Category: News

Pats keep rolling

The Big Story – Pats Tied for Best Record in NFL: They remind me of the 2013 Red Sox, who had me saying all through the year, “how are they doing this?” And I kept doing it right up until they won the World Series. And even then, I still found it hard to believe they did it. And with The Pats 9-2, we’ll see if history can repeat itself.

Sports 101: You’ll see in The Numbers the whopping number of shots missed by Detroit’s Cade Cunningham in a game last week. Who was the last NBA’er to miss more than that?

News Item – Patriots Down Jets 27-14

Key Stat – 9-2: They’re now about two wins from making the playoffs.

Improvement – Winning While Not at Their Best: Maybe I’m back in 2001-2019 mode, but having done it three weeks in a row, the Pats are back to winning when they don’t have their A game.

Backslide: Since it’s happened seven times in 11 games it’s not a backsliding exactly, but what’s the deal with the bad guys scoring so often on the first possession of the game?

Game Ball: TreVeyon Henderson or Drake Maye. Hmmm. A three-TD performance and a so-so 69 rushing yards. Or a mistake-free game for 281 yards, one-TD game and another 70%-plus completion percentage game. It’s Maye because Henderson only got his after Maye took them up and down the field to put him in position to score.

Next Up: On to Cincinnati with all wondering if Bengals QB Joe Burrow will play.

News Item – Big NFL Stories as the Stretch Run Starts

Patriots Revival: Nobody, not even the all seeing Nostradamus saw a 9-2 start coming.

Jonathan Taylor: The Indy tailback leads the MVP chatter thanks to his league-leading 1,132 rushing yards, 6.0 yards per carry average and 15 TD’s after 10 games, which projects to 1,924 and 26 TD’s.

Chaos in New York Football: The Giants HC and Jets GM got fired in the same week. The stopgap QB the G-Men brought in got benched after two games, and the Jets traded/dumped their two best players at the deadline. In the words of the late great Vince Lombardi, who the Giants once let get away to GB, “What the hell is going on out there?”

Denver Broncos: Did not give much thought to now 9-2 Denver when the year started. But after watching them in Sunday’s win over KC, they’re really dangerous because (1) QB Bo Nix is the real deal, (2) their defense is really fast all over, and (3) with their most in the league by far 49 sacks (second best is 34) they can really rush the passer.

The Young QB’s From 2024 Draft: The play of Maye (3), Nix (12) Jayden Daniels (2, now hurt) and Caleb Williams (1) is saying no draft misses here.

News Item – Player of the Week – Josh Allen: Last year’s MVP put the struggling Bills on his back by running for three TD’s and throwing for three more in Buffalo’s 44-32 win over Tampa Bay.

The Numbers:

16 – jaw-dropping steals to go along with 44 points (on just 25 shots) by Notre Dame star Hannah Hidalgo in ND’s 85-58 trashing of Akron.

45 – Mark Ferdinando-like number of shots taken by Detroit’s Cunningham when he put a 46-12-11 triple double on Washington in a 135-132 OT win. Oh, in making just 14 shots he missed 31 for a 31% FG percentage.

500,000 – bail in U.S. dollars for Cleveland pitcher Luis Ortiz, on charges accusing him of game fixing, according to ESPN.com.

… Of the Week Awards

Alumni News: Yes, folks, that was ex-Patriot Kyle Dugger getting a 73-yard pick-six for Pittsburgh in its 34-13 win over Cleveland.

Rarity: Victor Wembanyama (31-15-10) and Stephon Castle (20-10-10) became the fifth NBA teammates to record triple doubles in the same game. But sorry, since Wemby’s final assist was a garbage time alley-oop with .02 seconds left in the Spurs’ 125-120 loss, it’s a bogus stat.

Random Thoughts

While baseball’s merchandising greed over tradition is vomit inducing, at least the Red Sox’ two city edition uniforms would be appealing for an expansion franchise. But what does the Pats wearing boring grey ones vs. the Jets have to do with Patriots football, Roger Goodell?

Sports 101 Answer: Cunningham’s missed 31 shots were the most since RickBarry went 17-50 in the 1966-67 game.

Final Word – Red Sox 2026 Decisions: If I were charged with untangling the Red Sox 2026 infield puzzle, I’d move Trevor Story to second and put Marcelo Mayer at shortstop. It doesn’t make sense to have the SS of the future playing out of position when the 33-year-old Story has demonstrated he’s a solid second baseman already. Then I’d go hard after Pete Alonso in free agency because they need a potential 50-homer bopper for the middle of the line-up a lot more than they do a return of the valuable but very overpriced Alex Bregman ($40 million per) at third.

Email Dave Long at dlong@hippopress.com.

News & Notes 25/11/20

Toys

The New Hampshire State Police will collect new, unwrapped toys through Friday, Dec. 12, as part of their annual support for the U.S. Marine Corps Toys for Tots Campaign, according to a press release. Toys can be donated to state police collection sites and at special toy collection events, both of which can be found in the press release at nhsp.dos.nh.gov. Events before Thanksgiving include Friday, Nov. 21, 4 to 7 p.m. at The Mall at Rockingham Park in Salem; Saturday, Nov. 22, 8 a.m. to noon at Walmart in Epping, and Sunday, Nov. 23, 8 a.m. to noon at Walmart in Rochester, the release said.

$10K bonus

According to a Nov. 13 press release from the New Hampshire Department of Corrections, the department has launched “a $10,000 recruitment incentive for new full-time Corrections Officers, as part of its ongoing effort to attract qualified applicants and strengthen the state’s public safety workforce.” “Eligible candidates who successfully complete the 127th New Hampshire Corrections Academy will be eligible for the bonus,” the release said. See jobs.corrections.nh.gov for minimum requirements and details.

Oral health

The New Hampshire Oral Health Coalition’s 2025 Annual Forum will take place Friday, Dec. 5, from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the DoubleTree by Hilton, 172 N. Main St. in Concord, with the theme of “Advancing Equity Through Oral Health,” according to a press release. Register at nhoralhealth.org, under the “News & Events” tab. “Join us as we learn the latest on community- and school-based oral health programs, integrating dental into overall health and wellness, progress of NH’s Medicaid Adult Dental Benefit, and who is the 2025 winner of the Skip Homicz Jr. Legacy Award for NH’s Oral Health Champion,” the website said.

Historical activist

The Pembroke Historical Society will host the program “Jennie Powers: The Woman Who Dared” with Jennifer Carroll on Monday, Nov. 24, at 7 p.m. at the Pembroke Town Library, 313 Pembroke St. Powers “was a pioneering activist in the early twentieth century, who took a stand against social vices in New Hampshire and Vermont, as the Humane Society agent in Keene…. She documented animal cruelty, family violence, and widespread poverty in New Hampshire’s Monadnock region and beyond,” according to a press release. The presentation is free and open to the public, the release said. For more information, contact the Pembroke Town Library at 485-7851.

The annual Concord Christmas Parade will take place Saturday, Nov. 22, at 9:30 a.m. starting at Hazen Drive and running to Loudon Road, Canterbury Road at Pizza Hut and ending at Pembroke Road, according to the event’s Facebook page.

The Concord Makerspace, 197 N. Main St. in Boscawen, has upcoming events including “Community Knife Sharpening for Thanksgiving,” which will take place on Monday, Nov. 24, from 5 to 8 p.m, according to concordmakerspace.org, where you can register in advance.

Tickets are on sale now for the Salem Animal Rescue League’s Winter Carnivale and $2,500 Holiday Shopping Spree Raffle, which will be held Friday, Dec. 5, from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. at the Castleton Banquet & Conference Center in Windham, according to a press release. The event will include a chocolate tasting with Loon Chocolates, food and drink, games, dancing and more, the release said. See sarlnh.org/wintercarnivale to purchase event and raffle tickets.

Mike Morin will discuss his book If These Walls Could Talk: Celebrating 100 Years of the Red Arrow, America’s Most Beloved Diner on Saturday, Nov. 22, at 2 p.m. at Balin Books, Somerset Plaza, 375 Amherst St. in Nashua, balinbooks.com.

This Week 25/11/13

Thursday, Nov. 13

The Aviation Museum of New Hampshire (27 Navigator Road, Londonderry, 669-4820, aviationmuseumofnh.org) will host a presentation and book-signing at 7 p.m. tonight with Shirley Phillips (pictured), pilot and author of the new memoir How Not to Fly an Airplane. Admission is $10 per person.

Thursday, Nov. 13

The Nashua Center for the Arts (201 Main St., Nashua, 800-657-8774, nashuacenterforthearts.com) will host 360 Allstars tonight at 7:30 p.m. Featuring BMX, basketball, breakdancing, acrobatics, drumming and more, this is a physical performance exploring all forms of rotation, according to the website, where tickets start at $20.

Friday, Nov. 14

Ovation Theatre Company will present Freaky Friday: A New Musical, the tale of a mom and her teenage daughter who magically swap bodies, tonight at 7 p.m. and tomorrow, Nov. 15, at 1 and 7 p.m.at the Derry Opera House, 29 W. Broadway in Derry, according to ovationtc.com, where you can purchase tickets.

Friday, Nov. 14

S**t-Faced Shakespeare: Hamletwill be performed tonight at 8 p.m. at the BNH Stage (16 S. Main St., Concord, 225-1111, ccanh.com). Tickets cost $40 in advance, $45 at the door, the website said.

Saturday, Nov. 15

The 2025 Craft Fair at Manchester Community College will take place today from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the college’s all-purpose room, 1066 Front St. in Manchester, according to a Facebook page for the event. The event will feature more than 50 vendors, the post said. Find more craft fairs this weekend and beyond in last week’s (Nov. 6) issue of the Hippo, available in our digital library at hippopress.com. Know of a craft fair not listed? Let us know at adiaz@hippopress.com.

Saturday, Nov. 15

Speaking of last week’s issue, in the Nite section you’ll find a profile of Ian Galipeau, who is currently touring in support of the release of his album Something About a Horse. Read the story and then catch him tonight at 7 p.m. at The Listening Room at Prayers of Nature in Wilton. See prayersofnature.com for ticket information.

Sunday, Nov. 16

New Hampshire arts organization Creative Guts will hold its Third Annual Art Around the Room event at the Derryfield School (2108 River Road, Manchester) today from 1 to 4:30 p.m. Adults will have the opportunity to explore a variety of art media at timed stations with guidance from professional artists. Tickets are available for $40 atcreativeguts.org/events.

Sunday, Nov. 16

The iconic Glenn Miller Orchestra will perform two shows at the Tupelo Music Hall (10 A St., Derry, 437-5100, tupelomusichall.com) today, at noon and 4:30 p.m. Tickets are $47.

Save the Date! Friday, Nov. 28
A modern tradition, the Trans-Siberian Orchestra will perform its musical celebration and light show on Friday, Nov. 28, at 2:30 and 7:30 p.m.at the SNHU Arena (555 Elm St., Manchester, 644-5000, snhuarena.com) as part of its Ghosts of Christmas Eve tour. Tickets start at $55.

Featured Photo: Pilot and author, Shirley Phillips. Courtesy photo.

Quality of Life 25/11/13

Cuuubes … innn … spaaaace

According to a Nov. 6 press release from the University of New Hampshire, as you read this, a mini satellite known as a CubeSat designed and built by a team of UNH undergraduates has launched into space. Probably. “The small-but-mighty satellite is set to launch on a SpaceX rocket from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California no earlier than Nov. 10, 2025 at 10:19 a.m. PST,” the announcement read. “It will head to the outer reaches of the atmosphere to study the solar wind, which will help scientists in their quest to improve space weather forecasting and better protect technology in space and on Earth — such as communication networks, power grids and GPS — from potentially damaging large solar flare events.”

QOL score: +1

Comment: “CubeSats are a specific subset of satellites that are small and standardized,” the announcement said, “and provide a cost-effective way to study space science. It is about the size of a loaf of bread and offers a simpler way to start building and operating than larger satellites, making it an ideal piece of equipment for students to hone their skills outside of the classroom.” Visit eos.unh.edu/3ucubed.

Festive painted windows

Mosaic Art Collective (66 Hanover St., Manchester, 512-6209, mosaicartcollective.com) has launched a new community initiative, The Painted Holiday Windows, in downtown Manchester. Working with downtown businesses and corporate sponsors Stonyfield Farm and Members First Credit Union, Mosaic has commissioned artists to paint festive holiday-themed images on street-facing windows. “[By] bringing color and joy to downtown this November and December, we’re reminded once again how powerful it is when our community comes together to celebrate art and imagination,” Mosaic announced in a Nov. 7 statement.

QOL score: +1

Comment: The depictions on business windows range from traditional images of reindeer and candy canes to pop culture icons, like the Rankin Bass characters Snow Miser and Heat Miser, who are painted on the windows of the Thirsty Moose Taphouse.

Still a drought, but at least it’s a damp drought

“The latest U.S. Drought Monitor report shows that parts of Grafton, Carroll and Coos counties remain in severe or extreme drought,” WMUR reported in a Nov. 6 online article, “while Hillsborough and Cheshire counties continue to experience moderate drought. Even with more frequent rain showers, overall rainfall totals have stayed low.” A Boston Globe story on Nov. 10 described reports of wells going dry around the state, particularly in the north, and noted that “Nearly half of the state’s residents get their water from a private well, according to the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services.”

QOL score: -1

Comment: “While New Hampshire state officials said recent rain has decreased wildfire risk, it didn’t replenish surface water or aquifers,” the Globe reported, and the WMUR story said, “While the drought hasn’t worsened, New Hampshire will need much more rain to make a significant impact.”

QOL score last week: 67

Net change: +1

QOL this week: 68

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

Let us know at news@hippopress.com.

Pats have NFL’s best record

The Big Story – Football Takes Center Stage: With baseball finally over, football now has the attention of sports fans through mid-February. And with the Pats, Colts and Broncos sitting atop their divisions while sharing the league’s best record at 8-2, it has been a most surprising first half of the year.

Next comes the very definition of a trap game for New England on Nov. 13, when they face the (2-7) Jets, whose second win came a few days after giving up on 2025 by trading their two best players.

Sports 101: Who holds the rookie records for most rushing yards in a season by a Patriot runner and for the NFL overall as well?

News Item – Patriots Down Tampa Bay 28-23: Another close win, which needed a Stefon Diggs on-side kick recovery to put it away. But they didn’t let it slip away either as they moved to 8-2. And who would have thunk that?

Key Stat – Rushing Yards: 147 yards on 14 carries and two loud TD’s for rookie TreVeyon Henderson.

Improvement – Kyle Williams: The rookie wideout got the radio yackers and boo-birds off his back for at least one week after his 72-yard catch-and-run score to tie the game at 7-7.

Back slide – Drake Maye Decision Making: He made the usual number of big plays, but again put it up for grabs in the end zone for a fourth-quarter pick when a FG would have iced the game.

Game Ball – Henderson: His 69-yard TD run in the final minutes was the longest by a rookie in Patriots team history since his 55-yarder made it 21-10 in the third quarter.

News Item – Gambling Story Grows: This week it’s MLB, as suspended Cleveland hurlers Emmanuel Clase and Luis Ortiz were charged with allegedly rigging pitch counts for payoffs from gamblers.Yes, by all means, Rob Manfred, perfect time to make Pete Rose eligible for the Hall of Fame.

News Item – The Player of the Week – Jonathan Taylor: The Colts back went for 244 rushing yards and three TD’s in their 31-26 OT win over Atlanta. The TD’s included an 83-yard run and the walkoff game winner to give him 15 on the season, while another made him the Colts’ all-time rushing TD leader with 65.

The Numbers:

34 – second most in the NFL sacks surrendered by the Patriots o-line in 10 games.

546 – total yards by the Detroit offense (226 rushing, 320 passing) in a 44-22 thumping of the Commanders.

900 – career goals scored by Alex Ovechkin to become the first in the NHL’s 900 goals club.

… Of the Week Awards

Thumbs Down – Patriots Brass: For doing nothing at the trade deadline to address their biggest needs — edge rusher and running back depth.

Stat – NY Jets Being The Jets: According to Dan Graziano of ESPN.com, after trading DB Sauce Gardner to Indy, their cap hit for him in 2026 will be $11 million while for the team he’ll play for it’ll be just $9 million.

Good News – Trevor Story: After arguably being the team’s MVP (.263, 28 homers, 96 RBI) Story has opted in on his contract option to play for the Sox in 2026.

Sports 101 Answer: With 1,808 yards Eric Dickerson is the all-time NFL rookie rushing yards leader, and the Patriot rookie leader is Curtis Martin with 1,487 in 1995.

Final Thought – Hot Stove League Opens: All the important roster building and free agency calendar dates are in play now. So the Sox are on the clock to put the 2026 team together. The four biggest stories:

John Henry: He got a little fan respect back in 2025 by spending $500 million on new players after being public enemy No. 1 for five years of indifference. Will it continue?

Rafael Devers Trade: I’ve been saying since his trade in June that it is not concluded until we see if the owner will re-invest the money ($255 million) saved by the trade. If not, feel free to boo at every turn.

Power: They need a major power hitter to hit fourth. Mets FA Pete Alonso would be perfect for Fenway.

No. 2 Starter: They need a Pedro-Schilling-like one-two punch. The price tag for young players and a new contract make getting available Tigers ace Tarik Skubal highly unlikely, but he’d be perfect.

Third or Second Baseman: With the not worth $40 million Alex Bregman gone and Story staying, Marcelo Mayer will play one spot, so they need the other filled with someone new or maybe Kristian Campbell if he’s ready. Get to work.

Email Dave Long at dlong@hippopress.com.

News & Notes 25/11/13

Theater open

O’Neil Cinemas, 16 Orchard View Lane in Londonderry, opened to the movie-going public on Nov. 11, according to a press release. The new theater is in the location previously operated by O’Neil Cinemas and includes the Backstage Bistro & Lounge as well as 12 D-Box motion seats in one screening room and two Grand DLX Auditorium screening rooms, according to londonderry.oneilcinemas.com, where you can purchase tickets to movies.

New tradition

Nashua’s Great American Downtown will hold a Main Street Unwrapped event on Saturday, Nov. 15, from 10 a.m. to noon, according to a press release. “Our downtown businesses will be working all week to decorate their windows — and on Saturday morning, we reveal the magic together. Join Santa, Olaf from Frozen and Great American Downtown as we stroll Main Street, remove the wrapping, and celebrate the start of the season. Many retailers will be offering seasonal specials and holiday treats,” according to the release, which described the event as a “brand new downtown tradition.” See downtownnashua.org.

NH Navigator

The Foundation for Healthy Communities sent a press release to remind residents during the Affordable Care Act open enrollment period, which runs through Jan. 15, that NH Navigator, “an initiative of the Foundation for Healthy Communities,” can offer free health insurance navigation services for state residents seeking a health care plan via the Federal Marketplace, Medicaid or the Children’s Health Insurance Program. For assistance call 1-877-211-NAVI or visit newhampshirenavigator.com. “Navigators can help consumers identify the plan that best aligns with their health needs and the price point that best fits their budget,” the release said.

Deer season

Firearms deer hunting season opened Nov. 12, and runs through Sunday, Dec. 7, in New Hampshire, according to nhfishgame.com, where you can find information on licenses, hunting rules and registering a harvest. “In Wildlife Management Unit (WMU) A, the northernmost in New Hampshire, the season closes on November 30,” the website said.

Correction

An item about the Queen City Improv comedy show on page 24 of the Oct. 30 issue of the Hippo incorrectly stated the admission price for the group’s Nov. 3 event at Stark Brewing Co. in Manchester. Admission costs $10 at the door (it is not free, as was incorrectly reported). Queen City Improv will return to Stark Brewing Co., 500 Commercial St. in Manchester, on Monday, Dec. 1, at 7 p.m., when admission costs $10 at the door. See queencityimprov.com.

A New England contra dance with caller Tod Whittemore and music by Quindaro Plus will take place at the City-Wide Community Center, 17 Canterbury Road in Concord, on Saturday, Nov. 15, from 7 to 10 p.m. with beginners, singles and families welcome; see concordnhcontra.wordpress.com.

The Humane Society for Greater Nashua held a groundbreaking ceremony on Nov. 5 for a 10,000-square-foot addition to its facility at 24 Ferry Road in Nashua. “The expansion will include a state-of-the-art Humane Care Center, new and improved dog kennels, and additional training and multi-purpose rooms,” according to a Nov. 4 press release. See hsfn.org.

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