Tears before breakfast
read more…: Tears before breakfastDave Cote painted “Peers” over the past weekend. When I saw it, and read Dave’s commentary on it, I cried at both.
Point of View
Local voices chime in on a variety of topics.
Bruce, jack of all trades but master of one: Brotherhood
read more…: Bruce, jack of all trades but master of one: BrotherhoodEveryone should have a brother Bruce. Mine turns 55 today and has been the best brother anyone could hope for. I have four living brothers, our youngest brother committed suicide in 2016. Bruce is now the baby of the family. Recently we mailed him a check as a small token of compensation for work he’s done over the decades. He should have cashed it a week ago, and will soon, hopefully. But that’s Bruce for you – he is always ready to help and never wants anything in return.
Economic collapse, as a vehicle
read more…: Economic collapse, as a vehicleWhere we are now is the precipice of a rare social event – a country, suffering under an ongoing pandemic, is preparing to reopen, against the advice of medical professionals, with the stated intention of rebuilding the economy. We can argue for days about whether this is a good plan, whether the reasoning behind it is sound, whether there even is, in fact, a plan, but the reality of our current state is this: the very concept of the American Dream is on trial here.
Applying lessons of remote instruction when we go back to school
read more…: Applying lessons of remote instruction when we go back to schoolFor well over a decade, New Hampshire’s central education philosophy is that students learn differently. We need an education system that recognizes that. Personalized learning recognizes that students are not cogs in some elaborate machinery, but inherently curious learners full of potential. The role of education is not to fill them up with information, but to draw out of them all that they can be.
Video: ‘Nineteen’ is one for future history books – empty streets, old haunts await while we stay ‘safe at home’
read more…: Video: ‘Nineteen’ is one for future history books – empty streets, old haunts await while we stay ‘safe at home’Part 14 in a series of the history of Manchester, NH. Presented by Paul Cormier.
Mother’s Day reflections: Evolution of a woman
read more…: Mother’s Day reflections: Evolution of a womanYes, I know the historical roots of how we got here — from ancient Greek goddesses and “Mothering Sunday” in the UK to Anna Jarvis and Julia Ward Howe, who campaigned for mothers around the world to lobby for world peace — women who sacrificed their sons in wartime knew that there had to be a better way to solve the world’s problems.
Seven classic films with fashion flair for Mother’s Day
read more…: Seven classic films with fashion flair for Mother’s DayHunker down with mom and enjoy some lavish fashion-centric classics.
Missives from Hope: Broken Glass Everywhere. Close to the Edge
read more…: Missives from Hope: Broken Glass Everywhere. Close to the EdgeOver the course of the past eight days, someone has broken five different windows at Hope. Someone threw one rock through one window last Monday evening. Someone (or someones) threw three rocks through three windows last Thursday night. Someone threw a rock through a window last night. Three nights. Five windows. No explanation. No rhyme. No reason.
Let’s make Downtown Manchester what it should be: A place that prioritizes people
read more…: Let’s make Downtown Manchester what it should be: A place that prioritizes peoplePeter Macone, General Manager of Elm Street’s sister restaurants Republic and Campo Enoteca, recently gained attention for a petition to close down Elm Street to vehicles. It’s a bold effort, but not a new idea — merely a forgotten one.
Open letter from city leaders: Homeless encampments ‘a difficult situation for everyone’
read more…: Open letter from city leaders: Homeless encampments ‘a difficult situation for everyone’The State has stepped forward and has agreed to provide and pay for essential services to these encampments, including restroom facilities, hand washing stations, food, and trash removal. In addition, the Manchester Police Department was awarded a Justice Assistance Grant, funding 24/7 police presence at the encampments, and increased patrols in the surrounding neighborhoods. Finally, the Manchester Fire Department and outreach workers have established a COVID Response Unit, providing infection control and safety measures. All of these services will be provided at no cost to the City of Manchester.
Noah’s great-grandson, Nimrod, and the Tower of Babel
read more…: Noah’s great-grandson, Nimrod, and the Tower of BabelNimrod the Hunter was a leader amongst men and a builder of cities, including Babel and Nineveh. He was a great-grandson of Noah but did not live up to the virtues and standards that God had found in Noah. He was a bully amongst men, took what he wanted — including women, whatever he desired because he was a big man. His mighty bow and hunting were his major interests in life. He believed in God but was (I believe) somewhat jealous of God.
Letter: Plan to phase-in dining-out shortsighted – what about the workers?
read more…: Letter: Plan to phase-in dining-out shortsighted – what about the workers?That is all well and good but what about the workers? What about the people crammed into the kitchen for hours on end? What about the servers who are now coming face-to-face with every customer who comes through the door? As much as we are thinking about the patrons, we should also be thinking about the workers. Are we putting the workers health and safety at risk?
Letter: Reopen NH very, very carefully
read more…: Letter: Reopen NH very, very carefullyI trust our governor as an American, and a citizen.
Letters: What is phase 1 for hotels, and when might that begin?
read more…: Letters: What is phase 1 for hotels, and when might that begin?I work in outdoor recreation in the White Mountains. I’m very eager to find out when hotels will be open. If our clientele in July is going to be limited to daytrippers and campground visitors (who don’t spend a lot of money), we won’t be profitable, and I should be looking for a different job.
It might be best to let nature take its course
read more…: It might be best to let nature take its courseThe more people expose themselves to the environment, the higher risk they have of being exposed to the virus. Catching the virus and surviving more likely than dying.
Essay: A boy, his dad and a coronavirus buzz cut
read more…: Essay: A boy, his dad and a coronavirus buzz cutAssuming you can cut hair because you’ve been going to a barbershop all your life is akin to thinking you can edit a newspaper because you’ve always had a subscription. But you have to start somewhere, and thinking about what my barber does, even if I didn’t know how to do it, got me going.
Governor Sununu can’t be trusted
read more…: Governor Sununu can’t be trustedGovernor Sununu has remained eerily silent in response to the dozens who gathered in Concord to protest his stay-at-home order last weekend, unlawfully ignoring his executive order restricting groups under 10 people. As rumors of more planned protests circulate, it is imperative that the Governor denounce this blatant disregard of the entire state’s health, threatening to undermine flattening of the pandemic’s curve, the goal for which we are so valiantly sacrificing.
‘We’ve been running too hot, world wide. Now, we’ve been silenced. For now. But not forever’
read more…: ‘We’ve been running too hot, world wide. Now, we’ve been silenced. For now. But not forever’The last thing I remember before the virus took hold, I was standing on stage at the Rex Theatre with a herd of others, belting out the chorus to the Rolling Stones “Satisfaction” during the encore.
‘None of us know how long this crisis will last … it’s important that we plan for the worst and hope for the best’
read more…: ‘None of us know how long this crisis will last … it’s important that we plan for the worst and hope for the best’Right now, our city is faced with a challenge beyond our control. But, it won’t last forever. By being there for one another, by looking out for each other, we will persevere.