Category: Quality Of Life

A rain-soaked Sunday

Torrential rain in New Hampshire caused significant damage, including sinkholes, flooded basements and over 120 road closures, NHPR reported. The downpour lasted throughout Sunday, July 16, with flash flood warnings in effect for most of the day. The continuous rain disrupted traffic and made many roads impassable, presenting challenges for authorities. State emergency officials activated support teams to aid communities dealing with flooded and damaged roads while urging residents to stay inside if possible and drivers to seek alternate routes when encountering closures or flooding. WMUR reported that Manchester city officials had opened an emergency operations center, and firefighters conducted a rescue operation in Manchester after a driver became trapped in a flooded car.

QOL score: -2

Comment: One of the biggest disruptions was the postponement of The Crayon 301 NASCAR Cup Series race at New Hampshire Motor Speedway in Loudon until Monday. Race officials made the decision to ensure the safety of attendees, WMUR reported. Fans who weren’t able to attend the rescheduled event can exchange their tickets for tickets of equal or lesser value to another race within the next calendar year.

More libraries, more books

The University System of New Hampshire (USNH) campus libraries, including those at the University of New Hampshire (UNH) Durham and Manchester campuses, Keene State College (KSC) and Plymouth State University (PSU), now offer free borrowing services to New Hampshire residents. According to a press release, this allows residents to access over 3 million physical and digital items for research, education, and continued learning. Previously, residents had access to library spaces and resources, but free borrowing provides more flexibility. Library cards can be obtained by New Hampshire residents over 18 years old with valid identification and proof of residency. The libraries also provide access to special collections and archives unique to each institution.

QOL score: +1

Comment: The libraries’ special collections provide a number of unique resources for academic exploration and historical research, such as the internationally famous Betty and Barney Hill papers at the Dimond Library at the UNH Durham campus and the Charles and Judith Hildebrandt Collection at the Mason Library at KSC, which supports the only undergraduate program in the U.S. dedicated to Holocaust and Genocide Studies.

Recognition for CMC

Catholic Medical Center (CMC) in Manchester has been recognized by the American Heart Association (AHA) with the Get With The Guidelines – Stroke Gold Plus quality achievement award. According to a press release, this award signifies CMC’s commitment to providing high-quality stroke care based on nationally recognized guidelines, and educating patients, leading to improved patient outcomes and reduced disability. Get With The Guidelines is an in-hospital program that helps hospitals align patient care with evidence-based guidelines, ultimately enhancing stroke treatment and preventing long-term effects.

QOL score: +1

Comment: CMC also received the Target: Stroke Honor Roll award and the Target: Type 2 Diabetes Honor Roll award from the AHA for their efforts in reducing treatment time for eligible stroke patients and providing specialized care to those with Type 2 diabetes, according to the release.

QOL score: 80

Net change: 0

QOL this week: 80

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

Floods

The National Weather Service issued a Flood Watch for most of New Hampshire from Sunday, July 9, through the morning of Tuesday, July 11, warning that heavy rain could lead to flash flooding in parts of Hillsborough, Merrimack, Cheshire, Grafton, Coos, Carroll, Belknap and Sullivan counties, according to a press release. The New Hampshire Department of Safety’s Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management urges residents and visitors to be prepared to “take action and seek higher ground immediately” in the case that a Flood Warning — which means flooding is imminent — is issued.

QOL score: -1

Comment: Most flood deaths happen in vehicles, the release said; never drive through flooded roadways as just 6 inches of water can reach the bottom of most passenger cars, causing loss of control and possible stalling, and 1 foot of water can sweep a vehicle away. If there is moving water, remain in your vehicle, but if the floodwaters are not moving, abandon your vehicle and move to higher ground.

Light show

A solar storm on Thursday, July 13, could make the Northern Lights visible in 17 states, including New Hampshire, according to an AP story on NHPR.org. According to the article, the Northern Lights are caused by solar wind hitting Earth’s magnetic field, making atoms glow, and the storm is part of an 11-year solar cycle that is increasing the chances of seeing the colorful sky show in lower latitudes.

QOL score: +1

Comment: The lights are most likely to be seen between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m., somewhere away from city lights. According to the travel guide website Rove.me, the best place in New Hampshire to see the lights is the region’s highest peak, Mount Washington, which offers a clear and dark view of the sky, intensifying the colors of the lights.

Baby loons!

You can now watch baby loons on LoonCam Live, a live broadcast of loon nests in the Lakes Region of New Hampshire, run by the Loon Preservation Committee, a nonprofit organization that works to preserve loons and their habitats in the state. According to the LPC’s website, the LoonCam is currently streaming 24/7 on a nest with two chicks that hatched on July 9 and July 10. The parent loons have left the nest and are guarding their chicks nearby. The broadcast will continue until mid-July, when the loon chicks are expected to fledge. Watch at loon.org/looncam.

QOL score: +1

Comment: Viewers can also find timelapse videos, updates from a loon blogger and information on how to support the LPC’s mission on the LPC’s website.

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 news@hippopress.com.

Featured photo: Screenshot from last year’s LoomCam.

Girls getting gold

Twelve Girl Scouts were honored at the Young Women of Distinction ceremony held by Girl Scouts of the Green and White Mountains last month at the Grappone Center in Concord. According to a press release, the Girl Scouts received recognition for achieving the highest awards in their respective age groups: Gold, Silver and Bronze. The Gold Award, the highest honor for Girl Scouts in grades 9 through 12, was earned by Patricia McNerney, Sophia MacDonald, Ella Lawson and Annabelle Holmes. Their projects included creating an outdoor classroom, developing a grief garden, providing personal protective equipment, and building a softball shed.

QOL score: +1

Comment: Girl Scouts, with the support of adult volunteers, work together to bring their dreams to life and make a positive impact in their communities. Gold Award Girl Scouts also have the opportunity to earn college scholarships and demonstrate strong educational and career outcomes, according to the release.

Scam alert

Attorney General John M. Formella and the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) have issued a joint Consumer Alert warning about potential scams related to student loan debt, according to a press release. Following a recent Supreme Court decision on the Department of Education’s student loan forgiveness program, scammers may use robocalls and texts to exploit the news coverage and pressure consumers for payments or personal information. Consumers are advised to be cautious of calls or texts offering debt relief or forgiveness programs and to seek information from official sources such as StudentAid.gov. Signs of a scam include pressure to send money, requests for upfront payments, and directing consumers to websites outside of StudentAid.gov.

QOL score: -3

Comment: If you receive a suspected scam call or text, do not share personal or financial information, and consider filing a complaint with the New Hampshire Department of Justice by calling the Consumer Protection Hotline at 1-888-468-4454 or online at joj.nh.gov/consumer/complaints.

Bill break

Starting Aug. 1, residential customers who receive their energy supply from Eversource will see a decrease in their electric bills by 24 percent. According to a press release, the energy supply charge will change from 20.22 cents per kilowatt-hour to 12.58 cents per kilowatt-hour. For the average customer using 600 kilowatt-hours per month, this amounts to approximately $46 in savings. These changes do not apply to customers who receive energy from a third-party supplier.

QOL score: +1

Comment: Customers should keep in mind that energy usage tends to increase during the summer months, particularly due to increased air conditioning usage. To offset higher energy use, Eversource encourages customers to take advantage of their energy efficiency programs before the hot weather arrives.

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 news@hippopress.com.

Featured photo: Girl Scouts were recognized June 4 at the Young Women of Distinction ceremony in Concord. From left are Gold Award Girl Scouts Patricia McNerney, Sophia MacDonald, Ella Lawson and Annabelle Holmes. GSGWM photo.

Mosquito watch

The New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services has detected the first batch of mosquitoes testing positive for Jamestown Canyon Virus (JCV) this season, according to a press release from the department. The mosquitos were collected in Keene on June 6, the release said. JCV is a disease transmitted through mosquito bites, and cases have been increasing in North America. Since 2013, New Hampshire has identified 19 cases of JCV. The risk level for mosquito-borne diseases like Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) and West Nile Virus (WNV) may increase throughout the summer and fall. Symptoms can range from mild flu-like illness to more severe central nervous system diseases. Those experiencing symptoms are advised to seek medical attention. For further information, residents can contact the DHHS Division of Public Health Services’ Bureau of Infectious Disease Control at 271-4496 or visit dhhs.nh.gov/programs-services/disease-prevention/infectious-disease-control/mosquito-borne-illnesses.

QOL score: -2

Comment: Using insect repellent, wearing protective clothing and minimizing outdoor exposure during peak mosquito activity is crucial to prevention of mosquito bites and JCV exposure, according to the release.

Good effort!

Liberty New Hampshire has been awarded the EEI Emergency Response Award by the Edison Electric Institute (EEI) for their outstanding recovery efforts during Winter Storm Elliott, according to a press release. Despite the storm causing widespread power outages just before Christmas, Liberty’s team members in New Hampshire were able to restore service to all customers in time for the holiday celebrations. “Before any major storm arrives in our service territory, we activate our Incident Command Structure (ICS), which brings together all key players across the business to ensure we are prepared to respond quickly and safely to any system impacts,” Anthony Strabone, senior director of electric operations, said in the release. “We have seen time and time again that our pre-planning work and the regular drills are key ingredients in the formula for resiliency.” They restored power to nearly 9,000 customers, exceeding expectations by completing the restoration almost 24 hours before anticipated.

QOL score: +1

Comment: Additionally, Liberty’s line crews volunteered to assist other utilities in New Hampshire with their own restoration efforts.

Invention Convention mention

A first-grade student from Hooksett was honored at the seventh annual Raytheon Technologies Invention Convention U.S. Nationals, powered by The Henry Ford. According to a press release, Everly S. earned second place in the first-grade category for her invention called “The Calm Down Bunny.” The event celebrated more than 70 award-winning K-12 inventors from across the nation, with more than 80 awards, including cash prizes and patent applications, being handed out. The Invention Convention Worldwide program, aligned with national and state educational standards, teaches students problem-solving, entrepreneurship, and creativity skills.

QOL score: +1

Comment: More than 166,000 K-12 inventors participate each year, with the hope of advancing to the U.S. national competition. The program aims to inspire young inventors and prepare them to become engineers and technologists who tackle future challenges, according to the release.

QOL score: 80

Net change: 0

QOL this week: 80

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

We’re No. 1!

New Hampshire has been ranked first in the nation for childhood well-being according to the Annie E. Casey Foundation’s KIDS COUNT Data Book. According to a press release from Gov. Chris Sununu’s office, the state has also maintained its position among the top five states across all key indicators for economic well-being, education, health, and family and community factors. “To be ranked the No. 1 state in America for child well-being should be a major point of pride for all Granite Staters,” Sununu said in the release.

QOL Score: +1

Comment: According to Sununu’s release, the recently passed state budget includes further measures to support families and child care providers, including a $15 million workforce fund, enrollment-based payment to child care providers, and expanded eligibility for the Child Care Scholarship program.

We’re No. 3!

According to a study conducted by Wallethub, Nashua has been ranked as the third best-run city in America, while Manchester secured the 13th spot. Wallethub assessed 149 of the largest cities in the United States based on operating efficiency and effectiveness of local leadership. The study considered 36 key performance indicators grouped into six service categories, including financial stability, education, health, safety, economy, and infrastructure and pollution. Nashua excelled in all metrics, achieving the top position for safety.

QOL Score: +1

Comments: Manchester also showcased its strength in infrastructure and pollution, ranking 22nd for that category.

Math champions

The Math Team at NHTI – Concord’s Community College achieved great success in the 2022-2023 Student Mathematics League season, organized by the American Mathematical Association of Two-Year Colleges (AMATYC), securing first place among New England member schools, first in the Northeast region, and ranking 15th nationwide. According to a press release, the season comprised two rounds of competition, with a maximum team score of 200 points per round and a maximum individual score of 40 points per round. In the first round, the team finished second in the Northeast region, led by top scorer Ryan Coyne with 15 points, alongside competitors Ben Eid, Erin Snook and Farhaan Siddiqui. In the second round, the team achieved an impressive score of 101.5 points, securing first place in the Northeast. High scorers in the second round were Anshul Rastogi and Garima Rastogi, both earning 32.5 points, with Ben Eid, Erin Snook and Ryan Coyne also participating. The outstanding combined performance throughout both rounds earned NHTI’s Math Team the top position on the leaderboard and the esteemed Lois A. Martin trophy. Ryan Coyne additionally received a $100 prize for being the highest-performing NHTI participant in the two competition exams.

QOL Score: +1

Comments: NHTI offers a comprehensive mathematics associate degree program, and for details on the program and the Math Team interested individuals can contact Dan Shagena at dshagena@ccsnh.edu.

QOL score: 77

Net change: +3

QOL this week: 80

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

More local birds on your screen

The Loon Preservation Committee in Moultonborough is currently livestreaming a 24/7 Loon Cam on YouTube, which has shown a pair of loons nesting in the Lakes Region. According to a press release, the pair’s first egg was laid on June 11, with a second egg expected to arrive in the days to follow. The eggs are projected to hatch between July 7 and July 9. Viewers can witness the birds’ entire incubation process and the hatching of their chicks in real time over the next 28 days via the livestream. Additionally, the cam provides an online chat feature for viewers to engage with fellow bird enthusiasts and LPC biologists, allowing them to share observations and socialize. To access the Loon Cam, visit loon.org/looncam.

QOL score: +1

Comment:Bill Gassman, a volunteer at the Loon Preservation Committee and the operator of the Loon Cam, noted that many viewers have expressed feeling a sense of connection with the loons after watching them over the 28-day incubation period. “In the nine years that the cam has been running, we have shown four different pairs of loons … and each pair’s behaviors and routines are unique, and … the loons seem to have their own personalities and quirks,” Gassman said in the release. “Part of the fun of watching the Loon Cam is coming to know these loons and seeing how the pair interact with each other and their chicks.”

Hazy skies from wildfires

Wildfire smoke from Canada has caused hazy skies and potential health risks for New Hampshire residents, according to NHPR. The article, published June 9, reported nearly 430 active wildfires across Canada, fueled by a long drought and atmospheric circulation patterns, with nearly 11 million acres burned so far this year, an area almost double the size of the state of New Hampshire. Analysis by the state’s Department of Environmental Services revealed good particle pollution levels, but experts warn that the situation remains unpredictable. The smoke, carried by wind currents, can trigger respiratory symptoms, exacerbate lung conditions and increase susceptibility to respiratory illnesses such as Covid-19 and influenza, particularly among vulnerable populations, including those with asthma, pregnant individuals, children and older adults.

QOL score: -2

Comment: During air quality alerts, experts advise that it’s best to stay indoors and to keep indoor air clean.

Art for charity

Dr. Marc Bard, an artist recently retired from a career in medicine, has partnered with Meredith Village Savings Bank (MVSB) to revive the “Paintings for a Purpose” art show to support local charitable organizations. After water damage occurred at the show’s original venue, the Meredith Frame Shop, MVSB offered to host the show in its lobby space at its main office in Meredith. A special preview night will be held on Thursday, June 29, from 4 to 7 p.m., with the artwork, created by Dr. Bard, on display June 30 through Aug. 1. All proceeds from the art sales will benefit the Meredith Food Pantry, and MSVB has committed to matching up to $5,000 in support of the fundraiser.

QOL score: +1

Comment: Dr. Bard’s artwork includes watercolor paintings inspired by his passion for the Lakes Region, with a focus on the Squam Lake and Winnipesaukee communities. Visit benjylevine07.wixsite.com/paintingforapurpose to see samples of his paintings.

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 news@hippopress.com.

Featured photo: Students at Spark Academy of Advanced Technologies. Courtesy photo.

Working ahead

Nine New Hampshire high school students this month received both their high school diploma and an associate degree at the same time. According to a press release, the students are the inaugural graduating class of Spark Academy of Advanced Technologies, a chartered public high school on the campus of Manchester Community College that opened in 2019. The school offers dual-credit programs with a focus on mechatronics, allowing high school students to receive an associate degree in advanced manufacturing from Manchester Community College the same year they graduate from high school. The graduates have already secured internships at prominent companies, according to the release.

QOL score: +1

Comment: Spark Academy plans to expand its offerings to include a degree program in bio fabrication, and openings for the upcoming academic year are still available.

Sustainable fun

Intown Concord, in partnership with New Hampshire Federal Credit Union, has set out to make Market Days, the largest annual festival in downtown Concord, a sustainable event. According to a press release, the festival, planned for June 22 through June 24, will feature initiatives to promote recycling, waste reduction and eco-conscious practices. Staffed recycling stations, reusable cups in the beer tent and vendor composting are among the key sustainability initiatives. Visit marketdaysfestival.com to learn more.

QOL score: +1

Comment: “By making Market Days a sustainable event, we hope to inspire other festivals, organizations, and individuals to adopt similar practices, creating a greener and more sustainable future for our community,” Intown Concord stated in the release.

We’re spendy

A recent study by Forbes Advisor that examined budgeting, debt management and financial planning across the 50 states revealed that New Hampshire ranked as the sixth least financially disciplined state. According to the study, only 56 percent of residents follow a budget that guides their spending; 22 percent regularly save a portion of their monthly income; 32 percent contribute to a retirement account; 26 percent usually achieve their financial goals, such as paying off student loans; and only 18 percent claim to possess high levels of financial discipline.

QOL score: -1

Comment: The study notes low unemployment as a possible factor in securing Alabama’s status as the most financially disciplined state, though interestingly, New Hampshire surpasses Alabama in that area, ranking third for unemployment, while Alabama ranks sixth.

QOL score: 76

Net change: +1

QOL this week: 77

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

Featured photo: Students at Spark Academy of Advanced Technologies. Courtesy photo.

Cookies donated

More than 33,000 packages of Girl Scout Cookies have been donated to numerous organizations across New Hampshire and Vermont. According to a press release, the Girl Scouts of the Green and White Mountains, the council serving Girl Scouts in both states, orchestrated the donations through their Gift of Caring program, with the Girl Scouts themselves personally delivering the cookies. The gesture was made possible by the collective efforts of troops, with thousands of packages contributed through both online and in-person sales. Some troops collaborated to donate cookies collectively across the council, while others individually donated hundreds of packages to support causes close to their hearts.

QOL score: +1

Comment: The New Hampshire Food Bank in Manchester was one of the largest recipients, receiving hundreds of cases of cookies.

Fruit and veggie crop losses

A historic freeze last month dealt a devastating blow to Upper Valley fruit and vegetable growers, resulting in significant crop losses for some, NHPR reported. After experiencing a dry April that ranked as one of the hottest on record in New Hampshire, the region encountered cooler temperatures in May. A low temperature of 23 degrees the night of May 17 broke not only the record for that specific date but also for any day in May within the past 50 years. The full extent of the damage is yet to be determined but is expected to have long-lasting effects.

QOL score: -2

Comment: The affected farms remain uncertain about the extent of financial assistance they may receive to cope with the losses, according to the article.

Socks donated

Digital Federal Credit Union (DCU) organized a sock collection drive across its 23 branch locations and three back offices that garnered 1,600 pairs of socks donated by community members and employees, matched by nonprofit partner Operation Service with an additional 1,000 pairs of socks. The 2,600 pairs of socks were distributed to 20 nonprofits through New Hampshire and Massachusetts.

QOL score: +1

Comment: Socks are an often overlooked but highly requested item at homeless shelters and play a crucial role in promoting the health, well-being and dignity of those in need, according to the release.

SNAP at farmers markets

The New Hampshire Food Bank is enhancing access to fresh and local fruits and vegetables at farmers markets across the state this summer. According to a press release, the Granite State Market Match program, aimed at helping SNAP households in New Hampshire, allows participants to stretch their benefits and increase buying power at participating farmers markets. With $1 in fruit and vegetable vouchers provided for every $1 charged to their EBT card, SNAP households can double their benefits. More than 25 markets currently participate in Granite State Market Match, with new sites being added regularly. Additionally, select independent retailers offer 50 percent off fresh produce for SNAP households through the Double Up Food Bucks NH initiative.

QOL score: +1

Comment: Last year 3,752 New Hampshire residents used the program and Granite State Market Match infused $175,901 into the state’s economy.

QOL score: 75

Net change: +1

QOL this week: 76

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

Community improvement

The City of Manchester recently completed a community improvement project near 359 Commercial St. that included the construction of an accessible ramp and stair structure, relocation of the Mill Girl Statue, lighting and new brick pavers and concrete flatwork. “The project promotes inclusiveness in our diverse city and provides a renewed place where the community can gather and enjoy improved access between Manchester’s active downtown and the vibrant Millyard,” the City of Manchester, NH Economic Development Facebook page posted.

QOL score: +1

Comment: A ribbon cutting ceremony will be held at the plaza on Wednesday, June 7, at 1:30 p.m.

Military retirement

A recent WalletHub study ranked New Hampshire the sixth best U.S. state for military retirees. The study looked at various factors, such as state tax on military pension, job opportunities for veterans, rates of homelessness and suicide among veterans, state authorization for veterans’ preference in private hiring, the quality of VA hospitals, the number of VA benefits-administration facilities per number of veterans and more. New Hampshire ranked especially high for veterans per capita (10th) and the share of veteran-own businesses (5th).

QOL score: +1

Comment: Connecticut is the only New England state to join New Hampshire in the top 10, coming in at No. 5. Florida was No. 1.

Butterfly sanctuary

On the 50th anniversary of Endangered Species Day, observed on May 19, the New Hampshire Army National Guard, New Hampshire Fish and Game Department and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services celebrated the success of their collaborative efforts to protect the endangered Karner blue butterfly, NHPR reported. The groups have worked for more than two decades to transform a 28-acre field near Concord Municipal Airport into a sanctuary for the butterflies. In addition to restoring the land, they’ve taken measures to cultivate lupine flowers — which the butterflies rely on for sustenance and egg-laying sites — including controlled fires to clear debris and create a dry climate preferred by the lupines. Their efforts have resulted in a flourishing population of more than 35,000 Karner blue butterflies, according to the article.

QOL score: +1

Comment: The sanctuary has also seen the growth of another butterfly species, the Frosted Elfins, which also rely on lupine flowers.

QOL score: 72

Net change: +3

QOL this week: 75

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

Our smart kids

Six New Hampshire high school seniors were named semifinalists in the prestigious 2023 U.S. Presidential Scholars Program, and two of them were named Scholars. According to a press release from the New Hampshire Department of Education, the recognition is considered one of the highest honors for graduating seniors nationwide. The semifinalists are Sydney Buffett from Bedford High School, William Longtin from Hollis/Brookline High School, Sam McLaughlin from Spaulding High School and Kelly Zhang from Oyster River High School, with Aaron R. Joy from Phillips Exeter Academy and Sora Shirai from Hanover High School chosen as Scholars. There were 628 semifinalists from across the nation, chosen out of 5,000 candidates. Up to 161 students can be named Scholars each year, according to the program’s website.

QOL score: +1

Comment: Established in 1964, the U.S. Presidential Scholars Program originally focused on academic excellence but was expanded in 1979 to include students in the arts and in 2015 to recognize achievements in career and technical education, according to the website.

A hot tourism summer

The Division of Travel and Tourism of the Department of Business and Economic Affairs in New Hampshire predicts a 4.8 percent increase in tourists visiting the state this summer and a 6.5 percent increase in those visitors’ spending. According to a press release, approximately 4.3 million tourists are expected to visit and are projected to spend around $2.35 billion. Despite the challenges posed by the Covid pandemic, New Hampshire has witnessed record spending in the past two summers. “While inflation and the potential for a recession continue to pose threats, data shows there continues to be a pent-up demand for travel,” BEA Commissioner Taylor Caswell said in the release.

QOL score: +1

Comment: The state’s summer marketing campaign, themed “Discover Your New,” will focus on road trips and continue targeting core markets such as New England and New York, as well as road trip markets including Eastern Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Montreal and Quebec City in Canada.

Sarah Silverman, Seth Meyers suggest otherwise

Somehow, a report by Shiny Smile Veneers names Boston as America’s funniest city and Massachusetts as our funniest state and yet ranks New Hampshire as the No. 5 least funny state, according to a press release and the study at shinysmileveneers.com. The study uses not-entirely-New-Hampshire-friendly factors like per capita comedy specials filmed, comedy festivals, comedy clubs and “search volume per city/state” to score funny cities and states. Of course, some of the people yukking it up in Boston (as well as the comedians working those clubs) are likely Granite Staters — QOL demands a recount!

QOL score: -2

Comments: New Hampshire has plenty of comedy; take our state politics — please! Cough, sorry. But just this year New Hampshire’s own (we don’t care where he was born or where he lives now, he’s ours) Adam Sandler was awarded the Kennedy Center’s Mark Twain Prize for American Humor. And you can find laughs on the regular at area comedy clubs and comedy concerts — listed for your convenience in our Comedy This Week (see page 30).

QOL score: 72

Net change: 0

QOL this week: 72

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