Category: News

Currier CEO resigns

Alan Chong, the Director and CEO of the Currier Museum of Art in Manchester, has announced his resignation after nearly seven years in the position. “This is the ideal moment for both me and the museum to start new chapters in our work,” Chong said in a press release. “The Currier Museum has emerged from the pandemic in excellent shape, and now needs to seek innovative and exciting leadership.” Under Chong’s direction, the museum’s collection was expanded and diversified with acquisitions of sculpture and decorative arts; works by esteemed artists such as Norman Lewis and Judith Leyster; Chinese export paintings for New England traders; and, most notably, the Frank Lloyd Wright-designed Kalil House. Also during Chong’s leadership, the museum’s pioneering art therapy programs aimed at helping veterans dealing with post-traumatic stress disorder, helping children, adult art students and individuals with cognitive challenges, and helping individuals grappling with addiction have gained national recognition. Karen Graham, the Deputy Director and Chief Operating Officer, will serve as interim director while the museum conducts a nationwide search to find Chong’s replacement.

School groundbreaking

Trinity High School and St. Joseph Regional Junior High School in Manchester held a groundbreaking ceremony for their expansion and renovation project on March 29 on the Trinity High School grounds. According to a press release, the goal is to combine both schools into one state-of-the-art location. The project will add 45,000 square feet to the current facility and include a media center, a new robotics lab, science labs and advanced technology throughout the classrooms. Phase I is expected to be completed by Fall 2024, and the entire project, including Phase II completion, is planned for Fall 2025. Bishop Peter A. Libasci blessed the project and the grounds during the ceremony, with more than 100 guests, including Diocesan Catholic Schools and Administration staff, clergy members, Manchester city officials, current students and alumni in attendance.

Trails grants

Nonprofit organizations, private groups or government entities that are interested in improving New Hampshire’s public trails can now apply for grants through the Recreational Trails Program, administered by the New Hampshire Division of Parks and Recreation and New Hampshire Bureau of Trails. According to a press release, the competitive grant program provides funds for improvement projects for motorized, non-motorized and diversified trails, including maintenance and restoration of existing trails, purchase and lease of equipment, construction of new trails, development of trailside and trailhead facilities and educational materials for trail-related activities and safety. Applicants are required to attend at least one of three mandatory workshops to learn more about the program. The workshops are scheduled for Wednesday, May 17, at 1 and 6 p.m. at the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources in Concord (172 Pembroke Road) and Wednesday, May 24, at 6 p.m. at the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources in Lancaster (629 B Main St.). Applications, available at nhstateparks.org/about-us/trails-bureau/grants/recreational-trails-program, are due by 4 p.m. Friday, June 16. Funding for the program is generated from federal gas tax dollars paid on fuel purchases for off-highway recreational vehicles and snowmobiles and appropriated to the states by the Federal Highway Administration as authorized through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021.

Dental coverage

New Hampshire Medicaid recipients age 21 and above will have comprehensive dental coverage under the New Hampshire Smiles Adult Program, the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services’ Division of Medicaid Services announced in a press release. The program provides preventive dental care such as examinations, X-rays and cleanings, as well as treatment, such as extractions, oral surgeries, fillings, limited gum-related treatment and more. The program also covers transportation to dental appointments and support for oral health through care management. Additionally, individuals who qualify for Medicaid under the Developmental Disability Waiver, Acquired Brain Disorder Waiver and the Choices for Independence Waiver, and residents of skilled nursing facilities, will have coverage for removable partial and full dentures. The program has a yearly benefit limit and cost-sharing on non-preventative and non-diagnostic services. Qualifying individuals can schedule an appointment by calling 1-877-248-6684.

Historic markers

Black Heritage Trail of New Hampshire will unveil historic markers in Milford and Nashua during May as part of a statewide program, “Mapping Untold Stories,” which aims to showcase the rich history and contributions of Black people in New Hampshire. The Milford marker, to be unveiled at Milford Town Hall on Saturday, May 20 at 10:30 a.m., honors Harriet Wilson, the first African American to publish a novel in English. The Nashua marker will be unveiled at Holman Stadium, home of the Nashua Silver Knights collegiate baseball team, on Tuesday, May 30, at 5:30 p.m., to honor Black baseball players Roy Campanella, a Hall of Fame catcher, and Don Newcombe, a Cy Young Award-winning pitcher, who were signed to play with the Nashua Dodgers in 1946. The “Mapping Untold Stories” initiative plans to unveil four more markers in 2023. Visit blackheritagetrailnh.org.

The City of Concord Planning Division was awarded the 2023 Community Collaborator of the Year Award at CATCH Neighborhood Housing’s annual “Making Community Home” event on Thursday, March 23. According to a press release, the award is given to an individual or organization that has partnered with CATCH and demonstrated a commitment to providing safe and affordable housing throughout Merrimack County. The Division, led by Heather Shank, has supported efforts to address the challenge of affordable housing, and created and helped to implement master plans for new development through community engagement.

The New Hampshire Fisher Cats, a Double-A affiliate of the Toronto Blue Jays, have announced their broadcast team for the 2023 season, which starts Thursday, April 6, in Altoona, Pennsylvania. According to a press release, the team includes Steve Goldberg as Broadcasting and Media Relations Manager, Gareth Kwok as Broadcasting and Media Relations Assistant, and Bob Lipman as team historian. Pat Cullen and Zach Herman will return as lead producers of Fisher Cats baseball, and all 138 games will air on iHeartRadio’s WGIR 610 AM (Manchester) and Fox Sports 930 WPKX (Rochester). The Fisher Cats will play their home opener at Northeast Delta Dental Stadium in Manchester (1 Line Drive) on Tuesday, April 11, against the Portland Sea Dogs.

Merrimack County Savings Bank has announced the opening of its eighth branch in Windham, with a grand opening planned for summer 2023. The new location will feature a full range of banking and lending services, a drive-up, ATM and night drop, according to a press release.

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.