Tag: 230406

The week that was

The Big Story – Jackson Wants Out of Baltimore: He would unquestionably be an exciting upgrade over Mac Jones and for the Patriots overall. But the tantalizing question for local fans is, along with the two first-round picks Lamar Jackson would command if signed to a restricted free agent contract, are they willing to also surrender the additional players they’d have to give up/cut to fit $30+ million needed to get under the salary cap? That likely would start with Matthew Judon and Trent Brown for the first $20 million.

Then there’s also the question: Can a guy who runs as much as he does survive in the NFL through the entire term of his contract to make $200 million guaranteed worth it? Because if he goes down for a substantial time, as he has by missing the last two Decembers to kill the Ravens both times, or Bo Jackson-like for his career,it’s curtains.Ditto for the concussion-plagued way it ended for Troy Aikman and Steve Young. If it does, that’s a $40 million hole in your cap for whatever remained on the contract. and, oh by the way, you’d still need to find (and pay) a starting-caliber QB.

Finally, the other thing to consider is what Patriot Nation will think about letting Jackson pass by, if the Jets pivot from getting Aaron Rodgers to Jackson instead. Especially since they already have cleared enough cap space to fit Rodgers in without new cuts needed.

Sports 101: Who is the only person in baseball history to pitch a no-hitter on Opening Day?

News Item – NCAA Men’s Basketball Tourney Wraps Up: UConn’s 72-58 rout of Miami was a bit of a clunker. But who didn’t love the Florida Atlantic–San Diego State barn-burner? Especially since it came down to a play that anyone who has shot baskets in the backyard has pretended to take and make a thousand times? But this time it was for real with the nation’s eyes trained on Lamont Butler on his way to joining the debate over the biggest clutch shots in NCAA Tournament history. He did it by draining a right-side 12-foot jumper that saw the buzzer go off just after he let it go but before it hit nothing but net to send San Diego State to the championship game with a 72-71 heartstopping win over Florida Atlantic.

Unfortunately for us that UConn-SDST final went off after we went to press but before we hit the streets.

Thumbs Up: To CBS announcer Jim Nantz upon calling his 32nd and last NCAA Tournament. The SRO crowd gave him a standing O prior to Saturday’s games, which fittingly came in Houston, where he went to college and was a member of the U of Houston golf team with best bud Fred Couples.

News Item – The Greatest Packer Ever: That hilarious claim was made by Rodgers of himself a couple of weeks ago on the Pat McAfee podcast. Which basically is Rodgers’ propaganda outlet in the way Jim Gray does it for Tom Brady on his podcast.

Best ever? Really? He’s not even their best QB ever. With winning the most important thing in pro sports I’ve got him behind Bart and Brett. Bart Starr was a five-time champ who went to six title games overall, was 9-1 in playoff games as his QB rating climbed from 80.5 in the regular season to 104.8 in post season and was the MVP of the first two Super Bowls. For Rodgers, he has stat advantages thanks to a pass-happy era, but the QB rating dropped in January from 103.1 to 100.3 as he was 11-10 in the playoffs that annually never lived up to the usual hype in August of being championship-bound in all but one of his 15 years.

Brett Favre is No. 2 because he beats him in every stat you can think of and his two Super Bowls are one more than Rodgers has. And then there’s Forrest Gregg, Jim Taylor, Ray Nitschke and Willie Davis among others up there as well.

News Item – Choppy Seas for Sale: Giving up seven runs and three homers in just three innings was not the return to action many predicted for Chris Sale. However, his first 2023 start was not surprising to me, because after winning just five times in three years he’s going to have to prove he’s not the meatball artist he’s been in most outings since the second half of 2019.

In Case You Missed It: Let the record show that Raffy Devers was the first person called out for violating the new speed-up-the-game rules. It happened in the eighth inning of the opener when he took too long to get in the box and was hit with an automatic strike, which K’d him because he already had two strikes against him in the count.

The Devers punch-out was mildly reminiscent of opening day at Fenway 50 years earlier when the DH was baseball’s brand new rule as the Yankees’ Ron Blomberg stepped in as the first ever DH on a similarly brisk day in Boston in 1973.

Random Thoughts: Call me crazy, but amid all the MVP chatter for Jayson Tatum, I think Jaylen Brown has been more consistently excellent than Tatum, who’s had some seriously down games against some good teams.

Sports 101 Answer: The only hurler to pitch a no-no on Opening Day was Bob Feller, who struck out eight Chicago White Sox batters on April 16, 1940, and beat them 1-0.

A Little History: That game in 1940 was also the only time in history when no hitter in the lineup saw their average drop. That’s because the batting average for every player is .000 on Opening Day and thus it can’t drop lower even during a no-no.

Prediction: Red Sox go 77-85 to finish last in the AL East again.

Email Dave Long at dlong@hippopress.com.

Supporting care

The Nashua Center gets a director of development

Meet Marianne Gordineer, the new and first Director of Development for Nashua Center, a nonprofit that serves individuals with disabilities by providing specialized care and support and promoting their growth and independence.

What led you to Nashua Center?

My background is in fundraising and communications. I transplanted from New York about a year ago. When I lived in New York — I grew up in New York and New Jersey — I was actively involved with fundraising in a variety of roles. It started first as a volunteer role, working with my community and my children’s schools, doing fundraising. When I went back to work, I went into the nonprofit sector as a fundraiser, and that became my career. I’ve been working for over a decade in fundraising and communications. When we moved to New Hampshire, I started looking at different director of development opportunities. I really wanted to work with an agency that was aligned with my own personal values and experiences. When I saw the Nashua Center advertising for this position, it really hit home for me. I’m a parent of a young adult who is on the spectrum, and I know firsthand the challenges that are faced by this community. It fuels my passion for working toward positive change … and motivation to make a meaningful impact on the lives of individuals with disabilities and their families. Nashua Center just felt like a match.

What does your job entail?

My primary responsibility is to develop and implement effective fundraising strategies so we can secure the financial resources necessary to support the programs we offer. Fundraising strategies could involve conducting research on donors, developing different campaigns, hosting events and leveraging technology and social media to expand our reach. Part of my fundraising strategy is to cultivate relationships with donors and supporters. I spend a significant amount of time doing that. It’s essential to the success of a fundraising … and to secure ongoing support. The other piece of my job is donor communications … through newsletters, emails and social media updates, collaborating with one of our creative content writers.

What are some of your short-term and or long-term goals? What would you like to accomplish?

[The goal of] my first 90 days in the development world is to really sit back and observe and see what’s going on in the organization, to absorb as much as I can, to learn about the donors and what motivates them to give, and to learn about what makes Nashua Center successful. My long-term goal is to do what I was hired to do — to bring in funding and to continue promoting the Nashua Center in a positive way that’s aligned with our donors and our stakeholders.

What are some of the biggest challenges in fundraising for a nonprofit?

One of the biggest challenges is the competition from other charitable organizations. There are so many worthy causes and limited resources. It’s really difficult to stand out and secure the funding we need to continue providing crucial support and services. Additionally, the fundraising landscape is always evolving; donors and supporters are becoming more discerning and selective in where they donate their money. It can be a challenge to keep up with their changing preferences and expectations.

How do you address those challenges?

We have to stand out with a clear and compelling message about the impact of the Nashua Center and the importance of the work we do. Another way is to collaborate with other organizations and form strategic partnerships, specifically with ones that work with the same community. That helps us to increase our visibility and expand our reach. … With our donors, it’s very important that we remain innovative and adaptable to ensure we’re meeting their needs and desires. Communication is key. … We need to take the time to maintain those relationships, to regularly update the donors on the impact of their contributions and show appreciation for their support.

How would you describe your leadership style?

Collaborative and inclusive. … I love to hear new ideas, new perspectives, I believe that everyone has valuable insights and contributions. I make a conscious effort to ensure that everyone’s voice is heard. By listening to one another, we can make better decisions and really achieve greater success.

What do you find rewarding about this work?

The most rewarding aspect is knowing that my efforts directly impact the lives of those we serve. Seeing the positive impact that Nashua Center has on individuals with disabilities and their families and caregivers is incredibly fulfilling … and seeing how the community and people who are passionate about our cause come together to support the organization is really inspiring. — Angie Sykeny

Featured photo: Marianne Gordineer. Courtesy photo.

News & Notes 23/04/06

Currier CEO resigns

Alan Chong, the Director and CEO of the Currier Museum of Art in Manchester, has announced his resignation after nearly seven years in the position. “This is the ideal moment for both me and the museum to start new chapters in our work,” Chong said in a press release. “The Currier Museum has emerged from the pandemic in excellent shape, and now needs to seek innovative and exciting leadership.” Under Chong’s direction, the museum’s collection was expanded and diversified with acquisitions of sculpture and decorative arts; works by esteemed artists such as Norman Lewis and Judith Leyster; Chinese export paintings for New England traders; and, most notably, the Frank Lloyd Wright-designed Kalil House. Also during Chong’s leadership, the museum’s pioneering art therapy programs aimed at helping veterans dealing with post-traumatic stress disorder, helping children, adult art students and individuals with cognitive challenges, and helping individuals grappling with addiction have gained national recognition. Karen Graham, the Deputy Director and Chief Operating Officer, will serve as interim director while the museum conducts a nationwide search to find Chong’s replacement.

School groundbreaking

Trinity High School and St. Joseph Regional Junior High School in Manchester held a groundbreaking ceremony for their expansion and renovation project on March 29 on the Trinity High School grounds. According to a press release, the goal is to combine both schools into one state-of-the-art location. The project will add 45,000 square feet to the current facility and include a media center, a new robotics lab, science labs and advanced technology throughout the classrooms. Phase I is expected to be completed by Fall 2024, and the entire project, including Phase II completion, is planned for Fall 2025. Bishop Peter A. Libasci blessed the project and the grounds during the ceremony, with more than 100 guests, including Diocesan Catholic Schools and Administration staff, clergy members, Manchester city officials, current students and alumni in attendance.

Trails grants

Nonprofit organizations, private groups or government entities that are interested in improving New Hampshire’s public trails can now apply for grants through the Recreational Trails Program, administered by the New Hampshire Division of Parks and Recreation and New Hampshire Bureau of Trails. According to a press release, the competitive grant program provides funds for improvement projects for motorized, non-motorized and diversified trails, including maintenance and restoration of existing trails, purchase and lease of equipment, construction of new trails, development of trailside and trailhead facilities and educational materials for trail-related activities and safety. Applicants are required to attend at least one of three mandatory workshops to learn more about the program. The workshops are scheduled for Wednesday, May 17, at 1 and 6 p.m. at the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources in Concord (172 Pembroke Road) and Wednesday, May 24, at 6 p.m. at the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources in Lancaster (629 B Main St.). Applications, available at nhstateparks.org/about-us/trails-bureau/grants/recreational-trails-program, are due by 4 p.m. Friday, June 16. Funding for the program is generated from federal gas tax dollars paid on fuel purchases for off-highway recreational vehicles and snowmobiles and appropriated to the states by the Federal Highway Administration as authorized through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021.

Dental coverage

New Hampshire Medicaid recipients age 21 and above will have comprehensive dental coverage under the New Hampshire Smiles Adult Program, the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services’ Division of Medicaid Services announced in a press release. The program provides preventive dental care such as examinations, X-rays and cleanings, as well as treatment, such as extractions, oral surgeries, fillings, limited gum-related treatment and more. The program also covers transportation to dental appointments and support for oral health through care management. Additionally, individuals who qualify for Medicaid under the Developmental Disability Waiver, Acquired Brain Disorder Waiver and the Choices for Independence Waiver, and residents of skilled nursing facilities, will have coverage for removable partial and full dentures. The program has a yearly benefit limit and cost-sharing on non-preventative and non-diagnostic services. Qualifying individuals can schedule an appointment by calling 1-877-248-6684.

Historic markers

Black Heritage Trail of New Hampshire will unveil historic markers in Milford and Nashua during May as part of a statewide program, “Mapping Untold Stories,” which aims to showcase the rich history and contributions of Black people in New Hampshire. The Milford marker, to be unveiled at Milford Town Hall on Saturday, May 20 at 10:30 a.m., honors Harriet Wilson, the first African American to publish a novel in English. The Nashua marker will be unveiled at Holman Stadium, home of the Nashua Silver Knights collegiate baseball team, on Tuesday, May 30, at 5:30 p.m., to honor Black baseball players Roy Campanella, a Hall of Fame catcher, and Don Newcombe, a Cy Young Award-winning pitcher, who were signed to play with the Nashua Dodgers in 1946. The “Mapping Untold Stories” initiative plans to unveil four more markers in 2023. Visit blackheritagetrailnh.org.

The City of Concord Planning Division was awarded the 2023 Community Collaborator of the Year Award at CATCH Neighborhood Housing’s annual “Making Community Home” event on Thursday, March 23. According to a press release, the award is given to an individual or organization that has partnered with CATCH and demonstrated a commitment to providing safe and affordable housing throughout Merrimack County. The Division, led by Heather Shank, has supported efforts to address the challenge of affordable housing, and created and helped to implement master plans for new development through community engagement.

The New Hampshire Fisher Cats, a Double-A affiliate of the Toronto Blue Jays, have announced their broadcast team for the 2023 season, which starts Thursday, April 6, in Altoona, Pennsylvania. According to a press release, the team includes Steve Goldberg as Broadcasting and Media Relations Manager, Gareth Kwok as Broadcasting and Media Relations Assistant, and Bob Lipman as team historian. Pat Cullen and Zach Herman will return as lead producers of Fisher Cats baseball, and all 138 games will air on iHeartRadio’s WGIR 610 AM (Manchester) and Fox Sports 930 WPKX (Rochester). The Fisher Cats will play their home opener at Northeast Delta Dental Stadium in Manchester (1 Line Drive) on Tuesday, April 11, against the Portland Sea Dogs.

Merrimack County Savings Bank has announced the opening of its eighth branch in Windham, with a grand opening planned for summer 2023. The new location will feature a full range of banking and lending services, a drive-up, ATM and night drop, according to a press release.

Hospitals, beds & staff

Gov. Sununu has been fired up recently, and his target is the New Hampshire Hospital Association. The conflict was highlighted in a recent Union Leader article, with Sununu’s goal to require hospitals to accept more mental health patients from their emergency rooms. The NHHA has responded with a lawsuit against the state. The state has been court ordered to end the practice of boarding mental health patients in hospital emergency rooms.

Currently, available mental health beds statewide do not meet the level of need. As a result, when patients in crisis enter the emergency room, they are stabilized, but the hospitals have nowhere to send them as licensed treatment facilities have no capacity. Interestingly, the Union Leader article also cited that eight children and 30 adults were housed in hospital emergency rooms around the state at that time. It further noted that the state-run New Hampshire Hospital is unable to fill nearly 30 of its existing beds due to lack of staffing. Even if Sununu were successful in his argument with the hospitals, at a 2.7 percent statewide unemployment rate, the hospitals are facing the same staffing shortages as the state. In fact, WMUR recently reported that NH Hospital Association has an average workforce vacancy rate of 15 percent, but higher in key positions.

Despite these staffing challenges, the state acquired the Hampstead Hospital for juvenile psychiatric care, it is moving forward with its new 24-bed forensic hospital, and most recently it is in the approval stages of a new 125-bed mental health hospital in southern New Hampshire. While the increased capacity that these facilities offer is greatly needed in our state, one is left wondering where the staffing will come from.

While I am no expert on the matter, I do serve as President of the Board of Trustees for Fellowship Housing Opportunities, Inc. in Concord, a nonprofit that provides safe and affordable housing for people living with long-term mental health issues. Our organization has a vested interest in following current events in this arena. Just as Fellowship Housing is challenged to provide affordable housing for our residents, New Hampshire is also challenged to provide affordable housing for its workforce. This is having a tremendous impact on our ability to recruit and attract the talent needed for New Hampshire to not only prosper but properly care for our residents. As the governor and our legislature negotiate the upcoming biennial state budget, it is critical that the domino effect of this issue is understood and addressed.

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