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Central’s Ethan Holmes is flanked by teammates Jacob Wong, left, and Khari Whitehead at practice on Tuesday at Gill Stadium.
Manchester Central’s Ethan Holmes grabs a pass during the Concord game earlier this season.
City Thanksgiving Day matchup: Central leader Holmes proving ’em all wrong
ETHAN HOLMES always had the work ethic but Manchester Central football coach Ryan Ray sometimes wondered if he had the necessary size to play at the high school level.
Holmes, a 5-foot-6, 155-pound wide receiver/defensive back, became a two-way starter, a senior captain and, Ray said, irreplaceable over the past two years for the Little Green through his relentless drive.
“Every time the seed of doubt started seeping into my mind, he’d just come back bigger and stronger and work harder, get better,” Ray said of Holmes before Central’s practice at Gill Stadium on Tuesday. “Every time I started doubting him, he would prove me wrong that he could get it done.”
Central (2-6) will play Manchester Memorial (2-6) in the Queen City Turkey Bowl on Thursday at 10 a.m. at Gill Stadium. The rivals did not play during the NHIAA season.
Proving people wrong has been one of Holmes’ biggest motivations since he stepped on the field.
Holmes grew up in a football-loving family and played flag football as a kid but his parents did not feel comfortable letting him play the tackle version of the game because of his fibromyalgia.
Fibromyalgia is a long-lasting disorder that causes, among other symptoms, fatigue and muscle pain and tenderness.
When Holmes got better in eighth grade, he joined the Manchester East Cobras and began his tackle football career. During his freshman season at Central, Holmes was 5-foot-3 and 105 pounds.
“I haven’t really looked at it like, ‘Aw, it’s going to be hard for me,’” Holmes said. “I just looked past it and tried to outwork everybody.”
Ray said Holmes is always in the weight room, never misses practice and does whatever his coaches ask.
Central senior offensive/defensive lineman and captain Khari Whitehead said Holmes motivated him to improve when they were freshmen.
“I used to be really big, really unathletic freshman year,” said Whitehead, who met Holmes in sixth grade. “He was like, ‘Khari, you’ve got to get in the weight room.’ I got in the weight room. ... He pushed me to get better.”
Holmes, Whitehead and fellow senior captain, offensive/defensive lineman Jacob Wong spent this past preseason in the weight room, working to build a strong bond among Central’s players.
Ray said Holmes, Wong and Whitehead are the first to arrive and last to leave at practice, always do what is asked of them, have positive attitudes and a contagious work ethic. When Central struggled during the season, the trio’s leadership kept the team together, Ray said.
Wong said he and Holmes lead by example and that Holmes brings energy to the Little Green.
“His spirit, his passion for the sport in general, to have that around us, it means a lot, especially as a team just to have that positive force around us,” Wong said.
Holmes, a slot receiver, logged 27 receptions for 279 yards and two touchdowns and ran for 131 yards on 18 carries this fall. At defensive back, he had six pass breakups and 61 total tackles.
Holmes said he tries to be reliable at both positions and use his quickness to his advantage against linebackers when playing slot receiver.
In Central’s 43-15 loss at Concord on Sept. 17, Ray said Holmes made tackle after tackle on Crimson Tide star running back Eli Bahuma.
“He’s like that little rabid pit bull,” Ray said of Holmes. “He has no fear. He has no quit. If you tell him he can’t do it, he’s going to prove you wrong.”
Holmes said his favorite football memory is Central’s 18-14 win over Dover on Oct. 7. The Little Green scored the game-winning touchdown — a 7-yard pass from Cayden Salvi to Jacob Maloney — with 14 seconds remaining, earning their first win against a then-4-1 Dover team.
“That’s like a Cinderella story,” Holmes said.
Holmes and his fellow 16 Central seniors will add one final memory on Thanksgiving against the Crusaders.
Whitehead said he is excited to play in his first Thanksgiving Day game.
Holmes said he played with some Memorial players during his season with the Cobras. One of Wong’s best friends, Adam Jacques, is a senior offensive/defensive lineman for Memorial.
“You don’t want to lose to them your senior year because you’re going to hear about it the rest of your life,” Wong said. | 2022-11-23T01:53:17Z | www.unionleader.com | City Thanksgiving Day matchup: Central leader Holmes proving ’em all wrong | Sports | unionleader.com | https://www.unionleader.com/sports/highschool/city-thanksgiving-day-matchup-central-leader-holmes-proving-em-all-wrong/article_992adba7-5ca6-543b-a16b-5c69d727f551.html | https://www.unionleader.com/sports/highschool/city-thanksgiving-day-matchup-central-leader-holmes-proving-em-all-wrong/article_992adba7-5ca6-543b-a16b-5c69d727f551.html |
Cathy, salt is a preservative and keeps butter fresher than unsalted butter for a longer period of time. The U.S. Department of Agriculture recommends using refrigeration when storing butter. If you decide to use unsalted butter in a European butter dish, change the water at least once a week and store in a cool place. If it smells different or slightly off, it may have spoiled, and then out it goes.
DEAR HELOISE: I read your column all the time and have enjoyed it for years. I always enjoyed your Creole Roast recipe, but after we moved to our condo, I couldn’t find the recipe. Could you reprint it for me and others who like a little zest in their meals? Since my son and his family are coming for Christmas, I want to make this dish for them.
Here is my recipe for a Creole Roast: | 2022-11-23T07:23:35Z | www.unionleader.com | Heloise: Is unsalted or salted butter best? | Human Interest | unionleader.com | https://www.unionleader.com/news/human_interest/heloise-is-unsalted-or-salted-butter-best/article_f293b662-affd-5757-81b4-51cfbdcd51f8.html | https://www.unionleader.com/news/human_interest/heloise-is-unsalted-or-salted-butter-best/article_f293b662-affd-5757-81b4-51cfbdcd51f8.html |
IT SURPRISES me, a man of pen and paper, that Twitter requires regular maintenance and without the attention of veteran software engineers could easily crash leaving millions of twitterers to write notes on paper, and would they be able to write with a pen or would they need to cut words out of a book and paste them on paper to make sentences, the way kidnappers do in the movies? You’d expect the Head Twit, the world’s richest man, to be smarter than to drive his new acquisition into a bridge abutment, but who knows?
I know nothing about software. I use a laptop but nine-tenths of its capability is foreign to me; I use it as an educated typewriter. I love that it makes a squiggly blue line under misspelled words, even exotic ones. I imagined Twitter was run by robotechnicians, no need for a company cafeteria, just a lube station, but apparently not so. There are human beings there and they have feelings, which is what the rich guy is inexperienced at dealing with. He knows about circuitry but he’s bought a circus and now hundreds of acrobats have quit. | 2022-11-23T07:23:54Z | www.unionleader.com | Garrison Keillor: Walking a crowded street in gratitude | Columnists | unionleader.com | https://www.unionleader.com/opinion/columnists/garrison-keillor-walking-a-crowded-street-in-gratitude/article_512d4731-063c-5f3d-a0b0-8987bfa4af10.html | https://www.unionleader.com/opinion/columnists/garrison-keillor-walking-a-crowded-street-in-gratitude/article_512d4731-063c-5f3d-a0b0-8987bfa4af10.html |
In the late 1700s, most information consisted of books, newspapers, and verbal communication. The amount of published information started doubling every year around 1970. With the introduction of digital-based social media, the growth of information has been accelerating in the last few decades.
The United States Fairness Doctrine was implemented in 1949 and repealed in 1987. Created by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), it required that media sources allocate some time for presentation about controversial issues of interest to the public and present balanced coverage of both sides of that issue. According to Wikipedia: “The demise of this FCC rule has been cited as a contributing factor in the rising level of party polarization in the United States.”
What has evolved since its repeal is varying levels of media bias amongst U.S. media sources: Some media sources strive to limit bias as much as possible. They usually present true facts.
Some media programs have a political agenda and do not present favorable information about one political party or another. Often, what they present contains more opinion than facts. Or they may omit certain news. For example, they might omit or limit coverage of positive news about a candidate or party they oppose.
Some media programs do not attempt to present valid facts and sometimes use emotional appeals (such as hate) to prey on the misinformed.
There may be mixtures of the above types depending on the program and time slot.
Because of this, do not trust certain news sources. If you identify and watch/read/listen to trusted news sources with less bias, you might not need to check multiple news sources to determine the truth. Otherwise, check multiple sources to find the truth. Why waste your time listening to lies?
A few articles and organizations rate media bias. The least biased include Associated Press, BBC, Reuters, Newsweek, Wall Street Journal.
One such article rates media sources without a specific bias rating and instead identifies media sources as: left, left-leaning, center, right-leaning, and right.
Because there is so much more information today, learning the truth now requires more work, such as choosing less-biased media and checking multiple sources.
In our democracy, citizens can vote once they register. Considering all the trouble the founding fathers and colonists went to rebelling against the British and forming a new country, many of us do not take this lightly. To prepare:
Become informed and gather facts. Find and give your attention to less-biased news media sources that are based on facts.
Consider what issues are most important to you and find out how candidates stand on those issues.
Decide who to vote for in each position.
Let’s compare a voter to a hiring manager who finds, recruits, and trains new hires. The hiring manager needs to be objective and cannot discriminate amongst candidates based on areas like race, nationality, gender, family status, age, disability, religion, or sexual orientation. The hiring manager might look at multiple candidate’s resumes, conduct phone interviews, create a list of the best candidates, and eventually schedule interviews.
It would help our United States democracy if we all followed this same objective approach that a good hiring manager takes — but instead of hiring a person, we decide who we will vote for. Too often people vote for candidates without considering what characteristics would help one best perform a job.
A few organizations provide helpful information about candidates, such as the League of Women Voters (lwvnh.org).
Should people who have enough courage to identify wrongdoings and present the truth be punished? No! Do not shoot the messenger. Preserve democracy and our constitutional republic.
Michael Etzel lives in Mont Vernon. | 2022-11-23T07:24:00Z | www.unionleader.com | Michael Etzel: Media sources, politics, and truth | Op-eds | unionleader.com | https://www.unionleader.com/opinion/op-eds/michael-etzel-media-sources-politics-and-truth/article_e4352beb-104c-55ed-9b03-ecd5d772bb21.html | https://www.unionleader.com/opinion/op-eds/michael-etzel-media-sources-politics-and-truth/article_e4352beb-104c-55ed-9b03-ecd5d772bb21.html |
Miracle Acres Farm in Milford has a tradition of decorating a different tree each year with ornaments given by members of the community.
Photo Provided by Miracle Acres
The field at Miracle Acres Farm is filled with Christmas trees growing and waiting for their holiday homes.
Miracle Acres Farm: Plan to hang out and fun around the farm
Bring a lunch for the picnic tables, try the pressed cider and take a tractor-pulled hayride.
MIRACLE ACRES FARM owners Joy and Dave Wheeler are expecting a lot of foot traffic this holiday season.
Starting the day after Thanksgiving, about 300 to 400 people will trek to the Milford farm in search of the perfect Christmas tree.
“We really get a lot of people — they keep us hopping that Friday and Saturday. Last year, we did probably three-quarters of our sales just on Friday and Saturday alone, right after Thanksgiving,” Joy said.
“We have a nice clientele. And they know to come early.”
Their Christmas tree sales are so swift that you may miss it if you’re not on your toes.
“We sold so many that the trees started getting short. We had to close in eight days,” Joy rememberd.
Trees will go fast
About 450 “u-cut” trees will be available this year from roughly 10,000 specimens on the 65-acre, family-owned and operated farm. Customers can choose from a selection of mostly balsam fir and a few spruce. When most trees in the farm are under 6 feet, they’ll generally stop selling to save them for next year.
Harvestable Christmas trees at Miracle Acres are about 6 to 10 feet tall and anywhere from 7 to 14 years old; trees grow at their own pace before becoming harvestable.
Don’t expect the larger trees to stick around, though.
“I think cut-your-own customers have learned, the earlier you get there, the better the selection and the bigger the trees. The big ones go fast,” said Dave.
But he reminds customers to measure carefully. When buying a Christmas tree, a little trick of the eye occurs. That “u-cut” tree may actually be too big or tall to fit in your home.
“Once you drag them through the door, they look humongous,” he said.
So it’s always better to get a taller tree that you can be cut to fit.
“They can always make them short, but after you cut it, it’s hard to grow it,” he said.
According to the National Christmas Tree Association, trees are also renewable and recyclable. For every Christmas tree harvested, one to three seedlings are planted the next spring.
There’s not as much tree-trimming and shaping at Miracle Acres as you might expect, though they can provide that “Hershey’s kiss” Christmas tree shape that some like.
The Wheelers have found many prefer what Joy has coined “field cuts,” which are lightly pruned trees that give off that natural look.
Hot chocolate, along with freshly pressed cider from Currier Orchards in Merrimack, will be available, weather-permitting.
“We press fresh cider from our own apples every weekend until Thanksgiving. We’re happy we can add to the outdoor experience on a fellow local farm during the holiday season,” said orchard manager and cider-maker Joy Currier in an email. Currier suggests adding a cinnamon stick and a slice of orange to hot cider for a special treat.
“We like to support our fellow farmers,” Dave said.
Customers can make a day out of their trip to the farm.
“We have some people that come in and bring their lunches and they hang out all day. They’ll sit at the picnic tables and make themselves at home, or they sit around the campfire. And we have a spot in the pavilion where we can hang the crafts. Plan to have fun,” Joy said.
Though the final lineup isn’t available, local artisans will sell crafts, and Joy makes machine embroidery Christmas ornaments. They can make wreaths while people are looking for their tree, then have it ready by the time they’re done shopping.
“You can’t get ‘em much fresher,” Dave said.
Customers can sit around the campfire or take a tractor-pulled wagon ride, which tours the site and its geological features.
“We show them the baby trees and what we do. There’s some huge boulders on the farm. We got one that’s probably 20-30 feet long, and one 16 feet tall,” Dave mentioned.
Running the farm
For a Christmas tree farm to thrive, patience, experience and hard work are needed all year.
After growing Christmas trees for about 30 years, the Wheelers know a thing or two about keeping away pesky bugs. Instead of using herbicides, insecticides, or hay, or letting native weeds sprout, the Wheelers grow grass in the fields that they constantly mow.
“Mowing keeps grass down and aphids and bugs off the trees. We let nature take care of things,” Dave said.
It’s also a locally-proven method.
“I think we figured it out ... just by listening to some of the old-timers. It’s a lot less expensive to just mow and not have to keep on spraying sprays. That’s a little healthier too,” Joy added.
The Wheelers often buy seedlings from the New Hampshire State Forest Nursery, get seeds from a nursery in Michigan, which has a similar climate, or start plants in pots. Some time in May, “right after the wet season,” they start watering the trees in earnest.
The summer of 2021 was dry, but farm employees kept the farm afloat, though Joy admits this summer was a challenge.
“I busted my butt irrigating the trees,” she said.
“It’s a lot of work. I’m doing 12 hours a day of changing from one sprinkler to the next. I just keep it going 12 hours a day, every single day,” she added.
To keep your tree happy for longer, Joy said customers can add a cup of Sprite to the tepid water in the tree’s reservoir, as plants feed on sugar.
But keeping the right level of the water is really vital.
“Make sure that the level of the water never goes below the cut of the tree, because it will seal off. If the bottom of the tree dries, then it won’t take up water,” Joy explained.
Cut-your-own Christmas trees are $65 each. Fresh-cut Frasier and balsam fir trees are priced as marked; tree netting is available for $2 per tree. They’re open Friday and Saturday, Nov. 25 and 26, from 9 a.m. to dark, and closed on Sundays. Customers are requested to wait until 9 to arrive.
Miracle Acres Farm is at 523 Mason Road, Milford. Call 603-765-2893 or visit miracleacresfarm.net for more information. | 2022-11-23T11:36:43Z | www.unionleader.com | Miracle Acres Farm: Plan to hang out and fun around the farm | Holiday | unionleader.com | https://www.unionleader.com/nh/lifestyles/holiday/miracle-acres-farm-plan-to-hang-out-and-fun-around-the-farm/article_43018d52-0626-5823-9475-5aaab155b938.html | https://www.unionleader.com/nh/lifestyles/holiday/miracle-acres-farm-plan-to-hang-out-and-fun-around-the-farm/article_43018d52-0626-5823-9475-5aaab155b938.html |
A protester tries to scale a fence at a dormitory park following a protest at Foxconn's plant in Zhengzhou, China in this undated still image from video released November 23, 2022 obtained by Reuters.
Workers at the Foxconn Technology Group plant streamed out of dormitories in the early hours of Wednesday, jostling and pushing past the white-clad guards they vastly outnumbered, according to videos sent by a witness to portions of the protest. Several white-suited people pummeled a person lying on the ground with sticks in another clip. Onlookers yelled "fight, fight!" as throngs of people forced their way past barricades. At one point, several surrounded an occupied police car and began rocking the vehicle while screaming incoherently.
In one video, irate workers surrounded a silent, downcast manager in a conference room to voice grievances and question their Covid test results. It wasn't clear when the meeting took place.
"I'm really scared about this place, we all could be Covid positive now," a male worker said. "You are sending us to death," another person said.
The Zhengzhou campus was operating normally as of Wednesday evening, a Foxconn spokesperson said. The violence had erupted after a portion of recently arrived employees raised complaints about "work subsidies" -- bonuses or payments on top of usual wages, Foxconn said in a statement. But the company stressed that it handles all such compensation in strict accordance with its contractual obligations.
"With regards to the violence, we are continuing to communicate with workers and the government, to avoid a recurrence," the company said without elaborating.
The rare instances of violence at the plant in the central city of Zhengzhou reflects a build-up of tensions since the lockdown began in October. Many among the vast workforce of more than 200,000 at "iPhone City" have been plunged into isolation, forced to subsist on spartan meals and scrounge for medication.
Wednesday morning's protests suggest that is no longer the case. It underscores how Xi Jinping's Covid Zero policy, which relies on swift lockdowns to stamp out the disease wherever it pops up, is increasingly weighing on the economy and throwing swathes of the global supply chain into disarray. Beijing recently issued new directives ordering officials to minimize disruption and use more targeted Covid controls, but surging outbreaks in major cities have forced local authorities to reach for strict curbs again.
"It's really a mess," said Barry Naughton, a professor at the University of California San Diego who specializes in Chinese economics. "They've created a situation where the local decision makers are under intolerable pressure."
The offshore yuan fell after Bloomberg's report, extending losses and making it the worst performer in Asia on Wednesday.
The Chinese currency "is underperforming its other Asian FX peers on reports of protests at Foxconn's plant in Zhengzhou that supplies Apple products," Stephen Innes, managing partner at SPI Asset Management wrote in a note. "However, a broader, more optimistic interpretation is that China is hitting the limits of 'Covid zero' and the authorities' efforts to loosen restrictions will continue."
Violence has erupted sporadically across China over Covid restrictions. In May, hundreds of workers clashed with security personnel at Quanta Computer Inc.'s factory in Shanghai after they were barred for months from contact with the outside world, while protests have emerged in locked-down areas of Guangdong, the southern manufacturing hub.
Zhengzhou is the site of Apple's most critical production, churning out an estimated four in five of its latest-generation handsets and the vast majority of the highest-end iPhone 14 Pro units. Apple warned this month that shipments of its newest premium iPhones will be lower than previously expected -- just ahead of the peak holiday season shopping.
The sprawling compound has operated for weeks within a "closed loop," or a self-contained bubble that limits contact with the outside world. That is keeping some production going. Apple and Foxconn have said they're working to replace staff who've left and resume full production as soon as possible.
The protests took place just hours after Henan party chief Lou Yangsheng visited the area where Foxconn plants were located and held a video chat with select employees. He asked managers to aid staff and ensure a "warm, relaxed and stable" living and working environment, according to the official Henan Daily. Lou's visit underscored the unusual amount of effort that provincial officials had devoted in recent weeks toward the nation's biggest private-sector employer, from reportedly helping in recruitment to exhorting retirees to work at Foxconn.
"The tension is that Beijing wants both Covid Zero and full economic growth," he said. "It's kind of impossible." | 2022-11-23T15:27:03Z | www.unionleader.com | Violent protests erupt at Apple's main iPhone plant in China | World | unionleader.com | https://www.unionleader.com/news/world/violent-protests-erupt-at-apples-main-iphone-plant-in-china/article_f616c220-6fbf-5264-80bb-f2202bb55666.html | https://www.unionleader.com/news/world/violent-protests-erupt-at-apples-main-iphone-plant-in-china/article_f616c220-6fbf-5264-80bb-f2202bb55666.html |
Two found dead following shooting in rural Hillsborough County
Two people have been found dead in rural Hillsborough County, authorities said on Wednesday morning.
In a brief statement, New Hampshire Attorney General John Formella said homicide prosecutors were responding to Lyndeborough in connection to two suspicious deaths "in the area."
According to emergency police reports, a suspect was on the loose, and police in the greater Milford area, New Hampshire State Police and possibly state police from outside New Hampshire are involved in a massive search.
A search near Zephyr Lake in the town of Greenfield, has concluded. But police are searching for the suspect in multiple towns, Brookline police said. Brookline and Lyndeborough are about 30 minutes apart. | 2022-11-23T17:15:58Z | www.unionleader.com | Two found dead following shooting in rural Hillsborough County | Crime | unionleader.com | https://www.unionleader.com/news/crime/two-found-dead-following-shooting-in-rural-hillsborough-county/article_fb4d17c9-63c1-5b13-9463-01207648c609.html | https://www.unionleader.com/news/crime/two-found-dead-following-shooting-in-rural-hillsborough-county/article_fb4d17c9-63c1-5b13-9463-01207648c609.html |
A small flock of wild turkeys head into the woods in Greenfield.
BOB LaPREE/UNION LEADER FILE
By Mike Smith The Advocate, Baton Rouge, La.
For Granite Stater John Kanter of the National Wildlife Federation, wild birds come with a real taste, not to mention a connection to the natural world, unlike the comparative blandness of the industrially farmed variety. His Thanksgiving dinner in New Hampshire will include a wild turkey he hunted himself. | 2022-11-24T03:08:38Z | www.unionleader.com | Wild turkey from Louisiana for Thanksgiving? It's now possible thanks to conservation says NH expert | Animals | unionleader.com | https://www.unionleader.com/news/animals/wild-turkey-from-louisiana-for-thanksgiving-its-now-possible-thanks-to-conservation-says-nh-expert/article_05d979ae-efc9-512b-bda1-8bb24ade3255.html | https://www.unionleader.com/news/animals/wild-turkey-from-louisiana-for-thanksgiving-its-now-possible-thanks-to-conservation-says-nh-expert/article_05d979ae-efc9-512b-bda1-8bb24ade3255.html |
How to care for farm-grown Christmas trees
Every year homeowners are faced with the classic question: Buy a real Christmas tree or skip the hassle and buy an artificial one? Some people choose to do both and have one of each filling their homes for the holidays.
If you choose a live, fresh cut tree, you’ve probably heard many suggestions over the years about how to care for that tree and make it last as long as you can. While your grandpa, family neighbor or know-it-all co-worker may have passed along their wisdom on the matter, here are some tips on what to do — and what to not do — from experienced folks at the National Christmas Tree Association.
• Displaying trees in water in a traditional reservoir type stand is the most effective way of maintaining their freshness and minimizing needle loss problems.
• To display the trees indoors, use a stand with an adequate water holding capacity for the tree. As a general rule, stands should provide 1 quart of water per inch of stem diameter. Devices are available that help maintain a constant water level in the stand.
• Use a stand that fits your tree. Avoid whittling the sides of the trunk down to fit a stand. The outer layers of wood are the most efficient in taking up water and should not be removed.
Make a fresh cut to remove about a 1/2-inch thick disk of wood from the base of the trunk before putting the tree in the stand. Make the cut perpendicular to the stem axis. Don’t cut the trunk at an angle, or into a v-shape, which makes it far more difficult to hold the tree in the stand and also reduces the amount of water available to the tree.
• Drilling a hole in the base of the trunk does NOT improve water uptake.
• Once home, place the tree in water as soon as possible. Most species can go 6 to 8 hours after cutting the trunk and still take up water. Don’t bruise the cut surface or get it dirty. If needed, trees can be temporarily stored for several days in a cool location. Place the freshly cut trunk in a bucket that is kept full of water.
• The temperature of the water used to fill the stand is not important and does not affect water uptake.
• Check the stand daily to make sure that the level of water does not go below the base of the tree. With many stands, there can still be water in the stand even though the base of the tree is no longer submerged in water.
• Keep trees away from major sources of heat (fireplaces, heaters, heat vents, direct sunlight). Lowering the room temperature will slow the drying process, resulting in less water consumption each day.
• Use of lights that produce low heat, such as miniature lights, will reduce drying of the tree.
• Always inspect light sets prior to placing them on the tree. Do not overload electrical circuits.
•Always turn off the tree lights when leaving the house or when going to bed. | 2022-11-24T03:08:56Z | www.unionleader.com | How to care for farm-grown Christmas trees | Holiday | unionleader.com | https://www.unionleader.com/nh/lifestyles/holiday/how-to-care-for-farm-grown-christmas-trees/article_8f062557-01fa-5f17-bf49-a98429f8103e.html | https://www.unionleader.com/nh/lifestyles/holiday/how-to-care-for-farm-grown-christmas-trees/article_8f062557-01fa-5f17-bf49-a98429f8103e.html |
DEAR HELOISE: This is a response to Nell V.'s letter encouraging parents to teach their children to read before entering kindergarten. She had some good thoughts (not rushing was my favorite). I have taught reading for 30 years in both public and private schools. To teach reading to your children requires a great deal of education. If done wrong, your efforts may end up raising a child who hates reading. Constant sounding out of words very often spawns a child who hates to read. Of course, no one wants that.
-- M. Falconer, Woodstock, New York
-- Helgie, in California
-- Ralph Schneider, Olmos Park, Texas
Many curbside shoppers may be like me, unable to shop otherwise. or maybe relying on a friend to do the pickup. I suspect, as well, that the close location to the stores is for the store's sake. With short staffing practically everywhere, the location lets employees serve more people faster.
-- Hoping to Shop In-Person Soon | 2022-11-24T07:04:01Z | www.unionleader.com | Heloise: Teach kids to love reading | Human Interest | unionleader.com | https://www.unionleader.com/news/human_interest/heloise-teach-kids-to-love-reading/article_d98e6cd8-bd7c-5b13-989d-5e71ee89c11c.html | https://www.unionleader.com/news/human_interest/heloise-teach-kids-to-love-reading/article_d98e6cd8-bd7c-5b13-989d-5e71ee89c11c.html |
A few curious harbor seals watch the spectators on the shore while others lounge peacefully on Badgers Rock.
Provided by Brian Yurasits
Seacoast Science Center volunteer Shanon Heckethorn helps a young spectator use a viewing scope, the best way to observe the seals up close.
Volunteers and spectators walk along the beach retaining wall towards the access point. Approximately 50 guests attended the seal walk in November.
Approximately 50 harbor seals lounge on Badgers Rock just off the shores of Salisbury Beach State Reservation. Seals haul out in winter when there is little human activity in the channel.
Marine Mammal Rescue community outreach manager Brian Yurasits, right, chats with spectators about the various seal species that inhabit the Gulf of Maine.
NH Winter:Seacoast Science Center hosts stroll with the seals
By Jill Armstrong
THE SEACOAST Science Center of Rye is giving residents a reason to get out and stroll the beaches this winter season.
Once a month through April, the center’s Marine Mammal Rescue team will host a Seal Walk, guiding participants down the sandy coastline at Salisbury Beach State Reservation to observe a number of seals hauled out on Badgers Rock, a landmark not 100 yards offshore.
“The idea behind doing these was that so few people have ever had a personal interaction with these animals,” said Brian Yurasits, community outreach manager for the Marine Mammal Rescue team, “and those interactions and experiences can shape how people relate to the ocean.”
I met Yurasits and several volunteers at the park, just a few miles over the state line from Seabrook, on a Sunday afternoon. Once all the participants arrived (a group of about 50), we took off on a casual 10-minute walk down the beach before reaching the exposed rocks, a miniature island marking where the Merrimack River meets the sea.
“We wanted to make this a free program at Salisbury Reservation because this is where the seals haul out in our area up here. From land, this is the most accessible spot to view them. This is their natural habitat,” Yurasits said.
Because the event coincides with low tide, there is plenty of surface area on the rocks for a number of seals to climb out of the water and relax. We counted about 50 harbor seals — some lounging languidly on the rocks, their eyes closed in sleep, and some, with their iconic puppy dog faces, examining us spectators curiously.
Although it might seem strange, the Seal Walk takes place in winter because that’s the best time to view seals at this access point. During this time, there’s no boat traffic in the channel and very little human activity to disrupt the seals’ natural behaviors. In the coldest months, spectators might spot 100 to 200 animals.
The harbor seal, the most common seal species in New Hampshire and northern Massachusetts, is one of four seal species that populate the Granite State’s coastal waters in the winter months. Gray seals, another common species in the area, are much larger than harbor seals, with male adults measuring 8 feet in length and weighing almost 800 pounds.
“They’ll be in the best spots,” Yurasits said, soliciting knowing laughter from the volunteers standing beside us.
As we stared out across the water, the sun hanging low across the Merrimack, it was helpful to have binoculars to view the seals up close. Volunteers from the science center brought several stationary viewing scopes for those without the right equipment.
Yurasits and volunteers shared their knowledge and passion for marine wildlife while guests took advantage of the scopes.
“I think the education component and keeping people abreast of all that’s going on with climate change and all of that, what they do over there (at the science center) is amazing,” volunteer Shanon Heckethorn said.
“And then the marine rescue program specifically is so unique. It’s part of where we live, and it’s something that allows us to appreciate living on the coast, and the beautiful environment that we are surrounded by.”
Heckethorn has volunteered with the organization since moving to the area from Boston three years ago. One night while walking along the beach, she noticed a small seal pup at the shoreline. After phoning the Marine Mammal Rescue line and assisting the rescue team by roping off a perimeter for the seal, she decided this work was something she could envision herself doing.
Throughout the year, the Marine Mammal Rescue Team responds to reports of animals that have hauled out or are stranded on New Hampshire beaches. The organization also collects data about marine mammal populations to paint a better picture of their lives out at sea.
Offering guided seal walks allows the team to educate the public about seal populations and behaviors.
“People are our eyes out there on the ocean,” Yurasits said.
As the sun set lower on the horizon, children counted the number of seals scattered across the rocks.
“You can turn someone into a lifelong conservationist, getting that firsthand experience,” Yurasits said. “We really want to echo the fact that these are animals that anyone can help us to conserve.”
The next Seal Walk will be Sunday, Dec. 4, from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. Seal Walks are free to attend, but registration is required. For information, visit https://www.seacoastsciencecenter.org/events/seal-walks
And if you’re looking for a way to give back this year, consider making a donation to the Marine Mammal Rescue Team and their efforts to protect New Hampshire coastal wildlife on Giving Tuesday, Nov. 29.
NH Winter is published in the Union Leader on Fridays through ski season. Contact Jill Armstrong at jaarmstr1@gmail.com. | 2022-11-25T02:45:22Z | www.unionleader.com | NH Winter:Seacoast Science Center hosts stroll with the seals | Winter Notes | unionleader.com | https://www.unionleader.com/nh/outdoors/winter_notes/nh-winter-seacoast-science-center-hosts-stroll-with-the-seals/article_5b10e989-9a9c-5eac-a522-e88bb153c083.html | https://www.unionleader.com/nh/outdoors/winter_notes/nh-winter-seacoast-science-center-hosts-stroll-with-the-seals/article_5b10e989-9a9c-5eac-a522-e88bb153c083.html |
Manchester Central players, including senior Owen Kelley, facing at right, celebrate with the trophy after their 14-7 win over Manchester Memorial on Thursday at Gill Stadium.
Central’s Kdin Preston works to avoid Memorial’s Daniel Betancur and Jose Soto during Thursday’s game at Gill Stadium. At rear is Central quarterback Cayden Salvi.
Central seniors pose for a photo with the trophy.
Central’s Kdin Preston, left, is pulled down by Memorial’s Ethan Vilgrain during Thursday's game.
Memorial's Ethan Vilgrain catches a 14-yard TD pass from Connor McFarland.
Central beats Memorial in Turkey Bowl, 14-7
MANCHESTER — Life is good when your team wins a football game. It’s even better when it happens on Thanksgiving against your rival.
“Going home, eating some turkey. Never a bad day when you have football and food,” said Manchester Central’s Owen Kelley, moments after the Little Green’s 14-7 victory over Manchester Memorial in Thursday’s holiday matchup at Gill Stadium.
Kelley, a senior, had a big hand in Central’s sixth straight Turkey Bowl win — seventh, really, if you include last season’s Central-Memorial nonleague game played on Nov. 5 instead of Thanksgiving. The 6-foot 4-inch safety/wide receiver hauled in a 10-yard reception from sophomore quarterback Cayden Salvi to set up Central’s second touchdown, then made two plays to help seal the triumph.
First, he intercepted a Connor McFarland pass with 3 minutes left.
Then, after Memorial scored its lone TD with 1:55 left, he fell on the ensuing onside kick. Without any timeouts, Memorial never got the ball back after Central’s Kdin Preston’s two carries netted 18 yards and a first down.
The Crusaders played without injured wide receiver Martin Alisandro, their go-to guy in the passing game, and several other key underclassmen.
“This isn’t a normal varsity game,” said Memorial coach Rob Sturgis. “It’s a rivalry game, with so much emotion attached to every play. It’s a different level of physicality. It’s hard to get kids that haven’t experienced the game — especially since we haven’t done this in three years — to be actually ready for this. So I’m proud of the effort. They played as hard as they could.”
The contest, played before a crowd of about 700, including the Memorial band, was scheduled because the teams didn’t meet during the regular season. Both clubs took 2-6 records into the game.
And both teams struggled to move the football against stout defenses. Memorial finished with 223 total yards, Central 203. The difference? A few big plays by Central, including four on fourth-and-considerable distance situations.
The game started like it might be a shootout. Defensive back Ethan Holmes set up Central’s first possession by snaring a twice-tipped pass for an interception at the Central 30.
Ten plays later, Salvi (12 for 29, 135 yards passing) scrambled in from the 9, Oliver Jaquez kicked the extra point, and it was 7-0 with 1:27 left in the first quarter.
A trend developed from there. Both teams mounted mini-drives that fell short of threatening — until the fourth quarter, when Central took advantage of a short (40 yards) field to double its lead.
Micah Huffman made the first big catch, a 13-yarder on fourth-and-10 from the Memorial 28, and Kelley followed with another fourth-down grab, for 10 yards to the Memorial 3. Two plays later, from the 1, Preston bulled into the end zone.
Memorial’s TD drive was a case of too-little, too-late. McFarland (12 for 22 for 118 yards passing), moved the Crusaders 80 yards in five plays and capped the drive with a 16-yard TD pass to Ethan Vilgrain, who got one foot down in the end zone on his way out of bounds. With only 1:55 remaining, though, the “food” part of the “football and food” perfecta was about to take priority. | 2022-11-25T02:45:28Z | www.unionleader.com | Central beats Memorial in Turkey Bowl, 14-7 | Sports | unionleader.com | https://www.unionleader.com/sports/highschool/central-beats-memorial-in-turkey-bowl-14-7/article_3a5351d3-c2f4-5682-9faf-6d8fe4386778.html | https://www.unionleader.com/sports/highschool/central-beats-memorial-in-turkey-bowl-14-7/article_3a5351d3-c2f4-5682-9faf-6d8fe4386778.html |
DEAR HELOISE: We have three indoor cats, and they have two litter pans, which we keep clean at all times. I was about to use bleach to clean out the litter pans when my husband stopped me. He claims that the ammonia from our male’s urine should never be mixed with bleach. If you’d heard him, you’d think it would cause an explosion! Is it dangerous to use bleach when cleaning a cat pan?
— Joyce D., Nashville, Tennessee
Joyce, it might not cause an explosion, but it is still dangerous. Ammonia and bleach when mixed together can produce a gas that is dangerous to inhale and has occasionally been known to be fatal. Also, never store bleach with a bottle of ammonia. Always store these two substances in separate locations just to be on the safe side.
• Have a professional inspect your heating system to make sure it’s heating properly. If your heating system needs repairs, it’s better to get them done now rather than waiting until spring.
— Walter J., oyal Oak, Michigan
You can also have a friend stand in front or behind your car to make certain all of your lights are working properly. It will save you the expense of a ticket.
— Elroy W., Dime Box, Texas | 2022-11-25T05:52:47Z | www.unionleader.com | Heloise: Don't clean the litter with bleach | Human Interest | unionleader.com | https://www.unionleader.com/news/human_interest/heloise-dont-clean-the-litter-with-bleach/article_1d8a36c8-8234-5a8b-a00b-9bdf8b14aa6b.html | https://www.unionleader.com/news/human_interest/heloise-dont-clean-the-litter-with-bleach/article_1d8a36c8-8234-5a8b-a00b-9bdf8b14aa6b.html |
Now that he’s not a candidate … and therefore we’re not violating our policy against promoting or disparaging candidates, it’s time to sound off a little about New Hampshire Governor Chris Sununu.
Eleven years ago when Eversource proposed its Northern Pass transmission line through New Hampshire, our governor had no part in the multi-tiered state and federal approval process, yet felt compelled to endorse the project. After an eight-year battle with vocal and dedicated opponents, mostly from right here in the North Country, the power conglomerate gave up the ghost.
But apparently Gov. Sununu doesn’t want that ghost to stay gone, and is still speaking up for his corporate pal Eversource. Just (recently) in his debate with challenger Tom Sherman, he brought it back up.
The two candidates agree on the state’s need for more renewable energy, stated the Union Leader’s Oct. 27 article about the debate. “Sununu said he fears moving too quickly could spike prices” the piece read, “but he said he wanted to reopen the discussion on Northern Pass, a massively controversial power line that would have brought hydroelectricity from Quebec to New England.”
“Massively controversial” is one way of putting it. And, no, Gov. Sununu, we don’t want to revisit the issue. | 2022-11-25T05:52:59Z | www.unionleader.com | No, governor: A North Country view | Editorials | unionleader.com | https://www.unionleader.com/opinion/editorials/no-governor-a-north-country-view/article_4866baa6-51b2-574e-9393-e8bca249d0b6.html | https://www.unionleader.com/opinion/editorials/no-governor-a-north-country-view/article_4866baa6-51b2-574e-9393-e8bca249d0b6.html |
Yes, Thanksgiving to many people is merely a warning light that you better get cracking on your Christmas gift list. But it’s not as if the invention of Black Friday marked the first commercialism of the day when the natives brought homemade goodies to the Pilgrims’ table. The Macy’s parade has been around for awhile.
If you witnessed or engaged in any verbal political fights at Aunt Rachel’s dinner yesterday, take comfort — or solace — in knowing that Thanksgiving itself was once the object of keen political strife, all because of commercialism.
T’was none other than Franklin Delano Roosevelt, the hero of big-government fans, who caused the fight in 1939. And he was on the side of retailers. In the midst of the Depression, they worried that not having Thanksgiving until the traditional last Thursday of the month (Nov. 30 in 1939) would hurt Christmas sales. In those quaint times, it was seen as gauche to begin advertising for Christmas before Thanksgiving.
So FDR proclaimed that the 1939 Thanksgiving would be held a week earlier, Nov. 23. That was swell with merchants but Republicans and Yankees denounced the move. States were divided. Some wanted the traditional last Thursday honored, no matter the date. FDR, however, moved to make the fourth Thursday of November the official observance. It was jeered as “Franksgiving” but FDR ultimately won.
If you want to be a winner, at least locally, we hope you will partake tomorrow in Small Business Saturday. It is taking place in many New Hampshire locales, including here in Manchester and up north in Lancaster. Supporting local business is never a bad thing. | 2022-11-25T05:53:05Z | www.unionleader.com | Twice the fun! Thanksgiving politics | Editorials | unionleader.com | https://www.unionleader.com/opinion/editorials/twice-the-fun-thanksgiving-politics/article_004e16f7-5798-5357-bd95-baeb5d53c53c.html | https://www.unionleader.com/opinion/editorials/twice-the-fun-thanksgiving-politics/article_004e16f7-5798-5357-bd95-baeb5d53c53c.html |
Showers early, then cloudy in the afternoon. High 49F. Winds SW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 50%..
New England Patriots tight end Hunter Henry (85) catches a pass originally ruled as a touchdown as Minnesota Vikings cornerback Chandon Sullivan (39) defends. Instant replay would overturn the call and rule the play an incompletion during the third quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium. | 2022-11-25T11:58:32Z | www.unionleader.com | Kirk Cousins, Vikings overtake Patriots in fourth quarter | Patriots | unionleader.com | https://www.unionleader.com/sports/patriots/kirk-cousins-vikings-overtake-patriots-in-fourth-quarter/article_eb274711-c8b0-545c-a5eb-5a2a5df440e5.html | https://www.unionleader.com/sports/patriots/kirk-cousins-vikings-overtake-patriots-in-fourth-quarter/article_eb274711-c8b0-545c-a5eb-5a2a5df440e5.html |
Black Friday is here, but didn't it start months ago?
By Jaclyn Peiser The Washington Post
And despite the day's dwindling relevance - it's morphed into a months-long sale pitch - merchants of all sizes are digging in.
"I think there's more emphasis this year than we've seen in years past," said Adam Davis, managing director of the retail division at Wells Fargo Capital Finance. "Retailers getting the consumer's share of wallet is crucial and so they want to try to . . . lock in those sales."
But analysts and industry experts caution that Black Friday sales could be subdued this year. Earlier and steeper sales - while beneficial for strategic shoppers - are hurting retailers whose margins are suffering from a glut of inventory and growing labor costs.
Meanwhile, consumers are showing signs of fatigue after contending with decades-high inflation for much of the year. They got a bit of a reprieve in October: Prices rose 7.7 percent from the year-ago period, according to federal data released earlier this month. Though still far above normal levels, it was lower than analysts had expected. Even wealthier Americans are feeling pinched, polls show. They're still buying, but choosing less expensive options.
"We are in unique economic situations - inflation has been at a 40-year high and a lot of families' budgets are being squeezed from all fronts," said Jie Zhang, a professor of marketing at the University of Maryland. "So there isn't as much enthusiasm to open up wallets come into this holiday shopping season."
Over the past few years the novelty of Black Friday, which got its name because the rush of sales could change the retailers' books from red to black, has slowly diminished.
The major shopping day was once synonymous with doorbuster deals and long lines before dawn. Sunil Singh, 61, used to look forward to Black Friday - not just for the steep discounts on tech gadgets but also because it meant spending time with his son. The two had a tradition of lining up before sunrise outside of Best Buy in the San Fransisco Bay Area in anticipation of its opening.
"That whole waking up at 4 a.m., lining up, you know, drinking hot cider and coffee in the line, waiting for two hours, chatting with people, it was just a really fun time," said Singh, of Mountain View, Calif.
"The deals, you can get them online," he said. "You're getting such great deals weeks, 10 days ahead. So, it's no longer that meaningful."
"It's lost its novelty," Singh added.
"I think Black Friday, Cyber Monday [have] sort of morphed from a weekend into a season," Finkelstein added. "And I think consumers like that because it means they can get more of their shopping done earlier."
Shoppers also are increasingly reliant on social media: A global survey by the IBM Institute for Business Value, in association with the National Retail Federation, found that 6 in 10 shoppers draw "inspiration and ideas" from TikTok, Instagram and other sites. The platforms allow for a seamless browse-to-buy shopping experience, and with younger demographics spending more of their time on the apps, brands and companies are bringing their products to them.
"If you go into the physical store, oftentimes they have additional doorbuster sales because they're trying to drive traffic," she said, adding that after years of covid fears and crowd restrictions, shoppers want to be back in stores. "The pandemic has forced more consumers to realize they want human connection and contact." | 2022-11-25T13:30:08Z | www.unionleader.com | Black Friday is here, but didn't it start months ago? | Business | unionleader.com | https://www.unionleader.com/news/business/black-friday-is-here-but-didnt-it-start-months-ago/article_c6258dae-b304-5f44-9524-1d9412aaf1a9.html | https://www.unionleader.com/news/business/black-friday-is-here-but-didnt-it-start-months-ago/article_c6258dae-b304-5f44-9524-1d9412aaf1a9.html |
By Mike Stunson The Charlotte Observer
A 94-year-old man died after his homemade tree stand collapsed as he was hunting, Indiana officials say.
Donald Cass was not wearing a full-body safety harness when he fell from the elevated tree stand on Tuesday, Nov. 22, in Scott County, according to a news release from the Indiana Department of Natural Resources.
He was discovered by a fellow hunter, officials say.
Cass was flown to University of Louisville Hospital, where he later died, the news release states. Cass was from Scottsburg, about 30 miles north of Louisville.
It’s unclear why the tree stand collapsed.
“Conservation Officers remind hunters using elevated platforms to always wear a full body harness, use a tree stand’s safety rope, never try to put up or remove a tree stand by themself, and to always inspect their tree stand before climbing up into it,” the Department of Natural Resources said. | 2022-11-25T13:30:39Z | www.unionleader.com | 94-year-old hunter dies after his homemade tree stand collapses, Indiana officials say | Public Safety | unionleader.com | https://www.unionleader.com/news/safety/94-year-old-hunter-dies-after-his-homemade-tree-stand-collapses-indiana-officials-say/article_8aeeab89-27fb-5466-82d9-88e7edddb8f8.html | https://www.unionleader.com/news/safety/94-year-old-hunter-dies-after-his-homemade-tree-stand-collapses-indiana-officials-say/article_8aeeab89-27fb-5466-82d9-88e7edddb8f8.html |
Brazil celebrates one of its second-half goals against Serbia on Thursday at Lusail Stadium in Qatar.
Richarlison makes the World Cup gasp with a wonder of a goal in Brazil's win
LUSAIL, Qatar - Just when you might sit there and start to wonder if the idea of Brazil exceeds the reality, if the anticipation of beautiful soccer often seems to fade to the sight of a grind, the Brazilians might remind you they're always capable of something that'll make your eyes just about pop out of your head.
That's what happened Thursday night, when the goal of this nascent World Cup graced Lusail Stadium two days after the upset of the ages did likewise. Where on Tuesday there had been Saudi Arabia over Argentina, now there came the spectacle on 73 minutes in Brazil over Serbia. It cemented Brazil's 2-0 opening win. It came from Richarlison, the 25-year-old who has been doing a lot of scoring lately. It made people gasp and maybe even holler involuntarily.
It wreaked a stadium noise that carried the unmistakable sound of wonder and sustained itself longer than most such noises do. It sent Tite, the longtime Brazil manager, into a lovable frenzy as he went up to group-hug his staff, saying later, "Sometimes feelings can't be explained." And it lent the postgame concourses the kind of lingering buzz one cannot attain from the nonalcoholic beer they serve in these stadiums here.
"I think it was a beautiful goal," Richarlison said of his bicycle whirl from amid the box. He mentioned previous and similar goals with the Fluminense club in Brazil and Everton in England and said: "Today I had the opportunity to make an acrobatic goal that was very, very nice, I think one of the nicest in my career. It was a very tough match for us, so I think it was one of the best goals I ever scored."
He has scored 88 in club play, 19 in international play and two of those 19 on Thursday night, so it's a mass of goals to assess. "As our professor, Tite, says, 'You are smelling goal,'" Richarlison said. "And that's what happens." It brought reward to those who had traveled to the stadium in anticipation of beauty while filling the spotless new metro cars and shiny new metro stations with that old, reliable, electric yellow.
What they saw and surely assessed on the way home in Portuguese and a heap of other languages even managed to overshadow something hard to overshadow. Neymar, Brazil's most recognizable figure, nowadays 30 and Paris-based, took a bummer of an ankle injury in the second half, played 11 more minutes before his manager realized it, earned his manager's praise for his pain tolerance and became the subject of a news conference appearance by a team doctor, who said it's too early to tell much.
"We are confident that Neymar will continue playing," Tite said. "He will continue playing in the World Cup." If so, he could help steer Brazil's bid for a first World Cup title in a yawning 20 years, as well as pursue the record for Brazil goals held by Pele at 77, with Neymar at 75. If not, well, other stars do exist with electric skill in electric yellow, and both goals Thursday did go on merry treks through Vinicius Junior to Richarlison.
One of them was easy.
That one happened at 62 minutes, when Vinicius Junior, the 22-year-old marvel of energy and precision and Real Madrid employment, corralled a ball of which Neymar had lost track on the left edge of the box and banged it suddenly to the goal, where keeper Vanja Milinkovic-Savic sprawled to save it before Richarlison poked it in easily.
That made it 1-0, and that wasn't what people will carry in the memory banks.
The unforgettable one came 11 minutes later, and it hinged upon Vinicius Junior's creation yet again. He operated from the left wing, of course, and this time he slid a seeing-eye ball through a tight corridor of human obstacles. It found its way through to Richarlison amid the box, and then came the whoa.
Richarlison fielded it with his left foot and ticked it airborne. Then he whirled around, twirled his body and bicycled it right-footed. It seared maybe not even an inch over the left shoulder of Serbian defender Milos Velijkovic, as Richarlison's flying, flailing boot nearly nudged Velijkovic's head. It kept its screaming line and hurried in just inside the left post, with Milinkovic-Savic as helpless in his late lurch as would have been any of the 8 billion earthlings. For the second time in a brief spell, the entire Brazilian team massed in the corner for a heaving celebration.
"It goes up," Tite said of the ball, "and he reschedules all his plan," and what adept plan-reschedulers they are.
The starriest of the World Cup star teams, Brazil, finally had debuted at this 22nd men's World Cup, the 22nd for which Brazil has qualified. It had become the last of the bigwigs to start in this World Cup of the odd positioning on the calendar. Its fans from around the world, abundant times abundant, had arrived with their singsong loudness in the usual outpouring of can't-wait. With a few Serbians in red and blue mixed in, they had emptied out toward Lusail Stadium, the futuristic structure that by night kind of resembles a lit-up soap dish.
They saw Brazil, the tournament favorite sort of by default, slog around some with a more-than-capable Serbia through a first half without many wows. "During the break," said Tite, the 61-year-old who has managed Brazil since 2016, "I needed to tell my players to calm down, because first we need to have a [lightness] that we needed to pass the ball."
He said, "We needed to lower the adrenaline."
They made tweaks in positioning, and soon, said assistant Cleber Xavier, "We continued to expand the speed, expand the movements and create opportunity," whereupon they created wonder.
Group G had left the starting gate with the Brazilians tied with the Swiss at three points, and Richarlison declared "a wonderful night" with "a beautiful victory" so that "now we have another six games to reach our goal," but first he would check on Neymar back at the hotel. Serbia, which had won its group in qualifying, "was always a lot of pressure" in the match, Tite said, "so it did require a lot from us." All of it made a primo start toward Brazil's bid to hike its record total of five World Cup titles to six, and reminded in one gasping swoop that the reality of Brazil at times does measure up to the idea. | 2022-11-25T13:30:55Z | www.unionleader.com | Richarlison makes the World Cup gasp with a wonder of a goal in Brazil's win | Sports | unionleader.com | https://www.unionleader.com/sports/richarlison-makes-the-world-cup-gasp-with-a-wonder-of-a-goal-in-brazils-win/article_6a9917ae-8979-5d58-ad82-0c65c65bc1c2.html | https://www.unionleader.com/sports/richarlison-makes-the-world-cup-gasp-with-a-wonder-of-a-goal-in-brazils-win/article_6a9917ae-8979-5d58-ad82-0c65c65bc1c2.html |
Accused released from jail two days before shooting rampage
Robert C. Gagnon, the man suspected of two shootings on Wednesday in the Milford area, had been released earlier from a Manchester jail, where he had spent nearly a month for violating a protective order filed by a woman seeking to divorce him.
As of Friday, authorities had not connected the shootings to the pending divorce of Robert and Jennifer Gagnon, who lives in Wilton.
But according to a friend of Jennifer Gagnon, she was terrified of her husband.
"He was released on Monday. She had a restraining order against him. She was very scared to have him released," said the friend, who asked that her name not be published.
On Friday, authorities are awaiting results of an autopsy to decide if he will face charges in the shooting death of Robert Prest, 83, inside his 774 Center Road home in Lyndeborough.
The shootings threw the normally hectic eve of Thanksgiving into chaos in the Wilton-Milford area. A helicopter hovered overhead as police cars raced to answer reports of sightings of Gagnon and some businesses and stores were lockeddown.
Gagnon had been living in Wilton before the divorce proceedings started in August. He faces a charge of attempted murder for allegedly trying to run a man -- Carlos Quintong, 44 -- off the road in the town of Brookline and then shooting him.
Brookline police have said the shooting was domestic related, and Agati said Gagnon and Quintong knew each other.
Gagnon was arraigned by video Friday, where a not guilty plea was entered on his behalf. The brief arraignment ended with Superior Court Judge Mark Attori ordering him held on preventive detention. His lawyers, public defenders Sarah Rothman and Meredith Lugo, said they wanted more time to discuss the case with Gagnon, and that they may ask for bail in the future.
"The defendant lunged at plaintiff such that the parties' 17-year-old son had to intervene," wrote a Milford District Court judge, who granted the protection order. He noted a history of domestic violence and alcohol abuse. | 2022-11-25T19:36:19Z | www.unionleader.com | Accused released from jail two days before shooting rampage | Crime | unionleader.com | https://www.unionleader.com/news/crime/accused-released-from-jail-two-days-before-shooting-rampage/article_6c56072b-7b6e-5f45-bfe7-d337b5ff199a.html | https://www.unionleader.com/news/crime/accused-released-from-jail-two-days-before-shooting-rampage/article_6c56072b-7b6e-5f45-bfe7-d337b5ff199a.html |
The colorful cosplay contest is a highlight of Free Comic Book Day at Double Midnight Comics’ Manchester store.
Courtesy/First Person Shooter/
The owners of Double Midnight Comics announced plans this week to move the popular store from Maple Street to The Factory on Willow at 252 Willow St. early next year.
Chris and Scott Proulx, co-owners of Double Midnight Comics, made the announcement this week on social media, along with their friend and business partner, Brett Parker that they are moving their Manchester location down the street after two decades at 245 Maple St.
“We’re excited for a new chapter,” said Chris Proulx.
Chris said after surviving the pandemic, he and Scott are ready to expand the popular store, with the hope of providing “more experiences for comic book fans and collectors.
“When we were looking to grow our space, we made sure our new location was still in close proximity to our east side location so we could continue to serve our loyal customer base,” Chris said in a statement. “We are excited for the new location to provide visibility in an up-and-coming area, for new customers to find us and also easy access with parking and an entrance at the ground level. It’s a big bonus that it also has event space, a food truck patio, and apartments onsite.”
Additional square footage at their soon-to-be new home offers Double Midnight Comics multiple dedicated spaces for gaming, where players will compete in card games like Magic: the Gathering, Yu-Gi-Oh!, and Pokémon along with role-playing games like the classic Dungeons and Dragons.
The site will also allow Double Midnight to play host to birthday parties and private events, something Chris says customers have requested for years.
“The Factory on Willow has an awesome event space and Airbnbs to host actors, wrestlers, and graphic novel authors, which will provide us an opportunity to expand our special events and serve new audiences,” Brett Parker said in a statement.
The Factory on Willow is already home to shops like Loon Chocolate, 603 Charcuterie, and Cottage Candle.
“We welcome the awesome community of comic book lovers and the team at Double Midnight Comics to take over our first-floor commercial space,” Liz Hitchcock, Factory developer and owner, said in a statement.
Chris said a storewide sale gets underway at Double Midnight this week to “help keep the moving light.”
Move-in day at The Factory on Willow is planned for Jan. 1. | 2022-11-26T01:42:10Z | www.unionleader.com | Double Midnight Comics headed to The Factory on Willow | Business | unionleader.com | https://www.unionleader.com/news/business/double-midnight-comics-headed-to-the-factory-on-willow/article_1e4e90c7-07a0-55bc-bf23-140a30829047.html | https://www.unionleader.com/news/business/double-midnight-comics-headed-to-the-factory-on-willow/article_1e4e90c7-07a0-55bc-bf23-140a30829047.html |
EDELBLUT
Spanish NVivo of Londonderry, EnCube Labs of Nashua, and FitMoney of Newton, Mass., are the newest Learn Everywhere programs adopted by the New Hampshire Board of Education.
“Spanish NVivo, which is available in an online format, improves access to Spanish language acquisition opportunities for students across the state. The addition of the Spanish NVivo courses further increases the diversity of the Learn Everywhere portfolio of program offerings,” said Tim Carney, administrator of educational pathways for the New Hampshire Department of Education, in a statement.
Spanish NVivo has been approved to offer Spanish 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5/Advanced Placement courses as open electives.
In school districts where World Language is a requirement for graduation, credits earned for the Spanish Novice Level (mid and high levels), Spanish Intermediate Level and Spanish Advanced Level in the approved Learn Everywhere program may be awarded World Language credit toward high school graduation.
“Learn Everywhere initiatives close the achievement gap by providing students in New Hampshire with motivating and engaging programs with the flexibility of learning on their own terms,” said Mariel Carmelo, founder of Spanish NVivo. “In addition, Learn Everywhere providers such as Spanish NVivo play a fundamental role in helping students succeed in school and become more deeply engaged learners. We are excited to be a part of this effort.”
EnCube Labs will offer online Learn Everywhere courses supplemented with the Zero2Maker and Zero2Entrepreneur program to help students face challenges through applied STEM while building problem solving, solution development and venture launching skills.
The goal is to create entrepreneurs from underserved communities, officials said.
“Exploring learning outside of one’s comfort zone is essential for building creative confidence. These two courses are designed to develop ‘pre-entrepreneurs’ by training people with little or no exposure to innovation and entrepreneurship to build skills and aptitudes to recognize their potential to pursue higher aspirations,” said Rajesh Nair, founder of EnCube Labs.
FitMoney offers free financial literacy programs to help students learn life skills for a financially fit future. The FitMoney FinanciallyFit High School Certificate is available to students in grades 8-12, and is a self-directed course available at no cost and completely online.
“Financial literacy is a crucial life skill that every student needs before graduation, and New Hampshire has put its students first with this critical education,” said Jessica Pelletier, executive director of FitMoney. “FitMoney is proud to receive the board’s full support for the Financially Fit Certificate to become an approved Learn Everywhere program empowering students all over the state to receive financial literacy credit. We applaud the New Hampshire Department of Education for being the first in the nation to do so, and placing a necessary emphasis on enhancing the financial literacy of the children they benefit.”
There are now 15 active Learn Everywhere programs offered in New Hampshire.
Launched in 2018, Learn Everywhere allows students to earn credit while learning outside of the classroom.
“The New Hampshire Department of Education is thrilled to offer an array of Learn Everywhere programs that provide new learning opportunities for today’s youth, who are eager to capture learning outside of the classroom,” said Frank Edelblut, commissioner of education, in a statement. | 2022-11-26T01:42:29Z | www.unionleader.com | Three new programs added to 'Learn Everywhere' initiative | Education | unionleader.com | https://www.unionleader.com/news/education/three-new-programs-added-to-learn-everywhere-initiative/article_acfe1c3c-d837-5508-a64c-1b8bcad8fb95.html | https://www.unionleader.com/news/education/three-new-programs-added-to-learn-everywhere-initiative/article_acfe1c3c-d837-5508-a64c-1b8bcad8fb95.html |
U.S. Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, D-N.H., is moving to try and secure federal grant money directly for two sex education providers after the Executive Council turned the grants down Tuesday. Here activists with Granite State Progress, 603 Equality and other groups protested outside State House in support of these grants for Manchester and Sullivan County teens.
CONCORD — U.S. Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, D-N.H., is working to deliver federal money directly to two providers that offer sex education services to at-risk students after the Executive Council repeatedly rejected these grants, a spokesperson said Wednesday.
The Republican-led council voted 3-2 Tuesday against $682,000 in federal grants for Amoskeag Health in Manchester and TLC Family Resource Center in Claremont.
Youths up to age 19 at a higher risk of pregnancy and at risk of sexually-transmitted diseases are the target population for this instruction, including those in foster care, girls who have been pregnant before or victims of sexual trafficking, state officials said.
“It’s outrageous these programs are on the brink of shuttering because of the Republican-controlled Executive Council’s extreme ideology and poor understanding of reproductive health,” said Shaheen spokesperson Sam Paisley in response to the council’s action.
“These programs help adolescents stay healthy by providing essential sex education, and they shouldn’t be politicized.”
Shaheen, a senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, made a similar move last January in securing a $500,000 grant that went directly to Planned Parenthood of Northern New England.
Shaheen got the grant after the Executive Council had blocked family planning grant money going to Planned Parenthood and two other providers that operate abortion clinics.
The GOP-led Legislature attached language to the state budget in June 2021 that blocks the state from approving any family planning money to a provider that also has an abortion clinic.
Family planning money may not support abortions either under federal or state law.
Sununu lobbied for grants
Gov. Chris Sununu has long been a supporter of these sex education grants, first voting for them while serving on the Executive Council before he became governor in 2017.
He lobbied the GOP councilors to change their minds, pointing out that in the past each of them had voted for these grants.
Sununu’s Democratic critics maintained Sununu did not apply enough pressure to get at least one GOP councilor to flip his vote.
For the past decade, the state embraced this Personal Responsibility Education Program, which addresses many issues, including abstinence from sex, sexually transmitted diseases, gender identity, relationships and decision-making skills.
This instruction does not take place during school hours but rather is offered after school to these at-risk students.
This “evidence-based” program helped lower teen pregnancy rates in Manchester and Claremont, but both still have about three times the average rate, according to state officials.
Parental consent is required for youths to take part, and youths must bring information back to parents.
Councilor David Wheeler said he had been unaware until reviewing this latest request that Planned Parenthood of Massachusetts had designed the curriculum, known as Get Real.
He maintained the curriculum instructs students to keep confidential any information they receive in the program.
State health officials have declined to release the curriculum, citing proprietary reasons, but they let the councilors review it privately.
Wheeler also said the program encourages abstinence from sexual intercourse, but it does not address other sexual contact between minors that does not lead to pregnancy.
Councilor Joe Kenney said he thought this program was different than what he had voted for in the past.
Wheeler and Kenney have said the Department of Education should review the curriculum.
No councilor has made a formal request to that agency on the matter according to state officials.
Councilor Cinde Warmington, D-Concord, has pushed the council several times to vote for the contract.
Councilor Janet Stevens, R-Rye, voted again for the grants Tuesday.
Warmington said these programs work and it was irresponsible for the council to turn them aside.
Liz Canada, advocacy manager for the Planned Parenthood New Hampshire Action Fund, said the councilors deliberately waited until after the election to cast a final vote killing the grants.
Voters on Nov. 8 reelected all four Republicans and one Democratic member to the council.
“The Executive Council’s vote to defund evidence-based, age-appropriate, after-school sex education programs in Claremont and Manchester is a dereliction of duty that endangers the health and well-being of Granite State teens and jeopardizes public health outcomes in our state,” Canada said in a statement.
Cornerstone Action, a socially conservative group, praised GOP councilors who blocked this grant.
“We object to our tax dollars being used to promote pornography addiction and promulgate gender ideology,” Executive Director Shannon McGinley said when the council set these grants aside in October. | 2022-11-26T01:42:35Z | www.unionleader.com | Shaheen moving to get fed money directly to sex ed providers | State | unionleader.com | https://www.unionleader.com/news/politics/state/shaheen-moving-to-get-fed-money-directly-to-sex-ed-providers/article_dfb822f5-4b19-5597-bc2e-e5f0cb5e9c44.html | https://www.unionleader.com/news/politics/state/shaheen-moving-to-get-fed-money-directly-to-sex-ed-providers/article_dfb822f5-4b19-5597-bc2e-e5f0cb5e9c44.html |
Travel insurance — is it worth it?
By Lynn O’Rourke Hayes FamilyTravel.com (TNS)
Recent world events have travelers pondering the potential benefits of travel insurance. Here are some tips to consider.
Where to start? Selecting travel insurance can feel a bit overwhelming. You can begin to simplify the process by taking note of the various components of your trip – air, car rentals, hotels, or perhaps a cruise or adventure trip. The cost and what coverage you might need or want will be dependent on these variables.
Several aggregator sites offer a broad overview of the insurance marketplace and sample quotes. Sites including Squaremouth.com, Insuremytrip.com and Covertrip.com can help you understand coverage for a variety of situations.
What’s covered? You’ll want to review the details of a range of policies and how various mishaps will be handled. What happens with the loss, delay or damage of your baggage or when your trip is delayed or canceled? What does the policy cover should you need to interrupt the trip due to an injury or illness or as the result of a family emergency at home? What about emergency medical coverage or evacuation? Policies that promise you can “cancel for any reason” may have some exclusions, so be sure to dial in to the details.
Your credit card may provide coverage. Check your credit card’s website to determine whether the cards you carry provide coverage should your flight be canceled or your luggage be lost, delayed or damaged. You might be pleasantly surprised. Know what coverage you have before buying additional insurance so you aren’t wasting resources.
Is COVID-19 covered? Coverage for pandemic-related travel challenges has evolved and varies by policy. Compare policies with this in mind. Take note of what restrictions might be in place and how reimbursement rates vary. And be aware of which countries require travel insurance and other health-related stipulations at the time of departure.
How much does it cost? Estimates vary from 4%-10% of the cost of your trip. Experts advise travelers to consider how much they are willing to risk by not insuring the trip. It’s also possible to mix and match resources by utilizing coverage provided by your credit card, an employer, your existing medical insurance and additional coverage where you see a gap.
Further, review the impact of timing on your insurance purchase. You may lose some benefits if you wait too long to buy coverage. | 2022-11-26T19:12:21Z | www.unionleader.com | Travel insurance — is it worth it? | | unionleader.com | https://www.unionleader.com/travel-insurance-is-it-worth-it/article_50565575-d95c-545c-a2bf-e4cbbd419a40.html | https://www.unionleader.com/travel-insurance-is-it-worth-it/article_50565575-d95c-545c-a2bf-e4cbbd419a40.html |
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and his wife Olena place candles and ears of wheat to a monument to Holodomor victims during a commemoration ceremony of the famine of 1932-33, in which millions died of hunger, in Kyiv on Saturday.
By Dan Peleschuk Reuters
KYIV -- Ukraine accused the Kremlin on Saturday of reviving the "genocidal" tactics of Josef Stalin as Kyiv commemorated a Soviet-era famine that killed millions of Ukrainians in the winter of 1932-33.
The remembrance day for the "Holodomor" comes as Ukraine is battling to repel invading Russian forces and deal with sweeping blackouts caused by air strikes that Kyiv says are aimed at breaking the public's fighting resolve.
"Once they wanted to destroy us with hunger, now – with darkness and cold," President Volodymyr Zelensky wrote on Telegram. "We cannot be broken."
The Holodomor, which roughly translates as "death by hunger," has taken on an increasingly central role in Ukrainian collective memory since the Maidan revolution in 2014 ousted a Russian-backed president and bolstered national consciousness.
Millions of Ukrainian peasants starved to death in the following months from what Yale University historian Timothy Snyder calls "clearly premeditated mass murder."
"The Russians will pay for all of the victims of the Holodomor and answer for today's crimes," Andriy Yermak, the head of the presidential administration, wrote on Telegram.
"The winter is already difficult, and if everything continues the same way, then it will be very similar to what we read in history books," Artem Antonenko, a 23-year-old marketing specialist, told Reuters in central Kyiv.
Moscow denies the deaths were caused by a deliberate genocidal policy and says that Russians and other ethnic groups also suffered because of famine.
Ukrainians typically mark the memorial day, which was established after the country gained independence from the Soviet Union in 1991 and which falls on the fourth Saturday of November, by placing candles in their windows.
Pope Francis this week compared Russia's war in Ukraine to what he called the "terrible genocide" of the Stalin-era and said Ukrainians were now suffering from the "martyrdom of aggression."
Kyiv's foreign ministry also condemned what it said were Russia's current attempts to weaponize food by undermining a U.N.-brokered deal to unblock Ukrainian grain exports through the Black Sea.
NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg echoed a similar sentiment on Saturday when he addressed an International Summit for Food Security in Kyiv by video link alongside several other European leaders.
"Today, Russia is using hunger as a weapon of war against Ukraine, and to create division and further instablity among the rest of the world," he said.
Russia's ambassador to Turkey said on Friday that Moscow sends its representatives to more ship inspections in Istanbul per day than mandated under the Black Sea grain deal, rejecting a Ukrainian accusation that Russia is slowing down the process. (Reporting by Dan Peleschuk Additional reporting by Yurii Kovalenko in Kyiv and Alan Charlish in Warsaw Editing by Tom Balmforth and Frances Kerry) | 2022-11-26T23:46:35Z | www.unionleader.com | Ukraine remembers Stalin-era famine as Russia war rages | Military | unionleader.com | https://www.unionleader.com/news/military/ukraine-remembers-stalin-era-famine-as-russia-war-rages/article_6e2365c1-20f5-5aec-85ed-c58fd1bddc29.html | https://www.unionleader.com/news/military/ukraine-remembers-stalin-era-famine-as-russia-war-rages/article_6e2365c1-20f5-5aec-85ed-c58fd1bddc29.html |
Damaged cars and debris pile up at a street following a landslide on the Italian holiday island of Ischia, Italy, on Saturday.
By Ciro de Luca and
Gianluca Semeraro Reuters
MILAN — A woman was found dead and around 10 people were still missing on the southern Italian holiday island of Ischia after a landslide engulfed buildings during heavy rain on Saturday, a local Italian government official said.
Seventy firefighters are working on the island, which lies some 19 miles from Naples, to rescue residents from damaged buildings and search for missing persons, Italy’s fire brigade said on Twitter. | 2022-11-26T23:46:35Z | www.unionleader.com | Landslide hits Italian island of Ischia, one woman dead, 10 missing | Public Safety | unionleader.com | https://www.unionleader.com/news/safety/landslide-hits-italian-island-of-ischia-one-woman-dead-10-missing/article_46aeb114-bd9e-5d0a-bc4c-6530db44ff54.html | https://www.unionleader.com/news/safety/landslide-hits-italian-island-of-ischia-one-woman-dead-10-missing/article_46aeb114-bd9e-5d0a-bc4c-6530db44ff54.html |
Bijan Ameli
By Bijan Ameli of McLane Middleton
Q: What legal issues should New England student-athletes and their parents be considering and aware of when pursuing an NIL opportunity and reviewing proposed NIL agreements?
Since the 2021 Supreme Court decision in NCAA v. Alston, the financial floodgates have opened, allowing college and high school student-athletes to profit from endorsement opportunities by licensing their name, image, and likeness to businesses and products.
However, the NIL legal landscape remains a patchwork. There is currently no federal NIL law creating a national standard for compliance. Instead, the guardrails surrounding NIL agreements are established by varying state laws and an NCAA policy that was updated as recently as Oct. 26. The evolving NIL legal landscape makes it important for student-athletes to stay up to date on best practices when pursuing an NIL opportunity and reviewing NIL agreements.
Presently, none of Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Maine, Vermont or Rhode Island have a state NIL law. Therefore, most of New England student-athletes are only protected by the guidance issued by the NCAA and the NIL policy of their specific academic institution. Below are three items that all student-athletes pursuing NIL opportunities should be aware of before signing an NIL agreement with an endorser:
Pay-for-play prohibited
While the NCAA’s guidance regarding NIL remains vague and unsettled in many respects, one aspect is clear — a legitimate NIL agreement must be based on payment in exchange for an athlete performing a service on behalf of the endorser. An athlete’s NIL agreement may not have compensation tied to individual or team performance in their respective sport.
In addition, the compensation involved with an NIL agreement must be based on the fair market value of the services the student-athlete provides to the endorsing business. The best way to determine if the compensation is for fair market value is to consult with legal counsel and an NIL agent.
For years, engaging an agent was the third rail of eligibility in college sports. Today, this is no longer the case when pursuing NIL opportunities and reviewing NIL contracts. College athletes still may not hire an agent to explore professional sports opportunities while retaining their college eligibility.
However, an agent can be hired for the sole purpose of exploring potential NIL deals on behalf of the athlete. Moreover, legal counsel can be engaged to review proposed NIL contracts with businesses. Engaging these types of professionals is often the safest means to maximize NIL opportunities whiles also ensuring compliance with specific school and NCAA rules.
Furthermore, while the schools themselves may not be involved in facilitating NIL deals on behalf of their athletes, compliance professionals in the athletic departments of college programs are another recommended resource for student-athletes pursuing NIL opportunities.
Prohibitions and limitations
Several academic institutions have policies that restrict student-athletes from entering into NIL agreements as a sponsor on behalf of companies in certain industries including but not limited to alcohol, cannabis and gambling. Many of the states that have enacted NIL laws have codified these brand-specific restrictions for NIL agreements with student-athletes.
It is also common for college and university NIL policies to not allow students to use the trademarks, logos and other intellectual property of the institution when performing services under an NIL agreement. These are not always complete prohibitions. Academic institutions will at least generally require their consent be provided before an athlete can wear or display a school uniform or other apparel that bears a school logo, mascot, or other intellectual property of the school in the course of the athlete performing an NIL contract.
In addition, there may be conflicts to consider between the endorser of a student NIL agreement and the team or school wide sponsorship deals that are already in place. These situations need to be addressed on a case-by-case basis depending on the school, endorser, and state laws (if any) involved.
Bijan Ameli can be reached at bijan.ameli@mclane.com.
Know the Law is a bi-weekly column sponsored by McLane Middleton, Professional Association. We invite your questions of business law. Questions and ideas for future columns should be addressed to: McLane Middleton, 900 Elm St., Manchester, NH 03101 or emailed to knowthelaw@mclane.com. Know the Law provides general legal information, not legal advice. We recommend that you consult a lawyer for guidance specific to your particular situation. | 2022-11-27T01:53:03Z | www.unionleader.com | Know the Law: Best practices for student athletes pursuing name, image and likeness deals | Business | unionleader.com | https://www.unionleader.com/news/business/columns/know-the-law-best-practices-for-student-athletes-pursuing-name-image-and-likeness-deals/article_5cfc64fe-2b33-575a-b3d1-c379d3d7e97e.html | https://www.unionleader.com/news/business/columns/know-the-law-best-practices-for-student-athletes-pursuing-name-image-and-likeness-deals/article_5cfc64fe-2b33-575a-b3d1-c379d3d7e97e.html |
Marie C. of Sunapee plays on a piano mat which can be checked out with a library card at Abbott Library in Sunapee.
Want to do some star gazing? Technologies Outreach Librarian Brittany Blomquist shows off a telescope which can be checked out with a library card at Abbott Library in Sunapee.
Wiggin Memorial Library in Stratham loans out a trail camera to patrons. One patron who borrowed the camera captured this image of an adult fox and kit.
Courtesy Wiggin Memorial Library
Technologies Outreach Librarian Brittany Blomquist looks in a storage room for the snowshoes which can be checked out with a library card at Abbott Library in Sunapee.
Library Director Denise van Zanten shows the collection of artwork available to borrow on the second floor of the Manchester City Library.
Karyn Isleb shows the Manchester City Library’s collection of “nature backpacks” that patrons can borrow.
N eed some artwork to brighten up your new office?
How about a cotton candy maker or popcorn machine for your next party?
Maybe you want to learn the ukulele, take up snowshoeing or get a telescope for stargazing, but you’d like to try it out first?
Head to your local library.
New Hampshire’s public libraries now offer a wealth of items that patrons can borrow. The “Library of Things,” as it’s called, is catching on in the Granite State.
“Libraries have always been very creative about addressing the needs in their communities,” says Denise van Zanten, director of the Manchester City Library, which offers a variety of artworks that patrons can borrow.
The Library of Things is just the latest adaptation, said van Zanten, who is president of the New Hampshire Library Association.
It’s about “items that you wouldn’t normally buy for yourself because it’s a one-time use,” she said. “You can go to the library and borrow it now instead of having to pay for it or rent it.”
Michael York, New Hampshire’s state librarian, says a lot of people “have antiquated thoughts that a library is for fiction on the main floor, and nonfiction on the second floor.”
Every community in New Hampshire has a public library, all 234 of them, York said. Those libraries constantly respond to community needs and wants, he said.
Many libraries began lending artwork in the 1960s, York said. In the 1980s, they offered VCRs and movies. About 20 years ago, some started buying specialty cake pans for patrons to borrow.
Now some libraries offer video game systems, tools and telescopes.
“I think this is the natural evolution that we get in libraries all the time,” York said. “We recognize something that needs to be done.”
York is happy to see libraries embrace new ideas. “I started my career back when the earth was cooling, and I’ve seen these dramatic changes that libraries have adapted to,” he said.
Snowshoes to voltage converters
One such innovation was the New Hampshire Downloadable Book Consortium, which now includes 205 of the state’s 234 libraries, York said.
After New Hampshire received $2.3 million from the American Rescue Plan Act for libraries, the state library sent the first round of that funding to all of the public libraries. A second round was in the form of a competitive grant program, and some libraries used that money to purchase items for a Library of Things, York said.
Mindy Atwood, director of the Abbott Library in Sunapee, said her library has been building its collection of “things” over time. “Part of the vision of a Library of Things is that whole idea that informs everything we do as libraries: equal access,” she said. “A public library is about shared resources.”
One of the first purchases her library made was snowshoes and poles. “Some people might snowshoe every day and that’s awesome, but some people just want to do it once in a while or they want to try it out,” Atwood said.
The snowshoes have proven popular in the seasonal community, particularly when patrons have friends come to visit, she said.
Another popular item at the Sunapee library is a 6-foot piano mat — like the one featured in the Tom Hanks movie “Big.”
“Grandparents who have grandkids visiting will check it out so that then there’s something fun at Grandma and Grampa’s house,” Atwood said.
Abbott Library also loans mobile hotspots, knitting needles and crochet hooks — and a kit of voltage converters for international travel.
“That’s something that’s great to own collectively,” Atwood said. “Because in the town of Sunapee, we’re not all traveling internationally at the same time. It’s housed at the library and people don’t have to buy their own; they can just borrow ours.”
D. Scott Campbell, assistant director at Wiggin Memorial Library in Stratham, has been putting together an online catalog of items patrons can borrow.
Some are what Campbell calls “reverse technology.”
The library loans personal CD players, a boombox, cassette tape player and a DVD player. “We have a lot of techno gizmos like that,” Campbell said.
Patrons also can borrow trail cameras to see what creatures live in their neighborhoods. A portable PA system is a popular item among local organizations, who borrow it for meetings.
Wiggin Memorial Library also has a radon detector, thanks to a patron who bought one for his own home and then decided to donate one to the library so that other families in town could check for the odorless gas, Campbell said.
Garden tools to telescopes
Some libraries have formed partnerships to expand what they have to offer their patrons.
Libraries in Northwood, Pembroke, Pittsfield and Epsom successfully applied together for grant funding to create a Library of Things for each facility.
“We were trying to focus on items that would be fun for our patrons to use,” said Donna Bunker, director of the Chesley Memorial Library in Northwood.
Her library now has a cotton candy machine, a canopy tent, a hot dog steamer and a popcorn maker. More practical items include an electric garden tiller and a carpet cleaner.
And if someone wants something that one of the other three libraries has, they can borrow it from that library, Bunker said.
Bunker used the Library of Things herself when her daughter got married last summer. They borrowed the canopy tent and the hot dog steamer for the reception.
More than 100 public libraries in New Hampshire now have telescopes to lend, thanks to a program of the New Hampshire Astronomical Society.
Pete Smith, library telescope program chair for NHAS, said the program dates to 2008, when one of his group’s members decided to donate a telescope to his local library in Tamworth.
In the 14 years since, NHAS has placed more than 150 telescopes in New Hampshire libraries. Relying on donations, the organization purchases the telescopes, which members customize to make them easier for amateurs to use, Smith said. They also maintain the telescopes at no cost.
Smith said libraries and his group have a shared purpose. “Our mission is about education and teaching the public about astronomy,” he said “Libraries have a similar mission, if you will, in educating the public on whatever topic.”
The program that started here in New Hampshire has now gone national and even international, Smith said. “The concept of libraries lending out telescopes just really took off,” he said.
NHAS is now expanding the library program to include binoculars that can be used for stargazing, Smith said.
Campbell in Stratham said his library was one of the early adopters of the telescope program. “It’s the granddaddy of loanable things here in New Hampshire,” he said.
That encouraged librarians to consider lending out other “things,” he said. “At some point we figured out if we can circulate a telescope, we can absolutely circulate a CD player or whatever,” he said.
A consortium of local community organizations developed Monadnock Grows Together, a seed and tool library created with grant funding from the Cheshire County Conservation District.
Gail Zachariah, head of engagement and youth services at Keene Public Library, said her library offers patrons vegetable and pollinator flower seeds, gardening tools, seed growing kits and even canning equipment. Some bring seeds back to the library when they harvest their gardens.
The Keene library has embraced the Library of Things concept, she said. Popular items include robots, ukuleles, sewing machines, a film-to-digital converter, board games and a soldering kit.
VCRs to Nintendo Switch
Sunapee’s Atwood, incoming president of the New Hampshire Library Association, sees all this as a natural evolution of the mission.
Public libraries were created at a time when books were prohibitively expensive for many people, she said. “And so this idea of sharing the resources of books, making it equally and publicly available to everyone, there was an understanding that was good for our society,” she said.
As society has changed, so have libraries, Atwood said.
When VCRs were popular, public libraries invested in movies, she said. Now Abbott Library lends Nintendo Switch games — a decision Atwood defends to skeptics who question why a library would offer such things to young patrons.
“It really goes back to that model of shared resources,” she said. “Wouldn’t it be a shame if only the families with children who could afford to buy those games were given the opportunity to learn and grow in that way?”
Manchester’s van Zanten shares that vision.
“We’ve always adapted, and if we see a need in the community, we try to fill it as much as we can within our mission,” she said. “Helping people with things that they either can’t afford or don’t want to buy is kind of fun.”
That makes libraries even more vital in this technological age, librarians say.
“As long as we keep expanding our vision for how we serve the public, we stay relevant to people.” Sunapee’s Atwood said.
Meanwhile, one stereotype about libraries is history, librarians say. “We don’t shush in libraries anymore,” Atwood said.
Indeed, Manchester’s Van Zanten said public libraries are now busy community centers, with classes and programs for all ages. “We try not to go around shushing people,” she said. “We’re usually the ones making the noise.”
York pushes back against any suggestion that libraries are obsolete.
“Libraries are here to stay,” he said. “This nonsense that libraries are not needed anymore because of the 24-hour news cycle and Twitter and Elon Musk and everybody else — nonsense.”
“We need libraries, and libraries will survive.” | 2022-11-27T01:53:21Z | www.unionleader.com | Public libraries: Not just for books anymore - and no shushing | Human Interest | unionleader.com | https://www.unionleader.com/news/human_interest/public-libraries-not-just-for-books-anymore---and-no-shushing/article_58967dfb-9373-557e-8c3c-003ab910b5ce.html | https://www.unionleader.com/news/human_interest/public-libraries-not-just-for-books-anymore---and-no-shushing/article_58967dfb-9373-557e-8c3c-003ab910b5ce.html |
On the market several times, the state seemingly has a preferred buyer for the former Laconia State School, which is proposing to build nearly 2,000 units of housing on the 217-acre parcel.
THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL refused to rubber-stamp Gov. Chris Sununu’s nomination of Assistant Commissioner Lori Weaver of Concord to serve as acting commissioner of the Department of Health and Human Services.
Sununu made the nomination at last Tuesday’s meeting and wanted it ratified at the same time.
HHS Commissioner Lori Shibinette is leaving state government Dec. 16.
Councilor Cinde Warmington, D-Concord, said it was too important a pick, even if temporary, to go forward without giving the opportunity for public comment.
“I think we should either allow for the two weeks to pass so we can hear public comment or schedule a public hearing on the matter,” Warmington said.
Attorney General John Formella said the HHS commissioner role is unique in that the No. 2 person does not have the authority to act on the commissioner’s behalf.
Someone has to be named acting or permanent commissioner for the agency to function, he said.
Councilor David Wheeler, R-Milford, agreed with Warmington.
“I am not comfortable moving forward on this. The process here is flawed,” Wheeler said. “It is no reflection on the nominee’s ability to do the job. I can’t vote for this at this time.”
Sununu pointed out he did this the last time, when he named then HHS CFO Kerrin Rounds as acting commissioner until he had picked Shibinette as the permanent replacement.
“I am asking for a confirmation today. If you want to table it today, that is your choice,” Sununu said.
If approved as expected, Weaver will serve as acting commissioner until Feb. 1, 2024, or when the council confirms a permanent replacement for Shibinette, whichever comes first.
In this acting role, Weaver would be paid $147,000 a year.
The council scheduled a hearing on Weaver’s nomination for Thursday at 11 a.m. in the Executive Council chambers.
Warmington said the council can confirm Weaver at its next meeting on Dec. 7, well before Shibinette’s last day on the job.
Sununu said the permanent search for a new commissioner continues and that a committee helped narrow the field down to a small pool of candidates.
State budget kickoff this week
The process for crafting the next two-year state budget reaches a key marker Monday when Sununu opens three days of hearings on all spending requests from state agencies.
Department heads have submitted more than 4,400 pages of detail that will get summarized over three days of hearings that conclude Wednesday.
Count on Sununu to say at the outset the state cannot afford to grant all the requests.
State law requires agency heads to present spending increases necessary to keep services at their current levels.
They can also submit “change” requests to accomplish other purposes.
Once these hearings conclude, the process goes back behind closed doors until Sununu presents his own fiscal 2024-2025 recommendations to the Legislature in an address expected in February.
State Senate recount not popular
After performing recounts of 28 races for seats in the New Hampshire House of Representatives, the one state Senate recount was less popular.
Republican Lou Gargiulo of Hampton Falls lost by more than 3,600 votes to state Rep. Debra Altschiller of Stratham for the District 24 Senate seat that Democrat Dr. Tom Sherman of Rye left to run for governor.
Since it’s not close enough, Gargiulo will pay for the cost of the recount.
The unpopular part came Wednesday when Gargiulo’s team challenged every single absentee ballot cast, whether it be a vote for Gargiulo, Altschiller or nobody at all in that race.
Dan Richard, a conservative activist, said Gargiulo authorized him to challenge the ballots on the grounds that none of them have the attending affidavit someone must fill out to cast an absentee ballot.
“None of these are valid,” said Richard, who has filed a constitutional lawsuit against the state’s use of electronic ballot counting machines and other ballot practices.
State election officials point out the absentee affidavits are routinely separated once the absentee ballots are taken out of their envelopes.
Secretary of State David Scanlan had to bring state staff and volunteers back Saturday after the Thanksgiving holiday in hopes of completing this recount.
In the first 10 House recounts, three changed, two flipping from a GOP winner to a Democrat and a third going from a one-vote Republican win to a tie.
Those three races and others go before the Ballot Law Commission Monday.
The last 18 House recounts all confirmed the original winner.
The final recount is set for Tuesday in the race for register of deeds in Hillsborough County. Incumbent Mary Ann Crowell, a Brookline Democrat, edged Republican nominee Dennis Hogan by 62 votes, 81,450 to 81,388.
Hogan is a former three-term county attorney.
Human Rights Commission gets new management tool
State law requires the Human Rights Commission to conclude its process within two years of receiving a complaint.
A lack of staff and state support caused a backlog of cases several years ago and prevented the state from meeting this mandate.
Executive Director Ahni Malachi said with more staff and a new internal system the agency was able to close 50 more cases in 2022 than the year before and is working on that backlog.
The Executive Council last week approved using $42,000 in federal American Rescue Plan Act money to develop a case management system.
At present, all agency files are on paper and staff have to be physically in the office to conduct business.
This new system will allow the staff to do more work remotely, she said.
New 911 hub is in the works
The state will use $13 million in ARPA grants to build a new 911 call center in Laconia.
The state operates two centers 26 miles apart, one in Concord and the other in Laconia on the former Laconia State School property.
Final negotiations are in the works with a single bidder to purchase the Laconia state school parcel.
Administrative Services Commissioner Charles Arlinghaus said a purchase and sale agreement regarding the former state school property might be ready for the Executive Council to act on at a meeting next month.
This new center will house all partners that are at the current call center, which include Lakes Region Mutual Fire Aid, Quinn said.
Forensic hospital over budget
Inflation has caused another state contract to come in quite a lot over budget.
The Legislature set aside $38.8 million to build a new forensic hospital on the grounds of the New Hampshire Hospital campus in Concord.
The total cost to do that work has come in at $48.99 million.
The Department of Health and Human Services saved $5.2 million by modifying design and making other changes to the project.
“Further cost reductions to the design would either reduce the maximum census of the facility, increase operating costs, or compromise the safety of the facility,” Shibinette advised in a recent update.
The Joint Legislative Fiscal Committee and council have both endorsed closing the remaining gap by using $5 million in ARPA money that had been earmarked for building improvements at the so-called “C&D units” at New Hampshire Hospital.
The New Hampshire Hospital project is “shovel ready” and ready to go should another source of financial support be found for it, Shibinette said.
Once built, this new forensic hospital will house those who are civilly committed.
Currently they are housed in a secure psychiatric unit at the New Hampshire State Prison.
The forensic hospital will provide treatment that is more appropriate and should qualify the state to receive more federal Medicaid reimbursement for their care.
Bonus Medicaid soon to end
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Congress made all states eligible for additional Medicaid money.
New Hampshire got 6.2% more that has qualified the state for about $200 million more a year in additional aid.
The current schedule has that additional money ending Jan. 13 unless the Biden administration grants yet another extension.
Jasper faces his own hearing
Sununu’s decision to grant another four-year term to Agriculture Commissioner Shawn Jasper of Hudson also faces a public hearing.
The council scheduled this one for Thursday to start at 12:45 p.m. in council chambers.
Number two at DES gets the nod
Environmental Services Commissioner Robert Scott recommended and Sununu has nominated Assistant Commissioner Mark Sanborn of Laconia to a full four-year term.
Sununu put Sanborn into this spot in August 2021 after having served in various state government roles including as an energy adviser to the governor.
Sanborn worked for about a year in U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development during the Trump administration and also had stints with the state and federal Departments of Transportation.
Sheehan makes parting picks
Transportation Commissioner Victoria Sheehan of Nashua had an emotional final meeting with the council.
Sheehan teared up just a bit as she thanked the governor and council for their support during her seven-year tenure at the top.
“Now, I told you not to get emotional because you’re going down to Washington and there will be plenty of time to get emotional down there,” Sununu said.
Sheehan is leaving to head up the Transportation Research Board for the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine in D.C.
“This is a great job where she’ll do great work and be of continued assistance to New Hampshire,” Sununu said.
At Sheehan’s last meeting, Sununu nominated for promotion two members of DOT’s team, Danielle Candonnet of Manchester as director of finance and Alexis Martin of Hooksett as the director of policy and administration.
Last Tuesday, the council held a hearing on the governor’s choice of Assistant Commissioner Bill Cass to succeed Sheehan as commissioner.
Quinn picks Guard veteran for homeland post
Safety Commissioner Robert Quinn has recommended Brian Fernandes of Weare to be the next assistant director of homeland security and emergency management.
Fernandes would replace Grant Nichols of Dover, who resigned.
For 21 years, Fernandes has served in the Army and Army National Guard and most recently as the director of emergency management operations for the New Hampshire National Guard.
Quinn said Fernandes in his Guard role supported the state’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic and he worked within the state’s Emergency Operations Center during that time.
In this state position, Fernandes would be paid $100,300 a year.
Lori Weaver | 2022-11-27T01:53:31Z | www.unionleader.com | State House Dome: Council wants a closer look at HHS acting pick | State House Dome | unionleader.com | https://www.unionleader.com/news/politics/statehouse_dome/state-house-dome-council-wants-a-closer-look-at-hhs-acting-pick/article_c3470ca1-fda3-5cf5-8a56-38e9326f341e.html | https://www.unionleader.com/news/politics/statehouse_dome/state-house-dome-council-wants-a-closer-look-at-hhs-acting-pick/article_c3470ca1-fda3-5cf5-8a56-38e9326f341e.html |
Cambridge Audio’s first turntable was the Alva TT, which combined a direct drive system, a Rega tonearm, an integrated phono preamp and a high output moving coil cartridge made specifically for the package. It also featured Bluetooth aptX HD so you could transmit the signal both wirelessly and through a wired connection.
The Alva TT was exquisitely finished with high-quality, heavy duty materials and felt truly substantial, a dramatic contrast to most high-end turntables under $2,000 which tend to be made of MDF. When I reviewed it I marveled at how it provided high-end vinyl sound with plug-and-play simplicity, a rarity in the world of audio.
The Alva TT has been replaced by two new models, the $1,999 Alva TTV2 and the $999 Alva ST. Both feature an upgraded tonearm with interchangeable headshells and switchable phono preamps, features that keep everything as simple as before while opening things up to tweaks for those so inclined.
The Alva TTV2 remains direct drive, but the Alva ST is belt drive and has a more modest platter (aluminum instead of thick and heavy Polyoxymethylene.) The phono cartridge is the decent but entry-level Audio-Technica AT-95E.
It would be easy to look at the Alva ST as simply a stripped-down Alva TT or Alva TTV2, but my testing quickly showed that is not the case. It is a fine turntable that stands on its own strengths and could easily be the price-independent choice of those who prefer belt drive turntables.
The base of the Alva ST has the same heavy-duty, high-end feel of the direct drive Alva turntables and the tonearm is a big improvement over the old one. The sound is crystal clear with detail leaping out of the grooves, even with the included cartridge.
Touching, operating and looking at it is a joy. The Bluetooth feature remains so you can send music to a remote speaker as well as to your stereo, and in fact I found it a great match to the Tribit StormBox Blast I wrote about recently.
At $999, the quality, features and value are all there and it is a purchase that is likely to delight generations of music lovers.
My only nitpick is I think it deserves a better cartridge out of the box. I did try a few stylus upgrades with it and settled on the $59.99 LP Gear CFN95SE as having the best price-to-performance equation.
While there are other stylus upgrade options costing up to $200, at that price point I think it is best to upgrade the whole cartridge, an easy task with the interchangeable headshell. cambridgeaudio.com
Q. Have you come across good earbuds for sleeping? I have searched for recommendations and read reviews and gotten overwhelmed, never purchasing anything. I finally thought to send you an email and ask if you might steer me in the right direction.
—M.E., Minneapolis
A. The best earbuds I know of for sleeping are the Soundcore Sleep A10 earbuds, which list for $179.99 but are often on sale for $129.99.
Not only do they have noise reduction for sleeping, they also have Sleep Health monitoring and other features that make them perfect for the task. soundcore.com | 2022-11-27T01:53:37Z | www.unionleader.com | Sound Advice: Best turntable under $1,000; good earbuds for sleeping | Lifestyles | unionleader.com | https://www.unionleader.com/nh/lifestyles/sound-advice-best-turntable-under-1-000-good-earbuds-for-sleeping/article_df527e62-8924-5b27-8e6a-b19aec8f5681.html | https://www.unionleader.com/nh/lifestyles/sound-advice-best-turntable-under-1-000-good-earbuds-for-sleeping/article_df527e62-8924-5b27-8e6a-b19aec8f5681.html |
A family walks through a vibrantly lit Christmas ornament at LaBelle Lights, a Christmas-themed attraction built atop a section of LaBelle Winery’s golf course in Derry.
A group of friends hang out under a large Christmas ornament at LaBelle Lights, the Christmas-themed light display on the Links golf course at LaBelle Winery in Derry. Visitors stroll through the attraction with festive holiday beverages from the winery.
June Klassen, 7, from Merrimack, makes a face in a cutout reindeer display while posing for family photos at LaBelle Lights in Derry.
A family walks through a tunnel of changing lights and waves of patterns in a display crafted by LaBelle Winery’s design team for this year’s LaBelle Lights outdoor attraction.
A 10-foot-tall Teddy bear — his name is Eddy — is a top stop for selfies at LaBelle Lights.
LaBelle Lights: Half a million bright spots of holiday fun
By Julia Ann Weekes • Union Leader Staff
LaBelle Lights in Derry has plugged into its second holiday season in a big way, with a wonderland of more than 500,000 twinkling lights.
“It’s crazy,” said a laughing Amy LaBelle, who with husband Cesar Arboleda runs LaBelle Winery. “It makes last year’s event look like a residential display.”
The inaugural event last year was a bit of an experiment. People were starting to venture back into social gatherings, but the pandemic still had some folks wary of indoor events. So, LaBelle contracted an outside company to craft a “healthy little outdoor winter walk with some wonder.”
About 20,000 people came through the multi-week attraction, set atop a section of the LaBelle Links at LaBelle Winery on Route 111, and it lit an even bigger spark. As soon as the holidays wrapped up, the winery launched a quarter-million-dollar project to revamp and expand the spectacle.
The winery took over aspects of the production, from purchasing a new light display system to doing prep work to accommodate a larger footprint on the golf course, including cutting down trees and stringing up cables that could suspend features overhead.
The result in the second year of LaBelle Lights is a nostalgic tug on the heartstrings, from the cool blast of peppermint in cups of cocoa to the Christmas carols wafting through the chatter of grownup conversations and children’s squeals of excitement.
It takes 15 to 25 minutes to meander through the route, especially since holiday cheer has a way of putting people in the moment and slowing time.
“It’s such an important time to celebrate with family and loved ones — to pause and make some great memories,” LaBelle said.
LaBelle Lights is open from 4:30 to 9 p.m. Wednesdays through Sundays through Jan. 15, along the groomed pathways of the golf course. This year, LaBelle hopes to attract 50,000 visitors.
Will LaSala, who helps map out self-guided holiday light tours for fans of holiday displays on the Facebook page Christmas Lights in Southern NH, says he went to LaBelle last year and is planning a return trip this year.
“The hike across the beautiful golf range in the moonlight was amazing. They had multiple archways that were completely lit up with thousands of lights. And (there were) many stops for the all important social media posts. .... (Afterwards) we then went over to the winery for a quick bite to eat and a couple glasses of wine.”
The entrance to the reconfigured attraction is right off the back parking lot. Look for some white lights strung on the walkway to the side of a “LaBelle Lights” banner. Then head through the largest of three oversized red Christmas ornaments topped with those familiar gold caps and tree-trimming loops.
You’re almost there when you spy a spiky, white snowflake embedded in the ground as if hurled from some far-off galaxy. (It’s called the “Megaflake.”)
A new building that has the loft and cozy feel of a barn is home to the tasting room.
“This is where people can get hot chocolate, and can add a dash of alcohol to make the night warmer,” says Michele Thornton, LaBelle’s marketing and business development director.
Step out the door of the barn and take in a vista of lights that peak and dip across the landscape like a neon treeline. Check out the large-scale map of the route before setting out.
It’s not a long trail, but visitors can go around the course as many times as they’d like. After the first lap, try reversing direction. Perspectives change and you’ll most likely see some features you missed in the first lap. I noticed small Grinch-green lights here and there on tree tops that gave the illusion of some unusual stars in the sky.
There are many spots to snap selfies, including an illuminated version of a Teddy bear — this one is called Eddy Bear, who manages to seem towering (he’s 10 feet tall) and cuddly at the same time.
“He is adorable. The kids just love it,” says social media manager Layla Holk.
A do-it-yourself project
LaBelle’s in-house design team spent the past year developing their Christmas lighting expertise.
Some of the lighted structures came from overseas and had to be uncrated, stored, assembled and installed on the grounds. Others were made in-house and fitted right to the property.
And then there were the logistics — figuring out how to get various ornaments in just the right place and position, from a big glass-like ornament delicately resting on its side to a nearly 40-foot Christmas tree stretching straight up into the night.
“It was a very windy day when the professional crane operator was on site to stand up the huge Christmas tree. There tends to be a little vortex of wind in some areas of the golf course, and it was something to see that being put together,” Thornton says.
Other new additions are a Candy Cane Lane, a bridge that puts guests in the midst of a giant, glittering chandelier, a garden of hand-forged steel flowers crafted by in-house artists Josh Boisvert and Troy Garner, and a 60-foot tunnel of lights that blinks on and off in waves of colors and patterns.
With no snow on the ground just yet, the golf course’s sand traps are still in evidence, except that now the bunkers are home to patches of lighted snowflakes.
Santa’s sleigh was found in an antique market. The LaBelle team fixed it up, bolstering it a bit where it was worn, and it’s now attached to a team of reindeer.
The crowds here are a mix of families and friends groups of all ages, with accessible paths for strollers and wheelchairs.
“We had some engagements happen here too last year,” Thornton says.
Visitors get a chance to add their own holiday spirit during four themed nights: Ugly Holiday Sweaters on Dec. 9; Crazy Christmas Hats on Dec. 12; Christmas Pajamas Night on Dec. 16; and Best Santa Costume Night on Dec. 23.
Tickets to LaBelle Lights are $10 for seniors; $16 for ages 13 to 64; $8 for ages 4 to 12, and free for children 3 and under. Info: www.labellewinery.com/lights. | 2022-11-27T01:53:43Z | www.unionleader.com | LaBelle Lights: Half a million bright spots of holiday fun | Attractions | unionleader.com | https://www.unionleader.com/nh/travel/attractions/labelle-lights-half-a-million-bright-spots-of-holiday-fun/article_d889d0ff-1891-5173-8ccb-1141867cabe3.html | https://www.unionleader.com/nh/travel/attractions/labelle-lights-half-a-million-bright-spots-of-holiday-fun/article_d889d0ff-1891-5173-8ccb-1141867cabe3.html |
UNH’s Dylan Laube finds a hole during Saturday’s FCS playoff game at Wildcat Stadium against Fordham. Laube had a monster game in UNH’s 52-42 victory.
GIL TALBOT/UNH ATHLETICS
UNH quarterback Max Brosmer picks up yards during Saturday’s FCS playoff game in Durham. At right is Fordham’s B.J. Ferguson.
GIL TALBOT/ UNH ATHLETICS
UNH's Niko Kvietkus brings down Fordham's Trey Sneed during Saturday's FCS playoff game at Wildcat Stadium.
Laube’s monster day leads UNH in FCS playoffs
DURHAM — The Fordham football team brought the third-highest scoring offense in NCAA FCS history to Wildcat Stadium on Saturday.
The Rams didn’t have Dylan Laube, though.
Laube led the University of the New Hampshire to its 52-42 victory in the first round of the NCAA FCS playoffs with 2,989 fans in attendance.
No. 15 ranked and co-CAA champion UNH (9-3) will play at No. 8 seed and Patriot League champion Holy Cross (11-0) in the second round next Saturday at noon.
Sixteenth-ranked Fordham of the Patriot League (9-3) entered Saturday averaging 50.2 points per game and 612.1 yards per game, which ranks second in FCS history. The Rams finished with 577 yards of total offense on Saturday in their lowest-scoring game of the season.
Laube, a junior running back, recorded 424 all-purpose yards — 157 rushing, 127 receiving and 140 between kickoff and punt returns — alongside four touchdowns (three rushing, one receiving).
The Wildcats led, 21-7, after the opening quarter, 28-21 at halftime and 42-35 entering the final frame.
“We’ve got Dylan Laube, guys, so we’re in every single game,” UNH coach Rick Santos said. “It doesn’t matter who we’re playing. ... He was a man amongst boys tonight. He just made plays.”
Wildcats sophomore quarterback Max Brosmer, and Laube connected for an 87-yard catch-and-run touchdown to open the game’s scoring with 10:39 left in the first quarter. Laube also scored on a second-quarter 9-yard run that built a 28-7 UNH lead, a 12-yard, third-quarter rush that made it 42-28 Wildcats and an 18-yard dash up the middle with 4:10 remaining that gave UNH a 52-35 advantage.
Redshirt freshman Nick Mazzie made a career-long 43-yard field goal with 10:50 remaining. Mazzie, who was perfect on point-after kicks, had his 40-yard, second-quarter attempt blocked.
Laube set up his own third-quarter TD run and Mazzie’s field goal with kickoff returns of 36 and 29 yards.
“We came into this game knowing the type of player Dylan was and we had to stop him if we wanted to slow down their offense,” Fordham coach Joe Conlin said. “We did not.”
Brosmer went 18 of 34 passing for 348 yards and threw touchdowns to Laube, Sean Coyne (7 yards) and Heron Maurisseau (65 yards).
Maurisseau also rushed for a 71-yard score on the first play from scrimmage in the second half, giving UNH a 35-21 lead.
UNH’s defense logged three turnovers on interceptions by Randall Harris and Brendan Tighe and a fumble Josiah Silver caused on Fordham’s opening drive that Merrimack’s Joe Eichman recovered.
Harris’s interception ended the Rams’ ensuing drive after UNH built a 21-7 lead. Tighe’s pick set up Laube’s 9-yard, second-quarter TD run.
“People don’t realize the momentum on defense but when we’re getting stops in big situations like that, it’s a huge momentum shift and that gets a lot of energy for us, too,” Brosmer said. “I thought the receivers played super well today and it’s always good when you’ve got Laube on the ground.”
Rams senior quarterback and Walter Payton Award finalist Tim DeMorat went 25 of 41 passing for 330 yards and three touchdowns. Fotis Kokosioulis logged 14 catches for 132 yards and ran for two touchdowns for Fordham. The Rams also received a 25-yard touchdown run from Julius Loughridge (eight carries, 75 yards) in the third quarter.
The Rams scored the last two first-half touchdowns on DeMorat passes of 51 yards to Decquece Carter and 55 yards to MJ Wright to trim UNH’s halftime lead to 28-21.
Jeff Ciccio also caught a 16-yard TD pass from DeMorat in the first quarter, which put Fordham on the board.
“It’s tough to win on the road as it is and certainly very difficult when you spot them 21 points in the first quarter,” Conlin said. “Just didn’t think we executed like we needed to execute to win a playoff game against a good team on the road.” | 2022-11-27T01:53:55Z | www.unionleader.com | Laube’s monster day leads UNH in FCS playoffs | College Sports | unionleader.com | https://www.unionleader.com/sports/college/laube-s-monster-day-leads-unh-in-fcs-playoffs/article_f1d6d85a-1b2e-5452-bf86-f0297deeff17.html | https://www.unionleader.com/sports/college/laube-s-monster-day-leads-unh-in-fcs-playoffs/article_f1d6d85a-1b2e-5452-bf86-f0297deeff17.html |
Bedford’s Colby Snow kicks the game-winning field goal in the closing second of Saturday’s Division I championship against Londonderry. The holder is Evan Cibotti. The Bulldogs won, 15-14.
Bedford tight end Cal McAuliffe leaps for a pass in the end zone as Londonderry players Andrew McPhail and Conor Williams defend on the play. At right is Colby Snow.
Londonderry QB Drew Heenan walks off the field with coach Jimmy Lauzon after Saturday’s Division I championship game.
Bedford players celebrating their victory over Londonderry, from left, are Cal McAuliffe, Parker Bromley and Evan Cibotti.
Londonderry's Anthony Amaro gives Bedford's Jack Riso a stiff arm to pick up some yardage.
Bedford's Colby Snow tries to catch a pass as he battles Londonderry's Kyle McPhail,
Bedford running back Logan Sfeir fights off two Londonderry defenders in Saturday's championship game in Exeter.
Londonderry quarterback Drew Heenan eludes the grasp of Bedford's Parker Bromley.
Londonderry quarterback Drew Heenan runs to daylight in Saturday's game against Bedford.
EXETER — Bedford High School’s Colby Snow is known best for his playmaking ability as a wide receiver, defensive back and kick returner, but years from now he’ll be remembered for “The Kick.”
Snow made a 27-yard field goal with 10.3 seconds remaining to erase a two-point deficit and give Bedford a 15-14 victory over Londonderry in Saturday’s Division I championship game at Exeter High School.
The kick capped a 16-play drive that began on the Bedford 11-yard line with 2:08 to play.
“I just tried to stay calm the whole time, honestly,” Snow said. “Coach (Bedford coach Zach Matthews) brought me over and said, ‘We’re kicking it. I love you either way.’ I couldn’t have asked for a better team to win this with.”
Bedford quarterback Danny Black completed six passes in the final drive, including a 9-yard pass to Dom Tagliaferro on third down that advanced the ball to the Londonderry 10-yard line and set up what amounted to a game-winning kick.
Earlier in the game, Snow had his point-after kick blocked.
“The fact that we won this game on a game-winning field goal is rather ridiculous because anybody who has seen us play this year knows our kicking game and our extra points have been very up and down — a roller coaster ride,” Matthews said. “One week we’re hitting them, then the next week we can’t hit an extra point. So love Colby to death, but he’s not a kicker. He’s a wide receiver, running back, corner … he’s just the best athlete that we have, so he’s been our kicker by default.”
Snow’s kick capped an improbable second-half comeback. Top-seeded Londonderry (10-2) carried a 14-0 lead into the second half.
The Lancers, who won last year’s Division I championship, opened the scoring on an 8-yard run by quarterback Drew Heenan with 7:18 left in the second quarter, and then got a 7-yard TD run from Nathan Pedrick with 1:47 remaining in the first half.
“I’m brokenhearted for my seniors,” Londonderry coach Jimmy Lauzon said. “They put in a ton of work the last four years — not that everyone doesn’t — but this was an exceptional group of kids that bought in and haven’t lost many games. I would have liked to see them go back-to-back. I felt like they deserved it, for sure.
“I thought our defense did some great things today. They shouldn’t be hanging their heads at all. Except for that last drive I thought they did a great job.”
Tenth-seeded Bedford (10-3) got on the scoreboard when Black connected with Dom Tagliaferro for an 8-yard TD pass that cut Londonderry’s lead to 14-6 with 7:00 left in the third quarter. Running back Logan Sfeir made it 14-12 when he scored from 4 yards away with 5:25 to play. Black completed a pass to Dylan Soden on the conversion attempt, but Soden was tackled short of the goal line.
After Bedford’s second TD, Londonderry moved the ball to its own 43-yard line, but punted after a third-and-10 pass fell incomplete. Trevor Weinmann’s kick bounced away from Snow and rolled dead at the Bedford 11.
Bedford’s final drive was aided by a personal foul penalty that turned a fourth-and-5 situation into a first down.
“This is capping off an unbelievable playoff run,” Matthews said. “That drive was ridiculous. I was mad at Colby because he didn’t field that punt, but needless to say he made up for it at the other end of the field.” | 2022-11-27T01:54:14Z | www.unionleader.com | Division I High School: Bedford drives to title, and Snow's late field goal caps comeback | Sports | unionleader.com | https://www.unionleader.com/sports/highschool/division-i-high-school-bedford-drives-to-title-and-snows-late-field-goal-caps-comeback/article_1f9be854-f1ba-5e33-98ca-e06be25bb112.html | https://www.unionleader.com/sports/highschool/division-i-high-school-bedford-drives-to-title-and-snows-late-field-goal-caps-comeback/article_1f9be854-f1ba-5e33-98ca-e06be25bb112.html |
Money Sense
A third-party ticket website breaks down its charges for a pair of tickets to “A Christmas Carol” at the Palace Theatre in Manchester. Purchased from the theater, the same tickets cost $39 each.
Where you buy your concert and theater tickets can cost you — sometimes a lot more than the face value.
A pair of $39 balcony seats for the Charles Dickens’ classic “A Christmas Carol” last Friday at Manchester’s Palace Theatre would have cost $86 total, including fees, if purchased on the Palace’s website.
If buyers used another website not connected with the Manchester theater, they might have paid $216.95 for the same tickets.
The Palace, along with other venues around the state, report dealing with complaints about their tickets being sold on third-party websites at inflated prices.
“We’ve had a handful of calls over the last week where people unfortunately realize it later or after they made a purchase,” said Shannon Sullivan, the theater’s director of corporate and community partnerships. “More of our events are showing up on these third-party sites.”
The inflated prices sometimes are hundreds of dollars over face value, Sullivan said.
Customers searching online for tickets to The Palace Theatre and The Music Hall in Portsmouth may get confused when third-party sites are listed first on Google.
Employees at The Music Hall have seen tickets that cost too much or were counterfeit.
“I don’t think it’s exponentially worse for us this year, but it’s certainly as people have started to come back to see shows, there are certainly a percentage that are getting scammed in this way,” said Monte Bohanan, director of communications and community engagement.
“Either they’re paying an exorbitant amount for a show where we actually have tickets for sale at more reasonable prices or they’re counterfeit tickets,” Bohanan said.
The Portsmouth venue doesn’t spot counterfeit tickets every week, but “we see them with some regularity,” he said.
“The last thing we want is someone to pay five or 10 times the amount of a ticket and have a bad experience and never want to come back to the theater and think it’s on us,” he said.
California??
Buying tickets from the venue makes it more likely that the venue can fix ticket problems when customers try to use them, Bohanan said.
At the Palace, “in the last year it has really ramped up,” said Katie Lovell, box office manager/rental coordinator.
These third-party websites buy tickets from the Palace to resell or to fill orders for customers and “charge them an insane amount,” Lovell said.
Lovell said the box office sometimes sees ticket orders with a California address from third-party sites buying tickets on the Palace website.
“You don’t really see many people coming in from California (to our shows),” Lovell said. “You look up the address and it’s for a house for sale.”
The website charging $217 for the pair of “A Christmas Carol” tickets said on its site that it “is not affiliated with any box office or venue. The site displays resale marketplace tickets. Prices are set by sellers and may be above or below face value.”
Anyone stopping by the Palace box office in person could buy those two tickets for $78 total with no added service fees.
Lovell said customers taken in by the third-party sites aren’t from one age group.
A “tech-savvy” thirtysomething person recently paid more for tickets from a third-party site, she said.
AG issues scam warning
The New Hampshire Attorney General’s Office last week warned residents about recent reports of fraudulent websites posing as legitimate New Hampshire small businesses and offering their products.
The scammers also may establish fraudulent email addresses associated with the websites and use those fraudulent email addresses to “verify” the small business through independent organizations used to establish marketplace trust, such as the Better Business Bureau, the local Chamber of Commerce and Show Me Local.
“In New Hampshire, these scams have been identified in the firearms industry and heavy equipment sales industry,” a statement said.
“The scammers often insist the consumer pay for the products using a bank wire transfer,” the office said. “Victims of the scam are at high risk of losing their money, as scammers are often located overseas.”
To avoid being scammed, the AG's Office suggests, consumers can take steps include being suspicious of deals that appear too good to be true, asking to speak to the seller over the phone, and not paying via money transfer service or gift card. | 2022-11-27T03:50:39Z | www.unionleader.com | To avoid ticket-gouging, buy from venue websites | Money Sense | unionleader.com | https://www.unionleader.com/news/business/money_sense/to-avoid-ticket-gouging-buy-from-venue-websites/article_1810b55e-e6a4-524f-950a-c1000dc7b305.html | https://www.unionleader.com/news/business/money_sense/to-avoid-ticket-gouging-buy-from-venue-websites/article_1810b55e-e6a4-524f-950a-c1000dc7b305.html |
UNTIL 2020, the Democrats were America’s party of election denialism.
Wild conspiracy theories about John Kerry votes electronically flipping to George W. Bush votes due to allegedly rigged machines clouded the outcome of the 2004 Presidential election to the point that a handful of Congressional Democrats, including Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.), objected to counting Ohio’s electoral votes. High-level Democrats such as 2016 presidential nominee Hillary Clinton and House Minority Leader-to-be Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) have never accepted the results of the 2016 election. And twice failed candidate for Georgia governor Stacey Abrams infamously never conceded after her 2018 loss to Brian Kemp.
In New Hampshire at least, the Democratic Party seems eager to reclaim its place of dishonor as the cynical party that rejects the will of the voters. Not two weeks after the Democrats ran a national campaign saying that “our democracy is on the ballot,” New Hampshire Democrats sued the Secretary of State to stop counting ballots and disenfranchise voters.
Here’s what Secretary of State Dave Scanlan believes happened during a recount of the Hillsborough District 16 race for House of Representatives: The number of voters didn’t match the original tally because a stack of 25 votes went uncounted (the people counting the ballots are volunteers, by the way). Because they were not all counted, the recount was incomplete. So, he reasoned, let’s keep counting.
That’s when the Democrats sued. Without that stack of 25 votes, you see, their candidate would win. But with that stack of 25 votes, the Republican would win. New Hampshire Democrats literally sued so that the Secretary of State could not count all the votes.
The plaintiffs “want this court to disenfranchise New Hampshire voters in the name of ‘finality’ and ‘fair elections’ to preserve an administrative error in a recount rather than allow the process to continue,” read a tersely worded memo aimed primarily at Democratic Sen. Donna Soucy, the ringleader of this sad affair.
Superior Court Judge Amy Ignatius agreed straightaway that Scanlan’s explanation made sense and permitted the recount to continue, which the Democratic candidate lost.
Gov. Chris Sununu, like most observers, was stunned by the Democrats’ behavior. “In an effort to subvert the will of voters, New Hampshire Democrat leaders engaged in appalling, hypocritical, and outrageous behavior to prevent all legal votes from being counted. I thank @NHSecretary Scanlan and the Court for protecting the voice of voters and integrity of our elections,” he said.
Granite State voters should be equally appalled. The Democrats’ behavior throughout this recount serves as a clarifying moment. Democracy was never “on the ballot.” Democracy is the ballot, and New Hampshire Democrats like Donna “the Vote Suppressor” Soucy want to stop you from using it. Meanwhile, we’ve heard not a peep from our all-Democratic federal delegation.
What’s this all about? Why disenfranchise voters to gain a single seat in the 400-member New Hampshire House of Representatives? There are 3 possible explanations.
First, New Hampshire Democrats really are this cynical. It’s possible that some politicians in the Democratic Party would undermine the integrity of our elections just to satisfy their lust for power. After all, the partisan makeup of the House is extremely close. But would they honestly deny citizens their Constitutional rights to capture the Speakership and a few committee chairmanships?
Second, the real target is Scanlan himself. Last week New Hampshire Democratic Party senior advisor Melanie Levesque announced she would run against Scanlan for Secretary of State, after her second consecutive loss for state senate. “This is very much in the tradition of many professional politicians. If the voters reject you from one position, you don’t take time to reflect on your shortcomings, you look for another gig,” read a Union Leader editorial reacting to her announcement.
Levesque would turn the office into a branch of the New Hampshire Democratic Party. She refuses to say if she would have counted all the votes in the Hillsborough recount. It’s easy to imagine the Democrats staging the whole puppet show as an attack on Scanlan.
Third, this episode might serve as a pretext for the national Democrats to strip New Hampshire of its First in the Nation status. The DNC’s rules and bylaws committee will meet next month and finalize plans to punish the Granite State. Their main reason is that we are not diverse enough. But they can hardly say publicly that our votes shouldn’t matter because we have too many white people. So, look for fantastic versions of the recount fight to resurface around the time the DNC trashes New Hampshire as a way of casting doubt on our elections.
Patrick Hynes is the president of Hynes Communications. He can be found on Twitter @patjhynes. | 2022-11-27T05:44:11Z | www.unionleader.com | Patrick Hynes: Dems reclaim election denier mantle from Trump | Columnists | unionleader.com | https://www.unionleader.com/opinion/columnists/patrick-hynes-dems-reclaim-election-denier-mantle-from-trump/article_50ba7e21-e183-580e-8031-5243fb22a2ca.html | https://www.unionleader.com/opinion/columnists/patrick-hynes-dems-reclaim-election-denier-mantle-from-trump/article_50ba7e21-e183-580e-8031-5243fb22a2ca.html |
UNH women's basketball team topped by BU
The University of New Hampshire women’s basketball team dropped to 2-5 with Sunday’s 78-42 loss against Boston University at Lundholm Gymnasium in Durham.
BU (4-2) led 20-11 after one quarter and 42-18 at the half.
UNH freshman guard Breezie Williams led the Wildcats with 12 points. | 2022-11-27T22:47:32Z | www.unionleader.com | UNH women's basketball team topped by BU | College Sports | unionleader.com | https://www.unionleader.com/sports/college/unh-womens-basketball-team-topped-by-bu/article_91d3d4c9-94d0-53dd-ba4d-cbbf687b5556.html | https://www.unionleader.com/sports/college/unh-womens-basketball-team-topped-by-bu/article_91d3d4c9-94d0-53dd-ba4d-cbbf687b5556.html |
Frederick Estes IV
Anna Heine
Two people are facing charges after a car reported stolen out of Concord was found in Weare early Sunday, police said.
Weare police said they were notified Sunday by Concord police that a car reported stolen out of that city -- after it was reportedly left running unattended by its owner -- may be in town.
Officers responded and located the vehicle, but reported when they tried to conduct a motor vehicle stop the “vehicle in question accelerated and didn't pull over,” Weare police said in a release.
“The vehicle proceeded down a dead end road where both the driver and passenger exited the vehicle and fled on foot,” police said in a release.
Using witness statements, Weare police established a perimeter along with mutual aid agencies, and two people were found and placed into custody without incident.
The two were identified by police as Frederick Estes IV, 26, and Anna Heine, 40, both of Concord.
Estes IV was charged with receiving stolen property, unauthorized use of a propelled motor vehicle, resisting arrest/detention, reckless operation, disobeying a police officer, possession of a controlled drug, operation without a valid license, and operation after suspension.
Both Heine and Estes IV are scheduled to be arraigned at Hillsborough Count (North) Superior Court on Monday.
Weare police ask motorists to keep their vehicles locked at all times and not leave them running unattended. | 2022-11-28T00:32:11Z | www.unionleader.com | Pair charged after car reported stolen in Concord recovered in Weare | Crime | unionleader.com | https://www.unionleader.com/news/crime/pair-charged-after-car-reported-stolen-in-concord-recovered-in-weare/article_cbe65a40-07a8-5118-b424-719d81f82c45.html | https://www.unionleader.com/news/crime/pair-charged-after-car-reported-stolen-in-concord-recovered-in-weare/article_cbe65a40-07a8-5118-b424-719d81f82c45.html |
Klitschko said 430 "warming centers" were helping residents cope with the effects of Russian attacks on power stations and more than 100 more were planned in case of extreme conditions. President Volodymyr Zelensky noted last week there were a lot of complaints about measures adopted in the capital.
Klitschko, who had been mired in several disputes with Zelensky before the invasion, said the president's allies had engaged in "manipulation" about the city's efforts, including "incomprehensible photos" posted online.
But one of the president's top allies landed a new blow, saying Klitschko's explanations "differ considerably" from what residents were reporting. He gave the mayor a week to rectify issues and submit to inspections of the help centers.
Zelensky has in the past week promoted the efforts of thousands of "invincibility centers" set up throughout Ukraine to provide heat, water, internet and mobile phone links.
In his nightly video address on Friday, Zelensky said the Kyiv mayor had not done enough to help beleaguered residents.
"To put it mildly, more work is needed," Zelensky said.
Zelensky was elected by a landslide in 2019, five years after Klitschko first took office. Before the war, the two leaders had clashed over the way the capital and its services were being run. | 2022-11-28T00:32:29Z | www.unionleader.com | Kyiv mayor trades verbal jabs with Ukraine president and allies | World | unionleader.com | https://www.unionleader.com/news/world/kyiv-mayor-trades-verbal-jabs-with-ukraine-president-and-allies/article_696aa982-214b-5a38-9047-4d65e0b664c7.html | https://www.unionleader.com/news/world/kyiv-mayor-trades-verbal-jabs-with-ukraine-president-and-allies/article_696aa982-214b-5a38-9047-4d65e0b664c7.html |
People shop at a Target store during Black Friday sales in Chicago, Illinois, on Nov. 25.
JIM VONDRUSKA/REUTERS
Investors will be greeted with a chorus of economic data in the week ahead. Among those listening for some harmony will be Federal Reserve leaders as they prepare to deliver their last interest rate decision of the year.
The tempo of price hikes and new jobs has slowed in recent months, but has either been enough for the Fed to change its tune on interest rate hikes?
The central bank’s melody for months has been fighting high inflation by aggressively raising its short-term target interest rate. The agency’s preferred inflation gauge, the personal consumption expenditures price index, will be released Wednesday. Stock investors will be listening if this inflation barometer is in tune with the consumer price index, which earlier this month showed annual price hikes have quieted a little.
To be certain, inflation remains loud and present in the lives of Americans — and for the central bank. Investors and the Fed will hear how loud today with The Conference Board’s latest consumer confidence survey. Shoppers’ optimism about the direction of prices is a leading voice in guiding the Fed’s thinking. After all, the group is interested in slowing inflation as much as it is in influencing consumer expectations about the direction of prices.
As the Fed’s higher interest rates work to bring more dulcet price trends, job creation can become more discordant. Higher borrowing costs can cause dissonance for companies and consumers, upsetting the rhythm of steady economic growth.
Job growth has slowed slightly but is far from signaling a closing cadence. This gives the Fed confidence to stay on key by continuing to raise interest rates. | 2022-11-28T02:12:04Z | www.unionleader.com | The Week Ahead: How investors will be listening for the tune through the noise of the economy | Business | unionleader.com | https://www.unionleader.com/news/business/columns/the-week-ahead-how-investors-will-be-listening-for-the-tune-through-the-noise-of/article_01ca69c4-508c-5813-9410-86d995847964.html | https://www.unionleader.com/news/business/columns/the-week-ahead-how-investors-will-be-listening-for-the-tune-through-the-noise-of/article_01ca69c4-508c-5813-9410-86d995847964.html |
Michelle M. Lagasse
Provided by Nashua Police
A Nashua woman was arrested early Monday for threatening another woman with a firearm at the Motel 6 in Nashua, police said.
Michelle M. Lagasse, 53, of 92.5 Tolles St., was charged with criminal threatening, a felony punishable by up to seven years in prison, police said.
Police went to Motel 6, 77 Spit Brook Road, late Sunday and learned that a woman staying at the motel reported that another guest had threatened her with a firearm following a verbal dispute.
Officers identified Lagasse as the person responsible and arrested her. Detectives recovered a firearm believed to have been used, authorities said.
The two women didn’t know one another, and no one was injured.
Lagasse was released on $250 cash bail and is scheduled to be arraigned at the Hillsborough County Superior Court-Southern District on Dec. 29. Lagasse is ordered to stay away from the Motel 6 and is prohibited from possessing any deadly weapons while out on bail.
Anyone with information can contact the Nashua Police Department Crime Line at 603-589-1665. | 2022-11-28T17:48:59Z | www.unionleader.com | Nashua woman charged with threatening woman with firearm | Crime | unionleader.com | https://www.unionleader.com/news/crime/nashua-woman-charged-with-threatening-woman-with-firearm/article_6bd1fbb5-2ad4-56c3-8c60-80fc140042c2.html | https://www.unionleader.com/news/crime/nashua-woman-charged-with-threatening-woman-with-firearm/article_6bd1fbb5-2ad4-56c3-8c60-80fc140042c2.html |
A New Hampshire state trooper is being praised for using his own cruiser to stop a vehicle driving the wrong way on I-95 early Monday.
Courtesy New Hampshire State Police
Courtesy New Hampshire Union Leader
A New Hampshire state trooper is being credited with using his own cruiser to stop a vehicle driving the wrong way on I-95 early Monday.
State police responded around 1:14 a.m. to reports of a wrong-way driver on Interstate 95 in Seabrook. Callers reported the driver was going northbound in the southbound lanes on I-95 in the area of Exit 1.
As the vehicle approached the Hampton toll plaza, state police and North Hampton police officers attempted to stop the vehicle by turning on the emergency lights and sirens on their cruisers.
The driver kept going past the officers in the wrong direction, state police said in a news release.
According to state police, at this point Trooper Peter Sankowich positioned his cruiser alongside the vehicle, at which time the vehicle allegedly continued along without stopping.
In an effort to prevent the vehicle from continuing to travel in the wrong direction toward oncoming traffic, Trooper Sankowich used his cruiser to make contact with the vehicle, “guiding the vehicle into a cement jersey barrier on the shoulder of the southbound lanes of the open road toll section,” bringing the vehicle to a stop.
The cruiser sustained cosmetic damage and the vehicle involved, a 2010 Hyundai Sonata, sustained disabling damage and needed to be towed from the scene, state police said.
The driver of the Hyundai Sonata, identified by state police as David Garriss, 79, of Swampscott, Mass., appeared “disoriented and confused,” state police said.
Garriss and an elderly female passenger, the only two occupants in the vehicle, were transported to the Seabrook Emergency Room for examination.
Garriss was charged with negligent driving and remained in the care of the Seabrook Emergency Room until arrangements could be made to contact family members.
One lane of the open road toll section of the Hampton Toll Plaza was closed for approximately 40 minutes while state police investigated the scene and emergency personnel removed the Hyundai.
Anyone who witnessed this incident is asked to contact state police headquarters at 603-223-4381. | 2022-11-28T22:32:44Z | www.unionleader.com | NH state trooper uses cruiser to stop wrong-way driver on I-95 | Public Safety | unionleader.com | https://www.unionleader.com/news/safety/nh-state-trooper-uses-cruiser-to-stop-wrong-way-driver-on-i-95/article_abcfcbb3-65fa-5f1c-8838-5e428e46d7b7.html | https://www.unionleader.com/news/safety/nh-state-trooper-uses-cruiser-to-stop-wrong-way-driver-on-i-95/article_abcfcbb3-65fa-5f1c-8838-5e428e46d7b7.html |
Injuries, illness plaguing Patriots and Bills before showdown
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — The New England Patriots are still dealing with injuries that could derail their offense come Thursday night against the Buffalo Bills.
It was reported that Wynn would miss time and at this point, it’s not a great sign that he wasn’t able to practice on Monday with one more practice remaining in the week.
It won’t get any easier for the Patriots this week. The Bills are 11th in the NFL in total sacks (30).
Buffalo also has one of the best run defenses in the NFL, allowing 105.6 rushing yards per game. That’s the seventh-best mark in the NFL.
Harris suffered his injury against the Vikings. He left Minnesota on crutches and at this point, it would be a surprise if he was available come Thursday night. Harris has missed three games this season. He has rushed for 383 yards to go with three touchdowns. Although his numbers are down from a year ago, Harris still leads the Patriots in yards per carry (4.6).
Five Bills in sick bay
The Bills have an illness running through their locker room.
Five Bills missed practice because they were sick on Monday: S Damar Hamlin, CB Dane Jackson, S Jaquan Johnson, TE Quintin Morris, and WR Khalil Shakir.
Two other key players were absent with injuries: T Dion Dawkins (ankle) and LB Von Miller (knee).
One of the league’s premier pass rushers, Miller has already been ruled out for Thursday night after hurting his knee on Thanksgiving.
With only one practice remaining this week, Buffalo’s illness situation will certainly bear monitoring on Tuesday. | 2022-11-29T02:40:55Z | www.unionleader.com | Injuries, illness plaguing Patriots and Bills before showdown | Patriots | unionleader.com | https://www.unionleader.com/sports/patriots/injuries-illness-plaguing-patriots-and-bills-before-showdown/article_491babd9-ebb6-59c4-b198-6dacbd2d693a.html | https://www.unionleader.com/sports/patriots/injuries-illness-plaguing-patriots-and-bills-before-showdown/article_491babd9-ebb6-59c4-b198-6dacbd2d693a.html |
Mushrooms containing the psychoactive compound psilocybin are pictured at the MycoMeditations retreat, in Treasure Beach, Jamaica, June 15.
mycomedications HANDOUT
Justin Townsend, CEO of psychedelic resort MycoMeditations, poses for a picture on the resort premises in Treasure Beach, Jamaica, on Oct. 17.
kate chappel/ reuters STRINGER
By Kate Chappell and
JAMAICA-MUSHROOMS/
“I emerged feeling what love is for the first time in my life,” said Dean, 41, who lives in South Carolina and works in the software industry. He attended two one-week MycoMeditations programs, and asked to be identified only by his first name. | 2022-11-30T02:33:33Z | www.unionleader.com | Psychedelic mushrooms expand Jamaica tourism beyond sunshine and reggae | Back Page | unionleader.com | https://www.unionleader.com/news/back_page/psychedelic-mushrooms-expand-jamaica-tourism-beyond-sunshine-and-reggae/article_d2550325-78e6-5f88-be1a-20a8d9410649.html | https://www.unionleader.com/news/back_page/psychedelic-mushrooms-expand-jamaica-tourism-beyond-sunshine-and-reggae/article_d2550325-78e6-5f88-be1a-20a8d9410649.html |
Tear gas is released into a crowd of protesters, with one wielding a Confederate battle flag that reads “Come and Take It,” during clashes with Capitol police on Jan. 6, 2021.
reuters file/Shannon Stapleton
Oath Keepers militia founder Stewart Rhodes uses a radio as he leaves a rally held by former President Donald Trump in Minneapolis, Minnesota, in 2019.
reuters file/JIM URQUHART
Meggs, who heads the Florida chapter of the Oath Keepers, was the only defendant besides Rhodes in this trial who played a leadership role in the organization.
‘Mixed bag’
Rhodes’ lawyer Ed Tarpley called the verdicts in the trial “a mixed bag.”
“We are grateful for the not guilty verdicts received, we are disappointed in the guilty verdicts,” Tarpley told reporters outside court. “There was no evidence introduced to indicate there was a plan to attack the Capitol.”
Prosecutors during cross-examination sought to paint Rhodes as a liar, showing him page after page of his inflammatory text messages, videos, photos and audio recordings. These included Rhodes lamenting about not bringing rifles to Washington on Jan. 6 and saying he could have hung U.S. House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi, a Democrat reviled by the right, from a lamppost. | 2022-11-30T02:33:42Z | www.unionleader.com | Oath Keepers convicted of sedition in U.S. Capitol attack plot | Courts | unionleader.com | https://www.unionleader.com/news/courts/oath-keepers-convicted-of-sedition-in-u-s-capitol-attack-plot/article_af4b510f-da3e-5dce-9944-d48d2f5970c6.html | https://www.unionleader.com/news/courts/oath-keepers-convicted-of-sedition-in-u-s-capitol-attack-plot/article_af4b510f-da3e-5dce-9944-d48d2f5970c6.html |
An aerial view of gantry cranes, shipping containers, and freight railway trains ahead of a possible strike if there is no deal with the rail worker unions, at the Union Pacific Los Angeles (UPLA) Intermodal Facility rail yard in Commerce, California.
reuters file /BING GUAN
By David Shepardson and
Lisa Baertlein Reuters
The U.S. House of Representatives plans to vote Wednesday to block a potential a rail strike after President Joe Biden warned of the dire economic consequences of a rail disruption that could happen as early as Dec. 9.
Biden had warned Monday of a catastrophic economic impact if railroad service ground to a halt, saying up to 765,000 Americans “could be put out of work in the first two weeks alone.”
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said lawmakers will vote Wednesday to impose a tentative contract deal struck in September. “We must avoid a strike,” she said Tuesday after a meeting with Biden.
At a White House meeting Tuesday with congressional leaders, the Democratic president was asked if he was confident he could avert a rail strike, and responded, “I am confident.”
Biden said lawmakers had to move quickly. “Congress, I think, has to act to prevent it. It’s not an easy call, but I think we have to do it. The economy is at risk.”
Association of American Railroads Chief Executive Ian Jefferies said, “Congress has historically acted with haste in a highly bipartisan manner and that’s our goal again here as we sit here today.”
The Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employees Division of the Teamsters sharply criticized Biden’s call to Congress to intervene, saying “the railroad is not a place to work while you’re sick. It’s dangerous.... it is unreasonable and unjust to insist a person perform critical work when they are unwell.”
Biden’s Presidential Emergency Board in August released the framework for the tentative deal forged in September between major railroads and a dozen unions representing 115,000 workers. Those carriers include Union Pacific Corp, Berkshire Hathaway Inc’s BNSF, CSX Corp, Norfolk Southern Corp and Kansas City Southern. | 2022-11-30T02:34:04Z | www.unionleader.com | House to vote Wednesday to block rail strike | News | unionleader.com | https://www.unionleader.com/news/house-to-vote-wednesday-to-block-rail-strike/article_f08fe853-96b8-577d-8377-1dbabdf22ec0.html | https://www.unionleader.com/news/house-to-vote-wednesday-to-block-rail-strike/article_f08fe853-96b8-577d-8377-1dbabdf22ec0.html |
The Rochester state representative whose bid for reelection to the New Hampshire House ended in a tie said he expects his colleagues to order another election, which will take place sometime early next year.
State Rep. Chuck Grassie, D-Rochester, said House Democrats will solidly back any effort to hold another election in his Ward 4 in Rochester.
He downplayed any suggestion that Republicans, who now hold a 201-198 majority in the next House, will vote to award the seat to his opponent, David Walker, a former Rochester mayor and city councilor.
“I don’t see that happening. There are many Republicans who will see their better angels in this,” said Grassie, who is seeking reelection to a fourth consecutive term.
Efforts to reach Walker for this article were unsuccessful.
A recount awarded 970 votes each to Grassie and Walker.
On Monday, Grassie and Walker dropped challenges they had filed with the Ballot Law Commission over a handful of contested ballots. Grassie said they realized the commission would not overturn earlier decisions on the ballots.
The issue now moves to the House. Representatives-elect will meet on Dec. 7 for Organization Day, when they will be sworn in, select their leaders and determine what to do about the Rochester seat.
On WMUR-TV Monday, former House Speaker Bill O’Brien, who represented Republican candidates before the Ballot Law Commission, said the House should send the issue back to the voters.
Both parties have incentive to win this race. A victory for either side would provide a publicity boost. And with the margin between the parties so close, vacancies or absences could tilt a close vote one way or another on any given day.
At least one Republican — state Rep. Larry Gagne, R-Manchester — said the House should decide the matter.
“Redoing an election is not cheap,” said Gagne, whose own reelection was thrown into doubt and was resolved only after two recounts, one done under court order.
A special election also means more rounds of mailers, telephone calls and door-knocking, Grassie said. Democratic party leaders already have assured him that there will be no budgetary obstacles to a campaign, he said.
“This is probably going to be a very expensive race,” said Grassie, who describes himself as a “pragmatic progressive” who backed the presidential campaign of Elizabeth Warren in 2020.
He expects that Congressman Chris Pappas, who is well-liked in Rochester, will campaign on his behalf.
Walker and Grassie have served on the Rochester City Council in the past and live in the same neighborhood, he said.
Special elections have some timeframes. Most important is a 45-day deadline to receive ballots that have been mailed to military personnel serving overseas, according to Rochester City Clerk Kelly Walters.
“Within two months, we can have something up and running,” Walters said.
She said it would be ideal to hold the election when students are on break. The Ward 4 polling location is the McClelland School. She’s looking at the February vacation week, which runs from Feb. 20 to 24.
Once she receives word of the House’s decision, she will work with Secretary of State David Scanlan to set a date, she said.
As to the possibility of another recount, “The way things went this time,” Grassie said, “I wouldn’t be surprised.” | 2022-11-30T02:34:17Z | www.unionleader.com | Rochester Democrat expects an election reboot, appeals to 'better angels' of Republicans | Politics | unionleader.com | https://www.unionleader.com/news/politics/rochester-democrat-expects-an-election-reboot-appeals-to-better-angels-of-republicans/article_bf037a17-e9f5-514f-a0cf-c5393c4500d6.html | https://www.unionleader.com/news/politics/rochester-democrat-expects-an-election-reboot-appeals-to-better-angels-of-republicans/article_bf037a17-e9f5-514f-a0cf-c5393c4500d6.html |
Carnitas Michoacan features perfectly cooked, mildly seasoned braised pork.
The creamy, delicately seasoned sauce makes Camarones Chipotle at Los Primos a shrimp dish to remember.
Los Primos' tortilla soup.
Our Gourmet: Creative Mexican at Los Primos in Merrimack
If you’re a frequent northbound traveler on the Everett Turnpike, you might have noticed the sign for Los Primos, even if you couldn’t quite read it from the distance, on a low-slung brick building at your 11 o’clock position as you pass Exit 11.
Scores for Los Primos
Los Primos is about a quarter-mile away from one of our favorite Mexican restaurants, so Mrs. Gourmet and I have passed it by many times on the way to that other place, and because it’s located in what used to be a D’Angelo’s sub shop, we jumped to some conclusions that left us in no rush to check it out.
And, no surprise, our conclusions were wrong.
Our visit on a recent Sunday night disabused us of our preconceived notions on many levels. The space itself is nothing special — a small dining room with touches of Mexican decor; the bar at the back, no doubt where the D’Angelo’s counter used to be. But everything else, from the menu to the food, left us totally impressed and made us think about that other place’s status as our favorite Mexican restaurant.
It took a few minutes for us to be greeted at the door (staffing seems a bit tight, but where isn’t it?), but once we were seated, service was prompt and friendly.
As soon as we sat down, a basket of tortilla chips (clearly homemade) arrived along with a saucer of salsa. We were shocked when we took the first big scoop of salsa. This wasn’t the mild, generic kind — it was fresh and surprisingly spicy, and had Mrs. G wishing for a glass of milk to cool her palate.
We were impressed with the menu at Los Primos. Unlike most Mexican restaurants, Los Primos holds the standard Mexican dishes — enchiladas, burritos, fajitas and the like — to one page. The next four pages are devoted to dinner entrees: beef, pork, chicken and seafood (mostly shrimp), in creative and uncommon combinations and styles.
Having recently enjoyed some tortilla soup from a popular soup and sandwich restaurant, I wanted to try Los Primos’ version from the appetizer menu, and it was head and shoulders better. A tomato-infused broth base with plenty of chicken, avocado and cheese, it was richly seasoned and slightly spicy with a bit of acidic kick.
For her entree, Mrs. G went with meat — specifically, the Carnitas Michoacan ($17.99). The feature of this dish is moist, tender braised pork served on a bed of lettuce with pico de gallo, along with rice and refried beans. Unlike many restaurants, the rice and beans came in realistic portions. The beans were served in a shallow tortilla bowl that made for a nice presentation touch.
I decided to go with seafood — Camarones Chipotle ($20.99). This delicious, delicately seasoned dish may be one of the best Mexican entrees I’ve had. Served on a bed of rice, at least 10 grilled shrimp were topped with a chipotle cream sauce that had just the right touch of smokiness and heat.
Served beside a salad of lettuce, tomato, avocado and cheese, it was a surprisingly light dish that left me without the overstuffed feeling I usually get after eating at Mexican restaurants.
Having seen several great-looking desserts being served, we decided we had just enough room left to split one ourselves. We decided on the Choco-Flan ($7.50), which was a double-decker wedge featuring a rich chocolate cake layer on the bottom with flan on the top. This flan had a more cake-like consistency than the custard-style flan that we are familiar with, but it wasn’t at all heavy. Overall, it was just the right touch of sweet to finish a fine meal.
Service on the Sunday evening we visited was stretched thin, but it was prompt and pleasant.
Pricing seems a bit higher than some other Mexican restaurants, but we would chalk that up to the nature of the dishes that go beyond the basics.
And it’s those dishes, along with the other positives, that will definitely have us going back to Los Primos again.
3 Amherst Road, Merrimack; 603-420-8860; losprimosmexnh.com
Hours: Monday-Thursday 11 a.m.-10 p.m., Friday and Saturday until 11; Sunday until 9. Lunch specials 11-1:30.
Pricing: Appetizers & Salads: $8-$16; Mexican standards $14-$25; entrees $16-$39. | 2022-11-30T02:34:35Z | www.unionleader.com | Our Gourmet: Creative Mexican at Los Primos in Merrimack | Our Gourmet | unionleader.com | https://www.unionleader.com/nh/food/our_gourmet/our-gourmet-creative-mexican-at-los-primos-in-merrimack/article_86adc14e-6cf2-598b-a527-364b8cd1c2f5.html | https://www.unionleader.com/nh/food/our_gourmet/our-gourmet-creative-mexican-at-los-primos-in-merrimack/article_86adc14e-6cf2-598b-a527-364b8cd1c2f5.html |
Daiquiri.
Gin and Tonic.
Old-Fashioned.
Martini with a twist
Counterclockwise from top: Martini, Manhattan, Daiquiri and Negroni.
By M. Carrie Allan • Special to the Washington Post
SPIRITS8-MARGARITA
Whenever I entertain friends at my place, I wonder if one of them might challenge me — or rather, challenge my booze collection — by asking for a drink they’ve never had before. Will someone give me a reason to use that bottle of crème de violette I bought a decade ago and have only used 2 ounces of, or ask me to make something with that weird amaro hidden on the lower shelf? Maybe they’ll want a Missionary’s Downfall or a Flor de Jerez or an Alamagoozlum, a drink I have never made but really enjoy saying out loud.
It never happens. Even my fellow cocktail-geek friends don’t typically arrive with schemes to throw down the booze gauntlet. They come to hang out, talk, relax and have a good drink, often something comforting and familiar. They want a margarita. They want an Old-Fashioned. They want something they know and love.
They want something on this list. And if you know how to make these drinks, you’ll be a well-prepared cocktail host, and also well-prepared — if you want to be — to dive deeper down the cocktail rabbit hole.
These drinks are all essentials and all classics. It says something that after 20 years (give or take) of the cocktail renaissance and the explosion of bibulous invention and creativity it brought, the drinks many still regard as the most critical essentials have all been around for much longer. A few of them have been here for more than a century.
Which is not to say that many newer drinks aren’t excellent. But many of the best and most enduring newer tipples were built on the foundations these drinks had laid, executing their proportions and principles — fresh juices, balanced flavors, quality spirits — in new ways.
All of these essential cocktails are makeable with ingredients easily sourced at your neighborhood liquor and grocery stores, which is certainly part of what’s helped them spread around the world. In making these, you’ll learn a lot about cocktails as a whole. They’ll teach you techniques that apply across the category: how long to mix, how long and hard to shake, how to strain. You’ll learn about balance, you’ll (hopefully) learn not to be afraid of a little bitterness, you’ll learn how salt and sugar act as flavors and enhancers of other flavors, a cheer squad urging their fellow ingredients to greatness.
Make them repeatedly and they’ll teach you one of the most important lessons for the home cocktailer — what you like. What is your preferred gin-to-vermouth ratio in a martini, a matter that has been opined upon by prime ministers and presidents? Do you agree the Negroni is best as an equal-parts drink, or do you like it better when you boost the gin a bit? Do you prefer to double-strain your daiquiri until it’s a silky froth, or do you kind of like the mouthfeel of the tiny ice chips a single strain delivers? What’s the effect of switching out the vermouths in your Manhattan, or bitters or whiskeys — or maybe an aged rum?
All these questions lead to more questions. See how deep the rabbit hole goes?
There are correct answers to historical questions about these drinks (and each of these drinks can provide a launchpad to explore those fascinating histories, should you be inclined)., but there are no “correct” answers to matters of taste. There’s just learning how to make a drink that pleases, using a few ingredients and a few simple tools.
Dates to: Late 1800s.
Everyone agrees the martini is an essential drink. Heck, its glass has become the universal sign of the cocktail. Yet for such a canonical beast, the martini is perennially personalized, a drink everyone dials into their own tastes. Gin or vodka? Purists will argue for the former, but vodka has plenty of advocates. Vermouth-to-base-spirit ratio? Debated endlessly, but if you’re using good, well-cared-for vermouth, it’s not to be feared. Shaken or stirred? The latter is the rule, but shaking has advocates. Add bitters? Garnish with a lemon twist or an olive? Your call. Try this recipe, adjust to your liking, and then be prepared to adjust and argue about it with every new drinker you encounter for the rest of your life.
If you like it, try: Martinez, Bijou
2 1/2 ounces dry gin, such as Plymouth, Beefeater or the citrusy Tanqueray No. 10
1/2 ounce dry vermouth, such as Dolin
1 or 2 dashes orange bitters
Twist of lemon peel, for garnish
Chill a cocktail (martini) glass or coupe.
Fill a mixing glass with ice, then add the gin, vermouth and bitters (to taste). Stir gently for 20 seconds, then strain into the chilled glass.
Garnish with the twist of lemon peel.
From various recipes, adapted and tested by M. Carrie Allan.
2. Manhattan
Dates to: Late 1800s
A boozy, classic, deep dive into whiskey and sweet vermouth. These days, most craft-cocktail types opt for rye, which has a spicier profile than bourbon, but the main thing is to pick a whiskey you like and a vermouth that’s worthy of it. (Cocchi Storico Vermouth di Torino is terrific; Carpano Antica can be a little dominant, but if you like its heady vanilla-spice pow, it can also be delicious). Small but interesting tweaks can happen via new types of bitters (chocolate or pimento make for a nod toward autumn; Peychaud’s or cardamom will bring out other notes), but orange and Angostura are reliably on point.
WASHINGTON — The U.S. Supreme Court’s conservative majority on Tuesday indicated skepticism over a bid by President Joe Biden’s administration to implement guidelines — challenged by two conservative-leaning states — shifting immigration enforcement toward countering public safety threats. | 2022-11-30T02:35:18Z | www.unionleader.com | The 7 essential cocktails every drinker should know how to make | | unionleader.com | https://www.unionleader.com/the-7-essential-cocktails-every-drinker-should-know-how-to-make/article_398c8c3f-a2d3-5950-b12c-9f4606ec678f.html | https://www.unionleader.com/the-7-essential-cocktails-every-drinker-should-know-how-to-make/article_398c8c3f-a2d3-5950-b12c-9f4606ec678f.html |
Copper Cannon Distillery released a new specialty item – Fort No. 1 Bourbon – a one-of-a-kind choice for spirited gift-giving.
Photo Provided by Copper Cannon
Copper Cannon Distillery makes a Pumpkin Spiced Rum that’s very popular in the fall and around the holidays.
Copper Cannon Distillery: 'Tis the season for Christmas Cookie Rum and Maple Eggnog
Copper Cannon - pic1
THE STORY OF Copper Cannon Distillery began in 2010 when cousins Blake Amacker and Chris Arnold visited Ireland before the latter’s upcoming wedding. Visiting one distillery after another, Amacker said they were not only inspired by what they saw, but also galvanized into action.
“We felt we could do this ourselves,” said Amacker, who said their belief was consequently fueled by years of research and hands-on experience working under the direction of master distillers.
Their collective hard work paid off. Opening its doors in late summer 2018 in West Chesterfield, Copper Cannon Distillery has since built an international reputation with award-winning spirits. Most recently, the distillery was awarded gold at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition for its Aged Rum and Maple Rum.
“What makes us unique is we handcraft our products here,” said Amacker. “We make and ferment them on premises, which isn’t always the case with some distilleries.”
Aside from the methodology behind making their spirits, he said the spectrum of their offerings distinguishes their brand. A sampling of current spirits includes the aforementioned Aged Rum and Maple Rum along with Clear Rum, Potato Vodka, and Pumpkin Spiced Rum.
“We also just released Fort No.1 Bourbon, our first Straight Bourbon whiskey,” said Amacker, who noted it features tasting notes of sweet corn, spicy rye, and “a subtle flavor” of banana bread. “It was aged four years, and it is a bourbon that is not to be missed.”
More seasonal varieties of spirits include their just released Christmas Cookie Rum, which is inspired by the cinnamon sugar cookie.
“It can be added into just about any creamy cocktail recipe, and tastes awesome when added to Kahlua, Baileys, or chocolate-flavored cocktail recipes,” added Amacker.
Copper Cannon also features a number of pre-mixed cocktails, including Maple Rum Eggnog, all of which tend to run sweeter. “We have something for people with all kinds of different tastes,” said Amacker.
According to General Manager Jamie Barry, the deeper mission behind the Copper Cannon brand is captured in their slogan, which is “to lead the rum revolution back to New England.”
“In colonial times, rum was the drink of choice for colonists in New England,” he said. “Like them, we use molasses fermentation, so our brand threads its way through history.”
Available at locations throughout the state, Copper Cannon products are also available for sale at its online store at coppercannon.com. Expressing enthusiasm for the holiday season, Barry said they cannot help but think about the future at Copper Cannon.
“We and other local distilleries got together to work on being able to offer on premises drinks, which starts at Copper Cannon next spring, early summer,” he said. “You’ll be able to enjoy cocktails here in our restored barn or outside, and we will have a food truck here, too … We are excited.”
To learn more about Copper Cannon, or place a holiday order, visit coppercannon.com. | 2022-11-30T10:19:43Z | www.unionleader.com | Copper Cannon Distillery: 'Tis the season for Christmas Cookie Rum and Maple Eggnog | Holiday | unionleader.com | https://www.unionleader.com/nh/lifestyles/holiday/copper-cannon-distillery-tis-the-season-for-christmas-cookie-rum-and-maple-eggnog/article_cf54e658-e351-5e22-895a-dde9e0df6b4c.html | https://www.unionleader.com/nh/lifestyles/holiday/copper-cannon-distillery-tis-the-season-for-christmas-cookie-rum-and-maple-eggnog/article_cf54e658-e351-5e22-895a-dde9e0df6b4c.html |
The Christmas Deluxe gift basket is a very popular seller at GourmetGiftBaskets.com, based out of Exeter.
Photo Provided by GourmetGiftBaskets.com
The Orchards Abundance gift basket is another popular seller at GourmetGiftBaskets.com.
Gourmet Gift Baskets: Unmatched variety with 50-70 holiday-themed choices
Gourmet - pic1
FROM SPICED-UP comfort food to specialty cookies to Belgian chocolate-covered strawberries, GourmetGiftBaskets.com is elevating the concept of gift-giving into an epicurean experience.
Building on traditional items like sausages, crackers and cheeses, the company includes high-end selections of treats like peppermint bark, chocolate-covered Oreos and even cheesecakes.
Vice President of Sales and Marketing Jason Bergeron said this holiday, they’ll send hundreds of thousands of gift baskets across the U.S. and internationally.
Customers can use filters, like price range and occasion, to choose from about 500 different gift baskets; about 50 to 70 are holiday-themed, which includes their popcorn tins.
Snacks are always in high demand during the holidays, and Bergeron said the Deluxe Christmas gift basket is one of their more popular holiday offerings. It’s full of gourmet chocolate-covered Oreos, chocolate-covered cherries, cheese and crackers. Caramel kettle corn, popped fresh at the site, balances the sweet and salty.
Bergeron attributes its popularity to its versatility, offering a general mix of items most people would like. “The Christmas Gift Baskets Deluxe is the number one SKU year after year,” he said.
The “Let It Snow” Vanilla and Blondie Baked Goods gift box includes mini Bundt cakes, cookies, blondies, and vanilla whoopie pies.
They even ship cheesecakes from a California-based company. It’s delivered cold, but the higher price is worth it, Bergeron said. “The end product is really awesome.”
If you’d like to detour from simply getting someone sweets, their “Orchards Abundance” gift basket might fit the bill. It comes with a water hyacinth gift basket, oranges, apples, and pears, plus gourmet foods like Belgian chocolates, Vermont cheddar cheese and salted caramel sauce.
Bergeron said it’s a hot seller, even in the winter. “That is, again, far, far and away, the best, most popular fruit basket that we have.”
And even though it’s winter, Bergeron said they find the freshest food possible.
“We really pride ourselves on finding the best food and fruit product out there. Every day we have buyers in the market, getting our fruit. When the orders come in, we’re making those baskets on demand and shipping them out fresh,” he added.
The idea for GourmetGiftBaskets.com stemmed from Chalifour’s, a Manchester flower shop delivery business operated by David and Trudy Abood beginning in 1976.
Bergeron said he’s always felt like a member of the Abood family; his mother worked for Chalifour’s when he was a child. He and the Aboods’ kids helped out with the business and, once they were old enough, started delivering flowers.
“When we weren’t in school, and we weren’t doing our sports, we were helping our parents in the business,” he said.
When the Aboods’ oldest son, Ryan, needed an idea for a college business project, he thought a jump from flowers to gift baskets was a logical transition.
After launching in 2002, Ryan Abood, its president and CEO, set up the budding company in the basement of Chalifour’s and never looked back.
Fifty to 55 full-time employees work at the 107,000 square-foot-warehouse at 60 Gourmet Place, with additional staff during the holidays.
Bergeron said the Aboods’ dedicated work ethic is reflected in how GourmetGiftBaskets.com curates its products.
“I think it goes back to our roots being in the flower shop. We believe that it’s important to be there for your customer no matter what.”
Holiday planning happens all year.
“We bring in a lot of samples throughout the summer, we taste-test, we go to food shows. We’re always on the lookout for gourmet food providers,” Bergeron said.
And they’re always searching out the next big thing.
“With our name being ‘gourmet,’ we really just pride ourselves on finding the truly best food,” he said.
Including local companies
Besides national food vendors, the company also partners with local businesses, like Blackwater Mustard Co. in Contoocook, which makes various mustards in small batches and makes products for the Deerfield and Sandwich fairs.
For about 14 years, Bellows House Bakery in North Walpole has provided GourmetGiftBaskets.com with time-honored and taste-tested cookies, whoopie pies, brownies and other treats.
Lois Ford and Louis Ciercielli founded Bellows House Bakery, a private label manufacturer, in 1988 after running a successful bed and breakfast there. When they realized guests really took to the cookies they left on the nightstand, and mail order requests started pouring in, they thought they’d give the cookie business a try.
Ford says they built upon good cookie recipes that people remembered, like oatmeal raisin, frosted chocolate nut, (which Ford said “is more like a candy than a cookie,”) and ginger molasses with candied ginger pieces.
“We started to invent things because it was fun,” Ford said.
She attributes the secret to their success in using basic, pure ingredients like “good old-fashioned butter and eggs,” mixed just right.
Though it’s hard to quantify what makes food “gourmet,” Ford describes it as “something you want to have another bite of.”
“Some things are like, ‘Okay, that was good, but I can leave it in the package till tomorrow.’ You really can’t do that with ours,” she added.
One treat is an old family recipe from Ford’s Liverpool-bred grandmother, an almond butter cookie.
Ford is proud of their mint chocolate brownie.
“It’s a very rich fudgy brownie. It has pure peppermint oil in it, and it has a peppermint fondant drizzle on top,” Ford said.
Currently, Bellows House makes cookies, brownies, blondies, and original and vanilla cinnamon whoopie pies for GourmetGiftBaskets.com.
“They really stand out amongst the crowd,” Bergeron said of the Bellows House treats.
“It’s a fabulous business. Over the years, they’ve done a great job,” Ford said in praise of GourmetGiftBaskets.com.
Local customers enjoy
Patrick Kane, president of Kane Insurance in Portsmouth, said the company uses GourmetGiftBaskets.com for thank you’s, condolences and the holidays.
“They have a pretty good variety — so we’ll pick the basket to the personality,” he said.
“We’ve been using them for years — it’s a great presentation. People are always like, ‘thank you for that beautiful basket.’ It makes a good impression, ” Kane added.
Bringing comfort
Comfort food, especially during the colder months, can feel even more special through the holidays.
“Sometimes you just want to get a grilled cheese,” Bergeron explained.
GourmetGiftBaskets.com has expanded on that good feeling with their upgraded “comfort food” line.
The “Grilled Cheese Experience” comes with a prep card and all the ingredients you need to make an indulgent grilled cheese at home — a loaf of brioche bread, everything bagel, Gouda cheese, mayonnaise infused with black truffles, and hot honey from Savannah Bee, a Georgia-based supplier. Their “hot honey” is infused with scotch bonnet and habanero peppers for a grilled cheese with a comfort-level kick.
Other baskets in the line include the “Get Well Soon Comfort Care Package” and the “Deluxe Macaroni and Cheese” gift package.
“They’re more food-prep type of gifts; they’re more fresh foods that you’re gonna prepare yourself, as opposed to ready-to-eat snack items,” he said.
These include things like avocado toast, grilled cheese, macaroni and cheese, and French toast. “It just helps them feel better, right?”
Whatever you decide, Bergeron suggests planning your gifts now.
“Order early for the best selection, but we’ll be here for you at the end,” he said.
GourmetGiftBaskets.com, which partners with FedEx and UPS, is taking orders up to the Friday before Christmas. Fruit baskets are shipped with a two-day max delivery.
GourmetGiftBaskets.com is at 60 Gourmet Place in Exeter. Call 603-606-5269 for more information. | 2022-11-30T10:19:49Z | www.unionleader.com | Gourmet Gift Baskets: Unmatched variety with 50-70 holiday-themed choices | Holiday | unionleader.com | https://www.unionleader.com/nh/lifestyles/holiday/gourmet-gift-baskets-unmatched-variety-with-50-70-holiday-themed-choices/article_ba3c5f74-f869-51bc-a60a-7220091fab10.html | https://www.unionleader.com/nh/lifestyles/holiday/gourmet-gift-baskets-unmatched-variety-with-50-70-holiday-themed-choices/article_ba3c5f74-f869-51bc-a60a-7220091fab10.html |
Locally-made wines in fruit, white and red varieties are available from Sweet Baby Vineyard in Hampstead.
Sweet Baby — pic1
Photo Provided by Sweet Baby Vineyard
Lewis and Stacy Eaton are happy to advise on foods to pair with their locally-made wines.
Sweet Baby Vineyard: Boutique winery busy making fruit favorites for the holidays
Sweet Baby - pic1
LEWIS EATON USED TO make his living building bridges in New Hampshire and Massachusetts. Now he’s building a different kind of bridge, between wine aficionados and a product right in their back yard.
Eaton and his wife Stacey are the owners and operators of Sweet Baby Vineyard in Hampstead. Year-round and through the December holidays, they offer the fruit of the vine for gift-giving — or treating yourself.
Eaton said wine has been a lifelong interest of his. He first took up winemaking as a hobby in 2005, and it was a relatively short time — three years — before he went professional. “It just escalated from there,” he said.
His first efforts were fruit wines, depending heavily on local produce and still a top seller. His first effort resulted in a blueberry wine that turned out exactly how he hoped.
“I had made cider before, and I had volunteered at local wineries, so I knew the basics,” he said. “I knew what I wanted.”
And, he said, “After years of doing it as a hobby, I knew what worked and what didn’t.”
He also took a class on business planning, but, he said, “we blew our five-year plan out of the water.” By the time he was 38, Eaton knew he had to make a decision: the wine or construction. He chose the wine.
His Marechal Foch, a red variety, won Best in NH 2010 in New Hampshire Magazine’s blind taste test.
The Eatons grow their own grapes and source fruit for their fruit wines as locally as possible: apples, peaches and strawberries from Applecrest in Hampton Falls; blueberries from Taylor-Brown Blueberry Farm in Alton; and raspberries from High Hope Orchard in Westmoreland. It’s a challenge to try and keep their prices competitive, but the Eatons are up to it. They don’t host weddings, they don’t have a restaurant -”we do it on just wine,” he said.
But “just wine” has gotten them into 120 retail outlets, at last count, and impelled them to move to Hampstead after their original Kensington digs proved too small. They now have eight acres on which to raise their beloved grapes and family of four.
Eaton enjoys building relationships with his customers, and will often seek their input on new varieties, either in his tasting room or on Facebook. “We try to get as much input as we can,” he said.
New varieties for the 2022 holidays include a sweet cherry wine and a rhubarb wine. He’ll be making up fresh batches of his apple and apple-cranberry wines, and, he said, “Our fruit wine is always huge. It’s pretty packaging, and the colors are beautiful.” They also have chocolates and honey on the shelves, and true to their philosophy, “it’s all made in Hampstead,” he said.
Eaton is a former president of the New Hampshire Winery Association and will participate with seven other wineries in the New Hampshire Jingle Bells Winery Tour, going on now through Dec. 18.
For more information on Eaton’s wines, visit sweetbabyvineyard.com.
For information on the wine tour, go to EventBrite or find the N.H. Jingle Bells Winery Tour on Facebook. | 2022-11-30T10:20:02Z | www.unionleader.com | Sweet Baby Vineyard: Boutique winery busy making fruit favorites for the holidays | Holiday | unionleader.com | https://www.unionleader.com/nh/lifestyles/holiday/sweet-baby-vineyard-boutique-winery-busy-making-fruit-favorites-for-the-holidays/article_9304adf4-d306-58a7-81ec-d1a2db2a4319.html | https://www.unionleader.com/nh/lifestyles/holiday/sweet-baby-vineyard-boutique-winery-busy-making-fruit-favorites-for-the-holidays/article_9304adf4-d306-58a7-81ec-d1a2db2a4319.html |
A GE AC4400CW diesel-electric locomotive in Union Pacific livery, is seen ahead of a possible strike if there is no deal with the rail worker unions, as a Metrolink commuter train (right) arrives at Union Station in Los Angeles, California, on Sept. 15. REUTERS/Bing Guan/File Photo
WASHINGTON -- The House of Representatives on Wednesday voted to approve a bill to block a potentially crippling railroad strike and to mandate paid sick time for rail workers.
"This all could have been avoided had the railroads been willing to provide their employees with a basic protection and what so many Americans already have: paid sick time," House Transportation Committee Chairman Peter DeFazio said. | 2022-11-30T22:28:40Z | www.unionleader.com | House votes to block rail strike, mandate paid sick leave | Economy | unionleader.com | https://www.unionleader.com/news/business/economy/house-votes-to-block-rail-strike-mandate-paid-sick-leave/article_fc5401f9-a65b-560c-a7d6-383406099a4c.html | https://www.unionleader.com/news/business/economy/house-votes-to-block-rail-strike-mandate-paid-sick-leave/article_fc5401f9-a65b-560c-a7d6-383406099a4c.html |
Rendering Courtesy City of Manchester
Manchester residents and business owners are invited to a public meeting next week to discuss work associated with the $30 million transportation infrastructure improvement project RAISE Manchester: Connecting Communities.
The meeting, hosted by city officials and members of the project consultant team, will be held Wednesday Dec. 7, from 6-8 p.m. in the auditorium at the Manchester City Library, 405 Pine St.
Free parking will be available at the Hartnett Parking Lot, accessed off Chestnut and Concord streets.
Focused around the South Millyard area to the northern end of South Willow Street, officials say the project will “improve connectivity for multiple modes of transportation, as well as pedestrians, improve commute times, reduce traffic jams near Exit 5 off Interstate 293, alleviating traffic ahead of performances at the SNHU Arena or baseball games at Delta Dental Stadium.
The project is funded by a $25 million federal Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) grant.
“This meeting is an excellent opportunity for residents, business owners, and others to learn more about this large, foundational public transportation infrastructure project,” said city Public Works Director Tim Clougherty, in a statement. “RAISE Manchester will not only transform our layout of transportation options for residents and reconnect communities, it will set the groundwork for revitalizing the South Millyard and the southern end of downtown.”
The project is expected to include:
• A new pedestrian bridge over Granite Street connecting Commercial and South Commercial streets;
• A new roadway and bridge that will extend from South Commercial Street behind the baseball stadium and over the active railroad to Elm Street;
• A new roadway extension on the opposite side of Elm Street from where the new bridge terminates at Gas Street, providing an alternative connection to South Willow Street via a new bridge over the abandoned railroad corridor;
• A new pedestrian and bicycle path along the abandoned railroad corridor connecting Queen City Avenue and Elm Street;
• And a new roundabout replacing the signalized intersection at the Queen City Ave/South Willow Street intersection.
More information about RAISE Manchester: Connecting Communities, and the upcoming public meeting, is available at www.raisemanchester.org. | 2022-11-30T22:29:10Z | www.unionleader.com | Public meeting Dec. 7 on RAISE Manchester infrastructure project | Human Interest | unionleader.com | https://www.unionleader.com/news/human_interest/public-meeting-dec-7-on-raise-manchester-infrastructure-project/article_45d63352-5f0b-5ed7-8495-2546b5e39db8.html | https://www.unionleader.com/news/human_interest/public-meeting-dec-7-on-raise-manchester-infrastructure-project/article_45d63352-5f0b-5ed7-8495-2546b5e39db8.html |
A Ukrainian serviceman holds a Stinger anti-aircraft missile at a position in a front line in Mykolaiv region, as Russia's attack on Ukraine continues, Ukraine August 11, 2022. REUTERS/Anna Kudriavtseva/File Photo
Winter weather has hampered fighting on the ground, and President Volodymyr Zelensky has told citizens to expect a major Russian barrage this week on Ukraine's stricken electricity infrastructure, which Moscow has pounded roughly weekly since early October.
Putin has focused his "fire and ire" on Ukraine's civilians by bombing more than a third of its energy system supplying power and water, but the strategy will not work, Blinken said, adding that NATO was also concerned by China's ties with Moscow.
The NATO allies offered on Wednesday to help nearby Moldova, Georgia and Bosnia, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said, adding they were all under pressure from Russia.
"If there is one lesson from Ukraine it is that we need to support them now," Stoltenberg told a news conference, while Estonian Foreign Minister Urmas Reinsalu told Reuters "the beast also wants to take control of the Western Balkans."
Zelensky said Russian forces were attacking Ukrainian government-controlled areas of Donetsk and Luhansk provinces which make up the eastern Donbas, as well as Kharkiv in the northeast, where Ukraine pushed them back in September.
"The situation at the front is difficult," the president said in his nightly video address.
NATO ministers began a two-day meeting in Bucharest on Tuesday with pledges both to help Ukrainians cope with what the defense alliance's chief said was Moscow using winter weather as "a weapon of war" and to help sustain Kyiv's military campaign.
Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said the outcome showed NATO was "absolutely not interested in a political and diplomatic solution in Ukraine."
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said Ukrainians needed quick and lasting help, and he was looking to the global South as well as the West to join "this common struggle."
Washington pledged $53 million to buy power grid equipment, and President Joe Biden said providing more military assistance is a priority. Republicans, who take control of Congress' House of Representatives in January, have talked about pausing the funding, which has exceeded $18 billion.
Workers have raced to repair the damage even as they anticipate more. Electricity supplies crept back up towards three quarters of needs, national grid operator Ukrenergo said, a full week after the worst Russian barrage so far.
In a grim sign of the energy crisis, nine people have been killed in fires over the past 24 hours as Ukainians resorted to emergency generators, candles and gas cylinders in violation of safety rules to try to heat their homes after power outages, according to the state emergency service.
Kyiv, where nearly 1 million people were without power on Tuesday, will see more emergency power cuts on Wednesday, said DTEK, Ukraine's biggest private electricity producer.
The European Union said it aims to use proceeds from investing Russian assets it has frozen to help compensate Ukraine for the damage Moscow has inflicted, and proposed the establishment of a court to try "Russia's crime of aggression."
Kyiv welcomed the moves, saying Moscow had no legitimate goals. "It invaded another country violating international law, deliberately destroys its infrastructure and commits mass murders," Zelensky adviser Mykhailo Podolyak wrote on Twitter.
Russia says the freezing of assets is theft, and denies that the invasion, which it calls a "special military operation" to disarm its neighbor, constitutes the war crime of aggression.
An overnight Russian missile attack damaged a gas distribution facility in Ukraine's Zaporizhzhia region, while shells and heavy artillery hit Nikopol and Marganets -- towns across the Dnipro river from the Russian-occupied Zaporizhzhia nuclear reactor station, the governors of the two regions said.
Ukrainian forces struck a power plant in Russia's western Kursk region on Tuesday, causing some electricity outages, the regional governor there said. In Russia's Bryansk region bordering Ukraine's northeast, a local governor said a large oil storage tank was on fire Wednesday, without giving a cause. | 2022-11-30T22:29:29Z | www.unionleader.com | NATO seeks to shore up Russia's neighbors as Moscow attacks Ukraine on multiple fronts | Politics | unionleader.com | https://www.unionleader.com/news/politics/nato-seeks-to-shore-up-russias-neighbors-as-moscow-attacks-ukraine-on-multiple-fronts/article_eb4ad664-faff-514d-8253-856fa53791be.html | https://www.unionleader.com/news/politics/nato-seeks-to-shore-up-russias-neighbors-as-moscow-attacks-ukraine-on-multiple-fronts/article_eb4ad664-faff-514d-8253-856fa53791be.html |
Supporters of Republican candidate for Arizona Governor Kari Lake and Republican Senate candidate Blake Masters protest outside the Maricopa County Tabulation and Election Center as vote counting continues inside, in Phoenix, Arizona, on Nov. 12. REUTERS/Jim Urquhart/File Photo
Lake’s team filed a lawsuit in state court on Wednesday against Maricopa County, demanding information on voters whose ballots were affected by voting machine problems.
Her Republican colleague, Abe Hamadeh, who ran for attorney general and lost by 510 votes, has filed a lawsuit against his Democratic opponent as well as state and local officials, seeking to overturn his defeat. | 2022-11-30T22:36:45Z | www.unionleader.com | In Arizona, election deniers refuse to back down | National | unionleader.com | https://www.unionleader.com/news/national/in-arizona-election-deniers-refuse-to-back-down/article_5a9c5493-662f-59ce-9adc-cb2b944d1412.html | https://www.unionleader.com/news/national/in-arizona-election-deniers-refuse-to-back-down/article_5a9c5493-662f-59ce-9adc-cb2b944d1412.html |
Rain and wind early. Decreasing clouds with mostly clear skies by morning. Low around 30F. Winds W at 20 to 30 mph. Chance of rain 100%. Rainfall near a quarter of an inch. Winds could occasionally gust over 40 mph..
Rain and wind early. Decreasing clouds with mostly clear skies by morning. Low around 30F. Winds W at 20 to 30 mph. Chance of rain 100%. Rainfall near a quarter of an inch. Winds could occasionally gust over 40 mph.
Morgan Lacroix, left, and Emily Courson, fluff out a tree inside the auditorium at the Laconia Community Center, which, beginning Dec. 1, will again host Christmas Village.
Joe Wetherbee works on the Santa’s sleigh display inside the Laconia Community Center, which, beginning Dec. 1, will again host Christmas Village.
Assisted by her grandsons, Xavier Corbin, 11, and his brother, KC, 4, longtime Laconia Christmas Village volunteer Patty Derosier assembles a “corral” for Santa’s reindeer.
Volunteers confer on Saturday in front of Santa’s Workshop, which is a focal point of the 2022 Christmas Village at the Laconia Community Center.
Community Center tree
LACONIA — For the first time since 2019, Christmas Village — the all-volunteer, free, holiday celebration dedicated to the premise that every child should have a Christmas — is returning to the Laconia Community Center.
Begun in 1975, the 2022 Christmas Village will be held Dec. 1-4. Times and other information about the event are online at https://www.facebook.com/LaconiaChristmasVillage/
Modeled on Santa’s Village in nearby Bristol, Christmas Village is at a crossroads in its history.
While Christmas Village is the handiwork of dozens of people, for the majority of its time it has been overseen by a triumvirate made up of brothers Armand and Ernie Bolduc and Bob Hamel.
The Bolduc brothers, wearing colorful tights and pointy hats with bells, served as Santa’s “chief elves,” who had the task of bringing visitors up from the basement of the Laconia Community Center — where they played games and got their faces painted — into the community center auditorium.
Speaking in high-pitched, elf voices, Armand, who went by the name “Twinkle,” and Ernie, who is “Tinsel,” would sing carols with visitors outside the auditorium before peeling back a curtain and inviting them to enter Christmas Village.
Armand, who was a former mayor of Laconia and one of its longest serving city councilors, died in 2018; Ernie, who is now 89, has stepped back from some of his Christmas Village duties, while Hamel, who represents Ward 5 on the Laconia City Council, continues to recover from a protracted illness.
In the absence of the Bolducs and Hamel, a new generation of Christmas Village volunteers has stepped forward, among them Morgan Lacroix and Santa Claus himself.
Lacroix, 27, came to her first Christmas Village when she was five or thereabouts and remembered that she was blown away by what she saw and experienced.
“It was absolutely magical,” she said, and it inspired her, at age 7, to begin volunteering as an elf. Lacroix now manages 50 elves, who have a variety of tasks.
Another change is how young visitors, into their teens, interact with Santa, who gives each of them a gift.
In the past, visitors used to be able to sit on Santa’s lap and pose for a photo with him, but because of the pandemic, they’ll have to sit on a bench next to him instead.
In 2019, more than 3,500 children came through Christmas Village, said Lacroix.
Volunteer Mary Logsdon, who will be named “mayor” of Christmas Village prior to its opening on Thursday, Dec. 1, and who will also assume Hamel’s duties as Santa’s photographer, wished she knew about Christmas Village sooner.
“I didn’t even know this was here when my kids were small,” said Logsdon, who for the 2023 Christmas Village will touch up the more than 50 hand-painted flats — measuring 8-feet high by 4-feet wide – that feature scenes of the village.
Patty Derosier, who has coordinated cookie donations for Christmas Village for more than 20 years, said that to her knowledge, there is nothing “as elaborate” as Christmas Village anywhere.
She appealed to the community to donate cookies — “any kinds of cookies” — so that they can be given to visitors by Christmas Village elves. Before the pandemic, visitors hand-picked the cookies they wanted, she said, and enjoyed lemonade that was poured into cups.
This year, gloved volunteers will put together plates of cookies, which the elf waiters will bring to visitors, while the liquid refreshment will come in the form of a single-use bottle of water, said Derosier, who added, that yes, she needs donations of water also.
Asked why she volunteers, Derosier, speaking for herself and others, replied, “We don’t do it for the pats on the back. We do it for the kids; it’s for the kids.”
To transport the Christmas Village from off-site storage and to assemble it, takes about 500 hours and, ideally, up to two dozen volunteers a day, said Hounsell, who noted that less than half that number of volunteers have shown up his year.
In addition to labor, it costs about $10,000 to put on Christmas Village, said volunteer Gordon “Skip” Hounsell, “and after a while, you have to start replacing things.”
This year, Christmas Village, which is a 501©(3) nonprofit organization, bought new costumes for all its elves, Hounsell said, but some elves preferred their old ones. | 2022-11-30T22:36:54Z | www.unionleader.com | "For the kids" -- Laconia's Christmas Village returns after two-year COVID-19 hiatus | Holiday | unionleader.com | https://www.unionleader.com/nh/lifestyles/holiday/for-the-kids----laconias-christmas-village-returns-after-two-year-covid-19/article_1e157f10-4604-5dcb-be60-9116fb437de8.html | https://www.unionleader.com/nh/lifestyles/holiday/for-the-kids----laconias-christmas-village-returns-after-two-year-covid-19/article_1e157f10-4604-5dcb-be60-9116fb437de8.html |
U.S. lawmakers near compromise on Boeing 737 Max certification
By Alan Levin and
Julie Johnsson Bloomberg
U.S. lawmakers are discussing a compromise measure that would allow Boeing to certify its final two 737 Max models without an expensive redesign while also adding new safety requirements.
Talks involving Senate and House lawmakers ramped up dramatically after the Thanksgiving holiday, and Sen. Maria Cantwell of Washington, the Democratic chairwoman of the Commerce Committee, has floated a plan that would require an additional sensor system, people familiar with the talks said.
The sensors are being tested on the Max 10, one of the jets in jeopardy of missing a late December certification deadline.
Under existing law, Boeing would almost certainly have to revamp the cockpit alerting system in the Max 7 and Max 10 models unless Congress acts before a Dec. 27 deadline it imposed in legislation two years ago.
It prohibits the Federal Aviation Administration from approving the design of any airliner that doesn’t have a modern system to help pilots track emergency warnings.
The stakes are high for Boeing if Congress doesn’t find an alternative.
The company faces a multibillion-dollar redesign of the 737 flight deck and lengthy delay for its largest and smallest Max models.
While Chief Executive Officer Dave Calhoun has threatened to scrap the stretched Max 10 if Congress doesn’t act, doing so would leave the U.S. planemaker without a competitive response to rival Airbus’s top-selling A321neo models.
Boeing’s shares rose 1.99% to $178.88 Wednesday in New York.
The stock has fallen 13% this year through Tuesday’s close, compared with a 17% decline for the S&P 500 Index.
Cantwell’s proposal would require adding equipment to calculate the so-called angle of attack, or whether a jet’s nose is pointed above or below the oncoming air.
While the agreement isn’t complete, it could include adding such equipment to all Max models, two of the people said.
The Cantwell proposal would also require that Boeing give pilots an easy way to shut off certain cockpit alarms after determining they occurred in error.
Regulators in Europe and Canada had earlier required such technology on the Max.
The European Aviation Safety Agency got an agreement from Boeing to add a sensor system to the Max 10 model within two years before it decided to allow the Max family of aircraft to return to service after its grounding, but there is no such requirement in the U.S.. | 2022-12-01T02:05:58Z | www.unionleader.com | U.S. lawmakers near compromise on Boeing 737 Max certification | Business | unionleader.com | https://www.unionleader.com/news/business/u-s-lawmakers-near-compromise-on-boeing-737-max-certification/article_f7bd88db-d374-57b8-9208-bec8d4453393.html | https://www.unionleader.com/news/business/u-s-lawmakers-near-compromise-on-boeing-737-max-certification/article_f7bd88db-d374-57b8-9208-bec8d4453393.html |
SEE Science Center Executive Director Shana Hawrylchak and Deputy Director Peter Gustafson give their pitch during “Find Your Cause” Wednesday at the Rex Theatre in Manchester.
The crowd listens as 23 nonprofits take their turns to give a two-minute pitch for new volunteers during the Manchester Young Professionals “Find Your Cause” event held at the Rex Theatre in Manchester.
Jon Eriquezzo, president of Meals on Wheels Hillsborough County gives his pitch for new volunteers during the Manchester Young Professionals “Find Your Cause” event held at the Rex Theater in Manchester.
Rob Leone of Big Brothers Big Sisters talks with a visitor to his trade booth at Wednesday’s “Find Your Cause” event.
SEE Science Center
The Queen City played host to a different kind of one-stop shopping Wednesday, as young professionals eager to volunteer listened to “Shark Tank”-style pitches from nonprofits looking for help.
The Manchester Young Professionals (MYP), an initiative of the Greater Manchester Chamber, held a “Find Your Cause” pitch night at the downtown Rex Theatre.
Keri Pappalardo, director of marketing at Lavallee Brensinger Architects, served as emcee for the night. She said a few years ago she and others realized young professionals were looking for ways to get involved, but having trouble identifying places that needed them.
“Find Your Cause” evolved from those discussions.
“Having everybody in one place just saves young professionals a lot of leg work and research, finding places they want to help out in our community,” said Pappalardo. “You don’t need to be a high-powered executive in a corner office with a fat checkbook to sit on a board or committee or get involved with a nonprofit.”
More than organizations took part in Wednesday’s event, which was sponsored by Southern New Hampshire University.
“MYP is excited to see such a strong response and desire for Manchester area nonprofits to be involved with this event that connects young professionals directly with nonprofit leaders and opportunities,” said Lauren Getts, director of marketing & communications for the Greater Manchester Chamber.
Organizations took turns making pitches on why young professionals should get involved with their organization.
Each was also given a table at the event, where attendees could speak one-on-one with the nonprofits before the presentations.
“Find Your Cause is a chance for young professionals in Manchester to have fun while finding new opportunities to make an impact in our community and discover belonging by being involved in causes bigger than themselves,” said Cole Riel, member engagement coordinator for the Greater Manchester Chamber.
“In Manchester and the Greater Manchester area we have a terrific nonprofit community. It’s great to give them a chance to spotlight what they do. We get to interact with these folks day in and day out, and a lot of folks don’t.”
Louisa Burdette of Hopkinton coordinates student volunteer opportunities at The Derryfield School in Manchester.
“I heard about this and thought, ‘Here we go, one-stop shopping,’” Burdette said. “During the pandemic, opportunities were limited. They were tutoring online, but they’re very excited to be face to face.”
Kayla LaRocca of Plaistow said she’s looking for ways to get involved.
“I did volunteer and community service throughout my school years, and since I’ve graduated I have time I’m looking to donate where I can,” said LaRocca. “I’m looking to get back out into the world, working remote is very isolating. There’s so many great causes here, it’s hard to narrow them down.”
The nonprofits participating in the event included:
Animal Rescue League of New Hampshire
Aviation Museum of New Hampshire
Best Buddies New Hampshire
Big Brothers Big Sisters of NH
Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) of New Hampshire
Daniel Webster Council, Boy Scouts of America
Easterseals NH
Franco-American Centre
Friends of Aine Center for Grieving Children and Families
Manchester Police Athletic League
Meals on Wheels of Hillsborough County
Media Power Youth
Palace Theatres
SEE Science Center, Inc.
The Granite YMCA
The Mary & John Elliot Charitable Foundation
World Affairs Council of New Hampshire
YWCA New Hampshire
pfeely@unioneader.com | 2022-12-01T02:06:10Z | www.unionleader.com | Young professionals connect with nonprofits at 'Find Your Cause' | Business | unionleader.com | https://www.unionleader.com/news/business/young-professionals-connect-with-nonprofits-at-find-your-cause/article_7e4a114d-64cf-5a9a-a5d0-9a21ed6e1ceb.html | https://www.unionleader.com/news/business/young-professionals-connect-with-nonprofits-at-find-your-cause/article_7e4a114d-64cf-5a9a-a5d0-9a21ed6e1ceb.html |
KIN CHEUNG/REUTERS
and Yew Lun Tian Reuters
BEIJING — Former Chinese President Jiang Zemin, who led the country for a decade of rapid economic growth after the Tiananmen crackdown in 1989, died on Wednesday at the age of 96, prompting a wave of nostalgia for the more liberal times he oversaw.
Jiang died in his home city of Shanghai just after noon on Wednesday of leukemia and multiple organ failure, Xinhua news agency said, publishing a letter to the Chinese people by the ruling Communist Party, parliament, Cabinet and the military.
Even though Jiang put down student protests in Shanghai that were part of the wave of pro-democracy demonstrations that culminated in the bloody crackdown at Beijing’s Tiananmen Square, some Chinese expressed nostalgia for Jiang’s era as a time of optimism as well as hope for economic liberalization and political freedom.
But in the years after Jiang retired from his final post, the military commission chairmanship in 2004, Hu consolidated his grip, neutralized the Shanghai Gang and successfully anointed Xi as successor.
NATO seeks to shore up Russia's neighbors as Moscow attacks Ukraine on multiple fronts
Former Manchester Mayor Raymond Wieczorek remembered for jump-starting the city | 2022-12-01T02:06:44Z | www.unionleader.com | China's Jiang Zemin dies at 96, prompting wave of nostalgia | Politics | unionleader.com | https://www.unionleader.com/news/politics/chinas-jiang-zemin-dies-at-96-prompting-wave-of-nostalgia/article_e40cb56c-7e21-53f8-acc1-9e0673be0e7e.html | https://www.unionleader.com/news/politics/chinas-jiang-zemin-dies-at-96-prompting-wave-of-nostalgia/article_e40cb56c-7e21-53f8-acc1-9e0673be0e7e.html |
Wreaths will be placed on the graves of veterans during the annual Wreaths for Boscawen event at the New Hampshire Veterans Cemetery this Saturday.
Forget Black Friday. For hundreds of Granite Staters, the real start of the holiday season is this Saturday.
That’s the day volunteers of all ages will gather at the New Hampshire State Veterans Cemetery in Boscawen to place wreaths at the graves of those laid to rest there.
Cemetery Director Shawn Buck said the annual Wreaths for Boscawen event, sponsored by the Blue Star Mothers of New Hampshire, has broad appeal.
“I think it resonates with a lot of people,” he said. “A lot more kids come to this event than any other event; it’s not even close.”
For many parents, the wreath-laying event is a “teaching moment,” Buck said.
“It allows families to talk about the sacrifices of veterans,” he said. “They lay down a wreath and say: This is our way to remember this person at the holidays.”
Indeed, organizers encourage volunteers to take their time while placing wreaths, pausing to say the names on the headstones, and on the grave markers nearby. It’s meant to be a “reverent” event, not a race, Buck said.
Here’s what the Blue Star Mothers website suggests for the day: “Say their names out loud. Praise their service and sacrifice. Most of all … Never forget them.”
For families who have loved lost ones, Buck said, that loss can “hurt a little deeper around the holidays.” Seeing a wreath on their loved one’s grave, laid there by a grateful stranger, can bring comfort, he said.
An opening ceremony will be held at 10:15 a.m. Saturday at the Circle of Flags.
Six stations will be set up around the cemetery to distribute the 22-inch balsam wreaths and red bows. Each person can take two wreaths to start and can return to take two more until all the wreaths have been placed.
Buck expects at least 500 volunteers will be on hand to distribute about 2,000 wreaths this year.
He urges people to arrive early.
“By 11, the wreaths will probably be gone,” he said.
Parking on cemetery grounds is limited to elderly and disabled guests. Everyone else can park across the street from the cemetery and along Route 3.
A NH tradition
The cemetery previously participated in the national Wreaths Across America event, but a few years ago decided to host its own event with the Blue Star Mothers instead.
The cemetery now purchases its wreaths from Three Rivers Wreaths and Plant Company in Franklin. “We like the idea of buying wreaths from a New Hampshire company, supporting New Hampshire jobs,” Buck said.
For many, Wreaths for Boscawen is an annual tradition.
A group of employees from Eversource participates every year. This year, they’re donating 130 wreaths to decorate the columbaria, flagpoles and cemetery buildings, Buck said.
A Center Harbor group called Humble Grunt Work raised funds for 500 wreaths to Boscawen this year.
Buck said he often gets asked why the cemetery doesn’t decorate every grave for the holidays. He usually explains that likely would cost around $60,000 and he gently suggests a better use for some of that money.
“Think about all the good things we could do in our community,” he said. “What if we took half the money and donated it to hungry veterans, homeless veterans, veterans with PTSD?”
When the holidays are over, volunteers — albeit not as many — will return to the Boscawen cemetery to remove the wreaths.
Buck would love to hear from anyone who could use the greenery at that time. “I’ve heard goats will eat them,” he said.
He did have a farmer come by one year to pick up about 50 wreaths for his animals.
The rest get burned.
“It feels like kind of a waste,” Buck said. “If I can feed a goat, great.”
For more information, or to donate, visit bluestarmothersofnh.org/wreaths-for-boscawen. | 2022-12-01T02:06:56Z | www.unionleader.com | Annual wreath-laying event is Saturday at Boscawen veterans cemetery | Veterans | unionleader.com | https://www.unionleader.com/news/veterans/annual-wreath-laying-event-is-saturday-at-boscawen-veterans-cemetery/article_b9e38505-bef5-51ed-a4cf-c867af5f184a.html | https://www.unionleader.com/news/veterans/annual-wreath-laying-event-is-saturday-at-boscawen-veterans-cemetery/article_b9e38505-bef5-51ed-a4cf-c867af5f184a.html |
I KNOW firsthand the dedication, knowledge and love that Pat Abrami put into being a NH state rep serving the citizens of Stratham. I know the work he put into being a leader on Ways and Means as well as other important committees and commissions.
For anyone to know or better understand a bill, a policy, how to resolve a concern or the complicated how/why votes are sometimes cast, all one ever needed to do was ask. His door has always been open because he loved connecting with others.
Even during the COVID lockdowns, Pat worked tirelessly to continue the people’s work and alleviate the concerns of our isolated elders, children and their families.
I am aware of Stratham’s ever increasing progressive leanings over the last few election cycles. Progressive ideology versus scientific, judicious common sense policy wishes are the norm now in this part of NH. Pat’s philosophy is to promote legislation that benefits, safeguards and allows opportunities for prosperity for every citizen: the young, the old, the working families and students.
Pat being Pat was always about common sense, responsible budgets, investigating current issues while taking care of those in need of support.
Pat being Pat and a man of integrity, always thoroughly researched every proposal, every bill and legislation and brought different points of view to be discussed at every commission and committee he was involved with. Painstakingly delving into the details on every issue is how Pat works. Not many people go to these lengths to ensure every voice is heard and knowledge shared.
Pat has lived in Stratham a long time. He has always considered the people in town as neighbors and friends. He has certainly made good friends over these many years and he values them all.
Pat is a man of honor, integrity and hard work. However, during the last campaigns he has not always been treated with integrity in return. He saw the rude comments on local social media. He read the untruths in the political mailers. Simply shameful. He did not miss them. He chose not to dignify them with a response.
I know he will miss not being able to continue his work as the state representative for Stratham. I know he will miss the many colleagues and friends he has made at the State House from both sides of the aisle and many from around the country. It was never just a job. It was never about pushing the party line or ideology. This was Pat being Pat: a meaningful, productive, collaborative statesman.
Pat will continue to shine and remain grateful, hopeful and involved because that is who he is.
Susan Denopoulos lives in Stratham. | 2022-12-01T05:18:23Z | www.unionleader.com | Susan Denopoulos: Integrity prevails in Representative Pat Abrami | Op-eds | unionleader.com | https://www.unionleader.com/opinion/op-eds/susan-denopoulos-integrity-prevails-in-representative-pat-abrami/article_dd283ece-d0ac-58df-a630-865932221348.html | https://www.unionleader.com/opinion/op-eds/susan-denopoulos-integrity-prevails-in-representative-pat-abrami/article_dd283ece-d0ac-58df-a630-865932221348.html |
Medicare basics
PART A: Covers inpatient hospital care, skilled nursing facility, hospice, lab tests, surgery, home health care.
PART B: Covers doctors’ and other health care providers’ services and outpatient care, durable medical equipment, home health care and some preventive services.
PART D: Prescription drug coverage sold by private insurers. All plans must cover a wide range of prescription drugs that people with Medicare take, and each plan has its own “formulary,” or list of covered drugs.
Medicare Advantage (Part C): Offered by Medicare-approved private companies that must follow rules set by Medicare. Most plans include drug coverage (Part D). In most cases, you’ll need to use health care providers who participate in the plan’s network.
Medicare Supplement Insurance (“Medigap”): Sold by private companies. Helps fill “gaps” in original Medicare, such as co-payments, co-insurance and deductibles.
• The State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) provides free, confidential and unbiased counseling about Medicare programs, as well as help in applying for cost-saving programs to reduce out-of-pocket expenses.
To find your local SHIP specialist, call ServiceLink toll-free at 1-866-634-9412. Or visit the ServiceLink Aging and Disability Resource Center at servicelink.nh.gov.
• For information about Medicare plans, visit www.medicare.gov. You can compare health and prescription drug plans, get a copy of the handbook “Medicare & You,” or live chat 24/7 with an expert. Or call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227).
• For information about plans offered in New Hampshire, visit nh.gov/insurance/consumers/senior.htm. To reach the state insurance department’s consumer services unit, call 603-271-2261, or the toll-free hotline at 800-852-3416, or email consumerservices@ins.nh.gov. | 2022-12-04T08:08:07Z | www.unionleader.com | Medicare Resources | | unionleader.com | https://www.unionleader.com/medicare-resources/article_24ba6dc6-abb1-5628-a39c-444ee3889e20.html | https://www.unionleader.com/medicare-resources/article_24ba6dc6-abb1-5628-a39c-444ee3889e20.html |
IT’S HARD to imagine that this is my 1,262nd weekly column since its launch in The Greenwich Time and The Stamford Advocate in 1998. Occasionally, I hear from people who tell me they have been reading the column for decades. That’s always nice to hear. And, that’s my segue into reader questions.
Before I begin, as always, no matter the topic, let me remind you that my comments need to be general in scope. As a result, you will want to talk about your specific situation with your tax adviser or lawyer before taking any actions that we discuss in the column.
No. 1: H.M. raises an interesting question about leaving an inheritance to a relative who receives Social Security disability benefits. Would the inheritance affect those disability benefits?
The source for the answer is a Social Security Administration official, writing in the comments section of a ssa.gov blog (tinyurl.com/yeckuydh): “If you’re receiving Social Security disability (SSDI), an inheritance will not affect your benefits.” SSDI benefits are not means-tested (tinyurl.com/2aasmjvs).
However, the official pointed out that an inheritance could affect someone receiving Supplemental Security Income, which is means-tested. See more details about SSI at tinyurl.com/kmtkbuwd. Be sure to contact the SSA at ssa.gov if you have further questions.
No. 2: E.S. asked if she could take her required minimum distribution from her IRA and put it in her Roth account after paying the taxes on the RMD for 2022. The answer is maybe.
Let’s look at this question carefully. E.S. understands that the RMD she will withdraw from her IRA in 2022 will be taxed when she files her tax return in 2023. That means she is not asking if she can avoid taxes by rolling over the RMD to a Roth IRA (the answer to that question is no).
After the RMD is withdrawn, E.S. can use those funds any way she would like, including contributing to a Roth. But first, she needs to understand and meet Roth IRA contribution requirements. One requirement is to have 2022 earnings (taxable compensation) (tinyurl.com/3psuajpx).
Taxable compensation includes wages, salaries, commissions, tips, bonuses or net income from self-employment. IRS Tax Topic 451 (tinyurl.com/342erczh) provides more information. For more information about Roth IRAs, see tinyurl.com/yp6dsx9y.
If her earnings are above a certain threshold, she will not be able to do a Roth contribution. The IRS website provides the details, which are based on filing status (tinyurl.com/3463s63t).
E.S. could also do a Roth conversion by taking more out of her tax deferred IRA above and beyond the RMD she has already taken. Taxes will have to be paid on that distribution in order to do the conversion.
No. 3: D.W. wondered if the SECURE Act (Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement Act) affected the RMDs he was taking yearly from the traditional IRA he inherited from his father in 2018. The answer is no.
Since the SECURE Act’s inherited RMD rules are not retroactive to 2018, D.W.’s RMDs are not affected. The rules that applied before the SECURE Act took effect can be found in IRS Publication 590-B for tax year 2019: tinyurl.com/y2d94dxy.
No. 4: The last question has to do with an individual in his 80s who is still working. The reader wants to know if he can contribute to his traditional IRA account at his age. The answer is yes.
There is now no age cutoff on contributions to a traditional or Roth IRA, thanks to the SECURE Act.
Now, let’s get back to you. If you happen to be a longtime reader of this column, let me know. I will consider doing a special column to feature you if you would like to share your story. Also, I’m thinking of possibly doing a few webinars on topics covered in the column. Let me know if that would interest you. Email me at readers@juliejason.com. | 2022-12-04T08:08:25Z | www.unionleader.com | 'Your Money': Your questions, answered | Business | unionleader.com | https://www.unionleader.com/news/business/columns/your-money-your-questions-answered/article_aef21a95-0c20-5678-8af5-41a81c5f27dc.html | https://www.unionleader.com/news/business/columns/your-money-your-questions-answered/article_aef21a95-0c20-5678-8af5-41a81c5f27dc.html |
The 2022 Infiniti QX60.
Infiniti/TNS
It’s hard to find anything bad to say about the QX60, although I feel it might be too pricey even for regular Infiniti consumers. But pricing these days is exceptionally inflated throughout the auto industry, so I am confident that Infiniti will keep the train moving with their beautifully designed QX60. | 2022-12-04T08:09:02Z | www.unionleader.com | Auto review: Infiniti finally gets it right with QX60 | Transportation | unionleader.com | https://www.unionleader.com/news/business/transportation/auto-review-infiniti-finally-gets-it-right-with-qx60/article_20d24081-26bb-5949-a8b2-0a42ea9e1827.html | https://www.unionleader.com/news/business/transportation/auto-review-infiniti-finally-gets-it-right-with-qx60/article_20d24081-26bb-5949-a8b2-0a42ea9e1827.html |
A worker oversees molten iron during cookware production at a factory in South Pittsburg, Tennessee, on March 7.
WASHINGTON — U.S. employers hired more workers than expected in November and increased wages despite mounting worries of a recession, but that will probably not stop the Federal Reserve from slowing the pace of its interest rate hikes starting this month.
The Labor Department’s closely watched employment report on Friday also showed about 186,000 people left the labor force last month, keeping the unemployment rate steady at 3.7%. Labor market tightness and strength keeps the Fed on its monetary policy tightening path at least through the first half of 2023.
Fed Chair Jerome Powell said on Wednesday the U.S. central bank could scale back the pace of its rate increases “as soon as December.” Fed officials meet on Dec. 13 and 14. | 2022-12-04T08:09:20Z | www.unionleader.com | U.S. job growth strong in November; wages rise | Business | unionleader.com | https://www.unionleader.com/news/business/u-s-job-growth-strong-in-november-wages-rise/article_df60176d-f4b7-5a01-bce0-86825805125a.html | https://www.unionleader.com/news/business/u-s-job-growth-strong-in-november-wages-rise/article_df60176d-f4b7-5a01-bce0-86825805125a.html |
Infowars founder Alex Jones speaks to the media after appearing at his Sandy Hook defamation trial at Connecticut Superior Court in Waterbury, Connecticut, on Oct. 4.
MIKE SEGAR/REUTERS/File Photo
By Tom Hals and Jonathan Stempel Reuters
"Like every other cowardly move Alex Jones has made, this bankruptcy will not work," said Chris Mattei, an attorney representing Sandy Hook families. "The American judicial system will hold Alex Jones accountable, and we will never stop working to enforce the jury’s verdict."
Jones's lawyers have said he would appeal the Connecticut and Texas verdicts.
Bankruptcy can be used to wipe out debts, but not if they result from "willful or malicious injury" caused by the debtor. Jones's lies appear to meet that standard, said Susan Block-Lieb, a professor of bankruptcy law at Fordham University School of Law.
"Defamation is pretty clearly an intentional tort - it is especially clear in Alex Jones's case,' Block-Lieb said.
"Now that he's filed for bankruptcy, his assets are an open book," Scheinberg said. "If you hide assets in a bankruptcy case, that's a federal crime." | 2022-12-04T08:09:26Z | www.unionleader.com | Alex Jones files for bankruptcy following $1.5 billion Sandy Hook verdicts | Courts | unionleader.com | https://www.unionleader.com/news/courts/alex-jones-files-for-bankruptcy-following-1-5-billion-sandy-hook-verdicts/article_2f23ebf1-316f-5676-9059-f3d2430c2354.html | https://www.unionleader.com/news/courts/alex-jones-files-for-bankruptcy-following-1-5-billion-sandy-hook-verdicts/article_2f23ebf1-316f-5676-9059-f3d2430c2354.html |
Britain’s Prince William, Prince of Wales, Catherine, Princess of Wales, and actor Rami Malek chat at The Earthshot Prize Awards, held at the MGM Music Hall at Fenway, in Boston on Friday.
David L. Ryan/Pool via REUTERS
By Jeff Mason and
Brian Snyder Reuters
BOSTON — Prince William greeted President Joe Biden at Boston’s waterfront on Friday, the final day of a visit by British royals trying to focus attention on tackling environmental issues.
In the middle of their U.S. visit, however, Netflix Inc released a trailer for an upcoming documentary series about William’s younger brother, Harry, and his American wife, Meghan, reviving talk about rifts in the royal family. Buckingham Palace also was dealing with a new racism controversy.
Saint-Gobain PFOA case argued in Supreme Court | 2022-12-04T08:10:15Z | www.unionleader.com | Prince William meets President Biden, awards climate prizes | Environment | unionleader.com | https://www.unionleader.com/news/environment/prince-william-meets-president-biden-awards-climate-prizes/article_9b567bbe-393d-5bd3-9514-6dced9b7446f.html | https://www.unionleader.com/news/environment/prince-william-meets-president-biden-awards-climate-prizes/article_9b567bbe-393d-5bd3-9514-6dced9b7446f.html |
A: That’s a great question! There are a couple of new studies out that show how powerfully breathing affects brain function, including mood and emotions. One published in Psychological Review found that brain rhythms are closely tied to the rhythm of your breathing and how you breathe affects emotions, attention, and how you process the outside world. The researchers also observed that you are more sensitive to the outside world when you breathe in deeply and you tune out the outside world when exhaling.
This aligns with findings of a study in JAMA Psychiatry that examined the benefits of mindfulness-based stress reduction versus medication commonly prescribed for anxiety (escitalopram). The researchers from Georgetown University Medical Center found that mindfulness was just as effective as the prescribed drug, with none of the potential side effects. After two months of doing two-and-a-half hours of mindfulness classes a week along with 45 minutes of daily practice at home, participants’ anxiety level declined by about 30% — the same amount of benefit experienced by participants taking the medication.
In MBSR, you focus on your breathing as it moves in and out of your body — you can try breathing in for a count of four (your belly button should rise as you fill with air) and out for a count of eight. You can also practice walking meditation in which you pay attention to your breathing and the subtle body movements that maintain your balance. MBSR teaches you to increase the attention you pay to all your senses — touch, sound, sight, smell and taste — and to intentionally embrace an open, accepting attention to everything you do, breathing included.
Practitioners stress that MBSR is meant to be complementary to treatments by psychologists and physicians. If you would like to find a certified instructor, check out www.mindfulleader.org. Search their certified teacher directory.
Q: I’m working hard to improve my eating habits, but I just can’t shake my craving for chips and cookies. Any tips? — Carey T., Kansas City, Missouri
A: It’s common for folks who are struggling with unhealthy eating habits to feel like it’s all their fault. And, of course, you have a personal responsibility for not getting 10,000 steps a day or eating endless meals of fast and fried foods. But, there are powerful external forces at work, too.
We now know that big food companies’ processed foods are greatly responsible for the obesity epidemic — and (maybe) why. A study in Obesity hypothesizes that we all have a protein target we automatically try to satisfy, and if our diet is protein-shy and loaded with fats and processed carbs, we overeat to try to get to the desired protein intake.
Changing that pattern turns out to be tough since we also now understand that highly processed foods can be as addictive as nicotine!
A study published in Addiction applied the criteria used to establish that tobacco was addictive to highly processed foods and, bingo! It turns out that those edibles also trigger compulsive use and cravings and the more you eat, the more you want, even when facing life-threatening diseases like diabetes and heart disease. Highly processed foods also cause changes in the brain that are as great as those nicotine triggers.
Why are highly processed foods addictive? The researchers say it’s because they rapidly deliver unnaturally high doses of fat and carbs, plus those foods contain many additional chemicals that the body cannot process easily and clear from the body.
How can you overcome your addiction? Like with any compulsion, you want to admit it, change your environment (clear highly processed foods out of the house) and substitute new habits for old ones. Post reminders of how those foods harm you. And exercise regularly — it dispels the stress that withdrawal can cause. Also, check out my book “What to Eat When.” | 2022-12-04T08:10:23Z | www.unionleader.com | Breathing to better mental health; processed food addictions | Health | unionleader.com | https://www.unionleader.com/news/health/breathing-to-better-mental-health-processed-food-addictions/article_0a32dc5d-1310-5035-a3b8-9667be6561cf.html | https://www.unionleader.com/news/health/breathing-to-better-mental-health-processed-food-addictions/article_0a32dc5d-1310-5035-a3b8-9667be6561cf.html |
Cay Bowman takes a phone call about Medicare plans at ServiceLink in Concord. The State Health Insurance Assistance Program provides free, confidential counseling for seniors about their Medicare options.
Cay Bowman, a volunteer with the State Health Insurance Assistance Program, takes a phone call at ServiceLink in Concord on Friday. The program provides free, confidential counseling about Medicare options.
Cay Bowman counsels her fellow senior citizens about their Medicare choices at the ServiceLink office in Concord. Bowman is a volunteer with the State Health Insurance Assistance Program.Medicare “is a very confusing little beast,” she says.
Volunteer Cay Bowman takes a phone call at ServiceLink in Concord.
Cay Bowman
But for seniors grappling with the choices offered around Medicare, the challenge is downright daunting.
“It’s incredibly confusing,” says Terri Vineyard.
Coming from the state Medicare director at the state Department of Health and Human Services’ Bureau of Elderly and Adult Services, that’s saying a lot.
Medigap or Medicare Advantage?
Part C or Part D?
Plan A, B, G or K?
It’s a veritable alphabet soup of options. And it’s something everyone should think about before they turn 65.
Those TV ads that play ad nauseam — featuring celebrities such as Joe Namath, William Shatner, Jimmie “JJ” Walker and William Devane — only add to the confusion, experts say.
“Regardless of which option you are considering, it is critical for consumers to get information from reputable sources,” D.J. Bettencourt, deputy commissioner of the state Department of Insurance, said in a recent webinar about Medicare.
“Let’s be honest,” Bettencourt said. “Insurance is complex for a lot of us, and when you’re a senior, it can seem almost insurmountable to understand, particularly if you’re someone going through this process for the first time.”
Traditional Medicare, or “original” Medicare, includes Part A (hospital coverage) and Part B (doctor visits, lab tests and other outpatient services).
Part D, sold by private insurers, offers prescription drug coverage.
But those aren’t the only options to consider.
Medicare supplement insurance, sometimes called Medigap, is sold by private insurance companies and can help pay some of the costs that original Medicare does not, such as co-payments and deductibles. There are 10 standardized Medigap plans, named by letter (Plans A, B, C, D, F, G, K, L, M and N).
Medigap only works with original Medicare and does not cover prescription drugs; you still need a Part D plan for that.
Then there’s something called Part C, or Medicare Advantage, offering Medicare-alternative plans sold by private companies that contract with the federal government. These plans may offer coverage for services Medicare does not, such as vision, hearing or dental care.
Options create confusion
Christina FitzPatrick, the state director of AARP New Hampshire, said choosing the right Medicare plan is a “double-edged sword.”
“Having more choices means you’re likely to find something that really suits your needs, but it adds so much complication, it’s hard to sort through to find the thing that’s going to be best for you,” FitzPatrick said.
Advocates recommend that seniors contact the State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP), where trained counselors provide free, unbiased information about the range of plans out there. Provided through ServiceLink, there’s a SHIP office in every county. You can find your local office by calling the ServiceLink Resource Center at 866-634-9412.
Vineyard, the state Medicare director, said literally hundreds of plans are available to New Hampshire seniors, varying by insurance company and even by county. And those plans can change from year to year.
“There is no sugarcoating it,” she said. “It’s overwhelming, and it’s under constant flux.”
Vineyard said SHIP counselors can’t recommend one approach over another, and they can’t tell seniors what they should do. “However, what we can do is help the beneficiary evaluate their options based on their individual needs,” she said.
“Someone might not need that much medication; they might be relatively healthy,” she said. “Someone who maybe has some more things healthwise going on is going to have significantly different needs than someone who just has to take a statin once in a while.”
Not necessarily an advantage
Becky Rostron trains the SHIP counselors who help people figure out their best options based on their personal situations.
“We listen to the consumer and what their needs are and what their concerns are and we take it from there,” she said.
For many consumers, when it comes to Medicare, she said, “You don’t know what you don’t know.”
No one has to sign up for a supplemental or Advantage plan, Rostron said. If someone is on traditional Medicare, they can sign up for prescription Part D coverage during their initial enrollment period for Medicare.
Medicare Advantage plans are required to provide the same benefits offered by original Medicare, Rostron said, and such plans can also offer additional benefits that Medicare does not.
“However, they may apply, and often they do, different rules, different costs and restrictions such as provider networks or referral requirements,” she said. “If you’re seeing a provider that’s not in that network, you may pay more or may have no coverage.”
These are all difficult, emotionally fraught decisions, Rostron said. “You’re dealing with your money, you’re dealing with your health care,” she said.
And no one can predict what their future medical needs may be. “You can say you’re really healthy now, but none of us know what tomorrow brings,” she said.
‘Confusing little beast’
Cay Bowman of Concord has been a SHIP counselor for 15 years, working at the Community Action Program office for Belknap and Merrimack counties in Concord.
At 71, Bowman puts in the equivalent of a fulltime job as a SHIP volunteer. “This is my passion,” she said.
Medicare, Bowman said, “is a very confusing little beast.”
“So many people struggle with trying to get connected with the right coverage that they need for their care,” she said.
Bowman helps people understand the options that are out there, and how much various plans will cost based on their medical conditions and prescription drug costs. “We can show them everything, but the final decision is theirs,” she said.
Look at the nice celebrity
SHIP trainer Rostron said she’s had seniors come in asking for plans pushed by their favorite celebrity in those ubiquitous TV ads.
“We have to explain to them that you have the right to enroll in what you’re asking about and if that is what you want, we will help you do that,” she said.
But she also points out the tiny print at the bottom of those national ads, warning that plans may not be available in every area.
In rural New Hampshire, she said, “Ninety percent of the time, what they’re advertising that’s catching their eye does not apply here,” she said.
Those TV ads have been ramping up lately, with the impending Dec. 7 deadline for Medicare beneficiaries to sign up for Part D plans.
“You can’t watch a Hallmark movie or even listen to a hard rock station without being bombarded by open-enrollment advertising,” said Vineyard, the state Medicare director. “And they’re all promising different things.”
Vineyard said she understands why those ads work for some seniors. “You have a familiar face, a comfortable personality, telling you ‘Hey, sign up for this plan,’” she said. “I would imagine that it would feel comforting and a little bit like a lifeline: OK, I’ll do that and that solves the problem for me.”
“The problem is that particular plan Joe Namath or William Shatner is hawking might not meet your needs.” Vineyard said.
In the recent webinar, Bettencourt, the assistant insurance commissioner, said his department has seen an increase in complaints to its consumer division from seniors about “confusing, misleading, deceptive and aggressive advertising of these types of plans.”
“So it is critically important that consumers are discerning when choosing between a Medicare Advantage or Medicare supplemental product,” he said.
State wants ad oversight
The Insurance Department approves Medicare supplemental rates and policies, and it licenses the companies that offer and sell those plans. The department also has oversight over advertising for such plans, and handles complaints about inappropriate sales practices.
But it has no authority over Medicare Advantage products; that lies with the federal government, officials said.
Bettencourt said his department has asked the state’s congressional delegation to push for state oversight of advertising for such products, to better protect seniors.
“We’re talking about a group of consumers that we know is particularly vulnerable to those deceptive advertising campaigns,” he said.
Meanwhile, some ads may be having the opposite effect on many viewers.
A recent online story warning seniors about celebrity ads unleashed a torrent of complaints.
“Years of exposure to the Namath/Walker ads has convinced me that I want nothing to do with the program or the folks who choose and pay them,” one person wrote.
“What is going on here,” another said. “Are you people trying to drive us seniors completely berserk ...?”
Vineyard said the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services is tracking complaints about such ads.
Her advice: “If an offer sounds too good to be true, it probably is.” | 2022-12-04T08:10:35Z | www.unionleader.com | Picking a Medicare plan: Choice and confusion | Health | unionleader.com | https://www.unionleader.com/news/health/picking-a-medicare-plan-choice-and-confusion/article_536d29b3-7950-5c27-888e-569be81019e0.html | https://www.unionleader.com/news/health/picking-a-medicare-plan-choice-and-confusion/article_536d29b3-7950-5c27-888e-569be81019e0.html |
Santa and Mrs. Claus pose with Parker Adams, 5, and his brother, Finn, 2, at the Deerfield town offices last week. It’s a busy time of the year for Dan and Diana Greenleaf of imsanta.org.
Like Santa and Mrs. Claus, Dan and Diana Greenleaf have to deal with a range of emotions when they chat with children like Nolan Murphy, 1, from Deerfield, who is crying during his first visit with Santa. His sister Amelia, 5, looks on.
Santa and Mrs. Claus, (Dan and Diana Greenleaf) pose with Samantha McPhee, 8, and her sister Kendall, 5, as mom Caitlyn takes a photo at the Deerfield town offices last week.
Participants in the 2021 Santa Camp in Greenfield included Chris Kennedy of North Little Rock, Arkansas, who became a professional Santa after receiving a racist letter when he put an inflatable Black Santa on his front lawn. He said Black children like his daughter deserve to see themselves represented at Christmastime.
Provided by HBO Max
What does Santa wear to go for a swim? An old-fashioned red-and-white striped swimming outfit, of course — at least that’s what Dan Greenleaf was wearing when he did a cannonball at Santa Camp in Greenfield last year.
Dan Greenleaf is a busy man this time of year. He shows up at parties, tree lightings and parades in his red Chrysler Town & Country minivan with the license plates “IMSANTA.” He listens as children recite their Christmas lists and takes a lot of pictures.
His appearance says it all: A big belly, fluffy white beard and a shiny red suit. His presence is requested at more than 100 events each year leading to Christmas.
Where’s the sleigh?
“It’s back in the North Pole,” Greenleaf said outside the Deerfield Parks & Recreation office last week. “It’s getting ready for Christmas.”
During a meet and greet, 5-year-old Parker Adams sat on Santa’s lap next to his brother, Finn, 2, and asked for as many Legos as possible under the tree.
“Did you know at the North Pole, we had to build a whole factory just for Legos?” Greenleaf said.
Beyond the seemingly endless pre-Christmas stops, Greenleaf, 71, of Manchester, and his wife, Diana, appear in HBO Max’s new documentary, “Santa Camp,” which debuted on Nov. 17. The documentary, directed by Nick Sweeney and produced by Emmy winner Stacey Reiss, took about two years to film.
Every year, the New England Santa Society hosts Santa Camp in late August in Greenfield, which caught the attention of Sweeney. The camp was started in 2012 to teach the tricks of the trade.
“I just think that if we hadn’t been there filming, no one would believe that it took place,” Sweeney said. “It was just so surreal and so weird.”
The film also profiles a Black Santa named Chris, a Santa with a disability named Fin and a transgender Santa named Levi.
Through his business, imsanta.org, Greenleaf helps book Santas, Mrs. Clauses and elves throughout the holiday season. The past couple of years, he has tried to network with Santas of different ethnicities and Santas who speak different languages.
The society’s website features profiles of “Christmas Talent” for hire.
Every client has a specific idea of what Santa should look like, usually stemming from the storybook “image of the Santa they grew up with,” Greenleaf said. Or maybe from “Miracle on 34th Street” or a Coca-Cola commercial.
Outside the stop in Deerfield, Greenleaf shows off his red robe with white fur trim, black boots, gold-rimmed glasses and jingle bells on his pants cuffs.
His belt features bottles of magic crystals: Green makes the sleigh go, red stops time, yellow helps him down the chimney and blue helps put children back to sleep if they catch Santa delivering gifts. A big gold key gets Santa into homes without fireplaces.
Even at 5-feet-9 inches and about 265 pounds, some think Greenleaf is not hefty enough.
“I have a lot of people say, ‘Well, you’re not that fat. You’re not fat enough,’” he said. “I could lose 100 pounds.”
A few years ago, one customer specifically asked whether Santa would be White — a question Greenleaf had not heard before. His eyes were opened to a growing diversity among Santas.
In 2020, the Bookery in Manchester held an event with Black Santa, at which one kid approached Santa for the first time without crying.
“He didn’t even want to leave without saying bye to Santa first,” the bookstore posted on Facebook. “THIS....THIS is the reason Inclusion and Representation matters in everything we do.”
Chris Kennedy — who goes by Black Santa ARK — came to the camp from North Little Rock, Arkansas, after receiving a racist letter for placing a 7-foot inflatable Black Santa on his lawn. The 35-year-old decided to become a professional Santa so that Black children like his daughter, Emily, could see themselves represented around Christmastime.
“Santa is the most recognizable icon in the world, and this is the best way to talk about inclusion and diversity,” said Reiss, the documentary’s producer.
Outside his home on Deerfield Road in Candia, Dwayne Sumpter displays a similar inflatable Black Santa, which he bought on Amazon.
“We actually have a Black Santa and a White Santa to represent the Black community,” he said. “It is not recognized as much as it should be in New Hampshire.”
He hadn’t heard about the documentary, but isn’t surprised by pushback from those who think Santa needs to be typecast as big, jolly and White.
“They probably say the same thing about Jesus,” Sumpter said. “And if you actually read the Bible, it tells you he had bronze skin and sheepish hair.”
Unlike Kennedy, Sumpter has had no problems with the lawn decoration. It’s all about the joy the season brings, he said.
“Let’s recognize everybody,” he said.
Sweeney pointed to a scene in the film featuring Richard Marshall of Hooksett. They only filmed with Marshall, who died in July 2021, for one day.
Marshall broke into the middle of a conversation with other members of the society about the origins of Santa during a brunch.
“It doesn’t matter,” Marshall said in the film. “God created no junk, whether they are gay, White, Jewish, Black. It just doesn’t matter.”
The new documentary has some lighter moments, including Greenleaf doing a cannonball into Otter Lake wearing an old fashioned bathing gown with red-and-white stripes.
“Without being immodest, there were points in it where I was like, ‘Damn my beard looks good,’” he said.
Greenleaf said he was moved by the film, which he didn’t see until the premiere at Doc NYC, an annual documentary film festival in New York City.
“My post on Facebook was: I cried, I laughed, I got mad,” Greenleaf said. “Of the people who have seen the film, that is kind of the feedback we get.”
In one scene, Proud Boys protest a church event with Trans Santa.
But in another, some people drove 300 miles to take pictures with Kennedy at a festival of lights.
“It speaks volumes to the idea that people are looking for a Santa who looks like them,” Greenleaf said.
Greenleaf has been doing this work for 15 years, after getting his start bringing Christmas cheer to skiers at Gunstock Mountain, where he worked as a ski instructor. His beard was shorter and darker back then, so he used a fake one.
Greenleaf keeps up with the times with new books and movies coming out, such as “The Christmas Chronicles.”
He learned the hard way about the Elf on the Shelf during a visit with a child at Boston Children’s Hospital, when he reached up and took hold of the doll.
“The little girl said, ‘No, no, no, you can’t touch her!’” Greenleaf said. “Because if you don’t know, when you touch an elf it loses its magic.”
Santa told her not to worry; he’s the boss. There are so many moments that Greenleaf has to think on his feet.
Back in Deerfield, Amelia Murphy, 5, unfolded her list, which included photos clipped from store circulars. Her requests included a friendship bracelet maker, painting kit and a light-up globe.
On the picture of the globe, Santa pointed out his flight plan for Christmas eve.
“I go down and up and down and up, because there are different time zones,” Greenleaf said.
Amelia told Santa she wishes she could visit the North Pole.
“I know, a lot of people do,” Greenleaf said. “But we would end up being so busy, and all the elves would want to go play and have fun. We would never end up getting anything done.”
One constant question he gets no matter the time of year: Are you the REAL Santa?
Why wouldn’t he be? Kids usually go down the checklist: His belly, beard and jolly spirit.
“You know? Maybe I am,” Greenleaf responds. | 2022-12-04T08:10:43Z | www.unionleader.com | HBO documentary 'Santa Camp' features Manchester's own Claus | Human Interest | unionleader.com | https://www.unionleader.com/news/human_interest/hbo-documentary-santa-camp-features-manchesters-own-claus/article_d2d8b365-4f07-54c5-b779-4d00729dd949.html | https://www.unionleader.com/news/human_interest/hbo-documentary-santa-camp-features-manchesters-own-claus/article_d2d8b365-4f07-54c5-b779-4d00729dd949.html |
Democratic presidential hopeful Joe Biden speaks to supporters at the Rex Theatre in Manchester on Feb. 8, 2020, three days before the New Hampshire primary.
President Joe Biden’s hope for a leadoff South Carolina presidential primary came closer to reality on Friday when party officials meeting in Washington approved a calendar that boots New Hampshire from its coveted first-in-the-nation primary status.
The action by the Rules and Bylaws Committee of the Democratic National Committee represents one of the biggest challenges to New Hampshire’s leadoff status in decades.
The plan calls for New Hampshire and Nevada to share a primary day that would follow South Carolina, with subsequent contests in Georgia and Michigan.
While the New Hampshire primary has been under threat in the past, its status has never been opposed by a sitting president, said Dante Scala, a professor of political science at UNH.
By tweaking the lineup of primaries and caucuses, Biden cements his alliance with Black voters and makes it easier for himself to win re-nomination should he choose to run for reelection.
“This is about Biden and cold, calculated politics,” Scala said. “This is about him rewarding his key supporters.”
Biden came in fifth in the New Hampshire primary in 2020, famously leaving the state before all votes were counted and flying to friendly South Carolina. The South Carolina primary revitalized his campaign, which led to his defeat of sitting President Donald Trump.
Neil Levesque, the director of the Saint Anselm College Institute of Politics put it another way: “They’re trying to rig it.”
New Hampshire has a state law that requires its primary be held ahead of similar contests, and for decades the Granite State has followed only the Iowa caucus.
On Thursday, both Republican Chris Sununu and top Democratic officials in New Hampshire said the state will enforce its laws.
But the danger becomes if New Hampshire throws a primary and no one comes.
In the past, the Democratic Party has sought to pressure and sanction candidates who campaigned here. Measures included threatening that their delegates would not be seated and/or the candidates would not be seated in debates.
The candidates ignored the sanctions, and the party backed down.
But if Biden refused to campaign in New Hampshire, his stance would pressure other candidates to bypass the state, Scala said.
And race could quickly become part of the equation. Candidates who campaigned in New Hampshire could end up facing difficult questions in other states about whether they respect voters of color.
“What we see as protecting our status, I think other Democrats see as extending an unfair advantage,” Scala said. “I don’t know what cards New Hampshire has left to play at this point.”
The fact of the matter is that Biden owes New Hampshire nothing, Scala said.
Of course, a sitting president usually does not face a significant presidential primary; the last to do so was Jimmy Carter in 1980. But Levesque said if Biden bows out and Vice President Kamala Harris runs, a South Carolina primary would favor her.
Levesque is not as fatalistic about the primary. If a prominent Democrat chooses to challenge Biden or Harris, that candidate would visit New Hampshire despite any sanctions or negative feelings. The publicity would be too tempting to pass up.
Levesque believes such a candidate could easily deflect any criticism along racial lines. He said Biden has good reason by bypass New Hampshire.
Neither Biden nor Harris are strong campaigners, so they would prefer that South Carolina, which is controlled by party bosses, host the nation’s first primary, said Levesque, a registered Republican.
“Joe Biden is going to be 82 years old if he runs again. Do you think he wants to come to New Hampshire and take questions in the Red Arrow diner?” Levesque said.
He added that the Bernie Sanders progressive wing of the Democratic Party gets hurt in a primary such as South Carolina.
Meanwhile, on Friday, a key New Hampshire Democrat was trying to appeal to another wing of her party — labor.
State Sen. Donna Soucy, a DNC member, tweeted that the Biden-favored early primary states are all right-to-work states. New Hampshire is not, she noted.
The committee decision on Friday is only a recommendation, and the full Democratic National Committee will have to vote on the calendar. The DNC meeting is currently scheduled for February.
“I was on the DNC for 20 years and never understood why they had spent more time creating controversy over the nominating calendar than they did on figuring out how to win elections,” tweeted Kathy Sullivan of Manchester, a former chairman of the state Democratic Party.
She tweeted that the 2020 calendar gave progressives such as Pete Buttgieg and Elizabeth Warren a forum to promote policies that the Biden administration later adopted.
After second recount flip, N.H. House is 201-199 Republican
Manchester state rep recount to continue | 2022-12-04T08:11:08Z | www.unionleader.com | DNC panel votes to change primary calendar; NH faces biggest threat ever to first-in-the-nation status | Voters First | unionleader.com | https://www.unionleader.com/news/politics/voters/dnc-panel-votes-to-change-primary-calendar-nh-faces-biggest-threat-ever-to-first-in/article_446e0e02-5dd9-5af4-addf-7a137b8017be.html | https://www.unionleader.com/news/politics/voters/dnc-panel-votes-to-change-primary-calendar-nh-faces-biggest-threat-ever-to-first-in/article_446e0e02-5dd9-5af4-addf-7a137b8017be.html |
A few noteworthy products I reviewed and recommended earlier this year have been updated or had new models added to the product line. I will highlight them here for holiday shoppers:
Mojawa MOJO2 bone conduction headphones: These headphones are a new version of the top-rated Mojawa bone conduction headphones I reviewed a few months ago. They allow you to listen to music and other audio programming without covering your ears for greater awareness of the world around you. The MOJO2 has a new design for significantly better comfort and upgraded sound quality, and they are keeping heavily discounted Black Friday pricing ($109.99, from $149.99) through the end of the holiday season. Mojawa products are sold on Amazon.
ZVOX AV110 Micro Home Theater System: This system takes a tiny ZVOX TV speaker and combines it with a miniature subwoofer that can be placed behind the television to produce full-range sound with surprising bass and sonic impact. It is on sale for the holidays for $119.99, reduced from $249.99. zvox.com
Cromify E9000 vacuum sealer: This sealer now has eight different modes for dry and wet foods and is a great choice for anyone who wants to store food at optimum freshness, avoid freezer burn or try sous vide cooking. The Cromify E9000 sells for under $50 on Amazon.
Pelican 8QT Personal Cooler: The little brother to Pelican’s outstanding 14QT Personal Cooler, the 8QT version features the same premium build quality and integrates a removable ice pack to keep contents cool all day long. Pelican coolers are preferred by many over their pricier competitors from Yeti, and at only $69.95 this is a wonderful gift for well under $100. pelican.com
Q. Several years ago you helped me build an audio system and I still love it! It has an Onkyo TX-8020 stereo receiver, an Audio-Technica AT-LP120-USB turntable a pair of Wharfedale Diamond 10.1 speakers. The system is in a medium-sized finished basement and I was thinking of adding two more speakers to the back of the room. Would you advise a certain model of speakers for that, and do you think I’d notice an improvement?
—B.F., Butler, Pa.
A. Whenever adding speakers to any system you should always try to use speakers from the same line, which in your case would be Wharfedale Diamond. They could be bigger or smaller, but as long as they are all Diamonds they will be tonally matched to create the most cohesive, even sound throughout the listening area.
The only way adding two speakers in the back might improve your listening experience is if you had a home theater surround receiver with a music-compatible surround mode, such as Dolby Pro Logic II. Such processing takes a stereo recording and adds to the sense of depth by extracting and feeding spacial information to the rear channels.
Whether it is actually an improvement is subjective, and you are modifying the signal away from the original intent of the artist and sound engineers, so it is going to be less accurate no matter your impressions.
Your Onkyo receiver is a stereo receiver, which means it does not have these processing modes even if it has terminals for connecting another stereo pair of speakers. The best use of these terminals is to power speakers in a different area. You have an excellent system and if you want to upgrade, I suggest adding a Bluetooth receiver or CD player. | 2022-12-04T08:11:38Z | www.unionleader.com | Sound Advice: Holiday gift ideas and audio system upgrades | Lifestyles | unionleader.com | https://www.unionleader.com/nh/lifestyles/sound-advice-holiday-gift-ideas-and-audio-system-upgrades/article_dfd57cfe-c31f-5a04-9cab-6841a46318fb.html | https://www.unionleader.com/nh/lifestyles/sound-advice-holiday-gift-ideas-and-audio-system-upgrades/article_dfd57cfe-c31f-5a04-9cab-6841a46318fb.html |
Horse hair was one of the building materials used to create this fallen nest.
Cheryl Kimball Nature Talks: Life with livestock is nothing but nature
MY BELOVED HORSE died on Thanksgiving morning. A week before if anyone had asked I would have said he was a very healthy 21-year-old horse. And then in 24 hours he colicked and died, probably of a fatty tumor strangulating his intestines. The horse digestive system was, as they say, designed by committee.
In the eight years I have written this column every other week, readers have occasionally emailed me, when I wrote about my horses (I had three when I started writing Nature Talks), that they wanted to hear about nature not about horses. My column today is about how taking care of horses, or any livestock, is about nothing if not nature.
First, the most very basic thing is that when you care for barn animals, you likely get up pretty early in the morning. I would not have seen hundreds of sunrises if it had not been for getting out to the barn and feeding to leave time to get ready for work. And I probably would not have seen many unbelievably huge full moons or gorgeous slivers of crescent moons and everything in between if I hadn’t gone to the barn well after dark each night. Which is something tending livestock does — it gets you outside several times during the day no matter what the temperature.
Barns themselves are nature havens. I have learned more about bats from the colony that lives in the rafters of our three-story barn than I ever would have otherwise. Instead of being afraid of them, I welcome their presence. I see them flitting around eating mosquitoes in the evening, hear them chattering at me from the rafters or hear the June babies make the tick-tick-tick sound to alert their mothers of where they are.
Porcupines live under our barn and likely have for most of the time since it was built in, it says on one rafter, 1834. I now know quite a lot about porcupines. I have plucked quills out of horse noses and fetlocks, getting educated early on that porcupines don’t “throw quills”; those quills in a horse’s nose or fetlock got there because the inquisitive horse checked the porcupine out.
I suppose it’s hard to say never, but it is highly unlikely a porcupine would be aggressive and go after a horse; their quills passively do their battle for them. A young porcupine once sat on a rafter and watched me feed for several weeks. And through wanting to know more about him I learned that young porcupines are called “porcupettes,” that they are born with soft quills that harden pretty quickly after birth. And I learned that they are adorable.
Nature Talks readers like to hear mostly about birds, I have also learned. And I don’t blame you, birds are a big deal to me, too. Feeding horses has added to my birding in countless ways. After feeding in the morning, especially in spring, I often sit in a chair near the barn with a pair of binoculars and see early-rising birds I would otherwise miss if I were in the house doing dishes or still in bed — warblers migrating back in the spring, pileated woodpeckers in the tree next to the barn.
Because a barn was one of my requirements in looking for a place to buy almost three decades ago, I share my spring mornings with barn swallows flying in and out building beautiful nests in the rafters. And I very much enjoy the chittering of the baby swallows as the brood hangs over the nest, each entreating their adult provider to give them that food, not their brother or sister beside them.
Without horse care on my to-do list, I might never have had an eight-month love affair with a pigeon. Rocky, as I came to call this rock pigeon, arrived one August morning looking longingly at the 50-gallon horse water tub, whose waterline was too low for him to bend and drink from. He apparently appreciated my kindness of filling the tub to the brim (while he watched from the top of the horse shed) so he could get a drink and hung around becoming comfortable enough to eat from my hand and sit on my head.
Feeding hay means birds like sparrows and juncos hang around and eat the seeds left behind. Many of the blow-down bird nests I find on the property are carefully woven with fine horse mane and tail hair.
Lastly, the horses provide an early warning system for things going on in the field and surroundings. If we are at the “breakfast bar” at the kitchen window and heads pop up from eating hay, we know something is going on. Many times it is a flock of turkeys. Once it was a moose which caused my horse’s eyes to nearly bug out of his head. I will miss a lot of nature observations while my barn is empty of horses. | 2022-12-04T08:11:44Z | www.unionleader.com | Cheryl Kimball Nature Talks: Life with livestock is nothing but nature | Outdoors | unionleader.com | https://www.unionleader.com/nh/outdoors/cheryl-kimball-nature-talks-life-with-livestock-is-nothing-but-nature/article_eb8f4e0b-2c3f-59da-bc75-31f7a810208d.html | https://www.unionleader.com/nh/outdoors/cheryl-kimball-nature-talks-life-with-livestock-is-nothing-but-nature/article_eb8f4e0b-2c3f-59da-bc75-31f7a810208d.html |
Hold onto your stockings, please. Christmas is just three weeks from today.
We thought that might get your attention.
With all the running around and planning and trying to get the right gift for someone (slippers are always nice), we understand how one or more people may slip from your list. We just hope you will remember some that you may not even know but whose needs this year are pretty basic.
Much attention is paid to toys at Christmas and understandably so. The joy of kids finding gifts under the tree is a big part of the day. And let’s face it, a new bike or hand-held game is likely to bring more squeals than a pair of socks,
But the kids we are thinking about, and their parents, are in need of things beside toys. If you think inflation has whacked your grocery list, think of a family living on far less.
The Union Leader Santa Fund for the Salvation Army tries to get toys, of course. But it provides more than that for families in need. It provides warm clothing for those kids, as well as help with the heating bill for dad. And while there might be a toy or two in the Santa Fund bag, there are also vouchers for kids for summer camp next year.
So when you are reviewing your list, please think about the Santa Fund. Donations may be made online at UnionLeader.com/Santa Fund or mailing a check to Santa Fund, Union Leader, PO Box 9555, Manchester, NH, 03108. | 2022-12-04T08:12:15Z | www.unionleader.com | Check that list: One gift to remember | Editorials | unionleader.com | https://www.unionleader.com/opinion/editorials/check-that-list-one-gift-to-remember/article_4aa0841b-6a15-5ea0-814a-412879411375.html | https://www.unionleader.com/opinion/editorials/check-that-list-one-gift-to-remember/article_4aa0841b-6a15-5ea0-814a-412879411375.html |
Hey, Jeanne Shaheen, Ray Buckley, and the rest of the New Hampshire Democratic Party establishment: Please spare us the expressions of shock and high dudgeon. You are just as much to blame for the announced destruction of the first-in-the-nation presidential primary as is Joe Biden.
Killing the primary is the natural progression of your identity politics, where racial, ethnic, and even sexual preference quotas and affirmative action are given special status and reserved seating. President Biden said as much in delivering his “Nix New Hampshire” order last week.
Shame on you, Chris Pappas and Maggie Hassan, for not targeting more Pacific Islanders to move to Goffstown!
Expect more hot air and “we’re still going first” blather from Buckley and the fearful foursome of Shaheen, Hassan, Pappas and Kuster. But they won’t actually do anything. They will be ignored.
Unless some brave soul steps forward to seriously challenge the clearly failing Biden for the nomination, the Democratic Party faces disaster in 2024. New Hampshire’s primary, of course, is ideally suited for such a campaign. | 2022-12-04T08:12:21Z | www.unionleader.com | Quotas at work: Democrats knife NH | Editorials | unionleader.com | https://www.unionleader.com/opinion/editorials/quotas-at-work-democrats-knife-nh/article_6d660f88-cfdc-5eb5-991b-d3aba6a10361.html | https://www.unionleader.com/opinion/editorials/quotas-at-work-democrats-knife-nh/article_6d660f88-cfdc-5eb5-991b-d3aba6a10361.html |
A solution looking for a problem
To the Editor: HB1137 was recommended not to pass by the NH House Education Committee. One of the proposed mandates in HB1137 would force more government control over curriculum. School boards can already adopt policies determining local government control over curriculum. Boards can also decide whether to vote on every textbook or piece of curriculum.
We sometimes forget a school board’s role in education. Think of a school district as a corporation, the school board as the board of directors, and the superintendent as a CEO. The board directs the day-to-day operations in an advisory role with the final say over budgetary items and policies. The superintendent runs the day-to-day operations and ensures the will of the board is carried out. School boards have lots of discretion over how much they advise. Superintendents have lots of discretion in carrying out day-to-day operations.
HB1137’s issue is the state mandating how much advisement school boards provide to superintendents and staff. Local control allows flexibility. We would never place mandates upon corporations and expect better operations. We shouldn’t think school districts perform better with more mandates.
Some state rules and guidelines are needed to help. But when do state mandates become less about improving the service and more about politics? Is forcibly expanding the power of local governments good for Granite Staters?
HB1137 was a solution looking for a problem; a solution already exists with school boards. Public input, awareness, and voting for school board candidates that understand their role is the best solution. | 2022-12-04T08:12:27Z | www.unionleader.com | Letter: A solution looking for a problem | Letters to the Editor | unionleader.com | https://www.unionleader.com/opinion/letters_to_editor/letter-a-solution-looking-for-a-problem/article_79987213-5e79-5567-b1a9-386a0c361cdd.html | https://www.unionleader.com/opinion/letters_to_editor/letter-a-solution-looking-for-a-problem/article_79987213-5e79-5567-b1a9-386a0c361cdd.html |
A problem looking for a solution
To the Editor: I’m happy to see the resolution to the un-housed citizens who were banished from the parks. The corner of Merrimack and Pine is a much better solution. A crowd of people mingling on the sidewalks, with overflow into a busy street, possibly impeding traffic is a much better solution. Overflow into the former Freed’s parking lot is convenient.
Not to mention the surrounding fences being used for drying racks. The “swap shop” is a nice touch. The potential for accident cases will be appreciated by the neighboring attorneys.
Let’s be real! There certainly has to be a better solution to the issues than endangering people and motorists.
ALETA PAQUETTE
Old Wellington Road
Old Wellington Road, Manchester | 2022-12-04T08:12:33Z | www.unionleader.com | Letter: Looking for a better solution | Letters to the Editor | unionleader.com | https://www.unionleader.com/opinion/letters_to_editor/letter-looking-for-a-better-solution/article_9982b816-1af0-5b0c-8987-fa56a7f90ad5.html | https://www.unionleader.com/opinion/letters_to_editor/letter-looking-for-a-better-solution/article_9982b816-1af0-5b0c-8987-fa56a7f90ad5.html |
DURHAM — The University of New Hampshire men’s hockey team, coach Mike Souza said, made mistakes common of a young group in its loss to No. 9 Boston University on Friday night.
The Terriers scored the game’s final three goals inside the last 10 minutes to secure a 6-3 triumph over UNH with 4,396 fans in attendance at the Whittemore Center.
The Wildcats, who have 16 underclassmen on their roster, were winless (0-10-1) in their last 11 games heading into the rematch of the teams Saturday night at BU.
“Good atmosphere, close game — just a young team that made some really young mistakes at the end of the game, to be honest with you,” Souza said.
Terriers senior captain Domenick Fensore scored the game-winning goal following a Jay O’Brien faceoff win in the UNH zone with 9:38 remaining. Fensore lifted the puck over Wildcats freshman goaltender Tyler Muszelik’s right shoulder off the faceoff — a play Souza said the team practiced defending this week.
“That’s experience, I think,” Souza said of Muszelik surrendering the Fensore goal. “That’s one he’d love to have back.”
O’Brien beat UNH freshman center and Brentwood resident Cy LeClerc on the faceoff. LeClerc went 20-9 (69%) at the dot overall.
Muszelik (15 saves) entered the game after senior goaltender David Fessenden (11 saves) received a game misconduct and major penalty for spearing 5:47 into the second period.
Ethan Phillips scored off a cross-ice feed from Ty Gallagher 1:12 after Fensore’s tally, giving BU a two-goal cushion. Fensore capped the game’s scoring with 46.9 seconds left with a power-play goal.
First-year BU coach Jay Pandolfo said the Terriers matched UNH’s desperation in the third period.
“They were playing a desperate game and they were outworking us and outplaying us in the second period,” Pandolfo said of the Wildcats. “I thought if we come out in the third and play the way they’re playing, we’d have a chance. I think our guys stepped up in the third period.”
UNH scored all its goals in a penalty-filled second period to knot the score at 3-3 entering the last 20 minutes.
The Wildcats finished 2-for-6 on the power play and 6-for-8 on the penalty kill. UNH logged 21 penalty minutes on five calls while BU had six minutes on three calls in the second frame.
LeClerc, UNH’s leading goal-scorer (seven) entering Saturday, notched two power-play goals and classmate Morgan Winters scored UNH’s first short-handed goal of the season in the second period.
The Terriers, who led, 2-0, after the first period, took a 3-2 lead on freshman forward Quinn Huston’s power-play goal from the left circle 7:35 into the middle period. LeClerc’s second tally tied the game with 5:22 left in the second.
Terriers freshman forward Devin Kaplan opened the game’s scoring at the 4:23 mark with a goal from the left circle that tucked inside the near post.
BU senior forward Sam Stevens scored from the doorstep with 9:18 left in the opening frame off a give-and-go pass from Dylan Peterson on a BU counter rush.
Vinny Duplessis made 26 saves for the Terriers in his first start since a 2-1 loss at UMass Lowell on Oct. 28.
“I was proud of the way our kids played for most of the game tonight,” Souza said. “When things are going like this, you seem to find ways to lose — not win games.” | 2022-12-04T08:12:57Z | www.unionleader.com | Late mistakes costly for UNH against BU | College Sports | unionleader.com | https://www.unionleader.com/sports/college/late-mistakes-costly-for-unh-against-bu/article_43d2659e-8a09-530b-a2f3-ccf7d795b307.html | https://www.unionleader.com/sports/college/late-mistakes-costly-for-unh-against-bu/article_43d2659e-8a09-530b-a2f3-ccf7d795b307.html |
Longtime referees Moe Bilodeau, left, and Gerry Veilleux, both of Manchester, take a moment at halftime of their last high school football game, the Turkey Bowl at Gill Stadium. Bilodeau and Veilleux are retiring after a combined 64 years of officiating.
Editor's Notebook: Retiring refs, Turkey Day leftovers and more
THE NOTEBOOK is overflowing, so let’s get right to it ...
• Now Moe Bilodeau is really retired.
Bilodeau, perhaps the most well-known high school sports official of this generation, retired once, from basketball, in 2016.
And on Thanksgiving, the Manchester resident put away his whistle for good, after refereeing the Turkey Bowl between Central and Memorial. So ended a 36-year career on the football fields.
He was joined in retirement on the same day by another Manchester guy, Gerry Veilleux, who officiated football for 28 years.
Happy retirement, gents, and enjoy those 11 grandchildren between the two of you.
• The Turkey Bowl may not have been an artistic success, but the teams’ quarterbacks, Memorial junior Connor McFarland and Central soph Cayden Salvi, give both teams hope for the future.
• The most commonly heard word at the Turkey Bowl, unfortunately, was “sad.” Old-timers remember the days when you counted the crowd in thousands, not hundreds.
• A tip of the ballcap to Winnacunnet High players and coach Ryan Francoeur for stepping in and playing Lowell (Mass.) High School on Thanksgiving when Lowell’s scheduled holiday opponent got into some trouble with alleged hazing. Then Frankie Brown led the Warriors to an 8-7 win, throwing an option pass for a TD and running in the deciding two-point conversion.
• Another good one left the Manchester coaching scene. Corri Wilson, who coached West volleyball for four seasons and Blue Knights girls tennis for two, is stepping down. If you played well for either of those teams during her time, you regularly got your name in this paper for your accomplishments. Wilson didn’t just coach kids, she advocated for young women.
• Brown University junior midfielder Charlie Adams, a Gatorade Player of the Year while at Hanover High, was named to the Academic All-District Men’s Soccer Team.
• Plymouth State University junior Taylor Healey of Campton had quite the field hockey season. Healey finished the season with a program-record 60 points, fueled by a five-goal, four-assist game against UMass Dartmouth. For her efforts, Healey was selected to the National Field Hockey Coaches Association Division III All-Region II First Team. The Panthers finished 11-6 — their most wins since 2027.
• Following in the tradition of talented Granite Staters at Saint Joseph College in Standish, Maine, Elisabeth Staplefeld of Brookline was named Rookie of the Week by the Great Northeast Athletic Conference for the week ending Nov. 26. The freshman guard, who was a 1,000-point scorer at Hollis-Brookline High, averaged 8.5 points, 4.5 rebounds and 3.5 assists for the week.
• A co-worker here remembered attending the game at Fenway in August of 1972 when Hall of Famer Gaylord Perry, who died last week at 84, broke Doug Griffin’s hand with a pitch. Another co-worker wondered how Perry threw hard enough to break anyone’s hand.
• John Hadl, who passed away last week, was the third great quarterback from the old American Football League to die in a seven-month span. Daryle Lamonica left us in April, Len Dawson in August.
At last check, Joe Namath was living comfortably in Jupiter, Fla.
• Granite Staters Zach Sanford and Tim Schaller are teammates for the AHL Milwaukee Admirals (Nashville).
Schaller, 32, of Merrimack, is one of the team’s assistant captains, providing veteran leadership. He has three goals and five assists through 19 games. Sanford, 27, had one goal and one assist in limited NHL time this season before being sent down by the Predators on Nov. 23. The Green Acres Elementary School (and Pinkerton and Boston College) grad had one assist in his first four games with the Admirals. The Preds are no doubt hoping Sanford can return to the form that made him a presence during the Blues’ Stanley Cup run in 2019.
• Sixty minutes. UNH’s hockey team is having some trouble with that concept.
The Wildcats didn’t win Friday night’s game against mighty Boston U. and ended up losing by three goals. But the ’Cats did a lot of good things in the middle period and the first half of the third, only to see it all go up in smoke when the Terriers’ cream, led by smooth-skating defenseman Dom Fensore, rose to the top.
— Brentwood’s Cy LeClerc showed his quick release on a pair of beautiful power-play goals. (See Alex Hall’s feature, Page C1.)
— The Wildcats scored a shorthanded goal, by Morgan Winters.
— UNH consistently used the body to, dare we say, intimidate BU. The Terriers were looking over their shoulder for all of the second period into the third.
All of that happened after BU dominated the first period and before the Terriers erupted late.
Sixty minutes. Lack of consistency. Yes, the telltale sign of a young team.
• ECAC hockey fans will remember Jordan Samuels-Thomas, the NHL’s first Black referee since 2004, as a big scorer in his two seasons starring at Quinnipiac (2012-13 and 2013-14). And if you’re really good, you may remember Samuels-Thomas’s one and only game as a Manchester Monarch (ECHL) that came somewhere during the 2015-16 season.
• Manchester’s Wenyen Gabriel, a 6-foot 9-inch forward, is submitting some solid nights for the L.A. Lakers. Gabriel, 25, is averaging 5.4 points and 3.6 rebounds per game and hit for 15 points, four rebounds and two blocks in a Nov. 27 win over the Spurs. Gabriel registered five points and six rebounds in the Lakers’ win over the Bucks on Friday night.
• Manchester’s Akok Akok, plagued by injuries at UConn before transferring to Georgetown, was averaging 7.4 points and 7.8 rebounds per game for Patrick Ewing’s Hoyas, who dropped to 4-5 after Saturday’s 74-71 overtime loss to South Carolina.
Akok, listed as a junior, had six points and seven rebounds on Saturday.
• The high school basketball and hockey jamborees have begun.
• And the schedules are out for the holiday basketball tournaments. Both the Queen City Invitational Basketball Tournament at Memorial and the Doug Chandler Memorial Basketball Tournament at Central begin on Tuesday, Dec. 27.
The QCIBT first-round schedule: Bow vs. Salem, 3 p.m.; Exeter vs. Bedford, 4:30 p.m.; Central vs. Trinity, 6 p.m.; West vs. Memorial, 7:30 p.m.
The Doug Chandler tournament first round schedule: West vs. Merrimack, 1:30 p.m.; Trinity vs. Bow, 3 p.m.; Central vs. Conant, 4:30 p.m.; Memorial vs. Derryfield, 6 p.m. | 2022-12-04T08:13:10Z | www.unionleader.com | Editor's Notebook: Retiring refs, Turkey Day leftovers and more | Sports | unionleader.com | https://www.unionleader.com/sports/editors-notebook-retiring-refs-turkey-day-leftovers-and-more/article_4e36246f-c47f-5320-92dd-d428fbc181ee.html | https://www.unionleader.com/sports/editors-notebook-retiring-refs-turkey-day-leftovers-and-more/article_4e36246f-c47f-5320-92dd-d428fbc181ee.html |
Keke Palmer confirms pregnancy in 'Saturday Night Live' monologue
Saturday’s episode leaned heavily into accusations made by alleged former partners of Walker who say that the antiabortion candidate pressured them into getting abortions.
During “Weekend Update,” co-host Colin Jost said, “The Georgia Senate runoff set records for early voting. Herschel Walker has always encouraged his supporters to take care of voting early before it becomes a problem.”
Jost seemingly got all of the hot-button jokes of the evening, as he was also tasked with tackling Ye’s bout on “Info Wars” with Alex Jones. Managing to hit two Ye controversies in a single-one liner, Jost says “Kanye West made anti-Semitic jokes and said ‘I like Hitler,’ which is also the password he used to get into Mar-a-Lago.” | 2022-12-05T08:09:06Z | www.unionleader.com | Keke Palmer confirms pregnancy in 'Saturday Night Live' monologue | Back Page | unionleader.com | https://www.unionleader.com/news/back_page/keke-palmer-confirms-pregnancy-in-saturday-night-live-monologue/article_66f3fea5-4f4c-5329-8489-4f790598cf6f.html | https://www.unionleader.com/news/back_page/keke-palmer-confirms-pregnancy-in-saturday-night-live-monologue/article_66f3fea5-4f4c-5329-8489-4f790598cf6f.html |
Shops are closed following the recent riots and the call of protesters to close the markets, in Tehran Bazaar, in Tehran, Iran, on Nov. 16.
DUBAI — Protesters in Iran called on Sunday for a three-day strike this week, stepping up pressure on authorities after the public prosecutor said the morality police whose detention of a young woman triggered months of protests had been shut down. | 2022-12-05T08:10:22Z | www.unionleader.com | Iran protesters call for strike, prosecutor says morality police shut down | News | unionleader.com | https://www.unionleader.com/news/iran-protesters-call-for-strike-prosecutor-says-morality-police-shut-down/article_85807b71-ad35-5503-960d-a4a4fd34a20d.html | https://www.unionleader.com/news/iran-protesters-call-for-strike-prosecutor-says-morality-police-shut-down/article_85807b71-ad35-5503-960d-a4a4fd34a20d.html |
World Cup: France, England showdown set
France and England earned World Cup victories on Sunday, setting up a showdown between the countries next week.
For France, Olivier Giroud opened the scoring and Kylian Mbappe tallied twice to lead France to a 3-1 win against Poland.
England advanced with a 3-0 win over Senegal.
Midfielder Jordan Henderson, captain Harry Kane and Bukayo Saka scored to lead England.
England has scored 12 goals so far in the World Cup, equaling their previous best World Cup total in Russia in 2018 when it reached the semifinals. | 2022-12-05T08:11:31Z | www.unionleader.com | World Cup: France, England showdown set | Sports | unionleader.com | https://www.unionleader.com/sports/world-cup-france-england-showdown-set/article_385a9a63-0e0c-550f-80e8-01503c4c7000.html | https://www.unionleader.com/sports/world-cup-france-england-showdown-set/article_385a9a63-0e0c-550f-80e8-01503c4c7000.html |
Dennis Higgins sweeps Pine Street in front of his tent at the homeless encampment near Families in Transition adult shelter on Manchester Street in Manchester on Wednesday.
Kalee Chaput puts a tarp over her tent before last Wednesday’s storm at the homeless encampment near Families in Transition adult shelter.
Dennis Higgins covers his belongings with a tarp at the homeless encampment near Families in Transition adult shelter on Manchester Street in Manchester on Nov. 30.
Kalee Chaput sweeps the street in front of her tent at the homeless encampment near Families in Transition adult shelter on Manchester Street in Manchester.
Homeless encampment: Dennis Higgins covers belongings
MANCHESTER HAS always wanted a big city feel, and this fall, the city started to resemble our skyscraper cousins such as Seattle, Los Angeles and New York.
With nowhere else to go, our homeless citizens started pitching tents on the sidewalks outside the old New Horizon homeless shelter on Pine Street, just like the big cities.
“We get kicked out of everywhere where the cops tell us to go,” said Kalee “Little Bit” Chaput, whose tent is at the corner of Pine and Manchester streets. She has been there about a month, after the city cleared her camp in the wooded area under the Amoskeag Bridge.
November weather is cold and dry one day, warm and wet the next. But this month the air will turn cold and it could snow. As that happens, here are some things to keep in mind when you drive down Pine Street and either bow or shake your head.
Everything is full
The tents are outside the adult emergency shelter operated by Families in Transition (which avoids the name New Horizons, the name of the decades-old shelter the organization took over five years ago). The capacity at the shelter is 138.
Even in August it was housing 130 people a night. It’s now at capacity almost every night, said Stephanie Savard, chief of external relations for FIT.
“We’re stretched,” Savard said.
On Thursday, the overnight warming station opened at 1269 Cafe. People can find a warm place to spend the night as long as they sit at tables.
By keeping people at tables rather than stretched out on cots, 1269 can keep up to 53 people warm. If 1269 laid cots down, it could hold 17, said 1269 co-founder Mary Chevalier.
Last year, the center was mostly full, hosting an average 52 users a night.
The tents are legal
According to both the mayor’s office and Manchester police, the tents are on the sidewalk legally.
Police monitor the sidewalk area frequently and enforce laws, they said. The tents can’t take over the sidewalk and block passage.
Mayoral spokesman Hannah Chisholm said a foot is wide enough for passage, but tenter Dennis Higgins, said he tries to keep enough distance for a wheelchair to get by.
How long will they be legal?
An activist involved in homeless causes, Dam Wright, recently posted a city ordinance on the the Manchester Homeless Lives Matter Facebook page. The ordinance says the city will only enforce its no-camping ordinance when an “overnight shelter” is available.
The ordinance doesn’t give a clear definition of what “overnight space” or “overnight shelter” means, and whether the Cafe 1269 space qualifies.
Sidewalk living
Higgins said the sidewalks are safe as opposed to living in the woods, where the vulnerable can be victimized and things can get out of control.
At times, citizens and church groups visit and distribute food and warm drinks.
But the biggest unmet necessity?
“Public toilets. That’s the biggest problem right now,” Higgins said.
“I go once a day,” said Chaput, who usually uses the bathroom at Cafe 1269.
The FIT homeless shelter also won’t allow the homeless living outside their doors to use the bathroom, Savard confirmed.
Savard said FIT is stretched to capacity and does not operate a drop-in day program. “We do not have public restrooms.”
Food didn’t appear to be a big issue when I visited. Cafe 1269 provides a hot lunch, and although FIT has no plans to reopen its soup kitchen to outsiders, food is available through its Lake Avenue pantry.
The city remains divided
On Pine and Manchester, the people feel both the love and the hate from the Queen City. Strangers and church groups will come by with food and hot drinks, Chaput said.
But motorists will blow their horns late at night to awaken people from their sleep, Higgins said. He wonders how the snowplow will treat the sidewalk dwellers.
Wright said he’s seen people pelted with eggs, rocks, BBs and firecrackers.
“It sucks being treated the way we are out here. The only difference between us and them is the roof over their head,” said Chaput.
Meanwhile, activist groups such as Rights and Democracy New Hampshire and Wright’s Facebook page, which has 2,000 followers, debate homelessness on social media.
Advocates also speak at biweekly meetings of the aldermen.
But they don’t seem to have much sway. In October, aldermen enacted an ordinance that pushed homeless out of one more spot in the city — parks.
And the city promotes its See Click Fix app for residents to take pictures of encampments and report them to the city, which basically equates lives of homeless people to a junked couch on the side of the road.
Nothing is going to happen quickly
The city’s new homeless czar, Adrienne Beloin, the former director of the St. Francis House homeless shelter in Boston, started her job in Manchester a week ago today. Don’t expect anything right away.
“We’re giving Adrienne time to get her feet under her before any changes or decisions are made,” Chisholm said.
Understandably, Beloin didn’t want to speak to reporters her first week on the job, she said.
Beloin’s immediate boss, Fire Chief Ryan Cashin, said in an email on Friday that there are 116 homeless individuals in the city, with that number “constantly shifting,” along with the number, size and location of encampments.
Wright, who describes himself as a homeless initiatives coordination consultant, said he knows 150 people who live on the streets, and if you count people in cars or those who stay hidden, the number could top 1,000, an estimate I seriously doubt.
Yet, the need is there. The Waypoint shelter for young adults found lots of interest when it opened its 14 beds last month. Fifty families are on the waiting list for the 11 spots at FIT’s family shelter.
And at Manchester City Welfare, the entire focus has switched from rehousing homeless people to preventing homelessness by staving off evictions or foreclosure in the first place, said director Charleen Michaud. It is nearly impossible to find an apartment for people once they are homeless, she said.
“It’s awful right now, awful,” Savard said about the lack of emergency housing.
“We’re on the other side of COVID, and our heads are spinning trying to find the best services and how do we sort them out?”
Manchester hires new homelessness director
A former director of programs and services at the largest day shelter in Massachusetts has been hired as Manchester’s new director of homeless…
Towns without motels or other stopgap housing measures must pay the cost of benefits for residents who move to other cities for temporary shel…
Manchester aldermen vote to ban shopping carts, other items in city parks
Saying officials and residents “have had enough,” Manchester aldermen this week voted to ban shopping carts, tarps and temporary shelters and … | 2022-12-05T08:11:37Z | www.unionleader.com | Mark Hayward's City Matters: Winter is coming. Is the city ready to take care of the homeless? | City Matters | unionleader.com | https://www.unionleader.com/voices/city_matters/mark-haywards-city-matters-winter-is-coming-is-the-city-ready-to-take-care-of/article_86886236-d5c7-5344-a4cc-dd054453cf34.html | https://www.unionleader.com/voices/city_matters/mark-haywards-city-matters-winter-is-coming-is-the-city-ready-to-take-care-of/article_86886236-d5c7-5344-a4cc-dd054453cf34.html |
By David J. Lynch The Washington Post
The moderation in inflation is just beginning to appear in government statistics. In October, the Federal Reserve’s preferred price gauge, the personal consumption expenditures index, posted its smallest monthly increase since September of last year, and is up 6% over the past 12 months. The better-known consumer price index is rising at an annual rate of 7.7%, down from 9.1% in June.
Spending comeback
Cheaper chicken
“We have a favorable commodity outlook, not only for bone-in wings, but also for breast meat, which we believe will continue into early 2023,” Alex Kaleida, chief financial officer, told investors Oct. 26.
After soaring in 2021, wholesale used car prices are down 15 % from January, according to Manheim, an Atlanta-based automobile auction company. And those declines are starting to show up in prices paid by consumers, said Jonathan Smoke, chief economist for Cox Automotive.
”The used market has benefited from abnormal demand throughout the pandemic as a result of consumers being forced to buy used (who) could have or would have preferred to buy new,” Smoke said via email.
Apartment rents, meanwhile, after moving steadily higher all year, are finally cooling. The national average rent for a two-bedroom apartment is up 8.1 % from one year ago, down from April’s 14.6 % rate, according to Zumper, an online rental marketplace.
The Fed expects its preferred inflation gauge, the PCE index, to hit 2.8 % by the end of next year, down from 6 % today. | 2022-12-06T03:40:22Z | www.unionleader.com | From chicken wings to used cars, inflation begins to ease its grip | Business | unionleader.com | https://www.unionleader.com/news/business/from-chicken-wings-to-used-cars-inflation-begins-to-ease-its-grip/article_ef252870-7a58-52f9-8aaf-64d278161ccc.html | https://www.unionleader.com/news/business/from-chicken-wings-to-used-cars-inflation-begins-to-ease-its-grip/article_ef252870-7a58-52f9-8aaf-64d278161ccc.html |
Defense Attorney William Brennan argues a point of law in the charge in front of Judge Juan Merchan ahead of deliberations in the Trump Organization's criminal tax trial in Manhattan Criminal Court, New York City, U.S., December 5, 2022 in this courtroom sketch. REUTERS/Jane Rosenberg
The former president's company was charged in 2021 with paying personal expenses for some executives without reporting the income, and compensating them as if they were independent contractors.
Trump, who last month announced a third run for the presidency in 2024, was not charged in the case.
In instructing jurors on the law before deliberations began, Justice Juan Merchan in New York state court in Manhattan reminded them that they had pledged not to let their opinions about Trump influence their verdict.
Merchan said that even though Trump -- who owns the Trump Organization -- is not on trial, his awareness could provide evidence that the company is guilty. | 2022-12-06T03:40:34Z | www.unionleader.com | Jury begins deliberating in Trump Organization's criminal tax fraud trial | Courts | unionleader.com | https://www.unionleader.com/news/courts/jury-begins-deliberating-in-trump-organizations-criminal-tax-fraud-trial/article_7c3b6379-3983-5b03-827c-aa70efaa9fb5.html | https://www.unionleader.com/news/courts/jury-begins-deliberating-in-trump-organizations-criminal-tax-fraud-trial/article_7c3b6379-3983-5b03-827c-aa70efaa9fb5.html |
U.S. Senate Republican nominee Don Bolduc of Stratham announced Monday he would run to become vice chairman of the Republican State Committee. Outgoing Chairman GOP State Chair Steve Stepanek said he does not think Bolduc would be a "good fit" for the party role.
Bolduc for U.S. Senate campaign
Republican U.S. Senate nominee Don Bolduc of Stratham announced Monday he would run to become vice chairman of the Republican State Committee.
Bolduc launches bid for GOP leadership
Defeated Republican U.S. Senate nominee Don Bolduc of Stratham is running to become vice chairman of the Republican State Committee when its members elect a new leadership team next month.
Two-term Chairman Steve Stepanek and Vice Chair Pamela Tucker confirmed Friday that they would not run again, following a midterm election in which voters reelected the all-Democratic congressional delegation.
“The last few weeks laid bare the need to change as a party,” Bolduc said in a statement. “We have to counter the misconceptions peddled by the other side while convincing voters the core beliefs of the GOP are the policies best suited for their needs and to bring back American strength.”
A retired brigadier general, Bolduc said in two U.S. Senate bids he motivated grassroots support, and therein lies the future of success for the GOP.
“We ran a bottom-up campaign the New Hampshire way. Modern-day politics have replaced accountability and open dialogue with million-dollar smear campaigns and dark money organizations,” Bolduc said. “We need to put people back into politics.”
During a telephone interview, Stepanek said his opinion is that Bolduc would not be a good fit in the party leadership role.
“I don’t believe Don Bolduc can bring people together. The party leaders have to be able to work with all factions, and I see General Bolduc as alienating a lot of people,” Stepanek said.
As chairman and vice chair in 2022, Stepanek and Tucker were neutral in all GOP primaries.
Now that he’s stepping down, Stepanek lamented the national Democratic Party strategy to spend nearly $5 million to help convince Republicans to nominate Bolduc for Senate and Bob Burns of Pembroke for the 2nd Congressional District seat.
Gov. Chris Sununu had endorsed outgoing Senate President Chuck Morse of Salem and Keene Mayor George Hansel in the Republican primaries that Bolduc and Burns won.
“Don Bolduc did a great job getting through the primary, but he had no organization, no money, no real ground game, and he said some crazy things,” Stepanek said.
While the GOP lost all three federal races last month, Sununu won a fourth term, and the entire Legislature and Executive Council stayed in Republican hands.
The elected delegates to the Republican State Convention will meet Jan. 28 at Salem High School to pick their leaders.
Some activists are openly encouraging Republican National Committeeman Chris Ager of Amherst to run to replace Stepanek as party leader.
Ager could not be reached for comment.
Bolduc is the first GOP candidate to surface for vice chairman but likely not the last.
Some Hillsborough County Republicans are privately encouraging Ryan Terrell of Nashua to step up.
Terrell was confirmed in 2021 as the first Black member on the state Board of Education.
The Executive Council backed Terrell’s nomination for the board two years after the previous council, led by Democrats, rejected him.
Democratic activists on social media treated Bolduc’s latest effort with disdain, alluding to controversies that may have contributed to his loss to Sen. Maggie Hassan by a much bigger margin than pre-election polls predicted.
“The election denying, kitty litter touting guy who wants to gut Social Security and Medicare, that tracks,” Kathy Slade, a Democratic activist, wrote on Twitter.
Through a spokesperson, Democratic Party Chairman Raymond Buckley declined comment about Bolduc’s latest endeavor.
Party leaders in New Hampshire often avoid intramural power struggles that affect their rivals.
Stepanek said he plans to remain involved in party politics, and that stepping aside next month would allow him to be active in the 2024 presidential primary.
In 2016, Stepanek was a prominent supporter of Donald Trump’s campaign.
In turn, Trump twice embraced Stepanek’s leadership of the New Hampshire GOP.
Chris Ager
Steve Stepanek
Republican State Committee | 2022-12-06T03:41:11Z | www.unionleader.com | Bolduc seeks GOP leadership post | Voters First | unionleader.com | https://www.unionleader.com/news/politics/voters/bolduc-seeks-gop-leadership-post/article_78a405c4-a346-5fd7-8be7-1f98a6a8e464.html | https://www.unionleader.com/news/politics/voters/bolduc-seeks-gop-leadership-post/article_78a405c4-a346-5fd7-8be7-1f98a6a8e464.html |
Thomas Cantara competes in the Boston Marathon.
PROVIDED BY THOMAS CANTARA
THOMAS CANTARA
Athlete of the Month: Nashua's Cantara is a world beater
Cantara
Thomas Cantara wanted to set a personal-best time when he ran the Chicago Marathon in October.
The 32-year-old Nashua resident achieved that and then some.
Cantara finished the Oct. 9 race, his 20th marathon, in 2 hours, 36 minutes and 28 seconds. The time was both a personal best and a world-record mark for a Special Olympics athlete.
Cantara, who has Asperger’s syndrome, said the Special Olympics has told him the time is a world-record mark for this year and is researching to confirm that it is an all-time Special Olympics world record.
For his performance in the Chicago Marathon, Cantara was chosen as the Union Leader Apple Therapy Services/Bedford Ambulatory Surgical Center/Express MED October Athlete of the Month by the New Hampshire Union Leader Board of Judges.
The 2009 Nashua South graduate placed 263rd overall among a field of more than 40,000 runners.
“I had a goal in mind — to run a sub-2:40,” Cantara said. “When I got about halfway, I looked at my watch and I was about 1:18½. I just told myself, ‘Just play out the second half and see what happens.’”
After the halfway point, Cantara did not check his watch again until Mile 20 and did not expect to learn he was still under the two-hour mark. At Mile 25, Cantara checked his watch one last time. It read 2:28.
“I was like, ‘Wow, I did a lot better than I thought I was going to do,’” Cantara said of when he saw his final time at the finish line. “I was really surprised. It was a great day and a great course and everything just came together.”
Cantara began running marathons in 2012, when he lost about 80 pounds and got inspired by watching Boston Marathon coverage on TV. He joined the Gate City Striders running club that year and has been a member ever since.
Cantara, who has participated in numerous Special Olympics sports, also ran with the Greater Derry Track Club in 2015. Training with the club’s coach, Brandon Newbould, made Cantara the runner he is today, he said.
While Cantara usually trains for 20 weeks ahead of a marathon, he had only 16 weeks to prepare for Chicago after returning from the Special Olympics USA Games in June in Orlando, Florida, and a subsequent COVID-19 diagnosis. Cantara competed in track at the USA Games, running in the the 5,000-meter and 10,000-meter runs and the 4-by-400-meter relay.
Cantara said his COVID case cost him one week of training and he only had cold-like symptoms.
“I don’t recall having any problems at the beginning of my training,” Cantara said. “Because I did some running in Orlando and I only took a week off, I jumped back into it pretty easily.”
Cantara said he prepared for the marathon by running 6-mile tempo runs, doing cross-training days in which he ran one-hour stints on an elliptical and increasing his usual training mileage from 18 to 23 as Chicago got closer.
When the race began, Cantara felt rested, prepared and comfortable. His approach throughout Chicago was to just focus on how he felt and gradually pick up the pace after the first mile.
“It’s actually the first marathon where I had a faster second half than first half and that’s what I’m really proud of is my training really came through in the race,” Cantara said.
Cantara concluded his first trip to Chicago with an authentic deep-dish pizza before flying home the night of the race.
His next marathon will be his sixth Boston Marathon in April. Cantara placed 644th with a time of 2:42.39 in this year’s Boston Marathon and wants to finish in 2:34 or faster next year.
“My goal is to simply up my tempos because that’s been the thing that’s really bettered my times is just going a few seconds faster a mile on my tempos,” Cantara said. “That seems to be making all the difference.”
Other athletes considered for the October award were Portsmouth Christian Academy cross-country runner Brianna Malone, Gilford High School field hockey player Aly Pichette, Plymouth State University field hockey player Taylor Healey, Nashua South boys soccer player Santiago Somorrostro, Exeter High School golfer Jascha Johnston and Bow High School football player Hollis Jones.
Malone, a senior, won her third consecutive NHIAA Division III cross-country championship by finishing the Derryfield Park course in 19 minutes, 15.6 seconds on Oct. 29.
Pichette, a senior forward, logged 14 goals and six assists over unbeaten Gilford’s last four regular-season games and three-game playoff run to the NHIAA Division III title in October.
Healey, a junior forward from Campton, recorded 12 goals and three assists over Plymouth State’s 6-2 end to the regular season in October.
Somorrostro, a junior forward, tallied six goals and seven assists as Nashua South went 5-1 in October over its final six NHIAA Division I regular-season games.
Johnston, a sophomore, won his second straight NHIAA Division I individual golf championship on Oct. 13 at Bretwood Golf Course in Keene with his 3-under-par 69 score.
Jones, a senior running back, rushed for 398 yards and five touchdowns on 46 carries over Bow’s 5-0 October run to end the NHIAA Division III regular season. At linebacker, he posted 15 tackles, including one sack, an interception, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery that month.
Previous 2022 winners: January, Jackson Marshall, Hooksett (basketball); February, Brooke Paquette, Hudson (basketball); March, Geo Baker, Derry (basketball); April, Kyle Maurice, Exeter (baseball); May, Nate Fletcher, Greenland (outdoor track and field); June, Kristen Beebe, Brentwood (softball); July, Brandon Gillis, Nashua (golf); August, Julianna Megan, Hooksett (golf); September, Eli Bahuma, Concord (football). | 2022-12-06T03:42:29Z | www.unionleader.com | Athlete of the Month: Nashua's Cantara is a world beater | Sports | unionleader.com | https://www.unionleader.com/sports/athlete-of-the-month-nashuas-cantara-is-a-world-beater/article_f758af88-b817-52cc-9a53-f5d7919b5333.html | https://www.unionleader.com/sports/athlete-of-the-month-nashuas-cantara-is-a-world-beater/article_f758af88-b817-52cc-9a53-f5d7919b5333.html |
Facebook parent company Meta threatened it might take all news content off its U.S. platforms -- in what would be a major blow for journalism outlets grappling with a difficult media market -- if Congress moves ahead with a proposal that gives publications greater leverage to negotiate compensation from tech platforms distributing their content.
A Meta spokesman issued a blistering statement on Monday, criticizing any plan to accelerate the provisions from the Journalism and Competition Preservation Act through Congress. Such a move would force the technology giant "to consider removing news content from our platform altogether," Meta said in a statement shared by spokesman Andy Stone in a tweet, going so far as to say the proposal would create a "cartel-like entity."
"The Journalism Competition and Preservation Act fails to recognize the key fact: publishers and broadcasters put their content on our platform themselves because it benefits their bottom line - not the other way around," Meta said, arguing that any attempt to force the tech giant into direct negotiations with news outlets ignored the value it already provided to them in the form of increased traffic and subscriptions.
Proponents of the bill - provisions of which lawmakers are considering including as part of the mammoth National Defense Authorization Act, Reuters reported - say it would buoy the shrinking profits of local news outlets. The news industry's profits have declined significantly in recent years, and Google and Facebook have come to dominate advertising markets - a key source of revenue for journalism outlets.
A model similar to the U.S. proposal, introduced by Australia last year over the fierce objections of the tech industry, empowered Canberra officials to compel tech platforms to pay news outlets in return for linking to their original content. Facebook, as Meta was then known, resisted Australia's News Media Bargaining Code so vehemently that it even pulled news content from its social media feeds in the country completely, a news blackout that lasted several days and was strongly condemned by the Australian government.
An Australian government report reviewing the law's first year in effect, published earlier this month, concluded that the code had been a success and suggested officials consider extending it to other online platforms too. More than 30 commercial agreements were struck between Australian news outlets and either Meta or Google, the report said, a likely outcome of the code. "At least some of these agreements have enabled news businesses to, in particular, employ additional journalists and make other valuable investments to assist their operations," the report concluded.
Canadian lawmakers are debating similar measures which - if approved - would make theirs the second government in the world to force Meta and Google to negotiate commercial deals with news outlets whose content they distribute. The proposal would generate $241.7 million each year for Canadian news businesses, the parliamentary budget estimated in a report published October.
More than two dozen organizations, including the American Civil Liberties Union, The Wikimedia Foundation and the Computer & Communications Industry Association, signed a letter Monday objecting to accelerate the proposal. It "would create an ill-advised antitrust exemption for publishers and broadcasters," the groups said, arguing also that the proposed model would unfairly advantage larger media conglomerates over the local outlets its proponents say it would benefit. | 2022-12-06T19:37:59Z | www.unionleader.com | Meta could remove U.S. news if Congress helps outlets demand payment | Business | unionleader.com | https://www.unionleader.com/news/business/meta-could-remove-u-s-news-if-congress-helps-outlets-demand-payment/article_45791ee9-e51f-5d70-bf6c-313281f44430.html | https://www.unionleader.com/news/business/meta-could-remove-u-s-news-if-congress-helps-outlets-demand-payment/article_45791ee9-e51f-5d70-bf6c-313281f44430.html |
NEW YORK -- Jurors in the Trump Organization's criminal tax fraud trial resumed deliberations Tuesday.
Former President Donald Trump's real estate company is accused of scheming to defraud tax authorities by paying executives' personal expenses without reporting the income and paying bonuses to executives as if they were independent contractors.
Trump, a Republican, has called the case politically motivated. Both current Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg and the district attorney who brought the charges in 2021, Cyrus Vance, are Democrats. | 2022-12-06T19:38:05Z | www.unionleader.com | Jury resumes deliberating in Trump Organization criminal tax fraud trial | Crime | unionleader.com | https://www.unionleader.com/news/crime/jury-resumes-deliberating-in-trump-organization-criminal-tax-fraud-trial/article_be1102b1-77e8-5894-8d5b-e2efb33d3ce8.html | https://www.unionleader.com/news/crime/jury-resumes-deliberating-in-trump-organization-criminal-tax-fraud-trial/article_be1102b1-77e8-5894-8d5b-e2efb33d3ce8.html |
Fish and Game: Be prepared for winter hiking conditions
New Hampshire Fish and Game is warning hikers to be prepared for winter conditions, after a Massachusetts woman had to be rescued when she got hurt while hiking in North Conway on Monday.
The agency was notified at noontime that a hiker had been injured on the Peaked Mountain Trail. Mary Ellen Morris, 65, of Chelmsford, Mass., was hiking with her husband when she slipped on an ice-covered rock and injured her ankle, according to a news release.
The couple called 911 for help. Members of North Conway Fire, Action Ambulance and Lakes Region Search and Rescue responded to help Fish and Game conservation officers.
The injured woman was placed in a litter and carried out to the trailhead. She was taken by ambulance to Memorial Hospital.
“It is important to note that winter conditions including snow and ice are now present in the mountains,” the release stated. “Anyone venturing out should expect to encounter winter trail conditions.”
Outdoor enthusiasts can purchase Hike Safe cards at: wildnh.com/safe. People who obtain the cards are not liable to repay rescue costs if they need to be rescued, unless a person "recklessly or intentionally creates a situation requiring an emergency response," by state law.
For hiking tips and a list of essential gear, visit: hikesafe.com.
Donations to support the Lakes Region Search and Rescue, a volunteer search and rescue organization, can be made at: nhoutdoorcouncil.org. | 2022-12-06T19:38:35Z | www.unionleader.com | Fish and Game: Be prepared for winter hiking conditions | Outdoors | unionleader.com | https://www.unionleader.com/nh/outdoors/fish-and-game-be-prepared-for-winter-hiking-conditions/article_7d110478-0517-5e16-82eb-15d98c9c28ed.html | https://www.unionleader.com/nh/outdoors/fish-and-game-be-prepared-for-winter-hiking-conditions/article_7d110478-0517-5e16-82eb-15d98c9c28ed.html |
Rain. Low 47F. Winds ESE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 100%. Rainfall near a half an inch.
Back to God
To the Editor: We’re in a battle between good and evil and evil prevailed in this last election. God was thrown under the bus.
When God is excluded from a culture, something fills His space. Death, darkness and callous indifference took God’s place in this last election and in America.
Hassan, Kuster and Pappas brought us death for the unborn and have the ability now to help murder more babies because they’re back in office. They also brought us runaway inflation and uncontrolled illegals coming across our borders.
I don’t understand how they got voted in, but they did and we have to live with it for at least 2 more years.
Just recently National Public Radio played the recording of a real abortion, with the vacuum sound ripping the baby from the mother’s womb and moans from the mother. Yes, she’s still a mother, only she’s the mother of a dead baby now. Where is decency? Did NPR think this was entertainment? What were they trying to prove? NPR let us hear what death, darkness and callous indifference sounds like with the recording and broadcasting of a ‘real abortion’. Sick!
America needs ‘the true, the good and the beautiful’ and we didn’t get it in this last election and we’re not getting it from National Public Radio.
Only going back to God can give us ‘the true, the good and the beautiful’!
JOAN ESPINOLA | 2022-12-06T19:38:41Z | www.unionleader.com | Letter: Back to God | Letters to the Editor | unionleader.com | https://www.unionleader.com/opinion/letters_to_editor/letter-back-to-god/article_69a10a87-d9fb-505b-bfae-10968b0935c7.html | https://www.unionleader.com/opinion/letters_to_editor/letter-back-to-god/article_69a10a87-d9fb-505b-bfae-10968b0935c7.html |
CONCORD — The state’s largest electric utility received private bids that it will soon reveal on its cost to purchase power over the next six months.
Officials with Eversource last month warned the Public Utilities Commission of their concerns about the number of bidders and the prices for these offers given how high wholesale energy market costs have shot up in neighboring states.
The power purchase offers came to Eversource over a four-hour period Tuesday, according to company officials.
Last summer, Eversource and the state’s three other largest utilities each passed on to consumers a roughly 100% increase in this default service charge that appears on each customer’s monthly bill.
The PUC and Department of Energy rejected the suggestion from Eversource that state regulators become more involved in judging this bidding process.
Currently, the PUC votes up or down on the rates each utility submits to them.
The PUC is evaluating whether it should get more involved in power purchasing in the future.
These offers will become public once the utility makes a required filing to the PUC on Thursday, according to William Hinkle, the utility’s media relations manager.
Under this process, the utility is asking the PUC to act on its request by Dec. 15.
If approved, this power charge will then get passed on to customer bills from this coming February through August.
On Wednesday, the Business & Industry Association is hosting a daylong Energy Symposium at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel in Manchester.
Panels will focus on the oil and gas markets, electric vehicle infrastructure, and an “all of the above” energy mix and energy security.
Business And Industry Association
William Hinkle | 2022-12-07T08:42:00Z | www.unionleader.com | Eversource holds private auction, bids public Thursday | Energy | unionleader.com | https://www.unionleader.com/news/business/energy/eversource-holds-private-auction-bids-public-thursday/article_32e1379b-feb6-56c1-9a3c-6ce684561a89.html | https://www.unionleader.com/news/business/energy/eversource-holds-private-auction-bids-public-thursday/article_32e1379b-feb6-56c1-9a3c-6ce684561a89.html |
Many cuts have occurred at the corporate levels, keeping front-line and customer-facing staff in tact. And though some retailers still hired heavily for the holiday shopping season, they still scaled back, attuned to rising labor costs. PepsiCo’s cuts signal that more sectors are anticipating difficult financial times, said Tom Essaye, president of Sevens Report Research.
“This is really confirming so many other signs that we are headed toward a potentially pretty significant economic slowdown,” he said. This comes even as the nation’s job market has remained resilient as the Federal Reserve tightens interest rates in an effort to crush inflation. The U.S. economy added 263,000 in November, according to a Bureau of Labor Statistics report released Friday — a slight drop from October but still above historic norms. The puzzling economic picture has economists split on whether a recession will hit the U.S. sometime next year.
Still, high-profile layoffs and hiring slowdowns are still occurring, especially in the tech and media industries, including at Disney, AMC and Cisco. BuzzFeed said in a filing Tuesday that it would cut about 12 percent of its workforce. Amazon is expected to cut about 10,000 corporate workers, a big turnaround after the e-commerce giant’s years of massive growth. Meta said it would slash 11,000 staff, and Google and others announced hiring slowdowns.
The PepsiCo layoffs will target its beverage division in Purchase, N.Y., and its snacks and packaged food business, headquartered both in Chicago and Plano, Texas, according to the Journal.
A memo to staff explained that the layoffs were meant “to simplify the organization so we can operate more efficiently,” the Journal reported. The cuts follow what company leaders described as strong third-quarter results; revenue has jumped nearly 8 percent year to date.
The cuts may not be huge numerically, but what they signal is “more ominous,” retail analyst Neil Saunders said in an emailed statement.
”If a company performing well, with earnings and revenue up solidly in recent quarters, is reducing its workforce then it is likely others will be considering similar moves,” he said.
During its most recent quarterly earnings call, chief executive Ramon Laguarta said the company’s brands “are being stretched to higher price points,” and that consumers were following.
While inflation can sometimes bring in more money for companies, even as production costs increase, Essaye noted that higher prices will eventually constrict demand.
PepsiCo’s biggest competitor, Coca-Cola Co. said last month that it would offer voluntary buyouts to some workers, a tactic companies use to reduce their workforces.
”For now, a lot of firms are making small moves on labor as they wait to see how 2023 will shape up,” Saunders said in his statement. “However, if things deteriorate then the pace of layoffs could become more substantial. This, rather than inflation, could become the major economic problem in 2023.” | 2022-12-07T08:42:06Z | www.unionleader.com | PepsiCo plans to cut hundreds of corporate jobs: report | Business | unionleader.com | https://www.unionleader.com/news/business/pepsico-plans-to-cut-hundreds-of-corporate-jobs-report/article_1bd9fc19-47f1-55ce-aafd-4999b48dcd56.html | https://www.unionleader.com/news/business/pepsico-plans-to-cut-hundreds-of-corporate-jobs-report/article_1bd9fc19-47f1-55ce-aafd-4999b48dcd56.html |
Trump Organization lawyers William Brennan and Michael van der Veen return to the Manhattan Criminal Courthouse after a break following the jury deliberations in New York City Tuesday.
and Karen Freifeld Reuters
Trump himself is being investigated by the Department of Justice over his handling of sensitive government documents after he left office in January 2021 and attempts to overturn the November 2020 election, which he lost to Democrat Joe Biden. | 2022-12-07T08:42:31Z | www.unionleader.com | Trump's company convicted of scheme to defraud tax authorities | Courts | unionleader.com | https://www.unionleader.com/news/courts/trumps-company-convicted-of-scheme-to-defraud-tax-authorities/article_61cb60f3-08f7-5626-84ee-868ec8ef700f.html | https://www.unionleader.com/news/courts/trumps-company-convicted-of-scheme-to-defraud-tax-authorities/article_61cb60f3-08f7-5626-84ee-868ec8ef700f.html |
The injunction had been sought by the plaintiffs in a suit over school funding brought by attorneys Andru Volinsky, John Tobin and Natalie Laflamme.
Advocates for education finance reform said Rockingham County Superior Court Judge David Ruoff’s decision leaves them hopeful that the court will ultimately decide the statewide property tax is unconstitutional.
“While we’re disappointed that this request for an injunction was declined, we are still very optimistic about this suit,” said Zack Sheehan, project director with the New Hampshire School Funding Fairness Project.
The suit maintains the statewide property tax allows two dozen property-rich municipalities to retain part of the proceeds, which is unfair to the rest of the communities that get no excess from the tax.
The tax violates the provision in the state constitution which requires state taxes be “equal in valuation and uniform in rate,” the suit maintains.
Ruoff took over the case after another judge had to step aside when the “Coalition Communities 2.0” moved to intervene. The group represents the property-rich towns that oppose the suit.
The judge who recused himself and his wife own a residence and rental property in Lebanon, one of the coalition communities.
In the decision, Ruoff said granting the injunction would cause “substantial, immediate and concrete” harm to these property-rich towns that might have to send out supplemental tax bills.
He granted the coalition’s right to be a party to the lawsuit.
The case will likely proceed to a trial on the merits some time next year, officials said.
Andru Volinsky
Statewide Property Tax | 2022-12-07T08:43:13Z | www.unionleader.com | Judge declines to strike down statewide property tax | State | unionleader.com | https://www.unionleader.com/news/politics/state/judge-declines-to-strike-down-statewide-property-tax/article_9852b464-f613-50fe-a91c-a078c7864e12.html | https://www.unionleader.com/news/politics/state/judge-declines-to-strike-down-statewide-property-tax/article_9852b464-f613-50fe-a91c-a078c7864e12.html |
Here, State Rep. Chuck Grassie, D-Rochester, talked to reporters after a recount of his race ended in a tie. On Nov. 8, Republican David Walker had won by a single vote. Grassie said he’s optimistic the House will decide the race should be decided with a special election.
Secretary of State David Scanlan faces a challenge for re-election to a two-year term from former State Sen. Melanie Leveque, a Brookline Democrat.
Former State Sen. Melanie Levesque, a Brookline Democrat, said she would bring more professionalism to the office and better access to voting if the Legislature elects her as the next secretary of state Wednesday.
CONCORD — A historically divided House of Representatives meets for the first time Wednesday to organize, elect leaders and perhaps decide if the final unresolved seat in Rochester should go to the voters for a special election.
Less drama is expected in the state Senate, which no doubt will promote Senate Majority Leader Jeb Bradley, R-Wolfeboro, to take the gavel from outgoing Senate President Chuck Morse of Salem, who lost a U.S. Senate bid in November.
The midterm elections left House Republicans holding a 201-198 advantage, with a tie result for a seat in Rochester Ward 4 between Democratic Rep. Chuck Grassie and Republican David Walker.
Despite the razor-thin edge, House Speaker Sherman Packard of Londonderry is expected to win reelection to his first full-two year term as speaker.
Packard became speaker in Jan. 2021 following the death of Merrimack Republican Dick Hinch a month earlier after complications from COVID-19.
There’s no opposition to new terms for the other House officers, Paul Smith as clerk and J.B. Cullen as sergeant-at-arms.
House Democratic Leader Matt Wilhelm of Manchester, who could oppose Packard for the top spot, likely would come up just short, given the partisan split.
Both chambers then meet jointly to decide whether to give new two-year terms to Secretary of State David Scanlan and State Treasurer Monica Mezzapelle.
Former State Sen. Melanie Levesque, a Brookline Democrat, is challenging Scanlan, a Bow Republican, but signs on the eve of that vote pointed clearly to Scanlan retaining the post.
The GOP holds a 14-10 edge in the state Senate, giving the party a 215-208 advantage over Democratic lawmakers if everyone shows up.
Scanlan told the Union Leader a House Democrat will place his name in nomination and another House Democrat will second the choice, followed by nomination speeches from two GOP legislators.
Scanlan took the post a year ago when Secretary of State Bill Gardner, a Manchester Democrat, retired after 45 years on the job.
In wake of primary fight
The Democratic National Committee By-Laws Committee did Levesque no favors last week when it recommended a 2024 presidential primary calendar that would give South Carolina the first-in-the-nation primary, three days ahead of New Hampshire.
The state’s all Democratic congressional delegation has condemned the move and encouraged the next secretary of state to use unprecedented powers to schedule the first primary at least seven days before any “similar contest.”
Gov. Chris Sununu decried what he called the “blackmail” threats by the DNC panel, which recommended New Hampshire either repeal its first-primary law or risk having its election moved later than the first tier of states in 2024.
Levesque said if elected she would fight to keep New Hampshire’s primary first.
“As secretary of state I would follow the N.H. law stating N.H. will hold the first primary,” Levesque said in a statement.
Levesque has criticized Scanlan’s management of the more than 30 recounts after the midterm elections. One was for a Manchester Ward 6 House that required a court order to continue the count because the first process came to an incorrect result.
“There has been plenty of time to formalize such processes over the last decade, yet mistakes were still made during this recount; mistakes New Hampshire can ill afford with the eyes of the country upon us,” Levesque said.
Scanlan said the state faced and completed a record number of recounts after a record-breaking turnout for a midterm election last month.
“The system worked well but we have new laws that required everyone to collect new data points and I could see the first day of the recounts that this caused some complications,” Scanlan said.
“I felt the proper and transparent thing to do was to admit mistakes were made and correct them and that’s exactly what was done.”
Levesque also vowed to push for election law reforms from no-excuse voting to cast an absentee ballot to creating an automatic voter registration program.
“Scanlan consistently supports legislation that makes it harder to register and vote in our state,” Levesque said.
Scanlan said New Hampshire has high voter turnout because it’s one of the easiest states in the nation to cast a ballot while boasting safeguards that ensure only those eligible are voting here.
The University of New Hampshire Survey Center said Tuesday its poll concluded voter confidence in New Hampshire (76%) went up significantly since the last presidential elections of 2020 (65%) and 2016 (57%).
Despite some national surveys that rank New Hampshire low for ballot access, the same poll found 88% said it was easy to vote last month, which included 82% of Democrats.
On Tuesday, Scanlan spoke to the House Democratic Caucus to correct misstatements that he said Levesque made in this campaign about the office’s financial accounting and work on updating the use of electronic voting machines for future elections.
“I am very proud of what my team has accomplished in 10 short months, and look forward to the prospect of continuing to improve our operations at multiple levels,” Scanlan wrote in a letter to the elected legislators.
Levesque and her supporters have defended making those statements.
Mezzapelle faces no opposition in her bid for a second, full two-year term as state treasurer.
The last seat in the House
The Rochester House seat remains an open question.
Grassie dropped his appeal of the tie vote to the Ballot Law Commission last week, and House Democrats are pushing for a special election to fill the seat.
In 1992, the House voted to settle a tie for a seat in Pelham that a Democrat won in a special election a month later.
The state constitution gives the House the sole authority to sit in judgment on the election of all its members.
While some Republicans, including ex-Speaker Bill O’Brien, have endorsed the special election, the constitution clearly gives the slim GOP majority the right to name David Walker the winner.
Another option would be to pass a resolution to save the cost of the special election by allowing the race to be decided by a coin flip or some other game of chance.
The House is under no obligation to settle the matter Wednesday.
It is common for some House members to be absent for Organization Day.
These newly elected members then don’t take the oath until the next legislative session officially begins in early January.
Chuck Grassie
N.H. Dems: We'll finish the job to take State House in 2024
America’s first openly trans man was elected to state legislature in New England | 2022-12-07T08:43:20Z | www.unionleader.com | Divided House to meet, elect leaders, ponder last unresolved seat | Voters First | unionleader.com | https://www.unionleader.com/news/politics/voters/divided-house-to-meet-elect-leaders-ponder-last-unresolved-seat/article_58275403-9f77-5326-8c0d-0c6dd525323c.html | https://www.unionleader.com/news/politics/voters/divided-house-to-meet-elect-leaders-ponder-last-unresolved-seat/article_58275403-9f77-5326-8c0d-0c6dd525323c.html |
A firefighter works to extinguish a fire at market stalls hit by shelling in the Russian-controlled section of Ukraine Tuesday.
The Engels air base, near the city of Saratov and at least 372 miles from the nearest Ukrainian territory, and two other airfields have been hit in the last two days by drone attacks. Ukraine has not claimed responsibility for the attacks but has celebrated them, and Russia retaliated with a “massive strike on Ukraine’s military control system.”
The senior Western officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the strikes were the deepest inside Russia since its invasion of Ukraine began on Feb. 24.
“If it were them (the Ukrainians)... it does show that they can operate in Russia at will, and that will deeply worry the Russians,” one official said. “Psychologically I think it strikes a blow.”
“It may have the effect of pushing those bombers into dispersed locations,” the official said. “It certainly makes the Russians less confident ... (that) anywhere is safe.”
Russia has used the bombers in its campaign since October to destroy Ukraine’s energy grid, attacks that the Western officials said reflected Russian President Vladimir Putin’s growing desperation.
Military analysts see the drone strikes on Russia as a response to its attacks on Ukraine’s critical infrastructure.
“Clearly what we are seeing is a closer partnership between Russia and Iran on the supply of advanced weapons systems, it’s something which concerns us and something we’re monitoring very closely,” one of the senior officials said.
Canada probes reports of Chinese 'police service stations' in Toronto
Kurds brace for renewed Turkish assault as commander calls for U.S. help | 2022-12-07T08:43:30Z | www.unionleader.com | Western officials say attacks on Russian air bases will have psychological impact | World | unionleader.com | https://www.unionleader.com/news/world/western-officials-say-attacks-on-russian-air-bases-will-have-psychological-impact/article_9c85f43f-7fd7-564b-8629-36dda1f83704.html | https://www.unionleader.com/news/world/western-officials-say-attacks-on-russian-air-bases-will-have-psychological-impact/article_9c85f43f-7fd7-564b-8629-36dda1f83704.html |
Nick’s Place super roast beef ($12.25 for the 3 Way) comes on a grilled onion roll and features rare roast beef, creamy cheese, James River BBQ sauce and mayonnaise.
This fried clam strip plate at Nick’s Place in Hampton Falls came with onion rings and cole slaw ($16.50).
Nick's Place: Super Roast Beef
On a busy Saturday night, newly opened Nick’s Place in Hampton Falls is a bit like the family dinners portrayed in “My Big Fat Greek Wedding.”
The controlled chaos in the kitchen was fun to watch, with staff members in T-shirts captioned “Let’s Go” rushing about to fill in-person and online orders.
The restaurant along Route 1 opened in early October. Its menu is headlined “pizzeria, roast beef, seafood,” the classic trifecta of North Shore specialties, and this family-run chain hails from south of the border.
Hampton Falls is its second New Hampshire location; the other is in Raymond on Route 27.
Constantine “Costa” Alexandrou is holding down the fort in Hampton Falls. His father opened the first Nick’s (there are 10) in 1986 in Winthrop, Massachusetts.
Food scientist Kelsey Tenney, writing for Edible Boston magazine in May 2019, noted that Kelly’s in Revere is thought to have invented the roast beef sandwich in 1951, when a whole roast beef left over from a canceled wedding was sliced thinly and served on plain bread.
“It was a hit,” Tenney writes. “And since that fateful day, myriad varieties have popped up, adding cheese, sauce, pickles and more to the mix, each sandwich ‘combo’ lending completely different flavors and textures.”
The “three way” — mayonnaise, American cheese and Virginia-based James River barbecue sauce — is so popular that it holds “a special place in most hearts,” according to Tenney.
In fact, under the menu heading “Northshore Roast Beef” Nick’s Place highlights the words, “Have it 3 Way.”
Who am I to argue with the experts?
The super roast beef ($12.25 for the 3 Way) on an onion roll required every one of the napkins our server delivered with the meal.
The juicy, oversized sandwich was cut in half, so I was able to grasp it and sink my teeth into the tender, rare roast beef, creamy cheese and mix of BBQ sauce (James River, of course) and mayonnaise.
It’s hard to believe, but in 40 years of living in New Hampshire, I have never had a North Shore roast beef. Maybe it was the Arby’s with horseradish sauce I ate as a teen at a mall. I just didn’t see what the fuss was about.
By the second bite, it came to me — roast beef is to this area what pork BBQ is to the South, where I grew up.
People are passionate about their roast beef, and clash over the condiments — the 3 Way versus horseradish, pickles, onions, shredded lettuce or tomato.
Then there’s the fight about the best bun — seeded roll or buttered, grilled onion roll.
The 3 Way on an onion roll is mighty fine, but it would be fun to experiment.
My dining partner is a fried clam-strip guy, so he ordered them on a plate with onion rings and cole slaw ($16.50).
He had already asked to sample the tartar sauce and was taken aback when presented with a container labeled with the Nick’s Place logo. He peeled off the foil tab and was pleasantly surprised by the creamy contents.
During the short wait for our food, we selected bottled water from the drink cooler (soda, beer and wine are also available), watched a little college football and surveyed the huge menu. It’s a two-sided four-fold menu and includes everything from hot and cold subs, club sandwiches, omelet subs (?!), tacos, pasta dinners, shish kabob, baby back ribs, grilled chicken, steak tips, chowder, salads, kids’ meals and, of course, seafood and pizza.
“That’s the largest takeout pizza I’ve ever seen,” my dining companion said as a rectangular “party tray” pepperoni pizza came out of the oven and was picked up at the counter.
There’s also a Roast Beef 3 Way pizza on the menu ($21.99 for the large), as well as 19 other specialty pizza choices that include mac and cheese, shrimp scampi, buffalo finger, vegetarian, chicken Parm, meat lovers and mashed potato with bacon.
But let’s get back to the seafood.
“Classic clam strips,” my fellow diner said. “And the cole slaw is excellent, rough-cut and rustic.”
The thick onion rings were not homemade (we asked) but they checked the boxes of crunchy and savory.
The portion was large, so we took clams home to heat up later.
On the way out, we ordered two portions of baklava ($4.25), one of which I am washing down with morning coffee as I write this.
It’s a pretty good way to start the day.
Scores for Nick's Place
Nick's Place
115 Lafayette Road, Hampton Falls; 603-265-8000, www.nicksplaceonline.com
Cuisine: Roast beef, pizza, seafood.
Hours: Monday to Saturday, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Pricing: pizza $9.95 to $21.99; seafood $13.99 to $37.99; sandwiches $8.50 to $14.99. | 2022-12-07T08:43:42Z | www.unionleader.com | Our Gourmet: Roast beef rules at Nick's Place | Our Gourmet | unionleader.com | https://www.unionleader.com/nh/food/our_gourmet/our-gourmet-roast-beef-rules-at-nicks-place/article_6fa16238-0b39-5a4b-8e4c-62b485e8b720.html | https://www.unionleader.com/nh/food/our_gourmet/our-gourmet-roast-beef-rules-at-nicks-place/article_6fa16238-0b39-5a4b-8e4c-62b485e8b720.html |
Manchester Mayor Joyce Craig is apparently beyond having any sense of shame but our aldermanic board members should have their heads examined for whatever role they have played in the plan to spend $2 million on a “branding campaign” for the city.
“A branding campaign will help instill a sense of pride for the city,” says the request for PR firms to bid on the business. The “brand” will be used for “residential, business, and visitor recruitment.”
Some of the Facebook comments on our Sunday News story on this foolishness were brutal but not without merit. Many noted the growing homeless problems that the mayor seems incapable of effectively addressing.
“Clean your home before you invite people over,” one reader wrote. “We have major issues to find solutions for. That is step one. A rebrand can follow.”
To rekindle a sense of pride for residents and to attract visitors, the mayor and aldermen might want to recreate the Intown Manchester effort that collapsed under their watch last year. Better still, they ought to take part of that $2 million and allow the businesses that were paying for Intown-sponsored events to find someone to re-energize that entity.
Downtown and the Millyard and the West Side, to name but three areas, have much to offer in terms of rich traditions, history and promise. But they are weighed down by problems that no amount of “branding” is going to cover up. Progress on the problems needs to be the priority. | 2022-12-07T08:44:07Z | www.unionleader.com | Manchester ‘brand’: $2 million? Is this a joke? | Editorials | unionleader.com | https://www.unionleader.com/opinion/editorials/manchester-brand-2-million-is-this-a-joke/article_13051156-0331-5d21-ae2c-76f2c8c10600.html | https://www.unionleader.com/opinion/editorials/manchester-brand-2-million-is-this-a-joke/article_13051156-0331-5d21-ae2c-76f2c8c10600.html |
WASHINGTON -- The District of Columbia attorney general's office on Wednesday sued Amazon.com Inc. and its Amazon Logistics subsidiary alleging the biggest online retailer had withheld tips from delivery drivers.
Washington Attorney General Karl Racine said the company "tricked consumers into thinking they were increasing drivers' compensation when Amazon was actually diverting tips to reduce its own labor costs and increase profits" through its Amazon Flex service.
Amazon Flex drivers use their own vehicles to deliver goods and groceries ordered through programs like Prime Now and Amazon Fresh. The FTC alleged the company kept drivers' tips over a 2-1/2 year period and stopped the practice after learning of the FTC investigation in 2019, the FTC said in 2021.
The lawsuit, filed in the Superior Court for the District of Columbia, seeks civil penalties for every violation and a court order to bar Amazon from re-engaging in the practice.
Last year under a settlement with the U.S. Federal Trade Commission, Amazon paid $61.7 million to more than 140,000 drivers.
Amazon has "thus far escaped appropriate accountability, including any civil penalties, for consumer harm," Racine said in a statement.
"When a company is caught stealing from its workers, it is not enough for the company to repay the amount stolen. Stealing from workers is theft, and significant penalties are necessary to strongly disincentivize this unlawful conduct."
Amazon did not immediately provide a comment.
In 2021 the company disagreed that the way it reported pay to drivers was unclear. "We added additional clarity in 2019 and are pleased to put this matter behind us," an Amazon spokeswoman said at the time. | 2022-12-07T19:26:10Z | www.unionleader.com | Washington DC sues Amazon over withheld delivery driver tips | Business | unionleader.com | https://www.unionleader.com/news/business/washington-dc-sues-amazon-over-withheld-delivery-driver-tips/article_9602284e-e321-58c5-821d-59526c1c8b85.html | https://www.unionleader.com/news/business/washington-dc-sues-amazon-over-withheld-delivery-driver-tips/article_9602284e-e321-58c5-821d-59526c1c8b85.html |
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