If you are a regular reader of this column, you know that I kill plants (just like you probably do). Houseplants. Annuals. Flowers in the ground. And yes, even trees. Although some oaks live 400 years, most plants naturally have a much shorter life span. And although some die due to my negligence, most do not. But I do push the limits of zone hardiness, trying plants that rather would winter in Pennsylvania — and occasionally killing them.
I have a native dogwood tree that shows up all over my property. It is called the pagoda dogwood and is one of my favorites. This small tree never gets much taller than 10 feet, has just finished blooming with understated white blossoms and has blue berries loved by birds in July or August.
But it has a short lifespan for a tree; 25 years is a good run for this one, even in the wilds. Fortunately it seeds in, so I always have plenty. When one dies, I can cut it down, thank it, and get rid of it. No mourning.
For the last 20 years or more, I have had a hazelnut tree called Harry Lauder’s walking flower stick (“Purple Majesty”) in one of my flower beds. This tree is a naturally occurring freak: Its stems twist and turn in unusual ways. Great in winter for its silhouette, mine also had purple leaves and was a great tree. I pruned it to keep it just 6 feet tall. But last summer it showed signs of distress, and this spring it did not leaf out. It is dead.
But because it is striking in profile, I decided not to cut it down. Not yet, anyway. I planted annual vines around its base and I am training them to climb up into the tree. If all goes as planned, in a month or so I will have purple hyacinth beans blooming in the tree.
In the meantime my wife Cindy and I decorated it with colorful strips of cloth. Each is just a couple of inches wide and perhaps a foot long. She attached threads to the top of each so we could tie them on like Christmas ornaments. Even the slightest breeze has them fluttering and twisting. It’s lovely.
Although nowadays I buy almost exclusively native plants, last summer I was tempted by a lovely Japanese clethra and brought her home. This spring it did not leaf out, a major disappointment. My test for a dead branch is to rub my fingernail on the bark, scraping off the outer layer. If it is alive, it will show some green. But this clethra showed brown everywhere, and I decided it was dead.
As I was lopping off the branches prior to digging it out, I noticed a few leaves growing at the very base of the tree. Life! So I am letting it stay. Unfortunately, I do not know if the tree was grafted onto a different rootstock, which is common in the landscape trade.
New growth from the roots may bring this Japanese clethra back to life. Courtesy photo.
So, for example, a branch or branches of a Japanese clethra might have been grafted to a summersweet clethra. This avoids having to start a new plant from seed and ensures that the new plant has the desirable characteristics of the plant grafted to rootstock. If the rootstock grows, one gets a plant different from the purchased plant.
All apples are grafted onto rootstock because the seeds are hybrids and will not breed true. The rootstock used for apples determines the size of the tree. Some will produce miniatures, others full-sized trees. So if your apple was killed by rodents last winter and the roots sent up new shoots, what you get will probably not be interesting to eat. Yes, Johnny Appleseed traveled around America with a sack of apple seeds, but those apples were for making hard cider, America’s beverage of choice, not for eating apples.
If your rose died last winter, you might be able to bring it back to life. Most roses are sold on roots that are different than the flowering portion. You should be able to see a scar, the graft union, on your rose. If the union was planted below the soil line, the rose may sprout from the fancy rose you bought, not the rootstock. So wait and see what happens. By now, this late in the season, a “dead” rose should have sent up shoots if it is going to.
Most plants we grow are vigorous and seem to have an innate “desire” to keep their genetic lines viable. That is why they produce seeds, and many (especially weeds) send out roots that can send up new plants. So if a perennial plant dies, you may be in luck. A baby plant may replace the mother plant. It’s what they do.
A few words of warning, however. Any plant that starts from seeds dropped by a hybrid plant will probably not breed true, although it can. A hybrid is a cross between two genetic lines, and seed producers develop them in carefully isolated circumstances to protect their lineage.
I like to think that if I never kill any plants, I am not trying hard enough. I try to grow new and different plants, often things that would rather grow a few hundred miles south. When those rare (for here) plants do survive and bloom, I feel like a million bucks. Hopefully they did not cost that much, as I will probably lose them at some point.
Featured photo:Pagoda Dogwood berries are loved by birds. Courtesy photo.
Get kids picking summer fruits as a way to spend some time outdoors and get a haul of strawberries for your Fourth of July weekend shortcakes. A few weeks ago, cherries joined strawberries as a crop ready for visitors to pick at Brookdale Fruit Farm (41 Broad St. in Hollis is the farm stand and pick-your-own fields are across the street; see brookdalefruitfarm.com). Both fruits are available to pick daily from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Apple Hill Farm (580 Mountain Road in Concord, applehillfarmnh.com) also has strawberry picking available Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. to noon (and keep an eye on their website and social media for the start of blueberry season). Sunnycrest Farm (59 High Range Road in Londonderry; sunnycrestfarmnh.com) has pick your own cherries, raspberries and blueberries daily from 7 a.m. to noon. Call or check websites before heading out to make sure fields are open.
More days to learn and play
The Children’s Museum of New Hampshire (6 Washington St. in Dover; childrens-museum.org, 742-2002) is now open daily except for Mondays (and, this weekend, it is also closed Sunday, July 4) for visits from 9 a.m. to noon or 1 to 4 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays and 9 a.m. to noon on Sundays. Reserve a spot and buy tickets online in advance (as is required). Open this year is the Play Patio for outdoor “messy creative fun,” weather permitting, according to the website. Admission costs $11 for everyone over 1 year old and $9 for over 65.
Birds!
Squam Lakes Natural Science Center (534 Route 3 in Holderness; nhnature.org) celebrates a new raptor exhibit with “All About Birds Day” on Thursday, July 1, when you can see live raptors at Pop Up Animal Encounters and talk to naturalists about the exhibit. The trails are open daily from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., with the last trail admission at 3:30 p.m. Advanced trail ticket purchase online is required; admission costs $28 for adults and $13 for kids ages 3 to 15 (children age 2 and under get in for free).
See the sea
The Seacoast Science Center (Odiorne Point State Park, 570 Ocean Blvd. in Rye; 436-8043, seacoastsciencecenter.org) offers family tide pool explorations in small group programs that last about 75 to 90 minutes, according to the website. This week’s tide pool adventures are happening at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, July 2, and at noon on Saturday, July 3, and Sunday, July 4. The cost is $15 for adults and $5 for kids ages 3 to 12. Register online for this program or to ensure tickets to visit the Center, which is open Wednesdays through Sundays from 10 a.m to 4 p.m.
Fun in the park
Get in the Independence Day spirit with a “Patriotic Concert in the Park” on Friday, July 2, from 7 to 8 p.m. at Abbie Griffin Park in Merrimack (behind the town hall at 6 Baboosic Lake Road). The Merrimack Concert Association will perform at this free event.
Head out with your teenage superhero fans to see Wonder Woman 1984 (PG-13, 2020), screening Friday, July 2, at Greeley Park Bandshell, 100 Concord St. in Nashua. The screening is part of the city’s SummerFun programming.
Strawberry shortcake and celebration
The New Hampshire Farm Museum (1305 White Mountain Hwy. in Milton; nhfarmmuseum.org) will celebrate Fourth on the Farm on Sunday, July 4, from noon to 3 p.m. The day will feature musicians playing traditional patriotic music, tractor rides, a reading of the Declaration of Independence and strawberry shortcake with homemade whipped cream. Admission costs $10 for adults, $7.50 for seniors over age 64, $5 for kids ages 4 and up and free for kids under age 4 and for members and active military.
Puppets!
Cactus Head Puppets will present the puppet show Magnificent Monster Circus at the park at the Belknap Mill (25 Beacon St. East in Laconia) on Monday, July 5, from 10 to 11 a.m. The event is free and open to the public; see belknapmill.org.
Off to theater we go
The 2021 Bank of New Hampshire Children’s Summer Series at the Palace Theatre (80 Hanover St. in Manchester; palacetheatre.org,668-5588) kicks off Tuesday, July 6, with a presentation of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. Shows continue Wednesday, July 7, and Thursday, July 8. A different kid-audience-friendly show featuring professional actors runs each week through Aug. 19, Tuesdays through Thursdays, at 10 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. Tickets cost $10.
The latest from NH’s theater, arts and literary communities
NHAA artists in Manchester: The New Hampshire Art Association recently partnered with Creative Framing Solutions, located across from the Palace Theatre at 89 Hanover St. in Manchester, to provide an additional venue for members to exhibit and sell their work. During July, the space will feature works by textile artist Cheryl Miller and painter Marianne Stillwagon. Miller creates fabric collages using hand-dyed cottons, batiks and vintage fabrics stitched by machine. Her exhibit, “Nature Up Close,” focuses on colors and symbolism in nature and a combination of abstract and realistic elements, incorporating birds, insects and flowers that symbolize hope and resilience. Stillwagon’s exhibit displays her paintings of the landscapes, wildlife and changing seasons of New England, and of South Carolina, where she has a second studio. An opening reception will be held on Friday, July 9, from 4 to 8 p.m. Gallery hours are Tuesday through Friday, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Call 320-5988 or visit nhartassociation.org.
• Open doors to history: The New Hampshire Historical Society (30 Park St., Concord) has reopened its exhibition galleries to the public, according to a press release. Exhibits currently on view include “Discovering New Hampshire,” “White Mountains in the Parlor: The Art of Bringing Nature Indoors,” “No Longer Denied: New Hampshire Women Win the Vote” and others about New Hampshire history. Gallery hours are Thursday through Saturday, from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission costs $7 for adults and is free for members, kids age 18 and under, full-time students and active military personnel and their families. Masks are required in the building. Visit nhhistory.org or call 228-6688.
The New Hampshire Historical Society. Courtesy photo.
• Art downtown: Peterborough has its fifth annual Art Walk on Saturday, July 3, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. (Rain date is Sunday, July 4). More than 50 local and regional artists will be set up throughout downtown and Depot Park/Depot Square, showing and selling their work, including handmade jewelry, pottery, watercolor, fabric, wood carving, oil painting and more. There will also be live music in Depot and Putnam parks. “The fun of being outdoors in such a natural setting, meeting talented artists, meandering through unique shops and enjoying lots of food choices … will be a wonderful way to celebrate the Fourth of July holiday,” event organizer Pelagia Vincent said in an email. Visit facebook.com/depotsquare for a map and list of activities.
• Seeking directors: Manchester-based theater company Cue Zero Theatre Co. announced in a press release that it is looking for “directors with passion projects” to produce four mainstage productions and a number of side projects in 2022. The mainstage productions are scheduled for March, April, June and October of next year. Selected directors will work with the company to staff, fundraise, promote and produce the shows; and will have full access to all of the company’s resources for the show, including, but not limited to, sets, costumes, props, lighting, sound equipment, social media, artist database and base-funding. Directors can hold rehearsals at the Granite State Arts Academy in Salem or their own rehearsal space. Cue Zero will also consider playwrights looking to produce an original work and will pair the playwright with a director if needed. If interested, email your resume and a short letter of introduction that includes a statement about the piece you’d like to pitch to cztheatre@gmail.com. Interviews are being conducted now and will remain open until all four directors have been selected.
Featured photo: “This Day”, a textile work by Cheryl Miller. Courtesy photo.
Art
Exhibits
• “FRESH PERSPECTIVES” Exhibit features works by New Hampshire artists Peter Milton, Varujan Boghosian, Robert Hughes and others. New Hampshire Antique Co-op (323 Elm St., Milford). On view in the Co-op’s Tower Gallery now through Aug. 31. Visit nhantiquecoop.com.
• “FASHION FORWARD: AFRICANA STYLE” Exhibit showcases Black fashion and explores connections between African American and African design aesthetics from past to present. The Seacoast African American Cultural Center (located inside the Portsmouth Historical Society, 10 Middle St., Portsmouth). On view now through Sept. 1. Gallery hours are Monday through Sunday, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; visitors must reserve a 45-minute time slot in advance. Walk-in guests will be accommodated as space permits. Tickets cost $10 for the general public and $5 for Historical Society members and are available through eventbrite.com. Visit saacc-nh.org.
• “THE BODY IN ART: FROM THE SPIRITUAL TO THE SENSUAL” Exhibit provides a look at how artists through the ages have used the human body as a means of creative expression. On view now through Sept. 1. Currier Museum of Art, 150 Ash St., Manchester. Museum admission tickets cost $15, $13 for seniors age 65 and up, and must be booked online. Call 669-6144 or visit currier.org.
• “DON GORVETT: WORKING WATERFRONTS” Exhibit features more than 60 works by the contemporary Seacoast printmaker. The Portsmouth Historical Society (10 Middle St., Portsmouth). On view now through Sept. 12. Gallery hours are daily, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission costs $7.50 for adults and is free for kids under age 18, seniors age 70 and older and active and retired military. Admission is free for all on the first Friday of every month. Visit portsmouthhistory.org.
• “TWILIGHT OF AMERICAN IMPRESSIONISM” Exhibit showcases New England painters and masters of impressionism Alice Ruggles Sohier and Frederick A. Bosley. On view now through Sept. 12. Portsmouth Historical Society (10 Middle St., Portsmouth). Gallery hours are daily, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission costs $7.50 for adults and is free for kids under age 18, seniors age 70 and older and active and retired military. Admission is free for all on the first Friday of every month. Visit portsmouthhistory.org.
• “ROBERTO LUGO: TE TRAIGO MI LE LO LAI – I BRING YOU MY JOY” Philadelphia-based potter reimagines traditional forms and techniques with inspiration from urban graffiti and hip-hop culture, paying homage to his Puerto Rican heritage and exploring his cultural identity and its connection to family, place and legacy. The Currier Museum of Art (150 Ash St., Manchester). On view now through Sept. 26. On view now. Currier Museum of Art, 150 Ash St., Manchester. Museum admission tickets cost $15, $13 for seniors age 65 and up, and must be booked online. Call 669-6144 or visit currier.org.
• “CRITICAL CARTOGRAPHY” Exhibit features immersive large-scale drawings by Larissa Fassler that reflect the Berlin-based artist’s observations of downtown Manchester while she was an artist-in-residence at the Currier Museum in 2019. On view now through fall. Currier Museum of Art, 150 Ash St., Manchester. Museum admission tickets cost $15, $13 for seniors age 65 and up, and must be booked online. Call 669-6144 or visit currier.org.
• GALLERY ART A new collection of art by more than 20 area artists on display now in-person and online. Creative Ventures Gallery (411 Nashua St., Milford). Call 672-2500 or visit creativeventuresfineart.com.
• “TOMIE DEPAOLA AT THE CURRIER” Exhibition celebrates the illustrator’s life and legacy through a collection of his original drawings. On view now. Currier Museum of Art, 150 Ash St., Manchester. Museum admission tickets cost $15, $13 for seniors age 65 and up, and must be booked online. Call 669-6144 or visit currier.org.
• ART ON MAIN The City of Concord and the Greater Concord Chamber of Commerce present a year-round outdoor public art exhibit in Concord’s downtown featuring works by professional sculptors. All sculptures will be for sale. Visit concordnhchamber.com/creativeconcord, call 224-2508 or email tsink@concordnhchamber.com.
• “TENSION: PROCESS IN THE MAKING” The Surface Design Association’s (SDA) New Hampshire Group presents an exhibit featuring fiber art and textiles by New Hampshire artists. July 24 through Sept. 4. Twiggs Gallery (254 King St., Boscawen). Visit twiggsgallery.wordpress.com or call 975-0015.
• “SUMMER HAZE” Concord artist and gallery owner Jess Barnet hosts her first group art exhibit. Gallery located in the Patriot Investment building, 4 Park St., Suite 216, Concord. On view Aug. 6 through Sept. 3. Visit jessbarnett.com.
Fairs and markets
• CONCORD ARTS MARKET Outdoor artisan and fine art market. Every third Saturday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Now through October. Rollins Park (33 Bow St., Concord). Visit concordartsmarket.net.
• ARTS ON THE GREEN Arts and crafts fair will feature painters, potters, artisan jewelers, stained glass makers, bead workers, photographers and metal crafters. Presented by The Center for the Arts Lake Sunapee Region. Sunapee Harbor. Sat., July 17, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Visit centerfortheartsnh.org.
• CRAFTSMEN’S FAIR Nine-day craft fair featuring work by hundreds of juried League of NH Craftsmen members. Sat., Aug. 7, through Sun., Aug. 15. Mount Sunapee Resort (1398 Route 103, Newbury). Visit nhcrafts.org.
• GREELEY PARK ART SHOW Annual outdoor juried art show hosted by Nashua Area Artists Association features a variety of artwork for sale. Sat., Aug. 21, and Sun., Aug. 22, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. 100 Concord St., Nashua. Visit nashuaareaartistsassoc.org.
Tours
• NASHUA PUBLIC ART AUDIO TOUR Self-guided audio tours of the sculptures and murals in downtown Nashua, offered via the Distrx app, which uses Bluetooth iBeacon technology to automatically display photos and text and provides audio descriptions at each stop on the tour as tourists approach the works of art. Each tour has 10 to 15 stops. Free and accessible on Android and iOS on demand. Available in English and Spanish. Visit downtownnashua.org/nashua-art-tour.
Workshops and classes
• GENERAL ART CLASSES In-person art classes for all levels and two-dimensional media. held with small groups of two to five students. Private classes are also available. Diane Crespo Fine Art Gallery (32 Hanover St., Manchester). Students are asked to wear masks in the gallery. Tuition costs $20 per group class and $28 per private class, with payment due at the beginning of the class. Call 493-1677 or visit dianecrespofineart.com for availability.
• DRAWING & PAINTING CLASSES Art House Studios, 66 Hanover St., Suite 202, Manchester. Classes include Drawing Fundamentals, Painting in Acrylic, Drawing: Observation to Abstraction, Exploring Mixed Media, and Figure Drawing. Class sizes are limited to six students. Visit arthousestudios.org.
Theater
Auditions
• HEATHERS THE MUSICAL Presented by Cue Zero Theatre Company. Auditions held Tues., July 27. Granite State Arts Academy, 19 Keewaydin Drive, Salem. Performers must be age 18+. Signups for a time slot in advance are required. Visit cztheatre.com.
Shows
• BETRAYAL The Winnipesaukee Playhouse presents. 33 Footlight Circle, Meredith. Now through July 3, with showtimes Tuesday through Saturday, at 4 p.m. Tickets cost $27 to $37. Visit winnipesaukeeplayhouse.org.
• PIPPIN The Seacoast Repertory Theatre PAPA Jr. presents. Virtual and in person at 125 Bow St., Portsmouth. Now through July 18. Visit seacoastrep.org or call 433-4472.
• SLEUTH The Winnipesaukee Playhouse presents. 33 Footlight Circle, Meredith. June 30 through July 17, with showtimes Tuesday through Saturday, at 7:30 p.m., plus matinees on Tuesday, July 6, and Thursday, July 8, at 2 p.m. Tickets cost $20 to $37. Visit winnipesaukeeplayhouse.org.
• SNOW WHITE AND THE SEVEN DWARFS The 2021 Bank of New Hampshire Children’s Summer Series presents. Palace Theatre (80 Hanover St., Manchester). Tues., July 6, through Thurs., July 8, 10 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. Tickets cost $10. Visit palacetheatre.org.
• YOU’RE A GOOD MAN, CHARLIE BROWN Prescott Park Arts Festival (105 Marcy St., Portsmouth). July 9 through Aug. 15, with shows daily at 7 p.m. More information is TBA. Visit prescottpark.org.
• PETER PAN The 2021 Bank of New Hampshire Children’s Summer Series presents. Palace Theatre (80 Hanover St., Manchester). Tues., July 13, through Thurs., July 15, 10 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. Tickets cost $10. Visit palacetheatre.org.
• DANI GIRL The Winnipesaukee Playhouse presents. 33 Footlight Circle, Meredith. July 14 through July 31, with showtimes Tuesday through Saturday, at 4 p.m. Tickets cost $29 to $39. Visit winnipesaukeeplayhouse.org.
• ‘TIL BETH DO US PART The Majestic Theatre presents. Virtual and in person at Majestic Studio Theatre, 880 Page St., Manchester. July 16 through July 25, with showtimes on Friday and Saturday at 7 p.m., and Sunday at 2 p.m. Visit majestictheatre.net or call 669-7469.
• WIZARD OF OZ The 2021 Bank of New Hampshire Children’s Summer Series presents. Palace Theatre (80 Hanover St., Manchester). Tues., July 20, through Thurs., July 22, 10 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. Tickets cost $10. Visit palacetheatre.org.
• CABARET The Seacoast Repertory Theatre presents. 125 Bow St., Portsmouth. July 22 through Sept. 5. Visit seacoastrep.org or call 433-4472.
• THE LITTLE MERMAID The 2021 Bank of New Hampshire Children’s Summer Series presents. Palace Theatre (80 Hanover St., Manchester). Tues., July 27, through Thurs., July 29, 10 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. Tickets cost $10. Visit palacetheatre.org.
• TELL ME ON A SUNDAY The Winnipesaukee Playhouse presents. 33 Footlight Circle, Meredith. July 28 through Aug. 14, with showtimes Tuesday through Saturday, at 7:30 p.m., plus matinees on Tuesday, Aug. 3, and Thursday, Aug. 5, at 2 p.m. Tickets cost $20 to $39. Visit winnipesaukeeplayhouse.org.
• BEAUTY AND THE BEAST The 2021 Bank of New Hampshire Children’s Summer Series presents. Palace Theatre (80 Hanover St., Manchester). Tues., Aug. 3, through Thurs., Aug. 5, 10 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. Tickets cost $10. Visit palacetheatre.org.
• RAPUNZEL The 2021 Bank of New Hampshire Children’s Summer Series presents. Palace Theatre (80 Hanover St., Manchester). Tues., Aug. 10, through Thurs., Aug. 12, 10 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. Tickets cost $10. Visit palacetheatre.org.
• CINDERELLA The 2021 Bank of New Hampshire Children’s Summer Series presents. Palace Theatre (80 Hanover St., Manchester). Tues., Aug. 17, through Thurs., Aug. 19, 10 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. Tickets cost $10. Visit palacetheatre.org.
• MAD HAUS The Seacoast Repertory Theatre presents. 125 Bow St., Portsmouth. Sun., Aug. 18, 8 p.m. Tickets cost $15. The show is also available to livestream. Visit seacoastrep.org.
• HOOLIGANS AND CONVICTS The Winnipesaukee Playhouse presents. 33 Footlight Circle, Meredith. Aug. 18 through Sept. 4, with showtimes Tuesday through Saturday, at 7:30 p.m., plus matinees on Tuesday, Aug. 24, and Thursday, Aug. 26, at 2 p.m. Tickets cost $20 to $39. Visit winnipesaukeeplayhouse.org.
• SLEEPING BEAUTY The 2021 Bank of New Hampshire Children’s Summer Series presents. Palace Theatre (80 Hanover St., Manchester). Tues., Aug. 24, through Thurs., Aug. 26, 10 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. Tickets cost $10. Visit palacetheatre.org.
• IT HAD TO BE YOU The Winnipesaukee Playhouse presents. 33 Footlight Circle, Meredith. Sept. 1 through Sept. 18, with showtimes Tuesday through Saturday at 4 p.m., plus matinees on Saturdays, Sept. 11 and Sept. 18, at 11 a.m. Tickets cost $20 to $37. Visit winnipesaukeeplayhouse.org.
• TRUE TALES LIVE Monthly showcase of storytellers. Held virtually via Zoom. Last Tuesday of the month, 7 p.m., September through December. Visit truetaleslivenh.org.
• GLORIOUS The Winnipesaukee Playhouse presents. 33 Footlight Circle, Meredith. Sept. 22 through Oct. 9, with showtimes Tuesday through Saturday at 7:30 p.m., plus matinees on Tuesday, Sept. 28, and Thursday, Sept. 30, at 2 p.m. Tickets cost $20 to $37. Visit winnipesaukeeplayhouse.org.
• HEATHERS THE MUSICAL Presented by Cue Zero Theatre Company. Oct. 22 through Oct. 24. Derry Opera House, 29 W. Broadway, Derry. Visit cztheatre.com.
• THAT GOLDEN GIRLS SHOW: A PUPPET PARODY at the Capitol Center for the Arts (44 S. Main St. in Concord; ccanh.com) on Sat., Nov. 20, at 8 p.m. Tickets cost $35.
The 2021 Kids Count Data Book, released last week by the Annie E. Casey Foundation, ranks New Hampshire second in the United States for overall child well-being. According to a press release from New Futures, a nonprofit that aims to improve the health and wellness of New Hampshire residents, the national report uses data from four domains in each state: economic well-being, education, health, and family and community context. According to the report, New Hampshire ranks first in family and community context, third in overall health, fifth in education and sixth in economic well-being.
Score: +1
Comment:According to the release, New Hampshire moved from second to first in family and community context because the number of children living in single-parent families decreased from 30 percent in 2018 to 28 percent in 2019, and the number of children living in high-poverty areas dropped from 2 percent in 2018 to less than 1 percent in 2019.
Safe state for cats and dogs
For the first time, New Hampshire is a no-kill state, according to the annual pet lifesaving data recently released by Best Friends Animal Society, with no dogs or cats killed in state shelters in 2020. It’s the second state in the country (after Delaware) to reach no-kill status, the release said, with an aggregate shelter pet save rate of 92.62 percent, which factors in the approximately 10 percent of pets who enter shelters and have medical or behavioral issues that warrant humane euthansia. Of the 8,573 dogs and cats that entered New Hampshire shelters in 2020, all were saved, according to the release.
Comment: +1
Score: In 2019, only 76.47 percent of the state’s shelters were no-kill, according to the release.
American pride
The Fourth of July should be a big day in the Granite State — according to a new report from the personal-finance website WalletHub, New Hampshire is the fifth most patriotic state in the nation.
Data compiled included number of military enlistees and veterans, volunteer hours and share of adults who voted in the 2020 presidential election. According to the report, New Hampshire ranked first in civics education requirement, fourth in percentage of adults who voted in the presidential election and sixth in Peace Corps volunteers per capita.
Score: +1
Comment: New Hampshire follows Montana, Alaska, Maryland and Vermont in patriotism, according to the report.
Queen City scams
In the past couple of weeks, Manchester police have dealt with two significant scams. On June 17, they handled a report from an elderly woman who had received calls from a man who said her Social Security number had been used in a drug and money laundering crime in Texas and told her to send $25,000 to a UPS dropoff in Tampa so that they could make sure the money was kept safe, according to a press release. The woman sent the money to the address, but a Manchester detective told the store manager to hold on to the package, and it was ultimately returned to her. On June 22, Manchester police sent out an Amber Alert for a missing mother and her 4-year-old son, who were found safe in the city soon after the alert went out. Detectives believe the incident was a phone scam, where someone calls the victim and says a family member is in trouble, then demands money for the individual’s safe return, according to a press release.
Score: -2
Comment:Both of these scams ended as happily as they could have, but the police remind everyone to be wary of any suspicious calls or requests for money.
QOL score: 77 Net change: +1 QOL this week: 78
What’s affecting your Quality of Life here in New Hampshire? Let us know at news@hippopress.com.
Believe it or not, baseball hits the midpoint this weekend. And with the local nine leading the AL East it’s been a year of pleasant surprises for Red Sox Nation. I did not see this coming, mainly because I didn’t think they had the pitching and still don’t. But as I said in an earlier column, I didn’t think they had enough in 2013 and was convinced of that right up until they won the World Series. So there is precedent for me being wrong from wire to wire. So this time, I’m just going to sit back and enjoy it.
However, they’re not the only story in baseball creating buzz throughout the game. So here are a few other stories, even in the National League, which I generally talk more about on my annual weekend trip to Long Island each July than I do with folks up here the rest of the entire season. But not this year.
San Francisco Giants: Their having the best record in baseball may be more surprising than the Sox. Here are four things about them of interest to Red Sox Nation. (1) Yaz’s grandson Mike Yastrzemski is the right fielder with 10 homers, 27 RBI, and is hitting .221. (2) Since I hadn’t heard his name in years, I assumed Johnny Cueto was dead. But he’s alive and still pitching at 35, where he’s 6-2 with 3.63 ERA. (3) Their two best starters are ex-Oriole meatballer Kevin Gausman and the Irish kid Anthony DeSclafani, who are 16-3 combined with ERA’s of 1.49 and 2.77 respectively. (4) Somehow they’re doing it with Sox alum Gabe Kapler as manager, who more than once forgot how many outs there were while managing in Philly.
NL West Race: That could portend a raucous race for playoff spots in the NL West involving the West Coast G-Men, defending champion Dodgers and upstart Padres led by the exciting Fernando Tatis. They could be even better in the second half if newcomer Blake Snell (3-3, 5.29) ever shakes off the frustration of being yanked by idiot manager Kevin Cash after six untouchable Game 7 innings to hand the Dodgers the World Series.
Jacob deGrom:While the numbers are incredible — 0.69 ERA, 122 K’s in 78 innings, which is 14.07 K’s per 9 innings compared to Nolan Ryan’s best ever 10.6 — how come he doesn’t win more games? He’s only won more than 11 twice with a high of 15 in 2017. Can his hitters be that bad? Can’t be as bad as the team behind Koufax in L.A., who took fly swatters to the plate. Or is he the poster boy for the stat geeks’ belief that wins are an irrelevant stat for starters?
Ticky Tack Baseballs: Once again baseball shoots itself in the head thanks to whiny pitchers like Garrett Richards and idiot managers like Joe Girardi causing a ruckus because they’re no longer allowed to use illegal substances to make baseballs spin better. Again, but slower this time: histrionics by crybabies over being prevented from doing something illegal. If that’s not so 2021 America, nothing is.
The F-Cat Trio: It’s not that folks didn’t know what was in store for the sons of three major leaguers when they played for the F-Cats a few years back. But by hitting .342 and leading the majors in homers (26) and RBI (66) the Blue Jays’ Vlad Guerrero Jr. is now the best young hitter in baseball. Not far behind are Manchester bros shortstop Bo Bichette (.281/14/50) and injury-plagued third baseman Cavan Biggio (.217/6/17). The year’s highlight was all going deep in the same game at Fenway in June.
Shohei Ohtani: While Vlad’s season has been great, Otahni’s is historic. After four years he’s finally healthy and playing as the first full-time hitter/pitcher since Babe Ruth. He was 3-1 with a 2.58 ERA after 11 starts to go with 25 jacks and 59 RBI. What’s not to like?
Why 12 Years Was Too Much For Mookie: For the answer, all you needed to do was be at Fenway Park for Dustin Pedroia Night on Friday. The night of course was well-earned by Pedey and congrats to him. But it was a reminder that after signing an eight-year deal he played the following games by year: 135, 93, 164, 105, 3, 6, 0, and they are still paying him in 2021. In the other dugout was Giancarlo Stanton, who played 41 games in 2018 and 19 early in a $30 million per, 12-year deal going to 2028. Lesson to be learned: Stuff happens, so the considerable risk is too great.
Mookie vs. Alex Verdugo Update: Games, Runs, 2B, 3B, HR, RBI, Average and paycheck. Mook’s numbers are first. 66/72 , 47/47, 20/15 , 3/1 , 9/9, 28/32, .248/.276, $22.9 million/$560K.
The New York Yankees: After just suffering a second straight weekend sweep to the Red Sox and another disappointing season in progress, the natives are restless in the Apple. If these were the good old days, Aaron Boone would have been fired and rehired two or three times by now. But the weirdest of all is that while the Red Sox have fired three GM’s despite winning four World Series this century, Yankees GM Brian Cashman has somehow managed to keep his job after winning the WS just once in 20 years with that gigantic payroll. George Steinbrenner has to be rolling over in his grave.
Theo Epstein Curse: It was the only flaw in his resume, as from Carl Crawford to Jason Heyward almost no one Theolavished big money on ever lived up to expectations. Even when one worked, like with Ben Zobrist helping the Cubs finally win in 2016, there’s a dark twist. For poor Ben, it’s suing his own minister last week for allegedly having an affair with his wife! Can’t trust your own minister. Again, so 2021.
For four years, Bedford resident Gigi Georges, who lives part of the year in Maine, followed the lives of five young women growing up in rural Maine. She shares their stories, providing an intimate look at the contemporary female rural experience, in her debut book, Downeast: Five Maine Girls and the Unseen Story of Rural America.
What is Downeast about? It’s a work of narrative nonfiction that explores the lives of five young women … in Washington County [in Maine]. Maine is actually the most rural state in the nation — it’s incredibly isolated and challenged in terms of poverty and the hardships that often come with economic difficulties — and Washington County is one of the most rural and isolated parts of Maine. … I spent essentially four years reporting on this [community] and following these young women from their late high school years into their early college and work years.
What sparked the idea for this book? I’m a city kid, originally from Brooklyn, New York. I spent most of my life in urban places. … until about 15 years ago, when my husband and I decided to move to northern New England, ultimately [settling in] Maine and New Hampshire. As we raised our daughter in significantly more rural places than either of us had ever lived, we began to see something different from what we had been hearing and continue to hear … about rural America. Much of today’s narrative about rural America in the media and the broader popular culture is one of hopelessness and despair … but I was seeing a more hopeful story of young people, particularly of young women. … I wanted to dig deep and understand that dichotomy between what we often hear and what we were seeing.
What was the process of your research and writing? A good friend of mine … introduced me to the school superintendent and principal there, and they allowed me to sit in and have some informal discussions with the young people at the high school. … From there, I found these five young women, who I believed were broadly representative of life in this rural and isolated place. For four years, they allowed me to follow them. … I ended up spending countless hours with them. … I’d make the trip from Southwest Harbor, which is about an hour’s drive, or the five-hour trip from Bedford. … I started by simply interviewing them [and] recording the conversations. They allowed me into their homes; to go with them to their favorite places, out on the lobster boats, out to the blueberry farms; to speak to their family members, friends, teachers and mentors; and to really immerse myself in their community.
Have you done this kind of writing in the past? No. I come from a background of politics and public policy … and working in urban education issues. I had done some writing … but all academic. … This was my first foray into journalistic reporting and narrative nonfiction writing. It’s something I’ve always wanted to do, but until I met these extraordinary young women and [saw] this community that is thriving in the face of so many challenges, I hadn’t had that moment where I knew that this was the book I was meant to write.
Is Covid part of this story? Yes. The book takes the reader up to late last summer, during Covid. It was an interesting time to write about a rural place. … I think it made the findings of the book stronger. … I thought about urban areas … and how isolated they became… and how rural places that are geographically isolated were anything but [socially] isolated, because they have a tremendous sense of social capital and strength of community. I thought that, in the time of Covid, it was even more important to point that out.
What would you like readers to take away from Downeast? It’s important to see beyond the stories of hopelessness and despair about rural America, and equally important to listen to the voices of contemporary young women, which, until this point, has been largely absent from the accounts we’ve had in recent years about rural America. These voices are worth listening to because, in many ways, they represent the future of places like Washington County.
What did you gain from the experience personally? I gained a tremendous appreciation for the resilience, self-awareness and fierceness … of the young women in Washington County. … I’ve often reflected that if my young daughter, who is now 9, has half of the qualities that are seen and portrayed in these young women, I’ll be a happy mom.
Do you keep in touch with the women in the book? I do. We text fairly regularly, and we even have a group text [chain] going with me and all five girls. I’ve learned to be a really good texter; they’re bringing me up to speed!
Is there anything else you’re interested in writing about? I have been asked to and have thought about one day writing something about the young men. I think they have their own story to tell.
