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Written by Patrick R. McElhiney

Category: Articles

Published: 13 November 2019

New Hampshire’s preliminary seasonally adjusted unemployment rate for October 2019 was 2.6 percent, an increase of 0.1 percentage point from the September rate, which remained at 2.5 percent after revision.  The October 2018 seasonally adjusted rate was 2.4 percent.

Seasonally adjusted estimates for October 2019 placed the number of employed residents at 754,600, an increase of 1,350 from the previous month and an increase of 9,320 from October 2018.  The number of unemployed residents increased by 380 over-the-month to 19,940.  This was 1,620 more unemployed than in October 2018.  From September to October 2019, the total labor force increased by 1,730 to 774,540.  This was an increase of 10,940 from October 2018.

The unadjusted October 2019 unemployment rate for New Hampshire was 2.3 percent, unchanged from the September rate, which remained at 2.3 percent after revision. The October 2018 unadjusted rate was 2.0 percent.

Nationally, the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate for October 2019 was 3.6 percent, an increase of 0.1 percentage point from the September rate, and a decrease of 0.2 percentage points from the October 2018 rate. The national unadjusted rate for October 2019 was 3.3 percent, unchanged from the September rate, and a decrease of 0.2 percentage points from the October 2018 rate. 

 

NOTE: State nonfarm employment estimates are available on our Internet Web site: www.nhes.nh.gov/elmi concurrent with this release. Local area unemployment rates are expected to be available on Thursday, November 21.  All monthly data will continue to be published in the monthly newsletter New Hampshire Economic Conditions.

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Written by Patrick R. McElhiney

Category: Articles

Published: 13 November 2019

DURHAM, N.H. – The effects of climate change are becoming more apparent, from the rapidly warming Gulf of Maine, to more frequent and severe storms and the increase of invasive turf seaweed. Researchers at the University of New Hampshire have found that these environmental developments are contributing to the transformation of the seafloor to a lower, more patchy seascape dominated by shrub-like seaweed which could impact species habitats and the structure of the food web.

“These shifts in nature have created a perfect breeding ground for much bushier, or turf, seaweed to take root,” says Jennifer Dijkstra, research assistant professor in UNH’s Center for Coastal and Ocean Mapping. “Our earlier research showed a clear increase in invasive seaweed in areas once dominated by tall blades of kelp, that are important in the protection of sea life, but this new research showed us just how widespread this shift is and the effects the turf seaweed could potentially have on the ecosystem.”

In their research, recently published in the Journal Ecosphere, the researchers used high-resolution underwater video of the seafloor taken by moving back and forth in a “lawnmower” pattern. The footage of various seafloor habitats, collected from over 100 square miles, was transformed into photomosaics to generate a spatial seascape map. In the imaging they identified over 23 different types of seaweed, breaking it down to areas dominated by turf, kelp or mixed seaweed. Overall, the lower-lying turf seaweed made up a significantly larger amount of the seascape.

“We also looked at temperature increase by decades and saw that the warmer water temperatures central to climate change are likely shortening the growing season of kelp, which prefers colder conditions, but the more dominant forms of turf seaweed can thrive in these temperatures,” said Dijkstra. “So, turf that is already more easily dislodged by storms can become loose, reproduce and travel to take advantage of open space year-round in the Gulf of Maine.”

The researchers also examined the relationship between seascape patterns and patchiness and its relation to the abundance of fish in each habitat. Results showed that patch size had a direct correlation to the abundance of fish in habitat types and that more turf seaweed areas may lead to fewer observed fish in these habitats, specifically the mid-trophic level species like cunner. A habitat dominated by lower, bushier turf could lead to fewer areas for fish to hide and increase the time and energy that species like cunner spend seeking and defending their shelter, or may even cause them to occupy less sheltered areas in which the risk of predation is greater.

Researchers say the trend for increasing temperatures combined with more frequent and intense storms and fluctuations of available resources could create better conditions for the turf seaweed to prosper and grow and therefore increase the overall seascape patchiness. Their research indicates that these changes could propagate up the food web, specifically affecting those species that are residential and seek refuge and food within these habitats.

Co-authors on this study, all from UNH, are Yuri Rzhanov, research professor of ocean engineering; Brandon S. O’Brien, Ph.D. student; Kristen Mello ‘14, project research specialist; and Amber Litterer ‘16, Center for Coastal and Ocean Mapping.

This project was supported by a grant from NOAA (NA15NOS4200) and a UNH Research Engagement award.

The University of New Hampshire inspires innovation and transforms lives in our state, nation, and world. More than 16,000 students from all 50 states and 71 countries engage with an award-winning faculty in top-ranked programs in business, engineering, law, health, and human services, liberal arts and the sciences across more than 200 programs of study. As one of the nation’s highest-performing research universities, UNH partners with NASA, NOAA, NSF and NIH, and receives more than $110 million in competitive external funding every year to further explore and define the frontiers of land, sea, and space.

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Written by Patrick R. McElhiney

Category: Articles

Published: 13 November 2019

DURHAM, N.H.—From a large field of entries, 16 finalists are advancing to the final round of the 2019 New Hampshire Social Venture Innovation Challenge Thursday, Nov. 21, 2019, beginning at 9:15 a.m. in Holloway Commons at the University of New Hampshire. Learn about the teams and their ideas to solve pressing sustainability problems.

At 12:40 p.m. in the Memorial Union Building’s Granite State Room, the SVIC awards will be announced and UNH’s 2019 Social Innovators of the Year award will be presented to Harriet and Alan Lewis, co-founders of Alnoba, a gathering place for changemakers dedicated to developing leadership, models of sustainability and stronger communities. They will deliver a keynote address on how the next generation can be equipped with the knowledge and tools to be successful in tackling humanity’s most pressing social and environmental challenges.

All events are free and open to the public, but space is limited and registration is required. The finalists will compete for cash and in-kind prizes worth almost $30,000. Guests are also invited to join contestants, finalists and winners, judges, sponsors, UNH faculty, staff and alumni and the broader community at a networking reception and celebration, sponsored by New Hampshire Community Development Authority and NH Business Finance Authority, immediately following the awards ceremony.

The SVIC engages aspiring and practicing student and community social entrepreneurs in designing novel, sustainable, business-orientated solutions to some of society’s most pressing social and environmental challenges. It is an idea-stage competition with the goal of inspiring innovative, solution-orientated thinking and providing a forum to shine a light on these ideas.

Lead sponsors include Impax Asset Management, Kennebunk Savings Bank, Nixon Peabody, and Timberland, as well as sponsors: AMI Graphics, CCA Global Partners, Cirtronics, Clean Energy NH, Cole Haan, Lonza, MegaFood, New Hampshire Business Review, New Hampshire Businesses for Social Responsibility, New Hampshire Charitable Foundation, Pete & Gerry’s Organic Eggs, Prime Buchholz, ReVision Energy and W.S. Badger.

The SVIC is a collaborative, interdisciplinary event, organized by UNH’s Center for Social Innovation & Enterprise, a partnership between the UNH Sustainability Institute, the Peter T. Paul College of Business & Economics, and the Carsey School of Public Policy, and co-hosted by UNHInnovation and Net Impact UNH. 

The University of New Hampshire inspires innovation and transforms lives in our state, nation, and world. More than 16,000 students from all 50 states and 71 countries engage with an award-winning faculty in top-ranked programs in business, engineering, law, health, and human services, liberal arts and the sciences across more than 200 programs of study. As one of the nation’s highest-performing research universities, UNH partners with NASA, NOAA, NSF and NIH, and receives more than $110 million in competitive external funding every year to further explore and define the frontiers of land, sea, and space.

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Written by Patrick R. McElhiney

Category: Articles

Published: 12 November 2019

New Hampshire Employment Security is hosting the Keene Job and Resource Fair on Thursday, November 14, 2019, from 12:00 pm to 3:00 pm. This hiring event is taking place at Keene State College in the Spaulding Gymnasium located at 100 Wyman Way, Keene NH 03431.

Open the doors of opportunity when you meet and interview with hiring managers from companies ranging from small local businesses to large corporations. The Keene Job & Resource Fair will allow you to learn about the businesses that are hiring and what their hiring needs are. A full list of participating employers is available at www.nhes.nh.gov by clicking on the green job fair link on the homepage.

“Opportunities for employment abound here in New Hampshire as our economy continues to boom,” said Governor Chris Sununu. “The Keene Job & Resource Fair will surely be an exciting chance for Granite Staters to connect with employers and pursue lucrative employment opportunities.”

“The Keene Job and Resource Fair is an opportunity for job seekers to meet face-to-face with a variety of employers, develop a network of professional contacts and have an opportunity to ask employers questions about their specific organization or industry. New Hampshire continues to support and provide the necessary tools to our unemployed or underemployed residents to secure that next good employment opportunity. New Hampshire businesses are in need of a knowledgeable, skilled, proficient and experienced workforce. New Hampshire Employment Security is committed to meeting the workforce needs of New Hampshire’s business community. The Keene Job & Resource Fair offers the opportunity to bring together the businesses we work so closely with to the skilled and valuable people they need to fill their crucial positions”, states Commissioner George Copadis of New Hampshire Employment Security.

If you are a job seeker who is unable to attend the Keene Job & Resource Fair, you can access job and career services through New Hampshire Employment Security. Our One-Stop Centers provides resources free services, resources, and tools to assist both job seekers and employers with the entire job search process, hiring, and employment needs. NHES has services available online and onsite to assist job seekers including an automated Job Match System, internet access, career assessments, as well as, workshops on job searching, resume writing and interviewing techniques and career counseling to people looking to find new employment.

For more information, please contact Kate LaPierre at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or via telephone at 603-228-4083 Or visit www.nhes.nh.gov.

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Written by Patrick R. McElhiney

Category: Articles

Published: 12 November 2019

DURHAM, N.H.—As climate changes, Northeast winters are warming more rapidly than other times of the year. While this may mean favorable growing conditions start earlier in the year, some ecosystems, such as perennial grasslands, can take better advantage of that change than others, such as forests, according to new research from the New Hampshire Agricultural Experiment Station at the University of New Hampshire.

“By the end of the century, we expect a typical winter will be 3 to 5 °C warmer on average than what we currently experience,” said Rebecca Sanders-DeMott, a postdoctoral research associate with the Earth Systems Research Center. “Although we think of winter as the dormant season for plants, it is increasingly clear that winter conditions have an important effect on ecosystems, such as forests and grasslands. While we might think a longer growing season means that forests can take up more carbon, this can be offset if warm winters cause soils to thaw and lose carbon long before tree growth begins.”

To evaluate the impact of warmer and more variable winters, researchers have been monitoring ecosystems since 2014. Using environmental sensors mounted high above the forest and grassland, they continuously measure how much carbon dioxide is moving in and out of the ecosystem, which is a metric of biological activity much like the ecosystem’s breath.

Winter 2015-16 was the warmest ever recorded in New England but was within the range of climate projections for the end of the century. In the grassland, these record-breaking temperatures caused the grasses to start growing in February, well before what is thought of as “winter’s end.” As a result, the grassland plants took up roughly three times more carbon from the atmosphere during the late-winter/early-spring than they would have during a typical year.

On the other hand, the forest could not benefit from warm winter conditions because growing new leaves takes time, and trees bear greater risks of leafing out too early if colder weather returns. So, instead of becoming a greater carbon sink, the forest lost carbon during the early spring due to elevated decomposing in the unusually warm soils. Although small carbon losses in spring are not unusual, the extended time period between soil thaw and leaf out in 2016 caused the forest to lose 2.5 times more carbon than normal.

Over the course of the full year in 2016, the forest still took up more carbon than it lost, but the net gain was reduced by about 50 percent relative to a more typical year. And while the grassland vegetation benefited from the warm winter, it didn’t take up as much carbon overall as the forest.

“By carefully examining the uptake and loss of carbon at each site across several winters with variable weather conditions, we are learning about how winter climate affects ecosystems that are important components of the New England landscape,” Sanders-DeMott said.

This material is based upon work supported by the NH Agricultural Experiment Station, through joint funding of the National Institute of Food and Agriculture, U.S. Department of Agriculture, under award number 1006997, and the state of New Hampshire. Sanders-DeMott also is supported by the postdoctoral scientists support program award. Additional funding for this project comes from NH EPSCoR/NSF Research Infrastructure Improvement Award EPS 1101245 and NASA Carbon Cycle Science NNX14AJ18G.

Founded in 1887, the NH Agricultural Experiment Station at the UNH College of Life Sciences and Agriculture is UNH’s original research center and an elemental component of New Hampshire's land-grant university heritage and mission.

The University of New Hampshire inspires innovation and transforms lives in our state, nation, and world. More than 16,000 students from all 50 states and 71 countries engage with an award-winning faculty in top-ranked programs in business, engineering, law, health and human services, liberal arts and the sciences across more than 200 programs of study. As one of the nation’s highest-performing research universities, UNH partners with NASA, NOAA, NSF and NIH, and receives more than $110 million in competitive external funding every year to further explore and define the frontiers of land, sea, and space.

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Written by Patrick R. McElhiney

Category: Articles

Published: 11 November 2019

The above video is of the ceremony which took place on Veterans Day in 2019 at Pine Grove Cemetery in Barrington, New Hampshire. First Seacoast Bank and Nippo Lake Golf Club provided a free lunch for attendees at the American Legion Post 114 in Barrington.

Today, Americans respect and honor all veterans, whether they be active duty, reserves, retired, or deceased. We owe them a debt of gratitude for their service, which is duty bigger than oneself. Because they are brave, we are the home of the free, and the collective reputation provides reassurance that the protection of the United States will be eternal and that the greatness of our nation that we cherish each day will forever be preserved. The sacrifices that veterans make when they sign up to serve the military are notable – they give up the opportunity of having profitable careers in the private industry, often to face war in hostile places that could result in injury or death, all to serve and protect the U.S. Constitution.

Veterans give up blood and treasure to guard this nation, in order to ensure there is no end, and that we will never surrender our rights and our freedoms. We are indebted to their civility, their bravery, and their security – wherever they go, their reputation precedes them. Each veteran is distinct for their own courageous and heroic efforts to protect this great country. They are unafraid and unfearful of doing their job, which is probably the hardest thing they’ve ever done. It is important that we recognize them for their valor, and celebrate their glory each and every day. Each time you see a veteran, tell them, “Thank you for your service!”

Veterans Day, originally known as Armistice Day, is a day to celebrate veterans who have served in the Armed Forces, on the anniversary of the Armistice with Germany at the 11^th Hour, on the 11^th Day, of the 11^th Month, which marked the end of World War I in 1918. Veterans Day celebrates all veterans, not to be confused with Memorial Day, which honors those who have died while in military service. Armistice Day was renamed to Veterans Day in 1954.

It should also be noted that the U.S. Marine Corps celebrated its 244^th Birthday yesterday, November 10^th, 2019, the day before Veterans Day.

The American Legion placed 300 flags on the graves of veterans this year, with the help of Barrington Cub Scout Troop 358. There are about 120-250 cemeteries in Barrington that have veteran graves on private land. Esther Sawyer, President of the American Legion Auxiliary Unit at Post 114 said that if a veteran needs something, they take up the request. They recently donated books to the Barrington Library, after finding out that there was only one book about veterans there. One of the books was written by someone in Rochester, New Hampshire.

Spouses of veterans can now become members of the Auxiliary Unit, which has been around about as long as the American Legion Post 114. In June, there will be a picnic to help raise funds for veterans. The mission of the organization is to support veterans and their families. For veterans in the community, if they need something, they should contact the American Legion. The organization is comprised of more than 2.1 million wartime veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces. The Auxiliary Unit is comprised of 1 million members, the nation’s largest patriotic women’s association. And there are also 360,000 Sons of the American Legion, which are male descendants of U.S. wartime veterans.

There are more than 13,500 local posts worldwide. Members have served in Desert Storm/Desert Shield, Grenada, Panama, Lebanon, Vietnam, Korea, and World War II. Some of the services that the American Legion provides through its local post include:

• Representing at no cost veterans and their families seeking VA disability and medical benefits.
• Volunteerism at VA medical facilities.
• Providing financial assistance to needy military and veteran families with young children at home.
• Awarding college scholarships to children of U.S. servicemembers killed while on active duty since the terrorist attacks of 9/11/2001.
• Educating school children on such topics as flag respect, military service, history, and patriotism.
• Providing & distributing U.S. flags for the graves of American military personnel laid to rest at overseas cemeteries.
• Participating in patriotic observances and events around the world each year at the local, state, national, and international levels.
• Handling honor guard services and memorial tributes for fallen personnel and veterans, from individual funerals to memorial dedications.

For more information, please visit www.americanlegionpost114.com.

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Written by Patrick R. McElhiney

Category: Articles

Published: 11 November 2019

On Friday, November 8th in observance of Veterans Day Quilts of Valor (QOV) held a formal ceremony at the Service Federal Credit Union in Portsmouth to award four quilts to veterans.

Quilts of Valor (QOV) is a non-profit organization dedicated to covering service members and veterans “touched by war” with healing and comforting quilts.

Seacoast Sewing & Quilting is an official QOV quilt shop owned by Jill Patsfield. Volunteer sewers from Seacoast Sewing & Quilting QOV Group has been making quilts for this event for the past year. Awards of Appreciation was given to Jill Patsfield and Vickie Hurd for their continued dedication and support of the Bare Bones Quilters -QOV Group.

An opening prayer was led by Reverend Lee Elliott. QOV Group Leader Charlene Roche presented quilts to four veterans, three from Barrington: (Vietnam) Air Force SMSgt Mark Duwain Longus, (Iraq) Army National Guard Medevac Pilot,1st Lieutenant Jessica Zilm, (MiddleEast) MSgt Gregory Friend and (Research/Rescue) Coast Guard Petty Officer 3rd Class Donald John O’Brien II.

If you know a veteran “touched by war” (WWII, Korea, Vietnam, Gulf War, Iraq, etc) contact your local Quilts of Valor Group, www.qovf.org, or on Facebook NH Quilts of Valor for more information.

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Written by Patrick R. McElhiney

Category: Articles

Published: 09 November 2019

If you were driving around Barrington on Saturday, November 9^th, 2019, you probably noticed that there were many craft fairs going on. We provided coverage to three of the craft fairs, in the following order:

1. Barrington Friends of Music Craft Fair, held at Barrington Middle School from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
2. Barrington Women’s Club Annual Craft Fair held at the American Legion Hall, which is in the basement of the Chapel Nativity, from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
3. Joseph’s Storehouse Presents the 2^nd Annual Craft & Vendor Holiday Festival to benefit Joseph’s Storehouse Food Pantry, held at Journey Church from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

The Barrington Friends of Music Craft Fair held at Barrington Middle School was the biggest event, which has been held for many years now. Upon entering the Craft Fair, we spoke to some of the organizations that were outside near the entrance.

Gregory Friend is the Troop Master of Trail Life USA Troop NH-0777, which is sponsored by the First Congregational Church of Barrington. Trail Life USA is a Christian version of the Boy Scouts, and they teach boys and young men how to be godly by teaching them leadership skills, stewardship, and how to provide service to their community by being a solid member of their community when they are adults.

They’ve been a troop for about 6 years now. Their troop activities include campouts, hikes, developing outdoors skills, and they teach boys and young men how to use personal resources wisely. They also teach how to serve our country and community.

The troop’s volunteerism includes helping at the American Legion, helping members of the community with yard work, and service projects, such as helping to clean up graveyards where there are veterans’ graves. One member re-floored the local Food Pantry, while another project connected Barrington Middle School to the Barrington Police Department by making a decal for police vehicles.

We then spoke to volunteers of the Friends of the Barrington Library, a group that supports the library. They have three raffle baskets, that can be won by purchasing tickets at the Library after today. The winners will be drawn on the night of the Soiree on December 6^th, 2019. It benefits the Friends of the Barrington Library, which will, in turn, provide children’s programs, magazine programs, and summer reading programs for the Barrington Public Library.

Next, we spoke to Roger Gingrich with the new Barrington Library Project. He said they’re trying to get information out that voters can use at the polls. The vote for the new Barrington Library Project will be held on March 10^th, 2020. He provided us three documents with information for voters that you can download. He said, “It feels like you’re out on a lake, and suddenly there’s a crosswind” when asked how he thought the outreach program was doing.

Roger Gingrich said that if we pass the new library project on the March 10^th vote, Barrington Middle School will be paid off 1 year after it passes – so this is a possible negative issue for the library warrant article. He said, “In the end, we’ve got to inform people that this is a need.” He noted that building costs have gone up 7% in the past year. He said, “We’re hopeful that the good things this brings will be recognized.”

We also spoke with Lisa Titus, the fundraising chairwoman for the Special Olympics – Team Barrington, that was offering bags donated by Stonewall Kitchen in return for donations. The bags could then be used to carry items that customers purchased at today’s craft fair. It’s a great way for the kids to fundraise, instead of programs like selling candy door-to-door. There is a total of 75 combined partners, athletes, and coaches in the group. Lisa said that other seacoast towns such as Dover, Farmington, Lee, and Durham don’t have Special Olympics programs, so they will often find Team Barrington and participate with them.

Team Barrington is open to kids age 8 to adults. They compete in bowling, snowshoeing, basketball, track & field, and softball. It’s a year-round program. The kids practice Track & Field starting in April, and then there’s a regional event in May, and then there’s the UNH Summer Games in June. They raise money to pay for the final events, which can cost $75 per each athlete, coach, and partner. Partners help to make sure the kids are going in the right direction when playing sports. The program provides a way for the kids to have something of their own, when they may not fit into mainstream programs, according to Titus.

Inside the craft fair at Barrington Middle School, there were probably nearly 100 vendors, which were selling various items including crafts, books, food including cheese and jelly, woodworking items, glass items, Christmas ornaments, and clothing accessories. We spoke to Pat Gingrich that was there with her business called “The Gingrich Family Busyness”, and she was selling teapot covers that keep your tea hot while you’re having a tea party with your friends. She had dozens of fabric designs that she had created that pop over a standard white thermal shield, which keeps the tea hot.

There was a group called “Help Educate Haiti”, which is a group of 8^th graders raising $10,000 to build a school in Haiti. It’s run through the WE organization at WE.org. More than 4,000 schools were lost in the 2010 earthquake and many children lost their chance of receiving an education. The school would be about the size of Barrington Middle School, according to Stephanie Hadden, who was collecting donations. It’s amazing how much money from the United States can get in other, poorer countries, but these countries need help from us more than ever.

We traveled to the Barrington Women’s Club’s Annual Craft Fair, which was being held at the American Legion. It’s usually held every November and Kathe Houst said that it’s common to have lots of craft fairs on the same day in Barrington. She said one person was in line for a parking spot at Barrington Middle School for 30 minutes and ended up coming to the Women’s Club Craft Fair instead. There were less than a dozen vendors, some of which were members, and some were friends of members. The rest of the small room was full of crafts and items that were donated to the club to sell and raise money.

The American Legion made an agreement with the church to renovate the basement, and with permission, they re-did the floor, plumbing, lights, and put tables in. It’s been a very nice venue to use, according to Kathe Houst. She noted that on Monday, it’s Veteran’s Day, and there will be a free lunch for all veterans at this location. The event will start out at the cemetery at 11 a.m.

Barrington Women’s Club has a raffle that will be going through December, in which many winners will receive gift cards from local businesses that donated them. The proceeds will go towards giving out scholarships to Barrington High School Seniors. The club currently has around 35 to 40 active members, according to Marie Raas. They meet on the second Wednesday of the month for most months, except for January (when it’s too cold) and in July (in the middle of summer).

The Barrington Women’s Club does do an outing in July. They also donate to 68 Hours of Hunger (Barrington). At Christmas time, they get the names of local families from Barrington Food Pantry, and through Adopt-A-Family, they provide the children of these families the things that they want off their wish lists. The Women’s Club also has an annual yard sale every September, and an auction in October for their members and their guests. In June, they have a Lady’s Tea Party.

The Women’s Club in Barrington has its meetings from 11:30 a.m. to about 1:30 p.m. Sometimes they have speeches like they had recently when the Barrington Police Department informed them about scams. Their meetings generally start out with business activities, and then a program, such as a the get-to-know-you better activity of matching baby pictures to current members. If you’re interested in joining the Barrington Women’s Club, please contact them on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/BarringtonWomensClub/.

We then traveled to the Holiday Craft Fair for Joseph’s Store House, which is the food pantry at the Journey Baptist Church. This is the 2^nd Annual Holiday Craft Fair at Journey Church, and all proceeds from the event are going to the food pantry. Joseph’s feeds around 100 families a month currently, in both the seacoast and lakes regions. Joseph’s is a ministry of the Journey Church.

About 200 people attend Journey Church. They just did a Truck or Treat event – which between that and the Craft Fair, are their biggest fundraisers. They currently have a mission, led by Rob Willis, the lead pastor, in the Dominican Republic. The church has sponsored 50 children, and the group is there sponsoring them to get their electricity restored, and they brought much needed medical supplies.

Christmas services are coming up at Journey Baptist Church, and normal Sunday services are held from 9:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. – Journey Baptist Church is located at 8 Eastern Ave in Barrington, New Hampshire, located right next to First Seacoast Bank. For more information, please visit their website at http://www.thejourneynh.com/

 

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Written by Patrick R. McElhiney

Category: Articles

Published: 05 November 2019

DURHAM, N.H.—The United States ranks 24^th out of 29 countries in government spending as a share of GDP and last in social protection spending, according to new research released by the Carsey School of Public Policy at the University of New Hampshire that uses data from the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development. In comparison, the U.S. ranks at or near the top in military, healthcare, education, and law enforcement spending.

Spending just 7.6% of its GDP on social protection, the U.S. ranks at the bottom of countries for which recent comparable data are available; the median for all 29 countries compared is 16.2%. Government programs within social protection include non-health programs that support those with low incomes and the elderly and disabled, like the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (formerly known as food stamps) and Social Security. A country’s level of social protection spending is the primary driver of its rank in total spending.

The researchers also found that, relative to the 28 other countries, the U.S. spends over three times more than the average per resident on the military, trailing only Israel; 70% more per person on public order and safety, making it the highest spending country in that category; and almost two times more per person on health, also placing it at number one.

“The U.S. is a low-tax, low-spending country relative to other countries, particularly when compared to its fellow higher-income countries,” the researchers said. “The purpose of this report is to put these issues on the table in the context of the worldwide norms. No country has a monopoly on fiscal wisdom but looking to other countries offers the opportunity to assess the merits of different approaches to address the shared and distinctive challenges that all countries face.”

The research was conducted by Michael Ettlinger, founding director of the Carsey School; Jordan Hensley, a policy analyst at the Carsey School; and Julia Vieira, a master’s student in public policy.

The Carsey School of Public Policy is nationally recognized for research, policy education, and bringing people together for thoughtful dialogue to address important societal challenges. The school develops and facilitates innovative, responsive, and equitable solutions at all levels of government and in the for-profit and nonprofit sectors.

The University of New Hampshire inspires innovation and transforms lives in our state, nation, and world. More than 16,000 students from all 50 states and 71 countries engage with an award-winning faculty in top-ranked programs in business, engineering, law, health and human services, liberal arts and the sciences across more than 200 programs of study. As one of the nation’s highest-performing research universities, UNH partners with NASA, NOAA, NSF and NIH, and receives more than $110 million in competitive external funding every year to further explore and define the frontiers of land, sea, and space.

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Written by Patrick R. McElhiney

Category: Articles

Published: 05 November 2019

New Hampshire Employment Security is hosting the Manchester Experienced Worker Job & Resource Fair on Thursday, November 7th, 2019 from 10:00 am to 2:00 p.m. at St. George Greek Orthodox Cathedral located at 650 Hanover Street Manchester NH 03101.

We encourage job seekers that are looking to re-enter the workforce or make a career change to visit the Manchester Experienced Worker Job & Resource Fair. Those interested in expanding their network with valuable new contacts and meeting recruiters from a diverse variety of private, Government and public-sector employers, all eager to hire for full- and part-time positions ranging from entry-level to management are encouraged to attend this networking and hiring event. This Job and Resource Fair is the perfect opportunity for job seekers who want to get their resumes in the hands of hiring managers and decision-makers. A full list of participating employers is available at www.nhes.nh.gov by clicking on the green job fair link on the homepage. This networking and hiring event is free and open to all job seekers.

Employment Security’s local job and resource fairs are a great opportunity for Granite Staters across the state to explore the abundance of opportunities in our booming economy,” said Governor Chris Sununu. “I want to thank Employment Security for their on-going efforts to provide opportunity to all Granite Staters and ensure direct access to potential employers.”

Commissioner George Copadis of New Hampshire Employment Security said, “The Manchester Experienced Workers Job & Resource Fair is a great opportunity for employers to gain access to a local ready and willing workforce. Hiring employees from the communities where the business is located strengthens your business and makes our communities stronger. We encourage employers to attend and hope anyone looking for employment will take advantage of this free event. We encourage people to come prepared to interview. We are always striving to support our unemployed or underemployed residents to obtain that next good job or career opportunity. People that are looking for work need opportunities like the Manchester Experienced Workers Job & Resource Fair to interact with organizations that are seeking to fill positions. We are excited to help make these connections.”

If you are a job seeker who is unable to attend the Manchester Experienced Worker Job & Resource Fair, you can access job and career services through New Hampshire Employment Security. Our One-Stop Centers provides resources free services, resources, and tools to assist both job seekers and employers with the entire job search process, hiring, and employment needs. NHES has services available online and onsite to assist job seekers including an automated Job Match System, internet access, career assessments, as well as, workshops on job searching, resume writing and interviewing techniques and career counseling to people looking to find new employment.

For more information, please contact Kate LaPierre at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or via telephone at 603-228-4083 Or visit www.nhes.nh.gov.