Emily Quirk

It’s an unmistakable sound. One that elicits memories, sights and scents of events long ago. It recalls the joy of youth, the possibility of a spring evening. But it can also incite insomnia and the blind rage that accompanies it.

Voices of New Hampshire is a new initiative designed to connect you with us — and with each other — in the time of coronavirus, and as we move forward toward better times.

For this project, we're collecting audio recordings of people from across the state, and incorporating them into NHPR's daily broadcast through short sonic IDs.

Want to add your voice? We invite you to email us at voices@nhpr.org and let us know how you are doing.

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Voices of New Hampshire is a new project designed to connect you with us - and with each other - in the time of coronavirus, and as we move forward toward better times.

For this project, we're collecting audio recordings of people from across the state, and incorporating them into NHPR's daily broadcast through short sonic IDs.

For some, maple sugaring is a perennial ritual, painstakingly completed as we usher out the bitter wisps of winter, and embrace balmier, brighter days of early spring.

And whether you’re producing maple syrup with just a few buckets, or if you’ve expanded operations with a full-blown sugar shack … you know this much to be true:

1) Sugaring is an art

2) Sugaring is a science

3) And a great excuse to be outdoors, with family and friends.

The New Hampshire Senate passed a bill last week based on recommendations from Gov. Sununu's commission on police accountability and transparency.

The governor created the so-called LEACT commission last summer in response to the killing of George Floyd at the hands of Minneapolice Police.

But Senate members voted in favor of an amendment that eliminated key parts of the bill, and police reform advocates say the changes effectively gut the bill.

About this time one year ago life in New Hampshire and across the world changed drastically.

In this week's Something Wild, we re-visit  musings from Dave Anderson in how to find solace in nature-- even during the most stressful of times. 

February in New Hampshire can be a bitter time, weather-wise.

In some places, layers of ice and snow still weigh heavily on conifer limbs, and on the souls of even the heartiest of New Englanders.

But at last, the days are noticeably longer. So take heart winter-weary friends. The first pulses of springtime arrive in the smallest of signs.

Each year, bird enthusiasts across North America eagerly await the Winter Finch Forecast. Published every fall since 1999, the Winter Finch Forecast predicts when and where, and even IF fan-favorite finches like Evening Grosbeaks and Common Redpolls will grace our backyard bird-feeders, or make an appearance on a brisk mid-winter hike.

Sometimes called a Marsh Hawk, the northern harrier is currently one the rarest birds of prey nesting in the Granite State.

Unlike many of our more common hawks, harriers shun the forest, opting instead to hunt in wide-open spaces like fields, brushy areas -- even in marshes.  And get this --they build their nests on the ground.   

Peculiar preferences indeed, and ones that have made it a challenge for them to survive here. 

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This time of year, you're likely to see cars and pickup trucks heading home on the highways with fresh-cut Christmas trees tied to roofs or in the truck beds.

Fraser firs, Korean firs, Balsam firs, and Spruce (ouch!)...

So today on  Something Wild we take a look at Christmas tree farms, and the important habitats they provide for New Hampshire wildlife.

As coronavirus cases surge, a growing number of school districts in New Hampshire are closing their doors and offering mostly virtual instruction instead of in-person classes. But Gov. Chris Sununu and state health officials are urging schools to stay open, saying virus transmission in schools is limited and the payoff of in-person learning is high.

NHPR’s education reporter Sara Gibson has been following this and spoke with All Things Considered host Emily Quirk.

New Hampshire hospitals and health care facilities have long struggled to recruit and retain workers, especially licensed nursing assistants.

Recent data from the New Hampshire Board of Nursing shows the COVID-19 pandemic has only exacerbated the shortage of health care workers in the state.

By the time the cold weather months hit us,  three of New Hampshire’s eight species of bats have already migrated to warmer places in the South and Mid-Atlantic regions. 

The bat that DO overwinter in New Hampshire have relocated out of their preferred summer roosts in trees (and Dave's chimney), and into winter hibernacula like caves, mine shafts, and abandoned military  bunkers where the microclimate is just right.

In some ways, New Hampshire’s election results amount to a ringing endorsement of the status quo in state politics. Incumbents Jeanne Shaheen, Chris Pappas and Annie Kuster all won reelection to their seats in the U.S. Senate and Congress. And Gov. Chris Sununu easily won a third term.

Standing dead trees (often called snags) are common in our forests, and it’s hard to overstate just how vital a role they play in a healthy ecosystem. These gray ghosts provide food and shelter for a whole heap of forest critters; a total of 43 species of birds and mammals are specially adapted to nesting or denning inside tree cavities.

This episode of Something Wild was produced by Andrew Parrella:

The number of acorns a tree produces in a given year has to do with masting. Not mast like on tall ships, but mast as in masticate, or to chew and it refers to the fruit, seeds or nuts that trees produce and are in turn fodder for animals. Especially in New Hampshire, oak mast follows a boom or bust cycle, which means the amount of acorns varies from year to year. Over time, evolution has favored the oak trees that demonstrate this boom or bust cycle.

It's late August, and the leaves are already starting to change. And that flush of red you’re seeing likely comes from the red maple, also known as “swamp” or “soft maple”.

It's an adaptable tree renowned for signaling an impending autumn, and has even earned the dubious nickname: “Judas Tree” – for betraying these late summer days.  

Producer's note: Because of the global pandemic, Dave Anderson was not able to record this piece in NHPR's studio.  Instead, he recorded through the microphone in his phone, while sitting in his Hyundai during a rain shower.

Because that's how he rolls.

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On our final show, we're going to look ahead at what's next for New Hampshire in this tumultuous moment. We'll speak with guests who have a bird's eye view of the next conversations about racism in the state -  and what could be a looming housing crisis as this recession deepens.

This program airs on Wednesday, July 1, at 7 p.m.  

In the penultimate broadcast of New Hampshire Calling, we've got one more question for you: tell us one thing you learned over the last three crazy months - one thing that you never knew before.  

This program airs on Tuesday, June 30, at 7 p.m. 

This show is free, but making it isn't. Support NHPR's newsroom by becoming a member today!

Listen: 

There's been a lot going for the last few months...and we want to know how you're feeling. Are you optimistic about the future? Pessimistic? Or something else all together?

This program aired on Wednesday, June 24, at 7 p.m.

This show is free, but making it isn't. Support NHPR's newsroom by becoming a member today!

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Things are reopening in New Hampshire...but it doesn't really feel normal again. What does your "new normal" look like? We want to hear from you.

This program aired on Tuesday, June 23, at 7 p.m.

This show is free, but making it isn't. Support NHPR's newsroom by becoming a member today!

Listen: 

About the show:  

Our music shows have been so popular we've decided to make it a regular Thursday thing. 

If you have a song request, get in touch! Leave us a voice message at (603) 513-7700, or email nhcalling@nhpr.org - just make sure to give us your name, your song request, and why you'd like us to play it.

This program aired on Thursday, May 21th at 7 p.m.

For the most part, live music and theater productions are on hold.  So tonight, let's reminisce: what was the most memorable performance you've ever seen?

This program aired on Monday, May 18 at 7 p.m.

NHPR's newsroom needs your help. Make a donation to support our work. 

Listen:

What are the backyard wonders that have you wondering right now? 

This program aired on Wednesday, May 13 at 7 p.m.

NHPR's newsroom needs your help. Click here to make a donation to support our work. 

Listen:

Are you staying active during this pandemic? Or...not so much? We want to hear from you either way.

Give us a call during the show or leave us a voice message at (603) 513-7700 - or email nhcalling@nhpr.org.

This program aired on Tuesday, May 12 at 7 p.m.

Are you ready for New Hampshire to reopen right now? Whether you're gung-ho about newly reopened businesses or feeling like it's too soon, we want to hear from you. 

Give us a call during the show or leave us a voice message at (603) 513-7700 - or email nhcalling@nhpr.org.

This program airs on Monday, May 11 at 7 p.m.

Our music shows have been so popular we've decided to make it a regular Thursday thing. 

If you have a song request, get in touch! Leave us a voice message at (603) 513-7700, or email nhcalling@nhpr.org - just make sure to give us your name, your song request, and why you'd like us to play it.

This program aired on Thursday, May 7, and featured Jeff Stern, of Portsmouth-- creator of Brockets.