.

QOL score: -1

Comment: WMUR quoted Senior Assistant Attorney General Brandon Garod, who emphatically stated that “E-ZPass will never text someone about an unpaid bill, something it makes clear on the front page of its website.”

A very senior prom

On Thursday, April 17, Winnacunnet High School students helped throw a prom for residents at a Hampton assisted living home. As reported in an April 18, online article by WMUR, “For months, students and residents at Cornerstone at Hampton worked together to plan the event, creating centerpieces, selecting songs for the DJ and crafting a menu.”

QOL score: +1

Comment: The prom’s theme was “Botanical Garden.” WMUR reported that “each resident was invited to bring a family member or friend as their prom date.”

QOL score: 62

Net change: +1

QOL this week: 63

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

Let us know at [email protected].

Draft winds blow tonight

The Big Story – NFL Draft: It comes your way on ESPN and The NFL Network starting Thursday at 8 p.m. and goes through Saturday. Picking fourth and having four in the first 77 and nine picks overall, the Patriots have major skin in the game to make it a fun weekend for Patriot Nation.

Sports 101: Name the only team since 1960 (NFL and AFL teams) to draft a QB in both the first and second rounds in the same draft.

News Item – NBA Playoffs: Nothing started off weird in the first weekend. The C’s got off nicely with an easy 103-86 Game 1 win over Orlando; OK City became the sixth team to beat an opponent by more than 50 points in a playoff game, and Golden State used its experience to frustrate upstart Houston. Only the T-Wolves thumping the Lakers was surprising in the weekend.

News Item – NFL Draft: Here are a few interesting facts, rumors and pre-draft scuttlebutt.

It was interesting to see that in a pre-draft Big Board on ESPN its author Jeff Legwold ranked presumed No. 1 pick Cam Ward as only the 20th best player in the draft.

With just four, the Vikings have the fewest picks this weekend, while the 49ers and Ravens have the most with 11 each.

One team that could move up to prevent the expected Shedeur Sanders slide is New Orleans, whose QB Derek Carr could be out for all of 2025.

Can an arm that’s 1/16 inch shorter than desired for an offensive tackle be worth all the hullabaloo we’ve heard about LSU’s Will Campbell? Seems like paralysis by over-analysis. If it were me, I’d just look at his tape.

With Matthew Judon still out there in free agency, Eliot Wolf got it right by not giving him the contract extension he demanded last summer. Instead he’ll use the 77th pick he got for Atlanta for him on Friday night.

The Numbers:

4 – errors by Gold Glover Alex Bregman, who by taking over at third base was supposed to solve the Red Sox’ defensive issues of 2024.

11 – earned runs allowed in 2.1 innings in a 16-1 loss to Tampa Bay by Tanner Houck to make it the worst start in Red Sox history, which ballooned his ERA from 4.41 to 9.16.

… Of the Week Awards

Thumbs Up – Joe Mazzulla: For donating his entire $3.2 million bonus to local charities. This incredibly generous act is made even more impressive because he hasn’t been collecting the big dough for very long.

Inning of the Week – the eighth in Chicago: The D-Backs scored 10 in the top half of the eighth and then the Cubs roared back to score six in the bottom half to take a 15-11 lead that became the final.

Astonishingly Incompetent Draft Note of the Week: Boston Globe columnist Chris Gasper reported last week that aside from Julian Edelman, who was a college QB, none of the 10 receivers the Patriots drafted between 2003 and 2024 had more than 58 career receptions or 750 career yards and four touchdowns. An amazing track record of abject failure.

Random Thoughts:

With victory margins of 25, 19, 16 and 5 not a lot of drama in the NBA’s boring play-in games to grab seventh and eighth seed in each division.

Sports 101 Answer: The 1965 NY Jets drafted Joe Namath second overall in the 1965 AFL draft and then took Heisman Trophy winner Notre Dame’s John Huarte in Round 2.

A Little History – John Huarte: Came out of nowhere to win the 1964 Heisman while leading Notre Dame to a shocking 9-0-1 season and a national title. But the pro career was a different story. He lasted just two seasons in NY and six overall where he completed just 39.1% of his 58 passes for one TD.

Final Thought – What Should The Pats Do?

I know they need a left tackle and a lead receiver going into the future. But after what Mike Vrabel and company did in free agency, unless a receiver they can get is the next Randy Moss, I’m willing to pass on both needs to do what I have to do to get Penn State edge rusher Abdul Jabar Carter. Adding a premier pass rusher to a team with three other passing threats and two very good corners gives them a chance to have a top 5 defense or maybe higher. And I’d rather have one dominating unit to always count on and a middling offense than have a 15th-ranked O and 10th-ranked D, because the latter seems to be a formula for 9-8. Then I’d add what’s needed with the 37th pick to move into the first round to get the tackle they need and hope an impact receiver will surface at the mid-year trade deadline.

Prediction – they take LSU’s Campbell in Round 1. Unless N.O. trades up with NY at 3 to get Sanders. Then it’s who’s left between Heisman winner Travis Hunter and my pick, Carter.

Email Dave Long at [email protected].

News & Notes 25/04/24

Senate race update

U.S. Rep. Maggie Goodlander told WMUR that she will not seek the U.S. Senate seat in 2026, according to an April 17 report. The race will have no incumbent for the seat as Sen. Jeanne Shaheen has said she will not run for reelection. U.S. Rep. Chris Pappas, a Democrat, announced his campaign for the seat in early April. Earlier this month, former New Hampshire Gov. Chris Sununu also told WMUR that he wouldn’t run for senate. In the April 17 story, which you can find at wmur.com, Goodlander endorsed Pappas in his campaign for the seat and Pappas endorsed Goodlander in her reelection campaign to the New Hampshire 2nd District seat.

Historic marker

The Black Heritage Trail of New Hampshire will hold an unveiling ceremony on Saturday, April 26, at 10 a.m. for a historic marker honoring author Harriet E. Wilson (the first Black novelist in the U.S. whose book was published in 1859), according to a Black Heritage Trail press release. The marker is on the historic Nehemiah Hayward Homestead (19 Maple St. in Milford) where Wilson was indentured as a child, the release said. A statue of Wilson stands in Milford in Bicentennial Park at 123 South St., where the Trail also has a marker about Wilson. See blackheritagetrailnh.org.

Weather ready

April 20 through April 26 has been designated Severe Weather Awareness Week, during which New Hampshire Department of Safety’s Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management will be offering information on preparedness and safety tips, according to a press release. “Flooding is the main disaster that affects New Hampshire. In recent years, the state has seen tornadoes, earthquakes, extreme heat and extreme cold,” the release said. See readynh.gov for tips as well as instructions for signing up for NH Alerts, a serive that will send information about tornades, floods, gas leaks, power outages and other emergencies to your phone or email. The N.H. Forest Protection Bureau and Gov. Kelly Ayotte have also proclaimed April 21-27 Wildfire Awareness Week in New Hampshire as spring is the beginning of wildfire season, according to a press release from the N.H. Department of Natural & Cultural Resources.

Recall reminder

Gerber Products sent out a recall reminder on April 18 for its Gerber Soothe N Chew Teething Sticks, originally recalled and discontinued Jan. 31, “due to a potential choking hazard for babies and young children,” according to the recall notice at nestleusa.com. “We are issuing a second press release about this recall due to recent reports of recalled product still available for sale on some retailer shelves and online,” the release said. The products were sold nationwide, including in New Hampshire.

Plymouth State University will host its annual Showcase of Student Research and Engagement on Friday, May 2, from 2 to 4 p.m. on the Plymouth campus in the Courtroom at HUB and at Silver Center and Museum of the White Mountains, according to a press release. Students from a variety of disciplines including the arts, humanities and sciences will present their projects on topics including mental health, biology, history and more, the release said. The event is free and open to the public. See plymouth.edu/2025-showcase-research-engagement.

Mosaic Art Collective (66 Hanover St. in Manchester; mosaicartcollective.com) will hold a Drop + Draw on Thursday, April 24, 5:45 to 8 p.m. “Open to all to just hang out and make some art together,” according to the post on Mosaic’s Facebook page.

Craftworkers’ Guild Spring Craft Shop at Kendall House (3A Meetinghouse Road in Bedford, behind the Bedford Public Library) will open Thursday, May 1, and stay open through Sunday, May 25, Thursdays through Sundays, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. See thecraftworkersguild.org.

Bring Back the Trades will hold a Skills Expo Saturday, April 26, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Londonderry High School (295 Mammoth Road in Londonderry) featuring more than 50 local trades organizations, according to a press release. The event is free and open to all ages and includes live demonstrations, equipment showcases and giveaways, the release said. See bringbackthetrades.org.

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