Did he drop it in the book drop out front?
As reported in a Sept. 12 online article by New Hampshire Public Radio and the Concord Monitor, a very, very overdue book has been returned to the Concord Public Library. After reading a flyer announcing the Library’s year-long freeze on late fees, Barrington resident John Hanson decided to return a book that had been on his family’s shelves for as long as he could remember. The book is a bound copy of a magazine, NHPR and the Monitor reported — The Century Illustrated Monthly Magazine from September 1894. “It bore markings from the Concord Public Library,” the story read, “along with the words ‘may be kept for one week.’ But the book did not return home for 48,220 days, or over 132 years, since being checked out. It would have amassed an overdue fine of $12,055, although the library wouldn’t have charged him.”
QOL score: +1
Comment: “The library,” the article read, “said it won’t put the magazine back into circulation but hopes to display it in the Concord Room, where Concord-related archival material lives.”
A situation bearly under control
In a Sept. 9 online article, WMUR reported that the Manchester Police and Fire Departments rescued a bear from a tree near Amory Street and Notre Dame Avenue on Sept. 8, with the assistance of NH Fish and Game. As bears go, WMUR reported, it was a fairly manageable size. “According to officials, Animal Control Officers found a bear that is estimated to be one year old and 100 pounds in a tree.” The rescuers’ first plan was not as successful as they would have hoped. “Police say they called in Fish and Game to help get the bear onto the ground. The bear was tranquilized, but proceeded to climb higher into the tree. The Manchester Fire Department brought in an aerial bucket, and a Fish and Game official was able to retrieve the bear.”
QOL score: +1 for a happy ending
Comment: According to a National Park Service website, black bears are exceptional at climbing up trees, but descending is more difficult: “They have strong curved claws that allow them to climb trees with agility. … Unlike other tree-climbing mammals that descend head-first, a black bear walks down a tree with its rear legs in the lead.” Visit nps.gov/articles/black-bears.htm.
Ending veteran homelessness
Manchester Mayor Jay Ruais’s office released a statement on Sept. 10 that the city has effectively ended homelessness among its veterans. “Manchester has met the legacy benchmarks for effectively ending veteran homelessness,” the office announced in a press release, ‘fulfilling a commitment Mayor Ruais made when launching the [Manchester Veterans Initiative] in September 2024.” At that time, the press release stated, there were 47 homeless veterans in Manchester. “Every veteran from that original group has since secured permanent housing. Tragically, one veteran has passed away. Over 130 veterans have now been housed through the initiative.” The statement pointed out that this does not mean that no veteran in Manchester will ever experience homelessness, but that procedures are in place to address it.
QOL score: +1
Comment: “Manchester has a system in place to quickly identify veterans experiencing homelessness, connect them with services, and help them secure permanent housing. The goal is to ensure veteran homelessness remains rare, brief, and nonrecurring.” In a statement, Mayor Ruais wrote, “We can take the lessons learned from this initiative and scale it to address the larger population. This is exactly what we have done with the elderly and infirm, families and children along with those suffering from substance use disorder or mental health issues.” Visit manchesternh.gov/Government/Mayor-and-Aldermen/Mayors-Office/Press-Room.
QOL score last week: 62
Net change: +3
QOL this week: 65
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