Five Things: Will You Be My Valentine?

Good morning, Hampton and North Hampton. Here are five things you need to know for Thursday, Feb. 14:

1. Governor to Deliver Budget Today: Gov. Maggie Hassan, D-Exeter, will unveil her first state budget during a joint session with the New Hampshire House and Senate. Patch will have coverage.

2. This Day in History: On February 14 around the year 278 A.D., Valentine, a holy priest in Rome in the days of Emperor Claudius II, was executed.

Under the rule of Claudius the Cruel, Rome was involved in many unpopular and bloody campaigns. The emperor had to maintain a strong army, but was having a difficult time getting soldiers to join his military leagues. Claudius believed that Roman men were unwilling to join the army because of their strong attachment to their wives and families.

Legend also has it that while in jail, St. Valentine left a farewell note for the jailer's daughter, who had become his friend, and signed it "From Your Valentine."

For his great service, Valentine was named a saint after his death. Gradually, February 14 became a date for exchanging love messages, poems and simple gifts such as flowers.

3. Today’s Winnacunnet High School Sports Matchups (information via Winnacunnet.org):

Frosh Basketball @Trinity – Girls at 4:30/Boys at 6:00

4. What Else Is Happening Today? There are many things happening today.

• Winnacunnet High School's annual Cabaret is at 7 p.m.;
• Lane Memorial Library's Academy Awards Film Festival continues;
• the open-road tolling (high-speed) lanes at the Hampton toll plaza will be closed;
• the North Hampton School Renovation Committee will meet at 5:30 p.m. in the school's library;
• and the Hampton Energy Committee will meet at 7 p.m. at Hampton Town Hall.
  

5. Today's Forecast:

Day
Mostly cloudy, then gradually becoming sunny, with a high near 42. North wind 5 to 7 mph becoming west in the afternoon.

Night
Increasing clouds, with a low around 31. Light and variable wind becoming south 5 to 8 mph after midnight.