Category: News

Quality of Life 22/07/28

Big bugs

Squam Lakes Natural Science Center in Holderness has opened its featured 2022 exhibit, “Giant Insects,” made possible with a $5,000 sponsorship from Meredith Village Savings Bank. The exhibit, on view now through Sept. 30, features six larger-than-life animatronic insects along the Center’s live animal trail to teach visitors about the important role insects play in preserving the balance of nature. Access to the exhibit is included with regular admission to the Center. Visit nhnature.org/insects to learn more.

QOL score: +1

Comment: “Watch for the spray from the bombardier beetle!” and “Don’t forget to climb aboard the spicebush swallowtail caterpillar for a photo,” the Center said on its website. Other insect stars include the blue-eyed darner, the devil’s flower mantis, the grasshopper and the stag beetle.

Big-league pitcher

Former MLB pitcher Andrew Moore has been transferred from the Triple-A Buffalo Bisons to the New Hampshire Fisher Cats. According to a press release, Moore’s MLB career included playing in a dozen games, including 10 as a starter, with the Seattle Mariners in 2017 and 2019. Moore was signed to the minor-league deal with the Fisher Cats, a Double-A affiliate of the Toronto Blue Jays, on June 14 after spending the last two years playing for minor-league teams in the Cincinnati Reds and Detroit Tigers organizations. He is the third player with MLB experience to join the Fisher Cats.

QOL score: +1

Comment: The Fisher Cats’ next home game at Northeast Delta Dental Stadium (1 Line Drive, Manchester) will take place on Tuesday, Aug. 2, at 7:05 p.m., against the Richmond Flying Squirrels. Visit nhfishercats.com for tickets.

Accessible playground

Dartmouth Health Children’s celebrated the opening of a new Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)-compliant playground at Dartmouth Hitchcock Clinics Manchester with a ribbon-cutting ceremony with leadership, staff, dignitaries and supporters on Thursday, July 21. According to a press release, the playground was made possible through the 121 Club Initiative, a fundraising effort led by the Perry Family of Bedford, and a similar project is being planned for the Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon. “Play is not just fun; it is fundamental to healthy physical and mental development in children. It is literally how they learn and grow,” Keith J. Loud, MD, physician-in-chief at Dartmouth Health Children’s, said in the release, thanking all of the individuals and groups that contributed to creating “a playground that is safe, welcoming and designed for all children.”

QOL score: +1

Comment: The 121 Club Initiative is inspired by Elliot Perry, age 10, who was born four months early and given an 18 percent chance of survival. Perry was released from the Intensive Care Nursery at the Children’s Hospital at Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center after 121 days. He now acts as a young ambassador for the hospital. “I’m thankful to our family, friends and 121 club supporters for joining us and giving back to the place that saved my life,” he said in the release.

QOL score: 83

Net change: +3

QOL this week: 86

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

Time to sell, Mr. Henry

I don’t make U-turns very often. But I have made one in recent days and it’s a major-league about-face.

It concerns Red Sox owner John Henry, whom I’ve always defended amid all the whining that goes on around here. I defended him for two reasons.

First: All I heard in the first 30 years since I moved behind enemy lines was the whining about bad luck as the Sox World Series streak kept growing until it reached 86 years after the cruelest loss of all to the Yanks in 2003; that ended the next year in glorious fashion and was followed by titles in 2007, 2013 and 2018 to give them four in his first 16 years on the job, yet after a short abatement the whining started all over again. So with the knowledge that no other team has won as much as during his time on the job, I’ve always been willing to stand up for him and ask the question, what more do you ingrates want?

The second reason is obvious: John I. Taylor notwithstanding, he is the best owner in franchise history. It’s been a time when they have mostly spent big on payroll and made the wise decision to save/reinvest in their landmark ballpark, all while ending the curse and delivering some of the most exciting moments in franchise history. Not the least of which was climbing out of an 0-3 hole to finally beat the Yanks in 2004.

But, sadly, I’ve come to the conclusion It’s time for Henry to sell the Red Sox.

Here’s why, and I’ll start with the little things.

It Just Feels Old: There is no vitality in the ownership group. It’s a long way from when Henry pulled up at the Sports Hub to defend his team after listening to the endless negativity of Michael Felger and Tony Mazz while tooling around town in his car. Pretty unusual, but I liked the fight.

Not Dealing With the Media: I’m sure team president Sam Kennedy is a fine fellow. But since the owner deigns to speak to the nuisance media once a year he seems like a lap dog when he constantly is answering for the owner. I get it – the media can be obtrusive. But sorry, pal, it’s part of the job and I shouldn’t have to tell that to the guy who owns the Boston Globe. The Nation wants to hear from the boss.

It’s Become Just an Investment: Again I defended him when Fenway Sports Group bought the soccer team. But now there is an auto racing team and the Pittsburgh Penguins along with soccer, and the team seems like just part of the investment portfolio.

The Tampa Bay Way: I have pointed out many times that over the last few years Tampa Bay has won more than the Red Sox while spending millions less. But it wasn’t in support of how they conducted business. It was to show that it’s not what you spend, it’s how you spend it. Like wasting $170 million on Pablo Sandoval and Hanley Ramirez as an overreaction to fan discontent after a last-place finish in 2014. Or losing Jon Lester thanks to a ludicrous lowball offer and then having to spend $8 million per more the next year to bring in the soon to be hated David Price to replace him.

I’m Chaimed Out: I not only hate his stat geek, cookie-cutter, bargain basement vision of baseball, but I also find it insulting that one of the great franchises in sports history is copying the ways of one of the worst franchises in baseball history, one that barely draws 10,000 a game while the Sox had a 10-year sellout streak.

I thought he was going to come in to do what his Tampa Bay boss Andrew Friedman did when he landed in L.A.— clean up the payroll, build a farm system and then when he was done use their big market financial clout to fill out the line-up with big-time players like Mookie Betts and now NL home run leader Kyle Schwarber.

But that has not materialized, as it looks more like his place in Red Sox history will be as the 21st century’s answer to Harry Frazee by giving Raffy Devers and Xander Bogaerts insulting (idiotic) lowball contract offers on top of already dumping Betts.

Which brings me to the point of this diatribe. I was OK with not giving Betts what he wanted based on the risk of giving a 12-year contract. And I’m right about that.

But more deals like that have followed, and with Juan Soto (somehow) turning down a 15-year, $550 million deal last weekend it’s not likely going to go in the other direction. So if you don’t want to play that game it’s time to leave. Plus while the overall record is good, amid constant turnover at GM and manager there appears to be no real plan, which might be why they’ve finished last three times and missed the playoffs seven times since 2010.

Take The Money and Run: The team is now worth $3.9 billion, which is a 459 percent return on the $700 million you bought it for in 2002. For the mathematically challenged that’s $187 million appreciation per year or a $3.2 billion profit before whatever they made in annual profits.

So at the risk of understating the case: You have made your money. How much more do you need?

Bottom Line: While you technically own the team, Patriots owner Bob Kraft gets it right when he says teams are a public trust owned by fans who’ve been here longer than any owner ever was or will be.

So unless you still have the passion and energy to lead, along with the willingness to invest at today’s rate, take your $3.9 billion and ride into the sunset.

Yankees fans would never accept anything less. And neither should the fans who you are asking to pay the highest ticket prices in baseball while letting Chaim Bloom turn the Sox into baseball’s version of TJ Maxx.

Email Dave Long at dlong@hippopress.com.

Teaming up

Community health workers assist police in Manchester

Last month, a new Public Health and Safety Team (PHAST), funded through the American Rescue Plan Act, was formed to serve the City of Manchester, combining the efforts of the Manchester Police and Manchester Public Health departments. The team consists of eight Community Health Workers who are trained in advocacy, conflict resolution and “violence interruption,” an evidence-based response technique for non-police and non-emergency matters to help reduce violent crime. PHAST supervisor Biram Saidybah shared more about how the team serves the city’s residents and allows the police department to focus on issues that require the services of law enforcement.

How and why was PHAST created?

The Manchester Police Department had been receiving a lot of calls … and many of those calls were [about] something that has nothing to do with what law enforcement [handles] … and usually nothing to do with violence. The city realized that maybe it could have another team of people respond to those calls, and that’s how the idea for a Public Health and Safety Team was conceived. … The intention is for us to partner with the police and to inherit those calls that are not law enforcement [issues] … freeing up maybe up to six or eight police officers to be able to concentrate on violence issues.

What qualifications do PHAST workers have?

They all have training to be a community health worker, and some have years of experience working as a community health worker. … Some of us have also lived the same experiences that the people we are serving are currently living, and we want them to also be able to achieve their dreams in America. … It’s also a multilingual and multicultural team. We felt that hiring people who can speak more than one language would be the best way to reach out to a wider community. … Everybody has a unique skill that the others don’t have, so the team has a combination of unique skills. … Anytime we receive a call, we’ll look at who is the best person [to respond to] that call, based on their character and skills here, so that we can address it in the best possible way. … Finally, everyone has a story about why they joined this team. Every one of us on this team is dedicated and loves this community, loves the job that we’re doing and loves to serve people.

What types of calls does PHAST respond to?

One type is what’s called wellness checks or condition checks. … If someone goes to an individual’s house, knocks at the door and nobody answers and they aren’t able to get in communication with that individual, typically they call the police to come check on that individual. … Then, there are people who are repeat callers, who will call the police department three, four, five times in a month. They may be people who have mental health challenges, people who are just lonely and need to talk to somebody, or people who are having issues, like they’re about to be evicted or they don’t know how to apply for health insurance, things like that. Many of those calls are also from seniors who are living by themselves and don’t have anyone there to help them with things in their day-to-day life, so anytime they’re confronted with something [they need help with], they call the police. … Another type of call is for what’s referred to as ‘hotspots,’ neighborhoods that the police receive a lot of calls from or that may have a lot of crime going on.

In addition to responding to those calls, what else does PHAST do?

Part of our partnership with the Police Department [involves] the Community Response Unit; if someone in the city overdoses, we will go with two police officers 72 hours after the overdose to do a condition check on the individual and to give them resources. … Another activity we’ve been engaged in is, whenever we go to a ward, we see if there’s something like a broken sidewalk or a broken electrical pole or a branch of a tree that’s fallen, things like that, and we take a picture of it using the SeeClickFix app, which then goes … to the department responsible for addressing that issue.

How is PHAST better-equipped than the police to handle certain issues?

The Community Response Unit is a good example. When we go to check on a person, we don’t normally allow police officers to do the talking. We’ll ask them to stand back, close enough to provide some security to us, but far enough to give some privacy to that individual, because many people are more interested in talking to us than to the police. … We also have the language skills to communicate with people … and sometimes it’s not just about language, but about culture. If I go to the house of an individual, and we look the same, and we speak the same language, and maybe we’re even from the same country originally, then that individual may be able to trust and open up and communicate with me better.

Featured photo: Biram Saidybah. Courtesy photo.

News & Notes 22/07/28

Frozen tuition continues

The Community College System of New Hampshire Board of Trustees has voted to freeze tuition costs for all seven of the state’s community colleges for the fourth consecutive year. According to a press release, the tuition cost is currently at $215 per credit — which comes to $6,450 for a full-time course load — for New Hampshire-residing students, and has been so since 2018. Since 2011, the cost has increased a total of $5 per credit; factoring in inflation, tuition costs at New Hampshire’s community colleges are approximately 24 percent lower now than they were a decade ago, and community colleges remain the most affordable higher education offered in the state. “CCSNH has worked aggressively to control costs and keep higher education financially within reach, as part of its mission to ensure New Hampshire residents have affordable opportunities to remain in the state for college and careers,” Katharine Bogle Shields, chair of the CCSNH Board of Trustees, said in the release. Enrollment at New Hampshire’s community colleges is open and ongoing now through Aug. 29 for the fall semester, which will include on-campus and online course options.

Mental health series

Dartmouth Health continues its year-long monthly webinar series about mental health, “Heads Up: A Year-Long Mental Health Awareness Journey,” with a segment on the effects of social media on youth mental health. According to a press release, “Social Media and Youth — How do we strike a healthy balance?,” the third webinar in the series, features a panel consisting of Dartmouth Health Children’s child psychiatrist Steven Schlozman, MD; Heather Inyart, executive director of the Manchester-based youth development organization Media Power Youth; and Kenny Olibrice, a junior at Manchester Central High School and a youth advisor for Media Power Youth. The panelists discuss the ways in which social media can be emotionally constructive and destructive for youth; ways in which young people can de-escalate conflicts and create a more positive space online; and ways in which parents and caregivers can have open communication with teens about their social media activity and encourage healthy online habits. “What we do know, and what has stayed consistent across multiple platforms, is that teens are much more susceptible to the messages — both positive and negative — that are put out across social media platforms,” Schlozman said in the webinar. For more information on the “Heads Up” series, visit dartmouth-health.org/mental-health.

Attendance recovery

The New Hampshire Department of Education announced in a press release that it has partnered with Graduation Alliance to implement a school attendance recovery program in New Hampshire through September 2024. The $936,000 program, which is being funded with federal Covid-relief funds, will be offered to 2,000 secondary and middle school students throughout the state who are considered to be disengaged, chronically absent or at risk of not obtaining their high school diploma. Outreach counselors will provide personalized support to enrolled students and their families to help students improve their school attendance and academic performance. “New Hampshire, like most of our nation, has seen a dramatic increase in chronic absenteeism over the past few years, and ENGAGE New Hampshire will allow school districts to provide students with additional layers of academic and social-emotional support and adult mentorship without creating more responsibility for already overburdened teachers and staff,” Graduation Alliance CEO Ron Klausner said in the release. “We’re excited to promote school engagement and high school completion in the state of New Hampshire through this partnership.”

Return of the Yellowbirds

The Aviation Museum of New Hampshire will host a “Return of the Yellowbirds” event in Manchester, inviting former employees, family members, passengers and fans of Northeast Airlines to gather in celebration of its 50th anniversary. The pioneering Boston-based Northeast Airlines, which brought the first passenger air service to New England in the 1930s, is remembered for its famous 1960s “Yellowbird” pop art imagery and jingle. “You still hear it today — people who worked for Northeast loved the airline. They thought of it as one big family,” Aviation Museum Executive Director Jeff Rapsis said in a press release. “This summer’s reunion is a chance for Northeast veterans, as well as family, friends and the airline’s many fans, to celebrate a special company, renew old friendships, and also carry the Yellowbird legacy into the future.” The event will take place Sunday, July 31, from 4 to 8 p.m. at the DoubleTree by Hilton Downtown Manchester (700 Elm St.) and will include a gourmet buffet-style dinner, special guests, live music, a display of more than 250 historic Northeast Airlines artifacts and uniforms, the premiere of a video honoring Northeast Airlines and more. Tickets cost $75 per person. Call 669-4877 or visit aviationmuseumofnh.org.

USNH Trustees chair

Joseph G. Morone, former president and CEO of Albany International Corp., has stepped down from his position as chair of the University System of New Hampshire Board of Trustees, USNH announced in a press release, after serving 10 years on the board and the last three years as board chair. “Joe’s tenure as chairman occurred during a pivotal period in higher education when the safety of our students, faculty, staff and communities, and the continuity of our mission, were severely disrupted by the ever-changing effects of the pandemic,” Morone’s successor, Alex Walker said in the release. “Joe guided the board through strategic decision-making processes that will advantage the University System of New Hampshire during the fundamental shifts expected in higher education in the coming years. … His service will be long remembered by those who worked with him.” Walker, president and CEO of Catholic Medical Center, has served on the USNH board for six years and will serve as chair through June 2023. The board consists of 28 trustees, according to the release, and oversees three public higher education institutions in the state, including Keene State College, Plymouth State University and the University of New Hampshire, which enroll a total of 32,000 students.

A tornado, categorized as an EF-1, touched down in Chesterfield during an active Tornado Warning on Monday, July 18, the National Weather Service reported. The NWS defines EF-1 as a tornado having wind gusts between 86 and 110 miles per hour. This is the second tornado confirmed in New Hampshire this year; an EF-1 tornado touched down in Charlestown in May, according to a press release from the New Hampshire Department of Safety’s Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management.

A new mural painted on the Arms Park River Stairs in Manchester was unveiled on Friday, July 22. Manchester Mayor Joyce Craig attended the unveiling and posted about it on her Facebook page. “I am blown away by how beautiful and vibrant this mural is,” she said in the post, also thanking the artist, James Chase, and Manchester Connects, which commissioned the mural.

United Way of Greater Nashua, in partnership with the Teachers and Paws Project, will host its “Stuff the Bus” donation drive at its office in Nashua (20 Broad St.) and at the Staples stores in Nashua and Amherst, from Wednesday, Aug. 3, through Saturday, Aug. 6, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day. Individuals and companies can “stuff the bus” — a real school bus on site at the United Way location — with school supplies that educators might otherwise have to pay for out of their own pockets. Visit tinyurl.com/uwgnschoolsupplies.

This Week 22/07/21

Big Events July 21, 2022 and beyond

Thursday, July 21

The Dana Center for the Humanities at Saint Anselm College (100 Saint Anselm Drive, Manchester) is holding Shakespeare on the Green beginning tonight at 7:30 p.m. There will be two shows, A Midsummer’s Night Dream and Romeo and Juliet. A Midsummer’s Night Dream will run July 22, July 28 and July 30 at 7:30 p.m., and Romeo and Juliet will run July 21, July 23, and July 29 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets cost $25 per person and can be purchased at tickets.anselm.edu.

Friday, July 22

Mola Foods (9 Simon St., Nashua) is offering the fourth Taste of Africa hosted by owner and chef LaFortune Jeannette Djabea. There meat and vegetarian meal options with dishes that span across the continent of Africa. In addition to the food, there will be live music. The event starts at 6:30 p.m. Tickets can be purchased at molafoods.com/africa4.

Sunday, July 24

This is the last day of “Warhol Screen Tests,” a collection of 20 of Andy Warhol’s short, silent black-and-white films of his friends at his studio in New York City, at the Currier Museum of Art (150 Ash St., Manchester). Museum admission costs $15 for adults, $13 for seniors age 65 and up, $10 for students, $5 for youth ages 13 through 17, and is free for children age 12 and under and museum members. Current museum hours are Thursday, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Friday through Sunday, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., closed Monday through Wednesday. Call 669-6144 or visit currier.org.

Sunday, July 24

St. Theresa Parish Center (815 Central Road, Rye) is hosting the New England Tenors from 2 to 4 p.m. The tenors will sing a Broadway tribute, songs of inspiration and a special Irish set. They will also have a special guest, soprano Mary Metvier. At intermission there will be an ice cream social. Tickets cost $20 per person or $125 for a table of seven. Call Mike Fay at 978-476-6053 or email coachmikefay@gmail.com.

Wednesday, July 27

Sommelier and wine educator Marie King is leading a Wine and Chocolate Pairing Class at LaBelle Winery (14 Route 111, Derry) at 6 p.m. Visitors will pair five different types of chocolate and wine. No previous knowledge of wine pairing is needed. Tickets cost $43.40 and can be purchased at labellewinery.com/shop/wine-chocolate-pairings-class-derry.

Thursday, July 28

The Dover Public Library (73 Locust St., Dover) is offering Cocheco River Writers, a new creative writing group for all skill levels. The first meeting will begin at 6:30 p.m. The Cocheco River Writers will be a quiet atmosphere for people to share their writing and receive advice and feedback. People willing to share their writing should bring a copy to the first session. Email Aimee Lockhardt at a.lockhardt@dover.nh.gov or call the library at 516-6050.

Save the Date! Monday, Aug. 8
The 18th Annual Fore Paws Golf Classic to benefit Salem Animal Rescue League (SARL) will take place at Windham Country Club (1 Country Club Road) at 7:30 a.m. Registration costs $175 and closes on July 31. Included in the registration is 18 holes, cart and driving range, hot dog at the turn, 10 raffle tickets, one square on the wine and spirits board, on-course contests, individual golfer gift and golf balls, lunch, and one beverage ticket. All proceeds go to SARL. Register at sarlnh.org or call SARL at 893-3210.

Featured photo. The Dana Center’s Midsummer Night’s Dream.

Quality of Life 22/07/21

Water woes

Most of New Hampshire is currently in a moderate drought, the AP reported, and a small section of the southeastern part of the state is in a severe drought, according to the latest federal drought monitor map. More than 50 New Hampshire community water systems have set restrictions on daytime outdoor water use, such as watering lawns and washing vehicles.

QOL score: -2

Comment: Limiting outdoor water use to the early morning hours and evenings after 7 p.m. prevents additional water waste due to evaporation, Stacey Herbold of the Department of Environmental Services explained in the article.

Future of broadcasting

The New Hampshire Association of Broadcasters awarded $18,000 in scholarships to 11 New Hampshire students who are enrolled in a two- or four-year accredited school for the 2022-2023 school year and are pursuing a career in journalism, broadcasting or a related field. The scholarships included the $5,000 Al Sprague Memorial Scholarship, awarded to one student; the $2,500 Student Broadcast Scholarship, awarded to four students; and the $500 Families in Broadcasting Scholarship, awarded to six students who are children of NHAB members. Recipients were chosen based on their academic achievement, extracurricular and community involvement, financial need and an application essay about their interest in broadcasting.

QOL Score: +1

Comment: Congratulations to these up-and-coming journalists! QOL can confirm that it’s a pretty cool job.

Parkinson’s help in NH

Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon has been designated a Parkinson’s Foundation Center of Excellence by the Parkinson’s Foundation. There are only 47 centers with the designation worldwide — 37 of which are in the U.S. — and DHMC is the only one in northern New England. According to a press release, the Parkinson’s Foundation awarded DHMC the designation on account of its “person-centered, comprehensive and integrated approach to care, education and research; exceptional communication and collaboration with the team, external providers, patients and families; a state-of-the-art neurosurgery facility; and the Dartmouth Centers for Health & Aging Aging Resource Center, which provides workshops, wellness programs and advance care planning.”

QOL Score: +1

Comment: Centers must reapply for the designation every five years and meet rigorous standards of care, clinical research, professional training and community education and outreach; and maintain a specialized team of medical professionals who are informed on the latest Parkinson’s research.

The kids are alright

A recent WalletHub study ranked New Hampshire at No. 49 out of the 50 U.S. states and District of Columbia for States with the Most At-Risk Youth. The study looked at 16 criteria applicable to different age groups, from age 12 through 24, including high school diploma attainment, state of employment, poverty, teen pregnancy, homelessness, incarceration, illicit drug use, mental health, physical health and more. New Hampshire ranked especially low (No. 46) for percentage of “disconnected youth,” a term referring to the population ages 18 through 24 that is not attending school, is not employed and does not have education higher than a high school diploma.

QOL Score: +1

Comment: All of the New England states ranked between No. 40 and No. 51, with Massachusetts and Connecticut ahead of the Granite State at No. 51 and No. 50, respectively.

QOL score: 82

Net change: +1

QOL this week: 83

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

NBA notebook for July

Count me among those who liked that Brad Stevens did not stand pat after the Celtics’ surprising season.

Adding real scoring punch to the bench was met with near universal approval in these parts and around the league, as trading for Indiana guard Malcolm Brogdon and signing free agent Danilo Gallinari serms a perfect fit.

Except, maybe by me.

Not because I don’t like either player, but because on paper they fill two slots.

Gallinari has always been the 3-point-shooting instant-offense wing they’ve needed forever, with the added benefit being he’s big enough and versatile enough to do it at the 3 or 4. And if you read this space regularly you know I like Brogdon’s combo guard game a lot, especially his ability to get below the foul line and score. I’ve suggested/begged that the Celtics should trade for him (and teammate Domantas Sabonis, who I liked even more) on numerous occasions. Including when Danny Ainge blew a chance to make a larger sign and trade deal when the Pacers were lusting to bring free agent Gordon Hayward home to Indiana two summers ago — a trade that, oh by the way, also would have filled the glaring hole (see below) this deal created.

The deal also makes them deeper and didn’t cost any of the first eight guys in the playoff rotation. Plus his contract gives them another big-number contract to include if a deal for a great max player presents itself.

So having said all that, what’s not to like, Dave? It’s not so much what’s not to like, as much as that each guy brings a red flag. For Brogdon it’s durability. He’s played as many as 70 games in a season only once, and that was six years ago in his rookie season of 2016-17. The six-year career average is just 51 games per and last year it was a worst of all 36. I hate guys who get hurt a lot and can’t recover quickly. So beware.

For Gallinari it’s aging. In the last four years his scoring averages have been, in order, 19.3, 18.7, 13.3 and 11.7, while for the 3-point shooting averages it’s been a career best .433, .405, .406, .381. That seems like a trend to me.

Then there’s the giant hole behind 37-year-old Al Horford and the brittle Lob it to Rob Williams. It remains to be seen who the new guy turns out to be. But don’t underestimate this; filling this spot with the right guy is important. Of the available names, I like athletic defender Nerlens Noel best.

Now some thoughts on the other big stories going on.

Kevin Durant: Due to their unrealistic demands — an all-star player, two role players and five first-round picks — it’s looking like he’ll stay in Brooklyn.

If I’m Miami, as good as he is I’d be reluctant to give up mid-20 Bam Adebayo and Tyler Herro for him. With one including Andrew Wiggins, Jordan Poole and James Wiseman the best package could come from Golden State. But they just won the title, so why not keep the young guys to try to extend their reign beyond the Curry era.

As for the unrealistic demands? They’re fine, but to make that work you need a sucker and I don’t see one right now. Which brings us to an old friend.

Danny Ainge: Nobody is better at finding suckers than Danny. He did it with Brooklyn to eventually get Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown for fool’s gold in 2015. And now comes a deal for a guy (Rudy Gobert) who couldn’t get his team out of the first round of the playoffs in April with Minnesota for five unprotected first-round picks and five players. Given their gruesome 21st-century history, I give Minnesota points for trying something different. But I’m guessing after a few productive years it eventually ushers in a decade of more awfulness. The good news is, since he’s now a part owner, A-Rod will be one of the sufferers.

Now watch what Danny does with Donovan Mitchell and the two best guys he got back, Patrick Beverley and Malik Beasley.

Kyrie Irving: Speaking of Celtics alumni, I guess hell has frozen over. It appears no one is dumb enough to want team-killer Kyrie Irving. Well, except the Lakers, who have turned into a sad, desperate mess. Except the Nets aren’t dumb enough to take back the hard to play with Russell Westbrook and his $49 million contract. Beyond that, the Nets can’t find any takers for the alleged “superstar” who led the Nets to 11-18 in the 29 games he played last year.

James Harden: I was wrong about him again. He not only stayed put in Philly; he took a big pay cut so his boss had more cap space to bring in players to help them win. Kudos to him. Now all he has to do is lose 30 pounds or adjust his game to a bigger, maturing body

Steph Curry: There was some chatter last week saying he is the second best player in NBA history. Putting him in the Top 10 never even occurred to me, to be honest. But after gaining a new appreciation for him as he annihilated the Celtics in the Finals I’m willing to entertain the Top 10 debate. But who would he replace? On his side, his 3-point shooting changed how the game is played and his four titles is one more than Larry Bird and three more than Oscar Robertson. Can’t go No. 2 as among LeBron and the Greek Freak I’m not even sure he’s in the Top 2 of his era as that’s still being determined. But he’s climbing.

Ja Morant: I don’t know if it’s youthful enthusiasm or youthful ignorance but I did get a kick out of him saying last week he could beat an in-his-prime Michael Jordan playing one on one.

I’ll take Mike because of his unmatched killer instinct.

Email Dave Long at dlong@hippopress.com.

A place in time

Colorado author pays tribute to New Hampshire

Colorado author Christina Holbrook discussed her debut novel All the Flowers of the Mountain, which is set in New Hampshire and was inspired, she said, by the times she spent in the Granite State during her childhood.

What is your connection to New Hampshire?

I grew up in New York, and my parents owned a house in Sugar Hill, New Hampshire, where we spent all of our summers and winter vacations. Also, my grandparents had farms in New Hampshire. At that time in my life New Hampshire made such a deep impression on me. I felt like my heart was in the White Mountains. I’ve had that feeling through most of my life. As an adult I lived in New York City, and now I’m in Colorado, but I always found a way, especially in the summers, to get back to New Hampshire for a visit. I feel like it’s the home of my imagination.

What is All the Flowers of the Mountain about?

It’s a love story and a coming-of-age story about growing up in New Hampshire. It begins in the present and then moves back to this particular summer when these two main characters meet each other, impact each other’s lives and eventually go their separate ways. It ends in the present again, with the open question as to what will finally happen with this relationship that was so important to these two characters.

What is the significance of New Hampshire in the story?

… The setting is extremely important to the story. It has a big impact on the characters, how they interact with each other and the choices they make and is part of how the story comes together in the end.

What made you want to write this novel at this time in your life?

I’ve been a writer all my life … but I’ve spent my professional life in publishing. … I feel like I’ve always been in sort of a supporting role to other creative people, and I felt like it was finally time for me to put myself in more of a center role as a creative person. … [Another reason was] becoming older. I’m 61 years old now, and in your late 50s and early 60s you start to reflect back on all the things that made you who you are. … New Hampshire is a place that means so much to me in my life. I have a really deep nostalgia for this period of time when I grew up in this particular place, and I really wanted to write about it. … Many of the places that were part of my life back then are included in the story. I’ve described [the book] to my publisher as ‘my love song to New Hampshire.’

What has the writing and publishing process been like?

I started putting the pen to paper on a draft about five years ago. About six months later I had my first draft, and I spent the next year revising it. Then I started to send it out to literary agents to try to get representation. By the beginning of 2020 I had an agent who wanted me to do more revisions … and I ended up rewriting the entire novel. … It took me until this past March to finish that draft. I turned it in to my agent, and she was thrilled because it was such a departure [from] and quite a big improvement on the story. … Also at the end of March, I was diagnosed with a brain tumor. I had surgery in April, and I’ve just finished six weeks of radiation. It’s a pretty serious situation. In the world of publishing, it could easily take my agent six months to a year to find a publisher, and then it could take two more years [to publish it], and at this point, I don’t know if I have two or three years to wait. A local publisher in Colorado came to me and said, ‘We understand your situation. We will get this book out in three months for you.’ They had a team of people do the copy editing, cover design, proofing, everything, and they pulled the whole thing together in three months.

When was the last time you were in New Hampshire, and when will you be back?

The last time I was in New Hampshire was last summer, and we will be going again this summer, probably toward the end of August. I’m working on [scheduling] a book signing there. … I’m really hoping to share this story with people in New Hampshire. Two years ago, during Covid, when there were all these remote writers groups, I also ended up connecting [with] and joining the New Hampshire Writers Project … and started to join them on their monthly Zoom calls.

What would you like people to take away from your book?

I feel like Vermont and Maine get a lot of play but people don’t always know about how incredibly beautiful and magical New Hampshire is. … I hope that, for people who haven’t been to New Hampshire, this book will give them an interest and curiosity to come visit the Granite State. For people who have lived in New Hampshire, I hope it gives them a sense of pleasure to recognize the places and descriptions of New Hampshire.

Featured photo: Courtesy photo.

News & Notes 22/07/21

Covid-19 update Last weekThis week
Total cases statewide 333,483 (as of July 7)335,149 (as of July 14)
Total current infections statewide 1,854 (as of July 7)1,946 (as of July 14)
Total deaths statewide1,425 (announced July 7)2,609 (as of July 14)
New cases 1,363 (June 30 to July 7)1,723 (July 7 to July 13)
Current infections: Hillsborough County898 (as of July 11)867 (as of July 18)
Current infections: Merrimack County302 (as of July 11)306 (as of July 18)
Current infections: Rockingham County690 (as of July 11)669 (as of July 18)
Information from the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services.

Academic improvements

The preliminary data generated by the New Hampshire Statewide Assessment System for 2022 has shown some improvement in New Hampshire students’ academic performance levels for the first time since the pandemic. According to a press release from the New Hampshire Department of Education, assessment scores, including ones that measure proficiency in English and math, dropped for students in grades 3 through 8 in 2021. This year, scores have improved among grades 3 through 7 and have remained the same for grade 8. “Assessment scores are inching upward and returning to near pre-pandemic levels, but it is clear that there is still work to be done to recover from the academic declines that resulted from Covid-19,” Education Commissioner Frank Edelblut said in the release. “New Hampshire has not fully regained ground, but these early signs of improvement are promising.”

Health commissioner steps down

New Hampshire’s Health and Human Services Commissioner Lori Shibinette has announced her resignation, effective December 2022. 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. “Covid-19 has been a challenging time for our state, our country, and for health care,” Shibinette said in a statement. “During this time, it has been a privilege serving as your commissioner. The last three years have been incredibly challenging yet equally rewarding.” 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.”

Call for child care workers

A new marketing campaign has been launched by the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services in partnership with the Boys and Girls Clubs of Central New Hampshire to address the state’s shortage of child care care workers. According to a press release, the campaign will utilize a series of eight public service announcements, which will run as television, digital and social media ads, to recruit applicants for various positions in child care facilities throughout the state via the New Hampshire Connections Child Care Job Board. “Family stability across New Hampshire depends on access to child care options that best fit their individual needs,” DHHS Associate Commissioner Christine Santaniello said in the release. “From home-based child care to larger centers, families need quality, fully-staffed child care providers that can meet New Hampshire’s demand.” The campaign is being funded by a portion of the state’s American Rescue Plan Act child care funds.

New crisis line

New Hampshire has implemented a new three-digit dialing, texting and chat code, 988, as a suicide prevention and crisis lifeline. The number will connect callers experiencing suicidal, mental health or substance misuse crises to a national network of more than 200 call centers via the established National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. “New Hampshire remains committed to providing streamlined access to mental health support services, and providing on demand assistance through 988 is another positive step in that direction,” Gov. Chris Sununu said in a statement. According to a press release from DHHS, the 988 line will augment, not replace, New Hampshire’s Rapid Response system, implemented in January 2022 as part of the state’s 10-year Mental Health Plan, which provides 24/7 mental health crisis services and, when necessary, deploys mobile crisis response teams, to New Hampshire residents experiencing a crisis.

Training for women in government

The New Hampshire Women’s Foundation will run “Women Run!” a day-long nonpartisan training program designed to teach New Hampshire women skills and confidence needed to run for state or local political office, on Wednesday, July 27, in Manchester. Participants will learn about the past and current landscape of women’s representation in New Hampshire government and campaigning techniques. The percentage of women in public office in New Hampshire is 37 percent in town offices, 41 percent in city offices and 23 percent in mayorships, according to an email from the New Hampshire Women’s Foundation. Visit nhwomensfoundation.org/womenrun to learn more.

A new New Hampshire Historical Highway Marker has been installed in Carroll, just north of the intersection of Routes 3 and 302 in a tourist section of town known as Twin Mountain, commemorating the glacial boulder where Rev. Henry Ward Beecher, a Congregationalist clergyman, abolitionist, proponent of women’s suffrage and the brother of author Harriet Beecher Stowe, preached his sermons in the late 1800s. It is the 274th marker installed as part of the New Hampshire Historical Highway Marker program, according to a press release from the New Hampshire Division of Historical Resources, which oversees the program.

The Manchester Health Department reopened the public beach at Crystal Lake, located off Bodwell Road in southern Manchester, for swimming after closing it earlier this month due to elevated levels of E. Coli. Water samples will continue to be taken every Monday through Labor Day, with results announced every Tuesday at manchesternh.gov/departments/health/services/water-quality.

Elm Grove Companies will break ground on a new rental housing development, Depot & Main Apartments, at the end of this month at 41 Main St. in Salem, according to a press release. The more than $20 million project is a 74-unit Low-Income Housing Tax Credit and Workforce Housing community created to meet the need for affordable rental housing for New Hampshire’s low to moderate income families and workforce. A ceremony will be held at the ground-breaking on Tuesday, July 26, at 10 a.m.

This Week 22/07/14

Big Events July 14, 2022 and beyond

Friday, July 15

The Center for Life Management is hosting its 14th annual silent auction and concert benefit at Tupelo Music Hall (10 A St., Derry). The silent auction will start at 5:30 p.m. and the concert will begin at 7 p.m., featuring 33 1/3 LIVE, which will perform their Killer Queen Experience. Tickets are $40 for the mezzanine, $45 for main floor, and $50 for the lower level. Find information at tupelomusichall.com.

Friday, July 15

Loudon is hosting racers for the Ambetter 301 NASCAR weekend starting today at noon at the New Hampshire Motor Speedway (1122 Route 106) and continuing through Sunday, July 17. The weekend will be filled with races, fan events, live music and more. Friday night will feature dirt duels. General admission tickets start at $20 and attendees 12 years old and under are $10. For the Ambetter 301 weekend, single adult tickets start at $59 and tickets for children 12 years old and under are $10. Visit nhms.com/events/nascar-cup-series for more information.

Saturday, July 16

The Aviation Museum (27 Navigator Road, Londonderry) is rolling out vintage cars for the classic car show today from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Classic cars of various makes and models will compete for the people’s choice award, and the Amoskeag Reserve Engine Co., a local chapter of the national fire apparatus preservation society, will show off restored antique firetrucks. There will be food trucks, a raffle and a yard sale. Registration will be from 9 to 10 a.m. and costs $10. Spectator tickets will cost $5 for adults; children 12 and younger are free. For more information, visit nhahs.org.

Saturday, July 16

The annual New England vintage boat and car auction is today, with the first in-person bids being placed at 10 a.m. Some of the featured items available at this year’s auction include a 1961 24-foot Chris Craft Sportsman, a 1968 20-foot Chris Craft Grand Prix and a 1947 22-foot Goodhue Race Boat. While the online auction started on July 7, there will be a showing of boats and cars on Thursday, July 14, and Friday, July 15, from noon to 5 p.m. at The Nicholas J. Pernokas Recreation Park (10 Trotting Track Road, Wolfeboro). Additional viewing before the bidding will begin at 8 a.m.

Saturday, July 16

The American Independence Museum (1 Governors Lane, Exeter) is hosting the 32 Annual American Independence Festival starting at 10 a.m. and ending at 6 p.m. The festival will have historical reenactors, an artisan village with everything from ropemaking to tinsmithing, and musicians playing traditional instruments such as clavichords, dulcimers and harpsichords. Tickets are $4 for kids ages 4 to 8, $10 for adults, and free for children under 4 years old.

Tuesday, July 19

Gibson’s Bookstore (45 South Main St., Concord) is hosting local author Sarah McCraw Crow for a paperback release party for her novel The Wrong Kind of Woman today at 6:30 p.m. The event is free to attend and does not require registration. See gibsonsbookstore.com.

Save the Date! Saturday, July 23
The Rebel Collective is performing at the Bank of NH (16 S Main St, Concord) to support Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) of New Hampshire. The Rebel Collective is a New England-based American/Irish pub rock band that was started in 2015. CASA is a nonprofit organization that recruits, trains and supports community volunteers to advocate for children who have suffered abuse or neglect. The doors open at 7 p.m. and the show starts at 8 p.m. Tickets cost $18 and can be purchased at ccanh.com.

Featured photo. The Rebel Collective will be performing July 23. Courtesy photo.

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