History going forward

Canterbury Shaker Village has a new education manager

Canterbury Shaker Village’s new education manager, Kyle Sandler, talked about his vision for educational programs at the Village and what visitors can look forward to when the Village reopens for the season on Saturday, May 13.

What led you to Canterbury Shaker Village?

I studied American history at Roger Williams University in Bristol, Rhode Island. Then I attended graduate school at Dartmouth College. I did my Master of Arts and Liberal Studies and basically specialized in colonial American history and religion. While I was doing my degree there, I started volunteering at Enfield Shaker Museum as a historic preservation volunteer. Things kind of evolved, and I started doing tours while I was finishing up my master’s degree. Then they had an opening for their education coordinator position, and the board recommended me for that position. I was at Enfield Shaker Museum for eight years, getting well-versed in all things Shaker and Shaker history. I did a variety of workshops and classes, and I was in charge of an annual Shaker forum. I also taught an online class for a couple of years that kind of came out of Covid called Shakers 101. I came from Enfield Shaker Museum to Canterbury Shaker Village last October.

What does your job as education manager entail?

First and foremost, it’s to manage interpretation of the Village. I oversee our team of tour guides, and I’m responsible for maintaining and building new interpretive plans and tours that will be offered to the public. I work with our curator of collections and collections manager on a pretty regular basis … on developing new exhibits for the Village for this season and seasons to come. Other aspects of my job are setting up various educational programming, like workshops and classes … and I oversee some of the volunteer activities.

What new experiences are you working to create at the Village?

We’re going to be launching our new smartphone tour app. Basically it’s an outdoor grounds tour of the different buildings. Visitors will access the app on their smartphone, which will bring up information on the buildings and historic images. Eventually it’ll have video and audio content as well. It’s a self-guided way for people to immerse themselves in the Village and provides another option for people who don’t want to do the traditional guided tours that we offer.

What else is planned for the Village’s upcoming season?

Our first exhibit of the year is going to be Canterbury-made Shaker furniture from the collection, most of which is going to date from the late 18th to the mid-19th century, with a couple of later pieces. That’s a starting point for what we’re going to be doing over the next couple of years, which is really a deep dive into the collections here. We have — and this is a really rough estimate — about 100,000 items in the collection. Between 40,000 and 50,000 of those are three-dimensional objects that range from the late 18th century into the early 1990s, when the last Shaker sister, Ethel Hudson, passed away. The collections here are in need of a fresh look, and we’re going to do an updated inventory project. Hopefully, in the coming years, we’re going to start the project of digitizing the collection and making it more widely available. We have storerooms full of these wonderful items — some that haven’t been displayed in decades and some that have never been displayed to the public, because of space limitations.

What do you enjoy about studying and sharing Shaker history?

I’ve spent the last almost 10 years now studying Shaker furniture. That’s been [the focus of] my personal research and my passion — studying and understanding what’s happening, how Shaker furniture varies from throughout the Shaker world. The other thing I’m very interested in is Shaker leadership and internal community politics. The Shaker villages had hundreds of people, so there was a lot of interpersonal dynamics. That’s something I’m really fascinated about, understanding what it was like to be a Shaker here and the challenges of this kind of communal experience.

Featured photo: Kyle Sandler. Courtesy photo.

News & Notes 23/03/09

Clean water funds

U.S. Sens. Jeanne Shaheen and Maggie Hassan, alongside Reps. Annie Kuster and Chris Pappas, welcomed $23,186,000 to support clean water infrastructure upgrades in New Hampshire. According to a press release, the funds are allocated through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and distributed by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to the State’s Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF). The upgrades will be made to essential water, wastewater and stormwater infrastructure that protects public health and treasured water bodies. $2.1 million has been designated to address contaminants such as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, more commonly known as PFAS, a class of industrial chemicals used in Teflon, GoreTex, carpeting, food wrappers, firefighting foam and other products, which take decades to break down and can build up in the body. “Everyone deserves access to clean water,” Sen. Shaheen said in the release. “Investing in modern water infrastructure is essential for preventing pollution and driving economic development in our communities.”

Community Impact awards

Dartmouth Health is accepting nominations now through March 21 for its first annual Community Impact Social Justice Awards. According to a press release, the awards were created by Dartmouth Health’s Black, Indigenous, and People of Color Employee Resource Group to recognize individuals who have demonstrated active engagement in social justice action, empowering marginalized communities and promoting human rights to facilitate ongoing inclusive change. Awards will be given in three categories: to a community member, a youth community member under age 24 and a Dartmouth Health employee. Visit dartmouth-health.org/news/honoring-those-working-toward-deib to access a nomination form. The awards ceremony will take place at the New Hampshire Audubon Society (84 Silk Farm Road, Concord) on Saturday, April 29, at 6 p.m. Search “Community Impact Social Justice Awards” on Eventbrite for tickets to the event.

Student scientists

Students in grades 5 through 8 are invited to compete in the annual 3M Young Scientist Challenge, presented by 3M and Discovery Education. According to a press release, the nationwide competition gives student innovators an opportunity to compete for a variety of prizes, such as an exclusive mentorship with a 3M scientist, a $25,000 grand prize and a chance to earn the title of “America’s Top Young Scientist.” To enter, students should submit a one- to two-minute video explaining an original idea using science to help solve an everyday problem. “This is such a fun and unique way for students to showcase their scientific minds and explore how they can truly make a difference in the world — even at such a young age,” New Hampshire Education Commissioner Frank Edelblut said in the release. The submission deadline is April 27. Visit YoungScientistLab.com.

Student inventors

New Hampshire Gov. Chris Sununu has issued a proclamation declaring March 18 “New Hampshire Kid Inventor Day.” According to a press release, the first annual celebration coincides with the K-12 Invention Convention Regional Finals at the University of New Hampshire in Durham. The competition recognizes the innovation and achievement of talented young inventors and showcases the ingenious ideas developed this year. “New Hampshire is full of talented and bright young learners, and this honor gives students a perfect opportunity to celebrate their inventive spirit,” Tina White, Director for the Young Inventors’ Program and the Northern New England Regional Invention Convention, said in the release. “We hope that with each annual celebration of New Hampshire Kid Inventor Day, we’ll have more and more students throughout the state experiencing the benefits of Invention Education.”

State Archivist

New Hampshire Secretary of State David Scanlan announced the appointment of Ashley Miller as New Hampshire’s new State Archivist. According to a press release, Miller’s appointment was approved at the Governor and Executive Council meeting on Feb. 8, and she was officially sworn in on Feb. 22 at the Secretary of State’s Office. Miller, a resident of Concord, was previously the Archivist, Reference and Outreach Coordinator for the Concord Public Library. She holds master’s degrees in Archives Management and History from Simmons College and a bachelor’s degree in History from Pennsylvania State University. “Ms. Miller will bring a great deal of knowledge and enthusiasm to the position, especially in digital archiving,” Secretary Scanlan said in the release. “Articulate and engaging, she is well equipped to manage the Archives Division and move it forward with the use of technology.”

Intown Concord, the nonprofit community organization that hosts the annual Market Days street festival in downtown Concord in June, has received a $5,100 Arts for Community Engagement (ACE) project grant. According to a press release, the grant, awarded by the New Hampshire State Council on the Arts, will support local artists who perform at the festival. “This grant will help us compensate local musicians who have been performing for free at Market Days for over a decade,” Jessica Martin, Executive Director of Intown Concord, said in the release.

The Atkinson Historical Society will grant a $1,000 scholarship to a graduating Atkinson high school senior who has been involved in their community through volunteering, civics, local government, scouting and other activities, according to a press release. Eligible students can be graduating from any accredited high school but must be a resident of Atkinson during their senior year. Applications are available at atkinsonhistoricalsociety.org. Email atkinson.nh.history@gmail.com.

Hollis Social Library presents a live performance by musician Jeff Snow at the Lawrence Barn in Hollis (28 Depot Road) on Sunday, March 12, from 2 to 4 p.m. According to a press release, Jeff Snow plays six- and 12-string guitar, autoharp and Celtic bouzouki and bodhran, combining Irish and Scottish music, stories and history in his performances. Registration is required. Visit hollislibrary.org.

This Week 23/03/02

Big Events March 2, 2023 and beyond

Wednesday, March 8

The high-energy a cappella group Ball in the House is performing tonight at the Concord City Auditorium (2 Prince St.) at 7:30 p.m. The Boston-based group has won several championships, including Boston Harmony Sweepstakes, and headlined the 2018 and 2016 China International Chorus Festival in Beijing, according to a press release. This event is free to attend. Visit walkerlecture.org.

Friday, March 3

The characters from Louisa May Alcott’s famous novel come to life inLittle Women, opening today at the Palace Theatre (80 Hanover St., in Manchester) at 7:30 p.m. Follow the life of the four March sisters (Meg, Jo, Beth and Amy) and their mother the girls grow up and find love and happiness in Civil War and post-Civil War New England. The show will run Friday, March 3, through Sunday, March 19. The shows are on Fridays at 7:30 p.m., Saturdays at 2 and 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. Tickets cost $25 to $46. Visit palacetheatre.org.

Friday, March 3

The Hatbox Theatre (270 Loudon Road in Concord) will present the playVanities beginning tonight at 7:30 p.m. The play is a comedy-drama that focuses on three Texan women who began as best friends in their high school cheerleading years, went on to be sorority sisters, and eventually became incompatible due to the trials of adulthood, according to the website. The show will run through March 19. Tickets range from $16 to $25. Visit hatboxnh.com.

Friday, March 3

The monthly Super Stellar Friday program today at the McAuliffe-Shepard Discovery Center (2 Institute Drive, Concord) will look at an experiment sent to the International Space Station by Team Cooke of UNH Manchester to study novel methods of antibiotic discovery in space. The experiment looked at what happens to bacteria in soil when sent to space. It was brought back down to earth in January, and the group will let the public know their findings thus far, according to starhop.com. Tickets to the presentation cost $12 for adults, $11 for seniors and students and $9 for kids.

Saturday, March 4

Head to the SNHU Arena (555 Elm St. in Manchester) for a concert by Yung Gravy tonight at 7 p.m.Called a trend-setting rapper, Yung Gravy got his start in 2017 after dropping hit song “Mr. Clean.” Doors to the show open at 5:30 p.m. Ticket prices start at $35. Visit snhuarena.com.

Wednesday, March 8

The Bank of NH Stage (16 S. Main St., Concord) is hosting Pure Prairie League today at 7:30 p.m., doors at 6:30 p.m. Pure Prairie League, a country-rock group on its fifth decade, brought the popularity of the subgenre to the forefront of the music scene, according to ccanh.com, where general-admission tickets cost $53.75 (plus fees) in advance.

Save the Date! Saturday, March 18
Head over to Funspot (579 Endicott St. N. in Weirs Beach) for the Fun for Paws triathlon on Saturday, March 18. Groups will participate in candlepin bowling, minigolf and games (paintball, skee ball, and darts) to benefit Funds4Paws. The group with the highest score will win prizes and awards, as well as the people with the most fundraising. Registration fees start at $200. Check in time is 9 a.m., and the games will begin at 10 a.m. Visit funds4paws.org to register.

Featured photo. A cappella group Ball in the House. Courtesy photo.

Quality of Life 23/03/02

See the student plane!

The first-ever aircraft produced by the student plane-building partnership between the Aviation Museum of NH, Manchester School of Technology and Tango Flight, finished last summer, is on display at the museum (27 Navigator Road in Londonderry; nhahs.org) now through March 26. According to a press release, the working two-seat RV-12iS light sport aircraft was completed in August 2022 after three years of effort by local students, mentor volunteers from the museum and other program supporters, with assistance from Tango Flight, a consulting nonprofit that specializes in student plane-building projects. The plane has already made numerous flights and special appearances locally and around the country.

QOL score: +1

Comment: Students are currently working on a new plane, the release said.

Nominate your nurse

Nominations are open for New Hampshire Healthcare Heroes. According to a press release, the program, sponsored by Harvard Pilgrim Healthcare, the NH Sector Partnerships and Initiative, Southern New Hampshire Area Health Education Center and others, celebrates health care workers in the state. Nominees may include clinical and nonclinical providers, administrators, educators, facilities, custodial and kitchen staff and others who provide direct or indirect care to patients and families receiving health care. A volunteer committee, made up of health care professionals across the state, will review the nominations and select one winner and two runners-up for each of the seven regions in the state. Each Hero will be honored in a pinning ceremony, hosted in partnership with their employer and streamed live on Facebook, and will receive a banner and customized swag bag.

QOL score: +1

Comment: Anyone can nominate a Healthcare Hero by submitting an online nomination form at nhhealthcareheroes.org. Nominations close on April 7.

Almost showtime

The Nashua Center for the Arts and its management partner Spectacle Live will host a series of public information sessions regarding the new arts and entertainment venue set to open this spring. According to a press release, venue staff will be available to provide information and answer questions related to employment opportunities, venue renting and hosting special events, memberships and group sales and corporate sponsorships; and box office representatives will be available to patrons who are interested in purchasing tickets to upcoming shows. Upcoming sessions will take place at Martha’s Exchange Banquet Space (185 Main St. in Nashua) on Tuesday, March 7, from 5 to 8 p.m., and Wednesday, March 8, from 9 a.m. to noon. Visit NashuaCenterfortheArts.com.

QOL score: +1

Comment: The venue, which will be able to accommodate 500 to 1,000 patrons with flexible seating configurations, is expected to open in April and will host nationally touring musicians, live comedy, theater, children’s performances and more.

QOL score: 54

Net change: +3

QOL this week: 57

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

Featured photo: Student-built RV-12 plane on display at the Aviation Museum. Courtesy photo.

Mac Jones analysis

The Big Story – Fixing the Patriots: With free agency opening in less than two weeks it’s time to look at what Coach B and company need to do to fix the Patriots for 2023, a crucial year in the “Tom vs. Bill” debate because it’s the fourth season since Tom Brady left the building and that’s enough time to recover from losing their franchise player. So a big year for the coach’s overall legacy.

There are two schools of thought about how big a fix is needed.

One says with a productive defense they can get back into the mix with the right moves on offense.

The other says no matter what they add they can’t close the gap between them and the elites because the offense needs major surgery and that might include a change at QB because they can’t go toe to toe with the likes of Patrick Mahomes or Joe Burrow with Mac Jones under center.

In any event, here’s a look at what needs to be considered, starting with a focus on the QB.

No. 1 Question: If I’m the Patriots’ owner, the first thing I want to know is why did a QB who was very good as a rookie take a dramatic step backward in his second season as Jones did. After that, I need to know if Mac is the guy to go forward with

Mac Jones: One theory is he’s not that good, or he’s limited, and Josh McDaniels helped mask that in 2021.

Thus one solution is to bring in someone else while recouping a couple of draft picks by trading him. One proponent of this is Christopher Gasper, who wrote in the Boston Globe last week they should dump Mac and bring back free agent Jimmy Garoppolo, in a column that was remarkably like him saying last January the Celtics had to trade Marcus Smart for a real point guard or they’d never go anywhere. Boy, he nailed that one.

This is the same. Lamar Jackson is one thing (though that would require major cap surgery). But the last thing they need is an injury-prone/slow-healing QB who’ll cost three times what Mac does on his rookie contract, whose injuries derailed two of the last five SF seasons. And it would have been three this year if a circa-2001-Brady-like miracle hadn’t surfaced when he broke his leg. Especially since it cost them once already when in 2016 all he had to do was last four games during Tom Brady’s suspension and didn’t make it to the second half of Game 2. Sorry, if you can’t stay on the field you can’t play. Don’t want him.

Plus, while I’m under no illusion Jones did not have his own 2022 issues, I know what I saw in 2021, so I’m not willing to give up on him yet.

I think it was an amalgam of the following.

Play Calling and Game Planning: It’s no secret Matt Patricia in these roles was a total disaster. It was simplistic, predictable and overly cautious to the point where it seemed the goal was to not get a turnover rather than to make plays. It was also often done too slowly, which led to an unacceptable number of timeouts called to avoid penalties. All of which played into some publicized immature, frustration-driven sideline antics by Jones.

Offensive Line: In a word, it was awful. More specifically, penalty-prone, often porous and inconsistent from week to week. That likely contributed to the knock Mac locks on receivers. That leads to bad habits, as when you don’t have a lot of time you look to get rid of it quickly, over going through progressions to find the open guy. And of course sacks lead to down and distance issues, which make sustaining drives more challenging.

The Weapons: They’re below average. It’s the same problem Brady had as he sulked his way through 2019 and Cam Newton had in 2020. They get little separation, don’t do much after the catch (besides Kendrick Bourne) and no one puts the fear of God into defensive game planners. That was exacerbated by the play calling, because throws to Hunter Henry up the seam worked when tried but were rarely called until the end of the year.

Can They Fix It For 2023? It’s a little of both schools of thought. I do like the defense, but, given their swing-and-miss ratio on recent personnel decisions, especially during the 2021 spending spree, I don’t have much faith in the personnel department to have a good enough batting average to hit on enough FAs and draft choices to fill all the holes. However, it doesn’t mean they can’t do it. Plus with Bill O’Brien named to replace Patricia the play calling issue has been addressed.

The 2023 Fix: After one up and one down year it’s too early to give up on Mac. You won’t know what he really is until the other issues are fixed. If you don’t believe me, compare Brady’s 2019 numbers and when they no longer were an issue in Tampa Bay the next year. Help is needed now, so they should focus on the next three years and put whatever draft capital is needed for trades and aim all free agent spending to get ready on Day 1 solutions to do these things:

(1) Fix the offense line, which starts with getting two, new younger tackles.

(2) Bring in a consistent A+ home run-hitting deep threat/wide receiver that teams must game plan for. Exhibit A is what adding A.J. Brown to DeVonta Smith in Philly did for Jalen Hurts. Ditto for Tua after adding Tyreek Hill to Jaylen Waddle. Mac was better than both guys at Bama when he was teamed with Waddle and Smith.

(3) Apply whatever is left to plug other holes as needed.

Email Dave Long at dlong@hippopress.com.

Citizen of the year

Manchester Chamber awards SNHU president

The Greater Manchester Chamber has named Dr. Paul LeBlanc, president and CEO of Southern New Hampshire University, its Citizen of the Year.

Tell us about you and your background.

I was born in Canada in New Brunswick in a small farming village. I actually spoke French before I spoke English. There was really no work there for anyone, so my parents and my four older siblings and I immigrated to the Boston area when I was 3, and I grew up in Waltham, Mass. I went on to be the first member of my extended family to go to college. I think being a first-generation college graduate and an immigrant informs my sense of work and my sense of Manchester so much, because Manchester itself is a city of immigrants and of people who had to work hard and didn’t have anything handed to them. I came to Manchester almost 20 years ago as president of SNHU. Before that, I had spent seven years as the president of Marlboro College in Vermont, and before that, I was heading up a technology startup for Houghton Mifflin Publishing Company in Boston.

What do you consider some of your biggest accomplishments?

I always think of universities as playing an important role as an economic engine. When I came in, we had 2,500 students and were just a small, somewhat dated campus in the north end of Manchester. Today, we’re a national and international university with 185,000 active students, making us the largest university in the country. But we’ve still always been very focused on Manchester as our hometown. … I had this idea for a Center for New Americans, which we’ve created in conjunction with the YWCA, recognizing that Manchester’s history is built on New Americans. It has programs for youth, language programs — a wide array of programming. … During the pandemic, we, with partners, stepped up and took the lead with a number of things, like providing more than 210,000 meals during the first two years to kids who were on school lunch programs who might not have enough food at home; and working with the National Guard, converting the whole of our athletic complex into a spillover health facility for local hospitals. I think these are the things that I’m probably being recognized for as Citizen of the Year, but in reality, I’m accepting this [award] in the spirit of everything that SNHU and all of our people do.

What is your vision for the future of education?

We are often cited as being one of the most innovative universities in the country. That includes not only using online education to extend the reach of SNHU and to reach people who really need a degree to unlock an economic opportunity, but also being pioneers in competency-based education, which untethers people from time and allows them to move much faster. Innovating around delivery models that work better in people’s lives is a really important part of what we do. … We have a national network of community partners that are deeply embedded in underserved communities, and we have something called the GEM program, which stands for “global education movement,” and that brings degree programs to refugees. We’ve worked in refugee camps in Kenya, Malawi and Rwanda, and with refugee communities in South Africa and Lebanon, so we really do have a global reach. Our vision is to continue to try to make higher education more affordable and to put it in the financial reach of learners who are often left out and feel unable to access a system that’s increasingly too expensive for them.

What do you like about Manchester?

Manchester is a working city; it’s got some grit, and, like every city, it’s got real issues, like homelessness. But I love that it has such a strong sense of community and rootedness. … It has an amazing diversity of people in a state that can often feel pretty homogenous, and there’s energy and vibrancy that comes from that heterogeneous population. … Its food scene is burgeoning. … The Millyard is a hotbed of technology and innovation. … People are doing things in the arts community. … Yet it stays very modest. There’s a great self-deprecating humor about New Hampshire and Manchester. No one gets too full of themselves.

What do you like to do in your free time?

I’m lucky enough to be able to do some really interesting travel. I just came back from Antarctica, which was the most amazing travel experience ever. I’ve been to all seven continents and 60-something countries. That’s my passion. Closer to home, it’s things like cooking, reading, writing. I’ve been going back to my writing more lately, which I very much enjoy. I’ve written two books in the last two years.

Featured photo: Paul LeBlanc. Courtesy photo.

News & Notes 23/03/02

Scholarship

New Hampshire Federal Credit Union has announced a call for applicants for its Credit Union College Scholarship Program. According to a press release, three scholarships in the amount of $1,500, funded by New Hampshire Federal Credit Union and the Cooperative Credit Union Association’s statewide campaign “Better Values – Better Banking,” will be awarded to three New Hampshire high school seniors who are enrolled in an undergraduate college or university degree program for the 2023-2024 academic year. Applicants must be a member or have a parent or guardian who is a member of New Hampshire Federal Credit Union or another New Hampshire Credit Union to qualify. There is no fee to apply. The application deadline is Wednesday, April 5. Visit nhfcu.org, call 224-7731 or email marketing@nhfcu.org to learn more.

Route 101 projects

The New Hampshire Department of Transportation will hold two public meetings to share information with citizens and public officials regarding two proposed projects for New Hampshire Route 101 within the towns of Wilton, Milford, Amherst and Bedford. The meetings will be held on Monday, March 6, at 6:30 p.m. at the Barbara Landry Meeting Room in the Amherst Town Hall (2 Main St., Amherst), and Tuesday, March 7, at 6:30 p.m. at the Milford Town Hall Auditorium (1 Union Square, Milford). According to a press release, the mission of the projects is to improve safety and address the high-crash segments along a 15-mile Route 101 corridor. Call 271-3921 or visit nh.gov/dot/projects to learn more about the projects.

New accreditation

Catholic Medical Center has received a new quality-based accreditation from DNV Healthcare. According to a press release, the accreditation certifies that the Manchester hospital consistently meets or exceeds patient safety standards set forth by the U.S. The DNV accreditation program, also known as NIAHO(Integrated Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations), involves annual hospital surveys and encourages information-sharing across departments to identify ways in which clinical workflows and safety protocols can be improved. It is the only hospital accreditation program to require compliance with the ISO 9001 Quality Management System, a trusted quality management system used by performance-driven organizations around the world to advance quality and sustainability objectives. “The DNV program is consistent with our long-term commitment to quality and patient safety,” Natalie Gosselin, CMC’s Executive Director of Quality and Safety, said in the release.

Music in schools

The New Hampshire Music Educators Association joins schools and music educators across the country in celebrating March as Music in our Schools Month. According to a press release, the national campaign seeks to bring attention to music education in schools, raise awareness of the importance of music education for all children and remind citizens that all children should have access to music in school. Music teachers are encouraged to showcase their music programs to school administrators and the community and to highlight the benefits that music education can have for students of all ages. At the New Hampshire Executive Council Meeting on Wednesday, March 8, Gov. Chris Sununu is slated to sign a proclamation declaring March as Music in Our Schools Month in the state of New Hampshire. That same day, local schools, including Manchester Central High School, Auburn Village School, Keene High School, Windham Middle and High Schools, West Running Brook Middle School in Derry, Moultonborough Academy and John Stark Regional High School in Weare will present live musical performances on the Statehouse Lawn in Concord between 8 a.m. and 2 p.m., free and open to the public. Visit facebook.com/nhmea.

Lecture series

The New Hampshire Division of Forests and Lands, in partnership with the Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests, has announced the lineup for this year’s Cottrell-Baldwin Environmental Lecture series. According to a press release, the series honors the environmental and scholarly legacies of Hillsborough residents Annette and William Cottrell and of New Hampshire’s first research forester Henry Ives Baldwin while providing public education on topics related to historic preservation, wildlife and land conservation. “Every year, folks tell us how much they look forward to learning more about different natural aspects of our state,” Inge Seaboyer, program forester at the Caroline A. Fox Research and Demonstration Forest, said in the release. The lectures will be held every Tuesday, March 21 through April 11, from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at the Fox Forest’s Henry I. Baldwin Environmental Center (309 Center Road, Hillsborough) and will include “Covered Bridges of New Hampshire,” “Black Bears: Understanding and Controlling Human-Bear Conflicts,” “Ten Years and a Dozen Porcupines – an Informal Study,” and “This Land was Saved for You and Me.” All events are free to attend, but space is limited and registration in advance is appreciated. Visit forestsociety.org/events.

New Hampshire Education Commissioner Frank Edelblut will join officials, students and educators at the New Hampshire State Library in Concord (20 E. Park St.) on Wednesday, March 1, at 9 a.m. to launch a statewide literacy campaign meant to encourage a love of reading among early learners and their caregivers and to increase young students’ reading proficiency, according to a press release. Visit nhlovesreading.org.

The traveling art exhibition “I Am More” is on view now through April 1 at the Mall of New Hampshire in Manchester (1500 S. Willow St.). According to a press release, the exhibit features portraits by artist Amy Kerr accompanied by essays written by the subjects about how they are more than their life challenges, such as surviving Covid, growing up with alopecia, experiencing PTSD from combat and more.

This year’s Portsmouth Athenaeum Lecture Series, “Portsmouth, NH: Evolution 1623-2023,” will focus on Portsmouth’s commerce and the impact of climate change at Strawbery Banke. Lectures will be held on the third Wednesday of the month, March through June and September through November, at 5:30 p.m. at the Athenaeum (9 Market Sq.). Seating is limited, registration is required, and admission is $10 for each lecture. Call 431-2538 or visit portsmouthathenaeum.org.

This Week 23/02/23

Big Events February 23, 2023 and beyond

Thursday, Feb. 23

LaBelle Winery (345 Route 101, Amherst) is bringing Takin’ It To The Streets, a Doobie Brothers tribute band, to perform today at 8 p.m. The performers will do all of the Doobies’ great hits as well as a few deep tracks. Tickets start at $25 and can be bought at labellewinery.com.

Friday, Feb. 24

Today, the Bank of NH Stage (16 S. Main St., Concord) is hosting a Black History Month Unity Concert. The show will feature Martin Toe and Destin Boy Official, two New Hampshire based hip-hop and Afro-beats artists. Both artists have recently released their debut albums. Showtime is 8 p.m., doors open at 7 p.m. Tickets are free and can be reserved at ccanh.com.

Friday, Feb. 24

Join the Palace Theatre (80 Hanover St., Manchester) for Songs of a Natural Woman: A Carole King Tribute tonight and tomorrow, Saturday, Feb. 25, at 7:30 p.m. The show will feature the hits of Carole King, highlighting her 1971 solo album Tapestry, which won four Grammy awards. Tickets start at $30 and can be bought at palacetheatre.org.

Saturday, Feb. 25

Join Balin Books (375 Amherst St., Nashua) for a launch party for local author Elaine Isaak’s newest novel, A Wreck of Dragons. Isaak, who was featured in the Jan. 26 edition of The Hippo, specializes in fantasy and science fiction. Her newest book combines robots, dragons and outer space exploration as characters try to find a place for humans to live. For more information about this event, call 673-1734

Saturday, Feb. 25

The Concord Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1631 (6 Court St.) is hosting its 15th annual blues bash today starting at 6 p.m. There will be food, refreshments, raffles, items for sale, and, of course, live blues music. For more information about this event visit vfw1631.org.

Sunday, Feb. 26

Today is the first day of the Nashua Nor’Easter Run/Walk/Drive race organized by the United Way of Greater Nashua. There will be 5k, 10k, half-marathon and marathon routes available for racers to choose from. The event is self-timed, and money raised by racers will benefit nonprofits in the Gate City. Register to run or view maps and starting locations at tinyurl.com/uwnano23.

Save the Date! April 1
Celebrate the new season and warming weather at Springfest 2023 at Goffstown High School (27 Wallace Road) on April 1. There will be a kids’ carnival with a bouncy house, activities, slides and face-painting, plus food, 70 vendors, and a lot of fun. Tickets are $5, free for children 12 years old and younger. For more information email goffstowncc99@gmail.com.

Featured photo. Author Elaine Isaak.

Quality of Life 23/02/23

We love our teachers

The New Hampshire Department of Education received a record-setting 322 nominations for the 2024 Teacher of the Year award. According to a press release, the nominations, submitted by New Hampshire educators’ coworkers, students, students’ parents and school leaders, represented 118 schools across 59 towns. “New Hampshire has fallen in love with the bright, engaging and dedicated teachers that devote their careers to educating our youth,” Christine Brennan, deputy commissioner of education, said in the release. “We are overwhelmed with the large number of nominations for our Teacher of the Year program, and we are thrilled that the education field is eager to recognize these hardworking individuals.” Nominations are now closed. Nominated teachers must formally accept the nomination and apply for the award by March 20. The 2024 Teacher of the Year will be announced in October.

QOL score: +1

Comment: Christian Cheetham of Alvirne High School in Hudson currently holds the title of 2023 Teacher of the Year.

Somebody’s QOL just got way better

A winning ticket for the Tri-State Megabucks lottery was sold at the New Hampshire Liquor & Wine Outlet on Leavy Drive in Bedford on Saturday, Feb. 18, WMUR reported. The jackpot is estimated by the New Hampshire Lottery to be worth $1.77 million. The winner, who matched all five winning numbers and the Mega Ball number, has a choice between taking their winnings in graduated annual payments over 30 years or as one lump sum payment.

QOL score: +1

Comment: The last Megabucks jackpot, which was worth an estimated $1.5 million, was sold in Madawaska, Maine, on Nov. 12, 2022, and was never claimed, according to the article.

Fundraising fun

Catholic Charities NH generated more than $200,000 to help Granite Staters in need from its 2023 Mardi Gras Gala, held on Saturday, Feb. 11, at the DoubleTree by Hilton Manchester Downtown. According to a press release, the nonprofit’s signature event featured authentic New Orleans cuisine, cocktails, entertainment, a live auction, dancing and more. “As our first in-person Mardi Gras since 2019, we made up for lost time with the experience and celebration that our community deserves,” Karen Moynihan, vice president of philanthropy at Catholic Charities NH, said in the release. The funds raised will support programs that help to create lasting change in the lives of individuals and families struggling with a wide range of issues that impact communities across New Hampshire, such as hunger, poverty, financial despair, mental health, homelessness, unsafe environments for children and isolation among seniors.

QOL score: +1

Comment: Plans are already in the works for the 2024 Mardi Gras Gala, which is set for Feb. 10, 2024, according to the release.

QOL score: 51

Net change: +3

QOL this week: 54

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

Featured photo: Catholic Charities NH Mardi Gras Gala. Photo by Mark MacKenzie, Capturing Wisdom Photography.

The week that was

The Big Story: With the All-Star game history, the NBA begins what it calls the second half of its season even though the Celtics have already played 71 percent of their 82 games. The good news is that with 42 wins and 17 losses they start the stretch run to the playoffs with the best record in the league, a fact made more impressive by their doing it playing the first two months without Robert Williams and the last two weeks with a majority of their starters out with injuries.

The Bucks along with the 76ers and Cavaliers round out the Top 4 in the Eastern Conference and are the teams that pose the biggest obstacles to getting back to the Finals. Though I’m not counting out the Heat until I see them pick up their fourth loss in any playoff series.

Thumbs Up: The interim tag being taken off Joe Mazzulla’s title. Well-earned.

Thumbs Down: Can’t say I was happy to see Jaylen Brown play in the All-Star game. I know it’s a thrill, but when you miss three games going into the All-Star break it’s better to take the additional time off to heal, rather than risk getting dinged or worse. Leadership is about putting team over personal disappointment.

Sports 101: The most surprising nugget mentioned during the hoo-ha of LeBron James becoming the NBA all-time scoring leader was Bob Ryan writing in the Boston Globe that LBJ is fourth on the all-time assist list as well. So name the three people ahead of him and, just for fun, the six behind him to round out the Top 10.

News Item – Jayson Tatum: Even though the 184-175 final shows what a competitive joke the aforementioned All-Star game is, I guess Tatum was ready to play. When you think of the guys who’ve played in that game, it’s impressive he now sits atop all of them after going for a record 55 points as he also took home MVP honors. Though since three others scored over 30, including Brown, who had 36, it wasn’t exactly a defensive struggle. For the record, he was 22-32, 10-18 from deep while making just one free throw.

News Item – the Kyrie Irving Press Conference: Speaking of people who put themselves above team (and everyone else): The self-delusional quote of the week came from (who else) Irving, who said at his introductory press conference in Dallas that after getting suspended for supporting a racist film this year, derailing their 2021-22 season by refusing to get vaxxed and the previous two with his usual array of injuries, that he “felt very disrespected” by the Nets and that what he wanted was to be in a place where he’s “celebrated, and not just tolerated.” Oh, and after missing what would have been his third game with Dallas with a back issue on Thursday, he played in the All-Star Game a few nights later.

Random Thoughts – Lou Grant Award: Only old bucks will get this. But there is a famous scene in the late great The Mary Tyler Moore Show when her grumpy boss Mr. Grant says to her, “You’ve got spunk,” which Mary takes as a compliment until he adds, “I HATE spunk”! Well, that’s what you have to say about the Celtics bench, which likely is the best since the days when John Havlicek was the sixth man. Though the ones from ’85-’86 and ’07-’08 may take issue with that. But they have done the job all year long and especially during the recent deluge of injuries heading into the break. However, instead of Mr. Grant hating their spunk, it was Philly, whom they beat without four starters, and Milwaukee a few nights later when the Celtics narrowly lost in OT with all five starters missing, when the Bucks only got to OT because Jrue Holiday dropped a 70-foot heave at the end of the first half.

GiannisAntetokounmpopulled off a box score miracle in the ASG by being credited with scoring two points while officially playing no minutes in the game. It happened because he played just one play due to a sprained wrist. So someone please explain what was the point of playing at all?

Media Notes: (1) Somebody please tell Brian Scalabrine that LaMelo Ball is nothing like Pete Maravich as he continues to say on Celtics broadcasts. Pistol Pete was like trying to follow the sleight of hand of a great magician, which in Pete’s case was the ball because you were never sure where it was going. Low dribble, high dribble, hesitation dribble to the blow-by drive. Behind the back, through his legs or sometimes yours. No-look passes, high off the glass or pull up from 35. LaMelo is a nice young player, but he ain’t got any of that. Pete was a magician with the ball. (2) Similarly, please tell back-up play-by-play guy Sean Grande that an NBA player playing occasionally on back-to-back nights is not akin to scaling Mt. Everest like he makes it out to be by mentioning it over and over when they do it.

A Little History: For the record: In the year Wilt Chamberlain averaged 50 points a game (1961-62), he “only” scored 42 points in the All-Star game. However, if you take out the three-pointers that didn’t exist in those days Tatum only beats Wilt by three points, 45-42.

Sports 101 Answer: Nos. 1 through 3 are John Stockton, Jason Kidd, Chris Paul.

Nos. 5 through 10 are Steve Nash, Mark Jackson (that one surprised me too), Magic Johnson, Oscar Robertson, Isiah Thomas and Russell Westbrook.

The Final Word: Glad the Celtics didn’t dismantle the team to get Kevin Durant. Great player, but trading a 25-year-old 27-point-a-game scorer and key defender who also is a very good contributor to team rebounding for a 34-year-old who has missed all but 111 of his team’s last 300 games makes no sense to me.

Email Dave Long at dlong@hippopress.com.

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