Huzzah!

Get two weekends of swords, ladies and lords, music and more at the NH Renaissance Faire

Knights, archers, jousters, pirates — you’ll find them all at the New Hampshire Renaissance Faire, back in person and happening over the course of two weekends, May 14 and 15 and May 21 and 22, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day.

“We’re very excited,” said Marc Bernier, general manager and president of the Board of Directors for the Renaissance Faire. “There have been a lot of changes because of Covid, and it’s been a lot of work. … Some of our acts and vendors have had to shut their doors either because of their health or [for financial reasons] … [but] we have a number of new acts.”

There are also new food vendors and new interactive activities for kids, including ax and knife throwing. And the whole fair has moved across the street to a bigger field.

“People will be parking in the same parking lot but just walk in the other direction,” Bernier said.

Traditional favorites will be back, including archery demos and practice shooting with the Junior Olympic archery division, as well as the Brotherhood of the Arrow and Sword and the jousting demos.

Bernier said about 30 percent of the people who attend dress in full Renaissance “garb,” which is what they call costumes, and about 20 percent come in partial garb.

“A lot of people will build their costumes as they go to fairs, so they might start with a tunic and then add a cloak [at the next fair] and then add footwear,” he said.

Each day of the fair has a theme, and visitors are encouraged to dress up based on the day’s theme: There’s Wizards and Fairies Day the first Saturday, and Heritage Day the first Sunday, then Pirates and Barbarians Day the second Saturday, and the last day is Literature, TV and Movies.

“Ren faires have probably gotten a little bit of an odd or bad rap — a bunch of nerdy kids running around in costumes,” Bernier said. “But thousands of people come in [and are able to] let their inner nerd out a little bit, because everyone is doing it.”

The Hippo reached out to some of this year’s entertainers, who shared via email their techniques for getting into character, their favorite part of the New Hampshire Renaissance Faire and more.

Marc Bernier as Master Marcus Bowyer, archer

Bernier is also the general manager and president of the Board of Directors for the New Hampshire Renaissance Faire.

man at renaissance faire dressed in costume
Marc Bernier. Photo by Triple-G Photography.

Tell me a little bit about your background.

I am the general manager of the Faire and I have been involved in ren faires for over 20 years in one capacity or another. I have worked in nearly every aspect of Faire except food service.

What’s your process for getting into character?

I play a variety of characters. The process depends on which, but most of them are primarily based on the garb (costume) the character wears.

What do you do to psych yourself up for performances?

I don’t generally have to. I slide right into the role.

What does your character/act bring to the ren faire?

This also relates to the character. I try to fit the theme for the day unless I have a specific role. I like being available for pictures with people and improvised interacting.

Aside from your own act, what’s your favorite part of the faire?

The charity donation we raise is my reason for putting in the work.

J.D. Lauriat as pirate Avery Meritt

Lauriat is the Village Cast Director and Combat Director for New Hampshire Renaissance Faire and one of the members of the musical act The Penniless Jacks.

man in costume at renaissance faire, playing hand drum
J.D. Lauriat. Photo by Triple-G Photography.

Tell me a little bit about your background.

Well, I have been working/performing at various renaissance faires since 2006. I started out as part of a village cast that focused on patron interaction and mixed in a bit of singing and sword fighting. Fast forward to today and I’ve been director at a few events, I’ve been part of several stage shows and performances, and [I have] traveled throughout New England doing everything from acting to fight performance to music shows to directing cast to teaching stage combat.

What’s your process for getting into character?

It ultimately depends on the character that I am playing, but I always tell my cast, especially those who are new to this, to use a piece of your costume as a sort of catalyst for getting into character. It could be your hat, or a doublet, or even something mundane like a pin or brooch that you wear. I’ve played several very different characters over the years, from Pirate to Grave Digger to Nobility. This year, I am simply the owner of a local tavern. For me, it’s often the hat. The main process for getting ready, for me, is to silently role-play or act out a scene that my character might be in. It’s often a variation of the same scene each time, but it’s something that really encompasses the mindset and characteristics of the person I’m going to be playing for the day.

What do you do to psych yourself up for performances?

As I mentioned, I will often play out a scene that the character could be in, but that doesn’t work for all situations. Some shows, when I’m just performing with The Penniless Jacks, don’t lend themselves well to being a character because we spend so much time on stage. So the start of the day is typically a bit of panic with a dash of fear. I’ve been doing this for over 15 years and a stage show still terrifies me, and I suspect it always will. I had a wonderful director years ago tell me that it’s a good sign to have a bit of fear before a show, because it means you care.

What does your character/act bring to the ren faire?

My character, Avery Meritt, brings a sense of protection to the rest of the village. Many of the locals are unaware of his past, but they know he isn’t to be trifled with. Still, he runs the local tavern and inn, and keeps the doors open as a sort of hospitality house for his neighbors. For the patrons attending the faire, he brings a warm welcome, a bit of conversation, and music to remember.

Aside from your own act, what’s your favorite part of the faire?

Honestly, aside from the fact that it’s a charity event, I would say the music. Throughout the years, I have seen so many amazing musicians and acts pass through, and many of them have become good friends. I love that it’s a rare moment that you don’t hear wonderful songs echoing throughout the grounds.

Ilkka Eskelinen as Lord Sheriff Alistair Fynne

Eskelinen performs with the Shimmynanigans, belly dancers at the Faire.

man at renaissance faire, resting on cushions
Ilkka Eskelinen. Courtesy photo.

Tell me a little bit about your background.

My regular day-to-day work is as a job superintendent for a commercial construction company, as well as the safety officer and equipment trainer. I’m 52, born in Fitchburg, Mass. I have been a performer since 2010, originally as a villager. I sang shanties with a pirate crew for a few years. I also perform as a Viking, and recently had the honor to lead a service for a Viking-style funeral.

What’s your process for getting into character?

My process for getting into character: It all starts as soon as I wake on the day of faire. Getting my gear together for the day, sorting through and choosing what particular accouterments I’ll wear that day. While my costume stays fairly constant, I’ll adjust my outfit based on the temperature and weather outlook. My mindset, I go through a mental checklist of what’s lined up for the day, meet up with my fellow castmates and confirm everything is set. If doing stage combat, doing a few dry runs to make sure my partner and I have things in order.

What do you do to psych yourself up for performances?

I remind myself of some of my favorite memories from previous faires. One story in particular stands out, and I’ll try to keep it brief but I’d like to share it so you have the mental picture. Around 10 years ago, I spent some time chatting with a woman at faire, and was about to head off to a show. I asked for her hand, kissed it gently, and wished her a good day. She started crying! I asked what was amiss, and she told me (paraphrase) that no man ever pays her as much attention as I did that day. I still remember what I said to her (paraphrased of course): “Miss, you are very lucky! You have avoided being stuck with some idiot who doesn’t appreciate you! You are now free for an intelligent man to see you for who you really are, and be who you deserve.” I saw her again the following year at faire, and I didn’t recognize her at first. She had lost a lot of weight, changed her style, and introduced me to her boyfriend of several months. How wonderful is that?! The thought of making someone’s day even a little brighter, bringing a smile, a laugh, a shared moment — it brings me back year after year.

What does your character/act bring to the ren faire?

I am a wandering performer. I travel around the site, greeting people, engaging in conversations, perhaps joining a wandering singing group to sing a song. … This year we are introducing stage combat, and I will be doing a fight with one of the villagers. I love to make folk laugh. We never know what kind of day someone is having when they set foot onto the faire site. If I can bring a smile, a laugh, and give them a pleasant memory to take away from the day, it is all worth it.

Aside from your own act, what’s your favorite part of the faire?

Aside from my wanderings, my favorites are watching full-contact fighting in armor, such as The Brotherhood of the Arrow and Sword, or listening to the various singing groups and their stage performances, like The Penniless Jacks, The King’s Busketeers, and Myschyffe Managed.

Brian Caton as Sir Brian de Caton, Brotherhood of the Arrow and Sword

Caton formed the historical reenactment group at the Faire that demonstrates combat.

men in armor fighting in front of audience at Renaissance faire.
Photo courtesy of Brian Caton.

Tell me a little bit about your background.

Well, I started in the ren faire scene roughly about 26 years ago as a merchant but joined a reenactment group that performed at the New Hampshire Renaissance Faire in 2007. In 2015, several educators in the group and I formed the Brotherhood of the Arrow and Sword.

Our primary focus is educational reenactment of the medieval time period. Our goal is to show the difference between real history and Hollywood. We present at ren faires and schools throughout New England. At faire we will set up a hands-on medieval encampment where patrons can come in and see people performing period chores and also try on armor and weapons.

We also perform several types of presentations. One being our weapons presentation/life on the battlefield presentation. Another, and our most popular, is our fully armored, full steel fight show where we demonstrate fighting styles of the time period and modern-day tournament fighting in full-speed, full-contact combat.

What’s your process for getting into character?

My character, Sir Brian de Catton, portrays a knight from 1475 Yorkshire England. My armor and garb are all patterned off examples from the time period and are all handmade. At NHRF, I am also the Queen’s Champion.

What do you do to psych yourself up for performances?

I’d say that I start psyching up for the faire or getting into character by putting the garb on in the morning and our fighters, myself included, start psyching up for the fight show with the process of putting the armor on. Which can be a pretty involved process.

What does your character/act bring to the ren faire?

My favorite part of a faire is experiencing the crowds and especially the children when they see our fighters in armor and when they themselves get to try the armor. The making of memories is very important to us.

Aside from your own act, what’s your favorite part of the faire?

At NHRF, my favorite part is the Faire family that has come together to put on the charity event. From performers, merchants to volunteers and staff. There is a real sense of family at the event.

Danny Scialdone as Lord Aspergillius Gleekman

Scialdone is also the entertainment director of the Faire.

man dressed in jester hat, riding pony with horn on its head
Photo courtesy of Danny Scialdone.

Tell me a little bit about your background.

I have been performing as a variety of characters at renaissance faires for 15 years now and found my way to NHRF in 2011 as their first official court jester, Aspergillius Gleekman, joining the rank of the royal court. In 2012, I took on the role of entertainment director for NHRF as well as Treasury Senior Officer for the Three Maples Renaissance Corp (a 501(c)3 charity organization). As for my character, Aspergillius is an energetic, spontaneous silly man that tends to do just the thing you don’t expect him to … he likes to keep people on their toes. A trusted advisor to Queen Catherine and a compassionate soul that ensures that there is a smile on everyone’s faces.

What’s your process for getting into character?

Put on my garb, simple as that. Aspergillius is really just my own everyday goofball personality, which makes it very easy for me to get into character … put on my costume (or “garb” as we call it), flip the switch, and off I go … 40 jingle bells and all!

What do you do to psych yourself up for performances?

Honestly, nothing really. Just like I said, flip the switch.

What does your character/act bring to the ren faire?

Happiness, smiles and laughter

Aside from your own act, what’s your favorite part of the faire?

That is a tough one, there are so many … if I had to pick one, I would say the interaction with patrons, especially the kids. Kids really soak up the whole renaissance faire experience like no other, you can actually see the magic in their eyes and smiles. The best ones, though, are those that are only at the faire because they got “dragged along” by friends or family. When they come through the gate they arrive with an obvious disinterest, but by the end of the day, they end up having the time of their life and can’t wait to come back!

Brian Weiland of the Misfits of Avalon

The Misfits of Avalon will perform the second weekend of the Faire.

3 string musicians standing in arched stone windows, dressed in historic costume
Photo courtesy of Brian Weiland.

Tell me a little bit about your background.

My group is called the Misfits of Avalon, and we are a Celtic music act based in Massachusetts. Since our founding in 2009 we have at one time or another performed at pretty much every renaissance faire in New England, including performing at the New Hampshire Renaissance Faire every year since 2011. The core of the group is two lifelong best friends — myself on the hammered dulcimer and mandolin, and Max Cohen on guitar and vocals. All three of my children have also performed in the group over the years, and currently my youngest son, Aiden, is our fiddler. When I am not at faire I am a public school music teacher, and Max is a full-time professional musician.

What’s your process for getting into character?

Our characters are basically street musicians, which in renaissance terms means that we are definitely among the lower-class inhabitants of the realm! We therefore mostly wear simple peasant garb, though when we want to look a little fancier we sometimes wear full kilts. My mindset as a renaissance musician is actually not dissimilar to my mindset as a modern musician: I am there to hopefully gladden the hearts of all who hear me, from the humblest peasant to the queen herself!

What does your character/act bring to the ren faire?

Hopefully what the Misfits of Avalon brings to the faire is a little bit of beauty, a little bit of history, and maybe even a little bit of magic. I have for my entire life believed that music is a form of magic, and we do our best to cast good spells! We play several stage shows each day, but we actually spend the majority of our time — pretty much every moment when we are not on stage — busking around the fairgrounds, so that as visitors wander around throughout the day, the delicate ethereal tones of the hammered dulcimer playing beautiful Celtic melodies transports all within the realm back to a more mystical and beautiful time and place!

Aside from your own act, what’s your favorite part of the faire?

My favorite part of faire is the friendships and camaraderie. The people who work at ren faires are some of the most wonderful creative talented quirky people I know. We all have our own mundane lives and jobs and burdens, and we all live in this great big complex world, but we have all chosen to invest a pretty serious amount of time, effort, preparation and money in order to occasionally get together and create this little alternate world whose entire function is to share and inspire joy. I love being part of a community that does that!

New Hampshire Renaissance Faire

When: Saturdays and Sundays, May 14 and 15, and May 21 and 22, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day.

Where: 80 Martin Road, Fremont

Cost: Adults $18; kids over 4 $12 and kids 4 and under get in free. Tickets available at nhrenfaire.com or at the faire, and proceeds support the New Hampshire Food Bank and Rockingham Meals on Wheels.

Event is held rain or shine; check nhrenfaire.com in case of extreme weather.

Activities

Information according to the schedule at nhrenfaire.com.

Children’s Glen: Games, crafts and fun activities for the kiddies! Let them test their coordination on Jacob’s Ladder.

Archery Range: Archery at the Three Maples run by JOAD (Junior Olympic Archery Development). Free to play, but donations to JOAD are encouraged!

Craft Demonstrations: Many merchants will be demonstrating their craft at their booths, such as weaving, leather work and jewelry making.

Encampment Demonstrations: Visit the knights from the Brotherhood of the Arrow & Sword in the backfield and check out their camp, armor and weapons. Or visit our pirates and gypsies and see what trouble they’re up to!

Charity Wench & Lad Auction: Bid on goods donated from vendors and modeled by strapping lads and lovely wenches.

Bellydance Lesson: Learn to bellydance with the Shimmynanigans.

Entertainment

See performance schedule and map at nhrenfaire.com.

B.O.N.E.S. – New England Pirate Guild sings songs of the sea

Brother Sylvan – Poetry and readings from the traveled wandering bard

Duchess of Yorkshire Pudding – Whimsical tales, stories and songs of the heartwarming Duchess of Yorkshire Pudding

Gibbon The Troubadour – The minstrel plays a wide array of Irish-Celtic, nautical and folk songs

Guy Todd, Wandering Harpist – Enchanting music that will take you to another place and time

IJA – A group of jousters from all over brings the thrill of the “Game of Kings”

Medieval Music Jam – All of the faire’s talented musicians and musical performers come together for one big musical performance

Michael OJ Magician – Magic and illusions

Phoenix Swords – Medieval performance troupe demonstrates sword and weapon combat, fire breathing and flame handling

Primrose Pirates – Sword fighting and live black powder

Shimmynanigans – Bellydancing gypsies

Sir Timothy the Enchanter – The first-ever bullwhip act at the faire

The Brotherhood of the Arrow & Sword –Historical reenactment group demonstrates fully armored live steel combat

The Corr Thieves – Action and humor-filled show

The Dirge Queen – A musical queen

The Foxy Bard – PG13 – Roving bard playing folk-rock, Celtic rock and medieval songs

The Harlot Queens – PG13 – Acapella singing queens

The Harper and The Minstrel – May 14 & 15 only – Historically inspired performances of Medieval, Renaissance and Celtic Music

The King’s Busketeers – Band of musical bards with Irish pub songs, shanties and more

The Longshanks: Stilt Walkers & Storytellers – A storytelling duo wandering about the shire on stilts

The Misfits of Avalon – May 21 & 22 only – Duo of minstrels playing contemporary and traditional Celtic songs on the harp, guitar and hand dulcimer

The Penniless Jacks – Old-style pub music trio singing shanties and rousing rebel songs

The Pillage Idiots – Silly stories, songs and tales from a crew of comedic pirates

The Shank Painters – May 21 & 22 only – Sea-shanty singing trio

Two and a Halfwits – Improv comedy group

Queen’s Tea – Bring the wee ones for lemonade and cookies with the Queen herself

Featured photo: J.D. Lauriat, left, and Andy Prete, right, of the Penniless Jacks. Courtesy photo.

This Week 22/05/12

Big Events May 12, 2022 and beyond

Thursday, May 12

It’s “Bark in the Park” this afternoon when the New Hampshire Fisher Cats take on the Binghamton Rumble Ponies at 6:35 p.m. at Northeast Delta Dental Stadium in downtown Manchester and your dog is welcome (there are dog-designated seats and tickets for a dog/human pair cost $22). See milb.com/new-hampshire and search “Bark in the Park” to find all the dog-related information. Tomorrow (May 13) Benny the Bat Dog will make his first visit, with Saturday’s game featuring post-game fireworks (both games start at 6:35 p.m.; Sunday’s game starts at 1:35 p.m.).

Friday, May 13

Catch Ted Solovicos performing tonight at 6 p.m. at the Millyard Brewery in Nashua. For more live music for your weekend and beyond, see our Music This Week listing, which starts on page 37.

Saturday, May 14

The Nashua Garden Club will hold its annual plant sale today from 8 a.m. to noon (rain or shine; cash or checks only) at the Nashua Historical Society (5 Abbott St. in Nashua). The event features a raffle of themed gift baskets and a yard sale of garden-themed items.

Also today, the Friends of the Plaistow Public Library has a plant sale from 8:30 a.m. to noon at the library (85 Main St. in Plaistow). The sale, officially called the Maryan Sullivan Memorial Sale, will feature annuals, perennials and raffles. Plaistow Recreation is also holding the town-wide yard sale today from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Find information about maps to yard sales in the town at plaistownh.myrec.com.

Saturday, May 14

The New Hampshire Audubon’s McLane Center (84 Silk Farm Road in Concord; 224-9909, nhaudubon.org) will hold its Big Day in May beginner bird walk today starting at 8 a.m. at the McLane Center. Head out for a one-to-two hour informal birding walk on the Turkey Pond trails, according to the website, which says all ages and skill levels of birders are welcome. The event is free but registration is required; go online to register.

Saturday, May 14

The Canterbury Shaker Village (288 Shaker Road in Canterbury; shakers.org) opens for the season today, with guided tours and, in partnership with Capital Area Race Series and Millennium Running, the annual 5K Cross Country Race at 10 a.m. Walk or run the unpaved course, which wraps around the Village’s trails, fields, ponds and pastures, according to the press release. Register for the race by Friday, May 13, at noon at shakers.org/cars-xc-5k-2022; the cost is $25.

Tuesday, May 17

Ernie & Joe: Crisis Cops(2019), a film about two Texas police officers who respond to mental health crisis calls, will screen this evening at Red River Theatres (11 S. Main St. in Concord;224-4600, redrivertheatres.org). The event starts at 6 p.m. with dessert and networking, and the screening will be followed by a panel discussion featuring Joe Smarro, from the film, as well as Concord Chief of Police Bradley Osgood, Susan Steans (executive director of NAMI-NH), Sarah Gagnon (VP of Clinical Operations at Riverbend) and more. Tickets are free but reservations are required.

Save the Date! Saturday, May 21
Kids Con New England returns in person to New Hampshire on Saturday, May 21, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Everett Arena (15 Loudon Road in Concord). Tickets in advance cost $12 for kids ages 5 and up; $15 at the door (kids under 5 get in for free; admission for seniors, military and veterans costs $10). The event will feature more than 80 family-friendly artists, authors, creators and special guests, according to the press release, in addition to an art contest, kids and family costume contests, various workshops and more. See kidsconne.com for tickets and a full schedule.

Featured photo. Kids Con New England. Courtesy photo.

Quality of Life 22/05/12

Stop the jumping worms!

As it prepares for its annual plant sale, the Derry Garden Club is on the lookout for “jumping worms.” According to a press release, the worms remove nutrients from the top soil, which wreaks havoc on the agricultural environment, and they have recently resurfaced in New England. The club is repotting all plants to treated vermiculite in order to keep the jumping worms at bay. Anyone who has unwanted perennials that they would like to donate to the sale can set up a time with the club to have them sort through your garden (call Sally at 432-7714).

Score: -1 for the concept of worms that jump

Comment: At least you know the plants you get at the sale on June 4 at Robert Frost Farm in Derry will be jumping-worm-free!

More affordable health care

Affordable Care Act benchmark premium rates in New Hampshire are the lowest in the country, according to a study released last month by the Urban Institute and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. According to a press release, benchmark premiums in New Hampshire have decreased for the second year in a row, down from $405 per month in 2020 to $333 per month in 2021 and $309 per month in 2022. The national average, on the other hand, was $453 in 2020, $446 in 2021 and $438 in 2022. The nation averaged a 2.2-percent reduction in benchmark premium rates from 2019 to 2022, while the Granite State’s reduction was 8.2 percent.

Score: +1

Comment:“Never before has New Hampshire had better access to more increasingly affordable health insurance options,” NHID Commissioner Christopher Nicolopoulos said in the release.

Middling drug problems

New Hampshire is in the middle of the pack when it comes to states with the biggest drug problems. According to a report from WalletHub, the Granite State ranked 24th in the personal-finance website’s recent study, which looked at factors like arrest and overdose rates, the number of opioid prescriptions and employee drug testing laws. In the broader category of Drug Use & Addiction, New Hampshire ranked 34th, while it ranked 15th in Law Enforcement (which included statistics like number of drug arrests) and 37th in Drug Health Issues & Rehab (which included statistics like number of people receiving substance abuse treatment per 1,000 drug users), according to the report.

Score: 0

Comment: Cross the border to Vermont and you’ll be in the state with the highest share of both teens and adults who used illicit drugs in the past month, the report said.

Magnifying youth voices

Forty-eight youth artists were featured at the 2022 Magnify Voices Expressive Arts Contest celebration on May 4, an event that showcased their personal struggles with mental health through artwork and stories. According to a press release, the contest was created in 2019 by the New Hampshire Children’s System of Care to give youth in grades 5 through 12 a chance to share their stories through short films, essays, poems and other expressive art, and to change the stigma around mental health. Attendees at the celebration were able to view the art as well as receive information from organizations focused on improving youth mental health and hear from keynote speaker Dr. Alison Roy, a licensed clinical psychologist and trauma expert. The People’s Choice Award went to Emily W., Emily A., Lindsey K. and Lana. G for a submission titled Short Film, which discussed mental health illnesses; audio from the video includes, “If you suffer from any of these conditions, you are not alone. Don’t be afraid to reach out to a trusted loved one or a professional,” the release said.

Score: +1

Comment: This year’s submissions will be on display June 4 through July 16 at the Jaffrey Civic Center in Jaffrey and at other events around the state. On May 15, NH CSoC will be the featured nonprofit at the Fisher Cats game in Manchester.

QOL score: 79

Net change: +1

QOL this week: 80

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

NBA Round 2 Update

With Round 2 of the NBA playoffs in full swing, here’s a look at the big stories making news.

With the Hall of Fame induction of Jayson Tatum on hold after a terrible Game 1 and an awful Game 3 (4-for-19 shooting, 1 rebound) vs. Milwaukee, with a 47-point effort by Ja Morant in Memphis’ Game 2 win over Golden State it looks more like the playoffs are Ja Breaker’s coming out party to enter the NBA Top 10 player list. His nothing-but-net mid-court buzzer-beater at halftime in Game 3 was a beauty. That dude can play and boy does he have hop and hang time. Yikes.

Give Jrue Holiday and Wes Matthews credit for Tatum’s struggles. Their perimeter D has been sensational and it has totally messed up the Celtics half-court offense.

NBA 101: Who holds the record for taking the most foul shots in a game without making one?

Include me as one who felt a bit sorry for Brooklyn’s Nic Claxton as he went 4 for 22 overall from the free throw line and 1-10 in Game 4, because he’s a good young player and is going to get better. The good news is Wilt Chamberlain was once worse, going 1-11 from the stripe in the famed Willis Reed Game 7 of the 1970 Finals.

Back to the Morant for a second. Was he sending a message to GS coach Steve Kerr when he posted on Twitter about Jordan Poole “breaking the code” after his Game 3 injury? Because that’s the same phrase Kerr used when Steph Curry got hurt after being entangled with Marcus Smart during his dive for a loose ball in March.

I hate to harp on the officiating, but it looks to be a big story line going forward after being a big issue during the first three Boston-Milwaukee. For example: Somebody tell me what the rule is. Been watching missed calls repeatedly on guys stepping in bounds before passing the ball in after a made basket. In Game 3 Jaylen Brown passed one in with both feet clearly on the base line, and Brooks Lopez stepped in bounds with the ball in his hands, then stepped back out of bounds to pass it. In my world that’s a turnover. And they’re in the lane all the time before foul shots are taken.

It was pretty rich seeing Mike Budenholzer going berserk after an obvious Tatum offensive foul went non-call. He was right, it definitely was a foul, but, but, but after what his star gets away with on every drive to the basket Budenholzer should shut up and stay on the bench. If they let Shaq get away with all the contact Giannis Antetokounmpo gets away with, people would still be in traction today. Love his effort and fight, but it should be embarrassing for the NBA and unfair to let him get away with it on 80 percent of his drives because it’s not basketball.

Adam Silver needs to do something about it, because refs ignoring his best player breaking the rules in this fashion is far worse than when they let Michael Jordan palm it and/or walk on every possession in the 1990s just because he was Michael. Especially if he’s playing against Joel Embiid with his orbital bone injury in the next round.

Embiid incidentally gets major points for toughness.

The Celtics felt they got screwed on the play at the end of Game 3 that gave Smart just two foul shots instead of three when he anticipated a foul coming and shot it even though he wasn’t in position to actually make it. It was a bogus miss called because it was a shot attempt. But not giving it was consistent with what the zebras called all year on similar plays. Still, heads up plays shouldn’t be penalized.

Having said that, would love hearing what Johnny Most would have to say about all this.

And given all the whining coming from Lopez, I’m sure Buck Nation has a list of their own complaints.

NBA 101 Answer: Shaq is the record holder by going 0 for 11 from the line vs. Seattle in 2000.

Surprised Steve Nash survived the carnage in Brooklyn. Especially with the blank expression on his face as things went downhill vs. Boston bringing to mind Peter Sellers playing Chance the gardener in the 1979 major motion picture Being There.

It is mystifying to me that coaches regularly use their only challenge on inconsequential plays early in games instead of waiting for a big moment at the end of a game. Like the blown call that gave Tatum his sixth foul with 2:50 left in a tight Game 4 vs. Brooklyn. Using it when he got his fifth made sense, but whoever is supposed to see the replay before calling for it blew it because JT clearly hit Seth Curry with his shoulder. And why in the name of Bailey Howell would a coach ever listen to any player? They never think they ever commit a foul. I know I didn’t and I fouled out of 11 games my last season in college.

For the record, the great Kyrie delivered again as Brooklyn was 11-19 in the games he played in 2021-22. If that’s worth the $246 million he’s expected to get as a free agent this summer, the economy’s inflation spiral is a lot worse than I thought.

Living boldly

Samuel Habib discusses new disability documentary

Transitioning to adulthood comes with some unique challenges for Samuel Habib, 21, of Concord, who lives with cerebral palsy and epilepsy. In My Disability Roadmap, a documentary he co-directed with his father, local filmmaker Dan Habib, the two set out on a journey around the country to interview disability activists about how to live boldly as an adult with a disability.

What is it like being a young adult living with a disability?

I don’t like that sometimes people talk to me like I’m a 3-year-old. My genetic disorder has made it more difficult to drive my chair by myself and use my communication device. The biggest challenge for me is getting into the homes of my friends and family members. Sometimes, I also get too tired to stay up late, so I miss out on going to bars, parties and dates at night. But I’m proud to be a part of the disability community, and I have an awesome team of support people with me every day.

What is your goal for the film?

My goal for the film is that people won’t talk down to people with disabilities. I want everyone to know that people with disabilities demand respect and rights, and I want other young adults with disabilities to have the same opportunities that I’ve had for health care, inclusive education, college, assistive technology, jobs, making friends and independent living. I want people to learn from disability role models. I want to help people learn how to live a full life with a disability as they transition to an adult by focusing on all the possibilities of relationships, work, education and disability rights.

How did you choose your interviewees?

They were people I looked up to. They are good advocates and role models for kids and young adults with disabilities. I wanted to ask them about their transition to adulthood to help me and others be successful. Success can be defined in many ways. These are just people I wanted to have as mentors.

What was the most challenging part of creating this film?

Setting up and getting all of the interviews done. We had to fly or drive a long way for the interviews. On our flight to Indianapolis, they turned my power wheelchair on its side both ways, and it got damaged both ways. On our trip to D.C., we had a six-hour flight delay, and another passenger talked down to me like I was a 3-year-old. On our NYC trip I had a seizure. But we still got the filming done on all the trips.

What advice did you receive during your interviews that had an impact on you?

Maysoon Zayid, one of my mentors in the film, told me, ‘You are not alone. Find your community.’ That was powerful advice because I’ve always had a strong community, starting with elementary school. I’m continuing to find my community at college, in the disability rights community, at work and in my hometown of Concord.

What are you up to now? What are your plans for the future?

I am in college at NHTI, the local community college in Concord, working on getting my liberal arts Associate’s degree. I have been taking one class a semester and have a 3.0 GPA. This semester I’m taking English Comp Mindful Communication, and I also joined the Environmental Action club at school. I am thinking about transferring to a four-year college in the future. I have enjoyed meeting new people. I look forward to making more friends and maybe finding a girlfriend. I dream about getting married and having kids, making more films, and traveling around the country and the world. I want to go to the Football Hall of Fame, Mount St. Helens, a Florida Gators game with my cousins, London and Europe.

Featured photo: Samuel Habib.

News & Notes 22/05/12

Covid-19 update As of May 2 As of May 9
Total cases statewide 311,144 314,533
Total current infections statewide 2,989 3,902
Total deaths statewide 2,481 2,488
New cases 2,698 (April 26 to May 2) 3,389 (May 3 to May 9)
Current infections: Hillsborough County 873 1,148
Current infections: Merrimack County 202 364
Current infections: Rockingham County 601 817
Information from the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services.

Covid-19 news

State health officials reported 267 new cases of Covid-19 on May 9. The state averaged 516 new cases per day over the most recent seven-day period, a 31 percent increase from the week before. As of May 9 there were 20 hospitalizations statewide.

Homelessness report

Last week, the New Hampshire Coalition to End Homelessness released its annual report on the State of Homelessness in New Hampshire. According to a press release, the report shows that the number of unsheltered homeless people more than doubled across the state from 2020 to 2021, with 4,682 total unduplicated individuals and people in families experiencing homelessness in the 2021 calendar year – “likely because of the pandemic’s impact over the two fiscal years.” There were some successes, like 17 percent less family homelessness, “likely due to the comprehensive homeless prevention programs implemented utilizing the significant infusion of federal Covid-19 resources in NH.” The report was compiled using data from state and federal sources, including the Homeless Management Information System and the State of New Hampshire Official Point-In-Time Count (conducted on Jan. 23, 2021, the Point-in-Time Count identified 1,491 people, including children, who were homeless during a 24-hour timeframe). “It is important to understand the underlying impact that the pandemic has had on people experiencing homelessness in New Hampshire. This knowledge, along with this report’s clear picture of who the homeless population is in our state, lends itself to identifying where our energy should be placed — what policy changes, funding investments, and program recommendations should be considered,” Stephanie Savard, Director of the NHCEH, said in the release. Meanwhile, a new study from NHCEH and the University of NH School of Social Work is currently underway exploring the perceptions and experiences of Black, Indigenous and People of Color who currently or formerly experienced homelessness in a predominantly white rural state, the release said.

DHHS website

The decade-old New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services website has been redesigned with new and enhanced customer-centric features so visitors can more easily find the information they need. According to a press release, the dhhs.nh.gov address will remain the same, but there will be new site features like an easy-to-use search function with tags and categories, and a “How Can I Help You” box prominently displayed on the homepage, with a list of most requested topics. Dropdown menus feature popular programs and services, and new sections include Apply for Assistance, Doing Business with DHHS, and Reports, Regulations & Statistics. Enhanced accessibility options include the ability to change text size, make the cursor larger and change the contrast, text spacing and font, and the site can be translated into any language supported by Google Translate. The first DHHS logo was created as part of the website redesign and shows a person surrounded by the supports and services the department provides.

AED awareness

The New Hampshire Department of Safety, Division of Emergency Services and Communications has partnered with PulsePoint to improve and update the state’s AED registry. According to a press release, an automated external defibrillator, which delivers an electric shock to the heart, can be deployed by anyone and can help keep a heart attack victim alive until treatment arrives. In 2012, the state established an AED registry and further required the registration of all AEDs in the state, in part to identify fixed-location AEDs based on associated telephone numbers for inclusion in the Enhanced 9-1-1 system’s database. But nearly 80 percent of all calls to 9-1-1 now come from cell phones, and those callers need to be directed to an AED associated with their location. With PulsePoint, registered AEDs can be displayed on a map visible to telecommunicators taking 9-1-1 calls, so they can get the caller to a nearby AED, and PulsePoint’s data integrates with software that guides telecommunicators by providing medical instructions that can be relayed to the caller. Anyone deploying an AED in New Hampshire is required by law to register it with the Division of Emergency Services and Communications.

Road project meeting

A public Alternatives Meeting about intersection improvements at South Willow Street and Weston Road in Manchester will be held Wednesday, May 18, at 6 p.m. at the Department of Public Works at 475 Valley St., Manchester. According to a press release, HDR Inc., the city’s consultant, will discuss the project’s purpose and recommended improvements. The main purpose of the meeting is to present the identified alternatives, the pros and cons of each, and a detailed narrative of why the proposed action best meets the project’s purpose. Comments will be collected on the project’s objectives, proposed design alternatives and recommended action for the intersection improvements.

The Honorable Jane E. Young was sworn in on May 2 as the U.S. Attorney for the District of New Hampshire. According to a press release, Chief U.S. District Judge Landya McCafferty administered the oath of office at the federal courthouse in Concord. Young served as the Deputy Attorney General for the New Hampshire Department of Justice from 2018 to 2022 and has held various leadership positions in the office since she joined in 1992, the release said.

The First Parish Church in East Derry will be selling military flags and patriotic flowers the weekends of May 21 and May 28 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. by the church parking lot at 47 E. Derry Road. According to a press release, all donations will go toward the rehabilitation of the 275-year-old building.

Dr. Norman W. Crisp Elementary School in Nashua has been awarded a $25,000 grant from the Children’s Literacy Foundation, which will go toward books for classrooms and students as well as author visits and other special literacy-based events that encourage reading for knowledge and pleasure. According to a press release, the grant is awarded to elementary and middle schools serving pre-K through grade 6 that have demonstrated a commitment to literacy and creative ideas for celebrating reading and writing.

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