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The New Hampshire

Musing on Music: "Strait Up"

By Bret Belden · Thursday, April 13, 2017

Most of you know by now that I’m a big fan of romantic music. However, the fact that most of his songs focus on the theme of love and romance are not the main reason that I’m such a fan of George Strait. I’m actually a fan of his songs because they often involve puns, whether in the title and chorus or throughout the song. I might be an even bigger fan of puns in general than of romance. It definitely explains why I love my punster boyfriend so much (at least partly).

The New Hampshire

Do what you came here to do

By Bret Belden · Monday, April 10, 2017

As I sit and write this editorial, I feel extremely lucky that the newsroom has no windows.  If it did, I probably wouldn’t be here, but would instead be outside in the stunning, 70 degree weather, in my hammock on T-Hall lawn, drinking a smoothie and petting dogs.  We at The New Hampshire have done a short newsroom poll (page six), and it seems as though my colleagues feel the same way. Unfortunately folks, what we have here is a case of Spring Fever; a completely fictional condition that is lethal to school work, house work, homework and all other kinds of work there are.  

The New Hampshire

The ‘alternative truth’

By Bret Belden · Monday, April 10, 2017

After weeks of nonstop meetings, news articles, negotiations and hard work, the Sexual Harassment and Rape Prevention Program’s (SHARPP) street harassment wall has been re-installed on the third floor of the Memorial Union Building (MUB). The incredible support from various departments, administrators, and fellow students on campus has been overwhelming, and I have no doubt that it is this support which helped us advance the display’s re-installment in some form. The way our campus came together around an issue that affects so many of us drew more attention to it than originally intended, and this only shows how strong we are when we come together as a community.

The New Hampshire

Saved by the Belden: Postseason preview: Celtics have their hands full with Cavs, Raptors

By Bret Belden · Monday, April 10, 2017

The Celtics’ second consecutive playoff run already looks more promising than last year’s, at least through the first round. They have two regular season games remaining and currently hold a tie for first place in the Eastern Conference with the Cleveland Cavaliers. They’re guaranteed at least third place, and with one more win they’ll have clinched at least the second seed.

The New Hampshire

From the dancer: Former executive editor reflects on dance at UNH

By Bret Belden · Sunday, April 9, 2017

The first story I ever published in The New Hampshire was about the Houston Ballet II performing in the Johnson Theatre. Since then, the Arts section has not been a place readers have seen my name. This is mainly due to the fact that about a month later I joined the Department of Theatre and Dance as a dance minor and a Jazz, Tap, Aerial  (JTA) dancer in the UNH dance company. So, full disclosure, this is a highly bias column because although I am no longer in the company due to this wonderful publication, I am still close friends with the dancers, spend six hours a week in aerial class with Gay Nardone, have taken jazz with Mary Beth Marino and ballet with Susan Endrizzi and Assaf Benchetrit. The studio in New Hampshire Hall is the first place I truly found myself at UNH, the first place I met the people who share a passion of dance and the place where I could express myself in the best way I know how; dancing.

The New Hampshire

Farewell column: Send it, bro

By Bret Belden · Friday, April 7, 2017

“Real G’s move in silence like lasagna,” said Lil Wayne in his song, “6 Foot 7 Foot.” Well, if Lil Wayne saw the TNH staff members hard at work late at night in the MUB newsroom, he would think they are G’s for sure. The production staff and editors move the chains of this organization, so thanks for grinding it out twice a week to get the paper out. I’m just the guy who writes about track and field; they’re the real ballers.

The New Hampshire

Farewell column: Farewell TNH

By Bret Belden · Friday, April 7, 2017

Coming to UNH was one of the best decisions of my life. At first I didn’t really know what I wanted to do. All I knew was that I love interacting with people. But eventually I found writing. Journalism was a great outlet for writing and the family at TNH really helped me refine my skills. Also, I got plenty of opportunities to go out and see what is going on around campus and interact with the students and staff running those events.

The New Hampshire

Farewell column: An unconventional journey

By Bret Belden · Friday, April 7, 2017

My path to TNH was certainly an unconventional one. When I decided to transfer to the Durham campus from UNH Manchester, I was studying communication arts and wanted to work with video production. That first year in Durham I was miserable and aimless. I didn’t see video editing as a viable career path and I had no clue what I was going to do with my life.

The New Hampshire

Farewell column: All about passion

By Bret Belden · Friday, April 7, 2017

Tomorrow is a lifetime away. I know many of you experience this sensation. The feeling of the “now” seeming so infinite. But the older you get, the faster life goes by. At the beginning, you think about how much time you have. At the end, you think how quickly it all came and went. Take it from me, an older non-traditional student who transferred to UNH from life. I’ve lived, worked and traveled for years before deciding what to pursue academically. Years of soul searching through various cultures and lifestyles led me to my wonderment of storytelling.

The New Hampshire

Farewell column: Without words

By Bret Belden · Friday, April 7, 2017

If you know me well at all, you know it’s not often that I find myself at a loss for words. As Hannah Horvath, the main character on my favorite show “Girls” once uttered emphatically,  “I have a strong opinion about everything, even topics I’m not informed on.” I’m not saying that’s how I am, because being informed is crucial. But I do like to talk.

The New Hampshire

Farewell column: The 2 a.m. mantra

By Bret Belden · Friday, April 7, 2017

I’ve always believed in the thought that something great is about to happen, but while I sit here, looking around at the people in this newsroom and replaying the memories past that are written on the walls, it is difficult to imagine finding anything that will compare to this place I have called home. I’ve had the great honor of having you readers listen to my words all year, but have lived for the moments that I can’t put into words, knowing that only this group, this family, can read between the lines.

The New Hampshire

Farewell Column: Let's make it Clare

By Bret Belden · Friday, April 7, 2017

I wrote this farewell column while on the Amtrak Train to Boston. I was on my way to the Sports and Entertainment Career Fair at Fenway Park and I had no idea how to start this column. I must have written about four or five sappy/retrospective introductions, but all seemed cheesy and I scrapped all of them. I was too anxious to think coherently because I was officially about to start my career in sports and a career for the rest of my life.

The New Hampshire

Farewell Column: No Nawnsense

By Bret Belden · Friday, April 7, 2017

As I write down my thoughts here keep in mind this is not goodbye. My work here has only just begun. Then again, wow this is it. The last time you will read something from “No Nawnsense,” so drink it in. I do not want to go into detail about my time here, but more importantly I want to thank everyone who has helped me grow.

The New Hampshire

Win, dance, repeat: Sky’s the limit for 2017 Red Sox

By Bret Belden · Monday, April 3, 2017

Isn’t this great? Fresh cut grass, blue skies and fans chirping can only mean one thing: baseball is back, ladies and gentlemen. For the Fenway faithful, the 2017 Boston Red Sox take the field today for the first of 162 games. Although snow may still exist on the outskirts of Yawkey Way and Lansdowne Street, the hometown team is ready to take the field promptly at 3 p.m. There is a lot to look forward to this season Red Sox fans, but let us not get wrapped up in how good the team looks on paper.

The New Hampshire

Shaming from a distance

By Bret Belden · Thursday, March 30, 2017

Humans of UNH’s Facebook page did an interview with student body presidential candidate Chris Mignanelli in which he shared, among other things, his reason for running for the postition. Chris’s platform hinges primarily on how ineffective student government has been and what he would do to change it. Now, it is perfectly acceptable to be engaged and disagree; in fact, it is required of good governance. But what Chris is saying frustrates me to no end because in the past three years that I have been involved in student government, he has been noticeably absent. 

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