Tag: 220623

Quality of Life 22/06/23

Turn off those lights

New Hampshire residents should prepare to pay higher utility bills as electricity rates are expected to increase this year, according to WMUR, with one utility saying bills could increase more than 100 percent. The Office of the Consumer Advocate attributed the rising costs to New England’s heavy reliance on natural gas, the costs of which are influenced by the global market and have been especially affected by the war in Ukraine, the report said.

QOL Score: -4 (-2, with a 100 percent increase)

Comments: House Speaker Sherman Packard released a statement on June 17 in regard to the rising energy costs in the state, saying, “The House and Senate are actively working on a legislative solution to help ease the burden on New Hampshire families as energy prices continue to soar. Our priority is to help secure relief for those who are worried about having to choose between putting food on the table and heating their homes this winter.”

Funds for mental health

The Mental Health Center of Greater Manchester was awarded $10,000 as the first place winner in New Hampshire of the 2022 Impact Award presented by the Boston Red Sox and Ruderman Family Foundations, according to a press release. The IMPACT Awards allow Red Sox fans to nominate and vote on their favorite nonprofit organizations throughout New England and recognize organizations that have had an impact in their communities by raising awareness and improving mental health care. Officials from the Mental Health Center accepted the check at Fenway Park in Boston on June 15.

QOL Score: +1

Comments: The second-place winner in New Hampshire is The Webster House in Manchester and the third-place New Hampshire winner is Marguerite’s Place Inc. in Nashua. In all there were 18 winners across the six New England states, the press release said.

At least it’s something!

The average price of gasoline in New Hampshire went down by 3.7 centers per gallon last week, averaging $4.94 per gallon as of June 20, according to a GasBuddy price report. The data is based on a survey of 875 gas stations throughout the state. Prices are still 28 cents per gallon higher than a month ago and a whopping $2 higher than a year ago. The national average price of diesel is currently at $5.80 per gallon, the report said.

QOL Score: +1

Comments: Sure, it’s just 3 cents, but you’ve got to celebrate the tiny victories.

Happy birthday to CHaD

The Children’s Hospital at Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center recognized its 30th anniversary on June 20 with staff celebrations at its original hospital in Lebanon and at Dartmouth Hitchcock clinics in Manchester where pediatric services are provided. According to a press release from CHaD, it was June 20, 1992, when New Hampshire’s only children’s hospital was officially approved by what is now known as the Children’s Hospital Association.

QOL Score: +1

Comments: In 1893, the first patient at Mary Hitchcock Memorial Hospital (MHMH) in Hanover was a pediatric patient: a 13-year-old girl treated for a hip condition, the press release said.

QOL score: 80

Net change: -1

QOL this week: 79

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

Final thoughts on Celtics

After coming up just two games short of winning the NBA title, the inevitable happens for your Boston Celtics. The exclamation point is that they had a 2-1 lead in the series before coughing up three straight losses to Golden State. And since they can only be described as (use your own word) bad to horrendous losses that saw them blow double-digit leads in all three, let the finger-pointing begin.

I don’t like the words “blame” or “fault” because those are words for losers who get stuck in the past and don’t focus on the future, which is where you need to be to find a solution, which is what Brad Stevens and the brass need to do.

So, while this may be semantics, I prefer to think about “responsibility” because it identifies areas that need to be improved in the off-season. That could be a weakness in personnel, questionable coaching decisions, repeated mental mistakes or just playing against a better team.

First thing is to assess what the season was in relation to expectations. This can be looked at two ways.

Glass Is Half Full: Getting to the NBA Finals was a major step forward with a disappointing ending. Especially in light of their train wreck first two months of 2021-22, which suggested we were in store for a repeat of the same infuriating under-achievement as last year. After somehow finding their mojo in early January it turned into a major step forward for a team that exceeded everyone’s expectations, which, after a few minor tweaks, makes the future look bright.

Glass Is Half Empty: This Celtics loss doesn’t approach a blown opportunity by the favored Lakers over the Celtics in 1984. They’re hardly the first underdog to blow a 2-1 series lead. I mean the Celtics put that same number on the defending champion Bucks just last month.

But what I care most about is how a team loses. And the way the C’s lost to GS raises major red flags about their heart and collective ability to hold their attention firm during adversity. They had their moments earlier in the playoffs, but they really needed the same mental toughness when the Warriors put the heat on, and this time the top three melted like a stick of butter in a hot frying pan.

Is that just part of the growing process, or in their DNA?

That’s where Stevens’ assessment should begin as he decides what steps are needed to win those last two games next year.

The Opponent

Golden State: First, the Celtics lost to a better team in a series GS earned. A surprise to me because I underestimated two things: their team defense and Steph Curry.

The D was exceptional because Andrew Wiggins (mostly) did a great job on Jayson Tatum in his forgettable series and their quickness to close out on open shots took away what the C’s do to put opponents on their heels. It especially flummoxed them in the half court during crunch time.

As for Curry, I somehow forgot how good he is at scoring around the basket, which destroyed my “crowd him to make him drive” strategy. This dude’s just good and raised an interesting question from my nephew, who asks, is he a Top 10 player all-time? I never thought of him that way, but since he’s the leader of a team that’s won more titles than Larry Bird did, maybe we should.

The Red Flags

Heart and Grit: They were resilient all through the playoffs even amid hiccups vs. Milwaukee and Miami. But it’s a tough call because good opponents can cause them. But at the end of it all, I’m back to where I was in December on Tatum. While he has the talent, does he have the make-up to be the team leader or do they need to find a Jimmy Butler team leader to pair with him?

Turnovers: Careless, mindless T.O.’s thrown up for grabs handed the Warriors free baskets that killed Boston all series. Tatum set a record for most T.O.s in a playoff season and in Game 4 alone Marcus Smart handed GS 10 free points himself on five totally mindless cross-court passes. As for Jaylen Brown, despite his occasional brilliance, almost every drive was an adventure because he has the worst handle I’ve seen since Tom Boerwinkle retired.

Can they fix this issue internally or do they need a point guard to do so?

The Bench: Despite some earlier heroics, Derrick White aside, it was mostly a Finals no show. So is it good enough?

IQ And Instincts: It made Jeff Van Gundy crazy all through the series and me for much longer than that. With the peak being Tatum giving take fouls to stop a fast break early in Games 5 and 6 that led to first-half foul trouble both times. Somehow he and Smart think that’s smart but risking early foul trouble over two points is just dumb.

Most amazing is they kept repeating the same dumb mistakes.

What Next

Since they also had similar collapses twice against Milwaukee and Miami, my view is they have to address all their red flag issues to take that next step.

Who To Build Around: I don’t think a big change is needed. But if a big deal surfaced to make them clearly better, the two untouchables are Tatum and Robert Williams. Though I’d be reluctant to move on from the wisdom, versatility and toughness of Al Horford as well. While I think everyone else deserves appreciation for a terrific season I’d be willing to part with anyone else in the right deal.

One-Player Wish List – Damian Lillard: Wouldn’t give up both Brown and Smart for him. But he’s a real point guard and the kind of seasoned leader to reduce that burden on Tatum.

So, overall mostly a job well done. But get to work, Brad, because you’ve got some holes to fill.

Email Dave Long at dlong@hippopress.com.

Leading the Y

Granite YMCA names first female interim president

Meet Michele Sheppard, who was recently appointed interim president and CEO of The Granite YMCA, becoming the first woman to hold the position.

What is your background in this kind of work?

I’ve been in the Y movement since 1986. I came to New Hampshire to become an executive director for the Granite YMCA at the Allard Center and have been with this organization for 12-plus years and have moved up in opportunities to oversee operations for our organization, our branches, our camps and our service delivery in various programs. I’ve become the interim CEO and president here in a transition that occurred this winter. It’s a wonderful opportunity to grow my skill set and leadership, and to help support our organization and our communities to serve more people, especially as we’re coming out of so many challenging things that have been happening in these past couple years.

What does your job entail?

One of the most important things I do is work as a mentor for staff in the organization, as well as strategic thinking and leadership, working with our board of trustees and our local advisory boards to see how the Y … can make a further difference … beyond our typical types of programs that people know us for — building community partnerships and collaborations and visioning along with other agencies how to support the citizens of New Hampshire and their health and wellness, their community needs for child care, as well as mental health, which is a struggle these days, so how can the Y be relevant in people’s lives to give them a place of respite and support?

What do you hope to accomplish during your time in this position?

One of the biggest things I’d like people to know is that the Y is more than just a place where you go for a swim or to work out or for child care. We are proud to be all those things, but there’s so much more we do … from education support, mental health support and chronic disease prevention to just being a place where groups can gather and learn from one another and really feel connected. In today’s world, a lot of folks don’t feel connected; they don’t have what you call the ‘third place’ — the church or the community group — and the Y can and has been that. … We have a long line of building relationships with people and helping people find friends and places where they can feel like they belong, where they can make a difference and where they can grow their skills and achieve. That’s what I hope to continue doing.

What are some of the biggest challenges you’re facing right now?

We know that society is changing. … We’ve been working hard on diversity inclusion efforts … and [being] a Y where folks from all different walks of life feel comfortable coming in. We’ve been working hard on finding a way that the Y can be more present in places where there’s not a facility. An example of how we do that currently is our chronic disease prevention and diabetes prevention classes. We partner with the state and local public health departments to … offer a virtual program that is available in all 10 counties in the state. … Those are the types of things that challenge us, but we’re seeking alternative ways of delivering services to help people have better health and feel better about their day-to-day lives.

Summer camps are starting soon. What will those look like this year?

We’re so excited that we’re opening our doors and having summer camp again. … They’re going to be full of very well-trained staff; they’re going to have exciting, refreshed facility spaces and some new program offerings; and they’re going [be a place] for each of the [campers] to be cared for … where they can cultivate leadership development, new friendships, and better health and wellness. I think the camps are going to be a great, fun way to get away from the stressors of the world, from being connected to electronics, from being in a classroom; and to get outdoors, get some fresh air and be in a place where a child can be a child … and not have to worry about some of the stresses they’ve been experiencing the past couple years.

What do you enjoy most about this work?

The people. I love the fact that every day we transform lives in one way or another. … We have the capacity to do that, and we strive to do that. … I love the fact that I get to do this with other people who care and have a heart for taking care of others … and doing something good in the community — a big shout out to all the [Y] volunteers. … Without them, this movement doesn’t exist. The Y started with volunteers, and we’re proud to maintain that tradition. It’s an honor to serve with [them] and the staff. We’re also grateful for the members, because they make our days filled with fun and a lot of interesting experiences.

Featured photo: Michele Sheppard.

News & Notes 22/06/23

Covid-19 update Last weekThis week
Total cases statewide 328,834 (as of June 13) 330,116 (as of June 20)
Total current infections statewide 2,707 (as of June 9)2,270 (as of June 16)
Total deaths statewide2,555 (as of June 13)2,570 (as of June 20)
New cases 1,476 (June 7 to June 13)1,282 (June 14 to June 20)
Current infections: Hillsborough County 1,115 (as of June 13)965 (as of June 20)
Current infections: Merrimack County370 (as of June 13)294 (as of June 20)
Current infections: Rockingham County905 (as of June 13)764 (as of June 20)
Information from the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services.

Health and safety team for Manchester

A new Public Health and Safety Team has been formed to serve the City of Manchester, combining the efforts of the Manchester Police and Manchester Public Health departments, according to a press release from the mayor’s office. The team, which was announced by Manchester Mayor Joyce Craig, Manchester Public Health Director Anna Thomas and Manchester Police Chief Allen Aldenberg at a press conference on June 21, will consist of trained Community Health Workers who have experience and training in advocacy and conflict resolution and speak 14 different languages, collectively. They will be a multilingual point of contact for community and individual health and safety concerns and are trained in “violence interruption,” an evidence-based response technique for non-police and non-emergency matters to help reduce violent crime. The Public Health and Safety Team is one of the programs approved through the American Rescue Plan Act Recommendations.

Safer schools

A request from the New Hampshire Department of Education’s Bureau of School Safety and Facility Management to invest more than $10 million in federal funds in improving the safety infrastructure for all schools in the state was approved by the Joint Legislative Fiscal Committee, Gov. Chris Sununu announced on June 17. “Ensuring kids are safe in school has been a priority of this administration for years, and this latest $10 million investment into school safety reaffirms our commitment to keeping students safe in the classroom,” Sununu said in a statement. “From our historic school safety taskforce to our initial first-of-its-kind $30 million fund to strengthen security in our schools, New Hampshire remains a leader in school safety investments.”

Voting access

A new law sponsored by Rep. Mark Paige, D-Exeter, will make it easier for New Hampshire students living with disabilities to vote. According to the Associated Press, the legislation requires discussion about voter registration to take place between school officials, parents and students living with disabilities who are age 17 and older as part of the special education planning for the student’s life after graduation. It will take effect in August.

Help for camps

A new program funded by federal Covid relief funds to make summer camp in New Hampshire more accessible to families includes mental health training for camp counselors. According to the Associated Press, 10 staff members from mental health facilities across the state will work with camps across the state to teach counselors how to identify children’s behaviors that may warrant reaching out for professional mental health support. Eight camps have received the training as of mid-June, according to the article.

A coach retires

NHTI Director of Athletics Paul Hogan announced his retirement on June 19 after 43 years working in education and athletics. According to a press release from NHTI, Hogan served as the men’s basketball head coach and athletic director at the school for more than two decades. Prior to that, his teaching, coaching and administrative career included positions at Woodsville, Litchfield, Laconia, Plymouth State and Spaulding High School in Rochester. Hogan has celebrated a total of 649 college basketball wins during his time as a coach — 513 at NHTI and 136 at Plymouth State, as well as two USCAA National Championships. “NHTI has been a very special place for the past 23 years,” Hogan said in a statement about his retirement. “My time with our Lynx will always be cherished. I look forward to continuing my relationship with NHTI in a different role moving into a new chapter of my life.”

Every dog at Cow Palace Creamery in Epping on June 21 had its day when Golden Dog Adventure Co. was slated to host a fundraiser and party for dogs and their owners in honor of National Dog Party Day. Attendees could enjoy a dog costume contest, ice cream and dog cornhole, and Mary’s Dogs Rescue & Adoption — Golden Dog Adventure Co’s charitable partner for the fundraiser — brought dogs available for adoption for people to meet, according to a press release.

Twiggs Gallery in Boscawen will host its second annual Arts Fest on Saturday, June 25, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., with a “Fun & Fiber” theme. See the story on page 14 of the June 9 issue of the Hippo (find the e-edition at hippopress.com) about the current exhibition “Wool: A Contemporary Fiber Art Exhibition.” Visit twiggsgallery.wordpress.com.

The City of Manchester will have its Independence Day celebration on Sunday, July 3, at Arms Park. Starting at 6 p.m., there will be food and beverage vendors, and the 39th Army Band will perform at around 7:30 p.m., until the fireworks begin at around 9:30 p.m. Admission is free, and attendees may bring their own chairs or blankets. The rain date, which would include the fireworks only, is Tuesday, July 5.

It’s the economy

Some of you will remember the phrase, “It’s the economy, stupid,” that Clinton’s campaign used in 1992 against President George H.W. Bush. This phrase keeps coming to mind while perusing President Biden’s recent rosy assessment of the current economic climate in the United States. In a speech given by President Biden on June 3 in Delaware, he noted, “A recent survey from the Federal Reserve found that more Americans feel financially comfortable than at any time since the survey began in 2013.”

I am curious to see the details that drove those results, given that Americans are facing a myriad of economic issues. Annual inflation hit 8.6% percent in May versus the current 5 percent pace of wage increases. Gas prices have risen above $5 per gallon. The stock market continues to flirt with bear market territory. While low unemployment is good, too much of a good thing can work against the economy. When too low, it creates negative consequences for businesses in reduced productivity and triggers inflation. A tight labor force is exacerbating shortages in the supply chain and impacting the service industry. There is also the war in Ukraine. And, finally, a shortage of baby formula.

While the current administration tends to put the blame for most of these items on either the war, Covid or the prior administration, Politico reported that Treasury Secretary Yellen publicly admitted that the administration got it wrong on inflation. Trying to recover, the Fed announced the biggest rate hike in 28 years, 75 basis points, and indicated a similar increase could be coming in July.

New Hampshire is certainly not immune to what is happening nationally. According to the Union Leader, Liberty Utilities recently filed to double its price per kilowatt hour, and Eversource is expected to follow suit. It’s an election year, and while Gov. Sununu remains popular, five Republican candidates have filed to run against him in the primary. I happen to like Gov. Sununu and think he has done a fine job leading our state through a tumultuous time. However, voters quickly forget the past when it is time to go to the polls and focus on what their current point of pain is. Voters likely won’t accept finger-pointing at Washington for economic woes in New Hampshire. As a reminder, “It’s the economy….”

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