Category: News

Summer begins

The Big Story – Memorial Day weekend

It’s not officially summer, but it makes it feel like summer has arrived. However, it brings an early holiday deadline that messes with my usual formula, so I’m doing something a little different today by giving my blueprint for how the C’s should reshuffle the deck.

Sports 101: Name the only three basketball players to win a HS State Championship, NCAA title, NBA title and Olympic gold.

News Item – Calendar Day: Come Monday, June 1, the Eagles can affordably make the long-rumored A.J. Brown deal to the Pats. What cost is moving him worth to you? Not more than a second-round pick for me, because at 29 he’s probably got three years left as a prime receiver.

Celtics Blueprint

The annual “we have to split up Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown” nonsense has begun. However, while it is a dumb practice, I could live with a deal for either depending upon whether the offer was eye-opening enough. It would have to achieve at least one of the following; (1) Makes them younger and deeper. (2) Someone in the middle who can cover Joel Embiid. (3) Spreads out years between max contracts to top players to manage the cap better. (4) A younger, cheaper on-the-way-up guy who’ll grow into what Brown or Tatum were at the same age in their careers.

Who Goes – Tatum or Brown: This year taught us they can win with either. So the one who goes is simply the one who brings the most back. That’s likely Tatum.

Rumors – Giannis Antetokounmpo: He’s one of my all-time favorites. But he’s 32, unsigned past this year, and his last two seasons have ended with injuries. All red flags. The only place he improves what’s needed most is size and scoring underneath.

A few names who’d interest me:

Nikola Jokic – Not likely, but Denver may be looking to shake it up. They’d give up quickness to fill the hole in the middle while improving ability to score better in half court and rebounding.

Deni Avdija – What’s not to like? He scores, rebounds and passes. Just nobody around here knows how good he is.

Stephon Castle – This guy’s got it — duende. A winner.

Jalen Johnson– It took him a while to get the career going with Atlanta but he’s been solid the last two years, culminating with last year’s 22.2 points, 10.7 rebounds and 7.9 assists per game.

Acceptable deals:

Scottie Barnes and R.J. Barrett –Makes them more versatile offensively by adding two 20-point-per-night scorers for Toronto last year.

Amen Thompson– His age 21, 22 and 23 with Houston were all better than Brown’s. And he’s already the best wing defender in the league. Throw in 7-footer Jabari Smith to add size in the middle and I’m in.

The Numbers:

22 – points behind with 8:19 left before the Knicks overcame the largest fourth-quarter playoff deficit in franchise history in their 115-104 Game 1 playoff win over Cleveland

60.2 – regular season shooting percent for MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, which is unheard of by a guard

A Little History – The Memorial Day Massacre: It was an epic beatdown when the Celtics opened the 1985 NBA Finals with a 148-114 Game 1 slaughter of the Lakers. So bad that Celtics rookie Charles Bradley turned it into the first Celtics dunk-a-thon.

But it was also a lesson that taught all it was just one game, nothing more. Which L.A. demonstrated by winning the next two leading to a 4-2 Finals win.

Sports 101 Answer: The rare four-title champs are Jerry Lucas, Magic Johnson and Quinn Buckner.

Final Thought – Be Careful What You Wish For: The L.A. Clippers had Kawhi Leonard ready to re-sign if they could acquire another major star like Oak City’s Paul George. Which the usually wrong pundits all said would make them a true contender. But this deal reminds us trades are not won on paper, as Thunder GM Sam Presti used L.A.’s desperation for a star to extract an astonishing six first-round picks and an afterthought rookie on their current roster for George.

So who won that deal? Well, the Clippers never won more than 51 games, missed the playoffs entirely once, were Round 1 losers twice, and after playing just 236 of 410 games with L.A. the constantly injured George is now in Philly.

Meanwhile one of those six picks became All-Star Jalen Williams, and that rookie thrown into the deal is now two-time MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander after leading them to become reigning NBA champs and getting close again. And astonishingly they still have the 12th pick this year from a deal made in 2020.

Thus desperation led L.A. to make arguably the worst NBA trade in history.

Email Dave Long at dlong@hippopress.com.

News & Notes 26/05/28

Teacher award

The New Hampshire Department of Education announced the three finalists for 2027 Teacher of the Year: Rebecca Fortgang, a French teacher at Pembroke Academy in Pembroke; Katherine McDonough, a Latin teacher at Rundlett Middle School and Concord High School in Concord, and Christ Powers, a math teacher at Pinkerton Academy in Derry, according to a May 19 press release. “An award winner will be announced in June,” the release said.

Give blood, get stuff

The American Red Cross is calling on people to give blood ahead of the summer season, according to a May 20 press release from the American Red Cross Northern New England Region. Schedule a donation at redcrossblood.org. Those who donate by May 31 will receive an oversized Red Cross beach towel while supplies last, the release said. Those who donate between June 1 and June 28 will receive a $15 e-gift card to a merchant of their choice and be entered for a chance to win one of two $7,500 gift cards, the release said. See RedCrossBlood.org/June for details.

Eyass update

Madi, named by Manchester’s Hillside Middle School’s fifth-grade math and science class for Mount Madison, hatched early May 20 and is the first eyass (falcon hatchling) to hatch from the group of five eggs this season at the peregrine falcon nest at the Brady Sullivan Tower in Manchester, according to the Daily Log accessible via the live video feeds from the nest. The peregrine cam offers livestreaming video of the nest via NH Audubon and the support of Peregrine Networks and Brady Sullivan Properties, according to nhaudubon.org/education/birds-and-birding/peregrine-cam. A meet & greet for those looking to learn more about the peregrine falcons will take place Saturday, June 27, at 10 a.m. at Brady Sullivan Tower, 1750 Elm St. in Manchester, according to the log, where you can find a list of needed supplies for the Wings of Dawn Wildlife Rehabilitation Center and Bird Sanctuary in Henniker.

Art show for a cause

Darbster Rescue will hold its Pawsitive Energy Juried Art Show at Darbster Kitty, 332 Kelley St. in Manchester, Thursday, June 4, through Sunday, June 7, with a reception on June 4 from 5 to 8 p.m., according to a press release. Darbster Rescue will receive a donation for each sale, according to darbsterfoundation.com.

Pride month

Manchester True Collaborative will hold the Pride Flag raising at City Hall Plaza in Manchester on Monday, June 1, at 11:30 a.m., according to a post on the group’s Facebook page, where you can find details about other upcoming Pride Month events.

Writers’ Conference

The New Hampshire Writers’ Project will hold its annual 603 Writers’ Conference on Saturday, June 13, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Southern New Hampshire University in Manchester, featuring “expert-led workshops, a moderated AI panel discussion, the signature Pitch Party & Social, catered meals, and networking opportunities,” according to a press release. See nhwritersproject.org to register.

Correction

The Taste of Downtown Nashua will take place Wednesday, June 17, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., according to downtownnashua.org, where you can check back for updates and to purchase tickets. (Hippo’s Summer Guide in the May 21 issue had the event incorrectly listed for earlier in June.)

“LaBelle in Bloom,” a five-year anniversary celebration for the LaBelle Winery’s Derry location (14 Route 111 in Derry), will be held on Saturday, June 6, at 6:30 p.m., according to labellewinery.com, where you can purchase tickets and see the dinner menu. The gala will also serve as a fundraiser for Lydia’s House of Hope, the website said.

A plant sale to benefit Community Hospice House will take place Saturday, May 30, from 9:30 a.m. to noon at St. John Neumann Parish, 708 Milford Road in Merrimack, according to thebiglittlegarden.com. Have a plant sale? Let us know at adiaz@hippopress.com.

There will be a Household Hazardous Waste Collection day on Thursday, June 4, from 3 to 7 p.m. at the Nashua Park and Ride, 25 Crown St. in Nashua for residents of Amherst, Brookline, Hollis, Hudson, Litchfield, Merrimack, Milford, Mont Vernon, Nashua, Pelham and Windham, according to a press release. “Businesses must call NRPC [417-6570] to register and pay,” the release said. The cost is a “$20 fee per vehicle, for up to 10 gallons or 20 pounds. Cash or check made out to NRSWMD. … No Latex/Acrylic Paint, No Electronics, No Medications,” the release said. See nashuarpc.org/hhw.

This Week 26/05/21

Thursday, May 21

The Canterbury Shaker Village, 288 Shaker Road in Canterbury, will hold a Shaker Barn Dance tonight from 7:30 to 10 p.m. with a “$10-15 suggested contribution for Raise the Roof building fund for Canterbury Shaker Village. Collected at the door,” according to a press release. Individuals and couples welcome, no experience needed, the release said. The band will feature Jordan Tirrell-Wysocki on fiddle, caller David Millstone and Sue Hunton on piano, the release said. Can’t make it today? Another dance is slated for Thursday, June 18. See shakers.org.

Saturday, May 23

NH Alt Market, described in an email from an organizer as “an alternative pop-up market for the alternative maker [where] 25 wacky and wonderfully weird makers will gather to set up shop in the Newmarket Millspace,” will be held today from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at The Newmarket Millspace, 55 Main St., Suite 132, in Newmarket, according to an email. See nhaltmarket.com for a list of participating artists.

Saturday, May 23

Dimensions in Dance presents its production of Hans Christian Andersen’s The Little Mermaid today at 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. at the Palace Theatre, 80 Hanover St. in Manchester. “This classic story of a little mermaid who wishes for a life on land is told through dance, featuring original choreography in ballet, jazz, modern, tap, hip-hop, acro, pointe, and lyrical,” according to palacetheatre.org, where you can purchase tickets.

Saturday, May 23

Get some laughs at the Tupelo Night of Comedy featuring Steve Bjork, Ryan Gartley and Jack Lynch tonight at 8 p.m. at the Tupelo Music Hall, 10 A St. in Derry, according to tupelomusichall.com, where you can purchase tickets.

Saturday, May 23

The Black Heritage Trail of New Hampshire will hold an unveiling of a mural of Ona Judge Staines at 222 Court St. in Portsmouth on Saturday, May 23, with events starting at 11 a.m., according to blackheritagetrailnh.org, where you can find a schedule of events. “Born enslaved to George and Martha Washington at Mt. Vernon around 1773, Staines … escaped [from the family’s Philadelphia residence at the age of 22 in 1796] with the help of members of Philadelphia’s free Black community, with whom she had built relationships during earlier visits. She hid on a boat destined for Portsmouth. … Staines spent the rest of her life as a free woman in New Hampshire, where she married and had three children,” according to the website.

Saturday, May 23

It’s Swing Dance Night featuring the New Hampshire Jazz Orchestra at the BNH Stage in Concord, according to ccanh.com, where you can purchase tickets. Doors open at 6 p.m., a dance lesson starts at 6:30 p.m. and then the music and dancing start at 7 p.m., the website said.

Sunday, May 24

Celebrate 25 years of Elle Woods at a screening of 2001’s Legally Blonde (PG-13) at Apple Cinemas in Merrimack and Hooksett at 7 p.m. and at the Regal Fox Run in Newington at 1 p.m., according to fathomentertainment.com. The movie will also screen Wednesday, May 27, at Regal Fox Run at 6:30 p.m.

Wednesday, May 27

The Nashua Silver Knights, members of the Futures Collegiate Baseball League, host their home opener at Holman Stadium (67 Amherst St., Nashua) today against the Vermont Lake Monsters at 10:30 a.m. See nashuasilverknights.com for tickets.

Save the Date! Friday, May 29
New Hampshire Humanities will host a presentation called “First in the Nation: New Hampshire’s 1776 Constitution to the Present” on Friday, May 29, at 5 p.m. on Zoom, according to a press release. “Join us to watch a rebroadcast of a panel discussion about New Hampshire’s Constitution in the past and present, with Lorianne Updike Schulzke (pictured) and Robert F. Williams, moderated by the Honorable N. William Delker. All three panelists will join us live after the rebroadcast to answer questions,” the release said. See nhhumanities.org to register.

Quality of Life 26/05/21

Fewer ODs

As reported by WMUR in a May 14 online article, new data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention show a decrease in deaths from drug overdoses nationwide. “In New Hampshire,” WMUR reported, “the CDC reported fewer than 270 overdose deaths in 2025, down roughly 5% from 2024. Despite the decline, officials said new substances continue to emerge, with 23 new drugs already identified in 2026.”

QOL score: +2

Comment:“Overdose deaths fell about 14% nationwide last year,” WMUR reported. “It marks the third consecutive year of declines, the longest stretch in decades. The biggest contributor has been a drop in overdoses involving fentanyl”

State college tuition may go up

As reported by the Portsmouth Herald in a May 15, online article, “Tuition bills across the University System of New Hampshire are proposed to increase for a second straight academic year following six years of frozen in-state fees.” There is a proposed 2.5 percent increase in undergraduate in-state tuition at the University of New Hampshire.

QOL score: -1

Comment: The University System of New Hampshire’s board of trustees will finalize the 2026-2027 tuition rates for UNH, Keene State College and Plymouth State University in June. Tuition at UNH “would jump to $16,304 for the 2026-2027 academic year, if the new rates are approved, an increase of about 2.5%. Out-of-state undergraduates would pay $37,996 for the year, also about a 2.5% increase,” the Herald reported. “Granite Staters attending UNH presently pay $15,908 per year for in-state tuition, compared to $37,070 for out-of-state students.”

Test scores are not encouraging

WMUR reported in a May 14 online article that “students nationwide are facing what researchers describe as a decade-long learning recession as test scores continue to decline. According to a recent report using data from the Education Scorecard and The Educational Opportunity Project, students across the country, including in New Hampshire, are performing worse academically than they were 10 years ago.” The article quoted Dartmouth College economics professor Doug Staiger, one of the report’s authors. ““From 2019 to 2022, students in New Hampshire, on average, lost about two-thirds of a grade level,” Staiger said. “That’s a lot.”

QOL score: -1

Comment: WMUR quoted professor Staiger, who said, “the decline began before the Covid-19 pandemic, though the pandemic accelerated the trend. While math scores have started to recover, reading scores continue to lag behind.” Chronic absenteeism and the rise of social media also probably play a role, he was quoted as saying.

QOL score last week: 51

Net change: 0

QOL this week: 51

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

Let us know at news@hippopress.com.

Sox still scuffling along

The Big Story – Baseball at the Quarter Turn: It has not been pretty for your Boston Red Sox. They’ve been getting killed for their weak offense, no power and lack of spending, leading an enterprising pilot to fly over Fenway one day pulling a banner behind begging the owners to sell the team. Other than that, the start’s been great.

Sports 101: Name the three second basemen to hit 300 career homers.

News Item – Patriots Schedule Out: For those outraged at the toughness of the Pats’ 2026 schedule: What did you expect? They got the easy one last year because they finished last twice in a row. Now they get the first-place schedule. That happened annually for 20 years, so what’s the big deal?

News Item – Rumor Mill: For those still whining about losing Raffy Devers: after hitting .207 with two homers and 11 RBI in April word is SF is having buyer’s remorse over his declining production vs. his massive contract. And while the numbers jumped to .240-5-18 by mid-May they are hardly game-changing. So with the record at just 15-24 whispers are growing that the West Coast G-Men are about to dump payroll with Raffy headed out the door again.

News Item – Red Sox at Quarter Turn:

Good: WithCeddanne Rafaela hitting .281 with four homers and 20 RBI it appears he’s taken the next step. Plus new starters Sonny Gray and Ranger Suarez have been solid, as have surprising young’n Connelly Early and Payton Tolle.

Bad: They were 17-23, 11 out. In 2025 it was 18-22 and they still won 89 games.

Ugly: Jarren Duran, Trevor Story, Marcelo Mayer and Caleb Durbin all hit under .200 as the Sox scored MLB’s second-fewest runs.

Injured List: Think Red Sox owner John Henry is down on his knees looking upward and saying please don’t be another Chris Sale? As the next lefty Henry gave big bucks to after the $150 million Sale fiasco was Garrett Crochet. He’s on the DL with inflammation in his left shoulder after pitching a career most 203 innings last year. Hmmm.

Noteworthy baseball things after 40 games:

NL Central: Every team was playing over .500 baseball, from the 27-15 first-place Cubs to last-place Cincy at 21-20.

Billion-Dollar Dodgers: Tied with Padres at 24-16 instead of running away with everything with their pricey team. The Sox had a second-worst 31 homers and 161 runs scored in 45 games.Worst in homers was Milwaukee’s 27, but they’re ninth in runs with 209 and were 24-17 while the Sox were 17-23. Milwaukee has just the 20th-highest payroll at $127 million. Boston is 12th at $197 million, while the team with the worst record after, the 15-25 Mets, has baseball’s highest at $335 million.

Free Agents That Got Away:

Pete Alonso — 8 homers, 22 RBI, .306 avg.

Alex Bregman — 3 homers, 13 RBI, .233 avg.

Xander Bogaerts — 7 homers, 22 RBI, .267 avg.

The Numbers:

11 – percent increase in fouls during NBA playoffs vs. the regular season.

16 – astonishingly few pitches thrown by Zack Wheeler to get the first nine Red Sox batters ou in Philly’s 2-1 win last week. According to published reports it’s the least needed to do that since 2000.

20 – “thank you very much Chaim Bloom” MLB-leading homer total (including two last week at Fenway) by Kyle Schwarber, who the power-poor Red Sox let walk 207 homers ago after 2021.

Sports 101 Answer: The 300-homer second basemen are Jeff Kent (354), Robinson Cano (335) and Rogers Hornsby (301).

Final Thought –RIP Award – Ted Turner: The CNN founder and Atlanta Braves manager for one game died last week at 87. His run as Braves owner produced 14 straight NL East titles, five NL pennants and a 1995 World Series title. He also owned the Atlanta Hawks, skippered the 1977 America Cup winning sailing team and founded the Goodwill Games. All while eventually revolutionizing cable TV and USA viewing habits. And he still had time to marry Jane Fonda.

Email Dave Long at dlong@hippopress.com.

News & Notes 26/05/21

Memorial Day

It’s a weekend of Memorial Day parades and celebrations. Here are a few:

• The Amherst Memorial Day Parade takes place Friday, May 22, with a 5:30 p.m. start time in the Amherst Village Green, according to the Wreaths Across Amherst Facebook page.

• Hooksett’s Memorial Day Parade will be held Sunday, May 24, at noon at Lambert’s Park, according to a post on the Town of Hooksett’s Facebook page.

• The Memorial Day events in Epping will begin with a 21-gun salute and wreath-laying at four cemeteries starting at 7 a.m., followed by a parade beginning at 9 a.m. at the American Legion, 232 Calef Highway, and then a ceremony at Plumer Park, according to a post on the Epping American Legion Post 51 Facebook page.

• The Memorial Day Paradein Concord will start at 9 a.m. at the Christ the King Church on Thorndike Street, travel left onto Park Street, then left onto North State Street and another left onto Capitol Street to end at City Plaza, with a brief ceremony, according to concordnh.gov.

• The Brookline Memorial Day Ceremony will take place Monday, May 25, at 9:30 a.m. in front of Town Hall on Main Street hosted by the Brookline American Legion Post 74, according to brooklinenh.gov.

• The Memorial Day Parade in Milford takes place on Monday, May 25, at 10 a.m. beginning in the West Street Cemetery and traveling on Elm Street to the Milford Oval and then to the VFW, according to milford.nh.gov/news.

• The Derry Memorial Day Parade & Remembrance will take place on Monday, May 25, at 10:30 a.m. in Hoods Commons followed by a gathering at MacGregor Park at 11 a.m. for remembrance ceremony, speakers and music and a flag raising at noon, according to a post on the Derry Fire Department Facebook page.

• Nashua’s Memorial Day Parade will take place down Main Street on Monday, May 25, at 10:30 a.m., according to a press release.

• The Memorial Day Ceremony & Parade in Salem will begin at 10:30 a.m. with a short ceremony at Pine Grove Cemetery followed by a parade to Salem Common, where the ceremony will continue, according to salemnh.gov.

• A Memorial Day Parade & Remembrance Ceremony in Londonderry will take place Monday, May 25, at 11 a.m. at Robert Lincoln Way, traveling to Glenwood Cemetery and returning to the Town Common for a ceremony, according to londonderrynh.gov.

• The Manchester Veterans Council will hold its Memorial Day Parade on Monday, May 25, at 2 p.m. on Elm Street from Bridge Street to Central Street, according to a press release. “Following the parade, the Council will dedicate the Gulf Wars and War on Terror Monument in Veterans Park,” the release said.

Celebration poster

The Manchester Arts Commission is looking for artists and graphic designers to participate in a poster contest to celebrate the city’s 180th anniversary and the country’s 250th anniversary, according to an item in the MEDO Minute newsletter from the City of Manchester Economic Development Office. Submissions are due May 31. See facebook.com/CityOfManchesterNHEconomicDevelopment for a post with all the submission details.

Brookford Farm, 250 West Road in Canterbury, 742-4084, is running a plant sale daily in May, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., according to an email from the farm. A farm visit also offers an opportunity to visit the animals in the barnyard and sample local products, the email said. See brookfordfarm.com.

The Pierce Brigade will feature “Saving the General’s House,” a presentation by Trish Jackson (chapter regent of the DAR Molly Stark Chapter) about the efforts to save the boyhood home of General John Stark on Wednesday, May 27, at 2 p.m. at the Pierce Manse, 14 Horseshoe Pond Lane in Concord, according to a press release. The Pierce Manse, the home of Franklin Pierce (the only U.S. president to come from New Hampshire), will open for the season on Thursday, May 28, with tours Thursdays, through Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., through Oct. 24, the release said. See piercemanse.org.

The “Paws & Claws” art show will take place Thursday, May 28, from 5 to 8 p.m. at Sullivan Framing, 15 N. Amherst Road in Bedford, to raise funds for the Animal Rescue League of NH. Purchase a $125 6-inch by 6-inch original painting and 100 percent of the proceeds will be donated to the League, according to sullivanframing.com and rescueleague.org. Complimentary wine and hors d’oeuvres will be provided by Copper Door, the Rescue League website said.

The Currier Museum of Art, 150 Ash St. in Manchester, will host Art for Vets Community Day on Saturday, May 23, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. for veterans, active service members and their families, featuring refreshments, a drop-in art activity and museum tours, according to an email from the Currier. At 1 p.m., “all museum visitors are welcome to attend a free auditorium Art Talk with sculptors participating in the 2026 Nashua International Sculpture Symposium,” the email said. See currier.org for details.

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