Category: News

Quality of Life 23/03/30

Falcons’ first egg

The peregrine falcon pair living in New Hampshire Audubon’s peregrine nest box atop the Brady Sullivan Tower in Manchester have welcomed their first egg of the season. According to the Audubon’s daily peregrine falcons log, the egg was laid on Sunday, March 26, at 4 a.m., which is right on schedule as the peregrines typically lay their eggs in late March, hatch their chicks at the end of April and fledge their young by early June. You can watch the falcons on the Audubon’s 24/7 high-definition livestream of the nest box on YouTube; visit nhaudubon.org/education/birds-and-birding/ peregrine-cam for links and more information.

QOL score: +1

Comment: The first egg of 2022 was laid on March 21, with four eggs to follow, one laid every two to three days.

We’re pretty innovative

A recent WalletHub study ranked New Hampshire the ninth most innovative U.S. state. The study looked at various factors, such as the numbers of STEM professionals, science- and engineering-degree holders, invention patents, accelerated start-ups, households with internet access and more. New Hampshire ranked especially high for eighth-grade math and science academic performance (No. 2), projected STEM job demand by 2030 (No. 8) and share of technology companies (No. 9).

QOL score: +1

Comment: Massachusetts is the only New England state to join New Hampshire in the top 10, coming in at No. 2, behind District of Columbia.

Tomie dePaola Forever stamp

The U.S. Postal Service will honor prolific New Hampshire children’s author and illustrator Tomie dePaola with the issuance of a Forever stamp. According to a press release, the stamp art features an illustration from the cover of Strega Nona, the first book in dePaola’s popular series of the same name, published in 1975, depicting the book’s title character, which translates from Italian to “Grandma Witch.” A first-day-of-issue event and dedication ceremony for the stamp will take place at the Currier Museum of Art (150 Ash St., Manchester), free and open to the public, on Friday, May 5, at 11 a.m. Visit usps.com/tomiedepaola.

QOL score: +1

Comment: Tomie dePaola, who died in March 2020 at the age of 85, wrote and illustrated more than 270 children’s books during his 50-plus-year career.

Another reason to avoid ticks

The tick-borne disease babesiosis has reached the status of “endemic” in New Hampshire, meaning that it is considered to be a regularly occurring disease in the state, New Hampshire Bulletin reported. A study recently released by The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention revealed that the number of reported cases of babesiosis in New Hampshire had risen from 13 in 2011 to 63 in 2019, an increase of more than 370 percent within the eight-year period. The disease, typically carried to humans by infected black-legged or deer ticks, can cause flu-like symptoms and the destruction of red blood cells, or it can show no symptoms. Elderly people and people with weakened immune systems are at the highest risk of developing serious health complications.

QOL score: -1

Comment: Visit tickfreenh.org for local resources and information to prevent and protect against tick-borne illnesses.

QOL score: 61

Net change: +2

QOL this week: 63

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

The week that was

The Big Story: The Red Sox kick off the season Thursday, March 30, at Fenway against the Baltimore Orioles. After three last-place finishes in four years and jettisoning the face of the franchise for the second time in four years it is a season that is met with the lowest sense of anticipation since the Butch Hobson era 30 years ago.

It’s so bad I’ve got the over-under for ticket sales at under two million. For a franchise that sold out every seat for 10 straight years that’s an amazing fall from grace. And if they get off to a bad start look out below.

The expectations are so low that I have not mentioned them once all spring in this space.

They have no one to blame but themselves as the owner decided to go small market in 2019 by firing Dave Dombrowski less than a year after putting the best Red Sox team in the franchise on the field and replaced him with a stat geek GM who can’t judge talent and who plays an awful style of baseball while giving the impression that he is thoroughly over his head. And they only signed Raffy Devers after John Henry got booed off the stage at a ticket caravan event in Springfield, Mass. And then he did what he always does — caved to fan pressure with the same kind of penny wise and pound foolish move that cost $190 million on Pablo Sandoval and Hanley Ramirez.

Beyond all that I’m really bullish on the season ahead.

Thumbs Up: Two weeks ago it was Devin McCourty who was hanging them up and now it’s fellow three-time champ teammate Dont’a Hightower. He officially retired last week after sitting out 2023. Three cheers for a career filled with great leadership and clutch play.

News Item – NCAA Hockey Regional Returns: With the Bruins careening toward the possible best regular season in NHL history, Boston got a measure of revenge against the team that shockingly deep-sixed them the last time they did that, as Boston U downed Cornell on Saturday night in front of 7,143 fans in the Northeast Regional at the SNHU Arena. It’s sorta revenge because when the Bobby Orr- and Phil Esposito-led Bs were doing it to the NHL in 1970-71 they were undone by Montreal goalie Ken Dryden, who was all of six games into his career after leaving Cornell at the conclusion of his college career.

And Another Thing – Back to the Sox: Here are questions I have as the season gets started. (1) What is the over-under on wins for alleged ace Chris Sale? Though how you can call anyone who is 11-12 over the last three years “ace” is beyond me. (2) Will the double-play combo of Christian Arroyo and Kiké Hernandez make anyone think of Rick Burleson and Jerry Remy? (3) Will Masataka Yoshida turn out to be Japan’s answer to Rusney Castillo or the real deal he looked to be in the World Baseball Classic? (4) Which will vaunted rookie first baseman Triston Casas turn out to be: the slugger he looked to be hitting five homers in 75 September at-bats, or the one who was .197 then?

Dramatic Moment of the Week: Can’t have a much more dramatic moment than the way the World Baseball Classic Final ended. Two out, full count bottom-of-the-ninth confrontation between huge stars and L.A. Angels teammates Shohei Ohtani and Mike Trout with Japan leading 3-2. It gave the WBC the ending it could only dream of with the win going to Japan when Ohtani got his teammate to swing and miss on a final-pitch slider.

The MVP went to Ohtani after a performance many imagined the first true two-way player since the Babe might have someday, hitting .435 with a homer, four doubles, 10 walks and eight RBI to go with a 2-0 record on the mound with 11 Ks in 9.2 innings with a 1.86 ERA.

Thanks for the Memories Award – Willis Reed: May 8, 1970, was the greatest game of my fan experience. And it was all because of Willis Reed, who passed away last week at the age of 80 in Houston.

I can still hear the roar from the Garden crowd as a young Marv Albert told us watching on TV with the sound down and the radio volume up, “Here Comes Willis.”

Never in my lifetime has a player lifted an entire city up the way Willis Reed did by playing through pain of a torn hip muscle in that moment for NY Knicks fans. And believe it or not Game 7 of the NBA Finals between the Knicks and Lakers was won right there. Especially after he scored the first two baskets of the game.

So RIP, big fella.

In My Not So Humble Opinion: There has been a lot of chatter about the Patriots having set their sights on Arizona’s DeAndre Hopkins and Denver’s Jerry Jeudy as their top targets in the quest to land a lead receiver with primo speed, raising the so far unanswered question of why would Denver trade their best receiver who is still on his rookie contract. My two cents are, go for Jeudy.

While Hopkins at his peak has the higher upside, he’s coming off two descending years and is at the same age (30) at which similar elite receivers A.J. Green and Julio Jones started losing it, in part because of age-related nagging leg injuries. Jeudy on the other hand is on the rise and coming off a year when had a tad under 1,000 receiving yards. Plus he’s still on a rookie contract and makes about $15 million less than Hopkins, so bringing him on board won’t lead to any cuts for salary cap reasons. He’ll cost more in draft capital (asking price is a first-rounder), but he’s ready on Day 1 and they can extend him after 2023 if they like what they see. So the better plan is Jeudy.

Email Dave Long at dlong@hippopress.com.

Celebrating city schools

Meet a new member of the Manchester Proud team

Meet Lauren Boisvert, who recently became the first community communications coordinator for Manchester Proud, a community-based movement committed to celebrating and strengthening the successes of students attending Manchester’s public schools. Visit manchesterproud.org.

What is Manchester Proud?

Manchester Proud is about championing student success [by] celebrating the amazing things that our students are doing, from sports games to band practices to science fairs … and providing opportunities [for student success]. We work very closely with the district and with community partners such as the Boys & Girls Clubs, the YMCA and Gear Up to amplify the things they are doing to help families, community members and students have access to resources. … We also have something called the Compass, which is basically a tool where our community partner organizations can post what resources and opportunities they offer. Then, community members can log into that portal and see who offers day care on a snow day, or who offers mental services, things like that.

What led you to Manchester Proud?

They needed somebody who could be the liaison for communication to make sure that families know about this organization and its resources. … I think my background fits well with the mission of Manchester Proud. I graduated from the New Hampshire Institute of Art, got a degree in education and art, and I taught for a while. Having educational experience in the K-through-12 school setting really helps me understand the different groups of people we’re appealing to — the parents, the students, the teachers — and how to support them.

What does your job as community communications coordinator entail?

I maintain our social media accounts and our website, and I create flyers and send out newsletters. I’m part of meetings and planning committees, and I work with the district staff to execute their communication and strategic plans. There are also random things that pop up; for example, right now we have a student scholarship opportunity that we’re advertising, so I’m working with our community partners to get the word out about that.

What would you like to accomplish?

The biggest challenge for Manchester Proud — and the whole reason they brought me on board — is to make sure people know about us and to get more community involvement. … My goal is for Manchester Proud to be more active on social media, because that’s the best way to reach the most people. Previously we only had a Facebook and a Twitter page. I created an Instagram and LinkedIn page, because I want to make sure we’re on all of the platforms so that we can appeal to the community members’ different preferred platforms. I’m also making sure that we’re posting consistently. … Finally, I’m talking with students, families and community members directly to find out what are the best ways to reach them and get them involved.

What would you like people to know about Manchester Proud?

That we want to give as many opportunities as possible to as many different students as possible. … The scholarship opportunity that I mentioned, for example, is not just for students who are going to college; it’s also for students who may be going into the armed forces or students who are taking a gap year.

What do you enjoy most about this work?

The biggest thing for me is making a difference by bringing a positive to the district; helping out the students by making sure they know [about] and have access to all these resources and tools; and making sure that the students and all the amazing things that are happening in the district are celebrated.

Featured photo: Lauren Boisvert. Courtesy photo.

News & Notes 23/03/30

Outstanding service

The New Hampshire School Administrators Association has named Kearsarge Regional School District Assistant Superintendent Michael Bessette the recipient of NHSAA’s 2023 Outstanding Service Award. According to a press release, the award is given to an outstanding New Hampshire school system leader who is not a Superintendent of Schools, who works to improve district educational programs and services, contributes to workplace climate and high morale, anticipates and acts to resolve emerging problems and demonstrates professional growth and involvement. Bessette has served as Assistant Superintendent for seven years. Previously, he worked as a school administrator and principal in the Hopkinton, Timberlane and Derry school districts. “New Hampshire’s public schools offer students the critical skills, content, and competencies necessary to prepare them for college and career readiness,” Bessette said in the release. “There is nothing more professionally rewarding for me personally than to assist students seeking to achieve their educational goals.”

Cleaner air

The Nashua School District recently completed a nearly $800,000 project to install high-tech air purification systems in eight of its 17 schools. According to a press release, the district contracted with Sanalife of Tyngsborough, Mass., to upgrade the air purification systems, which use a new kind of technology to not only remove harmful pollutants and bacteria from the air but also release air-scrubbing molecules throughout a space to reduce airborne and surface contaminants. Nashua School District is one of the first school districts in New Hampshire to install this type of air quality technology in its schools.

Meals for kids

The New Hampshire House voted on March 22 to pass HB 572, a bill that would allow more New Hampshire families to qualify for their children to receive free school meals. According to a press release, eligibility requirements for families would be expanded from 130 percent of the federal poverty level to 300 percent. “No child should go hungry because of circumstances beyond their control,” Rep. Muriel Hall, prime sponsor of the bill, said in the release. “The importance of food in a child’s education is obvious. School meals play a critical role in a student’s attendance, well-being, and academic success. A healthy diet can give a child the energy to think, work and play.” The bill will now go to the Senate.

Food help

Limited-income New Hampshire residents have until April 9 to apply for the Northeast Organic Farming Association’s 2023 Farm Share Program, New Hampshire Bulletin reported. The program allows qualifying residents to access community-supported agriculture shares, commonly known as CSAs, for discounted prices across the state. NOFA-NH covers 50 percent of the cost of each farm share while the recipient contributes 25 percent and local farms donate the rest. The program has partnered with 15 farms and provided 167 shares to more than 550 community members since its inception in 2017. For more information and to apply, visit nofanh.org/farm-share-program.

More beds

The New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services has received approval from the Executive Council on two new contracts that will expand acute inpatient mental health bed capacity in the state. According to a press release, an agreement with SolutionHealth will support the construction of a new facility in southern New Hampshire that will have 120 beds: 72 for adults, 24 for older individuals with gero-psychiatric issues and 24 for children and adolescents, voluntarily or involuntarily admitted for care. An agreement with Mary Hitchcock Memorial Hospital will support the construction of the first five beds in the Lebanon region designed to serve adult patients involuntarily admitted for care. “In 2019, the Department set an ambitious course to fundamentally rebuild New Hampshire’s behavioral health system,” DHHS Interim Commissioner Lori Weaver said in the release. “Together with our partners, we are building a more comprehensive, high-value, integrated system. As a result, we are making significant progress on the 10-Year Mental Health Plan and remain committed to full implementation.”

The second annual Evolution Expo will be held at the Grappone Conference Center in Concord (70 Constitution Ave.) on Sunday, April 2, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. According to a press release, the expo, presented by Nashua Restorative and Cosmetic Dentistry and hosted by Holistic Pros, will feature 20 presentations and workshops and more than 70 exhibitors and vendors highlighting wellness, spirituality and holistic health. Admission is free with advance reservations or $10 at the door. Visit holisticnh.org/evolution-expo.

The Michael LoVerme Memorial Foundation will host its annual free computer clinic Saturday, April 22, from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., at the Merrimack Public Library (470 Daniel Webster Hwy.). According to a press release, volunteer technicians will be available to sit down with participants one-on-one to answer technology-related questions, troubleshoot a computer problem or provide training and instruction on how to use computers and technology, including Macs, PCs, tablets and mobile devices. Visit mlmf.org/events/computer-clinic to register.

The Londonderry Senior Center (535 Mammoth Road) and the Londonderry Arts Council present For the Love of Music, a new acoustic jam session featuring local musicians, with a first session Sunday, April 16, from 2 to 5 p.m. Members of the Londonderry Senior Center and Londonderry residents over age 55 are welcome to attend. “This is a great opportunity … and we hope to make this a regular event,” Ilona Arndt, Senior Affairs Director, said in a press release.

This Week 23/03/23

Big Events March 23, 2023 and beyond

Thursday, March 23

Join Owen Lowery at tonight’s Art After Work at 5 p.m. as he recounts his time as the Currier Museum’s (150 Ash St., Manchester) Artist in Residence. Lowery, who is from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, will discuss the projects he has worked on with the Manchester community. See currier.org.

Thursday, March 23

The Aviation Museum of New Hampshire (27 Navigator Road, Londonderry) is having a humanities series presentation by Mary S. Build, seaplane pilot and memoirist, today at 7 p.m. Build will discuss how she found freedom in flying and will be signing copies of her book, Finding Myself in Aviation. Admission is $10 and registration can be completed at aviationmuseumofnh.org.

Friday, March 24

The Palace Theatre (80 Hanover St., Manchester) is hosting Queen cover band Killer Queen: The Music of Queen tonight and Saturday, March 25, at 7:30 p.m. The group celebrates the hits of the classic British rock band and its front man, Freddie Mercury. Tickets start at $30 and can be purchased at palacetheatre.org.

Friday, March 24

Catch Will Noonan, Lauren Severse and John Baglio at the Tupelo Night of Comedy tonight at 8 p.m. at the Tupelo Music Hall (10 A St. in Derry; tupelomusichall.com). Tickets cost $22. Find more place to get some laughs this weekend in our Comedy This Week listings on page 31.

Saturday, March 25

The Bank of New Hampshire Stage (16 S. Main St., Concord) is welcoming Souled Out Show Band tonight at 8 p.m. The veteran band has been spinning pop songs into soulful renditions for the last two decades. Tickets cost $24 and can be purchased at ccanh.com.

Sunday, March 26

Come to Balin Books (375 Amherst St., Nashua) for a book signing event with Nathan Guardian for his debut novel Wicked Womentoday at 2 p.m. The book tells the story of three young women and how they’re brought into the dark world of charming and mysterious Bonnie Buckingham and New England witches. For more information, call 673-1734.

Monday, March 27

Today is the first day of the Spring Cleaning Sale at Studio 550 Art Center (550 Elm St., Manchester). Items for sale will include projects worked on by studio members, a clay fund for kids, and pottery for a purpose, whose proceeds will benefit the International Institute of New England. Most items will cost less than $25 and the sale will be during studio hours, noon to 8 p.m. on Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday through Saturday. Visit 550arts.com for more information.

Save the Date! Friday, March 31
See Scotland-born fiddler Louise Bichanperform her project “Out of My Own Light” at the Word Barn (66 Newfields Road, Exeter) today at 7 p.m. The show tells the story of Bichan’s grandmother and her traveling from islands in Scotland to Canada to visit relatives and make a tough decision. The show is told through traditional-style Scottish music Bichan composed. Tickets start at $15 and can be bought at thewordbarn.com.

Featured photo. Spring Cleaning Sale at Studio 550 Art Center. Courtesy photo.

Quality of Life 23/03/23

Double the St. Pat’s fun

There is still more St. Patrick’s Day fun to be had as the City of Manchester celebrates the holiday this weekend with its St. Patrick’s Parade and Shamrock Shuffle. The parade will be held on Sunday, March 26, kicking off at noon from the intersection of Salmon and Elm streets in the Queen City and continuing south on Elm Street. Admission is free, and shuttle services will run from 10 a.m. to noon from the corner of Central and Chestnut streets to the parade’s assembly area. Visit saintpatsnh.com. Immediately before the parade is the Citizens Bank Shamrock Shuffle, a road race organized by Millennium Running that starts (at 11 a.m.) and finishes in front of Veterans Memorial Park (723 Elm St.). Visit millenniumrunning.com.

QOL score: +1

Comment: According to the Manchester St. Patrick’s Parade Facebook page, Elm Street is primed for the occasion with the two painted shamrocks on the pavement in front of City Hall and in front of Veterans Park having been given a fresh coat of paint with the help of Mayor Joyce Craig and the 2023 Grand Marshal Dick Phelan.

Increased hate group activity

Data recently released by the Anti-Defamation League revealed that activity by organized hate groups is on the rise and at an all-time high in New England. According to NHPR, the number of reports of white supremacist groups displaying or handing out propaganda in New Hampshire is now more than four times what it was in 2021.

QOL score: -2

Comment: The Anti-Defamation League’s report follows data released by the FBI earlier this year which revealed a significant increase in the number of hate crimes committed in New Hampshire, according to NHPR. New Hampshire law enforcement documented 34 reported hate crimes in 2021, up from 19 in 2020. Hate crimes are defined by the FBI as violent criminal acts against a person or property motivated by bias against a race, ethnicity, religion, disability, sexual orientation, gender or gender identity.

B.A.s for KFC-ers

Employees of New Hampshire’s 14 KFC restaurants can attend Western Governors University with 100 percent tuition coverage as part of a new partnership between KFC Foundation and the accredited online university. According to a press release, the opportunity is non-competitive, and every eligible employee who applies and enrolls will receive the tuition coverage. “Every year we look for new ways to support and enhance the lives of KFC restaurant employees,” Emma Horn, Executive Director of the KFC Foundation, said in the release.

QOL score: +1

Comment: WGU offers more than 60 bachelor’s and master’s degree programs and certification programs across Business, Information Technology, Education and Healthcare, according to the release.

QOL score: 61

Net change: 0

QOL this week: 61

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

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