Category: Quality Of Life

Upgrades for local libraries

Forty-two New Hampshire public libraries will get funding through an Institute for Museum and Library Services’ “Grants to States” program, part of the American Rescue Act Plan of 2021. According to a press release, the grants, which total $825,442, will be facilitated by the New Hampshire State Library and align with its 2017-2022 five-year plan, addressing three goals: expanding access to libraries and information services for patrons of all abilities; improving equity of access to library services by offering professional support for librarians and staff; and increasing innovative services and programming to meet the changing needs for library services. Numerous local libraries will receive grants, including the libraries in Concord, Derry, Goffstown, Hooksett, Londonderry Manchester, Nashua and Windham. Projects had to start after Jan. 2 and be completed by Sept. 30.

Score: +1

Comment: Examples of funded projects include upgrading technology, digitizing historical documents and oral histories and purchasing bicycles to deliver materials to patrons who can’t come to the library, the release said.

Gubernatorial brags

A recent press release from the Office of Gov. Chris Sununu was full of brags about New Hampshire rankings. The state ranks highest in personal freedom, economic opportunity and safety in the country, the release said, pointing to recently released data, like data from the U.S. Census Bureau that shows New Hampshire was the fastest growing state in the Northeast in 2021, with a population growth of 0.8 percent, and a U.S. News & World Report that puts the Granite State first for public safety. Other data rankings include: sixth best in the Tax Foundation’s Business Tax Climate Index, first for overall freedom in the Cato Institute’s “Freedom in the 50 States” report, first for economic freedom according to a report from the Fraser Institute, and lowest poverty rate according to a report from Forbes.

Score: +1

Comment: The press release did not ask if New Hampshire had been working out lately, because New Hampshire looks great.

Making veterans’ wishes come true

Residents of the Manchester VA Community Learning Center were in quarantine and confined to their rooms due to Covid during the holidays, meaning they couldn’t visit with family. According to a press release from the New Hampshire Daughters of the American Revolution — who represent the Veterans Administration Voluntary Services — the VA center asked each of the residents for their Christmas wishes, then compiled a list for the DAR, which sponsored the wishes. In return, the DAR received a “wonderful gift” on Christmas Day, in the form of a message from the VA center: “When you make a veteran cry, it’s either a very bad day or a really emotional thing. The thoughtfulness of the gifts that were provided this year was truly breathtaking. I had five veterans tear up. They truly had one of the best days I have seen, in a really long time. Your organization’s kindness was beyond measure.”

Score: +1

Comment: The message also noted that “for just one day [these veterans] were young and they were showered with gifts and love.”

This feels familiar …

As 2022 begins, events are being canceled like it’s 2020. This week, Taste of Bedford, which was scheduled for Jan. 11, was canceled “due to the rapidly escalating cases of both Covid-19 and flu during this post-holiday period,” according to an email sent by organizers the morning of Jan. 4. NHSCOT’s Hogmanay, which had been planned for Jan. 2 was canceled, and an artist’s reception for a new art display at Nashua Public Library has been postponed indefinitely (though the exhibit is still scheduled to open for viewing this Saturday, Jan. 8 — check out the story on page 14!).

Score: -3 (one for each fun time delayed)

Comment: Come on, 2022, cancellations are so two years ago. Do your own thing!

QOL score for the start of 2022: 50

Net change: 0

QOL this week: 50

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

Messy roads for Christmas

Hundreds of crashes and several major road closures on Christmas morning put a damper on some people’s holiday plans. According to a report from WMUR, portions of Interstates 93 and 89 were closed, and there was a 15-car crash on the Everett Turnpike. Plow crews worked around the clock, mainly salting and sanding, but the air temperature, the road temperatures and the rain that was freezing on contact made it difficult to keep the roads clear until temperatures warmed up somewhat mid-day, according to the report.

Score: -1

Comment: Being involved in a car crash on Christmas Day is a bummer, but at least no major injuries were reported. Here’s hoping for safer travels on New Year’s Eve!

Money for mental health and more

The Mental Health Center of Greater Manchester, which was Millennium Running’s “Official Charity of 2021,” will receive $16,943 from the $126,760 in proceeds and fundraising that Millennium’s events raised this year, while the remaining funds will go to more than 50 other organizations, according to a press release. “Mental health has never been more important than over the past year and a half,” Millennium Running owner and founder John Mortimer said in the release. “We are so happy that our running community was able to support the mission of The Mental Health Center of Greater Manchester.” Millennium raised more money for local charities this year than ever before.

Score: +1

Comment: Some of Millennium Running’s signature events had specific charitable partners; the CMC Manchester City Marathon, for example, raised $11,446 for Veterans Count while the BASC Santa Claus Shuffle raised $6,199 for the Safe Sports Network.

Local art students represent

Students from the National Junior Art Honor Society at Rundlett Middle School in Concord were chosen to create ornaments for New Hampshire’s Christmas tree at the Presidents’ Park in Washington, D.C. According to a report from NHPR, it’s an annual tradition for decorated trees representing all U.S. states and territories to be placed in the space in front of the White House, and Rundlett’s students drew ornament-sized illustrations that answered the question “What makes your state beautiful?”

Score: +1

Comment: Some of the illustrations included a covered bridge with mountains in the background and a fall tree with colorful leaves, the report said. Way to represent New Hampshire!

Thousands of toys

The Front Door Agency’s annual Holiday Program provided toys, warm clothing and groceries for nearly 500 children in need, thanks to the support of hundreds of individuals and local businesses and organizations. According to a press release, thousands of gifts filled the ballroom of the Courtyard by Marriott in Nashua.

Score: +1

Comment: “It’s sad that so many kids need help this year, but I’m happy I can help even in a small way,” 12-year-old Jack Murphy, who volunteered to move donated gifts into the ballroom so they could be organized by family, said in the release.

QOL score at the end of 2020: 76

QOL score at the end of 2021: 88

Net change: +12

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

Preserving New Hampshire

The Land and Community Heritage Investment Program has awarded more than $4.7 million in matching grants for 40 projects throughout New Hampshire that support historic preservation and land conservation. According to a press release, these grants will bolster outdoor recreation, food-producing farmland and working forests and will help preserve old buildings. For example, several old towns halls have received grants: Salem’s, built in 1738, and Wilmot’s, built in 1906, are the oldest and newest buildings to get grants, while the Mont Vernon Town Hall has received a $25,000 grant to support the restoration of its windows and sashes. Other building projects are at historic churches, like the First Church of Nashua, which got a $60,000 grant to support the restoration of its bell tower, the release said.

Score: +1

Comment: Grant recipients have to raise a minimum of $1 for each dollar provided by LCHIP, the release said, and this year’s awards will be matched by $19 million that the projects’ sponsors will raise on their own.

Winter optimism

More than 3 million visitors are expected to travel to New Hampshire and spend about $1.2 billion this winter season, the state Division of Travel and Tourism Development announced last week. According to a press release, the department will launch its winter ad campaign in January, including in Quebec and Ontario, now that the Canadian border is open to non-essential travel again. The campaign will mainly promote winter sports like skiing, snowboarding, snowmobiling and snowshoeing, plus some non-outdoor activities like shopping and dining.

Score: +1

Comment: “We know the outdoor recreation assets in New Hampshire like our ski resorts and winter trail networks are among the largest drivers of our state’s economy,” Taylor Caswell, commissioner of the New Hampshire Department of Business and Economic Affairs, said in the release. “They bring tourists to spend a weekend but also increasingly more new residents seeking to restore their work/life balance.”

Make the most of matching donations

For every dollar raised by the New Hampshire Food Bank by the end of the year, an anonymous private foundation will match the donation, up to $100,000, potentially providing a total of $200,000 in funding. That would equate to about 400,000 meals, according to a press release. This is the seventh year in a row that this foundation has provided matching donations, which, in conjunction with public support, has resulted in more than $4 million raised and 80 million meals given to those in need.

Score: +1

Comment:The pandemic has increased the need for food assistance throughout the country, and in New Hampshire one in nine people face food insecurity, the release said. Donations can be made at nhfoodbank.org.

Unlikely elves

New Hampshire State Prison residents created more than 400 hand-drawn cards and more than 200 hand-drawn coloring books for kids at the Children’s Hospital at Dartmouth this holiday season. According to a press release, Cards for Kids and Coloring Books for Kids originated through the Resident Communication Committee’s Lifer & Long-term Incarceration Subcommittee, which also made a treasure chest so CHaD staff can hand out prizes when they play games with the kids.

Score: +1

Comment: The items were recently delivered to CHaD by a state prison lieutenant.

QOL score last week: 82

Net change: +4

QOL this week: 86

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

Moose plate money

Fifteen projects aimed at protecting and restoring New Hampshire’s natural resources have been awarded a total of $379,913 in funding from the New Hampshire State Conservation Committee’s 2022 Conservation Moose Plate Grant Program. According to a press release, projects include the Potter Family Farm in Concord ($30,000); Supporting Soil Health Management in Hillsborough County ($29,648); Improving Aquatic Organism Passage at Rocky Pond in Loudon and Canterbury ($30,000); Making No-Till Practices Accessible Through Rental Equipment in Merrimack County ($27,000); and Killam-Hog Hill Brook in Atkinson ($10,000).

Score: +1

Comment: The funds come from the sale of moose plates, which vehicle owners can buy for $38 the first year and $30 in the following years when renewing or registering a vehicle, according to the release.

Decking the halls, again

The coffee shop at Saint Anselm College got a dose of Christmas kindness recently, according to a report from WMUR. After holiday decorations were stolen from the shop’s entrance, students stepped up and replaced them — and then some. “A bunch of the students came in with a humongous amount of gifts and gift cards for my staff, for me personally, Christmas decoration wreaths, you could not believe the stuff they came in with,” Terry Newcomb of Saint Anselm Dining Services, who decorates the coffee shop each year, told WMUR. “They were all thanking me for the hard work I have done for them.”

Score: +1

Comment: The coffee shop won Saint Anselm’s annual holiday decorating contest this year, WMUR reported.

Express yourself

The Magnify Voices Expressive Arts Contest is back for its fourth year, encouraging kids in grades 5 through 12 to express their experiences with mental health. One in six New Hampshire youth experiences a mental health disorder each year, and in 2020, 57 percent of Granite Staters with depression ages 12 to 17 did not receive any care, the release said. Submissions for the contest, which was created to help raise awareness and remove the stigma around mental health issues, will be accepted starting Dec. 15, according to a press release. Submissions will be accepted through March 4 and can be short films (two minutes or less), essays or poems (1,000 words or less) or visual art, a song or a sculpture.

Score: +1

Comment: “Last year’s submissions were extremely personal and powerful, and epitomized the purpose of why we started Magnify Voices,” Michele Watson, Magnify Voices committee chair, said in the release. “[It] gives youth a creative outlet to share their feelings and emotions.”

Paying it forward

Chris LaPage, a Concord Banks Chevrolet service technician, and his wife, Deborah, are making sure people in their community have the chance to learn CPR after it saved his life. According to a press release, LePage was found unconscious at work one day last May; with the guidance of a 911 dispatcher, an employee was able to resuscitate him at the scene with the use of an Automated External Defibrillator and Compression Only CPR. LePage returned to work full time two and a half months after his cardiac arrest and since then has taken a CPR course and received certification. Deborah LePage, who works for the Epsom Elementary School, did as well, and the two have provided training and CPR certifications for the school basketball coaches and are advocating for the addition of CPR instruction to the eighth-grade curriculum, the release said.

Score: +1

Comment: Banks Chevrolet has installed five additional AEDs and sent about two dozen staff members to the American Red Cross training, the release said.

QOL score: 78

Net change: 82

QOL this week: +4

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

Putting a damper on shopping

The Mall of New Hampshire had to shut down its food establishments temporarily after a massage chair caught fire. According to a press release, the Manchester Fire Department responded to the call around 1:30 a.m. on Dec. 5 and found heavy smoke throughout the mall. The sprinkler had turned on and contained the fire to the area of the massage chair, which, according to a report from WMUR, was said to have been in a hallway outside of Best Buy and the food court. There was water damage in the area of the fire and smoke damage throughout, according to the fire department’s report, but no one was injured. The mall’s eateries were scheduled to reopen upon passing inspection from the Manchester Health Department, according to WMUR.

Score: -1

Comment: What is Christmas shopping without snacks and a massage?

Granite State gives

New Hampshire is the 9th most generous state, according to GoFundMe’s annual Giving Report. The fundraising platform’s report includes a list of the most generous states and cities in America for supporting individuals, causes and organizations in 2021. According to the report, the top three states are Massachusetts, Vermont and Connecticut. The rankings are based on the number of donations per capita on GoFundMe.

Score: +1

Comment: All six New England states made it into the Top 10, according to the report.

Student success

Two New Hampshire students — Matthew Blair of Manchester Central High School and Warren Chen of Bishop Guertin High School in Nashua — have been selected to participate in the 60th Annual U.S. Senate Youth Program. According to a press release, the two were nominated by their principals and were selected by a panel of judges. Blair, a senior, is class president, editor-in-chief of Central’s school newspaper, co-captain of the Boys’ Varsity Hockey Team, drum major and a National Honor Society member, and he’s ranked 1st in his class with a 4.0 GPA. Chen, a junior, is the school’s junior communications officer and has “thrived in a challenging program of study … [and] contributed greatly to the school community while engaging and collaborating with everyone,” according to the release. Alternates are Matthew Pemberton at Bedford High School and Max Aframe at Hopkinton High School.

Score: +1

Comment: Both students will receive a $10,000 scholarship and will represent the Granite State in an intensive study of the federal government, joining alums like former Gov. Chris Christie of New Jersey and U.S. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg, the release said.

QOL score: 77

Net change: +1

QOL this week: 78

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

Holly jolly trolley tours

The Queen City is encouraging residents to decorate their homes with its second annual Manchester Holiday Lights Contest! Register online at manchesternh.gov by 5 p.m. on Dec. 9 and your lights display will be included in the public Manchester Holiday Lights Map, according to a press release. The public will have a chance to vote for their favorites, and prizes will be awarded to the top vote-getting displays.

Score: +1

Comment: Manchester residents are really getting into the holiday spirit: Within a day of the Manchester Transit Authority announcing that it is hosting free Holiday Lights Trolley Tours for families on its Molly Trolley for two weekends in December, all the tickets were scooped up.

Winter weather already causing woes on the road

On Nov. 26 and Nov. 27, when most of the state got anywhere from a dusting to several inches of snow, multiple crashes and spin-outs were reported, according to a report from WMUR. State police were called to about 50 accidents across the state, the report said, prompting troopers to remind drivers to stay home if possible during winter storms, and to drive safely if you must go out. “You’re not going to get to where you’re going as fast as you would normally in the summer months and you’re going to go slower and you need to be prepared for that, so give yourself enough time,” State Police Staff Sgt. Daniel Baldassarre told WMUR.

Score: -2

Comment: According to the report, police also want to remind people about Jessica’s Law, which requires drivers to remove snow and ice from their roofs before driving or risk being fined anywhere from $250 to $1,000.

Easy access to at-home Covid tests

When QOL went to sayyescovidhometest.org to order free at-home Covid testing kits on the day the state announced they were available, it was so easy that it was almost unbelievable. The process took maybe a minute — far less time and hassle than ordering anything online on Cyber Monday. QOL’s order was confirmed, with a message saying the tests would arrive in about a week from Amazon. Of course, it is possible that something could go wrong and the tests might not arrive on time or at all — but for now, QOL is relieved that it was so simple.

Score: 0 (+1 for QOL, -1 for anyone who didn’t have the same experience)

Comment: Two of QOL’s coworkers tried to order the tests with mixed results; one got them just as easily as QOL, and one tried about 8 hours later and the tests were gone. Here’s hoping they’re restocked and available again soon.

High marks for low health insurance premiums

New Hampshire will have the country’s 2nd-lowest health insurance premiums in 2022, and those premiums will be less than they were in 2021, according to a new analysis from valuepenguin.com by Lending Tree. The report said that the average cost of an ACA health insurance plan in the Granite State in 2022 will be $4,320 a year, which is 33.41 percent below the national average and 1.37 percent less than last year.

Score: +1

Comment: Nationally, health insurance premiums will increase an average of 0.67 percent in 2022, according to the report.

QOL score: 77

Net change: 0

QOL this week: 77

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