Category: News

The big red suit

Prepping the beard & putting on bells for the season

Santa Mark (Marc Nozell in the off season) gives us a look at what it’s like to wear the big red suit.

How did you first get into being Santa?

I used to be Santa for our six kids back around the turn of the century with a suit my wife picked up at a yard sale. But I didn’t get back into it until about five years ago. My sons in their 20s were doing a No Shave November and had pretty sad beards, so I wanted to show them how it was done. Turns out it came in thick and all white. My wife and I were at the Nashua Winter Holiday Stroll and I wore a Santa cap. We noticed little kids pointing and asking their parents about if I was Santa. We ran into a local booker of Santas who pointed me to the New England Santa Society and their Santa Camp. From then on, I was hooked.

How do you get into character?

Pretty straightforward: I make sure all the tools of the trade are in my bag — copies of the classic books ‘Twas the Night before Christmas and the newer Are You Grumpy, Santa? by Gregg Spiridellis; mini candy canes; Santa wooden nickels; a special Santa Spray for the beard that some people may mistake for diluted peppermint essential oil; an extra pair of white gloves; and jingle bells for making a grand entrance. Then, suit up — pants, jacket, faux-fur lined boots and the wide leather belt complete with three magical keys and yet more bells. After brushing out the beard to make it fuller, I then apply some beard cream to curl up the mustache to look a bit like a smile. I’ve been blessed with naturally full and chubby cheeks and only need a pinch or two to make them a little bit more rosy.

Is there a Mrs. Claus? Does she ever join you?

There is the person I’m married to, but portraying Mrs. Claus isn’t her cup of tea. There is a performer in my town who sometimes comes along as Mrs. Ginger Claus. The New England Santa Society is encouraging including a Mrs. C. when people are looking for a Santa.

Is the beard real?

Yup! You can’t be a member of the International Brotherhood of Real Bearded Santas if you don’t. I’m not kidding; when you join you need to provide a headshot showing a beard. I keep a beard year-round, and Dec. 25 I traditionally trim back down only to grow it out again in August.

What is the funniest thing a kid has ever said to you?

This year, there was a request for a real unicorn, but I had to explain that Santa can’t deliver live animals anymore because the elves don’t want to deal with the poop that gets in the sleigh. Another little one wanted just handcuffs. His parents were quick to explain he already had the rest of the cops-and-robbers toys.

What is the most asked-for Christmas present?

Legos are always popular, and there are lots of requests for L.O.L. dolls.

How do your virtual visits work?

In 2020, I started to do virtual visits with children. Through my website, parents sign up for a 15-minute visit with Santa and provide some background information including if they have an Elf on the Shelf and any particular family traditions. After having remote learning for school, the kids were pretty comfortable meeting virtually over the computer. We talk about the usual stuff you do in person. Sometimes Santa, with some assistance from the parents, will hide an early little gift somewhere in their house.

What do you love most about being Santa?

There are some children who know in their heart they are talking to the real Santa. They look in my eyes and are very sincere as we talk. I call them the true believers, and they make me love to keep this season as magical as possible for them for as long as possible.

Five favorites
Favorite Christmas song: Either “The Chipmunk Song (Christmas Don’t Be Late)” or John Lennon’s “Happy Xmas (War Is Over).”
Favorite cookie: Whatever cookies are left out for me, but you can never go wrong with sugar cookies.
Favorite Christmas movie: I’m tempted to say Die Hard, but my favorite is the 1991 animated Father Christmas by the makers of “The Snowman,” written by Raymond Briggs.
Favorite winter activity: Spreading joy and happiness. Starting right after Thanksgiving, my weekends are packed with parades, family and company holiday parties, photo shoots, visiting daycares and country clubs — no rest until after Christmas Eve.
Favorite holiday aroma: Cinnamon — in cookies, pies and mulled cider.

Featured photo: Santa Mark. Courtesy photo.

News & Notes 22/12/22

No TikTok

Gov. Chris Sununu signed an executive order on Thursday, Dec. 15, adding New Hampshire to the growing list of states that have banned the use of the Chinese-owned video-sharing mobile app TikTok and other foreign technologies on state networks and state-issued devices. The order states that there is reasonable belief that such technologies may enable the manufacturer to collect sensitive data about citizens and businesses; commit cyber-espionage against government entities; conduct surveillance and tracking of individual users; and modify algorithms to spread disinformation; among other concerns. “This move will help preserve the safety, security, and privacy of the citizens of New Hampshire,” Sununu said in a press release.

Searching for Covid

The New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services’ Division of Public Health Services announces the implementation of a wastewater surveillance program for the purpose of monitoring Covid-19 levels in New Hampshire communities. According to a press release, the virus can be shed in wastewater, and viral fragments in community-wide samples collected from wastewater treatment facilities can be used to track trends in changing levels of the virus over time. The program will collect data at State Public Health Laboratories and potentially enable the Department to issue earlier warnings about rising levels of the virus in communities. “This is another tool we can use to help monitor Covid-19 spread in our state,” DPHS Director Patricia Tilley said in the release. “Wastewater surveillance does not depend on individuals testing for Covid-19, so this new program has the potential to provide additional and earlier insight about Covid-19 in our communities.”

Vigil

Catholic Medical Center’s Health Care for the Homeless, Families in Transition NH, Hope for NH Recovery, The Mental Health Center of Greater Manchester and the NH Coalition to End Homelessness were scheduled to lead the sixth annual Homeless Persons’ Memorial Day Vigil on Wednesday, Dec. 21, at 6 p.m. at Veterans Memorial Park in downtown Manchester. Luminaries will be lit for individuals affected by homelessness who have died in 2022. Participants are encouraged to bring battery-operated candles if they have them.

Shibinette steps down

New Hampshire Health and Human Services Commissioner Lori Shibinette officially stepped down from the position on Friday, Dec. 16, after announcing her resignation in July. Appointed to the position by Gov. Chris Sununu in January 2020, Shibinette has led the Department of Health and Human Services’ response to Covid-19 and regularly accompanied Gov. Sununu at televised press conferences to provide updates on the pandemic. Gov. Sununu said in a statement he “cannot thank her enough” for her service to New Hampshire over the course of the pandemic. “Throughout her tenure, Lori has played a key role in my administration as New Hampshire’s top health official,” he said. “From the early days of the pandemic to her leadership at New Hampshire Hospital, Lori has earned the respect and trust of New Hampshire’s citizens. I consider her a great friend and wish her all the best in whatever she decides to do next.”

Recovery Friendly Workplace

The New Hampshire Department of Corrections announces its participation in Recovery Friendly Workplace, a program in which workplaces commit to recognize recovery from substance use disorder as a strength and promote a willingness to work with team members in recovery. “As Corrections professionals, we chose this line of work because of our desire to help others,” Commissioner Helen Hanks said in a press release. “The Recovery Friendly Workplace initiative provides our department with an important tool to further our goal of providing a healthy, safe, and stigma-free environment, where employees feel comfortable reaching out for help when they need it.” Gov. Chris Sununu’s Advisor on Addiction and Behavioral Health, David Mara, joined by Shannon Swett and Samantha Lewandowski from Recovery Friendly Workplace, presented the Department with a designation from the governor recognizing its participation in the program on Friday, Dec. 16.

Encampments removed

City and state officials removed three homeless encampments on state- and city-owned properties in Concord, NHPR reported, requiring the residents, of whom there were about 15 to 20 per encampment, to evacuate the areas by Dec. 15. Complaints from community members and organizations and health and safety concerns regarding sanitation, drug use and property damage prompted officials to take action. The City Council appropriated $35,000 to clean up the areas. State law prohibits unapproved housing structures on state property that are not defined as campgrounds, according to the article.

Cradles to Crayons, a nonprofit that provides essential items to children in struggling families, now has a donation bin at the Xfinity store at 1500 S. Willow St. in Manchester, according to a press release. The most needed items are clothing, winter coats and jackets and shoes, but other items are also accepted, including new socks and underwear, new pajamas, children’s books, arts and crafts supplies, school supplies, unopened diapers and training pants and new hygiene items. Visit cradlestocrayons.org.

A sinkhole roughly 12 feet long and 6 feet wide formed near Commercial Alley in Portsmouth on the morning of Saturday, Dec. 17, the Portsmouth Herald reported, resulting in the closure of Market Street. The closure was still in effect as of Monday afternoon as city public works crews worked to fill in and pave over the hole. According to the article, city officials said the two active pipes running beneath Market Street remained intact and did not cause the collapse.

The Upper Room, a family resource center at 36 Tsienneto Road in Derry, is looking for teens who want to make an impact in their community. According to a press release, teens are invited to inquire about the center’s Community Service Learning Program, where they can participate in service at local nursing homes, thrift shops and food pantries and projects like an anti-tobacco campaign, Drug Take Back Day and more. The group meets on Mondays and Tuesdays from 3 to 6 p.m. Teens may attend one or both days and must commit to staying for the full three hours. Call 427-8477, ext. 114.

This Week 22/12/15

Big Events December 15, 2022 and beyond

Thursday, Dec. 15

The 11th annual Tower of Toys Cocktail Party is today at 5 p.m. at the Beacon Building (814 Elm St. in Manchester). The party will have refreshments and live music. To go to the party, bring an unwrapped present to be donated for a child’s holiday gift. For more information, visit the website toweroftoys.org.

Thursday, Dec. 15

Join the Rex Theatre (23 Amherst St. in Manchester) today for A Charlie Brown Jazz Christmas featuring The Eric Mintel Quartet. The classic cartoon’s music will come to life with a jazzy feel and a holiday display. The quartet will also play covers of popular holiday songs. Showtime at 7 p.m. and tickets cost $29. Purchase tickets at palacetheatre.org.

Thursday, Dec. 15

The Morning Buzz Christmas Ball is back at the Chubb Theatre (Capitol Center for the Arts, 44 S. Main St. in Concord) today. Doors open at 6 p.m. and showtime is 7 p.m. The show will feature a cast of musicians, comedians and magicians emceed by Greg and the Morning Buzz radio host Greg Kretschmar. Tickets cost $45 and can be purchased at ccanh.com.

Saturday, Dec. 17

Today is the first day of the Professional Bull Riding Manchester Invitational at the SNHU Arena (555 Elm St. in Manchester). The show will have 35 of the top bull riders from around the world competing for the top spot in the sport. The doors open at 5:15 p.m. on Saturday for the first round of riding and they’ll open at 12:15 p.m. on Sunday, for the second and championship round. Tickets start at $20 and can be ordered on SNHU Arena’s website snhuarena.com.

Saturday, Dec. 17

The Tito’s Ugly Sweater 4 Miler, to benefit Second Chance Ranch Rescue, Humane Society of Greater Nashua and the Salem Animal Rescue League, will take place today at 9 a.m. The race begins and ends at Backyard Brewery (1211 Mammoth Road in Manchester) and features a post-race party with a Tito’s Handmade Vodka beverage. See hsfn.org/uglysweaterrun to register for this 21+ event.

Sunday, Dec. 18

Haven’t caught a big-screen ride on The Polar Express yet this season? Head to Red River Theatres (11 S. Main St. in Concord; 224-4600, redrivertheatres.org) today at 11 a.m. (or Saturday, Dec. 17, at 11 a.m.) to see the 2004 G-rated classic. Tickets for these screenings cost $5.

Save the Date! Saturday, Dec. 29
The Flying Monkey Movie House & Performance Center (39 Main St. in Plymouth) is having The Wizards of Winter, a holiday rock event featuring former members of some of classic rock’s biggest names, including Alice Cooper, Blue Oyster Cult, Def Leppard and the Trans-Siberian Orchestra, today at 7:30 p.m. Tickets start at $49 and can be purchased at flyingmonkeynh.com.

Featured photo. The Wizards of Winter. Courtesy photo.

Quality of Life 22/12/15

NH representation

Twenty-one upperclassmen from the Arts Academy of New Hampshire in Salem have painted, photographed and drawn unique pieces of art celebrating New Hampshire. According to a press release, that artwork can now be seen on a series of holiday ornaments that are on display at the 2022 National Christmas Tree display in President’s Park as part of the America Celebrates ornament program. “I told the group to think about what they truly love about New Hampshire and its scenery, and I also told them that this is the time to shine, and to showcase their best work,” Frank Sharlow, co-director and art teacher at the school, said in the release. The ornaments depicted New Hampshire beaches, mountains, trails, the state flower (purple lilac) and the state bird (purple finch), white birch trees, various wildlife, Funspot arcade at Weirs Beach and more Granite State icons and scenery.

QOL Score: +1

Comment: The Arts Academy of New Hampshire was one of 58 schools nationwide to participate in this year’s America Celebrates ornament program, which features art by more than 2,600 students across the country.

Fill up!

Gas prices in New Hampshire have fallen 11 cents per gallon in the last week. According to a GasBuddy price report, the average gasoline price in New Hampshire is down to $3.42 per gallon as of Dec. 12. The data is based on a survey of 875 gas stations across the state. Prices are now 36.7 cents per gallon lower than a month ago, but still 10.8 cents per gallon higher than this time last year.

QOL score: +1

Comment: The national average price of gasoline was $3.21, according to the report — down 14.4 cents per gallon in the last week and down 56.5 cents per gallon from a month ago.

Snow!

The first big snow of the season is projected to start sometime between the night of Thursday, Dec. 15, and the morning of Friday, Dec. 16, WMUR reported. Northern and central parts of the state could get at least 6 inches of snow accumulation, while the southern part of the state is more likely to get a wintry mix and cold rain. Commuters should expect a high impact on travel conditions on Friday. The storm is projected to pass sometime between late Friday night and the first half of the day Saturday.

QOL score: +1 if you’re a kid hoping for a snow day and because the lack of snow was starting to seem weird

Comment: Some kids got two-hour delays on Monday after the accumulation of snow Sunday night.

Give blood, get stuff

The American Red Cross is calling for blood and platelet donations to prevent a seasonal blood shortage, according to a press release. Shortages can happen this time of year due to a number of barriers, including holiday traveling, seasonal illness and weather conditions. Everyone who donates through Dec. 15 will receive a $10 Amazon gift card; donate between Dec. 16 and Jan. 2 will receive a long-sleeved Red Cross T-shirt — while supplies last.

QOL score: +1

Comment: To book a donation appointment at a Red Cross blood donation site near you, download the Red Cross Blood Donor app, visit redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-733-2767.

QOL score: 87

Net change: +4

QOL this week: 91


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

Farewell, Xander

They tell you never to make decisions when you’re emotional. So maybe it’s fortunate I had a few days before giving my reaction to the Red Sox letting their leader of 11 years walk out the clubhouse door on Friday morning.

Since I’ve been saying for a year they were not going to re-sign Xander Bogaerts, I wasn’t surprised when the news broke. But I was more annoyed than I’ve been since the Celtics dumped Isaiah Thomas after he gave up his body (and long-term earning power as it turned out) for the cause in a trade for Kyrie Irving that I said from the start was a mistake.

And here’s why.

The Contract: First I would not have given the 30-year-old Bogaerts an 11-year contract. But it never had to get to that point.

However, the owner and his GM assured it would with their ridiculous offer last spring. Like he’d take it, when his agent was Scott Boras, who always gets top dollar for his clients.

If they were actually serious about keeping him, they’d have made a real offer like the Yankees did with Aaron Judge by starting with a realistic figure. Like an overpay per year for a shorter term, like $30 million per for six years.

Instead they followed the same playbook that led to the Jon Lester disaster in 2014 with the same result.

Which, despite what he said publicly for a year, was mission accomplished for Chaim Bloom because he didn’t want Bogaerts.

The Issue – They Lied All Year: I’m hardly the only person who knew from the day Bloom signed Trevor Story last winter that he would become the low(er)-cost replacement shortstop for 2023. Yet Bloom denied it all year. I know it required a tricky answer, but I absolutely hate being lied to. It’s not the only rub here, but it is a big part of it, as it makes me question everything he says going forward. Because his actions say he’s dishonest. Ditto for team president Sam Kennedy and the owner John Henry, who condoned it through his silence.

The GM, Part I – His Brand of Baseball: I must admit I hate Chaimball. I don’t like his Tampa Bay bargain basement hunting, five-inning starters and most of all the stat geek approach. And most galling is that, because of the “numbers rule all” attitude, he has no idea what he just lost in Bogie. Bottom line: I don’t think he’s ready to be the GM and I have my doubts he ever will be.

What Did They Lose? Goodbye, leadership and a steadying influence. But if they’re moving forward with a rebuild around their young farm system guys, those exact qualities will be an important ingredient for their development.

It’s what the Celtics lost when Danny Ainge let Al Horford walk after 2018 and why bringing him back to have him influence his young teammates was the first thing Brad Stevens did as Celtics GM. And you can’t argue with the results.

The GM, Part II – Can He Judge Talent? Not that everything he’s done has been wrong, but I haven’t seen one thing he’s done that has impressed me.

Yes, I know Michael Wacha had a nice year. But he was just a low-cost guy he got lucky with as after several years of struggles there had been nothing in his recent past suggesting he could return to the solid guy he was early in his career with St. Louis.

Show me three more similar reclamation projects going that work and I may believe it was an astute move.

Of course the real proof lies in the guys coming up through his vaunted farm system — which, the way it’s gone with the hyped Jarren Duran,is not off to a great start.

I should also say that I’m not always right. I thought Stevens would be a disaster and he’s been just the opposite as Celtics GM.

But to this point the only thing that stands out outside of Story’s underwhemling season is the subtractions (Betts, Bogie) and the obvious miss of seeing perfect fit Kyle Schwarber walking to hit 46 homers in Philly for less money being paid to the now departed J.D. Martinez.

Who’s Masataka Yoshida? I had never heard of him before last week, so I have no idea how good he is or isn’t. But Rusney Castillo was the first thing that leapt to mind when I heard of the Yoshida signing. He was signed mid-way through 2014 with much fanfare. He turned out to be a titanic bust; in retrospect it was probably so because it was a hurried signing to distract fans who were ticked off that Lester had just been traded and the team was on its way to finishing in last place for the second time in three years. Fair or not, this seems similar.

The Owner – What’s Fair To Expect: Owners can’t guarantee championships and fans don’t have the right to expect that. But since the Red Sox have grown from being worth $600 million to now being worth $3.9 billion since Henry bought the team on the backs of his customers paying the highest ticket prices in baseball, Red Sox Nation has a right to expect Henry to spend to make it competitive.

I was OK with two years of payroll restructuring to lay the groundwork for the future. But the continued Tampa Bay wannabe approach is the opposite. Enough already. This is a big market team supported by a passionate fan base, which has money to spend. If he doesn’t want to spend that’s fine. But if he doesn’t want to, he should sell the team, because Red Sox Nation has done its part.

And if he won’t sell, the only thing that will get his attention is if you hit him in the cash register. So don’t buy tickets or merchandise and shop watching on NESN. Until he does.

Email Dave Long at dlong@hippopress.com.

News & Notes 22/12/15

Mental health help

Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield is working with Aspire365 to create a new mental health program for New Hampshire residents age 12 and older as part of an ongoing effort to expand behavioral health care for teens and adults statewide. According to a press release, the program would include in-home and virtual mental health care treatment that is in-network for New Hampshire Anthem members. Aspire365 is currently the only health care provider in the state offering in-home treatment for teens and adults for both complex mental health illnesses — including psychotic disorders, mood disorders, anxiety, personality disorders and neurocognitive disorders — and substance use disorders, as well as co-occurring disorders. “Mental health is health,” Maria Proulx, president of Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in New Hampshire, said in the release. “In New Hampshire, we’ve seen the need for a greater variety of treatment options and access so individuals can work with their health care provider to find a program that provides access in a manner that best works for them to get on the path to recovery and good health.” Aspire365’s treatment model incorporates psychiatry, psychotherapy, in-home nursing, family and peer support and group therapy, based on each patient’s individual needs.

Winter tourism

The New Hampshire Division of Travel and Tourism is anticipating an estimated 2.9 million travelers to visit New Hampshire this winter, with travel-related spending expected to reach $1.3 billion. According to a press release, the Department’s winter campaign will highlight the variety of winter activities that visitors can experience in New Hampshire, including skiing and snowboarding, snowmobiling, snowshoeing, skating, dining and sales-tax-free shopping. “We are coming off a record-breaking winter in New Hampshire, where spending reached $1.2 billion, and while there are signs the rebound from the pandemic recovery is slowing, we expect to see continued growth this season in spending,” Department director Lori Harnois said in the release.

New director

The City of Manchester has a new director of homelessness initiatives, Adrienne Beloin. According to a press release, Beloin, who grew up in New Hampshire, has more than two decades of experience working with homelessness in the Boston area. Most recently, she was overseeing the largest day shelter and wraparound services for homeless individuals in Massachusetts. She has also worked as a direct service clinician and senior leader focused on rehabilitation of homeless adults in the areas of behavioral health, income and housing, and she has worked on City initiatives to implement innovative resources and solutions for chronic homelessness, substance use disorders and encampments. “I have had a warm welcome returning to New Hampshire and my impression is that there is a tremendous amount of compassion and dedication we can leverage here in Manchester coming from the concerned community, the local service providers, and the City departments,” Beloin said in the release.

Downtown improvements

Intown Concord has presented Berat Holdings of 64 N. Main St. with the final Façade Grant of 2022 in the amount of $10,000. According to a press release, Intown Concord’s Façade Grant Program was created to improve the appearance of downtown Concord by providing financial assistance to local building owners and tenants to be utilized for building renovations and beautification projects. Berat Holdings has had plans to upgrade the building since 2019, when they replaced their entrance doors, but the project was put on hold due to the Covid pandemic. The grant will allow the company to move forward with its renovations. “With increased building costs and inflation, property owners are facing many challenges when it comes to building improvements right now,” Jessica Martin, executive director of Intown Concord, said in the release. “It is an absolute joy to be able to give back to our community in this way and make it a little easier for these owners to improve their buildings and ultimately the look of our downtown.”

New commissioner

The New Hampshire Department of Transportation has a new commissioner, William J. Cass. According to a press release, Cass will complete the term of former commissioner Victoria Sheehan, who has accepted a new position at the Transportation Research Board in Washington, D.C. Cass has more than 35 years of experience working with NHDOT, most recently serving as assistant commissioner. Prior to that, he held a number of supervisory and management positions and was a project manager for NHDOT’s largest project ever, the 20-mile, $800 million-reconstruction and widening of Interstate 93 from Salem to Manchester.

Joanne M. Conroy, President and CEO of Dartmouth Health, based in Lebanon, was named one of 2022’s 100 Most Influential People in Healthcare by Modern Healthcare, ranking No. 18 on the publication’s annual list, according to a press release.

Gilford Community Church (19 Potter Hill Road; gilfordcommunitychurch.org) will host a “Sermonless” Sunday on Sunday, Dec. 18, at 10 a.m., featuring a choir performance of The Christmas Alleluias, a Christmas Cantata with music by Kim André Arnesen and lyrics by Euan Tate, according to a press release. GCC Pastor Michael Graham said the special service is “an open invitation to the community,” welcoming visitors of all ages and all faiths.

Mr. Mac’s Macaroni and Cheese in Manchester has donated $2,000 raised during its annual “Mac Gives Back” fundraising event held in October to two local children’s charities. According to a press release, the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Manchester and the Manchester Police Athletic League received $1,000 each on Dec. 5.

This Week 22/12/08

Big Events December 8, 2022 and beyond

Friday, Dec. 9

Catch SNHU Penmen basketball this weekend. The women’s team takes on Post University tonight at 5:30 p.m. The men take on Post tomorrow at 2 p.m. Both games take place at Stan Spirou Field House at Southern New Hampshire University (2500 River Road in Manchester) and admission is free. See snhupenmen.com.

Friday, Dec. 9

Jimmy Cash & Friends will bring the laughs to the Rex Theatre (23 Amherst St. in Manchester; palacetheatre.org) tonight at 7:30 p.m. Tickets cost $25 each. Find more comedy shows this weekend in the Comedy This Week listings on page 36.

Friday, Dec. 9

Catch musician Caylin Costello at Millyard Brewery (25 E. Otterson in Nashua) tonight from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Find more live music at area restaurants, breweries and other locales in the Music This Week listing, which starts on page 38.

Saturday, Dec. 10

It’s a weekend of cookie tours! The Currier & Ives Cookie Tour will return for its 17th year today from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. More than a dozen businesses in and around the Monadnock region participate, providing visitors with homemade treats, refreshments and recipes to take with them. Tickets cost $20 per person (cash only) and are available now at The Inn at East Hill Farm (460 Monadnock St., Troy), New England Everyday Goods (16 Colls Farm Road, Jaffrey) and the Woodbound Inn (247 Woodbound Road, Rindge). Visit currierandivescookietour.com. Up north, the Inn to Inn Holiday Cookie and Candy Tour returns for its 25th year today and tomorrow, Sunday, Dec. 11, with self-guided tours from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. each day. Several inns in various White Mountain region towns provide cookies and candy to taste, as well as holiday recipe and decorating tips. Those not wishing to reserve an overnight package at an inn can purchase tickets for $35 per person by visiting cookietour.square.site. See countryinnsinthewhitemountains.com.

Saturday, Dec. 10

Take a break with some art. Today is free admission second Saturday at the Currier Museum of Art (150 Ash St. in Manchester; currier.org); admission is free to New Hampshire residents with ID. Come back tomorrow, Sunday, Dec. 11, for “ARTalk with JooYoung Choi,” whose works are a part of “State of Art 2020: Locate” the exhibit on display now through February. The talk starts at 2 p.m. and admission costs $15 (which includes admission to the museum).

Saturday, Dec. 10

The Dave Matthews Tribute Band will bring its Dave Matthews experience to the Tupelo Music Hall (10 A St. in Derry; tupelomusichall.com) tonight at 8 p.m. Tickets cost $35. Find more ticketed concerts in the listings on page 42.

Sunday, Dec. 11

The Capital Jazz Orchestra will present its Holiday Pops show today at 4 p.m. (doors open at 3 p.m.) at the Capitol Center for the Arts’ Chubb Theatre (44 S. Main St. in Concord; ccanh.com). Tickets start at $27.50 plus fees. For more holiday concerts and performances, check out the Arts section, which starts on page 12.

Save the Date! Saturday, Dec. 31
St. George Greek Orthodox Cathedral (650 Hanover St. in Manchester; 622-9113) will host a New Year’s Eve Dance, with doors opening at 8 p.m. Tickets cost $60 per person (children 12 and under get in free). The evening will feature music by the Kosta Taslis Band, Champagne, dinner, dancing and a cash bar, according to a press release.

Featured photo. Courtesy photo.

Quality of Life 22/12/08

Golden Girls

The Girl Scouts of the Green and White Mountains honored dozens of Girl Scouts at the Young Women of Distinction ceremonies in Bedford on Nov. 16. According to a press release, the Gold Award was presented to Girl Scouts in grades 9 through 12 who have spent at least 80 hours in service to their communities, demonstrating leadership in developing solutions to challenges and creating lasting positive changes. Additionally, Girl Scout Cadettes in grades 6 through 8 who have given at least 50 hours of service were recognized with the Silver Award, and Girl Scout Juniors in grades 4 and 5 who have given at least 20 hours in service received the Bronze Award. “Today’s celebration is a testament to the dedication and hard work necessary to accomplish the highest achievements in Girl Scouting,” Patricia K. Mellor, CEO of the council, said in the release.

QOL score: +1

Comment:Gold Award recipients participated in a variety of initiatives, including a geocaching project to promote mental health and wellness; providing home-cooked meals to local food pantries; publishing a collection of interviews with inspiring women; and amending state legislation to facilitate environmentally conscious burials without the need for embalming.

New books!

Dr. Norman W. Crisp Elementary School in Nashua and the Nashua Public Library unveiled dozens of new books courtesy of the Children’s Literacy Foundation during Library Day on Tuesday, Nov. 29. According to a press release, the school received CLiF’s “Year of the Book” grant, which provided the school’s library and Nashua Public Library with $1,000 each to purchase new books for their collections. The grant also funds author visits and special programs throughout the school year, plus 10 free books for each student. “Today’s Library Event is a chance for our students to see 55 to 60 exciting new books that we have been able to purchase for our library and also have a chance to see the Nashua Public Library’s new books and to learn more about NPL’s many programs for the children of Nashua,” school principal Cherrie Fulton said according to the release.

QOL score: +1

Comment: CLiF, a nonprofit based in Vermont, has been around since 1998, working to inspire a love of reading and writing among children in low-income, at-risk and rural environments.

Cough, cough, sneeze

Your suspicions based on sick coworkers, kids home from school and that cough you can’t shake are correct: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has found that influenza cases in New Hampshire are the highest they’ve been in a decade for this time of year, according to a WMUR report from Dec. 5. Flu cases dropped significantly in the 2020-2021 season as a byproduct of Covid mitigation measures. The number of cases increased in the 2021-2022 season, but was still significantly lower than in a typical season pre-Covid. Now, the health care system contends with an immune-sensitive population that is more susceptible to the flu than in years past, in addition to a post-Thanksgiving spike in Covid cases and cases of respiratory syncytial virus, which have been nationally on the rise.

QOL score: -2

Comment: Health officials urge people to stay up to date on their Covid and influenza vaccinations. No vaccine is available for the prevention of RSV.

QOL score: 87

Net change: 0

QOL this week: 87


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

Dynasty is over

I never listen to talk radio or even read the papers much after a Patriots loss. Especially a bad one like last Thursday to Buffalo. That’s because for the most part all you get is blame, finger-pointing and vitriolrather than insight and perspective on what happened.

Not that there weren’t things that were bad, or even exasperating, like wasted timeouts and the usual for 2022 high number of penalties at the worst time.

Most watchers these days are in denial, judging the Patriots with expectations based on what they have been for the last 20 years, rather than a sober evaluation of what they are now, an ordinary team with a lot of holes that hasn’t been as good as their former patsy Buffalo for three years now.

Given how long their former relationship lasted, it is understandably hard to compute even with the evidence piling up, making much of Patriot Nation and the media unwilling or unable to go against muscle memory to face the reality that Brady and company ain’t walking through that door to save the day.

Said another way: The dynasty is over. Done.

It’s not an unusual reaction when that has happened, as fans and the media are the last to know. Or maybe the last to give up/in.

And it’s not confined to football. Boston Globe columnist Dan Shaughnessy still refers to the Celtics as the NBA’s greatest franchise when they have won just one title since 1986. That, for the mathematically challenged, is 36 freaking years ago. They certainly have a glorious history, but their rivals in L.A. have won that title eight times in the same period. Ditto with the Canadiens in Montreal, who haven’t won the Cup since 1993, or much of anything else for that matter since Patrick Roy left the building in a snit with the brass two years later.

Bringing it back to the NFL, there have been four dynasties since I have been following the NFL. Which I define as lasting for 15 years or more amid turnover of the original group of players to more good players that eventually formed a completely different team as the winning continued.

That takes out historically superior teams like the 1960s Packers and ’70s Steelers because both faded as their throng of Hall of Fame players declined or retired as they aged with no one near good enough to step in for them to keep it going.

And sorry, ’90s Cowboys, while you were a dominant team, winning three times in four years is not nearly long enough to qualify. Ditto for one-year wonders like the 1986 Bears and 2000 Ravens.

The final qualification is that being in the mix to contend for a Super Bowl title year in and year out is more important than actually winning a huge number of SBs. Which is a legit point of debate as the aforementioned Packers and Steelers won five and four respectively during their impressive reigns but missed the cut because their excellence didn’t last long enough and a dynasty by definition is about length of time.

So that leaves the ’60s, ’70s and ’80s Oakland/L.A. Raiders and Dallas Cowboys, the ’80s/’90s Bill Walsh 49ers and the Patriots from 2001 to 2019. Notice I said the Patriots dynasty ended in 2019, to drive home the point that dynasties end long before most realize it.

Each ended for different reasons. Oakland ended as maverick owner Al Davis lost his fastball. That was somewhat the case for the Tom Landry-led Cowboys, but it probably had more to do with losing their edge in finding talent as the rest of the league copied their sophisticated use of newfangled computers and method of drafting players for athletic skills — speed, quickness, size — over the position they played. Their mantra was “get me the best athletes and we’ll find a position for them.” Concepts now identified by all at the pre-draft combine.

The advent of the salary cap croaked the 49ers, because it leveled the playing field for a team always willing to outspend others for talent or to keep their own.

Which brings us back to the Patriots. I know a lot of people bring it back to the “Was it Bill or Tom?” debate. But while losing Tom Brady certainly was a blow, it started before that. The one who knew it first was probably Brady because he pouted all throughout 2019 that he had terrible receivers and the offense was a disaster for a lot of the year. Along with other factors, this led him to take his talents to Tampa Bay, who, oh by the way, had two 1,000-yard receivers, so voila, he was TB-12 again.

As for the rest of us. While the dual drubbings by Buffalo at the end of 2021 made it clear how big the gap was between the two teams, it didn’t kill the notion that they could close it.

That’s come this year via a number of signs like their non-effort vs. Chicago on MNF, (used to be) uncharacteristic penalties piling up and the fact the team no longer has swagger or conveys the feeling they can get out of any jam.

The final piece for me is knowing they were gonna get thumped again on Thursday.

The culprit has been horrible drafting dating back to the early teens along with swinging and missing on almost everyone outside of Matthew Judon and Jalen Mills in their 2021 free agent spending spree.

Then there’s also that in not seeing how important game-breaking speed receivers have come to be in the 2022 NFL, there could be a creeping early sign it may be passing Bill Belichick by.

Hopefully, that feeling is wrong. But if it isn’t, the dynasty is dead and buried.

Email Dave Long at dlong@hippopress.com.

Toys, coats and food

What people need most now — and how to help

Sara Ceaser, Director of Volunteer and Community Engagement for United Way of Greater Nashua.

What have you noticed about the community’s needs right now and over the last year?

More people have been contacting us needing assistance this year, and the number of families that we’re serving has definitely increased. … Winter coats are a consistent need, but we have definitely had more people asking about coats than in previous years. … I feel like the donations we’ve been receiving at the food drives have been a little slimmer this year, which could be because of the cost of groceries.

What items can people give?

Right now, during the winter season, there’s a need for coats and boots and hats and gloves. People can donate those to the Salvation Army, because a lot of organizations direct their clients to the Salvation Army to pick up warm clothing if they need. Those can be new, or used items are always welcome if they’re still in good condition.

Food is always needed. United Way of Greater Nashua does weekly food drives at various stores around the greater Nashua area. We usually announce where those will be on our Facebook page. Food can be donated directly at our food drives, at our local Hannaford stores or to food pantries around the area,like the Nashua Soup Kitchen & Shelter, Corpus Christi Food Pantry, the Tolles Street Mission, the Southern New Hampshire Rescue Mission, SHARE Outreach, and there are various food pantries at churches, as well. They’re mostly looking for non-perishable items, like pasta, rice, pasta sauce, canned meats, canned beans, that type of thing.

The Santa Fund collects gifts for children, teenagers and children. They’re collecting new items — toys and gifts that people purchase — which are donated to organizations like The Front Door Agency, the Salvation Army and SHARE Outreach, and those organizations distribute the holiday gifts to children. A lot of things are donated for younger kids, but not a lot of things that are appropriate for older kids, so when people are making donations of physical items, they should definitely keep the older kids in mind. Gifts cards are excellent for teens, as well. Those items can be dropped off at the United Way of Greater Nashua, and there’s also a drop-off location beside Trader Joe’s in Nashua on the Daniel Webster Highway.

We’re always collecting school supplies donations for teachers to use in their classrooms. That’s a project we’ve been doing quite a bit over the past couple of years, and we have a school supplies pantry in our lower level that teachers and other educators can access. With it being the middle of the year, supplies are running a little bit low right now, so we would love some donations.

If people have leftover women’s hygiene products, we do accept those, as well. We donate those to schools, and we have a women’s hygiene supply pantry at Girls Inc. that the public can access.

There’s also been a need for bus passes; the Nashua Soup Kitchen & Shelter collects donations of those.

Any local organization that’s close to your heart would love a donation of physical items, but if you’re not sure what they need, you should call to find out if there’s something specific that they need.

What can monetary gifts be used for?

For this time of year, I would definitely recommend the Santa Fund. They’re accepting cash donations to use to purchase other gifts [in addition to] the physical gifts that are donated.

United Way also has a lot of different projects that we can accept donations for. … One of our projects is a pop-up pantry where we provide fresh fruits and vegetables to people around the community in a different location each day.

Food pantries always accept cash donations to buy food and sometimes other items, like personal hygiene items, and for operational costs. Some of these places also run shelters and provide other services to their clients, like assisting them with finding jobs and finding other resources in the community to help them with housing and that type of thing, so cash donations could help with that, as well.

Where are volunteers needed most?

Winter is a great time to start volunteering and continue volunteering. A lot of our food pantries are looking for volunteers, and United Way of Greater Nashua is looking for volunteers for our food drives. We’re specifically holding food drives the day before Christmas and the day before New Year’s, and we would love to have some volunteers for those. They would basically be sitting at a table outside a store and encouraging shoppers to purchase extra items and passing out fliers to shoppers with suggested items.

We’re also looking for volunteer tutors to do elementary-age tutoring.

How can people find the right volunteering opportunity?

If people are interested in volunteering and don’t know where to volunteer, they should think about if they have specific skills, and if they don’t see a call for that specific skill, they should ask local nonprofits. Having a conversation and telling them what your skills and interests are is really the best way to find your place as a volunteer.

Area food pantries

• Corpus Christi Food Pantry
3 Crown St., Nashua, 882-6372, corpuschristifoodpantry.org
• Families in Transition Food Pantry
176 Lake Ave., Manchester, 641-9441, fitnh.org/services/food-programs
• Goffstown Network Food Pantry
7 N. Mast Road, Goffstown, 497-3433, goffstownnetwork.org
• Hooksett Community Food Pantry
35 Main St., Hooksett, 485-7222, hooksettkiwanis.org
• Nashua Soup Kitchen & Shelter
2 Quincy St., Nashua, 889-7770, nsks.org
• Sacred Heart Food Pantry
247 S. Main St., Manchester, 668-4004, sacredheartchurch-nh.com
• SHARE Outreach
1 Columbus Ave., Milford, 673-9898, sharenh.org
• Shepherd’s Pantry
1 Church St., Windham, 432-2150, shepherdspantry.net
• Southern NH Rescue Mission
40 Chestnut St., Nashua, 889-3421, hope4nashua.org
• Tolles St. Mission Food Pantry
52 Whitney St., Nashua, 880-4984, thetollesstreetmission.org
• The Upper Room Food Pantry
36 Tsienneto Road, Derry, 437-8477, urteachers.org

• NH Food Bank distributes food to more than 400 partner agencies across the state. Visit nhfoodbank.org/find-food/food-map to find more local organizations accepting food donations.

Featured photo: Sara Ceaser. Courtesy photo.

Stay in the loop!

Get FREE weekly briefs on local food, music,

arts, and more across southern New Hampshire!