Category: News

Pats reclaim AFC East supremacy

The Big Story — Christmas: Today is the day for giving gifts. The Patriots got theirs a little early, by clinching a return to the playoffs for the first time since 2021 with Sunday’s 28-24 win over Baltimore. And as they try to get ahead of Denver and Buffalo for AFC Top Seed and win the AFC East, they get another Sunday with the Jets on their holiday menu, followed by 6-9 Miami. Meanwhile for Buffalo it’s Philadelphia and the Jets, while Denver got Pat Mahomes-less KC on Christmas Day and closes it out with a tough one vs. the 11-4 Chargers.

Sports 101: Whose NFL fans in the 1970s booed Santa Claus on Christmas Day when he was shown on the Jumbotron making his rounds during the game?

News Item – Patriots Down Baltimore 28-24:

KeyStat – Drake Maye had his first career 300+ yard game when he was 31-44 for 380 yards and two TDs.

Improvement –Kyle Williams had another tremendous contested long TD catch (36 yards) and gained 29.7 on three key returns.

Brain Dead Call – MikeVrabel – The failed fake punt giving Baltimore FG position with them just down three with 20 minutes still left.

Backslide – Maye had three turnovers.

Game Ball – A Tie –Maye overcame the TO’s to lead his first fourth-quarter comeback when Stefon Diggs was vital to that with nine catches for 138 yards.

News Item – Holiday Presents: Time to see who’s been naughty and nice as we hand out our presents for 2025.

2025 Patriots – No home playoff games. If you haven’t noticed, they’re 5-3 at home and 7-0 on the road.

Jayson Tatum – a healthy return from the Achilles injury.

Celtics – a better collective bargaining agreement that doesn’t hurt fans by forcing teams to shred very good players to avoid onerous financial and player acquisition penalties.

Red Sox Nation – A New Owner: One willing to spend what it takes to acquire top-level talent like John Henry once did and the Dodgers now always do.

Patriots Owner Bob Kraft – Mystery Votes: Some fall his way in the Hall of Fame voting. Because getting the needed 80 percent of the 50 voters (who only have three votes each) to say yes, it’ll be a tough slog in his contributors/long retired players category to get in with him up against the “what took them so long” trio of SF running back Roger Craig, Steelers defensive end L.C. Greenwood, Cincy QB Kenny Anderson along with Bill Belichick in that group. He’s a distant fifth to them.

Coach B – Not Enough Votes: It won’t happen, but given how he went out of his way to make the media’s job harder, especially after losses, waiting a year seems appropriate penance for that nonsense.

Ryan Day – a second straight college football national title for the local lad to get him a step closer to legendary Woody Hayes’ Ohio State record of five national titles.

Coach B – Another: Since he already got a snarky one, we’ll give him another. Being the surprise hire for an open NFL job to let him keep trying to pass Don Shula’s record for most wins all-time.

2026 Patriots – Player Additions: Two studs added to the O-line and a major pass rusher in the draft and free agency.

Outside World

Lane Kiffin, Brian Kelly and Nick Saban (twice) – Coal in their Stockings: For walking out on their bowl-bound players to take the next job.

Notre Dame Football – More Idle Post Seasons: To college football’s most entitled whiners, a CD of Miami advancing to R-II by knocking out Texas A & M 10-3.

Al Horford – Success: With trade chatter already in the air, a better career ending than it’s looking like for the 39-year-old in Golden State, where he’s only played 13 times in 28 games as he’s shooting just 29.5 percent of his three-ball tries while averaging 5.6 points and 4.2 rebounds per game.

Major League Baseball – A Salary Cap: Because, to their credit, the Dodgers are making a mockery of their spending advantage over all but the five or six teams capable of playing big-money baseball.

Mike Vrabel – Coach of the Year: He already got his present Sunday in Baltimore. But, while he’s got real competition from Liam Coen and others, it would be a nice reward for the spectacular job he’s done in returning the great franchise to its accustomed place.

Drake Maye – MVP Award: Coming up big in the year’s biggest game definitely got him back in that race.

Sports 101 Answer: Who else but the never happy unless they have someone to boo fans in Philly would boo Santa on Christmas?

Final Thought:

Holiday wishes to all for a happy, healthy and prosperous year ahead.

Email Dave Long at dlong@hippopress.com.

News & Notes 25/12/25

Symphony NH

Symphony NH is postponing two upcoming concerts, the “executive director is taking a personal pay cut” and some staff will be given reduced hours, among other measures, due to financial challenges, according to an email from the Symphony NH Board of Trustees and staff on Dec. 18. “Last season brought unexpected financial challenges: declining ticket revenue, reduced charitable gaming income, and a drop in individual giving. At the same time, operating costs — especially venue expenses — rose significantly. These combined pressures have created a shortfall that we must address now to protect the long-term health of Symphony NH,” the email said. The Jan. 17 and March 28 music director finalist concerts will be rescheduled to next season; ticket holders can call 595-9156 or email snh@symphonynh.org for information.

Red Cross

The American Red Cross is looking for blood and platelet donations, especially of types O, A negative and B negative, according to a press release from the Northern New England Region of the American Red Cross. Those who donate through Jan. 4 will receive a long-sleeved T-shirt, while supplies last, the release said. Donors between Jan. 1 and Jan. 25 will be “entered for a chance to win a trip for two to Super Bowl LX in the San Francisco Bay Area,” the release said. Schedule a donation at redcrossblood.org.

Old buildings

The New Hampshire Preservation Alliance is offering a Career Exploration in the Old Building Trades vacation week program, according to a Dec. 10 newsletter. The programs take place Feb. 23-27 and April 27 to May 1, 8:45 a.m. to 3 p.m., and are open to ages 16 to 21, according to the application form, which you can find at nhpreservation.org/preservation-trades-initiative. The programs will take place at Canterbury Shaker Village and Sanborn Mills Farm in Loudon and at Seacoast/Portsmouth locations, the site said. No experience is necessary. The application deadline is Friday, Jan. 16.

Art & Bloom

The Concord Garden Club will take part in its 23rd annual “Art and Bloom” show in collaboration with the Women’s Caucus for Art, New Hampshire Chapter, and Kimball Jenkins Estate, 266 N. Main St. in Concord, where the show will be on display Thursday, Jan. 22, through Saturday, Jan. 24, according to a press release. “Club members and local floral professionals will create floral arrangements inspired by works of art and craft on display during Kimball Jenkins’ January art exhibition. [The show] will coincide with Intown Concord‘s Winter Festival,” the release said. For information about participating, see concordgardenclubnh.com.

Celebrate the life of Rob Reiner with a screening of one of his directorial gems, 1989’s When Harry Met Sally…, on Saturday, Dec. 27, at 10 a.m. at Red River Theatres in Concord. See redrivertheatres.org for tickets.

Andrew Pinard brings his Discovering Magic with Andrew Pinard show to New Hampshire Theatre Project, 959 Islington St. in Portsmouth, nhtheatreproject.org/onstagenow, on Friday, Dec. 26, at 7:30 p.m.; Saturday, Dec. 27, at 2:30 and 7:30 p.m., and Sunday, Dec. 28, at 2:30 p.m., according to a press release. Tickets cost $32 general admission, $28 for seniors and students, according to the website.

Goffstown First Night: Rockin’ New Year’s Eve Celebration takes place on Wednesday, Dec. 31, from 6 to 9 p.m. downtown in the village, according to goffstownmainstreet.org/goffstown-first-night. The “fun-filled, family-friendly celebration” will feature a winter wonderland with princesses and other characters for photos, hands-on activities, music, a New Year’s Eve ball drop every hour on the hour and more, the website said.

Mosaic Art Collective, 66 Hanover St., Suite 201, in Manchester, mosaicartcollective.com, is inviting local artists to submit work for its next show, “Peaceful Rebellion,” which opens Wednesday, Jan. 28, according to the December newsletter. “This open call is for works that celebrate the act of art making and the awareness and solace it provides us,” the newsletter said. See the website for details; the deadline is Jan. 14.

This Week 25/12/18

Thursday, Dec. 18

The Nature Conservancy (nature.org) will celebrate the longest night of the year with a Winter Solstice Soirée this evening from 5 to 9 p.m. at the McAuliffe-Shepard Discovery Center (2 Institute Drive, Concord, 271-7827, starhop.com). Celebrate the season and mingle with other nature lovers with drinks, light appetizers and holiday cheer. Register at preserve.nature.org/page/180114/event/1.

Thursday, Dec. 18

Pop-rock band the Jonas Brothers perform at the SNHU Arena (555 Elm St., Manchester, 644-5000, snhuarena.com) tonight beginning at 7:30 p.m. as part of their Greetings From Your Hometown tour. Tickets start at $196 through ticketmaster.com.

Friday, Dec. 19

The Canadian Brass will perform at the Nashua Center for the Arts (201 Main St., Nashua, (800) 657-8774, nashuacenterforthearts.com) tonight at 7:30 p.m. as part of their Making Spirits Bright tour, which includes original arrangements and signature takes on beloved holiday classics. Tickets start at $54.

Friday, Dec. 19

Etz Hayim Synagogue (1 1/2 Hood Road, Derry, 432-0004, etzhayim.org) continues its annual tradition of lighting its giant outdoor electric menorah tonight from 7:15 to 8:30 p.m. to celebrate the sixth night of Hanukkah. Jelly doughnuts will be served.

Saturday, Dec. 20

Red River Theatres, 11 S. Main St. in Concord, redrivertheatres.org, has fam-ily-friendly holiday screenings on the schedule this weekend. Catch Elf (PG, 2003) on Saturday, Dec. 20, at 10 a.m. andThe Grinch (PG, 2018), the animated movie, on Sunday, Dec. 21, at 10 a.m. Both screenings feature complimentary hot cocoa. Tickets can be purchased on the website.

Saturday, Dec. 20

Enjoy a festive holiday tradition at The Stockbridge Theatre (22-98 Bypass 28, Derry, 437-5210, pinkertonacademy.org/stockbridge-theatre) at 7 p.m. with the Safe Haven Ballet’s production of The Nutcracker. Tickets start at $33 through the Theatre’s website.

Saturday, Dec. 20

New Hampshire Philharmonic Orchestra (647-6476. nhphil.org) will perform its Annual Holiday Pops concert this afternoon and tomorrow, Sunday, Dec. 21, at 2 p.m. at the Seifert Performing Arts Center (Salem High School, 44 Geremonty Drive, Salem, 893-7069, ext. 5601, sau57.org/pac). An audience favorite returns with seasonal classics, sing-alongs and more. General admission tickets are $35.

Saturday, Dec. 20

’80s glam metal band Warrant will take the stage at the Tupelo Music Hall (10 A St., Derry, 437-5100, tupelomusichall.com) at 8 p.m. tonight as part of its Let The Good Times Rock tour. Tickets start at $84.

Save the Date! Sunday, Dec. 28
Experience the thrills of slam dunks, trick shots and moments you’ll never forget as The Harlem Globetrotters dazzle, dunk and hype the stands as part of their 100 Year Tour. They will take on their long-time rivals the Washington Generals, who are due for a win. Performances will take place at 2 and 7 p.m. Tickets start at $90 through ticketmaster.com.

Featured Photo: The Harlem Globetrotters. Courtesy photo.

Quality of Life 25/12/18

Nobody legit asks for gift cards

The email seems authentic at first glance. It says it’s from the Director of the Allenstown Public Library. She’s writing to ask you for some technology help. She’s trying to buy some gift cards for her niece with cancer, the email tells you, and for whatever reason, she can’t seem to finalize the purchase. Could you do it for her and she’ll pay you back? Maybe you should call her for clarification. The problem is, it turns out, the Allenstown Library doesn’t even have a Director at the moment. “We’ve spent the last two days fielding phone calls about this,” one of the librarians on duty said in a phone interview.

QOL score: -1

Comment: On its website, the New Hampshire Department of Justice advises: “Use known and trusted contact information to reach out to the individual and confirm that they are not responsible for the suspicious request. Assume that any request to purchase gift cards is a scam. This is a tactic that is widely used by scammers.” Visit doj.nh.gov/news-and-media.

Make friends now or be lonely and sick later

A recent study by the University of New Hampshire suggests that building social connections earlier in life can help prevent isolation and its associated health problems in old age. According to a Dec. 4 press release from UNH, “The study found that older adults without children are more vulnerable to loneliness, but good friends helped fill that void. The researchers said the study was partially motivated by current demographic shifts like declining fertility rates and the growing number of people without children living longer.”

QOL score: +1

Comment: “Research into loneliness is important on multiple fronts,” the press release read,”including informing social programming that could help older adults. That is especially relevant in a state like New Hampshire, which has one of the oldest demographics.” Visit unh.edu/unhtoday/news.

QOL score: 79

Net change: 0

QOL this week: 79

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

Let us know at news@hippopress.com.

Pats blow 21-0 lead to Buffalo

The Big Story – Bill Comes Due for Pats: Well, they both had chances and neither could close the deal. For the Pats the AFC East title was there for the taking but they could not hold a 21-0 lead over Josh Allen and Buffalo, losing 35-31. It was a frustrating game with a number of penalties happening at the worst time and horrible officiating (for both teams). But they also had to lose sooner or later after 10 straight wins. Plus Denver won to take a two-game lead in the race for top seed in the AFC. However, if they beat Baltimore next week the Buffalo loss is just a blip. At least for now.

Sports 101: Name the top five lefthander scorers in pro basketball history.

News Item – Celtics Update: At 15-10 on Monday they are way ahead of expectations. Particularly, unlike the Patriots, eight of those wins are against teams that are above .500. Jaylen Brown (29.1, 6.1 and 4.8) is showing a team can be built around him.

News Item – Injured List – Major NFL Stars: Sad news that both Micah Parsons and Patrick Mahomes tore ACLs Sunday and are done for the year.

News Item – Hell Freezes Over: It was a done deal before Mahomes got hurt, but after their latest loss KC is 6-8 and out of the playoffs for the first time in the eight-year Mahomes era.

The Numbers:

0 – shots made in nine 3-ball attempts for Celtic, ahh, three-point bomber Sam Hauser in the Celtics’ 116-101 loss to the Bucks, which ended their modest five-game winning streak.

4 – after Sunday’s 52- and 64-yarders, the number of TD runs of 50+ yards for Pats rookie TreVeyon Henderson already this year.

5 – turnovers on four interceptions and a lost fumble by Jalen Hurts in the aforementioned Eagles loss to the L.A. Chargers.

… Of the Week Awards

Thumbs Up – Fernando Mendoza: His stellar season for 11-0 Indiana led their QB to be the first Hoosier to win the Heisman Trophy.

Thumbs Down – Vanderbilt QB Diego Pavia: The week’s biggest sore loser gets it for using the f-word in a social media post to let all who voted against the Heisman runner-up know what he thinks of them.

Stat Sheet – Matthew Stafford: The ageless Rams QB took the lead in the MVP chase thanks to Sunday’s impressive win over Detroit. But it’s also tied to his crazy TD-interception rate of 37 to 5 after 14 games. For context: The best Tom Brady did was in 2016 when he had 28 TD and two picks in his abbreviated 12-game deflate-gate suspension season.

Play of the Week: It came from the Chargers’ 22-19 win over Philly in last week’s MNF game. It started with a Hurts interception followed by an Eagles strip of interceptor Da’Shawn (give him a) Hand, which Hurts then recovered before fumbling it himself, which was recovered by DB Troy Dye to end the three-TO play. It gave L.A. a first and 10 starting behind the original line of scrimmage. And it also made Hurts the first player to ever record two turnovers on the same play.

Question of the Week: When’s the last time a Patriots runner did what Henderson has done with those four long-distance runs in 2025? Not sure. But the last rookie to do it was the great Baltimore Colts runner/flanker Lenny Moore in 1956.

Random Thoughts:

When’s the last time the Kentucky men’s basketball team was not in the Top 25 rankings as they are now?

Would someone please teach Drake Maye how to slide? He’s going to get dinged if he keeps going down head first.

Watching Detroit-GB on Thanksgiving was a painful reminder of how much NE blew it by not getting into the Parsons trade derby. Their D would be deadly with a pass rusher like him. Which they badly missed on Sunday.

Sports 101 Answer: Top five lefty scorers are James Harden, David Robinson, Artis Gilmore (NBA-ABA combined), Gail Goodrich and Chris Mullin.

Final Thought – Sox Spit Spending Bit Again: It was the same old crap from ownership putting in a non-competitive three-year contract offer to let them say “we tried” for the power hitter they desperately need. Instead ex-Met Pete Alonso signed a real offer of five years for $30 million per to play against them in the AL East. Which (oh by the way) is exactly what Rafael Devers would’ve made per in the seven years remaining on his deal in Boston if he hadn’t been traded. So they had the money to sign him. Now the Sox will trot out pathetic yes man/team president Sam Kennedy for the umpteenth time to tell a SRO press conference of reporters who don’t believe him that the Sox will spend what it takes to win. Sure, Sam.

To be fair, baseball’s hot stove period isn’t over yet. So hold the boos for John Henry until then.

Email Dave Long at dlong@hippopress.com.

News & Notes 25/12/18

Plant closure

The Anheuser-Busch facility in Merrimack will close in early 2026, as reported in a Dec. 11 report on WMUR.com and by several other media outlets. A press release from New Hampshire Senate President Sharon Carson (R-Londonderry) said the plant represented nearly 120 jobs. “The State of New Hampshire will provide the necessary resources and support to help them navigate this challenging transition,” Carson’s press release said. Sen. Tim McGough (R-Merrimack) also put out a release on the closure saying, “Anheuser-Busch has been a long-time supporter of Merrimack, contributing to local schools, charities, and civic organizations. It has been a driving force behind our economy providing jobs and supporting vital community projects.”

LCHIP

On Dec. 9, Gov. Kelly Ayotte joined “New Hampshire Land and Community Heritage Investment Program (LCHIP) Board Chair Richard Lewis in announcing 31 LCHIP grants totaling more than $3.5 million awarded to municipalities and nonprofit organizations in support of land conservation and historic preservation initiatives across the state,” according to a press release from the program. Grant recipients include Canterbury Shaker Village ($250,000) for its East House, Kimball Jenkins Estate ($18,450) for a comprehensive building assessment of its five historic structures, Goffstown Public Library ($19,272) for preservation of its wood windows, Hudson Historical Society ($72,875) for Hills House, Grace Episcopal Church in Manchester ($22,000) for Riddle House, and the Town of Milford ($12,500) for the Milford Town Hall assessment, according to the program’s website lchip.org, where you can find descriptions of all of this year’s recipients, see a map of LCHIP projects and find information about applying for the grants.

Delta Dog

Red Arrow Diner raised more than $8,000 to benefit Operation Delta Dog, an organization that rescues and trains “shelter dogs as specialized service companions for veterans experiencing PTSD, TBI, and MST,” according to a Red Arrow press release. The diner held a Breakfast for a Year raffle, selling tickets for $1 each, to raise the funds, which it presented to the Hollis-based Operation Delta Dog on Dec. 12, the release said. See operationdeltadog.org.

Big stuffies

The D’Amante family continued an annual tradition of gifting “more than 20 oversized stuffed animals” to the Concord Hospital pediatric unit for pediatric patients “who are invited to choose their own stuffed companion to snuggle with and then take home,” according to a Dec. 8 hospital release. “The tradition began when Cinda D’Amante visited the unit decades ago and decided to make a positive impact on hospitalized children during the holiday season,” the release said. See concordhospital.org.

The Flying Monkey in Plymouth will screen 1946’s It’s A Wonderful Life on Saturday, Dec. 20, at 2 p.m. Doors open at 1 p.m. for this free screening; reserve tickets at flyingmonkeynh.com.

Rick Santos has resigned as head football coach at the University of New Hampshire in Durham to accept the same position at the University of Pennsylvania, according to a Dec. 13 UNH press release. “Associate head coach and defensive coordinator Scott James has been named interim head coach, and UNH will launch a national search for the next program leaders,” the release said.

Day’s Jewelers, “an employee-owned New England fine jeweler” that has eight locations in New Hampshire and Maine, held a grand opening in November for a location at Tuscan Village in Salem, according to a press release. See daysjewelers.com.

Spyglass Brewing Co., 306 Innovative Way in Nashua, will hold a Puzzle Competition on Sunday, Dec. 21, starting at noon, according to spyglassbrewing.com. Teams of up to four people each will compete at putting together a 500-piece puzzle, the website said.

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