Category: Quality Of Life

More measles

State officials added to the list of places people might have been exposed to the measles. The New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services announced in a July 18 press release that “an out-of-state resident visited New Hampshire while they were infectious with measles. The out-of-state resident was exposed to an international traveler with measles who was previously identified in late June.” The press release went on to say that measles might have been transmitted to any unvaccinated people or people not previously infected. The exposed individual visited restaurants in Alton and Concord on July 5, and Merrimack on July 6. “

QOL score: -2

Comment: “Please visit the DHHS website for updated infection counts and New Hampshire exposure locations associated with this outbreak,” the release said.

Lottery repeat

The same set of numbers came up twice in the State Lottery’s Pick 3 and Pick 4 games Saturday evening, July 20. As reported in a July 20 online article by WMUR, there was a mistake in the numbers entered into the Lottery’s system. “According to the lottery,” the story reported, “a vendor entered the winning numbers for Saturday’s midday Pick 3 and Pick 4 drawings as the winning numbers for the evening drawings as well.” The Lottery stated that “it noticed the mistake right away and alerted its vendor to make a correction.”

QOL score: +1

Comment: On its website, the Lottery commission announced that it would honor both sets of numbers for the Saturday evening drawing, but: “This is ONLY for the evening draw on Saturday, 7/20/2024.”

Derry PD is getting a puppy!

The Derry Police Department announced on its Facebook page last Thursday, July 18, that it is in the final stages of choosing a comfort dog to join the department. “Comfort dogs can be used for calm and comfort in all sorts of different situations,” the Department posted, “like mental illness circumstances, domestic violence cases, victim/witness support, courtroom testimony, officer wellness, and helping out in our numerous schools in town.”

QOL score: +1

Comment: The Department has been working with an organization called Hero Pups to select a puppy with the right temperament to grow into the job.

Mosquitoes in Manchester

The Manchester Health Department announced Wednesday, July 17, that one batch of mosquitoes collected in Manchester on July 10 had tested positive for West Nile Virus (WNV). West Nile Virus is transmitted through the bite of an infected mosquito, the Health Department said. “Symptoms usually appear within a week after being bitten. Symptoms can include flu-like illness including fever, muscle aches, headaches, and fatigue. … A very small percentage of individuals infected with WNV can go on to develop more serious central nervous system disease, including meningitis or encephalitis.”

QOL score: -1

Comment: The Manchester Health Department recommends eliminating pools of standing water, where mosquitoes lay their eggs, and wearing mosquito repellant with at least 30 percent DEET.

Last week’s QOL score: 74

Net change: -1

QOL this week: 73

What’s affecting your Quality of Life here in New Hampshire?

Let us know at [email protected].

New Chef-in-Residence

The Capitol Center for the Arts (44 S. Main St., Concord, 225-1111, ccanh.com) has announced its newest Culinary Artist-In-Residence: Susan Chung of Sue’s Kimbap House. Chung will work with the Capitol Center, using its two commercial kitchens, and selling her food at the Capitol Center and the Bank of NH concession stands throughout her residency. On its website, the Capitol Center said the residency program “works with newly arrived or marginalized community members who want to start a culinary business. This program allows these new entrepreneurs to build their food business in a low-risk way.” Chef Chung specializes in kimbap, a Korean street food made with seaweed, rice and vegetables, fish or meat.

QOL score: +1

Comment: Chef Chung describes kimbap as “more than a meal — it’s a bundle of joy wrapped in tradition.”

Eggcellent news for (some) loons

Observers of the live Loon Cam hosted by the Loon Preservation Committee (183 Lees Mill Road, Moultonborough, 476-5666, loon.org) reported that one of the eggs in Nest No. 2, somewhere in the Lakes Region, had started to hatch. According to the Committee’s webcam site, several excited viewers saw a “pip,” a small hole caused by a hatching chick, in one of the eggs at 5 p.m. on June 14. “After some debate and close inspection, the Loon Cam Operator confirmed that there was indeed a pip, sparking a wave of excitement among the chatters,” the website reported. The new loon was reported to have fully hatched by July 15. Meanwhile, things went less well at Nest No. 1. “LoonCam 1 Live Broadcast was terminated the morning of July 12 because the loons abandoned the nest after two eggs [were] crushed,” the Loon Cam site reported.

QOL score: +1

Comment: To view footage of the latest hatching, visit the Committee’s YouTube video “Loon Chick Hatching.”

Measles spotted

The New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services announced in a press release on July 9 that it had “confirmed a measles infection in an unvaccinated New Hampshire resident.” The infection, the DHHS said, “is likely the result of exposure to an international traveler with measles who visited Hanover in late June.” This case follows a confirmed infection in Vermont that is also linked to the international traveler. “The total number of individuals associated with this measles cluster is three,” the DHHS stated. According to the Centers for Disease Control (cdc.gov), “As of July 11, a total of 167 measles cases were reported by 24 jurisdictions [in the United States].” This includes this incident. The DHHS press release quoted Dr. Benjamin Chan, New Hampshire State Epidemiologist: “Measles is a highly contagious but preventable disease,” he said. “The two-dose measles vaccine provides lifelong protection in most people, and it is the best protection against measles and complications of infection. Anybody who is not vaccinated is strongly encouraged to talk with their healthcare provider about completing the vaccine series.”

QOL score: -2

Comment: Anyone with questions or concerns about this confirmed infection can contact DPHS at 271-4496. To learn more about measles, visit the CDC website.

QOL score: 74

Net change: 0

QOL this week: 74

What’s affecting your Quality of Life here in New Hampshire?

Let us know at [email protected].

A date with giant balloons

Members of the Spartans Drum and Bugle Corps (spartansdbc.org) learned last week that they will march in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade in New York in November. WMUR reported in an online article July 4 that the Spartans “were selected from more than 100 applicants and were one of nine bands that received the invite.” The invitation came with a $10,000 donation from Macy’s to help with fundraising for the Spartans to travel to New York City next year. “What an amazing way to celebrate the Spartans’ 70th anniversary!” the Spartans posted on their website.

QOL score: +1

Comment: The Spartans describe themselves as “a community-based performing arts program in Nashua, NH.”

Laid-back in Nashua

In a recent study by WalletHub (wallethub.com), an online financial management website, Nashua ranked as one of the least stressed cities in America. Out of 182 U.S. cities, Nashua placed 175th. In a July 8 press release, WalletHub described the study. “WalletHub compared more than 180 cities across 39 key metrics. The data set ranges from average weekly work hours to the unemployment rate to divorce and suicide rates.” Nashua scored in the 20th percentile or lower in terms of work, financial, family, and health & safety stress.

QOL score: +1

Comment: According to this study, Cleveland, Ohio, is the most stressed-out city in America, and Charleston, South Carolina, is the least.

Falling for love

Ninety-year-old Manchester man Bill Rogers sky-dived last Sunday to celebrate his anniversary with his late wife, Natalie. According to a July 7 online story by WMUR, Rogers completed his sixth skydive in Pepperell, Mass., with an eye toward teasing his wife, like he would have if she were still alive. “Every time I jump out of a plane, I can hear her say, ‘Billy, you’re as crazy as ever,’’” WMUR quoted him.

QOL score: +1

Comment: According to Guinness World Records (guinnessworldrecords.com) the oldest skydiver on record is 106-year-old Texan Alfred Blanschke, who broke his own record in May of this year.

Goodbye to Bob’s

On July 1, Bob’s Stores announced it would close all its remaining stores, which included one in Salem, New Hampshire. Bob’s Stores began with a single store in Connecticut and eventually expanded throughout the Northeast. Meanwhile, several Eastern Mountain Sports stores, including the one in The Mall of New Hampshire in Manchester, are closing as well. EMS and Bob’s Stores are owned by the same parent company, which recently filed for bankruptcy protection.

QOL score: -1

Comments: The going-out-of-business sale at Bob’s was expected to continue through July 14, according to a story on WMUR.com. EMS still operates its Eastern Mountain Sports School in North Conway and is the official outfitter of the Mount Washington Observatory. (Bob’s Stores, by the way, are NOT affiliated with Bob’s Discount Furniture, a whole separate company that sent out a press release to clear up confusion, according to a July 9 Boston Globe story.)

QOL score: 72

Net change: +2

QOL this week: 74

What’s affecting your Quality of Life here in New Hampshire?

Let us know at [email protected].

Sad ice cream news

On June 24 the Food and Drug Administration announced a recall on ice cream made by Totally Cool, Inc. of Owings Mills, Maryland. In a press release, the FDA wrote that the company is voluntarily “recalling multiple brands of ice cream products, because they have the potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems.” The recalled products include Friendly’s ice cream cakes, several Hershey’s ice cream cakes and cones, and Cumberland Farms’ ice cream sandwiches. For a full list of recalled products, visit fda.gov/safety.

QOL score: -1

Comment: Consumers who have recalled products in their possession are urged to return them to the place of purchase for a full refund. Consumers with questions may contact Totally Cool, Inc. at 410-363-7801 or [email protected].

Number of deadly fires is up

WMUR reported in a June 29 online story that deadly fires in New Hampshire have increased significantly from the last two years, and that the number of deaths so far this year has surpassed the total number from last year. Quoting the State Fire Marshal’s Office, WMUR reported “13 deaths from 11 unintentional fires so far this year. In comparison, authorities recorded 12 deaths from 11 unintentional fires in all of 2023 and nine deaths from eight fires in 2022.” So far this year Hillsborough County has had the largest number of fatalities. WMUR reported, “From Feb. 20 to June 17, officials said there were five deadly fires in Hillsborough County.”

QOL score: -3

Comment: Worryingly, the Fire Marshal’s Office confirmed that several deaths occurred in buildings without working smoke alarms.

Kudos to Nashua and Manchester

In a recent ranking by WalletHub.com, an online financial services company, Nashua is the fourth best-run city in the United States. It was ranked No. 4 out of 148 cities included in the study, which focused on factors such as financial stability, education, health, safety and infrastructure. The study ranked Nashua as the safest city in America. Manchester came in at No. 18. See wallethub.com/edu/best-run-cities/22869.

QOL score: +1

Comments: Virginia Beach was the highest-ranking city on the list, and Detroit was the lowest.

Local organizations recognized with grants

In a July 1 press release, the Norwin S. and Elizabeth N. Bean Foundation, a philanthropic organization with a mission to aid nonprofit organizations in Manchester and Amherst, announced that it has awarded $178,000 across six local nonprofit organizations. This set of grant recipients includes Families in Transition (fitnh.org), Girls, Inc. of NH (girlsincnewhampshire.org), the Manchester Police Athletic League (manchesterpoliceathleticleague.org), NH Audubon Society (nhaudubon.org), the New Hampshire Historical Society (nhhistory.org) — all located in Manchester — and Opportunity Networks (opportunitynetworks.org), in Amherst.

QOL score: +1

Comments: Visit beanfoundation.org.

QOL score last week: 74

Net change: -2

QOL this week: 72

What’s affecting your Quality of Life here in New Hampshire?

Let us know at [email protected].

Ewwww

The New Hampshire Department of Environmental Studies said Thursday, June 13, that cyanobacteria blooms had been reported on Lake Winnipesaukee and two warnings were issued on June 12. The specific affected areas were Carry Beach and Brewster Beach in Wolfeboro, and 19-Mile and Tuftonboro Neck in Tuftonboro. The Department advised that any surface scum, no matter the color, should be avoided to prevent toxin exposure. The Manchester Health Department announced on Friday, June 21, that the public beach at Crystal Lake had been re-opened for swimming after analysis of water samples taken the previous day indicated that E. coli levels were once again within acceptable limits.

QOL score: -2

Comments: Gross yourself out/stay informed by checking out the NH Healthy Swimming Mapper at des.nh.gov, which features fecal bacteria advistories and cyanobacteria warnings. For Manchester watering holes, check manchesternh.gov/Departments/Health for news and alerts.

A tornado watch?

New Hampshire cooled down last weekend but Sunday brought extreme thunderstorms across the state, and a tornado watch. According to an online report by WMUR on Sunday, June 23, “A tornado watch was dropped for New Hampshire late Sunday night after multiple storms triggered several severe thunderstorms and tornado warnings during the day.” One storm led to multiple tornado warnings — including near Manchester — and severe thunderstorm warnings before it went out to sea around 7:15 p.m.

QOL score: -1

Comments: According to WMUR on June 24, National Weather Service confirmed that an EF-1 tornado did touch down in Dublin on Sunday.

Seeing our past

As reported on June 17 by Manchester Ink Link, the fourth in a series of Black History plaques was unveiled at Manchester’s City Hall Plaza on June 14, honoring two early Black residents of Manchester. Caesar Harvey and Caesar Griffin were both free land-owning residents of Derryfield in the 1700s and 1800s. The Ink Link story reported that according to historian Stan Garrity the two men were probably the first Black residents of Manchester; Caesar Harvey, who had been born in Africa, was enslaved, escaped from slavery, and found a new home in Derryfield. According to the plaque, “Caesar Harvey took a risk and was able to gain his freedom for a better life.”

QOL score: +1

Comment: According to the plaque, Caesar Griffin was also formerly enslaved, but eventually gained his freedom and with his son Thomas eventually owned 152 acres of land.

We’ve been eating a lot of takeout

According to a recent survey by cooking website The Cookie Rookie New Hampshire residents eat more takeout meals per capita than anywhere in the U.S. other than Hawaii. According to the survey, which was based on online data, Granite Staters spend $14.22 per day, on average, buying takeout food, and $5,190 per year. According to the same survey, Oklahoma spends the least on takeout, $3,198 per year.

QOL score: -1 for being too busy to cook

Comment: To read a summary of the report, visit thecookierookie.com/the-us-dinner-time-report.

QOL score: 77

Net change: -3

QOL this week: 74

What’s affecting your Quality of Life here in New Hampshire?

Let us know at [email protected].

Streaming now: a not quite empty nest

Whit and Thor, this year’s brood of peregrine falcons from the nest at the top of the Brady-Sullivan building in Manchester, left the next two weeks ago, only to return home. On Sunday, June 9, Whit, the female fledgling, was observed via a live falcon-cam “fludging” — accidentally fledging. As she moved along the edge of the falcons’ nesting box, she slipped and fell. It was not so much a maiden flight as a plummet. She was not seen for several days, and it was feared that she had come to a bad end. Her brother Thor left the nest in a more deliberate manner the next morning. Since then, both fledglings have returned to the nesting box, and last Sunday, June 16, Whit was observed chasing her mother from the nest — all this according to the log for birds kept by regular viewers of the peregrine falcon cams.

QOL score: +1

Comment: See the log of falcon adventures at tinyurl.com/yck2pnka.

Streaming now: Full nest

According to a June 17 press release from the Loon Preservation Committee (loon.org), a pair of loons have laid an egg on a Live Loon Cam run by their organization. Footage from the Loon Cam, shows a family of loons nesting in the Lakes Region. “The first egg was laid on June 17,” the press release read, “and a second egg is expected to be laid between June 19 and 20. Hatch is expected to occur between July 14 and 15.” For the next 24 days, viewers can watch the live video feed, as the loons incubate their eggs and hatch their chicks.

QOL Score: +1

Comment: See the Loon Cam at loon.org/looncam.

Ice cream for dinner week

The National Weather Service, Gray, Maine, issued a Heat Advisory on Monday, June 16, that included the cities of Concord, Nashua and Manchester, effective on Tuesday, June 18. An Excessive Heat Watch was also issued, for Wednesday, June 19, and Thursday, June 20. Extreme heat and humid conditions were forecast with heat indices exceeding 100 degrees. Concord, Manchester and Nashua opened cooling stations. A press release from the Manchester Emergency Operations Center advised residents to wear sunblock and lightweight, loose-fitting clothing, to stay hydrated, and to stay in air-conditioned areas. Eversource also issued a press release June 16 saying, “While high electricity usage during a heat wave can put a strain on the electric system, the energy company is prepared to meet the increased demand and its crews are ready to respond to any outages or issues that may arise.”

QOL Score: –1 but last weekend was so nice!

Comment: Too. Hot.

Slightly better news at the pump

According to the website GasBuddy.com, fuel prices in New Hampshire have dropped. A little. In a press release June 17, the fuel-price-tracking service announced that “average gasoline prices in New Hampshire have fallen 2.0 cents per gallon in the past week. Prices in New Hampshire are 15.9 cents per gallon lower than a month ago and stand 15.2 cents per gallon lower than a year ago. ”

QOL score: +1

Comment: The lowest price for gas in New Hampshire was $3.02 per gallon, compared to the national average of $3.41.

Last week’s QOL score: 75

Net change: +2

QOL this week: 77

What’s affecting your Quality of Life here in New Hampshire?

Let us know at [email protected].