Category: Quality Of Life

Quality of Life 24/02/01

Democracy and stickers!

Voters in last week’s presidential primaries were able to score some pretty great “I voted” stickers. Three different options were available: an Old Man in the Mountain profile in front of an American flag, a happy-face-having state of New Hampshire fishing and a moose in front of an autumnal landscape. The artists behind these stickers are New Hampshire fourth graders Grace of Milton, Jacob of Auburn and Rilynn of Mont Vernon, respectively. New Hampshire Secretary of State David M. Scanlan and Deputy Secretary of State Erin T. Hennessey announced the winners of a statewide sticker-making contest for fourth graders back in October 2023. The stickers will appear at all state elections in 2024.

Score: +1

Comments: QOL did — after asking permission — take one of each.

Students helping out

The University of New Hampshire has introduced the “Semester for Impact” program, a unique experiential learning initiative designed to benefit students and New Hampshire organizations, according to a press release. This program enables UNH undergraduates to work 30 hours a week for 15 weeks with local businesses, nonprofits and municipalities, focusing on projects with positive environmental and social impacts. Students earn academic credit and engage in complementary workshops and courses. The program, which embeds immersive learning into the academic curriculum, is a collaboration with the nonprofit College for Social Innovation. It builds on the success of the Semester in the City program in Boston and aims to develop key competencies, professional skills and career networks for students. Host organizations are invited to apply to participate in the program.

QOL score: +1

Comment: Previously, 190 UNH students have participated in the Semester in the City program in Boston through this collaboration, focusing on community-based learning experiences.

Tax help

Granite United Way has launched its free tax prep program for New Hampshire residents with annual household incomes of up to $64,000. According to a press release, the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program, supported by a $50,000 contribution from Citizens, connects qualifying low-to-moderate-income individuals and families in the state with IRS-certified volunteers who can help them access the greatest amount of tax refunds. This initiative helped participants collectively receive more than $5.5 million in federal tax refunds last year, including significant amounts through the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC). To schedule an appointment near you visit nhtaxhelp.org, or go to MyFreeTaxes.com for self-preparation with guidance.

QOL score: +1

Comment: IRS data revealed that about one in five eligible New Hampshire residents don’t file for the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), leaving an estimated $31 million unclaimed, according to the release.

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 [email protected].

Quality of Life 24/01/25

We’re #1!

In a comprehensive report by Retirement Living, New Hampshire has been ranked the best state for retirement in 2024. This accolade comes as part of a detailed analysis of various factors critical to retirees, including cost of living, quality of life, and health care. The state’s appeal is bolstered by its tax benefits — no tax on income, estate, or sales — and the availability of year-round activities. Retirees make up 20% of New Hampshire’s population, and they enjoy discounts on tourist attractions. The ranking is based on a Retirement Living Score, derived from a survey of more than 1,075 people age 55 and older, alongside government data from sources like the U.S. Census Bureau and FBI. The report aims to guide individuals considering relocation for their retirement, highlighting the importance of factors like retirement taxes, access to health care and overall affordability in making such a decision.

QOL score: +1

Comment: This is the second consecutive year that New Hampshire has taken the spot in the study.

Easier college funding

The recent changes to the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) have wide-reaching implications, particularly for students in New Hampshire, NHPR reported. The simplified FAFSA, featuring just 36 questions instead of the previous 108, has altered the aid formula, shifting from the expected family contribution to the student aid index as the metric for calculating a student’s ability to pay for college. This change benefits New Hampshire students, with approximately 12,000 more becoming eligible for Pell Grants and over 24,000 qualifying for the maximum grant amount.

QOL score: +1

Comment: Additionally, a new state law now mandates high school seniors in New Hampshire to complete a FAFSA or opt out through a waiver, a policy expected to increase competition rates for eligible students, aligning with trends seen in other states with similar requirements.

Now I can find my texts!

Last weekend, texts from QOL’s dad and other real people were lost in a sea of desperate pleas that QOL Vote For Whomever! or take someone’s survey. Any real phone calls QOL got were ignored along with the flood of calls from one presumes candidates or something, who knows, because QOL stopped answering. According to a WMUR report from Jan. 22, some people who did answer their phone heard what sounded like (but wasn’t) the voice of President Joe Biden telling them not to vote on Tuesday and the NH attorney general is now investigating those calls. But, hark! With the primary now over (hopefully, as of press time on the morning of Jan. 23), we can all look forward to finding our real texts, answering our phones and getting our precious magazines from the mailbox without wading through election stuff.

QOL score: +1 (-1 for the fake phone calls but +2 for, hopefully, an overall lessening of calls and texts)

Comment: At least until mid October.

QOL score: 49

Net change: +3

QOL this week: 52

What’s affecting your Quality of Life here in New Hampshire? Let us know at [email protected].

Quality of Life 24/01/18

Food Bank funds

The New Hampshire Liquor Commission (NHLC) raised a record $180,000 for the New Hampshire Food Bank at its 10th annual Distiller’s Showcase of Premium Spirits. According to a press release, the event, held on Nov. 2, 2023, at the DoubleTree by Hilton Manchester Downtown, is the region’s largest spirits tasting expo and featured over 1,000 guests sampling from 600 premium spirits. The New Hampshire Food Bank procured and provided more than 16.3 million pounds of food in 2023 to over 400 nonprofit food agencies. The funds raised at the Distiller’s Showcase will help provide thousands of nutritious meals to individuals and families facing food insecurity. The Distiller’s Showcase is part of the larger Distiller’s Week, featuring events and tastings across the state with celebrities and industry experts.

QOL score: +1

Comment: The NHLC has worked with suppliers and brokers over the past eight years to raise more than $4 million for various nonprofit organizations in New Hampshire and beyond, contributing to causes like Best Buddies New Hampshire, Easterseals New Hampshire and the New Hampshire Lodging and Restaurant Association.

We beg to differ, WalletHub

In a recent study by WalletHub, New Hampshire was ranked as the 45th best state to start a business, out of all 50 U.S. states. This ranking was based on a comprehensive analysis of 25 key indicators of startup success, considering factors like financing accessibility, labor costs and office-space affordability. Despite being a challenging environment for new businesses, New Hampshire showed specific strengths and weaknesses in the study: It ranked 26th in the average growth of small businesses, but lower in other areas like labor costs (44th) and availability of human capital (48th). The state’s average length of the work week was ranked 32nd, with the cost of living and industry variety coming in at 41st and 34th respectively.

QOL score: -1

Comment: This ranking is part of a larger national trend where about 20 percent of new businesses fail within their first year. The challenges are compounded by factors like inflation and labor shortages.

It’s winter somewhere

Ice Castles in North Woodstock, New Hampshire, a popular winter attraction in New England, is set to open earlier than anticipated at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Jan 20. According to a press release, the original opening date was planned for Jan. 26, but favorable colder temperatures have allowed for an earlier launch. The attraction, located in the White Mountains, features a range of interactive experiences, including ice-carved tunnels, fountains, slides, frozen thrones and a Polar Ice Bar. Additionally, visitors can enjoy horse-drawn sleigh rides, snow tubing, a mystic light walk, and cascading towers of ice with color-changing LED lights. Tickets for the grand opening are available on the Ice Castles website at icecastles.com/new-hampshire.

QOL score: +1

Comment: Ice Castles was founded in 2011 by Brent Christensen, who developed the process to create these frozen attractions initially as a winter playground for his children.

QOL score: 48

Net change: +1

QOL this week: 49

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

Let us know at [email protected].

Quality of Life 24/01/11

Butterfly in the sky

The New Hampshire Audubon’s 2023 monarch butterfly tagging initiative has yielded promising insights, with a notable 40 percent return rate on detections from the 50 nanotags deployed. According to a press release, this research, building on the previous year’s work, has revealed significant migration distances, including a record detection close to 850 miles away, enhancing our understanding of monarch butterflies’ journey and informing potential conservation efforts. The repeated detection of monarchs along the same routes over consecutive years opens new avenues for targeted conservation strategies, marking a positive step in preserving these vital pollinators.

QOL score: +1

Comment: This is especially significant given the monarch butterfly’s status as a species of concern due to declining populations in recent years, the release said.

Better bills

The Community Power Coalition of New Hampshire (CPCNH) has announced a 26 percent reduction in its base electric rate to 8.1 cents per kWh starting February 2024, maintaining its position as the provider of the lowest residential energy supply rates in New Hampshire for the third consecutive rate period. According to a press release, this new rate is expected to yield $5.3 million in benefits for member communities. Serving over 120,000 customers in 28 cities and towns, with more joining soon, the Coalition offers cost-effective energy options, including choices for 100 percent, 50 percent and 33 percent renewable power, and provides savings to residential and mid-sized commercial customers.

QOL score: +1

Comment: In March, an additional 12 communities will join the Community Power Coalition of New Hampshire (CPCNH), expanding its reach to more than 50 municipalities.

Seeking a stage

Steeplegate Mall in Concord is set for a transformation into a mixed-use development, requiring tenants without long-term leases, including the Hatbox Theatre, to vacate by the end of January, NHPR reported. This redevelopment marks the end of Hatbox Theatre’s tenure at the mall, where it has been a part of the local arts scene since its inception in 2016. While some businesses like JC Penney and Altitude Trampoline Park remain unaffected due to long-term contracts, Hatbox Theatre faces immediate closure, disrupting its planned season, which included 15 scheduled productions, ranging from musicals to local playwrights’ works.

QOL score: -2 for the upheaval, particularly for Hatbox

Comment: Hatbox, which was slated to have its final show at the current location on Jan. 10, is looking for alternative locations. See hatboxnh.com for updates.

QOL score: 48

Net change: 0

QOL this week: 48

The Quality of Life meter resets for the new year. Let us know what’s affecting your Quality of Life at [email protected].

Quality of Life 24/01/04

Scam alert

Eversource is issuing a cautionary notice to its customers about a surge in scam activities. Scammers are using tactics like the shut-off scare tactic, where they impersonate utility employees and threaten service disconnection unless immediate payment is made using prepaid debit cards. Other prevalent scams include the overpayment scam, demanding personal banking information to refund an alleged overpayment; the phony fee for equipment or repair scam, asking for separate payments for non-existent device replacement; the phishing or smishing swindle, involving text messages that solicit personal information under the guise of a reputable company; and the power restoration scam, where scammers promise quick restoration of power after outages in exchange for immediate payment. Eversource assures that its representatives will never demand immediate payment or specify payment methods such as prepaid debit cards. Customers are advised to hang up on suspected scammers, report such incidents to local authorities and contact Eversource for confirmation and assistance.

QOL score: -2

Comment: To aid customers in recognizing and responding to these deceptive schemes, Eversource provides extensive information and resources, which can be accessed in the Safety section of their website, eversource.com, under ‘My Account’ or by directly calling Eversource at 800-662-7764.

Holiday cheers

Ryan Kalantzis and Chad Stanton at 100 Becker St. won, for the second year in a row, Manchester’s Holiday Lights Contest. According to a press release, their winning display included bright lights and Mariah Carey’s music, standing out among 20 entries citywide. The contest concluded with voting by residents and a Facebook Live event to announce the winners. Mayor Joyce Craig praised the team’s dedication, which begins in the fall, and thanked them and their English Bulldog, Rocky, for bringing holiday cheer to Manchester. Prizes for the winners, including those at 575 Brent St. and 90 Waverly St. who secured second and third places respectively, were provided by the Manchester Radio Group.

QOL score: +1

Comment: A map of the festive displays can be found at manchesternh.gov/Government/Mayor-and-Aldermen/Mayors-Office/Manchester-Holiday-Lights-Contest.

Wanna drive a snowplow?

The New Hampshire Department of Transportation is facing challenges in recruiting snowplow drivers due to an increase in retirements and high demand for commercial driver’s license (CDL) holders in the private sector, NHPR reported. To address this issue, the state is offering hiring and retention bonuses, targeting military service members transitioning to civilian life, using social media platforms, and encouraging retirees to return during storms. The difficulty in staffing is also attributed to a decreased interest in trades and career shifts during the Covid-19 pandemic. NH DOT has increased hourly rates for contractors by 15 percent to make the positions more appealing.

QOL score: -1

Comment: Despite these efforts, Richard Arcand, NH DOT’s public information officer, indicated in the article that while they will meet their plowing obligations, the clearing of roads might take longer after significant snowfalls.

QOL score: 50

Net change: -2

QOL this week: 48

The Quality of Life meter resets for the new year. Let us know what’s affecting your Quality of Life at [email protected].

Quality of Life 23/12/28

Toys!

The 12th Annual Tower of Toys initiative in Manchester marked another successful year by collecting approximately 1,100 gifts and raising more than $15,000 for local children and families during the holiday season. According to a press release, the donated toys were assembled into a tower for public viewing at the Beacon Building’s atrium before distribution to beneficiaries through schools, churches and nonprofit organizations. Local businesses, individuals and 10 restaurants actively participated in the campaign, which also received support from various sponsors.

QOL score: +1

Comment: “With heartfelt appreciation, the 12th annual Tower of Toys initiative celebrates the collective generosity that has made the holidays truly magical for New Hampshire children and families,” Larry Thibodeau, Tower of Toys founder and sponsor, said in the release.

Little extra

Following advocacy efforts by the New Hampshire and Vermont Congressional delegations, the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) has announced an increase in pay for federal employees in certain counties of New Hampshire and Vermont. According to a press release, this change, impacting workers in Carroll, Cheshire, Grafton and Sullivan counties in New Hampshire, aligns their locality pay with most counties in New Hampshire and the Greater Boston area. Over 1,000 federal employees, including those working at the White River Junction VA Medical Center, White Mountain National Forest and the Army’s Cold Regions Research and Engineering Laboratory, will benefit from more competitive pay rates.

QOL score: +1

Comment: The pay raise aims to improve hiring and retention of federal employees, which is crucial for initiatives like the implementation of the PACT Act, a law passed to secure health care and benefits for veterans exposed to toxic substances, according to the release.

Money management

A recent analysis by the Pew Charitable Trusts commended New Hampshire for its prudent use of the $995 million received from the American Rescue Plan, NHRP reported. The state allocated the majority (72.5 percent) of these funds to one-time expenses and dedicated over 19 percent to direct pandemic response, such as vaccine distribution and support for long-term care facilities. Only a small portion (8.1 percent) was used for operating expenses, which are typically recurring and could lead to future budget shortfalls.

QOL score: +1

Comment: New Hampshire’s strategic spending on pandemic response and one-time investments, like purchasing Hampstead Hospital and expanding housing, is in line with Pew’s recommendations for minimizing the risk of future fiscal imbalances, the article said.

QOL score: 90

Net change: +3

QOL this week: 93

What’s affecting your Quality of Life here in New Hampshire?
Let us know at [email protected].

Featured photo: 12th Annual Tower of Toys. Courtesy photo.

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