Category: Quality Of Life

Not the Disney direct!

According to a Feb. 22 report from WMUR, Spirit Airlines is suspending service at Manchester-Boston Regional Airport effective May 8. The change affects two routes — to Orlando and to Myrtle Beach — the story said. The airline blames “ongoing operational constraints related to Pratt & Whitney GTF engine availability and seasonal demand for our MHT (Manchester–Boston Regional Airport) flights” for the suspension, according to the WMUR report. In a Feb. 23 story, Ted Kitchens, airport director of aviation, said he hopes Spirit will come back in the winter.

QOL score: -2

Comments: At least the suspension of service hits after April school vacation.

More meals on wheels

Meals on Wheels of Hillsborough County cut the ribbon on their new nutrition site and headquarters on South Main Street in Manchester, the former home of Blake’s Restaurant and Creamery, on Feb. 20, according to a press release. The state’s largest Meals on Wheels agency, Hillsborough County’s Meals on Wheels served more than 380,000 meals to more than 4,100 people throughout the 31 towns and cities in the county in 2023, the release said. The Meals of Wheels of Hillsborough County is currently raising money to renovate former Blake’s restaurant in the coming years to offer community dining, the release said.

QOL score: +1

Comments: Meals on Wheels of Hillsborough County is holding a fundraiser called Festival of Fives on Thursday, April 11, 6 to 8:30 p.m., at LaBelle Winery in Amherst. The event features a buffet dinner, live music, a silent auction and more. Tickets cost $90; see hcmow.org, where you can also find information about volunteering as a driver.

The best state capital in our state

Citing Concord’s low crime rate, the personal-finance website WalletHub has ranked it as the 10th most livable state capital in the country. According to the website, Concord has the lowest violent-crime rate per 1,000 residents, 13.3 times lower than in Little Rock, Arkansas, the capital city with the highest.

To identify the most livable state capitals, WalletHub rated each city, using 48 key measurements, ranging from the cost of living to K–12 school-system quality to the number of attractions.

QOL score: +1

Comments:It’s good to get recognition for what we’ve already known — that Concord is a solidly good place to live.

QOL score: 59

Net change: 0

QOL this week: 59

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

Let us know at [email protected].

Helping wheels

As mentioned at the bottom of this page, we welcome your QOLs. Michael McDonough of Catholic Charities of NH writes: “The CareGivers needs volunteers to help homebound and disabled seniors in Greater Manchester. Ninety-three percent of CareGivers’ clients live alone, facing social isolation and food insecurity regularly, negatively impacting their health and emotional well-being. These seniors rely on our volunteer-driven Caring Rides services for essential trips to medical appointments, doctors’ offices and grocery stores. Unfortunately, the demand for the program’s services is increasingly surpassing the number of available volunteers, and we need volunteers more than ever. Volunteer opportunities are flexible and tailored to your schedule.”

QOL score: +1 for the service

Comments: See caringrides.org for information on volunteering; see cc-nh.org for more on Catholic Charities of NH.

Helping wings

The Aviation Museum of New Hampshire (27 Navigator Road in Londonderry; aviationmuseumofnh.org, 669-4820) honored Karen Hannigan-Machado, retired principal of the Manchester School of Technology, on Jan. 24 at an event at the Common Man in Windham for her role in establishing the school’s plane-building partnership with the museum, according to a press release. The program was the first of its kind in the northeastern U.S. and the school constructed a specialized workshop/hangar for the plane-building program, which led to the establishment of the school’s Aviation CTE program, the release said. Hannigan-Machado received a model of the Van’s RV-12iS aircraft (which is the airplane the students are building), the release said.

QOL score: +1

Comments: See aviationmuseumofnh.org for more on the “Student Plane Build” program.

Near-perfect angels, apparently

According to a press release from the personal finance website WalletHub, New Hampshire ranks 49 in the 50 states in “Sinfulness” as measured by seven (naturally) factors, including greed and vanity, the two sins on which the state scored highest (22nd and 23rd respectively). Vanity in particular was measured by things like “number of plastic surgeons per residents aged 18 and over” and “number of manicurists and pedicurists per capita,” according to the website.

QOL score: +1

Comments: No mention in the “Vanity” section of our vanity license plates, which the New Hampshire Department of Safety reported that 13 percent of motorists have, according to a 2022 article on nhmagazine.com. But then, being wiseguys for the benefit of fellow drivers isn’t really a “sin.”

QOL score: 56

Net change: +3

QOL this week: 59

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

Let us know at [email protected].

Smarties, part 1

New Hampshire has been ranked as the 8th most educated state in America for 2024, according to a study released by the personal finance website WalletHub. The study evaluated all 50 states based on 18 metrics across educational attainment, school quality, and achievement gaps between genders and races. New Hampshire excelled in several key areas, ranking 4th for the percentage of high school diploma holders, 10th for associate’s degree holders or college-experienced adults, and 8th for bachelor’s degree holders. The state also stood out for having the smallest gender gap in educational attainment, taking first place.

QOL score: +1

Comment: Neighboring Massachusetts, home to prestigious institutions like MIT and Harvard, tops the list as the most educated state in the U.S., boasting the highest percentages of adults with bachelor’s and advanced degrees and leading the nation in high school math and reading scores.

Smarties, part 2

Spark Academy, situated on Manchester Community College’s campus, recently hosted Dean Kamen, Gov. Sununu and other dignitaries to celebrate the creation of 200 Experiential Robotics Platform (XRP) robots by the academy’s student-led 3D print farm. According to a press release, this initiative aims to supply low-cost robotics kits to New Hampshire classrooms, fostering skills in problem-solving, teamwork and engineering among students. Spark Academy, which integrates robotics into its curriculum, enabled students to gain hands-on manufacturing experience through this project. The involvement began when fourth-year students participated in a capstone project testing the XRP prototype, leading to the production of kits for global distribution at the FIRST Global Conference in Geneva. The Academy plans to continue producing XRP kits, with future projects potentially originating from student ideas.

QOL score: +1

Comment: Spark Academy is currently open for 2024-25 admissions, with an info night for prospective families scheduled for Thursday, Feb. 22. For more details, visit sparkacademynh.org.

The gas station roller coaster

In New Hampshire the average price of gasoline has increased by 1.9 cents per gallon over the past week, reaching $3.08/g, according to GasBuddy’s analysis of 875 stations. This marks a 4.1-cent rise from last month and a 23.0-cent decrease compared to the previous year. Meanwhile the national average for diesel has climbed 6.9 cents, now at $3.99 per gallon. GasBuddy’s survey identified the price range in New Hampshire from the cheapest station at $2.76/g to the most expensive at $3.89/g. Nationally, the average gasoline price has gone up by 5.2 cents, averaging $3.17/g, which is 9.6 cents higher than last month but 20.0 cents lower than last year, based on data from more than 150,000 gas stations.

QOL score: -1

Comment: “We’ve seen the national average price of gasoline inching higher now for three straight weeks, but I’m afraid the worst is yet to come. With several major refinery issues persisting across various regions, the eventual transition to summer gasoline is likely to continue to put upward pressure on prices, with larger weekly increases likely coming in March and April,” Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy, commented in the price update.

QOL score: 55

Net change: +1

QOL this week: 56

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

Let us know at [email protected].

Child care aid

The New Hampshire Department of Health of Human Services (DHHS) has launched “Child Care Accelerate,” an 8-week business support initiative designed to aid child care providers in the state. According to a press release, the program, created in collaboration with Seed Collective, aims to help these providers improve their business operations and financial management to ensure their long-term viability and to enhance the availability of quality child care. Participants will have the chance to apply for the Opportunities to Succeed (OTS) grant, supported by $5 million from American Rescue Plan Act Discretionary funds, to fund projects like facility improvements. This initiative is a continuation of the state’s efforts to utilize $29.7 million in ARPA-D funds for critical needs within the child care sector, which includes various capacity-building and workforce expansion projects.

QOL score: +1

Comment: Since March 2020, more than $150 million in federal relief funds has been invested in the New Hampshire child care system.

UNH deadline extension

Students and their families will have more time to make decisions about their higher education, as the University of New Hampshire (UNH) has extended the application deadline for the 2024-25 academic year. This change comes in response to recent updates to the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), providing applicants with a buffer to understand their financial aid options fully.

QOL score: +1

Comment: Despite the challenges posed by the FAFSA changes, the university has noted an increase in applications.

Sewage in the river

The Merrimack River faced a significant environmental challenge last year, as around 2 billion gallons of raw sewage mixed with stormwater runoff entered the river, surpassing previous sewer overflow records, NHPR reported. This increase is attributed to factors such as climate change impacts, increased rainfall and ongoing riverfront development. Outdated combined sewer systems struggled to handle heavy rain, leading to untreated sewage entering the river. Sewer overflow advisories were in place for 39 days during June and July. Approximately 500,000 to 700,000 people rely on the Merrimack River for drinking water.

QOL score: -2

Comment: Manchester, one of the most affected areas, is working on a project aimed at reducing sewer overflows into the river, estimated to cost over $300 million and extend over two decades.

QOL score: 55

Net change: 0

QOL this week: 55

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

Democracy and stickers!

Voters in last week’s presidential primaries were able to score some pretty great “I voted” stickers. Three different options were available: an Old Man in the Mountain profile in front of an American flag, a happy-face-having state of New Hampshire fishing and a moose in front of an autumnal landscape. The artists behind these stickers are New Hampshire fourth graders Grace of Milton, Jacob of Auburn and Rilynn of Mont Vernon, respectively. New Hampshire Secretary of State David M. Scanlan and Deputy Secretary of State Erin T. Hennessey announced the winners of a statewide sticker-making contest for fourth graders back in October 2023. The stickers will appear at all state elections in 2024.

Score: +1

Comments: QOL did — after asking permission — take one of each.

Students helping out

The University of New Hampshire has introduced the “Semester for Impact” program, a unique experiential learning initiative designed to benefit students and New Hampshire organizations, according to a press release. This program enables UNH undergraduates to work 30 hours a week for 15 weeks with local businesses, nonprofits and municipalities, focusing on projects with positive environmental and social impacts. Students earn academic credit and engage in complementary workshops and courses. The program, which embeds immersive learning into the academic curriculum, is a collaboration with the nonprofit College for Social Innovation. It builds on the success of the Semester in the City program in Boston and aims to develop key competencies, professional skills and career networks for students. Host organizations are invited to apply to participate in the program.

QOL score: +1

Comment: Previously, 190 UNH students have participated in the Semester in the City program in Boston through this collaboration, focusing on community-based learning experiences.

Tax help

Granite United Way has launched its free tax prep program for New Hampshire residents with annual household incomes of up to $64,000. According to a press release, the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program, supported by a $50,000 contribution from Citizens, connects qualifying low-to-moderate-income individuals and families in the state with IRS-certified volunteers who can help them access the greatest amount of tax refunds. This initiative helped participants collectively receive more than $5.5 million in federal tax refunds last year, including significant amounts through the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC). To schedule an appointment near you visit nhtaxhelp.org, or go to MyFreeTaxes.com for self-preparation with guidance.

QOL score: +1

Comment: IRS data revealed that about one in five eligible New Hampshire residents don’t file for the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), leaving an estimated $31 million unclaimed, according to the release.

QOL score: 52

Net change: +3

QOL this week: 55

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

We’re #1!

In a comprehensive report by Retirement Living, New Hampshire has been ranked the best state for retirement in 2024. This accolade comes as part of a detailed analysis of various factors critical to retirees, including cost of living, quality of life, and health care. The state’s appeal is bolstered by its tax benefits — no tax on income, estate, or sales — and the availability of year-round activities. Retirees make up 20% of New Hampshire’s population, and they enjoy discounts on tourist attractions. The ranking is based on a Retirement Living Score, derived from a survey of more than 1,075 people age 55 and older, alongside government data from sources like the U.S. Census Bureau and FBI. The report aims to guide individuals considering relocation for their retirement, highlighting the importance of factors like retirement taxes, access to health care and overall affordability in making such a decision.

QOL score: +1

Comment: This is the second consecutive year that New Hampshire has taken the spot in the study.

Easier college funding

The recent changes to the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) have wide-reaching implications, particularly for students in New Hampshire, NHPR reported. The simplified FAFSA, featuring just 36 questions instead of the previous 108, has altered the aid formula, shifting from the expected family contribution to the student aid index as the metric for calculating a student’s ability to pay for college. This change benefits New Hampshire students, with approximately 12,000 more becoming eligible for Pell Grants and over 24,000 qualifying for the maximum grant amount.

QOL score: +1

Comment: Additionally, a new state law now mandates high school seniors in New Hampshire to complete a FAFSA or opt out through a waiver, a policy expected to increase competition rates for eligible students, aligning with trends seen in other states with similar requirements.

Now I can find my texts!

Last weekend, texts from QOL’s dad and other real people were lost in a sea of desperate pleas that QOL Vote For Whomever! or take someone’s survey. Any real phone calls QOL got were ignored along with the flood of calls from one presumes candidates or something, who knows, because QOL stopped answering. According to a WMUR report from Jan. 22, some people who did answer their phone heard what sounded like (but wasn’t) the voice of President Joe Biden telling them not to vote on Tuesday and the NH attorney general is now investigating those calls. But, hark! With the primary now over (hopefully, as of press time on the morning of Jan. 23), we can all look forward to finding our real texts, answering our phones and getting our precious magazines from the mailbox without wading through election stuff.

QOL score: +1 (-1 for the fake phone calls but +2 for, hopefully, an overall lessening of calls and texts)

Comment: At least until mid October.

QOL score: 49

Net change: +3

QOL this week: 52

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