Category: News

This Week 22/07/07

Big Events July 7, 2022 and beyond

Thursday, July 7

Chunky’s Cinema Pub is hosting a 21-and-older screening of Thor: Love and Thunder tonight at 8 p.m. at all three locations (707 Huse Road in Manhcester, 151 Coliseum Ave. in Nashua and 150 Bridge St. in Pelham; chunkys.com). O’neil Cinemas Brickyard Square (24 Calef Highway in Epping; oneilcinemas.com) is also on the list of theaters hosting “Thorsday” evening screenings. The movie opens wide on Friday, July 8.

Friday, July 8

The 47th annual Raymond Town Fair will start up at 5 p.m. this evening at Raymond Commons. Bingo starts at 5 p.m. under the tent, live music starts at 6 p.m. and the firemen’s parade starts at 7 p.m. The fair continues through Saturday, July 10, and will include a silent auction, fireworks and sack races. For more information, contact the organizers at raymondnhtownfair@gmail.com or find the event on Facebook.

Saturday, July 9

The Warner Historical Society is hosting playwright Eugenie Carabatsos for a staged reading of her short play Seven Minutes in Heaven at Warner Town Hall (5 E. Main St. inWarner) at 7 p.m. Tickets cost $10. Carabatsos, a professor at Dartmouth, is the first author presenting in this summer’s Tory Hill Authors series. Visit toryhillauthorsseries.com.

Saturday, July 9

The craft beer festival Keep NH Brewing is back (after a two-year hiatus) at Kiwanis Waterfront Park, 15 Loudon Road, Concord (see Matt Ingersoll’s story on page 26 in the June 30 edition of The Hippo; find the e-edition at hippopress.com). The event, which will run from 1 to 5 p.m., features more than 130 brewers from across the Granite State, plus vendors and music. The event is limited to adults age 21 and older. Tickets are $50 in advance, $55 day of, and $65 for VIP. Visit nhbrewers.org

Saturday, July 9

Catch the band Alligator Wine at the Millyard Brewery (25 E. Otterson St. in Nashua) tonight from 6 to 8 p.m. (music on the patio, weather permitting). Find more live music at more area patios (and inside breweries and restaurants), in the Music This Week listing, which starts on page 38.

Tuesday, July 12

As part of the Literary in the Lounge series, Tom Perrotta will read from his new novel, Tracy Flick Can’t Win, at the newly renamed Music Hall Lounge (131 Congress St. in Portsmouth) at 7 p.m. The book follows Tracy, a character from Perrotta’s 1998 novel Election, and how her life has changed since she was in high school. Tickets cost $44 and will include a hardcover signed copy of the book, an author discussion, Q-and-A session and post-show meet-and-greet. See themusichall.org. The space, which was formerly known as “The Loft” is a 116-seat venue and is slated to reopen July 7 with comedy by Pat McGann.

Save the Date! Thursday, August 11
The Manchester International Film Festival will run from Thursday, Aug. 11, through Sunday, Aug. 14, at the Palace Theatre (80 Hanover St.) and the Rex Theatre (23 Hanover St.). The film festival will show movies made by independent filmmakers, directors and performers. Film listings are still being announced but so far they include the short film For Pins, the and horror film An American Werewolf in London, which will have a podcast taping with Southern New Hampshire University film professors after the showing. Call the box office at 668-5588 or purchase tickets online at palacetheatre.org/film.

Featured photo. Thor. Courtesy photo.

Quality of Life 22/07/07

Taking to the skies

The five baby peregrine falcons that hatched in late April and early May at the New Hampshire Audubon’s peregrine nest box atop the Brady Sullivan Tower in Manchester have fledged. According to the Audubon’s daily peregrine falcons log, the male baby named Colum was the first of the bunch to fledge on June 10, followed by female Cinquey and male Blue on June 11, female Colby on June 12 and female Clem on June 13. Peregrine falcon fledglings typically spend four to six weeks learning to hunt from their parents before migrating out of the area, while the peregrine parents tend to stay in the area year-round. As of June 24, all five have been accounted for and have been seen and photographed in the sky running hunting drills.

QOL score: +1

Comment:You can watch the falcons on the Audubon’s 24/7 high-definition livestream of the nest box on YouTube. Visit nhaudubon.org/conservation-2/peregrine-web-cam and click “Link to Camera 1 Live Stream.” QOL is watching papa peregrine on the livestream now, at 8:30 a.m. (Images of the baby peregrines posted on the Audubon’s daily peregrine falcons log on June 22.)

Teachers honored

More than 150 New Hampshire teachers and educators were presented with a Christa McAuliffe commemorative silver dollar coin to recognize the difference they’ve made in the lives of students, as part of an initiative started this fall by the SEE Science Center and Service Credit Union. According to a press release, the teachers were chosen by students, families, colleagues and administrators. The coins were awarded at the teachers’ respective schools during school board meetings and education award ceremonies held by the New Hampshire Department of Education and the NH Excellence in Education Awards.

QOL score: +1

Comment:The U.S. silver dollar exclusively minted in 2021 bears the inscription of Christa McAuliffe’s words, “I touch the future, I teach.”

Welcoming new citizens

This Fourth of July, New Hampshire celebrated its newest U.S. citizens at a citizenship ceremony held at Strawbery Banke in Portsmouth. According to WMUR, 71 people from 31 countries were sworn in during the first large citizenship ceremony held by the U.S. Federal Court for the District of New Hampshire since the pandemic began.

QOL score: +1

Comment: Many of the new citizens said the thing they are looking forward to doing most as a new citizen is voting in the next election, WMUR reported.

Cheers for good weather

Since QOL is always quick to complain about early snow or late snow or some other weather unpleasantness, it seems fair to recognize the good weather when we get it. Such as the weather we had over the long Fourth of July weekend, when the days offered plenty of fun-in-the-sun opportunities and both the evenings of July 3 and July 4 were clear and fireworks-friendly.

QOL score: +1

Comments: Downtown Manchester got fireworks both evenings with the city fireworks show wowing the audience on Sunday night and the “biggest fireworks show in Fisher Cats history” (according to a team press release) on Monday night after the game.

QOL score: 80

Net change: +4

QOL this week: 84

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

First-half Red Sox report

It’s time to chronicle what’s been a totally under-the-radar first half of the baseball season despite having some notable highs and, considering their horrid April, really low lows.

Let’s get to the annual first half Red Sox report.

Holy Cow Moment

Alex Cora went against type to let Nick Pivetta and Michael Wacha pitch actual complete games that each exceeded 100 pitches. Wacha’s was a three-hit shutout of Anaheim in early June. No word yet on whether the final balls were sent to Cooperstown for their Herculean feats.

The High Points

Middle of the Order: I was for signing Kyle Schwarber and trading J.D. Martinez, and with Schwarber having 23 homers and 50 RBI to J.D.’s 8 and 33 that would have been the right thing to do even if he’s hitting .217 in Philly. But with him hitting way over .300 all year, it’s hard to complain about J.D. With Xander Bogaerts and Raffy Devers being even better, it’s a great 3-4-5 middle of the order, occasionally wrecked when Devers bats second. Throw in Alex Verdugo’s 43 RBI and average-challenged Trevor Story’s team-leading 52 and 12 homers on either side of the first three and it’s a potent group.

Young Pitchers: It looks like they’ve found their close in Tanner Houck. He’s made 15 straight relief appearances since May 5, with the last 10 as the closer when they won all 10 and he got one win and eight saves and had an ERA of 1.54.

Personally, I wanted him to be the starter among their two best young pitchers and Garrett Whitlock the late-inning reliever. But Whitlock became a permanent starter in late April where, thanks to some ridiculous early yanks by Cora, he’s only 2-1. But the ERA is 2.05 as a starter and they’re 5-1 in his last six starts before going on the DL in June. Throw in Pivetta and that makes three emerging young guys to build the staff around going forward.

Do I Hear Four: A fourth may be Josh Winckowski. Bloom took a lot of flak when he traded Andrew Benintendi, especially after Franchy Cordero’s Dumpster-fire season. But getting Winckowski from the Mets was supposed to be the prize in the deal. While it’s too early to tell anything, it’s encouraging that in his four starts filling in for Whitlock and Nathan Eovaldi he’s 3-1 with a 3.60 ERA.

Chaim’s Best Trade: With being 19-13, with a spectacular, had-to-have-it extra-inning win over Tampa in the playoffs, since arriving in 2020 after being disappointing in Philly Nick Pivetta represents Chaim Bloom’s best trade/steal so far. This year it’s 8-5 with a 3.23 ERA.

Surprises and Miscalculations

Michael Wacha: Boy, did I get it wrong on him. I was thinking bargain-basement signing all the way. But at 6-1 with a 2.65 first-half ERA he’s exceeded all expectations in returning to the form he showed with the Cardinals at the start of his career.

What’s the Story? Despite a lower than usual average, no regrets on signing Trevor Story. The power numbers are there and his smooth transition to second base has helped the infield defense.

Not According to Plan: Bloom’s biggest miscalculation was thinking that after his solid final two months of 2021 Bobby Dalbec would evolve into a 30-homer guy to replace the power lost by sending Hunter Renfroe to Milwaukee last winter. Thus far it’s just 5 homers and 18 RBI for Bobby, who finally got over the Mendozza Line last week and is now splitting time with Cordero at first base.

A Little History: That walk-off grand slam by Cordero for an 8-4 win over Seattle in May was the first walk-off slam (as best I can remember) since Mo Vaughn also did it to the Mariners in the home opener in 1998.

To the stat geeks who think starters should face the order a third time: Seattle yanked Randy Johnson that day with a 5-2 lead after getting 15 strikeouts in 8 innings. They even scored two more runs before the Sox came up in the ninth. The stellar Mariners bullpen then let the Sox get it to 7-5 before Mo (money) came up to hit the slam for the 9-7 win. It’s a reminder that when you yank a starter who’s got it going on, you do so for the uncertainty of whether whoever comes out of the pen has their good stuff or not.

What’s To Come

Next Three Weeks: Their 16-5 streak in June came against the weaker teams, which has the naysayers saying they’ll come back to earth. But that’s what they said about the Celtics when they started to win all the time in January. So for me, I know you can only play who they tell you to play and I saw good things were happening as they did. Especially with the pitching. Which means they enter a critical stretch of 23 games (including losing the 2 of 3 from Toronto to start it) with the top three teams in the AL East and the White Sox with momentum.

Chris Sale: Who knows what they’ll get from him? Could be a big boost or a nothing burger. So instead of predicting I’ll be like Yogi Berra when his wife asked him where he wanted to be buried and he answered surprise me, as I let it play out.

Rumor Mill: The ones on Bogaerts being traded at the deadline have died out completely. Beyond that, crickets.

Help Wanted — Or Is It Needed: I don’t trust anyone in the bullpen beyond Houck, especially Ryan Brasier and Matt Barnes, so they need to add one, maybe two difference-makers.

Prediction: With bullpen help, the winning continues with a spot in the play-in game looming.

Next week, a look at all of MLB.

Email Dave Long at dlong@hippopress.com.

Choose to refuse

New Hampshire goes plastic-free for July

The Plastics Working Group, one of the specialized action groups in the New Hampshire Environment, Energy and Climate Network, has challenged New Hampshire to take part in the international Plastic Free July initiative this month. Cindy Heath, the original convener of the Plastics Working Group, talked about how people can take the pledge and why it’s so important.

What is Plastic Free July?

Plastic Free July was an international campaign founded in Australia. It is a pledge format where individuals and businesses and organizations can pledge to strive for a plastic-free July. The intention is to raise awareness and help discover alternatives to using plastic in our everyday lives … and we also want to help build momentum for future legislation that supports plastic waste reduction. … You can join us as an individual or as part of an organization, business or community, and you can take one action or more than one.

What are some actions that communities can take to engage with the initiative?

They should start by going to the Plastic Free July website, plasticfreejuly.org, which has many, many pages of resources. A proclamation with their town select board is a possibility, just declaring the importance of plastic waste reduction and the commitment to try to have a plastic-free July. There are opportunities to do things like picnics, library displays … showing what alternatives there are to using plastics in your everyday life. I already know that the communities in Hopkinton and Dover are going to be doing some library displays with education around plastic waste, and we’re going to be hosting a plastic-free picnic in Cornish on July 16, so communities are engaging in different ways.

What are some things that individuals can do to go plastic-free in their day-to-day lives?

Individuals can take the pledge and learn about how to do things like bring a cloth bag to the grocery store instead of using the plastic bags that are provided; refuse to purchase vegetables that are being sold packaged in plastic clamshell containers; refuse to buy beverages in plastic bottles; refuse plastic [utensils] and Styrofoam takeout containers when they go out to eat, or request alternatives. … Before plastic was invented, we all found ways to have a picnic, order takeout food from a restaurant and not use plastic bags.

In what ways are plastics harmful?

The concern that we’re trying to raise awareness about is not only the environmental impacts of plastic production; it’s also the human health and animal health impacts of plastic waste. The Plastic Free July website has a number of facts around the volume of plastics that goes into our oceans and how microplastics end up in our food through the food chain, because marine animals eat plastic thinking it’s food, and then the food chain progresses and it ends up in our food. Plastic particles have even been discovered in human placenta. It’s a human health concern as well as an environmental concern, and we’re just hoping that people will understand the health and environmental impacts of plastic.

What kinds of progress has New Hampshire made with reducing plastics so far?

We’ve had several communities host a screening of a film called Microplastic Madness, which is about fifth-graders in New York who are able to, over a two-year period, help New York City, and then New York State, ban Styrofoam use in schools and in restaurants for takeout. We have community members who are working with local restaurants to try to develop an ocean-friendly designation through Surfrider, which is another organization … working specifically on helping restaurants choose alternatives to plastic and styrofoam takeout [materials]. Then, in the infrastructure realm, there are changes that a number of our communities have initiated, things like recycling systems and doing waste audits at schools. In Bristol, they held a sustainability fair in May to raise awareness about plastic film recycling. In Claremont, they’re working on collecting styrofoam for recycling. In Gilford, they’ve just taken delivery of the first Styrofoam densifier in New Hampshire and will begin accepting Styrofoam for recycling shortly.

How can individuals get their cities and towns to commit to more plastic-free practices?

They can go to our Ten Towns Actions Toolkit website, 10towns.org. On the homepage, there’s a box at the top that says “Join Us and Take Action,” which will lead people to a form to complete. Then, one of our members will get in touch with them to help them get started.

Featured photo: Cindy Heath. Courtesy photo.

News & Notes 22/07/07

Covid-19 update Last weekThis week
Total cases statewide 331,496 (as of June 27) 332,120 (as of June 30)
Total current infections statewide 1,906 (as of June 23)2,016 (as of June 30)
Total deaths statewide2,576 (announced June 27)2,585 (announced June 30)
New cases 1,434 (June 16 to June 22)1,671 (June 23 to June 29)
Current infections: Hillsborough County 939 (as of June 27)921 (as of June 30)
Current infections: Merrimack County316 (as of June 27)333 (as of June 30)
Current infections: Rockingham County682 (as of June 27)658 (as of June 30)
Information from the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services.

Bill signings

Gov. Chris Sununu signed 39 bills into law on July 1, including SB 422, which establishes an adult dental benefit under the state Medicaid program, according to a press release from the governor’s office. Other bills include an act about health care visitation policies (HB 1439), an act related to special education services for kids in chartered public schools (SB 238), an act establishing an office of the advocate for special education (SB 381) and a bill that seeks to protect vulnerable adults from financial exploitation (SB 385), the release said.

Rising fentanyl dangers

Gov. Chris Sununu, State Police Colonel Nathan Noyes, American Medical Response Regional Director Chris Stawasz, Concord Hospital President and CEO Bob Steigmeyer, and Concord Hospital Emergency Department Medical Director Dr. Nicholas Larochelle held a press conference at Concord Hospital on June 30 to raise awareness about the rising dangers of fentanyl being added to other substances, according to WMUR. While fentanyl has been known to be routinely mixed with heroin, Gov. Sununu and law enforcement and health officials warned that there has been a recent trend of fentanyl being mixed with non-opioid drugs, including cocaine, methamphetamine, marijuana and prescription drugs and being put into vape cartridges. “We’re seeing a whole new mix and integration of these very dangerous and deadly drugs being mixed in with more recreational activities, whether it’s vaping, whether it’s marijuana,” Sununu said according to the WMUR.

New prescription opioid strike force

The Justice Department’s Criminal Division announced in a press release the formation of the New England Prescription Opioid Strike Force, a joint effort between law enforcement, the Health Care Fraud Unit in the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section, the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices for three federal districts and law enforcement partners in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of the Inspector General (HHS-OIG), U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and FBI. The new force will focus on combating unlawful prescribing by identifying and investigating health care fraud schemes and drug diversion offenses by physicians, pharmacists and other medical professionals in the New England region and prosecuting those and other individuals involved in the illegal distribution of prescription opioids and other prescription controlled substances. “The formation of NEPO presents a tremendous opportunity for our three Northern New England states to disrupt the illegal prescription and distribution of opioids,”U.S. Attorney Jane E. Young for the District of New Hampshire said in the release.

First probable case of monkeypox

The New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services announced in a press release that it has identified what it believes to be the first probable case of monkeypox in the state. The New Hampshire Public Health Laboratories conducted the initial testing of the patient, who is a resident of Rockingham County. DHHS is currently conducting an investigation to determine if any other individuals were exposed and infected. “While this is a concerning development, the risk to the general public is very low,” Dr. Jonathan Ballard, DHHS Chief Medical Officer, said in the release. Monkeypox is a rare disease caused by a virus that is categorized in the same group as the smallpox virus. Symptoms may include fever, headache, exhaustion, muscle aches, sore throat, cough, swollen lymph nodes and a skin rash and may last for two to four weeks. Transmission typically requires close interaction or physical contact. Anyone experiencing symptoms, particularly a new skin rash or skin lesions, should consult their health care provider.

Blue-green algae dangers

Potentially toxic cyanobacteria has been blooming more frequently in New Hampshire, according to a press release from the Lake Winnipesaukee Association. Often referred to as blue-green algae, the waterbody organisms are needed for the health and growth of many native plants, but can produce toxins that are dangerous to humans and animals, particularly affecting the nervous, liver and endocrine systems, if ingested in large quantities. The Lake Winnipesaukee Association, joined by the Moultonborough Conservation Commission and UNH Lakes Lay Monitoring Program, will hold an informational session on Tuesday, July 12, at 3 p.m. at the Moultonborough Public Library. Anyone who sees an algae bloom or water quality issue is asked to report it to the Lake Winnipesaukee Association at 581-6632 or mail@winnipesaukee.org.

Rock blasting operations will begin on the F.E. Everett Turnpike in Bedford, on the northbound barrel just south of the I-293 interchange, on Thursday, July 7, the New Hampshire Department of Transportation announced. According to a press release, what that means for drivers is rolling road blocks intermittently on weekdays between the hours of 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. for the next several months.

The 2022 summer concert series at Stark Park in Manchester (650 River Road) kicks off with a performance by Love Dogs on Sunday, July 10, from 2 to 4 p.m. The Boston-based seven-piece band plays music with elements of jump blues, New Orleans R&B and early rock ’n’ roll. See starkpark.com/events for the full schedule.

AARP New Hampshire has announced the recipients of four 2022 Community Challenge grants, one of which is Hillsborough Community Center, which will use the funds to create a new welcoming and relaxing space with a small garden for older adults. The grants are awarded for quick-action projects with long-term impacts that improve quality of life in New Hampshire communities, particularly for adults over the age of 50.

This Week 22/06/30

Big Events June 30, 2022 and beyond

Thursday, June 30

Bedford’s Family Concerts in the Park starts today at 6 p.m. at the Bedford Village Park Gazebo (off Bell Hill Road) with a performance by the Manchester Community Music School. The concert series continues with performances on Wednesdays and will run until Aug. 10. On Wednesday, July 6, catch Sixties Invasion (pictured, playing the music of the 1960s). The music will range from New Orleans jazz to rock, doo-wop, country, folk and other genres. Concerts are free to attend and bringing a lawn chairs or blankets (and a picnic dinner) is encouraged. bedfordnh.myrec.com.

Friday, July 1

The New Hampshire Boat Museum (399 Center St., Wolfeboro, nhbm.org, 569-4554) will be giving a Free Admission Day today because it will be closed for the Fourth of July. The current exhibits are “Letting Off Steam: Escaping to New Hampshire during the Golden Age of Steam” and “Who’s in the Boat? A Look at the History of the Sport of Rowing.”

Friday, July 1

Communities across the Granite State are doing Readings of Frederick Douglass’s Essay “What to the Slave is the Fourth of July?” The readings will all be taking place at noon today at Congregational Church of Amherst; Eagle Square in Concord; Dover Public LIbrary; Exeter Town Hall; Hopkinton Town Hall; Manchester City Hall Plaza; Nashua Library Gardens; Teixeira Park (Union Street, Peterborough); Strawbery Banke (Portsmouth); Rochester Performance & Art Center, Colonel Paul Wentworth House (Rochester), and Warner Town Hall. See blackheritagetrailnh.org/frederick-douglass-statewide-readings or call 570-8469.

Tuesday, July 5

Dover Public Library is giving Granite Staters a way to track down their heritage with a Genealogy Class beginning today at 6:30 p.m. The library welcomes everyone, experienced genealogists or newcomers, from across the state for free classes. Contact Anne Nelson at a.nelson@dover.nh.gov or call the library at 516-6050 for more information.

Wednesday, July 6

The Courtyard by Marriott (70 Constitution Ave.in Concord) is taking advantage of its patio with a nine-week lineup of live Music on the Patio, starting on July 6 with April Cushman. The music will play from 5 to 7 p.m. The series is free for anyone to enjoy. Find more live music on area decks in the Music This Week listing, which starts on page 34.

Thursday, July 7

Van Otis Chocolates is holding a Chocolate Happy Hour at its Manchester location (341 Elm St., vanotis.com, 627-1611) for chocoholics age 21 and older. Participants will get a tour of the chocolate factory and make their own special chocolate bark. Guests are invited to bring a bottle of wine to enjoy while they whip up their chocolate creations. Tickets are $45 per person and can be purchased on Eventbrite at eventbrite.com/o/van-otis-chocolates-15034673134.

Save the Date! Friday, July 15
Nashua’s Parks and Recreation department is starting Pics in the Park with a showing of Jurassic Park (PG-13, 1993) at dusk at Greeley Park (100 Concord St.). The movie will be shown on a screen in front of the bandshell and is free to attend.

Featured photo. 60s Invasion. Courtesy photo.

Quality of Life 22/06/30

Free women’s hygiene products

A free women’s hygiene cabinet, organized by United Way of Greater Nashua and Girls Inc., has been set up outside of the Girls Inc. facility on Burke Street in Nashua. The cabinet, known as “Rosie’s Pantry,” is open during the club’s open hours, weather permitting, to distribute free women’s hygiene products to anyone who needs them. United Way of Greater Nashua volunteers will be outside Hannaford in Nashua on the second Sunday of every month from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., to collect donated products for the cabinet, according to a press release.

QOL score: +1

Comment: The cabinet features a depiction of Rosie the Riveter painted by student artist Isabella Zayas in collaboration with Manchester-based public art organization Arts Build Community.

Native plant globally extinct

The smooth slender crabgrass has been confirmed by the New Hampshire Natural Heritage Bureau to be globally extinct, making it the first documented plant extinction in New Hampshire and the fifth documented plant extinction in New England since European settlers arrived, according to a press release from the New Hampshire Department of Natural and Cultural Resources. The plant was native to New Hampshire and only existed at Rock Rimmon Park in Manchester. The confirmation of extinction was pending studies of a similar plant growing in Mexico and Venezuela, but that plant was recently determined not to be smooth slender crabgrass.

QOL score: -2

Comment: The smooth slender crabgrass is one of five rare plant species that used to grow in Rock Rimmon Park that are no longer there due to human activity, the press release said.

NH is the July 4 state

A recent WalletHub study ranked New Hampshire the ninth most patriotic state in the U.S. The study looked at 13 criteria, including the number of active duty military personnel, veterans, AmeriCorps volunteers and Peace Corps volunteers; civic engagement; community volunteer work; grand jury and trial participation and more. New Hampshire made the top 10 for three criteria, including Peace Corps volunteers per capita (7th), percentage of adults who voted in the 2020 presidential election (4th) and U.S. history or civics education requirements (1st).

QOL score: +1

Comment: Vermont is the only other New England state that made the top 10, coming in just above New Hampshire in 8th.

Gas prices are down again

The average price of gasoline in New Hampshire went down by 8 cents per gallon last week, averaging $4.86 per gallon as of June 27, according to a GasBuddy price report. The data is based on a survey of 875 gas stations throughout the state. Prices are still 20.2 cents per gallon higher than a month ago and $1.91 higher than a year ago. The national average price of diesel is currently at $5.80 per gallon, the report said.

QOL Score: +1

Comment: The price was down by 3.7 cents per gallon the week of June 20; here’s hoping the trend continues…

QOL score: 79

Net change: +1

QOL this week: 80

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

A catch-up day

Many things have collected dust while we’ve been following the Celtics playoff run. It’s time to dust them off, with extra attention to some recent back-in-the-day stuff

Just so you know, I will not believe anything about how improved the Pats defense will be or the draftees are until I see it for myself.

I admit, though, I’m hoping Malcolm Butler has a great return season. I never liked how it ended here for the author of the greatest play in team history (tied with Adam V’s kick in the snow) and hero of SB win No. 5.

Dan Patrick is the best interviewer in sports. He asks real questions while showing his fandom at the same time and it’s always fun. Like with Kareem Abdul-Jabbar in his George Foreman good-guy third act of life, the ones with the big fella are fun and interesting. Plus he loves Larry Bird trash talking stories.

The NFL Network just named its Top 3 Defensive Players of All-Time:

Lawrence Taylor: Deserved. Not only was LT a dominating, scary and destructive force, he also changed how his position was played. And his DC in NYC concurs.

Reggie White: I’m a no on Reggie. Great player, but always thought he was given a little too much credit for what he actually did. Guys like Dick Butkus and Deacon Jones dominated more and Deacon’s teammate Merlin Olsen made 16 straight Pro Bowls playing on better defenses than Reggie was ever on.

Deion Sanders: It is downright laughable the Kyrie Irving of football is in this trio. They say he shut down half the field with his coverage skills. Maybe, for a time, but the guy didn’t hit in either of the pro sports he played. Forget all positions, here are five cornerbacks who were better: Rod Woodson, Night Train Lane, Darrelle Revis, Darrell Green and Ty Law, not to mention Ray Lewis, Mean Joe Greene, Aaron Donald, and about five guys on Lombardi’s Packers.

In the merchandise era there are many stupid-looking uniforms out there. And while this may be a get off my lawn moment, I hate the Red Sox “city editions” worst of all. How does yellow and pastel blue have anything to do with Boston or the Red Sox? The Sox’ dumbest choice since making Bobby Valentine the manager.

If the rumor floating around is true Kevin Durant is not communicating with the Nets front office because “he’s frustrated” with them for not getting to know and “understanding” Kyrie Irving, it says his/their sense of entitlement now outweighs their talent and I’d dump both. Hope it’s not true, as I always liked KD. But seems like it may be.

That makes the trade rumor Miami is willing to give up Bam Adebayo and Tyler Herro for Durant a little more interesting. With Durant turning 34 in September, it’s yes if I’m Brooklyn. But with team prez Pat Riley 77, he’s likely in “win now” mode so maybe.

I like Mad Dog Russo probably more than most, but with Lombardi’s Packers second and the Bradshaw Steelers third, the Top 5 Sports Dynasty Teams recently listed on Stephen A’s show was nuts. Both won less and didn’t last as long as the Patriots or Montana/Young 49ers. Not to mention the Celtics, Lakers and Montreal Canadiens.

For the record here are my Top 5 (which values long time at the top over the burst of a short-term great team that disappeared when the best guys got old like GB and Pitt): (1) Yankees, (2) Montreal, (3) Lakers, (4) Celtics and (5) Patriots, while acknowledging the 49ers’ run was cut short by the advent of the salary cap, which clobbered a team put together under different rules.

I’ll also take the Tom Landry/Jimmy Johnson Cowboys over GB.

Staying back in the day for a second. I just saw the fourth quarter of Bill Russell’s last title win in Game 7 in the 1969 Final on YouTube and was astonished how badly it’s been reported for history. First, the high bounding and fall-through-the-rim foul line jumper by Don Nelson was not the winning bucket as it’s been made out to be for decades. The final points came on foul shots by John Havlicek and Larry Siegfried. Second, I’ve never heard mention the Celtics blew a 17-point fourth-quarter lead before winning in the end. Third, while the score was 108-106 the C’s had a six-point lead with 10 seconds left and the last L.A. basket came as time expired, so it wasn’t as close as made out to be. And for Russo and the rest of the mis-remember folks who think the NBA was better back in the day because of their fundamentals: I didn’t see one box out the whole fourth quarter. Oh, and L.A. was 28 for 47 (Wilt 4-13) from the line in a two-point loss

If WNBA’er Brittany Griner is a political prisoner in reprisal for sanctions against Russian for its unprovoked attack on Ukraine, doesn’t that make “free Brittany” rallies counterproductive? Because the noise gives Vladimir Putin what he wants — attention.

I get the protests about the money coming from the sinister Saudi Arabia government and it does look like Greg Norman has been bought and paid for. But an entity challenging the PGA like the LIV tour being bad for golf? That’s what they said about the AFL and the ABA and it was just the opposite.

Personally I don’t follow the Bruins enough to give an informed opinion on whether Bruce Cassidy should have been fired as coach. But I did notice mild-mannered Boston Globe hockey writer Kevin Paul Dupont calling it a scapegoating by GM Don Sweeney and President Cam Neely after not getting enough good players to make the B’s more competitive. Since I can’t recall KPD ever being overreactionary or a blamer, what he says makes me wonder.

We’ll get to the surging Red Sox next week.

Email Dave Long at dlong@hippopress.com.

Culture contribution

Franco-American Centre names Franco-American of the Year

Meet Timothy Beaulieu, the winner of the Franco-American Centre’s 2022 Franco-American of the Year Award.

When did you first start exploring your Franco-American heritage?

I grew up away from the culture and the language. I grew up like any American kid did; I just happened to have the funny last name. I didn’t really know too much about our Franco-American heritage, where we came from or what our traditions were until I got older, when my grandfather just started kind of unloading on me. … Then, I thought it would be something cool to promote and grow.

What has been your involvement with the Franco-American Centre?

I started volunteering for the Franco-American Centre back in 2014, and I have done a bunch of stuff for them. I ran their program committee for a few years. I created their YouTube channel, and then we created the first French-language YouTube contest that we’d seen in New England, the Euclide Gilbert Foundation French language video contest. I was on the Board of Trustees for six years. My pet project, which I started in 2015, is PoutineFest. I still run PoutineFest today.

How did you start volunteering for them?

I was looking for a nonprofit organization I could get involved with that was tied to my Franco-American heritage. There aren’t a heck of a lot left. Then, I found the Franco-American Centre. They seemed to have to have a presence, so I thought it’d be really cool to get involved. The thing I liked about the Franco-American Centre is that they’re willing to look at things that are new and not just do things that are old.

What is the Franco-American of the Year Award?

The Franco-American Centre picks someone who has done volunteer work and such in the Franco-American community. … I was pleasantly surprised that they picked me; I didn’t expect them to because I didn’t really grow up in the Franco-American community … but [the winner] doesn’t have to be a Franco-American; it can be anyone who has been involved in the Franco-American culture and language … so it’s cool that they picked me, someone who grew up away from the culture and then came back to it.

What are you up to now?

I’m planning the next PoutineFest for October. That is my primary focus. I think PoutineFest can help make some money for the Franco-American Centre and bring the culture back and make people more aware that you can’t throw a rock without hitting someone with a French name in Manchester or Nashua. It would be cool to see New Hampshire really lean into that heritage more and do more with it.

What do you want people to know about Franco-American culture in New Hampshire?

It’s crazy to think that Montreal is only four hours from here — I mean, Quebec is really almost part of the New England region; the border is right there — and New Hampshire has so many Franco-Americans or French-Canadians, and still, we don’t teach the language in many schools. It seems like I am always hearing about another French program getting cut. It would be really cool if we could bring the language and some of the culture back and make those connections with Quebec again. There doesn’t need to be a barrier; it doesn’t need to be shut off.

Featured photo: Timothy Beaulieu and family. Courtesy photo.

News & Notes 22/06/30

Covid-19 update Last weekThis week
Total cases statewide 330,116 (as of June 20) 331,496 (as of June 27)
Total current infections statewide 2,270 (as of June 16)1,906 (as of June 23)
Total deaths statewide2,570 (as of June 20)2,576 (announced June 27)
New cases 1,282 (June 14 to June 201,434 (June 16 to June 22)
Current infections: Hillsborough County 965 (as of June 20)939 (as of June 27)
Current infections: Merrimack County294 (as of June 20)316 (as of June 27)
Current infections: Rockingham County764 (as of June 20)682 (as of June 27)
Information from the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services.

Energy costs relief

Gov. Chris Sununu, along with legislative leaders and the New Hampshire Department of Energy, has announced a New Hampshire Emergency Energy Relief Program in response to the nationwide increase in energy costs. According to a press release from the Office of the Governor, the program will include $7.5 million in assistance to help 24,000 low-income families with the costs of cooling their homes during the summer; $7 million for the Electric Assistance Program, which provides assistance with energy costs on a tiered scale to households making less than 60 percent of the median household income; and $60 million to provide $100 bill credits to nearly every residential electric bill ratepayer in the state.

Pediatric Covid vaccine informative video

Dartmouth Health Children’s has created a video to inform the public about pediatric Covid vaccines. In the video, Susanne E. Tanski, MD, MPH, section chief of general pediatrics at Dartmouth Health Children’s, discusses the new emergency use authorization for Covid vaccines for children as young as six months old and answers commonly asked questions. “There are 19 million children who are six months to four years old who have not yet had access to this vaccine,” Tanski said in a press release. “This is a moment we have been waiting for.” Darmouth Health Children’s locations are booking pediatric vaccination appointments now, according to the release.

Applications open for Moose Plate grants

The New Hampshire State Conservation Committee is now accepting applications for 2023 Conservation Moose Plate Grants. Eligible grant applicants include municipalities, County Conservation Districts, nonprofit organizations engaged in conservation programs, public and private K-12 schools, County Cooperative Extension natural resource programs and scout groups that promote and support efforts to protect, restore and enhance the state’s natural and agricultural resources, and provide conservation leadership and guidance. Grant application information can be found on the New Hampshire State Conservation Committee website, scc.nh.gov. Applications are due on Sept. 9, and the grants will be announced in December and available to use in July 2023. The grants are made possible by funds raised through the sales of conservation license plates, known as Moose Plates. New Hampshire residents can purchase Moose Plates year-round at mooseplate.com.

Updates on new forensic psychiatric hospital

The New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services, Department of Administrative Services and New Hampshire Hospital officials will hold the fourth public information session on a proposed forensic psychiatric hospital on Thursday, June 30, at 6 p.m. According to a press release from DHHS, the 24-bed secure facility will be built adjacent to New Hampshire Hospital, a psychiatric hospital located on Clinton Street in Concord, and will provide safe, skilled and therapeutic psychiatric treatment for forensic patients. The information session, which will specifically cover design updates for the new facility, will be held virtually over Zoom, accessible at nh-dhhs.zoom.us.

NH Retail Association president to retire

Nancy C. Kyle, president and CEO of the New Hampshire Retail Association, will retire at the end of 2022 after a 28-year tenure with the Association, according to a press release. Kyle has a long list of achievements. In 2020, during the pandemic, Gov. Chris Sununu appointed her to the Re-opening Task Force, where she was pivotal in helping retailers adapt to the new restrictions and stay in business.

The Association’s board of directors have selected the Retail Association of Maine to provide full association management to the NH Retail Association, the release said. Curtis Picard, the president and CEO of the Retail Association of Maine, will become president and CEO of the New Hampshire Retail Association when Kyle officially retires, according to the release.

“I have thoroughly enjoyed my tenure at the Retail Association, and wanted to make sure that when I left, the Association was in good hands,” Kyle said in the press release. “I’ve known Curtis for 15 years, and there is no other person I would even consider handing our Association over to.”

Hundreds of people gathered last weekend in Manchester, Concord and other New Hampshire cities and towns to protest the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling overturning Roe v. Wade, according to NHPR. The rallies were organized by Planned Parenthood New Hampshire Action Fund and other abortion rights activists and reproductive health care providers. A small group of anti-abortion activists also gathered in Manchester to celebrate the ruling, the report said.

A New Hampshire Historical Highway Marker has been installed in Raymond near the intersection of New Hampshire Routes 27 and 156 to commemorate the invention of chain link fencing technology by a Raymond resident Frank J. Mafera in 1930. The marker reads “CHAIN LINK FENCE INNOVATION” and includes a brief history of the fencing.

The United Way of Greater Nashua is looking for more than 100 volunteers to help distribute free school breakfasts and lunches to elementary school students in the Nashua School District. According to a press release, the meals, provided by the school cafeterias, will be distributed on at least one weekday per week from July 5 through Aug. 5 outside of five elementary schools. Register at volunteergreaternashua.org or call 438-2173 or email info@unitedwaynashua.org.

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