May 1, 20204 min read

Why Hope is on the Horizon

Balancing Perspective and Positivity

Discussing why we will be coming out even stronger than before…

This week, we’ve been given some of the best news yet about our prognosis. The curve has begun to flatten, our hospitals and healthcare system will not be overrun – and the disease is far less deadly than originally thought. At the same time, we’ve seen communities coming together like never before to raise money, cook meals and provide support to our frontline healthcare workers and first responders. We even saw the Navy’s Blue Angels and Air Force Thunderbirds come together to pay a moving tribute to our many heroes across the country who have distinguished themselves during the crisis.

History tells us that when we’ve endured hardship together as a nation, we have always come back stronger than before. Perhaps that is the silver lining of this moment. As we look toward the coming weeks and months, drafting plans to safely get things back to normal and get folks back to work, let’s not think about what was, but instead put all of our energy into what can be, for ourselves, for those we love, and for our communities. Let’s use this moment as a powerful reminder that there is always hope on the horizon and light at the end of every tunnel.

Small Businesses Coming Back to Life

You’ve got to appreciate the creativity and ingenuity of the entrepreneur. Hope really is on the horizon and Newport businesses are finding new ways to serve the community! The Salt Hill Pub, a staple in Newport’s downtown, has reopened to the public for takeout and curbside service. This is exciting news for a Main Street that been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. In normal times, the Salt Hill Pub serves as Newport’s most popular meeting place and has been sorely missed during the crisis. Salt Hill’s reopening is a huge positive sign – an indication that we are starting on the way back. Just like the ‘old days’ – prior to the past couple months. Delicious menu options and friendly staff, eager to serve the Newport community!

Meanwhile, not to be outdone, Dave Lantz, at MJ Harrington Jewelers, a family owned jewelry store in downtown Newport, has been going above and beyond to serve the store’s loyal customers. Like many other businesses, they have been adapting to the new world of retail. With Mother’s Day right around the corner – traditionally a huge day in the jewelry business - Dave and team have announced a creative plan -- processing orders over the web and phone and offering customized curbside service. With ‘hope in the air,’ they are expecting a truly terrific Mother’s Day. A wonderful sign for downtown Newport!

Local Communities Answer the Call

As the economic fallout from COVID-19 continues, communities across the country and here in New Hampshire have answered the call to help and to lift one another up. Donations to the New Hampshire Food Bank are up over 40 percent and show no signs of easing off.

Meanwhile, enter Berlin Mayor Paul Grenier, who just this last week offered up a portion of his own stimulus check to help those who are less fortunate in the community. Paul has been a long-time fixture and recognized leader in greater Berlin, and this is but one of the many examples of how he has consistently put the needs of others above his own and has been a force for good in the Berlin community.

Stories like this abound - even in these hard times. Small towns are like large families. Coming together for the common good – especially in times of need. Communities create and foster a sense of belonging and need to give back. We are all in this together and it’s an important reminder that human goodness is so often on display in times of crisis.

Positive Profile of the Week – The Amazing Team at the CMC

Our profile this week highlights a group of professionals who have been working around the clock for the past many weeks now – helping to treat the virus, save lives and keep us healthy – the amazing team at the Catholic Medical Center – CMC, in Manchester.

Karen and I are proud to be among the thousands of people in the Granite State who deeply appreciate the efforts at CMC. In fact, as a show of community support, Manchester PD and Fire recently coordinated a vehicle parade that stopped at Catholic Medical Center so that first responders and healthcare workers could join hands and thank one another. These individuals, day in and day out, are on the job keeping us safe and fighting deadly virus.

And, special thanks … Catholic Medical Center President Joe Pepe is doing a great job navigating a ship during this period of rough seas. Our first responders including my dear friend Brian O’Keefe of the Manchester PD are doing everything possible to keep our streets safe during the crisis. Doing all of this pre-COVID is no easy task – so deep appreciations for the efforts of the past few weeks.

But it’s important to go even one step further. In addition to the medical staff and first responders, Karen and I want to thank the administrative staff of these organizations, the support teams and their families. The people who answer the phones, the janitors, and the staff who check patients in. These people are near and dear to our hearts. And, special ‘thanks’ to our dear friend and an amazing mother, Carrie Perry, on the team at CMC.

In sum, I’ll say it again, there is hope on the horizon; there is light at the of the tunnel. And, it is our good fortune now be on the verge of successful re-entry -- due largely to the valiant efforts of our selfless medical teams, first responders, staffs and supportive families. We offer our heartfelt thanks and appreciation!