Category: News

Quality of Life 24/09/12

Public service

As reported by WMUR on Monday, Sept. 9, Gov. Chris Sununu saved a choking victim Sunday, Sept. 8, at the Hampton Beach Lobster Roll Eating Competition. “Contestant Christian Moreno began to signal for help, tapping on his chest and looking to get the stuck piece of lobster out of his windpipe as he began to struggle to breathe,” according to the story. “I started saying, ‘He’s choking, he’s choking,’ … So I just moved forward and immediately started to kind of give him the Heimlich,” Sununu told WMUR. Gov. Sununu reported that the most surreal part of the experience was what happened immediately after he had cleared Moreno’s airway. “He went right back to the contest, which I couldn’t believe. He ate another seven lobster rolls after that,” Sununu said.

QOL score: +1

Comment: According to Hampton Chamber of Commerce representative Colleen Westcott, the contest was won by perennial contestant Chris Thurston of Somersworth.

That’s Dewey Decimal code 690

The Manchester City Library reported in a Sept. 4 blog post, that on Tuesday, Sept. 3, a slow leak in the ceiling of the Carpenter Memorial Library building began trickling water into the building’s mezzanine and into the nonfiction stacks. The volume of water leaking from a broken pipe increased, and as the blog post read, “This leak sent water raining over and into the mezzanine and then down into the nonfiction stacks below it. Quick action from the city’s Facilities division stopped the leak, but not before the water threatened those special collections on the library’s mezzanine as well as the nonfiction collections behind the Circulation Desk.” Library staff gathered and worked to move vulnerable materials to safety. The blog post reported, “It was a very large, heavy and intense job.”

QOL score: -2

Comment: The library will remain open during repairs, but parts of its collection might be temporarily unavailable.

Robotic cat on lend

In other library news, the Nashua Public Library has announced the opening of a new collection called “The Library of Things.” As reported in a Sept. 3 online article by WMUR, Nashua library patrons will now be able to borrow tools or other useful items from the library. The library’s website describes the items available, which include ukuleles, a telescope, a metal detector and a robotic cat companion.

QOL score: +1

Comment: At press time, the robotic cat was checked out and due back by Sept. 24, according to the library’s website.

Fades, braids and school supplies

On Sunday, Sept. 1, Manchester barber shop Get Faded gave free haircuts and school supplies to students. Shop owner Kim Lazoda said in a telephone interview that the event brought together talents from across Manchester’s hair community. “There was about 400 kids that came through the event,” she said. “[Two barbers from] West Side barber shop combined with our barber shop to help us out.” Electric Avenue Tattoos donated school supplies and painted faces, and Liana Locs and Nana Torres of Nana’s Hair Braiding braided hair for students who wanted it. Students ranged in age from very young to 12th grade.

QOL score: +1

Comment: Lazoda is also a certified Sensory Safe stylist for customers on the autism spectrum or with sensory issues.

QOL score last week: 80

Net change: +1

QOL this week: 81

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

Pats were tigers vs. Bengals

The Big Story – Mayo Era Begins: Well, I didn’t see that coming, especially from the maligned offensive line. The Jerod Mayo era began on an unexpected high note Sunday when his Patriots pretty much stunned everyone with a 16-10 win over the Bengals — on the road, no less — to put early check marks in the boxes of the O-line, GM Eliot Wolf, owner Bob Kraft and Mayo.

And with Seattle flying cross-country for the home opener, being 2-0 seems possible. Which would blow everyone’s pre-season predictions out of the water.

Sports 101: Name the four NFL teams who’ve never played in a Super Bowl.

News Item – Sox on Life Support: They’re not dead yet, but it ain’t looking good, as after stumbling through an awful three wins in 10 games they start the week with three teams ahead of them and four games out.

And while the hitting wasn’t great, the relief pitching was awful as (a) Kenley Jansen and Rich Hill issued three straight bases-loaded eighth-inning walks to turn a 3-1 lead into a 4-3 series-sweeping Mets win last Wednesday and (b)Zack Kelly gave up five runs in the ninth to the woeful White Sox in Sunday’s 7-2 loss.

News Item – 4 Pats Stars: (a) Kyle Dugger for saving TD’s on consecutive plays by first yanking the ball out of Mike Gesicki’s hands at the last second in the end zone, then stripping Tanner Hudson on the 1-foot line that was recovered and returned 17 yards by Marcus Jones; (b) Jonathan Jones for making a great tackle when it looked like Cincy was going to get a key first down on fourth and 2 from the 35 in the third quarter. (c) Keion White — as predicted by your not so humble scribe, Matthew Judon wasn’tmissed because KW filled that void with 2.5 sacks; (d) Rhamondre Stevenson (and the offensive line) for his 120 rushing yards and especially picking up three gigantic first downs on the final drive to run out the clock.

The Numbers:

46 & 46 – homers and stolen bases for Shohei Otani, asafter stealing numbers 44, 45 and 46 in one game alone last week and hitting two more homers, it’s looking likely he’ll become the first to enter the 50-50 club.

111 – losses for the White Sox to keep on pace to have the worst record in baseball history.

… Of the Week Awards

Thumbs Up – NFL Replay: They probably didn’t like it in Maryland, but a second look at the apparent TD that would have tied on the final play of the NFL opener between KC and Baltimore showed the value of the replay, as receiver Isaiah Likely’s toe actually was (barely) on the back line. So no TD.

It also correctly took away the Gesicki non-TD in the Patriots-Bengals game.

Thumbs Down – Injury of the Week: For seeing Washington Spirits rookie Croix Bethune somehow tearing her meniscus throwing out the first pitch at a Washington Nats game to honor her being part of U.S. Women’s Soccer winning gold at the Paris Olympics.

Barf Inducing Moment of the Week: Gonna sound like a get off my lawn grouch, but it was the first sight of the so-called “modernized” throwback uniforms worn by the New York Giants on Sunday. Yuck.

In Case You Missed It – Ceddanne Rafaela: The rookie’s versatility achieved a first in baseball history by playing 68 games at shortstop and 61 in center field. Which should be a big entry on the resume in voting for rookie of the year.

Random Thoughts:

By the way, after pointing out last week Andy Reid has a chance to surpass Bill Belichick in career wins I didn’t say it’s because he’s as good at designing offenses as Coach B is at D.

If you’re interested, it was five tackles and a ½ sack for Judon in his Atlanta debut.

After seeing his QB Will Levis average a microscopic 4.0 yards per attempt on Sunday, I wonder if Calvin Ridley was second guessing picking Tennessee over the Patriots in free agency.

Sports 101 Answer: Jacksonville, Houston, Cleveland and Detroit are the franchises who’ve never made it to the Super Bowl.

Final Thought – Garrett Crochet: Remember when everyone (including me) wanted the Red Sox to get the White Sox lefty at the trade deadline?

Well, Crochet has not gone more than four innings in any of his 11 starts since July 1. And while he’s not hurt, he’s only thrown 19.1 total since the deadline, including lasting just two innings against the Sox on Saturday when he gave up four earned runs.

Throw in his refusal to be dealt to a team unless it gave him an immediate multi-year deal. Meaning he took staying with the worst team in baseball history over going somewhere to win.

So while Craig Breslow didn’t get any help at the deadline, Crochet’s JD (blood and guts) Drew mindset tells us they dodged a bullet by passing on him.

Email Dave Long at dlong@hippopress.com.

News & Notes 24/09/12

Fox Forest field day

According to a press release, the New Hampshire Division of Forests and Lands will host its field day at the Caroline A. Fox Research and Demonstration Forest in Hillsborough on Saturday, Sept. 21, starting at 9 a.m.

In a statement, Inge Seaboyer, a program forester at the Division of Forests and Lands, said that “while we’re surrounded by New Hampshire’s forestland every day, not everyone knows about the complexities of our forests and the myriad of ways they’re used. Fox Forest Field Day is a really fun way for folks to come together and learn more about how our forests work and the work that comes from them.”

Activities and demonstrations at the free event include a tour led by Seaboyer from 9 to 10 a.m. of an active timber harvest taking place on site (sturdy walking shoes are recommended). From 10 to 11 a.m. Urban Forester A.J. Dupere will mill Norway spruce harvested from Fox Forest into boards using a portable sawmill, and from 11 a.m. to noon Diane DeLuca from NH Audubon will discuss pollinator gardens and their effect on forests and other landscapes.

From 1 to 2 p.m. the milling of Norway spruce continues, and throughout the day artist Jim Hallene of Goffstown will be demonstrating woodturning and the Baldwin Center building will be open to the public from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. for an exhibit of works by New Hampshire artists.

The event will take place rain or shine. For more information email foxforest@dncr.nh.gov or call 464-3453.

Spiny water flea

According to a New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services (NHDES) press release, the spiny water flea, an invasive microscopic animal, has increased in number across Lake Winnipesaukee this season, based on feedback from anglers who report fouling of fishing lines with dozens of these animals.

The spiny water flea is not harmful to humans but it can be a nuisance to anglers when it accumulates on fishing lines. Boaters and other on-water recreation enthusiasts play an important role in stopping the spread of the flea and similar aquatic invasive species, according to the release.

The NHDES will conduct formal surveys this fall but early indications show that densities of the invasive plankton have increased since its discovery in fall 2023 by state biologists, according to the release.

State biologists warn transient boaters and fishermen to always clean, drain and dry their recreational gear between bodies of water, but especially after being in Lake Winnipesaukee, as well as the two downstream lakes, Lake Opechee and Lake Winnisquam.

All fishing gear, especially fishing line, should be wiped down and left to dry for at least 24 to 48 hours before being used in another water body since these organisms spread by moving with transient boats, fishing gear and other equipment that comes in contact with the infected water, according to the release.

The spiny water flea is a type of zooplankton that is native to Europe and Asia and was introduced to the United States Great Lakes in the 1980s via contaminated cargo ship ballast water, according to the release.

Other Northeast locations of spiny water flea infestation include Lake Champlain in Vermont, as well as Lake George and a few other water bodies in New York.

The tiny animal was likely introduced here by a transient boater who visited a water body with an existing infestation, and then transported live organisms or eggs to Lake Winnipesaukee on recreational gear or in a water-containing structure like a live well or bilge, according to the release.

The spiny water flea has negative impacts on the aquatic food web by shifting plankton communities (microscopic plants and animals), which results in reduced gamefish population, especially trout and salmon, and there are no treatments available to control this species once it is established. The only management option is preventing introduction into uninfected waterbodies.

State biologists will be monitoring spiny water flea populations in September as part of a routine sampling event, according to the release. For more information or to report a potential new infestation, contact Amy Smagula at Amy.P.Smagula@des.nh.gov or 271-2248..

Deer archery season

The fall archery deer season starts on Sunday, Sept. 15, and, similar to 2023, deer hunters now have the option of registering their deer online by visiting wildlife.nh.gov/hunting-nh/deer-hunting-new-hampshire/how-register-your-deer.

Physical registration stations remain a choice for those who prefer the experience of in-person registration. To allow for the collection of biological data, online registration will be unavailable on the first two days of muzzleloader season, Saturday, Nov. 2, and Sunday, Nov. 3, and the first three days of firearms season, Wednesday Nov. 13, to Friday, Nov. 15. Hunters must check in their deer in person on these dates.

To accommodate the online registration system and streamline the tracking of deer registrations, hunters are reminded that New Hampshire Fish and Game no longer issues metal deer seals and instead will provide successful hunters with a confirmation number that will serve as their proof of registration, according to a press release.

Online registration provides a modern and convenient way for hunters to register their deer harvest. But for a list of in-person deer registration locations, visit wildlife.nh.gov/hunting-nh/check-stations-registration.

The Grazing Room at Colby Hill Inn in Henniker (33 The Oaks, colbyhillinn.com, 428-3281) will hold an “Into the Woods Wild Game & Foraging Dinner” on Saturday, Sept. 14, at 6 p.m. This is a six-course dinner with a bourbon tasting and a tented dessert station. The cost is $150 per person.

To Share Brewing Co. in Manchester (720 Union St., tosharebrewing.com) will hold its Oktoberfest on Saturday, Sept. 14, beginning at 1 p.m. The day will feature live music, brats topped with kraut, a stein-holding competition and more.

See some Faberge Imperial Easter Eggs on Tuesday, Sept. 17, at 7 p.m. at the Merrimack Historical Society (10 Depot St., Merrimack, 424-5207) as part of the New Hampshire Humanities (nhhumanities.org) selection of fall events.

This Week 24/09/05

Friday, Sept. 6

Oliver!, the musical based on Charles Dickens’ Oliver Twist, kicks off the St. Mary’s Bank 2024-2025 Performing Arts Series at the Palace Theatre (80 Hanover St., Manchester, palacetheatre.org) which offers a steampunk version of Victorian England for its production, according to a post on the theater’s Facebook page. The show runs tonight through Sunday, Sept. 29, with shows Friday at 7:30 p.m.; Saturday 2 and 7:30 p.m., and Sunday at 2 p.m. as well as Thursday, Sept. 26, at 7:30 p.m. Tickets cost $45 to $59.

Friday, Sept. 6

September’s First Friday tonight from 4 to 8 p.m. in downtown Concord is all about Back to School. Find food trucks, yoga on the Statehouse lawn, a Children’s Entrepreneur Market run entirely by children, pot painting, face painting, wine-tasting and outdoor dining. Visit intownconcord.org.

Saturday, Sept. 7

There will be a Thunder Run (thunderrunnh.com) today at 446 Raymond Road, Candia (the former site of Candia Springs). This race features more than 20 different obstacles and 5K of varied terrain. It bills itself as the best obstacle run experience in New Hampshire. Registration is $75 for adults and $40 for children. Group discounts are available. Register at the event website.

Saturday, Sept. 7

This year’s Monarch Festival (petalsinthepines.com/monarch-festival) concludes this weekend at Petals in the Pines (126 Baptist Road, Canterbury, 783-0220, petalsinthepines.com). Online reservations for two-hour time slots are required; the cost is $7 for adults, $3.50 for kids, and infants (non-walkers) get in free. Learn about ways to help migrating monarchs and other pollinators at the festival, which will feature kids’ activities and games, monarch tagging, book readings, labyrinths, ask a master gardener, free milkweed seeds and 2 miles of woodland trails and garden paths, according to a press release. Butterfly wings and costumes are encouraged, according to the website.

Saturday, Sept. 7

Today marks the 19th annual Pedaling for Payson Bike Event at Elm Brook Park (2097 Maple St., Hopkinton). This community event annually attracts more than 300 cyclists who help to support Concord Hospital Payson Center for Cancer Care. Choose from various routes: 50-mile, 30-mile, 16-mile, mountain bike, 22-mile gravel and 45-mile gravel rides. New this year is the P4P Spin Ride; sign up for a 40-minute wave, either as an individual or as a team, and spin for a good cause. Visit runsignup.com/Race/NH/Hopkinton/PedalingforPayson for registration costs and information.

Sunday, Sept. 8

Granite State Antique Shows (506-9848, gsashows.com) will stage an antique show today from 8:30 a.m. to noon at Granite Town Plaza (185 Elm St., Milford). General admission is $5 per person; early admission (beginning at 7 a.m.) is $30 per person.

Sunday, Sept. 8

Second Chance Ranch Rescue (secondchanceranchrescue.com) in New Boston is hosting its 4th Annual Poker Ride today from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. The participants (cars and motorcycles) must visit five checkpoints, drawing a playing card at each one to create a poker hand. Having the best hand and winning is purely a matter of chance. Begin at Manchester Harley-Davidson (115 John E. Devine Drive, Manchester, 836-4997, manchesterharley.com) at 9 a.m. and show your hand at the Auburn Pitts (167 Rockingham Road, Auburn, 622-6564, auburnpitts.com) by 1 p.m.

Wednesday, Sept. 12

The BNH Stage (16 S. Main St., Concord, 225-1111, ccanh.com) will host Choir! Choir! Choir! tonight at 7 p.m. This is a fully interactive, participatory show that turns audience members into performers as they sing their hearts out with hundreds of other music-lovers. It’s like a big birthday party for the greatest songs of all time. General admission tickets are $43.75 in advance; balcony seats are $10 more. All tickets will cost an additional $5 at the door. Visit ccanh.com.

Wags to Whiskers Festival
Saturday, Sept. 16, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Anheuser-Busch Brewery (221 DW Highway, Merrimack, 595-1202, anheuser-busch.com/breweries/merrimack-nh). It will be a day of fun, featuring vendors, food trucks, demos, games and raffles. There will be an adoption tent on site with puppies. Visit hsfn.org/wags-whiskers-festival. Tickets are $15 for adults 21 and up, $12 for ages 17 to 20. Ages 16 and younger attend free.

Featured photo: Oliver at the Palace Theater.

Quality of Life 24/09/05

Former Fisher Cat makes history

Danny Jansen, a catcher who previously played for the New Hampshire Fisher Cats, made Major League Baseball history by being the first player to play for both teams in the same game. On June 26 Jansen was at bat for the Toronto Blue Jays against the Boston Red Sox, while Sox catcher Reese McGuire was behind the plate, when the game was postponed due to rain and rescheduled to Aug. 26. In the interim, Jansen was traded to the Red Sox, taking McGuire’s slot as catcher. When the game resumed, the Sox put Jansen in McGuire’s spot in the lineup, so he finished out the game as a Red Sox player.

QOL score: +1

Comment: The Blue Jays went on to win the game, 4-1.

Helpful doggos

In an Aug. 27 press release, New Hampshire Emergency Services and Communication (DESC), which operates New Hampshire’s 911 Emergency Number System, announced the start of a new comfort dog program. Winni, a young golden retriever, will be on site to give support to 911 dispatchers. Agent Winni will be available upon request, even during off-shift hours, to provide mental health support to DESC personnel. The press release quoted Robert Quinn, the Commissioner of New Hampshire’s Department of Safety” “Our skilled telecommunicators at New Hampshire 911 professionally handle emergency incidents every day, but we know sometimes the nature of the work takes a toll. I commend all those who worked hard to make this happen, and I look forward to seeing Winni at work.”

QOL score: +1

Comment: Winni will be issued an employee ID and 911 agent number.

Challenges of a graying of New Hampshire

In an Aug. 16 report the New Hampshire Fiscal Policy Institute (nhfpi.org) said the number of older residents in the state will soon outstrip the number of children. The report, titled “New Hampshire’s Growing Population and Changing Demographics Before and Since the Covid-19 Pandemic,” states that New Hampshire’s population is aging faster than the United States overall. “By 2030, the number of adults over age 65 in the state is expected to be larger than the number of children,” the report read, citing data from the New Hampshire Department of Business and Economic Affairs. “With more residents reaching traditional retirement ages over the coming decade, many may leave the labor force, possibly contributing to workforce shortages and a smaller labor force,” the report said.

QOL score: -1

Comment: Find the report on the Fiscal Policy Institute’s website.

The Jaguars go global

The Windham High School Jaguars became the first football team from New England to play internationally, Friday, Aug. 23, when they played a Florida team at the Global Ireland Football Tournament in Dublin. As reported by the Boston Globe on Aug. 27, the Jaguars’ first game of the year was overseas. “Usually the first game is a 10-on-10 scrimmage,” the article quoted sixth-year Windham coach Jack Byrne. “Now all of a sudden, it’s the biggest game that we’ve ever played in.” The Jaguars played opposite the Maclay School from Tallahassee, Florida, as the first game in a triple-header.

QOL score: +1 for the global play

Comment: According to the NH Football Report (nhfootballreport.com), the Jaguars lost their game with Maclay, 35-23.

QOL last week: 78

Net change: +2

QOL this week: 80

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

Let us know at news@hippopress.com.

Local concerns about KC

The Big Story – NFL Season Opener Dead Ahead: It all gets started tonight in KC when the two-time defending champs take on the Baltimore Ravens in a rematch of last year’s AFC Championship game. Three things about KC are relevant to fans in these parts.

First, with three already and Patrick Mahomes in just his seventh season, KC is halfway to matching the six won by the Patriots in the Brady-Belichick era. Second, depending on how long he plans to coach, with 284 wins and his QB just entering prime years, 66-year-old Andy Reid has a realistic shot to catch Bill Belichick (333) and move past Don Shula (347) for most wins ever. Finally, Mahomes is on pace to roll by every one of Tom Brady’s all-time passing records. Long way to go, but that puts him on a path to eclipse TB-12 as the GOAT. Enjoy.

Sports 101 – For Level-A History Folks: Who was the last QB to wear a number above 19 in the NFL?

News Item – Jarren Duran: It’s been quite a year for the Boston speedster. In addition to being the All-Star Game MVP, last week he became the first player in history to have 40 doubles, 10 triples, 20 homers and 30 stolen bases in the same season.

News Item – Pitching Effort of the Week: Brayan Bello continues to pitch well after finding his groove from that big dip starting in early June. Exhibit A was last week’s two-hit, eight-shutout-inning, nine-strikeout masterpiece in a 3-0 win over Toronto. It moved him to 12-6 and dropped the ERA to 4.66, its lowest point since June 8.

News Item – Patriots 2024 Kick-Off:

News and thoughts ahead of Sunday’s opener vs. the Bengals, when Jacoby Brissett will start at QB.

Notable Roster Moves – Cuts – QB Bailey Zappe and power back Kevin Harris. PUP List – G Cole Strange and WR Kendrick Bourne.

Most Improved on D – Keion White: Think he’s going to be a difference maker.

Most Improved on O – Demario Douglas: Showed flashes last year he could be their next go-to slot receiver.

Biggest Surprise – The D: Since they were better after he went down for the season I don’t think they’ll miss Matthew Judon that much. And while losing Christian Barmore is another story, I think White will pick up the slack and they’ll piece it together.

Worst Part of Team – Offensive Line: Its being so bad is the reason I thought drafting a QB with the third overall pick before fixing it was a big mistake.

The Numbers:

20 – consecutive years in the majors for 44-year-old Rich Hill after returning this week for his third stint with the Red Sox.

85 – most-in-the-majors unearned runs allowed (at press time) by the porous Red Sox defense, 21 ahead of second-worst Miami.

… Of the Week Awards:

Dumbest Rule of the Year – New NFL Onside Kicks: Amid a number of new rules for the on-side kick, including that you can only do it in the fourth quarter and you have to be losing, the dumbest is having to tell the other team you’re going to do it.

Alumni News – Mac Jones Update: If you’re interested, here’s what the exiled Patriots QB did under an offensive head coach and with real receivers to throw to during the exhibition season: 38 for 52, completion average 73.3 percent, 421 yards, 8.1 yards gained per attempt, three TD passes, no picks, long gain 31 yards and a QB rating of 115.3.

What A Stupid I Yam Award – Me: Yaz actually turned 85 on Aug. 22, not 84 as I said. Thanks to eagle-eyed SF Giants fan/reader Dick Lombardi for catching that.

Random Thoughts

My only complaint about trading Judon is the brass should have anticipated he’d whine in the final year of his contract and traded him before the draft so they’d have that third pick now instead of having to wait until 2025.

Sports 101 Answer: JohnHadlwas the last above-19-wearing QB when he wore 21 for four teams starting with San Diego in 1962 through 1978.

Final Thought – Big Patriots Questions and Predictions:

Biggest Question – Jerod Mayo: He’s a first-time HC so expect hiccups, especially as the lifetime defender tries to untangle the offensive malaise of the last two years.

Should They Tank? Sadly with their schedule they don’t have to. But, while I hate trying to lose, that doesn’t mean they shouldn’t play all their young guys to gain as much experience as possible. That includes Drake Maye and if they lose as a result that’s OK.

When Will Maye Take Over? Week 7 vs. the Jets at home on Oct. 27.

2024 Season Prediction – 3-14: It ain’t like the old days when the question was will they win 13 or 14. Instead, it’s for how many losses. And they don’t get their last two until December.

Email Dave Long at dlong@hippopress.com.

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