Meet the neighbors

NH comics artist tells the stories of migrant farmworkers

Henniker comic artist Marek Bennett is one of 15 New England comic artists contributing to The Most Costly Journey, a nonfiction comics anthology from the Vermont Folklife Center, set for release in February and available online now.

The comics depict true stories told by more than 20 Latin American migrant workers working on dairy farms in Vermont, exploring themes like language barriers, substance abuse, separation from family, work issues, domestic abuse, depression and other challenges that many migrant workers face.

The idea for the anthology was conceived by Julia Doucet, a nurse at The Open Door Clinic, a free health clinic in Middlebury, Vermont, serving uninsured and under-insured adults, after she noticed a trend of migrant patients suffering from untreated anxiety and trauma. She believed it could be therapeutic for them to tell their stories and wanted to create a safe outlet for them to do so.

“There’s a lot of healing in forming narratives and making sense of your experiences,” Bennett said, “and making it into something visual, like comics, is a great way to do that.”

Bennett, who teaches at The Center for Cartoon Studies in White River Junction, Vermont, first heard about the anthology in progress when one of the organizers, an archivist from the Vermont Folklife Center, visited the campus to give a presentation on ethnography in comics.

“He mentioned this new project he was working on, and when I heard what it was about, my ears perked up,” Bennett said. “It really spoke to me because of the kinds of comics I usually do, which tend to focus on the unknown and unheard stories and voices from our communities and from our history.”

The comic artists conducted one-on-one interviews with their paired storytellers. A transcript of the interview was made and provided to the artist, who then got to work on an eight-or-so-page comic.

Creating a “condensed distillation of the person’s experience” from the transcript, some of which were pages long and “could easily be made into a whole graphic novel,” was one of the hardest steps, Bennett said.

“At that point, the question becomes, what do you include? What do you leave out? How do you arrange things?” he said. “It’s your own creative process — you choose what aspect or what element [to focus on] in those eight pages, and you choose the style and how to show the story — but you’re doing it in service to the storyteller’s vision.”

He didn’t always get it right the first time; the comic artists were expected to consult with the storytellers throughout the process to make sure that the comic was an accurate representation of the story and the storyteller, and that it “got to the heart” of what the storyteller wanted to communicate, Bennett said. In one instance, the storyteller felt that the artistic style Bennett used for the comic was not a good fit for the story.

“I scrapped it, backed up and redesigned the whole thing, because ultimately it’s their story,” he said. “If they say to me, ‘No, that’s not what [the experience] was like,’ I actually really appreciate that. … I think having them there to teach you and show you what direction to go in helps you create a stronger project.”

Bennett said he hopes the anthology will give a more human face to the issue of immigration, and give readers a greater sense of appreciation for the people behind “the nice New England farm pictures on the milk and cheese labels.”

“Much of the time when we hear about immigration it’s in terms that are abstract for us: ‘down on the Texas border’ and ‘some detention center in the South,’” he said, “but these stories are coming out of Vermont, and whether we recognize it or not, these people are a part of our society. They’re our neighbors.”

Find Marek Bennett’s work
To view the comic online, visit vermontfolklifecenter.org/elviajemascaro-eng. For more from Marek, visit marekbennet.com.

Art

Exhibits

• “MANCHESTER’S URBAN PONDS: PAST, PRESENT, AND FUTURE: A CELEBRATION OF THE MANCHESTER URBAN PONDS RESTORATION PROGRAM’S 20TH ANNIVERSARY” Through its cleanup efforts, the Manchester Urban Ponds Restoration Program has helped restore the city’s ponds to their historic uses. The exhibit provides a look at the history of some of those ponds, including Crystal Lake, Dorrs Pond, Maxwell Pond, Nutts Pond, Pine Island Pond and Stevens Pond. State Theater Gallery at Millyard Museum, 200 Bedford St., Manchester. On view now through Nov. 28. Museum hours are Tuesday through Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission costs $8 for adults, $6 for seniors age 62 and up and college students, $4 for youth ages 12 through 18 and is free for kids under age 12. Call 622-7531 or visit manchesterhistoric.org/millyard-museum.

• JOAN L. DUNFEY EXHIBITION The New Hampshire Art Association presents artwork in a variety of media by regional NHAA members and non-members. The exhibit theme is “Intrinsic Moments.” NHAA’s Robert Lincoln Levy Gallery, 136 State St., Portsmouth. On view now through Nov. 29. Gallery hours are Monday and Tuesday by appointment, Wednesday and Thursday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Friday and Saturday, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Sunday, noon to 5 p.m., but are subject to change. Visit nhartassociation.org or call 431-4230.

• “MOMENTS IN NATURE” The New Hampshire Art Association presents oil paintings by BJ Eckardt. Concord Chamber of Commerce Gallery, 49 S. Main St., Concord. On display now through Dec. 17. Visit nhartassociation.org or call 431-4230.

• “UNSEEN LIGHT” The New Hampshire Art Association presents infrared photography by Mark Giuliucci. 2 Pillsbury St., Concord. On display now through Dec. 17. Visit nhartassociation.org or call 431-4230.

• “AN EXTRAPOLATION OF CLOSE OBSERVATION” The New Hampshire Art Association presents prints and paintings by Kate Higley. 2 Pillsbury St., Concord. On display now through Dec. 17. Visit nhartassociation.org or call 431-4230.

• “THREADS: A COMMUNITY QUILT FOR 2020” A Portsmouth Historical Society exhibit. Discover Portsmouth, 10 Middle St., Portsmouth. On view Nov. 20 through Dec. 22. Visit portsmouthhistory.org or call 436-8433.

• “PHOTOGRAPHS FROM THE CIVIL RIGHTS MOVEMENT” Exhibit features photography from the Civil Rights protests in the 1950s and 1960s. Currier Museum of Art, 150 Ash St., Manchester. On view now. Museum hours are Thursday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Friday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and closed Monday through Wednesday. Museum admission costs $15 for adults, $13 for seniors age 65 and up, $10 for students, $5 for youth ages 13 through 17 and free for children under age 13. Reserve in advance online. Call 669-6144 or visit currier.org.

Special events

• NHAA 80TH YEAR ANNIVERSARY New Hampshire Art Association hosts a silent art auction fundraiser. Bidding runs through Dec. 11. Visit nhartassociation.org or call 431-4230.

Tours

• PORTSMOUTH HOLIDAY ARTS TOUR/ORIGINAL SEACOAST ARTIST STUDIO TOUR Tour includes four Portsmouth studios featuring eight artists, plus five member artists online. Sat., Nov. 21, and Sun., Nov. 22, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Visit portsmouthartstour.com.

Theater

Shows

• MARY AND ME Glass Dove Productions presents. Hatbox Theatre (Steeplegate Mall, 270 Loudon Road, Concord). Nov. 13 through Nov. 22, with showtimes on Friday and Saturday at 7:30 p.m., and Sunday at 2 p.m. Tickets cost $22 for adults and $19 for seniors and students and should be reserved in advance. Visit hatboxnh.com or call 715-2315.

• PROOF The Players’ Ring Theatre presents. Performances are live in person and virtual. Nov. 13 through Nov. 22. 105 Marcy St., Portsmouth. Tickets cost $24 for adults and $20 for students and seniors. Visit playersring.org or call 436-8123.

• THE NUTCRACKER Southern New Hampshire Dance Theater presents. Palace Theatre, 80 Hanover St., Manchester. Thurs., Nov. 19, and Fri., Nov. 20, 7:30 p.m.; Sat., Nov. 21, 11 a.m. and 4 p.m.; and Sun., Nov. 22, noon and 4:30 p.m. Tickets cost $39 to $46 for adults and $25 for children. Visit palacetheatre.org or call 668-5588.

• “CLASSICS WE’D LOVE TO DO (BUT MAY NEVER GET THE CHANCE” TheGarrison Players Readers’ Theater program of Dover performs scenes from Shakespeare (Hamlet and Romeo & Juliet), Moliere (Tartuffle) and Sheridan (The Way of the World). Virtual performance. Fri., Nov. 20, 7:30 p.m. Tickets are free. Registration in advance is required. Visit garrisonplayers.org.

• A TEMPEST PRAYER Theatre KAPOW presents. Virtual, live stream. Nov. 20 through Nov. 22, with showtimes on Friday at 7:30 p.m., Saturday at 2 and 7:30 p.m., and Sunday at 4 p.m. Tickets cost $10. Visit tkapow.com.

• THE ROCKIN DADDIOS Doo-wop music presented by The Majestic Theatre. Sat., Nov. 21, 2 and 7 p.m. Virtual live-stream and in person at The Majestic Theatre Studios, 880 Page St., Manchester. Tickets cost $20 for in person performance and $10 for virtual performance. Call 669-7469 or visit majestictheatre.net.

• THE ADVENTURES OF SLEEPYHEAD New Hampshire Theatre Project presents its 2020 – 2021 MainStage Season Opener. Fri., Nov. 27, and Sat., Nov. 28, 7 p.m., and Sun., Nov. 29, 2 p.m. Live in person at 959 Islington St., Portsmouth, and virtual live-stream. In person tickets cost $10. Virtual tickets cost $10 per streaming device. Call 431-6644 or visit nhtheatreproject.org.

Classical

Events

• UTE GFRERER Concert soloist performs. Sat., Nov. 28, 6 and 8 p.m. The Music Hall Historic Theater, 28 Chestnut St., Portsmouth. $130 for a table of two, $260 for a table of four and $390 for a table of six. Visit themusichall.org.

• A DICKENS’ CHRISTMAS WINE DINNER WITH PICCOLA OPERA Piccola Opera’s Dickens Carolers perform. Sat., Dec. 5, 6 to 8 p.m. LaBelle Winery & Event Center, 345 Route 101, Amherst. $387.20 to reserve a table of four, $580.80 to reserve a table of six. Visit labellewineryevents.com.

Quality of Life 20/11/19

Unsettled schooling

With the increasing number of Covid cases, school districts across the state are rethinking their learning models, with many making modifications on a daily or weekly basis as things change and an increasing number deciding to go fully remote through the holidays. The Manchester School District voted Monday night to move from a hybrid model to fully remote learning from Nov. 23 through at least Jan. 19, according to a report from WMUR. In Concord, the School Board voted last week to continue its hybrid instruction until Dec. 23, followed by remote learning from Jan. 4 through Jan. 18, after the holiday break, according to a message on the school district’s Facebook page. Pinkerton Academy in Derry will move to fully remote learning starting Nov. 23 through December, according to a letter on the school’s website from Headmaster Timothy Powers. And the Nashua School District will move to all remote learning from Nov. 23 until at least Dec. 11, according to a letter from Superintendent Jahmal Mosley on the district’s website.

Score: -4 for the upheaval and disruption for everybody involved

Comment: What day is it again? An in-person school day? A remote learning day? Or is it Saturday? QOL understands the virus-containing reasons for the schedule changes but waking up has never been so complicated.

A new Thanksgiving-esque event

While some turkey trots have been canceled or have transitioned to virtual runs, there’s a brand new event in Goffstown this year: the first annual Gobble Wobble 5-Miler. The event is being hosted by Total Image Running and will benefit the American Legion Auxiliary Wesley Wyman Unit No. 16 in Goffstown, to help them support local veterans, active duty military and their families. The run is being offered both virtually and in person, the latter of which starts and ends at the town’s Parks and Recreation facility on Mast Road on Saturday, Nov. 21, at 9 a.m. Registration for the virtual run closes Nov. 28, so participants can run any time prior to that. The cost is $35 or $40 (depending on age and whether the run is in person or virtual), and all runners, walkers and wobblers will get a Gobble Wobble hooded sweatshirt. Visit runsignup.com/Race/NH/Goffstown/GobbleWobble5Miler to register.

Score: +1

Comment: Cheers to the opposite of canceling an event — starting a new one! Safety protocols, like socially distanced start times and mask-wearing at the starting line, will be in place.

Good at giving

New Hampshire is the 15th most charitable state, according to a new study from personal-finance website WalletHub, which compared the 50 states using data that indicated charitable behavior, from volunteer rates to donated income. The Granite State ranked third for percentage of population that donated time, seventh for charities per capita, 13th for volunteer hours per capita, 16th for volunteer rate and 18th for percentage of the population that donated money.

Score: +1

Comment: Our closest neighbors’ rankings were varied, with Maine coming in ninth, Massachusetts ranking 21st and Vermont coming in at 36th.

QOL score: 69

Net change: -2

QOL this week: 67

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

Crowing after Ravens win?

So what do we have here with the Patriots? After losing four straight for the first time since 2002, they’re now on a two-game winning streak. Given what we’ve enjoyed for two decades that’s hardly something to get excited about, but still it’s something. The question is what to make of it without getting out ahead of your skis as they are still just 4-5 after all. So here’s a look at how it’s gone down so far.

Criticism of Coach B: He’s taken his share. They include some curious clock management issues, the recent draft record, salary cap management and how he handled the QB position after you-know-who left. We’ll address them as we go along, but some are fair, some debatable and some over-the-top ridiculous from whiners who can’t see past two weeks at a time.

Draft Record: Coach B was a bit defensive about it last week. I’ve been in that chorus and stretched it back to 2013. But I went back over it and it’s not quite as bad as I thought, though it falls down badly at the receiving positions. They haven’t gotten anything out of their tight ends, which they badly needed. But with a team-high 12 tackles Sunday Kyle Dugger had his best game, ditto for Josh Uche playing his most snaps while picking up a sack, and with Michael Onwenu doing well at right tackle they’re getting some production from 2020 picks. And with Damien Harris having three 100-yard games in his five starts and Chase Winovich out of the doghouse vs. Baltimore, 2019 is looking a bit better. Not great but, better.

Salary Cap Mismanagement: Coach B got hammered for saying they’ve been hurt by lack of cap room after selling out to win in recent years. While I can’t say I ever heard him make anything close to an excuse like that, it doesn’t make it untrue. True, there have been some questionable calls, but I’d argue putting the $14 million franchise tag on Joe Thuney was not one of them. That’s a lot of cabbage, but with the running game emerging as the calling card now and a disaster last year it was necessary. And with about $100 million to spend next year in free agency, it’s a one-year thing so harping on it is ridiculous.

Biggest Surprises and Disappointments

(1) Damien Harris – After he didn’t play at all last year, I didn’t have great expectations. But he has zero Laurence Maroney in him, which is to say he runs with a purpose and decisively to make him a huge development.

(2) Jakobi Meyers – 12 catches last week, five more with a TD pass to boot this week. He’s definitely benefited from Newton’s attention after Tom Brady’s indifference to helping young receivers in recent years.

(3) Nick Folk – He missed a PAT Sunday, but he had to rush it because a block was missed on his right side. But he won the Jets game with a 51-yard FG and has been solid, which was a life-saver after fifth-round pick Justin Rohrwasser busted.

(4) N’Keal Harry – With just 19 catches and one TD after nine games last year’s top pick is on the not so great side. He’s what people are pointing to about Belichick’s drafting mistakes. Made worse considering game breakers Deebo Samuel, A.J. Brown, Mecole Hardman and especially D.K. Metcalf were all taken right after him in Round II.

(5) Stephon Gilmore – He’s been inconsistent, disengaged at times and missed three games with injuries. But there’s still time to get the focus back.

(6) Cam Newton – He’s a little of both. SF and Denver were terrible games and the fumble in Buffalo was a killer. But I think the biggest problem was he just didn’t know the offense well enough, which led to indecision as a passer. Plus Josh McDaniels wasn’t quite sure how to most effectively use him. But it seemed in better focus the last two weeks as Newton played much better. Though I need a better sample size for a definitive conclusion.

What to Make of the Jets Win: Yes, it was the Jets. Yes, it took a field goal as the game ended to beat a winless team. Hardly something to crow about. So how come Coach B called it one of the best two moments of his career? My guess is after four straight morale-killing losses he saw the season going south in a hurry. So seeing his much-criticized team with the pride to fight back from 10 down in the fourth period meant something more than just a W.

What to Make of the Ravens Win: It was improvement. That’s it. The hallmark of Coach B’s team has been that outside of 2015 and last year they always improve as they go along. While there have been glitches, that’s mostly been the case the last three weeks as they’ve demonstrated who they are offensively by rushing for 186, 156 and 173 yards: a grind-it-out, run-it-down-their-throat kind of a team that will pick its spots with a conservative passing game.

Where Do They Stand? When the schedule came out I did the W and L thing and had them at 4-5 after nine weeks. Though I had Denver a win and Baltimore a loss. So they’re where I thought they’d be, making the relevant question today, what will they be when it’s over? The pessimists (and naysayers) understandably say it’s hard to avoid the obvious issues during the first nine weeks. The optimists say if Newton gets in on the final play for Seattle and doesn’t fumble on that final drive vs. Buffalo they’re two plays away from being 6-3. There is truth to both views and only time will tell on what will happen.

Though my money goes on Coach B helping them get better as they go along.

Spotlight on mental health

High school filmmaker confronting stigma

U.S. Sen. Maggie Hassan named Brielle Paquette, a high school senior from Salem, October’s “Granite Stater of the Month,” a title that recognizes New Hampshire citizens who are working to make a difference in their communities. Paquette has been using her platform as Miss Londonderry and her filmmaking talents to confront the stigma surrounding mental illness. In 2019, at a competition held by New Hampshire Futures, an organization focused on promoting health and wellness in the state, she received the People’s Choice Award for a PSA video she made about mental illness. Paquette talked about the video and why she is passionate about the issue of mental health.

How long have you been making videos?

I grew up around a very artistic family. A lot of them are photographers and videographers themselves, so I grew up always having a camera in my face. Eventually, when I got older, I was like, ‘This looks fun,’ and me and my cousins started making little plays. Ever since then I’ve been like, ‘This is what I want to do.’ It wasn’t until I got older that I started using it for more serious topics. Instead of making music videos, I started making videos about mental health and stuff that I feel really passionate about. I’ve actually created three mental health videos.

What sparked your interest in mental health and mental illness?

I grew up with both of my parents who struggled with mental illness. My dad used to be an alcoholic, and my mom had extreme anxiety. Growing up around that was very difficult and very hard on my mental health, especially being such a young child. Me and my brother both developed really bad anxiety and went through times where we were very depressed, but luckily we were able to get the help we needed and go to therapy and everything and get through it.

Tell me about the PSA you made.

I made a sign that said “20 – 50 percent of adolescents struggle with mental illness. Hug to show support for people who are struggling.” I went to Boston with my mom, and I went to a subway station. I blindfolded myself and stood there and let random people hug me. All these normal people are going about their day — we don’t know what their names are or what they’ve been through — and they go up to me and hug me to show support and show that maybe they’re going through mental illness. … I guess the whole purpose of that video was to spark conversation. I wanted to get the message across that there are so many people out there who are going through this, and it shouldn’t be looked down upon. It should be something that we should be able to talk about, and I wanted to make people feel safe to talk about what they’re going through.

What kind of response did you get?

I got so much feedback — way more than I was expecting, which was the most amazing thing. Within five minutes of uploading the video, one of my friends who I went to school with called me hysterically crying, and her first words were ‘thank you.’ She just thanked me and said it was so hard for her to be able to watch that, but it made her feel so safe and comfortable, and it made her feel like she wasn’t alone. There were so many other people who reached out to me saying that it really touched them or really moved them, and that they’re showing [the video to] their parents and their friends, and that a lot of people could relate to it. … There were even people from across the country reaching out to me.

Why is breaking down the stigma around mental illness important?

I remember when I was a little girl, I would sit in my room, feeling all alone, feeling like, ‘I shouldn’t be feeling like this because this is bad, and I can’t let anyone know how I’m feeling because people will make fun of me or judge me or just won’t understand.’ That was just such a terrible feeling, and if I had known that [mental illness] wasn’t bad and that I wasn’t alone, then maybe I would have been able to reach out and get help sooner. I’m very lucky for the family and the support that I have, but I know that not everyone is that fortunate. I want to be able to advocate for those people who are afraid to speak up and let them know that it’s OK, that they can talk about it and that they aren’t alone.

Do you know what you want to do after graduation and beyond?

I’ll definitely be going to college … and I’ll definitely be majoring in film production and directing. I would love to go to school in Boston or New York and be able to start working with production companies there. My end goal is to be a director for movies. I would also love to produce and direct commercials … and music videos.

Featured photo: Brielle Paquette. Courtesy photo.

News & Notes 20/11/19

Covid-19 updateAs of November 9As of November 16
Total cases statewide12,69915,029
Total current infections statewide2,0573,344
Total deaths statewide489500
New cases1,379 (Nov. 3 to Nov. 9)2,330 (Nov. 10 to Nov. 16)
Current infections: Hillsborough County5761,168
Current infections: Merrimack County227320
Current infections: Rockingham County497690
Information from the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services

Covid-19 news

Several state chief medical and nursing officers issued a joint statement with the New Hampshire Hospital Association on Nov. 10, urging people to continue to adhere to the guidance from state health officials to prevent the spread of Covid-19. “We ask that you … wear a mask, stay at least six feet apart, avoid crowds, wash your hands frequently, cover your mouth when you cough and stay home if you are experiencing any respiratory or unexplained symptoms,” the statement reads.

State health officials reported 462 new positive tests of Covid-19 in New Hampshire on Nov. 13, the most recorded in a single day since the start of the pandemic in March, and an increase of more than 100 from the previous record set just the day before (323 new positive tests on Nov. 12). “In the last week, we have now averaged about 240 new infections per day statewide, which is up from where we were last week,” state epidemiologist Dr. Benjamin Chan said in a Nov. 12 press conference. “This … virus is now widespread in our state. The number of infections are increasing. The hospitalizations are increasing. The test-positivity rate is increasing, and the number of people dying from Covid-19 is also increasing.”

Chan also announced that, due to the rapidly increasing rates of community transmission, the state Department of Health & Human Services will no longer be conducting contact tracing investigations for those who test positive. “Instead, we will be prioritizing who we investigate and targeting our public health resources to those individuals in those situations most at need and most at risk for [the] spread of Covid-19,” Chan said.

As of Nov. 12, 64 people in New Hampshire were being hospitalized for Covid-19, but Gov. Chris Sununu said he expects that number will rise “very aggressively,” which may prompt the need to open more temporary “surge hospitals” in the state. “Hospitals are open and they’re performing services, [and] they have a lot of testing capability,” he said. “That means we have less available bed capacity today than we did [in March and April] … and so the need to open a surge or flex hospital would probably come much sooner.”

Later during the same press conference, DHHS Commissioner Lori Shibinette reported four instances of potential community exposures of Covid-19 at polling locations on Election Day (Nov. 3) — at Souhegan High School in Amherst, Pembroke Academy, Belmont High School and Newfields Elementary School. “These were all people that identified in the last couple of days of having positive Covid-19 tests and reported being in line and not being able to six-foot socially distance,” Shibinette said, noting that anyone who was at any of those polling stations should monitor for symptoms.

Sununu also announced that New Hampshire, along with each of the five New England states and New Jersey, has suspended all interstate hockey competitions for public and private schools, and for youth hockey, from Nov. 14 through Dec. 31. “This doesn’t pause hockey,” he said. “It pauses crossing the border for games.” Sununu added that college, professional or national team hockey activities are not impacted by the suspension.

With the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday just one week away, Sununu announced the state has updated its travel guidance for residents who travel outside of New England. “Currently, when you come back, we’re having folks quarantine for 14 days,” he said. “We’re augmenting that to allow a seven-day quarantine with a test. So if you get a test, after seven days, you don’t have to do the 14. You could do the 14 without a test, or you can quarantine for seven days with a test. … “Obviously, we’re not going to tell people that they can’t have a family gathering at Thanksgiving. But what we can do is manage our controls, expectations, the elevated message, and especially the data that we’re seeing out there.”

On Nov. 14, Sununu issued Emergency Order No. 72, an order extending Emergency Order No. 52, which had been issued on June 15. Emergency Order No. 52 is an order regarding public health guidance for business operations and advising Granite Staters they are safer at home. Emergency Order No. 72 extends that advisory through Jan. 15.

On Nov. 16, Sununu reactivated the state’s Long Term Care Stabilization Program, offering stipends to frontline health care workers at Medicaid facilities until Dec. 31.

Details of all of Sununu’s Emergency Orders, Executive Orders and other announcements can be found at governor.nh.gov.

Child Advocate report

Released last week, the Office of the Child Advocate’s Annual Report cited the pandemic as the “dominating factor of the year” for children, according to a press release. The Division for Children, Youth and Families received praise from Child Advocate Moira O’Neill for the support it provided to families to help prevent abuse or neglect that stemmed from pandemic restrictions. The report identified pandemic-related concerns, such as less access to school personnel, who usually monitor for signs of abuse and neglect. The Office of the Child Advocate is working toward implementation of an expanded community-based system of care, which it identifies as the most critical response to child and family needs, the press release said. Also in the report is a look at the number of complaints about state services for children that the office has received from Oct. 1, 2019, to Sept. 30, 2020, as well as reports of incidents that involve kids in state care during that same time frame. “We received, reviewed and monitored outcomes of 2,183 incident reports,” O’Neill said in the report. “That is an increase of three times what we saw in the year before.” However, those numbers reflect DCYF coming into compliance with the mandate to report and not necessarily an increase in incidents, according to the release.

School lunches

Manchester Mayor Joyce Craig sent a letter last week to the New Hampshire congressional delegation regarding the concern that the city’s school district, as well as districts throughout the state, is in danger of losing funding due to a reduction in the number of families who have filled out paperwork to be eligible for free or reduced lunches. That number helps determine school funding needs, but because all students have been able to get free school lunches during the pandemic without filling out forms, the current number does not reflect the actual need, the letter says. In Manchester, prior to the pandemic, about 49.5 percent of students in the district were eligible for free lunch; as of Oct. 31, that number dropped to 39.99 percent. “This decrease in enrollment does not reflect the needs of our community, however, and if this continues, the Differentiated Aid under the Adequacy formula that is tied to the number of students receiving free and reduced lunch will be approximately $3.6 million lower than this year,” Craig wrote in the letter. “This is an unintended consequence of the Covid-19 pandemic that could have detrimental impacts on school district budgets across the state.”

Sports betting

Since it debuted on Dec. 30 last year, the New Hampshire Lottery has surpassed $200 million in total sports wagering, with more than 52,000 registered customers in New Hampshire making over 6 million bets that totaled more than $205.1 million as of Nov. 9, according to a press release. Since Dec. 30, New Hampshire Lottery and DraftKings have launched mobile sports betting in New Hampshire and have opened two retail sportsbook locations for in-person betting, at DraftKings Sportsbook at The Brook in Seabrook and DraftKings Sportsbook at Manchester at the Filotimo Casino & Restaurant. “The success of sports betting in New Hampshire represents success for our entire state, as revenue from sports betting directly benefits education in New Hampshire,” Gov. Chris Sununu said in the release.

The 1914 Colonial Theatre complex in Laconia has been named to the National Register of Historic Places for its architecture and its role as a center of entertainment and commerce into the 21st century. According to a press release, its most prominent feature is a 1930s marquee.

The Concord Regional Visiting Nurse Association recently honored Director of Donor Relations Melissa Howard with its peer-nominated “Living Our Values” award. According to a press release, Howard has been with the VNA for almost five years, and the colleagues who nominated her said she “is a wonderful leader, a pleasure to work with and a true role model.”

The Department of Athletics at UNH in Durham announced last week that its athletic programs, including hockey and basketball, will begin play for the 2020-21 season. According to a press release, spectators will not be allowed at Wildcats home events, though hockey games will be televised on NESN.

The Brookside Congregational Church Complex in Manchester has been named to the New Hampshire State Register of Historic Places, according to a press release. The complex includes a 1908 neo-Classical estate house, a 1960 brick Georgian Revival church, a circa 1908 carriage house and a caretaker’s cottage.

Why Trump lost

Make no mistake about it, Donald Trump lost this election and the passion on both sides was either for or against Donald Trump. While many were hopeful of a blue Democratic wave, it didn’t happen. It looks likely that the Republicans will hold onto the Senate and gain House seats. And, although New Hampshire voted for Joe Biden, Republicans fared very well in other elections around the state. It is my belief that this election was less about whether Trump did a good job with his presidential policies and more about the style in which he carried off his duties.

This style leaves a list of “don’ts” for future presidents. These should have been no-brainers for virtually anyone elected to that office and had Trump avoided these things he probably would have been re-elected.

1. Don’t call the scientist idiots — and wear a mask.

2. Don’t make fun of people with disabilities.

3. Don’t disparage prisoners of war (this alone probably cost Trump Arizona).

4. Don’t stereotype people.

5. Don’t anger our allies. We need them.

6. Release your tax returns. Everybody else seeking that office seems to have no problem releasing theirs. It looks like you have something to hide.

7. Don’t trash all of your predecessors. It makes you look small.

8. Have an actual health care plan. (Trump had four years!)

9. Don’t call people names. Schools across the country teach students that this is bullying.

10. Clearly denounce white supremacists. (I know that when pressed on the issue Trump denounced them but it never seemed genuine.)

11. Don’t separate parents from their kids.

None of the above are hard to understand. Anyone else in the president’s position would have followed these. So many who were inclined to support many of Trump’s policies were turned off by actions like these. I believe that Trump could have still been that quirky commander in chief that so many seem to love and still not made so many of these obvious errors. Obviously, my advice is too late.

Fred Bramante is a past chairman and memtber of the New Hampshire State Board of Education. He speaks and consults on education redesign to regional, state and national organizations.

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