Forty-two New Hampshire public libraries will get funding through an Institute for Museum and Library Services’ “Grants to States” program, part of the American Rescue Act Plan of 2021. According to a press release, the grants, which total $825,442, will be facilitated by the New Hampshire State Library and align with its 2017-2022 five-year plan, addressing three goals: expanding access to libraries and information services for patrons of all abilities; improving equity of access to library services by offering professional support for librarians and staff; and increasing innovative services and programming to meet the changing needs for library services. Numerous local libraries will receive grants, including the libraries in Concord, Derry, Goffstown, Hooksett, Londonderry Manchester, Nashua and Windham. Projects had to start after Jan. 2 and be completed by Sept. 30.
Score: +1
Comment:Examples of funded projects include upgrading technology, digitizing historical documents and oral histories and purchasing bicycles to deliver materials to patrons who can’t come to the library, the release said.
Gubernatorial brags
A recent press release from the Office of Gov. Chris Sununu was full of brags about New Hampshire rankings. The state ranks highest in personal freedom, economic opportunity and safety in the country, the release said, pointing to recently released data, like data from the U.S. Census Bureau that shows New Hampshire was the fastest growing state in the Northeast in 2021, with a population growth of 0.8 percent, and a U.S. News & World Report that puts the Granite State first for public safety. Other data rankings include: sixth best in the Tax Foundation’s Business Tax Climate Index, first for overall freedom in the Cato Institute’s “Freedom in the 50 States” report, first for economic freedom according to a report from the Fraser Institute, and lowest poverty rate according to a report from Forbes.
Score: +1
Comment:The press release did not ask if New Hampshire had been working out lately, because New Hampshire looks great.
Making veterans’ wishes come true
Residents of the Manchester VA Community Learning Center were in quarantine and confined to their rooms due to Covid during the holidays, meaning they couldn’t visit with family. According to a press release from the New Hampshire Daughters of the American Revolution — who represent the Veterans Administration Voluntary Services — the VA center asked each of the residents for their Christmas wishes, then compiled a list for the DAR, which sponsored the wishes. In return, the DAR received a “wonderful gift” on Christmas Day, in the form of a message from the VA center: “When you make a veteran cry, it’s either a very bad day or a really emotional thing. The thoughtfulness of the gifts that were provided this year was truly breathtaking. I had five veterans tear up. They truly had one of the best days I have seen, in a really long time. Your organization’s kindness was beyond measure.”
Score: +1
Comment: The message also noted that “for just one day [these veterans] were young and they were showered with gifts and love.”
This feels familiar …
As 2022 begins, events are being canceled like it’s 2020. This week, Taste of Bedford, which was scheduled for Jan. 11, was canceled “due to the rapidly escalating cases of both Covid-19 and flu during this post-holiday period,” according to an email sent by organizers the morning of Jan. 4. NHSCOT’s Hogmanay, which had been planned for Jan. 2 was canceled, and an artist’s reception for a new art display at Nashua Public Library has been postponed indefinitely (though the exhibit is still scheduled to open for viewing this Saturday, Jan. 8 — check out the story on page 14!).
Score: -3 (one for each fun time delayed)
Comment:Come on, 2022, cancellations are so two years ago. Do your own thing!
QOL score for the start of 2022: 50
Net change: 0
QOL this week: 50
What’s affecting your Quality of Life here in New Hampshire? Let us know at news@hippopress.com.
Here are a few predictions for 2022, some real and others of the fantasy variety that would make sports in the year ahead a lot more fun.
January: While everyone in Patriot Nation is picking on N’Keal Harry, no one in Patriot Nation notices expensive import tight end JonnuSmith finishes with more penalties (all senseless and/or ill-timed) and dropped balls than catches.
February: On the strength of a 1,500-yard, 15-TD season Cincy wideout Ja’Marr Chase edges Mac Jones for Offensive Rookie of the Year.
After TB12’s four-interception outing as the Bucs lose to eventual SB winner L.A. in the NFC title game, the Brady-vs.-Belichick chatter finally grinds to a halt.
After he’s named NFL Coach of the Year, Dolphins owner SteveRoss quietly burns the announcement he drafted to fire Brian Flores after his team started in a 1-7 hole before recovering to get into playoff contention in January.
After a chance meeting with WycGrousbeck while getting booster shots at Hooksett Walgreens, I convince the Celtics owner to fire Brad Stevens as GM and replace him with me. A day later the NBA announces a shocking four-team trade that lands Jayson Tatum and Ben Simmons in Cleveland, Caris LeVert, Malcolm Brogdon and Lauri Markkanen in Philly, point guard DariusGarland, rookie (second overall pick) center-forward EvanMobley, PF Domantas Sabonis and the aging and overpaid but still effective Kevin Love in Boston, as the blowing it up Pacers get four first-round picks, Grant Williams, Aaron Nesmith and the expiring contracts of Al Horford.
March: As the new NFL season begins, the Pats finally release N’Keal and put the franchise tag on free agent DB JC Jackson. An “I told you so column” follows, because I said last March they should lock him up less expensively then.
Brady says he’ll retire after 2022 as Yoko holds him to pledge to not play past 45. Joining Brady in the geezer home after 2022 is Dont’a Hightower, who hangs them up after trying to win SB No. 4 in his 11th season.
April: The baseball lockout rages on to blow out opening day. In a shocking draft stunner BillBelichick trades out of the first round to select a safety in Round 2 of the NFL draft. After doing it in previous years to take the likes of Ras–I Dowling, Duke Dawson, Tavon Willis and other bust-o-ramas, this one actually makes sense with Devin McCourty nearing retirement.
If my fantasy prediction doesn’t come true, the Celtics lose their play-in game to the Knicks, ensuring fan outrage throughout the summer.
May: Baseball owners and players show they aren’t (quite) as dumb as they seem, settling their financial differences in the shadows during a worldwide pandemic.
June: Red Sox reject HunterRenfroe is five games ahead of MarkMcGwire’s pace the year he broke RogerMaris’ homer record.
At 4-5 and ERA in the low fours, Chris Sale has Red Sox Nation thinking the days of domination are gone with $60 large left on the contract.
July: Yours truly is named NBA Executive of the Year for pulling off the best local trade since Theo traded Nomar for OrlandoCabrera, DaveRoberts and good-fielding first baseman Doug Mientkiewicz.
His annual injuries mounting and his trending toward being the next DwightHoward, Lakers GM/PF LeBronJames trades Anthony Davis to Sacramento for the same number of draft picks he gave New Orleans to bring him to L.A.
August: The streaky Renfroe has gone two months without a homer, leaving him 60 games behind McGwire’s pace but still 35 bombs ahead of trade mate Jackie Bradley Jr.
September: Stat geeks continue the embarrassment by insisting to go for it on fourth down every time despite its costing the Chargers a 2021 playoff berth and nearly Cincy as well on Sunday if they hadn’t been the luckiest team in history to be saved from a clueless coach.
October: The Bruins’ season starts on time minus Patrice Bergeron.
JBJR winsThe Mendozza Line Award, given annually to the player with the highest batting average rise above the previous years, after his takes a dramatic 45-point jump to finish the year hitting .207. A, er, steal for bargain-hunter Chaim Bloom at just north of $12 million.
November: Stat geek baseball writers again vote Mike Trout MVP after he leads the AL in WAR, while disregarding the Angels’ finishing 47 games out of a playoff slot.
December: UCLA squares off against Ohio State in the semi-final round of the national college football Championship Tournament at the Rose Bowl. Chip Kelly and Ryan Day are inundated with texts from every freeloader in Manchester who knew them from first grade on trying to get free tickets for the big game. Locals who do get in free are Manchester CC gadfly Matty Welsh, real estate magnate Bill Weidacher and Fratello’s owner Mike McDonough because Matty W doesn’t go anywhere without those two, Kelly’s one-time social studies teacher at Manchester Central Stan Spirou, who’ll be in the Red section though with daughter Nina and the grandkids since he’s also Day’s father-in-law. In a similar which-side-do-I-go fan vice is former West High assistant coach SeanMcDonnell, who’ll sit on the UCLA side in the first half to support his former OC at the U and with the Buckeyes in the second half in support of his former three-year starter at QB. Meanwhile the reigning NBA exec of the year gets shut out even though I called Day’s entire career at the U on TV and schooled Chipper back in the day on low post scoring in the late Carignan Men’s Basketball League.
NH Poet Laureate guides magazine by teens, for teens
Under the Madness is a new magazine, designed and managed by an editorial board of New Hampshire teens under the mentorship of New Hampshire State Poet Laureate Alexandria Peary, featuring creative writing by teens from all over the world. Submissions are being accepted now for the first issue, set to be published in February. Peary discussed the magazine and the importance of providing opportunities for young writers to be published.
How and why was the magazine started?
The magazine began as an offshoot of the 2021 North Country Young Writers’ Festival. It just felt like a natural outgrowth … of the festival. I held an initial meeting at last May’s festival so students from across the state could hear about this exciting opportunity, and most of the editorial staff were participants at the festival. The intent is to provide New Hampshire teens with leadership opportunities in the creative arts and to empower them to make decisions benefiting fellow teens.
What is your role?
My official title is editor in chief, but what I do is mentor the teen editors, helping them acquire leadership skills and connections with people their age who are likewise interested in writing. For example, pretty soon, I’ll be showing the editorial staff how to submit their own creative writing to magazines so they gain an other-side-of-the-table experience of what it’s like for a writer to trust a magazine staff with work.
What kind of content does the magazine feature?
The magazine features poetry, fiction and creative nonfiction. … Creative nonfiction is not your average five-paragraph school essay; [it] means flash nonfiction, literary journalism, personal essays, memoir excerpts — true writing told with the story-telling tools of fiction and the vivid language of poetry. For our first issue, we’re not running a theme, but we anticipate future issues revolving around themes, including special issues or sections devoted to teens writing from other continents. I’m in conversation over social media with writers and arts organizers from a few countries. The magazine also runs a blog, composed by the editors. Our first two blog posts are interviews of editors at nationally known literary magazines.
What is the meaning behind the magazine’s name, Under the Madness?
It speaks to the confusing whirlwind faced by teenagers [due to the] pandemic, political polarization, global warming, inequity and unrest — [and] writing and creative expression as a way to set a foot on the ground when the adult-made sky seems to be spinning.
Who are your target readers?
The target readership are teens from anywhere around the globe who read or write in English. Adults will enjoy reading this magazine — I know I’m looking forward to sitting back with an espresso and perusing — but especially writing and language arts teachers. The writing resources will be relevant to anyone curious about how to write and publish.
Was there a need for a publication like this in New Hampshire?
The magazine addresses several creative needs in the state, but one of the biggest is to highlight the youth of the North Country, since the majority of the editorial staff, as well as our community advisors, reside in that part of the state.
How does writing and being published impact teens’ lives?
One thing I’ve noticed as a professor and as state poet laureate and just from circulating in the world as a writer is that people of all ages hesitate to push the ‘Submit’ button. People face an uphill battle with self-doubt and rejection fears. So in development are resources our magazine will offer to help others find the confidence and endurance to try for publication. … [Publishing and writing] is hugely important [for teens] because it helps a student step beyond the fenced-in world of just writing for grades and teachers. Writing is far bigger and too important to be confined to the classroom. I’m a huge advocate of young people sending their work out, even if they have no intention of becoming an English major in college or a writer by trade.
Submit to Under the Madness Submissions are being accepted now through Jan. 20 for the first issue of Under the Madness, set to be published in February. Writers from anywhere in the world who are ages 13 to 19 at the time of submission are eligible. Submissions may include poetry and short fiction and creative nonfiction and must be written in or translated into English and previously unpublished. Visit underthemadnessmagazine.com for full submission guidelines.
Information from the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services.
Covid-19 news
On Dec. 27, the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention issued a statement updating its recommended isolation period for certain populations that have been infected with or exposed to Covid-19. According to the statement, the recommended time has been cut from 10 days to five days, a change the CDC says was “motivated by science demonstrating that the majority of … transmission occurs early in the course of illness.” Additionally, the CDC is now recommending those who are unvaccinated or are more than six months out from their second vaccine dose and not yet boosted to quarantine for five days, followed by strict mask use for another five days.
The New Hampshire Hospital Association is now issuing its own daily Covid-19 update, according to a Dec. 28 report from WMUR. The data shows that about two-thirds of all Covid-related hospitalizations in the state are in unvaccinated patients, but the Association notes that the actual proportion could be higher. According to the report, booster doses are not taken into account, so it is unknown how many patients may have received that extra shot.
A total of 658 licenses were issued to nurses in New Hampshire between Dec. 1 and Dec. 20, according to a Dec. 29 press release from Gov. Chris Sununu’s office, following an executive order that was issued a month before to address surging Covid hospitalizations. “We are breaking down barriers to ensure our health care system has the staffing needed to respond to this winter surge,” Sununu said in a statement announcing the new licensees.
Also on Dec. 29, Sununu and Department of Health & Human Services Commissioner Lori Shibinette announced that the state has received confirmation from FEMA to receive three teams dedicated to administering monoclonal antibodies. The teams were scheduled to be deployed on Jan. 3 to Concord Hospital, Elliot Hospital in Manchester and Alice Peck Day Memorial Hospital in Lebanon. But due to an overwhelming demand across the country, Sununu announced in another statement that day that their arrival has been delayed until next week.
On Dec. 30, Sununu announced that New Hampshire would be receiving a 17-person team of active-duty service members from the federal Department of Defense. On Jan. 3, the U.S. Food & Drug Administration authorized booster doses of the Pfizer vaccine for 12- to 15-year-olds, according to a press release. Additionally, the recommended time between the completion of the primary vaccination series and the administration of the booster dose has been shortened to five months for the Pfizer vaccine. In New Hampshire, signups are now available for the state’s second “booster blitz” event on Jan. 8. Go to covid19nh.gov/booster-blitz to make an appointment at a fixed vaccination site.
SOS retires
On Jan. 3, longtime Secretary of State William Gardner announced that he will be retiring in the coming days, after arrangements are made for Deputy David Scanlan to assume the office. In his announcement, Gardner wrote that he took his first oath as a New Hampshire Constitutional officer as a state representative on the same day in 1973 at age 24. “I have worked inside this Statehouse building during each of the past 50 years … [and] have served with 11 governors, 17 Senate presidents, 13 speakers, 14 attorney generals [and] 7 treasurers,” Gardner wrote. He said he is stepping down at a time that allows for the smoothest transition for the office.
Laurie List
A list of the names of police officers throughout the state who have possible credibility issues was released by the attorney general’s office last week. According to a report from WMUR, the “Laurie List” tracks current and former police officers whose credibility might be questioned during trial because of previous conduct, and it was made public because of a new state law that was put in effect after media outlets and the ACLU sued to get access to the list in 2018. “This legislation was a result of a 2020 Supreme Court decision ruling that the Exculpatory Evidence Schedule was not categorically exempt from disclosure under the State’s transparency laws,” the New Hampshire Association of Police Chiefs wrote in a press release. The list released last week includes 80 names, the officers’ departments and the reason for the credibility issues, which include truthfulness, criminal conduct and falsifying records. There are more than 20 people not on the list who are contesting the release of their names, and another group of names is expected to be released in the coming months, according to WMUR. “The members of the New Hampshire Association of Chiefs of Police will continue to support the highest levels of transparency and accountability for the policing profession,” the association wrote in its press release.
Mental health help
The state’s new Rapid Response Access Point is now operational. As of Jan. 1, anyone having a mental health or substance abuse crisis can call or text 833-710-6477 to access immediate help and will be connected to local mental health crisis teams. According to a report from NHPR, the access point is an effort to reduce the number of people who go to emergency rooms for mental health crises. As of Dec. 30, two children and 23 adults were waiting for emergency room beds for psychiatric treatment, the report said. The unit teams are still looking for more staff, and Jay Couture, president and CEO of Seacoast Mental Health Center, told NHPR that because these mental health centers are launching crisis response units at the same time, they’re often competing for staff. “[I’m] a little daunted about the reality of trying to fill these spots and wanting to make sure that we continue to have the best services possible so that nobody falls through the cracks,” she told NHPR. More information and resources are available at NH988.com.
Abortion law
A provision prohibiting abortion after 24 weeks of gestation, with exceptions for the mother’s life or physical health, that was part of the budget passed in June by Gov. Chris Sununu took effect Jan. 1, and, according to a report from WMUR, Democrats have already drafted legislation that would repeal the new restrictions and establish state-level protection for abortion access. “Effective Jan. 1, the State of New Hampshire will be denying a woman the dignity to make personal, private decisions and instead inserting government into medical choices,” Rep. Marjorie Smith, D-Durham, said at a December news conference, according to WMUR.
Tyler Shaw’s Law
Also going into effect Jan. 1 was Tyler Shaw’s Law, which will allow judges to hand down longer prison sentences to repeat drunken drivers who kill or cause harm to others. The law was named for a 20-year-old Concord man who died in 2018 after a repeat drunken driver sped off Exit 1 on Interstate 89 South, went through a stop sign and hit Shaw’s truck, according to a report from WMUR. Now someone with one previous drunken driving conviction who kills or seriously injures another person in a car crash can be sentenced to 10 to 20 years in prison, and those with two or more previous convictions can be sentenced to 15 to 30 years, the report said.
Manchester Mayor Joyce Craig was scheduled to take her third oath of office at The Palace Theatre on Jan. 4. According to a press release, the ceremony also included the swearing-in of aldermen and members of the Board of School Committee, and following the ceremony Craig was scheduled to preside over meetings of the Board of Mayor and Aldermen and the Board of School Committee.
Toll collection at the Exit 10 northbound and southbound ramp of the Everett Turnpike in Merrimack officially ended at 9 p.m. on Dec. 31. According to a press release, the toll elimination is part of the 2021 budget, and the plazas will be removed at a later date this year. Motorists are being guided to the far right lane and are advised to proceed slowly through the toll plaza area.
Though its fundraising events were canceled this year, the Nashua Garden Club was still able to donate to several local charities during the holiday season. According to a press release, the Humane Society of Greater Nashua, 68 Hours of Hunger, the PLUS Company and the educational association Regenerative Roots each received $125.
Our family has always enjoyed stories. Car rides, since the time my daughter was very young, have included listening to fables, fairy tales and fantastic fiction from the time we first heard New Hampshire-based Simon Brooks in person and then purchased his CDs. And our lives have revolved around musical theater since my daughter was enthralled by a Manchester Community Theatre Players production at age 4 and she left the auditorium filled with wonder, singing the words. Our home has been filled with song ever since!
As we watched the Harry Potter 20th Anniversary special I realized there was something different about this particular story centered on three children at the wizarding school of Hogwarts. Sure, my husband and I had seen every movie as soon as it was released. And he had read all the books. However, once our daughter was old enough to be introduced, things took on a different character.
My husband began by reading her the first five books. Being the Ravenclaw that I am, we followed age-appropriateness guidelines for watching the movies. As she grew, my dyslexic daughter was able to ear-read by listening to the stories herself. Soon she had completed the whole series and was listening to it again, for a second and then a third time. Listening to the stories, little by little, at bedtime, provided a comforting touchstone for my Hermione-inspired daughter, up through middle school. We lost count of how many times she heard the whole series and suspect she could place in the Guinness Book of World Records if we only knew.
The highlight of many Christmases included Potter-themed clothes, gear and games, including our Hufflepuff, Gryffindor and Ravenclaw “letter-sweater” jackets for my daughter, my husband and me, respectively, that we then wore to an interactive HP-themed Christmas show in Portsmouth! We once left a family reunion in Sarasota and drove across Florida to spend less than 36 hours at the new (second) Universal theme park and experience the train ride between parks. Most memorable was her 8-year birthday party, an all-out HP-themed extravaganza complete with a “run-through” train station wall, a sorting hat, a Quidditch game, a car in a “Whomping Willow,” adults in character — my husband was Rubeus Hagrid and I Professor McGonagall — and a trek through the Forbidden Forest to save the unicorn by all the children in their Hogwarts regalia!
We have mourned the death of Alan Rickman and other cast members. And watching the retrospective, I got misty realizing the cultural phenomenon that Harry Potter has proven to be — inspiring millions of children, youths and adults, to not lose hope, to fight for good, and to understand and trust the transformative power of love. Now that’s true magic.
