Category: Quality Of Life

Fun at the stadium

Celebrate chicken tenders, Marvel characters and Northwoods Law, among other fun themes, with the New Hampshire Fisher Cats this season. The team recently announced its promotional schedule for 2022, with Atlas Fireworks shows, giveaways, brand new theme nights, and the debut of Benny the Bat Dog (In Training) on May 13. According to a press release, Manchester Chicken Tenders Night will be Saturday, June 4, when the F-Cats will don specialty jerseys and chicken tender hats to honor Manchester’s culinary history. Marvel’s Defenders of the Diamond Night is Friday, June 17, featuring Marvel music, movie clips and Thor jerseys worn by the Fisher Cats. Hockey Night pays homage to the history of hockey in the state on Friday, June 24, with Manchester Monarchs-inspired jerseys, a mini stick giveaway and appearances from former NHLers including Derek Bekar and Jeff Giuliano. The stars of Northwoods Law New Hampshire return Friday, July 8, to meet fans; the first 1,000 fans will receive a replica conservation officer jersey. Star Wars Night returns on Saturday, July 23, with Star Wars characters, music, movie clips, intergalactic fireworks and Mandalorian jerseys featuring Baby Yoda.

Score: +1

Comment: The Fisher Cats home opener is on schedule for Tuesday, April 12, against the Hartford Yard Goats, with a magnet schedule giveaway and a post-game fireworks show.

Hey kids, want to be a governor?

After a Covid hiatus, the Governor for a Day initiative that was launched in New Hampshire in 2018 will return. According to a press release, the goal of the program is to “foster civic education and promote youth participation in government,” and it’s open to all middle and high school students in the state. Applicants are asked to submit a 250- to 500-word essay completing the sentence, “If I were governor for a day, I would…” One student will be selected to serve as “Governor for a Day,” joining Gov. Chris Sununu for a day on the job.

Score: +1

Comment: Submissions are due by April 22, and may be submitted to GovernorForADay@nh.gov, by mail or via Facebook Messenger.

Here’s hoping for a warm spring

The good news is that warmer temperatures are coming. The bad news is that a final oil-tank fillup this season is going to cost you. According to a report last week from WMUR, the prices for oil in most New Hampshire communities is more than $5 a gallon. The price at Lemay’s Oil Services in Manchester last week was $5.32 a gallon, and owner Dan Lemay told WMUR he’s never seen it like this. Rymes Propane and Oil in Concord had its price listed at $5.29 a gallon on March 12; on March 15, the price had risen to $5.54.

Score: -2

Comment: QOL got an automatic delivery March 11 and was shocked to see the price had skyrocketed to $5.29 per gallon. QOL will be canceling automatic deliveries for now, in the hopes that prices will be less heart-attack-inducing in the fall.

Math is where it’s at

Brainly, an online homework help community, surveyed 900 American students throughout the country about math in honor of Pi Day on March 14 to find out how they feel about the subject. According to a press release, New Hampshire ranks No. 3 for states where math is the students’ favorite subject, with 37.6 percent of students preferring math over science, English, social studies or history, or “other.” Students in New Jersey and Massachusetts like math the most, at 41.7 percent and 41.6 percent, respectively.

Score: +1

Comment: QOL doesn’t understand the “new math” they’re teaching in schools these days but is all for it if it’s making the subject more accessible — and even enjoyable — for kids.

QOL score: 65

Net change: +1

QOL this week: 66

What’s affecting your Quality of Life here in New Hampshire? Let us know at news@hippopress.com.

Making progress in the war on drugs

While drug overdose deaths in the United States increased 20.6 percent in one year (from the time period of June 2019 to June 2020 to the time period of June 2020 to June 2021), during the same time period New Hampshire was one of just four states to reduce its number of drug overdose deaths. According to a press release, the Granite State is projected to reduce the number of drug overdose deaths by more than 11 percent from 2018 to 2021, thanks in part to the state’s progress on its three-year action plan, Expanding Our Response, which was created in 2019 by the Governor’s Commission on Alcohol & Other Drugs. The action plan has increased access to substance use disorder peer recovery support and recovery housing, and increased investments in prevention, treatment and recovery. The commission recently updated the plan to set priorities for 2022 to 2024, including the formation of a Stimulants Committee that is tasked with addressing the increased use of stimulants in the state, the release said.

Score: +2

Comment: “Over the last few years we have made substantial progress in our long-term fight against the opioid epidemic by prioritizing a community-based Doorway response to this epidemic that puts individuals ahead of systems,” Gov. Chris Sununu said in the release.

All kinds of tax help

The New Hampshire Department of Revenue Administration is reaching out to residents to let them know that it is available to offer guidance throughout the taxpaying season and directing taxpayers to its new tax management portal, Granite Tax Connect. According to a press release, Granite Tax Connect allows taxpayers to schedule payments to be automatically withdrawn from their bank account on a specified date. Taxpayers can either create an account or make a payment without a login. With an account, taxpayers can file returns, schedule estimated payments, see a history of returns and payments submitted and see letters received from the Department, the release said. “As a resource to the taxpaying community, we are committed to assisting taxpayers and tax preparers with all their needs this tax filing season,” NHDRA Commissioner Lindsey Stepp said in the release.

Score: +1

Comment: Taxpayer resources are available at revenue.nh.gov, and the Taxpayer Services Division is available to answer all filing questions by phone at 230-5000 (option 2), the release said.

Longtime holiday food program canceled

The Capital Region Food Program’s Holiday Food Basket Project will no longer exist in the same format, after five years of research and analysis have shown that the project in its current form is not sustainable. According to a press release, the 50-year program has seen changes over the last 10 that have caused “fragmented communication and complexities that led to complications in effectively executing the project.”

Score: -2

Comment: The CRFP, which is an all-volunteer organization, will still work to get food to those in need during the holidays and throughout the year through its Year Round Distribution Project, the release said.

New grants for women and girls of color

The New Hampshire Women’s Foundation has launched a new grant program, the Women and Girls of Color Fund, for initiatives led by or serving women and girls of color in the state. According to a press release, the fund “aims to reverse the historic and persistent underinvestment in women and girls of color” and will provide low-barrier, faster turnaround grants to projects by and for this population.

Score: +1

Comment: The fund will accept applications quarterly, with the first grants deadline on July 1; visit NHWomensFoundation.org.

QOL score: 63

Net change: +2

QOL this week: 65

What’s affecting your Quality of Life here in New Hampshire? Let us know at news@hippopress.com.

Not so sinful

New Hampshire is the sixth least sinful state in the country, according to a report from WalletHub. The personal finance website compared all 50 states in the country based on several of what it calls “key indicators of immoral or illicit behavior,” including anger and hatred, jealousy, excesses and vices, greed, vanity and laziness (measured by looking at data such as thefts and fraud to gauge jealousy or percentage of adults not exercising as part of gauging laziness — to which QOL responds, hey, maybe some of us are busy doing other things). To read the full report, visit wallethub.com/edu/most-sinful-states/46852.

QOL Score: +1

Comment: The study found the Granite State to be the least angry, with Massachusetts ranking as the second least angry. Perhaps the study’s authors have never seen us share a highway headed north on a long weekend.

DEI training for businesses

The New Hampshire Tech Alliance and the Center for Women and Enterprise are partnering up to offer ongoing virtual or in-person Diversity Equity and Inclusion office hours, open to any interested Granite State businesses. According to a press release, participants will work directly with Equity and Racial Justice consultant Kile Adumene, a local community organizer and native of Nigeria who has lived in New Hampshire for more than 20 years. Adumene is the co-founder and facilitator of the Manchester Community Action Coalition, which hosts regular meetings for people of color, immigrants and others to come together on civic and community matters.

QOL Score: +1

Comment: “This partnership … will help small businesses from all sectors access the guidance and support they need to navigate their own DEI challenges at no cost,” Center for Women and Enterprise director Chandra Reber said in a statement.

Housing supply

The state’s Department of Business and Economic Affairs recently released its annual report on housing supply from its office of planning and development, according to a press release. As of 2021, the total housing supply in the state is estimated to be 642,800 units, seven-tenths of a percent higher than the number of housing units recorded during the 2020 census. According to the release, New Hampshire added 4,446 units to its housing supply in 2020, slightly less than in 2019, when the housing stock increased by 4,483. Data from the U.S. Census report shows that New Hampshire saw a population growth of 5,500 between July 2019 and July 2020, with the state registering the fourth-highest percentage (61.6 percent) of inbound moves in the country that year.

QOL Score: 0

Comment: “This report is a reminder that New Hampshire’s appeal and pro-growth economy requires that we continue working on solutions to provide housing to meet the demand,” BEA commissioner Taylor Caswell said in a statement.

New EMTs

Sixteen newly trained EMTs have completed American Medical Response (AMR)’s Earn While You Learn program in Manchester, according to a press release. They were recently celebrated at the Manchester Fire Department; eight of them were hired as full-time EMTs and eight are part-time for AMR Manchester. Over the last 12 weeks, many of the Earn While You Learn classes were taught at various fire stations across the city. Participants are hired as employees and compensated while attending the EMT-Basic certification course.

QOL Score: +1

Comment: “It has been a privilege to work alongside these future lifesavers who have demonstrated a strong commitment to our citizens and community,” said Manchester Deputy Fire Chief Ryan Cashin, who was on hand for the celebration.

QOL score: 60

Net change: +3

QOL this week: 63

What’s affecting your Quality of Life here in New Hampshire? Let us know at news@hippopress.com.

Benny and the Cats?

Benny, Casey, Tucker — those are the options for the name of the New Hampshire Fisher Cats’ new bat dog in-training, and fans are being asked to vote for their favorite. According to a press release, the golden retriever puppy won’t be working as the bat dog this year, but he will be making appearances at Delta Dental Stadium throughout the season, including his official debut at the May 13 game. The to-be-named puppy is a rescue who came from New Hampshire-based volunteer organization Hero Pups, which provides support dogs to veterans and first responders in New England. “We’re proud to continue the legacy of Ollie the Bat Dog, who provided us so many wonderful memories over the years,” Fisher Cats President Mike Ramshaw said in the release.

Score: +1

Comment:The winning name of the Fisher Cats’ new bat dog in training will be announced in the coming weeks. Vote at nhfishercats.com.

Help wanted

New Hampshire employers are having a hard time finding people to work for them: According to WalletHub’s 2022 States Where Employers Are Struggling the Most in Hiring report, the Granite State ranks 4th in the nation. The report said that overall the country’s labor force participation rate is experiencing the slowest recovery of any recession since World War II. In New Hampshire the job openings rate during the latest month was 8.50 percent; in the past 12 months it was 7.28 percent. Alaska topped the list, followed by Vermont and Wyoming, the report said.

Score: -2

Comment: This is tough on businesses, and customers too — understaffing is making for longer lines at the grocery store, longer waits at the drive-thru and more frustrating customer service experiences.

Professional education opportunities

Through its micro-credential program, UNH is now offering more than 250 micro-credential courses and 26 certificate programs, the New Hampshire Department of Business and Economic Affairs announced last week. Classes and programs focus on providing work-ready skills and are available in areas ranging from computer science and cryptocurrency to business management and law, according to a press release. Classes are taught in person and online; they start as low as $50 and are open to anyone, not just UNH students. Several similar programs are available at other schools in the state’s Community College System, including at NHTI, where all micro-credentials lead to an NHTI certificate or a degree program, the release said.

Score: +1

Comment: “Our state’s micro-credential programs give individuals a cost-efficient option to higher education that allows them to obtain and showcase ‘work ready’ skills,” BEA Commissioner Taylor Caswell said in the release. “It’s an interesting turning point in our higher-education system that will shape the future of the state’s workforce as a whole, benefitting thousands of companies.”

QOL score: 60

Net change: 0

QOL this week: 60

What’s affecting your Quality of Life here in New Hampshire? Let us know at news@hippopress.com.

Top teacher

Tristan Bowen, a fourth-grade teacher at Riddle Brook School in Bedford, has won the 2020 Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching, representing the country’s top honors for teaching in science, technology, engineering, mathematics and computer science. According to a press release, Bowen has been teaching for 22 years and is one of 102 teachers nationwide to receive the award. She and other award recipients will receive a certificate signed by the president of the United States, a $10,000 award from the National Science Foundation and a trip to Washington, D.C., to participate in professional development opportunities.

Score: +1

Comment: “What sets Tristan apart is her forward-thinking and student engagement abilities, especially in the area of STEM education. She encourages creativity, critical thinking and problem solving through interest-based learning for her students,” Principal Molly McCarthy of Riddle Brook School said in the release.

Red Cross needs help

The American Red Cross is looking for volunteers for its Disaster Action Team and for blood donor ambassadors due to an increase in the number of house fires this winter and the ongoing critical need for blood. According to a press release, local Red Cross Disaster Action Team members have responded to at least 83 home fires in New Hampshire, helping 421 people, since July. Now, more volunteers are needed to help families with immediate needs after a fire, as well as to provide emotional support. Most locally, disaster team volunteers are needed in Laconia and Plymouth and on the Seacoast. The Red Cross is also looking for 26 blood donor ambassadors in Hillsborough and Rockingham counties, according to the release. Blood donor ambassadors greet and register donors and offer support throughout the donation process.

Score: -2 for the high number of house fires and the critical blood shortage

Comment:Vaccinations are required for in-person volunteer roles, the release said.

Local Hall of Famers

Sixteen Central High School graduates have been named as inductees into the Manchester High School Central Hall of Fame. According to a press release, the new inductees are usually announced every five years but were postponed last year because of Covid. Some of the biggest names among the inductees are Col. Jason Fettig, director of the President’s Own Marine Band; Rep. Chris Pappas, who represents New Hampshire’s 1st District in Congress; Max Clayton, whose Broadway credits include featured roles in The Music Man and Moulin Rouge; and Kayleigh Cronin, who is currently appearing on the Great White Way in a production of Mrs. Doubtfire, the release said.

Score: +1

Comment: Previous inductees of the school’s Hall of Fame, which was founded in 1996, include Olympic gold medalist Bob Beattie; John Sullivan, former secretary of the Navy; Chip Kelly, former head coach of the San Francisco 49ers and Philadelphia Eagles and current UCLA head coach; and comedian Adam Sandler.

Free small business support

The NH Tech Alliance and NH Small Business Development Center have launched a free Cybersecurity Review program for small- and medium-sized businesses. According to a press release, businesses in New Hampshire with up to 500 employees can participate and receive an online education, a one-on-one consultation with a cybersecurity consultant, and a report with action items based on the consultation.

Score: +1

Comment: The release said 61 percent of all small- and medium-sized businesses have reported at least one cyber attack during the previous year according to the 2021 Data Breach Investigations Report.

QOL score: 59

Net change: +1

QOL this week: 60

What’s affecting your Quality of Life here in New Hampshire? Let us know at news@hippopress.com.

Olympians represent

New Hampshire ranks 12th for the number of athletes who have participated in a Winter Olympics game on behalf of Team USA, according to a recent report from BeenVerified, a public information website. Four New Hampshire-born athletes are in Beijing right now, which did not change the ranking; prior to this year, 47 state-born athletes have participated in the Winter Olympics. Those athletes have earned 19 medals, making them 9th in the country for total medals, and 8th for gold with six medals, the report said. Top cities by birthplace are Easton (six medals); Hanover, Derry and Salem (three medals); and Concord (two medals).

Score: +1

Comment: The top Olympic sport in New Hampshire, according to the report? Alpine skiing.

Students speaking up, sparking change

Central High School has a new dress code, thanks to senior and Manchester School Board student rep Kellan Barbee, who rewrote the outdated code that had been in effect since the ’80s. According to a report from NHPR, the new code — the first policy in the district authored by a student — allows items that were formally prohibited, like spaghetti straps, tube tops, ripped jeans, do-rags, bonnets and hats, while wearing the hood of a hoodie, see-through clothing and attire displaying messages with profanity and hate speech are still prohibited. The update has been a long time coming, with students asking for it for years; Barbee wrote the new code with other students’ input. For example, he told NHPR, the district wanted to keep the hat ban, but after hearing about homeless peers who didn’t have access to hair products and showers, Barbee made it a priority to get rid of it.

Score: +1

Comment: “My goal is not to impose my own views on dress — on students, on staff, on the district. It is to bring student voices to the table,” Barbee told NHPR.

Because you can’t do this in Florida

Special Olympics New Hampshire is gearing up for its two biggest fundraisers, the Penguin Plunge and the Winni Dip, and for the second year, participants are being asked to take a DIY approach in light of Covid. According to a press release, the theme of this year’s events is “Survivor,” and participants will have “Survivor Packs” delivered to their home, school or office, with items packed into a pail that can be used for do-it-yourself plunging. Penguin Plunge Weekend is Feb. 12 and Feb. 13 and includes the Penguin Plunge, the High School Plunge, Prep School Plunge and the new Middle School Plunge. Winni Dip Weekend is March 12 and March 13 and includes the Law Enforcement Dip, The Winni Dip, High School Dip, Middle School Dip and the MEGA Dip. Participants can register online at sonh.org; all fundraising can be done online, and most participants can meet the fundraising minimums in less than 72 hours, according to the release.

Score: +1

Comment: SONH President and CEO Mary Conroy said that they were pleasantly surprised last year by the turnout and participants’ creativity. “We had everything last year from schools utilizing their local fire departments to help students plunge, to individuals plunging on their own in lots of fun and creative ways,” she said in the release.

Late for love

A Google Trends analysis that looked at searches for “last minute Valentine’s Day gift ideas” shows that New Hampshire ranks 10th in the U.S. for gift-buying procrastination. According to a report from wholesale trade printer 4over, waiting until the last minute seems to be a trend on the East Coast, with New Jersey coming in first and Maryland, Rhode Island, New York and Virginia round out the Top 5, while Connecticut and Massachusetts joined New Hampshire in the Top 10.

Score: -1

Comment: Valentine’s Day is Monday, Feb. 14 — just sayin’.

QOL score: 57

Net change: +2

QOL this week: 59

What’s affecting your Quality of Life here in New Hampshire? Let us know at news@hippopress.com.

Winter weather cancels Winter Festival

Intown Concord sent out a notice last Saturday to inform people that almost all of the events at that day’s Winter Festival were canceled because of the snowstorm. “This is really disappointing for everyone involved [but] safety is our number one priority. Intown Concord will be working to reschedule as many elements from today’s festival as we can for the springtime,” Intown wrote in the notice.

Score: -2

Comment: The exceptions were the ice carvers and the ice bar – “the ice carvers are a hardy crew,” the notice read. The carvings were done on the Statehouse lawn, with the plan that they would remain on display for about a week.

Keeping college costs down

For the fourth year in a row, the University System of New Hampshire is freezing in-state tuition for the upcoming academic year. According to a press release, university system schools currently provide more aid to more students than at any other time in their history, and students are paying less on average to attend these public institutions than in-state students paid five years ago. The University of New Hampshire campuses in Durham and Manchester, Plymouth State University and Keene State College continue to offer the Granite Guarantee program, which makes college affordable for more than 1,800 New Hampshire residents by covering the full cost of in-state tuition for all who qualify.

Score: +1

Comment: Ninety-five percent of first-year students attending University System of New Hampshire schools currently receive some form of financial aid, the release said.

Supporting our health care heroes

For the second year, the NH Healthcare Heroes effort is recognizing outstanding professionals in the health care community, naming one hero for each of the state’s seven regions. According to a press release, the winners were nominated by colleagues, family, friends and patients and were chosen by a volunteer committee made up of health care professionals across the state. Locally, winners are Laura “Beth” Nagy, director of rehabilitation services at New Hampshire Hospital in Concord; Matt Bouchie, homeless outreach coordinator at the Mental Health Center of Greater Manchester; and Stacy Dionne, clinical nurse manager at Lamprey Health Care in Raymond.

Score: +1

Comment: Winners are being honored during pinning ceremonies with their employers, and runners-up stories will be shared on social media at facebook.com/healthcareheroesnh, according to the release.

Giving girls a Sporting Chance

Girls Inc. of New Hampshire is collaborating with Harvard Pilgrim Health Care in support of healthy living and access to sports through its Sporting Chance Program, which provides opportunities to young girls to participate in physical activities and develop good habits that will benefit their physical and mental health. According to a press release, both the Nashua and Manchester Girls Inc. centers offer the program, with activities like basketball, yoga, soccer and racquet sports.

Score: +1

Comment: “Sporting Chance provides girls a safe and supportive environment to participate in competitive and recreational activities and sporting events and empowers girls to succeed,” Sharron McCarthy, CEO of Girls Inc. New Hampshire, said in the release.

QOL score: 56

Net change: +1

QOL this week: 57

What’s affecting your Quality of Life here in New Hampshire? Let us know at news@hippopress.com.

Record-breaking tourism

Summer 2021 in New Hampshire saw 4.4 million visitors, who spent more than $2.1 billion, which broke the previous record in Summer 2019 with a 21-percent increase in visitors and a 5-percent increase in spending for the season. According to a press release from the New Hampshire Division of Travel and Tourism Development, fiscal year 2021 as a whole had a record number of visitors at 12.8 million, with spending over $5.5 billion, equaling $322.6 million in state tax revenue. “Our tourism team here at BEA kept a marketing presence in key states throughout the pandemic, so while other states retreated, we were poised to come out of the gate fast … and that worked,” Taylor Caswell, commissioner of New Hampshire Department of Business and Economic Affairs, said in the release.

Score: +1

Comment: The total fiscal year 2021 returns on investment generated $197 in visitor spending for each $1 invested in marketing efforts, and $12.08 in tax revenue for each $1 invested, according to the release.

Souped-up recycling

Manchester has made another step in its commitment to invest in environment-friendly practices, recently becoming the second city in the nation to use ocean-bound recycled plastic in their recycling carts. According to a press release, the OceanCore carts are 100-percent recyclable and will replace broken or new carts for residents across the city. Ten percent of their post-consumer recycled materials are made up of recycled plastics found in and near waterbodies.

Score: +1

Comment: Other environmentally-friendly steps that the city has taken include the recent sale of $46.5 million in green bonds to help finance its program to remove combined sewer overflows into the Merrimack River for cleaner water; the construction of a solar array on the former landfill; and the addition of energy-efficient buses to the Manchester Transit Authority fleet, according to the release.

More personal finance classes, please

A recent study of personal finance curriculum and graduation requirements of all 79 public high schools in New Hampshire showed that many schools still do not require students to pass a class in personal finance to graduate. According to a press release, the study done by NH Jump$tart Coalition — an all-volunteer nonprofit organization that helps prepare youth for successful financial decision-making — was completed in late 2021 and found that 68 percent of New Hampshire public high schools clearly offer a personal finance course as an elective, in addition to meeting the state requirement for economics; 13 percent clearly require a standalone course in personal finance for graduation; and 6 percent require economics only.

Score: -1

Comment: There’s still plenty of room for improvement, but we’re getting there: According to the release, in 2013, only three public high schools met the state minimum requirement in economics and required students to pass a half-credit class in personal finance to graduate, while in 2021, 10 schools met those criteria (locally, those schools are Bedford, Belmont, Bow and Pelham high schools).

Lighting up the community

Granite VNA and Central NH VNA & Hospice raised more than $65,000 during its annual Lights, Life and Memories campaign to support hospice care. According to a press release, the community added to the more than 1,800 names in the online Honor Roll, and more than 600 names were inscribed on porcelain doves to remember loved ones who have died. And in December, 150 businesses throughout the Concord area were illuminated by Lights, Life and Memories purple candles to honor the lives of those who have passed.

Score: +1

Comment: The Community Memorial Service, with music, readings, reflection and remembrance, can be seen at granitevna.org/lights.

QOL score: 54

Net change: +2

QOL this week: 56

What’s affecting your Quality of Life here in New Hampshire? Let us know at news@hippopress.com.

Unemployment claims below pre-Covid numbers

Last week’s unemployment claims in New Hampshire were 22.9 percent lower than they were during the same week in 2019 — the sixth-biggest decrease in the U.S. — according to personal-finance website WalletHub’s updated report on States Whose Unemployment Claims Are Increasing the Most. They are 9.71 percent lower compared to the same week in 2020, and 83.86 percent lower than the same week in 2021.

Score: +1

Comment: According to the report, New Hampshire is one of only 14 states whose unemployment claims last week were lower than before the pandemic.

Life-changing donation for local veteran

Mike Moran, a local disabled veteran who served almost 20 years in the U.S. Air Force, will soon replace his manual wheelchair with an iBOT Personal Mobility Device, courtesy of a Veterans Count donor and assistance from Manchester-based Mobius Mobility, which manufactures the device. According to a press release, Moran has been using his wheelchair for 14 years; with the iBOT PMD, the 51-year-old will now be able to get up and down stairs and curbs, move through all kinds of terrain and experience life at standing height. Veterans Count and Mobius Mobility helped Moran get the prescription and other documentation he needed to qualify for the iBOT, and helped him schedule his training, the release said.

Score: +1

Comment: “We are still taking requests for the remaining four iBOT donations, and we encourage veterans to inquire,” Kathy Flynn, senior director of development for Veterans Count, said in the release.

Camp for all kids

ReKINDling Curiosity is coming back for a second year to help ensure that all kids who want to get a chance to go to camp. According to a press release from the New Hampshire Department of Education, the initiative is meant to provide a positive childhood experience at an approved overnight or day youth recreation camp in New Hampshire. The program, which is federally funded using Covid-19 response money, will pay up to $650 of youth recreation camp fees for qualifying students.

Score: +1

Comment: “For many children, especially those from low-income backgrounds or with disabilities, this opportunity to attend a summer camp could help alleviate anxiety and trauma resulting from the pandemic, and succeed in academic instruction when they return to school in the fall,” Frank Edelblut, commissioner of education, said in the release.

Beware of Covid smishing campaign

Scammers pretending to be from the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services and the New Hampshire Division of Motor Vehicles are texting residents trying to get personal identifying information. According to a consumer alert from Attorney General John M. Formella, the scam is called “smishing” — when scammers send text messages purporting to be from a reputable agency to get personal information — and this one is a Covid-19 themed campaign. The text messages contain links to a fraudulent “New Hampshire State Covid-19 Vaccine Status Validation” website, which features legitimate-looking seals of the Department of Health and Human Services and Division of Motor Vehicles. On the site, the consumer is asked to enter personal information like their Social Security number and date of birth, the release said.

Score: -1

Comment: Residents are advised not to reply to unsolicited text messages, not to click on a link in a text message from someone you don’t know, and not to provide money or personal information over the phone or by email to someone you don’t know.

QOL score: 52

Net change: +2

QOL this week: 54

What’s affecting your Quality of Life here in New Hampshire? Let us know at news@hippopress.com.

This one’s for the teachers

Area 23 in Concord is making snow days even better for teachers and school staff. According to Area 23’s Facebook page, if Concord cancels school in January or February, teachers and staff get drinks and food at half price from 4 to 6 p.m. that day. The eatery, located on North State Street, offers craft beer, cider and pub eats.

Score: +1

Comment: Area 23 gets an A+ for this snow day special!

Success at the slopes

The holiday week was a success for the state’s ski areas, according to a press release from Ski New Hampshire, with most resorts reporting that business was up for the period compared to last year. Pats Peak in Henniker, for example, had significant increases in admissions and revenue; general manager Kris Blomback said in the release that business was “absolutely booming.” At McIntyre Ski Area, there was an increase in the number of visitors who had never been skiing or riding but decided to give it a try, marketing director Aly Moore said in the release. Moore also reported that many guests chose to spend time outside on the patio around the fire pits, and at Pats Peak relatively mild weather had guests stay outside the lodge for eating and breaks.

Score: +1

Comment: With the Martin Luther King Jr. long weekend coming up, “snowmaking efforts will resume in full force to refresh snow conditions and expand terrain,” the release said

It’s beginning to look a lot like winter

The weather has been brutal lately, with unexpected icing Jan. 5 leading to cars off the roads all over the state during the morning commute, followed by a snow day for some on Jan. 7 and more winter weather that made for tough driving Jan. 9. QOL got caught off guard by snow squalls in the Hooksett and Concord area Jan. 10, and the following day, wind chill advisories were in effect, getting as low as 25 below zero, according to a press release.

Score: -1

Comment: Yes, QOL knows this is New Hampshire, but with Covid putting so many events and activities in jeopardy again, it would be nice if we didn’t have to worry every day about weather canceling plans.

Family-friendly Granite State

New Hampshire is the sixth-best state to raise a family, according to WalletHub’s new report of 2022’s Best & Worst States to Raise a Family. According to a press release, the personal finance website compared family-friendliness data for all 50 states, using information like median annual family income and housing affordability. The Granite State is No. 1 in two areas: It has the lowest percentage of families in poverty and the lowest unemployment rate. It also has the second lowest infant mortality rate and second fewest violent crimes per capita.

Score: +1

Comment: New Hampshire was above average in other areas too; according to the report, it ranked 17th for child-care costs, median annual family income and percentage of residents ages 12 and up who are fully vaccinated, and it ranked 19th for its separation and divorce rate.

QOL score: 50

Net change: +2

QOL this week: 52

What’s affecting your Quality of Life here in New Hampshire? Let us know at news@hippopress.com.