News – Page 49

This Week 23/09/21

Big Events September 21, 2023 and beyond

Thursday, Sept. 21
It’s the final weekend to go somewhere over the rainbow at The Palace Theatre (80 Hanover St., Manchester, palacetheatre.org, 668-5588) with its mainstage production of The Wizard of Oz, which runs through Sept. 24 with shows today and Friday at 7:30 p.m., Saturday at 2 and 7:30 p.m., and Sunday at 2 p.m. Tickets cost $28 to $49.

Friday, Sept. 22
Meanwhile, it’s opening weekend for the Milford Area Players’ The House on Haunted Hill at the Amato Center for the Performing Arts (56 Mont Vernon St., Milford), which runs today through Oct. 1, with showtimes on Friday and Saturday at 7:30 p.m., and Sunday at 2 p.m. Tickets cost $15 for adults and $10 for students/ seniors. Visit milfordareaplayers.org.

Friday, Sept. 22
The Majestic Theatre (880 Page St. in Manchester; majestictheatre.net, 669-7649) presents Great Gatsby, its 18th annual auction and performance fundraiser, today and Saturday, Sept. 23, starting at 6:30 p.m. The event features performances from Majestic’s ensemble, musicians and special guests. Attendees can participate in themed raffles and silent auctions that include art passes, electronics, restaurant vouchers and unique artwork. Refreshments will be served. Tickets cost $20 per person.

Saturday, Sept. 23
The Great New Hampshire Pie Festival will take place at the New Hampshire Farm Museum (1305 White Mountain Hwy. in Milton; nhfarmmuseum.org) today from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission costs $15 ($6 for kids 12 and under). Local bakeries will have pies for sampling while local pie makers will compete in a pie contest. The day will also feature a pie crust rolling demonstration, a raffle, a silent auction, tractor rides, visits with the animals, tours of historic buildings and live music from Lance Maclean and the Moose Mountain String Band.

Sunday, Sept. 24
Mt. Kearsarge Indian Museum (18 Highlawn Road in Warner; indianmuseum.org, 456- 2600) will hold its annual Harvest Moon Festival today from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The day will feature nature presentations, hands-on crafts, food for sale, storytelling at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. and more, according to the website. Tickets in advance cost $11 for adults, $10 for seniors/students/veterans and $8 for ages 6 to 12 ($1 more each at the door), with a $35 family admission (two adults and three children). Tickets include admission to the museum.

Sunday, Sept. 24
Catch the show “The Living Forest: Uyra” on its final day on display at Currier Museum of Art (150 Ash St. in Manchester; currier.org, 669-6144). The exhibition features photographs and videos encompassing the works of the artist Uýra. The Currier is open Wednesday and Friday through Sunday, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Thursday, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. (with Art After Work, when admission is free, from 5 to 8 p.m.). Admission costs $20 for adults, $15 for seniors and students, $5 for youth ages 13 through 17 and is free for children under age 13.

Save the Date! Saturday, Nov. 4
New Hampshire’s own Seth Meyers will bring the laughs to the SNHU Arena (555 Elm St. in Manchester; snhuarena.com, 644-5000) on Saturday, Nov. 4, with a show at 8 p.m. Tickets, which benefit CASA of NH and Granite State Children’s Alliance, cost $105 through $255.

Featured photo: Courtesy photo.

Bloom is off the rose

The Big Story – Red Sox Fire Chaim Bloom: That’s all she wrote for Bloom as general manager of your Boston Red Sox. The end came for the stat-loving New Age GM with his badly constructed defense-deficient team in the midst of a free-falling 1-6 week.

It was met with “scapegoating” chatter in some quarters. But when a team finishes in last place three times in four years on the job, as it appears the Sox will, someone’s head usually rolls.

So for the fourth time in 12 years John Henry’s team is again at a crossroads as it begins a search to find yet another head of baseball operations.

Sports 101: Who are the only defensive players to score touchdowns as an offensive player in the Super Bowl?

News Item – Must-Win Game Ahead For Patriots: Hard to believe that could be the case for a Week 3 game. But when you lose a season’s first two games at home and in Week 4 you’re facing the rampaging Cowboys in Dallas after they’ve outscored their first two opponents 70-10 that is the case. Especially after consecutive confidence-sapping losses when the Pats were unable to finish off the kind of comeback-winning drives they did for 20 years with a different QB under center. All of which means Sunday vs. the Aaron Rodgers-less Jets is a must-win, or the “Bill Belichick on the hot seat” chatter goes on full blast.

Thumbs Up – New NBA Load Management Rules: To the NBA brass for saving fans from their sissy players and/or imperial coaches for enacting rules and fines regarding how and when teams can rest star players. It protects people who drop big money to see a star player in his only time in their town from the whims of coaches like Gregg Popovich who treat fans paying the freight like they don’t matter.

Thumbs Down – Aaron Rodgers Injury: I’m not a fan of the Jets, or of Rodgers for that matter. But seeing him go down four snaps into the season is a bummer. Thought his arrival in NJ gave extra juice to the AFC East and I was looking forward to seeing how it all would turn out. Instead, four snaps. Booo.

News Item – Who’s Hot: In the 317 at-bats since Sox rookie Triston Casas left April behind hitting .133, he has hit .297 with 21 homers and 61 RBI to raise the overall totals to 24–64–.263.

The Numbers:
.081 – according to Pete Abraham of the Boston Globe the Red Sox batting average (5 for 61) last week with runners in scoring position when they won once in seven games.
2 – field goals that doinked off the left upright and in during NFL Week 1 where Buffalo’s sent it to OT vs. NY and Philadelphia’s helped send Patriot Nation home 25-20 losers.
3 – interceptions by Jordan Whitehead for the Jets on Monday Night Football vs. Buffalo, which is more than he had in any entire season during his four-year NFL career.

… Of the Week Awards
Why Can’t We Get Guys Like That Award – tie:
Nelson Agholor: Had five catches for 62 yards for his new team and scored the TD that iced the Ravens’ 27-24 over the Bengals.
Nick Folk: Kicked a 41-yard FG in OT to give Tennessee a 27-24 over San Diego, er, L.A. to snap an eight-game Titans winless streak.

Random Thoughts:
Blindly going for it on fourth and short because the analytics say do it is dumb. Sorry, circumstances like score, time left and distance should be taken into account.
With all those layoffs at ESPN how is it that attention-seeking, rarely right blowhard Rex Ryan survived and the superior Jeff Van Gundy didn’t?

Sports 101 Answer: Both times it happened in games the Patriots were in. First as Refrigerator Perry plowed through their short-yardage defense when the Bear annihilated them 46-10 in SB 20, and Mike Vrabel did it twice as a short yardage tight end vs. Carolina and Philadelphia in their second and third SB wins.

Final Thought: Blame, blame, blame. That’s the game being played by Red Sox owner John Henry in firing Bloom as his GM. Done more so to head off a box office fan revolt rather than to face the real problem. Many say Bloom was just doing as he was told and the product reflected that. But as Evita Peron says, don’t cry for me, Argentina. The $180 million payroll he had was double what Baltimore and Tampa Bay have and they’re both 20 games up in the standings. Sorry, he couldn’t judge talent and his beloved analytics rarely see beyond the numbers to let the pieces of a team fit together.

But the real problem is the owner. He’s checked out. And that’s led to a passionless, indecisive leadership that only cares about ticket sales and ratings at NESN.

It all adds up to this: Henry should sell the team to preserve the legacy he earned over his first 15 years as the best owner in team history.

Email Dave Long at [email protected].

Quality of Life 23/09/21

Animals needing shelter

In just a few weeks the Animal Rescue League of New Hampshire (ARLNH) has faced an overwhelming surge of animals, including 15 animals from a home in Bedford, 24 cats from a home in Merrimack and 15 cats from a home in Colebrook, with an additional 26 animals coming to the shelter individually. According to a press release, ARLNH is now grappling with resource strains due to this influx. As the number of animals in its care continues to fluctuate, ARLNH notes the overall growing demand for shelter services and longer stays for animals.

QOL score: -2
Comment: Donations can be made at rescueleague.org.

More Wi-Fi

Delta Dental Stadium, home to the New Hampshire Fisher Cats, the Double-A affiliate of the Toronto Blue Jays, now has free Wi-Fi for spectators. According to a press release, this upgrade was facilitated through a collaboration with Consolidated Communications, equipping the stadium with Fidium Fiber Internet service and high-performance equipment.

QOL score: +1
Comment: The Wi-Fi addition joins a series of upgrades at the stadium, including infrastructural enhancements and facility renovations, according to the release.

Help for kids

CMF Kids, an initiative by Crotched Mountain Foundation dedicated to supporting communities and children with disabilities from underprivileged backgrounds, has announced a $1,000,000 investment spread over three years. According to a press release, this investment will benefit four new school partners: Nashua, Manchester, Warren and Newport. The schools will use the funds in various ways, from professional development programs and adaptive playground equipment to infrastructure expansion and consulting services for special education. Alongside school support, CMF Kids is also collaborating with community programs, offering services like music therapy, adaptive aquatics and more to help children with disabilities partake in vital extracurricular activities. Visit cmfkids.org.

QOL score: +1
Comment: The Nashua district plans to use its investment for special education professional development programs, aiming at trauma-informed care. According to the release, this initiative will be specifically used by elementary school teachers and paraprofessionals to effectively reduce challenging student behaviors.

Wellness programs

Mount Pleasant Elementary School in Nashua was granted $2,300 by the American Heart Association’s youth programs, the Kids Heart Challenge and American Heart Challenge to acquire physical education equipment. The grants aid in bolstering school wellness programs. Laura Short, a physical education teacher at the school, was commended for her commitment to teaching heart-healthy habits. The Association’s initiatives, beyond funding, emphasize whole-body wellness in schools, blending physical activities with key life-saving skills.

QOL score: +1
Comment: According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ 2018 Physical Activity Guidelines, only 20 percent of kids in the U.S. achieve the recommended levels of physical activity.

QOL score: 85
Net change: +1
QOL this week: 86

What’s affecting your Quality of Life here in New Hampshire?
Let us know at [email protected].

Ghosts and glamor

A paranormal investigator with a twist

– Renee Merchant

Monique Toosoon of Goffstown is a paranormal investigator with a twist — she conducts her investigations in full drag. Monique talked about her interest in paranormal investigation, her YouTube series and her upcoming involvement with the New Hampshire Pagans Faire.

Tell us about what you do and what happens at your events.
I am the only ghost-hunting drag queen and I’m pretty sure I’m the only one in the whole world. … I’ve been an investigator for 20 years now and I also have been doing drag for about 20 years. Then, during Covid I decided, ‘Why the heck am I not doing these things together?’ So I started doing the combination of the two. … Drag is the highest form of energy, so it feeds every location we go to. … When I do a ghost-hunting tour, essentially I host the tour … and then we ghost-hunt as a group first … and we teach everyone how to use the tools. … and then we usually sleep in these locations and then … we wake up and discuss the night before, it’s kind of like an adult slumber party — with the addition of the ghosts. I think the biggest difference between doing it with a normal investigation crew and doing it with a drag queen is the entertainment value.

What interests you about paranormal investigation?
It’s always interested me to connect with the other side and hear the stories of the people who are trying to talk to us … and I’ve always had this interest in horror and from a young age I realized that … I have a tiny bit of a sensitivity to me. … Then as an adult … I started going to [haunted] locations and I realized that I could see things and experience things a little differently. … Since I was in my thirties I’ve tried to reconnect with this gift and grow it and use it more.

What inspired you to get into drag?
I grew up watching Elvira and I was really obsessed. I think Elvira is really the reason I became a drag queen. … It was really hard being a gay person in New Hampshire, to be honest. I grew up in … a very small town and I was bullied a lot. … I think when I started doing drag at 18, that’s when I really found my place. I made friends, I had people looking up to me and I think that’s really where the change came from. … I was finally no longer this person that was always getting beat up or made fun of and I was someone that people were accepting.

What inspired you to bring together drag and paranormal investigation?
I’ve been doing drag for like 20 years. … I used to be the hostess at the 313 [club] for probably like 15 years. I was there every single weekend hosting shows, and then when Covid came it just blasted all that away. All of us performers really lost our identities and we were only able to perform online. … so I was like, ‘You know what, why don’t we go ghost-hunting in drag? I don’t have to worry about Covid, I’m going into buildings [alone]’ … and then I did it and I was so insanely impressed by the results that now I won’t stop doing it.

Tell us about your YouTube series Check Out My Equipment.
I’m the ghost-hunting drag queen, but I’m also a nerd for electronics … so I’ve always been in love with the equipment side of paranormal investigation. … One thing I realized about equipment in the ghost-hunting field is it’s not very user-friendly. … So I was like, ‘I need to do an equipment series because I’ve got more personality than a lot of investigators out there.’

Tell us about what you’ll be doing at the New Hampshire Pagans Faire.
I will be doing a lecture and talking about my experiences in the paranormal field. I’m also going to be doing a live Check Out My Equipment class featuring a couple of my favorite pieces of equipment … and a live demonstration on how each piece works.

What’s next for you?
I’ll finally have a new standup special out this fall on Netflix. My plan is for it to be the first in a trilogy — three standard specials that also go together as a larger story. The show I’m touring with now will be part 2. … Then, in the spring, I’m hoping to do my first art show. That’ll be in L.A. It’ll be fine art — paintings — but they’ll all be jokes, like, each canvas is a one-liner without words.

More about Monique
See Monique at the New Hampshire Pagans Faire on Saturday, Sept. 23, at the Belknap County Fairgrounds (174 Mile Hill Road, Belmont). Visit facebook.com/NHPFAE for more info.
Monique will be featured on an episode of Dark Echoes on Amazon Prime later this year.
Find her on Instagram @moniquetoosoon and on YouTube @moniquetoosoon8472 and search “Monique Toosoon” on Facebook.

Featured photo: Monique Toosoon. Courtesy photo.

News & Notes 23/09/21

Help for survivors

On the 29th anniversary of the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) announced the allocation of nearly $193 million in grants to support services and justice responses for survivors of domestic and gender-based violence. According to a press release, New Hampshire is set to receive $1,170,616 from this funding. This allocation is in conjunction with VAWA’s STOP (Services, Training, Officers, and Prosecutors) Program, aiming for a unified response from law enforcement, legal professionals, victim services and community resources. U.S. Attorney Jane E. Young emphasized that this funding would bolster New Hampshire’s capacity to provide critical resources for survivors, and she underscored the importance of ongoing collaboration between law enforcement and community stakeholders. The DOJ’s Office on Violence Against Women (OVW), established in 1995, extends financial and technical support to communities, focusing on fostering policies and programs to confront domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking. Visit justice.gov/ovw.

Climate advocate

Climate and peace advocates gathered in Concord on Sept. 15 to bring attention to the connections between climate change, militarism and fossil fuel consumption, according to a press release. They asserted the importance of transitioning away from fossil fuels, pointing to recent extreme weather events in New Hampshire and rising global climate-induced migrations. The rally, organized by environmental and peace-focused entities including New Hampshire Peace Action, NH Sierra Club, 350 New Hampshire, NHUCC Peace with Justice Advocates, Granite State Organizing Project and Climate Action NH, was also a precursor to the March to End Fossil Fuels in New York on Sept. 17 and echoed the UN Climate Ambition Summit’s worldwide appeal to reduce fossil fuel reliance.

Trees for Manchester

U.S. Sens. Jeanne Shaheen and Maggie Hassan, along with Reps. Annie Kuster and Chris Pappas, have unveiled a $2.5 million federal grant through the U.S. Forest Service’s Urban and Community Forestry Program for Manchester and Lebanon, stemming from the Inflation Reduction Act. The grant prioritizes environmental conservation with a spotlight on tree planting and maintenance to address climate change and intense heat. Manchester, partnering with Conservation Law Foundation (CLF) and The Nature Conservancy in New Hampshire (TNC), will benefit from $2.2 million toward its Urban Forest Equity Planning and Implementation project. This project emphasizes equitable tree planting, particularly in underserved neighborhoods, urban forest resilience, workforce expansion in urban forestry, community participation in forestry decisions, and methods to alleviate severe urban heat. Concurrently, Lebanon’s Green Streets Initiative will be granted $244,275.

PragerU

The New Hampshire State Board of Education’s recent endorsement of PragerU Kids’ “Cash Course Certificate” program in its “Learn Everywhere” initiative has stirred debate across the state. The program, designed to address the state’s financial literacy graduation requirements, is seen by supporters as an innovative way to offer students a flexible learning opportunity outside traditional classroom settings. In a press release, Education Commissioner Frank Edelblut champions the addition, emphasizing its potential in equipping students with essential financial management skills. However, critics, led by House Democratic Leader Matt Wilhelm, who submitted a letter of opposition to the State Board of Education on Sept. 12 regarding the PragerU contract, raise alarms over PragerU’s alleged right-wing political bias and caution that such affiliations could compromise the state’s educational neutrality and standards. This decision aligns New Hampshire with Florida, the only other state currently permitting PragerU’s operations within public education.

Tech conference

The NH Tech Alliance has revealed the agenda for the 2023 Innovation Summit, which is set to take place on Oct. 17 at the Grappone Conference Center in Concord, according to a press release. Attracting more than 200 industry professionals, the event will concentrate on “disruption and leading through change,” delving into topics like AI, startups and New Hampshire’s innovation challenges. Keynote speaker Kedar Gupta, a co-founder of GT Equipment and other enterprises, will share his entrepreneurial journey. Global AI experts including Valentine Goddard will discuss the transformation of businesses through AI. A series of panels will highlight the impact of AI on businesses and the challenges they face. The summit will spotlight startups, with discussions from New Hampshire entrepreneurs addressing the challenges and temptations of innovating within the state. The event will conclude with the annual Startup Showcase, spotlighting five early-stage startups. Tickets for the summit are available for purchase online. Visit nhtechalliance.org/innovation-summit.

Robie’s Country Store in Hooksett celebrated its grand reopening beside the Merrimack River and train tracks. The storied store, now operated by long-lost cousins of the original owner, has been leased to Robie Farm in Piermont, according to the Union Leader. The new management aims to feature their milk, cheese, meats and other local products.

The Beaver Brook Association (117 Ridge Road, Hollis, 465-7787, beaverbrook.org) hosts its annual Fall Festival and Art Show on Saturday, Sept. 23, and Sunday, Sept. 24. The event features photography, prints, paintings and mixed media inspired by New England’s natural settings and wildlife.

The Nashua Regional Planning Commission will hold a household hazardous waste collection on Saturday, Oct. 7, from 8 a.m. to noon at the Nashua City Park & Ride, 25 Crown St., according to a press release. The collection is open to residents of Nashua, Amherst, Brookline, Hollis, Hudson, Litchfield, Merrimack, Milford, Mont Vernon, Pelham and Windham. Businesses must pre-register. There’s a $15 fee per vehicle, covering up to 10 gallons of liquids or 20 pounds of solids. Payments in cash or check are accepted. The collection will not accept latex paint, electronics or medications. Visit nashuarpc.org/hhw.

This Week 23/09/14

Big Events September 14, 2023 and beyond

Thursday, Sept. 14
The Granite State Fair held at 72 Lafayette Road in Rochester will run today through Sunday, Sept. 17, and Thursday, Sept. 21, through Sunday, Sept. 24. The fair and midway open at 4 p.m. on Thursdays and Fridays and noon Saturdays and Sundays. Find a ride list with height requirements at granitestatefair.com along with a schedule of events. One-day tickets cost $10 per person through Sept. 13, $12 per person Sept. 14 and beyond).

Friday, Sept. 15
The NH Highland Games & Festival celebrates Scottish music, sports and culture and runs today through Sunday, Sept. 17, at Loon Mountain Resort in Lincoln. A three-day adult pass costs $99 (children ages 6 to 14 cost $10; ages 5 and under get in free); single-day adult tickets cost $35 to $59 depending on the day. The event features several food and drink events as well as concerts, each of which has its own tickets. The festival will also feature music, a clan village, Scottish living history, classes in Scottish culture, kids’ programs, Scottish-themed vendors, and Scottish and fair food. See nhscot.org.

Saturday, Sept. 16
Pelham Old Home Day is today from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. at 3 Main St. in Pelham. The day will include music, fitness demonstrations, dance and martial arts demonstrations, food trucks, a pancake and sausage breakfast at the Church Fellowship Hall (7 to 9 a.m.), crafts and goods vendors, a white elephant yard sale, a 5K road race (10 a.m.), kids’ games, touch a truck, a cornhole tournament (check in at 11 a.m.; noon start), a grand parade (2:30 p.m.), Windham Community Band (3:15 p.m.), a penny sale raffle (4 p.m.) and more, according to pelhamoldhomeday.org.

Saturday, Sept. 16
Derryfest will run Saturday, Sept. 16, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The day features a vendor fair, performances and more. See derryfest.org. Saturday, Sept. 16
Hooksett Old Home Day is today from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., with fireworks scheduled after dusk. The day starts with a parade at 10 a.m. from Lambert Park to Donati Park (behind Town Hall, 35 Main St. in Hooksett). The day will feature live music, demonstrations, vendors, kids’ activities and more. See hooksettoldhomeday.org.

Save the Date! For Taylor!
Taylor Swift’s The Eras Tour is coming to a big screen near you. A movie presentation of The Eras Tour will be in area theaters starting Friday, Oct. 13: Apple Cinemas (applecinemas.com) in Hooksett and Merrimack; O’neil Cinemas Brickyard Square in Epping (oneilcinemas.com); Chunky’s Cinema Pubs (chunkys.com) in Manchester, Nashua and Pelham; Cinemark Rockingham Park in Salem (cinemark.com); the Regal Concord (regmovies.com) and Smitty’s in Tilton (smittyscinema.com) have tickets on sale for multiple screenings starting Oct. 13 with some offering screenings through Nov. 5.

Featured photo: Manchester City-Wide Arts Festival. Courtesy photo.

Category: News