Category: Quality Of Life

Give blood, get a shirt

The American Red Cross is calling for blood and platelet donations after experiencing a “steep drop” in donations last month, according to a press release. The organization was approximately 12 percent short on donations needed in June — 14 percent short in the Northern New England Region — making June 2022 one of the largest monthly donation shortfalls in recent years. In efforts to increase donations and prevent a blood shortage this summer, the Red Cross has partnered with Discovery to give everyone who donates during Shark Week, which is July 21 through July 24, an exclusive Shark Week T-shirt, while supplies last, and everyone who donates during the month of July a chance to win an exclusive Shark Week merchandise package.

QOL Score: -2 for the shortfall (but plus a shark-ton for the Shark Week promotion)

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.

Backpack to school

The New Hampshire Department of Education’s annual backpack drive is going on now through Aug. 12. Now in its 7th year, the drive was created by Diana Fenton, an attorney at the Department, to help New Hampshire families that cannot afford to purchase a new backpack for their children. “We want to make sure that every child can start the new school year with a fresh start and a new backpack,” Fenton said in a press release. The backpacks will be distributed at schools across the state by school nurses to the students who need them.

QOL Score: +1

Comment: Donations of new backpacks may be dropped off at the department’s office, at 25 Hall St. in Concord, on weekdays from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. When you arrive at the front entrance, call Natasha Lupiani at 271-3196 for assistance.

Expensive energy

A recent WalletHub study ranked New Hampshire as the 8th most energy-expensive state in the U.S., calculating the average monthly cost of energy for New Hampshire households to be $550. The study looked at the average retail or residential costs of electricity, natural gas, home heating oil and motor fuel in each state relative to the state’s average monthly consumption rate of those energy resources. New Hampshire made the top 10 for highest price of electricity (8th) and highest price of natural gas (9th) and came in 20th for the highest price of motor fuel.

QOL Score: -2

Comment: Among the New England states, however, New Hampshire’s energy costs are on the lower end; the study found Connecticut at No. 4, Massachusetts at No. 5 and Vermont at No. 7, with Rhode Island and Maine not far behind New Hampshire at 11th and 13th, respectively.

Model pets

The Salem Animal Rescue League is accepting submissions now through July 30 for its 7th annual Pet Calendar Photo Contest. In the past, the calendar has exclusively featured pets that were adopted from SARL, but this year, in celebration of the shelter’s 30th anniversary, the contest is open to all cats and dogs, “including those that have crossed the rainbow bridge,” Executive Director Jinelle Hobson said in a press release. The public will vote for their favorite pet. The pet that receives the most votes will get a professional photo shoot and be featured on the cover of SARL’s 2023 calendar and on the month of the winning pet owner’s choice.

QOL Score: +1

Comment: Head to gogophotocontest.com/salemanimalrescueleague to submit a photo of your pet, along with a mini bio or favorite memory and a $20 donation. Then, share your submission on social media and ask your friends and family to vote; a $1 donation equals one vote, and there is no voting limit.

QOL score: 84

Net change: -2

QOL this week: 82

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

Taking to the skies

The five baby peregrine falcons that hatched in late April and early May at the New Hampshire Audubon’s peregrine nest box atop the Brady Sullivan Tower in Manchester have fledged. According to the Audubon’s daily peregrine falcons log, the male baby named Colum was the first of the bunch to fledge on June 10, followed by female Cinquey and male Blue on June 11, female Colby on June 12 and female Clem on June 13. Peregrine falcon fledglings typically spend four to six weeks learning to hunt from their parents before migrating out of the area, while the peregrine parents tend to stay in the area year-round. As of June 24, all five have been accounted for and have been seen and photographed in the sky running hunting drills.

QOL score: +1

Comment:You can watch the falcons on the Audubon’s 24/7 high-definition livestream of the nest box on YouTube. Visit nhaudubon.org/conservation-2/peregrine-web-cam and click “Link to Camera 1 Live Stream.” QOL is watching papa peregrine on the livestream now, at 8:30 a.m. (Images of the baby peregrines posted on the Audubon’s daily peregrine falcons log on June 22.)

Teachers honored

More than 150 New Hampshire teachers and educators were presented with a Christa McAuliffe commemorative silver dollar coin to recognize the difference they’ve made in the lives of students, as part of an initiative started this fall by the SEE Science Center and Service Credit Union. According to a press release, the teachers were chosen by students, families, colleagues and administrators. The coins were awarded at the teachers’ respective schools during school board meetings and education award ceremonies held by the New Hampshire Department of Education and the NH Excellence in Education Awards.

QOL score: +1

Comment:The U.S. silver dollar exclusively minted in 2021 bears the inscription of Christa McAuliffe’s words, “I touch the future, I teach.”

Welcoming new citizens

This Fourth of July, New Hampshire celebrated its newest U.S. citizens at a citizenship ceremony held at Strawbery Banke in Portsmouth. According to WMUR, 71 people from 31 countries were sworn in during the first large citizenship ceremony held by the U.S. Federal Court for the District of New Hampshire since the pandemic began.

QOL score: +1

Comment: Many of the new citizens said the thing they are looking forward to doing most as a new citizen is voting in the next election, WMUR reported.

Cheers for good weather

Since QOL is always quick to complain about early snow or late snow or some other weather unpleasantness, it seems fair to recognize the good weather when we get it. Such as the weather we had over the long Fourth of July weekend, when the days offered plenty of fun-in-the-sun opportunities and both the evenings of July 3 and July 4 were clear and fireworks-friendly.

QOL score: +1

Comments: Downtown Manchester got fireworks both evenings with the city fireworks show wowing the audience on Sunday night and the “biggest fireworks show in Fisher Cats history” (according to a team press release) on Monday night after the game.

QOL score: 80

Net change: +4

QOL this week: 84

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

Free women’s hygiene products

A free women’s hygiene cabinet, organized by United Way of Greater Nashua and Girls Inc., has been set up outside of the Girls Inc. facility on Burke Street in Nashua. The cabinet, known as “Rosie’s Pantry,” is open during the club’s open hours, weather permitting, to distribute free women’s hygiene products to anyone who needs them. United Way of Greater Nashua volunteers will be outside Hannaford in Nashua on the second Sunday of every month from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., to collect donated products for the cabinet, according to a press release.

QOL score: +1

Comment: The cabinet features a depiction of Rosie the Riveter painted by student artist Isabella Zayas in collaboration with Manchester-based public art organization Arts Build Community.

Native plant globally extinct

The smooth slender crabgrass has been confirmed by the New Hampshire Natural Heritage Bureau to be globally extinct, making it the first documented plant extinction in New Hampshire and the fifth documented plant extinction in New England since European settlers arrived, according to a press release from the New Hampshire Department of Natural and Cultural Resources. The plant was native to New Hampshire and only existed at Rock Rimmon Park in Manchester. The confirmation of extinction was pending studies of a similar plant growing in Mexico and Venezuela, but that plant was recently determined not to be smooth slender crabgrass.

QOL score: -2

Comment: The smooth slender crabgrass is one of five rare plant species that used to grow in Rock Rimmon Park that are no longer there due to human activity, the press release said.

NH is the July 4 state

A recent WalletHub study ranked New Hampshire the ninth most patriotic state in the U.S. The study looked at 13 criteria, including the number of active duty military personnel, veterans, AmeriCorps volunteers and Peace Corps volunteers; civic engagement; community volunteer work; grand jury and trial participation and more. New Hampshire made the top 10 for three criteria, including Peace Corps volunteers per capita (7th), percentage of adults who voted in the 2020 presidential election (4th) and U.S. history or civics education requirements (1st).

QOL score: +1

Comment: Vermont is the only other New England state that made the top 10, coming in just above New Hampshire in 8th.

Gas prices are down again

The average price of gasoline in New Hampshire went down by 8 cents per gallon last week, averaging $4.86 per gallon as of June 27, according to a GasBuddy price report. The data is based on a survey of 875 gas stations throughout the state. Prices are still 20.2 cents per gallon higher than a month ago and $1.91 higher than a year ago. The national average price of diesel is currently at $5.80 per gallon, the report said.

QOL Score: +1

Comment: The price was down by 3.7 cents per gallon the week of June 20; here’s hoping the trend continues…

QOL score: 79

Net change: +1

QOL this week: 80

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

Turn off those lights

New Hampshire residents should prepare to pay higher utility bills as electricity rates are expected to increase this year, according to WMUR, with one utility saying bills could increase more than 100 percent. The Office of the Consumer Advocate attributed the rising costs to New England’s heavy reliance on natural gas, the costs of which are influenced by the global market and have been especially affected by the war in Ukraine, the report said.

QOL Score: -4 (-2, with a 100 percent increase)

Comments: House Speaker Sherman Packard released a statement on June 17 in regard to the rising energy costs in the state, saying, “The House and Senate are actively working on a legislative solution to help ease the burden on New Hampshire families as energy prices continue to soar. Our priority is to help secure relief for those who are worried about having to choose between putting food on the table and heating their homes this winter.”

Funds for mental health

The Mental Health Center of Greater Manchester was awarded $10,000 as the first place winner in New Hampshire of the 2022 Impact Award presented by the Boston Red Sox and Ruderman Family Foundations, according to a press release. The IMPACT Awards allow Red Sox fans to nominate and vote on their favorite nonprofit organizations throughout New England and recognize organizations that have had an impact in their communities by raising awareness and improving mental health care. Officials from the Mental Health Center accepted the check at Fenway Park in Boston on June 15.

QOL Score: +1

Comments: The second-place winner in New Hampshire is The Webster House in Manchester and the third-place New Hampshire winner is Marguerite’s Place Inc. in Nashua. In all there were 18 winners across the six New England states, the press release said.

At least it’s something!

The average price of gasoline in New Hampshire went down by 3.7 centers per gallon last week, averaging $4.94 per gallon as of June 20, according to a GasBuddy price report. The data is based on a survey of 875 gas stations throughout the state. Prices are still 28 cents per gallon higher than a month ago and a whopping $2 higher than a year ago. The national average price of diesel is currently at $5.80 per gallon, the report said.

QOL Score: +1

Comments: Sure, it’s just 3 cents, but you’ve got to celebrate the tiny victories.

Happy birthday to CHaD

The Children’s Hospital at Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center recognized its 30th anniversary on June 20 with staff celebrations at its original hospital in Lebanon and at Dartmouth Hitchcock clinics in Manchester where pediatric services are provided. According to a press release from CHaD, it was June 20, 1992, when New Hampshire’s only children’s hospital was officially approved by what is now known as the Children’s Hospital Association.

QOL Score: +1

Comments: In 1893, the first patient at Mary Hitchcock Memorial Hospital (MHMH) in Hanover was a pediatric patient: a 13-year-old girl treated for a hip condition, the press release said.

QOL score: 80

Net change: -1

QOL this week: 79

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

BROs helping kids

The Webster House Children’s Home in Manchester has partnered with BROs Inc., again as its charity of choice for its second annual Samurai Ride, which will raise funds to support the growing needs of the home. According to a press release, the ride will take off from Livingston Park in Manchester on Saturday, June 25, at 10:30 a.m., ending at Block Party Social in Hooksett with a raffle hosted by BROs Inc. At the inaugural event last year, BROs Inc. raised more than $3,500 with a total of 60 bikers.

Score: +1

Comment: “The kids are excited to end the ride at Block Party Social, a familiar favored activity spot for our children,” Blair Stairs, executive director of the home, said in the release.

Volunteers helping kids

A group of 25 colleagues from Harvard Pilgrim Health Care will do volunteer work for Girls at Work, Inc. in Manchester as part of Point32Health’s annual Volunteer Week, going on June 13 through June 17. According to a press release, the volunteers will build and install raised garden beds at the building’s main entrance, build and install window boxes on the building’s access ramp and prepare the woodworking workshop for the organization’s seven-week summer camp beginning on June 27.

Score: +1

Comment:The second annual Volunteer Week has more than 1,200 volunteers serving at 49 nonprofits across New England.

Grant brings fun for kids

The YMCA of Downtown Manchester will host its sixth annual Rock the Block celebration on Saturday, June 25, after a two-year hiatus from community-wide events, according to a press release. As part of the American Rescue Plan Act’s Community Event and Activation Grant, the Y is receiving a $10,000 grant for the event, which was created to promote community health and wellness.

Score: +1

Comment: The event will run from noon to 2 p.m., with Mechanic Street closed to vehicle traffic. It’s free and open to the public and will feature a live DJ, games, bounce houses, arts and crafts, face painting, giveaways and wellness activities, according to the release.

More supply chain woes

Multiple national media reports and a press release from Sen. Maggie Hassan added another product to the list of things experiencing some shortages and reports of price hikes: tampons. According to a press release from Hassan, who is also a member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee, the senator addressed major U.S. tampon manufacturers Procter & Gamble, Edgewell Personal Care, Kimberly-Clark and Johnson & Johnson in a public letter, stating, “At the beginning of the pandemic, price gouging of essentials like toilet paper, cleaning supplies, and hand sanitizer was rightly criticized as an exploitation of an emergency for financial gain. Menstrual products should receive that same consideration.” A totally unscientific check of two drug stores and a supermarket in Bedford on June 14 revealed empty spaces on shelves for some brands and sizes but also some available products — a not unfamiliar state of things with many products over the past two years. (Similarly, a scan of the Target app on June 14 showed many brands and sizes in stock somewhere in southern New Hampshire, though not as many options at each store as buyers might be used to. Shipping was available for many, but not all, products.)

Score: -2 for the aggravation

Comment: Similar trends with baby formula led the Biden administration to invoke the Defense Production Act last month, according to the release.

QOL score: 79

Net change: +1

QOL this week: 80

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

Take the weekend off

Lazy lawnmowers may be doing the environment a favor, according to the results of a recent research study conducted by the University of New Hampshire. Alexandra Contosta, research assistant professor at UNH’s Earth Systems Research Center, said in a press release that reducing the frequency of lawn mowing, or going “low mow,” can help to reduce carbon emissions, build soil organic matter and create better pollinating habitats for bees. “People may not think the small ecosystem in their own yard — the grass, soil and vegetation — is that important to the health of the whole planet,” Contosta said, “but taking important small steps, like not mowing as often, can have a big impact on things … which can influence climate change.”

QOL score: +1 (for giving us all a green excuse to skip mowing this weekend)

Comment: One easy way to go low-mow, Contosta said, is to skip mowing the parts of your property that are underutilized or difficult to access altogether.

Yay for birds, boo for fireworks fans

Fireworks at Hampton Beach were canceled for Memorial Day weekend and expected to be put on hold for several weeks in order to protect two nests of piping plovers that were found on the beach, according to NHPR. Piping plovers are an endangered species in New Hampshire and considered to be at risk nationally.

QOL score: 0 (-1 for the loss of some summer beach fun but +1 for leaving the birds in peace)

Comment: Hampton Beach officials said that they hope to have fireworks for the Fourth of July, according to the report.

Praise for a teacher

The Class of 2022 members of the Nashua High School South chapter of the National Honor Society have selected Nashua High School South English teacher Greg Montine as the 27th recipient of the No Bell Award. According to a press release from the school, the award, which has a symbol depicting a school bell without a hammer, is given to “an outstanding teacher who leads students; communicates enthusiasm and respect for the subject taught; inspires students to develop a hunger for learning; and serves as a role model for students.” Montine also received a $7,500 cash award, which was made possible by an anonymous donor.

QOL score: +1

Comments: Here’s hoping Montine has some relaxing summer plans.

Give blood

The American Red Cross and other blood collection organizations around the world will celebrate World Blood Donor Day on Tuesday, June 14. According to a press release from the Northern New England Regional American Red Cross, the day recognizes the importance of lifesaving blood donations and the nearly 2.5 million people who donate blood and platelets through the Red Cross every year. Blood donation numbers are often at their lowest during late spring and early summer, the release said, but the need for blood and platelet transfusions remains the same.

QOL score: +1 (especially if there’s a post-donation cookie)

Comment: To find a Red Cross blood donation site near you, enter your zip code in the blood drive locator at redcrossblood.org.

QOL score: 76

Net change: +3

QOL this week: 79

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