Category: News

News & Notes 24/12/12

Hospital partnership

According to a press release, the State of New Hampshire will enter a public-private partnership with Dartmouth Health to operate Hampstead Hospital and Residential Treatment Facility under a proposed agreement.

In a statement, Gov. Sununu said that “in 2022, the State of New Hampshire purchased Hampstead Hospital to ensure that critical mental health care services for children were not lost.This partnership with Dartmouth Health will ensure one of the country’s most prestigious health systems is taking care of New Hampshire’s kids. This is an amazing win-win opportunity that ensures world-class care while saving an estimated $20 Million annually in overhead costs to the state. Without this contract, the long-term stability of the state’s only mental health hospital for children is at significant risk.”

Hampstead Hospital and Residential Treatment Facility will provide inpatient psychiatric care, partial hospitalization services and psychiatric residential treatment center services, and Dartmouth Health will ensure that these services are available to children and young adults in alignment with New Hampshire Children’s Behavioral Health System of Care, according to the release.

Dartmouth Health currently provides behavioral health services at New Hampshire Hospital and the Youth Detention Center, according to the same release.

Home ski home

According to a press release, the New Hampshire Division of Travel and Tourism (DTTD) is anticipating an estimated three million people will visit New Hampshire this winter, with spending by those visitors expected to reach a record $1.6 billion.

In a statement, Taylor Caswell, commissioner of the NH Department of Business and Economic Affairs, said, “New Hampshire’s winter season is an integral part of our tourism industry, driving jobs, and supporting businesses in every corner of the state. Whether here for an experience on the slopes or off, every winter visitor is helping support the region’s economy and build on New Hampshire’s reputation as a premiere vacation destination.”

The news was announced as part of Ski New Hampshire’s Ski 603 Winter Kickoff at McIntyre Ski Area in Manchester, according to the press release.

In a statement, President of Ski NH Jessyca Keeler said that “our resorts are ready to welcome skiers and riders regardless of the forecast, after making capital improvement investments in snowmaking over the past year. Newer, more efficient equipment has made a dramatic difference, improving snow production and snow quality, while at the same time increasing sustainability and reducing energy impact. It enables ski areas to open earlier and stay open even when Mother Nature isn’t producing as much snow as we’d like.”

New Hampshire’s winter marketing campaign platform features outdoor adventures for all levels and abilities, indoor adventures, and the beauty of New Hampshire’s natural landscapes, according to the press release, and will fully launch in January in New England and eastern Canada.

No wait

According to a press release, The New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) and New Hampshire Hospital announced that on Friday, Dec. 6, there were no adults in hospital emergency departments (ED) waiting for inpatient psychiatric treatment and this marks the first time this has happened since DHHS began collecting data on the waitlist nearly four years ago.

In a statement, Gov. Sununu said, “Mission Zero set New Hampshire on a path to ensuring timely access to mental health care. Our work is not yet finished, but it is clear that our efforts have made great progress and are delivering results.”

In a statement, DHHS Commissioner Lori Weaver said that “for the past 14 months, our Mission Zero partnership has worked across the mental health system to develop new solutions to the issue. While we still have much work to do to eliminate the wait list for good, reaching zero today demonstrates that Mission Zero is working for the people of New Hampshire.”

The press release said that between Nov. 1, 2023, and Nov 1, 2024, the average daily waitlist declined 35 percent.

In October of this year, patients waited less than two days, three fewer days than the year prior, according to the same release.

Information on the number of adults waiting involuntarily in the Emergency Department for an Acute Psychiatric Bed can be found under the Inpatient Care & Coordination tab of the Mission Zero Dashboard on the DHHS website. Visit dhhs.nh.gov/programs-services/mental-health/mission-zero.

Holiday scams

According to a press release, the Consumer Protection and Antitrust Bureau of the New Hampshire Attorney General’s Office is alerting residents about potential scams this holiday shopping season, specifically with online shopping and gift card frauds. Shoppers are advised to verify websites and to be cautious of “too good to be true” deals, and use credit cards for added protection; never buy gift cards for someone you don’t know, and avoid sharing card details with anyone; and confirm charity registration with the New Hampshire Charitable Trusts Unit before donating, according to the website.

New England Vegetable and Fruit Conference and Trade Show takes place from Tuesday, Dec. 17, to Thursday, Dec. 19, at the DoubleTree by Hilton Manchester Downtown (700 Elm St.). Visit newenglandvfc.org.

The Ugly Sweater 4-Miler will take place Saturday, Dec. 14, at Backyard Brewery and Kitchen (1211 S. Mammoth Road, Manchester, 623-3545, backyardbrewerynh.com) at 9 a.m. All race proceeds will go to benefit three local animal rescue groups: the HumaneSociety of Greater Nashua, New Hampshire SPCA, and the Monadnock Humane Society. This 21+ event will include a post-race party. Registration is $40 ($50 on race day). Visitrunscore.runsignup.com.

The 10th Annual Hollis Luminaria Stroll & Town Band Concert on Saturday, Dec. 14, will include more than 2,000 luminaria lanterns, a Santa tractor parade,holiday craft shopping, a chili and cornbread dinner, music performances in Monument Square, a gingerbread house contest and bake sale. The stroll and tree lighting will be at 4 p.m. at Monument Square. The LitTractor Parade will begin at 4:30 p.m. Visithollisluminaria.org

This Week 24/12/05

Thursday, Dec. 5

A new exhibit, “Manchester Inspired: The Life and Works of Marylou Ashooh Lazos,” officially opens at the Millyard Museum (200 Bedford St., Suite 103, Manchester, 622-7531, manchesterhistoric.org) today from 5 to 7:30 p.m. The exhibition explores the local designer, artist and curator who drew inspiration, energy and purpose from her beloved hometown.

Friday, Dec. 6

Downtown Concord holds its annual Midnight Merriment tonight starting at 5 p.m. with downtown businesses open for shoppers, the Concord Arts Market holding its Winter Giftopolis in Eagle Square, a Parade of Lights on Main Street, cocoa and s’mores in Bicentennial Square and more. See intownconcord.org and Hippo’s story in the Nov. 28 issue (visit hippopress.com for the digital library; the story is on page 19).

Saturday, Dec. 7

Sanborn Mills Farm (7097 Sanborn Road, Loudon, 435-7314, sanbornmills.org) will hold its yearly Winter Market today from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. It will be a festive celebration of local craftsmanship, community and holiday cheer. The market will offer wares from the Farm’s workshop instructors. Enjoy live music, warm beverages and a lunch prepared by Chef Kelly Fahey.

Saturday, Dec. 7

Concord Dance Academy will perform two shows of “A Holiday Spectacular” at the Concord City Auditorium (2 Prince St., Concord, 228-2793, theaudi.org), today at 1 and 6 p.m. This popular show opens with a kick line and includes Santa, photos, sweets, raffles, and gifts to community causes. Tickets are $25 at the box office on the day of the show.

Saturday, Dec. 7

Celebrate the release of Dav Pikey’s newest Dog Man book, Dog Man: Big Jim Begins, with a Dog Man Hero Party today from 1 to 4 p.m. at Balin Books (375 Amherst St., Somerset Plaza, in Nashua; balinbooks.com). The event will feature snacks, games, giveaways and more.

Saturday, Dec. 7

Catch the MHT Holiday Parade today at 4 p.m. on Elm Street in downtown Manchester. “Light Up the Night” is this year’s theme. Get there at 3 p.m. to watch the Santa Claus Shuffle, a race on Elm Street featuring stops where Santa suit-clad runners can enjoy the four food groups: chocolate, cookies and milk, maple and candy, according to Millennium Running, which organizes the race.

Saturday, Dec.7

The Manchester Choral Society will present Gifts of the Season this evening at 7 p.m. and tomorrow, Sunday, Dec. 8, at 3 p.m. at Sainte Marie Parish (378 Notre Dame Ave., Manchester, 622-4615, enterthenarrowgate.org). This inspiring holiday concert will feature Martin Sedek’s “Gifts of the Season” and Bob Chilcott’s “On Christmas Night.” Tickets are $30 at mcsnh.org or at the door.

Tuesday, Dec. 10

Iconic swing band Big Bad Voodoo Daddy will perform its “Wild and Swingin’ Holiday Party” at the Nashua Center for the Arts (201 Main St., Nashua, 800-657-8774, nashuacenterforthearts.com) tonight at 7:30 p.m.Tickets start at $39.

Save the Date! Saturday, Dec. 14
Join the world-famous Boston Pops led by conductor Keith Lockhart for their
Holiday Pops performance on Saturday, Dec.14, at 7:30 p.m. at the SNHU Arena, 555 Elm St. in Manchester. This yearly concert is legendary for its high-energy, deeply emotional immersion in traditional holiday music. Tickets start at $33 through ticketmaster.com.

Featured photo: Boston Pops.

Quality of Life 24/12/05

Just hang up

If you feel like you get more phone calls from robots than from actual humans, you’re probably right. According to a Nov. 20 press release from Whistle Out (whistleout.com), an online technology comparison service, a recent study found that the residents of New Hampshire receive a staggering number of spam calls. “New Hampshirites receive 144,221,100 robocalls annually,” the press release reported. “That’s 103 per person.” New Hampshire ranks 33rd in the number of these calls, and 12th in preventing them.

QOL score: -1

Comment: It could be worse. According to WhistleOut, “Southern states are hit the hardest by spam calling: Louisiana residents receive the most robocalls per capita (339) in the U.S., followed by Georgia (307), South Carolina (248), Alabama (248), and Arkansas (238)” It could also be better; Utah has the fewest, with 78 calls per person.

So many mice

TheNew Hampshire SPCA is up to its eyebrows in mice. As it described on its website on Nov.14, the SPCA was approached by a man in the lobby, hoping to surrender some pet mice. “The man was overwhelmed by the sheer number of mice in his possession,” the NHSPCA wrote, “initially stating he had 150 pet mice in his home. Subsequently, he clarified that he actually had 150 tanks with mice in them. Depending on the size of the tank, there may be more than a dozen in each. The mice were not separated by sex and were reproducing uncontrolled. Many of the females came to the shelter pregnant. By Tuesday morning, more mice had been born. Our current estimate is that there are an approximate 400 still at the man’s home, but we may be looking at intaking as many as 1,000 mice in total.”

QOL score: -1

Comment: A breeding pair of mice and their offspring can produce more than 5,000 mice in a year, so this is a tribble-like compounding problem for the SPCA. “Community members wishing to help are encouraged to foster, adopt or donate,” the organization wrote on its website.

Plowy McPlowface?

The New Hampshire Department of Transportation tapped the public last month to find names for its fleet of snowplows. As reported by WMUR in a Nov. 27 online story, the DOT has accepted suggestions for names from the public for one of its plows. On the DOT website, a guideline for the names said that suggestions should be unique, polite, short and politically nonpartisan. The deadline for suggestions closed on Nov. 29. The DOT will look over the suggestions, then post some of the best ones online for the public to vote on. The voting will take place between Monday, Dec.9, and Friday, Dec.13. Visit dot.nh.gov/name-plow-contest.

QOL score: +1

Comment: The WMUR story reported that “the Massachusetts Department of Transportation held a similar contest earlier this year. Some winners included Edward Blizzard-Hands, Snow-B-Wan-Kenobi and Sleet-Wood Mac.”

QOL score: 75

Net change: -1

QOL this week: 74

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

Let us know at news@hippopress.com.

Mayo’s future murky

The Big Story – Will Jerod Mayo Be Back? Expect that to be the talk until Bob Kraft decides to stop it either way. I know 13 games is a short trial. But after Sunday’s excruciating 25-24 loss dropped them to 3-10 his progress bears watching closely. The best barometer to gauge how he’s doing is, do you think they’re improving? Sunday said yes and no. We’ll keep asking until we know the answer in January.

Sports 101: With 1,499 rushing yards and 267 receiving Saquon Barkley is threatening to break both the single-season rushing and total yards marks. Name the players who hold those marks.

News Item – Sox Lose Out on Blake Snell: With the Red Sox in need of pitching help it might seem odd that the Dodgers’ signing the best free agent pitcher was a good thing for them. But the $186 million deal likely takes L.A. out of market for another starter. And with the Yanks and Mets focused on Juan Soto it might give Boston an opening for the pitcher who fits their young core best, 23-year-old Japanese import Roki Sasaki. Since he can’t get big money by posting rules they’ll be big competition. I’d sell him on the success Japanese players have had in Boston and for him being a key piece added to a young core that is about to make noise.

News Item – Another Sunday, Another Excruciating Loss: This time it came on the game’s final play for the Patriots when Indy QB Anthony Richardson ran in the two-point conversation to make it 25-24.

But it wasn’t all bad news. They had 200 rushing yards and Drake Maye continued to grow. He went 24-30 for 238 yards and a TD, ran for 59 more, including a 41-yard first-quarter scramble, and led another TD drive that gave them a fourth-quarter lead. Plus they stayed in contention for a needed Top 5 pick.

The Numbers:

4 – consecutive years Michigan has beaten Ryan Day’s Ohio State Buckeyes after Saturday’s 13-10 verdict, dropping Day to 1-4 vs. OSU’s archrival while being 47-1 against everyone else in the Big 10.

5 – days Jim Montgomery was unemployed between the Bruins firing him as head coach and the St. Louis Blues hiring him to be theirs.

7 – Patriots penalties for 88 yards that took two TDs off the board that later became just FGs to play a big role in Sunday’s 25-24 loss to Indy.

… Of the Week Awards

RIP Little Louie: The St. John’s basketball coach Lou Carnesecca died last week a month short of his 100th birthday. His heyday was as the Big East was formed and evolved into a national power. Never won a national title, but the 524-200 record was deemed Hall-worthy in 1993.

Random Thoughts:

How did they score that play on SNF when Josh Allen’s short pass to Amari Cooper bounced off him back to Allen, who then ran it in for a TD — TD pass from Josh Allen to Josh Allen with a hockey assist from Cooper? Never seen one like that before.

Not a huge LaMelo Ball fan, but hard to ignore him putting up 50 and 44 in back-to-back games vs. the Bucks and Magic last week.

Of course, since it’s the Hornets, then he got hurt and will miss three weeks.

Is Al Horford an eventual Hall of Famer? Answer? If Chris Bosh is in, YES!

Sports 101 Answer: Barkley is on pace to run for 2,124 yards and get 2,503 total yards. That would take him past Eric Dickerson’s 2,105rushing record and fall just short of Chris Johnson’s total yards mark of 2,509.

Final Thought – No Empathy for Bob Kraft:

After seeing him once again denied entry as a contributor to the Pro Football Hall of Fame it’s obvious some voters are sticking it to the Patriots owner.

Cowboys owner Jerry Jones and the three SBs he won 150 years ago cruised in. But not BK, who doubled that and went SB four other times. He also saved the franchise from moving to St. Louis and built the new stadium with his own money rather than moving them to Hartford for a free one.

And why would you make a guy in his 80s wait over picking Ralph Hay, who’s been dead for 80 years and passed over every year since the Hall opened in 1963?

But having said all that I have no empathy because Kraft’s doing exactly the same thing to the 80-something Bill Parcells when it comes to the Patriots Hall of Fame. Yes, he left under less than desirable circumstances. But outside of founder Billy Sullivan, Coach B, Tom Brady and Drew Bledsoe no one has meant more to the overall building of the Patriots’ success and popularity than Tuna. Which he did from the ashes left behind by Victor Kiam.

Kraft can fix this, and until he does, I hope the Hall keeps him waiting, because what’s good for the goose is good for the gander.

Email Dave Long at dlong@hippopress.com.

News & Notes 24/12/05

Veggie recalls

Connected to the recall of organic carrots from Grimmway Farms, 4Earth Farms of California recalled “multiple brands of Organic Vegetable Medley, Conventional Vegetable Medley, and Organic Whole Carrots because it may be contaminated with Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (E. coli),” according to a company announcement from Nov. 27. The products, which have “best by” dates of Sept 7 through Nov. 2, were distributed to seven states, including New Hampshire, according to the announcement, which is available at fda.gov.

Meanwhile, SunFed Produce announced a recall on Nov. 27 of whole cucumbers with the grower’s name “Agrotato, S.A. de C.V.” due to potential salmonella contamination, according to a company announcement also available at fda.gov. The recalled cucumbers were sold between Oct. 12 and Nov. 26 to several states and Canadian provinces, not including New Hampshire but including Massachusetts, the recall said. “The cucumbers would have reached consumers through food service and retail outlets that may be located in states other than those listed above,” the announcement said. See the FDA’s website for product specifics.

Fuel Assistance Program

Dec. 1 marked the official opening of the New Hampshire Fuel Assistance Program (FAP), which helps vulnerable Granite State families with their heating bills. Last winter the program provided assistance to more than 28,400 households with an average benefit of $1,284 to help with heating costs, according to a press release.

The Fuel Assistance Program is a federally funded program administered by the New Hampshire Department of Energy (DOE) in partnership with New Hampshire’s Community Action Agencies. It’s known in Washington as the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program or LIHEAP, according to the release.

The Fuel Assistance Program provides assistance to New Hampshire families and seniors whose annual household income is at or below 60 percent of the State Median Income, the highest amount allowed by federal statute. This year that means that means an annual maximum income of $87,949 for a family of four or $45,733 for a single-person household, according to the release.

More than 23,000 households have already applied for this winter, according to the release, and households can also apply for the NH Electric Assistance Program at the same time, which provides eligible households with a discount on their electric bill.

Households that qualify for the program are also eligible for the Weatherization Assistance Program, which can help homeowners make improvements and upgrades that provide further reductions in energy costs.

To apply to the program, New Hampshire residents should contact their local Community Action agency. For Information about the NH’s Community Action agencies, including locations and contact information, visit capnh.org. Visit energy.nh.gov and find information about the Fuel Assistance Program under the Help with Energy and Utility Bills tab.

Save the sturgeon

According to a press release, the Atlantic coastal states of New Jersey, Maryland and Virginia have scheduled hearings to gather public input to an addendum to the Interstate Fishery Management Plan for Spiny Dogfish to reduce accidental capture of Atlantic sturgeons in nets made for spiny dogfish. In addition to the Dec. 11 hearing, stakeholders are welcome to participate in any of the virtual hearings, according to the release.

While the 2024 stock assessment update for Atlantic sturgeon showed signs of improvement, the stock remains depleted coastwide, according to the release.

The hearings are on Wednesday, Dec. 11, Tuesday, Dec. 17, and Wednesday, Dec.18, from 6 to 8 p.m. To register for a virtual public hearing webinar, find links at nhfishandgame.com. The Draft Addendum is available via the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission’s website at asmfc.org/about-us/public-input. Visit wildnh.com/marine.

Metallica scholars

The Community College System of New Hampshire (CCSNH) was recognized as the first institution in the Granite State to receive grant funding for the Metallica Scholars Initiative (MSI) through All Within My Hands (AWMH), Metallica’s foundation, according to a press release.

The nonprofit philanthropic organization was created by the members and management of the band Metallica. CCSNH was awarded $75,000 to support students developing trade skills at New Hampshire’s seven community colleges, according to the release.

In New Hampshire, the Foundation for New Hampshire Community Colleges administered the grant and awarded 224 students with $50,575 of financial assistance to date to offset the cost of specialized equipment, materials, protective gear or other degree-specific equipment. The students receiving assistance had majors including health sciences and services, hospitality and culinary, industry and transportation and STEM/advanced manufacturing, according to the release.

In a statement, James Hetfield, Metallica’s lead vocalist and guitarist, said, “I am so proud — we all are — to see how this program is changing lives by providing much-needed resources to empower students, and it’s great that we’re able to make our biggest grant yet to support these students and the future workforce. … This year, our program will be in 60 schools in all 50 states!”

Red River Theatres in Concord (11 S. Main St.; redrivertheatres.org) has two classic holiday screenings on the schedule next week: catch 2003’s Love Actually on Tuesday, Dec. 10, at 7 p.m. and 1946’s It’s a Wonderful Life on Wednesday, Dec. 11, at 7 p.m.

Cirque Dreams Holidaze will play one show at the SNHU Arena (555 Elm St., Manchester, 644-5000, snhuarena.com) Tuesday, Dec. 10, at 7 p.m. This long-running holiday theatrical event wraps a Broadway-style production around contemporary circus arts. Tickets start at $59.

Noel at LaBelle is an evening with NSquared Dance accompanied by a three-course meal by LaBelle Winery on Sunday, Dec. 8 at 6 p.m. at LaBelle in Amherst (345 Route 101). Visit labellewinery.com for tickets.

The Picker Artists (3 Pine St. in Nashua; pickerartists.com) will hold their Holiday Open Studios on Saturday, Dec. 7, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

This Week 24/11/28

Saturday, Nov. 30

Brookford Farm (250 West Road, Canterbury, 742-4084, brookfordfarm.com) will host Christmas with the Cows today and Sunday, Dec. 1, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. (as well as next Saturday, Dec. 7, and Sunday, Dec. 8). This German-themed event will feature musician-led caroling with the cows from 3 to 5 p.m., opportunities to feed calves and piglets, campfire and hayrides, samples of salami and sauerkraut as well as crafts-to-make for purchase (gnome home, wreaths, candles) plus Christmas trees and farm-to-table foods. The farm will feature a German Christmas market and items such as German wurst, sauerkraut, hot mulled wine, goulash and stollen, according to the website.

General admission tickets (for ages 13+) are $10 online and $15 at the door. Children’s tickets (3 to 12 years old) are $7 online and $10 at the door. Children 2 and under attend free. No pets. Visit brookfordfarm.com/events.

Friday, Nov. 29

The Candia Farmers Market will partner with Charmingfare Farm (774 High St. in Candia) for a Holiday Gift Barn Open House today from 5 to 9 p.m. featuring 29 vendors (most from the past season of the market), free admission to the farm, live music and storytelling, the Children’s Christmas Choir at 6:30 p.m. and more, according to candiafarmersmarket.org.

Saturday, Nov. 30

Pembroke City Limits (134 Main St. in Pembroke; pembrokecitylimits.com) will host Poets on the Loose, a gathering of local poets (all welcome) today at 1:30 p.m.

Saturday, Nov. 30

The Rotary Club of Merrimack will kick off its annual Christmas Tree Sale today at Watson Park (447 DW Highway in Merrimack) open weekdays 4 to 8 p.m.; Saturday, 8 to 8 p.m. and Sundays 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. until the trees sell out. See merrimackrotary.org.

Saturday, Nov. 30

Aquanett will bring the rock and metal of the 1980s to Lakeport Opera House (781 Union Ave., Laconia, 519-7506, lakeportopera.com) on tonight at 8 p.m. Tickets range from $15 to $38.56, plus fees.

Sunday, Dec. 1

There will be a showing of the classic silent WC Fields comedy So’s Your Old Man (1926) today at the Wilton Town Hall Theatre (40 Main St., Wilton, 654-3456, facebook.com/wiltontownhalltheatre) at 2 p.m. This silent film will have live musical accompaniment by Jeff Rapsis. Admission is free; donations are accepted, with $10 per person.

Wednesday, Dec. 4

Chunky’s (707 Huse Road in Manchester; chunkys.com) will host a 21+ Scratch Ticket Bingo on Wednesday, Dec. 4, at 7 p.m. A $13 admission (plus fees) gets you a seat, a $5 food voucher for that evening, a pass for a future movie and a chance to win $5 scratch tickets.

Save the Date! Saturday, Dec. 7
Heavy metal band In This Moment will play the SNHU Arena (555 Elm St., Manchester, 644-5000, snhuarena.com) Saturday, Dec.7, as part of its Godmode tour. The show will feature the song “I Would Die for You” from the soundtrack of John Wick: Chapter 4, and performances by Kim Dracula, Nathan James and Mike’s Dead. Tickets start at $37.

Featured photo: Courtesy Photo.

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