Category: Quality Of Life

Challenge accepted!

The Wildcats of Fall Mountain Regional High School faced the Purple Panthers of Nashua South last Thursday night, Feb. 12, kicking off the 44th season of the quiz show Granite State Challenge on New Hampshire PBS, in which 16 New Hampshire high school teams compete to answer questions across a range of topics, from math to ancient history. A new half-hour episode airs each week until the championship on May 21. Visit nhpbs.org/gsc to view episodes, take online quizzes, and see tournament rules and the season’s full schedule. The matchup airing Thursday, Feb. 19, at 8:30 p.m. will feature Bedford vs. Souhegan.

QOL score: +1

Comment: According to the GSC website, Merrimack High School took the 2025 title and holds the record for championship titles with five.

Nurses needed

As reported in the Feb. 13 issue of the New Hampshire Business Review, New Hampshire is deep into a nursing shortage. The article references “a New Hampshire Department of Employment Security estimate that, through 2026, there will be more than 900 annual openings for registered nurses and nearly 1,200 openings for nursing assistants…. The National Center for Health Workforce Analysis projects that, by 2030, for a projected supply of 2,280 licensed practical nurses in New Hampshire, 3,640 will still be needed.”

QOL score: -2

Comment: NHBR cited a statement by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing that credited “rising stress levels, compounded by the pandemic, increased job dissatisfaction and burnout” for New Hampshire’s nursing shortage.

Hurry! Hard!

As reported by WMUR in a Feb. 15 online article, this year’s Winter Olympics has spurred a new interest in New Hampshire for the sport of curling. “…[L]ocal clubs in New Hampshire are seeing a surge in interest. Known for its precision and patience, the sport is drawing more curiosity than ever, with many people eager to try it themselves.”

QOL score: +1

Comment: Just after the Olympics, the USA National Championships will be held in North Carolina; see usacurling.org/watch-curling for links to the USA Curling YouTube channel and more information. Looking for local curling? See mvcurling.com for the Merrimack Vallley Curling Club based in Nashua.

QOL score: 50

Net change: 0

QOL this week: 50

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

Let us know at news@hippopress.com.

Recycling less

As reported in a Feb. 3 online article by the New Hampshire Bulletin, data from the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services suggests that New Hampshire residents recycle less than had been previously thought. The calculations that Environmental Services had previously used to estimate how much material from transfer stations is recycled had to be adjusted to avoid double-counting. The most recently published data indicates that “about 16.7% of the material that municipal transfer stations reported handling in 2024 was ultimately diverted for recycling, according to the recalculated percentages,” the New Hampshire Bulletin story read. The story also said, “Since 2020, the proportion of municipal waste sent for recycling has dropped by about four percentage points, according to the department.”

QOL score: -1

Comment: To read the most recent statewide recycling data, search online for “2023-2024 NH Biennial Solid Waste Report.”

Measles vaccination rate is spotty

As reported by NHPR in a Feb. 2 online article, a recent study suggested that because of New Hampshire’s relatively low vaccination rate, it is at a higher risk of a future measles outbreak. “New England is faring better than the rest of the country when it comes to measles vaccinations,” the article read, “but a new study from Boston Children’s Hospital’s finds that New Hampshire’s vaccination rate is a little lower than the rest of the region.”

QOL score: -1

Comment: The NHPR story reported that: “According to the study, Merrimack County shows a vaccination rate of 65% for children 5 and under, where Hillsborough County is 74%.” Search online for, “Parental Factors Associated With Measles” to read the study.

Plows getting plowed into

On Feb. 7, according to the New Hampshire Department of Transportation in an early afternoon post on its Facebook page, “Today alone, four NHDOT plows have been hit while crews were working to keep roads safe. Our crews are out there for you, help us keep them safe.”

QOL score: -1

Comment: NHDOT warned, “If you’re out driving, please slow down for weather conditions, move over for stopped vehicles on the side of the road, give plow crews plenty of space, and leave extra distance between vehicles.” To view real-time traffic conditions, see NewEngland511.org.

QOL score last week: 53

Net change: -3

QOL this week: 50

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

Let us know at news@hippopress.com.

Frozen pipes

As reported by WMUR in a Jan. 27 online article, the recent cold weather has led to frozen pipes throughout New Hampshire. “As frigid weather continues in New Hampshire,” the article read, “plumbers say they’re keeping busy fixing frozen pipes.” WMUR quoted Steve Labbe, a plumber who has responded to dozens of frozen pipe calls over the past week or two.

QOL score: -1

Comment: According to the WMUR story, Labbe said: “It mostly happens to people that go away for vacation for a week, and they don’t know when they have no heat,” he said. “And then the house freezes up. We’ve seen that. And that’s thousands and thousands of dollars to fix.”

Can she declare a recess?

The Honorable Liv Crete-Sayer of Boscawen has been sworn in. As reported on nh.kidgovernor.org, the official website of the New Hampshire Kid Governor organization, [Kid] Governor Crete-Sayer and her Kid Executive Council “were inaugurated in a ceremony on Tuesday, January 27th in the NH House Chambers. Chief Justice Gordon MacDonald administered the oath of office and Governor Kelly Ayotte and other New Hampshire dignitaries presided.” Crete-Sayer’s “platform is to educate NH kids on the dangers of smoking, vaping, and drugs,” a post on the website read.

QOL score: +1

Comment: As explained on its website, “New Hampshire’s Kid Governor is a national award-winning civics program led by NH Civics in partnership with the New Hampshire Institute of Politics”.

More hungry families

As reported by NH Hunger Solutions (nhhungersolutions.org) on its website, with the future of the State’s SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) uncertain, 76,000 New Hampshire residents are at risk of going hungry. “The cost of operating SNAP in New Hampshire has increased,” the report said. “Historically, the state and federal government split administrative costs 50/50. Now, the state is required to cover 75% of the costs — an estimated $5.75 million increase to the state’s budget to run the program…. SNAP is our first line of defense against hunger in our state”

QOL score: -1

Comment: In a Jan. 23 blog post, the New Hampshire Fiscal Policy Institute (nhfpi.org) wrote, “Food insecurity in New Hampshire, while still lower than the national average, has been rising since the Covid-19 pandemic-era low.”

QOL score: 54

Net change: -1

QOL this week: 53

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

Let us know at news@hippopress.com.

St. Patrick’s Day Parade canceled

According to its website (saintpatsnh.com), Manchester’s annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade, originally scheduled for Sunday, March 29, has been canceled. An announcement on the website read, “The St. Patrick’s Parade committee was recently met with the logistical challenge of shortening the parade route and changing the staging areas for the parade. At this time, as a small committee, we do not feel that we are equipped to handle the changes to be able to safely stage the parade in an organized manner…. We hope to be able to take this time to plan, recruit additional, knowledgeable volunteers and be able to safely host a St. Patrick’s parade in 2027.”

QOL score: -2

Comment: An announcement from Millenium Running, organizer of the Shamrock Shuffle, a 2-mile road race usually staged in conjunction with the Parade, read,”[W]e are currently in the process of possibly reworking the Shamrock Shuffle for a possible course and/or a date change. ” Visit millenniumrunning.com/shamrock.

Chicken with listeria

According to a Jan. 16 notice by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, more than 13,000 pounds of chicken products have been recalled in seven states, including New Hampshire, due to possible listeria contamination. “The ready-to-eat grilled chicken breast fillets were produced on October 14, 2025,” the notice read. They were produced by Sozanna’s Kitchen, a company in Norcross, Georgia. “There have been no confirmed reports of illness due to consumption of these products,” the notice said.

QOL score: -1

Comment: See fsis.usda.gov/recalls-alerts/suzannas-kitchen-recalls-ready-eat-grilled-chicken-breast-fillet-products-due to see the product label.

Saving for a rainy day

According to a Jan. 4 report by the New Hampshire Fiscal Policy Institute (nhfpi.org), a recent analysis by the Urban Institute (urban.org) reported that “nearly one in four New Hampshire households lacked $2,000 in savings for emergencies…. About 23 percent of New Hampshire households did not have non-retirement savings, such as money in a checking or savings account, totaling more than $2,000 in 2022.”

QOL score: -1

Comment: To view the data from the Urban Institute analysis, visit apps.urban.org/features/financial-health-wealth-dashboard.

QOL score last week: 58

Net change: -4

QOL this week: 54

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

Let us know at news@hippopress.com.

A school project with wings

According to a Jan. 13 online article by WMUR, an airplane built by students at Manchester School of Technology has arrived at Manchester-Boston Regional Airport. “Students have been working on the aircraft since 2023,” the article read. “It’s the second airplane built at the school through a partnership with the Manchester School District and nonprofit Tango Flight. The plane will be inspected and go through flight testing before receiving certification that it’s airworthy.”

QOL score: +1

Comment: According to a post on the Aviation Museum of New Hampshire’s website, “the aircraft, a two-seat Van’s RV-12iS recreational plane, will undergo FAA inspection followed by a ‘fly-off’ procedure supervised by an approved test pilot. “ Visit aviationmuseumofnh.org.

A cheer heard from here to Foxboro

As reported in an online article by WMUR, the New England Patriots Cheerleaders are led by a Londonderry native. “Driss Dallahi was one of the first male cheerleaders on the team,” the story read, “and now, he’s managing the squad. He joined the team in 2019, becoming one of the first male cheerleaders on the squad in nearly three decades. He was recently appointed manager.”

QOL score: +1

Comment: “Dallahi said preparing for a playoff game looks a lot like the regular season, just with more intensity,” the WMUR article said.

Eagles conserved

As reported by the Boston Globe in a Jan. 13 online article, “bald eagles are making a comeback in New Hampshire. According to the State’s most recent Wildlife Action Plan, released in December, “[The eagles’] recovery has been notable enough that they’re no longer considered a ‘species of greatest conservation need,’” As reported in the Globe article, “128 bald eagle pairs were documented in the state in 2025, 13 more than in 2024.”

QOL score: +1 for the eagles

Comment: On the other hand, five new species of shorebirds have been added to the list of those in need of conservation: Black-bellied Plover, Lesser Yellowlegs, Pectoral Sandpiper,Short-billed Dowitcher and White-rumped Sandpiper. Visit wildlife.nh.gov/wildlife-and-habitat/nh-state-wildlife-action-plan.

QOL score: 55

Net change: +3

QOL this week: 58

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

Let us know at news@hippopress.com.

In the spirit of Adam Sander

The New Hampshire Department of Transportation has announced the winners of the Second Annual NHDOT“Name a Plow” Contest. “Granite Staters shared their creativity and voted on fun and memorable names for our snowplows this winter season,” the DOT reported on dot.nh.gov. This year’s plow names are Wicked Plowah, Plowabunga, The Blizzard Lizard, Winniplowsaukee, Sled Zeppelin, Happy Plowmore, and Skarupa Snow Scoopah.

QOL score: +1

Comment: According to the NHDOT, more than 600 name suggestions were submitted for this year’s contest and there were more than 1,800 votes.

A snack that is its own toothpick

As reported in a Jan.12 online article by New Hampshire Public Radio, the town of Durham has found an innovative solution to dispose of discarded Christmas trees. This year the town sent its trees to Hickory Nut Farm, a goat farm in Lee. As it turns out, unlike many animals, goats can not only digest evergreen needles and twigs but actively enjoy eating them, the article said.

QOL score: +1

Comment: According to the story, the 11 goats can go through two or three trees a day.

A fife and drumroll, please…

Jan. 5 was the 250th anniversary of New Hampshire’s declaring its independence from Great Britain. The first of the 13 colonies to break away from its home country, New Hampshire declared its independence five months before the colonies as a whole. As reported by the Concord Monitor in a Jan. 7 online article, the occasion was marked by a “dramatic reading of the state constitution at a celebration at the New Hampshire State Archives in Concord.”

QOL score: +1

Comments: According to the Monitor story, the document read at the celebration is “just under 1,000 words long, and established the state legislature and democratic elections for a number of positions. It was replaced in 1784 with a second version that remains in effect today.”

QOL score: 52

Net change: +3

QOL this week: 55

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

Let us know at news@hippopress.com.