Author: The Hippo Press

Let’s buy one and dress it in a hat and tie

As reported by Manchester InkLink in a May 7 online article, the City of Manchester is selling retired parking meters to the public “… as Manchester completes its transition to newer parking technology,” the article read. “The meters will be available for $15 each, cash only, while supplies last.” InkLink quoted Manchester Parking Director Faye Morrison, who said that there were approximately 300 parking meters for sale as of May 7. She said she expected them to sell quickly.

QOL score: +1

Comment: To buy one of these meters, pay in person at the Victory Garage, 25 Vine St. Sales took place May 8 and will continue on Friday, May 15, “with additional pickups possible afterward, for as long as they last,” the story reported.

The sweet breeze of a whiffing batter

In an April 28 press release the New Hampshire Fisher Cats announced their fifth no-hitter ever. “Jackson Wentworth, Nate Garkow, Irv Carter, and Kai Peterson combined to throw the fifth no-hitter in Fisher Cats history, as New Hampshire blanked the Binghamton Rumble Ponies,” the press release read about that day’s game. “The 6-0 combined nine-inning no-hitter is New Hampshire’s second in franchise history and their first since May 21, 2012.“

QOL score: +1

Comment: According to the Fisher Cats press release, “Starter Jackson Wentworth has pitched in a combined no-hitter in both college and professional. (While at Kansas State, Wentworth tossed the final two frames on a no-hitter against Cincinnati on March 8, 2023.)”

Nursing is strong in New Hampshire

A recent study by online financial services company Wallet Hub reported that New Hampshire is the second-best state for nurses. The report cited a strong job market for nurses. “The state has the most nursing-job openings per capita, and a large number of hospitals per capita. In addition, New Hampshire has some of the best nursing schools in the country. The Granite State also restricts mandatory overtime for nurses, which helps stop nurses from being taken advantage of and overworked.”

QOL score: +1

Comment: New Hampshire ranked second of the 50 states, with the 12th best “Opportunity and Competition Rank”, and first in “Work Environment. Maine ranked No. 1 overall, and Oklahoma ranked 50th. Visit wallethub.com/edu/best-states-for-nurses/4041.

QOL score: 48

Net change: +3

QOL this week: 51

What’s affecting your Quality of Life here in New Hampshire?

Let us know at news@hippopress.com.

Full tank, empty wallet

According to a May 4 press release from online fuel price tracker GasBuddy.com, New Hampshire gasoline prices rose 28.5 cents per gallon during the week beginning April 24. The average gasoline price in the state as of Monday, May 4 was “$4.35/g … according to GasBuddy’s survey of 875 stations in New Hampshire. Prices in New Hampshire are 44.1 cents per gallon higher than a month ago and stand $1.48/g higher than a year ago. The national average price of diesel has increased 21.3 cents compared to [April 24] and stands at $5.621 per gallon.”

QOL score: -1

Comment: The same announcement reported that gas inflation in New Hampshire is fairly modest compared to the rest of the country.

New Hampshire, the Lithium State?

As reported in an April 29 online news story in the Concord Monitor, “a new USGS assessment estimates that the Appalachian region of the eastern U.S. contains 2.3 metric tons of undiscovered, economically recoverable lithium: enough to replace 328 years of U.S. imports.” Lithium deposits have been known about in Maine for several years, the report continued, “and the geological conditions suggest that similar deposits likely exist in New Hampshire.”

QOL score: +1

Comment: “Lithium has long been a valuable resource for industrial and health-related applications,” the Monitor story read, “but has become much more important as the energy transition has increased the importance of batteries, often based on various lithium chemistries. About half of the lithium used in the U.S. is currently imported. “

New proms, experienced dresses

As reported on WMUR’s New Hampshire Chronicle on April 28, many area teens will be wearing second-hand or vintage dresses to prom this year. “There are several reasons teens are thrifting for prom,” WMUR reported, noting “the cost, environmental concerns, or wanting a unique look no one will have. Lucky for those students, there are several free or low-cost options available around the Granite State.” One of these options, according to the report, is Missy’s Closet Thrift Shop (13 Hazel Lane, Manchester, 978-7872, facebook.com/MissysClosetBoutique); ReProm Pop-Up in Exeter and Tom and Chickpea in Derry were also mentioned.

QOL score: +1

Comment: The story said that Missy’s Closet “collects donations all year long and started the season off with 3,000 dresses and received 1,000 more over the four weeks it was open.”

A Nashua Junior Ranger?

An April 29 online article in The Cabinet Press was headlined “Nashua fifth grader in running for Junior Ranger title … and $20k.” Fifth-grader Gavin Ryan is one of five remaining contestants in his age group in this year’s Junior Ranger contest sponsored by Ranger Rick Magazine, the story said. The competition’s website (jr-ranger.org) says the contest is designed to “celebrate curiosity, confidence, and a love for the natural world.”

QOL score: +1

Comment: “The competition ends on June 4 and the winner will be announced on June 19,” the Cabinet story read. “Should Gavin win the competition, he would be featured in Ranger Rick, have an exclusive wildlife experience with renowned biologist Jeff Corwin and receive $20,000.” The story also noted “The link to vote for Gavin is available at jr-ranger.org/2026/gavin-8531.”

QOL score last week: 46

Net change:+2

QOL this week: 48

What’s affecting your Quality of Life here in New Hampshire?

Let us know at news@hippopress.com.