Category: News

Quality of Life 26/08/27

More fun than Connecticut, anyway

According to a recent study released by online economics website Wallethub.com, New Hampshire is the 43rd most fun state in the country. Reporting on its study, Wallethub wrote that it had “compared all 50 states across 26 key indicators of enjoyable experiences that won’t break the bank. These range from movie costs to accessibility of national parks to nightlife options per capita.” And while New Hampshire didn’t compare well with fun powerhouses like California or Florida (ranked No. 1 and No. 2 respectively), we ranked 41st in the category of Entertainment and Recreation, but 47th with respect to Nightlife.

QOL score: -1

Comment: It could be worse; compared to West Virginia, New Hampshire looks like springtime in Paris. Visit wallethub.com/edu/most-fun-states/34665.

Of course she’s blue; we just ruined her vacation

As reported by WMUR in an Aug. 19 online article, a Goffstown family made a “one-in-a-billion” discovery last week. While on a chartered fishing trip out of Rye, WMUR reported, “the [Major family] noticed a fishing pole and line in the water. When they went to pull it out of the water, they found a lobster tangled in it.” Even more exciting was the color of the lobster: blue. Blue lobsters do occur naturally but are very rare, the article continued — “about one in two million.” On top of that, she turned out to be a pregnant blue lobster, making her an even rarer find.

QOL score: +1

Comment: WMUR reported that the anonymous blue lobster was marked and returned to the water to continue with her birthing journey.

Maybe it’s the lack of ‘fun’?

A recent survey by the University of New Hampshire found that “25 percent of Granite Staters are considering moving away.” “The greatest likelihood of leaving is among younger and never married residents,” the Aug. 18 survey report read. “In contrast, [the study] found little differences in likelihood of leaving by other characteristics and life experiences such as educational attainment and household income.”

QOL score: -1

Comment: Study authors pointed out that the number of New Hampshire residents considering moving is in line with the statistics from other New England states. “Recent polling by the University of New Hampshire Survey Center found that only 23 percent of New Hampshire residents responded they were ‘likely or somewhat likely’ to move out of the state in the next five years. In contrast, larger shares of respondents from nearby states reported they were likely to leave, including residents of Vermont (42 percent), Connecticut (40 percent), Rhode Island (35 percent), and Massachusetts (34 percent).” Visit carsey.unh.edu/publication/retaining-residents-important-new-hampshires-future-why-do-people-leave.

QOL score last week: 59

Net change: -1

QOL this week: 58

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

Let us know at news@hippopress.com.

News & Notes 26/08/27

Movie theater closing

O’Neil Cinemas will be “closing our Londonderry location,” according to an Aug. 23 post on the theater’s Facebook page. The movie theater had reopened on Nov. 11, 2025, with a new bistro and upgraded screening rooms, according to a press release from the time. O’Neil Cinemas closed its Epping location on March 15, saying in a statement then: “Changing industry conditions, rising operating costs, and the significant investment required to modernize the theater made it impossible for us to continue operating the Epping location at the level of experience our guests deserve,” according to the March 12 issue of the Hippo.

In the Aug. 23 post about Londonderry, O’Neil Cinemas said: “While our chapter in Londonderry is ending, O’Neil Cinemas continues on. Our Littleton, Massachusetts theater will remain open and operating … Any O’Neil Cinemas gift cards will continue to be honored at our Littleton location. Your existing loyalty account, points, and rewards will also remain valid and can be redeemed in Littleton. Everything you’ve earned stays with you.” On Aug. 25, on the Londonderry location’s website, oneilcinemas.com/londonderry, Aug. 31 is the final day for which tickets are being sold.

Dogs for veterans

Balin Books, Somerset Plaza, 375 Amherst St. in Nashua, will host an author signing and fundraiser for Operation Delta Dog, an organization that rescues and trains shelter dogs to serve as companions to military veterans living with PTSD, traumatic brain injuries and military sexual trauma, on Saturday, Aug. 29, according to a press release. Trisha Blanchet, founder of Operation Delta Dog and local author of the new mystery Murder Like Magic, will discuss her book with Charlotte Troddyn, executive director of Operation Delta Dog, at 2 p.m., the release said. From 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., representatives of Operation Delta Dog will be at Balin and “a portion of all Balin Books sales throughout the day will be donated to Operation Delta Dog,’ the release said. See balinbooks.com.

Veterans expo

Harbor Care, in partnership with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and presenting sponsor Eversource, will hold its 22nd Annual NH Veteran Stand Down resource and service expo for former service members and their families on Friday, Sept. 18, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. with free lunch for veterans and free admission for veterans and military families, according to a press release. The event will take place at Eversource Energy Park, 780 N. Commercial St. in Manchester, and will feature more than 50 organizations, the release said. See harborcarenh.org.

Veterans picnic

Hudson VFW Post 5791 will host its 10th annual Veterans Appreciation Picnic, a free event for all New Hampshire veterans and their families, on Saturday, Sept. 19, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Hudson VFG, 15 Bockes Road in Hudson, according to a press release. “The event is open to anyone who has served in any branch of the U.S. military. Veterans don’t have to be a member of the VFW, American Legion or any other veterans’ organization to attend,” the release said. “In addition to a catered lunch, there will be horseshoes, bocce and a corn hole tournament with prizes, plus games and activities for the kids.” Call 882-9722 with questions.

Catch Scott Kirby, Gabriel Donohue and Friends, singers, musicians and storytellers, at Avaloch Farm Music Institute, 16 Hardy Lane in Boscawen, avalochfarmmusic.org, on Saturday, Aug. 29, at 5 p.m. See the website for ticket information, with dinner with the musicians options available.

Adi Rule and Rebecca Rule celebrate their new books on Saturday, Aug. 29, at 1 p.m. at MainStreet BookEnds (16 E. Main St., Warner, mainstreetbookends.com). Adi Rule is launching her new middle-grade novel Ghost Chickens; Rebecca Rule’s latest book is the children’s picture book Who Loves Blueberries? There will be snacks and an activity for kids.

The Nashua Garden Club will host the program “Growing Shiitake Mushrooms” with Tracy Dunne of Breezy Woods Mushroom Farm in Warren on Wednesday, Sept. 2, at 7 p.m. at the First Baptist Church, 121 Manchester St. in Nashua, according to an email. Attendees are requested to arrive by 6:45 p.m., the email said. See nashuagardenclub.org.

This Week 26/08/20

Friday, Aug. 21

Live Free and Take Five, a documentary about community theater featuring two New Hampshire companies, will screen today at 7:30 p.m. at the Arts Academy of New Hampshire in Salem followed by a talk back with the director, according to cztheatre.com, where you can purchase tickets.

Friday, Aug. 21

Revising Creedence — “the only band whose members were personally selected by the original CCR members to perform CCR music with them” — will perform tonight at 8 p.m. at Tupelo Music Hall in Derry, according to tupelomusichall.com, where you can purchase tickets.

Saturday, Aug. 22

Andres Institute of Art, 106 Route 13 in Brookline, will host a Vintage Pop-Up Mini-Market today from noon to 7 p.m. featuring 10 curated booths indoors (and air conditioned, organizers stress), according to a press release. Admission to the market is free, the release said. The market takes place before the 1920s jazz concert by Alexander’s Jazz Time Band at 7 p.m. at Andres; see andresinstitute.org for tickets to the concert.

Saturday, Aug. 22

Pembroke and Allenstown’s Old Home Day returns today with homemade crafts, merchants, information booths and vendors in Memorial Park from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.; a parade at 10 a.m., and fireworks at dusk, according to pembrokeallenstownoldhomeday.org, where you can find a rundown of participating food concessions, crafters and other vendors and the line-up of live entertainment on two stages.

Saturday, Aug. 22

Candia Old Home Day takes place today starting at 11 a.m. with a parade on High Street Hill, passing Moore Park and concluding at Moore School, according to candiaoldhomeday.com. From 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. head to Moore Park for crafters and artisans, face painting, community organizations, cotton candy, family games, music, raffles and more, the website said. The Candia Historical Society will also open School House No. 1 during those hours for tours, the website said.

Saturday, Aug. 22

Dog Friendly NH will host Bark in the Park: Wag Around the World Festival today from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. in Rollins Park in Concord, according to a post on the Dog Friendly NH Facebook page. “Come wander through country and region themed areas, [and] enjoy international food trucks, live music, vendors, and a park full of fun and discovery” according to the post, which said the event would also feature a Kids Zone, shopping and more. The event is open to dogs who are “vaccinated, healthy, well-behaved with people and dogs, and comfortable on a leash,” the post said.

Saturday, Aug. 22

The NH Irish Festival takes place at the Palace Theatre, 80 Hanover St. in Manchester, this evening from 5:30 to 8 p.m. and will feature Screaming Orphans, The Spain Brothers, The Jordan Tirrell-Wysocki Trio and Rory Makem, according to palacetheatre.org, where you can purchase tickets.

Saturday, Aug. 22

The GenX Takeover Comedy Tour comes to the Capitol Center for the Arts’ Chubb Theatre in Concord tonight at 8 p.m. featuring The Real Slim Sherri, Kelly Manno, Dadbod Veteran (Jon Wellington), The Professor Nick Harrison and Justin Rupple, host and emcee, according to ccanh.com, where you can purchase tickets.

Save the Date! Saturday, Sept. 26
The Jonas Brothers will perform on Saturday, Sept. 26, at the SNHU Arena in Manchester as part of The Burning Up Tour All Over Again, according to snhuarena.com, where you can purchase tickets. See jonasbrothers.com.

Featured image: Alexander’s Jazz Time Band.

Up and down week for Sox

The Big Story – Red Sox Struggles: After winning 24 of 27 they came back to Earth last week as they lost five straight games and three straight series to sub-.500 teams Oakland, Toronto and Pittsburgh. They start the week at 66-58, five up on Baltimore in the WC race and 8.5 behind Tampa Bay in the AL East.

Sports 101: Cardinals rookie Joshua Baez astonishingly became the first rookie ever to hit three homers in his first three MLB at-bats Saturday. But it’s still a long way to tie the three who hit three homers in a game a MLB-record six times. Name those three.

News Item – Red Sox Updates:

• Who’s Hot – Wilyer Abreu: He hit .365 with six homers in August’s first 13 games.

• Sonny Gray: Got his career high 15th win in Saturday’s 4-0 win over Pittsburgh and the 2.65 ERA would be a career best too.

• Payton Tolle: The Sox won each of his last seven starts. And in winning four of them he moved to 8-6 overall with a 2.97 ERA.

• Caleb Durbin: After hitting his second to seal Saturday’s 4-0 win he’s the team grand slam leader with two.

News Item – Basketball Hall of Fame: Interesting in a WNBA season providing regular lunacy its players dominated Saturday’s Hall of Fame inductions, as in Chamique Holdsclaw, Candace Parker and Elena Delle Donne there were three WNBA’ers going in to just one NBA’er, Amar’e Stoudemire.

The Numbers

2.5 – billion dollars made by L.A. Dodgers owner Mark Walter in just 14 months after flipping the L.A. Lakers to venture capitalist Josh Kushner and ex-Disney boss Bob Iger for $12.5 million after paying the Buss family $10 million for them last June.

9 & 12 – times ex-Celtic Dennis Schroder has been traded and teams he will have played for when he suits up for Charlotte in 2026-27 after being traded there Friday. Both are second most in league history.

14 – 2026 shutouts for the Red Sox after the Sonny Gray-led 4-0 win over Pittsburgh Saturday.

… Of The Week:

Thumbs Down – Jayden Daniels: Can’t tell who is greedier these days, the schools or the players. But while LSU football epitomizes the cesspool of avarice and greed college football has become, the latest You’ve Got To Be Kidding Me moment came from their 2024 Heisman winner demanding LSU never give the number 5 he wore there to another player because it “profoundly disrespected” him.

Sorry, pal, LSU owned that number you had the privilege to play in long before you were thought of in any way. It’s theirs, not yours!

Where do they find these people?

RIP – Don Nelson: The great long time NBA coach died last week at 86.But his number 19 is in the rafters for being a valuable role player on five Celtics championship-winning teams. RIP.

Alumni News – Eduardo Rodriguez: Anyone else notice the ex-Sox lefty is having a nice year in Arizona, where he’s 12-4 with a 2.71 ERA?

Sports 101 Answer: The players who hit three homers in a game six times are Johnny Mize, Sammy Sosa and Mookie Betts.

Final Thought –WBNA Chaos Happens Daily: It has craved the attention now coming its way for its entire 30-year existence. But after finally getting it, the league now appears to be crumbling under that weight.

From the worst/most clueless commissioner in sports history, Cathy Engelbert, to daily petty jealousy and rough treatment during games with jealousy target Caitlin Clark by established players who feel slighted by the buzz/attention she brought to their league that they couldn’t, to the worst officiating I’ve seen in any sport I’ve ever watched by far — the league is, as Colin Cowherd said last week, more like a reality show than a league.

And now they’ve let the idiot divisive culture warriors from Fox News and elsewhere into the fray. First by letting race drive a lot of the animosity nonsense with things like dimwitted Chicago guard DiJonai Carrington tweeting “white privilege” after justifiably being kicked out of a game for giving CC’s teammate Sophie Cunningham a mid-air cheap shot. Followed by Cunningham giving an answer to a question about trans athletes competing in the WNBA that guaranteed major pushback no matter which side she came down on.

Now they have two ex-NBA nitwits, Enes Kanter Freedom and Royce White, threatening to apply for their draft.

Who are they? Well, the former Celtic was under threat of jail in Turkey for speaking out against the Turkish government, and the latter is a wannabe tough guy/fledgling politician looking for headlines who was so tough he quit the NBA because he was afraid to fly.

But all of that aside, with the WNBA having their highest TV ratings and largest league-wide attendance numbers, and just getting its biggest TV contract ever, which has made everyone more money, here’s the question:

Is all this lunacy actually helping the league much more than it’s hurting it?

Email Dave Long at dlong@hippopress.com.

Quality of Life 26/08/20

Not here, fanwort – not today!

According to an Aug. 17 press release by NH LAKES, “a vigilant Lake Host recently prevented fanwort, an invasive aquatic plant, from entering Newfound Lake, one of New Hampshire’s most pristine lakes.” After identifying fanwort among some plants tangled in his boat’s propeller, NH LAKES Lake host Aidan Nolan removed it, and reported it to the Newfound Lake Region Association. As a result, the invasive fanwort was stopped before it could establish itself.

QOL score: +1

Comment: In the same press release, NH LAKES highlighted the danger of fanwort. “This invasive, aquatic species can spread rapidly, crowd out native plants, disrupt habitat, interfere with boating and swimming, reduce shoreline property values, and negatively impact local tourism.” Visit nhlakes.org/invasive-species-prevention.

Gone and no longer forgotten

As reported online on Aug. 17, by the Concord Monitor and New Hampshire Public Radio, a new historical marker was unveiled in Concord on Sunday, Aug. 16, honoring William Penn Thompson, a pioneer of Black baseball in the United States. Erected by the Black Heritage Trail of New Hampshire, the marker, which overlooks White Park, celebrates Thompson’s life and career. Thompson was born in Virginia but moved to Concord sometime before 1891. “Thompson led an impressive career as a ballplayer, playing for the Cuban Colored Giants and the Philadelphia Colored Giants in the Negro Leagues,” the Monitor/NHPR story reported, at a time of strict segregation between Black and white teams and players. “This new addition is the first Black Heritage Trail marker in the city,” the article reported.

QOL score: +1

Comment: Thompson’s marker reads, in part, “Although discrimination denied him the opportunity to compete in the major leagues, Thompson’s extraordinary talent, perseverance, and showmanship left an enduring mark on the game. His contributions to baseball history secured his legacy as a pioneering athlete and one of New Hampshire’s most notable Black sports figures.” Visit blackheritagetrailnh.org/nh-black-history-marker-sites.

Traffic lights smarter than most of us

“The City of Manchester installed new technology to adjust traffic signals in real time at 22 busy intersections,” reported WMUR in an Aug. 13 online article. “The white, dome-shaped cameras use sensors and artificial intelligence to detect vehicles and pedestrians. The system then alters traffic signal timing to help traffic move as efficiently as possible.”

QOL score: +1, optimistically

Comment: “The project was funded through a $2 million grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Strengthening Mobility and Revolutionizing Transportation, or SMART, Grants Program,” the WMUR article reported. “The Queen City was one of 34 Stage 1 SMART Grant recipients from 21 states to receive a collective total of $50 million.” View a map of the locations of the new traffic lights at infogram.com/untitled-1hmr6g83nvrxz2n.

QOL score last week: 56

Net change: +3

QOL this week: 59

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

Let us know at news@hippopress.com.

News & Notes 26/08/20

Next season

New Hampshire Fisher Cats fans can start planning for the 2027 season. “The Fisher Cats kick off 2027 on the road before opening the home schedule with a six-game series against the Somerset Patriots (NYY) at Delta Dental Stadium from April 6 through April 11,” according to nhfishercats.com. The team is slated to play at home in Manchester for Mother’s Day, Father’s Day and July 4 next year, the website said. Meanwhile, there are still two regular season six-game series left in this season’s lineup of home games. Catch the Fisher Cats at Delta Dental Stadium next Tuesday, Aug. 25, through Sunday, Aug. 30, when the Fisher Cats play the Hartford Yard Goats. On Aug. 25 the team will play as the Manchester Chicken Tenders and on Saturday, Aug. 29, the team will play as the Manchester Coconut Tenders, when the first 500 fans will receive the third of three special Manchester Chicken Tender bobble heads, according to the website, where you can find ticket information. Other special events during this stretch of games include postgame fireworks on Friday, Aug. 28, and Saturday, Aug. 29, the website said.

Walking tour

Arts Builds Community is offering walking tours to Manchester murals, according to a July press release. “Home to New Hampshire’s largest collection of community murals, Manchester has become an ever-growing outdoor gallery and we’ll show you the stories behind it,” according to artsbuildcommunity.com/art-tour, where you can book a walking, biking or private group tour.

ArtCity

ArtCity Nashua will take place Saturday, Aug. 29, from noon to 8 p.m. and is a “one-day public art and culture festival transforming the Heritage Rail Trail and Tree Streets neighborhood into a vibrant destination for creativity, connection, and community,” according to a press release. “[F]rom Nashua City Hall to Chestnut Street, the Heritage Rail Trail will come alive with 15 new permanent murals, more than 20 muralists, street artists, two live music stages, local musicians, neighborhood businesses, creative vendors, food trucks, free art classes, dance cyphers, a community salsa hour, interactive art experiences, and an indoor gallery exhibition at 809 Lounge curated by Fallon Andrews of Pillar Gallery,” the release said. See instagram.com/artcityhq.

Alzheimer’s conference

The Alzheimer’s Foundation of America will host an Alzheimer’s & Caregiving Educational Conference in New Hampshire on Wednesday, Sept. 16, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Bedford Event Center, 379 S. River Road in Bedford, according to a press release. The conference is free to attend; advance registration at alzfdn.org/tour is recommended, the release said. Sessions will include “Finding Alzheimer’s Earlier: New Tests, New Treatments, New Hope,” “Preparing for Caregiving: Resources & Support,” and “Alzheimer’s Disease: Communication Strategies,” the release said.

The Franco Fest will take place Saturday, Aug. 22, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Kimball Jenkins in Concord featuring live music, artisan vendors and more, according to the Franco American Centre’s Facebook page and facnh.com. The musical line-up will include Senie Hunt at 11:15 a.m., Josee Vachon at 1 p.m. and Catfish Howl at 2:30 p.m., according to a Facebook post.

CelebratEd welcomes Manchester students back to school with an event on Thursday, Aug. 20, from 4 to 7 p.m. in Victory Park in Manchester offering backpacks and school supplies, haircuts and clothing support, a family resource fair and school registration assistance, according to manchesterproud.org/celebrated.

The Autofair New Hampshire 10 Miler takes place Sunday, Aug. 23, at 8 a.m. with an out-and-back route described as a “flat & fast course along the banks of the picturesque Piscataquog River” in New Boston, the website said. This event offers 10-mile, relay and 5K options (5K has an 8:15 a.m. start time), according to the website, which lists Girls on the Run New Hampshire as the official charity.

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