Category: News

This Week 24/05/30

Friday, May 31

The curtain rises tonight at 7:30 p.m. on 42nd Street at the Palace Theatre (80 Hanover St., Manchester, palacetheatre.org, 668-5588). The musical runs through Sunday, June 23, with shows Fridays at 7:30 p.m., Saturdays at 2 and 7:30 p.m., and Sundays at 2 p.m. and Thursday, June 20, at 7:30 p.m. The play celebrates Broadway and the magic of showbiz with wit, humor and pizzazz and takes place at the height of the Great Depression, following aspiring chorus girl Peggy Sawyer to the big city as she lands her first big job in the ensemble of a glitzy new Broadway show. The score is chock-full of Broadway standards, including “We’re In the Money,” “Lullaby of Broadway” and “Forty-Second Street,” according to the press release. Tickets cost $28 to $49.

Saturday, June 1

St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church (7 N. Mast Road, Goffstown, 497-2003, stmattsepiscopal.org) will hold its annual Spring Yard Sale today from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Church.

Saturday, June 1

In honor of Black Birders Week, NH Audubon (nhaudubon.org/event) and the Black Heritage Trail of New Hampshire (blackheritagetrailnh.org) are partnering for a guided tour in Portsmouth, at 222 Court St. in Portsmouth, today from 9 to 10:30 a.m. Learn about the rich and often forgotten African-American history of New Hampshire while keeping an eye out for birds and other local wildlife. Participants should arrive 15 minutes prior to the start of the trail tour. Free parking is available at the Parrott Ave. Parking Lot and along streets nearby. All ages are welcome. Tickets are $20; space is limited and registration is required.

Saturday, June 1

See the results of the three artists participating in this year’s Nashua International Sculpture Symposium at 1 p.m. as the pieces, which will become part of Nashua’s townwide exhibit of sculptures, will be unveiled in their installation locations. This will involve participants driving from Picker Studios over to where the pieces are to be installed, according to nashuasculpturesymposium.org.

Saturday, June 1

The Goffstown Rotary Club’s (Parsons Drive) Car Show is returning for its 11th year today from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. and will include goodie bags for the first 50 registrants, along with food trucks, raffles and trophies given in 16 classes. Admission is free, and the cost to participate as a registrant is $20 per car, with all proceeds benefiting local charities. Visit goffstownrotary.org.

Saturday, June 1

Milford’s third annual Pride Festival will take place today from noon to 4 p.m. at Keyes Park (45 Elm St., Milford) and will feature live music, food and more. “See Milford NH PRIDE” on Facebook.

Save the Date! Tuesday, June 11
Red River Theaters (11 S. Main St., Concord, 224-4600, redrivertheatres.org) will host the first annual Creative Guts Short Film Festival on Tuesday, June 11, from 6 to 9 p.m. The Festival will present short films by independent filmmakers from New Hampshire and beyond. The spirit of this festival is to celebrate the creativity, voice and collaboration of filmmakers. These films are not rated. Some films contain adult themes, language and violence, and may not be suitable for children. All films will be open captioned. Tickets are $12 and available through Red River’s website.

Featured photo: 42nd Street at the Palace Theater.

Quality of Life 24/05/30

Check is in the mail

In a recent study by WalletHub (wallethub.com), an online financial services website, New Hampshire home-owners were the least likely in the United States to be delinquent (a month or more behind) on their mortgage payments. New Hampshire residents ranked 50th out of 50 states in delinquency; just 5.21 percent of home loans in the state had late payments.

QOL score: +1

Comment: Neighboring state Vermont, on the other hand, the nation’s delinquency leader, has a delinquency rate of 7.1 percent.

Falcons with accessories

Last Thursday, Whit and Thor, the peregrine falcon chick residents of a nestbox at the top of the Brady Sullivan Building in downtown Manchester, were banded. According to the Center for Conservation Biology (ccbbirds.org), raptors like peregrines are fitted with metal leg bands “to provide researchers with data on peregrine survival rates, dispersal distances, and population growth rates.” The chicks got bands on each leg. Typically, one band has a unique nine-digit code to identify the falcon in the future. The second band, on the opposite leg, is a two-color band that is easily read from a distance.

QOL score: +1

Comment: To watch the adorably grumpy chicks being banded, visit YouTube and search for 2024 Peregrine Falcon Banding.

Put the phone down

Data from the State Police show an increase in dangerous driving on New Hampshire’s highways over the past year. According to an online article by WMUR on May 22, state troopers have given out an alarming number of tickets over the past 12 months. According to WMUR’s report, cell phones continue to be one of the largest contributing factors to inattentive driving. Between May 2023 and April 2024, for example, 272 tickets were given out in Bedford alone for hands-free, distracted driving. “State troopers are seeing more egregious violations on the road, especially speeding,” the article said. “Within the past year, state police have issued about 1,600 tickets for driving 25 mph or more over the 65 mph limit, including to one person who was caught going 128 mph.”

QOL score: -2

Comment: In a separate online article last month, WMUR reported that 129 people were killed in car crashes on New Hampshire roads in 2023.

Last week’s QOL score: 69

Net change: 0

QOL this week: 69

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

Let us know at news@hippopress.com.

C’s lead the series

The Big Story – Celts Hold Serve: All we can tell you at our Memorial Day-induced (very) early deadline is the Celtics did what they were supposed to do in the first two games of their series with the Pacers: maintain home court advantage to go up two games. The first was a completely lucky Game 1 OT escape after blowing double-digit leads twice, and the second a methodical 16-point beat led by the series star so far Jaylen Brown.

It could be over by the time you’ll actually see this or tied 2-2. But there’s not much I can do about that with my Friday deadline.

Sports 101: Jayson Tatum just became the seventh Celtic to be named first All-NBA for a third time. Name the other three-time first teamers.

News Item – Real Baseball Season Begins: Once Memorial Day has come and gone, the real baseball season begins. Though the prospects of the Red Sox making a run to win it all are getting dimmer by the day there are still some stories of interest to follow, like whether the stellar work of the starting pitching can continue and how young players like Ceddanne Rafaela and Wilyer Abreu progress, whether Kenley Jansen or Tyler O’Neill will still be Red Sox come Aug. 1 and whether any of their promising minor-leaguers make it to Boston by year’s end.

The Numbers:

35 – all it took in seconds into Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals for the NBA refs to blow an obvious class in calling a goal tend on Al Horford while taking away the fast break attempt in the process.

40 – career playoff high for Jaylen Brown in the Celtics’ 126-110 Game 2 win over Indiana.

… Of the Week Award:

How Old Do I Feel Moment of the Week: Thanks to ABC analyst JJ Reddick, pretty old after he admitted during Game 2 he didn’t know who Cheers main character Sam Malone was. Then he made it worse by guessing he was just a “bartender” on that famous Boston TV show.

Baseball’s A Strange Game Stats of the Week: It’s seeing Red Sox starters Tanner Houck and Kutter Crawford putting up stellar earned run averages of 1.97 and 2.17 over 20 starts in the season’s first two months and their collective record being under .500 at 6-7. Granted their 68 and 58 innings pitched do not put them on an Iron Man McGinnity pace, but it does beg the question what does a guy need to do to get a win?

In Case You’re Wondering Award – Joe “Iron Man” McGinnity: The New York Giants hurler was 35-4 in 1904 with 38 complete games, five saves and a 1.67 ERA in 51 starts for the 107-win Giants while pitching an astonishing 406 innings.

Thumbs Up – Raffy Devers: For his team record-setting streak of homering in six straight games when he knocked in nine runs.

Random Thoughts:

Anyone besides me notice that the team in Philly that was put together by the guy John Henry fired two GM’s ago — Dave Dombrowski — had the best record in baseball by far at 37-14 after going deep in the playoffs the last two years?

There was John Havlicek’s 90 mph line drive banker to take the lead in the second OT vs. Phoenix in triple-OT thriller Game 5 in 1975, but the only buzzer-beating shot I can come up with that was a better/bigger major clutch shot in Celtics history with a higher degree of difficulty than the corner 3 Brown stuck with Pascal Siakam draped all over him is Sam Jones’ runner over Wilt Chamberlain to win Game 4 (89-88) and send the C’s back to Boston tied 2-2 with L.A. instead of down 1-3.

Sports 101 Answer: Joining Tatum as members of First Team All NBA three times or more are Bob Cousy with a most-ever 10 followed by Larry Bird (9), Havlicek, Bill Sharman and Easy Ed Macauley with four each and Bill Russell just three times.

Final Thought –A Little History – The Memorial Day Massacre: The ultimate lesson that no matter what the score is in a playoff blowout it’s just one game, nothing more. Wipe the slate clean and move on to the next game.

The one in question here happened on Memorial Day 39 years ago in 1985 when the Celtics annihilated the Lakers 148-114 in Game 1 of the NBA Finals.

Which got a lot of so-called experts saying the series was over. Especially if the migraine that rendered Kareem Abdul Jabbar useless persisted.

But guess what? L.A. wasn’t dead and neither was Kareem, who went for 30-17-7 in leading L.A. to a 109-102 Game 2 win in Boston and 24-14-7 in L.A.’s Game 3 blowout. Boston regrouped to win Game 4 behind 28, 27 and 26 points from Kevin McHale, DJ and Larry Bird. But the Lakers took the next two with the rejuvenated Jabbar being named MVP after passing his debilitating migraine on to the fellas in green.

Email Dave Long at dlong@hippopress.com.

News & Notes 24/05/30

Electric rates up less

According to a recent press release, data from the Energy Information Administration’s (EIA) “Electric Power Monthly” report shows that residential electric rates in Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island have increased at a substantially greater rate than those in New Hampshire from 2017 to 2024.

Based on a cents-per kilowatt-hour basis for residential customers, Rhode Island rates have increased 127 percent more than New Hampshire’s, Connecticut rates have increased 94 percent more than New Hampshire’s, Massachusetts rates have increased 83 percent more than New Hampshire’s and Maine rates have increased 70 percent more than New Hampshire’s.

At the moment, Eversource residential customers in Boston pay a per kilowatt-hour rate 77 percent higher than Granite Staters, while Connecticut Eversource residential customers pay a rate 45 percent higher, which translates to an average household in New Hampshire using 625 kilowatt hours a month paying $50 to $90 less per month than those in Connecticut or Massachusetts. Visit eia.gov to view the report.

Mont Vernon house named Historic Place

In a recent press release, the New Hampshire Division of Historical Resources announced that the U.S. Secretary of the Interior has listed Mont Vernon’s Old Meetinghouse in the National Register of Historic Places due to its architecture and service to the community as a center for town functions and as a place of worship.

Mont Vernon’s Old Meetinghouse was built in 1781-82 to serve that dual purpose and is located in the center of one of the few hilltop villages in New Hampshire, according to the same release. Most residents refer to it as the Mont Vernon Town Hall.

In 1837, the Meetinghouse was moved across the street to where it resides today. Renovations were made that included the clear delineation of the church sanctuary and the town office areas to comply with New Hampshire’s Toleration Act of 1819, which required a separation of church and state, according to the release.

It was built as a Georgian-era twin-porch meetinghouse, but with the renovations in 1837, aspects of Greek Revival style, popular in New England at the time, were added, including a broad gable front with closed pediment, a bell tower, and simple door and window surrounds, according to the press release.

In 1915 a mechanical clock was installed inside the two-stage bell tower’s square base and was topped by an octagonal belfry and a dome copper roof with a decorative weathervane, according to the release.

Mont Vernon’s Old Meetinghouse has kept many of its interior historic features from its 19th-century renovations, including plaster walls, wood floors, triple beadboard wainscotting and beadboard ceilings, according to the same release. Today, town offices make their homes on the first floor and the Mont Vernon Historical Society Museum on the second, according to the release.

More information on the National Register program in New Hampshire can be found at nhdhr.dncr.nh.gov.

More visitors to NH

In a recent press release the Department of Business and Economic Affairs, Division of Travel and Tourism (DTTD), announced it is anticipating an estimated 4.8 million people will visit New Hampshire this summer and expecting those visitors to spend around $2.6 billion.

This would be a 3 percent growth in the number of people visiting the Granite State from last year.

In a statement, NH Travel and Tourism Director Lori Harnois said that “while this past year marked a return to normal levels for leisure travel, nationally growth in that area is expected to be about 2.5%, and according to our research New Hampshire should follow that trend. … New Hampshire should see an added boost resulting from accelerated visitation from Canada. Canada is New Hampshire’s top international market, so this is very positive news for us, and we are anticipating a robust summer tourism season.” For more information, go to visitnh.gov.

Scholarship for nurses

In a recent press release, FedPoint, a benefits marketplace operator and third-party administrator, announced the four recipients of the $5,000 2024 FedPoint Nursing Scholarship, chosen from a field of more than 150 applicants. All are graduating high school students who will enter an accredited nursing program this fall.

The 2024 FedPoint Nursing Scholarship recipients are Callie Rocheleau, from Farmington High School; Annabelle Shumway, from Epping High School; Lauren Varney, from Sanborn Regional High School, and Anna Windisch, from Londonderry Senior High School, according to the release.

An award ceremony at FedPoint’s headquarters was held in Portsmouth on Tuesday, May 7, during National Nurses Week, according to the release.

On Saturday, June 1, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friends of Goffstown Public Library will host a book sale on the Library lawn (2 High St., Goffstown), according to their website. A $10 bag sale (bring your own reusable shopping bag) takes place from 1 to 2 p.m. Books are sorted and categorized, according to the website. Visit goffstownlibrary.com.

Join Special Olympics New Hampshire for its 2024 State Summer Games on Friday, May 31, and Saturday, June 1, at the University of New Hampshire in Durham. The games include competition in athletics, bocce, equestrian, powerlifting, unified sprint triathlons and swimming. Visit sonh.org.

Celebrate National Trails Day with Beaver Brook (117 Ridge Road, Hollis, beaverbrook.org) on Saturday, June 1, from 9 a.m. to noon. Participants will help with the annual tradition of trail work, with a focus on cutting back branches encroaching on a trail, according to the website. Participants can park on Iron Works Lane by the Hollis-Jeff Smith Trailhead. Beaver Brook will provide necessary tools and snacks and will have extra work gloves just in case.

The Palace Theatres’ Kitchen Tour (Palace Theatre, 80 Hanover St., Manchester, 668-5588, palacetheatre.org) will take place Sunday, June 2, with a self-guided tour featuring beautiful kitchens in Bedford, Goffstown and Hooksett. Registration begins at 9:30 a.m. at Granite State Cabinetry (384 Route 101, Bedford, 472-4080, gscabinetry.com). Tickets cost $55 in advance, $65 on the day of the event.

This Week 24/05/23

Thursday, May 23

The Nashua Public Library will conduct an Adult Field Trip to Mine Falls Gatehouse and Hydroelectric Dam at Mine Falls Park in Nashua today from 10 to 11 a.m. Participants will learn how the hydroelectric dam supplies clean, renewable energy to Nashua, and might see migrating river herring using the fish elevator. Deb Chisholm, Sustainability Manager for the City of Nashua, and Paula Lochhead, Vice Chair of the Mine Falls Advisory Committee, will lead this program. Participants should meet at the Mine Falls Gatehouse. There is limited parking at the dam and gatehouse, so parking and walking in at the Mine Falls Gatehouse Entrance across from the David W. Deane Skateboard Park on Stadium Drive is recommended.

Thursday, May 23

Catch the NBA Eastern Conference Finals on the big screen at Chunky’s in Manchester (chunkys.com). Reserve a seat for tonight’s Celtics game at 8 p.m. with a $5 food voucher. “Chunky’s will be showing all games as long as they continue on during the 2024 NBA Playoffs,” according to the website.

Friday, May 24

Senior performing troupe Silver Stars will perform a cabaret-style show at The Rex Theatre (823 Amherst St., Manchester, 668-5588, palacetheatre.org) today at 7 p.m. and Saturday, May 25, at 2 p.m. They will share stories and memories paired with songs. The Silver Stars are a 55+ performance group based at The Palace Theatres. Tickets start at $12.

Saturday, May 24

The New Hampshire Arms Collectors will hold their annual Gun Show at Everett Arena (15 Loudon Road, Concord, 228-2784, concordnh.gov/496/Everett-Arena) today from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.. Admission is $10; children 12 and under are free, with an adult.

Friday, May 24

The Nashua Silver Knights will play their season opener at Holman Stadium (67 Amherst St., Nashua, 718-8883, nashuasilverknights.com) tonight at 6 p.m. against the Vermont Lake Monsters, featuring a fireworks show. Tickets start at $12.

Saturday, May 25

The Massachusetts Area Blaster Club will hold its May 2024 Nerf Battle Event at Greeley Park (100 Concord St., Nashua, 589-3370) today from noon to 5 p.m. For more information, visit the Club’s facebook page.

Monday, May 27

The Memorial Day Parade in Concord will begin today at 9 a.m. at the Christ the King Church parking lot on Thorndike Street and eventually head to the City Plaza where there will be a brief ceremony, according to concordnh.gov where you can find the full route of the parade.

Save the Date! Sunday, June 2
The Palace Theatres’ Kitchen Tour (Palace Theatre, 80 Hanover St., Manchester, 668-5588, palacetheatre.org) will return for its 17th year on June 2. The event, a self-guided tour, will this year feature beautiful kitchens in Bedford, Goffstown and Hooksett. On the day of the tour, registration begins at 9:30 a.m. at Granite State Cabinetry (384 Route 101, Bedford, 472-4080, gscabinetry.com). Tickets are $55 if purchased in advance or $65 on the day of the event.

Quality of Life 24/05/23

New Hampshire is a good place for military retirees

According to a recent study by WalletHub (Wallethub.com), an online financial services company, New Hampshire is one of the top 10 states for military retirees. The study used data to study 28 key metrics, WalletHub reported on its website, “ranging from veterans per capita to the number of VA health facilities to job opportunities for veterans.” The study, which ranked New Hampshire ninth overall, placed the state 10th in terms of veterans per capita and fifth in the percentage of veteran-owned businesses.

QOL score: +1

Comments: According to the New Hampshire Department of Employment Security, in 2023 there were 88,297 veterans in New Hampshire, 7.7 percent of the population age 18 and over.

Merrimack High School outsmarts the competition

Merrimack High School defeated Plymouth Regional High in the 2024 Granite State Challenge championship game. The academic quiz competition, which airs on New Hampshire Public Television, pits teams of high school students against each other. In this year’s season championship, which aired on March 16, Merrimack had a final score of 540 to Plymouth’s 240. According to Granite State Challenge’s website (nhpbs.org/gsc), this was a high-stakes showdown. “Both teams were three-time GSC champions going into the final game,” the website reported. “Merrimack took the title in 2020, 2021, and 2023.”

QOL score: +1

Comments: According to Granite State Challenge, this was also the seventh time in the final game for both teams.

Overdose deaths down

New Hampshire saw a decrease in overdose deaths last year. As reported in an online story by Manchester Ink Link on May 16, both the New Hampshire State Medical Examiner (doj.nh.gov/medical-examiner) and the National Centers for Disease Control (cdc.gov) reported last Wednesday that fewer people in New Hampshire died from drug overdoses in 2023 than in 2022. According to the Ink Link article, the state medical examiner reported an 11.7-percent decrease, from 487 deaths in 2022 to 230 in 2023.

QOL score: +2

Comments: The CDC reports that the largest share of overdose deaths continues to be from opioids.

Last week’s QOL score: 65

Net change: +4

QOL this week: 69

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

Let us know at news@hippopress.com.

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