Listeriosis

The New Hampshire Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory has identified an uptick in cases of listeriosis this summer compared to recent years and many of these have been in sheep or goats showing neurologic signs, according to their website.

The most likely route of exposure is feed contaminated with the infectious organism, as hay or other feed that has spoiled after getting wet is a common source of infection, according to the website. The bacterium that causes listeriosis, listeria monocytogenes, can be infectious to people as well, so if you suspect listeriosis in your animals, contact a veterinarian. For more detailed information about listeriosis, see cfsph.iastate.edu/FastFacts/pdfs/listeriosis_F.PDF and cfsph.iastate.edu/Factsheets/pdfs/listeriosis.pdf. But if you have questions about listeriosis in humans, contact your health care provider, according to the same website. Visit agriculture.nh.gov

New Craftsmen

The League of New Hampshire Craftsmen Meredith Fine Craft Gallery has announced that their newest juried member is Steve Arcone, who creates striking art of ice in macro images on aluminum.

Arcone’s macro-imaged subjects mix art and science using an abstract process that captures details that are too small to see with the naked eye. Most of Arcone’s ice images are of thin pond crystals during change and decay caused by melt, sublimation and recrystallization. Arcone enhances the photos using digital editing tools to highlight the ice’s details, which are intertwined with twig, leaf or other colorful fall organic debris protruding or resting on the water surface, according to the press release. The images are printed on aluminum and finished off with a protective coating. Most of the images are from a near-shore area of a pond near Arcone’s home that were taken during the fall, early winter and early spring, the release said. Call 279-7920 or visit meredith.nhcrafts.org.

Clean streets

According to an Aug. 18 press release, Mayor Jay Ruais celebrated the city’s new street cleaning team for making a big difference in the downtown area after only one month on the job.

The workers wear distinct royal blue shirts and start their day early, taking care of trash, needles and waste and interacting frequently with the public, providing directions, responding to requests and meeting with local businesses, according to the release.

In a statement about the cleanliness of Manchester’s Central Business District (CBSD), Mayor Ruais said, “In only one month, they picked up 3,150 pounds of trash, 52 needles, and 34 piles of human/animal waste. Additionally, they’ve recorded 57 one-on-one contacts with the public that help make our city even more friendly and responsive. As a result, we’re getting very positive feedback from residents, businesses and visitors.”

Mayor Ruais noted the program is currently in its 90-day startup period with more staffing and equipment on the way and once fully operational the Streetplus Ambassadors will provide a range of services, including litter, debris and graffiti removal, plus power washing, along with sidewalk, pedestrian pathway and tree well cleaning, according to the same release.

Stethoscope presentation

According to a press release, Plymouth State University hosted its sixth annual Stethoscope Ceremony for Nursing Students with funds to purchase stethoscopes donated by local health care organizations and faculty.

Third-year nursing students were presented with engraved Littmann double-sided stethoscopes in a ceremony on Monday, Aug. 26. The ceremony marks the students’ transition to clinical practice, according to the release. Senior nursing students already working in clinical practice present the stethoscopes to the third-year students in a tradition that was started in 2019 by PSU nursing program alumna Lauren LaMontagne to ensure each nursing student enters the field with equitable access to this necessary but expensive equipment.

Tower is clean

The cooling tower located behind the Riverwalk Resort in the downtown area of Lincoln was successfully cleaned and disinfected with no elevated risk of Legionella infection from the tower, according to a press release from the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services on Aug. 21. The DHHS’s Division of Public Health Services and the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Service tested water samples from the tower after it underwent disinfection and the test had negative results for the bacteria, the release said. DHHS has identified seven people who have been confirmed to have Legionnaire’s disease after visiting downtown Lincoln in June and July, the release said. For information about Legionella, see the DHHS Waterborne Disease webpage at dhhs.nh.gov.

The 19th annual Pedaling for Payson event will be held on Saturday, Sept.
7, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Elm Brook Park in Hopkinton
(102 Elm Brook Park Road) with proceeds going to assist individuals
receiving cancer treatment at the Concord Hospital Payson Center for
Cancer Care. To register or make a donation, visit
pedalingforpayson.org or call Concord Hospital Trust at 227-7162.

The Concord Community Music School (23 Wall St., Concord) will hold an open house on Saturday, Sept. 7, from 10 a.m. to noon where guests will be able to meet faculty and staff and tour the facilities. There will be demo classes, jam sessions, information sessions, an instrument “petting zoo,” giveaways and refreshments, according to the website. Visit ccmusicschool.org.

The Mental Health Center of Greater Manchester and Manchester City Library (405 Pine St., Manchester) offer a conversational group for seniors on Mondays at 10:30 a.m at Manchester’s Cashin Senior Activity Center (151 Douglas St.), with the first session on Sept. 9. Virtual attendance is also available. The discussion topic for Sept. 9 is: Who was your favorite teacher and what do you remember about him or her? Call Susan Harmon at 624-6550, ext. 7620, or email sharmon@manchesternh.gov for details. Pre-registration is encouraged. Visit manchester.lib.nh.us