South End sandwiches and more

Flanagan’s Southender opens in Concord

As a kid growing up in Concord’s South End, Dave Banzhoff can remember frequenting the former Ordway’s Market across the street from his childhood home. Decades later, Banzhoff is back in his hometown as chef of a new grab-and-go and takeout eatery — housed in the very same building as Ordway’s all those years ago.

Flanagan’s Southender Deli & Market, which opened on June 18, gets its name from co-owners and brothers Ian and Tynan Flanagan, childhood friends of Banzhoff’s who were also regulars at Ordway’s. The pair recruited him to return to his old stomping grounds once they found out the property was for sale. At the time, Banzhoff was living in Florida working as a cook at the Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island, but it didn’t take much convincing for him to return.

“My wife and I are both New Hampshire locals, and we were actually looking to come back home anyway,” he said. “I had worked at the Omni Mount Washington Resort for seven years [as a cook], and I had learned a lot there.”

For the last 11 years, the popular spot at the intersection of South Street and Iron Works Road was known as Cimo’s South End Deli. The Flanagan brothers took over the space on June 1 from former owner John Cimokoski, according to Banzhoff. Since then, the trio has spent the last several weeks remodeling and working on an all new menu.

“When it was Ordway’s it was more of a neighborhood deli and market, and over the years it’s kind of turned into a convenience store,” Banzhoff said. “So we’re moving away from that and going back to fresh, homemade food, grab-and-go salads, sandwiches, pizzas, things like that. … It’s a fresher, more modern take on the deli and market.”

Breakfast is available from 6 to 11 a.m. each day, featuring items like sandwiches, burritos, a pizza with an egg scramble and crumbled bacon, and baked goods like homemade muffins. They also carry a selection of doughnuts from Brothers Donuts of Franklin.

The lunch menu includes more than a dozen hot and cold sandwiches You can stick with a traditional option and get a chicken Parmigiana, an Italian sandwich or a steak and cheese, or you can build your own sandwich, choosing a meat (turkey, ham or roast beef), a cheese (American, Swiss, provolone or cheddar) and assorted toppings and extras. Banzhoff said two or three specials a day on sandwiches, soups and chowders will be featured.

There are also pizzas available by the slice or as whole pies, as well as some fried foods, like french fries, onion rings and chicken fingers.

Salads include larger, entree-sized options such as Caesar, Greek and caprese, and smaller, grab-and-go selections like mixed fruit salad, coleslaw, broccoli salad and macaroni salad.

“We’re going to try to do some stuff that people can take home and grill like steaks, kebabs and marinated chicken,” Banzhoff said. “We definitely also want to tap into grab-and-go entrees … where people can take something home, heat it up and feed a family of four. That’s something that we’ve never had here before.”

On the market side of the business, Banzhoff said there is a greater selection of local products than there was before, from craft beers to items like candies and maple syrup.

While Flanagan’s Southender is a takeout business, a few picnic tables have been added outside. About seven to 10 flavors of ice cream are available out of a stationary trailer on the property.

Boxed lunches, which include a sandwich, chips, a drink and a house baked cookie, can be ordered for groups of five or more.

“A big thing that we’re going to keep doing from Cimo’s is … supporting the local sports teams, so we do boxed lunches for all the middle school and high school sports teams from Bow and Concord,” Banzhoff said. “We all have strong ties to this neighborhood … and that was something that we wanted to keep doing for the community.”

Flanagan’s Southender Deli & Market
Where:
250 South St., Concord
Hours: Monday through Friday, 6 a.m. to 8:30 p.m., and Saturday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. (hours are according to the website and are subject to change)
More info: Visit flanagansouthender.com, find them on Facebook and Instagram, or call 856-8020

Treasure Hunt 20/06/25

Dear Donna,
I got this from my uncle when he passed away and was wondering what the value of it is. I also have lunch box baseball cards and costume jewelry from him I would like to get values on later.
Donna

Dear Donna,
Nice name! What your uncle has left you is a coin-operated pinball machine from the 1920s or 1930s. The company that made these made a few different versions. Most of them came on a metal base. Not sure if you might have that as well.
When trying to evaluate anything you really want to start with the complete piece. For now let us assume that you don’t have the base. You want to make sure that it is in working order and all metal balls are still hiding in there. If so and there is no other damage I would say it should be in the $200 to $300 range, and if by chance you have the base it would be more.
I hope this was helpful, and send pictures of the other items you have and I will try to help.

Kiddie Pool 20/06/25

In-person summer camp!
SEE Science Center (200 Bedford St. in Manchester; 669-0400, see-sciencecenter.org) is accepting registrations now for its in-person summer camps, which will be held in July and August, according to a press release. FIRST PLACE Invention Challenge camp (with sessions the weeks of Aug. 3 and Aug. 10; the cost is $350 per week) for ages 9 to 14 will feature Lego Mindstorms robots and a brand new FIRST Lego League Challenge for the 2020-2021 competition season, the release said. Camp Summer Science, for ages 7 to 13 (the cost is $250 per week), will feature an exploration of different science topics and run sessions the weeks of July 27, Aug. 3 and Aug. 10. The camps will feature small-size camp sessions and procedures to fit with the state guidance for day camps, the release said. Discounts are available for SEE members and families registering multiple children, according to the website.

More Mo
Earlier this spring, New England author Mo Willems of, among others, the Elephant & Piggie books and the Pigeon books, hosted a three-week, 15-episode series called “Lunch Doodles with Mo Willems!” (they’re still available at kennedy-center.org/education/mo-willems) that featured him in his studio showing his artwork and demonstrating doodles (of his characters and other drawings). Since then, more content has been added to the site. In May, Willems released four episodes of “Mo Willems’ Thank-O-Rama Thank You Thursdays,” which featured more doodling along with some thanks passed along to groups like teachers (a “Thank-O-Rama” wheel helps him decide who to thank). The newest video is called “The Yo-Yo Mo Show: An Evening of Musical Doodling” and features Yo-Yo Ma playing cello while Willems draws as well as Willems showing off some cool paper creations to Ma’s music. The website also features a playlist so you can listen and draw yourself.

More drawing inspiration
Find more drawing inspiration at the website of New England author Jarrett Lerner (of the EngiNerds series), jarrettlerner.com/activities. In addition to blank and half-done comics pages, the website’s “Activities” page features a series of “Thank You” prompt sheets (for teachers, sanitation workers and others), writing and drawing prompts and “How To Draw” pages for drawing pizza, robots, cats, fish, trucks and more.

Movie news
If your kids loved (or just gave you a moment of peace thanks to) Trolls World Tour (PG), released by Universal via video on demand in April, get ready to have another movie night/94 minutes to yourself. The animated movie, which features the voices of Anna Kendrick and Justin Timberlake, had its digital for-purchase release on June 23 and will be released on DVD, Blu-Ray and 4K Ultra HD on Tuesday, July 7.

Pests and diseases

Eradication without chemicals

My gardening grandfather came over from Germany around 1910. He was an organic gardener, perhaps because there were few chemicals sold to kill bugs and diseases back then. He gardened the old-fashioned way: hen manure for fertilizer, hand picking to keep potato beetles under control, and a good compost pile to nurture the soil.

When Organic Farming and Gardening Magazine started up in the 1940s, Grampy was an early subscriber — and a believer in organic gardening. He grew great vegetables and prize-winning flowers. I grew up spending time on his small farm every summer, and helping in the garden. I’ve always believed in organic gardening: gardening without chemicals.

That said, I understand why many gardeners use chemicals: something is threatening their roses or their broccoli. Flea beetles are making holes in their cabbage. And what about chemicals to make the tomatoes grow faster and bigger? I get the urge, too. But there are alternatives.

First, I want to explain that chemical fertilizers are generally salts of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. They are water-soluble and can be taken up fast by plants, pushing fast growth. But fast growth is not always good — stems are often weaker, and excess nitrogen in plants attracts insect pests. Bugs need it to form proteins needed to grow and have babies. Not only that, a few days of heavy rain can dissolve your fertilizer and wash it away.

But if you are used to using bagged fertilizers, you can use bagged organic fertilizers. They are made from things like seaweed and ground oyster shells, cottonseed meal or ground peanut shells. They are broken down by microorganisms in the soil and made available over a much longer period of time. Unlike chemical fertilizers, they can’t burn root hairs if too much is applied.

Then there is compost. Compost improves soil qualities as well as adding needed minerals to the soil. It makes heavy soils fluffier, and it makes sandy soils better able to hold water. Make your own, or buy it in bags or by the truckload. You can use it as mulch, and let the earthworms carry it down into the soil.

What about bugs? First, please understand that not all bugs are bad. There are many beneficial insects, bugs that eat the bad boys. I have few insect pests, but never spray anything to kill bugs. If you spray your roses to kill the Japanese beetles, you may be killing beneficial parasitic wasp larvae that are on the roses but unseen.

My first line of defense is always to hand pick problem bugs. I get to recognize them, and then pick them and drop them in soapy water. If you don’t like handling Japanese beetles, get a gallon milk jug and cut away part of the top, leaving the handle. Add soapy water and hold the jug under the leaf and tap it until the culprit falls in. Or you can just crush them with your fingers, as many gardeners do. They are easy to catch early in the morning, before they have had their coffee (or perhaps warm up in the sun).

Gardening practices can help, too. For example, I plant my potatoes in June, long after most books say to. I find that I get fewer potato beetles that way. And once the leaves are up, I check for beetles often. I look under the leaves for orange egg masses, and scrape them into a jar of soapy water. I drown the larvae and beetles if I see them.

I have read that the life cycle of a Colorado potato beetle from egg to adult is 35 to 40 days. Plant in early April, and each potato beetle can start another generation four or five times or so before harvest. Break the cycle early to keep numbers down, as each momma beetle lays many eggs.

I have had trouble with a beetle eating my cucumbers and squash plants, defoliating them when they are small. The beetles are fast and hard to catch. So what do I do?

I drape a lightweight gauzy film of agricultural fabric over plants to keep bugs from physically getting to my plants. This cloth allows sun and rain to pass through, but not bugs. It’s called row cover or known by trade names like Reemay and Agribon. There are other brand names, too.

Sometimes I use wire hoops to keep the row cover off the plants; other times I just lay it over them. I pin the cloth down with earth staples to keep it from blowing off. Since vine crops are insect pollinated, I need to take it off once the plants start to bloom.

Row cover is not perfect: Striped cucumber beetles live in the soil and sometimes will appear under the row cover, but mostly it prevents them from getting to the plants. To be on the safe side I start cukes and squash inside the house three weeks or more before planting time (or buy a six-pack of starts). That gives me good-sized plants that can survive some beetle munching.

As an organic gardener I accept that sometimes bugs or diseases win. But my garden always feeds me, and I love working in it.

You can email questions to Henry at henry.homeyer@comcast.net. But be patient! Henry is outdoors most of the time during this season.

The Art Roundup 20/06/25

From trash to art: The New Hampshire Art Association presents an exhibition, “Reconsidering Trash,” now through Sept. 17, at the Greater Concord Chamber of Commerce Gallery (49 S. Main St., Concord). It features the works of NHAA member artist Marylou Ashooh Lazos of Derry, including assemblages created using pieces of her past and found objects like broken pieces of jewelry, hardware, toys and tech bits. She does the assemblages on circuit boards that she found in the trash at an old mill, following the circuit boards’ natural patterns, then attaching the boards to fabric-covered wood bases. “There is so much beauty in the everyday things around us, and I find that putting them in a frame tasks the viewer to look at common objects in new ways,” Lazos said in a press release. “So much of our society is disposable — I wanted to present a vehicle that challenges us to think twice about what we consider ‘trash.’” Gallery hours are Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Visit nhartassociation.org.

Shakespeare auditions: Manchester-based theater company Cue Zero announced in a recent press release that it is accepting online auditions for its “Shakespeare in the (Ball) Park” production of Romeo and Juliet, happening Sunday, Sept. 20, at the Northeast Delta Dental Stadium in Manchester. Auditioning actors should send a video featuring one comedic and one dramatic monologue from a Shakespeare play, totaling no more than five minutes in length, to cztheatre@gmail.com by July 20. The rehearsal process will be mostly virtual, with some in-person rehearsals closer to the opening date. The tentative rehearsal schedule is Tuesday and Thursday evenings and Sunday afternoons. Visit cztheatre.com.

Palace Theatre president honored: The Palace Theatre’s President and CEO Peter Ramsey was named Manchester’s 2020 Citizen of the Year by the Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce, according to a press release from the Manchester theater. Mark LaPrade, principal at BerryDunn accounting and management consulting firm in Manchester, nominated Ramsey, commending Ramsey’s “love of theatre, his passion for New Hampshire and his desire to improve Manchester,” according to the press release. “His commitment to increasing access to the arts and working to ensure young people have opportunities to experience and participate in theatre is exceptional,” Manchester Mayor Joyce Craig said of Ramsey in the press release, adding that the Rex Theatre, the Palace Theatre’s new 300-seat venue on Amherst Street in Manchester, is “already beginning to establish itself as a performance destination in New Hampshire.” Visit palacetheatre.org.

Film fest canceled: The 20th annual New Hampshire Film Festival, which was scheduled to take place in Portsmouth in October, has been canceled, according to a recent statement on the festival’s website. Film submissions are being accepted now for the next festival, which is scheduled for Oct. 14 through Oct. 17, 2021. Visit nhfilmfestival.com.

Antique shop update: The New Hampshire Antique Co-op in Milford announced in a newsletter that it is preparing to reopen for walk-in shopping in July, with an exact date soon TBA. In the meantime, antiquers can shop thousands of items online and utilize the Co-op’s curbside pickup, shipping, delivery and free storage services. NHAC also launched its first-ever online art exhibition on June 13, which is viewable now on the website. “Summer Palettes: Impressionist & Modernist Works from the 19th century to Present” features more than 50 paintings by 19th- and 20th-century artists, as well as contemporary and local artists, that evoke the essence of summer, “whether it be a country landscape, a day at the beach or a vista of a waterfall in the White Mountains,” the newsletter said. All paintings are for sale. Visit nhantiquecoop.com.

Summer bookcation

Laughs, adventure and more for your summer reading list

For this year’s summer reading guide, we asked local library staff and indie booksellers to recommend some of their favorite fun or inspiring reads published since June 2019, and they came up with more than 50, including memoirs, offbeat graphic novels, self-improvement guides, magical tales, page-turning romances and more.

Fiction

Contemporary

Olive, Again by Elizabeth Strout
Published: October 2019
Plot: Meet Olive, a cantankerous but lovable old lady.
Recommended by: Dianne Hathaway, Director at Goffstown Public Library. “Olive is funny, speaks her mind and may remind you of your own old lady family member.”

The Summer Deal by Jill Shalvis
Published: June 2020
Plot: Three friends reconnect over the summer and must discover forgiveness and trust.
Recommended by: Natalie Ducharme, Interim Director at Kelley Library in Salem. “A fun mix of humor, romance and family.”

Fantasy

The City We Became by N.K. Jemisin
Published: March 2020
Plot: Five of the Earth’s greatest cities are alive, and five people unexpectedly become the living embodiments of New York City’s five boroughs.
Recommended by: Yvette Couser, Library Director at Merrimack Public Library. “A tale of magic, culture, fantasy and adventure.”

The House in the Cerulean Sea by T.J. Klune
Published: March 2020
Plot: Linus Baker, a case worker for the government agency in charge of the welfare of magical youth, is sent to inspect a classified orphanage on a beautiful hidden island.
Recommended by: Angela Sylvia, Technical Services at Bedford Public Library; Julie Andrews, Reference Librarian at Nashua Public Library; and Dianne Hathaway, Director at Goffstown Public Library. “A character-driven story about kindness, finding a place to belong, and fighting harder than one knew they could in order to keep it,” Sylvia said. “A funny, gentle, heart-warming story about love and found family,” Andrews said.

The Ten Thousand Doors of January by Alix E. Harrow
Published: September 2019
Plot: A young woman discovers a world of magic within a mysterious book.
Recommended by: Michael Herrmann, owner of Gibson’s Bookstore (45 S. Main St., Concord, 224-0562, gibsonsbookstore.com). “Achingly beautiful.”

Historical

The Giver of Stars by Jojo Moyes
Published: October 2019
Plot: A group of volunteer traveling librarians finds new strength and independence as they deliver books to people in rural Tennessee.
Recommended by: Katie Spofford, Young Adult and Reference Librarian at Wadleigh Memorial Library in Milford. “This inspiring tale touches lightly on issues women faced in the 1930s and includes a bookish romance.”

Rodham by Curtis Sittenfeld
Published: May 2020
Plot: What if Hillary Clinton never married Bill? This alternate history imagines that, after several years of dating, Hillary decides to go her own way instead of tying her fate to Bill’s.
Recommended by: Caitlin Loving, Head of Circulation at Bedford Public Library. “Sittenfeld perfectly captures what I imagine Hillary’s inner voice sounds like and creates a completely compelling narrative. A perfect beach read for political junkies or anyone who wants a juicier version of HRC’s biography.”

We Ride Upon Sticks by Quan Barry
Published: March 2020
Plot: The 1989 Danvers Field Hockey team will do anything to win the championship, even if that means summoning dark powers through an Emilio Estevez spiral notebook.
Recommended by: David Gain, bookseller at The Toadstool Bookshop in Nashua (375 Amherst St., toadbooks.com, 673-1734), and Caitlin Loving, Head of Circulation at Bedford Public Library. “This novel is hilarious and clever, but also heartwarming. Come for the comic relief and late ’80s references, stay for the true-to-life characters, female friendships and fist-pumping girl-power feels,” Loving said.

Romance

Beach Read by Emily Henry
Published: May 2020
Plot: A romance writer and a literary fiction writer spend the summer next door to each other and trade genres.
Recommended by: Tom Holbrook, manager at RiverRun Bookstore (32 Daniel St., Portsmouth, 431-2100, riverrunbookstore.com). “This is pretty light fare, but with a quick wit and some unexpected perceptions.”

The Bookish Life of Nina Hill by Abbi Waxman
Published: July 2019
Plot: At the beginning, you might think Nina’s life is lonely, but by the end, you’ll see the richness of her new family and friends.
Recommended by: Amy Lapointe, Library Director at Amherst Town Library. “The quirky, sweet, introverted heroine of this romantic comedy will absolutely charm you.”

Evvie Drake Starts Over by Linda Holmes
Published: June 2019
Plot: A widow and a washed-up professional athlete find themselves and each other.
Recommended by: Amy Lapointe, Library Director at Amherst Town Library. “Warm and uplifting … this book strikes just the right balance between romantic, humorous, quirky and sweet.”

The Happy Ever After Playlist by Abby Jimenez
Published: April 2020
Plot: Sloan and Jason have intense chemistry, exchange flirty texts and share a great sense of humor.
Recommended by: Amy Lapointe, Library Director at Amherst Town Library. “A fun beach read that might keep you up all night trying to see how the couple can get past their different situations.”

Not That Kind of Guy by Andie J. Christopher
Published: April 2020
Plot: A hard-working lawyer struggling with student loan debt and a failed relationship meets a wealthy younger man who understands her struggles without judgment.
Recommended by: Alexa Moore, Circulation & Reader Services Librarian at Amherst Town Library. “A fun, lighthearted romance with a realistic look at what a millennial dream romantic encounter would include.”

Nonfiction

Memoir

Dirt: Adventures in Lyon as a Chef in Training, Father, and Sleuth Looking for the Secret of French Cooking by Bill Buford
Published: May 2020
Plot: Buford’s memoir follows his trip with family to spend time in France trying to master French cooking.
Recommended by: Tom Holbrook, manager at RiverRun Bookstore.

Leave Only Footprints: My Acadia-to-Zion Journey Through Every National Park by Conor Knighton
Published: April 2020
Plot: The author chronicles the year he spent visiting every national park.
Recommended by: Natalie Ducharme, interim director at Kelley Library in Salem. “[Knighton] brings the parks to life with humor and charisma.”

Little Weirds by Jenny Slate
Published: November 2019
Plot: A collection of essays from comedian and actress Jenny Slate about the little things that make us who we are.
Recommended by: David Gain, bookseller at The Toadstool Bookshop in Nashua. “Both profoundly deep and laugh-out-loud ridiculous, Slate shows us about our eccentricities and how they bring us all together.”

Running with Sherman: The Donkey with the Heart of a Hero by Christopher McDougall
Published: October 2019
Plot: The author tells his story about adopting a neglected donkey and giving it a new life and purpose as a burro racer.
Recommended by: Sarah St. Martin, Head of Technical Services at Manchester City Library. “I enjoyed how this story transcends cultures and generations. The author depicted otherwise ordinary people as charismatic characters drawn together to achieve a unified goal.”

Sigh, Gone: A Misfit’s Memoir of Great Books, Punk Rock, and the Fight to Fit In by Phuc Tran
Published: April 2020
Plot: Tran writes about growing up as an immigrant in a predominantly white Midwest town.
Recommended by: Jasmin Brooks, assistant manager at Bookery (844 Elm St., Manchester, 836-6600, bookerymht.com). “Hilarious, poignant and inspiring, this book reads like a good work of fiction with real-world implications.”

Wow, No Thank You.: Essays by Samantha Irby
Published: March 2020
Plot: Upon turning 40 years old, Irby writes about aging, marriage and settling down in a small town.
Recommended by: Jasmin Brooks at Bookery and Katrina Feraco, frontline bookseller at The Toadstool Bookshop in Keene (12 Emerald St., 352-8815; toadbooks.com). “This collection of essays will help you fight the Covid blues by reminding you that you never really wanted to leave the house anyway. Irby uses self-deprecation to help us see that we are all hilariously imperfect beings,” Brooks said. “This collection of essays is heartfelt, funny and irreverent. Showcasing Irby’s charismatic voice and pitch-perfect storytelling, this book is perfect for a little bit of escapism and a lot of laughing,” Feraco said.

You & Me: Reflections on Becoming Your Dad by Dan Szczesny
Published: June 2020
Plot: Szczesny reflects on fatherhood and the passage of time as his young daughter grows up.
Recommended by: Yvette Couser, Library Director at Merrimack Public Library.

Select Topics

Beneath the Tamarind Tree: A Story of Courage, Family, and the Lost Schoolgirls of Boko Haram by Isha Sesay
Published: July 2019
Plot: A story about the faith and courage of the Nigerian school girls who were abducted by Boko Harum.
Recommended by: Prudence Wells, bookseller at The Toadstool Bookshop in Nashua. “This wonderful story… highlights the strength of the girls, families and communities.”

Humankind: A Hopeful History by Rutger Bregman
Published: June 2020
Plot: An exploration of the idea that humans are intrinsically kind and cooperative, despite the nightly news.
Recommended by: Tom Holbrook, manager at RiverRun Bookstore. “Obviously, a fresh, original take on our global situation.”

Splash!: 10,000 Years of Swimming by Howard Means
Published: June 2020
Plot: A look at the cultural and social history of swimming, from Egypt, ancient Greece and Rome and the Middle Ages to today’s Olympics.
Recommended by: Natalie Ducharme, Interim Director at Kelley Library in Salem. “A fun, readable book that helps us understand why water calls to us humans and why we can’t resist splashing in it.”

You Are Home: An Ode to the National Parks by Evan Turk
Published: June 2019
Plot: A journey across the country discovering the gifts and treasures hidden in our national parks.
Recommended by: Heidi Deacon, Library Director at Smyth Public Library in Candia. “For those who may not be able to visit any parks in person this summer, here is a beautiful way to discover them through the animals who inhabit them via lovely illustrations.”

Self-Help

How to Be Fine: What We Learned from Living by the Rules of 50 Self-Help Books by Jolenta Greenberg and Kristen Meinzer
Published: March 2020
Plot: The authors share their findings after testing out a variety of self-help methods to see what works and what doesn’t.
Recommended by: Sarah St. Martin, Head of Technical Services at Manchester City Library. “I liked being able to quickly scan multiple strategies rather than deep diving into one particular method. The authors use an entertaining and light style, even when presenting serious scenarios.”

Weird: The Power of Being an Outsider in an Insider World by Olga Khazan
Published: April 2020
Plot: Khazan discusses the sociology, psychology and power of being “weird,” and how the traits that make you feel like an outsider can actually help you stand out in the world and reach your greatest potential.
Recommended by: Jasmin Brooks, assistant manager at Bookery in Manchester. “Khazan’s writing is well-researched and very entertaining. … I learned a better way to celebrate and embrace my weirdness.”

Children’s

Picture Books

Happy Right Now by Julie Berry
Published: October 2019
Plot: A young girl shows us how to find gratitude and joy amidst the not-so-great moments of our lives.
Recommended by: Heidi Deacon, Library Director at Smyth Public Library in Candia. “What a beautiful way to share with children that we all have things that try to rob our happiness … [and how] to march right past them into living … in thankfulness every moment.”

The Hike by Alison Farrell
Published: October 2019
Plot: Three little friends and one eager pet go hiking and find a trove of delights along the way.
Recommended by: Heidi Deacon, Library Director at Smyth Public Library in Candia. “This darling tale shows the spirit of adventure outdoors and what surprises are around each corner.”

I’m Sorry! by Barry Timms, illustrated by Sean Julian
Published: March 2020
Plot: Two best friends, an owl and a squirrel, must learn how to live together in a shared space, despite their differences.
Recommended by: Heidi Deacon, Library Director at Smyth Public Library in Candia. “As these two sweet creatures discover, their respect and love for each other win, and they realize that compromise is better than they imagined it could be.”

Llama Unleashes the Alpacalypse by Jonathan Stutzman, illustrated by Heather Fox
Published: May 2020
Plot: As a llama goes through his day and prepares his many meals, chaos ensues.
Recommended by: Betsy Vecchi, Head of Children’s Services at Pelham Public Library. “It is very funny for both grownups and kids, and we all need some humor these days.”

Sofia Valdez, Future Prez by Andrea Beaty, illustrated by David Roberts
Published: November 2019
Plot: A little girl named Sofia decides to do something about the trash heap in her town, so she goes to City Hall to demand change.
Recommended by: Daniele Guest, Youth Librarian at Kimball Library in Atkinson. “A clever, well-written rhyme scheme and cute illustrations … [and a message] of empowerment for kids, [which] feels especially valuable today.”

Summer Song by Kevin Henkes, illustrated by Laura Dronzek
Published: April 2020
Plot: A book about the magic of summer.
Recommended by: Katharine Nevins, owner of MainStreet BookEnds (16 E. Main St., Warner, 456-2700, mainstreetbookends.com). “The perfect read-aloud book for bedtime and to snuggle with an amazed child.”

Things That Go Away by Beatrice Alemagna
Published: March 2020
Plot: This book shows kids that all things good and bad will eventually go away, except for a parent’s love.
Recommended by: Patty Falconer, Children’s Librarian at Dover Public Library. “A very timely book with an important lesson for everyone to learn.”

When Grandpa Gives You a Toolbox by Jamie L.B. Deenihan, illustrated by Lorraine Rocha
Published: March 2020
Plot: A boy is disappointed with his grandfather’s gift until he learns that he can use it to build exactly what he wanted with his own two hands, with a little help from his grandfather.
Recommended by: Yvette Couser, Library Director at Merrimack Public Library. “A clever story that celebrates kindness, hard work and community.”

Wild Honey from the Moon by Kenneth Kraegel
Published: November 2019
Plot: A mother shrew goes to the moon to find the medicine that will heal her child.
Recommended by: Nancy Sheridan, Children’s Services Librarian at Colby Memorial Library in Danville. “Beautifully illustrated with intricate details, this book is a comforting adventure … that shows that there are no limits to a mother’s love.”

Middle Grade

Contemporary Fiction

The Best at It by Maulik Pancholy
Published: October 2019
Plot: Rahul Kapoor is on a search to be the best at something, and it has to be cool.
Recommended by: Ji-Eun Alice Ahn at Water Street Bookstore (125 Water St., Exeter, 778-9731, waterstreetbooks.com). “[It’s] about following your instincts, [being] who you are without fear and allowing yourself the room to breathe if something gets to be too much.”

Chirp by Kate Messner
Published: February 2020
Plot: Twelve-year-old Mia moves to Vermont and spends her summer making new friends, helping her grandmother with her cricket farm, solving a mystery and finding the courage to speak up about a past trauma.
Recommended by: Patty Falconer, children’s librarian at Dover Public Library. “This book deals with a sensitive subject in a very accessible way for young children, and it is wrapped up in a mystery.”

Con Quest! by Sam Maggs
Published: June 2020
Plot: Two friends attend the most popular comic con in the world and set out to win The Quest, a giant scavenger hunt that requires participants to complete odd and bizarre tasks, so they can meet one of their favorite celebrities.
Recommended by: Alexa Moore, Circulation & Reader Services Librarian at Amherst Town Library. “This is a fun, fast-moving story that makes you really want to dive into the world of fandoms. My favorite part [is] trying to identify all the fandoms represented throughout this book and chuckling at the cleverness.”

Here in the Real World by Sara Pennypacker
Published: February 2020
Plot: Ware prefers to spend his time alone, dreaming of other worlds, but when his parents sign him up to spend the summer at the rec center against his will, he must learn how to find his place in the real world.
Recommended by: Heather Weirich Roy, children’s book buyer at Gibson’s Bookstore. “This is a sweet book for all the introverts and kids that see the world in a different way.”

The Lonely Heart of Maybelle Lane by Kate O’Shaughnessy
Published: March 2020
Plot: Maybelle has never met her father. When she learns he is judging a singing contest in Nashville, she becomes determined to overcome her stage fright and embarks on a road trip to Louisiana to sing in the contest.
Recommended by: Patty Falconer, children’s librarian at Dover Public Library. “I’m a sucker for a road trip book.”

Mañanaland by Pam Muñoz Ryan
Published: March 2020
Plot: A young boy, seeking answers about his missing mother, finds himself on a perilous journey to help someone in danger that will test his strength, courage and determination.
Recommended by: Betsy Covert, children’s book buyer at The Toadstool Bookshop in Keene. “A beautiful tale, lightly brushed with magic, that speaks to the heart and reverberates with issues faced by contemporary society.”

The One and Only Bob by Katherine Applegate
Published: May 2020
Plot: Three zoo animals discover the meaning of friendship and family as they set out on a dangerous journey after their zoo is hit by a hurricane.
Recommended by: Heather Weirich Roy, children’s book buyer at Gibson’s Bookstore in Concord.

Fantasy

A Royal Guide to Monster Slaying by Kelley Armstrong, illustrated by Xavière Daumarie
Published: August 2019
Plot: Royal twins — one destined to be the ruler of her kingdom, and the other a Royal Monster Slayer — long to switch roles. When a family tragedy forces them into battle with both humans and monsters, the twins must work together to save their kingdom.
Recommended by: Nancy Sheridan, children’s services librarian at Colby Memorial Library in Danville. “Not only is this rollicking adventure full of humor, nonstop action and plenty of monsters, but it turns traditional roles upside down.”

Graphic Novel

Cub by Cynthia L. Copeland
Published: January 2020
Plot: An aspiring journalist apprentices at her local newspaper while balancing family, friends and romantic interests during her middle school years in the 1970s.
Recommended by: Katrina Feraco, frontline bookseller at The Toadstool Bookshop in Keene. “A charming and relatable read [that’s] perfect for middle grade readers and those who enjoy graphic novels.”

The Okay Witch by Emma Steinkellner
Published: September 2019
Plot: The daughter of a witch starts to develop special powers of her own and must learn how to navigate the world of magic.
Recommended by: Daniele Guest, youth librarian at Kimball Library in Atkinson. “The theme of the book … [is] valuing your roots, knowing your history and using that knowledge to choose how to move forward.”

Stand Up, Yumi Chung! by Jessica Kim
Published: March 2020
Plot: Eleven-year-old Yumi, an aspiring comedian, struggles with stage fright, a moral dilemma and pressure from her parents to excel academically and help out at their family restaurant.
Recommended by: Azra Palo, Head of Youth Services at Nesmith Library in Windham, and Betsy Covert, children’s book buyer at The Toadstool Bookshop in Keene. “A fun relatable book just in time for summer,” Palo said. “Full of well-rounded characters and tons of humor,” Covert said.

Stargazing by Jen Wang
Published: September 2019
Plot: A girl, who has visions of celestial beings telling her she belongs among the stars, develops an unlikely friendship with her new next-door neighbor.
Recommended by: Angela Sylvia, technical services staff at Bedford Public Library. “Wang’s cartoony art gives vibrant life to a middle school tale of friendship.”

This Was Our Pact by Ryan Andrews
Published: June 2019
Plot: Ben wants to fit in, but social outcast Nathaniel just won’t leave him alone. When the two of them make a pact to find out where their floating lanterns go every year after the equinox festival, they’ll have to work together to make it back home.
Recommended by: Rachel Stover, office assistant at Manchester City Library. “Full of charming illustrations and a quiet wonder reminiscent of works by Studio Ghibli. A great pick-me-up for fans of magical realism.”

Young Adult

Contemporary Fiction

Paul, Big, and Small by David Glen Robb
Published: October 2019
Plot: Three high school misfits find solace in rock climbing and learn how to face their bullies.
Recommended by: Katie Spofford, Young Adult and Reference Librarian at Wadleigh Memorial Library. “A heartwarming story of friendship and finding advantages in the disadvantages.”

Tweet Cute by Emma Lord
Published: January 2020
Plot: Two high school students at a highly competitive private school in New York City try to navigate the pressures of school while also helping their respective family businesses after a Twitter feud begins between the two competing businesses.
Recommended by: Alexa Moore, Circulation & Reader Services Librarian at Amherst Town Library. “This adorable romance accurately portrays the pressure students feel in high school and the difficulty they have balancing school, work, friends and family.”

Graphic Novel

Check, Please!, Book 2: Sticks & Scones by Ngozi Ukazu
Published: April 2020
Plot: An unlikely romance develops between a closeted gay professional athlete and a baking college athlete.
Recommended by: Lincoln Wert, bookseller at The Toadstool Bookshop in Keene. “The support shown from [the main characters’] friends and family is fantastic and entertaining. The artwork and writing work perfectly together to tell this fun story.”

Pumpkinheads by Rainbow Rowell, illustrated by Faith Erin Hicks
Published: August 2019
Plot: Two friends are determined to make their last Halloween working at the pumpkin patch together count one, by talking to his longtime crush, and the other, by eating every fair food she can get her hands on.
Recommended by: Angela Sylvia, technical services staff at Bedford Public Library. “A hilarious graphic novel about friendship and last chances, with detailed, expressive art.”

Bookstores
Gibson’s Bookstore (45 S. Main St., Concord, 224-0562, gibsonsbookstore.com)
Bookery (844 Elm St., Manchester, 836-6600, bookerymht.com)
RiverRun Bookstore (32 Daniel St., Portsmouth, 431-2100, riverrunbookstore.com)
The Toadstool Bookshop (375 Amherst St., Nashua, 673-1734; 12 Emerald St., Keene, 352-8815; toadbooks.com)
.• Water Street Bookstore (125 Water St., Exeter, 778-9731, waterstreetbooks.com)

Libraries
As of June 15, the Governor’s Economic Re-Opening Task Force has permitted libraries to reopen their physical locations to the public, with some precautions. Not all libraries have reopened yet, but those that remain closed may have alternative ways to check out books, such as curbside pickup for hard copies or virtual platforms for e-book borrowing. Check with your local library for updates on how it is operating.

Quality of Life 20/06/25

Happy campers

The New Hampshire Division of Parks and Recreation announced in a press release that existing campsite reservations for the remainder of the 2020 season will be honored at the following campgrounds: Bear Brook State Park, Franconia Notch State Park-Cannon Mountain RV Park, Crawford Notch State Park-Dry River Campground, Ellacoya State Park, Greenfield State Park, Hampton Beach State Park (South), Jericho Mountain State Park, Franconia Notch State Park-Lafayette Place Campground, Lake Francis State Park, Monadnock State Park-Gilson Pond, Moose Brook State Park, Pawtuckaway State Park, Pillsbury State Park and White Lake State Park. The department will continue to evaluate whether to open additional reservations and campgrounds as the season progresses, but there are plenty of private campgrounds that have opened as well.

Comment: QOL headed up to the White Mountains for two nights at a campground last weekend and found the brief retreat to be very relaxing — and easy enough to maintain social distancing.

Let the games begin

The Nashua Silver Knights, part of the Futures Collegiate Baseball League, will begin regular season play on Thursday, July 2, the league announced Monday. The league includes five other teams (four based in Massachusetts and one from Connecticut). The Silver Knights will host 21 of its 39 games at home in Holman Stadium, starting with three days of games July 2, July 3 and July 5. The regular season will conclude on Aug. 19 and will be followed by a best-of-three series to determine this season’s league champion. Visit nashuasilverknights.com.

Comment: This league features a “Home Run Derby Wins It” tiebreaker — if a game is still tied after one extra inning, the teams each get three minutes to hit as many home runs as possible, and the winner of the shootout-style derby wins the game.

Watch your water

As of June 18, the entirestate of New Hampshire has been categorized as abnormally dry, according to a press release from the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services, and drought development is likely in the state’s southern counties, including Merrimack, Rockingham and Hillsborough counties, which had received 50 to 75 percent less precipitation than normal over the past 60 days. Because of these conditions, the department is urging those with private wells to start conserving water now to avoid the need for well improvements or new wells. Suggestions include limiting outdoor water use and staggering water use for things like doing laundry and showering to allow the well time to recharge. For more suggestions, visit des.nh.gov, click on “A-Z list” and scroll down to Drought Management.

Comment: For those who have city or town water, municipalities and water utilities will likely impose outdoor water use restrictions as dry conditions continue, according to the release, and the department is asking the public to “be conservation-minded and abide by restrictions.”

Celebrate seafood all summer long

The 31st annual Hampton Beach Seafood Festival has been canceled, the Hampton Area Chamber of Commerce announced in a press release last week. The Chamber decided to cancel the event, which typically draws more than 100,000 people throughout its three days, “in the best interest of the public safety and public health,” according to the release.

Comment: It’s not all bad news for seafood lovers: The Chamber is creating the “Summer Long Hampton Beach Seafood Celebration Guidebook,” which will direct people to the businesses that normally participate in the festival. The free guidebooks will be available at businesses along the coast and at the Chamber’s beach office on Ocean Boulevard starting July 6.

QOL score: 63 (the score is temporarily suspended, but QOL will still be keeping tabs on New Hampshire’s well-being each week)

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

Questions follow reopening

The major sports leagues went about their business last week planning to open their respective seasons. In baseball, basketball and hockey it will be with no fans, with the latter two doing it from one site to reduce exposure to infection to the coronavirus. In football, despite last week’s warning from Dr. Anthony Fauci that we’re not done with the virus and with a second wave likely it’s risky, they’re still planning on games with fans socially distanced.
As usual, those who either don’t like that news or live in fantasy land pushed back on Fauci. Like Boston Globe NFL reporter Ben Volin with a column last week citing several other medical experts who say it can work. He also laid out the extensive plans NFL teams have for creating safe havens at their facilities through social distancing and the like.
I’m no expert, but sorry, I’m not buying it. Somebody explain to me how they can social distance in the huddle. Ditto on the line of scrimmage and while tackling someone about 80 times a game. How about on quarterback sneaks for that big first down that leave 12 people lying on top of each other for a minute or so as they untangle? TD celebrations? Yeah, that can be discouraged or even penalized. Though given that roughly 20 percent of the people I see walking around the grocery store are either clueless or of the “I’m more important than anyone else” types without masks, I don’t think that will take for all.
Throw in everyone on the field perspiring all through the game and violent exhales from ball carriers after getting drilled unexpectedly by a 260-pound guy running at full speed, and the physics just don’t add up. Or is it the chemistry? Or is it the biology? Or maybe it’s all three. As you can see, science was never a strong suit, so that’s why I listen to Fauci on these issues, particularly for what we should do in the grocery store if you get my drift. But I digress.
Then there was the news last week that five Philadelphia Phillies and someone from the Blue Jays tested positive before their teams even officially gathered at their ultra-sanitized facilities to begin pre-season. Both have been shut down indefinitely. That does not portend a smooth start, and baseball is the sport that most easily translates to adopting a social distancing program.
What happens if an NFL team gets hit with a mass of positive tests at one time? Like the six Cowboys who tested positive last week. Can just see it now — NEWS FLASH: Dak Prescott, star runner Ezekiel Elliott (again) and all five starting offensive linemen are among 10 Dallas Cowboys to test positive today and they’re now on 14-day quarantine. How do you replace 10 guys on offense at once when that’s added to the usual three or four normally out every week in a sport where injuries ravage lineups as the season progresses? Especially if among the 10 are also their two other QB’s. Then what? To survive all that they’ll need 80 players on the roster.
Since all their pitchers sit together in the bullpen or dugout it could be the same in baseball. As John Madden used to say — BOOM, there goes the pitching. How are you going run a team with 80 percent of the pitchers gone?
Hockey? What would have happened to the 1970 Bruins if both Gerry Cheevers and Eddie Johnston went down together? Especially after they somehow had let future Vezina Trophy and multiple Stanley Cup winning goalies Bernie Parent and Ken Dryden get away to Philadelphia and Montreal respectively. As an aside, since that was right around the time I checked out on hockey, that’s about as recent an example as I can come up with. Basketball can probably survive the best, because it needs fewer players and there are a million of them around. But it still raises the question of what the product is actually going to be like.
Of course this isn’t the first time sports has had to deal with a possible dire talent drain. With almost every able-bodied man drafted into the Army, baseball was so stretched during World War II that one-armed outfielder Pete Gray played 77 games for the St. Louis Browns in 1945. That he was able to bat .218 with just one arm is remarkable. Though since lefty hurler Jim Abbott is the only player since to make the majors with that disability it does speak to the shortage of available players during the war.
After Pearl Harbor, Commissioner Landis asked President Roosevelt if baseball should be shut down. To which FDR said no, it was important for the nation’s morale to keep playing, and they then did the best they could with the likes of Ted Williams, Joe DiMaggio and most everyone else off to war. Of course they weren’t charging $200 a ticket to watch that product in a risky health environment.
Mixed in to all this is the need to restart the economy, which is a very important factor in everyday life. Whether sports fits into the “need” category is up for debate. But not to the folks whose livelihood depends on sports going forward or who have huge investments on the line with the teams. Fortunately, we can watch it all on TV. That brings the risk down to the players, coaches and all the others those involved in playing and broadcasting. And their participation is up to them, as it should be.
Will it work without stopping midway through? The Reggie Lewis case from many moons ago taught us it’s better to go with the pack of docs who agree against the one in dissent. But those docs were on the side of caution for Reggie, which is what Dr Fauci is pushing. I’m with him, because I don’t see it working.
Hopefully, I’ll be wrong.
Email Dave Long at dlong@hippopress.com.

Helping families cope

A funeral director talks about the impact of Covid-19

The Covid-19 pandemic put funeral homes in a unique predicament; while the increased number of deaths in the state led to an increased demand for end-of-life services, emergency orders from the governor significantly limited the services that the funeral homes could provide. Buddy Phaneuf, fourth-generation funeral director and president of Phaneuf Funeral Homes & Crematorium, which has five locations throughout New Hampshire and Vermont, discussed how funeral homes and families of deceased have been getting through the pandemic, and how funeral arrangements will be handled moving forward.

What restrictions were put on funeral homes during the state’s Stay-at-Home Order?

We were considered an essential business, so we were never legally mandated to close. … The original restrictions imposed by the state up until Monday [June 15] were that gatherings or services at funeral homes had to have under 10 people. We were also affected by restrictions on churches — a lot of them were closed and not allowing services — and cemeteries, which, at one point, only allowed two people to gather close to a grave.

What restrictions are in place now that the Stay-at-Home Order has been lifted?

The governor is limiting funeral homes to [using] 50 percent of their capacity, but we’re still not comfortable having that [many people]. Our main location in Manchester can accommodate 400 people. That means we are still allowed to have as many as 200 people there, and you just can’t effectively [enforce] social distance with 200 people. We’re doing everything on a case-by-case basis right now based on what makes the most practical sense for us. … We’re also doing all the common-sense stuff: social distancing, wearing masks, providing hand sanitizer, cleaning public rooms multiple times a day, using signage and multiple entrances and exits to manage the flow [of visitors].

What are some of the biggest challenges funeral homes have had to face during the pandemic?

Nearly a third of New Hampshire’s Covid-positive patients [who died] came through one of our facilities. Dealing with an extra 40 to 50 deaths a month is significant, plus all of the mixed messages we were getting from state, national and international [health organizations] about how Covid is spread. Can you get Covid from a deceased body? Can you have an open casket [service] for a deceased Covid patient? Some [health organizations] were saying one thing, and others were saying something else. … Another thing is that our staff has been on the frontlines [of the pandemic]. … They’ve had to go to homes where a person may have died of Covid, and the family members in those homes could potentially have Covid. We didn’t always have all of the PPEs [personal protective equipment] … so funeral home staff really put their neck on the line.

How has the pandemic impacted funeral homes, business-wise?

Funeral homes aren’t unique; they’ve been just as impacted by this pandemic as restaurants and retail shops and so many other businesses [have]. … We’ve lost hundreds of thousands of dollars of revenue. … Even though we’ve been serving more families, the families are downgrading their services. Instead of a traditional funeral, they’re doing a cremation. Instead of having a wake, they’re just going to the cemetery. The flowers, the limos, the processions people aren’t doing that right now, and funeral homes rely on that to pay their basic expenses. … The reality is, a lot of the smaller mom-and-pop funeral homes have not been able to cover their expenses, and they will have to close.

How have families been handling funeral arrangements during the pandemic?

It runs the gamut. Some people want to have the big public service at a church with a big wake and a luncheon, so they’ve decided to wait a few months until they can have that. Other people didn’t want to delay things or drag things on for months. They said, ‘It is what it is, and we need to deal with it,’ and they had a small, private service. Some people decided to do a private service now and are planning to do a more public, celebration-of-life event later on.

Have you been able to accommodate families with special requests or unique circumstances during this time?

[We have been] thinking outside the box and coming up with some really interesting and creative ideas. … In one case, we had an open casket for a young person who passed away, and there were 200 people here. Of course, we couldn’t let 200 people in, so we let 10 people in at a time, and it was a whole-day event, but that was what we needed to do to help [the deceased’s] family and friends grieve and say goodbye. … We also have a camera in our chapel, so we’ve been able to do some livestream services. Families can either just watch the service or … we can set them up on Zoom. We actually did that for an immigrant family who wanted to have an overnight vigil because that’s part of their customs and traditions, but of course everyone couldn’t spend the night together, and a lot of family members were still in their native country, so we set up a camera in front of the casket with a Zoom [session]. Around 50 or 60 family members signed in over the course of the evening.

News & Notes 20/06/25

Governor’s updates

Covid-19 updateAs of June 15As of June 22
Total cases statewide5,3455,558
Total current infections statewide984929
Total deaths statewide320339
New cases321 (June 9 – June 15)233 (June 16 – June 22)
Current infections: Hillsborough County621586
Current infections: Merrimack County7466
Current infections: Rockingham County199185
Information from the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services

On June 16, Sununu issued Executive Order 2020-11, establishing the New Hampshire Commission on Law Enforcement Accountability, Community and Transparency. According to a press release, the commission is composed of members of the public, representatives of the NAACP and the ACLU, as well as members of the state’s Police Standards and Training Council and Commission for Human Rights. The newly established commission is being given 45 days to engage with stakeholders in the community and develop recommendations for reforms to enhance transparency, accountability and community relations in law enforcement in the state. Its report will be posted publicly on the governor’s website.

On June 17, Sununu issued Emergency Order No. 53, an amendment to Emergency Order No. 36, which had been issued on April 24, ensuring worker’s compensation coverage of state first responders who have been exposed to the coronavirus. Per Emergency Order No. 53, “first responder” includes any individual covered by the definition of “emergency response/public safety” worker and any member of the New Hampshire National Guard ordered into active state service.

On June 18, Sununu issued Executive Order 2020-12, an order directing the formal establishment of the Governor’s Youth Advisory Council on Substance Misuse and Prevention. Members of the council advise Sununu, from a youth perspective, on legislation, events and media pertaining to substance misuse. The council consists of up to 21 members, each appointed by Sununu, in grades 9 through 12 in the state. The council meets monthly and will submit a report of its activities to Sununu on or before Nov. 30.

On June 22, Sununu issued Executive Order 2020-13, an order amending Executive Order 2020-11, an order issued six days earlier that establishes the New Hampshire Commission on Law Enforcement Accountability, Community and Transparency. Per Executive Order 2020-13, a criminal defense attorney will be added as a member of the commission.

Details of all Emergency and Executive Orders can be found at governor.nh.gov.

DCYF
The New Hampshire Division for Children, Youth, and Families has made “substantial progress” over the past few years, according to new data released by the Department of Health and Human Services. “When I took office in 2017, New Hampshire’s DCYF was in crisis with unacceptable results for our kids,” Gov. Sununu said in a press release. “We made children a top priority, created a new set of standards, made the right investments and have exceeded expectations with our outcomes.” DCYF Director Joseph Ribsam said in the release that the department has rebuilt its Child Protection System, and in doing so has seen positive trends like caseloads going down, workforce numbers going up, and the number of children finding permanent homes going up. For example, the average assessment caseload per social worker reached 93 in January 2016 and is now at 17, and the number of overdue open assessments has gone from 3,500 in November 2015 to 747 as of June, according to the press release. Ribsam said in the release that these trends were evident even prior to the pandemic, during which fewer calls have been coming in.

Food access
A new website, neighborhoodprovisions.org, has been created to help elderly and immunocompromised patients and community members in need find food options that can be delivered to their homes. According to a press release, Dartmouth-Hitchcock Health is collaborating with community partners to facilitate food distribution to those populations during the pandemic. Locally, that includes Granite United Way, the Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce, Families in Transition and the office of Manchester Mayor Joyce Craig. “It’s been difficult for some of my patients to know what resources exist,” Roshani R. Patel, M.D., a surgeon at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Manchester, said in the release. “They are overwhelmed. Many can pay for food but can’t find a central location to see what their options are.” The website includes a list of restaurants, small grocers and farms, support and delivery help, according to the release.

Septic troubles
The New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services has seen an increased percentage of applications to replace failed individual septic systems over the last few months compared to 2019, according to a press release. With more people staying home due to the pandemic, there is an increased use of home septic systems, and system overload may be contributing to the increased number of failures, according to the release. In addition, disposing of antibacterial cleaning materials in septic systems can also lead to premature system failure. Visit getpumpednh.com for information about proper septic system maintenance.

Ride on
The Manchester Mounted Patrol Unit — police officers Kelly McKenney and Andrew Choi along with horses General Stark and Valor — has received a $1,200 donation from Members First Credit Union, a sponsorship that helps keep the self-funded unit on patrol, according to a press release. The unit has been patrolling the city, including the downtown area, since 1999 and serves as an ambassador of the Manchester Police Department by attending public events, parades, schools and police demonstrations, according to the release. Donations like these help cover expenses associated with operating the unit. Find “Friends of Manchester Mounted Patrol” on Facebook.

Teacher of the Year
The New Hampshire Department of Education has chosen 11 semifinalists for the 2021 New Hampshire Teacher of the Year award, selected from 30 nominees, according to a press release. The semifinalists are Alyssa Balboni, third-fourth grade, Parker-Varney, Manchester; Danielle Boutin, ELL, Ledge Street School, Nashua; Sarah Carlson, third grade, Plymouth Elementary; Maryanne Cullinan, Enrichment, Great Brook Middle School, Antrim; Christina Duffy, Social Studies, Hampton Academy; Lauren Elliott, first grade, Winchester School; Steven Juster, English, Londonderry High School; Jay Keough, Criminal Justice, Spaulding High School and R.W. Creteau Regional Technology Center, Rochester; Kathleen McCaffrey-Pomerleau, second grade, Main Street School, Exeter; Benjamin Rodon, Humanities, Amherst Middle School; and Tina Sturdivant, Biology, Pinkerton Academy, Derry. This year, instead of site visits, candidates submitted videos that showed how they transitioned to remote instruction. Now the semifinalists will be tested on their public speaking skills by visiting the department to answer this question: “What is your platform and how can you use that to elevate the teaching profession?” From there, finalists will be visited in their schools in September, if schools are open, with a final recipient selected in October, according to the release.

The Warner Historical Society will present a free online talk about the effect of the railroad on farming and mill development along the Warner River on Friday, June 26, at 7 p.m., according to a press release. Email info@warnerhistorical.org to register. During the discussion, you will be able to ask questions and talk to the presenters.

City Hall in Manchester has resumed in-person services, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday, according to a press release. Masks are required for employees who work with the public and are strongly recommended for anyone entering the building. Masks and hand sanitizer will be available. Using online services is still recommended if possible, and processing fees will now be waived temporarily for all online services, according to the release.

Get your dog some ice cream and help the canines of Second Chance Ranch Rescue in New Boston at the same time. Throughout the month of July, Dairy Queen on Second Street in Manchester will be donating 100 percent of proceeds from every pup cup sold at the drive-thru, according to a press release.

Free bagged lunches will be available to kids under 18 on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Nashua Public Library this summer, according to a press release. There will also be bags of nonperishable foods available Monday to Thursday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Fridays and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The library parking lot will have a designated space with a curbside pickup sign. You can either use the intercom to request food or call 589-4600, and there is no ID required.

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