Category: News

This Week 26/08/13

Thursday, Aug. 13

Londonderry Old Home Day’s week of events continues today with a Color Run in the Town Common at 5:30 p.m.; a touch-a-truck at Meetinghouse Pavilion at 6:30 p.m., and a Police Association Movie Night in the Town Common at 7:30 p.m., according to londonderrynh.gov/692/2026-Old-Home-Day. On Friday, Aug. 14, the Youth Home Run Derby starts at noon at LAFA Fields, a food truck alley at Londonderry High School assembles at 6 p.m. and there will be fireworks at the school at 9:15 p.m., among other events, the website said. The celebration culminates on Saturday, Aug. 15, with a baby contest at 8:30 a.m.; an Old Home Day Parade at 10:15 a.m.; an event on the Common with booths, a classic car show, kids’ games, an artists alley and other events, and the Rockland Trust Bank Boot Scootin Boogie 5K & Brewfest (see page 16), the website said.

Thursday, Aug. 13

The WWE Summer Tour 2026 comes to the SNHU Arena, 555 Elm St. in Manchester, today at 7:30 p.m., according to snhuarena.com, where you can purchase tickets. Get a look at Tour highlights at wwe.com.

Saturday, Aug. 15

Karen Coulters will talk about her new book Finding Home on Lilac Lane at a special Bookstore Romance Day event today at 2 p.m. at Balin Books (375 Amherst St., Nashua, balinbooks.com).

Saturday, Aug. 15

Continuum Arts Collective will present Revel in the Meadow 2026 at Dover Elks Field, 282 Durham Road in Dover, today from 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m., according to continuumarts.org, where you can purchase tickets. The day will include two music stages, art activities for kids, more than 20 artisans and headlining acts “A Band of Brothers: An Allman Brothers Tribute, Seacoast Last Waltz Band, Ramble on Rose Band, Terrafunk, and Lightheaded Collective,” the website said.

Sunday, Aug. 16

Director Kathryn Bigelow’s Point Break (R, 1991), starring Keanu Reeves and Patrick Swayze, celebrates its 35th anniversary with a screening today at 7 p.m. at Apple Cinemas in Merrimack and Hooksett, Cinemark Rockingham Park in Salem and Regal Fox Run in Newington, according to fathomentertainment.com, where you can purchase tickets. The movie will also screen Wednesday, Aug. 19, at 7 p.m. at the same theaters.

Sunday, Aug. 16

The Concord Model Railroad Show, sponsored by the Concord Model Railroad Club, will take place today from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Everett Arena in Concord, according to a flyer from the club. Admission costs $2 for adults, free for kids under 15 with an adult, the flyer said. The day will feature more than 20 dealers, a food stand, raffles and more, the flyer said.

Sunday, Aug. 16

Sunfox Farm in Concord continues its annual Sunflower Bloom Festival until day. The festival, which began last week, is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily and features live music, food trucks and other vendors, according to sunfoxfarm.org/sunflowerfestival, where you can find details on pricing, parking and more. Read John Fladd’s story about the event in the Aug. 6 issue of the Hippo; find it on page 16 in the issue, which is available in the digital library at hippopress.com.

Save the Date! Friday, Sept. 25
Get excited about fall with Guitar Monsters featuring Johnny A & Jon Butcher with special guest Dave Amato on Friday, Sept. 25, at 8 p.m. at the Tupelo Music Hall, 10 A St. in Derry, according to tupelomusichall.com, where you can purchase tickets to the show as well as separate tickets to the pre-show VIP meet and greet.

Featured image: Occupation Murder!

New days in Red Sox Nation

The Big Story – Red Sox Actually Do Have a Plan: After two years of public doubts and much caterwauling by Red Sox Nation (and myself) there really does seem to be a future plan.

Craig Breslow’s actions on trades show a type of player he wants. Complementary, offensive spark plugs and good fielding guys to fill in around the offensive core of Willson Contreras, Wilyer Abreu and, if he comes back this century, Roman Anthony.

Second, with him giving up at least two good young MLB pitchers in recent weeks and three more touted minor leaguers, it appears he believes he/they can identify and develop young pitchers.

Aside from a blip in the ’80s with Clemens, Hurst and company, that’s something that hasn’t happened in the Red Sox organization since that kid from Baltimore named Babe showed up in town.

And finally the brass trading away prospects are a signal Breslow and company aren’t hoarding them and are willing to move them to go for it. That’s good news.

Now, how good are they at judging the talent they brought here and let go to get them?

Only time will tell on that.

Sports 101: Who holds the Red Sox franchise record for most strikeouts by a left-handed pitcher?

News Item – Red Sox Update: They start the week having won 27 of their last 33, in a streak started when their second baseman and shortstops got hurt and were replaced by Anthony Seigler and Andruw Monasterio, who, oh by the way, they got in the Caleb Durbin trade.

Meaning the SS, second baseman and third baseman that sparked the streak no one saw coming, all came in the same trade with Milwaukee this spring.

Bet that’s never happened in baseball history before.

News Item – Red Sox Notes:

• Ceddanne Rafaela’s 28 doubles are most in the AL.

• The 14wins by Sonny Gray already is a career high.

• Brayan Bello’s got his groove back. After being demoted to AAA on June 4 following a horrid first two months, in his first six appearances back in Boston he’s 2-0 and the ERA is 0.76 over 22.2 innings.

• In Friday’s Nolan Ryan-like effort while beating Oakland 13-1, an astonishing 14 of the 18 outs Payton Tolle got came via strikeouts.

• Marcelo Mayer being dumped to SF mercifully brings down the curtain on the disastrous Chaim Bloom tenure as GM.

And I feel pretty certain he’ll be the worst guy named Marcelo to ever play for the Red Sox.

• How does a guy who has hit under .200 all year still be second or third on the team in RBI? Despite all the radio yacking to trade him, Jarren Duran somehow has done that with 60.

Good no trade there.

The Numbers:

7 – consecutive losses for the invincible Dodgers since (according to the pundits) winning the World Series already by agreeing to trade for Detroit’s Tarik Skubal.

8 – consecutive strikeouts to close out his start vs. Pittsburgh by ex-Red Sox hurler Kyle Harrison. Though since he got yanked after just five innings and 69 pitches the wussification of baseball continues unabated.

… Of the Week Awards

Thumbs Up – Adam Vinatieri: On his induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. The resume shows he started the NE dynasty with the greatest kick in NFL history and later the game winner in the famed Snow Bowl, along with two SB-winning kicks, scoring more points than anyone in history and chasing down sprinter Herschel Walker from behind to save a TD, which was the greatest tackle ever by a kicker. After the game Bill Parcells called him a football player, not just a kicker.

Sports 101 Answer: Jon Lester has the most strikeouts by a Red Sox lefty with 1,386.

A Little History – Lester in Chicago and Boston: Consistency was his forte, illustrated with the astonishing statistical facts that his 63.6 winning percentage and 3.64 ERA in nine years while pitching for Boston was matched identically to the 63.6% and 3.64 ERA during his six years with the Cubs. And his season average of 168 innings and 154 strikeouts in Boston and his 167 and 156 are within the margin of error of being identical in Chicago too!

The only other career statistical consistency to match that that I know was Stan Musial dividing his 3,630 hits evenly by having 1,815 at home and 1,815 Kyle Harrison on the road.

Final Thought – Minnesota Lynx coach Cheryl Reeve: “We can’t let this happen.”That’s what the Lynx coach, already embroiled in controversy for comments made regarding trans athletes, said about the WNBA possibly hiring men to head coach in the league.

I get the sentiment. But that seems exactly the opposite of feminists correctly bellowing through years about women being discriminated against by gender and not by qualification while head to head with men for a job.

But now since women stand to lose their advantage in this situation, gender suddenly matters more than qualifications do. Got it, Cheryl.

Email Dave Long at dlong@hippopress.com.

Quality of Life 26/08/13

Jalapeños alert

According to an Aug. 8 press release, “Hannaford Supermarkets is recalling a limited number of deli and produce items after being alerted by Taylor Farms, the maker of some of Hannaford’s deli products, that their jalapeño supplier has initiated a recall due to the potential for salmonella contamination.” There are six products, including Beans Rice and Cheese Burrito, Classic Beef Burrito, Chicken Verde Burrito, Chipotle Chicken Tortilla Wrap, Diced Jalapeños, and Pico De Gallo Salsa. According to an Aug. 9 press release from Taylor Farms, “A grower in Sinaloa, Mexico, that supplies to Coast Citrus Distributors was identified as the potential source in this outbreak.” See hannford.com (“product recalls”) for details.

QOL score: -1

Comment: According to the Taylor Farms press release, “Salmonella [is] an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Healthy persons infected with Salmonella often experience fever, diarrhea (which may be bloody), nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain. In rare circumstances, infection with Salmonella can result in the organism getting into the bloodstream and producing more severe illnesses such as arterial infections, endocarditis, and arthritis.” Visit taylorfarms.com/recall.

More hungry children

According to an Aug. 10 press release from the New Hampshire Food Bank, food insecurity for New Hampshire’s children continues to rise. The Food Bank quoted a new report from Feeding America, described as the largest domestic hunger-relief organization in the United States. “Child food insecurity increased by 6% year-over-year, climbing from 36,160 children in the 2025 report to 38,430 this year,” the press release stated, adding, “the overall food insecurity rate has also grown, with the latest data showing 11.2% of all New Hampshire residents lack consistent access to adequate food, up from 10.7% in the previous report.”

QOL score: -1

Comment: According to the New Hampshire Food Bank, Coös County has the highest percentage of food-insecure children: 22.1 percent. Rockingham County has the lowest rate, at 11.6 percent, but that is still more than one in 10. Visit map.feedingamerica.org/county/2024/child/new-hampshire. See nhfoodbank.org for links to food resources and for donation information.

QOL score last week: 58

Net change: -2

QOL this week: 56

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

Let us know at news@hippopress.com.

News & Notes 26/08/13

Primary ballot

Absentee ballots for the Sept. 8 state primary “have been mailed out to every city and town clerk’s office in New Hampshire,” according to an Aug. 10 press release from the New Hampshire Secretary of State’s office.

“New Hampshire’s State Constitution permits absentee voting for voters who are prevented from voting in person because of temporary absence or a physical disability. A full list of permissible reasons to vote by absentee ballot can be found … at sos.nh.gov/elections/absentee-ballots,” the releases said.

FotoFest 2026

“FotoFest 2026 Analog, Digital and Beyond,” the third annual FotoFest held by the NH Center for Photography, will take place Saturday, Aug. 15, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Kimball Jenkins, 266 N. Main St. in Concord, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., according to an email from organizers. Admission is free, the email said. “Come hang out with your fellow NH photographers, talk shop and browse the market for film and digital cameras, lenses, darkroom equipment, studio lighting, expired film, assorted gear and photographic art! Don’t miss NHCP’s fund raiser table ‘Make me an Offer’ (that we can’t refuse),” the email said. See nhspa.wildapricot.org.

NH’s Historic Places

The oldest building in Raymond and a homestead in Milford are among the five new places added to the N.H. State Register of Historic Places by the State Historical Resources Council, according to an Aug. 4 press release from the New Hampshire Department of Natural & Cultural Resources Division of Historical Resources.

“Believed to be the oldest building in Raymond, the Georgian-style Bean Tavern was built circa 1752 …’” according to the press release, which added that the Tavern was on the N.H. Preservation Alliance’s 2022 “Seven to Save” list.

“Built by Revolutionary War veteran Joshua Burnham circa 1777 and the home of the Hutchinson family from 1824 to 1949, the Hutchinson Homestead is historically significant not only for its Federal-style architecture and its association with the early settlement of Milford but also as the home of the Hutchinson Family Singers, one of the foremost voices for the abolition of slavery across the nation,” the release said.

Other sites are the Woodbury Memorial Methodist Episcopal Church in Antrim, which was dedicated in 1904; the Center Harbor Town Beach, Park and Canoe House, whose “association with the recreational history of the town dates to the mid-1800s,” and the Charles and Mary Chapalis House, built circa 1928 in West Lebanon, the release said. See nhdhr.dncr.nh.gov.

Blue Envelope program

The New Hampshire Department of Safety’s Division of Motor Vehicles is rolling out the Blue Envelope Program, which seeks to help drivers diagnosed with autism or “a trauma- or stressor-related disorder, with a tool to improve communication during traffic stops,” according to a July press release. The Blue Envelope contains “written guidance for law enforcement about a driver, including important medical information and emergency contacts,” the release said. “Information on how to obtain a Blue Envelope, including eligibility criteria, is available” at dmv.nh.gov/drivers-licensenon-driver-ids/blue-envelope-program and participation in the program is voluntary, the release said.

The First Annual Winnipesaukee Cornhole Classic is slated for Saturday, Aug. 29, at noon at the Akwa Marina Yacht Club in Laconia held by Crotched Mountain Foundation to raise money for Logan’s Giving Fund for Autism, according to a press release. Register a team at secure.qgiv.com/event/cmfcornhole.

Have dinner with Abraham Lincoln on Tuesday, Aug. 18, at 5 p.m. at John Hay Estate at The Fells, 456 Route 103A in Newbury, according to a press release. The program “Abraham Lincoln: The Making of A President — A Special Dinner Event with Steve Wood” will feature Wood as Lincoln and a “Traditional Pilgrim Buffet dinner prepared by Hart’s Turkey Farm,” the release said. See thefells.org to buy tickets.

Bird Dog Cider, 150 Bayside Road in Greenland, will hold Dahlia Field Opening Day on Sunday, Aug. 16, from noon to 5 p.m. with pick your own, a Greenland Trolley Tour, “historical talk on taverns and a reenactment celebrating America’s 250th birthday,” according to birddogcider.com, which said the Greenland Historical Society organized the events. Local musician David Corson will perform from 3 to 5 p.m.

The Upper Room, 36 Tsienneto Road in Derry, will host a screening of the documentary Screenagers: Growing Up in the Digital World on Thursday, Aug. 13, from 6 to 8 p.m. (pizza will be served at 6 p.m. with the screening slated to start at 6:30 p.m.), according to a press release. See urteachers.org.

This Week 26/08/06

Thursday, Aug. 6

The League of NH Craftsmen’s Annual Craftsmen’s Fair continues today through Sunday, Aug. 9, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily at Mount Sunapee Resort in Newbury, according to nhcrafts.org, where you can purchase tickets and find the program with schedules of music and workshops and a map of the fair.

Thursday, Aug. 6

Delta Dental/Elliot Corporate Road Race takes place today in downtown Manchester at 6:20 p.m. with a 5K loop, according to millenniumrunning.com/corporate5k. Solinsky Cancer Center is listed as the event’s official charity.

Thursday, Aug. 6

Hudson Old Home Days start today and run through Sunday, Aug. 9, at 211 Derry Road in Hudson, according to hudsonoldhomedays.com. Catch carnival rides, games, food trucks and vendors and live music today from 5 to 10 p.m. and Friday from 5 to 11 p.m. The event runs from noon to 11 p.m. on Saturday, which will also feature a petting zoo and family fun zone, and from noon to 5 p.m. on Sunday, which will feature a craft fair, the website said.

Friday, Aug. 7

The “Dog Days of Summer” are the theme at tonight’s First Friday in downtown Concord, 4 to 8 p.m., followed by a free outdoor movie screening in Eagle Square. Music includes Senie Hunt at 4 p.m. (see page 22) and Rebel Collective at 6:15 p.m., according to firstfridayconcord.com.

Friday, Aug. 7

The Tempest, presented by the Nashua Theatre Guild, wraps up its two-weekend run with shows today at 7 p.m. and Saturday, Aug. 8, at 2 and 7 p.m. in Greeley Park in Nashua, according to nashuatheatreguild.org.

Saturday, Aug. 8

Dark Side Customs of Concord will present The Granite State Gitdown, a custom car and bike show, outside the Everett Arena in Concord today from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., according to an organizer email. The day will include food trucks and vendors and any car or motorcycle is welcome, the email said. See dark-side-customs.com.

Saturday, Aug. 8

The Concord Arts Market will be in Rollins Park in Concord today from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. See concordartsmarket.org.

Sunday, Aug. 9

Today is the final day to catch the exhibition “Spray: Jules Olitski in the 1960s” at the Currier Museum of Art in Manchester. The exhibit “invites you to rediscover a modern master who explored the possibilities of color with gumption, vision, and a passion for experimentation,” according to currier.org. The Currier is open Wednesdays through Sundays, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Sunday, Aug. 9

Celebrate the work of Rudolph Valentino nearly 100 years after his death at a screening of the silent film Son of the Sheik(1926) today at 2 p.m. at the Town Hall Theatre, 40 Main St. in Wilton, featuring live musical accompaniment by Jeff Rapsis, according to an email. A $10 donation per person is suggested, the email said.

Save the Date! Saturday, Oct. 3
Lend Me A Theatre presents Occupation: Murder!, a murder mystery dinner theater event at Tupelo Music Hall, 10 A St. in Derry, on Saturday, Oct. 3, and Sunday, Oct. 4, according to tupelomusichall.com, where you can purchase tickets to dinner and the show or just the show and see show and dinner times. “Setting: A Television Studio in New York City/Present day. When the rehearsal begins for the TV quiz show It’s a Living! who would suspect that before the telecast is over, the hardest problem to solve would be ‘Who Killed Tony Fabrizi, the show’s sponsor?’,” according to the website, where you can also find the evening’s menu. See lendmeatheater.org for show details.

Featured image: Occupation Murder!

Sox sweep MLB-best Dodgers

The Big Story – Surging Red Sox: All through the 2013 season I kept saying, “I don’t know how they are doing this” — right up until they won the World Series.

And after seeing the Red Sox win a franchise best ever 21 of 24 games in July with their “who are those guys?” infield and a left fielder hitting below the Mendoza line but who seems to still get a big hit when needed, like Jarren Duran’s homer that iced the weekend sweep of the Dodgers in Sunday’s 8-4 win, that same feeling is coming back.

But it’s even bigger this time, as since June 25 they’ve won 14 straight over the Yankees, Rays, Dodgers and AL Central-leading White Sox. That’s a streak worthy of the 2018 Sox more than the 2013 club.

It left them four games up in the wild card race and five behind TB in the AL East at 60-51, with a chance to pick up more ground this week as all seven games come against the sub-.500 A’s and Blue Jays after three tough ones vs. the White Sox.

Sports 101: Who has driven in 150+ runs a most ever seven times?

News Item – Patriots Camp Opens: Here are the biggest stories this summer.

• Christian GonzalezContract: Which Bob Kraft is making worse by yacking about them already offering the biggest DB contract in history.

• Wide Receivers: They’re deep with some saying their new additions make Kayshon Boutte expendable. But unless it’s for a second-round pick or better, I say no. Depth matters.

• Shuffling on O-Line: It got run over in the Super Bowl. Was Will Campbell still hampered by his sprained knee? Or is he playing out of position?

• Stefon Diggs: What does his still being unsigned say about the Pats’ cutting him? Hard to deal with? ’Cause he was pretty good last year.

• Pass Rush: It seems like a possible issue since there are no obvious guys to lead the way. Especially with Harold Landry on the P-U-P.

News Item – Dodgers get Tarik Skubal: The call for a salary cap in baseball got louder last weekend when the oligarch Dodgers got (as usual) the biggest guy on the trade market for three top prospects.

The Numbers:

2 – at-bats it took newly acquired Red Sox Curtis Mead to get hit on the wrist with a pitch and possibly be lost for the season.

6 – first-inning walks incredibly recorded by ex-Cy Young winner/ Toronto hurler Shane Bieber before getting yanked after just 2/3 of an inning. Don’t think that’s happened since my friend Bob Procelli’s signature career Little League baseball win, when he somehow gave up 10 runs while pitching a one-hitter in his classic 56-10 win over the Larkfield LL Bees when he was 9.

15 – place Bill Belichick’s UNC Tarheels finished in pre-season polls for the 17-team ACC.

… Of the Week Awards

Thumbs Up – Turn-around of the Week: To gritty Sox shortstop Andruw Monasterio, who demonstrated getting beaned with a 99 mph fastball in the eighth inning didn’t intimidate him by hitting a game-winning two-run homer next time up in Wednesday’s 6-4 win vs. the Athletics.

NBA Rumor of the Week: It comes amid tense extension talks between Steph Curry and Golden State. It had Curry being sent to San Antonio for De’Aaron Fox and draft picks.

Random Thoughts:

Who can’t see the geographic sense to have SMU in the ACC?

Baseball does more dumb things to harm itself than the other three major sports combined. Starting with batting Shohei Ohtani lead-off. The dumbest thing I’ve seen since I started watching baseball in 1408 B.C.

Sports 101 Answer: Lou Gehrig is the all-time 150+ RBI seasons leader.

A Little History – Gehrig’s 150+ Seasons: His first came when he had 173 as teammate Babe Ruth hit 60 homers batting in front of him in 1927. The others included his AL record 183 in 1931 and two 173’s, with 158 his last in 1937.

Final Thought – Red Sox 2026: A few for the final two months.

Yes, Duran has struggled all year, but I bet he breaks out with a streak that carries them for two weeks at some point.

Is the back from AAA Brayan Bello destined for the Bob Stanley role of yesteryear the rest of the way? A reliever who pitches all over the game from a one-inning stint to pitching the final four scoreless innings to close it out like he did in Friday’s 9-4 win in L.A.?

Forget 2013: The way they keep coming back to win is starting to remind me of 1967. My nomination for the torrid Yaz-like last six weeks is Ceddanne Rafaela, who loves the big moment.

Not even L.A. will get as much at the trade deadline as Boston if Garrett Crochet and Roman Anthony can come back healthy this month.

They need to go 31-21 the rest of the way to win 90 games.

Email Dave Long at dlong@hippopress.com.

Stay in the loop!

Get FREE weekly briefs on local food, music,

arts, and more across southern New Hampshire!