News – Page 55

Pats go broke in Vegas

The Big Story – Pats Fall to 1-5: The struggles continued for the Patriots on Sunday with a 21-17 loss in Las Vegas made worse by coming at the hands of an alumni club including Josh McDaniels, a now-ticked-off-at-Bill Adam Butler, Jakobi Meyers (who scored their only TD), Jimmy Garoppolo and, after he got hurt, (gulp) Brian Hoyer, who was solid QB-ing off the bench.

With Buffalo and high-flying Miami dead ahead it’s now or never over the next two weeks, where we’ll know if it’ll just be an ongoing struggle for the rest of 2023 or a (surreal) go for Caleb Williams’ tank-a-thon.

Sports 101: Who’s played the most MLB games without ever playing in a postseason game? Hint: He’s a Hall of Famer.

News Item – Bruce Bochy a Difference-Maker: In his first year as manager the Rangers go from 73 wins to 90. Then in the playoffs he/they were bad news for the AL East as they swept 98-win Tampa Bay in the wild card round and then rolled the 101-win Orioles in the ALDS.

News Item – Japanese Important on Red Sox Radar: They’ve gone there before with Daisuke Matsuzaka. That is, going all in to sign a hyped Japanese pitcher for big money. The next one is Yoshinobu Yamamoto, whose career numbers — 70-29 and a 1.82 ERA along with winning three straight Japanese pitching triple crowns — are impressive. With a few exceptions, the numbers have rarely stood up for Japan imports like Dice-K. But, given their desperation for starting pitching and the need to give its highly irritated fan base red meat, it seems certain they’ll be in the hunt for their next big guy.

News Item – Baseball’s Playoffs March On: It’s the battle of Texas between the Astros and Rangers in the ALCS, notable for the fact that this is Houston’s seventh consecutive time in the ALCS. And in the NLCS it’s the second straight year deposed Red Sox GM Dave Dombrowski has his Phillies face off with Atlanta while the Sox are on vacation.

The Numbers:
11 – tackles recorded by my new favorite player, David Long Jr., to lead Miami in Sunday’s 42-21 win over Carolina.

12.1 – yards per carry average by Dolphins rookie runner De’Von Achane, the highest in history by anyone through four games of a season. Overall 460 yards on 36 carries, including 157 on 11 vs. the Giants two Sundays ago before injuring a knee, which will sideline him for a month.

457 – astonishing rushing yards and five TD’s on 27 carries in a ho-hum day at the office for Souhegan HS’s JJ Bright as they ran over Hanover High 41-22 earlier this month.

… Of the Week Awards
Question: With him stuck on 299 for three weeks people are wondering if Bill Belichick will ever get his 300th career regular-season win.

Triplets: In the Celtics’ 112-101 pre-season win over Philly, Jrue Holiday, Kristaps Porzingas and Derrick White each played 17 minutes and each scored 11 points.

Double Play: Game 2 of the Philly-Atlanta NLCS ended with an 8-6-5-3 double dip. After a great leaping warning-track catch, Michael Harris wheeled and over threw to second base, but third baseman Austin Riley, backing up second base, got it and whipped it to Matt Olson at first base to nail Bryce Harper, who was way past second base after thinking the ball would drop.

Random Thoughts:
With the arrest of former safety Sergio Brown for the alleged murder of his mother, that’s two guys from the 2011 Patriots arrested for murder, Aaron Hernandez being the other one of course.

The hardest thing to wrap my head around about the demise of the Patriots is how boring they are to watch.

Must say I love seeing the Dodgers lose in the playoffs. Mostly because I hate the fraidy-cat, by the book, robotic way Dave Roberts manages. It’s a big reason they get knocked out early almost every year.

Sports 101 Answer: The great Chicago Cub Ernie Banks holds the record for most games without playing in the postseason at 2,520.

Email Dave Long at [email protected].

A learning environment

NH’s Teacher of the Year talks about her class

Elizabeth Duclos, who teaches third grade at Pembroke Hill School in Pembroke, has been named New Hampshire’s 2024 Teacher of the Year. Chosen from a pool of more than 300 nominees, Duclos now advances to compete for the National Teacher of the Year award.

Explain your teaching philosophy and the kind of classroom environment you aim to create.
Children are often in a space where they don’t feel comfortable taking risks or trying new things due to fear of failure or shame. When this happens, children don’t feel open to doing things. The whole basis of what I do is wrapped around children feeling cared for and safe. That’s something that I’ve heard from many parents over the years as a teacher — that I care for their children, making connections with them, learning who they are, and knowing what they like and don’t like. We spend a lot of time cultivating a community in the classroom that allows children to find connections with each other and with me, and that truly is the backbone of what I do.

How do you ensure your students feel safe to take risks and learn from their mistakes?
We talk a lot in my classroom about productive struggle; things might not feel easy, but it’s OK to try. If we don’t make mistakes, we aren’t going to learn. We focus a lot on what we call “growing;” really, what we’re doing is editing. … We try first, look at it, and then we make an edit. And there’s nothing wrong with not using the same strategy as other people. We talk about how we can grow from each other, and that there’s many ways to solve a problem. We want to find new ways to grow our brains and see things in different ways. That’s how we make progress. They know at this point that if they stumble or struggle, we’re going to go over it all together, and then they’re going to be able to make an edit. That’s really important for children to understand — that we can fix mistakes — and that allows them to feel safe and take risks.

What does a typical day in your classroom look like, and what makes it special for your students?
I try to make our classroom feel light and fun. We give ourselves permission to laugh and sing and dance. Every day we have a morning group time … when we play a game and do a ‘share.’ This sharing could be as simple as ‘What’s your favorite food?’ and it helps students connect with each other. Students are constantly encouraged to work in groups … so they can learn how to share their thoughts and ideas and agree and disagree respectfully.

What are some of the biggest challenges you’ve encountered throughout your career, and how have you dealt with those?
Helping students who struggle to be self-motivated or to find enjoyment with school. I really work to make it a joyful environment, but some students really do struggle, so finding ways to make school joyful for them can be a challenge. There are my own struggles, too, so I’m always seeking out professional development opportunities, working with my colleagues and making sure that I’m growing. It’s an ever-changing process.

How do you plan to leverage your recent award to support educators and students in your state? What core message would you like to convey?
My platform is literacy, and choice in literacy, helping educators build abundant classroom libraries. Children deserve to have access to many different kinds of literature and texts at their fingertips. My whole classroom is full of books, and they’re books that children want to read. I’m hoping to be offering monthly webinars for teachers starting in January on how to make these libraries happen. I also hope just to continue to promote literacy across the state throughout the year.

What advice would you give to other educators?
That you are enough. … We as teachers put a lot of pressure on ourselves to do everything perfectly, but I’ve learned over the years that perfect is not always best. I can try to be perfect and it’s never going to feel like enough. But as long as you’re doing what’s best for students, you’re doing enough. I would also remind them to enjoy it. Teaching does come with challenges, but ultimately it’s a very fun profession. — Angie Sykeny

Featured photo: Elizabeth Duclos. Courtesy photo.

News & Notes 23/10/19

Plan for aging

The New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) has received federal approval for the State Plan on Aging, according to a press release. Coordinated through the DHHS Bureau of Elderly and Adult Services, this four-year plan aims to establish a comprehensive statewide system of long-term services and supports with a focus on person-centered care. With the aging population expected to grow, the plan aligns with the core foundation programs of the Older Americans Act, aiming to enhance access to community-based supports and services, promote person-centered care, reduce the risk of abuse and neglect, combat loneliness and isolation and advance age-friendly communities. The plan will be effective now through Sept. 30, 2027.

Engagement center

The City of Manchester has announced the opening of the Engagement Center at 39 Beech St. as part of the city’s efforts to address homelessness. According to a press release, the center offers various essential services, including bathrooms, showers, storage, charging stations, peer support, housing navigation, mental health and substance use programs, employment resources and health care, aiming to reduce barriers for adults experiencing homelessness. It will also provide winter emergency warming if needed. The Center is seeking donations of essential items to support individuals experiencing homelessness. They need items like clothing, hygiene products, toiletries and more. Donations can be dropped off at the Center seven days a week from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Mental health funds

U.S. Sens. Jeanne Shaheen and Maggie Hassan, along with Reps. Annie Kuster and Congressman Chris Pappas, have jointly announced nearly $2 million in federal awards to expand access to mental health care for young people in New Hampshire. According to a press release, the funding will support the training of pediatricians in mental health care and the growth of the mental health workforce, particularly in rural communities. The New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services will receive $850,000 through a Pediatric Mental Health Care Access Award, while the University System of New Hampshire will receive $1,054,728 through the Behavioral Health Workforce Education and Training program. The officials emphasize the importance of addressing the worsening mental health of young individuals, particularly in the wake of the Covid pandemic, and highlight their commitment to providing essential mental health resources for New Hampshire’s youth.

In addition to addressing mental health care for young people, the delegation has secured federal funding totaling nearly $1 million to enhance maternal health care in the North Country region, according to a press release.

Studio space

WORK Lakes Region, a coworking and event studio at 51 Elm St. in Lakeport, Laconia, is set to open this month. According to a press release, the space offers various membership options, including full- and part-time memberships, private offices for one to three people, hot/flex desks, dedicated desks and multiple meeting and event spaces for groups of three to 100. Members will have access to amenities such as unlimited internet, mail solutions, Google My Business – Official Address allocations and community connection events. The facility will also provide programming for leadership, business and personal development led by business coach and brand strategist Jodie Gallant and her team at JMG Business Strategies. Membership enrollment and space reservations are now open on their website, WORKLakesRegion.com.

Robotics for kids

The New Hampshire Department of Education is awarding grants totaling $713,601 to 77 schools in the state to support robotics programs for students. According to a press release, these grants range from $2,000 to $14,850 per school and are intended to establish new robotics programs or expand existing ones. The funding will cover the purchase of robotics kits, parts, and tools, as well as registration and competition fees, transportation costs, team shirts and coach stipends. Some schools will also use the grants to launch drone programs. These initiatives aim to promote STEM education, encourage student participation in competitive events, and develop life and work-related skills while making learning fun. Supported programs include CoderZ, VEX Robotics, FIRST Robotics, and drone content, fostering interest in STEM careers among students.

Music school head

Bianca Garcia has been named Executive Director of the Manchester Community Music School. According to a press release, Garcia studied at the Curtis Institute of Music and the New England Conservatory and has performed worldwide, collaborating with renowned musicians and premiering new compositions. She has also been deeply involved in music education initiatives, working to establish classical music legacies in various countries. She brings a unique blend of musical expertise and community engagement to her role as Executive Director, aiming to enhance the school’s impact in New Hampshire and beyond, the release said.

The 18th annual CHaD HERO event, held Oct. 15 in Hanover, saw a record-breaking turnout of 3,100 participants, sponsors and donors. According to a press release, this community event raised over $700,000 in funding for essential child and family support services at the Children’s Hospital at Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center (CHaD) and in the Dartmouth Health Children’s system. Over the years, CHaD HERO has raised nearly $10 million for pediatric care and research.

The City of Manchester Fire Department announced the grand opening of Station 9, at 575 Calef Road. According to a press release, this new firehouse features a specially designed decontamination area for gear cleaning before entering the living quarters. The station also incorporates memorabilia from the former Station 9 into its design.

The DRIPBaR, an IV vitamin therapy franchise, has opened its first New Hampshire location, in Portsmouth. According to a press release, it will offer IV vitamin therapy options and services like red light therapy and Halo Salt Therapy. The franchise, which has rapidly expanded across the United States, provides IV treatments under the guidance of medical professionals, the release said.

This Week 23/10/12

Big Events October 12, 2023 and beyond

Friday, Oct. 13
It’s a Taylor Swift weekend! Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour, a concert film of her hugely popular tour, hits area movie theaters starting today. And, over at the Nashua Center for the Arts (201 Main St. in Nashua; nashuacenterforthearts.com, 800-657-8774), “The Taylor Party,” an 18+ dance party, takes place tonight starting at 9 p.m.; tickets start at $21.

Thursday, Oct. 12
Candlelight Concerts (see candlelightexperience.com) gets in the Halloween spirit with two shows tonight at the Rex Theatre (23 Amherst St. in Manchester; palacetheatre.org, 668-5588) at 6 and 8:30 p.m. with tickets starting at $43. The Listeso String Quartet will perform works as diverse as Shostakovich’s “String Quartet No. 8 in C Minor” and Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” and the theme from John Carpenter’s Halloween.

Friday, Oct. 13
See the original group of victims, er, campers (including a shockingly young Kevin Bacon) arrive at Crystal Lake in 1980’s Friday the 13th today (Friday the 13th) at 9 p.m. at Red River Theaters (11 S. Main St. in Concord; redrivertheatres.org, 224-4600).

Saturday, Oct. 14
Hillsborough Community Center will hold a Harvest Festival today, rain or shine from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Grimes Field (23 Preston Road in Hillsborough). The event will feature food, vendors, games and other family fun; admission is free, according to hccnh.org/ harvest-festival.

Saturday, Oct. 14
BeadStock, an event celebrating the artistry of beading from around the world, will take place today from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Mt. Kearsarge Indian Museum (18 Highlawn Road in Warner; indianmuseum.org, 456-2600). Find beads (including antique beads, glass, gemstone, ceramic, turquoise, silver and more) for sale as well as demonstrations (including a glass bead-making demonstration), interactive exhibits, tours of the museum, a museum field store and food for sale. Admission cost $12 (get 8 a.m. admission for $25); tickets are available online.

Saturday, Oct. 14
Windham Recreation Department will hold its annual Harvest Fest on Saturday, Oct. 14, in Griffin Park with events including a doggie costume parade (at 10 a.m.), a food truck (from noon to 4 p.m.), live music, a balloon artist, pumpkin decorating and scavenger hunts (from 1 to 2:30 pm.) and trick-or-treat from 3 to 4 p.m. See windhamnh.gov.

Saturday, Oct. 14
The New Hampshire Philharmonic Orchestra will perform “Bohemian Rhapsodies” at Seifert Performing Arts Center (44 Geremonty Drive, Salem) today at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, Oct. 15, at 2 p.m. The program explores Czech and English music, featuring works by Smetana, Kaprálová, Suk, and Elgar, and culminating in Dvořák’s Symphony No. 7. Tickets cost $5 to $30. Visit nhphil.org.

Save the Date! Friday, Nov. 24
Catch the Trans-Siberian Orchestra with “The Ghosts of Christmas Eve” on Friday, Nov. 24, with shows at 3 and 7:30 p.m. at the SNHU Arena (555 Elm St. in Manchester; snhuarena.com, 644-5000). Tickets start at $43.

Featured photo: Courtesy photo.

Quality of Life 23/10/12

Millennials on the move

A recent study by Upgraded Points revealed that wealthy millennials, defined as individuals ages 26 to 45 earning more than $200,000 annually, are increasingly moving to certain U.S. states. Factors such as improved economic conditions, remote work opportunities, and the pursuit of affordable housing and better quality of life have driven this trend. The study found that New Hampshire ranks 7th in the nation in attracting wealthy millennials, with a net gain of 4.4 percent. This influx has resulted in a positive impact on the state’s tax base, with a net increase of more than $229 million attributed to wealthy millennial movers, the press release said.
QOL score: +1
Comment: Florida and Texas were among the top states gaining wealthy millennials, while California and New York experienced losses.

Shot clock

Since the availability of updated Covid-19 boosters last month, many in New Hampshire have faced challenges in getting their shots due to limited slots, last-minute appointment rescheduling or insurance issues, NHPR reported. Previously the federal government procured and distributed Covid-19 vaccines to health care providers. Now hospitals, pharmacies and health centers purchase vaccines directly from manufacturers or wholesalers. This transition has led to shipping delays and availability issues in various pharmacies across the country, including in New Hampshire.
QOL score: -2
Comment: This season’s vaccines have been updated to guard against the latest virus strains, and the CDC recommends a new vaccine for everyone age six months and older this fall.

We’ve got Halloween spirit

Lombardo Homes conducted a study on decorating for Halloween and found that New Hampshire ranks third in the nation for its decorative enthusiasm. The study also found that the crow is the state’s favorite Halloween adornment. Conducted in August 2023, the study is based on an analysis of 7,330 Halloween-related Google search terms and purchasing behaviors; data sourced from search volumes per capita over the last year; and a survey in the same month that involved 1,209 Americans discussing their Halloween decoration habits.
QOL score: +1
Comment: The research also revealed that Americans are allocating more for Halloween decorations this year compared to the previous year, with an average expenditure of $87, a rise from $61 in 2022.

Child care woes

Since 2020 New Hampshire has received more than $142 million in federal funds for child care stabilization, covering costs like scholarships and aiding businesses that faced losses during the pandemic, However, as this funding concludes, local child care providers say that challenges like staffing shortages and limited options for families persist. NHPR reported that the central issue remains competitive wages for child care workers, who are often paid less. New Hampshire has introduced some legislation to aid child care services, but advocates emphasize the need for continued focus and funding at both the state and federal levels.
QOL score: -2
Comment: Additionally, many areas, like Lancaster, face shortages of child care facilities, leading parents to travel considerable distances.

QOL score: 90
Net change: -2
QOL this week: 88

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

Saints came marching in

The Big Story – Belichick Hot Seat Gets Hotter: A week after being humiliated by the Cowboys, things got even worse for the Patriots as after being crushed again, this time by New Orleans 34-0 in Foxboro on Sunday, the last-place Patriots are effectively four games behind the 4-1 Dolphins in the AFC East already since Miami owns the tiebreaker from their 24-17 Week 2 win.

The second straight inept offensive performance led QB Mac Jones to be yanked again in the second half. And while Coach B says it won’t be next week, it seems inevitable he’s on the verge of losing his job to a guy who was cut in the final week of pre-season camp.

With them next heading to the site of last year’s most humiliating loss in Vegas, followed by games vs. Buffalo and in Miami, it’s likely the seat Bill Belichick sits on could be red hot before November even arrives.

Sports 101: Which franchise has the most wins in NFL history?

News Item – San Francisco Rises: A week after humbling the Patriots 38-3, the Cowboys got the same in a 42-7 loss on national TV to the 49ers. It moved the Niners to 5-0 as QB Brock Purdy continues to follow the script of the young Tom Brady in moving to 10-0 as a regular season starter after being taken dead last at 262 overall in the 2022 NFL draft. It grew SF’s point differential to +99 and strengthened the perception they’re now the team to beat.

News Item – It’s Not How You Start, It’s How You Finish: The Rays were the living breathing example of that old adage as their record-setting 13-0 start to 2023 didn’t mean much in the end. First Baltimore, who were already six games behind by April 14, caught them in mid-July on their way to winning the AL East by two games. Then it ended quickly in the wild card round, losing 0-2 vs. Texas.

The Numbers:

177 – number representing how bad a week it was for the Cowboys’ Dak Prescott, as it’s how many passes Houston rookie CJ Stroud has thrown to begin his career without an interception, breaking the record held by Dak until Sunday.

149.3 – passing rating against the just re-acquired JC Jackson during his tenure with the Chargers after leaving Foxboro as a free agent in 2022.

162.00 – ERA of Dodgers hurler Clayton Kershaw after surrendering five hits, a walk and six earned runs while getting just one Arizona batter out in L.A.’s 11-2 NLDS Game 1 loss.

19,704 – shockingly sparse number of people at Game 1 of the Rays–Texas playoff series in Tampa. It was baseball’s smallest postseason crowd since the 1919 World Series, when, oh by the way, gamblers paid the Black Sox to throw the series.

… Of the Week Awards

Why Can’t We Get Guys Like That Award – Jakobi Meyers: The ex-Patriot had 18 catches for 199 yards after his first three games with the Raiders before being sidelined with a concussion. The best anyone on his old team has mustered in five games is Hunter Henry’s 17 and 176.

Thumbs Up – Wenyen Gabriel: Nice to see one-time Trinity HS Pioneer get a chance to make the Celtics via the training camp contract he just signed.

Random Thoughts:

So much for drama in MLB’s Wild Card Series. Four 2-0 sweeps with only one game within two runs. Snore.

Sorry, Myles Bryant, a celebration dance after a sack with the Pats down 21-0 minutes into the second half is for losers.

Taylor Swift – Travis Kelce. Someone tell me why I should give a flip about that silly story.

A Little History – RIP Dick Butkus: Words can’t convey the ferocity of how the Bears’ all-time great middle linebacker played. Only a trip to YouTube can illustrate just how scary he was.

With all due respect to Lawrence Taylor, Butkus, who passed away last week at 80, was the most intimidating player ever.

While Taylor revolutionized the outside backer position I’d take Butkus over LT by a smidge as the greatest defensive player ever too, because he had a wider influence over the entire field than Taylor, exemplified by his 27 fumble recoveries and 22 interceptions in 112 games to LT’s two and 15 in 58 more games. RIP, big fella, and thanks for the memories.

Sports 101 Answer: Green Bay has the most NFL wins with 735. Pittsburgh, who picked number 700 last Sunday, is second.

Final Thought: I’m on record as saying short of a 2-15 disaster Coach B won’t get the ax after this year no matter what. But now I’m not so sure.

It’s not just the disasters of the last two weeks. Or even the 23-27 record since Tom Brady left the building. Most alarming as the dynasty fades in the rear view mirror is that they’re 3-12 vs. playoff teams post TB-12. Which means they are heading in the wrong direction with no apparent sign better days are on the horizon. And that’s all on Bill.

Email Dave Long at [email protected].

Category: News