Tag: 210218

Paws for celebration

Animal shelter observes anniversary, plans expansion

The Manchester Animal Shelter has found homes for more than 25,000 animals since it opened 25 years ago. Executive Director Kendra Paul talked about how the shelter has evolved over that time and its plans to continue expanding its facility and programs.

How has the shelter grown since it started 25 years ago?

Well, it’s been 25 years since we’ve been at this location, but actually, before that, [the shelter] used to be located across the street and was primarily run by the Manchester Police Department as more of a pound setting. When we built the [current] building on this side of the street, we made it more homey for the animals in terms of giving them nice spaces. The dogs have indoor-outdoor runs now. The cat cages are a little bit bigger. We have a community room where cats can walk around freely so that they’re able to have that enrichment and socialization that they wouldn’t otherwise get, just being in a cage. We’ve also started a lot of new programs here, such as Fix a Pit, where we spay and neuter pit bulls in the Manchester area for free. We do low-cost spay-neuter clinics called our Quick Fix program. We also have a [pet] food pantry, and that has been really utilized, especially since Covid hit; with so many people losing their jobs and unable to [provide] food for their pets, we’ve really seen a big need in the community in that area.

In what ways do you plan to continue growing?

We’re looking to expand the shelter, because, in the 25 years we’ve been here, we haven’t really touched the building or made any significant additions other than putting the trailer in, but we’re really running out of space now. The city is growing and the programs are growing, we’re seeing more animals, and we just need more space to really accommodate everyone, not only the team working here but the animals as well. We’re looking to add more cage space, to have a better setup for staff to be able to work and get their stuff done, and redo the kennels so that they’re less like a pound and more homey and relaxing-feeling for the dogs. Going forward, we want to have more of a community outreach program and find any ways we can to get out into the community and help and increase our presence as much as possible so that we’re there when people need us.

What’s in the works right now?

We’re really trying to get that expansion off the ground so that we can help more animals. … We’ve met with an architect, and he’s going to put together some plans. Once we get those plans, we’re going to be trying to get people to help us in terms of fundraising, donations — any way that the community can come in and help and support us.

What kinds of challenges has Covid posed for the shelter?

I’d say the biggest challenge we’ve had is probably fundraising. Being a nonprofit, we are really counting on the community to help us with raising money for these programs, for feeding the animals and for medical costs. Not being able to have in-person events or fundraisers has really been an issue here for us as well as many other nonprofits. … Another challenge is that, with people losing their jobs or getting laid off, we’ve seen an increase in the number of owners surrendering their pets.

How have you been dealing with those challenges?

We’re trying to be really creative in thinking of ways to cut costs and save money. … We’ve reached out to the community and have really had to rely on the community to come together … [to help] when we are running low on the food pantry or need donations [to cover] peanut butter and food and toys and different things that we need for the animals. People have been absolutely amazing and very generous with that, and we’re so grateful.

What makes Manchester Animal Shelter unique?

I think one of the biggest things that make us unique is our volunteer base. We just have so many dedicated people, staff and volunteers. We’re always being told that we’re ‘the little shelter with the big heart,’ and it really does ring true for us. There’s so much passion and dedication with these animals and with our volunteers and team members that I think that alone kind of sets us apart. I also think that our community programs set us apart, because there aren’t many places that offer things like the Fix a Pit program or being able to do offsite time with the dogs where they can go for hikes and go out on the trails to get a break from the shelter. These are programs that not every shelter gets to have, and we’re very fortunate that we’re able to do those things.

How can people help the shelter?

Right now, people could help us the most by donating to this [expansion] project. We’re hoping to do some fundraising challenges or events that are safe in the midst of Covid, like virtual events or online raffles and things like that.

Featured photo: Kendra Paul. Courtesy photo.

Brady, Benny and the Betts

With the Super Bowl in the rear view mirror after Tom Brady’s quest for No. 7 took up a lot of oxygen in the space over the last month, it’s time to catch up on a number of stories that have been sitting on the back burner.

Is it me, or after last week’s salary dump of Andrew Benintendi for KC castoff Franchy Cordero did it seem like Chaim Bloom just dusted off Theo Epstein’s talking points from when he got Wily Mo Pena in a trade for Bronson Arroyo? I mean besides the “we did it because we have too many starting pitchers” part it was the same — Franchy’s got awesome power with a high ceiling and just hasn’t been able to unlock his potential in KC. Got it.

If you’re wondering, here’s the payoff for both teams in that. While all of Wily Mo’s homers either were heat-seeking missiles or traveled about 900 feet, for basically a full season (157 games) split over two years it was 16 homers, 58 RBI and a .271 batting average for Pena. For the dependable Arroyo, who went eight years in Cincy without missing a start before a rotator cuff tear pretty much ended the career, it was 276 starts for a record of 108-100 and a 4.18 ERA.

One final thing on Wily Mo. He also has a kinda sorta tie to Patriots history, as he was traded to the Reds for Yankees alleged two-sport star Drew Henson, whom George Steinbrenner paid big dough to play in the Yanks system while being recruited to play football at Michigan. They thought he was going to be such an all-timer they gave him unearned 50 percent playing time at QB his first two years, which made Tom Brady just a split time starter his junior and senior years. However, Henson eventually flunked out in both sports. First after bouncing between the Yanks (who drafted him) to Cincy and back again, he only played a handful of major league games. In the NFL it was just 20 with Detroit and Dallas, where the kicker is that he still was drafted higher than Brady a few years later at 193 to TB’s 199 on his potential. No wonder Brady has a chip on his shoulder.

The latest example showing Americans can whine over just about anything these days is the woman treating her the Super Bowl trophy her father designed as if it’s the Mona Lisa and demanding Brady apologize for playfully throwing it to another boat during Tampa’s SB water parade. If it were the Stanley Cup I could see it, but it would be for protecting a tradition, not for an uninterestingly designed trophy.

Exhibit B: Why does Curt Schilling always see himself as the victim? Sorry, but I’m with the BBWAA to keep him on the Hall of Fame ballot next year despite his demand they take him off. That happened after he came up short last month, which he attributes to his outspoken political views. He might be right about that, but it’s not his choice, it’s theirs. Besides, what so many don’t seem to get about free speech is while anyone is perfectly free to say what they want, it doesn’t mean there aren’t consequences for what you say. And that happened before his strong vocal support for the Jan. 6 assault on the Capitol. So kiss next year goodbye too. Which is why he really wants off the ballot.

Those of us in the NHC/SNHU basketball community have a heavy heart over the loss of Larry Conyers at the end of January. He played in the NHC days under Tom Sullivan via Sully’s underground railroad from the Bronx. Outside of during running line drills, the big fella always had a smile on his face and a joke in his heart. A good man, and losing Larry C to Covid-19 made the pandemic all the more real to all of us.

If you ever wondered about this, Tampa Bay’s 31-9 win over KC evened Brady’s record against the spread to 5-5 in the Super Bowl.

Funniest social media trend following the Super Bowl was people on Twitter asking Missouri senator of the home state Kansas City Chiefs Josh Hawley if he was going to accept the results of their loss or contest them as he famously did after the election of Joe Biden.

With Deshaun Watson as their QB in 2020 the Pats win at least three more games (the first Bills game, Denver and Houston, who wouldn’t have had him there to kill them) to be 10-6. Also maybe Seattle and even KC, whom they led until two titanic red zone mistakes by Brian Hoyer. So I’d be willing to give up a package like L.A. gave up for Matthew Stafford to get him. Big loss of draft picks, but they’ve got enough free agency money to get him a couple of receivers, so I’d do it. But he’s the only one on the market I’d consider for that, including if Stafford was still available.

From the You Don’t Hear That Every Day From a Pro Athlete department: How about hyperbolic Patriots linebacker dude Chase Winovich tweeting out not too long ago, “New Hampshire is so cool. Portsmouth is randomly the coolest city in the world,” which a NESN scribe saw first and passed on.

In terms of winning, the first 10 years of the 21st century was downright amazing for Boston sports, and thanks to five more titles from the Red Sox and Patriots the second decade wasn’t too shabby either. However, No. 3 hasn’t started out so well. With Brady, Mookie Betts and Zdeno Chara departing in the last six months, has any city lost as many iconic players in the same calendar year as Boston? And if he’d met expectations Gordon Hayward would have made it one from each franchise.

I know. The Celtics are a mess. We’ll deal with that next week.

News & Notes 21/02/18

Covid-19 updateAs of February 8As of February 15
Total cases statewide68,49971,017
Total current infections statewide3,2452,953
Total deaths statewide1,1061,135
New cases2,441 (Feb. 2 to Feb. 8)2,518 (Feb. 9 to Feb. 15)
Current infections: Hillsborough County1,106922
Current infections: Merrimack County292217
Current infections: Rockingham County771678
Information from the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services

Covid-19 news

Dr. Beth Daly, Chief of the Bureau of Infectious Disease Control of the New Hampshire Department of Health & Human Services, said during a Feb. 9 press conference that about 172,000 total vaccine doses to date have been administered statewide, including about 123,000 first doses and 49,000 second doses. State health officials received 21,475 first doses of vaccine that week, a slight increase from previous weeks’ amounts. “Going forward, we continue to expect to receive these incremental increases … in the coming weeks,” Daly said.

First-dose appointments for people in Phase 1B of the state’s vaccine distribution plan are continuing to be booked in April, while those who already received it can make appointments for their second dose in late February and early March. The state is also collaborating with Walgreens, which, beginning this week, will receive around 3,400 doses across many of its pharmacy locations. “They’re partnering with us to make sure that we can compress the time that folks in Phase 1B have to wait for their first shot,” Gov. Chris Sununu said later during the press conference. “We are going to start kind of at the back of the list, those that are furthest out, and start directly one-on-one calling them and rescheduling them to go get their vaccine at a much earlier date, and using Walgreens as our partners to administer that.”

On Feb. 11, Sununu issued Emergency Order No. 84, an order rescinding Emergency Orders No. 37 and No. 77 and therefore lifting the hiring freeze for state employees. Emergency Order No. 37 had been issued back on April 28 of last year, temporarily halting hiring of all full-time and part-time employees of the state’s executive branch. Emergency Order No. 77 was later issued on Dec. 23, restating these provisions but also adding that all full-time and part-time employee positions may be posted for internal and external applicants.

On Feb. 12, the same day New Hampshire surpassed 70,000 total Covid-19 cases, state health officials announced the first known detection of the B.1.1.7 variant of the virus, the highly contagious variant first detected in the U.K. late last year. According to a press release, the person infected with the variant is an adult resident of Hillsborough County who had close contact with someone diagnosed with the virus who travelled internationally. Although vaccines appear to be effective at preventing it, the variant, which is greater than 50 percent more infectious and transmissible, has been identified in more than 37 states and 86 countries worldwide as of Feb. 12, according to the release.

Also on Feb. 12, Sununu issued Executive Order 2021-2, extending the state of emergency in New Hampshire due to the pandemic for another three weeks through at least March 5. It’s the 16th extension he has issued since originally declaring a state of emergency last March.

Details of Sununu’s emergency orders, executive orders and other announcements can be found at governor.nh.gov.

NH’s budget

Gov. Chris Sununu gave his 2021 Budget Address on Feb. 11, emphasizing good fiscal management throughout the pandemic. In his address Sununu highlighted no new taxes or fees and no increased taxes or fees; tax relief across the board; a focus on core, essential services and increased funding for veterans and child support services. He said the budget shortfall to end the biennium is projected to be less than $50 million; original projections anticipated a shortfall of about $350 million. “Unlike other states across the country, which are now raising taxes on businesses, taxing out-of-state workers, or enacting draconian budget cuts to cover their massive deficits, New Hampshire managed to mitigate the worst financial impacts of the pandemic — without raising taxes,” Sununu said in his address. He also said the state budget does not cut any education spending and includes “innovative funding” for mental health programs.

College merger

The University System of New Hampshire could merge with the Community College System of New Hampshire, a plan set forth by Gov. Chris Sununu and supported by the University System of New Hampshire Board. According to a press release from the board, it is concerned about increasing costs associated with higher education and believes the merger is essential to ensuring that all residents are offered affordable and accessible high-quality education in the long term, creating “a stronger, more competitive, more efficient and more sustainable driver of the state’s economic and cultural well-being than two separate systems.”

Canterbury Shaker Village will be hosting a two- to four-mile snowshoe race on Saturday, March 6, at 10 a.m., as a bonus race for the New Hampshire Snowshoe Trail Race Series, it announced in a press release. There will be hot chocolate and treats after the race, and prizes will be awarded. The cost is $20 at shakers.org, and there is no day-of registration.

Making Matters in Concord is offering limited-capacity in-person classes, according to a press release. Coming up this week are How to Make Polymer Clay Jewelry, Sewing Sundays: Winter Hats, and Hands on 3D Printing for Beginners. Visit makingmattersnh.org for details and a list of upcoming classes, or to find out how to teach a class at Making Matters.

The Currier Museum of Art in Manchester announced last week that it has purchased the George Byron Chandler House, built in the late 19th century, across the street from the museum. According to a press release, the museum plans to restore the Victorian house so it can be enjoyed by the community.

The Candia Dollars for Scholars chapter is asking local businesses, organizations and individuals to help support local students who are either heading to college or currently attending. According to a press release, Candia residents will soon be able to fill out scholarship applications for the next academic year, but Dollars for Scholars is looking for financial support to continue its annual efforts this year. Visit candia.dollarsforscholars.org to donate.

Who are your favorites

We’re now deep into the pandemic hoping against hope that 2021 will be the year that we’ll get to see friends, family and some of our favorite places. It’s too early to say how much will return to normal or even what we’ll consider normal then, but there is hope. Hope that we’ll get back to some of those routines and hope that we’ll discover new ones. Hope for one another.
This is Hippo’s 20th Best Of and like many of you we’ve had to make some adjustments to accommodate this pandemic. We’ve changed some of the questions and pared down some categories to better reflect the current situation and past year. The goal, as always, is really to get the pulse of our readers about what they value and like about their community. As big box stores, big tech and big finance occupy more of our landscape it’s all the more important to share what you think makes your community special and different from another place. It’s those great hiking trails, those places to take the kids sledding, the places to grab a scoop on a lazy Sunday or the person who kicks your butt into shape. It’s the coffee shop with art for sale on the walls and it’s the juicy burger that you probably didn’t need. It’s that slice of pizza that you tell people from out of town about.
Those are the things we want to know about in our annual Best Of and it’s those things that we enjoy now or look forward to enjoying when we can. You can vote in this year’s best of at hippopress.com. Voting ends Feb. 28.

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