Category: News

Quality of Life 26/08/06

New Hampshire schools

A recent survey by financial website WalletHub.com rated New Hampshire’s school system as the fourth-best in the country. WalletHub’s report mentioned the state’s relatively high safety rating (15th in the country), our math scores (4th best), and our graduation rates (also ranked No. 4). Governor Ayotte’s office released a statement that read, in part, “New Hampshire is proud to have some of the best schools in the country, and this new ranking is a testament to our dedicated teachers, supportive parents, and hardworking students who helped make it possible…. New Hampshire will keep striving for #1 and prioritizing a best-in-class education for our kids.”

QOL score: +1

Comment: Massachusetts schools received the study’s highest rating, and New Mexico scored the lowest. Visit wallethub.com/edu.

BitCoin scam – DENIED!

As reported in a July 28 press release by the Manchester Police Department, three senior customers at the Varney Street Quick Stop in Manchester were saved from an expensive scam by store employees last month. “On three occasions in July,” the press release stated, “seniors entered the store with cash they intended to deposit into a cryptocurrency ATM. Employees recognized signs of a scam, warned the customers and contacted Manchester Police. Officers responded and confirmed that all three were being victimized.” The scams would have cost the victims more than $17,000.

QOL score: +1

Comment: “Before these incidents,” the press release read, “Manchester Police Fraud Detective Ray Lamy contacted the store owner to discuss scams targeting seniors. The owner educated his staff and promised to intervene when customers appeared to be at risk.”

Meteor showers are the best showers

Mid-August is one of the best times of the year to see shooting stars. That’s when the Earth passes through a cloud of space debris resulting in the Perseid Meteor Showers. As reported in an Aug. 2 online article by New Hampshire Public Radio, “as Earth plows into these tiny particles, they burn up in our atmosphere, producing bright streaks across the night sky.” Conditions for watching meteor showers should be especially good this year; the peak will coincide with a new moon. The darkness will give extra contrast to the trails the meteorites leave behind them.

QOL score: +1

Comment: The NHPR article advised stargazers to find a dark, open area away from artificial light in the hours just before dawn for the best viewing conditions. According to astronomy website earthsky.org, “the mornings of August 12 and 13 are probably your best bets [to see meteorites].”

Aren’t the mosquitoes bad enough on their own?

An Aug. 1 online article by WMUR reported that “Hampton and Derry are now the latest communities where mosquito batches have tested positive for Jamestown Canyon Virus. Positive batches have also been found in Exeter, Fremont, Kingston and Salem.” The virus can be spread to humans through mosquito bites. There have been no reported cases of human or animal infection in New Hampshire this year.

QOL score: -1

Comment: According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website, symptoms of Jamestown Canyon Virus “can include fever, headache, and fatigue, but disease can also be more severe. No vaccines or medicines are available to prevent or treat Jamestown Canyon virus disease.” Visit cdc.gov/jamestown-canyon.

QOL score last week: 56

Net change: +2

QOL this week: 58

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

Let us know at news@hippopress.com.

News & Notes 26/08/06

Movie Night

Movies in the Park returns to Manchester starting this Friday, Aug. 7, at 8:15 p.m. in Veterans Memorial Park featuring The Wild Robot(PG, 2024), according to a post on the Manchester Parks & Recreation Facebook page. The next movie will be Zootopia (PG, 2016) on Friday, Aug. 21, also in Veterans Park at 8:15 p.m., the post said. Two movies will then be screened in Derryfield Park: on Friday, Sept. 18, at 8:15 p.m. catch Inside Out 2 (PG, 2024) and on Friday, Oct. 16, at 8:15 p.m. catch Hocus Pocus 2 (PG, 2022), the post said. BYO chairs, blankets and snacks, the post said.

Walk the Millyard

The Manchester Historic Association will host a Millyard Walking Tour on Saturday, Aug. 15, at 11 a.m. “exploring the history of the Amoskeag Manufacturing Company and the district it built,” according to an Association press release. “There’s so much history packed into this stretch of the city — from the origins of the canals to the effects of the great 1936 flood and even the outbreak of anthrax in the ARMS textile mill,” Jeff Barraclough, MHA Executive Director, said in the statement. “The 90-minute, mile-long tour examines the Millyard’s rise, decline, and rebirth following the bankruptcy of Amoskeag, while also exploring the Merrimack River, the Amoskeag Falls, and the history of individual mill buildings,” the release said. The cost is $20; register at manchesterhistoric.org.

Franco Fest

The Franco-American Centre will hold its inaugural Franco Fest on Saturday, Aug. 22, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Kimball Jenkins, 266 N. Main St. in Concord, according to facnh.com/franco-fest, where you can purchase tickets. “This vibrant, family-friendly festival brings together music, food, art, culture, and community for a day of discovery and celebration. … Spend the day exploring artisan vendors, savoring delicious international cuisine, enjoying live entertainment, discovering cultural exhibits, and connecting with community organizations that celebrate the many cultures of the International Francophonie,” according to the website, which listed singer-songwriter Josée Vachon as slated to perform.

Green city

The Manchester Parks and Recreation department will hold “Growing a Greener Manchester” on Friday, Aug. 21, from 3 to 6 p.m., at Sweeney Park on South Main Street in Manchester, according to a post on the department’s Facebook page. “Come out to the park and enjoy family-friendly activities, meet local partners, and learn how you can get a free tree planted in your neighborhood or on your private property,” the post said. The event will feature community tree planting, free saplings, “Growing a Greener Manchester” grant updates and free ice cream, the post said.

Catch Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl (PG-13, 2003) on Friday, Aug. 7, at 8 p.m. in Eagle Square in downtown Concord at a free outdoor screening, according to a post at Red River Theatres’ Facebook page. The screening is part of the First Friday events in the downtown. See firstfridayconcord.com.

Seth Meyers returns to New Hampshire to perform Friday, Aug. 7, at 6 p.m. at the SNHU Arena, 555 Elm St. in Manchester, in a show that benefits CASA and Granite State Children’s Alliance, according to snhuarena.com, where you can purchase tickets.

Learn to grow garlic on Wednesday, Aug. 26, from 4 to 5 p.m. at the Educational Farm at Joppa Hill in Bedford. The cost is $25. See jhef.org/event/growing-garlic.

Tours and scavenger hunts from the Nashua Historical Society will take place Sunday, Aug. 9, from 1 to 3 p.m. at the Abbot-Spalding House, 1 Nashville St., and the Florence H. Speare Memorial Museum, 5 Abbot St., both in Nashua. according to a press release. The Abbot-Spalding House is a “Federal revival-style house Museum [that] has previously served as the home to a succession of prominent Nashua citizens including Daniel Abbot, the father of Nashua. A special 1940s era collection will be on display,” the press release said. See nashuahistoricalsociety.org.

This Week 26/07/30

Thursday, July 30

The Nashua Silver Knights have a packed schedule of games at Holman Stadium in Nashua for the next few days. Catch them tonight at 6:03 p.m. against the Norwich Sea Unicorns. They will play next on Saturday, Aug. 1, at 6:03 p.m. against the Vermont Lake Monsters. On Sunday, Aug. 2, gametime is 3 p.m. when the Silver Knights will play the Westfield Starfires. Then on Monday, Aug. 3, the Norwich Sea Unicorns return for a 6:03 p.m. game before the final two games of the regular season on Thursday, Aug. 6, and Friday, Aug. 7. See nashuasilverknights.com

Saturday, Aug 1

Pizzastock 10, a fundraiser put on by the Jason R Flood Memorial featuring 12 bands on two stages, will take place today from noon to 6 p.m. at Pinkerton Academy in Derry (near the football field), according to a post on the Jason R Flood Memorial Facebook page and pizzastock.org. Band include “Punching Pedestrians, Spectrum, Paradox, The Hand Me Downs, Rite of Passage, Tumbletoads, Neverless, Sucker Punch, Echo Avenue” and more according to the website. The event is geared toward all ages with games including wiffleball and cornhole, activities for little kids, community organizations with information available, pizza slices from Kendall Pond Pizza as well as other food offerings, raffles and merch, the post said. See pizzastock.org for more on the event and organization.

Sunday, Aug. 2

Antiques Week in New Hampshire gets going with a Granite State Antique Show today from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Granite Town Plaza, 185 Elm St. in Milford, according to gsashows.com. The event will feature 50+ exhibitors in antiques and collectables “with a concentration of Americana and fine art” as well as free parking and coffee and baked goods for sale, according to antiquesweeknh.com.

Monday, Aug. 3

The Deerfield Antique Show takes place today from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Deerfield Fairgrounds, 34 Stage Road in Deerfield, according to antiquesweeknh.com. The show features 85 exhibitors of fine antiques, Americana and decorative accessories, the website said. See gurleyantiqueshows.com for more on this event.

Tuesday, Aug. 4

The Concord Antique Show will run today from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Douglas Everett Arena, 15 Loudon Road in Concord, featuring 60 exhibitors, according to petermavrisantiqueshows.net, where you can see a dealer list.

Tuesday, Aug. 4

The New Hampshire Fisher Cats begin a six-game stretch against the Portland Sea Dogs tonight at 6:03 p.m., when the F-Cats will take the field as the Manchester Chicken Tenders, according to milb.com/new-hampshire, where you can find ticket information. The game on Wednesday, Aug. 5, takes place at 12:05 p.m.

Wednesday, Aug. 5

The Collector’s Fair held by Disaia Management will take place today and tomorrow, Aug. 6, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Sullivan Arena at Saint Anselm College in Manchester, according to a press release. The entry fee is $15, the release said.

Save the Date! Thursday, Aug 6
The New Hampshire Antiques Show, hosted by the New Hampshire Antique Dealers Association, returns to the DoubleTree by Hilton Manchester Downtown (700 Elm St., Manchester) Thursday, Aug. 6, through Saturday, Aug. 8, featuring 59 antiques dealers, according to nhada.org, where you can find details on tickets, parking and more. The show starts at 10 a.m. and runs until 7 p.m. on Thursday and Friday and 4 p.m. on Saturday, according to a press release.

Featured image: Pizzastock.

Trade deadline arrives

The Big Story – Red Sox Shift Trade Deadline Plans: The idea of their being sellers went out the window thanks to the 15-game winning streak. So they shifted plans to make the Aug. 1 trade deadline come early with (take your pick) the surprising/stunning/shocking news of their sending their second promising young lefty pitcher away since March. This time it’s 25-year-old lefty Connelly Early to the Nationals for third baseman/DH Curtis Mead.

Mead likely will DH, maybe as the platoon right-handed bat. His 17 homers are by far his most homers in any season in minors or majors as the once Top 50 prospect has never lived up to that initial evaluation.

At least, the Breslow AC is hoping, not yet.

Sports 101: Who’s the only player to have 50 doubles and 50 homers in the same season?

News Item – Baseball Enters the Final 2 Months:

• Red Sox: Their chances of making the wild card playoff game are better than you think. At 54-49 they’re 1.5 games up for the fourth wild card spot, and all of the teams not currently holding a wild card berth are under .500.

• Chicago White Sox: Two years ago they set the record for most lost games in a season at 41-121. Fast forward to July 26, where amazingly at 55-49 they have the best record in the AL Central. The previous worst record holder, the 40-120 expansion NY Mets of 1962, went 53-109 in 1964, 50-111 in 1965 and didn’t even finish a season near .500 until they morphed into the Miracle Mets of 1969 and beat Baltimore in the World Series.

• Kyle Schwarber: It should still rankle Red Sox fans that for idiotic stat geek reasons Chaim Bloom let him walk after 2021 over the same $18 million per Bloom gift-wrapped to Masataka Yoshida. With Schwarber on pace to hit 50+ homers (51) for a second straight season, that’ll give him about 240 in five seasons for Philly. Meanwhile Yoshida has hit 33 in his four Boston seasons.

News Item – Trade Grade: ESPN gave the Sox a C for the deal and the Nationals an A-. The grade favors pitching-needy Washington getting a promising young lefty under contractual control for years.

But given their pitching depth, especially if Garrett Crochet comes back from the IL this century, the success for Boston lies in if Mead is a late bloomer finally playing well, or it’s just a hot streak that will make sending Early away for a needed (cheap) right-handed bat a big mistake.

Politics and Sports Intersection of the Week: A first of its kind battle where former NFL kicker Jay Feely and physician Amish Shah will square off for an Arizona congressional seat in November after being part of the Jets organization together in the 2000s when Feely was the kicker and Sha on the medical team.

The Numbers:

5 – homers by Wilyer Abreu during Boston’s 15-game winning streak.

391 – career saves reached by Aroldis Chapman to move past Dennis Eckersley into ninth place all-time.

38.1 – million World Cup Final viewers was the largest TV audience for soccer in U.S. history.

… Of the Week Awards

Thumbs Up – Manager John Schneider: Holy cow! A 21st-century manager actually let an unhittable pitcher complete the game. In this case, when Blue Jays hurler Dylan Cease one-hit the Sox Saturday while striking out 12 in a 6-0 shutout. Most amazing was Schneider’s allowing Cease to throw 120 pitches to do it!

Thumbs Down – Argentina World Cup Team: The crybabies get it for boycotting media responsibilities after losing the World Cup to Spain. Like it was the media’s fault the team didn’t get even one shot on goal in regulation.

You laid the egg, fellas, not them.

What a Stupid I Yam Award – Me: Regular reader/math major Glenn De Noble points out my math in last week’s mention of Roger Bannister breaking the 4-minute mile was like what Rodney Dangerfield heard when asking for directions — “you’re way off.”

I said Bannister would’ve been 46 yards behind Josh Kerr when he set the new 3:42 mile record. In fact it would be an astonishing 123 yards behind Kerr.

Now you know why I had to go to summer school in 10th grade to retake geometry.

Sports 101 Answer: Albert Belle is the only 50 doubles and 50 homers player, which came for Cleveland in 1995.

Final Thought – Who Cares Moment of the Week – LeBron James: Class would have been going back to Cleveland or even Miami, as other greats like Babe Ruth, Willie Mays and Hank Aaron once did to finish off the final seasons of their great careers playing for fans who knew them first. Instead, his moving to Philly last week cements LeBron’s legacy of glomming on to someone else’s title run instead of staying and earning one with the team he started with like Magic, Larry, Michael, Kobe, Jerry West and other true greats did.

Email Dave Long at dlong@hippopress.com.

Quality of Life 26/07/30

Trailblazing in a tiara

As reported by the Nashua Telegraph in a July 24 online article, New Hampshire organizer, athlete and beauty contestant Christina Hurley “was recently crowned Ms. North America, becoming the first amputee to receive that honor.” Hurley, the founder of Less Leg More Heart, a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping amputees, won her title on July 17 in a ceremony in Orlando, Florida.

QOL score: +1

Comment: According to the pageant’s Facebook page, “the Ms. North America pageant is an international division of the North America Beauty Pageant that welcomes women aged 30 and older…”

UNH to take on ticks in a no-holds-barred grudge match

In a July 22 press release, the University of New Hampshire announced that it will launch a “statewide initiative to study ticks, diseases and the environment.” The University has received a “National Science Foundation award of $8 million to support focus on three key tick species,” the announcement read. “Ticks are an issue that touches nearly every community in New Hampshire,” the report quoted Dr. David Needle of UNH’s Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory. “By combining cutting-edge science with statewide collaboration and education, we have an opportunity to build knowledge that benefits both our state and the broader scientific community.”

QOL score: +1

Comment: The initiative will be called EMBEDDEd-NH, the press release reported — Endeavor for Multi-Omics-Based Exploration, Data-Driven Modeling, and Education in New Hampshire. Visit UNH.edu/news.

Fate and drama in a bowling alley

As reported by the Concord Monitor and republished by New Hampshire Public Radio in a July 21 online article, an independent film has wrapped up filming in a Concord candlepin bowling alley. Filmmaker Carson Lund’s The Pinsetter chronicles a New England candlepin joint from 1994 to 2004, the story read. “Per its synopsis, ‘an aging, morally dubious candlepin bowling alley owner, Henry Nash, battles precarious finances, changing tastes in entertainment and a conniving local politician to keep the communal dream of his suburban alley alive at the turn of the 21st century.’” Principal bowling alley content was filmed inside Boutwell’s Bowling Center in Concord.

QOL score: +1

Comment: According to the article, “The aim for the independent film is for a festival premiere next summer … .”

Sourcing local lettuce

As reported in a July 25 online article by NH Public Radio, in the wake of recent cyclospora outbreaks “some people are turning to local farms to get their produce. Now is generally a time of year when people seek out fresh produce anyway, but some customers have confirmed they’re concerned about reports of parasites in produce.” The NHPR story quoted Brandy Deno of Brookford Farm in Canterbury: “Recently, Deno said, customers have been telling her they’re suspicious of lettuce from national chains. ‘They’re not trusting the grocery store lettuce anymore, and [there are] starting to be recalls, and it scares people,’ Deno said.”

QOL score: +1 for local farms, however …

Comment: Meanwhile, the NH Department of Health and Human Services Division of Public Health reported in a July 23 press release that it confirmed “9 people with cyclosporiasis (Cyclospora infection) who consumed lettuce products served at the Cheshire Medical Center cafeteria in Keene” and suggests that anyone who ate lettuce at the center from early June through July 20 “who develops severe or persistent watery diarrhea should contact their health care provider for evaluation and testing for Cyclospora infection. See dhhs.nh.gov.

QOL score last week: 52

Net change: +4

QOL this week: 56

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

Let us know at news@hippopress.com.

News & Notes 26/07/30

Blood need

There is an immediate need for blood donors, according to a July 27 press release from the American Red Cross Northern New England region. “For only the second time in history, the American Red Cross has declared a national blood crisis — and patients may already be feeling the impact. Donors are asked to act immediately to help save lives,” the release said. “Blood donations have fallen to a four-year summer low, worsening this season’s emergency blood shortage. All blood types are needed, but the situation is especially dire for type O blood as the Red Cross is now limiting distributions of these blood products to hospitals. The supply of type O positive blood has now dropped below a one-day supply,” the release said. To donate, see redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-RED-CROSS. Those who donate by July 31 will receive a Fandango Movie Ticket via email that will pay for up to $15 ticket price and fees, the release said. Those who give in August will receive an emailed $20 Amazon Gift Card, the release said.

101 objects in 130 years

The Manchester Historic Association will celebrate its 130th anniversary and the 25th anniversary of the Millyard Museum with the release of a new book, 101 Objects: Celebrating 130 Years of Collecting, Preserving and Sharing Manchester’s History, according to an MHA press release. “I think readers will learn new things about Manchester’s history and be fascinated by some of the interesting things that the MHA has collected in its 130-year history, ”said Jeff Barraclough, MHA Executive Director, in the release. “Some of these objects include artwork by prominent Manchester artists and furniture owned by the family of John Stark — the Revolutionary War figure who grew up in what was then Derryfield — as well as everyday items like a hotel key tag and a container for ground beef from a Manchester business,” the release said. A book launch will be held on Thursday, Aug. 13, at 5:30 p.m.; the book is available to purchase at the museum, 200 Bedford St. in Manchester, and at the Association’s Research Center for $60, the release said. See manchesterhistoric.org.

Senior ed

Rivier Institute for Senior Education will hold a Fall Information Session on Friday, Aug. 14, from 1 to 3 p.m. at Rivier University’s Dion Center, 16 Clement St. in Nashua, according to a press release. “RISE offers a variety of courses for individuals aged 55+…. Fall 2026 classes are offered on-campus, at off-campus locations, and online. Courses span a range of topics including literature, history, writing, technology, art history, personal enrichment, science, health, exercise, music, and more. There are no grades, no tests, and no credit for courses taken,” the release said. See rivier.edu/academics/rise. Registration for the fall semester runs Aug. 17 through Aug. 28, the release said.

Be not afraid

Queerlective will hold its annual Not Afraid to Fail Fest, described as a “benefit and variety show” which “brings together first-time performers, emerging artists, and community members willing to step outside their comfort zones,” on Sunday, Oct. 11, at 1 p.m. at BNH Stage in Concord, according to a press release and queerlective.com, where you can find a link to apply to perform (stand-up comedy, poetry, storytelling, music, drag and more). Performances usually run 3 to 10 minutes, and no experience is necessary, the website said. Tickets cost $27 in advance, $30 at the door at ccanh.com.

You can also find an open mic on Wednesday, Aug. 5, at the BNH Stage in Concord at 6:30 p.m. (for signups, music starts at 7 p.m.) when Andrew North & the Rangers present Highway to the Rangerzone, an open mic show where they will be your backing band if desired. See ccanh.com.

Musicians, poets and storytellers are all welcome to perform at the open mic with the Contookuleles on Tuesday, Aug. 4, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Hopkinton Town Library, 61 Houston Drive in Contoocook, in the Community Room, according to a post on the library’s Facebook page. Signups begin at 5:45 p.m.

There will be a comprehensive free coffee tasting with the specialty coffee team from Critical Mass Cafe at Bookery, 844 Elm St., Manchester, on Friday, July 31, from 4:15 to 5 p.m. See bookerymht.com.

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