Category: Quality Of Life

Power down

Around 95,000 New Hampshire electric utility customers experienced power outages on the morning of Friday, Dec. 23, after heavy winds and rain downed trees and power lines across the state, WMUR reported. The National Weather Service issued hazardous weather alerts for icy roadways, hurricane force winds and flood warnings. The storm caused seawater flooding on the seacoast, closing parts of Route 1A in Rye and North Hampton.

QOL score: -1

Comment: This was the second case of statewide outages this month, after around 62,000 electric utility customers were left without power following the first big snowstorm of the season on Thursday, Dec. 15.

Toys for kids

The 11th annual Tower of Toys, an initiative that collects donations of unwrapped holiday gifts for children of families in need, collected around 1,000 toys and raised more than $20,000, according to a press release. “Our mission is to make the work of nonprofit organizations and families easier during the Christmas season, and most importantly, to make the season truly magical for New Hampshire’s children,” Tower of Toys founder and sponsor Larry Thibodeau said in the release. The donations were distributed to a number of local nonprofit organizations that work with children and families, including Dover Children’s Home, Friends of Aine, Friends of Forgotten Children, My Turn, Nashua Children’s Home, New Generation, Roca Kidz Club, Spaulding Academy & Family Services, Walk with a Child and Webster House.

QOL score: +1

Comment: The donated toys were formed into a tower on display at a celebratory holiday reception held at the Beacon Building in Manchester on Thursday, Dec. 15.

An end-of-year gift

Gas prices in New Hampshire have fallen 12.2 cents per gallon in the last week. According to a GasBuddy price report, the average gasoline price in New Hampshire is down to $3.29 per gallon as of Dec. 19. The data is based on a survey of 875 gas stations across the state. Prices are now 41.7 cents per gallon lower than a month ago.

QOL score: +1

Comment: The national average price of gas was projected to fall below $3 per gallon for the first time in nearly 600 days by Christmas.

Praise for a NICU nurse

Victoria M. Hastings, RN, a clinical nurse in the NICU at the Children’s Hospital at Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center, is among 10 neonatal intensive care unit nurses nationwide selected as a finalist in the 4moms first annual Nominate a NICU Nurse program. According to a press release, co-workers, friends and families of NICU babies nominate their favorite nurses for the award, and finalists are selected based on submission stories and the number of times they were nominated. “Reading through all of the nominations was truly special,” Hastings said in the release. “It’s nice to be reminded how important the work we all do in the NICU really is to our families, patients and co-workers.”

QOL score: +1

Comment: Ten 4moms MamaRoo Swings were donated to CHaD in Hastings’ honor.

QOL score: 90

Net change: +2

QOL this week: 92

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

Like toilet paper all over again…

QOL was unfortunately in the market for some children’s fever medicine (your acetaminophen, your ibuprofen) last week and learned, as other parents probably already know, that the over-the-counter medicines are harder to get than Taylor Swift tickets, particularly the younger-kid-friendly liquid version (the Tylenol, not the tickets). A driving tour of many Greater Manchester grocery stores, big box stores and pharmacies turned up some kid tablet versions (boo to the idea of halving a chewable tablet) and exactly one liquid acetaminophen in a brand QOL has never heard of. Online searches also showed most area stores out of stock. News stories confirm that this situation is playing out nationwide, though a Dec. 3 story on npr.org reported that Johnson & Johnson, maker of Children’s Tylenol and Children’s Motrin, said, “there is no nationwide shortage — just a lot of demand.”

QOL score: -2

Comments: All of the stories emphasize talking to a pediatrician (i.e. not the internet) about your kid’s specific symptoms and possible alternatives if you can’t find medication.

Less fun part of a snow day

The first big snow of the season, which hit New Hampshire late Thursday, Dec. 15, and continued in some parts of the state through Saturday, left around 62,000 electric utility customers without electricity by Saturday, WMUR reported. Utility crews responded to downed wires and trees throughout the state causing the outages. As of Dec. 18, 448 customers were still without electricity, most residing in the Peterborough-Jaffrey area, around Conway and in the Upper Valley.

QOL score: -1

Comment: The storm, which dropped 1 to 2 feet of snow in many parts of the state, also created hazardous road conditions. WMUR reported that New Hampshire State Police had responded to more than 200 crashes, spinouts and vehicles off the road.

Kudos to the Sandman

Manchester’s own Adam Sandler has been named the winner of this year’s Mark Twain Prize for American Humor, NHPR reported. The award, considered one of the most prestigious honors in comedy, “recognizes individuals who have had an impact on American society in ways similar to the distinguished 19th-century novelist and essayist Samuel Clemens, best known as Mark Twain,” according to the Kennedy Center website. Sandler will receive the award at a gala performance at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., on March 19, 2023.

QOL score: +1

Comment: Sandler paid a visit to the Puritan Backroom in Manchester last week, as captured in a TikTok video posted by ESPN.

A small gift (in February)

New Hampshire Eversource customers may see a slight decrease in their energy bill next year. The utility recently filed its proposal for its next energy service rate adjustment, which would go into effect on Feb. 1, with the New Hampshire Public Utilities Commission. If approved, the rate will be 20.2 cents per kilowatt-hour, down from 22.6 cents per kilowatt-hour, the rate set in August.

QOL score: +1

Comment: The adjustment would lower the supply portion of the average residential customer’s bill by approximately seven percent.

QOL score: 91

Net change: -1

QOL this week: 90

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

NH representation

Twenty-one upperclassmen from the Arts Academy of New Hampshire in Salem have painted, photographed and drawn unique pieces of art celebrating New Hampshire. According to a press release, that artwork can now be seen on a series of holiday ornaments that are on display at the 2022 National Christmas Tree display in President’s Park as part of the America Celebrates ornament program. “I told the group to think about what they truly love about New Hampshire and its scenery, and I also told them that this is the time to shine, and to showcase their best work,” Frank Sharlow, co-director and art teacher at the school, said in the release. The ornaments depicted New Hampshire beaches, mountains, trails, the state flower (purple lilac) and the state bird (purple finch), white birch trees, various wildlife, Funspot arcade at Weirs Beach and more Granite State icons and scenery.

QOL Score: +1

Comment: The Arts Academy of New Hampshire was one of 58 schools nationwide to participate in this year’s America Celebrates ornament program, which features art by more than 2,600 students across the country.

Fill up!

Gas prices in New Hampshire have fallen 11 cents per gallon in the last week. According to a GasBuddy price report, the average gasoline price in New Hampshire is down to $3.42 per gallon as of Dec. 12. The data is based on a survey of 875 gas stations across the state. Prices are now 36.7 cents per gallon lower than a month ago, but still 10.8 cents per gallon higher than this time last year.

QOL score: +1

Comment: The national average price of gasoline was $3.21, according to the report — down 14.4 cents per gallon in the last week and down 56.5 cents per gallon from a month ago.

Snow!

The first big snow of the season is projected to start sometime between the night of Thursday, Dec. 15, and the morning of Friday, Dec. 16, WMUR reported. Northern and central parts of the state could get at least 6 inches of snow accumulation, while the southern part of the state is more likely to get a wintry mix and cold rain. Commuters should expect a high impact on travel conditions on Friday. The storm is projected to pass sometime between late Friday night and the first half of the day Saturday.

QOL score: +1 if you’re a kid hoping for a snow day and because the lack of snow was starting to seem weird

Comment: Some kids got two-hour delays on Monday after the accumulation of snow Sunday night.

Give blood, get stuff

The American Red Cross is calling for blood and platelet donations to prevent a seasonal blood shortage, according to a press release. Shortages can happen this time of year due to a number of barriers, including holiday traveling, seasonal illness and weather conditions. Everyone who donates through Dec. 15 will receive a $10 Amazon gift card; donate between Dec. 16 and Jan. 2 will receive a long-sleeved Red Cross T-shirt — while supplies last.

QOL score: +1

Comment: To book a donation appointment at a Red Cross blood donation site near you, download the Red Cross Blood Donor app, visit redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-733-2767.

QOL score: 87

Net change: +4

QOL this week: 91

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

Golden Girls

The Girl Scouts of the Green and White Mountains honored dozens of Girl Scouts at the Young Women of Distinction ceremonies in Bedford on Nov. 16. According to a press release, the Gold Award was presented to Girl Scouts in grades 9 through 12 who have spent at least 80 hours in service to their communities, demonstrating leadership in developing solutions to challenges and creating lasting positive changes. Additionally, Girl Scout Cadettes in grades 6 through 8 who have given at least 50 hours of service were recognized with the Silver Award, and Girl Scout Juniors in grades 4 and 5 who have given at least 20 hours in service received the Bronze Award. “Today’s celebration is a testament to the dedication and hard work necessary to accomplish the highest achievements in Girl Scouting,” Patricia K. Mellor, CEO of the council, said in the release.

QOL score: +1

Comment:Gold Award recipients participated in a variety of initiatives, including a geocaching project to promote mental health and wellness; providing home-cooked meals to local food pantries; publishing a collection of interviews with inspiring women; and amending state legislation to facilitate environmentally conscious burials without the need for embalming.

New books!

Dr. Norman W. Crisp Elementary School in Nashua and the Nashua Public Library unveiled dozens of new books courtesy of the Children’s Literacy Foundation during Library Day on Tuesday, Nov. 29. According to a press release, the school received CLiF’s “Year of the Book” grant, which provided the school’s library and Nashua Public Library with $1,000 each to purchase new books for their collections. The grant also funds author visits and special programs throughout the school year, plus 10 free books for each student. “Today’s Library Event is a chance for our students to see 55 to 60 exciting new books that we have been able to purchase for our library and also have a chance to see the Nashua Public Library’s new books and to learn more about NPL’s many programs for the children of Nashua,” school principal Cherrie Fulton said according to the release.

QOL score: +1

Comment: CLiF, a nonprofit based in Vermont, has been around since 1998, working to inspire a love of reading and writing among children in low-income, at-risk and rural environments.

Cough, cough, sneeze

Your suspicions based on sick coworkers, kids home from school and that cough you can’t shake are correct: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has found that influenza cases in New Hampshire are the highest they’ve been in a decade for this time of year, according to a WMUR report from Dec. 5. Flu cases dropped significantly in the 2020-2021 season as a byproduct of Covid mitigation measures. The number of cases increased in the 2021-2022 season, but was still significantly lower than in a typical season pre-Covid. Now, the health care system contends with an immune-sensitive population that is more susceptible to the flu than in years past, in addition to a post-Thanksgiving spike in Covid cases and cases of respiratory syncytial virus, which have been nationally on the rise.

QOL score: -2

Comment: Health officials urge people to stay up to date on their Covid and influenza vaccinations. No vaccine is available for the prevention of RSV.

QOL score: 87

Net change: 0

QOL this week: 87

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

Spreading holiday cheer

The New Hampshire Federal Credit Union’s Santa for Seniors holiday donation drive is now underway, according to a press release. Members of the public are invited to participate by donating a gift card in any denomination or by creating a homemade holiday card as a way to deliver hope and holiday cheer to seniors in the local community. Santa himself will deliver the cards to eight senior facilities in the state in mid-December.

QOL score: +1

Comment: Donations will be accepted at NHFCU’s Concord and Lee locations through Dec. 14.

Online scam

Fraudulent websites posing as legitimate New Hampshire small businesses are on the rise, warns Attorney General John M. Formella. According to a press release, the scammers have been advertising products for sale online at deeply discounted prices and requesting that consumers contact the company’s sales department to make a purchase. The “sales department” then insists that the consumer pay for the products using a bank wire transfer. Some scammers have even set up email addresses matching their fraudulent company’s name and website in order to “verify” the company through independent organizations used to establish marketplace trust, such as the Better Businesses Bureau, the Chamber of Commerce and Show Me Local.

QOL score: -1

Comment: Attorney General Formella urges consumers to be vigilant by asking probing questions about deeply discounted products, insisting to speak to the seller over the phone, confirming the seller’s contact information, asking for and contacting references that can verify the legitimacy of the seller, and, finally, checking with local law enforcement or the Attorney General’s Office to see if any complaints have been filed against the seller.

Helping caregivers help kids

The Children’s Museum of New Hampshire in Dover has curated a Play-Based Learning Kit — a 40-pound jumbo box filled with quality materials for children ages 5 and under — and is distributing the kits to 83 child care providers, libraries and family resource centers throughout the state serving more than 9,000 children, according to a press release. Each kit comes with monthly activity guides for educators on ways to use the materials to engage children. “When we saw the child care crisis growing, we began reaching out to childcare providers … about ways we could use our expertise to help,” Jane Bard, CMNH president, said in the release. “Once we realized the need was so great and so widespread around the state, the challenge was how to best serve all of these audiences. The solution was to give all of these audiences different tools and ways to participate in a variety of activities over the course of the year.”

QOL score: +1

Comment: Additionally, the museum has launched three new weekly play-based learning drop-in programs and is collaborating with the University of New Hampshire’s Department of Human Development and Family Studies to host two free play-based learning open house events as well as four online workshops open to all early childhood educators.

QOL score: 86

Net change: +1

QOL this week: 87

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

Scouting for Food

Scouts from the Daniel Webster Council – Boy Scouts of America participated in the recent Scouting for Food event, collecting an estimated 100,000 food items from across New Hampshire to support more than 60 agencies, food pantries and soup kitchens, according to a press release.

QOL score: +1

Comments: A total of 109 troop units participated in the two-weekend event (with the kids putting up door hangers the first Saturday of November and retrieving food the next week), the press release said.

Public safety award

A New Hampshire public safety leader has been awarded the Chief Harlin R. McEwen Public Safety Broadband Communications Award by The First Responder Network Authority, according to a press release. FirstNet Authority named John Stevens the recipient of the award, which honors leaders in public safety who have contributed to the advancement of broadband communications for public safety personnel, the release said Stevens has served as the Statewide Interoperability Coordinator in the Office of the Commissioner and the Division of Emergency Services and Communications for the New Hampshire Department of Safety for nearly a decade. In his position, he is responsible for coordinating a variety of statewide public safety communications, including broadband planning and the deployment of FirstNet, the nationwide public safety broadband network.

QOL score: +1

Comment: As of 2017, all 50 U.S. states have opted in to a plan to have FirstNet deployed in a public-private partnership with AT&T, according to the FirstNet website.

A rough winter

New Hampshire advocacy groups are predicting homelessness rates in the state to rise this winter as a result of the growing costs of rent, fuel and gas, WMUR reported. According to the article, the latest housing report also predicted a greater risk of homelessness among New Hampshire residents; state officials said they are expecting the number of homeless youth to be around 14,000 this year; and mortgage rates are just short of 7 percent, which is the highest they’ve been in two decades.

QOL score: -2

Comment: In October, New Hampshire Housing announced that it would be forced to put its NH Emergency Rental Assistance Program on pause after the U.S. Treasury announced that New Hampshire will not receive any additional resources to continue the program beyond Dec. 29.

QOL score: 86

Net change: 0

QOL this week: 86

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