Category: News

The year in review

The Big Story – 2024: Timefor our annual look at the big stories and best athletes.

Sports 101: In 2024 Jaylen Brown became the sixth Celtic to be NBA Finals MVP in 2024. Name the other five.

News Item – The Year’s Top Stories:

Patriots are at the Bottom of the NFL: We knew it was going to be bad, but not this bad.

Summer Olympics: The U.S. earned the most gold, men’s basketball beat France for the gold, and the women’s soccer team regained the top rung in their game worldwide behind, of all people, Dennis Rodman’s daughter Trinity.

Chiefs First to Win Repeat Since NE in 2003-04: After down goes SF for their third, get ready, Patriots fans, because with Patrick Mahomes not even 30 yet and the league’s best coach, Andy Reid, possibly around for another 10 seasons, six or (gulp) more SB wins are not out of the question.

Dodgers Destroy Yanks 4-1 in Series: It had it all: big stars in Shohei Ohtani and Aaron Judge, the L.A.-N.Y. TV markets and their history of 11 previous World Series meetings. But with four homers, 12 RBI and a walk-off grand slam to win Game 1 Freddie Freeman stole the show as L.A. won in a walk. Judge put up similar numbers to what Dave Winfield had in 1981 that led George Steinbrenner to mock his star as “Mr. May.”

UConn Men Win Again: A feel-good story of their being the first to win back-to-back college basketball team titles since Florida in 2006-07 and coach Dan Hurley shunning big bucks from the Lakers to stay and go for three.

Belichick Gets Fired: A once un-imaginable ending to his reign in Foxboro. Got it thanks to horrendous drafting, the lunkhead move of putting incompetent Matt Patricia in charge of the 2023 offense and his prickly stubbornness finally catching up with him. Which gave us all the definitive answer to “Was it Brady or Belichick?”

Celtics Win NBA Crown: Breezing to the title mostly without injured center Kristaps Porzingis was nice. But the real prize was re-taking the lead for most NBA titles at 18 to put the dastardly Lakers back in second place.

The Numbers:

3.798 – grade point average at Colorado for Heisman Trophy-winning two-way guy Travis Hunter to make him an actual “student-athlete” as opposed to what many college sports kids are illegitimately called.

186 – string of second most playoff games without winning an NBA title that ended for Al Horford.

… Of the Year Awards

Biggest Shock – Belichick Leaves NFL Behind: There isn’t one sports pundit anywhere who saw him jumping to college football coming. Not one.

Player of the Year – Shohei Ohtani: After getting the richest sports contract ever ($700 million) he delivered for the Dodgers as he had the first 50-homer and 50-stolen-base season in baseball history, he was named the NL MVP and his team easily won the World Series.

Biggest Achievement – Caitlin Clark Popularizes Women’s Game: The stats and all-time records were impressive. But the fact that her presence in the sport led to the Women’s Final Four having higher TV ratings than the men’s FF is a heretofore never imagined feat and the most monumental moment for women’s sports since Billie Jean King took out Bobby Riggs in straight sets 51 years earlier.

Lifetime Achievement Award – LeBron James: For two things: (1) breaking Kareem’s all-time NBA career scoring record and still chugging along at 38 to pass 40,000 points, and (2) having the amazing durability and longevity to be the first to play in an NBA game with his son, which he did with young Bronny on opening night.

DumbestEvent: The 112-year-old Mike Tyson fighting doofus Jake Paul.

Thumbs Up – Clark: For her magnanimous comments about those who came before her to build the WNBA throughout her Time Magazine Athlete of the Year profile. Classy.

Thumbs Down: Among the sports luminaries we lost in 2024 were Willie Mays, Jerry West, Bill Walton, Whitey Herzog, Dikembe Mutombo, Pete Rose, OJ Simpson, Orlando Cepeda, Larry Lucchino, Jimy Williams, Louie Carnesecca, Luis Tiant and Rickey Henderson. RIP

A Little History – Lakers 17: Sorry, L.A., that’s a bogus number. Because five of them came in the early 1950s behind the great George Mikan and the boys in Minneapolis, which has had zero connection with L.A. since they left town. So the number for the L.A. Lakers is really 12.

Sports 101 Answer: Since the Finals MVP was first awarded in 1969the six Celtics to win it areJohn Havlicek (’74), Jo-Jo White (’76), Cedric Maxwell (’81), Larry Bird (’84 and ’86), Paul Pierce (’08) and Brown (’24).

Final Thought: Happy holidays to all.

Email Dave Long at [email protected].

News & Notes 24/12/26

Leadership Program

Stay Work Play is now accepting applications for its 2025 Rising Stars Leadership Program, a leadership development initiative tailored to young people across a myriad of industries from February through June, according to a press release.

The program consists of six in-person sessions that focuses on leadership skills, community engagement and fostering ambition for the Granite State. Tuition is $2,000 and discounts are available for Stay Work Play Board of Advisor members, according to the release. Applications are due Friday, Jan. 24. Visit stayworkplay.org/rising-stars-leadership-program for more information.

In a statement, Corinne Benfield, Executive Director of Stay Work Play NH said “the Rising Stars Leadership Program exemplifies our mission to elevate and empower the incredible young people that call the 603 home. By investing in this program, we are ensuring that New Hampshire has strong ambassadors who can help shape New Hampshire to be an attractive and vibrant place to live, work, and play.”

Here, fishy, fishy, fishy

According to a press release, the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department stocks trout during the fall to bolster the winter ice fishery for winter anglers.

Fish and Game has listed on its website links for different bodies of water that are open year-round as well as rules for these water bodies with special regulations included in the New Hampshire Freshwater Fishing Digest, which is also available from license agents, according to the same release.

The following lakes and ponds were stocked with trout during the fall of 2024 and are open to ice fishing: Akers Pond in Errol, Beaver Pond in Woodstock, Bow Lake in Strafford, Cedar Pond in Milan, Big Diamond Pond in Stewartstown (opens Wednesday, Jan. 1), Higher Ground Pond in Wentworth, Highland Lake in Andover, Hildreth Pond in Warren, Little Dan Hole Pond in Ossipee, Manning Lake in Gilmanton, Martin Meadow Pond in Lancaster, Mascoma Lake in Enfield, Mirror Lake in Woodstock, Newfound Lake in Bristol, Ogontz Lake in Lyman, Pearl Lake in Lisbon, Perch Pond in Lisbon, Pleasant Lake in Deerfield, Streeter Pond in Sugar Hill, Sunapee Lake in Newbury, Tewksbury Pond in Grafton, Webster Lake in Franklin, White Lake in Tamworth, and Winnisquam Lake in Laconia. There are additional ones not listed here.

In a statement, Fish and Game’s Inland Fisheries Program Supervisor John Magee said that “the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department’s hatcheries stock post-spawn brook and brown trout into selected water bodies that do not have a closed season before winter. These fish can range from 2 to 3 pounds each. Numbers, dates, and stocking locations vary annually. I would encourage anglers of all skill levels to take advantage of this season’s stocked opportunities throughout New Hampshire when weather conditions are favorable and once the ice is safe.”

In another statement, he said that “The Granite State’s rivers and streams open to fishing on Jan. 1, and there are some quality fish to be caught in some of the tailwater fisheries such as the Newfound River. When water levels are drawn down on larger lakes for the fall, prize-sized fish often drop down below dams, creating opportunities for savvy winter anglers. This winter’s free fishing day is Jan. 18, so why not try your luck through the ice this year.”

To learn more about ice fishing in New Hampshire visitwildlife.nh.gov.

More access to education

According to a press release, New Hampshire’s public higher education systems have created more than 100 direct pathways designed to help students move smoothly from associate degree programs offered by New Hampshire’s community colleges to bachelor’s degree programs offered by the University System.

This collaboration between the Community College System of New Hampshire (CCSNH) and the University System of New Hampshire (USNH) makes it easier for students to continue their education, earn subsequent degrees more efficiently, and fill critical jobs in New Hampshire’s workforce faster and with less debt, according to the release.

Students currently enrolled in or planning to enter any of New Hampshire’s seven community colleges can now follow clear, structured pathways that lead directly to bachelor’s degrees at Keene State College, Plymouth State University, or the University of New Hampshire (UNH), which includes UNH Durham, Manchester and the College of Professional Studies Online, according to the release.

In a statement, USNH Chancellor Catherine Provencher said “these pathways give students the confidence to pursue their educational goals with assurance that we have taken steps to align programs to help manage time and cost. This collaboration makes it easier for New Hampshire residents to stay in the state, earn a degree, and strengthen our workforce.”

The CCSNH has trained advisors available at each community college and USNH sponsors a centralized Outreach and Enrollment Center that assists with applications, financial aid resources, and other support services available to students in both systems, according to the same release.

For more information visit nhtransfer.org.

There will be a Winter Ball at Phenix Hall: Home for the Holidays, Saturday, Dec. 28, from 7 to 10 p.m. at Phenix Hall (38 N. Main St., Concord). Tickets are $100 each. Visit eventbrite.com.

Shaskeen Pub (909 Elm St., Manchester, 625-0246, shaskeenirishpub.com) will hold its annual New Year’s Eve Bash on Tuesday, Dec. 31, from 8 p.m. to 1 a.m. There will be an open bar, a free buffet, a free Champagne toast, and music by DJMyth.Tickets are $60 through ticketleap.com

The Strand (20 Third St., Dover, 343- 1899, thestranddover.com) will feature a dance party on Saturday, Dec. 28, at 8 p.m.

This Week 24/12/19

Thursday, Dec. 19

There will be a 21+ Ugly Sweater Party and screening of 1989’s classic holiday movie National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation tonight at Chunky’s Cinema Pub (707 Huse Road, Manchester, 206-3888, chunkys.com) beginning at 8 p.m. Wear your ugliest sweater and you could win a Chunky’s Gift Bucket for Two. Tickets are $5.99 at the door or through Chunky’s website.

Thursday, Dec. 19

Legendary rock band Quiet Riot will take to the stage at the Tupelo Music Hall (10 A St., Derry, 437-5100, tupelomusichall.com) at 8 p.m. with special guest All Sinners. Tickets start at $50.

Friday, Dec. 20

The Rock Orchestra by Candlelight, a band of 14 classical musicians, breathing beautifully dark energy into rock and metal tracks, will perform at the Chubb Theatre (44 S. Main St., Concord, 225-1111, ccanh.com) tonight at 8 p.m. Bathed in candlelight, skeletal players with rhinestone masks will switch between haunting melodies and powerful walls of sound. Tickets start at $63.75.

Friday, Dec. 20

The rodeo is coming to the SNHU Arena (555 Elm St., Manchester, 644-5000, snhuarena.com). PBR’s (Professional Bull Riders) premier event, Unleash the Beast, will take place tonight and tomorrow, Saturday, Dec. 21, at 7:30 p.m. This is your chance to witness world-class athletes going head-to-head with powerful bucking bulls. Two-day tickets start at $73 through ticketmaster.com. Visit pbr.com/tours/unleash-the-beast.

Friday, Dec. 20

Vibe Yoga and Aerial Moon (182 Main St., Nashua, 759 8432, vibeyoga603.com) will host a Winter Solstice Celebration and Journey, tonight from 7 to 9 p.m. Mark the rebirth of the sun during this two-hour winter solstice celebration and Shamanic Journey led by Jeanelle Boyer. Register through the Vibe website. The cost is $35.

Saturday, Dec. 21

Celebrate the holiday season with Canadian Brass tonight at 7:30 p.m. at the Nashua Center for the Arts (201 Main St., Nashua, 800-657-8774, nashuacenterforthearts.com). Tickets start at $39.

Saturday, Dec. 21

Get ready to embrace the holiday spirit with an unforgettable evening of music, dance and festive cheer as Christmas with the Celts takes the stage at the Stockbridge Theatre (22-98 Bypass 28, Derry, 437-5210, pinkertonacademy.org/stockbridge-theatre) tonight at 7p.m. Tickets start at $35.

Saturday, Dec. 21

There will be a Christmas Contra Dance with Dudley Laufman & Friends at the Citywide Community Center (14 Canterbury Road, Concord, 225-8690, concordnh.gov/1364/Community-Center) tonight from 7 to 10 p.m. Beginners, singles and families are welcome. The cost is $10 for adults, $5 for ages 15 to 20, and children under 15 can dance for free. Visit concordnhcontra.wordpress.com.

Save the Date! Saturday, Dec. 28
Don’t miss your chance to see what fans love about the Harlem Globetrotters: the dunks, alley-oops, looooong shots, magic, history and more. See Globetrotter stars and their renowned rivals, the Washington Generals, at SNHU Arena (555 Elm St. in Manchester; snhuarena.com). There will be shows at 2 and 7 p.m. Tickets start at $35.

Featured photo: Ugly Sweater Party at Chunky’s.

Quality of Life 24/12/19

Green light in the sky

As reported by WMUR in a Dec.10 online article, a comet will be visible in night skies in January, after an absence of 50,000 years. Discovered two years ago, the comet, whimsically named C/2022E3 (ZTF), “will make its closest approach to the sun on Jan. 12, according to NASA,” the story reported. This loop around the sun represents the near edge of an orbit that normally takes the comet through the extreme far edges of the solar system. “The icy celestial object,” WMUR reported, “which has steadily brightened as it approaches the sun, will subsequently make its closest pass of Earth between Feb. 1 and Feb. 2, around 26 million miles away, according to EarthSky — as the comet nears Earth, observers will be able to spot it near the bright star Polaris, also called the North Star, and it should be visible earlier in the evening.”

QOL score: +1

Comment: While keen-eyed observers might be able to see the comet unaided at the end of January, most sky-watchers will need the help of binoculars or a telescope.

A rude shock for Rochester dogs

According to a Dec.11 online story by WMUR, Rochester City officials are investigating a number of complaints from pet owners that their dogs have been shocked while peeing against city light poles. WMUR quoted dog owner William McKay: “I walked him over to a pole, he lifted his leg up, and then he just screamed real loud, jumped up in the air and ran away.” According to the report, this has been traumatic for pet owners as well. “My dog started walking,” the story quoted Rochester resident Ryan Naples, “and he lifted his leg to pee, and all of a sudden, it was the most excruciating noise I’ve ever heard in my life. For about 30 seconds, he was just screaming and panting, laying on the ground, freaking out.”

QOL score: -1

Comment: As reported by WMUR, “The city said it’s looking into what’s causing the shocks. It has cut power at all the reported sites as the investigation continues.”

The odds may be in your favor

A recent study by VegasInsider.com compared payouts in lotteries across the country and found that “New Hampshire had the best overall chance of winning any sort of prize, with a 1-in-10 chance of winning something,” according to a Dec.12 press release. The study used the official websites and odds chances of state lotteries. “The results showed that the games specific to New Hampshire, Kentucky, Iowa, and New Mexico have the most likely odds of winning the big prize of 1:10,000,” the press release read.

QOL score: +1

Comment: New Hampshire’s relatively small population might be responsible. According to the press release, “bigger populated states with bigger state lottery jackpots were the least likely to succeed for the top money. New York had the worst chances, with a whopping 1-in-45,047,474, followed by Texas and Florida, which had chances of [one in] over 20 million.”

Last week’s QOL score: 72

Net change:+1

QOL this week: 73

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

Let us know at [email protected].

Bye-bye to Belichick

The Big Story – Coach B Heads to Chapel Hill: Well, I was wrong — Bill Belichick was serious about coaching in college. And it was such big news here that it blew the Red Sox trade for the top-of-the-rotation pitcher (Garrett Crochet) they desperately needed off the front page.

BB moves to college as the leader in Super Bowls won with six. The move likely finishes his quest to pass Don Shula as the NFL’s winningest coach in history. But it accomplishes two important things. (1) It ensures he will coach in 2025. (2) It gives him complete control to run the program and pick his own groceries as he did for 20 years here. Not exactly the ending to the legendary career I hoped for, but it apparently is what he wanted.

Sports 101: Name the seven players who have won the Cy Young Award in both leagues.

News Item – Sox Get Top-of-the-Rotation Starter: After losing out on free agent lefty Max Fried when he signed with the Yankees for giant money, the Sox pulled the trigger on the long-rumored deal for White Sox lefty Garrett Crochet. To do it they (sorta) went the Brad Stevens route of proven production over future promise by sending four minor-leaguers west, including highly touted catcher Kyle Teel.

I say sorta because Crochet comes with red flags. Only deranged stat geeks can proclaim a guy who was six games under .500 (6-12) and never pitched more than four innings in any start after July 1 “among the AL’s best pitchers last year” as Boston Globe beat writer Julian McWilliams did Sunday. But at 25 the stuff was good enough to strike out 208 in a career-best 146 innings. So they rolled the dice on that and the much cheaper annual price tag over the red flags.

News Item – Alumni News Yikes Department: First there was one-time walking Patriots disaster Jonnu Smith killing them with Miami. Today it’s last year’s couldn’t make a big kick if his life depended on it Chad Ryland. He was three for three on FG tries for Phoenix in Sunday’s dismal 30-16 loss. He also has three-game winning walk-off FG’s to his credit already.

The Numbers

16 – million-dollar increase to North Carolina’s NIL recruiting money from last year’s $4 million to the $20 million it’ll be with Belichick as HC of UNC.

1 – billion with a B that the Dodgers now owe in deferred payments to players after signing Blake Snell.

… Of the Week Awards

Thumbs Up – Nico Collins: “It was definitely worth it ’cause it was caught by a kid” – Texan wide receiver in response to being fined $5,000 by the NFL for throwing a ball underhand to that kid after he caught it for a TD.

In Case You Missed It – Teddy Bridgewater:The one-time first-round NFL pick’s Miami Northwestern won the Class 3A championship in his first year as a high school coach with an epic playoff round run where they outscored their five opponents 262-12.

Random Thoughts:

A Little History – Team Support: Before the geeks whine that Crochet got no support from the horrible White Sox: Steve Carlton won 27 games for the Phillies when they won 59 in 1972.

Sports 101 Answer: The seven NL and AL Cy Young winners are Gaylord Perry, Pedro Martinez, Randy Johnson, Roger Clemens, Roy Halladay, Max Scherzer and Blake Snell.

Final Thought – Should Jerod Mayo Return? The real issue for a change is not improvement, it’s is he the right fit for the circumstances? And since the Pats’ biggest priority is maximizing the development of their prime asset, Drake Maye, the answer is no.

We’ve learned two things in recent years about the Coach-QB relationship: (1) the right QB is more important than the coach, no matter who he is; (2) Matt Patricia and Mac Jones clearly showed that the wrong coach overseeing a young QB can kill his development. How is Mayo’s background any different from Patricia’s? Answer: in this crucial area, not much.

Instead they need an imaginative offensive mind guiding Maye. Like Detroit OC Ben Johnson, who leads the NFL’s highest-scoring club and, outside of KC, its most creative attack. He also helped Jared Goff evolve into an MVP-caliber player after the 2016 first overall pick floundered in L.A. before being dumped for Matthew Stafford. And look what draft bust turned MVP candidate Sam Darnold has done under ex-Patriot QB Kevin O’Connell in Minnesota.

If Mayo were taking over the defense-dominant 1985 Bears I’d probably stick with him. But that’s not what the Pats are. It’s an offensive league now and Maye is key to their revival.

So Bob Kraft, admit your mistake and then go get someone like Johnson, O’Connell or a young Andy Reid. Because that’s what’s needed going forward.

Email Dave Long at [email protected].

News & Notes 24/12/19

18+ only

According to a press release, The New Hampshire Lottery and the National Council on Problem Gambling collaborated for a Gift Responsibly Campaign to remind the public that holiday-themed scratch tickets and other lottery games are not appropriate for children under the age of 18.

In a statement, Executive Director of the New Hampshire Lottery Charlie McIntyre said, “we want to share a critical reminder for gift givers that all lottery games, including holiday-themed games, are only for those 18 years of age and older. While lottery games and scratch tickets are great gifts, they should not be gifted to minors. There are many risks to gifting underage people lottery tickets and it is critically important the New Hampshire Lottery and the National Council on Problem Gambling work together to keep lottery games in the appropriate hands.”

According to the same release, the New Hampshire Lottery restricts underage lottery play by including a printed reminder on each product showing all players must be 18 to play, and New Hampshire Lottery retailers are trained to verify lottery game customers’ ages with a photo ID prior to finalizing a sale.

Funding for families

According to a press release, Concord Hospital Health System (CHHS) has received more than $353,000 in grants and donations to enhance maternity, prenatal and postnatal ob/gyn patient care across central New Hampshire, and these gifts contribute to a $2.8 million campaign supporting major renovations at The Family Place at Concord Hospital, innovative pilot programs and critical resources for families.

In a statement, Melissa Devine, the director of women and children’s value stream at The Family Place at Concord Hospital, said that “a unique aspect of The Family Place at Concord Hospital is patients remain in the same room through every stage of labor, delivery, and recovery. The upgrades will enhance that unique experience, ensuring families thrive in a safe and inviting environment during their stay.”

Some specifics of the funding include The Family Place Renovations: $250,000 from an anonymous donor, $40,000 from The Abbie F. Mosely Charitable Trust, Citizens Bank, N.A., Trustee, $17,445 from The Jessie Gould Fund of the New Hampshire Charitable Foundation, and $2,500 from Bruce Dyke, according to the release.

In a statement, Mario Rosario, practice manager, said, “we established a Maternity Comfort Closet at Concord Hospital Obstetrics and Gynecology in Laconia to support parents. It provides newborn clothing and other essentials to help families prepare for their baby’s arrival and address the need for basic necessities in a meaningful way.”

Lorax tax

According to a press release, the New Hampshire Department of Revenue Administration (NHDRA) is increasing education efforts for landowners, municipalities and loggers to help them understand and follow New Hampshire’s laws and regulations regarding logging and timber harvesting.

The NHDRA recently developed and introduced a guide on New Hampshire’s Timber Tax, which is accessible on the NHDRA website and provides an overview of the tax and how it is assessed, while also providing links and directions to forms, resources and additional information, according to the release.

New Hampshire’s forest products industry generates more than $1.6 billion annually in direct economic impact and sustains more than 7,000 jobs according to the University of New Hampshire Cooperative Extension’s most recent Forest Products Industries’ Economic Contribution report, and with more than 80 percent of the Granite State covered by trees, the total economic output from our forests from direct, indirect and induced economic impact and from forest-based recreation exceeds $2.5 billion, according to the press release.

Logging occurs year-round but winter is traditionally when loggers are most active, and forestry is New Hampshire’s oldest land-based industry, dating back to the 1600s.

New Hampshire legislators enacted a Timber Tax in 1949 “for the purpose of encouraging conservation of the forest resources of the state”and each municipality is responsible for assessing the Timber Tax on the landowner of the property from which the lumber is harvested, according to the release.

The Timber Tax is set at 10 percent of the “stumpage value” — the value of wood, measured per thousand board feet of saw logs or tons of pulpwood — at the time of cutting, according to the same release.

One penalty known as “doomage” provides that the municipality may assess two times what the tax would have been if the report of wood cut had been filed accurately and on time, according to the release.

DRA has several resources for landowners, municipalities and loggers on its website, revenue.nh.gov/taxes-glance/timber-tax, such as details on how the Timber Tax is assessed, necessary forms, a series of Frequently Asked Questions, and links to partner organizations, including the New Hampshire Timber Owners Association and the New Hampshire Department of Natural and Cultural Resources, according to the release.

Those interested can also call 230-5950 or email [email protected] for assistance.

“Coming Home” is an art exhibit at the Community Art Gallery in the Feed Loft at the Canterbury Country Store (3 Center Road, Canterbury) where artists explore the meaning of home. It’s free to view. Visit canterburycountrystore.com or call 783-9933.

Capitol Center for the Arts in Concord (225-1111, ccanh.com) will be hosting The Heather Pierson Trio as they play a Charlie Brown Jazz Christmas on Saturday, Dec. 21, at 2 and 7 p.m. at the BNH stage.

Lucy’s Voice, a mystery novel by J. Dennis Robinson, will have its launch at the Woodman Museum (182 Central Ave., Dover) on Friday, Dec. 20, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. with remarks from the author as well as book signing in the Museum’s Thom Hindle Gallery. Call 742-1038 or visit jdennisrobinson.com.

Stay in the loop!

Get FREE weekly briefs on local food, music,

arts, and more across southern New Hampshire!